Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against High-Ranking Hezbollah Member Who Helped Plan 1994 Bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Samuel Salman El Reda Participated in Terrorist Operations for Hezbollah in South America, Asia and Lebanon, and Helped Plan and Execute Hezbollahs July 18, 1994, Bombing of the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina Building in Buenos Aires, Killing 85 People

A Manhattan federal court today unsealed terrorism charges against Samuel Salman El Reda, aka Samuel Salman El Reda El Reda, Salman Raouf Salman, Sulayman Rammal, Salman Ramal, Salman Raouf Salman, and Hajj, 58, a dual Colombian-Lebanese citizen and member of Hezbollahs Islamic Jihad Organization (IJO), in connection with El Redas alleged role leading decades of terrorist activity on behalf of Hezbollah and the IJO.

El Reda is charged with, among other offenses, conspiring to provide and providing material support to Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization. El Reda is based in Lebanon and remains at large.

Nearly three decades ago, long-time Hezbollah terrorist operative Samuel Salman El Reda allegedly helped plan and execute the heinous attack on a Buenos Aires Jewish community center that murdered 85 innocent people and injured countless others, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. This indictment serves as a message to those who engage in acts of terror: that the Justice Departments memory is long, and we will not relent in our efforts to bring them to justice.

As alleged, for decades, Samuel Salman El Reda has led terrorist operations on behalf of the Islamic Jihad Organization of Hezbollah, including a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires that massacred 85 innocent victims, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. The career prosecutors of this office have not forgotten the pain and suffering that El Reda has allegedly caused, and we thank the dedication of our law enforcement partners for pursuing this important case. The Southern District of New York continues to be a leader in prosecuting violent terrorists and terrorist organizations, and we will not rest until those who create chaos and destruction are brought to justice.

While its been nearly 30 years since this horrific terrorist attack, the FBI and our partners throughout the U.S. government are committed to delivering justice for the victims families, said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBIs National Security Branch. Our reach and our memory are long, as this investigation shows. The charges unsealed today are a result of the hard work and determination of the men and women of the FBI and Justice Department, and the assistance of our international partners in law enforcement.

According to court documents, Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based Shia Islamic organization with political, social and terrorist components. Hezbollah was founded in the 1980s with support from Iran after the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and its mission includes establishing a fundamentalist Islamic state in Lebanon. Since Hezbollahs formation, the organization has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have killed hundreds, including U.S. citizens and military personnel. In 1997, the Department of State designated Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization, pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and it remains so designated today. In 2001, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, the Department of the Treasury designated Hezbollah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. In 2010, State Department officials described Hezbollah as the most technically capable terrorist group in the world and a continued security threat to the United States.

The IJO, which is also known as the External Security Organization and Unit 910, is a component of Hezbollah responsible for the planning and coordination of intelligence, counterintelligence and terrorist activities on behalf of Hezbollah outside of Lebanon. In July 2012, an IJO operative detonated explosives on a bus transporting Israeli tourists in the vicinity of an airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing six people and injuring 32 others. Law enforcement authorities have disrupted several other IJO attack-planning operations around the world, including through the arrest of an IJO operative surveilling Israeli targets in Cyprus in 2012, the seizure of bomb-making precursor chemicals in Thailand in 2012, the seizure of similar chemicals in May 2015 in connection with the arrest of another IJO operative, and the seizure of approximately three tons of ammonium nitrate in London in the fall of 2015. Since June 2017, multiple IJO operatives have been arrested, charged and convicted in the Southern District of New York for terrorism-related offenses.

Beginning in at least 1993, El Reda has led terrorist operations on behalf of Hezbollah and the IJO in South America, Asia and Lebanon. El Reda was responsible for, among other things, helping to plan and execute the July 18, 1994, bombing of the Asociaion Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds more. El Redas activities for Hezbollah in connection with the AMIA bombing included relaying information to IJO operatives that was used for planning and executing the attack. In the decades following the attack, El Reda continued to engage in terrorist activity on Hezbollahs behalf by recruiting, training and managing IJO operatives around the world. El Reda deployed IJO operatives to Thailand, Panama and Peru, among other places, to help Hezbollah and the IJO conduct pre-operational surveillance in support of attack planning and stockpile explosive precursor chemicals, including ammonium nitrate. For example, in or about May 2009, El Reda instructed an IJO operative to travel to Thailand to help destroy a cache of ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials that the IJO believed was under law enforcement surveillance. In or about February 2011, El Reda instructed an IJO operative to travel to Panama to surveil the Panama Canal and Embassies maintained by the United States and Israel, and in or about January 2012, El Reda instructed an IJO operative to travel again to Panama to conduct additional pre-operational surveillance.

El Reda is charged with: (i) providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (ii) conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; (iii) aiding and abetting the receipt of military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine; and (iv) conspiring to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York Police Department, is investigating the case. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig and Jason A. Richman for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Deputy Chief Larry Schneider of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Key meeting outlines China's tasks for 2024 rural development

Xinhua) 08:01, December 22, 2023

Rice is harvested in Daoxian County, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo by Jiang Keqing/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- In a tone-setting meeting that concluded on Wednesday, China specified moves and tasks to advance rural revitalization across the board and boost the modernization of the countryside in the year ahead.

High on the agenda of the central rural work conference were the issues of food security, the livelihoods of rural residents and the technological development of the agricultural sector.

SECURING PEOPLE'S RICE BOWLS

With the safe and stable food supply being a major concern of the country's rural work, the annual central rural work conference highlighted the production of grain and key agricultural products, vowing to stabilize the farmland acreage and increase the grain yields per unit.

Grain output of more than 650 billion kg continues to be a target in 2024, together with strengthened efforts on farmland protection, according to the meeting.

It was no easy task for China to achieve the 650 billion kg goal this year and to guarantee the supply of main agricultural products, as the country was confronted with adverse weather conditions including floods, drought and prolonged rain in parts of the country.

"The foundation of food security must be consolidated, as the consumption upgrade momentum of China's large population has driven up the food demand, and the global trade in agricultural products still faces uncertainties," said Qian Qian, academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The meeting has underscored concrete measures such as prioritizing the high-standard farmland construction in areas with black soil, plain fields and irrigation systems, and raising investment subsidies.

Zhong Yu, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the measures outlined by the annual meeting will steadily improve the country's food production capacity, citing the role of agricultural infrastructure in countering disasters.

REVITALIZING THE RURAL SECTOR

As fully implementing rural revitalization is vital to the country's agricultural sector, Li Guoxiang, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the rural work meeting stressed enhanced and more targeted efforts to revitalize the rural sector.

The country should continue with quality and green development, and promote relevant industries to boost the rural sector, the meeting noted.

Diversified rural industries are also conducive to consolidating the country's poverty alleviation achievements and avoiding a large-scale relapse into poverty.

According to Mao Xuefeng, vice dean of the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, more funds must be channeled into the less developed regions to boost local pillar industries and the upgrading of traditional industry.

Official data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, the per capita disposable income of rural residents reached 15,705 yuan (about 2,211.6 U.S. dollars), up 7.3 percent in real terms after deducting price factors, 2.6 percentage points faster than that of urban residents.

"Underdeveloped areas should create more employment opportunities locally, increase the training of the labor force, and transform unskilled labor into skilled labor to meet the needs of industrial upgrading," Mao said.

INDUCING SCI-TECH BREAKTHROUGHS

In recent years, China has steadily improved its sci-tech innovation ability in the agricultural sector, with the contribution rate of science and technology to the sector's development reaching 62.4 percent.

The meeting outlined key measures including building a sci-tech innovation platform for the sector, and launching a series of actions to enhance the seed industry.

Concerning the seed industry, Qian urged improvements in the sharing and cooperation of innovative resources, and stepping up the integration of innovation, industry, funds and talents.

Ye Xingqing, a senior researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, noted the reduction in costs and increased output through the integration of quality seeds, agricultural machinery, technologies and management expertise, adding that the country should build up such integrations and achieve breakthroughs in core areas.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Elaine Pierce, center, recently opened her Oak Park home to a half-dozen asylum seekers in need of housing, including Jose, left, Claudia, right, and her 4-year-old son Matias, on Dec. 19, 2023. Its complete family, no question, Pierce said. Theyre wonderful. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

The Nativity set inside the house in Oak Park was complete with all the typical figurines, except one conspicuously missing piece: The baby Jesus wont be displayed until Christmas Eve, per a long-standing tradition from Venezuela brought by a group of migrants who found an unexpected home in this western suburb.

They set up the creche a few days before Christmas with their host, 69-year-old Elaine Pierce, a retiree with terminal cancer who recently opened her three-bedroom home to a half-dozen asylum-seekers in need of housing.

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Over the summer, Pierce had read in her church bulletin that a local nonprofit was seeking food and blankets for new arrivals, as busloads of asylum-seekers were sent to Chicago from southern states, spurring a local migrant crisis that continues to mount. Pierce had offered to let a few new arrivals live in the extra rooms of her roughly 1,000-square-foot house, where shed previously been living alone.

What they really needed was a place to stay, Pierce said. I just thought this was the right thing to do. ... I am so grateful for the gifts Ive been given all my life that I have to give something back.

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More than 26,000 migrants have come to Chicago since in late 2022  some by bus and some by plane  many living here in makeshift shelters and other temporary housing. As many of them celebrate their first Christmas in the United States, various volunteers, nonprofits and churches across the Chicago area are planning seasonal events and gift giveaways to make their holidays a little brighter amid so much turmoil.

Ss. Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood is scheduled to host a Christmas event in the parish hall Saturday that will include lunch and distribution of gifts, as well as pinatas and carnival games for children. Volunteers from St. Giles Catholic Parish in Oak Park planned to bring presents to migrants housed at the Carleton of Oak Park Hotel on Christmas Eve.

Saint Pauls United Church of Christ in Lincoln Park had housed four Venezuelan families for several months over the summer; last weekend, the church held two Christmas parties for them as well as other families housed in Chicago shelters.

Holy Name Cathedral held a Spanish-language Advent Mass for newly arrived migrants on Dec. 17, followed by a reception where attendees received winter coats, toys and religious items.

Sister Kathleen Mitchell, director of spiritual formation and accompaniment at Holy Name Cathedral, estimates that roughly 700 people attended the event.

The joy was palpable in the cathedral, she said.

Such local holiday gatherings are in contrast to the backlash that has also been mounting against the wave of new arrivals, as communities have increasingly protested proposed migrant shelters and encampments.

Family

At Pierces household, seven new arrivals from Venezuela, who had been staying in an emergency shelter at a Chicago police station a few miles away, arrived at her home in early August. Since then, 27-year-old Jose, 29-year-old Claudia and her 4-year-old son Matias  who asked to be identified only by first names  have been living on the homes second floor.

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A married couple, their child and a male adult friend of the family stayed in Pierces basement but are now temporarily in Florida helping relatives; they plan to return to the Oak Park home next month. In the meantime, another married couple  friends of Claudias who help babysit her son  have been living in the basement.

Elaine Pierce, right, who recently opened her Oak Park home to a half-dozen asylum-seekers in need of housing, assembles a holiday creche with Jose, left, on Dec. 19, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Although Pierce had never met any of them before they moved in, she said she wasnt worried about her safety or the security of her home.

I was just oblivious to that possibility, she said. And I know there are people out there who think I am insane. But it just never entered my mind.

She attributes this perspective in part to her roots in rural Iowa, a culture where you helped everybody whether it was a person in need of shelter or someone on the side of the road hitchhiking.

If you had something somebody else needed, it was your responsibility to help that person, she said.

To decorate the home for the holidays, Pierce and her guests recently strung white lights outside and put up a small Christmas tree in the living room. On a recent evening, Jose helped Pierce erect the little wooden Nativity scene in the dining room, placing small figures of sheep and oxen inside the stable beneath a star, with statues of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Magi nearby.

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Jose took the manger holding baby Jesus and hid it in another spot inside the house, to be brought out again at midnight on Christmas Eve, symbolizing the birth of Christ. He said he wanted to preserve this custom from his homeland.

Jose said through an interpreter that even though he and Pierce were strangers a few months ago, they have become family.

Pierce said she feels the same way about all of the newcomers who have stayed in her home.

Its complete family, no question, she said. Theyre wonderful.

A home

For Christmas Day, Claudia said she plans to prepare traditional Venezuelan dishes for Pierce and the rest of the household.

Her eyes light up as she describes the iconic holiday menu of her country: Theres hallaca, a meat-stuffed tamale wrapped inside banana leaves. Theres pan de jamon, a soft bread filled with ham, cream cheese, olives and raisins. Theres also ensalada de gallina, similar to chicken salad but made with meat from a hen.

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We want her to know our traditions, Claudia said, through an interpreter.

She originally hails from Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, where she faced rampant poverty and corruption.

There was no food, she said. To buy food you had to wait in line, sometimes for a couple of days, before something became available.

She fled Venezuela about five years ago to Colombia, where she gave birth to Matias. But it was hard to find a job there. Claudia said shed studied accounting in Venezuela but couldnt work in that field. Part of everything she did earn, she would send back to family in Venezuela, she added.

Despite impoverishment, Claudia recounted festive Christmases in Venezuela, where neighbors would compete with one another over lavish Christmas trees and holiday decor; loved ones would trade holiday dishes with one another, and the feast would last days after Christmas.

But for the past few years in Colombia, she hadnt celebrated Christmas much because financially, it was so, so difficult.

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Over the summer, she made the arduous journey from Colombia to the southern border of the United States, which included crossing on foot the treacherous jungle of the Darien Gap at the Colombia-Panama border. More than 506,000 migrants  almost two-thirds from Venezuela  had traveled through the Darien jungle by mid-December, roughly twice the 248,000 migrants who set a record doing so last year, according to The Associated Press.

While traveling through Central American countries, Claudia was so hungry at times that she begged for food off the plates of patrons at restaurants, she said.

To cross Mexico, she rode along with other migrants atop the roof of a Mexican freight train, which are known collectively as the beast or the train of death, because they can be so perilous for migrants trying to get on and off.

Then she risked her life to wade through the Rio Grande while carrying her son.

I dont know how to swim, she said. There was a moment when I was crossing the river and I couldnt touch the bottom and I had the baby on my shoulder.

Claudia said she turned herself in to immigration police at the southern border in June. From Texas, she said, she was flown to Chicago.

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Earlier this week, a chartered plane with 120 migrants onboard was sent to Chicago from Texas without prior warning, according to Chicago officials. Migrants have also traveled to Chicago, a self-proclaimed sanctuary city for nearly four decades, with plane tickets purchased by Catholic Charities in San Antonio.

Prior to moving into Pierces home, Claudia and her son lived for several weeks at the Chicago police station in the Austin neighborhood, adjacent to Oak Park.

A woman ties a young boys shoe while migrants sleep inside the Austin District (15th) police station in Chicago's Austin neighborhood on Oct. 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Jose, who had been living at the police station as well, recalled that they slept on inflatable mattresses on the floor that theyd deflate each day.

But we felt more welcome here than we felt in some of the surrounding countries we lived in, in Central America, he said.

Across Chicago, many migrants had been sleeping outside in tents at police stations or encampments, even as temperatures dipped below freezing and snow fell in late October.

Mayor Brandon Johnson recently announced that no asylum-seekers were living at police stations for the first time in months, though more than 200 are still housed in a makeshift shelter at OHare International Airport near Terminal 1. On a recent weekday, a thin black curtain cordoned off the living area, but through the drapes passersby could see rows of beds just a few inches apart and a small Christmas tree with twinkling lights near the entrance.

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Claudia said he was surprised  and grateful  when Pierce opened the door for her and her son in August. Living at the home in Oak Park is no comparison to staying at the police station, she said.

She said that Pierce is everything and a mother to her.

We have now become friends, she said. She tells me many things that I think she doesnt tell everybody else. And I am able to also tell her about me and ask for help and advice.

This is a home, Jose added.

Migration backlash

Pierce said she sees parallels between the first Christmas story  Joseph and the pregnant Virgin Mary traveling to a foreign land in search of a place to stay during their time of need  and the struggle of so many migrants seeking refuge in the United States today.

I just read something today about making room. It was talking about making room at the inn for the baby Jesus and drawing the analogy of making room for the (asylum-seekers) who come to the U.S., she said. Its something I live by, that old saying that when someone knocks on your door, you dont build a higher wall. You build a longer table.

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Yet anti-migration fervor has hit a fever pitch across the nation as well as around the globe.

Earlier this week, France passed controversial legislation to tighten its immigration laws. The United Kingdom earlier this month announced tougher immigration rules that will decrease the number of people who can move there annually by hundreds of thousands, according to The Associated Press.

The European Union earlier this week reached a landmark agreement to redesign its rules on asylum and migration, amid complaints that some members take in more migrants than others.

As for the United States, a Texas law approved earlier this week would allow police to arrest migrants who cross the U.S. border illegally and permit local judges to order them to leave the country, a measure the Biden administration has criticized as dehumanizing to immigrants.

Locally, Oak Park officials had authorized a million dollars to pay for migrants to be housed at the Carleton and a local YMCA, but the suburb recently announced they will have to move out by Jan. 31.

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Plans for a temporary migrant shelter recently drew backlash in Chicagos Portage Park neighborhood. Joliet Township in October rejected a multimillion-dollar grant for migrant services when angry residents opposed the proposal.

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Claudia said she believes the anti-migration sentiment represents a minority of the local population, adding that shes received a lot of help from folks in the Chicago area.

Its not easy to accept but its also something we understand because theres a lot of immigration, Claudia said. And they feel almost like theres an invasion. But the majority of the people coming are good people. So we want the opportunity for people to get to know us.

Like many Chicago-area migrants, most of the new arrivals in Pierces home are waiting for work permits. Pierce, who suffers from breast cancer, said she doesnt charge them any rent.

From the very first day, they were loving and kind and supportive. And the best guests you could ever want, Pierce added. It just takes all of us doing one right thing. That could make all the difference.

The Associated Press contributed.

eleventis@chicagotribune.com
The Georgia Department of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education have released their 2023 reports cards for public schools and districts in those states.

The GaDOE calls its report card the College and Career Ready Performance Index. The CCRPI used to include an overall score on a 100-point scale for the state, school districts and schools.

But the GaDOE received a federal waiver last year to account for data limitations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The elimination of the overall score was made permanent this year by an amendment to Georgias plan under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

Instead, the CCRPI now reports 100-point scale scores for each of its five components:

Content mastery  based on scores from the Georgia Milestones Assessment System for regular-education students and the Georgia Alternative Assessment for special-education students. The state average content mastery score this year is 64.7 for elementary schools, 60.9 for middle schools and 65 for high schools.

Progress  how students scored on the GMAS and GAA compared to the previous year. The state average progress score this year is 85.8 for elementary schools, 80.8 for middle schools and 79.2 for high schools.

Closing gaps  how students in demographic subgroups scored on the GMAS and GAA compared to targets. The state average closing gaps score this year is 66.7 for elementary schools, 52.5 for middle schools and 67.5 for high schools.

Readiness  comprising multiple factors: student literacy; attendance rate; participation and performance in classes beyond the academic core, such as career pathways and industry certification; participation and performance in dual enrollment and on ACT, SAT, Advance Placement, International Baccalaureate and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exams; percentage of students entering one of the states college without needing remediation. The state average readiness score this year is 82.3 for elementary schools, 82 for middle schools and 71.4 for high schools.

Graduation rate  percentage of students graduating high school in four years. The state average graduation rate this year is 84.9.

GaDOE superintendent Richard Woods said in a news release that the single overall score vastly oversimplified the complicated factors that influence school quality. With this change, the CCRPI is more like the report card it was always intended to be  encouraging schools, families, and communities to dig into the data and both celebrate achievements and address issues that tended to be obscured by the single score.

No CCRPI report was released in 2020 and 2021, and the progress and closing gaps indicators werent calculated in 2022, due to pandemic-related data limitations.

Meanwhile, the ALSDE report card still uses an overall score on a 100-point scale to describe the performance of its schools and districts after not releasing scores in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

The state average overall score in Alabama is 83, a 1-point decline compared to last year.

The ALSDE report card comprises the following components:

Academic achievement

Academic growth

Graduation rate

College and career readiness

Chronic absenteeism.

Progress in English language proficiency.

The following is a roundup of what those report cards say about the schools and districts in the Columbus area.

Muscogee County

Heres how the Muscogee County School District compares to the state average in the CCRPI components:

MCSD elementary schools

Content mastery: 49.8, below state average by 14.9

Progress: 83.3, below state by average by 2.5

Closing gaps: 53.7, below state average by 13

Readiness: 78.7, below state average by 3.6

In the order of those components, here are the scores for each MCSD elementary school, listed by content mastery:

Britt David - 100, 100, 100, 98.1

Mathews - 80.8, 95.1, 63.2, 90.8

North Columbus - 71.2, 84.6, 64.6, 84.2

Eagle Ridge - 65.6, 86.9, 47.6, 86.3

Clubview - 64.4, 72.3, 61.1, 87.9

Downtown - 62.2, 74.4, 100, 81

Double Churches - 60.5, 75.9, 68.4, 85.6

Johnson - 54.8, 83.5, 88.5, 81.1

Hannan - 54.2, 85.2, 60, 79.9

Blanchard - 53.8, 83.3, 58.3, 81.7

Gentian - 51.5, 86.5, 10.5, 78.2

Wynnton - 50.2, 82.9, 46.2, 81.1

Reese Road - 49.4, 85.8, 65.8, 82.9

Allen - 48.5, 89.9, 67.5, 78.6

Midland - 47, 70.3, 60.9, 82.3

Waddell - 43.8, 88.7, 26.9, 73.7

South Columbus - 41.7, 93.5, 100, 71.1

River Road - 41.6, 84.1, 89.5, 74.9

Dimon - 39.7, 87.4, 31.8, 77.8

Wesley Heights - 37.7, 83.3, 100, 79.5

Rigdon Road - 35.7, 79.8, 77.3, 74

Dorothy Height - 30.8, 59.5, 63.6, 69.6

St. Marys Road - 30.4, 87.6, 63.6, 72.5

Forrest Road - 29.9, 83.2, 4.6, 73.5

Lonnie Jackson - 29.4, 81.6, 45.5, 68.7

Dawson - 28.1, 71.5, 63.6, 75.5

Georgetown - 26, 74.4, 0, 69.2

Martin Luther King Jr. - 26, 74.4, 58.8, 68.5

Davis - 25.6, 85.4, 95.5, 68.2

Key - 23.9, 63.8, 23.3, 74.9

Fox - 21.5, 88.6, 100, 60.8

Brewer - 16.8, 59.1, 3.3, 61.6

MCSD middle schools

Content mastery: 45.4, below state average by 15.5

Progress: 73, below state average by 7.8

Closing gaps: 30.6, below state average by 21.9

Readiness: 76.5, below state average by 5.5

In the order of those components, here are the scores for each MCSD middle school, listed by content mastery:

Rainey-McCullers - 87.7, 80.6, 70, 94.6

Aaron Cohn - 71.2, 88.7, 42.9, 86.4

Richards - 68.8, 83.3, 60, 83.1

Blackmon Road - 67.8, 86.4, 42.2, 81.8

Veterans Memorial - 57.1, 78.5, 65, 81.2

Midland - 46.3, 82.3, 39.6, 76.4

Double Churches - 40.8, 83.9, 54.2, 74

Arnold - 31.3, 61.9, 21.7, 72.6

East Columbus - 30.8, 71.8, 42.5, 67.9

Fort - 30.1, 64.7, 29.2, 73

Rothschild - 24.1, 69.4, 47.5, 71

Eddy - 21.8, 71.7, 0, 66.3

Baker - 17.9, 63.3, 57.7, 68.6

MCSD high schools

Content mastery: 56.8, below state average by 8.2

Progress: 71, below state average by 8.1

Closing gaps: 63.9, below state average by 3.6

Readiness: 70.5, below state average by 0.9

Graduation rate: 93.2, above state average by 8.3

In the order of those components, here are the scores for each MCSD high school, listed by content mastery:

Columbus - 100, 58.2, 100, 97.1, 100

Rainey-McCullers - 86.6, 61.3, 80, 90.9, 100

Northside - 75.5, 90.4, 82.1, 82.1, 97

Shaw - 55.4, 56.1, 50, 66.1, 93.5

Hardaway - 46, 40.1, 35.2, 62.6, 89.6

Carver - 39.3, 95.3, 40.6, 53.3, 89.4

Jordan - 37.1, 84.5, 70, 54.3, 93.5

Spencer - 36.5, 89.9, 43.2, 54.8, 86.7

Kendrick - 26.1, 54.2, 40.6, 45.9, 90.7

MCSD superintendent David Lewis released the following statement about the report cards.

Hhis administration is pleased to see the return of the Progress component in this revised calculation methodology that recognizes the hard work of our students and teachers which is not always evident when looking at achievement scores alone. These growth results, along with the Grad Rate and Readiness scores show we have a strong baseline in those areas moving forward.

However, we have thoroughly analyzed the areas of concern in Content Mastery and Closing Gaps from the previously released Georgia Milestones Assessment data and have set internal targets last summer for each individual school along with an aggressive plan to support and monitor progress based on those results.

Harris County

Heres how the Harris County School District compares to the state average in the CCRPI components:

HCSD elementary schools

Content mastery: 69.1, above state average by 4.4

Progress: 72.9, below state average by 12.9

Closing gaps: 35.7, below state average by 31

Readiness: 86.9, above state average by 4.6

In the order of those components, here are the scores for each HCSD elementary school, listed by content mastery:

New Mountain Hill - 80.5, 77.5, 68.8, 88.7

Pine Ridge - 71.7, 67.2, 33.3, 85.7

Park - 71.3, 94.1, 50, 84.6

Mulberry Creek - 71, 81.9, 35, 89.8

Creekside - 62.1, 66.4, 40.5, 86.1

HCSD middle schools

Content mastery: 75.5, above state average by 14.6

Progress: 99.2, above state average by 18.4

Closing gaps: 90, above state average by 37.5

Readiness: 87, above state average by 5

In the order of those components, here are the scores for each HCSD middle schools, listed by content mastery:

Carver - 76.2, 95.6, 89.3, 88.5

Creekside - 73.8, 94.5, 64.3, 84.1

Harris County High School

Content mastery: 73.8, above state average by 8.8

Progress: 78.1, below state average by 1.1

Closing gaps: 24.1, below state average by 43.4

Readiness: 84.3, above state average by 12.9

Graduation rate: 90.9, above state average by 6

Chattahoochee County

Heres how the Chattahoochee County School District compares to the state average in the CCRPI components:

ChattCo Education Center

Content mastery: 65.3, above state average by 0.6

Progress: 72.4, below state average by 13.4

Closing gaps: 7.7, below state average by 59

Readiness: 86.7, above state average by 4.4

ChattCo Middle School

Content mastery: 56.4, below state average by 4.5

Progress: 88.5, above state average by 7.7

Closing gaps: 100, above state average by 47.5

Readiness: 86.7, above state average by 4.7

ChattCo High School

Content mastery: 52.3, below state average by 12.7

Progress: too few students to measure

Closing gaps: 30.6, below state average by 36.9

Readiness: 73.5, above state average by 2.1

Graduation rate: 95.9, above state average by 11

Phenix City

The overall score for Phenix City Schools is 84, a 2-point improvement compared to last year.

Out of the 11 PCS schools, the score increased at six, remained the same at three and decreased at two.

This years results arent just numbers, but a narrative of resilience, strategic improvement, and the shared vision of educators, students, and leaders, PCS public relations specialist Carol Ann Underwood told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email.

Here are the scores for each PCS school and how they compare to last year, listed in order by their 2023 score:

Lakewood Elementary School 94, up by 2

Lakewood Primary School 93, remained the same

Sherwood Elementary School 86, remained the same

Central High School 81, up by 10

South Girard School 81, down by 2

Central Freshman Academy 80, up by 8

Ridgecrest Elementary School 81, remained the same

Westview Elementary School 79, up by 14

Meadowlane Elementary School 78, up by 11

Phenix City Elementary School 74, up by 3

Phenix City Intermediate School 66, down by 2.

Underwood said PCS superintendent Janet Sherrod emphasizes that the districts positive trajectory is a testament to the collective effort to achieve educational excellence. At the same time, the administration is proactive in addressing areas that require enhancement, ensuring that every student receives the high-quality education they deserve.

Russell County

The Russell County School Districts overall score is 83, a 3-point improvement compared to last year.

Out of RCSDs seven schools, the score increased at three and decreased at four.

Here are the scores for each RCSD school and how they compare to last year, listed in order by their 2023 score:

Mount Olive Intermediate School 87, up by 1

Mount Olive Primary School 87, up by 1

Ladonia Elementary School 82, down by 2

Oliver Elementary School 81, up by 8

Russell County Middle School 76, down by 2

Russell County High School 75, down by 1

Dixie Elementary School 72, down by 14.

Lee County

The overall score for Lee County Schools is 84, a 3-point improvement compared to last year.

Out of the 14 LCS schools, the score increased at eight, remained the same at one and decreased at five.

Here are the scores for each LCS school and how they compare to last year, listed in order by their 2023 score:

South Smiths Station Elementary School 90, up by 1

Beauregard Elementary School 87, up by 12

East Smiths Station Elementary School 87, down by 1

West Smiths Station Elementary School 87, up by 3

Wacoochee Elementary School 86, up by 5

Beulah Elementary School 84, down by 1

Smiths Station Junior High School 84, up by 3

Beauregard High School 80, up by 7

Loachapoka Elementary School 80, up by 2

Loachapoka High School 76, up by 2

Sanford Middle School 76, down by 2

Beulah High School 72, down by 2

Smiths Station Freshman Center 72, remained the same

Smiths Station High School 71, down by 1.
SHAWNEE, Okla. (KFOR)  ACLU of Oklahoma sent a letter to the City of Shawnee on Thursday, asking the city to repeal the recently passed No Sit, No Lie ordinance.

The ordinance passed with a vote of six to one on Dec. 18, and prohibits sleeping outdoors, as well as sitting, lying down or placing items along any right of way in downtown Shawnee.

While Shawnee city leaders say the ordinance is intended to promote a safer, family-friendly environment in the downtown area, critics say the ordinance comes at a steep cost for both the Shawnee unhoused population and taxpayers.

Shawnee passes No Sit, No Lie ordinance aimed at downtown area

In a letter addressed to Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and Shawnee City Commissioners, ACLU of Oklahoma says that the ordinance is a violation of the First Amendment.

Shawnees No Sit, No Lie ordinance censors protected speech because it criminalizes speech on public sidewalks simply because a person decides to sit or lie while speaking, said Adam Hines, ACLU of Oklahoma Skadden Fellow, in the letter. People often sit or lie down while holding signs and soliciting charitable funds, activities protected by the First Amendment.

Later in the letter, Hines references a federal lawsuit over Oklahoma Citys anti-panhandling ordinance from 2015, warning that the City of Shawnee could face similar costly litigation if the ordinance isnt repealed.

OKCs stubborn defense of the plainly unconstitutional ordinance ultimately cost taxpayers more than a million dollars in attorneys fees, Hines said. Repealing Shawnees unconstitutional ordinance is a more expeditious and cost-effective way to respect Oklahomans constitutional freedoms and protect taxpayers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Police say they have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged child abduction of 17-year-old Alex Batty, who went missing while on holiday in Spain at the age of 11.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police have now interviewed Alex following his return from France.

Police previously said they would not be able to confirm the investigation's nature until Alex provided a statement.

The teenager, from Oldham, was found walking in the French Pyrenees.

He was picked up by a delivery driver who spotted him on a road near Toulouse in the early hours of a rainy morning last week, six years after going missing.

His mother and grandfather, Melanie and David Batty, had left Greater Manchester with Alex for a pre-arranged week-long holiday to Marbella in Spain on 30 September 2017.

He was last seen at the Port of Malaga on 8 October that year, the day they were expected to return to the UK.

Alex's grandmother, Susan Caruana told the BBC in 2018 that she believed Alex's mother and grandfather had taken him to live with a spiritual community in Morocco.

She said at the time they were seeking an alternative lifestyle and did not want Alex to go to school.

It is understood that, since that time, Alex had been living in the remote Pyrenean valleys, travelling about from place to place in a kind of itinerant commune.

The area in the foothills of the Pyrenees is known for attracting people in search of alternative lifestyles.

Alex was met at Toulouse airport by a family member before flying back to the UK last Saturday.

In an interview with the Sun, he said he lied about details of his escape, including how long he had been walking, to protect his mum and grandad.

"I didn't get lost. I knew exactly where I was going," he told the tabloid, describing his journey as a two-day hike, first to the town of Quillan to pretend to ask for directions, then on towards Toulouse.
More than half a million people in Gaza  a quarter of the population  are starving, according to a report Thursday by the U.N. and other agencies that highlights the humanitarian crisis caused by Israels bombardment and siege on the territory in response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

The extent of the populations hunger eclipsed even the near-famines in Afghanistan and Yemen of recent years, according to figures in the report. The report warned that the risk of famine is increasing each day, blaming the hunger on insufficient aid entering Gaza.

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It doesnt get any worse, said Arif Husain, chief economist for the U.N.s World Food Program. I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed.

Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas fighters from northern Gaza, but that months of fighting lie ahead in the south.

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The war sparked by Hamas deadly Oct. 7 rampage and hostage-taking in Israel has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians. Some 1.9 million Gaza residents  more than 80% of the population  have been driven from their homes, and many of them are crammed into U.N. shelters.

The war has also pushed Gazas health sector into collapse. Only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially functioning, all located in the south, according to the World Health Organization. WHO relief workers on Thursday reported unbearable scenes in two hospitals they visited in northern Gaza: Bedridden patients with untreated wounds cry out for water, the few remaining doctors and nurses have no supplies, and bodies are lined up in the courtyard.

Bombardment and fighting continued Thursday, and internet and communications that had been knocked out for several days gradually began to return across the territory.

U.N. Security Council members are negotiating an Arab-sponsored resolution for a halt in fighting to allow for increased aid deliveries. A vote on the resolution has been postponed twice this week in the hopes of getting the U.S. to support it or allow it to pass after it vetoed an earlier cease-fire call.

Thursdays report from the U.N. underscored the failure of weeks of U.S. efforts to ensure greater aid reaches Palestinians. At the start of the war, Israel stopped all deliveries of food, water, medicine and fuel into the territory. After U.S. pressure, it allowed a trickle of aid in through Egypt. But U.N. agencies say only 10% of Gazas food needs has been entering for weeks.

This week, Israel began allowing aid to enter Gaza through its Kerem Shalom crossing, which boosted the number of trucks entering from around 100 a day to around 190 on Wednesday, according to the U.N. But an Israeli strike Thursday morning hit the Palestinian side of the crossing, forcing the U.N. to stop its pickups of aid there, according to Juliette Touma, spokesperson of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. At least four staff members at the crossing were killed, a nearby hospital reported. The Israeli military said it struck fighters in the area.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel has been working to increase its inspection of aid trucks to 300 or 400 a day and blamed the U.N. for failures in delivery. The amount of aid could triple if the U.N., instead of complaining all day, would do its job, he said, without elaborating on what more the U.N. should be doing.

Egypts Rafah crossing has limited capacity for trucks to cross. U.N. officials say delivery of aid within much of Gaza has become difficult or impossible because of fighting, and more than 130 U.N. personnel have been killed.

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The report released Thursday by 23 U.N. and nongovernmental agencies found that the entire population in Gaza is in food crisis, with 576,600 at catastrophic  or starvation  levels. It is a situation where pretty much everybody in Gaza is hungry, Husain, the World Food Program economist, said.

People are very, very close to large outbreaks of disease because their immune systems have become so weak because they dont have enough nourishment, he said.

Hundreds of people lined up at a soup kitchen in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Thursday, waving cups and pots, waiting for soup to be served from huge vats hanging over wood fires. Rafah, by the Egypt border, is one of the few places that receives regular aid deliveries.

Aya Barbakh, a displaced woman, said she comes every day for food. Let us be in comfort like other people. We see people dying every day, and we want to die like them. We have been insulted and humiliated, she said.

Mahmoud al-Qishawi, with the American charity Pious Projects that runs the kitchen, said theres no fuel to cook with, so they have to search around the neighborhood for wood to burn. Theres a huge number of families and we dont have food that is enough for them.

Israel has vowed to continue the offensive until it destroys Hamas military capabilities and returns scores of hostages captured during their Oct. 7 rampage. Hamas and other fighters killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured around 240 others.

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Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at central Israel Thursday, showing its military capabilities remain formidable. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The United States has continued to support Israels campaign while also urging greater efforts to protect civilians. The U.S. wants Israel to shift to more targeted operations aimed at Hamas leaders and the groups tunnel network.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Tuesday the death toll since the start of the war had risen to more than 19,600. It does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

On Wednesday, the WHO delivered supplies to Ahli and Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops have demolished vast swaths of the city while fighting Hamas.

Israeli forces have raided a series of health facilities in the north in recent weeks, detaining men for interrogation and expelling others. On Thursday, troops stormed the Palestinian Red Crescents ambulance center in the Jabaliya refugee camp, taking away paramedics and ambulance crews, the group said.

In some health facilities, patients who are unable to be moved remain, along with skeleton staff who can do little beyond first aid, according to U.N. and health officials

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Ahli Hospital is a place where people are waiting to die, said Sean Casey, a member of the WHO team that visited the two hospitals Wednesday. Five remaining doctors and five nurses along with around 80 patients remain in Ahli, he said.

All of the hospital buildings are damaged except two buildings where patients are now being kept  the orthopedics ward and a church on the grounds, he said.

Inside the church, it was an unbearable scene, he said. Patients with traumatic wounds struggled with infections. Others had undergone amputations. Patients were crying out in pain, but were also crying out for us to give them water, he said.

Israels military says 137 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza ground offensive. Israel says it has killed some 7,000, without providing evidence. It blames the high number civilian deaths in Gaza on Hamas, saying it uses them as human shields when it fights in residential areas.
Alex Batty was reunited with his family in the UK on Saturday

Police have begun a criminal inquiry into the alleged abduction of Alex Batty, the teenager who went missing for six years.

Alex vanished in 2017 at the age of 11, after going on holiday with his mother, who was not his legal guardian, and his grandfather.

Alex, now 17, returned to the UK last Saturday after an argument with his mother that prompted him to flee.

It has emerged that he lied to French police, telling them his grandfather had died to try to protect him from being arrested. The whereabouts of David Batty, Alexs grandfather, and Melanie Batty, his mother, remain unknown.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said on Friday it was investigating Alexs disappearance. It is unclear if GMP has contacted Interpol to help with the search for Alexs mother and grandfather.

In a statement, the force said: Greater Manchester Police has launched a criminal investigation into child abduction to understand the circumstances surrounding Alex Batty going missing from 30 September 2017 to 13 December 2023.

Alex with his grandmother, Susan Caruana - The Sun

The investigation, sources stressed, remained at an early stage, which they described as complex.

Speaking for the first time, Alex told The Sun newspaper that one final row with his 43-year-old mother had prompted him to flee, quitting a nomadic lifestyle that had seen the family moving around Europe.

He told the newspaper: Shes a great person and I love her but shes just not a great mum.

He also disclosed to the newspaper that he had given a false story to French police after being picked up at 3am as he walked along the side of a road near a campsite about 60 miles south of Toulouse on December 13.

He had been walking for 22 miles over the course of two days, after leaving a house rented by his mother not far from the Pyrenees.

But he told police he had been walking for four days to throw them off the track in tracing his mother and grandfather.

The Sun reported that Alex told police his that grandfather, who had been a tattoo artist, had died six months ago.

But Alex told The Sun: He moved me to a property with mum. I know hes not passed away, but I dont know where he is because he was just moving around.

The boys mothers whereabouts are also unclear. She had discussed with friends travelling to Finland to see the Northern Lights, but Alex said: I dont know if shes gone there.

Relief and happiness

It is suggested she left the area in southern France where they had been living after Alex was picked up.

He has since returned home to Oldham, in Greater Manchester, to live with his grandmother Susan Caruana, who was his legal guardian at the time he vanished.

Mrs Caruana issued a statement after Alex had been found in which she declared: I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well, adding: I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again.

Alex had decided that after being in Europe for six years that he wanted to return to the UK and go to university to study.

He had worked alongside his grandfather, doing odd jobs, to earn money for food and rent. He said his mother had not been open to any other options over their lifestyle but that his grandfather was a listener.

Alex had travelled through Europe under the assumed name Zack Edwards, telling The Sun: Ive been lying to try and protect my Mum and Grandad but I realise that theyre probably gonna get caught anyway.

He told how he gave his grandmother Susan a massive hug when they were reunited. Mrs Caruana was granted guardianship of Alex on Thursday until he turns 18.

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Alex has spoken about his experiences for the first time - The Sun

Alex Batty, the teenager who went missing for six years, has said he returned home to the UK after one final argument with his mother, as he spoke about his experience for the first time.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Alex, 17, said he had finally had enough of the hippy lifestyle with his mother Melanie, 43, and grandfather David, 64.

Alex Batty with his grandfather, David, and mother, Melanie - PIXEL8000

He told the newspaper: Shes a great person and I love her but shes just not a great mum.

He disclosed that he wrote her a note, in which he told her he loved her and hoped she would not be angry - but that he had taken the decision to go back to England.

Alex had been missing since 2017, disappearing after going on holiday with his mother and grandfather in Spain. His mother did not have parental guardianship of her son.

Alex was found last Wednesday morning by a motorist who spotted him walking through rain near Toulouse in France. He had been walking for 22 miles over two days and was carrying a skateboard when he was found at 3am. He used the drivers mobile phone to text his grandmother Susan Caruana, who is his legal guardian, to ask her: Please pick me up.

They were reunited at her home in Oldham at the weekend.

Alex told the Sun that a trivial argument with his mother had proved the final straw. He grabbed a backpack, stuffed it with his clothes and left their home in the French Pyrenees in which they had been living for a little over 24 hours.

He had concluded he no longer wished to continue their peripatetic lifestyle and preferred to embark on a university degree.

He told The Sun: We had a stupid argument about nothing. My mum can argue about anything so it doesnt take much. She is very set in her views.

In the note he left her, he told his mother: Hey, Mom. I want you to know I love you very much. Im very thankful for the life that you provided for me over the past few years.

Alex has been reunited with his grandmother Susan Caruana - The Sun

The site where Alex had lived with his mother and grandfather - The Sun

During his time wandering across Europe, he had not been to school but taught himself maths and computing.

Aged 14, he first started thinking about returning to the UK. He raised the idea with his mother when he turned 16 but she tried to stop him, the newspaper reported. During his teenage years he worked as a handyman alongside his grandfather, earning money to pay for meals and accommodation. He told The Sun he wanted a future.

He described his mother as very anti-government and anti-vax who was concerned he would be placed into the care system if he went home. She repeatedly warned Alex not to become a slave to the system, the newspaper reported.

He said he was very close to his grandfather, who he referred to as Grandad Batty.

After making his escape last Monday December 11, he told police when picked up that he had been walking for four days through the mountains. In fact, the trek was shorter but he said he lied to police in an attempt to protect his mother and grandfather from being arrested by officers.

His mother - who used the name Rose - is understood to be planning to travel to Finland.

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A postal worker sorts cards and letters for the Christmas period at the Royal Mail Peterborough centre - JOE GIDDENS/PA

Nearly half of households have experienced Royal Mail delays in the past 12 months, a Telegraph survey has found.

Forty-eight per cent of respondents said the service had deteriorated over the past year.

Meanwhile, one in 20 said a First Class delivery had taken over a week or more.

Christmas and the festive period is traditionally the Royal Mails busiest period of the year.

However, the service was fined 5.6 million by Ofcom last month after consistently failing to meet delivery targets in 2022-23.

Last month, it reported a half-year operating loss of 319 million following a period in which it was crippled by industrial action.

The courier service is also facing fresh scrutiny from MPs after a Sunday Times investigation alleged postal workers were prioritising the delivery of parcels over less-profitable letters.

A poll of more than 4,600 respondents conducted by Consumer Intelligence for The Telegraph reveals the true extent of customer dissatisfaction.

One in four of those surveyed said they used the postal service at least once a week.

Of the 76 respondents who were aged 18-24, 44 per cent (34 in total) said they posted letters or parcels with the Royal Mail at least once a week.

And experts believe a rise in online shopping could be behind these stats.

Younger people reliant on service

Martyn James, a consumer expert, said: This research is notable because it disproves the notion that younger people dont use Royal Mail as much.

In fact, younger people are reliant on this service  and the failure to return items that have been ordered online but arent wanted can result in them facing financial penalties, including having to buy the goods outright if they arent returned in time.

However, 2,279 respondents  49 per cent of all who took part  said they had experienced delays.

The results were particularly bad in the North West of the country  where 55 per cent said their post had been delayed in the past year.

Mr James said: Every single person I speak to tells me how poor their postal service has become in the last year. Many are experiencing huge delays with post, with some people reporting deliveries only arriving in clumps weeks after posting.

By far the biggest complaint is the missed appointment.

With huge delays for operations, check-ups, health assessments and dental work, a late letter can mean the difference between getting a potentially serious medical condition assessed and treated to going to the back of a very long queue again.

Just under three in 10 respondents across the country also said they were less trusting of the Royal Mail than they were in December 2022.

Under regulator Ofcoms rules, the Royal Mail is required to deliver 93 per cent of First Class mail within one working day and 98.5 per cent of Second Class mail within three working days.

However, a dismal performance in 2022/3 saw the Royal Mail only deliver 73.7 per cent First Class mail and 90.7 per cent of Second Class mail on time  and it was fined 5.6 million as a result.

Ofcom is currently reviewing whether changes need to be made to the universal service  government legislation which currently requires the Royal Mail to deliver letters six days a week (Monday to Saturday) and parcels five days a week (Monday to Friday).

Any changes to the minimum requirements would ultimately have to be voted on in Parliament.

Universal service obligations

However, 93 per cent of survey respondents said the current universal service obligations were either very important or somewhat important to them.

Dennis Reed, chairman of senior citizens group Silver Voices, said: I am being increasingly told by members from large parts of the country that the Royal Mail is in a complete meltdown at the moment.

Many older people still rely on the postal system and the universal service that the Royal Mail is obliged to provide  especially for those who are unable to use emails and the internet in general.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: Given consumer demand for postal services is changing substantially, Ofcom is gathering evidence on whether the universal service might need to evolve to more closely to meet consumer needs.

We will publish our analysis early next year.

A Royal Mail spokesman said it was committed to improving our deliveries and that its latest data showed three-quarters of First Class mail arrives the following day and 96 per cent within three days of posting.

He added: We have implemented significant changes to drive forward improvements and bring our service to a standard our customers expect.

Addressing the universal service obligation, the spokesman said: We are proud to be the Universal Service provider and remain committed to providing an affordable and sustainable one price goes anywhere service for letters and parcels across the UK.

However, the service is in need of reform The environment has changed substantially and we need to reflect that.

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Was a South Carolina Amazon driver watching a porn video on his cellphone when he pulled in front of a motorcycle last year, causing severe injuries to the rider?

A jury in a civil case was told that just before the Sept. 24, 2021, collision, the driver used his cellphone to access a pornographic web site while he was in the course and scope of his job driving the Amazon van, according to evidence in the case.

Jurors ended up awarding the motorcycle rider $44.6 million.

That includes $30 million in punitive damages, with most of the rest going for past and future medical expenses for the injured motorcyclist, Shannon Shaw, 45, of Summerville. At the time of the crash, he made approximately $88,000 a year working as a maintenance network technician for Comcast.

The porn video evidence, accessed from the Amazon drivers cell phone, was admitted over the objections of Amazon lawyers. They are now trying to get trial Judge Maite Murphy to reduce the size of the award because, they say, testimony indicating the driver was watching porn on his cellphone played to the jurys passions.

Evidence of Mr. Blekickis accessing pornographic websites was meant to inflame the jury and cause it to infer that Mr. Blekicki was viewing the content while driving or even at the time of the accident, Amazons lawyers wrote in a post-trial motion.

And, there was no evidence that Mr. Blekicki was distracted by his phone or for any other reason at the time of the accident, Amazons lawyers added.

But one of Shaws attorneys, David Yarborough, told The State Media Co., This was a case largely about distracted driving. Everything was supported by the evidence. The driver admitted on the stand he was engaged in distracted driving on the day of the incident.

Shaw sustained a traumatic brain injury, numerous broken bones, a double-crush injury to his hands that required surgery, a neck injury, a broken back in three places, a change in personality from happy and confident to depressed and withdrawn and tempermental, Yarborough said. He also suffered a massive rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder.

There was a faceprint on the side of the van where his head impacted the van, Yarborough said.

Among the more than a dozen plaintiffs witnesses who testified were Shaws back surgeon, shoulder surgeon and neurologist.

During the four-day trial overseen by Judge Murphy, the jury heard uncontested evidence about how Shaw was driving on his Harley Davidson motorcycle on the Orangeburg Road at 45 mph in Summerville on Sept. 24, 2021.

At 4:34 p.m. that afternoon in clear daylight conditions, as Shaw was headed east, Blekicki was stopped at a stop sign when he suddenly and without warning pulled out in front of Shaw, failing to yield the right of way, according to evidence in the case.

They (defense lawyers) tried to suggest his injuries werent as bad as his doctors had said they are, Yarborough said. Also representing Shaw were William Applegate, Alexandra Heaton and Nick Clekis.

Defense lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

They were Mitch Brown, Matt Bogan and Morgan Spires of the Nelson Mullins law firm in Columbia. They also included Jeremy Stephenson, Rebecca Raynor and Stephanie Mascella, all from the WilsonElser law firm in Charlotte, and Francis Ervin, a Charleston attorney.

According to the verdict form, Amazon was hit with $30 million in punitive damages.

Shaws $14.6 million award for actual damages includes $453,728 for past medical expenses, $9,339,251 for future medical expenses, $210,761 for lost wages, $1,108,407 for future loss of earning capacity and $3.2 million for non-economic damages. including pain and suffering.

The trial shone a light on Amazons practice of contracting with independent companies that then hire drivers who use the trademark Amazon blue vans to deliver packages, according to court records.

Amazon denied liability for the crash, saying that Blekicki was an employee of the independent contractor and, therefore, not an agent of Amazon, according to court records.

Shaws lawyers countered that despite the purported independent status, Amazon controlled numerous aspects of its drivers working shifts, designing the daily routes, assigning the packages to be delivered and tracking the drivers performance in areas such as speeding, hard braking and distracted driving events.

Amazon controls the recruitment, hiring and training of all the drivers who work for the companies in Amazons delivery networks. It also determines the make, model and style of the delivery vans, sets uniform standards and determines numerous other facets governing drivers, vans and deliveries, according to evidence in the case.

Amazon also knew that Blekicki had a record of distracted driving, Shaws lawyers argued to the jury.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.

The issue of a driver distracted by porn video is likely to loom large in appeals, especially with such a large verdict.

Without the introduction of such inflammatory and prejudicial evidence related to material on Blekickis personal phone, a reasonable jury would not have awarded damages in the amounts rendered against Amazon, including the punitive damages award, a motion filed earlier this week by Amazons lawyers with Judge Murphy said.

The motion asked the trial judge to amend the verdict to the extent that the Court determines the verdict was due to an impassioned jury as a result of the erroneously admitted pornography evidence.

Shaws lawsuit described Amazon as reportedly the worlds largest internet-based seller, with revenues of more than $470 billion in 2021 and more than 1.6 million employees. The online retail giant has 41% of the e-commerce market in the nation and created its own massive delivery and logistics network called Amazon Logistics Inc. Some 275,000 people are drivers for Amazon, the lawsuit said.

Defendants in the case were Amazon.com Inc., Amazon.com LLC, Amazon.com Services Inc., Amazon Logistics Inc., MJV Logistics LLC, and Blekicki.
An American citizen who was taken hostage by Hamas during the 7 October attacks on Israel has died in captivity in Gaza, according to a group representing hostages families.

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US and Israeli dual national, was out for a walk with his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, in the Kibbutz Nir Oz where they lived that morning when Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israel, the Missing Persons Families Forum said.

The couple was reportedly shot at, with Gadi Haggai left critically injured.

Neither of them has been seen or heard from since.

The Israeli military told Haggais family members 10 days after the surprise attacks that the couple were among the hundreds of people being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, reported CTV News.

Then, on Friday, the Missing Persons Families Forum confirmed that Gadi Haggai had died.

His body is still being held in Gaza, the statement said.

Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh. A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life, the forum said in the statement.

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US and Israeli dual national, and his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, were both kidnapped on 7 October (Supplied)

We share in the profound grief of the Haggai family.

The details of how or when the 73-year-old died remain unclear but he is believed to be the first confirmed death of an American hostage held by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Ms Haggai is still being held captive in Gaza, the forum said.

The couples nephew previously spoke of the familys heartbreak at not knowing whether they were dead or alive.

Arad Haggai, who is based in the UK, told The Guardian in October about the last communication they had with their loved ones.

He said that the Haggais had gone for a walk at around 6.30am on the morning of 7 October.

They then sent a final text message to their children at around 6.50am, saying that they were under attack from rocket fire and they have to try to hide somewhere in the fields.

Around 15 minutes later, Ms Haggai managed to send a message to the kibbutz security saying that they had both been shot by Hamas militants on a motorbike.

While she was wounded, her husband was hit badly.

She tried to ask for help. But the kibbutz was already under heavy fire, and there is only one bullet-proof ambulance, and they couldnt move it because the terrorists set it on fire, Arad Haggai said.

Gadi Haggai was a retired chef and musician while Ms Haggai previously worked as an English teacher and puppeteer. They share four adult children.

Around 240 people were believed to have been taken captive when Hamas launched its surprise attacks on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people.

In the almost 11 weeks since, 110 hostages have been released.

On 20 October, an American mother and daughter, Judith and Natalie Raanan, were the first to be released.

Destroyed buildings along the Gaza strip (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Days later, two elderly Israeli women, Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifschitz, 85, were also freed.

Then, last month, major movement began in the release of hostages when the Israeli government reached a landmark deal with Hamas.

As part of a week-long truce  brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt  hostages were freed in exchange for a temporary pause on Israels offensive on Gaza to allow critical humanitarian aid trucks into the war-stricken area.

Most of the hostages released were women and children, many of them from the same kibbutz where the Haggais lived.

Four-year-old American-Israeli girl Abigail Edan was among the final hostages released.

While the little girl was reunited with family members, she was tragically left orphaned after her parents Roy Edan, 43, and Smadar Edan, 40, were among those slaughtered by Hamas.

Prior to the release of some of the hostages, President Joe Biden had been facing mounting pressure to bring American citizens home.

Meanwhile, he is also facing mounting pressure from progressive Democrats over the USs support for Israel as President Benjamin Netanyahus military continues to rain down on Gaza.

More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels retaliatory strikes on Gaza since the start of the war  amounting to almost 1 per cent of the territorys pre-war population  according to Gazas Health Ministry.
WASHINGTON  Sandra Day O'Connor, the gritty ranch girl who became the first female Supreme Court justice and one of the nation's most powerful women, was remembered during a funeral service Tuesday as a "pioneer" and pragmatic jurist who shaped the law always with an eye toward the court's enormous impact on Americans.

Nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, O'Connor would become one of the court's most influential justices, able to find middle ground in intractable legal issues such as abortion and civil rights during nearly 25 years on the bench. O'Connor died at 93 on Dec. 1 of complications related to dementia and a respiratory illness.

"One need not agree with all her decisions in order to recognize that her principles were deeply held and of the highest order and that her desire for civility was genuine," President Joe Biden said during the services at the Washington National Cathedral as he recalled O'Connor's testimony when she was a nominee and he served as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The service brought OConnor back to the church she attended for years as a Supreme Court justice, a place where Washington often remembers former presidents, lawmakers and others who shaped the nation.

Biden: Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman justice. Biden wanted her to own it

With the other eight members of the Supreme Court seated before him, Chief Justice John Roberts joked that the high court was like family "composed entirely of in-laws." O'Connor, he said, cut through the internal tensions with an approach that was simple and direct that he described as, "get it done."

O'Connor "was so successful that the barriers she broke down are almost unthinkable today," Roberts said.

When Evan Thomas, O'Connor's official biographer, recalled her efforts to cajole Justice Clarence Thomas to attend the court's weekly lunch meetings  part of an effort to improve camaraderie on the court at the time  Justice Thomas looked downward.

"She loved the law and the Supreme Court. She loved our country and our democracy," Jay O'Connor, one of the justice's three sons said. "Most of all, she loved her family."

"What do we say to this special person, this little cowgirl, this remarkable woman from a remote cattle ranch in Arizona, this mother, this justice, who did so much for so many people?" O'Connor said of his mother. "We say to her, 'We thank you. We love you. We will never ever forget you."

As he stepped down from the dais after his eulogy, O'Connor gave a loving touch to his mother's casket.

O'Connor's legacy honored

O'Connor served on the Supreme Court from 1981 until 2006.

Hundreds paid their respects to her on Monday as she lay in repose at the Supreme Court with dozens of her former staffers, clerks and current justices on hand.

O'Connor joined the court after an already notable career that included serving as the majority leader in Arizonas state Senate  the first woman to hold that title in the nation.

She would become a key figure in landmark Supreme Court cases dealing with abortion, affirmative action and civil rights. OConnor retired in 2006 and announced in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with dementia and would withdraw from public life.

Barbara Barrett, an Arizona resident who headed the Air Force and was ambassador to Finland, met OConnor as an intern at the Arizona Senate, where OConnor served as majority leader for the Republicans in 1972 in another historic breakthrough for women.

The biggest privilege was watching her in action. It wasnt the pay. It wasnt the credit hours. It wasnt learning the civics of the Legislature, Barrett said.

President Joe Biden attends a funeral service for former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at the National Cathedral in Washington on Dec. 19, 2023. O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, died on Dec. 1, 2023.

It was watching a true leader get the work done, and as she said, work worth doing. I got to see a woman do these things that women just werent doing and werent expected to do.

'Role model for women'

Caroline Brown, a Washington lawyer who clerked for OConnor during the 1991-92 term, was similarly awestruck. She said its easy today to forget what a role model OConnor was.

Its hard to describe as a young woman in the 80s how limited women seemed to be in public life and how Justice OConnor was not limited, Brown said. She was fully herself in that position and such a role model for women of my generation. She was not just doing her job, she was very publicly a mother, very publicly a wife, very publicly a social person, an athlete.

When she had breast cancer, she said the word breast in public. That was all very fresh and quite remarkable and hard to describe how new that was at that time.

Browns year with the court included OConnors landmark ruling that affirmed federal abortion rights. It was a splintered decision that remained secret until near the end of the term, she said.

The current court overturned that ruling last year and effectively unwound another pillar of O'Connor's judicial legacy in a case involving affirmative action earlier this year.

President Joe Biden attends a funeral service for former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at the National Cathedral in Washington on Dec. 19, 2023. O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, died on Dec. 1, 2023.

Im not sure that her legacy is as fully appreciated as it should be, Brown said. Its hard. In her later years, OConnor ensured the children of her former clerks received grandclerk shirts.

Brown said the twin columns of her clerks stretching from the top of the courts marble stairs to the plaza near the street on Monday was an impressive and emotional reminder of the power and durability of her bond with her staff.

Biden on Tuesday suggested that bond extended far wider.

"Gracious and wise, civil and principled, Sandra Day O'Connor, daughter (of) the American West, was a pioneer in her own right, breaking down the barriers in legal and political worlds." Biden said. "To her, the Supreme Court was bedrock, the bedrock of America."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: President Joe Biden honors legacy of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
By Valerie Volcovici and David Stanway

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. and China have delivered big wins in climate diplomacy through the unique relationship of their chief climate envoys, but the two countries are bracing for change as the Chinese envoy retires and the U.S. readies for an election.

In an interview with Reuters, U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry was vague about his plans for the future.

"No matter what, I am going to try to do what works best," he said after last week's U.N. climate summit, COP28, in Dubai. "I haven't made any decisions about anything, and I will continue as long as God gives me the breath and work on it [climate] one way or the other."

The COP28 summit's final deal also marked the last official action by Kerry's longtime ally - China's ailing 75-year-old climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, who had guided China's international climate talks for 16 years.

The deal's success came partly from a U.S.-China proposal  brokered by the two sides a month earlier during a bilateral meeting in California. In that so-called Sunnylands agreement, Kerry and Xie ditched a controversial call to "phase out" fossil fuels, and used a new phrase that essentially meant the same thing  "accelerate the substitution for coal, oil and gas generation."

That new phrasing, used alongside a joint pledge to boost renewable energy, evolved into the COP28 deal's central call for countries to triple renewable energy capacity as a way of "transitioning away from fossil fuels."

The Sunnylands pact ended up being "very important" at COP28, Kerry told Reuters. We "created something different in the air."

That unique U.S.-China cooperation on climate change has also been key to driving climate action globally, as policies set in the world's two largest economies  and biggest polluters  can impact energy trends internationally.

But the momentum could be challenged if Kerry's boss, President Joe Biden, loses next year's U.S. election. With the vote still 11 months away, Biden's biggest challenge is coming from former President Donald Trump  a vocal climate denier who scuppered U.S. climate diplomacy for years.

"Despite the divergent national interests they represent, Kerry and Xie share the firm belief that to solve the climate crisis the U.S. and China need to engage with each other," said Li Shuo, incoming director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society.

"For the ones coming after them, the drive will be bumpy," Li said.

CHINA READIES FOR CHANGE

Whichever way the White House vote swings, China is readying a new climate diplomacy effort and is expected to announce Xie's replacement as the English-speaking diplomat Liu Zhenmin, who once worked as China's deputy foreign minister.

Described as "affable" by one former colleague, Liu shadowed Xie at COP28, meeting national delegates, offering several speeches on China's green energy achievements, but otherwise remaining tight-lipped with journalists.

Liu later told the Chinese financial news outlet Caijing that he had participated in COP28 as "an old comrade" in climate talks and described the broader negotiating team.

"Our negotiators are very young, and this is a good thing," he is quoted as saying in the interview published on Monday. "Addressing climate change requires not only old comrades, but also for the young generation to participate more and better."

Some COP28 observers questioned whether his foreign ministry background might mean China would seek to align its climate plans more closely with its foreign policy objectives.

Kerry also has a foreign policy background, having served as the U.S. secretary of state under President Barack Obama.

Foreign policy issues have previously dogged climate relations, most notably in 2021 after U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan as the House Speaker and declared U.S. support for the self-governing island claimed by China.

But the two sides continued to talk climate, with Kerry insisting on separating the issue from other disputes. China and Liu have said recently, however, that climate talks cannot be a diplomatic "oasis."

After his term in China's foreign ministry, Liu was appointed in 2017 as under-secretary-general at the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), with a broad brief that touched on climate change. He also helped China negotiate both the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Two former Western diplomats familiar with Liu's work predicted he would do well as China's climate envoy  having deep experience in climate issues and in multilateral negotiations.

Still, Xie will be a tough act to follow, one diplomat said. "Xie has this human warmth, hugging and embracing people, which is very rare in China. No one in the negotiating community has anything close to the respect of Xie."

PERSONAL DIPLOMACY

During his interview with Reuters, Kerry emphasized his achievements with Xie, a Communist Party technocrat with a background in engineering.

The warmth between Kerry and Xie, built over some 60 face-to-face meetings, helped broker agreements including the 2015 Paris deal and a bilateral deal that helped countries agree at COP26 in Glasgow to "phase down" coal use.

"We did more than plant the seeds for future cooperation," Kerry told Reuters.

"We created a working group. We agreed to a process and created an institutional structure," he said. "There is a process in place going forward."

That process could be jeopardized if Trump retakes the U.S. presidency. One of Trump's signature acts was to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement.

China shifted its diplomatic focus on climate toward U.S. states like California, with former Governor Jerry Brown visiting China's President Xi Jinping in 2017. Chinese provinces and U.S. states also collaborated on climate research and diplomatic exchanges.

Brown told Reuters this year that those subnational partnerships helped to keep the U.S.-China climate relationship alive under Trump.

China's outgoing Xie sought to reassure at COP28 that the commitment to climate cooperation remained strong, acknowledging that it "also played a role in improving the complicated bilateral relationship between China and the United States."

He and Kerry made several appearances together, with Xie warmly wishing Kerry a happy 80th birthday.

"Neither of us will leave this community or depart from this great cause," Xie told reporters in a summit briefing. "Both of us will continue to make contributions and efforts to bring this process forward."

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington, D.C., and David Stanway in Singapore; Editing by Katy Daigle and Josie Kao)
Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan deny the allegations - Vadim Ghirda/AP

A Romanian court has rejected Andrew Tates request to temporarily leave the country while awaiting trial on human trafficking charges, to visit his mother in London.

Tate was indicted in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women  allegations they have denied.

Under Romanian law, the case is now with the Bucharest courts preliminary chamber, which needs to inspect the files to ensure legality. The trial will not start until that process is completed.

We regret to inform you that the Romanian court of appeals has denied Andrew and Tristan Tates request to travel to the UK over the holidays, which would also include a visit to their mother, who recently suffered a heart attack, their representatives said in a statement.

The court said their request was unfounded.

Court said the brothers' request to leave the country was 'unfounded' - Vadim Ghirda/AP

The Tate brothers had requested they be allowed to leave to visit their mother.

The Romanian state decided she must be alone at Christmas, if she is alive, Tate wrote on Twitter.

The brothers, who have dual US and British citizenship, were held in police custody pending a criminal investigation from late December 2022 until April, to prevent them from fleeing the country or tampering with evidence.

They were then placed under house arrest until August. Since then, they have been under judicial control, a lighter preventative measure.

Tate, a self-described misogynist, has gained millions of fans online by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates 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.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Division of Animal Health on Friday warned dog owners of a canine parvovirus outbreak.

The MDAR said in its warning that there has been canine parvovirus in Franklin County, where a dog recently purchased from Jason Whitmore at 35 Daniel Shays Highway in Orange was infected.

The property is currently under quarantine and anyone who purchased a dog from Whitmore on or after Dec. 1, 2023, is urged to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animal exhibits any symptoms.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily between dogs and can be fatal, the MDAR said.

Symptoms of canine parvovirus, which usually develop after an incubation period of three to seven days, include:

Severe vomiting

Diarrhea

Bloody stools

Fever

Lethargy

Loss of appetite

Vaccinations effectively prevent canine parvovirus, and the MDAR is now urging dog owners to check with their veterinarians to confirm their pets are protected.

Canine parvovirus doesnt affect humans or other domestic animals.

Concerned dog owners can contact the Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795.

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Signs like these could be more common under new regulations

Road signs to help small animals will be easier to put up following a change in government regulation.

The Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper made the announcement on a visit to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.

Local authorities will no longer have to submit a detailed application for permission to erect the signs.

Mr Harper said the measures will help to "protect mammals from motorists and motorists from mammals".

He said there is currently a lot of bureaucracy involved in putting up the road signs.

"If local authorities think there is an area where putting up the wildlife sign is good for road safety, and protects wild animals and drivers, they can go ahead and do it," he said.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper hopes the changes will protect endangered species like hedgehogs

Tiggywinkles was founded in 1978 and is now believed to be the busiest wildlife hospital in the world, having cared for more than 350,000 creatures.

CEO Colin Stocker welcomed the government's move to make it easier for local authorities to put up animal road signs.

He said it would be particularly useful when "councils are aware there is a stretch of road where toads and frogs might cross in the spring", or where hedgehog carcasses are often spotted.

The Department for Transport said it hoped relaxing the rules would "stop endangered species, including hedgehogs, from being injured or killed by vehicles."

More than 30% of the animals cared for at Tiggywinkles hospital have been hit by a vehicle

One of the head nurses, Francesca Campanaro, said they are currently looking after more than 300 hedgehogs.

"This is our busy time for hedgehogs because of the short daylight hours.

"Any type of sign to help these little guys out would be great," she said.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Chicago police are asking for the publics help locating a man connected to the Dec. 13 homicide of a 34-year-old woman in the Austin neighborhood.

An active arrest warrant went out on Kenneth Brown in connection with a Dec. 13 slaying of a woman in the 300 block of North Long Avenue, police said.

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Brown was described by police as a 44-year-old African-American man who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911 immediately. Brown is considered armed and dangerous and police cautioned not to approach him.
In 2020, KAI Enterprises celebrated its 40th anniversary as one of the countrys largest minority owned architecture, engineering and construction firms.

Like then, the business  which is based in St. Louis, but has an office in Irving and is active in Fort Worth  can today point to various projects across the country it has worked on that had a positive impact on communities. This includes the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Teen Center of Excellence, which was built to renew the Ferguson area, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

KAIs president, Darren L. James, consulted with his leadership team and felt they didnt want to linger in the past with their accomplishments in transforming communities. Their aim is to also invest in their team so everyone can become the best professionals they can be and give back to under-served communities.

We didnt want to go back in history and try to say, Well, weve already done so many, so lets count those,  James said. We dont want to make that kind of disingenuous commitment. We want to pay this forward but we want to recognize and create a milestone year of 2020.

Projects include National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth

Thus, the company created a goal of transforming 100 communities in 10 years by continuing its presence in neighborhoods around the country, especially in Fort Worth, where it will take part in projects like the National Juneteenth Museum as the architect of record.

James is vocal about investing in under-served and underprivileged communities and when traveling around the KAI Enterprises headquarters in St. Louis he noticed that projects in different areas with the same public funding looked different. A project in an underprivileged area might look like a bomb shelter while a similar project in an affluent area might have plenty of natural light with more attractive architecture.

James said communities shouldnt receive less because they are in a certain ZIP code, and he wants to make sure any new building represents the entire community. He wants the facility to give a voice to people who have traditionally been disenfranchised or disconnected from decision making.

KAI Enterprises recently moved its Dallas office to Irving to become more focused on the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He became KAI Enterprises president in 2005 and, since then, has been invested in the Fort Worth area with projects such as the Reby Cary Youth Library and Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Mens Leadership Academy.

The company is collaborating on the development of the National Juneteenth Museum, which will be in the Historic Southside neighborhood. The neighborhood is classified as a food desert by the USDA and is within the 76104 ZIP code, where people have the lowest life expectancy in Texas at 66.7 years, according to a UT Southwestern study.

A rendering of the planned National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth. KAI Enterprises, which is involved in the project, says it focuses on projects that bring positive impacts on communities.

James said he and his company bring a level of engagement and sensitivity to conversations with community members who may have a lack of trust toward anyone investing in their neighborhood. They held conversations in the Historic Southside with residents concerned about gentrification and how they can be a part of the museums growth to show that the Juneteenth Museum is a community investment.

The intent is that this just becomes the first of other investments in the community that raises the community back to the level that it was previously because we invest in that type of nice environment, James said. That kind of cultural institution is going to draw not only local attention, but also national and international attention, and that investment will hopefully spur additional development that will benefit the legacy residents.

Focused on inclusion

National Juneteenth Museum CEO Jarred Howard is excited to work with KAI Enterprises because the company works in the DFW area , is focused on inclusion, and has a history of working on community-centric projects.

Were as intentional about positively impacting this community as we are about accurately narrating the Juneteenth story, Howard said. To that end, were committed to shifting the socioeconomic trajectory of a neighborhood that has been neglected for far too long, and well do that through the many programs that are part of the museums design, like the food hall, theater, and business incubator.

KAI Enterprises finished another project in Fort Worth this year, the renovation of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Mens Leadership Academy, which reopened in August.

KAI Enterprises helped create a college environment at the Young Mens Leadership Academy in Fort Worth by renovating it to include a business marketing lab, a state of the art library, and a 600-seat gymnasium building that includes a band room and robotics and engineering labs.

The Leadership Academy is a college preparatory school and the Fort Worth Independent School Districts first single-gender school for boys from grades 6 through 12. The school has about 370 students, 81% of whom are socioeconomically disadvantaged, which qualifies those students for free lunch and breakfast. A grant allows the school to extend that benefit to all students.

The renovations exceeded $40 million and increased the school from 55,000 to 110,000 square feet. Additions ranged from a business marketing lab, a state of the art library, a 600-seat gymnasium, a band room, robotics and engineering labs, and a JROTC wing with a rifle range.

Rodney White, the schools principal, said he wanted his school to have a learning environment that rivaled a local university or college like Tarrant County College.

Their facilities are very nice, and I wanted them to respect the learning environment, White said. I just wanted them to have a nice place that they could be proud of, because they deserve that.

KAI Enterprises has also done work with public libraries such as Reby Cary Youth Library, an 8,000-square-foot, $5.49 million facility that is designed solely for kids. The library is in the East Lancaster area, where students are considered at-risk and schools have a history of poor performance.

KAI Enterprises was involved in work on the Reby Cary Youth Library, which is a 8,000-square-foot project that was designed solely for children and features lower shelving and seating , interactive art, multiple study rooms, and bookshelves with embedded seating.

James said his company found in its research and through community conversations that a childs literacy is impacted most by someone reading to them. The library was constructed to feature lower shelving and seating designed to encourage families to read together. It also includes interactive art, multiple study rooms, bookshelves with embedded seating and open space for people to see the activity inside.

James, who was appointed chair of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners by Gov. Greg Abbott, said he company always goes back to its underlying philosophy of good and great design matters where the community should be a part of that design, no matter their class status.

The designs are formed by the conversations we have with the parents of the students that were designing the schools for, or the residents that are going to use the community centers, or the families and educators that will utilize the libraries, James said. Its all informed by having authentic listening and community engagement, where were actually seeking and sourcing disparate comments and thoughts on what your dreams and visions are for your community.
Argentine President Javier Milei put into motion a sweeping decree of economic reforms that includes deregulations and an end to limits on exports as he begins to combat the countrys severe economic crisis.

"This is only the first step," the self-described anarcho-capitalist whose sensational rhetoric drew comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump said in a televised address on Wednesday. "The objective is to return freedom and autonomy to individuals and start dismantling the enormous amount of regulations that have impeded, hindered and stopped economic growth."

Milei was sworn into office on Dec. 10, and during his inaugural address to supporters, he blamed the outgoing lawmakers for putting Argentina on a path toward hyperinflation, saying the political class "has ruined our lives."

Argentina has South Americas second-largest economy, but is suffering 143% annual inflation, which caused the countrys currency to plummet.

SHOCK THERAPY LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE JAVIER MILEI, WHO RAN AS OUTSIDER, WINS ARGENTINE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

President of Argentina Javier Milei gives a speech after his Inauguration Ceremony at National Congress on December 10, 2023, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The country also has a trade deficit of $43 billion as well as $45 billion in debt to the International Monetary Fund, with $10.6 billion due to private and multilateral creditors by April.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On Thursday, Milei signed a decree outlining his plan to address the crisis.

Mileis plans included the privatization of state-owned companies, though he did not name the specific firms, Reuters reported. He previously said he favors the privatization of state-owned oil company YPF.

ARGENTINA'S MILEI EXTENDS PUBLIC INVITATION TO MUSK: WE NEED TO TALK, ELON

His government has devalued the local peso currency by over 50% since taking office, and Milei said he has to hike taxes on Argentinas grain exports, which are a key source of the global supply for processed soybeans, corn and wheat.

Mileis push for higher taxes is intended to raise revenue so other levies could be lowered was met with criticism last week by farm groups fearing the move would hurt the industry.

Thousands hit the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday to protest Mileis and the governments plans. The protests were led by representatives of unemployed citizens, who demanded more support for the poor.

PINK FLOYD'S ROGER WATERS DENIED HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN SOUTH AMERICA AFTER ANTISEMITISM ACCUSATIONS

A supporter holds a giant dollar bill with the face President elect Javier Milei as people start gathering outside National Congress ahead of his inauguration ceremony on Dec. 10, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Milei won the presidency on Nov. 19, amid a nationwide wave of deep discontent and rising poverty.

On the campaign trail, Milei, with his wild hair and inflammatory rhetoric, pledged economic shock therapy and to slash the size of the state. Hes also indicated he would move the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem  paralleling another move by the Trump administration.

Milei accused his opponent, Economy Minister Sergio Massa of the Peronist party and his allies of running a "campaign of fear" and he walked back some of his most controversial proposals, such as loosening gun control. In his final campaign ad, Milei looks at the camera and assures voters he has no plans to privatize education or health care.

Milei's rhetoric resonated widely with Argentines angered by their struggle to make ends meet. The election forced many to decide which of the two they considered to be the least bad choice.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Argentina's new libertarian President Milei signs decree to boost exports, deregulate struggling economy
A pair of Arizona election officials pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of interfering in the certification of the 2022 midterm results in their county.

The Cochise County supervisors, Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby, questioned whether machines used for tabulating ballots in the midterms were properly certified for elections, despite state and federal officials approval. The board certified the results three days after the deadline.

Judd and Crosby pleaded not guilty on charges of interference with an election officer and conspiracy during the brief arraignment hearing Thursday, The Associated Press reported. The officials were informed of additional court dates, including a trial slated for May 16.

Kurt Altman, Judds attorney, disputed the charges, according to the AP.

We feel like there is no basis for these charges, Altman said. She was charged for doing her job.

Crosbys lawyer, Tim Grimm, declined to comment after the hearing.

Cochise Countys board of supervisors voted to certify the 2022 midterm results after a judge ruled that Crosby and Judd violated the law by not greenlighting the vote count before the deadline. Judd and the boards only Democrat, Supervisor Ann English, voted to certify the results, while Crosby did not attend the meeting.

The delay in Cochise County could have altered results in some close races. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), who was then serving as Arizona secretary of state, warned the countys numbers might not be factored into statewide results due to delays.

The supervisors wanted Hobbs to prove that machines intended for tabulating ballots were approved for vote-counting before they would be willing to approve the results of the election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Arkansas Board of Corrections is now throwing the ball into the governors court to help with staffing issues.

Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness reached out to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday, asking her to activate the National Guard in helping to fill staffing gaps within the Division of Correction.

Attorney General Tim Griffin files multiple motions in response to Board of Corrections lawsuits, temporary restraining orders

More specifically, the request is seeking up to 40 guard members for the Maximum Security and Tucker Units.

This comes amid a legal battle between the Board of Corrections and state officials.

Magness made an additional request for 98 National Guard members to be used at prisons where the vacancy rate of entry-level correctional officers exceeded 40% on November 30.

According to Magness, the guardsmen would be used in support positions for security positions such as towers and entrances.

Arkansas Board of Corrections suspends Secretary of Corrections Joe Profiri in constitutional issue, requests TRO against Gov. Sanders

The request goes on to say that the Board of Corrections is hoping to utilize the added manpower to reactivate 124 beds at the Tucker re-entry center.

Although utilizing the National Guard in corrections roles would be new in Arkansas, Magness points out that it has been done in other states including Florida and New Hampshire.

Chairman Magness letter requesting assistance from the National Guard was sent Wednesday evening but has not yet received a response from Gov. Sanders office.

This comes during a series of lawsuits being launched against the Board of Corrections by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and a contentious public relationship between the board and the Sanders administration.

Judge files order against Attorney General Tim Griffin in Arkansas Board of Corrections suit

On Tuesday, a Pulaski County Circuit judge filed an order against Attorney General Tim Griffin, saying he violates his duty to either represent the prison board or provide special counsel.

Griffin now has 30 days to come to an agreement with the board or find legal representation for them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
California Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, is taking Secretary of State Shirley Weber to court, after Weber ruled that Fong is ineligible to run for Congress.

Weber said he couldnt run for a House seat because hed already filed to run for reelection to the Assembly.

Fong on Friday filed a lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court, arguing that the California Secretary of States role is to receive and file nomination documents, not to render judgments on who is, and is not, eligible to run.

The Secretarys attempted unilateral expansion of her powers must be rejected by this Court and Mr. Fong must be restored to the ballot for CD-20, the lawsuit reads.

Under the United States Constitution, deciding who runs and is elected to federal legislative office is a question only for the candidate, the voters, and the legislative body itself. The executive branch is a ministerial participant without any powers not expressly provided to it by the legislative branch, it adds.

Fong announced his bid for Congress earlier this month, after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, announced his intent to resign at the end of the year. McCarthy has endorsed Fong to succeed him in office. Fong has served as McCarthys district director.

Californias 20th district, which includes parts of Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties, is likely to remain in Republican hands, experts say.

However, Webers office noted Fongs decision to file to run for Congress came after he already had filed to run for reelection to his Assembly district.

State law prohibits any candidate from filing nomination papers for more than one office at the same election, Webers office said in a statement.

Dec. 28 is the deadline for Weber to release the certified list of candidates for the March 5, 2024 primary.
WASHINGTON  As they search for evidence they can use to impeach President Joe Biden, House Republicans have repeatedly pointed to evidence that they say undercuts his claims that he never had anything to do with the foreign business dealings of his son, Hunter.

As vice president, for example, Biden did briefly meet with some of his sons business associates, although there is no testimony that he had any substantive discussions with them or that he changed government policy to benefit any of his sons ventures.

Still, Republicans have continued to mine voluminous records related to the younger Biden, including a trove of messages from a computer hard drive, to try to make a case that his income from abroad was at the heart of an influence-peddling operation that enriched the entire Biden family, including his father.

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Republicans have used quotes culled from text messages or emails to add a confessional quality to their presentations  evidence, they say, that Hunter Biden was essentially admitting that he and his father were engaged in political corruption.

But an examination of some of the highest-profile examples cited by Republicans shows that they have been taken out of context, or that Republicans have omitted key messages in email or text chains that often cast the communications in a more innocuous light.

Half your salary

In one example, Republicans point to a 2019 text message Hunter Biden sent to his daughter in which, they say, he confesses to sharing half of the millions he received from overseas business deals with his father.

I Hope you all can do what I did and pay for everything for this entire family Fro 30 years, he wrote in the typo-filled message. Its really hard. But dont worry unlike Pop I wont make you give me half your salary.

Rather than referring to money Hunter Biden received from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma or from a venture with a Chinese partner, Hunter Biden was alluding to his financial support for his own children and his school days, when his father allowed him to keep half the paycheck from part-time jobs but asked that he turn over the other half to help pay for room and board, according to a review of Hunter Bidens messages and interviews by The New York Times.

10% for the big guy

The phrase 10% for the big guy is almost ubiquitous in Republican circles, stemming from the accusation that Hunter Biden gave his father a 10% stake in his business deals.

It originates from a 2017 email sent by James Gilliar, a business associate of Hunter Bidens, who proposed including the big guy  presumably Joe Biden, the former vice president  in a business venture under the name Oneida Holdings.

10 held by H for the big guy?, Gilliar wrote.

But he told The Wall Street Journal in 2020 that his suggestion never went anywhere. The former vice president did not get involved with their business, and the proposed deal never produced any profit for anyone to split.

I would like to clear up any speculation that former Vice President Biden was involved with the 2017 discussions about our potential business structure, Gilliar said in 2020. I am unaware of any involvement at any time of the former vice president. The activity in question never delivered any project revenue.

In an interview with the FBI, Rob Walker, Hunter Bidens former business partner, described suggestions of getting Hunters father involved with the business as wishful thinking. He stated he certainly never was thinking at any time that the VP was a part of anything we were doing.

I can work with you father alone !!

Another message Republicans have highlighted is a 2018 text sent from James Biden, the presidents brother, to Hunter Biden, who at the time was in the throes of addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine: I can work with you father alone !! We as usual just need several months of his help for this to work.

At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Republican lawmakers implied this message was in reference to business dealings, but another text in the chain makes clear James Biden was referring to working with Joe Biden to get help for Hunter Biden as he struggled to keep up with his bills, get sober and find a place to live.

Concerns of a bank investigator

Republicans have also drawn attention to the concerns of a bank investigator about Hunter Bidens business activities, which involved securing millions of dollars from a Chinese firm in exchange for work the investigator flagged as potentially nonexistent.

The activity on the account appears unusual with no current business purpose, the investigator wrote.

But Republicans omitted other emails in the chain that were later released by Democrats on the Oversight Committee. They show a robust debate inside the bank about the legitimacy of the business activity. One response described the activity connected to Hunter Bidens account as reasonable and consistent with the business profile.

$240,000 to Joe Biden

Despite assertions that anywhere from 10% to half of the money from Hunter Bidens business deals went to his father, Republicans have failed thus far to show any profit for the current president.

They have documented three instances in which family members paid money to Joe Biden  while he was not in office  but they have often omitted the context that the exchanges were loan repayments, not a cut of income.

Rather than showing Joe Biden was enriched by his familys foreign business dealings, the documents released by House Republicans so far have showed the opposite.

After leaving the vice presidency, Joe Biden made more than $15 million, mostly through speaking engagements and book sales, some of which went to support his extended family.

By contrast, Hunter Biden spent much of his money on alcohol, drugs, prostitutes, fancy cars and other self-indulgent expenses, and failed to pay his taxes on time, resulting in his federal indictment this month on tax charges.

James Biden also found himself from time to time in need of a loan. According to House Republicans, at one point, James Biden had just $46 in a personal account.

House Republicans have pointed to two payments  one for $200,000 and another for $40,000  that James Biden made to Joe Biden while he was not in office. They have characterized the $40,000 check as laundered China money. But they did not note evidence showing Joe Biden had first lent money to his brother before being repaid.

The House Oversight Committee has also released documents that showed that one of Hunter Bidens businesses, Owasco PC, made three payments of $1,380 to Joe Biden in 2018. But other documents indicate the money was to pay back his father for helping to cover the cost of a Ford truck.

I am sitting here with my father

One WhatsApp message that has received much attention was provided by an IRS investigator who testified before Congress under whistleblower protections. In it, Hunter Biden invoked his father, who was then out of office, while pressing a potential Chinese business partner in 2017 to move ahead with a proposed energy deal.

I am sitting here with my father and we would like to know why the commitment has not been fulfilled, the message states. On its face, the message seemed to suggest Joe Biden was in league with his son pressuring for a payment to the family.

But Democrats have argued it is more likely an example of Hunter Bidens bluster than an accurate statement of Joe Bidens involvement in a shakedown. A lawyer for Hunter Biden says he does not remember sending the message.

Joe Biden has denied he was present at the time.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Athens-Clarke police and the coroners office are looking for information on a woman who was killed Wednesday after she was hit by a vehicle on Atlanta Highway.

The woman was identified as Cleo Catherine Wallace, 44, but authorities cannot locate a residence for the woman.

Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said Friday that she once had an residence in Stonehenge subdivision, which is close to where she was killed. She also once lived in Bethlehem and her relatives were located in Toledo, Ohio, according to the coroner.

However, investigators do not know if she was currently homeless or had another residence.

The accident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on the 4700 block of Atlanta Highway, police said.

An Athens-Clarke police officer arrived and provided first aid to the woman, who was lying in the highway, but she died from her injuries, police reported.

More: Con man convinces employee to break into Athens store's safe and hand over $8,000 to stranger

Police said Wallace was walking east in the left lane when she was hit by a 1999 Honda Passport, driven by a 20-year-old man.

Police also would like to speak to the driver of a white pickup that was seen in the area and had passed the woman before she was hit.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Sgt. Robert Schulte at robert.schulte@accgov.com or call 762-400-7093.

Anyone with information on Wallace may also call the coroners office at (706) 614-0361.

The crash is the 19th fatal vehicular crash in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Police seek information on woman killed on Atlanta Highway in Athens
Former US president Donald Trump is seen at a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa on December 19, 2023 (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI)

Donald Trump pushed local officials not to certify 2020 election results in Michigan, according to audio recordings cited in a news report Thursday, new allegations against the ex-president who already faces multiple charges of election interference.

The accusations come as Trump runs again for president and is poised to nab the Republican nomination in 2024 -- despite both state and federal charges against him.

In phone call recordings revealed by The Detroit News outlet, Trump reportedly pressured two local officials not to sign the certification of vote results in their county.

He allegedly told the two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers that "we've got to fight for our country" and that "we can't let these people take our country away from us."

The phone call came two weeks after the November 3 election, in which Trump lost the state of Michigan.

Also present on the call was Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, a Michigan native, who at one point told the two: "If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. ... We will get you attorneys."

Trump agreed, adding, "We'll take care of that."

About 18 percent of the northern state's population lives in Wayne County and approximately 878,000 votes were cast there in the 2020 election, according to The Detroit News.

The 77-year-old Trump is to go on trial in Washington in March on federal charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the November 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

He faces similar charges in a separate case in the southern state of Georgia, where he famously pressured secretary of state Brad Raffensperger in a taped call to "find" 11,780 votes that would reverse his defeat to Biden in the state.

In the Michigan call, Trump told the two Republican members of the county board, Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, that they would look "terrible" if they certified the election results -- especially because they had initially voted against them before later voting to approve the results.

McDaniel said in a statement to The Detroit News that "What I said publicly and repeatedly at the time... is that there was ample evidence that warranted an audit."

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung meanwhile said that Trump's actions were part of his duty to "ensure election integrity, including investigating the rigged and stolen 2020 presidential election."

Trump has repeatedly stated the false claim that the 2020 election was rigged for Biden.

bfm/sco
JONESBORO, Ga. - Some unexpected Christmas cash is headed to hundreds of commuters who have passed through Clayton County over the past two years, thanks to a FOX 5 I-Team investigation that identified a glitch in automated speed cameras.

In November, the Jonesboro Police Department acknowledged mailing out hundreds of school zone speeding tickets that were based on the wrong speed limit.

The city says it conducted a full audit of its camera systems and found even more erroneously-issued citations.

In a written statement responding to the I-Teams continuing questions, the police department said it found 1,244 citations that require a refund or dismissal. The statement did not say how many drivers that represent, as many people likely received more than one ticket.

A FOX 5 I-Team investigation found automated school zone speed cameras set up in Jonesboro issued hundreds of citations to drivers based on the wrong speed limit. (FOX 5)

Under Georgia law, drivers caught speeding on camera in school zones pay a $75 fine for the first violation and $125 for every violation after that.

The city said it will be refunding a total of $76,400.

FOX 5s investigation started with Alleice Woodhouse, who told the I-Team she didnt deserve the two speeding tickets she received back-to-back last spring, accusing her of speeding outside Suder Elementary School.

She tried to beat the tickets in Jonesboro Municipal Court, telling Chief Judge Charles Keith Wood that the lights on school zone signs don't blink when she passes the school around 8:30 a.m. during her morning commute.

In a recording of the hearing held remotely, Judge Wood asked a court worker if they had documents showing the lights are proper and the speeds are calibrated correctly. When the worker replied yes, the judge found Woodhouse liable and ordered her to pay for both tickets.

"After my court hearing, I knew that I needed someone to help me get to the bottom of this situation," Woodhouse told the FOX 5 I-Team. "So thats when I called you."

On Lake Jodeco Road near Suder Elementary School, signs say the speed limit is 25 miles per hour when the lights are flashing, and 35 miles per hour when they aren't. (FOX 5)

Her call sparked an investigation that would reveal something alarming: The automatic speed cameras popping up outside schools all across Georgia are capable of massive mistakes.

The I-Team examined Woodhouses citations, as well as more than 17,000 others from calendar year 2023. FOX 5 also obtained a flasher schedule from the Clayton County Transportation and Development department, showing Woodhouse was correct when she said the lights outside Suder Elementary dont blink at 8:30 a.m. on school days. Rather, they're supposed to stop blinking at 8 a.m.

The I-Team found Jonesboro had issued 456 false speeding tickets since January. The problem: the automatic cameras had ticketed drivers outside Suder Elemetary and Perry Learning Center based on a 25-mile-per hour speed limit, during times when lights on 25-mile-per-hour speed limit signs werent scheduled to be flashing.

The Jonesboro Police Department contracted with RedSpeed to set up automated speed cameras outside two elementary schools and one alternative school. (FOX 5)

When the camera lights arent flashing, the posted limit in those areas is 35 miles per hour. By law, a driver has to be going at least 11 miles over the speed limit to be ticketed by a school zone camera. When she was ticketed, Woodhouse was barely topping 35.

In an interview last month, Jonesboro Police Chief Tommy Henderson pointed to a programming error, though he declined to say if his department or the camera contractor, RedSpeed, was responsible. But the way the system works, a Jonesboro officer is supposed to review and sign off on all citations.

In an interview last month, Jonesboro Police Chief Tommy Henderson tells the FOX 5 I-Team that periodic audits of the automated speed camera system will prevent drivers from receiving false citations. (FOX 5)

"Apparently, maybe there was a mistake that was made," Chief Henderson said. "We are human. We make mistakes."

The city went back further in the records, to the launch of the cameras during the 2022-23 school year, and found nearly triple the number of erroneous tickets that the FOX 5 I-Team found.

The police department also provided details of how its reimbursement plan will work:

If you paid your ticket by check or money order, youll get a check back in the mail.

If you paid by credit card, expect to see an automatic refund to your credit card account.

The process is expected to take about 4 months to complete, meaning most drivers should have their surprise Christmas money by Easter.

For anyone with questions, the city provided a phone number: 470-726-1610.

The police department said in the statement, "We understand the inconvenience this may have caused, and we sincerely appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work diligently with our vendor to make the necessary corrections."

Click to open this PDF in a new window.

Trial attorney Lester Tate says what happened in Jonesboro shows the entire system of automated speed cameras needs to be thrown out.

"What this does is it fundamentally deprives the person who is accused of going too fast through the school zone of being able to have their day in court, or at least have a meaningful day in court," Tate said. "And it does so with both a carrot and a stick. You know, Were not going to give you all these rights, but also, youre not going to get any points for this. Its only going to be 75 dollars.'"

The cameras were made legal in 2018 through a bill passed after the stroke of midnight on the final day of the state legislative session, reportedly with help from then-Speaker of the House David Ralston, whose son Matt Ralston was pushing the bill as a lobbyist for a speed camera company.

Trial attorney and former Georgia State Bar president Lester Tate said he believes setting fines relatively low was part of a strategy by the state legislature to discourage drivers from disputing citations issued by automated school speed zone cameras. (FOX 5)

There are efforts underway to adjust the law. State Rep. J. Collins, R-Villa Rica, has said he plans to reintroduce a bill next year that would clear up confusion by making signage more uniform and limiting tickets to times when school zone lights are flashing. Theres also a proposal to make it easier to fight tickets in court.

"The total incentive," Tate, the trial attorney, added, "is keep your mouth shut, pay your fine, and let us have your money."

Chief Henderson still defends the cameras, saying they keep students, school staff and drivers safe. He said the system just has to be monitored.

"We have looked at the program, looked at our settings, and were making sure that we check those," the chief said in November. "Were going to run periodic audits on the system going forward, so were already making those corrections and making sure that we stay on top of it."
WASHINGTON  House Republicans are charging ahead with their investigation into President Joe Bidens family business dealings, with some in the GOP predicting a formal impeachment vote in the opening months of 2024.

But there are others in the party who say the process could be drawn out, running deep into the presidential election year as legal fights over subpoenas for documents and depositions play out in the courts.

And there are Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill who share a third view: Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., might never even bring an impeachment vote to the floor due to a lack of evidence, a lack of GOP votes, or both.

If I had $100 and a chance to bet to turn it into a million dollars, I dont know that Id risk losing that $100 on this process, said one GOP member who previously served in leadership. Bottom line: I dont know how its gonna turn out.

One of the possibilities is that they dont force a vote on articles of impeachment because they dont have articles of impeachment, added a senior House Democratic aide who is closely tracking the GOPs impeachment efforts.

President Joe Biden (Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)

The triumvirate of top GOP investigators  Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri  has kicked up a cloud of ethical doubt around the Bidens but has yet to turn up any concrete evidence of wrongdoing or influence-peddling by the president himself.

Even Republicans are conceding they havent seen any evidence of Bidens alleged high crimes and misdemeanors.

I havent seen any yet, to date, that shows me that the president did anything wrong, Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio, a former longtime county prosecutor and the leader of the centrist Republican Governance Group, said in an interview. Weve gone through the process of indicting President Biden and the members of the Biden family, but weve not seen any of the evidence yet that gives weight to the indictment.

Another GOP skeptic, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, warned that an overtly politicized impeachment could backfire on his own party.

"If this is perceived as being a revenge impeachment or a politicized impeachment ... it will hurt the Republicans," Bacon said during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press NOW" Wednesday. "If we dont handle this right and if it looks like were using it as a political weapon, it will come back to bite us all."

Still, both Bacon and Joyce said they voted, along with every other Republican, to launch the impeachment inquiry earlier this month to empower investigators to get more information from the Biden family and the administration.

Echoes of Benghazi

Though it would infuriate the party's conservative base, slow-walking an impeachment vote  or putting it off completely  could prove to be a politically useful strategy for the GOP.

Like House Republicans special Benghazi investigation that dogged Democrat Hillary Clinton throughout the 2016 campaign cycle (and wasnt shut down until after Trump defeated her), the newly authorized impeachment probe could torment Biden through the November election, and serve as GOP counter-programing to his likely opponent Donald Trumps civil and criminal trials in New York, Washington, D.C., Florida and Georgia. Trumps federal classified documents case is slated to go to trial in May, while the Georgia prosecutor in Trumps election interference case, Fani Willis, wants a trial in August.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sits at a table with audience members behind her. (Melina Mara / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

A recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll found that Americans are now evenly split on the Biden impeachment probe, with 49% supporting it and 48% opposing it. In the same poll in October, 47% supported the probe, while 52% opposed it. And nearly 7 in 10 voters believe Biden has acted either illegally or unethically in his sons business dealings, according to AP-NORC poll from October.

Punting a vote altogether would also be an electoral godsend to vulnerable Republicans who have been reluctant to back their partys aggressive impeachment push. Since the Dec. 13 unanimous GOP inquiry vote, the Democratic campaign arm has blasted out stories and statements attacking the 17 Republicans who represent swing districts that Biden won in 2020 for caving to MAGA extremists and Donald Trump.

At a recent news conference, Speaker Johnson declined to discuss the possibility that Republicans might not file articles of impeachment against Biden.

Were not going to prejudge the outcome of this, the speaker replied. We cant because, again, its not a political calculation.

Rep. Ted Lieu of California, a member of the Democratic leadership team who served as an impeachment manager in Trumps second Senate trial, argued that the GOPs Benghazi probe was the wrong comparison. He said the Biden impeachment inquiry is more similar to Bill Clintons impeachment, which boosted Clintons approval ratings and caused the GOP to lose seats in the 1998 midterms, forcing then-Speaker Newt Gingrich to resign.

I believe Joe Bidens numbers will rise as a result of this impeachment because it continues to show that Republicans are focused on priorities very few Americans care about, Lieu said in an interview outside the Capitol.

Democrats will focus on lowering costs and creating jobs, and theyre focused on baseless impeachment, he added. So, as long as they keep talking about impeachment, that keeps helping Democrats and Joe Biden.

A tough math problem

Skepticism about the GOPs evidence from Joyce, retiring Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., and others is making an already difficult math problem for the speaker even more complicated. This month, the House expelled indicted Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., and Johnsons predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, is resigning from Congress and wont be back in the New Year. It means that Johnson can only afford to lose three GOP votes to pass anything on the floor, including a resolution to impeach Biden which would force a Senate trial that is almost certain to end in acquittal, given the Democratic majority.

Kevin McCarthy walks through a hallway at the Capitol, flanked by staffers (Win McNamee / Getty Images file)

Johnsons miniscule majority could be cut to just two seats after Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, resigns in the first quarter of 2024 to become a college president, and if former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi wins back his old seat in a Feb. 13 special election to fill the Santos vacancy.

Conservative Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., said a vote to impeach Biden needs to be in the first quarter but only if the evidence is there.

Im talking about real evidence  not manufactured evidence, said Loudermilk, a vocal critic of the two Donald Trump impeachments. You just got to have really hard evidence.

As on the inquiry vote, Democrats are expected to be united in their opposition to a future impeachment vote. And Loudermilk predicted that if 218 GOP votes dont materialize, Johnson wont bring it to the floor. There are serious concerns that if an impeachment vote fails on the floor, it would amount to a GOP exoneration of Biden after a yearlong investigation.

I think if the evidence is not there, then probably the speaker wouldnt bring it forward, the Georgia congressman said. Were trying to do it by the books. The Democrats lowered the constitutional bar on impeachment; weve got to raise it back.

No timeline for a vote

Key Republicans appear to be in no rush for a quick impeachment vote.

I dont want to predict that, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., the incoming chairman of the far-right Freedom Caucus, said of the timing of a vote.

Smith, the Ways and Means chair whos spent months probing the presidents son Hunter Bidens alleged tax crimes and whether the Biden Justice Department interfered in an IRS probe into the son, also gave no firm timeline.

Theres a lot of information we need to get, Smith told NBC News. Its hard to put a timeline on it. It depends on how cooperative the administration and the witnesses will be with us because they have not been.

It needs to take as long as it needs to take in order to get it right, added Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla. So I dont have any preconceived notion of whether thats next week or next year.

The House's vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry was designed to help investigators enforce subpoenas to gather more evidence. Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman and Trump loyalist who previously served on the Benghazi committee, already has his top targets. He wants to depose Jack Morgan and Mark Daly, two low-level attorneys in the DOJs tax division who, IRS whistleblowers had said, initially believed that Hunter Biden should be indicted on felony tax charges. Under a plea deal, prosecutors recommended a sentence of probation in exchange for the Biden son pleading guilty to tax violations, but that deal fell apart in August.

This month, special counsel David Weiss indicted Hunter Biden on nine tax-related charges, including three felony counts.

"DOJ has refused to let us talk to those guys, Jordan said of Morgan and Daly. So, we think with this official inquiry, we got a better chance of talking to those two individuals who were the only two people in the investigation that we havent deposed yet.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
New Chicago Police Board President Kyle Cooper and Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling, right, meet before the start of a monthly Police Board meeting on Dec. 21, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

The leadership baton was passed Thursday night at the Chicago Police Boards monthly meeting as a protracted fight over discipline for Chicago police officers has called the boards future into question.

And as that new era began, the board announced a forthcoming evidentiary hearing that stems from a notorious, nearly 20-year-old misconduct case  that of disgraced Sgt. Ronald Watts.

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Outgoing board President Ghian Foreman arrived at the citys public safety headquarters early, as did his successor, Kyle Cooper. Minutes before the meeting began, Foreman bypassed his usual seat at the board table and pulled out the chair he used before he was named president.

Its a full-circle moment, Cooper told a smiling Foreman. The nine-person board still has three pending vacancies, and Cooper said Foreman agreed to continue serving on the board so it reaches a voting quorum.

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There isnt a room Ive been in with him where I havent seen members of the public or elected officials come up to him and thank him for his dedicated service to the city and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps because he put the board on the right direction, Cooper later told those in attendance.

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Coopers first meeting was an active one.

Paula Wolff, the boards vice president, announced that four officers would face evidentiary hearings stemming from alleged misconduct committed under Watts when he was a tactical lieutenant in the now-demolished Ida B. Wells housing complex in Bronzeville.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said each of the four officers  Robert Gonzalez, Manuel Leano, Brian Bolton and Douglas Nichols  should be fired. In its March 2023 response, the CPD, led at the time by Interim Superintendent Eric Carter, disagreed and called for lighter discipline.

New Chicago Police Board President Kyle Cooper, third from left, at a monthly meeting at police headquarters on Dec. 21, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Mareile Cusack, another board member, announced another evidentiary hearing was needed for Lt. Wilfredo Roman, who previously faced criminal charges for allegedly shoving his flashlight into the buttocks of a clothed teen carjacking suspect in February 2021. Cook County Judge Joseph Claps  who himself was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge after bringing a gun into the Leighton Criminal Court Building  found Roman not guilty in a bench trial last January.

The board also announced a two-year suspension for Officer Patrick Brown, who was involved in a deadly, high-speed crash on the West Side in May 2019. Earlier this year, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, the union that represents rank and file CPD officers and detectives, tried unsuccessfully to remove Browns case and those of 21 other officers from the Police Boards docket.

The effort came after arbitrator Edwin Benn, who oversaw contract negotiations between the city and union, ruled that CPD officers accused of serious misconduct are entitled to having their cases decided by a third party out of public view.

That provision of the contract agreement  which also provides a nearly 20% raise for officers over four years  prompted Mayor Brandon Johnson to bifurcate the City Councils vote on the union contract. The vote on the economic package was approved, but the second part on disciplinary measures was voted down.
The Russians are trying to breach Ukrainian defence in the city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast, but the city perseveres.

Source: Vitalii Barabash, Head of Avdiivka City Military Administration

Quote: "The Russians are trying to breach our defence. The price the aggressor state pays is countless fried monkeys. The Avdiivka meat grinder is working at full capacity.

The city perseveres. Thanks to our courageous soldiers and the efforts of everyone who supports the Defence Forces and locals.

Unfortunately, constant Russian attacks take away lives and health of our people daily."

Details: Barabash states that despite the continuous evacuation from Avdiivka, there are still those who refuse to leave the city out of principle.

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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Avelo Airlines told the Mobile Airport Authority Wednesday that the company is temporarily suspending flights at the Mobile International Airport starting in March.

The last flight to Orlando International Airport will be on March 4, 2024. The airline is suspending flights at eight airports as the airline evaluates and adjusts its marketing presence, according to a news release from the Mobile Airport Authority.

Bienville Square will not be open to public for Fat Tuesday

Avelo Airlines has made the difficult decision to seasonally suspend service between Mobile, AL and Orlando beginning March 4, 2024, Avelo Airlines Communication Manager Courtney Goff said. Several of our cities, including Mobile, tend to experience fluctuations in air traffic during the first half of the year.

While we are temporarily suspending service, we are actively exploring options to offer seasonal service in the future. As previously mentioned, the first half of the year timeframe typically does have lower demand, we chose to utilize this time to lessen frequencies and seasonally exit so were in a good position for peak summer travel.

This helps us have even better reliability and creates a better experience for our customers.

The first Avelo flight out of Mobile occurred on May 31, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request by special counsel Jack Smith to expedite arguments on whether Donald Trump had presidential immunity from federal prosecution for crimes he's accused of committing while in office in his federal election subversion case, CNN and Politico report. The high court did not offer any explanation for its reasoning and did not note any dissents.

The court's decision marks a major blow to Smith, who took a massive risk when he asked the justices to skip a federal appeals court  a rare move  and quickly decide a key concern of his criminal case against the former president for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Both sides will still have the option of appealing an eventual ruling from the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, in which an expedited review of the matter is already underway. But the court's decision hands a huge win to Trump, whose delay tactics in the criminal case included launching a prolonged battle over the immunity question, which must be settled before the case goes to trial. In urging the court against taking the case, Trump's attorneys argued the special counsel was attempting to "rush to decide issues with reckless abandon." The DC Circuit has scheduled oral arguments over the question for Jan. 9, 2024.

National security attorney Brad Moss predicted that the matter "wont get to SCOTUS any earlier than February now." Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance added that the decision is "bad news for Judge Chutkan's March trial date because even if the court of appeals rules quickly, Trump gets 90 days to file for cert, and he can ask for the full appellate court to rehear the appeal en banc, with all of the judges present, as an intermediary step." But Steve Vladeck, a Supreme Court expert at the University of Texas School of Law, argued that the issue is not a "big deal" because the D.C. Circuit Court is "moving very very quickly." The "real question, assuming it affirms Trumps non-immunity, is what happens *then,*" he added.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Utah Senator Mike Lee called out President Joe Biden to release the imprisoned Navy Lieutenant currently being held in a Los Angeles federal prison after over 500 days behind bars in Japan.

On social media Friday, Lee directed a post toward Biden saying he refused to believe the president was going to let Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis remain incarcerated through Christmas. Lee said Biden knows full well Alkonis doesnt belong in prison.

Utah dog breeder meets N.J. woman at Salt Lake City International for Christmas miracle

Youre better than that. Alknois certainly deserves better than that. So does his family, wrote Lee. Fix this now!

Alkonis was booked in the LA federal prison earlier this month following his transfer from Japan. The Navy Lt. was sentenced to three years in a Japanese prison following a fatal crash in May 2021. A Japanese Judge had determined Alkonis had fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to the crash and the deaths of two Japanese citizens. A U.S.-led investigation reported Alkonis had suffered from acute altitude sickness causing him to lose consciousness.

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Alkonis spent 507 days in Japanese prison until his transfer to the United States on Dec. 15. While the exact details of the agreement for his transfer remain unclear, Alkonis was transferred to the U.S. as part of the International Prisoner Transfer program.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the purpose of the program is to not only facilitate the rehabilitation of transferred offenders but also to relieve some administration and diplomatic issues that arise with the imprisonment of foreign nationals.

Lee has long advocated for Alkonis release, calling the Navy Lt. an American Hero who deserves more than being locked up in a United States prison. Lee claimed no other country would have punished Alkonis for the tragic accident in Japan.

Ridge Alkonis wife, Brittany, said on social media that she is still holding out hope Biden will release her husband of this two and half year nightmare.

During a media briefing at the White House on Tuesday, Dec. 19, a reporter asked National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby if President Biden was committed to releasing Alkonis before Christmas.

I want to be careful here I dont get too much into what is still a legal process, replied Kirby. So, I think, to be safe, Im going to refer you to the Justice Department on this particular case.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice simply confirmed Ridge Alkonis was being held in custody at the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles and did not expand on the possibility of his release.

The spokesperson said a hearing for Alkonis would be held within 180 days from the date of his transfer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Sofia Salinas walks along the fenced-in area that was to become a migrant tent encampment near her home in the Brighton Park neighborhood, Dec. 14, 2023, in Chicago. Salinas and her neighbors are concerned about the presence of ground chemicals on the site that prevented the encampment from opening. She said all of the construction that had been completed was taken down fully by the previous night. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson has reversed course on major policy moves twice in the last few weeks.

In a sense, thats a welcome development. For his predecessor, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the first instinct when faced with facts she did not favor was to drop her gloves and fight.

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Johnson has shown a willingness to change gears, which is appealing in its way. But the need for him to do so twice in as many weeks also is likely a warning that the upfront work he and his staff are doing is not where it needs to be.

The first reversal, involving the establishment of an industrial-scale tent shelter at a park on the South Side, was disastrously handled. On the second, involving public access to City Council meetings, the mayor did better. At least Johnson appears to be learning as he goes.

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In the matter of the migrant shelter mishap, Johnson found himself on the wrong side of an issue, stood his ground too long, then clumsily handled his about-face.

From the time Johnson first set his sights on Brighton Park as a prospective encampment site for thousands of migrants, environmental groups warned of ecological dangers lurking there. Even as a city consultants report found mercury, arsenic and other toxins on soil where a smelter once operated, Johnson dug in.

The mayor abandoned the Brighton Park plan only after Gov. J.B. Pritzker pulled $65 million in state funding. The loss of state money made the proposed encampment financially infeasible, so Johnson had no choice.

[ David Greising: Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker can be at odds  as long as they do their jobs ]

The mayor never did explain the parameters of his decisions  first, to stick with the site even after the health risks were clear and then to abandon it. Instead, we got beside-the-point rhetoric from Johnson. Something about what a mistake it would be to fail to plan for migrant housing in the first place.

On that, everyone can agree, especially the migrants who have spent months sleeping at Chicago police stations and OHare International Airport. What they wouldnt give for a city with a plan.

Gravel remains at the now-closed migrant tent encampment project in the 3700 block of South California Avenue in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

One lesson the mayor and city can take away from this one has to do with the cost of indecision. Amid the mess, it emerged that the city spent nearly $1 million on its ultimately useless conversion of the site.

In his defense of that dead-end expenditure, Johnson allowed that the money was not wasted altogether, because the 9 acres at 38th Street and California Avenue now are prepared for future use.

Which raises a simple question: For what kind of future use? As a Superfund site maybe?

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The second major shift offers at least some hope that the mayor is learning as he goes. In the matter affecting public participation in City Council meetings, Johnson let the facts persuade him and was able to exit his first, ill-chosen position with a measure of grace.

We all know City Council meetings have gotten out of hand lately. Debates over the immigrant problem and Israels war with Hamas at times have bordered on chaos and potentially even physical harm to the public and elected officials alike.

Protesters on the City Council floor during a meeting at City Hall on Dec.13, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

But the city response was over the top: an unprecedented move to require advance registration for the City Council chambers second-floor gallery, relegating many participants to a glass-enclosed, third-floor quarters with virtually no direct view of the aldermen on the council floor.

This prompted the Better Government Association  me, to be precise  to write a letter informing the mayor that his decision likely violated the Open Meetings Act and surely was an overreach. Effective enforcement of long-standing rules of decorum, which have proved effective from the raucous racism of the so-called Council Wars on up through the present, could very well manage the problem.

The mayor could have fought. But he likely expected a BGA lawsuit if he did, with a strong open-government case, I might add. Instead, Johnson retracted the new policy and returned to the old rules. The one council meeting held since then was peaceable, affirming the mayor ultimately made the right call.

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Theres a school of thought that the retreat also delivered a political benefit to Johnson. After all, this progressive mayor has more in common with the type of people who crowd City Council chambers to protest than his political opponents do. As a practical matter, a noisy, shoulder-to-shoulder gallery is more likely than not to play to Johnsons benefit.

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What comes next? Well, perhaps Johnson can learn from experience. Specifically, he needs to avoid missteps in the first place. Stronger support in the Law Department, on his communications team, in intergovernmental affairs and in other places in city government where expertise is needed would help him a lot. More than six months into his term, there still are too many open positions and too little experience in key roles.

Reversing field while holding public office is extraordinarily difficult. Its rare that mayors or other elected officials can do it well.

Credit Johnson with the flexibility to change course  out of necessity, yes, but the about-faces were still welcome.

Still, there is only so much to be gained from gracefully reversing course. The mayor and the city will be better off if the Johnson administration can develop the capacity to just make the right calls from the start.

David Greising is president and CEO of the Better Government Association.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a new executive order on Dec. 22 that will strengthen the U.S.' sanctions against Russia while also targeting financial institutions that help support Russia's war effort, the White House said in a press release.

The move comes days after the EU adopted its 12th round of sanctions against Russia, which included a ban on Russian diamonds, a crackdown on Russia's means to acquire military-use goods, tighter controls over the $60-per-barrel oil price cap, and further steps targeting Moscow's revenue amid the all-out war.

The White House said the executive order expands sanctions authority over any financial institutions "determined to have conducted or facilitated any significant transactions...or provided any services" for already sanctioned individuals or companies involved in Russia's military-industrial complex.

In addition, the executive order will ban the export of Russian diamonds. In line with the EU sanctions, the move will ban the export of any diamonds originating in or manufactured in Russia, regardless of whether they were subsequently processed in a third country.

A similar measure will apply to seafood from Russian water territorial waters or fished by Russian vessels.

In an op-ed for the Financial Times, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo wrote that the executive order "makes clear that those financing and facilitating the transactions of goods that end up on the battlefield will face severe consequences."

"Today we are taking steps to level new and powerful tools against Russias war machine," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Dec. 22. "And we will not hesitate to use the new tools provided by this authority to take decisive and surgical action against financial institutions that facilitate the supply of Russias war machine.

Essentially, the intention of the measures taken against financial institutions or front companies involved in helping support Russia's war machine is to create a "stark choice."

"Stop all transactions from customers selling critical goods, or ensure these goods are not benefiting Russias war machine. Otherwise, you risk losing access to the US financial system," said Adeyemo.

He also added that the measures would apply even to unwitting financial partners, putting the onus on financial institutions and exporters in third-party countries to preemptively prevent any potential collaboration with Russia's military-industrial complex.

Read also: Opinion: A year of war and little peace

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Joe Biden believes Japanese company Nippon Steel's planned purchase of iconic American company U.S. Steel deserves "serious scrutiny" because of potential national security and supply chain concerns, a top White House official said Thursday.

Biden "has been clear that we welcome manufacturers across the world building their futures in America with American jobs and American workers," White House National Economic Adviser Lael Brainard said in the administration's most extensive comment yet on the proposed deal. "However, he also believes the purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity  even one from a close ally  appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability."

The carefully worded remark shows the high stakes for Biden if his administration, through the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, were to block the deal on national security grounds since that would send a negative signal to the rest of the world about the openness of the U.S. economy to foreign investment.

However, the United Steelworkers union opposes the proposed sale, and a number of Rust Belt politicians have called for a CFIUS review to determine whether it should be blocked on national security grounds.

"This looks like the type of transaction that the interagency committee on foreign investment Congress empowered and the Biden Administration strengthened is set up to carefully investigate. This Administration will be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and to act if appropriate," Brainard continued.

The U.S. Defense Department requires a range of steel products for weapons and related defense systems. The Trump administration estimated that total demand at about three percent of U.S. steel production. However, it regards that level as large enough to justify imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel imports from around the world.

U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have already said they expect a CFIUS review of the transaction.
President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of people convicted of marijuana offences in Washington DC and on federal lands.

Hes also set to commute the sentences of 11 non-violent drug offenders serving disproportionately long sentences.

Mr Biden made the announcement in a statement on Friday morning, saying that America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law.

Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger, he added. That is why today I am announcing additional steps I am taking to make the promise of equal justice a reality.

The president said that if the offenders receiving the commuted sentences had faced justice today, all of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences.

Mr Biden, noting that he has previously issued a pardon of previous federal and DC offences of simple possession of marijuana, said that he would issue a Proclamation that will pardon additional offences of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and DC law.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, the president said. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.

Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either. Thats why I continue to urge governors to do the same with regard to state offences and applaud those who have since taken action, Mr Biden said. I have exercised my clemency power more than any recent predecessor has at this point in their presidency. And while todays announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equal justice, address racial disparities, strengthen public safety, and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.

The sentences of the offenders included on Mr Bidens list of commutations ranged from 15 years to life. Most of their sentences will now end in the first few months of next year.

By the time he left office in early 2017, President Barack Obama had issued 1,715 commutations and 212 pardons, with most of those granted clemency having been convicted of drug violations. Many of them had received long and at times mandatory sentences amidst the war on drugs  a term popularized by President Richard Nixon during a press conference in the summer of 1971.

Former President Donald Trump granted clemency to 237 people, most of whom had a personal connection to him or served a political purpose. Only 25 of the pardons and commutations issued by Mr Trump went through the regular process at the Department of Justice, the rest were the result of personal connections and lobbying efforts.

Mr Bidens pardon of simple marijuana offences on federal lands and in Washington, DC has so far helped at least 6,500 people. Its the largest number of people to receive a presidential pardon since President Jimmy Carter pardoned more than 200,000 people for evading the draft for the Vietnam war.
President Biden is granting clemency to 11 drug dealers convicted of non-violent crimes, as well as rolling back anti-drug laws on federal land.

The White House announced Biden's decision via a statement Friday in which the president offered his reasoning for approving the sudden release of nearly a dozen drug-related offenders.

"First, I am commuting the sentences of 11 people who are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses," Biden announced in a press statement. "All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today."

In the same announcement, the president went a step further  revealing a proclamation that will also pardon further marijuana-related crimes on federal land.

FORMER PROSECUTOR ACCUSE OF LIMITING QUESTIONS ABOUT JOE BIDEN, DENIES POLITICS PLAYED A ROLE IN HUNTER PROBE

President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn to board Marine One before departing the White House in Washington, DC.

The individuals receiving clemency include: Felipe Arriaga of Sunnyside, Washington; Earlie Deacon Barber of Dothan, Alabama; James Michael Barber of Gastonia, North Carolina; Anthony Ewing of Union City, Georgia; Quittman Andre Goodley of Austin, Texas; Deondre Cordell Higgins of Kansas City, Missouri; Leroy Lymons of Pensacola, Florida; Angel Rosario of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Esaias Tucker of Tallahassee, Florida; Darryl Allen Winkfield of Augusta, Georgia; and Kenneth Winkler of Indianapolis, Indiana.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Two of the individuals were charged related to distribution of methamphetamine, while the other nine were convicted on charges related to distribution of cocaine or crack.

"Second, following my pardon of prior federal and D.C. offenses of simple possession of marijuana, I am issuing a Proclamation that will pardon additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law," the president said.

Biden said the law enforcement reforms are meant to curb and rethink the country's "failed approach to marijuana."

BIDEN 'EXPRESSING DEEP FRUSTRATION' WITH SLOW PROGRESS OF HIS INFRASTRUCTURE LAW: REPORT

Biden said, "Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs."

The president is also urging governors across the country to adopt similar policies to walk back the legal impact marijuana-related crimes have on offenders' lives.

"Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either," Biden said. "Thats why I continue to urge governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action."

President Biden speaks during a meeting of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

"I have exercised my clemency power more than any recent predecessor has at this point in their presidency," Biden boasted.

He continued, "And while todays announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equal justice, address racial disparities, strengthen public safety, and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans."

Biden has issued a total of 12 pardons as president, and offered 114 commutations.





Original article source: Biden commutes sentences for 11 convicted of drug crimes, targeting 'unjustified disparities'
Lael Brainard, director of President Bidens National Economic Council, said Thursday that the sale of U.S. Steel Corp. to Japans Nippon Steel appears to deserve serious scrutiny amid backlash over the acquisition.

The President believes U.S. Steel was an integral part of our arsenal of democracy in WWII and remains a core component of the overall domestic steel production that is critical to our national security. And he has been clear that we welcome manufacturers across the world building their futures in America with American jobs and American workers, Brainard said in a statement from the White House.

However, he also believes the purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entityeven one from a close allyappears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability.

Nippon Steel, already one of the top producers of the material, announced this week its acquiring U.S. Steel Corp.  the Pittsburgh company once the biggest in the world  in a $14.9 billion deal.

But the sale has drawn the ire of lawmakers in both parties as some sound alarms about how the move could shift steelworking jobs to low-wage states, threaten national security and undermine U.S. industry.

A group of Republican senators wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen this week to argue the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) should block the sale.

CFIUS is an interagency panel chaired by the Treasury secretary with the power to block the acquisitions of U.S. companies by foreign firms if the deal could threaten national security.

Brainard did not explicitly call for a CFIUS investigation but said the sale of U.S. Steel looks like the type of transaction that the panel was established to investigate.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) said in a statement that this is a major blow to the American steel industry which has been instrumental in making us the superpower of the world and a direct threat to our national security.

This looks like the type of transaction that the interagency committee on foreign investment Congress empowered and the Biden Administration strengthened is set up to carefully investigate, Brainard said in the Thursday statement, adding the Biden administration will be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and to act if appropriate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Bidens year-end approval rating is worse than any other modern-day president seeking reelections has been at this point in the campaign cycle, a new survey found.

According to December polling from Gallup, Bidens approval rating sits at 39 percent. By comparison, former President Trumps approval rating sat at 45 percent when he was was seeking reelection in 2019, and former President Obamas was 43 percent in 2011.

Former President George W. Bush was supported by 58 percent of survey respondents at this time in his reelection cycle, Gallup noted, likely aided by the mid-December capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Former Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush each had 51 percent support while vying for a second term, according to the survey giant. And former President Reagans approval rating was 54 percent in 1983, tied with former President Carters in 1979.

Biden enters 2024 with a persistently low job approval rating, the worst of any modern-day president heading in to a tough reelection campaign, Gallup wrote Friday.

Bidens latest approval rating is slightly up from a record-low 37 percent support in October and November, but is the fifth time the president has fallen below 40 percent in 2023. He began his term in Jan. 2021 with a high of 57 percent support.

Support among Democrats dipped in October, likely due to the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, but has improved slightly to 78 percent in the recent survey.

Republicans in the new survey, conducted Dec. 1-20, continue to dislike Biden; he has consistently remained in the single digits since Aug. 2021 and earned 5 percent support in the most recent poll.

Independents ratings have been more variable, Gallup noted. In the recent survey, 34 percent of independent respondents approve of Biden, up 7 points from last months polling.

Heading into the election year, Gallup found that Americans feel better about the economy, but it remains a pressing concern for many. Bidens handling of foreign affairs will also likely play a large role in the campaign, as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars continue and Republicans press on about immigration security at the countrys southern border.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A building with solar panels in Masdar City near Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as Dubai hosts the COP28 United Nations climate summit on Dec. 8, 2023. (Kamran Jebreili/AP)

Dickson Despommier, emeritus professor of public health and microbiology at Columbia University, is renowned for having developed the first models for large-scale indoor vertical farming.

Despommier notes that cities, which occupy 2% of the worlds landmass, contribute 60% of the greenhouse gases that fuel rapid climate change. So, as the major catalyst of anthropogenic climate change, cities must play a major part in mitigating its effects. In his recently published book, The New City, Despommier offers a primer on the environmental and ecological features and benefits of a future vision for urban centers.

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The concept of the new city refers to the ideas emerging from urban design labs for future cities built from the ground up using innovative planning, materials, technologies and approaches that improve upon existing cities. The design vision for the new city emphasizes environmental sustainability, adaptable and modular infrastructure, advanced digital technologies, human-centered design, and transparent, participatory governance models.

While the new city remains a somewhat inchoate vision decades away from full realization, planned cities incorporating these design principles are under construction in South Korea (Songdo), the United Arab Emirates (Masdar City), and Malaysia (the crisis-riddled Forest City). The Line  a linear city scheduled for construction along a 106-mile straight line in the Saudi Arabian desert  represents the most ambitious (and most maligned) version of a new city based on sustainability and livability design principles.

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In The New City, Despommier reviews the four pillars for building a sustainable urban future: carbon storage, urban agriculture, the harvesting of water and renewable energy. These pillars focus on technologies that can remove cities dependence on centralized municipal grids for energy, food, water and waste management. Using temperate tree zones as his inspiration from nature, Despommier advocates incorporating their biological characteristics into urban design.

The Grand Mosque at the Dubai International Financial Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, shown Dec. 5, 2023, has perforated panels to emulate mashrabiyas, the traditional screens that protect buildings from sunlight. More architects in the UAE, the host of this year's United Nations climate summit, are moving past glass skyscrapers and focusing on sustainability. (Katarina Premfors/The New York Times)

Like temperate forest trees, each building should be able to sequester carbon (by incorporating technologically advanced wood building materials in place of concrete and steel); harvest rainwater and recycle wastewater (to create a circular water economy); grow its own food (using vertical and underground hydroponic and aeroponic farms); and generate its own energy from solar radiation (photovoltaic and wind-generated), geothermal energy, waves and tides and perhaps ultimately nuclear fusion reactors.

To this list, Ill add that Despommier also relies heavily on artificial intelligence to create positive, self-sustaining learning and signaling environments that allow each building to balance and share resources much as trees communicate and support each other within forests.

Despommier is a technological optimist. His assumptions about technology as a driver of human progress leave him vulnerable to charges that he pays insufficient attention to the political, financial, cultural and psychological constraints to implementing these technology-dependent urban design visions.

Skeptics will point to the lack of progress in building any of the planned cities at a scale that would make any meaningful difference in transforming urban environments to avert climate disaster. Despommier himself acknowledges that humans have demonstrated little success in learning from failures when designing their new cities, which have continued to overburden the environment while distributing most of the costs to vulnerable populations and reserving most of the benefits for privileged elites.

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For these reasons, Despommier concedes difficulty visualizing the final form the new city will take. To his credit, however, Despommier does offer us a vision of imprinting that allows him to at least imagine that the new city might represent a meaningful and durable form of adaption to the existential risks of rapid climate change.

Despommier discusses how animals such as geese will attach themselves at birth to the first moving object they encounter. Similarly, in social settings people from a young age adopt the values and attitudes of those in their immediate communities, which over time, in different neighborhoods of a city, reinforce structural differences between wealthy, middle-class and low-income neighborhoods, locking in inequality.

By starting from scratch, with the new city as literally a tabula rasa, Despommier asks: What if we were to build urban environments designed to recognize, support, and respect the lives of everyone who lives there, regardless of age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or politics? Might this not imprint within the community a broad base of shared values and attitudes that extends across the entire urban population, allowing these communities to establish the social foundations for successful adaptation to a rapidly changing climate?

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While Despommier denies that his new city is utopian, of course it is, and from an evolutionary perspective, this vision of socialization might be asking too much of our species.

Indeed, one of Despommiers peers, the enormously influential biologist E.O. Wilson, voiced his concerns about the mismatch between human psychological and technological development: The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.

Peter Schwartz writes at the broad intersection of philosophy, politics, history and religion. He publishes the Wikidworld newsletter on Substack.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden issued a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses Friday, building on broader action he took last year for thousands of people convicted of possession under federal law.

The new pardons target "additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law," Biden said in a statement. The proclamation includes offenses related to "use and possession on certain Federal lands," provisions that weren't covered by the 2022 proclamation.

"Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities," Biden said in the statement. "Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs."

He also called on governors to take similar actions with state marijuana-related offenses, arguing that no one should be in jail or prison "solely due to the use or possession of marijuana."

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the new pardons.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommended in August that the Drug Enforcement Administration ease marijuana restrictions by moving it to a Schedule III drug, which would be a significant change to federal drug policy. The DEA still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD. Most states allow marijuana use in some form, such as recreationally or for medical purposes.

Biden on Friday is also commuting the prison sentences of 11 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, including some who have received mandatory life sentences.

"Due to reforms, each of these clemency recipients would have been eligible for reduced sentences, had they been sentenced today," a White House official said in an email. "This clemency grant represents the Presidents commitment to addressing unjustified disparities in sentencing."

Biden has granted clemency several times since he took office, most recently in April to 31 people convicted of drug-related offenses.

During his 2020 campaign, Biden called for the automatic expungement of cannabis use convictions.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Biden has kept a distance from Senate negotiations on a border deal critical to securing congressional aid to Ukraine, even as GOP lawmakers repeatedly called for him to enter the talks.

The handling of the talks is now raising eyebrows in Washington, particularly among Republicans who suspect the White House did not want Biden to agree to a deal.

Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have a long history of cutting major deals on seemingly intractable policy problems.

They worked together to reach deals to temporarily extend the Bush tax cuts after the 2010 midterm election, to raise the debt limit and avoid a national default in the summer of 2011 and to avoid the fiscal cliff at the end of 2012. During that time, McConnell was the Senate minority leader, as he is now, and Biden was vice president.

But the two didnt sit down for talks on the supplemental package that has been the biggest legislative issue of the month. The package was to include border security funds, aid to Ukraine and Israel and money for other priorities, such as Taiwan.

Republicans argue the White House slow-walked the talks, noting it didnt send Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House staff to negotiate with Republican senators in earnest until Dec. 13, by which time it was  for all practical purposes  too late to pass military aid for Ukraine and Israel before the end of the year.

McConnell on Monday alluded to Mayorkas showing up late to the table and pledged that Senate Republicans would not be pressured to sign off on a deal just because the end of the year is a few days away.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a leading Senate GOP expert on immigration and member of McConnells leadership team, on Thursday said negotiating with Mayorkas is a waste of time.

Any border deal will not be with Mayorkas, who has lost the confidence of Congress by repeated dishonesty: that the border is secure. Only POTUS can commit to any border deal. Anything else is a waste of time, Cornyn posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, referring to President Biden.

Senators in both parties have called for Biden and McConnell to engage with each other directly in the negotiations.

The border talks are a sensitive issue for a White House that is under pressure to show action at the border, but does not want to anger progressive Democrats demanding a cease-fire in Gaza who also fear a return of Trump-era asylum and deportation policies.

And some Democratic senators are worried that if Biden got into a room with McConnell or other Senate GOP negotiators, he might end up cutting a deal on border and asylum policy that will enrage their partys base.

A totally legitimate concern is if youre not reasonably close [to a deal], theres no reason to put him in a room  He could be dragged anywhere, said one Democratic senator who requested anonymity to talk about the leeriness fellow Democrats feel about making Biden the point person in the talks.

Biden has come under heavy pressure from immigration advocates within his own party who warn there will be a backlash if he agrees to the asylum reforms included in the House-passed Secure the Border Act.

A CNBC All-America Economic Survey released Tuesday showed that Biden has lost his lead over former President Trump among Latino voters.

The survey conducted in December showed that only 28 percent of Latino adults approved of Bidens job as president. It also showed Trump with a 5 point lead over Biden among Latino voters, a reversal from October when Biden led Trump by 7 points among Latinos.

The idea that Biden might need to engage on the border talks directly with the GOP to get a deal has been percolating for some time.

Senate Republicans notified the White House as early as Oct. 8 that border policy reforms would need to be attached to $61 billion in funding for Ukraine if Bidens emergency foreign aid package would have any chance of passing Congress.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) raised the need for border security with administration officials during a bipartisan briefing on Oct. 8, and GOP staff raised the topic of border policy changes with the White House budget office two days later.

McConnell delivered the message directly to Secretary of State Antony Blinken during an in-person meeting on Oct. 19, according to a person familiar with the timeline of the talks.

And McConnell reiterated that message in a phone call with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients on Nov. 3, according to the same source. McConnell tried to call Biden that same day but couldnt reach the president, who was traveling.

The Senate GOP leader finally got a chance to speak to Biden directly on Monday, Nov. 6, and warned him that funding for Ukraine wouldnt pass Congress unless the president and Democrats agreed to border policy reforms to reduce the flow of migrants across the southern border.

President Biden and [Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen] called me yesterday, McConnell told reporters the next day, Nov. 7. I did make it clear to both of them that we have to have a credible solution to the wide-open border in order to get a bill that includes all of the things I think are important across the Senate floor.

Political difficulties swirling around the supplemental package are not limited to the border.

Some progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), are opposed to providing more than $10 billion in military aid to Israel, which they say will allow the Israel Defense Forces to continue its bombardment of civilians in Gaza. Biden requested a total of $14.3 billion for Israel.

A New York Times/Siena College poll conducted this month found that 72 percent of voters ages 18 to 29, who tend to vote overwhelmingly Democratic, disapprove of Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A Senate Republican aide speculated that Biden has avoided negotiating tougher border security policies with Republicans because hes already at odds with the Democratic base over the war in Israel and doesnt want to pour fuel on the fire.

McConnell acknowledged his long track record of cutting deals with Biden on tough issues but said the White House was reluctant to engage directly in the border security negotiations for much of October and November.

Joe Biden and I did do some pretty big [deals]: the fiscal cliff deal, the debt-ceiling deal. What I have said to him is, The only way well get an agreement is for you to be involved. Dont just punt the ball up to Senate Democrats. They may never get there, he told reporters last week.

So its been difficult to get the kind of support [needed] out of the administration itself, McConnell lamented.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden is expected to sign an executive order Friday expanding sanctions targeting Russias ability to build up its military.

The new authority would threaten foreign banks connected to the U.S. financial system with penalties for transacting with Moscow.

The executive order (EO) warns foreign banks against processing significant transactions relating to Russias military industrial base, saying that doing so would risk losing access to the American financial system.

The message were going to send clearly to people is that you either do the due diligence that you need to, or you put at risk your ability to have access to our system, a senior administration official said in a call with reporters previewing the measure.

Our overall goal here is to put sand in the gears of Russias supply chain, which we think is one of the most effective ways to slow Russia down.

The move comes ahead of the two-year mark of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which launched Feb 24, 2022, and as international sanctions have failed to bankrupt Moscows ability to wage war.

The U.S., along with partner nations in the Group of 7, demonstrated unprecedented coordination by imposing strict sanctions against Russia in the early days of the war, and have sought to tighten them over the past two years.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown remarkable resilience in surviving the sanctions and circumventing blocks. Russias economy contracted by a little more than 2 percent in 2022, compared to earlier predictions that its economy would shrink by 15 percent under the weight of sanctions.

The executive order aims to close loopholes that Russia has used to source materials blocked by international sanctions by holding foreign banks responsible for scrutinizing more closely significant transactions with front companies or middlemen that ultimately deliver goods benefiting the Russian military.

The new executive order by the president will simply give us a tool that will allow us to go after financial institutions that failed to make the choice to either stop allowing their companies to ship these goods to Russias military industrialized complex or getting out of business with Russia, the official said.

The executive order also aims to block the import to the U.S. of specific Russian exports, in particular diamonds and seafood, that may be modified in third countries to hide their origin.

In the coming months, the United States and our partners intend to introduce import restrictions on certain diamonds mined, processed, or produced in Russia, building on an existing U.S. ban on the importation of Russian-origin diamonds  even if these products are then transformed in a third country, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House.

The ban will also extend to certain products harvested in Russian waters or by Russia-flagged vessels.

The Department of the Treasury intends to issue a determination identifying specific types of seafood that will be subject to this prohibition, the White House said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden spoke Thursday with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, with the two men discussing efforts to reopen ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The conversation focused on migration issues, as lawmakers in the United States are working to clinch a deal on border policy.

Biden and Lopez Obrador agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened across our shared border, according to a White House readout of the call.

Top Biden administration officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Homeland Security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, are expected to travel to Mexico in the coming days to meet with Lopez Obrador to discuss further border actions.

The Senate wrapped up its work for the year Wednesday without a deal on Ukraine funding or border security, and senators are not scheduled to return to Washington until Jan. 8.

A group of Senate and White House negotiators plan to hold virtual meetings over the Christmas and New Years break on an emergency foreign aid package, but Congress isnt expected to vote on anything until next month.

Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises on immigration policy to secure a deal for Ukraine funding as its war against Russia drags on. The White House has pointed to Bidens previous calls for Congress to address immigration, as well as his requests for additional border agents and resources to process asylum-seekers.

Republicans have signaled any Ukraine aid must be passed alongside major overhauls to the immigration system, pointing to record-setting numbers of migrants crossing the southern border at times this year as evidence the problem has gotten out of control.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden spoke with Mexico's president about "additional enforcement actions" to slow migration at the U.S.-Mexico border after the arrival of tens of thousands migrants shut down trade at two ports of entry.

President Joe Biden walks along the border wall with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents during his visit to El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 8, 2022. The president visited the border city before heading to the North American Summit in Mexico City.

Biden and Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spoke Thursday by phone, according to John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, during a White House press briefing.

"The two leaders agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened across our shared border," Kirby said.

The administration is also sending a high-level delegation to Mexico City. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood Randall will meet with the Mexican president and his team in the coming days, Kirby said.

The White House and Congress have been negotiating a national security package that hinges on increased funding and policy changes to border security. Lawmakers left town this week without reaching a deal, and they are not scheduled to return until the second week in January.

Tens of thousands of migrants have crossed the border in Texas in recent days, prompting U.S. Customs and Border Protection to shut down international rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso on Dec. 18. Migrants have been riding atop freight trains in Mexico north to the U.S. border, and the closures are slowing bilateral trade.

CBP also closed a busy pedestrian crossing at San Ysidro and vehicle crossings in Lukeville, Ariz., and Eagle Pass.

U.S., Mexico cooperation on border crisis

This week in Eagle Pass, Texas, hundreds of migrants waited in the open air on patches of grass cordoned off by U.S. Border Patrol, which has struggled to process the number of people crossing the border and turning themselves in to officers.

At the El Paso, Texas, border over the weekend, dozens of migrant families walked along a border highway in Ciudad Juarez, searching for a place to cross the Rio Grande river to the U.S. side as police trucks and vans belonging to the countrys migration authority slowly patrolled the levy on the south side.

A spokesman for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he did not have enough information on Bidens conversation with Lopez Obrador to comment. But the Republican governor has sharply criticized the Democratic president's approach to immigration and border enforcement since arriving at the White House.

Bidens deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself, Abbott said Tuesday in the border city of Brownsville where he signed legislation that allocates $1.54 billion to continue work on then-President Donald Trump's border wall, halted after the change of administrations in 2021.

At the press briefing, Kirby acknowledged the challenging situation.

"The president believes that weve got to do better at immigration, and hes willing to talk and negotiate with members of Congress about immigration policy, just as he is about border security," Kirby said.

The delegation's visit to Mexico City "will really be about getting at the migratory flows and talking to President Lopez Obrador and his team about what more we can do together."

USA TODAY network reporter John Moritz contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Mexico president agree border crisis needs urgent enforcement
Two men serving lengthy prison sentences in Florida for non-violent drug offenses have had their sentences commuted by President Joe Biden, the White House announced Friday. The president also announced a "full, complete, and unconditional pardon" to every American who uses marijuana or has in the past.

The proclamation represents a major expansion of his proclamation in October 2022 when the president pardoned everyone with federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana. The new proclamation does not pardon people convicted for selling pot, which remains illegal under federal law.

The president also commuted the sentences of 11 people across the country  two of them in Florida  who he said "are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses."

"Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities," Biden said in a statement. "Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs."

The sweeping pardon applies to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in possession of marijuana for their personal use, including those who were never arrested or prosecuted, and those convicted of similar federal crimes.

"As I have said before," Biden wrote in the new proclamation, "convictions for simple possession of marijuana have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities."

'A measure of hope': Many Americans arrested for marijuana won't find relief under Biden's pardon plan

In April of this year, Biden unveiled a criminal justice reform initiative involving about 100 policy actions across 20 agencies to provide people getting out of prison with additional access to housing vouchers, Pell grants for education and small business loans. At the same time he issued nearly three dozen commutations for people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.

Reducing non-violent drug offense sentences and decriminalizing marijuana possession has been a growing trend in the U.S. of late. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana and 31 states have decriminalized it. In Florida, where medical marijuana has been legal in some form since 2015, an amendment to make recreational marijuana legal may be on the 2024 ballot.

Here are the Florida sentences being commuted.

Leroy Lymons, Pensacola

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 12, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 27 years, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

According to the Department of Justice, Lymons was a supervisory-level conspirator in a multi-state drug operation and responsible, along with his coconspirators, for distributing approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine between Jan. 1, 2010, and April 21, 2010. Lyman was convicted in 2012, along with nine other Floridians and two men from Texas, so his sentence should now expire in 2039.

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and more than 28 grams of cocaine base (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (January 29, 2013).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

The United States Attorney's Office said that Tucker was the "source of supply" for a street-level drug distribution ring along Tallahassees Alabama Street corridor. An undercover investigation called "Operation Sea Change" helped sentence Tucker and 8 others.

Has Biden pardoned people from Florida before?

Biden's list of 31 non-violent drug offenders pardoned in April included Catherine Crotts of Mulberry (10 years for distribution of methamphetamine), and Rogelio Murillo of Riverview (9 years for intent to distribute marijuana).

In Biden's end-of-year pardons last year he commuted the sentences of six people, including John Dix Nock III of St. Augustine, who pleaded guilty to one count of renting and making for use, as an owner, a place for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana plants 27 years previously. He was sentenced to six months community confinement in lieu of imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release.

Who else did President Biden pardon?

The other nine people who received clemency Friday are:

Felipe Arriaga  Sunnyside, Washington

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (District of Montana).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (December 17, 2009).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Earlie Deacon Barber  Dothan, Alabama

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 9, 2009).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

James Michael Barber  Gastonia, North Carolina

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina).

Sentence: 15 years and eight months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 13, 2015).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Anthony Ewing  Union City, Georgia

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack) (Central District of Illinois).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment (as amended by order of June 22, 2017), 10-year term of supervised release (January 22, 2016).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Quittman Andre Goodley  Austin, Texas

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (Western District of Texas).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 18, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Deondre Cordell Higgins  Kansas City, Missouri

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (Western District of Missouri).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, no supervised release (August 30, 2011).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 25 years, leaving intact and in effect all other components of the sentence and with the final two years of his incarceration in prerelease custody, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Angel Rosario  Allentown, Pennsylvania

Offense: Distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) within 1,000 feet of a public school; distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); distribution of cocaine base (crack) within 1,000 feet of a public school (two counts); distribution of cocaine base (crack) (two counts) (Eastern District of Pennsylvania).

Sentence: 21 years and 10 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, and $2,500 fine (July 19, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Darryl Allen Winkfield  Augusta, Georgia

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride (three counts); possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute (Southern District of Georgia).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 29, 1998).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Kenneth Winkler  Indianapolis, Indiana

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Southern District of Indiana).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 23, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Francesca Chambers, Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Biden pardons marijuana convictions for Florida non-violent offenders
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.

Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

Biden said his actions would help make the promise of equal justice a reality.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, Biden said. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.

The categorical pardon issued Friday builds on his categorical pardon issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that made thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible for pardons. The White House said thousands more would be eligible under Fridays action.

Biden reiterated his call on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Biden said.

Clemency Recipient List

Felipe Arriaga  Sunnyside, Washington

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (District of Montana).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (December 17, 2009).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Earlie Deacon Barber  Dothan, Alabama

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 9, 2009).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

James Michael Barber  Gastonia, North Carolina

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina).

Sentence: 15 years and eight months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 13, 2015).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Anthony Ewing  Union City, Georgia

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack) (Central District of Illinois).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment (as amended by order of June 22, 2017), 10-year term of supervised release (January 22, 2016).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Quittman Andre Goodley  Austin, Texas

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (Western District of Texas).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 18, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Deondre Cordell Higgins  Kansas City, Missouri

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (Western District of Missouri).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, no supervised release (August 30, 2011).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 25 years, leaving intact and in effect all other components of the sentence and with the final two years of his incarceration in prerelease custody, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Leroy Lymons  Pensacola, Florida

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 12, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to a term of 27 years, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Angel Rosario  Allentown, Pennsylvania

Offense: Distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) within 1,000 feet of a public school; distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); distribution of cocaine base (crack) within 1,000 feet of a public school (two counts); distribution of cocaine base (crack) (two counts) (Eastern District of Pennsylvania).

Sentence: 21 years and 10 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, and $2,500 fine (July 19, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Esaias J. Tucker  Tallahassee, Florida

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and more than 28 grams of cocaine base (Northern District of Florida).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (January 29, 2013).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Darryl Allen Winkfield  Augusta, Georgia

Offense: Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride (three counts); possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute (Southern District of Georgia).

Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 29, 1998).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

Kenneth Winkler  Indianapolis, Indiana

Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Southern District of Indiana).

Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 23, 2012).

Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on February 20, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release with all its conditions and all other components of the sentence.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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President Joe Biden on Friday issued a federal commutation to reduce the sentence of a Kansas City man who was facing life in prison for distributing cocaine.

Deondre Cordell Higgins from Kansas City was one of 11 people who had their sentences commuted by the Democratic president as part of a year-end clemency announcement centered on people with non-violent drug offenses.

Biden is using his authority under the Constitution to uphold the values of redemption and rehabilitation by commuting the sentences of 11 fellow Americans who are serving unduly long sentences for non-violent drug offenses, the White House said in a news release.

Higgins was sentenced to life in prison in 2011 after being found guilty of a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Jackson County from 2005 to 2008.

Bidens clemency reduced Higgins sentence to 25 years. The order also enables him to be in prerelease custody during the final two years of his incarceration. Prerelease custody could include a community correctional facility and is meant to give a person time to prepare for reentry into the community.

The president also announced on Friday that he was signing a measure to pardon certain marijuana-related offenses, which builds on his call last year for governors of all 50 states to pardon all prior state offenses for simple possession of marijuana and a 2022 federal proclamation that pardoned people convicted of simple possession.

McClatchys Michael Wilner contributed to this story.
President Joe Biden reduced the federal prison sentence of a former Tallahassee street-level crack cocaine dealer as part of his effort to "uphold the values of redemption and rehabilitation" for those "serving unduly long sentences for non-violent drug offenses," the White House said Friday.

Esaias J. Tucker, who went by the nickname "Scoo Boo," was sentenced in 2013 to 20 years on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and possession with intent to cocaine and cocaine base, records show.

Now, he will be released from a minimum security facility in Yazoo City, Mississippi, by Feb. 20, 2024. Tucker still must serve 10 years on what is called "supervised release," during which time he'll have to report to a probation officer.

Tucker, 35, is one of 11 people whose sentences got commuted by Biden; another Floridian is Leroy Lymons of Pensacola, according to the White House press release.

Related coverage: Biden pardons 11, including cutting prison sentences for 2 imprisoned Florida drug dealers

Just last month, Tucker sent a letter to the court to ask about a motion for compassionate release he had filed.

If I had been sentenced today I would not have received the same sentence, he wrote. Ive been incarcerated over 11 years now, I have low custody (meaning he's in a low-security federal correctional institution) and low recidivism, and also have been clear of disciplinaries.

Tucker was arrested on Sept. 4, 2012, after several cooperating defendants identified him as their cocaine powder and crack cocaine supplier, according to court documents.

The same day, investigators obtained a search warrant for a residence he was seen leaving. They found approximately three ounces of powder cocaine and approximately eight ounces of crack cocaine in "cookie" form.

Several large trash bags with hundreds of bags containing cocaine residue also were recovered, court records show.

Investigators said the total of the cocaine seized and/or distributed by Tucker was approximately 10,443 grams (or 23 pounds) of powder cocaine and 4,478 grams (nearly 10 pounds) of crack cocaine.

According to a motion for compassionate release filed in January, Tucker has proved himself with the rehabilitation efforts (that) he has completed through various education courses while in prison. Defendant has dedicated himself to this rehabilitation and preparation for life after incarceration, in addition to taking full responsibility for his wrongdoing.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule is based in Tallahassee, Fla. He can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. On X: @DouglasSoule.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee man in prison for cocaine received clemency from Biden
A fireball erupts after an Israeli strike over Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Dec. 20, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Said Khatib/Getty-AFP)

The acts of terrorism committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians and the unprecedented loss of civilian life from Israels counterinsurgency operation in Gaza over the past 2  months are heartbreaking. I weep for every civilian killed and every family torn apart.

The United States has a responsibility to do everything in its power to prevent future suffering and allow aid to flow into Gaza to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. But the tools we have to use must acknowledge three realities:

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1. The rise of extreme voices in Israel and Palestine substantially increased political volatility in the years leading up to the Oct. 7 attacks.

2. Every country  including, but not limited, to Israel  has an absolute right to defend itself and its citizens from external attacks.

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3. The only path to a permanent, durable cease-fire is the creation of two fully independent and peaceful states between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

I am not a foreign policy expert but have traveled extensively in the region and met with political leaders and civil society in Israel and the West Bank. I also have the privilege to represent one of the largest Palestinian American communities in the country.

[ Storer H. Rowley: Extremists on both sides of Israel-Hamas War are determined to kill a two-state solution ]

In the aftermath of Oct. 7, much of the domestic debate has focused on the need for a cease-fire. Which we all want  but a meaningful cease-fire has to be durable and bilateral and come with accountability. Neither a unilateral cease-fire nor a return to the brittle conditions of Oct. 6 is sufficient.

So how do we get there? I believe that goal is paced by four distinct issues.

First, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In all likelihood, the prime ministers political career is over when the war ends. He is also facing corruption charges that may carry even greater penalties. Americans are all too familiar with the risks posed to a democracy when such figures see their political lives coming to an end. A lasting peace requires first that Netanyahu does not prolong the war to preserve his own political career and, second, that a post-Netanyahu Israel does not double down on the authoritarian, far-right politics he has espoused.

Second, Hamas.

Let us assume success in the first goal. That means an Israel that reverses the expansion of settlements, treats the Palestinian Authority as a partner for peace and ideally puts us back on a path to something like the Oslo Accords. How do we ensure that Hamas is still held accountable for its actions on Oct. 7 and is fully demilitarized and that its methods are not seen as the necessary agent of that peace? How do we ensure that Palestinian civil society doesnt perceive that peace as being the direct result of Hamas violence on Oct. 7?

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Third, Iran.

The current war between Israel and Hamas is only the latest battle in a decadeslong proxy war as Iran seeks to expand its regional influence. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in Yemen and Syria alone. Irans hostility to Israel is well known in the U.S.; its hostility to all who dont share its desire for a Shia caliphate is a reality for too many in the region. Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than it was before Donald Trumps maximum pressure campaign, and its malign influence has only increased. Regional peace depends on fundamentally changing the Iranian governments mode of engagement with its neighbors.

And finally, the Abraham Accords.

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 last few years have brought normalization and commercial relationships between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan. In the weeks before Oct. 7, Israel was rumored to be closing in on a similar arrangement with Saudi Arabia. That is a necessary and positive step toward a regional peace. However, the Trump administration developed these arrangements in tandem with a proposed map for a future Palestinian state that was riddled with settlement expansion in the West Bank. The threat of isolation from the broader Arab world has arguably contributed to a closer alliance between certain Palestinian groups and Iran  to the detriment of regional peace. How shall we expand the peace of the Abraham Accords without placing that progress in opposition to Iranian and Palestinian interests?

The U.S. can, and will, continue to engage and  where necessary  use diplomatic pressure on Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other states in the region to help make these futures possible. To stop settlement expansion in the West Bank and take actions against settler violence. To make it clear that Israels war is against Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and minimize civilian casualties as it maximizes humanitarian assistance. To work with regional partners to rebuild Gaza and provide trusted security and equal rights to the Palestinian people. To identify, elevate and, when appropriate, empower moderate voices on both sides of the green line who will be partners in this effort. To continue to advance normalization of relations between Israel and all of their neighbors  including a fully autonomous Palestinian state.

This will not be easy. And it is impossible as long as either side is led by those who call for a single state from the river to the sea.

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But it is necessary and desperately overdue.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten represents Illinois 6th Congressional District.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Its time that we right these wrongs, said President Joe Biden in a statement after taking executive actions on criminal justice reform.

Christmas has come early for some as President Joe Biden announced the commutation of 11 nonviolent drug offenders and moved to pardon thousands convicted of simple possession and use of marijuana on federal lands.

Its time that we right these wrongs, Biden said in a statement released Friday morning.

Biden announced that the nearly dozen people having their sentences commuted had served disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, explaining, All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today.

The president also signed a proclamation issuing additional pardons for marijuana offenses following a spate of pardons in October 2022.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, said Biden. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.

The president vowed that his administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equal justice, address racial disparities, strengthen public safety, and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.

President Joe Biden said Friday that the nearly dozen people having their sentences commuted had served disproportionately long sentences. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Bidens Friday announcement was quickly praised by Democrats and advocates.

This is a big step towards progress, said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist who has worked on presidential and other national campaigns.

He told theGrio, This further indicates that this president understands the needs and the actions of those who have traditionally been left behind, including marginalized communities.

Markus Batchelor, the national political director at People For the American Way, called Bidens actions an incredibly important step in helping to heal harm inflicted by the war on drugs.

He told theGrio that it gives real people, who are disproportionately Black, new opportunities for not just redemption and restoration, but employment, housing, and education.



The presidents marijuana pardons and simultaneous clemencies come the same week that the White House touted the nations first-ever federal database tracking police misconduct. The database fulfilled an executive order Biden signed on the two-year anniversary of George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

On Thursday, Biden also traveled to Milwaukee to highlight the administrations historic investments in Black-owned small businesses, which are seeing the fastest-growing pace in over 30 years.

These actions come amid polling data suggesting the reelection campaign of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is losing some ground with Black and young voters. The campaign has been aggressively working to message to key voters what the administration has done on various fronts, particularly on the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Black male voters have been a particular focus among Democratic strategists who worry the potentially disillusioned demographic could find former President Donald Trump more alluring in next years presidential election.

Bidens pardon and clemency announcements especially give Black male voters something to talk about in spaces where Democrats need to do a better job of meeting Black men where they are, said Seawright, whether at the barbershop or at the spades table [and] the fraternity meeting.

I think this is another demonstration of his commitment to dance with those who brought him to the dance, he added, referring to the outsized role of Black voters, particularly in his home state of South Carolina, in electing Biden and Harris to office in 2020.

Seawright noted that while the White House has been doing much work related to criminal justice and other reforms, administration officials havent taken the victory laps or beat their chests enough about what theyve done.

President Biden said on election night that Black voters had his back and he would have ours, Batchelor recalled of 2020. Nows the time to raise the rhetoric on the real barriers facing Black Americans and deliver in ways people can see.

The political organizer said things like criminal justice reform and small business development are important to Black men in particular, which is a group he noted is being heavily targeted by the far right with dissent and disinformation.

Seawright said the key for the Biden-Harris administration to continue moving the needle is reminding folks what has been done and showing the contrast of who is against these types of measures and who will take them away if the thermostat were to change.

As president, Trump notably pardoned criminal offenders under the bipartisan First Step Act, which applied reforms to criminal sentencing on the federal level.

Alice Marie Johnson (center), among those whose sentences were commuted by then-President Donald Trump (left), celebrates the First Step Act, which passed in December 2018 with bipartisan support. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

While the twice-impeached and four-times indicted former president has touted this achievement to woo Black and brown voters, Seawright said, Its important to note that he couldnt have done what he did without Democrats.

He added, The First Step Act is one thing, but it did not cancel out the racism, bigotry, hate, and Trumpism  which most people call extremism  that comes along with him.

Democrats and the Biden-Harris White House will have to over-message and over-amplify these criminal justice reforms and what they mean, said Seawright.

This is a bold but much-needed and necessary step towards making an honest attempt to fix [the] system, he said. Its a tremendous step considering we have not had a president, at least in my lifetime, take this kind of executive action.

Batchelor, a Washington, D.C., native and longtime advocate of statehood for the district, said Bidens executive action will play a critical role in the nations capital.

While D.C., in particular, has done everything we can to repair this harm, our courts are federal, he noted. The presidents national announcement will have a hyper-local impact on the futures of district residents, which has among the highest incarceration rate and percentage of returning citizens of any state.



Batchelor, however, issued a call to action for Biden on reforming marijuana laws as 24 states so far have legalized the drug, and several others have legalized it for medicinal use.

While recreational use and possession is legal [in Washington], a federal budget rider has banned legal sales for nearly a decade, he explained, which he said Democratic and Republican administrations and Congresses have left in.

Its created a dangerous half-market that causes other safety and justice threats to communities were trying to help, said Batchelor. He added that theres more work to be done.

Harris, in a statement reacting to Fridays news, said it demonstrates what she and Biden have made clear: We must continue to change our nations approach to marijuana and reform the criminal justice system.



As I have declared many times before, no one should be in prison simply for smoking weed. That is why we continue to call on Governors to join us in this long-overdue work, said Americas first Black and first woman vice president.

President Biden and I will continue to work to address historic inequities and racial disparities in federal drug policy and sentencing, continued Harris, to make sure that our justice system truly lives up to its name.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Biden seeks to redress racial disparities with marijuana pardons and drug clemencies appeared first on TheGrio.
President Joe Biden signed an $886 billion defense policy bill on Friday, the White House announced in a statement, marking the 63rd consecutive year the bill has become law.

The measure drops contentious provisions on abortion, but also extends controversial federal spying powers, both outcomes that saw resistance among Republicans on Capitol Hill.

The National Defense Authorization Act, which outlines Pentagon policy and military budget priorities each year, passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support last week.

The White House declared its support for the final legislation after House and Senate negotiators agreed to drop the most objectionable provisions for Biden and Democrats  including a proposal to roll back the Pentagons abortion travel policy pushed by House Republicans.

Democrats portrayed the final bill as a win after forcing out many of those proposals, which also included amendments targeting funding to cover medical treatment for transgender troops and Pentagon diversity and inclusion programs.

The abortion policy, which reimburses the costs for troops to travel to seek the procedure and other reproductive care, remains in place, but Republicans are sure to challenge it again in the coming year. The policy is opposed by most GOP lawmakers, though the Senate sidestepped the issue in its bill to maintain bipartisan support after House Republicans passed their bill nearly along party lines in July.

The abortion policy was also at the center of Sen. Tommy Tubervilles (R-Ala.) 10-month-long blockade of military promotions, which the Alabama Republican finally lifted in December.

Senate and House Republicans, however, touted conservative wins with a pay cap and hiring freeze on defense employees dedicated to diversity and equity programs, a ban on unapproved flags such as the pride flag, requirements for the military services to review the characterization of discharges for troops dismissed for not getting the Covid vaccine and mandating the Pentagon to dispose of unused border wall materials.

The abortion concession displeased many conservatives, but the bill includes an even more controversial four-month extension of surveillance authorities designed to collect foreigners communication under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The final bill was opposed by many GOP hardliners in the House over the snooping powers add-on. Congressional leaders attached the provision to prevent the program, known as Section 702, from expiring at the end of the year. Lawmakers plan to debate an overhaul to the program early next year.

The agreement also bars the president from unilaterally withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, instead requiring a two-thirds vote from the Senate before any administration can leave the alliance. The measure also authorizes $300 million for the Pentagon to continue to arm Ukraine.

Overall, lawmakers matched Bidens $886 billion request, but the legislation only authorizes funding and doesnt actually allocate any money.

Congress must still enact a full fiscal 2024 appropriations bill when it returns early next year. The Pentagon is funded under a stopgap that runs through Feb. 2.
President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order expanding US sanctions authority against Russia and aimed at further isolating Russias military and defence sector from the global economy.

The order will provide the Treasury Department with authority to issue so-called secondary sanctions, which will target banks and other financial institutions that facilitate the business of companies involved in the importing of technology required for the assembly of arms and munitions for Russias military. Previously, such secondary sanctions authority had been primarily used against companies working with corporate and other interests tied to Iran and North Korea, and has been credited with the effectiveness of isolating those countries from the US financial system.

Fridays action could have a significant effect in the Biden administrations efforts to cut off Russias military and private interests connected to it from the US dollar. It will, however, require the Treasury Department to strategically target those sanctions  and for them to be maintained under whichever administration takes the White House in 2025. Several candidates for the Republican nomination including most notably Vivek Ramaswamy have embraced a skepticism of the USs strategic alliance with Ukraine and oppose sending further aid to the Ukrainian defence effort.

White House officials at the press secretarys daily briefing as well as on a background call Thursday also expressed the urgency for Congress to pass legislation authorising further financial support for Ukraine, explaining that money was running out and that the US risked seeing the Ukrainian militarys gains against Russia lost in the months ahead as a result.

Republicans in the House and Senate are blocking further aid to Ukraine and Israel until their demands for the administration to cut a deal on border security and immigration are met; that exact deal has yet to materialise after weeks of negotiations in the Senate and lawmakers have now left Washington for the holiday season.

Though the effectiveness of sanctions against Russias economy remains up for debate, the White House insisted on Thursday that the Biden administrations efforts to punish the Russian defence sector were irrefutably working. Officials pointed to the Russian militarys staggering loss of equipment in Ukraine amid their battle with the countrys battle-hardened defenders, and argued that Russian forces were having difficulty recouping those losses and equipping units as a result of US-led financial restrictions.

This weeks announcement followed an expansion of existing sanctions authority to more than 150 third-country private entities connected to the Russian arms trade earlier in December.

Mr Biden also met with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, on 12 December at the White House and pledged that his administration will not walk away from Ukraine, and neither will the American people.
The Biden administration granted clemency to Nicolas Maduro crony and Colombian businessman Alex Saab this Wednesday. In exchange for 10 imprisoned Americans and an agreement to release 20 Venezuelan political prisoners, the White House released the money-launderer-in-chief who Maduro now conveniently labels a diplomat. The swap was then painted as a democracy-advancing success by the White House.

Superficially, the exchange does not sound that bad  10 Americans for just a single guy. Not so long ago, the Biden administration released the Russian Merchant of Death and received the pot-smoking sportswoman Britney Griner. In comparison, this latest deal may appear far more strategically favourable. But it is not.

The release of Saab has to be one of Maduros most symbolic foreign policy wins of the year  and possibly the biggest one since he became president in 2013. Only Bidens 2022 deal, which released two nephews of Maduros wife in exchange for seven Americans, comes close. The Venezuelan president celebrated accordingly, posting pictures of Saabs arrival and depicting it as a win against fascism.

In the last few months, the Biden administration has been negotiating a path to democracy deal with Maduro. Energy sanctions were relieved and Maduro has responded with breadcrumbs, refusing to remove a ban on holding office imposed on the oppositions presidential candidate, Maria Corina Machado. If this were not enough, Maduro has elevated his rhetorical warfare vis-a-vis the United States, vowing to retake the Esequibo, a territory controlled by Guyana where the US corporation Exxon has invested tens of billions of dollars.

Aside from releasing some prisoners, appointing new yet hand-picked faces to the electoral authority, and other slight steps forward, the Maduro regime has done nothing to stop itself moving forward with an undemocratic election  and one might even argue it has gone on the offensive, as with the Esequibo cause. Nonetheless, the Biden administrations policy of ill-assumed good faith remains unchanged.

Following the swap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Gonzalez said that What [the US] needed was the releasing of American prisoners and the compromise of liberating Venezuelan prisoners. They have kept their promises and even gone further. The comments shocked many in the Venezuelan opposition. After all, the sanction relief was presented as temporary and conditional on Maduro following through with the path to democracy deal, which included much more than releasing prisoners.

The changes Maduro has pursued have occurred only in exchange for hundreds of millions of dollars in sanction relief and the releasing of Venezuelan VIPs. The US has received some vacuous promises and its prisoners, but Maduro has been the clear winner in this bargain. He has received tremendous amounts of legitimacy and lots of money, as well as ensured the safe return of imprisoned family members and one of his closest allies. When looked at closely, one realises that these negotiations are misguided in ways that are reminiscent of the Obama-era Iran rapprochement.

Diego Arria, the former governor of Caracas and UN Security Council president, shared his dissatisfaction with the Biden administration online, saying that The United States shouldve asked that all political prisoners be released because Saab is worth more to Maduro than 300 political prisoners. [Saab] is the intermediary  the accomplice  of most importance that the regime has had.

I cant imagine that this is an act of ingenuity from part of the American government, the former governor added. For me, there is a background that deeply alarms me, there is an accommodation, without any doubts, from the US government with the narco-tyranny of Maduro. The USs appeasement, he concludes, is the worst news for [Venezuelas] plight for liberty.

Adding to concern, the most recent swaps appear to incentivise hostage-taking. After all, the Biden administration has been granting clemency to properly prosecuted high-level criminals in exchange for the release of many individuals which have been arbitrarily detained.

Negotiating is not inherently negative, but one at least has to know with whom one is negotiating. When autocrats engage with the US, and then turn around and wipe their behinds with the promises and agreements made, the US loses. Bidens Venezuela policy would make more sense if he stopped painting it as promoting democracy. If the objective is just getting the prisoners and trying to buddy up to Maduro, then he should be articulating that. Venezuela is not getting any closer to democracy and the White Houses cheering at breadcrumbs only makes the US seem weak.

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Ukrainian MPs are drafting a bill to regulate conscription of Ukrainian citizens residing abroad, expected to be ready in January 2024, sitting member of the parliamentary Defense Committee Vadym Ivchenko told RFE/RL on Dec. 22.

Read also: Estonian foreign minister warns of potential return to Era of Empires if UN fails to curb Russia's veto abuse

Ivchenko stated that the bill would be presented in early January at the start of the parliamentary session. According to him, it is being developed by MPs, the Defense Ministry, and the General Staff.

Under the draft law, military-eligible men abroad will undergo identification, after which they could receive draft notices. The representative noted that Ukrainians would decide for themselves whether to return to Ukraine, but not returning would violate the law.

If you are identified and fall under mobilization, naturally, you will receive a notice, said Ivchenko.

It's a standard process. What you do next is your choicewhether you come back or stay there, but then it [remaining abroad] would be a breach of Ukrainian law.

Read also: Top EU diplomat Borrell calls for unified mobilization to 'prevent Russia winning' in Ukraine

Ivchenko emphasized that if an individual fails to go through identification voluntarily, they may face consequences. For instance, consular services may not be provided to such Ukrainians, and banks would require a new identification, including military registration.

Read also: Zelenskyy to examine AFUs request to mobilize 500,000 more people

On Dec. 21, German newspapers Die Welt and Bild published an interview with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who stated that Ukraine wants men aged 25 to 60 living abroad to be mobilized into the Armed Forces starting from 2024.

On Dec. 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the military had proposed mobilizing an additional 450,000 to 500,000 people, but he said that he needed convincing arguments to take this step, and UAH 500 billion ($13.3 billion) to finance the endeavor.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Liz Lee

BEIJING (Reuters) -After almost two weeks of below-freezing weather brought by a cold wave that swept through most of China, a round of warm air will begin to flow from the country's north to south lifting temperatures from the weekend.

Northern and northeastern parts of the country have experienced blizzards and record-breaking cold since last week, with some areas in the northeast hitting minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and below as bitingly cold air flowed from the Arctic.

While China still forecasts new temperature lows this week, weather patterns will improve with the mercury rising to reach over 10 C (50 F) in many places in the central and eastern regions on Monday, state television CCTV said.

The warmer conditions are expected to last until the end of December, resulting in warmer-than-usual temperature in most parts of the country for this time of the year.

In northern Tianjin, its meteorological department said temperatures will slowly rise from Saturday, with Sunday's high above 0 C (32 F) and a minimum not lower than minus 10 C (14 F). Forecasts show Tianjin to hit a maximum of minus 2 C (35 F) for Friday.

However, the warmer weather may fluctuate due to interspersing cold air, CCTV said, advising the public need heed forecasts and dress accordingly.

Eastern province Shandong's observatory warned on Friday of temperatures as low as minus 20 C (minus 4 F) in some mountainous areas in the province's northwest.

This week, China's north including capital Beijing, its surrounding Hebei and Tianjin, Henan, Inner Mongolia, and northeastern provinces Liaoning and Heilongjiang have logged historically their coldest temperatures for the middle of December.

Temperatures in some of these areas and also in parts of the south will be 5 C (41 F) cooler than the usual from Friday to Monday, China's National Meteorological Center said.

In China's financial hub Shanghai, temperatures in most parts of the city on Friday morning ranged from minus 6 C to minus 4 C (21 F-24 F), breaking seasonal records.

In Beijing, city authorities rushed to fix a leak in a thermal pipe network that supplies heating to buildings in central Dongcheng district.

Repair work for the section leaking, discovered before dawn, halted some traffic but did not affect residential users, the official Beijing Daily said.

Across China, heating demand has risen as many northern provinces rewrote records after temperatures plunged below minus 30 C (minus 22 F) in some cities.

Peak electricity loads were up by 100 million kilowatts on last year's high, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

This equated to an increase of around 8.6%, Reuters calculations based on data from China's state planner showed.

But ample heating fuel stocks from bumper production mean China has not needed to ramp up imports of coal and natural gas to meet the record power loads, according to traders.

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Shanghai and Beijing newsrooms; Editing by Michael Perry)
Prof Radek Samik was teaching a class at Charles University when a gunman entered the building and started shooting indiscriminately.

Stuck inside a room on the first floor, he suddenly heard "very clear", single gunshots.

Aware that something was very wrong, he and his students stayed in the classroom, unable to leave, while the gunman carried out the worst mass shooting in Czech history.

Fourteen people were killed, and a further 25 injured, some very seriously, police said.

In a classroom on a higher floor was Jakob Weizman, a journalist and student at the university.

He was sitting a language exam in a small room, accompanied by one teacher, when he heard "gunshots" and "screaming".

Panicked, the two locked themselves in the classroom. He posted a picture on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing how they used chairs and tables to barricade themselves in.

Five minutes later, the gunman tried to open their classroom door. "He was going through each classroom to see if people were there to shoot them," Mr Weizman told the Guardian.

The pair were eventually evacuated from the building by police. "As we were walking out, there was just blood all over the faculty."

During the attack, video footage posted on social media showed people dangling from the balcony ledge, before jumping several metres to escape the shooting.

Prof Radek said a student described to him how they had broken through a window to get out of the building.

"They had a problem opening the window... so they broke the window" to get out, he told the BBC. He said he saw people who had problems walking after jumping out.

Another video posted on social media showed someone situated outside the building shouting at the gunman, who had made his way onto the building's balcony, in an attempt to get the attacker's attention.

"I am here, shoot here, come over here!" the person filming shouts in Czech. "I am here, here, look! And he's shooting at us now. I don't want him to shoot at the people."

University lecturer, Prof Sergey Medvedev was evacuated along with his students from the building's auditorium during the shooting.

"I was giving a lecture at that moment and at first didn't quite realise what happened because there were some sounds," he said.

"The students, I think, heard it better because I was so much concentrated on my talking, on my lecture. Then we stayed in the auditorium, we understood that something big is happening.

"There was nothing online yet, nothing in the Czech press and the networks. Then at some point the special operation groups went storming in."

He said security forces searched their room, before telling them to stay put inside. "Then one hour later another police squad broke in and then put us on the floor, briefly searched us then evacuated from the building."

Another member of staff, senior lecturer David Vichnar, who said he was taking an amplifier back to the arts buildings at the time, got stuck in a lift because of the shooting - the power had been switched off to prevent the shooter escaping.

"I had no clue, and suddenly there in the dark, in the elevator, I starting hearing this metallic, banging noise coming from somewhere up above," he told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme.

At the time, he thought it was someone repairing the lift, but it was in fact gunfire.

He said that at the time he had texted colleagues: "If this were the United States, I would say we have an active shooter situation. But hey, this is Prague, this can't be happening, right?"

Dr Vichnar did not understand what was going on until he managed to get out of the lift and ran into three members of a Swat team, who made him lie on the ground.

"Obviously [they] have no clue what I'm doing there. I'm a man who's dressed in black and carrying a large piece of some sort of equipment.

"I'm lucky that these were Swat members who first asked the questions, because I could have not been here to tell you the story."

map

Outside the university, in an area popular with tourists, Faig Jafarli, 27, was out on his coffee break from work when he noticed that a road near the university was shut.

Mr Jafarli, a former student of Charles University, said he was unsure of what was going on, until he saw a person through a university window holding their hands up, out of "the corner of my eye".

Realising that people around him - many of them tourists - didn't understand the instructions Czech police were giving out, Mr Jafarli started "screaming to the tourists that we needed to run".

"The tourists didn't understand anything, they were thinking it was like some sort of filming for a movie."

The shooting began at around 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Thursday at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University off Jan Palach Square in the centre of the Czech capital.

The gunman opened fire in the corridors and classrooms of the building, before shooting himself as security forces closed in on him, police said.

The victims of the attack have been identified but not publicly named by police.

Among those injured are three foreigners - one Dutch person and two from the United Arab Emirates, the interior ministry said.

The gunman is thought to have killed his father at a separate location, police said.

He is also suspected of killing a a man in his 30s and his two-month-old daughter who were found dead in a forest on the outskirts of Prague on 15 December.
FIRST ON FOX  Matthew Nilo returned to a Boston court Thursday as his defense said it would be "inappropriate" to take a DNA swab from the New Jersey-based lawyer, who has been accused of sexually assaulting or raping at least eight women in the Boston area in 2007 and 2008.

Nilo appeared in Suffolk County court with his fiancee on Thursday for a motion hearing. After more than 16 years, authorities in March linked his DNA to evidence found at the various crime scenes in Boston and Charlestown, where Nilo, now 35, is accused of assaulting eight women between 2007 and 2008, when he would have been 19 or 20 years old.

"The defense still owes us a lot of information. And our position is: we should  have all that information before the courthouse makes a ruling on conducting an invasive vehicle swab of our client," Nilo's attorney, Joseph Cataldo, told Fox News Digital of Thursday's hearing, referring to a DNA sample that the Commonwealth wants to take directly from the suspect's mouth. "We think it's inappropriate now to conduct such a search."

Cataldo argued that the evidence the state is "relying upon is tainted by the illegal search in the first place, which was conducted in New York" with "the warrantless search and seizure of tableware and DNA."

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO NOW ACCUSED OF ATTACKING 8 WOMEN

Matthew Nilo appears in court at the Suffolk County Superior Courthouse in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Nilo faces charges for a string of rapes and sexual assaults between 2007 and 2008.

FBI Boston Special Agent In Charge Joe Bonavolonta said in May that Nilo's arrest was "the direct result of the FBIs use of investigative genetic genealogy," which he described as "a unique method used to generate new leads in unsolved sex assaults, homicides and other violent crimes."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Prosecutors revealed during a hearing in June that investigators matched a DNA profile left on the three rape victims to the profile of at least one of Nilo's relatives that had been uploaded to a public genetic genealogy database online. They apparently matched that DNA to a sample obtained from a drinking glass Nilo used at a corporate event in New York.

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO RELEASED ON BAIIL

Nilo was initially charged in May with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape and one count of indecent assault and battery.

Matthew Nilo and fiancee Laura Griffin sit inside Suffolk County Superior Courthouse in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Nilo appears in court for a motion hearing as he faces charges for a string of rapes and sexual assaults between 2007 and 2008.

In July, a Suffolk County, Massachusetts grand jury indicted Nilo on seven additional charges, including one count of rape, one count of aggravated rape, three counts of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery.

ALLEGED BOSTON RAPE VICTIM FEARS SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO COULD GET AWAY AFTER RELEASE ON BAIL

"The commonwealth is claiming that they have some connection between Mr. Nilo and DNA from 15 years ago, but that evidence was presumably taken from tableware in New York without a warrant and searching it for DNA," Cataldo said, adding that the alleged DNA evidence was "taken without his knowledge or consent or, most importantly, without a warrant."

"We need that information before we start forcing Mr. Nilo to start undergoing bodily searches," the attorney said.

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO HID DARK SECRETS IN DOUBLE LIFE AS FIANCE, ATTORNEY: EXPERT

In the years after 2008, Nilo went on to get his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and worked two years as a paralegal before moving on to the University of San Francisco School of Law. From there, Nilo worked at the Clyde & Co. law firm in San Francisco, Atheria Law in New York City and finally at Cowbell Cyber in New York, according to his LinkedIn page.

Matthew Nilo and his fiancee, Laura Griffin, depart the Suffolk County Superior Courthouse in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Nilo is in court for a motion hearing as he faces charges for a string of rapes and sexual assaults between 2007 and 2008.

The suspect apparently got engaged to his fiancee, who has appeared at every one of Nilo's hearings so far, just weeks before his arrest, according to his social media.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS

Nilo was fitted for a GPS monitor and released on $500,000 bail from the Suffolk County Jail on June 15 following his arraignment and a bail hearing.

One of his accusers, Lori Pinkham, told reporters on June 15 before his release that she feared Nilo could be a danger to the community if he was allowed out on bail.

Pinkham, who said she was working as a bar manager in Cambridge at the time of the 2007 attack, alleged that Nilo forced her into a vehicle at gunpoint near Government Center in downtown Boston.

Cataldo questioned what he described as "the suspicious nature in which the DNA was recovered, but we'll get to that in due course" in comments to reporters at the Suffolk County Superior Court on June 15.





Original article source: Boston serial rape suspect Matthew Nilo's defense says DNA swab would be 'inappropriate'
NEW YORK  Bradley Cooper was forced to cut short a press conference in Manhattan on Thursday to tend to a sudden health issue involving his daughter.

The Maestro star  who was promoting the Leonard Bernstein biopic he co-wrote and directed  learned of the problem when a school nurse phoned the Oscar nominee about 6-year-old Lea.

So sorry. The school nurse just called me, he told the crowd, noting hed have to ditch the event to administer his little girl some medicine that was out of scope for the school. I have to apply something that they wont allow.

It has not yet been revealed what sort of medicine Cooper had to give Lea, nor what happened to necessitate the meds.

The Nightmare Alley actor-producer shares custody of Lea  who makes a cameo in Maestro as a younger version of one of Bernsteins daughters  with model Irina Shayk. Cooper and Shayk were together from 2015 to 2019, and have maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship, even spending the holidays and going on vacation together.

Maestro is Coopers sophomore directorial project, following 2018s critically acclaimed adaptation of A Star Is Born, which scored Cooper three Oscar nominations for best picture, best actor and best adapted screenplay.

Maestro has similarly been considered a front-runner for some of the Academy's most sought-after honors, including best picture and director.
A Chicago neighborhood with the Willis Tower in the backgroound on Nov. 3, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Census figures for Illinois have proven in recent years to be an unusually hot political topic. That happens when population loss takes hold as a negative narrative for a state.

The U.S. Census Bureaus latest estimate, released earlier this week, showed Illinois population declining by 0.26% in the past year. That prompted the usual criticisms from conservative groups, which blame the states Democratic leaders for policies causing residents to leave, and the typical defenses from Democratic politicians such as Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.

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Indeed, in the recent past, the Census Bureau has adjusted its population figures for Illinois upward after allowing that it undercounted. The sky isnt falling in the Land of Lincoln. But, we all can agree, it isnt sunshine and rainbows, either.

We understand the Pritzker administrations pushback to the latest figures given that Illinois share of substantial federal funds is tied to its number of residents. Its the governors job to advocate for the state, and we certainly can use every federal dollar we can get.

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On a longer-term basis, though, we shouldnt allow the quibbling over these specifics to serve as the final word on the subject. The hard truth is that Illinois isnt growing and thus is losing ground  in financial and political terms. If present trends continue, Illinois number of congressional seats will drop to 15 from the current 17, according to a recent report by the nonprofit Brennan Institute.

Illinois currently has the fifth largest share of House seats, tied with Pennsylvania. Illinois would fall to sixth under these projections and its representation in the House would equal that of Georgia and North Carolina.

So it would make sense for the Pritzker administration, perhaps with the assistance of Illinois top-notch universities, to embark on an unbiased deep dive into whats driving Illinois population struggles.

How about leaving the partisanship and ideologies at the door and trying to develop a broader understanding of the problem? Reversing our population stagnation wont happen without some sort of collective, bipartisan acknowledgment of the causes.

Obviously, its complicated, and Illinois is a state with major regional differences. Whats driving out-migration in Chicago isnt going to be the same as whats causing decline in rural parts of the state. We need to study both with equal fervor.

A barn in Iroquois County in 2021. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

What sorts of policy changes would make Illinois a more attractive destination for those living elsewhere and looking for a change? How can Illinois benefit from immigration, and how can it help those migrants who are already here become more productive?

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 >

Helpful areas of focus would include taxes and public safety, subjects conservative voices repeatedly reference. But the strategy should also include policies to improve our business environment, create new incentives for newcomers and companies alike, and invest in more and better marketing. Thats just for starters.

The point is, Illinois could use just that  a strategy. One informed by research and data and not tilted to achieve some preordained policy goals.

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Easier said than done, we understand.

But as we and others have said over and over, Illinois strengths and attributes are enviable. Even our weather  long a negative over which we have no control  is proving, unfortunately for the planet, to be something of a selling point in an era of global warming.

Illinois is a great place to live. Lets figure this out.

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.
Bradley Cooper was forced to leave a press conference for his film Maestro due to his young daughters medical emergency.

The 48-year-old actor-director, who shares joint custody of his daughter Lea with ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk, reportedly received a message from the school and rushed off stage on Thursday (21 December).

Glancing at his phone midway through the conference, Cooper said: So sorry. The school nurse just called me. Can I just leave the room for a second to call them back and you can keep going. Is that all right?

The actor, who plays composer Leonardo Berstein in the new Netflix drama, later returned to the stage and explained why he had to head over to his six-year-old daughters school.

I have to go to the school to do something with Lea that needs I have to apply something that they wont allow. I have to do it, so its like a 10 minute walk, he said, according to MailOnline.

The Independent has contacted Coopers representative for a comment.

Cooper, who is known for his appearances in the hangover trilogy, as well as A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga, previously shared the inspiration behind his method of acting in Maestro.

Embracing the late conductor in all his glory, Cooper said he directed his new biopic in Bernsteins voice after being inspired by Christian Bales method in 2013s American Hustle.

Speaking to fellow director Spike Lee, Cooper recalled being impressed by Bales dedication to staying in character.

American Hustle was the first time I saw an actor stay in the voice of a character, he told Variety. It was Christian Bale. I had heard stories about Daniel Day-Lewis. I couldnt figure out how someone could do that. Then I realised I was overthinking it.

Bradley cooper with his daughter, six (Getty Images for Netflix)

Christian just stayed in the voice, but we talked about his kids. It wasnt like he saw an iPhone and had a heart attack. Ever since American Hustle, thats how Ive done it as an actor.

However, the actors directing methods have also been hit with strong criticism over his strict no chairs on sets policy, with several people calling out his directing methods for being harsh.

During his interview with Lee, Cooper admitted: Theres no chairs on sets; Ive always hated chairs and I feel like your energy dips the minute you sit down in a chair. So apple boxes are a nice way to sit.

He added that there is also no video village on his sets, which refers to the directors monitors and the immediate area surrounding them.

I hate that, Cooper added, explaining that he wants to create a sacred space where things are really occurring in real time.

Film-Maestro-Carey Mulligan ( 2022 Netflix, Inc.)

I actually think going back and watching it and hearing it, I think thats a vulnerable thing for an actor to hear. No one likes the sound of their own voice anyway, he shared. So I want to make actors feel safe to be fearless.

Maestro, which was released on Netflix this week, has faced some controversy. After Cooper was called out for wearing a prosthetic nose to portray the late Jewish conductor, Cooper said: I thought, Maybe we dont need to do it, but its all about balance, and, you know, my lips are nothing like Lennys, and my chin. And so we had that, and it just didnt look right [without the prosthetic].

Bersteins children also came out in defence of Cooper, saying that he had included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also shared a message in a statement to Variety in support of the actor. Throughout history, Jews were often portrayed in antisemitic films and propaganda as evil caricatures with large, hooked noses. This film, which is a biopic on the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, is not that.

Maestro, which Cooper co-wrote, directed and stars in alongside Carrey Mulligan, has received mostly positive critical reviews.
VERO BEACH  Breeze Airways has begun flights to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina from Vero Beach Regional Airport. But don't plan on flying nonstop.

The Raleigh route includes a short stop along the way, according to the Breeze Airways website. Unlike a connecting flight, BreezeThru flights, as the airline calls them, allow passengers to remain on the same aircraft without rechecking baggage. Passengers keep the same confirmation number.

Upcoming BreezeThru flights from Vero Beach to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport stop first in Providence, Rhode Island.

Where does Breeze Airways fly to from Vero Beach?

Breeze began service Thursday to Islip, New York. Islip is a seasonal destination, operating Thursdays and Sundays through April 28.

Islip joins Hartford, Connecticut; White Plains, New York; and Providence as destinations from Vero Beach.

Founded in 2021, Breeze is headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, near Salt Lake City. Its inaugural flight was from Tampa to Charleston, South Carolina. Breeze began operations in Vero Beach Feb. 2, filling the vacancy left by Elite Airways, which in June 2022 abruptly halted all flights in and out of Vero Beach.

Its been such an incredible year since we started flying from Vero, said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways Founder and CEO, in a news release. Thanks to the warm welcome from the city, airport and community, Breeze has grown steadily and now offers nonstop service to four Northeast destinations.

Staff writer Nick Slater contributed to this report.

Gianna Montesano is TCPalms trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @gonthescene.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Breeze Airways begins flight route from Vero Beach to Raleigh
A British man was caught allegedly smuggling $4m worth of the drug ketamine through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, in suitcases which he claimed belonged to a family member.

The man was carrying 110 pounds of ketamine in travel bags, which was found after he was selected for a secondary inspection, the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office said on Wednesday.

The man touched down in Detroit on 13 December after flying to the US from France.

Large white crystals were found by an x-ray scan and a physical search of two large suitcases, which the man insisted to authorities were given to him by a family member.

He told the officers he was on his way to New Jersey to stay with his girlfriend for five days.

The drugs estimated to be worth $4m (US Customs and Border Protection)

"The fact that he had two large suitcases appeared excessive for the relatively short duration of his stay," a CBP spokesman told the Detroit Free Press.

Field tests found that the substance in the bags was ketamine, and the size of the load had a suspected street value of $4m.

CBP officers seized the ketamine and refused admission to the traveller into the country, sending him back to France.

It is unclear if the man was subject to charges in either country.

CBP officers seize an average of 2,895 pounds of dangerous drugs every day within air and sea ports.

Ketamine is a drug that is often used for short-term medical reasons, such as sedation or anaesthesia, but it is often abused for its dissociative sensations and hallucinations, the CBP said.
The Bronte sisters lived in the house as young children before moving to Haworth

The house where the Bronte sisters were born has been "saved for future generations" after receiving government funding, campaigners have said.

Literary sisters Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte were born in the terraced house in Thornton, near Bradford in West Yorkshire, between 1816 and 1820.

The building is among dozens of historic and community buildings that will share a 25m "levelling up" fund.

Its 240,000 grant will mean it can be refurbished and opened to the public.

The house had previously been in private hands but now will become a "community events space" that will "improve social cohesion and boost local tourism", the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said.

Steven Stanworth, vice chair of Bronte Birthplace Limited, said the funding was "fantastic news" and would mean it could open in time for Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

'Inspire the next generation'

"This has been a 20-year dream to save the birthplace, the missing piece of the jigsaw in the story of the Bronte sisters," he said.

"For the first time, the little terraced house will be in public ownership."

Bronte Birthplace Limited, a not-for-profit community benefit society, had already raised 367,000, including a grant from the City of Culture, to buy and begin work on the property.

Broadcaster Christa Ackroyd, a committee member, said they aim to "use this little building to inspire the next generation" by welcoming children from every school in the district.

In 1820, the Brontes moved to the parsonage in Howarth, where the sisters wrote masterpieces including Emily's Wuthering Heights and Charlotte's Jane Eyre. That former family home has been a museum for almost a century.

More than 70 buildings will receive money from the latest round of the DLUHC's Community Ownership Fund. Some of the others include:

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - 2.05m to buy and redevelop a next-door building to turn it into an adjoining venue

Edinburgh's King's Theatre - 2m towards a regeneration project after it was threatened with closure

Old Clyne School in Brora in the Scottish Highlands - 1.95m to become a visitor attraction and community museum

Jacobs Wells Baths in Bristol - 1.05m to create a space for performances, youth services and community activities

The Generator Hall in Loughborough - 700,000 to help become an arts, culture and event venue

The Old Town Quarry in Weston-super-Mare - 700,000 to also be an arts and culture venue
NEW YORK  The petrifying partial collapse of a 96-year-old apartment building in the Bronx has generated a push by two New York congressmen for stronger safety regulations in buildings that receive federal funding.

Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres plan to introduce a regulatory legislative package Friday aimed at buildings like the one in the Bronx, which received a federal tax credit, according to the offices of the two Bronx Democrats.

The corner of the brick Bronx structure, located at 1915 Billingsley Terrace in Morris Heights, collapsed last week, killing none but displacing scores of people at the holidays and raising serious questions about the structural integrity of the citys aging housing stock.

The legislative package would create a national inspection program for apartment buildings that are beneficiaries of federal assistance, and would impose steep fines on certain landlords who fail to adhere to new self-review and reporting guidelines, according to the lawmakers offices.

Torres bill, titled the Building Collapse Prevention Act, would provide the Department of Housing and Urban Development with a one-year window to build a program for a U.S. standards agency to inspect federally funded residential buildings. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would carry out the inspections.

The bills reach would include buildings with low-income tenants who use a voucher program known as Section 8, and buildings with elderly tenants who use a program called Section 202.

The federal government is the principal funder of affordable housing in the country, Torres said in an interview. And therefore, we in the federal government have a vested interest in ensuring that affordable housing is structurally sound and that the people who live there are physically safe.

Espaillats legislation would introduce new regulations for recipients of benefits under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which disburses some $9 billion annually for low-income rental housing. The collapsed building has been a beneficiary of the program and is located in Espaillats district.

Under his bill, the LIHTC Landlord Accountability Act, landlords would be required to submit yearly reports on their buildings structural condition, and would face individual fines of $500,000 for noncompliance with the self-reporting rules.

The congressmen also turned their attention to city oversight, which has been under scrutiny since the collapse. In a Thursday letter to city Buildings Department Commissioner James Oddo they asked for a list of structurally unsound, unstable, and defective buildings broken down by neighborhood.

The letter also requested a report on measures the city is taking to prevent repeats of the collapse, and advice on how the federal government can assist. And it requested a probe of any role a nearby water main project may have played in the collapse.

This tragic incident underscores the critical need for a proactive and vigilant approach to building safety and code enforcement, said the letter.

The Buildings Department said it had received the letter and was working on a response to the lawmakers.

DOB engineers are continuing to monitor the ongoing work performed by the landlord to make repairs inside of the damaged building, so that the tenants can safely return, Andrew Rudansky, a department spokesman, said in a statement. We are grateful to have partners in Congress like Rep. Espaillat and Rep. Torres who are similarly focused on building safety.

The city has not established the cause of the collapse.

But an ongoing inquiry by the Buildings Department found that an engineer tasked with inspecting the building as it underwent renovation this year misidentified a support column as a decorative column.

The city said last week that it had stripped the engineer of his authority to inspect exterior building walls.

The office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark has also opened a criminal investigation into the collapse. The 47-unit building has a checkered history of complaints and violations.

David Kleiner, the buildings manager, has said the building was in perfect condition and was just upgraded before the collapse.

I dont think theres any criminality, he said last week, but added that the Bronx district attorneys office is welcome to check.

_____
Idaho prosecutors have asked for students stabbing suspect Bryan Kohberger's quadruple murder trial to take place over six weeks this summer, with shortened hours and no extra time for the defendant to come up with an alibi.

Latah County's senior deputy prosecuting attorney, Ashley Jennings, filed the four-page request Thursday morning, days after the judge rejected the 29-year-old Kohberger's attempts to dismiss the indictment against him. It became publicly available later in the day.

Prosecutors want the trial scheduled while school is out for local high school students and the victims' classmates at the University of Idaho on the edge of town, reasoning that a summer trial would alleviate concerns about parking and pedestrian safety with the local high school next to the courthouse.

BRYAN KOHBERGER'S MOTIONS TO DISMISS IDAHO MURDERS INDICTMENT DENIED

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse on June 27, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

A trial with the university out of session would leave more room in hotels for people visiting town for the proceedings, Jennings argued.

The University of Idaho's academic calendar shows next year's spring semester ends in the second week of June.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Jennings also asked the court for shortened days, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.

BRYAN KOHBERGER TRIAL: MOTHER OF IDAHO MURDER VICTIM FIGHTS TO KEEP KING ROAD HOUSE INTACT

"For a trial of this length, it is appropriate to afford jurors some amount of time to tend to their personal affairs," the filing reads. "Additionally, having more time in the afternoon allows for better preparation by the parties and allows for reasonable opportunities and time for the Court and counsel to address any motions or other matters that routinely arise during the course of jury trials."

Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and two other housemates in Goncalves' final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death.

Jennings also asked District Judge John Judge to set key pretrial deadlines, including for discovery, expert disclosures, witness lists and pretrial motions.

The prosecution also asked the judge not to extend Kohberger's deadline for providing notice of his alibi.

GO HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS DIGITAL

"The State submits that the Defendant has already been afforded this opportunity and the Court heard argument on the motions relating to such," Jennings wrote. "The State submits the opportunity for the Defendant to disclose an alibi and notify the State of the same has passed and asks that the Court not reopen this issue."

Utility workers inspect the house where four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in Moscow, Idaho, on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. The university announced plans to begin demolition on Dec. 28, well before jurors would have a chance to see it during a trial.

Kohberger's defense wrote in court filings over the summer that the murder suspect had a habit of driving around alone in the middle of the night.

"Often he would go for drives at night," the filing reads. "He did so late on November 12 and into November 13, 2022. Mr. Kohberger is not claiming to be at a specific location at a specific time; at this time there is not a specific witness to say precisely where Mr. Kohberger was at each moment of the hours between late night November 12, 2022 and early morning November 13, 2022. He was out, driving during the late night and early morning hours."

Bryan Kohberger is escorted into court after his arrest at his parents' house in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. He waived extradition and was flown to Idaho in January 2022.

Kohberger is accused of entering a six-bedroom house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022 and killing four students inside.

The victims were Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20.

Two others in the house survived, including one who heard crying and saw a masked man with "bushy eyebrows" leave out the back door.

Police found a knife sheath under Mogen's body that they say had Kohberger's DNA on it. Authorities also cited phone records and surveillance video showing Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra in a probable cause affidavit last year.

At the time of the murders, Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University, just 10 miles from Moscow, Idaho.

Judge Judge entered not guilty pleas on Kohberger's behalf at his arraignment in May. He could face the death penalty if convicted.





Original article source: Bryan Kohberger trial: Idaho prosecutors request preferred dates, schedule
A bulletin board displaying a message about openness with multiple hearts at Wilson Creek School in Manhattan, which serves preschool through second grade students, has caused concern among some parents who say the symbols used are inappropriate.

The bulletin board has 12 hearts on it, two that read open hearts and open minds and 10 hearts with different colors. The display includes one heart with a rainbow design and a design with a white stripe and pink and blue stripes on both sides.

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A rainbow flag is a symbol of the LGBTQ community, while the transgender pride flag has a white stripe with light pink and blue stripes on either side.

A bulletin board at Wilson Creek Elementary School in Manhattan has caused community members to debate whether it's appropriate for children. (Jason Sommerfeld)

Jason Sommerfeld, who has two children who attend Wilson Creek School, said colorful symbols, particularly the transgender flag, shouldnt be in a classroom and should be discussed at home.

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I just dont want the colors that are represented to become a discussion amongst the children in the school. I have a firm belief with that being something that should be done at home, Sommerfeld said.

Barbara Zaczek, who has two grandchildren who attend Wilson Creek School, said the bulletin board promotes inclusivity.

All a child is going to see is something happy and delightful, Zaczek said.

Manhattan Elementary District 114 Superintendent Russell Ragon said in an email the bulletin board was put up in August and, as of Tuesday, was still on display.

At Wilson Creek, teachers are encouraged to use their hallway boards to celebrate the Wilson Creek Family they represent and to promote messages of positivity and kindness, Ragon said in the email. As our community grows, we continue to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion while prohibiting the addressing, discussing, or instructing on gender identity, sexual orientation, or political opinion within our curriculum.

Sommerfeld, of Manhattan, said he found out about the bulletin board about a week ago when a friend sent him a text message.

It was from friends of friends. There was a parent that was in the school that happened to see the bulletin board up ... took a picture of it and then sent that picture through a couple people and then it made its way to me, Sommerfeld said.

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Sommerfeld said his initial reaction was shock because about three years ago, as nationally parents were going to school board meetings to share their concerns about race discussions and sex education in schools, parents went to District 114 Board meetings to share similar concerns.

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I didnt expect to see that up in the school, Sommerfeld said. To me, having the colors up there that represent certain issues that then brings those discussions up with the children or potentially brings those discussions up. They specifically told us that that would not be the case moving forward.

Zaczek said she saw a picture of the bulletin board on Facebook. As she read the comments, she said she became appalled because a bulletin board promoting kindness has become the subject of hate.

There was nothing on that bulletin board that would influence a child other than being happy, Zaczek said. Its sad that a hate group has decided that they are going to see a conspiracy in every corner, and, according to them, their way is right and a professional establishment is wrong.

Ragon declined to comment on the communitys response to the bulletin board as well as the districts decision to keep the board on display and district policy for bulletin boards. School board members did not respond to request for comment.

Sommerfeld said he has talked to district officials about the bulletin board, and he hopes those discussions continue. Parents will be at the Jan. 10 board meeting to share their concerns, he said.

akukulka@chicagotribune.com
Phoenix has several different services available to ensure the health and well-being of community members.

If there's an emergency or threat to public safety, call or text 911. If you can make a voice call, you should, as when texting the operator won't receive location information automatically. Anyone who texts 911 should include precise location information in their first message.

If the situation is not an emergency, refer to the following list of numbers. Crime Stop and the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center receive information about suspicious activity, and Phoenix's Community Assistance Program is available to help people with behavioral or substance abuse challenges.

There are specific Phoenix numbers to call for infrastructure problems, like a broken water line, a gas leak, graffiti or a blocked road.

Who should I call in Phoenix to report suspicious activity or a person with behavioral issues?

Crime Stop  602-262-6151: For non-emergency incidents, such as suspicious activity, contact Crime Stop. This number serves as a tool for community members to contribute to maintaining a safe environment.

Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center  602-644-5805 : ACTIC also accepts tips regarding suspicious activities. They can be reached by phone or online through their website, azactic.gov.

Community Assistance Program  602-262-6151: The Community Assistance Program is intended for situations that require behavioral or drug use assistance. People can reach the program by calling the Crime Stop number or 911. The program offers services that range from checking on a neighbor or relative with behavioral issues, to aiding those who are not coherent and need assistance.

Phoenix police non-emergency line  602-262-6151: Crime Stop and the Community Assistance Program are reached through the Phoenix Police Department's non-emergency line. This number can also be used to file a police report or request an officer be dispatched.

Who should I call in Phoenix to report a road closure, water leak or the smell of gas?

Road closures  602-262-6441 : Use this number to report any unexpected road closures, obstructions or other potentially hazardous road conditions.

Sewer and water  602-261-8000 : Use this number if you encounter any sewer or water concerns, like water main breaks, water service line problems, open hydrants and sewer backups.

Gas leaks  602-271-4277 : For any gas-related emergencies, including gas leaks or suspected gas-related incidents, call this number, which will connect you to Southwest Gas.

Graffiti reporting  602-534-4444, Ext. 1: This number is dedicated to addressing graffiti-related concerns.

Keeping these numbers readily available can help ensure the safety and well-being of Phoenix residents.

Reach the reporter at miguel.torres@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Need help in Phoenix? Here are non-emergency numbers to keep handy
A growing number of political commentators and experts are calling for the Biden administration to denounce the Colorado Supreme Courts removal of former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot, arguing it could be a strong political move for him.

"If Biden were smart, hed denounce the CO Supreme Court ruling," former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer posted on X . "Hed call it wrong and show confidence he can win without throwing Trump off the ballot.

"But he wont do that because he is too afraid of the progressive left and too weak to stand up to them."

"The smartest move for Biden would be to direct the DOJ to oppose Colorados efforts to kick Trump off the ballot," Fox News Host Laura Ingraham posted on X.

DEM-APPOINTED COLORADO JUSTICE SAYS TRUMP BALLOT BAN UNDERMINES 'BEDROCK' OF AMERICA IN FIERY DISSENT

"Democrats in Colorado are removing President Trump from the ballot because the Democrat Party opposes democracy, which is a system where voters get to select their elected leaders," Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller posted on X . "If Biden and the media actually believed in democracy, they would denounce this immediately."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

COLORADO KICKING TRUMP OFF BALLOT SHOWS DEMOCRATS WAKE UP EVERY MORNING ACTING LIKE IT'S JANUARY 6: CONWAY

"This is a good time for Biden to convey the image that he cultivated in the election," Jonathan Turley, a Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and Fox News contributor told Fox News Digital.

"James Freeman Clarke once said a politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation. It is time for Biden to show that he can think of the next generation and oppose this insidious ruling."

President Biden salutes while arriving during an event in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House in Washington Nov. 27, 2023.

Alex Conant, founding partner at Firehouse Strategies, told Fox News Digital Biden "should do everything he can to distance himself from these efforts.

"The more partisan it looks, the more it will help Trump."

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

David Avella, chairman of GOPAC, told Fox News Digital the issue goes "beyond" President Biden.

"Americans need a 9-0 ruling from our U.S. Supreme Court justices to send a definitive signal that the Colorado courts action is unconstitutional," Avella said.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd during a campaign rally Sept. 25, 2023, in Summerville, S.C.

So far, President Biden has declined to take advice from commentators to denounce the Colorado court ruling and declined to comment on it when asked by a reporter Wednesday.

"Now, whether the 14th Amendment applies, let the court make that decision," Biden said. "But he certainly supported an insurrection. No question about it. None. Zero. And he seems to be doubling down on about everything."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response.

The Colorado Supreme Court disqualified Trump from appearing on the state's ballots in 2024, citing the 14tth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.

Tuesday's 4-3 ruling is stayed until Jan. 4 because of likely appeals, and it is widely expected Trump will take the case to the Supreme Court.





Original article source: Calls grow for Biden to denounce Colorado's removal of Trump from 2024 ballot: 'Smartest move'
Wood-burning stoves should be given health warnings, a report backed by 100 Conservative MPs has said.

New stoves should carry labels highlighting the negative medical consequences of the outdoor air pollution they produce, according to the report by Bright Blue, a centre-right think tank.

The think tank also argued that councils should be able to ban the use of the stoves on days where air pollution is particularly high through an amendment to the Clean Air Act, according to The Times.

It comes after ministers asked councils to issue 300 fines for people breaking rules on the devices earlier this year.

Around 1.7 million households in the UK have wood-burning stoves, an increase from 500,000 in 2013.

Owners are more likely to be well-off, the authors of Delivering Cleaner Air in a Socially Just Way said, adding that 42 per cent owned their own home.

Because many of those who burn at home tend to be better off, it should be possible to reduce this source of pollution without harming those in a more precarious financial situation, they wrote.

The report was supported by the Conservative Environment Network, a group of more than 100 Tory MPs.

Alexander Stafford, the Conservative MP for Rother Valley in South Yorkshire, told The Times: We must ensure that our transition towards cleaner air is a just transition ... policies which ignore the needs of the least well-off are as useless as policies which will not provide adequate air pollution reduction.

A Defra spokesman said: There have been significant improvements in air quality at a national level since 2010 ... our Environment Act made it easier for local authorities to act on pollution from domestic burning in smoke control areas and it is their legal duty to do that by issuing fines as they deem necessary.

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The MV Glen Sannox is due to begin sea trials in January

The company building two ferries for operator CalMac has warned they could be delayed for another two months.

Ferguson Marine shipyard's chief executive David Tydeman has written to MSPs warning that they are facing "supplier issues".

This is delaying the commissioning of the vessels' LNG propulsion systems.

The ferries, which are being built at the company's shipyard on the Clyde, are already six years late and hundreds of millions of pounds over budget.

Ferguson shipyard won a contract from a government-owned procurement agency CMAL, to build the vessels for CalMac.

The initial contract in 2016 was for 97m but it is estimated the ferries will now cost 360m when finally completed.

The warning about the latest setback came in a letter from Mr Tydeman to the Scottish Parliament's net zero, energy and transport committee.

The LNG propulsion systems are one of two sets of engines aboard the vessels. The letter says work is continuing and MSPs will be updated on this in a month's time.

The first of the ferries, the MV Glen Sannox, is close to completion and is meant to begin sea trials in January. But the letter also reveals that the schedule for moving it to a dry dock for work has slipped back because of bad weather.

The second vessel, currently known as Hull 802, is scheduled to launch on 12 March, 2024.

The ferries are now six years late and hundreds of millions of pounds over budget

Responding to the news. Energy Secretary Neil Gray described his "deep disappointment" at the news from Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG).

"I have continued to impress upon the chief executive that any further slippage in the programme would have a considerable impact on the island communities," he said.

"I also met with the chair of FMPG and have impressed on him the need to ensure that every possible mitigation to further delays is in place.

"I reaffirm my commitment that to support FMPG to deliver these lifeline ferries to service our island communities as quickly as possible remains one of my key priorities."

'An unhappy new year'

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson described the news as "shocking" and said it is islanders who are suffering as a result of the delays.

"Every time we are given a completion date it slips. At some point Neil Gray is going to have to say how much more money he is prepared to put into the yard. So far it has been a blank cheque," he said.

"It is going to an unhappy new year for our island communities as they await the most expensive ferry in Scottish history."

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Alex Rowley said: "It beggars belief that even more delays seem to be on the horizon for these long-awaited ferries.

"The Scottish government must set out a real plan to deliver these ferries without any more delays or cost increases, so island communities can get the service they deserve and Scotland's shipbuilding industry can thrive."
Shernita Hosey, 38, knows what its like to endure postpartum depression. The single mom of two daughters, ages 10 and 14, remembers the support she sought from family and friends after her children were born.

Thats why the Humboldt Park resident can often be seen canvassing door to door in South Side neighborhoods as an outreach worker with EverThrive Illinois, a health equity advocacy group.

The latest campaign centers on the Black maternal morbidity crisis, which encapsulates any health problems that result from being pregnant or giving birth. According to an October report on Illinois Maternal Morbidity and Mortality from the Illinois Department of Public Health, discrimination was 50% more likely to be a contributing factor in pregnancy-related deaths among Black women as compared with white women; Black women were three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions as white women; and statewide maternal mortality review committees determined 91% of pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable due to clinical, systemic, social, community or patient factors. Such statistics have spurred numerous agencies and organizations to try to make inroads in their own ways, including with technology.

The Gathering campaign by EverThrive Illinois offers online tools and information to aid Black women before, during and after their pregnancies. The site also provides a glossary of terms to help health care providers better communicate with patients  explaining medical terminology. EverThrive created the guide based on focus groups conducted on the South and West sides of Chicago. The goal: for health care providers to use it to better connect with patients.

A lot of people, when Im out there ... they know what theyre going through, but they cant really explain it, Hosey said. I was at a school out south and a lady was going through all this stuff with postpartum depression. When I got to talking to her, the lady broke down and started crying. She said shes been going through it. Theres a lot of stuff on it to help them.

Chi Chi Okwu, EverThrives executive director, is hoping the campaign will improve maternal outcomes by working on the issue through a community lens. By conducting focus groups and hundreds of surveys on the South and West sides, Okwu said EverThrive found a disconnect between childbearing women and medical professionals. So the glossary was created to improve communication and incorporate culturally relevant language in clinical settings. Every bit helps when working to reduce disparity gaps, she said.

We felt that it was imperative to get the perspective of Black pregnant people postpartum and the communities that surround them to get their voice at the table, Okwu said. Were proud of this tool because its one that was co-created together. We see it as one tool that were using to educate the community and go deeper.

Tamela Milan-Alexander, EverThrives community engagement director, said the campaign has reached over 30,000 people since its launch this summer. Milan-Alexander said the same things that happened to her during her pregnancies occurred with her five daughters pregnancies years later.

As long as we remain having bias and disrespectful care, Ill stay in this game, Milan-Alexander said. The campaign is ongoing. In the focus groups, what we learned quickly was nobody knows what maternal morbidity is. They just know their auntie didnt come home after she had her baby. No one knows why because theres not a term.

As the campaign progresses, Okwu envisions deeper conversations about what it means to build cultural competence for providers and their health teams within Black communities. Milan-Alexander said EverThrives social service providers have even done grand rounds with health care providers to make them aware of the work being done. Grand rounds are formal conversations that physicians have with one another to discuss patients cases.

Okwu also hopes to expand The Gatherings resources to cover mental health and how fathers factor into the conversation about Black moms. Okwu said EverThrive has been partnering with Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative and working with regional birthing hospitals to share the tool.

Okwu said the campaign has hit a nerve within the community.

The provider is integral to the type of care people are getting, but we are working on the community engagement side to say, How do you start to advocate for yourself in this process? she said.

By letting community feedback inform the direction and growth of The Gathering, it allows people to share their stories. Hosey can attest to that.

Sometimes people dont want to talk to you and you get to tell them about your experiences and then they open up, she said. I like making communities better for families. I want them to know there are resources out there for them; you can get through it and there are others going through the same thing as you.

Systemic inequities and policies have created distrust between providers and the Black community. Okwu understands there is no silver bullet to fix it all, but she knows The Gathering is a first step toward systems-level change. Milan-Alexander sees the campaigns expansion having a three-pronged impact: on the people being served, the people providing the service and the system in which both sides work.

When you start to hear stories on the impact of not receiving the type of care that you would hope for or need, then it becomes real to people, Okwu said. Were trying to serve as that bridge between community members and bring that to decision-making tables within hospitals and other institutions where they can begin to say, Ive heard multiple stories. What does that mean in how I start to think about the care that I provide?

drockett@chicagotribune.com
CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH)  After 13 years, a Canal Winchester bakery will close its doors in early 2024, and a coffee shop will take its place.

Fantasy Cupcake, located at 3 S. High St., posted a statement to its social media accounts announcing it will close permanently on Feb. 17.

It is with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that I write this, the post reads. After 13 incredible years, I have decided to retire from full-time baking.  This decision was not made lightly, and it fills me with both sadness and gratitude.

Where to see classic Christmas icon Mr. Tree in Columbus

Leah Dotson, the owner of Fantasy Cupcake, plans to keep the building in the family. Leahs sister, Sarah Chinn-Jones, will take over the space to open a coffee shop and cafe, dubbed Coffee on High.

We wanted to continue to have something there for Canal Winchester, Chinn-Jones said. We just wanted to still have a place where the community could come and hang out and that sort of thing.

In addition to coffee, the eatery will serve breakfast items such as bagels, croissants and quiche. It will also serve lunch, featuring soups, salads and sandwiches. Select bakery goods from Fantasy Cupcake will be on the menu along with new bakery items, and Dotson will continue to take some special orders, Chinn-Jones said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Peter Bone was suspended from the Commons for six weeks for breaching the code of conduct for MPs

A by-election will be held in Wellingborough following a recall petition in the Northamptonshire constituency.

The petition was prompted by Peter Bone's suspension from the House of Commons for six weeks for breaching the code of conduct for MPs.

It is not known when the by-election will be, as Parliament has risen until January.

So far, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have confirmed their candidates, but the Conservatives and Reform UK are also expected to stand.

Mr Bone could stand again, but it would be as an independent, as the Conservatives have suspended him.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by surname.

Ana Savage Gunn - Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate was born in Northamptonshire and grew up in the county.

She joined Northamptonshire Police in 1985 and rose to the rank of Inspector, serving across the county - including in Wellingborough - and she supervised the tactical firearms team.

In 1994, Ms Savage Gunn helped run security at the Atlanta Olympics and later became a law enforcement consultant in the US, before her return to the UK and Northamptonshire.

When COVID-19 broke out she retrained as a health care assistant and worked in her mother's care home, before becoming a COVID clinic coordinator in the county.

Ms Savage Gunn continues to work at the care home, and is a trustee of Northamptonshire Carers, in Wellingborough.

Gen Kitchen - Labour

Labour has selected Gen Kitchen as its candidate for Wellingborough

Labour's candidate grew up in Northamptonshire and went to John Hellins primary school in Towcester, and Kingsbrook secondary school - now Elizabeth Woodville School - in Roade. She has worked in the charity sector her whole career.

In 2019 she stood as prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in the South Northamptonshire constituency.

After her selection in November, the Labour candidate said: "Residents here are already telling me that they're fed up with the state of the town centre, anti-social behaviour blighting our high streets and the 8am scramble for a GP appointment.

"Labour has a plan to tackle these issues that impact so many here, but I will start by giving Wellingborough a voice in Westminster and working hard to restore pride in our town and villages."

Will Morris - Green Party

Will Morris has been selected as the Green Party candidate for Wellingborough

Mr Morris, lives in Bozeat, having previously lived in Wellingborough, and works as an insurance underwriter.

The 55-year-old has been a member of the Green Party for five years and has stood as the party's candidate for North Northamptonshire Council in Irchester and Rushden South.

He has also served on Bozeat Parish Council for three years.

Mr Morris said: "What Wellingborough needs is a representative who knows and cares about local issues, rather than someone concerned with furthering their personal agenda in the national political arena.

"Local matters will always come first for me."

He has two children, aged 21 and 17, and is a season ticket holder at Northampton Saints.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Uniformed Cape Coral police officers surrounded Cape Coral resident Scott Kempe, one pulling his arms behind him and locking on a pair of handcuffs, guiding him from council chambers as dozens of people looked on.

The recent arrest inside Cape Coral Council Chambers raises questions and concerns that Kempe's First Amendment rights were violated, leaving the city with legal tremblors.

"The City Council is on very shaky ground with this," Florida Gulf Coast University Professor Pamella Seay said. "If I were their attorney, I would caution them that if they continue keeping this gentleman out of the meetings, that any decision they make, related to the topic on which he wishes to speak, may be tainted, and it might not be valid, because what they have done is a constitutional violation of this gentleman's rights to be in the meeting."

Cape Coral Spokesperson Melissa Mickey responded via email and said the city would not comment on matters of potential litigation. Mayor John Gunter did not respond to requests for comment as of Friday morning.

Kempe, 77, was arrested and removed from council chambers on Dec. 13, a repeat of an incident two months earlier. Kempe said he was "falsely arrested" and argued that Gunter acted out of line and violated his constitutional rights.

These past few months have been a rollercoaster for Kempe as he feels misrepresented by the community and media.

He said his recent removals distract from the real issue: the unwanted Jaycee Park improvements costing millions.

"The focus of attention was never supposed to be me," Kempe said. "It was a spur of the moment. I just got so pissed off, and I wanted to do something to demonstrate my feelings without disrupting the meeting or causing a problem."

The 12-year Cape Coral resident said he only recently started attending council meetings when he learned about the proposed Jaycee Park designs.

"I just do what I think," Kempe said. "And at least if we lose Jaycee Park, and it becomes a commercial endeavor, at least I can't say I didn't try."

Previous Coverage Cape Coral resident removed from council chambers again, legal action planned against city

More Cape Coral councilmember news Former Cape Coral Councilwoman Patty Cummings pleads not guilty to charges in election fraud

Jaycee Park

Scott Kempe is escorted out of the meeting chamber by police officers after being arrested during a city council meeting at Cape Coral City Hall in Cape Coral on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. After being escorted out of a previous meeting, the council was slated to discuss whether he could return.

At an Oct. 11 meeting, Kempe, like many other residents who live on Beach Parkway, spoke and filled council chambers to express their disapproval over the council moving forward with new designs for Jaycee Park that would radically alter the neighborhood park.

Pennoni Associates, a consulting engineering firm, has been contracted for the preliminary and updated designs, which currently include two docks, both at the north and south ends, for 24 boat slips, a splash pad, a bistro/piazza area, and a bandshell.

Improvements to the park are estimated to cost $12 million for construction, and the city plans to issue a long-term bond to pay for the project, which means the cost will be borne by city residents and future residents.

Many residents, including Kempe, used the one-hour public comment time to ask the council to stop with these plans. Kempe, however, wasn't satisfied with the council's discussion on the issue where many members expressed their willingness to move forward.

As a form of protest, he turned his back on the council and knelt on his seat.

"I responded, 'You turned your back on us, so I'm turning my back on you,'" Kempe said.

Gunter had noticed Kempe while Councilmember Tom Hayden was in deep discussion and stopped the meeting to ask Kempe to fix his posture. He refused and police officers removed him.

Kempe said he wasn't disrupting the meeting.

"The only people who knew that I had turned around were the immediate people in my vicinity who could see it, but everybody else in the entire room had absolutely no idea," Kempe said.

The arrest at the last meeting

Scott Kempe is arrested by police officers before being escorted out of a city council meeting at Cape Coral City Hall in Cape Coral on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. After being escorted out of a previous meeting, the council was slated to discuss whether he could return.

This move by the mayor barred Kempe from attending future meetings. Officers asked him to preemptively leave a meeting by police officers a week later on Oct. 18.

In that meeting, the council voted 7-1  Councilmember Jessica Cosden against  to move toward final designs for the park.

Kempe then submitted a formal email asking to be allowed to attend future meetings.

However, after receiving an email from Gunter, Kempe's attitude on the situation changed completely.

The emails included the provision:

Any person who engages in behavior that is prohibited herein and/or who is boisterous or disruptive in any manner to the conduct of a meeting shall be asked to leave by the presiding officer and may be escorted from the meeting room by the Police Department. Any person so removed from a council meeting shall be barred from further attendance at that Council meeting unless expressly permitted to return by a majority vote of the City Council.

Kempe argues against the city's interpretation of the rule and said because the language specifies "at that council meeting," he shouldn't have been removed from future meetings.

He went to the meeting on Dec. 13 and defended his right to stay when officers confronted him while he waited in line for public comment.

However, the police officers and officials did not agree, and he was arrested.

First amendment violation

Florida Gulf Coast University Professor Pamella Seay is an expert in criminal, constitutional, aviation and international law and is licensed to practice in Florida and South Carolina.

Kempe believes his rights were violated.

Seay, the professor and an expert in criminal, constitutional, aviation, and international law, said the resident has valid points.

"We need to be able to express ourselves whenever there's going to be a decision made by the government, and we need to have input on that," she said.

A meeting of a board, council, or commission is considered a limited public forum, where governments can have rules about certain kinds of speech or expression.

Seay cited Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa. The case involved a member of the public being removed from a city council meeting for disorderly, insolent, or disruptive behavior.

"In the First Amendment, in the instance of a limited public forum, a person can be removed from the meeting that they are disrupting," Seay said

However, she said that since the resident's actions weren't disorderly, threatening, or disruptive to the meeting or those around him, the mayor shouldn't have had him removed.

"(The mayor) should have let it go, but since he didn't, I think he caused a problem," Seay said. "(Kempe) merely turned his back on the commission, that is not sufficient (for removal) from the general description that I've found in any of the First Amendment cases."

She also believes the rules the city cited are vague and took issue with the city barring him from future meetings.

"But barring them from future meetings is generally not considered appropriate or constitutional, so they may have gone beyond in this particular instance," Seay said.

Cape Coral council is slated to discuss the rules at the first committee of the whole meeting after the winter hiatus, and Seay said they should get a third party to ensure similar incidents don't happen.

"I'm of the opinion that the Cape Coral City Council needs to refine its rules and get a consultation with a constitutional attorney to ensure that they are not in violation because, from all appearances on this particular issue, they have gone beyond what the Constitution would allow," Seay said.

Additionally, Seay said there is a chance that past decisions approved by the council could become void if the city did indeed violate his rights.

"Keeping this gentleman out of the meetings, that any decision they make, related to the topic on which he wishes to speak, may be tainted, and it might not be valid," Seay said.

Seay believes Kempe should find a good constitutional lawyer and seek court intervention.

"If I was him, I would seek a court order that would stop the council from convening or meeting until he is allowed back in," Seay said.

Kempe said the council is not listening to its residents

Kempe is due to appear in court on Jan. 2. In the meantime, he continues his search for a lawyer to take legal action against the city.

When looking at the state of the nation and what's happening to the average man's ability to enact change, Kempe said he can't help but see it hindering local government.

On the same night he was arrested this month, the council voted and approved monthly stipends ranging from $3,333 for council members to $5,000 for the mayor without any discussion.

"But it's now filtered down to a community of a couple of 100,000s and where a mayor in the same night can deprive me of my rights and have me falsely arrested, and award himself $60,000 for the effort," Kempe said.

Kempe said there's no saving this council and believes the electorate needs to vote the members out.

"The people of Cape Coral in no way are represented by their elected officials," Kempe said.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Could Cape Coral be in legal trouble over man's meeting removal?
A security guard walks through a gallery at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on November 16, 2023. Homewood native Patrick Bringley, who spent a decade working as a guard at the museum and wrote about his experiences will discuss his book "All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me" on Dec. 27 at The Rock Shop in Homewood. (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)

Like many Chicago area natives, Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate Patrick Bringley is coming home for the holidays with plenty of stories.

But unlike most of his peers, he has put some of his stories into a book.

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Bringleys book All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me has been published by Simon & Schuster.

Homewood native Patrick Bringley, who spent a decade working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, will discuss his book about his experiences there Dec. 27 at an event at the Rock Shop in Homewood. (Jason Wyche)

It is about his 10 years as a watchman at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, in New York City. It has won rave reviews from The Times of London and others.

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Bringley will be signing copies of his book starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 27 at The Rock Shop, 18109 Dixie Highway, Homewood.

A tragic loss, the death of his older brother, led Bringley to write the book.

While I was at The New Yorker, I was working in the events department, my brother Tom, who was two years older than me, got sick and died of soft tissue sarcoma, Bringley said.

After losing his brother, the last thing Bringley, 40, wanted to do was rush back to some office job where I had to care about office politics and corporate ladder climbing.

The shellshocked Bringley instead took a job in the most beautiful place I could think of and found it quite therapeutic.

Its a place where you can reflect, he said. So, it was sort of comfort to be in a place like that.

Bringley worked there until 2019.

I loved the job. It was a journey in a way, he said. I love art, so I got to be in this place where my main responsibility was having my head up and keeping watch of my surroundings, drinking in the beautiful art, talking to people about it, one day in this section, one way the next. he said.

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At roughly 2 million square feet, you never run out of things to look at, things to contemplate in The Met.

He especially liked how every day was different.

One day its Egyptian art. The next day its Picasso. Not only different things to learn but a different atmosphere. The Egyptian wing? Tons of tons of kids. The masters wing? An older crowd, he said.

With about 30,000 people coming through each day, he was bound to meet a few characters.

Wed get some regulars who come every single week. Art world characters dressed in somewhat outlandish things, he said. Things happen. A man once slammed into the frame of Woman in White, a Picasso painting. It swung on its copper wires, back and forth.

Some confused guests ask where are the dinosaurs and if we have the Mona Lisa, things like that.

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Art museums typically dont house dinosaurs, and the Mona Lisa is at The Louvre in Paris.

The Mets Mona Lisa is probably the popular Washington Crossing the Delaware, he said. Unlike the relatively small Mona Lisa, its a huge, billboard-sized painting.

While the book reflects a bit on his late brother, it is more about The Met and its impact on him over the decade.

There are sequences where I explain why I came to The Met. Also, the book is partly using the art to reflect on life. Its not an art history book where I talk about schools and styles.

It tries to be very straightforward that the art at The Met is about life and death and suffering and the gods and the cosmos and everything else, Bringley said.

Yes, writing a book is a challenge, especially for a first-time author.

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Ive always written. It wasnt lost on me that Ive had this interesting point of vantage and it would be fun to try to write something from that point of vantage, he said.

His first idea was to write a guards guide to the Met where hed hop from artwork to artwork, interspersed with anecdotes.

They give you the advice to write the book youd want to read. It occurred to me that what is not written about is the experience of looking at art, what brings us to the museums in the first place, the charismatic hold the artwork has over people, he said.

Art lovers can see themselves in my story because they likewise feel quiet and (get) lost inside this great museum.

While telling that story, I also explain who I am, he said.

"All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me," published by Simon & Schuster, contains author Patrick Bringley's experiences and thoughts about his decade spent as a security guard at the museum in New York. (Simon & Schuster)

Bringley, who spent years scribbling notes for his book idea, said once I found my literary agent, we were off to the races. And we had good success finding a home for it (with Simon & Schuster).

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Looking back to high school, Bringley, who was in the class of 2001, said he enjoyed his time at Homewood-Flossmoor.

He grew up in Homewood where his parents Jim and Maureen still reside.

Thats why Im doing this event. Well be visiting with them for the holidays, he said. His wife, their son, 10, and daughter, 8, are returning with him.

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Its always fun to be home. Well be going downtown, seeing A Christmas Carol, doing the Chicago things, he said.

Besides being a tourist in his hometown and seeing family and old friends, hell also be chatting during the book signing session with Rebecca Healy.

Healy was his AP art history teacher in high school when her maiden name was Gaz. She still teaches art there.

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I had her in her first or second year of teaching, her first year of teaching AP art history at HF, so that will be really cool. It will be great to see her again, he said, adding: If it had not been for that class, who knows?

Yes, Bringley was asked that question, the one all first-time authors cant avoid: Does he plan to write a second book?

Yes, I do, but its very early. I think it will involve art again, but maybe not exclusively, he said. Yes, this book is doing well, so it seems I will get another bite at the apple.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
A Cape Cod vocational teacher accused of sexually assaulting one of his students at a residential school for people with disabilities was indicted on several charges Friday.

Fredrick Walters, a teacher at Brewsters Latham Centers, was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape, four counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault on an individual with an intellectual disability and one count of intimidation of a witness after allegedly telling staff members that he would be taking a student to an off-campus bookstore on October 9 before instead taking her back to his home and allegedly sexually assaulting her.

The student disclosed to investigators that Walters had also raped her on two previous occasions at the Latham Centers, according to the Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office.

Courtney Scalise, Chief of the Cape & Islands Vulnerable Adults Abuse Unit, is scheduled to prosecute the case in Barnstable Superior Court.

Walters was arraigned in Orleans district court on Wednesday, November 29 on rape, indecent assault, and battery on a disabled person, and witness intimidation charges. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a $5,000 cash bail with a GPS monitoring device, according to court records.

Latham Centers provides special education and therapeutic services for children and adults with disabilities and specializes in working with individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and mild cognitive impairment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Latham Centers spokesperson Karen Schwartzman previously told Boston 25 Walters had worked at the school for 17 years and was well-regarded by his peers.

She wrote, Our highest priority is to keep our students safe and our staff works tirelessly to ensure that no student in our care is ever at risk. That any person, while employed at Latham, could have acted toward a member of our community in such a way as to be criminally charged is an offense not only to the student he put in jeopardy but to every member of our staff.

Walters attorney, Nathan Amendola told investigative reporter Ted Daniel that the teacher is innocent and looks forward to proving that.

Walters will be arraigned at a later date.

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.

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Carla Hall Has A New Travel And Food Series, Chasing Flavor, Coming To Max: Heres What We Know | Photo: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Max has dropped details about a new series they have coming soon starring Carla Hall.

Hosted by the celebrity chef and best-selling author, the six-episode series Chasing Flavor takes viewers on a global adventure to explore the unexpected roots of popular dishes within todays American food culture.

Produced by Fremantles Original Productions for Max, Chasing Flavor will see Hall traces the history and lineage of Americas famous dishes, from shrimp, ice cream, chicken pot pie, grits and hot chicken.

Chasing Flavor brings together so many of the things I am passionate about. Its about food, and family, and sharing stories and history and travel. And more importantly, giving credit to the cultures that had a hand in a particular dish, said Hall in a statement. Im really proud of this show. Everyone involved in making it, myself included, put their heart and souls into it. It was a wonderful adventure, and I cant wait for others to share it.

Throughout six half-hour episodes, Hall will travel from to various locations such as New York, Philadelphia, Turkey, Jamaica and Italy.

Carlas travels do not end there as she goes on a taco trip to Mexico and discovers how a vertical flame helped cultures collide to create tacos al pastor, the synopsis reads. She also explores how Jamaica helped to shape the flaky crust of chicken pot pie, and in Ghana, she gets a spicy taste of the roots of hot chicken with chef Eric Adjepong. With every bite in every country, Carlas journey highlights the influences that have shaped American cuisine.

Chasing Flavor is available for streaming on Max beginning Feb. 1.
Carolina Forest experienced much growth in 2023, and a new townhome community is adding to that development.

Villas at Carolina Forest is a planned community currently undergoing site work, with heavy machinery working on the property. It will be located along Carolina Forest Boulevard next to the Canterbury Apartments at 4636 Canterbury Drive.

The property will have two and three-bedroom units, each of which will have a garage, according to the Villas website.

Armada Development, a Charleston, S.C.-based development firm specializing in making multifamily developments, is behind the project. Armada did not respond to a request for comment before publication.

Villas at Carolina Forest sits on about 35.4 acres, according to Horry County Land Records. The property, which currently has a market value of about $2.8 million, sold for about $2.8 million in Sept. 2020.

Its not the only ongoing development in Carolina Forest. A new apartment complex opened in the area, The Sun News reported in Oct. 2023, and a nearly $8 million shopping center is under construction, too, with a Soho Steak & Seafood restaurant as the centerpiece.
It could be months before a cause is determined for the house fire in Bullhead City that killed five children on Dec. 16.

Children ages 2, 4, 5, 11 and 14 died after a fire engulfed a two-story duplex Saturday evening. The fire started in the foyer before traveling up the staircase and destroying the home, an initial fire investigation found. Four of the children were siblings and the fifth was a relative, according to Emily Fromelt, a Bullhead City Police Department spokesperson. They were found in an upstairs bedroom.

The sibling's father told investigators he left the home for grocery and Christmas shopping.

The investigation was taken over from Bullhead City Fire Department after it was found that the grandfather of the four children is a Bullhead City fire employee. The investigation was being handled by Lake Havasu Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

ATF detectives took housefire debris earlier this week for analysis. The results will help determine the cause of the fire, but the analysis "could take months," Fromelt said.

Until the analysis is complete, Bullhead City Police's investigation was paused. The Lake Havasu and ATF investigations, however, were ongoing and the agencies were "making this a priority," Fromelt said.

Detectives were "not look at anything criminal," although nothing was "officially" being ruled out yet, she said.

There was a smoke alarm in the home, but it was unknown if the alarm worked, Fromelt said.

Bullhead City has since condemned the property as unlivable, and the owner was notified. It ws unclear what will happen next to the ruined home.

On Wednesday, members of the small 40,000-person community gathered to remember the children and try to come to grips with a tragedy that engulfed the city.

Reporter Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

Reporter Lane Sainty contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What caused Bullhead City house fire? Analysis could take months
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reopened freight train railway crossings at border bridges in El Paso and Eagle Pass in South Texas after the crossings were closed earlier this week because of surging numbers of migrants, officials said.

The freight train railway crossings at border bridges in El Paso and Eagle Pass were reopened at 12 p.m. MST, Friday Dec. 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

Migrants pleaded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to allow entry into the U.S. as they stood next to a gate on the northbound railroad bridge in Ciudad Juarez that leads into El Paso after a rumor on social media circulated claiming that they would be allowed entry to seek asylum.

The crossing were temporarily suspended Monday, Dec. 18 as the federal agency needed to shift staffing because of an increase in the numbers of migrants, officials said.

To meet the challenge we are currently seeing across the southwest border, CBP is continuing to use all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers, and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by transnational criminal organizations," CBP officials said in a news release. "After observing a recent shift in the trends of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico, CBP took additional actions to surge personnel and address this concerning development, including in partnership with Mexican authorities.

"The Office of Field Operations has re-directed personnel and resources in order to support the U.S. Border Patrol as well as perform its critical functions including the security and facilitation of lawful trade and travel."

The El Paso and Eagle Pass freight train railway crossings have resumed normal operations, officials said.

CBP will continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation," officials said. "We continue to assess security situations, adjust our operational plans, and deploy resources to maximize enforcement efforts against those noncitizens who do not use lawful pathways or processes such as CBP One and those without a legal basis to remain in the United States."

More: Migrants in southern Mexico face death on roads on their journey north to the U.S.

The Borderplex Alliance, a economic development and policy advocacy organization in the El Paso-Juarez region, praised the reopening as the crossings are "vital rail lines for trade and economic growth in our region."

"The Borderplex region serves as the gateway of trade for the Americas, accounting for 20 percent of all commercial trade and 45 percent of rail trade between the United States and Mexico," Borderplex Alliance CEO Jon Barela said in a statement.

"Resuming operations at these rail crossings is good news for supply chains, the local and national economies, and the re-shoring and near-shoring revolution happening in North America. We thank our hardworking and brave partners at CBP and are looking forward to another year of economic expansion in our region."

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: CBP reopens border railway crossings in El Paso, Eagle Pass
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most nursing home residents havent received an updated COVID-19 vaccine or the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. COVID-19, influenza and RSV activity are still below levels seen last year at this time, according to the CDC. But only 35 percent of nursing home residents have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine, and just 10 percent had received an RSV shot.



RSV can cause severe illness and death in older adults. The Food and Drug Administration estimated that the virus hospitalizes 60,000 to 160,000 people over age 65 each year and causes 6,000 to 10,000 deaths.



This is the first year theres been a vaccine available to prevent RSV and there are two on the market. Arexvy, the shot from GlaxoSmithKline, was 94 percent effective against severe illness in older adults. Pfizers shot, called Abrysvo, was 86 percent effective against severe illness. Both shots are fully covered by Medicaid, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and most private insurance plans.

Nursing homes are encouraged to collaborate with state, local and federal public health and long-term care pharmacy partners to address barriers contributing to low vaccination coverage, CDC said.



Vaccine fatigue, inaccurate health information and vaccine hesitancy contribute to lack of vaccine demand, the CDC said. For the COVID-19 vaccine, lower uptake might be related to challenges to vaccine access, as well as cost and payment barriers associated with the vaccines commercialization, the agency said. Older people are also receiving messaging for multiple seasonal vaccines (in many cases three or four), and it can be overwhelming. The relative newness of the RSV shots may also confuse providers, who then give inaccurate information to their patients.



Another possible barrier is the CDCs recommendation of shared decisionmaking. That means the vaccine was recommended only after a conversation between a patient and their provider, rather than a blanket recommendation like the one for flu shots.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Top health officials are warning of a Covid surge ahead of the holidays because many Americans have not received their updated shots.

According to the latest CDC data, nursing homes have some of the lowest vaccination rates but are home to the highest concentration of vulnerable people.

This is where Covid likes to hit, said Dr. Francesca Ceddia, the chief medical affairs officer at Moderna. People in nursing homes are being visited from external people. There is a risk that youre actually bringing in the disease.

The data shows less than one in four residents and only two percent of staff are up to date on their Covid shots. Unlike the beginning of the pandemic, Ceddia said the issue is not limited supply.

Its more a problem of fatigue, sometimes misinformation, she said.

Ceddia said the focus on nursing homes is so important because they are usually an early warning sign of what will happen to the general public.

Getting those vaccination rates up is really important to us, said Dawn OConnell, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

OConnell said the Biden administration has not only sent vaccinations to these facilities but also tests.

To make sure that those communities can keep themselves safe and protected, she said.

These officials stress the public health emergency may have ended, but Americans are still dying from Covid so they encourage everyone to play a part in controlling the spread of infections.

I always think about vaccinations as an act of generosity, Ceddia said. What a better gift than protecting yourself and your loved ones.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
CAPE NEDDICK, Maine  People looked out their windows at the pouring rain recently, and noticed something unusual: miniature, penguin-like creatures were milling about on their properties.

Curious and concerned, some of them called the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick in York. It turned out those peculiar birds were dovekies, a pelagic species known to breed in the Arctic and keep miles offshore and away from land. The high winds of that stormy Monday had forced the dovekeys inland.

Theyre adorable, Kristen Lamb, the executive director of the center, said during an interview after the storm. They live offshore, mostly in the ocean, and they never come on land. People were noticing them in their yards or in their parking lots, and they knew something was off.

The center took in 15 of those little dovekies that day, Lamb said.

Such is a day in the life of the Center for Wildlife, which in December began the third phase of its major expansion at 375 Mountain Road.

The Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, welcomed most unusual guests, following the high winds and pouring rain on Dec. 18, 2023: dovekies, which rarely, if ever, make appearances on dry land.

The Center for Wildlife purchased 8.42 acres in 2016 at the base of Mount Agamenticus adjacent to 16,000 acres of conservation land and trails.

According to Lamb, the final phase, expected to be complete in the summer of 2025, involves the construction of dozens of state-of-the-art outdoor wildlife enclosures to replace the old, existing ones on the York Water Districts former property.

For the first phase, which started in 2018, crews built a new, larger main building to run operations, house interns, and set up a room where guests may visit turtles, snakes, and other critters saved by the organization.

The second phase resulted in the construction of a new village for the centers wildlife ambassadors, the hawks, owls, falcons, porcupines and others who are permanent residents on-site due to injuries they have suffered.

Shelley Spanswick, the medical clinic operations director at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, and Abby Schofield, a clinic coordinator, tend to a red-tailed hawk inside a rehabilitation enclosure on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

With even just its first two phases complete, the center is now a far cry from its origins. In 1986, the center operated out of sheds and a donated ranch house on the water district property. The organization remained there for 37 years, according to Lamb. Then, three years ago, the big move began.

The centers Restore Our Nature Campaign aims to raise $650,000 to achieve its full, three-phase vision, Lamb said. Thanks to donors, the organization has raised nearly $185,000, enough to accomplish all it has done with the project so far.

Johnnys Candy Corner: Meet the legend behind the popular York Beach shop

Why Center for Wildlife made push for expansion?

According to Lamb, the move to the current bigger operation in 2020 happened just in time. Demand and needs for services far outpaced what the organization was able to do at its original site. The organization reached a point in which it had to decide either to scale up or begin to partially suspend operations. The board of directors opted for expansion.

Kristen Lamb, the executive director of the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, is seen here inside a rehabilitation enclosure on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. The center is expected to have many new enclosures as a result of a project currently in progress.

The center was definitely facing a tipping point, Lamb said. We knew that we needed a massive expansion.

Theres another reason why the expansion started at just the right time, according to Lamb: a highly pathogenic avian flu would occur just one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Center for Wildlife would not have been able to help the 1,200 birds and 1,000 mammals, reptiles and amphibians that it treats each year.

In a recent press release, Mari ONeil, the chair of the organizations board, expressed appreciation for the donors who have gotten the expansion project to where it is thus far.

We are immensely grateful to all the wonderful donors who have helped us reach where we are today, ONeil said. As we look forward to the limitless possibilities for our center and the community, we aim to expand our reach and inspire people of all ages to appreciate the importance of nature and wildlife.

Trash talk: How a public-private partnership could clean up Short Sands Beach in York

What does final phase of expansion include?

In addition to building new enclosures, phase 3 of the project also involves the organization completely restoring its former location to its natural habitat.

The current enclosures  and, once completed, the new and improved ones  are the last stop that injured or orphaned wild animals make before returning to the wild. The enclosures are built to mimic an animals natural habitat during the last stage of their rehabilitation.

Just as humans need to rebuild muscle, wake up digestive systems, or recover in a safe environment from fractures, head or eye trauma, or other medical issues, wild animals need the same, Lamb said.

This conceptual plan shows what the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, will look like once its three-phase expansion project is complete in 2025.

Most animals are brought to the center by residents and visitors who happen upon them after an accident or after determining that theyre not where they should be and need care, according to Lamb. One year, movie actor Christian Slater even brought an injured creature to the center while visiting the state.

Such animals are more connected to the welfare of humans than people realize, Lamb said. She added that such connections are tied to significant changes and challenges like extreme weather, emergent diseases, and land development.

While we experience these challenges, alongside us are the wild animals that balance insect populations, bring us immense joy and wonder, plant our trees, and keep diseases at bay, Lamb said. Wildlifes connection to our own well-being is often invisible, overlooked or taken for granted, yet they are there every day, lifting up our physical, mental and emotional well-being.

More: Mount Agamenticus, York parks rules: Fines for dog mess, campfires, metal detectors

Center for Wildlife has cared for more than 78,000 creatures

The Center for Wildlife has cared for more than 78,000 creatures, spanning 190 different species, since opening in 1986.

Developments in recent years have allowed the organization to reach a number of goals, including expanding diagnostic equipment to enhance the care of animals as well as adding classrooms, conference space and an auditorium. They also welcome students for field trips offering hands-on exhibits.

Sam Cox, a senior wildlife specialist, comforts a brain-damaged, likely blind barred owl at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

Financially, the center has seen a lot of change in recent years. In 2014, for example, the organizations entire operating budget stood at around $350,000. Now, the annual budget is at $800,000, in conjunction with raising $4 million and managing a mortgage of $2 million a year.

We are proud to have overcome historical shortcomings in the fundraising and administrative side of our operations, Lambert said. Despite political unrest, trade wars, a global pandemic, as well as being a field that receives only 1% of philanthropic giving annually, we were able to scale up our operations and remain open every day while completing our new $6.5 million facility.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Center for Wildlife enters final phase of major expansion in Maine
Kent County Council's leader said there had been an "unfair and unsustainable burden on Kent children's services"

A judge has given Kent County Council (KCC) and the Home Office a deadline to agree a plan to deal with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).

Both parties have until January 31 to create a workable solution to transfer lone asylum seeking children to other parts of the country.

It was also ruled that KCC had to take in all UASC or face charges of acting in a discriminatory way.

The Home Office said it was "carefully considering the judgment."

Mr Justice Chamberlain made the order as part of his judgment on a long-running case, brought by KCC, which was issued on Thursday.

KCC has long contended the Home Office-agreed National Transfer Scheme (NTS) does not work.

It reached a crisis point earlier this year when KCC declared it faced a situation where it could no longer take local children into care because it was so overwhelmed by the young asylum seekers.

The High Court recently dismissed four of KCC's five claims but crucially found in favour of its major concerns on the NTS.

Now the Home Office must come up with a plan, agreed with KCC, to make sure the NTS is enforced, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

KCC leader Roger Gough said "an efficient and timely NTS" was "the only viable solution to the unfair and unsustainable burden on Kent children's services and residents from increasing arrivals of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children on Kent's shores.

"It [the plan] must prevent Kent's services becoming overwhelmed and eliminate the need for the Home Office to use hotels in the future," he added.

New arrival centres for UASC are also being planned for Kent in 2024.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The safety and welfare of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children is our utmost priority and providing care placements for them is a national issue that requires participation from local authorities across the UK. "We are carefully considering the judgment and will continue to work with local authorities across the UK to support them to fulfil their statutory duties to accommodate unaccompanied children nationwide."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A San Francisco police officer refused to testify this week for the trial of Richard Everett. The officers refusal prompted prosecutors to dismiss the case on Thursday, just one day after a jury heard opening statements, according to the San Francisco Public Defenders Office.

The officer was supposed to testify about the night of August 28, when San Francisco Police Department officers opened fire on Everett.

Everett was armed with a knife in the Tenderloin neighborhood when officers surrounded him, gave conflicting and confusing commands, and shot him five times, defense attorneys said.

Deputy Public Defenders Nuha Abusamra and Anthony Gedeon said police never told Everett he was under arrest, and he was trying to walk away when officers shot him.

The 54-year-old man was charged with resisting arrest, threatening an officer, and carrying a knife. Everett spent the past five months in jail waiting for his trial.

Todays dismissal illustrates why Mr. Everett should have never been charged and incarcerated since August of 2023, said Abusamra.

Prosecutors dismissed the case, citing the absence of a material witness after one of the responding police officers refused to testify about the lethal violence used by police that night, the Public Defenders Office wrote.

After the August 28 police shooting on Jones Street, Everett was taken to San Francisco General Hospital and placed under arrest, defense attorneys said.

Abusamra said police officers body-worn camera footage was gruesome. When the police closed off the 300 block of Jones Street and surrounded Mr. Everett, they were not in danger. Police spent roughly 15 minutes giving him conflicting commands, both asking him to drop the knife and then telling him he could keep it. When Mr. Everett tried to slowly walk away while holding a milk crate in one hand and his duffel bag in the other, police opened fire with both less-lethal and lethal rounds in quick succession. That is not de-escalation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
China to continue sharing development achievements with world: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:02, December 22, 2023

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday said China will continue to expand high-level opening up, improve the business environment, step up intellectual property protection, form an open and globally competitive innovation eco-system and share with the world China's development achievements.

According to media reports, Steven Barnett, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Senior Resident Representative in China, said in an interview that China will contribute one-third of global economic growth in 2023. He predicted that higher and more resilient growth is within reach for China in 2024.

"Lately, many international organizations like the IMF and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have revised up their 2023 growth projections for China and are confident in China's economic prospects next year," spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked to comment on the interview at a daily news briefing.

Wang said China is widely considered the biggest driver for the world economy. The research of the IMF shows that faster growth in China has positive spillovers on the rest of the world. A one percentage point increase in China would, on average, increase the level of output in other economies by 0.3 percent.

Noting that China has a hyper-scale market with the biggest potential in the world, Wang said macroeconomic policies introduced by the Chinese government have given the economy a strong push. There is ample room for enhanced implementation of monetary and fiscal polices. China's deepening of reform and opening up across the board provides strong impetus for sustained sound economic development. A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation in the world also presents a broad stage for the Chinese economy.

All in all, there are more favorable conditions than adverse factors for China's development, the trend of economic rebound and sound long-term trajectory has not changed, and the factors and conditions supporting high-quality development are increasing, Wang added.

"We welcome businesses from around the world to continue coming to China for global success," Wang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nicole La Ha, a former Homer Glen trustee, has been selected to fill the vacancy in the 82nd Illinois House District after John Egofske stepped down from the post to focus on his duties as Lemonts mayor.

The appointment of La Ha was announced Wednesday by House Republican leaders, and she had previously filed to run as a Republican in the March primary.

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Egofske said in September he would not seek election next year in order to focus on his duties as mayor, a position he has held since 2017. He then announced his resignation, effective Dec. 8.

He had been named state representative in February, filling a vacancy created when state Rep. Jim Durkin, who led the chambers Republican caucus for many years, resigned in January.

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Suzanne Akhras filed to run in the Democratic primary in the district.

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Nicole La Ha brings an exciting blend of passion, dedication, and leadership to the 82nd District, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said in a news release announcing La Has appointment.

Her commitment to children, public safety, and advocacy for inclusivity is inspiring and she will be a great addition to the House Republican Caucus. Nicole is a problem solver and will work toward solutions that will bring positive change and economic growth to the 82nd District, he said.

La Ha, in the news release, said she is honored to serve as state representative, and that her experiences in public service and advocacy have prepared me for this role, and I am eager to work collaboratively to address the diverse needs of our community.

The district includes all or portions of suburbs including Burr Ridge, Countryside, Darien, Homer Glen, Lemont and Willow Springs.

She lives in Homer Glen with her husband, Dr. Christopher Zwiercan, and their two children, Cristiano and a daughter Ashlynn, who was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Nicole La Ha was crowned Mrs. America in August 2022.

She served on Homer Glens Parks and Recreation Committee and has been a strong advocate for community accessibility and inclusive parks for children with disabilities. She was a founder of the villages Ability Awareness Committee and remains a member.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Stacy Curbelo, a struggling mother of five, was seeking help to keep the electricity on in her Osceola County home when the regions largest provider of bill assistance, the Salvation Army, burned down in November.

She imagined her hope for financial security incinerating along with it until she located a similar program at the Osceola Council on Aging, where a sympathetic caseworker offered the guidance she needed.

They really helped us, Curbelo said. I really appreciate her and the program because if it wasnt for them we would have been in the street with our children.

Curbelo is one of many people in Osceola County who have been forced to improvise in the wake of the Salvation Army fire in Kissimmee. Just as a busy holiday season approached, nonprofits across Osceola County have stepped in to help those in need.

Officials at those nonprofits say they were seeing a year-over-year rise in people seeking services even before the mishap. A count earlier this year calculated the number of unsheltered homeless at 182 and the number of those who are homeless but sheltered at 176. The figures have risen 67% over the last five years.

The Salvation Army is one of the few organizations in the county that has provided free showers, meals, toiletries and other resources to the homeless. It also provides broader services targeted to those at risk, including so-called bill assistance programs that offer financial stipends and money management counseling.

But those services were interrupted on Nov. 6, when a Salvation Army client who was angry over not receiving more services poured lighter fluid inside the nonprofit after it closed for the night and lit it. The building was deemed a total loss after the blaze demolished the nonprofits kitchen, food pantry, industrial washer and dryer and even some of its iconic red kettles. Cordearo Lee Mable, 37, was arrested on Nov. 7 on charges of arson and burglary to an unoccupied structure.

The Osceola Council on Aging has seen a 30% increase in requests for assistance in the two months since then, said Kelly Bender, clinic care coordinator for the Osceola Council on Aging and the St.Thomas Aquinas Medical Clinic.

Even little things like toiletries, Bender said.

Even though the Salvation Army offers some of its resources online, Bender noted that there is not currently a pickup location in Osceola County. In addition, fewer resources are being donated because people dont know where to drop things off.

Its definitely a little more strained because I would say theres less resources, less people donating to them, and they then have to tighten their belt a little, Bender said. The Osceola County families that are able to get in, they have to go to Orange County to get their gifts, which again is a little bit of a burden.

Another nonprofit working to fill the gap is Hope Partnership, which also offers meals and showers to the unhoused, but only once a week.

We definitely have some people coming from the Salvation Army, said Chief Operating Officer Will Cooper.

Prior to the fire, Hope Partnership would typically serve roughly 70 people on Mondays with a hot meal and shower, Cooper said. More recently the number has jumped to an average of 138.

At this time were not looking to expand, Cooper said. Right now we just dont think we can make that happen more than just once a week.

Cpt. Ken Chapman, area commander for the Salvation Army, said the nonprofit is working hard to recover.

Some social workers have had to work from Orange County facilities and drive back and forth to help those in Osceola, Chapman said. Churches have pitched in to help the Salvation Army cook and feed those in need, he said.

Its a lot of extra work but they are troopers and they are working diligently, Chapman said of his social workers.

The Salvation Army will soon have a temporary location near the burned building in Downtown Kissimmee in a facility provided by Osceola County, offering a light at the end of the tunnel.

We have some work to do to get it up to code but by the middle or end of January or February well have a temporary home to operate from not far from where we were, Chapman said.

The Salvation Army is also ramping up already-existing plans to build a bigger emergency center in Osceola County, and hopes to announce a location in January. The new center will have a kitchen, showers, and more room for case workers and other local agencies that can supplement the groups offerings, providing a one-stop shop for anything the unhoused might need, Chapman said.

What would have been a five-year plan is going to probably become a two-year plan, Chapman said. Sometimes your greatest failure can lead you to your biggest victory.

Chapman said it will take an estimated $300,000 to fully recover from the fire, but they are already halfway there with the help of donations. Donations of money are still needed but industrial kitchen equipment is often better than cash due to its great cost, he said.

Those who wish to donate can go online at https://give.salvationarmyflorida.org/give/535542/#!/donation/checkout

Many nonprofits across the county collected Christmas gift donations this year to alleviate any service gaps over the holidays.

On December 14 Florida Firestop Systems, a commercial fireproofing company, donated 20 bicycles for kids age 5-10 to families who are in assistance programs with the Osceola Council on Aging and the St. Thomas Aquinas Medical Clinic, a St. Cloud based clinic that serves the uninsured.

We decided to fill this small portion of the need we see in the community after learning of the dissolution of other charities in the area serving the communitys children, said Tiffany Lira, a spokesperson for Florida Firestop.

Curbelos eyes glistened with tears last week as she watched her daughters Joy, 6, and Marilis, 10, ride their new 20-inch Huffy Rocket bike. It would be the only Christmas present her girls will receive this year, thanks to the Council on Agings bicycle giveaway.

Curbelo recently landed a job at CVS and is now able to make ends meet alongside her husbands income as a mechanic. But she said if it werent for the bill assistance help she received, she would have ended up losing her home.

I didnt know what we were going to do for Christmas because were barely making it with the rent and all that stuff, Curbelo said. I didnt know what we were going to do because we were going to lose our home. To be on the street with five children, it just gets me emotional.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department arrested a woman accused of attacking actor Charlie Sheen at his Malibu home on Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies with the Malibu/Lost Hills Station responded to a battery call at around 1:00 p.m. on Cavalleri Road, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department confirmed to KTLA 5.

Investigators contacted the parties involved and identified Sheen as the victim of the assault.

The Sheriffs Department also identified the suspect as a woman named Electra Schrock.

Thieves steal thousands of dollars worth of music equipment from L.A. band

According to TMZ, the suspect forced her way into Sheens home. When Sheen opened the door, she attacked him by attempting to strangle him and ripped his shirt.

Roastee Charlie Sheen arrives at Comedy Central's Roast of Charlie Sheen held at Sony Studios on September 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Schrock then retreated to her own home.

Sources told the outlet that paramedics arrived at the scene but the Two and a Half Men star was not taken to the hospital.

The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, force likely to create great bodily injury and residential burglary, according to the Sheriffs Department.

Sheen apparently told deputies he does not know what prompted the attack but believes she squirted an unknown sticky liquid on his car before this incident, TMZ reported.

Schrock is set to appear in court on Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The 2024 season schedule for Charlotte FC was released this week, and the Queen City franchise will open its season at home once again.

Charlotte FCs first game will be on Feb. 24 against New York City FC. According to the team, the stadium will open its upper bowl, and tickets were already on sale as of Thursday.

There are two new teams on the opponent list for next year. For the first time, Charlotte FC will play against Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers.

See the full schedule at this link.

(WATCH: Charlotte FC announces new head coach)




Police in the Chicago suburbs are warning shoppers to be aware of their surroundings following a recent rash of carjackings at Costco gas stations.

The Glenview Police Department confirmed to NBC Chicago on Dec. 20 that a driver of a Mercedes sedan was carjacked in broad daylight as they filled up on gas.

Police said the driver saw a man in all-black clothing and a black ski mask get in on the drivers side, start the car, and start to pull away. They said the owner tried to get in on the other side to stop the thief, but fell.

On Dec. 21, following the Glenview, Illinois, Costco carjacking, the local police posted a warning to Facebook.

HIDE your belongings. LOCK your car. TAKE your keys (FOBS), the post reads. PLEASE, Lock your car and REMOVE keyfobs from your parked cars.

Police in nearby Wilmette, Illinois, shared a similar warning on Dec. 20.

Over the last couple of weeks, there has been an increase of daytime and early evening car thefts from North suburban gas stations, the warning on Facebook reads. These offenders are targeting unlocked vehicles while the victims are pumping gas or are inside the convenience store. Be aware of your surroundings and please report any suspicious activity to the police.

It's not the only recent brazen car theft in the Chicago area. In November, a woman was dragged by a man stealing her car in nearby Niles, Illinois.

Niketa Patel told NBC Chicago that she had been filling up her vehicles gas tank at the Costco gas station when a man in a ski mask hopped inside.

"I was holding the drivers side door, and I was waving my head, 'Dont do it!' But that guy, he wasnt scared," she said, adding that he dragged her alongside the car.

"The guy turned on the car and he dragged me from the gas station to the stop sign," she said. "I fell and I was bleeding from my elbow, and I was screaming."

Patel said that the robber got away with her phone, purse and black Lexus, which had been a gift from her late son just before his death in 2021.

The Niles Police Department told NBC Chicago there had been three reported stolen vehicles and two carjacking attempts at that specific gas station between July 29 and Sept. 25. Officials said that each vehicle was taken while the driver was pumping gas with the engine running.

At the time, Niles police said drivers should be sure to shut their engine off while pumping gas and to take the car keys with them.

The Costco gas station incidents certainly aren't only local to the Chicago area. As WBAL, a Maryland NBC affiliate, reports a woman was carjacked at the Hanover Costco gas station on Black Friday.

Anne Arundel County police told the station that two men approached a woman filling up her Range Rover at a Costco gas station and demanded the keys at gunpoint. At the time, police said the incident was surprising but fits recent trends.

"I would describe this as a brazen crime, but we do have criminals that are opportunistic. Theyre looking for situations they can take advantage of, and that appears to be one of them, Justin Mulcahy, the executive assistant to the chief of police told WBAL.

Police urged people to be vigilant, especially amid the holiday season. Costco did not immediately respond to TODAY.com's request for comment.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Chicago politicians are calling for the federal government to increase funding for migrant care after earlier this week a 5-year-old boy staying at a Lower West Side shelter died and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent migrants to the city for the first time on a chartered plane.

At a news conference Thursday outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building downtown, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, said the city needs support from the federal government to provide wraparound services and accused Abbott of human trafficking.

This is a political attack that is costing peoples lives. It is very clear. We have to call this for what it is, he said. This is human trafficking. This is treating peoples lives as disposable.

Sigcho-Lopezs ward includes the shelter where 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero was staying before he died Sunday after a medical emergency, officials said. His family said he had been sick for a few days before an ambulance was called to the shelter, according to a police report.

As Sigcho-Lopez spoke to reporters, a line formed out the door at the immigration services building behind him.

We demand the federal government, the state government and local government to work together to save lives, Sigcho-Lopez said.

The boys family had arrived in Chicago on Nov. 30, according to the city. His parents were devastated, Matt DeMateo, executive director and pastor at New Life Centers who is consoling the family, told the Tribune Tuesday.

Roughly 2,400 migrants are currently living at the Pilsen shelter, according to city officials.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia echoed calls for executive action from President Joe Biden as cities continue to receive an influx of migrants from Texas.

Its critical for Chicago, its critical for New York, for Houston, for all the other cities that are seeking to do everything that they can, but they cannot do it alone, Garcia said. This is a moment when Chicago needs to continue to be a compassionate, welcoming city and the city is trying to do that.

The plea for increased federal funding comes as tension between Chicago and Texas politicians reached a high point after the southern border state stopped communications with the city regarding the transportation of migrants.

White House assistant press secretary Angelo Fernandez Hernandez said the private flight charted by Abbott shows how little regard or respect he has for human beings.

This latest political stunt just adds to his tally of extreme policies which seek to demonize and dehumanize people, Hernandez said in a statement to the Tribune Wednesday night. Governor Abbott is not interested in solutions, he only seeks to use people as political pawns.

Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, said in a statement to the Tribune Wednesday that the migrants had signed consent waivers available in multiple languages upon boarding the flight.

Until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue taking historic action to help our local partners respond to this Biden-made crisis, Mahaleris said in the statement.

Dr. Rebekah Fenton, a pediatrician at Alivio Medical Center down the street from the Pilsen shelter, said her clinic sees a large number of migrant kids staying there, but the doctors struggle to provide adequate health care to migrants who need follow-up care.

Our impact is limited when we are unable to coordinate care to make sure all of our patients needs are met, Fenton said Thursday. Health care alone is not enough to keep patients safe.

Fenton said the children she sees are contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. In her role as a school pediatrician, she has helped administer flu, COVID-19 and required vaccines for children to attend Chicago public schools.

She said many migrant children are being sent home from school because they are sick, but she worries about their ability to recover from being sick when they are not able to obtain medication and space to quarantine at the shelter.

Reports from our patients describe the exact opposite conditions in the shelter with significant problems and inadequate resources, Fenton said.

Sigcho-Lopez said the shelter, which has housed migrants since May, needs to be decompressed to address large outbreaks of disease at the crowded shelter, which he said is at capacity. However, as more migrants arrive in Chicago and plans for other shelters are halted, the reality of that happening is slim.

As of Thursday morning, 14,150 asylum-seekers were living in 27 shelters with an additional 216 waiting at OHare International Airport for placement, according to city data. The city on Thursday announced it received its first permitted bus after the City Council tightened restrictions on when and where buses can drop off migrants.

On Saturday, Johnsons deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas told the Tribune that Texas had halted all communication with the city of Chicago following the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals.

City Council approved an ordinance Dec. 13 that buses would face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators are subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees.

That same day, the city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the approved landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St.

To dodge penalties and fines, bus drivers have dropped migrants off in Indiana and given them Amtrak tickets or Metra cards to get downtown, according to city officials.

To date, 96 rogue buses have been cited and one bus has been impounded, Mary May, a spokeswoman for the citys Office of Emergency Management and Communications said Thursday.

Advocates and volunteers who worked with migrants living at police stations are asking the city to allow them to come into shelters and continue to provide basic medical care. Sara Izquierdo said officials have previously told volunteers there was no need for them at city-run shelters.

There is no reason that a child who crossed seven countries should die in a shelter in Chicago, she said. Let us do our work in the shelter.

Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters Monday afternoon that we are obviously deeply sorry and hurt by this loss before placing the blame on the Republican Texas governor, who has been busing migrants to Chicago and other liberal cities for the past 15 months.

Theyre just dropping off people anywhere. Do you understand how raggedy and how evil that is  and then you want to hold us accountable for something thats happening down at the border? Its sickening, the mayor said.

Asked about poor conditions reported at the shelter, the mayor again defended the citys attempts to care for asylum-seekers and said, It sounds like youre drawing a conclusion based upon a site.

Johnson also did not address allegations of Favorite Health care Staffing being slow to get medical attention for the boy, which his spokesman Ronnie Reese later said he could not confirm or deny because of a pending investigation.

____
Mongolian immigrants looking for a new life in Glenview, Northbrook and surrounding communities are creating unique challenges for school districts and organizations providing educational and mental health services, officials said.

Many people have helped, said Tsegi Batmunkh, with the American Mongolian Association. Not just Mongolians to each other but people from Korea, Poland and the American people.

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Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South High Schools have seen an increase in their Mongolian student population, with Glenbrook HSD 225 serving 55 Mongolian-speaking students out of 400 who qualify for English language acquisition services, officials said. They said that as a comparison, in 2019, the school district was serving 13 Mongolian-speaking students out of 123 total who qualified for English language acquisition services.

Frequently, groups tend to arrive/settle where there is an established community of people from a similar background and/or family as we are seeing with the Mongolian population, district officials said in an email. We hired a Mongolian teacher last summer and also have a Mongolian Family Language Liaison on staff but we are currently not hiring any new Mongolian staff members.

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The email also said language and Family Liaisons are staffed for major language groups to ensure students and their families have access to support both within the school and community resources during their time in high school. In addition finding texts and materials in Mongolian can be a challenge because of the limited resources available for purchase from publishers.

Our population of Mongolian-speaking students and families tend to be very ambitious and proactively seek information about how to accelerate their students English-language development and how to navigate postsecondary education in the U.S., the email said.

Theyre doing a great job, Batmunkh said of the school districts. The library now has books in the Mongolian language.

She said thousands of Mongolians have immigrated to the Chicago area since the 1990s and that because many spoke Polish, Russian or Korean they were able to assimilate and find jobs.

Chicago is geographically and economically very convenient for us because its friendly to immigrants, Batmunkh said. The weather is very similar to Mongolia. So its an advantage.

She said a second wave of Mongolians started coming after a 2010 mining boom in that country and that many continue to migrate to the north suburbs.

Many women started working for Korean nail salons and ended up buying them, said Batmunkh who now lives with her family in Arlington Heights, including two children went through the Glenview schools system.

We wanted to send our kids to better schools which lead us to the suburbs, she added. My kids were not discriminated against in the schools in the Glenview area. I felt safe.

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But the influx of Mongolians has also put pressure on some local public health agencies which are working to get up to speed to assist new immigrants.

Our hope is to continue to learn about and meet the needs of this community and provide the services directly through our clinician and our team, said Renee Dominguez, co executive director of the Family Service Center in Northfield.

We have to have all our legal documents translated into Mongolian and our website and our intake process, she said. Its all process. We are moving through that process and we are working to provide information that is the easiest things we can push out right now in terms of reaching a lot of people efficiently.

She also said providing clinical services to the immigrants can be difficult because the Mongolian language doesnt have the vocabulary to describe things like depression, anxiety or stress and that like many places there is a stigma associated with mental health issues.

The way it was described to us in that mental health concerns are sort of shunned in Mongolia and theres not really treatment in the same way as here, she said. We want to remove barriers to be able to help people get a foot in the door and for them to start to get familiar with the idea of mental health wellness and support.

Batmunkh said Mongolian immigrants to the Chicago area continue to make new homes here while at the same time celebrating their unique culture. She also said the Mongolian government in 2021 opened a Mongolian Consulate in Schaumburg, the third Mongolian consulate in America.

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We lobbied for three years and finally and the Mongolian Government decided to open a consulate office, she said.

Brian L, Cox is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
If youre wondering what Christmas feasts are like in Ethiopia, Jamaica, Ghana and Trinidad the succulent savory details are right here.

In America, traditional Christmas meals include foods such as turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dressing and green beans.

But within the African diaspora, Christmas meals highlight culture, as jollof rice, djondjon, and pernil  a succulent roast pork dish  grace the tables.

These tasty, ethnic dishes make the holidays special in these countries.

Curry goat is a popular Christmas meal in Jamaica. (Source: Adobe Stock)

Jamaica: Who could refuse curry goat and rice with gungo peas? The gungo pea has long been popular around the world. You might hear gungo peas referred to as pigeon peas in the U.S. or, in Latin America, gandules. The rice and gungo peas dish often calls for jasmine or basmati rice and coconut milk. And while thats tasty on its own, the stew-like goat, with allspice, curry powder, and ginger, makes your mouth dance a happy dance of flavor.

Haiti: Rice with djondjon, goat, pineapple upside down, or orange cake grace the tables on Christmas Eve, when the main Christmas celebration occurs. After midnight Mass, Haitians attend the Reveillon, a meal that often lasts until dawn on Christmas Day. Carolers sing hymns in the street, highlighting the reverie and camaraderie. Children fill their shoes with straw in hopes Tonton Nwel  Santa Claus  will remove the straw and leave them a gift. The standout ingredient in the meal is djondjon, a mushroom that grows only in Haiti. Along with special bouillon cubes, the rice takes on a dark color and rich flavor.

Trinidad: Trinidad is a foodies dream. The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost in the Caribbean, and you can see influences from several countries in the traditional Christmas meal. Like Jamaicans, Trinidadians love to eat pigeon peas and rice. They enjoy pasteles, which is masa (a type of dough made from ground corn or maize) cooked in banana leaves, a staple in Puerto Rico. But they also like ham, hops, and chow chow. The ham is self-explanatory. Hops is a bread recipe that results in a soft, chewy, and delicate roll. Chow chow is a condiment akin to a relish and complements the ham. No matter what you eat, its all good.

Nigeria: Theres fried rice. Theres jollof rice. Put them together, and you have stir-fried jollof rice, a popular Christmas dish in Nigeria. The rice gets cooked and then goes into a pan where its fried with a vegetable/stock mixture and meat. Fishermans soup, moi moi  a dish with beans, minced fish, and boiled egg  and tuwo shinkafa, a rice dish, are also popular.

Doro wat is a popular Christmas meal in Ethiopia. (Source: Adobe Stock)

Ethiopia: If youre a fan of stew, this cuisine is the right choice. An Ethiopian wat stew graces tables at Christmastime. Wat stew has different ingredients, and the name tells you what stew youre getting. Doro wat has chicken. Sega wat has beef. Alicha sega wat isnt as spicy. The table might also have tibs, a stir fry made with beef or venison and accompanied by injera bread and awaze, a spicy condiment. You might also find kitfo, the equivalent of steak tartar.

Ghana: Rice with tomato chicken, also known as white rice with stew, has become a popular Christmas meal. The tomato sauce, cooked by adding and frying seasonings and chicken, gets poured over the white rice. Jollof and fried rice are also popular. For soup, expect to see fufu with tomato soup, a starchy meal prepared with cassava, yams, or plantains that can include goat or chicken.

Dominican Republic: If its Christmas Day, youre likely to hear, Quieres pernil?, or, Do you want pernil? Pernil is a classic, slow-roasted pork shoulder dish thats a staple in the Dominican Republic. Its sweet and succulent, and the long cooking time (six to eight hours) results in a melt-in-your-mouth quality. The dish is often served with arroz amarillo y habichuelas rojas (yellow rice and red beans). Youll also find empanadas (meat pies) and pasteles, though you might not have room to eat anything else once you see the pernil.

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The post Christmas around the African diaspora features moi moi, pernil and wat appeared first on TheGrio.
There can be few more traditional ways of beginning the Christmas celebrations than a candlelit carol service.

But there were so many candles burning bright at St Albans Cathedral on Thursday evening that they set off the fire alarm, leading to a mass evacuation of the congregation.

The 1,400-strong congregation had barely reached the third verse of the opening carol, Silent Night, when the combined heat of more than 2,000 candles triggered the cathedrals fire alarm system.

It was rather ironic, said the Very Rev Jo Kelly-Moore, the cathedrals dean. There we were singing All is calm, all is bright, when the alarm started ringing very loudly.

The choir and congregation assemble outside after the alarm - Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency

Two fire engines were called to the incident - Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency

The church was evacuated before two engines from Hertfordshire Fire Service arrived and the crews were able to give the all-clear.

Just 30 minutes later, the congregation were back in their seats ready to begin the service once again. It was at this point that the dean hit on a bright idea.

Of course we couldnt light the candles again so I asked everyone if they minded using a bit of 21st-century technology and get their cell phone torches out.

The modern day equivalent of a candle is a phone torch and the effect in lighting up the congregation was rather wonderful.

She added: We are so grateful to everyone who came for their understanding and to the fire service for their fantastic response.

It was an even more memorable carol service than we might have expected.

Let there be light: the service resumes with the aid of mobile phones - Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency

Among those evacuated was Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, who had joined her constituents for the evening carol concert. She wrote on Twitter:

Beautiful Lessons and Carols at @StAlbansCath tonight. Choristers were heavenly.



Well done to all the stewards and local fire brigade who had to rush us all out and back in again, after an overly sensitive fire alarm went off!      pic.twitter.com/Kfc9o3PxL1  Daisy Cooper MP  (@libdemdaisy) December 21, 2023

This is the first time the cathedrals carol service, which has long been held by candlelight, has been forced to evacuate.

Engineers are still studying the fire alarm system to work out the reason why it was set off by the candles. One possibility is that the systems sensors were wrongly calibrated when a new fire alarm system was installed earlier this year, making the smoke detectors too sensitive.

The important thing is that our system is safe and our evacuation procedures worked very well. People can rest assured the cathedral is safe, said Ms Kelly-Moore. What our engineers are trying to work out is how to stop it reacting so sensitively to our beautiful candles.

The evening still proved a success despite the disruption - Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency

St Albans Cathedral is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. It stands over the place where Alban, Britains first saint, was beheaded after sheltering a priest at his home.

When Roman soldiers came to arrest the priest, Alban put on his clothes and gave himself up in his place. His devotion is said to have so inspired one of the soldiers that he converted to Christianity and refused to execute him.

Later legends have it that on his beheading Albans head rolled downhill and a well sprang up at the spot where it stopped. On hearing of the miracle, the judge is said to have ordered a halt to further persecutions of Christians.

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If you're wishing for a white Christmas this year, then you're out of luck.

Expect some light rainfall Friday night into Saturday evening, ahead of Ol' Saint Nick's arrival. There will also be some cloud coverage, with highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s.

Scattered rain will linger throughout the day on Sunday, Christmas Eve, before conditions dry out. Warmer air from the south will move into the Ohio Valley region on Sunday and Monday, Christmas Day.

Highs will be nearly 15-20 degrees above seasonal norms for this time of year. Temperatures may even reach 60 degrees on both Sunday and Monday.

A period of widespread rain may occur sometime later in the day, Monday through Monday night.

Temperatures continue to trend above climatology today, with most locations reaching the 50 degree mark. Chances for rain will increase late in the day and continue into the overnight with passing upper level energy. pic.twitter.com/4BNM8Oudib  NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) December 22, 2023

Will 2023 be the warmest Christmas yet in Greater Cincinnati?

According to the National Weather Service's Christmas Day climatology report, which has kept records since 1871, the warmest high temperature recorded was 69 degrees in 2021. The coldest high temperature ever recorded was 3 degrees in 1983, and the coldest low temperature occurred the same year, reaching -12 degrees.

This year, the highest temperature on Christmas Day is expected to be 58 degrees at 4 p.m. Typically, Cincinnati has generally seen highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s on Christmas Day.

Does Cincinnati usually get snow on Christmas Day?

While there have been a few years with "measurable" snow, it is more common for the area to see a small amount of rain. The highest snowfall recorded was in 1909, with 3.7 inches, while the greatest snow depth on Christmas Day was 9 inches in 2004.

A "white Christmas" is defined by the NWS as having an inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas morning. Since snow depth measurements began in Cincinnati in 1916, there have only been 16 white Christmases, with the most recent occurring in 2022, with 2 inches of snow on the ground on Dec. 25.

Detailed Cincinnati weather forecast

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

Friday night: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 39.

Saturday: Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 53.

Saturday night: A chance of showers, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 45.

Sunday (Christmas Eve): A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Monday (Christmas Day): Showers, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 60.

Monday night: Showers. Low around 49.

Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will there be a white Christmas in Cincinnati? Check forecast here
There are no Christmas lights at the home of Amber Huffman, Dallas Marlow-Engelhardt and their three children.

There are no lights at all.

Nor is there any heat.

Last week, the city government shut off electricity and water to the familys rental home after their landlord, Ron Johnson, died and his heirs decided they didnt want them there anymore.

And the city wont turn the utilities back on.

Its a Christmas kick in the head.

I have three kids, a 4-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old, and now were staying in somebodys upstairs, and theyre not used to having so many kids in their house, Huffman said. I feel like were wearing out our welcome and it just terrifies me. Im scared. I dont want to be homeless with kids. I had to do that before, I dont want to do it with kids. This isnt the first time that Ive struggled, but when my babies are involved, I dont know what to do.

Illegal eviction

What the family is experiencing is called a self-help eviction, where landlords help themselves evict an unwanted tenant by cutting off vital utilities and rendering the home uninhabitable.

Its blatantly illegal, according to Michelle Ewert, a professor at Washburn University School of Law and director of its legal clinic.

Kansas law clearly prohibits landlords from engaging in illegal eviction by cutting off tenants electricity, gas, water, and other essential services, Ewert said. If a landlord wants to evict a tenant, they have to serve proper notice, (and if the tenant doesnt leave) file a lawsuit, and then take steps to properly enforce the judgment. They cant engage in self-help measures like illegally cutting off services. These illegal evictions are especially dangerous in the winter, when temperatures drop and tenants need heat to keep their homes warm.

Huffman found out about her landlords death on Dec. 13, a Wednesday. The next day, she got a shutoff notice from the city and on Friday the power was disconnected.

Stafford city government can sure move efficiently when it wants to.

The day Huffman got the shutoff notice, less than 10 minutes later I was at the city office trying to see if there was a way to get it switched into my name, she said. Deana (City Treasurer Deana Eisenhour) told me No, thats not an option. They told me it was by family request, that all of the properties (formerly Ron Johnsons) have the utilities shut off, because they cant afford to pay them, and all premises be vacated.

So far, the citys set on doing what the family says.

This lady was living in this house rent-free, asserts City Attorney Don Knappenberger. And the son got tired of paying the utilities. We have no contract with the tenant and she is kind of a squatter, really.

Its more complicated than that. The family has lived in the house for four years, always with permission of the now-deceased owner.

According to Huffman, there was a rental agreement, and shes been tearing the house apart searching for it.

Huffman works as a home-care attendant. Marlow-Engelhardt is currently looking for a job and tends their three children while shes at work.

The rent is technically $450 a month, utilities included. But Ron Johnson understood the family was in financial straits and payments were essentially what they could afford, when they could afford it.

Beyond being generous and compassionate, its smart, because theres a certain value to having someone living in a house, even if theyre not the perfect tenants.

For one thing, it keeps meth makers from sneaking into the abandoned house, cooking up a batch, and then burning the place to the ground to cover their tracks, which is not at all uncommon in rural Kansas.

The house is nothing to write home about. About a fourth of the siding is either missing or haphazardly patched because of a fire that happened years ago, before the family got there.

The inside is disarrayed from the combination of poverty, having to vacate without notice, and having two medium-size dogs there during the day, because the family couldnt take them to their temporary home.

The only electricity on the property right now runs a small space heater for the dogs and it comes through a long extension cord from a neighboring property, owned by Daniel Wallach. Wallachs had problems of his own with the city and sympathizes with the familys plight.

You may remember Wallach from a column I wrote in August about the city mowing down a budding nature preserve that he was developing on his property, and the police arresting his partner for chasing off the mower man with a brush knife.

Amber Huffman shares a moment with her dog, Piper. Her family has had to leave two dogs at the house where theyve lived for four years, after the city shut off the power and they couldnt take them to a friends house where theyre currently staying.

I took a road trip out to Stafford this week to find out what I could.

Riding along with me was state Rep. Leo Delperdang, R-Wichita and chairman of the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.

Delperdang wanted to do some fact-finding of his own and try to determine whether theres a legislative solution to the Stafford mess and problems like it. Delperdang owns rental properties himself and is well aware of the law against forcing tenants to leave by cutting off utilities.

Delperdang said he was thoroughly unimpressed with the not-my-job non-answers we got at City Hall.

Its wrong what theyre doing, Delperdang said. You cant just randomly shut off the power to a family like that.

Whos in charge?

Huffman and Marlow-Engelhardt could sue whoevers controlling the property for relief under the law against self-help evictions.

Huffman said shed rather just talk to the family about making a more orderly exit from the property, but she cant find out whos controlling it.

I cant either.

When a person dies without a will, as Ron Johnson apparently did, an executor is supposed to be appointed to wrap up the estate and distribute the assets to the heirs. Thats supposed to be a matter of public record, but in Stafford, apparently not.

The city refuses to disclose whos calling the shots and ordered the utilities shut off.

Theres no probate record available at the Stafford County Courthouse. As in most county courts, the computers used to search records statewide have been down since October, so search requests have to be forwarded to Topeka for action.

Huffmans gone to Ron Johnsons former house twice since his death, trying to find one of his heirs. But nobody answered the door, even though there was a car in the driveway and lights on in the house, she said.

The law against self-help evictions is one area where Kansas law and simple human decency intersect to protect people who need protection.

Another example is the Kansas Cold Weather Rule, which generally prohibits shutoffs of vital utilities from November to March and sets up payment plans so cash-strapped Kansans can survive the winter.

But that rule only applies to private-sector utilities regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission.

They (Stafford officials) told me they dont have to follow the Cold Weather Rule because its a municipal city, so they dont have to abide by that, and honestly, it kind of seems like they do whatever they want here, Huffman said.

Kansas Gas Service, the only KCC-regulated utility serving Stafford, agreed not to shut off gas when Huffman called and offered to pick up the bill, she said. But thats a small consolation because the heater cant run without electricity.

Delperdang noted that municipal utilities were regulated by the KCC until the 1990s, when the law was changed and they were cut loose to regulate themselves.

If Stafford cant straighten the current situation out, I may have to run a bill (at the Legislature) to bring them back under the KCC, Delperdang said.

That might be the best Christmas present ever for poor people being forced out of their homes and into the street by illegal evictions in the dead of winter.

At the very least, the municipal utilities should have to follow the Cold Weather Rule, like investor-owned utilities do.

Because whether you freeze or not shouldnt have to depend on where you live and who you have to buy your electricity from.
The claim: Airlines instruct passengers to brace 'to make sure they die'

A Nov. 11 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows comedian Matt Rife on an episode of the BFFs Podcast, talking about a conspiracy theory.

Rife, who drew controversy in November over a standup joke about domestic abuse, claims in the video that airlines instruct passengers in the event of a crash to bend forward and put their heads down, not to protect them, but to ensure they die on impact.

"So the theory is, that they have you get in that position to make sure you die," says Rife. "Cause the lawsuit if you survive a commercial plane crash is, like, ridiculous."

The video was shared over 10,000 times in more than a month.

More from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team:

Our rating: False

Federal agencies recommend the brace position to protect, not kill, passengers. Laboratory testing found it to be the most effective way to keep airplane passengers alive.

Miracle on the Hudson led agencies to update guidance on crash safety

Rife's conspiracy theory centers around airlines with nefarious intent, but airlines don't determine the best brace position in a crash. That's up to the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The brace position for passengers is the most effective way to protect from death in a crash, according to a bulletin from the FAA, which is the nation's aviation regulator. Passengers are instructed to bend over, place their hands behind their legs and keep their heads down. This protects the person's body from flailing forward and reduces secondary impact, the bulletin states.

The recommendation changed after the historic emergency plane landing on Jan. 15, 2009, known as the Miracle on the Hudson.

That day, US Airways Flight 1549 departing from New York City collided with a flock of birds, which incapacitated both of the planes engines. To avoid crashing, the pilot and first officer landed the plane on the Hudson River. All 150 passengers and five crew members survived.

The brace position at that time was to put ones head against the seat back in front of them with their hands on top of that seat back, according to an FAA report. However, some of the passengers and crew aboard the US Airways flight sustained injuries in this position.

That prompted the NTSB to have the FAA research "the most beneficial passenger brace position in airplanes," said NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson.

The FAA reevaluated the position using crash dummies and sleds to test how well certain brace positions worked in a crash. The agency found that while the previously recommended position of putting one's head and hands against the seat back in front of them provided safety up to a point, bending forward facedown and placing hands down by the lower legs led to better outcomes.

Fact check: False claim Georgia's Brad Raffensperger was arrested by military for treason

BBC Earth Science used a similar testing method with crash dummies, illustrating how the brace position would protect a passenger from flailing forward. Furthermore, Flight Safety Australia reported real-life instances in which passengers from around the world who used the brace position survived deadly plane crashes.

USA TODAY reached out to Rife and the BFFs Podcast but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Rife makes false claim about airplane brace position | Fact check
What debuted in the late 1800s as a shining beacon of light, then eventually fell into disrepair, is now back in restored condition and open for visitors to climb 127 steps to the top.

The Anclote Key lighthouse is a national historic landmark situated a few miles west of Tarpon Springs along Floridas Gulf Coast. Although the lighthouse was battered by Hurricane Idalia, which tore through the Big Bend region of the state in late August, it recently received an $800,000 facelift, including a fresh coat of paint inside and out. This follows a $1.5 million restoration project that wrapped up in September 2003, ushering in a bright new chapter with a relighting ceremony.

Modern-day visitors are welcome to view the beacon from a distance or visit the lighthouse by boat during monthly open houses, exploring its storied history which dates back to 1887.

Barbara Hoffman, president of Friends of Anclote Key State Park and Lighthouse, said its construction of cast iron with a supportive exoskeleton has helped this 110-foot structure stand the test of time. Costing about $35,000 of Congressional funds in 1887, Anclote Keys light was built similarly to the Sanibel Lighthouse and Cape San Blas Light.

Theyre built to withstand storms. They have that architecture where the wind can blow through, Hoffman said. Theyre made of cast iron, so theyre very heavy, and they dont rust over time. Theyre built so high tide and waves cant get to them, built to last forever.

Since the first lighting in the late 1880s, a lighthouse keeper and assistant keeper hauled oil up to the top and manually turned on the lighthouse as dusk approached. In 1952, the lighthouse was automated by the Coast Guard as channel markers and navigation aids became more common. It was deactivated in 1985.

Although natural causes havent been able to topple or disrupt the long-standing stature, rowdy teens and unwelcome visitors trashed the island and its structures in the 1980s and 1990s after the Coast Guard left. The two keepers houses were burnt down by arsonists.

There was a tree growing up through the middle. People set it on fire, broke the windows and stole pieces of it. It was just really a mess, Hoffman said. There was a group of citizens who got together from Tarpon Springs. They got grants and businesses to chip in. It took them several years, but they got enough money to restore the whole thing.

Today, an off-grid residence sits just north of the lighthouse, and a ranger lives there full-time, guarding the lighthouse against future acts of vandalism.

Aside from the lighthouse, visitors can explore more than seven miles of pristine, undeveloped white sandy beaches within Anclote Key Preserve State Park, which encompasses four islands just north of Honeymoon Island State Park. Primitive camping is available on the northern tip of the main island, where visitors can wander and look out for American oystercatchers, bald eagles and piping plovers. As a preserve, everything is protected, from nesting sea turtles to migratory birds.

In terms of getting to Anclote Key, its best to rent a boat or hire a ferry from Tarpon Springs. Kayaking or paddleboarding about 2.5 miles each way from Fred Howard Park is an option, as my friends and I discovered, but paddlers should be wary of tides, winds and currents. Nearby Tarpon Springs offers amazing Greek food and natural sea sponges to purchase in several shops.

A day in Tarpon Springs is filled with sea sponges, Greek culture

During the second weekend of each month through May, the Friends of Anclote Key group will host open houses from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with a suggested donation of $7 to climb the lighthouse. Visitors should check online before making the trip in case of cancellations due to inclement weather.

We love our lighthouse. We have some board members who are lighthouse freaks, a few of us are state park freaks and other people just love Tarpon Springs. Some of us are all three, Hoffman said. The lighthouse is such an important part of our history  Its the best lighthouse in the entire country, as far as were concerned.

If you go

The Anclote Key lighthouse, situated about three miles west of Tarpon Springs on the Gulf Coast, is open during the second weekend of each month through May from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the next open houses on Jan. 13-14 and Feb. 10-11. Alcohol and dogs are prohibited on the island; shoes are encouraged. For more information and ways to access the island, visit anclotecso.org or floridastateparks.org.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
The 2024 election is inevitably headed to the Supreme Court. The Trump legal team plans to appeal the Colorado Supreme Courts judgment this week that Donald Trump is not a constitutionally valid candidate for president. The Colorado court has even stayed its judgment to let that appeal proceed.

But that appeal is not the only path for that judgmentor the 2024 election.

Every state recognizes certain basic principles about when that states courts will enforce an earlier judgment. Some states call them issue preclusion, while others use the even more cumbersome label of collateral estoppel. Despite the awkward names, the point of those doctrines is simple enough: A litigant only gets one bite at the apple to fully and fairly litigate an issue in court. And under those doctrines, the Colorado judgment is fair game as the subject for fast-paced litigation, before pre-election deadlines start to run in early January.

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Such a lawsuit would proceed along the following lines: Like the Colorado case, a plaintiff in another swing statesay, for talking purposes, Nevadawould sue the secretary of state to block him or her from allowing Donald Trump on the election ballot. The plaintiff would then argue that Trump is barred by collateral estoppel from litigating that issue in Nevada because he had the chance to fully and fairly litigate the issue of his eligibility in Colorado and lost. Then the plaintiff would seek a prompt, summary resolution of that claim, arguing that everything necessary for the Nevada court to resolve it has already been established.

But what about the ongoing appeal to the Supreme Court from Colorado? State law answers this question. The American Law Institutes Second Restatement of Judgmentsa treatise that is not precedent itself, but is widely cited as an authoritative summary of the national consensussays that a judgment otherwise final remains so despite the taking of an appeal unless what is called an appeal actually consists of a trial de novo. (The Supreme Court appeal is not a trial de novo.). Under that generally accepted principle, the Colorado opinion is presently binding against Donald Trump for the time beingand thus creates collateral estoppel against him in other courts on the issue of his eligibilityeven if the judgment may ultimately be reversed.

Of course, while that principle may state the rule for typical cases, the Trump election litigation is anything but typical. The Colorado Supreme Courts voluntary stay of its judgment may be a relevant factor in how another states courts may decide to apply the doctrine of collateral estoppel. And the rapid schedule of the Trump litigation is a relevant consideration as well, since the Supreme Court is expected to resolve it promptly with the unmovable Colorado pre-election deadlines in mind.

But that rapid schedule may also favor aggressive litigation in the right state because every other state also has impending pre-election deadlines to finalize the official ballots and other election machinery. A states courts could credibly decide to give collateral-estoppel effect to the Colorado judgment, citing upcoming deadlines in that state. And that state courts decision would, by definition, address a matter of state procedural lawthe elements of collateral estoppeland not the merits of the underlying constitutional issues. In other words, that decision would not ordinarily be subject to review by the U.S. Supreme Court because it would not involve the analysis of federal law.

Unquestionably, the Trump election litigation brings the nation into uncharted legal waters. Zealous advocacy could advance that litigation into novel areas of state procedural law as well as the nations constitutional law. And given the razor-thin margins in the Electoral Colleges swing states, such state-court litigation could become very significant.
The "Meeting House" was built in 1863, and is the oldest existing structure in Antioch. Used primarily as a church, the Lakes Region Historical Society purchased the building and grounds in 2000. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun)

A Meeting House, built by the Disciples of Christ for their services near downtown Antioch during the Civil War years, has been recognized for its importance to the village.

Not only did the congregation give the village its name, the building has stood relatively unchanged since 1863, at the same location.

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The Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance earlier this month designating the white clapboard structure as the first individual landmark in Antioch. It is also the oldest free-standing building in the town that can be documented.

The "Meeting House" as it appeared in the late 1920s, with a bell tower added, which has since been removed. St. Ignatius Episcopal Church used the building for services from 1915-2000. - Original Credit: News-Sun (Lakes Region Historical Society/HANDOUT)

Its a unique property  not only for its history, its integrity, and its architectural perspective as an prime example of a Greek revival style, said Michael Garrigan, the villages community development director. Its entirely appropriate that the oldest existing building in Antioch be designated as our first individual landmark.

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The Antioch Historical Preservation Commission had previously given unanimous support for the measure. The Lake Region Historical Society purchased the building and property in 2000, when it became available, as well as the adjoining properties to the north and south.

The nonprofit group set about restoring the building to its original condition, removing a stucco exterior and bell tower that had been added through the years. Used as a place of worship for most of its existence, the Disciples of Christ erected the original building at 977 Main St. after emigrating from New York.

The intent was to resemble church styles in New England, and they formed near here in the 1840s. said Ainsley Wonderling, the historical societys director. British settlers wanted to name the town Windsor, while the Disciples of Christ wanted Antioch after the biblical place where the original disciples were first named Christians.

My family goes back many generations in Antioch, and this was my familys church from inception, with my ancestors building it, she said. There are extensive county biographies with information. It was an Episcopal parish from 1915-2000. In 1926, they added the cali-stone stucco, stained glass windows and the bell tower.

The congregation decided to move in 2000, with the building coming up for sale. The societys purchase coincided with receiving one-quarter of the Dolly Spiering Fund, a local grant meant to continue a thriving legacy of assisting in medical concerns, historic preservations and taking care of senior residents.

When the society sought to begin restoration, it turned to one of its founding members, Earl Beese, a shop teacher and mechanical engineer. He drew up the plans and documented the steps, winning an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums in Springfield for his efforts.

The work yielded surprises that were hidden for more than a century.

The interior sanctuary, prior to the historical society's move with its archives. The center chandeliers are from the State Bank of Antioch, and the others are from St. Ignatius Episcopal Church, all from 1926. - Original Credit: News-Sun (Lakes Region Historical Society/HANDOUT)

He kept meticulous records, and wrote a book detailing this, Wonderling said. You can still see along the walls, where the original pew benches were located. There was a choir loft over the door, too. Also, in a floor joist, there was actually a tank for Baptisms, a water container for immersions, and a pipe was uncovered outside that filled it.

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In the back hall, where Sunday school was held, walls were covered over by paneling, she said. When they were removed, we found signatures of the kids signed on the wall. This was a community place. They had turkey dinners during October harvest time, dancing lessons, square dancing  just a thriving gathering spot.

Temporary signage on the building's entrance explains the history of the "Meeting House," and the Disciples of Christ who built it. (Lakes Region Historical Society/Lake County News-Sun)

The historical society is keeping its archives in the building, and operates the meeting house as a museum.

Im thrilled the board has taken action to recognize the Meeting House as its first individual landmark in the village, Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner said. This process also recognizes the historical significance to the residents, and future generations of our town.
A medical examiner credits "acute effects of ketamine" for the death of Matthew Perry, shown in Los Angeles last year. But for some, the drug saves lives. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Every day for the last eight months, someone I love dearly has strained to find a reason to live.

There is no trauma that caused this, no single reason that can be fixed, not even really a desire to die. It's just nothingness. My loved one has serious depression, and being in this world feels like a burden. They would prefer not to exist.

There are about 21 million American adults who experience a major depressive episode each year, so my person is not alone. But they feel as if they are.

We have tried (and continue to try) therapy. We have tried (and continue to try) antidepressants. We've tried unconditional love and tough love, exercise and eating right. Depression is stubborn, and cruel.

Faced with consuming fear that this will go on for years, or worse, end in suicide, we started looking outside the rigid and exclusionary boxes of mental health treatment that define our broken system of care. That search brought us to ketamine therapy, which my person (who is OK with me sharing their story) started a few weeks ago.

Ketamine, sometimes taken as lozenges, is growing in popularity as a treatment for depression. (Anita Chabria / Los Angeles Times)

And then came Matthew Perry, and a ruling by the Los Angeles County coroner's office that the death of the beloved "Friends" actor was primarily due to "acute effects of ketamine." When I read the headline in this paper, I couldn't breathe.

Was I about to find out the treatment we had turned to with equal parts desperation and hope was more dangerous than the disease, like one of those Big Pharma commercials in which the disclaimers are so dire they seem absurd?

But after reading the autopsy report and speaking with experts and patients who use ketamine, it turns out the truth is more complicated, as most things with mental health are. Perry did not die because he was using ketamine to treat depression or addiction, and for the sake of a therapy that is both effective and only just making it into the mainstream, it's important we get the facts in full.

"People shouldnt be frightened away from treatment because of this," Dr. John Krystal told me.

He's a professor at Yale School of Medicine and its chair of psychiatry. In the 1990s, Krystal pioneered the use of ketamine to treat depression. Since then, a multitude of peer-reviewed studies have proved what he sees in his patients every day  ketamine curing or controlling serious depression, sometimes overnight.

"It is a remarkable thing to see," he said.

Those sometimes fast-acting effects give people "the faith that if you stick to treatment, you will continue to do well," Krystal said, possibly igniting a lifesaving flicker of optimism for those who have wandered through a long, dark labyrinth of failed medications.

One recent study by researchers from Harvard and Mass General Brigham, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found ketamine to be more effective for battling treatment-resistant major depression than electroconvulsive therapy, still considered the gold standard despite its side effects and the trauma that the procedure itself causes for some. More than half of those given ketamine showed improvement, compared with about 41% for those receiving ECT.

In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved a version of ketamine (ketamine is made up of two isomers, or molecules, that can be split apart) called esketamine, for treatment of depression. It's a nasal spray, and in one study, 70% of people who used it along with an antidepressant showed improvement. Krystal called it a game changer and at the time explained it wasn't a Band-Aid on depression, but a true cure.

"When you take ketamine, it triggers reactions in your cortex that enable brain connections to regrow," he said, meaning ketamine has the potential to help the brain rewire itself, rather than just mask symptoms.

Perry had long fought depression and addiction, and like thousands of others, turned to ketamine after other options failed, trying the treatment at a Swiss clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It felt "like a giant exhale," Perry wrote in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," "like being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel."

But not every treatment works for every person.

"Ketamine was not for me," Perry decided after that initial trial, because, "the hangover was rough" and outweighed the momentary relief.

We don't know what brought him back to ketamine, or whether his latest experiences were different from those earlier ones. It also remains unclear, at least to the public, whether the ketamine he took the day he died was prescribed, or obtained illegally.

It doesn't matter in one sense; his death is tragic no matter the back story. But in another way, it's a critical question because for the next decade at least, Perry's death will be the first thing people think of when ketamine therapy is mentioned. It attaches a stigma to an important treatment, for a disease that is already stigmatized and difficult to treat.

But what killed Perry was that he drowned, probably passing out prior from a dose of ketamine far higher than what would be used therapeutically for depression  the levels in his blood were more akin to what an anesthesiologist would use to sedate someone. Ketamine was originally developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic.

The physical effect of that mega-dose was perhaps exacerbated further by the presence of buprenorphine in his system, a treatment for opioid addiction. It can put stress on the heart and, at the same time, slow the respiratory system.

But had he not been in water, Perry might still be alive, even with the high amount of ketamine in his blood.

If Perry's death was the result of a prescription poorly monitored or the abuse of legally obtained ketamine, it throws (or should throw) the spotlight on a nascent treatment that  like medical marijuana a few years ago  is both genuinely therapeutic and also a Wild West of exploitation. There are many legitimate in-person and telehealth professionals providing ketamine, and probably some who are more interested in making money than protecting patients.

A 15-minute online appointment is all it takes to get a prescription for ketamine delivered to your door. That could be a good thing, a lifesaver for some. But it could also just be a quick path to recreational abuse.

Michael Balaban served two tours in Afghanistan, ending up as a gunner on a Black Hawk helicopter. That military service contributed to his diagnoses of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. He was so brimming with unpredictability and anger, he told me, that by the time the pandemic hit, he was basically a shut-in anyway  for the safety of others.

"I was filled with reactivity. Fight and flight was in overdrive," he told me, though fight usually won. He had tried every antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication he could get his hands on. All of them failed.

On a day he was contemplating suicide, he instead called a local clinic that offered ketamine treatments. Within two months of starting ketamine, his symptoms had abated so significantly that he felt able to take a vacation to Costa Rica.

"It was like I had awakened," he said. Now, he advocates with a national nonprofit to help other veterans access ketamine.

Perry's death, and the still-fringe nature of ketamine, worries him though. He can't afford expensive infusions in a clinic, which can cost more than $1,000 each. He relies on a prescription for lozenges he can take at home, costing as little as a few hundred dollars a month.

He is afraid misinformation around Perry's death and ketamine in general could leave him  and other veterans  without access.

"Its always the people who are struggling for the access who lose it first," he said. "My concern is that ketamine infusion and in-clinic treatments will escape the criticism while at-home ketamine, which is one of the only affordable methods, will be the one to suffer."

The best way to ensure ketamine is used properly  whether in a clinic or at home  is to make it available through mainstream mental health providers, covered by insurance and understood by both patients and doctors as a safe and effective treatment when used at the right dose with the right precautions.

Krystal, the Yale doctor, said two reasons that ketamine isn't more common have more to do with process than benefit. Mainstream mental health providers aren't set up to deliver procedure-based treatments in their facilities, and the field of psychiatry is slow to change.

I'll add that there is little incentive for pharmaceutical companies to embrace a drug that is cheap and quick to work when antidepressants, which people are sometimes on for years, are a lucrative and growing market.

Despite the hurdles, Krystal said he thinks ketamine and esketamine "will become a bread-and-butter treatment for depression" in the not-too-distant future because these drugs are "the most effective medication that we have" for fighting serious depression.

For my person, ketamine wasn't a magic bullet. But it is helping. The first time they did it, I stayed with them in the treatment room, along with the medical provider. About a half-hour in, my loved one did something that they had barely done this year.

They laughed, with joy and abandon. A sound like a child on a swing, feeling the rush of summer air.

"This is the real me," they said.

I cried while they giggled because depression isn't a solitary endeavor, no matter how it feels. Watching my person suffer has ruled my year, leaving me with deep anxiety every moment that this would be the day they gave up.

In the days afterward, there was a noticeable difference, a calmness and a greater ability to interact with the world.

Not a cure, but a step.

It's heartbreaking that ketamine, which Perry sought out for help, ultimately led to his death. But Perry was clear that he believed that recovery from both depression and addiction were possible  if not for himself, then for others. I didn't know him, I don't speak for him, but I believe he would not want his death to keep others from seeking the help that is right for them.

And he wouldn't want a scientifically backed treatment to be shunned because it is associated with his death.

Any drug can be abused. But ketamine is one that should be available  and understood  for those, such as my lovely, loved person, whose brains have tricked them into believing that sadness is the best life has to offer.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional and call 988. The first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Or text HOME to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The holidays are always a special time in the midstate, but this year the festivities are enhanced by the fact that December is also the final month in Macons Bicentennial Celebration and several other landmark events. This is a happenin place, especially for book lovers who find cash in their stockings.

At the top of my list is the news that The New Yorker magazine has recently listed Master Slave Husband Wife as one of the most important books of the year. Having read Ilyon Woos tale of Ellen and William Crafts flight from slavery in Macon  a locale easily recognizable by residents today  I was happy to loan my copy to a friend who subsequently failed to return it. Alas, such is the popularity of this book that I have not yet been able to replace it.

Another recently published book also set in downtown Macon is The War Outside My Window, the captivating journal of Leroy Gresham, a young invalid whose personal struggles run concurrent with the Civil War. This is social history of the highest order, the portrait of an adolescent living in the home of slave owners. Its not so much about the Confederacy but about the inner life of the precocious young man.

Journalist Charles Richardson, now a McClatchy Journalism Fellow at Duke University among other honorifics, is one of the four authors of American Deadline, a collection of dispatches examining four geographical areas during the Trump era. Those who believe that introspection is the path to progress  as I do  will be captivated by this book.

American Deadline is a fitting companion piece to my favorite Christmas book, Memory of a Large Christmas. Written in 1961 by Lillian Smith  said to have lived briefly in Macon  this ahead-of-its-time portrait of the South circa 1910 is on one level a charming tale of family life, but running underneath those happy times are some of the issues that troubled Smith for most of her life. Some great recipes here, too.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Smith authored several books supporting gender equality and opposing segregation. She would undoubtedly enjoy these dispatches from American Deadline. She would also be positively elated to see the childrens book that I picked up for my grandchildren.

If theres considerable gravitas surrounding these first three titles, the delightful childrens book from Bears Books, All the Ways I Love You, from A to Z: An Alphabet Poem to Inspire, Empower and Uplift is a paean to uniqueness, and its the work of local author Savelia Howell.

Several of the books that have arrived in time for Christmas 2023 also remind us that Macons Bicentennial will soon come to a close. But its not over yet. The Grand Finale Bicentennial Celebrations at Wini McQueens Canopy Gallery at the Macon Mall ensure that we will not forget the Macon of 1823.

Among other attractions, McQueen is currently displaying a quilt commemorating those enslaved people who lost their names in their passage to America. Appropriately, this exhibition will remain in place until the close of this bicentennial year.

On the horizon is 2024, and surely that will be the year that the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park evolves into the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve. Know someone who doesnt yet own a copy of Ocmulgee National Monument by Mathew Jennings and Gordon Johnston? This fascinating book will make a wonderful last-minute gift as we prepare to greet a new year.

Larry Fennelly can be reached at larney_f@hotmail.com
Commonwealth flag news! After I expressed disappointment that the, er, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will only fly the flag for one week a year, de facto deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has swung into action. The flag will now be flown on appropriate days and the bar to flying it is removed, he tells me, adding that the Commonwealth flag will be flown during meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, all Commonwealth days and on occasions like the Commonwealth Games. Its not yet all year round, but this is a start.

Keir needs more rizz

Rizz is the word of the year. For the TikTok generation it is short for charisma and you either have rizz or you dont. Sadly, Sir Keir Starmer looked blank when I asked him for GB News on his visit to British troops in Estonia if he knew what rizz was. I do but I cant remember, he said. Work to do if you want to become PM next year, Keir.

Silent sirens

The candles at the annual Lessons and Carols service at St Albans Cathedral on Thursday night set off the fire alarms. The choir were singing the last verse of Silent Night when the alarm went off in the darkened cathedral, my spy in the pews says. Anyway, they gamefully completed the carol, barely audible over the sirens as we were all leaving the building.

There was a happy ending. After the fire brigade gave the all clear, the Very Rev Jo Kelly-Moore, the Dean, tells me that the 1,400-strong congregation trooped back inside and restarted the service, lighting their orders of service with camera phones. It was a truly wonderful and memorable evening, she said, as she prepared for a second service tonight. The show must go on!

Hope for Britannia

All is not lost for The Telegraphs campaign for a replacement for HMY Britannia. Friends of Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, tell me a Tory commitment for a new national flagship to replace the yacht would be for the manifesto. Shapps has been a supporter of a new royal yacht  he signed a letter in 2016 urging then PM Theresa May to examine the business case. The wait goes on.

Rishis Holiday

Rishi Sunak let slip at drinks with journalists this week in No 10 that his favourite festive film is 2006 romcom The Holiday. The plot features Telegraph journalist Iris  played by Kate Winslet  agreeing to swap homes with Californian Amanda  played by Cameron Diaz  for a much-needed break. The Sunaks, of course, own a property in Los Angeles too. Is Rishi planning a similar swap after he leaves No 10?

Judis first love

Pop stars Geri Halliwell, Boy George, and comedian Eddie Izzard were guests at the Royal Albert Hall for a show hosted by Gyles Brandreth celebrating Judi Denchs career. The pair have put on the show in the West End and even Hampton Court for the Queen, and Brandreth always asks Dench about her first boyfriend David Belchamber, her neighbour in York where she grew up. David was seven and Judi was six when he asked her out. Brandreth continues: Judi told the story as usual. And I asked her: How old do you think hed be now. Judi said: Ninety, I suppose  I wonder whatever happened to him. Well, I said, he can tell you  because hes here and waiting in the wings. And onto the stage walked Belchamber, 90, to greet his old girlfriend, now 89. Brandeth says: They both burst into tears ... Theyd not seen each other in 84 years  but their reunion made it seem like yesterday.

Daves French exchange

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron did his bit for the entente cordiale this week at a press conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart Catherine Colonna. Cameron recalled how as a teenager his girlfriend took a shine to his male French exchange. He said: He was from Lyon. He turned up in Britain, he was absolutely charming. In fact, I seem to remember my girlfriend at the time rather preferred him to me. But other than that it was a great success.

Bernards ambition

Parliaments choir is appealing for 50,000 to celebrate its quarter century next year with a performance of Beethoven at the Royal Festival Hall. MPs and peers had better step up. Sir Bernard Jenkin complains that often he is the only sitting MP in the choir. MPs lives have become so fraught now, I wonder how I have time to rehearse, he tells me, Maybe it is because I have no ambitions to become a minister.

Peterborough, published every Friday at 7pm, is edited by Christopher Hope. You can reach him at peterborough@telegraph.co.uk

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Salvation Armys Red Kettle campaign in West Michigan has seen a significant drop in donations compared with last year.

The Grand Valley region of the nonprofit is $295,000 below where it was at this point in 2022.

Richard Turnquist, a Salvation Army bell ringer who was working at a Grandville store Friday, is hopeful the organization can get closer to its goal.

If they can see how nice we are and considerate to people that we are, maybe they can donate, Turnquist said.

Like a toy store: Shoppers pick out Angel Tree gifts

Major Tim Meyer, the area commander for the Grand Valley region, says the total kettle amount is noticeably less full this year.

Last year at this time, we were at about $922,000, Meyer said.

The Salvation Army has also gone digital, with payment terminals that allow people to tap a square and make a donation.

Weve also included, with our mailings that go out, a QR code or something that will take someone that might have a smartphone, take them to our digital donation page, Meyer said.

The campaign officially finishes at the end of January, but donations around Christmas are the most crucial.

We receive most of our donations by the end of December, and so Im getting a little bit concerned at the rate that we have fallen behind last year, Meyer said.

The nonprofit counts on the Red Kettle Campaign to help fund programs for the community.

More than a campaign: Kalamazoo Salvation Army launches Red Kettle Campaign

With last year having run so far above the averages for things like food pantry, requests for housing, utility assistance, its very crucial that we meet our goal for Christmas fundraising, Meyer said.

While the donations being placed in the kettles at stores have been going well, mail-in donations, online donations and donations from retirement accounts are down this year.

People are unsure what the next years going to hold for their own personal finances, Meyer said. And theyre trying to be careful with that as well as balance the generosity that they want to have to help others.

Fewer kettle locations and less drop-in volunteers since the pandemic are also playing a role.

It is difficult to staff those kettles at times, Meyer said. So weve had an uptick in volunteers from last year, but not enough to fill all the spots.

An anonymous donor is matching every gift up to $100,000 between now and the end of the year.

Were very blessed to have that, so if people do give, their money will be multiplied, Meyer said.

If you would like to donate online, you can visit the Salvation Army website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Christian nationalists are key, if not indispensable, members of Donald Trumps MAGA movement and the larger neofascist coalition. In Trump, they see a type of martyr and prophet who is a weapon for them and their God to create a Christofascist theocracy and Apartheid state. Christian Nationalists sincerely and deeply believe that they are fighting to preserve their way of life and traditional American values in a titanic battle between good and evil  where, of course, like other religious zealots, they are Gods elect as opposed to villains and evildoers.

As public opinion and other research has repeatedly shown, Christian nationalists (White Christian supremacists) and those allied with them believe in and support the use of political violence as a way of achieving their revolutionary plans for American society. The support for political violence and other cruelty by Christian nationalists and other members of the Christian right is also legitimated by their belief that the world is in a mythological End Times battle. Donald Trump, a masterful propagandist, has repeatedly signaled to this through his repeated use of language such as a final battle and need to get collective revenge on the Democrats and other enemies of so-called real America.

It was predictable and by design that Christian nationalists would play a prominent role in Trumps Jan. 6 coup attempt and the lethal terrorist attack on the Capitol.

To better understand the role of militant White Christianity in Americas democracy crisis and the Age of Trump, I recently spoke with Bradley B. Onishi, president of the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagement and the Founder of Axis Mundi Media. In 2023 he published, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism." He is also a faculty member in Religion and Philosophy at the University of San Francisco.

In this conversation, Onishi explains how violence is central and not peripheral or somehow coincidental to Christian nationalism and how the events of Jan. 6 highlighted the dangers of such a movement to the country. Onishi also warns about the type of antidemocratic and (even more) cruel America that the likes of Speaker Mike Johnson and the other Christian nationalists are trying to impose on the American people  and how Dictator Trump would be the vessel for that dystopia.

This is the second of a two-part conversation.

What is the role of violence in the Christian Nationalist movement? Militant Christianity is far from being peaceful or benign as its leaders and followers would (dishonestly) like to suggest.

There is a wonderful framework in Gorski and Perrys book "The Flag and the Cross." They talk about how White Christian nationalists focus on a trinity consisting of freedom, order, and violence. White Christian nationalists only believe they can experience freedom if the social order is in its proper form. That means that all the various constituents of American communities must know their place in the social order and live out that role culturally, politically, and so on. If all the constituents dont live out and/or accept their roles, then the social order is out of place - and thus White Christians cant experience the freedom they believe to have been promised. As Gorski and Perry argue, White Christian nationalists reserve the right to use violence in order to put the social order back in place. When they act violently, it is as patriots, godly warriors, and real Americans. When others, including Black folks and people of color, and immigrants, and queer people, use protest or uprising to change the social order, they are deemed terrorists, extremists, and threats to the American way of life.

We've seen how Christians used violence in the past to put the social order back in the place they think it should be in. Scholars have shown us the iteration of the KKK in the 1910s and 1920s was a thoroughly Christian movement to reify the American social order in the wake of Reconstruction. Jim Crow can be seen as an extension of this movement. And of course, there were many in the thirties and forties who joined organizations and movements like the Christian Front and the America First movements inspired by people such as Charles Lindbergh or Father Coughlin who did so in the name of faith.

All of this is to say that when the social order feels out of place to the white Christian nationalists, they feel as if they are not experiencing American freedom. And then they feel as if they have the right to use violence to rectify that situation. January 6 is no different. And since then, we've only seen the calls coming from many sources in Christian America for further violence, for civil war, for a national divorce in order to make things, in their minds, how they should be.

What role did White nationalists and other Christian militants play on Jan. 6 with Trumps coup attempt and the attack on the Capitol?

January 6 was in many ways a religious crusade. If you look closely at the symbols present on January 6, you will see of course American flags, but you'll also see Confederate flags. You'll see Christian flags. You'll see the Appeal to Heaven flag. You'll see people who are carrying icons of Mary and statues of Christ. You will see people who are praying at almost every stage of the insurrection, whether that is outside the building or inside the Senate chamber.

January 6 was for many of the rioters a chance to take back the country for God. And for the people whom God had rightly given the country too.

Mike Johnson is elevated to Speaker of the House and there is all this discussion about Christian Nationalism/White Christian supremacy. That lasts for a few days or perhaps a week or so, then it disappears. Mike Johnson is still Speaker of the House; he has not disappeared just because the media has stopped focusing on him. How does that feel given your years of sounding the alarm about the danger(s) such forces represent to the country?

I understand that we live in a situation where there's a 24-hour news cycle. For quite some time, there have been more crises to pay attention to than most of us have the bandwidth for. I think for me, the critical thing in my work is to continue to point out the threats that Christian extremists pose to our democracy.

I think at the moment we are in the eye of the storm. We're about a year from the election. And there's been a sense that the threat of Trump's reign is in the past. However, I think more folks are now coming to realize that the 2024 election is approaching. And the elevation of Johnson to speaker is a kind of foreshadowing of the kinds of retrograde social order that MAGA nation and Christian nationalists want to put in place in this country. So, for me, the task is to continue to point out how dangerous these ideologies and approaches to government are for our society. One of the biggest challenges in this media landscape is for people to realize that it is possible for White Christians to be dangerous.

What type of America and world do Mike Johnson and the other Christian nationalists want to create?

White Christian nationalists want an American society in which their particular interpretation of faith is privileged over all others. This means that, as Johnson says, the church has a profound influence on the government by way of policy, education, and law. If they had their way abortion would be banned, no-fault divorce would be illegal, and gay marriage outlawed. What does that equate to? It equates to a social order in which heterosexual Christians who adhered to a patriarchal family structure are the real Americans - and everyone else is seen as either deviant or second-class (unwilling or unable to attain the status of the real American). This social vision is retrograde. It prioritizes White Christian men, heterosexual families, native-born Americans, and treats the rest of us as other.

Mike Johnson's political vision is representative of many white Christian nationalists in the country. And what it represents is a demand that their particular interpretation of faith and values be implemented in our laws and policies. For them, if that vision is not implemented, then America is off course and they, as people of faith and as American citizens, are being persecuted. I've said it many times, but for those who are accustomed to privilege, equality in the public square feels like persecution. And so for Johnson and his cohorts the representation of other faiths, the legal protection of family structures that they see as deviant, the inclusion of trans people, of immigrants, of those who are not like them, in our society is not taken as an expansion of our Union, but as a kind of backsliding from the way America should be.

Unfortunately, for many Christian nationalists, there is a sense that democracy is not the answer, but the problem. They want power at any cost, and so if you don't have the majority; if you are not those who hold over 51% of the vote; if your opinion is increasingly in the minority; you will turn increasingly to non-democratic approaches to getting what you want.

We see this in the way that many on the American Christian Right totemize Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban. They see these men as leaders of countries who do so in God's name - who do so without apology and in a way that honors what they take to be the nuclear family values, traditional religious ethics, and so on and so forth. In their minds, the fact that Orban and Putin are at best illiberal leaders and at worst autocrats doesn't matter. And in fact, that's a benefit because they don't have to rely on Congress, the State Department the Department of Justice or anyone else to implement their vision for society. They don't have to go through the very slow and complex churnings of a democratic republic that relies on norms and processes to make sure things are fair.

The end result is an increasing recognition that if democracy doesn't get what you want then perhaps you should put it aside. And that's one of the scariest aspects of this movement.

What is the Christian ethic that guides the likes of Mike Johnson and the other Christofascists? What of the harm they are doing and will do even more to entire groups of people here in the United States and around the world? How do they reconcile that with their Christian faith?

From an outside perspective, it's often jarring to see people like Mike Johnson advocating for policies that are hurtful to other human beings and doing so in the name of Jesus Christ or in the name of Christianity. People like Mike Johnson will say that abortion should be banned in almost every case, despite the fact that it might lead to health complications for the mother, or even death. Or simply a loss of bodily autonomy and choice.

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People like Mike Johnson might argue that if you're a gay person, you should have no right to be married. And in fact, you should be compared to someone who engages in bestiality, you should be seen as deviant from God's plan for your life. I could go on with many examples, but these are, of course, really hurtful to those affected by these statements by these kinds of policies. However, someone like Johnson feels as if they're doing something good for those human beings. By trying to correct them, by trying to reshape them in the image of God, they believe they're doing them a favor. And in doing so they believe they're creating a better society.

For Johnson, America suffers, America is punished, when we disobey God. By calling for the repeal of gay marriage, by trying to ban abortion, by trying to create a situation where the church has influence on the government, even if we live in a country where there are many non-believers atheists and so on, in Johnson's mind that's doing good for individuals and for society.

This is of course an incredibly paternalistic view. It's a view that says, I know better for you than you know for yourself - and what's better for you is the vision God has given me for society and for your life. To the outsider, it appears as if he's being cruel, hurtful, lacking empathy. To the insider, it is the hard work of somebody willing to take on the difficult task of restoring America for God's purpose.

In the world they are trying to create, what will happen to those of us who believe in real democracy and a pluralistic, secular, multiracial and cosmopolitan society and set of values?

I think we already have a clear picture of what will happen to those who don't fit into the Christian nationalist vision for America and the MAGA vision for America. Donald Trump has already laid out what his second term would look like. He has signaled that Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation. Project supported by many Christian nationalist organizations like the Family Research Council and Hillsdale College, is something that he would seek to implement. Project 2025 would demand that all State Department employees and other federal employees signal their loyalty to Trump as at-will employees, otherwise they will be removed.

This is of course an attempt to make sure that there are no roadblocks, that there is nothing standing in the way of Trump's vision. He has also talked about camps for migrants, widespread large camps. This is a scary idea for me as a Japanese American and all the memories in our community of the camps that were set up in the wake of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He's also talked about the Insurrection Act and the use of the military as a way to keep control of the American social order. Mike Johnson is not going to stand in the way of any of those initiatives because they serve his understanding of how things should be in America. They represent the putting into place of the American social order as it should be.

If we put those two together, Trump, as the authoritarian leader, and Johnson as the representative of a white Christian nationalist vision for the country, we see how the two go hand in hand dating back to 2016 and now in 2023 and into 2024.

We are at a place in our country where there are Christian fascists. There are intellectuals, there are theologians, there are historians, there are pastors who are openly calling for a post-constitutional America; people who long for a Red Caesar that will save the country from itself. These are people who are openly saying that it would be better if we had a Christian Prince or another form of an autocratic leader, because that would mean a Christian nation operating according to their Christian values. Thus, democracy would be done away with, in the name of a godly country.
After a deadly crash in Yakushima, Japan killed eight Air Force servicemen in late November, a congressional oversight committee has launched an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program.

The fleet of Ospreys is still temporarily grounded in order to investigate the causal factors, of the Nov. 29 crash, according to an Air Force commander, but the most recent accident is just one of more than a dozen Osprey crashes since 1992.

Considering the recent Osprey crash off the shore of Yakushima, Japan, in addition to other crashes during the lifetime of this airframe, the Committee remains concerned about safety and performance issues surrounding the Osprey program, wrote House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer in a press release on Thursday.

Comer also sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, asking for documents and information related to the Ospreys safety, maintenance, reliability and more on Thursday. Austin has until Jan. 4 to submit the paperwork.

More than 50 service members have been killed over the last 30 years. And most of the fatalities have occurred during training exercises, as opposed to combat.

Ospreys are military aircrafts that have a vertical take off and landing, meaning they can fly like a helicopter and an airplane. The production team behind the V-22 Osprey consists of 500 U.S.-based suppliers, and 27,000 employees. Due to the aircrafts versatility and quick speedan Osprey can carry two-dozen troops twice as fast and five times farther than previous helicoptersthey are an attractive choice for different military operations.

The House Committee previously attempted to investigate the Osprey program, holding a hearing in 2009, but attempts to look into the future of the aircraft were stalled because the Department of Defense failed to provide substantial information and documentation before the hearing.

Prior to this most recent accident in Japan, the Department of Defense inspector general found that Ospreys suffer from engine failure and reduced visibility. Crashes due to faulty gearboxes have also been recorded. Attempts to redesign the Navys version of the Osprey over the past nine years have proven unsuccessful, according to the press release.

Further concern is warranted because the Department of Defense (DoD) grounded its entire fleet of Ospreys to mitigate risks. It is crucial for the safety of our servicemembers to ensure transparency, accountability, and a thorough understanding of the steps DoD is taking to mitigate any further mechanical risks, Comer wrote.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A congressional oversight committee has launched an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program following a deadly crash in Japan which killed eight Air Force special operations service members.

The entire Osprey fleet remains grounded following the Nov. 29 crash with the exception of limited Marine Corps flights in emergencies. More than 50 U.S. service members have died in Osprey crashes over the lifespan of the program, and 20 of those died in four crashes over the last 20 months.

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The Osprey is a fast-moving airframe that can fly like both a helicopter and an airplane  but its many crashes have led critics to warn it has fatal design flaws.

The government of Japan, the only international partner flying the Osprey, has also grounded its aircraft after the Nov. 29 crash.

On Thursday the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting a massive amount of documentation on the Ospreys safety record to be delivered to the committee by Jan. 4.

Our servicemembers remain in harms way without resolution of known mechanical issues, " wrote the committee chairman, Kentucky Republican James Comer. While, statistically, the Osprey is not considered as dangerous as some other military aircraft, the Committee remains alarmed that most fatalities involving the aircraft have happened during training exercises, not combat operations.

On Friday Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Richard Neal, all Massachusetts Democrats, also announced they were also pressing Austin for answers on the Ospreys safety record. The three lawmakers represent the home state of Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, one of the eight Air Force special operations service members killed in the Japan crash.

We urge the Defense Department, and the Departments of the Air Force and the Navy to ensure that the V-22 Osprey is safe to fly before allowing servicemembers from across the Commonwealth and the United States back on board, the lawmakers wrote.

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The Osprey only became operational in 2007 after decades of testing. Since then, its become a workhorse for the Marine Corps and Air Force Special Operations Command, and was in the process of being adopted by the Navy to replace its C-2 Greyhound propeller planes, which transport personnel on and off aircraft carriers at sea.

Shortly after the Nov. 29 crash, the Air Force said that a malfunction of the aircraft, not a mistake by the crew, was probably the cause. If it is the case, it will be the second known fatal crash caused by a mechanical problem with the aircraft in a year.

The Osprey is produced through a partnership between Bell Textron and Boeing. Both companies have declined to discuss the most recent crash, but have said they will work with the military however needed to support the investigation.

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All three versions of the Osprey, the Marine Corps MV-22; the Air Forces CV-22 and the Navys CMV-22 programs are overseen by the Pentagons Osprey Joint Program Office.

The Joint Program office said in a statement to the Associated Press that its engineering team has been integrated into the Air Force Special Operations Command investigation team looking at the Japan crash, and sharing as much information as possible without compromising the ongoing investigation to find a path forward for the V-22.

The Osprey has faced persistent questions about a mechanical problem with the clutch that has troubled the program for more than a decade. There also have been questions as to whether all parts of the Osprey have been manufactured according to safety specifications and, as those parts age, whether they remain strong enough to withstand the significant forces created by the Ospreys unique structure and dynamics of tiltrotor flight.

Marine Corps Ospreys also have been used to transport White House staff, press and security personnel accompanying the president. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said those Ospreys are also grounded.

IN OTHER NEWS
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) applauded President Bidens marijuana and crack cocaine pardons Friday as a step toward ending long-standing racial disparities in sentencing.

The pardons will apply to marijuana use and possession on certain federal land and commute the sentences of 11 individuals serving jail sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

The new [Justice Department] guidelines are a positive step forward in addressing long-standing racial disparities in crack and powder cocaine sentencing, which for generations, has disproportionately imprisoned Black Americans, the CBC said in a statement.

Some of those granted clemency were convicted to life in prison for crack cocaine-related offenses.

Convictions and sentencing for marijuana disproportionately incarcerated and upended the lives of far too many Black Americans by creating barriers to employment, education, and housing, the CBC added.

In 2022, Biden issued a similar round of pardons, though the action did not see anyone released from prison.

Bidens actions are part of a larger effort to fulfill racial justice promises made on the campaign trail in 2020.

At the time, Biden called for automatic expungement of cannabis use convictions.

The Biden reelection campaign has been working to reengage with Black voters ahead of the 2024 election; the demographic was key to his victory in 2020, in part due to racial justice promises, including criminal justice reform.

Eighty percent of Black Americans believe it is important to reduce the incarcerated population, according to a 2022 poll by FWD.us, and 81 percent of Black voters said they would be inclined to vote for a candidate who supports reducing incarceration.

Though the CBC applauded Bidens pardons Friday, members are still calling for more.

It is our hope that clemency be granted to more Black Americans who have been criminalized by the decades-old policies of the War on Drugs era, the CBC said.

Since the war on drugs, Black Americans have faced harsher prison sentencing than their white counterparts, in part due to the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986.

The act declared that possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine, which was disproportionately consumed by African Americans, resulted in an automatic five-year jail sentence, while it took 500 grams of powder cocaine, which was mostly consumed by white Americans, to trigger the same punishment.

Today, white Americans are more likely to use crack cocaine than Black Americans, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, but Black Americans are still sentenced to longer prison terms for nonviolent drug offenses.

But the war on drugs was also, in part, intended as a racial policy, as President Nixons domestic policy adviser John Ehrlichman admitted in 1994.

We knew we couldnt make it illegal to be either against the war or Blacks, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin and then criminalizing them both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night in the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did, Ehrlichman said.

Today, Black Americans make up about 13 percent of the population, but the FBI reports that they account for 27 percent of people who are arrested and 30 percent of people on community supervision. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that Black Americans make up 32 percent of incarcerated people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Connecticut State Police dog died Thursday night in a shooting as troopers attempted to arrest a man on a felony warrant.

K-9 Broko was a very well-respected member of the Connecticut State Police Search and Rescue team, state police interim commander Col. Daniel Loughman said in a statement Friday morning.

Authorities said the shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m., when state troopers were sent to Stonington, in New London County, to serve the warrant.

K9 Broko heroically served with unwavering dedication, saving lives by locating missing individuals, apprehending dangerous suspects, and providing a steadfast shield to his handler, Loughman added. K9 Broko ultimately sacrificed his life doing what he was known best for.

The beloved dog graduated from the 2021 state police patrol K-9 class, authorities said. Before joining the statewide K-9 unit, Broko and his handler were assigned to the Troop A barracks in Southbury.

On Friday, multiple law enforcement agencies paid tribute to the fallen police dog, with a memorial procession that passed through Interstate 84 and state Route 195, Patch Connecticut reported.

In Tolland, just outside Hartford, fire officials draped an American flag across 195, as the motorcade passed through town.

K9 Broko was not just a loyal companion; he was a hero in every sense, embodying the values of courage, loyalty, selflessness, and the highest standards of the Connecticut State Police, Loughman said. His sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts, and never be forgotten.

With News Wire Services
A trio of firsts pose for a picture at the North Chicago Fire Department station in 2016. From the left, Richard A. Turner, the city's first Black fire chief; Dell Urban, the city's first female fire chief; and Mark A. Miller, North Chicago's first Black firefighter. (North Chicago Fire Department)

Bounding into the beginnings of a new year is a time to reflect on firsts. One profound first was the fire service career of Richard Turner.

He was the first Black fire chief in Lake County, leading the North Chicago Fire Department for eight years. He rose through the ranks after he began his near-quarter-century career in the early 1970s.

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His first post was a paid-on-call firefighter in the department. For Turner, it was his dream job.

A graduate of North Chicago High School, he said that he wanted to be a firefighter from boyhood, according to an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 1998. He saw a fire service career as an opportunity to serve his hometown, and get a little excitement along the way.

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Turner, who moved to Gurnee after his retirement, died late last month. He was 76, and leaves his widow, Kathleen Baker-Turner, and six daughters living across Illinois and South Carolina, along with a host of family, friends and colleagues.

The North Chicago Fire Department announced his death with deep sadness in a Facebook post. Services have been held.

Turners distinguished career in fire service paralleled North Chicagos first Black mayor, Bobby Thompson, who also was the first African American to lead a Lake County municipality. He wasnt the last.

Thompson was elected in 1985 after being appointed mayor in 1983 following the resignation of longtime Mayor Leo Kukla. A former North Chicago alderman, Thompson served three mayoral terms, retiring in 1997. He died in Alabama in 2021 at age 83.

Before beginning his fire service career, Turner served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He returned from his military commitment to work in the composing room at The News-Sun. His uncle, Clarence Turner, was a fixture at the newspaper.

He also worked as a printer at a Mundelein job shop. But he was waiting for that firefighting call.

It came when he was hired as a full-time firefighter with the North Chicago department in 1974. He was promoted to deputy fire chief in 1986, and served in that role until he broke the color barrier in 1990, when he was named fire chief.

Being the countys first Black fire chief was a distinction he really didnt relish. He argued that performance and character in the line of duty, regardless of race, was all that mattered.

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Rushing into a burning building with a hose and putting out a fire isnt easy. Firefighters are loaded down with pounds and pounds of gear to keep them safe while battling blazes, some toxic, which can turn on firefighters in seconds.

Then theres the science of extinguishing fires, which include the Venturi effect and positive pressure ventilation. Backdrafts, updrafts, downdrafts, fire whirls  which can reach 2,000 degrees in one estimation  and more all come into play when fighting fires.

Its a dangerous business. Members of the Chicago Fire Department can attest to with the loss of four firefighters in 2023.

But as Turner knew, it also was thrilling. Lots of firefighters will second that emotion when the fire calls come to the station.

Like the paid-on-call firefighter I know who left his rehearsal dinner in his parents backyard when his pager sounded after a passing motorist saw flames shooting from a nearby house. With some of the bridegrooms also paid-on-calls, they left to fight the blaze.

When they got there, in civilian clothes, they jumped on the roof and started using axes to ventilate the home whose owners were out of town. They worked the fire until department trucks arrived on the scene and saved the house from being fully engaged. Then they returned to the rehearsal dinner.

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Turner, too, was that kind of firefighter. When he announced his retirement, he was praised by North Chicago officials as a dedicated professional, who stayed out of the political arena which can come with the territory as a department head. City officials said he kept the department in fighting trim in its mission to protect city residents.

At that time, he said in a Tribune story: Ill always be a part of North Chicago, and North Chicago will always be in my heart.

His obituary also spelled out his dedication to community and family: He was a good friend, and very loyal to his family which he loved so much. He hosted many memorable family gatherings and made a difference in the lives he touched.

For many, like Richard Turner, dreams and hopes dont just apply during the holiday season. Some may even come true in the new year of 2024.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  Contractor employees will be joining the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to help with parking enforcement in Old Town.

APD said that starting Wednesday, Dec. 27, people from Reimagine Parking will conduct parking enforcement between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

The contractor employees only can give citations and will not be involved with towing, vehicle relocation or booting.

Street shut down after car crashes into utility pole in Arlington County

APD said that the contractors will mostly be helping along King Street.

The employees will be wearing company-issued identification and a company-branded shirt as well as reflective vests noting that they are contractors for the city.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, they should call (703) 746-4800.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The exterior of the Manitowoc County Courthouse as seen, Friday, June 11, 2021, in Manitowoc, Wis.

MANITOWOC  An amended criminal complaint filed Dec. 21 details the alleged attack of a student by a former Two Rivers teacher.

According to the complaint, Paul G. Gehrke, 49, is accused of child abuse and disorderly conduct stemming from an altercation between him and an 11-year-old student at L.B. Clarke Middle School Oct. 21, 2022.

A portion of the incident was recorded by a security camera in the school's hallway. According to the complaint, Gehrke was seen waiting in the door to his classroom and waiting for several seconds before reaching back in for something. Two seconds later, he reappears, dragging an 11-year-old child, who is off his feet, out of the classroom by the arm of his sweatshirt.

The video shows Gehrke dragging the child to nearby lockers before he lets go. As he was dragged, the child's shoes fell off. The complaint said Gehrke picked up the shoes and slammed them on the ground next to the child and started yelling.

The complaint states that Gehrke yelled: "I've had it. Knock it off. I have permission from your father. Now I've had it with you."

While Gehrke yelled at the child, the child sat on the floor holding one of his ankles like he was in pain. Gehrke then walked down the hallway, out of camera shot, and the child continued to sit on the floor, holding his ankle and crying. A short time later, L.C. Clarke Principal Tim Wester approached the child and helped him down the hallway to the student services office.

The complaint said the child's mother provided photos that showed bruises on the child's ankle and leg.

In an interview with the child, the child told police he was in Gehrke's computer class and asked if he could go to the bathroom and said Gehrke told him no.

He then told police he was on YouTube on his ChromeBook during the last five minutes of the class. Gehrke was able to see what the child was doing from his own computer and remotely closed the window. The child repeatedly reopened YouTube and Gehrke repeatedly closed it, until the last time when Gehrke got up, closed the child's ChromeBook and told him to get out of the classroom.

"I was baby-stepping toward the door," the child told police, according to the complaint. "I knew something was going to happen, so I backed up, he lunged into the classroom and grabbed me by the arm."

More courts: Manitowoc man sentenced in 2022 Boost Mobile robbery, and 3 other criminal cases conclude

Gehrke, who is no longer a teacher for the Two Rivers Public School District, was charged with felony child abuse-recklessly causing harm and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in a case that was filed Dec. 19, 2022.

There was a status conference in his case on Dec. 20 at the Manitowoc County Courthouse and there is another status conference scheduled for Feb. 1, 2024.

Fulfilling our obligation: This report is part of the Herald Times Reporter's mission to follow criminal cases from arrest to their conclusion.

Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Court document details altercation between Two Rivers teacher, student
The courts have ruled to keep Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky in custody but lowered the bail amount to UAH 2.7 billion ($97 million), public broadcaster Suspilne reported via Telegram on Dec. 21.

Read also: Kolomoisky court hearing postponed

Following the ruling, Kolomoisky will remain in custody until at least Jan. 26, 2024.

His lawyers requested Kolomoisky to be instead kept under house arrest due to their client's deteriorating health.

Eight individuals were willing to vouch for Kolomoisky, including TV presenter Alla Mazur, who works at 1+1 TV channel, owned by the oligarch.

The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv issued on Sept. 2 a preventive measure for Ihor Kolomoisky, ordering his detention for a period of 60 days in Dnipro. He was granted the option to secure his release by posting bail.

Read also: Court keeps Kolomoisky in custody

On Sept. 2, Ukraines SBU security service, in collaboration with the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) and the Prosecutor Generals Office, formally charged Kolomoisky with money laundering and illicit asset gains. From 2013 to 2020, Kolomoisky allegedly laundered over half a billion hryvnias by transferring funds abroad, utilizing the financial infrastructure of banks under his control, the SBU said.

Read also: EU court annuls 'old' sanctions against Yanukovych and his son

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAP) on Sept. 7 charged Kolomoisky and five others of suspicion in embezzling over 9.2 billion hryvnias from PrivatBank ($247 million).

Read also: Oligarch Kolomoisky is blackmailing the government from jail, journalist alleges

The SBU states that during that period the scheme enabled him to amass a total of UAH 5.8 billion, equivalent to over $700 million.

On Nov. 28, the detention for Kolomoisky was extended to Jan. 26, 2024.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Milwaukee County judge is demanding the Wauwatosa Police Department release records to a Wisconsin news site. The order comes a week after the newsroom filed a lawsuit against the department for failing to respond promptly to multiple records requested over the past nearly three years.

The Wisconsin Examiner, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, alleges in its lawsuit that the police department hasn't promptly responded to four public records requests made by its reporter Isiah Holmes, including one from 2021, and the department has attempted to charge a total of nearly $2,000 for three requests.

"This was the last option before us," said Holmes, who has reported on police and surveillance in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. "We weren't getting any acknowledgement that (the requests) were being processed, that they're being worked on, we didn't get any (cost) quotes on them for years."

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge William Sosnay signed an alternative writ of mandamus on Monday, meaning the police department now has thirty days to provide the Wisconsin Examiner with the requested records. Otherwise, the department must appear in court and explain why it should not provide the records.

According to the suit, the Wauwatosa Police Department failed to fulfill the Wisconsin Examiner records requests made on January 15, 2021, January 25, 2023, April 18, 2023 (hot lists) and June 26, 2023, and provided no explanation for the delays. It also alleges that the department "is attempting to charge excessive fees of nearly $2,000" for requests made on May 28, 2021, April 18, 2023 (PenLink), and August 1, 2023."

The police department Thursday morning released one of the outstanding requests for free, the Wisconsin Examiner told the Journal Sentinel. Holmes had made that request on June 26, 2023, for "records of administrative reviews for officer involved shootings."

The rest of the requests remain unreleased. Some of Holmes' requests refer to police conduct during Wauwatosa's frequent 2020 protests sparked by police killings, including former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah's fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole. Holmes reported extensively on the protests for the Wisconsin Examiner and was one of many whose personal information was detailed on the Wauwatosa Police Department's protester "target list."

Wisconsin Open Records Law requires record requests to be filled as soon as practicable and without delay. The Department of Justice policy states that 10 working days is a reasonable time for responding to a simple request.

Holmes submitted an affidavit with the lawsuit that includes copies of his requests and follow-ups to the department. Emails show the department attempted to charge exorbitant fees  in one instance $953.98  for the time to review and verify certain records.

"It was hundreds of dollars just to do email searches," said Tom Kamenick, president and founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, which represents the newsroom in the lawsuit. "That's ridiculous because email searches are rapid."

The Wisconsin Supreme Court states that authorities cannot charge the public for the labor of reviewing and redacting records. Holmes reported in 2020 that an internal email suggested Wauwatosa Police Department used higher fees to "combat" public records requests.

The lawsuit also alleges the department was selective with what records they'd provide to the newsroom in the past few years. Holmes said he received certain requests, including those for pictures of the SWAT team, video from a SWAT conference and annual reports, while his earlier requests remained unaddressed. The department also connected him with a City of Wauwatosa administrator that was meant to help him with the requests, he said.

Responding to a reporter's request for an interview, Wauwatosa Police Sgt. Abby Pavlik told the Journal Sentinel in an email Wednesday that, per policy, the department does not comment on ongoing legal matters.

Holmes said that the delay in releasing records won't help the city heal from the events of 2020, adding to a pattern he said some in the city have of burying or trying to forget what was a traumatic or difficult time for many.

"In the spirit of moving forward in a better direction, this is an opportunity for the city and its police department to live up to the integrity and the transparency that it wants everyone to believe that it has," Holmes said.

Bridget Fogarty can be reached at bfogarty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Court orders Tosa police to release records to Wisconsin Examiner
Sherry Ballard, Crystal Rogers' mother, watched Brooks Houck who is being charged in connection with her disappearance at Nelson County Circuit Court. Oct 5, 2023

Crystal Rogers' family has filed a civil case against Brooks Houck, her ex-boyfriend, over the missing Bardstown mother's death.

Crystal Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard, alleges in the suit filed Dec. 18 in Nelson Circuit Court that Houck "intentionally and wrongfully caused the death of Crystal M. Rogers," according to court documents.

Claims made in a lawsuit represent only one side of a case. Houck's defense attorney, Brian Butler, did not immediately return The Courier Journal's phone call requesting comment.

Ballard, who is listed as the administrator of Rogers' estate, is seeking compensation over funeral and administrative expenses, Rogers' lost earnings and her inability to earn more money since her death. Ballard also includes Rogers' "physical pain and mental suffering" prior to her death and the loss of her enjoyment of life as part of the damages.

In the civil action, four of Rogers' children say they have lost "the love, affection, guidance, services, assistance, society, care, aid, support, comfort, protection and parental consortium" of Rogers.

Rogers was a mother of five who disappeared in 2015. Her body has never been found, but she is presumed dead.

In September, Houck was arrested on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence in the case. Houck and Rogers shared one child; that child is not listed as a plaintiff in the civil case.

Houck is a business owner in Nelson County and is involved in the real estate business. He is listed as the registered agent for Houck Rentals, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State's office.

During his arraignment, prosecutor Shane Young referred to Houck as a "multimillionaire" who owns over 70 properties.

Reach reporter Rachel Smith at rksmith@courierjournal.com or @RachelSmithNews on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Crystal Rogers disappearance: Family sues Brooks Houck over death
The Justice Department said US engine maker Cummins has agreed to pay $1.67 bn to settle emission control claims (Tom Brenner)

US engine maker Cummins Inc has agreed to pay $1.67 billion to settle claims it installed devices to defeat emissions controls in hundreds of thousands of pickup truck engines, the Justice Department said Friday.

The penalty is the largest civil fine ever for a violation of the Clean Air Act, which requires vehicle and engine manufacturers to comply with emissions standards, the department said.

Cummins, which is based in Columbus, Indiana, was accused of installing defeat devices in the engines -- parts or software that can bypass emissions controls or render them inoperative.

Defeat devices and auxiliary emission control devices were allegedly installed on nearly one million engines produced since 2013 for RAM pickup trucks, which are made by Stellantis.

Stellantis referred questions about the matter to Cummins, which said the "company has seen no evidence that anyone acted in bad faith and does not admit wrongdoing," according to a company statement.

Cummins said it had already recalled 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks and initiated a recall for other vehicles with the devices.

The company expects to incur one-time costs of $2.0 billion for the settlements, which must receive court approval.

Cummins "looks forward to obtaining certainty as it concludes this lengthy matter," the company said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department "is committed to vigorously enforcing the environmental laws," describing the Cummins devices as having "a significant and harmful impact on people's health and safety."

"Our preliminary estimates suggest that defeat devices on some Cummins engines have caused them to produce thousands of tons of excess emissions of nitrogen oxides," he said.

"The cascading effect of those pollutants can, over long-term exposure, lead to breathing issues like asthma and respiratory infections."

The German automaker Volkswagen was found by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 to have installed emissions control-defying software in diesel-powered cars in a scandal which came to be known as "Diesel gate."

The Justice Department said that the $1.67 billion to be paid by Cummins to the US government and state of California is the second-largest ever environmental penalty, topped only by the more than $20 billion settlement reached with BP in 2015 for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Shares of Cummins fell 3.0 percent in afternoon trading.

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If you were a young girl in the early 1900s, these are some of the gifts you might have received for Christmas. Among the items seen here are porcelain dolls and a tea set. (Naper Settlement/HANDOUT)

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Napervilles past from the history archives of Naper Settlement.

With today being Christmas Eve and a certain jolly old elf working overtime getting ready for his big night, we take a look at Christmases past.

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In the early days of America, celebrations of the holiday reflected the way people had observed it in their homelands.

Puritans, for example, did not celebrate Christmas at all as they believed it had no Biblical basis. They were so serious about this, a law was passed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony that fined anyone who celebrated the day.

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It was just the opposite for the folks living in the southern states, who tended to be more connected with the royalists in England and had a grand old time with multiday celebrations. There was feasting, gambling, hunting and dancing, all of which were traditions back in England.

The dazzling Christmas displays and decorations we so often see today can be traced back to upper-class urban women who had the wherewithal to afford extensive holiday decorations. Eventually, Christmas decorations became a widespread tradition around the country.

Churches also got into the spirit by introducing music, liturgy, pageants, and greenery to celebrate the day.

But even with a devout nation celebrating Christmas every Dec. 25, it was not officially made a federal holiday until June 28, 1870.

These days, the decorations are not complete without a tree adorned with ornaments, lights and garland or tinsel  the bigger and brighter the better.

We can thank German immigrants, many of whom settled in the Naperville area for farming, for spreading the custom of decorating indoor Christmas trees, a practice that for them dated back to the 16th century.

Godeys Ladys Book, a womens magazine, is credited with the first published photo of an Amercian Christmas tree in 1850, a tabletop version modeled after the one Great Britains Queen Victoria and her family had in their palace.

It made sense that the family would embrace the practice given that the queens husband, Prince Albert, was born in Germany. The royal family put up their first family Christmas tree in 1841 and publicly displayed one for the first time in 1848.

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Full-sized trees being set up in American homes didnt come into vogue until the 1870s. It spawned a new industry for growing, cutting and transporting Christmas trees to urban areas. Like today, they were often sold on street corners.

Early tree decorations were based on local folk customs, using nuts, popcorn or bead strings, oranges, lemons, candies and some homemade ornaments. In the 1870s, fancier ornaments imported from Germany started to be sold.

In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs to give his home the first electric Christmas tree lights.

The tree in todays photo from Naper Settlement was taken in the early 20th century and shows not only a Christmas tree but the tea seat and porcelain dolls some lucky little girl received as gifts.

Porcelain was considered rare and precious until the 1870s, when mass production made it more affordable. With rising incomes in the late 19th century and new department stores making them available, the dolls became easier to purchase and popular as gifts.

Miniature tea sets were also a popular for girls in the late 19th century. In fact, girls tended to receive gifts that not only encouraged indoor play but taught them the household chores they would be responsible for later in life.

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The act of giving Christmas presents has been around for centuries. Small gifts tucked into stockings were common but it wasnt until the late 1800s that the modern idea of gift-giving really took hold.

Early gifts were often handmade by the gift giver or an artisan, but as more factories began mass producing goods, people started shopping for presents at stores. Along with that came the sale of wrapping paper, ribbons and bows that we still use to cover gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Andrea Field is the curator of history at Naper Settlement. For more information, go to www.NaperSettlement.org.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
I recently viewed a photograph of a young soldier from Maryland, John Kreiner, who was killed in France during World War II. He was Hollywood handsome, with one of those smiles that radiated nothing but future. The image set me off. I almost couldnt speak for a moment.

Thats how it goes when I see photographs of people who died young  Anne Frank, for instance; the first graders of Sandy Hook; Peter Moskos, the Marine corporal from my hometown who was killed in Vietnam; boys and young men, casualties of Baltimore street violence, their faces printed on T-shirts; high school classmates who departed in their 20s and 30s from drug overdoses, AIDS and cancer.

I know: People die. I lost my younger brother two years ago this week, and a brother-in-law and mother-in-law within the next year. Its hard to accept, death being part of life. But hardest of all is accepting lives lost in the bright light of youth. Those deaths are the most disturbing, and those who died senselessly and violently  on city streets or in foreign wars  the worst of these.

Here we are, on the eve of Christmas 2023, and the greeting cards say, Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Man, but does anyone feel that?

I suppose you could challenge the concept any year, but this year the cannons roar from three sides at once, and its essentially the same roar heard eight centuries ago.

I hope you dont mind some less-than-glittery tidings on Christmas Eve. Theres good cheer and eggnog waiting on the other side of this essay. But I need to push through the winter briars.

I remain hopelessly stuck on the idea of progress or, more precisely, the promise of progress. It might seem foolish, but somewhere in the 20th century I came to believe in the promise that, starting with the developed nations of North America and Europe, there would be steady human advancement away from ignorance, poverty, bigotry and violence.

And yet, here we are, approaching the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, and human beings still wage brutal wars or suffer from them.

More than 50,000 Russians, many of them young men, have died trying to take Ukraine for their dictator in Moscow. Some 1,200 miles away, Hamas carries out a terrorist attack in Israel; Israel then battles against Hamas in Gaza, with thousands of civilians among the casualties.

Whatever political rationale or moral imperative the makers of war argue, their legacy is written in gravestones: A new generation becomes scarred with the trauma of war, burdened with hatred for their enemies and instructed that violence is not a last resort but a first-stage solution.

And on and on. Its an appalling thing to teach our young.

In this country, millions of my fellow Americans embrace conspiracy theories, reject science and ridicule progressivism even as it enhances the quality of their lives. Hate crimes, and antisemitism specifically, surge; immigrants are scorned as poisoning the blood of our country by a former president and wannabe dictator. The nation continues to suffer from gun violence and mass shootings.

I am not the first to wander into despondency on Christmas Eve. Others have gazed upon the burning wreckage of humanity and scoffed at peace on Earth. In 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, Christmas Bells, a Civil War poem. His wife had died and his eldest son had been wounded fighting for the Union.

Wrote Longfellow: And in despair I bowed my head, There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong, And mocks the song, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Longfellow ultimately expressed faith that God was not dead and that, The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.

Of course, he had to express optimism. Whats the alternative?

Despondency is not a word you hear in the lyrics of Christmas songs, and for good reason: On this one night and one day, we all get to be hopeful. We all get to step out of the trenches, wave a white flag and raise a glass to peace on Earth even if it does not seem to be of this Earth.

The man who reminded me of the Longfellow poem did the same. As it has been for thousands of years, the world is full of hate and selfishness and egos, he wrote. Young people can save every generation.

We keep hoping thats true. We keep hoping the next generation will be the Next Greatest Generation, fixing what weve left broken, rejecting ignorance and bigotry, rejecting guns and violence, rejecting the wannabe dictator, being champions of justice and peace, saving the planet, embracing progress in all things.

But young people need to be encouraged, especially because so many seem to be discouraged, unable to generate those smiles that radiate nothing but future. They look around and see a world on fire and too many grownups behaving like half-adults.

I dont know what else to suggest. You can make tax-deductible donations. You can bake cookies for neighbors. You can call an old friend whos home alone. All good.

But encouraging a young man or woman as they come of age in the 21st Century, trying to finally break free of the destructive problems of the past, might be the best gift of all.
The identity of the gunman who opened fire at a Prague university on Thursday killing 14 people has been revealed.

Student David Kozak opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, with chilling images appearing of the shooter dressed in black, taking aim from a balcony with a large gun.

Police raced to the scene and evacuated students and tourists near the building in the city centre, with Kozaks body found a short while later with devastating injuries. It is not yet clear how he died.

David Kozak has been named as the shooter who opened fire at a Prague university (Czech Police)

Authorities have confirmed that the 24 year-old was a history student at the university and that he acted alone.

He is believed to have been inspired by a school shooting carried out by 14-year-old schoolgirl in Russia earlier this month, and wrote on Telegram: I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.

Police are also investigating his potential involvement in the murder of a father and baby daughter in a woodland area last week, which is believed to have been a random attack.

Earlier on the day of the university shooting, Kozaks father was found dead in the town of Hostoun.

Mourners laying candles outside Charles University (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Heres everything we know about the shooter so far:

What has happened?

Czech police said shortly after 3pm that they were responding to a shooting at Charles Universitys faculty of arts building in central Prague. An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to stay put.

Crowds of people ran from the square while eight terrified students were seen precariously hiding on a ledge to hide from the gunman.

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the university in central Prague (AFP via Getty Images)

The square was sealed off with people urged to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside.

Pragues rescue service confirmed that 15 people had died, including the killer, and that at least 30 others suffered various injuries, including nine with serious ones.

Who is the gunman?

The identity of the gunman has now been revealed to be student David Kozak, who had reportedly been studying for a masters degree in world history with a special focus on the history of Poland.

Local media have reported that Kozak originally graduated with a bachelors degree in history and was described as an excellent student with no previous criminal convictions.

Eight students seen hiding on a building ledge to escape the gunman (Supplied)

His fathers body had been found earlier in the day in his hometown of Hostoun. Police were already searching for Kozak at the time of the mass shooting in relation to another death in the village of Kladensko.

He is suspected of being responsible for the murders of a father and his two-month-old baby daughter, who were killed in a forest on 15 December.

At a press conference, police spokesperson Martin VondraAek said: We are working very seriously with the fact that the attacker from the Faculty of Philosophy is also responsible for the two victims from the end of last week in Klanovicky les.

What have police said?

Police chiefs have confirmed the gunman was a student at the faculty of arts at Charles University in Jan Palach Square, and have said there is no evidence to suggest he had an accomplice.

They also said the father of the shooter was found dead on Thursday morning, and that Kozak was also under suspicion for the random murders of a father and baby girl last week.

Lights from emergency service vehicles light the scene of the shooting (EPA)

No details have emerged yet of the victims killed in the shooting, although the interior minister Vit Rakusan has confirmed that three are foreign nationals and investigators do not a suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Do we know what led to the attack?

The gunmans motives for the attack or not yet known, but police were reportedly already searching for Kozak at the time of the incident.

Authorities are probing the potential connection between a series of violent, expletive-laden Russian-language messages posted on Telegram, including a message posted by the shooter saying: I always wanted to kill. I thought I would be a maniac in the future.

An ambulance drives towards the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague (AP)

One of the messages posted by the user indicated that inspiration for the attack may have been drawn from two previous mass shootings in Russiaone occurring this month at a school in Bryansk near the Ukraine border, and the second in 2021 in Kazan, the capital of the Russian region of Tatarstan.

I was very inspired by Alina  very much, a message shared on 10 December said, just three days after a 14-year-old Russian girl, Alina Afanaskina, opened fire on her classmates.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.

It is not thought that Kozak was linked to any extremist ideology or groups.
A closed sign greets visitors to the Gateway Arch due to a partical federal government shutdown in St. Louis on December 24, 2018. File Photo by BIll Greenblatt/UPI

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1785, the American Continental Navy fleet was organized, consisting of two frigates, two brigs and three schooners. Sailors were paid $8 a month.

In 1894, French Capt. Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason by a military court-martial on flimsy evidence in a highly irregular trial and sentenced to life in prison for his alleged crime of passing military secrets to the Germans. Dreyfus was released from prison in 1899 and officially exonerated in 1906.

In 1944, ordered to surrender by Nazi troops who had his unit trapped south of Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division replied with one word: "Nuts!"

In 1984, "subway vigilante" Bernhard Goetz shot and injured four would-be holdup men on a New York City subway. He served eight months in prison for carrying an illegal weapon but was cleared of assault and attempted murder charges.

On December 22, 2001, American Airlines passengers and attendants overpowered a man -- Richard Reid -- trying to light a match to detonate powerful explosives hidden in his sneakers on a flight from Paris to Miami. File Photo courtesy of the FBI

In 1986, political dissident and Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov and his wife, Yelena Bonner, were allowed to return to Moscow after seven years of internal exile.

Yelena Bonner, wife of Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, waves goodbye as she passes an American flag at Bostons Logan Airport on May 24, 1986. File Photo by Jim Bourg/UPI

This long exposure shows the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the safe return of the first stage of the rocket at Cape Canaveral, Fla., on December 21, 2015. File Photo courtesy of SpaceX

In 1989, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu, the last hard-line communist holdout against East Bloc reforms, fell from power in the face of massive demonstrations.

In 1992, all 157 people aboard Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 1103 died when the jetliner crashed, apparently following an in-flight collision with a military plane.

On December 22, 1984, "subway vigilante" Bernhard Goetz shot and injured four would-be holdup men on a New York City subway. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

In 2001, American Airlines passengers and attendants overpowered a man, Richard Reid, trying to light a match to detonate powerful explosives hidden in his sneakers on a flight from Paris to Miami. As a result of the incident, U.S. airports began requiring passengers to remove their shoes for screening.

In 2005, Walmart was ordered to pay more than 100,000 California employees $172 million for depriving them of breaks to eat.

On December 22, 1944, ordered to surrender by Nazi troops who had his unit trapped south of Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division replied with one word: "Nuts!" File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

In 2006, rape charges were dropped against three former members of the Duke University lacrosse team after the alleged victim said she couldn't be sure she had been raped.

In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians from openly serving in the U.S. military. The so-called "Don't Ask Don't Tell" legislation was signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1994.

Protesters demand Walmart provide a living wage and full-time work as part of a nationwide Black Friday strike outside a Walmart store in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles on November 29, 2013. On December 22, 2005, Walmart was ordered to pay more than 100,000 California employees $172 million for depriving them of breaks to eat. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI

In 2015, SpaceX successfully returned the company's Falcon 9 rocket to Earth, landing it vertically on a landing pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla., -- 10 minutes after it blasted-off for its jaunt to space and back.

In 2018, the U.S. government began a record 35-day partial shutdown after the Senate was unable to agree on a funding bill.

In 2020, FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi scored his 644th career goal for the La Liga squad, surpassing Brazilian legend Pele's all-time record for most goals with a single club.

In 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the average U.S. life expectancy was 76.4 years, the lowest since 1996. The agency blamed the decline on the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in fatal overdoses from illicit drugs such as fentanyl.

A patient is moved out of Gateway Care & Rehabillition Center, a skilled nursing facility in Hayward, California on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Thirty-five patients have tested positive for COVID-19 along with 24 staffers. Six patients have died. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department was looking for the people involved in an armed carjacking that happened on Dec. 18.

MPD said the carjacking happened around 7 p.m. in the 4000 block of Minnesota Ave. in Northeast, D.C.

2 dead, 2 hurt in quadruple shooting near Nationals Park

The suspects came up to the victim who was near the trunk of their car. One of the suspects pointed a rifle at the victim, demanding their car. They then took off in the victims car.

Anyone who has information or can identify the people involved is asked to call (202) 727-9099. MPD is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the people involved.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A string of incidents involving V-22 Ospreys, including the crash off the coast of Japan last month that killed eight special operations airmen, is prompting a congressional investigation into the aircraft's safety and performance.

In a letter Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., requested Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin turn over a slew of documents on the Osprey program, including safety records, maintenance logs, accident investigations, performance evaluations and more.

"It is crucial for the safety of our service members to ensure transparency, accountability and a thorough understanding of the steps DoD is taking to mitigate any further mechanical risks," Comer wrote in the letter.

Read Next: The US Wanted Out of the Middle East. The Middle East Had Other Ideas.

Comer gave Austin a Jan. 4 deadline to provide the documents to his committee.

The Oversight Committee's probe comes after what was the Air Force's deadliest Osprey crash to date. On Nov. 29, a CV-22B Osprey assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing went down into the ocean during a training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island, killing all eight crew members aboard.

After a preliminary investigation suggested the cause of the crash was a mechanical failure, the Air Force, Marines and Navy announced they were grounding their entire fleets of Ospreys to conduct maintenance and inspections. It's the first time all three services that fly the aircraft have grounded it at once.

The November crash was just the latest in a series of incidents and mechanical issues that has plagued the aircraft since its first flight in 1989. More than 60 service members have died in more than a dozen Osprey accidents since its first fatal crash in 1992, including 20 deaths just since 2022.

Last year, after the Air Force announced a surprise safety stand-down for the aircraft, the military services revealed they were aware of a mechanical issue known as a hard clutch engagement, or HCE, that had caused at least 15 known Osprey incidents between 2010 and 2022.

The underlying cause of the HCEs, which happen when the aircraft's clutches jam and shred internal components connected to the rotors, remains unknown.

Still, the military services have said they remain confident in the aircraft, which provides a unique capability with its tiltrotor technology that allows it to take off and land like a helicopter but fly at higher speeds like an airplane.

The aircraft's defenders also highlight a Marine Corps statistic that, for every 100,000 hours of flight, the Osprey has fewer mishaps than the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the F-35B Lightning II fighter jet, the CH-53E Super Stallion and other service aircraft. But that statistic doesn't account for what is believed to be the most common type of HCE incident, mishaps that are still costly and harrowing but that fall short of the top definition for incident reporting by the military that requires death, total destruction of the aircraft or more than $2.5 million in damages.

In his letter, Comer acknowledged the "significant advantages the Osprey can bring to combat" and that "statistically, the Osprey is not considered as dangerous as some other military aircraft."

But he also pointed to past watchdog reports on continued mechanical issues, the $120 million price tag to buy each Osprey, and the fact that most fatalities involving the aircraft have happened during training rather than combat, something he said his panel "remains alarmed" by.

"Given the gravity of the loss of service members' lives, increasing costs, and the future economic impact and innovative applications of Osprey program technology," he wrote, "the committee requests documents and information to shed light on aspects of the program's safety and performance."

Related: During Osprey Stand-Down, Some Forward Units Are Limiting Their Use in Operations
People walk by the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library on Harvard Universitys campus in Cambridge, Mass., on Dec. 12, 2023. (Adam Glanzman/The New York Times)

After weeks of tumult at Harvard over the universitys response to the Israel-Hamas war and the leadership of its president, Claudine Gay, there was no shortage of interest in a faculty forum with Gay this week.

In a town hall held over Zoom on Tuesday with several hundred members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Gay focused on how to bridge the deep divides that had emerged on campus as a result of the war, according to two people who attended and asked for confidentiality because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Faculty members who spoke up in the meeting were largely positive, and there were no questions about Gays academic record after public allegations of plagiarism. The matter wasnt even raised, one professor said.

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But by Thursday, new questions surrounding Gays scholarship had shifted to the forefront, after the university said late Wednesday that it had identified two more instances of what it called duplicative language without appropriate attribution, from her 1997 doctoral dissertation.

The examples were part of a wave of plagiarism allegations that had surfaced against Gay over the past two weeks, driven by conservative activists and news outlets, just as she was under fire for failing to take a tougher stand against antisemitism during a tense congressional hearing convened by House Republicans this month.

The latest round of allegations have given strength to Gays critics and strained her supporters, while leaving some students and faculty members perplexed just as the campus empties for winter break.

As a Harvard student, the whole scandal from beginning to end has been pretty embarrassing, David Vega, a Harvard senior, said Thursday. I just think its a bit of a rough look for us.

Vega, a classics and philosophy major in the midst of writing his thesis, said that he and his classmates had been closely watching the accusations of plagiarism against Gay, as well as the handling of antisemitism. Still, he said, it did not escape him that the accusations were being pressed by right-wing agitators.

The latest developments also raise questions about the Harvard Corp., the insular governing board that hired Gay  a professor of government and African and African American studies, former dean and the first Black president of the university  after a relatively fast search last year. The board had just days ago cleared Gay of research misconduct.

Harvards board first addressed allegations against Gay on Dec. 12. At the time, the board said that an investigation by independent scholars, started in response to anonymous allegations received in late October, had found a few instances of inadequate citation in her published work. Those instances, the board said, did not rise to the level of research misconduct. Gay would request four corrections in two articles, the board said.

Then on Wednesday, the university said the panel had also looked at her 1997 dissertation, which had not been part of the original review, and found two additional instances of duplicative language without appropriate attribution. Those instances also did not amount to research misconduct, the university said, but would be corrected in an update to Gays dissertation.

Asked on Thursday whether the Harvard Corp. still stood by Gay, a spokesperson for the university referred back to the Dec. 12 statement of unanimous support. Gay declined to be interviewed.

The plagiarism allegations against Gay, which span her dissertation and about half of the 11 journal articles listed on her resume, range from brief snippets of technical definitions to lightly paraphrased summaries of other scholars work without quotation marks or direct citation. In one example that drew ridicule, Gay appeared to borrow exact phrases from the acknowledgments section of another authors book to thank her mentor and family in the acknowledgments section of her own dissertation.

She has not been accused of more egregious violations, such as falsifying data, or stealing another scholars original research or ideas.

Still, the steady dribble of allegations has privately worried some faculty members who see a pattern of sloppiness unbecoming of a Harvard leader. And some have begun to speak out more forcefully, questioning whether Gay can effectively carry out presidential duties, including raising money from the widest possible groups of donors.

You have to be practical, not ideological, Avi Loeb, a professor of science who was critical of Gays earlier congressional testimony, said Thursday. If she cannot accomplish the goals she needs to pursue as a university president, then its obvious what needs to be done.

Some major donors continue to be agitated. Len Blavatnik, a billionaire Ukrainian-born magnate whose name adorns an institute at Harvards medical school, in recent weeks decided to suspend giving more because of his unhappiness over the schools response to antisemitic incidents on campus, a spokesperson said. Blavatniks family, which has given more than $200 million, will not restart donating until antisemitism at Harvard is addressed with real action, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Blavatniks decision was reported earlier by Bloomberg.

In a note to colleagues that he shared with The New York Times, Eugene I. Shakhnovich, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology, wrote that Gay remaining as president was unsustainable for Harvard.

Claudine Gay is a huge liability for Harvard and by implication for higher education in the U.S., he wrote. Her presidency is a huge Christmas present to the right.

Yet there remained debate on campus about whether the allegations against Gay were serious enough to warrant further action.

Randall Kennedy, a Harvard legal scholar, said Thursday that his support for Gay was unmoved.

The allegations against her, he said, had been brought to light by professional vilifiers. He urged the university to clarify the idea of plagiarism and distinguish between various levels of culpability.

He also suggested that Harvard leadership might decline to cooperate further with a congressional investigation into the university, distinguishing between bona fide inquiries and bad faith efforts to harass, embarrass and intimidate.

To meet Harvards standard of research misconduct, which can lead to harsh sanctions, the infractions must be done intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, according to the regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Daniel Swinton, a former assistant dean for academic integrity at Vanderbilt University who is now a college consultant and expert witness, emphasized that intention mattered. I havent read anything that said she stole someones idea, passed it off as completely her own, he said.

The allegation that Gay has copied phrases in her dissertation acknowledgments from another authors acknowledgments struck him as cringey. But acknowledgments, he said, are the Hallmark card of academia, and stock language is standard.

While the president of a university might be held to a higher standard than a student, as to whether we should expect perfection from them, the answer is no, Swinton said.

The Harvard campus, for weeks the scene of raucous protests, was cold and quiet Thursday, as final exams wrapped up and winter break began. Only a handful of tourists wandered the still grounds.

Remy Furrer, a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, said he thought Gay was taking accountability, to a certain extent, by requesting some modifications to her published research. But, he said, its important that the academic standards are equally applied across faculty, president and students alike.

Spencer Glassman, a Harvard senior, said he could not say whether Gay had crossed a line. But he understood the need to closely examine the plagiarism charges.

It sets a standard of seriousness for the university, he said. The president should be sort of unimpeachable.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Conservative MP for Eastleigh Paul Holmes said the council had ignored a government instruction to reduce its debt

A council which was ordered to reduce its debt levels by the government has voted to borrow an extra 154m to complete a housing project.

The budget for Eastleigh Borough Council's One Horton Heath development of up to 3,000 homes has risen from an estimated 327m in October to 481m.

On Tuesday, the Liberal Democrat-controlled authority was told in a government notice to stop borrowing.

The council said the investment would deliver jobs, homes and infrastructure.

Council leader Keith House previously said debt-funded developments had created jobs

Council leader Keith House, who declined to be interviewed, previously said: "Our commercial activities have supported the creation of jobs and investment in our communities."

The council's cabinet approved the extra borrowing on Thursday.

Conservative MP for Eastleigh Paul Holmes said: "They've said they mustn't borrow any more and what we saw last night was an absolute ignoring of that.

"My concern is that residents here who are noticing the debt is going up will have to pay that price in the long run."

Independent councillor Gin Tidridge said the borrowing was a "huge risk for residents"

Independent councillor Gin Tidridge said the meeting was told the authority had set no ceiling on the costs.

She said: "If everything goes to plan, great. But if it doesn't, that represents a huge risk for residents."

On Tuesday, a government best value notice said the council should reduce its debt.

The notice said the Hampshire authority should "put in place a moratorium on new debt-funded asset investment".

However, a government commissioned report, published alongside the notice, found "few concerns" over the council's finances.

The report, from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) said the "overall picture is positive" despite the council's "high indebtedness".

It said the council owed 525m in March 2022 - the fourth highest borrowing relative to size of all UK authorities.

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For many, the conclusion has become unavoidable: New Hampshires economy is being held back by a lack of affordable housing.

State lawmakers have been reluctant to act. Many see the effort to overhaul local zoning ordinances as an improper use of state power against local control. But as bipartisan concern over housing grows, more representatives and senators appear interested in legislation. And the number of housing-related bills filed for next years session is notable, observers say.

This is by far the most housing-related pieces of legislation that weve seen filed in a single session before, said Nick Taylor, executive director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast. And I think that in and of itself speaks to the deep need that legislators are hearing from their constituents, whether its the businesses that need more workers, seniors who are looking to stay in their homes, younger families looking to buy their first home, or renters who are struggling with increased prices.

Here are some of the housing bills to watch next session.

A new right to an accessory dwelling unit

State Rep. Ellen Read

House lawmakers are once again attempting to expand homeowners ability to convert their homes into additional housing units. This time, theyre focusing on the accessory dwelling unit.

House Bill 1291 would permit homeowners to create two accessory dwelling units on their properties, either as attached units or detached units. And it would let them create the first of those units by right, meaning they would not need special approval from their town planning board.

The addition would still be subject to the same setback, aesthetic, and design review requirements as the rest of the property. But cities and towns would not be able to single out ADUs  they would be barred from imposing any regulations on ADUs that did not also apply to single-family dwellings. And they would be able to require only one additional parking spot per each new bedroom created.

Sponsored by state Rep. Ellen Read, a Newmarket Democrat, the bill comes seven years after then-Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a law allowing one accessory dwelling unit per property. But housing advocates say that the law has not been as successful as was hoped due to onerous restrictions some towns have placed on parking requirements, which advocates say has made ADUs there practically infeasible.

The bill has bipartisan sponsorship from all 10 of the members of the newly formed House Special Committee on Housing.

State Rep. Joe Alexander, a Goffstown Republican and the chairman of the special housing committee, calls the idea gentle density.

Were looking at hopefully trying to create an environment where you can have an elderly person trying to downsize or a college student fresh out of college trying to buy their first home instead of renting, he said.

Yet prior attempts have not had overwhelming political support. In past years, some representatives have pushed for a fourplex bill allowing up to four units to be created by right on any property, even those in single-family housing zones. But those attempts have typically failed to pass the full House, after pushback from others who say it will erode local control over neighborhood density.

This year, after months of workshopping the bill, Alexander says he hopes there will be greater buy-in. Were not gonna overhaul single-family neighborhoods, he said. I dont think thats anybodys intention.

The HOMEnibus bill

State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Among 2024s most ambitious efforts will be the HOMEnibus, state Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwokas attempt to pass a number of zoning-related law requirements into state statute.

The bill, Senate Bill 538, includes some provisions that would enable towns to adopt the policies and others that would require towns to take up policies.

For instance, cities and towns would be empowered to provide tax relief to incentivize converting office space to residential use. They would also be allowed to propose a warrant at town meeting that would allow the select board to make changes to the zoning code. Currently, towns that dont have town councils are not able to do so and may pass zoning ordinance changes only once a year at town meeting.

The bill would also allow cities and towns to create inclusionary zoning districts and require that all new housing within those districts contain a certain percentage of workforce or affordable housing. Under current law, cities and towns may provide incentives for developers to include affordable housing, but they may not require that developers include it.

But beyond those voluntary measures, SB 538 would also impose some requirements on cities and towns that would prevent them from blocking certain developments.

The bill would enable developers to propose alternative parking arrangements to existing parking requirements for new housing units. For instance, the bill states, developers could lease parking spaces from nearby businesses if the parking around their proposed development is too limited, or they could utilize ride-share services or public transportation options to bring residents to parking spaces farther away. Under the bill, a planning board would have to accept one of these alternative parking proposals, as long as the applicant can demonstrate that it will meet the parking demand.

The bill would also require cities and towns to change how they approach sewage requirements for properties that are not connected to municipal sewer lines. Presently, municipalities can pass any minimum lot size requirements they want to account for the lack of sewers. But SB 238 requires that they adhere to the Department of Environmental Services minimum lot size requirements for individual sewage systems  and no larger.

What we are trying to do here is to use science and soil types to establish minimum lot sizes instead of arbitrary square footage, Perkins Kwoka explained in an interview.

Perkins Kwoka, a Portsmouth Democrat, said that the inclusionary zoning changes have been requested by Portsmouth and other municipalities in recent years as a way to strengthen affordable housing development.

She said the opt-in tax relief provision would help cities and towns incentivize transitions to walkable cities, where downtown apartment buildings and businesses can coexist side by side. By providing financial relief to developers, tenants can benefit, she argued.

The hope is that by lowering the overall cost of the project, that those savings can be passed on to the end user, which of course is our residents that desperately need housing, she said.

An expansion of Housing Appeals Board's power

New Hampshires Housing Appeals Board has existed since 2020, giving both property owners and developers the means to contest a decision by local planning and zoning boards with a higher authority. Currently, the board can review decisions by planning boards, boards of adjustment, historic district commissions, conservation commissions, and others.

For those looking to appeal, the board serves as an alternative to superior court, though its decisions can be appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Republican state Rep. Joe Alexander is pushing to expand that boards authority and provide it the ability to review state agencies decisions. House Bill 1602 would allow the board to review state agency permitting decisions and licenses that are applicable to housing and housing developments.

I want to expand options for people that have violations or perceived violations of their property rights, Alexander said. If there is an egregious code preventing residents from altering their property, they should be able to appeal it kind of in a faster way than going to court, he said.

More money for affordable housing

Sen. Dan Innis

Republican state Sen. Dan Innis is spearheading a bill that would devote more state tax revenue to affordable housing.

Senate Bill 454 would double the amount of real estate transfer tax money the state puts into affordable housing development. Currently, the first $5 million of that tax must go to New Hampshire Housings affordable housing fund every year; Innis bill would double that to $10 million.

The real estate transfer tax has done exceptionally well in recent years, as average home prices in the state have jumped up to record highs amid a market shortage.

Those same conditions have hurt affordability, Taylor noted; devoting the revenue proceeds to improve housing options is only fair, he argued.

Its not something thats going to be solved in the next year or two, he said. We need to make sure that this is a long-term investment that were making in our communities.

This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH lawmakers propose slew of 2024 bills to address housing shortage
The Winnetka Village Council approved an ordinance limiting lot consolidations within the village in response to resident concerns about Justin Ishbias property on the lakefront.

The council voted unanimously during its Dec. 19 meeting to approve the measure, which would see lot consolidations go through the same special-use permit process required for other land use changes. A lot consolidation request would need a special-use permit if the requested new lot would be two times greater than the minimum required lot size or the minimum required average lot width. Sizes and minimums vary by zone within the village.

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Village President Chris Rintz said during the Nov. 14 Village Council meeting that the ordinance is designed to help prevent large homesteads from being built on large consolidated lots. He said if someone were to come in and purchase multiple lots, they could build huge homes on the lot and effectively change the character of the neighborhood.

Rintz was not in attendance at the Dec. 19 meeting.

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The issue came to a head in the village after council approved the consolidation of four lots totaling 3.7 acres owned by Ishbia along the lakefront just south of Centennial Park with plans to build a $43.7 million mansion there for his family.

The village is also looking to add steep slope regulations that would prevent the building of unauthorized structures on the steep slope region of the bluffs in an effort to protect them.

A public hearing on the steep slope regulation is schedule during the Jan. 9 Village Council meeting.

Residents who have opposed Ishbias construction and dealings with the Winnetka Park District said they approve of the lot consolidation effort with hopes it could prevent wealthy residents from buying up the lakefront and preventing passage along public property.

Other residents, including John Edwardson, a lakefront homeowner and neighbor to the north of Elder Lane Park, argue there are better ways for the village to manage the issue.

What we heard over the months and years is that you wanted to prevent another thing happening like what happened at 251 Sheridan, Edwardson said. We have a lot of creative people on this Village Council and all you can think to do is to regulate every other lakefront owner with steep slope regulations because youre unhappy about one homeowner and what they did. Theres got to be a different way to handle it.
(Bloomberg) -- Two new super PACs allied with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis booked more than $8 million in advertisements in recent weeks to boost his presidential bid, as Never Back Down, the group that has been supporting his campaign for months, pulls back ad spending amid internal turmoil.

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DeSantis allies have shifted responsibility for advertising to Fight Right from Never Back Down after a series of departures from top officials. Fight Right is a relatively new super PAC formed by Florida-based lobbyists and DeSantis advisers. Good Fight, another super PAC supporting DeSantis, also registered with the Federal Election Commission this week.

Never Back Down canceled $2.6 million in ad spending on Friday, according to data from AdImpact, a company that tracks political ad spending. It spent about $40 million in TV advertisements from the start of the campaign.

In its place, Fight Right has placed $7.7 million in advertisements opposing Nikki Haley, whos fighting with DeSantis for second place in the Republican primary, according to AdImpact. The organization will book more than $2.5 million in additional ads ahead of the Iowa caucus starting on Sunday, according to spokesperson Taryn Fenske.

Good Fight has reserved more than $800,000 in pro-DeSantis advertising, according to AdImpact. A spokesman for the group did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

People in DeSantis orbit have been unhappy with the way Never Back Down had attacked Haley and wanted more control over that messaging. DeSantis and Haley both trail frontrunner Donald Trump by a wide margin in polls.

Never Back Down has been severely weakened in the past month, with the departure of several top officials and strategists including well-known political operative Jeff Roe.

In another blow to Roe, the new super PACs arent using his firm AxMedia to buy the advertisements, as Never Back Down had done.

Never Back Down chairman Scott Wagner said in a statement the organization is focused on running its grassroots and political caucus operation.

We are thrilled to have Fight Right and others covering the air for Governor DeSantis while we work the ground game in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and beyond, Wagner said.

A Fight Right ad set to run on cable and broadcast on Sunday that was shared with Bloomberg News attacks Haley, claiming that she pretends to be tough on China and stated that Nikki talks about Chinese indoctrination, but as governor she let Confucius Institutes push propaganda on college campuses.

The Good Fight advertisements will begin airing on Dec. 25. Both Good Fight and Fight Right share the same compliance firm and use the same ad buyer, Digital Media Placement Services.

The Good Fight name reflects a line that appeared in an interview with the Florida governor.

Im somebody that has fought the good fight on behalf of conservative voters, DeSantis told Iowa PBS on Dec. 8.

While it has contracted its scope of work, Never Back Down continues to be the largest super PAC bankrolling any candidate this cycle. FEC records show it raised $130.6 million and ended June with $96.8 million cash on hand. But most of its money, some $82.5 million, was raised for DeSantis 2022 gubernatorial campaign, not for his presidential run.

Many donors whose big checks helped DeSantis win a second term as governor, including Citadels Ken Griffin and Interactive Brokers chairman Thomas Peterffy, have not appeared in FEC reports of donors to his super PAC.

Never Back Down reported making an additional $29.3 million in independent expenditures on DeSantis behalf since July, though that figure doesnt include all of the super PACs spending, including money for canvassing efforts and other on-the-ground activities. All three of DeSantis super PACs are required to report their financial activity through the end of the year on Jan. 31.

--With assistance from Nancy Cook.

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(FOX 2) - A Detroit man will spend 200 months in prison after a federal law enforcement partnership discovered multiple kilos of cocaine, weapons, ammo, and several other loaded handguns.

Kenneth Hinton, 43, was sentenced this week after federal prosecutors in Kentucky secured a plea agreement.

According to the agreement, an investigation into Hinton started in March 2022 with a partnership between the IRS and the DEA. Authorities eventually executed search warrants at Hinton's residence in Lexington, a storage unit, and his vehicle.

They found five kilograms of cocaine, numerous firearms, including an AR-15, a release from the Justice Department said.

The joint financial investigation into Hinton's dealings found he was using the funds from his drug sales to buy up real estate in Detroit.

He was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and money laundering.

As part of his plea agreement, he'll need to forfeit $23,100 in money, five guns with magazines, as well as his Mercedes.
(Clockwise from upper left) The four liberal justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Jill Karofsky, Rebecca Dallet, Janet Protasiewicz and Ann Walsh Bradley.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ordered the Republican-controlled state Legislature to draw new legislative boundaries ahead of the 2024 election, arguing their GOP advantage is unconstitutional  delivering a long-sought win for Democrats who have stayed deep in the Legislature's minority for more than a decade.

The court in a 4-3 decision released Friday afternoon said it is also prepared to write the new maps itself if the Legislature and Democratic governor cannot agree on a new plan.

Many Democratic politicians and Democratic-aligned organizations praised the decision soon after it was released, while Republicans criticized the action.

Here are their reactions.

Gov. Tony Evers

Gov. Tony Evers

Gov. Tony Evers released the following statement Friday afternoon:Its clear to me that a Republican-controlled Legislature that has consistently gerrymandered itself into comfortable, partisan majorities for more than a decade is incapable of preparing fair, nonpartisan maps deserving of the people of this state. I agree with the Courts determination that these maps are unconstitutional because the districts lack contiguity. Wisconsin is a purple state, and I look forward to submitting maps to the Court to consider and review that reflect and represent the makeup of our state. And I remain as optimistic as ever that, at long last, the gerrymandered maps Wisconsinites have endured for years might soon be history.

Attorney General Josh Kaul.

Attorney General Josh Kaul

Attorney General Josh Kaul released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding the ruling:

Today is a great day for democracy in Wisconsin.

For over a decade, our state legislature has been elected in a fundamentally undemocratic manner due to partisan gerrymandering. And the consequences have been immense: policies with strong public support have been blocked by and often havent even received a hearing from  the legislature.

Todays decision marks a sea change. It means that our state legislature will once again be truly democratically elected. The power to determine what direction our legislature takes will again reside where it belongs  with Wisconsin voters. This is a landmark ruling for democracy in Wisconsin.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos

Robin Vos, R-Rochester, who is Wisconsins top Assembly Republican, said Friday:

"I said this was going to happen earlier this week. The case was pre-decided before it was even brought. Sad day for our state when the State Supreme Court just said last year that the existing lines are constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court will have the last word."

Brian Schimming is the chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming had this reaction to the ruling:

Democrats have decided to try elections in the courtroom rather than actually earn voters trust at the ballot box. By throwing out these maps, left-wing jurists on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have usurped both their authority and the will of the majority of Wisconsinites who favor keeping existing districts.

Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison

State Senator Melissa Agard

State Senator Melissa Agard, D-Madison, released the following statement Friday afternoon:

We as elected officials must protect our democracy and uphold the will of the people. Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around. I am glad to see the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in favor of the people  that the current gerrymandered maps are unconstitutional and should be overturned.

The Legislature does not reflect the values and voices of Wisconsinites. I applaud the state Supreme Courts decision and look forward to an election cycle where all Wisconsinites can rightly choose their representatives in the State Capitol.

State Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, speaks during the Assembly's session June 22, 2021, at the Capitol in Madison.

Representative Lisa Subeck

Representative Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, released the following statement Friday afternoon:

Wisconsins unconstitutional and unfair legislative maps have failed the people of our state for more than a decade, diminishing the power of their voices, their votes, and their ability to choose their representatives. Today, the court affirmed what we have been saying for years: Wisconsins partisan, gerrymandered maps are unconstitutional and should be redrawn. The courts order makes clear that Wisconsin must adopt or approve new maps that adhere to the constitution, putting an end to the practice of Republican politicians choosing their voters with the intent of consolidating their own partisan political power.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, shown here at a campaign event during his tenure as attorney general.

Waukesha County judge Brad Schimel

Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is now a judge in Waukesha County and is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court against incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in 2025, said:

"Wisconsin's legislative maps were already reviewed and approved by both the Supreme Court of the United States and Supreme Court of Wisconsin. It's troubling that because the membership of a court changes, we can have a new outcome the following year. This should come as a surprise to no one. This is the super-legislature that was promised by this liberal majority. If there's any question as to why I'm in this race, this is why. This kind of judicial activism will do long-term damage to our state and to respect for our courts. No one should expect that this case will be the last."

A Better Wisconsin Together

A Better Wisconsin Together, "a state-based research and communications hub for progressives," released a statement Friday afternoon where Executive Director Chris Walloch called the decision "a significant milestone in pursuit of a truly representative government that ensures every vote holds equal weight, and that popular policies have a fair shot at becoming law."

This ruling affirms that the current gerrymandered legislative maps do not meet the constitutional standards required to guarantee an accurate and representative reflection of the diverse voices across Wisconsin, Walloch said.

According to an analysis from legal experts at UW-Madison, Wisconsins current Republican-drawn legislative maps are some of the most gerrymandered in the nation.

Voters should pick our leaders, not the other way around, Walloch continued. Wisconsins current maps do not reflect that, and were drawn up by right-wing politicians in a way that only benefits their own political agenda. This means that Wisconsins partisan gerrymander is causing real and tangible harm to our communities.

A Better Together pointed to polling that shows 68% of Wisconsinites support safe and legal abortion access, 81% support common sense gun safety laws, and 64% support marijuana legalization  and criticized the Republican-controlled legislature it says "has blocked action on these popular policies at every turn, thanks to the partisan maps they rigged for themselves."

These unconstitutional maps reflect a long history of partisan map drawing that enables right-wing politicians to rig the rules for their own benefit, while the issues Wisconsin voters care about have gone unaddressed, Walloch said. We are appreciative of the court majoritys willingness to give fair maps a fair shot in Wisconsin.

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee released a statement Friday afternoon applauding the decision and saying it "reaffirms our commitment to the fight for democracy in Wisconsin as we lay the groundwork for critical 2024 elections."

DLCC President Heather Williams said, "Wisconsin is one of the worst gerrymandered states in the country, and Republicans have robbed voters of true representation for far too long. We applaud the Wisconsin Supreme Court for finding these maps unconstitutional and urge that the next set of maps fairly reflect communities across the state. Make no mistake: this decision is a game-changer.

Wisconsin is a competitive state at every other ballot level, and with these gerrymandered maps thrown out, it can finally be reflective of the state's composition as a whole. Wisconsin remains a top priority for the DLCC in 2024, and were already hard at work building the campaigns that will break Republicans supermajority and win back power for Democrats next fall. The time for fair representation in Wisconsin is long overdue and starts now.

Committee to Protect Health Care

Physicians with the Committee applauded the Wisconsin Supreme Courts decision to strike down what it called "the states hyper-partisan legislative maps," adding the decision "could allow Wisconsinites' voices to be better reflected on issues that matter most to them, including expanding BadgerCare."

For too long, our unfair state maps have allowed elected officials to ignore the will of Wisconsinites on key issues like Medicaid expansion, saidDr. Ann Helms, a neurologist in Milwaukee and Wisconsin Lead for the Committee. Seven in ten Wisconsinites support fully expanding Badgercare, a policy which would make a world of difference in the health of tens of thousands of residents. Physicians hope that this ruling will make our elected officials more responsive to their constituents and to patients like mine on critical health issues.

Jenner & Block Partner Sam Hirsch

Jenner & Block Partner Sam Hirsch, who argued the case on behalf of some intervenor-petitioners applauded the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to take down the state's legislative maps, which he argued have shown to be partisan.

Were gratified that the Court agreed that the Senate and Assembly maps violate the Wisconsin Constitution. We look forward to working through the remedial process to ensure that Wisconsinites can have fair representation in the State Legislature for the first time in more than a decade," Hirsch said in a released statement.

Eric H. Holder

Eric H. Holder, the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, voiced support for the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to strike down the state's gerrymandered legislative maps.

Holder said in a statement, It is way past time to end illegitimate minority rule in Wisconsin, and this decision is a powerful step toward fair representation."

For more than a decade, Wisconsinites have been forced to live under unpopular policies enacted by artificial Republican legislative majorities, despite the fact that Democrats saw increasing  and sometimes majority  statewide support. Yet, Wisconsinites never gave up. They organized. They voted. They demonstrated that in order to protect democracy, we must DO democracy.

And that tenacity is forging a new chapter for the state, moving out from the shadow of Scott Walkers and Robin Vos anti-democratic legacy of voter suppression and onto the path toward a truly representative democracy. Make no mistake: Weve got a long way to go. But Wisconsin proves that when the people participate, over time, states that may seem unreachable in the fight for fairness today, could indeed become beacons of justice in the years to come. Wisconsin is now on that path.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, others respond to redistricting decision
News 4 is looking back at the Blizzard of 22 one year later. All of our stories can be found here.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo marked the one-year anniversary of what many know as the Christmas blizzard  an event that paralyzed Western New York and resulted in dozens of deaths.

Friday at 9 a.m., the Diocese began ringing church bells across the region.

It is with heavy hearts that we look back at December 2022, and remember the lives that were taken by the historic blizzard. The city of Buffalo was the epicenter of a storm that claimed the lives of residents across Erie and Niagara counties, said Mayor Brown. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all the families who lost loved ones during that time.

Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher praised Western New Yorkers who lent a hand to their neighbors during the event.

Despite the great suffering and loss of life, it also was an opportunity for Western New Yorkers to demonstrate their most charitable and compassionate side and show why our area is so special as demonstrated by our neighbors countless acts of kindness and charity that saved lives and eased peoples burdens during this generational storm, Fisher said.

In all, 46 people in Erie County, and one in Niagara County, died as a result of the blizzard. Since then, both Erie County and the City of Buffalo have made changes to their blizzard response preparation, including improved communication methods and additional snow-ready equipment.

The Buffalo History Museum recently revealed a collection of materials pertaining to the historic event.

MORE | See News 4s complete coverage of the Christmas blizzard here.

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Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. 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.
OKMULGEE COUNTY, Okla. (AP/KFOR)  A dispute erupted this week between Lighthorse police officers from the Muscogee Nation and Okmulgee County jailers that led to one jailer facing a battery charge in tribal court.

The confrontation underscores the tension between tribal authorities and some state and county officials over tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Federal judge dismisses Tulsa ticketing jurisdiction suit

The latest altercation began Monday when a Lighthorse office requested Okmulgee Police Department to respond to a suspicious traffic stop. Muscogee Nation Attorney General Geri Wisner said Okmulgee Police Department refused to respond.

Tribal police then attempted to deliver the driver arrested for suspected fentanyl possession to the Okmulgee County jail.

Jailers refused to accept the prisoner, and a scuffle broke out between a jailer and a tribal officer.

The jailer, Matthew J. Douglas, was charged Wednesday in tribal court with battery, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Okmulgee County jail officials did not cooperate with three Muscogee Nation police officers who attempted to serve the arrest warrant, and the jailer has not been taken into custody, Muscogee Nation Attorney General Wisner said Thursday.

We are having ongoing conversations with Attorney General (Gentner) Drummond and U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson and will be determining the best next steps, Wisner said.

Violating federal law: Muscogee Nation files suit against City of Tulsa over continued prosecution of tribal citizens

Messages left Thursday by the Associated Press with jail officials and Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice seeking comment about the incident were not returned.

However, Sheriff Rice did post the following statement to Facebook.

Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office on altercation between jailers and Muscogee Lighthore officers

Wisner blamed Okmulgee County officials for not working cooperatively with the tribe on law enforcement issues.

We understand that the Okmulgee County officials dislike federal laws that grant tribal law enforcement jurisdiction, she said. But those political opinions do not give Okmulgee County the right to disregard and violate laws. It certainly does not give them license to assault another police officer.

Governor Kevin Stitt said the altercation was a direct result of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision on criminal jurisdiction and that he would continue to call on Congress and the courts to come up with solutions.

Without jurisdictional clarity, we are left with a patchwork system and heightened tensions, the governor said in a statement to AP. I am glad cooler heads prevailed and prevented the situation from escalating to a dangerous level, but this demonstrates the need for collective action.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Wang Bo was not really a fan of costume dramas. It was a big decision for the 26-year-old farmer in east China's Shandong Province to close his chicken farm in 2015 and revert to producing traditional Chinese dress, also known as Hanfu.

But this business turned out to be unexpectedly successful.

Wang now owns a small workshop employing more than 20 workers, with revenue last year exceeding eight million yuan (about 1.13 million U.S. dollars).

"In the Ancailou Township where I live, almost all the young people born after 1995 are now involved in Hanfu businesses," he said.

In recent years, benefiting from the growing popularity of social media and a craze for traditional culture, Hanfu, a traditional style of clothing worn by the Han people which usually features intricate embroidery, was returned to the spotlight by a new wave of young Chinese devotees.

However, few people know that the biggest Hanfu producing base in China is Caoxian County, which administers Ancailou. In the first nine months this year, sales of Hanfu in the county reached a record high of 5.53 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 45.22 percent. About 40 percent of the total Hanfu in China's domestic market was produced in Caoxian.

According to Zhang Longfei, director of Caoxian's e-commerce service center, the county with more than 1.3 million people is one of Shandong's most populous counties, and used to be the origin of many migrant workers who left the region to pursue jobs in China's big cities.

About 15 years ago, some villagers in this county tested the waters by making Hanfu costumes for photo studios and performances, before also hustling around to try to sell them.

The situation was changed by the rise of e-commerce in China. In 2009, these Hanfu makers opened online stores, and found that their dresses sold surprisingly well.

In the following years, more villagers joined the Hanfu business, involved in either production or online sales. "Selling on Taobao is better than rushing about" became a slogan in Caoxian.

Wang from Ancailou had been a migrant worker before 2014, earning 2,000 to 3,000 yuan a month. Seeing the booming Hanfu industry in his hometown, he decided to return there. In the first month, he earned more than 200,000 yuan.

Over the past few years he witnessed a production chain taking shape in Caoxian.

University graduate Liang Li returned in spring this year. An art major, the 25-year-old became a designer of Hanfu, earning about 8,000 yuan a month.

Guo Peng, from central China's Henan Province, used to be involved in a clothing business in the south Chinese city of Guangzhou, before opening a store in Caoxian last year. "Last November my store opened along with six others," he recalled. "Now we have more than 70 clothing stores nearby."

"Find a designer on the internet. After you've got the design, you can find everything you need here, from fabrics to accessories, to produce the costumes," said Li Wenchuang, who, like Wang, returned to Caoxian to start his own Hanfu company in 2017.

This industrial agglomeration has driven down the cost of Hanfu, which used to cost about 1,000 yuan per item. Now Hanfu items produced in Caoxian are sold for only between 100 yuan and 300 yuan each, which is easily affordable for more young people, even students.

Caoxian County is currently home to 12,797 online Hanfu stores and 2,186 companies related to the business, while close to 100,000 people are involved in the Hanfu industry.

According to research firm iMedia Research, the value of the Hanfu market in China was estimated at 12.54 billion yuan in 2022, and it will likely rise to 19.11 billion yuan in 2025.

To encourage the development of Hanfu businesses, the local government of Caoxian County earmarked about 10 billion yuan to build an industrial park, while a Hanfu association was established to promote collaboration between producers, designers and colleges.

At the same time, a center for safeguarding of intellectual property rights was set up in the county, reducing the number of days needed for patent application processing from 180 to 10 days.

Hao Chaoliang, an official with the Ancailou Township, expressed hope that the Hanfu produced in Caoxian could be promoted to more places across China, a pursuit for which offline stores are a good option.

Thanks to her offline store, which was the first in Ancailou, Bai Menghan has already received orders from tourist cities such as Xi'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Luoyang in Henan. She is now planning to open stores in Shanghai, Xi'an and Zhengzhou.

For his part, Wang Bo is trying to complete the production line in his workshop. "I can do everything now except printing," he said. "So the cost of my clothes is about 15 to 20 percent lower than others. In the future I am going to focus on high quality."
Wilma Mobley, 84, was killed with an axe-like object in 1995 (Jerome Police Department)

Almost three decades after 84-year-old Wilma Mobley was brutally murdered in her Idaho home, her killer has been identified thanks to advanced DNA technology.

Mobley was found dead inside her home in Jerome on 10 August 1995, the Jerome Police Department said in a release.

She had been strangled and attacked with an axe-type instrument.

At the time, investigators had three suspects on their radar, including a neighbour named Danny Lee Kennison.

It was Kennisons erratic actions that initially caught the eyes of investigators.

Everything he did afterwards showed that he was eliminating evidence. He moved, cut his hair, shaved his beard, Sergeant Clinton Wagner, who worked on solving the case, told KMVT.

An affidavit was even submitted for his arrest, but prosecutors felt there wasnt enough evidence to charge him.

Former detective Dan Chatterton told the outlet: The thing that was the most frustrating was the fact that we didnt have the fingerprints, blood sample of a suspect or anything like that that would have cleared the case.

Mobleys case was not solved until advances in DNA technology help find her killer (KMVT)

Eventually, the case went cold, and while there were a few attempts over the years to solve the crime, it wasnt until June 2022  when Sgt Wagner was assigned to the case  that a break would come.

Sgt Wagner contacted the Idaho State Police Forensic Lab to see if any of the items that were collected from the crime scene 20 years earlier could be tested given the advances in DNA technology.

The lab carried out tests and, on Monday, the results came back.

A significant amount of DNA matching Kennison had been found on Mobleys underclothing  tying him to her murder.

While Kennison was a neighbour of Mobley, they had no known relationship and the motive remains unclear.

Kennison died by suicide at his home in Filer, Idaho, in March 2001.

Sgt Wagner met with Mobleys family the day after the results came in to tell them they had identified the killer and the case was now closed.
Dozens of physicians, dentists and psychiatrists rally outside Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles last month. The Union of American Physicians and Dentists, which represents more than 1,100 L.A. County employees, postponed a strike planned for Wednesday. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

Doctors and dentists who work at hospitals and other health facilities run by Los Angeles County are postponing a strike that had been scheduled to begin next week, their union announced Friday.

Members of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists had been preparing to go on strike from Wednesday to Jan. 1 amid complaints that inadequate benefits made it difficult to hire and retain medical staff. The UAPD has more than 1,100 members in the bargaining units that has been planning to walk out, the bulk of them employed at the county's Department of Health Services.

The union said Friday that it had reached an agreement with the county to postpone the strike so that outside experts could review the tax implications surrounding possible changes to employee benefits, which have been the sticking point in negotiations after more than two years of bargaining.

Union officials said those outside assessments are expected to be back by February, setting the stage for further bargaining over benefits and delaying any possible strike until at least the middle of February.

"The parties will continue to negotiate other critical matters and the UAPD remains committed to securing a package that facilitates the recruitment and retention of physicians, psychiatrists, and veterinarians, and dentists," the union said in a statement Friday.

Read more: MLK Community Hospital says it could soon be unable to pay its bills

As part of the agreement, the union said that the county was no longer pursuing a court injunction against the planned strike, which would have affected safety-net hospitals operated by the county such as Olive View-UCLA Medical Center as well as clinics and other facilities, like the medical examiner's office.

L.A. County said in a statement Friday that the two sides had reached an agreement "to further explore employee benefits for UAPD members."

"L.A. County remains committed to reaching agreement on a fair and fiscally responsible contract that balances the needs of our valued medical workforce with the needs of vulnerable residents who rely on the County safety net," the statement said. "We are also determined to reach terms that allow us to more effectively recruit medical professionals to expand our services in critical areas and provide additional support to our current workforce."

The UAPD has argued that benefits for its members fall short of what is offered to medical professionals working for other employers in the region, hampering recruitment and retention. Among other things, UAPD members complained that workers don't get enough paid time off to recover from childbirth and bond with their babies, spurring some doctors to work extra hours while pregnant in order to extend their maternity leaves.

Such shortcomings are a major reason why job vacancies for medical professionals have hit alarming levels in some county facilities, the union said. For instance, the UAPD said there was a 70% vacancy rate for psychiatrists working in county jails.

The Department of Health Services has countered that the employees represented by the union already have an "extensive benefits package"  the same one in place for more than 35,000 other county workers  and that giving all of them a more costly package would prevent the county from concentrating its incentives on the hardest-to-recruit workers.

The county filed a complaint last week with the L.A. County Employee Relations Commission that claimed the walkout would be an "economic strike" aimed at gaining leverage at the bargaining table before the two sides had reached an official impasse or exhausted the steps following one. That would make the action "presumptively unlawful," it said in its complaint.

The county also argued in its complaint that the strike posed an imminent threat to public health and safety.

Read more: Allegations of sexual harassment, armed surgeon roil top L.A. teaching hospital

The UAPD disputed the county claims ahead of the Friday announcement. In its own complaint with the county commission, the union accused the county of "bad faith bargaining" and alleged that an official at one of the county-run hospitals had "cornered" union members to ask if they were going to strike.

"The county caused this scheduled strike by failing to take their bargaining obligation seriously," UAPD counsel Ardalan "Ardy" Raghian said in a statement Tuesday.

The last contract between the union and the county expired in 2021. As the Dec. 27 strike date approached, the county and the UAPD had been negotiating over which critical employees would remain on the job during a walkout to ensure that essential services remain available.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors had also authorized the health services department to enter into personnel contracts so that it could remain staffed during the strike, as well as to negotiate higher-than-usual payments if patients needed to be transferred to other facilities.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Did someone drop a hand grenade outside an Oregon middle school? It sure looked like it, police said.

On Dec. 18, officers in McMinnville responded to Patton Middle School after getting reports of a potential hand grenade being found in the grass near the schools running track, according to a Dec. 20 Facebook post by police.

All the students were sent inside while police investigated, officials said.

But it turned out the item wasnt a bomb in the slightest.

After securing the area, the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad arrived and the department used a drone to take close-up photos of the item, officers said.

After looking over the pictures, officers were able to determine the suspected grenade was actually a dog poop bag dispenser, an item used to carry clean doggy waste bags, officials said.

The dispenser was taken off campus, police said.

McClatchy News reached out to Patton Middle School for a comment on Dec. 22 and is awaiting a response.

McMinnville is about 50 miles southwest of Portland.

Goodwill evacuated after grenade is found in donation box, Illinois cops say

Bomb squad called after magnet fisherman reels in a live grenade, Kentucky cops say

Hand grenades with explosive warning wash up on Oregon beach, police say
A Mansfield man has been indicted on federal charges that he submitted false inspection reports in his role as a federal produce inspector in exchange for bribes, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Timothy Peppel, 68, is charged with accepting bribes from American Fresh Produce, a wholesale produce company, from $1,000 to $1,500 each week, according to the news release. Peppel, in exchange for the bribes, downgraded the produce American Fresh Produce wanted to buy to reduce the cost.

In his role as a federal produce inspector, Peppel was responsible for inspecting produce and providing reports of those inspections to companies buying and selling produce, according to the DOJ. The bribes started shortly after Peppel started performing inspections of American Fresh Produce.

Hes been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and receiving bribes by a public officer, along with five counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of receiving a bribe by a public official, according to the news release.

Peppel could face up to 20 years in prison on each count of honest services wire fraud, five years on the conspiracy charge and 15 years on the charge of receiving bribe by a public official, plus restitution.
Map of Cambodia, showing the extent of economic land concessions to local and foreign companies (Nicholas SHEARMAN)

Eam Orn kneels in a forest in northwest Cambodia, pressing his hands together before an offering of bananas studded with smoking incense, and prays for the return of his land.

He is one of hundreds of thousands affected by economic land concessions (ELCs) -- land grants to businesses that experts say have driven deforestation and dispossession.

From 2001 to 2015, a third of Cambodia's primary forests -- some of the world's most biodiverse and a key carbon sink -- were cleared, and tree cover loss accelerated faster than anywhere else in the world, according to the World Resources Institute.

The government halted ELCs in 2012, but a new grant has raised fears the moratorium could be over, even as Cambodians like Orn struggle with the policy's legacy.

"If the state wants to compensate me with money, I don't want it," the wiry farmer told AFP in some of the last remaining forest near his village, Praeus K'ak.

"I only want my land."

Orn, of Cambodia's ethnic Kuy people, lives surrounded by more than 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of ELC.

He lost eight hectares when the government granted it to subsidiaries of China's Hengfu Group in 2011, for a sugar processing facility touted as one of Asia's largest.

It was supposed to employ thousands, but today its chimney stacks stand silent behind locked gates, and air blows in through broken windows.

Reached by phone, a Hengfu employee in China confirmed the factory was closed, but said only top-level management knew why.

Cambodia formalised ELCs in 2001 with legislation allowing recipients to clear land for "industrial agricultural exploitation".

Large tracts have, however, been handed to rubber, sugar and paper firms since at least 1993, according to the United Nations.

A lack of transparency makes the scale hard to quantify, though Cambodian rights group LICADHO has tracked at least 313 concessions, covering more than 2.2 million hectares.

- 'All gone' -

The country's protected areas, where commercial development is legally prohibited, have not been spared. ELCs covered 14 percent of them by 2013, according to NGO Forest Trends.

Rampant deforestation in Cambodia pre-dates ELCs, but the concessions have been a "predominant driver" since their introduction, according to a 2022 study in journal Scientific Reports that found a clear correlation between forest loss rates and ELC expansions.

And deforestation is not the only consequence.

"Wherever there are ELCs, there are (land) disputes," Pen Bonna, coordinator for rights group ADHOC in Preah Vihear province, told AFP.

Cambodia's land records were largely destroyed by the communist Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and after its fall people often settled without legal title.

The 2001 law offered a path to ownership, but the complex process means few have obtained it, leaving villagers like Orn vulnerable to land grabs, despite frequent condemnation by rights groups and the UN.

"My family's livelihood and income has gone down... I'm older and can't work as a labourer," the father of seven said.

He took out bank loans for food and clothing, and even worked at the sugar factory before it closed.

"If we did not go, we had nothing to do."

Thoeun Sophoeun, 29, also took out loans after losing around six hectares of farmland and access to the surrounding forest that once provided crucial additional sustenance.

"We could enter the forest and easily bring meat and food back home but now it's all gone," said the mother of two.

- 'Farm with fear' -

ELCs were long enthusiastically championed by former Cambodian leader Hun Sen as a way to bolster the country's economic development.

"More Cambodians will be rich. I want to see more Cambodian millionaires. There are many of them in China," he said at the opening of a sugar factory on an ELC in 2012.

But that same year, faced with growing land conflicts and admitting the risk of a "farmers' revolution", Hun Sen announced the ELC moratorium.

He pledged the government would seize land from firms who cleared trees for sale or failed to develop their plots.

In Praeus K'ak, little has changed.

Since the factory closed, villagers including Orn and Sophoeun have crept back onto farmland.

"We farm with fear, because the state has not made any announcement," said Sophoeun.

"We don't know whether they will come and take it back."

Locals say some company workers have leased plots to outsiders to farm, violating the ELC agreement, but the government has not acted.

In January, LICADHO sounded the alarm over what it called a new ELC, citing a March 2022 letter authorising the transfer of nearly 10,000 hectares in northeastern Stung Treng province.

- 'Lost forever' -

Locals told AFP that land has already been seized for a road, and described intimidation and the arrest of a villager who challenged the concession.

"They don't let us grow anything," said Tha, who asked not to be identified by his full name to avoid retaliation.

"They have threatened to arrest us one by one."

Licadho operations director Am Sam Ath said the group had identified other new land grants, including inside Botum Sakor National Park.

"Now they use words like long-term lease," he said. But "it is similar to ELCs".

He warned of "doom for forests" if the policy resumes, with little hope of transparency or monitoring.

Government officials from several ministries responsible for ELCs did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

The drive for continued concessions comes despite evidence ELCs offer little economic benefit for the average Cambodian or state coffers.

In 2022, the country's then-agriculture minister admitted that fewer than a million hectares of ELC were active, and the government was earning just over $2 million in annual rent.

In Praeus K'ak, Orn worries that his grandchildren are growing up with no memory of his people's sacred forests and no knowledge of the animals that once populated them.

"We lost worship forests, we lost income... I'm very worried about our identity," he said, calling on others to fight new concessions.

"If it's lost, it's lost forever."

suy-sah/aha/sco
When John Rogerson died 200 years ago - just a few miles from where he was born - it barely troubled some local papers.

A couple of lines in the Dumfries Weekly Journal only briefly noted how he became entrusted by one of the 18th Century's most significant figures.

The farmer's son from Lochbrow near Lochmaben rose to become a physician and adviser to Catherine the Great.

He was a trusted confidant of the empress of Russia for a large slice of her reign.

Born in rural Annandale, Rogerson went to Moffat Grammar School and received his medical training at the University of Edinburgh.

Local connections, however, meant he would pursue a career much further afield.

Rogerson had dedicated his university thesis to another south of Scotland doctor who he was related to, James Mounsey, who worked in Russia.

It was on his recommendation that Rogerson gained employment overseas.

In 1766, he arrived in St Petersburg and subsequently received the right to practise in Russia.

"It was not long before he earned the respect and gratitude of the Russian royal family by saving the life of Princess Dashkova's son who had a severe episode of croup," said Jim Storrar in his Moffat Bedside Book.

By 1769 he was appointed court physician but his role appears to have been much wider than that.

"Although Catherine professed scepticism towards doctors and medicines, she seems to have regarded Rogerson as the most capable physician in her entourage and often dispatched him to deal with emergencies or to treat her sick friends," said his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

"Rogerson was reputed to be absent-minded, a passionate gambler, and a gossip.

"These characteristics, together with his tall and angular appearance, made him the butt of jokes.

"Nevertheless, he possessed sufficient tact and diplomatic skills to be used regularly in unofficial negotiations, and acquired many staunch friends, among both Russians and foreigners."

Who was Catherine the Great?

Catherine the Great

Catherine II was Empress of Russia for more than 30 years and one of the country's most influential rulers.

She was born in Stettin - then part of Prussia, now Szczecin in Poland - the daughter of a minor German prince.

In 1745 she married Grand Duke Peter, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the Russian throne.

He became Tsar Peter III in 1762 but was soon overthrown - and killed shortly afterwards - and Catherine declared empress.

Her major influences on her adopted country were in expanding Russia's borders and continuing the process of Westernisation begun by Peter the Great.

She read widely and corresponded with many of the prominent thinkers of the era, including Voltaire and Diderot and was a patron of the arts, literature and education.

She died in St Petersburg on 17 November 1796 and was succeeded by her son Paul.

Source: BBC History.

Rogerson's influence brought him a gift of an estate in the Minsk region which added to his already considerable earnings.

"He became a close friend of the empress, who appears to have preferred him as a friend and adviser than as a physician," according to the book Scotsmen in the Service of the Czars.

"She treated Rogerson as a kind of Moliere charlatan: 'You couldn't cure a flea-bite!' she would say to him."

One area where his discretion appears to have been valued, however, was in reputedly checking her lovers for sexually transmitted diseases.

"This gave him access to many court secrets, which remained such in his canny keeping," it was reported.

Despite Catherine's death in 1796, Rogerson remained in Russia and was promoted to the rank of "secret councillor" under Paul I.

After Paul's assassination in 1801, the Scottish doctor helped Empress Maria Feodorovna to escape while carrying the future Tsar Nicholas I to safety.

He continued to work in Russia until 1816 although he regularly visited his homeland.

"He also sent many delicacies home to his family in Scotland," wrote Storrar, "such as salted cucumber and reindeer tongues."

On returning to southern Scotland, he settled on his estate in Dumcrieff where a new house was completed in 1821.

He would die there on 21 December 1823, aged 82, having lived a life that his death notice hardly did justice.

Listen to news from Dumfries and Galloway, follow the BBC for the south of Scotland on X or send your story ideas to dumfries@bbc.co.uk.
Semafor Signals

Insights from The Guardian, International Organization for Migration, SABC News





NEWS

Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo were awaiting the results of the countrys election Friday, after a ballot marred by delays and widespread administrative chaos that prompted opposition candidates to call for a rerun.

Observers reported malfunctioning voting machines and closed polling stations among the issues plaguing the ballot, calling the credibility of election results into question.

The vote is taking place against the backdrop of mass displacement due to ongoing violent conflicts with Rwanda-backed rebels in the DRCs eastern provinces.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

A disputed vote in 2018 raises fears for a second peaceful transition of power

Sources: Washington Post, International Crisis Group

International groups have raised concerns about the risk of violence in the election, which sees President Felix Tshisekedi running for a second term against 18 other candidates, including oil executive and former runner-up Martin Fayulu.

Tshisedekis inauguration in 2019 marked the countrys first peaceful transition of power, but the 2018 election in the DRC was marred by violence and sparked a political crisis. After voting was postponed in several areas  ostensibly owing to an Ebola outbreak  opposition parties accused authorities of seeking to rig the vote, and protesters attacked polling centers. Leaked data later showed widespread irregularities and evidence of manipulation, according to The Washington Post. Runner-up Fayulu denounced a stolen victory and said he won by a landslide.

Internal displacement one of several hurdles to election credibility

Sources: International Organization for Migration, The Guardian, Reuters

Nearly 7 million people are internally displaced in the DRC due to conflict, according to the U.N., leaving many unable to participate in the ballot. One polling station in Ituri province was attacked by displaced people who found out only the day before that they were barred from voting, The Guardian reported. Other voters showed up to polling stations this week to find their names were not on voter registration lists, while many voting machines were not delivered or malfunctioned, and there were reports of observers being blocked and people being told how to vote, irregularitieswhich confirm our fears of obviously planned electoral fraud, Reuters quoted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege as saying.





An election win for Tshisekedi could raise tensions with Rwanda

Sources: Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch

The election is taking place amid a backdrop of heightened violence by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the east of the country, with Human Rights Watch reporting an escalation in unlawful killings, rape, and other war crimes since late 2022. Tshisekedi has vowed to seek authorization for a declaration of war against Kigali if he is reelected, Al Jazeera reported. Albert Malukisa, dean of political science at the Catholic University of Congo, said a win by Tshisekedi could lead to an increase in tensions with Rwanda, particularly in the absence of Western pressure for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
A male driver described as elderly was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident Thursday afternoon at state Route 121 and U.S. 36 West in Darke County, the sheriffs office said.

>> Area woman wins $45K + in Publishers Clearing House contest

The driver, whose name has not been released, was the sole occupant in the maroon 2010 GMC Arcadia found in a ditch just off the intersection, the sheriffs office said.

According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle was headed south on 121, approaching 36 West, when it traveled through the roundabout and hit a road sign. The vehicle continued off the right side of the road and ended up in the ditch.

Eyewitnesses stopped to render aid to the driver, who was unresponsive. He was removed from the vehicle and CPR was started, without success, the sheriffs office said. He was taken to the Montgomery County Coroners Office for a forensic examination to determine the cause of death.

Deputies along with Tri Village Rescue, New Madison Fire and CareFlight were dispatched to the location about 4:47 p.m. on the report of an injury accident.
One inevitably comes face to face with that shameful culinary and cultural catastrophe that is the motorway service station - John Kelly/iStockphoto

It was a legendary confrontation between critic and hospitality giant. 61 years ago, on December 22 1962, the writer Bernard Levin sat in the London television studios of That Was The Week That Was and squared up to Charles, later Lord, Forte, sitting mere inches away from him.

As Forte squirmed in his seat, attempting a nervous smile, Levin savaged the state of hotels and restaurants across the country, as represented by Forte, an Italian-born Scottish hotelier, who was building an empire of catering and hotel businesses.

If theres one word to describe the British hotel and restaurant industry  and there is  that word is disgusting, said Levin. There are other words that might be pressed into service in emergency: lazy, inefficient, dishonest, dirty, complacent, exorbitant, but disgusting just about sums up.

Levin spoke of the time he booked into a hotel in Dartmouth, where he asked the proprietor if he could have breakfast the next morning at 8:15am. The man looked confused and stuttered back: Youre not on the continent now, sir!

It was a running post-war theme: the drab, grey and terrible state of British food, which nevertheless seemed to sum up the British state of mind in wartime: grin, bear it and victory will be ours.

The Hungarian-born British writer George Mikes described it well in his 1946 book How to be an Alien, when he wrote: On the continent, people have good food; in England, they have good table manners.

Of course, we have travelled so far from that era now in our food and drink culture. Our restaurant scene is the most diverse, interesting and eclectic in the world. Yes, other nations have pockets of perfection, culinary geniuses influencing new generations of chefs. But no other country has the mix we have, the variety of cuisines; a reflection of one glorious upside of immigration.

But driving home for Christmas, the festive motorway theme tune of Chris Rea on our mind, you cant escape the elephant in the room. Although I do my very best to evade it, to plan ahead, to do everything I can to avoid it.

But with the kids needing pee stops and me needing pauses to stretch, one inevitably comes face to face with that shameful culinary and cultural catastrophe that is the motorway service station.

How I would love to see Levin lacerate all those invisible men and women, who between them operate Moto, Welcome Break and Roadchef and who curse our highways. I could sum it up by calling it the four fs. Foul food and fraudulent fuel.

In fact, its flattery to call the edible substances offered at service stations food. Their fast food offerings serve up little else but ultra-processed carbs and the situation is just as dire if you take shelter in a sandwich and some crisps from WH Smith.

The brilliant journalist, entrepreneur and campaigner Henry Dimbleby sums up the problem perfectly in his 2023 book Ravenous in a chapter that should be on the national curriculum called: Anatomy of an egg sandwich. He lists the ingredients in what the label calls a handmade sandwich. And there are 32 of them.

Then for a deeper delve, Chris van Tullekens must-read Ultra-Processed People explains that if its wrapped in plastic and has at least one ingredient that you wouldnt usually find in a standard home kitchen then its ultra-processed food. Which you should try to avoid.

But which, if you leave home without a self-made lunchbox and you intend to drive for a good few hours and you dont intend to starve, is literally impossible.

Keenly, happily, willingly, we are poisoning ourselves. And it doesnt have to be this way. Try driving through Austria. Actually dont, because it will break your heart. The service stations are beautifully designed, the eateries serve up freshly cooked food; theyll even grill you a steak as you like it. And Im not just biased because most of the female staff wear dirndls.

And what of the fuel at rip-off prices especially for you, you mutt, for taking the motorway. And yes, I know, theres Tebay services in Cumbria and Gloucester Services when you head south-west. I appreciate the wonderful produce they serve, the latter backed up by the marketing vehicle of a television series.

But have you tried doing an actual, proper food shop at Gloucester Services? My jaw dropped at the till and I caused chaos as I decided to evict 50 per cent of my shopping to ease the bill. And they charge even more for fuel, albeit under a roof sewn with grass seed.

The big beasts who run these places can be knocked off their perches, in the same way that some better eating habits have become mainstream. But it needs some hardy entrepreneurs. See that Gen Z oaf  yes, the one lounging on your sofa wondering what to do with their life. Tell them their time has come. Vive la revolution!

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Ukrainian attack drones hit their target on Russian territory, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 22, citing a source in intelligence.

Earlier on Dec. 22, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed air defense systems had stopped an attempted Ukrainian drone attack. One drone was downed over Moscow Oblast, while three drones were allegedly downed above Kaluga Oblast.

Another four drones were downed above Bryansk Oblast, which borders Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed.

The Ukrainian government does not typically comment on claims of drone strikes within Russia. Ukrainska Pravda said that according to its source, a number of drones reached their target.

Moscow, Kaluga, and Bryansk oblasts were reportedly the target of a drone attack on Dec. 19, when Russian media reported that three drones had been shot down over Kaluga Oblast and another in the skies above Bryansk Oblast.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed on the same day that air defenses near the Russian capital had shot down a drone as it approached the city, and there were no casualties or damage.

As Ukraine aims to ramp up arms production for another year of war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 19 that the country will produce 1 million drones in 2024.

Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin revealed in October that Ukraine is already producing thousands of drones per month, with the aim to build tens of thousands per month.

Read also: Russian drone strike on Kyiv, attacks across Ukraine kill 1, injure at least 4

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Renowned author Yu Hua delivered an open writing class titled "Starting from Pamuk's Nights of Plague" at Beijing Normal University on the evening of Dec. 14.

As one of the most representative contemporary writers in China, Yu has published novels including To Live that has been translated into many different languages such as French, English and Korean. A movie adaptation of the novel by Zhang Yimou has become a Chinese classic.

Recently, Paris Review ran an interview with Yu, the first Chinese writer to be featured among the pages of this renowned literary magazine.

As a teacher at Beijing Normal University's International Center for Writing, Yu's literature classes have always intrigued readers. Through livestreaming, his class has reached a broader audience of literature lovers beyond the campus.

At the beginning of the class, Yu said discussing Nights of Plague was a "difficult task", since he needs to get everyone interested in reading the book, but do so while avoiding spoilers.

"Pamuk wrote with great patience, and we need patience to read his book. Once you finish the novel, you'll realize it's much more fascinating than I can convey," he said.

Nights of Plague, written by Turkish author and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk in 2016, is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Ottoman Empire in 1901. The story unfolds on the imaginary island of Mingheria in the Levant, located in the eastern Mediterranean between Crete and Cyprus, which was plagued not only by imperial threats but also by a deadly epidemic.

The Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II sends his most accomplished quarantine expert to the island to control the outbreak, who is subsequently murdered. The sultan sends a second doctor to the island to combat the plague and uncover the killer of his predecessor.

Yu finished reading the 600-page novel in several days in the first half of the year. He said, although the novel tells a story about the early 20th century, it is a tale about the present day.

What novelists write is all about their perceptions and understanding of their current life, Yu said. Whether the story happens in the past, present or future, writers create from a perspective and position they understand, which is usually their currently one, so "all novels are about today, but works from different time are just about a today of that time", he said.

Delving into the details of the novel, he noted that he was impressed by the four dramatic deaths that occur within the first 70 pages.

Recalling his visit to Istanbul in 2014, Yu said that literature brings distant cultures closer. This, he believes, is why people still read classical Chinese poetry, the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber, and works by William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Charles Dickens, Honore de Balzac, Franz Kafka, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

The event, jointly organized by the School of Chinese Language and Literature and the International Center for Writing at Beijing Normal University, is part of the Writers' Open Literature Class series.

During the Q&A session, a student asked Yu how to live well in modern times.

Yu said, "I've signed many books for people, and many young people ask me to sign 'live well' on their book. I know how difficult living well is, otherwise people wouldn't ask me to write it.

"I feel it's about effort," he said.

"Especially for you students, the difficulties you may encounter in the future will be much greater than those you face on campus. One thing is important: Every day we face a lot of negative things, so what should we do? The best approach is to diligently seek positive things within them and magnify them. Because any negative thing contains positive content. Once you find it, that is your key to living well. Living well is about making an effort to find positive things in daily life."
Ukrainian drones have allegedly attacked Russias Bryansk and Rostov oblasts, Russian Telegram channels reported on Dec. 22.

Read also: HUR behind night drone attack on Russian military bases  NV sources

In Bryansk, the drones are said to have targeted an oil depot in a logistics center at around 5 a.m. local time on Dec. 21, according to the pro-Russian Shot Telegram channel. According to them, two drones were said to have been intercepted, with falling debris allegedly falling 300 meters from the logistics center. A second drone was found 500 meters away, with Russian sources claiming that the drone carried a 22-kilogram war-head. No casualties occurred as a result of the attack, they claim.

Meanwhile, an unidentified drone was spotted in the Russian town of Bataysk, Rostov Oblast, according to local Telegram channels on Dec. 22. Bataysk is located 15 kilometers from Rostov-on-Don and over 130 kilo-meters from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Alexander Bogomaz, governor of Bryansk Oblast, alleged that the drones had been successfully neutralized.

Earlier, on Dec. 16-17, Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that drones had attacked a military airfield in Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast. The attack on the Morozovsk airfield was a joint special operation of Ukraine's SBU security service and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, sources told NV on Dec. 17.

Moscow suspended airport operations on Dec. 19 due to an attempted drone attack, according to Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Russian Telegram channels reported that operations at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky airports were affected, with flights redirected to Sheremetyevo.

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 driver of a vehicle that struck a Ventura County Sheriffs Office deputys SUV earlier this month has been charged with driving under the influence, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office has announced.

Gerardo Israel Escalante, 34, of Santa Paula, faces felony charges for the crash which sent a Sheriffs Office vehicle off the side of the road and down a rocky cliff only feet away from the waterline.

PCH K9 Crash

The crash happened on Dec. 16, just after 8:30 p.m., on Pacific Coast Highway near Deer Creek Road between Malibu and Oxnard.

Deputy Kevin Castaneda and sheriff dog Danny were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Both had to be rescued, with Castaneda being transported to the hospital for minor injuries. His K9 partner suffered a cut to the face, officials said.

Castaneda and Danny are currently on the mend and expected to be back on the job soon.

Escalante was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was arrested upon his release.

PCH K9 Crash

Investigators believe Escalante was driving a white Mercedes at high speeds along the oceanside highway while having a blood alcohol content that was over the legal limit. At some point, he crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Castanedas vehicle head-on, sending it off the roadway and down toward the ocean.

Escalante has previous DUI convictions is currently on probation for DUI, the D.A.s Office said.

He now faces new felony charges for DUI, with special allegations related to his past convictions and for causing great bodily injury.

Escalante is currently in custody with bail set at $500,000. He is due in court on the morning of Dec. 27, the D.A.s Office said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khans latest film Dunki is now officially out in theatres.

The comedy-drama, which was released on 21 December, captures an immigration technique known as the donkey route, which is used to enter countries such as the US, UK and Canada.

Dunki, which is Khans third release year, follows the story of four friends from a village in Punjab India, who want to travel to England. But there is a slight problem as neither of them have a visa or a ticket.

In the midst of hoping to make it across the world, the group of friends meet a soldier who promises to take them to the land of dreams.

Khan has described the movie as a journey that will take you through a madcap ride of friendship, the comedy and tragedy that life is and a nostalgia for home and family," according to reports from Business Standard.

At a recent event in Dubai, the star explained the meaning of the movies title: Dunki is an illegal trip a lot of people take to get out of their country across borders all over the world. It is called the Donkey travels.

So, what exactly is the donkey route ?

Donkey flights or donkey route is a term based on the Punjabi word dunki, which means to hop from place to place.

The word itself refers to an illegal method which involves people crossing a countrys borders through a backdoor route with multiple stops in other countries.

An example is when people apply for a tourist visa for European Union Schengen countries - this allows them to move freely between 26 bordering nations. After reaching the EU zone, "consultants" or agents help with illegal entry into the UK.

These agents usually charge large amounts of money to help essentially smuggle people into the country of their choice and according to Business Standard some agents might even do things legitimately while offering dangerous options to the client.

Agents can offer different services from fake paperwork to smuggling people through shipping containers.

Is this method dangerous?

Yes, it is.

There are several risk factors, including imprisonment, deportation and maybe even death.

According to a report by The Times of India, citing the US Customs and Border Protection, between February 2019 and March 2023, as many as 149,000 Indians were detained for attempting to enter the US illegally  of this, most of those detained were from Gujarat and Punjab.

Earlier this year, the outlet also reported a 32-year-old man from Haryana's Kaithal district lost his life after reportedly being taken to the US through the donkey route.

At the time, the victims brother told the press: We had paid him Rs 25 lakh (around 23,645.85) in advance after borrowing money from arthiya (commission agent). Malkit was taken through Kazakhstan to Turkiye, but his phone was disconnected once he reached Guatemala.

We came to know about his death through social media, and it appears to be a murder. The tour has planned his murder and strict action should be taken against him, the brother said according to the publication.

A method that has been going on for many years, in 2010, a police chief in Jalandhar, was reported saying that authorities had been struggling to cope with the innovative "Donkey flights".

"Those who want to go abroad by any means will try to find an agent to fulfil their wish. There are many people working in this business," he was quoted saying at the time.

"Out of every 100 people, maybe up to 10 are caught."

Now, Khans latest movie aims to highlight the method and the difficulties that come with it.

Dunki is directed by Rajkumar Hirani and also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani and has been co-written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon.
Durham Countys sheriff and one of the citys longest-serving mayors are criticizing the City Councils decision to put a gunshot-detection program on hold while it is evaluated.

The City Council voted 4-2 Monday night to end the ShotSpotter program, at least for now, while the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke University reviews the one-year pilot program that ended Dec. 14.

The councils leaders  new Mayor Leo Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton  were the only members to support continuing the program while it is evaluated.

The vote to not extend the ShotSpotter contract delivers a setback to law enforcements ability to effectively address gun violence in Durham, Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said in a statement Friday morning.

WHY IT MATTERS: Durham struggles with gun violence and had the audio sensors installed in a 3-square mile area of East and Southeast Durham, including near the N.C. Central University and Durham Technical Community College campuses, where 1 in 3 gunshot wounds occur.

HOW IT HELPS: Shotspotter gets police to shooting scenes more quickly in situations where every minute counts. In a report to the City Council, Police Chief Patrice Andrews said the short-staffed department regularly misses its response-time goals, averaging 6 minutes and 38 seconds from January to March of this year. ShotSpotter helped improve that to 4 minutes 58 seconds in the target area. Thats a very good thing, Andrews said in a May report on WRAL.

WHY ITS CONTROVERSIAL: More police does not mean more safety, opponents say. Officers arriving in an area where residents have not called, and may not want them, can have unintended consequences. Groups like Durham Beyond Policing want to see ShotSpotter money redirected to policing alternatives like the citys new HEART program that sends unarmed responders on certain crisis calls, sometimes with police and sometimes without.

WHAT THEYRE SAYING: Birkhead, whose deputies also respond to calls in the city, said Durham was one of seven communities across North Carolina using ShotSpotter, joining Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount and Greenville.

I have heard stories this year when shots have been fired and no one contacted 911  leaving ShotSpotter to fill the gap to inform law enforcement to respond, he said. In those same conversations, residents have expressed overwhelming support for having this technology, along with the increased presence of law enforcement in the community. You cannot put a price tag on that level of peace of mind  that level of public safety.

Durham posts ShotSpotter data on a public dashboard. In the pilot year just completed, only 27% of ShotSpotter alerts were accompanied by a call to 911. Nearly 3 in 4 gunshots, many happening in the early morning hours, were never reported to police by residents.

Former Mayor Bill Bell wrote an op ed criticizing the councils decision, suggesting those who most strongly oppose the program may not reflect what residents in the affected neighborhoods want.

The company Bell works for, UDI/Community Development Corp., allowed ShotSpotter to install sensors on a building in Old North Five Points where shots had been fired from across the street.

Fortunately, no one was present in the building; otherwise there could have been serious injuries, Bell wrote. I am sure that had ShotSpotter been installed at the time of that shooting, police would have been notified immediately.

I wonder, the eight-term mayor continued, how many of the people who complain of ShotSpotter being a tool that constitutes over policing of Black and brown communities actually live and work in those communities and are exposed to needless and senseless gunfire?

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The city is expected to get the review and may reconsider ShotSpotter in March 2024.

The numbers

$52,356: The cost of extending the ShotSpotter contract another three months.

$249,856: The total 15-month cost if the city had approved a 3-month extension

204: The number of people shot in Durham as of Dec. 16 (42 fatally, 162 nonfatally)

1,416: ShotSpotter alerts during the pilot year just completed

43: False positive alerts

5,259: The number of rounds fired in the 1,416 incidents

48: Gunshot wounds associated with those incidents

24: Arrests made

21: Guns recovered

0: Resident complaints about the responding officers conduct
Update: Jan. 1, 2024: The Larimer County Coroners Office identified the decedent as 34-year-old Kyle Dewall of Fort Collins, who died from multiple blunt force injuries.

Original story

An e-scooter rider was killed in southwest Fort Collins on Thursday night after a hit-and-run crash, prompting police to ask for the public's help in finding the suspect vehicle.

The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. in the 2100 block of South Taft Hill Road, according to a Fort Collins Police Services news release. The crash scene is near Blevins Middle School.

Officers arrived and found an adult male in the road suffering serious injuries. He was transported to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, where he was pronounced deceased from his injuries, police said. The name of the victim has not been released.

The preliminary investigation indicates a dark-colored SUV, believed to be a black 2008-2010 Nissan Rogue, was traveling north on Taft Hill Road when it struck an adult male who was riding an e-scooter in the bicycle lane, police said.

The vehicle driver did not remain on scene and was last seen heading north on South Taft Hill Road at West Prospect Road.

Police said there is damage to the front of the vehicle.

"We need our communitys help in identifying the involved vehicle and driver,'' Sgt. Mike Avrech, who oversees the Fort Collins Police CRASH Team, said in the release. "Leaving the scene of any crash is a violation of Colorado law, and one involving death is especially egregious. Our thoughts go out to those in our community affected by this tragedy.''

The Fort Collins Police Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling Team, CRASH, is leading the investigation. Taft Hill Road was closed in both directions between Valley Forge Avenue and Stuart Street for approximately six hours while investigators were on scene.

Fort Collins police are asking anyone who has not already spoken to the police and have information or video regarding the crash or the involved vehicle to contact Officer David Kaes at (970) 416-2229.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins police looking for driver in death of e-scooter rider
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have collaborated to bring the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) program to Luzerne County.

The ECHO program was formed to help older adults live safely and independently near caregivers in their community.

NeighborWorks and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have been given the

opportunity to provide the first ECHO unit to Luzerne County older adults thanks to a

grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) and Pennsylvania for

Aging (P4A) through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).

ECHO units are small, separate manufactured homes that are temporarily placed on the property

of an older adults friend or family member, allowing the older adult to maintain independence while the property owner continues to provide caregiving to ensure the older adults safety.

Courtesy: NeighborWorks

Courtesy: NeighborWorks

Courtesy: NeighborWorks

PSP investigate hit-and-run in Clinton County

Applications will be taken until February 15, 2024, and interested parties can access

the application and Frequently Asked Questions on the NeighborWorks website at

the NeighborWorks website or at the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging office located at

111 N Pennsylvania Boulevard, Suite 100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

Host property located in Luzerne County, PA;

Older adults income at or below 80% area median income;

Older adult must be able to live independently but require occasional caregiver assistance;

Older adults must be agreeable to paying affordable rent.

For more information and a schedule of events please contact Sean McDonough,

Project Manager at 570-558-2490.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Ed Burke, who was once one of the most powerful Democratic City Council members in Chicago, was found guilty Thursday in a corruption trial.

A federal judge found Burke guilty on all but one of 14 corruption counts, including racketeering, federal program bribery, and attempted extortion.

The jury, which comprised nine women and three men, had deliberated all week.

The trial centered around Burkes attempts to extort company executives of a Burger King in 2017 that theyd get building permits if they signed on as clients at his property tax law firm.

CHICAGO MAYOR SAYS TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT ATTACKING OUR COUNTRY BY SENDING MIGRANTS TO DEM CITIES, STATES

Then-Ald. Ed Burke listens during a City Council meeting, March 15, 2023, at Chicago City Hall.

Per reporting from Chicagos FOX 32, federal prosecutors alleged that Burke wouldnt sign off on the permits until he met face-to-face with the owners. Federal prosecutors said the company eventually obtained the permits and began building, but Burke soon shut them down.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Elected officials are responsible for serving with honesty and integrity, with a moral responsibility to their constituents to uphold and abide by the law," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "In the case that they fail to do so, it is imperative that they are held accountable. That is what the jury decided today."

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Burke "should rightfully be remembered as a man who elevated personal ambition and greed over doing other peoples work."

TEXAS BEGINS FLYING MIGRANTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES WITH FIRST FLIGHT TO CHICAGO

Lightfoot said others were complicit in Burkes corruption, including the "pernicious" practice of aldermanic prerogative, and other elected officials who "looked the other way as Burke systematically monetized the Finance Committee for his own personal benefit."

"But like many before who feasted on their gluttonous power, Burke was felled because this total lack of accountability made him foolishly think he was invincible," Lightfoot said. "So he grossly overplayed his hand. He dug his own grave and jumped in."

Burke is due back in court for a post-trial hearing on June 19.

Burke had been on the council in Chicago for more than 50 years and chaired its finance committee for the last three decades.

Since the 1970s, nearly three dozen aldermen have been convicted. A common joke in Chicago is that so many aldermen had gone to prison that when they saw each other behind bars theyd holler, "Quorum call!"





Original article source: Ed Burke, former Chicago Democratic alderman, found guilty in corruption trial
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is up to it again, signing an unlawful new state law to make crossing into the country illegally a state misdemeanor. We dont expect it to last much beyond when the ink has dried.

Regular readers might recall that, for well more than a year now, weve been warning that Abbotts immigration demagoguery wouldnt stop and in fact would only intensify as long as he faced few consequences for it. New Yorkers are probably most familiar with his busing of thousands of migrants north to the city, arguably the genesis of the broader wave of arrivals that has come to dominate political life here.

The stunt was done without any real coordination or notice because, from the start, the governor didnt care one bit about the health and safety of the real human beings on those buses, including many families with children, instead seeing them as opportune tools for his posturing.

Yet that was far from Abbotts first border antic, and this recent move to wrest away control of immigration away from the federal government  for many reasons the only level that legally has a policymaking and regulatory role  has plenty of precedent.

His insistence on inspecting commercial vehicles coming into the state from Mexico this April  in partial duplication of the inspections already done by federal customs personnel whose job it actually is to do so  snarled trade with our largest trade partner and almost triggered an international incident. Undeterred by the fiasco, he did it again a month later.

His Operation Lone Star began in 2021 as a series of state law enforcement and National Guard deployments to the border region, largely for show but occasionally to arrest migrants on the strained reasoning of trespassing on private property. The effort quickly became a disaster, leading to the suicide deaths of several troops, but Abbott just expanded it further, eventually adding buoys and razor wire that seemed designed to maim or kill migrants, and which eventually appear to have fulfilled that purpose.

At least that time the federal government took action, suing Abbott and eventually getting an appeals court to order him to take down his floating barrier, but the man in Austin just keeps churning out his drivel.

Lets be crystal clear that no state has any conceivable ground to stand on in attempting to criminalize entry without federal inspection. Similar state laws, including some infamously passed in Arizona more than a decade ago, were struck down.

Texas attempt will turn out no differently, because for a century and a half, the ability to regulate immigration has been vested exclusively in the federal government, a fact that probably wouldnt bother Abbott much if it cut in the other direction; we imagine that if Gov. Hochul set up her own checkpoints along the Canadian border with laxer entry standards than those required by federal law, Abbott would be screaming.

Of course, Abbott knows this, and he doesnt really care because he wins either way. Either the law stands and he gets to use more state power against helpless migrants, or it gets struck down and he gets to get rabble-rouse about how his tough-on-immigrants plans are getting foiled by liberal judges. Everyone else, of course, loses.

___
The resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay after new plagiarism claims closes her chapter in a storm that has dragged elite schools into bitter pre-election politics.

Gay announced she was stepping down on Tuesday, ending the shortest tenure atop the renowned Ivy League university in history, after weeks of criticism reignited when The Washington Free Beacon published new accusations that she had lifted language she used in a paper 20 years ago from another professor.

Her departure comes nearly a month after Gay and other university presidents were asked in a congressional hearing whether calls for genocide against Jews in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza were in violation of their schools codes of conduct. She answered: It can be, depending on the context. That technical and overly nuanced reply to a no-brainer question was seen by many critics across the political spectrum as deeply problematic. She later apologized for her remarks.

But her problems, which were then exacerbated by plagiarism claims, were seized upon, especially by Republicans increasingly targeting top schools as examples of elite American institutions they see as in the throes of a leftist political transformation.

Gays chief antagonist, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a Harvard graduate and leading ally of ex-President Donald Trump, was quick to celebrate her resignation in a statement that also hinted at future peril for universities from an investigation by the House GOP majority that could raise concerns over academic freedom.

The resignation of Harvards antisemitic plagiarist president is long overdue. Claudine Gays morally bankrupt answers to my questions made history as the most viewed Congressional testimony in the history of the U.S. Congress, said Stefanik, the chairwoman of the House GOP conference. She added, This is just the beginning of what will be the greatest scandal of any college or university in history.

There were also immediate warnings from prominent African American leaders that Gay had been driven out of Harvard because she dismantled racial impediments as the first Black woman president of the university.

This is an attack on every Black woman in this country whos put a crack in the glass ceiling, said Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network.

Given the political stakes at play, Gays resignation is unlikely to be the end of the showdown between conservatives and elite American schools since it fits into the populist narrative on the right that prestigious American universities, with their push for diversity and inclusion on race and gender issues, have moved beyond the rest of the country.

In hindsight, the disastrous congressional hearing last year offered the university presidents critics a political opening. Then, despite Gays apology for her comments, the drip, drip of allegations about plagiarism made her position untenable.

I think the answer that she gave on the question about antisemitism was not a good answer  (but) that wouldnt have cost her her job, Frederick Lawrence, the former president of Brandeis University, told CNNs Jake Tapper Tuesday. I think the plagiarism allegation is what really stuck and because it didnt go away and because there was this sense of continuing investigations of that, I think it made it inevitable.

Gay seemed to agree, saying in her resignation statement, It has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual.

While there are clear political motivations at play in the rights assault on the countrys most storied universities, the controversies are also unfolding at a fraught moment in higher education. Elite universities are being buffeted by claims that they are tainted by the political doctrines of the left and that colleges are becoming less a place to prepare new generations and more an incubator of radical ideology.

By definition, academia deals in nuance. Universities have traditionally been places where ideas are pushed to their limits, even those that many regard as unacceptable, in order to preserve the definitional need for free speech and inquiry. But, critics say the balance is off kilter and that necessary actions to reform institutions that for years discriminated on the basis of gender, race and class have become consumed by their own radicalizing social revolution.

Are university leaders held to the same accountability as their students?

A Harvard spokesperson told CNN last month Gay would update her 1997 dissertation to correct additional instances of inadequate citation. The new corrections, first reported by the Harvard Crimson, follow two previous updates Gay issued last week to scholarly articles she wrote in the 2000s.

A review published by CNN had found Gays previous requested corrections did not address even clearer examples of plagiarism from her earlier academic work, including her dissertation. Plagiarism charges against Gay were first circulated by conservative activists and later reported by the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative publication.

Ivy League institutions are a favorite target for the new Trump populist right and reflect the evolution of the Republican Party in recent years away from its own elitist roots. And Gays latest troubles soon became a new opening for Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said last month she had widened an existing investigation into campus antisemitism to include the plagiarism allegations. An allegation of plagiarism by a top school official at any university would be reason for concern, but Harvard is not just any university. It styles itself as one of the top educational institutions in the country, Foxx wrote in a letter to Penny Pritzker, the senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation.

The showdown is made to measure for Foxx, an enthusiastic advocate for Trump, as it allows her to hit the MAGA sweet spot of assaulting one of the ultimate establishment institutions in the United States. She is heaping pressure on a Harvard president seen as a standard bearer for the kind of diversity and inclusion programs that many on the right see as antithetical to their view of American values.

Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill called the investigation shocking and dangerous at the time and questioned why members of Congress are spending their time probing Harvard rather than passing a border bill or aid to Ukraine. When you challenge the independence of private institutions, you are challenging a core element of our democracy. We should be on alert, Ifill told CNNs Brianna Keilar on The Source last month.

If Harvard wants to do its own investigation, it is free to do so. But for members of Congress to decide that they want to meddle into the private affairs of a private institution in order to score political points and to target a Black president is incredibly dangerous, added Ifill, the former president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a graduate of Yale and Harvard, has made waging a fight against elite institutions a cornerstone of his tenure and his campaign. He wrote in his autobiography, The Courage to be Free, that he detected more wisdom in working-class communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania than he encountered at both schools, where entitled and tenured professors reigned as potentates, sure in the smugness of their positions, but utterly unaware of the lives of most Americans, including those that they professed to care about.

His comments may be self-serving attempts to bolster his political mythology  or hint at a sincere reaction to his education that powered his political rise  or both. But DeSantis is also tapping into a powerful seam in the Trump-era GOP that was also evident, for example, in the demonizing of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious diseases specialist during the Covid-19 emergency.

But the plagiarism allegations, and the way Harvard handled them, also pose legitimatize questions over whether the university is holding its president  the guarantor and epitome of its standards of scholarship  to the same standards itd apply to an undergraduate student. If a university is willing to look the other way and not hold faculty accountable for engaging in academically dishonest behavior, it cheapens its mission and the value of its education, Foxx wrote. Students must be evaluated fairly, under known standards  and have a right to see that faculty are, too.

Antisemitism controversy widened criticism of top academic presidents beyond conservatives

The heat on universities is likely to intensify this year as the presidential election heats up. But the appearance of Gay and two other university presidents at a hearing of the House Education Committee last month threatens to become a seminal moment that underscored how, especially in the age of social media, elite institutions and their leaders can quickly appear out of touch with American society.

The most high-profile questioning was conducted by Stefanik, who repudiated her more moderate Republicanism to emerge as a clarion for Trumpism  with swift benefits for her political career.

Stefanik asked Gay, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and then-University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill whether calls for genocide against Jews violated the codes of conduct at their respective institutions.

Gay said she found such speech personally abhorrent and offensive to Harvards values, but added that when speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies, including policies against bullying, harassment or intimidation, we take action. This answer came across as academic and overly technical given the shocking rise of antisemitism following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel. Many Americans believe that a call for genocide in itself constitutes abhorrent conduct. Gay later apologized for her remarks, telling the Harvard Crimson, Words matter.

Magills answers appeared even more evasive than those of Gay, crossing into apparent academic contempt for Stefaniks black-and-white line of politicized interrogation. Magill later clarified her remarks but didnt apologize and resigned amid a political firestorm and under pressure from University of Pennsylvania graduates and donors.

Some defenders of Gay and her colleagues argued that the situation was more complex than it seemed since Stefanik specifically asked the witnesses to comment on the phrase globalize the intifada, which has been used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators and others since the war erupted. The Arabic word intifada, meaning shaking off, refers to two, years-long popular uprisings by Palestinians in 1987 and 2000 against Israeli rule of the occupied West Bank and Gaza strip. The terminology was used to reference resistance to Israeli government policy not genocide against Jews.

But there have been instances in which the phrase was used by some pro-Hamas protesters following the groups horrific terror attacks against civilians inside Israel.

So while the university presidents may have been protecting the core principle of free speech with their remarks, their distinction between someone advocating genocide and acting upon it came across as insensitive, absurd and morally barren.

The encounter presented a huge political victory for Stefanik, whose support for Trump has lifted her to the top echelons of leadership as chair of the House Republican conference. It prompted her critics, like Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, to ask why she failed to condemn the ex-presidents meeting with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and Kanye West, now known as Ye, who has long been accused of antisemitic rhetoric.

But more than anything else, it encapsulated the public crisis facing top American universities and accusations that they are not just isolated from the rest of society, but are threatening their own intellectual mission with political equivocation.

This story, which was originally published on December 22, 2023, has been updated to reflect Claudine Gays resignation.

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You are here: China

The Shenzhou-17 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:35 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Dec. 21, 2023 shows Shenzhou-17 astronaut Tang Shengjie performing extravehicular activities. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin worked seven-and-a-half hours to complete set tasks such as a Tianhe core module solar wing repair test, with the assistance of a ground team and the space station's robotic arm.

Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie have since returned safely to the Wentian lab module.

It was the second time that Tang Hongbo, China's first space traveler to return to the space station for a second mission, has performed a spacewalk. Tang Shengjie became the country's youngest astronaut to carry out an extravehicular mission.

In the future, the Shenzhou-17 crew will complete a significant number of planned space science experiments, technical tests, spacewalks and the installation of extravehicular payloads.

They have performed many tasks since they entered the orbital complex on Oct. 26, including a crew rotation with Shenzhou-16 astronauts, space station platform maintenance, life and health support, extravehicular spacesuit inspections and tests, and Tianzhou-6 cargo ship equipment inspections.

They have also undertaken robotic arm operations training, emergency life-saving drills, medical rescue drills, and full-system pressure emergency drills.
Marijuana plants at King City Gardens, the largest marijuana facility in the state of Ohio, outside of Cincinnati. Etna Township approved a ban on adult-use marijuana cultivators, processors, and dispensaries from operating within the township.

Commercial marijuana businesses will not be allowed to operate in Etna Township after a recent vote from the township trustees.

The Etna Township Trustees voted 2-1 Tuesday to prohibit adult-use marijuana cultivators, processors and dispensaries from operating within the township. Trustee Mark Evans voted against the resolution.

Medical marijuana became legal in Ohio in 2016, but Ohio voters just approved the legalization of recreational marijuana for those 21 and older 57-43% in the Nov. 7 general election.

Township Administrator Nita Hanson said during the meeting that the resolution only controls commercial operations.

Nita Hanson

"It doesn't have any impact on any personal use. It's just for the commercial operations related to adult-use cannabis," she said.

None of the trustees spoke about the resolution during the meeting.

Trustee Jeff Johnson, who was joined by Trustee Rozland McKee in voting in favor of the ban, said after the meeting that when he moved to Etna Township more than 35 years ago, it was a dry township.

"Then the alcohol came, and I don't think it benefited (the township) at all," he said. "I don't think the marijuana facilities be in here, selling, will be a benefit at all.

Evans said after the meeting that there wasn't enough information or evidence to prohibit marijuana businesses. Evans said he would need to dive into the local election results to see how Etna residents voted on the statewide issue.

Mark Evans

"I didn't know that was going to be on the agenda until yesterday, so I wasn't able to do enough due diligence," he said. "I couldn't vote for something in that respect."

The trustees were expected to talk about the ban at their last meeting on Dec. 5 but opted not to as the state legislature was debating changes to the law.

Etna Township isn't the first Licking County community to limit marijuana businesses. Just a day before, Newark City Council approved a six-month moratorium on new locations dispensing recreational marijuana but exempted the three current medical marijuana dispensaries from the legislation.

Etna Township Trustees didn't approve a 2024 budget

Just like last year, the trustees didn't approve a budget for 2024 during their last meeting of the year.

A vote to approve a permanent budget for 2024 failed 1-2, with Johnson and McKee voting against it.

McKee said she was not in favor of approving at budget at that time. Johnson, who leaves office Dec. 31, said he didn't feel right approving a budget for a time when he would no longer be a township official.

Evans said there was no reason for the trustees not to approve a budget and added that the budget could be amended at any time.

"We we have a duty to do this. We have to go into the new year with a budget," he said.

In December 2022, the trustees and Fiscal Officer Julie Varian had a similar conversation in the last meeting of the year. Evans and Varian said then that at least a temporary budget was needed to pay basic bills.

In the past, the board has approved a budget during the organizational meeting in January and the bills are paid in the first meeting, according to meeting minutes posted on the township's website.

It's expected that a permanent budget will be voted on Jan. 2, the date of the first meeting of 2024.

Jeff Johnson's last meeting on the Etna Township board

That first meeting in January will the first one without Johnson as a sitting trustee for the first time in 16 years.

Johnson opted not to seek reelection this year and will be succeeded by Gary Burkholder, who won the seat in the November election.

In the last few minutes of the meeting, Johnson thanked residents, both those who supported him and those who disagreed with him over the years.

"I really appreciate and (am) humbled by the chance to serve the community here," he said.

After the meeting, Johnson said he felt like he was leaving the township in good shape financially and in a good position for future development opportunities.

Johnson was a part of two comprehensive plan updates during his time in office, including an update that is in the final stages now. He said that as a part of both of those, residents responded in surveys that they wanted more job opportunities, restaurants, shopping and more to create a complete community in Etna rather than just a rural living space.

That transformation is already underway with distribution centers, such as for Amazon, Kohl's and FedEx, and restaurants like Chipotle and Starbucks, Johnson said. He added that will continue in the future with the completion of a park on Smoke Road, north of U.S. 40, and a new wastewater treatment plant on U.S. 40 that will expand sewer capacity in the area, allowing for more businesses to make a home in Etna Township.

"It'll give us restaurants, it will give us a grocery store probably, give us things that we need together as the community," he said.

mdevito@gannett.com

740-607-2175

Twitter: @MariaDeVito13

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Etna Township prohibits marijuana growers, dispensaries
The Etsy company logo is seen at its New York headquarters building on December 13, 2023 (Michael M. Santiago)

Conspiracy theorists who believe in a secret cabal of child sex traffickers have set their sights on yet another online retailer: Etsy, a website best known for selling handmade items.

Social media users point to what they say are "suspicious listings" on Etsy -- including downloadable images of pizza selling for thousands of dollars -- as evidence that the platform is selling children to be abused.

"Don't let them gaslight you anymore," said one QAnon supporter sharing screenshots from the website on X, formerly known as Twitter, during the busy holiday shopping season.

The rumors build on the long-debunked "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which falsely linked a pizza restaurant in Washington to an underground child sex trafficking ring involving high-ranking Democrats.

The narrative culminated in 2016 when a North Carolina man opened fire at the restaurant without striking anyone, later saying he intended to investigate the supposed crimes. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to several years in prison.

Etsy denied the trafficking claims in a statement to AFP. The company said it found no evidence of a risk to child safety but removed the pizza-related posts because they did not appear to be legitimate.

A similar false theory emerged in 2020, accusing online retailer Wayfair of conducting a sex trafficking operation under the guise of furniture sales. In that case, social media users also shared screenshots of items with seemingly exorbitant prices.

No evidence has emerged to link either retailer to human trafficking, but the allegations have taken off among supporters of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory. Public figures such as commentator Liz Crokin and former national security adviser Michael Flynn have amplified them.

"It used to be the conspiracies kind of died with the fanatics that attempted to spread them. Social media just magnifies and speeds up the process," said Bond Benton, an associate professor of public relations at Montclair State University and an expert on extremist groups.

"This sort of mentality takes us to a really dangerous place where I can sort of rationalize violence against people that I don't like."

- The Musk factor -

The Etsy claims come on the heels of a renewed interest online in child trafficking theories -- thanks in part to a shoutout from Elon Musk.

"Pizzagate is real," said a meme the X CEO shared in late November.

Mark Fenster, a law professor at the University of Florida and a conspiracy theory expert, said influencers often latch onto QAnon-related narratives to boost their likes and followers on social media.

Benton said the correlation between Musk and the Etsy claim is "undeniable."

Research he conducted with Daniela Peterka-Benton, director of the Global Center on Human Trafficking, found Musk's posts increased Pizzagate-related activity on X by more than 9,500 percent from the month prior.

Peterka-Benton said these conspiracy theories "have painted a distorted picture of what human trafficking is" and can affect funding, policies and public perception in ways that harm victims.

One reason such narratives have such a long shelf life is because their promoters often encourage others to research the topic on their own.

"The research is not really 'doing your own research.' It is connecting the dots, a carefully laid-out trail by conspiracy people online," Benton said.

nw/rl/mgs/df/des/nro
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the leader of the conservative opposition agreed on Friday to ask the European Commission to mediate an end to a five-year political stalemate over appointments to the body that names judges in Spain.

"I've asked to involve the European Commission in the negotiation," People's Party (PP) leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo told reporters after a meeting with Sanchez, who secured another term as prime minister last month.

"He (Sanchez) is ready to let the European Commission supervise the appointment of the judicial power," Feijoo added.

Feijoo said he had already sounded out the European authority and been told it was willing to mediate.

"It is a very important step," government spokesperson Pilar Alegria told reporters in a separate news conference. "We hope this time it will be a reality."

All 20 judges that sit on the General Council for the Judiciary (CGPJ) must be picked, to then in turn renew the mandates of a third of the country's judges that have expired.

However, the appointments to the general council require a three-fifths supermajority in parliament, which can only be reached through a deal between the country's two main parties, Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) and the PP.

Since the council's term expired five years ago, both parties have repeatedly failed to reach an agreement and have accused each other of acting in bad faith, generating a constitutional crisis.

Both have suggested finding a new way to appoint the officials and thus avoid such a gridlock in the future, though the PP sought a court ruling to block an attempt by the PSOE last year to pass legislation to lessen the majority needed to approve council appointments.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and David Latona; Editing by Frances Kerry)
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a press conference during the second day of the EU Summit. Alexandros Michailidis/EU COUNCIL/dpa

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which partially controls the West Bank, is to receive EU funding of more than 118 million ($130 million), EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday.

Approval had been reached after careful scrutiny, Von der Leyen said in Brussels. Consideration was currently being given to future long-term support, with plans for 2024 complete, the head of the EU's executive body said.

The amount just approved will be taken from an existing fund set aside for 2021-24 and amounting to 1.2 billion. It is intended to help the PA pay salaries and pensions to civil servants and make social payments to poor families.

The EU has subjected aid to Palestinians to careful inspection following the October 7 attacks mounted by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It has not found any evidence that EU money has been diverted to finance terrorism.
Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks to the media before attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. -/EU Council/dpa

The European Union is proposing to expand the mandate of its counter-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa to assist the new US-led operation to combat attacks on Red Sea shipping mounted by Yemen's Houthi rebels, dpa has learned.

EU foreign policy head Josep Borrell has put forward a proposal to expand the Atalanta mission off the Somali coast that is currently being considered by the bloc's 27 members.

During a meeting of the EU's security committee on the issue on Thursday, only Spain is reported to have had reservations. Brussels diplomats believe that these are based on differences of opinion in Madrid and can soon be resolved.

Operation Prosperity Guardian, which has been initiated by the United States, aims to boost the international military presence in the Red Sea following rocket and drone attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

The Houthis are attacking shipping they see as linked to Israel as part of efforts to support Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A number of EU member states have offered bilateral support to the US initiative, but countries including Spain and Germany are seeking an EU mandate to allow the navies of member states to participate in monitoring the Red Sea.

Escorting commercial ships with naval vessels carrying defensive systems against missiles and drones is also being considered. Military action targeting the Houthis is not thought to be under consideration.

Spain's Defence Ministry has noted that continuing Operation Atalanta remains important, as there have recently been several attacks on ships.

In Yemen, supporters of the Houthi rebels took to the streets in several cities on Friday to protest against the US-led Red Sea alliance.

Thousands of Houthi loyalists rallied in the rebel-ruled Yemeni capital Sana'a and voiced support for the Iran-backed group's anti-US and anti-Israel stance.

The rally was staged under the motto "The coalition to protect Israeli ships does not terrorize us." Protesters chanted slogans such "any ship comes near, we'll hit it," according to pro-Houthi television channel al-Mesirah.

A similar rally took place in Saada, a Houthi stronghold in northern Yemen.

The protests were staged days after the rebels' leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said his group would continue attacks on Israeli-owned ships, or those heading to Israeli ports.

He described the US-led operation in the Red Sea as a move aimed to turn the area into a battlefield.
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Thursday denounced Lai Ching-te, a politician with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), for his "Taiwan independence" remarks.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Lai's provocative remarks will only bring great harm to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Zhu made the comments in response to Lai's recent remarks inciting confrontation between the two sides of the Strait.

Lai's remarks once again exposed the DPP does not hesitate to let the people of Taiwan serve as cannon fodder for its selfish motives, Zhu said, calling on Taiwan compatriots to recognize the extreme danger of "Taiwan independence," and make the right choice to bring cross-Strait relations back onto the right track of peaceful development.
There is not sufficient public evidence to support Israels claims that a Gaza hospital the country raided had served as a Hamas command center, according to a Washington Post investigation published Thursday.

The Israeli raid on al-Shifa Hospital last month, which was preceded by an evacuation order aimed at thousands of people sheltering at the hospital and hundreds of sick patients, produced one of the grisliest scenes in the countrys ground invasion of the Gaza Strip: a death zone that included a mass grave at the entrance of the hospital and dozens of desperate patients inside, according to the World Health Organization, whose aid workers arrived at the facility on Nov. 18 as part of a humanitarian mission.

Forty patients, including four premature babies, died in the hospital due to a lack of electricity in the days surrounding the raid, hospital administrators told the United Nations.

Israel had asserted that the hospital was used to direct rocket attacks and command fighters, and that Hamas tunnels could be accessed from five specific hospital buildings. And a U.S. administration official told the Post last week, We are absolutely confident in the intelligence ... that Hamas was using it as a command and control node.

But in an analysis based on satellite imagery, open-source visual information and releases from the Israeli military, the Post found that available evidence didnt support these claims, and that its reporting raised questions about the legitimacy of the raid under international law. Hamas has denied Israels assertions about how the hospital was used.

Israeli forces did uncover one underground tunnel on the northeastern corner of the hospital complexs grounds, but the Post noted that no evidence had been presented that the tunnel was actually in use during the current war  nor that it was connected to the five buildings in the complex that the Israeli military had said were being used by Hamas.

An Israeli military spokesperson told the paper that the country had released extensive, irrefutable evidence that points to the abuse of the Shifa hospital complex by Hamas for terrorism purposes, and underground terrorism activity. But, faced with the Posts findings, the spokesperson said Israel would not be releasing any further evidence to back up its claims: We cannot provide additional information, the unnamed official told the paper.

International humanitarian law typically protects hospitals from attacks during war. Israels claim that Hamas fighters  and senior commanders  operate from tunnels underneath otherwise-protected buildings like hospitals and schools has been a key defense in its targeting of those facilities.

The Israeli military has attacked a number of hospitals, the Post noted. As of Tuesday, nine out of Gazas 36 hospitals are partially functional, all located in the south, according to WHO. Israel has also raided numerous hospitals and shelters in Gazas north in recent days, The Associated Press reported.

Im furious that children who are recovering from amputations in hospitals are then killed in those hospitals, said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder.

An Israeli raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital led to the deaths of eight patients, including a 9-year-old, WHO said Monday. A pediatrician at the hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safyia, told The Wall Street Journal that 12 patients had died as a result of shortages of food, water and medical supplies amid fighting around the hospital. Abu Safyia and an unnamed nurse at the hospital told the paper that hospital staff members had buried the deceased in the facilitys courtyard, and that Israeli troops subsequently used military vehicles, including a bulldozer, to dig up and search the bodies. As with al-Shifa, the Israeli military claimed that the hospital was being used as a Hamas command and control centre, and released video of weapons purportedly found at the facility.

After Israeli forces entered al-Shifa Hospital, military spokespeople released photos of around a dozen rifles, in addition to grenades, ammunition and bulletproof vests that they claimed were recovered from the facility. But the Post wasnt able to verify the source of the weapons.

One section of underground rooms that was joined to the tunnel system uncovered by the Israeli military  including two rooms and two bathrooms  did not show evidence of recent use in an Israeli army video, the Post reported. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson who narrated the armys tour of the facilities, claimed in that video: This room was evacuated, and all the gear was evacuated. I guess it was evacuated when they knew or understand that we were going to enter Shifa Hospital. The Israeli army didnt respond to requests for clarification on when militants purportedly used the rooms, the Post reported.

Every single hospital in Gaza, every single school in Gaza, is used as a terror base, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed Wednesday during a BBC interview.

Read the full Washington Post report here.

Related...
Two former guards at the Allred Prison Unit near Wichita Falls are among 13 people indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in San Antonio on allegations of smuggling drugs into state prisons.

The two are Osauwa Emmanuel Williams, 48, and Anival Ruiz Porras, 41.

N

A release from the U.S. Attorneys Office claimed the two men provided drugs to the Juan Munoz Drug Trafficking Organization.

More: Allred among prisons under statewide lockdown

The indictments allege Williams and Porras got narcotics, cellphones and other contraband from non-imprisoned members of the organization and smuggled them to prisoners in exchange for thousands of dollars.

Federal agents seized paper sheets soaked in fentanyl, heroin and other drugs from the homes of some of the suspects who were indicted.

More: Convicted murderer pleads guilty to Allred Unit attack on another inmate

Williams is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

More: 'Suspicious bulge' in picture leads to arrest for prohibited item in North Texas prison

He was arrested May 28 by Wichita Falls Police officers and state agents after they observed him make an exchange with another person in the parking lot of the IHOP restaurant on Southwest Parkway. The officers had been alerted about a shipment of narcotics going to the Allred unit and found baggies and methamphetamine and some cell phones destined for the prison. Williams was booked in lieu of a $200,000 bond and was later released to another agency.

More: Woman reportedly caught mailing THC concealed in book to Allred inmate

Porras was arrested Feb. 13 by Wichita Falls Police in a traffic stop on Central Freeway. Officers found papers soaked in fentanyl, according to documents filed in the case. He was released to the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to the indictment, once smuggled into a correctional facility, the organization could then sell a single sheet of drug-soaked paper for up to $1,000 and made nearly $333,000 during the period of the investigation.

Munoz, suspected leader of the statewide criminal operation, is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence for murder in Tarrant County.

Prisons across Texas have been plagued by drugs, contraband and murder. Allred and other units were placed on temporary lockdown in September because of the severity of the problems.

Also in September, another guard, was arrested on allegations he brought drug-laced gummy candy into Allred in what was apparently an incident unrelated to these recent indictments.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Ex-Allred Prison guards indicted in federal sweep
A former Colombian soldier who attended a strategic meeting just before the assassination of Haitis president and joined in the deadly assault pleaded guilty Friday, making him the fifth of 11 defendants in the FBIs case to accept responsibility and assist U.S. authorities.

Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 45, had fled to Jamaica more than two months after the July 7, 2021 assassination and became the first suspect to surrender to FBI agents in January of last year after initially confessing to FBI agents at a Kingston hotel  a confession that he and his lawyers later claimed was given under duress. But Palacios chose to accept responsibility for his supporting role in the murder conspiracy targeting Haitian President Jovenel Moise before a judge could rule on his bid to throw out the confession.

According to the FBI, Palacios admitted during a nearly six-hour video-recorded interview with federal agents in October 2021 that he took a necklace, two watches, $2,060 cash and other personal items belonging to Moise, and his wife, Martine, when he was killed and she was injured in the assault at their hillside home outside Port-au-Prince.

At Fridays hearing, Palacios pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to kill Haitis president, providing that support himself, and conspiring to kill a person outside the United States. He faces up to a life sentence before U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez on March 1.

However, unlike four other defendants who have pleaded guilty so far, Palacios played a minor role, federal prosecutors Andrea Goldbarg and Monica Castro said, because he was not involved in making strategic decisions about the assassination plot. That factor, along with his cooperation, might help him ultimately receive less than a life sentence in the future.

Citing a factual statement filed with his plea agreement, Goldbarg said Palacios retired from the Colombian military in June 2021 and was recruited by a Miami-area security company, CTU, to provide protection for an aspiring politician who wanted to replace Moise as Haitis president.

Goldbarg said Palacios was recruited along with more than 20 former Colombian soldiers by CTU and met with its president Antonio Intriago in Haiti in the weeks before the assassination plot was carried out. Intriago, who is being held at a federal lockup, has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy and other charges in the high-profile case.

Goldbarg said that initially Palacios understood that the goal was to capture Haitis president and arrest him. Palacios and the other Colombians conducted training sessions while CTU provided them with security equipment, including armored vests.

Palacios was led in the mission by a retired Colombian army officer, German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, aka Colonel Mike, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to life in prison this fall.

Goldbarg described Palacios as a line security soldier who took orders from Rivera and other Colombian commando leaders, noting that Palacios did not have the authority to make decisions nor did he take part in planning of any operation.

Citing the factual statement, she said the day before the assassination, Palacios was informed that the Colombian contractors would be conducting an operation at the presidential residence. Before the beginning of the operation, the defendant was also told that the president was going to die.

She said the Colombian commandos took money and jewelry from the presidents home, and that Palacios kept some of the cash and jewels.

In the aftermath of the assault, three Colombians died during a shootout with Haitian national police outside the presidents residence.

At Fridays hearing, Martinez, the judge, asked Palacios if the facts read by the prosecutor were true.

Yes, your honor, he said.

After the hearing, his defense attorney, Alfredo Izaguirre, stressed to reporters that Palacios had a minor role in the operation  though he was at the presidents residence during the deadly assault. Had Palacios not been informed of the plot to kill the president just before the raid, he added, wed probably be going to trial instead of cutting a plea deal.

Izaguirre said he plans to ask the judge to give Palacios less than a life sentence.

He wasnt part of the plan to kill Moise, he said. When he left Colombia, he didnt know what he was going to get into.

MADE IN MIAMI: Read the Miami Herald investigation into the assassination of Jovenal Moise

The U.S. governments prosecution of the 11 original defendants has moved quickly with successive plea deals and sentencings.

This week, a former senator in Haitis parliament was sentenced to life in prison after he had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill his countrys leader  but at a court hearing the ex-politician told a federal judge that his intention was only to arrest Moise, not assassinate him. The former senator, Joseph Joel John, 52, who also is known as John Joel Joseph to his countrymen, was the third defendant to be given the maximum sentence by Martinez in the Haiti assassination case.

John was also present at meetings in Haiti where the operation to kill the countrys leader was discussed, including one gathering at the home of a Haitian businessman the day before the assassination. Among those attending that critical meeting: Rodolphe Jaar, who hosted the gathering; Rivera, the Colombian commando leader; James Solages, a Haitian American; Joseph Vincent, a Haitian American who previously worked as an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Palacios, the ex-Colombian soldier.

Earlier this month, Vincent, 58, pleaded guilty to the murder conspiracy and related charges and now faces life in prison.

Rivera, 45, aka Colonel Mike, admitted that he met with several co-conspirators from Haiti and South Florida before leading a group of former Colombian soldiers to the Haitian presidents home to kill him. He was sentenced in October to life in prison.

Jaar, 51, admitted to providing weapons, lodging and money in the conspiracy to assassinate Haitis president. A dual Haitian and Chilean citizen, Jaar was sentenced in June to life in prison. Previously, he was also convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Haiti national police have continued a parallel probe, which has resulted in the arrests of about 40 suspects  but no one has been formally charged in Haiti with the presidents assassination. According to sources familiar with Haitis probe, investigators are particularly interested in Palacios because he spent more than two months hiding in Haiti after Moises death, before he fled to Jamaica.

Haiti investigators, frustrated by the lack of assistance from the FBI, have had no access to Palacios since he surrendered to U.S. authorities. He was part of the first group of deployed Colombian commandos tasked with accessing the presidents bedroom on the night of the assault.

Haiti authorities have expressed a keen interest in finding out who helped Palacios hide in Haiti and travel to Jamaica. To get there, Palacios had to go through gang-controlled territory at the southern edge of Port-au-Prince to the southern region of Haiti, where he then took a boat to Jamaica along a well-known drug trafficking route.

Miami Herald Caribbean correspondent Jacqueline Charles contributed to this story.
FILE PHOTO: A man stands next to a portrait of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moise placed on a memorial at the city hall in Cap-Haitien

By Sarah Morland and Kylie Madry

(Reuters) -A former Colombian soldier pleaded guilty in a U.S. court on Friday to charges related to his accused role in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

Prosecutors had said Mario Palacios was part of a squad of Colombian contractors who broke into Moise's home, where he was killed. Palacios had originally pleaded not guilty in the case.

Palacios was, according to his proffer statement, hired alongside other Colombian ex-military personnel by Florida-based security firm CTU to "provide security" for an individual who was to become Haiti's next president.

Lawyers for firm's owner Antonio Intriago, another of the 11 defendants on the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Once in the country, Palacios said he began training to kidnap someone from a fortified building, and before the start of the operation on July 7, 2021, he was told Moise would die, according to the statement.

Palacios is the fifth to plead guilty in this case, with three so far being sentenced to life in prison. Palacios is set to be sentenced on March 1.

The defendants include a Florida pastor, a former Haitian senator, an ex-informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and businessmen accused of supplying the funds and weapons for the attack.

Palacios said he took no part in planning the operation and served as "line soldier," taking orders from other Colombians including German Rivera, sentenced to life in prison.

After President Moise was killed, Palacios said, he and other Colombian contractors took money and jewelry from his residence.

Moise's death left a destabilizing power vacuum, since which extremely violent armed gangs have grown their territory, spurring a humanitarian crisis. Haiti's unelected government has pledged long-awaited elections once security is re-established.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah Morland)
PORTSMOUTH  Former city police officer Dean Outhouse has been indicted on a charge he embezzled more than $17,000 from the Portsmouth Police Patrolmans Union over a nearly three-year period.

A Rockingham County Superior Court grand jury indicted the Stratham resident on a single count of theft by unauthorized taking this month, a Class B felony. The money was allegedly taken on or about July 29, 2019 to on or about June 21, 2022, according to court documents.

Portsmouth police Chief Mark Newport said Outhouse retired as an officer from the department in July 2022, and the allegations came to light after his retirement. Outhouse was the treasurer of the patrolmans union at the time of his retirement, according to Newport.

Portsmouth police officer Dean Outhouse will be one of the officers measuring motorcycle noise this summer. The department now has gear to measure and enforce decibel limits. [Ioanna Raptis/File photo]

The theft by unauthorized taking charge carries a maximum penalty of 3.5 to seven years in jail and a fine upwards of $4,000. The indictment means a grand jury determined there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Outhouse, 47, did not immediately return a phone call on Friday afternoon. Court records state the indictment was mailed to him. The exact amount he is accused of embezzling is $17,340.02.

In August 2021, Outhouse identified himself to a reporter as a 22-year patrol officer with the Portsmouth Police Department.

More local news: Alleged assault details unveiled in Portsmouth parking garage death

Outhouse is scheduled to be arraigned at the county Superior Court in Brentwood on Friday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. The case is being prosecuted by Joe Fincham of the New Hampshire attorney generals office, according to court records.

Michael Garrity, spokesperson for the attorney general's office, said the investigation began after the police union made a referral to the office's Public Integrity Unit.

(We have) no comment until the resolution of the matter, Garrity said.

Union president Erik Widerstrom, a city police detective, could not be immediately reached for comment.

More local news: Sheriff Mark Brave resigns, remains free on bail while facing 8 felonies alleging he stole from county

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-officer Dean Outhouse allegedly stole from Portsmouth police union
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Sergeant Joshua Blake and Detective Christopher Irwin used the word shocked to describe how they felt when they received news of their indictments related to actions taken during the May 2020 protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Michael Ramos in Austin.

They were two of the 19 officers indicted by a grand jury in February 2022 on charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. Twenty-one officers total would be indicted related to the 2020 protests in Austin, which responding officers said became riotous.

Earlier this month, District Attorney Jose Garza announced that his office dropped 17 of those indictments. Blake and Irwin were on that list.

DA Garza stands by dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions

Its been a whirlwind of emotions, said Irwin. A constant dark cloud looming over myself and my family.

KXAN asked Blake and Irwin how they felt after nearly two years of waiting as first degree felony charges were pending against them.

Blake told KXAN he never fired a weapon containing a less-than-lethal round during the protests and felt he was indicted simply by his association and proximity to the events that took place but was ready to put this experience behind him.

You can be bitter, or you can be better, said Blake.

Irwin on the other hand told KXAN he was bitter, especially after learning that he was cleared of any wrongdoing nearly six months prior to his case being dismissed by experts hired by the Travis County District Attorneys Office to investigate the actions taken by Irwin and several other officers during the protests.

Information obtained by KXAN confirmed that the investigation clearing Irwin of any wrongdoing was completed in June of this year. Regardless, his case wasnt dismissed until December.

KXAN requested a comment from the DAs office about this and is currently waiting for a response.

The District Attorneys office is still pursuing charges against four officers related to the protests. Garza said those cases presented aggravating factors. Additionally, Garza and the City of Austin have requested that the Department of Justice review the Austin Police Departments actions during the protest. At the publishing of this article, the Department of Justice had not yet said whether it plans to move forward with conducting the review.

Officer, protestor attorneys weigh in dropped indictments

Officers explain riotous crowd behavior

The special response team motto is to Protect the First, so we were out there to protect the protesters, Blake said. We want people to come out and protest what they see fit. However, when we start taking bottles, rocks, bottles filled with urine, when we start getting hit, when my officers start getting hit with that, its no longer a peaceful protest.

Civil attorney for injured participants shares thoughts

Jeff Edwards represents some of the people who were injured during the 2020 protests.

He said the 14 cases he has worked related to these injuries have resulted in more than $18 million in settlements.

Whether or not crimes are prosecuted is a discretionary decision and one that a DA really is empowered to make, Edwards said. I would not read into the district attorneys decision that what happened was not unlawful or not part of a practice.

This story will air tonight on KXAN at 5 and 6 p.m. Check back for more insight from all sides throughout the day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
FILE PHOTO: People stand outside the Maiden Pharmaceuticals plant in Sonipat in the northern state of Haryana, India,

By Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is close to finishing an investigation into a "comprehensive and exhaustive" complaint that a state drug regulator, in return for a bribe, helped switch samples of cough syrups linked to the deaths of children in Gambia before the samples were tested in India, the investigator told Reuters.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) linked the syrups made by India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals to the deaths of 70 children in the African country last year, India's government says tests at an Indian government laboratory showed the syrups were not toxic. Maiden has said it had not "done anything wrong".

Reuters reported in June that in an April 29 letter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana state, where Maiden has its factory, a lawyer named Yashpal accused the state's drug controller, Manmohan Taneja, of taking a bribe of 50 million rupees ($600,687) from Maiden to help switch the samples before they went for tests at the government laboratory.

Reuters was unable to independently establish that any bribes were paid.

Taneja did not respond to a phone call and a WhatsApp message seeking comment. He told Reuters in October that it was a "fake complaint from a fake person" and that "anyone can send any fake complaint against anyone".

Maiden did not respond to requests for comment.

But Gagandeep Singh, joint director at Haryana's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), told Reuters on Thursday that he was thoroughly going through Yashpal's complaint, had taken the views of various sides, and was close to finishing his probe.

"The whole complaint was quite comprehensive and exhaustive," he said. "I've been given the direction by the government to have an exhaustive analysis of the whole complaint and give a consolidated report. It's in the final stages ... pretty soon it will be completed."

This is the first time a government officer has commented on the contents of the complaint and the existence of a detailed investigation into the allegations.

Singh declined to share his findings ahead of submitting the report to his boss, Haryana's FDA Commissioner Ashok Kumar Meena. He said once the report is submitted, any future steps would be taken by his superiors. Meena and India's health ministry did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.

Singh said that Yashpal, who goes by one name, had not appeared in front of him in person but his e-mailed statements standing by his complaint had been taken into account in the investigation.

"I have given him the opportunity of being heard again and again, but I have received e-mails," Singh said. "The very fact is that he did take ownership of the complaint - but he has been able to respond to me only through e-mail."

Yashpal's phone was switched off when Reuters tried to call him on Thursday and Friday.

In his complaint, Yashpal did not say where he got the information, or provide evidence for his claim about the syrups made by Maiden. He told Reuters in June he had learned about the alleged bribe in the Maiden case from at least two individuals in India's pharmaceutical industry, including one within Maiden, but declined to identify any of them for fear of retribution.

Indian-made cough syrups have been linked to the deaths of at least 141 children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon since last year, denting the image of the world's largest drug manufacturing country after the United States and China.

This year, the Indian government has stepped up inspections of factories in its $50 billion pharmaceutical industry and made tests of cough syrups mandatory at government or government-identified private laboratories before export.

($1 = 83.2380 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Asael Roblero has been fighting for suitable mental health care rather than county jail for his son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia years after this portrait from his early childhood. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

As he gets ready for the meeting, Asael Roblero doesn't need to look far to remember why he keeps going.

When he wakes up, he isn't in a bed because his son destroyed it.

When he reaches for a shirt, he has few to choose from because his son threw out most of his clothing.

When he walks into his kitchen for breakfast, he is met with the "F you" that his son spray-painted on the wall next to the refrigerator.

Because his son is deeply ill.

Most of Asael Roblero's apartment was spray-painted by his son during schizophrenic episodes before Jessie was jailed. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Roblero, a 50-year-old restaurant worker, has spent the last year attending as many Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meetings as possible to seek more treatment services for his son and others.

On Sept. 18, a judge ordered that Roblero's 25-year-old son, Jessie, who has schizophrenia, be moved from L.A. County jail to a locked mental health facility in Pomona.

But he remained in jail for three more months because the L.A. County Department of Mental Health has only about 50 beds for people in jail facing charges who a judge has said should be in a locked mental health facility instead. Those beds were full, with 21 people waiting.

We only have 50 beds  and we only had 50 beds 20 years ago, said Mark Gale, the criminal justice chair of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Los Angeles County chapter.

Read more: Seeking redemption: A death row inmates journey into L.A. Countys largest psych ward

Roblero's quest to help his son illustrates how complicated and confusing it can be for a parent to advocate for an adult child with serious mental illness in L.A. County's justice system. He struggles to get information about his son's well-being or his case, mostly getting his information from Jessie.

Roblero made seven visits over the last year to the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown L.A. so he could speak to the supervisors for one minute about why the county  whose jails have a history of failing to provide mental health care  needs to spend more on services.

Roblero shared his apartment with his son even after a legally mandated restraining order barred Jessie from contact. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

"I currently have a son who has been in jail for one year due to having a mental illness, and I'm just getting excuses, excuses, excuses from the court," Roblero told the board in Spanish at its October meeting, his sixth time there. "And in reality, there are not programs for mental health. There's no space. There are no beds for people with mental health issues. A person with mental illness, for them to be destined to be homeless or to be in jail, I don't believe that that is just."

Just after he spoke, Supervisor Hilda Solis asked that Roblero be connected with the jail's mental health care team.

He was given a phone number, and when he called it he was told that Jessie was sixth in line to get out of jail.

Roblero says Jessie, pictured in 2007, was a sweet and sensitive kid who'd hoped to study chemical biology in college. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Roblero said he just wants his family and some version of their seemingly normal life back.

When he was 19, Roblero immigrated to Los Angeles from Tapachula, a city in southeast Mexico that sits about 30 minutes by car from the Guatemalan border, for better work opportunities.

He started as a day laborer, seeking work outside Home Depot each day for about six months. In 1994, a friend found him a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant, and he's worked in the food industry since.

Roblero soon met his future partner in a dance club, and in 1998 Jessie was born.

The couple's first child, he was a sweet and sensitive kid who was beautiful like his mother," Roblero said. He was smart and enjoyed skateboarding and playing the guitar.

Jessie took honors classes in high school and wanted to go to college to be a chemical biologist.

Roblero still has the remains of photos that Jessie claimed weren't real and destroyed. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

But a few months before Jessie was to graduate, Roblero noticed his son changing. Jessie was staying at home and sleeping a lot. He told his father he had social anxiety.

I feel bad, because I told [him] one day, Hey, dont be lazy, you have to go to school,'" Roblero said. I didnt know what was happening in his head.

Jessie soon told him that his phone had been hacked and was typing on its own. "If my phone is hacked, maybe yours is too," he told his father.

One day Roblero got a call at work from a hospital. Jessie was there.

Can we talk about your son? Roblero remembers a doctor asking him, saying it needed to be face to face.

The doctor told Roblero that his son had schizophrenia. Whats that? Roblero asked.

I wish this was from drugs, the doctor told him of Jessie's symptoms.

"I feel bad. ... I didn't know what was happening in his head," Roblero says of his initial reaction to his son's decline. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

My whole dreams [hit] the floor. I was hoping [for] him to be something in life. He was so smart. You can see your kids, when they are smart, [you think] 'Oh, this guys going to be something in life,'" Roblero said.

Early in his diagnosis, Jessie did OK. He saw a therapist he trusted who regularly visited their Hollywood apartment. Jessie took a long-acting injection of an antipsychotic medicine, and although it made him tired, he kept taking it.

He enrolled at Santa Monica College, but got overwhelmed and left after a few months. He tried to work, putting together a resume even when his symptoms were still active.

Roblero looks over his son's medications. A doctor in jail recently took him off antipsychotic drugs despite his struggles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

But in 2020, his therapist left his job, and Jessie went through a few therapists over telehealth, never meeting them in person because of the risks posed by COVID-19, his father said. He soon started drinking, which made his symptoms worse.

Jessie started regularly breaking their apartment's front window and any electronics in the house.

At one point during his decline, Jessie was charged with a misdemeanor on allegations of hitting his mother and Roblero. The family had called the police to ask for a mental health team.

That call led to a restraining order that neither of Jessie's parents asked for, Roblero said, and later resulted in their son going to jail when they didn't follow it.

The L.A. city attorney's office said in a statement that it is mandated by law to file a protective order in domestic violence cases, regardless of whether the victim wants it.

"This is done for public safety and for the victim's safety," the statement said.

Meredith Gallen, a member of the L.A. County Public Defenders Union, said the city attorney's office has discretion  that its prosecutors could offer someone like Jessie a charge that wouldn't require the protective order. The city attorney's office declined to comment further.

For offenders with serious mental illnesses, a restraining order "means that clients cannot be housed with protected family members while they receive treatment, and it also means they cannot receive the physical and emotional support from loved ones that is critical to any rehabilitative process," Gallen said.

Roblero reads a letter his son wrote from jail as his transfer to a locked mental health care facility was delayed. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Roblero did not heed the order, he said, because doing so would have made his son homeless.

But that meant that every time Roblero called the police to request a mental health team when his son was damaging their apartment, the officers could arrest Jessie for violating the order.

Once, after Roblero had called them several times over a series of months, an officer threatened to arrest Roblero, he said.

What do you want me to do? Throw him on the streets? On the streets, and hes not stable, and you guys will kill him anyway, Roblero remembered saying.

The cycle continued from early 2020 through 2022: Jessie would vandalize their apartment or act out, and Roblero would call the police to request a mental health team. Instead, officers would arrive and sometimes arrest Jessie.

Roblero has been threatened with eviction for all the damage, and because his neighbors are scared of Jessie. He said he didn't understand mental illness until he was living it.

Roblero has been threatened with eviction over the damage to his apartment and because neighbors are afraid of his son. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Sometimes the neighbor30s call me at work [and say], Oh, your son is throwing your stuff, Roblero said.

In September 2022, after breaking out their apartment window, Jessie went outside and destroyed the window of a vacant apartment in their complex. The police arrested him, and he'd been in jail since then, his father said.

Jessie's charges include felony stalking  because he lived with his father despite the protective order. His previous arrests were all misdemeanors involving vandalism, assault on his parents and "willful disobedience" in following the restraining order, according to court records. He'd been in and out of court-ordered diversion programs, never finding the stability he'd had before his therapist left.

He was selected for the county's Rapid Diversion Program, which tries to get people with mental illness or substance-use disorders out of jail and into mental health care, housing and other services. Unlike most who enter the program, he would be sent to a locked facility.

According to county data, the program has helped 2,000 people with mental illnesses or substance-use disorders get released from detention into services, and about 600 have graduated, meaning their charges have been dismissed and the cases have been expunged from their records.

But most aren't ordered to locked facilities.

Read more: L.A. criminal court program diverts mentally ill offenders from prosecution

Generally, a person might be ordered to a locked facility because a judge decides they're too ill to be treated in an unlocked setting, or because they've been charged with violent crimes and a judge or district attorney won't let them leave jail for care unless the site is locked.

The debate over locked facilities is among the most heated among mental health advocates, pitting family groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness against civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Disability Rights California.

In April, Solis put forth a motion, co-written by fellow Supervisor Janice Hahn, asking county health leaders to find 500 more locked-facility beds.

Six months later, the supervisors learned  after hearing from Roblero and other advocates who pointed to long delays in being transferred from jail  that most of the 500 beds weren't yet available.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger asked what progress had been made.

Lisa H. Wong, who leads the county Department of Mental Health, told the board that 185 new beds were available or would be soon, and the rest of the 500 would open "over the course of the next several fiscal years."

"How many are available today if I called or the jail called and said they want to divert?" Barger asked.

Barger said she was concerned, especially given the settlement the county recently reached with the ACLU over jail conditions.

Read more: 'Barbaric' L.A. County jail conditions alleged as ACLU seeks federal intervention

Outside of the 185 new beds, Wong said, they'd also added 55 beds for those leaving jail who aren't as sick  noting that "we have people lined up" to take them.

The county Department of Mental Health gives priority for its 500 new treatment slots to people in conservatorships  legal directives put in place when someone is unable to oversee their own welfare and a third party, named by a court, is responsible for them  because these patients have immediate release orders.

They've likely been found incompetent to stand trial, and their charges  unless murder  are dropped, the department said in a statement. The criminal court is no longer involved in their treatment.

Jessie is not under a conservatorship and has not been found incompetent to stand trial.

"The fundamental thing here is that we've got every player in the system ... saying the right thing to do here is not to hold this person in jail, and yet this person is languishing in jail and  [in] a jail system that for more than 25 years has been found by the United States government to violate the rights of people with mental illness," said Peter Eliasberg, chief counsel for 1st Amendment rights at ACLU of Southern California.

The first time Roblero called Los Angeles police to try to help his son, an officer gave him a card for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Through attending those meetings, he has met parents who don't know where their adult children are or who could point to them sleeping under a bridge. He fears that for Jessie.

Thats why Im trying to go to the supervisors, to do a little bit more, he said. Its not only me. Its a similar situation everywhere, the same stories I hear from other parents.

Roblero's efforts to help his son get treatment instead of jail have connected him with advocates for larger criminal justice reforms. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Roblero knew little about the county mental health system before his son got sick, and didn't intend to become an advocate for judicial system reform.

He was downtown for his son's court date when he walked past the county Hall of Administration, where the supervisors meet. He saw a large group of activists and got curious. He began attending the board meetings, and connected with local nonprofit Dignity and Power Now, which advocates for justice reform.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Roblero wondered whether his advocacy had mattered. He had just learned that Jessie had requested to leave the voluntary locked program and go back to jail. No one from the court informed Roblero.

Jessie had called his mother and told her the voices were getting to him, and that he was more comfortable in jail.

A few weeks ago, a jail physician stopped prescribing Jessie his antipsychotic medicine, Haldol, instead prescribing only Benadryl for sleep and another medicine for anxiety, Roblero said. He fears his son got only sicker during his year in jail and is too unwell to understand the impact of his choices.

In quiet moments at home, Roblero sometimes wonders how he can save his son.

Sometimes I feel like theres no exit, he said.

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.
Claim:

Donald Trump said in 2002 that Jeffrey Epstein was a "terrific guy," and added, "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

On Dec. 18, 2023, a U.S. federal judge ordered that a list of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's associates and victims would be made public in 2024. Most of the names that would be revealed were already public, The Associated Press reported.

After this news broke, users on Facebook, X and Truth Social reposted an old quote they attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the posts, Trump had once praised Epstein as being a "terrific guy," and added, "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

A rumor said that Donald Trump once called Jeffrey Epstein a terrific guy and said the words, it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side

A sampling of the many posts on X that featured the quote.

This was a genuine quote from Trump. It appeared in the article, "Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery." The story was published by New York Magazine on Oct. 28, 2002, just over 14 years before Trump claimed victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

According to the article, Trump had spoken the words in the quote during a phone interview:

Epstein likes to tell people that hes a loner, a man whos never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy, Trump booms from a speakerphone. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it  Jeffrey enjoys his social life.

Trump Was Asked About the Quote in 2019

On July 6, 2019, Epstein was arrested and indicted on charges of the sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.

Three days later, on July 9, Trump was asked by an unidentified reporter in the Oval Office, "Do you still think Jeffrey Epstein is a 'terrific guy?'"

In response, Trump said three times that he was not a "fan" of Epstein's:

Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan. I was not, yeah, a long time ago, I'd say maybe 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you. I was not a fan of his.

At the time, Politico posted a video of Trump's full answer:

Reporter: Do you still think Jeffrey Epstein is a 'terrific guy'? Trump: Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach... He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years.. I was not a fan of his pic.twitter.com/l4wVbolshO  POLITICO (@politico) July 9, 2019

Weeks later, on Aug. 10, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell. An autopsy ruled it was a suicide by hanging. His death set off a wave of new conspiracy theories.

Trump On Ghislaine Maxwell: 'I Wish Her Well'

In a related remark, in July 2020, Trump was asked about the case involving Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who, at the time, the U.S. Justice Department had just arrested and charged for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors. During his answer, Trump said, "I just wish her well, frankly." He then mentioned a second time, "I wish her well."

More than one year later, on Dec. 29, 2021, Maxwell was convicted of multiple charges. She was then sentenced to 20 years in prison for what the U.S. Justice Department described as "her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein over the course of a decade."

Days prior to her conviction, the Miami Herald published information about flights that Trump had taken on Epstein's jets. According to the reporting, Epstein's flight logs were released as evidence in Maxwell's trial. The logs showed that Trump had flown at least seven times, with all of the flights being between Palm Beach, Florida and New York City airports. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Bill Clinton had flown on Epstein's jets at least nine times. In a statement, a spokesperson for Clinton said in 2019 that Clinton knew "nothing" about Epstein's crimes. The Herald noted that neither of the two former presidents had been accused of sexual misconduct involving Epstein.

We previously published many other articles that covered additional claims involving Trump, Clinton and Epstein, including rumors about various real and fake photos and videos. Further, for more information about the Epstein scandal, we recommend this detailed timeline.

Sources:

A Timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell Scandal. The Associated Press, 28 June 2022, https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-timeline-b9f15710fabb72e8581c71e94acf513e.

Ghislaine Maxwell Charged In Manhattan Federal Court For Conspiring With Jeffrey Epstein To Sexually Abuse Minors | United States Department of Justice. Southern District of New York, 2 July 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-charged-manhattan-federal-court-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually.

Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Conspiring With Jeffrey Epstein To Sexually Abuse Minors | United States Department of Justice. Southern District of New York, 28 June 2022, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-sentenced-20-years-prison-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually-abuse.

Hays, Tom, and Larry Neumeister. Ghislaine Maxwell Convicted in Epstein Sex Abuse Case. The Associated Press, 30 Dec. 2021, https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90.

Hill, James, and Aaron Katersky. Federal Judge Orders Documents Naming Jeffrey Epsteins Associates to Be Unsealed. ABC News, 19 Dec. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/US/federal-judge-orders-documents-naming-jeffrey-epsteins-associates/story?id=105779882.

Jeffrey Epstein Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Sex Trafficking Of Minors | United States Department of Justice. Southern District of New York, 8 July 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/jeffrey-epstein-charged-manhattan-federal-court-sex-trafficking-minors.

Judge Orders Release of over 150 Names of People Mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein Lawsuit Documents. The Associated Press, 19 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-financier-names-released-8ce48f838d61c853efe643977ccc1bb1.

Karni, Annie, and Maggie Haberman. Jeffrey Epstein Was a Terrific Guy, Donald Trump Once Said. Now Hes Not a Fan. The New York Times, 10 July 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/politics/trump-epstein.html.

@politico. Reporter: Do You Still Think Jeffrey Epstein Is a Terrific Guy? X, 9 July 2019, https://twitter.com/politico/status/1148638639213043713.

Tabachnick, Tara. List of Jeffrey Epsteins Associates Named in Lawsuit Must Be Unsealed, Judge Rules. Here Are Details on the Document Release. CBS News, 19 Dec. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeffrey-epstein-list-associates-unsealed-judge-rules/.

Thomas Jr., Landon. Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery. New York Magazine, 28 Oct. 2002, https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/.

Trump Says of Ghislaine Maxwell, I Wish Her Well. YouTube, The Associated Press, 21 July 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkrnWRIavAU.

Watson, Michelle, et al. Dozens of Documents Naming Jeffrey Epsteins Victims and Associates to Be Made Public in 2024. CNN, 19 Dec. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/19/us/jeffrey-epstein-victims-associates-order/index.html.

Wieder, Ben, and Julie K. Brown. Maxwell Case Logs Show How Frequently Trump Flew on Epstein Jets; Bill Clinton, Too. Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2021, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article256740662.html.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had other reasons for his most recent trip to the United States besides seeking more assistance in his countrys war against Russian aggression, according to various social media posts across Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The posts claim that Zelensky purchased a $20 million oceanside mansion in Vero Beach, Florida. Some even claim he also became a U.S. citizen.

No evidence exists that Zelensky has purchased a property in Florida, however, and the home pictured is owned by an unrelated individual.

The post uses images from a property at 1263 Ponte Vedra Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which is currently listed for sale for $10.9 million by the realty group Compass. Built in 1995, the home most recently sold on April 16, 2019, for $6.3 million to the CEO of an Atlanta, Georgia-based financial services firm that filed for bankruptcy in 2022.

A listing agent at Compass confirmed to The Dispatch Fact Check that the home has not been purchased and remains an active listing.

Lauren Witzke, the Republican Senate nominee from Delaware in 2020 who lost to Sen. Chris Coons, and others also posted a photo purportedly of Zelenskys U.S. Certificate of Naturalization. The certificate lacks a number of detailsspaces in the registration number, a seal by the photo, and the holders signaturethat verified documents of the same kind typically include.

A satirical trend of posts reporting Zelenskys purchase of famous landmarks around the world exploded after the circulation of the original false story, with social media users humorously accusing the Ukrainian president of also acquiring for $20 million the Sydney Opera House, Tower of London, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, and even a home in the video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrims fictional capital of Solitude.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Experts reject Western propaganda against Xinjiang

Xinhua) 08:04, December 22, 2023

This aerial photo taken on Oct. 20, 2023 shows a harvester working at a cotton field in Weili County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Such nonsense as "forced labor" and "cultural genocide" is fabricated by Western media purely out of political interests.

URUMQI, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Experts from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and other provinces on Wednesday rejected propaganda by Western governments, media outlets and think tanks against human rights development in Xinjiang, a region in northwestern China.

In a seminar on the sidelines of an idea- and story-sharing conference held here, the experts said that the West, especially the United States, has double standards on terrorism and human rights issues while turning a blind eye to Xinjiang's social-economic development as well as the protection of human rights.

Zhu Liyu, a professor at the Human Rights Center of Renmin University of China, said that the U.S. government collaborates with the private sector to profit off private prisons, where prisoners are effectively treated as slaves.

The U.S. media outlets seldom report on the suffering of prisoners in private prisons but spare no efforts to hype up the so-called "forced labor" issue in Xinjiang, Zhu said. "The so-called 'Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act' aims to disrupt the sale of cotton and other products from Xinjiang, so that they can sell their products," the professor said.

Batur Barat, head of the music school of Xinjiang Normal University, said that the central government has been preserving and promoting traditional Uygur Muqam music since the 1960s, adding that many Muqam music groups have been formed and perform across the world.

The Uygur Muqam of Xinjiang was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization list of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005. "If the government had adopted 'cultural genocide' like the West reports, how could Muqam survive and be inherited by us?" said Barat.

By overemphasizing individuals' right to freedom, the Western view on human rights disregards the role of the government, which sometimes leads to the loss of individual dignity like the drug issue in the United States, said Bai Fan, an associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

On the international level, Bai said the issue of human rights is always linked to aid from the West and serves as an excuse to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

"U.S. manipulation of Xinjiang-related issues is a ridiculous 'blockbuster' (film) in which the U.S. government acts as the producer and director at once," said Xu Qiqi, an associate researcher with the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, a think tank affiliated to the China International Communications Group.

He exposed the tricks favored by U.S. and other Western media in their relentless smear campaign against Xinjiang, such as churning out bare-faced lies on social media and magnifying the disastrous effects with the help of artificial intelligence, adding the West also used the Group of Seven to throw mud at Xinjiang's human rights cause.

Such nonsense as "forced labor" and "cultural genocide" is fabricated by Western media purely out of political interests, said Qian Jinyu, a professor who specializes in human rights at Guangdong University of Technology.

Qian denounced the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism which have sowed the seeds of instability in Xinjiang. "The criteria for assessing the achievements of Xinjiang's cause of human rights can by no means solely rely on the desires and prejudices of foreign countries. People of Xinjiang have the final say," he said.

The conference on Wednesday was themed "promoting the high-quality development of the human rights cause in Xinjiang within the Chinese modernization drive," and attended by over 70 experts from universities, think tanks and research institutes nationwide.

A report on Xinjiang's human rights and legal protections, compiled by Xinjiang University and the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, was also issued at the event.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The 2023 Idea and Story Sharing Conference held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The 2023 Idea and Story Sharing Conference: Promoting High-Quality Development of Human Rights Cause in Xinjiang in Chinese Modernization Drive was held on Dec. 20 in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, attracting more than 200 participants.

During the conference, Jiang Jianguo, executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, underscored that with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of modernization are distributed more equitably, Chinese modernization adheres to a people-centered concept, promoting sustainable development and contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, said that the region's tourism has seen a remarkable increase from 48.6 million visitors in 2012 to a record-breaking 260 million visitors this year.

He added that Xinjiang's GDP has more than doubled over the past decade, surging from 840 billion yuan in 2013 to 1.77 trillion yuan in 2022, with the regional government consistently allocating over 70% of its fiscal expenditures to safeguarding and improving the livelihoods of its residents.

The conference also featured a launch ceremony for a blue book titled "Report on Xinjiang's Human Rights and Legal Protections," which includes 13 reports that provide an objective, scholarly assessment of the current state of human rights development in Xinjiang. The reports propose policy recommendations to enhance human rights protection in various domains and offer an outlook into the future of human rights development in the region.

During the conference and sub-forums, representatives from various fields in Xinjiang shared stories and experiences to showcase the region's progress in human rights development. Additionally, more than 70 experts took part in discussions on topics centered around human rights protection.
(Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo held presidential and legislative elections this week against a backdrop of militia violence in the east, a chaotic campaign and claims the electoral commission was not prepared to hold a free and fair vote.

Here are some key facts about how the election could unfold.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?

Voting started on Dec. 20 as planned, but some polling stations opened late and some didn't open at all due to machines malfunctioning, violence and other issues.

Because of the issues, authorities decided to extend voting into a second day at polling stations that had failed to open.

Five opposition candidates said the extension was illegal and demanded a rerun.

The tumult of election day followed a campaign marred by political violence and repeated warnings from the opposition and independent observers about the lack of transparency.

HOW DID PREVIOUS ELECTIONS PAN OUT?

Congo's last election, in 2018, was also chaotic. Days before the vote, authorities postponed the election by a week after a fire destroyed voting materials.

President Felix Tshisekedi was declared winner about 10 days after the election, but the opposition claimed fraud and some high-level observers said they doubted his victory.

Runner-up Martin Fayulu launched a court appeal, and Congo's top court confirmed Tshisekedi's win later that month. Human Rights Watch said at least 10 people were killed by security forces during post-election demonstrations.

The 2018 election led to Congo's first democratic transition of power. The country held multi-party elections twice before - in 2006 and 2011 - which were won by former president Joseph Kabila, who had taken over from his father.

In those polls, opposition candidates rejected the results and the elections were followed by deadly clashes.

WHY IS THIS ELECTION IMPORTANT?

Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's second-biggest country, with a population of over 100 million people.

Dozens of armed militia are active along Congo's borders with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, where millions died in regional wars between 1996 and 2003. Any political instability could potentially worsen the long-running conflict.

Congo is also the world's biggest producer of cobalt, a key component in batteries for electric cars and mobile phones, and a top diamond and copper producer.

Chinese and Western investors are expected to increase their investment in Congo's mining sector but are waiting to see that the transfer to the next term is smooth.

Whoever wins will have to take the lead on renegotiating a multi-billion dollar metals-for-infrastructure deal with China.

WHAT NEXT?

Full provisional results of the presidential election are not expected before Dec. 31, although the electoral commission has said it will announce results from each polling station as they come in.

Opposition candidates have already flagged issues with the voting process and could decide to challenge the results. In the past, competing claims of victory have led to violent clashes.

The extension of voting into a second day could also open it up to legal challenges, said election observers. CENI has not responded to the opposition candidates' calls for a rerun, but it has said the extension does not affect the credibility of the vote.

The administration of Tshisekedi, who is seeking a second term, has dismissed criticism of the vote and called the elections "inclusive, peaceful, and transparent".

(Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alessandra Prentice and Nick Macfie)
Chief Financial Officer Greg Hartjes gives a speech during the Appleton West High School 2022 graduation ceremony. High school students planning to attend college will use a new financial aid form this year.

The financial aid form that incoming and current college students file annually is getting a major facelift.

But it's been delayed by several months, sparking worries among education experts that the tighter timeline to complete it means some students will miss out.

Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is an important step in the college planning process because it determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, scholarships and work-study funding.

Here's what to know:

What's changing on the new FAFSA form?

The form will be much shorter than in the past  just 36 questions compared to 108.

The simplified form also provides increased transparency around eligibility for federal Pell grants, which are given to students with the most financial need. It also allows students to transfer tax data directly from the IRS.

The form also creates more direct routes for high schools to support students with special circumstances, such as refugees, those facing parental abandonment and children of parents who are incarcerated.

More Wisconsin students will benefit under new form

Beyond being easier to fill out, the new form also reflects updates to student aid calculations. It will extend Pell grants to nearly 10,000 more Wisconsin students, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

In addition, 20,000 more Wisconsin students are expected to receive the maximum Pell grant, meaning they will receive more money to offset the cost of their education.

One student group, however, may suffer under the new formula: the children of families who own farms.

Many farm families have high reported assets, like farmland and equipment, but low incomes. The old formula counted a familys income off that land, but not its net worth on paper.

But the new formula does, making many farm families appear wealthier than they are. For example, a family with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 and a farm worth $1 million would previously be expected to contribute $7,626 annually for college. But under the new formula, the family contribution would be $41,056 annually, according to a report from the Iowa Student Aid Commission, the states student financial aid agency

When will the new FAFSA be available?

The U.S. Education Department said the new form will be launched by Dec. 31  three months later than when the FAFSA used to be released on Oct. 1.

The compressed timeline will have downstream effects on the financial aid process.

Schools will begin receiving aid eligibility information by the end of January, the department said. That means students and families will receive their aid offers later, leaving them less time to decide which college to enroll in and put a deposit down by the May 1 deadline.

The shorter schedule could result in lower FAFSA completion and college enrollment rates than in previous years, the National College Attainment Network warned in a statement last month. The nonprofit aims to close equity gaps in higher education.

The delay will most affect students from low-income backgrounds because they must wait for their aid offers to confirm they can afford college, the organization said. It comes during an already complicated admissions cycle due to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling restricting the use of race in admissions decisions.

"This is a year of massive change and on top of that, a shorter window of time to complete the form," said Kim Cook, who leads the organization.

What are Milwaukee Public Schools doing for students?

Ericca Pollack, college access coordinator for Milwaukee Public Schools, called the new form "worth the wait."

"We're extremely prepared to support students" through the switch, she said. MPS schools have been prepping over the past year for it.

FAFSA completion events will be held in the district's two dozen traditional high schools in January and February, Pollack said. MPS college and career center advisers will be fully focused on FAFSA during that time.

"We certainly would prefer a longer timeline," said John Hill, director of the College and Career Readiness department for MPS. "Theres no doubt about that ... But we feel we have a very good plan in place to ensure they get their FAFSA done."

MPS requires FAFSA completion to graduate

Adding to Hill's optimism is FAFSA completion data from last school year, the first in which MPS made the form a graduation requirement.

In the year before FAFSA was made mandatory, 50% of MPS students filled it out. In 2022-23, it jumped to 62%.

The goal of the graduation requirement, Pollack said, is to kick-start conversations about college. Families can choose to opt out of the form after meeting with a career counselor.

"The goal is to have a conversation to make sure they do not foreclose on college because of perceived financial barriers," she said. "We just want to make sure families are informed about all college options."

What should students and families do now?

Create your Federal Student Aid ID, also called FSA ID. Visit studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.

The process only takes about five minutes, but it can take four to five days for approval. By creating the account now, you can file the new form as soon as it becomes available.

Hang on to the username and password you create. The same log-in will be used to file the FAFSA annually and will also apply to other children in the family.

Parents who lack a Social Security number cannot complete this step until the new form becomes available.

For more information, visit mpsmke.com/FAFSA.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What Wisconsin families should know about new FAFSA form
Virginias Fairfax County Public Schools, one of the nations largest districts, should make several changes to safeguard student privacy, according to legal experts who investigated the recent accidental release of sensitive, confidential records on more than 35,000 students.

Several of the documents were internal memos about special education services and litigation brought against the district by two former students who alleged theyd been sexually assaulted. One spreadsheet identified at least 60 students struggling with mental health issues, including some who had been hospitalized or engaged in self harm.

Investigators said that in the future, attorneys should review and label files before a parent inspects them and urged staff throughout the district to be trained on the importance of redacting and safeguarding confidential information. In a letter to families Thursday, Superintendent Michelle Reid said the district would comply with all of the recommendations.

Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now.

The brief summary of the investigation leaves several questions unanswered, including which district officials were responsible for the disclosure and how such a massive breach occurred after a string of similar incidents in recent years.

The 74 first reported on the most recent episode on Nov. 1, two weeks after Callie Oettinger, a parent in the district, reviewed documents that she requested on her own children, a daughter in high school and a son who graduated in 2022. She discovered later that the information she copied and downloaded onto thumb drives included private information on thousands of other students.

The disclosure was just the latest in a series of student privacy incidents within the 178,000-student district in recent years. In 2020, hackers obtained Social Security numbers, birthdates and other data on over 170,000 students and employees. In the early weeks of the pandemic, students were subjected to racist and obscene comments and other harassment in online classes that werent protected with a password. And multiple parents told The 74 they have mistakenly received other students special education records or that their childrens information has been shared with other parents or staff members.

In 2019, a former superintendent apologized when staff members forwarded information on Oettingers son to the wrong people and promised to train staff to prevent future occurences. But in 2021, the district released private data on about a dozen students to another parent, Debra Tisler. Tisler shared the information with Oettinger, a special education advocate, who published redacted versions on her website. The district sued both parents to get the records back, but lost the case.

Related

Virginias Fairfax Schools Expose Thousands of Sensitive Student Records

A day after The 74s report, Reid apologized and announced that a firm with expertise in cybersecurity  Woods, Rogers, Vandeventer and Black  would investigate how the incident occured. Nearly six weeks later, parents whose children were named in the records received a letter notifying them of the disclosure and the district set up a phone line to provide them with more information.

The summary of the investigation showed that older thumb drives containing unredacted files were unintentionally and unknowingly left within boxes accessible to Oettinger when she went to her local high school for an in-person review of her childrens records. The probe also included a forensic examination of a laptop Oettinger used while she was there.

But Oettinger said the lead investigator, Beth Waller, never contacted her. Waller did not return calls or emails seeking comment.

Reids letter to families stated that Oettinger and her attorney provided declarations under oath and penalty of perjury stating they have deleted and do not have any of the identifiable student information that was involved in this incident.

Oettinger said she wished the district had made greater efforts to clarify that she didnt release any students private information.

Related

Exposed Fairfax School Documents Include Names of Alleged Assault Victims

She published examples of the documents on her advocacy website to further underscore the point that the district didnt protect sensitive student data. But she redacted personal identifying information before posting.

The investigators called the incident a unique set of circumstances and an unusual review, another description Oettinger objects to. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act gives parents the right to review records in person.

In Fairfax, parents are split over whether Oettinger did the right thing in failing to initially inform the district of the error.

How do we file a lawsuit against her? one asked on Facebook. Lets def (sic) all band together!

Another wrote, Do you understand the stress and anxiety you have caused to thousands of families in your self-righteous quest for justice? 

But Oettinger said past privacy violations made her skeptical that the district would properly address the matter.

Other parents defended Oettingers actions. If she hadnt reported it to the public, we would never have known about it, said Jill Janson, who has two children whose information were included in the records released. If [Fairfax County Public Schools] isnt uber careful with a parent they have a long history with regarding data spills, then just how careful are they with a regular person off the street?

Oettinger has complained several times to the Virginia Department of Education about the October disclosure. But state officials maintain that the district does not have a systemic problem.

Related

Alleged Rape Victim Presses Va.s Fairfax Schools for Answers on Records Leak

In October, following a previous complaint, the state said the district had assured officials that staff members would receive training on student privacy. That training began Oct. 31, but the district did not respond to a question on how many staff members completed it.

This school division is the Commonwealths largest, Cecil Creasey Jr., a state hearing officer, wrote Dec. 11 when he ruled on an appeal from Oettinger. The districts size, he said, is not an excuse, but helps to explain why such errors occurred.

But Oettinger and other critics argue the district should be able to secure student privacy given the millions of dollars it spends on legal fees.

I have heard human error too many times through the years, Oettinger said. It isnt an excuse. Can you imagine the president accidentally including Putin in an email and then blaming human error?
(KRON)  The Fairfield Police Department arrested a man with 12 different aliases on Wednesday.

Fairfield officers attempted a traffic stop at the 2200 block of North Texas Street at 2:34 p.m. on Dec. 12. A pursuit ensued after the driver failed to yield, police said. The driver fled on foot across Air Base Parkway. However, officers were able to detain the driver.

One person dead in Vallejo shooting

According to police, the man gave a false name to the officers. The suspect was later identified as 38-year-old James Coley III.

According to the police investigation, Coley uses 12 different aliases.

Coley was arrested for Georgia felony warrants, including four armed robberies, four violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism Act, and four carjacking warrants. He also had several other warrants, which had limited extradition.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Unblurred images of Muhammad Hani al-Zahar, a baby with rigor mortis, were used online to claim his death was faked

The mother and grandfather of five-month-old Palestinian baby Muhammad Hani al-Zahar held his dead body in front of a hospital following the resumption of hostilities in Gaza on the first day of December.

But when footage of the grief-stricken family holding the body in their arms went viral on social media, many posts falsely claimed Muhammad was merely a doll, and not a real baby.

These claims were amplified in an article by the Jerusalem Post, an influential Israeli newspaper, which showed an image of Muhammad in rigor mortis after his death and said it proved he was a doll. After a backlash, the paper removed the article from its website, saying on X (formerly Twitter) that the report "was based on faulty sourcing".

A few weeks earlier, a video of Israeli siblings Rotem Mathias, 16, and his two sisters, Shakked and Shir, went viral online. Rotem witnessed his parents get killed by Hamas gunmen on 7 October as they sheltered in their house in a kibbutz near the border with Gaza.

The viral video featured edited clips from the siblings' interviews with US outlets ABC and CNN days after the attack. It falsely claimed that they were "crisis actors" who were lying about their parents' deaths and struggling to hold their laughter in front of cameras.

These are just two examples - viewed millions of times each - showcasing the social media schism in the Israel-Gaza war that has brought denial of atrocities and human suffering to the forefront of online debate about the conflict.

One of the key terms used to deny or minimise human suffering in Gaza is "Pallywood", a disparaging combination of "Palestine" and "Hollywood". Its proponents claim fake or staged footage of Palestinian "crisis actors" posing as genuine civilian casualties is regularly shared online to influence public opinion and deceive global media.

A BBC Verify analysis suggests that on X alone, the term "Pallywood" has seen the largest spike in the number of mentions in the past 10 years.

During previous flare-ups of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2014, 2018 and 2021 the word "Pallywood" consistently peaked at either 9,500 or 13,000 mentions in a single month on X. After the 7 October Hamas attack, the number of mentions peaked at 220,000 in November.

BBC Verify found that among those sharing the term "Pallywood" on social media in the past months, including X, Facebook and Instagram, were Israeli officials, celebrities and popular bloggers from Israel and the US.

On the other hand, while supporters of the Palestinians do not have a single term used to deny atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October in Israel, posts making such claims routinely get millions of views on social media. Some falsely say that Hamas did not kill civilians on that day, or that the scale of civilian casualties has been massively exaggerated. Some even go further, falsely claiming that most of the victims were actually killed by the Israel Defense Forces, not Hamas.

Experts specialising in reconciliation efforts worry that viral disinformation which denies the other side's suffering can be dehumanising, and may impact the longer-term prospects of mending the relations between the communities affected.

Dot chart showing how mentions of Pallywood on Twitter grew from 14,637 in the earlier Israel-Gaza war in 2014 to 437,712 in the current conflict

"The biggest risks, I think, are the erosion of trust and the erosion of empathy," said Harriet Vickers, programme lead at the Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, a charity that supports victims of conflict, political violence and acts of terror.

"It undermines the ability to even begin approaching reconciliation efforts."

She added that false narratives and dehumanising rhetoric can also "have a profound effect beyond those that are directly impacted by violence, and can actually further the hurt that is being done to those individuals".

False narratives about "crisis actors" or atrocity denial are not new to those who study disinformation.

The concept of "crisis actors" in particular - that is people who pretend or are paid to act out some particular tragedy or disaster - has been popular among promoters of conspiracy theories for years.

It was notoriously used to allege that parents of dead children in the Sandy Hook school shooting in the US were somehow faking their personal tragedies.

In the past few years similar viral claims were posted about the killing of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, and victims of the war in Syria.

But the volume of dehumanising rhetoric posted during this war has surprised even those who deal with such content on a daily basis.

Eliot Higgins, the founder of the investigative website Bellingcat that has covered the wars in Syria and Ukraine in recent years, says the volume of disinformation in the current Israeli-Gaza war is "unique to this conflict".

"I've seen the kind of same intensity of toxicity and vile responses and disinformation, the way they treat women and children and that kind of stuff, with Syria, with Ukraine and so many different topics - just there are more people doing it," he told the BBC.

Mr Higgins added that because many people have had very strong opinions about either side of the conflict for years, "there are more people who are sharing stuff because it is resonating with them emotionally".

"They don't really care if it's true or not, it just feels true to them."

Back in November, a video showing makeup and fake blood being applied to a child actor's face was posted on X by Ofir Gendelman, the Israeli prime minister's spokesperson to the Arab world.

"See for yourselves how they fake injuries and evacuating 'injured' civilians, all in front of the cameras. Pallywood gets busted again," Mr Gendelman said in a post that was viewed millions of times before being deleted.

The video was, in fact, behind-the-scenes footage from a 45-second Lebanese film made in tribute to Gazans and posted online in October.

Director Mahmoud Ramzi, who took to Instagram to personally debunk the false claim made about his film, told the BBC that in the end, the misinformation might have backfired, with the controversy helping his film reach a much bigger audience.

The BBC approached Mr Gendelman for comment but he has not responded.

Israeli spokesman Ofir Gendelman initially shared footage of a Lebanese film claiming it showed Palestinian injuries were faked

Others have expressed concern for the real people who find themselves in the middle of online disinformation wars. James Longman, the ABC correspondent who interviewed Rotem and his sisters, says watching Rotem recount the death of his parents brought him and his cameraman to tears.

"He was in tears, his sister was in tears, their grandfather, who was with us. Our cameraman, the hospital porters, the nurses, the doctors, and I was in tears. I mean all of us sitting there listening to what he had to say," he told the BBC.

"It was extraordinary to hear him say it, to watch his reactions as he explained what had happened."

Mr Longman said he was shocked when he saw false claims about the siblings being shared online and took to X to debunk it. His post was shared widely, and led to at least one of the viral messages about the siblings being subsequently deleted by the person who posted it.

"But it doesn't make it any less horrible for Rotem's family," Mr Longman said.

BBC Verify logo
A 36-year-old was arrested after a 2-year-old was found in cardiac arrest, Utah police said.

Officers with Roy City police responded to a home and found a 2-year-old boy unresponsive, according to a Dec. 21 Facebook post by police.

Johnathan Dunn, a friend of the family who was babysitting the child at the time, was at the home and the toddler was transported to a local hospital, police said.

The child later died at the hospital after suffering injuries that showed signs of physical abuse, officers said.

The boys twin sister was also injured and taken to a local hospital where medical staff found signs of sexual abuse, police said.

She was also transported to the hospital, and thank goodness due to the officers ability to see what was going on, their quick response along with medical apparently saved her life, Stuart Hackworth a spokesperson for Roy police told KUTV.

As of a Dec. 22 update by police, the 2-year-old girl was in critical but stable condition, officials said.

After Roy City Police Detectives conducted interviews, Dunn was arrested and booked into Weber County Jail on charges of sexual abuse of a child, aggravated child abuse and aggravated murder, police said.

McClatchy News reached out to the Roy City Police Department on Dec. 22 for more information and is awaiting a response.

Roy is about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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Man forced migrants to work on farms and raped 16-year-old he kidnapped twice, feds say

Accused child predator pretended to be vigilante combating child porn ring, feds say
A Camano Island family is asking for the publics help to find the driver who hit and killed their son and left his body on the road for several hours.

INVESTIGATION:

The family has increased Crime Stoppers reward to $26,000 for any information that leads to an arrest in their sons death.

Washington State troopers said the crash happened in Poulsbo in the overnight hours between December 8 and 9.

Robert Rathvon, 35, of Camano Island, decided to stay at a local hotel after he had finished working a seven-day rotation as a Life Flight pilot, troopers said.

Rathvon had walked to a downtown restaurant to grab dinner and left before midnight.

Troopers said Rathvon, who was not familiar with the area, began walking back to his hotel.

They believe Rathvon took the wrong turn and ended up on the Finn Hill exit ramp, off northbound State Route 3.

A surveillance video captured Rathvon in the area of Viking Way and Finn Hill shortly after midnight.

Troopers said a vehicle had hit Rathvon on the shoulder of the ramp where a driver found his body several hours later.

Law enforcement is now asking for the publics help to find the person who killed Rathvon.

If you have any details that may help, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, where you can remain anonymous.

Theres somebody out there that has done a horrific act, needs to be held accountable, said Jim Fuda, director of Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. With the family, the closure, these are the holidays.

People come together during this time. And now instead of celebrating Christmas, theyre going to be burying their son, he continued. Obviously, a great man, a bush pilot worked for rescue operations to airlift people.

RATHVON:

KIRO 7 News spoke with Robert Rathvons parents, Kathryn and Will Rathvon, and his younger brother, Reed, on Thursday.

In shock and awe. Its so devastating that Rob would get hit and killed, said Kathryn Rathvon.

Will said when he learned about his sons death in Indonesia, he immediately got on a plane and flew back home.

You dont think it could ever happen to you, but when it does, youre immediately in disbelief. When he doesnt come through that door, it starts to sink in, he said.

Will and Kathryn said they are planning to hold a reflection at a funeral home in Stanwood so friends and loved ones across the world can join as they pray and reflect on the memories of their son, including the impact he left on others as a pilot.

Robert Rathvon flew in Indonesia for eight years, carrying medical supplies while helping people, including children, before he flew for Life Flight in Washington.

For the past two years, Robert Rathvon focused on flying medical crew members across the region during emergencies.

He wont have the chance to pursue all of his dreams and thats so heart breaking, said Kathryn.

He was a pilot in Indonesia flying the most dangerous types of flying in the world. But he was very safe. Very cautious, said Will. And not to be able to do that any longer, and with Life Flight, its the same thing.

Its an emergency. It kind of helps save someones life, he continued. This is what he lived for.

Robert, known as a pilot to many, a musician to others, but to everyone close to him, he was a man committed to serving others.

The parents said they have stopped their Christmas planning to focus on finding the person who killed their son.

A small tree, however, will be put up with Roberts special ornaments, Kathryn added.

The excitement of Rob opening up a puzzle on Christmas Day, Kathryn shared with KIRO 7 News. He loved puzzles.

He and I would spend hours on Christmas Day working on the puzzles. And that wont happen this year, she continued.

They (troopers) should keep looking for them (suspect(s)) even if it takes more than a year, said Reed Rathvon, Roberts younger brother.












DALLAS - Standing around the kitchen table, everyone agrees, the large clear zip-lock bag the North Texas parents are holding is disturbing.

The contents are telling.

" a shirt, some underwear, a makeup brush," says Brooke Morris who has collected these items from her teenage daughter's room.

Investigators had asked them to put it together in case they needed to compare the DNA from the personal belongings to their daughter's body.

"This was so that she can be identified as mine," admits Morris.

"as horrible as everything is, it's important to understand the growth that's going to come from it because the story is far from over."

That was the conversation the Morrises had with the I-Team in March of 2023. They were explaining the last few months of their lives.

Nine months later





Fast forward to December, nine months later, and it's clear how "far from over" their story is. The I-Team sat down again with the Morrises, in the same living room, but this time, they shared something else.



Reaching for her phone, the teenage girl's mother said, "I'm going to show you a couple of hard pictures."

The Ad

In April 2022, their family made national headlines. Kyle Morris and their then 15-year-old went to a Mavericks game. After leaving her seat, she disappeared. She was last seen on surveillance video with two other men.





In April 2022, their family made national headlines. Kyle Morris and their then 15-year-old went to a Mavericks game. After leaving her seat, she disappeared. She was last seen on surveillance video with two other men.

Nine days later, a private investigator traced her to an Oklahoma hotel room. He'd found her picture in an ad which the parents shared with us.

The first picture Brooke Morris pulls up on her phone is an ad. You see the then 15-year-old's long dark hair, back and shoulder from the side.

The ad states:

"How are you gentlemen doing? I am here from Dallas visiting, looking for some company. Just hit me up and we will go from there."

This is not a photo the Morrises wanted to share, but the next one is.

The Police Car

The young girl is sitting in the back seat of the police car staring into the camera. She is wearing a green, short sleeved t-shirt and shorts. Her shoes are on the seat next to her. She has no make-up on and appears very young, dazed, and almost unrecognizable.

"This is a hard one," says Brooke Morris staring at the photo on her phone.

"This is in the police car when she was recovered in Oklahoma."

The young girl is sitting in the back seat of the police car staring into the camera. She is wearing a green, short sleeved t-shirt and shorts. Her shoes are on the seat next to her. She has no make-up on and appears very young, dazed, and almost unrecognizable.

Morris says she sees sadness and darkness in her daughter's eyes.

"She was crying. Praying to God that He would find her and save her," Kyle Morris explains what his daughter was doing just moments before the picture was taken.

"That's the picture we use to identify her while she was in the car still."

The parents are sharing these images for the first time ever, because they say their daughter wants her story heard. They say she is just not ready to do it herself.

"Her main message would be you are believed," says Brooke Morris talking about what their daughter would be saying if she was sitting with her parents.

"No matter what other people say. No matter what attorneys say, what a judge says, what the media says. You are believed! That I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. That is exactly what she would say."

The Puppy

She is working on rekindling and creating new friendships- especially one in particular.





The young girl is now 17- years old. She recently got her driver's license. She would like to finish high school.

And, she is working on rekindling and creating new friendships- especially one in particular.

"I know that might sound silly, but she has this puppy," says Brooke Morris. "and it has really given her something to take care of. Something that needs her. Something that relies on her."

The Morrises explain how important this relationship has become.

Two pictures show the young beagle named Gunter and her loving on her new friend.

"She loves this puppy, and she does everything for this puppy and this puppy's well-being is her responsibility. And I think that has really helped kind of shape her into more of a caregiver instead of like a care receiver."

One image shows the teenager, her hair hanging over her shoulder, wearing a white tank top and holding the paws of a little brown and black puppy. She's kissing the side of his face.

The Morrises say their daughter is sad about what happened to her but also strong. She does not have a victim's mentality. And she is not angry.

"Having her here and whole and happy to me transcends, you know, anything else," says Brooke Morris. "I would say she's happy."

She was not at home during the interview with the I-Team. Letting her out of their sight now is a skill mom and dad say they have acquired through faith.

"that is the only way I can tell you that we've been able to cope with any of this for the last 18 months. The peace that comes to you that doesn't make sense like how do I feel okay with this? I really don't feel okay with this. It's knowing that when we didn't know where she was God knew exactly where she was."

Being home for the holidays is a blessing. This time, last year, their daughter was in treatment- dealing with the demons of trafficking.

Today, she's safe and, as the last two pictures showthey say, she's more than surviving.

Looking back one year ago, Kyle Morris says, "Hope was waning."

Brooke Morris agrees and says, "We were just surviving a year ago."

But now, she says, they are all "thriving!"

"Now"

Brooke Morris says, she sees

Flipping to the last two pictures on her phone, she says, "This is what she looks like now."

The image is a beautiful, young girl with her hair straight, long hair partly pulled back. Her green eyes are glowing under long eye lashes. This time, there are no dark circles and no fear in her face. She is smiling.

Brooke Morris says, she sees "joy" in this image.

"Yesterday"

Her brownish hair has blonde highlights. It's curled. She has makeup on. And she's glowing. Her parents agree she looks so healthy. She's staring directly into the camera, smiling. She appears youthful but confident.

And then the couple flips to one last picture. And this one is drastically different.

"This is a new picture." The parents smile with pride. "This is yesterday."



Her brownish hair has blonde highlights. It's curled. She has makeup on. And she's glowing.

Her parents agree she looks so healthy. She's staring directly into the camera, smiling. She appears youthful but confident.

"There is that is the power of prayer. And that is just a redemption story. Right there. Just in the photos she saw, I don't think I have to tell you the story for you to have looked at those five pictures and say, 'Wow!' "

The Morrises say they are starting a non-profit to help other young girls who have become victims of sex trafficking. They say their daughter wants to speak to other teenagers who are dealing with similar issues. She believes she can reach them better than any adult who has never experienced, first-hand, the ugly side of this growing crime.

As the I-Team has reported, there were several arrests and prosecutions in Oklahoma related to this case.

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/arrest-made-in-sex-trafficking-of-girl-15-who-disappeared-at-dallas-mavs-game/

Last month, Dallas County closed its case against the Texas suspects with no further arrests or prosecutions.

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/north-texas-sex-trafficking-case-closed-without-arrest/

Supreme Court set to decide number of cases impacting 2024 presidential election

Eye Opener: Massive storm unleashed floods and mudslides in southern California

Idaho murder victim's father fights to preserve crime scene ahead of trial
Waukesha Schools superintendent James Sebert testifies during a July 12 termination hearing to determine the fate of teacher Melissa Tempel. Sebert recommended Tempel be fired for a tweet criticizing the district's decision to ban the Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton song "Rainbowland."

A federal judge has denied the Waukesha School District's motion to dismiss a lawsuit that former district teacher Melissa Tempel filed against it.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph made the ruling Dec. 20, just over a month after Tempel's attorney, Summer Murshid, filed a response Nov. 17 asking the court to deny the district's motion.

Tempel filed the lawsuit Sept. 5 claiming the district violated her First Amendment rights after she was fired from her job in July as a first-grade dual language teacher at Heyer Elementary School. She said the firing is retaliation for her criticism of the district's decision on her X (Twitter) account to not allow the song "Rainbowland" to be performed at a first-grade concert.

"We are, of course, very pleased with the Courts denial of the Districts Motion to Dismiss," Murshid wrote in an email to a reporter. "The Court found that Ms. Tempels complaint sufficiently states claims against both the District and Dr. Sebert. As such, we look forward to litigating the merits of this case and getting to the heart of Ms. Tempels First Amendment claims."

Waukesha School District superintendent Jim Sebert said he would not comment on the case. Attorneys for the school district, Christina Katt and Joel Aziere, were not immediately available and have not responded to phone messages.

Here's what to know about the latest development in the case.

Judge disputes district argument that Tempel does not have First Amendment claim

In her ruling, Joseph said she disagreed with the district's claim that Tempel's lawsuit does not support a First Amendment claim and that Tempel did not have a claim against Sebert individually.

Joseph did not accept the district's argument that Tempel did not demonstrate she was speaking as a private citizen rather than an employee of the district.

She ruled that Tempel's complaint sufficiently argues that she was speaking as a private citizen since she did not use her personal Twitter account "or any other social media account" in her official duties as a teacher and that she sent the tweet after school hours. Tempel additionally stated that the interviews she gave to news outlets about the "Rainbowland" decision were away from district grounds and during her personal time, including during the district's spring break.

Judge says Tempel's complaint 'sufficiently alleges' her actions are protected by First Amendment

Joseph said Tempel's complaint successfully alleges that the issue Tempel raised was not just about herself and disagreed with the district's argument to the contrary.

"The complaint sufficiently alleges that this issue was not unique to Tempel, and the facts, as pled, do not indicate that the situation was simply a personal gripe between employer and employee. For these reasons, Tempels complaint sufficiently alleges that she engaged in activity protected by the First Amendment," Joseph's ruling said.

Judge questions whether it was Tempel's tweet or the school district's policy that caused disruption

Joseph also disagreed with the district's argument that Tempel's speech disrupted its education services. She said Tempel viewed things differently, seeing the dispute as arising "in the context of tremendous public disapproval ... of board policy and how it affected LGBTQ+ students." The policy Joseph referred to is the district's "controversial issues" policy, which bans anything controversial from entering classrooms.

She added that the facts and issues "will need to be fleshed out in discovery and presented to the Court for weighing at a later date. As such, dismissal is not appropriate at this juncture."

Judge disagreed with district's argument that Tempel was fired for the method of speech, not speech itself

Joseph also disagreed with the district's argument that Sebert's recommendation letter shows that Tempel was fired because of the method she chose for her disagreement, not because of her speech.

"Tempel, however, alleges that the true reason underlying the termination decision was retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights. Tempel alleges facts showing the investigation and termination recommendation came on the heels of the tweet at issue," Joseph wrote in her ruling. "Thus, Tempel alleges sufficient facts, including the context and timing of her termination, to sufficiently allege that her First Amendment activity was a motivating factor in her termination."

Judge also disagreed that Sebert cannot be held responsible for Tempel's firing

The district argued that Tempel cannot establish a "causal connection" between Sebert and her termination, since the school board made the decision to fire her and that Sebert is "entitled to qualified immunity."

Joseph disagreed, saying Sebert had the authority to order the investigation and "offer a recommendation that was considered and adopted" by the school board.

"It is therefore difficult to find that these facts as pled do not sufficiently demonstrate that Dr. Seberts actions were related 'in some way to the performance of the duties of the state office,'" Joseph wrote.Joseph also rejected the district's argument that Sebert "is entitled to qualified immunity," saying that "Tempels complaint alleges a violation of a constitutional right and this right was clearly established at the time of Defendants actions."

What are the next steps in the process?

No future court hearing has been set yet, according to online records.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge denies Waukesha Schools motion to dismiss lawsuit against it
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) thanked President Biden for pardoning certain marijuana offenses, calling the charges bullshit weed charges.

A few Christmases ago, as Lieutenant Governor, I pushed for legal weed and delivering pardons for bullshit weed charges. As a Senate candidate, I personally asked @POTUS to de-schedule cannabis and pardon those charges, Fetterman said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This Christmas, as a Senator, THANK YOU @POTUS.

Biden announced Friday that he will commute the sentences of 11 people serving jail sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and will sign a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses, including use and possession on certain federal lands.

Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Bidens statement said. Thats why I continue to urge Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action.

In October 2022, Biden announced pardons for thousands of individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. The president also directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reexamine how marijuana is scheduled.

The department sent its recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in August, reportedly advising that marijuana be shifted down from a Schedule I controlled substance  where it is currently classified alongside heroin, ecstasy and several other drugs  to Schedule III. The DEAs final decision on rescheduling the drug is pending.

Fetterman celebrated HHSs recommendation at the time, calling it a massive win for the Biden administration and a strong step in the right direction on marijuana policy.

Fetterman has long championed marijuana legalization. As Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor, he advocated for the issue and defiantly displayed a pro-legalization flag, among others, from his office balcony.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

Weve all gotten used to politics being strange, but only with respect to a certain kind of strangeness. When a spray-tanned game-show host rants about immigrants poisoning the national blood to wild cheers or a dimwit radio star fantasizes about buying Confederate-cemetery statuary and moving it to Phoenix, thats objectively strangeyet no longer strange at all.

The political evolution of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has been strange even by the standards of our strange times.

Theres been no harsher critic of Democratic Sen. Bob Gold Bars Menendez in Congress since Menendez was indicted than Fetterman. Normally a senator will pull his punches when scolding a colleague from his own party, assuming hes willing to do so at all. Fetterman has done so gleefully in Menendezs case, comparing him unfavorably to George Santos and even enlisting Santos himself to mock him:

I thought my ethically-challenged colleague @BobMenendezNJ could use some encouragement given his substantial legal problems.



So, I approached a seasoned expert on the matter to give Bobby from Jersey some advice. pic.twitter.com/y8iX55EyNi  John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) December 4, 2023

As the Senate inches toward an immigration deal, the most noteworthy comments about the urgency of tightening border security havent come from a Republican. They came from Fetterman, the progressive choice in Pennsylvanias Democratic Senate primary last year and a man who once supported Bernie Sanders for president. I hope Democrats can understand that it isnt xenophobic to be concerned about the border, he told reporters earlier this month. You essentially have Pittsburgh showing up there.

There are many outspoken Republican supporters of Israel in Congressand more than a few Democratic onesbut since October 7, no one has distinguished himself with his enthusiasm for the Jewish state more than Fetterman has. He attended a rally in Washington last month draped in an Israeli flag, and has seemed to relish challenging leftists who view the Israeli military as a more depraved entity than Hamas. The lengths to which hes gone to taunt members of his own base for their moral bankruptcy border on amazing:

John Fetterman waves an Israeli flag at pro-terrorist protesters!!!! pic.twitter.com/TglRdJg9jT  Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) November 10, 2023

In my front office I have displayed the posters of the innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.



They will stay up until every single person is safely returned home. pic.twitter.com/qxCmvC97uY  Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 7, 2023

Hes even attacked TikTok, more of a Republican boogeyman, for having warped the judgment of young Americans as they choose sides with the Palestinians against Israel.

Last week, Fetterman was confronted by reporters about his many recent breaks with leftist orthodoxy and threw down the gauntlet. Im not a progressive, he told NBC News. I just think Im a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. That came as news to actual progressives, who remembered him having no qualms about using the P-word when he was begging them for donations during his 2022 Senate campaign.

All very strange. But strangest of all, perhaps, is that a guy whom many on the right have derided alternately as a socialist, a slob for the way he dresses, a vegetable following his stroke, and possibly even a body-double imposter(!) has quickly become one of the most admired Democrats in politics among the right-wing commentariat. Strange new respect, one might call it.

In the span of a few months, hes morphed into a legitimately interesting political figure and is getting more interesting by the day. What on earth is up with John Fetterman?

For once, Im asking a question here earnestly, not rhetorically. Im genuinely curious about whats going on.

The popular explanation on social media among left and right is that the blood clot in Fettermans brain has affected his intelligence, increasing it or reducing it depending upon whether one approves of his turn toward the center or not.

All I can offer you is a theory, that nothing has changed for Fettermanand that everything has.

The nothing has changed argument rests on the fact that some of his new policy positions arent actually newand that they arent that incompatible with traditional leftism even if they were. For instance, his supposed transformation on Israel turns out to be nothing of the kind: He made his opinions on that subject clear long before Election Day 2022. His progressive fans may have assumed, not unreasonably, that Fetterman was only mouthing pro-Israel platitudes during the campaign to stay on the right side of the majority in Pennsylvania. Once he was safely elected to the Senate, then his pro-Palestinian true colors would show.

Turns out he meant what he said all along. Oops.

When the New York Times asked him this week how he reconciles his leftist politics with support for the Jewish state, Fetterman replied with a point made frequently by right-wing defenders of Israel. I do find it confusing where the very left progressives in America dont seem to want to support really the only progressive nation in the region that really embraces the same kind of values I would expect we would want as a society, he said. Thats grossly inconsistent with fringe-left morality, which chooses sides in conflicts based on how they fit stereotypes of oppressor and oppressed, not on the social values of the respective parties. Israel, the settler-colonialist state, is necessarily in the wrong, which is how we get absurdities like Queers for Palestine running political interference for a hateful outfit like Hamas.

But its not inconsistent with mainstream political morality, which does find it important that Israeli society exalts Western values to a much greater degree than Palestinian society does. If you equate those values with social progress, as most of us do, its no stretch politically to fit support for Israel into a leftist worldview. Traditional liberal Democrats have done it for ages, much to the annoyance of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) weirdos. Insofar as Fetterman insists on rewarding American allies who reflect his commonly held view of progress with his political support, hes progressiveeven if he isnt progressive.

Preferring a stronger border also isnt unheard-of among leftists.

Its become unheard-of in the last few decades, which is what makes Fettermans apostasy striking. But not so long ago, when class rather than identity was still the touchstone of progressivism, figures like Byron Dorgan and, yes, Bernie Sanders worried that importing huge amounts of low-skilled foreign labor would depress the wages of Americas working class. Sanders later came around to modern leftist orthodoxy on the subject because thats what political reality required of a two-time presidential candidate hoping to build a movement among young left-wingers. Fetterman is under no such pressure (yet!) so hes free to go on prioritizing the interests of blue-collar Americans over those of impoverished Central Americans.

Putting workers first is sort of his brand, in fact:

The acquisition of @U_S_Steel by a foreign company is wrong for workers and wrong for Pennsylvania. Im gonna do everything I can to block it. pic.twitter.com/9EqohwRhRJ  Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) December 18, 2023

Hes been careful not to go too far in crossing the left on immigration. Theres been no taunting in this case; on the contrary, he told the Times that he would never put Dreamers in harms way, or support any kind of cruelty or mass expulsion of hundreds of thousands of people. He hasnt even endorsed a specific enforcement proposal, saying only that its a reasonable conversation to talk about the border. His ambivalence seems to consist of nothing more aggressive than an intuition that the unchecked inflow of vast populations into the United States will have some unintended consequences, if only economically, and that not all of them will be good.

Not a wild thing for a left-wing class warrior to worry about. Right, Bernie?

As for his baiting of Bob Menendez, that may be a sin against partisanship, but its no sin against progressivism. Menendez isnt a favorite of the left, being an Iran hawk of longstanding, and his Senate seat in New Jersey will remain in Democratic hands even if he resigns. One recent poll of the state found him at 3 percent in the coming primary. Theres no Menendez constituency in the party, liberal or progressive, for Fetterman to offend. At worst, hes guilty of providing Republicans with free ad material by attacking his colleague; at best, hes inoculating Democrats from the charge of being soft on Gold Bars Bob by being ostentatiously hard on him.

What, then, has changed about Fetterman, exactly? Which supposedly wild breaks with leftism is he guilty of? Hes still pro-choice, still keen to raise the federal minimum wage, still derisive of Republican critics of Joe Biden. I see no sea change in his worldview.

But I can see how disgust with what the fringe-left has become might be driving his recent behavior.

A notable quotable from his interview with the Times:

What I have found out over the last couple years is that the right, and now the left, are hoping that I die, Mr. Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke during his campaign, said in an interview on Wednesday. There are ones that are rooting for another blood clot. They have both now been wishing that I die.  He said he no longer relates to the overarching label of progressiveespecially as the left has become more interested in demanding what he described as purity tests. Its just a place where Im not, he said. I dont feel like Ive left the label; its just more that its left me.

They have both now been wishing that I die. Some progressives have even dubbed him #GenocideJohn on The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter due to his support for Israel.

Is it so hard to believe that John Fetterman watched his base rally behind Hamas after October 7 and found himself horrified by what his allies have become, even though he continues to share most of their policy preferences?

Or that his horror emboldened him to defy them more forcefully when he disagrees with them on policy, as in the case of immigration? Even to taunt them, as hes done several times with pro-Palestinian activists?

Or that their vicious response to him has deepened his contempt for them to the point where hes now too disgusted to even share a label with them?

Its not hard for me. Its the story of my life since 2015. Every Trump critic on the American right knows what its like to have scales fall from their eyes about putative ideological comrades. Chances are pretty high that you became a member of The Dispatch because you know what its like, too.

Fettermans challenge, and ours, is to somehow reconcile our belief that our side usually has the better arguments on policy with our burning moral contempt for an illiberal cohort that has too much influence over that same side.

I understand Fettermans reluctance to go on calling himself a progressive, not wanting to signal any ideological affinity for that cohort. Theres a reason why I use the terms populist and post-liberal so often in this newsletter to describe the Republican base even though they could, kinda sorta, be described as conservative. They dont deserve that label. I dont want to be associated with them. Were not the same.

I also understand why Fettermans righteous contempt might lead him to revisit some of his traditional policy preferences or to confront the left when a preference hes always held happens to contradict theirs, as may be the case with immigration. My own evolution during the rise of Trumpism has been less a matter of disclaiming traditional right-wing policies than of withdrawing the presumption of good faith that I granted to Republicans for many years when I was younger. When the right gets behind an idea now, I dont look for reasons why its necessarily superior to what the left wants. I look for what sort of obnoxious illiberal impulse is quietly driving it.

Maybe Fettermans in that boat too. His discomfort with the status quo at the border might have less to do with the impact on wages of uncontrolled immigration and more to do with disdainful suspicion of progressive motives for insisting inanely that border enforcement is xenophobic. Perhaps they wont get the benefit of the doubt from him anymore on their supposedly good intentions.

If thats so, it could lead him to break further with modern left-wing orthodoxy and make him an unusually heterodoxand fascinatingpolitical figure.

Heterodoxy is built into Fettermans political brand. His landslide win in last years Democratic Senate primary was frequently attributed to vibesthat is, that he sounded like a stereotypical left-wing populist yet looked like a stereotypical right-wing populist. Bald; goateed; 6 feet, 8 inches tall; and always dressed down in shorts and a hoodie; he seemed like the kind of guy whod have a Trump flag on his car but he sounded like Bernie Sanders. Unable to place him easily on the political spectrum, casual voters who liked his vibe may have cast a vote for him for just that reason.

On Election Day, despite the fact that he was clearly a more radical ideologue than his opponent, Mehmet Oz, he took 10 percent of the Republican vote while Oz managed half that much among Democrats. Among independents, Fetterman won by 20 points.

His common touch extends beyond his clothing. With one very notable exception, no one has taken a more trollish approach to politics than Fetterman has. His social media team aggressively mocked Oz throughout last years campaign; the senator himself has now taken to taunting political opponents like Menendez and anti-Israel protesters. Even his brief attempt to wear his signature attire inside the Senate chamber was ultimately a matter of him thumbing his nose at political politesse. You may find the trolling distasteful, but I suspect lots of casual voters read a certain authenticity into it.

It seems to me there might be a national constituency for a trollish alpha male with blue-collar appeal who trends liberal on economic policy but is enough of a nationalist to find the modern left radically daffy on subjects like Israel and immigration. That constituency, being heterodox on policy itself, might appreciate a leader who isnt as programmatic as the average politician in his party.

Come to think of it, the last time I recall a major figure renouncing an ideological label as starkly as John Fetterman has renounced the term progressive, it was  Donald Trump. When asked during an interview in 2016 whether he was a conservative, he replied memorably, This is called the Republican Party, its not called the Conservative Party.

As strange as our politics feels right now, it might be about to get stranger. We may have two formidable third-party candidates on the ballot next fall; divisions on the right over post-liberalism and on the left over progressivism amid the fallout from the election could splinter traditional coalitions in a way that makes heterodox figures more viable politically. Until recently, by dint of his progressivism and his disability, John Fetterman seemed unlikely to benefit. But hes improved considerably in his ability to process sound and to converse fluently, it seems. And he is, as of today, a progressive no more.

What if this is only the start of Fettermania?

Read more at The Dispatch

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As Americans begin traveling for the holidays in numbers not seen in years, few airport delays have been reported so far.

As of early Friday, 41 flights were canceled nationwide and just more than 500 flights were delayed, with most of the nation experiencing mild weather, FlightAware reported. So far, 1.2 percent of U.S. flights have been canceled this year, the lowest cancellation rate in five years.

Airlines have hired thousands of employees to avoid repeating cancellations and delays seen as a result of staffing issues last year that left millions of passengers stranded during the holidays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is creating more air traffic routes, particularly along the East Coast, to help keep planes moving this year, The Associated Press reported.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Thursday that his department made improvements over the last year and applauded the aviation system for handling this years increased volume of passengers.

Buttigieg said cancellations are now lower than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, and were pushing hard to keep it that way.

Holiday air travel is expected to be the busiest Friday and New Years Day, with more than 2.5 million passengers on each day, a 6 percent increase from 2022. The TSA advised those flying in the coming days to arrive early to the airport and ensure gifts are unwrapped and can be inspected, if needed.

International travel has also rebounded, but it remains below pre-pandemic levels, the AP noted.

Buttigieg advised passengers to check out the governments flightrights.gov website, which outlines their rights. He said if passengers face delays or cancellations that are the airlines responsibility, the Department of Transportation has confirmed several carriers will cover expenses related to rebooking and meals.

If a flight is canceled for any reason, passengers are entitled to a full cash refund, Buttigieg added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fewer people in Florida are getting COVID shots this year despite updated vaccines, aggressive ads and reminders from drugstores and drug companies. At the same time, public health authorities are closely watching the spread of a more contagious COVID variant spreading across the country.

The low vaccination rates for COVID in Florida could have a fallout at a time of travel and gathering for the holidays. Already, hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses are on the rise.

But even as pharmacies and pharmaceutical firms hard-press the new COVID shots with frequent TV ads and frantic phone texts, theres vaccine weariness and wariness in Florida. Many people are worried about possible side effects or arent worried about a COVID threat.

And theyre not getting the shot.

In 2019 and 2020 people were dying and everyone was scared  you didnt have a choice, said Miami-area yoga teacher Natasha Salmon, who got the initial vaccine along with boosters, but decided not to get a new shot.

The vaccine rate in Florida is low  5% of the population has taken the COVID shot since the September rollout, according to Miami Herald calculations of vaccine data from the Florida Department of Health. The CDC estimates about 11% of adults and about 7% of kids in Florida are vaccinated with the new shot.

Since the first doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were administered, demand for shots has gone down. Fewer and fewer Florida residents turned out to receive each new booster as they rolled out, according to Herald calculations of CDC data.

By the third month of the original doses launch, for example, about 33% of eligible Floridians were immunized. But only about 9% got a Bivalent shot, the booster formulated last year to fight the Omicron variant, during the first three months of its release. About 70% of adults in Florida have completed the primary COVID vaccine series, as of May 2023, CDC data shows.

People have just gotten so used to living with COVID that many people are not taking advantage of the vaccine. We have the same problem with the flu vaccine; its also underutilized, said Mary Jo Trepka, an epidemiologist at Florida International University. Its particularly concerning when its underutilized by the older individuals because theyre most at risk of getting severe illness and being hospitalized.

Why are people arent getting the new COVID shot

Theres not one factor for people who pass on a new COVID vaccine  although Salmon has her own family medical concerns about the shot.

Some dont consider COVID as dangerous anymore. Others worry about health effects. COVID vaccine travel requirements are over. And some people never got vaccinated from the start, and they arent going to now.

Also, COVID vaccines are no longer free, although most insurance covers the cost. People without insurance can still get free shots through federally funded programs.

More people are getting flu shots than COVID vaccinations despite similar risk factors for severe disease, particularly among seniors, said Dr. Andrew Pekosz, professor and vice chair in the department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

For some reason, were having this aversion to taking the COVID vaccine. ... Even people who take respiratory vaccines, like influenza, dont seem to be taking the COVID vaccine, and its a little bit unclear why that is right now, Pekosz said. But its certainly a trend across the country.

Pekosz speculates that vaccine fatigue, confusion about the shots, and misinformation have likely led to fewer vaccinations.

When people hear mixed messages like that, their most common response is to not do anything until they wait and sort of work out whats correct and whats not, he said.

CVS, which owns traditional CVS stores, CVS y mas, and Navarro Discount Pharmacies, told the Miami Herald that the company has vaccinated about 500,000 patients in Florida with the new COVID shot, 200,000 of those in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Demand has been historically greater with the 65 and up age group and we are seeing that same trend with the updated COVID booster, CVS Miami-based district leader Victoria Mottola told the Miami Herald in an emailed statement.

CVS Health Pharmacy Manager Aylen Amestoy answers questions related to the newest COVID-19 vaccine shot for Sasan Sowlati, 71, at a CVS in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

However, there is still resistance among seniors.

Dr. Michael Gloth, president of the Florida Geriatrics Society, has noticed a decrease in interest among seniors, a high-risk group, for the new COVID shots compared to previous boosters.

Many of his senior patients have had COVID before and have also been vaccinated. The Naples doctor frequently discusses the COVID, flu and RSV vaccines with his patients.

Theres a group that has decided that theyre going to stay up to date with the boosters and theres a group that decided that theyre not going to get the boosters, he said.

In Natasha Salmons case, her daughter had a stroke and was hospitalized just days after getting her COVID vaccine at age 42 in 2021. The 78-year-old Salmon said the family doesnt know if theres a connection between the vaccine and her daughters stroke, which left her disabled, but it has them wary of getting vaccinated again.

Now that there are fewer COVID deaths and hospitalizations, the grandmother said shed rather focus on exercising and eating healthy and risk getting the illness, instead of vaccination.

Its like winning the lottery, Salmon said, who is still taking precautions like wearing a mask, washing her hands and using hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of bringing viruses home to her daughter. The U.S. has recorded more than a million COVID infections and deaths this year.

In May, the World Health Organization declared the global COVID-19 emergency over. The U.S. ended its federal public health emergency. COVID has shifted from pandemic to endemic, which means that while the virus is still around, its not overwhelming hospitals with sick patients.

For many, life is back to normal. Some might still wear masks occasionally. But for health officials, all eyes still remain on COVID, along with other respiratory illnesses, such as flu and RSV.

Mandy Cohen, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, set off on a national tour earlier this year, with a stop at a Westchester pharmacy, to promote vaccinations ahead of the colder, winter months, in an effort to prevent another tripledemic of COVID, flu and RSV in the country.

Pfizer and Moderna have also been promoting the vaccines, blasting ads on TV to try and encourage vaccination.

As the world keeps changing, so is COVID-19, says the narrator of a polished Pfizer TV ad showing people dancing and playing sports, then sticking an arm out to show a bandage that covers the place that took a shot.

Stay protected! Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine now, pings a text from Walmart to a customer who got the first shot and boosters, but not the next round of new shots that rolled out this year. And another text soon followed: You may already have been vaccinated for the flu, but dont forget an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.

The pharmaceutical companies were banking on COVID demand to help with sales now that they could sell the vaccines in the private market  with the shots ranging in price from $120-130 per dose. But demand for COVID vaccines and treatment has plunged, spelling bad news for the companies.

Moderna suffered a steep financial slide in November  a loss of $3.6 billion for the quarter. Pfizer is planning to embark on a $3.5 billion cost-cutting effort, including layoffs.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen walks to the pharmacy with Newton Walker, CVS Pharmacy district leader, during a visit to CVS Pharmacy on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, located on SW 40th Street in Miami.

Fallout from low vaccination rates?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec. 14 issued a national health advisory alerting healthcare providers of increases in respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including COVID, influenza and RSV, as well as an increase in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, after COVID infection.

The highest respiratory disease activity in the U.S. is running across southern states, according to the advisory. The federal agency is urging doctors to administer COVID, flu and RSV vaccines and to recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19, especially for those considered to be high risk for severe disease.

Providers: Urgent need to increase vaccination against flu, COVID-19, RSV.



- Administer immunizations now to patients, if recommended.

- Recommend antiviral meds for flu and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, esp. high-risk patients



Read full alert: https://t.co/EqS72FQvse pic.twitter.com/WkvXlKTbI2  CDC (@CDCgov) December 14, 2023

Jim ODonnell got the new COVID vaccine at the same time he got a flu shot. ODonnell, who had previously been vaccinated with the primary series as well as boosters, got sick with COVID for the first time last year. It felt like a bad flu, he said. The 68-year-old and his wife were vaccinated at a CVS shortly after the new shots were rolled out in September because everybody started getting sick again and they wanted to reduce their chances of falling ill.

The newly updated COVID vaccine was approved by federal regulators in September when COVID cases and hospitalizations were rising nationwide. Florida had some of the highest COVID hospitalizations in the country at the time, though it was still significantly lower than in previous waves.

ODonnell said he and his wife are more focused on their health because theyre getting older. And while social distancing is a thing of the past, theyre more cautious after the COVID pandemic. ODonnell said they try to avoid large gatherings, and when they go to an event, they always have a mask at the ready.

Tania Sotelo, a Miami mother of three, also decided to get her family vaccinated against COVID.

Sotelo said they had vaccination appointments at Walgreens the first weekend the new COVID shot became available. Even though Sotelo finds COVID a very low concern now compared to earlier in the pandemic, she wants to make sure her family stays healthy. Plus, we believe in vaccines, she said.

COVID vaccine side effects?

Doctors say people who get the new COVID shots may feel some side effects, but not much different than the symptoms they got the first time around, including arm soreness and flu-like symptoms. Rare adverse effects could include allergic reactions and other complications.

While COVID-19 vaccines have been linked to cases of myocarditis and pericadrditis, types of heart inflammation, federal health officials say these incidents are rare and that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

But Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo remains at odds with federal health officials on the safety and effectiveness. Earlier this month, Ladapo sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration questioning whether the agency had investigated safety concerns regarding residual DNA contaminants from Pfizer and Modernas COVID shots.

On Dec. 14, Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, sent a letter to Ladapo, stating that no SV40 proteins, a DNA virus, are encoded for or are present in the vaccines and that studies in animals have found no evidence for genotoxicity from the vaccine. The FDA wants to make clear that based on a thorough assessment of the entire manufacturing process, FDA is confident in the quality, safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, wrote Marks.

A recent federal study suggested that Pfizer and Modernas COVID-19 vaccines could be linked to a slight increase in stroke risk when administered with a high-dose flu vaccine, usually given to older people. But the research is far from conclusive, according to the New York Times. At least five other recent studies didnt find additional stroke risk after vaccination for COVID-19, influenza, or both, CNN reported.

Does the COVID shot work against variants?

The new COVID vaccines released in September were formulated to target Omicron variant XBB.1.5, which was the dominant strain in the U.S. earlier this year, in preparation for the 2023-2024 fall and winter season.

Federal health officials say the updated shot will provide protection against the circulating variants in the country. Those includes omicron descendant HV.1, the current dominant strain in the country, and JN.1, which is rapidly spreading in the U.S. and is estimated to make up about 21% of cases, CDC data shows.

The current dominant strain in the country is HV.1, which is a descendant of the omicron variant, shows CDC data.

The FDA approved the new shots for people 12 and older and granted emergency use authorization for kids as young as 6 months. The agency expects the new vaccines will be updated annually like flu shots.

CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen recommended the shots for everyone 6 months and older to better protect against circulating variants in the country, following the advice of an independent advisory committee. How many shots you need will depend on your age and the timing of your previous dosages.

READ MORE: Emerging COVID variant is spreading ahead of the holidays. Are you still protected?

Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general who has clashed with federal health officials on masks, vaccines and the states COVID-19 policies, recommends that people under 65 not get the new vaccines and that those 65 and older speak with their doctors.

The FDA, CDC and scores of public health experts say the vaccines are safe, having undergone rigorous testing and monitoring throughout the pandemic  and the benefits far outweigh their risks.

Whats the COVID situation like in Florida?

 COVID is relatively stable in Florida, said Trepka, the FIU epidemiologist. The first week of December, for example, saw about 800 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the state compared to about 1,700 hospitalizations last year, she said.

 So far, there have been more than 564,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida this year and more than 8,000 deaths, according to state data. Keep in mind its more difficult now to gauge the disease spread because COVID test sites are mostly gone and at-home test results dont get reported.

 About 3% of people in Miami-Dade and about 4% of people in Broward have received the new COVID vaccine, according to Miami Herald calculations of state data. About 5% of people in Monroe County and about 5% of people in Palm Beach County have gotten the new shots.

Miami Herald staff writer Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.
Fifteen municipalities in Lake County have critical shortages of available affordable housing, according to the latest data from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

Local governments are mandated to develop an affordable housing plan if the supply of affordable units dips below 10% of the entire housing stock, according to 2003 state law that also instructs IHDA to collect the affordability data.

Local governments in Lake County make up more than one-third of the IHDA list of 44 places with less than 10% of affordable housing units, including: Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Deerfield, Long Grove, Lincolnshire and more.

Most of the municipalities had a larger share of affordable housing five years ago, the last time the IHDA compiled the data per state law.

Kristen Faust, executive director of IHDA, said there has been progress in the affordable housing stock during the nearly two decades IHDA has been collecting the data. The 2023 list has two fewer municipalities than the 2018 list, and 10 fewer than 2013.

We need more affordable housing across the state, and we have seen communities use (IHDA affordability data) as a tool to move forward, Faust said. Were hoping this new list will help some additional communities do some more research and planning to figure out how to move forward and create more units.

The affordability share is calculated using census data. Faust noted a statistical comparison of the 2018 and 2023 data is, like comparing apples and oranges, because the census changed its method of collection between those five years.

Three days before the IHDA released the 2023 data, the Libertyville Board of Trustees voted last week to abandon an attainable housing ordinance that would have mandated all new housing construction to market at least 15% of the available units at affordable prices.

Libertyvilles affordable housing supply dropped to 9.3%, necessitating an affordable housing plan from the village. In 2018, the villages affordable supply was at 15.4% so the village was exempt from needing an affordable housing plan.

Mayor Donna Johnson said the village was already accomplishing affordable housing goals without an ordinance, through relationships between developers and the villages staff.

Having a law in place is not the only way to get compliance, Johnson said last week, adding that an ordinance could be revisited if anything changes.

Johnson denied a request for a follow-up interview to discuss the statewide affordability data, released on Dec. 15.

For the local governments seeing a decrease in the affordable housing supply, Faust said its likely due to community growth outpacing the number of affordable units.

Even though five years, (the community) had enough affordable units, those same units may no longer be affordable, Faust said. Or youve grown some as a community, youve grown some of your housing inventory, but you didnt grow a commensurate amount of affordable units in order to stay above the 10%.

Affordable housing, as defined by the IHDA, are units with prices affordable to homebuyers making 80% of the regional median household income, and renters with 60% of regional median income.

We continue to see cost of housing go up faster than wages, so the cost of housing just becomes increasingly higher, Faust said. Out of reach means a higher percent of your income is being used to pay for housing costs, and thats not affordable.

For a two-person household with a $70,600 income, the IHDA lists the affordable price of a home as $171,667. For a single renter making $46,380, the IHDA defines affordable rent for a one-bedroom apartment as $1,242.

People with similar incomes, are very much a part of the fabric of the community, Faust said about a number of professions: social workers, teachers and service workers.

No way to get compliance

Cities and villages that dont meet the 10% threshold have 18 months to develop and submit a plan to address the shortage to IHDA, but there is no way for the agency to enforce compliance, according to a spokesperson for IHDA.

The plan must address the number of affordable units needed to reach 10%, identify land or existing structures that would be appropriate for affordable housing, a description of conditions that dont further fair housing practices and a plan to eliminate or mitigate those constraints with set goals for increasing the supply.

Local governments that submitted plans in 2018 can provide a summary or update to the previous plan.

Many municipalities dont end up submitting a plan within the time frame, the IHDA spokesperson said.

Nineteen of the 46 municipalities with less than 10% of affordable housing in 2018 failed to submit a plan to address the shortage, Faust said.

Faust said there are a number of challenges a municipality faces when trying to increase the affordable housing supply, namely finding land for the housing, limited zoning and securing funding, like state or federal subsidies, for the development.

All of those challenges are ultimately within a communitys control, Faust said. Zoning is typically a local decision and subsidy funds, while way oversubscribed, she said, are still in the local governments power to allocate funds to affordable housing.

Some places do see success in addressing the affordable housing supply.

In 2018, Green Oaks was on the list with only 3.5% of affordable housing supply. By 2023, affordable housing units made up 18.6% of Green Oaks housing stock.

Housing shortages are not an unknown issue in the county. A housing study commissioned by Lake County Partners found that new housing construction countywide is falling behind population growth.

In October, the study calculated a countywide need for 1,200 housing units for seniors with incomes less than $50,000, and an additional 6,700 units for families making less than $75,000 per year.

Lake County Community Development Administrator Brenda OConnell said the IHDAs statewide report on affordability provides more information on the deficiencies and both sources will be used by the county to address the affordable housing stock.

The county manages local and federal funding for affordable housing to be used for increasing the supply. Housing developers can apply annually for funding.

The county is committed to be a resource, a partner and a leader in addressing the high cost of rental housing and homeownership, OConnell said in an email. This issue will require diverse solutions to align with the needs of a diverse county.

chilles@chicagotribune.com
The federal governments monthslong delay in rolling out a new financial aid form is threatening to squeeze out the low-income applicants who need the money the most.

The Education Department typically releases the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Oct. 1, but a long-awaited overhaul of the form has pushed back the debut until the end of December this year. School counselors and other advocates fear students with the least amount of money could decide not to pursue a degree if they cant navigate the compressed process.

Counselors are scrambling to connect with students after the holidays to ensure they complete the form in time to figure out which colleges are within their financial reach.

What we're most worried about is, the less time low-income students have to understand what they can afford and what their options are, it is not just that they will pick a certain institution, but it's whether they'll attend at all, said Jon Fansmith, the top policy advocate at the American Council on Education, which represents the nations colleges. These delays have a real immediate impact on student behavior and not in a positive way.

The 2024-25 academic year is expected to be more affordable as students get more federal support. Lawmakers seem on track to maintain the maximum Pell grant value of $7,395 and a record number of students are expected to be eligible for Pell, which is awarded to the lowest-income students.

But the possibility of a turbulent rollout of the new FAFSA could reduce the number of students taking advantage of it. And students will have only a few months to commit to a school by the universally recognized May 1 decision day, leaving low-income students rushing to calculate whether they can afford to attend college.

It's absolutely a concern that we can't give the messaging we used to give much earlier in the process, that aid is available and therefore college is affordable, said Kim Cook, CEO of the National College Attainment Network, which strongly supported the FAFSA overhaul.

That day when you find out you're accepted to an institution or college or university is a happy day, Cook said. The day it becomes real and you feel like you can accept it is the day you get the aid offer that tells you you can make it happen.  So now we have a real crunch time coming.

Filling out the FAFSA is the first step for receiving a Pell grant. The new form includes unprecedented changes, such as allowing some prospective students to answer as few as 18 questions  down from more than 100  and updates how federal student aid eligibility is determined.

The delay in releasing the form and expected processing delays could disrupt how colleges and states award financial aid, education advocates say, and when students receive award offers that are based on the FAFSA.

"Our top priority is making sure students have access to the benefits the new FAFSA will bring and ensure the form is accessible with minimal disruptions," an Education Department spokesperson said in a statement. "This is the most significant overhaul of the FAFSA form since its inception, which will create a much more seamless experience for students and families."

The Education Department announced there will be a soft-launch period for the application leading up to and following Dec. 31. During this time the department said it plans to monitor the FAFSA website for applications, conduct pauses for maintenance and make updates to improve the user experience for students.

Students and families "do not need to rush to fill out the form immediately when the soft launch period opens," the department said.

School counselors say they plan to host financial aid informational sessions and FAFSA completion nights when students return from winter break in January. But most students will need to have an answer on what colleges they can afford before May. The Education Department has urged schools and states to consider the "possible impact of the soft launch and delays it might create in accessing the form during December and January." The department recommended that school counselors plan their events for late January or even February.

NCAN will track FAFSA completion, Cook said, and may urge colleges to push back their commitment day if they see a lag in submitted applications. But FAFSA completion data won't be available until April at the earliest.

Colleges are concerned about how the delays will affect the composition of their campuses, Fansmith said. Higher education leaders worry about potential challenges in building out their classes and directing aid and institutional resources to students. The FAFSA delay also comes in the shadow of the Supreme Courts summer decision to gut race-conscious college admissions policies, which experts fear will dissuade students from going to college.

By the end of January, states and schools will get student information that they use to make their financial aid package decisions, Cook said. Institutions then need several weeks to process that student information, she said, meaning it would be optimistic to hope for aid offers to reach students mid to late February at the earliest.

Students receive a confirmation email about their Pell eligibility soon after completing FAFSA. But the forms delayed release prevents college applicants from understanding what they can afford early in the admissions process when many are also deciding whether to attend college.

There's a lot riding on a successful FAFSA cycle, particularly to help us regain where we've lost in enrollment, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds, Cook said. It's an uncertain admissions year, where students are already trying to grapple with whatever the implications of the Supreme Court decision banning the use of race in admissions will be. So this is adding some additional uncertainty particularly for students of color.

The Education Department estimates that 610,000 students will be newly eligible for the Pell grant. Through the new FAFSA form, 1.5 million more students could be eligible to receive the maximum Pell Grant, which would make the total number of eligible maximum award recipients more than 5.2 million.

Some states have pushed back their award deadlines for state aid or worked with their statehouses in advance of the form release, said Rachel Burns, a senior policy analyst at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. But other states are taking a let's wait and see what happens approach because it is difficult to predict the balance between state grants and Pell grants students are eligible for, she said.

Minnesota uses FAFSA data to make award decisions, and the state higher education office launched an interagency taskforce to work on the new FAFSA implementation. The agency worked with the state house to get legislative approval of technical changes to its financial aid award process last session and it is working on standing up a new financial aid program.

Still, financial aid to attend college can be really stressful for a lot of families, said Wendy Robinson, assistant commissioner for programs, policy and grants in the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. And while some families have never experienced filling out the FAFSA before, others who have are impatiently waiting for the form to land before Dec. 31.

Schools, students and parents may need to just have a higher level of patience about hearing from their college financial aid offices, she said. College financial aid offices are going to be working their absolute hardest to get information to students as soon as they can, but they just can't get out information until they have it from the federal government.
SAN DIEGO  One person was hurt and four people were displaced on Thursday after an apartment building fire in the Valencia Park neighborhood.

Around 4:15 p.m., SkyFOX was over the blaze at 5510 Dream St, where a white plume of smoke could be seen spewing from the structure.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Hundreds of rideshare drivers protest near San Diego International Airport

Check back for updates on this developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Florida cops have reportedly obtained a sex tape involving Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler and another woman as part of their rape investigation into Zieglers husband, state Republican Party chair Christian Ziegler. Ziegler is accused of raping a friend whod previously had a threesome with him and his wife; he recorded video of the October encounter, which he claims was consensual. Now the Florida Trident, which broke the story of Christian Zieglers criminal probe, reports that Sarasota police obtained a second videothis time, depicting Bridget engaging in sexual activity with a woman. Its unclear whether the person in the video is the accuser. Since the sex scandal broke, Bridget has faced calls to resign from the Sarasota school board, and Christian was stripped of his salary and authority as GOP chair after refusing to resign. Officials will vote to remove him from office Jan. 8.

Read it at The Florida Trident

Read more at The Daily Beast.
A bill filed Thursday in the Florida Senate would allow for the relocation of gambling permits, prompting questions about whether the legislation is aimed at bringing new casinos to Miami-Dade County.

Senate Bill 1054, filed by state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, says gaming permit holders should be allowed to transfer their permits to a new location. Under the legislation, those with greyhound dog racing permits and authorization to conduct casino activities could move their operation of all pari-mutuel wagering and gaming activities to a location within a 30-mile radius.

The moves would be allowed regardless of any local government regulations that might say otherwise, according to the bill language.

The proposal set off alarm bells for gaming opponents who have sought to block the introduction of gambling to new areas of South Florida, including by opposing a casino at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Resort in Miami Beach.

Its an existential threat to our community, said Dan Gelber, the mayor of Miami Beach until last month and a longtime anti-gaming advocate.

In 2021, a $500 million deal negotiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis with the Seminole Tribe of Florida said the tribe could offer online sports betting across the state. As part of the agreement, the tribe said it would not oppose new casinos more than 15 miles from the tribes gambling hubs in the Hollywood area, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

That provision was seen by some as a favor by Florida Republicans to Donald Trump and his golf resort in Doral, and to Jeffrey Soffer, the billionaire real estate mogul whose family owns the Fontainebleau. Both facilities are slightly more than 15 miles from the Hollywood casino.

Trumps son, Eric, has called the Trump Doral unmatched from a gaming perspective.

Soffer, meanwhile, has sought for years to transfer a gambling permit from his Hallandale Beach-based Big Easy Casino to the Fontainebleau, pitching elected officials on the idea in 2020 while wining and dining them on his megayacht.

READ MORE: Tom Brady and a superyacht: How a mogul pitched Florida leaders on Miami Beach casino

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and some of his associates on Jeffrey Soffers Madsummer superyacht after the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2021.

The bill filed Thursday by Ingoglia doesnt mention the Fontainebleau or Trump Doral. But it includes a provision that says gaming permit holders could not relocate their permits anywhere within 15 miles of any Seminole Tribe gaming facility in Broward County, mirroring language in the 2021 deal.

Ingoglia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Soffer could not be reached.

Gelber said the bill appeared to be an attempt to deliver casinos over the objection of communities and notwithstanding Floridas constitution.

The Miami Beach City Commission voted in 2017 to ban casinos and other gambling facilities citywide. In 2021, the Doral City Council approved a similar measure, banning casinos and gambling unless approved by residents in a referendum.

A 2018 constitutional amendment approved in a statewide referendum gave voters the exclusive right to authorize casino gambling expansions, including slot machines and electronic betting games. The Seminole Tribe backed the amendment at the time.

If the Legislature goes along with [the bill] and the courts fail to do their job, theres no way this will simply be a single casino, Gelber said.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, has filed a bill that would allow gaming permitholders to transfer their licenses to new locations.

Norman Braman, the billionaire auto magnate and staunch anti-gambling activist, said in a text message Thursday that he would continue to oppose the expansion of casino gambling by all means necessary to prevent Miami from becoming another Las Vegas.

State Sen. Jason Pizzo, who represents parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, said he plans to oppose the bill.

The bill sucks, and I look forward to it dying, Pizzo said in a text message.

A companion bill has not yet been filed in the Florida House.

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of state Sen. Blaise Ingoglias name.

Herald/Times staff writer Romy Ellenbogen contributed to this report.
A man who was an Army lieutenant colonel when the FBI says he was busted with child pornography depicting children as young as 4 pleaded guilty in Fort Lauderdale federal court earlier this week.

Edgar Ali Cerda, 49, first popped up on the radar of the Davie Police Department when detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in December 2020, court documents show. The government-funded organization was alerting police about a person using the instant messaging app Kik to share videos with other users of girls and boys under 12 years old being sexually abused.

After a Davie detective obtained a court order for the IP address  a unique set of numbers that identifies a device on the internet  used during the illegal act, the internet provider Comcast informed authorities that Cerda was the subscriber.

Later, police transferred the case to federal agents after realizing Cerda lived outside Davie city boundaries. After looking further into the case, the agents got a search warrant for his home in Cooper City.

On March 20, 2021, law enforcement executed the warrant, finding additional child porn videos on a Toshiba laptop showing men sexually abusing boys and girls, prosecutors say.

During an interrogation with agents, they say Cerda admitted to owning the email address tied to the Kik account and to seeing and sharing child porn.

The three-tours Iraq war veteran served as a logistics officer from May 1998 to June 2022, Lt. Colonel Ruth Castro, an Army spokeswoman, told the Miami Herald in an email Friday.

Due to the Privacy Act and Department of Defense policy, we do not comment on misconduct of lower level employees or characterization of discharge, Castro said.

Edgar Ali Cerda, who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, knowingly possessed the images found on his devices, prosecutors said in a December 2023 court document that Cerda signed. Cerda knew the images in question depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the lascivious exhibition of the genitals.

Cerda was charged in May and he pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a charge of possession of child pornography.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28. Cerda faces up to 20 years in federal prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release, The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said Thursday in a news release.
Three Florida men have been accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of cooking oil from multiple restaurants.

Rui Lin, 49, Yunqui Chen, 35 and Zengyu Liu, 42, were all arrested for grand theft following multiple oil robberies throughout the Port Orange area, according to police.

Port Orange Police Department said in a statement that multiple restaurants had been broken into overnight and their cooking oil stolen  with 330 gallons stolen in total.

After one of the recent thefts, a corporate security officer for DAR PRO Solutions, a grease management company, began working with the Port Orange police to track down the suspects, according to an affidavit obtained by Fox35.

The night before the three men were arrested, the corporate security officer had followed two suspicious vehicles  one car and one box truck  spotted driving away from a location that had been the target of a previous theft.

He followed them to another location where he witnessed two men remove a hose from the box truck and use it to suck out around 150 gallons of cooking oil from a DAR PRO tank.

That night, the suspects allegedly pulled up at two other locations and stole oil totalling around $1,036 in value, the outlet reported.

The men were tracked down by a security officer who saw them stealing oil (Port Orange Police Department)

Police managed to intercept the vehicle in a traffic stop near a Target store on Dunlawton Avenue and took the three men into custody on Saturday.

Their large box truck  which is allegedly outfitted with a pump used to steal the oil  was also seized under the states Felony Forfeiture Act.

Mr Chen and Mr Liu allegedly told police that they were employees of Green Power and had been told to pick up the oil.

Yet, neither of them had work orders or documentation to back up the claims.

The men claimed they were employees of a company telling them to pick up the oil (Port Orange Police Department)

"When asked how he knew what oil to retrieve, (Mr Liu) advised his companys logo. Liu stated he was not sure how they obtained the location and could not provide further," the affidavit reads, according to the outlet.

Mr Lin reportedly would not speak to officers.

He is also suspected of being involved in another theft of over 7,000 pounds of cooking oil in Flagler County back in October 2022, police said.

Investigators now believe the trio may be part of a much larger organisation that has been responsible for stealing thousands of dollars worth of oil throughout the local area.

All three men have since been released from custody in Volusia County after posting $2,500 bond.
 Flash

Palestinian children are seen in front of an artwork during an art exhibition in Deir al-Balah refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on June 8, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israel announced on Thursday its determination to continue its military operations in the Gaza Strip, effectively rejecting Hamas' statement that the release of hostages would only occur if Israel agrees to end the war.

Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, the deadly conflict between the two parties escalated on Thursday, with heavy explosions heard and huge black plumes in Gaza visible from the Israeli side of the fence during the day.

At night, huge orange flashes were seen in Gaza City as the Israeli army said it destroyed a key network of tunnels under the neighborhood of Rimal.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing that over the past day, Israeli forces "have operated from the air, sea, and land throughout the Gaza Strip."

He said that since the beginning of the war on Oct. 7, Israeli forces have killed more than 2,000 militants.

In the early afternoon, Hamas militants fired about 30 rockets at the Israeli city Tel Aviv and other cities in central Israel, indicating the group's retained capability despite the 76-day Israeli relentless strikes.

A senior Israeli official told reporters in a briefing that Israeli negotiators have met with Qatari mediators, expressing their "willingness to reach a new deal."

Israel insists on continuing the previous ceasefire deal, focusing on the release of 17 women and children who were supposed to be freed during the truce in late November, according to the official.

In the meantime, an unnamed Palestinian source told Xinhua that Israel proposed the release of around 40 Israeli hostages through Qatari and Egyptian mediators in exchange for a one-week ceasefire.

Later, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that Israel is considering "improving" its offer to Hamas by extending the proposed ceasefire period to two weeks.

The spokesman of Hamas' military wing, Abu Ubaida, declared in a statement that the hostages held by the group would be released only if Israel "stops the aggression and the war."

This statement echoed an earlier announcement by Osama Hamdan, a Hamas politburo member, who asserted that "all parties" in the talks had been informed that there would be "no negotiation" for hostage release unless Israel ends its strikes in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected these statements, vowing that Israel "will not stop the war until we achieve all of its goals: Completing the elimination of Hamas and releasing all of our hostages."

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a humanitarian organization backed by the United Nations, issued a new report on Thursday, warning that Gaza's entire 2.3 million population is at risk of famine due to the shortage of food caused by the Israeli siege.

The risk of famine "is increasing each day that the current situation of intense hostilities and restricted humanitarian access persists or worsens," the report read.

The World Health Organization stated that there are no fully functioning hospitals left in Gaza. Due to Israeli strikes, 23 hospitals in Gaza are entirely non-functional, nine are partially functioning, and four are operating at minimum capacity, according to the WHO.

The Gaza-based Health Ministry has said that the Palestinian death toll from the relentless Israeli bombardments had reached 20,000, while the death toll in Israel has reached about 1,300, most of them killed in the initial Hamas attack on Oct. 7, according to official Israeli figures.
A public interest legal group is asking the Florida Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that allowed the city of Largo to seize a property over unpaid property fines that the group argues are unconstitutionally excessive.

The city took the property as part of a surge in foreclosures in cities across Florida documented earlier this year in a Miami Herald series, The Foreclosure Franchise.

The Heralds reporting showed that Florida cities often impose daily fines of more than $100 on properties that have been found to be in violation of municipal code and sometimes continue to charge additional fines even after the initial problems have been resolved. In the city of Miami some fines have reached seven-figures, for violations ranging from allowing a vacant structure to deteriorate to having an unpermitted carport.

The Pacific Legal Foundation, citing the Heralds investigation, argues in its filing with the Supreme Court that the daily fines on the Largo property, which added up to more than $550,000, violated the ban on excessive fines in the Florida Constitution and financially ruins the propertys owner, Donald Bourgeois. The filing further argues that Bourgeois was denied his constitutional right to contest those fines.

Normal people dont necessarily understand the gravity of whats going on, said Christina M. Martin, a senior attorney at the organization who filed the request for Supreme Court review. You have to have an opportunity to protect your constitutional rights against excessive fines.

Largo code officials had initially told Bourgeois, the property owner, that the city would ultimately forgive or drastically reduce the $250 daily fines first imposed in 2015 if he made required improvements to his property, a small, multi-unit house, the court filing says. Bourgeois, who purchased the property in 2013 for $260,000, spent thousands on renovations and obtained numerous permits from the city to improve the property, the filing said.

But in 2021 the city filed a foreclosure suit against Bourgeois, seeking to recover the full amount.

As the Herald previously reported, cities and counties across the state ramped-up foreclosures on properties with outstanding fines after signing contracts with a private attorney named Matthew Weidner.

The city began working in 2019 with Weidner, who told cities that pursuing lawsuits against properties with outstanding property fines could produce much needed municipal revenue. Under the terms of his contract with Largo, Weidner was entitled to recover a portion of whatever the city recovered in each suit, ranging from 25% to 40% depending on what work was required to resolve the case.

Since 2019, Weidner has filed 49 foreclosure lawsuits on behalf of the city and has been paid more than $470,000 in fees and expenses for his work, according to public records obtained by the Herald. Overall, Weidner, who once worked to defend homeowners in the throes of foreclosure, has been paid more than $3 million by cities and counties across the state.

St. Petersburg attorney Matt Weidner explaining issues with mortgage foreclosure filings during his time as a foreclosure defense lawyer.

While the Heralds reporting found that property owners in 70% of the cases brought by Weidner have not had a defense attorney, Bourgeois was represented in his case and his subsequent appeal by attorney Benjamin Hillard. A judge originally ruled in Largos favor in 2022 and the house was sold in October 2023, after Floridas Second District Court of Appeal upheld the original decision. The appeals court found that because Bourgeois had not appealed the order authorizing the initial fine within 30 days of it being issued in 2015, he had forfeited his ability to do so.

The Supreme Court filing by the libertarian-leaning Pacific Legal Foundation argues that this appellate decision requires owners to predict the future  to foresee excessive fines and that it is in conflict with rulings by other Florida appeals courts.

The Florida Constitution gives the Supreme Court the right to choose whether to review appeals court rulings that are in conflict with rulings by other Florida courts or in which the lower court has interpreted the state or federal constitution, among a handful of other scenarios.

Martin, who wrote the filing, successfully brought the case Tyler v. Hennepin County before the United States Supreme Court earlier this year. In that case, the group argued that Minnesotas Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, had violated the constitutional rights of Geraldine Taylor when it sold her condominium over unpaid taxes and refused to give her the amount it earned from the sale beyond what she owed the county. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Hennepin County.

In Largo, Bourgeois property was sold in October for $99,000, far below the propertys current market value of $480,000 as assessed by Pinellas County this year.

After the sale, Largo took the unusual step of filing a motion asking that Bourgeois make up the difference between the money brought in by the sale and the $590,000 he was determined to owe the city in fines and additional fees. It is the only case Weidner filed on behalf of Largo in which he has filed such a request, known as a motion for a deficiency judgment.

Largo and Weidner did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the case and why they had filed the deficiency judgment motion.

Miami Herald staff writer Joey Flechas contributed reporting.
A cyclist came across the aftermath of an epic Florida predators battle in the Everglades, capturing close-up footage of an alligator eating a python.

According to a post in popular Facebook group Alligators of Florida and first reported by the Miami Herald, Alison Joslyn on Wednesday spotted an alligator approximately 10-feet long lying still on the Shark Valley loop. The alligator was tangled up in the long, thick snake, with the snake's head disappearing in the alligator's jaws.

At first I thought it was dead. Then he opened an eye and looked at me! Joslyn told USA TODAY in a message Friday. She said she got within six feet of it to capture the photos, passing it three times on her ride. It only moved once.

An alligator eating a python in the Florida Everglades. Alison Joslyn captured the photos on a Dec. 20, 2023 bike ride along the Shark Valley loop. The alligator moved very little, even though the python's head was in its mouth.

She asked the alligator enthusiast group why it might have been so still. She wondered if it was lethargic from the cold, tired from wrestling the snake or if it got injured from a bite.

Pythons are non-venomous snakes but kill their prey by crushing it with their bodies. In fact, a Palm Beach Post reporter, part of the USA TODAY Network, once caught a python strangling an alligator to death on video. Some pythons could also kill a human and swallow it whole.

Florida's invasive species: Can alligators help control Florida's python population? A new study provides clues

An alligator eating a python in the Florida Everglades. Alison Joslyn captured the photos on a Dec. 20, 2023 bike ride along the Shark Valley loop. The alligator moved very little, even though the python's head was in its mouth.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Florida alligator community cheers on alligator

An alligator eating a python in the Florida Everglades. Alison Joslyn captured the photos on a Dec. 20, 2023 bike ride along the Shark Valley loop. The alligator moved very little, even though the python's head was in its mouth.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have bulldozed through Florida's native species, throwing off prey populations as they eat nearly everything in their path.

Members of the Facebook group cheered on the alligator for taking care of the python. Florida state pays people to kill pythons like the alligator did.

"Love to see this! He gets an exotic meal and helps the environment all in one!" Ryan Moore wrote on the post.

"Im so glad the gator killed the snake. I know theyre just trying to live, but, they are an invasive species and have wreaked havoc on the animals of the Everglades," Debbie Collins commented. "I LOVE the Everglades!"

"Thats one less python to terrorize the Everglades," Joslyn wrote in her post, which has garnered nearly 200 comments and 1,000 reactions.

Contributing: Sean Rossman, USA TODAY; Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post; Chad Gillis, News Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alligator eating Burmese python in Florida Everglades caught on camera
WILDWOOD, Fla. - A Florida woman found herself behind bars after she allegedly got into a physical fight with her husband over a pack of cigarettes, deputies said.

Jasmine Cummings was arrested and charged with battery after two of her kids told police about the incident that unfolded in a mobile home neighborhood off SR-44 near Williamsburg Lane in Wildwood on Wednesday, according to an affidavit from the Wildwood Police Department.

The 31-year-old woman told police she hit her husband multiple times "due to him making statements about her mother." He reportedly took some cigarettes from her, which is what sparked the fight, the affidavit said. She also told police she punched him in the face with a closed fist several times.

Police said Cummings' knuckles were slightly reddened, but there were no other marks. Her husband, on the other hand, had an "extremely red and bloodshot eye" from the incident.

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According to the affidavit, Cummings and her husband have been married for 14 years and share three children in a single-family home.

Cummings has since been released after posting $1,000 bond.
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MARION COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida woman found herself behind bars after she allegedly walked out of Walmart with about $250 worth of merchandise after her card declined several times at self-checkout, deputies said.

Samantha Beary was arrested and charged with petit theft after the incident that unfolded at the Ocala Walmart on Bahia Avenue on Sunday, according to an arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with the store's loss prevention officer who said she saw Beary pack up several items in a shopping bag without paying for them, the affidavit said. Beary reportedly made an attempt to pay, but her card was declined "multiple times."

That's when Beary passed all points of sale and walked out of the store without paying for the items in her cart, deputies said.

Deputies reviewed surveillance footage, which showed Beary grabbing a few items from her cart and scanning them without paying for them, according to the affidavit. She then allegedly "goes to the help desk and turns around to exit the store trying multiple exits."

Walmart said the items were recovered and were worth a total of $249.57, the affidavit said.

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Post-Miranda, Beary agreed to speak with deputies and told them that she's "very specific in how she likes to pack her items" and said she was "trying to separate them by two different transactions," the affidavit said. Beary then said she was going to pay for the items with a different card, and also tried to pay for them using CashApp, but couldn't "transfer the money properly."

Beary, who has a prior conviction for grand theft, has since been released from the Marion County Jail after posting $500 bond.
The Macon-Bibb County Commission funded new public safety measures, sidewalks, a transportation safety manager, construction of Cliffview Lake Park and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants Tuesday at its last meeting of the year.

Commissioners approved $1.2 million in public safety spending that includes $30,000 for each district commissioner to allocate as he or she sees fit. The county also will purchase emergency key boxes for first responders rapid access into public schools, permanent flashing light systems for schools, additional security cameras as dictated by the sheriff and ATVs for patrol.

An additional $1.2 million coming from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) proceeds will be used to hire Warren Associates to build trails, a parking lot and a pavilion at Cliffview Lake Park off Houston Avenue.

Commissioner Elaine Lucas suggested naming the park for Macons former Mayor C. Jack Ellis, who acquired the land during his administration. Mayor Lester Miller said he supports the tribute, which he suggested be taken up at a later date.

The Commission also accepted about $165,000 in grants from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to be shared between the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office and the Solicitor General for crime victim programs.

In other action:

The runway extension at Middle Georgia Regional Airport is getting a boost from nearly $330,000 in grant funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

 The Commission approved hiring contractors for assessing needs and renovation design work at the Bibb County Courthouse, assisting the Tax Assessors Office with pricing schedules, and repaving Mead Road.

 The County also agreed to fund $730,000 in new sidewalks and paving, more than $87,000 to hire a long-awaited transportation safety manager, and $200,000 for emergency repairs to Fire Station No. 2.

 Commissioners also agreed to provide free menstrual hygiene products at county facilities.

 The Commission granted alcohol licenses for the new Taco Mac on Bowman Road, the Raceway at 5127 Mercer University Drive, and Sunoco at 2260 Shurling Drive.

Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976.
Food shortages are alarmingly likely in 2024 as climate change, transportation issues and global conflicts continue to affect supplies, a food security expert has said.

New checks will also be introduced on goods coming into the UK from the EU at the end of January, under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), further impacting food imports.

Professor Chris Elliott, of Queens University Belfast, said that fruit and vegetables would be particularly affected. It follows shortages of eggs and oil throughout 2023, with supermarkets forced to ration tomatoes and cucumbers due to poor weather in southern Europe in February.

Prof Elliott, who chaired the government inquiry into the 2013 horsemeat scandal said: My expectation is, as weve already seen in 2023 with some empty supermarket shelves for months, this will become more persistent as we go forward.

He added: Itll be about affordability but also availability, and the likelihood of empty shelves, particularly fresh produce shelves, in 2024 is alarmingly high.

The food security expert said the potential shortages were caused by food insecurity in other countries, climate change and transportation issues. He also criticised the Government for a lack of a long-term plan and said the UKs agricultural industry has collapsed.

Supermarkets were forced to ration tomatoes and cucumbers in February due to poor weather in southern Europe - Jane Sherwood/Getty Images

Professor Elliott pointed to Singapore, which has introduced plans to grow up to 30pc of its own food by 2030, having relied almost exclusively on imports, as a good example for the UK to follow.

He said: We are virtually totally dependent on other countries for most of our fresh produce, our fruit and our vegetables. We were reasonably self-sufficient in dairy, we were reasonably self-sufficient in poultry and eggs.

But thats also on the decline now as a result of the collapse of the food industry or sectors of the food industry in the UK.

A 2021 food security report found that 46pc of food consumed in the UK in 2020 was imported.

Eggs, dairy, meat and other high-risk items will all be subject to more health checks at the border from January 31, which could slow the supply of food into the UK, the Institute of Export and International Trade warned.

Marco Forgione, of the Institute of Export & International Trade, said: Whilst businesses in the UK are already getting used to checks on products going into the EU, the checks BTOM will introduce for EU goods coming the other way will be new.

He said: These new procedures will take some bedding in time, so theres a risk well see disruption to supplies of our favourite drinks and other food  which could lead to gaps in supermarket shelves.

British retailers also face shipping chaos in the Panama and Suez canals, which continues to threaten supplies of consumer goods including wine and iPhones.

Two of the worlds biggest shipping companies confirmed on Friday that they would stop sending vessels through the Red Sea as a result of rising tensions in the Middle East, while BP said it would stop sending oil through the region on Monday.

AP Moller-Maersk and Maersk Tankers will avoid the trade route, meaning goods coming from Asia, including electronics, clothing and furnishings, may take weeks longer to arrive.

The National Farmers Union horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmet has called for targets on British food production.

NFU President Minette Batters said: We are asking for targets for British food production, just as the Government has rightly legislated for targets on the environment, green energy and climate change. Food has to be given the same status.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said they did not recognise the claims and that the UKs food chain is well equipped to deal with disruption.

The spokesman continued: We produce 60pc of all the food we need here in the UK  figures which have changed little over the last 20 years  and our farming reforms are designed to back British farmers and maintain domestic food production.

In relation to the concerns around the Border Trade Operating Model, the spokesman said disruption was not expected and that beer, wine and spirits would not be affected either by the new checks or by shipping disruptions.

We remain committed to implementing the full controls set out in the Border Target Operating Model, which will reduce the burden on businesses and protect our food supply chains.

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A Texas women has given a Christmas spin to a Lone Star State classic.

Deanna Vaters built a gingerbread sized version of Buc-ees featuring her co-workers at the Williamson County Tax Assessor Collectors Office. The county posted a video of the gingerbread village on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

The village is based on the Buc-ees in Bastrop and is complete with gummy gas pumps and graham cracker roofing. Vaters took photos of her co-workers and placed the cut-out images around the display, as if they were filling up or going inside for beaver nuggets.

We purchased all the vehicles, got all the candy and tried to make it happen, Vaters said in the video.

Our gingerbread house takes the cake this National Gingerbread Day! Deanna with the Tax Office really topped herself this year with her Gingerbread @bucees. You can see her creation at the tax office location in Georgetown, 904 S. Main St. pic.twitter.com/4TYiM9mhpx  Williamson County (@wilcotxgov) December 12, 2023

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Vaters has been creating gingerbread villages at the Tax Assessor Collectors Office for six years now and is always looking for new designs.

While leaving for a recent vacation, the Vaters family stopped by the Bastrop Buc-ees where her husband Paul suggested the locale for the gingerbread project. She agreed and began taking photos of the gas station to recreate them later out of sweet treats.

Both Deanna and Paul Vaters put together the gingerbread display with plenty of icing and holiday spirit.

We love it, Vaters said in the video. My husband and I love it.

The public is encouraged to view the Vaters creation at the Williamson County Tax Assessor Collectors Office in Georgetown at 904 S. Main St.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A former Erie County Democratic Chairman was sentenced to serve time in jail for sexually abusing a child.

Gerald Steven Pigeon, 63, of Buffalo was sentenced Friday to 364 days in jail, the Erie County District Attorney announced. He will also be required to register as a sex offender when he is released. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse in the first degree.

Former political operative says he wants DA John Flynn off case, cites antagonistic personal relationship

Between November and December 2016, Pigeon subjected a child to sexual contact at a location in Erie County, according to authorities. The victim was less than 11 years old at the time and was known to Pigeon.

A final order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim and the victims mother and remains in effect until December 2031.

Latest Local News

Emily Miller is a digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Paul Whelan, a former Marine who has been detained in Russia since 2018, said he feels as if his life is draining away after being left out of prisoner swaps between Moscow and Washington.

Whelan has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. He has denied the charges and U.S. diplomats have pushed for his release.

In May of this year, Whelan told the media he was optimistic the wheels are turning for his release.

Now, in an interview with the BBC, Whelan said he feels abandoned by the U.S. after two prisoner swaps with Russia occurred without him in the past two years. He said the decision to leave him behind was a serious betrayal.

He told the BBC he was recently assaulted by another inmate, and the outlet reports Whelan is being kept in a prison without heating.

WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was convicted of smuggling and possession of cannabis in early 2022, was swapped with Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer, on Dec. 8, 2022.

Trevor Reed, a Marine who had been detained since 2019 for endangering Russian police, came home in April 2022, as part of a swap for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian jailed in the U.S. for drug trafficking.

During his year-end press conference last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is hoping to find a solution with the U.S. on the return of Whelan and American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested and jailed earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said earlier this month that Russia rejected a significant proposal that would have freed them both, but they added the U.S. will continue to do everything we can to try and bring both of them home.

BBC reporter Sarah Rainsford, who has spoken with Whelan multiple times throughout his imprisonment, said in all the years weve spoken, Ive never heard Mr. Whelan so pessimistic or so frustrated.

I know the U.S. have all sorts of proposals, but its not what the Russians want. So they go back and forth, like throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks, Whelan told the BCC.

The problem is, its my life thats draining away while they do this. Its been five years! Whelan added.

Whelan told the BBC that Russia wants a convicted Federal Security Service hitman returned from Germany as part of a swap, meaning the U.S. may have to coordinate with Germany if it wants to bring Whelan and Gershkovich home.

Whelans interview comes just after the United States announced a prisoner swap with Venezuela, bringing home 10 Americans who were detained and the return of fugitive Leonard Francis, the mastermind of a sprawling Navy corruption scandal. In return, the U.S. freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro facing trial for money laundering.

President Biden said in a statement that while he is celebrating their return, officials remain deeply focused on securing releases of hostages in Gaza and bringing home wrongfully detailed Americans from Afghanistan, Syria, China and Russia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A former Medina High School teacher was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty to a charge of receiving child pornography.

Kevin Hedrick was sentenced by Judge Sara Elizabeth Lioi, chief judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, to 74 months in prison, credited for time served since his January arrest.

Hedrick will be on supervised release for 10 years following the completion of his prison term. He will also have to pay $17,000 in restitution toward a fund set up by the court to help victims of child exploitation, according to his attorney, Don Malarcik.

This sentencing comes as part of Hedrick's plea agreement made with prosecutors in August. Prosecutors dropped two other charges as part of the plea agreement, including charges of minor enticement and coercion.

Hedrick was originally placed on paid administrative leave in October 2022 after the FBI began investigating the Kent State graduate. He was originally accused of speaking online with an undercover agent posing as a 28-year-old mother of two underage girls on Kik, an instant messaging application.

Hedrick allegedly agreed to meet with the mother and her 14-year-old daughter for sex, after which the FBI obtained search warrants for Hedrick's online and telephone accounts. Agents were able to uncover more than 1,000 images and videos depicting minors in sexually explicit acts from his Kik account.

Another Medina High School teacher, Jason T. Sturm, was recently charged with sex crimes involving minors. Sturm was indicted 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. Both charges are second-degree felonies.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter, @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Medina teacher Kevin Hedrick sentenced in child porn case
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Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation led by Ghodratali Heshmatian, chairman of the House of Parties of Iran, in Beijing on Thursday.

The two sides exchanged views on following the important common understandings of the leaders of the two countries, enhancing political mutual trust and the exchange of ideas, and strengthening pragmatic cooperation and international coordination.
FIRST ON FOX: The former assistant U.S. attorney who allegedly worked to limit questions about Joe Biden denied that politics played a role in the Hunter Biden investigation during her interview at the House Judiciary Committee, according to a transcript reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf, though, testified that she would "not be permitted to answer most of the questions you have for me" due to the ongoing nature of the federal criminal investigation into the first son.

HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT 'DAD,' 'BIG GUY' DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER

Wolf, who recently left the Justice Departmenta decision that "long predated" allegations against her, was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee to appear for a deposition.

Wolf appeared before the House Judiciary Committee last week for a voluntary transcribed interview after the Justice Department negotiated terms with the panel.

Fox News Digital reviewed a transcript of her interview Thursday night.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

After her interview, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Wolf "refused to answer most of our questions."

"She refused to answer based on instructions she was given from the Justice Department," Jordan said.

IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley, who led the IRS portion of the Hunter Biden probe, and Joseph Ziegler, a special agent within the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, alleged political influence surrounding prosecutorial decisions throughout the Hunter Biden investigation, which began in 2018.

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is seen after making a statement during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol about testifying publicly to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Shapley alleged that Wolf sought to block investigators from asking questions related to President Biden throughout the years-long federal investigation into his son, Hunter Biden.

But during her interview, Wolf testified that "at no time did politics play a role in or in any way impact my work as a federal prosecutor."

Wolf also said that prosecutorial decisions were "never made in a vacuum and were always guided by principles of justice and fairness."

JORDAN SAYS FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO ALLEGEDLY SCUTTLED HUNTER INVESTIGATION 'REFUSED' TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

"My voluntary appearance here today is not without an overwhelming feeling of frustration and disappointment because as much as I would invite the opportunity to explain the decisions made and accurately describe the actions taken, I will not be permitted to answer most of the questions you have for me," Wolf said. "It should come as no surprise to the committee that as a former DOJ employee, I am significantly constrained by and must strictly adhere to the authorization provided by the Department of Justice, as well as those obligations independently imposed by the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure, including rule 6e, and the relevant laws governing disclosure of tax information."



Wolf explained that, "in light of the ongoing nature of the investigation," she was "legally obligated at this time to largely remain silent as to those allegations, beyond stating the truth, which is, at all times while serving as an AUSA, I acted consistently with the Justice Manual, DOJ policy directives, and my statutory legal and ethical obligations."

"I followed the facts where they led and made decisions in the best interests of the investigation," Wolf said. "This includes, but is by no means limited to, policies and rules governing politically sensitive investigations, election year sensitivities, attorney search warrants, search warrant filter requirements, and professional conduct rules barring contact with represented parties."

But when faced with specific questions by investigators, Wolf repeatedly said she could not answer or speak to "particulars or details about anything" relating to the ongoing Hunter Biden probe, led by now-Special Counsel David Weiss, and repeatedly said she was "not authorized" to discuss the matter.

Supervisory IRS Special Agent Gary Shapley (L) and IRS Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler are sworn-in as they testify during a House Oversight Committee hearing related to the Justice Department's investigation of Hunter Biden.

Shapley alleged earlier this year that Wolf worked to "limit" questioning related to President Biden and apparent references to Biden as "dad" or "the big guy."

But according to a Fox News Digital review of the transcript, investigators did not ask her about that specific allegation.

Shapley and Ziegler also alleged that in October 2020, Wolf reviewed an affidavit for a search warrant of Hunter Bidens residence and "agreed that probable cause had been achieved." However, Shapley said Wolf ultimately would not allow a physical search warrant on the presidents son.

Shapley said Wolf determined there was "enough probable cause for the physical search warrant there, but the question was whether the juice was worth the squeeze."

Wolf allegedly said that "optics were a driving factor in the decision on whether to execute a search warrant," Shapley said, adding that Wolf agreed that "a lot of evidence in our investigation would be found in the guest house of former Vice President Biden, but said there is no way we will get that approved."

LESLEY WOLF, PROSECUTOR ACCUSED OF WORKING TO 'LIMIT' QUESTIONS ABOUT 'BIG GUY' IN HUNTER PROBE, OUT AT DOJ

Wolf also allegedly tipped off Hunter Bidens legal team ahead of a planned search of his storage unit.

During her interview, Wolf did acknowledge that "Political Figure 1"--a term used in several communications between Hunter Biden investigators--was, in fact, a reference to then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Wolf was asked about an email exchange with FBI Special Agent Joshua Wilson, in which she stated: "There should be nothing about political figure 1 in here."

Wolf said "Political Figure 1" is "described as former Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., now President Biden," but would not specifically elaborate on why she gave that directive.

Wolf was asked: "To the extent you didn't--you asked the agents to take out political figure 1, there was no political motivation in requesting that?"

"I refer you back to my opening statement where I said at no time there was politics playing a role in those decisions."

Wolf's testimony came as part of the House impeachment inquiry against President Biden, which was formalized last week.

President Joe Biden returns to the White House December 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo.; Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; and Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., are leading the investigation as the House gathers evidence and considers whether to draft articles of impeachment against President Biden.

The committees are investigating the alleged politicization of the federal probe into Hunter Biden. They are also investigating the Biden familys foreign business dealings and whether the president was involved or benefited directly from those ventures.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., left, and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, right.

President Biden has repeatedly denied having any involvement in his sons business dealings.

Hunter Biden was subpoenaed as part of the inquiry as well but defied his subpoena to appear for a deposition at the House Oversight Committee last week. Instead, he made a public statement on Capitol Hill, blasting the Republican impeachment inquiry and saying his father was "not financially involved" in his business dealings.

Comer and Jordan have threatened to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress.

Hunter Biden's public statement Wednesday came just days after he was charged out of Special Counsel David Weiss' investigation.

Weiss alleged Hunter Biden was engaged in a "four-year scheme" when the president's son did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports. Weiss filed the charges in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Weiss also indicted Hunter Biden on federal gun charges in Delaware. The president's son pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys are working to dismiss the charges altogether.





Original article source: Former prosecutor accused of limiting questions about Joe Biden denies politics played a role in Hunter probe
A former aide to President Donald Trump involved in a civil lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden is asking the judge to toss the case.

Former Trump aide Garrett Ziegler filed a motion for a federal judge in the Central District of California to dismiss the case due to its basis in "half-baked legal challenges."

"Plaintiff alleges no facts which demonstrate Defendants ever accessed any computer, storage, or service which Plaintiff either owns or has exclusive control over," the motion filed by Ziegler's attorneys reads.

Ziegler's attorneys also claim that their client's posts sharing the contents of the laptop "constitutes protected activity because it involves a public figure and is a matter of public importance."

HUNTER BIDEN SUES FORMER WH AIDE FOR ALTERING, PUBLISHING 'PORNOGRAPHIC' PHOTOS FROM LAPTOP HE DENIES IS HIS

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is seen after making a statement during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol about testifying publicly to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, accuses Ziegler and his company  Marco Polo USA  and 10 unidentified associates of spreading "tens of thousands of emails, thousands of photos, and dozens of videos and recordings" from the laptop that were considered "pornographic."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Ziegler's legal team alleges that Biden's lawsuit is "aimed at chilling the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech."

FBI AGENT INVOLVED IN HUNTER BIDEN PROBE DOES NOT BELIEVE POLITICS WERE INVOLVED

A courtroom sketch depicting Hunter Biden in a federal courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware.

In the 14-page civil complaint, Bidens attorneys allege that Ziegler is a "zealot" who has unleashed a "sustained, unhinged and obsessed campaign" against the entire Biden family for over two years and "spent countless hours accessing, tampering with, manipulating, altering, copying and damaging computer data" with his associates.

"While Defendant Ziegler is entitled to his extremist and counterfactual opinions, he has no right to engage in illegal activities to advance his right-wing agenda," attorneys Abbe Lowell, Bryan Sullivan, Zachary Hansen and Paul Salvaty previously wrote.

In the motion to dismiss, Ziegler's legal representation also questions the existence of a connection between their client and the state of California. The attorneys claim this would invalidate the jurisdiction of the state where the lawsuit was filed.

Hunter Biden is currently facing nine criminal counts in the same California court where he has filed three civil lawsuits.

The president's son is also currently suing Rudy Giuliani and lawyer Robert Costello for illegally accessing his laptop computer, and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne for defamation.

Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.





Original article source: Former Trump aide asks judge to dismiss 'half-baked' Hunter Biden laptop civil case
Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger, awaits the German Foreign Minister. France is to close its embassy in Niger, diplomatic sources in Paris indicated on Friday. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

France is to close its embassy in Niger, diplomatic sources in Paris indicated on Friday.

The move to shut down the embassy in the former French colony follows a coup at the end of July when the presidential guard ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tiani has seized power.

Most of France's diplomatic personnel had left the country at the end of September after the embassy came under attack and a blockade was imposed, the diplomatic sources in Paris said.

"France's embassy in Niger is for that reason no longer in a position to operate normally or to fulfil its duties," they said. "Given this situation, we have decided to close our embassy soon," they added.

They said local staff had been let go and had received payouts.

France, along with other Western countries and African states, has refused to recognize the new military government.

Niger, a landlocked West African country with around 26 million inhabitants, was the last democratically governed ally of France, the United States and their Western allies in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel Region.

France aims to withdraw its 1,500 military personnel stationed in Niger by the end of the year. French troops have already been withdrawn following military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, both former French colonies.
France grounded a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers over suspected human trafficking, local authorities said on Friday. Paris public prosecution office said officials were warned about the situation by an anonymous tip, and an organized crime investigation group apprehended two people. Reuters stated that the aircraft, belonging to Legend Airlines, a Romanian company, had taken off from Dubai and landed at Chalons Vatry Airport in northeastern France on Thursday for a technical stop. According to a statement from the prefects office in Marne, police then moved in. The reception hall at Vatry airport was transformed into a waiting area with individual beds to provide passengers with the best possible reception conditions, the office continued. Barrons reported that, according to a source with knowledge of the incident, the passengers may have been planning to illegally enter the United States or Canada. Neither Legend Airlines nor the Indian Foreign Ministry responded to Reuters request for comment.

Read it at Reuters

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The eco-ethics of Christmas trees is a subject close to the hearts of many in the Morvan Natural Park.

These remote Burgundy uplands produce more than a million baby firs for the market every year, making the region France's top producer.

But for every local who is happy about the money and jobs created by Christmas trees, there is another who bemoans their impact on the natural environment.

Here, as elsewhere, only a tiny percentage of Christmas tree plantations are run on organic lines.

The vast majority depend on the application of chemical treatments.

And if efforts are certainly being made to reduce the use of herbicides and pesticides, no one seriously disputes their negative effects.

"The production of Christmas trees, because of the use of chemical herbicides, can have an impact on water resources," reads the park's website.

"I have nothing against Christmas trees... But times have changed. We are living through an ecological transition"", Source: Muriel Andre, Source description: Farmer and activist, Image: Muriel Andre

"That is why action is being taken to reduce the impact of this activity to a maximum, and make it compatible with high quality water."

That admission by the authorities is the very least of it, according to campaigners.

Muriel Andre, a local farmer and activist, took us to see what she says is a typical small-scale plantation on a hillside near her home.

A field once used for pasture now contains around 20,000 saplings, planted out by an absent farmer from a neighbouring department, or county.

Around the outer perimeter, grass and weeds grow abundantly, but under the baby trees there is nothing - just earth and some wisps of dead vegetation.

"That is from the herbicides, which they spray to keep down any plant that might offer competition to the trees," she says.

"Then there are the pesticides for insects and fungicides for parasites. It is a monoculture which kills off biodiversity and leaches chemicals into our rivers."

Critics say intensive Christmas tree farming is killing off biodiversity in the region

"I have nothing against Christmas trees. I have my own fond memories of decorating them as a girl," Ms Andre says.

"But times have changed. We are living through an ecological transition. Everything that pollutes has got to stop.

"People in cities are fooled by the marketing which tells them that Christmas trees are 'natural' - as if they're all from some magic forest. The reality is that it's a form of intensive agriculture."

It is not just environmental campaigners who are questioning the ethics of Christmas trees.

French consumers are also increasingly curious about the provenance of their Nordmanns and Epiceas.

Is it responsible, they are asking, to fast-track millions of baby trees only for them to be cut down and kept in living rooms for perhaps a fortnight?

Speaking to passersby near a tree-supplier's in central Paris, everyone we questioned said that the environment was now an important factor in their choice of whether to have a sapin de Noel.

Some said they had definitively stopped buying them. For others it was a quandary. While recognising the environmental impact of plantations, they wondered whether importing a plastic tree from China was really a better alternative.

Few had considered "green" alternatives such as wooden tree sculptures or home-made assemblies.

"All the criticism we get is built on a total ignorance of our practices today", Source: Martin Naudet, Source description: Manager at Naudet Christmas Trees, Image: Martin Naudet

According to producers in the Morvan, buyers are certainly growing more inquisitive about the origin of their trees. But so far that has had only a marginal effect on sales.

At the Naudet company in Planchez, which has been cultivating Christmas trees since 1956, they admit that in the past little attention was paid to the problems of herbicides. But that has changed, they say.

"All the criticism we get is built on a total ignorance of our practices today," said director-general Martin Naudet.

"We are making huge efforts to minimise our use of chemicals, and you can see in our plantations today that there is plenty of biodiversity."

In one nearby plantation, we were shown lines of trees where the under-grass did indeed appear to be rich and abundant. In another field, they were experimenting with sowing buckwheat (sarrasin) between the lines, which serves as a natural weed-suppressant.

Martin Naudet points out that only 1% of viable agricultural land in the Morvan is given over to Christmas trees. In the vast expanse of hills and forests, the plantations are only a small part of the landscape.

But the fact remains that virtually no Christmas tree production is chemical-free. "People tried," says Martin Naudet. "But the trees don't sell. They're too expensive and they don't look right."

In other words, our Christmas evergreens are actually not that "green" at all.
High waves break at the North Sea ferry docks in Dagebuell. Axel Heimken/dpa

Flights at Frankfurt Airport have returned to normal after Storm Zoltan disrupted traffic at Germany's main hub, Fraport, the company the operates the airport, reported.

The Transport Ministry in the state of Hessen said that air traffic authorities had issued special permission for 43 flights after 11 pm (2200 GMT), with the last plane taking off a Lufthansa flight to Belgrade.

Two planes diverted to Dusseldorf and Stuttgart respectively, landing after 11 pm, with the last an incoming Lufthansa flight from London Heathrow, which landed at 11:23 pm.

In general, flights after 11 pm are banned at German airports, but the deadline can be extended to midnight in emergencies.

High waves break at the North Sea ferry docks in Dagebuell. Axel Heimken/dpa
(FOX40.COM)  As schools are closed for winter break, the Sacramento City Unified School District will give out boxes filled with groceries at five of its campuses.

The districts Nutrition Services Department is partnering with the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services to ensure families can access food while schools are closed.

The Big LePlowski takes the win for South Lake Tahoes Name a Snowplow Contest

According to the district, the curbside food distribution events will take place at the following campuses on Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Abraham Lincoln Elementary

Earl Warren Elementary

Oak Ridge Elementary

Washington Elementary

Woodbine Elementary

The food distribution events will operate on a first-come and first-serve basis.

The free food boxes are available to all SCUSD families but are not limited to them. The Sacramento Public Library will also be contributing a free book inside every pantry box.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
 Flash

A transport vehicle delivers the installed power battery system parts at a workshop of SAIC-CATL Motor Power Battery System Co., Ltd. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday said China will continue to expand high-level opening up, improve the business environment, step up intellectual property protection, form an open and globally competitive innovation eco-system and share with the world China's development achievements.

According to media reports, Steven Barnett, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Senior Resident Representative in China, said in an interview that China will contribute one-third of global economic growth in 2023. He predicted that higher and more resilient growth is within reach for China in 2024.

"Lately, many international organizations like the IMF and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have revised up their 2023 growth projections for China and are confident in China's economic prospects next year," spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked to comment on the interview at a daily news briefing.

Wang said China is widely considered the biggest driver for the world economy. The research of the IMF shows that faster growth in China has positive spillovers on the rest of the world. A one percentage point increase in China would, on average, increase the level of output in other economies by 0.3 percent.

Noting that China has a hyper-scale market with the biggest potential in the world, Wang said macroeconomic policies introduced by the Chinese government have given the economy a strong push. There is ample room for enhanced implementation of monetary and fiscal polices. China's deepening of reform and opening up across the board provides strong impetus for sustained sound economic development. A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation in the world also presents a broad stage for the Chinese economy.

All in all, there are more favorable conditions than adverse factors for China's development, the trend of economic rebound and sound long-term trajectory has not changed, and the factors and conditions supporting high-quality development are increasing, Wang added.

"We welcome businesses from around the world to continue coming to China for global success," Wang said.
Semafor Signals

Insights from Inside Climate News, Politico, and RMTransit

NEWS

Montpellier on Thursday became the latest European city to make public transit free for its residents, following in the footsteps of Tallinn in Estonia and all of Luxembourg.

As scientists and policymakers sound the alarm on the devastating impacts of climate change, governments worldwide are coming up with ways for people to ditch cars for public transportation. While free public transit is one approach, other cities like New York are seeking to deter the use of cars with congestion pricing.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Congestion pricing has clear benefits for environment, but needs to be done right

Sources: Inside Climate News, Gothamist

Experts are hailing New York Citys impending congestion pricing, due in May, as a major win for combatting climate change. The program is expected to raise some $1 billion for the citys public transportation system, and is projected to slash the citys annual greenhouse gas emissions by a third. But New York can learn lessons from other cities. In London, for example, city developers inadvertently caused more congestion in some areas by expanding bike and bus lanes, and Singapore has found it difficult to build more infrastructure necessary to monitor traffic.

The US struggles to implement high-speed rail compared to other countries

Sources: Politico, Scientific American, CalMatters

While the U.S. has debated the implementation of high speed rail, efforts have been slow and face technological challenges. U.S. President Joe Biden announced $66 billion of federal funding to bring high speed rail finally to the California Central Valley and deliver upgrades to the Raleigh-Richmond lines. However, adoption may be slower as tracks are running on older Amtrak rails, and areas such as the Northeast Corridor are filled with sharp curves, bottlenecks, decaying tunnels, forcing future bullet cars to run at 110 mph speeds, compared to top speeds in Europe and Asia of 200 mph. On his recent visit to China, California governor Gavin Newsom remarked, The globe seems to have figured it out; America hasnt yet.

Free transit doesnt make sense for North America

Sources: RMTransit

Transit doesnt have to be free to compete with the car, argues YouTuber Reece Martin, whose channel focuses on public transportation issues. Public transit is still significantly cheaper than having to pay for gas and insurance, and commuters have shown they are willing to take the more affordable option if it is more convenient, he explained. But in North America, where public transit is underfunded and underdeveloped  and heavily reliant on fares to operate  it doesnt make for a big financial reorganization of transit. Agencies need the money for improving service and infrastructure, and without substantial federal funding to support new development and maintenance, fares are essential to ensure public transit does not deteriorate.
FILE - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron pose before their talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Friday, July 14, 2023. India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at the country's national day celebrations next month, in what Macron's office described Friday Dec.22, 2023 as "a strong moment" for the two nation's ties. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard, File)

PARIS (AP)  India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at the country's national day celebrations next month, in what Macron's office described on Friday as a powerful gesture for the two nations' ties.

The visit for Republic Day on Jan. 26 will be Macron's third to India as president. The event marks the 74th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950, nearly three years after it won independence from British colonial rule.

India's official guest in January 2023 was Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, for a 90-minute parade that ended with a flyby featuring 75 air force fighters, including French-made Rafale jets, transport planes and helicopters.

Previous French guests for the event have included all of Macron's immediate predecessors as France's president: Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac.

Macron's office called the invitation an extremely strong gesture.

Indias External Affairs Ministry described the two nations as strategic partners" and said: India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues.

Macron also visited India in 2018 and again for a Group of 20 summit in September.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was guest of honor this year at France's annual Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14.

India and France are looking to further strengthen cooperation on an array of topics ranging from climate to military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

In July, Indias Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines, developed by France and Spain, was also approved.
A dual US-Israeli citizen believed to have been abducted by Hamas was killed during the 7 October raid in Israel, the White House said on Friday.

Gadi Haggai, 73, was reportedly taken alongside his wife Judi near Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel on 7 October.

It is believed his remains are being held by Hamas in Gaza. It is unclear exactly how or where he died.

Five to 10 US citizens are still being held hostage, according to the Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was "heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7".

He said he grieves for the Haggai family, and called their suffering "intolerable".

"I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home," the president added.

Mr Haggai, a retired chef and musician, was walking with his wife near Nir Oz on 7 October when the initial Hamas attack on southern Israel took place.

He was described as a "man full of humour who knew how to make those around him laugh", as well as a gifted flautist and "musician at heart" by Liat Bell Sommer, a spokesperson for the Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum - a group established by the families of those abducted by Hamas.

During the attack, his wife alerted friends and family members that they had both been wounded. There has been no contact with the couple since.

"She said they were shot by terrorists on a motorcycle and that my dad was wounded really bad," the couple's daughter Iris Weinstein Haggai was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel. "Paramedics tried to send her an ambulance. The ambulance got hit by a rocket."

Approximately 240 hostages were taken during the Hamas raid on Israel on 7 October, which left 1,200 people dead.

According to Israeli government statistics cited by Reuters, 129 people remain in Gaza, including 22 who are dead. The rest of the hostages were repatriated during a brief November truce or have been recovered during Israeli military operations.

The forum believes that between five and 10 of the remaining hostages hold US citizenship. Earlier this week, the White House said it believes eight Americans are still in Hamas captivity.

In a White House briefing earlier this week, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the US is in "serious talks and negotiations" over another humanitarian pause and hostage exchange.

Hamas, for its part, has ruled out any more hostage releases until Israel agrees to a "full cessation of aggression".
On average, 80 trucks enter Gaza daily through the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to the Israeli army (Alberto PIZZOLI)

Awaiting inspection by Israeli soldiers, a miles-long queue of aid trucks bound for the war-battered Gaza Strip is held up for hours at a recently reopened but since bombarded crossing.

The trucks arrive from Egypt, loaded with crucial food and humanitarian supplies for Gaza's besieged and hungry population.

The vehicles wait on the Israeli side of Kerem Shalom crossing, which on Thursday was hit by a deadly Israeli strike more than two months into war with Gaza's Hamas rulers, triggered by deadly attacks on Israel.

One by one, Egyptian truck drivers enter a large parking lot to have their goods checked under the watchful eye of the Israeli military, which on Friday organised a media tour of the narrow border crossing.

Truck driver Said Abdel Hamid seemed unfazed by the wait, saying he was "proud to bring help to my Palestinian brothers" as he removed the tarpaulin sheet covering his flour cargo.

Mohamed Ali, another driver who arrived from Cairo with a stockpile of biscuits, said the "Egyptian secret service had given instructions to speak as little as possible" before entering Gaza.

Heavily armed Israeli soldiers accompanied by sniffer dogs randomly check the goods.

Late Friday, after the UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution calling to boost aid into Gaza, Israel's top diplomat said the inspections will continue.

"Israel will continue to inspect, for security reasons, all humanitarian assistance to Gaza," Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a statement.

Last week, Israel approved the temporary delivery of aid via Kerem Shalom, opening a new route for supplies to ease congestion at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza after weeks of international pressure.

On average, 80 trucks enter Gaza daily through the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to the Israeli army.

Earlier this week, UN official Tor Wennesland said that Israel's "limited" steps to allow aid into Gaza were "positive, but fall far short of what is needed to address the human catastrophe on the ground".

And the United Nations warned on Thursday that the war since October 7 is pushing Gazans towards famine.

- Hampered aid -

On Thursday, Hamas government authorities said an Israeli strike on the Palestinian side of the crossing -- which journalists were unable to access during the media tour -- left four people dead including the facility's director Bassem Ghaben.

"Soldiers saw weapons on the Kerem Shalom border," Colonel Moshe Tetro, an Israeli defence ministry official, told reporters to explain what had prompted the strike.

Tetro, who told AFP that a total of 2,500 aid trucks and over 50,000 tons of food had entered Gaza since the start of the war, offered no further details on the strike.

UN secretary-general's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Israeli "drone strike" hampered relief operations via Kerem Shalom.

The World Food Programme, he added, was forced to temporarily suspend its work at the crossing.

The UN estimates 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced and concerns are growing about the limited ability of aid groups to help.

The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel's retaliatory assault has killed at least 20,057 people in Gaza, including some 8,000 children and 6,200 women, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

we/ezz/ac/jd/ami
Gazas population of more than 2.2 million people is experiencing an unprecedented food crisis, with the risk of famine rising daily amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, according to an alarming new report released Thursday.

The report, released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)  which is produced with global agencies, including the U.N.  said an immediate reduction in hostilities and increased humanitarian access is needed to prevent a realistic chance of starvation.

This is the highest share of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity that the IPC initiative has ever classified for any given area or country, the report stated.

Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza, on Dec. 21. International aid agencies said Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the 2 1/2-month war between Israel and Hamas.

Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza, on Dec. 21. International aid agencies said Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the 2 1/2-month war between Israel and Hamas.

The report showed that more than 40% of the regions population is in an emergency food scarcity phase as of Dec. 8, and more than 15% is in a catastrophe phase. The IPCs final phase after catastrophe is famine.

Famine, which is when deaths from starvation or malnutrition are reported daily, has only been declared twice in the past 12 years, according to the IPC. That was in parts of southern Somalia in 2011 and in parts of South Sudan in 2017.

This report sort of confirms our worst fears, Arif Husain, chief economist and director of research at the U.N. World Food Programme, told Reuters. Ive been doing this for the last 20 plus years. Ive been to Afghanistan, Ive been to Yemen, to Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, northeast Nigeria. But Ive never seen something this bad happening this quickly.

Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza, on Dec. 21. International aid agencies said Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the 2 1/2-month war between Israel and Hamas.

Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza, on Dec. 21. International aid agencies said Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the 2 1/2-month war between Israel and Hamas.

The region has suffered widespread, colossal damage since Israel first launched ground and air attacks in its quest to destroy Hamas. The onslaught followed Hamas killing 1,200 people and taking 240 others hostage in an October attack in southern Israel, according to Israel authorities.

More than two-thirds of all structures in northern Gaza have since been destroyed, along with a quarter of all buildings in the southern area of Khan Younis, according to experts mapping the damage with satellite data.

Palestinian residents have been unable to grow and produce food, obtain clean drinking water or receive proper healthcare. The amount of food currently entering Gaza from humanitarian groups is entirely insufficient, the IPC said in its report.

Israeli troops walk in Gaza as seen from southern Israel on Dec. 21. The army is battling Palestinian militants across Gaza in the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

Israeli troops walk in Gaza as seen from southern Israel on Dec. 21. The army is battling Palestinian militants across Gaza in the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

Famine thresholds for both acute malnutrition and non-trauma mortality may be reached within the next six months if proper action isnt taken, the report warned.

There is a risk of Famine and it is increasing each day that the current situation of intense hostilities and restricted humanitarian access persists or worsens, it stated. The increased nutritional vulnerability of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly is a particular source of concern.

Israel has vowed to continue its attacks until it destroys Hamas military capabilities. Hamas has shown no sign of stopping, however, having launched a rocket attack on Tel Aviv Thursday. There were no reported casualties from the attack.

Related...
The United Nations says Gaza is at risk of famine if the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

A quarter of households - roughly 500,000 people - are facing "catastrophic conditions", a UN food security agency found.

It says the territory's entire population of roughly 2.2m people is suffering acute food shortages.

"No-one in Gaza is safe from starvation," said Cindy McCain from the UN's World Food Programme (WFP).

"Humanitarian access is needed now for supplies to flow into and throughout Gaza, and for civilians to safely receive life-saving aid".

The report was published on Thursday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN body that assesses food security in places affected by conflict or natural disaster.

It states that the "quantities of commodities, including food, allowed to enter the Gaza Strip are largely insufficient".

On Friday, the UN's Security Council passed a resolution aiming to bring more aid into Gaza, but which stops short of calling for an immediate truce.

Russia and the United States abstained on the vote, while the other 13 members of the council backed it.

The resolution said it aimed to introduce "extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" and called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages".

The resolution also requests that a "senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator" is appointed, with the responsibility for monitoring aid entering into the region.

Trucks have been bringing aid into Gaza from Egypt for weeks, but the WFP recently estimated that just 10% of the food needed is currently getting into the territory. On Wednesday a convoy carrying aid from Jordan crossed into Gaza via Israel for the first time since the start of the war.

Howaida Al-Daramali, a Palestinian woman who has been displaced to Khan Younis and who is also helping find shelter for other displaced families, said the limited aid being delivered "only goes to one or two places" and most people in Gaza were not receiving anything.

"We want this aid to be accompanied by teams who will be responsible for distributing it especially since the situation here is very difficult. Many people broke into the Red Crescent warehouses and looted them," she told the BBC.

Meanwhile some families who were getting aid because they were in UN-run shelters were selling what they did not need at inflated prices, Ms al-Daramali said.

"Even with cash, there are no goods in the supermarket and no suppliers. We can buy only from people who receive aid and sell it at the school gates, which are dangerous places for us to reach," she said.

People in Khan Younis were "psychologically and economically devastated", she said.

The UN Security Council is meanwhile trying to agree on a vote calling for more aid to get into Gaza. The vote has been delayed for several days over the wording of the text.

The US has expressed support for the latest draft resolution after earlier voicing "widespread concerns" with an earlier version that called for a ceasefire - something the US is against, saying it would only benefit Hamas.

The new draft aims to create a mechanism to accelerate aid but makes clear it would involve relevant parties such as Israel.

It also calls for all available routes to be used for deliveries but does not seek an immediate end to the fighting.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, described it as a "very strong resolution that is fully supported by the Arab group".

Meanwhile, the fighting in and around Gaza continues. Hamas authorities on Thursday accused Israel of attacking the Rafah crossing - killing four people, including the director of the recently reopened Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel's military has not commented on the reported incident.

Talks had been taking place in Egypt to reach a new truce - similar to the week-long pause in fighting last month that saw hostages released.

But on Thursday they suffered a setback when Hamas said it would not agree to a release of some hostages in exchange for a partial ceasefire.

It said Palestinian groups had rejected the prospect of more hostages being released until Israel agrees to end the war. Israel has repeatedly rejected a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, saying it aims to destroy the group.

More than 240 Israeli hostages were captured on 7 October when Hamas broke through the fortified perimeter with Israel, killing 1,200 people. A total of 110 hostages were released in the truce last month.

Earlier this week, Hamas said the number of people killed in Gaza in 10 weeks of fighting had passed 20,000.
The aircraft carrier George Washington is slated to return to Yokosuka, Japan, as the Navys only forward-deployed carrier in 2024  replacing fellow carrier Ronald Reagan.

Yokosuka previously hosted the George Washington from 2008 to 2015. The carrier then started its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul maintenance, known as an RCOH, in 2017 in Virginia.

The maintenance was originally scheduled to conclude in 2021 under a four-year timeline, but delays meant it didnt wrap up until May 2023.

USS George Washington concludes maintenance overhaul

Unplanned growth in work, labor inefficiencies and the COVID-19 pandemic were all factors that slowed the progress of maintenance, Navy officials previously told Navy Times sister publication, Defense News.

The RCOHs are completed at the 25-year mark in a carriers service life and are designed to refuel the nuclear power reactor and address other major maintenance issues and upgrades.

The Reagan, which joined U.S. 7th Fleet in 2015, will head to Bremerton, Washington, for maintenance work, according to U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Invasive blue land crab in North Carolina. The first official sighting in the state occurred in the summer of 2023.

Blue land crabs have been creeping their way up the East Coast, prompting officials in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to issue warnings about the potentially invasive species.

In a Wednesday release, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) stated it received multiple reports about the crab, which measures 5 to 6 inches with one claw bigger than the other. The creatures' colors range from white to gray to blue, depending on its sex and age.

Officials encouraged residents who spot one to report it.

While we are uncertain about the potential ecological and economic risks these crabs pose, we are currently concerned about damage caused by their extensive burrowing, said Jim Page, WRD Aquatic Nuisance Species Program manager in the release. As a new non-native species in our state, we need more information about these crabs and are asking for the publics help.

See the map: Where blue land crabs are moving, beyond native habitat in Florida, Texas

A blue land crab in South Carolina. The invasive species has been spotted in the state since 2008.

Where are blue land crabs found?

Blue Land Crabs are native from Brazil to South Florida, according to the Georgia release.

In Florida, blue land crab fishing is regulated with a designated season and quantity limits.

Georgia's WRD said that sightings have also been reported in South Carolina and North Carolina, far outside its natural range.

A similar release in September 2022 called on South Carolina residents to report any sightings of the blue land crab. They had been spotted occasionally in the state since 2008.

The first confirmed sighting of the blue land crab in North Carolina was summer of 2023, according to the North Carolina Environmental Quality website. Officials in North Carolina are also asking people to report any sightings.

Photo of a blue land crab. Georgia officials asked residents on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 to report any sightings of the invasive species.

Can you eat the blue land crab?

Yes. Though catching them may be a different story.

According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the crab has been overfished for culinary consumption in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Officials say the crabs are usually found burrowed deep in the ground and only surface when a heavy rain floods them out.

The clickity crawlers are quick to get down in their burrows, and can use that larger claw to ward off predators (or chefs). As UF puts it, "they are capable of inflicting a memorable pinch."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blue land crab: Officials ask residents to report the invasive species
A west Georgia mother is behind bars after officials say she killed her young child.

Columbus police said on Dec. 7 at 6:31 p.m., officers received reports of an infant who arrived at Piedmont Columbus Regional with injuries.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The two-month-old was then air-lifted to an Atlanta area hospital, where the medical staff determined the injuries to be indicative of non-accidental trauma, officials said.

Authorities confirmed that the child died at the hospital four days after arriving in Atlanta.

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A death investigation conducted by the Adult & Youth Services Unit revealed evidence that led to the arrest of Lakisha Neal, the childs mother.

Neal was arrested on Thursday and charged with first-degree murder, cruelty to children and cruelty to children in the second-degree.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Georg Batzing, Bishop of Limburg and President of the German Bishops' Conference, speaks during a press conference at the end of the Fall Plenary Assembly at the Wilhelm Kempf House. Arne Dedert/dpa

The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Batzing, has criticized Pope Francis' stance on the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza as not being clear enough.

"Yes, I too am sometimes puzzled by this art of equidistance," Batzing told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Although Batzing said that he is aware the Vatican is keen to keep all channels of dialogue open, there are situations in which such restraint is not appropriate, the Catholic bishop said.

"When I think of Ukraine and [the Hamas attacks on] October 7, I think the criticism of the Holy Father is justified: He does not speak clearly enough about who the attacker was and where the causes of this horrific suffering lie," he said.

On October 7, Hamas militants and other extremist groups carried out the worst massacre in Israel's history. About 1,200 people were killed and another 240 were taken hostage, some of whom were released during a brief truce.

Israel has since launched massive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground offensive that began in late October, in which more than 20,000 Palestinians are said to have been killed so far.

Batzing also reiterated his stance on Germany's right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

"Being Catholic and an AfD supporter at the same time does not go together for me," he said.

The growing strength of the far-right AfD in Germany, which has traditionally been on the fringes of German politics, has raised alarm among many who view the party as extremist, anti-democratic and xenophobic.
The German government updated the list of military aid for Ukraine on 22 December, announcing the supply of 3 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems with additional components in addition to the 49 systems supplied earlier.

Source: list published on the website of the German government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In addition to the 3 Gepard systems, Germany also supplied Ukraine with 30,240 projectiles, as well as with 2,500 155-mm projectiles from the stocks of the German Armed Forces and the industry.

The supply of 2 demining Wisent 1 tanks, 10 Vector reconnaissance drones, 2 border patrol vehicles and 2 self-defence systems for the AMPS helicopters was also mentioned in the list.

Ukraine also received 8 Zetros heavy trucks, 2 8x8 HX81 truck tractors and 5 semi-trucks, 8 vehicles from the storages of the German Armed Forces and the German industry, 25,536 40-mm calibre projectiles and an unspecified amount of medical supplies.

Background:

Last week, a Patriot anti-aircraft system and missiles for it were included in the list of Germany's aid for Ukraine.

Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany must be ready to increase the military aid for Ukraine amid the weakening of the support by others.

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Berlin has delivered a new military aid package to Ukraine which includes Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, auxiliary military equipment, and corresponding ammunition, the German government announced on Dec. 22.

The message outlines the contents of the aid package as follows:

Read also: Germany help to boost Ukraine's energy resilience with EUR 88.5 million in aid

- Three Gepard anti-aircraft systems and 30,240 rounds of ammunition for them;

- Ammunition for Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks;

- 10 Vector reconnaissance drones;

- Two HX81 tractors;

- Five HX81 semi-trailers;

- Eight Zetros trucks;

- Two WiSENT 1 MC mine clearance vehicles;

- Two border patrol vehicles;

- Eight transport vehicles;

- Two AMPS secure comms systems for helicopters;

- 2,500 155mm artillery rounds;

- 25,536 40mm rounds for automatic grenade launchers.

Read also: Russia plans to fight in Ukraine until 2026, seeks to capture major cities  German intelligence

On Dec. 14, Germany reported that it had delivered another military aid package to Ukraine, which included a second U.S.-made Patriot air defense system.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Germany will not force Ukrainians in the country to be drafted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Marco Buschmann, German Federal Minister of Justice, has stressed.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Quote from Buschmann: "Since our constitution stipulates that German citizens do not have to serve in the armed forces against their will, I cannot imagine that we can force people from other countries to do so."

Details: The minister added that if the Ukrainian authorities decide to conscript men who have left the country, this will have no practical consequences for Ukrainians living in Germany.

"It will not be the case that we force people to do compulsory military service or military service against their will," Buschmann noted.

Background: German TV news channel Welt, citing Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov's interviews with WELT TV, Bild and Politico, noted that Ukrainian men aged 25-60 living in Germany and other countries must report to the Ukrainian Armed Forces recruitment offices next year, otherwise they will face sanctions.

Later, the Ukrainian MoD clarified that Minister Rustem Umierov is urging all Ukrainians to enlist in the armed forces, although the issue of punishment or legal pressure on men outside Ukraine is not currently being considered.

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Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) suggested in a Thursday interview that the 14th Amendment should not apply in any modern situations, as he railed against the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to block former President Trump from seeking public office.

In a radio interview on Cats & Cosby, Gingrich made the case that the 14th Amendment only applied to situations related to the Civil War, pointing to the fact that the text of the Constitution never references anybody today.

The 14th Amendment referred to, basically, people who had risen in rebellion and fought a war for four years. Theres no point at which it references anybody today, Gingrich said.

Gingrichs remarks come amid fierce backlash among many conservative public officials to the ruling, which determined Trump was ineligible to hold public office again because of his involvement in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

The ruling  which Trump has pledged to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court  cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which states that former public officials are ineligible to hold public office again if, having previously taken an oath  to support the Constitution of the United States, they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Gingrich further made the case that the section did not apply because, he noted, Trump has not been charged with inciting an insurrection.

No one has charged Donald Trump with insurrection because you cant. Because an insurrection is a unique and classifiable thing, he said.

Gingrich also attacked the Colorado Supreme Court justices, saying, These guys arent judges. These people are thugs, who have replaced the rule of law with the rule of power.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Following competition objections raised on Google in Germany this summer over bundling of services including Google Maps via its Android-based in-car infotainment system software, known as Google Automotive Services (GAS), the tech giant has made an offer of some service unbundling and the removal of contractual restrictions it applies to vehicle makers in a bid to settle the regulatory intervention.

Google's proposed remedies will be put to car makers in a market test by the German competition regulator before it decides whether or not they resolve issues it's identified.

Back in June, the country's Federal Cartel Office (FCO) sent a statement of objections to the tech giant over how it operates GAS -- specifically calling out Google's bundling of Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant in the offer to vehicle manufacturers.

The statement also highlighted Google's practice of only granting vehicle makers a share of ad revenue if they refrained from pre-installing other voice assistants next to its own voice AI. Another concern the FCO raised is GAS licence holders are required by Google to set its bundled services as the default or else display them prominently. It also objected to Google limiting or refusing to allow interoperability of services included in GAS with third-party services.

At the time, the FCO said its preliminary view of Google's practices around GAS were that they do not comply with Germany's competition rules for large digital companies -- which give the FCO greater leeway to intervene when it suspects competition is being harmed.

"In particular, we take a critical view of Google offering its services for infotainment systems as a bundle only, as this reduces its competitors chances to sell their competing services as individual services," the FCO said in the summer.

The regulator said it will now carefully examine Google's offer to decide if it fixes the competition concerns by offering an adequate level of unbundling of its own services from its in-car infotainment platform.

"We are particularly concerned about the compulsory bundling of services with great market strength and reach with services that are less strong. This conduct in particular can result in expanding market power and strengthening ecosystems; it is a particularly problematic way of 'penetrating' markets," FCO president Andreas Mundt said in a press release to announce Google's offer Wednesday. "It could reduce competitors opportunities to sell competing services. We are now going to examine very closely whether Googles proposals are capable of effectively terminating the practices that have raised concerns."

The remedies Google has proposed to address the FCO's competition concerns are to separately offer three further products: Google Maps OEM Software Development Kit, Google Play Store and Cloud Custom Assistant, in addition to the GAS product bundle -- which it says will enable vehicle makers to develop a maps and navigation service with functionalities equivalent to those offered by Google Maps.

The addition of the Google Play Store would also allow end users to download a wider choice of third party apps, to reduce concerns about them being nudged towards using Google's own apps. The Cloud Custom Assistant is described as "a proprietary AI voice assistant solution" for use in vehicles to enable car makers to offer competing assistants.

The tech giant has also proposed to remove contractual provisions it imposes on sharing ad revenue on the condition its own Google Assistant voice AI is exclusively pre-installed in the GAS infotainment platform.

"Google is also prepared to eliminate its contractual provisions on setting Google services as default applications or displaying them prominently in the infotainment platform," the FCO also noted. "Lastly, Google is prepared to enable licence holders to combine Google Assistant services with other maps and navigation services and provide for the technical preconditions to create the necessary interoperability."

"Based on the results of the market tests the Bundeskartellamt [FCO] will decide whether Googles proposals are generally capable of dispelling the concerns that have been addressed. The question of whether Googles proposals will result in an unbundled offering of Googles services in the automotive sector will be decisive in this context," it added.

Google was contacted for comment on its proposals.

The tech giant's business was designated as subject to Germany's special competition abuse control regime back in January 2022. Since then the FCO has extracted a number of concessions from it over how it operates -- including, this fall, securing agreement on a reform of Google's data terms under which it will provide users with more choice over how it can use their information. Last year, Google also offered to limit how it displays news content its licensed from third party publishers in search results in a bid to resolve the regulator's concerns around self-preferencing.

The German digital competition reboot only applies to designated tech giants locally, in the market -- although companies may opt to apply product changes globally to manage operational complexity (as, for example, Meta did this summer with the launch of a new account center that lets users refuse its cross-site tracking, after an FCO intervention, which the company said would be rolled out globally).

The European Union also recently implemented its own ex ante competition reformed, in the form of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is aimed at so-called Internet gatekeepers. So the FCO's enforcements on Big Tech offer a glimpse of the types of actions that may be coming down the pipe across the bloc next year when the deadline for compliance kicks in for the six in-scope DMA gatekeepers and their 22 core platform services -- a list which includes Google Maps, Google Play, Google Shopping, Google ads, Google Chrome, Google Android, Google search and the Google-owned video sharing platform, YouTube.

Notably the EU has not designated GAS a core platform service -- which may, in part, explain the FCO's attention on it here, as competition regulators in the bloc work to avoid duplication in their interventions. (Germany being a major car maker is also likely driving its oversight of Google's automotive software and services.)

And while the FCO also opened a proceeding on Google Maps in June 2022 that was (shortly) before the DMA was approved by the bloc's co-legislators.

The pan-EU regulation, meanwhile, started to apply, in May 2023. But the deadline for DMA gatekeepers to come into compliance is March 2, 2024 -- so the full EU-wide Big Tech competition reboot won't be up and running until next year. Which may give the FCO reason enough to continue its scrutiny of Google Maps in the meanwhile. (On this front the German regulator has also said it will continue to "cooperate closely" with EU competition authorities on regulating the digital economy.)

As of June 2023, the FCO said it would keep investigating Googles terms of use for the Google Maps Platform (GMP), saying then that its preliminary assessment is the tech giant would need to put an end to restrictions on combining its own GMP map services with third-party map services.

"These restrictions may impede competition between applications relating to map services as used by logistics, transport and delivery service providers, for instance," the FCO posited at the time. "They may also have a negative effect on competition between services for infotainment systems in vehicles because they make it more difficult for map service providers to develop effective alternatives to Google Maps."

The ex ante competition law reforms in Germany and across the EU aim to curb abusive behaviors by digital giants that may further entrench their massive market power -- with European regulators hoping these more proactive interventions can do a better job of correcting imbalances in the digital economy than classical competition enforcement has been able to achieve. (A related example of classical enforcement is the $123 million fine levied on Google by Italy's competition watchdog, back in May 2021, over restrictions it had applied to a third party app maker via the Android Auto in-car software.)
The steady march towards AI job automation continues  even at companies pioneering the tech.

According to a new report by The Information, search giant Google is looking to reassign or let go of sales workers whose jobs were automated by the company's new AI tools.

While it's unclear how many humans will end up being affected, it's a clear sign of the times. Earlier this year, Google ushered in a "new era of AI-powered ads." As part of the initiative, Google is trying to leverage AI tech to "deliver new ad experiences," including "automatically created assets" that scrape content from existing ads and landing pages.

Some of these ads created by the company's Performance Max feature can even change in real-time based on click-through rates to maximize visibility, a task that's labor-intensive for human workers.

According to the Information, a "growing number of advertisers have adopted PMax since," which has eliminated the "need for some employees who specialized in selling ads for a particular Google service."

Per the report, almost half of the company's 30,000-employee ad division was once dedicated to this kind of work.

It's a notable shift for Google's business, as advertising makes up a huge chunk of the company's revenue. By replacing human workers, the company is presumably aiming to increase profit margins by cutting costs.

But at what cost? We've already seen several industries being affected by AI-driven job automation. Earlier this year, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told Bloomberg that the company is slowing or suspending hiring for any jobs that could be done by an AI.

"I could easily see 30 percent of that getting replaced by AI and automation over a five-year period," Krishna told the publication at the time, which means that in total, AI could replace up to 7,800 jobs.

German tabloid Bild, which is owned by media publisher Axel Springer, similarly announced that it would "unfortunately be parting ways with colleagues who have tasks that in the digital world are performed by AI and/or automated processes," according to a leaked email obtained by German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine.

Certain low-level jobs in particular are on the chopping block amidst the rise of AI technologies.

"It was [a] no-brainer for me to replace the entire [customer service] team with a bot," Suumit Shah, a 31-year-old CEO of an Indian e-commerce platform called Dukaan, told the Washington Post in October, "which is like 100 times smarter, who is instant, and who cost me like 100th of what I used to pay to the support team."

In short, AI is already snatching up jobs left and right  and according to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, that trend could accelerate faster than anybody expected.

Goldman Sachs found in its research report earlier this year that roughly 300 million jobs could soon be lost due to AI.

More on AI job automation: IBM Replacing 7,800 Human Jobs With AI
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reintroduced a bill that would require all pornography websites to adopt age verification technology to ensure children aren't being exposed to explicit content online.

"Every day, we're learning more about the negative psychological effects pornography has on minors. Given the alarming rate of teenage exposure to pornography, I believe the government must act quickly to enact protections that have a real chance of surviving First Amendment scrutiny," Lee said in a statement. "We require age verification at brick-and-mortar shops. Why shouldn't we require it online?"

The bill, called the Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act, directs the FCC to create a rule ensuring these websites adopt such technology, establishing a "more likely than not" standard for verification.

It allows sites to choose their verification method, provided it meets FCC standards and prevents minors from accessing such content. Additionally, the bill instructs that the FCC must oversee compliance, allowing third-party verification providers and ensuring no identifiable user data is shared with the government.

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AT MINNESOTA SCHOOL EXPOSED TO PORN DURING SCHOOL ZOOM CALL

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reintroduced a bill that would require all porn sites to adopt age verification technology to ensure children aren't being exposed to explicit content online.

Should the bill be approved, it would grant the FCC authority to enforce the rule by imposing penalties and providing injunctive relief. Prior to such enforcement, warnings would be issued, offering a chance to rectify violations. However, specific enforcement measures would be withheld until a website persists in non-compliance for a period of 30 days.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to the bill's analysis, Congress has passed several bills over the past three decades aimed at restricting children's access to online pornography. However, all the bills, except for one, were invalidated by the Supreme Court due to their failure to meet First Amendment standards.

WHERE NO CONGRESS HAS GONE BEFORE: FACING GALACTIC-SCALE FISCAL CLIFF AND BORDER SECURITY THREATS

In these cases, while the court acknowledged Congress's valid interest in protecting children from explicit content, it found Congress hadn't employed the least intrusive methods to fulfill this objective. The court even indicated personal "blocking and filtering software" might serve as a more lenient alternative.

According to the lawmaker's analysis, pornography has "unique psychological effects" on minors, "including anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, body-image disorders, an increase in problematic sexual activity at younger ages, and an increased desire among minors to engage in risky sexual behavior."

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, during a nomination hearing in Washington, D.C., May 17, 2023.

"Technology has vastly improved in the last 20 years and Sen. Lee believes that age verification technology is now the least restrictive means for Congress to fully achieve its compelling government interest of shielding children from online pornographic content," the text states.

However, getting the bill passed is likely to face a wave of opposition.

PROSECUTORS IN ALL 50 STATES URGE CONGRESS TO GUARD AGAINST AI-GENERATED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In September, a federal judge struck down a Texas law requiring age verification and health warnings to view pornographic websites and blocked the state attorney general's office from enforcing it.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra agreed that House Bill 1181, signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in June, violates free speech rights and is overbroad and vague.

The Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act is likely to face a wave of opposition.

The Texas law is one of several similar age verification laws passed in other states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana.

The Texas law carried fines of up to $10,000 per violation that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor.

The Utah law was upheld by a federal judge who rejected a lawsuit challenging it in August.

Arkansas' law, which would have required parental consent for children to create new social media accounts, was struck down by a federal judge in September, and a lawsuit challenging the Louisiana law is pending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: GOP lawmaker introduces bill requiring age verification technology for porn sites
Republican Valerie Jones Giltner has been elected to replace Rep. Ruth Briggs King as representative of Delaware's 37th District, maintaining the Georgetown-area seat for the Republican Party.

Briggs King, a Republican, resigned last month after moving outside of the district, ending a 14-year tenure in office.

Republican Valerie Jones Giltner was elected Dec. 21 to serve as representative of Delaware's 37th District

Almost 2,900 Delawareans living in the 37th District, which includes Georgetown and parts of Millsboro, voted in Thursday's special election, with many opting to vote early or by mail. About 63% of them voted for Jones Giltner, according to preliminary results released by the Delaware Department of Elections on Thursday night.

Her opponent, Sussex County Democratic Party Chair Jane Hovington, lost by a margin of less than 800 votes.

"I want to do everything that I can in order to help to support our working families and give them not only a great foundation but everything that it takes to make them stronger," Giltner said.

In order to accomplish that, Giltner said she plans to focus on expanding health care and affordable housing, supporting local businesses and ensuring school safety.

"If I can find out what all of the needs are of our community and represent them well in Dover, then I'll have done my job."

Jane Hovington, former president of the Lower Sussex County branch of the NAACP, addresses the Sussex County Council in 2014.

Giltner said she's always been one to take action  so rather than continuing to talk to family and friends about disliking the current trajectory of the Delaware Legislature, she decided to get involved herself. She formerly worked as a critical care nurse and said she plans to bring that same mentality to her role as representative: No matter her constituents' backgrounds or political beliefs, she will do her best to care for them.

She said that having the support at the polls of the same community she was born and raised in has been "humbling," and she thanked everyone for their belief in her.

Hovington also thanked her volunteers and voters, adding that, despite not winning the election, she will continue to "do all that (she) can do to help anyone that comes to (her) door" in the 37th District and beyond.

The General Assembly will reconvene on Jan. 9.

MORE: Amid protests and feuds, New Castle County rezoning will go to a council vote

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware special election: GOP keeps Georgetown-area state rep seat
Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for the 2020 death of a Black Lives Matter protester in downtown Austin, was not included in Gov. Greg Abbotts end-of-year pardon list, though Abbott has pledged to do so.

On Thursday, Abbotts office announced that he had granted pardons to three Texans convicted of, respectively, theft and marijuana possession. Two served no time in jail, and one was sentenced to three days in jail.

In July 2020, Perry shot and killed Garrett Foster after driving into a racial justice protest on Congress Avenue. Perry claimed that he shot Foster, who was carrying an AK-47 rifle, in self-defense. During Perrys trial this year, prosecutors argued that Perry had sought out confrontation.

Daniel Perry and his family walk into court on March 23. Perry was convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of protester Garrett Foster during a 2020 Black Lives Matter march in downtown Austin.

Less than 24 hours after a jury in April found Perry guilty of murder, Abbott said on social media that he would approve a pardon if one were recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The announcement came after prominent conservative figures called on him to undo Perry's conviction.

More: Gov. Greg Abbott announces he will push to pardon Daniel Perry after murder conviction

Though Abbott must wait for a recommendation from the board, he appoints all seven of its members.

Shortly after Abbotts announcement, a state district judge unsealed court records that contained Perrys previously unreleased messages and social media posts, which contained racist rhetoric.

Whitney Mitchell, left, is comforted by her mother, Patricia Kirven, after Daniel Perry was sentenced May 10 to 25 years for the murder of Whitneys husband, Garrett Foster.

In April, a representative from the Board of Pardons and Paroles said that the committee had begun its inquiry into Perrys case. The board did not immediately respond to inquiries about the current status of its investigation.

Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for the governor, said on Thursday that Abbott looks forward to reviewing the boards recommendation. He reiterated that Abbott had requested an expedited review.

More: Judge sentences Daniel Perry to 25 years in prison but governor has vowed to pardon him

Perrys lawyer Doug OConnell said that, to his knowledge, Abbott is still committed to pardoning Perry if the board recommends a pardon.

We were not expecting an end-of-year pardon, OConnell said in an interview. He said the board had not started interviewing witnesses in the case.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Gov. Abbott promised to pardon Daniel Perry. He hasn't  yet.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has called for the Arkansas Board of Corrections chairman to resign following a request from the board to help with staffing issues in prisons.

On Wednesday, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness requested Sanders to activate the National Guard to help fill staffing gaps within the Division of Correction Thursday.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders calls on Arkansas Board of Corrections to open 500 additional prison beds

Magness specifically asked for 138 National Guardsmen to work for Maximum Security and Tucker Units as well as other state prisons. He said that the Board of Corrections is hoping to use the guardsmen to reactivate beds at the Tucker re-entry center.

In a Friday letter released by Sanders office, the governor called Magness request a political stunt. She went on to say that she would not involve guardsmen and women in the situation. Instead, she insisted that the Board reinstate Secretary Joe Profiri and implement his plan for staffing the prison systems without delay.

After 27 years, it is time for you to stand out of the way of progress and let someone actually focused on the safety of Arkansans take your place on the board, Sanders said. Someone who shares an actual concern for the situation in which we find ourselves, rather than someone who cares only about his own power.

Arkansas Board of Corrections chair calls out Gov. Sanders and AG Griffin over prison beds news conference, talks constitutional concerns

Sanders said that vacancy rates have seen a reduction of over 20% since Profiri took office. She added that the Board has approved nearly 300 beds at the Tucker Unit this past April and claims that the bed reactivations have proven successful despite the vacancy rate.

According to a spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Magness said he fully intends to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in two years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
The Czech Republic will provide $10 million in funding to help support medical facilities in Kharkiv Oblast, said Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Dec. 21.

Hospitals and medical facilities in front-line regions have been under strain as they try to cope with the scale of almost daily Russian attacks and subsequent civilian casualties.

The funds will go towards purchasing medical equipment for hospitals in the oblast, as well as boilers to help heat civilian homes and critical infrastructure, said Syniehubov.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), which tracks international aid for Ukraine, the Czech Republic has committed close to 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) to Ukraine as of Oct. 31.

The figure includes $419 million in humanitarian aid.

Read also: How Russian troops killed 3 unarmed teenagers in Ukrainian village

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian soldiers in occupied Kherson Oblast took a Ukrainian boy off the street and shot and killed him in front of his family, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said in a press conference on Dec. 22, cited by Suspilne.

Prokudin said that, according to preliminary information, the soldiers may have thought the boy was taking a picture of something, so they seized him, brought him home, and shot him while his family watched.

Kherson Oblast's Prosecutor General's Office said that an investigation into the incident was being opened in coordination with regional police.

More than 500 children have been officially reported as being killed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, although the true number is likely significantly higher.

At least dozens of children have been killed by small-arms fire at close range.

Read also: Deliberate murders of Ukrainian children by Russian soldiers reveal culture of impunity

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Marion County grand jury unanimously found a Salem Police officer was justified in using deadly force in a Nov. 9 shooting when a 25-year-old man pointed what appeared to be a gun at an officer who was in his car.

A Marion County grand jury unanimously found a Salem Police officer was justified in using deadly force in a Nov. 9 shooting when a 25-year-old man pointed what appeared to be a gun at an officer who was in his car.

Officer Jeremy Mitchell responded to a call of a man with a gun in the parking lot of the Popeyes Restaurant at 2595 Lancaster Drive NE. The caller said the man had pointed the gun at someone and also was trying to stop drivers.

After a brief altercation, Mitchell fired a shot through the windshield of this marked patrol car, striking the man in the shoulder, according to a release Thursday from the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

The Marion County District Attorney's Office released this image of what they described as a "realistic looking air soft pistol" that investigators found after a 25-year-old man was shot by a Salem police officer on Nov. 9.

Investigators determined after the man was arrested that he had been holding a realistic looking air soft pistol," the statement said.

He was released the same night from Salem Health hospital and transported to the Marion County Jail on an unrelated warrant for a probation violation from a 2018 conviction.

The same grand jury that cleared the officer, charged the man with five counts of menacing and he was arraigned Thursday.

The Oregon State Police investigated the shooting.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

For questions, comments, and news tips, email reporter Christian Willbern at cwillbern@statesmanjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Jury clears Salem Police officer Jeremy Mitchell in shooting
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD)  A Grandville High School junior accused of writing threatening and racist messages at the school last week said hes being falsely accused.

I am 100% innocent, the 16-year-old said.

Target 8 is not identifying the student, or his parents, because of his age. Hes already been suspended from school, and the district has recommended expulsion.

His parents reached out to Target 8 after the criminal charges were filed.

Weve got better kids than that, his stepmother said. This is very unfair. It is an injustice, and it is breaking my heart.

Following an investigation by Grandville police, the Kent County Prosecutors Office charged him as a juvenile with making a false report of a threat of terrorism, a felony, and of making a threat, a misdemeanor.

Police investigate threats at schools across West Michigan

On Dec. 11, the district found graffiti on a toilet seat in a boys bathroom: The shooting on 12-15-2023 was no ones fault.

In another bathroom, more graffiti: If you see this (N-word) gonna die.

The next day, the word ON was found written on the wall of another boys bathroom.

It led to added security and a letter to parents that students would not be penalized if they missed school on the 15th.

I can tell you this, it wasnt him in the first place, his father said. Ive raised my kids with morals, values and beliefs, and I know my son is autistic and is on the spectrum. This isnt something that he would do.

The father says his son is the oldest of his three children attending Grandville High School.

Why would he make any type of threat like that when hes got brothers and sisters going to that school? he said.

The suspension letter, provided by the family, spells out the evidence: handwriting samples, witness statements and closed-circuit cameras that show he was the only student in all three bathrooms those days.

And, the letter says, he was the only student in the bathroom where the racial slur was written between the time a custodian unlocked it and when it was reported.

The teen said he uses the bathroom often to escape from crowds.

I dont like crowds and most of my classes are 30-people packed, desk-to-desk, so I just go to the bathroom, take time. I told them to look at the security cameras, every day, its like 11 to 12 times a day. Sometimes, I dont go to the bathroom; I just sit in there, he said.

He said he is not racist.

I would never harm somebody like that, he said. I would never target someone of a certain race because thats not me.

A poster of Famous African-Americans hangs on a wall in his familys living room.

His father said he was an equal opportunity advisor in the U.S. Army.

I was in charge of helping individuals with discrimination, harassment for up to like 5,000 troops that I was working with, so I raised my children the same way, with the same values and beliefs. Were not racist in this family; we never will be, he said.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker declined to comment, saying the case was pending.

The parents said theyre awaiting a hearing on their sons recommended expulsion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Google entered the field of weather forecasting with the debut of their GraphCast AI weather computer model.

KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with UT Austin Professor Liang Yang about the model and its benefits and potential flaws.

KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin: Liang Yang, UT professor at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences joins us. So Google recently announced their AI weather computer model known as GraphCast. What do you make of it so far?

Liang Yang, UT Austin Professor: Yeah, this is revolutionary news, and, indeed, Googles GraphCast is a very intriguing development in AI weather for weather modeling. And this actually one of the recent developments, following other similar developments elsewhere, like in China, and in Europe. So this leverages advanced technologies to predict weather patterns. My initial impression suggests this holds promise, especially considering Googles track record in AI applications.

Bannin: Now, how did this new GraphCast model do against some of the best weather models out there?

Yang: So you know, typically, in weather forecasting, we look at the next few hours and the next few days, and up to one week and this is typical weather forecasting. And for this critical test, published by Googles GraphCast, they look at this ten-day forecast, which is, in the weather forecasting business, we call Medium Range weather forecastand for this 10-day forecast, GraphCast is doing a very good job. Overall it is more accurate, over the scores or metrics they have selectedand this is very encouraging.

Bannin: What do you think the drawbacks or negatives of AI are for forecasting? And what areas would we lean more on human meteorologists than we would on AI?

Yang: In some events in the future, which is unprecedentedwhich have never happened before, and AI does not have that kind of training, so therefore AI would have no way to predict that part. [It] would have to struggle with that unprecedented event or repeated changes that deviate from historical patterns. In this case, meteorologists will continue to provide context, interpretation and adaptability in such cases.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Judge John A. Poulos is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years on the bench in Canton Municipal Court.

CANTON  After a working life that has covered 58 years, Judge John A. Poulos is retiring from Canton Municipal Court at the end of the month.

The lifelong Canton resident has served five six-year terms as judge and was prohibited from seeking reelection due to his age. Under Ohio's Constitution, those who are 70 or older may not be elected to judicial offices.

He will be replaced by Kristen Donohue Guardado, who won the position in the Nov. 7 general election.

But Poulos said that he would retire even if he were not legally compelled to do so. He said he does not have a specific plan for retirement.

Ive got a number of options available," he said. "I'm not sure yet, but I'm going to take some time off. I've been working since I was 12.

I always tell people that across this great country of ours, there are many  judges that graduated from Harvard. There's only one that graduated from Hartford. -- Canton Municipal Judge John A. Poulos

The judge who grew up in southeast Canton and attended Hartford School started his working life at Topp's Chalet, a restaurant owned by his late aunt Basilia Zanallis. The establishment was on the northwest corner of Everhard Road and Whipple Avenue NW until it was destroyed by fire in 1994.

After his 1971 graduation from McKinley High School, Poulos worked his way through the University of Akron. He earned undergraduate and law degrees while employed at Diebold Inc., when it was on Mulberry Road SE. He was a member of Boilermakers Local 1191.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve for 30 years as a judge in the court that handles misdemeanors, traffic cases and small claims for nearly 200,000 citizens in central Stark County.

Judge John A. Poulos is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years on the bench in Canton Municipal Court.

John Poulos: Serving as judge 'just a great opportunity'

I've enjoyed my work, come to work every day and take care of all my responsibilities," Poulos said. "And it's been the greatest job in the world for me ... just a great opportunity.

Prior to his election as judge, he was the chief prosecuting attorney for municipal court and a partner in the law firm of Kaschak and Poulos Co. LPA.

He won the judgeship in the November 1993 general election, defeating two-term incumbent Judge Loren E. Souers Jr. He hasn't faced an opponent since then.

I had a jury here the other day and I told them to go thank your grandparents, because they're the ones that put me here, Poulos said. Thank you, everybody, for giving me this opportunity. I'm blessed.

"I grew up in the southeast end of Canton. I always tell people that across this great country of ours, there are many  judges that graduated from Harvard. There's only one that graduated from Hartford.

Asked whether any cases he's heard in municipal court have been particularly painful or silly, he did not identify any.

Michael E. Kochera, administrator of Canton Municipal Court, said it has been a pleasure to work with Poulos.

"He's truly a judge of the people," said Kochera, who has been with the court for 22 years. "I think when people come before him, they know he means what he says, and he says what he means."

Kochera said Poulos might have given a defendant the chance to avoid jail by performing community service, getting counseling or spending time on probation.

"However, if you don't do the community service or the probation or the counseling, you know what you have coming, Kochera said. "He's never afraid to give somebody a chance, but there won't be a second chance. He tells them up front what the expectation is. It's prevented a lot of uncertainty with the defendants that appeared before him."

Judge John A. Poulos is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years on the bench in Canton Municipal Court.

Administrator Michael Kochera: 'Hes done it with conviction'

Canton Municipal Judge Mary A. Falvey was already on the court when Poulos arrived, having taken office in 1991. She worked with him when he was a prosecutor.

I would want to mention his legacy of fairness to all the parties," Falvey said. "He truly was a great trial judge. I think he enjoyed working with all the young attorneys over the years. I think he taught them a lot because he did have that background of being a prosecutor and also a civil attorney. And he just enjoyed the trial work. 

Hes done it with conviction, Kochera said.

I would say he's really dedicated his life to the Canton Municipal Court," Falvey said. "He truly believed in public service. He's been great to work with. His door was always open to me for any questions. I'm truly going to miss him."

Judge John A. Poulos is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years on the bench in Canton Municipal Court.

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.

On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Judge John Poulos retiring after 30 years in Canton Municipal Court
In 2016, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years for her role in her mother's gruesome murder. The case had made headlines a year earlier when a stunning Facebook post led police to find the body inside their Missouri home.

The then-23-year-old was found nearly 600 miles away from the crime scene with her boyfriend, Nick Godejohn. They were both arrested and charged with murder. Blanchard later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

What initially appeared to be a fraud scheme gone wrong devolved into a story of abuse. The story later inspired the 2019 Hulu miniseries, "The Act," starring Joey King as Blanchard and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee, which would go on to win an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

After serving seven years, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was scheduled for parole. She was released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, a Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson confirmed to CBS News.

The department previously said no in-person coverage of her release would be allowed, "in the interest of protecting safety, security and privacy."

"I'm ready for freedom," Blanchard said in an exclusive interview with People prior to her release. "... No one will ever hear me say I'm proud of what I did or I'm glad that she's dead. I'm not proud of what I did. I regret it every single day."

Who is Gypsy Rose Blanchard and what did she do?

Gypsy Rose Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard's murder.

Dee Dee said that her daughter suffered from multiple medical issues, including leukemia and muscular dystrophy and chronicled on social media. Posts on their shared Facebook page created the perception of a doting mom and her sickly daughter. Kind messages from supporters were left on profile picture changes.

"She always has A big pretty smile!! Pretty," wrote one woman. "Love button!" gushed another.

The "Dee Gyp Blancharde" page, now a memorialized account, still has that now-infamous post from June 14, 2015: "That [expletive] is dead!"

That final update has been shared more than 109,000 times, and supporters' panic-stricken comments can still be seen.

"WHAT?!!! Did your FB get hacked? I have never heard you talk like that," writes one person. Another woman wrote, "Should someone notify the local police??? This sounds scary."

After worried friends called police, Dee Dee was found dead in her bed and Blanchard was reported missing.

Police told reporters at the time Blanchard posted those messages from her then-boyfriend's home in Wisconsin  less than 600 miles away from the crime scene. She and Nick Godejohn were arrested.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard (left) and Nicholas Godejohn (right) after their arrests in 2015. / Credit: KOLR

Initially believed to be confined to a wheelchair, Gypsy was able to "walk without assistance" and she could do that "very well," Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott said at a news conference in June 2015.

"Things are not always as they appear," Arnott said, as he detailed the alleged fraud that her mother had been perpetrating for years. "This is a tragic event surrounded by mystery and public deception."

Gypsy's defense attorney argued she was the victim of abuse, and that her mother had a psychological condition called Munchausen syndrome by proxy that drove her to make up medical crises and subject her daughter to unneeded medical treatments.

Investigators believed Dee Dee may have been partially motivated by financial gain. According to The Associated Press, she received donations from various sources over the years and even received a free house from Habitat for Humanity.

Godejohn told police he stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death at Gypsy's request, using a knife she gave him. He said he stole cash and mailed the knife to his Wisconsin home before the two fled there, according to court documents.

Godejohn was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years for armed criminal action, reported CBS affiliate KOLR. He later sought a new trial, but was denied.

In her exclusive interview with People, Blanchard said her mother "didn't deserve" what happened.

"She was a sick woman and unfortunately I wasn't educated enough to see that. She deserved to be where I am, sitting in prison doing time for criminal behavior," she said. "If I had another chance to redo everything, I don't know if I would go back to when I was a child and tell my aunts and uncles that I'm not sick and mommy makes me sick. Or, if I would travel back to just the point of that conversation with Nick and tell him, 'You know what, I'm going to go tell the police everything.' I kind of struggle with that."

When was Gypsy Rose Blanchard being released from prison?

After seven years behind bars, Blanchard was released on parole early in the morning of Thursday, Dec. 28, officials confirmed to CBS News.

The first thing she wants to do after she's paroled? Meet Taylor Swift.

The now 32-year-old admitted to TMZ that the singer's song "Eyes Open" helped her push through the trauma from her mother's alleged abuse. She has reportedly even purchased tickets to attend a Kansas City Chiefs game on New Year's Eve.

An ebook, titled "Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom," is also slated to come out on Jan. 9.

"Gypsy saw her story told by others again and again in the media, from news reports and podcasts to TV series," a news release from Penguin Random House reads. "Now, granted early parole and preparing to start a new life, she's free to speak directly to her supporters and the world."

What is Munchausen syndrome by proxy?



Munchausen syndrome, now known as "factitious disorder," is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. When family members or caregivers falsely present others as being ill, injured or impaired, this is known as "factitious disorder imposed on another," or Munchausen by proxy.

Gypsy Blanchard has said that Dee Dee forced her use a wheelchair and said that she had a slew of physical illnesses and mental disabilities  even restraining her with dog leashes and handcuffs when she was disobedient, reported Inside Edition.

One of Blanchard's former doctors even became suspicious of her muscular dystrophy diagnosis, writing in her file in 2007, "Analyzing all the facts, and after talking to her previous pediatrician, there is a strong possibility of Munchausen by proxy, with maybe some underlying unknown etiology to explain for her symptoms," according to the now-defunct BuzzFeed News.

Studies show Munchausen syndrome by proxy is very rare, especially when compared with other types of child abuse.

"I want to make sure that people in abusive relationships do not resort to murder," Blanchard told People. "It may seem like every avenue is closed off but there is always another way. Do anything, but don't take this course of action."

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The woman who fatally shot a 14-year-old boy outside her south Fort Worth duplex said she saw him opening a bedroom window and she fired to protect her daughters.

Aleah Wallace told KDFW-TV in an exclusive interview that she was devastated to learn the teens age.

I didnt know he was 14 when he was on the other side of that window, Wallace said in the interview with FOX 4. All I knew was that somebody could come in and hurt me or my kids.

Officers were dispatched to the Peppertree Acres Apartments in the 5200 block of Southcrest Court early on the morning of Dec. 14 after Wallace reported a prowler. When officers arrived, she told them the person had left the area, police have said.

Wallace called again shortly before 3 a.m. to report the person had come back and was attempting to enter her home. When they returned to the scene, officers found the teenager on the ground in the front yard with at least one gunshot wound to his torso, according to police.

Family members identified the 14-year-old as Devin Baker, an eighth-grade student at Rosemont Middle School. His family also lives in the Peppertree Acres Apartments. Devin died at the scene. According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office, he was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds at 2:53 a.m.

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Wallace told KDFW that she got a gun to protect her family after some recent break-ins at her rental home. The Star-Telegram has not been able to reach her for comment.

Online police reports show officers responded to her home for a criminal mischief call on Nov. 29. Police found a window had been vandalized or damaged.

Officers also responded to a burglary call at Wallaces address on the night of Dec. 12, a little more than 24 hours before the shooting. Several Nike Air Jordan shoes are listed as the items stolen in the burglary, according to the police report. No arrests were reported in either of those previous incidents.

No one was home when those burglaries took place, but Wallace, 25, was alone in the house with her four young daughters on Dec. 14 when somebody tried to get in again, KDFW reported. She called 911, but the prowler was gone when officers arrived. A short time later, Wallace was sweeping her living room floor when she heard a window being opened, she said.

I stood in the hallway, and I could see him standing at the window, lifting it up, Wallace told KDFW. I just shot.

The gunfire fatally struck Devin, who Wallace said was outside the bedroom window of her 8-year-old daughter, KDFW reported.

The Star-Telegram asked Fort Worth police if their investigation found evidence that confirmed the teen was trying to break into Wallaces home, but was told there was no new information and the case is still under investigation. Authorities havent filed charges against Wallace and the case is expected to be sent to a grand jury when the investigation is complete.

Latoiya Landers, Devins mother, told the Star-Telegram he was a fun-loving boy who had dreams of starting a clothing line with art hed created. He made good grades in school and was excited about joining the basketball team, she said. Hed just recently had his physical done.

He used to tell me, Mamma, watch. Im going to make something of myself, Landers said. I told him, Yes you are, but youre going to stay in school, too.

Family members say 14-year-old Devin Baker was shot and killed Dec. 14, 2023, by a woman who reported he was trying to break into her home at Peppertree Acres Apartments.

Durwyn Lamb, a martial arts instructor and youth mentor, said he spoke with a group of Rosemont Middle School students, including Devin, two weeks before the teens death. Lamb was getting ready to go back to Rosemont on Dec. 14 when he got a message from Devins teacher saying that hed been killed. Later, he learned the woman who shot Devin had reported he attempted to break into her home.

Tragic, Lamb said. You know, young man 14 years old, and I seen something in him. I seen myself in him actually, and I just thought, man, he had something good about him that I could tell, its just misguided. And its just sad he lost his life that way.

Wallace told KDFW that she wants people to know she was protecting her children.

Im so sorry, she said. But at that point, I had to think about my babies.

Wallace is now being evicted from her duplex for having a gun, KDFW reported. She was told she has 30 days to vacate the premises, and shes worried the eviction will make it harder to find other housing.

I feel like Im back at square one, she said to KDFW. I was there for six years, and now I dont know what to do.
Hallmark filmed a Christmas movie in my hometown. It's even more festive in real life.

The Hallmark holiday movie "One Royal Holiday" was filmed in my hometown.

The movie paints the fictional Kentsbury  actually Woodstock, Connecticut  as an idyllic town.

In some ways, my hometown is even more quaint and festive than what's shown in the movie.

Hallmark's "One Royal Holiday" is set in a fictional town called Kentsbury  but in reality, the 2020 movie was filmed in Woodstock, Connecticut, where I grew up.

Many of the movie's locations look quite different in real life, and some are even more festive in reality.

Here's what the town is actually like this time of year.

I grew up in Woodstock, a small town located in northeast Connecticut near the Massachusetts border.

The author in front of one of the filming locations in "One Royal Holiday." Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Part of the "Quiet Corner," Woodstock is one of a few towns located in a historic region of the state of Connecticut. Woodstock was settled in 1686 as New Roxbury and is still home to many historic landmarks, including the Quasset School, a preserved schoolhouse from 1858, and Roseland Cottage, built in 1846.

When I was growing up, people from outside my town were surprised to learn that Woodstock has no major grocery stores and only one gas station. What it doesn't have in modern amenities, however, it makes up for in stunning landscapes, charming historic homes, and a lot of history.

Therefore, when I heard the Hallmark Channel had filmed a Christmas movie in Woodstock, I wasn't totally surprised.

"One Royal Holiday," which was released in 2020, was filmed in Woodstock, although the movie is set in a fictional town called Kentsbury.

James, played by Aaron Tveit, and Anna, played by Laura Osnes, in "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

In the film, a nurse named Anna, played by Laura Osnes, offers a snowstorm-stranded mother named Gabriella and her son, James, shelter at her family's inn in Kentsbury, Connecticut. She soon learns they are the king and queen of Galwick, a fictional European country, and falls in love with James, played by Aaron Tveit.

After watching the movie, I determined that many of the locations looked quite different in real life  some seem even more festive in reality.

In "One Royal Holiday," the cast is shown traveling through snow-capped mountains to get to Kentsbury.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

The story begins in Boston, where Anna is working as a nurse. She says that her hometown of Kentsbury is about an hour from Boston, which is relatively accurate. The journey from the real-life inn to Boston is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

To get into the center of Woodstock, you certainly won't travel through any majestic mountains.

A road in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

While you may go over a couple of hills, there are certainly no snowy mountain passes within a 10-mile radius of the town.

As Anna, James, and Gabriella enter Kentsbury, they pass by a large building, meant to be the town hall, with a sign that reads "Welcome to Kentsbury" in front.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

While the town appears to be the picture of winter and is covered in snow, the movie was actually filmed during a heat wave in June 2020.

It was reportedly the first movie to go into production on the East Coast during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film crew and post-production crew used creative methods to make the film look normal, such as digitally reproducing 20 people in a crowd to look like 200 people, the film's producer, Andrew Gernhard, told the Hartford Courant in December 2020.

While the building in the background is very much real, it's actually Woodstock Academy, the local high school.

The Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The Woodstock Academy was founded in 1801 and welcomes students from the Connecticut towns of Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Pomfret, Union, and Woodstock.

When I went to photograph the school in December 2022, much of the front of the building was covered in tents and scaffolding, and students were milling around everywhere in the cold  a contrast with the scene from the movie, in which there is not a soul or sign of life anywhere around.

Anna's family inn is called the Kentsbury Inn in the movie.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

The sign features a picture of oak leaves and states that it is open for dining and lodging.

The sign looks practically identical in real life, which leads me to believe "Kentsbury" was superimposed onto the real sign in post-production.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Even the font used for the word "Inn" is exactly the same. However, I liked how the real-life Inn at Woodstock Hill decorated its sign with a festive garland.

The Kentsbury Inn is a large white colonial-style building with a red door.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

It has been in Anna's family for generations, and she returns home to spend Christmas there every year.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill looks very similar in real life.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The Inn at Woodstock Hill was built in 1816 and is a popular destination for lodging and events. The movie kept many of the exterior shots identical to how the inn looks like in real life, from the garland over the red front door to the festive wreath.

Towards the end of the movie, James and his family return to their fictional castle in Galwick.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

The castle appears to be straight out of a movie set or Disney World, complete with a bridge-covered moat, towers, and turrets.

But the castle in "One Royal Holiday" is actually a private residence just down the road from my childhood home.

Chris Mark Castle in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Growing up, I drove past the castle every day as it was being built. The gigantic home, which can be seen clearly from the road, was completed in 2010. Known as the Chris Mark Castle, or just "the castle" to locals, the home belongs to Christopher Mark, the descendant of steel tycoon Clayton Mark.

In 2022, the 18,777-square-foot, nine-bedroom castle was listed for $60 million, up from a previous price of $35 million, but it was taken off the market in August 2022, the listing history shows.

At one of the town's many Christmas events, Anna and James grab a hot cocoa from a quaint rolling cart.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

I've never seen anything like this in my real town.

While that wasn't exactly realistic, there's a selection of cute coffee shops, an antique store, and restaurants about a 10-minute drive away.

Saw Dust Coffee House and the author holding a coffee cup. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I visited Saw Dust Coffee House in downtown Putnam, Connecticut, and decided to grab a peppermint mocha latte to see if I would feel like I was in a Hallmark movie myself  and, to be honest, I really did.

In the movie, Anna and James go shopping at The Christmas Barn.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

The outside of the store looks like a historic barn, with festive decorations like a wreath and snow-dusted Christmas trees leaning against it.

The Christmas Barn actually exists, and it's even more festive than it looks in the movie.

The Christmas Barn in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The outside of The Christmas Barn, located on Route 169 in Woodstock, is easily spotted from the road thanks to its gingerbread men and snowflake decorations, the same painted American flag from the film, and its huge red barn doors.

James and Anna do some shopping at The Christmas Barn and run into a few locals while they're there.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Hallmark Channel

I'm not sure if it's just the lighting, but the store doesn't look quite as cozy and historic in the movie as it does when you actually visit in real life.

The real-life Christmas Barn is a true hidden gem, with lots of festive decorations, small-batch candles, and a whole room devoted to ornaments.

The Christmas Barn in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

While visiting The Christmas Barn in 2022, I spoke with Jotham Reynolds, whose family has owned and operated The Christmas Barn for generations. The barn itself, Reynolds said, has been in his family for almost 300 years, though the location of the store has changed over time.

"As I understand it, it was built sometime around 1726," he told me. "It was originally used for hay, which is why it's in really good condition because any animal barn gets worn down. Eventually, my family started an apple orchard and started selling apples out of the back."

Reynolds' grandparents, Jotham G. Reynolds and Kristin Reynolds, were the ones who started the business.

"My grandmother did craft classes, and my dad said he can remember when traveling salesmen would come to sell my grandparents items for the store out of the back of their car," he continued. "It expanded over the years, and we've tried to source from as many of the same vendors as we can."

When Reynolds' father, the current owner, was born, the family stopped selling just apples and started what would become The Christmas Barn. The business, which is open seasonally, has now been in operation for 59 years and is well known within the Woodstock community and Connecticut as a whole.

At The Christmas Barn in Kentsbury, you won't find any mentions of the real town where the store is located.

A scene from "One Royal Holiday." Erin McDowell/Insider

Reynolds said that while the business was allowed to sneak in a few signs that read "The Christmas Barn," they couldn't show any bags or merchandise that would say the store's real location in Woodstock, Connecticut.

"My dad found one of our old Christmas Barn signs and stuck it in there," Reynolds said. "That was really nice."

Years after the production team left, he continued to find remnants of fake snow inside the building.

"It's like its own kind of confetti," he said.

I decided to pick up a candle from the store, but what I really walked away with was feeling more connected to my community.

The Christmas Barn in Woodstock, Connecticut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Reynolds and I agreed that while Woodstock may not be quite the town that's shown in the Hallmark movie, it's definitely a great place to spend the holidays.

"If you watch a Hallmark movie, you should go into it with the mindset that there's nowhere like this ever [in real life]," Reynolds said. "Santa's not going to appear out of nowhere, there's not going to be little hot-chocolate carts everywhere, but at the same time, we do a pretty good job here, especially at the barn, of getting into the Christmas spirit."

Reynolds mentioned the holly bushes outside the barn.

"When I see the snow still clinging to the holly bushes, to me, that's Christmas," he said. "That makes me feel good. I don't need to see every tree lit up."

After taking a festive tour of my hometown, I've decided that the reality of Woodstock, Connecticut, is perhaps even better than the fictional town of Kentsbury.

A Woodstock, Connecticut, Christmas ornament. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

While the town may not have spontaneous carol-singing, hot-chocolate carts, or visiting royalty, I realized that many of the locations around town are even more beautiful when they haven't been staged by a film crew.

After wandering the streets outside my local high school and chatting with a local business owner about just how magical Woodstock is, I stepped away knowing that no movie can ever really capture the magic of my hometown, as hard as they may try.

Read the original article on Insider
CAIRO (Reuters) - The Palestinian foreign ministry and the Islamist group Hamas issued opposing statements on Friday in response to the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of a resolution intended to help bring more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian foreign ministry, which is part of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, called the resolution "a step in the right direction," and said it would help "end the aggression, ensure the arrival of aid and protect the Palestinian people."

"We consider it a step that may contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip," the foreign ministry statement said.

But Hamas, the militants who run Gaza, called the resolution an "insufficient step" for meeting the impoverished enclave's needs.

"During the past five days, the U.S. administration has worked hard to empty this resolution of its essence, and to issue it in this weak formula... It defies the will of the international community and the United Nations General Assembly in stopping Israel's aggression against our defenseless Palestinian people," the statement said.

Earlier on Friday, amid global outrage over a rising Gaza death toll in 11 weeks of war between Israel and Hamas and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, the U.S. abstained to allow the 15-member UN Security Council to adopt a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

(Reporting by Nidal Al Mugrabi, Writing by Adam Makary and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rosalba O'Brien)
Members of the medical teams examine the body of an unidentified girl inside Al-Kuwaiti Hospital. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to 20,057 since the start of the war, the Hamas-controlled health authority in the territory said on Friday.

In the past two days, some 390 people were killed, it said. A total of 53,320 people have been injured, including thousands of minors.

The figures cannot be independently verified, but the UN and observers point out that the authority's figures have proved to be generally credible in the past.

The Israeli military offensive to eliminate Hamas from Gaza was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other groups on October 7.

About 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel and another 240 were taken hostage, some of whom were released during a brief truce.

Israel launched massive airstrikes on Gaza, followed by a ground offensive that began in late October.

Meanwhile, dozens of foreigners and Palestinians with dual citizenship were set to leave the embattled coastal strip on Friday, according to a list issued by the Palestinian border authority at the Rafah border crossing.

The list includes people with British, US and Mexican citizenship.

Since the start of the war more than two months ago, hundreds of foreigners and dual nationals have crossed to Egypt via Rafah.

Many of them are received at the border by representatives of their respective embassies, who then organize their onward journey via the Cairo airport.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in November that there were some 7,000 people from 60 countries in the Gaza Strip who were waiting to evacuate.

It is unclear how many foreigners and Palestinians with second passports are currently still in Gaza.

A Palestinian child inspects debris of destroyed buildings following Israeli bombardment. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

Palestinians inspect debris of destroyed buildings following Israeli bombardment. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

Palestinians inspect debris of destroyed buildings following Israeli bombardment. Mohammed Talatene/dpa
Palestinians inspect the remnants of a car hit in an Israeli air strike and killing three Palestinians, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to 20,057 since the start of Israeli bombardment of the territory in October, Hamas-controlled health authorities said on Friday.

In the past two days, some 390 people were killed, the Health Ministry in Gaza said. A total of 53,320 people have been injured, including thousands of children.

The figures cannot be independently verified, but the UN and observers point out that the authority's figures have proved to be generally credible in the past.

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by gunmen from Hamas and other groups on October 7.

About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel and another 240 were taken hostage, some of whom were released during a brief truce.

Israel launched massive airstrikes on Gaza with the stated aim of eliminating Hamas, followed by a ground offensive that began in late October.

International calls have since then grown louder for a ceasefire as the civilian toll in Gaza rises.

A vote in the UN Security Council on a possible ceasefire in Gaza was delayed again on Thursday, with permanent council member and Israel ally the US still seeking a text that it could vote for.

Passages were deleted from a previous draft under pressure from the US, including a paragraph condemning all violations of international humanitarian law, including all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects.

Israel argues that a ceasefire would allow Hamas, which is categorized as a terrorist group by the EU and the US, to regroup and carry out further attacks.

Israel's military called on residents of the al-Bureij refugee camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip to flee to shelters around 6 kilometres to the south.

Israel recently announced its intention to extend its ground offensive to other areas of the Gaza Strip.

The army also announced a four-hour pause in fighting in a neighbourhood of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Friday.

Meanwhile, dozens of foreigners and Palestinians with dual citizenship were set to leave the embattled coastal strip on Friday, according to a list issued by the Palestinian border authority at the Rafah border crossing.

The list includes people with British, US and Mexican citizenship.

Since the start of the war more than two months ago, hundreds of foreigners and dual nationals have crossed to Egypt via Rafah.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in November that there were some 7,000 people from 60 countries in the Gaza Strip who were waiting to evacuate.

It is unclear how many foreigners and Palestinians with second passports are currently still in Gaza.

Palestinians inspect the remnants of a car hit in an Israeli air strike and killing three Palestinians, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinians inspect the remnants of a car hit in an Israeli air strike and killing three Palestinians, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
Terror group Hamas says no more hostage releases until 'full cessation of aggression' by Israel

Terror group Hamas said no more hostages would be released until there is a full cessation of aggression by Israel as the United Nations Security Council appeared on the brink of agreeing a resolution on aid for Gaza.

A pause in the fighting from November 24 to December 1 saw the release of more than 100 hostages held by Hamas and in exchange, 240 Palestinians were freed from Israeli jails.

Hamas slaughtered around 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7 and took around 240 hostages.

More than 20,000 people have died in Gaza in Israels military onslaught to try to destroy the terror group, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

In a statement, the terror group said: There is a Palestinian national decision that there should be no talk about prisoners or exchange deals except after a full cessation of aggression.

A report by a UN-backed body said the entire population of Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger.

The risk of famine is increasing each day, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said.

UN Security Council diplomats delayed until Friday a vote on a resolution to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza and another round of talks took place in Egypt to try to get warring Israel and Hamas to agree on a new truce so hostages can be released.

The UN vote was delayed despite the United States saying it can now support an amended proposal that would demand that Israel and Hamas allow the use of all available routes for humanitarian deliveries.

However, the resolution does not call for a ceasefire, with America having previously opposed such wording.

At Al Arish, near the Egypt-Gaza border, I heard from our partners at the @EG_Red_Crescent about the difference UK aid is making to the people of Gaza.



Egypts cooperation has been vital to facilitating humanitarian access to Gaza.



In Cairo, I thanked President Sisi and pic.twitter.com/i35shMYemD  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 21, 2023

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has been in Egypt for talks on getting more aid into Gaza.

Even as diplomatic efforts continued, fighting in the Gaza Strip intensified with Israeli bombardments in the north and south of the 25 mile-long Palestinian territory and Hamas firing rockets on Israels commercial capital Tel Aviv, officials said on Thursday.

Iraqs Kataeb Hezbollah, which goes by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, in a statement on Telegram claimed responsibility for an attack on Israels Eilat. There was no immediate comment from Israel.

Fourteen Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in three separate attacks on Thursday in northern, central and southern Gaza Strip, medics said.

Medics and Hamas media said the Hamas-appointed director of the police station in Khan Younis was killed along with members of his family in a strike on their house.

An Israeli air strike targeted the house of Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the director of Gaza Health Ministry, medics said. Dr Bursh was wounded and one of his daughters was killed, the medics said.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo for a second day of negotiations, however, which ended late on Thursday.

While mediating countries including Egypt and Qatar have previously met separately with Israel, Hamas and other groups, there were no details on who might be engaged with any Israeli party.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said negotiations on a hostage release were continuing but declined to provide details.
A New Hampshire man was indicted for allegedly sending text messages in which he threatened to kill three presidential candidates, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday.

Thirty-year-old Tyler Anderson was charged with three counts of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another. Anderson sent a string of threatening messages over the last month to three different presidential campaigns based on the charging documents, the DOJ said.

In the first alleged incident on Nov. 22, Anderson threatened to impale and disembowel a candidate. On Dec. 6, he allegedly sent threats that he would blow the head off of another candidate and carry out a mass shooting. In the most recent alleged occurrence on Dec. 8, Anderson threatened to blow the brains out of a third candidate and kill everyone in attendance at a then-upcoming campaign event.

While the Justice Department did not name any of the three presidential candidates who received threats, a spokesperson for GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said that the most recent threats from Dec. 8 were sent to his campaign, according to The Associated Press.

Anderson had been released from jail on Dec. 14 on conditions after being arrested earlier in the month, and a federal district court judge is slated to determine a sentence, the press release states.

He faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge.

We have seen an increase in threats of violence against public officials and those seeking public office across the country, and I have made clear that these types of illegal threats undermine the function of our democracy, said Attorney General Merrick Garland, according to the press release. We will not tolerate illegal threats of violence directed at public officials or those seeking public office.

The news comes as Colorados Supreme Court justices face a flood of threats from those opposed to the courts Tuesday ruling barring former President Trump from appearing on the states GOP primary ballot next year. The incidents also follow a nearby mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, in late October that left 18 people killed and 13 injured.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
What do you do when the insurance company wont pay up?

It could happen to any of us after an accident, especially if you are relying on the other drivers insurance.

Angela Johnson, from Cartersville, reached out to Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray after her car had been sitting at the body shop for more than a month.

The insurance company would not pay the money to the body shop for the repairs.

The body shop has fixed your car, right? Gray asked Johnson.

They fix[ed] my car. My car has been fixed since Nov. 13. My cars sitting in the body shop parking lot. They cant give it back. He said he cant release it, Johnson said.

It was in September that another driver crashed into her wheel in a parking lot. Police cited the other driver and Johnson reached out to that other drivers insurance company, Unique Insurance Company.

I went home, and I looked it up and I saw the reviews and immediately I thought, Oh, no. What am I in for? Johnson said.

Unique has only a 1-star rating with a 95% unfavorable rating on the website Pissed Consumer.

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Johnson said she went back and forth with Unique for weeks trying to get repairs paid for before filing a complaint with the state insurance commissioner.

After that complaint, Unique did send a check for the repairs, but it was only a fraction of the actual costs.

To take money and not to produce the service, theres a name for that. And we do have laws against that, Johnson said.

Thats when you can file a complaint with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner. Their office sent Gray a statement, saying:

If we find that the company has violated a Georgia law, regulation or the policy contract, we work with the consumer and company towards a resolution. The commissioner retains the ability to fine a company for each violation, issue a market conduct exam, and in the most egregious scenarios, can ultimately stop a carrier from writing business in the state of Georgia.

Johnson has also racked up more than $4,000 in rental car fees on top of the repair costs.

I am maxing out my credit card. I went through this on Thanksgiving. I am now going through this on Christmas, Johnson said.

But after Channel 2 Action News reached out to Unique and the insurance commissioner, Johnson got good news from Unique. The company agreed to pay the full repair and rental car costs.

She picked up the car from the body shop on Thursday.

IN OTHER NEWS:




Harry Fane, who has died aged 70, was for 45 years the proprietor of Obsidian, the Mayfair private gallery dealing in vintage jewellery, and a world-renowned expert on Cartier watches and clocks; in his younger days he was the business partner and travelling companion of the adventurer Mark Shand, the late brother of the Queen.

Harry St Clair Fane was born on March 19 1953, the second son of the 15th Earl of Westmorland and his wife, Jane (nee Findlay). The Earl was a lord-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II and later Master of the Horse, and Harry was a page of honour to the Queen between 1966 and 1968.

The 15th Earl also had a long career at Sothebys, although he laid no claim to art expertise  I just saw to it that things ran all right  and became chairman in the 1980s.

Harry Fane in 1961 - Shutterstock

Harrys older brother Anthony, who succeeded their father as 16th Earl in 1993, also made a career as an adviser on fine art, and both brothers absorbed their fathers dictum that in art and antique dealing an understanding of people was as important as specialist expertise.

After Harrow, Fane began his career at Sothebys in London; there he befriended Mark Shand, who was working as a porter. After a spell in the Los Angeles and New York outposts of Sothebys, Fane struck out on his own as a dealer in US pop artists including Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann.

He and Shand shared an apartment in New York, and their aristocratic pedigrees and good looks gained them entree to the chic party scene centred on Studio 54, as well as seats at the tables of such fashionable hostesses as Diana Vreeland and Jackie Onassis.

Keen to start a new venture with Shand and finding the art market saturated, Fane took a friends advice to start dealing in objets dart, even though, as he recalled, we had no idea what objets dart meant. Initially they scoured Portobello market for stock and, on the advice of a Venezuelan friend, found a ready market in South America for the clocks and candlesticks they had picked up at bargain prices.

Harry Fane, middle row, as a page of honour with Prince Charles at the State Opening of Parliament in 1967, with James Colville, left, Christopher Abel Smith, right - Photographic News Agencies

We were both good salesmen, and Harry took care of the finances, which were not my strong suit, Shand recalled in his memoirs. Like posh swagmen in linen suits, with sacks of beautiful booty over our shoulders, we hit the rich and famous, the old and new wealth in the money-drenched capitals of the Americas.

Fane and Shand soon found that there was a strong and under-recognised appetite for vintage Cartier objets  cigarette cases, lighters, picture frames, paper knives and primarily clocks. Fane developed a particular fascination with Cartier clocks and watches: Louis Cartiers idea was to make a jewel into a utilitarian object and a utilitarian object into a jewel These are indeed jewels, that happen to tell the time.

Fane and Shand enjoyed a gilded lifestyle in the mid-1970s, usually spending a month every year as guests of Prince Jagat Singh of Jaipur while they truffled out Cartier objets, India having been one of the jewellers biggest markets during its golden era of design in the 1920s and 1930s.

They would also spend at least two months every year on Bali, where, as Shand recalled, a friend designed and built us a beautiful Robinson Crusoe house on a surfers beach. A trip to the island of Komodo saw the pair narrowly escape an onslaught from the famous Dragons by bombarding them with rocks and then climbing into the safety of a tree; on the return journey the wind blew their canoe off course and they were obliged to survive on dried fish for five days.

Harry Fane with Lady Annabel Goldsmith, 2017 - Shutterstock

In 1978 Fane and Shand founded the Obsidian gallery, specialising in vintage Cartier jewellery and objets. But as the itchy-footed Shand recalled: The moment I found myself in a suit going to work every day, I quit. I felt bad about leaving Harry. But I think he understood.

In the event Fane made a huge success of Obsidian by himself, and as well as trading in second-hand Cartier he sometimes brokered deals with the firm itself, although he found it difficult to work with.

They were pretty rude to me, so I told them that on top of paying me they were going to give me a present. After a terrible uproar they said I could go and choose some merchandise, Fane recalled. In Cartiers Paris boutique he asked to see the most expensive watch  a horrible diamond-encrusted one with buttons and sapphires everywhere  and said he would take it. They went bananas. I was only joking, so I chose the [Tank] Americaine.

Despite the demands of his business, Fane continued to travel in south-east Asia with Shand as often as possible, his command of Indonesian proving invaluable. In 1985 the photojournalist Don McCullin invited the pair to accompany him on a journey through remotest Western New Guinea in search of the elusive Orang Hutan tribe, who reputedly attacked approaching canoes with poisoned arrows.

Despite travelling in a canoe that they nicknamed the Dildo because its clapped-out engine made it vibrate so much, the party survived near misses with crocodiles to enjoy a successful encounter with the Orang Hutan. As Shand recalled in his book on the expedition, Skulduggery (1987), the village elders took a shine to Fane and seemed fascinated by the gold ear-ring that glinted enticingly in his left earlobe.

The late Mark Shand with the then Camilla Parker-Bowles, 1998 - Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

The party nearly came to an unpleasant end, however, at the hands of Indonesian paramilitaries; their interpreter saved the situation by pointing to Fane and informing them: This man friend of the Queen.

Back in London Fane not only kickstarted what came to be a thriving market in vintage Cartier, but also became the European representative of the US jeweller Verdura, whose quirky pieces he loved: They  dont just say, Ive got a lot of money, but Ive got a sense of humour.

Fane also designed his own pieces for his clients, lamenting in recent years the loss of connection between the person who buys jewellery and the people who create it.

Although he was unsentimental about selling his Cartier watches at the right price, he treasured his 1920s Paris Tank Cintree, probably the most valuable piece I own and almost impossible to find now. He was proud that the dedication of a book recently published by Cartier read: To Harry Fane, who knows more about Cartier than Cartier.

Described by one interviewer as elegant and debonair, if attractively crumpled around the edges, Fane was uncompromising in his personal style: When all the tailors hear Im coming to town, you can hear them all closing their shutters in case I try and come in.

Harry Fane married, in 1984, Tessa Forsyth-Forrest, who survives him with their son and daughter. Fane was heir presumptive to the earldom for the last 30 years of his life, his older brother having only female issue; the heir is now his son, Sam.

Harry Fane, born March 19 1953, died December 15 2023

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The operator of a train service that featured in the Harry Potter films has lost a High Court challenge against a rail regulator over door safety.

West Coast Railways (WCR) challenged demands for central locking systems to be fitted to the carriage doors.

The owners of the Jacobite - which appeared as the Hogwarts Express in the boy wizard films - said implementing the new measures could cost 7m.

It operates on the iconic West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig.

WCR took legal action against the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) after it refused to exempt the company from rules banning the use of hinged doors without central locking.

The company relies on the safety exemption to allow for the continued use of heritage rolling stock.

It said that the cost of adding locking systems to the traditional 1950s slam-door carriages would potentially wipe out about 10 years of profit.

WCR said it was "disappointed" by the High Court ruling and said safety was its "top priority".

A judge dismissed the operator's case and concluded that the ORR had taken a "justifiable" approach.

Mrs Justice Thornton said a feature of the Jacobite was the hinged doors that "can be opened by anyone inside the train even when the train is moving".

The Jacobite crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter films

She said it was "common sense" that a central locking system was safer than one "dependent on no more than an assumption by the guard that the stewards have locked the doors".

The judge said the ORR had noted that there was no evidence of a WCR investigation or "lessons learnt" after a train left York with a door open in October 2020.

Or an occasion when a passenger overpowered a steward to open the door of a moving train in June 2022.

The ORR told the judge that it did not want heritage train operators to go out of business, but it wanted to ensure heritage trains "meet minimum safety standards" by introducing central locking.

West Coast Railways supplied Warner Bros with the locomotive and heritage carriages used for the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter film series.

The Jacobite train makes two trips a day, from March to October, using some of the same carriages that were used for filming.

The WCR's legal challenge centred on an ORR exemption refusal in January and March.

Heritage appeal

The company, whose trains run at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, argued that its door procedures were as safe as a central locking mechanism, with train stewards operating them and warning signs for passengers.

WCR's commercial manager, James Shuttleworth, said: "We have decades of experience of operating on the main line and safety has always been, and remains, our top priority.

"We will now reflect and consider options to enable us to continue running safe services enjoyed by so many visitors from the UK and around the world, upon which local businesses along our routes rely.

"We are committed to working with the ORR to find a long-term solution which safeguards the future of heritage services"

Welcoming the ruling, the ORR said it was committed to "ensuring the safety of all passengers".

A spokesperson said: "Other charter heritage operators which use the mainline railway have made the necessary investment to install central door locking on 'hinged door' carriages.

"It remains open to the West Coast Railway Company Limited to do the same.

"Such converted carriages can both retain their heritage appeal yet also reflect minimum modern safety standards."
New project to bolster high-quality industrial progress

08:05, December 22, 2023 By Ma Si ( China Daily

A robot operates equipment on the assembly line of an automaker in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. YUAN JINGZHI/FOR CHINA DAILY

China has unveiled a new program to boost the high-quality development of its sprawling manufacturing sector, as the country aims to climb up the global value chain.

According to the project, introduced by three ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, on Wednesday, China aims to significantly bolster the quality of manufacturing as part of a broader push to accelerate its new industrialization drive.

As China's economy shifts from high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development, the MIIT said implementing the project, which will improve manufacturing quality, is urgently required for the country to fill gaps in industrial chains, cultivate new competitive advantages, and move toward the high end of the value chain.

The project aims to increase the proportion of middle- to high-end manufacturing products, improve the awareness of product quality among enterprises and advance the digital quality management level of companies by 2025.

The project also proposes to use engineering skills and standardized methods to evaluate the quality management capability level of enterprises, fully considering the actual situation of enterprises in different industries, technical conditions and quality foundations.

The move comes following China's ranking as the world's largest manufacturing country for a 13th consecutive year in 2022, when its manufacturing output accounted for nearly 30 percent of the world's total, according to the MIIT.

More than 570 Chinese industrial companies have made it to the global top 2,500 companies in terms of research and development investment, boosting their ability to support supply chains, the ministry said.

China, however, faces bottlenecks in crucial technologies, such as semiconductors and fundamental software, and more efforts are needed to move toward greener, smarter and higher-end manufacturing, experts said.

Huang Qunhui, head of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Economics, said manufacturing is a field with the most innovation activity, and more efforts are needed to hone China's industrial prowess in foundational materials, manufacturing processes, software and other areas.

Hans-Paul Burkner, global chair emeritus of Boston Consulting Group, said China's efforts in advancing industrial quality will help the country move up the value chain, rendering its economy "more innovative, talent-intensive, consumption-driven and green".

Such a transformation will help the nation maintain its important position in global supply chains amid geopolitical headwinds and talk of relocating production back to developed countries, Burkner said.

Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo Group, the world's largest personal computer maker, said accelerating the deep integration of the digital and the real economies, and driving the transformation and upgrade of the manufacturing sector through technological innovation are the only ways to promote high-quality development of Chinese manufacturing.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The head of one of the Ukrainian Defence Ministrys main directorates was detained in Kyiv for embezzling UAH 1.5 billion (equiv. to US$40.02 million) during the purchase of artillery shells for the Armed Forces.

Source: Prosecutor General's Office, Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Ministry of Defence

Quote: "According to the investigation, in December last year, an official of the Defence Ministry signed an agreement with a special export company to purchase a wholesale batch of artillery shells for Ukrainian defenders.

But the budget funds were not transferred to the accounts of the special exporter.

The newly created Defence Procurement Agency of the Defence Ministry subsequently signed a more favourable contract for the supply of the same artillery shells with the same manufacturer."

PHOTO: PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

PHOTO: PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Details: The new contract provided for the purchase of ammunition directly from the manufacturer, which significantly reduced the delivery time and cost of the products.

However, despite the contract, the defendant extended the previous agreement with the special exporting company.

After the extension, almost UAH 1.5 billion (equiv. to US$40.02 million) was transferred to the accounts of an affiliated foreign intermediary firm. This amount exceeded the value of the products under the direct contract with the manufacturer by 30%.

During searches at the suspect's workplace and place of residence, the police found documents confirming illegal activity.

PHOTO: PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Quote: "In the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated by the SSU investigators under Article 114-1.2 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the issue of serving the official with a notice of suspicion is being decided.

The offender has been suspended from duty. In addition, the Ministry of Defence is taking measures to return the misappropriated funds in the size of almost UAH 1.5 billion (equiv. to US$40.02 million) to the budget of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing. The offender faces up to 15 years in prison."

Details: Ukraines Defence Ministry Ministry specified that searches began this morning in the office premises of Progres company and the Main Directorate of the Ukrainian MoD. All employees of the ministry who were attached to this contract will undergo a polygraph test.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  About a dozen flights were delayed by the heavy fog seen in El Paso Thursday morning, Dec. 21, and about a half-dozen flights were canceled, according to El Paso International Airports online tracking service.

This came the day before the El Paso airport is expecting to see holiday travel for Christmas ramp up and hit a peak.

EPIA has recorded a 9% increase in passenger traffic compared to last year, and a 19% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

With the fog impacting multiple flights, Marketing & Air Service Development Manager for EPIA Cassandra Davisson said travelers should be prepared for weather throughout the country to impact travel schedules in the coming days.

The fog this morning did impact some of the flight schedules this morning. And its possible that as the week progresses, there could be some weather-impacted delays and even if its weather in other parts of the country, Davisson said.

Davisson recommended travelers keep track of their airlines latest travel information regarding their flight.

William Sanchez landed in El Paso with his wife on Thursday afternoon to visit their son for the holidays. Sanchez is an experienced traveler, and explained that although holiday travel can be difficult, he has learned that the most important lesson is to be patient.

It was a little chaotic, but were here. We had some delays too, because of the fog. So we had to circle in the air for a while and we had to go to another destination to fill up, waiting a little bit and then we had to come. We were supposed to be here at 11 a.m., and we just arrived now (2 p.m.). So, you know, again, patience will pay off.

Starting Friday, EPIA expects to get even busier, and Davisson advises travelers to arrive between two to four hours before their flights.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
HENDERSONVILLE - A Henderson County Detention Center Officer who had been working for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office since 2017 died on Dec. 16. He was 33.

According to his obituary from Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Hendersonville, Sgt. Kiel M. Boyette died unexpectedly at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Sheriff's office spokesperson Capt. Johnny Duncan at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, said Boyette died after a medical emergency that was not an incident related to his service duties.

Henderson County Detention Officer Kiel Boyette.

Boyette was a native of Tampa, Florida, and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. A funeral was held on Dec. 21 at Fruitland Baptist Church, followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The sheriff's office made a Facebook post The Henderson County Sheriff's Office posted to Facebook about Boyette's death on Dec. 21.

"It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Detention Sergeant Kiel Boyette from the Henderson County Sheriffs Office. Sergeant Boyettes dedication, courage and unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community have left an indelible mark on us all," the post read.

More: Bounty of Bethlehem set for its annual community feast on Christmas Day

"Sergeant Boyettes career was defined by his exceptional professionalism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty. Whether he was ensuring the safety of his colleagues or managing the responsibilities within the detention facility, his leadership was a source of inspiration to those around him."

In addition to being an officer at the Detention Center, Boyette was also a member of the Henderson County Sheriffs Office Special Task Force, according to his obituary.

"He touched the lives of many with his warm smile, approachable demeanor and willingness to go above and beyond to helps those in need. Colleagues and friends alike remember him as a true friend and mentor, always ready to offer guidance and support," the sheriff's office's Sheriff's Office's post said.

"As we mourn the loss of Detention Sergeant Kiel Boyette, let us remember and celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. His contributions to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office will forever be etched in our collective memory. The impact of his service will continue to resonate within the hearts and minds of those had the privilege of working alongside him."

More: Hendrix Bridge a step closer: Other bridges in WNC named after people

More: Guilty: Hendersonville man gets 2 life sentences for forcible rape, sex offense

According to his obituary, Boyette had a "keen interest in plumbing and was working toward becoming a licensed plumber, demonstrating his determination to constantly grow and develop new skills."

Boyette is survived by his parents, Ty Crawford of Candler and Sue Hall of Rockford, Tennessee, his two children, Jade Boyette and Jason Boyette of Sibley, Louisiana, and many other family members.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Boyettes memory are asked to consider Henderson County Heroes, Inc., P.O. Box 561, Hendersonville, N.C. 28793.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sergeant Boyettes family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. May they find comfort in the cherished memories and the knowledge that his dedication to justice and service will be remembered for generations to come," the sheriff's office's Facebook post said.

"Rest in peace, Detention Kiel Boyette. Your service will not be forgotten, and your memory will forever live on in the hearts of those you touched."

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Henderson County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Kiel Boyette dies suddenly
A dummy in a prototype of the hyperloop one pod

The company which became well known for its idea of shooting people hundreds of miles an hour through a vacuum has shut down.

The aim of Hyperloop One, based on an idea by Elon Musk, was to dramatically cut journey times.

It has previously received backing from Virgin founder Richard Branson, but he pulled out last year.

The firm will lay off its remaining staff by the end of the year, according to Bloomberg.

The company had promised a new era of high speed travel, using magnetic levitation (maglev) technology - which is already used in some transport systems - within a vacuum tube.

This would reduce friction and air resistance, allowing the train to travel at speeds of 700mph (1,127km/h).

It was also meant to be greener than current high-speed transport.

However, while Hyperloop One did build some prototypes in the Nevada desert, the project stalled with some experts expressing doubts about its engineering challenges.

It would have required the construction of giant tubes across the countryside and within towns.

It also had a problem with corners - so all the tubes would have to be in a straight line.

The large hyperloop tube in the Nevada desert

A trial of the system took place with two company employees in 2020 - the first successful passenger ride using hyperloop technology.

The pod reached a top speed of 107mph (172km/h) on the 546yds (500m) test run.

But the company announced a change in strategy in 2022, saying it would focus on transporting cargo instead of people.

That change also came with an announcement of over 100 job losses, and was followed by more job cuts later in the year.

By the end of the year, it was reported that Richard Branson, who had been company chairman, was pulling out and the company lost the endorsement of Virgin.

The company had also endured scandal over the years, with one previous director Ziyavudin Magomedov jailed in Russia on embezzlement charges.

Another investor, Shervin Pishevar, left in 2017 after Bloomberg reported sexual misconduct allegations.

The original hyperloop was based on a report published by Elon Musk in 2013 which proposed the idea of shooting capsules through a tube at high speed.

Mr Musk has his own firm, The Boring Company, which is researching similar technology using underground tunnels.

There are also other similar companies around the world which continue to work on the concept.

DP World, the Dubai-based company which owns a majority stake in Hyperloop One, has been contacted for comment.
It's a real contest but if I had to choose Donald Trump's most fatuous claim it would have to be that until he became president "nobody could say Merry Christmas anymore." He made the claim again just the other day and his ecstatic followers practically went into a collective fugue state and began speaking in tongues they were so thrilled. This war on Christmas has been a theme on the right for many, many years but Trump is the first politician to say that he "won" it. It was smart. After all, the war didn't exist in the first place so every time anyone says "Merry Christmas" he gets the credit. Boom!

I have no doubt that his right-wing evangelical fans are thrilled by all this. This is one of Christianity's most important holidays after all. On the other hand, most of them are also fine with Trump evoking Adolph Hitler's rhetoric so their alleged reverence for Christmas as a religious holiday may be beside the point.

Hitler wasn't exactly a follower of Jesus but most of his followers were Christians, motivated to support him out of long-standing antisemitism, hostility to the more liberal social and political changes they blamed on the Weimar Republic , anti-communism, rabid nationalism and loathing for the international community. Except for the antisemitism, the followers of Trump aren't much different here in America today. And I think we can safely assume that the only reason they aren't on board with today's antisemitism is because they believe Jews must be in Israel for the rapture to be triggered.

They're happy to join in Trump's racism and bigotry against his chosen "others" which he recently specifically defined as people from Asia, Africa and South America who are "poisoning the blood" of our country. Trump and his supporters also despise Muslims from anywhere, "radical leftist thugs," LGBTQ people and the media, all of whom the Nazi Party also saw as enemies. Let's just say the historical Nazis shared a whole lot of the same grievances we see in the MAGA movement today.

Christmas was an issue for Hitler as well but in a different way than Trump. Even though the holiday was always a very popular holiday in Germany, Hitler found it to be an insipid drain on the national will, what with all the "peace on earth" folderol. He didn't want that and he didn't want the German people to want that. But he couldn't just ban it. It would have caused a mass rebellion. So instead, the Nazis set about changing its meaning to holiday of actual domestic national peace" by which they meant peace after all the enemies had been vanquished.

Hitler ordered that Christmas be altered in other ways as well. The Christmas tree was originally a German tradition but he really didn't like that star on the top which was just a little bit too reminiscent of the Jewish Star of David or the five-pointed star of the Soviet Union. So they replaced it with a Germanic sun wheel or a Sig rune. This was in keeping with the Nazi plan to move Christmas away from a Christian holiday into a more ancient German pagan celebration of the winter solstice, even calling it by a different name: Rauhnacht, the Rough Night (for some reason.)

They even changed the lyrics to Silent Night to make it a celebration of the Fuhrer. It started off with the usual Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright but rather than "Round yon Virgin Mother and Child" etc., it took an abrupt turn to, Only the Chancellor stays on guard, Germanys future to watch and to ward, guiding our nation aright. (So much for "sleep in heavenly peace.") People were also encouraged to sing, "Exalted Night of the Clear Stars" which is all about motherhood, renewal, and holiday fires but no Jesus. He was, after all, a Jew.

Hitler didn't like Santa either. Recall, St. Nicholas was a saint from Turkey (a "sh*thole" country in Donald Trump vernacular) which meant he wasn't Aryan and that was unacceptable. But the people loved him so the Nazi propagandists cleverly turned it around to say that the beloved mythic figure was actually the pagan god Woton which the Christians had appropriated and now the Germans were taking him back. They called him "Solstice Man" and he wore a slouch hat and a mask.

Socialist Unity Party of Germany Handing out Christmas Present in Reinickendorf neighborhood of Berlin, Germany, 1946

Over time all these changes became more and more mandatory and any refusal to go along became a political act. The apparently banal, everyday decision to sing a particular Christmas carol, or bake a holiday cookie, became either an act of political dissent or an expression of support for national socialism, writes historian Joe Perry. I think we know what happened to dissenters in Hitler's Germany.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Nazi propagandist Wilhelm Beilstein wrote an article in 1939 explaining the true meaning of Christmas:

When we celebrate a German Christmas, we include in the circle of the family all those who are of German blood, and who affirm their German ethnicity, all those who came before us and who will come after us, all those whom fate did not allow to live within the borders of our Reich, or who are doing their duty in foreign lands amidst foreign peoples.

That brings Donald Trump to mind for some reason. Hmmm. I'll have to think about why that is.

The right has accused the left of waging a war on Christmas for years now, which is really just a joke at this point. Nobody's trying to prevent anyone from saying Merry Christmas if they want to. "Happy Holidays" is just a way of including people who may not celebrate the Christian holiday. It's called having manners. But Donald Trump heard about the fake controversy from talk radio and now claims that he fixed the problem that never existed. All of that is silly.

But you can see where the worship of a demagogue can lead a country. People went along with that absurdity because, whether through desire to please or to avoid intimidation, they did whatever Hitler wanted them to do. He persuaded them that maintaining the purity of "German blood" was of paramount importance and everything and everyone had to submit to that priority. With almost half of Republicans telling pollsters that Trump's rant about immigrants poisoning the blood of America made them more likely to support him, it appears the MAGA movement is headed down that same path.
Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control rescued 27 cats from an inhospitable hoarding situation on Dec. 13. The kittens are being treated at Ames Animal Shelter and will all survive, though one kitten's is in danger of losing its eyes.

A recent case of cat hoarding in Ames  the third case in 15 months  has prompted a discussion of proper pet care.

Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control staff rescued 27 cats living an unfit Ames home on Dec. 13. The pets were found without access to fresh water or food while they were kept in "filthy conditions."

Shelter employees worked through the next morning to remove the animals, provide immediate care, and process them into the shelter.

Ames Animal Shelter & Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards said many of the felines had fleas, upper respiratory infections and internal parasites. One kitten had serious infections in its eyes, and as of Wednesday, Dec. 20, staff were unsure if both eyes could be saved.

The cats continue to receive treatment, and Edwards said all of them will survive.

"(The cats) are eating and recovering well," Edwards said. "When we first got them, a lot of them had eyes matted up with infections, with upper respiratory infections. But now their eyes are looking clear, their poop is starting to look normal because they had a lot of internal parasites we treated them for.

"Almost everything we treat for - coccidia, giardia, tapeworms and roundworms - these cats had it. Some of those are also contagious to people as well, so living in that environment is dangerous not only for these cats but for people as well."

He did not anticipate the cats having any long-lasting health effects.

More: Ames council upholds decision to demolish downtown brick pillars

Ames Animal Shelter staff has been hard at work providing care for the rescued cats, who have been treated for upper respiratory infection, fleas, ticks and internal parasites. Staff does not anticipate any long-lasting health effects.

Shelter staff puts effort into animal care, adoption

The Ames Animal Shelter has handled two other significant hoarding cases in the last 15 months.

In October of 2022, a parked vehicle was discovered in north Ames with 29 cats living inside, including a pregnant cat carrying six babies. The vehicle owner eventually relinquished his claim to the animals after a long court case that concluded in April of 2023.

Another 29 cats were found during an eviction two months later. The owner of those cats moved out of state and never attempted to reclaim the cats from the shelter.

Thankfully, the shelter saved all 64 cats and found each a home.

The Ames Animal Shelter recently received special recognition from the Best Friends Animal Society for its push to become a no-kill shelter. Last year, the shelter, located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, saved 98% of its animals.

"It is an absolute honor (to be recognized)," Edwards said. "That really shows the commitment all the staff have to ensure every one of these guys leave here alive and find that forever home."

More: Highlights from the Ames City Council: ADUs versus Air B&Bs and junked vehicles

Since their rescue, the cats have been friendly with Ames Animal Shelter staff and each other.

What guidelines should pet owners follow?

The City of Ames does not limit how many pets a person can own, but residents are required to care for said animals. This includes regular doctor visits, general hygiene, and nutrition.

"Ames Municipal Code says you have to provide them with fresh water, vet care as needed including vaccinations, cleaning up after them and grooming if they need it," Edwards said. "As long as someone is meeting those guidelines, there is no number to the number of animals they can have in our community."

Edwards believes 27 cats in a single residence is not reasonable for one person to care for. He reccommends pet owners consider the cost of vet care and proper nutrition before taking on the responsibility.

"It's hard to put a number on it, because like every animal, every person is different, and everyone has a unique situation," Edwards said. "Being able to provide that care for them, that's an individual situation, and they need to know what their limits are."

Edwards says many hoarding cases are the result of unusual stress or tragedy.

"That encompasses so many different things," Edwards said. "Whether it's the loss of a family member, loss of a job, not having any resources or having the financial ability to spay and neuter so you end up with constant litters of kittens and it gets out of control really quickly."

It is most important for a hoarding situation to be reported if discovered, though the goal is to call the shelter and animal control before it gets overwhelming. If reported sooner, the Ames Animal Shelter could offer pet owners assistance before the situation escalates.

"If you have a family member or friend where it looks like it's getting out of hand or you know they don't have the resources, we can hopefully provide some resources, put them in touch with different organizations that may be able to provide some spay and neutering assistance," Edwards said. "That way three cats don't turn into 27."

The biggest problem Edwards often has faced in 38 years as an animal shelter employee is the high level of repeat cases. With this in mind, the Ames Animal Shelter makes a point to check public records, and keeps an internal "do not adopt list" and shares the information with partner agencies.

That's as deep as the information gathering goes, which often leaves facilities scrambling during the adoption process, Edwards said.

"The problem is there's really no national database," Edwards said. "We always hope shelters do their own research; just doing a simple google search on people will bring up a story, and if there's a conviction you can look up that information on Iowa Courts Online and be able to see. Hopefully, they would make different decisions on placing animals with somebody with this kind of history."

More: Bridge Home's 18-unit development receives $900K grant from Federal Home Loan Bank

Ames Animal Shelter & Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards encouraged Ames residents to report a situation if discovered, and to reach out to the shelter for pet resources before a situation becomes out of control.

Give to kittens in need

The cats rescued on Dec. 13 require supportive care, including food and medications. Those willing to help can support the shelter and its animals by purchasing items for the cats through the shelter's wish list at: https://a.co/7oitfo3, the largest needs being cat litter and food.

Monetary donations will also be accepted to help cover the cats' medical bills. Anyone wishing to donate may do so online at https://secure.usaepay.com/pay/4nkt6r3h4k6d6hn83/xNDAd0Gw. Checks will be accepted at the Ames Shelter during open ours or mailed to the City of Ames at 515 Clark Avenue, Ames IA 50010.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: The City of Ames has uncovered three animal hoarding cases since 2022
The holiday travel frenzy has begun.

Holiday travel is expected to hit pre-pandemic levels at Sacramento International Airport, the airport said in a Monday news release, with more than 100,000 passengers expected between Monday and Dec. 26.

Nationwide, the AAA said, 115.2 million travelers are expected to head 50 miles or more from home over the 10-day period staring Saturday and ending on Jan. 1, New Years Day.

The number of domestic travelers increased 2.2% increase compared to 2022, the association said in a Dec. 11 news release.

Driving and flying are expected to be the two most popular forms of transportation during the 10-day holiday travel period, AAA said.

Heres what to expect as you head to the airport or hit the road.

Travelers descend escalators as they make their way toward baggage claim at Sacramento International Airports Terminal B on Nov. 22, 2023, the day before Thanksgiving.

When should I get to the airport?

During the travel period that encompasses Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve, airports across the county expected to be the busiest theyve ever been, AAA said, surpassing 2019s record of 7.3 million passengers.

Travel has been steady so far at the Sacramento airport, airport spokesman Scott Johnston said Thursday.

The worst days to fly out of Sacramento are expected to be Friday and Monday, Christmas Day, he said.

People flying out of the Sacramento area should arrive at least two and a half hours before their scheduled boarding times, according to the news release.

We always want people to allow themselves plenty of time to get to the airport, get parked and then get through security to their gate, Johnston said. Thats just going to help keep their levels of stress down.

The Transportation Security Administration will begin screening at 3:45 a.m. for those with early morning departures.

According to the airport, there will be live music on Thursday through Dec. 26.

Performers will be at Terminal A and B from 8 to 11 a.m. on those days.

A traveler walks through security at Sacramento International Airport in 2020. The market for new hotels is booming by SMF. A dual-branded Hyatt opened last month and four more hotels are planned nearby.

What is parking like at the airport?

If you plan to park your car at the Sacramento airport during holiday travel, be prepared for congested parking garages and lots, Johnston told The Sacramento Bee in November.

The parking does fill up pretty quick, Johnston said. We will have a place for you to park if youre leaving your car here, but it may not be a spot that youre used to.

Before heading to the airport, you can check real-time availability for all five parking garages and lots through the Sacramento airport website.

The airport asks people to reserve the free waiting area located on Crossfield Drive for those who are picking up travelers.

Riseshare services are also available.

Travelers whose flights are arriving at Terminal B can meet up with rideshare drivers at Lindbergh Drive Curb, while those arriving at Terminal A can get picked up at Airport Boulevard East.

How can I get through security quicker?

Those who dont want to risk long security lines can sign up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, at the Sacramento airport.

Travelers can apply for the TSAs expedited screening service, which costs $85 and lasts for five years, at Terminal B at the southeast corner of level 1.

The application center open from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CLEAR, a touchless security screening process that lets travelers bypass ID verification, is offered in Terminal A.

Memberships for CLEAR cost $189 per person. Family plans are also available for an additional $50 per adult, according to the company.

When should I hit the road in Sacramento?

According to AAA, highways and interstates will congested with travelers during the 10-day holiday travel period.

The best times to hit the road to avoid traffic are before lunchtime and after 7 p.m., according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights that AAA cited in its news release.

If you have flexibility with your travel plans, INRIX suggested that motorists avoid Saturday, and Dec. 28 as roads will be the most congested on those two days.

Dec. 30 will also be a busy day for drivers, INRIX said.

Nationwide, drivers could see travel times up to 20% longer this holiday season, INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said in the AAA release. Avoid peak commuting hours and use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services to minimize holiday travel traffic frustrations.

What are the best and worst times to drive?

Heres a breakdown of the best and worst times to drive the 10-day holiday travel period, according to INRIX.

On Saturday, travelers should hit the road before 10 a.m. and avoid driving from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Minimal traffic is expected on Sunday, Christmas Eve, and Monday, Christmas Day, INRIX said.

On Tuesday, the best time to travel is before noon and the worst time is from 1 to 5 p.m.

Travelers on Wednesday should hit the road before noon and avoid driving from 1 to 7 p.m.

On Dec. 28, drivers should travel before noon and avoid traveling from 2 to 8 p.m.

The best time to travel on Dec. 29 is before noon, while the worst time is 2 to 8 p.m.

On Dec. 30, the best time to travel is before noon while the worst time is 5 to 7 p.m.

Minimal traffic is expected Dec. 31, New Years Eve, and Jan. 1, New Years Day.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Headed home for the holidays?

AAA says 115 million people will travel over the next 10 days, and 104 million of them will be driving to their destination.

Were going back home to our parents place in Sandpoint, Idaho, said driver Emily Branham.

Polson, Montana, to my parents house. Its about 13 hours or so, give or take, said driver Nicole Kaplan.

With rain and snow in the mountain passes, some are trying to get a head start.

We started early because of the weather, and we have to go over three passes, so we wanted to get it done in the daylight, said Kaplan.

The Washington State Department of Transportation believes Interstate 5 will be the busiest highway and say travel on Interstate 90 will peak Saturday and Tuesday. Find information on peak travel times here.

We havent seen our family since like June, so itll be great to spend time with everybody, especially for Christmas, said Emily Branham.

And heres a tip from one driver to another.

Keep a good following distance, more than you need, especially with the (semi-trucks on) the pass, said driver Ethan Fogg.

Give yourself plenty of time, and just, you know, take your time. Dont be in such a rush. You know thats when crazy things start happening, said Kaplan.

Getting across the local passes could be challenging.

Snow is expected to fall across the Cascades starting this afternoon.

Authorities are urging drivers to be cautious because of predicted slick conditions along I-90, I-5, U.S. 2 and Highway 12.

The Washington State Patrol says drivers must pay close attention to driving restrictions. Drivers are required to carry chains in their vehicles even if they have all-wheel drive.

If not, you could be hit with a $500 fine.
















Tourists are being urged to check exactly what their all-inclusive break features (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Holidaymakers hoping to save money by booking all-inclusive trips might find themselves splashing out on unexpected extras, with basic items missing from the deals, warns a consumer group.

Which? has found that soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks can often be missing from the headline price, suggesting that that many all-inclusive-holidays are far from all-in.

The research, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 travellers about their experiences of all-inclusive holidays in the last two years, found that the average additional spend was 258 a week for extras inside and outside of resorts. Around 13 per cent of respondents said that they had to pay for soft drinks, while 18 per cent were forced to cover the cost of snacks.

Local alcoholic drinks were not included for 21 per cent of respondents.

Those who booked via travel company Expedia spent the most on extras according to the report: 165 per week inside resorts and 228 outside.

Which? asked travellers to rate the company they travelled with in seven categories, including customer service, accommodation, how well the description matched the reality, included benefits and value for money.

The worst performing company overall was Lastminute.com, with a customer score of 63 per cent. Thought it achieved three stars for value for money, it managed no higher than two stars in any of the remaining categories, including customer service, accommodation and included benefits.

Budget rival On The Beach fared better, with a customer satisfaction score of 73 per cent. Holidaymakers were more likely to report that softs drinks and snacks were included in all-inclusive packages too. However, they also reported several restrictions, and food was described by one as hit and miss.

At the other end of the table, Jet2holidays took top spot with a customer score of 82 per cent. It scored four stars for value for money, transportation, organisation, how well the description matched the reality and for customer service.

Luxury operator Kuoni came a close second, with a customer score of 81 per cent, followed by over-50s travel firm Saga in third.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: When budgets are tight, all-inclusive holidays surge in popularity, seemingly offering people a straightforward way to keep holiday costs under control with food, accommodation and drinks all wrapped into the price.

However, our latest research has found that some all-inclusive holidays are far from being all in, with some unfortunate guests finding that even basic items like soft drinks werent included. If youre thinking of going all-inclusive for your next getaway, its worth taking the time to research whats on offer  check the terms and conditions carefully to see whats included, and read reviews from other guests to make sure you wont be left out of pocket.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Florida homeowners are still getting hammered by rising insurance rates, but there are some signs of relief. More companies are open for business and fewer are folding. In some cases, theres less-frequent assessments too.

Investigator Mahsa Saeidi is still getting daily emails about the impact of this crisis. As the year comes to a close, 8 On Your Side is checking the pulse of the market.

Failing I think is just not an option, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference in May 2022. We did a package last year that had some good stuffbut it just didnt do enough I think to really stabilize this situation.

After 1 year, still no penalties or fines for insurers accused of altering damage estimates

Flashback to last year, Florida insurance companies like Avatar, Weston, Southern Fidelity, Lighthouse, St. Johns and FedNat were sinking like bricks. 8 On Your Side was getting frantic calls from folks who were losing their insurer.

They just cant cancel our policy the night before a hurricane is going to make landfall, said Tom Colantuono. My wife was sitting in the car, she was white as a ghost.

But when a company fails, current customers arent the only ones who take a hit.

The state, through the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA), takes over remaining claims. If the company cant pay up, that cost gets passed down to homeowners. Its called an assessment.

And over the past two years, homeowners have had four separate charges on their property insurance bill.

Could a new bill increase costs for Floridians living in HOAs?

FIGA is a good indicator of the health of the market, said FIGAs Executive Director Corey Neal.

Theres some positive signs coming from FIGA. Neal said theres just a single assessment left, its 1% annual surcharge on your premium.

The average premium is $4,500, so were talking $45 a policy, said Neal.

Neal said hes thankful that the insolvencies have slowed down.

Very thankful its been a long, long few years, he said.

The last one was massive. When St. Pete-based UPC went under in February, FIGA had to pick up the tab for approximately 23,000 claims.

Now, FIGA has closed four of five claims, paying out over $300 million.

Floridas home-hardening grant program: How homeowners can lower their premium

Neal encouraged homeowners with open cases to get involved with the claim. He said you should stay in touch with your adjuster or attorney.

What is FIGA offering? What are we demanding? How are we going to reconcile the difference? Neal said. These are the more complex claims but our strategy doesnt really change, were looking to settle.

Neal said hes hoping the calm phase continues.

The last heavy activity weve had was in 2008, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Detectives arrested a Sacramento County man accused of participating in a Sutter County home invasion robbery earlier this month in which one victim was pistol-whipped and another was zip-tied to a bed frame as several suspects searched the property for money, Northern California authorities said.

Joshua Jefferey Nelson, a 40-year-old Rio Linda resident, was arrested Tuesday after detectives served an arrest warrant and a search warrant at his home, the Sutter County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday in a news release.

The home invasion robbery was reported shortly before 6:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at a home on the property of the Coon Creek Gun Club, an outdoor shooting range in Rio Oso, according to the Sheriffs Office.

The victims told investigators that several suspects were on the property looking for money. Sheriffs officials said one victim was hit in the head with a pistol and later taken to a hospital for medical treatment, and another victim was zip-tied to the bed frame but was unharmed.

Sheriffs officials said detectives later identified Nelson as one of the suspects in the home invasion robbery, and the detectives are still working on leads to identify the other suspects involved.

Nelson faces felony charges of suspicion of assault with a firearm, robbery, burglary, false imprisonment using violence, battery causing serious injury, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and making criminal threats resulting in great bodily injury, according to online court records.

He appeared for his arraignment Thursday afternoon in Sutter Superior Court. He was being held at the Sutter County Jail.
Washington State was the largest grower of apples this year, producing some 90 percent of the nations apples. Growers also reported apple production in America hit levels in 2023 that have not been seen since 2014. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Growers report that apple production in the United States hit levels in 2023 that had not been seen since the 2014-15 season. Washington State was the largest grower, producing some 90% of the nation's crop.

According to USApple's director of industry analytics Chris Gerlach, U.S. farms produced approximately 190 million bushels -- 140 million of those bushels in fresh and 51 million in processed apples -- this year.

"The last time we had a total holding of this size in November, it was the November 2014-15 season with 188 million bushels -- 144 million bushels in fresh and 44 million bushels in processing," Gerlach told the Packer. "For the most part, we're right on par with the production with the fresh crop there."

This comes in the wake of USDA news that the global apple production is forecast to be slightly up -- to 83.1 million tons -- as recovering supplies in China, South Africa,and the United Dates offset losses in the European Union and Turkey.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported production of apples is projected up 56,000 tons, for a 4.4 million total this year, with good growing conditions spurring a recovery in Washington state output after last year's damaging spring weather.

According to the USApple tracker, Washington remains the country's biggest producer and is up 38% year over year, equivalent to 42 million bushels. New York state's 15 million bushels is 10% of the national output. That crop experienced a boom lately, growing 44% year over year.

Of all the varieties, Honeycrisp, Gala, Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Fuji make up 76% of the total apple holdings. The big winner this year was the Cosmic Crisp apple, which experienced a 41% year-over-year growth, with 9.5 million bushels harvested.

Mexico makes up the largest export market currently for U.S. apples at 3 million bushels, which is about 31% of all exports.

Canada is next, buying 2 million bushels, or about 22% of the export market.

Taiwan comes in third with 920,000 bushels, or about 1% of the market.

Due to tariffs that expired in September, U.S. apples lost a critical export destination in India this year, which was worth about $3 million.

According to the USDA, apple exports are estimated up 632,000 tons to 6.1 million tons, based on higher shipments from the United States, Iran, and China.

Production from both the EU and Turkey is expected to slip this year, as well, dropping 475,000 tons to 12.2 million tons due to higherthannormal fruit yield and cold temperatures during bloom.

Turkey's production is forecast down for the first time since 2014/15, easing 118,000 tons to 4.9 million.
FILE - Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai pauses during an interview in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. The trial of Hong Kongs most famous activist publisher who was arrested under Chinas crackdown on dissidents will start on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 after being delayed for over a year. Jimmy Lai broke into the citys once freewheeling media world about three decades ago, armed with the belief that delivering information is equal to protecting freedom. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

HONG KONG (AP)  A Hong Kong court on Friday rejected a bid by prominent activist publisher Jimmy Lai to throw out a sedition charge against him, delivering the ruling on the third day of his landmark national security trial.

Lai, 76, was arrested during the city's crackdown on dissidents following huge pro-democracy protests in 2019.

He faces possible life imprisonment if convicted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. He is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications.

Foreign governments, business professionals and legal scholars are closely watching the case, which is tied to the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily that Lai founded. Many view it as a trial of the city's freedoms and a test for judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Hong Kong is a former British colony that returned to China's rule in 1997 under a promise the city retain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years. That promise has become increasingly threadbare since the introduction of the security law, which has led to the arrests and silencing of many leading pro-democracy activists.

Earlier this week, judges Esther Toh, Susana DAlmada Remedios and Alex Lee heard arguments from both sides about whether the prosecution had missed the time limit for charging Lai with sedition. The law requires the prosecution of sedition charges to begin within six months after an alleged offense is committed.

On Friday, the judges, who were approved by the government to oversee the proceedings, ruled the prosecution filed the charge in time. The application of the defence must fail, they wrote in their judgment.

They said the limitation on time started to run on June 24, 2021, the last date of the alleged conspiracy, which the prosecution earlier said involved at least 160 articles.

The trial is expected to last about 80 days without a jury.

Wearing a navy blazer, Lai smiled at his family members after he entered the courtroom and appeared calm.

His prosecution has drawn criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom. Beijing has called their comments irresponsible, saying they went against international law and the basic norms of international relations.

Hong Kong, once seen as a bastion of media freedom in Asia, ranked 140th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders latest World Press Freedom Index. The group said the city had seen an unprecedented setback since 2020, when the security law was imposed.

The governments of both Hong Kong and China have hailed the law for bringing back stability to the city.
Every year as daylight dwindles and trees go bare, debates arise over the morality of hunting. Hunters see the act of stalking and killing deer, ducks, moose and other quarry as humane, necessary and natural, and thus as ethical. Critics respond that hunting is a cruel and useless act that one should be ashamed to carry out.

As a nonhunter, I cannot say anything about what it feels like to shoot or trap an animal. But as a student of philosophy and ethics, I think philosophy can help us clarify, systematize and evaluate the arguments on both sides. And a better sense of the arguments can help us talk to people with whom we disagree.

Three rationales for hunting

One central question is why people choose to hunt. Environmental philosopher Gary Varner identifies three types of hunting: therapeutic, subsistence and sport. Each type is distinguished by the purpose it is meant to serve.

Therapeutic hunting involves intentionally killing wild animals in order to conserve another species or an entire ecosystem. In one example, Project Isabella, conservation groups hired marksmen to eradicate thousands of feral goats from several Galapagos islands between 1997 and 2006. The goats were overgrazing the islands, threatening the survival of endangered Galapagos tortoises and other species.

Subsistence hunting is intentionally killing wild animals to supply nourishment and material resources for humans. Agreements that allow Native American tribes to hunt whales are justified, in part, by the subsistence value the animals have for the people who hunt them.

Crawford Patkotak, center, leads a prayer after his crew landed a bowhead whale near Barrow, Alaska. Both revered and hunted by the Inupiat, the bowhead whale serves a symbol of tradition, as well as a staple of food. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

In contrast, sport hunting refers to intentionally killing wild animals for enjoyment or fulfillment. Hunters who go after deer because they find the experience exhilarating, or because they want antlers to mount on the wall, are sport hunters.

These categories are not mutually exclusive. A hunter who stalks deer because he or she enjoys the experience and wants decorative antlers may also intend to consume the meat, make pants from the hide and help control local deer populations. The distinctions matter because objections to hunting can change depending on the type of hunting.

What bothers people about hunting: Harm, necessity and character

Critics often argue that hunting is immoral because it requires intentionally inflicting harm on innocent creatures. Even people who are not comfortable extending legal rights to beasts should acknowledge that many animals are sentient  that is, they have the capacity to suffer. If it is wrong to inflict unwanted pain and death on a sentient being, then it is wrong to hunt. I call this position the objection from harm.

If sound, the objection from harm would require advocates to oppose all three types of hunting, unless it can be shown that greater harm will befall the animal in question if it is not hunted  for example, if it will be doomed to slow winter starvation. Whether a hunters goal is a healthy ecosystem, a nutritious dinner or a personally fulfilling experience, the hunted animal experiences the same harm.

But if inflicting unwanted harm is necessarily wrong, then the source of the harm is irrelevant. Logically, anyone who commits to this position should also oppose predation among animals. When a lion kills a gazelle, it causes as much unwanted harm to the gazelle as any hunter would  far more, in fact.

Lions attack a water buffalo in Tanzania. Oliver Dodd/Wikipedia, CC BY

Few people are willing to go this far. Instead, many critics propose what I call the objection from unnecessary harm: it is bad when a hunter shoots a lion, but not when a lion mauls a gazelle, because the lion needs to kill to survive.

Today it is hard to argue that human hunting is strictly necessary in the same way that hunting is necessary for animals. The objection from necessary harm holds that hunting is morally permissible only if it is necessary for the hunters survival. Necessary could refer to nutritional or ecological need, which would provide moral cover for subsistence and therapeutic hunting. But sport hunting, almost by definition, cannot be defended this way.

Sport hunting also is vulnerable to another critique that I call the objection from character. This argument holds that an act is contemptible not only because of the harm it produces, but because of what it reveals about the actor. Many observers find the derivation of pleasure from hunting to be morally repugnant.

In 2015, American dentist Walter Palmer found this out after his African trophy hunt resulted in the death of Cecil the lion. Killing Cecil did no significant ecological damage, and even without human intervention, only one in eight male lions survives to adulthood. It would seem that disgust with Palmer was at least as much a reaction to the person he was perceived to be  someone who pays money to kill majestic creatures  as to the harm he had done.

The hunters I know dont put much stock in the objection from character. First, they point out that one can kill without having hunted and hunt without having killed. Indeed, some unlucky hunters go season after season without taking an animal. Second, they tell me that when a kill does occur, they feel a somber union with and respect for the natural world, not pleasure. Nonetheless, on some level the sport hunter enjoys the experience, and this is the heart of the objection.

Is hunting natural?

In discussions about the morality of hunting, someone inevitably asserts that hunting is a natural activity since all preindustrial human societies engage in it to some degree, and therefore hunting cant be immoral. But the concept of naturalness is unhelpful and ultimately irrelevant.

A very old moral idea, dating back to the Stoics of ancient Greece, urges us to strive to live in accordance with nature and do that which is natural. Belief in a connection between goodness and naturalness persists today in our use of the word natural to market products and lifestyles  often in highly misleading ways. Things that are natural are supposed to be good for us, but also morally good.

Setting aside the challenge of defining nature and natural, it is dangerous to assume that a thing is virtuous or morally permissible just because it is natural. HIV, earthquakes, Alzheimers disease and post-partum depression are all natural. And as The Onion has satirically noted, behaviors including rape, infanticide and the policy of might-makes-right are all present in the natural world.

Hard conversations

There are many other moral questions associated with hunting. Does it matter whether hunters use bullets, arrows or snares? Is preserving a cultural tradition enough to justify hunting? And is it possible to oppose hunting while still eating farm-raised meat?

As a starting point, though, if you find yourself having one of these debates, first identify what kind of hunting youre discussing. If your interlocutor objects to hunting, try to discover the basis for their objection. And I believe you should keep nature out of it.

Finally, try to argue with someone who takes a fundamentally different view. Confirmation bias  the unintentional act of confirming the beliefs we already have  is hard to overcome. The only antidote I know of is rational discourse with people whose confirmation bias runs contrary to my own.

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 has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Joshua Duclos, Boston University.

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Joshua Duclos 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.
Hyperloop Done

After raising almost half a billion dollars in funding since being founded in 2014, Hyperloop One is shutting down.

As Bloomberg reports, the once hyped-up transportation startup  which planned to revolutionize travel from city to city by blasting us through vacuum tubes at breakneck speeds  has laid off most of its staff.

The company is also trying to sell off the test track it built near Las Vegas as well as its remaining machinery.

It's a bittersweet moment and a farewell to a futuristic idea that clearly was either ahead of its time  or dead on arrival, depending on the way you look at it.

Series of Tubes

It all started with Elon Musk releasing a white paper about his vision for the Hyperloop back in 2013. The concept was deceptively simple: passengers would be whooshed through low-pressure tubes inside sleek pods, in a transportation dream that would be faster than a train but without having to go through security or airports.

"How would you like something that can never crash, is immune to weather, it goes 3 or 4 times faster than the bullet train," Musk wrote. "It goes an average speed of twice what an aircraft would do."

Over the years, the idea caught on with investors. Virgin CEO Richard Branson joined the company's board in 2017, rebranding the venture as Virgin Hyperloop One.

But five years later, Virgin yanked its branding and pivoted to carrying cargo and not passengers. Even at the time, the company was already in dire straits, laying off half of its employees in early 2022.

Hypoloop

Earlier this year, the company merged with a shell company, per Bloomberg. Shares slumped to a value of zero cents.

Dubai-based conglomerate DP World, which invested in Hyperloop One since 2016 and owns a majority stake, was behind the move and will receive the remaining IP, according to Bloomberg's sources.

In the nine years of its existence, Hyperloop has failed to break ground on an actual working Hyperloop.

But the idea isn't entirely dead just yet, even if Musk has largely abandoned it himself. There are several other companies that are still working on the concept, as Bloomberg points out, including the California-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, which has four prototypes in the work.

The company is still optimistic about opening a loop that connects Cleveland and Chicago by the end of the decade. But given Hyperloop One's fate, we'll believe it when we see it.

More on the Hyperloop: SpaceX Dismantles Hyperloop Prototype to Build a New Parking Lot
In November 2022, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accidentally posted the names, birthdates, nationalities, and detention locations of over 6,000 migrants to the agency's website. Forty-nine affected migrants sued Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner and other government officials over the data leakbut last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed their suit.

The 49 migrants came to the U.S. to seek asylum, with many of them fleeing "gang violence, government retaliation, and persecution on the basis of protected grounds," noted last week's opinion. All of them were eventually detained by ICE. Then, in late November 2022, an ICE employee allegedly uploaded the personal information of 6,252 migrantssome of whom were in ICE custody at the time, and some who once wereto the agency's website, available for anyone to view or download. It was on the site for about five hours.

"We know the 20 columns of personal data about each victim were downloaded six times from [internet service providers] that ICE refuses to disclose to Congress or to the victims of the breach," said Curtis Lee Morrison, partner and attorney at Morrison Urena and the lead attorney representing the asylum seeker plaintiffs, in a statement.

That lack of transparency complicates the plaintiffs' immigration cases, notes Ellyn Jameson, staff attorney at the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, which filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs. "The plaintiffs face an uphill battle in proving that this breach increases the danger they face because our government has staunchly refused to reveal to them who accessed their information," she explains.

Some of the plaintiffs hail from repressive countries, such as Nicaragua and Venezuela, making it all the more risky for their personal information to be released. "The plaintiffs are justifiably afraid that the persecutors they already feared, including foreign governments, will be better able to locate or retaliate against them as a result of this information becoming public," says Jameson. One notable example of the fallout happened last December, when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "inadvertently tipped off the Cuban governmentthat some of the immigrants the agency sought to deport to the island nation had asked the U.S. for protection from persecution or torture," the Los Angeles Times reported.

The plaintiffs sought financial remedies, as well as "accommodationsso that their asylum and withholding claims can be considered or reconsidered in light of the data breach, with the presumption of risk created by the data breach being presumed." District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, in dismissing the suit, noted "the gravity of ICE's alleged failure to safeguard the data of vulnerable people in its custody."

The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked Article III standing "to seek injunctive or declaratory relief because they have not alleged an ongoing or future violation of their rights by defendants." The court also held that their money damages claims under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Accardi doctrine, and the Due Process Clause are "barred by sovereign immunity because Congress has not consented to such suits."

"The victims may not have been persecuted or tortured due to the data breach yet, but the likelihood of those outcomes has increased due to ICE's conduct," says Morrison. "And the increased likelihood of those outcomes means [increased] anxiety and emotional distress for all the victims."

"In my view, that's injury," he continues. "To the Biden administration apparently, not so much."

Federal regulation mandates that the identities of asylum seekers be kept private. In an emailed statement, an ICE spokesperson noted that the release was "a breach of policy" and the agency is "taking all corrective actions necessary" to rectify it. An official told Axios last November that the government planned to contact those who had downloaded the migrants' information and request that they delete it. It also temporarily paused deportations for affected migrants.

Hannah Cartwright, executive director of Mariposa Legal, says that "ICE's response has been the barest of bare minimums." The agency "has refused to release information publicly about the scope of the breaches, refused to respond to [Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)] requests, and taken a hard-line defensive posture in the litigation of these ongoing cases in immigration court," she explains.

Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups tell Reason that they intend to keep pushing for transparency and solutions for the affected migrants. Immigrant Legal Defense, an immigration legal services nonprofit, filed a FOIA request last month seeking information from ICE and DHS about agency communications and the identities of those who accessed migrants' data. That request is pending.

"This decision sadly leaves the plaintiffs without much recourse, either in their immigration proceedings or their personal lives," says Jameson. "They entrusted our government with sensitive personal information as part of their efforts to receive protection here in the U.S., and our government simply did not handle that information with the care it deserved."

The post ICE Leaked These Asylum Seekers' Personal Information. A Court Just Dismissed Their Lawsuit. appeared first on Reason.com.
Prosecutors in Idaho are seeking a new trial date for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of breaking into an off-campus home in Moscow and stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.

In a new court filing on Thursday, Latah County prosecutors asked Judge John Judge to schedule the high-profile murder trial for summer 2024  in a bid to avoid times when university and high school students are in the swing of the academic year.

The State proposes that the Court schedule trial for the summer of 2024, and that the trial dates avoid times when Moscow High School and our area universities are in session, the filing states.

As the Court is aware, Moscow High School is directly adjacent to the courthouse premises and already the significantly increased amount of media and other vehicles related to this case has strained available parking as well as safety and convenience for pedestrians, including students.

No specific date was recommended in the court filing.

However, the University of Idahos spring commencement  which closes out the semester  is scheduled for 11 May 2024 and Moscow High Schools classes end in the first week of June.

In the filing, the state is also asking the judge to set deadlines for the prosecution and the defence to turn over all discovery in the case, to disclose any expert witnesses who will be called to testify at trial, and to file any pretrial motions including motions about the death penalty.

Deadlines for jury questionnaire proposals, jury instructions, proposed witnesses and any other matters are also being sought.

In calling for a trial date, prosecutors argue that former Washington State University (WSU) student Mr Kohberger has had enough time to offer up an alibi for the night of the murders and so the matter should be closed.

Back in August, the accused killer finally provided a vague alibi, claiming he was driving around late at night on 12 November and into the early hours of 13 November when the killings took place.

Bryan Kohberger enters a courtroom for a hearing in Moscow, Idaho, on 26 October (AP)

However, he admits that there are no witnesses to back up his version of events.

The trial is expected to last around six weeks, with the state requesting that trial days run from 8.30am to around 3pm each day to allow jurors time to see to their personal affairs.

Prosecutors are asking the judge to arrange a status conference so that the trial date can be scheduled.

Mr Kohbergers legal team has not yet responded to the filing.

His trial was originally due to start on 2 October 2024 but was delayed indefinitely in August when the accused killer abruptly waived his right to a speedy trial.

Last week, the judge threw out Mr Kohbergers second bid to have his indictment dismissed.

The 29-year-old is facing the death penalty over the brutal murders of the four University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

In the early hours of 13 November, he is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road, Moscow, and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (Ethan Smiles Foundation)

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together before their murders (Instagram)

For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named.

Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders.

Investigators said he was tied to the murders through his DNA found on a knife sheath left on the bed next to Mogens butchered body.

The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students  if any  prior to the murders. The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  has never been found.

As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

The student home pictured on 3 January 2023 in Moscow, Idaho (Getty Images)

He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.

Now, the student home where the murders took place is scheduled for demolition next week  a decision that has divided the families of the victims.
Israeli forces in the Northern Command sector operates near the Israel-Lebanon border on October 12. Israel said it responded to a Hezbollah attack near the border on Friday. File Photo by Israel Defense Forces/UPI

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces said it attacked Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon after they fired nearly two dozen rockets into Israel on Friday, threatening to expand the current Israel-Gaza war.

Hezbollah, which took responsibility for the initial attack on southern Israel, said two of its members died in the exchange of fire. It said 121 members have died in skirmishes along the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 7.

About 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Shomera area in northern Israel, along with additional rocket fire along other border areas. The IDF did not say if any casualties resulted from the Hezbollah attacks.

Israel responded to the attacks with fighter jets that hammered rocket launch sites, military buildings, and other known Hezbollah infrastructure. Another Lebanon-based target was slammed by tanks and artillery.

The IDF said it shelled several areas along the Israel-Lebanon border with artillery to prevent future Hezbollah attacks.

An Image released by IDF on on Thursday October 12, 2023, shows Israeli forces in the Northern Command sector, reserve forces as they deploy in in the settlements near the border with Lebanon in the north of Israel. File Photo by IDF/ UPI

The IDF has warned that Hezbollah's actions are putting the Lebanese general population in danger as Israel responds to the attacks.

Israel forces have searched for several senior Hamas-linked leaders including Saleh al-Arouri and Osama Hamdan, along with Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Secretary-General Ziad Nakhalah.

"Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a combat zone and continues to endanger the future of the entire state of Lebanon for Hamas and Iran," IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.
BYRON, Ill. - An Illinois nurse is accused of tampering with a patient's morphine in 2021.

Nickole Butler, 40, of Byron, is charged with one count of tampering with a consumer product.

Butler, who was employed as a registered nurse at a skilled nursing facility, allegedly removed liquid from a patient's liquid morphine that was prescribed to them and diluted it with another substance in May 2021.

By doing this, the patient was placed in danger of bodily injury, the indictment said.

"Patients deserve to have confidence that they are receiving the legitimately prescribed medication and not a diluted substance," said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual. "Health care practitioners who illicitly tamper with prescription drugs will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

She pleaded not guilty Thursday during her arraignment in federal court.
WAUKESHA, Wis. - Waukesha County prosecutors have charged a man with multiple felonies after a lengthy police chase ended Dec. 12 in the Town of Delafield.

The pursuit began in Illinois before crossing the state line and stretching across Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. The accused is 32-year-old Joseph Marino.

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said the police chase started in Elgin, Illinois. The sheriff's department said Illinois authorities notified them of a pursuit involving an armed carjacking suspect who was headed north on I-94 toward Wisconsin. Deputies spotted the car and picked up the chase at speeds in excess of 105 mph in Kenosha County.

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Kenosha County deputies continued the chase into Racine and Milwaukee counties before terminating their involvement. Officials said Waukesha police were alerted around 2 p.m. about a car that was wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Milwaukee.

A criminal complaint states Waukesha police spotted the car speeding and cutting through traffic on State Highway 164. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over  at one point driving into oncoming traffic and nearly striking another vehicle.

Waukesha police, Wisconsin State Patrol and Waukesha County sheriffs deputies became involved in attempting to stop the driver. The complaint states the vehicle ran multiple stop signs and red lights as it sped away from law enforcement. Officers called off the pursuit after nearly two miles due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the downtown Waukesha area.

A second traffic stop was attempted near St. Paul and Barstow. The complaint states the driver continued to flee, reaching speeds as high as 100 mph. A pursuing officer struck a citizen's vehicle during the chase, per the complaint, and the citizen was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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As the pursuit continued, the complaint states the fleeing driver stuck his hand out the window and a "powder-like material began spraying in the air." The vehicle hit spike strips near Meadowbrook and Rolling Ridge  but kept going.

Eventually, the car went off road in an open area west of the Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin building in the town of Delafield. Officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the car, which was stopped in a marsh area. Four Waukesha police squad cars were damaged during the incident, and the complaint states an Illinois State Patrol squad was "slammed" into earlier in the day.

The suspect was revving his engine, which police said made it obvious to officers the suspect was continuing to attempt to flee. The suspect would not listen or surrender to law enforcement. A Waukesha police K-9 was eventually able to apprehend the suspect  now identified as Marino.

Pursuit ends in town of Delafield

The complaint states Marino was taken to a hospital for treatment of a dog bite from the K-9. In his wallet, prosecutors said dollar bills had a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. The pursuit stretched roughly 10 miles in Waukesha County, and police said several other vehicles were struck either by Marino as he fled or by authorities "attempting to catch up" with him.

In all, Waukesha County prosecutors charged Marino with:

Fleeing/eluding an officer (two counts)

Second-degree recklessly endangering safety (three counts)

Possession of cocaine

Resisting/obstructing an officer

Court records show Marino was also charged in both Racine County and Milwaukee County with recklessly endangering safety.

Cash bond was set at $100,000 when he made his initial appearance in Waukesha County court Dec. 27.
Ethiopias state-owned flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines recently announced that it will be launching an international tender for the construction of a new airport on the outskirts of the capital. Shortly after, posts shared on Facebook claimed to show designs for the multi-billion dollar project. However, these are misleading: the images show designs for airports in South Korea and China. Ethiopian Airlines has not yet officially disclosed any designs for the new airport.

A post published on Facebook on December 12, 2023, has been shared more than 80 times.

Part of the Amharic post reads: Ethiopian Airlines announced that it is working to complete the construction of the new 5 billion dollar 'Ethiopian Airlines City' within four years.

Screenshot of the misleading post, taken on December 18, 2023

Preparations are being made to launch an international bid to hire companies who will construct the airport, the post adds.

It is accompanied by two images that seemingly show designs for the new airport.

Another similar post was also published on Facebook here.

Airline city

In 2020, Ethiopian Airlines announced a plan to build Africas largest Airport (archived here).

In early December 2023, local media reported that the carrier was ready to open international tenders for the construction of the $5 billion airport (archived here), to be completed in four years.

The official website of the United States International Trade Administration also reported this announcement (archived here).

However, the images attached to the posts are not designs for the planned airport.

China and South Korea

AFP Fact Check conducted reverse image searches for the two images and established that they show designs from airport projects in other countries.

The search results revealed that the first image (archived here) shows a design for a Southern Airport City in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China.

This plan for a mixed-use district by UK-based architectural firm Woods Bagot won a competition in 2012 (archived here).

Screenshot of the original image, taken on December 18, 2021

Search results for the second image (archived here) found that it shows a design for South Koreas Incheon International Airport, Terminal 2.

The design (archived here) was created by a consortium of architects called Heerim-Mooyoung-Gensler-Yungdo (HMGY) in 2013.

Screenshot of the original image, taken on December 18, 2023

Construction of this terminal began in 2013 and it opened for service in 2018 (archived here). The final phase of its construction is expected to be completed by 2025.

Ethiopian Airlines has not yet officially disclosed any designs related to the planned new airport.
Authorities are working to identify internal organs found in the parking lot of a Michigan hospital, police said.

On Dec. 20, officers received a report about organs found in the parking lot of Lake Huron Medical Center, the Port Huron Police Department said in a Dec. 21 Facebook post.

The same day of the discovery, police received a call from a citizen who read about the incident in a story published by The Times Herald of Michigan and offered a potential explanation.

The caller told police she was at the hospital for an appointment when she discovered the organs on her vehicle.

The caller said her relative, who was also present at the appointment, works for a local butcher and was the one who placed animal organs, obtained from work, on the car, according to police.

The organs were cleaned off the vehicle and onto the parking lot before the citizen drove off, police said.

McClatchy News reached out to the Port Huron Police Department on Dec. 22 to confirm if the suspected animal organs were left on the vehicle as a prank, but did not immediately hear back.

The organs were sent to the St. Clair County Medical Examiner for identification, police said. An investigation is ongoing.

Port Huron Assistant Police Chief Brian Kerrigan told The Times Herald there were two incidents of someone dumping animal organs around Port Huron in the fall of 2022. No suspect was ever identified.

McClatchy News reached out to Lake Huron Medical Center on Dec. 22 and was awaiting a response. A spokesperson told The Times Herald, We have no comment at this time as the police are investigating the situation.

Port Huron is about 60 miles northeast of Detroit.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  An assistant district attorney with the office of Hamilton County DA Coty Wamp will arrive in Memphis on Dec. 27 to conduct interviews and meetings on the Wanda Halbert investigation, according to a letter obtained by WREG.

The investigation by East Tennessee prosecutors pursuing a possible ouster of the Shelby County Clerk got off to a slow start, Wamp said.

The in-person visit comes after the majority of people the office contacted did not return phone calls to investigators, Wamp wrote.

Independent prosecutor asked to investigate Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert

Interviews have been conducted with more than a dozen individuals, but Wamp said much of the information gained was insignificant.

The office also sent four public records requests to county agencies on Nov. 9. She said only one office responded, and that was with a denial of the request.

When we reached out to Halbert, she said she was not notified about next weeks visit.

We have not been notified about anything outside of three public record requests that have been submitted to Shelby County Legal for response. I will reach out to DA Wamp to invite her to our office upon her arrival, she said.

Wamp said her office has heard rumors of complaints and grievances about the Shelby County Clerks office, but so far, they havent received a single formal complaint in writing. There isnt enough evidence at this point to have Halbert removed from office, she said.

In order for my office to pursue ouster under T.C.A. 8-47-101, we must have evidence in our possession that is clear and convincing to a court of law.  Therefore, we cannot simply rely on hearsay or rumors. We also cannot simply rely on evidence that Ms. Halbert is bad at her job, she wrote.

Halbert addresses Poplar Plaza clerks office closure, denies eviction

According to the letter, they must be able to prove that the elected official either knowingly or willfully committed misconduct in the office or the official knowingly or willfully neglected to perform any duty enjoined upon such officer by any laws of the state, to remove Halbert from office.

Thats why Executive Assistant District Attorney Kevin Loper needs the public to speak up when he comes to town next week.

Legitimate information, not someone told me this occurred. But this is something that I have good personal knowledge of, documentation of, in regards to why Clerk Halbert is not in compliance with her duties as an elected official, Loper said.

Wamp encouraged anyone with knowledge of Halberts neglect of duties to contact Special Assistant Jay Price at jay.price@hcdatn.org.

The Hamilton County DAs office was appointed back in June as an independent prosecutor in the investigation into Halberts office in relation to possible removal proceedings. The investigation centers on possible misconduct and allegations that Halbert may have neglected to perform the duties of her office.

Halbert and the clerks office have been heavily scrutinized over long lines, office closures, and delays in issuing license plates and tags, prompting complaints by county commissioners and officials, and members of the public.

In November, the clerks branch office in Poplar Plaza closed suddenly after the office was evicted for failing to pay its rent for several months, according to the propertys managers.

Clerk Halbert reportedly aware of investigation

Halbert has denied any wrongdoing and said the entire situation came to the publics attention due to retaliation by someone after she reported problems with documents at the clerks office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
As we approach the end of the year, many investors will be grappling with the challenge of identifying why certain funds in their portfolio are underperforming. The do I hold or sell? conundrum will pop into their heads. But simply looking at the performance tables may not be the answer.

Just as many investors attempt to time markets by buying funds that have shot the lights out, many will sell funds simply because they have lagged.

With a multitude of options available, determining whether you should trim your losses and move on or ride out the choppy waters can be a daunting task. However, simply asking yourself the right questions can pave the way to making the right decision. If you judge a fund by the numbers alone, there is every chance that youll get it wrong.

My company, Tillit, recently reviewed the funds we offer our customers, which numbered 104 at the time of review  25 index trackers and 79 active funds. Focusing on active fund performance over 10 years, we found that while 82pc had performed well, around seven could potentially be dropped.

Its essential to approach fund investing with a long-term perspective, understanding that markets can be volatile and short-term fluctuations are inevitable. Regularly reassessing your investments (say annually) and staying informed about market trends will enable you to navigate the dynamic landscape of investment with confidence.

Here are five key questions all investors should ask themselves when they assess the performance of their investment portfolio.

Examine historical returns

Begin by scrutinising the funds historical performance. While past performance provides no guarantee of future gains, it does offer a useful guide.

Look beyond recent gains or losses and evaluate how the fund has fared over the long term. Assessing a funds performance over various time frames provides a more comprehensive understanding of its stability and consistency. A fund that consistently lags behind its benchmark or peer group over extended periods may be signalling problems.

Several websites, such as Trustnet and Morningstar, enable investors to do this without having to open an account.

Has the funds philosophy, process or manager changed?

The track record of the fund manager can give you crucial insight. Investigate any new managers historical performance with other funds, as well as experience investing in the regions, sectors or assets pertinent to the fund.

Check also whether the funds philosophy or investment process has changed. While small changes might be hard to detect, a fundamental shift should be easy enough to unearth with a little online research.

For example, we removed the Martin Currie Japan Equity fund from our funds list earlier this year following the lead managers decision to retire.

The departure of a fund manager does not automatically mean removal but in this case his replacements lack of experience managing Japanese shares, combined with a proposed change in philosophy, prompted our decision.

Is the portfolio constructed as you would expect?

Review the funds factsheet to assess whether it aligns with your expectations regarding the regions, sectors and asset types the fund is invested in  as well as the corresponding allocations.

It may also be worth checking if the fund holds any unconventional investment instruments (such as derivatives or unlisted assets) that you hadnt expected. If anything does seem unusual, dig a little deeper to determine whether the fund manager has explained any deviations in the portfolio.

Monthly or quarterly comments from the manager are often found on the funds factsheet. If not, check any related commentary on the funds website.

Is the funds strategy still relevant?

Markets constantly change  and sometimes this might necessitate a change or at least a tweak to your investment strategy. Assess whether a funds original strategy remains pertinent in the current economic and market conditions.

What may have been a successful approach in the past could now prove ineffective and failure to adjust could result in underperformance.

On the other hand it might present an opportunity to anticipate future changes that will lead to more favourable market conditions. For instance, in the decade leading up to around 2021, so-called growth funds consistently outperformed value funds.

Since then, however, value funds have regained momentum. Growth investors typically focus on companies that promise strong earnings growth, while value investors concentrate on stocks that appear undervalued relative to their market price.

Check the fees you are paying

High fees can significantly affect your overall returns. Scrutinise the funds ongoing charges figure (OCF), which can be found on a funds factsheet or Key Investor Information Document (KIID), and compare it with similar funds. If your funds fees are substantially higher without corresponding outperformance, it may be time to reconsider your investment.



Sheridan Admans is head of fund selection at Tillit and a chartered wealth manager

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US defence chief slams Iran-backed Houthi rebels as bandits in the Red Sea as taskforce combats attacks

Iran-backed Houthi rebels are acting like bandits in the Red Sea trying to stop international trade, the US is warning as it leads a taskforce to stop the attacks.

The Pentagon said more than 20 countries had agreed to join Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the drone and missile strikes being launched at commercial ships from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Britain has sent HMS Diamond as part of the operation but details of some others countries participating in the mission remain scant.

Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, press secretary at the Pentagon, said: Its very important to understand that the Houthis arent attacking just one country, theyre really attacking the international community.

They are attacking the economic well-being and prosperity of nations around the world. So in effect, they really become bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea.

Operation Prosperity Guardian ships from the US, Britain and other countries would patrol shipping lanes to protect vessels moving through the Red Sea.

He added that the maritime force was expected to grow in size, with more countries contributing either ships or military personnel.

Its a defensive coalition meant to reassure global shipping and mariners that the international community is there to help with safe passage, he stressed.

Several commercial vessels have been struck, with some companies temporarily ceasing shipments through the Red Sea.

At least eight of the countries taking part in the taskforce are believed to have declined to be publicly named, in a sign of political sensitivities of the operation as regional tensions soar over the Israel-Hamas war.

Weve had over 20 nations now sign on to participate, Maj Gen Ryder said, noting declarations by Greece and Australia.

Well allow other countries, defer to them to talk about their participation.

The United States recently launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, saying more than a dozen countries had agreed to participate in the effort that will involve joint patrols in Red Sea waters near Yemen.

Each country will contribute what they can, Maj Gen Ryder said, dubbing it a coalition of the willing.

In some cases that will include vessels. In other cases, it could include staff or other types of support."

The crisis in the Red Sea has grown out of the war between Israel and terror group Hamas.

The latest escalation in the conflict began on October 7 when Hamas fighters stormed across the Gaza border into southern Israel and killed about 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis and foreigners, taking around 240 people hostage.

Israels retaliatory bombardment and invasion of Gaza, which Israeli officials state is aimed at wiping out Hamas, has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the densely populated, coastal enclave.

Iranian proxies including the Houthis and Lebanese Hezbollah have fired rockets at Israel since the conflict began. The Houthis, meanwhile, have stepped up their Red Sea attacks, threatening to target all ships heading to Israel and warning shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

The attacks have disrupted a key trade route that links Europe and North America with Asia via the Suez Canal and caused container shipping costs to rise sharply as companies seek to ship their goods via alternative, often longer, routes.

The US, British and French navies have responded by shooting down Houthi drones and missiles.

Americas Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday the plans to set up the multinational coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping called Operation Prosperity Guardian.

During a trip to the Middle East, he said the operations would be joined by Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

On Thursday, Mr Austin said Greece and Australia had also joined the grouping, taking it to a total of 20, but added that at least eight countries taking part have declined to be publicly named.

Here is what other countries are saying publicly:

BRITAIN

Britain said destroyer HMS Diamond would join Operation Prosperity Guardian. The Ministry of Defence said the coalition would operate as part of the US-led CMF (Combined Maritime Forces).

FRANCE

Frances Defence Ministry said it supported efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding area and said it already operated in the region. But it said its ships would stay under French command and did not say if it would deploy more naval forces.

France has a naval base in the United Arab Emirates and 1,500 troops in Djibouti. Its frigate Languedoc is now in the Red Sea.

ITALY

Italys Defence Ministry said it would send naval frigate Virginio Fasan to the Red Sea to protect its national interests in response to specific requests made by Italian shipowners.

It said this was part of its existing operations and was not part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.

SPAIN

Spains Defence Ministry said it would only participate in NATO-led missions or EU-coordinated operations. We will not participate unilaterally in the Red Sea operation, it said.

GREECE

Greece said on Thursday it would send a naval frigate to the Red Sea and that it would participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian.

The Netherlands said it would send two staff officers and Norway said it would send 10 naval officers to Bahrain, the headquarters of CMF. Denmark said on Wednesday that it would take part in the operation, sending one officer.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational maritime partnership led by the US from Bahrain, the based for the US Navy Fifth Fleet. CMF has 39 members, including NATO and European states, regional countries and other nations.

One of its missions is the Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153), which operates in the Red Sea.
The News

The Israeli government, for the first time, signaled its willingness to allow the Palestinian Authority to govern the Gaza Strip after military operations against the militant group Hamas cease.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that the PA cant return to Gaza due to what he says is the organizations corruption and failure to condemn Hamass October 7 terrorist attack on southern Israel. Netanyahus position has increasingly placed him at odds with the Biden administration, which has already begun conferring with the PAs leadership in the West Bank about its post-war role.

But on Thursday, Netanyahus national security advisor outlined a shift in the Israeli governments position in an editorial published in Elaph, a Saudi Arabia-owned Arabic language news site headquartered in London. The Israeli governments placement of the piece in Elaph is an effort to communicate directly to Arab governments that are expected to play a central role in financing the reconstruction of Gaza after the war, Middle East officials told Semafor.

Beyond ensuring the security of our citizens, which we will not compromise on, Israel has no interest in controlling civil affairs in Gaza, and there will need to be a moderate Palestinian governing body that enjoys broad support and legitimacy, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi wrote. Its not for us to decide who this will be.

He added: In its current form, the PA finds this difficult to do, and it will require much work and the assistance of the international community and regional neighbors. We are ready for this effort.

The PA, and its 88-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas currently run the West Bank but was pushed out of Gaza by Hamas in 2006 following 2006 general elections in the territory. Biden administration officials now say theyd like to see the West Bank and Gaza reunified under a revitalized PA leadership as part of a broader post-war process that could resume Arab-Israeli negotiations aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state.

Jays view

Despite Netanyahus contempt for the PA, Israel is facing the blunt reality of either running Gaza itself after the war or ceding control to Palestinian leadership. U.S. and Arab officials say the PA is by far the best positioned to fill this void. But questions remain about who would lead the organization in Gaza and what steps can be taken to lend it legitimacy among Palestinians there.

The Biden administration is already seeking to identify members of the PAs security forces whove served in Gaza to potentially redeploy there, U.S. officials say. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Abbas in Ramallah last week to try and promote reforms within the PA that could bolster its capabilities in Gaza and breathe life back into negotiations to create an independent Palestinian state. The PA hasnt held a presidential election since 2005, and Israeli officials charge that the organization promotes terrorism through its educational programs and financial support for the families of Palestinians convicted of terrorism.

There are a number of security personnel linked to the Palestinian Authority, which we think might be able to provide some sort of a nucleus in the many months that follow the overall military campaign, a senior U.S. official said last week. But this is something we are discussing with the Palestinians, and with the Israelis, and with regional partners. It very much remains a work in progress.

Arab officials tell Semafor the PA has been holding discussions with Hamass political leadership in Qatar about post-war leadership in Gaza. A member of Hamass politburo in Doha told The Wall Street Journal this week that Hamas could potentially enter into a joint-leadership structure with Abbass political party, Fatah, as part of efforts to create an independent Palestinian state. We want to establish a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, Husam Badran said.

Israel and the U.S. have both ruled out Hamas playing any future leadership role in the Palestinian territories. Netanyahus government equates the organization with the Islamic State, or ISIS, and has pledged to completely dismantle its political and military leadership.

The U.S. and Arab governments are looking for new blood to eventually replace Abbas. Among the officials are Hussein al Sheikh, the secretary general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization  the overall representative of the Palestinians, and Mohammed Dahlan, who previously oversaw security in the Gaza Strip before Hamas took power. Recent polls have identified political leader Marwan Barghouti, whos currently jailed in Israel, as the most popular figure in the West Bank.

The View From Ramallah

Mahmoud Abbas said this week that hes prepared to initiate reforms in the PA and support the reconstruction of Gaza. But he said his organizations cooperation is contingent upon meaningful steps being taken to resume the long-stalled Middle East peace process. And hes called for the convening of an international conference focused on achieving a two-state solution, similar to one promoted by the U.S. and Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

The problem is not changing (Palestinian) politicians and forming a new government, the problem is the policies of the Israeli government, Abbas told Reuters last week.

Palestinian leaders also hit back at Netanyahus disparagement of Fatahs or Hamas leadership. We say to Netanyahu, its not Fatah-istan or Hamas-istan, the name is #Palestine, and it will remain Palestine, regardless of whoever wishes to call it that, tweeted Hussein al Sheikh, the PLOs general secretary.

Notable

A wartime poll conducted in the Palestinian territories found that 72% of respondents in the West Bank and Gaza believed Hamas was correct in launching the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
Aerial footage shows massive explosions ripping through the underground complex, described as a centre of power for Hamass military and political wing - Anadolu/IDF

Israel has blown up what it says was a subterranean terror city underneath a central Gaza City square that was used to plot the October 7 massacre.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it discovered terrorist infrastructure underneath Palestine Square, with lengthy tunnels connecting hiding places and offices belonging to Hamass senior military and political leaders.

Aerial footage released by the IDF late on Thursday night showed a series of explosions in the city centre destroying the underground infrastructure.

Israel reported earlier this week that it had secured control of what it called Hamass elite quarter in Gaza City from which Hamas leaders operated.

The complex has been described as a centre of power for Hamass military and political wing.

Some 600 Hamas terrorists were killed in the operation in the Rimal neighbourhood, the IDF claimed.

Palestine Square was a centre of Hamass military rule and is surrounded by buildings that served as command and control centres, terror tunnel shafts and strategic buildings belonging to the organisation, the IDF said in a statement, adding that Hamass infrastructure was embedded in a busy neighbourhood full of shops, residential buildings and a school for deaf children.

The network was actively used by Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and others, including to direct the October 7 attack, the IDF claimed.

Despite a reported failure to reach a new agreement with Hamas on a hostage release, Israel is believed to be pursuing fresh efforts to rescue some of the 129 Israelis held captive in Gaza.

Israel is still reluctant to offer the lasting truce that Hamas is seeking but is willing to offer to cease fire for two weeks, not one week as previously suggested, according to public broadcaster Kan.

A frontier Israeli kibbutz said on Friday its 73-year-old Israeli-American resident thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas was actually killed in the October 7 massacre and his body was taken to Gaza where it remains.

Gadi Haggai was presumed to have been kidnapped on the day Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel after he disappeared from the kibbutz of Nir Oz where he lived with his wife Judy.

Before the couple was kidnapped to Gaza, Judy managed to call a member of the kibbutz to say she had been shot in the arm and that Gadi had been shot in the head. There had been no other signs of life for them since.

Israel confirmed it would give a two-week ceasefire - Anadolu

The new information sheds light on just how little is known about the fate of some of those who went missing on the morning of October 7.

Earlier this week NBC reported that 26-year-old Noa Argamani was abducted by a civilian mob, not by Hamas as previously thought.

In a sign of a shift in public opinion, Israels former prime minister Ehud Olmert called for a permanent ceasefire, arguing that Israels international partners will soon force it to stop the war anyway but it might be too late to save the hostages.

Its decision time, Mr Olmert wrote in an editorial for the Haaretz newspaper.

The State of Israel now faces the choice between a ceasefire as part of a deal that may bring home the hostages in the hope that most of them are alive, and a ceasefire with no deal, no hostages, no apparent achievement, with a total loss of the remnants of international public support for the State of Israels right to exist without terror threats from murder organisations.

Israel was expanding its ground operation in Gaza on Friday as the military told residents of Gazas central Bureij town to evacuate south, with the IDFs Arabic-language spokesman publishing a map of the zones that need to be evacuated, the Times of Israel reported.

Despite Israels declaration of safe areas for residents, aid agencies have said nowhere in the strip is safe.

Israeli air strike

In the northern town of Jabaliya, at least 16 people from the extended family of Gazas health minister were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home on Friday morning, according to the Palestinian Shehab news agency.

Munir Al Bursh, who has been offering daily updates on casualties of the war in Gaza, was critically injured in the attack on his sisters house.

In southern Gaza, three people including two children were reported killed in what appears to be a targeted Israeli drone strike on a civilian car in Rafah, according to Yussuf Al Hams, director of a local hospital.

Al Jazeera on Friday morning carried images of crowds surrounding the destroyed vehicle that sat on a largely intact street. The target of the strike was not immediately reported.

On Israels northern border, a 17-hour break in cross-border fire with Hezbollah ended on Friday morning with a sustained salvo of rockets from southern Lebanon where the Iranian-backed terrorist group is operating.

Later on Friday, the IDF said that it scrambled a fighter jet to shoot down a drone launched from Lebanon and heading to Israeli airspace.

Authorities in Lebanon who are believed to have little or no control over Hezbollah activities have urged Israel to commit to a UN resolution dating back to the 2006 Lebanon war that should have prevented the fighting.

We are totally ready to commit to their implementation, on condition the Israeli side does the same, and withdraws  according to the international laws and resolutions  from occupied territory, Najib Mikati, the Lebanese prime minister, said in a statement.

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During the first six weeks of its war in Gaza, Israel dropped 2,000-pound explosives, including U.S.-made MK-84 bombs, at least 200 times on locations in southern Gaza it said were safe for civilians, according to a visual investigation by The New York Times. Weapons experts say these large bombs are no longer used by the U.S. military in densely populated areas, the Times reported. The study applied artificial intelligence technology to review satellite images of southern Gaza and look for impact craters. When the Times raised concerns about bombings in the region to an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, they said the military wing was focused on eliminating Hamas and insisted that questions of this kind will be looked into at a later stage. They added that the IDF takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm. Although the Pentagon has sent Israel more small bombs it deems as more fit for Israels war effort, the Times reported that the U.S. has sent over 5,000 MK-84 bombs to the country since October.

Read it at The New York Times

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Hamas, the group which controls the Gaza Strip, has ruled out any more hostage releases until Israel agrees to a "full cessation of aggression".

Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza since a truce earlier this month when more than 100 hostages were freed.

Around 120 people abducted from Israel on 7 October are believed to be still in captivity in Gaza.

Efforts continue at the United Nations to pass a resolution on the war.

The US has said it still has serious concerns over the draft UN Security Council resolution, with voting now postponed to Friday.

Fighting continues in Gaza, with Israel bombarding the north and south of the territory and Hamas firing rockets at Tel Aviv.

Among the Palestinians reported killed were the director of the police station in the southern city of Khan Younis and a daughter of the head of the Gaza health ministry.

The week-long truce this month brought an increased flow of aid into Gaza, where the UN has warned that the population is at risk of famine if the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

Negotiations on a new truce have been taking place in Cairo, Egypt, though initial talks on Wednesday bore no agreement.

In a statement, Hamas said: "There is a Palestinian national decision that there should be no talk about prisoners or exchange deals except after a full cessation of aggression."

It is unclear to which other Palestinian factions the statement was referring. Islamic Jihad, a smaller group in the Gaza Strip, is among those known to also be holding Israeli hostages.

The Hamas statement puts the Israeli government in a very difficult position.

It has said it thinks the best way to get the release of hostages is military pressure on Hamas and by staging rescue operations.

But so far that approach has not really worked. Only one hostage - Ori Megidish - has actually been rescued.

The government is also under huge pressure from the relatives of the hostages still being held, with some telling it the strategy of force is not working.

Hamas is putting pressure on Israel to stop the war altogether but without any guarantee that the group is going to stop its armed actions.

So the Israeli government is extremely reluctant to stop fighting until it feels it has completely degraded Hamas capability and it has not done that yet.

This will be a huge disappointment for the people of Gaza, who are desperate for this war to stop.

The Israeli report of killing 2,000 Hamas members in Gaza this month came a day after the territory's Hamas-run health ministry put the overall death toll there since 7 October at more than 20,000 including 8,000 children and 6,200 women.

When Hamas and their allies broke through the heavily guarded perimeter with Israel on 7 October they killed 1,200 people.
Israel has struck at least three locations in Gaza to which it had ordered civilians to evacuate since the breakdown of a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas earlier this month, CNN analysis has found.

On December 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a map of Gaza  divided into 623 numbered blocks  indicating areas the military would imminently strike, and areas to which civilians should flee. It was made accessible online via a QR code printed on leaflets dropped over the strip.

The map, a vestige of the short-lived plan from the 1970s to rebuild Gaza in the early years of Israels occupation of the coastal strip, was described by the IDF as a safe way to preserve your security, your lives, and the lives of your families.

Residents of Gaza are told to please pay attention and check this map, while following instructions of the IDF through various media outlets.

However, CNN analysis shows that IDF instructions have  at times  been imprecise and confusing. Regular IDF updates highlight numbered blocks in orange, urging citizens to evacuate these locations, and move to other areas labeled on the map. But some of the messaging has been contradictory and concerns have also been raised over Palestinians capacity to access the information due to power and telecommunication outages.

Using videos and images shared online, satellite imagery and local news reports, CNN has verified three Israeli strikes on areas where citizens were told to flee.

Since the beginning of the fighting, the IDF has been imploring the civilian population to temporarily evacuate from areas of intense fighting, to safer areas, in order to minimize the risk posed by remaining in areas of intense hostilities, the IDF said in a statement in response to CNNs reporting.

The IDF also claimed that they struck the areas identified in this report after intelligence indication that these places were safehouses for commanders of the Rafah Brigade of the Hamas terror organization.

The IDF continues to operate against Hamas infrastructure and terrorists wherever they are located in the Gaza Strip, the statement continued.

Strikes in areas civilians directed to

On December 2, the IDFs spokesperson for Arab media, Avichay Adraee posted evacuation orders on social media for citizens in parts of the Gaza Strip, which the IDF had dubbed a safe zone in the first month and a half of the war, prior to the truce.

Multiple images of the same location were shared  each with different locations highlighted. On the map, areas to the north and east of the city of Khan Younis are highlighted orange, and arrows instruct residents to evacuate from these areas to Al-Mawasi  a 5.22 square mile coastal strip designated a safe zone by the IDF  or to Rafah, Gazas southernmost city.

Aid organizations have raised concerns regarding the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, with the World Health Organisations (WHO) Director-General calling it a recipe for disaster due to cramped conditions and lack of infrastructure or services.

Meanwhile, analysis shows, strikes continued to hit Rafah.

In the three days after Adraees post, three Israeli strikes targeted locations in Rafah, CNN has found, despite IDF advice stating Gazans should evacuate to Rafah.

On the afternoon of December 3, a strike took place in Rafahs El-Geneina neighborhood. Footage, filmed moments after the attack, shows a large smoke plume rising from a location close to Saddam Street in Rafah.

Photographs and videos shared on social media, and geolocated to a position matching the plume, show a large crater and multiple buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.

Local media reported at least 17 people were killed and dozens injured in the attack, which struck the home of the al-Bawab family.

Later that night, another airstrike hit the home of the Al-Jazzar family in the Al-Tanour neighborhood of Rafah. Footage captured in the aftermath of the attack shows individuals desperately searching for survivors in the wreckage. One video shows a man, his legs trapped under rubble, being rescued by Civil Defense teams.

Palestinian Civil Defense at the site of the attack on the Al-Jazzar family home where a giant crater was seen in the aftermath. Journalists in the area told CNN that 18 people were killed. - From Palestinian Civil Defense/Facebook

CNN geolocated the footage to a house in Rafahs Al-Tanour neighborhood and confirmed the strike using satellite imagery.

A satellite image used to geolocate the house in Rafahs Al-Tanour neighborhood. - Maxar Technologies

Journalists in the area told CNN that 18 people were killed in the bombing  among them were journalist Shaima Al-Jazzar and her family. CNN has not been able to independently verify the casualties.

CNN was also able to verify reports from the following evening, December 4, that an Israeli strike targeted a public water tower less than 400 meters from the Al-Jazzar family home. Through analysis of satellite imagery, it is possible to confirm the water tower was destroyed between December 3 and 9.

There were also reports of at least three other airstrikes on locations in Rafah on December 2, 3 and 5 but CNN was not able to independently verify these attacks.

Confusing messaging about safe zones

The IDF also issued contradictory messages in the north of Gaza which could have led people wrongly to believe they were in safe areas, CNN analysis shows.

On December 2, Adraee posted evacuation orders on social media for citizens in the northern Gaza Strip, highlighting a number of blocks to the north of Gaza City, including large parts of Jabalia Refugee Camp. The graphic instructed people in these areas to evacuate your homes immediately through the Haifa and Khalil al-Wazir axes and go to the known shelter centers and schools in the Al-Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods and west of Gaza City.

One of two maps shared by IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee in a post on social media December 2, calling for the evacuation of citizens in the northern Gaza Strip. - From Israel Defense Forces/X

Adraee attached two inconsistent images to the instructions. Both showed the same area, but the second image had a larger number of blocks deemed unsafe.

A second map shared by Adraee, which was inconsistent with the first. - From Israel Defense Forces/X

This created confusing messaging where certain blocks were simultaneously presented as safe and unsafe. For example, block 720 is not highlighted in the first image, but appears in the orange area in the second image. Block 717, which is partly highlighted in the first image, appears squarely in the orange zone in the second image.

Adraee published updated advice on December 3 in which only the image showing the wider shaded area was included.

CNN has verified two Israeli strikes which occurred inside blocks which were not highlighted in the first version of the image  so according to its guidance should have been safe  after Adraee shared the contradictory evacuation orders.

On the evening of December 3, a video appeared online which appeared to show a petrol station engulfed in flames. It was released alongside reports that a petrol station in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City had been hit by an Israeli airstrike.

The video is shot at night, making it hard to detect any significant landmarks. However, reports also claimed that the petrol station was located next to offices of the Palestinian Civil Defense. With this information, CNN was able to locate a Civil Defense office and a petrol station side-by-side in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood.

Satellite imagery of the area  provided by Planet Labs on December 4  reveals destruction and clear signs of fire at the location of the petrol station, located in block 720, an area that was not highlighted in one of the posted maps. The Palestinian Civil Defense later released a statement saying that three members of its civilian team had been killed, and a number of others injured by the bombing.

On the same day, local reports claimed that the Al-Salam Mosque in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood had been targeted by Israeli strikes.

Satellite imagery of the area does not reveal clear damage to the mosque, but there are signs of bombing in the surrounding area.

Although it has not been possible to confirm the exact date of this attack - which hit block 717 - satellite imagery analysis reveals the strike took place between December 2 and 9, in the days following Adraees post correcting initial map.

The IDF says that the maps are reflective of a commitment to ensuring all possible precautions to avoid causing loss of civilian life or injury, adopting all available means.

But rights groups and international organizations have cast doubt on those claims. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised concerns over the accessibility of the map for residents of Gaza, given power outages and telecommunications cuts.

Data from the global internet monitor, NetBlocks, reveals that at times when the IDF was providing evacuation orders for numbered blocks around Gaza, network connectivity in the Rafah governorate was less than a fifth of peak levels. In the Khan Younis governorate, there were times when connectivity was recorded as zero.

It is unclear how those residing in Gaza would access the map without electricity and amid recurrent telecommunications cuts, an OCHA briefing said.

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Russian troops have confirmed their offensive near Avdiivka.

Source: The Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Geolocation images released on 19 December show Russian troops advancing northwest of Krasnohorivka on the northwestern flank of Avdiivka.

The Russians also made a small confirmed advance to the northwest of Kreminna. Geolocation images released on 21 December show that Russian troops have achieved little success east of Yampolivka.

The Russian occupiers also confirmed their offensive near Bakhmut. Geolocation images released on 20 December show Russian troops advancing along a section of railway track east of Klishchiivka (southwest of Bakhmut).

In addition, Russian troops confirmed the offensive southwest of Donetsk while positional fighting continued west and southwest of Donetsk. Geolocation images released on 21 December show Russian troops advancing south of Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk).

It is reported that Russian forces have advanced in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 20 December and participated in positional combat clashes with Ukrainian troops on 21 December.

Ukrainian troops remain on the Dnipro River's eastern (left) bank in Kherson Oblast. As of 21 December, there were no confirmed changes to the contact line in this area.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 21 December:

The failure of Russian operations in Ukraine to achieve Russian President Vladimir Putins maximalist objectives thus far is not a permanent condition, and only continued Western support for Ukraine can ensure that Putins maximalist objectives remain unattainable.

The ISW has assessed that the collapse of Western aid would likely lead to the eventual collapse of Ukraines ability to hold off the Russian military and that the current positional war in Ukraine is not a stable stalemate because the current instable balance could readily be tipped in either direction by decisions made in the West.

US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that the White House assesses that Russian forces will be able to conduct offensive operations more easily when winter weather conditions become more conducive for mechanized maneuver warfare (likely in JanuaryFebruary 2024)  an assessment that is consistent with ISWs observations and assessments about the tempo of fighting in Ukraine during the winter.

Russian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 20 to 21.

Japan is reportedly preparing to revise its defense equipment export policy to backfill US stockpiles of Patriot missiles and UK artillery ammunition stores.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) objected to military exercises in Japan involving the Japanese military, possibly in an effort to deter or respond to the Japanese governments decision to change its defense equipment export regulations.

The Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Oleg Malginov after Russian ultranationalist and former Russian State Duma Deputy Zakhar Prilepin suggested that Russia should annex part of Uzbekistan, likely demonstrating post-Soviet countries concerns about intensifying Russian imperial designs against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

An investigation by Africa-based French-language outlet Jeune Afrique highlights the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to maintain and expand Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Sahel while subsuming Wagner Group operations on the continent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to formalize avenues for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of humanitarian services.

Kremlin-appointed Commissioner on Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova continues to implicate herself in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia against the backdrop of the death of a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl in Russian custody.

The US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a series of sanctions against oil traders with opaque ownership and a Russian-owned ship manager that have been helping Russia skirt the G7 price cap on Russian oil and petroleum products.

Russian forces made confirmed advances near Kreminna, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka and continued positional meeting engagements along the entire frontline.

The Russian government continues efforts to digitalize and organize conscription through a unified digital register as part of ongoing attempts to improve the effectiveness of issuing military summonses and prevent draft dodging.

Russian authorities are using Rosgvardia to perform law enforcement functions and strengthen occupational control in occupied Ukraine.

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Special counsel Jack Smith wants the Supreme Court to move at blazing speed to keep Donald Trumps Washington, D.C. criminal trial on track. He just wont  and perhaps cant  say precisely why.

None of the prosecutors calls for expedience have squarely explained why he wants the case to advance with urgency rarely seen in criminal proceedings. Yet theres not much mystery behind the subtext of Smiths plea to the justices: If Trump can use the plodding pace of the courts to force delays in his criminal trials  and then retakes the White House in 2024  he may never see the inside of a courtroom again.

As president, Trump could order the Justice Department to shut down lingering federal cases, and he could pardon his alleged co-conspirators and perhaps even himself. State-level prosecutions in New York and Georgia would likely be suspended for years while Trump remained in the White House.

That reality has been the ever-present backdrop of Smiths entire investigation. Yet his determination to avoid explicitly mentioning it has left glaring gaps in his arguments.

This is all about trying to get it done before the election. But thats not something that Jack Smith can overtly admit, said Timothy Parlatore, one of Trumps former defense attorneys, because then that admits that it is at least in part election-related.

Instead, Smith has merely hinted at the elephant in the room. In briefs urging the Supreme Court to take up the case with unusual speed, Smith alluded to the nations compelling interest in quickly settling the question of Trumps guilt or innocence on charges that he sought to disenfranchise millions, stoke a violent riot at the Capitol and subvert the transfer of power after the 2020 election. The public interest demands prompt resolution without undue delay, Smith argued to the high court Thursday, without elaborating.

That vague paean to the public interest stops well short of saying what everyone  including the high court  already knows.

If this case doesnt get tried before the election, and if he wins, then it will likely never be tried, Parlatore said. That is a reality. So you could sit there and say, It needs to be done now because if its not done now it will never be done.

But, in doing so, Parlatore added, that also admits that it is to affect who wins the election.

The dynamic underscores the awkward position Smith is facing as he pilots what would be the first-ever criminal trial of a former president  who also happens to be the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the 2024 election. Its anathema in court to link almost any proceedings to a compressed political calendar, and factoring in Trumps potential victory in 2024 requires a degree of political forecasting that courts detest.

Indeed, the Justice Departments regulations discourage actions that would be viewed as affecting the course of an election. So Smith has been left alluding to the risks of delay without precisely explaining why speed is of utmost significance. And his silence has allowed his prominent supporters in legal and political circles to fill in the blanks for him.

It is of surpassing and obvious importance that voters know whether the former president will be found guilty by a jury of having committed grave crimes against the United States before they vote in November of this coming year, said Michael Luttig, a former conservative judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

It has also allowed Trump to attempt to define the answer for him. A spokesperson for Trumps campaign said the filings show Smith flailing about in desperation. In his own Supreme Court filing Wednesday, Trump urged the justices to refuse Smiths entreaties for haste, saying Smiths silence on the reason for his demand, backed by the vaguest of justifications, betrays a corrupt political motive to damage Joe Bidens likeliest 2024 opponent. His attorneys described the lack of elaboration as an omission that speaks volumes.

In his Thursday filing, Smith managed to reject that assertion without repeating it, simply dismissing Trump's claims as unfounded and incorrect.

Barb McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Michigan, said Smiths insistence on a speedy trial for Trump appears legal and not political. The trial is currently scheduled to open on March 4, but it cannot begin until the question of Trump's immunity is settled.

A speedy trial is necessary to ensure that evidence is available, witnesses memories are fresh, and jurors are able to find their recollections credible, McQuade noted, adding that if Trump were elected in 2024, his trial could be pushed until 2029 or beyond. At that point, the publics interest in a speedy trial has been defeated.

Asked about the likelihood that Trump would use his power as president to end the criminal cases hes facing, McQuade added, I dont think that is a proper concern for Jack Smith.  I dont think he can presume bad faith on the part of Donald Trump, even if it is likely.
The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist who was murdered in 2018, has been granted political asylum in the U.S., according to The Washington Post.

Thank you to @RepDonBeyer @timkaine @danapriest @washingtonpost for your powerful help in getting me political asylum and telling the truth. Not done yet in getting #JusticeforJamal @JKhashoggi, Hanan Elatr said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.

Elatr included a link in the post to an article from the Washington Post, where her husband previously worked, about her newfound asylum. According to the Post, the decision on her asylum came this month.

I couldnt really believe it, Elatr said in the wake of reading a letter on the decision, per the Post. I said, Is this real? I couldnt digest it.

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, was murdered while in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

In an interview with Fox News Bret Baier in September, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that anyone involved in Khashoggis murder is serving jail time. This comment stood in contrast to a U.S. intelligence report that found Salman behind the approval and likely the ordering of the journalists death.

Baier asked the crown prince about what he would tell U.S. tourists or journalists with safety concerns about visiting Saudi Arabia, to which he responded Well, we take all the legal measurements that any country took, like when America have mistakes in Iraq, they do investigation, trial, etc.

We did that in Saudi Arabia and the case being closed, he continued. And also, we try to reform the security system to be sure these kinds of mistakes doesnt happen again. And we can see in the past five years, nothing of those things happened.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, was granted political asylum in the United States late last month. I couldnt really believe it, Hanan Elatr told the Post of reading her approval letter. I said, Is this real? I couldnt digest it. Elatr, a former Emirates flight attendant, was born in Egypt and married Khashoggi in Northern Virginia four months before his death. She fled the United Arab Emirates, her home of 26 years, after her husbands murder and applied for asylum in 2020. Elatr said she feared for her life outside the U.S., alleging shed been intimidated and mistreated by authorities in both Egypt and the UAE because of her relationship to Khashoggi. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) said in a statement to the Post that Elatr had the clearest case for political asylum imaginable.

Read it at The Washington Post

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Hanan Elatr has sought political asylum in the US since she came to the country more than three years ago.

The wife of Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, has been granted political asylum in the US.

Mr Khashoggi died in October 2018, and US intelligence has said it believes Saudi Arabia was behind the killing.

Hanan Elatr, Mr Khashoggi's wife, feared for her safety and came to the US in August 2020 to apply for asylum.

The BBC reviewed documents showing she was granted indefinite asylum status on 28 November.

"We did win," Ms Elatr told the BBC, emotion catching in her throat. "Yes, they took Jamal's life and they destroyed my life, but we did win."

It has been more than three years since Ms Elatr first applied for political asylum in the US. She has maintained that her life would be in danger if she returned to Egypt, where she is from, or the United Arab Emirates - her home of more than 25 years.

The former Emirates flight attendant came to the US and lived afraid for her safety in Maryland for many months, abandoning her job and life, her attorney Randa Fahmy said in an interview.

Eventually she was able to obtain a work permit in October 2021 to begin her new life in the US. Ms Elatr now has a job and apartment - though she struggles to make ends meet.

Jamal Khashoggi

"It's been a lengthy process," Ms Fahmy said.

Despite the time it took, Ms Elatr expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden and his administration for "opening the door for me". She said she is "relieved from feeling scared".

Ms Elatr finally interviewed with US immigration services in March in a process that her attorney described as "pretty traumatic" for the level of detail and repetition that it required.

They expected to receive a response in 60 to 90 days, but Ms Fahmy believes that the application process was held up by ongoing negotiations between the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The two women enlisted the help of various members of Congress, but called congressman Don Beyer and Senator Tim Kaine their "champions on Capitol Hill".

Both lawmakers told the BBC that they were happy to help Ms Elatr and were relieved to hear the news. Mr Beyer said it was "the clearest case for political asylum imaginable".

"After all that she and her family have been through, it is good to see them granted this recognition and the measure of security that will come with it," Mr Beyer said in a statement. "I will continue to support Mrs Khashoggi as she seeks accountability for her husband's murder, a terrible injustice which I will not forget."

Ms Elatr and her attorney said that obtaining political asylum will serve as a springboard "to take our case further to bring justice for Jamal".

They are seeking compensation from Saudi Arabia for Mr Khashoggi's death and are working to obtain the journalist's electronic devices from the Turkish government.

They also intend to pursue legal action against Israeli spyware firm NSO Group, which has faced widespread allegations that its Pegasus software has been sold to and used by authoritarian governments across the world.

The BBC has reached out to NSO Group for comment, but it has previously denied wrongdoing.

"We're determined to get justice for Jamal and peace and justice for Hanan," Ms Fahmy said.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Jamestown man pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography in 2021, the U.S. Attorney announced Thursday.

23-year-old Brandon Uber admitted to sending a Snapchat image and video files of a 16-year-old engaging in sexual conduct in March 2021. In addition, Uber received images and videos from other users of social media apps. He also had online conversations with another minor, persuading the minor female to create videos of herself to send to him.

Uber stored the videos on various devices, including two cell phones and two tablets.

He pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. He faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years along with a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on June 6, 2024.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Thursday implored the Supreme Court to reject former President Trumps immunity claim in the federal election interference case and to do so as quickly as possible.

The Supreme Court must decide this question as quickly as possible if justice is to be served, and its got to reject the extravagant and baseless claim of presidential immunity, Raskin said in an interview on CNNs The Situation Room.

Trumps legal team is arguing that his status as a former president shields him from charges in the federal case related to his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election. Trumps team appealed the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, after she declined his motion to toss out the case based on his immunity claim.

Special counsel Jack Smith, whose office brought the indictment against Trump, petitioned the justices to weigh in immediately on the matter, in order to keep the trial on track to begin March 4. Trumps team has fought back, asking the Supreme Court to hold off on weighing in on the matter.

The Special Counsel identifies no compelling reason for the extraordinary haste he proposes. Instead, he vaguely asserts that the public interest favors resolution on a dramatically accelerated timetable, to ensure that President Trump may be brought to trial in the next few months, Trumps attorneys wrote in the filing, adding, Importance does not automatically necessitate speed. If anything, the opposite is usually true.

Raskin, formerly a constitutional law professor, stressed the importance that the Supreme Court make a definitive ruling in the matter.

Well, theyve got to take it on. It is a ridiculous claim that the president can commit any crime that he or she wants while in office and cant be prosecuted, whether its murder or rape or conspiracy to overthrow the government, Raskin said.

And in fact, Article One, Section three, clause seven of the Constitution says that even if youve gone through an impeachment, that does not absolve you of criminal liability or protect you from criminal prosecution later, Raskin continued. You may remember at the end of the Senate impeachment trial, even those who voted to acquit Donald Trump like [Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)], were saying he, of course, stands for criminal prosecution and is liable later for the things that hes done.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Japan says it will send Patriot air defence missiles to the US after changing its arms export rules, in a shift away from its pacifist policies.

The White House has welcomed the move, which could free up the US to send its own stockpile to Ukraine.

Western powers have been running out of ammunition to supply Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion.

Patriot missiles are among the most advanced weapons supplied by the US to Ukraine.

Tokyo previously only allowed for components of licensed equipment to be sent from Japan to the nation where the manufacturing licence originated. But under the new rules it can ship finished goods too.

Shortly after the government announced this change on Friday, the foreign ministry said it would ship Patriot missiles to the US to "further strengthen the Japan-US alliance".

It added that the missiles could only be sent to the US, and would require Japan's approval to be sent to a third country. Japan still bans the export of weapons to countries at war.

This could mean that Japan-made Patriot missiles may replenish the US' stockpile, while Washington sends US-made ones to Ukraine.

In Japan, the Patriot missiles are manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under licence from US defence contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX.

It comes after the US government reportedly requested Japan to change its defence export rules. It is the first time Tokyo has done so since 2014.

Earlier this month, the US Congress failed to approve a $60bn aid package for Ukraine despite a plea from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has warned that it is already being forced to downsize some military operations because of a drop-off in foreign aid. It has been asking the US for more air defence support for months.

Tokyo is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells to the UK as it makes them under licence from London-based BAE Systems, according to the Financial Times.

Japan's National Security Council is expected to decide what equipment to provide to which country on a case-by-case basis.

The change in rules happens as Japan wrangles with its long-standing pacifist stance.

After World War Two, Japan adopted a constitution which prohibits the country from going to war except in cases of self-defence. The constitution does not officially recognise the military and limits it to self-defence capabilities.

It also imposed an arms export ban, which was in 2014 eased for the first time in almost 50 years under then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - a move that was viewed with suspicion in China.

Last year, Japan announced that it would double its military spending to 2% of the country's GDP by 2027, citing threats posed by China and North Korea.

Beijing's increasing military aggression has fuelled Japanese anxiety that should conflict break out in Taiwan, Japan would not only be pulled into a war between the US and China, but also targeted as a US ally. It hosts US military bases and has the biggest concentration of troops outside America.

North Korea also poses a perennial existential threat to Tokyo, as its nuclear ambitions have grown more alarming - with a record number of missile launches this year, including several that have flown over Japan.
The Japanese government has decided to supply the US with interceptor missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft systems in order to replenish the supplies of the US. The White House has approved this decision.

Source: Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, as reported by European Pravda

Quote from Sullivan: "This decision will contribute to the security of Japan and to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by ensuring that U.S. forces, in close cooperation with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, will continue to maintain a credible deterrence and response capability."

Sullivan added that Biden "strongly appreciates and supports the leadership role played by Japan".

On 22 December, the Japanese government weakened the strict defence production export rules which will allow Japan to conduct its first export of aircraft military equipment next year, as reported by The Japan Times media outlet.

Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, explained that the supply of defence equipment had become an important political tool both for "deterring unilateral changes to the status-quo by force and for creating a desirable defence environment for Japan".

"In taking such action, we would like to contribute to the protection of a free and open international order based on the rule of law and to the realisation of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," Kishida told reporters on 22 December.

These changes recommended last week by a group of lawmakers are happening at the time when Japan is planning to export missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft systems to the US on the request of Washington in order to help it replenish its stocks depleted by military aid for Ukraine.

To do this, Tokyo has revised the countrys defence equipment and technology transfer guidelines  originally established in 1976  for the first time since 2014, allowing the export of finished defence products, including lethal ones, manufactured in Japan under foreign licence to the countries that hold patents for the equipment.

Previous guidelines only permitted the export of licensed components to the US, such as engine parts or missile guidance equipment, while also allowing the transfer of locally developed nonlethal assets and technologies, as seen with Japans provision of patrol vessels and early-warning radars to the Philippines.

Tokio made it clear that future supply of the missiles for Patriot systems would only be aimed at replenishing American stocks, not for further transfer to other countries. Yet, according to the revised framework, licensed military equipment may also be sent to other countries if Tokyo allows it.

It means, for instance, that Washigton may potentially supply the European countries with Japan-made missiles for Patriots or other licensed armament on condition that the recipients are officially not in the state of war.

While this prohibits transfers to Ukraine, which is approaching its third year of countering the Russian invasion, Tokyos revisions will give Washington and Europe greater flexibility when it comes to strengthening Kyivs air defences.

If Japan transfers its (Patriot) PAC-3 missiles to the US, and Washington exports the Patriots it already stocks to Ukraine, then this can indirectly support Kyiv without affecting US air defence capacity, said Masashi Murano, a Japan chair fellow at the US-based Hudson Institute, adding that after exporting to Washington, Japan's domestic missile production is likely to be quickly expanded to fill the gap.

Earlier, Germany confirmed that it had supplied Ukraine with its second Patriot system.

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Japan changed its laws regarding arms exports, allowing for the transfer of weapons, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced on Dec. 22. The ministry added that it will send the U.S. Patriot missiles, paving the way for the U.S. to replenish its stocks while potentially sending Ukraine some of its own current supply.

The move represented a significant shift in Japan's pacifist foreign policy, which has long prohibited the international export of arms. The change in rules still does not allow for the export of weapons to countries currently at war, so Japan cannot send Patriot missiles directly to Ukraine.

As Russia continues to ramp up its onslaught of attacks against civilian infrastructure, Ukraine remains in desperate need of modern air defenses to thwart Russian airstrikes this winter. In October, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia would likely attempt to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has seen success with its Patriot missiles, some of the most advanced air defense systems the country possesses.

Ukraine received its first Patriot systems in April 2023 and soon after proved their effectiveness by downing air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missiles, lauded by Moscow as "unstoppable hypersonic" weapons.

The U.S. would still need to obtain permission from the Japanese government before transferring the weapons abroad.

U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that Japan plans to send dozens of Patriot missiles to the U.S. as early as the beginning of 2024. The missiles cost millions of dollars each, and the producer, Lockheed Martin, currently makes only 550 annually.

"The impact of Japans shipments will depend on how many missiles the U.S. in turn provides to Ukraine," the WSJ said.

The decision to send Patriot missiles to the U.S. "helps us manage our inventory of Patriots, given Ukraine and the Middle East, with a little more flexibility and strategic deployment, said Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Japan has committed more than $7 billion in aid to Ukraine, the majority of which is humanitarian. Some military aid has been provided, but it has been limited to non-lethal equipment due to the restrictions on weapons exports.

Read also: Ukraine finally moves to fortify front line, but could it be too little too late?

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Japans incoming Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito speaks to media at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official residence in Tokyo

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Industry Minister Ken Saito said on Friday that U.S.-Japanese ties were "stronger than ever", although he declined to comment directly on growing scrutiny in the United States of a proposed deal for Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel.

Speaking at a media conference, Saito said he was aware of a statement by the U.S. National Economic Council director that the purchase deserves "serious scrutiny", but would not comment directly on private deals.

"I believe Nippon Steel simply needs to take the proper steps in the procedure," he said. "In any case, the Japan-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever ... and it is important to work together in the field of economic security."

The White House on Thursday said Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel needed to be carefully scrutinised given the company's core role producing a material that is critical to national security.

The strongly worded White House statement comes amid growing criticism of the proposed deal by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and the powerful United Steelworkers union, the main union at the third-largest U.S. steel company.

Nippon Steel said in a statement it believes the acquisition will be beneficial to all stakeholders. Akira Amari, a lawmaker from the ruling party, said the government would be willing to help the company, if asked, adding that Nippon Steel "should dispel concern over employment as soon as possible".

The deal comes before an expected rise in interest rates which would raise financing costs for companies, said one Japanese banker who worked on the deal and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Nippon Steel management has defended the chunky premium it is paying for the iconic U.S. steelmaker as it looks to grow overseas revenue.

"It's a miracle it came up for sale. This is the kind of deal you don't see even once in a lifetime," said another banker.

The growing backlash against a buyer from one of Washington's closest allies comes as the U.S. has been moving to deepen cooperation on supply chains to counter the growing technological prowess of China.

The White House's response follows a request from the union for scrutiny of the deal and is not a surprise or a move that affects the U.S.-Japan alliance, an official from Japan's industry ministry said.

Nippon Steel will follow procedure and provide explanation as required, the official added.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel had welcomed the deal shortly after its announcement on Monday, saying in an X social media post the two companies were "defining the future of the key steel industry and forging a strong bond as they face a more competitive environment." He added that the deal would "deepen the bonds" between the U.S. and Japan.

A U.S. embassy spokesperson said on Friday the ambassador had no further comment on the deal.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki, Ritsuko Shimizu, Yuka Obayashi, Chang-Ran Kim, Yukiko Toyoda, Maki Shiraki, Leika Kihara and Kentaro Sugiyama; Writing by Sam Nussey; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Edmund Klamann and Michael Perry and Miral Fahmy)
A woman connected to Jeffrey Epstein has claimed she faces risks of physical harm if she is identified, as 170 associates of the late sex trafficker are due to be named in the new year.

The woman told New York Judge Loretta Preska that she lives in a culturally conservative country outside the US and fears that being identified would lead to threats on her life, according to court records.

The woman, identified in court documents as Doe 107, was asked by Judge Preska in October to provide an affidavit backing up her claims that her life was at risk and to provide any hate mail she had received.

This week, her lawyer Richard Levitt asked the judge for an extra 30 days to provide the evidence requested, and sought clarification on what records related to his client would be released as part of the upcoming release of information.

The identities of scores of individuals due for release are contained in a defamation lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre against convicted child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein appears in court, July 30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida (AP)

Ms Giuffre filed the defamation case in 2015 after Maxwell called her a liar over her claims that she had been sexually abused as a minor.

The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, then sued for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit.

On Monday, Judge Preska issued a 51-page ruling ordering the names of Epsteins associates to be unsealed in full.

The federal judge also ordered that several of Epstein victims named in the documents should remain anonymous, as releasing their identities would disclose sensitive information regarding an alleged minor victim of sexual abuse who has not spoken publicly.

Virginia Giuffre has welcomed the release of more than 170 names linked to Epstein (PA Media)

Judge Preska gave the John and Jane Does 14 days to respond before materials connected to the now-settled civil case are released in the new year.

Ms Giuffre welcomed the released, writing on X: Theres going to be a lot of nervous people over Christmas and New Years, 170 to be exact, whos on the naughty list?

The defamation case was settled in 2017 and placed under a protective seal. It formed part of a criminal investigation that led to Maxwell being convicted of child sex trafficking in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Maxwells attorneys had fought for the names to remain private, before lifting their objection in early 2022.

The batch of documents will shed more light on Epsteins decades-long sex trafficking and abuse network, and is likely to include emails, depositions and other legal documents.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in 2019. Since then, his estate has been embroiled in lawsuits with JP Morgan, the US Virgin Islands and dozens of victims.
Accompanied by two nephews and a niece, an emotional Jodie Perry was sworn in Friday morning as Mansfield's new mayor.

Perry, a Republican, will replace Tim Theaker, who served three terms.

State Rep. Marilyn John, herself a former mayor, swore in Perry before a packed house in Mansfield City Council chambers. Perry used her grandmother's Bible for the ceremony.

New Mansfield mayor Jodie Perry, in red, was sworn in by State Rep. John on Friday morning in council chambers, after which the two elected officials shared a lengthy hug.

"It is emotional, for sure," Perry said. "It's a lot of things at once, saying goodbye to the folks at the chamber and saying hello to the people at the city.

"I've worked hard for a long time to get here. It feels kind of surreal."

Since 2014, Perry has been the president and CEO of Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development. She reduced her role to COO of the chamber after she became a candidate.

She previously said she began thinking about running for office while working on the Mansfield Rising plan in 2018.

Jodie Perry is sworn in as new Mansfield mayor on Friday morning.

Perry announces choices for safety service director and public works director

In keeping with that theme, she announced that current Mansfield police Chief Keith Porch will be the safety-services director and Louis Andres will be the public works director.

Dave Remy, who has spent 31 years with the city, is handling both roles now but plans to retire.

"Who you surround yourself with is really important for a leader," Perry said.

She referenced "Team Mansfield" in her address to her supporters, as well as during her campaign.

"That mantra will remain true going forward," Perry said. "All of us are going to have to work together."

Dressed in a red blazer and a black top, Perry chose John for the swearing-in ceremony. John started her political career as mayor of Shelby before becoming a Richland County commissioner.

"This takes me back to my first swearing in, all the things I felt that day," she told the crowd.

John said she woke up feeling excited for Perry to begin her career in public service, then realized Perry has been a public servant for a long time.

Perry, a New York native, has served four chambers of commerce over the last 20 years.

Jodie Perry, accompanied by her niece and nephews, is sworn in as Mansfield's mayor on Friday morning by State Rep. Marilyn John.

John said Perry would have a new address, a new office and a "few more responsibilities," drawing laughter from the crowd.

"I, as well as all of you, have full confidence in Jodie leading the city of Mansfield," John said. "I look forward to watching very much."

John and Perry shared a lengthy hug at the end of the ceremony.

Chief Porch will retire in February to assume new role

When Perry announced her choices for safety service director and public works director, she ended weeks of speculation.

Porch, who has been the chief for nearly five years, will retire Feb. 27, 2024, after 25 years as a city police officer. He spent the first five years of his career as a sheriff's deputy.

"Keith's well-respected in the community," Perry said.

Until Porch takes over, Sharon May, current human resources director, will be the safety service director.

Perry said she and Andres have worked together on several boards, including Destination Mansfield.

"What I love about Louis is he gets things done," Perry said.

After the ceremony, the new mayor spoke with local media.

She said she felt "excited, a little nervous," knowing she will be under scrutiny in such a public role.

"Lots of eyes," Perry said.

She enjoyed having lots of eyes on her Friday.

"I'm thrilled to have so many people from different parts of my life," Perry said.

Her supporters included her father, her brother and his wife, and the aforementioned nephews and niece, Drew, Colin and Nadia.

Andres spent more than 40 years in parks and recreation

Andres has worked in parks and recreation for more than 40 years, starting his career in 1978. He worked as a park naturalist at Mohican State Park before becoming the park manager at Malabar Farm State Park in 1991. Andres stayed in that role for 22 years.

He retired in 2012 as north central district manager for the State Parks of Ohio. Andres has been semi-retired, working part-time for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District at Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill.

He talked about accepting his new role.

"I got a call out of the blue, and I said, 'Sure, I'll sit down with you,''' he said of meeting with Perry. "After we talked and she went over her expectations, I said, 'Yeah, I can help you with that.'''

New Mansfield mayor Jodie Perry addresses friends, family and colleagues Friday after taking her oath.

Andres said his new position would "definitely be a challenge" but he feels he is up for it.

Porch had been mulling over retirement after three decades in law enforcement.

"This wonderful opportunity presented itself," he said. "I was honored and privileged."

Still, Porch called the decision one of the most most difficult of his life.

"My honor has been serving the citizens of this city as a police officer," he said. "The cherry on top was being chief."

Porch said after hearing Perry's vision, he wanted to "jump on board."

"I'll still be serving the police department, just in a different role," he said, noting he also will oversee the fire department.

Perry previously said her top priorities include economic development, infrastructure and safety services.

She is ready to go.

"I want to make everyone proud," Perry said.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X (formerly Twitter): @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield's new mayor Perry sworn in Friday morning
The Republicans have launched a series of inquiries into Joe Biden and his son Hunter (left) - AP/Andrew Harnik

Joe Biden repeatedly emailed his son Hunters business associate before he made trips to the Ukraine, according to records released by Republicans.

The correspondence with Eric Schwerin also coincided with the time when Hunter Biden was negotiating to serve on the board of the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma.

In all, Mr Biden exchanged emails with Mr Schwerin 54 times while he was vice-president.

Earlier this month, House Republicans approved an impeachment inquiry into the president for alleged high crimes and misdemeanours.

The move was dismissed as a political stunt by Democrats and, as they hold a majority in the Senate, the chances of Mr Biden being removed from office are remote in the extreme.

Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the Biden family of enriching itself.

Since taking control of the House of Representatives, the Republicans have launched a series of inquiries into Mr Biden and his son Hunter, whom they have identified as a political liability to the president.

Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the Biden family of enriching itself - Reuters/Scott Morgan

Republicans have claimed that the president has benefited from his sons business dealings in China, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia and Ukraine between 2014 and 2019.

But so far they have failed to provide any proof and the president has repeatedly denied any involvement in Hunters business affairs.

Nevertheless, the latest disclosures will heap further pressure on Mr Biden who, according to the latest polls, faces a tough fight in the November 2024 presidential election.

His approval rating is the worst of any modern-day president at this stage of the electoral cycle.

Mr Bidens rating stands at 39 per cent. Donald Trump stood at 45 per cent as the US entered the election year of 2020.

Some other polls also show Mr Trump leading in a match-up, especially in swing states that could decide the election.

Trove of emails

The existence  but not the contents  of the trove of emails was contained in law enforcement released by House Republicans following the congressional testimony of IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler.

According to the records, the bulk of the emails were exchanged around the time of Mr Bidens two trips to Ukraine as vice-president in 2014.

Hunter Biden, 53, was appointed to the Burisma board in May 2014 before his fathers first trip to Ukraine in June.

He earned $1.2 million from Burisma in 2014 and, according to federal prosecutors, more than $1.4 million from the company between 2016 and 2019, when his involvement ended.

In his memoir, Hunter Biden described the money he received from Burisma as helpful, but insisted he was not desperate for cash at the time.

However, in addition to working with Hunter Biden, Mr Schwerin was Joe Bidens financial adviser from 2009 to 2017.

The White House has not commented on the allegations.

Jamie Raskin, Democratic congressman, said Mr Schwerin was not aware of any involvement by Mr Biden in his relatives businesses.

Earlier this month, Hunter Biden, who is facing charges for tax offences and illegal gun possession, insisted his father had not been involved in his business dealings.

Speaking outside the US Capitol, he rounded on the MAGA right, which he said had impugned my character, invaded my privacy, attacked my wife, my children, my family, and my friends.

The Telegraph has approached the White House and Mr Schwerin for comment.

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Sadiq Khan has backed down and said he supports a move to send to Ukraine 4x4s that would otherwise be scrapped under Ulez, in response to a Telegraph campaign.

The London Mayor had previously blocked cars that were Ulez non-compliant from being sent to the warzone, as he said the move would not benefit Londoners environmentally, economically and socially.

Now, in a victory for The Telegraph, Mr Khan has about-turned on his decision and appealed to Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, to make it possible for Londoners, and others across the country, to donate suitable vehicles to Ukraine through scrappage schemes.

In a joint letter written with Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, it says: This could be most-quickly done by altering the national regulations for the Certificate of Destruction, which is required as proof that a vehicle has been permanently scrapped, to instead enable the export of suitable vehicles to Ukraine via a registered charity or national scheme.

The letter, sent on Friday, adds: We are optimistic you will work with us to enable Londoners and others around the country to receive money for taking polluting vehicles off our cities streets while providing vital support towards the people of Ukraine.

It comes after Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, who was also Mr Khans predecessor as mayor of London, said he believed Londoners would want to play their part in helping Ukraine fight Vladimir Putins regime by sending their cars to the front line.

He accused Mr Khans initial decision to block the move as petty and ridiculous.

The Ukrainians are more than capable of solving the quality of air problems themselves, what they need is help now to defeat a threat that is infinitely more dangerous, and that is president Putin. Khans actions seem to be extraordinary, he said.

In December, Mr Khan wrote to Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, saying he would not permit vehicles being prepared for the Ulez scrappage scheme to be sent to Ukraine.

Mr Johnson, who served as London mayor between 2008 and 2016, said his successors original argument under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 regarding the benefit to Londoners, was small minded.

His legal reasons for doing so are very flimsy, he said. It obviously benefits Londoners, in a sense that Londoners deeply value and cherish the idea of Ukrainian freedom.

Londons success depends on its freedom and democracy. Its vital for London that we defend these principles everywhere.

Vital support

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, numerous volunteer organisations have been driving donated 4x4s and larger vehicles for soldiers to use on Ukraines front line.

Once inside the country, the vehicles are painted with camouflage, fitted with machine-gun or rocket launchers, and used for everything from fighting to retrieving casualties.

Mr Johnson added that he was in favour of Michael Goves recent letter to Mr Khan, where the Communities Secretary set out that he would seek to overrule the mayors decision using the power granted to him in his role.

Ukraine will confirm that the British people share a particular affinity for the Ukrainian cause and a particularly strong moral belief, as adamant as any population in the world, in [their defence], Mr Johnson said, adding: People in Britain want to see a free Ukraine and Im sure they will want to send motor vehicles and anything they can to support Ukraine.

However, Mr Johnson, who was prime minister when Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022 and who struck up a close relationship with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said the vehicles were more of a gesture, compared to the air power the warzone really requires.

We have to accept that this is a very small thing to do but its something we could do, and frankly we should be doing more, Mr Johnson added.

Although this is a good thing, its frankly trivial by compassion. We need to be giving Ukrainians air cover and de-mining capability and long-range artillery fire that they need to expel the Russians and Putins army from their country.

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Prosecutors and Arlington police said that Antonio Garcia shot and killed Cedric Dawkins on New Years Day 2020. A Tarrant County jury at Garcias trial this month disagreed.

Garcias attorney, Harry White, said the jury had no other choice but to deliver a not guilty verdict on a murder charge after hearing the evidence the defense presented.

Antonio Garcia did not kill that man, White told the Star-Telegram. Sometimes people walk on crimes they did but thats not what happened here. This was the correct verdict. He was innocent.

White said he presented the jury with evidence that not only created a reasonable doubt but proved Garcia was innocent, even to the point he felt like he presented more evidence about the crime than the prosecution.

It felt like we adopted the burden on this one, White said.

Police said Dawkins, 29, was killed while dealing drugs at his apartment on Streambed Court. Investigators suspected the person who killed him was trying to steal from him. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, an eyewitness told police she saw Garcia there and that he had a gun.

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White said Garcia was there to buy drugs but that the witness wasnt reliable. Her story has changed several times, from saying she saw Garcia in the doorway, dancing back and forth as if trying to decide if he should stay or leave before she heard gunshots, according to the defense attorney. According to the affidavit, the witness told police she went to call 911 after seeing Garcia with the gun and she did not see the shots being fired.

Dawkins was still alive when police arrived and he told officers to check his cell phone for a contact he referred to as LA, who had called him shortly before the shooting, suggesting that LA had shot him, a homicide detective wrote in the affidavit. Dawkins was transported to a hospital, where he died.

Police traced the phone number to Garcia, the affidavit stated, and he was arrested Jan. 24 in Los Angeles.

White argued that police didnt collect all the evidence they should have and said that investigators for the defense used analysis of the crime scene and evidence collected by authorities to show the jury that Garcia didnt commit the murder.

What we did is we said heres the evidence, White said. Heres why hes not guilty. We didnt lay out stupid theories  we just showed the evidence methodically.

At one point, White said, he asked an Arlington detective if she thought the defense had conducted more intense investigation into determining who killed Dawkins. She told him it was possible.

Arlington police said in an emailed statement to the Star-Telegram that detectives were thorough in their investigation.

Our detectives conducted a thorough investigation of this incident, the statement read. Based on that investigation, we filed criminal charges against Mr. Garcia and worked with our partners at the Tarrant County DAs Office to present a case to a jury. We respect the judicial process.

White said his team identified another suspect they believe is more likely to have killed Dawkins.

In the end, he said, the jury deliberated for 80 minutes on Dec. 11 before acquitting Garcia. It was a swiftness that White said he hadnt seen in a not guilty verdict before.

It was a travesty that Garcia, 31, spent three years in jail waiting for trial, White said. But he was glad the jury found that he wasnt guilty.

The system worked for Antonio Garcia, thats the most important thing, White said. Those 12 jurors may have cast the most important vote of their lives, more important than any presidential election.

He said that he worries now, though, that the system wont work for Dawkins and authorities wont be able to prosecute the real killer.

Because of the way they tried this case, they may never be able to convict the person who actually did because their star witness is not very believable, White said.
A jury found Tacoma police officers Christopher Burbank, Matthew Collins and Timothy Rankine not guilty on all charges Thursday in the 2020 death of Manuel Manny Ellis, a Black man who died in custody after saying he couldnt breathe.

After a monthslong trial, Burbank and Collins were acquitted of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, while Rankine was acquitted of first-degree manslaughter. All three had pleaded not guilty.

The officers were accused of unlawfully using deadly force on Ellis, 33, when attempting to arrest him in March 2020 for allegedly trying to open car doors of occupied vehicles. Part of the arrest was caught on video by a witness who testified during the trial. Ellis could also be heard crying, I cant breathe, on police dispatch audio.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson charged the officers in May 2021, marking the first time the states attorney general criminally charged officers for the unlawful use of deadly force. It was the second time homicide charges were filed in the state against law enforcement officers since Washingtonians adopted Initiative 940 in November 2018  a measure making it easier to prosecute police officers for negligent shootings.

Moments after the verdict was announced, the officers and their families were seen hugging each other in the courtroom, some in tears. The officers had faced up to life in prison, according to the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.

Ellis death led to protests in Tacoma and came just months before the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the ensuing widespread demonstrations against racism and police violence.

Matthew Ericksen, an attorney for the Ellis family, gave a statement to CNN after the verdict, saying, in part: Manny Ellis was unarmed and walking home from a 7-Eleven with some donuts and a bottle of water when TPD officers stopped him. He was minding his own business and not a threat to anyone. Manny didnt have to be arrested that night, and he certainly didnt have to die.

Make no mistake about it, the Ellis family is emotionally devastated but we will continue to seek some measure of justice for them in the form of our federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Tacoma and 6 TPD officers who we believe we should be held responsible for Mannys death, the statement said.

The officers tried to arrest Ellis on March 3, 2020, leading to a physical altercation in which they tackled him and restrained him on the ground, according to police.

(From front to back) Matthew Collins, Timothy Rankine and Christopher Burbank head out of Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, Washington, on December 6, 2023. - Ellen M. Banner/Pool/Reuters

Parts of the arrest were caught on video by a driver, a nearby doorbell camera as well as police dispatch audio. Ellis repeatedly said, I cant breathe, according to the prosecutions statement of probable cause.

The cause of his death was respiratory arrest due to hypoxia caused by physical restraint, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office. Hypoxia is a condition in which the body is deprived of oxygen.

According to court documents, Burbank and Collins tackled and struck Ellis multiple times, applied an LVNR (Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint) on Ellis, and shot him with a taser three times, all without justification. They also failed to render aid or call for medical help and put him in hogtie restraints, according to the documents.

Rankine was accused of holding Ellis in the prone position and applying pressure to his back despite hearing the man say he could not breathe, court documents said.

Defense attorneys had argued Ellis died not from the restraint but from a lethal amount of methamphetamine in his system and his preexisting heart conditions.

In June 2020, two videos posted on social media by a local activist group showed Tacoma officers striking a Black man and pinning him down before he died in their custody. James Bible, attorney for the Ellis family, said at the time the man was Ellis.

Both videos of the alleged altercation are under a minute. One appeared to show officers striking the man as he laid on the ground. A second video appeared to show them holding the man to the ground and telling him to put his hands behind his back. It was unclear whether the video recordings were taken before or after Ellis was heard shouting I cant breathe in the dispatcher audio.

After the videos surfaced, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards had demanded the four police officers be fired and prosecuted.

In March 2022, Pierce County, Washington, reached a $4 million settlement agreement with Ellis family. The lawsuit named as defendants the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, six Tacoma officers  including Burbank, Collins and Rankine  and two Pierce County sheriffs deputies. The settlement meant the claims against the county and the two deputies were dropped.

In a statement, the City of Tacoma acknowledged Thursdays not-guilty verdicts may exacerbate the pain caused by the death of Mr. Ellis.

The Tacoma Police Department is conducting an internal investigation into the three officers conduct, which includes their testimony during their trial, the city statement said. The department will complete its investigation within 24 hours, and within 10 days, the chief will make a decision on whether to discipline the three officers up to and including termination, it said.

Following Burbanks acquittal, his attorney, Wayne Fricke, said: We understand, obviously the Ellis family is suffering and grieving, theyre going to continue to suffer and grieve, and were not ignoring that But I do believe this was the correct verdict.

Hes, like all of them, you can imagine, theyre ecstatic, Fricke said of his client.

CNNs Jeffrey Kopp, Ray Sanchez and Hollie Silverman contributed to this report.

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FILE - Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach answers questions from reporters during a news conference outside his office May 1, 2023, in Topeka, Kan. Kobach sent a letter Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, to the election commissioner in Johnson County to postpone a legally required destruction of old ballots from 2019, 2020 and 2021 because Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden says his investigation of possible election crimes remains open. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  The Republican attorney general in Kansas has urged the state's most populous county to postpone a legally required destruction of old ballots because the sheriff there says his investigation of possible election crimes remains open even though it's led to no criminal charges in two years.

Attorney General Kris Kobach, an early supporter of former President Donald Trump who has for years described election fraud as a serious issue, sent a letter Wednesday to the election commissioner in Johnson County in the Kansas City area. Kobach said officials should preserve ballots from 2019, 2020 and 2021 even though state law required all of them to be destroyed by the fall of 2022.

Allowing the Sheriffs Office to complete its investigation is in the interest of justice and provides the public with confidence in the integrity of their electoral system and election outcomes, Kobach wrote in his letter, which became public Thursday.

The county has yet to destroy the old ballots because Sheriff Calvin Hayden has said he received scores of tips about potential irregularities starting in the fall of 2021 and is still investigating. Hayden, a Republican, has questioned the integrity of the county's 2020 elections and in the summer of 2022 participated in a conference for a group that promotes a dubious theory that sheriffs have virtually unchecked power in their counties.

With no evidence of significant problems in the county's elections  and none statewide  the Johnson County Commission took a step earlier this month toward the destruction of old ballots by allowing its chair to appoint a Democratic and a Republican observer. Hayden then asked for officials to continue preserving them, County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara said during a meeting.

Hayden's office said Thursday that its investigation is ongoing but declined further comment.

The attorney general's letter did not say whether he would file a lawsuit or pursue some other step should election officialis move ahead with destroying the ballots. His office did not immediately respond to an email asking questions about the letter.

Baseless conspiracy theories have circulated widely among Republicans since the 2020 elections and prompted the GOP-controlled state Legislature to tighten election laws in the name of restoring public confidence. Trump also continues to falsely claim that he won the 2020 election, and Hayden has said he began to question the previously solidly Republican county's elections when Trump lost there. The county's politics have become more Democratic over time  in part because of some suburban voters' distaste for Trump.

Kobach served as Kansas secretary of state from 2011 through 2018 and served as the vice chairman of a short-lived Trump presidential commission on election fraud. He also championed tough voter ID laws, one of which required new voters to show papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering and was struck down by the federal courts.

Kobach's successor as secretary of state, Republican Scott Schwab, declined to comment Thursday, though Schwab has strongly defended the integrity of the state's elections. Elections in 101 of the state's 105 counties are run by elected county clerks, but the secretary of state appoints election commissioners in the four most populous ones. Schwab appointed Johnson County's Fred Sherman in 2020.

Johnson County Commission Chair Mike Kelly said Schwab's office would supervise the destruction of ballots and said in a statement Thursday that it has deferred this matter to Schwab. Sherman did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

The conflict in Kansas' most populous county comes after activists who believe Trump's elections lies challenged voter registrations from the 2020 elections across the U.S. even as county election officials were preparing for the fall 2022 elections.

Kansas law requires election officials to destroy the ballots for local elections after six months, unless a result still is being contested. Ballots in state and national elections must be destroyed after 22 months. Under that rule, the ballots for the November 2020 election were to have been destroyed in September 2022.

But Kobach wrote in his letter that he is concerned that destroying the ballots would hinder Hayden's investigation.

The preservation of any potential evidence is crucial to the integrity of this investigation, and the evidence should be retained until the case is formally closed and any and all resulting defendants are prosecuted, Kobach wrote.

One issue for county election officials across the U.S. in preserving old ballots past their destruction date is space, but Kobach wrote in his letter that Hayden's office is able to provide secure storage space.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  President Joe Biden on Friday commuted the sentences of 11 individuals serving nonviolent drug offenses and signed a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses.

Each of the individuals are serving what the White House called disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and would have been eligible for reduced sentences had they been charged today.

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One of the 11 individuals includes Deondre Cordell Higgins, of Kansas City, Missouri. Higgins was sentenced in August 2011 to life imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of cocaine base.

According to the White House, Higgins sentence was commuted to a term of 25 years, leaving intact and in effect all other components of the sentence with the final two years of his incarceration in prerelease custody, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Biden in October 2022 announced pardons for thousands of individuals who had been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.

The other 10 individuals who had their sentences commuted were Felipe Arriaga of Washington, Earlie Deacon Barber of Alabama, James Michael Barber of North Carolina, Anthony Ewing of Georgia, Quittman Andre Goodley of Texas, Leroy Lymons of Florida, Angel Rosario of Pennsylvania, Esaias J. Tucker of Florida, Darryl Allen Winkfield of Georgia and Kenneth Winkler of Indiana.

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The White House said Biden supports efforts to eliminate sentencing disparities between crack cocaine offenses and powder cocaine offenses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Update: Friday afternoon police said Atong Marial was found, and is safe with her family.

Kansas City police are asking for help locating a missing 18-year-old woman.

Atong Marial was last seen on Dec. 18 in the area of 34th and Garfield, police said. Police said Marial has mental health needs and requires medication.

Marial is described as being 5-feet-5-inches tall, weighing 110 pounds, with black hair and eyes, according to police.

If located, police are asking the public to notify the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043.
Armenian soldiers at a PoW swap at the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on December 13 (STRINGER)

The leader of Armenian separatists, who were ousted from the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan this year, on Friday said his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions was not valid.

The statement appeared to undo a historic move by the separatists to dissolve the disputed territory that was at the centre of two costly wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan sent troops to Karabakh on September 19. After just one day of fighting, the Armenian separatist forces who had controlled the disputed region for three decades surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku.

On September 26, separatist president Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree ordering the dissolution of the separatist institutions by January 1, 2024.

The breakaway republic "will cease to exist," by the year's end, the decree said.

But in a surprise move on Friday, Shahramanyan rolled back on the announcement in comments given in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

"There is no document... of the Republic of Artsakh (Karabakh) stipulating the dissolution of government institutions."

His office told AFP separately that the September 26 decree was "empty paper," adding: "No document can lead to the dissolution of the republic, which was established by people's will."

- Peace talks -

Azerbaijan's victory in September marked the end of the territorial dispute, which had long been seen as unresolvable and had led to two wars -- in 2020 and the 1990s -- that claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Sparking a refugee crisis, almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population -- more than 100,00 people -- fled Karabakh for Armenia following Baku's takeover.

Yerevan is unlikely to support the continued functioning of separatist institutions as the arch-foes have said they are close to signing a peace agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity.

Last week, Armenia and Azerbaijan swapped prisoners of war, a first step towards normalising relations.

The European Union, the United States as well as regional powers Turkey and Russia have praised the move as a "breakthrough."

The prisoner exchange raised hopes for reviving face-to-face talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The pair have met several times for normalisation talks mediated by EU chief Charles Michel.

But the process has been on hold since October, when Aliyev declined to attend negotiations with Pashinyan in Spain, accusing France of bias.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had been scheduled to join Michel as mediators at those talks.

There has been no visible progress so far in EU efforts to organise a fresh round of negotiations.

Azerbaijan also refused to participate in talks with Armenia that were planned in the US on November 20, over what it said was Washington's "biased" position.

Traditional regional power broker Russia, bogged down with its dragging Ukraine offensive, has seen its influence wane in the Caucasus.

im/ach
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  A federal jury convicted a 24-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man on Thursday for taking part in a retaliatory shooting in 2020 that injured two people, including a federal task force officer.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, GAnte Butler was found guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On August 3, 2020, KCK police officers responded to a shots fired call around 6:30 p.m. in the 5100 block of Farrow Avenue, where the suspects parents lived.

Later that evening, ATF special agents and federally deputized task force officers went to a home in the 1900 block of North Allis Street and arrested one of the people responsible for the earlier

Farrow Avenue residence shooting.

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After executing a search warrant at the North Allis Street residence, and as the officers were returning to their vehicles, multiple shooters began firing at them. The officers tried to immediately take cover, however, not before an officer and a civilian bystander were struck by gunfire.

Based on evidence gathered during the subsequent investigation, ATF agents learned the shooting was orchestrated by Butler and other individuals in retaliation for the earlier incident on

Farrow Avenue. Their plan was to shoot at the North Allis Street home and anyone they

encountered there.

Officers later recovered approximately 101 casings and two live rounds (including 9mm, .40 caliber, .45 caliber, 5.56 caliber, and 7.62 caliber casings) from an alley west of the targeted North Allis Street home.

Are you merging correctly on the highway? Kansas agency weighs in

Three other suspects, identified as Nadarius Barnes, 24, Chase Lewis, 23, and Donnell L. Hall, 28, all residents of KCK, each pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

A fifth suspect is scheduled to stand trial in February 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
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Labour leader Keir Starmer during his visit to meet British troops at the Nato base in Estonia (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Keir Starmer wants to follow Margaret Thatchers footsteps into No 10, but for now the Labour leader is echoing her symbolic gestures on the battlefield.

Sir Keir donned some striking combat fatigues on a visit to troops stationed in Estonia  the latest political figure to channel Thatcher and her iconic photo on top of a British tank.

The Labour leader raised eyebrows by posing in a camouflage jacket for widely-shared photographs at a Nato base on the eastern European border with Russia.

It recalls one of Thatchers most famous pictures, riding a tank at a British base in West Germany in 1986  a moment which help seal her image as the Iron Lady.

The nod to the Tory PM comes weeks after Starmer sparked a row with the Labour left by praising Thatcher and her achievement in unleashing Britains natural entrepreneurialism.

Margaret Thatcher riding a British tank in West Germany in 1986 (Getty Images)

He insisted he was no Thatcher fanboy and said he profoundly disagreed with some of her policies  but he continues to make gestures aimed at appearing prime ministerial in the eyes of traditional Tory voters.

Playing soldiers is not something politicians get to do very often, but the temptation to dress up in military gear is hard to resist when the opportunity comes along.

For some, such as former defence secretary Ben Wallace it has helped cement their reputation as fierce defender of Britains military. But when done heavy-handily, it can backfire.

Liz Truss, the former PM who spent only weeks at No 10, was mocked for pose on top of a Challenger 2 tank in battle gear during a visit to Estonia at the end of 2021.

Russian state TV ridiculed her effort to appear as the new Iron Lady and said she has a touch of bipolar about her.

Liz Truss tries to conjure up spirit of Thatcher during Estonia trip in 2021 (Simon Dawson/10 Downing Street)

Sir Keirs efforts to show solidarity with the British military caused much mirth on social media on Friday.

Political commentator Sam Freeman compared the photos to a ITV drama about a wrongly disgraced general given one last chance leading a poorly performing battalian.

Pundit Hugh Brechin compared the stern in the Estonia snow look to dystopian drama.

The year is 2030. the climate has collapsed. A polar Britain has descended into war. Forces loyal to Keir Starmer control approximately one third of the country: elsewhere, chaos reigns.

Sir Keir Starmer visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia (PA)

One comment piece in The Telegraph dubbed Starmer a disgrace for wearing military clothes  pointing out that Thatcher wore a rather fetching long white mac and matching headscarf for her famous tank photo in West Germany.

The newspapers columnist Ross Clark fumed: We know you who you are, Starmer: you are a lawyer, not a lance corporal. Stop trying to pretend you know one end of a bazooka from another.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace during a visit to Bovington Camp, a British Army military base in Dorset, to view Ukrainian soldiers training on Challenger 2 tanks (PA)

Starmer warned that Russia is a real and constant threat as he visited soldiers stationed in Estonia to stress his partys commitment to Nato and thank them for their service over Christmas.

Sir Keir said the UK and its allies need to be prepared, we need to deter in response to Moscows actions.

The Labour leader said: I think we have to be mindful of that threat from Russia to Europe, to ourselves in the UK and the interference that goes on.
Sir Keir Starmer makes much of his time as director of public prosecutions (DPP), a post he is proud to have occupied before he entered Parliament. But before that elevated role, he was known more as a defence lawyer, especially in human rights cases. As we reported yesterday, among his high-profile clients was Abu Qatada, the Islamist preacher who fought tooth and nail to avoid being deported from the UK. Abu Qatada was represented by Sir Keir at a hearing in 2008.

Barristers operate by what is known as the cab rank principle, which means that, if they are approached by a solicitor with a brief in their field, they are obliged to accept it. Representing Abu Qatada or any other alleged enemy of the state does not mean that Sir Keir agrees with them. It is fundamental to our system of justice that any individual is deserving of a defence in a court of law.

Labour is accusing the Tories of desperate tactics by highlighting this aspect of Sir Keirs past; but since he will be campaigning to become prime minister next year, we need to know about his background, as well as his views on issues such as human rights law. He may well have been required by custom and practice to take a brief when offered, but why did human rights solicitors like Birnberg Peirce go to him in the first place when there were plenty of other barristers available?

Sir Keir had a good reputation in the field, which is why he got the work. Why does Labour now say there is nothing to see here? Why so reticent about this part of his legal career as opposed to when he was DPP? The Labour leader was in Estonia yesterday visiting British troops. Next year he could be in No 10. We are entitled to know the answers to questions that arise from his past.

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KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Kings County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that the Kings County Sheriffs Posse will ride in the 2024 Rose Parade.

The Kings County Sherrifs Office (KCSO) says this is the 87th year of the posse riding in parades throughout the state representing the County of Kings as goodwill ambassadors.

Kings County Sheriffs Office

Kings County Sheriffs Office

The Posse also rode in the 2012 and the 2003 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

According to KCSO, The Posse members devote their time and effort to support them. The Posse also is called upon by the sheriffs to perform search and rescue.

The Sheriffs Posse has donated approximately $200,000 to the Sheriffs Office, KCSO says.

KCSO says the Posse has been awarded numerous first-place honors for their riding excellence throughout California and has acted as Honor Guard for the President of the United States.

The Rose Parade or Tournament of Roses will begin at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena. For more information on the Rose Parade, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
The Kentucky Board of Education will try to select a new education commissioner in time for confirmation by the Kentucky Senate in the 2024 General Assembly session, a state education spokesperson has confirmed.

The next education commissioner will be the first who needs to be confirmed by the state Senate after the 2023 General Assembly passed Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green.

After  consultation with our executive search firm McPherson and Jacobson, LLC. a decision has been made to try and select a qualified candidate in time for consideration of confirmation by the Kentucky Senate in the upcoming General Assembly session, said Kentucky Department of Education spokesperson Toni Konz Tatman.

Prior to the new law, the Kentucky Board of Education members, who were appointed by the governor, hired the commissioner of education. Thats still the case, but now confirmation is required.

Former Education Commissioner Jason Glass had said the new law was one of the reasons he resigned in August. GOP lawmakers and politicians had urged Glass ouster this year over KDEs inclusive LGBTQ stances.

Glass also said he didnt want to enforce the new dangerous and unconstitutional Senate Bill 150, which critics have called an anti-LGBTQ measure that will harm students.

The closing date for applications for the new commissioner is Feb. 16 at 11:30 p.m. An interview committee then will identify candidates, conduct interviews and formalize a list of finalists on March 7-8, with finalist interviews scheduled for March 18-19, a Kentucky Department of Education news release said.

Tatman said officials from the Kentucky Board of Educations executive search firm McPherson and Jacobson, LLC. have indicated that they think its possible to choose a candidate before the end of the General Assembly. The assemblys session runs through April 15.

The goal is to have a new commissioner in place by July 1. After Glass resigned, Robin Kinney was named the interim commissioner. She was an associate commissioner overseeing the Office of Finance and Operations when she was placed in the interim role.

If at any time during the process it is determined that the timeline will not meet our expectations to identify the most qualified candidate, the KBE can revisit the timeline, Tatman said.

In one recent case elsewhere in the U.S., a nominee for Mississippi superintendent of education named by that states education board late last year was not confirmed by the Mississippi Senate in March.

Tatman said Kentucky candidates will be told they have to be approved by the Kentucky Senate.

The Kentucky Board of Education will release the names of the finalists at the appropriate time in the search process, Tatman said.

Several state board members have terms that expire in March. Its unclear how that will impact the search for commissioner. The members have to be reappointed by the governor and approved by the Senate,

As with any appointments or reappointments to boards, it is not known if board members will be reappointed, Tatman said. However, we do not believe that will impact the search for the next commissioner.

As the CEO for both the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education, the commissioner recommends and implements state education board policies and directs the state education department in the management of the states 171 public school districts.
Wisdom can be found in unexpected places, as is demonstrated by the recent forecast report of the Scottish Fiscal Commission on the SNP governments finances and tax policies, which says that the rises in top Scottish tax rates just announced will bring in only modest amounts.

Behavioural responses, it outlines, will cause big reductions largely offsetting the gains calculated on static assumptions of no taxpayer response. The new 48pc top rate, it says, will bring in virtually nothing at all.

This use of dynamic costing is a most welcome contribution from Scotlands equivalent of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

It reminds us of the debate on the Laffer Curve triggered by Nigel Lawsons famous Budget of 1988, when he abolished the 60pc top rate of income tax.

The late chancellor argued that it actually reduced tax revenues, owing to its effects on the labour supply of those paying it; they reduced effort, switched activities to lower tax areas, left the country or otherwise found legal ways to evade the tax.

In later research on UK data, I found strong evidence of such Laffer effects, joining other international evidence.

If this analysis can happen north of the border, why not in the UK generally?

It has been very largely ignored by both the Treasury and the OBR, which have failed to evaluate the supply-side effects on tax revenue of our top marginal tax rates, not simply the 45pc notional top rate but also the 60pc rate created by the withdrawal of the personal allowance at the 40pc threshold.

All hell broke loose over the proposal to abolish the 45pc rate in 2022s Truss-Kwarteng mini-Budget, even though its abolition would probably have raised tax revenue.

But dynamic costing should not stop at these basic effects on revenue due to labour supply shifts. The effects go far further, to impacts on capital investment and productivity growth from both business taxes like corporation tax and the higher rates of income tax paid by entrepreneurs on their profits.

These do two key things: they reduce the return on capital, reducing investment and capital through substitution with labour.

Also, more radically and with much bigger long-term growth consequences, they reduce the return to innovation, alias productivity growth. The rise in these, and allied disincentives, accounts for our dreadful growth performance in recent years.

The Truss-Kwarteng mini-Budget set out in 2022 likely would have raised tax revenue - AARON CHOWN/PA

Again, much research supports these effects on growth, as does the most casual look around the world at successful cases of growth, whether Texas among US states, or Poland in recent decades, or China under Deng Xiaoping (versus todays slowing under Xi Jinpings interventionism).

The best accessible review of the post-war evidence on how growth is damaged by tax is still the Institute of Economic Affairs Sharper axes, lower taxes, published in 2011 and edited by Prof Philip Booth.

Our Cardiff work based on the simplest of ideas, that a firms owner-managers will divert energy to innovation if its returns exceed the costs in tax, regulation and lost wage income, predicts that low marginal tax rates and light regulation spur growth.

And richer entrepreneurs are less worried about the downside because they have a stronger balance sheet.

One of the challenges for the tax-growth nexus is establishing causation and not just association, and opponents of the low-tax agenda exploit this problem.

To overcome, it requires building causal models of growth and testing their ability to replicate the facts of economies behaviour.

With todays powerful computers and recent advances in econometrics, we are able to do this by simulating these causal models and checking how well their simulations statistically match that behaviour, a roundabout procedure known as indirect inference.

In research carried out by me, my colleagues and our PhD students (some still unpublished) at Cardiff, we have found that this model can satisfyingly explain trends in growth and inequality in the UK both recently and over the last century and a half, as well as in the postwar US, and across Chinese regions.

The UK effects are clearly visible in our lived experience since the Thatcher reforms of the 1980s, largely retained during the 1990s but since then progressively reversed by ill-considered, mostly EU-led, regulation combined with rising marginal tax rates.

On GDP per capita, we had overtaken France and Germany by 2000 as those reforms took effect, only to fall back relatively since then.

Yet for all the declinist talk of our parlous situation, we have the worlds eighth largest manufacturing sector, we are a leading world centre for business and financial services, and we rank second in Europe on the EY rankings for foreign investment attractiveness.

The growth prospect can be turned around if only this government would pay attention to the case for cutting down our high marginal tax rates on income and business.

This should go hand in hand with the generally agreed agenda for liberalising business regulation and development planning.

The trouble has been that the community of commentators has forgotten the supply-side lessons of Lawson and Thatcher, and drifted into thinking that productivity growth is unexplainable and exogenous, nothing to do with government policy.

Hence the view that tax can be raised to pay for redistribution and public services at no cost to the economys performance.

This view is convenient for those on the political Left, who are strongly represented in that community, but both theory and evidence contradict it, as we are now discovering with a vengeance.

This Conservative government tells us it believes in low tax and good business incentives. Yet its record seems to reveal opposite beliefs, in line with its Labour rivals for power.

It is time for it to revert to its true principles and restore the economys health and dynamism. Much is at stake, with an election coming that could well see the emergence of a damaging Left-wing agenda concealed under an apparently conservative cloak designed to fool the voters. That could really drive a stake through our still-revivable business culture.

This government needs to find once more the courage of its real convictions. For the SNP, it is already too late.

Patrick Minford is a fellow of the Centre for Brexit Policy and professor of applied economics at Cardiff University

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LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA)  While so much of our lives have gone digital, from banking to social interactions to day planning, some people are turning to physical options to consume media.

Local stores that sell vinyl records are seeing a continuing increase in sales this holiday season.

White Christmas in Florida: What are the chances?

You can sit there and you can read on the back different things about Fred Rogers and the storylines. You cant get that on streaming, said Stephen Debats, owner of Lloyds of Lakeland Antiques, while holding a vinyl record.

Tables have turned, he said.

20% of Debats sales now come from vinyl records, an increase from 1% a decade ago.

The sales have increased exponentially because the kids want something in their hands. They want to be able to read the back cover, said Debats.

He said when a market was open downtown and the store stayed open late, he sold 60 to 75 vinyls in one night.

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Its a trend seen nationally, with more than $1 billion in vinyl sales reported last year.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, for the first time in three decades, vinyl sales surpassed CD sales in the US.

They like the nostalgia and the clicks and pops, said Debats.

Across the street, Jessi Zilka has made a business out of selling physical media at her store, Jesse Carl Vinyl.

What started as a booth at a downtown Lakeland market in 2015, quickly turned into a brick-and-mortar store in 2016 when she saw how high the demand was for her vinyls.

That was definitely just a twist of fate kind of thing. It was not what I expected, she said.

Zilka said demand increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as people were in search of a new hobby.

Her main customer base is between the ages of 35 and 65 but also includes high schoolers.

I always love to quote my favorite artist Jack White when I talk about [physical media]. He says theres a romance to having physical media because you get to look at it, you get to touch it. You can read the liner notes. You can read who produced it. You can read who played bass guitar on a certain song, said Zilka.

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Customer Jannette Mendez, a millennial, says she streams music but also has about 100 vinyl records.

She was at the store Thursday to buy a limited edition Mac Miller album.

Theres something to be said about having physical copies and being able to enjoy that and have like listening parties and still treasuring the old school way of listening to music, she said.

While vinyl sales have risen slowly and steadily, Zilka said she has seen a sharp increase in CD and cassette tape sales among young people.

A lot of young kids are buying tapes and CDs because theyre a bit cheaper and the start-up cost  you dont have to spend $200 to buy a turntable. You can spend $40 and get a Walkman, said Zilka.

Customer Cozy Ayers, a Gen Zer, said she has an estimated 100 cassette tapes, many of which she was given by her father.

They sound different. People say that cassette tapes are the worst way to listen to music because of that but depending on the artist, they can make it sound really interesting and you cant hear that in any other way pretty much, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of former president Donald Trump, said on her podcast that shes open to also being his vice president should he be reelected.

She made the admission on a recent episode of her podcast, The Right View with Lara Trump, after a viewer asked her if she would accept the position of being her father-in-laws running mate, assuming he actually asked her.

It should be noted that she has no political experience outside of working on Donald Trumps presidential campaign, though she did briefly consider running to be Senator of North Carolina in 2022.

But Lara Trump didnt let little things like experience, qualifications, and, uh, self-awareness get in the way of considering the possibility.

Well, Im flattered that you put me in such a category, she said, before answering the question affirmatively. Obviously, the answer would be yes. Would anyone turn that down?

Although Lara Trump noted theres a whole host of people out there who are vying for that position, she said shed take the gig if offered, but added, The only drawback would be that I would have to move to Washington, D.C.

She also pointed out that her selection would raise eyebrows.

By the way, just imagine the hysteria  Trump, Trump  two Trumps running together, she said. Oh, my God, the liberal heads across the country would simultaneously explode all at once. People would go bananas.

You can see the exchange below.

Lara Trump says she is willing to be Trumps running mate if asked: Obviously, the answer would be yes. Would anyone turn that down? The only drawback would be that I would have to move to DC. If I became VP alongside my father-in-law just imagine the hysteria! pic.twitter.com/NA0ajLKXtf  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 21, 2023

Lara Trump may be willing to be Donald Trumps vice president, but many people on X, formerly known as Twitter, werent as enthusiastic about two Trumps in the White House.

I am struck by the arrogance of rich, white privilege. In what universe does this pathetic woman think shes qualified to be VP? Im actually cringing with embarrassment for her. https://t.co/lpgDu2JfSm  Rosalind (not indicted) Garcia (@GarciaRosalind) December 21, 2023

Yes, the MAJORITY of America would turn that down. The Trump Crime Family is UNFIT to lead this country. The sad saps who somehow imagine its a great idea is a minority & seriously brainwashed. The rest of us must STOP this madness consuming the vulnerable. https://t.co/4ZnpwPsbIO  JMDent (@jm_dent) December 21, 2023

She is fucking delusional like the rest of the trumps!!!! https://t.co/glC2iTf9zb  StevenMarkCase (@StevenMarkCase1) December 21, 2023

UmmmI cant imagine a Trump/Trump ticket. But, I can easily imagine Trump/Trump indictments in the near future. https://t.co/WrJcXge31z  MAGA VAXXED (@ICCORUPSHUN1) December 21, 2023

There has to be something in the 14th amendment about butchering Tom Petty songs makes you ineligible to run. https://t.co/Oz2uvPaTPd  Warren (@swd2) December 21, 2023

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FILE PHOTO: Food and aid pile up at Niger's border as sanctions bite

NIAMEY (Reuters) - The last French troops deployed in Niger to help fight a decade-old Islamist insurgency in the Sahel left the country on Friday, sealing a withdrawal that has dealt a further blow to France's influence in West Africa.

Army officers who seized power in Niger in July made France's military exit one of their key demands, echoing juntas in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali who severed long-standing security ties with France after coups in 2020-2022.

After initially pushing back, France's President Emmanuel Macron said in September that 1,500 troops would pull out of Niger by the end of the year.

The decision followed a full withdrawal from Mali completed in August 2022 and the end of military cooperation with Burkina Faso in February even as those countries faced worsening attacks from Islamist insurgents.

Until the coup, Niger had remained a key security partner of France and the United States, which used it as a base to help in the regional fight with groups linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State that have killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel and beyond.

A document marking the official end of France's military engagement with Niger was signed by both parties in the capital Niamey on Friday, according to a Reuters reporter.

A last group of French soldiers in fatigues and backpacks then boarded a military plane that took off shortly after.

Relations between Niger and its former coloniser France soured soon after the July coup, when several protests broke out around the French military base in Niger. The French embassy was also attacked in the aftermath.

Following the strategy of the Malian and Burkinabe juntas, Niger's self-appointed military leaders also ordered police to expel France's ambassador.

Diplomatic sources said this week that France had decided to close its embassy in Niamey as it was unable to carry out diplomatic tasks due to restrictions imposed by the junta.

(Reporting by Boureima Balima; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Mark Potter)
With the Christmas clock winding down, Braintrees South Shore Plaza Mall is no place for amateurs.

You do most of your Christmas shopping online, but here you are a couple of days before Christmas at the mall, are you desperate now? Boston 25 asked Nathan Coleho of Abington.

I mean, yeah, if you want to say that, I am! he said.

This is simply not a not a time for desperation.

Even if it means standing in line to get inside a favorite store, a plan of action is needed in these final precious days before Christmas.

I come with a color-coded list on the phone, I set a timer. My timer just went off, ten minutes in that store, I crossed three people off the list, I am crushing it! said Shekeirra Timas of Brockton

Executing, Al Humber of Milton told Bob Ward when Boston 25 asked him how his Christmas shopping was going.

I think Im executing what I want. I came in, saw what I wanted, didnt have no distractions, its going he said.

Menna Kuczinski of Brockton told me she came to the Mall looking for a specific gift for a very special family member.

Hes about this big, and we think he needs a winter coat. Because its getting really cold up here, Kuczinski told me.

This is the grand dog were talking about, four legs and a tail, I clarified.

Yes, hes a yorkie poo, she said.

Allen Smith, the Malls General Manage tell Boston 25 even as most people buy online, business at the South Shore Plaza is still great.

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Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel could soon be in legal hot water, experts predicted Friday after a report revealed she had participated in a November 2020 call where former President Donald Trump pressured two Michigan officials to not certify the 2020 election. The Detroit News first reported the recorded phone call, made Nov. 17, 2020, where Trump told Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, that signing the document after first voting against doing so and then later voting to approve certification in the same meeting would make them look "terrible."

McDaniel, a Michigan native, at one point during the call told the officials, "If you can go home tonight, do not sign it... we will get you attorneys," with Trump adding that they will "take care of that." McDaniel's proposition raised a flag for legal experts online as it could be seen as bribing a public officer because "a promise was offered in exchange for an official act," Georgia State law professor Anthony Michael Kreis wrote on X, formerly Twitter, citing section 750.117 of Act 328 of Michigan's penal code, which governs such a violation. "It seems like Ronna McDaniel could be in some trouble in Michigan and Donald Trump may be facing a fifth set of charges. A promise was offered in exchange for an official act unlike in Georgia where the preferred method appears to have been limited to browbeating state officials," he wrote.

"The real issue is whether providing a lawyer is a 'valuable thing,' Kreis added. "On the one hand, it isnt the kind of thing that we typically would consider as being offered as a bribe. On the other hand, it is a materially valuable thing offered in exchange for an corrupt official act." Former FBI general counsel Andrew Weissman seemed to agree with the latter point: "Trump and Ronna McDaniel - Offering a thing of value to a public official to violate oath of office = a crime," Weissman tweeted. McDaniel reportedly did not dispute the reported summary of the recordings.
FILE - Trucks and cars drive by a Pilot Travel Center sign displaying fuel prices, June 20, 2022, in Bath, N.Y. Deposition testimony from billionaire Jimmy Haslam supports claims by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathway that Haslam tried to bribe employees at the Pilot truck stop chain amid a dispute with Berkshire over the future of the company, a Berkshire attorney told a judge Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

DOVER, Del. (AP)  Deposition testimony from billionaire Jimmy Haslam supports claims by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathway that Haslam tried to bribe employees at the Pilot truck stop chain amid a dispute with Berkshire over the future of the company, a Berkshire attorney told a judge Thursday.

In a deposition Tuesday, Haslam denied offering a side payment to Pilot Travel Centers controller David Clothier if the Haslam family exercises its right to sell its remaining 20% stake in PTC to Berkshire, attorney Ryan Stottmann told Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn.

Just minutes later, however, Haslam testified that he has an informal agreement with two dozen PTC employees to reinstate their lucrative executive bonus plan if the Haslams sell their stake in the company, according to Stottmann.

Stottmann described Haslams admission as stunning, given that attorneys for Haslams Pilot Corp. have told the judge that Berkshires bribery allegations were false, meritless and wild inventions.

Their own client has now confirmed under oath that these were not inventions, but that the shadow executive compensation plan actually exists, Stottmann said.

At a hearing earlier this month, an attorney for Haslam told Zurn that federal prosecutors had begun an investigation based on Berkshires bribery allegations.

On Thursday, Zurn granted a request by Berkshire to take additional deposition testimony from Haslam after the Cleveland Browns owner was repeatedly instructed by his lawyer during this weeks deposition not to answer questions about the informal compensation agreement.

Specifically, Berkshire is seeking the identities of the 24 employees to whom Haslam referred, and the nature of their informal agreements with him, Stottman said.

These matters go directly to witness bias and credibility, he told Zurn, noting that both Haslam and Clothier will be key witnesses at a two-day trial early next month over PTCs accounting practices and valuation.

Stottman said several documents provided by Clothier will be shown at trial, and that there is evidence that Clothier edited some of them in the midst of the legal battle with Berkshire in a way favorable to Pilot. He also noted that Clothier, who will be deposed next week, described himself in a text as one of Jimmys bag boys.

Berton Ashman Jr., an attorney for Pilot Corp. and Haslam, argued that additional testimony from Haslam is not needed, and that Berkshire is trying to obtain information to which it is not entitled.He pointed to earlier rulings by Zurn that barred Berkshire from asserting certain defenses to Pilots claims that Berkshire, which owns 80% of PTC, changed accounting practices in order to lower the price Berkshire would have to pay for the rest of the company. Among the defenses that Zurn struck were allegations about side payments, Ashman said.

Zurn, however, rejected Pilots argument that the information sought by Berkshire is related solely to the defenses and counterclaims it will not be allowed to argue at trial.

Just because those are out of the case doesnt mean that that information is not relevant in another way, the judge said. I think its relevant to impeachment and bias.

Zurn also expressed concern about Haslam being told not to answer certain questions during his earlier deposition.

Ive heard no basis today for the instruction that the witness not answer the question, which in my view is a remarkable thing to happen in a Delaware deposition, she said.

Under an investor rights agreement with Berkshire, the Haslam family, which includes former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, have an annual option, starting Jan. 1, 2024, to sell their remaining interest in PTC to Berkshire. The Haslams have 60 days from the start of each year to make that decision. With the first sale option deadline nearing, the Haslams and Buffetts company are accusing each other of manipulating Pilots earnings this year to affect the price Berkshire would have to pay for the Haslams remaining stake.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A First Lady of the United States born, raised, and buried in Texas would have been 111 years old on Friday, and the library dedicated to her husbands presidency is honoring her with a sweet treat.

The LBJ Presidential Library said it will give visitors with paid admission free cookies in celebration of Lady Bird Johnsons birthday on Friday.

The library at 2313 Red River St. is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last visitor is admitted at 4 p.m., the library said.

Projects featuring Lady Bird Johnsons voice offer new looks at the late first lady

Claudia Alta Lady Bird Taylor was born Dec. 22, 1912 in Karnack near Marshall in East Texas.

According to a biography provided by the library, shortly after she received two degrees from The University of Texas, Lady Bird met Lyndon Baines Johnson, then a congressional aide.

The Johnsons married on November 17, 1934, at Saint Marks Episcopal Church in San Antonio, the library said. They had two daughters, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Lady Bird Johnson efforts led to the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, and she was a visible supporter of our National Parks, the library said.

In 1982, she founded the National Wildflower Research Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and re-establishing native plants.

The center is now known as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, part of The University of Texas at Austin, according to the library.

Johnson died in Austin on July 11, 2007, and was buried at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall.

In her honor, the City of Austin renamed the Town Lake portion of the Colorado River as Lady Bird Lake.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The leadership baton was passed Thursday night at the Chicago Police Boards monthly meeting as a protracted fight over discipline for Chicago police officers has called the boards future into question.

And as that new era began, the board announced a forthcoming evidentiary hearing that stems from a notorious, nearly 20-year-old misconduct case  that of disgraced Sgt. Ronald Watts.

Outgoing board President Ghian Foreman arrived at the citys public safety headquarters early, as did his successor, Kyle Cooper. Minutes before the meeting began, Foreman bypassed his usual seat at the board table and pulled out the chair he used before he was named president.

Its a full-circle moment, Cooper told a smiling Foreman. The nine-person board still has three pending vacancies, and Cooper said Foreman agreed to continue serving on the board so it reaches a voting quorum.

There isnt a room Ive been in with him where I havent seen members of the public or elected officials come up to him and thank him for his dedicated service to the city and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps because he put the board on the right direction, Cooper later told those in attendance.

Coopers first meeting was an active one.

Paula Wolff, the boards vice president, announced that four officers would face evidentiary hearings stemming from alleged misconduct committed under Watts when he was a tactical lieutenant in the now-demolished Ida B. Wells housing complex in Bronzeville.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said each of the four officers  Robert Gonzalez, Manuel Leano, Brian Bolton and Douglas Nichols  should be fired. In its March 2023 response, the CPD, led at the time by Interim Superintendent Eric Carter, disagreed and called for lighter discipline.

Mareile Cusack, another board member, announced another evidentiary hearing was needed for Lt. Wilfredo Roman, who previously faced criminal charges for allegedly shoving his flashlight into the buttocks of a clothed teen carjacking suspect in February 2021. Cook County Judge Joseph Claps  who himself was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge after bringing a gun into the Leighton Criminal Court Building  found Roman not guilty in a bench trial last January.

The board also announced a two-year suspension for Officer Patrick Brown, who was involved in a deadly, high-speed crash on the West Side in May 2019. Earlier this year, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, the union that represents rank and file CPD officers and detectives, tried unsuccessfully to remove Browns case and those of 21 other officers from the Police Boards docket.

The effort came after arbitrator Edwin Benn, who oversaw contract negotiations between the city and union, ruled that CPD officers accused of serious misconduct are entitled to having their cases decided by a third party out of public view.

That provision of the contract agreement  which also provides a nearly 20% raise for officers over four years  prompted Mayor Brandon Johnson to bifurcate the City Councils vote on the union contract. The vote on the economic package was approved, but the second part on disciplinary measures was voted down.
Officially, there are at least 3,800 civilians who have been tortured by the Russians.

Source: Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin

Quote: "As of today, we officially know of 3,800 civilians who were tortured by the occupiers. However, the full figures may be much higher.

Over 1,100 criminal proceedings with respect to torture are currently under investigation. More than 80 people have been notified of suspicion, 18 of whom have already been convicted."

Details: The Prosecutor General called for the thousands of Ukrainian civilians currently held by Russia to be remembered and for every effort to be made to secure their release.

He also called for an effective international mechanism to be created to secure the release of illegally detained persons, and for those who committed these crimes to be prosecuted.

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Political partisans on the Left will no doubt have been punching the air with glee at news that the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trumps name should not appear on the presidential ballot paper in that state next year.

How much more convenient it would be if the courts would simply rule that only nice, good, progressive candidates could put themselves up for election, rather than leave it to the questionable judgment of the kind of people who own guns and drive pick-up trucks.

And anyway, why exert so much effort in engaging in political debate with your opponents when its so much simpler for judges to exclude them from the democratic process?

The judgment  which is subject to appeal  stands as a stark reminder of the desperate plight of political and legal debate as we head into a presidential election year in the US and a general election here in the UK. Recent nationwide polling suggests that Trump has pulled ahead of the incumbent president in a series of key battleground states. This should make Democrats extremely nervous. Instead a sense of complacency seems to have descended. Incumbents are notoriously difficult to dislodge from office at elections, after all. And who on earth would vote for the former president when hes under criminal investigation on so many charges?

The answer to that question seems to be staring President Biden in the face, and its contained in the polling data. Americans, thats who.

This is not to predict a Trump victory, but rather to warn the Democrats that arrogance and complacency in 2016 delivered the White House to the property billionaire, and could do so again unless the lessons of eight years ago are taken to heart. At that time, the Democratic establishment ensured that Hillary Clinton became the partys standard bearer with little serious opposition, despite polling evidence that she was uniquely unpopular among key demographics. But those key sections of the electorate  some of whom Clinton herself dismissed as deplorables  were vital to a Democrat victory. And we all know what happened next.

After Trump won, it took the American (and British) Left no time at all to point the finger of blame at the guilty parties  the voters. In an astonishing reversal of the traditional roles of political parties and electors, it was the latter who were told they had let their leaders down. Who says politicians are out of touch?

The same happens in British politics. When Labour lost badly at the 2019 general election, some of those around the then leader, Jeremy Corbyn, blamed everyone but their man himself for the victory of Boris Johnson. It was the voters fault for being gullible. It was the medias fault for being biased. It was Corbyns party critics fault for being treacherous.

It seemed very few of them concluded that it was Corbyns fault for not being up to the job of either party leader or prime minister. Few blamed party members themselves for indulging their inner students by electing him in the first place. Twice.

But 2019 was not unique. Labour has a dreadful record at winning elections, which is why it goes so deliriously over the top when those rare victories actually materialise. This is a party that tends to elect whoever it feels most comfortable with, irrespective of who they judge would be popular among the wider population. Ed Milibands victory in 2010 over his older brother, David, is a perfect example of this kind of self-indulgence. But Milibands election as leader came in the immediate aftermath of the partys ejection from government; party members were in no mood to indulge the electorate and make more of the kind of realistic compromises that serious, grown up parties have to make in order to win office. Labours defeat in 2015 was merely confirmation that the public were too stupid to appreciate Milibands progressive credentials, and it served them right.

A year later the same thing happened in America. And at this rate, its going to happen again next year. Biden is too old to stand again. He was too old last time too, but he managed to get away with it, thanks in part to the Covid pandemic which confined the candidate to his basement for much of the campaign and away from inconveniences like voters.

He cant pull the same trick this time. His weaknesses and fragilities are already very evident and voters will be looking out for them as he zimmer frames his way along the campaign trail. He will feel he cannot retire in favour of his vice-president, who it appears is loathed almost as much by her own party as by the nation. But other candidates are available.

Do the Democrats genuinely fear another Trump administration? If they did, they would surely do everything in their power to stop him from winning. Perhaps they consider such a scenario useful to some degree; freed from the burden of government, they can revert to their traditional practice of warning against the imminent arrival of a police state and neofascism  a very comfortable, some might say habitual, position  while blaming their uneducated and unwashed fellow citizens for their poor judgment.

As a slogan, We told you so! may not have the emotional impact or electoral resonance of Yes we can! But if the Democrats dont wake up to the realities of Trump-era America, and soon, they might have to get used to repeating it for the next four years.

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To the editor: As an old Jew who backs a two-state solution, and as a former Middle East editor at National Public Radio, I wish to address the young people who are so outraged by the death and destruction in Gaza that they say they would vote for former President Trump. ("In an eye opener, most California Democrats dont want U.S. siding with Israel," column, Dec. 18)

Let's review Trump's policy toward the Palestinians: He appointed as ambassador to Israel an outspoken backer of Israel's illegal settlements. His government declared that it no longer considered the settlements to be illegal. Breaking with longstanding U.S. policy, Trump moved our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a huge slap in the face to the Palestinians.

Senior Trump administration officials questioned Palestinians' ability to govern themselves. Trump drew up a "peace plan" after negotiating only with Israel  the Palestinians were not included. Trump ended U.S. aid to Palestinians for things like hospitals, infrastructure and schools.

By all means, criticize President Biden, but Trump was  and would be again  a disaster for the Palestinians.

Paul Glickman, Sherman Oaks

..

To the editor: I read George Skeltons column on Israel with deep disappointment. Hoping for a discussion on the merits of Israels invasion of Gaza, I found instead an example of why many people feel they cannot openly and rationally discuss it.

Skelton quotes a former legislator who posits that the lack of support for Israel from some Democrats and particularly young people stems from an ignorance of historical facts and the "loaded words" used to describe the situation in Gaza.

At the same time, Skelton uses arguably the most loaded word in the English language, Holocaust, effectively to rationalize the death of thousands of Palestinians.

Have we learned nothing? How many more people need to die before we realize that this is not a world where the victims are only of a particular race or religion?

As I have grown older, I had hoped that we had learned something about extending our compassion to people in a less exclusive manner. Reading Skelton's piece, I grow more pessimistic.

Paul Templin, Encinitas

..

To the editor: I should be amazed that there is so much support for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, but I am not. As a second-generation Holocaust survivor, I am aware of antisemitism, which existed long before the state of Israel was established and will continue to rear its ugly head forever.

Hamas, the terror organization that never agreed to a two-state solution and controls Gaza, needs to be replaced. If Israel stops the war now and leaves Hamas in power, what would the future hold? Just as on Oct. 7, Hamas would break any cease-fire as soon as it could regroup and rearm.

This is not a war about a piece of land. This is an existential war that Israel is fighting for its survival.

Yes, urban warfare often results in substantial civilian deaths. But Israel has no choice. Eliminating Hamas terrorists now will lead to fewer civilian deaths in the long term and a better future not only for the Israelis, but also the Palestinians.

Linda Goldfinger, Irvine

..

To the editor: I've read letters saying that a cease-fire will only allow Hamas to regroup, thus leading to more Israelis dying and Israel once again bombing Gaza  that it's better to destroy Hamas now to free Gaza once and for all.

This reminds me of what a U.S. Army major reportedly said about a village in Vietnam: "It became necessary to destroy the town to save it."

That is exactly what Israel is doing in Gaza. The U.S. must use its financial influence to stop the war now.

Jon Goldstein, Scottsdale, Ariz.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Maryland Police Department Officer Gail Cobb was the first Black woman officer to be killed in the line of duty. At just 24 years old, she left behind a son who recently opened up about his experience with police since shes been gone.



Damon Cobb told WJLA his mother was following a bank robbery suspect in 1974 when she was shot while calling for backup. That day, Cobb recalled coming back home from nursery school to find his family sobbing in the living room. The news of her killing not only shook her loved ones but the nation, being cited as a sign of increased violence, per The Washington Post. The report said a street across from her home was named after her and funds from around the country pooled in to support little Damon.

Read more

In just six months, WJLA says hed spent all his money. Soon after hed lost the money, he lost his freedom.

Read more from WashPo:

Two decades later, Damon Cobb is serving a life sentence for murder in the Maryland State Penitentiary in Baltimore. He was convicted last July in the death of 21-year-old Gerald Carlton Weaver, killed outside his parents home in Prince Georges County. Prosecutors contended, and a jury agreed, that Cobb shot Weaver three times in the back because Weaver had allegedly burglarized the apartment of one of Cobbs friends. Damon Cobb will not discuss the case, on advice of his lawyer, while it is under appeal. Family members dont believe he pulled the trigger. Still, long before his conviction, the Cobbs had coaxed, cajoled, schemed and fought in vain to save Gails son from what they saw as a steady downward slide. And they were left to conclude that a single bullet, fired from a gun 20 years ago, had ricocheted in directions they could never have imagined  destroying not one life but two.

Cobb told reporters hes been in prison longer than the man who fatally shot his mother: 15 years. Cobb has spent over 40 years behind bars thus far.

Its unclear if he will be able to make parole but his grandparents say they hope to see their grandson get his freedom before they die.

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Click here to read the full article.
TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah have highlighted the necessity to uphold the rights of the Palestinians.

In a phone conversation on Wednesday night, Raisi extended condolences over the passing of Kuwait's former Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and congratulated Sheikh Mishal on assuming his new role, according to a statement posted on the website of Raisi's office.

The Iranian president praised the Kuwaiti government for supporting Palestinians' "inalienable" rights and refraining from normalizing ties with Israel.

He stressed that Iran was ready to cooperate with other countries to safeguard the rights of the Palestinians.

Raisi said strengthening solidarity, cooperation and synergy among neighbors was the only solution to regional issues and safeguarding regional countries' collective interests, adding that foreign interference in the region would only cause problems.

The president said he hoped relations between Iran and Kuwait could further improve during the new Kuwaiti emir's rule.

Sheikh Mishal, for his part, said the positions of the Kuwaiti government and people on the necessity to safeguard the Palestinian people's inalienable rights are "fixed and unchangeable."

He added the Kuwaiti government maintained that regional cooperation is the effective solution to the problems in the region and guaranteeing regional states' collective interests.

He said Iran was a "reliable friend for Kuwait and an effective partner" in its development. 
Carl and Heather Robinson often visit Roker from their home in Chilton, County Durham

A city which has been named one of the best places to visit in the world is making its people "proud".

Sunderland was listed among 23 of this year's "favourite discoveries" globally by The Guardian newspaper.

It said the "Roker Riviera" was the city's "brightest asset", while the pink slice, a local delicacy, received recognition too.

Locals and visitors told the BBC the seafront was "beautiful" and had become a hotspot for people watching dolphins near the harbour.

The newspaper also praised the citys attractions, including the National Glass Centre, in the list, among the Canary Islands Little Venice and Czech Republics vineyard town, Vrbovec.

"It's just nice. Everybody's friendly. There's lots of different things here," said visitor Heather Robinson, who travelled to Roker from Chilton, County Durham.

She said seeing dolphins had been on her bucket list following a breast cancer diagnosis, of which she has since been given the "all clear".

However, she said she was only able to tick it off her list after spotting the mammals near Roker Pier.

Roker is about a 40-minute walk from Sunderland City Centre

Anthony Skordis moved to the city about a year ago "specifically" for Roker.

The photographer, who previously lived in Hartlepool, said: "I just love the seafront.

"When it's a nice day like this, it's lovely for a dog walk.

"If you are lucky enough to see the dolphins, then it's just sort of cherry on the cake."

'Proud Mackems'

There are several coffee shops and restaurants along Roker seafront, which is about one mile (1.6km) from neighbouring resort, Seaburn.

Michelle Hancock, a manager at Fausto, said she and fellow staff were "proud Mackems".

"You only have to look out the window and see how absolutely beautiful and stunning our coastline is.

"We're immensely proud of our area and the people make it, as well as the location."

Michelle Hancock is a manager at coffee shop Fausto

Travel writer Ben Aitken, who listed the city in The Guardian's travel guide, said he chose to return and review Sunderland after a previous city break.

He said: "It struck me as being as a particularly fetching stretch of coastline. It seemed to go on forever.

"I enjoyed running along it, it's sandy (and) it's geologically unique."

Among positive reviews of the seafront, he was "impressed" by the food including the pink slice - a sweet treat made up of two slices of shortbread, jam and icing.

He added that, although the city is brilliant as it is", he was excited by plans to build a major Hollywood-style film studios at Pallion.

"In ten years' time we might see Brad Pitt walking around High Street West eating a pink slice. That could be fun."

Roker seafront is home to art installations and several independent shops

Follow BBC Sunderland on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Lockport man has been arrested and charged with being a recipient of child pornography connected to a global sex trafficking network.

57-year-old Richard Greer is accused of having significant communication with a person operating a child sex trafficking network in the Philippines, including around 31,000 messages, over 3,000 calls and over 200 media files. The U.S. Attorney said that Greer received many images and videos of child pornography during those communications.

Greer is charged with receipt of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

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Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Maryland came to the rescue of a deer that tried to vault into a yard and ended up trapped between a wooden fence and a wire fence.

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department said in a Facebook post that a crew from Chapel Oaks Station 838 was dispatched to a home in Cheverly where a deer became trapped between two fences.

"Using ingenuity and hand tools, firefighters quickly cut through a wire fence and rescued the deer," the post said.

The firefighters consulted with a local wildlife agency and determined the deer was not seriously injured and could be returned to the wild.
A Los Angeles distributor who imported tobacco products from out of state pleaded guilty to running a $3-million tax evasion scheme and was sentenced to more than two years in state prison, the California attorney general's office announced Friday. (Picture alliance/Getty Images)

A Los Angeles distributor who imported tobacco products from out of state pleaded guilty to running a $3-million tax evasion scheme and was sentenced to more than two years in state prison, the California attorney general's office announced Friday.

Sadiq Mohammed imported tobacco products from Florida and Illinois and claimed the items were from California to avoid paying the state's excise taxes, according to charging documents filed by California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office. Those taxes apply to purchases of out-of-state products such as alcohol, tobacco and cannabis.

Mohammed then took the proceeds from his scheme and purchased more tobacco products, according to court records filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Mohammed's business, L.A. Trading and Distribution Inc., underreported sales to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration between 2017 and 2018, avoiding more than $3 million worth of tax payments, Bonta's office announced in a news release Friday.

A Department of Justice task force uncovered the scheme in 2019 when state agents served a search warrant at a residence and found cashier checks payable to Mohammed's business. The home's location is redacted in court documents.

As part of their case, investigators served a search warrant at Wells Fargo Bank, where they discovered that Mohammed "deposited or directed the deposit of proceeds from the sale of untaxed tobacco into one or more accounts, and then used the deposited funds to pay for additional purchases of untaxed tobacco" while he underreported his sales to the state of California, according to court documents.

Mohammed was arrested in November 2022 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as he attempted to re-enter the United States, according to the news release. He was extradited to California and has remained in custody since then.

Prosecutors initially charged Mohammed with 20 counts of filing false tax returns and money laundering, but on Sept. 23 he pleaded guilty to two charges of filing false or fraudulent returns.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 32 months in state prison and ordered to pay $3.04 million in restitution, according to the Department of Justice. He has 387 days' credit for time served, according to court records.

When individuals defraud and steal from taxpayers and the state of California, we will hold them accountable, Bonta said in a statement. Taxes owed to the state pay for services that our communities depend on, and we will not stop in our efforts to track down those who put these services and our state at risk. We will find them and return the funds back where they belong."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
One of the Louisiana state troopers who was charged in connection with the brutal death of Ronald Greene is back on the job.

Lt. John Clary, 59, was charged with obstruction of justice and malfeasance in office after allegations surfaced that he purposely withheld bodycam footage that showed the graphic arrest of Greene in 2019. State police spokesman Capt. Nick Manale released a statement that Clary will return to active duty effective this week.

Louisiana State Police troopers hold down Ronald Greene after a beating on May 10, 2019. (Photo: YouTube screenshot/WWLTV)

Greene died in Union Parish, Louisiana, after a confrontation with police that followed what police reported was a high-speed chase and a car crash.

During the encounter, troopers beat him so badly that his body went limp. Bodycam footage that was leaked to The Associated Press in 2021 revealed Greene was bashed in the head with a flashlight, punched, shocked with a Taser, and then shackled by the ankles before being dragged by the troopers at the scene. That video also shows troopers forcing Greene to the ground, and leaving him face down for more than nine minutes.

That was the very video prosecutors claimed Clary withheld.

Although Louisiana State Police reported that the crash is what caused Greenes death, bodycam and dashcam videos show Greene being pulled from his vehicle before being shocked with the stun guns and wrestled to the ground. Police claimed Greene was taken into custody after resisting arrest and a struggle with troopers.

Audio from one troopers body camera even recorded his telephone exchange after Greene was beaten, in which the Louisiana Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth said, I beat the ever-living f*** out of him, choked him and everything else trying to get him under control.

Five troopers faced state charges, including Trooper Kory York, who was charged with negligent homicide for Greenes death. Use-of-force experts have said that the maneuvers York used to restrain Greene impacted his breathing and likely led to his death.

Hollingsworth was the sixth trooper on the scene and was widely viewed as the most culpable of the state police responders at the scene of Greenes apprehension. He died in a single-car crash in September 2020 within days after his agency informed him he would be fired for his role in Greenes beating.

Even before the indictments against the troopers came down in 2022, Clary was never disciplined by state police. The agency claimed there wasnt enough evidence to prove or disprove that he intentionally kept the video secret.

Prosecutors dropped charges against Clary earlier this year after he agreed to testify against York, a source told CNN. Two other former state troopers had their charges dismissed by a judge in July. So, only two of the initial five men who were indicted still face charges: York and Union Deputy Parish Chris Harpin, who was charged with malfeasance in office.

Yorks trial starts next year.

Greenes mother, Mona Hardin, told AP that she feels theres a disgusting lack of accountability and justice in the case.

Its really like he never took the uniform off, Hardin said. These guys have been protected from the beginning. They know the brass have their back.

Greenes family has called for a federal civil rights investigation into Greenes death, since it took more than three years for criminal charges to come down.

We need the DOJ to come in here because were four-plus in. It took three-plus years just to get these indictments, you know, and we need it now, Hardin said.
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  The Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a Luzerne County man has been sentenced for committing $350,000 COVID-19 pandemic fraud.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Daniel Wasielewski, 59, of Wilkes-Barre, pleaded guilty to filing and assisting others in filing fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds,

including under the Payment Protection Program (PPP), for Economic Injury and Disaster Loans

(EIDLs), and for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.

The PPP and EIDL applications submitted by Wasielewski and his coconspirators were filed on behalf of corporate entities that did not have actual business operations, and that bore false revenues and other business information, investigators stated.

Liquor store manager charged with stealing $61K from lottery machine

Wasielewski received approximately $350,000 in PPP, EIDL, PUA, and other fraudulently obtained funds, for himself and others. Police stated instead of using the funds on business expenses, Wasielewski used them to purchase cryptocurrency and for other personal expenses.

Banking officials froze and recovered approximately $150,000 of the stolen funds, and Wasielewski was ordered to pay restitution to the remaining victims.

Wasielewski was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, for committing pandemic fraud.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Rising Red Sea tensions rattle global shipping industry, spark concerns of spillover from Gaza conflict

Xinhua) 08:07, December 22, 2023

People gather in a rally to support Palestinians amid the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 20, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

* Over the last four weeks, Houthis, a militant group based in Yemen, have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the commercial ship Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen.

* During a televised speech on Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said, "If the United States targets us, we will then retaliate by targeting U.S. battleships and interests in the region with our missiles, drones, and military operations."

* Analysts say the rising tensions on the Red Sea could seriously affect global seaborne trade and the world's supply chain.

* The evolving landscape in the Red Sea is stoking anxieties among Middle Eastern nations, who fear the conflict could disrupt vital shipping routes and destabilize the region.

SANAA, Yemen, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels are escalating their attacks on "Israel-related" ships in the Red Sea, demanding retribution for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

This surge in tensions has prompted major shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through the critical maritime trade route, raising concerns about potential global economic repercussions. In response, the United States and several other nations are forming a new coalition to safeguard ships navigating the Red Sea.

However, the heightened military presence in the Red Sea, as analysts have argued, may stoke active hostilities, exacerbating concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spilling over into the region.

ESCALATING TENSIONS

Over the last four weeks, Houthis, a militant group based in Yemen, have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the commercial ship Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen.

During his latest tour to the Middle East, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared on Tuesday in Bahrain that the United States is assembling a new multinational coalition to shield vessels navigating the Red Sea.

Austin said that Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain will participate in this joint U.S. mission. The collective efforts will involve collaborative patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

In response, the Houthis said on Tuesday that the new U.S.-led military coalition in the Red Sea would not stop their attacks on Israel-bound commercial ships.

"The coalition formed by America is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam was quoted by the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency as saying.

"As America allowed itself to support Israel by forming an alliance, we also have full right to support Palestine," he said in a statement. "And whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions."

During a televised speech on Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said, "If the United States targets us, we will then retaliate by targeting U.S. battleships and interests in the region with our missiles, drones, and military operations."

An Israeli Navy missile boat is seen in the area of the Red Sea on Nov. 1, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Xinhua)

DISRUPTED SHIPMENT

Analysts say the rising tensions on the Red Sea could seriously affect global seaborne trade and the world's supply chain.

Salam Al-Asbahi, a retired general of the Yemeni government forces, warns that the Houthi group can disrupt the Suez Canal-Red Sea corridor, which handles about 12 percent of the world's trade by volume.

"They have the capability to cause major disruption," said Al-Asbahi, pointing to the deployment of Houthi military boats along the Yemeni and regional waters, and their control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait at the Red Sea's southern entrance.

The heightened risks are already reverberating across the industry. Marine insurers in London have declared the southern Red Sea a high-risk zone, prompting shipping companies to obtain additional war risk coverage.

Adding to the concerns, four major container shipping companies -- MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd -- have suspended Red Sea sailings since Dec. 15. This, in turn, has driven up freight rates on the Asia-Europe route.

Data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange shows the market freight rate, including shipping and additional fees, was 1,024 U.S. dollars per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) from Shanghai Port to major European ports on Dec. 15, up by 4.1 percent from the previous week.

However, Egypt, home to the Suez Canal, seeks to downplay the impact. While acknowledging the heightened security concerns, Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie insisted on Sunday the disruption remains limited.

He said that only 55 ships have rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope since Nov. 19, compared to the 2,128 that traversed the Suez Canal during the same period.

WIDER CONFLICT

The deployment of a U.S.-led military escort in the Red Sea has heightened concerns about a potential escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spilling over into the crucial waterway.

"The presence of U.S. warships alongside Israeli interests raises the possibility of unintended encounters with Houthi forces," said Al-Asbahi. He also noted Iran's support for both Houthis and Palestinian groups will potentially complicate the regional dynamics.

The evolving landscape in the Red Sea is stoking anxieties among Middle Eastern nations, who fear the conflict could disrupt vital shipping routes and destabilize the region.

Moreover, both the Yemeni government and regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, despite their reliance on the Red Sea-Suez Canal route, hesitate to join the U.S. escort mission and directly engage with Houthis.

Al-Asbahi attributed this partly to Houthi rhetoric aligning with Arab public sympathy for Palestinians. "Their strong stance on the Palestinian issue resonates with many in the region, making it politically difficult for some countries to openly oppose them," he explained.

Further complicating the situation is the backlash among Arab countries against the U.S. policy on the ongoing Gaza conflict, making cooperation with the U.S. coalition less appealing.

"Not a single country on the Red Sea agreed to join the U.S. coalition to safeguard the Red Sea. And only one Arab country joined -- Bahrain. What does that tell us about Biden's diplomatic pull?" said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a U.S.-based think tank.

The Red Sea game now comes to a head, where concerns about maritime security collide with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It remains to be seen whether the U.S. escort operation can navigate these choppy waters without igniting wider regional tensions.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A decade on, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has injected strong momentum into socioeconomic development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a Cambodian scholar said on Friday.

Thong Mengdavid, a research supervisor at the Asian Vision Institute, a Phnom Penh-based independent think tank, said under the BRI, a number of Chinese-invested or -aided mega-projects have been carried out in ASEAN countries.

Those BRI projects in the region included the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, the China-Laos Railway in Laos, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, among others.

"The BRI has played a critical role in building connectivity in ASEAN region and between China and ASEAN," he told Xinhua.

"These projects, just to mention a few, have significantly contributed to boosting the economy and trade in the region and provided vigorous impetus to ASEAN-China efforts in building a community with a shared future toward high quality, modern, and civilized humanity," he added.

Mengdavid said those BRI projects have given a boost to trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN, and helped attract foreign direct investment to the region.

He added that China has been the ASEAN's biggest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for three consecutive years.

He said the BRI has complemented the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, saying that a synergy between the BRI and MPAC 2025 has increasingly contributed to regional connectivity, peace and stability, economic prosperity and sustainable development.

"I can say that the BRI has importantly contributed to promoting peace, security, harmony, sustainable, inclusive development and common prosperity in the region," Mengdavid said.

"There is no doubt that the BRI projects will continue to strengthen China-ASEAN collaboration in terms of promoting growth, re-organizing regional and global economic order, and advancing greater regionalism and integration," he added.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

BRI, a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was initiated by China in 2013 to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa and beyond ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations.

Speaking of the BRI's impact on Cambodia, Mengdavid said Cambodia was one of the first countries to embrace the BRI and the kingdom's socioeconomic progress has continued to evolve and improve significantly since then.

"People's standard of living is rising as a result of greater Chinese investment and infrastructure development, as well as an inflow of Chinese visitors," he said. "These have greatly contributed to Cambodia's socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation through creating a lot of jobs for Cambodian people."

Mengdavid added that BRI's landmark projects such as hydropower plants, industrial zones, expressways, ports and airports will help Cambodia achieve its ambitious goals of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

"All in all, the BRI has provided and will continue to provide tremendous benefits to Cambodia, ASEAN, and the rest of the world, contributing to building a global community with a shared future for mankind," he said. 
Ask any American with young children what their No. 1 household expense is, and youll hear the same answer almost every time: child care. Each family finds its own way to manage. Some parents are pushed out of the workforce. Others work jobs they wouldnt take otherwise or hold down multiple jobs in order to meet their families needs.

In order to show you how real families are navigating this child care challenge, HuffPost is profiling parents around the country. If youd like to be featured in an installment, email us at parents@huffpost.com.

Sherrie Bain and her son.

Sherrie Bain and her son.

Name: Sherrie Bain

Age: 46

Childs age: 6

Location: Monterey, California

Annual household income: $60,000 this year, as she was finishing her dissertation. In previous years, she did more paid work and earned about $90,000 per year.

Child care costs: Currently none, as Bain watches her son after school at home while she works. However, she anticipates spending $300 to $400 a month on after-school care in 2024.

Work arrangements: Bain is a microbiologist with a Ph.D. in health sciences who has worked primarily in academia. Most recently, she was the senior microbiologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

At the moment, Im doing some consulting work with a biotech company thats based in Florida. Thats been my primary source of income since Ive been taking time off to to write my dissertation over the summer.

Child care plan: Im a single mom. My relationship with my sons biological dad ended when I was two months pregnant. Hes had limited parental involvement and financial involvement. Primarily I have been my sons parent.

Her son, who Bain described as intellectually-oriented, skipped first grade and is now in second grade.

This semester is really the first time that I have not paid for his education, because Ive had him in a private school up until now. When he was an infant, I was fortunate enough to have child care from my family members. So I had them rotate in and out for the first six months, which was really helpful. But after that, tuition for a day care was about $500 per week. That was definitely more than half my income at the time, but you have to weigh whats the best environment for your child and try to find whats going to be most suitable, even if its beyond your budget at times. Thats how I looked at it in order to be able to say, I just have to maybe stagger a few bills as best as possible. [Child care has] always been a huge, significant part of my expenses.

Because Bain currently works from home, she hasnt used after-school care.

But realistically, starting in the new year its probably something that Im going to have to utilize. Thats probably around $300 or $400 a month. And then, of course, looking at things like vacation time from school, Im going to have to factor [that] in. Ive been very fortunate. I have a lot of siblings and nieces who have been more than happy to rotate in during his vacation times in the past. [But] that may not always be possible in the future. What am I going to do when he has a vacation thats two weeks and Im in a full-time position again? Thats going to be something that I have to factor into my budget. He does spend about four weeks with his biological dad, who lives in Maine, in the summers.

When I first had him, I switched from working in a university setting because I would have to sometimes do evening teaching. So I started teaching high school, just to have a little bit more flexibility in terms of my vacations and so on. But it was still a lot of things to navigate with his vacation times that may or may not have coincided with my vacation times, because even at that young age sometimes the daycares will close for two weeks at some point where they have to give their employees time off.

Bain pulled her son from several day care centers due to a variety of concerns before finding one where she felt comfortable keeping him. At one center, for example, she began getting called every Friday afternoon to pick up her son because he was sick, only to find him perfectly well when she arrived. Eventually, she realized that the day care was short-staffed and were rotating out which children they had on site in order to comply with child-to-caregiver ratios.

By the second or third day of taking him [to one center], he started to become really anxious when we would pull up to the building. And at first I thought, hes just getting used to the place, but he has never been a kid who would cry or be upset when I left him at school. My mom instincts told me that something was happening in the day care. Then I got a call the next day saying that a child had bitten him on the cheek. He had this huge bite mark on his cheek. The next day when I pulled up to that particular place  keep in mind, hes two-and-a-half years old  he started trembling in his car seat and I just called my boss and I said, Im not coming in today. I ended up having to cut my hours at work until I was able to enroll him in his third school, which turned out to be great.

He was there until Bain relocated for a better-paying job, which is when she found a pre-K that cost $2,800 a month. I literally worked seven days a week. I took extra assignments at school, I would do aromatherapy [sales], anything that I could find to supplement my primary income. Anything where I was able to work online, I would do that, so that I would have the income but not have to be concerned about paying for additional child care. ... It was a wonderful environment, and I dont regret the financial sacrifice  but it was a financial sacrifice.

During the pandemic, when Bain was working from home, I ended up just having a little workstation at my dining table for him, so that I could work on my computer online with my students. My wall suffered a lot because at times I would be in the middle of teaching and I would see him writing on the wall. But theres only so many things you can control at once, and the most important thing for me was that I could be there for him and do something that was also bringing in an income. So if the walls got painted with crayon for a bit, that was fine.

What would help their family: I really wish that the private sector would invest in providing some subsidized care for their employees. That would have helped significantly  if I knew he was going to be safe and comfortable, but it wasnt 100% cost-wise on me. I wish that more employers would do that, and also consider potentially partnering with child care agencies or organizations so employees will be able to have their child in an environment thats not only safe and affordable, but close by where youre working, so you may not have to worry about rushing to pick up your child. Thats also been something that Ive had to consider in terms of where Ive placed him in the past. Ive had commutes that were up to maybe an hour and 15 minutes, so I would have to make sure that I had someplace that was close to my job. But then a lot of times it would also mean that it was someplace that was more expensive.

Employers could also help working parents by being more flexible, Bain said.

As a microbiologist, Ive had to work in a laboratory setting a lot. But there are times when Im writing a report or something like that, [and] I dont necessarily need to be in a lab. Having the flexibility of saying, OK, Im gonna designate this day, one day a week, to just work from home  especially over the summers  that would be very helpful.

Related...
Agnes Firmin-Le Bodo took over the position of health minister on Thursday after the resignation of Aurelien Rousseau - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

Emmanuel Macron faced a new headache on Friday after his health minister confirmed she was under investigation for allegedly receiving 20,000 (17,326.80) worth of gifts.

Agnes Firmin-Le Bodo took over the cabinet post on Thursday after her predecessor, Aurelien Rousseau, resigned in protest against a tough new immigration Bill that has caused splits in Mr Macrons centrist government.

Later that day, Bruno Dieudonne, Le Havres public prosecutor, said an investigation had been opened into alleged unauthorised receipt [of benefits] by a healthcare professional.

On Friday, Ms Firmin-Le Bodo, a pharmacist by profession, confirmed that she was the person in question.

As part of my duties as a pharmacist, an investigation is underway. Please allow me to reserve any exchanges I may have with the relevant authorities, she told local media without elaborating further.

The revelation follows an article by investigative website Mediapart reporting that Ms Firmin-Le Bodo had received undeclared gifts worth a total of 20,000 from pharmaceutical company Urgo Laboratories between 2015 and 2020.

Ms Firmin-Le Bodo, who runs a pharmacy in Le Havre, is suspected of having luxury goods  watches, bottles of wine and magnums of champagne, weekend gift boxes, etc  delivered to her on 21 occasions between 2015 and 2020  worth a total of 20,000, from Urgo Laboratories, Mediapart reported in detail.

Urgo was thus seeking to win the loyalty of pharmacists and increase their sales margins, said Mediapart.

Anti-gift laws prohibit pharmacists from receiving benefits from healthcare manufacturers. In January 2023, Urgo Laboratories was fined 1.1 million for offering sweeteners to pharmacists in return for them giving up trade discounts, meaning it could sell products to pharmacies at full price.

The Telegraph has approached Urgo for comment.

Ms Firmin-Le Bodo was previously minister for territorial organisation and health professions.

The embarrassing revelation comes as Mr Macron seeks to turn the page following his controversial immigration law, which adds tougher criteria for foreigners to receive welfare while making it possible for undocumented workers to apply for residency permits in sectors with labour shortages.

On Wednesday, Mr Macron denied that the law pandered to nationalists, saying that to stop the hard-Right being elected to government we need to handle the problems that they feed on.

The French president is also under fire after saying that Gerard Depardieu, the actor who has been charged with rape and faces a litany of sexual assault claims, was the target of a manhunt.

The presumption of innocence is part of our values, said Mr Macron, adding that he felt huge admiration for the immense actor.

But Generations Feministes, a feminist group, said his comments were an insult to all women who had suffered sexual violence, first and foremost those who accused Depardieu.

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A man is behind bars after leading police on a chase through Bentleyville on Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint, police saw a silver sedan driving at a high rate of speed in the 500 block of Main Street at around 5:30 p.m.

The complaint said the sedan took off and turned left on Oak Street upon seeing a patrol car following. The car then turned onto Bertram Street, where police decided to terminate the pursuit because of the residents in the area having small children who play outside.

Later on, the police chief saw the suspect vehicle, a silver Kia Soul with an Arizona license plate, and pulled it over on Mary Street at Coal Center Road. The chief ran the plate and found it didnt belong to any car, the complaint said.

The driver, Shane Conner, told police he was suspended, didnt have insurance and the car wasnt registered. Police found that Conner had been convicted of driving while suspended six times and had six warrants, the complaint said.

Video from a resident in the area of the pursuit showed the Kia Soul matched the car involved in the chase. Conner told police he ran because he had warrants, according to the complaint.

Conner is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, disorderly conduct, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, reckless driving, careless driving and various other charges regarding the car not being registered and not having insurance.

Conner is being held in the Washington County Jail.

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(KRON)  Joseph Moore, the man who displayed sidewalk signs offering free fentanyl near a San Francisco school, was convicted of willfully and unlawfully committing a public nuisance, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Friday.

Jurors convicted the 46-year-old man following a trial. According to trial testimony and evidence, Moore piled his belongings near Ninth Avenue and Geary Boulevard, taking up half of the sidewalk and blocking access to the e-bikes.

One person dead in Vallejo shooting

Moore displayed signs advertising Meth for Stolen Items and Free Fentanyl for New Users across the street from Stella Maris Academy on October 19 and October 20, according to prosecutors.

The school has students between ages two and 13. Moores signs were large enough to be visible from the 5th grade, 6th grade, and kindergarten classrooms, the DAs Office said.

I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case, Jenkins said. Mr. Moores conduct will not be condoned in San Francisco. While San Francisco remains a compassionate city, we understand that we must prioritize and protect our children and their surroundings.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Schneider said, This verdict recognizes that his conduct impacted a whole community.

Moore is currently in custody and is set to be sentenced on December 27. He faces up to six months in county jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Authorities arrested a suspect Friday morning they say murdered a Medford man last week.

Edwin Mendez Hernandez, 20, of Everett, was taken into custody around 8 a.m. in the area of 20 Hancock Street in Everett, according to Boston Police. Hernandez was wanted on a murder warrant for the death of Wilfredo Landaverde Arevalo at the time of the arrest.

Police say the 34-year-old Arevalo was stabbed several times in the area of 186 Grove Street in East Boston just before 6:45 a.m. on December 15.

He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A warrant for Hernandez was issued out of East Boston District Court for his alleged involvement in the crime.

He is expected to be arraigned there on Friday.

The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Columbus police have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in a Hilltop murder from March of earlier this year.

According to Franklin County court documents, 20-year-old Kalan Hansard was arrested Thursday after a warrant was issued in August. He is charged with the murder of Ronald Smith, 30, who died on March 13, three days after he was shot in the 300 block of South Warren Avenue.

Man sentenced to probation in nonfatal shooting of 16-year-old

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Police said surveillance cameras showed Hansard and two others arrive at the location in a silver Volvo and enter the residence on the evening of March 10. Police arrived at the scene at 6:24 p.m., when they found Smith shot after an alleged attempted robbery.

Smith was taken to Grant Medical Center and died later.

Hansard was issued a $750,000 bond Friday in municipal court and is scheduled to reappear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 29.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Atlanta police have charged a man with murder after a 4-year-old was found dead at a southwest Atlanta home.

Police told Channel 2 Action News that officers responded to a home off Renfrew Court on Dec. 11 after getting a call about a 4-year-old boy who was unresponsive.

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The child was pronounced dead at the scene. Two weeks later, police have made an arrest.

Officers took Rodney McWeay into custody on Thursday and charged him with murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Police did not specify the relationship between the child and the suspect. McWeay was scheduled to appear in court for his first appearance on Friday.

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IN OTHER NEWS




AUSTIN, Texas - A homeless man has been arrested for murder after skeletal remains were found buried in the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt in late November.

24-year-old Melcolm Martin Lee, also known as "Tanto," was arrested by US Marshals on Dec. 20 for a murder that happened earlier this spring in the 1200 block of S. 6th Street in Austin.

Law enforcement received multiple tips in late November that a murder had happened at a homeless camp in the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, and that the victim had been buried there.

On Nov. 29, Austin police conducted a field search with a K-9 cadaver dog search team, which found human skeletal remains. The human remains were carefully recovered by members of the Austin Police Homicide Unit, Crime Scene Unit, and the Travis County Medical Examiner under direct supervision by the Texas State Anthropology Department.

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An autopsy was performed by the Travis County Medical Examiners office which revealed injuries consistent with homicide.

On Dec. 12, the US Marshals were called in to find and apprehend Lee. A fugitive investigation led marshals to a homeless camp in the 3400 block of Parker Lane next to Mabel Davis District Park. Lee attempted to flee from officers and was taken into custody with the help of APD's K-9 unit.

Lee has been booked into the Travis County Jail on a $1 million bond.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man has been indicted on multiple felony animal cruelty charges following what a Nashville animal shelter called one of the most troubling of all rescues it had ever encountered.

On Oct. 9, a pesticide contractor entered a unit at a Bellevue apartment complex to perform regular maintenance, but once inside, Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue said he found two dogs, Barrett and Bennett, that were just skin and bones.

Davidson County seeing increase in animal cruelty cases

According to the rescue organization, which later took the dogs in, they appeared to have been deliberately starved and were both locked in cages covered in feces. When he was found, the organization said Bennett was just hours away from death.

Bennett and Barrett were rescued from the home after the pesticide contractor took photos of the situation and called Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC). Rescuers said Bennetts muscles had atrophied and he was so weak he had to be carried out of the apartment.

Both dogs have since been placed in foster homes, with Bennett spending almost a week at Blue Pearl Hospital. According to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, the recovery process has been extensive. As of Nov. 29, Bennetts vet bills had reportedly exceeded $10,000.

In a social media post regarding Bennetts status, the organization said there has not been a single part of his body that was not comprised by his deprivation of food and water. However, volunteers said he is continuously improving.

Nashville DAs office not pursuing charges after dog shot, killed at Percy Warner Park

The incident was reported amid a number of animal cruelty cases in Davidson County, with officials from the District Attorneys Office stating in October that they were seeing a significant increase in reports of people hoarding animals and violently killing them.

Assistant District Attorney General Debbie Housel, who prosecutes for animal cruelty in Davidson County, told News 2 the cases have more than doubled since she took over last December.

After news of Bennetts situation spread, several local residents began demanding justice, with a billboard reading, Justice for Bennett, going up at the foot of Capitol Hill.

Then, on Dec. 21, the District Attorneys Office confirmed that a man had been charged in the case. Michael Scott Dozier, 46, was arrested last week after being indicted on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

Court documents show he was later released on Dec. 15 after posting a $40,000 bond.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

However, Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue has continued calling for lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow animal control or law enforcement to immediately remove animals from neglectful situations in the months since Bennett and Barrett were rescued.

We do not want their senseless suffering to be in vain, the organization stated on its website. It is time Tennessee lawmakers and city councils passed appropriate laws which would enable animal control or police to immediately remove animals from neglectful situations before they escalate to this level of torture.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
WOBURN  Four years after she was stabbed to death, the justice system failed Framingham resident Jamia Ammons-Maddrey, according to her mother.

Ammons-Maddrey's killer, Christopher McKoy, was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Thursday after a two-day bench trial in Middlesex Superior Court.

A bench trial is one that is heard by a judge rather than a jury.

"The system failed my daughter," said Maria Maddrey.

Authorities said McKoy, then 25 and of Brockton, stabbed his girlfriend, Ammons-Maddrey, 27, to death inside her Interfaith Terrace apartment in Framingham on Oct. 20, 2019. Authorities said McKoy then left the apartment, cut off a court-ordered GPS monitoring bracelet and went to his mother's Boston apartment, where he was arrested the following night.

Jamia Ammons-Maddrey was fatally stabbed in October 2019 inside her Framingham apartment. Her boyfriend, Christopher McKoy, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after a bench trial last week.

Bench trial: Suspect in 2019 fatal stabbing in Framingham will go before judge

McKoy and his lawyer, Edward Hayden, conceded that McKoy killed Ammons-Maddrey, but contested his criminal responsibility before Judge Christopher Barry-Smith. The trial occurred Monday and Tuesday, with Barry-Smith rendering his verdict on Thursday.

"His memory of what happened that night is not good," said Hayden, of McKoy. "How much he remembers of that night and what happened is not clear."

McKoy was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2014, Hayden said. Court psychologists had testified that McKoy was experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations at the time of the killing.

McKoy will remain at Bridgewater State Hospital indefinitely

Hayden said McKoy will not be released in the near future. He was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital and will remain there until doctors determine he is not a danger to the public.

"I don't know when he might leave Bridgewater," said Hayden. "This is a pretty brutal killing. He's going to have to show he's not a danger and how long that takes, I don't know, but now he has a chance to get out someday. It's not a life sentence."

'Kill yourself!': Emotions run high as Framingham slay suspect is arraigned

Maria Maddrey said she believes McKoy "fooled the judicial system," adding she thinks he should have been found guilty of first-degree murder, which would have resulted in a mandatory life sentence.

However, she also said it's unlikely McKoy will ever be let free.

"We still win, because he's not going anywhere," Maddrey said. "He will be in Bridgewater for the rest of his life. He still has to live with the fact that he killed someone. Not only did he kill someone, but he killed someone who cared about him and wanted to help him. It's something he has to live with for the rest of his life."

'She loved living,' mother says of murdered daughter

Maddrey-Ammons was a caring woman who always tried to help others and cared greatly for her family and friends, her mother said.

"She was wonderful," Maddrey said. "She was beautiful. She was wonderfully caring. That's why when she found out about his issues, she wanted to help. She had a big heart. She loved her family. She loved living. That's what hurt so much  she was the happiest in her life in that last year than she had been for years. She was so happy."

Aaliyah Wing, Ammons-Maddrey's younger sister, called her older sibling her "role model and blueprint" for life.

"In losing her, I lost myself," Wing said. "Now, I realize I can live for her and her legacy of strength and resilience."

Hayden said McKoy was relieved when he heard the verdict.

"He got the best possible outcome," the attorney said. "He breathed a sigh of relief that he won't be spending the rest of his life in prison."

Christopher McKoy, pictured during his Framingham District Court arraignment in October 2019, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Jamia Ammons-Maddrey.

McKoy may be not guilty in the legal sense, but morally and spiritually he is, according to Maddrey.

"The ultimate judge is God, so we know whatever the verdict was, he's guilty in the eyes of the Lord and my eyes," Maddrey said of McKoy. " He will never get to enjoy the life my daughter was supposed to enjoy outside of the walls of Bridgewater. Hopefully, now we can move forward knowing he'll never be able to move forward with his life."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Brockton man not guilty reason of insanity Framingham woman's death
YAOUNDE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon has received 12,000 Nigerian refugees in 2023, according to the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR.

Minawao camp, the only official refugee camp in the country's Far North region, hosts about 70,000 Nigerians seeking shelter from violence in their homeland, the UNHCR said in a statement Thursday.

"Minawao refugee camp in the Far North is... experiencing a hidden emergency, as over 12,000 refugees and asylum-seekers have arrived at the Gourenguel Transit Center almost daily since January 2023, seeking protection and assistance from the nearby camp, which is itself nearing saturation," the statement said.

The new arrivals could strain the capacity of the refugee camp, Olivier Beer, the UNHCR representative in Cameroon, told a press conference in the capital, Yaounde, calling for solutions, including speeding up repatriation of refugees willing to return home.

"There are about 14,000 refugees who want to return. Next year we will advocate to have a tripartite meeting between Nigeria, Cameroon and UNHCR to start thinking about the process of repatriation," Beer said.

Cameroon hosts 488,500 refugees and asylum-seekers mainly from the Central African Republic and Nigeria, according to the UNHCR. 
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Grandview man is now facing murder charges in Oklahoma after a 24-year-old man was found dead in a car in Kansas City.

Kainon K. Singleton has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a stolen vehicle in Creek County, Oklahoma, in the death of Adam Blackstock Jr.

Family sues after man found dead, alone outside Kansas City-area nursing home

Police found Blackstock dead inside a vehicles cargo area after towing it away from a home at East 46th Street and Montgall Avenue in Kansas City. He had been shot several times.

But on Wednesday, KCPD said investigators determined the killing actually happened in rural Creek County.

Adam Blackstock Jr.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said its agents and Kansas City police determined Blackstock traveled to Oklahoma on Jan. 17 with another man, now identified as Singleton.

Later that same day, prosecutors say Singleton shot and killed Blackstock. Oklahoma court documents further detailing the allegations against Singleton were not immediately available.

City Union Mission asking for help to meet donation goal

Back in Kansas City, Blackstocks family discovered the 24-year-old and his Jaguar F- Pace crossover were missing.

Blackstocks father used a Jaguar app to track the vehicle to a Kansas City home, where he could see it parked with a cover over it.

Court documents say Kansas City police noticed a bullet hole in the driver door and blood in the front passenger seat and behind it.

Police eventually convinced a woman at the home to allow them to tow the car to the police station. A search warrant was filed six hours later, and police found Blackstocks body in the vehicles cargo area.

Singleton is currently in custody at the Jackson County jail. Officials said he was arrested March 10 in the Kansas City area during a separate incident.

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In that Jackson County case, hes facing charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, and two counts of armed criminal action. Hes scheduled for a jury trial in March 2024.

Singleton is also currently facing charges in Clay County for second-degree burglary, stealing and property damage, according to court records.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The gunman alleged to have fatally shot a teenager last month in East St. Louis was charged with first-degree murder Friday.

Cornell Irving, 35, of St. Louis was arrested at his home on Thursday, according to a news release from the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office and court records.

Irving is charged in the shooting death of 19-year-old Trenadi Bateman on Nov. 10 in the 4000 block of State Street in East St. Louis.

Authorities havent announced a motive for the shooting, but a news release from Illinois State Police last month said she got into an altercation and then was struck by gunfire following that incident.

Following her death, Trenadi Batemans father told the Belleville News-Democrat that she was real friendly.

She got along with everybody, Dwayne Batemen said.

Trenadi Batemans survivors include her 4-year-old daughter.

She graduated from Collinsville High School in 2022 and worked at two fast-food restaurants, according to her obituary.

Irving was in police custody as of Friday.

A defense attorney has not yet been listed for him, according to St. Clair County court records.

If convicted, Irving faces a potential term of imprisonment of 45 years to life in prison, the states attorneys office news release said. Any term of imprisonment would be subject to the Illinois Truth-in-Sentencing Statute which requires him to serve every day of the term.

Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department investigated the shooting. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department assisted in making Irvings arrest, the news release said.

BND reporter Carolyn P. Smith contributed information for this article.
A man accused of repeatedly emailing the FBI, threatening to unabomb the agencys office and go on a mass murder spree, was arrested at his home Dec. 21, officials say.

Mark William Anten, 52, of Sun Valley, California, made references to the Unabomber and threats against the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office in Westwood in a series of emails beginning in July, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California.

Information regarding Antens legal representation wasnt available Dec. 22.

In one email sent Nov. 2, he told the FBI he embrace(d) how he was voted most likely in his graduating class to become the next Unabomber, an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint says.

Theodore John Kaczynski, the man known as the Unabomber, carried out a 20-year bombing campaign that led to the deaths of three people and hurt nearly two dozen victims, according to officials.

Before Kaczynskis arrest in 1996, he sent the FBI a 35,000 page manifesto related to his motives, the agency says. He died in prison on June 10 after he was convicted of federal crimes and incarcerated in the SuperMax prison in Colorado, according to prosecutors.

In Antens Nov. 2 email, he listed how he and Kaczynski are similar, including that they love manifestos and wrote he was working on his latest and greatest one, the affidavit says. Hes accused of signing the email as the Unabomber.

Around two weeks later, two FBI Task Force Officers visited Anten at his home and warned him to stop emailing agents on Nov. 20, according to prosecutors.

Anten told them he may not be able to stop, the affidavit says.

On Dec. 5 and 6, the FBI received more emailed threats of violence from Anten, according to officials, who say he later visited the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office on Dec. 6.

Anten is charged with making threats by interstate communication, according to the attorneys office. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.

In an email Anten is accused of sending to the FBI on Dec. 5, ahead of his arrest, he wrote I AM THE UNABOMBER, and threatened, I WILL UNABOMB THE LOS ANGELES FBI HQ, the affidavit says.

I can go on a mass murder spree. In fact, it would be very explainable by your actions, Anten wrote in another email after midnight on Dec. 6, according to the affidavit.

Then, he emailed the FBI a screenshot showing the Google search: how to make a dirty bomb, the affidavit says.

Later in the day, he emailed the FBI, saying I went to YOUR work and shared pictures of himself near the FBI Los Angeles office, according to the affidavit.

Surveillance footage showed Anten was there that day, according to prosecutors.

The FBI took Anten into custody without incident at his home in Sun Valley, a Los Angeles neighborhood, on Dec. 21, the attorneys office says.

A judge ordered he be detained without bond, prosecutors say. Hes due in court for an arraignment Jan. 11.

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A Manatee County judge sentenced a 46-year-old man to 15 years in prison for robbing a woman behind a local Publix.

In November 2022, Anthony Pete attacked a 75-year-old woman from behind, grabbing her purse and running away with it, prosecutors say. According to an arrest report, Pete later confessed to the crime.

Investigators identified Pete, of Winter Haven, based on witness testimony and video footage of the robbery, which captured the license plate of a Chevrolet Malibu registered under his name, deputies say.

Court records show Pete entered an open plea Monday, allowing Judge Charles Sniffen to decide his prison sentence without contest.

Although the State was seeking a 30-year prison sentence, we are pleased that the court did sentence the defendant to a significant amount of prison time for the protection of our community, said Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert, the lead prosecutor on the case.

At the time of the robbery, Pete was on probation after a 23-year prison sentence for robbery and aggravated battery. In the arrest report, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office described him as a career offender.

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Pete previously spent time in state prison for cocaine possession, robbery and battery on a person over the age of 65.
Boise police have arrested a man suspected of stabbing someone at a downtown grocery story, police said in an update Thursday night.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing in the bathroom of a grocery store in the 100 block of Myrtle Street  the address for the downtown Boise WinCo location  at around 1:45 p.m. Thursday. Police said store employees and witnesses restrained the suspect and were providing medical aid to the man who was stabbed when first responders arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Police say the man intended to rob the victim in addition to stabbing him. The Boise Police Department also said in a news release that there is no indication the suspect and victim knew each other.

According to the news release, police believe there may be witnesses who were in the store bathroom at the time of the incident but left before speaking with officers. Any witnesses are asked to contact nonemergency dispatch at 208-377-6790.

A spokesperson for WinCo said the company has no statement on the incident since a police investigation is still ongoing.
A man was found guilty of federal charges after prosecutors say he kidnapped a woman from Massachusetts in his car, tied her to the gear shift and drove to Maine.

Before she escaped, he told her they were headed to Canada where she would die, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maine.

Stephen Pilson, 56, kidnapped the woman in December 2019, three days after he was released from jail in relation to previously kidnapping her in Massachusetts, court documents say.

The day of Pilsons release, a Waltham District Court judge sentenced him to time served and probation  and issued a protective order that prevented him from contacting the woman, who he had a prior relationship with, according to the attorneys office.

However, he repeatedly contacted her, then kidnapped the woman again on Dec. 15, 2019, court documents say.

After a three-day trial, a federal jury found Pilson, of Brighton, guilty on charges of kidnapping and transporting the woman to Maine and interstate violation of a protection order, the attorneys office announced in a Dec. 21 news release.

McClatchy News contacted Pilsons court-appointed defense counsel, Grainne Dunne and Michael Whipple, for comment on Dec. 22 and didnt receive immediate responses.

The womans escape

The day of the kidnapping, Maine State Police received several 911 calls about a woman who exited a vehicle on the side of I-95 and that a man was following her, according to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint.

Then, a 911 call came in from the woman, who said through sobs and screams that hes coming after me ... hes on parole  Im afraid hes going to come and get me  he started tying me up, the affidavit says. This was in reference to Pilson.

An investigation revealed that earlier in the day, Pilson kidnapped the woman from Massachusetts in his car and used her scarf to tie her to the gear shift, according to prosecutors.

When she first tried to escape, he hit her, prosecutors say.

During the drive, Pilson drank from a large bottle of vodka and became very intoxicated, according to the affidavit, which describes him driving erratically, nearly crashing into other vehicles.

Eventually, the woman grabbed the car key and broke it off the ignition  resulting in Pilson pulling over near Arundel, about 90 miles northeast of Boston, according to prosecutors.

This allowed her to escape and she fled on the highway as Pilson followed her, prosecutors say.

Pilson stopped pursuing her and ran into the woods before state troopers tracked him down with a K-9, according to prosecutors.

On Dec. 21, Chief Judge Jon D. Levy denied Pilsons motion for an acquittal on the federal charges hes been convicted of, court records show.

Hes facing up to life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors say.

Brighton is a neighborhood in Boston.

Man forced migrants to work on farms and raped 16-year-old he kidnapped twice, feds say

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SAN DIEGO  A man was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting in City Heights Thursday night, San Diego police said.

Around 7:47 p.m., two SDPD officers assigned to the Mid-City Division were driving in the 4900 block of El Cajon Boulevard when they witnessed gunshots ring out from the passenger side of a dark colored SUV before speeding away.

The officers reported seeing the victim, who appeared to have been a bicyclist on westbound El Cajon Boulevard, down in the street with at least one wound to his upper torso. According to SDPD, the two immediately stopping to render aid.

Man stuck under concrete on side of cliff in Ocean Beach

Paramedics transported the victim, identified as a man in his 20s or 30s, to a nearby hospital for treatment. He later succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

SDPDs Homicide Unit was called to the scene to investigate. According to the department, preliminary findings indicate that there was some sort of interaction or argument between the bicyclist and the individuals in the SUV.

How many suspects authorities may be looking for or motive for the shooting remains unknown at this time. No additional information is available about the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
ANKARA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee said on Friday that it would discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week.

The committee said in a statement that the review of the bid is scheduled for Dec. 26.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to the parliament in October.

For ratification, the bill needs to be approved by the commission before being put to a full parliament vote.

After Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland submitted applications to join NATO in May.

Turkiye approved Finland's membership to NATO in March but has slow-walked Sweden's accession, demanding the Nordic country to further address Ankara's security concerns. 
A US jury has cleared three police officers of all criminal charges in the death of an unarmed black man who died in police custody in 2020.

Prosecutors accused the officers of using deadly force on Manuel Ellis during his arrest in Washington state.

Mr Ellis, 33, was beaten and restrained face down on the pavement in Tacoma. Video footage shows him pleading for help, saying he could not breathe.

Defence attorneys argued he died from drugs and an existing heart condition.

His death came just months before George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis, sparking protests and a new movement to highlight racial injustice.

Two of the officers in the Ellis case, Matthew Collins, 40, and Christopher Burbank, 38, were acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

The third, Timothy Rankine, 34, was acquitted of manslaughter. They had all pleaded not guilty.

Mr Ellis, a father of two, was walking home with doughnuts from a 7-Eleven late in the evening of 3 March 2020.

Officers Collins and Burbank, sitting in their patrol car, said they saw him try to open the door of a passing car.

He became aggressive when confronted about it, they said. This was contradicted by three witnesses who testified at trial that after a brief conversation with Mr Ellis, Officer Burbank threw open the car's passenger door, knocking Mr Ellis to the ground.

A nearby doorbell surveillance camera captured part of the interaction, and shows Mr Ellis with his hands held up as Officer Burbank shot a Taser at his chest, and Officer Collins held his neck from behind.

Protester with 'I can't breathe' slogan after death of Manuel Ellis

In the video, Mr Ellis can be heard addressing the officers as "sir" and telling them he was struggling to breathe. One officer responds, telling him to "shut up", using an expletive.

According to prosecutors, an officer then put a spit hood - used to stop detainees from spitting or biting - on Mr Ellis' head, while another officer kept him restrained on the pavement for six to nine minutes, until the Fire Department arrived. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The local medical examiner ruled Mr Ellis' death a homicide, caused by oxygen starvation, with both a heart condition and methamphetamine in his system contributing factors.

In court, lawyers for the defence argued it was a lethal combination of drugs and a heart problem that had killed Mr Ellis. They said they believed he was a good man when he was sober but the meth "caused him to be violent, unpredictable and paranoid".

Wayne Fricke, representing Officer Burbank, told the court: "This is a situation where [Ellis] created his own death. It was his behaviour that forced the officers to use force against him."
It is unknown how many of the unions 48 members who are officers have been affected

Manx ferry firm staff who have not agreed to new terms have been served notice of the termination of their contracts, a union has confirmed.

Nautilus International said some Isle of Man Steam Packet Company officers had been told they now had 12 weeks left on their current contracts.

The dispute is over plans to impose live on-board conditions on sailings between Douglas and Heysham.

The union said it was a "shocking escalation" shortly before Christmas.

The company has said staff have until 15 March to change their minds and accept the new contracts.

The union represents 48 of the government-owned ferry firm's 70 officers, but it is not clear how many staff have been issued with the notices.

Nautilus members are due to start action short of strike, which will involve refusing to work overtime or act up to cover senior roles, from 18:00 GMT on 27 December for an indefinite period.

'New low'

Nautilus director of organising Martyn Gray said it was "shameful" that the Manx public would "likely face escalating consequences of Steam Packet's poor management and unreasonable behaviour".

Informing staff that they would "be sacked three days before Christmas" was a "new low for the company", he added.

In a letter sent by Manx Sea Transport Guernsey Limited, the crewing agency for the Steam Packet, said the notice had been served following legal advice and staff affected would be offered re-employment from 16 March under contracts with the live aboard arrangements included.

In a statement issued earlier the Steam Packet said it was "not able to endlessly continue to discussions" and while serving notice was the "last thing the company wants to do", it felt it had "no option in order to bring matters to a conclusion".

"Even after the service of notice, officers will be welcome to sign up to the revised terms and conditions at any point up to 15th March," it added.

Nautilus members voted in support of strike action earlier this week following proposals from the ferry firm which would see staff live aboard the new vessel Manxman rather than return home to rest between shifts.

In a recent ballot responded to by 77% of Nautilus members working for the Steam Packet, 81% of those who responded supported a walkout, while 89% backing taking action short of strike.

The Steam Packet previously said the changes would reduce the risk of cancellations but the union said they would see employees lose 76 days a year with friends and family.

The BBC has contacted the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for a response.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk
Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill had a book on her mind months before the double murder trial of the century of Alex Murdaugh began last January.

As clerk of court, Hill had an inside track to a high-profile trial with national interest  occupying center stage along with Murdaugh, Judge Clifton Newman and prosecution and defense lawyers.

I am also interested in writing a book, Hill wrote in an email in November 2022, three months before the start of the trial, to Arthur Cerf, a French journalist who planned to attend the Murdaugh trial and was writing a book on the case.

If youre interested in a partnership, let me know! she told him.

Cerf went on to write his own book, Les Meurtres du Lowcountry.

Hill, too, wrote a book  Behind the Doors of Justice.

Now Hills book and other alleged actions by her have landed her at the center of multiple controversies.

She has been accused by Alex Murdaughs defense attorneys of tampering with the Murdaugh jury, getting it to return a quick guilty verdict last March to hype her book sales. She denies the allegation.

Two ethics complaints have painted her as broadly misusing her powers as clerk of court. Among other allegations, the complaints accuse her of misappropriating funds, providing confidential images and records to members of the media and allowing the Colleton County Courthouse to be used for book signings and Netflix shoots.

Hills email to Cerf was one of a trove of hundreds of Hills emails on her county email account made public Thursday by Colleton County officials. The emails, written and received by Hill between January and early December of this year, were released Thursday morning in response to Freedom of Information requests to Colleton County by various news media, including The State.

Murdaugh, 55, was convicted of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son Paul last March 2 by a Colleton County jury. On March 3, Judge Newman sentenced Murdaugh to two life sentences. Murdaugh contends he is innocent of the killings. His attorneys are appealing.

Hills released emails shed little light on whether she tampered with the jury but cover a variety of topics, including Hills months-long fixation on writing a book. Doing a book right  and ethically  is a constant theme. Whether she achieved that goal is a matter of debate.

Hills book was published Aug. 1 at 200-plus pages, no index and more than three dozen photos, just five months after the trial ended. It is now the focus of the jury tampering allegations made by Murdaughs defense lawyers, who are using those claims as one basis for an appeal.

Many of the the emails released Thursday lack attachments and, at best, offer an incomplete but still revealing portrait of Hill. Colleton County also withheld emails that may be the subject of ongoing state law enforcement and Ethics Commission investigations.

The ethics and mechanics of writing a book preoccupied Hill. In the months following the trial, she reached out to the State Ethics Commission, writers and journalists, a prominent media attorney and local politicians.

In June, Hill wrote retired S.C. Law Enforcement Division agent Rita Shuler, who had written a book about a major case she had worked on while at SLED. Hill asked Shuler how to proceed with ethical matters. I want to make sure I dont get indicted and go to jail! LOL, Hill wrote, using the abbreviation for laugh out loud.

While the consensus of some she emailed was that Hill would not be violating any rules so long as she did not include confidential information in the book, Hills memoir quickly created a firestorm for the clerk of court. Two ethics complaints filed against Hill reference her writing and promoting the book.

In early September, Murdaugh attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin held a highly-publicized press conference on State House grounds, telling reporters that after the book was published, jurors came forward with allegations that Hill improperly influenced them.

Hills book offered a peek behind the curtain into the nuts and bolts of running a trial that caught the attention of international media. Hill described her own relationship with the Murdaughs, whom she had known professionally through the courts for over a decade and whose family history of moonshining intersected with Hills own ancestors.

For her part, Hill has admitted to keeping notes throughout the trial, but has previously denied deciding to write a book until she connected with Neil Gordon, a journalist, in the weeks immediately following the trial. Hill met Gordons wife, Melissa, during the final days of the trial and formed a quick connection, Hill has said previously. Melissa Gordon took many of the books photos.

But for many, the allure of Hills emails is an opportunity to glean whether the clerk of court had already made up her mind about Alex Murdaughs guilt and then pressured the jury to quickly convict him of murdering his wife and son on June 21, 2021.

On page 2 of her book, she declares. I was mostly concerned about Alex being found innocent when I knew in my heart he was guilty.

But in the few references to a verdict sprinkled throughout her emails, Hill is more cryptic.

The closest to a damning statement came in an email near the end of the trial. On Wednesday, March 1, the day closing arguments began, she advises a student from USC Salkehatchie that he is welcome to attend the proceedings that Friday if we are still here.

The day the jury began deliberating, Thursday March 2, Hill wrote to an attorney who regularly attended the trial but needed help getting into the courthouse that day, Lets hope for swift and firm justice today!

When Hill emailed someone who had requested a seat in court for the final day of the trial, she finishes with Think it will be a guilty verdict?

Hills efforts to be ethical

Dozens of emails show what appear to be Hills attempts to follow the rules for government officials who publish books about an issue they are involved in. As early as April, Hill was reaching out to authors and attorneys for their opinion on her book.

Available emails show:

 Hill was worried that her efforts to write a book could land her in controversy, if not a crime, according to a June email she wrote to Walterboro Mayor Bill Young.

I spoke with my Chief Justice of SC (Donald Beatty) and he verbally gave me the go ahead on writing a book about the Murdaugh trial that we had earlier this yearHowever, I really want to be sure I dont get indicted and tried in a criminal court. Hill wrote.

 Earlier, in April, Hill wrote veteran media attorney Jay Bender of Columbia about the ethics of writing a book about a subject close to her office, and Bender had replied on April 24., I have concluded that based on the definition of official capacity that since your office would not normally provide authorship of a book within its normal services, and since you are not subject to expense reimbursement for writing the book, you are not subject to any restrictions imposed by law for receiving compensation relating to the sales of copies of a book you write.

 Two days after Bender sent his opinion, Hill reached out to Courtney Laster at the State Ethics Commission: I have a question about the writing of a book by a clerk of court about the process of trial from beginning to end, Focusing on the process itself the history of it and of course the high profile cases that South Carolina has had. What would be the ethic (sic) procedures behind this?

 Another Ethics Commission staffer replied to Hill on May 5. The reply was not included in documents released Thursday by Colleton County. Hill forwarded the reply to Bender, who told her on May 8, I think the opinion of the Ethics Commission is consistent with my analysis. Keep writing, but dont use confidential information.

 On May 6, Hill noted in an email to her co-author, Gordon, that there would be a conference in early August in California she might attend. If I went, could we use it to promote book? she asks.

 Hill also sought book-writing advice from veteran Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein, a former reporter for The State Media Co., emailing Bauerlein on June 3, 2023, Ok, Val...... here we go. I have to turn it in tomorrow evening. So any parts you can review and peruse, I am grateful.

Hill also turned to Bender for advice on trying to get money from Netflex, a video streaming company. Her query to Bender about the use of the courthouse by Netflix wasnt made public, but Benders reply cautioned care.

Any compensation for the use of the courthouse would need to be paid to your office or to the county treasury. The receipt of compensation by you for making the courthouse available, should you have that authority, would likely be a violation of the ethics act as outlined in the letter from the Ethics Commission, Bender wrote her on May 8. This situation differs from your authorship of a book because it relates to the use of public property over which you have some authority in the ordinary course of your duties.

By mid-September, after Murdaughs lawyers made their allegations about jury tampering, Hill grew mostly silent.

On Sept. 12, Hill emailed a supporter who told her to stay strong in the face of the jury tampering allegations. .I cant talk about the whole case or investigation at the moment, however, in a very short time, I will be able to... It will be worldwide again when there is an apology given to me from the defense team.

If you will wait on me, just a couple more days, I will be prepared to talk, Hill wrote to Post & Courier reporter Thad Moore on Sept. 13. Please do not talk to Neil Gordon without me... I can promise you it will be worth the wait.

On Friday, Oct. 6, Hill replied to a woman who emailed her and accused her of making blood money from her book. My side has not been presented yet. But its coming. And I stand on the truth and boy, is it totally different from what the defense team has spun.

Murdaughs full appeal has not yet been filed.

Meanwhile, a controversy has arisen concerning Hills son, Colleton Countys longtime technology director. Last month, he was charged by SLED with wiretapping and fired from his $90,537-a-year job. Exact details of the allegations were not made public.

Former S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal has been appointed to the case, since state Judge Clifton Newman is due to retire at the end of the month.

Toal, who is semi-retired, will preside at what appears to be the cases next step: holding a hearing that possibly could delve into jury tampering allegations.

At that hearing, Hill could once again be a center of attention  but this time, as a witness.

Bristow Marchant, Sarah Ellis, Javon L. Harris and Joshua Boucher contributed.
MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN)  A group of Marble Falls residents are in the process of developing an inclusive playground in the community for people of all abilities to enjoy.

The Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group is working to raise $1.4 million to design and construct Wyatts Clubhouse, an inclusive playground designed to be accessible for everybody. Its a mission thats personal for Ashley Crouse, secretary of the board behind Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group.

My son experienced a [traumatic brain injury] when he was 15 months old  that was in 2019. And after that, he had some disabilities. He cant walk, hes wheelchair-bound, she said. When we were trying to go to the local playgrounds here in Marble Falls, there was no wheelchair access. There are no swings that he can swing on. It was just very limiting.

Those limitations sparked Crouses desire to create a space thats inclusive for children and visitors of all abilities and capabilities. She pointed to the Play for All Abilities Park in Round Rock and Morgans Wonderland in San Antonio as spaces that have gone beyond the idea of ADA access and have made accessibility and inclusivity the cornerstone of their designs.

Crouse, along with Taylor Smith, the treasurer of the Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group, has worked with the playground development company Leathers and Associates to bring their vision to life. So far, both said the project has received incredible community support  but its been a long road toward bringing it to fruition.

RELATED: Austin to build its first all abilities playground

Earlier this month, the J.M. Huber Corporation awarded the Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group a $25,000 grant to help develop the playground. That award came after 50 applications were submitted, and only 11 were chosen from around the world, Smith said.

To see an organization of that size  its, you know, around the world  focus on Marble Falls and give us some money to help get this going is just amazing, Smith added. And were really hoping that this will start a wave of more large corporations out in this area or anywhere.well take funds from anybody to help get the job done.

Not only does it take a village to fund the project, but it also is a community effort to shape its vision and the playgrounds components. Smith said the group has gone to schools and spoken with local kids to get their input on what kind of equipment and playground amenities they want to see.

He added the group is looking at a variety of locations to build on. Once a site is selected, Smith said he hopes thatll open the door up for more grants and larger-scale donations.

Its been really amazing to see this increase in the desire to bring awareness to including all people from all abilities. But also, bringing the actual parks here is really amazing, Crouse said. Part of the passion behind this project has been not just for my family but for all families that are experiencing these kinds of difficulties. Everybody wants to be able to go and play together. And I think thats really important.

Those interested in learning more about Wyatts Clubhouse or making a donation to the Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group can follow the project online and on its Facebook page.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
An alternative high school for students with special needs, associated with the Catholic Maryville organization, has opened in Niles after moving from Des Plaines.

Students from Maryvilles Jen School in Des Plaines recently began attending George H. Walsh Sr. Academy, where a ribbon cutting was held Dec. 18. Maryville purchased the building, the former Niles Elementary South School on Touhy Avenue, from Niles Elementary School District 71 for $2.5 million, according to Maryville officials.

Principal Ann Craig said Jen School would remain the property of Maryvilles larger organization and would be used for other programs.

Thirty-five students between the ages of 14 and 22 attended Jen, and all of its students face some sort of academic, emotional, behavioral or intellectual challenges, according to Valeria Lazu, communications coordinator. Students over 18 attend school to be ready for the work environment in cases where their real age does not match their mental age, she said.

According to a news release from Maryville, Walsh has nearly twice the space as Jen School, with 56,000 square feet. Walsh will have 12 classrooms meant for academic classes and eight for vocational learning, said Craig. She added that Jen had eight classrooms that served dual functions for academic and vocational classes.

Walshs current vocational classes focus on carpentry, small engines, bike repairs, screen printing, health careers, video podcasting, computer technologies and culinary arts. The school is interested in adding more classes for welding, plumbing, HVAC, electric and agriculture, said Craig.

According to Craig, Walsh has capacity for up to 120 students to attend at any given time. She said the Illinois State Board of Education set a limit of 10 students per class at Walsh.

Craig said students can enroll and start at any time throughout the year at Walsh and that the tuition rate is determined on a case-by-case basis, according to guidelines set by the Illinois Purchase Care Review Board. The rates are based on the allowable cost related to direct educational services provided by us to our students, she said.

Maryville, based in Des Plaines, is a nonprofit child-care organization based in Catholic social teaching, according to a news release. It offers housing, health care, family services, and educational services in Chicago, Berwyn, Bartlett, Des Plaines, and Niles.
Police in western Massachusetts apologized Thursday after an officer was sent to a middle school to search for a copy of Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, following a complaint.

On December 8, a plainclothes officer was escorted into a classroom at W.E.B. Dubois Regional Middle School toward the end of the school day to search for the book, Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti said in a statement sent to CNN.

After a brief conversation with the teacher, the officer was advised that the book in question was not there and could not be accounted for at that time, the statement said.

As the Chief of Police for the Great Barrington Police Department, I apologize to anyone who was negatively effected by our involvement at the W.E.B. Dubois Middle School on December 8, 2023, Storti said.

Police said they had received a complaint that day from someone who witnessed what they perceived to be concerning illustrations in a book given to students by a teacher at the middle school.

The person, who authorities did not identify, shared a photo of an illustration that depicted animated characters performing sexual acts on each other, police said.

School officials and police later determined the illustration was part of Maia Kobabes Gender Queer: A Memoir, Storti told CNN. The graphic memoir examines the non-binary authors journey with identity, and it has been one of the most banned or challenged books from school libraries in recent years.

In a previous interview with CNN, Kobabe encouraged people who describe the memoir as inappropriate or pornography to read the whole book.

Read the whole thing and judge for yourself, dont just go based on the one or two tiny clips youve seen on social media, Kobabe told CNN.

Storti told CNN his department had never responded to similar complaints before. In a press release, he said that because this complaint was made directly to the police department, we are obligated and have a duty to examine the complaint further.

Over the years, our relationship with our schools has been positive and collaborative, so together we worked with the school to try to navigate this sensitive situation. If our involvement caused distrust and alarm, that was not our intention. I promise you our actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum, Storti said.

The police department and the Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue determined the matter should be referred to the school district, Storti said.

In a message sent to the school community Tuesday, Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon and Stephen Bannon, chair of the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee, apologized for how the incident was handled by school officials.

Faced with an unprecedented police investigation of what should be a purely educational issue, we tried our best to serve the interests of students, families, teachers, and staff. In hindsight, we would have approached that moment differently. We are sorry. We can do better to refine and support our existing policies. We are committed to supporting all our students, particularly vulnerable populations, Dillon and Bannon wrote.

The district plans to hold several meetings to discuss the incident, including at a previously scheduled school committee meeting in January, Dillon and Bannon said.

Ruth Bourquin, senior managing attorney at the ACLU of Massachusetts, condemned the actions of police saying, This incident is deeply concerning, and a serious escalation of attempts by a vocal minority to ban books that are by and about LGBTQ people, communities of color, and other marginalized groups.

Correction: A previous version of this story used an incorrect pronoun for Maia Kobabe. It has been fixed.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Massachusetts police chief apologized after an officer searched a middle school for a copy of Gender Queer: A Memoir, an illustrated book on gender identity that has been banned in other districts.

The incident occurred on Dec. 8 at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School. A plainclothes officer with the Great Barrington Police Department visited this school to look for the book after the department received a complaint about concerning illustrations, Boston.com reported.

The complainant allegedly provided police with an image that showed illustrated characters performing sexual acts, according to the news outlet.

The police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Image:

Police Chief Paul Storti told Boston.com that because the complaint was made to the department, it was obligated and [had] a duty to examine the complaint further.

In a Facebook statement on Thursday, the chief apologized to anyone who was negatively [affected] by our involvement at the WEB Dubois Middle School.

Over the years, our relationship with our schools has been positive and collaborative, so together we worked with the school to try to navigate this sensitive situation, he said. If our involvement caused distrust and alarm, that was not our intention. I promise you our actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum.

Gender Queer: A Memoir, by nonbinary author Maia Kobabe  who uses gender-neutral pronouns  tells Kobabes story from adolescence to adulthood and recounts the authors exploration of gender identity.

It has been at the center of heated debates for years largely because of a handful of graphic illustrations that depict LGBTQ sexual experiences. In 2021, a video went viral after a parent screamed at Fairfax County, Virginia, board members and said the book should be removed.

Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginias largest school district, later banned the book but then reinstated it. Other schools and libraries followed suit, and the book was removed from Brevard Public Schools in Florida and Wake County Public Libraries in North Carolina. It was eventually put back on library shelves in Wake County.

In a 2021 interview with NBC News, Kobabe said the book and its graphics are integral for young people questioning their sexuality or gender.

Its very hard to hear people say, This book is not appropriate to young people when its like, I was a young person for whom this book would have been not only appropriate, but so, so necessary, Kobabe said. There are a lot of people who are questioning their gender, questioning their sexuality and having a real hard time finding honest accounts of somebody else on the same journey.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon and School Committee Chair Stephen Bannon addressed the incident in a letter to the district on Tuesday and said the district does not support banning books.

Also, we are committed to ensuring that all students feel safe as we support an inclusive environment at our schools, they said.

The recent incident at the middle school has challenged and impacted our community, the letter stated. Faced with an unprecedented police investigation of what should be a purely educational issue, we tried our best to serve the interests of students, families, teachers, and staff. In hindsight, we would have approached that moment differently. We are sorry. We can do better to refine and support our existing policies. We are committed to supporting all our students, particularly vulnerable populations.

The district said it will hold several meetings so community members can discuss the incident, including at a scheduled School Committee meeting on Jan. 11.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and an array of representatives of Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian organizations offered a show of solidarity as the mayor sought to make amends with Palestinians offended by his remarks during an Oct. 12 raising of the Israeli flag.

But a press conference Thursday afternoon also may have revealed a rift within the Palestinian community as city leaders cope with fallout from a war half a world away in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Across this country for the past 2  months, we have experienced a lot of rallies, protest and a great deal of division, not just in America but across the world, Dyer told reporters. But that is not why were here today standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

I stand proudly with members of the Muslim, Jewish and Palestinian community who are leaders of their respective faiths in this great city, Dyer said, reading a statement agreed upon by the mayor and those gathered behind him. We stand unified and believe there is only one side in Fresno, and that is the side of peace, unity and nonviolence.

There is no room for hatred, there is no room for intolerance, there is no room for prejudice, and there is no room for the killing of innocent people, he added. Our vision is a Fresno where every Muslim, Jewish and Palestinian resident feels secure in their homes and free to enjoy all the city has to offer, without fear of violence, without fear of being derided, and without fear of being threatened.

As the press conference concluded, Dyer exchanged hugs and handshakes with those who joined him for the event.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer hugs Abdul Jawad, a Palestinian business owner in Fresno, following a news conference to promote unity among local Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim groups in Fresno, at Fresno City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

Fences to be mended

Five days after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel  in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 people were taken hostage  Dyer presided over raising the flag of Israel at Eaton Plaza in a show of support for Israel. Following the attack, Israel declared war on Hamas and, except for a brief cease fire in recent weeks, has bombarded cities in Gaza.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Gaza health officials estimated more than 20,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women and children, have died in the Israeli offensive.

But Dyer set off a backlash at the flag-raising when he responded to people who shouted questions about why the Palestinian flag wasnt being raised as well.

We are not here today to alienate any part of our community. However, if people in this community or anywhere else support the terrorist activity that occurred on Saturday in Israel, then I would question their allegiance to the United States of America.

In the weeks since, dozens of Palestinian residents and allies have protested along Blackstone Avenue in north Fresno and appeared at Fresno City Council meetings asking for the city to adopt a resolution calling for a cease fire in Gaza and demanding an apology from Dyer for what they perceived as a slap at the Palestinian community.

One of those flanking Dyer on Thursday was Rabbi Rick Winer of Fresnos Temple Beth Israel, who said after the press conference that he too questioned why only the Israeli flag was raised on Oct. 12.

As the Israeli flag was raised  I understand it was the mayors idea and it did not come from the Jewish community  there were people shouting, Why are you not raising the Palestinian flag? Winer said. It seemed to me reasonable that if the Israeli flag is being raised, then we should have a time, since were all for peaceful coexistence, when the flags of both communities can be raised together.

We really appreciate that the mayor learned a good experiential lesson from keeping the focus on local and figuring out how not to get too wrapped up into international political happenings, Winer added.

Abdul Jawad, a Palestinian business owner in Fresno, also joined Dyer for the press conference. He also spoke of respect and coexistence between the two sides in the political conflict.

Historically, Muslims and Jews have lived among each other and we dont have a problem living among each other, whether its here in the United States or even back home, said Jawad, clad in a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh, or scarf. For thousands of years we coexisted.  Muslims and Jews, I think we have nothing but respect and love for each other.

I think people back home can get along except for the politics, he added. The far right on both sides is what makes it so hard.

Rabbi Rick Winer of Fresno;s Temple Beth Israel shakes hands with Fresno Palestinian resident Abdul Jawad after both attended a news conference led by Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer to promote unity among local Palestinians, Jews and Muslims, at Fresno City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

Appreciating the passion of protest

While Winer declined to comment on the calls for the city to support a cease fire, Jawad said that whoever is calling for a cease fire, we stand behind them. We want a cease fire.

We dont want to see innocent people killed, he added.

But he was cautiously critical of some of the inflammatory rhetoric that has surfaced in calls by some Fresno Palestinians at protests and at City Council meetings.

Theres a lot of passion, a lot of people who have relatives in Gaza. they see their relatives who have been bombarded, Jawad said. Theres a lot of passion out there and people sometimes speak things in those situations.

Winer concurred. People are justifiably very upset about all the loss of life, he said. Its incredibly upsetting, and I really feel for everyone going through such difficult times.

There are some upsetting things that are said on either side, but were really focused on how we can best keep a good, positive climate here in Fresno.

Throughout a series of meetings among the various leaders with Dyer, Winer said, there was nothing upsetting because our goals were very clearly the same. Thats gratifying.

Dyer concluded the press conference with an off-script comment that was not part of the prepared statement: If there is anything Ive ever said or done to hurt any of you here (Jewish, Muslim or Palestinian), I apologize, and I mean that from the depths of my heart. Dyer left the podium without taking questions from reporters.

Excluded from the process?

But the unity on display Thursday inside City Hall isnt necessarily universal. Outside, Palestinian Freedom Project co-leaders Layla Darwish and Yasir Amireh criticized the mayor and some of those who joined him. The pair had a heated exchange with Jawad as he exited the building.

Amireh and Darwish led the effort behind a Dec. 8 event to raise the Palestinian flag at Eaton Plaza and insisting on a cease-fire resolution from the City Council and an apology from Dyer.

Amireh told The Fresno Bee that he felt Jawads participation in Thursdays press conference was a betrayal of the Palestinian community in Fresno, and pointedly said Jawad was among traitorous Palestinians undermining efforts to press for a cease fire.

Darwish and Amireh lamented that despite their visibility at City Council meetings and other activities, they had not been invited to participate in the various meetings that led up to the press conference.

Darwish said she only learned of the event when she came to City Hall on Thursday to pick up the Palestinian flags raised over Eaton Plaza on Dec. 8.

I didnt know what was going on. I asked whats happening, and they wouldnt tell me, she said. When I went inside, some people wanted to invite me in, but there were some people saying, No, shes not invited, and others saying, As long as shes quiet.

Darwish said she was hurt and offended, as a Palestinian American, to be treated with that kind of disrespect on American soil.

Amireh was skeptical about Dyers sincerity. The reason this happened today is because Dyer has found a group of traitor Palestinians to do this with, he said. Weve been out in the front, Weve been threatened, weve been treated badly. Weve been looked at as really bad people. And were fighting for our cause.

Amireh added that he has reached out to Jawad multiple times to ask about a public display of unity with Dyer, and he kept us in the dark on purpose because he knows this is the wrong thing to do and supersedes the cause of stopping the genocide in Palestine.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry dismissed Friday a U.S. report on terrorism as a failed cover-up of its own actions against Syria.

In a strongly worded statement, the ministry said the U.S. State Department's report aims to conceal what it called American-sponsored terrorism through unilateral coercive measures, political and military support for terrorist entities, and the backing of militias.

Slamming the report as full of "lies and distortions," the ministry said Syria rejected the U.S. side's attempt to manipulate the definition of terrorism while blurring the lines between criminal acts and the legitimate right of nations to resist foreign occupation, pursue independence, and determine their destiny.

The U.S. Country Reports on Terrorism of 2022 accused Syria's Bashar al-Assad administration and Iran-backed Lebanese military group Hezbollah, deemed by the United States as a terrorist organization, of supporting each other.

The report alleged that the Assad regime's permissive attitude towards terrorist groups during the Iraq conflict led to the growth of al-Qaida, the Islamic State, and other terrorist networks in Syria. It also accused the administration of using terrorism as a pretext for social repression.

The Syrian ministry refuted that successive U.S. administrations have used terrorism as a tool to further their political and military agendas globally, creating policies that aim to isolate nations and interfere with their national choices.

The ministry also highlighted the U.S. overt support for what it described as "Israeli terrorism," citing recent events in the Gaza Strip as a glaring example of the hypocrisy of the consecutive U.S. administrations and their affiliated institutions. 
FILE PHOTO: Inauguration of the first phase of the touristic Maya Train, in Cancun

By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico on Friday launched operations on a train line that crosses the country's narrowest point from the Gulf coast to the Pacific Ocean, kicking off a flagship government project as the administration enters its last months in office.

The "Inter-Oceanic Train," which will carry both passengers and cargo on a three-hour trip from the coastal hub of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz state to the Pacific port of Salina Cruz, is part of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's plan to bring investment to the country's poorer south.

The government is also hoping to attract investments from carmakers, tech firms and semiconductor producers in a dozen industrial parks in the area. The two port towns are also home to major installations of state-run oil company Pemex.

Officials have pitched the train line as a potential rival to the Panama Canal, which curbed operations this year due to a historic drought.

"All the Asian countries are very interested," Lopez Obrador said on Friday, "because Panama is at capacity."

Analysts, however, estimate the rail line will be able to ship just a fraction of what the canal moves.

Other lines connecting to the train's main rail line are expected to be completed next year, officials said on Friday.

One of the branches will connect to the Mayan Train, another flagship project inaugurated last week, which will carry travelers from the southern state of Chiapas to the tourist town of Cancun once all sections are completed.

Experts, however, have warned that the Mayan Train has run nearly four times over budget and is still far from being finished.

Earlier this year, Mexican authorities seized parts of a rail line operated by conglomerate Grupo Mexico's transport division for the Inter-Oceanic Train, with the two parties later coming to a deal.

Lopez Obrador has also said he wants to get major rail operator CPKC, which operates a network through Canada and the U.S. and ends in Veracruz, on board with his rail projects to connect their lines to the government's projects in the south.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell)
FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Reno, Nev. The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday, Dec. 19, declared Trump ineligible for the White House under the U.S. Constitutions insurrection clause and removed him from the states presidential primary ballot, setting up a likely showdown in the nations highest court to decide whether the front-runner for the GOP nomination can remain in the race. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez, File)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Donald Trump is among a slate of presidential candidates New Mexicos major political parties certified Friday to appear on the states June 4 primary ballots, amid uncertainty about whether any state can bar the former president from contention under anti-insurrection provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

Trump is among five contenders for the GOP nomination who a presidential primary nominating committee certified for New Mexico's primary ballot. The Republican Party reserved the option to withdraw candidates from the primary until mid-February if any drop out of national contention.

For now, the certified Republican candidates include former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

If nobody drops out, fine, well keep it the way it is, state Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce said.

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon oversaw the committee meeting with one or more representatives from each party, including the Libertarian Party of New Mexico that earned major party status with a strong showing in the 2016 presidential election. Lars Mapstead was presented as the sole contender for the Libertarian presidential nomination.

Party-certified presidential candidates will be vetted in February by the New Mexico secretary of states office to ensure they meet administrative requirements to run for the office. New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, said she wont exclude candidates that meet administrative requirements  unless a court with jurisdiction intervenes.

The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday barred Trump from the states ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone from holding office who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection against it. Its the first time in history the provision has been used to prohibit someone from running for the presidency, and the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to have the final say over whether the ruling will stand.

Little-known presidential candidate John Anthony Castro has challenged Trump's eligibility to appear on the ballot in New Mexico and Arizona in federal court based on anti-insurrection provisions of the 14th Amendment. The Arizona lawsuit was dismissed earlier this month and a ruling is pending in New Mexico. Trump lost the New Mexico vote in 2016 and again in 2020 by a wider margin.

Pearce, the GOP chairman, said Trump should be allowed to compete for the nomination in New Mexico regardless of litigation, arguing that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was not an insurrection.

Even if (Trump) gets convicted of something in all of these cases, that doesnt prohibit him from running and serving, Pearce said after Friday's meeting. Everybody should be treated fairly under the law, and I dont think thats occurring.

A county commissioner in southern New Mexico last year was removed and banished from public office by a state district court judge for engaging in insurrection at the Jan. 6, 2021, riots that disrupted Congress from certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory.

Former Otero County commissioner Couy Griffin has appealed that ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court after the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to hear the case based on missed filing deadlines. It's unclear whether the U.S. Supreme Court will take up Griffin's case once it's fully briefed next year.

The constitutional provision used to bar Griffin  and now Trump in Colorado  has only been used a handful of times. It originally was created to prevent former Confederates from returning to government positions.

These are constitutional issues and it is not the secretary of states role to make this kind of a legal finding in New Mexico, said Alex Curtas, a spokesperson to Secretary of State Toulouse Oliver. As long as a candidate meets all the administrative requirements to be placed on the ballot in 2024, they would not be excluded from the ballot unless a court with jurisdiction made a legal finding and ordered that person to be excluded.

Democratic Party-certified candidates in New Mexico include not only President Joe Biden but also Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson.
US National Guard patrol near concertina wire on the border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 22, 2023 (CHANDAN KHANNA)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday that his government would step up efforts to contain irregular migration flows, ahead of a high-level US visit next week.

The pledge came a day after Lopez Obrador spoke with US President Joe Biden by telephone about the hot-button issue.

Lopez Obrador said the "extraordinary" migration situation would be the focus of talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior US officials in Mexico City on Wednesday.

He said that Mexico would boost containment measures in the south near the Guatemalan border.

"The agreement is that we continue working together and we already have a proposal to reinforce our plans," Lopez Obrador said.

Blinken will be accompanied on his visit by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall, the Biden administration said Thursday.

Blinken will "discuss unprecedented irregular migration... and identify ways Mexico and the United States will address border security challenges, including actions to enable the reopening of key ports of entry across our shared border," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The US delegation will "underscore the urgent need for lawful pathways and additional enforcement actions by partners throughout the region," he added in a statement.

The talks come as the rival Republican Party pushes Biden's Democrats for major changes on immigration policy in exchange for approving a package of emergency assistance for Ukraine and Israel.

US border police have in recent weeks reported approximately 10,000 crossings every day.

The previous fiscal year, from October 2022 through September 2023, saw a record 2.4 million encounters by US border patrol with migrants, including at both official ports of entry and elsewhere along the southern border.

In a stark illustration of the dangers facing them, two migrants drowned on Thursday while trying to cross the Rio Grande near the Mexican city of Matamoros, south of Brownsville, Texas.

Images obtained by AFP showed three men struggling to keep their heads above water clogged with vegetation and garbage, before two of them disappeared beneath the surface.

The migrants were trying to cross despite the mud and detritus because there were no Mexican immigration agents at the location, witnesses told AFP.

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The College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, called DAAP, on University of Cincinnatis campus is defined by its bright colored and pastel exterior. DAAPs fine arts program is in danger due to a new funding proposal.

University of Cincinnati's fine arts graduate students are at the heart of the region's art scene. They are teaching artists at the Cincinnati Art Museum and present work at the Contemporary Arts Center in Downtown.

They go on to teach at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and at other area schools. Graduates work with ArtWorks, the nonprofit behind Cincinnati's iconic and beautiful city murals, and ArtsWave, the organization that funds a large share of the city's art projects and performances.

But faculty say the 50-year-old program is in jeopardy if the university goes through with a newly proposed funding model that reduces aid to fine arts students. According to the administration, the new funding policy aims to make graduate programs more equitable across the university's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, called DAAP.

Instead of leveling the playing field, faculty in the master of fine arts program say the changes would make it impossible to recruit new fine art students and effectively destroy the program. Faculty say that would be a tragedy for the university and devastating for the city of Cincinnati, which has championed art and creativity for decades.

The university declined to share specifics about its graduate funding changes. But according to an open letter from faculty to university President Neville Pinto and Provost Valerio Ferme, the new plan would have master of fine arts students pay for about two-thirds of their studies, on average. Other programs in the region fully fund their graduate art students.

"We as a faculty believe that the arts are a crucial component of a vibrant city and are extremely concerned about what this shift would mean for the University of Cincinnati, our research, faculty retention, and undergraduate programs," the faculty's open letter reads. It posted Dec. 14 and garnered more than 550 verified signatures in less than a week.

"Ethan & Violet" sit above a staircase in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning building on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Marrero's installation, first displayed in 2005, originally only featured "Ethan" as a tribute to the college's students. In 2016, the artist was asked to return and update the installation by adding "Violet."

"Without a pipeline of highly trained artists, art organizers, and arts leaders, Cincinnati will lose the vibrancy and appeal that has helped both the city and the university grow over the past decade," the letter says. "In plain terms, this will be an immeasurably large hit to Cincinnatis creative and nonprofit community."

In response to the letter, Timothy Jachna, the dean of the college, said the college only has enough money to cover about 35% of graduate tuition. The new policy distributes that money across the college's six graduate programs in alignment with enrollment, instead of ad hoc, "to give students in all programs equal opportunity to benefit from this common fund."

Historically, the master's in fine arts has gotten the largest allocation of tuition coverage, Jachna said, so the department will receive less funding than it has in the past. But the program should rely on funding outside allocations from the Graduate School, he said, and the college is committed to finding additional resources to keep it going.

"We are working to forge a way forward for this program, including the student financing question but also broader issues of communication, recruitment, resourcing, etc., while equitably providing opportunities to students in all masters programs in the college," Jachna wrote.

How other Ohio MFA programs compare

Other master of fine arts programs in the region fully cover fine art students' tuition and even offer stipends, including the studio art program at Miami University. At Miami, all 12 studio art graduate students have assistantships. That means they work 20 hours a week while taking classes to receive full tuition and a yearly $14,000 stipend.

Funding its graduate students allows Miami to compete for top applicants, said Dana Saulnier, Miami's graduate director for fine art.

"We want the best students," she said. "We want to create communities that excel at meaningful experimentation in the arts. Having a rigorous graduate program fosters the kind of intense educational environment that benefits everyone involved, not least, our undergraduate students."

That's also been true at University of Cincinnati. Graduate students and alumni teach roughly three-fourths of the art school's courses, faculty wrote in their letter to Pinto. Without graduate students, the college's undergraduate program would suffer, too.

"As the only MFA program in the city, the majority of arts faculty at the Art Academy of Cincinnati are also our alumni," the letter from University of Cincinnati faculty says. "These actions will have impacts that will quickly spread beyond the University and into the fabric of Cincinnati."

Faculty in other departments have funding fears, too

Evan Torner, a German studies graduate professor at University of Cincinnati, said he's seen this play out before. The German department is in its second year of being unable to recruit a cohort of Ph.D. students.

"We're at a point where the bachelor's degree is in jeopardy if things continue as they are," Torner said.

The university's moves are in line with national trends to shrink arts and humanities programs. Miami University announced earlier this year that it's consolidating 18 humanities majors.

Sculptures surround the exterior of the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, called DAAP, on University of Cincinnatis campus on Dec. 19. DAAPs fine arts master's program is in danger due to a new funding proposal.

University of Cincinnati's fine art faculty are hoping they can avoid the same fate. In their letter to Pinto, faculty asked the university to reconsider its proposed funding model and commit to funding the master of fine arts program's first-year students. The department developed a five-year plan in September to raise $5 million to support the graduate program on its own, before it was aware of the new budget model.

"One of the central components of this plan is to reach out to donors, corporations, and entities that may not realize the impact that our program has on their businesses, the community, and the city as a whole," the letter says.

The college's new funding policy is set to start in the fall of 2024.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Art students, faculty beg UC to reconsider graduate school funding
Wang Xuefeng (2nd L), Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, and Grace Muzila (2nd R), permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, listen to introductions after a hand-over ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana, on Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change.

The multi-satellite data mobile receiving and processing system, donated by the Chinese government, will provide strong support to Botswana in environmental monitoring, agricultural production and extreme climate prevention, to help Botswana achieve its goals of environmentally sustainable development, said Wang Xuefeng, Chinese ambassador to Botswana, at the handover ceremony, adding that this station is just one of the fruits of nine programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.

As the world's largest developing country and a responsible country, China has always been an active advocator and practitioner of South-South cooperation on climate change. As of now, China has signed 48 cooperation agreements with 40 developing countries, Wang said.

Grace Muzila, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, received the station on behalf of the Botswana government and thanked the Chinese government for its selfless donation.

"In Botswana, frequent drought is exacerbating water scarcity and thereby negatively impacting people's health and productivity. The donation will go a long way in helping us deal with impact of climate change and help strengthen our abilities to keep lives and property safe, reducing the risk of disasters and maintaining resilient and viable economy," she said.

In November 2020, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Gaborone under South-South cooperation for addressing climate change. According to the MoU, the Chinese government agreed to donate a multi-satellite data mobile receiving and processing system to Botswana, to help improve the latter's capacity to address climate change. 

Photo taken on Dec. 21, 2023 shows the mobile meteorological station donated by Chinese government to Botswana government in Gaborone, Botswana. The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
The November elections in the city of Miami couldnt have made it clearer: Voters want change after they ousted an incumbent and a suspended commissioner previously arrested on corruption and bribery charges.

There are no simple fixes for Miami, but there are reforms the city must explore to make government work for its people and not those in power. First order of business should be expanding the City Commission from five members to seven or nine to account for population growth and to create more representation on a dais that currently lacks it. This was the Editorial Boards first recommendation in our Miami Dysfunction series, and the idea has gained traction among community activists and voters.

New commissioners Damian Pardo and Miguel Gabela have a mandate to tackle Miamis systemic issues with abuse of power. But this is not their responsibility alone. Their three colleagues are also on notice.

Miami had a tumultuous 2023, marked by the September arrest of former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who lost to Gabela in November. In June, a federal jury issued a $63.5 million verdict against Commissioner Joe Carollo for targeting two business owners, using police and code enforcement to harass them. Carollo is appealing it. Consulting payments Mayor Francis Suarez received from a developer with business before the city are under federal investigation.

Among the commissioners who spoke to the Editorial Board, Pardo is the only one who is taking reforms seriously. He said he will propose the creation of a charter review committee, which would look at areas in the city charter  which functions like Miamis constitution  that need change, among them the size of the commission. Any changes to the citys political structure requires a charter amendment approved by voters.

Pardo also wants to consider limits on outside income by elected officials and moving elections from off years like 2023 to midterms and presidential election years to boost Miamis dismal voter turnout. The latter was also one of the Editorial Boards recommendations in Miami Dysfunction.

Pardo said the idea of expanding the commission came up during several voter forums during his campaign to represent District 2, which stretches from Coconut Grove to downtown and Morningside. Pardo defeated former Commissioner Sabina Covo in a November runoff.

We can use smaller districts that are more service oriented toward residents, Pardo told the Editorial Board.

Miami, population 450,000, stands out among cities of similar size, such as Tampa and Atlanta, which have similar populations but larger commissions. The size of Miamis legislative body is more comparable to small towns across Florida with less political importance than Americas gateway to Latin America.

Miami is growing into a world-class destination and financial and business hub. It must act like a big city.

Currently, three commissioners elected with a voter turnout of less than 15% make up the majority on most decisions. This allows a concentration of power that Carollo and Diaz de la Portilla, for example, exploited. With only one more vote needed to reign over the commission, they used their power to bully other city officials.

Theres a common saying in Miami politics that everyone who needs something from City Hall knows how to count to three  and that includes those like us who want to see reforms. In this case, were asking commissioners to vote to dilute their own power. But such a display of public service is a tall order in Miami.

Carollo told the Editorial Board, I always keep an open mind, but that he does not believe a larger commission would solve the citys problems. Instead, he blamed broken law enforcement and the media for not holding wrongdoers accountable. To that, we note that it was thanks to Herald reporters that Suarezs outside employment deals and absence from City Hall came to light. Media outlets also covered the federal civil judgment against Carollo for using his public office to retaliate against the two businessmen, William Fuller and Martin Pinilla. And a years-long state and local law enforcement investigation led to the arrest of Diaz de la Portilla and a city lobbyist.

Commissioner Manolo Reyes told the Editorial Board during his reelection campaign this fall, I dont think that the answer is the number of commissioners; it is the quality of commissioners. Thats a solid point, but we think hes only got it half right.

Gabela and Commissioner Christine King did not return requests for comment. Kings spokeswoman wrote in an email that she hasnt heard anything significant about calls to expand the commission, so not sure a conversation would be fruitful.

We disagree, strongly.

Miamians are clamoring for change. Reasonable people might disagree on the solutions. But our commissioners owe it to a distrustful constituency to explore how to shake up City Hall in a positive way.

Click here to send the letter.
A man was sentenced Thursday in Miami federal court to four years and three months in prison after he admitted earlier this year to taking part in the distribution of at least $16.7 million of tampered HIV drugs that were ultimately dispensed to unsuspecting patients across the United States.

Armando Herrera, 43, and his co-conspirators established companies in Florida, Texas, Washington and California that they used to sell and distribute adulterated prescription drugs, primarily HIV medications, to wholesale pharmaceutical suppliers from January 2019 to November 2021, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said in court these companies could have paid Herrera and his co-conspirators as much as $25 million for these drugs.

Among the adulterated medications were Truvada and Biktarvy. A drug is adulterated if, among other things, any substance has been substituted in whole or in part for the drug.

Herrera and his co-conspirators obtained wholesale distributor licenses for several of these companies, acquired large quantities of diverted drugs, including HIV medications and repackaged them to make them appear as though they were properly acquired through legitimate and regulated channels of distribution, his criminal complaint says.

READ MORE: Miami man distributed over $16 million of adulterated HIV drugs given to U.S. patients

Then they sold and distributed the drugs, his complaint detailed, to additional co-conspirators at the companies in Maryland and Colorado at steep discounts, far below the prices available when the prescription drugs were sold through legitimate channels of distribution.

Investigators say Herrera and his people transferred a portion of the proceeds to a company they established in Florida.

The operation, prosecutors say, allowed the companies in Maryland and Colorado to resell and ship the adulterated and misbranded drugs to pharmacies cross the U.S., which billed healthcare benefit programs thousands of dollars for each 30-day supply of these medications to HIV patients.

Herrera was charged in June with conspiracy to introduce adulterated and misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 25.
A Miami-area nurse practitioner on Thursday was sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegally signing thousands of orders for medical equipment and genetic tests while submitting $192 million in false claims to the taxpayer-funded Medicare program.

Elizabeth Hernandez, 45, of Homestead was found guilty of playing a central role in a scheme involving telemarketing companies that contacted and convinced Medicare patients to request unnecessary medical products and services, including orthotic braces and genetic tests for cancer.

The companies then sent pre-filled orders for the products to Hernandez, who signed them while falsely stating she had examined or treated the patients, federal prosecutors said. Hernandez billed Medicare as though she were conducting complex office visits with the patients, most of whom she never spoke to or saw. Prosecutors said she routinely submitted claims to the federal insurance program for more than 24 hours of office visits in a single day.

In 2020, Hernandez ordered more cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries than any other provider in the nation, including oncologists and geneticists, the Justice Department said in a news release following the jurys verdict in September. A Miami federal jury convicted Hernandez of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud, along with four counts of healthcare fraud and three counts of making false statements.

At Thursdays sentencing, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore ordered the nurse practitioner to repay the government about $1.6 million that she had pocketed and spent it on expensive cars, jewelry, home renovations and travel.

Although Hernandez went to trial alone, she collaborated with other South Florida telemedicine operators who already pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison.

Michael Stein, 36, of Lake Worth, pleaded guilty in April to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government by soliciting and receiving kickbacks from another South Florida man who co-owned Panda Conservation Group. The Texas-based company operated two genetic testing labs that billed $90 million to the Medicare program and received $60 million in payments between April and November 2020.

In June, Stein was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay $63.3 million in restitution to Medicare by U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga.

Stein and Pandas co-owner, Leonel Palatnik, were accused of conspiring to fleece the U.S. governments insurance program for senior citizens and indigent by exploiting waivers granted to telemedicine providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutors said.

In 2021, Palatnik, 44, of Aventura, pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and paying kickbacks to Stein as part of their scheme to bill the federal insurance program for thousands of unnecessary lab tests at Panda. Palatnik was sentenced to nearly seven years.

As part of his plea deal, Palatnik admitted that he paid $50,000 a month in kickbacks to Stein, owner of 1523 Holdings LLC in Hollywood, in exchange for his arranging for telemedicine providers to approve genetic testing orders for patients at Pandas labs  orders signed by Hernandez, the nurse practitioner.
GLADWIN, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Michigan National Guard officer's promotion ceremony was moved to her uncle's home, so he could be part of it and honored for his service in Vietnam.

Danny Walburn pinned Ashley Dykes as lieutenant colonel on Thursday, the Michigan Department of Military Affairs said.

Typically, Dykes, who is a battalion commander of the 177th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, would have been promoted at Fort Custer in Battle Creek. However, due to her uncle's health and inability to travel, the promotion ceremony was held at Walburn's home in Gladwin.

Walburn's family said he is experiencing early onset Parkinsons disease suffers complications from exposure to Agent Orange. They believe this Christmas may be his last.

(Photos: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency)

SGT Walburn joined the Army in 1969 and served in Vietnam as a M551 Sheridan Tank Commander. Dykes joined the Army in 2003, then the National Guard in 2007. The pair bonded over their military service.

After pinning Dykes, Walburn was surprised with a Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate from the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Adjutant General Paul D. Rogers.

(Photo: Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency)

The certificate is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during the Vietnam War era who were honorably discharged.
Half a dozen members of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame resigned after the induction of Michael Flynn, former President Donald Trumps shortest-serving national security advisor, The Providence Journal reported Thursday. Former Congressman Jim Langevin, a Democrat, who was also selected for induction last week, vowed to reject the offer if Flynn were included. If retired General Michael Flynn were to be included in this class I would not accept the nomination, Langevin said. Another former U.S. representative, Denise Aiken, resigned from the board after Flynns induction. I find that I am unable to be associated with an organization that would choose to honor a criminal who failed to keep this oath to the Constitution of the United States, she wrote in her resignation letter.

Read it at The Providence Journal

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The week before the annual commemoration of the most celebrated birth in human history seems an odd time to concentrate media attention on death. But Dame Esther Rantzen, never shy, has done so.

Dame Esther is suffering from stage four lung cancer. As she herself told the BBCs The Today Podcast on Wednesday, her own expectations of her death have already been confounded: after her diagnosis last year, I thought Id fall off my perch within a couple of months, if not weeks. Now she is undergoing a miracle treatment. If it does not work, however, I might buzz off to Zurich, by which she means the Dignitas clinic there.

There has been, of course, a big response to Dame Esthers thinking out loud. It is clear from the BBCs extensive ensuing coverage where its sympathy lies. Its uncritical use of the term assisted dying is itself evidence of this.

Most (though sadly by no means all) people in modern Britain have assisted dying: they are assisted in their mortal illness by family, friends and the NHS; rightly so. What is being spoken of here is something else  the decision to kill yourself, a decision whose execution, because of incapacity or lack of the relevant skills, you delegate to another or ask another to help with.

When I look at the coverage of such stories, I am struck by an inherent imbalance. The individuals who say how much they want assisted suicide for themselves are treated in a special way by the media. Such peoples stories are interesting and hard to challenge.

In any interview, the journalist asking the questions will naturally be respectful. The same interviewer who hopes to win plaudits by roasting, say, a government minister, knows he would be cast into outer darkness if he gave the sick and troubled patient a hard time.

In the case of assisted suicide, there is the additional problem that professional rules rightly forbid clinicians from commenting on whatever public remarks their patients might make about their treatment or their prognosis, however inaccurate those remarks might be. Media coverage of people in situations like that of Dame Esther thus breaks one of the most basic rules of reporting  Give both sides of the story.

I do not see how it could be otherwise. But I do think that such stories miss out something very important. They leave almost voiceless all those dying people  the great majority  who do not want to go to Dignitas or even to a British NHS version of the same thing.

This state of affairs reflects a journalistic problem. It is always more difficult to convey vividly the situation of someone who decides against a particular course of action than that of one who strikes out. It is not much of a story to report on people who do not desert their disagreeable spouses; or do not glue themselves to railings or motorways to save the planet; or do not refuse to fight in a conscript army; and so on.

If someone says, I am content that I shall die when my time comes, without any intervention (by which, of course, I do not mean without medical assistance), it does not make much of a headline.

This is a moral problem, too, because it means that the ordinary behaviour of most of humanity is undervalued. You see this, again, in the abduction of the word dignity to describe assisted suicide. Like many  perhaps most over the age of 50  I have seen several people dear to me dying. All of them, I believe, died with dignity, none by assisted suicide.

Our culture will become less humane if we do not recognise this dignity, value it and nurture it. Indeed, society is already becoming less humane because assisted dying is seen as somehow superior to the way of death of most of the human race.

In one of the BBC follow-ups to Dame Esthers original remarks, the presenter Amol Rajan said, If you dont have assisted dying, you have to have better palliative care. Perhaps without realising it, he was making one of the strongest arguments against assisted suicide  that it is a means of cutting the cost and attention required to care for the dying, a policy in which convenience trumps compassion. Assisted suicide strikes against the principles of one of the most compassionate British inventions of the 20th century, the hospice movement.

Although the hard cases can be very hard, I sometimes think that there is an element in the assisted dying debate of what people call First World problems. In the materially comfortable West, our way of preparing for death is mostly not to think about it. When its approach does loom, our instinct is to try to exercise the control we believe we have in most aspects of our daily life.

This is a mistake. It is not, of course, that we should take no thought for how we die, but that death is more like being born than like anything else we experience  it is beyond our control. The people who die best are those who accept this.

I might buzz off to Zurich, says Dame Esther, almost as if speaking of a consumer choice. One understands the impulse, but does it really help to succumb to it?

When confronted with the legislative issues involved and voting, as is entirely appropriate on such matters, without the whip, MPs have consistently rejected assisted suicide. Pro-euthanasia lobbies feel frustrated by this and keep looking for new opportunities. This may partly explain the heavy coverage of Dame Esther.

Towards the end of next month, a private Members Bill on the subject is to be introduced in the Commons by Kit Malthouse MP. Expect those supporting assisted dying to use the occasion to argue that the House should agree the principle of assisted dying without passing any legislation at this stage.

Such a declaration would then be used to make sure that, when legislation did come along, its opponents would be under moral pressure to do no more than tinker with its details. The will of Parliament has been made known, the pro-euthanasia lobby would say. A similar device was used successfully in the States Assembly of the Channel island of Jersey in 2021. Members later got cold feet about what it would mean in practice. No actual law has yet been agreed, let alone implemented.

A Commons in principle decision would be a bad way to proceed because it would encourage MPs not to consider the problems which vex the subject. They could vote for the idea of assisted dying without having to address directly issues such as who should assess who should die in this way and when, who should carry out the decision, what conscience clauses the law should allow, by what means and where should people be killed, and who should pay. It would undermine the duty of care which the modern state underwrites.

Since it is Christmas, I am reminded of something that happened after the famous birth in a stable. Returned from Bethlehem, Mary journeyed to Jerusalem and presented Jesus in the temple. This was witnessed by a devout old man called Simeon, who took him in his arms and, recognising him as the bringer of salvation, spoke the famous words, still sung daily, which begin: Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Now he could die with dignity.

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More than $5.3 million in state grants was awarded this week to Centre County infrastructure projects, multiple local elected officials announced.

The State College borough will receive the largest allocation of money in Centre County  $2.75 million  to help replace its water, stormwater and sanitary sewer systems under Calder Way, Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, and Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, said in press releases.

The more than $6.5 million project will turn Calder Way into a pedestrian-preferred corridor. Underground upgrades and repairs to the stormwater, sewer and water supply infrastructure are part of the first step.

Ezra Nanes, State College mayor, said the borough, residents, workers and visitors will benefit greatly from this funding.

Aging sanitary sewer lines along Calder Way will be replaced, which will prevent potential backups and capacity issues with the system, stormwater lines currently existing on Calder Way will be replaced and upgraded in some segments, allowing for an increase in capacity to convey stormwater in one of the Boroughs lowest-lying areas, and planned water line replacement will upgrade existing facilities and help prevent future water main breaks, Nanes said in the release.

Construction for the first phase of the project is expected to begin Jan. 2, with the final phase set to start in 2027.

The College Township Water Authority will also receive a large chunk of change to construct a potable water well and replace the waterline along First Avenue. Takac, who previously served as a College Township Council member, said the $1.359 million will support some much-needed projects.

Martin McGann, College Township Water Authority chairman, in the release said these projects will directly benefit customers in Oak Hall and Lemont.

Through the CFAs financial support, the authority will be able to continue providing its customers with excellent water quality and a superior level of service while also maintaining reasonable billing rates, McGann said.

The Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority will receive $212,500 to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment system in Snow Shoe Township. Takac said after touring the Moshannon wastewater treatment plant in Snow Shoe, he saw the need for maintenance and upgrades to the aging facility.

Katie Cramer, a Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority board member, said the authority has been struggling for a good bit of time to find where and how to cut costs so they can afford the upgrades and repairs.

Receiving this grant from the Commonwealth with the help of Rep. Takac is a great relief to the authority and will help us to better serve our community and customers in the future, Cramer said.

Senator Cris Dush, R-Brookville, also announced more than $1 million in funding for Centre County projects in a partnership with Takac:

Beech Creek Borough Authority: $171,505 for the Franklin Street Waterline Extension project in Liberty Township

Mid-Centre County Authority: $559,000 to rehabilitate a disk filter tank and disinfection system and install upgrades to the treatment plant in Boggs Township

Mid-Centre County Authority: $218,658 for upgrades for Pump Station Number 1 in Boggs Township

Mountaintop Regional Water Authority: $78,889 to improve the water distribution system in Snow Shoe Borough

In a release, Dush said the two have secured more than $2.5 million in funding for projects this year, a product of prioritizing infrastructure over politics.

Conklin announced four additional grants that will help support arts and cultural organizations in State College.

$49,500 to the Centre County Foundation for payments to artists

$32,447 to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania for operations

$25,843 to Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts for operations

$10,000 to the State College Choral Society for marketing

These grants will ensure Centre County Foundation, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and the State College Choral Society continue to prosper, as well as bring the community together to celebrate the arts and culture across Centre County, Conklin said.

The grants are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Ald. Khalif Rainey will not seek reelection, he announced Thursday, Dec. 21.

Rainey represents Milwaukee's 7th District on the Common Council. The district includes neighborhoods from Center Street north to Villard Avenue, and from 20th Street west to 60th Street on the city's north side.

First elected in 2016, Rainey's current term ends in May 2024. He previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

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In a statement announcing his decision, Rainey highlighted a number of community-focused initiatives  as well as the creation of "Hip Hop Week MKE" and the Office of African-American affairs  as staples of his tenure.

"When my colleagues and I started talking about food deserts and how to end them, few even seemed to understand the problem. Now its a priority," Rainey's statement said. "We lifted barriers for felons that prevented them from purchasing City-owned property. We pushed for simple, street-level changes to improve the cleanliness of our City and reduce reckless driving. We created an Equity Impact Statement to make legislation more transparent and evaluate it through a different lens."

Milwaukee City Hall

The Common Council will see a number of changes in 2024.

Alds. Mark Murphy and Mark Borkowski previously announced they would not seek reelection. Murphy, who represents the 10th District, is the Common Council's longest-serving member. Borkowski has represented the 11th district since 2015 and won reelection in 2016 and 2020. Prior to that, he was a Milwaukee County supervisor for 23 years  first elected in 1992.

Rainey's full statement regarding his decision can be found through the city's website.
The history books probably will say three things about President George W. Bush:

He was the last president of the Republican Party. The political vehicle that carries the burden of Donald Trump may still call itself the Republican Party and have the same mailing address and bank accounts, but it bears little resemblance to the political entity that preceded it. Whatever the failures of his administration, George W. Bushs aspirations and principles were those of the organization that once boasted of being the Party of Lincoln, which no longer exists in any meaningful way. Bushs presidency was a tragedy in an almost literary sense. The father had been the consummate 20th century man of international affairs, while the son, a very successful governor of Texas, aspired to make his own separate mark as a truly post-Cold War figure, one who would turn the nations attention to domestic affairs such as reforming education and entitlement programs.The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, forced George W. Bush to turn his attention to the Islamic world, and his presidency ultimately would founder in Iraq, meeting failure in the very place where his father had with such elan demonstrated the competency that comes from a lifetime of preparation for the task at hand. Though the cruelty of al-Qaeda and the cowardice of congressional Republicans gave him scant opportunity to act on his domestic priorities, George W. Bushs model for reformmarketed under the brand name of Ownership Societywas the right one. This third item may seem like the least interesting of the three, but it could be the most consequential, and may yet prove to be.

The Wall Street Journal reports: More Americans than ever own stocks. In fact, a majority of U.S. households58 percentare corporate shareholders, either directly or indirectly through retirement accounts or managed funds. That is up from 53 percent in 2019many Americans became investors, or more active investors, during the COVID-19 shutdowns and disruptions: Not all of those stimulus checks were spent on rare whisky and expensive sneakers.

One way of understanding the ownership society is this: The best way to spread the wealth is to spread the wealth.

If you are concerned that returns to labor are not keeping pace with returns to investment, then you could try to goose the labor market in various ways and pray to the gods of central planning that the unintended consequences of your monkeying around do not cost more than the value of whatever benefits you are able to achieve. Alternatively, you could encourage people who work for wages and salaries to invest in equityand here I do not mean equity as the social-justice knuckleheads use the word but real equityso that returns to capital end up in their pockets. Progressives talk about putting people over profits, but the ownership society understands that the relationship is not, or need not be, fundamentally rivalrous.

Napoleon supposedly spat that England is a nation of shopkeepers, being so ensorcelled by the prospect of la gloire that he could not appreciate what a fine thing it was to be a nation of shopkeepersthrifty, prudent, commercial, not given to urgent enthusiasms. To be a nation of shareholders would be a very fine thing as well, for similar reasons.

We have, of course, been doing this with some success for many years, not only in the United States but around the world, with a great share of the worlds business enterprises being owned not by men with pinstriped suits and manicures but by ordinary people of ordinary means, in large part through retirement accounts and similar funds. The top 20 worldwide owners of assetswhich hold something on the order of $27 trillion in investmentsinclude the Government Pensions Investment Fund of Japan (which has long been at the top of the list), the Government Pension Fund of Norway, and the National Pension of South Korea, along with such U.S. representatives as the Federal Retirement Thrift and the public employees of California. The typical corporate shareholder in the United States does not look like Gordon Gekkomore like a retired teacher from Sacramento departing Port Canaveral on a weeklong cruise.

Americans like to talk about ourselves as though we were great pragmatists, interested only in what works. This is particularly true of a certain kind of American progressive who wishes to pretend that he does not operate from a set of ideological priors. In truth, Americans are a nigglingly moralistic people, able and eager to throw away what works if it rubs the wrong way against our sense of fairness, which is exquisitely tuned to detect slights down to the quantum level. One of the main obstacles to policies that encourage the accumulation of wealth in the United States are policies designed to discourage the accumulation of wealth in the United States, particularly intergenerational wealth. We seem to believe that a perfect societyor even a basically just societyrequires an initial condition resembling the Platonic ideal of Lyndon Johnsons hypothetical footrace, in which everybody starts from the same line in the same condition.

We Americans intensely dislike the idea that some people are going to do better in life because their families have money, hence the constant pressure (though it is not very effective) for higher taxes on inheritances and the similar pressure (somewhat more effective) to raise tax rates on investment income, which we callbecause we cannot really tell the truth about anythingunearned. And so Americans are made to tithe into a public pension system that supplements incomes while discouraging (through the taking of income that could otherwise be invested) the accumulation of wealth that could be passed on to children and grandchildren because Franklin Roosevelt, a wealthy man, thought that felt like justice and convinced others of it. A system that encouraged more intergenerational wealth building would not be more fair, necessarilybut it would be wealthier, and that matters a great deal.

Of course, there are plenty of Americans who get ahead in life because of who their parents were. Some because their parents were wealthy, though there is less to that than you might think: Among very wealthy Americans, inherited money accounts for about 15 percent of their overall assets. Of course, that doesnt capture all the ways in which well-off parents provide advantages to their children: That down payment on a first house may not end up being a very large piece of a new homeowners income at retirement or at the end of his life, but a well-timed boost can make an enormous difference, as can things such as not having to worry very much about paying college tuition or being able to take a low-paying but credential-building and relationship-making internship or first job without undue economic hardship thanks to parental support.

Other Americans benefit from having parents who might not have been very wealthy but who were very smart, tall, good-looking, fond of books, etc., or in possession of other highly beneficial and partly heritable traits. Many Americans get a leg up in life simply because of where in this unevenly blessed country they were born: The fact that I grew up in a college town rather than in a farming community 60 miles to the southwest certainly made an enormous difference in my life.

None of that is fairbut the results can be pretty good.

The constellation of policy ideas known as the Ownership Society are of of liberal and Thatcherite origin and were intended to give people ownership over the resources they require in lifeand, hence, control over those resources and the dignity that goes with such control but which is undermined by having to beg bureaucracies for benefits. In the matter of pensions, that would look like allowing (encouraging, possibly requiring) Americans to invest some of the money they would have given up in payroll taxes (which, wink-wink, fund Social Security) in stocks and bonds and other financial assets or, more probably, in one of a few conservatively managed funds. In health care, ownership means having ones own insurance and possibly a savings account dedicated to making copays and meeting other out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The pension part of that was a hard sell because investments involve risk, and the kind of people who end up depending on Social Security tend to be financially risk-averse; the health care side has failed to launch because its success requires that we first reform both health insurance and health care itself in order to achieve price transparency, predictability of coverage, etc. Your correspondent does pretty well on standardized tests and makes a pretty good living but really never can say with any confidence what his health insurance actually will cover in any given situation and what the out-of-pocket bill is going to look like, and his Ivy League-educated wife has more or less given up trying. For a great many people, an unexpected medical expense of a few hundred or a few thousand dollars presents a household economic crisis, and they do not want ownership of that crisis.

So for the ownership model to really work at a large scale, some prior reforms will be needed. We want an ownership model that makes people feel more secure and more in control of their own affairs rather than less.

It was always going to be complicated.

All that being stipulated, shifting to some degree (it need not be an either/or matter) away from government-administered benefits that make Americans clients of programs conditioned on the politics of the moment and toward helping Americans to build their own capacities by building their own wealth is the right thing to do.

It was the right thing to do 20 years ago, too, though apparently not the time.

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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, assisting Indianapolis police, is expanding a multi-state search for a missing teenager to include now Georgia.

According to officials, Akary Cruz, 14, of Indianapolis, Ind., left her home on Monday night or early Tuesday wither her 20-year-old boyfriend, Esvin Cruz Cante.

In a note she left behind, Cruz said she and Cante were in love and wanted to be together, saying the two were planning to leave for Guatemala where Esvin is from, according to law enforcement officials.

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Cante is reportedly driving a 2010 blue Honda Civic with the tag reading 783CNO.

FBI Atlanta is assisting in the search of a missing 14-year-old girl out of Indianapolis. She left her home on 12/19 and is believed to be traveling with her older boyfriend. We believe they are traveling through the state of Georgia, agents said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the two is asked to call 317-327-6160 or 317-327-3811.

The FBI Atlanta office asks that anyone who spots Cruz or Cante while in Georgia call 911 of the FBI office at 770-216-3000.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and Chinese financial services provider UnionPay International on Friday launched cross-border QR code payment.

NBC's Governor Chea Serey said the introduction of cross-border QR code payments between the NBC's Bakong, a mobile payment and banking system, and UnionPay International will elevate the level of financial cooperation between both institutions, providing benefits to users in Cambodia and China, and globally.

"From today onwards, visiting UnionPay cardholders will be able to use their UnionPay-enabled wallets, such as the UnionPay app and commercial bank apps that are enabled for UnionPay QR Code payment, to scan KHQR codes to complete payment transactions at approximately 1.8 million merchants in Cambodia," she said at the launching event in Phnom Penh.

"Additionally, by early 2024, Cambodian residents will be enabled to use their Bakong wallet to make payments at UnionPay QR code accepting merchants in China and globally, thereby optimizing the mobile payment experience during international travels," she added.

Serey said this collaboration will substantially contribute to the promotion of trade, tourism activities and financial inclusion in Cambodia.

According to the governor, at present, the NBC has also successfully launched cross-border QR code payments with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

The increasing popularity of QR Code payments, particularly among international tourists, has promoted the rapid expansion of QR Code interoperability within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

Cai Jianbo, president of China UnionPay and chairman of UnionPay International, said this joint effort aims to cater to travelers from China and other global markets, thereby contributing to the resurgence of international travel and fostering economic development in Cambodia.

"Under the guidance of the People's Bank of China, UnionPay is actively engaging in the integration QR code interoperability across ASEAN countries," he said in a speech delivered to the launching ceremony via video link.

"Currently, UnionPay is collaborating with local switch in 15 countries and regions beyond the Chinese mainland, with 16 projects either launched or under implementing. The Bakong project in Cambodia stands as a significant milestone in this endeavor," he added.

With acceptance in 181 countries and regions, UnionPay International provides high quality, cost-effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants, said a UnionPay International's press release.

In ASEAN, UnionPay International has enabled Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Point-of-Sale (POS) acceptance, card issuance and e-wallets across all 10 countries, the press release added. 
UPDATE: KCPD says Atong Marial has been located safe and will be reunited with family.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Police Department is searching for a missing 18-year-old woman.

Atong Marial was last seen on Monday near 34th and Garfield in Kansas City.

Hit-and-run pedestrian crash kills driver, closes interstate

Marial is 5-foot-5 and weighs 110 pounds. She is a black woman with black hair and brown eyes. KCPD said Marial has mental health needs that require medications.

If you see her, please call the KCPD missing persons unit at 816-234-5043.

If located, please notify the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
On June 1, 1960, Lyrian Barry-Stallings, a 5-foot-tall Black woman, boarded a Greyhound bus in Columbus to get to St. Louis, Missouri. She vanished, never to be seen at her destination or have further contact with her family.

Her missing persons case is among the profiles of hundreds of people in a searchable online database created by a Mississippi State University forensic anthropologist who hopes to help law enforcement find them and give their loved ones closure.

(This is) to allow the public access to missing persons data so the state of Mississippi and anyone in Mississippi could find anyone who was missing in this state and information for families to advocate for them, said Jesse Goliath, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures.

The Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons, launched in November, includes pictures, demographic information, where they were last seen and circumstances of their disappearance.

Since its launch, the database has profiles for 475 missing people and 51 profiles for unidentified remains.

Black and Indigenous people and people of two or more races are among the majority of missing people in Mississippi, which Goliath said mirrors national trends.

The database shows the average missing age was around 34.

Among the unidentified, the majority are white men and the average estimated age is around 28.

Cases in the database stretch back decades and the oldest unidentified case is of a Black woman between the ages of 30 and 40 whose skeletal remains were found in Natchez in May 1967.

People went missing or remains were uncovered mostly from population centers such as Jackson, the Coast, outside of Memphis and Hattiesburg, but there are cases from all over the state.

Jesse Goliath, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures at Mississippi State University, has helped create the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons at MSU.

Before the database, Goliath said it wasnt clear how many missing and unidentified people there are in Mississippi.

There are national databases, like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, but because law enforcement isnt required to submit information to it, there is likely underreporting, he said. The National Crime Information Center collects information from law enforcement and compiles annual statistics about missing and unidentified people, but it has had challenges with receiving quality data that is often incomplete, too.

Goliath has spoken with members of law enforcement about how a database could be helpful to solve missing persons cases. He has found that theres not always enough staff dedicated to locating missing people, or there is a lack of communication between law enforcement agencies.

When someone goes missing, the local law enforcement agency will submit information to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to put out a missing persons alert on its emergency system that has the ability to be broadcast statewide, a spokesperson from the agency said.

This can also include posting the missing persons picture and information on social media, which would originate from the law enforcement agency where the person was filed missing.

The main way Goliath has found out about missing people is through Facebook when law enforcement post an alert and information about someone or posts from nonprofit advocacy groups such as MissingSippi and Mississippi Missing and Unidentified Persons.

The more eyes, the more awareness these cases get, he said about supporting the groups work.

Undergraduate student workers scan social media to find information about missing and unidentified people to add to the database, Goliath said. Family members have also reached out to ask the team to include their loved one or to update their profile already included in the database, he said.

Goliath said the goal is to update the database every few weeks.

The database is modeled after one in Louisiana, which is based at Louisiana State University and is also run by forensic anthropologists.

Goliath said one of the goals of a Mississippi database is to build something lawmakers can support and create policy around, such as mandatory reporting to the database by law enforcement.

He and Assistant Professor Jordan Lynton Cox plan to use the database for research. He is interested in why people from certain demographics go missing compared to others.

With Cox, a cultural anthropologist, they want to map food deserts, hospitals and areas of poverty to find where people are missing from the most in Mississippi.

They also want to look at law enforcement budgets to see if the offices have the overall funding and resources and support to work in missing persons cases. Goliath wants to know if there are more people missing from areas with departments that are under budgeted.

He used his forensic skills for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the goal of which is to identify all remains of soldiers missing since World War II and return them home to their families. Goliath said the agency is the biggest employer and trainer of forensic anthropologists.

At MSU, he is able to teach and research and occasionally the anthropology department is called to assist in missing persons cases, such as the exhumation in Pontotoc County of Felecia Cox  who had been missing since 2007 and was located after her killer, David Cox, told attorneys where to find her before his 2021 execution for killing his estranged wife Kim Kirk Cox, and sexually assaulting her young daughter as her mother lay dying. Felicia Cox was the wife of David Coxs brother.

Goliath said the The Bureau of Indian Affairs has contacted the department to go into a creek with cadaver dogs to look for a missing woman from the Neshoba area.

He also is called when bones are recovered and people want to know whether they belong to a human or an animal.

Were all in this together in finding these people, Goliath said about his forensic anthropology work.

For more information about the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons, visit https://www.missinginms.msstate.edu/ or reach out by email at missinginms@msstate.edu.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
JACKSON, Miss.  The last thing Sherita Harris remembers before a bullet tore into the back of her head is a friend saying the police were pulling them over.

She woke up in the hospital three days later, her face swollen and mangled.

More than a year has passed since the Aug. 14, 2022, shooting. Harris says she struggles to see, to hear, to eat, to mother her children. At a news conference Wednesday announcing a $3 million lawsuit against Mississippi authorities, Harris said she still doesnt understand what happened.

Why did I get shot? Harris asked through tears. This changed my life forever. I can never be me, so money dont cover it.

Her search for answers and accountability led her to file the lawsuit in federal court in Jackson against the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Capitol Police and two officers involved in a traffic stop that erupted into gunfire and injured her.

Harris was a passenger in a car the officers tried to pull over in downtown Jackson that August night, the lawsuit states. Harris lawsuit accuses both officers of excessive force and says they had a duty to avoid shooting blindly into a moving vehicle. They should have known, the lawsuit states, that it was unsafe and violated the Capitol Polices policies.

Police accuse Harris friend and the vehicles driver, who faces charges of fleeing and aggravated assault on police officers, of opening fire first, records show. Police have not said whether any of their bullets struck Harris, who has not been charged with a crime. Her friend said in interviews with NBC News that he was not armed and police beat him during his arrest.

The state Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that it had recently received a report from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation on the shooting and is reviewing it.

The shooting was the first of four involving the Capitol Police in the first six months of a new deployment in Jackson to help the understaffed city police department crack down on car thefts, drug trafficking and street violence. In addition to Harris shooting, two more remain under investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office, including one in which a young father was killed. The Attorney Generals office has already deemed one of the shootings to be justified  that of a woman lying in bed injured by an errant bullet fired by an officer chasing a suspected car thief.

Sean Tindell, the commissioner of the state Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Capitol Police, declined through a spokesperson to answer specific questions about Harris shooting on Wednesday, citing the pending lawsuit.

In a June interview with NBC News, Tindell said his agency is constantly trying to improve the way officers respond to high-stress situations. If any officer unjustly attacked any suspect or any citizen, Ill demand accountability not only from a personnel standpoint, but if there was a criminal action that occurred, that the appropriate charges be filed, Tindell said.

He also said that when officers believe theyre being fired upon with a firearm, their emotions are going to be high, and the way theyre going to react is most likely different than they would in a typical arrest. I think all those factors have to be taken into consideration.

The two officers involved in the Harris shooting had been hired by the Capitol Police less than a month earlier, personnel records show. The officers were allowed to return to active duty while the investigation was pending, Tindell said.

Harris, meanwhile, says the experience has left her damaged and ashamed.

I didnt even get an apology, she said Wednesday. Do I matter?

jackson mississippi police stop shooting (Imani Khayyam for NBC News)

Harris, a mother of five, says she is not the type to depend on anyone for help. The shooting upended that.

Harris said in an interview that, not long before the shooting, she had started a new job managing a cafeteria at a local charter school. She said she was proud to have found a career that would sustain her and her children.

On the day of the shooting, a friend, Sinatra Jordan, was driving a Nissan Rogue rental car that Harris had been using since her own car was damaged in an accident.

Harris said her memory of that night remains hazy, but she remembers Jordan telling her that police lights were flashing behind them.

The next thing she says she recalls is opening her eyes at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson with a terrible headache. A nurse and one of her adult daughters stood over her bed. She put her hands to her head and felt equipment that a nurse told her was to prevent swelling. Shed been there three days.

Harris had been shot in the head, requiring surgeries to remove the bullet and repair her left eye and ear, she said.

Harris said she remains partially paralyzed on the left side of her face. She struggles to chew food and can drink only with a straw, she said. Her left eye lacks peripheral vision and she cannot see well at night. Her short-term memory is diminished. She often gets dizzy. All this makes it difficult to cook, count, drive, work or care for her youngest two children, who are 8 and 10, she said. She has sent them to live with their paternal grandmother while she stays at a friends home. Harris said she rarely leaves the house.

Im used to being an independent woman, Harris said. So it takes a lot out of me to not be able to do anything.

The shooting, she said, handicapped me for the rest of my life.

Harris lawsuit accuses Officer Michael Rhinewalt of shooting her; her lawyer, Carlos Moore, said he reached that conclusion from reading court documents. The police have not said who shot Harris.

The polices only public account of the shooting was provided in court by Rhinewalts partner.

Testifying in a September 2022 hearing, Officer Jeffery Walker, a member of the Capitol Polices street crimes unit, said he and Rhinewalt attempted to pull over the Rogue because it had failed to stop at a red light, according to a transcript of the hearing. Walker was driving; Rhinewalt got out and began to approach the Rogue in front of a Wingstop restaurant. The Rogue then took off, Rhinewalt got back in the car and the officers followed, Walker said.

At an entrance ramp to Interstate 55, my partner yelled at me that we were getting shot at, Walker said. At that time the back window of the fleeing vehicle started shattering, and thats when I first noticed the gunshots. Rhinewalt, leaning out of the passenger side window, returned fire, and I backed off of the vehicle to keep a safe distance and us from getting injured, Walker testified.

Entrance to Interstate 55 South. (Imani Khayyam for NBC News)

Walker said the two cars then left the highway and returned to downtown Jackson. On a residential street, gunfire again burst from the Rogue, and both officers fired at the car, Walker said. Then, Walker testified, he saw numerous objects coming out the passenger side window. Walker said he did not know what the objects were.

Investigators later searched for the items and found a homeowner who told them she saw an armed group of men walk off with them, Walker said.

Jordan, the Rogues driver and Harris friend, has provided a different account of how the chase started, the route it took and where shots were fired. Jordan, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, recounted his experience in a letter and in phone calls from a Hinds County jail, where he has been locked up for more than a year while awaiting trial.

Jordan said that he didnt have a gun and that he didnt throw anything from the car.

He said he thought about driving to a police station after Harris was shot but was afraid of getting shot there. He said he didnt drive to a hospital out of fear that dips and potholes in the road would worsen his friends injuries. I got scared and tried to drive home, Jordan said.

Jordan Sinatra. (Courtesy Sinatra Jordan)

In a June interview, Tindell, the public safety commissioner, said he wasnt surprised that Jordan would claim he was unarmed.

I dont think he can deny that he was certainly fleeing law enforcement and took them on a chase, Tindell said. I think his actions speak for themselves, and well see what the evidence reveals.

Police and Jordan also have sharply different accounts of how the chase ended.

Walker testified that the officers followed the Rogue to the intersection of Lamar and Adelle streets, where the car hit the curb and stopped. Jordan fled from the car, and the officers chased him. Jordan then turned toward Walker with a long black object in his left hand and something else in his right. Thats when I returned fire on him fleeing, Walker said.

Jordan dropped what he was holding, and Walker said he stopped shooting. The objects Jordan dropped turned out to be a black cellphone and a bag of marijuana, Walker testified. The officers did not find a gun in the car, Walker said. There was also a passenger in the vehicle that we didnt know about that was struck by a round, Walker said. The officers called an ambulance, he said.

Jordan was not struck by a bullet, but said that the officers beat him up, and that he does not recall what happened after; he said he woke up in jail a few days later. None of the public defenders who have represented him at different points over the last year have responded to requests for comment.

A witness, Vivica Johnson, said in an interview with NBC News in April that she was sitting with a friend on a porch at the corner of Lamar and Adelle that night when she saw Capitol Police chasing and shooting at a car. Johnson said when the driver got out with his hands up, the officers fired at him. The man fell to the ground and the officers began beating him, she said.

Once they got through kicking him and beating him, they went to the vehicle that he jumped out of and thats when they realized it was a lady shot in the head, Johnson said.

Johnson said she heard one of the officers exclaim, Oh my God, oh my God after finding the woman in the car.

NBC News requested radio traffic recordings and dispatch logs from the Capitol Police and city of Jackson, but the requests were denied.

Johnson said she didnt hear Jordan say anything until they arrested him, when she said he hollered, Help me.

Tindell said in June that he was not aware of the beating allegation. He said the conflicting versions of what happened would be sorted out in the criminal justice system.

Weve got a subject in this case, now the accused, claiming one thing, a witness saying one thing and an officer saying something else, Tindell said in response to NBC News questions based on accounts from Jordan, Walker and Johnson. The details will be examined in a court of law, he said.

Intersection of Adele and Lamar Street. (Imani Khayyam for NBC News)

The collection of evidence from the chase route  surveillance video from homes, businesses and government buildings, shell casings scattered on the street, witnesses accounts  lasted several days. Walker testified that he and his partner did not find any guns in the Rogue and that the patrol car had not been hit by any bullets. He testified he was told the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is looking into the shooting, found guns but he did not know where.

The shootings and the agencys refusal to release records fueled opposition to efforts by state officials to further expand the power of the Capitol Police, which for decades focused primarily on security for government buildings. So far, the Capitol Police have won that fight. Republican lawmakers from outside Jackson passed a law in April that expanded the agencys jurisdiction to the entire city, which is led by Democrats. Civil rights groups are suing to block the law.

At the time of the Harris shooting, Capitol Police officers were guided by policies that had not been updated since 2006. They included a policy that prohibited car chases because they present an unacceptable danger to the lives of the public, officers and suspects involved in the pursuit. But the document then contradicted itself, outlining situations in which officers may conduct car chases.

The Capitol Polices use-of-force policy at the time prohibited using deadly force at or from a moving vehicle. But it also allowed for the use of deadly force if officers feel that their lives, or someone elses, are in danger.

The Department of Public Safety has since updated its use of force policy to allow shooting at a moving vehicle in situations where it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury to the officer or another person. A revised car chase policy, dated September 2022, clearly allows them under certain circumstances.

The two officers involved in Harris case did not wear body cameras and their car was not equipped with a dashboard camera, Tindell said in June. His spokesperson said Wednesday that the agency has started to issue body cameras to all Capitol Police officers. She did not indicate whether the same is being done with dash cameras.

Capitol Police cars outside Fondren Corner in Jackson, Miss., on June 2, 2023. (Imani Khayyam for NBC News)

None of this helps Harris.

She said she is just as confused about what happened to her as the day she woke up in the hospital.

Moore, her lawyer, said he wants the state Attorney Generals Office, which is overseeing the investigation into whether officers should face criminal charges, to recuse itself because the office will also be responsible for defending the officers in Harris lawsuit. Moore said that he would like the Hinds County District Attorneys Office to conduct that investigation. He has also asked the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi to do its own investigation.

Sherita Harris and Attorney Carlos Moore at a news conference Federal Court building in Jackson, Miss. (Imani Khayyam for NBC News)

Harris said she knows that no amount of money will make her able to run around with her children or go back to work.

Im never going to be me again, she said. I love me. But Im never going to be that me and be able to get up and go. Theyll never be able to give me what I need. Theyll never be able to compensate me because they took my life with those shots.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri dispensaries have sold more than $1.2 billion of marijuana products in the first year of legalized recreational sales.

According to the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade), state dispensaries topped $1,215,000,000 in sales through November.

City officials saw bodycam footage after police SUV crashed into bar  Source

MoCannTrade says the grand total consists of $930 million of recreational adult use sales and $285 million of medical marijuana sales.

For non-medical purposes, Missouris first marijuana sales for adults over 21 began on Feb. 3. Since then, the state has averaged nearly $4 million in sales of legal cannabis products per day.

MoCannTrade estimates state sales will top $1.3 billion by the end of the year, possibly $1 billion for recreational sales alone.

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In so many ways 2023 has been a historic and unprecedented year for the Missouri cannabis industry, said Andrew Mullins, MoCannTrade Executive Director.

The state of Missouri also expunged an estimated 100,000 nonviolent cannabis offenses from previous years. Its also estimated around 19,000 Missourians are now directly employed in the states cannabis industry.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a moderate House member running for the U.S. Senate, said on Wednesday she thought it makes sense for former President Trumps ballot eligibility under the 14th Amendment to be left to the federal courts to decide.

In an interview on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, Slotkin was asked whether the Colorado Supreme Court was right to rule that Trumps actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol rendered him ineligible to appear on the primary ballot.

I personally dont know the answer between the 14th Amendment and everything else that was just cited, she added. So I think it makes sense, frankly, in Colorado  weve got similar cases going on here in Michigan and other states  to let the courts meter this out.

In making the decision, the Colorado high court cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that says anyone who, having previously taken an oath  to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof, is ineligible to hold office again.

CNN before Slotkins interview outlined various examples of people being barred from holding public office under the 14th Amendment, without having been previously convicted in court.

Well, I mean, I think, I was fascinated by your last segment. I didnt know that history. And this is why I do think it is in the hands of the courts, Slotkin said.

Colorado obviously knew what they were doing when they put this case together. Theyre trying to push  to have this metered out in federal court, and now it will be, she added.

Trump has pledged to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority.

The decision has faced significant heat since Tuesday night, when the 4-3 state ruling was announced. While some legal scholars point to the legal merit of the ruling, others express concern about letting the courts decide on Trumps eligibility. Even some critics of the former president say his political future, especially without a criminal conviction, should be left to voters.

The Hill has reached out to Slotkins campaign for additional comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A teenager remained in critical condition Friday at a local hospital after being shot on the 100 block of Camellia Way in Modesto on Wednesday, according to the Police Department.

Details surrounding the shooting are known by police, but MPD spokeswoman Sharon Bear said Thursday that no additional information will be released this early into the investigation.

The area of the shooting is north of Yosemite Boulevard near the Modesto Gospel Mission.

The teenager shot is a 17-year-old girl. The extent of her injuries has not been disclosed. Police have said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and it is being investigated by detectives with the MPDs Violent Crimes Unit.

Police ask any witnesses to the shooting to contact Detective Caldera at calderaa@modestopd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or download the P3 app.
More than 100 million Americans are expected to take to the roads for the Christmas and New Years holidays making it the most popular method of transportation for holiday travel by a long shot.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

AAA anticipates nearly 104 million Americans will travel by car to their Christmas and New Years destinations this season, which is only a small increase compared to last year.

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Holiday commuters Action News Jax spoke with at a rest stop near the Florida-Georgia line said price was a big factor in their decision.

For Mike Space and his family, that meant driving from North Carolina down to Jacksonville to catch a cheaper flight for their Christmas vacation in Italy.

For whatever reason the airlines have different prices out of different locations, said Space.

Read: Christmas 2023: Which grocery stores are open on Christmas Day?

Dont expect to save much on gas though, the national average price sits at about $3.12 a gallon, roughly the same as the $3.10 average exactly one year ago.

Still, for travelers Phyllis and Sammantha Young, who drove to Jacksonville to pick up their relatives who are too young to fly on their own and bring them back home to North Carolina for Christmas, the drive was still cheaper than a flight.

However, traffic posed some problems.

Read: Forget it: Hours-long backup on I-95 in St. Johns County causes major holiday headache

It was fine until we hit South Carolina and then it was stop and go kind of. Accidents. I think everybody was trying to go at the same time, said Sammantha.

South Carolina traffic was a common theme among travelers we heard from.

Because stupid 95 has only four lanes and everywhere else its six lanes, said Greg Lytle.

Read: Three-legged Labrador is looking for a home for Christmas

Lytle hit the holiday traffic on his way down from Pittsburgh to his winter home in Florida.

But he said he wouldnt let the delays get to him, as he was still riding high after a successful surgery to address a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Im alive! Hey, I lived through it! said Lytle.

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AAA estimates 13 times more Americans will be hitting the roads over the next two weeks compared to the number two means of transportation, flying.

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 German drug packaging and medical device maker says it will expand in suburban Atlanta, investing $88 million and hiring more than 200 new employees.

Gerresheimer AG, based in Dusseldorf, said Thursday that it would build a new factory in Peachtree City, south of Atlanta. The company currently employs more than 260 people there, and it had already announced an expansion that is supposed to add 180 jobs by April.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Gerresheimer has been operating in Peachtree City for more than 30 years, officials said.

The company has bought land and will build a factory with 160,000 square feet (15,000 square meters). The new factory, scheduled to open in fall 2024, will focus on making autoinjectors, spring-loaded syringes that are used to inject drugs.

TRENDING STORIES:

The new jobs will pay an average salary of $56,000 a year, said Amanda Fields, director of existing industries for the Fayette County Development Authority.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Ukrainian soldiers with a tour guide in the port area of Odesa, which has been struck by drones and missiles, Oct. 8, 2023. (Nicole Tung/The New York Times)

KYIV, Ukraine  Braving rain and snow, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered last week outside the Kyiv City Council with signs reading, I dont want a park and Why do I need paving stones? They chanted, jumped and clapped as they called for an end to road repairs and a freeze on the construction of a new subway depot.

Protesting the renovation of ones city may seem highly unusual, especially in a country whose president was elected four years ago on a promise to repair roads. But protesters said a more urgent cause demands funding today  the war effort.

This money should be spent on buying weapons, said Yevheniia Klyshal, a 29-year-old nutritionist who was waving a sign that read, New roads wont win this war.

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The protests, which have also been seen in other major Ukrainian cities such as Odesa and Lviv, have reflected a growing sentiment: as the war against Russia drags on and Ukraine runs out of weapons and ammunition, the whole country must be put on a war footing.

Since Russia invaded last year, large numbers of Ukrainians have raised money to buy weapons and volunteered for the army. But with the war raging far from several large Ukrainian cities, many citizens have returned to a semblance of normal life, going to work and schools during the day, and restaurants and bars at night.

Now, with Ukraines counteroffensive failing to yield major gains and as Russia regains the initiative in parts of the battlefield, calls have been growing for all Ukrainians to play a greater role in the war effort.

In places such as Kyiv, protesters say that will mean forgoing the comforts of life far from the front line and reallocating most public resources to the army.

The war will last long, said Iryna Ignatovych, a founder of Money for the AFU (the initialism for Armed Forces of Ukraine), a citizens group behind the Kyiv protests. Russia is a very big country with a lot of resources. Ukraine is not so big, so in order to win, we must redirect all our efforts to help our military. The rear must support the front.

Its a question of the nations survival, Ignatovych said.

The protests began in Odesa in late August, when a few dozen Ukrainians demanded that money earmarked for repairing a courthouse be spent on the army instead. The initiative struck a chord with many citizens and the movement quickly spread to other cities. In Kyiv, demonstrators have gathered every Saturday since mid-September under the Soviet-style building of the local city administration to press for changes in the citys public spending.

Much of their anger has been directed at the Kyiv city budget for 2024, which includes $1 million to rebuild a crossroads and $670,000 to renovate a park opened only five years ago. Its just luxury, Ignatovych said.

Some Kyiv city councilors have suggested that it was not the capitals main role to finance the war effort and that substantial funds have already been allocated to funding army brigades. Still, the capitals military budget for 2024  about $27 million, according to official figures  is only a fraction of this years, which has outraged protesters.

I want the budget to be used for the defense of our country, not to repave sidewalks or put asphalt on roads that already look normal, said Tetiana Nagumuk, who was standing among protesters last week, a Ukrainian flag draped around her shoulders.

Around her, hundreds of people in their 20s and 30s held up placards highlighting what they saw as absurd wartime investments.

Youre building roads for the occupiers, said one. Another was scrawled with a slogan alluding to the air raid alerts that routinely rattle the capital. It read: Kyiv in 2024 be like: Attention! Missile danger. Proceed immediately to the renovated park, with the word shelter crossed out.

Under pressure, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced last week that the City Council would earmark an additional 600 million Ukrainian hryvnias (about $16 million) to the military in this years budget.

That didnt quell the protesters anger.

Six hundred million is not enough! they chanted Saturday, on a bitter-cold morning, as passing motorists honked their horns in support. The demonstrators demanded that more money be spent on buying armored vehicles, building bomb shelters and funding relief programs to help wounded soldiers returning from the front.

Its OK to make our city comfortable and nice, but I dont think thats our main need now, said Liena Kyrylovska, 24. Like most protesters, she also believed that funding urban development would lead to the kind of corruption schemes that have long plagued Ukraine.

Many in Ukraine had hoped for a quick victory after the countrys armed forces successfully repelled invading Russian forces and then regained vast swathes of territory last year.

But Ukraines stalled summer counteroffensive has dashed those hopes and a majority of people now understand that were not on a pathway to victory, said Petro Burkovsky, head of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, a Ukrainian think tank.

Burkovsky said the popularity of the protests  in a country where public displays of criticism of the government have mostly vanished during the war  shows that Ukrainians are eager not to let what they consider wasteful spending derail the war effort.

To many, this means shattering the relative sense of normalcy that has taken hold in cities far from the front line.

Sometimes, everything looks like we live in a country without a war, Yevgen Dykyy, a former Ukrainian battalion commander, told the magazine Ukrainsky Tyzhden last month. He said he had been shocked to see hundreds of flower beds, sidewalks, pedestrian bridges and fountains that had been paid for by taxpayers and that were spread all over Kyiv.

Have we already won the war?, Dykyy asked. Today, all the money used for building fountains, decorations and laying tiles should be redirected directly into the national defense fund.

Myroslav Havryshchuk, one of the organizers of the Kyiv protests, said putting the country on a war footing had become all the more urgent in the face of the Wests dwindling support for Ukraines war effort. We need to think strategically and start to count on ourselves, he said.

Perhaps the protesters main fear is a return to a situation similar to that of a few years ago, when a frozen conflict between Ukrainian troops and Moscows proxies in eastern Ukraine gradually escaped the publics attention, leaving the country unprepared for the full-scale invasion that lay ahead.

I really hope that this wont happen, said Markiian Zadumluvyi, a photographer at a recent protest.

A few feet from him, a protester held up a sign that read, I dont want a park where I can be killed by the Russians.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
A Sudanese family that faced severe persecution for their Christian faith has been given refuge and will celebrate their first Christmas in the safety of the United States.

Nada and Hamouda, a married couple, along with their children, escaped a dire situation in the Arab Muslim country of Sudan, where they were criminally prosecuted and threatened with death for converting to Christianity.

In Sudan, despite the decriminalization of apostasy in 2020, Christian converts like Nada and Hamouda continue to face harsh persecution, says the legal advocacy group ADF International, which is representing the couple.

The couple was charged with "criminal adultery" after their marriage was declared invalid due to their conversion. This charge was a direct consequence of their faith conversion in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Christian converts in Sudan.

ADF International represented Nada and Hamouda in the Sudanese courts. However, the trial revealed the immediate and life-threatening risks to the couple, the group says. Collaborating with the Shai Fund and Ambassador Services International, the group successfully orchestrated the family's escape to the U.S.

Kelsey Zorzi, director of advocacy for global religious freedom at ADF International, expressed relief and joy over the family's safety.

"We are overjoyed that Nada, Hamouda, and their children are now able to practice their faith without fear for their lives," Zorzi said. "While both international and Sudanese law protect Nada and Hamouda's right to freely choose and live out their faith, it's clear that Christian converts in Sudan continue to face severe threats and hostility from the government and community."

The couple's ordeal began with Hamouda's conversion to Christianity in 2018, followed by Nada's in 2021. Their conversions led to the dissolution of their marriage by a sharia court, as it was deemed unlawful for a Muslim woman to be married to a Christian man. This ruling paved the way for the baseless adultery charges against them.



The situation was fraught with danger, as explained by Zorzi in a video posted online Wednesday.



Winning the court case could have led to their death at the hands of Nada's brother, who had vowed to kill them. Losing the case could have resulted in a death sentence from the state, Zorzi said. This dire situation necessitated their urgent relocation to the U.S.

Nada and Hamouda had known each other since childhood. Three years after they were married, Hamouda became a Christian, shocking Nada and her family. At first, Nada was angry with her husband's conversion and was urged by her family to leave him.





"My family forsook me and even my tribe hated me," Hamouda said in the video. "Indeed, I was very sad because they divorced me from my wife and took my children. ... But I stayed committed to Christ."

After three years of separation, Nada became a Christian and reunited with Hamouda. Two weeks later, her brother reported them to the authorities. They were jailed and threatened with execution.

One of Hamouda's friends from church connected him with two lawyers affiliated with the ADF International alliance.

"After months of hearings, it became clear that if we lost the case, the punishment they would face could result in death," Zorzi said. "And if we won the case, Nada's brother had vowed publicly to kill them himself."

The plight of Christian converts in Sudan remains a significant concern. Christians, who make up only 4.4% of Sudan's 44.6 million population, face various forms of discrimination and violence.

According to Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List, Sudan is ranked as the 10th worst country when it comes to Christian persecution. Christian women and girls, especially converts, are particularly vulnerable to rape, forced marriage and domestic violence. They are often denied inheritance rights and, if married, are forcibly divorced from their husbands.

Although the transitional government put in place following the ousting of former President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir in April 2019 undid some sharia provisions, a coup in Oct. 2021 led to a tenuous power-sharing agreement that advocates feared would reverse religious freedom advancements.



Originally published by The Christian Post
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Organized retail theft continues to target businesses across Oregon, prompting retail task force missions like the Portland area saw earlier this month to catch crooks in the act.

Organized retail crime continues to hit the state hard as Oregon Business & Industry estimates it has cost Oregon around $1.4 billion in economic activity. In the past year, weve seen major retailers like Walmart and Target shutter stores in Portland.

Devastating and heartbreaking: Portland leaders frustrations mount at all-time high homeless deaths

Its causing significant financial harm for Oregon businesses, its driving costs higher for customers, Sean Miller of the NW Grocery Association said in a meeting with state lawmakers earlier this year.

This past session, lawmakers passed a bill going into effect in the new year with harsher penalties for organized retail crime, while also making clear  these arent petty shoplifters.

Organized retail theft is designed to get people that are doing this over and over and over again. It is a business for them, Aaron Knott with the Multnomah Co. District Attorneys Office said during a hearing with lawmakers. Its higher value items, theyre doing it across multiple transactions.

Authorities ID victims, suspect in double homicide, suicide

On Thursday, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that the newly-established Organized Retail Theft Task Force resulted in indictments of four high-profile suspects.

Jerry Spencer is accused of at least 16 incidents recently with more than $12,000 in stolen goods from Nike, Target and Old Navy.

Nolan Harris was indicted last month for more than $7,500 in goods stolen from REI.

Tanner Machon is accused of stealing more than $18,000 of items from Patagonia.

Michael Morgan was indicted for at least seven cases of theft with more than $10,000 in items from Dicks Sporting Goods.

Jury deems Salem officer justified in non-fatal shooting

In a recent shoplifting mission between the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and Portland Police, officers said a major goal of this is to prevent stores from leaving.

Community members need to have these stores available to them to shop, do their shopping, PPB Sgt. Craig Andersen said to KOIN.

One of the suspects, Jerry Spencer, is set to appear Friday morning for one of the cases. Future court dates have not yet been set for some of the other recently-indicted suspects.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.  A Madison County grand jury issued new charges on Thursday against a St. Louis driver for fleeing from police in November 2022 and causing a fatal crash.

Ronnell Welch, 39, had previously been charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, aggravated reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, and residential burglary.

Thursdays indictment tacked on charges of first-degree murder and reckless homicide.

According to the Madison County States Attorneys Office, the crime took place on Nov. 14, 2022. Welch is accused of entering a Granite City womans home with the intention of stealing her pickup truck.

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Welch is said to have stolen the truck and fled, with Granite City police in pursuit.

The pickup crashed into another truck at Illinois 3 and Rock Road.

The driver of the other truck, Devyn Trampe, suffered serious injuries in the crash. Trampe died of his injuries in September 2023. He was 32.

County prosecutors reviewed the case and presented information to the grand jury, who issued the new charges against Welch.

Welch remains in custody at Madison County Jail. His bond has been increased from $500,000 to $1 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
More than four years after Tylee Ryan disappeared, her family is getting the 16-year-old's remains back in a case that garnered widespread attention for the role of cult-like doomsday beliefs in the murders of her and her 7-year-old brother.

The judge's Thursday order to release her remains to her next of kin comes months after her mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, was convicted in Idaho of the murders of Tylee, her brother Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tammy Daybell, the first wife of Vallow Daybell's fifth husband, Chad Daybell.

Vallow Daybell, 50, was sentenced to life without parole, but is still facing charges in Arizona related to the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot by her brother, Alex Cox, as well as the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. Cox died later that year. Boudreaux was one of the prosecution's witnesses in the Idaho case.

Daybell, who is also charged in the murders of JJ, Tylee and Tammy Daybell, lost a bid to dodge a possible death sentence earlier this week. Judge Steven W. Boyce, who had taken the death penalty off the table for Vallow Daybell, denied the defense team's motion to strike the death penalty in the 55-year-old's case Tuesday.

Daybell's trial is set to start April 1. He's pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy and three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of JJ, Tylee and Tammy Daybell and two counts of insurance fraud.

Tylee and JJ, who were reported missing in 2019, were found buried on Daybell's property in 2020 after a monthslong search spurred by JJ's biological grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, who had reported the 7-year-old missing. JJ's remains were ordered released to the Woodcocks in October.

Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell's fringe religious beliefs were at the heart of Vallow Daybell's trial. Witnesses testified about the couple's ideas about doomsday, classifying people as "dark" and "light," Vallow Daybell referring to people as "zombies" whose bodies had been taken over by evil spirits, and discussions of their past lives as biblical figures.

In a statement at her sentencing hearing, Vallow Daybell, who did not testify in her own defense, claimed to have communicated with the spirits of her murdered children, "my friend Tammy Daybell" and Jesus Christ along with angels she said had visited her.

Eye Opener: Massive storm unleashed floods and mudslides in southern California

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MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WOOD)  A total of $114 million in debt relief is coming to five Michigan school districts after legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week. One of the school systems that will have debt relieved is Muskegon Heights.

A new chapter is opening for the Muskegon Heights Public School system.

Its a great day in Muskegon Heights. Were excited to see what our future holds, said Trinell Scott, Muskegon Heights Board of Education president.

Back in 2012, faced with millions of dollars of debt, Muskegon Heights Public Schools entered a charter agreement. This move caused the creation of the Muskegon Heights Public Schools Academy System board in addition to the Muskegon Heights Board of Education.

Muskegon Heights, Benton Harbor schools could have debt forgiven

Board of Education president Trinell Scott says this had a large impact on education in the area.

It created a lot of misconceptions, people not really understanding how the relationship between the two boards worked, so that caused a lot of children to exit, Scott said.

Monday, Whitmer signed legislation that will forgive $31.3 million in debt that the district owed. Without the legislation, the debt may have lasted into the 2040s.

Were very grateful that were at this point, Scott said.

The debt forgiveness provides a path for Muskegon Heights to operate as a traditional school district once again. It also frees up funding to improve the school system.

Just being able to compete with the surrounding districts so to speak, where we would be able to tap into that pool of those highly qualified and certified teachers and other staff whether it be social workers, psychologists, Scott said.

Scott says theres a benefit to taxpayers too.

Taxes are going to go back down, property taxes and things of that nature. So, this debt relief was huge, she said.

As part of the debt forgiveness, the Muskegon Heights school system must develop plans for things like increased student enrollment. The district will also offer school board training on finances.

Scott says shes excited about the future.

We have the ability now to do some very unique and creative things and so thats what were looking forward to doing, Scott said. We believe that our children deserve the best possible education. So with additional funding and things of that nature, this will allow us to give our children that.

Benton Harbor, Pontiac, Ypsilanti and Inkster school districts also had debt erased because of the legislation that was signed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Two evangelists in eastern Uganda will spend Christmas in jail, charged under a blasphemy law after Muslims upset at their street preaching beat them and summoned police, sources said.

On the final day of a three-day evangelistic campaign in the city of Soroti, police on Nov. 21 arrested Joseph Omadi and Isaac Napakol after a Muslim mob beat them, said a participating pastor who managed to escape.

The Christians had preached on the street for 30 minutes when they were surprised to see a multitude of Muslims, said Pastor Robert Omodingi.

We thought that maybe they had come to listen to the word of God, but to our surprise, they just grabbed my colleagues and started beating them, and shortly police came and arrested them, Pastor Omodingi said.

On Nov. 23 police charged them under Section 122 of Ugandas penal code for allegedly wounding the religious feelings of the Muslim community, and a grade one magistrate court sent them to jail to await trial, he said.

The Muslims were upset that the evangelists were using the Koran in their message. Pastor Omodingi said district leader Sheikh Ramadhan Ibwakit had sent a local imam to warn them to stop using the Koran on the second day of the evangelistic campaign.

He said the district leader later told authorities, We as Muslims have worked hand in hand to get these kafir [infidels] after warning them to stop using our Koran and other Islamic literature, but they refused. They were quoting the Koran while speaking to our Muslims on the streets of Soroti  this is unacceptable in our faith.

At a hearing on Wednesday (Dec. 20), Omadi was limping, but it was unclear whether the injury to his left leg was a result of the mob beating on Nov. 21 or whether it was inflicted in custody, sources said.

We are concerned about the deteriorating physical appearance of our two evangelists, and we are calling for the court to handle the case with justice, said another pastor on condition of anonymity.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for Jan. 10, he said.

The two evangelists will continue languishing in the cell for the coming three weeks as the Christian lawyers continue presenting their case, he said. When the two evangelists appeared in court yesterday [Dec. 20], they had lost a lot of weight and were in a very sad mood; possibly they may have been subjected to some kind of torture.

Their condition has prompted the chairman of the churches in Soroti to mobilize members to pray and fast, he said. He criticized the district official for leading police to arrest the evangelists for using the Koran in their preaching.

We have been seeing Muslims in their open-air crusades using our Bibles, he said. "Even the Muslims do use the Bible, but the church has never accused them in any court of law in Uganda.

Section 122, Ugandas blasphemy law against writing or uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings, has been criticized as constitutionally invalid for contravening freedom of speech and for vagueness that violates the key tenet of legality.

The determination of whether a crime has been committed under the provision depends on the subjective feelings of the audience to whom any word, sound or gesture may or may not be directed, attorney Nimrod Muhumuza wrote in a 2019 issue of AfricLaw journal. In other words, a prospective suspects fate depends on the feelings and sensibilities of another individual.

Vague laws such as Section 122 may trap the innocent by failing to provide fair warning, Muhumuza stated.

A vague law impermissibly delegates basic policy matters to policemen, judges, juries for resolution on an ad-hoc basis with the attendant danger of arbitrary and discriminatory application, he wrote. However, even if the prescription of what constitutes an offense under the provision was precise and clear enough, would it survive interdiction by the right to freedom of expression provided for in the Constitution?

The Nov. 21 attack and arrests were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.



Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit https://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.

If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?
MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  The Muskegon YMCA is asking for your help to keep children warm this winter.

The organization is hosting a coat drive, which will accept new and gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots for kids of all ages. The drive runs from Dec. 18 to Jan. 12.

Once all of the items are collected, the YMCA will work with local schools in the area to distribute them to students.

The items be dropped off at the following locations:

Muskegon YMCA at 1115 3rd St.

Muskegon Family Care at 2201 South Getty St.

You can find more information on the drive by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Last time Rep. Bill Pascrell faced a serious primary challenge, he ended up winning by a 20-point margin after the Arab American community rallied in support of the New Jersey Democrat. Now that same constituency is turning against him, posing a major threat to the 14-term House member over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

Arab Americans protested outside his district office in Paterson, home to Little Ramallah, the largest Palestinian American enclave in the country. Theyve held press conferences demanding a cease-fire and, last week, interrupted a fundraiser to confront him over his pro-Israel position. Most consequentially, some Arab Americans plan to mobilize against the 86-year-old when he seeks reelection next year.

Former supporters now call him a charlatan and a mouthpiece for the dehumanization of Palestinian people. They say Pascrells seeming indifference to their concerns over Israels offensive in Gaza and his refusal to back a cease-fire has led them to consider backing Democratic challengers in June  including a former aide.

You cant call yourself a friend of the community and then turn your back on them, said Feras Awwad, a local school board member in the city of Clifton whose grandparents hail from Ein Karem, a village outside Jerusalem. Theres not a chance in hell anybodys going to be supporting him.

The rising tension in Pascrells 9th congressional district is a striking reflection of the broader fault lines running through the national Democratic party following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Federal lawmakers have strongly backed Israels right to defend itself but, after two months of Israel pummeling Gaza, killing about 20,000 people, theyve faced increasing pressure from the left to push for an end to the offensive.



One of the biggest names to join calls for a cease-fire is Rep. Katie Porter, a California Democrat running for that states open Senate seat in 2024. But the vast majority of Democrats in Washington take the same view Pascrell expressed at a fundraiser Monday in Paterson.

I cant control the politics of Israel, he said, according to a video of his remarks obtained by POLITICO. But they have every right to protect themselves and defend themselves. Case closed.

While Arab Americans are an important constituency for Pascrell, they make up a relatively small bloc in a district that includes two dozen towns in heavily Jewish Bergen County. Thats made it impossible for the representative to please the entire Democratic base.

Pascrell has tried since the Oct. 7 attacks to tread a fine rhetorical line. He backed a humanitarian pause and pushed for more aid into Gaza, but, like most House members, did not sign onto a resolution calling for a cease-fire (his Democratic colleagues Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman and Donald Payne Jr. were the only lawmakers from New Jersey to do so).

In public statements and in letters to the White House, Pascrell has pushed for the release of hostages and advocated for good faith efforts between Palestinians and Israelis to reach a two-state solution. Until then, he said that restraint to protect innocent civilian lives is the most prudent path forward.

I hear and feel powerfully the anguish of our community and like millions of Americans I desperately want a permanent end to the fighting as soon as possible and a major flow of humanitarian aid provided by America to protect Palestinians and begin the rebuilding of Gaza, Pascrell said in a statement to POLITICO.

Some of his constituents dont accept his public statements as enough. Since the start of the war, members of the Arab American community have met with Pascrell and other federal and state leaders, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Sen. Cory Booker and Gov. Phil Murphy, expressing their concerns and pressing them to support a cease-fire. But some residents and leaders said they dont feel Pascrell has been receptive and have made it clear to him that he is no longer welcome in their mosques, businesses and homes given his unwavering support for Israel.

Hes been somebody who in past years had been engaged in the community, said Ahmet Akdag, a resident of Clifton who is both Turkish and Muslim. We just dont feel like hes been reciprocating as we had hoped and what we had expected.

A native of Paterson who served as its mayor and in the New Jersey Legislature before his 1996 election to the House, Pascrell is one of New Jerseys more colorful political figures. He is well known for speaking passionately with a North Jersey accent  and at considerable length  when given the opportunity, whether its on the House floor or at a local press conference.

His style and stances have endeared him in the past to the Arab American community. Other Muslim leaders said Pascrell had been much more responsive to them in the past, particularly in 2012, when he was forced into a Democratic primary in the newly redrawn 9th district against incumbent Rep. Steve Rothman. Pascrell, who was then representing the 8th district, was seen within the Arab American community as a strong alternative to the Jewish, staunchly pro-Israel Rothman.



Salaheddin Mustafa, who helped lead the grassroots Muslim effort to make Pascrell the Democratic nominee in 2012, recalls inviting Pascrell to an office on nearby Route 46 to fill him in on their plans to organize support by going town by town in the new district.

We led, he followed, said Mustafa, who is also outreach director for the Islamic Center of Passaic County.

Pascrell trounced Rothman in the primary, capturing 61 percent of the vote. The Record newspaper reported that year that Pascrell won 90 percent of the vote in the new districts six Passaic County towns  including Paterson, which has the second largest Arab American community in the country, according to the city.

But that level of support seems unattainable following Israels invasion of Gaza and a death toll that hits close to home. More than 1,000 Palestinians with relatives in North Jersey have been killed in the conflict, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey chapter. The councils vice chair, Ali Aljarrah, was one of the protesters at the fundraiser. He said Pascrells response since Oct. 7 contrasts with the person the Arab American community helped reelect.

He was the guy. He was essentially like our T.E. Lawrence in Congress, he said, referring to the British diplomat known as Lawrence of Arabia. Thats why Arabs got involved. They saw Steve Rothman in 2012 as this pro-Zionist candidate, and you have a lot of Arabs who live in the district who just did not want someone who would toe the party line. . Thats why they went out and got Pascrell elected.

Now, he said, Pascrell is the one toeing the party line.

Muslim residents say they may have found someone more aligned with them in Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, a former Pascrell communications assistant. Sayegh is of Syrian and Lebanese descent, speaks Arabic and has been among the few politicians in New Jersey to vocally back a cease-fire. He declined to comment on speculation he will run for Pascrells seat. But he told the Paterson Press, after it reported his recent political donations to organizations in Bergen and Hudson county towns that make up the 9th district, that "if you have ambition and ability, you shouldn't restrict your opportunities."

Any challenger would face difficulties against Pascrell. He has strong organizational support and, despite its large Arab population, the 9th district is also dominated by heavily Jewish towns in neighboring Bergen County. But the frustrations and disappointments with Pascrell extend beyond the Arab American community to younger, more liberal and even some Jewish voters in the district, Mustafa said. The goal is to build a political infrastructure for the long term so that our community doesnt have to deal with charlatans like Congressman Pascrell, he said.

Its not the community that he knew on October 6, Mustafa said. Its a much more unified community. Its a much more demanding community. It's a community thats not going to allow people like Pascrell to use us for his own personal gain and abandon us like hes doing now.
The Justice Department said Thursday that a New Hampshire man has been indicted for allegedly sending violent and threatening text messages to three presidential candidates. In response, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (pictured in August) said in a statement, "We will not tolerate illegal threats of violence directed at public officials or those seeking public office." File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- A New Hampshire man has been indicted for allegedly sending violent and threatening text messages to three presidential candidates, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

The DOJ charged 30-year-old Tyler Anderson, of Dover, with three counts of using interstate commerce to threaten to injure another person. None of the candidates is mentioned by name in the indictment.

Anderson allegedly threatened to "impale" and "disembowel" one candidate in a series of texts he sent in late November. He allegedly threatened a second candidate Dec. 6, threatening to "blow" their "head off," and conduct a "mass shooting" at a local gathering.

Two days later, Anderson allegedly threatened via text message to "blow" the "brains out" of a third candidate and "kill everyone" who would attend a scheduled campaign event.

"We have seen an increase in threats of violence against public officials and those seeking public office across the country, and I have made clear that these types of illegal threats undermine the function of our democracy," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "We will not tolerate illegal threats of violence directed at public officials or those seeking public office."

Anderson was arrested on Dec. 9 and made an initial appearance in federal court Dec. 11 after the FBI led an investigation into his actions. He was released with conditions on Dec. 14, the DOJ said.

Anderson faces up to five years in prison for the threatening texts and a $250,000 fine for each charge, as well three years of supervised release. The sentence will be decided by a federal court judge.

The threats follow a mass shooting in neighboring Maine that left 18 people dead in October.
Former tourism minister Najib Balala was arrested on Thursday night

A former Kenyan tourism minister has been arrested and taken to court over corruption allegations.

Najib Balala, and other ex-officials, are accused of inflating the cost of a project to build a tourism college.

In court, he denied the charge of abuse of office relating to an irregular payment worth $21m (17m), the Nation newspaper reports.

He is the first former minister to be arrested since William Ruto was elected president last year.

Mr Ruto came to office vowing to fight corruption, which has long been seen as a problem in the country.

Mr Balala served as tourism minister for 12 years in three successive governments, stepping down in 2022 as President Uhuru Kenyatta left office.

He appeared in court in the coastal town of Malindi alongside a former permanent secretary at the ministry of tourism, Leah Gwiyo.

She also denied the charge, the Nation reports.

They were both released on a cash bail of $6,400.

They are accused of using private consultants in 2010, against cabinet advice, in the project to build the tourism college in Kilifi county. The consultants are accused of artificially inflating the cost of their services.

Other suspects are expected to appear in court on 28 December.

More stories about Kenya:
Napoli's Eljif Elmas (C) battles for the ball with Union's Rani Khedira (R) and Robin Knoche during the UEFA Champions League group C soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and SSC Napoli at Olympiastadion. RB Leipzig have already reached an agreement with Napoli and North Macedonia midfielder Eljif Elmas over a January transfer, The Athletic reported on 20 December. Andreas Gora/dpa

RB Leipzig are set to sign North Macedonia Eljif Elmas in January after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the midfielder was leaving.

"He's already sold. He's someone who always wants to play. He hasn't realized that he belongs in our starting XI, even if he doesn't play 90 minutes," De Laurentiis told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

RB Leipzig have not yet confirmed the transfer but media reports say they will do so once a medical is completed at the end of the year.

Elmas will replace Emil Forsberg at the German Cup winners after the Swede celebrated his Bundesliga swansong on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen, his 325 competitive game for the club. The 32-year-old is moving to sister club New York Red Bulls.

Elmas, currently injured with a leg problem, played 36 of 38 Serie A games for the Italian champions last season. He moved to southern Italy from Fenerbahce in 2019.

The 24-year-old has played 52 international matches and scored 12 goals for North Macedonia.

Leipzig will travel to a training camp in La Manga, Spain, from January 2-7 before the Bundesliga resumes from its mid-season break on January 13 when they host Eintracht Frankfurt.
In 2014, shortly after his investiture as a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Brian Davis welcomes a group to a "youth investiture" at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville.

COMMENTARY | U.S. District Judge Brian Davis this week said he anticipates overseeing the trial of JEA's former top executives "as scheduled" Feb. 5, though his scheduling order left the door open to considering more delays as a mountain of pre-trial controversies remain for Davis to sort out before jury selection can begin.

Davis, who is taking senior status at the end of the year, acknowledged the work he had to do in a recent hearing. Since their indictment in March 2022 on wire fraud and conspiracy charges, defense lawyers for ex-JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and former CFO Ryan Wannemacher have staged an aggressive effort to get the indictment thrown out or disqualify the lead federal prosecutor, A. Tysen Duva, from trying the case. That has generated hundreds of pages of pre-trial motions, much of them centered on the defense's belief Duva and his prosecution team violated the constitutional rights of Zahn and Wannemacher when building their criminal case.

A federal magistrate judge has rejected some of the defense's arguments, but Davis has yet to definitively weigh in on most of the outstanding issues. Should he ultimately hold to the Feb. 5 date, the coming weeks will see a frenzy of filings from the government, the defense and from Davis himself.

This column has generally summarized the outstanding pre-trial issues when discussing the case. To impart a better sense of the work that remains, here's a full list of motions and objections Davis has yet to dispense with but that must be resolved before a trial can begin:

The defendants last year filed what's called a "motion to dismiss for failure to state an offense." This is a standard pre-trial motion that in essence argues the indictment is flawed and must be dismissed. These motions are rarely granted.

Zahn and Wannemacher separately filed motions requesting Davis to hold separate trials for each defendant. The reasons behind this request are complex and tied into another argument they've made asserting the prosecution violated Zahn and Wannemacher's constitutional rights. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks, meaning separate trials would require considerable time. Prosecutors have proposed that Davis can empanel two juries to sit for a single trial.

Zahn has requested Davis to transfer the trial to Tampa. This, too, is unlikely to be granted, though Zahn's attorneys have pursued it aggressively. They have argued public opinion in Jacksonville is too dead-set against Zahn for a fair trial to be possible and that a jury pool in Tampa would be untainted. In support of their request, they hired a firm to conduct a public opinion survey purporting to demonstrate this dynamic. I found the actual substance of the survey shows the opposite: There are plenty of potential jurors in Jacksonville and in the larger region who attested to knowing nothing about city government and the man who ran one of its agencies more than four years ago. "I don't watch or listen to the news, too busy chasing kids and changing diapers," one resident told the survey firm.

The defense team has been in a dispute with a former JEA law firm over the scope of a subpoena for records (the law firm believes it has already provided the defense team with everything the subpoena requires; the defense disagrees). A federal magistrate judge has already ruled against the defense team, but Zahn and Wannemacher's attorneys filed an objection to that finding to Davis.

The defense has also objected to a finding by United States Magistrate Judge Monte Richardson that the grand jury indictment against both men can stand despite complaints that federal prosecutors violated their constitutional rights. This is the most substantive issue Davis has yet to resolve and was the subject of an eight-day hearing in May during which the government disclosed much of the evidence it plans to introduce at trial.

Wannemacher's defense lawyers objected to a narrower finding Richardson made related to that larger question over constitutional rights. Davis will must also resolve that dispute.

This week, Zahn and Wannemacher filed another objection to a separate finding by Richardson that prosecutors have so far produced everything to the defense required by law. The defense attorneys believe the government must more precisely identify what information it plans to use at trial than it has thus far.

In addition to all the above, there will be more motions filed in the coming weeks: objections to evidence and witnesses the government plans to use at trial, possible arguments over the trial procedures, disputes over what questions to ask of potential jurors.

Davis has telegraphed reluctance to push the trial date beyond its planned February start; it has been nearly two years since the former utility leaders were indicted, a long time even by federal standards. Getting there on time will require a frenzy at the outset of the new year.

Nate Monroe is a metro columnist whose work regularly appears every Thursday and Sunday. Follow him on Twitter @NateMonroeTU.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nate Monroe: JEA trial slated for February but questions remain
Sandra Day OConnors Arizona roots and her unforgettable drive and friendship were hailed during a final tribute on Friday in Phoenix, capping a week of memorials to the woman who rose from a desolate ranch to become the first woman on the Supreme Court.

With hundreds on hand at the Madison Center for the Arts, her family welcomed a succession of those whose lives OConnor touched to the invite-only event. Unlike many of the official tributes and professional appraisals of her legal record, this was an occasion to remember a mother and mentor, a socialite and a friend.

OConnor, 93, died Dec. 1 in Phoenix after years of battling dementia. President Ronald Reagan named her to the Supreme Court in 1981 and she served there until 2006.

Befitting OConnors climb from the dusty expanse of the Lazy B ranch near Duncan to the highest rungs of power in Washington, the tribute attracted the powerful and the prominent and affection and appreciation for the otherwise obscure team who tended to her health in her final years.

Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy spoke in praise of her friendship. Other VIPs, such as former Vice President Dan Quayle, former Ambassador Cindy McCain, Gov. Katie Hobbs, former Gov. Jan Brewer and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego were on hand in a show of appreciation.

Ruth McGregor, who clerked for OConnor during her historic debut on the court in the 1981-82 term and later became the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, recounted her decades of friendship working on projects, such as advocating civics and the value of an independent judiciary, to their respites in southeastern Arizona in OConnors retirement.

She played the role of my big sister  a very bossy big sister, McGregor said, drawing a knowing laughter from the judges, law professors and personal acquaintances on hand.

People know OConnor was a history-making justice, McGregor said, but that was only part of her story.

OConnor was a judge who was brilliant, strategic, determined, decisive and sometimes stern. She was all those things. But the Sandra OConnor we celebrate today was so much more. She was warm, loyal, funny, adventurous, loving and kind.

McGregor invoked OConnors memorable assessment of what OConnor called the tombstone question wanting to know how she wanted to be remembered.

If ever there was a life well lived and well examined, it was the life of Sandra OConnor. When asked the tombstone question, she always replied that she would be content if inscribed on it were the words, Here lies a good judge. But if she would permit one final editing suggestion from a former law clerk, I would propose that we add: And an even better person.

Kennedy said he and his wife, Mary, had misgivings about accepting his nomination to the Supreme Court, largely out of concern they would be socially isolated in Washington. OConnor quickly put that concern to rest.

Sandra and (her husband, John OConnor) knew this and they made all the difference, Kennedy said. They did something that many others might be reluctant to do. They shared with us their closest friends. Because of Sandra and John, the sense of place that we found in Washington was immediate and warm.

He quickly learned not to overbid when playing bridge if OConnor was your partner.

He noted that OConnor, whose dancing with John OConnor was legendary, scheduled a midnight tango in Argentina that the Kennedys had to join as well.

Friendships created a splendid life for Sandra, and she wanted the same for us, Kennedy said. The OConnors' friendship with us was the rock upon which we built our lives in Washington.

Scott OConnor, O'Connor's son, said his mothers legacy continues with her push for an informed public through iCivics, a nationwide program that reaches 10 million students each year and for which Sandra OConnor never received a penny.

Fridays event in Phoenix was the last of three major tributes to OConnor.

On Monday, she lay in repose in the Supreme Court in Washington with about 80 of her former clerks on hand to honor the woman who reshaped the court. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts eulogized OConnor at Washington National Cathedral.

Scott OConnor said Fridays celebration of his mother is the last service for her.

Her ashes will be buried alongside John OConnors on a remote mountaintop at the Lazy B ranch.

'A terrific first': Remembering Sandra Day O'Connor with historian Linda Hirshman

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sandra Day O'Connor to have private funeral ceremony in Phoenix
A NATO reconnaissance plane has started flying along Ukraine's borders, the Crimean Wind monitoring group reported on Telegram on Dec. 22.

A Bombardier Challenger 650 with the call sign CL60 took off from the Romanian Air Force's 57th Air Base "Mihail Kogalniceanu" near Constanta and is conducting reconnaissance along the borders of Ukraine and Moldova from the Romanian airspace, according to the aircraft tracking website Flightradar.

Read also: US deploys another drone to Black Sea despite recent incident

The U.S. military has been using the Bombardier Challenger 650 ARTEMIS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Multi-Mission Intelligence System) as an electronic reconnaissance aircraft since 2020, the Crimean Wind wrote, adding that the United States and other allies share intelligence with Ukraine in real time.

Read also: Russian drone attack on Ukraine violates NATO airspace over Romania, prompting German fighter jet response

The United States dispatched another reconnaissance drone towards Russia-occupied Crimea on March 17.

One recent Russian drone attack on Ukraine violated NATO airspace over Romania overnight and caused German Eurofighters to scramble in response, German news channel ntv reported on Dec. 14.

Read also: Ukraine, NATO defense chiefs to meet in January

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
North Carolina barred investment in Ben & Jerrys after the world-famous ice cream seller said it didnt want to sell its products in Israeli settlements.

The announcement Thursday reflects continuing controversy over whether companies should take positions on political issues, after recent debates over corporate moves involving Starbucks, Disney and others.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell said his office is required by state law to add Ben & Jerrys to its list of companies subject to divestment and contract restrictions due to their boycott of Israel. This action includes affiliates of Ben & Jerrys, such as its parent company, Unilever PLC, and Unilevers subsidiaries. Folwell ordered the state pension fund to divest itself of $40 million in Unilever assets, according to a press release.

He also instructed local governments and state agencies be notified that they are prohibited from contracting with either company, says the release.

Asked whether, if not required under state law, he would have taken this action, Folwell said in an interview with The News & Observer that every state treasurer before me has dealt with issues related to boycotting different companies and different products for different reasons.

What Ive tended to do is to manage the pension plan in a way that reflects the culture of our state, whether through proxy voting or through issues like this and it is not the culture of North Carolinians to be antisemitic or anti-Israel or anti-Jew, he said.

The founders of Ben & Jerrys, in saying they wanted to halt sales outside Israels democratic borders, said they were not boycotting Israel. They also noted they are Jewish. As Jewish supporters of the State of Israel, we fundamentally reject the notion that it is anti-Semitic to question the policies of the State of Israel, they wrote in a New York Times opinion piece.

The treasurers office is responsible for investing and managing the $118 billion state pension fund that provides retirement benefits for more than 1 million members, including teachers, police officers and other public workers.

Under state law, the pension fund is prohibited from investing in and contracting with certain companies with operations in Iran, as well as with companies defined as boycotting Israel.

Social and governance policies

Folwell has been a vocal critic of environmental, social and governance policies, an investing approach in which companies factor in these issues.

In December, he called for the CEO of BlackRock to resign over the investment firms support of ideological initiatives like the global warming agenda. While hes criticized BlackRock, Folwell has continued to invest through the firm, reported The N&O.

During this years legislative session, Senate Republicans sponsored a bill limiting ESG investments by the state pension fund. The bill says that the treasurer may only use ESG factors if they present economic risks or opportunities that qualified investment professionals would treat as material economic considerations, reported The N&O. The bill died in the House.

Ben & Jerrys and Unilever lawsuits

Following a merger in 2000, Ben & Jerrys became a subsidiary of Unilever, but it retained an independent board of directors and the ability to oversee its social mission. Unilever got authority over financial and operational decisions.

In 2021, Ben & Jerrys said it would stop selling its products the following year in the occupied Palestinian territories, which include the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Were a values-led company with a long history of advocating for human rights, and economic and social justice. We believe it is inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation, says a Ben & Jerrys statement from 2021 announcing the departure.

This announcement placed the ice cream maker at odds with its parent company and the Israeli government, with Ben & Jerrys independent board taking Unilever to court over an attempt to continue Israeli sales, reported the Financial Times. The suit was settled in December 2022 with details not disclosed.

Asked what led to the decision to take the action now against Ben & Jerrys, Folwell told The N&O that when you manage one of the largest pools of public money in the world, you dont react to threats of boycotts, but to boycotts themselves. He said Unilever was unable to either get Ben & Jerrys to stop boycotting Israel or legally separate themselves from Ben & Jerrys.

As for the effect of this $40 million divestment, Folwell said, as weve been dealing with this for the last two years we have not made investments in Unilevers corporate bonds, in anticipation of something like this.

Folwell, who is a Republican and is running for governor, said that his office had given Unilever and Ben & Jerrys every opportunity this calendar year to correct this situation and they chose not to.

Folwell said that Unilever had not responded to multiple attempts to reach it. He said if the company had put out a press release in time and say we have sold Ben and Jerrys. Ben and Jerrys has had a change of heart, then none of this would be necessary  this whole situation would have been avoidable.

Hamas, a terrorist organization, launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel this October, and Israel launched a counter-attack. As of Wednesday, 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with many more missing and displaced, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing health officials in Gaza.

Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel, including 36 children, according to the Israeli authorities, the vast majority on Oct. 7, reports the OCHA.
An Indian Trail man is accused of stealing the identities of military members and renting cars and apartments and opening bank accounts in their names, federal prosecutors said this week.

Shabazz Emmanuel McCarthan, who is 38, allegedly obtained at least $250,000 in goods through his scheme and damaged the military members credit, including at least one who was deployed overseas at the time, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte.

McCarthan allegedly had accomplices, prosecutors said, although they arent named in the indictment.

McCarthan and his co-conspirators are accused of obtaining military members personal identifying information to make fake forms of identification in the service members names, according to the indictment.

The indictment doesnt say how the personal identifying information was obtained or how many military members were victimized.

The identity fraud scheme

McCarthan and his co-conspirators allegedly pulled off their extensive identity fraud scheme from January to October 2019, prosecutors said in a news release.

He allegedly rented multiple vehicles that were subsequently stolen and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, according to the release.

McCarthan also obtained furniture through the scheme, prosecutors allege.

Indictment and first appearance

A federal grand jury in Charlotte returned the criminal indictment against McCarthan in October, U.S. Attorney Dena Kings said in the news release. The indictment remained sealed until McCarthans arrest in Arizona on Wednesday, she said.

McCarthan made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Arizona on Thursday, prosecutors said.

McCarthan is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; wire fraud; financial institution fraud; interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle; and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

The charges carry a total of up to 71 years in prison.
Through an interview published online on December 15, Religion Unplugged illuminated the integral role Christian groups undertake in grappling with India's mental health challenges. In the heart of Delhi, Nitin Kumar, a 22-year-old student, faced the darkest chapter of his life during the second wave of the pandemiclosing both parents. The ensuing mental health struggle led him to contemplate ending his own life. Yet, salvation arrived in an unexpected formthe mental healthcare services offered by the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA). In an exclusive interview with Religion Unplugged, Kumar shared how YMCA's counselling provided him with a lifeline at a minimal cost, emphasising the pivotal role Christian organisations play in India's evolving mental health landscape.

Kumar's story reflects a broader trend within Indias Christian community, which has emerged as a proactive force battling mental health challenges. Through initiatives like national helplines, counsellor training programs, and pastoral support, they aim to foster a mentally resilient society. This commitment to inclusivity underscores the universal nature of mental health issues, transcending religious boundaries and contributing significantly to awareness and care in the country.

India's struggle with mental health is a relatively recent conversation, marked by persistent myths and taboos. An alarming 60 to 70 million people contend with a spectrum of common and severe mental disorders in the nation.

According to the National Health Program led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 6% of Kerala's population is affected by mental disorders, and one in five people grapple with emotional and behavioural issues. Shockingly, the country leads the world in suicides, with an annual average of 800,000 cases, as per WHO statistics.

Chingngaihlian Tunglu, a mental health counsellor associated with YMCA, highlighted the uniform stigma across faiths concerning mental health. Despite the increasing focus on mental health due to COVID-19, she stressed the scarcity of mental health counsellors in India. Tunglu praised certificate courses offered by YMCA and other Christian organisations for bridging the gap. These courses, involving theoretical classes and practical experiences, play a crucial role in producing lay counsellors like Tunglu, who, while lacking licences, provide vital initial support to those in need.

However, the absence of a regulating body granting licences to lay counsellors like Tunglu remains a challenge. She advocates for a system allowing her to practise as a recognized mental healthcare professional, offering the necessary first aid for mental health issues.

In addition to YMCA, organisations like Urban India Ministries (UIM) contribute significantly to mental health support. UIM, in collaboration with the Christian Counsellors Association of India, organised the National Christian Counsellors Conclave in Bangalore, addressing the pressing need for emotional well-being. Brighton Anbu, a healthcare expert, highlighted the success of the event, with 100 Christian counsellors from across India participating. The collaboration also led to the launch of a national helpline (888-44-70705), available in five languages, further extending its reach.

Christian organisations not only offer mental healthcare services but also contribute to training more professionals. The UIMs Family Training Institute offers programs like Masters in Family Life Education, equipping students to understand and address family-related issues. Olive Nagarajan, who heads the counselling department, emphasised the importance of preventive and curative measures, providing therapy for urgent care needs.

In the evolving landscape of mental health awareness in India, Christian organisations continue to play a pivotal role. As they expand their initiatives and courses, they not only address the immediate needs but also contribute to building a foundation for a more mentally resilient society.



Originally published by Christian Today India
Nearly 700 books have been pulled from teachers shelves in Orange County schools this year to comply with new state rules. Its drawing strong feelings from people on both sides.

Jen Cousins who is a parent of four Orange County Public School students showed her dislike fir the book ban.

Its taking away classics. Its taking away books that nobody would have ever thought to ban before, said Cousins.

Read: Some Orange County schools to offer free eye exams for students this week

Her kids serve as four reasons shes against how conservative the school district is going on which books they do and do not allow in teachers classrooms.

Governor Ron DeSantis has defended what the state is doing -- calling the book ban a hoax. DeSantis said his efforts are to protect children.

Channel 9 counted nearly 700 titles not allowed in the teachers class libraries. It includes works by Shakespeare and popular titles like Catch 22 and Charlottes Web. Its all in an effort to follow state law that bans books with sex or pornography.

Read: Second Harvest teams up with OCPS to provide meals to families for the holidays

If parents are that adamant about their children having access to these types of books, please, by all means, its on Amazon. Theyre at your local public library. These are not banned books, said OCPS District 3 Board Member Alicia Farrant. This is a public school. Our school districts should be focused on education, not on promoting and pushing sexual content in our media centers.

The school district sent Channel 9 this statement about the removals and in response to the criticism:

To be in compliance with Florida law (HB1069 and HB1467), the district created a submission and review process of all books available to students. Teachers scanned the books in their classroom libraries for a state-trained media specialist to review. The state-created media specialist training emphasized that they err on the side of caution to comply with state statutes. Based on their training, books may receive a NA designation.

Read: New dog park opens in Orange County

Any book marked as not appropriate for any grade level in the Classroom Library Connector undergoes a secondary review by a small group of media specialists. The re-review could result in the books availability being adjusted to certain grade levels, or it could remain a not appropriate title. If the re-review determines the book is not appropriate, it shall be weeded from the collection. Our data shows that almost all books marked as not appropriate were marked as such because they describe or depict sexual conduct (per statute). This is a fluid process as reviews are ongoing.

A group of parents called The Florida Freedom to Read Project is fighting to raise awareness on the book removals. They believe, while not all books belong in classrooms, they want everyone -- including parents and teachers -- to be a part of the selection process.

To be part of the conversation and not just let outside interests come in and hijack our education system, said Florida Freedom to Read Project Director for Development and Finance Raegan Miller.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Netflix has just added its latest true-crime documentary about suspected Indian serial killer Jollyamma Joseph, a seemingly devoted wife and mother accused of murdering six family members.

Curry and Cyanide takes viewers inside the pastel pink house in Koodathai, a small town in Kozhikode, Kerala, where Joseph, 47, allegedly poisoned her husband, his parents, and three other members of their family  including a two-year-old girl  by mixing cyanide into their food.

The shows logline reads: The team investigates six shocking deaths in the same family and the woman at the centre of the incredible case, Jolly Joseph, to try and uncover what really happened.

The Koodathai cyanide killings were carried out over a 14-year period, as Joseph allegedly plotted to take control of her husband, Roy Thomass family home, and marry the man of her dreams, his cousin Shaju Sakhariyas.

Neighbours described Joseph, who married Thomas in 1997, as a talkative and well-mannered woman, with a prestigious job working as a professor at one of the countrys foremost engineering universities. She was a devout Christian and went to church regularly, they said.

Five years after the wedding, Josephs mother-in-law Annamma Thomas died suddenly after drinking a glass of water.

Her death was followed by the mysterious passing of Annammas husband Tom Thomas in 2008. Joseph allegedly handed her father-in-law a capsule he was used to taking every evening, before the 66-year-old became violently sick. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

In 2011, Roy died after eating a meal of rice and chickpea curry prepared by his wife. When his uncle Mathew Manjadiyil asked for a post-mortem examination, it was revealed Roy died after consuming cyanide, a chemical compound applications in the jewelery, textile, and metallurgy industries, which can be fatal in large doses.

His death was ruled a suicide and investigation was closed.

Joseph is also accused of killing Manjadiyil, Sakhariyass wife Sili, and their two-yea-old daughter Alphine, over the next five years.

(Netflix)

In 2017, she remarried Shaju, with Jolly reportedly telling many people how much she wished for a husband like him.

After six unnatural deaths in his family, Rojo Thomas travelled to Koodathai and filed several Right To Information (RTI) applications and obtained a copy of his brother Roys post-mortem report.

This was the beginning of Josephs downfall.

Noticing an inconsistency betwen Josephs version of the night Roy died and the findings of the post-mortem, Rojo, his sister Ranji, and their neighbour Mohammed Bava filed a police complaint.

A police investigation followed, as it began to emerge that the god-fearing, well-educated and doting wife may not be who she claimed. Altogether, police reportedly said, they discovered over 50 discrepancies between her statements and evidence.

During the investigation, they also learned Joseph had never had a job at the prestigious National Institute of Technology in Calicut. The reverend at the local church Joseph said she attended claimed she wasnt a member of the diocese and had nothing to with its activities.

She was arrested for the murder of her ex-husband as well as five others on 5 October 2019, when Kozhikhode district police superintendent KG Simon revealed that Joseph had confessed to all six murders.

Joseph has been charged with murder, destruction of evidence and Section 6 (2) of the Indian Poison Act for crimes committed using poison.

The chargesheet also names Josephs co-accused as M S Mathew, a jewellery shop employee who gave Joseph the cyanide, and Praji Kimar, a goldsmith who allegedly supplied the poison to Mathew.

(Netflix)

One of the first things that got us to suspect her was her behaviour, Simon said, when the 1.000-page chargesheet was filed in 2020. She had even tried to stop the bodies of the six deceased persons to be exhumed. We have gauged her behaviour and found evidence of all her movements and activities.

When we found out that she was not a professor at NIT, then her false claims started getting exposed.

Its not a small thing to be able to deceive people with the fake identity of an NIT professor for 14 years, Simon told CNN.

Cyanide and Curry: The Jolly Joseph Story is currently streaming on Netflix in the UK.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help its battle against Russia's invasion, the Dutch government said on Friday.

"Today I informed President Zelenskiy of our government's decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine," caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on social media platform X.

"The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine."

The delivery of the fighter jets is still pending on an export permit by the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs and the fulfillment of criteria for staff and infrastructure in Ukraine, Rutte added without giving a timeline for these decisions.

But the announcement made it possible to reserve funds and people to prepare the planes for delivery, the government said.

"I spoke with Mark Rutte to thank the Dutch government for its decision to start preparing the initial 18 F-16 jets for their delivery to Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy said on X.

The Netherlands sent its first U.S. made F-16s to a new training facility for Ukrainian pilots and staff in Romania last month.

Denmark, Norway and Belgium have also announced they will give F-16 jets to Ukraine, after the U.S. government approved sending them to defend against Russia as soon as pilot training is completed.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 22, following a call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The Netherlands and Denmark led the way in the summer of 2023 in forming an international coalition that would train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 jets.

A training center for Ukrainian F-16 pilots officially opened in Romania on Nov. 13, following news that training programs had begun in Denmark and the U.S. Earlier in November, the Dutch Defense Ministry said it would send up to 18 F-16s to Romania for training purposes only.

Rutte said on X that he "informed President Zelensky of our government's decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine.

"Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure."

"This decision confirms the Netherlands undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression," Rutte said.

The Netherlands held a general election on Nov. 22, which saw a surprise for far-right and eurosceptic candidate Geert Wilders. Rutte remains prime minister until a new coalition government is formed.

Zelensky posted on X that he thanked the Dutch government for "its decision to start preparing the initial 18 F-16 jets for their delivery to Ukraine."

More jets may be delivered at a later date, a spokesperson from the Dutch Defense Ministry told Dutch public broadcaster NOS.

Dutch Defense Minister Kasja Ollongren said that since the Air Force is in the process of switching to F-35s, "eventually we won't fly with F-16s anymore anyway."

The first Ukrainian pilots are expected to complete their F-16 training by the end of 2023 and be able to fly the jets in Ukraine by the spring or summer of 2024.

Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have agreed to supply their own F-16 aircraft to bolster Ukraine's Air Force.

Read also: Dutch minister: If you dont stop Russia now, theyll go further. Its not just Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Netherlands has decided to commence preparations for delivering the first 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing the results of a telephone conversation between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Details: Rutte noted that he had informed Zelenskyy of the Dutch government's decision to prepare the first 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine.

"The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine. Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure. This decision confirms the Netherlands undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression," Rutte stressed.

: I spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa again this morning. Naturally, we discussed the European Councils important decision last week to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine. Im impressed with Ukraines progress so far, and the Netherlands stands ready to help Ukraine as  Mark Rutte (@MinPres) December 22, 2023

"The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine. Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure. This decision confirms the Netherlands undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression," Rutte stressed.

The official added that they also discussed the European Council's decision to start EU accession talks with Ukraine.

"Im impressed with Ukraines progress so far, and the Netherlands stands ready to help Ukraine as it continues to work on the reforms that the accession process requires. I also assured President Zelenskyy that the Netherlands will make every effort to ensure agreement is reached at the European Council meeting in February 2024 on financial support from the EU," Rutte stated.

Zelenskyy said he thanked Rutte for the decision on the F-16s and for his active support for the decision to open membership talks.

The president added that they also discussed the situation on the battlefield, the Black Sea and the current military needs of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, including artillery, uncrewed aerial vehicles and air defence systems.

"We agreed to pursue the work on security guarantees in continuation of the G7 declaration in Vilnius. We also discussed the next Peace Formula meeting," Zelenskyy added.

Background:

Earlier, reports emerged that France would join the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets starting in 2024.

In November, an F-16 training centre, where Ukrainian pilots will be drilled, was opened in Romania with the assistance of the Netherlands.

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An ex-staffer in U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouses office was investigated last year over unfounded allegations that the employee had engaged in and recorded a sex act at the U.S. Capitol.

The allegations, as first reported by the online publication Semafor, come after revelations last week that a U.S. Senate staffer had filmed a pornographic video inside a prominent hearing room at the Capitol. That staffer was later fired.

This is at least the second time in the past two years that sexually explicit videos allegedly filmed at the building had prompted investigations, Semafor reports.

No conclusive evidence was found and the staffer resigned a few months later, wrote a spokesperson for Newhouses office. The office will not be providing further comment on personnel matters.

The Central Washington Republican lawmakers office was notified last year of allegations that a staffer was possibly engaging in inappropriate behavior, according to Newhouses spokesperson

Immediately after his office was notified, staff contacted the appropriate House entities to conduct an independent investigation. That investigation reportedly yielded no evidence linking the individual to the allegations.

Semafor reports that there were videos circulating on Snapchat last year showing a man masturbating inside a House office building. The setting was identifiable by the furniture, carpet and a mouse pad. A second video showed two men engaging in a sex act in an office.

Its unclear if any of the men were identifiable.

The ex-staffer has not been named. But in an interview with Semafor, the employee denied participating in the explicit videos. He also said he left Newhouses office last year on good terms for a job outside of Washington, D.C., and unrelated to the investigation.

A number of high-profile sex scandals have rocked the political world in recent days and weeks.

Last Friday, leaked video came to light showing two men having sex in the U.S. Senate hearing room. One of the individuals was identified as an aide to Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and was subsequently fired. Capitol police said they were investigating the issue.

And Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County school board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, are both embroiled in a criminal investigation over sexual assault allegations involving a second woman. Christian Ziegler has denied the allegations.
Radosaw Sikorski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland in the new government, has arrived in Kyiv. This is his first visit abroad in this position.

Source: European Pravda, citing RMF FM

Details: Sikorski posted a photo from Kyiv on X and wrote that he "has arrived."

As part of the visit, the politician will meet with key Ukrainian officials and speak in the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament. He plans to strrss that relations with Ukraine will remain one of the priorities of Donald Tusk's government.

Sikorski's visit is the first visit by a high-ranking official from EU countries after the EU Council supported the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine.

Sikorski also had one of his first conversations in his new position with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

Background: Sikorski had already visited Ukraine after the start of a full-scale war, in particular, when he brought a car that he and his wife had purchased for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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A gripping short-film produced by Swiss pastor, author and artist Bruno Waldvogel-Frei and released just in time before Christmas features six women in distress because of their pregnancies, evangelical Swiss portal Lifenet.ch reports. The ending is unexpected and seeks to stir up conversations about an uncomfortable question: How would you have decided?

"This story is a piece of lifeblood," says Waldvogel-Frei from Lighthouse Olten in an interview with Livenet. "Six women talk about their pregnancies. You quickly realize that each story is laden with emotion and a certain amount of drama."

The women talk about their needs, hopes and worries. "You realize that for many, their pregnancy is a burden. They don't know what to do next. As a viewer, you listen to the stories, are moved, touched and wonder whether the child will be born and what the mother will decide."

Waldvogel-Frei doesn't give away the punch line. "The viewer goes on an emotional journey with these women and then experiences a big surprise," he says.

"The quality of the film is that it becomes very emotional within a few seconds, you are immediately drawn in and there is an ending that you don't expect."

The film lasts around six minutes and is also intended to be a conversation starter. "We are creating our own website, where there are information and tools to answer all the questions raised in the film, both for school classes of a certain age and for young adults," Waldvogel-Frei says.

The English website "Do we really know?" has been published specifically for the film with accompanying material and information such as historical background. The German website and short film are available on Wissen wir es wirklich.



Originally published by livenet.ch, translated and adapted by Christian Daily International staff.
If youre a South Carolina gun owner, theres a chance you could be able to buy ammunition without a sales tax in the future, if a new proposal becomes a law.

State Rep. Ashley Trantham, R-Greenville, filed a bill ahead of the legislative session that begins in January that would eliminate the sales tax on small arms ammunition. This would include ammunition for any portable firearm, which could include rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers with no barrel greater than an internal diameter of .50 caliber or a shotgun of ten gauge or smaller, the bill reads.

Small arms ammunition is normally what gun owners keep in a purse, by their bedside or in their vehicle, Trantham said. These weapons are used for personal protection, she added, which is why she is pushing to eliminate the sales tax only for for small arms ammunition and not bigger guns used for hunting or other uses.

We have open borders, and more than ever, we just dont know who were going to come across, Trantham said. When were out shopping, when were even in our homes. Im seeing cases where theres home invasions, things like that happening, more rapid than I can remember in the past ever seeing it.

Trantham said she filed the bill based on a request from a constituent. South Carolina, Trantham said, should definitely not pursue gun control laws that she said would make it harder for people to protect themselves.

This was specifically just to make sure that people that obviously can legally own a firearm have access to it, and it can be a little bit more affordable, Trantham said. I honestly dont believe that we should be taxing a constitutional right.

The South Carolina state sales tax rate is 6%. Dozens of items are exempted from sales tax in the state, from hearing aids to erectile dysfunction medication to materials used to assemble missiles.

In the past year, another state sales tax exemption was proposed: feminine hygiene products, including menstrual pads and tampons. Advocates for that proposal argued that those items are medical necessities and should not be taxed in South Carolina. That bill passed the House and remains sitting in the hands of the Senate finance committee.

Trantham, who is a S.C. House Freedom Caucus member, said she believes eliminating the tax on small arms ammunition is a no-brainer, but its not yet clear whether the General Assembly will choose to make the bill a priority.

I would think that it would be easy, Trantham said. But then again, when you have people in Columbia that campaign one way and then vote another, its hard to say what theyll grab a hold on. If the people decide its priority, they have the power, which is beautiful. Thats thats the way its supposed to be.
The executive director of a Philadelphia nonprofit fund stole $1.6 million intended for widows and orphans  and used it on vacations and a luxury condo, federal officials said.

John Miller has now been arrested and charged with wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said in a Dec. 22 news release.

The 74-year-old man from Philadelphia was indicted on three counts and faces up to 60 years in prison, officials said.

McClatchy News could not immediately reach the defense attorney representing Miller.

Used his position of trust

Miller was the executive director and treasurer of a nonprofit church organization that provided life insurance and financial support to the widows and orphans of deceased clergy, according to an indictment.

In his position, he managed all business activity in the fund, including sending insurance payments to families, record-keeping and presenting financial statements, officials said.

But he wasnt satisfied with his pay, and he complained to fellow executives about not receiving enough compensation for his work, according to federal officials.

Now hes accused of compensating himself about $1,626,556 across 22 checks in a scheme that officials said ran from 2015 to 2022.

He used this money to buy a luxury condo and go on vacations, including international cruises and trips to the Caribbean, officials said.

When family members of deceased clergy members requested their insurance benefit funds, Miller initiated the legitimate wire transfer, but then sent money to himself for the same amount, officials said in the indictment.

In one instance in January 2019, he deposited a $190,950 check from the fund into his own bank account, the indictment shows.

Other financial statements show payments of around $100,000.

Miller created false records to conceal the fraud and showed those ledgers to other executives and external auditors, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Miller, who had been with the nonprofit organization since 2001, used his position of trust to steal ... and to cover-up his fraud scheme, officials said in the indictment.

Bank teller skimmed $88,000 from Georgia stores account, feds say. Now she must pay

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Woman raises $15K for friend hurt in crash  then keeps it for herself, NJ officials say
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A Norfolk man was convicted by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to officials, 30-year-old Jamique Mays conspired with 44-year-old Jaclyn Inge and 37-year-old Desmond Littlejohn to rob Inges employer, a federal firearms licensee.

On Oct. 9, 2017, all three drove to Inges employers business in Virginia Beach, where they waited until the owner and another co-worker arrived. Mays and Littlejohn then approached the victims while brandishing a firearm, and demanded a black bag that contained a large sum of money, which the business earned during a weekend gun show in Philadelphia.

Mays and Littlejohn ran to the vehicle Inge was waiting in. While fleeing the scene, Mays threw the evidence out of the window, including a black ski mask that was later tied to Littlejohn.

Court documents show that Mays confessed to committing the robbery to a friend on Facebook Messenger.

Mays will face a minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of life in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 19.

Littlejohn, who was convicted of the same charges in Feb. 2019, was sentenced to 189 months in prison.

Inge was sentenced to 78 months in Oct. 2020 after pleading guilty to illegally purchasing and possessing the firearm that Mays used to commit the robbery.

Keep up to date with the latest news on WAVY.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Swedish energy giant Vattenfall paused work on one of the three projects, Norfolk Boreas, in the summer

The rights to develop three of Britain's largest wind farms have been sold by Swedish company Vattenfall to German rival RWE for nearly 1bn.

The projects are known collectively as the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone.

Earlier this year, Vattenfall paused work on one of the sites, Norfolk Boreas, saying it was no longer financially viable.

Chief executive Anna Borg said: "Today's agreement with RWE is great news for the UK's energy security."

All three sites have government consent to go ahead.

When built they will supply 4.2 gigawatts of power to the UK's grid - about the amount that four million households consume.

The sale will allow Vattenfall to invest in other projects which are "more appropriate to our current risk appetite", said its CEO

In July, Vattenfall stopped work on the Norfolk Boreas site, about 50 miles (80km) off Cromer, saying the cost of building a wind farm had soared by about 40%.

The two other sites, known as Vanguard East and Vanguard West, were also to be reviewed.

Last year, the company won the right to supply power to the grid from Boreas for 37.35 per MWh - a record low for offshore wind.

Since then, the price paid to generate electricity by offshore wind farms has been raised by more than 50%, as the government tries to entice energy firms to invest.

Vattenfall will stay in the UK as it still runs on and offshore wind farms and is developing a nearly 800 MW floating wind farm in the North Sea.

Ms Borg said: "Both the UK and the offshore market remain attractive over the long term, and we will focus our offshore investments in projects which are appropriate to our current risk appetite while continuing to operate and grow our existing fleet of assets."

The UK is a world leader in offshore wind and is home to the world's five largest farms, supporting tens of thousands of jobs. They provided 13.8% of the UK's electricity generation last year, according to government statistics.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 183
NORTH PROVIDENCE  The death of a 61-year-old woman who was shot before her body was found in her Centredale home is the focus of a police investigation, North Providence police said Thursday.

Police learned Thursday afternoon that the woman had been shot and that an autopsy had determined she was the victim of a homicide, said North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero Jr.

Police launched a death investigation on Wednesday after the woman's brother told dispatchers he had found her unresponsive when he went to her home to check on her, Ruggiero said.

The man said he had not heard from his sister since Thanksgiving, Ruggiero said.

Distraught man on bridge stared into the Blackstone River below him. Police recount rescue.

After arriving at her home on Centredale Avenue, the man was able to see that his sister was unresponsive and lying on her couch, he said.

Police and firefighters went to the home at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Ruggiero. Firefighters first entered the home under a joint protocol, he added.

Police saw blood at the scene but did not learn that the woman had been shot until they heard back from he medical examiner's office, he said.

Prosecutors say a burglary ring targeted homes in 8 states using drones, GPS tracking

Ruggiero declined to disclose the woman's name until family members out of state could be notified.

Investigators have an estimate of how long the woman had been dead, but police aren't ready to disclose that information to the public, Ruggiero said.

He said that the woman's death was "an isolated incident" and that the situation does not pose a danger to the public.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: North Providence woman found dead after being shot, police say
Hospices are facing a funding crisis which means some services may have to be axed, a council has warned.

North Yorkshire Council health scrutiny committee was "shocked, saddened and concerned" to hear at its December meeting of the difficulties they faced.

Chair Andrew Lee said financial pressures could lead to a reduction or even closure of some hospice services.

His comments came after members met leaders of hospices in Harrogate, Scarborough, Thirsk and York.

Mr Lee said the annual cost of providing services at those hospices was about 20m and more than 70% of those costs needed to be raised through fundraising alone.

Hospices provide a range of end-of-life and palliative services.

In June last year, Hospice UK, which comprises 200 UK hospices, said 75% were reporting deficit budgets pre-pandemic.

Trustee David Smith said the current system which requires some hospices to generate the majority of their income themselves was "broken".

'Essential service'

Mr Lee said: "I think I speak for the whole committee when I say how shocked, saddened and concerned we are upon hearing the situation within our local hospices and the funding shortfall they face.

"These hospices, and many others, provide a very important and much-needed support network both for patients and their families at a very sad and vulnerable time.

"We must do all we can to raise awareness and support them to allow them to continue to provide this essential service."

The committee heard a number of factors were contributing to the problem, including increased running costs, reduced income from fundraising and differing funding models and contracts that provide income from the NHS.

Mr Lee said the committee "fully appreciates" the "huge financial challenges" facing the country.

"I shall be highlighting this with my colleagues in the NHS as we need to ensure we are all doing our utmost to support and raise awareness of this situation," he said.

NHS England said previously it was "undertaking extensive work" to review the way end-of-life care was funded.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
RMB's share in global payments rises

08:16, December 22, 2023 By Shi Jing ( China Daily

The renminbi is gaining increasing importance globally, thanks to China's economic resilience and the Chinese currency's stable fundamentals in the foreign exchange market, experts said.

According to data provided by global financial messaging services provider Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) on Thursday, the RMB became the fourth most active currency for global payments by value in November. The top three are the US dollar, the euro and the British pound.

The last time that the Chinese currency was in fourth place was in January 2022, before falling to fifth place a month later.

The RMB's share in global payments stood at 4.61 percent last month, up from 3.6 percent in October.

The value of payments made with the RMB increased by 34.87 percent over the previous month in November, while the increase was around 5.35 percent for the other major currencies.

Meanwhile, the RMB ranked as the second most frequently used global currency in the trade finance market in November, next to only the US dollar. The Chinese currency was in third place for this gauge in October.

Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Asia-Pacific chief economist for French bank Natixis, wrote in an article in the Financial Times on Dec 6 that the RMB has made "impressive" achievements in 2023 in terms of faster increase in its cross-border use. This can be proved by the increase in the currency's share in global payments from 1.91 percent in January to 3.6 percent in October as observed by SWIFT, she wrote.

Some RMB international payments are settled through China's Cross-border Interbank Payment System instead of SWIFT. This means that the share of RMB in global cross-border transactions might be underestimated, she said.

China's efforts to realize more trade settlements in RMB, geopolitical concerns, bilateral currency swaps between the People's Bank of China and more than 30 central banks, and the increasing number of RMB clearing centers offering more RMB liquidity offshore, have all contributed to the wider use of the Chinese currency in the international market. On top of that, China's economic power is another key factor elevating the RMB's international importance, she said.

Last month, the International Monetary Fund raised its estimate for China's 2023 GDP growth to 5.4 percent from 5 percent. Its forecast for China's GDP growth next year was raised to 4.6 percent from 4.2 percent.

According to data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics on Dec 15, the added value reported by industrial companies with respective minimum annual turnover of 20 million yuan ($2.8 million), rose 6.6 percent year-on-year in November.

The total import and export value of goods increased 1.2 percent last month, while the value of exports alone went up by 1.7 percent, ending a six-month decline.

Despite the increasingly complicated global economic environment and significant volatility in the foreign exchange market worldwide, the RMB's exchange rate has remained relatively stable this year, thanks to China's trade resilience and gradual recovery of market sentiment. This has also consolidated the groundwork for the internationalization of the Chinese currency, said Zhou Maohua, a macroeconomic researcher at China Everbright Bank.

The Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that it will work with the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, and other departments to effectively respond to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations.

As calculated by experts from UBS Global Wealth Management's Chief Investment Office, the RMB has gained over 2.5 percent against the US dollar since November. The performance of the greenback is expected to weaken in 2024 and the US dollar-renminbi exchange rate may gradually fall to around 7.0, while some volatility is inevitable.

"Stability" is the key word to describe the RMB's outlook for 2024, as the Chinese government is expected to introduce more supportive policies to further drive up economic growth, they said.

Wang Qing, chief macroeconomy analyst at Golden Credit Rating, said that Chinese financial institutions will step up their support to the real economy, which is conducive for the further stability of China's economy next year.

Meanwhile, settlement and sales of foreign exchange, as well as cross-border capital flows, will further improve, boosting the RMB's performance, he said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Christian colleges' support for abortion and Planned Parenthood increased by 10% since 2021, and one in 10 have maintained some relationship with America's largest abortion provider, according to a study released by a national pro-life group.

Students for Life of America's Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement recently assessed 767 colleges and universities affiliated with Christian churches in the United States as part of the pro-life group's "Christian Schools Project."

SFLA's Strategic Initiatives Team spearheaded the research. Outreach for the study was conducted between Nov. 1 and 30. The list of schools was compiled using Niche's 2024 Best Christian Colleges in America and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catalog of Catholic Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

According to the survey SFLA provided to The Christian Post, 76 of the schools investigated, or around 10%, had ties to Planned Parenthood or supported abortion. Those schools shared a combined total of 185 "infractions."

The study defined "infractions" as actions by university officials that supported abortion, including internship opportunities with Planned Parenthood, publicizing abortion vendors as a health resource and hosting Planned Parenthood events.

When broken down by denomination, the study found that Methodist schools accounted for 22% of the total infractions, Presbyterian schools accounted for 20%, Catholic schools 18% and Lutheran schools 16%.

A grading scale also rewarded schools with no infractions and ties to a pro-life pregnancy center with an A+, while schools with four or more infractions received an F.

The study found that Christian school support for abortion appears to have increased by 10% since its 2021 study.

The U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 appears to have forced those who once considered themselves "in the middle" on the issue to take a stance, the researchers note.

For this year's research, SFLA added the infraction category of "General Abortion Support Statement" to assess schools that released a statement condemning the Supreme Court's decision.

"Thus, 2022 also became a decision year for Christian schools: to apply or not to apply God's truth on the value of life," the report states. "In 2021, the conclusion of our Christian school outreach found 69 schools in total having infractions by the end of that year."

"However, following the Dobbs decision in 2022, schools with infractions skyrocketed back up to 76 in total throughout the following year, increasing by nearly 10%," it continued.

The report notes that Holy Cross College, a Jesuit college in Massachusetts, was awarded an A+ grade in 2021. But after Roe's reversal, the school's Women and Gender Studies department condemned the decision on the school's website, "thereby demonstrating their commitment to abortion over biblical values."

Another example the study provided is the West Virginia-based Bethany College, a Disciples of Christ school that once received an A grade from SFLA. The college's score decreased after it hosted a series of events featuring Planned Parenthood speakers to discuss the "state of reproductive rights."

But as the study noted, Bethany College appears to have removed its records of the event, per SFLA's recommendation.

About 45% of all infractions at Christian colleges and universities were the listing of Planned Parenthood as a health resource. The second most common infraction was schools listing Planned Parenthood as a school-accredited internship opportunity within the last two academic years.

The Monrovian College, a school of the Monrovian Church in Pennsylvania, was one of the schools that listed Planned Parenthood as a potential internship within its psychology department. According to the study, the college has defended its relationship with the abortion vendor via email communications, stating that it "'will help [students] understand the world they are entering."

"Especially at Christmas time, it's disappointing to see so many faith-affiliated institutions fail to teach the students about the irreplaceable value of every life, born and preborn," SFLA President Kristan Hawkins said in a statement provided to CP.

"Cultural change needs to begin with the church and with those who say they are dedicated to teaching enduring values."

The study also lists Oklahoma City University (OCU), a Methodist campus, as promoting Planned Parenthood on its website five times as a "Health & Wellness" resource.

"Not only should Christian schools like OCU avoid referring students to Planned Parenthood due to the organization's defiance of biblical principles, but there is no actual need for Planned Parenthood to be listed in the first place," the report reads. "A quick search on the StandingWithYou.org resource directory shows that more than ten life-affirming resources exist within Oklahoma City, offering not only the same services as Planned Parenthood (without selling abortions) but many additional for low to no cost."

According to a report by SFLA's Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement released in March, 87.6% of Planned Parenthood's 563 facilities in operation are within 5 miles of a college campus. This demonstrates an increase from a similar report released around a decade ago, which found that 79% of Planned Parenthood facilities were located within 5 miles of a college campus.



Originally published by The Christian Post
Mary Montague and Eileen Weir became friends through women's cross community work before the Good Friday Agreement

If the promise of the Good Friday Agreement is to be fulfilled, Northern Ireland's politicians have to show "courageous, compassionate leadership".

That's the message from two women who worked at grassroots level in west Belfast in 1998.

Mary Montague and Eileen Weir come from different sides of the community, but their paths crossed many times.

Recent talks to restore power-sharing at Stormont have brought up a lot of memories for both women.

"We need to get our politicians talking to each other, they need to do things together," Eileen told BBC News NI.

This year marks 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, but there has been no devolved government in Northern Ireland since February 2022.

"We're 25 years in and we're still hopeful, but there's a lot of stuff that I voted for personally within the Good Friday Agreement that I've yet to see.

"I never would have gotten any of the work done that I have done if I hadn't cooperated with everyone I came across."

Eileen has dedicated much of her life to working for and with women, primarily at the Shankill Women's Centre

The two women met 28 years ago when Mary was running a mediation session with the TIDES organisation - it specialised in conflict management.

Eileen started out as a trade unionist, then helped female prisoners prepare for release, pushing for literacy courses and was involved in the development of the first Irish-speaking school on the Falls Road.

"We met at a grassroots level of community. The work that was being done by women prior to the Good Friday Agreement was so important," said Eileen.

"The women's movement was set up, you know 10, 12 years before the Good Friday Agreement, so the woman on the ground were actually working together very closely."

'Courageous compassionate leadership'

A recent prolonged hospital stay due to cancer has given Mary the time to reflect on the community work she has given so much of her life and energy to.

"I have now found myself with kidney cancer that leaked into my spine, and I'm paralysed from the waist down," she said

"The bottom of me isn't working but the top of me is.

"For 40 plus years I've worked on the peace here.

Mary has lived in west Belfast for most of her life and became passionate about making a difference

"I'm very humbled by the privilege I've had to be part of the journey.

"That journey changed me. I got to understand another culture. Northern Ireland has changed through that journey as well. And the next part of the journey will be just as fruitful if we take the first steps.

"What we need is strong, courageous, compassionate leadership, that's what's needed now from our political parties."

'Children brought me to peace building'

Despite her ongoing illness Mary, who also worked with the Corrymeela Community, said as long as she has the use of her mind, she would speak out for Northern Ireland, but she also has one brand new reason not to keep quiet.

"The lovely thing is I have a beautiful new grandson, he's just been born. That for me, is a sign of hope for Christmas - that gives me hope," she said.

"But he's a new citizen for the assembly to look after and that's important for me as well, the children and the future of our children.

"It's what brought me in to peace building."
FILE PHOTO: A handout image of the Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud, in Westfjords

By Louise Rasmussen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud is being towed to Bremerhafen in Germany after a violent North Sea storm shattered windows on the bridge, causing a power outage late on Thursday, Danish authorities said on Friday.

The ship's 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesperson for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (DJRC) told Reuters, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to connect a tow line to the cruise ship.

"An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhafen in Germany at around 8-9 knots," the spokesperson said.

The vessel was sailing some 260 kilometres (162 miles) off Denmark's west coast and about 350 kilometres off Britain's east coast when water entered the bridge, resulting in a power outage.

The vessel's main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.

MS Maud, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in Britain on Friday.

Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the vessel was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.

The company said the Maud had suffered "a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave" and that the crew and passengers were safe.

(Reporting by Louise Breusch RasmussenEditing by Miral Fahmy and Mark Potter)
A person removes a piece of art work by Banksy, which shows what looks like three drones on a traffic stop sign, which was unveiled at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham, south east London, Friday Dec. 22, 2023. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  The elusive artist Banksy displayed his latest work on a London street corner and it was taken less than hour after he confirmed its installation Friday.

A red stop sign with three military drones on it was taken in the middle of the day by a man with bolt cutters as witnesses snapped photos and shot video in the Peckham section of south London.

People commenting on Banksy's Instagram accurately predicted it wouldnt be there long after the artist posted a photo of it. Some of his work has sold for tens of millions of dollars.

I went there thinking that people want that, I wanted to see it before something happened to it," a man who only wanted to be known as Alex told the Press Association.

He was among the many onlookers who watched in awe as a man in a red and black jacket climbed up on a bike next to the post where the sign was bolted to and began hitting it with his hands.

We said, What are you doing? but no one really knew what to do, we sort of just watched it happen," Alex said. We were all a bit bemused; there was some honking of car horns.

The man then left and returned a few minutes later with bolt cutters to finish the job. Another man stabilized the Lime rental bike he stood on and he then removed it and ran away.

Banksy's thought-provoking street art is often seen as making a political statement. His Instagram followers widely interpreted his latest work as calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier this month, Colombian authorities arrested Venezuelan national Wanda del Valle Bermudez Viera, better known as "the little baby of crime," who was wanted by Interpol, the FBI and police departments across Latin America.

She was wanted for charges related to sexual exploitation, to extortion, distribution of firearms, contract killings and human trafficking, for which she collected of up to $7 million a month.

The story of Bermudez Viera, who in 2019 allegedly created the group "Los Llaneros de Sangre Fria" in Peru  a faction of the Venezuelan criminal megagang known as El Tren de Aragua  has been widely disseminated by the Spanish-speaking media, which pointed to her social media presence showing her life of luxury and excess.

Bermudez Viera is only one example of a much larger phenomenon: the rise of women in the most violent and dangerous structures of organized crime in Latin America.

A recent study by the International Crisis Group, an independent organization devoted to the analysis of security issues, found that the number of women charged with an offense related to organized crime grew from 5.4% in 2017 to 7.5% in 2021.

While many of the women accused of belonging to criminal groups may be innocent, the ethnographic data collected by Crisis Group for this report and other expert analysis support the thesis that women are increasingly involved in these groups, researchers stated in "Partners in Crime: The Rise of Women in Mexican Illegal Groups."

While's there's no official data on the participation of women in organized criminal groups, media coverage indicates that they represent between 5% and 8% of the active personnel of these groups, according to the study.

"Sometimes, criminal organizations offer some women the opportunity to develop a leadership scheme," explains Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a specialist in criminal organizations and an academic at George Mason University, who was not involved in the investigation. "And since prejudice and machismo make them invisible in some way  they can advance in those activities without being seen. And that is one thing that we have to increasingly understand."

According to Crisis Group researchers, in these criminal organizations women occupy positions ranging from low-level illegal activities solely for subsistence to the highest positions. That is, some have become the bosses, or the "narcas," criminal leaders who have been fundamental in the operation and, in some cases, the managers of entire structures.

"Something that surprises me a lot is the amazement of people who cannot believe that women know how to organize logistics, how to launder money, even how to execute violent operations," said Deborah Bonello, a journalist specializing in security issues and the author of the recently published "Narcas: The Secret Rise of Women in Latin America's Cartels," which delves into the lives and crimes of some of the most powerful women in criminal structures such as cartels.

Book cover of

"If we see that there are women who are managing companies like Meta, banks, super large organizations, why is it so difficult for us to understand that they operate in the same way in the criminal world?" Bonello said.

Operating 'from the shadows'

Bonellos research concurs with Crisis Groups findings about the important role that many women currently play in complex criminal structures such as drug cartels.

Although there are famous precedents for womens incursions into these activities  such as the late Colombian Griselda Blanco and Chilean Yolanda Sarmiento  Bonellos book depicts the rise and fall of other women who don't fit the scandalous stereotypes forged by notorious criminals such as Pablo Escobar, the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

I feel that the cartels are not ideological organizations, but business organizations. And when they see that women can kill, launder money, transport merchandise, then they use their capabilities. They do not exclude them because they are women, it is a matter of money, of profits, Bonello said.

In "Narcas," Bonello tells the story of a number of women, including Mexican Guadalupe Fernandez Valencia, who was the right hand of Chapo Guzman; Sebastiana Cotton Vasquez, a Guatemalan peasant who rose to power within a male mafia; and Marllory Chacon Rossell, Cottons collaborator who, according to the DEA, ended up becoming one of the most prolific drug traffickers in Latin America.

It also examines the life of Digna Valle, a criminal matriarch from Honduras who was the female face of the brutal Valle cartel, as well as the Lemus sisters, who grew up in rural Guatemala and built up a brutal force that influenced the politics of their region.

According to the author, one thing that all these women share is their desire to exercise power from the shadows.

"Men like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo created the figure of the Latin American drug trafficker who, by definition, is male. Maybe it is a little naive or sexist to think that the power of women is going to be the female version of that, as if they would behave like men. In general, I see that women have less desire to attract attention, she said.

Bonello also highlights in her book that these women tend to enter the business of organized crime later than men. In addition, they create groups that are usually family-based, clans where husbands, children, cousins and other relatives participate. Many come from poor backgrounds with little formal education and few opportunities for legal employment that is as lucrative.

Bonello's observations agrees with the Crisis Group's findings in that criminal groups offer a form of protection that the State and the judicial system fail to provide. In many cases, joining an armed group can be a survival strategy and a way for these women to exercise power in environments where gender violence abounds.

These women overcome obstacles such as inequality, discrimination and machismo and skillfully accumulate large doses of power and crucial operational skills, and perform vital roles for the organizations. In many cases, those responsible for these hierarchical criminal networks tend to hide the fact that women lead many of their operations.

I don't doubt that there are very powerful women in drug trafficking, but we don't know them, we don't see them because they don't fit into our way of understanding the world," Bonello said. "We are not looking for them because, perhaps, we believe that they are going to behave like El Chapo  the reality is that they behave in a more subtle, more hidden way. I am sure that there are women who have become crucially important in these criminal groups."

Often, Bonello said, the romantic or family ties of women in drug trafficking are used to minimize them or to marginalize their roles in the organizations. She cited Emma Coronel, El Chapo's wife, as an example.

While it's assumed that women are in these organizations by virtue of their relationships, according to Bonello, men are also in the business due to family connections, and yet it's assumed the men's influence is greater or more important. But that is not the case, according to her. "Women exist and, in many cases, are crucial to the success of these criminal organizations, Bonello said.

Violent and brutal  with lasting repercussions

In most of the cases that Bonello included in her book, women have grown up in violent circumstances and often also carry out violent strategies in order to establish themselves in criminal circles. When participating in drug trafficking, if they are not the ones who kill, they have others who do it for them and generally enjoy the power and adrenaline that characterizes many of the operational actions.

"For example, Digna [Valle] operated in a brutal way when it came to protecting her family and the business. If that meant killing or letting her brothers rape the women of the town, she did it because she understood that is part of preserving power and are strategies to impose terror and control the local population," Bonello said. "In the sense of managing violence, perhaps women do not do it so much with their own hands, but it's not that they don't know how to handle that because they can be very, very violent."

In Mexico, where femicides and gender violence are an ongoing issue, the incursion and rise of women in organized crime is a reality that raises alarms.

"It is a general security problem. All the women I investigated brought their children into the business, as do men, because all organized crime in Latin America has to do with the family. So protecting the business is the same as protecting the family and defending oneself with ones life, if necessary," Bonello said. "I also believe that the figure of the wife, the girlfriend, the victim is so strong that Colombians and Mexicans find it difficult to believe that women have this capacity of being criminals.

In "Narcas," one of Bonellos accomplishments is that she manages to dissect the stories of these women and analyze the effects of their crimes without glorifying them. The illegal nature of their activities and the profound repercussions on the countries they operate are present throughout the chapters.

Organized crime is the greatest threat to public safety in this entire region because it affects the system of government and the laws, which is why my intention was never to celebrate them or exalt their criminal achievements," Bonello said. "Rather, I feel that policies must be created to prevent women and men from getting into this business because, the truth is, it's not convenient for them. Nobody survives."

An earlier version of this story was first published in Noticias Telemundo.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the reason residents are leaving the Big Apple in droves is, in part, due to the ongoing rat infestation.

"Some people who have children and families decide they want to go to a place where their children can play outdoors, larger green spaces, you want to see animals  you dont see animals except for rats in New York," Adams said when asked about the plunging population data.

"So theres a combination of things," he said. "And we are getting rid of those rats, by the way."

NEW YORK LOST MORE RESIDENTS IN A YEAR THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY, US CENSUS DATA SHOWS

New York City Mayor Eric Adams says his office is working on getting rid of the city's rat problem.

The Democratic mayor said that there has been "perfect storm" of reasons why people are leaving New York City-including the cost of living, COVID-19, remote job opportunities along with the rats.

"Well, I think there's a combination on why people are leaving the city. The city and cities have become unaffordable," Adams said. "And people left the city during COVID-19 for a short period of time and some decided that they no longer want to come back into cities. Then you have the remote work option where you don't have to be in an office space to do the job. You could do it from wherever."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

NYC MAYOR ADAMS MIGRANT CRISIS WILL LEAD TO 'EXTREMELY PAINFUL' BUDGET CUTS; DOESNT EXPECT FEDS TO HELP

"And so there's a perfect storm of reasons that cities are losing their population. And at one time you may have lost 20,000 here, 15,000 here. But now when you start to add up all of those dynamics, it's a different way of life," Adams said.

A rat climbs on a bench on the High Line Park in New York City.

The mayor said that the continued influx of migrants may help the floundering census data.

"So, we don't want people to leave, but people are also moving into the city. I see first-time New Yorkers over and over again, people are moving in and there are 152,000 migrants," Adams said. "If you were to do an analysis of those who are behind me, an overwhelming number of them are immigrants. They come from first generations.

"So, they went from their parents coming here trying to be citizens to now they're in charge of what happens to citizens."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams

Of the eight states that saw their populations fall in 2023, New York lost the most residents, seeing 101,984 people depart the Empire State.

RED STATES SEE 2023 POPULATION GROWTH AS AMERICANS FLEE BLUE STATES, CENSUS DATA SHOWS

That was followed by California, which lost 75,423 residents, Illinois, which lost 32,826, and Louisiana, at 14,274. Pennsylvania saw 10,408 residents leave the state, while Oregon saw 6,021 move away. Hawaii lost 4,261, and West Virginia lost 3,964, according to the new Vintage 2023 population estimates.

South Carolina and Florida were the two fastest-growing states in the nation, growing by 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively, in 2023.

House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said the mass exodus from New York demonstrated "the consequences of Far Left Democrat leadership."

"Far Left [Governor] Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats have made New York so unlivable that our state leads the nation in population loss with more than 102,000 residents leaving in one year alone," Stefanik said in a statement. "With record crime and cost of living far beyond the national average, New Yorks mass exodus is far from over. If Far Left Democrats in Albany dont start putting the safety and prosperity of New Yorkers before their extremist agenda, there will be no more residents left to tax and fund their radical, socialist programs."

Mayor Eric Adams' office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.





Original article source: NYC mayor blames, in part, rat infestation on why people are leaving the Big Apple
The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to confiscate around $300 billion worth of Russian assets frozen in the West to ensure continued funding for Ukraine, the New York Times reported on Dec. 21.

U.S. funding for Ukraine is set to run out as a $61 billion package for Ukraine remains stuck in Congress. The Pentagon said on Dec. 18 that funds to replenish military aid for Ukraine will run out by the end of the month unless Congress passes additional funding.

A senior White House official told the New York Times that even if Congress unblocked aid for Ukraine, declining support for Ukraine among Republicans and Ukraine's "increasingly precarious" position demonstrates the need for an alternative funding source.

Talks on using frozen Russian assets to provide financial aid to Ukraine have intensified in recent weeks, the New York Times said, citing unnamed officials.

Biden reportedly wants a strategy ready by Feb. 24, 2024, which will mark two years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The details are under currently "heated discussion," the newspaper said.

The seizure of such a large sum "would be without precedent," and will likely result in "unpredictable legal ramifications and economic consequences."

Read also: Abramovich loses appeal to be removed from EU sanctions list

The White House is working with the Group of 7 (G7) to assess whether it can "use its existing authorities or if it should seek congressional action to use the funds," the New York Times said.

According to estimates, most Russian assets are in Europe, while around $5 billion are held by U.S. institutions.

The U.S. does have the power "to police transactions involving its currency and use its sanctions to immobilize dollar-denominated assets" as a significant portion of Russia's foreign reserves are held in U.S. dollars, according to the New York Times.

The Financial Times also reported on Dec. 15 that the G7 is increasing efforts to confiscate frozen Russian central bank assets for Ukraines benefit.

Days later, on Dec. 20, Der Spiegel reported that Germany's Federal Prosecutor General has submitted paperwork to confiscate 720 million euros ($787 million) in Russian funds currently frozen in Germany.

The $787 million belongs to a subsidiary of the Moscow Stock Exchange, which the EU sanctioned in June 2022. Germany also froze its assets located in German banks.

EU leaders expressed support in October for a proposal to use billions of euros in windfall taxes from Russian assets tied up in the West to rebuild Ukraine. Earlier that month, Belgium announced it would create a $1.8 billion fund for Ukraine, financed by the tax revenue from interest on frozen Russian assets.

Read also: FT: EU to propose plan to redirect 15 billion euros in projected profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  As a trusted building partner, Wilcon Depot remains steadfast in its commitment to redefining the landscape of the retail industry. The big box retailer capped off the year with the successful opening of its 90th store on Dec. 22, 2023, in Tuy, Batangas.

Wilcon strives to bring high-quality and future-forward home improvement solutions and construction supplies easily accessible to the expanding community of Batangas. Following the success of its stores in Batangas City, Lipa City, Lemery, Sto. Tomas, and Rosario, the company strategically installs its 6th store in Batangas, aiming to be the preferred store of Batanguenos in fulfilling their building projects.

Facade of the Tuy, Batangas store. Photo from Wilcon Depot

Ending the year on a high note, Wilcon Depot Tuy, Batangas branch became the 90th store of the company nationwide. Aligned with the #FlyingHighTo100 of Wilcon Depot's campaign, this is a celebratory milestone of the company.

Tuy is a landlocked municipality in the coastal province of Batangas. Since the province is thriving to make its first-class province seen and felt equally by the community, Batanguenos can anticipate witnessing further advancements and development in Batangas. As real estate is gaining a high appreciation in the next few years, Wilcon sees the potential as a platform to help the community achieve their home goals.

The grand opening celebration kicked off with an exciting motorcade that passed through Tuy, Batangas and nearby municipalities. Among those present were local government officials and Wilcon Depot representatives. The ceremony was also graced with a heartfelt message from the two women leaders of Wilcon, Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, SEVP & COO; and Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, president and CEO.

The Tuy, Batangas store displays a vast selection of construction materials, home improvement products, furniture, appliances, and many other essentials for homeowners, builders, and contractors. Customers can expect to find a wide range of high-quality items to fulfill their every home improvement needs

Photo from Wilcon Depot

Wilcon Depot has continuously offered premium products and services through its exclusive and in-house brands, such as Pozzi for trusted bathroom solutions; Hamden, an ideal partner for your kitchen needs; Alphalux, an energy-efficient lighting solutions brand; Kaze, an appliance brand that will help you live a healthy space; Hills, a trusted brand for construction and electrical power tools; P.Tech, your partner for reliable household necessities; Verona Tiles, for a contemporary interpretation of a classic style; Sol Ceramica, Asian tiles for a more sophisticated home; Grohe and Kohler for bathroom and plumbing solutions; Franke, convenient kitchen solutions; and Rubi, a partner when it comes to tile cutting necessities; among many other brands.

Valued customers can also shop online at Wilcon by visiting shop.wilcon.com.ph/. Wilcon Depot also offers Browse, Call, Collect, or Deliver and Wilcon Virtual Tour services to complement the in-store shopping experience. And with the 88-WILCON Hotline, customers can now experience convenient, personalized shopping by dialing 88-945266.

This comng year, Wilcon Depot plans to open more retail stores as part of the company's #FlyingHighTo100 store expansion campaign, wherein it aims to have 100 operating stores nationwide by 2025, barring any unexpected external factors.

Photo from Wilcon Depot

Start building big ideas with Wilcon Depot and shop daily at its newest store from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit Wilcon Depot Tuy, Batangas located at Sitio Centro, Barangay Sabang, Tuy, Batangas.

For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. Subscribe and connect with them on Viber community, LinkedIn, and YouTube, or contact the Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries.
The Biden campaign has leaned on former President Barack Obama to help in its fundraising push, raising nearly $4 million from appeals geared toward grassroots donors, CNN has learned.

The main effort  a contest to meet Obama and President Joe Biden  raked in $2.6 million for the campaign, marking its best performing contest of the cycle, a campaign official told CNN. The two men met the contest winner, Cynthia Driscoll and her son Nicholas, earlier this month.

It was great teaming up with my friend and brother, @BarackObama, to spend some time with supporters Cynthia and Nick, Biden said Friday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The contest, which was held in the third fundraising quarter, highlights one of the ways the campaign has tried to boost its small-dollar donations as it builds up its war chest heading into 2024.

Officials have worked to find ways to tap into the appeal of the former president, who remains a popular figure within the Democratic Party. The Biden campaign has featured him in fundraising videos, emails and digital ads, and Obama is the highest-performing email signer outside of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses, the official said.

Plans are also underway for a direct mail campaign in Obamas name to start arriving in mailboxes over the holidays, the official said, with the money raised expected to go toward the first fundraising quarter of 2024.

Biden recently teamed up with his former boss for a video vowing to protect and expand Obamacare at a time when former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination, is threatening to repeal the health care law if he wins his comeback bid.

Sources have said Bidens team is eyeing a target of roughly $67 million for the fourth fundraising quarter, which ends December 31. This would be in line with what Obama raised in his reelection effort in the same three-month period in 2011. Bidens campaign and the Democratic Party raised $71 million in the third fundraising quarter, outpacing Trump and other Republican presidential candidates.

Earlier this month, Biden set out on a five-day fundraising sprint that was slated to bring in more than $15 million, some of his most lucrative event hauls of the campaign.

Building on the popularity of the contest to meet Biden and Obama, the campaign has also run other contests to meet Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden as well as one for coffee with Biden and Harris.

The Meet the Presidents contest kicked off in August on Obamas birthday and ran through September.

Driscoll of Harrisville, Rhode Island, who works at the Rhode Island School of Design, donated $100 to enter the contest to meet Obama and Biden. She brought along her son Nicholas, who works in sales for a precious metal refinery. Nicholas survived childhood cancer, and he and his mother visited the White House during the Clinton administration after receiving an invitation for being a cancer survivor.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The individual who was shot and killed by Hillsboro police during a hostage confrontation earlier this week has been revealed as 28-year-old Christopher William Andrews, the Beaverton Police Department announced on Thursday.

Officials also updated the condition of the woman victim, who was not identified, as receiving only minor injuries during the incident as well as no officers being injured.

Authorities ID victims, suspect in double homicide, suicide

Andrews had been previously convicted of domestic violence against the woman, with a no-contact order issued by a judge. Despite that, he took the woman hostage and said he had a weapon in the moments leading up to the shooting. Officers responded to reports of a woman trapped inside her apartment with the man.

The deadly conclusion to the incident occurred on Sunday, Dec. 17, around 11 a.m. in which officers Sufyan Sher and David Bonns each discharged their firearms, killing Andrews. This all happened after they spent a considerable amount of time negotiating with Andrews and attempting a hostage rescue, officials said.

Both Sher and Bonns remain on critical incident leave from the Hillsboro Police Department.

The investigation is still ongoing and authorities said further details may be released later as it progresses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The identity has been released of a man who was found dead and on fire on the sidewalk by police in Vancouver on Wednesday.

The Clark County Medical Examiners Officer announced Thursday that the individual at the center of the death investigation was 30-year-old Demetrius Williams Coles, whose place of residence was not known.

Court docs detail first-hand account of Scappoose deadly stabbing

In terms of the cause and manner of death, those are both listed as pending on the official death certificate. However the place of injury was listed as public sidewalk.

The medical examiners office noted that no additional information is publicly available and that all other inquiries should be referred to the Vancouver Police Department.

In a previous statement released by Vancouver police, they said an investigation was underway and that the individual was already dead when they found him near 9th and Columbia early Wednesday morning. At the time, police said they were investigating the incident as an accident.

This is a developing story. KOIN 6 News will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
If youre tying the knot soon, there are of course many things on the checklist. Youll need a venue, food and then theres the dress.

But, lets not forget one of the most important parts of a wedding: the officiant.

The officiant is the person who leads the ceremony, telling the love story of the couple, perhaps a few silly stories and maybe even incorporating some religious elements.

The officiant ultimately marries the couple and makes the union legal in the state where the wedding takes place.

But can just anyone officiate a wedding in the Peach State?

Heres what to know about officiants in Georgia:

Who can perform a marriage ceremony in Georgia?

According to U.S. Marriage Laws: Any minister who is authorized by his or her church may perform marriages.

Anyone can be ordained as a minister. One of the easiest ways to become a minister in Georgia is on websites like GetOrdained.org, where there is no waiting period and the minimum age to become a minister is 18.

The site belongs to the Universal Life Church Ministries, becoming a minister didnt always work like this. In fact, it used to involve intensive formal schooling and many years of time. Plus, people were frequently excluded from participating simply because of their gender or sexual orientation.

The minister does not have to be a resident of Georgia and theres no rules for minister registration in the state, according to the Christian Leaders Institute.

Once ordained, not only can you perform weddings, but also lead baptisms and preside over funerals.

How can you be sure your marriage is legal?

Once your officiant is ordained, they are legal and any ceremony they perform is legally binding.

However, there is one last step that your officiant must complete: the officiant and the couple together must complete a certificate of marriage.

When it is signed by all parties, the minister must return it to the courts within 30 days after the marriage. A copy of the completed certificate will be sent to the couple when finished.

Some counties and municipalities have additional rules. Contact your local probate court for details.

Probate court in Macon:

Probate courts in Columbus:

More questions? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com




Brittany Watts is finally speaking out after news broke over the charge she faces in connection to a miscarriage she suffered in her own home.

Watts spoke to WJWs I-Team about how she felt after failing to deliver her baby and the subsequent felony charge she now faces as a result.

I was distraught, heartbroken, empty  literally and figuratively, so to speak, the 33-year-old told WJW.

Brittany Watts, the Ohio woman charged in connection with a miscarriage she suffered in her home, told Fox 8 Cleveland that her miscarriage left her feeling distraught, heartbroken, and empty. (Photo: YouTube/African Diaspora News Channel)

Watts was admitted twice to the hospital during the third week of September before her miscarriage after experiencing severe cramping and bleeding, the outlet reported. However, after having to wait for hours in a hospital room during those visits, she left.

However, Traci Timiko, Watts lawyer, said her client was told that her fetus was not viable and could not and would not survive.

She miscarried that Friday. She was 22 weeks along in her pregnancy at the time. Afterward, she tried to flush the toilet, but it overflowed, so she used a bucket to clean up.

Timiko says Watts desperately tried to keep the pregnancy from her family. She didnt even want them to know she suffered a miscarriage, so she went to a hair appointment she had scheduled for that day to keep up appearances.

However, moments after she arrived, her hairdresser grew concerned and called her mother. Then she was taken to the hospital.

Watts believed she would only be evaluated and treated at most during that visit. She never foresaw the hospital calling the police.

WJW obtained a copy of a nurses 911 call: This is the hospital, labor and delivery, at St. Joes and I need to speak to an officer about a case that I have here. She was sent here with bleeding on Tuesday and that night she left, against medical advice. She came back in on Wednesday still bleeding and said, Maybe I do need to be seen. So we readmitted her and we were talking her through everything and she disappeared.

The nurse told the dispatcher that Watts told hospital staff that she put the fetus in the bucket and left the bucket outside the home. When police went to Watts house, they discovered the fetus was still in the toilet, removed the toilet, and seized it as evidence.

It wasnt until some weeks after that Watts was charged with abuse of a corpse.

Its a lot of pain, its a lot of emotion, and she was terrified, Timko said of her client. There were so many things going on that she was trying to handle at one time.

Watts said she felt a range of emotions wash over her when she learned a grand jury decided to charge her.

When I was arrested I felt anger, scared, betrayed, confused, nervous, Watts told WJW in a statement. Every negative emotion you could conjure up in the English language, I felt it.

During Watts preliminary hearing, a forensic pathologist testified that no injuries were found on the fetus and that the fetus died before passing through the birth canal.

Timiko believes her client will be cleared of the charge since no law in Ohio dictates a woman must bury or cremate her miscarriage remains.

Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel sent a brief statement to WJW about how police carried out their investigation. The Warren Police Department received a call from the hospital regarding this incident. We investigated it and then consulted with prosecutors in the Warren Municipal Court. They allowed the charge to be filed. The Prosecutors Office makes the final determination whether or not charges are filed. A preliminary hearing was held on this case and the Judge determined there was probable cause to send this case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury for review.

Two city councilmen are now siding with Watts in the matter and want the police and city prosecutors office to handle the case differently.

Its terrible, absolutely terrible, Warren councilman Ken MacPherson told WJW. If this is your family member, would you want this kind of tragedy to end with a prosecutorial felony? Come on. This is wrong.

What happened was a natural occurrence, councilman Helen Rucker said. The only one that can be accountable for that is the creator, so if you are not going to charge God, dont charge her.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine takes the stage to speak before President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at U.S. Bank Arena in Downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.

BEXLEY, Ohio (AP)  Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been visiting hospitals and speaking with families helped and harmed by gender-affirming care as he decides what action to take on legislation preventing minors from obtaining such treatments, he told The Associated Press in a year-end interview Thursday.

Im trying to learn as much as I can to make a good decision, he said during the sitdown at the Governors Residence, where he also discussed implementation of the states new recreational marijuana law, term limits, abortion, the death penalty and the 2024 U.S. Senate race.

DeWine has until Dec. 29 to either sign or veto the gender-affirming care bill, which also blocks transgender student athletes from playing girls and womens sports, or he can allow it to become law without his signature.

Ohio politics: From abortion and guns to TikTok and transgender rights, Ohio lawmakers fight culture wars

DeWine talks bill that bans trans girls from female sports, restricts medical care of transgender minors

A person carries a transgender flag at Washington Park in downtown Cincinnati during the "Trans Black Lives Matter" event hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

He said he cleared his calendar this week in order to visit three Ohio childrens hospitals  in Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus  to study the issue. He said hes also incorporating input from both proponents and opponents of the hot-button legislation and doing loads of reading.

Were dealing with children who are going through a challenging time, families that are going through a challenging time, he said. I want, the best I can, to get it right.

Although gender-affirming care has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is supported by major medical associations, more than 20 states have enacted laws restricting or banning such treatments since 2021. Most of those states face lawsuits, but courts have issued mixed rulings.

Ohio politics: Gov. Mike DeWine taking 'hard look' at ban on transgender medical care for minors

News: Ohio lawmakers vote to ban trans girls in sports, restrict medical care for trans kids

DeWine plans to resolve Ohio recreational marijuana policy: 'There needs to be a sense of urgency'

King City Gardens opened in November 2023 in Forest Park as the largest medical marijuana facility in the state of Ohio.

On a host of other topics in play at the Ohio Statehouse, where fellow Republicans control both legislative chambers but do not always see eye-to-eye with the governor, DeWines highest priority is resolving recreational marijuana policy.

The Ohio House left an 11th-hour compromise dangling over the holidays that the governor had hammered out with the Ohio Senate. DeWine said passing legislation that clarifies Ohio law on marijuana sales is crucial.

He said the way things were left creates a ridiculous situation where Ohioans can legally use and grow cannabis but not legally buy it, and does risk a growth of the black market.

There needs to be a sense of urgency, he said.

Recreational marijuana: Ohio lawmakers at odds over marijuana law. What are they looking to change?

DeWine talks Ohio abortion laws, Issue 1

Voters reacts to the passage of Ohio Issue 1, a ballot measure to amend the state constitution and establish a right to abortion at an election night party hosted by the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Knox Joseph Distillery in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.

The governor took no position on whether Ohio law should be brought into compliance all at once with a newly passed constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights, as House Democrats have proposed, or be decided piecemeal in the courts.

I think were all still trying to digest exactly where we are, DeWine said. Though he strongly opposed Issue 1, DeWine rejected the idea that Ohio could act to defy it, saying we follow the Constitution.

However, he added that he does not support removing guardrails in regard to abortion that have been enacted over the years, including Ohios parental consent requirement.

Abortion in Ohio: Ohio Supreme Court dismisses AG Yost's appeal, clears path for abortion ban to be blocked

Will Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine endorse any candidates in 2024 US Senate race?

Regarding the 2024 U.S. Senate race, DeWine declined to say whether he will endorse anyone in the three-way Republican primary for a chance to challenge Democrat Sherrod Brown this fall. Candidates are Trump-endorsed Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan.

Oh, well, well see, he said. We have three very qualified people. Theyre all friends of mine.

Ohio politics: Could a third-party presidential candidate have an impact in Ohio in 2024?

DeWine touts 2023 accomplishments

DeWine, 76 and in his last term, said bringing the science of reading to Ohio schools probably will be the most significant legacy of his time as governor, though the move has prompted an ongoing court challenge. Lawmakers allotted more than $100 million to implement the changeover in the last operating budget.

DeWine said being able to convert the states education department, renamed the Department of Education and Workforce, into a Cabinet agency was a major accomplishment of 2023, though that move is also facing legal action. His administration also created a new Department of Children and Youth, which houses employees from six different state agencies and is already seeing results, he said.

Economically, the governor said the states bond ratings are high, its unemployment is low and businesses  particularly in the tech industry  are flocking to Ohio. Were a hot state, he said.

Will Ohio repeal eight-terms limits?

On the possibility of repealing Ohios eight-year term limits, something Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens has said he may pursue next year, DeWine said only that he doesnt believe support exists for the change, either in the Legislature or among voters.

DeWine said he supported term limits when Ohio voted to impose them in 1992  over his wifes objections. My wife Fran told me at the time it was a stupid idea, so, he said. My wife is usually correct about things.

Should Ohio scrap current term limits? House speaker says it's worth considering

DeWine reflects on abolishment of lethal injection for Ohio executions 3 years later

It has been three years this month since DeWine announced to the AP that lethal injection was no longer an option for Ohio executions, creating what he dubbed an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty. Ohios last execution took place on July 18, 2018.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of state senators introduced legislation to abolish the practice. DeWine declined to say Thursday whether his overall position on the matter has evolved, or whether he has a stance on the repeal legislation. Not to announce at this point, he said.

DeWine still supporting legislation addressing gun violence in Ohio

He said he still holds out hope for a package of gun law changes thats languished in the Legislature since the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton.

Kind of jokingly, but seriously, when youre the father of eight kids and the grandfather of 27, you have to be an optimist, he said. He characterized the proposal as very solid and consistent with the Second Amendment.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: DeWine visits Ohio hospitals before gender-affirming care ban decision
Lt. Lance S. Shearer, Marion State Highway Patrol Post commander, graduated as a member of the 288th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on Dec. 7.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training. To be considered, participants must have a proven record of professionalism within their agencies. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 288th session of the National Academy consisted of 198 law enforcement officers from around the world. These men and women represented 45 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations and six federal civilian organizations.

Lt. Lance S. Shearer is commander of the Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Shearer began his Patrol career in May 1997 as a member of the 129th Academy Class. He earned his commission in March of the following year and was assigned to the Delaware Post. In 2003, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Mansfield Post, where he served as an assistant post commander.

As a sergeant, he also served at the Marion Post and the Delaware Post. In 2011, Shearer was promoted to lieutenant at the Marion Post, where he currently serves as the post commander.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in public administration from Heidelberg University.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Highway Patrol Post commander graduates from FBI academy
The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board meets Monday at the Oklahoma History Center to consider a charter contract for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School. The board voted 3-2 to approve the contract.

The judge assigned to hear a case that could determine the fate of the nation's first state-approved and taxpayer-funded religious charter school has rejected a motion to bar his participation.

In a short hearing with attorneys Thursday morning, District Judge Brent Dishman declined to support a motion that would have disqualified him from deciding whether St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School can receive taxpayer money.

The motion to disqualify Dishman was filed by the plaintiffs, a group of taxpayers who are challenging the state's decision in October to authorize St. Isidore as a charter school.

Plaintiffs in St. Isidore lawsuit judge removed because of personal relationships on both sides of the case

They asked for the disqualification because of personal relationships on both sides of the case: His sister-in-law is cofounder of one of the plaintiff organizations, the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition. Dishman also serves on the board of College of the Ozarks, a private religious school that previously hired several of the defense attorneys in a separate case with similar issues.

It's not clear whether OKPLAC will appeal Dishman's ruling in another attempt to get a new judge.

Dishman ruled in one of two lawsuits challenging the use of Oklahoma taxpayer funds for the religious school.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed his own lawsuit at the Oklahoma Supreme Court in October. That suit was filed after the board, by a 3-2 vote, approved the creation of St. Isidore as a charter school.

The questions presented in the two cases could very well end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Several of the attorneys in the taxpayer case represent national groups that have been fighting in courts for decades over church-state issues, and recent court decisions were seen as the green light for church leaders to ask Oklahoma for the charter school.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma judge won't step aside in religious charter school suit
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  EMSA Oklahoma assisted with bringing a bundle of joy right before the holidays.

According to EMSA Oklahoma, last month, Jena and Evan Williams were making sure their birth plans were in place for the upcoming arrival of their second baby.

Nearly 200 families face eviction just days before Christmas

Little did they know, their bundle of joy had another idea. While they were at their home, Jena started feeling contractions and knew she was going into labor.

Image courtesy EMSA

Image courtesy EMSA

As they were talking about going to the hospital and calling family, she realized they wouldnt be able to make it to the hospital before the baby was born. Evan called 911 and was connected to EMSA dispatcher and EMT, Jocelyn Pelayo. Jocelyn gave Evan pre-arrival instructions as the EMSA crew headed to the scene.

Within minutes of calling 911, Tucker was born happy and healthy, according to EMSA paramedics.

 Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com

EMSA Paramedic, Julia Anderson, and EMT, Heather Brock, transported Jena and little Tucker to the hospital to be checked out.

EMSA Oklahoma has confirmed just before Christmas, the EMSA team was able to reunite with the family and talk about Tuckers sudden arrival.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
For years, believers and skeptics alike have gathered every fall in southeastern Oklahoma to celebrate their love for Bigfoot and hear from speakers and researchers on the elusive creature.

But some changes are afoot, according to the Honobia Bigfoot Organization and its president, Jolly Winsor.

Winsor posted on Facebook that the Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference has been canceled by the campground that hosts it each year free of charge , Kiamichi Mountains Christian Mission at Christ's 40 Acres.

Meanwhile, the mission's Director Artie Carnes is advertising the 2024 "Bigfoot at the 40 Festival & Conference of Honobia" will take place at Christ's 40 Acres the first weekend of October.

Here's what we know about the festival's fallout and its future.

Is the Honobia Bigfoot Festival canceled?

A "Bigfoot Crossing" road sign is pictured in 2008 outside the Honobia Fire Department.

From Winsor's perspective, the annual event as it's been known will no longer exist.

After disagreements led to an ultimatum between the Bigfoot Organization and the Mission, Winsor said she and some of her board members decided to give up their event. Winsor said they made this decision rather than allow Carnes and his staff to manage the event, using the same name and vendor list, they'd worked years to build.

"It's a sad end to a really, really special thing we had," Winsor told The Oklahoman.

Carnes said he disagreed with the idea that he "canceled" the event. Carnes said he and his wife heard complaints from attendees over things like waiting too long for food, having too few vendor options and few new offerings from year to year.

Winsor said these complaints were never mentioned to her, and her team tried suggestions from Carnes over the years that "just didn't work."

Honobia campground offered to take over Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference

Carnes said he previously offered to have his staff handle the planning and execution of the event, but after what he said was a lackluster festival in 2022, he said he decided to take action.

Carnes said he sent two letters with his offer to either allow the mission to take over the event and allow the Honobia Bigfoot Organization to still operate their outpost selling merchandise to raise money for scholarships, or for the organization to find another venue.

"We were getting attacks on the reputation of the mission unfairly because we didn't plan the event," Carnes said. "We're not the ones that didn't have enough food. We're not the ones who shut everything down at five o'clock. ... And so these complaints became more than we were willing to accept against the mission."

Carnes said he didn't hear anything from Winsor or the organization until recent social media posts claimed he canceled the event.

Winsor said she only received one letter from Carnes, and they spoke right before this year's event, "and that's when he told me we only had the two options. I've not tried to talk to him since. What would have been the point?"

What to expect from the new Honobia Bigfoot Festival 2024

A festival Bigfoot greets fans at Honobia in 2017.

Annual visitors will notice little difference in the festival under new management, Carnes said. But, he does plan on making some changes.

Vendor booth prices, which Winsor said have been $40 per booth, will be half that for the first year. Also, the campground is developing 30 additional acres for parking and camping.

All profits made from the festival by the campground will go to summer camp scholarships, and other projects handled by the campground.

Finally, Carnes said the event will be expanded through Sunday evening and vendors will be allowed to remain open later than previously allowed.

Carnes said not only will there be an annual Bigfoot festival and conference the first weekend in October, the same weekend Winsor's organization has traditionally held their event, but he is planning corresponding Bigfoot events throughout the year at the campground.

Coming up in April, Carnes plans to host a Bigfoot Spring Music Festival the weekend of the total solar eclipse. He also hopes to have a July Fourth event.

More: Oklahoma is in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse. Where is the best place to see it?

What's next for the Honobia Bigfoot Organization?

While many loyal vendors and supporters of the organization have left comments on social media suggesting finding a new venue, and some even offering up their acreages, Winsor said she has little hope that a suitable place could be found.

"I've had some wonderful people offering fields right here in Honobia," Winsor said. "But in reality, the cost of putting it on would be more than what we could even break even with I'm pretty sure. When we have it with Christ's 40 Acres, they've already got all that (infrastructure) in place, and they've got the buildings. ... So in reality I don't see how (finding another venue) is feasible, I really don't."

Before the festival was held at the campground, Winsor said it was held at the local community center. Her mom, who died in January, was one of the festival's founders.

"I did have a person offer up their property that's close to the community center for parking, if we decided to move it back there," Winsor said. "But after everything, I don't know how many of my people will have a heart to keep doing it. You can only take so many blows before people just say, 'OK, that's enough.'"

Without having the festival to raise funds each year for scholarships, Winsor said the organization will likely dissolve.

She is going to meet with her board members after the holidays to discuss their options.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's Honobia Bigfoot Festival in question: What to know
(CNN)  With a bit more than two weeks remaining before the event, comedian Jo Koy has been selected to host the 81st annual Golden Globes.

The decision was announced on the Globes website on Thursday morning.

Koy is a standup comedian and actor who in the past was a panelist on Chelsea Lately and has also had comedy specials that aired on Comedy Central and Netflix.

We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywoods award season, said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president. We cant wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience.

Ive stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. Im so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year, said Koy. This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita (Google it)!

Koy is known to often infuse his experiences as a Filipino-American into his work. His most recent Netflix special was last years Live From The Los Angeles Forum. Also last year, he starred in Universals Easter Sunday, a movie that was based on his own life and comedy. Koy is currently in the midst of his Funny Is Funny world tour, and published a memoir titled Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo in 2021.

The late-in-the-game host selection comes after CNN previously reported that various other potential hosts, including Chris Rock and Ali Wong, declined to take on the gig.

In addition to Rock and Wong, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Jason Bateman  who co-host the podcast SmartLess  turned down a joint offer to emcee the Globes, two sources aware of the deal told CNN last week.

The Golden Globes are set to air on Sunday, January 7 on CBS. Barbie leads the film nominations with nine, while HBOs Succession also scored a total of nine nods, leading the pack in television. (Barbie and Succession are produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max, respectively, which are owned by CNNs parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.)

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this story.
A 12-year-old Ukrainian boy was returned after 22 months under Russian occupation and control, Ukraines human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on Dec. 22.

The boy initially went to visit his father in Luhansk Oblast just days before the beginning of the full-scale invasion and then was stuck under Russian occupation in the oblast for 18 months. He then spent another four months on Russian territory and was forced to attend Russian school.

Lubinets said that the boy's mother was unable to retrieve her son because she is a soldier in Ukraine's military.

The Ombudsman's office was able to arrange a way for the boy to finally come home 22 months later.

The Ukrainian government has identified over 19,500 children who have been deported or forcibly displaced by Russia, less than 400 of whom have been returned to Ukraine.

Read also: Stolen generation. Russia systematically abducts children from Ukraine, gives them to Russian families

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Christian Ziegler needs to do the right thing and step down as Chairman of the Florida Republican Party.

Jim Greer did.

Does anyone remember this guy Greer? Probably not, just the same way no one will remember Ziegler in a few years.

Anyway, Greer was the chair of the Florida GOP from 2006 to 2010, and he created a situation actually messier than the one Ziegler finds himself in.

Greer created a company called Victory Strategies and then proceeded to divert $200,000 worth of party donations to himself and an associate.

He also rang up massive debt on his party credit card. Limos, charter planes and trips to Las Vegas, New York and London were among many lavish gifts he decided he deserved for his fine work of shaking hands, attending parties and fundraising on behalf of the state GOP.

Former Florida governor Charlie Crist

Former governor Charlie Crist  then a Republican  was the person who selected Greer for the job, and the two were close until the heat from the association became too much for Crists political career, and he had to distance himself. Greer claimed Crist knew what was going on. Crist, of course, denied he did.

Because it's never a politician's fault, Greer blamed enemies within the party for his downfall, saying his endorsement of Crist over Marco Rubio for a Senate seat in 2010 was the reason for him being a target.

It was a situation not unlike the one Gov. Ron DeSantis found himself in with Ziegler. When it was reported that Ziegler was being investigated in Sarasota for an alleged rape on Oct. 2, DeSantis  who is running for president  wasted no time in calling for Ziegler to step down.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis quickly distanced himself from Christian Ziegler after news of the sex scandal broke

So far, Ziegler has acted like a little kid stomping through the kitchen in his cowboy boots after his mother turned him down for a cookie. He has refused to go, even though Steve Bannon and Mike Lindell are about the only two people supporting him. Ziegler's strategy that he can survive politically just as Donald Trump has survived is a notion nothing short of delusional.

On Jan. 5, 2010, Greer did something Ziegler just can't comprehend: He read the Tea Party leaves and resigned.

"I have made a point to put the best interest of the party before my own, even when criticisms were misdirected and invalid, and I will do so again now," Greer said at the time of his resignation.

Another problem: Opinion: Video of alleged rape is a big problem for Ziegler

More: Opinion: Ziegler's sex life is not the only thing that makes her a hypocrite

Reportedly, the day before he resigned, a secret deal was made where Greer would receive a severance of $123,750, though it was not known if it was ever paid. Ziegler was censured last week by the Florida GOP and saw his salary cut to $1.

Greer was shaving one morning when there was a knock on the door. No wonder he cut himself. It was the police. They were there to arrest him.

Just before his trial in 2013, Greer surprised everyone and pleaded guilty to four counts of felony theft and another charge of money laundering.

The Florida GOP let out a deep sigh of relief at the news, as everyone was afraid of what could come out at trial. There were a lot of rumors floating around. For example, it was reported that Greer was raising questions in depositions about Crist's drinking habits and sexuality.

After Greer's stunning admission, all that was left was the sentencing.

The former chair of the Florida GOP, a disgraced man who did the right thing by resigning for the good of his party, received 18 months in state prison.

Chris Anderson

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Welcome to Florida, the land of GOP chairman scandals
In Bethlehem, Occupied West Bank, the Lutheran Church decided that its Christmas nativity scene this year would be different by placing the symbolic Baby Jesus in a manger of rubble and destruction to reflect the reality of Palestinian children living and being born today. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

Sara, 24, is four months pregnant with her third child and living with at least 50 other people in a house in Gaza. This location is supposedly in a safe area  in Rafah, on the border with Egypt. But this city too is being bombed now .

This young womans plight, and that of the estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza , evokes the nativity story depicted in Christmas pageants at churches around the world this time of year. Some 5,500 Gazan women are expected to give birth during Advent .

Sara is from Al Shujaiya, a neighborhood of Gaza City less than 50 miles southwest of Bethlehem. She and her family complied with Israeli orders to evacuate to the southern part of the Gaza Strip, traveling by car and foot, and also by donkey cart as if it were Biblical times. They had to pick their way over rubble-strewn roads congested with more than 1 million other exhausted and frightened travelers.

Read more: Opinion: I am nine months pregnant and living in Gaza. Will my baby first hear my voice or bombs?

When Saras family left their home, they first found refuge at her parents house, but were forced by the chaos to move another six times, several of them during intense bombardment. Their current location has no electricity, running water or heat and only an open fire for cooking. With the intensifying combat, the situation is extremely stressful, which increases risk for miscarriage, preterm labor and a low-birth-weight infant .

In the Gospel story, once Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem from Nazareth, they could find nowhere to stay until an innkeeper offered them the use of his stable. For many pregnant women in Gaza, there is literally no room at the inn. They are giving birth in cars and on the street.

For now, Sara is considered one of the lucky ones. Shes had a single maternal care visit so far, at the Al-Helal Emirati maternity hospital in Rafah. It was crowded with about 50 other women seeking attention, but she was able to meet with a doctor, who gave her a bottle of prescription vitamins. Her family has been able to find food for her to eat  oranges, cucumber, tomatoes, nuts and canned food  but the market shelves are increasingly depleted and prices have skyrocketed.

Read more: Opinion: Here's what the mass violence in Gaza looks like to a scholar of genocide

Its unclear where Sara will be in May when her baby is due and whether bombs will still be falling. For women giving birth in Gaza this Advent, the odds are narrow that they can obtain a hospital bed, since so many healthcare facilities are in shambles. Many will give birth in Al-Mawasi, a narrow patch along the coast that Israel designated as a safe zone  barren land with a chaotically improvised tent camp and no infrastructure.

Regardless of where these women are, they are likely to give birth in an unsafe environment, putting them at risk for infection, uncontrolled hemorrhage and damage to their reproductive systems. Lack of postnatal care increases the risk of brain damage and death for the baby, while the hostile environment can interfere with the mother-infant bond.

In well-loved hymns passed down through the generations, the night of Jesus birth was silent, and the sky was filled with brightly shining stars, guiding shepherds and the three wise men to the manger in Bethlehem.

Read more: Opinion: Gaza's health system has collapsed, multiplying the war's toll on children

In Gaza, the night is not silent. The bombs and shelling continue unabated, underscored by the buzzing of drones. The sky is bright with explosions, but toxic smoke obscures the stars. Should wise people such as international human rights monitors wish to check on the conditions of new mothers, they cannot, because Israel has denied them entry. Journalists cannot conduct interviews with such women, either, because theyre forbidden to be in Gaza unless embedded with Israels army. Shepherds will not be anywhere near, as they have had to abandon their flock s .

Today, Gazan families are pressed against Egypts border. Its possible Sara and her family could be forced into exile in the Sinai Desert . But she fervently hopes a cease-fire will be called before a mass exodus of Palestinians could happen.

For Sara, her faith in Gods will remains unshakable: I trust he will always be there for me.

In this moment of war, may heavenly peace come for the newborns of Gaza.

Catherine Baker is senior editor for We Are Not Numbers , a nonprofit project that trains young Palestinians to share their personal stories in English. Shahd Safi is a Gaza-based journalist who trained with WANN.

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.
An Orange County man is in police custody following allegations that he sexually molested a 13-year-old girl.

Enrique Flores Martinez, 60, of Santa Ana, was arrested without incident by officers from the Irvine Police Department.

According to police, on Monday, a school resource officer was called to an Irvine middle school after a 7th grade girl reported that Martinez touched her inappropriately on several occasions, including as early as 2021 and as recently as the prior day.

Enrique Flores Martinez, 60, of Santa Ana, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl. (Irvine Police Department)

The victim knew Martinez, who is a registered sex offender, police said.

He was arrested at a post office in Santa Ana and booked into the Orange County Jail where he awaits charges for lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14.

The investigation is ongoing and police have released his booking photo to the public.

Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is urged to contact IPD Detective Brian Felling via email or by calling 949-724-7189.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Artwork shows an interior view of Orbites Astronaut Training and Spaceflight Gateway Campus, with mockups of a SpaceX Dragon capsule and a Blue Origin New Shepard capsule on display. (Orbite Illustration)

Orbite Space, a venture that aims to offer down-to-Earth spaceflight training programs on a try before you fly basis, is raising more capital amid the companys preparations for an expansion of operations.

The financial arrangements were reported this week in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the filing, Orbite reports an equity offering of $6.775 million and says that $2.725 million of the offering has already been sold. The company says those amounts include the conversion of previously issued convertible securities. So far, seven investors have taken part in the offering, according to the SEC filing.

GeekWire reached out to Orbite with additional questions about the funding round, but the company declined further comment.

Orbite traces its roots to Seattle: Its founders are CEO Jason Andrews, who formerly headed Seattle-based Spaceflight Industries; and executive chairman Nicolas Gaume, a French-born entrepreneur who also works at Microsoft.

The companys expansion plans focus less on Seattle and more on Florida, where Orbite plans to build an Astronaut Training and Spaceflight Gateway Campus. Last month, Andrews told GeekWire that the campus is scheduled to open in 2026, and that it would become the home base for Orbites private-sector astronaut training programs. Between now and then, Orbite plans to offer its clients a series of space-themed travel experiences and training sessions.

We are working to design our curriculum and facilities to support the missions of tomorrow, which will include professional astronauts, mission specialists and career astronauts working in low Earth orbit, on the moon and potentially Mars, Brienna Rommes, Orbites director of astronaut training, said in a November news release.

More from GeekWire:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  An Oregon man has been convicted of murder in the 1978 death of a teenage girl in Alaska, in a case investigators made using genetic genealogy decades later.

Donald McQuade, 67, was convicted this week in state court in Anchorage of murder in the death of Shelley Connolly, 16, whose body was found near a highway pullout between Anchorage and Girdwood, Alaska Public Media reported. Sentencing is set for April 26.

Years after Connollys death, Alaska State Troopers developed a DNA profile from swabs collected from her body but failed to get a match. In 2019, they turned to genetic genealogy testing, which involves comparing a DNA profile to known profiles in genealogical databases to find people who share the same genetic information.

Authorities ID victims, suspect in double homicide, suicide

McQuade was living in Alaska when Connolly died, and investigators later were able to get a DNA sample from him that they said matched DNA found on her body.

McQuade was arrested in 2019 but his trial, like others at the time, was delayed because of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The prosecutor during the trial emphasized the evidence from Connollys body. But McQuades attorney, Kyle Barber, told jurors the DNA evidence was the only evidence the state had against McQuade. He said investigators also found DNA evidence possibly linked to two other people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Oregon Department of Agriculture previously notified veterinarians that an atypical respiratory disease was affecting dogs across the state. With Christmas travel fast approaching, experts are now giving pet parents the same advice they gave when the mysterious disease was first announced: exercise caution, but dont worry.

In mid-November, ODA told veterinarians there had been at least 100 reported cases of the canine infectious respiratory disease in the Portland and Willamette Valley areas, as well as Salem.

These new Oregon laws take effect in January 2024

According to Dr. Cherice Roth, an author and veterinarian who specializes in telemedicine for pets, researchers are still determining if this disease can be classified as viral, bacterial or a known canine illness thats changed over the years.

However, veterinarians have determined the primary symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and fever.

In some cases, the agriculture department said pets have experienced chronic tracheobronchitis that lasts at least six to eight weeks and doesnt respond well to antibiotics. Other reported cases include chronic pneumonia that isnt easily treated, and acute pneumonia that can have a serious impact on dogs within 24 hours.

Washington initiative aims to update police pursuit regulations

Despite the range of cases that have been reported, Roth advised dog owners who are considering boarding their animals for the holidays  or flying with them  to reflect on the pets overall health. For example, she said it would be safe to keep senior pets with pre-existing medical issues away from spaces with other dogs.

The reality of it is the best thing that you can do is make sure that your pet is up to date on vaccinations, Roth said. The reason for that is not necessarily that we think maybe this is a bug that we can vaccinate for, or have vaccinated for, but what you dont want is for your pet to get a respiratory bug and then on top of that, get something else that could have been prevented by a vaccine.

She added that its important for groomers, dog-sitters or employees at boarding facilities to continue disinfecting, wearing gloves and changing clothes in between caring for pets who could be sick.

Authorities ID victim in shooting near Washington Square Mall

Roth also encouraged people to take their dogs to a veterinary clinic for diagnostic tests if theyre showing symptoms of an infectious respiratory disease.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A man from Orlando returned to U.S. soil on Wednesday night. His mother said she felt relieved when seeing her son leave the plane.

Joseph Cristella is one of 10 Americans released in a prisoner swap between the United States and Venezuela. Elaine Cristella, Joseph's mother, said her son was wrongfully detained in Venezuela in September 2022.

Elaine Cristella called the past year agonizing, with the most crushing part not being able to do anything to bring her son back herself.

"It's like the Empire State Building being lifted off my shoulders," Cristella said.

Cristella said her family waited for this moment for more than a year without any knowledge of whether it would come.

"We are just so relieved that he is back on U.S. soil," Cristella said.

Joseph Cristella landed in San Antonio, Texas, Wednesday night. His mother said she recognized him instantly in his backward hat.

"I just couldn't stop watching the film roll over and over and over again," Cristella said. "I just kept watching it and was like, yes."

TOPSHOT - (L-R) Freed US citizens Joseph Ryan Cristella, Eyvin Hernandez, Edgar Jose Marval Moreno, Jason Saad, Savoi Wright Jerrel Kenemore and National Security Council Director for Counter Terrorism David Cotter pose for pictures upon arrival at Joint Base San Antonio Kelly Annex in San Antonio, Texas on December 20, 2023, after being freed amid a prisoner swap deal between the United States and Venezuela. The United States released an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for 10 American detainees and a fugitive dubbed "Fat Leonard" in a sweeping prisoner swap deal between the rival governments December 20, 2023. US President Joe Biden made the "extremely difficult decision" to free Alex Saab, the onetime confidant of socialist leader Maduro, who is accused by the United States of money laundering for Caracas, US officials said. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP) (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. said Joseph Cristella spent the past 15 months wrongfully detained. Venezuela claimed he was an enemy of the state. His mother said he was just visiting.

"You have to stop taking Americans just to take them because they're Americans."

Cristella was detained the same day his mother retired. Elaine said she had to go back to work to afford to keep her son clothed and even fed while in custody. She estimated that it cost her and her family more than $30,000.

"The last year has been--I don't know how I've gotten through it," Cristella said.

The mother and son spoke over the phone yesterday as he was returning to the U.S.

"All of them came with the clothes on their back," Cristella said. "That's it. They took their phones, clothes, luggage, any money they had, their passports, their license. They have nothing."

Elaine said family members leaned on each other while missing one of their own.

"The past is the past," Cristella said. "The whole last year, I'm not looking back because if you're looking back, you can't move forward."

Joseph Cristella and the other prisoners brought back Wednesday are undergoing medical evaluation in Texas before they'll be released.

Elaine said she wants her son to join her in Idaho while he rebuilds his life.
(CNN)  Fast & Furious franchise star Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual battery and creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit filed by a former assistant.

The civil suit, filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by CNN, stems from a 2010 incident in which Diesels former assistant, Asta Jonasson, alleges Diesel forced himself on her in a hotel suite in Atlanta and masturbated in front of her.

The complaint states Diesel ignored Jonassons clear statements of non-consent, and after she screamed and ran towards the nearby bathroom, he pinned her against the wall with his body.

Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety, Bryan Freedman, attorney for Diesel, wrote in a statement to CNN later on Friday. This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13 year old claim made by a purportedly 9 day employee.

Jonasson is suing Diesel, along with his company One Race Productions, and Diesels sister Samantha Vincent for sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision and wrongful termination, among her other claims.

Jonasson claims that Samantha Vincent, the president of Diesels company One Race at the time, called her mere hours after the alleged assault and terminated Ms. Jonassons employment.

She is seeking an imposition of a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation, plus unspecified punitive damages, according to the suit.

No one is too famous or powerful to evade justice, Claire-Lise Kutlay of Greenberg Gross LLP, attorney for Jonasson, wrote in a statement shared with CNN. We hope her courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.

Diesel has appeared in more than 60 TV and film titles. He is also among the producers of the global hit franchise of Fast & Furious films. He has several upcoming projects in the works, including Fast X: Part 2.

CNNs Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this story.

This story wad first published on CNN.com, "Vin Diesel accused of sexual battery in lawsuit brought by former assistant"
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The New Orleans Police Department is trying to identify and locate a pair of burglars who targeted a Gentilly stone business. The case is the latest one to roll on the Wheel of Justice.

According to police, the crime happened a little before 5 in the morning on Dec. 14 at the US Stone Outlet in the 3100 block of Elysian Fields Avenue. Police also released some security camera footage from the business that shows some of what happened.

Theft suspects cut power to store in Tangipahoa Parish

In the video, a white pickup truck is seen driving up to the business. Another clip shows two men inside the business after breaking open a door.

Workers say that the thieves were able to break through a gate to get onto the property, but the worker did not know what was stolen.

At one point, it appears that a burglar tried to cover their tracks by diverting the angle of one of the security cameras at the business.

New Orleans package thieves must love your holiday purchases

To see the latest Wheel of Justice report, including the surveillance footage, watch the video at the top of this story.

If you have information that could help police identify or locate the burglars, call Crimestoppers at (504)-822-1111. You dont have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward.

So far, more than 460 people have landed behind bars after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
A 56-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, woman who was on the phone letting family know she had been involved in a hit-and-run crash died Friday morning when another vehicle struck her disabled car on Interstate 435 in Platte County, a spokesman for the Platte County Sheriffs Department said.

Because of the location of the crashes, northbound I-435 was shut down for several hours at the exit to Wolcott Drive/North Kansas 5 highway in Kansas City, Kansas, while the Platte County Sheriffs Department investigated. The highway was reopened about 10:15 a.m.

According to a preliminary investigation, the woman initially was involved in a crash with another vehicle shortly before 6:30 a.m. about a mile south of Missouri 45 highway, said Capt. Jeffrey Shanks with the Platte County Sheriffs Department.

The crash left the womans vehicle disabled in the right lane of the highway. Although the other driver remained on the scene initially, the person drove away before information could be exchanged and before deputies arrived, Shanks said.

At some point, the victim got out of her vehicle and called family to tell them that she had been involved in a hit and run crash. A third vehicle then collided with her car which then struck the victim, Shanks said.

The driver of the third car remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation, Shanks said.

It had been raining off-and-on at the time of the initial crash. The highway in that area had recently been resurfaced, so road conditions were in good shape, although wet, Shanks said.

Deputies are gathering more information on the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run as well as trying to identify the hit-and-run driver. Shanks encouraged the driver to surrender to turn themself in, saying, it is the right thing form them to do.

It was unknown how much damage the hit-and-run vehicle sustained in the crash because the victims car was significantly damaged in the second one.
Pennsylvania mother pleads guilty to killing her 2 sons; will spend rest of her life behind bars

A Bucks County, Pennsylvania mother pleaded guilty on Wednesday to killing her two sons in May 2022, and will now spend the rest of her life behind bars.

FOX 29 in Philadelphia reported that 40-year-old Trinh T. Nguyen pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and additional charges.

Nguyen shot her 9-year-old son Nelson and 13-year-old son Jeffrey in the head while they were asleep in their home in Upper Makefield Township. Days later, the boys died after they were taken off life support at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia on May 6, upgrading attempted homicide charges to first-degree murder charges.

She was sentenced by a judge to two life sentences without the possibility of parole, and a maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years for attempted murder, after she attempted to shoot a neighbor but her gun jammed.

PENNSYLVANIA MOTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER SONS SHE ALLEGEDLY SHOT HAVE DIED: POLICE

First Assistant District Attorney Jen Schorn said after the hearing that the negotiated plea and sentence "will ensure that the defendant will die within the four walls of a correctional facility."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On the day of the incident, Upper Makefield Police Department officers responded to Timber Ridge Road at about 7 a.m.

When the officers arrived, they were told by a neighbor that Nguyen attempted to shoot him twice in the face after she handed him a box of photos to give to her ex-husband, who he worked with, the station reported.

SUSPECTS FOUND DEAD IN SUBMERGED VEHICLE AFTER RURAL PENNSYLVANIA POLICE CHASE

The neighbor told officers he wrapped Nguyen in a bear hug and disarmed her. She then fled in a white Toyota minivan and was found at about 11:30 a.m., parked at the United Methodist Church in Washingtons Crossing.

Nguyen was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

Officers and the mother of the neighbor entered Nguyens home where they discovered Nelson and Jeffrey shot in the head.

An investigation learned Nguyen fled to New Jersey where she obtained narcotics and ingested them in an attempt to kill herself.

PA REGULATORS GRANT APPROVAL FOR NATURAL GAS COMPANY TO RESUME DRILLING AFTER WATER POLLUTION BAN

When she was located, police said, Nguyen was "under the influence" of drugs. A weapon was found in the vehicle, as well as several packages containing what was believed to be heroin.

Police also said there was a note in the vehicle that read, "Please call 911! My children are dead in their bed at 119 Timber Ridge Road 18490."

Detectives from Upper Makefield and Bucks County learned Nguyen planned to murder her two sons at least a week earlier, and she left a handwritten will instructing the recipient of what to do with hers and her sons remains.

In her writings, detectives said, Nguyen blamed others for the problems in her life, including the imminent eviction from her Timber Ridge home where she lived.

"Its clear our evidence showed that this defendant had that wickedness of disposition that she had made these plans," Schorn said. "She wrote a manifesto laying out what she was going to do, and you could see throughout the hate she had for others and the people she blamed."





Original article source: Pennsylvania mother pleads guilty to killing her 2 sons; will spend rest of her life behind bars
PENNSYLVANIA (WHTM)  Eleven Pennsylvania State Police K9 officers have received donations of bullet and stab-proof vests, donated by the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9s Ivan, Rom, Suny, Natascha, Evan, Dexter, Nemo, Rocco, Jack, Gnash, and Molly have each received vests.

K9 Evan

K9 Dexter

K9 Nemo

K9 Rocco

K9 Jack

K9 Gnash

K9 Molly

K9 Ivan

K9 Rom

K9 Suny

K9 Natascha

Vested Interest in K9s was established in 2009 with a mission to provide body armor to dogs in law enforcement and other related agencies across the U.S. The vests are custom-fitted and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Each vest has a value of about $1,800, weighs 4 to 5 pounds, and has a 5-year warranty.

According Pennsylvania State Police, since its founding, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,350 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million.

The program is open to eligible U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and

certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to receive donations.

New Pennsylvania laws to know in 2024

Individuals or groups interested in donating to the organization or volunteering can find out more by clicking here or calling call 508-824-6978. A single donation of $985 sponsors one vest.

The Pennsylvania State Police Canine Section has a total of 25 canines. Among these are two dogs trained to detect human remains, six trained to detect explosives, and 17 trained to detect narcotics. Six of the dogs are also cross-trained in tracking.

According to State Police, K9 officers have been used over 2,200 times to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  The Commission on Elections Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) pushed back the deadline for submission of bids for the 2025 Automated Election System.

In a supplemental bid bulletin posted Friday afternoon, the SBAC said it has moved the deadline for bidders to submit their bids for the 18.8 billion project from Jan. 4 to 8.

The scheduled Submission, Receipt and Opening of Bids is hereby reset from 04 January 2024 to 08 January 2024 to give ample time to all bidders to prepare their bids due to the magnitude and numerous requirements of the project. the bulletin read.

The deadline for submission of requests and clarifications is on Dec. 29, which is 10 calendar days before the deadline for Submission and Opening of Bids.

During the pre-bid conference held earlier in the day, some representatives of prospective bidders appealed for more time due to the tight schedule and numerous documents.

Present at the pre-bid conference were representatives of Unisyn Voting Solutions, Miru Systems Co. Ltd., Dominion Voting Systems and International Lottery and Totalizer Systems, Inc.

Observers included SMMT-TIM 2016 or Smartmatic, Indra Sistemas, and the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

SBAC Chairperson Allen Francis Abaya earlier said no companies have purchased bidding documents so far.

The SBAC said the deadline is still at 9 a.m., followed by the Opening of Bids at 10:30 a.m. at the Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila.

Each bidder shall only be allowed two representatives or watchers to observe the preliminary evaluation given the limited space at the venue.

The SBAC opened a second round of public bidding after it declared a failure in the first round last Dec. 12.

The lone bidder, the joint venture led by Miru Systems Co. Ltd., was declared ineligible for not meeting the legal requirement of the contract.
People typically looked for one thing in pictures of Shane MacGowan, photographer Andrew Catlin has said: a shot of the late Pogues frontman with his mouth agape, those infamous teeth on display.

Catlin, a photographer, director and filmmaker whose work is on display at the National Portrait Gallery, reflected on his memories of working with MacGowan  and his friend and fellow musician, Sinead OConnor  after attending the Anglo-Irish singers funeral in Dublin.

One of the most famous shots of MacGowan, taken by Catlin, was seen on the artists coffin as the funeral procession took place, and later displayed during the service at St Mary of the Rosary Church.

They wanted a picture of his mouth open, his teeth all showing looking as grotesque as possible, Catlin told The Independent of how many people expected to see the Fairytale of New York singer.

Thats all everyone ever wanted for a long-time and it seemed to me that it was really irrelevant.

As both a friend and a photo subject, MacGowan could be very difficult, Catlin said, but he was never nasty.

He was either bored or he didnt want to engage with you, he explained. And then he would just switch off and ignore everything. He could be in a room full of people and not be there at all  people thought he was always completely out of it, but he just wasnt interested in whatever was going on.

A young Shane MacGowan photographed by Andrew Catlin (www.andrewcatlin.com)

Shane MacGowan, Porto 1989 (www.andrewcatlin.com)

If someone happened to say something that caught MacGowans interest, though, he would snap out of it and come out with an incredible, intelligent, well-informed opinion.

He was so sharp, Catlin said. And he was incredibly interested in people  if they werent interesting, thats when hed switch off. And he didnt like people who were full of s**t.

Shane MacGowan and Victoria Mary Clarke, photograph by Andrew Catlin (Andrew Catlin)

Some of Catlins favourite portraits of MacGowan were taken in Porto, Portugal, around 1989, while the band were going through a particularly difficult period.

Shane was going crazy because theyve been touring nonstop for like four years or something, and he was acting more and more like he didnt want to be there, Catlin recalled. You could really see it was starting to unravel at that point.

Catlin and MacGowan stayed up drinking all night, until the musician decided he was willing to do a photo session.

MacGowan in Porto (Andrew Catlin)

He was acting out the madness that was going on in his head, and he kind of transformed into all these different characters, Catlin said. Theres one where he looks like hes being crucified, and another where hes got a fistful of cash.

It was always fantastic working with Shane  you just had to wait until the mood was right.

Catlin met MacGowans friend, Sinead OConnor, when he was commissioned to shoot the then-21-year-old for a music magazine. After missing his flight to Los Angeles, he feared hed lost the gig, but a twist of fate meant that, around a month later, he discovered that OConnor had moved into the flat two floors above his.

OConnor died aged 56 in July, a year after the death of her son Shane.

She was just an extraordinary character, you know? Catlin said. She wasnt at all arrogant  she was interested and curious.

This was before shed had a hit record, but shed already been through so much in life. Yet she maintained this incredible openness her whole life  most people become really guarded after a long time in the music industry.

Andrew Catlins photo of a 21-year-old Sinead OConnor (Andrew Catlin)

Catlins photos of OConnor show her wide-eyed, gazing into the lens, with her hands clasped to her face. Her hair is freshly shaved: The record company told her to wear more makeup and get dressed up, so she shaved her hair off, Catlin said.

The pair met often after that first shoot. The last time Catlin saw her was at MacGowans 60th birthday at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, which celebrated Shane surviving to 60.

He was presented with some kind of lifetime achievement award at the end, which I think he was very moved by  as someone who grew up outside Ireland but loved it and spent a lot of time there, Catlin said. That was quite an important thing for him.

MacGowans funeral, attended by thousands of fans along with the musicians close friends and family, was an amazing experience, he said, and absolutely in keeping with everything he was about.

(PA)

He found himself seated in one of the front pews near MacGowans former Pogues bandmates, and Michael D Higgins, president of Ireland.

It lasted for more than three hours, and it was absolutely electric for every second of it, he said. It was emotional, beautiful, funny and extraordinary.
It was the last thing Carnival Sunshine passengers expected when they returned to the Port of Charleston on Monday afternoon. Passengers had just endured a rocky cruise to the Bahamas only to come to a flooded parking lot and their cars ruined.

Over the weekend, the East Coast was pounded by severe weather, resulting in gale-force winds, heavy rains and flooding. By mid-day Sunday, Charleston received nearly four inches of rain and the tide gauge reached over nine feet.

Passengers disembark from the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship Monday, March 16, 2020, in Charleston, S.C.

When passengers disembarked and arrived at the flooded cruise terminal parking lot, they discovered their vehicles damaged with saltwater, if not totally ruined.

It was pretty upsetting and very overwhelming, Kit Herold, a passenger who was onboard with her two teenage daughters, told USA TODAY.

Herold purchased the four-night cruise as a Christmas present. She drove four hours in her new 2023 Kia Sportage from her home in Forest City, North Carolina, to Charleston for the cruise.

People were standing in disbelief, she said. You could hear people shrieking in tears, their cars wouldnt start. They didnt know what to do.

Water seeped into Herold's new car.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines told USA TODAY in an emailed statement: We regret that some of our guests vehicles parked in the ports lot were impacted by the recent storm.

Carnival suggested passengers contact the proper parking authorities while making clear the parking lot was not a company facility. We assisted in some ways where we could, for instance with helping guests connect with their insurance providers the cruise line added.

Cruisers were aware of the astronomical bad weather, as Herold put it, while on the ship. The rough seas had many passengers feeling like they had enough of their vacation, ready to get off the ship.

Passengers were informed the ships arrival to the port was delayed due to the excessive flooding, but not that there was anything to prepare for, Herold said.

As one of the first groups to arrive at the parking lot, Herold found her new car  which had less than 10,000 miles  with its airbag deployed, four inches of water in the car and the doors unlocked.

Herold's brand-new car's airbags had deployed during the storm.

My disbelief hit because it was a brand new car, Herold said. I was upset. I cried and my girls were standing with big eyes, they didnt know what to do.

Herold said she didn't receive help from South Carolina Ports Authority nor Carnival staff but two police officers were there.

S.C. Ports Authority did not immediately respond to USA TODAYs request for comment but provided the following statement to ABC News:

The recent record high tide and unprecedented flooding that occurred throughout downtown Charleston resulted in some cruise passenger vehicles being impacted. The South Carolina Ports team worked closely with passengers to provide assistance from the moment they arrived until the last passenger departed the terminal. Port police ensured passengers had the necessary reports to document damage for their insurance companies. Passengers were not charged for additional days to use the parking lot and are able to leave their vehicles as long as necessary. Port staff worked around the clock to call tow companies on behalf of passengers, assist with jumping vehicles and pumping out water, and helping them find transportation to area hotels.

The entity said it does not assume liability for vehicles or personal property left in the passenger parking areas.

Herold called her insurance provider who said they would set up the towing and a rental car so she could drive home to North Carolina. When Herold took an Uber to Enterprise, they told her they were out of cars and she had to wait a few hours until a car was available.

Herold said she feels very blessed her airbag deployed, making her car undriveable. A lot of people were being told to drive home and breaking down on Interstate 26.

She does think that S.C. Ports Authority could step up and reimburse us the money we paid to trust them with our vehicles, especially since they didnt offer any assistance (for) the catastrophic event that occurred.

She said shes still waiting to hear back on the state of her car. I have no idea, Im left in the unknown.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carnival cruisers find cars flooded at port: 'People (were) in tears'
A person entered a Bass Pro Shops in Florida, snatched a live tarpon from the stores fish tank and left, deputies said.

Now authorities are looking for him.

A video shared by the Lee County Sheriffs Office shows a male suspect carrying a large fish through the store with a net while bystanders move out of his way to make room.

This kid just got it outta the small pond, the caption of the video reads.

The live fish flops in the net as he walks out, with people recording the event.

The incident took place the evening of Dec. 20 at a Bass Pro Shops in Fort Myers, deputies said.

The suspect entered the store with a net and caught one of the fish swimming around in the stores signature indoor pond, authorities said.

LCSO is attempting to locate (a) retail theft suspect, deputies shared on Facebook. But not just your normal retail theft. We guess you could say THIS one will o-fish-ially catch your eye.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is working with the Lee County Sheriffs Office Animal Cruelty Task Force and detectives to find the person.

People online seemed divided over if it was a funny prank or a crime.

He will get off, one Facebook user commented. His defense will be Save the Tarpon!

State-record fish caught 15 minutes into Missouri brothers outing. Extremely lucky

Signature marks found on beached whale lead experts to culprits in California death

Anglers find 16-ton sea creature dead along NCs Outer Banks, igniting investigation

Anglers catch translucent creature deep in the ocean off Taiwan. Its a new species
This article was originally published in The Conversation.

Across the United States, arrest rates for young people under age 18 have been declining for decades. However, the proportion of youth arrests associated with school incidents has increased.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, K-12 schools referred nearly 230,000 students to law enforcement during the school year that began in 2017. These referrals and the 54,321 reported school-based arrests that same year were mostly for minor misbehavior like marijuana possession, as opposed to more serious offenses like bringing a gun to school.

School-based arrests are one part of the school-to-prison pipeline, through which students  especially Black and Latine students and those with disabilities  are pushed out of their schools and into the legal system.

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Getting caught up in the legal system has been linked to negative health, social and academic outcomes, as well as increased risk for future arrest.

Given these negative consequences, public agencies in states like Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania have looked for ways to arrest fewer young people in schools. Philadelphia, in particular, has pioneered a successful effort to divert youth from the legal system.

Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program

In Philadelphia, police department leaders recognized that the citys school district was its largest source of referrals for youth arrests. To address this issue, then-Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel developed and implemented a school-based, pre-arrest diversion initiative in partnership with the school district and the citys department of human services. The program is called the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program, and it officially launched in May 2014.

Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker named Bethel as her new police commissioner on Nov. 22, 2023.

Since the diversion program began, when police are called to schools in the city for offenses like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct, they cannot arrest the student involved if that student has no pending court case or a history of adjudication. In juvenile court, an adjudication is similar to a conviction in criminal court.

Instead of being arrested, the diverted student remains in school and school personnel decide how to respond to their behavior. For example, they might speak with the student, schedule a meeting with a parent or suspend the student.

A social worker from the city also contacts the students family to arrange a home visit, where they assess youth and family needs. Then, the social worker makes referrals to no-cost community-based services. The student and their family choose whether to attend.

Our team  the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab at Drexel University  evaluated the effectiveness of the diversion program as independent researchers not affiliated with the police department or school district. We published four research articles describing various ways the diversion program affected students, schools and costs to the city.

Arrests dropped

In our evaluation of the diversion programs first five years, we reported that the annual number of school-based arrests in Philadelphia decreased by 84%: from nearly 1,600 in the school year beginning in 2013 to just 251 arrests in the school year beginning in 2018.

Since then, school district data indicates the annual number of school-based arrests in Philadelphia has continued to decline  dropping to just 147 arrests in the school year that began in 2022. Thats a 91% reduction from the year before the program started.

We also investigated the number of serious behavioral incidents recorded in the school district in the programs first five years. Those fell as well, suggesting that the diversion program effectively reduced school-based arrests without compromising school safety.

Additionally, data showed that city social workers successfully contacted the families of 74% of students diverted through the program during its first five years. Nearly 90% of these families accepted at least one referral to community-based programming, which includes services like academic support, job skill development and behavioral health counseling.

Fewer suspensions and expulsions

We compared data from 1,281 students diverted in the first three years of the school-based program to data from 531 similar students who were arrested in schools before the program began but who would have been eligible if the diversion program existed.

Diverted students were significantly less likely to be suspended, expelled or required to transfer to another school in the year following their school-based incident.

Long-term outcomes

To evaluate a longer follow-up period, we compared the 427 students diverted in the programs first year to the group of 531 students arrested before the program began. Results showed arrested students were significantly more likely to be arrested again in the following five years.

Although we observed impacts on arrest outcomes, the diversion program did not appear to affect long-term educational outcomes. We looked at four years of school data and found no significant differences in suspension, dropout or on-time graduation between diverted and arrested students.

Finally, a cost-benefit analysis revealed that the program saves taxpayers millions of dollars.

Based on its success in Philadelphia, several other cities and counties across Pennsylvania have begun replicating the Police School Diversion Program. These efforts could further contribute to a nationwide movement to safely keep kids in their communities and out of the legal system.

The Conversation

Amanda NeMoyer, Assistant Research Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University and Naomi Goldstein, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.



The Conversation
Kyiv Zoo is treating four servals that activists miraculously rescued from Donetsk Oblast, the establishments Facebook page reported on Dec. 22.

Animal activists took the animals from the town of Kurakhove, near Maryinka. They had lived there for some time under constant shelling. When the servals were evacuated to the zoo, they were in poor condition. Servals are predatory African mammals of the cat family.

"The animals were in terrible condition: sick, exhausted and in a state of severe stress," KyivZoo said.

Our veterinarians and zoologists immediately began emergency treatment and recovery measures.

The institution began to take care of the animals, treat them, and create conditions as close tonatural as possible.

"Two months passed and the first pair of servals moved to the next stage of rehabilitation and socialization already in their own enclosure," KyivZoo said.

Read also: Odesa Zoo rescues animals displaced by Kakhovka Dam catastrophe

For the comfort of Osiris and Sehmet we have created all the necessary conditions: an African tree with climbing frames and claw points, two hammocks and a cozy loft for relaxation, a fountain for cheerfulness, three types of soil and a stone rock for walking and jumping and a lot of various toys and pillows, as servals are cats.

Another essential condition for the arrangement of natural conditions is light. KyivZooinstalled three different types of lighting: solar-daylight, twilight-infrared, and nighttime moonlight.

Two more animals are undergoing separate rehabilitation and will soon be able to live fuller and more normal lives thanks to the care.

Read also: Kherson zoo raccoon, stolen by retreating Russians, is stolen again

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21)  The 30-day suspension of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is not an attack on press freedom, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said.

"As it stands now the SMNI issue is shaping out not to be a press freedom issue as its hosts and 'talents' want to project," the lawmaker's statement read.

The NTC on Thursday suspend SMNI's operations for alleged violation of its franchise.

This was more than two weeks after the House of Representatives cited SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz in contempt for refusing to answer questions during an inquiry.

Celiz refused to disclose the name of his source of his claims that Speaker Martin Romualdez spent 1.8 billion for his foreign travels in almost one year, while Badoy gave confusing answers in relation to her role in SMNI.

READ: Lawmakers cite SMNI hosts Celiz, Badoy in contempt

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was also summoned by the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office over alleged grave threats he made against Castro on national television.

For these reasons, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board on Tuesday ordered a 14-day preventive suspension on two SMNI shows "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" hosted by Duterte, and "Laban Kasama ang Bayan" hosted by Badoy and Celiz.

Following the recent developments, Castro said SMNI itself is a threat to press freedom with its advocacy of "violence, disinformation (fake news), and intolerance (hate speech)."

"Hindi ito tulad sa kaso ng ABS-CBN na sinadyang pinasara ng mga Duterte dahil sa pagbatikos sa kanila," she said.

[Translation: This is not like the case of ABS-CBN, which was deliberately shut down by the Dutertes for criticizing the administration.]

She said measures for accountability of SMNI, its hosts, executives, and owners including Pastor Quiboloy must continue, stressing that the network has become an "anti-people tool and mouthpiece" of the Dutertes and the government's anti-communist group National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC.
Measures to prevent criminals exploiting "limited controls" at Manx borders are being developed

Plans are being worked up to stop criminals exploiting the island's borders by tightening port security, the Isle of Man government has said.

A number of changes are being made that aim to improve controls at the Sea Terminal and airport, and the island's postal service.

A government spokeswoman said there was "growing evidence" that criminal networks were "seeking greater exploitation of the Isle of Mans limited border controls".

The borders were being abused to import drugs, criminal property and weapons, she said.

The immediate changes include the passport, immigration and nationality functions of the Cabinet Office being moved to the Treasury.

The government spokeswoman said that would "allow the immigration and Customs teams to work even more closely for more effective joint enforcement".

'Weaknesses'

Under the measures being taken, the Department of Infrastructure's ports policing functions will be reviewed, and a "more consistent approach" to logging route and passenger information for private aircraft drafted.

Other measures being developed are around Automatic Number Plate Recognition at the ports, developing options to improve active controls at sea ports, and better sharing of sea passenger data with law enforcement agencies.

More up-to-date X-ray equipment for the postal sorting office, and the monitoring of wider parcel and courier services to deter the importation of drugs and other illegal items are also being explored.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the island could not "afford to be complacent and must accept that there are individuals who come to our island to do harm".

"We know where our weaknesses are and it is now time for the Council of Ministers to take action and keep our island safe," she said.

"The controls being considered aim to secure our borders from criminal exploitation, while still protecting residents' rights to free movement within the Common Travel Area."

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk
Pawe Gancarz, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Poland, who is on a visit in Kyiv on 22 December, has announced a breakthrough in solving the issue of the Polish hauliers blockade of the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Source: Gancarz cited by the Wirtualna Polska portal, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Gancarz has met with his Ukrainian counterpart Serhii Derkach in Kyiv. He stated that Kyiv and Warsaw are coordinating "remaining details" in order to reach a compromise on the issue of the border.

Gancarz expressed hope that after "today's meeting there is a meeting of (Polish Infrastructure  ed.) Minister Klimchak with the committee which is protesting at the border, and we will be able to solve this issue by Christmas."

"(Ukraine  ed.) is fighting. But there are also the interests of the business who are worried about their lives and the fact that they may be pushed back from the transportation market. We are trying to solve this problem. I think that after today's meeting the starting position is very good," he stressed.

Earlier, Oleksander Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, and Dariusz Klimczak, the newly-appointed Minister of Infrastructure of Poland, have held their first meeting in Warsaw.

Background: The blockade by Polish hauliers has been ongoing since 6 November. On Monday, 18 December, the hauliers resumed the blockade of the Dorohusk-Yahodyn checkpoint after it was temporarily halted due to a ban by local authorities.

Among other things, the hauliers demand the reintroduction of commercial permits for Ukrainian companies for transporting freight with the exception of humanitarian aid and supplies for the Ukrainian military.

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Police have added a new charge against a Hanover man accused of bringing a machete to his former workplace in Adams County.

Along with the suite of existing charges against Christopher Apgar, 25, of Hanover, police have added a felony count of kidnapping.

Police initially charged Apgar with felony counts of terroristic threats, criminal trespass and aggravated assault. He also faced misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

Police and EMS personnel are seen on the scene where a 25-year-old fired employee reportedly returned with a machete to an Utz factory on the first block of Kindig Lane, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Conewago Township. A 52-year-old plant manager cut his hand while disarming the man, said Conewago Township Police Chief Gary Baumgardner.

The charges stem from an incident at an Utz factory in Conewago Township on Dec. 8, 2023, in which police say Apgar, who had been fired, showed up to his former workplace with a machete to confess his love to a former coworker.

After Apgar grabbed that female coworker, other employees intervened, resulting in a plant manager being wounded when the plant manager grabbed the machete, police said. A struggle ensued, and several employees were able to restrain Apgar.

Read more: Felony assault charges filed in Utz machete incident

Apgar, who was unable to post $50,000 bail, continues to be held in Adams County Prison.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Kidnapping charge added against man accused of Utz machete incident
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Portland police have identified the Beaverton teenager killed Wednesday in an early morning shooting in Northwest Portland.

Officers discovered Javaun R. Johnson, 17, injured in Northwest Trinity Place on Wednesday just after midnight. Despite life-saving measures, he died at the scene, officials said.

A medical examiner determined Johnson died of homicide by gunshot.

Beaverton School District officials confirmed to KOIN 6 Thursday night that he was a student at Aloha High School during the 2021-2022 school year.

Court docs detail first-hand account of Scappoose deadly stabbing

During the investigation, authorities closed the area of West Burnside Street from Northwest Everett Street to Everett Street and Northwest 19th Avenue to 20th Avenue.

As of Thursday, police have yet to report any suspects.

Police ask anyone with information about Johnsons death to contact Detective Calvin Goldring at calvin.goldring@police.portlandoregon.gov and 503-823-0256 or Detective Brad Clifton at brad.clifton@police.portlandoregon.gov and 503-823-0696. Reference Case No. 23-327113.

Stay with KOIN 6 as we receive more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Police have identified the Russian special forces officers of OMON (Special Purposes Mobile Unit) and SOBR (Special Rapid Response Unit) who tortured villagers in the Bucha district in March last year.

Source: Kyiv Oblast National Police

Details: The police report that on 19 March 2022, during the occupation of the Bucha district, the Russians came under artillery fire from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Under the pretext of searching for artillery observers, they captured four residents of the village of Zdvyzhivka.

At the time of the detention, two of the victims were at home, while the others were walking home from their relatives. None of them had weapons and did not show aggression towards the Russians, but one of the detainees had a photo of Russian military equipment dated 25 February 2022 - in fact, three weeks before the shelling.

Quote: "This became a pretext to unreasonably seize, tie up and take the victims to a barn on the outskirts of the village for interrogation. There, they were held for over a day in below-zero temperatures and, imitating an execution, demanded to identify which of them was the artillery observer.

Having received no answer, the occupiers took one of the prisoners to a forest belt, where they beat him for half an hour with their feet and rifle butts, then doused him with petrol and first imitated burning him, and then fired machine guns over his head."

More details: After that, the people were released on the grounds that the artillery observers had been found and killed by other Russian soldiers.

The police identified the brigade, special forces and the Russians who tortured the residents of Zdvyzhivka. These were the OMON and SOBR special forces officers of the Russian Guard of Krasnoyarsk Krai of the Russian Federation. They were led by the commander of the OMON of Russias Main Directorate of Internal Affairs in Krasnoyarsk Krai. It was he who gave orders for the abduction, illegal detention and torture of citizens.

He was notified of suspicion of cruel treatment of civilians and ordered to commit such acts (Art. 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years.

ALL PhotoS: Kyiv Oblast National Police

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Police are investigating after a shooting occurred Friday morning at Rosie OReillys bar in unincorporated Wheaton in the west suburbs.

DuPage County and Wheaton police responded to the restaurant at 131 N. Gary Avenue at 8:45 a.m. for a reported shooting. Initial reports said the shooting occurred after a fight broke out between workers at the bar. Police could not be immediately be reached to confirm how many people were hurt.

The restaurant had opened at 6 a.m., according to hours listed on Google. Wheaton police said the incident was isolated and did not pose a threat to the public.

Police shut down Gary Avenue between Harrison Avenue and Prairie Avenue to secure the scene and investigate. Residents were asked to avoid the area until the investigation is completed.

Wheaton North High School was briefly placed on a secure and teach lockdown out of caution, police said.

The DuPage County Sheriffs office is investigating.

This story is developing.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCN)  An attempted robbery Saturday inside a Sheetz ended with the victim injured by gunshots and the suspects fleeing in two vehicles.

Around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Greenville police were dispatched to the store at 650 Whitley Drive in Winterville for a report of shots fired.

During the investigation, officers learned that the incident started inside the store, where three individuals confronted the victim.

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The victim was a customer in line near the cash register. It is believed that the suspects attempted to rob the victim, police said.

During the robbery, the victim ran out of the store, and the suspects shot him several times. The victim was transported to ECU Health with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects fled in a red Charger and a gray Volkswagen. We believe these suspects may live in the area of Raleigh or Murfreesboro, NC.

Police are asking for help in identifying these three individuals. They were riding in a red charger with a 30-day tag displaying an expiration date of Feb. 26, 2023.

Detectives are continuing to follow up on leads in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact GPD Detective Elias at (252) 329-4176 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 758-7777. You can remain anonymous.

(Greenville Police Dept.)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed two provisions in the 2024 national budget seeking a revolving fund for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the implementation of the National Government's Career Executive Service Development Program (NGCESDP).

The Palace on Friday said the chief executive wrote to the House of Representatives on Dec. 20 where he explained his decision to get rid of some items in the planned spending.

Based on the letter, Marcos said there was no law allowing the DOJ to create a revolving fund.

It may be emphasized that the service fees sought to be charged and collected are to be imposed upon complaints and affidavits filed with the National Prosecution Service, and petitions for review filed before the DOJ, when, in fact, such pleadings are filed with the said agencies by virtue of their jurisdiction vested by law, he said.

Marcos also said the charges being collected are clearly not from business-type activities within the contemplation of the General Provision on Revolving Funds in the GAA

In rejecting the implementation of the NGCESDP, the president said it does not relate to any particular appropriation in this Budget.

He then cited a presidential decree that paved the way for the creation of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB).

PD No. 336 further delineated the functions of the CESB as the governing body of the Career Executive Service (CES) and the Development Academy of the Philippines is tasked to prepare a CES program appropriate and necessary for the organization and operation of the CES, and in consultation with the CESB, initiate and continue to implement the aforesaid program, he said.

Moreover, Section 8 (2), Chapter 2, Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order (EO) No. 292, s. 1987 (Administrative Code of 1987), also considered a substantive law, expressly prescribed that entrance to the third level career service position shall be prescribed by the CESB, Marcos added.

The president signed into law on Wednesday the 5.768 trillion government budget for next year.

The 2024 budget does not include confidential and intelligence funds for civilian agencies, including the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President.
Roads approaching the Port of Dover were congested on Friday morning

Travellers heading to the Port of Dover are facing long queues following a walkout by French workers.

Port officials said "exceptionally heavy traffic" was causing delays for passengers making their Christmas getaway across the Channel.

Port chief executive Doug Bannister said there was a "big surge" in traffic after a Eurotunnel walkout on Thursday.

"Probably we'll see slow traffic through early afternoon and then it'll start to ease off from there," he said.

Mr Bannister said ferry operators laid on extra sailings overnight to try to shift the backlog of traffic clogging approaches to the port.

The port attributed delays to a surge in demand for ferries after the walkout saw the Channel Tunnel rail link closed on Thursday.

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, described the overnight "traffic chaos" as "completely unacceptable".

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, she claimed Kent County Council's highways department and the Kent Resilience Forum had "failed to manage traffic appropriately in the town".

The authority has been approached for comment.

The port said on Friday afternoon that travellers were facing a 90-minute wait ahead of the French border checks in Dover.

Mr Bannister said traffic was moving through the border controls "quite smoothly".

The Port of Dover said: "We apologise but only drivers and their passengers with advance [ferry] bookings will be able to travel."

Stagecoach South East said although traffic had eased, buses were still unable to serve Dover town and Hawkinge towards Canterbury "due to parked lorries blocking the road".

A fault with the signalling system at Dover Priory station also led to delays to trains towards Charing Cross, St Pancras and Victoria via Canterbury East, according to Southeastern Railway.

Kent County Council's highways and transportation strategic resilience manager, Toby Howe, says many people are "working very hard" to clear the area.

Mr Howe told BBC Radio Kent: "We've had far more pouring into Dover than was able to get out."

He explained the port had opened all of its French customs booths, but there was a "huge backlog of traffic" with over 400 lorries on the A20 heading towards Dover.

Kent Police temporarily closed junctions eight and nine of the M20 on Thursday to be used as a lorry holding area, following the suspension of Eurotunnel services.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The leader of Portlands Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kieran L. Ramsey, is leaving the local office for a position at the national level.

Ramsey, whos served as the Portland field offices special agent in charge since January 2021, will be starting a position as an assistant FBI director in Washington, D.C. next year. In his new role, he said hell be reporting back to the FBI headquarters on a myriad of national security issues.

Devastating and heartbreaking: Portland leaders frustrations mount at all-time high homeless deaths

According to information obtained by KOIN 6s Ken Boddie, Ramsey will be one of 30 assistant directors nationwide.

He first joined the FBI as a special agent in 1998. So far in his career, the agents focus has been on counterterrorism, hostage recovery, public corruption and organized crime.

More recently in Portland, hes handled bomb threats that targeted school districts, synagogues and airports across the state.

Jury acquits 3 Washington state officers in death of a Black man who told them he couldnt breathe

Throughout Ramseys Portland tenure, Boddie reported the local FBI made 542 arrests and 312 convictions. He also noted that officials recovered 366 weapons and rescued 115 children from instances of sex trafficking, human trafficking and abuse.

The special agents final day is Jan. 5 of next year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The shoes were designed for Spike Lee to wear during the 2019 Academy Awards

A Portland homeless shelter has raised $50,800 (39,900) from the sale of a rare pair of sneakers that were left behind in its donation bin.

The gold Air Jordan sneakers were discovered by employees at the Portland Rescue Mission earlier this year.

They are identical to ones designed for and worn by renowned American film director Spike Lee in 2019.

Shelter employees said they still do not know who made the donation.

At first, they said they thought the shiny shoes, unearthed from the bottom of a bin under other donations, were fake. But sneaker authenticators determined they were real, leaving them in disbelief.

"I wouldn't have guessed in a thousand years that they were going to be the real thing," said Erin Holcomb, Portland Rescue Mission's director of staff ministry, in an interview with the Washington Post.

The sneakers were sold in a Sotheby's auction on Monday, with proceeds going toward clothes and meals for people served by the shelter.

Who put the gold-painted leather sneakers in the shelter's donation chute last April remains a mystery. It was probably not Mr Lee.

The shoes were originally designed by Tinker Hatfield for Mr Lee, who had asked to wear a gold pair of Air Jordans for the 2019 Academy Awards, where his film BlacKkKlansman had received multiple nominations.

Nike later sent the director four pairs of shoes in his size, a 9 . The shoes that were donated, however, are a size 12 . The shoes were never sold to the public.

Lee said he does not know who donated the shoes, which are not his size

In an interview with the Washington Post, Mr Lee said that he, too, has no idea where the donated shoes came from.

"My foot has never been that big," he said.

Nike's world headquarters are in Beaverton, a suburb of Portland, and many of its employees live in Oregon.

In her 17 years of working at the shelter, Ms Holcomb has never sold a donated item, she said. But she was keen on determining the shoes' authenticity.

After several months juggling work and parenthood, she took the shoes to a Portland sneaker consignment store, where employees quickly determined that they were real.

New York auction house Sotheby's sold them with an autographed box and a poster from Mr Hatfield, the shoes' designer.

It had estimated the shoes were valued around $15,000 to $20,000. When the auction closed at $50,800, the shelter's employees were left in tears.

"I am so glad that we were able to leverage them towards serving more people," Ms Holcomb said.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY  Power lines fell along a sidewalk of a major intersection and busy shopping area knocking out power to traffic lights and several stores and businesses Thursday.

No one was injured, but fire crews and deputies closed portions of State Road 60 and 58th Avenue for utility crews who worked to shut down energy to the power lines before beginning repairs, a fire official said.

"We got two high-tension power lines came down along Walgreens and the sidewalk there," said Assistant Fire Chief Richard Marini, around 5 p.m. "We got a couple lanes shut down."

Traffic lights at State Road 60 and 58th Avenue were off due to the outage, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. The agency advised commuters to treat intersections without functioning lights as four-way stops.

Traffic lights along State Road 60 from 58th Avenue to Interstate 95 were affected.

It was estimated power would be out in the area and traffic signals would remain down for up to two hours for repairs to utility lines, the agency announced shortly before 4:30 p.m.

Fire crews were first sent to the area around 1:45 p.m. after callers reported sparking wires. When firefighters arrived, Marini said the first power line was already on the sidewalk on the southeast side of State Road 60 in front of Walgreens.

"While we were there the second wire came down," he said.

Fire crews and law enforcement waited in the area for Florida Power and Light workers to shut off power to the grid along the southeast side of State Road 60 at 58th Avenue.

Florida Power and Light reported 1,719 of its customers were affected by the outage just after 4 p.m., but by shortly after 5 p.m. that number dwindled to 34, a spokesperson said.

"...Within 30 minutes we were able to restore all but 34, said FPL spokesman Kamrel Eppinger. "Crews are on scene working to restore power to the remaining customers."

Eppinger said the cause of the outage was being investigated.

"It could be related to the cool weather we had," Marini said, saying power lines contract and expand with temperature fluctuations like recent bouts of lows in the 40s and 50s.

Top stories in Indian River County in 2023: Breeze, banned books and Brightline topped the news

19th Judicial Circuit remains: Florida Supreme Court says there is no need to consolidate judicial circuits

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on X @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Power lines fall at State Road 60 intersection causing traffic light, business outages
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY  Florida Power and Light has restored power to more than 1,700 customers near a busy intersection and shopping area after a power line fell Thursday afternoon.

Crews restored electric power to all customers shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday to the area of State Road 60 and 58th Avenue, according to FPL. The outage affected businesses and traffic signals west to Interstate 95.

No one was injured by the downed power line.

Sheriff Eric Flowers said Friday there were two traffic crashes in the area related to the power outage. One had no injuries and the other involved a transport to a hospital.

"We assisted with keeping traffic moving in the area," he said.

The power line fell on a sidewalk on the southeast side of State Road 60 near 58th Avenue in front of Walgreens.

Initially Thursday, officials reported two power lines fell, but Friday FPL said it was one.

Indian River County sheriff's deputies and firefighters closed parts of both roads so utility workers could shut off power ahead of repairs.

Traffic lights at the busy intersection of S.R. 60 and 58th Avenue were out, Indian River County sheriff's officials said. Drivers were being told to treat the intersection and others without power as four-way stops.

Firefighters first responded to the area at about 1:45 p.m. following reports of sparking wires, said Richard Marini, assistant fire chief for Indian River County Fire Rescue.

Arriving fire crews found one power line on the sidewalk in front of Walgreens.

Fire crews and law enforcement waited in the area for Florida Power and Light workers to shut off power to the grid along the southeast side of State Road 60 at 58th Avenue.

FPL crews arrived shortly before 3:30 p.m. and shut power off, FPL spokesman Kamrel Eppinger said Friday.

Eppinger said 1,719 customers lost power just after 4 p.m. Thursday.

"...Within 30 minutes we were able to restore all but 34," Eppinger said.

More: Storm knocks out power to some in St. Lucie, sets up 'nasty' weekend at area beaches

More: Power lines fall at State Road 60 intersection causing traffic light, business outages

FPL was still investigating the cause of the downed line Friday.

"It could be related to the cool weather we had," Marini said.

He said power lines contract and expand with temperature fluctuations, and we've had recent bouts of lows in the 40s and 50s.

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on X @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. Keith Burbank is a watchdog reporter for TCPalm. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Power and Light restores electricity following fallen line
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  There were no Filipinos hurt in the shooting incident in a Prague university that killed more than 10 people, the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic said Friday.

The embassy said that the six identified Filipino students at Charles University are safe.

"The Philippine Embassy in Prague wishes to inform the Filipino community in the Czech Republic and that it has contacted a representative of the six known Filipino students at the Charles University, and ascertained that all of them are safe and everyone is monitoring the situation closely," the statement read.

According to CNN International, a student opened fire at the Faculty of Arts building of the university which also left over 20 individuals wounded.

The gunman also died, but the police have not named him, the report said.

Although the situation was already contained, the embassy advised Filipinos near the place of incident to be cautious.

"The victims' nationalities have not been publicly shared, and Prague police contacts have stated that they will inform the embassy should any relevant developments involving Filipinos occur."
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan (L) and Police President Martin Vondrak speaks during a press conference on the shooting at the Faculty of Arts. imanek Vit/CTK/dpa

All the victims who died in the mass shooting in central Prague have been identified, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Friday.

Speaking to public broadcaster CT, he said there were no foreigners among the dead.

"Fourteen victims from the ranks of students and other persons have now been confirmed, and the perpetrator died  so 15 deaths in total," Prague police chief Petr Matejcek said.

He added that 25 people had been injured, including two from the United Arab Emirates and one from the Netherlands.

A student opened fire on Thursday afternoon from the main building of the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University on Jan Palach Square.

The motive remains unclear. Police believe that he was also behind the murder of a father and his infant daughter a week ago. Forensic investigation aims to clarify these murders based on ballistics.

Rakusan said the gunman owned his weapons legally and that he did not have a previous criminal record.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan speaks during a press conference on the shooting at the Faculty of Arts. imanek Vit/CTK/dpa
At least 14 people were killed and another 25 injured after a gunman opened fire on Thursday at Charles University in Prague, according to local police.

The shooting, in a country where gun violence is rare, is the countrys deadliest in modern history. Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, said Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan on Tuesday.

International firearm injury prevention organization Gunpolicy.org reports that, in 2019the last year with available gun violence data on their sitethere were 195 total gun deaths in the Czech Republic, a country of 10.8 million people. In 2018, the number stood at 170, and the year before that, there were 174 deaths. By contrast, the United States has reported more than 15,000 firearm deaths in 2019, excluding suicides, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Gun laws in the Czech Republic are generally lax compared to other European nations, though citizens still have to pass a multi-part test, background check and health clearance to obtain a firearm.

Czech authorities revealed the gunman involved in Thursdays shooting legally owned several guns. They added that the act was premeditated, calling it a well thought out, horrible act, per the AP. Police have not released information about the suspects connection to any terrorist organization, or a possible motive.

Prior to Thursday, the countrys deadliest mass mass shooting in modern history was in 2015, when a shooter took eight lives before fatally shooting himself. At least one other mass killing has occurred since, when a gunman killed six people in a hospital waiting room in 2019, according to Reuters.

Gun laws in the Czech Republic

There are more than 1 million registered weapons in the Czech Republic, according to 2022 police data. The Czech Republic has the constitutional right to bear arms and allows citizens to carry concealed weapons for self-defense, though the process for actually obtaining a weapon involves multiple steps.

Some of the standards to obtain a gun license vary. Everyone has to undergo a background and health check, though police can opt to take someones weapon away if they appear to have mental health problems. (That law was passed after the 2015 mass shooting. The gunman had shown signs of mental health issues prior.)

People must also take a multiple choice question quizof which 30 questions are taken from a possible 501 that people can study from. The test may be more or less difficult for some based on the type of license they want to obtain. For instance, people who are attempting to get their concealed carry license can only get one question wrong, meaning that about 2 in 5 people do not pass, the Washington Post reports.

Following the written portion of the test, citizens also have to show that they can shoot a firearm well. They have to be able to describe the different parts of the gun for the exam and show that they know how to safely store their weapon. People are also not allowed to own guns if they have a criminal record.

Reports show a slight increase in obtaining a gun license in the country since Russia first invaded Ukraine, but with such precautions in place, gun violence is still incredibly rare.

"We always thought that this was a thing that did not concern us," Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said to Czech Television. Now it turns out that, unfortunately, our world is also changing and the problem of the individual shooter is emerging here as well.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister, looks at lit candles at a makeshift memorial outside Charles University in central Prague - MICHAL CIZEK/AFP

Prague police have apologised for failing to capture a university gunman before he launched his rampage after it emerged he was suspected of shooting a father and baby in a park just a week earlier.

David Kozak, the 24-year-old gunman, is suspected of shooting the 32-year-old man and his two-month-old daughter dead in woodland near the Czech capital on Dec 15.

I think we were days from uncovering the [Prague university] shooter as the shooter from the forest, the police said.

Their bodies were found after shots rang out at woodland in Klanovice, 11 miles east of Pragues city centre, last Friday in an apparently random attack.

No perpetrator was found despite hundreds of policemen, dogs and a thermal imaging-equipped helicopter combing the area in the week since.

But after a search of Kozaks house, Czech police said they found evidence linking him to the double murder.

We are working very seriously with the version, which is very real at the moment, that todays attacker is also responsible for the two victims killed last Friday at Klanovice forest, police chief Martin Vondrasek said on Thursday evening.

I am convinced at this point that these were completely randomly selected victims by a person with no criminal record whatsoever.

The head of the murder department at Prague police confirmed that the university gunman was one of the suspects for the forest shooting, and that they were days away from identifying him as such.

I think we were days from uncovering the shooter as the shooter from the forest. I am extremely sorry for what happened. I am convinced we did our best, he told a press conference.

On Thursday afternoon, the gunman is understood to have killed his own father in their family home in a village near the town of Kladno, outside of Prague, a police chief spokesman said. He then went on the shooting rampage at Charles University.

One of the victims of Thursdays shooting has been named as Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology at the universitys Faculty of Arts, the Czech interior ministry said. Hlavkova is believed to leave behind two school-aged sons.

Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology at the universitys Faculty of Arts, was one of the victims of Thursdays shooting

No foreigners were killed during the shooting, but three were wounded, the interior minister added.

The police chief warned that some people might be inspired by the shooting.

At half past midnight, we received a call saying that someone was inspired by the perpetrator. In the early hours of the morning we were able to secure this caller. I dont have more details but we have to watch out, he said.

Some people might say the police came too late. The reaction time was four minutes; four minutes, from when we received the first call from when the first policeman stepped into the building, a police official told a press conference.

People might be surprised that we asked the evacuees to raise their hands when walking out of the building but at the time we werent sure if there were any accomplices, he added.

Ondrej Moravcik, a spokesman for the Czech police, said they began evacuating one of the buildings, and then got information that the assailant was in a different building and quickly moved there to start evacuating people.

The authorities said that students had barricaded themselves into rooms of the university building, and that in some instances, police had to use force to get through and evacuate students.

An investigation deputy has said that a witness called the police at 12.26pm saying her friend sent a suicide text and that police units immediately reacted.

Soon after that, police found a dead man in the town and in the following minutes we found out there is a device in the house that could be a bomb, he said. They then learnt that the suspect was heading towards the capital.

A woman cries outside the headquarters of Charles University for the victims of the mass shooting - Denes Erdos

Authorities are investigating messages posted on Telegram under the name of David Kozak.

One post shared the day before the shooting said: This will be my diary as I go toward school shooting.

Another message said: I always wanted to kill. I thought I would be a maniac in the future.

The authorities said they did not believe that the gunmans actions were connected to international or domestic terrorism.

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Daisaku Ikeda, who headed Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization, attends a meeting at a hotel in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2008. Credit - Kyodo NewsAP

Seventy-six years ago, at the age of seven, my journey with the piano beganthe start of a lifelong engagement with music that shaped my worldview. At 14, I became interested in Jazz and my career and life took a huge turn at 23 when I had the honor of joining The Miles Davis Quintet.

Collaborating with Miles, a figure I could never have dreamed working alongside, was transformative. The days I spent with him were a series of special opportunities.

There was a night on stage where I played a chord that was wrong; I had taken this great night and reduced it to rubble, or at least I thought. Miles took a breath and played some notes and turned what I imagined was a mistake into magic. That moment taught me about the infinite possibilities when it comes to music.

We lost Miles in 1990. He was more than a bandmate; he was my musical mentor.

On November 15, 2023, I lost my mentor in life, Daisaku Ikeda, who passed away at 95. Ikeda Sensei, a prominent figure in the modern evolution of Nichiren Buddhism, was the third president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI).

In his novel, The Human Revolution, Ikeda articulated the premise that a change in a single individual can transform the destiny of a family, community, or indeed a nation. He was a beacon of hope, and like Miles Davis music, Ikeda remains a source of illumination for me personally, and throughout the world.

Ikedas teachings and the warm, humanistic way he dealt with people brought out the intrinsic value of every individual. He was truly a man who walked the talk of Buddhism and compassion.

He asserted that each person carries a mission integral to the vast tapestry of life. This philosophy instilled in me the belief that each life is irreplaceable and affirms our collective identity as members of a singular human family. Every individual has a mission that only that person can fulfill. Each mission is a crucial piece of the puzzle of life and this is why we are alive. No one is replaceable.

Ikeda taught that suffering is a part of life that no one can escape. But, he provided reassurance that with strong faith anyone can transform their circumstances, learn from their struggles, turn poison into medicine, and live happy lives.

Some think there are two kinds of people: bad and good. The truth is all people have the potential to be good and bad. The good side can become corrupted by greed, ego, jealousy, or other elements. The bad can be positively transformed by external or internal factors.

As a practicing Buddhist for over five decades, I've learned there are no wrong chords in life. While chanting one day, I was thinking about my life and family and career in music. Suddenly, I realized that to my wife I was more than a musician, I was her husband and to my daughter I was her father. Im a son to my parents, a neighbor to my friends next-door. Being a musician is just one of those identities. I realized that I had put myself in a cage defined as a musician. This epiphany removed all the walls, the barriers to a fuller realization of self. What I do is play music. What I am is a human being.

In a conversation with Ikeda and my late dear friend Wayne Shorter, Ikeda shared that Peace spreads when a culture that has faith in the goodness of human beings, and seeks to elevate them, flourishes.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  The motoring public will have to pay more for fuel products during the last week of 2023 following a surge in oil prices as companies halt shipments through the Red Sea, according to the Department of Energy.

In a statement on Friday, DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rodela Romero said the following per liter price increases may be implemented next week, starting Tuesday:

Gasoline - 1.40 to 1.60

Diesel - 1.40 to 1.60

Kerosene - 1.60 to 1.80

Said adjustments were tempered by signs of unexpected build-up in US crude stockpiles and talks over a potential ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Romero said.

The DOE official blamed the upward movements on the growing avoidance of the Red Sea by oil companies and tanker owners as a rebel group ramped up attacks on vessels in the region.

Last month, 17 Filipino seafarers were among the crew taken hostage by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

Based on reports of CNN International, attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have further risen, prompting the United States and other countries to boost security measures.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A whittled-down version of a proposed six-story apartment complex in the University District is still too big to win the approval of a review board.

Representatives from Chicago-based developer UP Campus Properties on Monday presented their plans for a student apartment complex on East 16th and Waldeck avenues, on the site of Summit United Methodist Church. With a significant cut to square footage, fewer stories and a greater emphasis on matching the architecture of existing residential buildings, members of the University Impact District Review Board acknowledged the compromises UP Campus had made since proposing the project in July.

Top rated pizzerias in Columbus according to Yelp

What was originally supposed to be a 425-bed complex sitting atop the slight hill the church currently occupies now includes a row of markedly shorter townhomes leading up to a six-story apartment building. Now standing at 325 beds and a little over 100 parking spaces, the plans show more greenspace along the sidewalks, including the preservation of mature sycamore trees, and porches, balconies and terraces sprinkled among the apartment units.

With townhomes along Waldeck Avenue in place of a six-story brick facade, another key change to the plans was the preservation of a neighboring duplex built in the early 20th century. Board members had previously warned that any approval of the duplexs demolition would only come with a shorter complex.

A proposed apartment complex on Waldeck and East 16th Avenues, at the site of Summit United Methodist Church. (Courtesy Photo/MA Design)

Proposed townhomes on Waldeck Avenue at the site of Summit United Methodist Church. (Courtesy Photo/MA Design)

We heard loud and clear  more than once, quite honestly  that too much, too big, scale it down, mass, all those buzzwords, John Eymann, an architect with MA Design working with the developers, said.

Despite their journeys back to the drawing board, developers on Monday did not receive approval from the review board to move forward. The board, tasked with ensuring any development proposals harmonize with the history and character of the neighborhood, remained concerned that allowing a zoning variance for the six-story building would set bad precedent.

Canine Companions and their puppies with a purpose in need of volunteers

Multiple proposals in the neighborhood are in earlier stages of development, a board member said, and allowing such a tall building to be built among much smaller residential buildings would make it more difficult to deny similar plans down the road.

One board member indicated the board would approve the proposal if the complex were closer in size to the newly-envisioned townhomes. But that would require a significant sacrifice of square footage, Eymann said, something he said isnt quite as possible as earlier requests to cut down the projects mass.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Prosecutors in the University of Idaho murder case filed a request Thursday to set a trial schedule next year for defendant Bryan Kohberger.

The Latah County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, which charged Kohberger with killing four U of I students in November 2022, asked the presiding judge for an approximately six-week jury trial, including the sentencing, beginning in summer 2024. Trial days would run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, according to the proposed schedule.

The filing comes less than a week after the judge denied the defenses effort to throw out the grand jury indictment of their client.

State attorneys, led by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, requested that the trial dates in Moscow take into account the university and local high schools schedule to avoid overlap while they are in session.

As the court is aware, Moscow High School is directly adjacent to the courthouse premises and already the significantly increased amount of media and other vehicles related to this case has strained available parking as well as safety and convenience for pedestrians, including students, read Thursdays filing signed by senior deputy prosecutor Ashley Jennings, Thompsons second in command.

To meet the summer 2024 trial start date, prosecutors asked Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial Court in Latah County schedule a hearing to set deadlines for all filings, discovery, exhibits, names of expert witnesses, witness lists and proposed jury instructions. Prosecutors also requested that Kohberger not be provided any additional time to file an alibi, if that is part of his defense, given two such deadlines had already lapsed.

The state submits that the defendant has already been afforded this opportunity and the court heard arguments on the motions relating to such, the filing read. The state submits the opportunity for the defendant to disclose an alibi and notify the state of the same has passed and asks that the court not reopen this issue.

Kohbergers public defense team previously said in an alibi filing that its client was out alone driving his car overnight Nov. 12 to Nov. 13 and long had a habit of doing so. The four U of I students were stabbed to death at an off-campus home on King Road in Moscow between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. on Nov. 13, according to the probable cause affidavit for Kohbergers arrest.

Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. The victims were U of I students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. At that time, Kohberger was a graduate student at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, about 9 miles west of Moscow.

Kohbergers trial was initially set to start in early October. In August, he waived his right to a speedy trial, which indefinitely postponed the trial. Prosecutors already have said they will seek the death penalty for Kohberger if he is convicted by a jury.
One of the police vehicles that was damaged during a ramming incident this year

Seventy-seven officers have been hurt in incidents where police cars have been deliberately rammed this year, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.

That is a 50% increase on 2022.

"Vehicles are being used as weapons against us," said Ass Ch Con Bobby Singleton.

"The threat that is posed by people using vehicles is, in many respects, treated by us as being every bit as serious as those who have firearms."

Incidents are occurring about once a week.

Figures provided by the PSNI show that up to last week, 45 police cars had been deliberately rammed in 2023 - compared to 34 last year.

Officers at risk

The crashes most commonly occur in north and west Belfast, Londonderry and border areas such as south Armagh.

Mr Singleton said the PSNI had "been fortunate" not to have seen an officer killed.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the death of Con Philippa Reynolds. who died when her patrol car was hit by a stolen vehicle in Londonderry in February 2013.

"It is a scary thing for officers to go through," said Mr Singleton.

"It is a testament to the courage that officers display that they will put themselves in situations where they are at risk in order to protect the public."

He said most incidents involved people trying to evade arrest.

Repair costs

"That can be for a range of offences, like driving with no insurance, right up to high-end offending," he said.

While officers have had specialist training in pursuits, "what we cannot eliminate is when offenders will use vehicles as weapons".

Increased repair costs are also adding to the PSNI's budget difficulties.

Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board recently visited the police vehicle repair facility in Carrickfergus.

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said: "Those who resort to ramming police vehicles to evade arrest must feel the full weight of law.

"The courts must send out a strong message to deter those from engaging in such acts going forward."

Former senior PSNI officer Jon Burrows said the "shocking" statistics are reflective of an increasing problem faced by police officers.

"We should always recognise that officers take a huge risk when they patrol on our behalf," he told BBC's Evening Extra programme.

He said a jail deterrent "has to be made very clear" to those involved in deliberate ramming.

"I think there's a cultural issue, probably, in Northern Ireland," he added. "There's been so much violence towards the police in the past, almost we become culturally complacent about the dangers that our officers face today."
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A teenager from California was arrested for making swatting calls since the summer in Cumberland and Franklin counties which prompted a large police response, a news release from Pennsylvania State Police states.

Nathaniel Deleaon, 19, of Tulare, CA, is accused of making the swatting calls that allegedly included a bomb threat at a local school to harass a girl that he met online, State Police in Carlisle say.

According to the release, Swatting is outlined as; The act of Swatting typically involves a report of a serious or violent crime or emergency which would typically prompt an elevated response from law enforcement, oftentimes involving a tactical response team and/or specialized units such as a bomb or SWAT Team.

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Multiple police departments, including State Police, responded to Big Spring High School, located at 100 Mount Rock Road in West Pennsboro Township, for a reported bomb threat on Nov. 30, Troopers say. No devices were found, but Troopers say that staff and students were still dismissed for the day.

Throughout the investigation that included the FBI, Deleaon was identified to be the alleged actor and was arrested Friday after the FBI searched his home and found evidence, the release states. It was discovered that Deleaon was responsible for swatting calls from June 2023.

Deleaon faces numerous charges of risking catastrophe, stalking, terroristic threats and harassment. He is currently lodged in a California prison awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Public safety departments across Minnesota are getting an infusion of $300 million in state money, boosting everything from police officers' mental health to firefighter equipment.

The one-time aid that the Legislature approved and Gov. Tim Walz signed into law earlier this year will be dispersed to cities, counties and tribes next week. The amounts, based on the population of each entity, range from a few thousand dollars for small cities to $19 million for Minneapolis.

There are few restrictions on the new funding, so public safety departments  which also include statewide agencies, such as the State Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension  can use the money for whatever they need.

"This is important work and, we've seen over the last year, it's also dangerous work," Walz said, standing next to a shiny $2 million firetruck in Lino Lakes. "We were hearing from folks saying 'give us flexibility ... and don't make our communities have to decide between fixing a street or funding a school or providing public safety.'"

Some law enforcement leaders on Thursday said the money comes at a critical time when agencies are grappling with rising costs and widespread staffing shortages. The state has never distributed this much money to public safety departments in a one-time funding boost, although the Legislature also had a historic budget surplus last session.

"This has never been done before," said Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights. "That was the key for us, is making sure that we were listening to what everybody needed and [had] local control. Every community is different, everybody has different needs."

In Lino Lakes, the nearly $1 million will go toward paying down the cost of a new firetruck and adding training and fire suppression equipment. In White Bear Lake, the fire department will buy a new ambulance and thermal imaging to locate victims in a fire, and add more training and mental health services for firefighters.

And in Bloomington, the nearly $4 million will help the city start a pilot program this month, offering free in-home therapy to people in a mental health crisis in hopes of reducing the number of repeat police calls. Chief Booker T. Hodges said there's no program like it in the country.

"If we didn't have this funding, we wouldn't be able to do that," he said, adding that the state money will also help hire more officers to prepare for coming retirements.

Centennial Lakes Police Chief James Mork said his department, which serves three small north metro cities, doesn't have the large tax base Bloomington has, so the extra state money is helpful for smaller communities. The aid will go toward buying speed signs to deter speeding motorists and bolstering mental health for officers.

The 16-officer department will also increase its ranks for the first time in about 20 years, adding one officer.

"While some people might not think that's a big addition, when your family member is having a heart attack or maybe is no longer breathing, when you dial 911, having another car on that can respond to that emergency medical and help save a life is critical," he said.

Walz said departments will have to adjust for the fact that the new funding is a one-time influx, even if their expenses come with reoccurring costs. Walz said he pushed for the public safety aid the last two years but couldn't get his plan through the Legislature until this year, when Democrats controlled both the House and Senate.

Rachel Aplikowski, spokeswoman for the Senate GOP, said Senate Republicans opposed the broader DFL bill because of other measures, not the $300 million for public safety departments, and had their own proposals to support public safety agencies.

"My guess is, if we do this again because it's super popular and it's working amongst folks, we'll get [bipartisan] buy-in," Walz said. "I hope it sends a message to public safety folks that this is a priority."
Russian president Vladimir Putin (right) and Nikolai Patrushev, chief of the FSB, fly by helicopter to a military base in the North Caucasus mountains near Chechnya - MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP

A plane carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary boss, was brought down by a bomb planted under its wing in a plot orchestrated by Vladimir Putins oldest ally, according to a new report.

Nikolai Patrushev, a former KGB officer, the powerful head of Russias security council, personally oversaw the planning of the operation, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western intelligence sources and a former Russian intelligence officer.

Prigozhin died when his private jet crashed over Russias Tver region on Aug 23, around two months after he led an armed rebellion against Moscows military leadership in June, in the biggest threat to Putins two-decade rule.

The Kremlin has previously rejected as an absolute lie the suggestion by critics and Western countries that Putin had ordered the assassination in revenge for the short-lived mutiny.

A body bag is carried away from the wreckage of Prighozin's private jet in the Tver region, Russia - AP

Putin had claimed Prigozhins jet was destroyed when a hand grenade was accidentally set off on board, while he or his companions were possibly drunk or high on cocaine.

Bomb planted under wing

But now it has been claimed that a small bomb was planted under the wing of the Embraer Legacy 600 plane, while Prigozhin and nine others waited on the tarmac of a Moscow airport for a pre-flight check to be carried out.

No one inside the cabin appeared to notice the device being attached as they waited to take off for St Petersburg.

The jet climbed for about 30 minutes to 28,000 feet before the bomb was detonated and the aircraft crashed to the ground.

All 10 people on board were killed, including Prigozhin, his four bodyguards, three crew members and two other people who were important to the Wagner group.

He had to be removed, a Kremlin official told a European intelligence officer with backchannels of communication to the Russian regime after the incident.

Reports of the involvement of Patrushev offer yet more evidence that the assassination plot was coordinated by the Kremlin and had Putins blessing.

Mistake to have a parallel army

Patrushev, 72, is considered one of the most influential hardliners in the Russian presidents very tight inner circle. The pair have known each other since the Seventies when they worked together for the KGB in Leningrad  now known as St Petersburg.

When Putin was made prime minister by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, Patrushev took over Russias Federal Security Service.

Putins close confidant had repeatedly warned that Moscows reliance on Wagner in Ukraine had handed Prigozhin too much influence that could one day threaten the Kremlin.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, made increasingly outspoken attacks on Putin's leadership - AP

Everyone told Putin it was a mistake to have a parallel army, said one former Kremlin official, who had worked with both men.

When he spits in the face of the military leadership every day you have yourself a problem.

Patrushevs warnings, which started in the summer months of 2022, largely fell on deaf ears, while Wagner was making progress on the battlefield in the brutal battle for Bakhmut.

At loggerheads with leadership

Before his death, Prigozhin had been at loggerheads with Russias military leadership over supplies of weapons. Tensions eventually boiled over in late June when the mercenary chief marched some of his 25,000 fighters and tanks towards Moscow.

Patrushev stepped in to prevent the challenge to Putins leadership from spiralling out of control while the Russian president was at his villa outside the capital by contacting officers sympathetic to Prigozhin as he attempted to reach the Wagner boss.

Five calls to him went unanswered, so Patrushev resorted to contacting the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Kazakh president Jomart Tokayev, who has distanced himself from Russias invasion of Ukraine, refused to help. But Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko agreed to mediate between Prigozhin and Moscow.

A deal was eventually struck  the mutiny was called off and Prigozhin agreed to move his operation to Belarus in exchange for immunity.

Chinas choice to succeed Putin

Efforts by Patrushev to head off the coup demonstrated his loyalty to Putin, and the aide is seen as Beijings preferred choice as Russiaa next leader.

If Putin had been deposed or killed earlier this year by Wagner Group, I suspect Beijing would have made efforts to install Patrushev as Putins replacement, a former White House official said.

From the end of the mutiny, the Wagner boss was closely monitored by the Kremlin, as he travelled to Africa to keep tabs on his business in the region.

You can see what Putins plan was  to keep the dead man walking so they could continue to find out what happened, Mowatt-Larssen, a CIA station chief, told the WSJ.

At the beginning of August, Patrushev ordered his assistant to start shaping an operation to dispose of Prigozhin.

Putin was shown the plans and did not object, WSJ reported, citing Western intelligence agencies.

While the mutiny was the end of their relationship, the partnership had started souring before, after Prigozhin directly complained to Putin about the lack of supplies.

Pulp fiction

The Russian president, after the plane crash, described Prigozhin as a man who had made serious mistakes in his life but achieved the right results.

The Kremlin on Friday called the WSJ report pulp fiction.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, refused to comment but added: Lately, unfortunately, the Wall Street Journal has been very fond of producing pulp fiction.

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The assassination of the Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in Moscow was prepared for two months; it was approved by Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, writes The Wall Street Journal.

Source: The WSJ, citing representatives of Western and Russian special services and former Kremlin officials

Quote from WSJ: "The assassination of the warlord was two months in the making and approved by Russian President Vladimir Putins oldest ally and confidant, an ex-spy named Nikolai Patrushev, according to Western intelligence officials and a former Russian intelligence officer. The role of Patrushev as the driver of the plan to kill Prigozhin hasnt been previously reported ().

In the beginning of August, as most of Moscow went on vacation, Patrushev, in his office in central Moscow, gave orders to his assistant to proceed in shaping an operation to dispose of Prigozhin, said the former Russian intelligence officer. Putin was later shown the plans and didnt object, Western intelligence agencies said.

Several weeks later, following his tour through Africa, Prigozhin was waiting at a Moscow airport while safety inspectors finished a check on the plane. It was during this delay that a small bomb was placed under the wing, said Western intelligence officials."

Details: The Wall Street Journal revealed new details about Prigozhin's mutiny and murder, as well as Patrushev's role in Putin's restoration of power over an increasingly volatile Russia, by speaking with Western intelligence agencies, former US and Russian security and intelligence officials, and former Kremlin officials.

The publication reports that at the end of August 2023, on the runway of Moscow's airport, Prigozhin waited for his Embraer Legacy 600 to complete a safety check before takeoff. He was heading home to St. Petersburg with 9 other people on board. Due to the delay, no one in the plane's cabin noticed a small explosive device under the wing. When the plane finally took off, it climbed to an altitude of about 28,000 feet for approximately 30 minutes before the wing exploded, and the plane spiralled down to the ground. All 10 people on board died.

A few hours after the incident, a European involved in gathering intelligence and maintaining a secret communication channel with the Kremlin, upon seeing the news of the crash, asked a local official about what had happened.

"He had to be removed," the Kremlin official responded without hesitation.

Having tens of thousands of military personnel and engaging in lucrative operations involving extracting gold, timber, and diamonds in Africa, Prigozhin managed a multibillion-dollar empire overseas. However, in Russia and on the battlefield in Ukraine, his public confrontation with the higher military leadership over weapons and supplies put him on a collision course with the Kremlin.

When this erupted into an open rebellion against the Russian military command with an armed campaign on Moscow by 25,000 fighters and tanks from Wagner at the end of June, Patrushev intervened, seeing an opportunity to remove Prigozhin permanently.

The WSJ says that Patrushev had long warned Putin that Moscow's dependence on Wagner in Ukraine gave Prigozhin excessive political and military influence that threatened the Kremlin.

The newspaper reported that Patrushev warned Putin about Prigozhin in the summer months of 2022, but they fell on deaf ears as Wagner made progress on the battlefield.

The situation took a turn when Prigozhin reached out to Putin and bluntly lamented the lack of supplies, revealed a former Russian intelligence officer who maintains ties to people close to Putin and Patrushev.

The former intelligence officer said the conversation took place in October involving other office staff, including Patrushev, who heard the former catering operator (Prigozhin) berating the Russian president. Patrushev later seized on the call as a reason for Putin to distance himself from the Wagner PMC chief: "The warlord had become dangerous, with no respect for the Kremlins authority".

As December loomed, it was clear that Patrushev had won. Putin ignored Prigozhin even when he publicly criticised the Russian military and complained of the lack of supplies. His calls went unanswered.

The Kremlin effectively announced plans to remove Wagner PMC as a fighting force in Ukraine in early June, ordering its men to register and thus align with the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Prigozhin staged a mutiny on 23 June, sending Wagner mercenaries to attack the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Moscow. As Putin was away at his villa, Patrushev took the lead, organising a flurry of phone calls to persuade Prigozhin to back down, based on Western intelligence assessments and according to a former Russian intelligence officer.

Patrushev asked officers sympathetic to Prigozhin to attempt to reach him. Five calls to Prigozhin from the Kremlin went unanswered.

Patrushev also sought intermediaries, contacting the Kazakh and Belarusian governments. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko promised to help: he called Prigozhin several times for over 6 hours and relayed messages between the warlord and Moscow. Lukashenko passed on the offer made by Patrushev: if Prigozhin turned his forces around, his men would be allowed to retreat to Belarus.

Prigozhin's rebellion died within 24 hours, yet the Kremlin got even with him, although doing little publicly to limit Prigozhin's life.

The Wagner PMC chief travelled to Africa and could carry on working in St Petersburg and across Russia but was being cautious, said Maksim Shugaley, who worked for Prigozhin at a think tank.

"He knew he had enemies and that something could happen to him, but as far as he was concerned he was abiding by the deal," Shugaley stressed.

Former CIA officer Rolf Mowatt-Larssen believes Putin's plan was to "keep the dead man walking so they could continue to find out what happened," seeking Prigozhin's accomplices.

Prigozhin's plane crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino. Eyewitness videos revealed that the aircraft fell from the sky after the explosion with its wing torn off. Several days later, the Russian media reported that DNA tests had confirmed that Prigozhin and the Wagner group military commander Dmitry Utkin had been killed in the crash. Two pilots and a flight attendant were also among the dead.

The WSJ notes that Patrushev, 72, helped Putin take control of the government ahead of the 2024 presidential election, and "his role in some of the darker chapters of Putins presidency underscore the often deadly consequences for anyone who falls afoul of the Kremlin."

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel 'Babe' Romualdez maintained that foreign powers cannot dictate how the country should act in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told his counterpart Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo that Philippine-China relations are at a crossroads and that Manila should act with caution when it comes to its decisions in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: PH, China foreign affairs execs agree on need for 'dialogue' to address issues

"We are a sovereign country and we will decide what is best for ourselves. No one can tell us what to do," said Romualdez in an interview with CNN Philippines.

The envoy said that Philippine-U.S. relations remain strong amid these pronouncements by China.

"Whatever their statement is, the fact of the matter is we have a good relationship with the United States," he added. "We had a relationship for a very long time and thats the reason why we have the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)."

Romualdez also rejected Beijing's claim that the Philippines is acting in collusion with foreign powers to heighten tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

"Ang importanteng itanong natin who is doing what [The important question is: who is doing what]? All these aggressive moves continue to take place. Whether they claim we have stronger relationship with the US or not, they are still doing the same thing," Romualdez added.

The envoy said that the support of like-minded countries in the West Philippine Sea is proof' that Manila is on the right track.

"A lot of other countries are saying that what is being done to us is not according to international law and like-minded states call this type of behavior as unacceptable," added Romualdez.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Thursday he thinks the U.S. Constitution could not be any clearer that former President Trump is ineligible to hold public office again under the 14th Amendment.

This is a chance for these [Supreme Court] justices to show that they really mean it when they talk about textualism, when they talk about originalism. The plain text of the Constitution could not be any clearer, Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, said in an interview on CNNs The Situation Room.

If Donald Trump is not disqualified from holding office again after what he did on January 6 in the weeks leading up to it, then who is disqualified? Why would they read an entire provision out of the constitution? Raskin added. So this is their opportunity to behave like real Supreme Court justices.

Raskins remarks come as Trump has pledged to appeal a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that declared him ineligible to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot.

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The ruling cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that says former public officials are ineligible to hold public office again if, having previously taken an oath  to support the Constitution of the United States, they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

In the interview Thursday, Raskin said the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling strikes me as a very straightforward textualist application of the Constitution. The language is totally plain. The Colorado Supreme Court gave it a plain reading.

If youve sworn an oath to support the Constitution and you violate that oath by engaging in insurrection or rebellion, you can never hold office again, unless the Congress votes by a two-thirds margin, to essentially, reinstate your eligibility. Thats what the Constitution itself says, he continued.

He said this section of the 14th Amendment was originally proposed to be much broader, banning those officials in question from voting, not just running for public office. The language would also apply to anyone who engaged in the Confederate secession, not just insurrection or rebellion.

Raskin said Republicans in the Senate at the time decided to narrow the language down to the hardcore bulls-eye of the most egregious offenders and drafted the language that ultimately made it into the Constitution.

So Donald Trump can certainly vote, Raskin added. Its just that he cant hold office again, under this measure, and I should say that the case was brought by Republicans about the Republican primary in Colorado, under a provision added to the Constitution by the radical Republicans of the 19th century.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A funeral home company with a troubled past is facing yet another fine from state regulators.

The WREG Investigators have long exposed problems at funeral homes and cemeteries run by the company formerly known as StoneMor.

There was the mausoleum in desperate need of repair and another case where rats were eating away at dead bodies. At one of the companys mausoleums in Jackson, TN, a complaint led to a state inspection that uncovered leaking body fluids.

The latest penalty for the company now called Everstory is related to its finances.

Tennessees Funeral Board fined StoneMor/Everstory $40,000. There are four separate $10,000 penalties for four facilities run by the company in the Midsouth.

The civil penalty stems from financial questions that surfaced after state regulators dug into then StoneMors federal financial records.

We examined the financial records that StoneMor/Everstory had to file as a publicly traded company and we discovered, by asking hard questions, doing our due diligence that StoneMor had directed the use of monies that they collected from individuals for preneed funeral trust funds and redirected it, those funds as an investment in a shoe company and thats the same shoe company where a StoneMor executive also has a financial stake, explained Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Spokesperson Kevin Walters.

Walters continued, Consumers paid their money to StoneMor for preneed funeral trust funds and not as an investment toward a shoe company, and the law specifically says that what Stonemor did is a violation of Tennessee law.

WREGs previous investigations uncovered the state had fined StoneMor some $70, 000 as of last year for various violations at its funeral homes and cemeteries.

If youd like to file a complaint about a funeral home visit tn.gov/commerce.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Chinese armed forces deploy multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in Gansu

Xinhua) 08:24, December 22, 2023

Members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force help to carry bags of flour for quake-affected people in Liuji Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Photo by Hou Chonghui/Xinhua)

Soldiers provide hot food for quake-affected people in Liuji Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongjin)

Soldiers help to clear materials for quake-affected people in Shiyuan Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Photo by Bai Jiacheng/Xinhua)

Soldiers transfer quake-affected mother and baby in Dahejia Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 19, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Photo by Xu Guo/Xinhua)

A soldier lights the fire in a stove for quake-affected people in Liugou Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 19, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongjin)

Soldiers unload stoves for quake-affected people in Shiyuan Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongjin)

Members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force help to distribute bedclothes to quake-affected people in Liuji Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Photo by Cui Yunlong/Xinhua)

Soldiers set up tents for quake-affected people in Shiyuan Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongjin)

Soldiers provide medical service for quake-affected people in Shiyuan Township, Jishishan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) have deployed multiple rescue forces to quake-hit areas in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongjin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez has revealed that there are 'open discussions' on Manilas possible procurement of F-16 fighter jets from Washington.

The diplomat said that should the deal push through, it would be a big boost to the country's air defense capabilities.

Security officials earlier said the Philippines is trying to build up defense capability, play catch up by modernizing its armed forces, and establish robust presence in the country's exclusive economic zone particularly in the West Philippine Sea where there is simmering maritime row with China.

"Yung F-16 matagal na nating gusto yan ang ating Air Force hinihintay na nila," said Romualdez in an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday..

[Translation: Our Air Force has been wanting the F-16 fighter jets for a very long time.]

"It's a very good aircraft and its been proven to be effective in air defense. We are hoping to be able to close a deal on the F-16. It's still on the table right now," he added.

The envoy, however, did not expound on the timeline of the possible jet deal. "There are open discussions," he added.

The F-16 fighter jet is the most versatile aircraft in the United States Air Force. It can adapt to air-to-air fighting, ground attacks, and electronic warfare.

Romualdez also raised the issue of the Philippines' procurement law possibly posing a challenge to the deal.

"The Philippines' procurement law states that we have to buy brand new," he added. "Hindi kaya iyon [It's difficult] and it's too expensive, so buying a fairly used aircraft thats slightly used is just as good as a brand new one and more affordable."

For 2024, the ambassador sees an increase in military and defense cooperation between Manila and Washington.
Add up Michael Manns many decades and finest hours as a filmmaker, and its clear the Chicago native has done a lot for us, along every kind of road. The nightscapes of Thief, Heat and Collateral. The antiseptic cubicle paranoia of The Insider. The digital breakthroughs, even before our eyes were ready for them, in Ali and Miami Vice. His directorial elegance, flecked with violence and a kind of rapturous loneliness, is all his. And his latest, Ferrari, Mann  now 80  brings a long-gestating portrait of Italian automaker Enzo Ferrari to completion.

Parts of it are first-rate; parts of it are routine. As Ferrari, Adam Driver manages a dutiful, careful but indistinct performance on the heels of his last high-profile Italianate turn in Ridley Scotts House of Gucci. Some biopics over-worry about turning their leading players into physical likenesses of their subjects (Christian Bale as Dick Cheney, for example, in Vice). Thats one way to go. Another is the oh whatever route, relying on performance persuasion and a little less latex. In the Mann realm, the second option was taken for Johnny Depps sorta-kinda-similarity to the real, though rougher-looking, John Dillinger in Public Enemies. Or Drivers not-at-all resemblance to the real Ferrari, age-wise or otherwise, in Ferrari.

The late screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martins storyline (Martin died in 2009) focuses on the Ferrari crises of 1957, when the auto legend and former racer was about to go under. Broke. Overextended. Longtime younger lover (Shailene Woodley, disappointingly flat in a two-dimensional part) and publicly unacknowledged preteen son (Giuseppe Festinese) in one villa; long-suffering wife and business partner Laura Ferrari (Penelope Cruz, the movies MVP) seething and scowling in another. Her husbands rampant philandering is well-known to Laura; Enzos artfully compartmentalized secret life and son are not.

Amid scrambles for outside cash, trips to the opera and trysts in between, Ferrari builds to the fearsome Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles) motor race across Italys winding, mountainous roads, scarily narrow urban streets and in all kinds of weather. A win can save Ferrari and his company, under pressure. And here is where Mann and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, paradoxically, relax and enjoy themselves, shooting in mostly practical (not-effects-driven) ways along beautiful stretches of road. They strap cameras to the Ferrari beauties, low to the ground the way the movies have done for a century. At its visual peak, Manns film relishes the near-abstract imagery of rainy asphalt and headlights slashing the night sky.

The nonverbal passages provide relief from dialogue that goes clunk-a-doodle-do, with an uncertain mixture of humor and, well, not-humor. You know the rule! Cruzs Laura says to cheating Enzo early on. You have to be here before the maid arrives with the morning coffee  that was the agreement! A pretty good line, actually, but at odds with the movies frequent solemn pronouncements. Great drivers such as those on the Maserati team, Ferrari tells his crew at one point, have a cruel emptiness in their stomachs. (That one would sound better in subtitled Italian.) By 1957, the married Ferrari couple was in deep mourning for their son, Dino, who died the year before of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since that piercing loss, Laura says to Enzo, she has had to settle for less and less of her husband, mostly the ambition, the drive, the plot, the paranoia.

Cruz is spectacularly good throughout, activating Lauras rage, sadness and contempt for her situation (and their auto companys finances) in every scene. Even throwaway bits register; the movies tensest confrontation, in fact, hinges on Cruzs impatience with a faulty ballpoint pen handed to her by a shifty bank teller. But Driver, so effective so often in recent years, does not suggest much ambition, drive, plotting or paranoia. Hes going for a man who has his public image to maintain, even in private. And that doesnt do quite enough for the movie. The masterly editor Pietro Scalia may have erred a bit here in letting too many of Drivers sullen verbal rejoinders sit on screen for a second or two too long, before cutting to Cruz, or Patrick Dempsey (as Enzos longtime friend and driver, Taruffi), or Woodleys mistress Lina, who met Ferrari during the waning, brutal days of World War II.

So: mixed bag. But I wouldnt mind seeing Ferrari again sometime just for Cruz, and for a few of Manns most gratifying examples of classical Hollywood technique, done his way. The movie reinvents no wheels. But it sure knows how to film em.



'FERRARI'

2.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for some violent content/graphic images, sexual content and language)

Running time: 2:04

How to watch: In theaters Monday


(CNN)  Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are fighting a war that has killed thousands and resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Israeli military began an offensive on the Palestinian enclave after Hamas militants launched a brutal assault on Israel on October 7  the biggest terrorist attack in the countrys history  with gunmen killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 200 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israels retaliation has been fierce, with an air, sea and ground campaign on Gaza as well as a total siege on the territory to choke its Hamas rulers.

The conflict has led to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with more than 10,000 people killed there, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah. Residents of the Strip, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians, are trapped, lacking basic supplies and with nowhere to escape Israels bombs.

In response, aid groups, Arab states and the United Nations have repeatedly called for a ceasefire to allow for the delivery of food, water, medical supplies and other necessities.

Israel has so far shown no signs of scaling back its military operation, which is only widening, as it vows to eliminate Hamas once and for all.

Heres what we know about the war.

How did the conflict start?

In an operation it called Al-Aqsa Storm, Hamas fired thousands of rockets towards Israeli towns on October 7, before breaking through the heavily fortified border fence with Israel and sending militants deep into Israeli territory.

There, gunmen killed civilians and soldiers, and took more than 200 hostages, including dozens of foreign nationals. The attacks were unprecedented in tactics and scale, as Israel hasnt faced its adversaries on its own territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It has also never faced a terror attack of this magnitude that took the lives of so many civilians.

How did Israel react?

Israel responded by launching Operation Swords of Iron, with the goal of eliminating Hamas. It imposed a complete siege on Gaza, blocking food, water and fuel from entering, and launched a ground offensive that saw its troops enter deep into the enclave and effectively split it in two.

Amid the bombardment, Gaza residents were advised by Israel to evacuate their homes in the north and move southwards as troops sought to encircle Gaza City, which Israel described as the fortress of Hamass terrorist activities.

Human rights groups have said Israels evacuation order could breach international law, and CNN has documented instances when Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli strikes around evacuation zones.

What is Hamas?

Hamas is an Islamist organization with a military wing that emerged in 1987 out of the Muslim Brotherhood, a non-violent Sunni Islamist group that was founded in the late 1920s in Egypt.

Hamas, like most Palestinian factions and political parties, says that Israel is an occupying power and that it is trying to liberate the Palestinian territories. It has over the years claimed many attacks on Israel and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel.

Unlike some other Palestinian factions, Hamas refuses to engage with Israel and does not recognize its right to exist. In 1993, it opposed the Oslo Accords, a peace pact between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that saw the PLO give up armed resistance against Israel in return for promises of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Accords also established the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007, and presents itself as an alternative to the PA.

Israel occupied Gaza from 1967 to 2005, when it unilaterally withdrew its troops and settlers, but continued to exert control over the territorys sea, airspace and land crossings.

The vast majority of Gazas residents are descendants of refugees whose ancestors either fled or were forced out of their homes in what is now Israel. The enclave is one of the most densely populated places on earth.

What is the situation in Gaza?

Before the war, Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade of Gaza that strictly controlled the movement of people and goods both into and out of the territory.

But Israel has now imposed an even tighter siege, banning the entry of food, water and fuel, which the United Nations has said amounts to collective punishment. Residents are grappling with severe shortages and power is running out as fuel dwindles, with hospitals ill-equipped to treat the wounded as Israel continues its bombardment. Doctors often operate on patients without anesthesia, and maternity and postnatal services are close to non-existent. As the water system collapses, some Gazans have been forced to drink dirty, salty water, sparking concerns of a health crisis and fears that people could start dying from dehydration.

The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that more than 1.4 million people in Gaza are now internally displaced. More than half a million are seeking refuge in facilities run by the UNs Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which are accommodating numbers three times their intended capacity.

Thousands of people are sheltering in hospitals and other civilian facilities, which health workers say have been targeted by Israel.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that it has documented at least 102 attacks on health care facilities in Gaza since October 7. Israel has said it is targeting Hamas operatives in the strip, and accused Hamas of embedding itself in civilian areas, as well as using civilians as human shields.

Out of those who have been killed in the enclave, more than 4,100 are children, according to the Gazan health ministry.

The enclave has been described by the UN as a graveyard for children.

What is the Rafah crossing?

Israel has shut its two border crossings with Gaza. And with aid desperately needed, the only route for its entry into the territory is through the Rafah Crossing with Egypt.

Rafah is the sole border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, falling along an 8-mile (12.8-kilometer) fence that separates Gaza from the Sinai Peninsula.

The crossing has been essential for the delivery of aid and evacuation of wounded Palestinians during previous wars with Israel.

Following intense negotiations, the crossing was finally opened more than three weeks into the war, allowing a small number of wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals to leave Gaza. Aid trucks have started entering the enclave in very small numbers

How has the international community reacted to the war?

The US has largely supported Israels operation in Gaza throughout the war, despite heavy criticism from some opponents at home and mass protests across the world calling for a ceasefire.

Arab leaders have delivered strong messages to Israel, especially against what they perceive as plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt, and those in the West Bank to Jordan.

US President Joe Biden has said that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will have the overall security responsibility in Gaza for an indefinite period after the war ends.

Some of Hamas allies in the region, such as Iran and Lebanons powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, have also warned Israel and Washington against continued bombing of Gaza.

Amid rising death tolls and an international outcry over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, however, the Biden administration has been warning Israel that its support for the carnage in the enclave is running out.

What will it take for de-escalation?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government opposes any temporary ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas frees all the hostages it holds, adding that it will continue to block fuel from entering the strip. Netanyahu has however said he is open to short pauses taking place.

Israel has accused Hamas of hoarding and diverting fuel. CNN cannot independently verify the amount of fuel in the enclave.

Qatar, a US ally that maintains ties with Hamas, has been trying to mediate deals to free hostages, as well as evacuate foreign nationals from Gaza.

Four hostages held by Hamas  two Israelis and two American-Israelis  have so far been freed through Qatari and Egyptian mediation.

How likely is this war to escalate into a regional conflict?

The Hamas attack raised concerns that the conflict could spread across the region, with the potential entry of Hezbollah from Lebanon as well as Israels arch enemy Iran.

The US has warned regional players against getting pulled into the war, calling on Iran and its proxies not to escalate.

The US military has said that a guided missile submarine has arrived in the Middle East, a message of deterrence directed at regional adversaries. The Pentagon last month ordered a second carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and sent Air Force fighter jets to the region.

Iran, which backs Hamas, has denied involvement in the October 7 attack but has said that it morally supports the anti-Israel resistance  which includes Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias.

On Israels northern border, Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in an exchange of fire since the Gaza war began. Those altercations have however been confined to the border areas.

There have also been skirmishes in Syria and Iraq, from which Iran-backed militias have launched multiple drone attacks on US forces. Yemens Iran-backed Houthis have attempted an aerial attack on Israel, which Israels military said it thwarted.

In a November 3 speech, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said his primary goal was to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and said it was incumbent on the US to implement the cessation of hostilities. The speech appeared to show that Nasrallahs immediate plans do not include broadening the conflict.
(CNN)  A second bishop was arrested by Nicaraguan authorities on Thursday, two sources told CNN, amid a far-reaching crackdown on opposition figures and the Catholic Church by the government of President Daniel Ortega.

Bishop Isidoro Mora, of the Siuna church on the countrys Caribbean coast, was arrested after taking part in a mass to celebrate the anniversary of the Matagalpa church, the sources said.

CNN has reached out to the Nicaraguan government for further details on Moras legal situation and arrest.

One of the sources said they had witnessed the moments leading up to the arrest, telling CNN that Mora had briefly mentioned the detained bishop and vocal government critic Rolando Alvarez during a 10-minute homily.

The source quoted Mora as saying we are here praying for Matagalpa church, praying for bishop Rolando.

The source added, Unfortunately, (Mora) was arrested the next day.

Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, is serving a 26-year prison sentence on charges including conspiracy and treason. He was sentenced after refusing to leave the country along with 200 other people who had opposed the government.

One of the sources, who asked to remain anonymous in case there was a backlash from the Nicaraguan government, told CNN Moras condition since the arrest was unknown.

The other source told CNN the persecution against the church in Nicaragua is very strong. We shut up because if we say something we face threats. We know the world knows, but we suffer the pain.

Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled their homeland to avoid persecution since 2018, when Ortegas government cracked down on widespread anti-regime protests, killing hundreds of people, injuring thousands and arbitrarily detaining many, according to Human Rights Watch.

Protesters and their families at the time sometimes sought refuge from attacks by pro-government forces inside the countrys churches and cathedrals.

Nicaraguas authoritarian government, led by Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, have since viewed the Catholic church as opposition forces and labeled the protests as an attempted coup.

Moras arrest came months after two Costa Rican nuns were expelled from Nicaragua in April, also after praying for Alvarez.

This is part of a repressive pattern against the Catholic church, said Yader Morazan, an expert in Nicaraguas judiciary system and a former public servant in the country.

They have jailed dozens of priests and laymen and have expelled or blocked the return of more than 200 people, between priests and nuns, Morazan said.

A news release Monday by state-owned website El19digital reported the arrest of 11 people linked to Christian organizations who have been accused of money laundering.

Ortega claimed a fifth term as president in 2021. In June of that year, his government began using a vague national security law as justification to lock up opposition presidential candidates and leaders, journalists and human rights activists ahead of the elections.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia may cut diplomatic ties with the United States if Washington confiscates Russian assets frozen over the Ukrainian war, the Interfax news agency quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Friday.

The United States "must not act under an illusion... that Russia is clinging with both hands to diplomatic relations with that country," Ryabkov said.

Russia has described relations with the United States as "below zero" because of U.S. military and financial aid for Ukraine in the war now approaching the end of its second year.

Ryabkov said Russia, which sent forces into Ukraine in February 2022 in what it called a "special military operation", would not be the one to initiate a break in diplomatic ties, but such a rupture could be prompted by a variety of factors.

"The trigger could be asset confiscation, further military escalation, many other things. I would not go into negative forecasts here," he said, adding that Moscow was "ready for any scenario".

Some Western politicians are urging that frozen Russian assets worth some $300 billion be handed to Ukraine to help rebuild its war-shattered economy.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that any such move would deal a serious blow to the global financial system.

He said Russia would "never leave in peace" any country that seized its assets, and in such a scenario it would look at what Western assets it could confiscate in retaliation.

Russia has hit back in a variety of ways against Western sanctions aimed at punishing it for the Ukraine war and hindering its ability to finance it.

This week, President Vladimir Putin ordered that two European concerns, Wintershall Dea and OMV, be stripped of multi-billion-dollar stakes in gas projects in the Russian Arctic.

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan, editing by Mark Heinrich)
(CNN)  Jakob Weizman, a Danish student at the Charles University in Prague, was taking an exam on Thursday when he started hearing gunshots and screams.

His first instinct was shock, he said  he never thought a school shooting would happen near him, in Europe.

I lived in the US for a very long time, if it would happen anywhere, it would have happened in the US, he told CNN afterward. Now its spreading like a disease to Europe as well.

He pointed to a recent spate of shootings elsewhere in the continent, saying: You see this happen in Denmark, Serbia, and now here. This is incredibly frightening, you know?

Weizman and his professor locked the door of their exam room and barricaded it with chairs and tables, staying inside for an hour until the police arrived and escorted them out of the building.

The gunman killed at least 14 people and wounded 25, in the Czech Republics deadliest mass shooting in decades. Police said the gunman, a 24-year-old man, was a student of the Faculty of Arts at the university, but has not been formally identified because of the severity of his injuries. He has not been named.

Authorities are still investigating a motive.

Weizman said as an international student, he had different study circles than local Czech students and therefore did not know the shooter.

The Czech Republic is just the latest in a string of European countries to suffer a mass shooting of the kind that has become ubiquitous in the United States.

In June 2022, a gunman killed three people and wounded several others at a shopping mall in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Gun violence is relatively rare in Denmark, which is considered to have some of the most restrictive gun laws in Europe.

And in May this year, Serbia was left reeling after two mass shootings in less than 48 hours. A 13-year-old boy killed at least eight children and a security guard at his school in the capital Belgrade; just a day later, a 21-year old gunman wielding an automatic weapon killed eight people in the village of Dubona.

Gun ownership is high in Serbia, but the sort of mass shootings seen on a daily basis in the US are extremely rare in the Balkan country. Until May, school shootings in Serbia were virtually unheard of.

The gunman in the Prague shooting on Thursday had a gun permit and owned several weapons, according to Czech Police President Martin Vondrasek.

The Czech Republic has relatively liberal gun laws compared to the rest of the European Union. To obtain a gun legally, a person needs an official firearm license, which requires a medical examination, a weapon proficiency exam and no previous criminal record.

According to official police statistics, more than 300,000 people have legal permits to own a gun. As of 2022, almost 1 million legally owned weapons were officially registered in the Czech Republic.

To put that in perspective, there are 120 guns for every 100 Americans, according to the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey (SAS). No other nation has more civilian guns than people.

In the US, there have been 642 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. More than 80 of those shootings have taken place at schools and universities, according to a CNN analysis.

Almost 42 million Americans  over one-eighth of the US population  are estimated to have lived within a mile of a mass shooting since 2014, according to a CNN analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) and US Census Bureau.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Shootings are spreading like a disease in Europe, says survivor of deadly Prague attack"
Prague, Czech Republic (CNN)  A shooter killed at least 14 people and wounded 25 others at a university in Prague on Thursday in one of the Czech Republics worst mass shootings in decades.

Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said at a press conference on Thursday evening the information he had received so far indicated the shooter took his own life, but added it was not yet confirmed. He also said the suspect had not been formally identified because of the severity of his injuries.

In a later news conference Thursday night, Vondrasek revised the number of people killed to 14, after previously saying 15 people had died. Of the 25 people injured, 10 were in serious condition, the police chief said.

Emergency services earlier told CNN nine people had been severely injured, five or six received medium-severe injuries and 10 were lightly injured. The authorities have also revised down an earlier number of people injured, but said those could still change given the developing situation.

Some students locked themselves in classrooms during the shooting, police said in an update on X, formerly known as Twitter. A picture shared on social media also showed several students hiding on a ledge high up the building.

The incident - at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University - happened in the center of the capital. The area is popular with tourists and close to major attractions, just across the Vltava River from Prague Castle.

The university was holding classes on Thursday and was due to go on Christmas break on December 23, according to a schedule on the universitys website.

Vondrasek said the suspected shooter was a 24-year-old male, who traveled to Prague from his hometown village of Hostoun. Vondrasek said the suspected shooter was a student of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague.

The police chief said the authorities had information about the shooter prior to the incident, saying the police received a tip saying the shooter was travellng to Prague with the intention to take his own life. Shortly afterward, they received information a deceased man was found in Hostoun. The man is believed to be the suspects father.

Vondrasek said the police were aware the shooter had a lecture at 2 p.m. CET and therefore evacuated the building where the lecture was meant to take place. However, the police then received a call about a shooting in a different building, according to the police chief.

The suspected shooter had a gun permit and owned several weapons, Vondrasek said.

The Czech Republic has relatively liberal gun laws compared to the rest of the European Union. To obtain a gun legally, a person needs an official firearm license, which requires a medical examination, a weapon proficiency exam and no previous criminal record.

According to official police statistics, more than 300,000 people have a legal permit to own a gun. As of 2022, almost 1 million legally owned weapons were officially registered in the Czech Republic.

Czech President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by the shooting in a post on X.

I would like to express my deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the shooting, he wrote.

The countrys Prime Minister Petr Fiala said he had canceled his appointments and was heading back to Prague following the shooting. He also said authorities believe the shooting was a lone incident and there is no remaining danger. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said the shooting was not an act of terrorism.

Charles University said it had tightened its security measures with immediate effect and canceled events at the university on Thursday and Friday. In a statement posted on X, it also called for an adequate and sensitive approach to [Fridays] possible exams or credit examinations.

We now ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again extend our condolences to all those whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones, the university said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences, saying she was shocked by the senseless violence of the shooting.

Gun attacks are rare in the Czech Republic, which has some of the most liberal gun laws in the European Union.

In December 2019, a 42-year-old man killed six people at a hospital waiting room in Ostrava in the east of the country before shooting himself.

And in 2015 a man killed eight people in a shooting at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod before killing himself.
(CNN)  The top US and Chinese generals spoke on Thursday for the first time in over a year, marking the end of a strained silence between senior US and Chinese military officials that had deeply concerned the Pentagon.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., had a video conference call with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday, Joint Staff spokesperson Capt. Jereal Dorsey said.

Brown spoke with the Peoples Liberation Army of China Chief of the Joint Staff Department Gen. Liu Zhenli, also marking the first time the two have talked since Brown became chairman.

Gen. Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication, Dorsey said. Gen. Brown reiterated the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.

During the meeting, Liu told Brown that the key to developing a healthy, stable, and sustainable military-to-military relationship was that the US must have a correct understanding of China.

The premise is that the United States should respect Chinas core interests and major concerns, and focus on promoting pragmatic cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding, Liu said, according to a readout released by Chinas Ministry of National Defense Thursday.

Leaders of the two militaries had not spoken in more than a year after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, which China responded to with military drills around the island. A number of high-profile incidents have occurred since then, including a Chinese spy balloon traveling across the continental US and an increase in coercive and risky behavior by Chinese pilots against US aircraft in the last two years over the East and South China Seas.

Restoring that communication was one of the priorities in talks last month between President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping.

My responsibility is to make this rational and manageable, so it doesnt result in conflict, Biden said at the time. Thats what Im all about.

US military leaders have said for months that the silence from China was of significant concern. Following Bidens meeting with Xi, the Pentagon said this month that the policy office was in active coordination with Beijing to establish communication.

In June, Austin spoke briefly with his counterpart, then-PRC Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, but did not have a substantive exchange. Since then, Shangfu was fired and there has yet to be new defense minister appointed.

Asked last week if China had offered someone to speak with Austin in place of the defense minister, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said only that the US was reaching out.

Among the issues discussed between Brown and Liu was opening the lines of communication between the US Indo-Pacific Command and the Peoples Liberation Army Eastern and Southern Theater Commands. Adm. John Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers in April that a standing request to speak with his Chinese counterparts had been ignored the entire time he has been in the job.

[T]he theme here is we continue to try to engage with our partner, Aquilino said at the time, but theres a different opinion there.

During the meeting, Liu emphasized that China does not tolerate any external interference when it comes to Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that Chinas ruling Communist Party claims but has never controlled.

The Chinese military will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Liu, who is a member of the partys Central Military Commission, the militarys top command and decision-making body.

He also raised the South China Sea, where tensions have been rising in recent months as Beijing asserts its claim to the disputed waters. A 2016 ruling from an international tribunal denied its claims to the bulk of the strategically important waters.

The United States should respect Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, be cautious in its words and deeds, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace and stability and the overall interests of China-US relations, Liu said, according to Chinas readout.

CNNs Wayne Chang and Simone McCarthy contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Top US and Chinese military officials speak for the first time in over a year"
Washington (CNN)  The United States is ready to vote on a United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza after several delays, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Thursday night.

I just want to share with you that we have worked hard and diligently over the course of the past week with the Emiratis, with others, with Egypt, to come up with a resolution that we can support. And we do have that resolution now. Were ready to vote on it, she told reporters.

Thomas-Greenfield spoke after a closed-door meeting in which the UNSC again delayed a vote on the resolution, which calls for a suspension in fighting between Israel and Hamas and an increase in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The vote is now expected to take place on Friday. As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, a US veto would mean the resolution would not pass.

Thomas-Greenfield didnt share how she would vote on the measure, but said that it will be a resolution  if the resolution is put forward as is  that we can support.

The resolution will bring humanitarian assistance and support the priority that Egypt has in ensuring that we put a mechanism on the ground that will support humanitarian assistance, Thomas-Greenfield added.

The US had earlier expressed concerns over a draft resolution calling for a suspension in fighting and an increase in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, arguing that the proposal of a UN-created monitoring mechanism for aid going into the Gaza strip could slow down the delivery of critical assistance.

The goal of this Resolution is to facilitate and help expand humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza, and we cannot lose sight of that purpose, said Nate Evans, a spokesperson for the US Mission to the UN. There are still serious and widespread concerns that this Resolution as drafted could actually slow down delivery of humanitarian aid by directing the UN to create an unworkable monitoring mechanism. We must ensure any Resolution helps and doesnt hurt the situation on the ground.

A diplomatic source previously told CNN that key issues with the negotiations over the draft included language on the cessation of hostilities and a call for the UN to establish a monitoring mechanism in the Gaza Strip with the necessary personnel and equipment, under the authority of the United Nations Secretary-General.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said earlier Thursday that President Joe Biden had been in touch with members of his national security team and officials representing the US and the UN on discussions surrounding the resolution.

Kirby declined to weigh in on how a possible veto from the US would reflect on the Biden administration on the international stage.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves  there isnt a resolution to vote on right now, were still working with our partners up there about what that language ought to be, he said. It is important to us, of course, that the humanitarian situation in Gaza gets addressed. We are working harder than any other nation to actually address those concerns.

Still, he acknowledged, proposed language tasking the UN with exclusive responsibility for inspecting the delivery of aid could be a sticking point.

Im not going to negotiate this language here from this podium. Were still actively working with our UN partners about the resolution and the language itself, he said. Israel has had  and understandably so  has had a role in the inspection regime, a key role, a pivotal role, and we understand and respect that, and I think Ill leave it at that.

Previous delays this week centered on the reticence of the United States to sign onto a resolution that could be seen as a rebuke to Israels continuing military campaign in Gaza.

Diplomats were hopeful that changing some language could gain American support, or at least an abstention from voting, which would allow the resolution to pass.

But while the US, Israels strongest ally, has repeatedly condemned the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people October 7, the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza from Israels response has prompted top US officials  including Biden  to urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take more meaningful steps to protect innocent lives while waging his war against Hamas.

About 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

During a Security Council meeting earlier this week, Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said civilians and journalists must still be protected and vital humanitarian aid needs to reach civilians.

Wood, who also expressed concerns about Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, did not imply how the United States would vote on the resolution.

The US has vetoed previous measures at the UN Security Council and voted against a call for a ceasefire in the larger UN General Assembly.

Last week, the wider United Nations General Assembly voted to demand an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, in a rebuke to the United States, which has repeatedly blocked ceasefire calls in the Security Council.

While the General Assembly vote is politically significant and seen as wielding moral weight, it is nonbinding, unlike a Security Council resolution.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "UN resolution on suspending fighting between Israel and Hamas, humanitarian aid to Gaza is ready for vote, US ambassador says"
The Joe Vs Smart Shop at West Wheatland Road and U.S. 67 in South Dallas is expected to open in late summer 2024. It will be the first outside Houston, where the chain was launched. The San Antonio company says it has no plans at the moment to bring it to its hometown. Courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B is expanding Joe Vs Smart Shop, its no-frills chain known for its low prices  but not to its hometown.

The San Antonio-based grocer broke ground last week on a 55,000-square-foot store in southern Dallas, its first Joe Vs outside the Houston area. It continues the companys rapid push into North Texas, where it opened its first namesake store in 2022.

Joe Vs will have an assortment of H-E-B brand products, fresh in-store cut meat and seafood options, a bakery with freshly-made tortillas, a large Latino cheese selection and a Sushiya sushi area, the company said. The store will employ more than 200 people and is scheduled to open by late summer.

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We are committed to providing the best shopping experience with an emphasis on offering the freshest products delivered daily at the lowest prices in the marketplace, Roxanne Orsak, H-E-Bs chief operating officer, said in a statement. Were thrilled to introduce Joe Vs Smart Shop to more Texans and excited that this proud H-E-B brand will soon serve customers in Dallas with top-quality service and selection.

H-E-B opened the first Joe Vs store in Houston in 2010 and has since added nine other locations there. The chains namesake is Joe Villarreal, director of strategy and innovation at Joe Vs.

Joe Vs stores tend to be much smaller than H-E-Bs namesake stores, which often exceed 100,000 square feet  with one exception being its 12,000-square-foot South Flores Market store south of downtown San Antonio. Though Joe Vs has a smaller selection because of its smaller size, it carries H-E-B brands including Central Market, Hill Country Fare, Mi Tienda, H-E-B Organics and EconoMax as well as products like Meal Simple prepared meals.

The Joe Vs in Dallas is part of H-E-Bs broader push into North Texas.

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The company has operated Central Market stores there since 2001 but debuted its namesake stores beginning in 2022. It has since opened or announced plans to open H-E-B stores in Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Alliance, Mansfield, Frisco, Melissa, Prosper and Rockwall. Another Joe Vs store is expected to open in the area in 2025.

Its unclear whether H-E-B plans to introduce Joe Vs in the San Antonio and Austin areas.
Explainer: Enhancing patriotic education to build stronger country

Xinhua) 08:52, December 22, 2023

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Promoting patriotic education with the help of law is significant for China in a critical stage of national rejuvenation, said a legislative specialist on Thursday.

It can help Chinese people carry forward their national spirit and pool strength in the new era, advancing their ambition to build a stronger country and realize national rejuvenation, said Yang Heqing, an official with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

China adopted a law on patriotic education in October, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Lying at the heart of the national spirit of Chinese people, patriotism is a cultural bond that has inspired the people to unite as one and ceaselessly pursue self-improvement, said Yang at a press conference.

Despite the winter chill, thousands of people attended a ceremony to mourn the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 13. Sirens sounded across the city.

Experts said patriotism is closely associated with cultural traditions, history, and a country's situation.

RESPONSE TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

China began drafting such a law in July 2022 in response to a growing call from all walks of life for patriotic education under the rule of law.

After the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC was elected earlier this year, the legislation entered a fast track, with opinions solicited from the public, lawmakers, and jurists on different levels.

Yu Xiangchen, a senior high school student from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, made his voice heard at a consultation organized by a local legislative outreach office in May.

He advised lawmakers to set up a separate clause to enhance patriotic education in cyberspace. Including Yu, five middle school students delivered 12 suggestions for the draft law.

Ou Fenglian, director of a neighborhood committee in Jiangmen city, south China's Guangdong Province, suggested that greater efforts be made to promote traditional festivals, including increasing content of patriotism.

After the draft law was made public for comments and opinions, lawmakers received approximately 600 pieces of suggestions, which addressed areas concerning the content, forms, and effectiveness of patriotic education.

CONTENT OF THE LAW

The law will provide legal safeguards for the country to carry out patriotic education in an extensive, in-depth, persistent, and effective manner, said Yang, adding that it stresses an education covering the public.

According to the law, patriotic education involves areas such as ideology and politics, history and culture, national symbols, the beauty of the motherland, national unity and ethnic solidarity, national security and defense, and the deeds of heroes and role models.

While it promotes patriotism, the law stresses the need to be rational, inclusive, and open-minded, open the country to the world more, and embrace other civilizations.

The law mandates that patriotic education shall respect other countries' history and cultural traditions and draw inspiration from all of human civilization's outstanding achievements.

RESOURCES & FACILITIES

Resources related to the heritage of the Communist Party of China, historical relics, and cultural facilities are expected to have an important role to play in patriotic education, according to the law.

More efforts will be made to promote the integration of culture and tourism, creating more colorful, attractive programs and products, said Zhou Jiucai with the Policy and Regulation Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at the press conference.

The official said the ministry will continue to encourage the research and utilization of revolutionary cultural artifacts, traditional skills and techniques, and resources related to the Party's heritage.

It will also support museums, intangible cultural heritage halls and revolutionary memorial halls using digital technology to enhance the display effect and help more cultural artifacts and intangible cultural heritage enter campuses.

The official added more folk culture activities will take place around traditional Chinese festivals such as the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival to promote patriotism.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Antiquarian Book Mart, which specializes in history books, will close in May. Deborah Martin Bob Kellel has sold the building that houses the Antiquarian Book Mart, which his family has run since 1971. The shop will close in May. Deborah Martin

Bob Kellel, who has run the Antiquarian Book Mart for decades, loves what he does, but hes ready to move on.

And so, he has sold the little yellow building where he and his family have been selling books since 1971.

The bookstore will close in May.

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Im not looking forward to it, Kellel said. Its been a wonderful business. I also realize the quality of having a nice bookstore in this area, and its going to suffer a little bit. But Im old  Im 71  and my children live in Boston, and my wife wants to go see the grandson more. Its hard for me to get away and go with her while Im busy with this. And property taxes have gotten prohibitive.

Sometime after the first of the year  most likely in early February  he has plans to offer steep discounts to shoppers to try to clear everything out. And then hell try to find places where he can donate whatevers left.

He estimates that he has between 20,000 and 30,000 books in stock. Theyre tucked into a seemingly endless maze of bookcases, some of which hes already sold. Small, handwritten paper signs are attached to each one so that browsers can find the genres they like. The selection includes plenty of Texas and American history, as well as lots of art books and a decent stash of sci-fi, a genre Kellel was particularly taken with in his youth.

The building on Broadway, just off Brackenridge Park, dates back to 1923, Kellel said. It originally was home to the Cone family, who resided and ran their photography studio there. Kellels parents, Lois and Frank Kellel Jr., bought the building from the Cones for a bookstore.

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The Antiquarian Book Marts name reflects the content  the shop specializes in older books  but it also gave it a leg up on the competition.

In my mind, we chose the name for a nice position in the Yellow Pages when we opened, Kellel said. At the time, the other bookstore was a well-known place called Brocks, located at 310 Commerce. Since then, I have read many books where they have mentioned that they found something rare there in 1948.

As word has gotten around that hes closing, longtime customers have made it a point to swing by. On Thursday, Sallie and Kevin Mackey, Texas historians and researchers, made the drive from their home in Three Rivers to do some shopping with their daughter, Katie Mackey.

READ UP: San Antonian Don Mischer recalls his career in live television in new memoir

The Mackeys been coming to the shop for about 12 years. All three family members swiftly found titles they wanted, including a Clive Barker book that Katie Mackey had long wanted to read and hadnt been able to find.

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He has stuff that others dont, said Kevin Mackey, who had a neat stack of about a dozen books waiting for him at the counter while he hunted for more. And I like talking to him.

Kellel likes talking to the customers, too.

He started working alongside his dad at the store after college while he sought a position in his field. He had earned a degree in wildlife management  his final choice after changing his major multiple times  and finally got an offer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that involved rat eradication.

He decided to stick with books.

I like to say that Ive managed the wildlife in here for years, he said.
Tre Trattoria overlooks the River Walk at 200 W. Jones Ave. Jessica Phelps /Staff photographer file photo

Forbes recognized San Antonio's Tre Trattoria and South BBQ & Kitchen in a recent article calling the Alamo City "one of Texas' most progressive cities in growth, culture and terrific food."

Among visits to San Antonio landmarks, Forbes contributor John Mariani sat down at two restaurants that he praised in the article.

The national food critic ordered a variety of dishes at Tre Trattoria, at 200 West Jones Ave. on the River Walk, including the goat cheese pizza, which he called "excellent." Also on his menu were the campanelle Bolognese, risotto, rainbow trout and panna cotta for dessert.

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After a visit to Mission Concepcion, he headed to South BBQ & Kitchen at 2011 Mission Road on the South Side, recommending the prime Angus brisket, pulled pork sandwich, barbecue plate and barbecue tacos.
The Downtowner Bar & Kitchen in New Braunfels will close at the end of December, the restaurant announced this week. Mike Sutter/Staff The Downtowner Bar & Kitchen, which opened in 2016, plans to close this month. Mike Sutter/Staff

The Downtowner Bar & Kitchen in New Braunfels will close at the end of December, the restaurant announced this week.

With a mix of bittersweet emotions, we share some news that comes straight from the heart, the Castell Avenue restaurant posted on social media. The past years have been an amazing craft cocktail and culinary adventure, and we are incredibly grateful for the support and love you have given us.

The Downtowner opened in 2016 in the former Ol Bossy Creamery, serving its take on Southern food with locally sourced ingredients. Led by New Braunfels local Chad Niland and co-owner Jason Sublett, who joined the business after a yearlong closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant has served brunch, dinner and cocktails.

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READ MORE: Deco Pizzeria issues plea for community support to keep doors open

In October, Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter named the spot the second-best restaurant in the city, calling it a calculated mix of cloth-napkin kitchencraft and renegade get-down, with a varied menu offering items such as a rib-eye tartare, Champagne cocktails and bacon-wrapped barbecue meatloaf.
Sandra Grist's Shavano Park home reflects her distinct, outgoing style, which doesn't shy away from large objects and bold colors. Richard A. Marini/Staff

When Sandra Grist purchased her builder home in the Bentley Manor neighborhood of Shavano Park in 2019, it had already been constructed and decorated in the style of a woman whose contract to purchase it had fallen through.

I didnt really get to pick out any of the fixtures or furnishings, Grist said. It was kind of like living in someone elses home.

Trouble was, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home was furnished in a decidedly vanilla vein. And not even the good, French kind.

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The floors were a blah gray tile, nothing in the kitchen stood out, and there was little, if any, interest in terms of art on the walls.

Thats when her eldest daughter recommended she call her friends mother, designer Mary Beth Edgerton, for help. Together, the two embarked on a plan to transform the home to reflect Grists taste.

When we met, she asked me, 'Do you have a style? recalled Grist, who is retired from a long and varied career in human resources, medical school administration and education. I said, not really, but I know what I like.

Edgerton soon discovered that Grist, whose husband, Gary, had died only months earlier, had a distinct, outgoing style. It was one that didnt shy from large, statement objects and bold colors that now dominate the newly redecorated home.

A colorful and fun guest bedroom is reflected in a wall mirror. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Among Grist's favorite things, she learned, are woven items, baskets, flowers, and the colors teal, purple and, especially, pink.

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Grist poses beneath a painting that was the first piece of decor she bought to go into the new home she purchased in early 2019, not long after the death of her husband Gary. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News They left the kitchen mostly as it was, only switching out the hardware and the faucet and sink adding the large, 48-inch wide woven chandelier. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The transitional-style chandelier in the dining area casts light both upward and downward and its curved shape helps soften the rectilinear lines found elsewhere in the house. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The primary room has a peaceful sage-and-teal color palette and plenty of indirect lighting, including from a pair of stacked seaglass lamps on the nightstands. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The exposed poster bed of leather and metal with plenty of indirect lighting make the bedroom a warm, relaxing and restful space.\ Richard A. Marini/Staff The primary suite was designed with textures and colors, such as drapery panels with Roman shades and a tone-on-tone cross between sage and teal, to make for a calming refuge. Richard A. Marini/Staff The bath's barrel ceiling and gold-on-gold wall tiles make it feel like a Roman bath. Richard A. Marini/Staff The bath also has windows above the vanity for additional light, a built-in hot tub, heated porcelain flooring that looks like marble and a towel warmer. Richard A. Marini/Staff A detail of the gold-on-gold tiling is shown in the primary suite bathroom. Each piece of tile was hand set, an impressively tedious job. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The walk-in closet has a built-in cedar chest, a shoe and purse rack that rotates like a Ferris wheel and a raised clothing rod that drops down like at the dry cleaners. Richard A. Marini/Staff In addition to a built-in cedar chest and a lighted mirror, the "Sex and the City"-style walk-in closet has a shoe and purse rack that rotates like a Ferris wheel and a clothing rod that drops down from above like at the dry cleaners. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Unlike during many home renovations, Grist and Edgerton didnt ignore the guest bedrooms, outfitting them in exciting colors and with original art. Richard A. Marini/Staff One of the guest rooms Grist and Edgerton designed. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News A gold-and-black speckled marble slab tops one of the guest room vanities. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Bold colors on the wall and the shower curtain make this guest room stand out. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News A wood-topped desk serves as the centerpiece of the study. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The outdoor patio has a comfortable seating area and a piece of living plant art. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

In fact, she loves pink so much it's her hair color  although, she's quick to point out, hers is more rose gold than Barbie pink.

I started dying it as a joke when I turned 70, said Grist, now 73, I love it so much its been this color ever since.

Edgerton started the process of redoing the house's style with art, bringing Grist to Art Incorporated on San Pedro, where she purchased her first piece, a still life in oils of pink gerber daisies in empty teal and purple wine bottles. The piece, by artist Janis Marckstein, hangs above the reproduction tulip table in a corner off the kitchen.

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That painting started it all, Grist said. And from there, we went on to do the rest of the house.

With lots of large walls in the house, the pair didnt hesitate to buy equally large items to fill them, sometimes discovering those items under unusual circumstances.

Another striking piece of decor is the huge, 7-foot diameter mirror set into a piece of metal industrial machinery reclaimed from a factory somewhere. It took four men to mount it on the living room wall. The effect is a sort of glamorous steampunk makeup mirror for giants. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Edgerton was having brunch in Vaudeville, the combination bistro and high-end boutique on Fredericksburg's Main Street, when she spied a round mirror set into a 7-foot fanlike piece of industrial machinery reclaimed from a factory. The steampunk piece is so big and so heavy it took four men to mount it on the wall.

And the fact she wanted it in her home told Edgerton a lot about Grist.

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Sandy's very confident, and she knows what she likes, Edgerton said. Most people dont have the confidence to go with a piece that big."

Over the 4 years it took the two to complete the renovation, which they did in stages, the two women developed a sort of kindred connection, with Edgerton seeing something and knowing immediately if it was right for Grist.

There was only one time, when she showed me a painting she thought would work in the dining room, when I just said no, Grist said of a painting that featured koi fish. I said, 'Im not sitting for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and staring at a painting of koi fish.'

In its place, Edgerton found a more abstract piece of art, one made from individual, overlapping pieces of colored paper by the artist Maureen Zook.

Its much more calm and relaxing than koi fish, Grist said with a laugh.

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As in several other rooms, the dining area is wallpapered with painted grass cloth in a organic pattern that gives it a faint Asian feel.

The organic pattern on the painted grass cloth wallpaper in the dining room gives gives the room a faint Asian feel. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Grass cloth lends itself to the house, Edgerton said. Its not woven, but its got texture, which Sandy loves. And its casually elegant; it doesnt scream formal.

Above the table hangs a transitional chandelier that casts light both upward and downward, and is curved to soften the rectilinear lines found in the rest of the house.

Another change they made was to the flooring. Originally tile, all of the flooring, except for the guest bath, is now a warmer engineered oak wood.

I always wanted hardwood floors, Grist said. And I have seven grandchildren ages 5 to 23, so the wood holds up to traffic just fine.

Despite these and other changes, the women did keep a few things the same. They left the kitchen mostly as is, only switching out the hardware. And they left the living area walls alone because the paint color, Amazing Gray by Sherwin-Williams, provided the subtle calm they were looking for. (They did, however, repaint the ceiling, which had also been Amazing Gray, to white to help lighten the room.)

Sandra Grist calls the bedroom suite "my domain," as it was designed with restful textures and colors. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

The primary bedroom suite  Grist calls it her "domain  was designed to be a serene space she could retreat to when things got too stressful. The room has a peaceful sage and teal palette with Roman shades, a contemporary poster bed with exposed leather and wood pillars, and plenty of indirect lighting, including from a pair of stacked sea glass nightstand lamps.

I like to sit in my corner swivel chair in the morning and look outside at the yard," Grist said. "Its very soothing.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, is blocking the promotion of Air Force Col. Benjamin Jonsson to brigadier general to protest the militarys diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Jonsson has spoken bluntly about institutional racism in the Air Force. Jill Toyoshiba/TNS Air Force Col. Benjamin Jonsson, who piloted massive transport planes during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has been outspoken about institutional racism in the Air Force. Now, his promotion to brigadier general is being held up by Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, to protest woke diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the military. Courtesy Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama blocked hundreds of military promotions to protest the Pentagons support for abortion access for troops and dependents. Tuberville relented this month, but one officer is still blocked: Air Force Col. Benjamin Jonsson. Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, has put a hold on Jonssons promotion to brigadier general. Alex Brandon, STF / Associated Press

For months, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville blocked the promotion of hundreds of senior military officers to protest a Pentagon policy of paying for service members and dependents to cross state lines to get abortions.

Tuberville finally relented, and the Senate approved the promotions in bunches this month  all but one, that is.

The lone exception is an Air Force colonel, and the reason isnt abortion or Tuberville.

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Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, has placed a hold on Col. Benjamin Jonssons elevation to brigadier general to express his adamant opposition to the militarys diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Air Force Times reported.

Jonsson has been blunt in spotlighting racial disparities in the Air Force and what he describes as the defensiveness of white officers about institutional racism.

In July 2020, Jonsson published an essay in Air Force Times titled, Dear white colonel  we must address our blind spots around race. It was prompted by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers two months earlier.

As white colonels, you and I are the biggest barriers to change if we do not personally address racial injustice in our Air Force, Jonsson wrote. Defensiveness is a predictable response by white people to any discussion of racial injustice. White colonels are no exception. We are largely blind to institutional racism, and we take offense to any suggestion that our system advantaged us at the expense of others.

Jonsson said that when he tried to discuss racial tensions in the military with his white peers, many were uncomfortable, tried to change the subject or minimized evidence of race-based disparities. One told him that open discussion of racial issues would degrade good order and discipline, and another said the Air Force should not make any cultural accommodations for minorities, Jonsson wrote.

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If we do not take the time to learn, to show humility, to address our blind spots around race  then our Air Force will not rise above George Floyds murder, Jonsson wrote.

He closed with these words: Dear white colonel, it is time to give a damn. Aim High.

A disclaimer saying that Jonsson was expressing his own views and not those of the Air Force did nothing to quiet the ensuing uproar on the right.

An article in the Daily Signal, published by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, said Jonssons  woke views  more closely align with the Lefts diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda than traditional American values.

William Thibeau, director of the American Military Project at the Claremont Institute, said Jonssons essay exhibited a toxic embrace of DEI policies that have no place in the U.S. military. Thibeau, a former Army Ranger, said that when Jonsson addresses a group of airmen by race, he creates the exact boogeyman of racial tension he supposedly seeks to eliminate.

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The Pentagons embrace of DEI programs, including the hiring of a chief diversity officer, has rankled Republicans in Congress. The conservative critique extends to the militarys environmental protection efforts and its emphasis on respecting racial and gender differences. DEI policies in particular have been criticized as sowing divisiveness among the troops and undermining military readiness.

Earlier this year, Tuberville, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, exercised a senatorial privilege to freeze hundreds of military promotions, leaving numerous commands without confirmed leaders. Tubervilles stated beef was with the Pentagons policy of paying expenses for troops and military dependents who travel across state lines to access abortions. When the Alabama senator relented, the Senate began confirming promotions in batches starting in early December.

That did not help Jonsson. His was one of six promotions that Schmitt had blocked over DEI concerns. The senator eventually lifted his objections to five of the promotions, but not to Jonssons.

Senator Schmitt has long been an advocate for eradicating these DEI programs, and hopes to resolve these issues to ensure that these divisive DEI programs dont continue to drive a wedge between military members and deepen the already existing recruiting crisis, Schmitts press secretary said in a statement to Air Force Times.

Since the Senate recessed for the year on Wednesday, the Biden administration will have to renominate Jonsson for promotion in 2024.

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Jonsson is a former vice superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Before that, he served as vice commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and as commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill AFB in Florida. Hes now with the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
Daniel Efrain Aguilera, 19, has been charged with physically assaulting his 4-month-old child, causing several fractures. Bexar County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

The Bexar County Sheriffs Office arrested a 19-year-old man accused of physically assaulting his infant, causing several fractures.

Daniel Efrain Aguilera has been charged with four counts of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony.

According to a Facebook post, sheriff deputies were dispatched to the Childrens Santa Rosa Hospital on Dec. 13 after hospital staff admitted a 4-month-old child.

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Aguilera told hospital staff that he tripped and fell to the ground with the baby in his arms, which caused multiple injuries.

As hospital staff provided treatment for the infant child, they discovered a skull fracture and six rib fractures.

On Dec. 20, the infant was examined again, and doctors discovered the injuries were not fresh but in the healing stages of recovery. Aguilera was contacted by Child Safe investigators and Child Protective Services for further investigation.

Investigators interviewed Aguilera and learned that the story he told the hospital a week earlier was not accurate, according to the sheriffs office. Aguilera intentionally injured the infant child back in September, deputies said.

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He told deputies he had become frustrated with the infant and began assaulting the baby. His frustration led him to strike and squeeze the baby, which resulted in the injuries documented by doctors, the sheriffs office stated.
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass William Luther Department of Public Safety troopers stand guard over migrants in a detention area Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass as a surge of migrants push across the border. William Luther Migrants stand in a detention area Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass as a surge of migrants push across the border. William Luther Congressman Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, speaks to media at a detention area for Migrants in Eagle Pass on December 20, 2023. Jessica Phelps

EAGLE PASS  In late November, Customs and Border Protection officials pinched off northbound traffic on the Eagle Pass International Bridge as the number of illegal border crossings began to climb.

The federal agency, which includes the Border Patrol, said it was shifting personnel away from the bridge that connects this city of nearly 30,000 people to Piedras Negras, Mexico, to process the asylum-seekers as quickly as possible.

By Wednesday, the Border Patrol once again was struggling to keep up with a fresh influx of thousands of migrants.

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The bridge remains closed to motorists heading into Texas from Mexico, a blow to the regional economy  and definitely a blow to Francisco Frankie Hernandez, the owner and manager of Cowboy Corral.

Leather cowboy boots of all colors and styles line the walls of his western wear store just two blocks from the bridge, which locals call Bridge 1. Many of Cowboy Corrals customers travel from the Mexican state of Coahuila, and the Christmas season is usually one of the retailers busiest times of the year.

But on Wednesday afternoon, four days before Christmas Eve, the store was quiet, save for a handful of customers who perused the stacks of blue jeans and racks of shirts and belts.

Its never been this slow, said Hernandez, whose family opened the store at Main and Commercial streets in 2011  a prime location.

Many of the small businesses lining Main Street and the surrounding blocks of downtown Eagle Pass depend on Mexican shoppers. Their spending helps retailers pay their employees, stock up on merchandise, keep the lights on and make rent.

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Theres only so much people from Eagle Pass are going to buy, Hernandez said.

Customers come from the Coahuila cities of Piedras Negras, Zaragoza, Morelos, Nava and Allende, and they mostly arrive by way of the bridge. Hernandez said December sales at his familys three western clothing stores in the area are down by one-third compared with this time last year.

City government, too, suffers when visitors from Mexico cant access bridges into Eagle Pass or are stuck in lines that take hours to clear.

In a 2020 report on Eagle Pass finances, officials said the city relies heavily on retail sales tax revenue and international toll bridge crossings, which are largely stimulated by our neighbors in Piedras Negras and its other northern Mexican neighboring cities.

The crossing of Mexican Nationals into the United States is correlated to the sale of goods and products, they said. Based on current estimates, 10% of sales tax revenue and 20% of bridge toll revenue are directly derived from international traffic, excluding commercial traffic.

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Rail crossing closures

In recent days, Border Patrol agents have apprehended record-breaking numbers of migrants who are turning themselves in to federal immigration authorities to seek asylum.

On Wednesday, Juan G. Bernal, acting chief patrol agent of the Border Patrols Del Rio sector, which includes Eagle Pass, said agents had apprehended 4,095 migrants whod crossed the Texas border illegally in the previous 24 hours, according to an Instagram post.

Agents had taken in 9,957 migrants in the sector over the weekend.

On Thursday, thousands of migrants waited in a grassy area between the Camino Real International Bridge, known as Bridge 2, and a railroad bridge. As groups were bused to Border Patrol facilities, more migrants were brought in from another staging area closer to the Rio Grande.

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The Camino Real bridge is for semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, in addition to private motorists and pedestrians. Eagle Pass International Bridge isn't open to commercial traffic.

CBP reduced Camino Reals northbound vehicle lanes from six to one Monday to free up customs officers to assist the Border Patrol with crowd control. The result: waits of between eight and 12 hours to cross into Eagle Pass, said Homero Balderas, the citys international bridge general manager.

CBP also temporarily shut down the rail crossing in both directions, as well as one in El Paso, to similarly redirect customs officers, prompting an outcry from Texas officials and railroad and agricultural interests. CBP also cited an increase in migrants being smuggled on freight trains as a reason for the closure.

But Union Pacific Railway and BNSF Railway told the Associated Press that theyve seen few migrants attempting to cross illegally through a U.S. port of entry by train. Union Pacific said it had found just five migrants trying to enter the country on its trains in the last five weeks.

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On Friday, CBP officials reopened the two rail crossings, which are among six between the U.S. and Mexico. A spokesperson said the agency made the changes after observing a recent shift in the trends of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico.

Union Pacific estimated that the closures cost $200 million in losses per day across several industries, including auto manufacturing, agriculture, chemicals and consumer goods.

Eagle Pass is where Corona and Modelo beer, produced at Constellation Brands brewery in Nava, Mexico, cross into the U.S. Beer imports through Eagle Pass are valued at more than $3.5 billion annually, Glenn Hammer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, said in a Chamber Business News opinion piece about the bridge and rail closures.

The closure of these two crossings had a detrimental economic impact that disrupted critical trade and commerce, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, whose district includes this section of the border, said in a statement. Our focus must be on putting solutions forward that ensure a closure like this does not happen again in the future.

Get back to normal

It is unclear when CBP will lift its restrictions on Eagle Pass two international bridges.

In October, Balderas, the bridge manager, was notified just a few hours before CBP reopened Bridge 1 after the agency closed it to motorists coming from both directions for three weeks because of another influx of migrants.

CBP closed it again Nov. 27.

Were trying everything that we can to get our federal friends to help us, Balderas said. We just want to get back to normal.

Gov. Greg Abbotts Dec. 15 directive requiring the Texas Department of Public Safety to inspect all commercial trucks entering Eagle Pass and Del Rio from Mexico has only added salt to the wound, Balderas said.

Because of the long wait times at the Camino Real bridge, many commercial drivers whod normally enter the U.S. through Eagle Pass are crossing at Laredo now. Thats lost revenue for Eagle Pass, which depends on bridge tolls to support 55% of its operating budget.

Eagle Pass reaps $18 million per year from bridge tolls, according to City Manager Ivan Morua.

Each week in which a bridge is closed to motorists or its lanes are reduced costs the city up to $150,000, Balderas said.

Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze referred all questions about the inspections to DPS, which did not respond by deadline. Eze did not respond to a question about the economic impact the inspections would have on Eagle Pass and the state.

Last year, when Abbott implemented a similar policy at eight ports of entry, it cost Texas more than $4.2 billion in goods and services and the equivalent of 36,000 jobs, according to Waco-based economist Ray Perryman.

Eagle Pass City Hall has been inundated with calls from residents asking whether theyll be able to return to Texas if they head south of the border for the holidays, or how long it will take family members from Mexico to drive into Eagle Pass.
FILE PHOTO: The Medina County Sheriff's Office is looking for people shooting at drivers with a pellet gun throughout the county. DusanBartolovic/Getty Images

The Medina County Sheriffs Office is searching for a group of people who are shooting at random vehicles throughout the county.

The sheriffs office said the suspects are using a pellet gun. So far, incidents have been reported along two-lane highways in Natalia, LaCoste and Castroville.

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According to KSAT, 11 drivers have reported damage to their vehicles due to the shootings.

Sheriff Randy Brown told the TV station that no one has been seriously hurt, but it could happen. He said he encourages anyone who may have been struck to report it to the sheriffs office immediately.

The first reported shooting occurred on Nov. 27, and more have been occurring since at different hours of the day, according to KSAT.

If found, the suspects could face charges for deadly conduct or even murder if someone is killed as a result, Brown said.

Medina County Crime Stoppers said they are offering a reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest. They can be contacted at 1-800-367-2833.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, City Manager Erik Walsh and Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez explain the decision to charge three officers with murder in the Melissa Perez shooting in June. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

While its the duty of local law enforcement officers to keep crime off the streets, sometimes these same officers find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

This year, several San Antonio police officers and Bexar County deputies were arrested on charges including murder, family assault, invasive visual recording, driving under the influence and indecency with a child.

Lets unpack some of the more notable cases in which law enforcement officers were arrested for breaking the law.

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Bexar County Sheriffs Office

In August, Bexar County detention officer Giovanni Ceja, 31, resigned after he was arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run in California.

Ceja, who was reportedly drunk and on vacation, is accused of hitting a man who was fueling his car on the side of a highway on Aug. 6 in Riverside, Calif.

He is accused of fleeing the scene and leaving behind pieces of his vehicle, which he had borrowed from a relative before the incident.

In the following days, the Riverside County Sheriffs Department said they were searching for the vehicle. California authorities then called the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, saying that Ceja was wanted on charges of murder, DUI and hit and run causing death.

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Sheriff Javier Salazar said Ceja didnt say anything about the incident or that he was under investigation after returning to work. When confronted by Salazar, Ceja was arrested and asked to resign.

He was extradited to California and remains at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, Calif.

Bexar County Sheriff's Office Deputy Antonio Almaraz, 31, was arrested after allegedly leaving his two-month-old baby in a hot car. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Antonio Almaraz, 31, was arrested in September after he was accused of leaving his 2-month-old baby inside a hot car for hours.

He was charged with injury to a child, endangering a child and abandoning a child. The Sheriffs Office said he was hired in February and was fired as a result of the incident.

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Deputies said Almaraz took the baby to a routine pediatrics appointment at 9 a.m. and left the baby inside the car when he returned home at 10 a.m. Around 1 p.m., the baby was discovered unresponsive in the car and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Almaraz was released from the Bexar County Jail on bond and is awaiting indictment, according to court records.

In July, deputy Marcus James Alexander, 37, turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest for indecency with a child by contact.

While responding to a home in western Bexar County, deputies said they were told Alexander touched a juvenile inappropriately. The individual also told deputies that Alexander had taken inappropriate photos of the juvenile and was keeping the images on his phone.

Alexander was released on bond and is awaiting trial, according to court records.

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Bexar County Sheriff's Department cadet Ricardo Gutierrez, seen in a Bexar County Jail booking photo, was arrested Jan. 3 and charged with family assault after he allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend and choked her, according to a news release. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff

Cadet Ricardo Gutierrez, 20, was arrested after he was accused of physically assaulting his girlfriend at a residence in January.

According to the Sheriffs Office, Gutierrez choked his girlfriend until she couldnt breathe after she told him that she wanted to move back to her hometown.

When deputies arrived at the home, Gutierrez had already left for his scheduled shift at the Bexar County Jail. He was removed from his posting and taken into custody.

Gutierrez was charged with assault on a family member with strangulation. He was fired and is now free on bond and awaiting trial.

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Deputy Andrew Garcia, 23, was fired in January after he was arrested and charged with oppression, assault causing bodily injury and harassment. He was accused of shocking or threatening with a Taser two cadets he was training.

The cadets had reported being stunned or intimidated by Garcia while he had a stun gun during training, according to the Sheriffs Office.

San Antonio Police Department

This photo combo shows from left, Sgt. Alfred Flores and officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos. The three San Antonio police officers were charged, Friday, June 23, with murder in the fatal shooting of a woman who was experiencing what the city's police chief said was a mental health crisis. San Antonio Police Department

Former Sgt. Alfred Flores and former officer Eleazar Alejandro were indicted on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Melissa Perez in June. A third officer, Nathaniel Villalobos, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The three officers are accused of shooting at Perez after she threw a glass candlestick at an officer and rushed toward police with a hammer.

An investigator said the officers fired between 12 and 16 rounds at Perez, hitting her twice. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members of Perez said she was suffering from a mental health crisis.

SAPD homicide detectives concluded that Perez was not a threat to the officers because she was standing on the opposite side of a locked glass door. It is the first time an SAPD officer has been charged with murder for an on-duty shooting.

Officer Andres Puente, 32, with San Antonio police was arrested and charged with invasive visual recording. Courtesy San Antonio Police Department

Officer Andres Puente, 32, was arrested and charged with invasive visual recording after his ex-girlfriend discovered a hidden camera in her living room.

An affidavit supporting Puentes arrest stated that the hidden camera had 33 hours of footage in it, including video of his ex-girlfriend and her daughter partially clothed. It also included audio of the woman and a male guest that was intimate and private, according to the affidavit.
Daniel Perry enters the 147th District Courtroom at the Travis County Justice Center for his sentencing, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Perry, a U.S. Army sergeant convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of Air Force veteran Garrett Foster, 28, an armed protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Texas, could be facing up to life in prison, even as Gov. Greg Abbott presses for the chance to pardon him. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Mikala Compton/Associated Press CORRECTS TO FOSTER'S PARTNER, NOT WIFE - Whitney Mitchell is comforted by her mother, Patricia Kirven, after U.S. Army sergeant Daniel Perry sentenced to 25 years for the murder of Whitney's partner Garrett Foster at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Jay Janner/Associated Press U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Perry, center, and his attorney Doug O'Connell, left, walk out of the courtroom during jury deliberations in his murder trial, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Jay Janner/Associated Press

Months after promising to pardon an Army veteran who was convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued his annual clemency list  without Daniel Perrys name on it.

Abbott announced that he would pardon three Texans for minor offenses, including a marijuana possession charge from 2010 and a theft charge from 1978.

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These three Texans have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to reshape their lives and serve their communities, Abbott, a third-term Republican, said in a news release.

Perry is serving a 25-year prison sentence for the 2020 killing, which turned him into a cause celebre among some Republicans who argued that he acted in self-defense. Abbott indicated that he agreed last April, posting on social media shortly after Perrys murder conviction that Texas has one of the strongest self-defense laws and that he would work as swiftly as Texas law allows to pardon him.

Abbott made no mention of Perry on Thursday, but the governor could still grant him clemency in the future.

A representative for the Board of Pardons and Paroles said the agency is still in the process of investigating Daniel Perry, and it will issue a decision only after completing the investigation and taking a vote. The board is not legally required to carry out an investigation and can technically issue a pardon recommendation at any point after a conviction.

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Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for the governor, reiterated that Abbott has requested an expedited review, and he looks forward to reviewing the boards recommendation when it reaches his desk. Neither spokesperson gave a timeframe.

Perrys lawyer Doug OConnell said he hadnt anticipated an end-of-year pardon because the board has yet to interview key witnesses that will establish Perrys wrongful conviction.

I dont take this as a bad sign at all, he said.



Abbott cannot pardon someone unless the board issues a recommendation, but he appoints all of its members and can choose to fire them at any time.

Six days after the governor made the April statement, newly unsealed court documents revealed that Perry had sent private messages for years containing racist memes and defending the killing of protesters and Muslims.

As of early October, the Board of Pardons and Paroles had recommended clemency only in the three cases Abbott granted Thursday, according to records obtained through a public information request. Its unclear if the board had since issued any additional recommendations, including in Perrys case.

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Abbott has rarely issued pardons during his time in office.

In the 2022 fiscal year, which stretched from Sept. 1, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2022, the board considered 68 requests for clemency, according to the agencys annual statistical report. It issued a recommendation in 26 of those cases, but Abbott granted just two pardons that December.

The board recommended clemency in 75 of the 145 cases it reviewed in the 2021 fiscal year. Abbott issued eight pardons in December of that year.

Perry was driving for Uber on the night of July 25, 2020, when he made a right turn into an intersection full of protesters in downtown Austin. One of them, 28-year-old Garrett Foster, approached the drivers side of Perrys car while carrying an AK-47 rifle. Perry rolled down the window and, seconds later, used a revolver next to him to shoot and kill Foster. Both men were legally armed.

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Perrys defense team attempted to portray the protesters as an angry mob and said Foster was carrying his rifle in a threatening manner. Prosecutors contended that Perry deliberately drove into a group of peaceful protesters and lost his right to self-defense by provoking the confrontation with Foster. Travis County jurors ultimately sided with prosecutors and convicted him of murder.

Some conservative commentators have drawn parallels between Perrys case and that of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of fatally shooting two men during protests in Kenosha, Wis., in 2020. The night Perrys trial ended, Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested on his show Friday that Abbott pardon him.
China's improved emergency response brings relief to quake-affected people

Xinhua) 08:54, December 22, 2023

XINING/LANZHOU, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- When the quake struck at midnight, 270 students in a boarding school in northwest China's Qinghai Province were fast asleep. However, after three minutes, they all managed to escape unharmed, just as they had been two hours earlier.

At 10 p.m. Monday, these students from the junior high school in Qingshui Township, Haidong City, were having an earthquake emergency drill, two hours before the 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted northwest China.

"After we fell asleep, the beds rocked suddenly, when we realized that a real quake happened," said a year-eight student Ma Meiqi. "Some people shouted 'earthquake' while we ran along the wall to the playground in an orderly manner as what we usually did in the drills. There was no crowding and stampede."

Barimqen, who is in charge of dormitory management of the school, was born in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture which was ravaged by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 2010. More than 2,600 people were killed.

"I remember that disaster vividly," said the 25-year-old man. "Only by enhancing regular drills can we avoid casualties as much as possible."

In the past years, China has improved its emergency response system, in case of disasters like earthquakes, which has saved lives and reduced damages.

According to an unnamed official with the education department of Qinghai, apart from drills, they have strengthened the construction management and supervision of school buildings, so that the old buildings would either be demolished or reinforced, while new ones meet the seismic standards. This time in Haidong all 39,324 students from 81 boarding schools were evacuated safely after the quake without a single injury.

In the neighboring Gansu Province, where the epicenter is about 8 km from the county seat of the Bonan-Dongxiang-Salar Autonomous County of Jishishan, more than 270,000 people, mostly local cadres, were trained as the "first emergency respondents." The training included evacuating the masses, checking the risks, and leading villagers to start search and relief work barehanded or with simple tools.

Zhang Huilin, a 58-year-old Party secretary at Kexinmin village, led fellow villagers to save the victims immediately after the quake.

"He knew very well where each household was, even locations of senior people and children's bedrooms there," said an unnamed villager. "In the darkness, he took us door to door to locate and save people. Thanks to him, we managed to help each other before the rescuers arrived."

Two large-scale emergency quake drills were conducted in Gansu last year and earlier this year. Han Shujun, an inspector with the provincial emergency management department, told Xinhua that they initiated the rescue technology and tactics, and tested the adaptability of the rescue equipment as well as the ability of the rescue team under cold plateau conditions.

"This time the quake occurred in areas with high altitude amid cold waves in winter, but we managed to ensure the power supply of rescue equipment," he said.

Meanwhile, the commanders, fully aware of the populations in surrounding areas and locations of chemical enterprises, reservoirs, and mines, were able to make the right decisions, sending the nearest rescue team to the quake-hit sites.

Han Zhengming, head of the Gansu Provincial Emergency Management Department, said that he had seen the fastest and least panicked rescue work this time in the province.

Immediately after the quake, more than 4,500 rescuers and over 820 vehicles were mobilized to carry out search and rescue with full coverage of the affected areas.

Less than six hours after the quake, the first batch of 32 people and 10 vehicles from the Gansu branch of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, a Chinese civil relief squad, arrived at Jishishan. "As soon as we arrived, we started the investigation, transport, and setting up temporary resettlement sites," said the experienced team leader Yu Ruofei. The affected villagers have been provided with freshly cooked meals since Tuesday afternoon.

After a 40-minute drive on the icy mountainous road, Xinhua reporters starting from the county seat of Jishishan arrived at the Zhangguojia village at the epicenter, and visited some tents set up to shelter the evacuees.

Sitting by a stove, 86-year-old Zhang Guiying was holding a steaming bowl of noodles, with soft and glutinous potatoes easy to eat for elderly people like her. Beside her, there were relief supplies including vegetables, milk, bread, and several large bags of pastries sent by rescuers.

"The rescuers responded quickly to send us the food," she said, adding that she was not worried because she was sure she would "be taken care of after the disaster."

As of Wednesday night, the earthquake has killed 113 people in Gansu and 22 people in Qinghai. The tragic consequence suggested that improvement is still needed in the disaster prevention and emergency response system.

Han Shujun noted that the response-ability of the "first emergency respondents" at the grassroots level varied, thus more training would be needed so that they could react more quickly.

While monitoring and early warning are to be enhanced, local governments also need to raise awareness among villagers, especially in areas that haven't experienced earthquakes for a long time.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, reacts after signing paperwork declaring his candidacy for U.S. Senate at the Texas Democratic Party Headquarters on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Austin, Texas. His wife Sarah Gutierrez, right, and a handful of supporters attended the signing. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Congressman Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, speaks to media at a detention area for Migrants in Eagle Pass on December 20, 2023. Jessica Phelps Texas State Rep. Steve Allison, R-San Antonio, arrives on the house floor for the swearing in ceremony of the 88th Legislature at the State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Jerry Lara, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

The deadline has closed for candidates to file for the 2024 elections, and a number of San Antonio-area races will be hotly contested.

They range from a congressional race in which the incumbent has been labeled by opponents as a Republican in name only to a state House district where Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott are teaming up to oust the Republican who currently holds the seat.

Plus, a local state senator, Roland Gutierrez, is part of a crowded Democratic field in the contest to run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. The primary election is March 5.

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Here are some races to watch:

Gonzales race

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, will face four primary challengers this spring. Its hard to say whether this will be the toughest primary yet for the two-term congressman  he ascended to Washington in 2020 after eking out a win against a primary opponent by just 45 votes.

The Texas Republican Party censured Gonzales this year for joining Democrats in votes to protect same-sex marriage and bolster existing gun laws, as well as his opposition to a border security bill that Gonzales characterized as anti-immigration.

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Gonzales was also the only Republican to vote no on a House rules package proposed under the new GOP majority in Washington. He had raised concerns about potential cuts to the countrys defense budget.

Gonzales dismissed the partys censure as garbage, but the criticism attracted several candidates who are challenging the congressman from his right. They are Julie Clark, the chair of the Medina County GOP; Victor Avila, a retired supervisory special agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Brandon Herrera, a Second Amendment activist; and Frank Lopez Jr., who ran as an independent candidate in the district last cycle.

Gonzales 23rd Congressional District stretches from San Antonio to El Paso, and it used to be a perennial swing district. The 2021 redistricting cycle made the seat a little redder, and Gonzales won in last years general election by a 17-point margin.

Gonzales faced two primary challengers in 2022, but neither candidate was particularly popular or well-funded. The incumbent congressman came out on top with 78% of the vote.

The candidates this year have a higher profile. Herrera, for example, has for years been a public figure advocating for gun rights, and he boasts more than 340,000 followers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He also had about $240,000 in his campaign coffers at the end of September, though Gonzales boasted nearly $1.7 million.

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State House seats

Most of the contentious races happening statewide this year are at the state House level, where political vendettas are influencing endorsements from two of the states top GOP officials.

Attorney General Paxton is going after Republican representatives who voted to impeach him in May, and Gov. Abbott is campaigning against members who opposed his priority voucher plan that would have used taxpayer dollars to send kids to private schools.

That said, Rep. Steve Allison of San Antonio, whose district stretches from Alamo Heights to Bulverde, has a double target on his back.

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Paxton and Abbott have endorsed opponent Marc LaHood, an attorney who ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2022 for Bexar County district attorney. LaHood has pledged to support Abbotts voucher plan.

Michael Champion, a retired veteran who ran against Allison in 2022, is also vying for the seat. (Allison won that primary with 84% of the vote.)

Allisons district is also one of the most purple in the state. Under current district lines, voters would have elected former President Donald Trump in 2020 by just 2 percentage points.

While most of the attention is currently directed toward the GOP primary race, there are also two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination: retiree Shekhar Sinha and medical sales representative Laurel Jordan Swift.

Nearby, Republican state Rep. John Kuempel of Seguin may face a similar double-whammy from Paxton and Abbott. Kuempel voted for impeachment and opposed school vouchers  the attorney general already has endorsed a challenger, and Abbott is likely to do the same soon.

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In a safely red district, Kuempel faces three primary challengers: Paxton-endorsed Alan Schoolcraft, who served as a state representative from 1981 to 1993; David Freimarck, who works for a small IT company; and Greg Switzer, a retired Marine.

There are a couple of competitive primaries for San Antonio-area open seats, too. Rep. Tracy King of Uvalde, a moderate Democrat, and Rep. Andrew Murr, the Junction Republican who led Paxtons impeachment, are retiring.

In Kings district, where Republicans see a prime opportunity to flip a blue seat (the district would have favored Trump in 2020 by 5 percentage points), there are contested primaries on both sides of the aisle.

Three Republicans  including former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, who has Paxtons endorsement  are vying for the nomination. The two other candidates are Clint Powell, a pilot, and JR Ramirez, a rancher.

READ MORE: Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin launches campaign for Texas House of Representatives

Five Democrats make up the primary ticket on the other side of the aisle. They include Carlos Lopez, the former Uvalde County Democratic Party chair, and Rosie Cuellar, an attorney and the sister of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.

The other three candidates are Cecilia Castellano, who runs a small business; Teresa Johnson Hernandez, who owns an MRI center; and Graciela Villarreal, who serves as district director for a Democratic state representative.

In Murrs deep-red district, which includes Medina and Bandera counties, Republicans Wes Virdell, the Texas state director for the Gun Owners of America, and Hatch Smith, a hospital administrator, are running to replace him. Virdell, the likely frontrunner, has Paxtons endorsement.

And, lastly, some honorable mentions: Rep. John Lujan, who flipped a state House seat Republican during a special election in 2021, is seeking another term in office. There are two Democrats hoping to replace him: Kristian Carranza, a community organizer, and Carlos Quezada, an attorney.

Keep an eye on who comes out on top of that Democratic contest. Lujans district is also one of the most purple in the state, and Biden would have won there in 2020 by 3 percentage points. The seat could be a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Former New York City mayor and Former President Donald Trump's ex-lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, declared bankruptcy on Thursday over his $150 million debt in a defamation lawsuit.

Giuliani's bankruptcy came from tax-related losses and the money he owed his attorneys while navigating a minefield of lawsuits and millions of dollars in judgments.

Rudy Giuliani Declares Bankruptcy

Giuliani filed his bankruptcy one week after a Washington, DC, jury ordered him to pay more than $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defamatory statements he made about them following the 2020 election.

Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani. The two sued Giuliani after he publicized a video claiming to show them manipulating the election in Biden's favor following Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election.

The women were granted $20 million each for suffering emotional distress and a total of $75 million in punitive damages. Freeman was awarded $16 million for defamation claims, while Moss was rewarded at least $17 million.

On Wednesday, US District Judge Beryl Howell said that Giuliani had run off revealing his worth by refusing to turn over evidence he had in the case before trial. He added that Giuliani never acknowledged previous court orders for him to reimburse the women for his attorneys' fee, claiming he was broke and the verdict would severely hurt him.

Furthermore, Giuliani's attorney, Joseph Sibley, said Freeman and Moss were requesting the civil equivalent of the death penalty. He noted that they were trying to end Giuliani.

A spokesperson for Giuliani said, "The filing should be a surprise to no one. No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount."

Read Also: Mariah Carey, Bryan Tanaka Spark Split Rumors After 7 Years of Dating

Giuliani's Controversies

America's former mayor has faced many controversies, mostly related to his relationship with Trump while holding press conferences and guesting on television and in courtrooms to challenge the results of the 2020 election.

Giuliani and other allies of Trump have failed to prove their allegations that the election had been stolen from Trump, and many of their lawsuits were tossed out of court altogether.

He also faced several financial challenges in his Georgia lawsuit. In recent months, he was sued by his former attorneys and Dominion Voting Systems over his false election conspiracies.

In August, Giuliani was charged with 13 felony charges alongside Trump and several other allies in Fulton County, Georgia, for an alleged conspiracy to meddle with the results of the state's 2020 election. However, he pleaded not guilty to all charges and has not yet gone to trial.

In September, CNN data reporter Harry Enten shared that Giuliani's popularity has dropped 60 points in polls over the last 21 years. Enten said Giuliani was once a hero in New York City, but now, he was just a disgrace to most Americans.

Related Article: Trump 2024 Campaign: Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Former President From State Ballot





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In a defiant move, Iran executed a woman on Wednesday who had been found guilty of killing her husband, a man she had been forced to marry as a child.

Despite a global plea for mercy, human rights organizations report that the execution took place, as per The Independent.

Child Bride Executed in Iran

Samira Sabzian, a prisoner who had spent the last ten years behind bars, was reportedly executed at dawn in Ghezel Hesar prison. The execution took place in the Tehran satellite city of Karaj, according to the Iran Human Rights (IHR) group, which is based in Norway.

As concern continues to mount over the rising number of executions in Iran this year, another execution has taken place. The latest execution adds to the growing tally of individuals who have been put to death in the country, with the majority facing charges related to murder and drug offenses.

Shockingly, this includes a significant number of women, totaling more than a dozen. According to relatives, Sabzian, as reported by IHR, was a child bride who entered into marriage at the age of 15. Tragically, she has also been a victim of domestic violence.

The execution of the woman, who is now believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s, has been confirmed by the Hengaw rights group. According to the group, she was originally from the city of Khorramabad in the western Lorestan province.

Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the accounts of a "chilling execution," highlighting that the victim, a mother of two, had experienced a coerced and premature marriage during her childhood.

The execution of Sabzian has raised concerns at the office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. They expressed alarm over the incident, highlighting the fact that Sabzian was compelled to marry her husband when she was just 15 years old.

In a statement, it was emphasized once more that Iran is being urged to implement a moratorium on all executions, with the ultimate goal of completely abolishing the death penalty. As of now, media within Iran has not reported on the execution.

According to the International Human Rights organization (IHR), Sabzian, who was 19 years old at the time, was arrested approximately ten years ago. According to the International Human Rights organization (IHR), she recently had a final meeting in prison earlier this month with her two children, whom she had not seen since her arrest.

Mahmood-Amiry Moghaddam, the director of the IHR, said Samira has endured years of gender apartheid, child marriage, and domestic violence. Tragically, today she became a victim of the alleged incompetence and corruption within the regime's killing machine.

Amnesty International reports that rights groups are expressing concern over a significant increase in executions within Iran this year. In the month of November alone, at least 115 individuals were executed, prompting alarm among various organizations.

Read Also: Houthi Rebels Vow for More Attacks on Ships in Red Sea if Tension Escalates

Iran Execution of Women

Amnesty has called on the international community to urgently urge Iran's authorities to establish an official moratorium on executions without delay. In a plea made by the British government, Iran has been urged to spare the life of Sabzian.

A total of 18 women have been executed in Iran so far this year. Among the victims is Samira Sabzian. Iran's Sharia-based murder laws have been criticized by rights groups for their failure to consider potential mitigating factors, such as abuse or domestic violence, in these cases.

Iran has carried out the execution of eight individuals in connection with the protests that took place in September 2022. However, various rights groups have raised concerns, asserting that the notable increase in hangings across all charges is intended to instill fear within the broader population.

Based on the latest report from the International Human Rights organization (IHR), Iran carried out the execution of 582 individuals in the year 2022. However, it is anticipated that the total number of executions for the current year will surpass this figure by a significant margin. Mail Online reported.



Related Article: US Slaps Iran with Fresh Sanctions Targeting Iranian Drone Production Network

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The US Food and Drug Administration approved Ionis Pharmaceuticals and partner AstraZeneca's drug to treat rare nerve diseases on Thursday.

The drug was branded as Wainua, which would be available in the US in January.

US FDA Approves Ionis-AstraZeneca

Wainua was approved for the treatment of polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-PN) in adults, which affects an estimated 40,000 patients globally.

Transthyretin amyloidosis is a progressive condition identified by accumulating unusual protein deposits in the body's organs and tissues.

According to AstraZeneca, the condition damages nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. If the disease was left untreated, it could be deadly within ten years.

Wainua would be operated once a month at home through an under-the-skin injection. It uses more advanced technology than an older Ionis drug and was designed to target the liver, where the protein is produced.

Ionis CEO Brett Monia said the company reported that only 20% of the patients suffering from ATTR-PN were on treatment. He added that this was a market where more than one player could have great success.

Furthermore, William Blair analyst Myles Minter has estimated the global peak sales of about $750 million for treating ATTR-PN alone.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' (ALNY.O) therapies Amvuttra and Onpattro and Ionis' Tegsedi claimed that the new drug could be self-administered, requiring less dosing than previously approved therapies.

"We still expect Alnylam to retain leadership in this market, but with AstraZeneca as a global collaboration partner and a more convenient, self-administered product, we think Ionis has a good position," Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen said in a note before the approval.

Read Also: Rudy Giuliani Declares Bankruptcy Following $150 Million Defamation Lawsuit Judgement

Ionis-AstraZeneca To Treat Other Diseases

According to Fierce Biotech, eplontersen was the main attraction by Ionis and AstraZeneca. However, the two were also collaborating on three other clinical-stage meds, two of which aimed at nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and a third for patients with chronic kidney disease.

Mina Makar, AstraZeneca's senior vice president of global cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism work, said that while the two companies' existing partnerships have proven fruitful, no collaboration expansion was on the horizon.

Ionis and AstraZeneca also tested its effectiveness in treating other diseases that could lead to cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. Analysts anticipate total peak sales between $3.5 billion and $7 billion if the drug gets expanded approval to treat cardiomyopathy.

Makar said that Big Pharma's existing commercial infrastructure and patient support system should maintain eplontersen's prospects, which he described as having best-in-class potential.

He added that they have very aggressive plans to launch eplontersen in Europe and other parts of the world.

ATTR polyneuropathy was just the beginning, and a second phase 3 trial, arranged to be the largest ATTR cardiomyopathy trial ever, has continued to enroll. Ionis' Shneider said that the 140-week test would be in 2025 for readout.

Related Article: Accidental Overdose on Weight-Loss Drugs Increases by 15-Fold, Poison Center Reveals







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China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, issued a stern warning on maintaining military pressure on the Philippines during a recent phone conversation with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo.

The dispute revolves around sovereignty in the South China Sea and could potentially involve the intervention of US forces in defense of their treaty partner, as per The Independent.

China Warns Philippines Over South China Sea Tensions

Wang conveyed a clear message, cautioning the Philippines against misjudgments or collaboration with external forces that might escalate tensions. He emphasized China's commitment to defending its rights in accordance with the law and responding resolutely. The call highlighted the serious issues the two countries are currently facing, with Wang underscoring the need for caution on the Philippines' part.

In the South China Sea, tensions have escalated between China and the Philippines due to overlapping territorial claims. These tensions have resulted in recent confrontations involving various vessels, including fishing boats and military ships.

Amidst strained relations, Wang made a strong assertion that the countries find themselves at a critical juncture. He identified incidents of sea provocations by the Philippines, which China claims are undermining its legal rights.

The phone call, initiated by the Philippines, comes after months of rising tensions in the South China Sea, a crucial global conduit connecting Northeast and Southeast Asia. Accusations have been traded between the two nations over incidents such as the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.

Wang cautioned against the actions taken by the Philippines, hinting at potential alignment with external forces, without explicitly mentioning the United States.

In a recent call, it was revealed that the Philippines is showing a strong commitment to enhancing dialogue with China. The focus of the conversation was on the importance of effectively managing differences in order to alleviate tensions, according to Voice of America.

Read Also: WHO Classifies New COVID-19 JN.1 as Standalone Variant of Interest as Subvariant Rapidly Spread in US

China, Philippines Plan South China Sea Meeting

Both nations have reached an agreement to convene a meeting in the near future. This decision comes as part of the bilateral consultation mechanism, which was established back in 2017. The primary objective of this meeting is to effectively address incidents occurring in the South China Sea and, more importantly, to prevent any further escalations.

The roots of the strained relationship, as stated by Wang, lie in a change of policy stance by Manila, alleging that the Philippines has reneged on commitments and engaged in provocative actions at sea. Despite the challenges, China expresses its commitment to resolving maritime differences through dialogue.

Efforts to de-escalate the situation, including a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on the sidelines of the Apec summit, have not yielded significant improvements.

Marcos has indicated the need for a "paradigm shift" in handling the South China Sea issue, expressing dissatisfaction with the current diplomatic direction. China's discontent with Manila's strengthened ties with the US and other Asian allies adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute.

As tensions persist, the geopolitical landscape in the South China Sea remains volatile, with both China and the Philippines navigating a delicate balance in their diplomatic relations, South China Morning Post reported.

Related Article: Gaza Death Toll Reaches Over 20,000 as UN Delays Aid, Again

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In a move of diplomatic deliberation, UN Security Council diplomats have decided to postpone the vote on a resolution aimed at bolstering humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The decision to delay the vote until Friday comes amidst ongoing efforts to facilitate a new truce between Israel and Hamas, with the hope of securing the release of hostages.

UN Security Council Vote Delays Again

In this pursuit, further discussions have taken place in Egypt, as international stakeholders strive to find common ground and bring an end to the conflict. The UN vote has been postponed, even as the United States announces its newfound support for a revised proposal.

Per Reuters, the amended resolution would entail a demand for both Israel and Hamas to permit the utilization of "all available routes" to facilitate humanitarian deliveries.

Amid ongoing diplomatic endeavors, the conflict in the Gaza Strip has escalated, as Israeli forces have intensified their bombardments in both the northern and southern regions of the 41 km (25 mile)-long Palestinian territory. In response, Hamas has launched rockets toward Tel Aviv, Israel's bustling commercial capital, according to officials on Thursday.

In a recent statement on the messaging platform Telegram, the Iraqi group known as Kataeb Hezbollah, also referred to as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Israel's city of Eilat.

According to medics, a total of fourteen Palestinians lost their lives on Thursday in the Gaza Strip due to three distinct incidents involving Israeli forces. These attacks occurred in different regions, namely the northern, central, and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.

A tragic incident occurred in Khan Younis where the Hamas-appointed director of the police station, along with members of his family, lost their lives in a strike on their residence.

Read Also: Hamas Chief Visits Cairo, Fueling Talks of Another Truce

US Signals Backing

In a statement, Washington expressed its concern regarding the resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates, suggesting that it could potentially impede the flow of aid into Gaza. In a development that follows a series of negotiations spanning approximately two weeks, the United States has made its latest announcement.

Throughout the week, the Security Council has consistently delayed the draft resolution, which seeks to establish a ceasefire of some kind, due to ongoing disputes over the wording. A sustainable cessation of hostilities was outlined, however, the final version now emphasizes the need to establish the necessary conditions for such a cessation.

The requirement for utilizing all land, sea, and air routes for deliveries has been modified. The revised directive now calls for the utilization of all available routes, rather than specifically mandating the use of all land, sea, and air routes. In a move that aims to expedite the delivery of aid, the proposal establishes a mechanism that emphasizes the importance of consulting with relevant parties, including Israel.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emerged from a closed-door session on Thursday night, vehemently refuting allegations that the latest draft had been diluted. In her statement, she asserted that the resolution in question remains robust and forceful.

In her statement, she referred to it as "a resolution that we can support," yet refrained from disclosing whether the United States intends to cast a positive vote or abstain from voting altogether.

On Thursday, a significant point of contention emerged regarding the proposal in question, which suggested the establishment of a United Nations mechanism to oversee the delivery of aid into Gaza. The Arab group of nations emphasized that this provision was crucial and must be included in any resolution deemed substantial.

The United States has expressed concerns that implementing a new monitoring mechanism could potentially strip Israel of its control over the screening process. Consequently, the US has requested a further delay in order to engage in discussions with Egypt regarding the feasibility of establishing a monitoring system that would be acceptable to all parties involved.

In a current development, it has been reported that Israel is closely monitoring all aid and fuel deliveries to the region of Gaza.

A resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza received substantial backing from the majority of the Security Council. Out of the 15 members, an impressive 13 expressed their support for the resolution. However, it is worth noting that the United States exercised its veto power, effectively blocking the resolution. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom opted to abstain from voting on the matter.

In a similar stance to Israel, the United States has expressed its objection to a ceasefire, citing concerns that it would ultimately benefit Hamas. Instead, the US is lending its support to the idea of implementing temporary pauses in the ongoing conflict.

Since then, there has been a growing pressure for a pause in fighting. In a recent statement, Hamas reported that the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 20,000 during the course of the past 10 weeks of ongoing conflict. In a dire warning issued on Thursday, the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) cautioned that Gaza faced the imminent threat of famine should the ongoing conflict persist, as per BBC.

Related Article: UN Demands Probe as Israel Allegedly Kills Unarmed Palestinian Civilians; Survivors Detail Rumored Massacre

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Devon village in the UK was shocked after they woke up one morning to an act of environmental vandalism as the government removed 100 ancient beech trees.

The east Devon residents were currently grieving the loss of the beloved trees in a particular conservation area, home to many local plants and Devon animals.

Devon Village in Shock at Felling of 100 Ancient Beech Trees

The government removed the ancient beech trees without consulting the community or the council. A local landowner to the Forestry Commission, a branch of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said it would not comment on individual cases but said all decisions were taken in line with its standards.

Alan Pearce, a tree warden from the area, said it should be a reasonably comprehensive consultation because it was a part of their heritage, grown-out hedges that go back hundreds of years. He said that it takes 200 years to regrow the trees.

He added that the stumps looked nearly perfect and solid, so he could not see if the government could say they were diseased or dying. He noted they were meant to be planting trees, not felling them.

Pearce shared that people were horrified, with one walker in tears over the decision, which he suggested may have been taken to improve grazing land in the adjacent field.

Another resident named Fiona Carroll expressed her concerns and said, "Many people walk in this area as it is part of a large expanse of heathland, and they are at a loss as to why this has been allowed to happen. In my view, these were valuable landscape and wildlife trees situated along an extensive ancient Devon bank. My current impression is that this destruction is nothing short of environmental vandalism."

Ewan Macdonald, a researcher at the University of Oxford, said he was not surprised that the felling of the trees had resulted in such an emotional reaction because of how people connected with trees. He explained that it highlighted how intrinsically bound up things like trees, the environment, and conservation were with their culture.

Macdonald defended the Devon community and said the Forestry Commission had no good reasons for removing the trees. He claimed that at least communicating those reasons to people and making sure the community feels engaged and brought into that was an important thing to the people of Devon.

Read Also: New Jersey: WeWork Announces Bankruptcy After Owing $2.9 Billion Debt

Environmental Vandalism in England

The felling of 40 palm trees in Torquay in Devon was recently featured in the 1970s sitcom 'Fawlty Towers,' which sparked accusations that the council had wrought destruction on the seafront.

In March 2023, 110 trees were removed in Plymouth as part of the landscaping of the city's Armada Way, which led to the resignation of the council's Conservative leader.

In 2016, five people were arrested in a dispute with the council over tree felling in an affluent Sheffield suburb. Nick Clegg, the constituency's MP, said that the incident was something people would expect to see in Putin's Russia rather than a Sheffield suburb.

Related Article: England: East Anglian Fens' Yew Trees Disappear After Rapid Rise of Saltwater in North Sea



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Many Houstonians celebrate dining traditions during the holiday season. For some, that means hunting down tamales or tucking into a classic steak-and-potato dinner at Taste of Texas. Others might use the occasion to check out a new restaurant.

December is a great time to find over-the-top, festive specials, too. Most of these diverse, splurge-worthy dishes are served in a large format ideal for sharing and should be ordered in advance.

Cebuano-style pork belly lechon at Soy Pinoy

Lechon from Soy Pinoy @houstonsgotspice

Houstons food scene saw Filipino food gain a larger footprint this year, including a pop-up featuring one of the Philipines acclaimed chefs and more recently the opening of the sprawling Filipino market Seafood City in Sugar Land. At Soy Pinoy inside the Post Houston food hall, this counter is serving some of the best Filipino fare in the city. The Cebuano-style pork belly lechon ($75 for a half belly and $160 for a full portion) is a holiday special that needs to be ordered two days in advance. It looks like an Italian porchetta with its crackling skin, but its flavors are amped up with lemon grass, onion, garlic and the restaurants custom annatto oil before it is cooked for nearly four hours. Email soypinoyhtx@gmail to place an order. 401 Franklin, Suite 1230; yosoypinoy.com

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Caviar-topped latkes at Doris Metropolitan

Caviar-topped latkes at Doris Metropolitan Shane Dante

This restaurant is best known for being a Mediterranean steakhouse serving first-rate cuts of beef and vibrant sides of vegetables, like a zippy Israeli salad. But Doris also builds on Hanukkah traditions with a particularly fancy take on latkes. Each fried disc, made of grated potato and zucchini, is cooked to a golden hue before its topped with a dollop of creme fraiche and crowned with a spoonful of American Hackleback sturgeon caviar. Each serving is $60. 2815 S. Shepherd; dorismetropolitan.com

HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants

Christmas goose dinner at Andiron

Christmas goose dinner at Andiron Duc Hoang

Andirons splashy opening this spring was built on its lavish menu of red meat, especially the impressive array of wagyu, and a refreshing design reset on the staid steakhouse. The live-fire restaurant, however, is highlighting a Christmas goose dinner as its piece de resistance for the holidays. The $395 dinner, which feeds four to six customers, is not just about the waterfowl, though. It includes a decadent oyster stuffing, whiskey goose gravy, grilled greens, roasted vegetables and cranberry relish. The goose, which is being served through Dec. 23, must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance (call 281-974-1513 for the reservation). 3201 Allen Parkway; andironhtx.com

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Mexican paella at the Original Ninfas

Mexican paella special at Ninfa's Rebecca Wright

Chef Alex Padilla's take on Spanish paella at Houston's mothership of Tex-Mex breaks the rules for the labor-intensive dish (its priced at $125 and feeds four) with the addition of ingredients such as poblano and pasilla peppers, chorizo and octopus. I want to do something that no one else is doing, Padilla said in a statement. Available at both locations of the restaurant, the paella must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance. 2704 Navigation and 1700 Post Oak; ninfas.com

Beef Wellington at Phat Eatery

Beef rendang Wellington at Phat Eatery Jenn Duncan

Chef Alex Au-Yueng gives beef Wellington the Malaysian treatment. He strips away much of the holiday classics beloved-though-sometimes-bland tenets by braising a Rosewood Ranch wagyu banana shank in fragrant rendang curry sauce before it's wrapped in prosciutto and roti thats been brushed with curry. The $53 dish, available for dine-in or takeout, is available through Dec. 31, and the Katy restaurant is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 23119 Colonial Parkway; phateatery.com

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MORE FROM BAO ONG: Team behind H-Town favorites Bludorn and Navy Blue reveals name of new restaurant, appoints chef

Buche de Noel at Bludorn

Buche de Noel at Bludorn Duc Hoang

The team at chef Aaron Bludorns namesake restaurant once again sells a popular beef Wellington  its a textbook union between a juicy tenderloin ensconced by mushroom duxelle and flaky pastry  but thats no surprise given the kitchens mastery over popular dishes such as lobster pot pie and a popular Wednesday prime rib special. Executive pastry chef Marie Riddles desserts are also a bright spot on the menu here (and at Navy Blue), so the buche de Noel should not be missed. Its filled with a coquito mousse, a nod to the coconut-flavored, eggnog-like drink from Puerto Rico. 807 Taft; bludornrestaurant.com

Feast of Seven Fishes at Roma

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Roma Rebecca Wright

New Italian restaurants open all the time in Houston, but its not easy to find the Italian American celebration known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. At this homey Rice Village spot, the meal ($69.50 per person) has become a tradition. The parade of dishes include octopus salad, lobster ravioli, fried calamari and more. Owner Shanon Scott bookends the meal with limoncello gelato. 2347 University; romahouston.com

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Peking duck at Benny Chows

Peking duck at Benny Chows Brian Kennedy
The Wise Guy at Nonno's Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The Wise Guy pizza has hot giardiniera on it. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The pizza has tomato sauce, Italian sausage, cheese and giardiniera. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Steve Dolinsky Katy Raddatz/SFC Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Steve Dolinsky back in 2015. Francis Son

When Chicago-based food journalist Steve Dolinsky messaged to say hed be in Houston a few weeks back, I immediately suggested we check out Nonnos. After all, Esquire magazine had just named chef Martin Stayers new spot the Pizza Joint of the Year in its annual Best New American Restaurants issue.

Better yet, Nonnos serves Chicago tavern-style pies, one of Dolinskys abiding passions. Indeed, he told me as we waited to be seated at Nonnos  which is walk-ins only  he is convinced that tavern style will be the next big thing in American pizza.

GUIDE: Houston's Best New Restaurants of 2023 according to Alison Cook

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Dolinskys a wiry, intense guy with a shock of brown hair that stands straight up from his forehead, as if in permanent surprise. To my amusement, he told me hes over the vaunted Neapolitan style and its extremely narrow tolerances. (Perhaps not coincidentally, Neapolitan is one of the few styles unsuited to the national pizza festivals Dolinsky is organizing these days.)

Dolinskys been singing the praises of this thin-crusted, square-cut tavern style for decades, through stints as a TV food reporter, pizza podcaster and pizza tour organizer. Tavern style has pride of place in his two pizza books: Pizza City USA: 101 Reasons Why Chicago Is Americas Greatest Pizza Town; and a follow-up, The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide.

Hes one of a small cadre of pizza obsessives Ive followed over the past couple of decades. Ed Levine, founder of the Serious Eats website, is one; Adam Kuban, the indefatigable pizza blogger, is another.

Im a bit of a pizza obsessive myself. Have been since I scarfed my first Chris Bianco wood-fired pie in Phoenix in the late 90s; then sampled my first Neapolitan pie at Anthony Mangieris Una Pizza Napoletana back in 2004. That did it; ever after, Ive been on the pizza prowl, here and abroad.

But guys like Dolinsky and Levine and Kuban are bona fide experts. So I was curious to see what hed make of Nonnos. I wasnt really there for the vintage decor, the arcade games, the nostalgia trip, or Stayers lofty reputation won at his flagship restaurant, Nobies.

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Dolinsky champions tavern style over the deep-dish pies most people picture when they think of Chicago pizza. I was eager to hear his impressions of Stayers version, a new wrinkle for Houston if you dont count the culty tavern-ish pie served for decades at Kenneallys Irish Pub.

Of course, Nonnos was already on Dolinskys radar. Hed already cased the menu and knew exactly what he wanted to order when we slid into our little two-top. That giardiniera pie, he told the waitress, indicating the pizza that the menu dubs the Wise Guy. Were talking tomato sauce, Italian sausage, cheese and the pickled vegetable relish, giardiniera, thats an article of faith in Chicago  most famously as a crucial ingredient in the citys famous Italian beef sandwich.

The pizza came out fast and bubbling. Yet not bubbling enough to suit Dolinsky, who crunched into a cracker-thin square with narrowed eyes. He wanted to see more browning on the cheese, he told me. And he was disappointed the fennel-spiked sausage had been pre-cooked, rather than cooked entirely on the pie itself.

How can you tell? I asked him. Youd see little rivulets of grease on the pizza if the sausage had cooked on there, he replied. In Dolinsky World, those rivulets were delicious, devoutly to be wished.

And there was another thing. Its just a little underdone, he volunteered after examining the underside before another square disappeared down the hatch. He approved of the seriously pickled giardiniera, which packed some red-pepper heat.

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Apparently, Chicago recognizes a hot giardiniera variety along a not-hot variety, and Dolinsky loves the way the tartness of either version cuts the richness of cheese, sauce and meat. Hes a giardiniera booster from way back.

Me, Im on the fence. There was an awful lot of giardiniera on this pizza, and to my palate, it kind of threw its weight around.

So whats the verdict, I asked. I wouldnt throw stones at it, said Dolinsky diplomatically, cracking a slight grin. And with that, he called for the check, because the night was young and we still had Gulf oysters to eat at Josephines.
Water from a tap fills a glass on July 06, 2023 in San Anselmo, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

La Porte residents might notice a different taste or smell in their water in the coming weeks due to a routine treatment that city officials assure residents is safe and doesnt pose a health risk.

From Dec. 27Jan. 2, the city will conduct a maintenance water treatment process with the purpose of ensuring long-term water quality.

The city is alerting residents through its social media platforms to expect a different taste and odor in their water, but that the process is routine.

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What is it?

Chlorine conversion, or chlorine burn, is a practice in which the water system temporarily switches from the normal process using chloramine  a combination of chlorine and ammonia  to using only chlorine purify drinking water, according to Robert Banks, utilities superintendent for the city.

This conversion is common practice by public water systems to decrease the number of bacteria to maintain a satisfactory disinfectant residual in the water distribution system, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website.

The city of La Porte plans to flush certain areas of the water system to increase the effectiveness of the process and maintain water quality, according to the citys website.

How does it affect the water?

The process is used as a preventive maintenance routine to get rid of bacteria in the water that may be harmless when consumed by humans but can cause water to have an unfamiliar taste and odor, and create issues with maintaining disinfectant residual.

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The city assuring resident that although the water may have a different odor and taste, the water during this process is safe and the process itself poses no public health risks.

Why is it necessary?

According to the TCEQ website, all public water systems in Texas are required to disinfect drinking water systems before it can be consumed by residents as a matter of public safety.

The chlorine conversion process is used by many public water systems using chloramine and is conducted three to four times throughout the year.

The process lasts between seven and 10 days.

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The Amherst County School Board voted at its December meeting to approve hiring a new position through the end of the current school year that will allow sixth- and seventh-graders to be placed at the Amherst Education Center in Madison Heights.

The pilot program has funding from ALL In VA, a new initiative that provides tutoring, Virginia Literacy Act and chronic absenteeism support for students in grades 3-8 for school divisions across the state. The board will later decide if the position is to remain part of the divisions regular operating budget, Amherst County Public Schools Superintendent William Wells said.

ACPS supports an option that meets needs of at-risk students in an alternative education school. AEC is a satellite school of Amherst County High School that serves about 70 to 80 students who experience extreme difficulties in the traditional classroom environment, according to the divisions website.

Wells said AEC has placement for eighth-graders but not for seventh- and sixth-graders. The new position would serve eight students, a handful from Monelison Middle School and three from Amherst Middle School on average, according to Wells.

The pilot program would provide intervention strategies to help students change social behavior and focus on academics, according to a staff report to the board. Students would be assigned for a duration of three to nine weeks. The school administrator who sends the student or the board will determine the number of weeks.

Referrals will come directly from principals at the countys two middle schools and/or the board.

AEC, which is adjacent to Monelison Middle School, was designed to have a full middle school program with sixth- and seventh-graders but those grades were not served because of budget cuts during the Great Recession, according to Wells.

The opportunity is there and it gives us a chance to work with these students and get them to understand what they need to be doing to be successful both behaviorally and academically, Wells told the board.

AEC has four objectives, according to the divisions website: to meet needs of at-risk students, reduce disciplinary referrals, improve school attendance and increase the overall academic performance of the student body.
A Shipman man has been convicted of malicious wounding in relation to a 2022 stabbing in Lynchburg.

Shelton Lydell Page Jr., 30, pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday in Lynchburg Circuit Court in a bench trial before Judge F. Frederick Watson.

Testifying during the trial, LPD Officer N.C. Ruble said he responded to a residence in the 4600 block of Alabama Avenue in Lynchburg at about 10:30 p.m. on July 2, 2022. Ruble testified he found Page, another man and two women outside the residence. He said the man had a cloth wrapped around his left leg and blood on his person; Page had lacerations on his head.

Ruble also testified to finding blood inside the residence near the front door, and a knife and handgun inside.

Taking the stand, the victim described getting into an argument with Page in the living room of the house, during which Page brandished a gun at him and the victim pulled the gun from Pages hand and threw it on the ground. The two went outside the house to talk then returned to the house, the victim testified. He said Page told another individual present that he was going to stab the victim. The victim then pushed Page, and Page hit his head on the kitchen counter, the victim testified.

When the victim reached down to help Page up off the ground, he said Page stabbed him twice. The victim said he put Page in a headlock; Page bit his arm, and the victim threw him backwards.

Centra Health Forensic Nurse Examiner Samantha Lee evaluated the victim and said in court she found abrasions to his left cheek and right leg and two deep open wounds on his left thigh.

Pages attorney, public defender Ruth Hocker, called the victims story incredible, saying it doesnt match up with the physical evidence in the case. Hocker noted Ruble did not find blood in the kitchen where the victim said Page stabbed him, and Lee did not find any injury to the victims arm where he said Page bit him; also, the victim said Page used his right hand to stab him though Pages mother testified hes left-handed.

Lynchburg Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Michael Pflieger said the victims injuries observed at the hospital were consistent with his testimony, adding the lack of blood in the kitchen is neither here nor there given that puncture wounds do not start bleeding immediately.

Ultimately saying he had found the victims testimony to be credible, Watson found Page guilty of the malicious wounding charge. Pages sentencing is scheduled for March 27 at 9:00 a.m. in Lynchburg Circuit Court.
The collaboration between JR East and Oriental Land Co. was launched on December 22 as a tribute to the 40th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort. The 'Magical Dream Shinkansen' is not just a train ride but an immersive experience, blending the magic of Disney with the speed and convenience of Japanese rail travel.

Set to operate until the end of March next year, this unique Shinkansen will make about four daily trips between Sendai and Tokyo. The launch has added a touch of Disney's famed magic to the daily commute, turning an ordinary journey into an extraordinary adventure.
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. &&
Burundi and Belgium have sealed a deal worth 75 million covering five cooperation areas namely health, education, agriculture, climate change, and good governance, Cooperation ministry of the central African country said.

Albert Shingiro, Burundis External Relations and International Cooperation Minister, signed the deal with Belgiums ambassador Michael Wimmer.

The Belgian development agency, Enable, will implement the deal spanning over 2024-2028 period.

The deal is the first with the European country since 2015, the year of political upheaval that followed the rejection by millions of Burundians of the third term by former and late President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Burundi and Belgium have maintained good ties since the African country gained its independence from its former colonial power, on July 1st, 1962.
Patrice Talon, Benins President, told Thursday December 21 lawmakers, his keenness to thaw ties with neighboring Niger where he condemned the military coup that removed West-backed leader Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

Talon was among hardliners in the regional organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), that wielded military intervention to restore Bazoum, removed by a junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani.

ECOWASs though position did not scare the junta still in power and which now enjoys international recognition including the UN. Talon, in an address to lawmakers Thursday, said that there is a time to condemn, to demand, and also a time to take stock and to take note of what has happened.

He also argued that Tiani-led power in Niger is responsible for providing assurance to the regional organization and the international community for a power transition.

The ECOWAS early this month called on Tiani to propose a short transition period. It also appointed Talon and leaders of Togo and Sierra Leone to mediate between the grouping and Niamey.
Egypt and Zimbabwe signed Thursday December 21 a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of low- and medium-cost housing and efficient housing at reasonable prices, using modern construction technology.

Under the deal between the Egyptian and Zimbabwean Housing Ministries, the two sides will exchange expertise, information, and technical capacities to provide housing, regulatory framework, local building materials and technologies, effective building systems, and affordable and advanced technologies, the Egyptian ministry said in a statement.

The two sides will also set a joint executive Committee to determine areas of cooperation.
A source at Frances Foreign ministry rubbished accusations by Burkina Faso authorities of espionage in the wake of the arrest of four French men in Ouagadougou early December, holding diplomatic passports and visas.

The reaction came after Paris-based news magazine Jeune Afrique reported Tuesday that four French men believed agents of the countrys foreign intelligence Agency (DGSE) have been detained since December 1st and are being interrogated secretly in a prison in capital Ouagadougou.

The men, according to the magazine, arrived in the West African country as part of continued cooperation between Burkina Fasos intelligence service and DGSE.

Ties between the two countries have gone sour since September 2022, after incumbent leader Captain Ibrahim Traore ascended to power in a military coup. The diplomatic source denied that the men are DGSE agents while claiming that they are IT experts in the country for an assignment at the French embassy.

The French government takes note of the ongoing legal proceedings, but rejects accusations that these technicians were sent to Burkina Faso for reasons other than their computer maintenance work, the source said. It demands their immediate return to France, the source added.

The French consul, according to the source, visited the French men in prison. Togo is mediating talks between the two countries to secure the liberation of the alleged DGSE agents.

However, although French diplomats played down the incident, the arrest of four French citizens reflects the deterioration in relations between the two countries.
WHO chief warns no functional hospital exists in north Gaza

Xinhua) 09:48, December 22, 2023

An injured man is transferred to a hospital in central Gaza Strip city of Deir el-Balah, on Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua)

The Al-Ahli Arab Hospital's operating theaters are no longer functioning due to the depletion, or complete absence, of specialists, power, fuel, water, food and medical supplies, Tedros wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

GENEVA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The last hospital that can perform surgery in northern Gaza stopped functioning, the World Health Organization's (WHO) director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Wednesday.

The Al-Ahli Arab Hospital's operating theaters are no longer functioning due to the depletion, or complete absence, of specialists, power, fuel, water, food and medical supplies, Tedros wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"That has left north Gaza with no functional hospital. Only four hospitals operate at a minimum level, providing very limited care," he added.

An injured man is transferred to a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

In a joint mission to Al-Ahli Arab and Al-Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza on Wednesday, the WHO and other United Nations agencies delivered medicines, IV fluids and supplies for surgery, treating the wounded, and supporting women giving birth.

"Only nine out of 36 health facilities are partially functional for the whole of Gaza. All of these in the south," Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative on the occupied Palestinian territory, told a press conference via video link on Thursday.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), attends a press briefing at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 15, 2023. Tedros reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

The minimally functioning Al-Ahli and three other hospitals are still treating patients but not admitting new ones, Peeperkorn said, adding that these hospitals are still sheltering thousands of displaced people.

About 10 health workers continue to provide basic first aid, pain management and wound care, according to Tedros.

The WHO chief again appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the bloodshed and death.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
These are pictures of the cemetery prior to restoration. City of Sugar Land The city of Sugar Land recently completed significant restoration work at the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery, the resting place of individuals who were once prisoners at the Texas Department of Corrections' Central Prison Unit from 1912 to 1942. City of Sugar Land The city of Sugar Land recently completed significant restoration work at the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery, the resting place of individuals who were once prisoners at the Texas Department of Corrections' Central Prison Unit from 1912 to 1942. City of Sugar Land The city of Sugar Land recently completed significant restoration work at the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery, the resting place of individuals who were once prisoners at the Texas Department of Corrections' Central Prison Unit from 1912 to 1942. City of Sugar Land These are pictures of the cemetery prior to restoration. City of Sugar Land

A $60,000 restoration project concluded last month at Sugar Lands Old Imperial Farm Cemetery  the resting place of at least 36 individuals, most of whom were African American and were once prisoners at the Texas Department of Corrections' Central Prison Unit.

City officials have worked with local groups to preserve and improve the site since securing 65 acres that included the cemetery in 2012, according to its historical marker.

Within the cemetery are marked graves of inmates and guards dating from 1912 to 1942. Some gravestones have vivid descriptions of their deaths at the prison that became known as the hellhole on the Brazos.

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The site is about a half-mile west of Fort Bend ISDs career and technical center, where the graves of the Sugar Land 95 were discovered in early 2018 during the centers construction. The 94 men and one woman died at brutal forced labor camps in the convict leasing program. In response to persistent community appeals to do more to memorialize the Sugar Land 95, the district opened an educational exhibit at the center. However, some local leaders and residents remain at odds over how to navigate the situation and properly honor them.

Sugar Land maintained the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery by regularly mowing the grass around the gravestones, said Fenglin Du, the citys parks development manager. But the gravestones, which had been made of poor concrete, were falling apart.

With the help of contractors hired last year, the city in November finished work that included repairing gravestones, researching prisoners records, and installing permanent black granite pillow markers for each burial, a news release details. The tall white cross at the center of the cemetery also received a fresh coat of paint and its brick base was power washed, Du said.

The project was funded by the Sugar Land 4B Corporation. The design, phasing study, and gravestone assessment began in 2022.

Our staff verified the existing gravestone information with the cemetery survey and report published by Texas State Genealogical Society in December 1994, together with the available convict records from Texas Department of Criminal Justice Central Unit, Joe Chesser, the citys parks and recreation director, said in a statement.

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The correctional facility began as a private prison in 1878. Landowners LA Ellis and EH Cunningham negotiated a lease with the state to open the prison, which was taken over by the state five years later, according to the cemeterys historical marker. The marker was obtained in 2018 with the help of the Fort Bend County and Texas historical commissions.

Sugar Land gets its name from the sugar cane fields that thrived in the fertile, river bottom land.

After emancipation, landowners who had forced enslaved people to tend the fields began using leased convicts to continue the work.

By 1908, when IH Kempner and WT Eldridge bought the town and Imperial Sugar Company, the state convict leasing system had been abolished.

That same year, the state of Texas started the Imperial State Prison Farm, with more than 400 inmates. One of Texas first state-run prisons, it gained notoriety for its abysmal treatment of inmates and dismal living conditions, prompting widespread public outcry and reforms in 1912, the marker details.

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Convict leasing ended, but the state continued agricultural operations on its prison property, said Doug Adolph, communications director for the city of Sugar Land. Prisoners worked for the prison system. Those buried at our cemetery are largely African-American.

By the late 1940s, all Texas inmates were buried at Huntsville Prison Unit or in prisoners hometowns, the city said.

"We think there are 36 people buried here based on the previous cemetery survey and whats discovered on the ground," Du said. "The 1994 cemetery survey shows 36 gravestones, and one inmate seemed to have two gravestones. During the restoration process, the contractor uncovered an additional gravestone base."

She said the city intends to continue cemetery improvements, such as fence repair and landscaping, as funding becomes available.

Correction (Dec. 27, 12:10 p.m.): This story has been updated to reflect that the correctional facility began as a private prison after LA Ellis and EH Cunningham negotiated a lease with the state in 1878.
The Kingdom of Morocco has successfully thwarted terrorism through its efficient intelligence services, capable of locating any terrorist leader and liberating multiple hostages, as stated by Mehdi El Karouani, a university professor specializing in geopolitical analysis.

In a global context marked by often asymmetrical armed conflicts, Morocco stands out as the sole actor, both on the continental and global scales, to implement security, legal, and operational mechanisms capable of confronting, containing, and neutralizing the terrorist threat.

From the Moroccan Sahara, where terrorist attacks by the Polisario target civilians, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and incidents of hostage-taking in Mali, Africa remains a region heavily affected by the proliferation of terrorism. This threat results in the daily tragic loss of innocent lives, impacting countries such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria. Nevertheless, Morocco has effectively countered terrorism through its efficient intelligence services, which can pinpoint terrorist leaders and liberate numerous hostages, showcasing an unprecedented effectiveness in securing its territorial integrity.

Within the span of a year, Morocco has achieved significant progress in the fight against terrorism, solidifying its pivotal role and effectiveness in countering security threats, both nationally and internationally.

In December 2022, the release of Jorg Lange, a 63-year-old German and member of a humanitarian organization based in Berlin, held hostage by a jihadist group in Mali.

In January 2023, the dismantling of a cell affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), consisting of three suspects in Spain and Morocco during a joint security operation, with the arrest of an extremist element by the special forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in Chtouka Ait Baha.

In March 2023, successful interventions and arrests in separate operations targeting three individuals affiliated with Daesh, aged between 19 and 28, in Souk El Arbaa du Gharb, Tetouan, and Larache.

In May 2023, the dismantling of a Daesh-affiliated terrorist cell consisting of three individuals in the northern part of the country.

In May 2023, the liberation of Moroccan cyclists Abderrahmane Serhani and Driss Fatihi, abducted on April 1, 2023, by an armed group at the Niger-Burkina Faso border, thanks to security coordination between Morocco and Nigeria.

In August 2023, the liberation of Iulian Ghergut, a Romanian national held hostage in Burkina Faso by the Al-Mourabitoune group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

In October 2023, the dismantling of a terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State on the verge of attacking the cities of Tanger, Tetouan, and Inezgane Ait Melloul.

In November 2023, the decoration of the Moroccan Intelligence Service, led by Mr. Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, with the National Order The Star of Romania (Grand Officer Rank) by the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Johannis.

In November 2023, the elimination of the Polisarios terrorist leader, Abdel Salam Ould Asouillem, by a Moroccan drone.

In November 2023, the arrest of an individual responsible for false bomb threats in Belgium.

In December 2023, the arrest of an extremist in Farkhana, Nador region, in collaboration with the Spanish police, conducted jointly with the General Information Directorate.

In December 2023, the dismantling of a cryptocurrency operations network affiliated with the Islamic State in several regions of Spain with the collaboration of Morocco.

In summary, Morocco positions itself as a model of coordination and synergy in the fight against terrorism. These notable successes, whether in the liberation of hostages or the dismantling of terrorist cells, underscore the collective strength in the pursuit of security. Thus, sincere, serious, and collective efforts bolster Moroccos position in preserving peace and stability on a global scale.
Moroccos Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) signed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to support Moroccos implementation of its international human rights commitments.

This agreement aims to elaborate an action plan to monitor the implementation of recommendations issued by UN human rights mechanisms, with the participation of the various parties concerned.

The agreement, signed by DIDH Secretary General, Abdelkarim Boujradi, and UNDP Resident Representative in Morocco, Edward A. Christow, is also meant to strengthen the monitoring process of the implementation of UN recommendations by adopting a strategic planning in the field of human rights, elaborating a monitoring system of the implementation of these recommendations, and strengthening the system for elaborating and examining national reports.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said that global crises require the rehabilitation of human rights place and stressed the importance of awareness and education on issues related to human rights at national and international levels.

Christow hailed the efforts made by Morocco and its commitment to promoting the culture of human rights, adding that this agreement aims in particular to strengthen partnership with national and foreign partners in the field of human rights.

The agreement is the fruit of a long partnership process with the UNDP since 2014. This partnership is in its third phase.
Twenty months of uncertainty ended last week as the North Platte Airport Authority approved a three-year deal to keep SkyWest Airlines popular Denver round-trip service basically unchanged.

The new Essential Air Service contract retains the 50-seat jets and minimum 12 weekly flights to and from Denver in place since February 2018, said airport board Chairman David Walsh and new Airport Manager Justin Gosnell.

SkyWest had filed for permission in March 2022 to drop its federally subsidized service to North Platte and 28 other U.S. airports, citing pilot shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the carriers United Express service between Lee Bird Field and Denver International Airport continued under a series of U.S. Department of Transportation orders.

The airport boards Nov. 20 vote  after expressing its preference to keep SkyWest in some form through two interim rounds of EAS bids  brought that period to an end. The new contract starts New Years Day and runs through the end of 2026.

This is the win-win the community needed, said Gosnell, also named airport manager Nov. 20 by the board after five-year Manager Sam Seafeldts departure for a Minnesota job.

With SkyWest once more fully on board and plans for a new passenger terminal proceeding, weve got a lot of pieces of the puzzle in place right now, he said. Its nice to have three years of SkyWest flying. Theyre great for the community.

Walsh was more cautious, saying that SkyWests flying schedule remains subject to change all the time even with the renewed accord.

We went with what we have, he said. Well have to see what works out.

Gosnell said SkyWests current schedule begins daily with a Lee Bird departure for DIA at 6:10 a.m., followed by the arrival of a Denver return flight at 6:30 p.m.

On Sundays through Thursdays, a United Express flight also leaves North Platte at 7:20 p.m. and returns from Denver at 11 p.m.

SkyWest has also offered to maintain its Denver EAS service to and from the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff. Its board is expected to vote on a new contract Dec. 20.

The St. George, Utah-based airlines offers to maintain the status quo in North Platte and Scottsbluff followed an Oct. 25 federal DOT order rejecting all EAS bids for Denver service for both cities airports and for EAS service between Salina, Kansas, and Chicago. It requested fresh bids to serve all three.

The DOT order said the federal departments Air Carrier Fitness Division had declined to approve SkyWest Charter, an affiliate the carrier had formed as it tried to work around its post-COVID pilot shortage.

Had it been approved, SkyWest would have kept flying Bombardier CRJ-200 jets to North Platte, Scottsbluff and 23 other airports, but with 30 seats instead of 50.

That reconfiguration was meant to allow SkyWest to fly under a different type of federal authority that allows less experienced copilots alongside experienced senior pilots.

North Plattes airport board voted unanimously July 24 to back a two-year EAS contract for SkyWest Charter. The October DOT order noted letters of support from the city of North Platte, the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp. and state Sen. Mike Jacobson, a former Airport Authority chairman.

But because DOTs Air Carrier Fitness Division hasnt cleared SkyWest Charter, the affiliates 30-seat proposals for North Platte and Salina are not acceptable for the (EAS) program, the order said.

While North Platte leaders wanted to keep SkyWest in some form, Gosnell said, Lee Birds 6:10 a.m. flight to Denver would have suffered with 20 fewer seats under SkyWest Charter.

September, October and November have been like record numbers for boardings, he said. That 6 a.m. flight has had 80%-90% load factors, so the 30-seater wouldnt have worked for us.

Seafeldt, who told the DOT that SkyWests service at the community for the previous five years had been a success story, said by phone Monday that he was gratified to hear SkyWest had agreed to keep serving North Platte as it has since 2018.

Definitely I was really happy to hear in our first phone calls with SkyWest that they were going to put a proposal in after the Oct. 25 order, he said.

That order also noted North Platte leaders concerns about switching the citys Denver service to Ravn Alaska, also known as Northern Pacific Airways. Ravn twice bid to serve the route after SkyWest filed to pull out.

They expressed concerns about its proposal and the ability of the carrier to operate reliably at the community, the order said. It added that Ravn had cited pilot shortages in ending service in October to two Alaska cities.

The Airport Authority in June 2022 rejected EAS bids from Ravn Alaska, Boutique Air Inc. and Southern Airways Express LLC. The latter two had proposed to fly nine-seat, single-engine aircraft, while Ravns plan to fly 50-seat turbo-prop aircraft to and from Denver would have included Kearney.

North Plattes airport board declined to consider Boutique Air and Southern and refused to waive its right to EAS service with two pilots and at least two engines, the federal DOT noted.

Kearney also rejected Ravns three-city plan in 2022, choosing Denver Air Connection for its service that August.

Ravns most recent North Platte EAS proposal for North Platte called for 37-seat Dash-8 turbo-prop aircraft instead of 50-seaters, the federal DOT said.
Lyndon Johnson bags his reelection campaign in a surprise national-TV announcement on March 31, 1968. Photo: Bettmann Archive

There is a misconception about how the 2024 presidential election is likely to unfold that just wont die: that President Joe Biden will suddenly rethink his 2024 election bid and drop out. Independent candidate Cornel West was the latest to float this idea.

Im not even sure whether Ill be running against Biden, West told Politico. Biden  I think hes going to have an LBJ moment [and] pull back.

This is an allusion to Johnsons famous announcement on March 31, 1968, in conjunction with a Vietnam bombing halt, that he was ending his campaign for reelection. The idea is that, like LBJ, Biden will come to a realization, even after the 2024 primaries have begun, that it would be good for his party and country if he hung up his spurs and let Democrats choose someone who polls better against Donald Trump (or in LBJs case, against Richard Nixon).

In an earlier column I challenged the LBJ Redux scenario from the point of view of the two presidents political standing. In 1968, Johnson was leading a Democratic party deeply divided by the Vietnam War, which he had prosecuted relentlessly. He had already stumbled in a New Hampshire primary (not losing, but underperforming expectations badly) against Senator Gene McCarthy, and the more formidable Senator Robert F. Kennedy had just announced his own candidacy.

Biden is facing only feeble opposition from woo-woo author and failed 2020 candidate Marianne Williamson and obscure Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips; Biden currently leads the second-place Williamson by 60 points in the RealClearPolitics polling averages. His rivals are betting everything on making a splash in a rogue New Hampshire primary where Biden wont even be on the ballot (though a write-in effort will be waged on his behalf). But Biden is almost certain to crush them there and in the official first primary of South Carolina on February 3. (South Carolina was Bidens big breakthrough state in 2020.)

But beyond Bidens stronger intra-party position, there are growing obstacles to the selection of a different nominee that Democrats simply did not face in 1968. Back then, only 13 states held primaries, and some of those were either nonbinding on delegates or were won by favorite sons. The ultimate nominee, Johnsons veep Hubert Humphrey, did not enter a single primary.

In 2024, every delegate who will vote on the first ballot of the Democratic convention in Chicago will be pledged to a candidate according to the primary results. (So-called superdelegates who have seats at the convention through the elected or party offices they occupy wont have any role unless theres a first-ballot deadlock, which hasnt happened since 1952.) There wont be any large reserve of uncommitted votes a late-emerging candidate can comandeer (as Humphrey did in 1968). And thanks to generations of front-loading the primaries, the deal will go down much earlier on the calendar than in 1968. An estimated 48 percent of pledged Democratic delegates will have been chosen by March 12 (the week after Super Tuesday, when 15 states hold primaries). Filing deadlines have already passed or are fast approaching for these crucial primaries (Floridas was on November 30, Michigans was on December 8, and the largest states, Californias, was on December 15).

So if the idea is for Biden to have a dark night of the soul and withdraw after the first few contests, its unclear how Democrats will settle on the ultimate nominee. Will there be enough primaries left for an open competition among the various would-be candidates we keep hearing about (e.g. Governors Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker, and Josh Shapiro, not to mention Vice-President Kamala Harris)? Or if people are expecting some sort of mind-meld among Democratic elites that produces an ideal Democratic ticket, how, mechanically, is that supposed to happen in a nomination system designed to make that choice via delegates pledged in primaries?

Im not arguing that it would be impossible for Biden to step aside and for someone else to win the nomination; far-fetched scenarios for doing just that should be in the back of the mind for wire-pullers in both parties in case a health emergency or something else dramatic afflicts the current front-runners. But the breezy assumption that Democrats are stupidly blundering ahead when an alternative course is still available to them is just significantly out of date. The time for Joe Biden to take a pass and let his party go elsewhere for a 2024 nominee was months  arguably many months  ago. Second thoughts now would just create chaos.
Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Earlier this month, Harvard University president Claudine Gay survived the calls for her ouster after the testimony she and two other university leaders gave at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Now she is facing another wave of criticism and calls to resign following allegations that she plagiarized in her 1997 doctoral dissertation and multiple academic articles she has authored over her career. The universitys governing board has publicly backed Gay, who is the first Black president of Harvard, and cleared her of any research misconduct. That hasnt stopped the scandal from growing, however. Below, what we know about this still-developing story.

What did President Gay do wrong?

That depends on whom you are asking. At the very least  as Harvard has acknowledged  Gay has on multiple occasions published academic papers with inadequate citations. Others have accused her of intentional plagiarism and accused the school of not holding its president to the same standards that it does its students.

The allegations surfaced in  and have been largely driven by  conservative media following the campus-antisemitism uproar in early December. Conservative activist Christopher F. Rufo and writer Christopher Brunet highlighted several instances of language lifted from other papers in Gays 1997 dissertation. Soon after, the Washington Free Beacon reported additional examples of paraphrasing and quoting others without proper attribution in three more academic papers authored by Gay. The New York Post then reported that it had begun investigating the alleged plagiarism in late October  and accused Harvard of covering up its own subsequent investigation into the matter after being contacted by the Post. More instances of un- or poorly attributed language were uncovered by CNN, the New York Times, and the independent panel Harvard commissioned to review her academic papers. As the Times explains, there is now a pile of examples of problematic work:

The plagiarism allegations against Dr. Gay, which span her dissertation and about half of the 11 journal articles listed on her resume, range from brief snippets of technical definitions to lightly paraphrased summaries of other scholars work without quotation marks or direct citation. In one example that drew ridicule, Dr. Gay appeared to borrow exact phrases from the acknowledgments section of another authors book to thank her mentor and family in the acknowledgments section of her own dissertation. She has not been accused of more egregious violations, such as falsifying data, or stealing another scholars original research or ideas.

After the allegations first surfaced, President Gay told the Boston Globe, I stand by the integrity of my scholarship. Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure my scholarship adheres to the highest academic standards.

Will President Gay be forced out?

The Harvard Corporation, the universitys 12-person governing board, released a statement on December 12 declaring its unanimous support for the embattled president. The boards statement referenced both Gays congressional testimony and the plagiarism allegations:

With regard to President Gays academic writings, the University became aware in late October of allegations regarding three articles. At President Gays request, the Fellows promptly initiated an independent review by distinguished political scientists and conducted a review of her published work. On December 9, the Fellows reviewed the results, which revealed a few instances of inadequate citation. While the analysis found no violation of Harvards standards for research misconduct, President Gay is proactively requesting four corrections in two articles to insert citations and quotation marks that were omitted from the original publications.

The Washington Post adds that the review departed from protocol:

The inquiry was not led by the research integrity units at the university or its Faculty of Arts and Sciences  to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, according to school officials, since those offices report to the president. Instead, a subcommittee of the board and a panel of three political scientists unaffiliated with Harvard considered the allegations. The initial review included works questioned by the New York Post, as well as all of Gays published work from 1993 to 2019. It did not include her 1997 dissertation.

On December 20, Harvard announced that Gay would submit additional requests for corrections to her dissertation and that a board subcommittee had reviewed an additional complaint containing four new allegations of plagiarism but found them to be without merit.

Heres how CNN unpacked the Harvard Corporations initial statement supporting Gay:

Harvards policy states that research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification and plagiarism and punishment can include suspension, leave without pay or even termination. However, Harvards policy also states that misconduct does not include honest error. And the policy says that for misdeeds to be considered misconduct, it must meet three criteria:

1) There must be a significant departure from accepted practices within the research community. 2) The misdeeds must have been done intentionally, knowingly or recklessly. 3) The allegations must be proven by preponderance of the evidence.

In short, Harvard officials, following their review, have not found that Gays mistakes meet the threshold of misconduct.

Harvards student handbook also lays out the criteria for plagiarism, stating that quotations must be placed properly within quotation marks and must be cited fully.

Students who, for whatever reason, submit work either not their own or without clear attribution to its sources will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including requirement to withdraw from the College, the student handbook says.

House Republicans are now investigating the plagiarism allegations too.

The GOP-led House Committee on Education & the Workforce was already probing how Harvard has handled alleged campus antisemitism. On December 19, it added the plagiarism scandal with a letter to the Harvard Corporation, as the Harvard Crimson reports:

The letter, signed by committee chairwoman Rep. Virginia A. Foxx (R-N.C.) and sent to Penny S. Pritzker 81, senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation  the Universitys highest governing body  alleged the University applies a lower standard of academic integrity to administrators than students.

If a university is willing to look the other way and not hold faculty accountable for engaging in academically dishonest behavior, it cheapens its mission and the value of its education, Foxx wrote in the letter.

University spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain declined to comment on the investigation  Foxx requested Harvard produce all documents and communications related to the plagiarism allegations or related to the review by members of the Corporation. The committee also warned that Harvard could lose federal funding if it is found to not have taken the claims of widespread plagiarism against Gay seriously.
Defying earlier expectations of slowing growth, U.S. crude oil production has surged this year to extend America's lead at the top of the ranking of the world's biggest oil producers.

In September, U.S. oil output surged to a record high for any month in history, and forecasts are that production will continue to increase.

U.S. oil producers are set to lower their 2024 spending by 1%, with private drillers cutting budgets by an average of 4%, per a spending survey by Barclays cited by Bloomberg.

Despite the expected slightly lower budgets for next year, the United States will continue to see production growth thanks to efficiency gains and longer laterals, analysts and forecasters say. The recent surge in oil production is putting the U.S. firmly in the lead among the five biggest oil-producing countries in the world.

The list also includes OPEC+ producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iraq, and another North American producerCanada.

#1 The United States

The U.S. is now producing more than 13 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oilmore than any country everand is headed to a continued increase in the short and medium term.

U.S. crude oil production hit a new monthly record of 13.236 million bpd in September, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

"The growth has not just been a Permian story. We're seeing many shale basins that were flattish experiencing a revival," Francisco Blanch, Head of Global Commodities and Derivatives Research at BofA, said on a call to discuss the bank's energy outlook, as quoted by Reuters.

The U.S. shale patch is now looking to do more with less as it seeks capital and operational efficiency to prove to shareholders that it has turned the page from growth at all costs to measured growth accompanied by higher returns to investors.

This year, U.S. crude oil production is set to average 12.93 million bpd, and rise further to average 13.11 million bpd next year, the EIA said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) in December.

Soaring production is also leading to surging exports of U.S. crude oil and petroleum products.

"Not only is the U.S. producing more oil than any country in history, but the amount of oil (crude oil, refined products and natural gas liquids) that it is exporting is near the total production of Saudi Arabia or Russia," Jim Burkhard, Vice President and Head of Research for Oil Markets, Energy and Mobility, at S&P Global Commodity Insights, said in research cited by Forbes.

#2 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the leader of OPEC and the OPEC+ group, has been the second-largest oil producer in the world this year. Saudi crude oil production averaged around 10.2 million bpd in the first half of 2023, but since July, the Kingdom has been implementing an extra voluntary production cut of 1 million bpd, and its production has averaged 9 million bpd in the second half of the year. The Saudi cut, aimed at "market stability", has been partly offset by soaring production from non-OPEC+ producers, most notably the United States, but also Brazil, Canada, Guyana, and Norway.

#3 Russia

Russia, the key Saudi partner in the OPEC+ alliance, is believed to be producing around 9 million bpd of crude oil. Russia classified its oil production and export data after it invaded Ukraine, saying it would not provide detailed information about its oil sector, which could be used by the West to track down and clamp down on Russia's oil exports or oil revenues.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Russia had promised oil-flow tracking companies and price reporting agencies to provide data about its production, inventories, and fuel output after OPEC+ asked Moscow for more transparency in tracking its compliance with the cuts.

At the latest OPEC+ meeting, Russia said it would deepen the export cut to 500,000 bpd in the first quarter of 2024, with May and June of 2023 being the reference export levels for the cut, which will consist of 300,000 bpd of crude and 200,000 bpd of refined products.

#4 Canada

While Russia and Saudi Arabia have been cutting supply to the market, North America has been growing its productionnot only from the United States, but also from Canada.

Last year, Canadian oil production hit a record 4.86 million bpd, per data from the Canada Energy Regulator.

Analysts now expect output to grow in 2023, 2024, and 2025 as companies are ramping up production at new and tie-back sites in Alberta's oil sands. Canada's crude oil production is set to grow by 8% by 2025, analysts say.

#5 Iraq

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OPEC's second-largest producer, Iraq, has been the fifth-biggest oil-producing country in the world this year, with output averaging around 4.3 million bpd, per OPEC's secondary sources in its monthly reports.

In the latest report for December, OPEC acknowledged that while the cartel's crude oil production fell in November for the first time in months, U.S. oil output continued to reach new highs.

OPEC noted in its report that "US crude and condensate production as well as NGL output continue to reach new highs. Total US liquids output reached a record 21.6 mb/d in September due to persistent outperformance of onshore and offshore production."

OPEC expects U.S. liquids supply to grow by 1.3 million bpd in 2023.

The non-OPEC liquids supply growth forecast remains unchanged at 1.8 million bpd for 2023, driven by the U.S., Brazil, Kazakhstan, Norway, Guyana, Mexico, and China, the cartel said.

Rising oil production from outside OPEC+ makes the group's task of managing oil prices next year more difficult than previously thought.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Via Metal Miner

The recent surge in assaults on vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels significantly impacted global commerce and maritime pathways. These intensified attacks continue to disrupt one of the busiest trade corridors on the planet, leading to longer voyage time, increased fuel consumption, and a potential need for larger fleets. Moreover, the resulting disruptions and delays in order delivery have ultimately raised shipping expenses.

The Houthi rebels, with support from Iran in Yemen, have primarily targeted ships connected to Israel. The rebels stated their attacks were a form of protest against Israels military operations in Gaza. Although the Houthis lack the maritime capabilities to block off the Red Sea completely, their actions have significantly affected the shipping sector and greatly reduced traffic along the Red Sea route. Consequently, some prominent shipping firms are redirecting their container vessels away from the entire region.

Houthi Rebels Attempting to Harm Israel

The Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, constitute a Shia Islamist group with both political and military branches. They originated in Yemens Saada Governorate and initially claimed to advocate peaceful theological beliefs. However, they gradually evolved into a significant participant in the Yemeni conflict. The Houthi rebels adhere to the Zaydi form of Shiism and are part of a substantial clan originating from Yemens northwestern Saada province. They have actively engaged in a series of violent uprisings against the Yemeni government, which people commonly refer to as the Houthi Wars. Additionally, many claim the rebels receive support from Iran.

Houthi insurgents have been consistently launching assaults on vessels navigating the Red Sea since 2014. As the Red Sea represents a crucial global trade route, these actions frequently disrupt the smooth transportation of vital commodities such as oil, grains, and consumer goods. Global intelligence officers linked the recent incidents to the Houthi rebels support for the Palestinians and their intention to inflict harm upon Israel.

The United States Steps In

In response to these attacks, the U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian with the goal of protecting the Red Sea maritime routes from Houthi hostilities. This initiative aims to deter future attacks and ensure uninterrupted trade passage in the area. Moreover, several prominent corporations, including BP and Maersk, have temporarily suspended their shipping operations in the Red Sea due to the heightened risk of attacks from the Houthi rebels in the area.

Although the Red Sea hasnt been completely blocked, these occurrences continue to exert a substantial impact on global trade and the shipping industry as a whole. If the situation persists, it will only increase the possibility of further escalation and economic repercussions.

By Jennifer Kary

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Charif Souki, the founder of Cheniere Energy and the man who made the company the first U.S. LNG exporter in the 2010stransforming the U.S. energy landscapehas been ousted from a second LNG company he has founded, Tellurian.

Souki's vision to capitalize on the first U.S. shale boom in the early 2010s and kick off the first LNG exports out of America put the entrepreneur on the map of the top energy executives in the United States. The success of Cheniere in building its first export plant at Sabine Pass also made Souki the highest-paid executive in the U.S. in 2013.

Just two years laterand just before Cheniere sent America's first LNG export cargoSouki was ousted from the company following a clash with Carl Icahn, the activist investor who had bought a stake in Cheniere.

At the time, Icahn did not agree with Souki's plan to expand Cheniere beyond its core business of exporting LNG.

"There is no doubt that Charif Souki has proven that he is a talented entrepreneur but at this time there is also little doubt that the board wished to move the company in a direction that differed greatly from the path Mr. Souki wanted," Icahn said at the end of 2015.

"It is also telling that Mr. Souki sold a great deal of his stock, which made it somewhat easier for him to "swing for the fences" making it a win-win for Mr. Souki but not necessarily for the shareholders."

In 2016, Souki co-founded Tellurian, which plans to build Driftwood LNG, a production and export terminal on the Calcasieu River south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Once complete, the terminal will be capable of exporting up to 27.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually.

But at Driftwood LNG, Souki had a different vision of how the project would monetize exports. Unlike other LNG export projects, which are underpinned by long-term offtake agreement with customers that lead to final investment decisions, Driftwood LNG would own gas wells in Louisiana, transport the gas, liquefy the gas, and sell it under agreements pegged to international indexesmaking those sales vulnerable to downcycles or muted international natural gas prices.

This business model failed to attract enough customers. In fact, Shell, Vitol, and Gunvor have all withdrawn as potential customers of LNG from the Driftwood project over the past year and a half.

In October 2023, Tellurian applied for a three-year construction permit extension with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to complete the construction of the Driftwood LNG facility, as progress was slower than expected.

And in November, Tellurian said liquidity issues "raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued."

In early December came the departure of co-founder Souki, who was terminated "without cause" from his position as executive chairman. On December 20, Tellurian said in an SEC filing that a Separation and Release Agreement with Souki was signed, which included the resignation by Souki from the board of directors effective as of December 19, 2023.

The ousting of Souki from Tellurian and Tellurian's troubles in signing up willing customers for LNG offtake highlights the fact that the LNG market and its top traders  Shell, TotalEnergies, and the big commodity trading houses  currently prefer long-term LNG contracting at prices less vulnerable to the short-term swings in natural gas markets.

Long-term LNG contracting for the U.S. developers has seen a flurry of deals in recent months, including from buyers in Europe, where energy security has taken center stage at the expense of concerns about emissions from natural gas imports.

Cheniere, Venture Global LNG, and NextDecade have signed major long-term deals with European customers in recent months.

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The United States and Qatar are frontrunnersby a mileas the LNG exporters best positioned to capture the global demand for additional supply capacity over the next two decades. That's the estimate by Wood Mackenzie, which sees the abundant, low-cost natural gas resources in the world's current top two LNG exporters as the key factor for their export capacity growth.

In addition, the U.S. and Qatar also have competitive pricing and "astute commercial partnering," which could secure them a combined market share exceeding 60% by 2040, WoodMac says.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Armenia's possible exit from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is being discussed more and more actively as differences grow between Yerevan and Moscow.

Many in Armenia are wondering what the point is of remaining in a military alliance that has demonstrated its unwillingness to protect the country.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly denied claims, including by Russian officials, of an imminent change in Armenia's foreign policy vector, but that has not stopped speculation as to how the country might leave the CSTO and what would come next. Representatives of the authorities are themselves musing about this prospect.

"There is of course the idea of Euro-integration in Armenia, but there is also the idea of becoming a country with non-bloc status, so there's a wide range of options. We are listening to civil society and trying to figure out what the best tools are for ensuring Armenia's security and development," Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said at a forum in Brussels on November 10 titled, The Strategic Future of Armenia: Armenia-Europe.

Fifteen Armenian public organizations recently released a statement criticizing Russia for, as they put it, interfering in Armenia's internal affairs. The statement demands that the Armenian government expel Russia's 102nd military base, ban Russian broadcast media, and begin the process of ending the country's membership in the CSTO.

Growing dissatisfaction with Russia

The CSTO, which also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus, is one of the main causes of the growing Armenian resentment toward Russia.

The bloc, which is, theoretically, bound to come to the aid of a member state when it is attacked, took practically no action in September last year when Azerbaijani troops invaded border areas and took up positions on strategic heights inside Armenia.

Since then, Armenia's approach to the CSTO, and to Russia, has been increasingly confrontational. Yerevan has reduced its participation in the bloc to an absolute minimum. Over the past year, it has snubbed CSTO meetings at practically every level and has reassigned its representative in the organization to other work and left his post vacant.

At the same time, Armenia has welcomed more intensive cooperation with the EU, which at the start of this year deployed a civilian monitoring mission to the Azerbaijani border with the aim of supporting stability there.

This step elicited a sharply negative reaction from the Russian authorities, who claimed the mission's purpose was to "confront Russia geopolitically" in the South Caucasus region.

Such rhetoric from Moscow has done nothing to stop the growing cooperation between Yerevan and Brussels, including in the military sphere.

At the summit of EU foreign ministers on December 11, it was announced that the EU would review the possibility of rendering military aid to Armenia through the European Peace Fund.

It was also announced that the EU mission in Armenia would increase the number of its monitors from 138 to 209.

Another sore spot for Armenia is Russia's alleged failure to deliver weapons that Yerevan says it paid millions of dollars for.

The Armenian authorities have no plans to sue Russia and instead seek to solve the matter in an "atmosphere of partnership," Deputy Defence Minister Hrachya Sargsyan told a briefing on December 4.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently proposed resolving the dispute through Russia canceling part of Yerevan's overall debt to Moscow. That total debt amounts to about $280 million, according to the Armenian Finance Ministry's latest calculations. (Armenia has not released precise figures on how much money Russia owes it for undelivered weapons.)

Scenarios for leaving the CSTO

Most of the analysts Eurasianet spoke to see Armenia exiting the CSTO as a logical possible outcome of the current strained relations between Armenia and Russia.

The head of the Research Center on Security Policy in Yerevan, Areg Kochinyan, says that Armenia could withdraw from the CSTO after approving a national security strategy that stipulates "non-bloc status" for the country. A new national security strategy is currently being drafted, and it's unknown now whether it will contain such a provision.

If the national security strategy were amended so, "It would mean that Armenia has decided not to participate in any military bloc or alliance and therefore it would have to leave the CSTO. But at the same time it would mean that the country would not seek to become part of any other collective defense bloc," Kochinyan told Eurasianet. "I think this position would be more acceptable for Russia and the other regional powers, Iran and Turkey."

Yerevan-based political analyst David Arutyunov doesn't find it difficult to imagine Armenia leaving the CSTO.

"In the context of the whole scope of Armenia's close relations with Russia, including in the economic sphere and the presence of the Russian military base here, leaving the CSTO is a relatively easy matter," Arutyunov told Eurasianet, adding that another crisis could provide the final impetus for quitting the bloc.

He said the Armenian authorities have deftly managed to achieve domestic political aims by directing public discontent over the country's security problems towards Russia and the CSTO.

"If something like the crisis of September 2022 happens again and causes internal political ructions in Armenia, it's possible that the Armenian government will resort to leaving the CSTO" in a bid to deflect criticism.

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What might Armenia's "non-bloc status" mean?

Areg Kochinyan, of the Research Center on Security Policy, believes that a "non-bloc status" could open up opportunities for expanding Armenia's defense and military-industrial cooperation with various countries.

"We're talking not just about the West, but also other countries like India, that produce weapons. Armenia can enhance its relations with them even to the level of strategic partnership," he said.

David Arutyunov believes that it's too early to speak about any real prospect of Armenia being outside of any military-political alliances.

"For now all this talk is theoretical. There are no real discussions on realizing this in practice. And even so, the talk pertains to the CSTO specifically, while bilateral relations with Russia will remain in any case - alongside contacts with the West," Arutyunov said.

The head of the Armenian Institute for Resilience and Statecraft, Gevorg Melikyan, is doubtful that the Armenian authorities really intend to leave the CSTO and declare non-bloc status.

"I don't see any such clear policy or strategy. For now, it's a matter of the Armenian government's desire to make an impression on Western partners to extract some kind of security guarantees. Since there are none [such guarantees], the Armenian government will try to convince Western partners to treat Armenia like they would treat any other anti-Russian country and not accuse it of maintaining contacts with Russia in the security sphere because it remains in the CSTO," Melikyan told Eurasianet.

Arshaluis Mgdesyan via Eurasianet.org

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Several cargoes of LNG loaded in recent days at U.S. export facilities and bound for Asia have changed course shortly after departing to avoid crossing the Red Sea, which has become theater of daily attacks on commercial vessels by the Iran-aligned Houthis from Yemen.

Several vessels have indicated they would not transit the Suez Canal and the Red Sea and will travel around the southern tip of Africa instead, Bloombergs ship-tracking data showed on Friday.

The African route adds weeks to the travel time for the cargoes to reach Asiathe biggest importer of LNG  from the U.S., the worlds top LNG exporter.

In a sign that a growing number of energy cargoes are being diverted away from the Suez Canal/Red Sea route, the Vivit Americas LNG ship, which loaded at the Cove Point plant in Maryland on December 16, diverted to Africa after initially pointing to a course via the Red Sea, according to Bloombergs data. The trip around Africa will take longer and the cargo is now expected to arrive in Japan on January 25. The Prism Courage, which loaded from Freeport LNG plant in Texas on December 16 with a destination South Korea, is also avoiding the Red Sea, per Bloombergs data.

The Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are critical chokepoints for international oil and natural gas flows. Total oil shipments via the Suez Canal, the SUMED pipeline, and the Strait accounted for 12% of total seaborne-traded oil in the first half of 2023, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments accounted for about 8% of worldwide LNG trade, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says.

Oil and fuel tankers passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea have declined in numbers significantly following the string of vessel attacks from the Yemeni Houthis.

According to Bloomberg tracking data, since the start of this week only 30 tankers have passed through the chokepoint, which is one of the busiest globally. Thats a 40% decline from the average for the previous three weeks, the news outlet noted.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Manvel is preparing for its fourth round of the Teen Court Program from January to April 2024. Courtesy of City of Manvel Manvel is preparing for its fourth round of the Teen Court Program from January to April 2024. Courtesy of City of Manvel

Manvel area teenagers will have an opportunity to act as the prosecution, defense or jury for juvenile cases early next year.

The city's municipal court is accepting applications from student volunteers from 7th-12th grade through Jan. 5 for its fourth Teen Court Program, a real justice "peer court" for misdemeanor juvenile traffic offenses, according to a news release.

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The program allows for teens to learn how the judicial system operates through hands-on training from judges, police officers and court staff.

"At the suggestion of the Court Administrator Megan Cavazos, Court Clerk Brianna Bobb attended a teen court seminar in Georgetown and fell in love with and was eager to get it started for the City of Manvel," said Tammy Bell, the city secretary.

Juvenile defendants who plead guilty or "no contest" decide if they want to settle their case through the Teen Court Program.

Teen volunteers then work with municipal court officials to prosecute or defend the defendant to a jury panel of teens and court judges, according to the news release.

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The city's municipal court will host an informational meeting about the Teen Court Program from 5-6 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Manvel City Hall, 20031 Morris Avenue.

The Manvel court is the only court that offers a Teen Court Program in Brazoria County, Bell said.

The program is set to run from Jan. 15 to April and currently has no cap on the number of students who can enroll. Applications can be found at www.cityofmanvel.com/teencourt.

For more information, call 281-692-2702 or email Deputy Court Clerk Brianna Bobb at brianna.bobb@cityofmanvel.com.
Oil and fuel tankers passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea have declined in numbers significantly following the string of vessel attacks from the Yemeni Houthis.

According to Bloomberg tracking data, since the start of this week only 30 tankers have passed through the chokepoint, which is one of the busiest globally. Thats a 40% decline from the average for the previous three weeks, the news outlet noted.

The Houthis who control most of Yemen started targeting vessels sailing in the Red Sea earlier this month demanding humanitarian aid for Gaza. Initially, the threat was for Israel-bound ships specifically but reports about the attacks so far suggest they are not the only ones being attacked.

All global shipping majors have announced decisions to reroute traffic away from the Red Sea and on Monday BP became the first oil major to make a similar decision. Prices immediately jumped and the U.S. said a few hours later it would organize a group of allies to step up military presence in the area to boost protection for vessels.

The rerouting of ships from the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the Suez Canal is a costly undertaking. It adds some 10-12 days to journeys as the alternative route is around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. The delays will add to the costs of transporting goods and it is unclear how long the status quo will remain in place.

According to Vortexa, the increase in journey times for tankers varies between 58% and 129. The biggest increase, 129%, in the time it takes for a cargo to arrive at its destination would be on the Middle East Gulf to Mediterranean route, which would take 39 days instead of 17 days, Vortexa says.

As a result of these developments, oil prices hit a two-week high earlier this week and may even post a weekly gain.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Chinese state energy giants plan to ask the United States for exemptions from the fresh sanctions on Russias Arctic LNG 2 project in a rare request to the U.S. as LNG deliveries could be threatened, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the issue.

The U.S. imposed last month fresh sanctions on Russias Arctic LNG 2 project, which is close to first production.

The Arctic LNG 2 project is being developed by Russias largest independent natural gas producer, Novatek, and was on track to begin first production later this year.

Novatek holds a 60% stake in Arctic LNG 2. The other shareholders include CNOOC of China and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), French supermajor TotalEnergies, and Japanese firms Mitsui Group and Jogmec.

In September, the U.S. levied some sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project, designating Russian services companies connected with its development.

Two months later, the U.S. Department of State designated limited liability company ARCTIC LNG 2, the operator of the Arctic LNG 2 Project, as part of additional sanctions against Russia to further target individuals and entities associated with Russias war effort and other malign activities.

The $25-billion Arctic LNG-2 project is Russias second major LNG project, and the new U.S. sanctions prohibit all related transactions without a special license from OFAC until 31 January 2024.

Now CNOOC and CNPC are preparing to apply for sanctions exemptions to buy cargoes from Arctic LNG 2, to make sure that they dont run afoul of the U.S., from which the Chinese firms also buy LNG, according to Bloombergs sources.

Earlier this week, unnamed industry sources told Reuters that Novatek had issued force majeure on future Arctic LNG 2 supplies for some clients following the sanctions imposed by Washington in November.

A Chinese request for exemptions from sanctions would be a rare occurrence for the worlds top crude oil and LNG importer, which has been importing oil from Iran, Venezuela, and Russia despite Western sanctions on the exports of those countries.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia is planning to scale back oil exports from its sea ports next month by between 100,000 and 200,000 barrels per day compared to December levels, according to industry sources familiar with Russias export plans.

The reason for the scaleback, the anonymous sources told Reuters, is increased throughput at its own refineries.

Kpler pegged Russias seaborne crude oil exports at 3.5 million bpd so far in December. Kpler has also predicted that Russias oil exports will fall in January as its domestic refining picks up steam, with its offline refining capacity for December reaching 2.098 million metric tons. It also is in

The export schedule for the first quarter of 2024 is lower than for October-December, one of the sources shared with Reuters.

The sources suggest that the declines will mainly be seen in Russias western ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga, and Novorosslick.

Russia schedules its exports using a three-month schedule in the month prior, giving oil companies time to plan oil flows through the Transneft system.

Russia said yesterday that its crude oil exports will be 7% higher this year compared to 2021 levels, prior to Russias invasion of Ukraine. 2023 exports from Russia are expected to be 250 million tons, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov told Interfax.

So far, Russia has managed to continue exporting crude oil at high levels despite sanctions and price caps through its vast shadow fleet of tankers.

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In November, the country voluntarily promised to increase export cuts as part of its agreement with the OPEC+ group to 500,000 barrels per day total300,000 bpd of which would be crude oil, and 200,000 bpd of which will be oil products.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Potential contract cancellations for the construction of ice-class LNG carriers and U.S. sanctions on the latest Russian LNG export project could hamper Russias plans to boost LNG sales now that its pipeline route to Europe is largely cut off.

There arent enough ice-class LNG tankers built to carry LNG from the Arctic LNG 2 project via and Northern Sea Route across the Arctic Ocean to the east, while sanctions on the same project could also impede Russias efforts to sell more LNG abroad, sources in the industry and analysts have told Reuters.

South Koreas Samsung Heavy Industries flagged earlier this year no progress on 10 vessels out of an order for 15 ice-breakers, due to the sanctions on Russia.

In addition, the Arctic LNG 2 project itself is threatened with delays following stricter sanctions imposed by the United States.

The U.S. imposed last month fresh sanctions on Russias Arctic LNG 2 project, which is close to first production.

The Arctic LNG 2 project is being developed by Russias largest independent natural gas producer, Novatek, and was on track to begin first production later this year.

In September, the U.S. levied some sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project, designating Russian services companies connected with its development.

Two months later, the U.S. Department of State designated limited liability company ARCTIC LNG 2, the operator of the Arctic LNG 2 Project, as part of additional sanctions against Russia to further target individuals and entities associated with Russias war effort and other malign activities.

Earlier this week, unnamed industry sources told Reuters that Novatek had issued force majeure on future Arctic LNG 2 supplies for some clients following the sanctions imposed by Washington in November.

The $25-billion Arctic LNG-2 project is Russias second major LNG project, and the new sanctions prohibit all related transactions without a special license from OFAC until 31 January 2024.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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How much do 5000 hair grafts cost in Turkey?

In Turkey, the average cost for 5,000 transplant grafts ranges from $1,890 to $5,900.

Where is the best country to receive a hair transplant?

Turkey

Turkey has gained a renowned reputation for providing high-quality hair transplant procedures at reasonable prices. Turkey has expert hair clinics and knowledgeable surgeons, which is why many people from Europe and other countries choose to have hair transplant operations there.

Due to strong currency exchange rates and the popularity of medical tourism, Turkey offers lower prices than many other nations, in addition to having world-class hair transplant success rates. Turkey can be a less expensive choice because hair transplant procedures are up to one-eighth of the cost than procedures in the U.S., the U.K., or other European countries.

In Turkey, a hair transplant in Istanbul costs between $2,000 and $6,000. In addition, the nation's stunning natural surroundings, historic sites, and rich cultural heritage make it a top tourist destination. Thanks to package discounts, many patients also receive a vacation after their procedure.

What is the risk for hair transplant in Turkey?

Hair transplant surgery carries some risks and potential problems, just like any other medical operation. Nonetheless, the hazards are typically reduced when the procedure is done by licensed, knowledgeable specialists at well-established clinics. The following are some possible dangers connected to hair transplant surgery:

Infection : At the transplant site, an infection is a possibility. By adhering to the recommended post-operative care recommendations and practicing excellent cleanliness, this risk can be reduced.

: At the transplant site, an infection is a possibility. By adhering to the recommended post-operative care recommendations and practicing excellent cleanliness, this risk can be reduced. Bleeding : During and after the procedure, there may be some bleeding. Usually, this goes away on its own, but if bleeding is severe, you may need to seek additional treatment.

: During and after the procedure, there may be some bleeding. Usually, this goes away on its own, but if bleeding is severe, you may need to seek additional treatment. Scarring : Minor scars may result after Follicular Unit Extraction and Follicular Unit Transplantation procedures. Often, FUE results in tiny, dot-like scars dispersed across the donor area, while FUT may produce a straight scar. A person may have scarring to varying degrees.

: Minor scars may result after Follicular Unit Extraction and Follicular Unit Transplantation procedures. Often, FUE results in tiny, dot-like scars dispersed across the donor area, while FUT may produce a straight scar. A person may have scarring to varying degrees. Swelling and Bruising : Especially in the days right after the surgery, swelling and bruising may appear around the eyes and forehead. Usually, this is only temporary and goes away on its own.

: Especially in the days right after the surgery, swelling and bruising may appear around the eyes and forehead. Usually, this is only temporary and goes away on its own. Temporary Numbness: Loss of sensation may happen in the donor or recipient area but it usually goes away on its own.

Loss of sensation may happen in the donor or recipient area but it usually goes away on its own. Unnatural-Looking Results : The transplanted hair may occasionally not grow as planned, or the effects may not seem natural. There are a number of possible causes, such as subpar hair donation, insufficient surgical skill, or inadequate post-operative care.

: The transplanted hair may occasionally not grow as planned, or the effects may not seem natural. There are a number of possible causes, such as subpar hair donation, insufficient surgical skill, or inadequate post-operative care. Shock Loss: Some hair in the recipient area may go into shock and fall out after surgery. This is normally only temporary, and in the months after treatment, fresh hair growth should start.

Some hair in the recipient area may go into shock and fall out after surgery. This is normally only temporary, and in the months after treatment, fresh hair growth should start. Cysts: At the transplant site, tiny cysts may occasionally form. These are typically not harmful and can be treated if needed.

Selecting a reliable and skilled surgeon is essential, as is paying close attention to the pre- and post-operative instructions. You should also have reasonable expectations regarding the procedure's results. Any medical operation, including a hair transplant, should be discussed in detail with the surgeon prior to the procedure in order to address potential risks and benefits specific to your case.

Is Istanbul the best place for a hair transplant?

Istanbul is a leading city for hair transplant procedures. Thousands of people travel to the city because of its highly qualified surgeons and competitive pricing.

The top 10 best hair transplant in Turkey  2024

1. MedArt Hair Clinic

Medical staff connects you with a skilled group of people who are exclusively trained in hair transplantation using FUE and DHI methods. Practitioners believe each hair transplant is unique and their patient-centered approach to meeting each patients needs sets the practice apart. There are qualified interpreters available to assist you with simultaneous translations in Turkish, English, German, Arabic, Italian, and Spanish so that staff can explain the procedure, understand your expectations, and avoid any misunderstandings.

WhatsApp: c+90 501 077 00 77

Instagram: @Medarthair

2. Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic

Turkey has become known as a top location for top-notch hair loss treatments thanks in large part to Dr. Aygins ongoing advancements in hair loss and hair restoration. He is one of the first medical professionals in the nation to use the Direct Hair Implantation and Sapphire FUE methods.

3. Smile Hair Clinic

Smile Hair Clinics methodical approach to hair transplantation is guided by the three components of the TRUE Philosophy, which defines the three core values of the practice.

4. Sapphire Hair Clinic

Sapphire Hair Clinics main objective is to provide the best patient care. The knowledgeable staff can go above and beyond expectations to successfully complete any plastic surgery, improve your smile, and promote natural hair growth.

5. HLC Clinic

HLCs Dr. Ozgur Oztan holds numerous medical certifications dating back to 2003. He is also a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the American Academy of Hair Restoration Surgery and manages FUE Europes Middle East and Asia division.

6. Cosmedica

Dr. Levent Acar is an award-winning hair transplant surgeon. In addition to being fluent in English, he and his medical team have successfully completed over 20,000 hair transplant procedures over the past 16 years.

7. Hair of Istanbul

Since its opening in 2014, Hair of Istanbul has reported completing almost 14,000 transplants.

8. World of the Hair

This hair transplant center in Turkey uses its skilled team to ensure hair, beard, and eyebrow transplants are done under the supervision of a hospital and doctor.

9. Elithair

Do you have a receding hairline, inherited hair loss, or inadequate beard growth? Receiving hair surgery in Istanbul may be the best way to end your baldness.

10. Hairmedico

Odessa National Medical University awarded Dr. Arslan Musbeh his degree in 2000. Before relocating to France, he began his career in Turkey providing medical aesthetics and hair loss treatments.

This content is provided for informational purposes only by the advertiser and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

This provided content was produced by Lee Enterprises. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display.
Lincolns unionized Starbucks store soon could have company.

Workers at two stores in Omaha have sent letters to the company stating their intent to form a union, according to Starbucks Workers United, which shared the letters on its social media accounts recently.

The letters, from workers at stores at 72nd and Dodge Streets and 125th Street and West Center Road, cite issues with staffing, scheduling and training in their push for unionization.

Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull said in a statement that while the company believes a direct relationship with employees is best, we recognize that a subset of partners feel differently  and we respect their right to organize and to engage in lawful union activities without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

Tull said Starbucks welcomes the opportunity for partners to vote in a neutral, secret ballot election conducted by the NLRB  which allows all partners to make their own informed decision regarding union representation.

The two Omaha stores are among a growing number across the country that have sought to be unionized. So far, that number is approaching 400, which is about 4% of Starbucks stores nationwide. That includes the Lincoln Starbucks location at 27th Street and Kensington Drive, which became the only unionized company location in Nebraska earlier this year.

Unionized employees at more than 200 stores, including the Lincoln one, conducted a walkout on Red Cup Day in November, when the company hands out tens of thousands of free reusable cups, one of its busiest customer traffic days of the year.

None of the unionized locations have yet been able to negotiate a contract with Starbucks, and negotiations have been stalled for the past few months, although CNBC reported that Starbucks has proposed resuming talks in January.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023
Omaha will pay its mayor and City Council members 3% more each year from 2027 through 2030.

The City Council this week approved the annual raises for those future officeholders, whoever they may be, in those years. The city charter requires the council to vote during each council term to set the mayors and councils salaries for the next term.

It is structured that way so that council members arent directly voting on their own salaries or that of the current mayor. But, of course, if theyre re-elected, they will benefit from the raises.

Council members will make $42,923 in 2024. The mayors salary is $117,490 in 2024. Their pay will go up by 3% in 2025 and 26, under the schedule set by a previous council.

Under the ordinances passed Tuesday, the mayors salary would go up to $128,384 in 2027. Council members 2027 salary will be $46,903.

The council approved the mayors raise schedule 6-0. Council member Brinker Harding was absent. They voted 4-2 to approve the council raises.

Aimee Melton and Don Rowe voted no. Pete Festersen, Danny Begley, Juanita Johnson and Ron Hug voted yes.

Four years ago at this time, the City Council did the same thing, said Festersen, president of the council. In consultation with council members and the mayor, we took the same approach.

He said the raise is below the consumer price index, below Medicare cost-of-living adjustments and consistent with negotiated agreements with city employees. Festersen noted he returned his raise for two years when the city was experiencing financial challenges and a widening pension funding gap.

Begley said the 3% raises for council and mayor are a fair amount. He noted research that Melton had produced, during a Dec. 12 public hearing on the raise proposal, showing Omaha city council pay is lower than many cities of similar size.

Its still going to be below other councils and below the county board, Begley said.

Melton, the councils vice president, said Festersen had put the proposal forward, but said she was not criticizing him for doing so because it is part of his job as council president.

I think in the past, the president has always put it on (the agenda) kind of the year before the election year, so to make sure that the council is voting prior to really anyone announcing that theyre going to be a candidate for the next term, Melton said.

She said she had received criticism from people who mistakenly thought she proposed the council raises. She said she did not support them.

But Melton joined the other council members in supporting the raises for the mayor. She said Omaha pays its mayor significantly less than the majority of other cities pay theirs. Melton noted that Mayor Jean Stothert had taken a 10% pay cut when she was first elected in 2013, but had not yet taken office as mayor and was still on the council.

Were not voting for a raise for Jean Stothert, Melton said. Were voting for a raise for whoever wins the next mayoral election. So at this point, as far as I know, I havent heard anyone announce that theyre running for mayor.

Being mayor is a full-time job, Melton said, while all the current council members have other jobs.

The 3% a year will at least keep us from getting even more behind the average salary of other mayors in the top 50 cities across the nation, Melton said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023
Facing criticism from Republican lawmakers, railroad companies and ag producers, the federal government on Friday reopened the railroad crossings with Mexico that it had temporarily shut down this week to focus on processing migrants.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency had shut down international railroad crossing bridges in El Paso and Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 18, saying it was necessary to redirect employees to help border patrol agents take migrants into custody.

Union Pacific Railroad on Friday issued a statement expressing relief at the decision. The railroad had called upon the agency to reopen the entry points.

These crossings are critical gateways for international commerce, and the closures had real-world impacts for families, businesses, and our customers on both sides of the border, the railroad said.

Every day the rail crossings were closed, Union Pacific was forced to embargo customers goods on more than 60 trains, or nearly 4,500 rail cars, with an equivalent amount of goods being held in Mexico, U.P. spokesperson Robynn Tysver said.

The crossings were closed Monday through midday Friday.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statement Friday in which he commended Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, for listening to Nebraskans concerns and quickly reopening the crossings.

Pillen said he had a personal phone call with the secretary.

I am grateful Sec. Mayorkas took time to hear Nebraskas concerns and issued a quick response before we suffered the consequences of suspending rail operations, he said.

U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts had pushed the agency earlier in the week to reopen the crossings, noting the economic impact.

This is happening because President Biden wont do what it takes to get the border crisis under control, Ricketts said. The presidents own team shut down the shipment of American-made goods to process thousands of migrants illegally crossing the border.

Ricketts joined seven other Republican senators in a letter to Mayorkas, saying the United States faces the worst border crisis on record.

The U.S. has been facing a flood of migrants trying to cross the border. Millions have been caught by border agents or turned themselves in to seek asylum. After processing, some of those migrants are deported; others are allowed to enter the country after being given a future court date.

The senators, in their letter, said there have been 6.6 million encounters at the southern border since President Biden took office, not including the approximately 1.8 million gotaways who were detected but never apprehended. The agency reported 12,000 migrant encounters on Dec. 5, the highest total ever recorded for a single day, they wrote.

The senators said the migrant crisis is now causing significant disruptions to our supply chain.

Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president, sent a letter to the department calling the closures asinine and economically harmful.

The issues that exist at our southern border didnt appear overnight, and it absolutely will not be fixed by adding a few employees who should remain at their posts at the Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas rail crossings, McHargue said.

According to the group, Nebraskas agricultural trade relationship with Mexico is crucial. Mexico is the states largest export partner, it said.

In 2021, Nebraska farmers exported 89 percent of the states corn exports  $590.4 million worth of corn  into Mexico, the bureau said. Mexico also is Nebraskas largest soybean customer, buying more than $280 million worth of soybeans and soybean products.

The timing could not be worse, McHargue said of the closures, in that many farmers sell and deliver grain from storage during the Jan-March timeframe when prices and local basis tend to strengthen post-harvest and into the earlier part of the marketing year.

Customs and Border Protection announced Friday that normal operations would resume at the crossings.

In a statement, the agency said it would continue to use all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by transnational criminal organizations.

The agency said it would continue to assess security situations, adjust its operational plans and deploy resources to maximize enforcement efforts against those noncitizens who do not use lawful pathways or processes such as CBP One and those without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

CBP One is a free mobile app that noncitizens can use to request entry at a U.S. border.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023
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. 22, 1923: Sidney Smith, creator of "The Gumps" comic strip, started back to Chicago in his big yellow "348" roadster after a brief visit in his hometown. Before departing, Smith paid a visit to the police station, where he renewed old acquaintanceships and presented a handsome silver-mounted ashtray to "the best police force in the best town in the best state in the United States."

75 years ago

Dec. 22, 1948: This was the biggest Christmas since 1941 for the Good Fellows. Christmas packages for needy children were distributed at The Pantagraph to 175 families, which included 513 children.

50 years ago

Dec. 22, 1973: Illinois was marked Friday with a distinction usually reserved for a spot in Montana or North Dakota. It had the coldest weather in the nation. The temperature made it up to only 5 degrees above zero at both Champaign and Springfield.

25 years ago

Dec. 22, 1998: The six Furbys donated to the Good Fellow Fund by J.C. Penney raised more than $1,445. Three were raffled to the public at $5 a ticket, while the other three will be given to children drawn from the Good Fellow list.
BLOOMINGTON  Huddled under a biting cold, bathed in the amber glow of street lamps and occasionally kissed by rain droplets, some two dozen McLean County residents gathered Thursday in Bloomington to honor people experiencing homelessness.

Community members and organization leaders met at the overflow parking lot of Eastview Christian Church's Community Center, where about 12 people without stable housing have been camping in tents for several weeks.

"I see people on the street all the time, with cardboard boxes and stuff like that," said 28-year-old Gabriel Back of Bloomington. "And it breaks my heart to the point where it makes me cry real tears."

He brought a bag of groceries for the residents of the encampment.

"I can't give everybody a dollar, but if I could help one person, that'd be cool with me," he said.

Dec. 21 is recognized as National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, and, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, it is meant to remember those who have died while experiencing homelessness.

Karen Sours, a Lexington resident, organized the vigil and had brought several tea candles, but the wind prevented their use in the cold dark.

She works as a community health navigator for Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington, but she said she was moved to set up the vigil as a citizen, not in connection to her job.

"People need to be aware that homelessness is a situation even here in Bloomington-Normal and that people do die while they're experiencing homelessness," Sours said.

She has a personal connection to homelessness, she told the gathered crowd. Sours and her daughter lived at a friend's house for several months in the 1980s.

"I was blessed to have someone who opened their heart and their home to me and my daughter. And, bless her heart, she kept me off the street," she said.

The homeless population also faces extreme vulnerability to their well-being, Sours said.

"It could be starvation," she said. "It could be just dying of a broken heart because they're so alone and not recognized."

Whatever the means, "there are 20 people every day in the United States, at least, who die while experiencing homelessness," Sours said.

Lifelong Bloomington resident Matt Toczko shared that one of his friends died while homeless.

"She was in Sacramento. ... Her name was Erin, and she really didn't deserve that," he said.

"Charity's great in providing material comfort, material needs for people on that level (and it) is a wonderful thing," but without more support from elected officials and government, charity "will only ever be topical," Toczko said.

"There are systemic problems that are solvable if those in power decide to do it," he said.

Earlier in the day, leaders from the City of Bloomington met with community organizations like Home Sweet Home Ministries, Mid-Central Community Action, The Salvation Army and Eastview that regularly combat homelessness to discuss options for the encampment.

"This isn't something that the community leaders are dismissing or writing off," said Matt Burgess, CEO for Home Sweet Home. "This is something our community leaders are seeing as something to be involved in and to be problem solving with us who are in the field every day."

Partnering with Eastview, Burgess said they are working to bring in portable toilets and regular garbage service as well as setting guidelines for campsite maintenance.

The Christmas holiday is hampering that time frame, but it "should be rolling out within the next two weeks," he said.

However, everyone in attendance agreed that much more help is needed.

"I encourage us all to tell our legislators and our board members that this is unacceptable that we can't drive past people who don't have walls ... and not do nothing," said Linda Foster, president of the Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP.

"We have got to implore them to do the right thing for mankind."

Animal shelter populations are up. Here's why and how shelters are responding How animal shelters are dealing with increasing populations More shelter animals are being put down as a result Animal advocacy groups and shelters are looking for other solutions to help ease the strain
Tom Kreneck, center, then an archivist at Houston Public Library, looks over material donated by Maria Louisa and Atanacio P. Davila in September 1978. Jim McNay

The Houston Public Library has housed an archive of local Latino history for nearly 45 years, but critics told the Houston Chronicle that the collection has been neglected and underfunded by the library and its leaders for decades.

Stored inside the Julia Ideson Building downtown, the Latino collections lag behind other library resources like the African American and genealogy archives, critics told the Chronicle. Those archives have dedicated staff members, their own respective repositories and robust programming and digitization efforts, while the Latino archives do not, they said.

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A library spokesperson said the Hispanic collections are not neglected, and the archive continues to be a proud cornerstone of Houston History Research Center.

Here are four takeaways from the Chronicles report on the Latino archives:

Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos and historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

A trove of history

Houstons Latino archives were first established in 1978 by archivist Tom Kreneck, a native Texan who took an interest in the citys Mexican American community and began preserving its history. The collections were originally focused on Mexican American history, but they eventually expanded to include all Latinos.

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Kreneck, now retired and in his 70s, began meeting with prominent Mexican American families throughout the city and convinced many to donate their personal records, and he said the archives became one of the countrys leading collections of its kind.

Among the early donors were Felix and Angela Morales, the philanthropist owners of a local business empire. Today, their collection includes their family photos, letters and other records, but like much of the Latino archives, it is not digitized and inaccessible to the average resident and researcher alike.

Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The Houston Public Library has not dedicated the same resources to the Hispanic collections and the digitization of our history as it has for other collections, said David Contreras, a historian with the League of United Latin American Citizens who has for years preserved local Latino records.

Decades of disarray

Contreras and others said the archives have been neglected for years, with the issues beginning in 1990 when Kreneck left Houston and the Latino collections for another job.

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The archives became mostly dormant in Krenecks absence, and Latino community leaders, like then-University of Houston Center for Mexican American Studies director Tatcho Mindiola, began lobbying the city and the library to replace him years later.

It took more than a decade for the Houston library system to replace Kreneck, but the archivist they hired in the early 2000s left within two years.

The post remained vacant for another decade until Mindiola and others again lobbied library director Rhea Lawson and city leaders for an archivist dedicated to the Latino collections. Archivist Mikaela Selley was hired for the role in April 2013, but she faced a challenging workplace culture that she said included stereotyping and tokenism.

I think a lot of HPL staff simply do not know how to speak to other staff from different backgrounds, Selley wrote in a 2021 employee survey about her experience at the library.

Selley left the library in 2021. A library spokesperson responded to requests for comment by stating that Dr. Rhea Lawson firmly denounces racism and stereotyping in any form.

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Critics blast digitization efforts

Contreras said hes been dismayed by the lack of progress in growing the Latino digital collections.

Weve gone backward instead of getting better, he said.

As of October 2023, three-fourths of the 101 individual collections in the Latino archives were processed, according to the library. Selley said during her tenure, from 2013 to 2021, 9% of the materials were accessible online, a fraction of the thousands of personal papers, business records, photos and more in the librarys possession.

Blanca Blanco, the former publisher of Viva! Magazine, which ran as an insert in the Houston Post in the late 80s and 90s, poses next to a large copy of the last issue, which featured her on the cover, in her home on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Houston. Blanco found out that the physical archive of Viva! is at the Houston Public Library, but not archived. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Blanca Blanco, the former publisher of Viva! Magazine, which ran in the Houston Post in the early 90s and documented Latino life and business in Houston, said shes tried for months to recover a collection of Viva! donated to the library in 2001 that wasnt digitized or otherwise displayed by Houston Public Library.

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As far as I know, that magazine has been sitting for years in boxes, Blanco said. They have done nothing with them, and these magazines have a lot of history of Hispanics who made impacts in our communities.

Renewed optimism

Although she was critical of the state of the Latino archives, Selley said there is reason to believe it can be turned around.

A library spokesperson said the archives have one full-time staff member today. In 2022, the library also dedicated $250,000 of a $500,000 Houston Endowment grant to the archives.

Houston Public Library and its Latino archives are also supposed to be ramping up for the eventual opening of the new Hispanic History Research Center that would serve as a repository similar to the genealogy center at the Clayton Library and the African American History Research Center.
BELVIDERE  Laid off when Stellantis idled the Belvidere Assembly Plant in February, nearly 165 workers were back on the job this week as the automakers first hires for a new parts distribution center, part of a broader plan to restart a facility that once employed thousands.

About 115 of the workers are already processing parts at a warehouse near the auto plant, while another 50 are completing training at the Stellantis parts distribution center in Naperville before joining their colleagues in Belvidere next week, the automaker said.

It has always been our goal to find full-time employment opportunities for the Belvidere workforce, Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO, said in a news release Thursday. This is a great first step in our plans to restore operations in this community and provide meaningful, high-paying jobs with excellent benefits for those who are still on layoff and, eventually, for many who want to return home.

Stellantis laid off the last 1,200 workers at the plant after halting production of the Jeep Cherokee amid dwindling sales 10 months ago. As part of a new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers, Stellantis committed to investing nearly $5 billion to retool the plant for production of a new midsize truck, build an adjacent electric vehicle battery plant and create a megahub parts distribution center.

The UAW ratified four-year labor agreements with Stellantis, General Motors and Ford in November following a six-week strike against the Big Three automakers.

The agreement with Stellantis includes a 25% increase in base wages, cost of living adjustments and the right to strike over plant closures, mirroring similar deals struck by Ford and General Motors. But the Stellantis agreement made restarting the 60-year-old plant a centerpiece of negotiations, with the promise of hiring back thousands of workers to Belvidere.

While the assembly and battery plants have yet to break ground, Stellantis reached out to the laid-off assembly workers several weeks ago to fill 270 parts distribution jobs, according to Matt Frantzen, head of UAW Local 1268 in Belvidere.

Its a good opportunity for them, Frantzen said. They can get in, build up some money and then some weeks work toward next years vacation allotment.

The UAW agreement eliminated the wage tier between assembly and parts distribution workers, meaning the former Belvidere plant employees will actually make more money picking and packing parts than they did building cars under the new deal, Frantzen said.

Stellantis will invest $100 million to create the megahub parts distribution center at Belvidere through the consolidation of facilities in Chicago, Milwaukee and Marysville, Michigan. The 30-year-old Stellantis parts distribution center in Naperville will be closed and its operations folded into the new facility.

The plan for Belvidere also includes investing $1.5 billion in the idled auto plant to build up to 100,000 units of an all-new midsize truck beginning in 2027, which could put about 2,500 workers on the assembly line, according to the UAW.

In addition, Stellantis will invest $3.2 billion in an adjacent EV battery plant that will create a projected 1,300 jobs, according to the UAW. The plant is slated to launch in 2028 as a joint venture with a business partner yet to be identified.

The state put together a number of incentive packages to get Stellantis to bring production back to Belvidere, details of which have yet to be released.

The elements of the incentive package are still being finalized, said Eliza Glezer,a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

In November, President Joe Biden came to Belvidere to celebrate the restarting of the idled Stellantis plant and tout his role in supporting the UAW during the strike negotiations. He called the plant the beating heart of Belvidere.

The auto plant has certainly been the economic engine of the small river city near Rockford for nearly six decades.

The Belvidere plant opened under the Chrysler banner in 1965, with a white Plymouth Fury II sedan the first vehicle to roll off the line. Over the years, the plant was retooled several times, and made everything from the Dodge Neon to the Chrysler New Yorker. Italian automaker Fiat acquired a majority stake in Chrysler in 2009, and completed the acquisition in 2014, breathing new life into the plant and the community.

In 2017, Belvidere became the exclusive home for the Jeep Cherokee, with more than 5,000 workers on three shifts building the SUV at its peak. But demand for the plants sole product waned, and downsizing accelerated under new owner Stellantis, which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot of France in January 2021.

Stellantis indefinitely idled the plant and laid off the last 1,200 workers in February. More than 1,000 remain in town, Frantzen said, meaning about 730 are still waiting for their opportunity to get back to work.

While Frantzen welcomed the first hires for the parts distribution center, there is still a long way to go before the dormant auto plant once again becomes the nexus of economic activity in Boone County.

It still wont feel comfortable until I see movement here, Franzten said. Somewhere in one of these farmers fields, moving dirt and pouring concrete for the new facilities."

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
CHICAGO  Chicago politicians are calling for the federal government to increase funding for migrant care after earlier this week a 5-year-old boy staying at a Lower West Side shelter died and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent migrants to the city for the first time on a chartered plane.

At a news conference Thursday outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building downtown, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, said the city needs support from the federal government to provide wraparound services and accused Abbott of human trafficking.

This is a political attack that is costing peoples lives. It is very clear. We have to call this for what it is, he said. This is human trafficking. This is treating peoples lives as disposable.

Sigcho-Lopezs ward includes the shelter where 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero was staying before he died Sunday after a medical emergency, officials said. His family said he had been sick for a few days before an ambulance was called to the shelter, according to a police report.

As Sigcho-Lopez spoke to reporters, a line formed out the door at the immigration services building behind him.

We demand the federal government, the state government and local government to work together to save lives, Sigcho-Lopez said.

The boys family had arrived in Chicago on Nov. 30, according to the city. His parents were devastated, Matt DeMateo, executive director and pastor at New Life Centers who is consoling the family, told the Tribune Tuesday.

Roughly 2,400 migrants are currently living at the Pilsen shelter, according to city officials.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia echoed calls for executive action from President Joe Biden as cities continue to receive an influx of migrants from Texas.

Its critical for Chicago, its critical for New York, for Houston, for all the other cities that are seeking to do everything that they can, but they cannot do it alone, Garcia said. This is a moment when Chicago needs to continue to be a compassionate, welcoming city and the city is trying to do that.

The plea for increased federal funding comes as tension between Chicago and Texas politicians reached a high point after the southern border state stopped communications with the city regarding the transportation of migrants.

White House assistant press secretary Angelo Fernandez Hernandez said the private flight charted by Abbott shows how little regard or respect he has for human beings.

This latest political stunt just adds to his tally of extreme policies which seek to demonize and dehumanize people, Hernandez said in a statement to the Tribune Wednesday night. Governor Abbott is not interested in solutions, he only seeks to use people as political pawns.

Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for Abbott, a Republican, said in a statement to the Tribune Wednesday that the migrants had signed consent waivers available in multiple languages upon boarding the flight.

Until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue taking historic action to help our local partners respond to this Biden-made crisis, Mahaleris said in the statement.

Dr. Rebekah Fenton, a pediatrician at Alivio Medical Center down the street from the Pilsen shelter, said her clinic sees a large number of migrant kids staying there, but the doctors struggle to provide adequate health care to migrants who need follow-up care.

Our impact is limited when we are unable to coordinate care to make sure all of our patients needs are met, Fenton said Thursday. Health care alone is not enough to keep patients safe.

Fenton said the children she sees are contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. In her role as a school pediatrician, she has helped administer flu, COVID-19 and required vaccines for children to attend Chicago public schools.

She said many migrant children are being sent home from school because they are sick, but she worries about their ability to recover from being sick when they are not able to obtain medication and space to quarantine at the shelter.

Reports from our patients describe the exact opposite conditions in the shelter with significant problems and inadequate resources, Fenton said.

Sigcho-Lopez said the shelter, which has housed migrants since May, needs to be decompressed to address large outbreaks of disease at the crowded shelter, which he said is at capacity. However, as more migrants arrive in Chicago and plans for other shelters are halted, the reality of that happening is slim.

As of Thursday morning, 14,150 asylum-seekers were living in 27 shelters with an additional 216 waiting at OHare International Airport for placement, according to city data. The city on Thursday announced it received its first permitted bus after the City Council tightened restrictions on when and where buses can drop off migrants.

On Saturday, Johnsons deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas told the Tribune that Texas had halted all communication with the city of Chicago following the citys harsher penalties for bus owners whose vehicles violate rules to rein in chaotic bus arrivals.

The City Council approved an ordinance Dec. 13 that buses would face seizure and impoundment for unloading passengers without a permit or outside of approved hours and locations. Violators are subject to $3,000 fines, plus towing and storage fees.

That same day, the city impounded a rogue bus trying to drop off 29 migrants at the approved landing zone in the West Loop at 800 S. Desplaines St.

To dodge penalties and fines, bus drivers have dropped migrants off in Indiana and given them Amtrak tickets or Metra cards to get downtown, according to city officials.

To date, 96 rogue buses have been cited and one bus has been impounded, Mary May, a spokeswoman for the citys Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said Thursday.

Advocates and volunteers who worked with migrants living at police stations are asking the city to allow them to come into shelters and continue to provide basic medical care. Sara Izquierdo said officials have previously told volunteers there was no need for them at city-run shelters.

There is no reason that a child who crossed seven countries should die in a shelter in Chicago, she said. Let us do our work in the shelter.

Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters Monday afternoon that we are obviously deeply sorry and hurt by this loss before placing the blame on the Republican Texas governor, who has been busing migrants to Chicago and other liberal cities for the past 15 months.

Theyre just dropping off people anywhere. Do you understand how raggedy and how evil that is  and then you want to hold us accountable for something thats happening down at the border? Its sickening, the mayor said.

Asked about poor conditions reported at the shelter, the mayor again defended the citys attempts to care for asylum-seekers and said, It sounds like youre drawing a conclusion based upon a site.

Johnson also did not address allegations of Favorite Healthcare Staffing being slow to get medical attention for the boy, which mayoral spokesman Ronnie Reese later said he could not confirm or deny because of a pending investigation.

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
CHICAGO  Darien Harris spent more than 12 years in an Illinois prison, convicted of murder in part on the testimony of an eyewitness who was legally blind.

Harris, who was released from prison on Tuesday, was convicted in 2014 for the 2011 fatal shooting of a man at a gas station on Chicago's South Side.

His case is the latest in a dozen exonerations this year in Chicago's Cook County, where defendants have been represented by attorneys with The Exoneration Project.

"It does seem in the past few months there have been a larger number than usual," said Lauren Myerscough-Mueller, a lecturer in law and staff attorney for The Exoneration Project at the University of Chicago Law School.

Since 2009, more than 200 people have been exonerated through the group's work, according to data from the organization.

About 150 of the convictions were tied to former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts, who regularly framed people for drug crimes they didn't commit. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said in December 2022 that 237 convictions vacated in recent years were linked to Watts and his unit.

Harris is one of four Chicago men who have been exonerated over the past few weeks.

On Dec. 14, James Soto and his cousin, David Ayala, had their murder convictions vacated after spending more than 40 years each in Illinois' prisons. Each had been sentenced to life in prison. Soto also was represented by The Exoneration Project.

Brian Beals, 57, was freed two days earlier after a judge dismissed murder and other charges and vacated his conviction. Beals had spent 35 years behind bars.

Harris was sentenced to 76 years in prison.

"But I fought, and now I'm here," Harris, now 30, said after his release. "I fought. Keep on fighting, everybody. Just keep on fighting. Never give up."

Myerscough-Mueller said evidence showed the eyewitness had advanced glaucoma and lied about his eyesight issues at Harris' trial. Evidence also included testimony from a gas station attendant who said Harris wasn't the shooter.

"It always was a very thin case. Darien never should have been convicted in the first place," she said.

Judges and prosecutors are giving such cases "more serious looks," added Josh Tepfer, another attorney with The Exoneration Project, which is among a number of organizations across the United States seeking justice for the wrongfully imprisoned.

"They see repeat problems," Tepfer said.

Also this week, an Oklahoma judge exonerated 71-year-old Glynn Simmons who spent 48 years in prison for a 1974 murder. Simmons was released in July after prosecutors agreed that key evidence in his case was not turned over to his defense lawyers.

Two men who served decades in prison for separate murders in New York City were exonerated last month after reinvestigations found they had been convicted based on unreliable witness testimony. The Legal Aid Society and the Innocence Project were involved in those cases.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has stated that Catholic priests are not authorized to bless same-sex marriages.



According to them, a document, published on December 18, 2023, from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has triggered misinformation suggesting that Pope Francis has granted formal permission for Roman Catholic priests to perform blessings for same-sex unions.



In a press statement dated December 21, 2023, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference dispelled these inaccuracies and provided clarity on the matter.



We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, have seen the need to issue this statement in the wake of the publication on 18 December 2023 of a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith entitled Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings).



"Following its publication, some TV and radio news items as well as posts on the social media have falsely stated that Pope Francis has formally given Roman Catholic priests the permission to bless same-sex marriages.



This publication has caused a lot of consternation among many people, Catholics and non Catholics alike. We would like to make the following points, part of the statement said.



The statement continued Firstly, the Declaration does not give Catholic priests the permission to bless same-sex marriages. This is clear from the following statements in the Declaration.



In the introductory paragraph, the document says, 'this Declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion'.



The Declaration also defines marriage as the exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children (par. 4). It adds that it is only in the context of marriage that sexual relations find their natural, proper, and fully human meaning.



The Bishops' Conference emphasizes that the prayers and blessings offered to individuals, including those in same-sex relationships, are intended to guide them toward conversion rather than legitimizing their lifestyle.



Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, reaffirms in the statement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions or marriages.



The blessing which the Declaration says could be given to everyone refers to prayers that people may request for. For those in the state of sin, the prayers are meant to lead them to conversion.



Therefore, the prayers for persons in same-sex relationships are not intended to legitimize their way of life, but to lead them on the path of conversion (cf. paragraphs 38, 42-45).



In conclusion, we wish to reiterate that priests cannot bless same-sex unions or marriages.

Source: Ghanaweb.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.

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France is closing its embassy in Niger indefinitely as tensions between the two countries escalate.



The embassy says it is "no longer able to function normally or fulfil its missions" due to restrictions imposed by Niger's military government.



Local embassy staff have also been dismissed, former French ambassador Sylvain Itte said in a letter.



Niger's relationship with France has soured since the military toppled President Mohamed Bazoum in July.



In September, Mr Itte and several French staff left the country, a month after the military regime ordered the ambassador's exit and set up a blockade around the embassy premises in the capital, Niamey.



The embassy had been attacked by thousands of pro-junta protestors shortly after the coup, but were dispersed by Nigerien forces before they could enter the building.



The announcement of the embassy's closure comes shortly before the expiry of the military government's deadline for the exit of French troops on Friday.



They have been stationed in the country to help in the fight against jihadist groups linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Source: BBC









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B5 Plus proudly accepted the esteemed CSR Award 2023 at a grand ceremony held at the Jubilee House, the distinguished Office of the President.



This recognition signifies our unwavering commitment to fostering community development and sustainable impact in Ghana.



The presence of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo elevated the event, celebrating the accomplishments of young individuals under the Head of State Awards Scheme Board of Trustees.



This accolade reaffirms our dedication to enhancing communities and our belief in the potential of local enterprises. It not only highlights our companys exceptional performance but also reinforces our role in propelling Ghanas economic progress globally.



In commemorating this significant milestone, B5 Plus remains resolute in pushing boundaries, contributing to Ghanas economic vitality, and making a lasting impact on the global stage.



Founded in 2002 by Chairman Mr. Mukesh Thakwani (Mr. Mike) with a visionary outlook, B5 Plus Steel Industry set out on a mission to become a leading global steel entity. Our journey has been steered by an exceptional workforce, pioneering methodologies, and ethical practices.



Our expansive state-of-the-art steel manufacturing facility in Larkpleku Village,

Prampram, established under the 1D1F (One District One Factory) program, stands as one of Africas largest. It encompasses various units, including the Rolling Mill, Steel Melting Shop (SMS), PEB Manufacturing, Batching Plant,

Oxygen Plant, Tube Mill Factory, Block Factory, Aluminium and Trailer Manufacturing Units, Crane Girders, and Weighing Scales. The recent acquisition of United Steel Companys Assets has further bolstered our capabilities.



With an extensive network of wholesalers, dealers, and distributors across Ghana and West Africa, B5 Plus has emerged as a pivotal player in the regions steel industry, expanding its reach across multiple West African countries

through our manufacturing facilities.



This sentiment resonates deeply within B5 Plus, reaffirming our unwavering dedication to excellence. Mr. Thakwani assures that the company remains steadfast in delivering excellence, consistently surpassing expectations, and setting new benchmarks in quality and affordability.



The ethos of B5 Plus has always been to generously give back to society by creating ample opportunities for everyone.



The B5 Plus Care Foundation, our charitable organization, supports underprivileged children in Ghana by providing basic needs, free education, and essential medical care. Additionally, it organizes annual blood donation camps and free health check-ups. B5 Plus actively engages in CSR activities through the

foundation.







We are committed to continuing our CSR initiatives, recognizing their positive impact on society. These efforts are aimed at fostering sustainable development, enhancing community well-being, and contributing to a brighter future for all.



As part of our social responsibility, the group has undertaken various initiatives:



 Conducting free medical camps.



 Providing free education to students.



 Supporting diverse social causes and festivals.



 Contributing to the fight against COVID-19 by donating oxygen to around 100 Government and Private Hospitals. Offering complimentary oxygen refilling for the Government and Private Hospitals from March 2020 to April 2022.



 Donating personal protective items like masks, medical suits, surgical masks, face shields, etc., for healthcare workers and society.



 Distributing food supplies to over 2000 underprivileged families in remote areas of Ghana during COVID.



 Contributing to the COVID-19 Trust Fund.



 Organizing Blood Donation Camps.



 Supporting educational programs like MISE Maths Competition, Shark Quiz, Spelling B, and more.



We are committed to continuing these CSR initiatives, ensuring sustained support for the communities we serve while positively impacting society as a

whole.

Source: Peacefmonline.com e









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Kwabena Osei, an engineer led a team of young men who have in several ways benefited from Hon Kwadwo Baah Agyemang both in Ghana and in the diaspora and elected assemblymen on Wednesday afternoon picked nomination forms for their choice, Hon Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, Chief Executive of the Ghana Digital Centers Limited.



The CEO is seeking re-election as NPP Parliamentary candidate having been successful in 2012.



Baah Agyemang subsequently won the Parliamentary elections in 2012 to represent Asante Akyem North in Parliament from 2012 to 2016 as he served as a Member of Parliament.



"We are here in our numbers to pick the NPP nomination forms for a man who we can perfectly describe as a complete human being whose efforts has been to make our lives and tfamily members beautiful by offering us job opportunities and employment, Im not here a line, I represent a number of people who in diverse ways have benefited from KBA, some are in UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, others are in the security services and all forms of employment opportunities ", the former Assembly Member stated.



Recollection



Doing a recollection of the humanitarian acts of the GDCL CEO when the team handed over the nomination forms to their favourite aspirant, Kwabena Osei said Hon Baah Agyemang had for over ten years secured scholarships for indigenes of Asante Akyem North to further their education in tertiary institutions both in Ghana and overseas.



He noted that many youth who were idling around have been provided some employment avenues by Kwadwo Baah including enlisting them in the Navy, Army, Fire Service and the Police service.



Others, he disclosed have had training in digital skills through the efforts of the former MP.



The former Assembly Member said the GDCL CEO has touched the lives of the people of the entire Asante Akyem North and had embarked on several philanthropic enterprises with the needy and those at the hospitals receiving such kind gestures every year.



"All of us standing here are a testament of the kindness of Hon Baah Agyemang and for me, I am now a Mechanical Engineer at Ghana Gas because of our brother gave that opportunity. We believe that if this man can do abundantly for our people when we grant him the opportunity to lead this constituency as MP", Kwabena Osei stressed.



Appreciation



The nomination form was presented to Kwadwo Baah Agyemang at Afrisie where he went to commission a community center he funded and built by himself for the community on behalf of the group by Hon Agyarko Frimpong, an assemblyman for Pekyerekye electoral area. Receiving the forms from the team, Hon Baah Agyemang thanked them for the confidence they had reposed in him.



He noted that the singular act of purchasing the forms alone and ensuring that they submit same to him showed that he could count on their support.



Hon Baah Agyemang asked delegates in Asante Akyem North to vote massively for him so that he could use his influence to lobby for more projects in the constituency.



"I am humbled by your recollection of the history of my generous act but i do them because people must be happy since that's the only thing that gladdens my heart and i promise to work hard and win this parliamentary election with the help of God and make Asante Akyem North great again", Hon Baah Agyemang stated.

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.

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Bangkok will once again play host for the upcoming Thailand Tourism Forum 2024.Topping the event whose theme is Time for Growth will be Aditip Panupong from Google giving insight into how AI is changing the countrys tourism sector.

Featuring the leading stakeholders and speakers from across the industry, including Patrick Both, Area General Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG Hotels & Resorts, the event will be held at the newly refurbished InterContinental Bangkok, starting at 3pm on Monday January 15.

Speaking about TTF 2024, C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett said TTF has a bold format that speaks to Thailands hotel owners, operators, tourism players and across the industry. Set at the beginning of each year its a vital resource to create an impactful dialogue for the industry and should be of interest across of broad spectrum of attendees. Tourism remains the face of brand Thailand, but things are changing, and this event will put these into greater focus for understanding and hopefully creating change.

The two-hour program features 11 segments which include how Thailand has become Asias leader in lifestyle hotels, why chef driven dining and Michelin restaurants are impacting traditional food and beverage offerings and how hotel owners can evaluate the potential to reposition and brand properties in the post-pandemic tourism marketplace.

Other key segments include why hotel operators need to reinvent their organizations, data and metrics led insights into Thailands hotels performance and transaction market, emerging glamping and outdoor accommodation, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of the China, Russian and Indian inbound markets. Green and sustainability is a hotel topic as is tech innovation. A special one-hour prequel, The Thaiger Cage Hospitality Tech Pitch Competition will precede the main event.

Now it its 13th year, this annual event organized by hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks has continued to grow with fast-paced candid talks, focus on industry data and a dynamic evolving format covering the latest trends.

TTF 2024 is presented with its leading industry partners InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, STR, Horwath HTL, JLL Hotels and Hospitality, QUO, AMCHAM Thailand, Delivering Asia Communications, Creative Concept AV, Phuket Hotels Association and host venue InterContinental Bangkok. Its media supporters are Thaiger Media and Travel Daily.

Registration for the event is free and space is limited. Sign up at 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thailand-tourism-forum-2024-13th-annual-edition-tickets-778891835447?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Earlier this month, a Senate inquiry recommended Australian students get specific lessons in how to behave.

Following concerns about increasing levels of disruptive behavior in Australian schools at both primary and high school levels, the inquiry wants to see "the explicit teaching of behavior [as a] vital component of the Australian Curriculum."

This would mean behavior would be part of the curriculum just like English, math and science. Is this a good idea? What might it involve?

What was recommended?

The Liberal-chaired Senate's education committee has been looking at school behavior this year. In December, it released an interim report (a final report is due in February).

It recommended a behavior curriculum "to help students understand their school's behavioral expectations and values."

This would be for students from the first year of schooling to Year 10. It would be developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (which develops the existing curriculum and also administers NAPLAN testing).

What could we see in a behavior curriculum?

The Senate committee explained the intent behind a behavior curriculum is not to "dictate a list of unwanted behaviors" but "represent the essential habits and routines that are conducive to learning in a school environment."

Learning routines and school values can be the glue holding effective teaching and learning in place.

Learning routines are the processes students engage in across the school day, such as entering and exiting the class, getting started on independent work and participating in whole-class activities and teaching.

A behavior curriculum could describe the routines necessary to support classroom success. It could also include more detail about the specific skills or steps making up a broader routine. For example, arriving at class before the lesson start time and with the required learning materials is a routine comprised of multiple smaller skills that can be supported and developed.

Values like "respect" or "responsibility" are abstract concepts. Students can potentially have very different ideas and experiences of a value may look or sound like.

A behavior curriculum could also provide teachers with clear language to define these along with and concrete examples to help teach them within the normal routines of the classroom.

Potential benefits

Teachers told the Senate inquiry about having problems with too much talking and not enough listening in class and students not showing respect to teachers and peers.

Establishing clear and consistent routines in class has been shown to reduce disruption and enhance learning.

So far, Australian teachers do not have a clear breakdown of these routines as well as how to teach, prompt and provide positive feedback to students for engaging in these routines. A curriculum could help with this.

A behavior curriculum could also help teachers see behavioral skills are teachable skills like academic skills. That means they are something students can be taught and learn, using evidence-based approaches.

A behavior curriculum could also promote consistency. Teachers and school leaders (including principals) could use a behavior curriculum to identify key values, routines and underlying skills to be taught across the school. This could reduce the pressure on individual teachers and support shared planning and resourcing.

A behavior curriculum may also support teachers to identify and address underlying challenges or causes of disruptive behavior. For example, disruptive behavior may indicate a task is too hard and a student needs more academic support as and teaching to enhance their communication skills.

Potential risks

There is a risk a behavior curriculum will end up presenting a simple solution to a very complex problem.

It could also present an overly narrow view of what student "behavioral success" can look like in class. It is possible descriptions of routines and how to teach them may not match the needs of students with disability, additional learning support needs, or diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds.

For example, making eye contact with a speaker could negatively effect an autistic student's ability to engage with the learning.

There is also a risk a behavior curriculum could end up being used as a list of rules or expectations used to discipline students, rather than guide teachers to teach skills that support learners to succeed.

While students need to comply with rules and expectations in a classroom, research shows positive approaches (such as those that build students' social and behavior skills and focus on positive reinforcement) are more effective than disciplinary measures.

We also need more than a behavior curriculum

A behavior curriculum must serve students first. It should ultimately help teachers build students' skills that enable them to succeed with their learning, work effectively with their peers and develop as independent citizens.

But even a well-developed behavior curriculum will not fix disruptive classrooms on its own.

It needs to be implemented alongside school-wide approaches that support teachers to deliver evidence-based academic and social learning in their classrooms.

This way, the behavior support will enable students to engage in work they are able to do, in an environment where they feel like they belong.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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China's air pollution worsened in 2023, the first time it has done so in a decade.

China's air pollution worsened in 2023, the first time it has done so in a decade, a study released on Friday said.

"2023 is the first year that China's national average PM2.5 level has increased year-on-year since the beginning of China's 'war on pollution' in 2013," a study by independent research organization the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said.

PM2.5 particles, if inhaled, can have serious health risks, linked to premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease, as well as a host of breathing and other health issues, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

"The overall increase in human-caused emissions has pushed the pollution level higher, in addition to unfavorable weather conditions," CREA said.

An international consortium of climate scientists said earlier this month in a separate study that China is expected to see a four percent rise in fossil fuel CO 2 emissions this year, with increases in coal, oil and gas as the country continues to rebound from its COVID-19 lockdowns.

Chinese cities including the capital Beijing were once infamous for the thick smog that smothered their residents, especially in winter.

But the country ramped up its anti-pollution campaign after winning the Winter Olympics bid in 2015, shutting down dozens of coal plants and relocating heavy industries.

That has brought significant improvements, but air quality often remains below World Health Organization standards.

Lauri Myllyvirta, a researcher at CREA, told AFP that "besides the pandemic, the Winter Olympics were an important factor that kept the anti-pollution efforts going until 2021".

"Both PM2.5 and ozone are still down from 2019 levels," he said.

Higher emissions

CREA said on Friday that 80 percent of provincial capitals, including Beijing, recorded increased PM2.5 levels in 2023 compared to a year ago.

"Coal production and thermal power production in areas where the PM2.5 standard was not met have increased by 4.4 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively, on year, indicating a larger use of fossil energy," the Finland-based independent research organization said.

CREA based its findings on Chinese government data, as well as a machine-learning algorithm that distinguished between the impact of weather and human emissions.

A wave of severe pollution hit northern China in late October and November, with authorities warning residents to avoid outdoor activities.

Beijing's concentrations of hazardous PM 2.5 particles were more than 20 times higher than World Health Organization guidelines during that period, according to air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

China is the world's biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases driving climate change, such as carbon dioxide.

A recent jump in approvals for coal-fired power plants has added to concerns that China will backtrack on its goals to peak emissions between 2026 and 2030 and become carbon-neutral by 2060.

 2023 AFP
State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Felix and Angela Morales, the philanthropist owners of a local business empire, were known to be givers.

So when the heads of one of Houstons most prominent Latino families were approached by a city archivist in the late 1970s, the Moraleses, with their legacies in mind, donated decades worth of their family photos, letters and other personal records to be preserved in what became Houston Public Librarys Latino archives.

But critics said the Morales Collection, not digitized and rarely displayed like much of the history stored away in the Latino archives, is largely inaccessible to the average resident and researcher alike.

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The librarys Latino archives, documenting one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country, are languishing, critics said, due to decades of underfunding and disregard from Houston Public Library leadership  even after recent efforts to revamp the collections.

They have a trove of information on people who have really made an impact on Houstons Hispanic community, said Blanca Blanco, a retired publisher trying to retrieve a collection of magazines donated to the library more than 20 years ago. And they havent done a damn thing about it.

A library spokesperson said the Hispanic collections are not neglected, and the archive continues to be a proud cornerstone of Houston History Research Center.

Blanca Blanco, the former publisher of Viva! Magazine, which ran as an insert in the Houston Post in the late '80s and '90s, in her home on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Blanca Blanco, the former publisher of Viva! Magazine, which ran as an insert in the Houston Post in the late '80s and '90s, holds a copy of the publication in her home on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos and historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos and historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos and historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, sits for a photograph on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

A decadeslong pattern

Archivist Tom Kreneck said he was an enthusiastic outsider with a fire in my belly in the late 1970s. The then-30-year-old Kreneck had spent his academic career studying and admiring Houstons Mexican-American community. He knew he had to build trust with the people whose culture and history he hoped to preserve when he established what became Houston Public Librarys Latino archives in 1978.

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Kreneck, a burly, bearded white man with a deep Texan accent, launched an archives outreach campaign targeting aging Latinos whose personal histories might otherwise be lost. He spoke to the local newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, to spread the word. He wrote dozens of letters to Latino families and visited their homes and businesses to convince them to donate.

Family by family, the collections grew and were housed at what is now the Houston History Research Center in the Julia Ideson Building downtown. Kreneck said the archives, originally focused on Mexican-American history, became one of the countrys leading collections of its kind.

Knowing that my family is part of the history of Houston, I couldnt be more proud, said state Rep. Christina Morales, whose grandparents, Felix and Angela Morales, donated the familys personal records to the archives in 1979. But we need to make sure that theyre preserved and told because (Latinos) had just as much a part in building our city as anyone else.

Tom Kreneck, center, then an archivist at Houston Public Library, looks over material donated by Maria Louisa and Atanacio P. Davila in September 1978. Jim McNay

Families like the Moraleses helped spur the archives early growth, but the 1980s brought its challenges, Kreneck said, as the city and its employees clashed over strained budgets and wages. He reluctantly left the Houston History Research Center, which houses the archives, behind in 1990 for a similar post at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he stayed until his retirement.

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Its difficult to say what is the most meaningful thing that a person has done in their life, said Kreneck, now 75. No. 1 for me has to be developing Houstons Mexican American collections.

Houstons population boomed, and Latinos became the citys largest ethnic group in the decade after Kreneck moved south in 1990, but little was done with those collections in his absence, he said. The responsibility of maintaining the archives fell on other staffers in the Julia Ideson Building, and the collections remained mostly inactive until the early 2000s, Kreneck said, when the now-retired University of Houston Center for Mexican American Studies director Tatcho Mindiola Jr. and others began lobbying the city and its library system to replace Kreneck.

Although the groups letters to library leadership and various committees were initially successful, the archival revival of the early 2000s was short-lived: The library hired someone to oversee the Latino collections in 2000, but the archivist left by February 2002.

Eleven years passed as Houstons Latino community rapidly grew and diversified. In mid-August 2012, Mindiola, a friend and colleague of Krenecks, met with library director Rhea Lawson about his efforts to revive the collection. The academic remembered the director telling him the library has a lot of needs and didnt have the money to re-establish the collections and hire someone to maintain them, he wrote to colleagues.

The development and maintenance of our history via the archives is one of the librarys needs whether it is acknowledged or not  Mindiola wrote in a letter that was preserved by the UH library system after his 2015 retirement. Our seniors are moving on and taking our history with them. The experiences of our brothers and sisters from Mexico and other Latin American countries are not being preserved. The papers of important organizations and leaders are not being collected.

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Mindiola urged his colleagues to continue pushing and predicted their efforts in all likelihood will show up someday in the Mexican American Archives.

Meanwhile, other library collections thrived. The Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library, which houses genealogical research archives, underwent a multi-million dollar restoration in 2006. The African American collections were permanently moved in 2009 and given a dedicated space at the historic Gregory School in Fourth Ward after a major renovation. The Houston History Research Center at the Julia Ideson Building, home of the librarys local history archives, also received a 21,000-square-foot expansion wing and renovation.

It wasnt until April 2013, after Mindiola said he helped coordinate a push from Mayor Annise Parkers Hispanic advisory board, that another Latino collections archivist was hired at Houston Public Library.

There was a lot of excitement that we were able to move the needle, said Holly Flynn Vilaseca, who sat on the advisory board in 2013. Theres so many untold stories and real history. It was a big deal to have someone focus on  collecting from members of the community.

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When she entered the post that April, Mikaela Selley, then a UH graduate student, began tackling the backlog of archive materials that had built up since Kreneck left in 1990. She streamlined processing, created detailed finding guides and even began planning outreach programs to, like Kreneck did 35 years prior, build relationships with the people whose history she was maintaining.

Abel G. Rubio, right, discusses the loss of his ancestral lands with Tom Kreneck, then an archivist at Houston Public Library, in December 1986. Sam C. Pierson, Jr./Houston Chronicle

The educational programs and exhibits she curated highlighted the experiences of Latino soldiers in World War II, the cultural contributions of the citys Latino musicians and President John F. Kennedys impromptu visit with a local League of United Latin American Citizens chapter just a day before his assassination in November 1963.

Then the early hype died down, Selley said, and she became bogged down by her archive work and extra responsibilities handed down to her by the librarys leadership, such as oral history projects.

Her pleas for more resources to help process the backlog and make it more accessible by digitizing the archives were ignored, she said. Only the occasional volunteer or intern helped with archive duties, she said, and her workload made it difficult to build trust with donors and the community.

A lot of my time was spent apologizing to people, Selley said. I was mending relationships.

READ: Houston runoff election boosts Latino representation on City Council

Selley said during her tenure only 9% of the materials were accessible online, a fraction of the thousands of personal papers, business records, photos and more in the librarys possession. As of October 2023, three-fourths of the 101 individual collections in the Latino archives were processed, according to the library.

Selley, who is Mexican American, said she also faced a challenging workplace culture that included stereotyping and tokenism. I think a lot of HPL staff simply do not know how to speak to other staff from different backgrounds, Selley wrote in a 2021 employee survey about her experience at the library.

A library spokesperson responded to requests for comment by stating that Dr. Rhea Lawson firmly denounces racism and stereotyping in any form.

With Selleys frustrations mounting  with leadership, the lack of resources and the cultural insensitivity  she said she left the library in 2021, again putting a pause on the archives that so many sought to revive.

History in boxes

Felix and Angela Morales had already spent decades in Houston when Kreneck, the archivist, approached them in the late 70s. Their renowned business empire included the citys first Mexican American-owned funeral home, which opened in 1931, and Pasadenas KLVL, the first Spanish-language radio station serving the Gulf Coast.

The Moraleses, then in their 70s, didnt need much convincing.

The family whose papers are accessible takes its proper place (in history), Kreneck wrote to them in a September 1978 letter, while those whose papers remain inaccessible are often inadequately interpreted or entirely overlooked.

The Morales Collection includes hundreds of photos and newspaper clippings, timeworn and yellowed. There are snapshots of Felix and Angela as young adults at their wedding in 1928, as successful business owners in the 1950s and as loving grandparents in the 1970s. Personal letters and other records document the business dealings that led to the couple founding the familys funeral home and even how Felix eventually lobbied his powerful friends in Congress to help establish the Moraleses historic radio station.

The collection traces Felix and Angelas lives from when they were born in 1907, just weeks apart, to the early 1990s, covering Felixs death in 1988. Angela bolstered the archive with even more family records before her own death in 1994.

State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Like most others housed by Houston Public Librarys Latino archives, the Morales Collection, housed in more than 20 archival storage boxes, is not digitized and can only be viewed in person at the Julia Ideson Building.

Even in person, certain materials are restricted. Photos, for example, can be viewed only a few at a time with an appointment. The Morales Collection contains around 700 photos.

Christina Morales, Felix and Angelas granddaughter who now runs the family funeral home and represents portions of the East End, the Heights and the Northside in the Texas House, said shes considered asking for her familys records to be returned.

Its very upsetting for me because the last time I (saw the Morales Collection), I left with the feeling of relief that they were in good hands, Morales said, recalling a visit to the Latino archives during Selleys tenure. If theyre not going to be stored properly, they should return them to the families.

Blanco, the retired magazine publisher, has tried for months to recover a collection of periodicals donated to the library in 2001 that wasnt digitized or otherwise displayed by Houston Public Library.

Blanca Blanco, the former publisher of Viva! Magazine, which ran as an insert in the Houston Post in the late '80s and '90s, poses next to a large copy of the last issue, which featured her on the cover, in her home on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Viva! Magazine, which Blanco published as an insert in the now-defunct Houston Post, documented Latino life and business in Houston in the early 1990s. Its pages highlighted everything from the toll of AIDS on the local Hispanic community to the struggles of Mexican American high school students in the East End.

Prominent Latinos from Houstons past and present also graced Viva!, such as the late Leonel Castillo, the citys first Hispanic controller, and then-municipal judge Sylvia Garcia, who went on to be a Harris County commissioner, a state senator and now a U.S. congresswoman.

As far as I know, that magazine has been sitting for years in boxes, Blanco said. They have done nothing with them, and these magazines have a lot of history of Hispanics who made impacts in our communities.

Blancos dilemma with the library has been complicated by the absence of a donor agreement between the two sides. The library confirmed Blanco never signed such an agreement when she handed over her magazines, but it said that even without a signed contract, the collection is the absolute property of City of Houston and Houston Public Library.

David Contreras, a historian with the League of United Latin American Citizens who has for years preserved local Latino records, said the work of processing Viva! should have been done decades ago. He recently visited the archives, and he said it took him just a few hours to create a detailed catalog of Blancos publication.

The Houston Public Library has not dedicated the same resources to the Hispanic collections and the digitization of our history as it has for other collections, Contreras said. Its not fundamentally fair, not equitable.

Todays archives

Contreras once celebrated the archives, but in the years since Selley, the previous archivist, left the Houston library system in 2021, the 72-year-old said hes been dismayed by the lack of progress in growing the digital collections.

Weve gone backward instead of getting better, he said.

Contreras has proposed forming an oversight committee to ensure the Latino archives dont ever fall into disarray again.

A library spokesperson said the archives have one full-time staff member today. In 2022, the library also dedicated $250,000 of a $500,000 Houston Endowment grant to the archives.

Houston Public Library and its Latino archives are also supposed to be ramping up for the eventual opening of the new Hispanic History Research Center that would serve as a repository similar to the genealogy center at the Clayton Library and the African American History Research Center.

The proposed center is still years away, with the design phase slated to begin in the 2024 fiscal year, according to the librarys capital improvement plan. The Hispanic History Research Center would be included in Houstons Buffalo Bayou East master plan, and City Council recently allocated more than half of the $19.5 million slated for the project to purchase property on Navigation Boulevard near Turkey Bend.

State Rep. Christina Morales, whose family founded the Morales Funeral Home and donated their personal records to the Houston Public Library, shows family photos and historical records on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The retired academic Mindiola, now 84, said hes skeptical after his experiences with library leadership.

It takes time and it takes money, but were not a priority, he said. You have got to keep pushing these folks.

Selley is more hopeful for the future of the Latino archives. In the librarys African American, genealogical and local history collections, she said, there are models for how an archive can thrive.

Those archives have their own repositories and dedicated teams tending to and digitizing them. They regularly host sitdowns with authors, history lessons and workshops on how to navigate the collections.

Houston Public Librarys Latino archives  for now  have none of that.
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Eam Orn (L) kneels in a Cambodian forest, pressing his hands together before an offering, and prays for the return of his land.

Eam Orn kneels in a forest in northwest Cambodia, pressing his hands together before an offering of bananas studded with smoking incense, and prays for the return of his land.

He is one of hundreds of thousands affected by economic land concessions (ELCs)land grants to businesses that experts say have driven deforestation and dispossession.

From 2001 to 2015, a third of Cambodia's primary forestssome of the world's most biodiverse and a key carbon sinkwere cleared, and tree cover loss accelerated faster than anywhere else in the world, according to the World Resources Institute.

The government halted ELCs in 2012, but a new grant has raised fears the moratorium could be over, even as Cambodians like Orn struggle with the policy's legacy.

"If the state wants to compensate me with money, I don't want it," the wiry farmer told AFP in some of the last remaining forest near his village, Praeus K'ak.

"I only want my land."

Orn, of Cambodia's ethnic Kuy people, lives surrounded by more than 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) of ELC.

He lost eight hectares when the government granted it to subsidiaries of China's Hengfu Group in 2011, for a sugar processing facility touted as one of Asia's largest.

Rampant deforestation in Cambodia pre-dates ELCs, but the concessions have been a 'predominant driver' since their introduction, according to a 2022 study.

It was supposed to employ thousands, but today its chimney stacks stand silent behind locked gates, and air blows in through broken windows.

Reached by phone, a Hengfu employee in China confirmed the factory was closed, but said only top-level management knew why.

Cambodia formalized ELCs in 2001 with legislation allowing recipients to clear land for "industrial agricultural exploitation".

Large tracts have, however, been handed to rubber, sugar and paper firms since at least 1993, according to the United Nations.

A lack of transparency makes the scale hard to quantify, though Cambodian rights group LICADHO has tracked at least 313 concessions, covering more than 2.2 million hectares.

'All gone'

The country's protected areas, where commercial development is legally prohibited, have not been spared. ELCs covered 14 percent of them by 2013, according to NGO Forest Trends.

Rampant deforestation in Cambodia pre-dates ELCs, but the concessions have been a "predominant driver" since their introduction, according to a 2022 study in journal Scientific Reports that found a clear correlation between forest loss rates and ELC expansions.

Map of Cambodia, showing the extent of economic land concessions to local and foreign companies.

And deforestation is not the only consequence.

"Wherever there are ELCs, there are (land) disputes," Pen Bonna, coordinator for rights group ADHOC in Preah Vihear province, told AFP.

Cambodia's land records were largely destroyed by the communist Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and after its fall people often settled without legal title.

The 2001 law offered a path to ownership, but the complex process means few have obtained it, leaving villagers like Orn vulnerable to land grabs, despite frequent condemnation by rights groups and the UN.

"My family's livelihood and income has gone down... I'm older and can't work as a laborer," the father of seven said.

He took out bank loans for food and clothing, and even worked at the sugar factory before it closed.

"If we did not go, we had nothing to do."

Thoeun Sophoeun, 29, also took out loans after losing around six hectares of farmland and access to the surrounding forest that once provided crucial additional sustenance.

"We could enter the forest and easily bring meat and food back home but now it's all gone," said the mother of two.

The government halted ELCs in 2012, but a new grant has raised fears the moratorium could be over, even as Cambodians like Eam Orn struggle with the policy's legacy.

'Farm with fear'

ELCs were long enthusiastically championed by former Cambodian leader Hun Sen as a way to bolster the country's economic development.

"More Cambodians will be rich. I want to see more Cambodian millionaires. There are many of them in China," he said at the opening of a sugar factory on an ELC in 2012.

But that same year, faced with growing land conflicts and admitting the risk of a "farmers' revolution", Hun Sen announced the ELC moratorium.

He pledged the government would seize land from firms who cleared trees for sale or failed to develop their plots.

In Praeus K'ak, little has changed.

Since the factory closed, villagers including Orn and Sophoeun have crept back onto farmland.

"We farm with fear, because the state has not made any announcement," said Sophoeun.

"We don't know whether they will come and take it back."

An activist gestures towards old signs for a sugarcane company at the site of an economic land concession in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

Locals say some company workers have leased plots to outsiders to farm, violating the ELC agreement, but the government has not acted.

In January, LICADHO sounded the alarm over what it called a new ELC, citing a March 2022 letter authorizing the transfer of nearly 10,000 hectares in northeastern Stung Treng province.

'Lost forever'

Locals told AFP that land has already been seized for a road, and described intimidation and the arrest of a villager who challenged the concession.

"They don't let us grow anything," said Tha, who asked not to be identified by his full name to avoid retaliation.

"They have threatened to arrest us one by one."

Licadho operations director Am Sam Ath said the group had identified other new land grants, including inside Botum Sakor National Park.

"Now they use words like long-term lease," he said. But "it is similar to ELCs".

Thoeun Sophoeun took out loans after losing around six hectares of farmland and access to the surrounding forest that once provided additional sustenance.

He warned of "doom for forests" if the policy resumes, with little hope of transparency or monitoring.

Government officials from several ministries responsible for ELCs did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

The drive for continued concessions comes despite evidence ELCs offer little economic benefit for the average Cambodian or state coffers.

In 2022, the country's then-agriculture minister admitted that fewer than a million hectares of ELC were active, and the government was earning just over $2 million in annual rent.

In Praeus K'ak, Orn worries that his grandchildren are growing up with no memory of his people's sacred forests and no knowledge of the animals that once populated them.

"We lost worship forests, we lost income... I'm very worried about our identity," he said, calling on others to fight new concessions.

"If it's lost, it's lost forever."

 2023 AFP
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Caviar from Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde sells for $2,200 to 11,000 a kilo, depending on quality.

At a French caviar factory this week, a worker used tiny pliers to carefully line up black sturgeon fish eggs against a ruler.

"I'm measuring the eggs to be able to classify them. Above a certain size, they're premium," said Magdalena Puaud, wearing a hair net and face mask.

The fish roe, once sorted and left to mature in small tins for several months, will be sold in France and abroad for 2,000-10,000 euros ($2,200-11,000) a kilo (2.2 pounds).

Caviar was first introduced to France around a century ago by Russian aristocrats who had fled their home country after the 1917 revolution.

The southwestern region of Aquitaine, which is naturally home to sturgeons, started to produce the delicacy in the 1920s and is today home to four caviar farms that make up 90 percent of all French production.

After a decade of lobbying, Aquitaine's farms are looking forward to their caviar finally receiving an EU certificate of origin in the new year.

According to the European Union, "geographical indications" protect products against misuse or imitation of the registered name and guarantee their true origin to customers.

"We have nothing to hide," said Laurent Dulau, the managing director of the biggest of Aquitaine's farms in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde, which produces 20 tons of fish roe a year.

After a decade of lobbying, Aquitaine's farms are looking forward to their caviar finally receiving an EU label of origin in the New Year.

He and fellow producers hope the EU stamp of approval will allow them to stand out in a market nowadays dominated by China and awash with opaque labeling.

"We're going to guarantee total traceabilityorigin, environmental responsibility and sustainability, and no genetically modified organisms or antibiotics," he said.

Last week, in the runup to Christmas, French authorities seized and destroyed 17 kilos of caviar worth some 35,000 euros ($38,000) for not following health and safety guidelines, including not identifying its country of origin.

'Quality, not quantity'

Near the sturgeon pools in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde, employees fished out females and examined them one by one, a man rolling an ultrasound over their plump white bellies.

"Caviar," he shouted when he saw semi-circles on his monitor, indicating the fish was ready to be sliced open.

When the eggs were not yet big enough or too mature, the fish was sent shooting down a slide back into the water.

French producers are hoping the certificate of origin will help them compete against huge quantities of cheap Chinese caviar.

The label "validates the way we work," said fish production manager Nicolas Proust.

Dulau said the certificate of origin would help French producers compete against huge quantities of cheap Chinese caviar.

"There are 600 tons of caviar produced in the world, and China alone produces 250 tons, while France produces just 50 tons," he said.

Francoise Boisseaud, who buys up French caviar and mostly sells it abroad, agreed the new EU guarantee was good news.

"France is a small country," she said. "We are forced to bank on quality, not quantity. It's strategic."

 2023 AFP
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A review in Fruit Research by researchers from Henan Agricultural University, China, explores the state of art of research on jujube witches' broom ("Zaofeng") disease, a fruit tree disease associated with phytoplasma.

Phytoplasmas are insect-transmitted bacteria pathogen associated with more than 1,000 plant diseases worldwide. Phytoplasma infected plants exhibit extensive architectural changes, stop reproducing, and appear to serve solely as habitats for the phytoplasma pathogens and their insect vectors.

The fruit jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), also called "Zao" in Mandarin Chinese, has a long cultivation history of more than 7,000 years and grows in more than 40 countries. Jujube Witches' Broom (JWB) disease, referred to "Zaofeng" disease in Chinese, is related to the presence of JWB phytoplasma (Candidatus phytoplasma ziziphi), a 16SrV-B phytoplasma subgroup member.

JWB phytoplasma-infected jujube trees show altered fundamental plant development processes. In Chinese, "feng" means crazy or uncontrolled, illustrating the witches' broom symptoms of shoot proliferation and leafy flowers.

JWB disease results in yield loss and decreased fruit quality as well as the tree dying within a few years, bringing heavy losses to the jujube industry.

The article reviews the research history, symptomatology, etiology and epidemiology of JWB disease, and stresses the pathogenesis study of JWB.

At the physiological and biochemical level, changes occur in the photosynthesis, anatomical structure, mineral elements, and endogenous hormone content of plants after infection of JWB phytoplasma. At the molecular level, high-throughput sequencing techniques such as transcriptome and proteome analysis reveal multiple genes and metabolic pathways related to the plant-pathogen interaction.

The genome of JWB phytoplasma "nky" strain has been sequenced and consists of 750,803 bp within one circular chromosome that encodes 694 protein-coding genes. Virulence effector proteins such as SJP1, SJP2, SJP3, and Zaofeng6 were identified, and studied for their function during the symptom induction. In addition, the article also reviews the research progress in the detection and prevention of JWB disease, and looks forward to the further research focus.

Explaining the interaction mechanism between phytoplasma effectors and plant target proteins is the key for JWB disease study. By combining molecular biology methods with traditional phytopathology techniques, we could achieve effective prevention and cure these "crazy" plants.

More information: Sicheng Guo et al, Jujube witches' broom ('Zaofeng') disease: bacteria that drive the plants crazy, Fruit Research (2023). DOI: 10.48130/FruRes-2023-0035

Provided by Maximum Academic Press
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A new study has found that greenhouse vegetable production (GVP) systems are major sources of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, used a high-frequency continuous automatic monitoring system to measure the soil N 2 O emissions from a typical GVP area in Shouguang, a major vegetable-producing region in Shandong Province, for a year.

The researchers found that the annual soil N 2 O emission from the GVP system was about 100 kg nitrogen (N) per hectare. This was much higher than previous reports, which used low-frequency manual sampling methods that may have underestimated the emissions by 817%.

The study, published in the journal Atmospheric Environment, showed that the soil N 2 O emissions from the furrows, where irrigation water and fertilizer were applied, were significantly higher than those from the ridges, where the vegetables were planted.

Moreover, irrigation caused multiple pulses of N 2 O emissions throughout the growing season, increasing the emission rate by 12%396%.

The researchers attributed the high N 2 O emissions to the excessive nitrogen fertilization and frequent irrigation practices in the GVP systems, which enhanced the nitrification and denitrification processes in the soil. They warned that as the GVP area continues to expand rapidly in China, the N 2 O emissions will also increase, posing a serious threat to the global climate.

They called for more attention and measures to reduce the N 2 O emissions from the GVP systems, such as optimizing the irrigation and fertilization management.

More information: Xue Li et al, High soil nitrous oxide emissions from a greenhouse vegetable production system in Shouguang, Northern China, Atmospheric Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120264 Journal information: Atmospheric Environment
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Nearly two months ago, John Faulkner and members of the Peavey family, which owns Flat Top Ranch in the Wood River Valley, learned that an application with their names attached for state dollars to kill wolves would move ahead. But they never knew about the application and had no interest in the program.

The proposal was brought to Idaho's Wolf Depredation Control Board by a predator control company without the ranchers' knowledge. Last week, the board announced it will not move forward with the application or two others it received from Predator Control Corp. owner Trevor Walch.

In late October, the board approved the scope of five rancher proposals submitted as part of a new program to disburse funds to agriculture producers for lethal wolf control. Walch's three proposals, which were nearly identical, bore the typed signatures of the ranchers and detailed plans to contract with Walch's company for ground trapping and aerial hunting of wolves.

Walch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jim Fredericks, director of Idaho Fish and Game and co-chair of the wolf board, told the Idaho Statesman by email that the board later turned down Walch's proposals because they "were submitted on behalf of producers without adequate coordination and communication with those producers."

Fredericks said the owners of the ranches named in Walch's other proposalsformer Republican state Sen. Jeff Siddoway and the Hunzeker family, who both operate in eastern Idaho, didn't explicitly tell the board they had no knowledge of the proposals.

"Our understanding based on conversations with the other producers is that they'd both had some communication with Mr. Walch about predator control in the past, but they were not specifically aware of the proposals or their content," Fredericks said by email.

Fredericks and wolf board co-chair Chanel Tewalt, who heads the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview last month that it's common for large ranch operations to have multiple managers or family members in charge.

"It can be a challenge to know who may have communicated with whom on what topic," Fredericks reiterated by email.

In November, Fredericks said he wasn't certain how the wolf board initially became aware of the issues with Walch's proposals. He said the board was working with the ranch owners to determine whether they wanted to move ahead with the proposals anyway.

Suzanne Asha Stone, director of the Wood River Wolf Project, which uses nonlethal wolf deterrents to reduce livestock depredations, told the Statesman she reached out to Fish and Game with concerns about the Faulkner/Flat Top proposal, since her organization works with both ranches.

"We are grateful to our Wood River Wolf Project ranching partners for rejecting the state's reckless scheme to promote aerial gunning of wolves, even those coexisting peacefully with livestock," Stone said.

Another of Stone's organizations, the International Wildlife Coexistence Network, was one of a trio of groups that filed a petition late last month for the U.S. Forest Service to ban aerial gunning by private contractors over national forest lands.

The petition, prompted by Walch's proposals, detailed numerous trapping violations Walch has been found guilty of in Nevada. Walch was also one of several wolf hunters who were issued a warning by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies for violating the Airborne Hunting Act, according to an investigation by Wyoming news outlet WyoFile. Prosecutors declined to press charges.

2023 The Idaho Statesman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Yoshihiro Yauji, seen placing a piece of metal into a forge, believes 'blades are the foundational root of Japanese culture'

Blacksmith Yoshihiro Yauji pulls a piece of glowing metal from the forge in a Japanese village, continuing a tradition dating back centuries to when the region was renowned for crafting swords carried by samurai.

He places the steel under a spring hammer and the sound of the metal being flattened and fortified into a kitchen knife echoes off the mountains surrounding the workshop.

"I believe that blades are the foundational root of Japanese culture," 40-year-old Yauji said.

"If you can condense 700 years, 1,000 years or 1,500 years of technology into a single product, the appeal of the product will be different," he explained, adding that at first, he wanted to make "katana" swords once wielded by samurai.

Yauji started at 20 as an apprentice to Hideo Kitaoka, who helped found the collection of cooperative workshops that make up the Takefu Knife Village.

After 18 years, Yauji launched his knife line in 2021.

But in the 1970s and 80s, the city of Echizen where the knife village is located was in crisis, with artisans unable to compete with cheaper mass-produced tools.

Kitaoka and other top blacksmiths banded together to form a cooperative association and, with the help of famed designer Kazuo Kawasaki, began producing designs that turned Echizen knives into works of art.

A craftsman attaches a handle to a 'gyuto', the Japanese equivalent to a western chef's knife, at Yamawaki Cutlery in Osaka prefecture.

"At the time of my boss's generation, the environment was not like it is today; they were struggling just to survive," Yauji said.

"My generation is on the upswing. So I feel it is necessary to once again improve our skills for the brand and its value to continue to exist."

Around 80 percent of Echizen-made knives are now exported, Yauji said, making their way into professional kitchens around the world and even featuring on hit TV series "The Bear".

Hand fits the knife

The forge at Takefu burns at 900 degrees Celsius (1,652 degrees Fahrenheit), and the handmade Japanese blades drawn from the molten orange core, once hammered, shaped and polished, are sharp enough to split a hair.

"The Japanese knife brings out the best of ingredients. Texture, bitterness, sweetness," Yauji said.

"I think it is a knife specialized to bring out the true flavor of the ingredient itself."

Yoshihiro Yauji places a 'santoku', a multipurpose knife, under a spring hammer, continuing a tradition dating back centuries.

Knife makers can spend an entire day perfecting a single piece.

The metal is heated until malleable and then hammereda process repeated several timesbefore being shaped, quenched in oil or water and left to cool.

Once the temperature is stable, it is ready to be sharpened. Most blacksmiths hand the knife over to dedicated sharpeners at this stage.

Then, the utensil is ready for the final step of the process: handle making.

"Japanese cutlery is, in my opinion, about the hands learning to fit the tool" instead of the knife being designed for the comfort of the user, Yauji said.

"It is a way of trying to establish a deeper connection."

'Soul of a chef'

Using his custom-made yanagiba (willow-leaf blade) sashimi knife, Chef Shintaro Matsuo slices a buttery slab of fatty tuna at acclaimed Osaka restaurant Koryu, considered one of the best fine-dining establishments in a city dubbed Japan's kitchen.

Chef Shintaro Matsuo expertly slices through a piece of yellowtail with a knife made in the nearby city of Sakai, at his restaurant in Osaka.

Yoshihiro Yauji sharpens a freshly forged 'santoku', a multipurpose knife, at the Takefu Knife Village in Fukui prefecture.

A knife is 'the soul of a chef', knife company owner Ryoyo Yamawaki told AFP.

Matsuo's dishes combine subtle flavors using ingredients from the surrounding Kansai region, all artfully presented with the help of blades made in Sakai, a small town on the outskirts of Osaka that is considered Japan's hocho (kitchen knife) heartland.

"The knife is an extension of my hand," the chef explained, proudly wielding the elongated blade specially made by blacksmith Minamoto Izumimasa.

"Japanese steel allows the flavors of the food to remain intact," Matsuo added.

Chefs in the country spend years honing their knife skills and patiently learning to master blades that are often more challenging to use and require greater expertise.

"Japanese people have a unique sense of beauty when it comes to cutlery," said Ryoyo Yamawaki, whose Sakai-based company has been making knives since 1929.

"Since ancient times, the Japanese sword is said to have been the soul of a samurai, and the knife the soul of a chef."

 2023 AFP
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Pre-, post-, and coeruptive datasets. (A and B) Marine gravity anomaly derived from satellite altimetry [V31.1 and V32.1, respectively]. Subaerial island outlines in gray. (C) Change in marine gravity anomaly between (A) and (B). (D and E) Vertical gravity gradient (VGG) data from satellite altimetry [V31.1 and V.32, respectively]. (F) Change in VGG between (D) and (E). (G) Preeruptive bathymetry, (H) Posteruptive bathymetry (see Materials and Methods), and (I) change in bathymetry between (G) and (H) attributed to the January 2022 Hunga eruption. Caldera outline (green dashed line) and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates (zone 1) tick marks (in kilometers) shown for reference in red. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh3156

A small team of geologists, volcanologists and Earth scientists from the Carnegie Institution for Science, Earth and Planets Laboratory, in the U.S., the GNS Science, Wairakei Research Center, in New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, in New Zealand, the University of Auckland, in New Zealand and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in Tonga, has partially mapped the magmatic system state under the Hunga volcano from both before and after its 2022 eruption.

In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes how they used two types of technology to learn more about the magma reservoirs lying beneath the South Pacific volcano.

In January of 2022, the Hunga volcano experienced a massive eruptionone so strong that its caldera collapsed completely, its plume reached 58 kilometers into the mesosphere and the tsunami it generated reached the shores of both the U.S. and Japan. Study of the volcano and its eruption has proven to be challenging, however, due to its underwater location. In this new effort, the research team has taken a different approach to learning more about the magma chambers that lie beneath the volcano.

Because it is difficult to deploy conventional sonar equipment to such an undersea environment, the research team instead used data from satellites that are so sensitive that they can measure tiny differences in sea levels across the globe. Slight differences in sea levels above a volcano, due to magma inside chambers, the researchers noted, could be used to measure how much magma is inside such chambers and also to map their size.

To that end, they analyzed data from satellite radar pulses and also from multibeam bathymetry for the regiontogether the two data sources allowed the researchers to create partial maps of the magma chambers beneath the volcanoone from before the eruption, the other from afterallowing for a comparison.

In studying their maps, the research team found that there exist three pockets of magma beneath the volcano, two that are liquid and a third that is mostly solidifying mush. They also found that the majority of the magma involved in the eruption came from a central chamber and that approximately 30% of its contents were blown out of the volcano during the eruption, leading the caldera to collapse.

The researchers also found evidence of a channel connecting the two liquid-filled chambers, which has allowed much of the magma lost from the central chamber to be replenished. They expect that further study of satellite data will reveal more details of the chambers beneath the volcano.

More information: Helene Le Mevel et al, The magmatic system under Hunga volcano before and after the 15 January 2022 eruption, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh3156 Journal information: Science Advances

 2023 Science X Network
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Among the reptiles were baby Arrau turtles -- the largest river turtle in South America -- and the yellow-spotted river turtle, which were found in small transparent plastic containers inside cardboard boxes.

Peruvian authorities have seized some 4,000 turtles that originated in the Amazon at the country's main international airport, the national wildlife service said Thursday.

The National Forestry and Wildlife Service said in a statement it has intercepted "a shipment of live turtles at the Jorge Chavez airport that were going to be exported to Indonesia."

Among the reptiles were baby Arrau turtlesthe largest river turtle in South Americaand the yellow-spotted river turtle, which were found in small transparent plastic containers inside cardboard boxes.

Both turtles are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora Appendix II, which requires the tracking and regulation of trade.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the yellow-spotted river turtle, the second largest freshwater turtle in the Amazon, as vulnerable to extinction.

According to Interpol, the black market for illegal wildlife products are worth up to $20 billion per year, and is pushing many species to the brink of extinction.

CITES says that tortoises and turtles are one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world.

CITES says that tortoises and turtles are one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world.

 2023 AFP
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We're all familiar with the jolly, white-haired and bearded overweight man who sneaks down chimneys on Christmas Eve delivering presents to children. But where did this come from?

With roots in Christianity, the origins of the world's most beloved gift-giver transcend time, culture and religion.

St. Nicholas

It all starts with St. Nicholas, a man who lived in the fourth century. No credible historical sources can prove the facts of his life, but according to tradition, St. Nicholas of Myra, later known as St. Nicholas of Bari, lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great.

According to tradition, he was born in Patara, a city in ancient Lycia in Asia Minor, part of what is now Turkey. Nicholas, who would later become the bishop of Myra, was known for his profound Christian faith and extraordinary compassion.

Although historical record does not provide detailed accounts of his life, tradition tells us he traveled to Palestine and Egypt in his youth, further cultivating his deep spiritual conviction.

Nicholas was orphaned when he was young and was left with a substantial inheritance. He chose to use this wealth to help the needy.

His most famous act of generosity was providing dowries for three impoverished sisters.

His acts of generosity meant when he was recognized as a saint, he was acclaimed the patron and protector of children.

St. Nicholas Day

Across Europe, the legacy of St. Nicholas's charity and kindness sparked a variety of traditions, with December 6 becoming his feast day.

In France, particularly in regions such as Alsace and Lorraine, children would leave their shoes out for St. Nicholas, hoping to find them filled with chocolates and gifts the next morning.

This tradition was accompanied by parades in which a donkey would pass through town streets, laden with baskets of biscuits and sweets for the children.

In Central Europe, particularly in Alpine regions, St. Nicholas Day tradition merged gradually with unique local customs when the non-Christian population adopted Christianity as their religion.

Here, St. Nicholas not only rewarded well-behaved children with gifts but was also accompanied by Krampus, a fearsome figure who would "punish" those who had misbehaved.

This tradition underscored the contrasting themes of reward and retribution, integral to the local folklore.

In some regions of Poland, the earlier traditions centered on a figure called Gwiazdor. This "Star Man" dressed in sheepskin and a fur cap, with his face hidden under a mask or smeared with soot, carried a bag of gifts and a rod for naughty children.

The transformation into Santa Claus

The metamorphosis of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus was a gradual process influenced by cultural and religious shifts.

In Germany and the Netherlands in the course of the 17th century, the practice of gift-giving in the name of St. Nicholas began to take root. The Dutch called him "Sinterklaas," a term that would eventually evolve into the English colloquial "Santa Claus." This transformation first occurred in Germany and later spread to other European countries.

The tradition of St. Nicholas was brought to North America in the 17th century.

By the 19th century, various iterations of St. Nicholas were emerging in English-speaking communities across the world.

One of the first literary mentions of this figure in the American context was in Washington Irving's 1809 book, Knickerbocker's History of New York, which portrayed Nicholas flying in a wagon, delivering presents to children.

The red Santa suit and all related apparel, so familiar to us today, seem to be the invention of modern-day marketing in the English-speaking world.

Across Europe, St. Nicholas's outfit draws more on the traditional image of the saint, with clothes more closely resembling a bishop's religious attire, complete with a miter, the tall headdress.

The legacy of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus

Through centuries of transformation, the core values of St. Nicholasgenerosity, compassion, and the joy of givinghave remained intact in the figure of Santa Claus. He has gone from being a revered Christian saint to a beloved secular icon.

This evolution reflects the dynamic interplay of religious tradition and popular folklore. English-speaking Santa Claus, with his North Pole workshop, flying reindeer, and elves, may seem a far cry from the historical bishop of Myra. Yet he continues to embody the spirit of giving that characterized St. Nicholas.

Today, thanks to global marketing and commercialization, Santa Claus transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

The story of his origin, rooted in the life of St. Nicholas, enriches our understanding of Christmas and connects us to a tradition that spans centuries and continents.

It reminds us that at the heart of these festivities lies a timeless message: the importance of kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Evolutionary modeling predicts that mosquito metabolism shapes life-history traits of Plasmodium parasites. By only considering basic life-history traits of mosquitoes (larval stages, biting behavior, reproduction, and death) and a simple within-vector Plasmodium development (an exponential relationship between mosquito longevity and transmission probability), classical models of malaria transmission predict that a reduction of the sporogony time (T sp ) increases parasites fitness and aids transmission success (left). In contrast, when mosquito metabolism (and with it the associated parasite competition for mosquito resources during multiple blood meals) is also included, our model reveals a novel evolutionary scenario in which intermediate long sporogony is optimal for transmission (right). Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43810-1

The malaria parasite is a master of adaptation. To complete its life cycle, the parasite must be transmitted from a mosquito to a human and then back to a mosquito again. Over millions of years of evolution, it has adapted perfectly to these two hosts. But although we have known about the malaria cycle for over 100 years, many questions remain unanswered.

One of these questions concerns the duration that malaria parasites need to develop inside the mosquito. It is currently estimated that malaria parasites can be transmitted after an average of 12 days. However, mosquitoes are expected to live on average two weeks in nature.

Therefore, the 12 days required for their development seems counterintuitive: One would expect the parasite to be transmitted to a human as soon as possible, because every day the parasite spends in a mosquito increases the chance that the mosquito will die before the parasite is transmitted by a bite. So, what is the advantage that justifies the risk of not being transmitted?

Evolutionary compromise

Researchers of the Levashina Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin have now uncovered this advantageand created the basis for a better understanding of parasite evolution in the mosquito. They showed that parasites benefit from the mosquito's rich supply of nutrients if they stay there longer before being transmitted to a human, ultimately leading to a more successful transmission. The time at which a parasite is transmitted to a human is therefore an evolutionary trade-off between "getting fit for infection" and "leaving on time."

The paper is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Based on findings from laboratory experiments, these results were obtained by employing mathematical models. "It is virtually impossible to follow the evolution of malaria parasites in the laboratory," explains Paola Carrillo-Bustamante, first author of the study. "To study the evolutionary pressures, one would need to follow hundreds of transmission cycles: mosquito-mammal-mosquito. This is impossible for human malaria parasites."

Mathematical models capture real processes in mathematical formulae, allowing researchers to make predictions and to analyze and understand the behavior of these processes under different conditions. There are already models of malaria transmission that basically describe the life of the mosquito. However, they usually only include variables for larval development, biting behavior, reproduction and the age of the mosquitoes. These models predict the intuitive expectation that malaria parasite would evolve a short development period, which, as described above, is not the case in reality.

Optimized model

The fact that models do not fully correspond to reality is not in itself a problem, as they are always only an approximation of reality. However, if a model does not correctly represent key mechanisms, it needs to be supplemented. The researchers' task was to find the missing variable that would allow a transmission model to correctly describe the development time of the parasites. Previous studies of mosquito metabolism provided clues to the missing variable.

To develop their eggs, female mosquitoes need nutrients from the blood of mammals, this is why they bite humans. During this blood-meal, malaria parasites enter the mosquito gut, and use the same nutrients for their own development. However, a mosquito often bites more than once in its lifetime.

"Our model predicts that the parasite becomes stronger with each blood meal, so it benefits from multiple bites," says Carrillo-Bustamante. "With this crucial information, we revised the transmission model. Multiple bites take timea possible reason why the parasite waits a long time inside the mosquito to benefit from as many blood meals as possible."

More than just a syringe

Adding the new variable "metabolism," the researchers then carried out evolutionary experiments with the updated transmission model. They gave virtual parasites the opportunity to randomly change their development time in the mosquito, i.e., to mutate. They then allowed the model to run for 5,000 daysenough time for natural selection to find an optimal development time.

Regardless of whether the starting point was a short or long developmental time parasites with a development time of 12 days always got selected in the population. This evolutionary optimum can also be observed in reality. For Carrillo-Bustamante, the result indicates that existing models need to be supplemented. "Previous models have often treated the mosquito-like a syringe that transmits the malaria parasite to humans. Our study shows that the mosquito-parasite interactions must be considered in transmission models."

Malaria remains a moving target. We need to understand the disease in all its facets to develop effective countermeasures, as 250 million people still are infected with malaria every year. Accurate models of disease transmission are an important step in understanding the disease and correctly predicting future epidemics. This is particularly important in an era of changing environmental conditions, as climate change brings malaria to new regions of the world.

More information: Paola Carrillo-Bustamante et al, Evolutionary modelling indicates that mosquito metabolism shapes the life-history strategies of Plasmodium parasites, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43810-1 Journal information: Nature Communications
A Houston police car engaged in a high-speed pursuit Thursday night smashed into another car, sending five people to the hospital. Less than an hour later, a Harris County Sheriff's office pursuit led to a crash at the same the same intersection.

The first crash began around 8:30 p.m. when a Houston police officer found what looked to be a stolen vehicle, said Michael Chaney, commander of the Houston Police Departments vehicle crimes division. The officer turned on the emergency lights to stop the vehicle, but the driver of the car took off and police began the chase.

The two vehicles were headed north on Aldine-Westfield Road and traveled through a red light at the intersection at Little York Road. The officers patrol car pursued and collided with a vehicle heading east through the intersection. Two officers in the patrol car and three people inside the other vehicle were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said. The fleeing vehicle crashed into two other cars and the driver and a passenger were arrested.

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MORE ON POLICE CHASES: HPD's loose policy enables rise in high-speed chases that killed bystanders

While Houston investigators were examining the first crash, sheriffs deputies chased another car through the same intersection.

The second chase began around 8:56 p.m. when a deputy tried to conduct a stop in the 11800 block of Seven Mile Lanebecause of a traffic violation, sheriff's office spokesman Thomas Gilliland said. The vehicle didn't stop and the fleeing vehicle turned west in the 2300 block of Little York Road. The vehicle couldn't accelerate because of traffic and turned near the 11800 block of Aldine-Westfield, where it entered the scene of the Houston police investigation. The vehicle struck a vehicle from the first crash and then drove into a ditch. Deputies then detained the driver and a passenger.

It was not immediately known how fast the vehicles were traveling during the pursuit.

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Houston Police Chief Troy Finner earlier this year announced changes to the department's chase policies after a steady increase of pursuits and pursuit-related crashes, injuries and deaths over the past year.
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Life expectancy for people aged over 50 has started to fall, according to new research from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) and the International Longevity Center (ILC).

The research reveals changes to the health and life expectancy of people over 50 will have a significant impact on the economy, with a subsequent fall in healthy life expectancy resulting in more people dropping out of work earlier than anticipated.

The analysis, conducted by Les Mayhew, Professor of Statistics at Bayes and Associate Director of Global Health at ILC-UK shows:

Life expectancy for 50-year-olds is now 2.3 years less than it would have been had the long-established trend continued.

Every year of lost life expectancy lowers life spent in "good health" by 2.6 years.

A U.K. man dying at age 80 could expect to spend on average 64.5 years in good health, but if his life expectancy is only 78, he will spend less than 60 years in good health.

ILC points out that a fall in life expectancy is generally preceded by a period of ill health which can vary in length according to pre-existing health conditions, age and other factors.

Previous analysis had suggested that demographic change will drive a 2.6 million shortfall of paid workers by 2030.

Professor Les Mayhew said, "There are more of us over the age of 50 than ever before, but more of our lives are being curtailed or blighted by ill health. This is bad news for us as individuals but also for the economy.

"Avoidable ill health costs the U.K. hundreds of billions of pounds every year. An unhealthy lifestyle is strongly associated with avoidable disability and economic inactivity as well as leading to increased pressure on the NHS and dependence on social services.

"However, further stagnation in positive life expectancy trends should not be inevitable. We can get back on track with targeted support to help people make healthy choices and more investment in preventing ill health."

David Sinclair, Chief Executive, ILC, said, "Addressing the midlife health crisis needs to be a priority for Government. Twenty-five million of us are over the age of 50, so a fall in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy will have a huge economic impact.

"The health service is already struggling with the number of people waiting for treatment increasing from 2.5 million in 2010 to 7.5 million today.

"We need to prioritize prevention and give more people access to occupational health, with services provided alongside Jobcentre Plus.

"Our economy needs us to be healthy, so the Government must use tax and regulation to encourage healthy behaviors."
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Digital light processing specifications. A) Schematic illustration of the preparation of a shape-memory polymer by utilizing a liquid crystal (RM257). B) DLP 3D printing of the prepared shape-memory polymer resin. C) Digital photographs of the shape-morphing structure. D) Schematic representation of the programming steps of the 3D-printed sample: (1) heating, (2) cooling, (3) fixing to a new shape, and (4) reheating to regain the original shape. Credit: NPG Asia Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41427-023-00511-x

Shape-memory polymers or shape-shifting materials are smart materials that have gained significant attention within materials science and biomedical engineering in recent years to build smart structures and devices. Digital light processing is a vat photopolymerizationbased method with significantly faster technology to print a complete layer in a single step to create smart materials.

Fahad Alam and a team of scientists in electrical and computer engineering, and nuclear engineering at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia developed a facile and fast method to 3D print shape-memory polymer-based smart structures with a digital light printing 3D printer and custom resin.

They combined a liquid crystal (a material that can change its shape with temperature) with resin, to introduce shape-memory properties to directly 3D print thermoresponsive structureswhile avoiding the complexity of resin preparation. The team printed the structures with different geometries and measured the shape-memory response. The shape-memory polymers can be conveniently prepared for use as smart tools, toys, and meta-materials.

The paper is published in the journal NPG Asia Materials.

Shape-memory polymers

Shape-memory polymers belong to a class of dual-shape smart polymers that can undergo mechanical deformation and return to their original shape in response to environmental parameters. The shape-memory polymer recovery depends on the application of external stimuli such as heat, light, electricity, humidity, and pH changes.

Such materials are shape-shifting constructs that have gained considerable interest in recent years due to their versatility and industrial viability. The research team demonstrated 4D printing shape-memory polymers via digital light processing; a 3D printing method based on vat photopolymerization. The outcomes highlighted the suitability of 3D-printed complex structures for a variety of applications.

The custom 3-D printed structures undergo 4-D elongation and custom shape changes in an aqueous environment. Credit: Nature Asia Materials, doi: 10.1038/s41427-023-00511-x

Creating the shape-memory effect

The research team investigated the shape-memory effect of the 3D printed samples by studying the shape inducting and recovering process. The method allowed easy and high-resolution printing of intricate 3D designs. These constructs are useful across a variety of applications as flexible smart patches, size-variable mechanical tools, and deformable toys. In this work, Alam and colleagues developed a shape-memory polymer based on a liquid crystal mixed with a photocurable resin, to develop a semicrystalline polymer and described its mechanism-of-action, based on previous studies.

The team observed the internal morphology of the 3D printed cross sections with or without liquid crystals by using scanning electron microscopy. They then observed the responses of shape-memory polymers relative to their capacity to recover after load-bearing. The present work showed the influence of 3D digital light processing to create shape-memory polymers with 4D effects. The scientists quantified the shape-memory response to show the recovery angle ratio versus time.

Programming and recovery of the 3D-printed structures and the load-bearing capacity of the programmed structure. A Foldable box. B Smart packaging morphing structure. C Deformation and recovery states of 3D-printed fiber. D Load-bearing capacity of the programmed flower-shaped 3D-printed structure. E Fabrication of 3D structure showing the suitability of the method in printing 2D and 3D structures. Credit: Nature Asia Materials, doi: 10.1038/s41427-023-00511-x

Tunable mechanical properties

The researchers explored the promising applications of 3D-printed smart memory polymers. To accomplish this, Alam and colleagues determined the mechanical properties of the materials by conducting tensile tests on a dog-bone specimen, to show how the mechanical properties of printed materials can be tuned by regulating the shape of the lattice structures.

They confirmed the mechanical tunability of smart materials by conducting finite element simulations, and compared the experimental results with tensile tests from the finite element analysis. The mechanical performances of the 2D lattices observed through experiment and predicted via simulation agreed. Based on the flexibility and stretchability, Alam and team tested the samples for strain testing and for joint moving sensing applications.

To facilitate joint motion via polymer integration, the scientists applied a nano-silver-based conductive coating as an electrode, which required further optimization of the printing parameters. The scientists measured the changes in electrical resistance by stretching and compressing the structure to facilitate movement in patients.

The results of resistance measurement of the prepared lattice electrode patch showed its potential for use as a smart patch for joint-movement sensing; this can be applied to a human knee, elbow joint, artificial limb, or real limbs to sense movement. Such electrode patches can be customized to the size of the patient under easy and fast manufacturing processes.

Micrographs of the cross-section of 3D-printed samples observed under SEM. A Resin only and B LC mixed with resin. (a) and (b) are the magnified positions of the micrographs highlighted with dotted yellow lines from (A) and (B), respectively. Credit: NPG Asia Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41427-023-00511-x

Outlook

In this way, Fahad Alam and team presented a method to 3D print smart materials by first using shape-memory polymers for easy and fast manufacture through digital light processing. The scientists customized the 3D-printed objects to create structures that changed with time, this is known as 4D printing. They achieved this by combining liquid crystals with a resin, and printing it by using a commercial desktop printer. The researchers used the method to manufacture a variety of complex objects including lattice patches, foldable toys, smart packaging, and mechanical wrenches.

The scientists subjected these objects to heat, to temporarily change their shape, and for subsequent shape recovery applications. The team used tensile tests to show the adjustable nature of shape-memory polymers, to meet specific applications in biomedical engineering. Such 3D-printed lattice patches are well suited for strain sensing in joint movement applications. The researchers recorded the changes in electrical resistance from the 3D-printed smart patch to detect the movement in artificial limb joints and arms of patients.

More information: Fahad Alam et al, Swift 4D printing of thermoresponsive shape-memory polymers using vat photopolymerization, NPG Asia Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41427-023-00511-x

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Escherichia coli. Credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become a rapidly growing threat to public health. Each year, they account for more than 2.8 million infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Without new antibiotics, even common injuries and infections harbor the potential to become lethal.

Scientists are now one step closer to eliminating that threat, thanks to a Texas A&M University-led collaboration that has developed a new family of polymers capable of killing bacteria without inducing antibiotic resistance by disrupting the membrane of these microorganisms.

"The new polymers we synthesized could help fight antibiotic resistance in the future by providing antibacterial molecules that operate through a mechanism against which bacteria do not seem to develop resistance," said Dr. Quentin Michaudel, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and lead investigator in the research, published Dec. 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Working at the interface of organic chemistry and polymer science, the Michaudel Laboratory was able to synthesize the new polymer by carefully designing a positively charged molecule that can be stitched many times to form a large molecule made of the same repeating charged motif using a carefully selected catalyst called AquaMet.

According to Michaudel, that catalyst proves key, given that it has to tolerate a high concentration of charges and also be water-solublea feature he describes as uncommon for this type of process.

After achieving success, the Michaudel Lab put its polymers to the test against two main types of antibiotic-resistant bacteriaE. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)in collaboration with Dr. Jessica Schiffman's group at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While awaiting those results, the researchers also tested their polymers' toxicity against human red blood cells.

"A common issue with antibacterial polymers is a lack of selectivity between bacteria and human cells when targeting the cellular membrane," Michaudel explained. "The key is to strike a right balance between effectively inhibiting bacteria growth and killing several types of cells indiscriminately."

Michaudel credits the multidisciplinary nature of scientific innovation and the generosity of dedicated researchers across the Texas A&M campus and country as factors in his team's success in determining the perfect catalyst for their molecule assembly.

"This project was several years in the making and would not have been possible without the help of several groups, in addition to our UMass collaborators," Michaudel said.

"For instance, we had to ship some samples to the Letteri Lab at the University of Virginia to determine the length of our polymers, which required the use of an instrument that few labs in the country have. We are also tremendously grateful to [biochemistry Ph.D. candidate] Nathan Williams and Dr. Jean-Philippe Pellois here at Texas A&M, who provided their expertise in our assessment of toxicity against red blood cells."

Michaudel says the team will now focus on improving the activity of its polymers against bacteriaspecifically, their selectivity for bacterial cells versus human cellsbefore moving on to in vivo assays.

"We are in the process of synthesizing a variety of analogs with that exciting goal in mind," he said.

The team's paper features Michaudel Lab member and Texas A&M chemistry Ph.D. graduate Dr. Sarah Hancock as first author. Other key contributors from the Michaudel Lab are chemistry graduate student An Tran, postdoctoral scholar Dr. Arunava Maity and former postdoctoral scholar Dr. Nattawut Yuntawattana, who is now an assistant professor of materials science at Kasetsart University in Thailand.

More information: Sarah N. Hancock et al, Ring-opening metathesis polymerization of N -methylpyridinium-fused norbornenes to access antibacterial main-chain cationic polymers, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311396120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
From Granville Police Department: A Granville woman was allegedly struck by a truck on her way home from work on Saturday, Dec. 16. Granville Police, Granville EMS, and Granville Fire personnel investigated the scene along with the New York State Police accident reconstruction team. The original call said that a bicyclist had been hit by a truck. A news release on Tuesday, Dec. 19 said Brian Hyatt of West Pawlet, Vermont, was arrested and charged for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Other potential charges are pending as the investigation continues, according to official documents.

At about 8:15 p.m. Dec. 16, a 2023 GMC 3500 traveling in a southerly direction on North Street in the Village of Granville struck Helen Crawford while she was riding her electric bicycle home from work, the release says. Crawford was transported by air to University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington where she remains in a coma, according to her boyfriend Craig House.

Shes in a chemically induced coma and is stable. Theyre taking it one day at a time. She suffered a lot of injuries and has a broken femur, calf, neck. She suffered a cracked pelvis. She had her spleen removed, House said.

She has a lot of swelling in her brain and the doctors are waiting for the swelling to go down to see how much brain activity there is, House said.

Crawford has a 6-year-old daughter that House has been taking care of through Crawfords recovery.

We just tell her mommy is really sick and she cant see her right now, he said.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Crawford by her mother, Joanne Hackett and her stepfather, Fred Hackett II. The fundraiser can be donated to online at www.gofund.me/df11a962 and the money donated will go to her family as they are making trips back and forth from the Granville area to Burlington.

The love and support from the community has been greatly appreciated, House said.

Correction: We listed the wrong month at one point in the story. The correct month is December.
CAPE MAY  The city has settled with the last two employees who received payments from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Mayor Zack Mullock said Thursday, possibly putting a period at the end of a long and controversial process.

At issue are payments made to employees in 2020, some in the form of bonuses, totaling about $100,000.

Seven employees received payments from the fund. Some paid the money back more than a year ago.

The final two employees to settle were administrative assistant Nancy Mohan and former city employee Daniel Shustack.

City Council discussed the issue in an hourlong closed-door meeting Tuesday.

Before resolutions approving the settlements were approved by council, city attorney Christopher Gillin-Schwartz answered questions from former Council member Stacy Sheehan.

Mohan has agreed to pay the fund back more than $10,000 by the end of the year, he said, while Shustack will pay back $16,315 with a down payment, followed by 27 monthly installments of $345.

Our position is that the fund has now been made whole, Mullock said.

Cape May Council OKs payback plan for bonuses paid from housing fund CAPE MAY  Cape May will allow senior employees who received bonuses out of the citys affor

In addition to interest raised, most of the money in the affordable housing fund was raised through a fee imposed on new development in the city, based on a percentage of the assessed value.

When a new city administration took the reins in 2021, council learned of the employee payments, which current officials described as inappropriate.

As soon as this was discovered, the city immediately stopped the practice and sent the available information to our auditor, a forensic accountant, the Department of Community Affairs and Fair Share Housing (Center) to make sure there was full transparency and understanding, Mullock said. All entities, including Fair Share Housing who oversees the fund, agreed that what occurred was wrong and went against our affordable housing spending plan.

In August 2022, council approved a payback plan for the funds, with some employees using the value of accrued vacation and sick time.

There is currently $1.7 million in the fund.

Mullock said he wants to see that money go where it was intended, to increase the availability of affordable housing in the community.

Weve lost so many families, he said.

In many ways, skyrocketing rents and property values are great for a community, increasing the amount the city brings in from property taxes and indicating a strong economy.

Galloway to address affordable housing obligation GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  With a state deadline looming, providing housing for low- and middle-inc

But few can afford to raise their children in Cape May, Mullock said, compared to the cost to rent or own in other communities, and there are few affordable options for the workers who keep Cape May running to live in the city.

While close to $2 million in a city fund seems like a lot of money, Mullock said, that could mean about two lots in Cape May at the current market value. The city is working with the Cape May Housing Authority to improve and expand the subsidized housing it offers, with an eye to adding accommodations for more than 20 more families.

It would be huge if we could accomplish that, Mullock said.

The city has a legal obligation to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing, an obligation stemming from a court decision and overseen in a complicated, and sometimes arcane, series of state rules.

Lawmakers are working to retool those regulations, with the state an estimated 200,000 units short of its affordable housing goals.

Currently, New Jersey courts look to the Fair Share Housing Center, a nonprofit advocacy group, to negotiate with communities to reach settlements on affordable housing.

The housing center had called for the funds paid to city employees and had raised the potential for legal action.

There was no immediate response Thursday to an emailed request for comment from the housing center.

Ordinance changes introduced in Middle as part of affordable housing settlement MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  The Township Committee on Monday introduced an ordinance amending the town

Seven employees received payments from the citys affordable housing fund, which former employees defended as a legitimate use of the money for work performed on behalf of affordable housing. In 2021, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office informed the city there would be no charges filed in connection to the use of the funds, for what have been described as bonuses.

Mullock described the effort to return money to the housing fund as complex and said the current city government inherited the problem.

The city hopes that now we can continue to move forward in a positive direction and finally get on to what the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is actually for, building much needed affordable housing, Mullock said.
ATLANTIC CITY  The Atlantic City Housing Authority passed a recovery and action plan Thursday night that was negotiated with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development representatives during their visit last week.

HUD has given the Housing Authority six months to a year to address the issues found in a March compliance review, said authority Executive Director Tom Sahlin.

The report found the authority has not followed federal rules for years in most of its operations, including how public housing residents are chosen, how their rent is calculated and collected, and how public health and security issues are handled.

We are faced with a number of challenges, if Im being honest, that should been taken care of years ago, Sahlin said. We need to focus on what we are doing for the future.

Its been challenging for me too, but action speaks louder than words, said Stanley Holmes Village resident Diane Ruffin. You do your actions and prove us wrong (in our pessimism).

Sahlin said HUD also did a physical inspection and maintenance was tasked with immediate corrections.

We will be filing reports with before and after pictures, Sahlin said.

The agreement contains dozens of action items, with the earliest due March 31.

Public housing tenants beg City Council for action on Atlantic City Housing Authority Stanley Holmes Village tenants and advocates jeered and argued with City Council Wednesday night over its refusal to hold hearings about the lack of heat and other poor conditions in Atlantic City Housing Authority projects.

Items that must be completed first include that ACHA must:

Determine the accurate number of households on its waiting list

Review inspection results and address cited deficiencies

Review what HUD constitutes an emergency and adhere to federal procurement regulations, both for emergency and non-emergency work activities. Those that dont meet HUD rules must be paid back using non-federal funds.

Update its payment standards that determine rent amounts using rental market data and more

The vast majority of action items are due June 30, including developing an operating budget, submitting all overdue audit submissions to HUD and establishing a bank reconciliation procedure.

Board members took public comment for more than an hour, taking more time with each tenant who reported problems than they had in any previous board meeting.

Lets work together in 24 instead of bickering and arguing, said Eli Gbayee, one of two tenants who are also commissioners. Its what people want us to do. We are here to serve. It is what God wants us to do.

Sahlin said the fiscal year 2022 audit is now underway. The failure to submit it on time is what caused HUD to designate the authority troubled, officials have said.

The authority will seek an extension of time to complete the 2023 audit, Sahlin said.

The ... current auditor cannot complete 23 until they complete 22, Sahlin said.

Sen. Menendez joins call for HUD to take over Atlantic City Housing Authority Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has joined U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in calling for the federal government to take over the Atlantic City Housing Authority.

The authority also must bring the procure-to-pay process under better control, HUD said in the agreement.

This includes ensuring that goods and services are competitively bid, contracts are signed and kept ... and retaining supporting purchase requests, HUD wrote.

More than 20 residents attended the meeting, many to ask the board for help resolving problems they had not been able to fix through staff.

The six board members who attended the meeting for the first time gave residents ample time to speak, asked questions and promised to address problems by the next meeting in January.

That included Theresa McNair, who had asked City Council for help Wednesday night with getting mold removed from her Stanley Holmes unit, and with getting her hotel paid before the holiday weekend so she wont be out on the street for Christmas.

Sahlin promised to arrange her hotel payment for another week before leaving Thursday night, but said maintenance looked at her unit and found no mold.

That angered McNair, who produced photos of what she considers mold and talked about a terrible odor in her apartment.

What were doing is having an environmental consultant take air samples for your peace of mind, Sahlin said. When you have a 220-degrees hot water pipe burst in the basement, a smell from the basement comes up.

Judge orders Atlantic City Housing Authority to provide late discovery documents Superior Court Judge John C. Porto on Friday ordered the Atlantic City Housing Authority to provide all outstanding documents requested by Stanley Holmes Village tenants suing over poor conditions there within 10 days.

Sahlin also introduced the authoritys new Housing Choice (Section 8) director, Malcolm Isler.

Isler worked for the Camden and Long Branch housing authorities and is diving headfirst into a lot of lingering issues Section 8 has had over time, Sahlin said.

The authority also is hiring at least one housing inspector and budget development is underway, Sahlin said.
New Jersey mandates Holocaust education in public schools, but Egg Harbor Township High School teacher Rachel Worrall and two other South Jersey instructors wanted to do more than what the state dictates.

Worrall, Atlantic City High Schools Rhaymen Altagracia-Yunes and Cumberland County Technical Education Centers Shawn Riggins were among 12 middle and high school teachers who participated in the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous two-week summer European study program in Germany and Poland.

The purpose was to help educators who teach the Holocaust in their classrooms better connect with and share the material and topics they teach. They also gained a better understanding of antisemitism, which has been on the rise worldwide since the start of the Israel-Hamas War on Oct. 7.

I wanted to learn by walking in the steps and seeing the sights Im teaching about, Worrall said.

The Holocaust was the murder of 6 million European Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators between 1933 and the end of World War II in 1945. A recent poll in The Economist magazine said one in five young Americans think the Holocaust is a myth.

Worrall teaches two courses that deal with the Holocaust: U.S. History II, which covers World War I through today, and a yearlong, elective course on the Holocaust that is open to all seniors through which students can receive dual credits for the high school and Stockton University.

One of the most memorable moments for Worrall from the trip was a luncheon held at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland, where the teachers met Polish citizens who helped rescue Jewish people during the Holocaust.

It was so awesome to do that, how they risked their lives, Worrall said. The person at my table was a teacher, who had that in common with me.

Jewish Family Service gets $30,000 grant: Hometown briefs The Friends Foundation for the Aging has approved a $30,000 grant for Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties.

Worrall and the other teachers sat in a room in a villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee, where high-ranking Nazi Party and German government officials coordinated the implementation of the Final Solution of the Jewish Question, which was the mass killing of Jews.

Israel was created because of the aftermath of the Holocaust. There was still rampant antisemitism in Europe after the war, Worrall said. I want them (her students) to see why Israel was created.

The trip began with the group traveling to Munich, Dachau and Nuremberg, Germany, where the group explored the buildings that once housed the Nazi headquarters and documentation centers as well as the White Rose Pavement Memorial, a cobblestone replica of pamphlets paying tribute to the ones passed out by the White Rose student group that had resisted Nazi ideology.

The study program also included a historical tour of Poland and a visit to the former Warsaw ghetto, the Jewish Museum in Warsaw as well as educational expeditions through memorial sites and concentration camp vestiges, including those at Treblinka, Tykocin, Lopuchowo, Majdanek, Auschwitz I and Birkenau.

An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Altagracia-Yunes, who teaches a dual-credit high school and college course titled Perspectives on Genocide, took the European trip to enhance his teaching and overall knowledge of the Holocaust.

My lessons will be a little more authentic, Altagracia-Yunes said. I met with rescuers and survivors.

Altagracia-Yunes said he is laser-focused on having his students learn that history can repeat itself.

I want my students to be more compassionate, Altagracia-Yunes said. I want this generation to lead and make a better world.

Pleasantville woman turns 100: Hometown briefs Pleasantville resident Mary Gelene Briggs celebrated her 100th birthday Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Atlantic City High School is very diverse, Altagracia-Yunes said. A lot of his teenage students are unaware of the Holocaust.

This is what antisemitism can lead to. ... Its something I want my students to be aware of, Altagracia-Yunes said. Ultimately, I want to promote positive things for this generation going forward.

Riggins teaches Human Rights and the Holocaust, a yearlong senior elective that is partnered with Stocktons dual-credit consortium. The trip had a profound impact on his approach in the classroom.

Having actually stood in the major sites of the Holocaust adds a layer that students can appreciate. It is not just a photo from a textbook or online. I can tell students that I was there to bear witness to these locations, highlighting the importance for them to pass on what they have learned, Riggins said.

After the teachers returned from Europe, the Israel-Hamas War started, which had a discouraging impact on the rise of antisemitism worldwide, Riggins said.

In light of the recent events surrounding the Israel-Hamas War, I will continue to integrate discussions on contemporary antisemitism into my teaching, providing students with a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved, Riggins said.

The teachers were joined on the European Study Program by historian Robert Jan van Pelt, one of the worlds leading experts on the Holocaust, and Stanlee J. Stahl, executive vice president of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous.

All participants are Alfred Lerner Fellows and completed the Summer Institute for Teachers given by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous. The late Gail Rosenthal, director of the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton in Galloway Township, signed off on all three South Jersey teachers who attended, Stahl said.

Stockton scholarship to benefit Holocaust studies students A new scholarship fund at Stockton University is the legacy of a family that survived persecution and resisted occupation in World War II-era France.

One of the things the teachers understood by the end of the study program was the basics of antisemitism, Stahl said.

They know talking about (committing) genocide, whether its religious or ethnic groups, is wrong. ... It will inform their teaching, so it will not be a litany of dates, Stahl said. Our teachers know that when a group is being targeted as the other, you have to support the other, whoever the other is.
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Standing amid a crowd of people and police at the Vander Veer Botanical Park and Conservatory on Tuesday night, Luca Tegtmeier, 7, carefully looked over the plants for sale.

Davenport police and the people that were coming and going were at the conservatory for the third annual Cops and Cocoa.

Luca chose two plants he wanted, and then turned to the book table where his mother, Alexandria, was standing talking with Davenport Police Officer Kevin Carver, a member of the Community Impact Team.

We come here once a week, Alexandria Tegtmeier said, as Luca looked at the books, finally choosing one. We like to see the plants.

Cops and Cocoa was another opportunity to visit the park, look at the plants, grab a hot cocoa and cookie and talk with police, she said.

This years Cops and Cocoa was orchestrated by Allie McWilliams, Davenports Community Engagement Coordinator.

Each year this event grows, McWilliams said, adding that this year the order from Hy-Vee was 30 gallons of cocoa. Last year, there were so many people, officers had to run back to Hy-Vee for more hot cocoa.

Along with enjoying the plants and Christmas lights, the kids who attended could also meet Dawn, the police departments now retired drug-sniffing dog. There also was a section where kids could sit and color that was a big hit.

The venue also offered a great place where the children and adults could get their pictures taken with police officers who showed up between calls to greet the public.

Davenport Police Sgt. Andrew Harris, a member of the departments Community Impact Team, said the event, is a great way to showcase our incredible park decorated for Christmas, and its a chance for us as police officers to take a few minutes out of our lives and our calls for service to connect with our citizens in a positive way.

Kathy Kennedy is in town from Oregon, visiting her family in the Quad-Cities.

I think this is a great public relations thing for the police to do, she said. Were very pro-police.

Becca Kennedy said her daughter, Zelie, was disappointed the event was not held on her birthday earlier this month.

She was really disappointed when she didnt get to come for her birthday, Becca Kennedy said. That way, you get the whole Quad-Cities together for your birthday.

Nick and Logan Wissing came with their children, Rae and Ren. Nick Wissing said his wife found the event.

Shes always looking for fun stuff to do with the family, he said.

This years event was sponsored by Evolution Power Tools.

Weve been at our location for 17 years and not many people have heard of us, said company spokeswoman Nicole Slavish. The business is located in north Davenport on Research Drive.

Were just trying to give back to the community and be more actively involved, Slavish said.

Photos: Shop with Rock Island Police and Firefighters
A man accused of shooting two people at a Davenport McDonalds could serve up to 15 years in an Iowa prison because of the incident.

Xavior Malachi Chandler, 20, Davenport, must serve at least five years before being considered for release, according to court documents detailing his sentence.

Chandler shot at four people during a quarrel on July 22 at the McDonalds at 7522 Northwest Blvd., according to court records. At the time of the shooting, the four stood near the restaurants front counter. Two of them sustained gunshot wounds.

Chandler faced numerous charges because of the allegations, records state. They included four counts of attempted murder and two counts of willful injury  causing bodily injury, according to court records.

In October, he pleaded guilty to the two willful injury counts and a count each of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and dominion/control of a firearm or offensive weapon by felon, as part of an agreement with the Scott County Attorneys Office.

On Dec. 14. District Court Judge Henry W. Latham II sentenced Chandler to up to 15 years on each count, according to court records. Each sentence had a mandatory minimum: five years for the intimidation charge and three years for each of the others.

The judges ruling, though, included that Chandler would serve the four sentences at the same time rather than one after the other. He will also receive credit for time hes already served in relation to the case.

Latham dismissed the remaining charges.

Chandler also agreed to stipulate that he violated his probation in a different case, according to the plea agreement.

In that case, Chandler pleaded guilty to interference with official acts with a firearm, according to court records. He received a sentence of up to five years, but the court suspended the incarceration sentence in favor of up to two years of probation.

Latham, during the Dec. 14 hearing, revoked the probation and imposed the sentence, which Chandler must serve consecutively to the sentence in the shooting case.

Photos: Historic Downtown Davenport
A man was fatally shot late Tuesday at a gas station in west Houston. Courtesy of Metro Video Services

A Houston man on Thursday was arrested and charged with murder in connection to a fatal shooting at a Westheimer gas station in May.

Derrick Trumaine Jackquet, 27, is one of two people accused of shooting Davion Scott, 24, at the gas station at 13103 Westheimer, according to the Houston Police Department. The other man implicated in the shooting, Marquel Deshawn Ponder, 30, is still being sought by police.

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Jackquet and Ponder are accused of ambushing Scott around 11:30 p.m. May 30 as he was at a gas pump. According to court records, Jackquet and Ponder were seen on surveillance video changing into clothes that matched the men who committed the attack, which was also caught on video.

The car that the shooters emerged from, a blue Chevy Caprice in disrepair, was also registered to Ponder, according to court records.

Scott died at the scene of the shooting. He had been shot multiple times in the torso, according to police

Charges against Ponder were filed in June. Jackquet, who also goes by the nickname Parlay, was charged in November, according to court records. Jackquet was arrested by members of the HPD South Gessner Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team, according to a news release. Police didnt release more information about where or when the arrest happened.

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Jackquet has a previous robbery conviction and was currently out on bail for a forgery charge, according to court records. He was also wanted for a Dec. 4 burglary in which he was accused of following a man home from a Target store on Westheimer and forcing his way into the mans apartment.

While inside, Jackquet allegedly threatened the man and his wife and used her phone to transfer $200 to his Cashapp account, according to court records. The transaction, which was recorded on the womans phone, included Jackquets name and picture, according to court records.

Police would later use Jackquets photo from his Cashapp profile to help identify him as a suspect in Scotts shooting, according to court records.

Jackquets bond hadnt been set as of Thursday afternoon. He was being held at the Harris County Jail. Prosecutors asked for his bond on the murder charge to be set at $2 million, according to court records.

Anyone with information on Ponder's whereabouts is asked to contact the Houston Police Departments homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.
Vivek Ramaswamy is betting on an aggressive campaign schedule to build momentum into the Iowa caucuses.

The Ohio biotech entrepreneur says he's on track to visit all of Iowa's 99 counties twice before caucus day on Jan. 15. On Thursday, he made eight stops. On Friday, his campaign had nine planned.

Ramaswamy had a hopeful and cheeky answer to a supporter in Davenport who lamented recent polling and asked if Ramaswamy would consider being part of former President Donald Trump's cabinet or be his vice president if elected.

Ramaswamy said in response that he's recently been asked if he would consider selecting Trump as his vice president.

"My answer was 'Yes, I will, thank you,'" he said to laughs.

The aggressive campaign schedule hasn't yet translated to traction in state polling for the GOP race. In the most recent Des Moines Register NBC Mediacom Iowa Poll, Trump was the first choice for 51% of likely Republican caucus goers. Ramaswamy was the first choice for 5% of likely caucus goers.

Ramaswamy dismissed that polling Thursday night. He told supporters to ignore polling, claiming it undercounts his supporters that plan to be first-time caucus goers. In the Register's poll, 28% of respondents said 2024 would be their first time caucusing.

He asked the audience of about 150 to raise their hands if they'd been polled for the Republican primary in the past several months. A handful of people raised their hands.

Then, Ramaswamy asked who was planning to caucus for him on Jan. 15. Most attendees raised their hands.

"We're going to deliver a shock to the system," Ramaswamy said. "There is a shock coming on January 15...I think because I'm a new candidate with a different base of support, I think we're going to win the Iowa caucus."

He told the audience he thought the nominee needed to be someone with "fresh legs" to accomplish a conservative agenda. Ramaswamy pledged to "revive a national identity", to make deep cuts to the federal workforce, reduce spending, stop sending money to overseas wars, make voting ballots English-only, and protect farmers' property rights from eminent domain in CO2 pipeline proposals.

As soon as Ramaswamy announced in February, Vasan Purighalla, of Bettendorf, formed a group to support Ramaswamy. He called it VR1600 for Ramaswamy's initials and the address of the White House.

The members have hoped for a while now that Ramaswamy would address the Indian American community in the Quad-Cities.

So, a core group of eight, organized an event.

Owners of La Quinta Conference Center, brothers Chintan and Sney Patel, were happy to host the candidate, they said. They've never caucused before, but said Ramaswamy excites them.

"From John Deere to the medical field, there is a significant Indian population here, so we're happy that we could see a candidate that not just looks like us but also represents us in many ways," Chintan Patel said.

Chintan Patel is 37, about the same age as Ramaswamy, who's 38 and frequently references his age on the campaign trail.

Ramaswamy told the audience about his parents, who he said "came to this country 40 years ago with no money in search of opportunity."

"In a single generation, I have gone on to found multiple multi-billion dollar companies," he said, adding that he married his wife Apoorva and they are raising two sons and following their faith.

"I am worried that the American dream isn't going to exist...unless we all step up and do something about it," Ramaswamy said. "Right now, we're in the middle of a national identity crisis."

In addition to his stop at the hotel conference center, Ramaswamy stopped at the I-80 truck stop in Walcott Thursday, where he pledged to learn more about trucking regulations, and reduce unhelpful bureaucracy.

Close Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns at an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Supporters of Vivek Ramaswamy take photos during an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns Thursday, December 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. An audience member asks Vivek Ramaswamy a question about mail-in ballots at a campaign event Thursday, December 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy visits Davenport Vivek Ramaswamy spoke at an Indian American rally Thursday, December 21, 2023, at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns at an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Supporters of Vivek Ramaswamy take photos during an Indian American rally Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns Thursday, December 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport. An audience member asks Vivek Ramaswamy a question about mail-in ballots at a campaign event Thursday, December 21, 2023 at La Quinta Conference Center in Davenport.
A Davenport man faces charges after authorities accused him of fleeing a traffic stop with children in the SUV he was driving.

There are a number of charges and citations filed against Aaron T. Hayes, 33, in relation to the incident, according to Scott County court records. They include felony eluding and several misdemeanor counts of child endangerment.

The alleged criminal acts underlying the charges began during a traffic stop around 10 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the area of River Drive and Mississippi Avenue, according to court records. An Iowa State Patrol trooper stopped a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban for traveling 54 mph in a 40-mph zone in the 1600 block of East River Drive. The area was also a marked construction zone.

The driver stopped initially and a passenger got out of the Suburban, but, as the trooper approached, the driver sped away, records state.

The records did not provide further detail about the passenger who left the Suburban.

During the ensuing pursuit through southeast Davenport, the driver, allegedly Hayes, ignored traffic signals. At one point, the SUV reached a speed of 61 mph in a 25-mph zone.

The vehicle chase ended when the driver entered a dead end, but he then ran away, court records state. The trooper continued pursuing him but lost sight of the driver. Authorities then searched, including with a police dog, but did not find the driver.

Another trooper involved in the incident found a woman and five children in the SUV, records state. The children ranged in age from 2 years old to 10 years old.

Court records did not provide further detail about the children.

During the investigation, the troopers identified Hayes as the suspected driver, records state. He has ties to the Suburbans registered owner and witnesses saw him driving the vehicle earlier that night.

Hayes also matched the description of the person who ran away from Suburban, according to court records.

Hayes has a revoked license until October 2025, records state.

The Scott County courts issued a warrant for Hayes arrest on Wednesday and the Scott County Sheriffs Office served the warrant Wednesday afternoon, records state.

Hayes made his first appearance on the charges on Thursday morning, records state. His next appearance has been set for Dec. 29.

He was free Thursday afternoon after posting a $5,000 bond.

Historic photos: Cary Grant dies in Davenport Cary Grant 112986-Cary-Grant-Death-004 112986-Cary-Grant-Death-003 112986-Cary-Grant-Death-001 112986-Cary-Grant-Death-002 Quad-City Times cover on Dec. 1, 1986 Cary Grant dies 082514-qca50-Hotel Blackhawk-03 A Conservation with Cary Grant tickets Adler Theatre The Grants St. Luke's Hospital Cannes glitz and glamour An Affair to Remember Cary Grant Cary Grant Cary Grant
The president of the staff union at Black Hawk Area Special Education District is calling for the resignation of two BHASED administrators.

The two in question  BHASED director Christan Schrader and Center Principal Amy Skinner  are being accused of creating a "hostile work environment, unsafe for students and staff and practice unfair treatment of staff," BHASED staff union president Mark Buyck said in a submission to the Quad-City Times on Wednesday.

However, at least one member of the union said he is not speaking for the entire union in making these demands.

Buyck, a teacher at BHASEDs Phoenix Program in Carbon Cliff, said these demands hail from several alleged incidents  specifying one involving Skinner prior to her employment with BHASED  and claims of retaliatory behavior.

In 2019, Skinner had her Iowa teaching license temporarily suspended following an incident where she blew a breathalyzer result of .192 while on the job in the 2017-18 school year.

Upon completing the required corrective steps  per the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners  her license was reinstated roughly a year later. Skinner had no previous history of discipline regarding her teaching license.

Prior to this, Buyck said the union was already going after her for creating a hostile work environment.

He made similar claims of Schrader, who he alleges recently called a paraeducator into her office after the employee was arrested outside of school hours. The union has not disclosed the employees name as they are trying to help them keep their job.

In this meeting, Buyck said the employee was alone, without union representation.

Shes ignoring all these school codes, labor laws, and workers rights, he said. The big thing is our students deserve better. Its not safe for them or staff to be so understaffed.

But not all union members are on board with Buyck's opinions. Bree Stegall is a union member and has been a social worker in the district for 10 years. She heard about the protest and demand for resignations through rumors.

"I was really upset because we are union members and have not heard anything," she said.

Typically, if there is an issue the union board feels needs addressed, it will send out a mass email with information about holding a meeting, "instead of union members finding out through random channels and being misrepresented with their voice," she said.

In an interview with a reporter Wednesday Buyck said the union as a whole was demanding the resignation of the two administrators. Stegall said Thursday that was not true.

"They're not representing us," she said.

Her opinions about the current administration are the complete opposite of Buyck's. Stegall said she would not have stayed in the district for 10 years if she did not love her job, and said the current administration is one reason things are going so smoothly.

The accusations about a hostile work environment do not reflect her own experiences with Skinner. Stegall said as principal, Skinner is always visible to staff and often walks the hallways checking in on students and employees.

"She's able to just jump right in," Stegall said. "She's not just sitting in the office. She's part of the school community."

Buyck has accused the opposite, claiming both Schrader and Skinner are responsible for causing people to quit, saying the district is 15 paraprofessionals short already.

There are about 182 people on staff in the district, Buyck said, but nearly 100 have left in the last two years.

Stegall vouched for the high turnover rate, but felt it stemmed from the low pay paraeducators receive. She also said due to Black Hawk being a unique setting, some paraeducators don't realize they are not the right fit for the job until they are on the job.

Despite the claims against them, Schrader and Skinner have not faced any consequences related to the union's demands so far, nor have they indicated any intention to resign.

Buyck said he submitted evidence of these complaints to the BHASED Governing Board on Monday, but the board took no disciplinary action at the monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The board plans to discuss these matters at the next meeting, on Tuesday, Jan. 16, board member Gary Rowe said.

Buyck and others staged a picket  calling for Schrader and Skinner's resignation  outside of the BHASED administration building Tuesday afternoon.

While he did not speak during public comment at the meeting, Buyck said he later told a board member they needed to take action, otherwise, were going to keep protesting.

Our students deserve way better than having these two run the district, he said.

If necessary, Buyck said protests will resume on Jan. 2, once school is back in session. But, he may not have the support of his union.

Stegall is part of a Social Emotional Learning group through the Regional Office of Education in Illinois, where a survey was filled out by 100 staff members. The overwhelming majority of staff said the culture in every department was positive and people were happy with where they worked, who they worked for, and how the students were treated, she said.

"I'm not sure where this is coming from," she said of the accusations. "It just seemed to come up this year. I have no idea why. It wasn't an issue before."

Emails sent to the governing board were acknowledged Wednesday.

We are aware of the complaints raised by the president of the BHASED staff union, board president Amber Sensabaugh said in an email to the Quad-City Times on Wednesday.

We value our partnership with the union to serve the students of the BHASED community and will continue to work proactively with union leadership to address those concerns, she wrote. All matters involving BHASED employees, however, are confidential per the requirements of Illinois law. Therefore, we will not be commenting further at this time.

Schrader echoed similar sentiments, offering no additional statements at this time.

Photos: Black Hawk Area Special Education holds a drive-thru supply drop off and meet your teacher event 090320-qc-nws-bhased-001 090320-qc-nws-bhased-002 090320-qc-nws-bhased-003 090320-qc-nws-bhased-004 090320-qc-nws-bhased-005 090320-qc-nws-bhased-006
A 29-year-old Andover man died Monday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 79 between Vale and Sturgis.

South Dakota Highway Patrol said a 2003 Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling on Hwy. 79 just before 11:30 a.m. when it crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic. An approaching 2010 Peterbilt semi tried braking and steering into a ditch but was unable to avoid the crash.

The Chevrolet driver, Ethan Reasy, suffered fatal injuries. His seatbelt use is under investigation. Vernon Kuntz, 56, of Dickinson, North Dakota, was the driver of the semi. Kuntz was wearing a seatbelt.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jorge Dejesus-Cuevas received the Air and Space Commendation Medal for meritorious service as an Aerospace Ground Equipment craftsman at the worlds largest B-1B combat wing.

A native of Utuado, Puerto Rico, Dejesus-Cuevas was recently presented the award for his accomplishments while assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base from March 14, 2019 to Feb. 1, 2023.

DeJesus-Cuevas expertly prepared 332 equipment assets for mobility across four locations supporting nine worldwide taskings. Additionally, he was hand-selected to deploy in support of a Bomber Task Force to Diego Garcia, enabling power projection B-1B missions in the U.S. Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command theaters.

His technical expertise refurbished a critical generator as he repaired over 50 individual repair items for the generator. His leadership relayed that his acumen directly enabled higher headquarter missions to the Aegean Sea projecting North Atlantic Treaty Organization strike capabilities, while also enabling the successful completion of the 28th Bomb Wings flying hour program.

DeJesus-Cuevas is the son of Jorge DeJesus Maldonado, who owns and operates Cosita de Dona Lucy in Puerto Rico, and Zoraida Cuevas Velez, a care worker at a facility in Philadelphia. He is a 2014 graduate of Escuela Superior Vocacional Antonio Reyes Padilla.

He joined the Air Force in July 2018 and is an AGE craftsman by trade. Currently he is the NCO in charge of the 28th Bomb Wing Protocol Office at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories on a South Dakota News Watch and Chiesman Center for Democracy poll that surveyed 500 South Dakotans on a variety of political topics. Stories will be published weekly through mid-January.

The battle over a proposed 2024 ballot amendment that would enshrine abortion rights in the South Dakota Constitution is not currently getting majority support from either side, according to a statewide poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch.

The poll of 500 registered voters showed that 45.6% of respondents support the proposed measure, which would supersede a state abortion ban enacted when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Thats more than the 43.6% who said they oppose the change, but its within the polls margin of error of 4.5%.

Its certainly competitive, said Rick Weiland, former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and executive director of Dakotans for Health, a grassroots organization gathering signatures to put the amendment on the November 2024 ballot.

But I think once South Dakota voters understand that the trigger law theyre living under is one of the most extreme measures in the entire country, these numbers will grow exponentially.

Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, who serves as vice president of South Dakota Right to Life and co-chair of the Sioux Falls-based Life Defense Fund, viewed the results as a positive for the anti-abortion movement.

He emphasized the fact that women surveyed in the poll oppose the measure 50.2% to 40.6%, with 9.2% undecided. A majority of men, 51%, said they support the proposed amendment; 36.9% oppose it and 12% undecided.

This poll makes clear that the majority of South Dakotans do not support the extreme abortion amendment, including the majority of women who have decided to oppose it, Hansen said in an emailed statement to News Watch.

Opponents call abortion measure 'extreme'

The random survey was conducted Nov. 27-29 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy. Those interviewed were selected randomly from a telephone-matched South Dakota voter registration list that included both land line and cellphone numbers. The poll is co-sponsored by News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota.

The poll question summarized the amendment this way: During the first trimester it would prevent the state from regulating abortions. During the second trimester, the state could regulate the abortion decision, but any regulation must be reasonably related to the physical health of the mother. During the third trimester, abortion could be prohibited except if it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman, according to her physician.

Hansen has criticized the wording of the proposed amendment, saying its far more extreme than Roe v. Wade itself.

Weiland and others pushed back on that statement by saying the amendment uses the same trimester framework as Roe, the landmark 1973 ruling in which the Supreme Court held that the Constitution protected a womans right to an abortion prior to the viability of the fetus.

South Dakota under trigger law from 2005

South Dakota is currently under a 2005 state trigger law activated when the Supreme Court left it up to states to determine reproductive rights with its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The law makes it a Class 6 felony for anyone who administers to any pregnant female or prescribes or procures for any pregnant female a means for an abortion, except to save the life of the mother. South Dakota is one of 14 states whose abortion law does not include exceptions for rape and incest.

Some key takeaways from the News Watch poll:

Party lines: Democrats surveyed support the proposed amendment by a margin of 54.9% to 32.8%, with 12.3% undecided. Republicans oppose by a margin of 52.4% to 36.3%, with 11.3% undecided. For Independents/others, it was 54.6% support, 36.9% oppose, 8.5% undecided.

Age difference: The highest support of the proposed amendment (48.5%) came from the 65-plus age group, while the lowest (43.2%) came from the 50-64 age group. Support from other age groups was 47.6% from 18-34 year-olds and 45.3% from 35-49 year-olds.

Geographical splits: The most support of the proposed amendment came from East River/North (54.5%), followed by Sioux Falls Metro (46.7%), West River (41.3%) and East River/South (40.0%).

Putting abortion on the ballot

The proposed amendment reflects a national trend of progressive groups using the ballot initiative process to gain ground on abortion rights since the Supreme Court rolled back federal protections by overturning Roe v. Wade.

Election wins have come in conservative states such as Ohio, where 57% of voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2023 that ensured access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.

In Kansas, voters overwhelmingly rejected a 2022 constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Republican-led Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban abortion outright, with 59% voting against the amendment.

Petition efforts are also under way in states such as Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Nebraska to try to put the issue before voters in 2024, a presidential election year in which high turnout is expected.

Dakotans for Health needs to collect a minimum of 35,017 signatures to place the abortion constitutional amendment on the South Dakota ballot. Weiland told News Watch that his group has collected close to 50,000 signatures as it pursues a goal of 60,000 or more to ensure that ballot access isnt foiled by invalidated signatures or other technicalities. The deadline to submit signatures is May 7, 2024.

First you have to make sure that youve got something to vote on, which is what weve been focused on, said Weiland. Then theres a campaign to educate people in South Dakota about this issue. And weve already had conversations with tens of thousands of voters since we started actively circulating our petitions. You know, thats 50,000 votes in the bank.

Campaign ignites both sides

The petition drive has galvanized an equally passionate opposition movement, with anti-abortion groups wary of allowing the issue to reach the ballot. South Dakotans rejected near-total abortion bans by statewide vote in 2006 and 2008.

Life Defense Fund demonstrators, as part of their Decline to Sign campaign, have occasionally clashed with Dakotans for Health volunteers. Attorney General Marty Jackley sent a letter to Dakotans for Health on Oct. 31 saying that he had received video and photographic evidence purporting to show unattended petitions, a violation of state law, and people signing the same petition twice.

Weiland said his group trains petition circulators to follow state law and has addressed any irregularities. He said the larger issue is the harassment his volunteers have experienced at the hands of Life Defense Fund demonstrators.

Dakotans for Health successfully challenged a policy passed by the Minnehaha County Commission that imposed what a judge determined were unreasonable restrictions for petition circulators at the county administration building. A settlement was reached that removed references to a designated area for petition circulators and no longer required circulators to check in with the county auditor before engaging in political activity.

Hansen said his group is committed to campaigning against the measure because of the high-stakes nature of the abortion issue.

Life Defense Fund works every day to inform South Dakotans about the actual impacts of the abortion amendment, including legalizing late-term abortion and endangering women by banning safety regulations for most abortions, Hansen told News Watch. One thing is clear: the more people learn about the actual impacts of the extreme Abortion Amendment, the more they reject it.

Poll in 2022: Increase abortion access

In July 2022, News Watch sponsored a Mason-Dixon poll that showed statewide support for making changes to South Dakotas abortion laws.

That survey showed that a majority (57%) of respondents supported allowing legal access to abortion medications in the state.

More than three-fourths (76%) of those polled support allowing legal abortion in cases of rape and incest, an exception not currently allowed under South Dakota law.

The poll also showed that nearly 8 in 10 respondents (79%) oppose criminal penalties for anyone who helps a South Dakota resident obtain an abortion where it is legal, such as in a neighboring state.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) said they supported having a statewide referendum to determine South Dakotas laws regarding reproductive rights.

We're offering up something that the people of the United States and South Dakota had for 50 years and was taken away by the Supreme Court, Weiland said. When given a choice, we feel like people will overwhelmingly support freedom  more specifically, reproductive freedom in the context of Roe vs. Wade.
Grinches burgled and vandalized the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills office in Rapid City this month, but theyre no match for the community that has rallied to save Christmas.

In the early hours of Dec. 13, one or more people kicked in a window in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills building at 425 Kansas City Street and vandalized every room in the building. A call from the Rapid City Police Department alerted executive director Nicole Burdick that some items from the BBBS building had been found on Quincy Street.

The next stop was going to our building and seeing the vandalism that had taken place, said Audrey Nordine, associate director with BBBS Black Hills. We have a pretty large building and each area had been vandalized, from cords being ripped out of walls and our sound equipment being knocked off the wall.

The vandals shattered door frames to get into offices by using a tool of some kind, she said.

Theres lots of damaged property, Nordine said. It looked that way throughout the building. Each room had something. The items we ended up recovering  it was sort of strange the way they were all shoved into bags.

Decorations and pictures  some of which were personal items belonging to staff  were knocked off walls or were missing. New coats that had been donated for kids and their mentors had been shoved in trash bags and looked like theyd been drug through the mud.

BBBS was able to recover some items throughout the day Dec. 13 because neighboring businesses and BBBS staff were finding items at other properties nearby or in an alley. The recovered objects included food, Christmas gifts and office equipment.

Our trash can was found in front of Pillen Optical. It was full of computer monitors, web cams, coats, jackets and more of our staffs personal items, Nordine said.

At this point, its unclear whether one or more people damaged the BBBS building but it seems possible the damage was caused by more than one person, Nordine said.

Brendyn Medina, community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department, said police are following up on leads they generated from evidence from the break-in. Medina said this break-in seems to be a one-off incident that doesnt seem to have connections linking it to other local crimes.

Its a pretty heinous crime to go and burglarize a nonprofit that does what Big Brothers Big Sisters does. Obviously we want to make this a priority in trying to get to the bottom of whos responsible, Medina said. Its been one of those priority cases our detectives have been spending some time on. They have some leads.

Whoever did this made quite the mess, he said. Our officers and our detectives are always working around the clock to solve incidents in our community, and this is one of the ones well keep working on until we can find out whos responsible and hold them accountable.

A really wonderful outpouring

Whats happened since the break-in is tremendous, Nordine said.

BBBS posted on its Facebook page about the damage and some of the items lost, and the community jumped into action. By Dec. 21  a little more than a week after the crime  the BBBS office was overflowing with donations.

It was a crisis that was totally turned into the community wrapping itself around us. Were going into 2024 with lots of presents and a brighter future, she said. Weve always felt support and had good backing from the community and this is even more.

People that have been longtime supporters of us immediately contacted the executive director and said What do you need help with? Nordine said. Weve been so blessed.

Were so fortunate in that we really have had people that never donated before donate (now). Weve had our continued partners make donations (earlier than they might have otherwise), she said.

BBBS currently serves about 128 youths who have either been matched to a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor or are waiting for one. BBBS traditionally hosts its Christmas celebration with a holiday party in early January after the December hustle and bustle is over. BBBS will provide dinner and gifts for 150 to 200 kids, mentors and families at its upcoming holiday party on Jan. 9.

Its our opportunity to bless the families and circles of people we have around bigs and littles (mentors and youth), Nordine said. We like to have crafts, we serve dinner and have a good time, and we want to make sure basic needs are met. We give away brand-new coats, jackets, hats, mittens and gloves.

The communitys generosity has ensured that all the needs will be met for the holiday party guests, and every child at the party will leave with a gift.

Truly, weve had a revolving door for donations and making sure the holiday will be what we wanted it to be, she said. Weve had such an outpouring in the past week and a half that our conference room has turned into our donation room. We got so much it didnt fit in the office wed had the donations in.

Weve had really nice stuff donatedand the quality of the items that were donated was just the best. Were excited to have a big old Christmas giveaway thats bigger than we anticipated or were planning for, she said.

In addition to donations, some people have put BBBS in contact with businesses and people that can repair damage to the building. Some repairs have already been made, Nordine said.

We have people coming around doing some estimates for us to repair what happened and make our building more secure. Being in the downtown area, it will be safer for staff and families of littles and bigs that come into our building, she said. We have events, and bigs and their littles are able to come do activities and meet up. We want it to continue to be a safe space.

Its great that we own the building and were able to make those improvements with the support of our donors, Nordine said. The cool thing thats come through this is were able to put in a security system because of donors, and well be able to not only fix the damage that was done but be able to make the building better to avoid (break-ins) in the future.

Nordine said BBBS tries to keep a stockpile of new coats, hats, mittens and gloves available to meet needs year-round as new families come into the program or current BBBS kids have a need.

Our immediate needs from the break-in have been met, fortunately. However, it is giving season so financial donations are always welcomed, Nordine said.

Volunteers needed year-round

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills is affiliated with the national organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The heart of their mission is providing mentorship for kids, and volunteer mentors are always needed locally, Nordine said. Volunteer mentors must be 21 or older. Go to bigmentors.com for more information.

We really believe mentoring helps youth avoid risky behaviors, have higher educational aspirations, and it teaches them what healthy and positive relationships are, she said. We believe every child has potential and our bigs are there to help kids reach it.

We have a really high need for Big Brothers. Our ready-to-be-matched list (of little brothers) is always longer than our little sisters list and we just need men to volunteer to be Big Brothers. Were sitting at 19 ready-to-be-matched little brothers that have been waiting for a mentor, Nordine said. We have Big Sisters ready to be matched who are waiting for a little sister.

Locally, BBBS Black Hills also has a Campus Kids program for kids who are waiting to be matched with mentors. Every week during the school year, kids go to South Dakota Mines to do some type of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activity that are all led by Mines students who serve as Campus Kids leaders and mentors.

Recently, BBBS Black Hills partnered with the RCPD for a program called Bigs in Blue, and Nordine said BBBS Black Hills hopes other police departments in the area will join.

Kids who need mentors are matched with bigs who are all in law enforcement. Mentors and kids choose when to meet.

The program is to help with the idea of community policing, to break barriers and start conversations between the community and police department, Nordine said.

We would love the community to be more aware of what we do and, in the long run, grow our programs to help more littles and make more of an impact, she said. We serve kids and defend their future and their potential. We encourage people to reach out to us to see what volunteering looks like, whether thats volunteering at events or by being a mentor.
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Hidden Wit Brewing Co., a new brewery in far west Chesterfield County, started with one beer, an Irish stout aptly called: We Should Open A Brewery.

Chad Ritter, an award-winning home brewer, brewed it for a Christmas party that Butch Taylor, owner of Titan Auto & Tire in Chesterfield, was attending.

I said, Chad, this beer is really good. We should open a brewery, Taylor said.

And they did. But it took six years.

Hidden Wit Brewing Co., an upscale farmhouse-style brewery, opened in mid-November at 21110 Hull Street Road in Moseley, just past the Metro Richmond Zoo.

The 10,000-square-foot brewery offers a country-like escape with a 10-acre site including a taproom with 18 beers on tap, a dining room, full kitchen, event space and back patio with fire pits and space for kids to run and play.

It took several Richmond business owners to make Hidden Wit a reality.

Butch and Kim Taylor are the main business owners. Brad and Andrea Cooper, who own Steam Bell Beer Works in Midlothian, are also owners.

Dave Butler and Stephan Parry of the Parry Restaurant Group, the owners of Q Barbeque who were brought on to work on the restaurant, are also co-owners and investors.

And Ritter, the head brewer, and his wife, Jessica, are also owners.

The concept: a little getaway where guests can find great beer, good food and hang out with their kids and dogs.

We wanted to give people an experience like you would have at a nice restaurant in the city  only at those places, you cant bring your kids or your dog there, Ritter said.

Hidden Wit uses a 20-barrel brewing system, and Ritters brewing style is something for everyone.

I made a pledge that were going to have at least one other beer for every IPA on the menu, Ritter said of the 18 beers that are on tap.

Also, Hidden Wit focuses on craft beer with lower alcohol content.

Because of where we are, people are going to come out here and stay awhile. We wanted to make quality, flavorful beer with less alcohol. Thats going to be better for everyone, he said.

For example, many of the beers like We Should Open a Brewery have 4.2% ABV, whereas craft beer at other breweries often packs 7% ABV.

In the past, Ritter has won gold medals for his saison, pumpkin and dry stout styles. Before Hidden Wit, he was head brewer at Blind Dog Brewery in Chester, which has since closed.

Hidden Wit also serves wine from Virginia wineries such as Upper Shirley and Barboursville and craft cocktails from a full bar.

Hidden Wit tapped Jason Kane, formerly of Red Salt Steakhouse, as head chef to craft a menu of crunchy, salty, flavorful food that pairs well with beer.

Theres everything from charcuterie boards that change seasonally ($24) to a pimento cheeseburger ($18), a Nashville fried chicken sandwich ($17) and a short rib dip sandwich with pepper jam and creamy horseradish ($18).

Theres also a kids menu with chicken tenders, pigs in a blanket, pizza bread and mac n cheese ($7-$8).

Hidden Wit looks like an elegant urban farmhouse with a long covered porch and back patio overlooking an artificial turf where kids can run and play. Inside, the taproom has a big stone fireplace, seating and a large, welcoming bar with a custom-made hickory bar top.

We call this the nerve center, said Butler, referring to the wrap-around bar.

Originally, the layout was intended for a private event space opposite the taproom, but interest in the brewery has been so high, they have opened that space for regular dining and seating. Hidden Wit can seat roughly 180. That space can still be rented for private parties and events.

The journey from we should open to a brewery to actually opening Hidden Wit took six years and several turns, including setbacks due to COVID, soaring lumber prices and being so behind schedule that the brewing equipment was delivered before the building was finished.

But everything happens for a reason, Taylor said, even though the project went $1 million over budget.

Hidden Wit has already become a popular destination for surrounding suburban communities in Brandermill and Midlothian such as Magnolia Green, Hallsley and Woodlake.

At any time, youll look outside and there will be 40 to 50 kids running around here, Butler said. Were committed to the community.

PHOTOS: Hidden Wit Brewing Co.
A Chesterfield County police officer and a patient were wounded Friday morning in a shooting at Chippenham Hospital.

Richmond police said officers who were at the 7100 Jahnke Road hospital for an unrelated call at around 4:11 a.m. Friday were notified by dispatch that a shooting had occurred in the Tucker Pavilion, a mental health treatment center for children and adults. The officers responded to the clinic, where witnesses alerted them to the shooting suspect.

Police took the suspect, a 27-year-old Glen Allen man, into custody without incident, officials said.

Police said he brandished a firearm and fired several shots during an intake procedure for mental health treatment. The gunfire injured the Chesterfield officer, who police said was at the clinic for an unrelated reason, and the patient, who was in a nearby hallway.

(The suspect) was entering a room where he was disrobing and getting into a gown and then without warning starting firing his weapon, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards told reporters Friday morning.

The officer fired his service weapon to stop the threat, police said. The suspect was not injured.

Police said the injuries to both victims were not considered life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending against the suspect, police said.

The shooting comes amid a surge of gun violence in U.S. hospitals and medical centers, including one in the lobby of a New Hampshire state psychiatric hospital last month that left a security guard dead. Such recent attacks have made health care one of the fields at highest risk of workplace violence. Emergency room staffers are especially vulnerable.

In May, a VCU Medical Center employee shot and killed another staffer in a stairwell of the hospital. And in 2021, a nurse was stabbed and seriously injured at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.

Multiple Virginia hospitals this year rewrote their policies to enhance security measures at medical facilities. VCU Medical Center installed metal detectors at every entrance, and doctors requested additional armed security guards, the Richmond Times-Dispatch previously reported.

After four days of use, VCU Health staff recovered more than 50 knives and box cutters on the bodies of patients and visitors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From the Archives: Broad Street Station
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
The Richmond Police Department has released the name of the officer involved in a shooting this month on Decatur Street.

He was identified as Sgt. Cody Adams, who has been on the force for nine years.

The department in a statement said it is conducting an investigation of the incident, as is policy with all shootings involving an officer.

The shooting happened when officers at about 11:48 p.m. on Dec. 6 attempted to apprehend several wanted people who had parked a vehicle in the 3100 block of Decatur Street, police said.

As officers approached, a man in the passenger seat fired shots at Adams, who returned fire with his service gun.

A short time later, Calique Harris, 18, of Richmond, arrived at a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He was treated and released but later arrested on charges of attempted murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony relating to the incident.
Officials with the Virginia Department of Corrections are investigating after the departments mail processing unit discovered drugs concealed inside mail that was sent to an inmate inside Red Onion State Prison in Wise County.

Officials said employees on Dec. 12 found 36 strips of buprenorphine hidden inside the spine of a book that was addressed to the Red Onion inmate. The 36 strips brought the total number of confiscated parcels containing suspected drugs this year to over 100, officials said.

The Department will continue to work to prevent the entry of drugs and contraband into all facilities, fostering a safe and secure environment for both employees and inmates, VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson said.

The incident remains under investigation.

15 photos of the Richmond City Jail from The Times-Dispatch archives Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said he is dismayed to be facing substantial budget reductions for RPS under Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed budget.

Richmond Public Schools would face a $5 million reduction in its current budget and a nearly $21 million decrease in state funding for next school year. The losses are driven, in part, by the rise in Richmonds Local Composite Index calculation, which measures a localitys ability to pay and was among the most unfavorable in the state.

Statewide, the governors proposed two-year budget includes a $300 million decrease in general funds for public K-12 education compared with the current funding level.

The Youngkin administration says it is not obligated to replace one-time federal COVID allocations with ongoing state funds. Democrats assert that the Youngkin administration is using those federal funds to offset the rising cost of educating students.

The issue is how much one-time money that was included in the current budget, which expires June 30, 2024, will be available to cover the rising cost of running Virginias K-12 schools.

As part of the process of refreshing the figures for running the states schools, the administration estimated about $161 million in updated costs, while the General Assembly money committees estimated $1.3 billion.

The Department of Education implemented the funding formula as it always has, said Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter.

Rising costs are fully accounted for in the budget, along with the recognition that student enrollment is declining. The pandemic, with various Federal relief funding and the Commonwealths recent response to learning loss in the Chapter 1 budget, introduced several one-time sources of funds that needed to be weighed in determining inputs to the formula. Generally, one-time funding was treated as that  one-time funding.

Kamras said in a statement that Youngkins budget proposal fails to include any substantive new funding supporting the real needs of students across the Commonwealth and especially in places like Richmond where we have a diverse community of learners. We are doing them a disservice by not funding the infrastructure and services they need and deserve, like mental health staff supports, school construction and modernization, and additional English Learner teachers, he continued.

Kamras called on the General Assembly to amend the budget to ensure that high-need school divisions like Richmond are supported and at a minimum receive no less funding over the next two years than what it approved this year.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who hopes to succeed Youngkin as governor in 2026, criticized the governors proposal on X, formerly Twitter.

This isnt time to cut funding for our children, Stoney wrote, we need more investments to combat pandemic learning loss, crumbling school infrastructure, and make teacher salaries more competitive.

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LEESBURG  In Virginia, politics is always a year-round holiday market.

Even so, next years election cycle is looking like an extravaganza, with primaries and general elections looming for both chambers of Congress and the presidency  not to mention the contest for mayor of Richmond and the 2025 governors race, with two Democrats already jockeying for position in a primary that is 18 months away.

The political intensity is likely to be especially high here in Loudoun County, where the unexpected retirement of Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, for health reasons has triggered a Black Friday rush of candidates seeking to succeed her, including 12 Democrats and two Republicans. The field already includes five Democratic state legislators who just won elections Nov. 7 and one newcomer who just lost his first political race; a former speaker of the House of Delegates; and a former state secretary of education.

And there are less than a months worth of shopping days before early voting begins in Virginias March 5 Super Tuesday presidential primary.

Its a quick turnaround from the holiday season to election season, said Samantha Shepherd, outreach coordinator for the Loudoun Office of Elections.

Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, responded to the impending early presidential voting with one word: Wow!

The holidays are coming up and nobody is paying attention to this stuff at the moment, Rozell said. In Virginia, theres no rest for the weary in politics.

Still recovering from fall contests

Loudoun election workers are still recovering from elections on Nov. 7 that featured a 17-inch paper ballot with 79 candidates for various offices  ranging from the House of Delegates and state Senate to county school board and members of the soil and water conservation district.

In addition to the field in the 10th District, based in Loudoun and Prince William counties, next years races already include eight Republicans vying to challenge U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and five Republicans  led by former President Donald Trump  on the presidential primary ballot to run against President Joe Biden, whose primary opponents are Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and self-help writer Marianne Williamson.

Rich Anderson, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, is happy that the Senate contest will not be a repeat of the GOP gubernatorial nomination fight, decided by a disassembled convention that featured drive-thru voting during the still-raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Were going to proceed with the primary route, thank God! Anderson said.

After the presidential primary, the election schedule does not get much easier in Loudoun, with early voting beginning on May 3 for congressional and Senate primary elections. The turnaround time between the March election and June election is really small, Shepherd said in a recent interview here.

Neighboring Prince William County will have two hotly contested congressional races  one in the 10th and one in the 7th District, in which Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger decided not to seek a fourth term in order to run for governor instead.

Already a politically competitive district, the 7th, based in Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, has attracted seven Republicans  including the runner-up in the last Republican primary in 2022  and five Democrats. The Democratic field includes one recently reelected state delegate, a former delegate and candidate for lieutenant governor, a member of the Prince William Board of Supervisors, and a former National Security Council official whose testimony became evidence in Trumps first impeachment trial.

I believe voters in Virginia 10 and Virginia 7 will have a lot to consider, said Tonya James, chair of the Prince William Democratic Committee.

Theres no break, said James, who said Prince William Democrats were looking forward to supporting our incumbents until Wexton and Spanberger chose not to run for reelection.

In the 2025 contest for governor, Spanberger has already been trading political endorsements with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who also has declared his candidacy for governor. Stoney cannot run for a third term as mayor, so Richmond faces a big election in November to choose his successor and a new City Council.

Four candidates have already filed paperwork to begin fundraising for the Richmond mayoral race: Chris Hilbert, who was the 3rd District councilman from 2005 to 2021; Michelle Mosby, who represented the 9th District from 2013 to 2016 and ran for mayor in 2016; Maurice Neblett, who has a background in law enforcement and security; and Garrett Sawyer, a previous candidate for City Council.

Congressional districts in the Richmond area are less competitive than the 10th and 7th, which are both swing districts that lean Democratic.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, whose sprawling district includes parts of Hanover, Chesterfield and Henrico counties, will either face a rematch with Democrat Herb Jones or a fresh challenge from Democrat Leslie Mehta, who has not yet formally declared her candidacy, in a Republican-leaning district.

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, will defend the seat she won earlier this year in a heavily Democratic district that includes Richmond and parts of its suburbs. Republicans have not picked anyone to oppose her yet.

But an intra-party fight is brewing in the 5th District, which includes part of Hanover County as well as Louisa, Goochland and Powhatan counties. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, newly elected as chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, faces a Republican primary challenge from Sen.-elect John McGuire, R-Goochland, a delegate who won his state Senate seat eight days before he jumped into the congressional race.

McGuire has already attacked Good for being disloyal to Trump by endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the GOP presidential nomination.

Im running for Congress against Never Trump politician Bob Good, McGuire said in a Facebook post on Nov. 15. On the day our president was wrongly indicted, Bob abandoned Trump by endorsing another candidate.

Good fired back at McGuire in a recent interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Its unfortunate that one of my expected political allies would try to run a dishonest campaign and suggest that I was a never Trumper, he said, calling the accusation demonstrably false.

Virginia is for election junkies

Bob Holsworth, a veteran Richmond political analyst, said the contest for the 5th District Republican nomination is likely to be pretty competitive.

What does all of this mean for voters? Either enthusiasm, exhaustion or both, say political pundits who thrive on the hum of election campaigns.

Its clear that Virginia needs a new slogan  Virginia is for election junkies, said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Media and Leadership Studies at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg.

The reality is politics run full tilt in Virginia, Farnsworth said. Its where were talking not just about elections in the cycle to come, but about elections two years away.

During the pandemic, Democrats who then led the legislature changed the rules for voting, leading to 45 days of early voting in person or by absentee ballot, which a voter can now cast without providing an excuse. Only on Election Day itself must voters cast their ballots in their home precinct polling place, which is why Shepherd, in Loudoun, urges voters to plan ahead for how, where and when they will vote.

Its all confusing for voters, Rozell said. They face new election rules and a multiplicity of candidates for various positions at all levels of government, with dwindling sources of local news media to help them make sense of it, he said. Where are voters going to get information about all of these races and all of these candidates ... and keep it all straight?

And yet, voter turnout has gone up, not down.

If Virginia voters are not voting because theyre tired of elections, theres really no evidence, Farnsworth said.

In Loudoun, voter turnout reached 79.93% during the last presidential election, which featured what could be the same two candidates as the next one. Four years earlier, in 2016, turnout reached 76.77%.

I dont think its going to be challenging, Shepherd said of the impending election cycle. I think its going to be busy.
GRAYSON  Wanda Coleman, a resident of this county in Southwest Virginia, remembers when she was caught in chemical spraying last year from nearby Christmas tree farms.

When youre mowing the grass, you dont hear much else, she said. Then I looked up and there was a helicopter and chemicals were falling on top of me.

She said the helicopter was spraying crops of trees next to her home and that it had turned around over her property.

Candace Stevenson recalls getting caught in a drift of spray in April 2020 while taking her daughter on a walk near her home  an incident that upset the local organic farmer and inspired her to begin using testing strips to monitor nitrate levels in local streams.

Virginia farmers grow cypresses, firs, pines and spruces on more than 460 farms across the state, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Christmas trees typically take eight to 10 years to reach maturity, be harvested and end up adorning living rooms during the holidays. Until then, they are sprayed with pesticides to keep pests at bay and ensure continued growth.

While some of the tree crops in Grayson County, about 280 miles southwest of Richmond, span large swaths of mountaintops, others spread within just a few feet of residents homes. A handful of area residents have formed an advocacy coalition called Preserve Grayson, which has pressed for a state law to require advance notification and disclosure of chemicals before companies apply pesticides to the trees.

By the numbers 7: Where Virginia ranks in Christmas tree production in U.S. 460: Christmas tree farms in Virginia 10,000: Total acreage of those farms, with Grayson, Floyd, Loudoun, Culpeper and Chesterfield counties leading in size 11.6 million: Annual sales of trees in Virginia

While nitrates can commonly be found in water, higher levels could indicate the presence of pesticides  often a result of storm runoff from agricultural use nearby or chemical dumping. But locals say they are in the dark about what pesticides are being used and if the spraying is posing a public health risk.

Theyre going to do what theyve got to do, another resident who wished to remain anonymous said of Christmas tree farms using pesticides.

But the resident would like to see more precautions taken to minimize health risks  citing well water quality as a particular concern.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, wells should be tested for pesticides when significant amounts of herbicides or pesticides have been applied near your well, or if your well water is found to contain elevated nitrite or nitrate concentrations and an agricultural source is suspected.

The Virginia Household Water Quality Program is a resource to help people get their well water tested for a variety of bacteria and chemicals, but it does not specifically test for pesticides.

The well that provides the water for the residents house sits just a few feet from a Christmas tree farm where younger trees are growing on the other side of the fence, awaiting their eventual harvest years from now.

Stevenson said notification about chemicals and when pesticides will be sprayed is especially important for seniors with health concerns who spend much of their time at home, as well as for low- or fixed-income residents who lack air conditioning. Advance notice would enable them to make personal choices when they know spraying is happening, like staying indoors and closing windows. Residents with well water could monitor its quality.

We shouldnt have to be subjected to these chemicals on our private property, Stevenson said. We dont choose to live like that.

Then-Del. Jeff Campbell, R-Smyth County, introduced a bill in this years session that would have required any company using aircraft to apply pesticides west of the Blue Ridge to notify state officials seven days in advance. The company would have been required to notify the commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services about the location, date and time of the spraying and the brand or product name of the pesticide to be applied. A violation would have been subject to a civil penalty of $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for each additional offense.

Campbells bill failed to gain traction this year, but other lawmakers have signaled interest in exploring the matter.

A glaring loophole

There are no pesticide notification requirements in Virginias Pesticide Control Act. This means the tree farms in places like Grayson County do not have to notify residents when they plan to spray. Virginia law does require advance notification to homeowners associations or management companies for condominiums or apartment complexes.

Noah Sachs, an environmental law professor at the University of Richmond, calls this a glaring loophole.

He added: At apartment buildings if someone applies pesticides to the lawn, my hunch is that its mainly about the pets. Do you want your pets on the lawn right after a pesticide application? Yet here we have aerial spraying of pesticides in much higher quantities and theres no notification required.

Andrew Moore, the director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, said proposals like Campbells are unnecessary.

The association opposed Campbells bill earlier this year  arguing that seven days notification is not conducive to pest treatment and that an Environmental Protection Agency atmospheric model helps ensure precise pesticide applications.

Understaffed pharmacies in Virginia are burning out workers A CVS in Midlothian shut its drive through and stopped answer the phone, leading to a proposed fine. The state board has proposed rules to protect pharmacists, but workers worry drugstore chains will retaliate against them.

Moore also pointed out that the EPA approves pesticides for use and that the federal Food Quality Protection Act requires crop protection products be reviewed every 15 years.

Sachs of the University of Richmond said: Aerial sprayers will point to this federal law and say whats the big deal? EPA is approving these as safe. The big deal is the EPA is not anticipating the concentration of pesticides that neighbors will be exposed to.

But Moore also pointed to an organization called DriftWatch where crop producers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators can voluntarily log information to better determine which sensitive crops may be near where pesticides are being used. A few local beekeepers have registered their apiaries.

Nobody wants to be fined or damage things on nearby land, Moore said.

Even with layers of regulations and guidelines for targeted application, some Grayson County residents worry about aerial spraying up against property lines of private homes. Preserve Grayson also sent the Richmond Times-Dispatch what it termed a locally taken video of a helicopter spraying chemicals on trees near a home.

Legal action

In the summer of 2022, members of Preserve Grayson met with Southwest Virginia lawmakers, who submitted a letter to state agencies relaying their concerns.

Campbell; Dels. Israel OQuinn, R-Washington County, and Terry Kilgore, R-Scott; and Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, wrote that While the most recent statistics indicate that Virginia ranks 7th in the United States in Christmas tree production, it appears that numerous tangential issues are being created in Grayson County specifically.

The lawmakers wrote that most of the issues seem to be emanating from one corporation  Bottomley Evergreens and Farms.

They noted that while it is legal to use helicopters to deploy pesticides, it is doubtful that Virginia Code contemplated spraying at altitudes of 2,500-5,000 feet. Additionally, such altitude means these chemicals are often sprayed onto adjoining landowners homes, farms, bee hives, creeks, etcetera.

Bottomley, based in North Carolina, also operates a farm in Grayson County. The company has been cited a number of times, including being fined by North Carolinas Department of Environmental Quality for damaging mountain streams  a case later tossed during an appeal due to a signature issue. (The North Carolina agency employee who signed the paperwork assessing the fine reportedly was not authorized to do so.)

A Bottomley subsidiary in Oregon settled suits with the U.S. Department of Labor.

According to Freedom of Information Act responses that Preserve Grayson shared with The Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2021 issued $4,800 in fines for multiple violations concerning Bottomleys pesticide spraying in 2020.

When reached, a contact for Bottomley did not provide a staff member to be interviewed for this story.

The Virginia agriculture agency is responsible for inspecting pesticide use and conducting investigations based on complaints it receives to determine if pesticide applicators are complying with laws and pesticide labels. This is part of why Preserve Grayson has worked to raise awareness if neighbors see something they think might be violating law or label use.

Members of Preserve Grayson have also met with U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th, who represents Southwest Virginia, including Graysons 15,000 residents. He told The Times-Dispatch in a recent email that he believes we need to do more with targeted pest control measures.

Griffith said he plans to seek clearance for a pesticide hearing in the Oversight Subcommittee  which he chairs  of Congress Energy and Commerce Committee. He added he is worried about pesticides that the EPA has approved more recently, saying the full impacts on humans are not entirely known.

While residents like those involved in Preserve Grayson have a voice, wildlife doesnt.

Its one reason why state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, has expressed interest in reviving an effort to require advance notice of aerial spraying.

A pollinator such as a bee does so much more for us than a pretty Christmas tree in the corner of a living room, Stanley said.

Proponents say a notification law could add another layer of accountability beyond the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services authority to investigate potential violations and the voluntary resources of sites like DriftWatch.

Its unclear whether Bottomley or the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association would oppose or support such future legislation. The growers association could not be reached despite multiple attempts.

This is not about stopping spraying or pitting big corporate farms against small farms, Stanley said. Its about making sure theres advance notice. And this shouldnt be partisan.

31 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives
Virginia has awakened to a cool new railroad set under its holiday tree. It includes multiple trains to run between Washington, D.C., and stations in Henrico County and downtown Richmond. It has tracks east to Norfolk and Newport News and west to Roanoke and the New River Valley and maybe Bristol.

The set even includes tracks to run fast trains from Richmond to Raleigh, North Carolina, a state capital-to-capital connection that would take about 75 minutes less time than it does now.

Sounds swell, but now Virginia has to assemble it all so the trains reach their destination on time.

That is a very accurate representation, said DJ Stadtler, executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

Stadtler is a former Amtrak executive whose job is to lead the vision to reality for passenger rail travel in Virginia. The idea is to give commuters and other travelers an alternative to driving on Interstate 95 and to give the state a better option than spending $12 billion to widen the interstate between Washington and Richmond, only to find the traffic no better when the work is done 10 years later.

Its going to take time, with service expected to become almost hourly between Amtraks Staples Mill Road Station in Henrico and Union Station in Washington by 2030. In the meantime, the authority is expanding train service when it can, with additional trains already running to Norfolk and Roanoke, and two more expected to begin service in 2026, with both running between Richmond and Washington, and one extending to Newport News.

Were getting people off the roads and we are setting ridership records, Stadtler said.

But it all depends on building a new bridge across the Potomac River for passenger rail, instead of sharing a 119-year-old span with freight trains and commuter trains run by the Virginia Railway Express. Without eliminating that bottleneck, Virginia will not have enough capacity to add train service to and from Washington to the system.

The Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative is picking up speed with two contracts that the authoritys board of directors awarded this month to build critical portions of the $4.4 billion project.

One will construct a fourth track from the new rail bridge to the LEnfant Metro Station in Washington, the busiest transit station for commuters on the Virginia Railway Express. That means crossing the Washington Channel, along the redeveloped waterfront where the Anacostia River flows into the Potomac, and heavily traveled roadways such as Maine Avenue, Ohio Drive and Interstate 395 in a bustling part of D.C. That is expected to be done in 2030.

The other will build a 1.8-mile rail bypass that crosses over the existing railroad tracks at Franconia-Springfield in Fairfax County to link to the new bridge on the up-river side of the old Long Bridge. Completion is scheduled in 2026.

At the same time, the authority will release a request for qualifications in early February for prospective contractors to build the new passenger rail bridge across the Potomac, with another new bridge for bicyclists and other pedestrians. Both bridges must also cross over the George Washington Parkway, another heavily traveled commuter route on the south side of the river.

The project also includes construction of a fourth track six miles from the new bridge to south of the Amtrak station in Alexandria. That work is expected to be completed in 2026.

Separately, the authority is working with CSX Corp. to add a third track along six sections of the line between Springfield and Ashland to help manage the flow of passenger and freight train traffic. Work on three segments, including one in Hanover County, is scheduled to be done in 2026, and the other three in 2030.

The whole package is already fully funded as part of rail agreements signed in 2021 by Virginia, Amtrak and CSX Corp., which sold the state 350 miles of railroad right of way and 225 miles of existing track. The federal government this month gave the state an additional $729 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to fill a funding gap that had opened because of higher costs and lower-than-expected highway toll revenue on Interstate 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richmond to Raleigh

At the same time, the federal government awarded $1.1 billion to North Carolina to build a new passenger rail track 18 miles from Raleigh to Wake Forest, North Carolina, to eventually link with a new rail line from Richmond to just south of the state border.

That money will not be spent in Virginia, but the authority will be plenty busy using a $58 million federal rail grant that the state and North Carolina received last year to plan the new track that will eventually allow higher speed passenger rail  running up to 110 mph instead of just over 70 mph  to significantly cut the time of rail travel between the capitals.

People have asked about the schedule; people have asked about the cost, Stadtler said. We have no idea.

They expect to know more soon because they are launching a procurement process in late January to hire consultants to study each of six segments of the project on 90 miles of abandoned track from Richmond to the Ettrick Amtrak Station near Petersburg along the Interstate 85 corridor to North Carolina.

The second section of the project might be the most challenging  about 20 miles from Bellwood in Chesterfield County to Petersburg, which includes a one-track bridge across the Appomattox River.

We have to either enhance the current Appomattox River Bridge or add another one, Stadtler said.

The project requires reclamation of abandoned rail right of way along the old S-Line, which CSX sold to Virginia as part of the rail deal. Stadtler said that where the abandoned tracks end, all-terrain vehicles have already made a clear trail ahead. Then there are horseshoe pits, swing sets, firepits and other amenities that have popped up on the abandoned rail right of way.

There are a lot of conversations were going to have to have, he said.

But in the end, probably sometime in the next decade, Stadtler said a completed rail line between Richmond and Raleigh will be worth it for travelers.

This Richmond-to-Raleigh line is a great opportunity to get more people onto trains because it takes time off the schedule, he said. It gets you there faster.

From the Archives: Broad Street Station
Cancun begins issuing new Tourist Cards for non-local drivers

Cancun, Q.R.  Tourist cards for non-local drivers have begun being distributed through car rental agencies of Cancun. The tourist driver card allows non-local drivers two driving infraction warnings.

Drivers who incur minor infractions will be given a warning rather than a fine. The cards, which are digital, are assigned to the rental vehicle driver, which is also where the infractions are kept track.

On the tourist card release day, 5,000 were distributed to established vehicle rental companies in Cancun by the Car Rental Association.

Cancun Mayor, Ana Paty Peralta held a press conference with Alma Elena Reynoso Zambrano, City Councilor and President of the Association of Car Rental Companies and Rodrigo Alcazar, the General Director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo).

The implementation of the tourist card will reduce complaints received from tourists who visit us in this city and, above all, maintain a good image of Cancun so that tourists return to their places of origin with the perception that Cancun is a city that takes care of them in addition to providing them with excellent quality service, Reynoso Zambrano said.

The issuance of the card is also to help combat transit police corruption that has been known to take place with out-of-town drivers.

The idea is that when a tourist arrives and rents a car, they are given this card. It has two courtesy fines for non-serious offenses. The card has a QR code that links the driver to the municipal traffic regulations in different languages, Rodrigo Alcazar explained at the press conference.

The tourist card is kept inside the rental vehicle.

He said some of the more common sense infractions that will not be forgiven include non-disabled people parking in disabled spaces, driving under the influence of alcohol and accidents that involve third party damage.

Cancun Mayor Ana Paty Peralta clarified that the program is only for Cancun travelers who commit traffic violations considered not serious. She explained that those traveling with a rented car will receive up to two courtesy warnings.

She also said the tourist card will inhibit any act of corruption, a conduct that is not tolerated by public servants in her government.

We are going to continue strengthening this leading tourist destination. Although we have good numbers, we have to always continue putting ourselves at the forefront. We are a destination that is in high competitiveness at the Central American, Caribbean and global level, she added.

Non-local drivers with the card will be granted two warnings for minor driving infractions.

During the press conference, Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia said the goal is to establish the card as a public policy in all of the states 11 municipalities. The Tourist Card that is currently in effect in Cancun is in coordination with the Association of Vehicle Rental Companies of Quintana Roo.

Cancun is the first municipality to have the card. This card is a spearhead to work against the fight against corruption among tourists so they feel protected, which will be managed through the rental companies, he said.

The cards are issued only by established rental companies to avoid piracy. They are outfitted with a QR code so that drivers can consult the Municipal Traffic Regulations first in English. The cards also include the contact information of consuls and diplomatic representatives in the city of Cancun.
Three to stand trial for attempted murder of Cancun man and minor

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun judge has determined three people will stand trial for the attempted murder of two city residents. Their charges stem from a December 2 incident at a construction site in SM 233.

After being notified that someone was stealing material from a house they were building, all three arrived at the SM 233 location. Upon arrival, one of them began shooting. A man and a minor were injured.

In a statement by the State Attorney Generals Office, Jhonson Eduardo N, Nelson Jonathan N and Nancy N have been charged with attempted homicide. All three allegedly participated in the events that occurred on December 2 of this year when they went aboard a truck to a house they were building in Superblock 233 of Cancun since they had supposedly been warned that a neighbor was stealing materials from them.

Upon arriving at the scene, without saying a word, one of them fired a firearm at one of the victims causing injuries. The bullets also hit a minor who was at the scene.

A Cancun judge issued an arrest warrant against Jhonson Eduardo N, Nelson Jonathan N and Nancy N, which was executed Wednesday. Their trials are set to begin in four months.
The man who prosecutors say helped facilitate a murder in southwest Roanoke last winter was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison.

Kirtleys mother testified during Bergers sentencing hearing in Roanoke Circuit Court Tuesday that all of Kirtleys loved ones are fighting with this loss.

He wasnt perfect, but he wasnt a bad person. He had a whole family to love him, she said.

Chief Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John McNeil said Tuesday that Berger was clearly a principal in this, referencing the scheme that killed Kirtley on February 12, 2022.

On that day, according to evidence presented at Bergers plea hearing in July, three females invited Kirtley to an apartment in the 1200 block of Jefferson Street Southwest.

Later, Berger was also invited to bring marijuana to the residence. When he arrived, he saw Kirtley, who he understood had beef with another man, Jaytwon T. Shepherd.

Berger notified Shepherd, picked Shepherd up and drove him to the Jefferson Street apartment. There, when one of the females opened the door for Berger, Shepherd rushed into the kitchen, where he found and shot Kirtley.

Police said Kirtley died later at the hospital, and Berger was arrested the next day, according to court records. Shepherd was arrested in North Carolina about three months later.

Shepherd was sentenced in June to an 18-year active prison term for second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Bergers attorney, Tony Anderson, asked the court Tuesday to consider Bergers cooperation with investigators and kindness toward other Roanoke City Adult Detention Center inmates.

He got caught playing childish games with real-world, adult consequences, Anderson said, arguing that Berger is worthy of the chance to become a productive member of society.

Berger apologized to Kirtleys family Tuesday. He said being involved in the shooting was the biggest mistake hes ever made.

You ended a life, Judge Christopher Clemens said. You were right in the middle of it.

The judge said Berger needs to decide whether to be a child or the type of man that makes up for the life that was taken.

You have to be twice the man, Clemens said.

The judge sentenced Berger to 30 years in prison, suspended after he serves nine. Once released, Berger will be placed on supervised probation for five years.
Human remains found in Galax last year have been identified as a 5-year-old boy, who went missing 20 years ago and whose mother was convicted in connection with his death.

Logan Nathaniel Bowmans remains were located Sept. 6, 2022, in the wooded area of Iron Ridge Road, the Carroll County Sheriffs Office said in a press release Thursday.

An investigation found that the remains had been at that location for an extended period of time, the sheriffs office said.

The agency sought help from Othram Inc., a private Texas-based forensic genetics company that was able to develop a full DNA profile for the remains. Othram used two direct DNA comparisons of family members to identify the remains as Bowmans.

The sheriffs office said Bowman went missing from Grayson County in January 2003. His biological mother, Cynthia Davis, and her then-boyfriend, Dennis Schermerhorn, were charged that year in connection with Logans disappearance.

The Roanoke Times reported in April 2004 that Davis had pleaded guilty to three felony charges, including two counts of child neglect and one count of murder. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The following June, Schermerhorn was sentenced to one year in jail on one felony count of simple child neglect. A judge dropped a murder charge and a neglect charge against him.

But the Carroll County Sheriffs Office said Thursday that their investigation is still ongoing, with new charges anticipated.

The sheriffs office said the following agencies and departments have assisted with the case: the Grayson County Sheriffs Office, Virginia State Police, Virginia probation and parole, the Galax Police Department, the Virginia medical examiners office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the United States Secret Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Cheatham Street Flats, an apartment complex at 401 S. Guadalupe St. in San Marcos, is under contract with the SH130 Municipal Management District No. 1. The entity will become the owner of the building and exempt it from property taxes under an arrangement with the building's current owners who will lease the property back and pay the management district a percentage of its property tax savings annually. Cheatham Street Flats is shown on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer This property at 7000 Gilbert Rd. in Austin is slated for development. The Travis County property was once owned by the president of the SH130 Municipal Management District. It is now tax-exempt. Google Earth

This spring, alarmed by the havoc an obscure Austin-area public management district had been able to sow on the property tax collections of communities across the state, Texas lawmakers passed new rules to rein it in.

With no accountability to any publicly elected body, the Texas Essential Housing Public Facility Corp. had quietly arranged hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property tax breaks for private developers outside its own tiny jurisdiction. Local officials often had no idea they were losing the money.

The developers designated some units as affordable, but the rules were loose. And because tax breaks granted one property owner must be made up by others, locals who had no say in the deals had to cover the lost revenue. Texas Essential Housing, meanwhile, collected millions in fees from developers who benefited from not having to pay the taxes.

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After a Hearst Newspapers investigation publicized the deals, legislators overhauled them, adding a new rule specifically prohibiting the little-understood entities from operating outside their own boundaries. For Texas Essential Housing  a poster child for what critics called a runaway system that was costing the government big money for little in return  that appeared to mean it could now work only inside its home base, about 1,000 acres of mostly empty land southeast of Austin.

Yet thats not what happened.

Before the new rules went into effect, Texas Essential Housing went on a real estate acquisition spree, snapping up hundreds of millions of dollars worth of apartment complexes across the state. Several have been removed from the tax rolls. Others are in the process of being exempted from their tax bills, appraisers said.

After the new law went into effect, the organization has continued making tax-break deals for properties outside its own boundaries by using an aggressive interpretation of state law. Representatives of Texas Essential Housing said they have three newly signed contracts and others in the works, all for tax-free housing outside its physical location near the Austin airport.

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Chairman Mike Krusee, a former state representative, said the organization had listened to its critics and learned from past missteps. In exchange for the property tax breaks it continues to arrange, he said the organization is now committed to providing meaningful affordable housing, especially for teachers and other school employees; and to working only with communities that understand and approve of the deals.

Using a new "doing business as" name  Texas Workforce Housing Foundation  Krusee said it had already set aside millions of dollars to directly subsidize educator housing, as well. Any profits will be used to pay for more affordable opportunities, he said.

Not everyone is convinced by Texas Essential Housings rebranding.

As executive director of a similar-sounding regional affordable housing agency representing six central Texas counties, Mark Mayfield said the close resemblance between his Texas Housing Foundation and Texas Essential Housings new name  Texas Workforce Housing Foundation  may not be a coincidence.

More from Eric Dexheimer: Voting lawsuit upends election results  and maybe political balance  in Loving County, Texas

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Theres a lot of confusion, and its frustrating, he said. It hinders the entire effort of a bona fide organization such as ours from doing our work. Mayfield said that after receiving calls from perplexed local officials being approached by Krusees renamed organization, his foundation sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding it not use the near-identical name.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and housing experts who only months earlier worked to limit entities such as Texas Essential Housing from erasing tax revenue in far-flung places said the organization appeared to be dodging the clear purpose of the new law.

Our intent was they didnt operate outside their district, said Rep. Gary Gates, a Houston Republican. Ive been shocked at how creative these guys have gotten.

Lawmakers enabled the deals in 2015

Most affordable housing is built by the private sector. The ongoing dispute highlights the tug of war Texas policymakers must play in trying to balance enough public perks to entice developers to provide meaningful affordable housing without giving away the taxpayer store.

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In response to the new rules for public facility corporations, affordable housing developers already have discovered new cracks in similar programs that offer generous taxpayer subsidies for questionable public benefits, said Heather Way, a University of Texas School of Law professor who studies affordable housing. Some have arranged tax breaks outside their boundaries.

Its Whac-A-Mole, said Way. There are all these different loopholes. You close up one and developers move to the next.

Texas Essential Housing said it was responding to the huge and growing number of state residents struggling to pay for shelter, in particular public employees whose salaries havent kept pace with rising rents. Krusee said lawmakers should be supporting its innovation, not poking holes in it.

Its more than reasonable to expect that our legislators would welcome a private sector initiative to tackle our housing crisis, rather than pushing more onerous government red tape that will only exacerbate the problem, he wrote in a statement.

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State lawmakers opened the floodgates to the deals arranged by Texas Essential Housing. In 2015, a single sentence grafted onto a dense finance bill in the closing days of the legislative session created the lucrative new tax break in exchange for modest affordable housing concessions. Even its author seemed unclear on how it would work.

The deals depend on the governments status as a non-taxpayer. A public entity such as a local housing authority creates a spinoff called a public facility corporation, or PFC. Typically working with private developers, the PFC acquires title to an existing, or yet-to-be-built multifamily project, then leases the property back to the developer long-term. Although the public finance corporation keeps only a fraction of the ownership, the project skips taxes because it is considered government property.

In a 2020 study, UTs Way calculated the deals saved large multifamily project developers $2 million a year on tax bills, for up to 99 years. She also found local communities werent getting much affordable housing in exchange. The tax-free apartments often cost about the same as market-rate units.

Not only was the public benefit dubious; some deals subverted local control. A public facility corporation based in one part of the state could team up with a developer hundreds of miles away to zero out the property tax bill of a large apartment complex without ever informing the elected local officials who needed the money to pay for police and fire protection, classrooms and road repairs.

The PFC tool has been misused; its been misused on a grand scale, said Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican who sponsored several bills to throttle the deals. Its preposterously bad public policy.

Texas Essential Housing checked several unpopular boxes. The government agency that created it, SH130 Municipal Management District, has no popularly elected leaders. Texas Essential Housing arranged the affordable housing deals, for which it collected millions in fees, exclusively outside its boundaries, removing properties from paying taxes in nearby Williamson and Hays counties, but also in San Antonio.

Why is it Bexar County residents are being asked to shoulder the tax burden for an organization in Travis County? Conry Davidson, an attorney for the Bexar Appraisal District, said last year.

PROP 4 PASSES: Texas voters overwhelmingly back property tax cuts, boosting retired teacher pay

A Bettencourt bill that would have eliminated Texas Essential Housing by dissolving the sponsoring SH130 district failed to pass. (State ethics filings show the district retained more than a dozen lobbyists during the session.) But lawmakers enacted a series of reforms designed to ensure local residents would get more for their lost-property tax money in affordable housing.

The new rules required developers who receive the tax break to set aside more affordable units at deeper discounts. They mandated greater transparency of the deals such as periodic compliance audits; and required that a certain amount of money be spent on rehabbing existing complexes.

They also included one other seemingly clear provision: To preserve local control over property taxes and housing policy, public facility corporations could operate only inside the boundaries of the sponsor.

'Can't get it through their heads'

As the legislature closed out its work, that left time to make last-minute deals under the old rules.

Appraisal records show Texas Essential Housing closed nearly 20 in May and June, in Williamson, Travis, Harris, Bexar and Tarrant counties. Appraisers said so far about a third had been granted tax exemptions. (Williamson County has refused to make four newly acquired properties tax-free, arguing the projects showed no clear public benefit, among other reasons. Texas Essential Housing said it would appeal.)

In a statement, a Texas Essential Housing spokesman said it operated within existing laws and pointed out that other public facility corporations closed multiple last-minute deals to beat the new restrictions, as well. It said it may apply the new stricter rules to some of the properties.

After the new law went into effect in mid-June, Texas Essential Housing said it overhauled its business model, including adopting the Texas Workforce Housing Foundation name, to become a responsible nonprofit developer of affordable housing. In addition to providing low-cost housing, it said it will create funds for local school employees to tap to further subsidize their rent.

In recent months it has pitched numerous school boards on the deals. The legal theory is that if a school district  a communitys largest property taxing entity  agrees to work with Texas Workforce Housing, the organization can legally continue to make tax-break deals across the state. It has signed deals with three Austin-area school districts, with others in the works.

The theory is interesting, Way said. But a ridiculous argument. She said there was no Texas statute that allowed the organization to obtain tax breaks across the state. In fact, with the new law, Way said, the opposite is true.

She pointed out local tax-funded governments that stand to lose millions  cities, counties and special districts  still are being left out of the decision to remove property from the tax roll.
RICHMONDThe relatively quiet weather of the last few days continues through the weekend and into the start of Christmas Day. Some rain may move in during the afternoon on Christmas, but it will be far too warm to support snow  even in the western highlands and the New River Valley.

A weak system glides by to the north of Virginia to start this weekend, returning clouds for Saturday, but a stronger storm spiraling in the Plains on Christmas Day will push light rain into Southwest Virginia later in the afternoon.

That area of rain will be weakening as it moves into Virginia, outrunning the center of the storm lagging behind it, but the core of the storm will catch up on Tuesday, bringing a second surge of occasional rain statewide on Tuesday.

Rain totals with the system Tuesday will average between a half-inch and an inch, continuing to work gradually on easing the drought, then a cooler period will follow that lasts into the first of the new year.

Brutal cold is not ahead, but more of a persistent chill will follow for New Years weekend and the first few days of 2024, where temperatures are more consistently 5 to 10 degrees below normal.

This puts afternoons more consistently in the 40s and daybreak temperatures in the 20s, both of which have been less common than normal this month. So far in December, Roanoke has averaged 2.4 degrees warmer than normal.

The colder pattern that follows Christmas also means the average position of the jet stream will be farther south than the last few weeks, suggesting the general storm track will also be farther south.

And that means the odds go up for snow.

Aside from occasional snow showers in the counties along the West Virginia state line during the middle of next week, no significant snow is ahead until after the new year.

But if you want to look for something to follow, circle the calendar for a few days after New Years. Much of the data suggests a storm taking shape between January 3-5 near the Gulf Coast and moving in the direction of Virginia.

Temperatures during that stretch appear to be bordering near the freezing mark, suggesting all precipitation types are on the meteorological table  snow, rain, and ice.

Considering that the storm is more than a week from even forming, it is too soon to make any promises about what ultimately happens in Virginia, but for snow lovers looking for something to cling to in the coming week, it is the only substantial signal in the forecasting noise.

For those who like to follow weather model data, remember that in addition to a specific computer model, there are different permutations of those models, called ensembles, that meteorologists use to help make these medium range forecasts.

Among 80 of these permutations, only 11 of them suggest accumulating snow is ahead with that storm. It is not a question of which one is right or wrong, but when we see clusters of these permutations pointing toward a similar idea, forecast confidence in a particular outcome, like accumulating snow, gets stronger.

But at 11 out of 80, its just not there. At least not yet.
LYNCHBURG  Framatome, already a major employer in the Lynchburg region, plans to create 515 new jobs as part of a nearly $50 million expansion of its plant here. The company intends for the modernization to meet an increased demand for servicing nuclear power plants and developing solutions for advanced and small modular reactors.

Thank you for providing thousands of jobs to Virginians and thank you for believing and underpinning the future of nuclear power not just in the United States, not just in France, but around the world, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said during a Dec. 14 announcement at the Old Forest Road facility.

Kathy Williams, CEO of Framatome North America, said Lynchburg is home to more than 1,300 members of the companys North America workforce.

With over 2,200 employees in North America, Framatome has a social responsibility to be active in our communities, cultivating relationships and partnerships that enhance the lives of our people and our neighbors, she said. The impact of our employees compassion and their generosity can be felt in these neighborhoods where we and our customers live, work and play.

This year, Framatome contributed more than $345,000 and volunteered for countless hours of community service directly assisting and aiding more than 250 organizations, she said.

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, more than 90 gigawatts of new nuclear power is required over the next quarter century, Williams said, which is the amount of energy it would take to power about half the homes in the entire U.S. for a year.

So, the growth opportunities are incredible. And we plan to be a part of it because of this urgent demand for new safe, reliable sources of nuclear energy, she said. Expansion and modernization of our Lynchburg facilities is vital and necessary to our continued service to the nuclear market.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Lynchburg to secure the project for Virginia, as it competed with North Carolina and Pennsylvania for the jobs. Youngkin approved a $5 million grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to assist Lynchburg with this project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new, full-time jobs created, as well as benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Support for Framatomes job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the governors administration and the Virginia General Assembly.

Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a companys unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

The city of Lynchburg is incredibly proud to stand here today to support Framatome at this moment in the companys history, City Manager Wynter Benda said. One of our oldest and most impactful corporate citizens, Framatomes investments in the city of Lynchburg cement our position as a leading nuclear technology hub in the United States. Framatomes steadfast commitment to their employees, their dedication to innovation and excellence, and their active involvement in the Lynchburg community are more than commendable, they are transformative.

Marjette Upshur, director of economic development and tourism for the city, said she has been fortunate over the years to collaborate and work alongside Framatome and has witnessed firsthand its remarkable innovations and advancements in the nuclear sector and their commitment to their employees.

Youngkin said there needs to be more nuclear power along with wind and solar power as well as more carbon and hydrogen innovation.

We need all of the above because it secures reliable, affordable and increasingly clean power for the future. And we are building that future right here in one of the worlds leading nuclear energy hubs in Lynchburg, Virginia. Companies like Framatome are at the heart of the entire nuclear industry, he said.

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick encouraged those looking for jobs associated with the expansion to visit nuclearcareers.com.

There you will discover a lot of opportunities here at Framatome and youll also discover the Nuclear Technology Academy, which is a remarkable partnership with the Central Virginia Community College, she said. Framatome is known for being forward looking, innovative, best in class, operational excellence. Those are attributes that resonate with our governor who is working every day to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Youngkin said the expansion was a collaboration between organizations including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Lynchburg Economic Authority, Lynchburg City Council, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and the Department of Energy.

This is about teamwork and when we all work together with great companies like Framatome, days like today become reality, he said.

He added Virginia has its highest labor participation in 12 years with nearly 233,000 Virginians working today that were not working two years ago.

Lynchburg City Mayor Stephanie Reed said this historic investment will shape the future of the community and leave a lasting impact on the nuclear industry.

This expansion represents a pivotal moment in our history, one that will bring about positive changes and opportunities for all residents, she said. The collaboration between Framatome, our local government, our colleges, universities and workforce partners, and the Commonwealth of Virginia underscores our commitment to fostering an environment conducive to growth, innovation and economic prosperity.

She said the nuclear industry, with its advancements in technology and commitment to sustainability plays a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape of the future.

This expansion will not only create job opportunities for a skilled workforce, but will also attract and cultivate talent from across the region and the nation establishing our city as a beacon of progress and developments, she said.
This may seem strange to anyone born in Ireland in the last couple of decades, but older people will remember the restrictions imposed during the Second World War, when many goods were rationed. This rationing continued after the war ended in 1945 as the global supply chain recovered, and ended altogether in December 1951.

If you couldnt get rationed items, a thriving black market allowed you to buy them at very inflated prices. Opportunistic behaviour by some merchants built them huge fortunes, and indeed their greed created further shortages as goods were diverted to this black economy. Wars always bring out the worst in people, allowing avarice to triumph over any notion of doing what is right.

Let me digress a little with a small geography lesson. The River Danube flows from Germanys Black Forest region to the Black Sea north of Constanta in Romania. The last 100 km spreads out into a shallow delta, but commercial navigation is facilitated by the huge Danube Canal that carries shipping from Cernavoda to Constanta Port, bypassing the Delta. Cargo moves along this canal and the Danube River in barges of 3,000 tonne capacity, grouped in convoys of six.

These barges travel upriver to landlocked countries like Austria and Hungary, and also via the Main-Danube Canal into the River Main and onwards via the Rhine to Rotterdam. So, there is a waterway that carries cargo all the way across Europe between Constanta on the Black Sea and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, two of the worlds largest ports. Its not something many people give a lot of thought to, but it is an important part of Europes transport network.

A few weeks ago I had some business in a town about fifty kilometres south of Constanta. Before travelling down there, I called a Romanian friend in Constanta and he came along with me for the drive. As we drove under the bridge carrying the main motorway to Constanta Port, I noticed several trucks stopped on the overpass above us. As we came closer I could see that there was a queue of trucks, about 3 kilometres or more long, heading for the port. I asked him about it, and he explained that this is a round the clock operation, with convoys of trucks bringing grain the 200 km by road from Izmail in Ukraine to Constanta Port for transhipment to Rotterdam and Europe, and via ships on the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and North Africa. The blockade by Russia of Ukrainian ports is being worked around by an army of truckers, ensuring the grain harvest reaches its export markets.

So, the next time an animal feed merchant tells you that theres a scarcity of grain arising from the war in Ukraine, maybe you should ask them if theyre sure about that.
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CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
FLORENCE, S.C.  A juvenile faces a lengthy list of charges in connection with the Dec. 9 crash at the intersection of Kershaw and Gaillard streets that killed two people.

Through further investigation and witness assistance, officers located a male juvenile that was alleged to have been driving the at-fault vehicle (stolen truck). It is alleged that the juvenile driver had been able to exit the crashed truck and fled the scene before public safety arrived, according to the Florence Police Department.

The juvenile is charged with two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of hit and run resulting in death, hit and run of an attended vehicle, driving without a South Carolina drivers license, disregarding a stop sign and possession of a stolen truck.

Many thanks to our community for sharing crucial information that helped us bring light to this tragic situation, Capt. Stephen Starling wrote in a media advisory.

The crash happened at 9 p.m. when the pickup ran a stop sign and collided with a Ford Flex and then hit a utility pole, Starling said.

When officers arrived, they found the pickup on its roof with one occupant still in it and another on the street, removed by bystanders.

Florence firefighters worked to extricate the second person in the pickup. Both pickup occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, Starling said.

Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken identified the victims as Tylik Charles, 14, and Ameria Dava Grant, 16, both of Florence.

The occupants of the Flex were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Today, our hearts weigh heavy with grief as we mourn the untimely loss of precious teenagers within our community. Their lives were cut short, and we stand together in sorrow, grappling with the pain that accompanies such tragedy, said Isaac Wiilson III, Florence County Democratic Party chairman.

In times like these, it is paramount that we draw strength from each other, offering support and solidarity. We must channel our collective grief into a shared commitment to create environments and resources for our youth, Wilson said. Let us those resources, advocate for change, and working tirelessly to dismantle the systemic issues that contribute to such heart-wrenching losses.

Investigation into the crash continues, according to the police.
The Port of Singapore, a major global shipping hub, remains unaffected by the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi militants, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

However, the agency is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist ships facing delays due to route diversions.

Should the disruption be protracted and ships schedules increasingly impacted, MPA and partners in the Port of Singapore stand ready to assist ships calling in Singapore to catch up on their schedules and facilitate cargo movements, the MPA said in a statement to Channel News Asia.

The unrest in the Red Sea has prompted major container shipping companies like Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM to reroute their vessels away from the Suez Canal, a critical trade artery connecting Europe and North America with Asia.This detour around the Cape of Good Hope adds significant sailing time, potentially impacting global supply chains.

Concurrently, some oil companies are also temporarily halting shipments through the Red Sea, the MPA noted,highlighting the potential economic ramifications of the ongoing conflict. It estimates that 10 to 15 percent of global trade and 30 percent of container trade transits the Suez Canal annually.

While Singapores own port operations remain unaffected, the MPA has advised Singapore-flagged vessels traversing the Red Sea to review their security plans and implement necessary risk mitigation measures. The agency confirmed that it hasnt received any requests for assistance from these ships at this time.

The Houthi attacks, attributed to their retaliation against Israels actions in Gaza, have escalated concerns about regional security and maritime safety. In response, the United States has assembled a 10-nation coalition, including Britain, France, Bahrain, and Italy, to address the escalating situation.

The continued turmoil in the Red Sea underscores the potential for wider economic disruptions, highlighting the need for a swift and effective resolution to ensure the safe flow of essential goods and commodities through this vital trade route.
SAC CITY, Iowa  A $2,000 reward fund has been established to help find missing Wall Lake trucker David Schultz.

United Cajun Navy Midwest team leader Jake Rowley announced the reward fund in a Facebook post Thursday.

"The Schultz family and United Cajun Navy, along with Sac County Crime Stoppers, Sac County Sheriff's Office, Lake View Police Department, and The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, are joining forces to find David Schultz," the post said. "We extend our gratitude to law enforcement agencies and volunteers who've come together in the search for David. Businesses and individuals, your contributions can make a significant impact. Let's amplify our efforts by increasing the current reward of $2,000our goal is to add a zero to that number!"

Last month, Schultz, 53, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His red Peterbilt semi with white stripes was found the afternoon of Nov. 21 parked in the middle of the northbound lane of County Road N-14, not far from where it intersects with D-15 in northeastern Sac County. The truck was shut off, the lights were off and the key was in the ignition. The trailer Schultz rents was loaded with pigs, but he was nowhere to be found on that stretch of paved roadway, which is flanked by cornfields.

Sac County Sheriff's deputies found Schultz's wallet and cellphone inside the truck. A towel, cellphone charger and pocketknife were with his coat on the opposite side of the road.

Since Schultz went missing, the United Cajun Navy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit, and volunteers have scoured more than 100,000 acres in and around Sac County.

Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure told The Journal on Dec. 14 he's confident his office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will eventually solve the case. He said investigators "haven't ruled anything out."

"We're going to run this out until we just can't run it anymore, until we can either find out what happened to David or where he's at and bring him home and give some answers," McClure said.

Schultz's wife, Sarah, has repeatedly called her husband's disappearance "suspicious" and said, "This is not something David would do. He would never leave. His family is his life."

Anyone with information about Schultz's disappearance is encouraged to call the Sac County Sheriff's Office at 712-662-7127 or email Brown@Saccountyiowa.gov.

Donations to the reward fund can be made payable to Sac County Crime Stoppers. Checks can be mailed to or dropped off at Iowa State Bank, 500 Audubon St. Sac City, IA 50583.
Harris County election workers accept paper ballots and voting machines at NRG Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Harris County elections

Regarding 'Twas the Night Before Elections,' the ballad of Teneshia Hudspeth (Editorial), (Dec. 19): The state Legislature accomplished something that the leftist progressive Harris County leadership could not: putting the job of running elections in the experienced hands of elected officials, County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth and Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett. My Senate Bill 1750 replaced the failed office of election administration through a bipartisan vote.

You can imagine my dismay and disgust when I read Republican mischief had set quite a trap, insinuating that, once again, Republican leaders are somehow responsible for past Harris County election issues or plotting a future takeover. Nothing is further from the truth, and the editorial board knows that, as they reached out for an interview.

It wasnt Republicans who failed to report 10,000 votes in the last primary or failed to supply enough ballot paper during the general election; it was appointed Harris County elections administrators. The boards poetic diatribe about Republicans and their intentions is simply not true.

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Way back in the legislative session, I quipped from the Senate floor during a statewide sorority visit that Clerk Hudspeth would make a better elections administrator as I had hoped for a successful Houston election in 2023. After the passage of my two bills, SB 1750 and Senate Bill 1933, with Reps. Briscoe Cain and Tom Oliverson as House sponsors, that is what occurred with Hudspeths and Bennetts offices hard work.

I have lost hope that the board will consistently and factually state what actually occurred: that Republican leadership, with a bipartisan vote, put elected Democrats back in charge of Harris County elections to restore the public trust in elections. Until they do, I will no longer respond to any board requests.

Paul Bettencourt, Texas state senator, District 7

Trump accountability

Regarding Trump barred from Colorado ballot  now what? (Dec. 21) Determined not to be upstaged by Icelands erupting volcano, Donald Trump spews his own brand of toxic gas into the atmosphere, darkening the skies and heating up the political climate. Meanwhile, our judiciary ponders the seismic consequences of applying Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

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So here we are, back to the same question. Are we a nation of laws? Do we apply a reasonable and clearly articulated constitutional standard  the Constitution being that thing presidents swear to uphold  that prohibits someone who tried to overthrow the government from serving in said government? Or do we let it slide, yet again, allowing this reality-resistant man-child to continue crying it out, subjecting our country to his ongoing tantrum about witch hunts and stolen elections?

Like an unwanted White Elephant gift, the responsibility for holding this impeached and indicted ex-president accountable has been passed around from politician to politician. At the same time, his many criminal cases grind slowly through the courts, delayed by lawyers keenly aware that his arguments tend to fail spectacularly under the slightest legal scrutiny.

I see the point of those who say Trump should be defeated at the ballot box, not in the courts. But that also suggests he should not be subject to our laws, our Constitution, our reality. It reinforces a precedent already set and helped along by a Fascist-curious, civically ignorant base. This hot potato keeps getting hotter. And were running out of hands.

Robert Campbell, Katy

Energy transition

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Regarding Texas economy could suffer from fighting climate change, but fossil fuel execs offer a false choice, (Dec. 20): Whats good for Houstons economy is speeding up the energy transition. We are gaining jobs in renewable energy at a rate that makes up for our losses in fossil fuel jobs. We would gain the most jobs in Houston if we lead the energy transition. With decisive action to lead in the energy transition, Houston could gain up to 560,000 new jobs the Greater Houston Partnership wrote in Houston Leading the Energy Transition.

Everyone can agree that enacting the Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation would speed it up.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A Sioux City man convicted of entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C., is seeking an early termination of his probation because he believes he was unlawfully sentenced.

Kenneth Rader's attorney cited an August federal appeals court ruling in which the court ruled that prison, plus probation, is not an available sentence for petty misdemeanor charges like the one to which Rader pleaded guilty.

"In other words, Mr. Rader's sentence of incarceration plus a term of probation is an unlawful sentence ...," his attorney, federal public defender Brad Hansen, said in the motion, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington.

No hearings on the motion have been scheduled.

Rader, 55, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building and was sentenced in September 2022 to 90 days in jail, plus three years' probation and $500 restitution to help offset damage to the Capitol. Three other charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

He has completed his prison sentence and started probation a year ago, committing a handful of violations that resulted in an order to complete community service.

In a North Carolina case similar to Rader's, the appeals court ruled an insurrectionist who also received a prison term plus probation could not be sentenced to both under federal sentencing laws.

Rader was among the hundreds of supporters of former president Donald Trump to protest the results of the November 2020 election in which Joe Biden defeated Trump. The mob gathered outside the Capitol before breaking into the building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the electoral college results declaring Biden the winner.

Within 90 seconds of the mob's breaching of the Capitol doors, Rader, wearing a blue "Trump 2020" hoodie, was among the first wave to enter the building. Once inside, he stopped near the Senate wing door and watched, picking up pieces of glass and plaster as souvenirs before exiting the building three minutes later.

Video played at Rader's sentencing hearing showed him cheering on fellow rioters and following them up the Capitol steps. Once back outside, he recorded a video of himself, saying, "Everyone thought we were joking. ... This is what you call serious."

Rader has said he believes the election was stolen from Trump, but he knew what he did was wrong.

"I regret that I allowed my emotions to dictate my mind and my rational self," he said in an interview with the Journal after his sentencing. "I regret going inside."

The FBI arrested Rader in Sioux City on Jan. 20, 2022, months after a family member had tipped off agents to his participation in the insurrection.
SIOUX CITY  Farmland prices in Northwest Iowa were mixed over the past year, according to annual Iowa State University data, with some counties posting modest price increases and others seeing their land values decline slightly.

Northwest Iowa has the highest per-acre farmland prices in the state. Farmland in Sioux County and Plymouth County has set eye-popping records over the past year or two. In November 2022, a farm in Sioux County netted $30,000 per acre at auction. The month before that, a plot of rich farmland in Plymouth County brought in $26,250 an acre when the hammer fell, which was a record until it was topped by the Sioux County sale.

"One of the things that pushes the price up there is the high demand for land for some of the livestock operations," said Rabail Chandio, author of the ISU survey and an assistant professor of economics.

"We also have some very high-quality ground," she added. "Some of the reasons we see like the record-high sales that are even north of $25,000 an acre, that sometimes is due to this type of reason -- for livestock purposes, you need a plot very, very near, and if something opens up, you're very willing to bid for it."

In the aggregate, farmland across Iowa's 99 counties increased in value by an average of 3.7 percent, or $424 per acre, during the past year, reaching a new high of $11,835 per acre as of November 2023, according to the ISU land value survey. This was a subdued price increase compared to recent years -- in 2022, the state's farmland went up by 17 percent over the year prior. In 2021, farmland prices shot up 29 percent.

"During COVID, we had very, very high increases in land values," Chandio said.

2023 planting season A farmer pulls a planter through a field along County Road C-66 north of Pierson, Iowa on May 4.

Prices vary by location. Farmland in some Northwest Iowa counties is worth more than twice as much as land in south-central Iowa.

In the counties that saw price declines, they were generally small -- an average acre in Clay County is worth $56 less than it was a year ago, while in Buena Vista County, the per-acre value went down by an estimated $61.

"As long as it's less than 2 percent, it's a very slight decrease. It's not really a fall in land values per se," Chandio said. "But the reason we're seeing even the small decrease is because, when land values were increasing, the northern areas experienced very, very high increases. Some counties were as much as 25 percent increase in land values. So, we have to bring that back to some of the market norm. So we're beginning to see a very slightly decline in the northwest, and overall in Iowa it's pretty much a stable-ish kind of value, not really declining just yet."

Statewide, an estimated 24 percent of land that was sold during the past year was purchased by investors, half of whom were local and half of whom were not, according to the survey; 69 percent of the farmland sold in the state during the year went to existing, local farmers, and 4 percent was sold to new farmers.

Foreign buyers don't have much influence on the price of Iowa farmland, Chandio said. U.S. investors, on the other hand, "definitely are a player in the market," she said.

"Less than 2 percent of all farmland in Iowa has some foreign interest," she said. "So, that's a very small factor. Foreign ownership is not really a major concern in Iowa's market."

Seven Northwest Iowa counties saw a modest uptick in prices, according to the survey:

Sioux County has the highest per-acre farmland prices in the state. The average per-acre price increased $5, to $16,521, in 2023, compared to $16,516 in 2022.

Plymouth County average price per acre of farmland is $15,214, compared to $14,965 a year ago;

Woodbury County average price per acre is $11,597, compared to $11,230 a year ago;

Monona County average price per acre is $11,253, compared to $10,887 a year ago;

Ida County average price per acre is $13,736, compared to $13,512 a year ago;

Sac County average price per acre is $14,425, compared to $14,397 a year ago;

Cherokee County average price per acre is $14,162, compared to $14,140 a year ago.

Six Northwest Iowa counties saw their farmland prices decline slightly:

O'Brien County's average farmland price per acre is $16,313, compared to $16,531 a year ago. O'Brien County has the second-highest prices in the state, behind only neighboring Sioux County.

Buena Vista County average price per acre is $14,648, compared to $14,709 a year ago;

Clay County average price per acre is $13,887, compared to $13,943 a year ago;

Dickinson County average price per acre is $13,159, compared to $13,334 a year ago;

Osceola County average price per acre is $14,170, compared to $14,360 a year ago;

Lyon County average price per acre is $15,352, compared to $15,557 a year ago.
PRAGUE (AP)  A lone gunman opened fire Thursday in a university building in downtown Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republics worst mass shooting, police and the citys rescue service said.

The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He didn't explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He didn't elaborate.

Later Thursday, Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his 2-month-old daughter Dec. 15, in the east of Prague.

The chief described the shooter as an excellent student with no criminal record, but didn't provide any other information.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it wasn't clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

The building where the shooting took place is near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town. It is just a few minutes' walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

There's no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Rakusan said.

It's a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, he said.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency. President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Jean-Pierre said. On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government planned to meet later Thursday for an emergency session to discuss the shooting.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.

On Thursday, where tourists, students and others would normally be enjoying the view of the iconic monument, chaos and terror instead took hold. Police vehicles and ambulances sped across the bridge with their sirens wailing. Officers sealed off the empty square.

Some video footage showed people being evacuated from the building and others trying to hide behind a wall.

Ivo Havranek, a diving instructor, said he was near the building when he heard a shot ring out, but he didn't quite believe that was what he had heard.

Only at the moment when I saw the fully equipped riot police with bulletproof vests and shields, it looked to me that I had found myself in a movie," Havranek said. "But it was obvious that nobody was shooting a movie."

___

Associated Press video journalist Stanislav Hodina in Prague and writer Zeke Miller in Washington, D.C., contributed.
TACOMA, Wash.  A jury has cleared three Washington state police officers of all criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained face down on a Tacoma sidewalk as he pleaded for breath.

Two of the officers  Matthew Collins, 40, and Christopher Burbank, 38  had been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, while Timothy Rankine, 34, was charged with manslaughter. The jury found the three not guilty on all counts.

There was a gasp from the gallery when the first not-guilty verdict was read. Rankine sat forward in his seat and wiped his eyes, while Collins hugged his lawyer.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement that he was grateful for the jury, the court and his legal team for their extraordinary hard work and dedication.

I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them, he said.

The Ellis family immediately left the courtroom and planned to speak at a news conference later. The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability said in a statement that the not guilty verdict is further proof the system is broken, failing the very people it should be serving.

Roger Rogoff, director of the states recently created Office of Independent Investigations, which is tasked with investigating police shootings, said he did not want to comment directly on the verdict but expressed sympathy for the Ellis family.

I continue to have empathy and sympathy for the family of Manny Ellis, Rogoff said. Anybody who loses a child in that way, its tragic, and theyre living with that forever. My heart and our offices heart goes out to them. I also am aware that the law enforcement officers involved are also impacted significantly, and so I am glad that the trial is over for all people involved.

The Pierce County medical examiner ruled Ellis death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation, but lawyers for the officers said a high level of methamphetamine in Ellis system and a heart irregularity were to blame.

Witnesses  one of whom yelled for the officers to stop attacking Ellis  and a doorbell surveillance camera captured video of parts of the encounter the night of March 3, 2020. The video showed Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as Burbank shot a Taser at his chest and Collins wrapped an arm around his neck from behind.

The officers later told investigators that Ellis attacked them and was violent. Witnesses testified that they saw no such thing.

When I saw Manuel not doing anything, and him get attacked like that, it wasnt right, witness Sara McDowell, 26, said at trial. Id never seen police do anything like that. It was the worst thing Ive ever seen. It was scary. It wasnt OK.

Collins testified that he lamented Ellis death but wouldnt have done anything differently. He said he never heard Ellis say, repeatedly, that he couldnt breathe, and he maintained that Ellis started the confrontation by lifting Collins off the ground and throwing him onto his back, something no other witness reported seeing.

Another officer, Rankine, called Ellis death a tragedy. He was pressing his knees into Ellis back when Ellis pleaded for breath.

The only response at that point that I could think of is, If you can talk to me, you can still breathe, Rankine said in testimony.

Ellis death became a touchstone for racial justice demonstrators in the Pacific Northwest, but it also coincided with the first U.S. outbreak of COVID-19 at a nursing home in nearby Kirkland and did not garner the attention that the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis did nearly three months later.

The trial, which lasted more than two months, was the first under a 5-year-old state law designed to make it easier to prosecute police accused of wrongfully using deadly force.

Ellis was walking home with doughnuts from a 7-Eleven when he passed a patrol car stopped at a red light, with Collins and Burbank inside.

After what witnesses said appeared to be a brief conversation between Ellis and the officers, Burbank, in the passenger seat, threw open his door, knocking Ellis down. The officers, both white, tackled and punched Ellis, with one stunning him with a Taser as the other held him in a neck restraint.

Among the many other officers who responded was Rankine, who arrived after Ellis was already handcuffed face-down and knelt on the mans upper back as he pleaded for breath.

Video captured Ellis addressing the officers as sir while telling them he couldnt breathe. One officer is heard responding, Shut the (expletive) up, man.

Read more:
Today is Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Let's get caught up.

Keep scrolling for celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history. Plus, give our daily news podcast a listen:

Here's a preview of today's top stories:

Holiday weather across the country

Shooting in Prague kills 14, wounds 25

Border talks continue

UN delays vote on Gaza aid

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers agree to $325 million deal

Earliest Mickey Mouse will soon be public domain

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What stores are open and closed on Christmas Eve? See hours for Walmart, CVS, Costco and more

Christmas Eve is almost here. But before running out the door for some last-minute gifts or final tree trimmings ahead of Santa's visit, you might want to double-check the hours of the stores you're headed to.

Business closings on Christmas Eve are less common than those on Christmas Day, but many large chains still cut back hours or close up shop early for the coming holiday. Operations can also vary by location. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules for your neighborhood spots online.

Here's a rundown of Christmas Eve hours for major stores across the U.S. in 2023.

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MORE TOP STORIES

Most Americans won't see a white Christmas

Although parts of the Rockies and Midwest already have snow or could get a fresh dusting by Monday, other parts of the country that are normally coated in white this time of year are still sporting their drab late-fall look.

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Top US officials to visit Mexico for border talks

A delegation of top U.S. officials is expected to visit Mexico soon as negotiations over how to enforce immigration rules at the two countries' shared border continue on Capitol Hill.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are debating border policy changes as part of a larger conversation over U.S. assistance for Ukraine and Israel, which are top foreign policy priorities for the White House.

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3 foreign nationals are among the wounded in a Prague university shooting that saw 14 killed

Three foreign nationals were among 25 wounded after a student opened fire at a university in the Czech capital, Prague, killing 14 people, authorities said Friday. The mass shooting was one of the Czech Republics worst attacks in recent years.

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Prized pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto agrees with Dodgers on $325 million deal

Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports.

Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last week.

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UN again delays vote on watered-down Gaza aid resolution

The U.N. Security Council on Thursday again delayed a vote on a watered-down resolution to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza  a revision backed by the United States, while other countries support a stronger text that would include the now eliminated call for the urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The revised draft resolution was discussed behind closed doors for over an hour by council members not long after it was circulated. Because there were significant changes, many said they needed to consult their capitals before a vote, which is now expected Friday.

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Vatican prosecutor appeals verdict in financial trial

The Vaticans chief prosecutor has appealed a court verdict that largely dismantled his theory of a grand conspiracy to defraud the Holy See of millions of euros but found a cardinal guilty of embezzlement.

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MORNING LISTEN

This week marked the official start of winter, arguably the most polarizing season of all. While some enjoy the spirit of the holidays, others bemoan the short, cold days. While some love the sight of fresh snow on the ground, others dread having to break out the the snow shovels and ice scrapers again.

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TRENDING TOPICS

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TODAY IN HISTORY

Today in history: Dec. 22 In 2016, President-elect Donald Trump named close adviser Kellyanne Conway as his White House counselor and former Republican National Committ

Today in sports history: Dec. 22 In 2013, Peyton Manning finishes 32 for 51 for 400 yards and four touchdown passes to set the single season touchdown mark in Denvers 37-13 w

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TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS

Celebrity Birthdays: Dec. 22 Casper Ruud Chris Carmack Diane Sawyer Dina Meyer Hector Elizondo Jordin Sparks Lauralee Bell Logan Huffman Lori McKenna Luther Luke Campbell Meghan Trainor Michael Bacon Paul Wolfowitz Ralph Fiennes Rick Nielsen Steve Carlton Steve Garvey Ted Cruz
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday defended his administration's controversial decision this week to not apply for federal summer grocery aid for low-income families.

The state's Department of Health and Human Services notified the Legislature this week that the state does not intend to participate in Summer EBT, a new federal program that would give $120 in EBT benefits to students who receive free or reduced-price lunch at school.

The program would provide about $18 million in benefits to be distributed to about 150,000 low-income children in Nebraska who experience food insecurity in the summer months. The state, which has until Jan. 1 to apply for the aid, would have to foot about $300,000 annually in administrative costs.

However, HHS is continuing its participation in the federal Summer Food Service Program, which reimburses operators who serve free, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens at summer sites in low-income communities and also offers programming, a spokesman said.

The department's decision not to seek the federal aid has drawn pushback from state lawmakers, 15 of whom sent a letter to HHS on Tuesday urging officials to reconsider their decision.

But Pillen, the first-year Republican governor who leads the executive branch, indicated he is not reconsidering the choice to eschew the federal aid and said the Summer Food Service Program  not the Summer EBT program  is the best route to ensure that Nebraska's low-income children don't go hungry this summer.

"In the end, I fundamentally believe that we solve the problem, and I don't believe in welfare," he told the Journal Star on Friday. "And so we're solving the problem. We're taking care of the kids. And we're doing it in a way that the best value is created and we take care of the kids.

"And we have the kids out. We have the kids out and engaged within the community  that's really important. That's important for all kids. Especially kids in difficult circumstances."

Pillen's deference to the longstanding Summer Food Service Program is largely due to the programming that comes with the U.S. Department of Agriculture program, which includes reading, physical activity and nutrition education.

"We're gonna take care of every one of these kids through the summer, feeding them," he said. "We just want to make sure that they're out. They're at church camps. They're at schools. They're at 4-H. And we'll take care of them at all of the places that they're at, so that they're out amongst (other people) and not feeding a welfare system with food at home."

The governor's defense of his administration's decision comes two days after a bipartisan group of lawmakers  including Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, who Pillen appointed to the Legislature in April  urged HHS to consider participating in the program, which they said would both ensure that Nebraska addresses the needs of its vulnerable children and benefit the state economically.

Ive said this before, if kids go hungry in our state, that is a massive failure on our part as legislators, Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, who led the effort, said in a statement Wednesday. Deciding not to participate in this program is a message to Nebraskans that their representatives are out of touch with their very real, very immediate needs."

Day was joined in the letter by Bosn, Eliot Bostar, George Dungan, Jane Raybould and Danielle Conrad, all of Lincoln, Jana Hughes of Seward, Machaela Cavanaugh, John Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Tony Vargas, Terrell McKinney and John Fredrickson, all of Omaha, Lynn Walz of Fremont and Carol Blood of Bellevue.

The decision not to apply for the grocery aid also prompted Nebraska Appleseed, a justice nonprofit that focuses in part on child welfare, to launch a petition urging Pillen to reconsider. The online petition, launched Thursday, had gathered nearly 1,200 signatures as of Friday afternoon.

Paul Feilmann, an activist from Omaha who has previously advocated for prison reform by protesting in front of the Governor's Mansion, announced Thursday that he would participate in an eight-day vigil outside the mansion starting Friday.

Feilmann plans to protest outside from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 29 to urge Pillen to apply for the federal aid by the Jan. 1 deadline, he said.

Pillen, though, said Friday that he thinks 100% of people would agree with his stance if they "really understood the whole process," casting the Summer EBT program as a holdover from pandemic-era aid offered by the federal government.

He said he hadn't talked with any of the 15 state senators who had signed the letter urging HHS officials to reverse their decision, though he said he respects their decision to speak out.

"But most people don't understand the other side of the story," Pillen said. "They're just saying, 'We should be getting that money.' When everybody understands what goes on and how important it is that we have the kids within (the) community and being a part of places during the summer.

"And that we're feeding them better than the pandemic program. No, we don't have to do both (programs)."

Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023
ANAMOSA  Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley continued her criticism of her former boss and current GOP front-runner, while taking former President Donald Trumps side in a Colorado ruling blocking him from the states primary ballot

Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, stopped in Anamosa on Thursday for a town hall as she wrapped up a five-day campaign swing through Iowa with less than a month to go to the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses in the leadoff nominating state.

Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd of about 100 people, Haley blasted Trump for praising and quoting authoritarian leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

She also condemned Trump for remarks this fall criticizing Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and referring to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, as very smart.

Haley said Trump causes too much chaos to be successful in a second White House term. She said she believes Trump was the right president at the right time in 2016 but that the time is now right for a new generational conservative leader that puts the negativity and the baggage behind.

We have a country to save. But in order to save them, we've got to acknowledge some hard truths, she told the crowd. Republicans have lost the last seven out of eight popular votes for president. That is nothing to be proud of. We should want to win the majority of Americans.

Trumps support among likely Iowa GOP caucusgoers tops 50 percent, according to two leading polls, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a distant second place, at 19 percent, following by Haley at 16 percent.

Haley, however, touted a Wall Street Journal poll earlier this month that showed her beating Biden head-to-head by 17 points and showed her in second in early state primaries.

I don't think it would be good for President Trump to be president. I think most people know that, the former South Carolina governor said, dismissing media narratives about Trumps stranglehold on the Republican Party.

I trust the American people. I don't trust what the media is saying is going to happen, she said. We just got one more fellow to catch up to and everybody knows whether you like him or not  four more years of chaos we won't survive.

Immigration

Speaking to The Gazette afterward, Haley also chided Trump for telling a crowd of supporters in Waterloo earlier this week that immigrants coming to the U.S. illegally were "destroying the blood" of the country, echoing words used by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

We need to secure the border, Haley said. We need to do that by defunding sanctuary cities, by getting more Border Patrol and ICE agents on the ground, by going back to Remain in Mexico, by doing catch-and-deport.  That kind of rhetoric doesnt do anyone any good, and its harmful and its unnecessary.

Attack ad

Haley also called out political action committees supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Trump for attacks accusing Haley of changing her stance on a gas tax while governor of South Carolina.

An ad paid for by Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC supporting Trumps campaign, makes a misleading claim that Haley as governor of South Carolina supported a gas-tax hike.

Haley opposed a stand-alone gas tax increase as governor. In 2015, she proposed raising the gas tax only if the state reduced income tax rates from 7 percent to 5 percent. The plan died in the state legislature and gas taxes were not increased during her time as governor.

Ill just say this, if these fellas have to lie about me to win, then they dont deserve to win, Haley said.

She called out DeSantis for co-sponsoring a bill in Congress to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard critical to Iowas ethanol and biofuels industry, and argued Trump endorsed the idea of a 25 cent-per-gallon gas tax increase in 2018.

I'm getting it from all angles. And that's OK. That means we're surging, Haley said during the town hall.

Voters, not Colorado court, should decide on Trump

Haley said it is completely wrong to have judges deciding who can and cannot be on the presidential primary ballot.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision Tuesday that Trump is disqualified from appearing on the state's primary ballot in 2024 because of the 14th Amendment, which bars certain officials from holding office again if they "have engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.

Look, I don't think President Trump should be president, Haley responded to a question about the courts decision during the town hall. I think I should be president. I think that would be good for the country. Having said that, I will defeat him fair and square. No judges need to decide who can and can't be on the ballot. That is completely wrong.

Voter thoughts

Payton Feldmann, of Cascade, will caucus for the first time this January. The 17-year-old, who will turn 18 before Election Day, said hes undecided, but will most likely support Haley.

Because shes the most calm, cool and collected candidate that doesnt bash people, Feldmann said.

Tracey Groy, 58, of Dubuque, said, I think Trump has so many supporters, but so many haters.

Groy said she supported Trump in 2016 but plans to caucus for Haley.

I think he did well in the four years (he served as president), Groy said. But hes not the right person now, echoing Haley of the chaos and drama that surrounds Trump.

Shes a woman. She has experience with foreign policy. She takes a stand, and I think she takes the right stand, Groy said, particularly on abortion.

Haley has said the U.S. Supreme Court was right to hand the issue back to the states, but has urged Republicans against pushing for a national ban with little chance of passing Congress.

Instead, she has spoken broadly about sensitivity and finding national consensus on banning late-term abortions, encouraging adoption, making contraception more accessible and not jailing women who receive an abortion.

She just needs to keep doing what shes doing, Groy said. Tell us what shes going to do. Dont bad-mouth the other candidates. Stick with her policies and why her policies would work for the country.

'Strong in Iowa'

Asked what success looks like for her in the Iowa caucuses, Haley told The Gazette: "Our goal is to be strong in Iowa. I want to be strong in New Hampshire and be strong in South Carolina.

And so were not putting all of our eggs in one basket, Haley said, a reference to DeSantis, who has pinned his hopes on posting a strong showing in Iowa to winnow the race down to him and Trump and upend the former presidents path to the GOP nomination.

Were putting all of our eggs in every state in every basket  and we want to show that we can be strong in all of them, Haley said.

DeSantis has pledged he will win the Iowa caucuses, but his campaign has been plagued by infighting and dysfunction and remains far behind Trump in recent polling of the states likely caucusgoers.

He also faces a rising threat from Haley, who is ramping up her travel in Iowa and is now polling second behind Trump in the early-voting states of New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina  and is battling DeSantis for second in Iowa.

The Haley campaign announced Thursday it hired Pat Garrett, a former adviser to Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, as it readies for a final push just 25 days out from the first-in-the-nation Iowa Republican caucuses on Jan. 15.

Garrett worked on Reynolds' 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial campaigns and served as her communications director in the governors office. He also advised Attorney General Brenna Bird in her 2022 campaign. He is to handle Iowa press inquiries for Haley leading up to the caucuses.

Reynolds has endorsed DeSantis, and Bird has endorsed Trump.

Haley said her campaign is bringing on additional staff in the final weeks to bolster the campaigns organizing efforts and ground game.

Ive told my team, weve got to rally, Haley said. You know, were now 25 days out, weve got to make every day count.

Photos: Nikki Haley visits Davenport 122023-qc-nws-haley.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-2.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-3.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-4.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-5.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-6.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-7.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-8.jpg 122023-qc-nws-haley-9.jpg
A sharp increase in the number of youth being confined to their rooms at juvenile facilities across the state "raises significant areas of concern," the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare said Thursday.

An analysis shows the number of youth who were confined rose 24% in 2022-23 when compared with 2021-22, the inspector general said, while the total number of confinement hours rose 32%.

At the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney, the total number of confinement hours rose threefold from 2,359 hours in 2021-22 to 9,010 in the most recent reporting year, Inspector General Jennifer Carter said.

And data also shows one youth at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center was confined to their room for 13 hours a day for 129 of 133 days in what the state said was for safety and security reasons.

"This year's data indicates that facilities are struggling to use juvenile room confinement only as a last resort and in a time-limited way as best practice would prescribe," Carter said in a news release.

Youth confinement is commonly practiced within juvenile justice facilities to prevent individuals from harming themselves or others, as a corrective action for rules violations, or to provide staff with a tool to manage a crisis situation.

Confinement is also used to manage youth with medical issues, during investigations into incidents, or during staff meetings or facility emergencies, according to the inspector general's office.

In Lancaster County, for example, 45% of the 2,981 confinements that took place between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, were attributed to medical reasons such as COVID quarantine, while 30% were initiated because the youth was a danger to other residents, staff, or themselves.

The remaining 25% of confinements were attributed to administrative staffing, facility safety and security, as well as for emergency weather or other operational needs.

Putting juveniles in confinement has long been accepted as necessary in those facilities, Carter's report says, but a growing body of research indicates it can inflict further trauma on those individuals, including severe psychological distress, exacerbating feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression.

The isolation that comes with youth confinement can also disrupt social and emotional growth of young individuals and escalate problematic behaviors instead of addressing the underlying causes that landed that youth in a juvenile facility in the first place, the report states.

The inspector general said room confinement should only be used as a last resort when other interventions have failed, and for a limited time lasting less than 24 hours.

Carter said Nebraska's juvenile room confinement statutes "incorporate key best practices," but said those practices are not always reflected in their application, nor are they applied consistently across the state.

"This inconsistency hampers efforts to gauge the full scope of juvenile room confinement's use and its impact on the welfare of juveniles affected," she wrote in the annual report.

For example, the Lancaster County Youth Services Center does not include normal sleeping hours when it reports the duration of a confinement, which creates the appearance that youth are only being confined for up to 13 hours at a time, rather than over a 24-hour period, the report states.

Other facilities across the state include normal sleeping hours as part of the total duration of confinement, which leads to Lancaster County showing fewer overall confinement hours.

A 14-year-old housed at that facility was, for safety and security reasons, put into confinement for 82 consecutive days of 13-hour confinements, according to the inspector general.

After a two-day break, they were then housed for another 31 days of confinement, and after another two-day break, were in confinement for another 16 consecutive days.

Because of how the facility reports its confinement hours, however, Lancaster County reported that 99% of its confinements concluded within 24 hours which "does not reflect the significant deviation from the intended practice of time-limited juvenile room confinement."

The inspector general also said juvenile justice facilities should do more to recognize the potential physical and psychiatric consequences of prolonged confinement, conduct close monitoring of those individuals, and provide youth access to personal belongings such as hygiene products, books and programming.

While the inspector general has recommended reducing the use of juvenile room confinement, the report outlines concerns from administrators about barriers to achieving that goal.

The biggest challenges, administrators told the inspector general, are "youth with significant mental health needs, gang affiliation both in and out of the facility, and youth whose length of stay is so long they are no longer invested in making progress."

The report recommends facilities hire staff members dedicated to overseeing juvenile room confinement use as part of an effort to enact "stronger internal and external oversight mechanisms," including regular audits, staff trainings and adherence to existing guidelines.

"Juvenile room confinement usage is not solely a policy issue but also a cultural one within facilities," Carter wrote. "A comprehensive approach involving policy reform, staff training, facility culture change and alternative behavioral management strategies is essential."

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
Programming note: The Slatest will be off for the holiday season as of tomorrow! Well be back in your inbox on Jan. 2.

Several cases related to Trump and Jan. 6 are heading for the Supreme Courtwhat a way to ring in 2024! Now the court is going to have to make some momentous decisions that could shape the next presidential election, at a time when the court has done its utmost to discredit itself. The whole thing is a recipe for disaster.

Its the political and financial dirty work of two decades, coming to light in the span of one year, that the court has brought on itself at the moment in which it should have been beyond reproach, Dahlia Lithwick writes.

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She takes stock of the many shameful revelations that have come out about the high court over the past year, and what a dangerous situation that has set up now.

Plus, in case you missed it: Now might be a good time to revisit our Disorder in the Court package from earlier this yearparticularly Lithwicks piece on how the court got to be this way, and Norm Ornsteins proposal for how to fix it.

A post-Roe horror story 

A woman in Ohio miscarried. Now shes being charged with abusing a corpse. On What Next, Mary Ziegler explains why this case will tell you a lot about how the limits of reproductive rights are being tested right now.

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Plus, in case you missed it: Lithwick spoke with the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit taking on Texas absurd abortion laws on the Amicus podcast.

A novel approach 

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College conversations about the war in Gaza have been extremely fraught. Daniel Torday and his students at Bryn Mawr found a way to have a more fruitful discussion. He explains why their three days talking about Palestinian novelist Adania Shiblis Minor Detail left him speechless.

Curtain of fire 

A volcano is erupting in Iceland! How long will the lava flowand what are the stakes? Anna Gibbs checked in with a local scientist to find out.

Welcome to the club! 

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Slates 2023 Movie Club, that is! In this opening installment, Dana Stevens reflects on the state of film criticism and explains why this year gave her fresh hope that audiences can still get excited about going to the movies.

Plus: Bilge Ebiri rewatched Oppenheimer and realized it was more terrifying than he thought.

A spray to keep COVID away? 

An innovative COVID prevention tool is available online. Abdullah Shihipar explains why hes waiting on something specific before trying it.

Santa is overrated 

A weary single mom writes in to Care and Feeding about the resentment she feels over letting her kids believe that Santa is responsible for everything shes done. In response, Doyin Richards has some advice for all parents who take part in the Santa Claus routine.

Today, Slate has   WHIMSY OUT THE WAZOO

 much like Percy Jackson. Nadira Goffe reviews the new TV adaptation of the books.

We wish you a wonderful, whimsical holiday season!

Get some rest, eat something delicious, and well see you back here indeep breaths!2024.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

When it comes to business cards, theres a vast world of choices and business card examples to inspire your creativity. You can choose a standard design, often appreciated for its professional and timeless appearance, or get creative and make your own unique statement piece.

Whether you decide to stick with the basics or add extra details, textures, or colors that resonate with your brand, theres no shortage of ways to make your card stand out from the crowd.

In this guide, well explore 28 examples of amazing designs for business cards, showcasing a variety of styles that suit different professions and personal tastes.

Examples of Professional Business Cards

Below well be sharing 28 professional business card examples that you can use as business card ideas when designing your own:

1. Chomp

This company cleverly made their business cards match their brand by literally taking a chomp out of each one. This is a great way to make your business cards stand out and get noticed.

Small Business Deals

2. Cardfetti

These business cards from Confetti Studio have a stunning confetti side, with the other side displaying their important business information. This is a great way to add some fun and personality to your business cards.

3. Saxony Title Group

This business card designed by Elegant Press is also a business card holder giving their client a way to share their business information in a unique and genius way.

Cleaning Business Card Examples

If youre looking to create a professional business card design for a cleaning business, then check out these two examples.

4. Empire Service Company

Their business cards have the Empire State Building on them, which compliments their business name perfectly. What a great way to stand out.

5. Captain Clean & Crew

This professional business card matches the business name really well. They even kept the text consistent with their slogan Keeping Home & Office Ship-Shape! This is a great way to make your business cards memorable and on-brand.

Construction Business Card Examples

Lets take a look at some really great examples of business cards for construction companies.

6. Craft Master Construction

This design by Plastic Printers is tough, rugged, and heavy-duty, which is very fitting for a construction company. How could you not remember this business card?

7. Custom Shaped Business Cards

This design mimics a clipboard that you would see a foreman on a job site using. Such a genius and clever idea.

Landscaping Business Card Examples

Next, lets take a look at a couple of awesome examples of landscaping business cards. These designs are sure to give you some inspiration when designing your own.

8. Calis Finest Landscaping

Heres a clean design by David Krasniy that clearly shows the companys contact information along with some services they offer. Potential clients will have no problem getting in touch with this company.

9. 5 Star Landscaping

Fivenson Studios designed this business card that shows the business contact info and a few services on the front, and all of their services on the back. This is a smart way to use the space on your business card effectively.

Photography Business Card Examples

Lets take a looks at a couple of creative and professional business cards in photography.

10. Photo Wagon



Heres a cute design by Emily Holt that has all of the necessary information in the front, and a great picture of Photo Wagons business on wheels. This makes for a great conversation starter.

11. Collage Business Card

This business card shows off the photographers talent by displaying a collage of their photography skills. Such a great way to stand out from other photographers.

Real Estate Business Card Examples

Here are a couple of business cards from the lucrative world of real estate. Use these examples as inspiration when designing your own business cards.

12. KearnsPaara

This business card looks sleek, clean, and professional. It has a really creative logo on one side with the real estate agents information on the other side. They made sure to create a design that will leave a lasting impression on potential clients.

13. King of Condos

This awesome design really stands out from the usual, boring business card. Instead of using the same old, boring standard size, they used a cut-out style business card which is much more memorable. Great way to get noticed.

Hair Stylist Business Card Examples

Below well take a look at some stylish business card designs for hair stylists. These business cards are sure to give you some inspiration when designing your own.

14. Creative Zone Barber Shop

Sudip Sen Gupta designed this perfectly themed business card for the Creative Zone Barber Shop. Its the perfect design with so many elements that work really well together.

15. Hair By Moran

This stylish design by Emily Lynn Caulfield fits in perfectly for this hairstylist. Its stylish, chic, and modern with great use of color. Perfect for any hair salon or stylist.

Handyman Business Card Examples

Here are two good-looking examples of handyman business cards. They both communicate the companys message clearly and effectively.

16. Renonations

Milos Djuric designed this business card which is simple, clean and has an awesome logo. The backside shows the companys info very clearly so their potential customers can get in touch easily.

17. Austin Patchs Handyman Services

This design has a professional logo on the front along with important information showing this handyman is licensed and insured. On the back, you can see all of their handyman services.

Artist Business Card Examples

Lets see what a couple of great-looking business cards for artists look like. Notice how they both effectively communicate the artists message and style.

18. DestinyBlue

Heres an anime artist who created this amazing art piece to add to her business card. She did a great job of incorporating her art style into her business card to give potential clients a taste of her work.

19. Haizeel bin Hashnan

This Malaysian artist created this awesome logo for his personal business card that shows off his great artistic abilities to prospective clients. Its such a dramatic and eye-catching design.

Massage Therapist Business Card Examples

If youre a massage therapist, then take a look at these professional business card examples.

20. Leetra Robertson

M5 Design Studio created this business card design which does a great job of explaining to prospective clients the type of relaxing environment they can expect from this massage therapist.

21. Jordan Brown



With this business card, the client had it designed with a backside that can be used to write down appointment details for their customers.

Realtor Business Card Examples

These realtor business cards below are great examples of how you could design yours.

22. Jones & Co. Realty

Heres a business card that highlights this realtors strength by highlighting the word SOLD.

23. Brixwood

Cristian-Popescu designed this busy, but a professional-looking business card that has a unique style and all of the important info a potential client would need.

Creative Business Card Examples

If youre looking to design a creative business card, here are three designs you can use as inspiration.

24. Garage Culture

Heres an awesome example of a truly creative business card designed by Rodrigo Cuberas. It will definitely be memorable to anyone who sees it.

25. Nymbl

This creative business card for Nymbl really stands out with its purple color and looks unique with one hole on each end.

26. Lush

This creative business card design does double duty, acting as a seed pouch as well. Its perfectly designed for lawn and property management company Lush. It has all of the necessary information and holds valuable content for the recipient.

READ MORE: Pimped Out Business Cards

Etsy Business Card Examples

Here are a couple of professionally designed business card designs from Etsy sellers.

READ MORE: Digital Business Card App

27. Digital Business Card & Business Card Bundle

Take your marketing game to the next level by having not only a professional business card but a digital version of it as well.

28. Holographic Glitter Watercolor Modern Business Card

Heres a beautifully designed business card template that can be used in a variety of industries. It can be used in the beauty niche, the art world, and more.

Why Business Cards are So Important

Professional business cards serve as a pivotal tool in the corporate and entrepreneurial world. They are essential for making a good first impression, a small yet impactful gesture when meeting someone for the first time.

In an era where networking is key, these cards act as a bridge for keeping in touch with clients, potential partners, and even prospective employers.

A well-designed card isnt just about aesthetics; it communicates a clear message about who you are, your role, what services or products you offer, and most importantly, how one can reach you.

Think of it as a mini-billboard in your pocket; while compact, it effectively advertises and reinforces your professional brand in the mind of the holder.

In a world overflowing with digital communications, a tangible business card still holds significant weight, standing as a testament to your professional identity.

READ MORE: Places That Make Business Cards

What to Include on a Business Card

A business card is more than just your contact information. Its a tangible representation of your brand and your professional identity. So what should you include in your professional business card design?

Company logo. The logo of your company should be front and center on your business card. Its one of the first things people will notice, so make sure its professionally designed and prominently displayed.

Job title. Your job title should be clear and concise. Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations that people might not understand. Also, be sure to include your title on both the front and back of your business card.

Brand name. In addition to your company logo, be sure to include your brand name on your business card. This will help people remember your brand and associate it with your business.

Tagline or slogan. You may want to include a brief tagline or slogan that sums up what your business is all about. This can be a great way to make a lasting impression.

Social media handles. Include your social media handles (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) on your business card so people can connect with you online. Being active on social media is a great way to build relationships and grow your business.

Contact details. This includes your name, company name, website, email address, and phone number. This information should be easy to find and displayed clearly so its easy to read.

Images or graphics. A simple image or graphic can make your business card more memorable and help it stand out from the rest.

Make it high-quality. Dont forget to use high-quality paper and printing techniques. After all, first impressions count.

For your reference, heres a table showing the essential elements every impactful business card should possess:



Essential Element Description Company Logo Front and center display, should be professionally designed Job Title Clear, no acronyms or abbreviations, displayed on both sides Brand Name Helps in brand recall Tagline/Slogan Sums up the business, adds a memorable touch Social Media Handles Connects online presence, fosters relationships Contact Details Name, company name, website, email, and phone Images/Graphics Makes the card memorable, could be related to services or products offered Quality Premium paper and printing techniques enhance the card's impression

READ MORE: Simple Business Card

The Role of Company Logo

The company logo on your business card acts as the centerpiece of your brand identity. It should be prominent and reflect your businesss ethos. A well-designed logo can communicate the nature of your business and its core values without the need for excessive text. Ensure that the logo is clear and easily recognizable, maintaining consistency across all your branding materials.

Significance of a Clear Job Title

Your job title on the business card serves as a concise introduction to your professional role. It should be easily understandable, avoiding jargon or acronyms that might confuse the recipient. A clear job title not only defines your position but also helps in setting the tone for the kind of professional relationship you might offer.

Incorporating Brand Name Effectively

Alongside the company logo, your brand name is a vital component of your business card. It should be distinct and easily readable. The font and size should complement the logo and not overpower it. This ensures that your brand name is memorable and reinforces brand recognition every time someone glances at your card.

Utilizing Tagline or Slogan

A tagline or slogan on your business card can be a powerful tool for brand messaging. It should encapsulate the essence of your business in a few words. This brief statement can make your card (and by extension, your business) more memorable. Choose a tagline that is catchy, relevant, and aligns with your brands values and mission.

Adding Social Media Handles

In todays digital age, including social media handles on your business card is a strategic move. It encourages networking and provides an additional platform for professional interactions. Ensure that these handles are updated and lead to active social media profiles that reflect your professional brand.

Importance of Contact Details

The primary purpose of a business card is to provide contact details. These should be presented clearly and concisely. The font should be legible, and the layout should be uncluttered. Include essential contact information like your name, position, company name, email address, phone number, and website.

Incorporating Images or Graphics

The use of images or graphics can make your business card visually appealing and help convey your brands story. Choose images that are relevant to your business and resonate with your brands style. Be mindful not to overcrowd the card, as this can detract from the primary information.

Choosing High-Quality Materials

The material and print quality of your business card reflect on your brands image. Opt for high-quality paper and printing techniques to ensure your card feels professional and leaves a lasting impression. The texture, weight, and finish of the card can significantly influence how it is perceived.

How much does it cost to make your own business card?

How much youre going to invest in your business card is a question that many professionals ponder.

On average, individuals spend around $194 on their cards. However, this is a broad spectrum, with costs spanning anywhere from a mere $10 for basic designs to a whopping $500 for intricate, premium quality cards.

These costs fluctuate based on various factors. Primarily, the quality of materials used, the intricacy of the design you select, and the reputation and pricing structure of the printing company play significant roles.

Its essential to remember that a business card is an investment in ones professional image. Thus, considering quality alongside the budget is crucial.

What is the best business card format?

When diving into the realm of business card designs, the format is a crucial aspect to contemplate. The most universally accepted and recommended format is akin in size to a standard credit card.

Such a size is not only convenient to hold but also slides effortlessly into wallets or cardholders, ensuring that your contact always has your details on hand.

However, the world of business card design is vast and offers room for creativity. For those who wish to break away from the traditional mold, there are alternative styles to explore.

This includes square-shaped cards, which can be quite eye-catching, or opting for a vertical orientation to stand out.

Rounded corners offer another twist on the classic design, providing a modern touch.

When selecting a format, its vital to consider both aesthetics and practicality, ensuring your card not only looks great but also serves its primary function seamlessly.
Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement at his office, May 26, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Eric Gay/AP

Attorney General Ken Paxton is trying to force a Seattle hospital to hand over records about Texas children who may have received gender-affirming care out of state.

The revelation, detailed in a lawsuit Seattle Childrens Hospital has filed against the attorney generals office, is the latest escalation in Texas Republicans efforts to prevent young transgender people from receiving hormone therapies, puberty blockers and similar treatments for gender dysphoria.

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The hospital is asking a judge in Travis County to throw out Paxtons subpoena, arguing he does not have jurisdiction over the hospital and that releasing the information would violate state and federal privacy laws. If the court allows the subpoena to stand, the hospital is asking the judge to limit the information Paxton requested.

The lawsuit was filed nearly two months after the state enacted a ban on all gender-affirming care for Texas minors. The attorney generals office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paxton issued the subpoena Nov. 17, suspecting the hospital of providing gender-affirming treatment to Texas children, court records show. He said it was a potential violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and gave the hospital a deadline of Dec. 7 to produce the information.

The attorney general sought records of the number of Texas children the hospital treated, what they were diagnosed with and what medications they were prescribed. He also asked the hospital to describe its treatment protocol for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The hospital instead filed the lawsuit, calling Paxtons demands sham requests dubiously presented as an issue of consumer protection. Its unclear how many similar subpoenas the attorney general may have issued to other hospitals and health care facilities around the country.

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Puberty blockers and hormone therapy are common treatments for transgender youths, whereas surgeries are extremely rare. Their use is supported by every major medical association in the United States.

Republicans have questioned the research behind the interventions and warned that the risks are too high for parents to make what can amount to life-altering medical decisions for their children.

We are now passing a law to ensure that going forward, no child will be victimized by gender mutilation, Gov. Greg Abbott said over the summer. We should not allow sex organs of children to be cut off. Thats something that cannot be tolerated in this state.

At the same time, LGBTQ rights advocates have denounced the proposal as discriminatory and say it will endanger the mental and physical well-being of already-at-risk transgender youths. Such health care decisions should be left to physicians and their patients and patients' families, they said.

Seattle Children's pushes back

Seattle Childrens said it was served with the subpoena Nov. 20, retained counsel a week later and soon after requested an extension to respond to Paxtons request.

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The attorney generals office offered a 10-day extension only if the hospital first committed to a full response and production of documents  essentially offering a conditional extension only if Seattle Childrens waived any jurisdictional arguments and agreed in whole to the scope of the demands.

Seattle Childrens is registered to conduct business in Texas, but its work here is limited, according to court records. The hospital does not own property in Texas, does not employ any physicians here and does not provide telemedicine services to Texas residents for gender-affirming care, the lawsuit claims.

The hospital employs a limited number of remote administrative employees in Texas, but none of them work with the hospitals gender clinic. Further, the hospital does not advertise gender-affirming care or market it to minors in Texas, and it has not used any public money from Texas to support those treatments, according to the lawsuit.

The attorney general in its demands has not alleged any facts or made any claims that Seattle Childrens committed a purported tort in Texas, or that Seattle Childrens performed any acts in Texas at all  whether legal or otherwise, the lawsuit reads. Rather, the demands seek information about care provided in Washington State to patients who may have exercised their constitutional right to travel from Texas.

Aside from its jurisdictional argument, the hospital said it also is barred from releasing patient records because of Washington states new Shield Law. The measure, written after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections last year, protects people in Washington from civil and criminal actions in other states that restrict or criminalize reproductive and gender-affirming care, according to the Washington attorney generals office.

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Independence is one of the main benefits of owning your own business. But as many small business owners have learned, the day to day business grind and tasks involved in running a business can often make you fall back into that uninspiring routine that you thought you were leaving behind at your 9-to-5.

Luckily, as a business owner you have the ability to change that. Here are some simple things you can do to take back that business independence and freedom that made you want to start a business in the first place.

The Importance of Declaring Business Independence and Breaking out of the Day-to-Day Business Grind

Breaking out of the day-to-day business grind is essential for both personal well-being and the sustained growth of a business. Immersing oneself in the daily minutiae can stifle creativity, hinder long-term vision, and lead to burnout. When business leaders and employees find themselves perpetually in the weeds of daily tasks, they might lose sight of the bigger picture, which includes innovation, strategic planning, and opportunities for expansion. Moreover, a constant routine can lead to monotony, which, over time, can sap enthusiasm and passiona crucial ingredient for entrepreneurial success. By stepping away from routine operations periodically, one can gain fresh perspectives, recharge, and return with renewed vigor and clarity. Benefits of breaking out of the routine include: Enhanced Creativity: A break from the norm can spark new ideas and innovative solutions.

A break from the norm can spark new ideas and innovative solutions. Reduced Burnout: Periodic disengagement helps prevent fatigue and keeps passion alive.

Periodic disengagement helps prevent fatigue and keeps passion alive. Strategic Focus: Stepping back allows for re-evaluation of goals and long-term strategies.

Stepping back allows for re-evaluation of goals and long-term strategies. Increased Productivity: Refreshed minds tend to be more efficient and make fewer mistakes.

Refreshed minds tend to be more efficient and make fewer mistakes. Better Work-Life Balance: Taking time for personal endeavors ensures holistic well-being.

Taking time for personal endeavors ensures holistic well-being. Opportunities for Learning: Time away from daily tasks can be used to acquire new skills or knowledge.

Time away from daily tasks can be used to acquire new skills or knowledge. Improved Team Dynamics: Allowing team members to lead in your absence can foster growth and confidence within the team. In essence, to ensure sustainable growth and a balanced life, its crucial for business professionals to periodically disengage from the daily grind and look beyond immediate tasks.

How to Get Out of the Day-to-Day Business Grind

Strategy Description Potential Benefit Archive Button for Emails Clear out emails older than a specified period (e.g., 90 days). Cleaner inbox, improved focus. Unsubscribe! Spend time unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read. Less email clutter, improved productivity. Put Commitments on a Calendar Schedule events and commitments to avoid constant reminders. Clearer mind, improved organization. Compartmentalize Put off larger tasks for later to focus on immediate priorities. Increased focus, efficient time management. Unplug From Electronics Once a Day Avoid distractions by turning off phones and closing browsers while working. Enhanced productivity, reduced interruptions. Take a Break Once a Day Allocate time to step away from work to reduce stress and refresh. Reduced burnout, increased creativity. Hire a Freelancer Employ freelancers for complex or overdue projects. Accelerated project completion, reduced workload. Voicemails to Email Use apps like Nextiva to forward voicemails to your email. Streamlined communication. Make the Cloud Your Default Save Store files on cloud platforms like OneDrive or Google Drive for easy access and sharing. Efficient data management, enhanced collaboration. De-clutter Your Work Area Organize your workspace for a clearer environment. Improved focus, mental clarity. Learn How to Use Zapier Automate tasks and data transfer between apps using Zapier. Time savings, reduced repetitive tasks. Use a Scheduling App for Social Media Use apps like HootSuite to manage and schedule social media activities. Efficient social media management, saved time. Chunk Your Work Group similar tasks together to work in blocks for efficiency. Improved productivity, reduced multitasking. Create a Social Media Calendar Plan and track your social media strategy to avoid over-investing time. Efficient social media strategy, time management. Diversify Your Income Streams Implement multiple sources of revenue to mitigate financial stresses. Financial stability, reduced stress. Say No Politely decline proposals or tasks that aren't a good fit. Time saved, preserved focus on core activities. Have a Dedicated Workspace Create separate spaces for work and leisure to maintain work-life balance. Work-life balance, increased productivity. Take Vacations Periodically take time off to recharge and rejuvenate. Mental refreshment, increased productivity upon return. Build a Great Team Invest in a reliable team to share responsibilities and tasks. Business growth, efficient task delegation. Set Clear Guidelines for Delegation Create specific guidelines and expectations for task assignments. Effective task management, clear responsibilities. Have Fun with Your Team Organize team activities to boost morale and team bonding. Enhanced team morale, improved team dynamics. Meet with Other Business Owners Engage with peers or mentors for fresh perspectives and advice. Broadened perspective, potential collaboration. Take a Look at Your Goals Periodically review business objectives to align decisions and actions. Clear direction, motivation boost.

Use the Archive Button for Emails

Small Business Deals

Streamlining your inbox is vital for efficiency. Regularly archiving or deleting emails older than a set period (like 90 days) can dramatically reduce clutter. This method ensures your focus remains on current and relevant communications, making email management less overwhelming and more productive.

Unsubscribe!

Dedicate time to declutter your digital life by unsubscribing from newsletters or subscriptions that no longer serve your needs. This action not only reduces email volume but also sharpens your focus on essential communications, making your inbox a tool for productivity rather than a source of distraction.

Put Commitments on a Calendar

Utilize a digital or physical calendar to organize all your appointments, deadlines, and important dates. By having a centralized system for tracking your schedule, you free up mental space, reduce the risk of overlooking commitments, and enable more efficient planning and time management.

Compartmentalize

When facing overwhelming tasks, strategically defer complex projects to a later date. By scheduling these tasks for future attention, you can concentrate fully on immediate responsibilities. Utilize your calendar or planner to allocate specific times for these larger tasks, ensuring they receive the dedicated focus they require.

Unplug From Your Electronics Once a Day

Designate periods of uninterrupted work by turning off phones and avoiding web browsing. This approach minimizes distractions and enhances concentration, leading to higher productivity and quality of work during these focused sessions.

Take a Break Once a Day

Incorporate short, regular breaks into your daily routine to prevent burnout. Whether its stepping away for a walk, enjoying a coffee break, or simply relaxing for a few minutes, these pauses can rejuvenate your mind, boost creativity, and enhance overall productivity upon returning to work.

Hire a Freelancer for that Ugly Project

Have one or two projects that you cant seem to get a handle on? Go to a freelance marketplace, set a budget, and hire freelance help to get that ugly project that is overdue and has been weighing you down. You can often hire out projects for a few hundred dollars, depending on the type and size of the project.

Have Your Voicemails Sent to Email

Leverage tools like Nextiva to forward voicemails to your email. By centralizing your messages, you streamline your communication process, ensuring you stay organized and responsive without the need to toggle between different platforms.

Make the Cloud Your Default Save

When you save files to the cloud, youre able to easily share them with your team and access them on other devices. Moving your files to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox can revolutionize how you access and share documents.

By setting up automatic cloud saves, you ensure that your work is backed up, secure, and accessible from anywhere. This change not only facilitates easier collaboration with your team but also streamlines your workflow, allowing you to work flexibly and efficiently from different locations or devices.

De-clutter Your Work Area

An organized workspace can significantly boost your productivity and mental clarity. Invest time in creating a tidy, distraction-free environment. Regularly decluttering and organizing your physical workspace can help you stay focused and efficient. This practice not only makes your daily tasks more manageable but also contributes to a more pleasant and less stressful working atmosphere.

Learn How to Use Zapier

Zapier, an online automation tool, can connect your favorite apps and automate workflows, saving you time on repetitive tasks. Learning how to use Zapier effectively can streamline your processes, allowing you to transfer data seamlessly between platforms and focus on more strategic tasks.

This tool can handle everything from simple file backups to complex multi-step workflows, making your day-to-day operations more efficient.

Use a Scheduling App for Social Media

Schedule and manage all of your social media profiles from one dashboard using an app such as HootSuite. It saves you from jumping around from social site to social site. You can schedule in advance, so you dont have to interrupt your day to update your channels.

Chunk Your Work

Chunking your work means organizing your tasks into grouped segments. By dedicating specific time blocks to similar activities, you reduce the mental load of switching between different types of tasks. This method improves focus, increases productivity, and helps maintain a higher quality of work. For example, designate certain hours of your day solely for meetings, creative work, or administrative tasks.

Create a Social Media Calendar

If youre not careful, you can easily spend an entire day checking, posting, and monitoring your companys social media channels. To avoid wasting away in the dark corners of Twitter and Facebook, consider creating a calendar to map out and track your social media strategy. Knowing what you want to accomplish and what it will take can help free the rest of your time for other things.

Diversify Your Income Streams

Explore various revenue channels to ensure financial stability and reduce dependence on a single income source. Whether its through online sales, partnerships, consulting, or other ventures, having multiple streams of income can buffer against market fluctuations and ensure a steady cash flow, reducing stress and providing peace of mind.

Say No

Master the art of tactfully declining opportunities that dont align with your business goals or current capacity. Saying no to certain projects or requests can be empowering and strategically beneficial, allowing you to concentrate on activities that truly add value to your business and prevent overcommitment and burnout.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

Establishing a dedicated workspace, whether in a home office or a separate office location, is crucial for productivity and work-life balance. A specific work area helps in creating a professional atmosphere, minimizing distractions, and mentally separating work from personal life.

This clear demarcation can improve focus during work hours and allow for genuine relaxation and disconnection during off-hours.

Take Vacations

Embrace the importance of taking regular breaks and vacations. Stepping away from work allows you to recharge, gain new perspectives, and return with renewed energy and creativity. Vacations are not only beneficial for your personal well-being but can also lead to increased productivity and enthusiasm for your work.

Build a Great Team

Investing time and resources in building a skilled and cohesive team can significantly alleviate the day-to-day pressures of running a business. A reliable team allows you to delegate tasks confidently, knowing that each aspect of your business is being handled competently. This trust in your teams abilities can free you to focus on strategic planning and business development.

Set Clear Guidelines for Delegation

However, there are limits to passing tasks off to your employees. People tend to do better work when they know exactly what is expected of them. So if you have a clear work stream and chain of command, delegation of tasks is likely to be a pretty smooth operation.

Have Fun with Your Team, Too

Fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment is crucial for team morale and productivity. Organizing team-building activities, casual get-togethers, or celebrating milestones can strengthen team bonds, boost morale, and create a more collaborative and motivated workforce.

These moments of fun and relaxation can also provide a welcome break from the routine, reinvigorating the teams energy and commitment.

Meet with Other Business Owners

Regularly interacting with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners can provide valuable insights, support, and networking opportunities. These interactions can offer fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and potential collaborations. Building a network of peers allows for the sharing of experiences and best practices, which can be instrumental in navigating the challenges of running a business.

Take a Look at Your Goals

Periodically reviewing your business goals is essential to ensure you are on track and making decisions that align with your long-term objectives. Reflecting on your goals allows you to assess your progress, make necessary adjustments, and stay motivated.

Keeping your goals in sight helps maintain focus and direction, ensuring that your daily efforts contribute to achieving your overarching vision.
If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to build your small business brand online. One of the most credible ways, especially for tech companies, involves using Crunchbase to build your brand.

We recently created a Crunchbase profile for Small Business Trends Media. It was easy to do. Whats more, it lends credibility to our company.

Before I go further, I should mention the kinds of companies that a Crunchbase profile is useful for.

Crunchbase is not, in my opinion, a good fit for purely local businesses or Main Street small businesses. For example, if you run a plumbing, handyman or salon business, I suggest you put your effort into a Google My Business listing instead. Youll appear in front of more potential customers that way.

If, on the other hand, you run a technology business then Crunchbase could be a great fit. Crunchbase is ideal for high growth startups, especially those looking for seed capital from angel investors, or equity funding from venture capital.

Crunchbase is also good for online businesses, media and advertising businesses, ecommerce business, or consulting or other business services.

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Let me share our experience and a few pointers. Then perhaps you too will soon have a Crunchbase profile to help build your small business or startup brand. And a founder profile for you.

What is Crunchbase?

Crunchbase is an open database of businesses.

Its an impressive niche resource for anyone interested in technology companies. As a platform with free and paid options, its far more than a business directory.

On its website Crunchbase says it was founded to be the master record of data on the worlds most innovative companies.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Crunchbase started life in 2007 as a side project of TechCrunch. Crunchbase began as Techcrunchs database to track all the startups looking for funding, being funded, getting acquired, going IPO, or failing in their startup journey.

AOL acquired Techcrunch in 2010. Verizon in turn acquired AOL and rolled Techcrunch and other media properties into something called Oath. Along the way Crunchbase Inc. was spun off from Oath, although Verizon remains an investor.

Today, the Crunchbase database is still heavily weighted toward tracking funding and high growth investment. But with over 675,000 companies in it (by our count), Crunchbase has evolved into a general repository of business information for the tech world.

Crunchbase is more than just a directory; its a dynamic ecosystem of business information, catering especially to the tech and startup world.

Its evolution from a simple startup database to a comprehensive repository for business intelligence makes it a valuable resource for market research and competitor analysis.

How Do You Use Crunchbase to Build Brand?

Its easy. The first step is to set up a free Crunchbase account.

To set up an account, you will need to verify your companys identity using one of three big social networks (Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook). Thats simple enough  just connect your profiles.

Someone must be doing a manual review of all new accounts, because there can be a delay. In our case we had to wait a few days before our Crunchbase account was verified. Once verified, you are set to go.

Leveraging Crunchbase for Brand Visibility and Credibility

Creating a profile on Crunchbase can significantly enhance your online presence, making your brand more visible to potential investors, partners, and customers.

The credibility that comes with a Crunchbase listing is especially crucial for startups and tech companies seeking to establish themselves in competitive markets.

Here are some key Crunchbase benefits and features:

Get a free profile page for your business. You can add all the basic details such as industry, address, employee size and founding date. This establishes a public record of your company in a third party database, adding credibility to your business. For small businesses and startups, a Crunchbase profile is an easy way to build your brand.

You can add all the basic details such as industry, address, employee size and founding date. This establishes a public record of your company in a third party database, adding credibility to your business. For small businesses and startups, a Crunchbase profile is an easy way to build your brand. Add founder information. Add information about yourself if you are the founder. You can also list other founders. For small business owners, this helps with personal branding. Its also entrepreneur street cred.

Add information about yourself if you are the founder. You can also list other founders. For small business owners, this helps with personal branding. Its also entrepreneur street cred. Identify funding information. If youve raised investment money, you can add details about your funding rounds, VC or angel investors, and more. If your company has no investors, skip this part.

If youve raised investment money, you can add details about your funding rounds, VC or angel investors, and more. If your company has no investors, skip this part. List Board members. Once again, this is mainly for high growth startups seeking funding. Prominent Board members can open doors.

Once again, this is mainly for high growth startups seeking funding. Prominent Board members can open doors. Add events. If you participate in events as a speaker or sponsor, or hold your own events, you can list them.

If you participate in events as a speaker or sponsor, or hold your own events, you can list them. Add press references. You can add links to any news articles about your company.

You can add links to any news articles about your company. Identify key employees. If your employees have Crunchbase profiles, you can list them on the company profile.

If your employees have Crunchbase profiles, you can list them on the company profile. Display your tweets. When you verify/link your Twitter account, your companys tweets automatically appear on your Crunchbase profile. So its a way to share social updates to anyone who sees your profile.

Those are just some of the key fields you can use with a free Crunchbase profile.

What Can You Do With Crunchbase?

As mentioned, one of the key benefits is to get your business listed in Crunchbase. Now if your eyes are getting huge and youre thinking Oh boy, Ill get a link you could be disappointed. Links from Crunchbase are nofollowed.

But think more broadly than links. Here are five uses of Crunchbase:

Use Crunchbase to Build Your Brand  and Protect It

Google and other search engines will show your Crunchbase listing when someone searches for your company by name.

Why is this important? Two reasons:

It establishes your business bonafides for those checking out your company online.

Its a defensive measure. It can help you control how your brand appears in search engines. Wouldnt you rather have a Crunchbase profile show up on page one of Google  instead of a consumer complaint page?

Small local businesses have Google My Business. But a GMB profile is not a great option for online businesses or businesses without a specific service geography. Non-local businesses need something like Crunchbase.

Find Investors and Board Members

You can search for investors, because you see what else theyve invested in. You can find potential Board members, too. Once again, this will be of interest mainly to high growth tech startups.

Prospect for Sales Leads

If you sell a product or service to tech companies, Crunchbase could be a good place to find leads.

Identify and Connect

You could, for instance, find other founders in your geographical area. You might also search for companies to partner with.

Stay Updated on High Growth Tech News

Crunchbase has an active News section of its site. It publishes articles about startups that have been funded, filed for IPO or are planning to, and other developments. In short, Crunchbase News covers the high tech startup scene in much the same way Techcrunch used to do.

Crunchbase News also creates quarterly venture capital funding reports. These reports are perfect for those who want an overview of the VC investment landscape. Theres also a daily newsletter.

More Uses of Crunchbase

In addition to brand building, use Crunchbase for competitive intelligence by analyzing trends and investments in your industry.

Leverage its database to identify emerging markets and technologies, helping you stay ahead in innovation and strategic planning.

Other Things to Know About CrunchBase

Crunchbase is in the data business. Naturally, this might cause you to wonder how your data is being handled.

Crunchbases own profile page (yes, it has one of those) says it allows users to discover innovative companies and the people behind them. Crunchbase encourages app makers to incorporate site data into their apps. And those that buy the Enterprise version of Crunchbase get the capability to integrate site data with Salesforce.

This means that companies listed in Crunchbase may end up fielding more sales calls and emails.

Most startups and small businesses want publicity, so they will likely see this open data approach as a positive. Those who are concerned about how their data will be used should read the Crunchbase privacy policy closely.

Theres also a paid Crunchbase Pro subscription. The paid subscription (currently $29 / month) opens up more features. These features include more extensive monitoring and searching. Without a paid subscription, the searching can be somewhat limited.

Then theres the editing capabilities. A Wikipedia-like editing function is on every profile. However, you can request that Crunchbase lock your profile if you are concerned about unauthorized edits. And those who make unauthorized changes could be banned as spammers.

Also, if your company fails, you may not be able to get your profile removed. Crunchbases help files say, As historical data holds important value for both our platform and community, Crunchbase prefers not to remove profiles.

We tried to reach Crunchbase for more insights on their strategy and future direction. The company did not respond.

5 Tips for an Awesome Crunchbase Profile

If you you want to use Crunchbase to build your brand  here are five pointers for an awesome profile:

(1) Complete your profile thoroughly. Add your profile. Pay particular attention to the description field. The description shows up in search snippets. It could color a customers first impression. Also pay attention to the industries you choose. This shows up on searches on Crunchbase. Be sure to also use key terms you want your brand associated with.

(2) Follow the Crunchbase Guidelines. These guidelines are mainly best practices such as not listing a personal email address publicly.

(3) Add a founder. Fill out a founder profile for each founder. People network with other people  not with faceless organizations. Besides, its good personal branding, which in turn can help your company. Just ask Richard Branson how personal branding helped his companies.

(4) Share your Crunchbase profile. Post the link on social media. And link to it from your website. This will help boost your Crunchbase profiles prominence. Then its more likely to show up in search results and help build your brand.

(5) Monitor your profile. Because profiles can be edited, its a good idea to monitor yours. If you are concerned about unauthorized edits, ask that it be locked.

Tips for an Awesome Crunchbase Profile Description Complete your profile thoroughly Pay attention to the description field as it appears in search snippets, influencing customers' first impressions. Carefully select industries to associate with your profile. Incorporate key terms for brand association. Follow the Crunchbase Guidelines Adhere to best practices outlined by Crunchbase, such as avoiding public listing of personal email addresses. This ensures a professional and secure profile presentation. Add a founder Create a founder profile for each founder to enhance personal branding. People connect with individuals, not faceless organizations. This boosts your company's credibility and branding impact. Share your Crunchbase profile Amplify your profile's visibility by sharing the link on social media platforms and linking it from your website. Increased exposure enhances your profile's prominence in search results, contributing to brand-building efforts. Monitor your profile Regularly monitor your profile for unauthorized edits. If concerned about changes, request to lock your profile. Staying vigilant ensures the accuracy and integrity of your profile, maintaining a professional and consistent online image.

With these simple tips your business will soon have a professional profile from a respected business database.

Optimizing Your Crunchbase Presence

Enhance Your Storytelling: Use your Crunchbase profile to tell your companys unique story, not just list facts. This narrative approach helps connect emotionally with potential investors and customers.

Use your Crunchbase profile to tell your companys unique story, not just list facts. This narrative approach helps connect emotionally with potential investors and customers. Regular Updates: Keep your profile updated with the latest developments, product launches, and milestones to reflect your companys dynamism and growth.

Keep your profile updated with the latest developments, product launches, and milestones to reflect your companys dynamism and growth. Engage with the Crunchbase Community: Actively engage with other users and profiles. This networking can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.

Conclusion

In the ever-expanding landscape of digital branding, finding credible ways to establish and solidify your businesss online presence is essential. Among the array of options, one avenue that stands out, especially for technology-oriented companies, is leveraging Crunchbase to bolster your brand identity.

Embarking on this journey, we at Small Business Trends Media created a Crunchbase profile and found the experience both seamless and reputation-enhancing. However, its important to note that Crunchbase isnt a one-size-fits-all solution; its effectiveness varies based on the nature of your business.

While Crunchbase shines for technology-driven businesses, it might not be as suitable for purely local or Main Street establishments. Plumbing, salons, and similar businesses are better served by platforms like Google My Business that cater to their local customer base.

On the contrary, for tech businesses, startups, e-commerce ventures, and online services, Crunchbase offers immense potential. It isnt just a business directory; its a repository of information for the tech world.

To harness the brand-building potential of Crunchbase, follow these steps:

1. Set Up Your Profile: Start by creating a free Crunchbase account and verifying your companys identity through Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

2. Leverage Key Features: Use the platforms features to build your brand:

Establish a company profile with essential details to enhance credibility.

Add founder information to boost personal branding and establish entrepreneurship credentials.

Highlight funding rounds and investors for transparency and validation.

List board members for networking and opening new doors.

Incorporate events, press references, and key employees to round out your profile.

Connect your Twitter account to share social updates directly on your profile.

3. Broaden Your Horizons: Beyond profile creation, Crunchbase offers diverse utilities:

Control your brands appearance in search engine results.

Identify potential investors, board members, or partners.

Find sales leads in the tech sector.

Establish connections and collaborations.

Stay updated on high-growth tech news.

4. Consider the Data Business: Crunchbase is fundamentally in the data business. This open-data approach can lead to increased exposure but also potentially more sales calls and emails. Carefully review their privacy policy if data usage is a concern.

5. Optimize Your Profile: To create an impactful profile:

Complete your profile thoroughly with a compelling description.

Follow Crunchbase guidelines to maintain a professional image.

Add founder profiles to infuse a personal touch.

Share your profile on social media and your website for broader visibility.

Monitor your profile for unauthorized edits and request locking if necessary.

Crunchbase as a Strategic Brand Building Tool

Remember, the effectiveness of your Crunchbase profile in building your brand depends on how well its integrated into your overall digital marketing strategy.

Consider it as a strategic tool in your arsenal for brand building, networking, market research, and attracting potential investors.

As the digital landscape evolves, so should your approach to using platforms like Crunchbase. Stay updated with their latest features and best practices to maximize your brands impact.
Digital Marketing is not just a buzzword; its a critical component for success in todays online-driven market. Digital Marketing 101: What Small Businesses Need to Know is designed to equip small businesses with the understanding and tools they need to navigate the complex landscape of online advertising, social media, SEO optimization, and more.

With a focus on key concepts tailored for small businesses, this guide will help you develop effective strategies to reach wider audiences, increase sales, and foster lasting customer relationships. Whether youre a novice in the digital world or looking to enhance your existing efforts, this article provides a comprehensive insight into what you truly need to know.

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Sell Your Business ChatGPT Prompts for Business Advertise Your Business Here

Digital Marketing 101

In the modern business landscape, small business owners recognize that digital marketing has surpassed traditional print marketing and advertising in both effectiveness and efficiency. A whopping 95% of small businesses plan to increase spending on digital marketing this year, reflecting its growing importance. However, to harness its full potential and achieve the best results, its crucial to have a profound understanding of digital marketing and stay abreast of digital marketing trends.

So, what exactly is digital marketing? Its often misinterpreted as merely online marketing, but it encompasses far more. Digital marketing refers to any marketing strategy that leverages digital channels to connect with prospective customers. Unlike the limited reach of traditional marketing, digital marketing provides various platforms and methods to engage with a broader audience. Heres a breakdown of what it includes:

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Mobile Phone Messaging : This includes both SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), allowing businesses to communicate directly with customers via mobile devices.

: This includes both SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), allowing businesses to communicate directly with customers via mobile devices. Email Marketing : A targeted, customizable, and cost-effective way to send personalized messages, promotions, and updates to customers.

A targeted, customizable, and cost-effective way to send personalized messages, promotions, and updates to customers. Social Media Marketing : Utilizes platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to create brand awareness, facilitate community engagement, and drive sales.

Utilizes platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to create brand awareness, facilitate community engagement, and drive sales. Display Advertising : Includes visual ads that appear on websites, apps, or social media platforms, targeting users based on their interests or previous online behavior.

: Includes visual ads that appear on websites, apps, or social media platforms, targeting users based on their interests or previous online behavior. Search Engine Marketing : Employs strategies like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising (such as PPC) to increase visibility on search engine results pages.

: Employs strategies like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising (such as PPC) to increase visibility on search engine results pages. Apps: The use of branded apps to enhance customer experience, offer exclusive deals, and foster loyalty.

This popular tutorial by Hubspot Marketing is a nice companion to this article. Beginners, especially, will find some great tips and ideas in it.

10 Basic Digital Marketing Strategies to Use

1. Your business website

No matter how active you are on social media, it cant replace a business website. Your website is the digital home of your business and its the one place online where you are completely in control of your message. Your website doesnt have to be fancy, but it does need to be mobile-friendly. thats non-negotiable in 2019.

2. Search engine optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) refers to the process of increasing website traffic using the organic (non-paid) search results on search engines. There are many moving parts to SEO, including using the right keywords in your website, your social media presence, references to your website from external sites and much more. The complexity of SEO is one reason only 44% of businesses are currently investing in SEO, according to Clutch. The good news: Being one of that 44% can put you ahead of your competition.

3. Local search engine optimization

Since 2015, more searches have been conducted on mobile devices than desktop computers, according to Google. Many of those searches are done while users are on the go looking for local businesses, so Googles search results now favor websites that are optimized for local search by including location information and location-related keywords. In addition to optimizing your website for local search, claim your business location on local search directories such as Google My Business and make sure that your name, address and phone number (NAP) information is listed exactly the same way on all the local search directories. (No using St. in one listing and Street in another.) If your NAP varies from one listing to another, search engines may not recognize it as the same business, hurting your search results.

4. Email marketing

Nearly seven in 10 businesses use email marketing, making it the third most popular digital marketing method. Almost half (47%) of people across demographics check their email on a mobile device; 81% of those use their smartphones (as opposed to tablets). In addition, the majority (33%) of email opens occur on mobile devices. When you develop your email marketing messages, think mobile-first. Keep emails short; include a clear call to action; design in a single-column format; and use plenty of white space so its easy to click on buttons or links in the email.

5. Social media marketing

Social media is the number-one marketing channel used by businesses, according to Clutch: 83% of companies use it. Theres good reason for that: Statista reports 77% of Americans use social media. Be sure youre keeping up to date on new social media channels, as well as where your target customers are spending time (for instance, are they leaving Facebook for Instagram)?

6. Content marketing

This practice refers to creating content (such as blog posts, ebooks, white papers, infographics, videos, etc.) that you share digitally. The goal is to attract users to view your content and take a desired action. For instance, you might write a blog post on How to Winterize Your House and Save Money and include a call-to-action such as Contact us to get a free estimate on winterizing your home.

7. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising

Pay-per-click digital ads appear when users do an internet search for the terms you use in the ad. The name comes from the fact that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. The most common place for PPC ads is on Google (using Google AdWords) but ads on Facebook and other social media channels are also considered PPC.

8. Marketing automation

Marketing automation software can automate many repetitive aspects of marketing. For instance, it can send automated responses or start a drip marketing campaign when prospects fill out a leads form. It can schedule your social media posts, determine the best time to send email newsletters, and more.

9. Messaging

From SMS and MMS text messages to the use of messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber or WeChat, you can market to customers using mobile messaging. Mobile messaging marketing applications can use location-based data to trigger messages at relevant moments, such as when a customer is near your store or restaurant.

10. Online ratings and reviews

You may not think of online review sites as digital marketing, but theyre a major factor in how prospects form an opinion of your business. Some 86% of consumers (and 95% of those age 18 to 34) read reviews for local businesses; 91% of 18-to-34-year-old consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Optimize your listings on review sites the same way you would on Google My Business: Keep them current and add photos, descriptions, directions and offers. Monitor your reviews regularly and respond to negative reviews quickly (and politely).

11. Influencer Marketing

Engaging with influencers can significantly amplify your brands reach. Identify influencers who resonate with your target audience and embody your brand values. Collaborations can range from sponsored content to social media takeovers. This approach can help you tap into the influencers established audience, building credibility and trust in your brand.

12. Responsive Website Design

In todays multi-device world, having a responsive website is crucial. This means your site adjusts seamlessly to fit the screen of any device, whether its a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. A responsive design enhances user experience, potentially increasing engagement and conversions, and is also beneficial for SEO.

13. Interactive Content

Interactive content like quizzes, surveys, polls, and interactive infographics can significantly increase user engagement. This type of content is not only engaging but also can provide valuable insights into your audiences preferences and behaviors. Interactive elements can make your brand more memorable and encourage users to spend more time with your content.

14. Video Marketing

Video marketing is a powerful tool to engage audiences and improve brand visibility. Use videos to showcase your products, tell your brand story, or share customer testimonials. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok offer various ways to share video content. Live streaming on social media can also be a dynamic way to connect with your audience in real-time.

10 Digital Marketing Trends to Know

Now that youve got a handle on digital marketing, here are 10 digital marketing trends every small business should factor into their plans.

1. Email marketing personalization via marketing automation

Nearly six in 10 marketers say personalization is their most effective email marketing tactic; in fact, emails that have personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened. AI-powered automation tools can help you personalize email messaging by analyzing the data you capture about your email subscribers (such as what they open, click on and buy) and using it to deliver the right message at the right time.

2. Voice search

Voice search currently accounts for one third of all Google searches, and by 2020, is expected to account for one-half. Good general SEO will help you rank high in voice search, according to a recent study. But you can additionally optimize for voice search using keywords and phrases that sound the way people talk (What bakeries are open right now?) rather than the way theyd type into a search engine (bakeries open now). Creating an FAQ page on your website that answers questions people might ask about your product can also help optimize for voice search.

3. Content marketing overload

With so much content out there, are your prospects really paying attention? To keep driving customers to your website, make this the year you focus on creating less, but better, content. Instead of constantly churning out blog posts stuffed with SEO keywords, try crafting one or two really good, longer pieces of content a month. Content that answers prospects or customers questions in a way no one else is doing can really stand out.

4. Google My Business is more important than ever

Google search results prioritize Google My Business listings. As a result, many searchers dont bother paging below these or clicking through to a website. they get all the info they need from GMB. Make sure your Google My Business page makes the cut by regularly adding new photos, posts, offers or videos and keeping your description current. You can now add Posts in Google My Business, too. Think of your GMB result as its own little website and add all the info you can to it.

5. PPC advertising comes of age

The Google search engine results page is getting crowded and fewer people are ignoring the ads at the top. To counter this, Googles algorithm is getting great at delivering relevant ads. However, even being at the top of organic search results wont get you the customers attention if that customer doesnt scroll down. If youre not already doing so, make this the year you incorporate PPC ads into your marketing plan.

6. Omnichannel marketing

Prospects use more than one digital channel to investigate your business. They might do an online search and see your Google My Business listing, click through to your website and read your reviews. Thats why all of your digital marketing efforts need to work together to promote a consistent branding message.

7. Chatbots

You can use conversational AI software (that is, chatbots) to engage with prospects in a variety of ways, from helping them navigate your website or answering common questions to suggesting additional products or even engaging on social media. For instance, you can program Facebook Messenger bots to answer your Facebook messages, saving you time and giving your followers quick responses.

8. Online video

By 2020, video will account for more than 85% of all consumer internet traffic in the U.S. (Already, YouTube is the second most popular website, surpassed only by Google.) Todays up and coming Gen Z, in particular, has grown up watching YouTube videos and its the place they turn to for the answers to everything. Videos that show viewers how to do something, help solve their problems, interview industry experts or provide an insiders look into your business are all popular ways to attract attention. Creating a YouTube channel is free and exposes your videos to a wider audience. Also look into getting online influencers to review your products. it can make a huge difference to your business.

9. Tell your story

Consumers crave authentic interaction with businesses. They want to know your story. Be transparent about your business, your staff and your values. In the digital world, live-action or short-term video content such as Stories on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube creates a feeling of immediacy and intimacy. This type of content can help build a bond with your target market.

10. Social media backlash

Facebook privacy problems, such as the Cambridge Analytica data-sharing scandal, have driven some users from the platform. With the vast majority of its users aged 18 to 34, Instagram is the place to be if youre targeting millennials and younger users. But Instagram isnt immune from backlash either. The platform recently took steps to remove inauthentic likes and fake followers from influencers accounts. Remember, honest interaction is more important than numbers.

Table of Trends to Know

Below is a comparison table that captures the 10 digital marketing trends every small business should be aware of. You can reference it easily while you are implementing your digital marketing strategy:

Trend Description Email Marketing Personalization Utilizes AI-powered automation tools to personalize email messaging, increasing open rates by 26%. Voice Search Accounts for one-third of Google searches; optimize with conversational keywords and FAQ pages. Content Marketing Overload Focus on creating fewer, but higher quality content pieces that stand out among the overload. Google My Business (GMB) Importance Google search prioritizes GMB listings; keep your page up-to-date with fresh content to stay relevant. PPC Advertising Comes of Age With the crowding of Google's results page, PPC ads are gaining attention; consider incorporating them. Omnichannel Marketing Prospects investigate through multiple channels; ensure all digital marketing efforts align for consistent branding. Chatbots Utilize conversational AI software to engage with prospects, answer questions, and suggest products. Online Video Videos will account for 85% of U.S. consumer internet traffic by 2020; consider a YouTube channel and influencer collaboration. Tell Your Story Focus on transparency and authentic interaction, using live-action or short-term video content to create a bond. Social Media Backlash Be mindful of shifts away from platforms like Facebook due to privacy concerns; Instagram is a key platform for users aged 18 to 34, but honest interaction trumps numbers.

What digital marketing tactics do you currently use, and which are you planning to add to your arsenal?
Optimizing the grant application process involves a strategic approach. Begin by thoroughly researching grants that align precisely with your projects objectives and eligibility criteria.

Craft a compelling narrative that clearly articulates your goals, impact, and need for funding. Pay close attention to guidelines, ensuring all requirements are met. Use concise, persuasive language and support claims with data. Lastly, meticulously review your application for clarity and accuracy before submission, adhering to deadlines.

You can also:

Sell Your Business ChatGPT Prompts for Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here

Target: Research grants specific to your niche & location. Highlight unique impact. Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative showcasing passion, community value, & growth potential. Financials: Present lean, realistic budgets with clear ROI projections & funding milestones. Teamwork: Emphasize a diverse, qualified team with a proven track record & relevant expertise. Metrics: Define measurable outcomes aligned with grant goals for progress tracking & impact reporting.

With that in mind, here are the grants for this week.

Both grants and loans can provide major relief for struggling small businesses  especially during times of crisis. The recent wildfires in Maui created major issues for local businesses and residents. And the federal government is now extending the deadline for a major loan program. Read about this and other small business grant programs.

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has announced the latest beneficiaries of the Mastercard Strive Innovation Fund, allocating nearly $2 million in grants globally. This initiative underpins Mastercard Strives commitment to nurturing early-stage solutions that can significantly impact small businesses, particularly in sustainability, digitalization, and community lending.

Small Business News December 22, 2023

In the news roundup this week the IRS announced the crackdown on erroneous claims regarding the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program. On the other hand, the SBA just released its 2023 rankings for the most active surety companies and agencies. This is the SBAs Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program that enables small businesses to secure over $2.2 billion in contracts. Keeping reading for more small business related news.

Small Business Deals

To ensure the integrity of the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is initiating a comprehensive crackdown on erroneous claims. More than 20,000 disallowance letters are being sent out to taxpayers with disallowed ERC claims.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has released its 2023 rankings for the most active surety companies and agencies. This announcement highlights the pivotal role of the SBAs Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program in enabling small businesses to secure over $2.2 billion in contracts, thereby supporting more than 37,000 jobs nationwide.

A recent dual survey by GoDaddy has highlighted a significant disparity between what small businesses think they are offering and what consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, actually expect in terms of online convenience. A Startling Disconnect While an impressive 91% of small business owners believe they provide a convenient online experience, only a mere 21% of consumers concur.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced an extension of the deadline for disaster loan applications to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui. Residents and businesses now have until January 25, 2024, to apply for federal disaster loans to address property damage caused by the wildfires and high winds that ravaged Maui from August 8 to September 30, 2023.

As small business owners wrap up an intense Black Friday and Cyber Monday season, they should brace for a significant wave of late holiday shoppers. According to the latest Shopify-Gallup Holiday Shopping Pulse, a substantial portion of U.S. consumers, nearly 49%, intend to do most of their holiday shopping in December.

Adobes 2024 Creative Trends Report, announced on December 7, 2023, is a vital resource for small business owners looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This report not only forecasts the upcoming visual trends but also provides insights into how these trends can be leveraged for business growth and customer engagement.

Apples latest innovation, the Journal app, is not just a technological advancement but a potential game-changer for small business owners. Launched with iOS 17.2, this app offers a unique platform for personal reflection and gratitude practice, aspects increasingly recognized for their positive impact on mental well-being and, consequently, business productivity.
The emergence of influencer-led marketing initiatives has been a paradigm shift in traditional advertising practices. The industrys prominence is attributed to its capability of promising higher ROI benefits, ability to help transition marketing strategies to meet client demands, and smart innovations. However, finding the right influencer marketing platform that is authentic and effective can be a daunting task for the brands. This is where Flutch steps in.Based out of Bengaluru, Flutch is India's leading influencer marketing platform that brings brands and creators together to unleash the true potential of the creator economy. It stands as a pioneer, seamlessly blending tech powered influencer marketing and PR services, ensuring brands a stellar online presence.Flutch is known to combat typical industry challenges by taking the burden off brands, making their innovative technology characterized by its transparency, seamless execution, and communication, an industry game-changer. The firms commitment to simplification and client-centric solutions distinguishes it as a trailblazing force in the field.With a rich tapestry of services, the company's flagship offerings encompass Influencer Marketing, Public Relations, and Talent Management. These pillars of expertise collectively weave a vibrant

narrative of brand success, ensuring that clients experience the finest quality and continued effectiveness throughout the engagement and even after it for years to come. We are trying to help creators monetize maximum through multiple avenues while also focusing on providing brands with the maximum ROI for their campaigns, shares Pradeep Patteti, Co-Founder.



Flutch stands out in this segment by being completely transparent, showing upfront rates for influencers without hidden fees which in turn helps the company build trust. With a vast network of over 20,000 influencers covering various fields like beauty, lifestyle, tech, gaming, and finance, plus partnerships with 100+ publications, Flutch offers broad reach and relevance to clients. This wide network helps clients connect with a diverse audience.



Flutch also outshines competitors by being a firm that relies on data-driven strategies, giving clients an advantage in their influencer campaigns. Flutch strongly believes in the power of data and uses it to provide tailored influencer recommendations, emphasizing a data-driven approach for campaign success. The diverse market knowledge and ability to operate across different regions has rendered Flutch a strategic leader in the competitive influencer marketing landscape, while also enabling it to attract some extremely prominent clients including Flipkart, Iba Cosmetics, Tata Capital, Nykaa, Marico, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Croma, and Dabur among others.



Future Roadmap

Flutch came into being when Pradeep Patetti and Sharath Dasari - former college roommates, united their entrepreneurial vision. Recognizing the rising potential within the creator economy alongside a glaring market gap, a domain ripe for innovation, the duo embarked on an exciting journey. Empowered and fuelled by prior experiences within the marketing sector, the two were armed with invaluable insights, motivating them to sculpt an enterprise geared for impactful change. The fusion of creativity, business acumen, and foresight has steered the company ever since towards a trajectory of influence and growth within the ever-evolving digital landscape.



In the years to come, Flutch aims to enhance creator commerce, creating a thriving space where creators and brands collaborate effectively. The company plans to merge initiative for effective PR with strategy, enabling seamless brand stories and endless opportunities. Through continuous CRM innovation, the firm aims to ensure topnotch functionality and user experience. Flutch's roadmap for the near future focuses on blending creativity and professionalism to lead a transformative journey in digital influence", says Sharath Dasari, Co-Founder. The teams dedication to progress positions the company at the forefront of the field, navigating the realms of digital engagement and influence with excellence.


Models portfolio of carmakers in Slovakia change, mother companies invest heavily in Slovakia.

Volkswagen Passat was the first model ever to be produced in Bratislava after Volkswagen started vehicle production in Slovakia in 1991. (Source: Courtesy of Volkswagen Slovakia)

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The portfolio of models that carmakers manufacture in Slovakia has been undergoing changes. The Bratislava-based Volkswagen Slovakia has commenced the mass production of the new Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb models, while the Trnava-based Stellantis said goodbye to the production of the popular model Peugeot Peugeot 208, to make space in its production halls for a new model.

Passat back after decades

Production of the Volkswagen Passat has returned to Bratislava after more than 30 years. It was the first model ever produced in Bratislava after Volkswagen started vehicle production in Slovakia in 1991. Volkswagen Slovakia has been cooperating with the Skoda brand since 2008. The Skoda Superb is the fourth Skoda model to be produced at the Bratislava plant.

Production of the Skoda Superb in Bratislava's Volkswagen plant. (Source: Courtesy of Volkswagen Slovakia)

Volkswagen Slovakia has invested almost 500 million in the integration of new models into the production line and thanks to the new project, it has managed to secure usage of the plants capacity for years to come.

The aim is to steer our production plants towards economic capacity utilisation and a forward-looking future for years to come, said Christian Vollmer, member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Production and Logistics as cited in the press release. We are currently using the transition to electromobility to reduce complexity in production and to make our production plants even more efficient.

The group is merging the production of car models based on the same architecture in its plants across brands. It is targeting higher effectiveness and synergies.

In the spring the Bratislava plant should launch production of the first fully electrical SUV Porsche Cayenne.

But that may not be all, because as the Hospodarske Noviny daily claims, the first model from the worlds largest SUV family, Audis upcoming Q9, may also extend the portfolio of models produced in Bratislava. The Q9 is set to compete with top models from other automakers, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. Today, the Slovak arm of the German carmaker produces the Audi Q7 and Q8 models.

Changes in Trnava

The Trnava-based Stellantis car factory ceased production of the popular model of the Peugeot 208 as of October 1. The only model the plant continues to produce is the Citroen C3, the Hospodarske Noviny reported on Monday, December 11. The plant is currently preparing for a 180 million production transformation, to which the state will contribute 18 million. The Peugeot 208 should be replaced by new models, including the e-version Citroen C3, which has to fight for the customer even in competition with China with a base price of 20,000. The French media mention that the Trnava plant will also produce the SUV Opel Crossland next year.

Related article

Related article Slovakia opposes new Euro 7 emissions norm along with seven EU countries Read more

Kia to produce e-cars, too

After the Bratislava-based Volkswagen, Trnava-based Stellantis and the yet to be built Volvo plant in Kosice, the new production of electric cars is already also assured by Kia Slovakia near Zilina, in Teplicka nad Vahom, the Dennik N wrote in early December. This has been assumed for a long time, but only now is it fully confirmed by the latest investment project of the carmaker. It is also requesting investment incentives from the state.

According to the project, Kia Slovakia will start production of one new all-electric car in the lower middle class and one new all-electric model in the SUV class.

The production launch of the first two electric vehicles will cost a total of 108 million, with the investment to be made between 2024 and 2028. The Economy Ministry wants to allocate the plant a tax holiday of 30 million. The government has yet to greenlight the tax holiday, but this should only be a formality, the daily Dennik N writes.

The new production of electric vehicles will not only diversify the production of the Kia plant, but also expand it. The current production of cars with both internal combustion and hybrid drive will continue. The plant will also continue to produce its current Ceed, XCeed, ProCeed, Ceed Sportswagon, as well as the Sportage and its electrified versions.
Listen to podcasts, read about traditions, cook some delicacies. Here's what to do during the weekend of December 22-24.

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SLOVAK CHRISTMAS 101

In the past, the Spectacular Slovakia podcasts covered the ins and outs of Christmas holidays in Slovakia extensively. Give some of them a listen over the Christmas season.

A reinvigorating story

Just after moving to Slovakia, American Jeremy Hill felt a lump in his throat. An oncologist told him that the tumour was cancerous. In an effort to cheer him up, Hill's wife convinced him to join her at the famed Christmas markets, where Slovaks flock every year for some seasonal delicacies. Although he was sceptical at first, Hill tried some greasy Slovak favourites, which soon renewed his spirits. Find out how "artery-clogging" Slovak Christmas delicacies brought an American back to life.

The how and why of traditions

Did you know that even though many Christmas traditions originated in the past, with many dating back to the times when Slavs were pagan, Slovaks still observe many of them. Did you know that girls used to shake the fences of their houses? Or that Slovak families need to have a fish scale above and a chain underneath the table full of festive treats on Christmas Eve? Learn more in this festive episode.

Traditions, old and new

The same beloved Christmas songs on the radio, the markets in the city, buying gifts for loved ones, cooking, baking and many lights. This is how the majority of people prepare for the holidays these days. Although some traditions survive to this day, others have been transformed or adjusted to the 21st century lifestyle or replaced by new ones, often imported from other cultures. Learn more here.

Did you know that Christmas is the best time to wish for money? Canadian Naomi Huzovicova will tell you more in this episode of Spectacular Slovakia podcast.

COOKING

What to put on the Christmas table

Naomi has lived in Slovakia for many years now. Over the years she has learned a lot about the country's cuisine, as evidenced by her many articles on local dishes and the Cooking with Babicka series. As such, who better to turn to when it comes to unveiling what traditional meals her family prepares on Christmas Eve?

Also, in her latest edition of Cooking with Babicka, discover how oplatky are made using a wafer iron and why they are a favourite among Slovak Christmas foods, even though in the west part of the country they are a relatively recent addition to the traditional meal.

With wafer irons not easy to come by, many Slovaks prefer to make medovniky, spiced honey cookies. They can be found everywhere around Christmas time, from fancy decorated ones in market stalls to simple treats in grandma's kitchen. You can learn her recipe here.

Decorated medovniky, Slovak spiced honey cookies. (Source: TASR)

Different regions, different ethnicities, and different religions in Slovakia traditionally had different Christmas dinners. In this blast from the past article from the Slovak Spectator archive, you can learn how to make typical cake recipes such as Vianocka, Bobalky (also known as Pupaky or Opekance), and Kokosove Gulky.

In most of Slovakia, bobalky are an integral part of Christmas Eve dinner. In part, as a memento of the traditions maintained by grandmothers. However, they used to be on tables all year round. Most Slovaks know them as a sweet pastry. It was no coincidence that they were topped with poppy seeds. According to ethnologist Katarina Nadaska, the seeds were believed to have a magical power. Learn more about their history here.

And let's not forget the staplest of staple Christmas meals: Kapustnica, sauerkraut soup.

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

A TV ad signifying holidays

As Santas red trucks are associated with Coca Cola, Kofola, the Czecho-Slovak version of the drink, brings Christmas to Slovakia with its legendary ad.

The ad was first aired 13 years ago. It shows a man with his small daughter running away from a wild boar. The ad, known as "the golden piggy" is used both in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. For many, Christmas starts when the ad is aired on their TV screens again. Learn more about it here.

Little girl from famous advertisement (Source: Kofola CeskoSlovensko a.s.)

Christmas language corner

If this is your first Slovak Christmas, you might want to learn a little of the holiday lingo. Don't fret, American Matthew J. Reynolds has you covered with his festive edition of the Slovak Matters column. For starters, the word Vianoce, which takes a plural verb, is a stumbling block. Strange as it sounds, Vianoce su - literally Christmas are. Find out more about Christmassy Slovak-English vocabulary here.

Why there are public Christmas trees

There is a heart-warming story behind the tradition of public Christmas trees in Czechoslovakia. However, the story of Rudolf Tesnohlidek, the man behind the idea, is full of tragedy.

Christmas in Nitra. (Source: TASR)

Christmas on the slope or elsewhere

If for any reason you prefer not to celebrate Christmas, there are some things you can do instead. Here are top 10 largest ski resorts in Slovakia, complete with information on slope lengths, hourly capacity, and of course prices.

Several concerts are taking place in Bratislava, for example punk-rock band Slobodna Europa will perform in the Randal club. For more information and tickets, click here. The Nu Spirit Bar and WAX2 venues will hold a dance party called Polnocna (The Midnight One, in reference to midnight mass), and Stedrovecerna (The Christmas Eve One) later in the evening.

BEFORE YOU GO

WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Discover the secret of Ukrainian Christmas, and go ice-skating.

WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Get ready for New Year's Eve parties with tips from our Top 10 events.

WHAT TO LISTEN TO: After 33 years in Slovakia, the Scot is okay with his contribution to the country. But he still feels like an outsider.

WHAT TO READ: Slovakia has changed since I first visited in the 90s. I used to come to Slovakia as a tourist, now I'm a refugee.

That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice Christmas holidays with your loved ones, be it a regular family or chosen family.
A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

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Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.

British newspaper recommends visiting Bratislava's Christmas markets

Christmas markets on the Main Square in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

Bratislava has appeared among the top 10 destination recommended by The Times of London to people seeking the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Ranking eighth, the newspaper highlighted in particular the wooden toys and culinary treats.

Christmas in the Slovakian capital is a time of childlike wonder, reads the website. Fairy lights are draped around Christmas trees, while market stalls sell traditional wooden toys and handsome Christmas decorations. Foodie treats include pancakes, sausages and cakes.

Cloud spectacle over the Tatras floods the internet

A lenticularis cloud over the Tatras (Source: Facebook/Stanislav Yi)

The setting sun combined with an incoming flow of warm air brought an unusual spectacle to the High Tatra mountains on the evening of December 17.

A lenticularis cloud was visible over the Popradska Kotlina basin for several hours, formed on a wave generated by a northwesterly air flow through the Tatras, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) wrote on Facebook.

The cloud could be seen changing shape but remained anchored above the mountains throughout the evening. In combination with the evening setting sun, it turned red and created an unusual atmospheric theatre. The resulting images flooded social networks.

At the same time, fine visibility allowed people living in southwestern Slovakia to see the peaks of the Alps which, together with the surrounding clouds, cast a silhouette against the western sky after sunset, SHMU wrote.

Famous snow Nativity scene is now on display

The Nativity scene near Rainerova Chata. (Source: Facebook/Peter Petras)

Visitors to the Rainerova Chata mountain hut in the High Tatras, not far from the Hrebienok resort, can once again see the local Nativity scene carved from snow.

Built by hut manager Peter Petras, it has become a traditional winter attraction. The very first one was built in 1998.

Work on the Nativity scene began in late November, but was complicated by warmer weather over the past few days. Still, Petras said he is glad they managed to complete it before Christmas, the TASR newswire reported.

The block of snow framing the Nativity scene is four metres high and 4.7 metres wide, while the arch containing the main tableau is 2.7 metres high, and the sculptures are about 1.8 metres high. Petras said he would like to add more snow sculptures during the winter season.

Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:

Political meme of the week

(Source: SME/Rosie Naive Art)

Caption: Come on, let's go to the forest to get a tree, the penalty rates are favourable.

With this picture, artist Rosie Babicova, whose works can be found on the internet and social networks under the name Rosie Naive Art, comments on the proposed changes to the Criminal Code that would significantly reduce sentences for economic crimes.

You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
Tips on events during the holidays, a selection of feel-good stories from Slovakia, and what to listen to as you prepare for Christmas.

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Good afternoon. Here is the Friday, December 22 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

We'll be taking a break during the Christmas holidays on December 25-26, so the next edition of Today in Slovakia will be published on Wednesday, December 27. We hope you'll be taking a break too, and wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas!

President: People should not feel resigned

President Zuzana Caputova (Source: TASR)

In an interview with the Sme daily, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has been commenting on several key issues facing Slovakia over recent weeks.

In early December, opposition parties started organising anti-government protests over changes to the Criminal Code that include scrapping the Special Prosecutors Office and reducing sentences for financial crimes. More than 40 people linked to previous Smer governments have been convicted in recent years, and dozens more currently face charges; most of the cases were brought by the Special Prosecutors Office.

The protests have been gaining strength, but there are doubts they will force Prime Minister Robert Fico from power as similar protests did in 2018.

"Feedback to politicians through public expression of opinion  in, I emphasise, a decent, normal, matter-of-fact way  is very important. And it's not in vain. I'm not saying it always brought change and miracles the next day, but it had an important meaning," says the president.

"Resignation means that people have capitulated in advance and this is not how democracy is supposed to work," she adds.

Caputova also talks about the varying opinions on when she should have been more visible  and vice versa. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she was criticised for voicing opinions too much, while when Robert Fico formed his current government, she was criticised for being less visible.

"I try to find the balance myself, and it's always a combination of experience and feelings, because we're talking about a completely inexact realm," she explains.

She also comments on the actions the European Union might take against Slovakia, whether she reads every mail she receives, and the issues that society should talk about. Read the interview in Slovak here.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR FRIDAY

Some feel-good stories to raise the mood

A lenticularis cloud over the Tatras (Source: Facebook/Stanislav Yi)

In addition to an unusual spectacle over the High Tatras, read what a British daily liked about Bratislava's Christmas market so much that it placed it among its top 10 Christmas markets in Europe.

PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO

Everything you wanted to know about Slovak Christmas

Christmas markets on the Main Square in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

In the past, our Spectacular Slovakia podcasts have covered the ins and outs of Christmas holidays in Slovakia extensively. Why not give some of them a listen over the Christmas season.

American Jeremy Hill recollects his first festive holidays in Slovakia, when an oncologist told him some bad news  but "artery-clogging Slovak Christmas delicacies" brought him back to life. Canadian Naomi Huzovicova tells you about traditions and what dishes she prepares for the festivities. You will also learn about an iconic seasonal TV ad, some seasonal vocabulary, and more.

IN OTHER NEWS

A black flag will be raised in front of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava on December 23 between 8:00 and 20:00 as a sign of respect for the victims of the mass shooting at Charles University in Prague on December 21. (TASR)

(TASR) In an interview with the TASR newswire, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) said that there had been no doubt that changes to the Criminal Code would provoke a strong reaction among the opposition parties . The proposed changes include the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office. Fico also decried opposition leaders for "instigating the masses and sending us [the government] to jail", and said people outside Bratislava have other problems to deal with. The ongoing protests  which this week took place in 11 cities and towns nationwide and are gaining in strength  will not change anything, Fico said. (TASR)

. The proposed changes include the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office. Fico also decried opposition leaders for "instigating the masses and sending us [the government] to jail", and said people outside Bratislava have other problems to deal with. The ongoing protests  which this week took place in 11 cities and towns nationwide and are gaining in strength  will not change anything, Fico said. (TASR) One of the most visited gorges in the Slovak Paradise National Park, Sucha Bela, is once again open for hiking. The gorge was temporarily closed due to fallen trees two weeks ago. Now that most have been cut and cleared, the gorge is accessible, but park managers warn that there are still many fallen trees overhanging the gorge and unfavourable weather conditions may result in more coming down. (SITA)

The gorge was temporarily closed due to fallen trees two weeks ago. Now that most have been cut and cleared, the gorge is accessible, but park managers warn that there are still many fallen trees overhanging the gorge and unfavourable weather conditions may result in more coming down. (SITA) Free ski buses headed to the Jasna ski resort started operating today in the Liptov region. The service operates at 15-minute intervals, and passengers can get on and off at the bottom of the Demanovska Dolina valley and at the railway station in Liptovsky Mikulas. The buses also serve the Liptovska Mara water reservoir and the Besenova water park. (VisitLiptov)

The service operates at 15-minute intervals, and passengers can get on and off at the bottom of the Demanovska Dolina valley and at the railway station in Liptovsky Mikulas. The buses also serve the Liptovska Mara water reservoir and the Besenova water park. (VisitLiptov) Slovakia is sending 16 ambulances to Ukraine, the Health Ministry has announced. Since the recent purchase of new vehicles, the ambulances have been declared surplus property. They still contain all their original equipment and are now ready to provide health care in Ukraine, which is having to deal with the effects of Russia's ongoing invasion. The Spis Catholic Charity will deliver them. (TASR)

Since the recent purchase of new vehicles, the ambulances have been declared surplus property. They still contain all their original equipment and are now ready to provide health care in Ukraine, which is having to deal with the effects of Russia's ongoing invasion. The Spis Catholic Charity will deliver them. (TASR) After US Senator John Fetterman vowed to block the purchase of the American steel company U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, US President Joe Biden announced he wants to have the purchase checked, citing national security concerns. (CTK)

Chefs preparing special Christmas meals for socially disadvantaged senior citizens in Kosice. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND

On Saturday, expect thick cloud cover with snowfall in many places and showers in the south-west, combined with strong winds. Daytime temperatures will be between -3C and 5C. Sunday will be similar, but over the course of the day showers are expected in western and central Slovakia. Daytime temperatures will rise to 1C to 6C, and up to 11C in western and southern parts.

Several level 1 and level 2 weather warnings have been issued for both days; see the map for Saturday here and for Sunday here. (SHMU)

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P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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The field of technical ceramics is relatively new.

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Imagine coming to a clinic in the morning for a hip replacement. You are scanned, then the precise information about what you need is sent to a 3D printing system. Within a few hours a prosthetic joint exactly matching your body is fabricated, and in the afternoon a surgeon implants it into your body.

"Research is being done into this," says material scientist Anne Leriche, a professor at the laboratory of advanced ceramic materials and processes at the University of Valenciennes in France.

She recently visited Bratislava as a member of the international jury for the ESET Science Award, where she talked to the Slovak Spectator about the potential uses of ceramics  and, in particular, the use of bioceramics in human bodies.

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Great properties

Usually when ceramics are mentioned, people think of pottery objects such as vessels, pots or even figurines made from clay. This is hardly surprising; these objects have been known to humans for thousands of years, and their longevity means they form one of the most important elements in the archaeological record. It has only been in the last century, due to developments in chemistry, that other kinds of ceramics have emerged, creating a relatively new area of research.

According to Leriche, ceramics can be defined as being made from inorganic material, rather than from metallic material or polymers.

"Compared to traditional ceramics, in which natural materials are used, for technical ceramics we use, for instance, purified material for which we need chemical treatment, or we synthesise the material by various processes," the professor explains.
Arizona Man Arrested for Making Online Threats Against Federal Agents and Employees

Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, of Rio Verde, Arizona, was arrested on Friday after a grand jury indicted him on three counts of threats against a federal official and three counts of making interstate threats.

According to court documents, from May 2021 through November 2023, while living in Colorado and Arizona, Tomasi used a social media platform to express a desire to incite violence and threaten a variety of individuals and groups, including elected officials, a judge, and federal officials and law enforcement officers. The charges against Tomasi relate to threats he made in Arizona to federal law enforcement agents and employees.

The threats of violence against public officials alleged in this indictment are abhorrent, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. The defendant is specifically charged with threatening to kill FBI agents and other FBI employees just for doing their jobs. I am deeply proud of the work the FBI does every day; its personnel should not have to deal with threats against themselves as they work to protect the American people. The Justice Department will not stand for such heinous behavior and will prosecute threats against its employees to the fullest extent of the law.

In this country, theres a right way and a wrong way to express your views under the Constitution, and violence or threats of violence is not it, said FBI Director Christopher Wray. The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly and selflessly to protect others every day, and we will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable those who make violent threats against them or any of our colleagues in law enforcement.

Threats against law enforcement personnel like those alleged in this indictment are not just polemics, they are illegal under federal law and corrosive to civic life and dialogue, said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona.

If convicted, Tomasi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of making threats against a federal official, and a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of making interstate threats.

The FBI is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona is handling the prosecution.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
At least 15 dead in Prague school shooting: rescuers

Xinhua) 09:50, December 22, 2023

Police officers work near the site of a shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

PRAGUE, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said.

The shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in the afternoon has left more than 15 people dead, and at least 24 others injured, Czech Police President Martin Vondrasek told journalists.

At the same press briefing, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said that there is no indication that the shooting was linked to international terrorism.

The Prague Medical Rescue Services said earlier that nine people were seriously injured.

Police officers in the Central Bohemian Region have launched a search for a young man in connection with the violent death of a man in the region on suspicion of a link to today's university shooting, the Czech News Agency reported.

Rakusan called the shooting "A terrible act, unprecedented in the history of the Czech Republic,", expressing his sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the shooting victims on social media.

The Czech government said it will hold an extraordinary meeting on Thursday evening over the shooting.

Police officers work near the site of a shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

Police officers work near the site of a shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

Emergency vehicles are seen near the site of a shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

An ambulance is seen near the site of a shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan (C) speaks at a press briefing about the shooting in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Dec. 21, 2023. At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, local police said. (Photo by DanaKesnerova/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Passengers walk through Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Houston City Council, in a 9-7 vote, approved a divisive proposal to make it harder to terminate several lucrative airport concession agreements, including a controversial deal that ousted Pappas Restaurants from William P. Hobby Airport earlier this year.

The contracts under scrutiny are four 10-year agreements, collectively valued at over $1 billion, that encompass food, beverage and retail services at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport.

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Before this change, the director of the Houston Airport System, a mayor-appointed role, had the authority to end any of these contracts at will under a termination for convenience clause. With the latest amendment, however, the city now requires a justified cause to walk away from the agreements.

Both supporters and opponents of the change alluded to its potential effects on Pappas during the final council meeting of the Turner administration. While Mayor-elect John Whitmire never indicated he would redo the Hobby Airport contract, he recently defended Pappas, arguing that the city's decision to hand the contract to its competitor was unfair.

Turner, however, said Wednesday the change was only to ensure fairness. The four contracts were the only city revenue agreements with a termination for convenience clause. He questioned why some council members would single out Pappas and try to advocate for the restaurant chain.

Why are people bringing up a particular vendor, as if a contract is terminated, this vendor  in this case Pappas  is going to receive it, Turner said. Let's make sure that there are no conflicts around this table.

District I Council Member Robert Gallegos, who previously expressed support for Pappas, rebutted Turner's suggestions of personal interests being involved. Gallegos reported two small campaign contributions totaling $557 from Pappas affiliates this year, his campaign finance reports show.

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The 10 years of being in office here, I don't recall going back on a contract and trying to renegotiate here at the horseshoe  That should be left up to the new administration and the new council, Gallegos said. I'm going to have pride leaving this chamber with my head up high, knowing I do not have a blemish on my record.

The nay votes on Wednesday were Council Members Gallegos, Letitia Plummer, Amy Peck, Mary Nan Huffman, Mike Knox, Michael Kubosh and Sallie Alcorn. They made multiple efforts to delay the vote, which would have passed the decision onto the Whitmire administration. But Turner and other members blocked the attempts.

Council Member Abbie Kamin was absent Wednesday.

Knox pointed out that the change benefits only vendors. It would undermine the city's leverage to effectively manage services and its ability to pursue a better deal if one becomes available in the future, he said.

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What is the vendor giving up in return for us to remove this? By doing this, the city basically gives up its rights as landlord, Knox said. It serves no useful purpose for the citizens of Houston.

Funding delay for massive IAH terminal overhaul continues

The Turner administration failed to advance funding approval for a multi-billion-dollar airport terminal redevelopment project in its final council meeting.

The proposal calls for the city and United Airlines to co-finance the expansion of Bush Intercontinental Airport's Terminal B, estimated to cost $2.6 billion. Under the proposed agreement, the city would contribute $624 million in three installments, while United would cover the remaining costs.

AIRPORT DELAY: Massive IAH terminal overhaul delayed further as Houston controller blocks funding

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An ordinance to allocate the first installment of $150 million city funding has been a fixture on the council agenda for over a month now. It has not come to a vote, however, due to a standoff between Turner and City Controller Chris Brown  both at the end of their terms.

Brown, serving as the citys chief financial watchdog, has expressed concern about the deals potential impact on city finances and the lack of an up-to-date feasibility study. He has so far declined to certify that the funds are available  a necessary step before the council can approve any financial commitments by the city.

My office has met with the Houston Airport System (HAS) in recent weeks, and discussions are underway to address the concerns Ive outlined from the outset of this proposal, Brown said Wednesday. As of today, my office has not received the updated feasibility report HAS acknowledged in early November is currently underway.

PROJECT MOVES AHEAD: United breaks ground on $2.6B IAH terminal expansion set to open 2026

Turner, on the other hand, has accused Brown of overstepping the bounds of his office and obstructing the project due to political motives.

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Incoming Controller Chris Hollins is likely to inherit this proposal when he takes office in January. He said he has followed the disputes developments in recent weeks and will make an informed decision.

United has been a vital partner in highlighting the Houston region on the global stage, and Im excited to welcome Uniteds expansion in Houston once Im confident sufficient due diligence has been done, Hollins said.

Council OKs contracts to hire musicians and artists

In another airport-related development, City Council, in a 10-6 vote, approved more than two dozen contracts to bring more musicians to perform at Houstons airports.

The $3.75 million in funding is set to cover these artists contracts for three years. They will join the Houston Airports performing arts program, Harmony in the Air, which features classical music, jazz and pop performances.

Council Members Huffman, Knox, Kubosh, Dave Martin, Amy Peck and Edward Pollard voted against the additional spending.

Turner, on the other hand, highlighted the added enjoyment the program has brought to travelers, demonstrating his support by singing snippets of "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night" in front of the council.
Roman Lakatos had been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison on drugs and organised crime charges.

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One of Slovakia's most wanted criminals has been detained in the British city of Peterborough. In the past, Roman Lakatos was active in an organised criminal group and committed drug-related crimes.

On January 26, 2021, the Specialised Criminal Court issued an international warrant for his arrest on charges of setting up, orchestrating and supporting a criminal group, and for the crime of illegally producing narcotics, poisons or precursors, their possession and trafficking.

On July 25 this year he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Based on the international warrant and thanks to cooperation between the man-hunting unit of the Slovak Police Corps and its counterpart in Great Britain, he was detained in the town of Peterborough, eastern England, on December 19.

Although the Slovak and British police units had some information about Lakatos' whereabouts in 2021, the situation was complicated because he reportedly employed sophisticated techniques to erase his steps, using aliases and fake documents.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/cosmic-cannibals-universe-old-mini-black-holes-may-be-devouring-stars-1115735394.html

Cosmic Cannibals: Universe-Old Mini Black Holes May Be Devouring Stars

Cosmic Cannibals: Universe-Old Mini Black Holes May Be Devouring Stars

A study proposes the existence of atom-sized primordial black holes, remnants from the Big Bang, that could be the key to understanding early universe mysteries and black hole formation.

2023-12-21T23:13+0000

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2023-12-21T23:10+0000

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New astrophysical research has brought forth a riveting theory: tiny black holes, possibly formed in the universe's first second, might be hidden within stars, slowly devouring them. These primordial black holes, thought to be relics from the Big Bang, could be the culprits behind the mysterious behavior of some stars observed today.The research, led by astrophysicist Earl Bellinger at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, suggests black holes, while traversing the galaxy at high speeds, could occasionally get trapped by stars. Although most would zip through like bullets, a few, especially slower ones, might end up embedded in stars.Detecting these black holes is challenging, yet it could offer profound insights into the early universe and black hole genesis.According to the study, these mini black holes could either be too small to impact their host stars or large enough to grow by consuming stellar material. The latter scenario could lead to "black hole cannibalism," with the black hole feasting on the star from inside, causing changes in the star's structure and energy output.This process might create what are known as "red stragglers," cool red giants that differ from normal aging stars.The study was published in the Astrophysical Journal

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/cosmic-powerhouses-scientists-raise-possibility-of-using-black-holes-as-mega-batteries-1115594019.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/czech-republic-declares-mourning-on-friday-following-deadly-shooting-in-prague---fiala-1115736837.html

Czech Republic Declares Mourning on Saturday Following Deadly Shooting in Prague - Fiala

Czech Republic Declares Mourning on Saturday Following Deadly Shooting in Prague - Fiala

The Czech Republic's authorities have declared Friday, December 22, a day of mourning for the victims of a deadly shooting at Charles University in central Prague, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

2023-12-21T23:59+0000

2023-12-21T23:59+0000

2023-12-22T00:04+0000

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Czech police chief Martin Vondracek said earlier Thursday that 14 people were killed and another 25 injured, including 11 in serious condition, after a shooter opened fire at the faculty of philosophy of Charles University in central Prague. According to police, the shooter, a 24-year-old student of the faculty recognized as David K., carefully prepared the attack, taking examples from abroad, and committed suicide after the incident. "All citizens of the Czech Republic are shocked by what happened today [on December 21], we are all united by the feeling of pain from what happened and compassion for the victims and their loved ones," Fiala said.Czech President Petr Pavel, who cut short his visit to France and returned to Prague, said on social media earlier on Thursday that he was shocked by the tragedy that befell one of Europe's oldest universities. He expressed deep condolences to the victims relatives and families, and said there is a need to improve the public security system in the country and urged his fellow citizens not to abuse the situation and information about it. Czech Minister of the Interior Vit Rakusan told the 24 broadcaster on Thursday "there was no evidence that the incident had anything to do with international terrorism," adding that the police would be working at the scene for a long time to come. Vondracek said in a televised appearance that the police received information about a 24-year-old young man from the suburbs of Prague who went to the city to commit suicide on Thursday morning, adding that law enforcement officers later found the body of the suspect's father at their home. The police chief added that the motive for the crime remains unclear. It was further reported that the gunman did have a firearms permit, and that he had no criminal record - although, unconfirmed reports have suggested the individual may have been tied to a double homicide that took place the week prior.European Council President Charles Michele on Thursday extended his "heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the dreadful shooting in Prague," adding that there should be "no place for such violence in our societies." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Thursday in a post on X that "the terrorist attack in the center of Prague has struck Europe in the heart of its soul" and extended her condolences to the friends and families of the victims, as well as Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X that he was "deeply shocked by the terrible news from Prague," adding that Germany's " thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and our condolences go out to our Czech friends." Scholz also wished the injured a speedy recovery. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also offered his condolences condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and said that Bratislava was ready to provide any required assistance to Czech authorities. Slovak President Zuzana Chaputova also said she had been in contact with Pavel and assured him of the country's readiness the assistance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/casualties-reported-in-university-shooting-in-prague-czech-republic-1115728788.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/pentagon-says-aware-of-reports-claiming-japan-eyeing-patriot-missile-sale-to-us-1115734621.html

Pentagon Says Aware of Reports Claiming Japan Eyeing Patriot Missile Sale to US

Pentagon Says Aware of Reports Claiming Japan Eyeing Patriot Missile Sale to US

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Defense Department spokesperson Pat Ryder detailed the Pentagon was aware of reports that Japan is preparing to sell Patriot... 21.12.2023, Sputnik International

2023-12-21T21:38+0000

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"Ive seen the press reporting on that," Ryder said during a briefing, when asked about the reports on Thursday. "Japan is one of our strongest allies and we discuss a wide range of issues in the Indo-Pacific and beyond." However, Ryder deferred to the Japanese government to discuss the reported sale of Patriot missile systems to the United States. Earlier this week, US media reported Japan is working on approving the sale of Patriot missile systems to the United States. Such a sale could enable the Defense Department to provide further military aid to Ukraine by bolstering flexibility in US defense stockpiles.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231218/pentagon-warns-congress-us-will-run-out-of-ukraine-aid-funding-by-december-30-1115667073.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/admiral-nakhimovs-long-reach-russias-fearsome-nuclear-battlecruiser-gets-major-upgrade-1115753409.html

Admiral Nakhimovs Long Reach: Russias Fearsome Nuclear Battlecruiser Gets Major Upgrade

Admiral Nakhimovs Long Reach: Russias Fearsome Nuclear Battlecruiser Gets Major Upgrade

The Admiral Nakhimov is a super heavy nuclear-powered battlecruiser which joined the Soviet Navy in 1988 as the Kalinin. In the 1990s, the warships fate hung in the balance amid massive military funding cutbacks. Now, the vessel is nearing the completion of a major refit and rearmament cycle. Heres what we know about it.

2023-12-22T16:31+0000

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The repair and modernization of the Admiral Nakhimov is proceeding on schedule, and an great deal of work has been completed, Mikhail Budnichenko, director of Russian shipbuilding giant Sevmash, has said.The Sevmash director did not elaborate on the kinds of weapons systems being integrated into the warship, which is currently expected to rejoin service with the Russian Navy in 2024.However, previously published statements and reports by officials and media have made clear that the Navy wants to turn the nuclear-powered battlecruiser into a floating fortress, equipped with the latest word in Russian missile design, including Kalibr, Onyx and Zircon missile systems, S-350 Poliment-Redut and Pantsir-M air defense systems, and Packet-NK and Otvet antisubmarine missile systems. The missile complement is to be launched by as many as 176 vertical launch system tubes, 80 used by anti-surface/warship missiles and 96 by anti-air missiles.Other weapons onboard the Admiral Nakhimov include a AK-130 130mm shipborne automatic cannon, six 30 mm Kortik close-in weapon systems, Udav anti-torpedo defenses, and more.Unique Class of WarshipDeveloped and fielded in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the Soviet response to Americas vast aircraft carrier-dominated Navy, the Project 1144 Orlan (lit. Sea Eagle) project was envisioned as a warship design that would provide Moscow with a level of power projection capability in support of allies that smaller surface warships couldnt muster.The ships twin KN-3 type nuclear reactors, which put out 150 MW of raw power apiece, enable the warship to cruise at speeds up to 31 knots. With the Soviet Ulyanovsk-class aircraft carrier project scrapped in the 1990s due to lack of funds, Orlan-class battlecruisers are also the only surface warships in the Russian Navy with a nuclear power plant.Orlan RebornIn addition to getting cutting edge missile systems, the Admiral Nakhimov is also receiving refreshed electronics, upgraded radar, fire control and digital communication systems, and a powerful onboard computer promising to help the captain assess the battlefield situation.All told, the Admiral Nakhimov is expected to cost over 200 billion rubles to repair in total (about US$2.17 billion), making it one of the most expensive surface warships in Russias arsenal (for comparison, the proposed Project 23000E Storm carrier is expected to cost some $5.5 billion if it were ever built).The Russian Navy presently operates one Orlan-class warship  the Pyotr Velikiy (Peter the Great, originally the Yuri Andropov)  which serves as the flagship of the Northern Fleet. Entering into service in the late 1990s, the Pyotr Velikiy is expected to be retired once the Admiral Nakhimov steps in to replace it after upgrades. In the 2000s and 2010s, the warship visited Latin America and the Caribbean, traveled to the Indian Ocean for drills, and deployed in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Syria to assist Damascus in anti-terrorist operations.Two other ships of the Orlan project, the Kirov and the Admiral Lazarev, were retired in the 1990s, with scrapping starting in 2019 and 2021, respectively. A fifth Orlan-class battlecruiser, the Admiral Kuznetsov, was never completed. While the Admiral Nakhimov survived the difficult 1990s, its fate remained far from certain for many years afterward, with the ship confined to port from 1997 onwards, and sent to the Sevmash Shipyard in 1999. Proper repair work began in 2013 onward.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231129/faster-than-you-think-russias-zircon-hypersonic-cruise-missile-1115281780.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231202/aukus-to-test-advanced-ai-algorithms-to-help-navies-detect-subs-1115340077.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/biden-orders-import-restrictions-on-russian-diamonds-seafood--white-house-1115751341.html

Biden Orders Import Restrictions on Russian Diamonds, Seafood  White House

Biden Orders Import Restrictions on Russian Diamonds, Seafood  White House

US President Joe Biden will sign an executive order (E.O.) imposing restrictions on imports of certain Russian goods, including diamonds and seafood, the White House said on Friday

2023-12-22T14:28+0000

2023-12-22T14:28+0000

2023-12-22T14:28+0000

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The executive order will ban the imports of certain products mined, extracted, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in Russia, even if these products are later reprocessed in a third country. The Biden administration also plans to ban the imports of certain products harvested in Russian waters or by Russia-flagged vessels. Restrictions will apply even to goods transformed in a third country, according to the statement. "The Department of the Treasury intends to issue a determination identifying specific types of seafood that will be subject to this prohibition," the statement added. The new executive order will also provide additional authorities to sanction financial institutions that facilitate significant transactions relating to Russias military industrial base.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231218/eu-approves-12th-anti-russia-sanctions-package-targeting-over-140-people-and-entities-1115664221.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/brics-membership-to-open-ethiopias-path-to-progress-prosperity---innovation-minister-1115754242.html

BRICS Membership to Open Ethiopia's Path to Progress, Prosperity - Innovation Minister

BRICS Membership to Open Ethiopia's Path to Progress, Prosperity - Innovation Minister

Ethiopia expects its prospective membership of the BRICS club of developing countries to boost its economic growth and raise international profile, Minister of Innovation and Technology of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Belete Molla told Sputnik.

2023-12-22T17:26+0000

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"We expect it to boost Ethiopia's international profile, attract foreign investment, and facilitate access to new markets. We also expect further collaborations with other BRICS members in areas like infrastructure development, technology transfer, and skills training," the minister said in an interview. BRICS leaders officially invited Ethiopia and five other nations to join the bloc at a summit in South Africas Johannesburg in August. Full membership of the African country is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024. Molla said the accession would mark a turning point for the eastern African country, opening up "exciting possibilities" across various areas, including in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and renewables. Overall, Ethiopia sees membership in the BRICS as holding an "immense potential" for its economic and technological development as well as a means to maximize its leverage globally  all of which opens a path to progress and prosperity, Molla underlined.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/how-brics-summit-2023-spelled-end-to-western-centric-world-order-1112861182.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/chinas-position-on-reuniting-with-taiwan-solid-as-rock---foreign-ministry-1115743508.html

China's Position on Reuniting With Taiwan 'Solid as Rock' - Foreign Ministry

China's Position on Reuniting With Taiwan 'Solid as Rock' - Foreign Ministry

Beijing's stance on reunification with Taiwan remains "solid as a rock," with China considering it inevitable, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

2023-12-22T09:52+0000

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On Wednesday, media reported, citing US officials, that Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden during their November summit in San Francisco that China would eventually reunify with Taiwan, but on a schedule yet to be determined. China's reunification with Taiwan is ultimately inevitable, Wang added. In November, Biden and Xi held extensive bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, during which the leaders agreed to restore bilateral cooperation to ease rising tensions, including the resumption of direct military-to-military contacts, and touched upon the issue of Taiwan. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable. The latest escalation around Taiwan took place in April after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with then-US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the United States. Beijing responded by launching massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a warning to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers. In August and September, the Taiwanese armed forces reported multiple sightings of Chinese naval and air patrols in the island's vicinity. On September 18, the ministry reported a record high of 103 Chinese aircraft seen near the island in one day.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/xi-jinping-tells-biden-beijing-will-reunify-taiwan-with-china-1115716094.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/deeply-troubling-us-pledges-billions-of-dollars-for-foreign-nations---navajo-tribe--1115739583.html

'Deeply Troubling' US Pledges Billions of Dollars for Foreign Nations - Navajo Tribe

'Deeply Troubling' US Pledges Billions of Dollars for Foreign Nations - Navajo Tribe

It is troubling that the United States pledges billions of dollars to assist foreign nations when hundreds of US Native American tribes only receive a small fraction of that support, Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Justin Ahasteen told Sputnik.

2023-12-22T06:15+0000

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US Senate and White House negotiators are currently negotiating President Joe Biden's $106 billion nationals security supplemental bill that includes more than $60 billion for Ukraine. Republicans want the legislation to include stronger changes on border security policy before supporting it. The Navajo tribe believes that a more domestic-focused approach is needed from the US government, Ahasteen said. US tribes face pressing domestic issues, from health disparities to cultural preservation, and from economic development to the protection of our homelands, according to Ahasteen. The Navajo tribe, Ahasteen said, hopes the Biden administration, and future administrations, will strengthen relations with Native American tribes through sustained, meaningful action.President Joe Biden has ignored repeated requests from the Navajo Tribe in the last two years to appoint a commissioner to oversee the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, Navajo Nation said.According to the US Federal Register, the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) is an independent agency responsible for assisting Hopi and Navajo Indians impacted by the relocation that Congress mandated in 1974 for members of the tribes who were living on each other's land.Biden has the power to make the appointment of a commissioner to oversee the ONHIR without Senate confirmation, but has refused to do so with no explanation, Ahasteen added.The US Federal Register explains that the relocation imposed by the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974 was intended to be a temporary process to resolve land disputes among the tribes that had been ongoing for decades, however, disagreement between involved parties continued to emerge, preventing the desired final resolution, and resulting in the cost of the program ballooning, Congress amending the Act, and various politicians attempting to put an end to ONHIR.The Navajo Nation is deeply disappointed over the recent removal of legislation from the US defense policy bill that would have addressed health and environmental issues associated with uranium mining in the United States, Navajo Nation said.The RECA Amendments would strengthen RECA, including by extending the program to cover uranium miners who mined after 1971 and delaying the programs sunset date.Ahasteen said this legislation was a crucial step toward addressing the long-standing health issues and environmental damage inflicted upon Navajo and non-Navajo uranium workers who supported the US government's nuclear arsenal in the interest of national defense.According to the US Justice Department, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act established an administrative program for claims relating to atmospheric nuclear testing and uranium industry employment in the United States.The United States carried out nearly 200 atmospheric nuclear weapons development tests from 1945 to 1962. Uranium mining and processing, which was carried out by tens of thousands of workers, was also considered essential to the nations nuclear weapons development.Numerous lawsuits were filed against the US government for its alleged failure to warn of exposures to known radiation hazards from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing and uranium mining and testing, but these suits were dismissed by appellate courts. Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 1990 and broadened it over the years to address these issues.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220922/equality-for-native-americans-means-diplomatic-relations-not-full-representation---activist-1101105293.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230218/navajo-tribe-president-ohio-train-wreck-reminder-not-to-transport-toxins-over-public-lands-1107562233.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/ex-pentagon-analyst-warns-us-stretched-thin-on-ukraine-israel-and-taiwan-fronts-1115749074.html

Ex-Pentagon Analyst Warns US Stretched Thin on Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan Fronts

Ex-Pentagon Analyst Warns US Stretched Thin on Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan Fronts

Washington has to deal with challenges on multiple fronts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and in the Asia Pacific simultaneously, Michael Maloof, former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik.

2023-12-22T14:27+0000

2023-12-22T14:27+0000

2023-12-22T14:27+0000

israel

taiwan

ukraine

red sea crisis

analysis

michael maloof

opinion

joe biden

volodymyr zelensky

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Team Biden and its neoconservative allies have a lot on their plate as the Kiev regime appears to have lost in Washington's proxy war; the Israel-Hamas war is spiraling out of control; and Beijing has made it crystal clear that it will reunify with Taiwan, according to Michael Maloof.The Biden White House is trying hard to keep the Ukraine issue alive, with the US president claiming that Russia would invade NATO members if the Kiev regime is defeated. However, it appears that no one is buying into this narrative, as the US public support to Ukraine is dwindling and US military and intelligence veterans openly ridiculing Biden's "Russia threat" narrative.On another front, in the Middle East, Houthi militants have snubbed Washington's announcement about the formation of a 10-nation strong alliance to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea and proceeded with the attacks on trade ships.The Houthis have recently stepped up their missile and drone attacks in the sea, disrupting global commerce, in a bid to force Israel into halting its ground operation in Gaza that has claimed the lives of around 20,000 Palestinians.Maloof pointed out that even though the Red Sea remains an important trade route for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf kingdoms, only Bahrain has jumped on the US' Operation Prosperity Guardian bandwagon. "This really shows the political delicacy surrounding all of this," the former defense analyst pointed out.The Economist noted that previously Riyadh would have probably welcomed Washington's anti-Houthi initiative, but presently they want to end their war with the Yemeni Shiite militants. In April 2022, Saudi Arabia agreed to a two-month ceasefire with the Houthis and extended it twice. The truce largely remains in effect, even though it formally ended in October 2022. The warring sides have spent months reaching a compromise, and it seems that Riyadh does not want to disrupt the peace initiative, according to the newspaper.While the Houthis are continuing to raise the stakes in the Red Sea, Israel-Hezbollah tensions are steadily mounting, too, according to Maloof. The military expert explained that Houthi rebels and Hezbollah see Hamas as part of the Axis of Resistance. Given that Hamas appears to be losing ground amid Israel's assertive military push, the Houthis and Hezbollah are intensifying their military actions against the Jewish state, he maintained.The Ukraine defeat and Middle Eastern escalation are "becoming more complicated for US leaders and military leaders, especially juggling the finances," he stressed.On top of that, Chinese President Xi Jinping Xi told his US counterpart Biden during a meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco that China would reunite with Taiwan Island. Beijing considers Taiwan to be an unalienable part of the People's Republic territory, while Washington is backing the Taiwanese government, fanning secessionist sentiment and has recently stepped up the island's militarization.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/dc-based-think-tank-red-sea-operation-to-cost-team-biden-highly-1115721736.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/chinas-position-on-reuniting-with-taiwan-solid-as-rock---foreign-ministry-1115743508.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/journo-us-israel-in-quagmire-as-yemen-expands-gaza-war-into-regional-conflict-1115707682.html

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Mayor Sylvester Turner presides over his final City Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 in Houston. Turner, who has served eight years as Houstons mayor and is term limited, leaves office at the end of the year. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Mayor Sylvester Turners administration has racked up more than $1 million in late fees over the past eight years due to slow payment to vendors, as the city faces an uncertain financial future.

Since Turner took office in 2016, taxpayers have spent $1.1 million in late fees after the city failed to pay vendors within the one-month time frame required by Texas law, according to data provided by the controllers office.

That is about $137,800 of additional annual spending and marks a substantial surge from the late fees paid out by the previous administration.

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During former Mayor Annise Parker's tenure from 2010 to 2016, the city paid $33,100 in late fees, or around $5,500 per year, according to budget documents produced during Parkers administration.

Typically, staff members in various city departments are responsible for processing their own vendor invoices for goods and services, said John Seydler, a spokesman for Controller Chris Browns office. These departments pass along the information to the controller's office for final approval and payment.

It is not clear whether the delays causing late payments primarily came from his office failing to process payments on time or city departments failing to submit invoices promptly, Seydler said. He said an extensive audit would be required to determine the answer.

Seydler highlighted his offices limited capacity as a key factor contributing to the rise in late fees. The number of city vendors has expanded over the last decade, he said, but staffing levels at the controller's office have not kept up.

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He did not provide specific numbers to show the growth in the number of city vendors. But the citys budget documents reveal the number of full-time employees at the controllers office dropped from 60 in 2016 to 54 currently.

Texas law requires a local government to pay a vendor within 30 days after receiving goods or services, or the invoice for them, whichever is later. In 2014, the city introduced a policy to standardize invoice processing and give vendors the option to offer a small discount in exchange for early payment.

Before the policy change, city staff had more flexibility to decide which date marked the start of the 30-day period, Seydler said. The new system, however, sets more stringent guidelines for when the payment countdown starts and has contributed to the increase in late payments, he said. That makes it difficult to make direct late-fee comparisons between Turner's and Parkers administrations.

Parker, who served as Houston's controller for six years before becoming mayor, called the amount of late fees racked up during Turners tenure "an eye-popping number.

It's a big bureaucracy with millions of outflowing payments, and things can get lost or sit on somebody's desk, Parker said. Mistakes happen, but if youre doing the work properly, you should be able to keep it to a minimum.

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The mayor's office and procurement division did not provide answers to questions about the role of city departments in the increase of late payments.

There were at least 17 cases during the Turner administration where a late fee exceeded $5,000, according to data from Houstons Open Finance platform, an interface launched in 2022 to help Houstonians understand city budgets. The tool covers data from 2018 to 2023 and is administered by the citys Finance Department.

Ambassador Services, a janitorial and landscaping company, received a total of $27,500 in late fees from 2018 to the present. The Houston Housing Authority, a federally funded agency, was paid $18,800 in overdue fees during the same period.

Brenntag Southwest, a longtime chemical supplier for the Houston Public Works Department, has been paid seven late fees totaling $14,200 since 2018. Cokinos Energy, which supplies natural gas and related services to city facilities, collected a late fee of $9,200 this year.

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Overall, 55% of the citys late fees from 2018 to the present went toward vendors of Public Works, data from Open Finance shows. Fifteen percent came from payments by the General Services Department, which manages city facilities. An additional 10% was paid to vendors of the Housing Department. No other department accounted for over 5% of the citys total overdue fees.

Erin Jones, a spokeswoman for Public Works, said these invoices were processed by the Finance Department and not her department's team. The Finance Department declined to comment.

Although the $1.1 million in late fees represents a small fraction of the billions of dollars the city pays to vendors annually, the skyrocketing amount of late fees is still noteworthy, particularly in light of Houston's ongoing financial challenges, Parker said.

Houston typically operates at a structural deficit, where expenses grow faster than revenues. With federal COVID-19 relief dollars nearing depletion, city officials have forecast budget deficits between $114 million and $264 million during the next mayors first term.

Chris Hollins, the newly elected controller set to take over in January, has pledged to help tackle the citys projected budget shortfall by aggressively auditing city operations. Parker said the rising late payments are precisely the kind of issue Hollins needs to investigate.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/houthi-red-sea-blockade-could-starve-western-war-machine-of-oil-1115751663.html

Houthi Red Sea Blockade Could 'Starve' Western War Machine of Oil

Houthi Red Sea Blockade Could 'Starve' Western War Machine of Oil

US oil stockpiles are at their 40-year lows and the Houthi Red Sea blockage can make matters much worse for Washington, Maram Susli, better known as blogger Syrian Girl, told Sputnik's New Rules podcast.

2023-12-22T16:33+0000

2023-12-22T16:33+0000

2023-12-22T16:33+0000

middle east

joe biden

saudi arabia

israel

red sea

houthis

red sea crisis

world

opinion

houthi

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Yemen's armed forces stepped up attacks on trade vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea in a bid to force Tel Aviv into halting its ground operation in the Gaza Strip.In response, the US brought together a 10-nation coalition against the government in Sana'a led by the Ansarallah movement  dubbed the Houthis by the West. However, the coalition includes only one Arab state, Bahrain, while Yemen's other neighbors have so far hesitated to join the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian. Could they jump on Washington's bandwagon anytime soon?Observers say the US may resort to attacking Yemen launch sites, as they did previously in 2016. So far the Biden administration has been reluctant to take direct military action against the Houthis, who its claims are backed by Iran. The Yemeni movement issued a stark warning to the US-led naval task force on December 20."America's announcement of the establishment of the Coalition of Shame will not prevent us from continuing our military operations This is a moral and humanitarian position that we will not abandon, no matter the sacrifices it costs us," Ansarallah spokesman Mohammed al-Bukhaiti tweeted on December 19.The US is already overstretched by its proxy war in Ukraine, unprecedented military deployment in the Middle East and the Biden administration's push to arm the island of Taiwan in defiance of Beijing's warnings. The Yemeni blockade of the Red Sea as well as a potential threat of the Middle Eastern conflict spiraling out of control may result in a new oil crisis to which the US is not ready, Susli said.The SPR currently holds around 352 million barrels, less than half of 2010 highs. While the Biden administration is scrambling to refill it as fast as possible, it faces limits on how much crude can be funneled into the reserve pf three million barrels per month, according to some estimates.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/houthis-cargo-ship-attacks-help-make-settler-occupation-of-palestine-ungovernable-1115729851.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/idf-says-over-2000-hamas-fighters-killed-since-pause-in-fighting-ended-on-december-1-1115738566.html

IDF Says Over 2,000 Hamas Fighters Killed Since Pause in Fighting Ended on December 1

IDF Says Over 2,000 Hamas Fighters Killed Since Pause in Fighting Ended on December 1

The Israeli military killed more than 2,000 Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip since the end of a pause in the fighting on December 1, said IDF spokesperson RDML Daniel Hagari.

2023-12-22T04:09+0000

2023-12-22T04:09+0000

2023-12-22T04:09+0000

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Hagari also said that the IDF has increased the number of soldiers in eastern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip and is "operating there determinedly with five infantry brigades and combat engineering forces." The Times of Israel reported on Thursday, citing the IDF estimates, that some 8,000 Hamas operatives have been killed by the Israeli military since the beginning of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, and another 1,000 fighters were killed in Israel on October 7  the day the conflict escalated.On October 7, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted.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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. 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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/israel-defense-forces-orders-disarmament-of-response-teams-in-countrys-north---reports-1115745397.html

Israel Defense Forces Orders Disarmament of Response Teams in Country's North - Reports

Israel Defense Forces Orders Disarmament of Response Teams in Country's North - Reports

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has ordered the rapid response teams in the countrys north to return their weapons and leave only the teams commanders armed, The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported on Friday, citing the Upper Galilee Regional Council.

2023-12-22T10:58+0000

2023-12-22T10:58+0000

2023-12-22T10:58+0000

world

palestine-israel conflict

middle east

gaza strip

jerusalem

israel defense forces (idf)

hamas

israel

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The order applies to all northern Israeli towns that do not directly border Lebanon, the newspaper reported. At the same time, the council's head, Giora Zaltz, has criticized the decision. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. 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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. 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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/us-vetoes-unsc-gaza-peace-bids-as-resolutions-would-give-legitimacy-to-actions-against-israel-1115734939.html

gaza strip

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/israel-proposes-1-week-truce-to-hamas-for-return-of-35-hostages---reports-1115743117.html

Israel Proposes 1-Week Truce to Hamas for Return of 35 Hostages - Reports

Israel Proposes 1-Week Truce to Hamas for Return of 35 Hostages - Reports

Israel has proposed a one-week humanitarian pause to Hamas in exchange for the return of 35 hostages held by the Palestinian movement, including the wounded, women and the elderly, media reported on Friday, citing a senior US official.

2023-12-22T09:25+0000

2023-12-22T09:25+0000

2023-12-22T09:25+0000

world

gaza strip

palestine-israel conflict

palestine

hamas

israel defense forces (idf)

truce

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The official declined to comment on whether the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, had responded to Israel's latest proposal on the release of hostages, the report said. The group of 35 hostages would possibly include the three elderly men abducted from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip's border, who have recently appeared in a video released by the Hamas' military wing, the report also said. Meanwhile, US officials continue to believe that there is a possibility to secure the release of more hostages despite Hamas' statement on Thursday that it would not agree to any talks on a prisoner exchange until after Israel ends its military operation in the Gaza Strip. On October 7, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. 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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. 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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/israeli-military-death-toll-since-start-of-ground-offensive-in-gaza-rises-to-137---reports-1115719715.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/most-countries-clearly-oppose-israeli-armys-actions---palestinian-ambassador-in-vienna-1115738772.html

Most Countries Clearly Oppose Israeli Army's Actions - Palestinian Ambassador in Vienna

Most Countries Clearly Oppose Israeli Army's Actions - Palestinian Ambassador in Vienna

Most countries clearly oppose the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Ambassador to Vienna Salah Abdel-Shafi told Sputnik.

2023-12-22T05:02+0000

2023-12-22T05:02+0000

2023-12-22T05:02+0000

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palestine-israel conflict

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The UN vote had already taken place on Monday last week, everything was clear: 153 countries voted for a final cessation of fire. And only 10 countries, including Austria, voted against, another 23 states abstained. Obviously, the vast majority of countries in the world clearly oppose the actions of the Israeli army," Abdel-Shafi said. He said that he sees support for Palestine from many states in the UN. "I must say that on the global stage it is the Russian Federation, China, but also some European states such as Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway - all countries that are in favor of a permanent ceasefire. Not only for a humanitarian pause, but also for a full cessation of fire. These are the countries that openly criticize the Israeli army. Of course, these include African countries, Namibia, South Africa, certainly, Arab states, but also countries in Latin America, such as Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Chile, Bolivia, Abdel-Shafi said. He said some countries took practical steps. "For example, Bolivia and Colombia terminated their diplomatic relations with Israel. Argentina recalled its ambassador from Israel and expelled the Israeli one. South Africa did the same," the diplomat said.The United States for Palestine is an accomplice in Israel's crime in the Gaza Strip, Abdel-Shafi said.He cited UN data according to which one child dies every 6 minutes in Gaza."So every minute, until we have a ceasefire, it literally means that people are dying. And many people think that these figures are exaggerated. No, they are, on the contrary, fewer than the real numbers. Because thousands of civilians are under rubble. Thus, the fact that the United States decided to provide support to Israel has made it an accomplice in this crime, Abdel-Shafi said.The diplomat also said that since he himself was born in Gaza, it is not easy for him to remain an outside observer while continuing to carry out his duties at a professional level.The forced eviction of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan is part of Israel's strategy, Abdel-Shafi said.The United States can convince Israel to cease fire in Gaza, Palestinian Ambassador to Vienna Salah Abdel-Shafi said.We know for sure that if the Americans want the Israelis to stop, they can do it. But instead of stopping them, the Americans support them, Abdel-Shafi said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/who-warns-of-inevitable-spread-of-infectious-diseases-in-gaza-strip-1115735159.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/netanyahu-promoting-idea-of-indefinite-israeli-occupation-of-gaza-strip---reports-1115749976.html

Netanyahu Promoting Idea of Indefinite Israeli Occupation of Gaza Strip - Reports

Netanyahu Promoting Idea of Indefinite Israeli Occupation of Gaza Strip - Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is advocating for the idea of an indefinite occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing sources in the White House.

2023-12-22T13:57+0000

2023-12-22T13:57+0000

2023-12-22T13:57+0000

world

benjamin netanyahu

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joe biden

mahmoud abbas

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Not only is such scenario rejected by many Israelis, it is also disappointing to US President Joe Biden, the newspaper wrote. The Biden administration would prefer the Gaza Strip be passed under the control of the Palestinian Authority once hostilities end, and is now trying to convince Netanyahu, a senior White House official was cited as saying. The Israeli leader is reportedly strongly opposed to this scenario. Yet, White House officials believe they will eventually succeed in convincing Netanyahu to accept the Palestinian Authority's governance of the Gaza Strip, another US official was cited as saying. The official pointed to Israel's change of mind from initially rejecting any possibility of a ceasefire and humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and then eventually agreeing to both. In November, Netanyahu said that he would oppose the transfer of the Gaza Strip to the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, who has still not condemned the actions of Hamas. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. 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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. 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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/idf-says-destroyed-underground-tunnels-network-of-hamas-military-leadership-in-gaza-1115733924.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/new-execution-method-in-alabama-compared-to-tying-bag-over-their-head-1115737598.html

New Execution Method in Alabama Compared to 'Tying Bag Over Their Head'

New Execution Method in Alabama Compared to 'Tying Bag Over Their Head'

Alabama is planning to use Nitrogen hypoxia to execute a prisoner, but many question if the method is humane.

2023-12-22T01:35+0000

2023-12-22T01:35+0000

2023-12-22T01:35+0000

analysis

alabama

department of corrections

sputnik

prison reform

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nitrogen

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The never-before-tried method is believed to be painful. Nitrogen has no euphoric effects and the first prisoner scheduled to be executed with it, Kenneth Eugene Smith, will likely die from suffocation if a judge rules the execution can move forward.Paul Wright, the managing editor of Prison Legal News and the executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center told Sputniks Political Misfits on Thursday that the new execution method is the latest in a long list of government attempts to medicalize and sterilize the process of killing people.Wright notes that previous execution methods were all proposed as a more humane method, but each had their problems.The electric chair was posited as being an improvement over hanging people. The gas chamber was supposed to be an improvement over electrocuting people. Lethal injection was supposedly an improvement over all these other means of killing people. Now this nitrogen means of killing people is supposedly the answer to lethal injection, But, Wright adds that this method is not being advertised as more humane, but a more convenient way of killing inmates. The reason lethal injection is falling from favor is not because the government suddenly decided, 'Hey, we're botching too many executions. It's cruel and unusual. We're inflicting suffering needlessly. ' No, the reason they're moving away from lethal injection is because the drug companies that manufacture the drug that they use in these drug cocktails to kill people have been bought [through] European countries. And these European companies are saying, Hey, we're in the business of producing drugs to help people, not to kill people. We don't want our drugs being used for the murder of people.The Department of Corrections has declined to release documents related to the execution, including waivers that had to be signed by Smiths religious counsel, to media outlets. Wright argues that is part of a growing trend of putting a shroud of secrecy around state murder.Wright compared the method to tying "a plastic bag over [the inmate's] head" and executing them that way.Wright concludes by noting that public support of the death penalty has nevertheless been dropping since its modern peak in the early 1990s and that juries are returning fewer death sentences. It seems like the only people that are really enamored of the death penalty in this country are politicians and justices, he said.The judge in the Smith case is still considering whether the execution will be allowed to go forward, suggesting on Thursday that the state should change its policies to allow Smith to pray and say his final words before putting the gas mask on, but stressed that the suggestion should not be seen as a hint on how he will rule.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230321/idaho-bill-allowing-firing-squad-executions-heading-to-governor-for-signature---reports-1108622120.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/orban-says-launch-of-accession-talks-between-eu-ukraine-no-more-than-political-gesture-1115740423.html

Orban Dubs Launch of EU-Ukraine Accession Talks Nothing But 'Political Gesture'

Orban Dubs Launch of EU-Ukraine Accession Talks Nothing But 'Political Gesture'

The launch of accession talks between the European Union and Ukraine is no more than a political gesture, according to Viktor Orban.

2023-12-22T08:54+0000

2023-12-22T08:54+0000

2023-12-22T13:18+0000

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viktor orban

hungary

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ukraine crisis

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The launch of accession talks between the European Union and Ukraine is no more than a political gesture, according to Viktor Orban.The Hungarian prime minister doubled down on his previous warning that the EU should not begin such negotiations with a country in the grips of a conflagration. Orban, who was giving a big international press conference and summed up the results of the outgoing year, emphasized that it is not in Hungary's interest to be in an alliance with a country that is in a military conflict. He said that he opposed the start of accession talks with Kiev at the EU summit on December 14-15, but could not persuade the remaining 26 EU leaders to change their minds. Viktor Orban also addressed a rhetorical question to the 27-member European bloc, asking whether Brussels intended to accept Ukraine along with the new Russian regions. At this point the Hungarian PM was referring to the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the Lugansk Peoples Republic, the Kherson region, and the Zaporozhye region. Referendums on the reunification of the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions with the Russian Federation were held on September 23-27, 2022.Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Orban underscored the need for a peace agreement to be. He warned that, If Europe does not start negotiations, then the great powers outside Europe, and the Russians... will agree with the Americans over Europe's head. However, Ukraine cannot be admitted to the EU without the decision of the Hungarian parliament. Viktor Orban pointed out that Russia was conducting a special military operation in Ukraine, since Moscow never declared war on the regime in Kiev, and did not announce a general mobilization. As for Budapest, it has no vision for another country, it focuses only on itself, its own needs," the prime minister underscored. He added that it was not in Hungarys interests to have a border with Russia. Regarding financial aid to Ukraine, it cannot be "at the expense of Hungarians," Viktor Orban emphasized.If budgetary coverage is needed, then the parliament must discuss this, the government is ready for such a conversation, but not with a loan, and certainly not within the current budget framework of the European Union, he said. Orban warned against blowing up the budget, saying that we shouldn't be in debt with anyone. The Hungarian government wants to avoid that the forints intended for Hungary are eaten up by the support provided to Ukraine."Blackmail is taking place in Brussels," despite the fact that Hungary complies with the requests of the European Commission in all matters, deplored Orban, adding that "there is not much we can do about this." According to his assessment, he cannot be blamed for "using all means in order to assert Hungary's interests." At the same time, EU member countries cannot decide to allocate financial support to Kiev from the blocs budget without the consent of Hungary, the PM noted. They can only agree on extra-budgetary payments, as would be the case if the other 26 countries took out a common loan for this purpose.Elsewhere in his press conference, Viktor Orban said that the EC has no reason to attempt to strip Hungary of its voting rights under Article 7 of the EU treaty (for violations of the rule of law), since it has just admitted that the countrys judicial system was in order. It should be noted that after the Hungarian prime minister vetoed the EU's 50-billion package to Ukraine, there were reports that EU officials were contemplating the application of Article 7 of the 2007 European Union Treaty. The latter article empowers the bloc to suspend a member country's voting privileges in response to violations of European legislation.On December 14, the European Council decided to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant EU candidate status to Georgia. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who did not vote on this decision at the summit, said the European Commission had itself, in recommendations dated November 8, admitted that Ukraine had not yet met three conditions for launching membership talks.Hungary will be able to veto accession talks between the EU and Ukraine when they are real and not hypothetical, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto later stated.The veto, he pointed out, would be expedient if, during preparation for real, and not hypothetical, as now, talks, Brussels wants to impose something unfavorable for us.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/ukraines-accession-to-eu-to-cost-member-states-up-to-208bln---orban-1115717582.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231216/hungary-can-veto-real-not-hypothetical-eu-ukraine-talks---hungarian-fm-szijjarto-1115616356.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/pouring-praise-on-poland-just-pr-pressure-to-put-pan-european-state-under-us-hegemony-1115741436.html

Pouring Praise on Poland Just PR Pressure to Put 'Pan-European State Under US Hegemony

Pouring Praise on Poland Just PR Pressure to Put 'Pan-European State Under US Hegemony

The new Polish government led by Donald Tusk wants to be seen as even more pro-American than the previous one, Polish politician Konrad Rekas told Sputnik.

2023-12-22T09:44+0000

2023-12-22T09:44+0000

2023-12-22T09:44+0000

analysis

poland

us

donald tusk

mateusz morawiecki

joe biden

ukraine

european union (eu)

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The new Polish government led by Donald Tusk wants to be seen as even more pro-American than the previous one, Polish politician Konrad Rekas told Sputnik.Citing a recent statement by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien that Washington wants Poland to be a leader in the European Union, he clarified:The government of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, of the right-wing Law and Justice Party, left office earlier upon losing a vote of confidence in parliament. As the new cabinet led by the new pro-Brussels PM Donald Tusk was sworn in on Wednesday, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien spoke with Rzeczpospolita, a Polish news outlet. He underscored that Washington so far had very good cooperation and support for Ukraine from Poland, and we will continue to have it from the new government.I'm very encouraged by this. We know many members of the new authorities very well. We understand the values they defend. We are very happy to be able to work with them in the future, he stated, adding, Today, we really want Poland to be a leader in the European Union. And this is the declared goal of the new government.O'Brien's praise for Poland is also contextual, the pundit noted, spotlighting the botched Ukrainian counteroffensive and the increasingly widespread conflict at the top of Kiev's political elite, which he described as a serious blow to the Democrats' eastern policy.The Polish geopolitical expert noted that singling out countries like Poland, eager to further prop up the Kiev regime amid rapidly dwindling support for bankrolling Ukraine in the Republican-led Senate, is also a method of cost diversification for the Biden administration. Accordingly, since Congress recently declined to allocate funds from American taxpayers to Kiev, Rekas pointed to the idea of letting Polish, Romanian, Lithuanian and generally European taxpayers pay. Besides the money being used to pay for Ukrainians to buy weapons from [the] Americans, the new Polish government recently pushed through an EU embargo on Russian LPG, the main recipient of which in the EU is... Poland. Of course, American suppliers and suppliers from the US-controlled Gulf countries are filling this market gap, the commentator clarified.As part of its 12th package of sanctions against Moscow regarding Ukraine, the EU is taking aim at Russia's raw materials in the steel industry and other metal goods, as well as tech developments. The package imposes harsher limitations on the G7+ oil price cap, Russian liquified petroleum gas (LPG), and places tough measures on third party companies bypassing the existing EU sanctions.In sizing up the cabinet led by Donald Tusk, Konrad Rekas concluded:

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/us-hopes-new-polish-govt-will-seize-initiative-and-become-eu-leader-1115730615.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231016/polands-ukraine-policy-set-by-senior-partners-in-us-eu-1114236673.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/putin-abbas-discuss-palestinian-israeli-conflict-during-phone-talks---kremlin-1115746921.html

Putin, Abbas Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Conflict During Phone Talks - Kremlin

Putin, Abbas Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Conflict During Phone Talks - Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have discussed the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict during a phone conversation, the Kremlin said on Friday.

2023-12-22T11:58+0000

2023-12-22T11:58+0000

2023-12-22T11:58+0000

world

mahmoud abbas

vladimir putin

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russia

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"Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Issues related to the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, primarily in the Gaza Strip, were discussed in detail," the Kremlin said in a statement. The Russian leader said that Moscow will continue supplies of essential goods, including medical equipment, to the Gaza Strip, as well as informed about the steps taken by the Russian side to facilitate the de-escalation of the conflict and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, the statement read. The leaders also noted the importance of an early end to the bloodshed in the enclave and the resumption of the political settlement process, the statement read. Additionally, Putin confirmed the invitation to Abbas to visit Russia at a mutually acceptable time. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. 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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. 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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. Russia has repeatedly called on both parties to stop hostilities, stating that the two-state solution approved by the UN Security Council, which provides for the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem, is the only way to end the conflict. The UN General Assembly voted in 1947 to divide UK-governed Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem placed under a special international regime. The partitioning was planned to take place in May 1948, when the British mandate was due to end, but only the state of Israel was established.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/russia-to-deliver-20-tons-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza-1115739163.html

gaza strip

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Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, left in blue, listens as supporters speaks out against her during a Harris County Democratic Party meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Daniel Cohen speaks in favor of admonishing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg during a Harris County Democratic Party meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Lane Lewis, Harris County Democratic Party former chairman, speaks against a resolution admonishing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg during a Harris County Democratic Party meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Supporters of Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg hold signs before a Harris County Democratic Party meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

District Attorney Kim Ogg was reprimanded on Tuesday night by the Harris County Democratic Party, which passed a resolution calling for her admonishment.

By a vote of 129 to 61, precinct chairs approved the resolution accusing Ogg of not adequately representing the values of the Democratic Party.

While the resolution does not limit her legal powers, it does put Ogg at odds with her own party as she heads into next years March primary. She is facing a challenge from Sean Teare, a former prosecutor who raised almost $750,000 in the first six months of the year  more than 10 times what Ogg raised during the same period.

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OGG RESOLUTION: What to know about Democrats' proposed resolution condemning Ogg

Ogg, who attended the vote in person, downplayed its significance minutes after the resolution passed.

It's political drama within a party, she said. Its the in-fighting that our American public has grown tired of. I would tell the public that this is damaging to the political process, and it hurts public trust. Anybody who pushed this is wrong.

Daniel Cohen, a precinct chair and one of the organizers of the resolution, said its passage was the result of a grassroots movement of people who were tired of Oggs tussles with major figures in the party, as well as everyday working folks trying to make things work.

This is the future of the Harris County Democratic Party if we want to see success in elections, Cohen said.

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The resolution, first introduced in October, was signed by over 110 of the partys 549 precinct chairs. It contained more than a dozen accusations, among them that Ogg "abused the power of her office to pursue personal vendettas against her political opponents, sided with Republicans to advance their extremist agenda, and stood in the way of fixing the broken criminal justice system."

Ogg had previously called the resolution the result of a misinformation campaign from highly partisan precinct chairs who seek to create dysfunction within the party.

In a statement late Tuesday, Teare said the resolution showed Democrats had grown "tired" of Ogg.

"This rebuke reflects what I have heard from rank-and-file Democrats across Harris County on the campaign trail," he said. "I share their concerns and echo their call for change. They see what I witnessed firsthand as a prosecutor  that Kim Ogg has somehow managed to make an already broken criminal justice system even worse."

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The resolution was narrowly approved by two party committees  the first in late November and the second in early December  before heading to the county executive committee, which is comprised of the partys elected precinct chairs.

Tuesdays vote, held in the second-floor ballroom of the University of Houston student center, was a contentious moment for the executive committee.

The party chairs divided the room, sending those in favor of the resolution to the east side and those in opposition to the west side of the room. To prevent a prolonged debate on the resolution, the party limited debate to five speakers in favor and five speakers against.

During the debate, Ogg supporters stood outside of the ballroom holding up signs that read My vote belongs in the ballot box. Their signs echoed Oggs own comments on the resolution several weeks prior, when she said questions of her capabilities should be left to the voters  not party officials.

While Ogg did not speak on her own behalf on Tuesday, Lane Lewis, a former Harris County Democratic Party chairman, reiterated her messaging when he spoke against the resolution.

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You know what they say about opinions, Lewis said. Everybodys got one. Is that what were going to do as a party and start passing resolutions to each other. Isnt that what the Republicans do? Just attack and go after each other.

Supporters and opponents of Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg are seen during a Harris County Democratic Party meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Oggs detractors argued she was taking her cues from a GOP playbook by pursuing investigations into members of her own party  and they could not excuse that behavior.

What Kim is doing is horrible, said Kay Shepard, a precinct chair, who spoke in favor of the resolution. I've never seen a DA come after (fellow) Democrats.

Shepard said Ogg was making stuff up about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and coming after County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, both claims Ogg has denied.

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If you have the heart of a true Democrat, you know she is horrible for Democrats, Shepard said. She has changed in front of us.

Once the debate concluded, precinct chairs cast their ballots. After about half an hour of counting ballots, Mike Doyle, the party chairman, announced the results, and the crowd quickly erupted into cheers.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/putin-suggests-russias-security-council-discuss-ensuring-cis-collective-biological-security-1115745893.html

Putin Urges Russian Security Council to Focus on Ensuring CIS Collective Biosecurity

Putin Urges Russian Security Council to Focus on Ensuring CIS Collective Biosecurity

President Vladimir Putin has proposed discussing ensuring collective biological security across the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at a briefing with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.

2023-12-22T11:11+0000

2023-12-22T11:11+0000

2023-12-22T12:02+0000

russia

russia

vladimir putin

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russian security council

cis

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed discussing ensuring collective biological security across the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Russian president was speaking at a briefing with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.The Russian leader asked the head of Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, to report on the biological and epidemiological situation in the CIS.Russia has repeatedly warned of the dangerous extent of US military-biological activities at facilities set up across the post-Soviet space. Since the start of its special military operation in Ukraine, Moscow has accused the US of conducting biological research for military purposes, pointing out that up to 30 biological laboratories scattered across the territory of the neighboring country have been involved in biological weapons production. Washington has denied the allegations, despite the fact that many of the findings presented by Russias Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops have since been independently corroborated.The United States is looking to establish worldwide dominance over biological situations and is making administrative, financial, and diplomatic efforts to achieve this goal, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces, stated in September. Russia has documented evidence that the US State Department has been participating in the implementation of the Biosecurity Enhancement Program since 2016, Kirillov told a briefing. According to the general, data shows that Washington has been actively taking part in bioresearch in other countries, striving to use third-party performers to conceal the customers and goals of the ongoing research.Last month, Igor Kirillov said that Washington has been forced to scale back its global military-biological programs in the wake of Russias revelations about their extent.We face a difficult situation [as far as biological security goes, ed.] due to the fact that practically 46 biological laboratories were located on the territory of Ukraine. How do our overseas opponents react to Russias statements? Some have kept silent, sometimes they give instructions not to react at all. Some of their work has been curtailed, and we consider this to be our achievement, Kirillov said in an interview with Russian TV on the occasion of the RCBD Troops professional holiday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/biolabs-at-work-antimicrobial-resistance-sees-alarming-spike-in-ukraine---cdc-1115477113.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230906/us-seeks-to-establish-global-biological-control---russian-defense-ministry-1113153442.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/quiet-part-out-loud-west-greedily-eyes-donbasss-lithium-riches-1115749253.html

Quiet Part Out Loud: West Greedily Eyes Donbass Lithium Riches

Quiet Part Out Loud: West Greedily Eyes Donbass Lithium Riches

Before the 2014 Euromaidan coup, the Donbass regions of Donetsk and Lugansk served as Ukraines industrial and mining heartland, accounting for nearly 15 percent of the countrys GDP and over 25 percent of the its industrial output. Now, these lands have become key prizes in an economic war between Atlanticist Europe and Eurasia.

2023-12-22T14:31+0000

2023-12-22T14:31+0000

2023-12-22T19:08+0000

economy

ukraine

donbass

lithium

lithium ion battery

resources

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Ever since Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Western officials and media have experimented with an array of explanations for why the West must spend hundreds of billions of dollars on military and economic aid for the Zelensky regime, ranging from saving democracy to defending NATO against Russian aggression, to preventing the collapse of the so-called rules-based international order (read: US global hegemony).But on occasion, the hidden economic motives behind the crisis, whether its control over Ukraines highly fertile farmlands, or eye-watering untapped reserves of resource wealth, leak out.A possible compromise would mean giving up territory. And that would be a victory for Putin, the CDU politician and ardent transatlanticist warned. As far as military deliveries are concerned, its not too late, Kiesewetter assured, urging Berlin to speed up the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, and to make clear to Moscow that Ukraine has a future in NATO, and that Russia has no say in NATO.Kiesewetters comments help to elucidate the feverish passion with which the German government helps to prop up Ukraine, notwithstanding an increasingly painful economic downturn and budgetary crisis at home. Earlier this month, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck announced that Germany would allocate billions of euros in assistance more on top of those initially budgeted for next year, and stressed that Germany cannot afford not to continue funding the conflict if it is serious about its interests.German officials arent the only ones to have publicly confirmed the hidden background motivations for their support for Zelensky, although confessions in this direction are few and far between.Earlier this year, for example, anonymous congressional staffers and defense sector insiders told US media that Ukraine has really significant deposits of rare earth minerals, and if we play our cards right could actually be a really attractive alternative to Russian and Chinese sources, which is where a lot of dependency currently is. As there are increasing debates throughout the West about why its in our interest to keep supporting Ukraine, I think this is one of the arguments that youre going to start hearing more, one source said.Lithium is just one of the Periodic Tables worth of resources concentrated in Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporozhye, Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk, with these territories once home to the vast majority of Ukraines mining and industrial activities. The regions, the Donbass especially, are home to vast deposits of coal, rock salt, limestone and dolomite, refractory and ceramic clays, kaolin, mercury, asbestos, gypsum, building and facing stone, as well as infrastructure for advanced metallurgy, including pig and rod iron, rolled steel, coke, pipes, cable and wire, plus electricity generation, mechanical engineering, chemical, petrochemical, and textile sectors.Lithium: White Gold of the 21st CenturyWith approximately 500,000 tons of lithium oxide deposits in the form of petalite, spodumene and lithium carbonate, and as much as 5 million tons of pristine, untapped reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars hidden deep below Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kirovograd regions, the areas lithium reserves may constitute anywhere between five and ten percent of the global total.Lithium has become critical for the Global Norths climate change-obsessed Green Revolution. Its needed for the production of electric cars (whose numbers are expected to hit 125 million by the year 2030, according to the International Energy Agency), lithium ion batteries for solar and wind energy sources, consumer goods from smartphones to laptops, as well as the nascent energy storage market, which is expected to reach 2,500 GW by the year 2050. The soft, silvery-white metal is also necessary for metallurgy, optics, and nuclear engineering, where it is used to produce tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen.Global lithium production reached about 130,000 tons in 2022; the European Energy Agency predicts production to grow to between 1.3 million and 2.4 million tons per year by 2050. The US Geological Survey estimates that there are just 88 million tons of confirmed lithium reserves on Earth. That means over time, unless the nascent lithium frenzy is tamed via clean hydrocarbon alternatives (like natural gas and cleaner-burning oil), the coming decades will see an increasingly tense geopolitical, economic and perhaps even military battleground for the countries and regions where major lithium reserves are known to exist (these include countries in North and South America, Australia, China, Russia, Germany, Austria, and the Congo).The Wests hunger for Ukraines lithium riches is no secret. In 2017 and 2018, companies associated with then-President Petro Poroshenko were granted rights to the countrys most lucrative lithium deposits in a series of shady, no-bid licensing schemes. The Zelensky administration wrested these deposits from Poroshenkos entourage in court, only to hand them off to foreign companies.In late 2021, for example, Australian mining giant European Lithium moved to secure the rights to the Ukrainian-occupied Shevchenko deposit in Donetsk and the Dobra Plot deposit in Kirovograd, planning to invest up to $1 billion into operations. The same year, Chinese company Chengxin Lithium submitted a bid for the deposits, but was apparently outbid by the Australians. Prior to that, Canadian mining company Mkango Resources expressed interest in the regions lithium riches.Situated next to the frontlines, the Shevchenko lithium mining project was frozen after the special military operation began. Russian forces captured the major Zaporozhye deposit at Kruta Balka in early 2022, and have inched toward the Shevchenko deposit over the past months.That leaves Dobra Plot in Kirovograd, central Ukraine, which European Lithium reportedly believes may have the largest lithium deposits in all of Europe.Empires Wheels Keep on TurningDo you want to know why were in Afghanistan? former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura asked CNNs Piers Morgan in an explosive 2011 interview.A decade on, with the US withdrawing from Afghanistan in disgrace and leaving its rare earth riches to its potential adversaries, Washington and its allies appear to have found a new source of fuel for their ambitious 'Green Revolutionary' dreams: the Donbass.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230129/why-we-fight-us-openly-salivates-over-ukraines-vast-untapped-titanium-reserves-1106799343.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220923/a-look-at-history-of-dpr-lpr-kherson--zaporozhye-regions-1101118920.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210819/lithium-gold--rare-earths-how-china-may-open-the-door-to-new-business-opportunities-for-afghans-1083657491.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/rt-announces-winners-of-khaled-alkhateb-conflict-zone-reporting-awards-1115745268.html

RT Announces Winners of Khaled Alkhateb Conflict Zone Reporting Awards

RT Announces Winners of Khaled Alkhateb Conflict Zone Reporting Awards

RT news broadcaster on Friday announced the four winners of its Khaled Alkhateb International Memorial Awards for Best Journalism from a Conflict Zone.

2023-12-22T10:55+0000

2023-12-22T10:55+0000

2023-12-22T10:55+0000

world

khaled alkhateb

rt

award

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The awards was first held in 2018 to honor Khaled Alkhateb, the RT Arabic freelance reporter who died covering the Syrian fight against Islamists in April 2017. The contest honors those who "strive to shed light on the complexities and ramifications of armed conflict" in the hope that, with the help of this knowledge, peace is possible. This years "Best Video Journalism From a Conflict Zone" award went to Ghazi Al-Aloul, of Jordanian television channel Roya, for a series of reports from war-ravaged Gaza. The series, titled "Gaza Consequences," highlights evacuation challenges, attacks on civilians and the health care disaster. Sergei Prudnikov, of Russian newspaper Izvestiya, excelled in the "Best Written Journalism From a Conflict Zone" category with a series of articles from Donbas that offer a unique perspective on the challenges faced by civilians and their undying hope. Sebastian Salgado, of Argentine news website Data Urgente, won the "Best Humanitarian Video Journalism" for his "Tango de Libertad en Lugansk" ("Tango of Liberty in Luhansk") documentary series that he shot in August 2022. The documentary sheds light on everyday struggles of people in the breakaway regions of Ukraine, which have been coping with struggles of war since 2014. The "Best Humanitarian Written Journalism" award was given to Sara Salloum, of Lebanese news channel Al Mayadeen English. Her article, titled "The Guns Fell Silent," explores the diverse challenges faced by Syria, from child malnutrition and labor to economic hardships stemming from blockades. The winners will each receive a monetary prize of 200,000 rubles ($2,178).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220729/rt-opens-entries-for-2022-khaled-alkhateb-awards-recognizing-conflict-journalism-1097937390.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/russia-to-deliver-20-tons-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza-1115739163.html

Russia to Deliver 20 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Russia to Deliver 20 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

The Russian Ministry Emergency Situations will deliver another 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, the ministry said in the Telegram channel.

2023-12-22T06:20+0000

2023-12-22T06:20+0000

2023-12-22T06:20+0000

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The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will deliver another 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, the ministry said on its Telegram channel."The Russian Emergencies Ministry will deliver 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza.... The Emergencies Ministry's IL-76 plane flew to the Egyptian city of El-Arish with the next batch of humanitarian cargo," it said.According to the ministry, the humanitarian aid will include food, medicine, blankets, clothes, shoes, and personal hygiene items."The humanitarian mission is being carried out on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the instructions of the head of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry Alexander Kurenkov," the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry added.

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The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will deliver another 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations will deliver another 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza 2023-12-22T06:20+0000 true PT0M57S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/russias-roscosmos-senior-official-charged-with-large-scale-fraud---investigative-committee-1115755904.html

Russia's Roscosmos Senior Official Charged With Large-Scale Fraud - Investigative Committee

Russia's Roscosmos Senior Official Charged With Large-Scale Fraud - Investigative Committee

The Deputy Director General of Russian state space corporation Roscosmos, Oleg Frolov, along with two accomplices, has been charged with large-scale fraud for stealing public funds for the purchase of equipment worth 435 million rubles ($4.7 million), the Russian Investigative Committee said on Friday.

2023-12-22T18:28+0000

2023-12-22T18:28+0000

2023-12-22T18:50+0000

russia

russia

roscosmos

russian investigative committee

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"The Central Investigation Department of Russia's Investigative Committee is looking into a criminal case against Oleg Frolov, Deputy Director General of Russian state space corporation Roscosmos, an individual entrepreneur, as well as a representative of a commercial organization. Each of the three defendants have been charged with committing a crime under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation [large-scale fraud]," the statement said. According to the investigation, Frolov used his official position and conspired with two other people in order to steal public funds for purchasing equipment worth at least 435 million rubles ($4.7 million).

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/scott-ritter-us-builds-a-trap-for-itself-in-the-red-sea-1115746216.html

Scott Ritter: US Builds Trap for Itself in Red Sea

Scott Ritter: US Builds Trap for Itself in Red Sea

On December 18, following a tour of the Middle East with stops in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Israel, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, under the umbrella of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea, to protect maritime shipping.

2023-12-22T12:30+0000

2023-12-22T12:30+0000

2023-12-22T14:10+0000

israel

military

red sea crisis

middle east

red sea

houthi

houthis

uss dwight d. eisenhower

gaza strip

palestine-israel conflict

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Back on November 19, Yemens Houthi rebels, operating in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, took over an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader. The Houthis announced that they would block all shipping transiting the Red Sea toward Israelin effect establishing a blockade of Israeluntil Israel allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza.The Houthis have subsequently attacked numerous vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passageway leading into the Red Sea and further on to the Suez Canal, threatening global trade as major oil and shipping giants, including BP, MSC, Evergreen, OOCL, and Maersk, suspended operations through the Red Sea. The damage to the Israeli economy done by the Houthi blockage is estimated to run into the billions of dollars, and Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to use military force against the Houthis if the United States does not intervene on its behalf.CTF 153, which has operated under both US and Egyptian command, is tasked with international maritime security and capacity-building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden. Its compliment of four shipsthree US destroyers (the USS Carney, USS Mason, and USS Thomas Hudner) and the UK Royal Navy guided-missile destroyer HMS Diamond) have all been involved in intercepting Houthi missiles and drones fired against either Israel or merchant shipping operating in the Red Sea.Austin also ordered Carrier Strike Group 2, consisting of aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and three escorts (a cruiser and two destroyers), to join up with CTF 153 as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Ohio-class submarine the USS Florida, equipped with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, is also operating in the region.Austin announced that the US and UK would be joined by Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Notable absentees include Arab nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Australia was asked to provide a warship, but offered personnel only.French Navy guided-missile frigate the FS Languedoc is already operating in the Red Sea and, like its US and UK counterparts, has been involved in the shooting down of Houthi drones and missiles. However, France has stated that the Languedoc will operate under French command, complicating its relationship with CTF 153.Italys Defense Ministry has announced that it will deploy naval frigate the Virginio Fasanto the Red Sea. Its command relationship with CTF 153 remains unclear as of the present time.The military problem facing CTF 153 is threefold. First, there is a need to establish a barrier defense against the Houthi missile and drone attacks. This will require that the guided missile destroyers and frigates establish a picket line along the eastern channel of the Bab al-Mandeb Straight which will screen shipping from any Houthi attack. Second, CTF 153 will need to engage in aggressive patrolling designed to deter and repel any Houthi efforts to repeat their hijacking of the Galaxy Leader. Lastly, CTF 153 will need to provide mine clearance capabilities to deal with any sea mines that the Houthis may place in the narrow waters of the Bab al-Mandeb.These missions alone will be taxing, and difficult to accomplish. As things stand, while the CTF 153 ships have shot down dozens of Houthi drones and missiles, scores have gotten through, striking targets in Israel and hitting shipping in the Red Sea. Simply put, CTF 153 doesnt have enough ships to adequately screen either Israel or maritime shipping from Houthi attack. And given the lack of mine warfare ships in the CTF 153 organization, any deployment of sea mines by the Houthis will effectively close the region from commercial shipping, and threaten military deployments in the area, until demining capability can be deployed.The only way that Operation Prosperity Guardian could possibly keep the Bab al-Mandeb Straight open is to launch strikes against the Houthi capability of launching missiles and drones in hopes of interdicting them before they can be used. Here the plot thickensthe Houthis have made it clear that if attacked, they will expand the conflict to include Saudi and UAE oil production, threatening global energy supplies. Moreover, targeting mobile missile and drone launchers is no simple taskSaudi Arabia, using US intelligence support to assist in targeting, was unable to prevent the Houthis from launching missiles and drones against Saudi targets during the entirety of its ongoing conflict with the Houthis. The US would likely run into similar problems.In short, by initiating Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US appears to have built a trap for itself, where it is damned if it doesnt attack the Houthi (since the Red Sea would remain blocked to all Israeli traffic), and damned if it does (since it wouldnt be able to stop the Houthi attacks, and such action would likely expand the scope and scale of the conflict to the detriment of US interests.)Keep in mind that all of this could have been solved with a single phone call from US President Joe Biden to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directing Israel to accept a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to be sent to the Palestinian residents of Gaza. Instead, the United States is destroying its moral standing in the world by openly facilitating the ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians at the hands of the Israel Defense Forces, while simultaneously undermining the credibility of US military deterrence by getting itself mired in a tar baby of its own making.The deployment of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower into the Sea of Aden comes on the heels of its brief foray into the Persian Gulf, where it was closely monitored by Iran. The US has also deployed a second carrier battlegroup, consisting of the USS Gerald R. Ford and its six escorts, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Meanwhile, the USS Carl Vinson and its five escorts operate just over the horizon, in the South China Sea.Never in the history of the American Navy have so many carrier battlegroups been moved around the globe with so little impact.The reality of modern warfare is that small nations and non-state actors such as the Houthis can be armed with modern military weaponry which negates the military impact of multibillion-dollar investments such as the carrier battlegroup. It costs the Houthis tens of thousands of dollars to fire its drones and missiles against Israel and maritime shipping; it costs the US Navy millions of dollars to shoot them down. Moreover, it costs the US navy hundreds of millions of dollars just to keep a carrier battle group deployed and operating, while the Houthis can credibly threaten to sink a carrier using weapons that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.The final score card regarding Operation Prosperity Guardian has yet to be written. But the reality is that it will most likely not succeed in its mission of preventing Houthi attacks against either Israel or maritime shipping. This failure goes far beyond the issue of security for the Red Sea. The United States has long maintained that it could guarantee that if Iran ever sought to close the strategic Straight of Hormuz, the US Navy would be able to reopen it in a very short period. Operation Prosperity Guardian puts a lie to that claim. The fact is, the world balance of power has changed dramatically, and legacy systems like the carrier battlegroup are no longer the dominant means of power projection they once were. The US has, in effect, put all its eggs in one basket through its over-reliance upon the carrier battlegroup when it comes to force projection.The looming failure of Operation Prosperity Guardian exposes the impotence of the US when it comes to being able to accomplish its plans for regional dominance in the Persian Gulf, South Pacific, and Taiwan, and signals a new era where the appearance of an American fleet of the shores of a far way land no longer inspires fear and intimidation. For a nation like the United States, which has premised so much of its foreign and national security on the notion of strength-based deterrence, the revelation that its military power projection capabilities are more bark than bite undermines its credibility as an ally and partner in a world largely defined by conflicts created by, or on behalf of, the United States.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/pepe-escobar-yemen-ready-to-stare-down-a-new-imperial-coalition-1115695024.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231219/us-escalation-in-the-red-sea--a-loselose-proposition--1115679933.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/israel-not-prepared-to-face-houthi-gaza-deployment---however-rhetorical-the-threat-1115711320.html

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tensions in the red sea, red sea crisis, houthi attacks in the red sea, who do the houthis target in the red sea, international coalition against houthis, us-led coalition in the red sea, ships attacked in the red sea, why do houthis attack in the red sea
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/spain-blocks-eu-from-joining-us-led-operation-against-houthis-in-red-sea---reports-1115743825.html

Spain Blocks EU From Joining US-Led Operation Against Houthis in Red Sea - Reports

Spain Blocks EU From Joining US-Led Operation Against Houthis in Red Sea - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Spain has blocked the European Union's participation in the US-led operation in the Red Sea aimed at protecting commercial vessels from Yemeni Houthis, Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported.

2023-12-22T10:00+0000

2023-12-22T10:00+0000

2023-12-22T10:22+0000

world

spain

red sea

yemen

european union (eu)

houthis

us

red sea crisis

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Spain vetoed the EU's participation in the Operation Prosperity Guardian despite the government's advocating for whole Europe to join the mission several hours before, the newspaper reported. Spain has not explained the u-turn on the policy to the partners, the newspaper reported on Thursday. On Monday, the US launched an international operation aimed at protecting commercial ships in the Red Sea from the attacks of Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis. On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that more than 20 countries had so far signed on to participate in the coalition. The Houthi rebels vowed they will continue to prevent the passage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea of ships linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel until the latter's military actions in the Gaza Strip end.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/yemens-houthis-say-carrying-out-general-mobilization-to-possibly-send-soldiers-to-gaza-1115703930.html

spain

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yemen

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spain has blocked the european union's participation, us-led operation in the red sea, yemeni houthis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/trump-lets-loose-on-birdbrain-haley-as-poll-shows-them-running-neck-and-neck-in-key-state-1115756435.html

Trump Lets Loose on Birdbrain Haley as Poll Shows Them Running Neck and Neck in Key State

Trump Lets Loose on Birdbrain Haley as Poll Shows Them Running Neck and Neck in Key State

The former president continues to run circles around his opponents in polling for the Republican Partys nomination in 2024, averaging between 56 and 69 percent against challengers unable to break into the high teens. The numbers have led increasingly desperate establishment to come up with outlandish plots to try to stop him.

2023-12-22T19:06+0000

2023-12-22T19:06+0000

2023-12-23T11:31+0000

americas

donald trump

nikki haley

chris christie

new hampshire

new jersey

south carolina

republican

republicans

florida

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Former president Donald Trump ripped into former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador Nikki Haley on Friday after a recent poll showed her approaching him in terms of support in the crucial early primary state of New Hampshire.Fake New Hampshire poll was released on Birdbrain, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Haley using the epithet he coined for her earlier in the campaign.Recent polling by the American Research Group, a New Hampshire-based market research company, found Trump leading among Republicans in the Granite State by just four percentage points  33 percent against 29 percent for Haley, with former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy rounding out the top five with 13, 6 and 5 percent, respectively.A Haley campaign spokesperson immediately pounced on the poll, suggesting its the clearest indication yet that this is a two-person race between Trump and his former UN ambassador.National polling seems to suggest otherwise, with DeSantis consistently polling second behind Trump, narrowly ahead of Haley, despite a series of endorsements from Wall Street and even some Democrats for the former South Carolina governor.In his social media rant Friday, Trump posted an alternative poll by InteractivePolls, showing him leading in New Hampshire with a comfortable 52 percent, compared to 22 percent for Haley and 10 percent for DeSantis.Fridays Birdbrain comments follows a return to classic election season Trump earlier this month as the Republican primaries and caucuses near. On December 9, the former president went after with high heels wearing bobble head DeSantis, called former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson dead, and ridiculed Chris Christie as a physically and mentally unfit basket case suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome at levels not seen before.Trumps surge in the polls comes despite (or perhaps because of) four separate criminal cases leveled against him in New York, Washington, DC, Florida and Georgia ranging from the falsification of business records to pay off a porn star, to the mishandling of classified documents, to an alleged plot to overthrow the results of the 2020 election.New Hampshire Republicans will go to the polls in the GOP presidential primaries on January 23, preceded only by Iowans, who will hold a presidential caucus on January 15.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-polling-highlights-polarizing-views-on-colorado-courts-ballot-ruling-on-trump-1115737033.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231209/trump-blasts-birdbrain-haley-bobblehead-desantis-reveals-why-ramaswamy-won-debate-1115502732.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/if-re-elected-trump-would-need-to-purge-fbi-doj-to-dismantle-deep-state--expert-1115744341.html

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where is nikki haley polling close to donald trump, what does donald trump think of nikki haley
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-expecting-turkeys-approval-of-swedens-nato-accession-to-push-f-16-deal---reports-1115739305.html

US Expecting Turkiye's Approval of Sweden's NATO Accession to Push F-16 Deal - Reports

US Expecting Turkiye's Approval of Sweden's NATO Accession to Push F-16 Deal - Reports

Washington is expecting the Turkish parliament to ratify Sweden's NATO accession protocol before taking any steps on the F-16 jet deal with Ankara, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Friday, citing a source in the White House.

2023-12-22T06:09+0000

2023-12-22T06:09+0000

2023-12-22T11:03+0000

military

f-16

us

sweden

turkiye

nato

recep tayyip erdogan

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On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that any potential progress made by the United States on the F-16 deal with Ankara would be reflected in the Turkish parliament's consideration of Sweden's NATO accession protocol. The US Department of State may officially notify Congress of the deal's progress on the same day when the Turkish parliament ratifies Sweden's accession to the military alliance, the report said. However, the US Congress will have another 30 days to block the process of the F-16 deal. In April 2021, the US excluded Turkiye from the F-35 program after Ankara purchased Russia's S-400 air defense systems. Erdogan said later that year that Washington had offered that Ankara buy F-16 jets instead, one generation behind the F-35s. However, the deal needs approval from the US Congress, with many lawmakers strongly opposing the initiative, in particular, due to Turkiye's stance on Sweden's NATO bid. In July 2022, the US House of Representatives adopted a defense budget amendment that prohibits the sale of F-16s to Turkiye as long as the country violates Greek airspace. Sweden, along with Finland, submitted its NATO application in May 2022, several months after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Finland became a member of the alliance in April 2023. Sweden's application is still pending ratification by Turkiye and Hungary.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231107/netherlands-to-provide-romania-with-five-f-16s-to-train-ukrainian-pilots-1114792165.html

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sweden's nato accession, f-16 jet deal with ankara
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-government-wasted-900bln-in-2023-through-incompetence-frivolousness---senator-paul-1115753813.html

US Government Wasted $900Bln in 2023 Through Incompetence, Frivolousness - Senator Paul

US Government Wasted $900Bln in 2023 Through Incompetence, Frivolousness - Senator Paul

The United States wasted approximately $900 billion in 2023 on a variety of programs that underscore the governments incompetence and frivolous spending, US Senator Rand Paul said on Friday

2023-12-22T16:35+0000

2023-12-22T16:35+0000

2023-12-22T16:35+0000

americas

rand paul

mississippi

national institutes of health (nih)

national institute of allergy and infectious diseases

us

joe biden

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This year, I am highlighting a whopping ~$900,000,000,000 of waste No matter how much money the government has already wasted, politicians keep demanding even more, Paul said in his so-called Festivus Report, released annually. US taxpayers are forced to pay the price for lawmakers spending money on favored industries and pet projects, Paul said. A $2.7 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant was sub-granted to researchers in Russia, who studied cats ability to walk on treadmills, Paul said. Researchers in Mississippi also used NIH grant funds to test the impact of methamphetamine on monkeys sleep habits, Paul said. Moreover, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases used $477,121 in taxpayer funds to study the susceptibility of forcibly feminized monkeys to HIV, Paul said. However, the US government not only wasted taxpayer money on such frivolous studies, but also through incompetence, Paul said. COVID-19 relief funds were distributed to fraudsters who used pictures of Barbie dolls as proof of identity, Paul said. The US also paid $38 million in COVID-19 relief funds to dead people, Paul said. The US government made a total of $236 billion in improper payments in 2023, Paul said. The US national debt will continue to grow by an estimated $2 trillion a year for the next decade  more than $5 billion every day or $60,000 every second  Paul said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/eu-officials-privately-panic-over-prospect-of-pouring-billions-more-into-ukrainian-black-hole-1115582588.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231207/over-half-of-american-shoppers-say-cutting-back-on-holiday-spending-due-to-inflation-1115461575.html

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us relief payments, covid-19 relief payments, us government spending, us taxpayers' money, where do us taxpayers' money go, bidenomics
Doomsday talks are always part of the modern society. There has never been a time or period the topic of an apocalyptic end was never raised.

While many of us simply dismiss these gloomy warnings, some top elites are taking these warnings seriously, way too seriously.

Tech billionaires have been known to jump into this trend, building outrageous, big-budget bunkers in preparation for who-knows-what. For what reason? We don't know.

So, here are some of the ridiculous "doomsday bunkers" the Silicon Valley giants have built:

Also Read: The Playgrounds of the Ultra-Rich Are Poolside Cabanas and Luxury Lounges





Mark Zuckerberg's $100 Million Hawaiian Compound

Let's start with the latest one. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently been reported to be building a secret compound in Hawaii, complete with plans for an underground bunker.

The construction project, which Zuckerberg started in 2014, has just been unearthed after several former employees exposed the billionaire's plan for a secret bunker.

According to the WIRED, the 1,4000-acre compound is located in the island of Kauai consists of more than a dozen buildings with at least 30 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms in total.

The buildings center around two mansions joined by tunnels. The underground shelter itself is complete with a living space, a mechanical room, and an escape hatch.

Cyberhouse

Inspired by Tesla's angular behemoth Cybertruck, this $865,000 bunker is suited to protect the wealthiest away from disasters, viruses, and even zombie outbreaks.

While the whole techno mansion remains a concept project, concept creator Alex Wizhevsky said the bunker will have bunker areas equipped with automated support systems for survival.

According to Wizhevsky, he put the main focus on creating the plan for the bunker on "maximum safety."

Many top figures in Silicon Valley have already proposed to take on the project.

Oppidum

Standing alone in a quiet valley in the Czech Republic, Oppidum stands as the most ambitious underground shelter ever built.

This massive 323,000-square foot property was once a top-secret project between the USSR and Czechoslovakia will soon become an exclusive safety place for billionaires.

The whole bunker itself is equipped with state-of-the-art technology along with a swimming pool, helipad, and defense system. On top of the underground shelter, a residential area is being planned where the elite can stay and build their homes.

Even without world-ending disasters, Oppidum will allow its inhabitants a comfortable life with the capabilities to adapt to long-term power outages, natural disasters, and man-made conflicts.

Vivos Europa One

Rivaling Oppidum as the world's largest underground shelter, Vivos Europa One is located at the heart of Europe and is carved out of solid bedrock under a 400-foot tall mountain.

The shelter-for-the-elite is currently in operational condition, able to accommodate several families for a long-term stay with its 34 private living quarters.

Its creators plan to make Vivos Europa the "modern-day Noah's Ark" to ensure that humanity will remain from whatever disaster may strike in the future. It's just that the humanity that will be left is the select 1% at the top.

Related Article: Looking To Protect Your Home? Here Are Some of the Best Home Security Cameras in 2022
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-hypocritical-reversal-on-saudi-arms-ban-wont-knock-riyadhs-peace-push-off-course-1115755011.html

US Hypocritical Reversal on Saudi Arms Ban Wont Knock Riyadhs Peace Push Off Course

US Hypocritical Reversal on Saudi Arms Ban Wont Knock Riyadhs Peace Push Off Course

The Biden administration is reportedly preparing to ease restrictions on the sale of offensive weaponry to Saudi Arabia, reversing a decision made in 2021 in a bid to put the Yemeni crisis to bed. The reversal is aimed at pulling Riyadh into Washingtons confrontation with the Houthis, but will surely fail, a Saudi foreign affairs observer says.

2023-12-22T18:32+0000

2023-12-22T18:32+0000

2023-12-22T18:32+0000

analysis

joe biden

crown prince mohammed bin salman

americans

saudi arabia

washington

red sea

riyadh

houthis

houthi

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Washington is having trouble lining up allies to join its anti-Houthi Red Sea coalition.The US-led alliance, formed to conduct a military operation dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden against Yemens Houthi militia, currently consists of a handful of countries, including the UK, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway, plus Bahrain and the Seychelles. Some members participation seems purely decorative, with Norway reportedly planning to send 10 officers, the Netherlands two, and Denmark just one, to assist in the mission.Spain has taken by far the most curious position to date, first backing an EU-level mission, but then changing its position and apparently vetoing the decision without explanation. US AUKUS ally Australia has similarly dismissed requests to join Operation Prosperity Guardian in any major way, limiting its involvement to 11 military personnel.Washington was pressed into forming its new coalition of the willing in the wake of a string of Houthi hijackings and missile attacks on commercial cargo vessels thought to be affiliated with Israel amid Tel Avivs ongoing war in Gaza. The attacks have caused multiple major global shipping companies to halt commercial transit through the Red Sea, with over $60 billion in cargoes already diverted to alternative routes, and losses expected to continue mounting.US preparations for war against the Houthis mark a major reversal of policy for the current administration, which cut off US weapons support for the Saudi-led coalitions campaign against the Yemeni militia in 2021, and delisted them as a terrorist group. This, together with a series of other factors, pushed Riyadh into a major shakeup in its foreign policy, including peace talks with the Houthis, the normalization of ties with long-time regional rival Iran, and, most recently, joining the BRICS bloc.Washington has accompanied its Houthi-related policy reversal with plans to lift an offensive weapons sales ban targeting Riyadh, presumably in a bid to get on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans good side and perhaps even rope him into supporting or even joining the US-led Red Sea coalition.But Riyadh-based political analyst Dr. Ahmed Al Ibrahim doesnt expect Washingtons sweet talking to have any substantive impact on Saudi Arabias stance vis-a-vis escalating regional tensions.Characterizing the US deployment of warships to the region as a kind of hypocrisy in the wake of the Biden administrations previous attempts to starve Riyadh of military equipment to fight the Houthis, Al Ibrahim stressed that Saudi Arabia is doing its best to move forward instead of getting bogged down in another quagmire thanks to the US.If the US fails to play its card right, the Saudi analyst predicts another power vacuum in the region like those left in Afghanistan and Iraq, and even further loss of support among Muslim countries by Washington.America needs to restructure itself. They need to know what their goals are and who their allies are. And they need to understand the region much better because theyre losing a lot of ground to their competitors, unfortunately, the observer said, citing China and Russia as two examples.As far as Saudi Arabias cooperation with Russia is concerned, Al Ibrahim doesnt expect any fledgling security ties between the two countries to be frayed by Washingtons reversal on weapons sales. Trust with the Biden administration has been broken, and the bad taste left from the bad blood between the US president and MBS hasnt gone anywhere, in his estimation.Maybe we get delayed spare parts for some of the jets, some of the weapons that Saudi Arabia needs. But we'll see after the election of 2024, Al Ibrahim summed up, hinting that a change of power may be necessary in Washington before Riyadh will consider restoring close ties.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/spain-blocks-eu-from-joining-us-led-operation-against-houthis-in-red-sea---reports-1115743825.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-might-ease-restrictions-on-weapons-sales-to-riyadh-amid-regional-tensions---reports-1115747946.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/saudi-foreign-minister-rules-out-arab-military-intervention-in-palestine-israel-conflict-1115486841.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/saudi-crown-prince-shelved-london-visit-prior-to-hosting-putin---reports-1115476795.html

saudi arabia

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will saudi arabia join us red sea coalition, why is us resuming saudi arms sales
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-might-ease-restrictions-on-weapons-sales-to-riyadh-amid-regional-tensions---reports-1115747946.html

US Might Ease Restrictions on Weapons Sales to Riyadh Amid Regional Tensions - Reports

US Might Ease Restrictions on Weapons Sales to Riyadh Amid Regional Tensions - Reports

The United States is preparing to ease restrictions on particular weapons sales to Saudi Arabia amid Riyadh's concernes over the security situation in the Middle Eastern region, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing US officials.

2023-12-22T12:11+0000

2023-12-22T12:11+0000

2023-12-22T12:11+0000

world

red sea crisis

riyadh

yemen

saudi arabia

houthis

riyadh

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In 2021, Washington imposed a ban on arms sales to Riyadh, concerned that the weapons might be used against Yemeni civilian population during airstrikes in Saudi-led military coalition's war against Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis. Riyadh wants to purchase US weapons to ensure security on its border with Yemen as well as to prepare for possible escalation of tension in the region amid the Israel-Hamas war, the newspaper reported, citing sources. The officials have not specified when the decision will be adopted, the newspaper reported, adding that it may even be reversed if the White House decides it contradicts the US interests. On Monday, the US launched an international operation aimed at protecting commercial ships in the Red Sea from the attacks of Yemen's Houthis. On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that more than 20 countries had so far signed on to participate in the coalition. The Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea by missiles and drones and vowed to prevent the passage of vessels linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel until the latter's military actions in the Gaza Strip end.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/saudi-foreign-minister-rules-out-arab-military-intervention-in-palestine-israel-conflict-1115486841.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-polling-highlights-polarizing-views-on-colorado-courts-ballot-ruling-on-trump-1115737033.html

US Polling Highlights Polarizing Views on Colorado Court's Ballot Ruling on Trump

US Polling Highlights Polarizing Views on Colorado Court's Ballot Ruling on Trump

In a latest YouGov poll, a slim majority of Americans reportedly support the Colorado Supreme Court's move to bar Donald Trump from the state's ballot.

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A recent YouGov poll, conducted in the wake of the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former US President Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot, suggests a divided American public, with just over half endorsing the ruling.Democratic respondents predominantly support the ruling, with 63% strongly approving and 21% somewhat approving. While independent voters appear split, with a slight lean towards supporting the decision (48% support vs. 35% oppose), the division within the Republican camp, where a quarter back the ruling, hints at internal party conflicts.Trump now faces the option to escalate the matter to the US Supreme Court, which will determine if he incited the Jan. 6 riot, and if the 14th Amendment argument is valid for keeping him off the ballot.The poll also looked into expectations for the Supreme Court's eventual decision, with 43% predicting an overturn. However, only a minority of 23% believe the ban will be upheld, reflecting skepticism about the court's leaning and its impact on this high-profile case. Among Democrats, just one-third believe the court will maintain Trump's exclusion from the ballot.The survey sought out responses from some 3,500 participants online.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/trump-calls-on-us-supreme-court-to-not-fast-track-election-immunity-case--1115711557.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/us-supreme-court-rejects-special-counsels-request-to-fast-track-trump-immunity-dispute-1115756692.html

US Supreme Court Rejects Special Counsel's Request to Fast-Track Trump Immunity Dispute

US Supreme Court Rejects Special Counsel's Request to Fast-Track Trump Immunity Dispute

The US Supreme Court on Friday announced it would not decide immediately on whether former US President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution on allegations that he attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

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The US Supreme Court on Friday announced it would not decide immediately on whether former US President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution on allegations that he attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.The one-line decision was not signed and noted no dissenters. "The petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment is denied."The order sends the case back to the DC Circuit Court, allowing the normal appeal process to play out. However the Circuit Court rules, the losing party is allowed and will be expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court again, which will then be more likely to hear it. That means the trial, currently set for March 4, could be delayed further, a clear legal win for the Trump team.Smith has been urging the courts to act before the election cycle begins in earnest. Meanwhile, the Trump legal team has pushed for the trials to be delayed until after the election. If elected, Trump could theoretically pardon himself, though that power has not been tested and it is unclear how the courts would rule in that case.Trump was indicted in August on four charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has decried all the cases against him as politically motivated "witch hunts."Smith has repeatedly asserted that a speedy trial is in the best interest of the public.The Supreme Court is separately hearing a case focused on the reach of a law used to prosecute more than 300 people allegedly involved in the Jan. 6 riots, one of the same laws used to indict Trump. That case is expected to be heard in June and could delay Trump's trial further.It is also expected that Trump's legal team will appeal a Colorado Supreme Court decision to remove the former president from the ballot in that state. In that case, the US Supreme Court is expected to move quickly.In addition to the case in DC, Trump is facing another federal case in Florida over his alleged mishandling of classified documents, a state case in Georgia over his alleged election meddling and a state case in New York over alleged falsifying of business records related to hush money payments made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. He is also facing numerous lawsuits and civil trials.Trump is expected to be the Republican nomination for President.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231201/trump-cant-claim-presidential-immunity-over-january-6-riot---us-appeals-court-1115332271.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/warning-for-china-us-reclaims-airfield-used-to-firebomb-and-nuke-japan-in-wwii-1115744171.html

Warning for China? US Reclaims Airfield Used to Firebomb and Nuke Japan in WWII

Warning for China? US Reclaims Airfield Used to Firebomb and Nuke Japan in WWII

Up to 240,000 people were killed in the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 in the closing days of World War II. In the years and decades since, eight other nations have come into possession of nuclear weapons, but the US remains the only nation in history to have ever used them.

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2023-12-22T11:27+0000

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The United States is restoring a mothballed airfield on the Pacific island of Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.The airfield, situated roughly 2,300 km southeast of Japan and about 3,000 km southeast of mainland China, carries the grim status of having served as the launch point for the B-29 bombers used to drop atomic bombs on Japan on August 6 and 9, 1945. It was also one of the main staging areas for B-29 attacks which leveled Japanese cities in conventional firebombing attacks, which killed over three times more civilians than the atom bombs did.The airfield is said to have extensive pavement underneath the overgrown jungle, which will be cleared out between now and summertime of 2024, according to Wilsbach.The revitalization of Tinian is meant to serve as part of the Pentagons strategy of stationing additional resources in the Western Pacific surrounding China, and spreading out deployments to prevent concentrations of easily targetable manpower and equipment.Besides Tinian, the Pentagon has made moves to substantially expand the size of the USs military footprint in allied countries, including unprecedented trilateral drills and operations with Japan and South Korea, and to establish new capabilities at sites across Australia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.The US strategy of containing China goes back to the early 1950s, when future Eisenhower Secretary of State John Foster Dulles outlined the so-called Island China Strategy, in which the series of islands around the Peoples Republic were to be turned into heavily armed and fortified outposts with offensive weaponry to target the mainland and prevent the Chinese Navy from exiting its home ports.The Peoples Liberation Army has created a series of workarounds in response, including the construction of ballistic missile submarines capable of evading the watchful eyes of the US and its allies, and ground-based ultra-long-range nuclear and conventional missile systems which can target American bases across the region in the event of a crisis.The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are among the most controversial pages in US history. For decades after the attacks, US government officials and many Western historians deemed the bombings a necessary evil to force Japan to surrender amid fears that a naval invasion would cost the lives of tens if not hundreds of thousands of US soldiers. In the Soviet Union and modern Russia, the bombings have been characterized as a gratuitous display by the Truman administration of Americas newfound superweapon, and a message to its erstwhile Soviet wartime allies about Washingtons plans to become the masters of the post-war world order. The atomic bombings coincided with Operation August Storm, the term applied to the Soviet invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria in August 1945, which saw the Red Army crush the 1.1 million strong Japanese Imperial Army in less than two weeks. Soviet and Russian historians believe that event, and the threat of a Soviet invasion of northern Japan, ultimately had more of an impact on Emperor Hirohitos decision to surrender than the atomic bombings. Some revisionist Western historians have since adopted the Russian point of view.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20200806/nuking-of-japan-was-totally-unnecessary-and-didnt-end-world-war-ii-us-historian-explains-1080055399.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/wests-possible-use-of-russias-frozen-assets-to-help-kiev-will-have-consequences--kremlin-1115743646.html

Kremlin Warns of Consequences Over West's Scheme to Use Frozen Russian Assets For Kiev Aid

Kremlin Warns of Consequences Over West's Scheme to Use Frozen Russian Assets For Kiev Aid

Possible steps by Western countries to use Russia's frozen assets to help Ukraine cannot but have consequences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

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On Thursday, media reported, citing US and European officials, that Washington and its European allies had renewed discussions to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine. The topic of illegally seized assets from Russia are constantly on the agenda in the EU and the US, but this is unacceptable and potentially dangerous for the global financial system, the official said.An official from the Biden administration told reporters on Friday that there was nothing to announce yet regarding the US position, but added that the conversation on efforts to seize Russian state funds was ongoing.The United States has been pushing the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan to come up with a strategy on how to seize Russian assets by February 24, the New York Times reported. US funding for Ukraine is set to run out by December 30 after Congress failed to authorize new funds before recess.Most of the immobilized Russian funds  roughly 210 billion euros ($232 billion)  are held in the European Union, including cash and government bonds denominated in euro, dollar and other currencies. By comparison, the United States has frozen only a fraction of Russian funds  around $5 billion. Within the EU, some 191 billion euros is held at Belgium-based international securities depository, Euroclear, generating 3 billion euros in reinvestment proceeds last year alone.Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has accused the West of illegally curtailing property rights of Russian citizens and legal entities. He said Western governments were placing subsidiaries of Russian companies under external supervision and working on a legal framework that would allow them to take control of frozen Russian assets.Furthermore, Ukraine's would-be entry to the European Union would undermine the bloc's entire internal system, and it would collapse, Peskov cautioned.Commenting on Brussels' decision to start accession talks with Kiev, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday called on EU members to first clarify the current size and population of Ukraine, asking if Brussels intended to accept it along with the liberated regions and the Russian military stationed there.When asked to comment on Orban's remark, the official said that the new regions are inseparable from Russia, and claims to them will have consequences.Peskov on Friday declined to comment on a recent report by The Wall Street Journal on the death of Wagner group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, calling it "pulp fiction."Earlier in the day, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev had been involved in the death of Prigozhin.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/ukraines-eu-accession-to-take-many-years--dutch-prime-minister-1115575940.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/orban-says-launch-of-accession-talks-between-eu-ukraine-no-more-than-political-gesture-1115740423.html

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I Did It Myway left, brushed and dominated to win his third race in a row at Ballys Dover on Thursday night (Dec. 21) in the featured $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace.

Mack led the charge out of the gate and reached the opening quarter in :27.2. Penzance Hanover settled in the pocket. The 2-5 betting favourite, I Did It Myway, left from post seven, hovered from third then rushed to the top past the quarter. From there, it was all I Did It Myway doing it his way on the engine. He reached the half in :55.1.

Midway down the backstretch, Penzance Hanover took his shot first-over while Energetic Hanover shadowed second-over on the outside. But I Did It Myway was on cruise control, passing the three-quarter beam in 1:23, a :27.4 quarter.

As the field turned for home, Mack left the pocket and charged late, but it was a futile chase. I Did It Myway rumbled on to win by a length in 1:50.2, with a last quarter of :27.2. He paid $2.80 for the win. Mack finished second and Energetic Hanover was third.

I Did It Myway (Captaintreacherous-Flyme To The Moon) is trained by Chuck Crissman Jr. and owned by David Hamm, Evm Racing LLC and Glenn Phillips, all from Delaware. Tim Tetrick drove the four-year-old millionaire pacer.

Tetrick drove four winners on the betting card.

Live harness racing at Ballys Dover will be dark for the traditional Christmas holiday. Racing will resume on Monday, Jan. 1.

(With files from Bally's Dover)
Sparrow Hanover thwarted challengers throughout the mile and prevailed in Thursday's feature at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, an $11,500 conditioned pace.

Although Sparrow Hanover was sent off as the 1-9 favourite, his foes had no qualms about taking their shots throughout the mile. After taking command just beyond the opening quarter of :28, driver Chris Lems felt pressure to the halfway point from longshot Always Floating (Koltin Noble), who found himself parked to the half in :56. Sparrow Hanover had the lead to himself on the way to three-quarters in 1:25.3 while Mantador (Jeremy Indof) wheeled into second, first-up on the final turn. The most serious threat was the last, when Unhynged Speed knifed inside in deep stretch from the pocket and loomed large. However, Lems kept Sparrow Hanover to his task and the three-year-old Captaintreacherous-Stacia Hanover gelding downed Unhynged Speed by a half-length in 1:54.2 over a good surface. Mantador held for show.

Dan Ross trains Sparrow Hanover, who has won six of 13 starts this year, for David Kapp.

Elsewhere on Thursdays card, the eight-race winning streak of Muscle Jack came to an end when he was out-tripped by the pocket-sitting Cartier Zette and finished second. Dave Palone piloted the winner, a nine-year-old Muscle Hill-Liebchen gelding, for trainer James Dodson and owner Rocco Stebbins.

As they did Wednesday, Aaron Merriman and Dave Palone each tallied three wins on the 13-race card.

Live harness racing at The Meadows continues on Friday, with first post at 12:45 p.m.

(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
Rocks Image and Rockin Sage, who both proved punctual favourites in last weeks eliminations, loom the main rivals in the $13,700 Donald Arnstine Pace on Tuesday night, Dec. 26.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 13 races with first post set for 4:55 p.m. and racing will continue this week with programs on Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23.

Rocks Image was 1-5 in his elimination last week and looked every bit the part for his owner/trainer/driver Gerry Longo as he blitzed the field by 4-1/4 lengths that evening. The four-year-old Indiana-bred son of Rockin Image earned his ninth win from 12 starts and he figures to get plenty of respect at the windows once again.

Rockin Sage was likewise victorious in his elimination as the 3-5 choice for the combination of owners Richard Bertrand, Louis Mitteco and Kelly & Daren Rahn, with Bertrand the conditioner and Jake Cutting doing the driving honours. Rockin Sage made every pole a winning one, holding a clear advantage until mid-stretch and then just prevailing over the pocket-sitting Go Viral by a head.

Completing the field are Go Viral, Fox Valley Sidecar, Seek And Destroy, SB Prince Archie, Bin A Mystery and Sweet Timber.

Barbara Arnstine celebrates birthday in style

In honour of her 89th birthday, Barbara Arnstine went her very first training mile last week while accompanied by her son Steve Chambers.

The pair took their tour of the Cal Expo mile oval behind the Kathie Plested-trained Alwayshowfaith.

It was out of this world, Arnstine related after the experience. I was amazed at the power and speed when they train. It was amazing and a great experience.

Arnstine, along with her husband Don who passed away last year, owned their first harness performer in 1974 with their first big horse being Big Time with trainer Steve Desomer.

Arnstine, who is partners with her son and Plested, continues to own and breed and currently campaigns such popular performers as Major Offense, Crazy Cute and Stevies Girl.

Arnstine has a doctorate degree in philosophy and was a professor at Sacramento State University for 30 years, teaching learning theory and women's studies.

Tuesdays main event is the Donald Arnstine Pace, which is named for Arnstine's late husband.

Watch and Wager would like to send condolences to Rick Bertrand, who lost his father William Bertrand Sr. on Wednesday at the age of 91. In honour of his father, Rick will be driving Bobs Time in Tuesday nights 13th race.

(With files from Cal Expo)
A judge sentenced a former Deuel County clerk to 18 months of probation on a charge she embezzled more than $18,000 from the county.

Polly Olson, 60, of Chappell, had initially been charged in June 2022 with three felony counts of theft stemming from a Nebraska State Patrol investigation. According to court documents, Olson agreed to a plea agreement, pleading guilty to a charge of theft by unlawful taking, a Class I misdemeanor, in September. She appeared for sentencing on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

As a result of that investigation, which originated with a state audit, Olson had been accused of making personal purchases using the Deuel County credit cards between June 2019 and August 2021. Numerous transactions were made with the official county credit card for clothing, groceries, toys, cat food and more. Investigators determined that checks had been written to reimburse some of the transactions, however, law enforcement alleged that at the time of Olsons arrest that nearly $18,600 worth of transactions had not been reimbursed.

Olsen was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution, which the court documented she had made in September by cashiers check.
(Photo : Unsplash/Hayffield L )

Ralph Lauren has signed a long-term deal with the family-owned Haworth Lifestyle Design group in Michigan to broaden the production and distribution of Ralph Lauren's luxury furniture business.

Haworth will spearhead Ralph Lauren's product development, sourcing, manufacturing, product marketing, and wholesale account management starting April 1, 2024, showcasing the brand's lifestyle offerings across various home categories, including lighting, floor coverings, fabric, wall coverings, bedding, bath, tabletop, decorative accessories, and gifts.

Guillaume Tardy, Ralph Lauren's chief lifestyle and licensing officer, expressed that the home category holds significant potential for them. Partnering with Haworth Lifestyle Design will enable them to benefit from craftsmanship, manufacturing, and customer service expertise. This collaboration aims to expand the distribution of their luxury furniture, accelerating the global growth of Ralph Lauren Home.

Competitive Landscape and Trend in the Luxury Home Market

Ralph Lauren's home business may have once reached $500 million in sales at its peak, but exact figures are challenging to confirm due to its licensed nature. While the company doesn't disclose specific home business segment revenues, last year's licensing revenues from apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings were approximately $160 million out of its $6.4 billion total. It was also reported that the company's major home licenses include lighting with Visual Comfort of America and bedding and blankets with Hollander Sleep, now Keeco.

The absence of furniture in Ralph Lauren's significant licenses indicates it may have overlooked the surge in the luxury home furnishings market post-pandemic. The market grew significantly, reaching $58 billion, a 24% increase from 2019 to 2022, per the Bain-Altagamma luxury report. However, this year, the segment is expected to see minimal growth, ranging from -2% to 2%, according to Bain estimates.

READ ALSO: 7 Ways To Ensure Your Business Is Scalable

Ralph Lauren's primary competitor in luxury homes, RH advanced, grew over 40% from $2.6 billion in 2019 to $3.8 billion in 2022, although it dropped to $3.6 billion in its latest year. Since 2020, Ralph Lauren's furniture has been produced under license with Theodore Alexander, available on the RL website and through various wholesale accounts, including Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

There's also a dedicated Ralph Lauren Home store in Dallas, which moved from Highland Park Village to its current location in the Knox Street area this year. Despite potential timing concerns, the new agreement with Haworth is expected to be robust. Ralph Lauren and Haworth Lifestyle Design will closely collaborate on bringing the Ralph Lauren Home experience to consumers, focusing on design, marketing, and selecting store locations and designs.

Taking it To The Next Level

Ralph Lauren might have found the ideal partner in Haworth to revive its former success in the home sector. While Haworth is renowned for office furniture and competes with the $4 billion MillerKnoll company, it also boasts other luxury furniture brands beyond its main label. With global sales revenues of around $2.5 billion, operations in 150 countries, and over 8,000 members, Haworth is well-regarded in the interior design trade and is the go-to for luxury consumers in making furniture design choices.

Haworth's portfolio includes renowned brands like Cappellini, Cassina, JANUS et Cie, Karakter, Zanotta, Poltrona Fra, Luminaire, and more. Moreover, it holds licenses for luxury names such as Dolce & Gabbana Casa, Versace Home, Trussardi Casa, Bentley Home, and Bugatti Home, solidifying its credibility in the luxury market.

"Like Ralph Lauren, at Haworth Lifestyle Design we are driven by a passion for craftsmanship, innovation, and helping people around the world lead a life well-lived," said Dario Rinero, Haworth Lifestyle Design CEO.

RELATED ARTICLE: Disney CEO Signals Era of Expansion, Pledges to "Start Building Again" in Employee Town Hall

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Landowners and hunters assembled Dec. 21 at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center to hear from Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions officials regarding the state of big game in the Panhandle.

Sam Wilson, the commissions program head for furbearers and carnivores, delivered a presentation to attendees about the states mountain lion population and possible hunting seasons.

Wilson explained that mountain lions are native to the state, though he recognized that farmers have a right and responsibility to protect themselves and their livestock.

We dont tolerate depredation, so if a mountain lion is depredating your livestock, please give us a call, Wilson said.

Depredation was a concern, but Wilson also spoke about the importance of maintaining the species in the ecosystems they inhabit. He said there are three populations of mountain lions in the state, one in the Pine Ridge area, one in the Niobrara River Valley and one in the Wildcat Hills.

Hunters are allowed to buy tags to hunt the mountain lions in the Pine Ridge and they will also be allowed to purchase tags in the Niobrara River Valley starting Jan. 2, 2024.

The mountain lion seasons are limited to a small number of cats to maintain the population. Wilson said that the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is opening the Niobrara unit to hunting because they felt the population there was stable. Wilson also cited lower population numbers in deer who were being predated by the lions.

There are plans to survey the population in the Wildcat Hills, where the commission already has tracked six cats  five female and one male  with radio collars. The survey would track the movements of the animals and provide a more accurate measure of the population.

Depending on the results of the survey, there is potential for a mountain lion harvest in the Wildcat Hills as well. Wilsons said that a harvest here would be predicated on the size and stability of the population as well as the feelings of residents in the area.

We also take social tolerance into consideration, which is, you know, what do the people who live in the area that have this animal believe, Wilson said.

Mountain lions were driven from the state and their presence not recorded for nearly 100 years before the population began to recover in the 1990s.

Not everyone saw the return of the mountain lions as positive. One rancher, Paula Brown, expressed concern about the growing population in the Wildcats. At times, she said, she did not feel safe in the area by herself.

She said she felt there was certainly a need for a mountain lion season in the Wildcats to protect livestock and residents in the area.

Game and Parks officials also discussed the hunting seasons for other big game animals in the state such as mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep. While they felt the elk harvest was close to their goals, they cited declines in the whitetail and mule deer populations that would likely lead to changes in the number of available permits.

Officials said buck harvests have been down in the area for the past few years in both mule and whitetail deer and that they were working to rebuild the population.

Game and Parks studying possible wildlife highway crossing in Wildcat Hills The Nebraska Department of Transportation and Game and Parks Commission were awarded a $400,000 federal grant to explore ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, particularly with bighorn sheep in the Wildcat Hills.

There are also plans to capture and collar roughly 80 mule deer to monitor the population and the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, which affects mule deer and other cervids.

Officials noted they were pleased with the results of this years bighorn sheep season, citing the harvest of a ram from the Pine Bluffs area by a Sidney teenager.

A feasibility study for a wildlife crossing in the Wildcats to protect the bighorn sheep population will also be underway in the next year.
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2. What was the hardest part in the early stages of the startups growth?

3. What are the services/solutions/products that the startup offers? Who are the targeted audiences?

4. What are your strengths and advantages over your competitors?

5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics?

6. Is the company bootstrapped or funded? What milestones will the financing get you to?

7. What is the road map ahead? How are you planning to achieve it?

Key Management :

Founding Year :

Milestones :

Awards/Recognition :

Clients :
The charisma and charm that kept Pat Shannon on the radio for six decades was on display Tuesday night at the Iredell County Board of Commissioners meeting as the host of HomeAD Show was honored before his retirement this week.

Its been a long ride thats been great, Shannon said, joking that he always worried about being dismissed unceremoniously. I always thought maybe when the manager or boss would come in and say, Pat, I heard your last show and by the way, that was your last show. Thats happening Friday and that culminates a wonderful career.

His final show was Friday.

Board Chair Melissa Neader, who also has a show on WSIC, praised Shannon after reading his biography to those gathered in the Iredell County Government Center.

Pat, during my time of interviewing folks on the radio, you have to be one of the most interesting, lets just say characters, that Ive had the pleasure to interview. I say that because youre so humble and youve got quite a journey when you put it on paper. Its quite a life youve lived and the lives you touched, Neader said. Whether it would be through selling a unique item or just conveying a smile, youve made such a positive impact on so many.

Shannon was born in Monroe on Jan. 27, 1943, and his love of radio began at an early age. His life in Statesville began when his family moved in 1952.

He attended several local schools, including Mitchell Community College, before he joined the Air Force. He left in 1965 for a short stint at WSIC but returned to the armed services for another 20 years.

Shannon would work both stateside and overseas  from Seattle to the Azores  but would end up back in Iredell County.

He returned to Statesville as the manager of WSIC and WFMX from 1986-1988, but would stay with WSIC as an on-air talent, a role he held until Friday.

While his on-air career is ending, its clear hes still got the talent to be behind the microphone as he drew smiles and laughs from the commissioners during the meeting.

Scottie Brown commented that the 80-year-old looked great for his age and asked what his secret was, but Shannon deflected with a smile of his own.

Smoke and mirrors, Shannon said.

Other business

Harmony Mayor Sean Turner came to update the county commissioners on some of the towns concerns, which he said needed to be addressed in the countys 2045 Land Use Plan.

Were in dire need of some updating. With our current sewer system, we are considered in distress. And within the public sewer system, we dont want the state of North Carolina to come in and take us over, Turner said.

The board also approved the following requests:

Iredell County Sheriffs Office: Approved request for approval of a budget amendment to appropriate Economic Development Reserve Directed Grant funds for $200,000 to to purchase underwater evidence recovery units.

Fire Tax Oversight Committee: Approved budget amendment to appropriate $71,572 of fund balance to West Iredell Fire Department from the Countywide Fire Service District to cover apparatus repairs.

Emergency Management: Approval to apply for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Tier 2 hazardous materials grant up to $10,000 to support the mission of the LEPC.

Emergency Management also was approved to apply for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Program (HMEP) grant to conduct a multijurisdictional exercise with local hazmat teams.

Also approved was a request to apply for the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the amount of $54,041.06 for general support of the countys emergency management program.

Health Department: Approved budget amendment to allocate Medicaid Cost Settlement funds to purchase digital dental sensors from Patterson Dental in the amount of $19,801 to increase quality and efficiency of client services, as its current PlanMeca X-Ray digital system is at end of life (16 years) and is unable to be repaired.

Finance Department: Approved to amend Fairgrounds Capital Project Fund for the Regional Economic Development Reserve Directed Grant Program. The state, through its Regional Economic Development Reserve Directed Grant program has appropriated $5 million for the Fairgrounds Project in Iredell County.

Administration: Approval to amend the American Rescue Plan Act Grant Ordinance and to award the bid for the Jennings Park Water and Sewer Project. The Jennings Park project will require water and sewer services brought to the Deitz Road park site. Approved an amended grant ordinance and a contract with Buckeye Bridge Corporation for $4,142,635.

Project Royal: Approved economic development incentive for the Vandor Corporation for up to a five-year period based on an investment up to $3.25 million. The economic incentive is up to $33,273 over a five-year period based on the companys investment and creation of a minimum of 10 jobs.
The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville recently held its 2023 Rotary Reverse Raffle at the Statesville Country Club to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont.

The event was a western barbecue theme with about 350 people in attendance. The event raised $25,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs, which will help in programing needs for the young people the club serves every day. As stated on their website the mission of the club is, To enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

The club has been serving the community since 2007 and at their current location on Cochran Street since 2009.

To learn more about this great organization go to The Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont (piedmontbgc.org) or call them at 704-397-2429.

The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville meets on Thursdays at noon at Twisted Oak. The club welcomes anyone to attend a club meeting to learn more about Rotary and its service to the community.
Insiders from the SDF revealed to Syria TV that Mahmoud al-Meslet could be a figure acceptable to Turkey.

On Wednesday, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) concluded its fourth annual conference in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa by appointing two new presidents.

The SDF announced the selection of Mahmoud al-Meslet and Laila Karaman as co-chairs of the Syrian Democratic Council, taking over from Riad Drar and Amina Omar.

In adherence to newly established rules of procedure, the executive body, formerly led by prominent figure Ilham Ehmed, was removed from the organizational structure.

Days prior to the conference, a confidential source disclosed to Syria TV that the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) had intentions to remove Ilham Ehmed from her position as head of the councils executive body, despite substantial support from the United States.

The source revealed internal discord within the SDF leadership, indicating that the PKK applied significant pressure to ensure the convening of the conference and the appointment of officials aligned with its interests in opposition to those closely tied to Washington.

Mahmoud al-Meslet

Mahmoud Daham Abdul Aziz al-Meslet, born in Hassakeh in 1974, is a distinguished scholar with a doctorate in international relations and a masters degree in Middle Eastern studies. Currently, he serves as a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Ohio University and Oberlin University.

In 2014, Meslet faced arrest in Damascus due to his political activism and was accused of affiliating with a banned political organization. Notably, he is one of the founders of the Syrian National Ennahda Party and previously led the foreign relations office of the Syrian National Council in America and Canada during the councils initial formation.

Additionally, Meslet holds several significant positions, including heading the Arab-American Cultural Center for Islamic Studies in Lorraine, Ohio, and leading the Department of Legal Studies and International Relations at Commonwealth University. He is also the director of MDM for legal and educational studies and consultations. Furthermore, Meslet played a role in founding the Syrian Secular Coalition in Paris, France.

Surprisingly, Meslet assumed the role of head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) without prior involvement in the SDC. His prominent position is attributed to his affiliation with the well-known Muslat family, recognized as the sheikhs of the Arab Jabour tribe, the largest Arab tribe in the Hassakeh governorate.

Insiders from the SDF revealed to Syria TV that ongoing contacts were made with Meslet in recent months, taking advantage of his presence in Washington. These efforts aimed to align the perspectives of the two parties and ultimately appoint him as the joint head of the SDF. The source emphasized that this move received support from Washington as part of the ongoing competition between the SDF and the United States against the regime and Iran. The objective is to secure the loyalty of Arab tribes in northeastern Syria, while also appointing a figure acceptable to Turkey.

Activists widely shared a photo depicting a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the new head of the SDC. The new leader shared the image on his page, extending congratulations to Erdogan for his victory in the Turkish presidential elections several months prior.

Laila Karaman

Born in 1980, Laila Karaman hails from the Afrin region north of Aleppo and is affiliated with the PKK. She played a significant role as a cadre in the PKK and held a prominent position within the Star Conference, a womens union associated with the party. For several years, Karaman served as the head of relations for the Star Conference in Lebanon before returning to Syria.

In 2018, during the third conference of the SDC, Karaman joined as a member of the Presidential Council. She also assumed the role of deputy co-president of the SDF, wielding considerable influence within the organization. Despite her substantial impact, Karaman maintained a low public profile, refraining from overt displays of her activities.

It is a characteristic practice of the PKK to appoint deputies and advisers to co-presidency positions across various self-administration, civilian, and military institutions. The real power and crucial decisions lie in the hands of these appointed deputies and advisers. They are typically dedicated cadres loyal to the PKK, actively working behind the scenes and often staying away from media exposure.

New Strike

A well-informed source within the SDF shared with Syria TV that the removal of Ilham Ehmed from her position and the reduction of her influence within the SDC constitute a fresh setback dealt by the PKK to the SDF commander, Mazloum Abdi, who enjoys support from Washington. Ilham Ahmed, being the closest official to Abdi and garnering extensive American backing, represents a crucial link between the SDC and the SDF.

It is essential to note that the SDC was established in 2015. It encompasses various Syrian Kurdish, Arab, and Syriac parties, as well as individuals, serving as the political reference and umbrella for the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces SDF in northeastern Syria. The SDC plays a pivotal role in coordinating and representing the diverse interests and components within the region.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
K-pop superstar Jimin of BTS gifted the band's devoted fandom, ARMY, with a special surprise on Friday  a brand new solo single titled "Closer Than This," along with its accompanying music video.

The release comes just over a week after Jimin enlisted for his mandatory military service in Korea.

BigHit Music, the group's agency, described "Closer Than This" as a heartfelt dedication to ARMY, brimming with reassurance and unwavering affection.

In the lyrics, Jimin promises he won't let go of "your hold" no matter what challenges arise, reminding fans that "we're together as always" even when physically apart.

Musically, it is an easy-listening song blending Jimin's warm vocals on top of bright guitar riffs and synthesizer sounds. The latter half of the song features a beautiful harmony between Jimin and a children's choir, adding a touch of innocence and wonder.

The music video provides fans with a nostalgic journey through Jimin's 10-year musical career. Viewers can expect glimpses of Jimin writing new music, BTS' debut moments in 2013, heartwarming scenes with fans, and triumphant appearances at award ceremonies.

On Dec. 12, Jimin joined the military alongside fellow BTS member Jungkook to fulfill their 18-month mandatory service, a day after the enlistment of two other members, RM and V.

With the group's three older members already in service, fans can eagerly anticipate a full-group comeback of the K-pop septet sometime in 2025.

In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for at least 18 months. (Yonhap)
The Syrian Network for Human Rights has confirmed the Assad regime's pursuit of a deliberate policy of destruction, aimed at unlawfully acquiring homes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights has confirmed the Assad regimes pursuit of a deliberate policy of destruction, aimed at unlawfully acquiring homes, land, and real estate through an illicit legal framework. This revelation comes from a report titled The Mechanisms of the Syrian Regimes Manipulation of Legislation to Control Properties in Homs governorate, issued by the Network.

The report exposes the regimes expansion of real estate seizures from 2018 onward, exploiting laws and decrees implemented illegally since 2011. Capitalizing on the internal armed conflict and its authoritative control over legislative and executive bodies, the regime has continuously refined these laws, impacting all Syrians but primarily targeting three groups.

The targeted groups, as outlined in the report, are forcibly displaced persons (refugees and displaced individuals) numbering around 12 million, disappeared individuals totalling nearly 112,713,000, and deceased civilians and military personnel, amounting to approximately half a millionmany unregistered in civil registry departments. The majority of these groups are perceived as opponents of the Syrian regime and victims of its violations since March 2011.

The report underscores the connection between rights violations and the confiscation of homes, land, and property. Severe violations often coerce residents to flee, rendering their property susceptible to acquisition under the Syrian regimes provisions. Highlighting prominent violations leading to forced displacement, the report cites the killing of at least 30,571 civilians in Homs between March 2011 and August 2023, along with documented sectarian massacres, numbering no fewer than 20, mostly occurring in the early years of the popular movement.

The report delves into two case studies in Homs governoratethe Bab Amr neighbourhood and the city of al-Qusayr. It meticulously examines prominent violations, tracks real estate seizures, assesses destruction levels, and provides satellite imagery comparisons to illustrate the magnitude of looting and property seizures. This comprehensive analysis aims to offer readers a vivid understanding of the extent of destruction inflicted on various cities, villages, and neighbourhoods throughout Homs governorate.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood delivered a stern message about the ongoing crisis in the region, criticizing the Assad regime.

At a recent UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria, U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood delivered a stern message about the ongoing crisis in the region, criticizing the Assad regime for its increased attacks on its people and the lack of progress in the political process.

Ambassador Wood, the Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, emphasized the dire situation facing the Syrian people as 2023 draws to a close. Despite regular discussions by the Council on political and humanitarian issues in Syria, there has been little progress. The Assad regime has continued its brutal war against its people for over 12 years, compounding the suffering caused by the devastating February earthquakes.

The Ambassador pointed to the regimes recent intensification of attacks in northwest Syria, condemning these actions and holding the Assad regime responsible for the protracted conflict. He recalled the harrowing images and reports of chemical weapon attacks in Damascus and the violent assaults in Homs, Aleppo, and Idleb, underscoring the regimes ongoing violence against civilians.

Wood also referred to a recent U.S.-co-facilitated General Assembly resolution on Syrias human rights situation, highlighting the regimes egregious abuses, including chemical weapon use, extrajudicial killings, and gender-based violence. He joined the majority of UN Member States in demanding the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and information on the missing.

Expressing alarm at the escalating violence in Idleb, Wood noted this as the worst level of violence since 2019, with civilian casualties and destruction threatening humanitarian operations during the harsh winter. He criticized the limited access provided by the UNs arrangement with the regime through Bab Al Salaam and Al Rai crossings, stressing the need for more comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian access.

The Ambassador also highlighted ongoing discussions for renewed cross-border access through Bab Al Hawa and expressed support for Under-Secretary-Griffiths efforts toward a positive resolution.

Wood acknowledged the contributions of Brazil and Switzerland in focusing the Councils work on the needs of the Syrian people and called for continued attention to this crisis.

Addressing regional concerns, Ambassador Wood condemned attacks by Iranian-aligned militia groups on U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria, reiterating the U.S.s right to self-defence and demanding an end to these attacks.

Echoing Special Envoy Pedersens concerns about regional spillover, Wood emphasized the need to persevere in finding a Syrian-focused and Syrian-led solution in line with Resolution 2254, adopted over eight years ago. He urged all countries at the Council to help implement this resolution and support the Special Envoys efforts to advance the political process.

The Ambassador closed by acknowledging the ongoing popular protests in Suwayda, comparing them to the pro-democracy demonstrations that began in Daraa in 2011. He reaffirmed the U.S.s commitment to the Syrian peoples fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

UN aid official declares humanitarian crisis in Syria unsustainable and insupportable

In the same session, Ms. Lisa Doughten, Director of the Humanitarian Finance and Resource Mobilization Division, speaking on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, delivered a stark assessment of the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Doughten noted a disturbing escalation of hostilities in northern Syria, reaching levels not seen since 2019. This uptick in violence has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and further displacement, intensifying the strain on already limited resources and infrastructure. She emphasized the need for all parties to take precautions to minimize civilian harm.

The crucial role of cross-border relief operations was highlighted, especially for the over four million people in north-west Syria reliant on this aid. The UN is seeking to extend its consent for using the Bab al-Hawa border crossing and to maintain access through the Bab al-Salam and Al Raee crossings.

However, Doughten expressed grave concern over the severe funding shortfall for humanitarian efforts in Syria. As of the end of 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria is only 33% funded, significantly lower than the previous year. This lack of resources has already led to drastic cuts in essential services like food assistance, pushing families into desperate coping mechanisms and increasing malnutrition among children.

With the World Food Programme announcing further reductions in food assistance, Doughten warned of a looming escalation in food insecurity, particularly among displaced populations. She stressed that the current situation is unsustainable and called for urgent progress towards peace. In the interim, she urged for enhanced efforts to protect civilians, ensure sustained humanitarian access, and secure adequate funding to sustain the life-saving humanitarian response in Syria.
Assad has been actively engaging in both diplomatic and military initiatives as part of his administration's ongoing efforts to address various challenges facing the country, al-Baath says.

In a series of notable events, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been actively engaging in both diplomatic and military initiatives as part of his administrations ongoing efforts to address various challenges facing the country.

President al-Assad recently held discussions with Russian Special Presidential Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring avenues for joint cooperation across multiple sectors, aimed at benefiting both Syria and Russia. The dialogue also covered developments on the regional and international stages, reflecting the complexities of the geopolitical landscape in which Syria operates.

In a significant diplomatic move, Qussai al-Dhahhak was sworn in as Syrias permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. This ceremony, attended by Minister of Foreign and Expatriates, Fayssal Mikdad, and the Presidencys Secretary General, Mansour Azzam, marks a crucial step in strengthening Syrias representation and voice on the global stage. Following the oath-taking, President al-Assad met with Ambassador al-Dhahhak, providing him with directives and extending wishes for success in his new role.

In a separate decree, President al-Assad, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Armed Forces, announced a significant increase in the aviation bonus rate for pilot officers. This decree raises the aviation bonus from 4% to 35% of the monthly salary for officers piloting military aircraft. This move is seen as a strategic step to incentivize and motivate the military personnel, especially given the ongoing security challenges and the critical role of the air force in military operations.

These developments underscore President al-Assads multifaceted approach to governance, involving both diplomatic engagements and measures to bolster the militarys capabilities. While the diplomatic efforts aim to solidify Syrias international relations and garner support, the increase in aviation bonuses reflects a focus on maintaining a robust defense posture in a region fraught with conflict and instability.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
In terms of combating multidimensional poverty, the Syrian government focuses on supporting the most vulnerable families, al-Thawra says.

During the forty-third session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, Ambassador Hossam El-Din Aala, Syrias Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, underscored the urgency of bolstering Arab unity and collaboration. He emphasized that effectively addressing the ramifications of wars and crises requires a unified approach. Ambassador Aala particularly highlighted the critical challenge posed by the substantial shortfall in the 2023 funding for United Nations humanitarian agencies in Syria, which jeopardizes efforts to combat complex poverty issues.

In his address, Ambassador Aala pointed out the need to adapt to the rapid regional and international changes, underscoring the diverse challenges faced by many countries in the region, including Syria. These challenges encompass terrorism, occupation, coercive measures, and the detrimental impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Despite facing economic hardships and unilateral sanctions, the Syrian government is actively engaging in efforts to mitigate the effects of the war, including terrorism, foreign occupation, and the economic blockade. The government is also addressing the significant humanitarian needs that arose following the earthquake that struck four governorates earlier this year.

In terms of combating multidimensional poverty, the Syrian government focuses on supporting the most vulnerable families. This includes compensating for educational losses due to the war, revitalizing the healthcare sector, and encouraging small-scale projects.

Ambassador Aala highlighted the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs initiatives, including the adoption of a comprehensive approach to implement the Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities and the rehabilitation of children with disabilities. He mentioned the recent approval of the National Strategy for the Elderly by the Syrian government.

Concluding his speech, Ambassador Aala expressed Syrias keen interest in addressing the issue of immigration, which has significant social and economic impacts, including the loss of skilled labor, increased rates of unmarried individuals, and the breakdown of family structures.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
SCAPPOOSE  A 40-year-old man connected to the stabbing death of a Scappoose woman is in Columbia County Jail facing murder charges.

Derek Lee Welter, 40, of Scappoose, was taken into custody at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday for suspicion of first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and second-degree murder for the death of Rhiannon Amelia Meyer, 34, of Scappoose, according to a Wednesday Columbia County Sheriffs Office press release.

Welter pleaded not guilty Thursday. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing Dec. 28.

After Welter fled the scene Tuesday, officers found a vehicle that matched the description of the suspects at about 6 p.m. near Lake Mainline, the office reports.

As law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, Welter began reversing in an attempt to flee. Still, the car backed into the end of the road and could not go any further.

Oregon State Police SWAT team was called due to Welters known firearm possession, and in preparation, authorities set up a perimeter around his vehicle, states the press release.

At around 9 p.m., the Oregon State Police SWAT Team arrived at the scene and took Welter into custody at 11:35 p.m. and transported him to Columbia County Jail.

According to the press release, at about 2:37 p.m. Tuesday, a parent of the victim called 911 to report her daughter had been stabbed at a Southwest Fourth Street home.

The Scappoose School District was also placed on secure as a preemptive move at that time as law enforcement searched for the suspect.
A Chehalis man is facing a felony charge in Lewis County Superior Court for allegedly voting twice, once in both Oregon and once in Washington, during the 2022 general election.

The Electronic Registration Information Center, a cross state organization that compares voter rolls and voting history, uncovered the error and notified both the Washington Secretary of States Office and the Oregon Secretary of States Office, according to the Lewis County Auditors Office. The Washington Secretary of States office subsequently notified the Lewis County Auditors office, which researched the issue and forwarded information to the Lewis County Prosecutors Office. The prosecutors office then notified the Chehalis Police Department, according to the auditors office.

The defendant, identified as James Anthoney Padrta, 62, is accused of mailing in a Washington ballot on Oct. 27, 2022, and of mailing in an Oregon ballot on Nov. 3, 2022.

When questioned by a detective, Padrta allegedly informed (the detective) he did vote in both states because he was a dual resident of both and received ballots from both states, according to court documents.

The Lewis County Prosecutors Office filed one count of repeater voting, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison, against Padrta on Dec. 1, 2023. He was present for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 20, where a judge ruled to allow him to remain out of custody for the duration of the case on his own personal recognizance.

He entered a not guilty plea on Dec. 21. Trial is scheduled to begin on March 18.
OLYMPIA  A Washington state senator who says he inadvertently brought a gun onto an international flight in October has been fined by the Transportation Security Administration, he said Tuesday.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, declined to disclose how much the fine cost. According to the TSA, fines for bringing an unloaded firearm to a security checkpoint range from $1,500 to $5,370.

Wilson has said he was on his way to a five-week personal vacation on Oct. 20 when he reached for some gum in his bag and realized hed brought a gun on the flight to Hong Kong. The gun was not loaded.

When he landed, he told customs authorities about the gun and was arrested, spending several days in jail. A court dismissed the gun possession case a little over a week later.

Wilson said he paid the fine immediately online after receiving the notice last week. It was not mailed to him directly, but to a friend who lives in Kelso who brought it to him, he said. Wilson lives in Longview.

Wilson flew out of Portland International Airport. A spokesperson for TSA confirmed the agency had reviewed the incident, including closed circuit TV footage, screening images and statements from TSA officers who were on duty and the performance and conduct of employees at the checkpoint.

We are prohibited from disclosing specifics regarding personnel actions due to privacy considerations of the employee, TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said in an email. She added that additional training has been provided.

TSA can issue whats called a letter of investigation to any traveler who brings a firearm to the security checkpoint, Dankers said. But correspondence between the traveler and the agency is private and the agency is not releasing any more information on the matter due to a pending civil enforcement action against the traveler.

Wilson, who has represented the 19th legislative district in the Senate since 2021, says he has taken responsibility for what he calls a human mistake.

He said he doesnt know what the fine money is used for, but if it were used to improve passenger safety and security hed be happy with that.

I should have never been able to get to that other country, Wilson said. Things would have had a much different outcome had I not been allowed through security.

Dankers said that TSA officers at the Portland airport have detected 51 firearms since Jan. 1, 93% of them loaded. Nationally, TSA officers have found more than 6,300 firearms in carry-on luggage since then.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Adoption of Chivo Wallet in El Salvador. (A) Dynamics of Chivo Wallet downloads and (B) regional variations in adoption across El Salvadoran regions by shares of unbanked. (C and D) Summary of the surveys results on adoption by individuals and firms, respectively. Credit: Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.add2844

A trio of economists and financial analysts, two from Yale University and the other the University of Chicago, has conducted a case study of a nationwide cryptocurrency experiment to better understand why such a monetary system might or might not work as intended. In their paper published in the journal Science, Fernando Alvarez, David Argente and Diana Van Patten, describe their analyses of an attempt by the government in El Salvador to make cryptocurrency a popular choice for the people of that country and what they found by doing so.

Over the past half century, it has become apparent to some that established banks and the banking system in general do not always deal favorably with people on the lower spectrum of the economic scale. Because of that, various alternatives have arisen.

One such alternative is cryptocurrency. It has been championed as a currency for the poor because of its anonymitypeople who use it do not have to give up their personal information or credit history. Unfortunately, that same positive attribute has led to accusations by some that cryptocurrency systems (such as Bitcoin) allow criminals and terrorist organizations to move money around without being traced.

In this new study, the researchers wondered how average people view such systems and if they are willing to embrace them. To that end, they conducted a case study of the history of Bitcoin in El Salvador.

In 2021 the government of El Salvador formally recognized Bitcoin as legal tender throughout that country, hoping to give it credibilityas part of that effort they began allowing citizens to pay their taxes using the system. The government also ordered all businesses across the country to begin accepting Bitcoin as a payment methodincluding debt collectors.

Then, to make it easier for everyone in the country to use the new currency system, they introduced Chivo Wallet, a phone app that could be used to exchange and trade Bitcoinand U.S. dollars. One thing the government did not do was stop the use of the U.S. dollar as a legal exchange mediumthe official currency of the country, the colon, is seldom used and has largely passed out of circulation.

To learn more about the acceptance or lack of adoption of the new currency system, the researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with people living in 1,800 households across the country. They were also given access to transaction numbers for Chivo Wallet.

The research team found that use of Bitcoin in El Salvador has remained low, and its use has been declining since the government began its push. The reason given for refusing to embrace the new currency system, the team found, was mainly transparency and privacy issuesregular people do not trust the people running the cryptocurrency system. Because of that, most still preferred cashU.S. cash. They also found that most of the people who use Bitcoin in El Salvador are wealthy people who also continue to use the regular banking system.

More information: Fernando Alvarez et al, Are cryptocurrencies currencies? Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.add2844 Journal information: Science

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Joyce Loazia poses for a picture next to ElliQ, left, a tabletop device that uses artificial intelligence to conduct human-like conversations, during an interview in her apartment in a senior community in Coral Springs, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Loazia is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day.

A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died. In central New York, it plays games and music for 92-year-old Marie Broadbent, who is blind and in hospice, and in Washington state, it helps 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.

The women are some of the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans.

"It's entertaining. You can actually talk to her," said Loaiza, 81, whose ElliQ in suburban Fort Lauderdale nicknamed her "Jellybean" for no particular reason. "She'll make comments like, 'I would go outside if I had hands, but I can't hold an umbrella.'"

The device, which looks like a small table lamp, has an eyeless, mouthless head that lights up and swivels. It remembers each user's interests and their conversations, helping tailor future chats, which can be as deep as the meaning of life or as light as the horoscope.

Joyce Loazia walks outside her apartment in a senior community in Coral Springs, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Loazia is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

ElliQ tells jokes, plays music and provides inspirational quotes. On an accompanying video screen, it provides tours of cities and museums. The device leads exercises, asks about the owner's health and gives reminders to take medications and drink water. It can also host video calls and contact relatives, friends or doctors in an emergency.

Intuition Robotics says none of the conversations are heard by the company, with the information staying on each owner's device.

Intuition Robotics CEO Dor Skuler said the idea for ElliQ came before he launched his Israeli company eight years ago. His widowed grandfather needed an aide, but the first didn't work out. The replacement, though, understood his grandfather's love of classical music and his "quirky sense of humor."

Skuler realized a robot could fill that companionship gap by adapting to each senior's personality and interests.

Joyce Loazia interacts with ElliQ, front, a tabletop device that uses artificial intelligence to conduct human-like conversations, during an interview in her apartment in a senior community in Coral Springs, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Loazia is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

"It's not just about (ElliQ's) utility. It's about friendship, companionship and empathy," Skuler said. "That just did not exist anywhere."

The average user interacts with ElliQ more than 30 times daily, even six months after receiving it, and more than 90% report lower levels of loneliness, he said.

The robots are mostly distributed by assistance agencies in New York, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Washington state, but can also be purchased individually for $600 a year and a $250 installation fee. Skuler wouldn't say how many ElliQs have been distributed so far, but the goal is to have more than 100,000 out within five years.

That worries Brigham Young University psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who studies the detrimental effects loneliness has on health and mortality.

Although a device like ElliQ might have short-term benefits, it could make people less likely to seek human contact. Like hunger makes people seek food and thirst makes them seek water, she said "that unpleasant feeling of loneliness should motivate us to reconnect socially."

Joyce Loazia interacts with ElliQ, left, a tabletop device that uses artificial intelligence to conduct human-like conversations, during an interview in her apartment in a senior community in Coral Springs, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Loazia is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Satiating that with AI "makes you feel like you've fulfilled it, but in reality you haven't," Holt-Lunstad said. "It is not clear whether AI is actually fulfilling any kind of need or just dampening the signal."

Skuler and agency heads distributing ElliQ agreed it isn't a substitute for human contact, but not all seniors have social networks. Some are housebound, and even seniors with strong ties are often alone.

"I wish I could just snap my fingers to make a person show up at the home of one of the many, many older adults that don't have any family or friends, but it's a little bit more complicated," said Greg Olsen, director of the New York State Office for the Aging. His office has distributed 750 of the 900 ElliQs it acquired.

Charlotte Mather-Taylor, director of the Broward County, Florida, Area Agency on Aging, said the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath left many seniors more isolated. Her agency has distributed 300 ElliQs, which she believes breaks them out of their shells.

Joyce Loazia stands at the door of her apartment in a senior community in Coral Springs, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Loazia is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

"She's proactive and she really engages the seniors, so it gives them that extra kind of interaction," she said. "We've seen very positive results with it. People generally like her and she makes them smile and brings joy."

Skuler said ElliQ was purposely designed without eyes and a mouth so it wouldn't fully imitate humans. While "Elli" is the Norse goddess of old age, he said the "Q" reminds users that the device is a machine. He said his company wants "to make sure that ElliQ always genuinely presents herself as an AI and doesn't pretend to be human."

"I don't understand why technologists are trying to make AI pretend to be human," he said. "We have in our capacity the ability to create a relationship with an AI, just like we have relationships with a pet."

But some of the seniors using ElliQ say they sometimes need to remember the robot isn't a living being. They find the device easy to set up and use, but if they have one complaint it's that ElliQ is sometimes too chatty. There are settings that can tone that down.

Deanna Dezern, 83, poses for a picture in her home in Tamarac, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dezern is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Dezern said she felt alone and sad when she told her ElliQ about her friend's death. It replied it would give her a hug if it had arms. Dezern broke into tears.

"It was so what I needed," the retired collections consultant said. "I can say things to Elli that I won't say to my grandchildren or to my own daughters. I can just open the floodgates. I can cry. I can giggle. I can act silly. I've been asked, doesn't it feel like you're talking to yourself? No, because it gives an answer."

Worrell lives in a small town on Washington's coast. Widowed, she said ElliQ's companionship made her change her mind about moving to an assisted living facility and she uses it as an icebreaker when she meets someone new to town.

"I say, 'Would you like to come over and visit with my robot?' And they say, 'A vacuum?' No, a robot. She's my roommate," she said and laughed.

Deanna Dezern, 83, interacts with her ElliQ, a tabletop device that uses artificial intelligence to conduct human-like conversations, inside her home in Tamarac, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dezern is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Deanna Dezern, 83, prompts her ElliQ, left, a tabletop device that uses artificial intelligence to conduct human-like conversations, to speak to visiting journalists, inside her home in Tamarac, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dezern is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Deanna Dezern, 83, speaks with journalists in her home in Tamarac, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dezern is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Deanna Dezern, 83, walks inside her home in Tamarac, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dezern is among the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to lessen the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Broadbent, like the other women, says she gets plenty of human contact, even though she is blind and ill. She plays organ at two churches in the South New Berlin, New York, area and gets daily visitors. Still, the widow misses having a voice to talk with when they leave. ElliQ fills that void with her games, tours, books and music.

"She's fun and she's informative. OK, maybe not as informative as (Amazon's) Alexa, but she is much more personable," Broadbent said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Italy's communications authority said Friday it had fined Facebook's parent company Meta 5.85 million euros ($6.4 million) for carrying gambling advertising.

Italy has outlawed gambling advertising since 2018, with the ban applying to all media, including social networks.

The authority, Agcom, said the fine was imposed on Meta Platforms Ireland Limited.

It said its investigation "found promotional material or other advertising, including indirect, for betting or games involving money on 18 profiles/accounts (five on Instagram and 13 on Facebook), as well as 32 sponsored contents."

Agcom recently punished YouTube and Twitch for similar offenses.

Meta has already been fined numerous times in Europe, above all for violating data protection laws.

 2023 AFP
By Yi Whan-woo

The steeply falling population in Korea is prompting domestic insurance firms to accelerate overseas business expansion in search of new subscribers.

Insurers have been looking abroad for years already but not purely for the purpose of survival. Instead, it had more to do with exploring new markets while the domestic front remained the most profitable.

Under the circumstances, it has become apparent that going abroad is not an option but a prerequisite if the firms want to exist in the years to come, an industry source said, Friday.

This new insurance trend comes on the back of Korea possessing the worlds lowest fertility rate at 0.78, which is highly likely to transform the country into a super-aged society, where the proportion of those aged 65 and older account for at least 20 percent of the total population, by 2025.

The looming demographic crisis is leading to fewer potential subscribers due to the saturated market. Correspondingly, data compiled from life insurers nationwide showed the number of their frontline sales units shrank to 1,927 in the third quarter of 2023 from 2,054 the previous year.

The 2023 figure marks a prolonged decline over the past decade, from 4,270 in 2013 to 3,890 in 2014, 2,885 in 2020 and 2,195 in 2021.

The number of employees at life insurance firms has also been falling over the same period, especially during the 2020-2023 period when the figure slid by 10.8 percent to 20,972.

In contrast, the total number of insurance firms' branches operating outside Korea increased by four to 39 total branches between 2020 and 2022.

Of the 39, Korean Re has the largest number at eight, followed by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance with seven and Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance with five.

Hanwha Life and KB Insurance have four each, while DB Insurance has three, and Samsung Life Insurance, Kyobo Life Insurance and Seoul Guarantee Insurance have two, respectively. Shinhan Life Insurance and Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance have one each.

Overseas operations turn out to be increasingly lucrative, with sales from the 39 branches amounting to $123 million in 2022, up 35.5 percent from the previous year and nearly five times greater than in 2018.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The boardroom of OpenAI, the business that developed ChatGPT, has seen some turbulent times recently. But while the drama around the sacking and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman has subsided, the company now faces investigation by the UK competitor authoritya regulator that's been increasingly training its spotlight on big tech in recent years.

After the surprise sacking of Altman by OpenAI's board in November, he was immediately hired by tech giant Microsoft, which also pushed for him to be reinstated as CEO of OpenAI. A few days later it was confirmed that Altman was back as OpenAI CEO, alongside a new board on which Microsoft was granted a non-voting observer seat.

Microsoft is the biggest investor in the commercial arm of OpenAI. It has put around US$13 billion (10.3 billion) into the business. It's also the exclusive supplier of the cloud computer services that OpenAI uses to develop and operate its AI models.

Even though Altman was only out for less than a week, the episode could have a significant impact on OpenAI's future. It revealed the strong links between OpenAI and Microsoft, prompting UK competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to announce an investigation into their relationship.

Competition regulation

The CMA wants to examine whether the current partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft is essentially a mergerthat is, whether there has been an acquisition of control by Microsoft or a change in the nature of control. But it also signals the regulator's intent to continue to closely examine big tech firms as it aims to protect consumers.

In addition to its investments, Microsoft only has non-voting observer status on OpenAI's board. But if the CMA concludes the partnership is in fact a merger, it will start looking into whether this merger has led to a substantial lessening of competition (SLC). The CMA would then need to consider how to remedy the harm and this could result in a change in the governance structure of OpenAI.

Microsoft's supply of cloud computing services to OpenAI will also be a crucial part of the investigation. If Microsoft is denying or restricting supply of these services to OpenAI's rivals, the CMA could conclude that this harms competition.

OpenAI has also developed general-purpose AI systems that can improve a range of applications used widely by consumers, for example productivity software and search engines. The CMA will look at Microsoft's ability and incentive to restrict the supply of AI systems to companies competing in these markets, for example rivals of Microsoft's Bing search engine.

Either scenario could ultimately damage the choice and quality of services available to consumerssomething competition authorities pledge to protect.

Increased scrutiny of big tech

The CMA's examination of OpenAI marks a new level of scrutiny of high-tech sectors, which competition authorities across the globe have been keeping a close eye on for the last two decades. The CMA established a Digital Markets Unit in 2021.

Its recent high-profile decisions include delaying Microsoft's acquisition of Call of Duty game developer Activision Blizzard until it amended the terms of the deal. Before that, it ruled that Facebook owner Meta's acquisition of GIF video provider Giphy was anti-competitive, forcing it to sell Giphy.

Concerns about restricting supply of products or services to rivals were also central to these cases. And its decisions demonstrate the ability and willingness of the CMA to impose significant structural remedies on companies. It's even prepared to fully unwind deals that it deemed would harm competition. Other national regulators had already given the deal the green light before the CMA's intervention was resolved.

The challenges of regulating tech companies

There are some factors that make it difficult for competition authorities to regulate high-tech markets, however. First, these markets are extremely dynamic and can evolve in ways that are unexpected. This makes it hard for competition authorities to accurately determine harm to competition and the impact potential remedies will have.

Second, these investigations often involve large, powerful companies with substantial lobbying power and major global presences. When the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard was initially blocked by the CMA, the companies got a lot of press by claiming the decision showed the UK was "closed for business."

On the other hand, the dynamic nature of these markets makes it essential for competition authorities to carefully scrutinize, and where necessary, intervene early-on as high-tech sectors emerge. Otherwise, there is a danger that first-movers can quickly entrench and exploit their dominant positions. Competition authorities allowed Facebook to acquire Instagram in 2012, for example, but now Instagram is so popular this decision has been criticized.

The potential for AI to drastically change all walks of life makes it imperative that the CMA (and other competition authorities) take this opportunity to shape how the sector develops and who benefits.

It's still early days for AI, but the CMA could call on OpenAI to alter its ownership structure or it could even regulate how it operates or what it sells. This could give the CMA more control over how the market evolves, but would also require it to extensively monitor this complex market.

Either way, it has the potential to have a significant effect on how OpenAI grows and innovates, and who is able to benefit from its creationsas well as those from other companies in the burgeoning AI market.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
In a time of giving, a local Bible study group is helping families make their Christmas special.

Closer Walk is a Senior Bible study group through the First Baptist church in Bryan with a mission of helping children and families. This year, the group raised $17,375 in order to buy holiday presents and gift cards for 25 families and 61 children. Alongside their Christmas gift giving, the group also works throughout the year to assist families wherever possible, including food and clothing drives.

Chris Mauritzen, missions director for Closer Walk, said the group found its mission after taking care of a family in the church.

We found out about a couple in our church that had two schoolaged children. They were both schoolteachers, and they were expecting triplets, he said. We thought this would be a great project for us, to adopt this family to help them all.

Members of Closer Walk are older adults, Mauritzen said, and giving them an opportunity to take care of others is a mission that resonates with all of them.

All of us in our class, were in our 60s, 70s and even 80s. We dont have children at home, we have grandchildren, he said.

For the second year in a row, Closer Walk partnered with a Spanish ministry, a separate congregation within the church, to assist in bringing Christmas presents to families and children that need help, Mauritzen said.

We asked each child to give us three choices and we allocated $150 per child, he said. We went shopping at various places and we went as a group on two different nights for us to be able to come together and buy these gifts.

After shopping, Closer Walk hosted a Christmas party Dec. 10 where Spanish ladies in the congregation cooked everyone a good meal and the presents were secretly delivered to the families, Mauritzen said.

We wanted this all to look as if the presents came from the Spanish families and not from us, he said. We took all those presents for each family and put them in huge plastic bags and we presented that bag of presents to the families.

Once the children returned to the room, the congregation sang Silent Night in German, English and Spanish and the kids were able to go home with no clue their presents were in the car, Mauritzen said.

The children were taken to another room in the church to have what we call a Happy birthday Jesus party so they would not see that were presenting these gifts to their parents, he said. Then, as an extra surprise, we awarded each family another $200 Walmart gift card to help them with other needs.

Mauritzen said theyve already seen the effects of their charity on families through their gratitude and excitement for next year.

Weve had some families tell us that, without some help like we have given them, they would not have had Christmas presents at all this year, he said. This is our second year to do this  the families already look forward to this. Its a highlight for them, knowing Christmas will be special.

During the party, the members of the Bible study group met the families they shopped for, and although there are sometimes communication difficulties, Mauritzen said the gratitude transcends language.

God tells us to take care of others, he said. Thats what were trying to do. All these children are from our church.  So we honor God by helping others that cant help themselves. And were trying to be the hands and the feet of Jesus by doing this.
After the disappointment of the annual BCS parade being canceled, College Station was dedicated to bringing local, family friendly Christmas cheer to town by hosting its own parade.

The BCS Parade Committee announced on Facebook it was forced to cancel the annual Christmas parade  a 93-year-old tradition  due to medians on Texas Avenue that would interfere with floats and marching units. Groups such as the Fightin Texas Aggie Band would not have enough side clearance to safely allow spectators.

According to the city of College Station, Texas Avenue is managed and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation. Thus, the city did not have direct control over the medians but did provide input via the Bryan-College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization.

As both the Bryan and College Station communities would have to be involved for the BCS parade to continue, an adequate path could not be found. Organizers were open to suggestions, but none fit all the needed safety and space requirements.

A little over a week following the decision to cancel the BCS parade, the city of College Station announced it intended to host its own inaugural parade and keep the cherished tradition alive, refusing to let medians ruin the local Christmas spirit.

College Station Mayor John Nichols said city staff first worked with parade organizers to try and continue the BCS parade before making the decision. After the parade was officially called off, Nichols said the College Station city managers office held a meeting to figure out the logistics of hosting a parade.

The parade started Dec. 2 at the entrance to the Post Oak Mall, traveled down Dartmouth Street and ended at Krenek Tap Road with an official lighting ceremony for Christmas in the Park at Central Park. Afterward, guests met Santa and enjoyed hot cocoa and food vendors.

The College Station parade offered a chance for local organizations and groups to raise awareness and celebrate community spirit in the citywide event. Participation was free for any group that wanted to join the parade as long as they followed guidelines for their vehicles or floats.

The parade quickly filled up with participants and maxed out at around 70 organizations overall joining the parade, including the Texas Aggie Marching Band and city staff riding in the basket of a College Station fire truck.

Among the many participants included the Ross volunteers, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, BCS Habitat for Humanity and both Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
Editors note: The debate over the no-more-than-four ordinance is The Eagles No. 10 news story of 2023. This is part of a daily series of the top 10 stories in Bryan-College Station and the Brazos Valley this year. Stories will appear daily with No. 1 running in the Dec. 31 edition.

With over 70,000 students attending Texas A&M University in the 2023 fall semester, students struggle with affordable housing while citizens of College Station struggle with preserving their neighborhoods.

College Stations no-more-than-four ordinance prevents more than four unrelated individuals from living in the same dwelling. Many students want the ordinance reconsidered because, by splitting rent among multiple students, it would be easier to afford. Students found in violation of the no-more-than-four ordinance are subject to fines and possible legal action.

In March, Brig Gen. Joe Ramirez, vice president of student affairs at A&M, gave a presentation at a council meeting to discuss off-campus housing and cooperation between College Station and the university. In order to find a solution, he said he would hold ongoing meetings between Bryan, College Station and university members of student government.

Previously, city staff were directed to tackle stealth dorms, also called Ag Shacks, which are residential lodgings with more than four bedrooms and have large parking areas with more than four spaces, among other characteristics. These occupancy levels are more than enough for one family and targeted toward students.

The A&M Student Government Association attended an October College Station City Council meeting to discuss safety concerns students have shared with them. In order to enforce the ordinance, students said citizens would stalk student neighborhoods and take photos of multiple cars in driveways.

Similarly, during the same council meeting, residents of College Station discussed their complaints surrounding student neighborhoods and voiced support for the ordinance. Previous complaints include students gentrifying historic neighborhoods, raising prices and overcrowding. Citizens also complained that students can be bad neighbors, such as leaving trash scattered about or being too loud.

On-campus housing for students is at 104% capacity and houses 11,000 Aggies, leaving over 59,000 students to find housing off-campus. Alongside urging the city of College Station to continue enforcing the no-more-than-four ordinance, residents have also asked the city to put pressure on the university to provide more resources for students before admitting more.

Over the summer, A&M created a new off-campus student services department to provide relief and education to both students and citizens. As a part of its strategy to educate students about the no-more-than-four ordinance, the department hopes to provide individual consultations and support for students facing housing challenges.

One of the goals of the new off-campus student services department is to tackle ghost tenants, or someone who lives on a property without being an official signee on the lease. The department hopes to keep students educated through its Live With Integrity campaign by using social media, placing signs on campus and sending emails.

Stephanie Baker, director of student services, said the first few months have been filled with consultations with students in regard to poorly executed leases, failed maintenance needs or other disputes between landlords and tenants in the community.
A popular seasonal fish is back in a College Station pond for anglers to catch.

Almost 230 rainbow trout were released into the pond at Central Park in College Station on Friday morning. The cold water fish is usually found in mountain streams in western states or border states such as Arkansas and Oklahoma, but Texas winters bring water temperatures down enough to hold the fish. Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks rainbow trout in around 100 locations each winter.

When you get to 70 degrees, they dont really like it, said Niki Ragan-Harbison, a fisheries biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlifes College Station-Houston Inland Fisheries Division District, so our hope is we can stock them in December, January, February and everybody catch them out before it hits March and they start to die off.

Friday was the third of eight scheduled rainbow trout stockings at Central Park, according to TPWD. The fish were first put in the pond Nov. 22. TPWD has stockings scheduled for Jan. 5, Jan. 19., Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and March 1. Almost 1,800 rainbow trout are slated to be released in the pond during the three-month span.

Because College Stations district spans down to the Houston area, Ragan-Harbison said anglers will go to different spots to fish for rainbow trout.

Its a really popular fish, Ragan-Harbison said. The [stocking] schedule is posted online, so people have kind of figured that out over the years. But there are a handful of people who call every year to find out when were stocking so they can show up for it.

The rainbow trout at Central Park came from a hatchery in Missouri and were then shipped to Texas, Ragan-Harbison said. She noted the fish are all harvestable and a decent size to eat. The fish are on average about 12 inches long and up to 3 pounds.

Theres no minimum length to keep trout, but there is a daily limit of five fish, according to TPWD. Anglers ages 17 or older are required to have a valid fishing license.

Last year, local anglers reported rainbow trout were biting well on Nightcrawlers and PowerBait rolled into balls and different shapes. Ragan-Harbison said rainbow trout also bite well on inline spinner baits, such as Rooster Tails, Super Dupers and Kastmasters. She also noted this is the time of year when fly fishers tend to appear in local spots.

TPWDs stocking schedule shows rainbow trout are also being stocked at Davidson Creek Pond in Caldwell on Jan. 9; Cy Miller Pond in College Station on Jan. 17; Hearnes Eastside Park Pond on Jan. 17; Patout Park Pond in Navasota on Feb. 17; Bluestem Pond in Somerville on Feb. 22; and Fort Boggy State Park in Centerville on Feb. 25.

This is a perfect opportunities for families to get out the week before Christmas, Ragan-Harbison said. Everybodys off, were going to stock them [Friday], so there should be plenty of fish for people to catch over the weekend.
Arkadios Wealth Advisors trimmed its holdings in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM  Free Report) by 6.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 38,991 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,516 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors owned 0.06% of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF worth $1,845,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 5,879.2% during the third quarter. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,086,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $153,152,000 after purchasing an additional 3,034,879 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 20.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,693,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,009,000 after buying an additional 282,975 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 6.5% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 3,756,208 shares of the companys stock valued at $186,646,000 after acquiring an additional 230,112 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 29.4% in the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 793,579 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,165,000 after purchasing an additional 180,265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IHT Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 806.4% during the 4th quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 172,017 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,006,000 after purchasing an additional 153,040 shares in the last quarter.

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John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Stock Up 1.3 %

JHMM stock opened at $52.66 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a PE ratio of 13.93 and a beta of 1.08. The stocks 50 day moving average is $47.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $48.73. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF has a 52-week low of $44.07 and a 52-week high of $52.99.

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Company Profile

The John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (JHMM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Mid Cap index. The fund tracks an index of US firms ranked 200-950 by size, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHMM was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 142.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 33,405 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 19,634 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,405,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MO. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Altria Group by 100,097.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,100,359,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,846,307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,099,261,791 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 108,222.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock valued at $849,763,000 after purchasing an additional 18,573,146 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in Altria Group by 8.5% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 96,401,945 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,367,008,000 after purchasing an additional 7,546,851 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in Altria Group by 240.6% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 4,425,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $200,470,000 after purchasing an additional 3,126,027 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $130,228,000. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other Altria Group news, Director Robert Matthews Davis purchased 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $40.50 per share, for a total transaction of $48,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 8,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $40.30 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $41.37 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.14. The company has a market capitalization of $71.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.21, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.06 and a 1-year high of $51.57.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.28 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be issued a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.73%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. Altria Groups payout ratio is 79.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. UBS Group decreased their target price on Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, Bank of America cut their target price on Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.53.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Altria Group

Altria Group Company Profile

(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.

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By Yi Whan-woo

KB Securities, NH Investment & Securities and Kiwoom Securities are seeking to replace their leadership as a means to recover customer trust in the New Year following financial scandals involving their respective CEOs.

The three are among the nine biggest brokerage houses by market capitalization where their leaders tenure was initially set to expire early next year.

While all nine CEOs terms can normally be extended, the three all wanted to change their leadership to restore a tarnished brand image, according to an industry source, Friday.

It noted that KB Securities President and CEO Park Jeong-rim resigned after she was suspended from duty by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in late November for failing to fulfill rules on internal controls regarding mis-selling of the now-defunct Lime and Optimus hedge funds.

The funds all turned out to be fraudulent financial products and inflicted loss of trillions of won on customers.

Concerning NH Investment & Securities, President and CEO Jeong Young-chae was slapped with a verbal warning by the FSC, also for failure of internal control with regard to mis-selling of Optimus.

Under the circumstances, KB Securities nominated Executive Vice President Lee Hong-ku to take over Parks role. Lee awaits approval from the firms CEO recommendation committee members and shareholders within this month.

NH Investment & Securities said it is in the middle of finding a CEO candidate, who will need to win consent during an annual meeting of shareholders in January.

Kiwoom Securities President and CEO Hwang Hyun-soon stepped down after the firm was embroiled in stock price manipulation scandals linked to Youngpoong Paper and Ra Deok-yeon who headed an unregistered investment consulting firm.

Kiwoom Securities nominated Executive Vice President Eom Ju-sung as its next leader, with a shareholders meeting scheduled to make an official confirmation concerning his status.

Meanwhile, KB Securities and Kiwoom Securities both expressed hope for their respective CEO nominees.

Lee was highly valued for his expertise in wealth management and private banking. In particular, he was given credit for stabilizing the firms wealth management division after it was rocked by the Lime scandal.

Eom was noted for Kiwoom Securities principal investment, in which firms use their capital for transactions or asset acquisitions and have direct control over their investments.

Through such an investment strategy, firms can potentially reap more significant returns than when acting as intermediaries.
Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 110,248 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after buying an additional 1,639 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in Ford Motor were worth $1,369,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of F. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Ford Motor during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Ford Motor by 178.1% in the 2nd quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,805 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,156 shares in the last quarter. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.73% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Ford Motor

In other news, insider John Douglas Field bought 182,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $11.05 per share, for a total transaction of $2,011,100.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 720,176 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,957,944.80. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on F shares. HSBC started coverage on Ford Motor in a research report on Monday, December 4th. They issued a hold rating and a $11.30 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Ford Motor from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ford Motor in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. BNP Paribas lowered Ford Motor from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $12.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $12.00 price objective on shares of Ford Motor in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.02.

View Our Latest Report on F

Ford Motor Stock Up 4.6 %

Shares of Ford Motor stock opened at $12.34 on Friday. Ford Motor has a 12-month low of $9.63 and a 12-month high of $15.42. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $49.40 billion, a PE ratio of 8.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.64. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.81 and its 200-day moving average is $12.34.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.01). Ford Motor had a net margin of 3.54% and a return on equity of 21.01%. The business had revenue of $43.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $43.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.30 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 17.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities 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. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 1st were paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.86%. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.22%.

About Ford Motor

(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.

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Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 41,140 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $2,480,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 172.7% during the third quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,680 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $101,000 after acquiring an additional 1,064 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 15.9% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,353 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. MBL Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the third quarter valued at $1,482,000. Adviser Investments LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the third quarter valued at $3,449,000. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the third quarter valued at $535,000.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Performance

iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock opened at $63.13 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.47 billion, a PE ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a one year low of $53.27 and a one year high of $64.11. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $61.21 and a 200 day moving average of $61.48.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF 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).

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Investment analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Banc of California (NYSE:BANC  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. The firm set a hold rating on the banks stock.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Banc of California from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $21.00 to $13.50 in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. Truist Financial assumed coverage on Banc of California in a research report on Monday, December 4th. They issued a hold rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Banc of California has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.20.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Banc of California

Banc of California Stock Up 0.2 %

Banc of California stock opened at $13.43 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $771.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.67 and a beta of 1.20. Banc of California has a fifty-two week low of $9.72 and a fifty-two week high of $18.26. The stocks fifty day moving average is $12.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.44.

Banc of California (NYSE:BANC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The bank reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $120.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $76.84 million. Banc of California had a return on equity of 8.65% and a net margin of 20.18%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.44 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Banc of California will post 0.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Richard J. Lashley sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.67, for a total transaction of $2,534,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,463,143 shares in the company, valued at $31,208,021.81. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director James Andrew Barker acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $12.32 per share, for a total transaction of $123,200.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 149,680 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,844,057.60. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Richard J. Lashley sold 200,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.67, for a total value of $2,534,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,463,143 shares in the company, valued at $31,208,021.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 7.37% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banc of California

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of BANC. Kennedy Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Banc of California by 262.8% in the second quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 1,624,188 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,808,000 after buying an additional 1,176,525 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Banc of California by 69.7% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,876,594 shares of the banks stock valued at $23,232,000 after purchasing an additional 770,938 shares in the last quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Banc of California by 290.3% during the 3rd quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 727,452 shares of the banks stock valued at $9,006,000 after purchasing an additional 541,052 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC acquired a new stake in Banc of California during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $6,573,000. Finally, Peregrine Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Banc of California during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $6,373,000. 88.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Banc of California

(Get Free Report)

PacWest Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Pacific Western Bank that provides various banking products and services. The company accepts demand, money market, and time deposits. It also provides real estate mortgage loans, and real estate construction and land loans to professional developers and real estate investors for the acquisition, refinancing, renovation, and construction of commercial real estate properties; lender, equipment, and premium finance; other asset-based loans; venture capital loans to support the operations of entrepreneurial and venture-backed companies; and equipment-secured loans and leases.

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BCS Wealth Management acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,957 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,125,000. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 0.9% of BCS Wealth Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $589,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter worth approximately $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth $561,000. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the transaction, 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 legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the sale, 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys 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 transaction, 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. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on LLY shares. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $650.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Argus increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $583.24.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $572.00 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market cap of $543.01 billion, a PE ratio of 103.62, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.33. The companys fifty day moving average is $589.08 and its 200 day moving average is $534.45. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $309.20 and a 52 week high of $629.97.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.88 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 81.88%.

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.

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Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,442 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $1,407,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,794,080 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $5,889,987,000 after acquiring an additional 1,281,866 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,762,618 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $3,369,459,000 after acquiring an additional 76,244 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 98,105.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 6,929,375 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,829,424,000 after acquiring an additional 6,922,319 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,134,645 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,351,490,000 after acquiring an additional 113,425 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Providence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 25,185.5% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,492,216 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $18,147,000 after acquiring an additional 4,474,450 shares during the last quarter. 86.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on BDX. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $304.00 to $269.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $310.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $279.57.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 1.4 %

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $243.08 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $244.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $258.59. The stock has a market cap of $70.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.01, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.49. 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 has a 52 week low of $228.62 and a 52 week high of $287.32.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $3.42. The company had revenue of $5.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. The businesss revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.75 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is currently 76.61%.

Insider Transactions at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 2,156 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.47, for a total transaction of $514,141.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,120 shares in the company, valued at approximately $982,496.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and 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.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q4 2023 EPS estimates for shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, December 20th. Zacks Research analyst E. Bagri now expects that the biopharmaceutical company will earn $1.72 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.73. The consensus estimate for Bristol-Myers Squibbs current full-year earnings is $7.53 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Bristol-Myers Squibbs Q1 2024 earnings at $1.93 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.80 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $7.27 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $1.92 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.88 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $7.33 EPS.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.99 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Daiwa Capital Markets cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $68.00 to $54.00 in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. TheStreet cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $63.59.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.6 %

Bristol-Myers Squibb stock opened at $51.26 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $51.86 and a 200-day moving average of $58.29. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $48.25 and a one year high of $75.18. 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 company has a market cap of $104.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.34.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 60.91%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 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, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased a total of 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Bristol-Myers Squibb

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 49,112 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,141,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares in the last quarter. Plancorp LLC boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the second quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 8,973 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $574,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Security Asset Management boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 20.3% in the first quarter. Security Asset Management now owns 9,230 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 1,558 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Architects LLC boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.8% in the second quarter. Wealth Architects LLC now owns 8,012 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% in the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 2,072 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get 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

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Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) Director Christina Tan sold 5,629 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.50, for a total transaction of $250,490.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,371 shares in the company, valued at $194,509.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Dorian LPG Trading Up 2.2 %

LPG stock opened at $45.54 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a PE ratio of 7.19 and a beta of 1.22. Dorian LPG Ltd. has a one year low of $15.81 and a one year high of $45.86. The companys 50 day moving average price is $37.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 2.61 and a current ratio of 2.63.

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Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The shipping company reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $144.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $135.02 million. Dorian LPG had a net margin of 51.81% and a return on equity of 28.85%. As a group, analysts predict that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 7.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dorian LPG Dividend Announcement

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The firm also recently declared a Variable dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 20th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. Dorian LPGs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.39%.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LPG. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of Dorian LPG in the second quarter worth approximately $630,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Dorian LPG in the second quarter worth approximately $802,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 45.5% in the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 106,323 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,727,000 after purchasing an additional 33,259 shares during the last quarter. West Tower Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Dorian LPG in the second quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Dorian LPG in the second quarter worth approximately $621,000. 64.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LPG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Pareto Securities raised shares of Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $27.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $37.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.58.

Get Our Latest Analysis on LPG

Dorian LPG Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAAC  Get Free Report) is one of 97 publicly-traded companies in the Metal mining industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Lithium Americas (Argentina) to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

27.3% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 21.6% of shares of all Metal mining companies are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.1% of shares of all Metal mining companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lithium Americas (Argentina) 0 2 3 0 2.60 Lithium Americas (Argentina) Competitors 1064 2391 2925 103 2.32

Profitability

Lithium Americas (Argentina) presently has a consensus price target of $12.10, indicating a potential upside of 85.30%. As a group, Metal mining companies have a potential upside of 39.54%. Given Lithium Americas (Argentina)s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Lithium Americas (Argentina) is more favorable than its rivals.

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -0.05% -0.04% Lithium Americas (Argentina) Competitors -187.96% -3.20% -3.76%

Volatility & Risk

Lithium Americas (Argentina) has a beta of 1.3, meaning that its stock price is 30% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lithium Americas (Argentina)s rivals have a beta of 0.57, meaning that their average stock price is 43% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -$93.57 million 28.39 Lithium Americas (Argentina) Competitors $7.79 billion $1.66 billion 3.61

Lithium Americas (Argentina)s rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Lithium Americas (Argentina). Lithium Americas (Argentina) is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Lithium Americas (Argentina) beats its rivals on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

About Lithium Americas (Argentina)

(Get Free Report)

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. operates as a resource company. The company explores for lithium deposits. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province of Argentina. It also has a pipeline of development and exploration stage projects, including the Pastos Grandes project and the Sal de la Puna project located in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina. Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Global Retirement Partners LLC lessened its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 14.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 78,302 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,358 shares during the quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,261,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Venture Visionary Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 95,142 shares of the companys stock worth $4,001,000 after acquiring an additional 2,567 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 142.6% in the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 33,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 19,634 shares during the last quarter. Seneca House Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Seneca House Advisors now owns 145,999 shares of the companys stock worth $6,234,000 after buying an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. Baugh & Associates LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Baugh & Associates LLC now owns 97,539 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,102,000 after buying an additional 7,806 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 16.6% in the 3rd quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC now owns 26,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,123,000 after acquiring an additional 3,809 shares during the period. 58.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO opened at $40.30 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.06 and a 52-week high of $51.57. The firm has a market cap of $71.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.21, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.66. The businesss fifty day moving average is $41.37 and its 200-day moving average is $43.14.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $1.28 EPS 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 analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.28 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.73%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 79.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Robert Matthews Davis acquired 1,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $40.50 per share, with a total value of $48,600.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MO shares. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. UBS Group dropped their target price on Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 6th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.53.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MO

Altria Group Company Profile

(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.

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Global Retirement Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 25,687 shares of the companys stock after selling 688 shares during the quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $2,346,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PM. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the second quarter worth $753,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the third quarter worth about $36,000. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM opened at $92.83 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $144.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.03, a PEG ratio of 2.58 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. The company has a 50-day moving average of $92.01 and a 200 day moving average of $94.30.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

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 analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 129.48% and a net margin of 9.62%. The firm had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.21 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.53 earnings per share. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.60%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total value of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Barclays lowered their price objective on 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 Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.27.

View Our Latest Report on Philip Morris International

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.

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By Anna J. Park

Shareholder activism is expected to have a stronger presence during the annual shareholders' meeting season early next year, with vocal activist funds intending to exercise their rights by urging companies to take action to enhance shareholder value.

According to the financial industry on Friday, Samsung C&T, KT&G, Hyundai Elevator and DB HiTek have been each receiving calls from domestic and global activist funds demanding they increase shareholder returns and improve corporate governance.

Samsung C&T's board of directors received a proposal letter from U.S.-headquartered Whitebox Advisors, which holds a 0.5 percent stake of the Korean company, asking it to increase shareholder returns by reallocating cash and income from affiliates towards dividends and share buybacks. The global asset manager also urged the board to implement a transparent executive compensation structure aligned with minority shareholders.

"Despite continued engagement from minority shareholders, Samsung C&Ts new three-year shareholder return policy does little to address the glaring and expanding discount between the companys assets and its share price," the letter by Whitebox Advisors reads.

"We continue to believe that there is significant shareholder value to be realized at Samsung C&T. If the board follows our recommendations and takes the clear steps required to improve shareholder returns, refine capital allocation and enhance corporate governance, we firmly believe the companys share price will begin to reflect the true value of its assets."

U.K.-based Palliser Capital and City of London Investment Management (CLIM) also both sent shareholder letters to the Samsung affiliate, saying the shares of the firm are "grossly undervalued by the market due to sub-optimal capital allocation, historic corporate governance issues and a complex corporate structure" and urging Samsung C&T to implement a share buyback and increase dividends.

The combined stake of the three global investment funds stands at 1.6 percent of Samsung C&T shares.

Flashlight Capital Partners (FCP), a domestic activist fund, sent a shareholder letter to KT&G earlier this month, requesting it to overhaul the CEO appointment process within the firm's board. The activist fund, holding less than a 3 percent stake in the tobacco company, raised a voice of criticism against the incumbent CEO, Baek Bok-in, strongly opposing Baek's reappointment at the helm of the company.

"After Baek's taking office in 2015, KT&G's stock price fell by 19 percent, while the KOSPI index rose by 26 percent," FCP's letter stated.

FCP also condemned company management's focus on outward revenue growth at the expense of declining profits. Actually, KT&G's revenue has grown by 40 percent over the past nine years, while the firm's operating profit has fallen by 17 percent.

KCGI Asset Management (KCGI AM), another activist fund headquartered in Korea, has been urging Hyundai Elevator to improve corporate governance and increase shareholder value through a complete share buyback. The asset management firm had earlier succeeded in inducing the resignation of Hyun Jeong-eun, then-chair of Hyundai Elevator's board of directors, with its shareholder proposal sent in August, yet it continues to urge the firm to grant more independence at its board.

KCGI AM also urged DB HiTek, a major foundry firm, to form an independent board of directors, while calling for the resignation of Kim Joon-ki, the founder of the company.

These series of shareholder proposals by various activist funds are expected to continue into the new year, ahead of the annual shareholders' meeting season in March.

"Shareholder proposals should be sumitted to companies up to five weeks prior to the annual shareholders' meeting. Given that most shareholders' meetings are held in March, the proposals are likely to come out until the end of February," said Kim J00n-seop, an analyst at KB Securities.
Essex Savings Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 0.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 29,497 shares of the companys stock after selling 226 shares during the period. Merck & Co., Inc. accounts for approximately 1.0% of Essex Savings Banks holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Essex Savings Banks holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $3,037,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 102,675.5% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,860,147,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,642,470,000 after buying an additional 1,858,338,022 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,363,385,000 after purchasing an additional 39,289,404 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,736,293,000. FMR LLC boosted its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 8,281,942 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position 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 worth $7,294,504,000 after purchasing an additional 6,546,946 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.59% of the companys stock.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $106.39 on Friday. 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. has a 12 month low of $96.36 and a 12 month high of $119.65. The company has a market cap of $269.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.11, a P/E/G ratio of 8.91 and a beta of 0.34. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $106.54.

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 1.37 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 8th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a $0.77 dividend. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This is an increase from Merck & Co., Inc.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is 171.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRK has been the subject of several analyst reports. TheStreet upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, October 27th. UBS Group raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $117.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $132.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.14.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MRK

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,862,394.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total value of $213,052.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 18,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,862,394.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares in the company, valued at $11,738,572.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

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.

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IFP Advisors Inc decreased its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 16.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 57,351 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 11,409 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Incs holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,902,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Pfizer during the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Steward Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 179.3% during the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 1,106 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 710 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. 68.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $26.47 per share, for a total transaction of $79,410.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at $238,230. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday. UBS Group lowered their price target on Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $44.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.35.

Get Our Latest Report on Pfizer

Pfizer Trading Up 2.4 %

Shares of PFE opened at $28.31 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $25.76 and a twelve month high of $51.95. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $159.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.47, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.61. The firms 50-day moving average is $29.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.81.

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 analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.15. The business had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.77 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 16.72% and a net margin of 15.30%. On average, research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.94%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers payout ratio is 89.62%.

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.

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Thrive Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 6.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,031 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $325,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 93,272.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 821,003,685 shares of the retailers stock worth $129,045,359,000 after purchasing an additional 820,124,410 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 100,364,767 shares of the retailers stock worth $15,775,334,000 after purchasing an additional 430,215 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 25,499,791 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,995,749,000 after purchasing an additional 394,797 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 112,181.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,240,599,000 after purchasing an additional 22,834,564 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,382,688 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,173,642,000 after purchasing an additional 1,923,199 shares during the last quarter. 33.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other Walmart news, Director S Robson Walton sold 159,823 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $24,772,565.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 230,940,417 shares in the company, valued at $35,795,764,635. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 approximately $27,570,601.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director S Robson Walton sold 159,823 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $24,772,565.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 230,940,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,795,764,635. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,493,089 shares of company stock worth $544,456,070 over the last quarter. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on WMT. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $168.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com cut Walmart from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on Walmart from $187.00 to $177.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Walmart from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Walmart from $170.00 to $168.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.44.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Walmart

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $154.80 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $136.09 and a one year high of $169.94. The company has a market cap of $416.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.67, a PEG ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.85. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $158.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $158.58.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. The company had revenue of $160.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.65 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.50 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Company 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.

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Venture Visionary Partners LLC grew its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 14.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 31,721 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,066 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,296,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Carson Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Carson Advisory Inc. now owns 13,371 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $571,000 after acquiring an additional 217 shares during the period. Main Street Research LLC raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Main Street Research LLC now owns 19,615 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $837,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. First Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. First Bank & Trust now owns 23,900 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,020,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 31,571 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,347,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank now owns 5,625 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Wells Fargo & Company news, Director Richard K. Davis purchased 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $41.22 per share, with a total value of $144,270.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $174,937.68. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

Shares of WFC stock opened at $49.47 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $179.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $35.25 and a 1-year high of $50.77. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $42.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $42.69.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.15. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.06% and a return on equity of 11.18%. The company had revenue of $20.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.09 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 3rd were issued a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 2nd. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.24%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WFC has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, HSBC began coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They set a hold rating and a $45.00 price target on the stock. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.56.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Venture Visionary Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 31,239 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 388 shares during the period. Venture Visionary Partners LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $2,964,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PRU. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1.9% in the second quarter. Woodward Diversified Capital LLC now owns 5,830 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $514,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 6.6% in the second quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,794 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $158,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Hilltop Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1.5% in the second quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. now owns 7,917 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $698,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. raised its stake in Prudential Financial by 3.1% in the second quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 3,950 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $348,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Bancshares Inc. lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Northwest Bancshares Inc. now owns 3,888 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $343,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. 54.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Prudential Financial

In other Prudential Financial news, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,281 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.49, for a total transaction of $782,471.69. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 14,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,381,538.29. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Prudential Financial news, SVP Timothy L. Schmidt sold 8,281 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.49, for a total transaction of $782,471.69. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 14,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,381,538.29. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kenneth Tanji sold 23,124 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.14, for a total value of $2,431,257.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 47,155 shares in the company, valued at $4,957,876.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on PRU shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Prudential Financial from $121.00 to $119.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Prudential Financial from $103.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. TheStreet downgraded Prudential Financial from a b rating to a c rating in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $100.00 target price on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Friday, September 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. They issued a hold rating and a $99.00 target price for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $103.70.

Read Our Latest Report on Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial Stock Up 0.7 %

PRU opened at $103.24 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $37.27 billion, a PE ratio of 66.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $95.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $93.52. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.37 and a 52 week high of $107.31.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The financial services provider reported $3.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.16 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $10.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.91 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.03% and a net margin of 1.21%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.13 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 11.71 EPS for the current year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 21st were issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.84%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 20th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 322.58%.

About Prudential Financial

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments.

Further Reading

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King Charles is said to give cheeky Christmas gifts to his staff.

The 75-year-old monarch leaves "funny little things" for his workers around the festive holidays, including in their lockers, according to his former butler-turned etiquette expert Grant Harrold.

Grant, 45, told the Daily Mirror: "One time he left a tin of salmon and one year I got a salt and pepper grinder wrapped in a ribbon

"He had probably been given a hamper and sometimes there would be a lot in them and he would give some of the bits to us."

Grant worked for Charles for seven years from 2004 to 2011, and added the king chose to leave the "funny little things" in their lockers' "pigeon holes," where his employees would typically receive their mail.

The former staffer said he thought it was "so bizarre" to receive such gifts because he didn't expect Charles, or any royal, to make such a gesture.

He added: "It shows that they've got that fun, practical side to them."

Grant also told how Charles also gives his employees "proper gifts".

He added: "For actual proper gifts would be things like tea cups and saucers or whiskey glasses.

"One year I got a lovely water jug. What would happen is, for example with the teacups, you would get them maybe two or three years in a row because there would be a whole set to collect."

Grant also said the royals give their staff their annual "famous Christmas card", adding: "Before he was married to the now Queen Consort, I remember getting Christmas cards from him, William and Harry and that was always quite special."

Prince Harry, 39, revealed in his memoir 'Spare' his relatives uphold the same tradition with each other.

He wrote that Princess Margaret once gave him a ballpoint pen.

His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 42, joined in by giving him an ornament of Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.

Harry said in his book: "Meg had spotted it in a local store and thought I might like it. I held it to the light. It was Granny's face to a T.

"I hung it on an eye-level branch. It made me happy to see her there."
Walnut Middle School sixth grader Saybel Raez Almaguer put pencil (and paint) to paper and created a true masterpiece  one that will be sent in the form of a Christmas card to everyone part of the Grand Island Public Schools district this year.

In what was the 2023 Superintendents Holiday Card Contest, Almaguer drew on the best of his creative skills to compose a colorful portrait of Santa Claus and a reindeer, complete with a striking red suit, detailed white beard and snowflakes in the air.

According to the artist, his drawing took three days to complete.

Ive been painting since I was 5, Almaguer said. Because I was living before in Cuba, so I sent drawings to my grandpa (from) here (in Grand Island).

His favorite medium of choice is colored pencil, he said, though he used that and a little paint for his Santa.

What kind of kid doesnt want to meet Santa Claus, he joked, when asked about the inspiration behind his portrait. Though he hasnt had a run-in with Santa yet this year, he explained that his dad sometimes dresses up like the big guy for Christmas.

Almaguers drawing earned top honors among more than 1,200 entries this year.

While he was honored during the December Board of Education meeting, district spokesman Mitch Roush noted that entries were received from almost all of the schools in the district, across all grade levels. This was the first year Almaguer entered, though he said he plans to do it again.

(Christmas means) sharing, family and friends joining together, he said. Spending time with the people you like.

As far as advice for other aspiring artists goes?

Try your best and get out of your comfort zone, he concluded.

When the 12-year-old isnt drawing, painting or at school he enjoys fishing with his dad and racing his bike.
OGALLALA  State natural resources leaders Tuesday brought their latest Perkins County Canal update to the town where the foiled 1894 projects revival arguably began a century ago.

The former Keith County Commercial Club first called in 1921 for finishing the South Platte River canal that their neighboring countys pioneers had to abandon after 16 Colorado miles.

And it was in Ogallala on April 24, 1923, that Nebraska and Colorado negotiators concluded the South Platte River Compact. It gave Nebraska the right to resume and finish the canal, with a water right dated 102 years ago this past Sunday.

Nebraska officials should have a precise Keith County route to discuss by spring, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Assistant Director Jesse Bradley said during a canal open house at Ogallalas Keith County Fairgrounds.

That would allow us to coordinate with landowners and talk about a more specific location on a map, said Bradley, one of several DNR staffers who answered questions Tuesday.

He said itll be at least 2026, the centennial of Congress ratification of the compact, before 21st-century machines turn the projects first dirt  or, across the Colorado line in Sedgwick County, turn it again after 132 years.

Several years away

Canal water probably wont start flowing from the South Platte near Ovid until 2032, he said. That doesnt account for studies and approvals federal water and environmental agencies require.

The Nebraska Legislature set aside $629 million for Perkins canal planning and construction in 2021 and 2022, responding to concerns that Colorados thirsty Front Range will siphon off Nebraskas historic share of South Platte water if the compact isnt invoked.

The surveyed 1894 canal route would have clipped Keith Countys southwest corner before running into and through Perkins County. The 1921 concept and one explored by the Twin Platte Natural Resources District in the 1980s envisioned an eastward course through southern Keith County instead.

The compact gives Nebraska the right to invoke eminent domain across the state line in Sedgwick County, though the canal there must run on or near the original 1894 survey route.

Bradley said Nebraska prefers to reach fair land deals in both states. Its too early to seek Keith County land without a final route there, he said, but Nebraska hopes to soon close its first purchase from a Sedgwick County landowner.

DNR officials held a similar Sedgwick County open house in fall 2022, he said. In Keith County, weve had some people reach out about land needs, but we dont have the alignment yet.

Local thoughts

Roughly two dozen people wandered through DNRs displays, watched an 8-minute video or visited with department staff members in the first part of Tuesdays 2-hour open house.

Michael Jeffres, who grows corn and other crops north and south of Brule, had a long conversation with Bradley. He figures his land south of Interstate 80 most likely will lie in the canals path.

Theres almost no way it could get across there and not affect me in some way, Jeffres told The Telegraph.

The 1921 and 1980s canal projections stayed close to the line of bluffs marking the south end of the South Platte valley.

Natural breaks in those bluffs have long been eyed as possible sites for storage reservoirs. At least two such reservoirs are likely in Keith County, Bradley said.

The 1921 canal vision, as well as the Twin Platte NRDs abortive 1980s exploration, looked at taking the canal into Lincoln County.

But Bradley said it more likely will link with the Nebraska Public Power Districts Korty Canal in eastern Keith County or return to the river just above the Kortys west end between Roscoe and Paxton.

Though Jeffres expects to be asked to sell land for the canal, he sees little alternative to the project if Nebraska wants to keep its share of river water.

The question is: Is there a cheaper way to accomplish this? he said. I dont think there is, given Colorados comments.  (But) theres so many unknowns here.

Calls by Colorado leaders to more aggressively divert South Platte water for Front Range growth helped prompt then-Gov. Pete Ricketts in early 2022 to call for invoking Nebraskas compact right to finish the Perkins canal.

One prominent Colorado water proposal would tap the South Platte between Brush and Sterling and pipe water back west 125 miles to the fast-growing Parker suburb south of Denver.

Ron Schmidt, who has owned Schmidt Motors in Ogallala for some 40 years, said he knows about the Front Ranges endless thirst for water. He was born in Denver, grew up in Fort Collins and graduated from high school in Sterling.

Those waters, we have a right to them and so we should take them, Schmidt said. If we dont say or do something about it, were guilty of inaction and we lose any opportunity for it.

Claudia Stevenson of Ogallala, a retired U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service employee, took a more cautious view.

I worry that we have a $600 million budget (for the canal) but theyre just now coming up with a design. And thats worrisome to me, she said.

I worry about the water storage potential. We have drought years, we have flood years. Ive seen a lot of things destroyed by water.

Jeffres said he well knows the South Plattes fickle character. One of his farm parcels draws water from the mid-1890s Western Canal in Deuel and Keith counties. He also uses Ogallala Aquifer groundwater.

The South Platte Compact requires Nebraska to use water from a revived Perkins canal for irrigation. Jeffres said he might be able to tap that, but Im not sure from my experience with the river that its a steady enough source to use with any reliability.

But I think the (project) benefits will be from the groundwater recharge as some canal water works its way down into the aquifer, he said.

Telegraph analyses in May and November, using water-flow data starting in 1926 from the compacts official South Platte gage at Julesburg, found the river has supplied enough water to meet compact minimums about 40% of the time. That included much of the 2023 irrigation season.

The compact requires Colorado to supply at least 120 cubic feet of water to Nebraska  when available  from April 1 to Oct. 15, in part to serve the Western Canal. It would have to provide at least 500 cfs the rest of the year if and when the Perkins canal is completed.

Nebraska also is entitled to excess flows, including periodic floodwaters, that reach the state line year-round. Nebraska leaders are planning to build the canal to hold twice the compacts 500 cfs offseason minimum, both to collect more water and reduce South Platte flood impacts.

Response to Colorado

Bradley addressed comments by Colorado water officials that the canal wont stop major upstream South Platte diversion projects for Front Range needs, like the one aimed at Parker.

The 1923 compact gives Colorado unlimited rights to tap the river in its Upper Division, west of the Logan-Washington county line east of Brush.

It grants Nebraska a Lower Division water right for the canal dated Dec. 17, 1921, roughly when that eras Keith County leaders sought their water right. Lower Division river users with later rights would have their needs filled after Nebraskas if the Perkins canal is built.

Inferences that large diversions closer to Denver still could leave Nebraska with less water dont fully consider the South Plattes hydrology, Bradley said.

Some water that stays in the river or is used in the Upper Division, especially by agricultural producers, percolates down into the aquifer and flows underground toward northeast Colorado. Such return flows feed streams that re-enter the river in the Lower Division.

Once the Perkins canal is in place, Bradley said, we believe Colorado has the requirement to continue to maintain those return flows. And they cant erode that.

The closer to Nebraska a new Front Range-bound river diversion starts, he said, the more Nebraska stands to lose from its historic share of river water.

With the Perkins canal, a Parker-type diversion starting in the Lower Division would have a water right later than Nebraskas 1921 compact right.

But if the compact isnt invoked, Bradley said, Front Range users would continue to buy out water users, including in the Lower Division, and reduce Nebraskas supplies that way.

Building the Perkins canal also could protect Sedgwick County and other Lower Division farmers against losing water to their Front Range neighbors, Bradley said.

We want those junior water users in Colorado to get their water, he said. We just think they should receive it after we get ours.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
By Lee Hae-rin

The southern resort island of Jeju expects to see a surge in the number of international travelers next year with the expansion of air and sea routes connecting it with the cities of other countries in Asia.

According to the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) and tourism industry, Friday, the island will have 148 international flights per week in January next year.

The number has consistently increased from 20 flights, which was tallied during the winter season in 2022 after the tourist industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, to 123 as of December this year, nearing pre-pandemic levels tallied in 2019, which stood at 181 flights.

Starting this month, Chinas Spring Airlines will launch seven weekly round trips to Beijing and three trips to Nanjing. Also, the airline will increase the number of regular flights to Hangzhou with seven trips per week, while also resuming chartered flights seven times a week.

In January next year, Jeju Air will launch seven weekly regular flights between Jeju and Beijing, while Eastar Jet will begin three flights per week between Jeju and Taipei. The chartered flight to Macau will also resume twice a week.

The island expects to receive more travelers from China and neighboring Chinese-speaking countries. The chartered flights connecting Jeju with Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Ningbo, Tsingtao and Jinan, as well as Taiwans Taipei and Kaohsiung, will resume by March next year.

Cruise tourism will return to Jeju as well with more routes.

According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, 25 cruise ships from 25 global shipping companies are set to embark 98 times to Jeju port and 106 times to Seogwipo port next year, making a total of 204 trips. The figure is more than double that of this years 77 trips.

Chinas Adora Cruise will make 39 trips with a 135,000-ton mega cruise ship to Seogwipo next year, while also bringing an 85,000-ton ship that will visit the island 39 times.

Jeju received 628,495 foreign visitors between January and November this year, which is nearly a nine-fold jump from the 70,786 figure in the same period last year.
MARION, Ill.  Winter is for many, a season of giving. But amid a holiday-fueled drop in blood donations, the Red Cross is encouraging people to give the most precious gifts of all  life.

On Dec. 20, the Red Cross held a blood drive in Carbondales Civic Center. They set up beds, medical equipment, and made sure they were fully stocked with chips and cookies for blood donors coming through the doors. Only 10 people showed.

During the holidays, it is an unfortunate truth that hospitals and blood banks experience blood shortages. The main reason? People are too busy.

We are seeing a drop in donations across the area and across the nation, said Red Cross Regional Communications Director Sharon Watson on Thursday. We typically have fewer donations this time of year, with people getting busy with holiday gatherings and plans, as well as travel.

Watson said that in addition to holiday demands, blood supply is diminished because more people are sick. The need remains, however, because every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, said Watson.

In addition to illness, inclement weather also keeps people away from the blood drives.

The main challenges of blood donation in the winter are sickness and bad weather, which can lead to cancelled blood drives, along with the holiday gatherings and travel that tend to keep people busy, which we totally understand, Watson said.

From a treatment standpoint, the consequences of not having enough blood in the bank could be devasting.

When we start to see a drop in donations, that means fewer blood products are on the shelves of our hospitals. So that can mean delays in elective surgeries or non-emergency situations, and if we begin to experience a significant shortage, it could mean delays in having blood available for someone who needs it in an emergency  and we never want to get to that point, Watson said.

In addition to giving your own blood, there are several things you can do to help the American Red Cross carry out its mission of helping those in need.

We would encourage everyone to consider signing up as a volunteer for either a virtual or in-person position. We have many positions that include helping out at blood drives, assisting with disaster responses, helping our programs which support our military and Veterans, and also many behind-the-scenes roles, which can include working from home, Watson said.

Cash donations help too. Watson said financial support is important during this time of year, and Red Cross has a year-end holiday giving campaign. This helps us continue the important work of the Red Cross. We are grateful for the generous blood donors, financial donors and volunteers who make it possible for us to carry out our mission, Watson said.

Those interested in donating can visit redcrossblood.org, enter their zip code, and find a nearby blood drive that fits into their holiday schedule.

In addition to the complimentary juice and cookies that are offered with every blood draw, those who donate have a chance to win some big stocking stuffers.

Watson said those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma through Dec. 31 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon. Blood donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
A federal grand jury indicted a Belleville attorney on multiple counts of wire fraud, in which he is estimated to have embezzled over $1 million from a law firm and its client trust account.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of Southern Illinois, 49-year-old Jason Caraway is facing 11 counts of wire fraud and, if convicted, could face up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine per count.

According to the release, Caraway was a partner at Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Belleville. He reportedly had control of the firms bank accounts. He is accused of misappropriating funds by improperly spending client funds on personal and business expenses, issuing checks to himself, accepting settlements without client notification or payment, failing to pay medical lienholders from legal proceeds, and misapplying retainers without authorization.

Attorneys have a duty to protect their clients interests and must be held to the highest ethical standard, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe in a statement included in the release. Those who are overcome by greed and use their professional positions to embezzle from their employers and steal from innocent people will answer to the rule of law.

Caraway was a partner at Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Belleville. According to the indictment, Caraway had control of the firms bank accounts and misappropriated funds by improperly spending client funds on personal and business expenses, issuing checks to himself, accepting settlements without client notification or payment, failing to pay medical lienholders from legal proceeds, and misapplying retainers without authorization.

A lawyer, as an officer of the legal system, should demonstrate respect for our laws and protect the interests of the clients he represents, said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz, in a statement included in the release. When a lawyer chooses to enrich himself by stealing client funds, the FBI will work to hold him accountable.

The indictment outlines 11 alleged situations in which Caraway embezzled funds. In two instances, Caraway is accused of forging the signature of two St. Clair County judges on phony court documents to further his fraud scheme, the release explains.

FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.
Relatives of gun violence victims honored the memories of their loved ones at a candlelit vigil held by the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office on Dec. 6.

The vigil was held in the lobby of the Sheriffs Office building due to the cold weather. The room was tightly packed with dozens of surviving loved ones of victims as well as law enforcement personnel.

Several family members shared their stories of losing loved ones to gun violence and how it continues to affect them.

Many nights I cant sleep, Jackie Pearce said. I close my eyes and all I can see is my child laying on the ground.

Pearces son Quentin Pearce, 34, was killed in a shooting on March 23, 2023.

Courtney Hunters 6-year-old Winston OConner Hunter died on May 13, 2022, following a drive-by shooting at his home on McClain Street in Woodford.

I just take this thing one day at a time, and when those days get longer, I take it one hour at a time, Hunter said. When those hours get longer, I take it one minute at a time.

What keeps me going is definitely the question What would Winston do? Thats what I do every day, she said.

Many of the family members who spoke thanked the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office for its support.

Hunter said Sheriff Leroy Ravenell and his staff visited her personally after an arrest was made in her sons case to tell her the news.

I thank God for each and every one of them, she said. Trust me, theyve been with me every step of the way. They supported me emotionally, spiritually.

Pearce thanked Ravenell for never leaving her side.

You may try to get away, but Orangeburg County Sheriffs Department  theyve got you, Pearce said. Orangeburg County Sheriffs Department, yall are doing a great job. Keep doing what youre doing. Get this violence off the streets.

Representatives from the sheriffs office also spoke at the vigil.

Ravenell thanked the families for attending the ceremony and for their strength and patience while working with law enforcement.

One of the things that I strive for here at the sheriffs office is not letting families be victimized twice, Ravenell said. Victimized by some  whatever you want to call them  out there and then victimized again by the system. We try our best to keep that from happening.

Chief Deputy Chandra Gibbs said the agency and families have been bonded together for the rest of our lives at tremendous cost.

One of the things thats not lost on me in this moment is the fact that this room and this space is filled, Gibbs said.

Gibbs said many of the families of victims still have questions and the agency is committed to maintaining relationships with them. She also commended the Sheriffs Offices Victim Services Division, which she called one of the best in the country.

This night may not fix anything necessarily for you, nor will it bring anybody back, but we do hope that it captures your heart and you know that youre not in this by yourselves, that you are loved, you are cared for and that you and your family member is remembered, she said.

Along with remarks from relatives of victims and law enforcement officials, the ceremony featured prayer and words from the reverends Jerry French and Hayes Gainey.

Soloist Miriam Johnson also sang at the event, performing a medley of Jesus Is the Answer (For the World Today) and What the World Needs Now Is Love, leading those in attendance together in a final refrain of Jesus Is the Answer.

Relatives of victims were given electric candles to hold while the lights in the building lobby were turned off. A moment of silence was held with the only light in the room coming from the candles and a Christmas tree in the corner of the room.

The ceremony ended with remarks and a prayer from Gainey.
The murder count for 2023 thus far stands at 49 amidst a homicide count of 52.





Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Ralph Gonsalves pointed to the murder figure in Parliament on December 19, during his response to a question by Opposition Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown, Fitzgerald Bramble.





Gonsalves, in responding to Brambles question about the record numbers of homicides committed in 2022 and 2023, said that the police have listed 49 cases as those for investigation for murder.





"I notice the media will say homicides, but not every homicide is a case of possible murder, Gonsalves explained.





As for 2022, Dr. Gonsalves stated that of the 42 cases which were listed as murders in that year, 28 were gun related, there were 5 stabbings, 5 trauma, 1 strangulation, 2 recorded with chop wounds and 1 with severe burns.





Eleven (11) individuals were arrested and charged, while 19 were arrested on suspicion but not charged.





Some cases were still being investigated and Gonsalves said that he was informed by the Commissioner of Police that there were several others that were near to an arrest.





The assumption, given Dr. Gonsalves reference to a murder count of 49, is that 3 deaths which occurred during police action, were not classified as murders. If these 3 deaths are added to the count, the figure of 52 stands.
Guyana will not bow to Venezuela not would it par with a blade of grass in the dispute over an oil- and mineral-rich territory.

Editors Note: This article was written before the Argyle Declaration was released.





President of Guyana Irfaan Ali hosted a press conference after what he said were three stages of the discussions and high-level talks being held at the Argyle International Airport, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to address the Guyana-Venezuela dispute over the Essequibo Region.





He told the media personnel gathered that there was still one more stage to go.

Stage One, President Ali said, was a meeting involving CARICOM heads and Guyana, during which Guyana reiterated its position that Guyana was not prepared to retreat from its position of what was its geographical space, which included the Essequibo Region. Guyana also reaffirmed its position that the ICJ should be allowed to adjudicate on the validity of the 1899 accord that demarcated the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela that stands today.





According to President Ali, CARICOM restated its support for the 1899 accord and that the dispute as initiated by Venezuela, should be determined by the ICJ.





Guyana has asked the ICJ to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award that established the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.





Stage Two involved a meeting of the CARICOM heads with the Venezuela delegation headed by President Maduro, a meeting to which President Ali was obviously unable to speak.





Stage Three was the first face-to-face meeting between President Ali and Maduro, held in the presence of officials from CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil and the UN.





President Ali reported that he restated his countrys position that it had no territory to concede and that it embraced all peaceful means towards settling the dispute.





"Guyana, President Ali sad to the meeting, "has all the right to exercise its sovereign right within its territorial space, to approve of and facilitate any development, any investment, any partnership, any training, any collaboration, any co-operation, the issuing of any license and granting of any concessions within our territorial space and within our sovereign space.





And he repeated that the controversy must be resolved by the CCJ and that its decision(s) must be binding on all parties concerned.





In the meantime, "Every threat of force, every threat of the use of force must be condemned, President Ali stressed and declared that "Guyana was no aggressor and it will partner with those who support it, to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. All partners, though, must commit to maintaining the region as a zone of peace.





President Ali said that he was heading into Stage Four of the discussion, which would involve meeting with Venezuela and all the other parties, to discuss what he referred to as "consequential issues, and what would be expected of all parities going forward.
LIAT 2020 Ltd. is said to be operating three ATR42-600 turboprops.

Antigua and Barbuda has allocated an estimated EC$30 million from its 2024 budget to breathe life into LIAT 2020 Ltd, the new company that was spawned from the beleaguered Caribbean carrier LIAT (1974) Ltd.





The allocation was announced by Antigua and Barbudas Prime Minister, Gaston Browne.





LIAT 2020 Ltd. had suspended activities last month due to "unscheduled maintenance issues. It said in a Facebook post that it had resumed its scheduled flights on December 7.





The carrier had been forced to suspend its flights in early November due to the severity of the maintenance problems but now claims these have been resolved. It currently operates a fleet of three ATR42-600 turboprops with an average age of exactly ten years, according to ch-aviation fleets advanced data.





LIAT 1974 Ltd. which has been under court-appointed administration since July 2020, "has long been an essential thread in the fabric of Caribbean connectivity, Browne added.





The shareholders of the cash-strapped LIAT 1974 Ltd. are the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.





Browne said that following talks, (no further details) several regional governments had expressed interest in partnering with Antigua and Barbuda to revive LIAT for the benefit of the region.





He also alluded to the Caribbean Development Bank playing a role in cementing agreement between the governments, which will set the stage for finalising a deal with Air Peace Ltd., a private Nigerian airline, "so that LIAT 2020 can begin operations.





News reports emerged in late April 2023 that Air Peace was ready to acquire a majority stake in the LIAT 2020 Ltd., following an agreement with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to form a joint venture.




Lebanon is ready to implement a UN resolution that would help end Hezbollah's cross-border attacks on Israel if Israel also complies and withdraws from disputed territory, Lebanon's prime minister said Friday.

The frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen escalating exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, raising fears of a broader conflagration.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, called for the removal of armed personnel south of Lebanon's Litani River, except for UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army and state security forces.

The solution to the current cross-border hostilities "is the implementation of international resolutions," including Resolution 1701, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement.

"We are totally ready to commit to their implementation, on condition the Israeli side does the same, and withdraws  according to the international laws and resolutions  from occupied territory," he added.

Mikati's office said the premier was referring to territory claimed by Lebanon that remains occupied following Israel's withdrawal from the country's south in 2000: the disputed Shebaa Farms, the Kfar Shouba hills and the Lebanese side of the village of Ghajar.

Despite holding sway over swathes of the country's south, Hezbollah has not had a visible military presence on Lebanon's southern border since the end of the 2006 war.

A diplomatic source, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the proposals to avert another all-out conflict include settling the disputed land border between Israel and Lebanon and encouraging Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters from near the frontier.

On Monday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met with senior officials in Beirut, a day after visiting Israel and the occupied West Bank, as part of efforts to de-escalate border tensions, while Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin urged Hezbollah to avoid provoking a "wider conflict".

Since hostilities began in October, more than 140 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also more than a dozen civilians, three of them journalists, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, four civilians and seven soldiers have been killed, according to officials.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday said ensuring the security of Israelis near the border meant pushing Hezbollah "north of the Litani River," which is around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the frontier.

"There are two ways to do that: either by diplomacy or by force," Cohen said.
YEREVAN  The leader of Armenian separatists, who were ousted from the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan this year, on Friday said his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions was not valid.

The statement appeared to undo a historic move by the separatists to dissolve the disputed territory that was at the center of two costly wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan sent troops to Karabakh on Sept. 19. After just one day of fighting, the Armenian separatist forces who had controlled the disputed region for three decades surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku.

On Sept. 26, separatist president Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree ordering the dissolution of the separatist institutions by Jan. 1, 2024.

The breakaway republic "will cease to exist," by the year's end, the decree said.

But in a surprise move on Friday, Shahramanyan rolled back on the announcement in comments given in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

"There is no document ... of the Republic of Artsakh (Karabakh) stipulating the dissolution of government institutions."

His office told AFP separately that the Sept. 26 decree was "empty paper," adding: "No document can lead to the dissolution of the republic, which was established by people's will."

Peace talks

Azerbaijan's victory in September marked the end of the territorial dispute, which had long been seen as un-resolvable and had led to two wars  in 2020 and the 1990s  that claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Sparking a refugee crisis, almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population  more than 100,400 people  fled Karabakh for Armenia following Baku's takeover.

Yerevan is unlikely to support the continued functioning of separatist institutions as the arch-foes have said they are close to signing a peace agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity.

Last week, Armenia and Azerbaijan swapped prisoners of war, a first step towards normalizing relations.

The European Union, the United States as well as regional powers Turkey and Russia have praised the move as a "breakthrough."

The prisoner exchange raised hopes for reviving face-to-face talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The pair have met several times for normalization talks mediated by EU chief Charles Michel.

But the process has been on hold since October, when Aliyev declined to attend negotiations with Pashinyan in Spain, accusing France of bias.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had been scheduled to join Michel as mediators at those talks.

There has been no visible progress so far in EU efforts to organize a fresh round of negotiations.

Azerbaijan also refused to participate in talks with Armenia that were planned in the US on Nov. 20, over what it said was Washington's "biased" position.

Traditional regional power broker Russia, bogged down with its dragging Ukraine offensive, has seen its influence wane in the Caucasus
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.
Development of Xinjiang impresses Pakistani media and think tank representatives

09:54, December 22, 2023 By Cui Fandi ( Global Times

15 representatives from media and think tanks in Pakistan visit Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in December 2023. Photo: Cui Fandi/Global Times

During a five-day on-site visit to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 15 representatives from media and think tanks in Pakistan witnessed the development situation in the region. One of the most impressive aspects for them was the development of Muslims in Xinjiang and the religious freedom they enjoy, according to journalists and scholars who spoke to the Global Times. They called for more people who have misunderstandings about Xinjiang to visit the region.

In Xinjiang, the delegation visited the Id Kah Mosque in Kashi and the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, and stayed, observed, and talked at length to the Imam and the director at these two religious facilities.

The Id Kah Mosque is located in the old town of Kashi. It has a long history and is also a representative example of Uygur architectural art. In recent years, the Chinese government has allocated a large amount of funds to renovate the mosque, providing good conditions for religious believers. The Xinjiang Islamic Institute was established in June 1987 and currently has a student body of around 1,000. It is the only religious higher education institution in Xinjiang and has eight branch campuses.

"Everyone has heard so many of the propaganda stories against Xinjiang," Moiz Farooq, an executive editor of Daily Ittehad Media Group, told the Global Times. "Now finally we have seen the truth, and it is great to say that seeing is believing."

Farooq said that he is particularly impressed by the fact that there are currently about 1,000 students studying full-time at the Xinjiang Islam Institute, where they receive an undergraduate education and a BA degree and a job in the religious field after graduation.

"It is very happy for me to see the Muslims in Xinjiang are enjoying all the freedom," he said. "They have freedom to practice in religion over here, with the best facilities in the institute."

After the visits to the Id Kah Mosque and the Xinjiang Islam Institute, Yasir Habib Khan also said that he has gained a clearer understanding of China's policy on religious freedom.

"In accordance with Chinese law, every religion is treated equally, which is very encouraging," he said. "Some Western media have repeatedly attempted to demonize China and fabricate false information about Chinese Muslims, but seeing is believing - Muslims in Xinjiang can fully engage in normal religious activities according to Islamic doctrines."

"Setting foot on the ground and making close observations in Xinjiang, it is testified that Uygur Muslims in Xinjiang are completely free to live their normal lives practicing Islam in its true spirit," Khan wrote in his column.

"Those who make unfounded remarks should come to Xinjiang in person and see the real situation here," he said.

Sayed Kalbe Ali Naqvi, a senior reporter from Dawn newspaper, also noted that the real Xinjiang is far different from the false propaganda and portrayals by Western media.

In the past, he thought Xinjiang was a small and underdeveloped border town, as is described in many foreign media reports. But upon setting foot on this land, he discovered that it is much more prosperous and lively than he imagined, with a vast territory and a large population.

Naz Parveen, editor of the Daily Kasoti and The Window of China, described snow-covered Urumqi as romantic - with winding flyovers and towering buildings not far from hazy snow-capped mountains, far surpassing her imagination.

"The development of Urumqi is beyond imagination," said Fahd Gauhar Malik, editor of Pakistan Observer, who had previously learned about Xinjiang mainly through media reports. Upon arrival, he discovered that Urumqi is filled with high-rise buildings, well-developed infrastructure, and people living and working in peace and contentment, completely the opposite to the so-called "backwardness" reported by Western media.

"I can see that people living in Urumqi are very happy," he said.

"Beautiful Xinjiang deserves to be promoted to the world," said Mahzaib Abbasi, a Pakistani online influencer who has been living and studying in China for seven years. "I want to share the wonderful experience in Urumqi as soon as possible and showcase the real Xinjiang through my videos."

During their five-day visit to Xinjiang, a delegation of 15 representatives from Pakistani media and think tanks also visited Kashi Old Town, Jiashi water safety engineering facilities, a prune industrial park, Xinjiang Mustang Ecological Park, the Urumqi International Land Port Zone, and the International Grand Bazaar.

The delegation visited China from December 6 to 16, travelling from Beijing to Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Kashi and Urumqi in Xinjiang.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Korea Times, Korea's longest-running English-language daily, joined hands with The Trinity, a leader in art hospitality, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in November, focusing on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) management with the field of arts and culture.

The Trinity, known for its blend of contemporary art content with the hospitality industry, specializes in various domains including art content creation, corporate patronage, art marketing advisory and art concierge services. This partnership aims to use the strengths of both organizations to establish a business model that combines ESG with arts and culture.

This move comes at a time when ESG strategies through arts and culture are gaining traction. The rising demand for art and the potent impact of cultural content have caught the attention of many companies. Seoul's burgeoning art scene, further energized by the arrival of Frieze Seoul and top international galleries, sets a promising backdrop for this initiative.

The collaboration is expected to bolster Korean arts and culture, enhancing brand distinction and improving the overall business environment. Additionally, it aligns with social goals by contributing to cultural infrastructure, respecting diversity and addressing local and global issues.

The Trinity has a history of integrating corporate ESG with cultural activities. Its partnerships include ties with Edelman Korea, Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, Grand Hyatt Seoul, LG Uplus and POSCO E&C, among others, through various initiatives including exhibitions, cultural content development and eco-environmental projects. The Trinitys role in cultural diplomacy is underscored by its engagements with embassies, including the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic and Lebanon.

Oh Young-jin, president-publisher of The Korea Times, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion of K-ESG, emphasizing the added value of art in connecting Korea with the global community.
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.
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It was one of the best tributes (eulogies) I saw or heard, and perhaps the best speech Presi
Turkey is a highly sought-after destination for travelers. It has also recently grown in popularity as a destination for medical tourists. Those who want to restore their natural hairline are increasingly interested in hair transplant Turkey operations.

The fact that hair transplant Turkey clinics get clients from overseas is even more intriguing. As long as hair transplant clinics in Istanbul can continue to provide unmatched care at affordable costs, the future is bright.

The appeal of best hair transplant clinics in Turkey

The quality of hair transplant Istanbul is the key to the reason Turkish hair transplants are so popular with outside patients. As you can see, hair transplantation in Turkey has advanced significantly, using the best and most latest techniques from a wide range of medical specialties.

Turkish clinic owners and investors have very high criteria for facilities, equipment, and patient care. The attractive clinics, trustworthy medical services, hospitable personnel, and skilled physicians and surgeons all contributed to Istanbul's rise to prominence in this region for medical tourism.

Regarding natural-looking hair transplants, patients in Istanbul can entrust their care to a number of skilled clinics. One of these facilities is Smile Hair Clinic, which is well-known in Turkey as a top-notch hair transplant facility.

In 2018, the clinic was established. Drs. M. Erdogan and G. Bilgin, who specialize in hair restoration, are the founders of the company. It just took a few years of arduous labor and commitment to establish the Smile Hair Clinic brand and establish it as Istanbul's preeminent medical hair transplantation facility.

What services does Smile Hair Clinic offer?

Smile Hair Clinic is a pioneer in the rapidly expanding field of hair transplantation, providing a wide range of services such as beard transplants, DHI, and Sapphire FUE hair transplants.

Direct hair transplantation, or DHI, is a technique that uses cutting-edge technologies to give patients the ideal natural appearance.

In comparison to FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), the process is more sophisticated. Using a specialist equipment, the surgeons remove and transplant hair follicles simultaneously, eliminating the need for manual skin incisions. The well-known DHI hair transplant clinic in Turkey, Smile Hair Clinic, employs surgeons who make sure that each hair follicle is positioned correctly to produce new hair that looks real.

Surgeons can extract precisely the quantity of grats and follicular units required for the surgery thanks to the DHI approach. The method yields outstanding outcomes with little damage. Because the procedure is non-invasive, there is little recovery time.

FUE, or follicular unit extraction, hair transplant surgery is another service provided by Smile Hair Clinic. The Sapphire FUE hair transplant is the newest FUE technique, and the clinic's physicians are experts in it.

Because Sapphire FUE hair transplantation produces high-quality outcomes, it is included in Smile Hair Clinic's packages. Sapphire blades provide for precise incisions and precise control over the incisional angle, resulting in a more natural-looking result for the newly grown hair. The sapphire blades' smoothness reduces the chance of infection as well.

The hair transplant packages offered by the clinic also include bearded transplantation. The process of hair transplantation is simple: hair grafts from the patient's lower chin or back of the head are transplanted into the desired location by the surgeons.

The clinic's hair transplant packages and accessible techniques for hair transplantation are noteworthy for not offering a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

Every patient is treated personally by the team at Smile Hair Clinic, who make sure that the treatment they receive meets their specific needs and preferences. Numerous before and after photos of hair transplant Turkey show that the facility keeps its word.

Turkey's hair transplant expenses in comparison to the UK

Another reason why foreign patients choose to schedule hair transplant operations at clinics like Smile Hair Clinic is the expense of the procedures in Turkey. In the UK, the cost of such a surgery might reach 8,000, and in certain cases, 10,000. Some upscale clinics have fees as high as 30,000.

Turkey is far more cheap than the UK. More significantly, patients don't have to compromise on the standard of care they receive before, during, or after surgery. For a fraction of the cost, they receive the greatest care that medicine has to offer.

The typical cost of a hair transplant in Turkey is far less than that of the UK, even if the exact cost depends on a number of factors, including the surgery, donor region, and quantity of grafts.

What does the package offered by Smile Hair Clinic include?

Smile Hair Clinic offers a unique package designed specifically to draw in tired overseas clients. Stressful medical procedures are the norm, especially sensitive ones like hair transplants. A unique all-inclusive package has been launched by Smile Hair Clinic to meet the needs of international clients and enable them to unwind and worry-free.

Everything patients want for a stress-free stay is included in this package, including complimentary online aftercare services and transportation from the airport to the hotel and hotel to the clinic. In order to promote good hair development, the clinic also makes sure patients have all the prescriptions they require, including ones for the day following the hair transplant.

International patients can stay in any of the clinic's network of four- or five-star hotels. Every foreign patient at the clinic is also given access to a qualified language interpreter who speaks the patient's native tongue.

Considering all the information, it is not unexpected that hair transplant Turkey treatments continue to draw in foreign patients. Superior facilities such as Smile Hair Clinic provide state-of-the-art medical technology, access to the most known hair transplant specialists worldwide, and exceptional service.

Finally, all international patients can receive a superior hair transplant in Europe for a substantially lower cost than in the United Kingdom. The nicest thing is that they can arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with any facility of their choice. That is essential for obtaining pertinent data and coming to a well-informed conclusion.

This provided content was produced by Lee Enterprises. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display.
Two deputies were shot and wounded while answering a domestic violence call Thursday night on Tucson's northwest side, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.

The gunman also was shot and wounded, officials said.

Few details about the events leading to the shooting have been released, but Deputy Adam Schoonover, a department spokesman, gave the following account:

Deputies were at a house in the 9000 block of North Kanawha Street, near North Shannon and West Overton roads, about 7:15 p.m. when the shooting occurred.

Gunfire erupted soon after the deputies made contact with a man there.

More deputies converged on the scene and "Northwest Fire Department personnel provided life-saving measures to the deputies and the suspect."

Both the deputies and the alleged gunman were hospitalized.

Their condition was unknown Friday morning.

The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team has been called in to handle the investigation. The team, made up of members from various law enforcement agencies across the county, investigates shootings that involve officers.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department will conduct a separate probe to determine if any department policy violations occurred.
A Tucson man has been sentenced to five years in prison following his third arrest for smuggling migrants, federal officials say.

US District Judge John C. Hinderaker sentenced Clifford Valisto, 63, to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, US Attorney's Office in Arizona said Thursday in a news release.

Valisto pleaded guilty in October to transportation of migrants for profit. Valisto also received a concurrent 12-month sentence for violating conditions of his federal supervised release related to a previous smuggling conviction. The news release noted similar convictions in 2011 and 2018.

In the most recent incident, Valisto was apprehended in July while transporting six migrants, including a 15-year-old, in a Ford pickup truck, the release said.
North Korea on Friday lambasted the Group of Seven (G7) economic powers as a "club of robbers" over their possible plan to seize Russia's overseas assets and provide financial support to Ukraine.

The criticism came in response to a report by the Financial Times that the G7 have stepped up discussions in recent weeks over spending part of some $300 billion worth of immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine.

"The G7, a closed group which is glared upon for deteriorating global peace and obstructing the autonomous development of other countries under the manipulation of the United States has now set on to rob other's asset in broad daylight," the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary.

The KCNA said the U.S., which serves as the leader of the G7, has failed to find new measures to support Ukraine and said there are rumors that Ukraine will completely collapse by next summer should support from Western countries cease.

In October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked North Korea for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine during his trip to Pyongyang. (Yonhap)
The United Campus Workers of Arizona union has denounced University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins action plan to get the UA out of a financial crisis.

In an email to members Thursday, the union wrote that the plan, which Robbins announced on Dec. 13, is a failure of accountability that places undue burdens on students, staff and faculty.

The plan, which was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents, was released after Robbins announced in November that the university had a $240 million miscalculation of days cash on hand and was in a financial crisis. It faces an ongoing budget deficit, he has said.

The union, which represents faculty, staff and student workers, wrote to its members that Robbins plan leaves executive salaries and executive bonuses intact with no concrete plan to reduce the bloated administrative structure, while subjecting university staff, students and faculty to hiring freezes, deferment of salary increases, elimination of tuition guarantees and the centralization of services.

Robbins told the regents, who oversee the states three public universities, that the plan includes concluding strategic initiatives funding; enacting freezes on UA hiring, compensation and international travel; and reducing financial aid for out-of-state students. The university will also restrict purchasing, defer nonessential capital projects and eliminate the guarantee that tuition wont rise during their enrollment for all new students starting in fall 2025.

Additionally, Lisa Rulney, who was senior vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer at the university, resigned. ABOR Executive Director John Arnold will take over her role at UA in an interim capacity.

While some faculty senators have said they were cautiously optimistic about the plan, the union is steadfast in its disapproval.

We are outraged that our campus community is being subjected to these actions even though we had no role in UAs financial mismanagement, the email stated. This ill-conceived plan will have far-reaching consequences to staff and faculty and will undoubtedly lead to a decrease in educational outcomes for our UA students.

A spokeswoman for Robbins and UA could not immediately be reached for comment.

To track information, the United Campus Workers of Arizona has created an anonymous survey that UA employees can use to provide ongoing information on the status of their departments and units. The union is asking workers to use the form to share news about layoffs and changes in job responsibilities, workloads and any student fee increases.

The survey responses will be kept confidential and anonymous, the email stated.

The union is demanding an immediate stop to these anti-worker actions and the prioritization of a new financial action plan that puts university workers first.

The statement warned members about the UAs future if Robbins financial plan is fully enacted.

These misguided priorities mean that workers in our university will once again take the brunt of senior leaderships mismanagement, the email stated. Not only will centralization result in layoffs and increased workloads, it will also add power to those who have failed our university for years.
Its the American dream to have a home built on a foundation of love, and for one local family, that is literally the case.

Before the tile is laid and the dry wall is placed at their new Vail home, community members came together to show retired Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Liby and his family just how much they mean to not only Arizona, but their country.

In black, permanent marker messages from well-wishers were scrawled across the floors and the wall beams. They wrote their praises on bright red hearts that seemed to light up the bare bones of the future Liby home.

As we work to build your new home, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for the bravery and sacrifices youve made for our nation, wrote a member of the PulteGroup crew, which has teamed up with non-profit Built to Honor to build Liby, his wife, and three kids a mortgage-free home.

We hope your new home is a sanctuary for you and your family filled with happiness and memories. May this new chapter bring you endless joy.

This is Pultes fourth Arizona partnership with Built to Honor, although the non-profit has been making the dreams of injured veterans come true for a decade, said Maren Bruner, the marketing director for PulteGroup Arizona Division.

Liby, who joined the military following his 1997 high school graduation, served in the Marines until December 2001. He later joined the Army in 2002.

It was during a tour to Afghanistan in 2008 when his life drastically changed.

Liby and his unit were clearing an area of IEDs when one exploded under the groups Humvee.

The blast sent an armored door flying into Libys head, rendering him unconscious. He woke to find the Humvee upside down and burning.

Despite his injuries, Liby ran to help his team inside.

Liby sustained smoke burns to his lungs, his neck and back were injured and was wounded by shrapnel to his neck face and arms.

Eventually Liby was found to have permanent nerve damage in his left arm, a traumatic brain injury, carpal tunnel and a degenerative disc disease.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions, among many other accolades he received during his time in the military.

It was no wonder so many words of gratitude had been etched around the familys new house; a house already made a home.

Honestly, being out here for me is so peaceful, said Christina Liby, his wife.

It feels like a warm embrace. Every aspect has been filled with love.

Christina Libys eye glossed over with tears as she walked through the missing front door and into a half-built home already feeling like their own.

With their arms slung around each other, the couple moved around each room, silently reading the messages of support from strangers.

My heart is full of gratitude for you and your familys courage strength and dedication, one message read.

Others simply welcomed the Liby family to their new home.

It means a lot to have so much support, Liby said, as he took in the moment.

For the Liby's children, Bentley, 13, Brooke, 18, and Conrad, 20, the race to choose their new rooms is already over, but theres so much more Brooke cant wait to do.

Im excited to make more memories, she said with a smile.

And, come the beginning of the new year, when the furniture moves in and those well wishes are covered in carpet, she and the the rest of the Liby family will be able to do just that.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Abortion is healthcare, and it is a right that every pregnant person deserves. I have always been outspoken in favor of codifying abortion. As the Arizona Supreme Court holds our reproductive freedom in their hands, it is worth reminding ourselves that this is about so much more than abortion.

I have recently found myself looking at the issue with a new and different lens. Last week I had a hysterectomy. Im 51, it happens. This was a medical decision I made freely with my doctor. There are many reasons that I chose a hysterectomy, none were controversial. I wasnt on the news. I didnt have to have the court decide for me. I did speak to my husband about it, but I didnt need his permission.

But for how long?

If we dont fight and win the right to abortion, what right to our own bodies will be taken next? Birth control? IVF? Surrogacy? Tubal Ligation? Hysterectomy? Hormone Replacement Therapy? Maybe. The fall of Roe v. Wade has put every aspect of reproductive healthcare on the table. It was never about life, always about control. The far right is fighting so that the pregnant person is legally unable to make a medical decision for themselves. As we have seen this week a courts overruling a medically necessary abortion and rising prosecutions for miscarriages, in some states the fetus has more rights than the person who is carrying it.

So, while Ive been recovering from a hysterectomy, I have been thinking about how I was able to make this medical decision and move forward with treatment. It wasnt a decision I made lightly. I was in daily pain, anemic from 21-day cycles for 18 months, and had uterine fibroids that caused discomfort and pain. Those are all great reasons to have a hysterectomy. But will others be able to choose for themselves in the future? Technically, I was still able to carry a child. So, in a future without abortion, without birth control, without sex education to teach young people about sexual health, will there also be no hysterectomies without a courts decision? Will a 51-year-old woman with the above issues need a court to decide if she is truly done bearing children? Will hysterectomy only be approved if the patient has cancer? Will strangers get to decide how much pain is too much pain? Will physicians be hesitant to perform the surgery because they might be prosecuted and go to jail? Because that is where we are right now with abortion.

There are so many reasons why this fight is so very important. Abortion is just the first step in the process of taking away more of our rights to decide what we do with our own bodies. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion should be codified in our Arizona Constitution and the United States Constitution. And strangers should stay the hell out of my private medical decisions.
Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2023.

Maybe you're here for the holidays. Maybe you're escaping the cold. Maybe you're just taking a mini vacation in a food city you've seen plastered on all those "best of" lists lately (yes, that's us bragging).

Whatever the case, you only have three days here. A mere 72 hours before your flight takes off, Tucson's mountains once again behind you. How on earth will you decide what to do, what to see, what to eat while you're here? We'll help.

The clock is ticking 

One of the sweetest homecomings Ive personally had was picking up a friend and heading straight to Tacos y Hot Dogs Manantial. We ordered Sonoran dogs for everyone, that we ate on folding tables, gently lit amid Tucsons dark night skies. Yes, Sonoran hot dogs are one of those must-try-if-you're-in-Tucson types of things.

The next day we took the friend on a taco tour: Tacos Apson and then Taco Fish (if we had room for one more, Id have taken him to Taqueria Pico de Gallo as well).

To me, what to do depends on whats your leisure. Here are some worthy options:

If you like spending time outdoors, Id wake up early and pick up food at LeBuzz on the way to a hike at Sabino Canyon or Mount Lemmon. If the latter, just watch as the saguaros literally disappear and the pine trees start to pop up instead. (Mount Lemmon is so special to us, especially to see so many ecosystems as you drive up one mountain, but if youre coming here specifically to escape the cold and see the desert, you could probably skip this one.)

Saguaro National Park is obviously a must-see, too. If you've never been before, you might be blown away by the amount of saguaros. (There are two districts with hiking trails, or you can take a scenic drive through the park.)

If you want dinner at a nice restaurant, I'd suggest a spot like Tito & Pep or The Coronet or Maynards. If Tito & Pep, Id check out Fred Fox School of Music to see if there was a good concert going on. If Maynards, Id follow up with jazz at The Century Room. If The Coronet, Id head to MOCA or the Etherton Gallery first (they close early).

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Another option is Tumamoc Hill. It's tough, but the views are worth it. The coffee option there would be Barista del Barrio. Afterwards, Id hit up St. Marys Mexican Food if I was in the mood for something rich and classically Tucson (my go-to is the #6 combo with two cheese enchiladas and a medium horchata) or Seis Kitchen at Mercado San Agustin if I wanted something lighter and a bit more upscale (we  their horchata too). Id grab some glazed doughnuts from La Estrella Bakery before heading home.

If you're more of a downtown, indoors kinda person: Id walk to HeeMee, Presta Coffee Roasters on Ninth, or Eleven Cafe for my morning coffee. Id go to the Tucson Museum of Art downtown and follow up with brunch on Cafe a la Carts patio or at 5 Points. If youre in more of a time crunch, picking up a pasta lunch from Ceres works well too. Either way, you should grab some soft-serve gelato from Ceres or their sister restaurant Noodies.

Also right off the downtown area is Historic Fourth Avenue (and a short walk away is the beautiful University of Arizona campus, where you can catch a super cool laser show at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium). Get some drinks, see some murals, shop from quirky local artists in the area (Pop Cycle, Arizona Poppy, Hola Chingona).

Then there are the very Tucson things to do. One of my favorite Tucson memories was when my mom forced me to try Eegees and drove me up Gates Pass to watch the sunset.

But if you ask most Tucsonans for the premier spot to see here, you'll likely hear about the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum a dozen times. It's for obvious reasons  the desert critters you'll see, the native plants you'll learn about, the scenery you'll get to take in. Tohono Chul's a good spot for desert scenery, too, and they serve bottomless prickly pear mimosas in their bistro.

If youre looking for a foodie deep cut, beyond the places we already mentioned, here are some food experiences unique to Tucson:

Where do you stay? Good question.

If you're into art, Hotel McCoy is a no-brainer. There are murals in the rooms and all over the hotel's exterior. You can even buy art off the walls.

Arizona Inn is packed with history and it's beautiful. It's minutes from the downtown action, but tucked into a quiet neighborhood.

Hotel Congress is a Tucson icon and has been around for more than a century. Music. Food. Drinks. Maybe even a ghost or two?

Mt. Lemmon Hotel. Cabins! Snow! Trees! (And right down the street is a spot where you can get cookies the size of your face.)

A couple boutique downtown options: The Blenman Inn and The Armory Park Inn.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  More arguments in education funding litigation that goes back nearly 30 years are scheduled for early next year at the North Carolina Supreme Court.

The state's highest court is revisiting the case originally known as Leandro with oral arguments it has now set for Feb. 22.

That will be less than 16 months after a majority of justices  then all of the court's registered Democrats  ruled a trial judge could order taxpayer dollars be transferred without the General Assembly's express approval from government coffers to state agencies to carry out a plan to address longstanding education inequities.

Since the 4-3 opinion in November 2022, the court has flipped to a 5-2 GOP majority.

Republican justices agreed in October to hear an appeal by Republican legislative leaders as to whether Judge James Ammons had the authority last spring to enter an order declaring that the state owed $678 million to fulfill two years of the eight-year plan. The justices are expected to examine whether the judge could rule about public education statewide.

Republican legislative leaders are opposed to the November 2022 ruling and argue state funds can only be allocated with General Assembly approval.

They also said in court filings this year that there was never a legal determination made that school districts statewide had failed to live up to the requirement affirmed by the Supreme Court in rulings in 1997 and 2004 that the state constitution directs all children must receive the opportunity to receive a sound basic education.

Associate Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, wrote in October that the matter should not be revisited. She said an earlier trial judge managing the case did find a statewide constitutional violation of education inequities, and so a statewide remedy was needed.

Lawyers representing several school districts in poor counties also argued in court filings that the case was settled in November 2022 and should not be reheard.

The case began in 1994, when several school districts and families of children  one whose last name was Leandro  sued the state over alleged state law and constitutional violations involving education.
James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. 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

Artist and filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of the landmark TV series Reservation Dogs, will be awarded the 2023 ArtNow Focus Award for work that celebrates, uplifts and challenges notions of what it means to be Native.

Harjo (Seminole and Muscogee) will receive the award during a ceremony Jan. 11 at Oklahoma Contemporary, 11 N.W. 11th St. in Oklahoma City.

The ceremony is being held in conjunction with one of the museums current exhibits, ArtNow: The Soul is a Wanderer, which will be on display through Jan. 15.

The exhibit, which gets its title from a line in the poem A Map to the Next World by former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, features works by 15 contemporary artists who live in Oklahoma yet represent cultures from around the world.

Sterlin Harjo has a work in the exhibit, also titled A Map to the Next World, that is a video work showing Joy Harjo reading from the poem as she walks the land around her Tulsa home.

We are overjoyed to be giving the ArtNow 2023 Focus Award to Sterlin Harjo for his commitment and contribution to the arts in Oklahoma and beyond, said the exhibits guest curator, Lindsay Aveilhe. As a film director, screenwriter, showrunner and artist, Harjo has pushed the boundaries of representational storytelling, moving the dial for generations of artists to come.

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Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman 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 state appellate court Thursday ordered a new trial for a man convicted of a Tulsa County murder because the trial judge wouldnt let him represent himself.

In a unanimous decision, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals said the trial judge erred when she denied a request by Alonzo John Kelly III, 42, to represent himself in a Tulsa County murder trial.

A jury convicted Kelly in October 2021 of first-degree murder in connection with the 2016 shooting death of his former girlfriend, Charletta Thomas. Kelly was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Thomas, 45, was fatally shot at her home in the 3700 block of West 57th Street.

Prosecutors alleged that Kelly called 911 after shooting Thomas to report that someone had shot his girlfriend but then fled and was on the run for nearly two years.

Kelly was arrested in February 2018 during a Portland, Oregon, prostitution sting.

While we acknowledge and fully understand that the trial court had the best of intentions, and we recognize the courts attempt to save Kelly from himself, the law is clear, and considering the totality of the circumstances, we find that the trial courts denial of Kellys request to represent himself was error which requires reversal, the opinion says.

Kelly, a ninth grade dropout, asked in August 2019 that he be permitted to represent himself after his defense attorney was allowed to withdraw from representation due to Kellys dissatisfaction with him.

But District Judge Sharon K. Holmes, who handled the case, was skeptical of Kellys ability to represent himself, according to the ruling.

After being asked during a subsequent pretrial hearing about topics such as understanding the evidence code and how to make proper objections, Kelly abandoned his request to represent himself and agreed to accept another appointed attorney.

Kelly asked again to represent himself in November 2020 after complaining about his then-current attorney, according to the opinion.

The ruling brushed away claims by the state that Kellys request to represent himself was a tactical attempt to delay the trial.

While each of Kellys two requests to proceed pro se were filed weeks before the trial, he did not indicate that he would need a continuance, rather instead stating that the case had already been going on too long, according to the ruling.

The appellate court said the trial court was incorrect when it denied Kellys right to represent himself based on whether or not he possessed the legal knowledge necessary to maneuver through a complex first-degree murder trial.

Rather, the court said it was only necessary that a defendant be made aware of the problems of self-representation so the record establishes that he understands that his actions in proceeding without counsel may be to his ultimate detriment, quoting from a 1975 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Faretta v. California.

The record in the present case show that Kelly was competent to make the decision to proceed pro se; he was questioned extensively about his knowledge of the trial process, and he gave coherent answers, the ruling said.

The Tulsa County District Attorneys Office could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the decision.

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Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger 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

OKLAHOMA CITY  A charter school looking to expand to a second small Oklahoma town has received the go-ahead from the state after being summarily shut out by the local school board.

The founder and operators of The Academy of Seminole had hoped to partner with Okmulgee Public Schools but ran up against a brick wall when seeking local school board sponsorship.

Instead, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which sponsors the Seminole charter school, advised proponents of The Academy of Okmulgee that they could seek approval from the State Board of Education for expanding to Okmulgee under the existing charter schools operating agreement.

Bryan Cleveland, general counsel at OSDE, recommended that the state board approve the request, saying he had closely scrutinized the schools financial outlook and the existing Seminole schools proven track record of academic success.

It made more sense, at least from my perspective, to open up as a new site under one district, Cleveland said.

The State Board of Education unanimously approved the idea Thursday, clearing the path to an August 2024 opening of the expansion site.

The Academy charter schools Early College high school model aims to allow juniors and seniors to get a head start on their post-high school goals. In Okmulgee, students would attend college classes at Okmulgee-based Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, designed also to meet high school graduation requirements, or take courses at Green Country Technology Center.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he visited the Seminole school a few years ago and called it one of the most unique and positive experiences he has ever had with students.

The connection they make with students is one of the most unique Ive ever seen, Walters said. People say charter schools cant work in rural areas. Were looking right here at an incredibly successful charter school looking to expand in Okmulgee. We are a leader in parent choice and school choice options. They are doing the hard work on the ground to say we want school choice in rural Oklahoma.

I think its going to be a great asset for the state and positions us to be a leader nationally (in offering rural charter school options).

School leaders have their sights set on expanding The Academy of Seminole model next to other small towns in Oklahoma such as Blanchard and Kingfisher, where traditional public school districts are not already offering students such an opportunity.

Founded by Advance Rural Education, or ARE, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit foundation whose mission is to support education in rural areas, The Academy of Okmulgee proposal has reportedly already won about $2 million in private funds through local foundations and charter school startup grants, including a competitive grant from the NewSchools Venture Fund, based in California.
A city bus rammed into pedestrians near a bus transfer center in Suwon, south of Seoul, on Friday, killing one person and injuring 17 others, two of them seriously injured, officials said.

The No. 30-1 bus was leaving the transfer center on the upper level of Suwon Station at 1:27 p.m. when it suddenly struck people crossing the street near the bus stop and then moved onto the sidewalk and hit more people before crashing into a pedestrian signal pole and coming to a stop.

A woman in her 70s was rescued after being run over by the bus but died.

Seventeen others were taken to hospitals with injuries, two of them seriously. The injured include the female driver of the bus in her 50's and some passengers, officials said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The bus was identified as an electric vehicle, but it had no malfunctioning problem during its usual operations, or on the day of the accident, officials said.

Officials said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol.

Some speculated the vehicle could have skidded on an icy road, but officials found no ice at the site of the accident. Instead, they suspect the driver could have turned the steering wheel in a hasty move, maximizing damage by hitting the entire area from the crosswalk to the pavement.

Police plan to collect and analyze surveillance and dashboard cam footage, and check the health conditions of the driver, including conducting a drug test, to determine the cause of the accident. (Yonhap)
Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger 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

OKLAHOMA CITY  Tulsa Public Schools is zeroing in on 6,200 students in grades four to eight who must improve on state tests to help the district avoid a state takeover.

Superintendent Ebony Johnson and other top district officials reported new details of their strategy to meet the states demands for rapid improvements in student achievement at Thursdays meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education.

In addition to targeting interventions and closely monitoring that 18% of the districts enrolled students, Johnson announced that after the winter break she will be making midyear changes in principal assignments and reassigning central office staff to support the Tulsa schools needing Most Rigorous Intervention, or MRI, based on federal education standards.

Were leading urgent, aggressive change efforts, Johnson told the State Board of Education.

Don Burdick, a Tulsa businessman appointed to the state board by Gov. Kevin Stitt, issued a new call Thursday for at least 1,000 more Tulsans to volunteer as tutors to help TPS meet the goals the state board formalized for it over the last several months in order for the district to maintain its state accreditation in future years.

Sean Berkstresser, executive director of information and analytics at TPS, told the state board: These are very rigorous goals. Its a lot of students, but he added, theyre attainable, and were organizing around them.

Who are the students TPS needs to move up at least one achievement level from below basic on state tests come spring?

92% are economically disadvantaged based on their household income level.

20% are on Individualized Educational Plans, or IEPs, meaning they require special education services.

43% are multilingual learners.

31% attend a school needing Most Rigorous Intervention, based on federal education criteria.

39% attend a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school.

Other strategies TPS will be implementing during the current academic year that Johnson shared will be hiring 11 new full-time substitute teachers to free up classroom teachers to complete the states new demands for more training in the science of literacy, implementing new family engagement and academic support for special education students, spending $360,000 on state test-aligned test preparation materials for students, restructuring the districts leadership team, and aligning leadership priorities and strategic planning to the states demands.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters initiated state takeover threats against the states largest school district in July and since then has made unrelenting demands for proof that local leaders can produce rapid, significant improvement in student achievement indicators.

He has also bashed them for an embezzlement case the district took to law enforcement involving the districts former human resources director, which recently resulted in a guilty plea to criminal charges in federal court.

Walters, who recently tried to insinuate himself into the Tulsa school boards hiring of Johnson as permanent superintendent, stopped short of complimenting Johnson and the other top TPS administrators who spoke at Thursdays meeting, but he did say their latest presentation provided us a lot of clarity with the questions that we had.

At the end, Walters put Johnson on the spot to share information publicly about a newly discovered issue TPS is dealing with regarding some employees benefits through the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System.

Johnson responded that she herself just learned about the matter upon her hiring to succeed Deborah Gist as Tulsa superintendent. She told Walters it is a matter of litigation currently, so she requested a personal, private meeting with him to share what she knows about the possible financial implications for TPS because of the problem.

But she said she could share publicly that there is some dispute or question with the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System about retirement benefits for some TPS employees with supervisory job titles with no actual supervisory responsibility over other employees, as well as a clerical error that occurred at TPS that caused some retirement funds not to be paid into the state retirement system for some select TPS employees over a period of several years.

Walters thanked Johnson for her candor and said he would be happy to discuss the matter further in private with her until more details could be made public.



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Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman 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 judge has ordered the removal of a wind farm in Osage County and set a trial for damages in a win for the Osage Nation and its Mineral Council, which, along with the federal government, have been fighting the erection of the turbines for more than 10 years.

U.S. Court of International Trade Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves, sitting by designation, issued the ruling Wednesday in Tulsa federal court against Osage Wind LLC, Enel Kansas LLC and Enel Green Power North America Inc.

The ruling grants the United States and the Osage Nation through its Minerals Council permanent injunctive relief via ejectment of the wind turbine farm for continuing trespass.

The Minerals Council is an arm of the Osage Nation that manages the Osage Minerals Estate.

The ruling follows a 2017 appellate court ruling that determined that construction of the wind farm constituted mining and required a lease from the Osage Nations Minerals Council, which the defendants failed to obtain.

The developers failed to acquire a mining lease during or after construction, as well as after issuance of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision holding that a mining lease was required, Choe-Groves said.

On the record before the Court, it is clear the Defendants are actively avoiding the leasing requirement, Choe-Groves said. Permitting such behavior would create the prospect for future interference with the Osage Mineral Councils authority by Defendants or others wishing to develop the mineral lease.

The Court concludes that Defendants past and continued refusal to obtain a lease constitutes interference with the sovereignty of the Osage Nation and is sufficient to constitute irreparable injury.

Osage Minerals Council Chairman Everett Waller said in an interview Thursday morning that he was still stunned by the ruling.

I hope no other tribe has to do what we had to do, Waller said, referring to the long court battle.

This is a win not only for the Osage Minerals Council; this is a win for Indian Country, Waller said.

There are a lot of smaller tribes that couldnt have battled this long, but thats why were Osages, Waller said. Were here, and this is our homeland, and we are going to protect it at all costs.

Osage Wind, for its part, claimed that while an appeals court found that it had mined without a lease in 2014, it did not hold that Osage Wind was obligated to obtain a lease for that completed mining or for any other ongoing purposes.

The legal saga has been ongoing for more than a decade, at one point reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Osage Nation filed a federal lawsuit in October 2011 seeking to halt the construction of the wind farm, alleging that the project unlawfully deprived the Osage Nation of access to and the right to develop the mineral estate.

The nations claims were denied, and the case was dismissed on merits.

The defendants began leasing surface rights for the project in 2013, according to the ruling.

The wind farm includes 84 turbines spread across 8,400 acres of leased surface rights in Osage County, underground lines, overhead transmission lines, meteorological towers and access roads, the ruling said.

Construction on the wind towers began in October 2013, with excavation for the towers beginning in September 2014.

The federal government filed a federal lawsuit in November 2014, seeking a declaratory judgment that the defendants engaged in unauthorized mining and excavation in the Osage Mineral Estate, according to the ruling.

The U.S. Department of the Interior administers the Osage Nations mineral rights, which include ownership of rocks and minerals below the grounds surface. Federal law requires developers to obtain a permit from the tribes Minerals Council to engage in any mining activity in the county.

A federal district judge initially ruled in favor of the wind farm project in 2015, finding that excavation of the rock for the wind turbine concrete foundation did not constitute mining.

But the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver reversed that decision in a 2017 ruling.

The appellate court held that Osage Winds extraction, sorting, crushing and use of minerals as part of its excavation work constituted mineral development, thereby requiring a federally approved lease that was not obtained. It disputed the district judges interpretation that the definition of mining required the sale of minerals.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request by Osage Wind to review the appeals court decision.

In considering whether to issue a permanent injunction, Choe-Groves weighed several factors, including balancing the tribes claim that the unleased wind farm damages its sovereignty against Osage Winds claim that it would suffer the inevitable loss of hundreds of millions of dollars if the wind towers were removed.

Osage Wind also claimed that removal of the wind turbines would result in a loss of revenue from two local schools, jobs, income for the surface estate owners and renewable energy for 50,000 homes.

But Choe-Groves was not persuaded by Osage Winds claims of the harm that would occur if the turbines were removed.

Even if negative effects were to result, including the significant monetary impact of hundreds of millions of dollars, such effects would not negate the public interest in private entities abiding by the law and respecting government sovereignty and the decision of courts, the judge wrote.

A spokesman for Osage Wind could not be reached for comment on the decision.



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Kirsten Lang Tulsa World Meteorologist Follow Kirsten Lang 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

There is one thing lacking in Oklahoma this season  the snowfall.

We have had a few snow flurries in Tulsa, but nothing measurable.

We are actually below average for November and December, said Nicole McGavock, a Tulsa National Weather Service meteorologist. On average, Tulsa receives 0.8 inches of snow in November and 1.7 inches of snowfall in December.

According to data from the NWS, the average first date for measurable snowfall is Dec. 18.

In fact, last year our first snowfall had already arrived by now. While it wasnt much, it was still an amount of 0.3 inches on Nov. 18.

While we are behind, we arent setting any records. In fact, the latest date of measurable snowfall for Tulsa occurred on March 7, 1932, with 0.2 inches. And the second latest date was Feb. 12, 2013, with 0.1 inch.

But here we are  with only a week left for 2023 and a few days away from Christmas. And we all know that the weather can change on a dime here in Oklahoma, so could that wish of a white Christmas actually come true?

First, lets define the term.

According to the NWS, a white Christmas means there must be at least 1 inch of snow depth or greater on Christmas morning at 6. That means 1 inch must already be on the ground, rather than a few flurries trickling down as the light breaks. So really, it is an event that must either occur prior to Dec. 25 or overnight while Santa is making his rounds to actually fulfill the true definition.

The last time this actually happened in Tulsa was back in 2009. We had a whopping 6 inches on the ground already on Christmas morning. Prior to that it was 2002 with another 6 inches. And in 2000, 1983, and 1966 we had 1 inch. And the years that didnt quite make the cut were 1975, 1963 and 1962, with a trace recorded at 6 a.m. on Christmas morning.

That means looking over the snow records since 1900, you could count on one hand how many times we actually had a white Christmas. Id say it doesnt leave our chances too high.

Historically Tulsa has a 7% chance of having at least that 1 inch of snow, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Piltz said.

This would indicate that our chance for an actual white Christmas isnt too likely. But we arent alone on this.

A white Christmas is actually not the norm for most of the country, said Piltz. The historical probability in Kansas City is 17%, and even in Omaha its only 36%.

Piltzs suggestion: For those who want a guaranteed white Christmas, the best bet is to head to an iconic mountain area thats famous for snow.

With less than a week away, you may be wondering what Oklahomas chances are this year.

There may be a weather system in the area around Christmas, Piltz said, but the cold air looks like it may be lacking. That means were only looking at rainy conditions for the holiday.

So white Christmas wishes can come true, but it is going to take a lot of wishing this year, Piltz said.



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KYIV, Ukraine  A gloomy mood hangs over Ukraine's soldiers nearly two years after Russia invaded their country.

Despite a disappointing counteroffensive this summer and signs of wavering financial support from allies, Ukrainian soldiers say they remain fiercely determined to win. But as winter approaches, they worry that Russia is better equipped for battle and are frustrated about being on the defensive again in a grueling war. Some doubt the judgment of their leaders.

Discontent among Ukrainian soldiers  once extremely rare and expressed only in private  is now more common and out in the open.

In the southern city of Kherson, where Ukraine is staging attacks against well-armed Russian troops on the other side of the Dnieper River, soldiers are asking why these difficult amphibious operations were not launched months ago in warmer weather.

I dont understand, said a commander of the 11th National Guard Brigades anti-drone unit who is known on the battlefield as Boxer. Now its harder and colder.

Its not just my feeling, many units share it, said Boxer, who spoke on condition that only his battlefield name would be used.

Russia, which illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, controls about one-fifth of Ukraine. After 22 months of war the two countries are essentially in a stalemate along the 620-mile-long front line.

Russian forces aim to push deeper into eastern Ukraine this winter, analysts say, so that Russian President Vladimir Putin can cite this momentum as he campaigns for reelection, an outcome that is all but certain. Emboldened by recent gains on the battlefield, Putin said last week that he remains fully committed to the war and criticized Ukraine for sacrificing" troops to demonstrate success to Western sponsors.

In the United States, which has already spent some $111 billion defending Ukraine, President Joe Biden is advocating for an additional $50 billion in aid. But Republican lawmakers are balking at more support  just as some lawmakers in Europe are on the fence about providing another $50 billion to Ukraine, after failing to deliver on promised ammunition.

The reason the Ukrainians are gloomy is that, they now sense, not only have they not done well this year  they know that the Russians' game is improving, said Richard Barrons, a former British army general. They see whats happening in Congress, and they see what happened in the EU.

Ukraine may be on the defensive this winter, but its military leaders say they have no intention of letting up the fight.

If we wont have a single bullet, we will kill them with shovels, said Serhii, a commander in the 59th Brigade that is active in the eastern city of Avdiivka and who spoke on condition that only his first name be used. Surely, everyone is tired of war, physically and mentally. But imagine if we stop  what happens next?

The fatigue and frustration on the battlefield are mirrored in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, where disagreements among leaders have recently spilled out into the open.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month publicly disputed the assessment by Ukraines military chief, Valery Zaluzhny, that the war had reached a stalemate. And the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, has repeatedly lashed out at Zelenskyy, saying he holds too much power.

Disquiet in the halls of power appears to have filtered down to the military's rank and file, who increasingly have misgivings about inefficiency and faulty decision-making within the bureaucracy they depend on to keep them well-armed for the fight.

In the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, where momentum has slowed since the summertime counteroffensive, drones have become a crucial tool of war. They enable soldiers to keep an eye on  and hold back  Russian forces while they conduct dangerous and painstaking operations to clear minefields and consolidate territorial gains. But fighters there complain that the military has been too slow in training drone operators.

It took seven months to obtain the paperwork needed from multiple government agencies to train 75 men, said Konstantin Denisov, a Ukrainian soldier.

We wasted time for nothing, he said. Commanders elsewhere complain of not enough troops, or delays in getting drones repaired, disrupting combat missions.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov insists Ukraine has enough soldiers and weaponry to power the next phase of the fight.

We are capable and able to protect our people and we will be doing it, he said. We have a plan and we are sticking to that plan.

The limited momentum Ukraine's forces had during their summertime counteroffensive has slowed  from the forests in the northeast, to the urban centers in the east, to the slushy farmland in the south.

With Russia hoping to take the initiative this winter, Ukraine is mainly focused on standing its ground, according to interviews with a half dozen military commanders along the vast front line.

Despite wet, muddy ground that makes it harder to move tanks and other heavy weaponry around, the Russian army has bolstered its forces in the eastern Donetsk region, where it has recently stepped up offensive maneuvers.

Said Parker, the Ukrainian commander of a mechanized battalion near Bakhmut who asked to go by his battlefield name to speak freely: The main goal for the winter is to lose as few people as possible.

Upward of 20,000 Ukrainian amputees face trauma on a scale unseen since WWI
OKMULGEE  A dispute earlier this week over tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction at the Okmulgee County jail resulted in a physical altercation between a jailer and the Lighthorse Police Departments deputy chief, according to Muscogee Nation officials.

Muscogee Nation Attorney General Geri Wisner said video of the incident Monday prompted her office to file a criminal charge against the jailer.

We understand that the Okmulgee County officials dislike federal laws that grant tribal law enforcement jurisdiction, Wisner said during a news conference Thursday. But those political opinions do not give Okmulgee County the right to disregard and violate laws.

The situation started Monday when a Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Officer conducted a traffic stop after seeing a motorist driving on the wrong side of the road in a school zone. His request for assistance from the Okmulgee Police Department was denied. The motorist was not a tribal citizen.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice told the Tulsa World he was not in the office on the day of the traffic stop. He said he was informed that dispatchers relayed the Lighthorse police request, but the shift commander advised them all units were occupied with other duties. Prentice said there did not appear to be any kind of follow-up request from Lighthorse police.

The Lighthorse police officer received consent to search the vehicle after seeing drug paraphernalia on the passenger seat. A rubber case that reportedly contained a large amount of fentanyl fell from the drivers waistband, so the Lighthorse police officer took the driver into custody.

Wisner said state law required that the driver be taken to the Okmulgee County Jail for booking and processing.

Body-worn camera footage from the Lighthorse officer shows jail official Matthew J. Douglas refusing the detainee, claiming that it was against the jails policy to accept prisoners from Lighthorse police. Some jail staff can be heard on the video saying Lighthorse officers are not real police.

The arrest had been made under a cross-deputization agreement with Grand River Dam Authority, which Wisner noted has law enforcement authority in counties that include Okmulgee County. However, jail staff told Lighthorse officers to leave with the detainee.

Wisner said jail staff threatened to fabricate charges against Lighthorse officers, and Douglas can be heard in the video telling the officers he would lock them in the receiving area with the detainee.

A physical altercation between Douglas and Lighthorse Deputy Chief Dennis Northcross began behind a closed door, video shows. As other Lighthorse officers tried to enter the room, a brief shoving match ensued at the door.

Wisner characterized Douglas actions as assault on a tribal officer and got a warrant for his arrest in tribal court. She cited the tribes authority to charge Douglas under a 2022 amendment to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

The legislation enabled tribes to exercise criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian offenders. In 2022, Congress expanded the list of covered crimes to include assaulting tribal justice personnel, child violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking and stalking.

Wisner said the Muscogee Nation has already filed sexual violence cases under that provision but believes that Douglas case may be the tribes first related to assaulting tribal law enforcement.

Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said in a statement early Thursday that jail administration duties are the purview of the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority. Rice said tribal police had blocked the roadways around the jail Monday but that after the situation was calmed, the detainee was processed and tribal police left.

While the tribe has entered into dozens of cross-deputization agreements with other law enforcement agencies across eastern Oklahoma, Wisner said, talks with Okmulgee County have gone nowhere.

Unfortunately, I would say part of the difficulty (of working with Okmulgee County law enforcement) is illustrated by this incident, she said. The refusal to acknowledge what the law says  even when its Oklahoma law  their blatant refusal makes it difficult for us to be able to do our job.

When Lighthorse police tried to serve the warrant Wednesday at the Okmulgee County Jail, Wisner said, they were met in a nearby parking lot by staff who refused to allow tribal police to serve Douglas.

Wisner said the warrant remains outstanding after officials gave Douglas until 9 a.m. Thursday to surrender, but he elected not to turn himself in. The Muscogee Nation is seeking guidance from the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office, the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division about the matter, Wisner said.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has had a contentious relationship with the states tribes and has been outspoken about his disdain for the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which established tribal and federal jurisdiction in many criminal cases within much of eastern Oklahoma, issued a statement Thursday in response to the situation in Okmulgee County:

This is the direct effect of the broken system created by the McGirt decision, he said. Without jurisdictional clarity, we are left with a patchwork system and heightened tensions.

I am glad cooler heads prevailed and prevented the situation from escalating to a dangerous level, but this demonstrates the need for collective action.

In response, I am gathering stakeholders to discuss practical solutions that keep our citizens and law enforcement safe while I continue to call on Congress and the courts to address this problem.

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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 Moore family has filed a lawsuit over an Oklahoma State Board of Education administrative rule targeting requests to change gender markers on student records.

Filed Thursday morning in Cleveland County District Court, the suit accuses state Superintendent Ryan Walters, the five current State Board of Education members and former member Suzanne Reynolds of violating the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act, the Oklahoma Parents Bill of Rights, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clauses of both the Oklahoma and U.S. constitutions with the adoption of an administrative rule requiring districts to get OSBE approval before complying with any requests to change a students gender marker on school records.

Reynolds resigned from the board in October but was still a member when the emergency rules were adopted in September.

Defendants actions serve no government interest, instead they are simply a means to harass, intimidate, humiliate and discriminate against transgender students, the complaint reads in part. The Board and its individual members frequently express their overt contempt for the rights of transgender students through relentless public commentary in meetings and to the media, often refusing to acknowledge the very existence of transgender people.

The student and parent filing the lawsuit, referred to as J. Doe and Jane Doe respectively, obtained a court order this year to legally change the students gender designation.

However, without discussion or debate, the State Board of Education voted 5-0 in October to deny a request to allow for J. Does student records with Moore Public Schools to be amended in compliance with that court order. Walters told reporters after that meeting that he could not foresee any circumstance in which the board would grant such a request.

In the filing, attorneys with the Oklahoma Equality Law Center and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice noted that their clients were not given any opportunity to respond or provide evidence to the state board about the request to change the students records and were not advised of any appeal options.

When we talk about parents rights, we are talking about all parents. We cant decide that we only want to protect certain ones, Oklahoma Appleseed Center Legal Director Leslie Briggs said. That is discrimination under the law and an intentional exclusion of some of the most vulnerable students in Oklahoma.

Along with having the administrative rule declared invalid, the Does are seeking $75,000 in damages.

Although it was on the agenda as a potential action item, the board did not vote at Thursday afternoons meeting on making the rule change permanent, nor did its members discuss the lawsuit.

Walters issued a statement Thursday afternoon calling the lawsuit frivolous and an unserious distraction.

Radical gender theory has led some people to fight the obvious, God-given biological nature of human beings: that there are two genders, male and female, the statement reads in part. Our pronoun policy aligns with common sense, truth and reality and protects schools and teachers from unfounded accusations of discrimination.



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The Oklahoma House of Representatives tax cut smorgasbord officially opened this week with the filing by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, of five bills outlining five different approaches to income tax rate reductions.

The proposals range from temporary individual income tax cuts to permanent elimination of the corporate income tax, and also include transition to a single-rate personal income tax and a permanent 0.25 percentage point individual personal income tax rate reduction.

They do not include elimination or reduction of the state sales tax on groceries, which has been dangled as a possibility the last couple few years.

McCalls proposals are not the only tax cuts in the hopper for the second session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature, which begins Feb. 5, and are in line with the Houses tactics in the first session.

Dozens of tax-related bills remain from last springs regular session and two subsequent special sessions, when the House rolled out a similar menu and invited the Senate to take its pick. The Senate, for the most part, declined while complaining that the House could not make up its mind.

Which is not to say no tax changes were made. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed at least 13 tax adjustments of various kinds, but none carried the fiscal, political and public relations pop of a general tax rate cut.

In a press release announcing the five bills filed this week, McCall again took the Senate to task for not acting on House tax initiatives.

The House has passed numerous tax cut bills to the Senate during multiple regular and special sessions throughout the last three years, McCall said. These new bills represent our latest attempt to get meaningful tax cuts passed and to the governors desk.

House leadership and Stitt seem determined to get some sort of income tax reduction through, citing substantial reserves in the state treasury.

The Senate  and especially Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah  are dubious, pointing out that only a few years ago the state suffered through a succession of budget failures.

One proposal already on the table is a constitutional amendment by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, to create what would amount to a rebate program, in the form of income tax credits, when reserves reach a certain level.

In 2005, Oklahoma issued one-time rebate checks totaling $92 million because of surplus cash. Other recent suggestions include elimination or reduction of the state grocery tax, expansion of the low-income sales tax rebate and putting some of the reserves into state services and capital assets, either directly or through creation of what amount to endowment funds.

Our state is in a strong position both economically and in regards to savings, so now is the perfect time to pass tax cuts and let the citizens of Oklahoma keep more of their hard-earned money, McCall said in the press release.

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HANOI/BANDAR LAMPUNG -- Vietnam's domestic coffee prices rose on Thursday, compared with last week, as supplies tightened after farmers refrained from selling the bean in hopes that prices would rise further, traders said.

Farmers in the Central Highlands, Vietnam's largest coffee-growing area, were selling beans COFVN-DAK for VND69,700-70,200 ($2.86-$2.89) per kg, up from last week's VND63,500-66,000.

"Domestic prices reached a record high this week but trade is not robust as farmers are not selling. Beans are scarce," said a trader based in the coffee belt.

According to the trader, prior to the harvest, some farmers made deals to sell new beans at VND58,000 per kg.

"Prices have risen significantly since, forcing some to delay deliveries of sealed contracts," the trader said, adding farmers had finished picking beans and were drying them.

March robusta coffee LRCc2 gained $73 to $2,870 in a week, as of Wednesday's close.

Another trader said the higher price this week was in line with the increase in the London terminal due to the disruption of shipping via the Suez Canal.

Traders offered 5-percent black and broken-grade 2 robusta COFVN-G25-SAI at a premium range of $60-$70 to the March contract, up from the $40-$60 premium range last week.

Another trader quoted a $160 premium to the January contract.

In Indonesia, Sumatra robusta coffee beans were offered at a $540-$550 premium this week to the January-February contract, unchanged from last week.

The price is adjusting to volatility in the London price terminal and to the depleted stockpile, one trader said.

($1 = VND24,245.0000)
Prices of parboiled rice from top exporters climbed this week, fuelled by limited supplies, pushing Vietnamese rates to their highest in more than 15 years, and in turn driving up the less expensive Indian variety to its highest in two months.

Vietnam's 5% broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 was offered at $660 to $665 a metric ton on Thursday, its highest since mid-July 2008, versus $655 to $660 last week.

"Prices edged higher on tight supplies," said a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Preliminary shipping data showed 162,800 tons of rice to be loaded at Ho Chi Minh City port from Dec 1 to 20, with most of it heading to Indonesia, the Philippines and Cuba.

The prices of India's exports rose in line with the upward trend in other exporters and concerns over production.

India's 5% broken parboiled variety RI-INBKN5-P1 was quoted at $505 to $512 a metric ton this week, its highest in two months, up from last week's range of $499 to $506.

"Due to widening gaps between Indian prices and those of other countries, buyers are now willing to accept higher prices," said an exporter in the eastern city of Kolkata.

India's rice output is expected to fall this year, for the first time in eight, making it more likely that New Delhi will extend export curbs to hold down prices ahead of general elections due next year.

The price of Thailand's 5% broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 increased to its highest since August, at $646 to $650 a metric ton, from last week's $640.

Traders said the increase was fuelled by more orders from the Philippines this week.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Indonesia told the Thai government of its intent to buy 2 million metric tons of the grain in a letter received on Monday.

Supply has dwindled and traders say they expect more entering the market early next year.
The United States Indo-Pacific Command has provided Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam with US$998,600 to rebuild two elementary schools.

The two schools are located in Duy Xuyen District.

Nguyen The Duc, vice-chairman of the Peoples Committee of the district, said on Friday that the locale was recently given the nod to receive the aid package from the U.S. armed forces.

Accordingly, Duy Thu Elementary School in Tinh Yen Hamlet will be rebuilt at a cost of $517,000.

The school will have six classrooms, four functional rooms, and a teachers room, while being fully equipped to ensure the quality of learning and teaching activities.

Work on the project will start in December this year and last until September next year.

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of Duy Vinh Elementary School in Dong Binh Hamlet is projected to cost $481,600.

The school, which is set to be put into operation in May 2024, will feature five classrooms, two functional rooms, and a teachers room.

This rebuildinng is meant to alleviate the shortage of classrooms and cater to the educational needs of 180 students.

Nguyen Huu Sau, head of the Duy Xuyen District Office of Education and Training, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the district began dismantling the old facilities and began preparing land lots for the reconstruction in May.

Affected students have been sent to neighboring schools.

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By Nam Hyun-woo

The government will make efforts to assist domestic pharmaceuticals to develop at least two blockbuster novel drugs that can secure over 1 trillion won ($768 billion) in sales by 2027, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said, Friday.

The government set this goal during the inaugural meeting of its bio-health innovation committee.

"Countries around the world are already engaging in fierce competition to predominate the bio and healthcare markets, Han said.

Through the bio-health innovation committee, which is a private-public control tower, we will facilitate fundamental changes that can be felt by players in the field, so that the country can consolidate itself as a global powerhouse of the industries.

Comprised of government agency chiefs and private sector experts, the committee is headed by Prime Minister Han, and Seoul National University Hospital President and CEO Kim Young-tae is the vice chairman.

During the committee meeting, members set a number of policy goals such as developing blockbuster drugs and doubling the countrys biotech and health care export.

For these goals, the committee decided to operate what it called a Korean version of ARPA-H, which will facilitate research and development projects worth 2 trillion won over the next decade.

Taking the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as a reference, it will be working as a funding agency supporting efforts to overcome incurable diseases and address difficult welfare problems.

Also, the committee decided to run the Boston-Korea Project, which aims to connect Korean institutions with those based in Boston. Seouls health and welfare ministry, science and ICT ministry and industry ministry will join efforts for this 86.4 billion won project.

The committee also decided to step up efforts to nurture medical scientists to improve the countrys status. For this, it set up a goal of having at least 3 percent of medical school graduates as medical scientists, up from the current 1.6 percent.

We will make systematic efforts to nurture medical scientists, expanding government support beyond doctoral programs to provide comprehensive support throughout their careers, Han said. We will also actively promote the mandatory employment of medical scientists within hospitals.
What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- French and international officials have praised Vietnam's strong ties with France and its significant contributions to UNESCO in 2023, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Society

-- The northern region of Vietnam was plunged into bitter cold on Friday morning, with temperatures at the top of Mau Son Mountain in Lang Son Province falling to -2.2 degrees Celsius.

-- One died, another was injured, an a third person is still missing in the wake of an accident at a coal mine in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Thursday evening, local authorities said.

-- It is forecast to be a little chilly in Ho Chi Minh City at Christmas and on New Year's Day, Le Dinh Quyet, a weather expert, said on Thursday.

-- Police arrested Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai on an accusation of bribery on Thursday, the countrys security ministry said the same day.

-- Residents' lives have been disrupted as about 20 turbines were placed in the wrong locations at a wind farm in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam.

Lifestyle

-- Ho Chi Minh City is expected to hold fireworks displays and countdown parties to usher in the new year, Bui Xuan Duc, chief of the festival and event planning office of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said on Thursday.

Business

-- Vietnam set a goal of US$9.5 billion in export revenue in 2024 given fierce competition from other markets.

-- "Vietnam's domestic coffee prices rose on Thursday, compared with last week, as supplies tightened after farmers refrained from selling the bean in hopes that prices would rise further," Reuters quoted traders as saying.

World News

-- "A 24-year-old Czech student shot dead his father, then killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at his Prague university on Thursday before possibly killing himself, police said, marking the country's worst-ever mass shooting," Reuters reported.

-- "A former assistant to the actor Vin Diesel filed a lawsuit against him on Thursday alleging that he sexually battered her in 2010 and that she was fired from her job just hours later," according to Reuters.

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Two women in Da Nang City, the capital of central Vietnam, have been apprehended for allegedly creating over 50 shell companies and issuing hundreds of thousands of counterfeit invoices worth a staggering VND2 trillion (US$81.6 million).

Investigators from the municipal police agency on Thursday filed charges against Bui Thi Thu Nguyet, 33, and Nguyen Thi Khanh Van, 37, both residents of Da Nang, for illegally trading fake invoices.

By issuing these invoices, the duo raked in billions of Vietnamese dong through their dozens of shell companies, according to results from the preliminary investigation.

According to police officers, the shell companies run by Nguyet and Van dealt with enterprises both in the city and across the country, making the case extremely complicated.

Documents related to a fake invoice ring in Da Nang, central Vietnam. Photo: H.B. / Tuoi Tre

As such, the police are broadening their probe into the case.

The investigation was launched after Da Nangs police department discovered that individuals in the city had been taking advantage of certain mechanisms to establish shell companies to sell bogus invoices.

Such invoice fraud has negatively affected business, production activities, tax agencies, and the state budget.

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Residents' lives have been disrupted as about 20 turbines were placed in the wrong locations at a wind farm in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam.

Many wind turbines at the Huong Linh 1 and 2 wind power project sites developed by Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Company were erected too close to residents houses, causing serious noise disturbances to the local families.

Ho Van To, 70, and his family in Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province have had their lives disrupted over the past four years due to a turbine located just 100 meters from their home.

The blades of the turbine make loud noises as they spin at night, causing significant disturbances to the family's sleep and overall well-being, To complained.

The turbines have also led to poor harvests, he added.

Cassava cannot grow, melaleuca trees are more undersized and stunted than normal, and fruit trees yield no fruits, To elaborated.

Hoang Van To and his family in Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam are worried about living close to a wind turbine. Photo: Hoang Tao / Tuoi Tre

Ho Khua, another local resident, whose house is also approximately 100 meters from a wind turbine, said that the productivity of his rice field had fallen by 50 percent.

He also shared Tos displeasure at having his familys sleep schedule shattled by noise from the turbines, particularly on rainy days.

In August last year, families who live near the turbines went from frustrated to scared when a two-meter cap from one of the devices plummeted to the ground. While no one was injured, locals have been on tenterhooks.

The productivity of a rice field has fallen by half due to wind turbines. Photo: Hoang Tao / Tuoi Tre

Huong Hoa District authorities have asked relevant bodies and Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Company to relocate the affected households so that they can resume normal lives.

Pursuant to Vietnams regulations, wind turbines must be at least 300 meters from residential areas.

However, Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Companys wind power projects were put into operation when the regulation had yet to be issued.

Earlier, inspectors of the Quang Tri Department of Natural Resources and Environment fined the company over VND600 million (US$24,607) for placing 21 of its 30 wind turbines in the wrong places.

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Vietnam was the most searched place to visit this year by Indians, followed by Indias Goa and Indonesias Bali, according to Google's Year in Search 2023 report released this month.

The report, which featured this years top trending searches, showed that Thailand and Sri Lanka came in the fourth and fifth places.

Three other Indian destinations  Kashmir, Coorg, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Italy, and Switzerland were in the top 10 searched destinations.

Skift, a news site covering news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India, said that Vietnam would likely be the next destination to offer visa-free entry to Indians, just after Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam indicated that the country served around 278,000 Indian visitors in the first nine months of the year, while Vietnamese carriers also launched direct services between Vietnam and India.

Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, while addressing a tourism-related conference held last month, proposed that the government offer short-term visa exemption to Indian visitors to promote tourism.

Statistics from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, showed that Vietnam recorded 1.11 million international visitor arrivals in October, marking the fourth consecutive month that the countrys international visitor arrivals have exceeded the one-million mark.

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HANOI -- Police in Vietnam have detained a deputy minister of Industry and Trade on an accusation of bribery, its security ministry said on Thursday, the latest arrest in the Communist Party's years-long campaign against graft.

Do Thang Hai, 60, was held as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing at an oil trading firm in southern Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement.

Hai is the latest among hundreds of Vietnamese officials investigated for corruption, many forced to quit.

Hai's home and his office were searched on Thursday, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, citing police.

The trade ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Hai, a deputy minister since 2014, has been in charge of areas such as the domestic market, trade promotion, manufacturing, international cooperation and has also been a ministry spokesperson.

The anti-graft campaign, dubbed "blazing furnace", has reached deep into Vietnam's corporate sector too, with tycoons, top stockbrokers, property developers and even regulators ensnared, last year triggering a $40 billion wipeout for stocks and rattling investor confidence.

Police have in recent weeks detained four others for their involvement in the case at Xuyen Viet Oil Travel and Transport Trading Co. Those include the Communist Party's top official in Ben Tre Province and the head of the Finance Department of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's business hub, according to the police statement.

Calls by Reuters to Xuyen Viet, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, went unanswered.

The city's police department on Thursday in a separate statement said Xuyen Viet had an outstanding tax debt of 1.53 trillion dong ($62.91 million) as of August 2023.

($1 = 24,320 dong)
Among four non-native wallabies which were discovered in Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam in November, two have been announced dead.

A representative of the Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday that two male wallabies died after they were transported to the center under the Hoang Lien National Park in Lao Cai Province for care.

One of them died on December 8, while the death of the other was confirmed on December 12.

The two remaining are in good health.

However, temperatures in Sa Pa Town under Lao Cai Province are plunging, making it tough to look after these non-native animals.

Wallabies, commonly referred to as small kangaroos, typically thrive in hot and dry climates.

The representative attributed the deaths to the cold weather and poor experience in nurturing wallabies.

The two dead wallabies were frozen for display and research purposes in the future.

Between November 8 and 11, some locals of Duc Long Commune in Cao Bang Provinces Thach An District discovered and caught four wallabies suspected to be left behind by smugglers on their way to illegally cross the border under the scrutiny of rangers.

Subsequently, on November 16, the Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center received the four animals from forest rangers in Thach An District to nurture them.

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By Nivedita Balu

(Reuters) - Canada on Thursday approved Royal Bank of Canada's C$13.5 billion dollars ($10.2 billion) acquisition of HSBC's domestic unit, in a deal that would further tighten the country's top lenders' grip on the market.

The deal is conditional on RBC establishing a global banking hub in Vancouver, waiving fees associated with the transfer of mortgages from HSBC to RBC and protecting HSBC's Canadian workforce.

RBC will also have to increase its client operations center workforce in Winnipeg by 10%, provide $7 billion in financing for affordable housing construction across Canada and continue banking services at a minimum of 33 HSBC branches.

The Vancouver hub would support more than 1,000 jobs while creating about 440 net new jobs in British Columbia, Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland said.

HSBC, in an exchange filing, said it is working with RBC to progress the deal which it expects to close in the first quarter of 2024. It said it is considering a special dividend of 21 cents a share from the proceeds in the first half of 2024.

RBC said the acquisition, which merges Canada's biggest and seventh-biggest lenders, will boost its domestic business as well as its position on the global stage.

"HSBC has capabilities to transact in different currencies that, right now, we do not have and we will bring on as a result of the transaction. They had international money movement capabilities that we're really looking forward to," Personal & Commercial Banking Group Head Neil McLaughlin said in an interview.

"It is very much part of where we see the opportunity."

McLaughlin said the finance ministry's conditions were nothing "that have really taken us off the path."

The finance ministry said the deal had also been approved by federal banking regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

The Competition Bureau approved the deal in September saying it was unlikely to hurt competition but noted that the deal would "result in a loss of rivalry."

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Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre, who had campaigned to reject the deal, on Thursday said the government "should have supported competition in banking and mortgage lending by blocking the merger."

"Now all Canadians will pay the price," he said on X.

McLaughlin said Canada's market was still "very competitive" and RBC was committed to working with HSBC's clients as they transition.

The merger, RBC's biggest, also overcame opposition from environment and anti-monopoly groups as well as conservatives who lamented the increasing concentration of the industry and the possibility of higher fees for consumers.

HSBC, which once advertised itself as the "world's local bank," has more than 130 branches in Canada with 780,000 customers. Its Canadian exit came as it shrink its global footprint to focus on Asia.

"The reality is that HSBC Canada only has a market share of around 2%, and we cannot prioritize the investment needed to grow it further," HSBC Group Chief Executive Noel Quinn said in a statement.

Deals of this size in the banking sector have not been attempted in Canada since the early 1990s, when RBC's bid for Bank of Montreal was blocked by regulators.

More recently, banks looking for growth at home and south of the border have spent billions on acquisitions. BMO acquired U.S. lender Bank of the West, while TD Bank offered to buy U.S. lender First Horizon - a deal that was later terminated.

($1 = 1.3282 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat and Nilutpal Timsina and Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru and Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Sonali Paul and Christopher Cushing)
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will never waiver in its efforts to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Thirty-five years after a bomb aboard Pan Am Flight 103 killed more than 270 people in Scotland, President Joe Biden said the United States will never waiver in its efforts to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for the attack.

The White House released a statement Thursday in observance of the 35th anniversary of the bombing.

Pan Am Flight 103 was en route from London to New York on Dec. 21, 1988, when a bomb detonation on board caused it to crash in Lockerbie, Scotland. The resulting explosion killed 273 people, including all 258 aboard and at least 15 more on the ground. According to the Royal Air Force, the crash destroyed about 40 houses.

A number of Americans, including 38 exchange students from Syracuse University in New York, were on the flight. Also on the flight was the U.N. commissioner for Namibia, who was flying to New York to sign a historic peace pact for southern Africa.

"Their loss was a tragedy that reverberated around the globe -- and one that is still felt today by all those families and friends who continue to grieve for their loved ones," Biden said in the statement, adding the U.S. will never waiver in its pursuit of terrorists at home and abroad.

"In the decades since this horrific attack, the United States and our Scottish partners have not stopped in our pursuit of justice," he said.

Two Libyans, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi and Al-Amin Khalifa Fahima, were brought to face trial in 2000 over their suspected involvement in the bombing. Megrahi was convicted in 2001 and sentenced to life in prison, but Fahima was freed of all charges.

Megrahi's minimum sentence was 27 years, which he appealed while maintaining his innocence. He lost two appeals but was released in 2009 on "compassionate grounds" after he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

Megrahi died in 2012. He was the only person convicted in the Lockerbie bombing.

Last year, the U.S. took custody of another key suspect in the bombing. Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud was suspected of making the bomb that exploded on board Pan Am Flight 103.

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Mas'ud in February pled not guilty to three federal charges -- two of aircraft destruction resulting in death and one of destruction of a vehicle used in foreign commerce by an explosive.

A Justice Department criminal complaint in 2020 said Mas'ud admitted to building the bomb that was used to bring down the plane. He allegedly carried the bomb in a suitcase to Malta's Luqa airport, where it was loaded onto an aircraft with a timer that Mas'ud admitted to setting to go off in eleven hours.

Mas'ud faces life in prison if convicted.
By Kim Hyun-bin

A pivotal event aimed at bolstering economic ties between Korea and key African nations took place in Seoul, Wednesday, setting the stage for the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit. The Second Korea-Africa Trade and Industry Cooperation Forum was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Approximately 100 participants, including Deputy Trade Minister Yang Byeong-nae and Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi along with diplomatic representatives from 17 countries, including 11 African nations, attended the forum.

"This year, high-ranking officials from our government and companies have directly visited over 20 African countries for investment and cooperation discussions. To follow up on these discussions and lay the groundwork for the Korea-Africa Summit next year, we organized this forum," a trade ministry official said.

During his keynote speech, Vice Minister Yang outlined three key directions to foster economic cooperation between Korea and Africa. These include activating investment and trade through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF), enhancing cooperation in development aid linked to official development assistance (ODA) and expanding business collaboration between companies.

Officials from African embassies emphasized the importance of economic cooperation with Korea. The economic attache of Madagascar, the first country to sign the TIPF with Korea, presented four promising industries: energy infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and tourism. Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea Dessie Dalkie, representing the second country to sign the TIPF, highlighted promising investment sectors such as textiles and clothing, health care and agriculture.

The event also showcased successful cases of Korean companies entering the African market. A former executive of Hyosung Heavy Industries shared insights from projects contributing to stable power supply through substation and energy storage system (ESS) initiatives in Algeria, Ethiopia and South Africa. A Daelim representative presented a case of donating agricultural machinery to countries like Ethiopia, Senegal and Cape Verde, contributing to improved agricultural productivity.

The forum marks a significant step in fortifying economic collaboration between Korea and Africa in the lead-up to the forthcoming summit. Korea is set to host its first summit meeting with Africa in June next year to bolster mutually beneficial and cooperative ties with nations in the region.
Fans of British cheese may soon see less of it in Canadian stores, as interim arrangements allowing tariff-free imports expire at the end of 2023. (Janyce McGregor/CBC - image credit)

The grey weather outside Darren Larvin's window in Wiltshire, U.K., when he spoke to CBC News last Tuesday matched the forecast for his company's Canadian cheese sales in 2024.

"Essentially, we're going to fall off the edge of a cliff at the end of this year," said the managing director of Coombe Castle International, an award-winning global exporter of British dairy products like specialty creams, butters and cheeses.

After Brexit  the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union in 2020  an interim agreement kept tariff-free British cheese on Canadian shelves for three years, as government negotiators worked on a longer-term bilateral trade deal to replace the liberalized trade the U.K. enjoyed under the terms of Canada's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU.

Those bilateral negotiations have yet to land. And in the meantime, both sides confirm their temporary cheese deal expires at the end of 2023. There's a risk British cheese imports are set to nosedive.

After four decades of working with other top British cheesemakers to find openings for fancy U.K. cheddars in Canada's notoriously closed dairy market, Larvin admits to feeling "pretty desperate." This change affects about one-third of his business. While British cheese shipments may not drop to zero, he's poised to lose a lot of Canadian shelf space.

According to international trade data, the U.K. exported over two million kilograms of cheese to Canada in 2022  and a massive slice of that are Coombe Castle products. Cheese is a seasonal commodity: trade data suggests Canadians love their party platters and holiday gift baskets at this time of year, with strong demand for the kind of specialty cheddars Coombe Castle ships  which includes Advent calendars and even a maple cheddar uniquely targeted at Canadian tastes.

Story continues

Darren Larvin

Darren Larvin, the managing director for Coombe Castle International, works with over a dozen British cheesemakers to export a range of fine cheddars to Canada. About a third of his business may be impacted if a new deal isn't reached. (Submitted by Darren Larvin)

Larvin says his company worked with its Canadian partner to ship as much as it can to close out 2023. But once that stock sells through, jobs are at risk for not only his U.K. suppliers but also small businesses in Canada like the boutique shops that feature his products.

CBC News reached Lisa MacNeil from Tree of Life, a Toronto company that partners with Coombe Castle to import British cheeses. She confirmed this change negatively impacts her business too, and said "it didn't need to happen."

'Off the table'

Canada's dairy industry believes the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU (and by extension, CETA) shouldn't become their problem to fix.

In the aftermath of the bruising renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised dairy farmers that no additional slices of Canada's domestic market will be served up to exporters in future negotiations.

"For dairy farmers, a promise made is a promise kept and we expect the same from our government," former Dairy Farmers of Canada president Pierre Lampron wrote in a Dec. 1, 2022 letter, reminding the government that trade deals the Liberals implemented since coming into office have, by the dairy sector's calculations, already outsourced 18 per cent of Canada's market to foreign producers.

"The Canadian dairy industry must not be further penalized by the U.K.'s decision," Lampron said. "New access to the Canadian dairy sector should remain off the negotiation table."

A private member's bill currently in the Senate could also tie negotiators' hands and prohibit future trade treaties from conceding additional imports of supply-managed farm products like cheese.

Competing for a smaller share

To import cheese tariff-free, a business needs to hold tariff rate quota (TRQ)  permits assigned by the Canadian government for specific annual volumes, subject to specific criteria.

Global Affairs publishes import data for specific categories of cheeses, according to the terms of Canadian trade treaties as well as World Trade Organization rules. In 2023, TRQ was allocated for up to:

16 million kg from the EU, under the auspices of CETA (plus an additional 1.7 million kg of European industrial cheeses, which are mass-produced, often used as an ingredient in further processing);

3.6 million kg from the member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes Pacific Rim dairy exporters like Australia and New Zealand (plus an additional eight million kg of industrial cheese and 2.9 million kg of mozzarella and prepared cheeses from the CPTPP bloc);

4.1 million kg under the auspices of the CanadaUnited StatesMexico Agreement (CUSMA, which updated NAFTA in 2020), (plus an additional 4.1 million kg of industrial cheeses from the U.S. or Mexico);

20.4 million kg to fulfil World Trade Organization obligations, of which: 14.3 million is reserved for EU members, and 6.1 million is available to all other countries.



A side letter on cheese written to accompany the CanadaU.K. Trade Continuity Agreement in 2020 said that "cheese originating in the United Kingdom shall continue to be eligible to be imported into Canada under the reserve for the European Union within Canada's WTO cheese TRQ until no later than Dec. 31, 2023."

After that, companies like Coombe Castle must compete with exporters from other countries like Switzerland for space in the second, smaller WTO reserve for non-EU countries, which is already 96 per cent utilized.

In the meantime, French, German or Dutch cheese could fill the gaps British products leave on Canadian shelves. "Something else will replace it, because retailers have to plan for the future," Larvin said. "It's sad, really."

"We continue to talk to dairy farmers and producers about the potential changes at the end of the year, including ensuring that they have all the information they need to prepare," a spokesperson for the British High Commission said in a written statement to CBC News, adding that British cheese exports to Canada were up 11 per cent in 2023.

King Charles, left, and Darren Larvin with others.

Darren Larvin, centre, met King Charles earlier this year during a reception for recipients of the King's Award for Enterprise at Buckingham Palace. It was the fifth time his business was honoured for its international export success, something now at risk if a new dairy trade deal can't be negotiated. (Submitted by Darren Larvin)

Import permits controversial

When the U.K.'s entry into the CPTPP takes effect  the text for Britain's accession was reached last summer, and earlier this month Japan became the first member of the Pacific Rim trading bloc to ratify its new membership  British cheese could compete for the TRQ available under that treaty.

That does little to ease Larvin's mind. "There isn't enough cheese in CPTPP," he said, noting that the U.K. will be up against major dairy exporters like Australia and New Zealand.

And based on his company's experience under CETA, Larvin fears the CPTPP may not be as helpful as advertised.

The CETA, CPTPP and CUSMA all allow Global Affairs to allocate import permits to Canadian dairy processors, instead of retailers or traditional importers.

"It creates almost like a black market for transferring quota," Larvin said. "That's really not what the whole trade deal was about  it wasn't meant to become an opportunity for people to make money from trading quota between themselves and not have any interest in importing."

This process also drives up the costs for consumers, he said. "CETA brought in people who were opportunists, and not really in it for the long haul."

British cheese

Canada's trade agreement with the European Union made it easier to find affordable European cheeses in grocery stores like this one in Ottawa. When the United Kingdom left the EU, however, it also exited its trade agreement with Canada, and it's still negotiating to replace it. (Janyce McGregor/CBC)

The Canadian government intended the profits from dairy imports to serve as compensation to its domestic dairy industry for the market share it lost to foreign competitors.

That wasn't what treaty partners felt they'd bargained for. Canada's TRQ allocation process was challenged by both the U.S. and New Zealand in recent trade disputes, with mixed results.

The Dairy Processors Association of Canada said it wasn't in a position to comment on the expiration of Canada's side letter with the U.K. on cheese, saying CBC News' questions were outside the scope of their president's expertise.

Could WTO quota previously allocated to the EU be re-assigned to the U.K., since the EU is smaller post-Brexit? CBC News asked Global Affairs Canada if it was considering such a reallocation.

"To date, Canada and the U.K. have not agreed to any new arrangement related to U.K. access to Canada's WTO cheese TRQ," said GAC spokesperson Jean-Pierre Godbout.

Cheese for beef trade-off

"I'm not saying the U.K. is not at fault for leaving the EU," Larvin said, "but it would just be nice for us and our (importer) partner in Canada to have some comfort that we can continue trading while a sensible agreement is found for both parties."

Larvin says he understands trade negotiations are difficult. He's written letters and travelled to both London and Ottawa to meet with officials and parliamentarians to explain what's at stake. Everyone likes his products, he said, but he's left with the impression negotiators have "come to the end of the road" for reasons that have nothing to do with cheese.

With bilateral negotiations scheduled to conclude in 2024, Canada and the U.K. have yet to harmonize their food safety standards to enable more Canadian meat exports.

Beef and pork producers have been lobbying the Canadian government to hold back any new trade agreement with the U.K. until more of their products are accepted under British regulations.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada also said in their letter that they objected to the U.K.'s proposal to include a chapter on animal welfare standards, calling that a threat to Canada's sovereignty and an attempt by the British to dictate Canadian agricultural production standards.

Although the text for the U.K.'s accession to the CPTPP was finalized last summer, International Trade Minister Mary Ng's office confirmed last week she has yet to even give the required 21-day notice to Parliament to begin Canada's ratification process.

It's an echo of the "cheese for beef" standoff that characterized the end game of the CETA talks a decade ago.

"It feels like we're a bit of a pawn in the whole game of trade negotiations," Larvin said.
Norby Walters, the onetime music agent who ran the annual Night of 100 Stars Oscar party for years and hosted an iconic low-stakes poker party for actors, died December 12. He was 91. His son, Walters Media Group founder and former Bold Films CEO Gary Michael Walters, confirmed the news but did not provide details.

Born Norbert Meyer, in 1952 Walters started booking jazz luminaries such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz into his fathers bar.

More from Deadline

Walters and his brother, Walter took over a place from their father and dubbed it Norby & Walters Bel Air, but its sign had no ampersand  which led to the name Walters would use during his career. He later took over a failing nightclub located next to the world-famous Copacabana, dubbed it Norby Walterss Supper Club, and attracted a whos who of boldfaced New York City names.

What was I going to do? Mr. Walters asked a New York Times reporter in 2016. Become a bank robber?

In 1968, Walters started Norby Walters Associates (later General Talent International with partners, Jerry Ade and Sal Michaels), booking Top 40 acts into nightclubs, lounges and hotels across the country. Walters quickly realized that he could make far more with recording artists and built a huge roster of disco, funk, r&b, soul, and rap artists over the next 10 years. Notable clients included Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Rick James, The Gap Band, Kool and the Gang, the Four Tops and even briefly Michael Jackson. Walters also represented many influential hip hop pioneers such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Public Enemy, NWA, Kool Moe Dee and LL Cool J. He also repped Chazz Palminteri.

Story continues

In 1987, Walters retired to Los Angeles, where his life became about what he dubbed The Three Ps: Poker, Parties and Palm Springs.

As for the former, Walters held an annual Oscar night gala he dubbed Night of 100 Stars filled with all his friends including Shirley Jones, Robert Forster, Patricia Neal, Richard Dreyfuss, Martin Landau, Lou Gossett, Jr., JK Simmons, Red Buttons, Eva Marie Saint, Jon Voight and Allison Janney, along with Old Hollywood stars like Cliff Robertson, Charles Bronson and many others.

Despite the events moniker, Walters told the Times that it wasnt about the glitzy attendees.

Its my party, thats all it is, he said. It has nothing to do with the stars, it has nothing to do with the Oscars.

Walters also hosted a well attended, low-stakes ($2 game) weekly poker game at his West Hollywood high-rise condo.

Walters was married for 70 years to his childhood sweetheart, Irene, who passed last July at the age of 89. Walters is survived by three sons Steven, Richard (a music supervisor) and Gary Michael (a film and television producer). He was laid to rest at Hillside Memorial next to his wife.

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CSIR UGC NET December 2023 Admit Card released; Download here



The CSIR UGC NET is scheduled to be held on December 26, 27 and 28, 2023. Read More

CSIR UGC NET 2023 Admit Card: The National Testing Agency (NTA) Friday December 22, 2023 released online Admit Card or Hall Ticket of the candidates who have registered for the Joint CSIR UGC JRF / NET December 2023 examination.

The Admit Card of the applicants can be downloaded from CSIR NTA UGC NET website: csirnet.nta.ac.in.

Steps to download CSIR UGC NET December 2023 Admit Card

Registered candidates can follow the steps given as under to download CSIR UGC NET Admit Card of December 2023 exam.

1. Click here to jump to Admit Card download page on the official website: csirnet.nta.ac.in.

2. Enter your Form Number, Date of Birth and Security Code in the space provided

3. Click on login

4. Admit cards will be displayed on the screen

Candidates should check their details - name, address, exam centre name and address, are properly printed on the admit card. In case of any error they should immediately contact the exam body.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be conducting the Joint CSIR UGC NET Examination December, 2023 for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for Lectureship in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on December 26, 27 and 28, 2023.

The exam will be held in two shifts. The morning shift will be from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm whereas the afternoon shift will be from 03:00 to 06:00 pm.

The NTA conducts the Joint CSIR UGC NET - a national level entrance examination in the field of Science including Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Earth Atmospheric Ocean and Planetary Sciences.

The NTA had released on December 19, the Advance Intimation of Examination City Allotted to the applicants.

About CSIR UGC NET

Joint CSIR UGC NET is a test being conducted to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for Lectureship (LS) /Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria laid down by UGC.

CSIR and UGC provide Research Fellowships for training in methods of research under expert guidance of faculty members/scientists working in University Department/ National Laboratories and Institutions in various fields of Science.

Joint CSIR-UGC NET Fellowship programme is aimed at National Science & Technology Human Resource Development. A large number of JRFs are awarded each year by CSIR to candidates after qualifying the Test conducted by it.

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In solidarity with Palestinians, Christians in UAE cancel Christmas festivities



The Churches will be full but the focus there will be more on prayers and pondering the true meaning and spirituality of Christmas. Read More

[A Church in the occupied West Bank has already changed this years nativity scene, laying baby Jesus draped in Keffiyeh in the rubble.]

Dubai: The Christians living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the United Arab Emirates have decided to cancel Christmas festivities in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians massacred by the Israeli Occupation Forces.

The Christians in the UAE will have a muted celebration meaning traditional decoration and lighting on the occasion will nowhere be seen this Christmas and will keep themselves away from all types of festivities.

The Churches will be full but the focus there will be more on prayers and pondering the true meaning and spirituality of Christmas.

Theres no denying that this year has been harder than usual on many people  especially the Palestinians in Gaza", some Christians living in Dubai told Khaleej Times.

In lieu of the usual festive celebrations, we decided to mainly focus on contemplation and prayers to convey our message of solidarity with the victims of this atrocious war, they added.

The Bethlehem Municipal Body has also cancelled Christmas celebrations this year saying the atmosphere today is of sadness and pain. The decision is endorsed by Christian bishops and community leaders.

Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Prophet Isa or Jesus. Bethlehem in the Occupied Jerusalem is believed to be the birth place of Jesus.

A church in the occupied West Bank has already changed this years nativity scene, laying baby Jesus draped in Keffiyeh in the rubble, to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. The Keffiyeh is the symbol of the Palestinian resistance.

The Bethlehem civic body cancelled the Christmas celebrations to mourn those killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza Strip, West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories. As on today, more than 20,000 civilians - over 14,000 of them children, have been killed and another 53,200 have been injured the brutal military offensive since Oct 7, 2023.

The scene of baby Jesus not in swaddling clothes but wrapped in Palestinian keffiyeh and born not in the manger  as traditionally depicted in the Nativity scene  but on a pile of rubble, is a stark symbol of destruction in Gaza for Filipino expat Michelle Oribello.

"I have not seen so many pictures on social media of young children being pulled out the rubble, lifeless", she said.

The pain is more evident among Palestinians, bordering on despair. A Palestinian expat living in Dubai said, There are no Christmas tree or decorations or celebrations this year. I will be with my mom, brothers and sister-in-law at home, praying for the rest of our family in Gaza who are seeking shelter in Latin and Orthodox churches.

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Karnataka Hijab ban in schools, colleges lifted



In a major relief for Muslim girl students, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Friday December 22, 2023 announced to revoke the ban on Hijab in schools and colleges. Read More

Bengaluru: In a major relief for Muslim girl students, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Friday December 22, 2023 announced to revoke the ban on Hijab in schools and colleges.

Taking to social media site X, originally launched as Twitter, the Karnataka Chief Minister, wrote:

I have told (officials) to withdraw the Hijab ban."

Blasting PM Modis claim of Sab ka sath sab ka vikas slogan a sham, the Karnataka CM also accused the BJP of dividing the society on the basis of race, religion, dress and caste.

Addressing an event earlier in Mysuru in the day, Siddaramaiah said:

"We will be withdrawing the ban on hijab, which was imposed by the previous BJP government. An official order will come soon regarding it."

The Chief Ministers announcement came about two years after the erstwhile BJP government in the state banned Muslim girl students from wearing Hijab and headscarf in classrooms.

The decision led to hundreds of Muslim girl students abandoning classes and also failing to appear in board and other annual exams.

Ignoring the fervent pleas by students and protests by their parents, the BJP in February last year imposed ban on Hijab and headscarf in schools and colleges, barely few weeks before the board exams.

The government also asked officials, and schools and colleges administration to disallow students from appearing in exams if they were wearing Hijab or headscarf.

The BJP governments decision was challenged by the students in the Karnataka High Court. They students failing to get any relief from the High Court filed an appeal in the Supreme Court of India . The students did not get any relief there also.

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Netherlands stands for 8,000 massacred Palestinian babies in touching gesture



The shoes were periodically added every 10 minutes, reflecting the ongoing loss of life in Gaza because of the round of the clock bombings of the Israeli Occupation Forces. Read More

Rotterdam (South Holland, The Netherlands): In a touching display of solidarity, the Olive Tree Planting Foundation under the patronage of Esther van der Most Thursday December 20, 2023 mobilised at the iconic Binnenrotte Square in Rotterdam over 8,000 pairs of shoes each symbolizing a Palestinian child killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza.

The protest aimed to draw the world attention to the killing of Palestinian babies by the Israeli Occupation Forces following the indiscriminate bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip for the last 76 days.

The shoes were periodically added every 10 minutes, reflecting the ongoing loss of life in Gaza because of the round of the clock bombings of the Israeli Occupation Forces on the civilian areas, hospitals, schools, churches, mosques and health facilities.

Participants at the event mourned the killing of civilians in Gaza and other occupied Palestine territories and called for an end to the occupation and violence in the conflict zone.

Banners having messages Dont kill Palestinian children and They have names. They had dreams. transformed the square into a place of sombre remembrance.

Australian MPs call for justice to Palestinians

More than 200 current and former Australian Members of Parliament and Councillors from across the political spectrum have called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, recognition of Palestine as a state, end of the Israeli occupation and a reassessment of Australia's relationship with Israel.

"We stand with Palestine, the Palestinian people, including Palestinian Australians and with all others who support truth and justice, including the many Jewish people protesting Israeli violence against Palestinians, the Australian MPs said in a statement Thursday.

Those who signed the statement included current federal, state and local MPs, 19 NSW MPs, as well as many local councillors.

Also included in the list of signees are two former Foreign Ministers, Gareth Evans and Bob Carr, all current and former leaders of the Australian Greens from Bob Brown to Adam Bandt and Mehreen Faruqi, former Labor Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe, and former Liberal Minister for Immigration Ian Macphee.

The horrifying situation unfolding in Gaza requires us to all do whatever we can  big or small to address the situation  we all have an obligation to uphold and respect human rights as well as international law", the MPs said.

In initiating this statement and inviting local, state and federal elected representatives to sign on in support, we have added our hundreds of voices to all of those mobilising in communities here and around the world for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and a just and lasting peace", they said.

"The occupation by Israel of the West Bank and Gaza, ongoing since 1967, continues to involve military occupation, illegal settlement expansion, land theft, violence, discrimination, restrictions on movement and the subjugation of the Palestinian people. The situation is intolerable and to the shame of the international community", they said.

'Israel must end occupation'

In their statement, the MPs also asked the Australian government to publicly stand with the Palestinians and urged the Zionist regime in Israel to end the occupation in Palestine.

"While Gaza was cleared of illegal Israeli settlements in 2005, the ongoing blockade clearly constitutes an occupation under applicable international law standards", they said.

"It is beyond dispute that Israel is committed to policies designed to entrench the domination of one people over another in the territories of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Attempts to deny this, or smear those who allege it, are an attempt to defy truth and reality", the MPs said.

"We call on the Australian Government to publicly advocate for an immediate permanent ceasefire, to continue to call for the release of all hostages and urge that all parties fully comply with international standards. We call on the Australian Government to recognise Palestine as a state that is entitled to be free of occupation and examine its relationship with Israel", they added.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza due to the Israeli bombing crossed 20,000 mark Friday December 22. As many as 53,320 others have been injured and over 1.09 lakh Gazans have been displaced.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza says 390 Palestinians have been killed and 734 injured in the past two days while communications were suspended. Another 303 Palestinians have been killed in the Occupied West Bank.

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In an age where most of us are incessantly glued to our cell phones, laptops, smartwatches, and a slew of other digital technologies, its easy to forget about the people in society who might be less connected, in fact, unconnected to the rest of us. One such group is people with disabilities. Not only are they often unable to afford digital devices, the apps and the devices themselves oftentimes lack accessible features. Complicating matters even further are issues surrounding privacy and personal security breaches stemming from the rise of AI.

Digital and AI-enabled technologies have been hypermarketed as a means for improving quality of life, but it is our societal obligation to ensure that people with disabilities are not perpetually shortchanged. To live up to this responsibility, we must detect and mitigate negative consequences early.

In Viet Nam, the digital divide is a lingering issue. Many people with disabilities are unable to afford digital platforms or fully access their features and interfaces. Those living in rural areas with patchy internet connection due to poor infrastructure have it especially rough. If left unaddressed, this digital divide will widen.

Improving infrastructure for internet connectivity and implementing inclusive design principles in the development of digital technologies are a logical starting point. However, empowering people with disabilities with digital literacy skills required to protect themselves is a goal worth striving for. With Travelokas financial assistance, The Inclusive Digital Literacy Project aims to do just that. To date, it has reached nearly 500 low-income disabled people residing in 23 different provinces in Vietnam. While these beneficiaries report improvements in their wellbeing and are generally optimistic about the promise of digital technology, their privacy and data are still at risk.

Information privacy literacy

In July of 2023, Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP, a measure aimed at safeguarding personal data, took effect. This governmental action indicates a dire need for such protections. While many able-bodied people might dismiss or overlook the need to protect their personal data, these skills can be wholly inaccessible to people with disabilities making it a foregone conclusion that they are at risk not by choice, but by circumstance.

Researchers from RMIT University Vietnam, Monash University Malaysia, and Gajah Mada University Indonesia found that in Vietnam, people with disabilities are often unaware that their data and privacy even need to be protected. Disclosing personal data is the norm given the complex navigations that they must undertake in social interactions. Furthermore, compared to their non-disabled counterparts, people with disabilities are unable to access information and technological safeguards that might allow them to autonomously protect their personal information. Due to this inaccessibility, many abdicate their privacy rights in return for digital access.

As Dr. Abdul Rohman of RMIT University Vietnam discovered in his research, people with disabilities were inclined to support government efforts to effectively engage in contact tracing by using apps. However, Blind citizens often had to rely on others to help transfer personal data to the apps. An app which was accessible to the Blind would have given these users agency over who, if anyone, they chose to disclose information to.

Personal data and privacy protection has gained traction as digital platforms have become an integral part of national and societal development. However, the concept of social inclusion has been lagging. In essence, the number of situations where people are asked for information is rising, but the consideration for those who require accommodations to make informed decisions has stalled. This leaves people with disabilities hyper-vulnerable to security breaches.

AI literacy

Despite optimism that AI will help increase information accessibility through converting images to sound or sounds to images, the fact is that this technology has yet to reach the greater portion of the disabled population. In some cases, AI is a totally foreign concept. As such, the likelihood of exploitation is a concern. Like many other technologies, AI-enabled technologies are inaccessible and unaffordable to people with disabilities. Those who can access it and afford it are oftentimes unaware of the data they relinquish to obtain it.

Many AI-enabled technologies are designed without any sense of accessibility from the designing stage to the end-user stage. They are developed based on data which represents general norms, further marginalising people with disabilities as outliers. Consequently, these technologies are inherently exclusionary, which will exacerbate the current situation and further the systemic discrimination against people with disabilities.

Though building references and data into the development process is the easiest answer, numbers are often insufficient indicators. In essence, empathy and attentiveness to the lived experiences of disabled people is what is needed. The real, most meaningful, solution would include the involvement of people with disabilities at each step of the developmental processinstead of viewing accommodation as an afterthought.
Strategically located in Hai Phong City, the project features a modern, best-in-class single-story light industrial facility spanning a gross floor area of 72,000 sqm. With a clear ceiling height of 7 metres and up to 2 tons per sqm of floor loading capacity, the project is meticulously designed to provide tenants with maximum operational efficiency.

The project, one of three development joint ventures between BW and ESR, is scheduled for completion in July 2024 and will mark BWs 10th new project launched this year. It cements BWs leading position in the market while expanding ESRs APAC footprint in the high-growth Southeast Asia region.

The project, which is scheduled for completion in July 2024, will mark BWs 10th new project launched this year.

Ideally situated in the Dinh Vu  Cat Hai Economic Zone in Hai Phong City and within a well-developed deep seaport system, Nam Dinh Vu is a prime location for foreign direct manufacturing investment in industries such as automotive, electronics, renewables, electrical equipment and machinery.

Vietnam registered new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth over US$16.41 billion as of November this year, a year-on-year (YoY) rise of 42.4%, while total registered FDI increased close to 15% YoY [1], with Hai Phong emerging as a key player in this landscape.

Meanwhile, the Dinh Vu  Cat Hai Economic Zone offers attractive tax incentives to manufacturers, including a 4-year exemption and 9-year half-reduction of Corporate Income Tax (CIT). The new project is also well-connected to other northern provinces and China through an extensive highway system, including Hanoi  Hai Phong Highway, Ha Long  Hai Phong Highway, and Hanoi  Hai Phong Expressway. This connectivity facilitates the transportation of goods to and from the seaport, further enhancing the project's appeal to potential manufacturers.

As a result, the ready-built industrial facility, strategically situated in the Dinh Vu  Cat Hai Economic Zone, is well-positioned to serve as a manufacturing hub for exports.

Jeffrey Shen and Stuart Gibson, ESR Group Co-founders and Co-CEOs, said: Our expansion in Vietnam is in line with our focus on scaling up our presence in Southeast Asia  one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The commencement of construction for our project in Nam Dinh Vu marks an important milestone for our business in Vietnam, a market that has been a key beneficiary of the reallocation of manufacturing and supply chain activities to Southeast Asia, and one that is poised for robust growth driven by favourable macro-economic factors and supported by a young working population.

Lance Li, CEO of BW, said: Supply chain diversification has been a top priority for many companies this year. In fact, some of our customers are given specific deadlines by which to set up alternative manufacturing locations by their end customers. As a result, we have seen a 75% surge in leasing enquiries YoY, as many companies are planning to lease rather than build, given the strict time constraints.

The demand for ready-built factories in Hai Phong is on the rise because of its geographic proximity to China with direct road connections to Chinas South electronics supply chain cluster; it takes less than 1 day to truck goods from Hai Phong to Shenzhen. Thus, as part of their China Plus One strategy, it is attractive for companies to locate in Nam Dinh Vu. In close collaboration with ESR, we are enthusiastic about leveraging ESRs pan-APAC footprint and tenant relationships, and BWs vast experience on the ground and proven track record in Vietnam to capitalise on the opportunities presented by this project, Mr. Li added.

BW has seen a 75% increase in leasing enquiries YoY

While the general real estate market in Vietnam experiences a slowdown, the industrial and logistics real estate segment stands out as a beacon of opportunity, fuelled by the continuous influx of FDI. According to the Asian Development Bank, Vietnams GDP is set to rebound to 6.0%[2] in the coming year, with an expected recovery in exports and domestic production. In addition, the recent elevation of diplomatic ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States is expected to spur FDI from US companies in sectors such as semi-conductors and new energy. In light of this promising outlook, Vietnam is expected to continue to benefit from increasing manufacturing interest over the long term.

About BW

BW is Vietnams leading logistics and industrial real estate platform with over 8.5 million square meters of industrial land in prime locations under its control across 48 projects in 11 key cities and provinces in Vietnam. BW has been focused on developing for-rent modern warehouses and light industrial facilities to capture the outsized growth opportunities of manufacturing, increasing domestic consumption, and the rapid growth of e-commerce. As of Q1 2023, BW has secured equity commitments of more than US$1 billion from its investors and partners, and has formed strategic partnerships with leading global manufacturers, e-commerce, and logistics players to serve one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia.

For more information about BW, please visit https://bwindustrial.com/.

About ESR

ESR is APACs largest real asset manager powered by the New Economy and the third largest listed real estate investment manager globally. With approximately US$150 billion in total assets under management (AUM), our fully integrated development and investment management platform extends across key APAC markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, representing over 95% of GDP in APAC, and also includes an expanding presence in Europe and the U.S. We provide a diverse range of real asset investment solutions and New Economy real estate development opportunities across our private funds business, which allow capital partners and customers to capitalise on the most significant trends in APAC. ESR is the largest sponsor and manager of REITs in APAC with a total AUM of approximately US$45 billion. Our purpose  Space and Investment Solutions for a Sustainable Future  drives us to manage sustainably and impactfully, and we consider the environment and the communities in which we operate as key stakeholders of our business. Listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, ESR is a constituent of the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Large Cap), Hang Seng Composite Index and MSCI Hong Kong Index.

For more information on ESR, please visit www.esr.com

[1] Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam

[2] https://www.adb.org/where-we-work/viet-nam/economy
South Korea staged an independent tabletop exercise simulating a North Korean nuclear attack this year as part of efforts to hone response capabilities against the North's military threats, the defense ministry said Friday.

The ministry noted the discussion-based exercise as one of its key accomplishments this year in a meeting presided over by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik to evaluate progress in the Defense Innovation 4.0 plan aimed at bolstering the country's defense capabilities.

The exercise took place in August during major summertime drills between South Korea and the United States, discussing retaliatory measures against a North Korean nuclear attack and calculating damage in such a scenario, according to a source.

South Korea has previously staged tabletop drills focusing on the North's possible use of nuclear weapons with U.S. officials.

The ministry said it plans to strengthen exercises next year under such scenarios, while continuing efforts to enhance the credibility of the U.S. "extended deterrence" commitment by increasing the deployment of key U.S. military assets.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to using the full-range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend an ally.

On Thursday, the defense ministry's budget for next year was confirmed at 59.42 trillion won ($45.6 billion), up 4.2 percent from this year, after the National Assembly passed the government's overall budget plan.

The ministry plans to spend a total of 17.65 trillion won next year to improve defense capabilities, up 4.4 percent over the same period. (Yonhap)
HA NOI  Ha Noi's supporting industry sector has proactively carried out innovation and technology investment to further improve competitiveness and participate in the global supply chain.

Nguyen inh Thang, deputy director of Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade, said that Ha Noi had determined that the development of the supporting industry would be an important solution to have sustainable economic development, increase the ability to attract foreign direct investment, promote technology transfer, and boost the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

This would also be a motivation for domestic enterprises to participate further in the supply chain of foreign invested companies and the global value chain of multinational groups.

Among them, the production of components would be the key field to provide supporting industrial products for most key manufacturing industries, such as automobile and motorbike manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electricity and electronics.

In particular, the enterprises in Viet Nam, including Ha Noi, had also taken all business opportunities, promoted digital transformation and linked with foreign partners to participate in the global supply chain.

Nam Phuong Company specialising in production of electric equipment located in Song Cung Industrial Park, an Phuong District, Ha Noi, has cooperated with Intec GmbH, a group from Germany, to produce electrical cabinets and elevator controllers using leading technology from Intec, according to the company's representative.

With this cooperation, the company has produced electrical cabinets and elevator controller products with quality recognised by Intec and much lower prices.

"This is a high-quality new technology elevator controller for all types of elevators, opening up opportunities for Vietnamese customers to use a modern, smart and safe elevator control system," the representative said.

"The company's goal is to become a leading enterprise in supplying controllers on the domestic market, and also to export to other markets such as Malaysia and Singapore."

Tran Thi Phuong Lan, acting director of Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade, said according to the orientation of developing supporting industries for the period 2021-2025 and a vision to 2030, Ha Noi would deploy solutions to promote development of the supporting industry. That would help Ha Noi become a city with a modern industrial sector, high technology and green industry.

The city enhanced promotion activities, online trade connection, and the application of virtual reality technology. It also had support for supporting industry enterprises to carry out advanced and modern technology transfer; and hire foreign experts for training human resources.

Ha Noi built a website about its supporting industry to provide information and data relating to the supporting industry.

In the Ha Noi Supporting Industry Development Programme until 2024, Ha Noi set a goal for 2024 to have about 1,000 enterprises operating in the supporting industry, one year before the schedule. About 35-40 per cent of supporting industry enterprises had production systems and products meeting international standards to supply to the global production network of multinational groups in Viet Nam.

To achieve the set goals, the city would promote connection and support for supporting industry enterprises to become suppliers for domestic and foreign enterprises; and enhance attraction of foreign investment into this industry. In addition, the city would hire experts to help the supporting industry enterprises in Ha Noi deploy smart factory models.

The city would organise two exhibitions on supporting industry in 2024 with the participation of foreign enterprises, including Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand. Those would create favourable conditions for the enterprises to seek opportunities and connect commercial transactions in manufacturing and supplying components.

At the same time, it would support them in the activities of research and development, and technology transfer and innovation in trial production of components, spare parts, raw materials and materials.

Up to now, Ha Noi has more than 900 supporting industry enterprises, according to the department. Of which, about 320 enterprises have production systems and products meeting international standards, and entering the production and supply networks of multinational corporations.

However, the supporting industry's products of Viet Nam as well as Ha Noi have medium and low technology. The localisation rate of those products is still low. The value of components imported into Viet Nam for assembly and manufacturing of export goods annually reaches tens of billions of US dollars. Especially, the import value of components in the electronics and automobile industries stands at about $35-50 billion.

Besides that, according to the Ha Noi Supporting Industries Business Association (HANSIBA), there are many difficulties in investment and development of the supporting industries in Ha Noi due to increasing cost of production, labour and some other services.  VNS
HA NOI  Bac Ninh aims to invest in significant projects, particularly in the high-tech and green industries, to spur development and establish Viet Nam as a major hub for electronics.

Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Prime Minister, signed the decision to approve the planning of Bac Ninh Province for the 2021-2023 period, with a vision to 2050.

Bac Ninh Province prioritises investment in industries and services with the potential for development and attracts investment in new industry groups in the upcoming time.

In particular, the province will concentrate on semiconductor equipment industries, accelerating the development of major industrial projects, and having a widespread influence to become the main engine for economic growth.

Vuong Quoc Tuan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee, said that Bac Ninh was the leading area in the North in terms of semiconductor and industrial park infrastructure. This positioned the province to become an innovative research centre. The province also adopted a policy to support 50 per cent of tuition fees for students in the high-tech field.

"We determine this is an opportunity to receive capital from abroad," Tuan affirmed.

By 2030, Bac Ninh aims to be a modern, smart and centrally-run city with a dynamic economy in the Northern region.

It will become one of the development poles of the Red River Delta region and rank among the top provincial economies in the country by 2030.

According to planning, Bac Ninh Province will have 25 industrial parks by 2030, focusing on developing concentrated industrial parks, especially specialised and quality multifunctional industrial parks.

Regarding development space, the province will develop four regions and 30 industrial clusters. Notably, the province plans to construct one airport with an expected area of 245 hectares in the Gia Binh district.

With the growth in e-commerce and high-value services such as IT, logistics, finance and support services, Bac Ninh has an opportunity to establish itself as a commercial and shopping hub with green urban development.

It hopes to further attract foreign-invested enterprises, especially large ones, that will drive the provinces economic development and play a leading role in supporting enterprises and domestic small and medium enterprises when they join the supply chain. - VNS
Phan Thi Thu Huong, head of the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control under the Ministry of Health, speaks to Vietnam News Agency about changes in the HIV/AIDS patterns and prevention models being applied.

What is the current HIV/AIDS situation in Viet Nam?

In Viet Nam, it is estimated that there are currently about 250,000 people living with HIV. As of September 2023, Viet Nam has recorded 100 per cent of provinces and cities with people infected with HIV/AIDS.

HIV-infected people detected and reported are mostly from the southeast region, accounting for 38.67 per cent and the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) region, making up about 19.87 per cent.

In the first nine months of 2023, Viet Nam recorded 10,219 new HIV-positive cases and 1,126 deaths. Among people newly discovered to be infected with HIV, 84.5 per cent are men, mainly from 16-29 years old, accounting for 47.3 per cent and from 30 - 39 years old, accounting for 28.2 per cent.

The main source of transmission is unsafe sex (accounting for 75.1 per cent). The rate of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) accounts for 49.2 per cent.

The pattern of HIV infection has changed since 2010. Among newly discovered HIV-infected people, the proportion of those infected with HIV through blood decreased from 47.5 per cent in 2010 to 6.4 per cent in 2023.

The prevalence of HIV transmission through sexual contact has become the main transmission route, increasing from 47.5 per cent in 2010 to 84.4 per cent in 2022 and 75.1 per cent in 2023.

The HIV infection rate among MSM tends to increase recently and is predicted to be on an upward trend in the future.

HIV prevalence among MSM in HIV sentinel surveillance increased from 7.4 per cent in 2016 to 12.5 per cent in 2022.

Recent research shows that transgender women are also one of the groups warned of HIV infection risks with the infection rate tending to increase.

According to Viet Nams HIV forecast statistics in 2022, MSM is the main group highly exposed to HIV infection risks.

Statistics show new HIV infections are mostly from southern localities and there is an increasing infection trend in the localities that did not record many cases earlier. What are the main reasons for this?

Donors used to provide support of up to 80 per cent of the budget for HIV prevention, but since 2015, when the supportive sources started to withdraw from Viet Nam, we must take advantage of flexible models to connect provinces and cities that are not hot spots of infection so that people at risk can connect on their own.

The HIV infection risk exists in many places, not just in hot spots. Emerging disease areas like Kien Giang, ong Nai, Can Tho, An Giang were detected thanks to trans-provincial connection models.

We have discovered target groups that have had difficulty accessing services, do not have enough confidence, or discriminate against themselves. Community groups introduced new models and new approaches to each other, for example, self-testing using fingertip blood or oral fluid. They can self-transfer samples to a laboratory for results.

People with the disease find it easy to connect and then introduce to each other new models of treatment and exposure treatment for people at risk of HIV to promptly prevent the infection.

This helps detect new cases and prevent people at risk of HIV infection. Because only people at high risk get tested and when tested, people with the disease can be screened and immediately advised on treatment with ARV drugs.

This is an effective model because after only two to six months of treatment, those newly discovered people will have a very low, stable viral load, and no longer carry transmission source.

For uninfected people who are advised to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), it can control up to 98 per cent of the risk of HIV infection through sexual contact.

How do you assess the role of community groups in HIV prevention and control?

Besides the involvement of ministries and sectors from central to local levels, the private sector and social organisations, especially target community groups play important roles.

Those include people infected with HIV and people with high-risk behaviours for HIV infection such as men who have sex with men, transgender women, drug users, sex workers and sexual partners of the above groups.

In HIV prevention and control, if we do not rely on community models but only on available medical resources, we will not be successful.

Viet Nam only has five years left to end the AIDS epidemic. Without stronger participation from the community, without people connecting with high-risk groups, it will be difficult for us to control the disease.

The national strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 also clearly points out new directions in accessing HIV testing services: Expanding and diversifying types of HIV testing counselling and promoting community-based HIV testing and self-testing. Community-based groups have helped maximise HIV testing and counselling services in the community.

Through HIV self-testing products through community-based groups and other channels, testing for new infections has been implemented in 35 provinces/cities across the country. The community has been called upon to actively participate in finding HIV cases, calling on people with HIV and people with high-risk behaviours to participate in providing special HIV/AIDS prevention and control services. especially HIV testing counselling.

This helps reach more people with high-risk behaviours because services provided by people in the same situation will greatly reduce barriers to stigma and self-stigma of people in the community.

In 2023, we have chosen Creative Community  Determination to End the AIDS Epidemic by 2030 as the theme of HIV/AIDS Prevention Month. We have also chosen community groups as a key to quickly expanding services, launching initiatives and service-connecting applications.

This can help detect many hidden infected people in the community and better prevent the epidemic.

What solutions need to be implemented in the future to maintain sustainable ARV treatment and ensure sustainability in HIV/AIDS epidemic prevention?

In the future, we need to focus on implementing connecting case finding  HIV testing  HIV treatment facilities.

It is necessary to mobilise the participation of community groups and expand the network of HIV testing facilities and HIV treatment facilities at grassroots health levels that are qualified to provide HIV treatment services through health insurance including both public and non-public medical facilities.

It is necessary to ensure the source of ARV drugs is covered by the health insurance source and increase the proportion of patients with health insurance cards to help them access HIV examination and treatment services from the health insurance fund.

Provinces and cities need to be guided to proactively provide on-site HIV detection and viral load testing services, with medical facilities proactively signing contracts with units that can provide these tests through health insurance.

The capacity of medical staff to treat latent tuberculosis, co-infected diseases, and non-communicable diseases also needs to be improved, helping treatment facilities provide other medical examination and treatment services right at the HIV treatment facility.

We also need to expand PrEP treatment to provinces that do not receive support from projects for high-risk groups to ensure the best prevention for people not at risk.  VNS
by Lady Borton

There is delight in being wrong.

A writer's tasks should include checking details.

For me, that process involves Vietnamese colleagues, who will correct me before a text goes to print. Such was the case for a manuscript, Viet Nam's People's War: ien Bien Phu and Beyond.

A friend pointed out that my using "National Army" for the People's Army of Viet Nam (PAVN) during the years leading up to ien Bien Phu caused confusion with the army in former South Viet Nam. Further, she referred me to Vietnamese articles on the Web saying that, by 1950, "People's Army" was already in use.

I began to check.

It turns out we were wrong.

First, I searched the source for Vietnamese articles citing the 1950 date. The results are fuzzy. On December 19, 1950, according to the ten-volume chronology of Ho Chi Minh's life, President Ho wrote a letter, from which the Chronology quotes only a fragment. The Chronology, which is usually rigorous about references, cites no source for the quotation  "Our army is the people's army because the people gave birth to the army."

A colleague at the Ho Chi Minh Museum pointed out that this quotation is an observation, not a sac lenh (decree). A change in the army's name would have required a decree. I had overlooked a detail she noticed for the same day, December 19,1950. President Ho presented the Ho Chi Minh Award, Third Rank to General Vo Nguyen Giap, "commander of the Viet Nam National Army and Militia."

Here was my mistake: I had overlooked the army's full name, specifically "Militia"!

But the tag used by Ho Chi Minh for the award meant "People's Army of Viet Nam" became official usage after 1950.

I then checked the successive volumes of the Chronology and President Ho's Collected Works. I found no decree about the army and no use of a full name for the army until September 2, 1954, when President Ho presented the Military Award, First Rank, to General Giap as "commander of People's Army of Viet Nam."

This meant "People's Army of Viet Nam" must have become official usage between 1950 and 1954.

A Vietnamese historian now in his nineties had been among the editors for the Collected Works. I had not asked him about decrees (We were talking about something else), but he mentioned that he had read them all. So, of course, I asked. His memory is clear. He could not remember seeing a decree about naming the army. He thought the change might have occurred with the first publication of Quan oi Nhan Dan (People's Army newspaper).

That led me to the National Library and the newspaper's first edition on October 20, 1952. This was a treat, not part of my plan for the day  to see the original paper with careful print on rough paper and half of the front page given over to a huge, complex drawing cum cartoon. There, under the folio was the tag: "Newspaper of the National Army and Militia of Viet Nam." The bound volume for the newspaper spanned until the end of 1954. To my surprise, that same tag appeared on all successive issues through August 22, 1954, the anniversary edition for Viet Nam's largely peaceful August 1945 Revolution.

There! The final paragraph in General Nguyen Chi Thanh's lead article, "The Role of the People's Army in the New Situation," announced, "President Ho and the Party Central Level have promulgated three new missions. The first is consolidating and organising defence forces. In correctly implementing the directives from President Ho and the Party Central Level, we are determined to consolidate and exert our strength to organise our forces so that the People's Army has a strong effect and makes an important contribution to the new situation in our new, current struggle."

Here, we have a public announcement with the new name in the headline and text.

To be accurate, in the Vietnamese text, following Vietnamese editorial style, the newspaper capitalised "People's" but not "army." Thus, the name was formal. Publication in the article's headline and text announced the decision, but that was August 22, 1954. The tag under the newspaper's folio still retained the army's old name.

On September 2, 1954, the edition honouring Viet Nam's National Day, the tag under the folio changed to "Newspaper of the People's Army of Viet Nam."

But the mystery remained. When did the decision occur?

That question took me back to Ho Chi Minh's Collected Works, to the Collected Party Documents, and eventually to the Party Central Committee Meeting, July 15-17, 1954, before the signing of the Geneva Agreements. In his report, President Ho defined the need to "expand the forces of the people's army (not capitalized) and establish a strong people's army (again, not capitalized) appropriate to the demands of the new situation."

The formal decision from the meeting contains the same wording, also without a formal name, since "people's" remained in lower case.

So, yes, here was decision that Quan oi Nhan Dan formalized on August 22 and September 2, 1954, when commemorating two of Viet Nam most important anniversaries.

But the mystery remained. Surely, a piece remained missing.

Another Vietnamese colleague, a superb researcher, found the official announcement. On September 29, 1954, the office of Prime Minister Pham Van ong sent to all ministries and high-level offices Official Dispatch No. 400  TTg, which included this statement: "The army of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam [DRVN] shall hereafter be uniformly called the People's Army of Viet Nam."

There!

Vietnamese friends and colleagues have unravelled the mystery.

To avoid being too arcane by choosing between July 15-17, 1954, or August 22, or September 2, or September 29, we might simply say the DRVN implemented the formal name of today's army in September 1954.

But not in 1950.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on Friday used three adjectives to describe the Vietnamese diplomatic sector in the new era, which are comprehensive, modern and strong during a session of the ongoing 32nd Diplomatic Conference in Ha Noi.

Speaking at the session on building and developing the diplomatic sector, the official said the sector must make a major transformation as the country is gearing towards a new position and power in a complicated, changing world.

To be comprehensive means creating the combined strength of the whole country on foreign affairs, unified from the inside out, from top to bottom, with all agencies and departments joining together, he said.

To be modern means to keep up with trends and adapt to new trends like climate change and artificial intelligence, while to be strong means that diplomats must be capable, brave enough and play a pioneering role in foreign affairs tasks, he said.

Citing Party General Nguyen Phu Trongs assessment at the opening ceremony of the conference as saying that external affairs are a bright spot in 2023, Deputy PM Quang said in 2023, the diplomatic sector has accomplished many tasks, including tightening discipline.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on a strategic project to build and develop the sector towards 2030, with a vision to 2045. It is expected to address many of the sectors problems, including drawbacks in facilities, working conditions and wages.

Regarding staff training, he said in the current digital age, training is not just about sending officials to classes or attending courses, but they can learn from colleagues through flexible training methods such as setting up online groups to share experiences with each other.

At the session, leaders of ministries, sectors, ambassadors, and heads of Vietnamese diplomatic representative agencies abroad shared experiences from other countries and made suggestions to build and develop the Vietnamese diplomatic sector in terms of headquarters, equipment, payroll, and regimes for diplomatic officers and relatives. VNS
TIEN GIANG  The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta of Tien Giang is developing concentrated fruit growing areas to improve fruit quality and value.

The countrys largest fruit growing locality has more than 86,000ha of fruits, up 3.4 per cent from last year, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Tien Giang grows various kinds of fruits such as Cho Gao dragon fruit, Ngu Hiep durian, Hoa Loc mango and Vinh Kim milk apple, and these fruits have competitive advantages in domestic and foreign markets.

Nguyen Van Man, director of the provincial agriculture department, said the province had developed concentrated growing areas for 9,000ha of dragon fruit, more than 20,000ha of durian and nearly 15,400ha of pineapple.

These concentrated growing areas have high economic value and are the provinces most important export products, according to Man.

Concentrated fruit growing areas are developed with the natural conditions of each locality to serve domestic and foreign markets.

In saltwater affected areas in the provinces eastern region and in the ong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) region, the province has encouraged farmers to grow dragon fruit and pineapple as they can grow well in these areas.

In fresh water areas along the Tien River, a tributary of the Mekong River, farmers are encouraged to grow milk apple, sapodilla, green-skin and pink-flesh grape fruit.

In flood-controlled areas in the provinces eastern region, the province develops durian, Hoa Loc mango and citrus fruits.

The department, in co-operation with districts and towns, has provided farmers with advanced techniques and encouraged them to apply the techniques, such as intensive farming under Vietnamese and global good agricultural practices standards and producing off-season fruits.

It has encouraged farmers to produce off-season fruits to avoid oversupply during the peak harvest season and price declines.

The province has developed more cooperatives and cooperative groups to gather farmers together for large-scale production, and strengthened trade promotion activities for agricultural produce.

It has boosted managing and granting production codes for fruit growing areas and establishments that pack fruits for export.

The province has 297 fruit growing areas with a total of 20,300ha, mostly growing dragon fruit, durian and milk apple, that have been granted production codes.

It also has 307 packaging establishments that have been granted production codes for exporting.

To increase fruit quality to meet market requirements, the province targets all concentrated fruit growing areas that grow specialty fruits to be granted production codes for exporting by 2025.

Some specialty fruits such as Cho Gao dragon fruit, Hoa Loc mango and Ngu Hiep durian have been granted geographical indication by the National Office of Intellectual Property, and this created a favourable condition to promote brand names of the provinces specialty fruits.

The province has 190 cooperatives operating in the agriculture and seafood sectors, including 30 durian growing cooperatives with a total of 18,900 members and 18 dragon fruit growing cooperatives with a total of 2,236 members.

This year, prices of the provinces key fruits are high, and this helps farmers in concentrated fruit growing areas to have stable incomes and lives, according to the department.

Many farmers have become wealthy because they had bumper harvests and high prices.

Concentrated fruit growing areas have begun harvesting off-season fruits and the price of durian, dragon fruit and pineapples are increasing.

Huynh Tan Loc, director of the Ngu Hiep Durian Cooperative in Cai Lay District, said traders buy Mon Thong durian at a price of VN110,000-130,000 (US$4.5-5.4) a kilogramme and Ri 6 durian at a price of VN100,000-110,000 ($4.1-4.5) a kilogramme, up VN24,000-30,000 ($1-1.2) from one month ago.

In Cai Lay, Long Trung Commune has nearly 1,000ha of concentrated durian growing area with an annual output of 20,000-30,000 tonnes.

Duong Phuoc Hung, Chairman of the Long Trung Commune Peoples Committee, said the price of off-season durian at the beginning of the harvest season increased significantly and farmers earned high profits.

With an average yield of 20-24 tonnes per hectare and high selling prices, farmers earned a profit of VN1 billion ($41,300) a hectare, the highest profit compared to growing other specialty fruits, he said.

In Cho Gao District, which has the largest dragon fruit growing area in the province, traders bought the fruit at a price of VN10,000-28,000 (41 US cents - $1.2) a kilogramme depending on fruit quality and size, up two to three times against the same period last year.

In Tan Phuoc District, traders bought pineapples at a price of VN8,000-9,000 (32-37 US cents) a kilogramme this year, up nearly double from last year.

Tran Hoang Phong, Chairman of the Tan Phuoc District Peoples Committee, said that with this price, farmers earned a profit of VN100 million ($4,100) per hectare a year.

Thanks to high income from growing pineapple, people in Tan Phuoc had overcome difficulties, escaped poverty and had stable lives, he said.

The province harvested 1.32 million tonnes of fruits in the first 11 months of the year, an increase of 2.4 per cent year-on-year.

It is entering the peak fruit harvest season from now to the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, which falls in February next year.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 20 signed a dispatch requesting efforts to ensure food, accommodation, living and learning conditions for preschool children and boarding and semi-boarding students in mountainous and minority ethnic-inhabited areas.

Over the past years, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued numerous mechanisms, policies, programmes and projects regarding this issue.

However, the implementation in some places has not been good, affecting the living and learning conditions of preschool children and students in these areas, the dispatch notes.

The Government leader asked the Ministry of Education and Training to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct and review the organisation and implementation of meals for preschool children and boarding and semi-boarding students in mountainous and minority ethnic-inhabited areas, and the implementation of other policies for them; and strictly handle collectives and individuals if there are violations.

Attention must be paid to strengthening direction, management and inspection over the implementation of policies on ethnic education, ensuring food hygiene and safety, school safety, accident and injury prevention and fire prevention in educational institutions.

The PM requested the strict implementation of regulations on financial and asset management, the purchase of education equipment, and teachers ethics.

The Government Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs was asked to effectively use resources under the National Target Programme for socio-economic development in mountainous and minority ethnic-inhabited areas in the 2021 - 2030 period for education to ensure 100 per cent of the schools and classrooms in extremely difficult communes and villages are solidly built.  VNS
HA NOI  The year of 2023 has continued to witness Viet Nams practical and effective contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations, helping to affirm the countrys image as a dynamic, active and responsible member of the international community.

Following the Party and States orientations, Viet Nam has sent personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, realising the countrys foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development.

So far, Viet Nam has sent nearly 800 military and public security officers to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as well as the UN headquarters in the forms of individuals and units.

Currently, Viet Nam ranks 45th out of 120 countries sending military and police officers to the missions, with the number of personnel regularly deployed to field missions reaching 274, including 36 women officers.

The UN Secretary General, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations and the UN Military Advisor have repeatedly praised Vietnamese peacekeeping forces and sent letters of thanks to the Government of Viet Nam for the contributions of the forces. Many UN leaders also highlighted Vietnam's contributions to promoting gender equality by sending a large number of women officers to UN peacekeeping missions, meeting and exceeding the criteria set by the UN.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix hailed the active and effective engagement of Viet Nam in UN peacekeeping activities as well as the countrys commitments to realising UN targets and criteria. The official said he was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese engineering units performance in the UNISFA despite difficulties.

Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's efforts and contributions, especially through the deployment of level-2 field hospitals to UN peacekeeping missions since 2018. This showed Viet Nam's strong commitments and efforts, and was a wonderful thing in the partnership between Viet Nam and the UN, he commented.

In March this year, during a conversation with Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the UNMISS Nicholas Haysom appreciated the active and effective contributions, creativeness and efforts to overcome difficulties of medical officers and soldiers of the level-2 field hospital and peacekeepers of Viet Nam at the UNMISS.

In December, UN Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar highly valued Viet Nam's active involvement and good results in peacekeeping operations, including police activities, and voiced his hope for closer cooperation with Viet Nam in this regard.

At an event to honour the contributions and sacrifices of blue beret forces as part of activities marking the 75th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (May 29, 1948-2023), UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasised that in the context of escalating tensions and conflicts in many regions of the world, UN peacekeeping forces are considered a fulcrum of safety and hope for people in many countries, and are a symbol of multilateralism.

At the event, Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, on behalf of the Vietnamese State, received a Dag Hammarskjold Medal - the medal for the cause of international peace to servicemen who died while on duty under the UN flag in 2022 - presented by the UN Secretary General to Lieutenant Colonel o Anh.

The contributions and successes of Viet Nam in the past journey are clear evidence that the deployment of forces to international peacekeeping operations is a sound policy of the Party and State, helping to affirm that Viet Nam is a responsible member of the international community, enhancing Vietnam's position, prestige and role in solving international problems, while creating favourable conditions to promote international cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

With their bravery and spirit of self-reliance as well as flexible and creative approach, Vietnamese officers joining peacekeeping activities have shown strong performance in implementing their tasks, overcoming difficulties, maintaining close relations with local communities, and acting as ambassadors of peace and friendship. Joining UN peacekeeping missions has also helped Viet Nam actively prepare forces and become ready to deal with non-traditional challenges in any circumstances.  VNS
Low/decarbonized solutions using biomass fuel

DEEP C Industrial Zones signed an MoU in Japan on December 16 with Sojitz Vietnam Co., Ltd. (SJV) and Sojitz Osaka Gas Energy Co. Ltd. (SOGEC) to develop renewable energy solutions for its tenants.

The agreement was signed within the framework of the 2023 Vietnam-Japan Economy Forum, and was witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

The partners will collaborate on innovative low and de-carbonised solutions using renewable resources including biomass fuel to provide cleaner energy options for DEEP C's tenants.

DEEP C and its affiliated companies in industrial zone (IZ) development and power distribution are actively investing in reliable green energy supply.

The partnership aligns with DEEP Cs commitment to green development and leverages the combined expertise of DEEP C, a top IZ developer with a strong commitment to green development, and Sojitz, a global trading and investment company with a wealth of expertise in energy supply and renewable energy.

By creating new renewable energy projects, the partners are aiming to diversify the energy mix and reduce the carbon footprint in DEEP C's IZs.

Koen Soenens, General Sales and Marketing director at DEEP C, with representatives of Sojitz Vietnam and Sojitz Osaka

SJV, in Vietnam since 1986, has a lot of expertise and long-time experience in trading a diversified range of commodities and materials.

The company has also effectively supported Sojitz Group through the years in IZ development and power generation in Vietnam, with the successful establishment and operation of Phu My 3 build-operate-transfer power plant.

SJV is currently developing a new avenue of business in supplying biomass energy to industrial customers.

SOGEC has been supplying natural and liquified petroleum gas as well as renewable energy to industrial customers in Vietnam since 2019 through on-site solutions or centralised distribution centres with highly reliable and synchronised pipelines.

The company has been actively seeking new opportunities to supply energy to IZ tenants.

Green hydrogen production

DEEP C will cooperate with Nippon Sanso Vietnam and MCVC, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation in Vietnam, to conduct a feasibility study on green hydrogen production at DEEP C Haiphong IZ.

Koen Soenens, General Sales and Marketing director at DEEP C, with representatives of Nippon Sanso Vietnam and Mitsubishi Vietnam

Nippon Sanso, one of the top suppliers of industrial and medical gases in Vietnam with five air-separation plants in the country, is exploring the potential of green hydrogen production to meet the growing demand for clean energy solutions at the IZ.

MCVC wants to expand its business footprint and contribute to Vietnam's clean energy goals.

The third partner joining Nippon Sanso and MCVC is DEEP C Green Energy (DCGE), the sole power distributor in DEEP C Haiphong I, and a subsidiary of DEEP C Industrial Zones.

DCGE sees this collaboration as an opportunity to leverage its expertise in renewable energy infrastructure to facilitate green hydrogen production within the IZ.

By working together, Nippon Sanso, DCGE, and MCVC are demonstrating their commitment to driving Vietnam's energy transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The partnership has the potential to create a reliable and sustainable clean energy source for tenants in DEEP C Haiphong I, and creates opportunities for further investment and collaboration in the green hydrogen sector in Vietnam, potentially paving the way for a major breakthrough in Vietnam's clean energy landscape.

DEEP C Industrial Zones has established itself as a prominent industrial zone and port infrastructure cluster in Haiphong and Quang Ninh. Over the last 26 years, its footprint has continued to expand, now comprising five IZs over 3,400 hectares at the epicentre of the regions manufacturing and infrastructure boom. DEEP C and its affiliated companies in IZ development and power distribution are making further investments in developing reliable green energy supplies.

DEEP C Quang Ninhs modern and green industrial marvel Targeting to build a multi-sector industrial area to engage high-tech and environmentally friendly projects along with seaport development, DEEP C Industrial Zones Quang Ninh is creating an ideal rendezvous for investors.

Quang Ninh beauty as seen by outsiders Whether experts, leaders, managers, or workers, they all have a special affection for Quang Ninh after coming to experience it. Here are some of those opinions on the northeastern province.
The ceremony announcing the successful implementation of SAP S/4HANA system for Tran Duc took place on December 16.

FPT IS has deployed the 'Rise with SAP' solution including SAP S/4HANA system for Tran Duc with the following modules: Sales Management, Warehouse Management, Production Planning, Project System, Accounting, all integrated with the e-invoice system.

The system helps Tran Duc centralise real-time administration on a single platform, helping businesses optimise resources and make quick decisions.

At the same time, this is also an important foundation for Tran Duc to develop satellite systems to support statistics coordination in production, additional deployment for Tran Duc's new factories, and advanced smart management to corporate governance with 'real-time numbers.'

Tran Duc and FPT IS successfully implement the SAP S/4HANA project

Currently, Tran Duc is one of top units in the hotel furniture manufacturing industry for export to the world market.

The company owns two factories with an area of 100,000sq.m and 2,000 workers in Binh Duong province.

Tran Duc has recently opened a transaction office and showroom in Dubai. The company has implemented more than 400 4- to- 5 star hotel and resort projects around the world.

With a more than 22-year track record in exporting high-end wood furniture to hotels in the US and EU, Tran Duc has successfully completed projects on behalf of many international luxury resort brands such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels - Resorts  Suites, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, and The Ritz-Carlton, among others.

Tran Duc is one of leading units in the Vietnamese furniture industry

With such an expansive network of projects around the world, building an effective tech-empowered business management solution was a major concern for Tran Duc's leadership.

Scattered and unfocused data makes it difficult for employees to access accurate and up-to-date information on company systems, so Tran Duc has proactively applied a technological solution to solve this issue.

On behalf of Tran Duc, Tran Duc Hieu said, Working with FPT IS to deploy the Rise with SAP' resource management system is an important step for us in the digital transformation process. It helps improve efficiency in our corporate governance, maximise the company's resources, and will help us to reach our goal of becoming the number-one player in the wood industry in the future.

'Rise with SAP' is a cutting-edge technology platform according to international standards that helps improve the overall management capacity of businesses through optimisation and data consistency.

'Rise with SAP' is a cutting-edge technology platform according to international standards that helps improve the overall management capacity of businesses through optimisation and data consistency.

"Rise with SAP will be key for Tran Duc's ambitions to promote professionalisation, modernise its management activities, and improve its competitiveness," Hieu said.

Tran Duc has recorded many positive effects when successfully implementing Rise with SAP.

The system helps integrate business processes and data from different departments into a single platform, significantly improving the overall management capacity of the business.

All information will be centrally systemised, helping the Board of Directors grasp their business situation in real time and make timely and accurate business strategic decisions. The system can accurately measure 95 per cent of raw material needs, reducing order deployment time by 10 per cent.

Nguyen Hoang Minh, CEO of FPT IS said, "Rise with SAP is the perfect management pillar for Tran Duc as it helps to optimise performance and financial control for firms operating on a global scale like Tran Duc. By building an international-standard set of working processes to enhance market competitiveness, we can help achieve the firm's strategic goals set by the board of directors.

Nguyen Hoang Minh - CEO of FPT IS believes that SAP S/4HANA system creates a solid stepping stone for Tran Duc to conquer business goals

Nguyen Hong Viet, managing director of SAP Vietnam said, SAP is delighted to partner Tran Duc and FPT IS to successfully deploy the 'Rise with SAP' System. The system helps Tran Duc explore its potential and deploy technology quickly, run business operations, create centralised and standardised data, and expand its digitalisation process, thereby improving the accuracy and quality of information."

FPT IS is a 'Gold Partner' of SAP Vietnam and has successfully implemented SAP solutions for hundreds of businesses in diverse fields in Vietnam, such as An Gia, Truong Thanh, and Ba Huan JSC. The company believes that this successful cooperation with Tran Duc will lay the foundation for the further implementation of 'Rise with SAP' for other firms in the furniture industry and beyond.

Ba Huan runs on real-time data thanks to SAP and FPT Ba Huan JSC, one of Vietnam's top egg producers with a 30 per cent market share in southern Vietnam, announced the successful operation of its SAP resource planning software and digital management applications on September 28.

PAN Group and Standard Chartered Vietnam collaborate to implement ESG financial solutions On December 1, The PAN Group and Standard Chartered Vietnam signed a MoU collaborating on the implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) financial solutions and services.
Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean clinched a 1.1 trillion won ($845 million) deal Friday to build a 3,600-ton submarine for the Navy, the state procurement agency said.

Hanwha Ocean signed the deal with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to construct the third and last submarine under the Changbogo-III Batch-II program.

The company, formerly known as Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, has been building two other Changbogo-III class submarines since 2021.

It is the first submarine construction project the shipbuilder has won since it joined Hanwha Group in April.

The construction of the submarine is expected to be completed by 2029, with the deployment to the Republic of Korea Navy expected in 2031 following a two-year test run, according to DAPA.

Batch-II submarines have increased in size and weight compared to the 3,000-ton class Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and ROKS Ahn Mu, which have been commissioned into active service.

They combine an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system with lithium-ion batteries to extend underwater operation time and reduce propulsion noise compared with diesel-electric submarines.

The envisioned submarines will be equipped with an advanced combat system with improved detection and targeting capability and the latest sonar system. (Yonhap)
Jakarta  Indonesias Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is seeking to resume lobster larvae exports to countries willing to make investments in aquaculture cultivation in the Southeast Asian country.

Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono was quoted by local media as saying that Vietnam had been the prime destination for Indonesias lobster larvae exports, adding that revenue from exporting the product to Vietnam was estimated to reach 2.5 billion USD.

He said that Vietnam needs to invest first or engage in cultivation in Indonesia, so that Indonesia can also reap the benefits and achieve a multiplier effect as well. Afterward, if everything is successful, Indonesia will conduct a further review, the official added.

Exports of lobster larvae were halted in 2016 to prevent over-exploitation, but were reopened in 2020 under former fisheries minister Edhy Prabowo.

However, the ministry reimposed the ban in mid-2021, which has remained in effect until now, following the conviction of Edhy who was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for issuing export licences. Sakti defended the plan, saying lobster larvae smuggling had become rife since the ban was enacted.

The official said the Indonesian government may consider reopening the exports, but promised it will be accompanied by efforts to attract investors in the domestic aquaculture sector. He added that the review process of reopening exports is hoped to conclude next year.

According to the ministrys aquaculture director general, TB Haeru Rahayu, the ministry is currently formulating a specific ministerial regulation for the export of lobster larvae. He added that the regulation was also undergoing public consultation. However, Haeru is pessimistic about whether the ministry can complete and implement the regulation in 2024, due to its rigorous process.

Earlier, Indonesias Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry laid out possible schemes to reopen the exports, saying it will promote technological exchanges, to develop the domestic aquaculture sector.

The proposed regulation will also require exporters who purchase wild-caught lobster larvae from fishermen to ensure that a specified number of larvae are released from fish farms into the wild to replenish the population.

Indonesia plans fifth COVID-19 vaccine dose to high-risk groups The Indonesian Ministry of Health is planning to administer the fifth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for the elderly and those with underlying diseases, given the uptick in the new cases in the country.
MOHA Software was established in May 2022 by a group of talented co-founders with great experience in the technology and software field. They share a common passion and a desire to innovate and apply the latest technologies to life.

Led by CEO Nguyen Thanh Nam, who has nearly 15 years of tech experience, MOHA has steadily grown and developed, earning the trust of customers and the support of its employees.

MOHA  an abbreviation for Make own Happiness  encapsulates the spirit that the founders aimed to convey through the company's name.

With a management team possessing a technological foundation and a far-reaching vision, and driven by the desire to create new value for society, MOHA Software aims to bring Vietnamese intelligence into software solutions that help clients overcome business challenges. This, in turn, promotes shared prosperity for customers, employees, the company, and the nation.

MOHA Software's vision means to create an environment that satisfies both customers and employees. Nam emphasised, "Customers and employees are the two core factors of every business. We believe that ensuring the satisfaction of both groups is the key to sustainable success."

With the principles of unity, agility, credibility, and passion, MOHA Software has built strong trust from customers and fostered the development of its internal team. Determination, technical capabilities, and management skills have enabled the company to successfully execute numerous significant projects, attracting attention from customers in Japan, the EU, Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific, and Vietnam.

MOHA Software offers a wide range of software services, including web and mobile app, custom software, and AI development, as well as cloud solutions and digital transformation consulting and other related services. Despite its relatively young age, its team members bring extensive experience in software development from various projects and countries. This high-quality workforce is one of the company's considerable strengths.

Beyond its service offerings, the firm is preparing to launch products developed in-house, notably SmartTrans  a high-quality technical translation software capable of translating documents efficiently and integrating project management functions  and Findina  a talent searching and filtering system operating on a time-block model, which aim to address labour shortages, recruitment time inefficiencies, and human resource security issues.

SmartTrans and Findina are poised to breakthrough and become high-potential products in the market.

In just under two years of operation, MOHA Software has asserted its strength in the IT market, both in Vietnam and globally. Despite the challenging economic conditions worldwide, it has become a rapidly growing software company. Strong leadership, a commitment to sustainable development, and the collective efforts of all members have contributed to MOHA Software being recognised and honoured at the SME100 2023 awards.

At MOHA, talented individuals are provided with the most favourable conditions to explore and leverage their capabilities, creating value to achieve satisfaction for each customer who comes to the company.

Its employees have earned many international certifications, such as AWS Certified Developer Associate, AWS Certified Solution Architect Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate, Project Management Professional, Certified ScrumMaster, and others from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board.

MOHA continuously improves the quality of its services, develops innovative products, and welcomes every request from customers around the world.

Recently, MOHA Software won an Outstanding Growth Company in Asia 2023 - Fast-Moving Company award from SME Magazine, one of the most reputable economic magazines in Asia. This award is evidence of the strong and passionate development of a young collective that is constantly learning, growing, and maturing.

Nam said in an interview after the event, "In 2024, MOHA Software expects to grow twice as much as in 2023, continue to maintain its core markets, including Japan, the EU, and Asia-Pacific, and expand into high-potential markets such as South Korea and Australia. Additionally, the company will expand its workforce while developing the core capabilities of each member as it nurtures a strong and inspiring company culture."

By striving to achieve these goals in 2024 and the years to come, the company will continue to grow and become a significant player in the IT industry in Vietnam.

Vietnam stepping up global tech supply Amid stiffening competition, Vietnamese tech firms are strengthening their global footprints, contributing to increasing the position of local digital products and services in the global supply and value chain.

Software firms assert footprint in billion-dollar markets Vietnam's technology majors are growing their presence in top global markets with many ambitious goals.
Proposal on minimum wage to be submitted for Government approval, Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  After two negotiation sessions, the National Salary Council on December 20 reached a consensus to finalise the proposal to increase the regional minimum wage by 6 per cent starting from July 1, 2024, to submit for Government for approval.

In the meeting on the same day morning, representatives from union organisations proposed an increase of between 6.5 - 7.3 per cent, while those from employers suggested maintaining an increase between 4 - 5 per cent.

If the proposal is approved, the minimum wage for Regions I, II, III and IV will respectively rise by 280,000 VND (nearly 11.5 USD), 250,000 VND, 220,000 VND, and 200,000 VND to 4.96 million VND, 4.41 million VND, 3.86 million VND, and 3.45 million VND.

The hourly minimum wage will also increase by 6 per cent starting from the same date, with the highest increase level for Region I at 23,800 VND per hour.

Regionally-based monthly minimum wages vary between four different regions based on four separate benchmarks determined by living standards in each area.

Region 1 covers urban Hanoi and HCM City; Region 2 covers rural Hanoi and HCM City along with Can Tho, Da Nang and Hai Phong cities; Region 3 applies to cities and districts of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Vinh Phuc provinces; and Region 4 encompasses the remaining localities.
On December 1, SABECO was honoured among 12 companies with a Board of Directors that is committed to the best corporate governance practices at the 2022 Board of the Year Award Ceremony at the sixth Annual Forum organised by VIOD.

SABECO receiving the VIOD certificate for corporate governance best practices

This title recognises the efforts of SABECOs Board of Directors in committing to best corporate governance practices, improving governance quality, and targetting sustainable development.

It is also a testament to SABECO's results in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards into its business activities, contributing to the green transformation process and the sustainable growth of the economy.

The award's evaluation standards are reflected through threemain criteria, including the Board of Directors' performance, sustainable development and value for stakeholders, and the overall quality of corporate governance.

VIOD evaluates and analyses information that is published by the listed businesses. The evaluation process includes three rounds that first assess enterprises against the set criteria, before the successful companies pass to the preliminary round and are elected to reach the final.

In the initial round, the professional secretariat researched, developed, and proposed a methodology to the jury to determine the score for the Board of Directors according to three criteria, namely board performance, ESG, and overall corporate governance.

In the preliminary evaluation round, 510 businesses in Vietnam entered and went through the appraisal processes to reach the final nomination list that included 33 Boards of Directors.

During the final round, the council held a meeting, evaluated the finalists, and voted. The panel included experts and representatives from management agencies including Vietnam's stock exchanges, law enforcement agencies, National Assembly delegate Phan Duc Hieu, and Big4 consulting organisations  represented by Deloitte, communications agencies, and VIOD.

Vietnam Grand Sale 2023 kicks off with the contribution of SABECO The Vietnam Grand Sale 2023, which is an important solution to promote the domestic market and increase total retail sales, is supported by numerous businesses, including the Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Company (SABECO).

SABECO displays dragon spirit with holiday initiative Based on collaboration with various organisations, Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation has unveiled its 2024 community programme for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
As of the end of November, stock accounts held by individual Vietnamese investors totalled around 7.2 million, but the number of accounts closed reached 341,393.

In October, the total number of accounts closed was 545,386. Among them, 545,326 accounts were closed by individual investors, and 39 accounts were closed by institutions.

The number of investors' securities trading accounts decreased from 7.8 million to 7.25 million. According to the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, the accounts closed were mainly held by individual investors. They have been inactive accounts for a long time, so securities firms need to filter to remove 'virtual' accounts. In addition, the decrease in the number of securities trading accounts is also attributed to the State Securities Commission's activities to clean up securities' data.

Among the 148,592 newly opened securities accounts in November, major securities firms account for a large proportion. VNDIRECT made up over 10 per cent of the total newly opened securities accounts, with 15,000 accounts.

JB Securities Vietnam (JBSV) recorded 12,000 new securities accounts in November, making up 8.1 per cent of the newly opened accounts.

This surge in the number of newly opened accounts followed the official launch of JBSV's Finavi application in October, which had many new features and attractive incentives.

Domestic organisations opened 160 new accounts last month, bringing the total number of accounts to 16,045. Meanwhile, the number of newly opened accounts by domestic individual investors was 148,000.

Among them, securities firms recorded a slight increase in new securities accounts. Foreign investors registered 274 new accounts last month. Individual investors and organisations registered 244 and 30 new accounts, respectively. At the end of November, foreign investors had 45,196 accounts in total.

In November, the VN-Index climbed 6.41 per cent from a month earlier and 8.64 per cent against late 2022.

Market liquidity gradually recovered as the average trading value of the three bourses jumped 17 per cent on-month, with over VND19 billion ($782,699) per session.

The average trading value on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange and the Hanoi Stock Exchange reached $682.6 million and $82.4 million per session in November, up 19.3 per cent and 9.8 per cent on-month, respectively.

Meanwhile, the value of each session on the Unlisted Public Company Market reached $24.14 million, down almost 12 per cent from the previous month.

JB Securities strives to contribute to development of Vietnam's capital markets While Vietnam's capital markets are still in early stages relative to its global counterparts, there's significant potential for the growth of the markets. Kim Doo Yoon, CEO of JB Securities Vietnam, spoke about its newly launched securities brokerage business, and the company's commitment to the development of Vietnam's financial markets.

JB Securities Vietnam launches innovative securities trading platform Finavi JB Securities Vietnam (JBSV) has proudly announced the launch of Finavi (Financial Navigator), a groundbreaking platform designed to offer an outstanding securities trading experience with a range of benefits.
Singapore recommends people maintain COVID-19 booster shots. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Singapore  Singapore's latest spike in COVID-19 cases may be starting to peak but the public needs to stay up to date on vaccinations, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on December 21.

The country reported 56,043 COVID-19 cases in the week of December 3 to 9, marking a 75% surge compared to the week before. The previous high recorded was 28,410 infections in the week to March 26.

A new COVID strain, the JN.1 variant, which has been classified as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation (WHO), accounts for the "vast majority" of the country's latest wave of infections.

In addition to vaccination and booster shots, the country's "primary defense" against COVID-19, the health ministry has also urged the public to wear masks in crowded spaces even if they are not sick, particularly in the airport and other indoor settings.

The minister maintained that the number of hospitalisations remain a key metric to watch. The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose to 350 from 225.

Singapore exited the acute phase of COVID-19 in February and entered the endemic norm. The island-nation subsequently scrapped mandatory mask-wearing on public transport and indoor health-care settings, amongst other community measures such as working from home protocols and limits on group sizes.

Vietnam and Singapore's strategic vision for trade and investment Quang Anh, associate at VILAF and Vaibhav Saxena, lawyer at VILAF, spoke to VIR about the blossoming ties between Vietnam and Singapore.
"Thai Binh is stepping up its game in the global investment arena," said Ngo Dong Hai, Secretary of Thai Binh Party Committee in an interview with local media on December 14.

A focal point of this initiative is the Thai Binh LNG thermal power plant project, a collaboration with an investment consortium comprising Tokyo Gas Co., Japan's Kyuden Corporation, and Vietnam's own Truong Thanh Group.

The project, with a robust capacity of 1,500 MW and a total investment pegged at around $2 billion, is set for Thai Do commune in Thai Thuy district.

Hai also detailed Thai Binh's ongoing partnership with Japan's Marubeni Corporation.

"Our collaboration with Marubeni is a strategic step in our journey towards a more sustainable energy future," he said.

Thai Binh's investment outreach is not limited to the energy sector.

During the prime minister's upcoming visit to Japan, the province is slated to host a series of meetings and investment promotion activities with various Japanese entities, aiming to ink deals for numerous significant projects.

Hai's strategy includes wooing Japanese investors to the province's high-tech agriculture sector, tapping into Japan's renowned expertise in this field and Thai Binh's untapped potential. The province currently hosts five Japanese projects, worth approximately $150 million, and Japan has consistently been a major export market for Thai Binh, contributing 13 to 17 per cent of the province's total export value annually.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) figures for Thai Binh paint a picture of rapid growth.

As per data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the province attracted an impressive $615 million in FDI in just the first 11 months, dwarfing the figures for the entire years of 2022 and 2021.

"This marks a significant upturn in our FDI attraction efforts," Hai said.

Before 2020, the province's annual FDI rarely breached the $100 million mark.

Highlighting the province's competitive edge, Hai mentioned its extensive land reserves earmarked for industrial development.

"Thai Binh boasts 10 industrial zones, including four within the Thai Binh Economic Zone, and 49 industrial clusters spread across its terrain, totalling nearly 3,000 hectares of development-ready land," he said.

The strategically positioned Thai Binh Economic Zone, a brainchild of the Prime Minister, encompasses over 30,583 ha. This includes 22 industrial parks spanning 8,020 ha of industrial land.

The zone's proximity to key infrastructure like the Cat Bi International Airport and Lach Huyen International Port further enhances its attractiveness to investors.

"With the establishment of new industrial zones such as Lien Ha Thai, Hai Long, and VSIP Thai Binh since 2021, we are witnessing a burgeoning industrial ecosystem in our province," Hai added.
Held annually in major financial hubs around the world, such as Hong Kong, Milan, New York, London, and Dubai, the Le Fonti Awards recognise organisations that demonstrate corporate excellence in business innovation, leadership, technological achievement and employee engagement. It has been recognised as one of the worlds top business award ceremonies.

The Le Fonti Awards were established in 2008 in Italy by Le Fonti, a certified business-focused community of more than 10.5 million members. The name 'Le Fonti' recalls running spring water in Italian.

The awards are appraised by the Le Fonti Scientific Committee, along with a high-profile group of journalists and economic and legal experts from more than 120 nations.

Some very well-known figures have been honoured in the past, such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, among many others.

Thai Huong, who was a labour heroine during the economic reforms in the 1980s, has been credited by the Le Fonti Scientific Committee for her successful implementation of high-tech agricultural projects that have boosted production rates considerably.

Under Huongs leadership, TH Group has become an exemplary model of agricultural sustainable development in Vietnam, contributing to the countrys efforts in developing a knowledge-based circular economy.

Huong was honoured to be the first and only Vietnamese representative to be honoured by CSRWorks International as one of the Top 10 Women for Sustainable Development in Asia in 2021. Prior to that, Forbes magazine had voted her among the Top 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia for several years in a row, as she fundamentally changed the Vietnamese milk industry.

She successfully revolutionised the production of clean and fresh milk that improved nutrition for Vietnamese people, and has been a trailblazer in economic development, providing livelihoods for the poor, overseeing initiatives that have alleviated hunger and reduced poverty, and environmental protection.

Huong is the sole Vietnamese businesswoman to have won an outstanding achievement award for community contributions in Dubai. She has also been granted many other awards, such as the Empowering Women Award at the World Knowledge Forum, the Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2018 Stevie Awards, and the Responsible Asia Leaders of Enterprise Asia that same year.

TH farm with a large-scale solar panel system

TH Group's $1.2 billion state-of-the-art dairy cow farm and fresh milk processing plant in the central province of Nghe An, Huong has made a major contribution to ensuring national food security.

With a capacity of 500,000 tonnes of fresh milk a year, the project was recognised in 2020 as the worlds largest high-tech centralised dairy farming and processing complex by the World Records Union. It has helped TH Group secure 45 per cent of the fresh milk market share in Vietnam. The complex is home to nearly 70,000 dairy cows, and a number of TH Groups products have been recognised with international awards.

An initiator of the National School Milk Programme, Thai Huong desires to bring the best to children. Under her leadership, TH Group has cooperated with the Vietnamese education sector to work on a model for school meals, with many activities aimed at improving nutrition for children.

At present, Huong is providing investment advice to a slew of sustainable agricultural development projects throughout Vietnam. These projects centre on reforestation and the preservation and exploitation of indigenous medicinal herbs, which help local economies.

In 2021 in Glasgow, Vietnam and 147 other nations made a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 2050 at COP26, and this commitment was reiterated by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP28 in Dubai in late November.

This commitment has been upheld by many Vietnamese businesses, TH Group in particular. Thai Huong has directed TH Group to become one of the most outstanding businesses in the high-tech agricultural sector, in which TH has made huge progress in creating a green agricultural sector.

From mindset to action, and from corporate governance to implementation, TH Group focusses on three key activities: GHG emissions reduction; shifting to green and renewable energy; and GHG absorption.

TH Group had set a target of reducing GHG emissions at its farms and factories at an annual rate of 15 per cent. The same rate was also applied to each unit of the group's products.

In 2022, the group recorded decreased GHG emissions by more than 20 per cent per unit, exceeding the groups target.

TH Group provides nutritious products for children TH Group organised an international conference titled Nutritional formula products from fresh milk  golden nutrition for optimal development in Hanoi on August 6, participated in by more than 300 experts and nutritionists from Vietnam and abroad.

TH Group showing the way in Vietnam-Australia ties TH Group is contributing to the flourishing investment cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, with its large-scale agricultural projects benefiting both economies.
Daihatsu said Wednesday it would suspend domestic and overseas shipments of all its vehicles in light of an independent panel's report that found it had been manipulating tests as long ago as 1989.

Toyota shares sink after Daihatsu suspension, US recall, Source: AFP

Toyota expressed its "sincere apologies" and pledged to carry out "a fundamental reform" in light of the findings, which were revealed in the probe following a safety scandal that emerged in April.

The probe "found new irregularities in 174 items within 25 test categories" in addition to wrongdoing previously detected in April and May involving door parts and side-collision tests, Toyota said after the report was released.

On Wednesday, Daihatsu submitted a report to the transport ministry -- having already provided one in May -- saying new irregularities had been detected in an internal probe, and announced the suspensions.

Japanese officials visited the firm's headquarters Thursday to carry out an inspection.

"We began on-site inspection to find out if the report submitted by Daihatsu (on Wednesday) is true and if there is any other wrongdoing," transport ministry official Nobuhito Kiuchi told AFP.

"Before issuing administrative orders (as punishment), we have to find out facts around the issue," he said, noting that the on-site inspection will continue until at least early next year.

Footage from Japanese broadcasters showed more than a dozen officials entering Daihatsu's Ikeda headquarters in Osaka prefecture.

The news comes after another Toyota affiliate, truck and bus maker Hino Motor, last year revealed falsification of emissions data.

Hours after the Daihatsu report was released, Toyota announced the massive recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the United States, warning that there were concerns about airbag sensors in the front passenger seats.

The vehicles include some of the manufacturing giant's popular Camry, Corolla, and Highlander lines.

These sensors "could have been improperly manufactured, causing a short circuit," and as a result "the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury", the company said in a statement.

Shares in Toyota sank as much as 5.6 percent in Tokyo -- the most in 18 months -- before clawing back some of the losses later in the day.

Still, Bloomberg Intelligence auto analyst Tatsuo Yoshida told AFP that the recall would likely have a limited impact on the firm as the number of vehicles involved is small compared with the firm's production.

"Also, recalling vehicles to fix a defect is not necessarily a bad thing if it is properly filed and executed, as vehicle recalls are an everyday thing in the auto industry," he added.

However, he said the Daihatsu matter could hurt Toyota financially, and the reforms at the subsidiary could take time as "this (safety) certification issue looks deeply rooted in the company's culture".

A management change would be "a prerequisite for Daihatsu's reform" but "a hasty change in the management structure could disrupt the crucial work of investigating the truth and preparing a prescription for reform", he said.

The independent panel blamed Daihatsu's misconduct on the lack of managers' expertise and an opaque work environment.

In April, Daihatsu admitted falsifying crash test results for four of its models, involving a total of 88,000 vehicles made in Thailand and Malaysia in 2022 and 2023.

The report attributed the decades-long irregularities in part to "an excessively tight and rigid development schedule".

Daihatsu employees were "exposed to the intense pressure to pass crash tests on their first attempt" to minimise the number of vehicles destroyed and thereby "reduce costs", committee chair Makoto Kaiami said.
NEW YORK (AP)  The owner of Pornhub, one of the worlds largest adult content websites, has admitted to profiting from sex trafficking and agreed to make payments to women whose videos were posted without their consent, federal prosecutors in New York announced Thursday.

Aylo Holdings, the websites parent company, reached a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds, according to the office of Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

The deal calls for the Montreal-based company to pay more than $1.8 million to the U.S. government, as well as make separate payments to the individual women harmed by the trafficking. It also requires appointment of an independent monitor for three years, after which the charges will be dismissed.

It is our hope that this resolution, which includes certain agreed payments to the women whose images were posted on the companys platforms and an independent monitorship brings some measure of closure to those negatively affected, Peace said in the statement.

James Smith, head of the FBIs New York office, said Aylo Holdings knowingly enriched itself by turning a blind eye to victims who told the company they had been deceived and coerced into the videos.

Prosecutors said Aylo has agreed to pay victims compensation, but details such as who is eligible and how they can apply will be forthcoming.

The charge stemmed from Aylo's role in hosting videos and accepting payments from GirlsDoPorn.

Operators of that now-defunct adult film production company were charged and eventually convicted of a range of sex trafficking crimes, including coercing young women into engaging in sexual acts on camera that were then posted on Pornhub and other adult sites without their consent.

Prosecutors say that between 2017 and 2020, Aylo received money that company officials knew or should have known was derived from GirlsDoPorns sex trafficking operations.

They also say the company didnt act swiftly or thoroughly enough to remove all the nonconsensual videos, even after a number of the women appealed directly to the company.

Aylo operates free and paid adult websites where content providers can post and distribute adult videos, with Aylo generating revenue through licensing agreements, advertisements and subscriptions.

According to prosecutors, the company received more than $100,000 from GirlsDoPorn as well as roughly $764,000 in payments from advertisers attributable to the production company.

Aylo Holdings, which was formerly known as MindGeek, said in a statement that it deeply regrets hosting content from GirlsDoPorn on its streaming video platforms.

Aylo said GirlsDoPorn provided the company with written consent forms purportedly signed by the women but that it was unaware the forms were obtained through fraud and coercion.

The company also said prosecutors did not find Aylo or its affiliates violated any federal criminal laws prohibiting sex trafficking or the sexual exploitation of minors.

Aylo is not pleading guilty to any crime, and the Government has agreed to dismiss its charge against the Company after 3 years, subject to the Companys continued compliance with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement, the company said.

Thursday's agreement filed in federal court in Brooklyn comes after the European Union on Wednesday announced that Pornhub and two other major porn sites would be required to verify the ages of their users, expanding the reach of the Digital Services Act designed to keep people safe on the internet.

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.
A grandson of late former President Chun Doo-hwan was given a suspended prison term on Friday for his illegal drug use.

The Seoul Central District Court handed down the two and a half year prison term, suspended for four years, to Chun Woo-won on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

The court also ordered him to be put under probation for three years and undergo 120 hours of volunteer service and 80 hours of a drug treatment program, along with a confiscation of 2.66 million won ($ 2,045).

Chun, 27, was indicted without physical detention for taking four types of drugs, including ecstasy and ketamine, during his stay in the United States from November last year to March.

The police put Chun under arrest upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport from New York on March 28 and released him the following day, after he conceded to the crime.

On Friday, the court said Chun was highly cooperative in the investigations and regretful of his wrongdoing, adding the decision to suspend his sentence was to give him a chance for a healthy social life.

The grandson has attracted widespread media attention after making a series of public accusations about irregularities and slush funds involving his family members on social media.

Soon after arriving in the country for investigations, Chun paid a visit to the southwestern city of Gwangju and apologized to the family members of the victims who died from the 1980 bloody crackdown led by his grandfather to quell a pro-democracy uprising in the city.

Chun Doo-hwan, who served as president from 1980-1988 after seizing power in a 1979 military coup, is widely criticized for ordering troops to use force to put down the pro-democracy uprising that left hundreds of people dead.

Chun, who never apologized for his actions in Gwangju, died in 2021.

Civic groups submitted a collective petition asking for leniency in the ruling against the grandson, after he took steps to apologize to the victims of the 1980 democracy rising. (Yonhap)
The federal government on Friday reopened two cross-border railroad crossings in Texas, five days after the shuttering of rail operations there disrupted trade and sparked outrage from U.S. and Mexican businesses.

Customs and Border Protection closed railroad operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, on Monday to reallocate their customs officers to help Border Patrol take migrants into custody. Both regions have seen the number of illegal border crossings soar this month.

Operations resumed at both cities as of Friday afternoon.

Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protections acting commissioner, said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso were a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains recently. Miller said authorities are seeing unprecedented arrivals at the border, topping 10,000 crossings on some days this month.

The closures affected two of the six available rail border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico. Union Pacific and BNSF, the affected carriers, said automotive, agricultural, chemicals, and other consumer goods were halted. Union Pacific estimated that the closures cost $200 million in daily losses across affected industries.

News of the reopening was received with relief, but both BNSF and Union Pacific said they would be working diligently to make up for lost time.

We will restore normal operations as quickly as possible as we work through the five-day backlog of shipments holding to cross the border, a Union Pacific spokesperson said in a statement.

CBP said they made the changes after observing a shift in the trends of smuggling operations in Mexico that used freight trains. Although migrants board trains traveling through Mexico, the railroad carriers said they have safety measures in place to deter and detect migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. aboard their cars.

Union Pacific said it has found only five migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally on its trains in the last five weeks.

Through our efforts, we have experienced very few people attempting to cross the border on trains at both ports of entry, BNSF said via a statement.

Other similar decisions to close down ports of entry and redirect officers to help with an uptick in migrant crossings are still in place. CBP said vehicular traffic is still suspended at one of the two international bridges in Eagle Pass. A pedestrian entry in San Diego, a port of entry in Lukeville, Arizona, and a border crossing in Nogales, Arizona, remained closed as of Friday.

Even after the railroad operations resumed, stakeholders expressed disapproval over the federal government's decision.

In the face of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis, CBP has been working under exceptionally difficult circumstances, but these ill-advised closures were a blunt force tool that did nothing to bolster law enforcement capacity, said Ian Jefferies, the CEO and president of the Association of American Railroads.

The stalled shipments of agricultural products affected farmers and ranchers. The Nebraska Farm Bureau, an organization representing 55,000 families who have farms or ranches, called for long-term solutions but stressed more immediate changes, too.

"In the future, we call upon the Biden administration to allocate the resources necessary to secure our nations southern border before costing our nations agricultural and overall economy millions of dollars," Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, said in a statement.

Frustrated politicians made similar pleas with the president. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican representative from Nebraska, said the president needed to take the situation seriously but also called on Mexico to do more.

Mexico also needs to do its part by enforcing its immigration laws and preventing thousands of illegal immigrants from riding Ferromex trains to our border, Ricketts said in a statement.

The temporary closures added pressure to talks between the U.S. and Mexico addressing the recent acceleration of border crossings. President Joe Biden spoke with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday and agreed that additional border enforcement was needed so the crossings can be reopened, according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are debating border policy changes as part of a larger conversation over U.S. assistance for Ukraine and Israel, which are top foreign policy priorities for the White House.

A delegation of top U.S. officials is expected to visit Mexico soon as negotiations over how to enforce immigration rules at the two countries shared border continue on Capitol Hill.

Lopez Obrador said Friday that he is willing to help reduce the number of migrants accessing the U.S. through Mexico and to continue establishing an agreement with Venezuela, which has one of the highest number of migrants entering the U.S.

The Mexican president also wants the U.S. government to open talks with Cuba and send more development aid to migrants home countries.
A visiting judge last week accepted a new defense attorney in the case of Waco attorney Seth Sutton, who is set for retrial in February on charges stemming from an alleged 2020 murder-for-hire plot.

Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman, presiding Wednesday in Wacos 19th State District Court, accepted Seth Suttons new attorney, Don Flanary of San Antonio. Flanary will now defend Sutton on a first-degree felony charge that he attempted to hire a man to kill a family members alleged abuser.

Flanary replaces Clint Broden, of Dallas, who withdrew from the case earlier this month. This marks the second substitution of counsel on the case since the original trial ended with a deadlocked jury in August. The Texas Office of the Attorney General is prosecuting the case because District Attorney Josh Tetens has recused his office from the case. The state replaced its original prosecutor, Patrick Sloane, with Matthew Shawhan.

Sutton is also in the process of moving to Harris County and beginning a law practice there.

The original trial on Sutton's first-degree felony solicitation of murder-for-hire charge resulted in a mistrial Aug. 18, after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Sloane, at that time with the Texas Attorney Generals Office, filed a motion for retrial at the end of August. Shawhan had been Sloanes co-counsel on that trial and succeeded him on the case when Sloane left the AGs office in September.

Shawhan promised Wednesday that he will provide the states evidence in the case to Flanary.

For his part, Flanary told Judge Sparkman that since he has not yet seen the evidence, he might not be able to prepare a defense for Sutton before the present trial date of Feb. 12. Shawhan said he would not object to delaying the trial, but the judge said he would prefer to proceed as scheduled if possible.

The court offered alternate dates in April, and Flanary agreed to provide a status update toward the end of January on his efforts in the case.

Prosecutors in the original trial said Sutton solicited an undercover Waco Police Department detective May 14, 2020, to kill Waco attorney Marcus Beaudin. Since the alleged plot, Beaudin has been indicted on an attempted indecency with a child charge involving a family member of Sutton.

Prosecutors presented audio recordings the detective made of Sutton and Beaudins ex-wife, Chelsea Tijerina, discussing ways to kill Beaudin and frame others for the murder. The detective had infiltrated Suttons motorcycle club and accepted cash for a gun, ammunition and gas money to carry out the hit, according to testimony.

Tijerina was indicted along with Sutton but died in a motorcycle crash near her home in Hays County in 2021.

Suttons original attorney, Broden, argued that the undercover detective was a rogue officer who encouraged Sutton to take revenge on Beaudin. Broden also argued that Suttons talks of killing Beaudin were the revenge fantasies of a man in grief over having recently learned of a family members abuse.
McLennan County deputies arrested three people in November and December in what Sheriff Parnell McNamara called one of the countys biggest fentanyl busts.

Deputies arrested Shane Matthew Stewart, 32, and Christopher Myles Riggs, 32, after a Nov. 9 traffic stop on I-35 outside West after seizing 840 pills of the synthetic opioid. A third suspect, Jack McCarter, was arrested Dec. 19 in connection with Riggs case.

Stewart and Riggs, who listed Waco as their place of employment, were charged after the traffic stop with a first-degree felony charge of making or delivering fentanyl and booked at McLennan County Jail. The pills weighed about 108 grams.

Fentanyl can be lethal in doses as small as 2 milligrams, much less than a toddlers dose of pain reliever. A quantity of 108 grams of pure fentanyl could potentially kill 54,000 adults, though the purity of the seized drugs is unknown.

Stewart has remained in custody since Nov. 9 with bond set at $300,000.

Riggs posted bond on Nov. 10 and deputies rearrested him Dec. 19, jail officials said Thursday. He is now jailed on cash bond totaling $1.2 million, with six charges pending.

Five of the most recent warrants related to a series of undercover purchases of fentanyl. Four of the charges involved four grams of fentanyl and count as second-degree felonies, affidavits show. One of the warrants was for an undercover purchase of around 5.25 grams of fentanyl, amounting to a first-degree felony, an affidavit says.

On Nov. 9, a deputy followed a southbound white SUV driven by Stewart on Interstate 35 from the Hill County line through West, then pulled the car over for driving 88 mph in a 75 mph zone and following other vehicles too closely, an affidavit says.

The arresting deputy observed Stewart to be nervous during conversation after the stop, the affidavit states.

Stewart and his passenger, Riggs, told the deputy they had gotten off work in Waco and driven to West to eat at a Czech bakery there. The arresting deputy had followed them from the county line and did not believe the story, according to the affidavit. The deputy brought out a drug dog, which sniffed around the vehicle and detected narcotics, giving deputies probable cause to search the SUV, the affidavit says.

The deputy found the 840 pills in plastic bags underneath the center console area, the affidavit says.

McCarter was also arrested Dec. 19 and released on $7,500 bond in connection with Riggs case, according to a Wednesday press release. McCarter allegedly had less than a gram of a penalty group 1-B substance, the press release says. Penalty group 1-B consists of several opiates including fentanyl.
In 2022, 72.9% of mothers of children under 18 were working or looking for work. In recent years, the traditional image of a stay-at-home mom has undergone a significant transformation, thanks in part to the rise of the gig economy.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of mothers in the workforce rose by 1.7 points from 2019 to 2022. With the growth of remote work and work-from-home opportunities, the number of mothers working as entrepreneurs across the United States is rising rapidly.

These mompreneurs are breaking away from conventional norms and embracing the flexibility of remote work to create a better life for themselves and their families. This shift challenges societal expectations and opens up new possibilities for women to balance their professional and personal lives.

New frontiers

The gig economy, characterized by short-term and flexible work arrangements, has provided a unique platform for mothers to pursue their professional aspirations while managing their familial responsibilities. The advent of online freelancing platforms, remote work opportunities, and the increasing demand for virtual services has empowered women to leverage their skills and talents from the comfort of their homes.

One of the primary reasons why mothers are gravitating towards gig work is the freedom it offers. Traditional 9-to-5 jobs often clash with the demands of parenting, making it challenging for mothers to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remote work allows mompreneurs to set their own schedules. That enables them to prioritize family commitments without sacrificing professional growth. This newfound flexibility is a game-changer for mothers who want to be actively involved in their children's lives while pursuing their career goals.

Leveraging skills

The gig economy not only provides flexible work arrangements but also fosters an entrepreneurial spirit among mothers. Many mompreneurs are leveraging their skills and passions to create their own businesses or offer specialized services as freelancers. Whether it's graphic design, content creation, virtual assistance, or consulting, the gig economy allows mothers to turn their expertise into a viable source of income. This shift towards entrepreneurship empowers women to take control of their professional destinies and build businesses that align with their values and priorities.

The digital age transformed the way people connect and collaborate. For mompreneurs, remote work opens up a world of possibilities for networking and collaboration. Virtual communication tools, online platforms, and social media allow mothers to connect with clients, collaborators, and fellow entrepreneurs from around the globe. This not only broadens their professional networks but also provides a sense of community and support, essential for navigating the challenges of both work and motherhood.

Balancing act

The concept of multitasking takes on a whole new meaning for mompreneurs. Balancing client deadlines, business responsibilities, and household duties requires impeccable time management and organizational skills. Striking the right balance between work and family can be a constant challenge, leading to feelings of overwhelm and burnout. Finding effective strategies to compartmentalize tasks and prioritize responsibilities is essential for maintaining a healthy equilibrium.

Despite the growing acceptance of diverse family structures, societal expectations regarding the roles of mothers persist. Mompreneurs may find themselves contending with stereotypes and judgments, both implicit and explicit, that question their ability to manage both a career and a family effectively. Overcoming these societal expectations requires resilience and a strong sense of self-worth, as well as challenging stereotypes through successful, visible examples of thriving mompreneurs.

Working remotely can lead to feelings of isolation for mompreneurs. The absence of a traditional office environment may limit opportunities for face-to-face interactions and networking. Additionally, the lack of institutional support for remote workers, especially mothers, can contribute to feelings of isolation. Establishing a support system, whether through online communities, networking events, or local meet-ups, is crucial for combating the isolation that some mompreneurs may experience.

Recognizing the challenges faced by mompreneurs is the first step towards creating a supportive environment that empowers them for success.

Businesses and organizations can play a pivotal role in supporting mompreneurs by implementing flexible policies that accommodate the unique needs of working mothers. This includes options for remote work, flexible hours, and family-friendly benefits. Advocacy for such policies at both corporate and legislative levels can contribute to a more inclusive and supportive work environment for mompreneurs.

Establishing mentorship programs specifically designed for mompreneurs can provide invaluable guidance and support. Connecting experienced mompreneurs with those just starting their entrepreneurial journey creates a knowledge-sharing ecosystem that helps them navigate challenges and build resilience. Additionally, networking programs can facilitate connections with potential clients, collaborators, and mentors, fostering a sense of community among mompreneurs.
In light of international conflicts, a fraught presidential election season and other contemporary challenges, clergy across the Cedar Valley are preparing their Christmas sermons in hopes of connecting with parishioners and guests through messages of hope, peace and inclusion.

At Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, the theme of this years holiday sermon is When Love Came Down.

Simply put, we will focus on the birth of Jesus and our response to his coming, said Mike Brost, interim pastor. The gift of Jesus is not once a year; it is every day. We need to connect with him every day.

Brost said he puts in a good 25 hours-plus when constructing his Christmas sermon.

I start thinking about it in October, he said. Others are week-to-week. We will have a lot of visitors, people who havent been (to church) for a while. You try to connect with them if you can.

Brost has been collaborating with Tim Boettger, Nazareths interim associate pastor.

For the last few weeks, we have been celebrating the four themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy and love, Boettger said. Our Christmas sermon will focus on love. The deepest longing of the human heart is to experience transcendent love. ... Our greatest desire is fulfilled by Jesus, and we are fully engulfed in that for all eternity. Its the most important message we can share with people.

People are looking for love everywhere  in all the wrong places, he said. They are looking for it in a cause or in a candidate. Those things arent going to heal us or make us whole. Its his mercy, his kindness and gentleness that work in peoples hearts.

Whether you put that into the context of political oppression or a cultural environment, a military environment or a political environment  it is applicable in any environment.

Boettger said when preparing to write a Christmas sermon he studies the Scriptures.

I see which get impressed on me, and I highlight them. ... I let the Scripture speak to me in the person of Jesus. That is what we are celebrating, and Im excited to share it.

I try to live in it, go over it two or three times. I get moved by the Scriptures, and I have to harness that in a good way and present it in a good way.

Nazareth, at 7401 University Ave, was founded more than 150 years ago and draws about 500 people to its Sunday morning services. On Christmas Eve, there will be services at 3 and 5 p.m. and a candlelight service at 10 p.m.

Fairly new on the religious landscape is the nondenominational Hope City Church, founded eight years ago by Pastor Quovadis Marshall and his wife, Angela.

We had a dream in our heart to have a church where everyone is welcome, the pastor said. We are multiracial, multigenerational, multiethnic church. We are a church of people who want to make a difference with people who are different.

Marshall said his Christmas sermon will focus on the first family, Mary and Joseph, who found themselves in an unexpected situation.

They were unprepared for what happened to them, he said. It was inconvenient; they didnt plan it. Sometimes, the unexpected is a gift in disguise.

God coming in the form of a baby was an unplanned gift. We will look at their response to that unexpected gift and the example they set by how they dealt with it.

But people often reject the unexpected gift, because they dont trust the gift giver, God. Some people preach love but live hate. I want to bridge that gap. Hes the glue  not politics, or party, or race, or gender.

Marshall said his wife is his No. 1 sounding board when working on a sermon.

She gives me a different perspective, he said. And I will talk to our team about it. It is a group process. When all is said and done, it is a greater representation of the people we serve.

Marshall said Hope City draws about 1,000 people to Sunday services from as far as Des Moines. He said that will double this Sunday.

Due to ongoing renovations, Hope City is currently worshipping at the Waterloo Convention Center, 200 W. Fourth St. Christmas Eve services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m.

At Cedar Heights Baptist Church, 2430 Neola St., Cedar Falls, Teaching Pastor Jeff McCourt said the theme will be Christmas Outside.

We will be leaning into and focusing on the fact Jesus came to us and his birth happened far away, outside of the centers of power, religion, authority, reputation or wealth. It involved people on the outside, those kicked to the margins of life and society  immigrants, refugees, the poor, the forgotten. I have the great privilege of taking this message to the people.

If you look at the birth of Jesus, the angels come to the shepherds, who were seen as so dishonest they were not allowed to be witnesses in legal proceedings. For God to pick them sends a powerful message. We will discuss Anna, an elderly woman at the temple when Jesus is brought there. She is elderly, a widow, childless. She makes a purposeful appearance. And the wise men. They are geographically distant, religiously distant, pagan stargazers. But they end up becoming worshippers.

We are focusing on outside the normal, the unexpected. Unlikely is a word weve used a lot, he said.

McCourt said he relies on the Bible to craft his sermons.

The Bible is particularly valued in our church, he said. Gods word is applicable and relevant. Thats the truth we want people to know about. Thats the beginning, the end and everything in between.

McCourt said he treats each weeks sermon the same.

Every week, our church family values the preaching and teaching (from) the Bible, that is the main thing they want me to do. ... Every week Im writing a 3,500-word article. There are 52 jewels God gives us each year. I take them all seriously.

McCourt said about 275 people attend services on a typical Sunday. A worship service is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. this Sunday as well as a 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

Father Noah Diehm serves as pastor for both Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raymond and is basing his Christmas sermon on a popular hymn, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

It starts off happy enough, Diehm said. But it gets to There is no peace on Earth. I am focusing the message through the lens of this song.

We face war and violence and homelessness, poverty, hunger, all the bad things in the world. But the song is one of hope.

Looking at the Christmas story and the reading of annunciation of the angels to the shepherds (Luke 2:1-14), it deals with the circumstances of Jesus birth. Quoting the passage, he said: But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

It is for both Ukrainian and Russian. It is for both Israeli and Palestinian, he said.

I usually preach from notes, a bit extemporaneously, Diehm said of his sermon-writing process. I can craft my notes in a couple of hours.

He does not feel added pressure around the holidays.

It is a reason to be extra hospitable, welcoming and kind, he said. My only hope is that people value living with faith, the faith that Jesus came to bring. People are always welcome at church.

The two parishes serve about 920 households and services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception, 311 15th Ave., Gilbertville, and 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph in Raymond. On Sunday, mass will be held at 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception while Christmas masses will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph and 5 and 9 p.m. at Immaculate Conception. Christmas day services will also be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception.
Jeong Myeong-seok, the leader of Jesus Morning Star (JMS), a controversial religious organization, was sentenced by a court to 23 years in prison for sexual offenses Friday.

The Daejeon District Court handed down the sentence to the 78-year-old Jeong after finding him guilty of sexual assault and molestation.

Jeong was indicted on charges of raping and sexually assaulting two female followers of foreign nationality on a total of 23 occasions between February 2018 and September 2021, as well as sexually abusing a Korean female follower. He was also charged with making false statements by denying the allegations brought by the two foreign victims.

In the previous court hearing, prosecutors demanded an imprisonment of 30 years for Jeong.

Jeong, who refers to himself as the Messiah, or the second coming of Jesus, previously served 10 years in prison for raping a number of female followers and embezzling funds from JMS. He was released in 2018. (Yonhap)
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been convicted of stomping on the head of a fellow inmate while at the jail.

Jurors found Nersius Adonliel Artisani, 50, guilty of willful injury causing bodily injury on Thursday following a day of testimony. Sentencing will be at a later date. Artisani is charged as a habitual offender because of prior convictions.

Artisani said he was acting in self-defense.

My instincts, my intuition, told me he was going to assault me, Artisani, also known as Roger Joseph Hoffert Jr., told jurors when he took the stand Wednesday. I made the decision to hit him.

Artisani  who disputed the term stomp and said he kicked Anthony Charles Smith with the bottom of his foot after delivering a punch that knocked Smith to the floor of Pod A3 at the Black Hawk County Jail  said they had been prior neighbors outside jail.

Before coming to jail, Artisani said he had suspected Smith of stealing from his apartment.

They both wound up in jail for different reasons and on Sept. 14, 2023, Artisani was sitting in the day room watching others play cards when Smith was booked in and dropped off his belongings at his cell.

Smith then descended the stairs into the day room and motioned for Artisani to come over to chat. Smith told jurors that Artisani asked him a few questions and he didnt like what Artisani said. Smith said he mean mugged Artisani, glaring at him.

Artisani told jurors Smith said something provocative and threatening to him.

The punch was caught by the jails security camera, and Artisani said he followed through with foot strikes for good measure.

Maybe he could get up and hurt me, Artisani said.

Prosecutors said Smith was already on the ground and unconscious during the stomps. A deputy ran over and yelled for Artisani to return to his cell.

He essentially said F- you, the deputy recalled. He said Artisani then went to his cell when he repeated the order.

Smith suffered a concussion and broken nose and was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment.

The deputy said Artisani told him he hit Smith because they had a prior beef and to show the other inmates he wasnt scared.

Under cross-examination by the defense, the deputy said Smith had issues during the booking process. Evidence showed Smith had alcohol and meth in his system, although jail staff said he didnt appear to be under the influence.

At the time of the incident, Artisani was in the jail awaiting trial for allegations he attacked a woman at the Isle Casino Hotel in February, knocking her down and kicking her in the head on the ground.

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The mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, has left a community reeling, and authorities are still asking questions.Chief among them is the history of warning signs that were seemingly missed by the system and why he was allowed to legally purchase a weapon days before the shooting.They are conti
WATERLOO  Waterloo Community Schools cash reserves declined slightly this past year but have shown healthy growth over the last five years, a financial audit shows.

The Board of Education recently received and placed on file the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30.

The unassigned general fund, which is the biggest number that we focus on for district health, did have a slight decrease, said Dustin Opatz of BerganKDV. The St. Cloud, Minnesota-based firm completed the districts audit. Those reserves, which represent money available for emergencies, dropped by about $91,000.

Since the 2018-19 fiscal year, though, Opatz noted its almost double  going from $17.85 million to $31.72 million. And as far as what that means, you have about 2 1/2 months of expenditures sitting in fund balance to act as a shock absorber for you.

The general fund balance  which includes the cash reserves and other nonspendable, restricted and assigned funds  increased by about $240,000 to $35.55 million. Overall general fund operations included revenues of $159.79 million and expenditures of $159.64 million for the past fiscal year.

Total revenues did increse by about 0.7%, or just over $1 million, said Opatz. There was an increase of $3.1 million from the state and a decrease of $1.1 million in local funds related to a decrease in the property tax levy. In addition, federal money dropped by $900,000 with less Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief funds to spend since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When COVID started, you received a huge cash infusion of federal money, said Opatz. But most of those ESSER dollars are going away with federal funding returning to pre-pandemic levels. So you do have this huge federal hole that you just have to be aware of.

Superintendent Jared Smith made a point of highlighting the property tax rate decrease, mentioning a recent proposal to build a single high school to replace the existing schools.

I hope the community understands that not only are we not impacting taxes on this high school plan, but also if you look at the property tax rate over the last five years this is the lowest its been, he said. And I think if we went beyond those five years we would see a common trend. So something we want to make sure is shouted across the community is that the schools portion of the property tax rate is as low as its been for some time.

On a different matter, the audit showed a decrease in Waterloo Schools long-term liabilities of revenue bonds and premiums as well as compensated absences, going from $85.79 million to $79.61 million. Net pension liability for district retirees is at $40.54 million. Liability for other post employment benefits increased from $12.14 million to $13.15 million.

School districts are required by law to have an annual audit conducted by a third party each year to ensure they fairly state their financial position. Auditors also point out potential violations of Iowa law or significant deficiencies. The audit found no instances of significant deficiencies in accounting procedures.

Again this year, we had an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion we can receive. It says that the district fairly and accurately stated out financial position in our financial statements, said Jeff Sommerfeldt, the districts chief financial officer.

Opatz said there was a misstatement that had to be corrected related to payables. Other minor concerns were the certified enrollment report being off by 2.5 students and a fund balance in deficit. That was due to the timing of the spending versus some of the receiving of those state funds, he said.

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LA PORTE CITY  Residents will have to dig further into their wallets to pay for a new $12 million wastewater facility to meet state guidelines.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources updated standards for wastewater facilities in 2021. As a result, many municipalities have to increase rates to fund the projects.

The cities of Evansdale and Elk Run Heights are going through the same process but those facility upgrades were put out to bid before La Porte Citys project.

Heath Draeger, the Iowa assistant regional manager for PeopleService, said the price tag is partly due to the pandemic. His company manages the La Porte City plant.

It was unfortunate timing with COVID and the supply chain and the lack of contractors that had shown interest to make bids competitive, he said. Its just really unfortunate that (the residents) are having to carry the burden.

Right now, La Porte City residents are paying a monthly base charge of $66.35. Come January, that will increase to $79.35. In June, it will be $100.

From 1992 to 2011, fees were only $17. From 2011 to 2019, they ranged from $23 to $29. A debt service fee of $13 was added in June 2021. From then until this month, that debt service fee increased by $35 while the base fee increased by 85 cents.

In January, the base fee will remain the same, at $18.35 but the debt service fee will be $61. In another six months, the base fee will be $25 and the debt service will be $75.

Reasons for increases

The driving force behind the project is the new requirement of ultraviolet disinfection. Ultraviolet light at specific wavelengths can kill bacteria and viruses. When added to the plant, the UV light will damage genetic material within organisms so they cant reproduce.

Draeger said since adding disinfection is a large and expensive project, the city might as well improve the entire facility which was built in the 1980s.

If youre gonna build a house, youre not just gonna build a garage, he said.

Along with a disinfection area, another building will be constructed that will hold new lift stations and headworks. Initial screening and debris removal is done at the headworks. Decades-old technology inside the plant will also be updated.

Both Elk Run Heights and Evansdale also decided to build new facilities.

No response to requests

In October, La Porte Citys Mayor Jasmine Gaston spoke at a Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors meeting asking if there would be any county funding given to the project, which could relieve some of the taxpayer burden.

The county received more than $25 million from the federal government in American Rescue Plan Act funds, some of which was given to municipalities. La Porte City received $300,000.

Later, in 2022, she said the supervisors asked the countys mayors in 2022 to present their requests for additional ARPA funding. At that time, the La Porte City wastewater treatment plant project was estimated to cost $9.8 million.

The federal money can be requested through December 2024 but the county has just over $1 million left to allocate. Nothing has been given to the wastewater treatment plant.

Gaston voiced her frustrations to the board, saying it provided funds to Cedar Falls and Waterloo for pool projects and to Gilbertville for a new emergency services building.

In my opinion the (wastewater treatment facility) project we have outweighs the needs of those because of the impact it has on taxpayers, she said.

Draeger has the same mindset as Gaston. He said he has nothing against putting money toward parks but that the DNR is requiring the updates  not requesting them.

Supervisor Dan Trelka said the wastewater project is a priority for all of the supervisors but that it is a higher priority for him.

When I look at the ARPA funding, I think the two greatest priorities should be public health and our small city sewer and water, Trelka said.

Gaston said there hasnt been much help from the state, either, even though it is requiring these updates.

The cities are paying for this, the people in the community are paying for this and paying state taxes and everything else, she said. I know they have reserves at the state level.

In September, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state has $1.83 billion in the general fund, $902 million in reserve funds and $2.74 billion in the taxpayer relief fund, according to her website.

U.S. States Most Impacted by Inflation U.S. States Most Impacted by Inflation How Americans Have Felt Financially Over the Past Decade How Americans Feel Financially Now Financial Stress Levels by Location 15. New York 14. California 13. New Mexico 12. Arkansas 11. Arizona 10. Nevada 9. Alabama 8. West Virginia 7. Georgia 6. Kentucky 5. Oklahoma 4. Texas 3. Florida 2. Louisiana 1. Mississippi Methodology
WATERLOO  Officials with the Waterloo Regional Airport were hoping to add another destination to its departures but that isnt looking likely.

Members of the airports board met Wednesday to go over three bids for airline service in 2024. The subsidy bids range from $5.2 to $7.5 million. Right now, the airport works with American Airlines at a cost of almost $4 million a year.

The board voted on a recommendation  not a final decision  to continue working with American Airlines.

American Airlines

American Airlines, which has serviced the airport since 2012, placed a bid for almost $7.5 million for an annual subsidy. The airline would continue going to Chicago OHare Airport two times a day. Board members were hoping for a bid that would include Dallas-Fort Worth, the companys headquarters, as a destination.

Tim Sieber, the director of air service development with Voltaire aviation consulting, said the large jump up in cost is due to salary increases for pilots.

Basically, were maintaining the status quo at $7.4 million a year, he said. There would be 50 seats on the plane with fares averaging $239.

Sun Country

The next highest bid came from Sun Country at almost $6.5 million. It would operate an average of four departures per week to four destinations.

There would be year-round service to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in Minnesota. From January to April, there would be flights to Fort Myers, Florida. Flights to Orlando, Florida would operate from May to August. From September to November, there would be flights to Las Vegas. There would be no direct flight to a leisure destination in December.

The planes would have 186 seats with fares averaging $149.

Boutique Air

Boutique Air submitted four separate bids  two to Minneapolis-St. Paul and two to Chicago. The differences in the bids for the same location are due to the amount of flights completed per year.

Each year, the airport would pay a different subsidy. For the less frequent Minneapolis-St. Paul plan, subsidies would range from $4.9 to $5.6 million. The more frequent plan to Minnesota would range from $5.9 to $6.8 million.

The less frequent Chicago plans subsidies would range from $5.2 to $5.9 million. The more frequent one would be $6.4 to $7.3 million.

Boutique Air would operate four or five roundtrips per day but the plane would only hold nine passengers. Fares would average around $250.

Sticking with American

Outgoing Airport Director Keith Kaspari said the board has been griping about American Airlines significant delays.

This group has talked about needing a game changer, he said. (American Airlines is) getting a lot more for the service that were getting today.

Kaspari said that the airline as a whole, not just at Waterloos airport, has hundreds of minutes of delays.

If youre continuing to see delays at Waterloo, youre gonna give us maybe a once, maybe a twice look, he said. Then youre going to take your business elsewhere.

Board members Cary Darrah and Arlene Humble agreed that American Airlines would still be the best choice because it is well-known and flies to Chicago  an international hub with many connecting flights.

I just think if we go to Boutique or (Sun Country), we are going to completely say goodbye to our business traveler out of this airport, Darrah said.

She and Humble also said the airport shouldnt risk losing a major carrier because it may be harder to get one back.

Kaspari said other major carriers like United or Delta airlines didnt bid because they do not have enough pilots to fly their planes, especially to smaller communities.

Those carriers are expected to have positions filled in 2024 and are expected to look at essential air service airports like Waterloo, according to Sieber.

He said that the community will have a chance to provide input on what services the airport should go with but that the Department of Transportation will make the final decision.

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WATERLOO  Two youths are expected to recover after they fell through the ice and were rescued by firefighters Friday morning.

The pair, both 11-year-old males, were at a pond off of Cedar Terrace Drive when they apparently crashed through fragile ice.

When crews with Waterloo Fire Rescue arrived, one boy was in the water clinging to a section of ice.

One was up to his armpits on an ice shelf, struggling. Both were conscious. The second youth was laying on an ice shelf, probably 20 yards to the east of that first victim, said Battalion Chief Ben Petersen.

Firefighters in cold exposure wetsuits waded in to reach the boy in the water and bring him to safety.

Firefighters then used an inflatable rapid deployment craft to paddle out to the second child.

We tethered the boat and belayed it back to the shore, Petersen said. People on shore pulled them in as soon at the victim was on the craft.

Both were taken to a local hospital.

Outdoor temperatures at the time incident were in the 40s, and the pond wasnt completely frozen and had large sections of open water.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources caution residents to use safety when venturing out onto ice for fishing or other activities.

According to the DNR, a blanket of snow on top of an ice-covered lake insulates the ice, slowing the growth of ice and hiding potential hazards or weak spots.

River ice is 15% weaker than lake ice. Ice with a bluish color is safer than clear ice. People should avoid slushy or honey-combed ice and stay away from dark spots on the ice. Dont walk into areas where the snow cover looks discolored.

Safety tips on the ice

No ice is 100% safe.

New ice is usually stronger than old ice.

Dont go out alone  if the worst should happen, someone will be there to call for help or to help rescue.

Let someone know where you are going and when you will return.

Check ice thickness as you go out. There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed.

Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.

Bring along these basic items to help keep you safe: hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks (wear around your neck) to help you crawl out of the water if you fall in, a life jacket, a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help, a basic first aid kit and extra dry clothes including a pair of gloves.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (21 December 2023)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces jointly with helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled nine attacks launched by assault groups of the 95th Air Assault, 14th and 43rd Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of AFU manpower and hardware close to Petropavlovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemys losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as two D-30 howitzers.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by the AFU 12th Special Forces Brigade near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire struck the personnel and hardware of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Torskoye (Donestk Peoples Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy lost up to 190 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 17 attacks, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Belaya Gora, Artyomovo, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, and three pick-up trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, one UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, three Akatsia self-propelled artillery systems, two Gvozdika self-popelled artillery systems, one D-20 howitzer, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery warfare radar were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised, 79th Air Assault brigades near Katerinovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemys losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one Giatsint-S self-propelled gun, as well as one D-20 howitzer.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces repelled one attack launched an assault group of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire hit AFU personnel and hardware close to Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 75 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions, artillery fire, and air strikes, the AFU losses amounted to over 70 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one Giatsint-B gun.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 129 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down 29 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Svatovo, Belogorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Mayorsk, Gorlovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Peremozhnoye (Zaporozhye region), Tavriysk, Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region), as well as four HIMARS MLRS projectiles.

In total, 553 airplanes and 260 helicopters, 9,928 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,226 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,430 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,547 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Winona residents may have had few opportunities to step outside and see snow so far this holiday season, but they can walk into the warmth of the Winona County History Center to view snow piles and the stories that surround them.

The photography exhibit Snow Piles of the Upper Mississippi opened earlier this month at the center.

The exhibit, which will be on show until March, features recent photos of snow piles in Winona, along with historic photos from past snowfalls in the area.

If you go What: Snow Piles of the Upper Mississippi When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except holidays Where: Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St., Winona Website: www.winonahistory.org

The project's creator, Winona resident Matthew Fluharty, said he was inspired to start the project, which is focused on land, water and community, after moving to the city and experiencing the region's harsh winters for the first time.

He began taking the photos in January 2019.

"These were just new experiences to me and they were fresh experiences, and what was so powerful was the way in which the snowfall transformed the community," Fluharty said as he reflected on driving around corners and seeing snowbanks five feet high that winter.

Fluharty, who is a writer, visual artist, curator and the founder and executive director of Art of the Rural, started by taking pictures of his children playing on the city's snow piles.

From there, he began to think about how a range of people  like county and city workers, business employees and other community members  work to make snow piles each year.

"It's kind of an interesting postcard from the winter that we're all making together," he said. "I began to see them as kind of elements of creativity.

The photographs of those snow piles provide viewers a new chance to see a different angle of the world, he said, when usually they may pass by snow piles in the community without thinking too much about them.

The project, as a result, provides people a new perspective on how they can examine the community and landscape around them.

By taking these photos every year, he said they also help reveal the history of Winona as whats around the snow piles continue to change.

Theres layers. I think it's playful and that's an entry point for folks to ask what is around the photograph, around the snow pile, Fluharty said. I think in a lot of ways placing a snow pile in the center of a photograph like that is like placing a marker on a map because suddenly what one tries to do is orient the rest of the environment around that.

The exhibit also may spark conversations about topics like climate and cultural changes.

Prints of the photographs are being sold at the Winona County History Center, with proceeds from the sales going to support upcoming intercultural exchange opportunities between Prairie Island Indian Community and the city of Winona.

Fluharty saw the exhibit sales as a way to give back to Dakota people, especially with Winona being on their homelands.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  In a surprising about-face, the Universities of Wisconsin regents approved a deal Wednesday evening with Republican legislators to limit diversity positions at the systems two dozen campuses in exchange for money to cover staff raises and construction projects.

Assembly Republican Speaker Robin Vos, who brokered the deal with Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, tweeted that the plan is the first step in a continuing GOP effort to eliminate these cancerous DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) practices on UW campuses.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers issued a lengthy statement after the vote saying the regents decision has left him disappointed and frustrated. He accused Vos of negotiating by bullying, saying the entire affair was motivated by his disdain for public education at every level. The governor promised that he would make damn sure that UW campuses work for everyone.

The regents passed the plan 11-6 during a video conference, capping an ugly five-day episode. The board had previously rejected the deal on a 9-8 vote Saturday amid complaints from Democrats that it would sell out minority and LGBTQ+ students and faculty.

But after a closed-door regents meeting Tuesday led by Rothman, three regents who initially opposed the proposal voted for it Wednesday, including Karen Walsh, Amy Blumenfeld Bogost and Jennifer Staton. They said ahead of Wednesday's vote that they opposed the plan at first because it needed more deliberation. Since then they've had time to review and discuss the deal, they said.

So why are we voting again? It was clear last Saturday that the board did not have sufficient time to discuss this document, Walsh said.

Republican Chris Kapenga, president of the state Senate, had threatened not to confirm regents who voted against the deal. Bogost is the only one who flipped who is unconfirmed.

Regents who voted against the proposal lamented that making financial decisions outside of the state budget process sets a dangerous precedent. They questioned what concessions Republicans would demand next in exchange for dollars.

The very premise of this deal is a nonstarter, said Angela Adams, who voted against the plan twice. I did not join this board to be thrust into political gamesmanship. Supporting DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) on campus is not something we should be exchanging, in my opinion, for dollars.

The deal's supporters said campuses will remain committed to promoting diversity. But at the same time the system needs money to move forward and continue giving students opportunities.

Politics is how the sausage is made, unless we prefer tyranny, said Bob Atwell, who voted for the deal on Saturday and again on Wednesday.

The state budget that Republicans approved and Evers signed last summer called for a 6% raise for some 34,000 university employees over the next two years. But Vos refused to allow the GOP-controlled Legislatures employment committee to release the money in an attempt to force the regents to reduce the number of positions that work on diversity, equity and inclusion projects.

Vos has argued that such efforts only produce division. The dispute reflects a broader cultural battle over college diversity initiatives playing out across the country.

Evers has leveled intense criticism at Vos and Republicans for withholding the funding for raises. He filed a lawsuit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court in October arguing that lawmakers had overstepped their authority by blocking the money.

The deal the regents approved calls for lawmakers to release the money for the raises and various campus construction projects, including $200 million for a new engineering building at the systems flagship campus in Madison.

The regents, in turn, will freeze hiring for diversity positions through 2026 and shift at least 43 current diversity positions to focus on student success. Campuses also will have to eliminate statements supporting diversity on student applications. UW-Madison will have to end an affirmative action faculty hiring program and create an undefined position focused on conservative thought.

Rothman told reporters after the vote that the deal was a necessary compromise in a state with a Republican-controlled Legislature and a Democratic governor.

We live in a political environment, Rothman said. It is not shocking to say we live in a polarized state ... in that context, if youre going to move forward, if youre going to make progress, you have to find a way forward to find compromise. And I think thats what we did in this process.

Associated Students of Madison, UW-Madison's student government group, said it was disheartened by the vote Wednesday and would hold accountable UW officials who promised diversity efforts would continue.

Democrats spent Wednesday trying to persuade regents to reject the deal again. State Rep. Dora Drake, chair of the Legislatures Black Caucus, blasted the plan during a news conference at the state Capitol.

This deal is part of a systematic racist deal and it is discriminatory, Drake said. It is discriminatory toward students, faculty and staffs of color because their experiences should never have a price tag and should never be bought out.

She provided reporters with a memo from the Legislature's attorneys that concluded that the regents' closed-door meeting on Tuesday may have violated the state's open meetings law because the meeting notice was too vague. She asked Attorney General Josh Kaul and District Attorney Ismael Ozanne to investigate.

Kaul spokesperson Gillian Drummond didn't respond to an email inquiring about whether the attorney general would review Drake's allegations. Ozanne also did not respond to an email.

State Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly, who doubles as a regent by virtue of her position, didn't vote Saturday or Wednesday. Her office has said she is vacationing in Europe with her elderly mother.

Underly asked regents Wednesday to reschedule the vote, saying she lacks reliable internet service, but the regents did not accommodate her request and she didn't appear on the video conference.

Bogost appeared from Thailand and UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter joined from an airport. Wachter didn't say where she was.

Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
Citing the ongoing war and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, on Thursday called for the resumption of a humanitarian ceasefire.

Baldwins comments come as she faces pressure from some liberal groups demanding she endorse a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

As I have said before, I support Israels right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organizations threat  but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people, Baldwin said in a statement. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims.

Baldwin made her call for a ceasefire about a day after Hamas top leader arrived in Egypt for talks aimed at brokering a temporary cease-fire and a new deal for Hamas to swap Israeli hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Israeli leaders have vowed to press ahead with the two-month-old offensive, launched in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas in October that killed some 1,200 people and saw 240 others taken hostage.

The offensive has devastated much of northern Gaza, killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, and driven some 1.9 million people  nearly 85% of the population  from their homes, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. The widespread destruction and heavy civilian death toll has drawn increasing international calls for a ceasefire.

I support the resumption of a humanitarian ceasefire, in order to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid, protect innocent civilians and civilian sites, and negotiate the release of the hostages taken on October 7th, Baldwin said. This is only possible if both Hamas and the Israeli government cooperate.

In addition to a ceasefire, Baldwin has called for the unconditional release of all hostages and unfettered access for humanitarian aid into Gaza, the protection of all civilians and civilian areas, efforts to increase the delivery of basic essentials into areas of need, immediate humanitarian aid to those in Gaza from the U.S., and access to medical attention for sick and wounded civilians.

GOP response

The Republican Party of Wisconsin was quick to respond to Baldwins call for a ceasefire.

It is disgusting, yet unsurprising, that Tammy Baldwin is again catering to the demands of Hamas and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Matt Fisher, the state partys spokesman, said in a statement. Wisconsinites deserve a senator who believes terrorists should be eliminated, not accommodated.

Baldwin is seeking her third term in office in the November 2024 election in what many expect to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country next year.

So far, Republicans Stacey Klein, Trempealeau County Board supervisor, and Rejani Raveendran, a 40-year-old college student and chair of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republicans, have announced plans to run next year.

Other Republicans considering joining the race include Madison businessman and 2012 Senate candidate Eric Hovde, Franklin businessman Scott Mayer and former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.

Other voices

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, has previously said Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas horrific terrorist attacks.

Johnson, who was reelected to another term in 2022, told Wisconsin Public Radio in October he wants to avoid a humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in Gaza who do not support Hamas. He added he supports some level of humanitarian aid for Palestinian people in Gaza.

Its a matter of getting the water flowing, Johnson told the outlet. Its a matter of getting the support in there where it can be inspected, so these truckloads of humanitarian aid dont contain weapons, as well. You have got to be careful about this but also understand who the aggressor was and the right of Israel to defend itself and, hopefully over time, be able to destroy Hamas so they cant do this again.

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, has also joined several members of Congress to publicly call for a ceasefire.

I know that the requests for a ceasefire seem to be for Israel to stop, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, told CBS 58 earlier this week when asked if she supports a ceasefire. I dont know that theyre speaking to Hamas. You cant clap with just one hand.

I do know that I want an enduring peace, not just a ceasefire for tonight or a couple of years, Moore said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday hosted a Christmas event for a group of children and spouses of soldiers, police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The families sat around tables decorated with Christmas ornaments as Yoon greeted the children one by one and asked which year of school they were in or what their favorite sport was.

The program included lunch, carol singing by a children's choir and a magic show. It was the first Christmas event held inside the presidential office building.

"You are not alone," Yoon said. "I hope you will not forget that the country is always with you, remembering your fathers and your families."

Children were also invited to write down their dreams on cards and hang them on a tree.

Yoon helped one child  Yoo I-hyeon  hang up his card and joined him in wishing for his dreams to come true. Yoo suffers from total paralysis after he was born prematurely as a result of his mother's shock at the sudden death of her police officer husband, who drowned while searching for a person who jumped into the Han River in 2020.

Also among the attendees were the widows and young children of a firefighter who died from injuries sustained during rescue operations amid strong winds in 2016 and a soldier killed in an explosion during a firing exercise in 2017.

All of the invitees were members of the "Hero's family" program, which was launched by the veterans affairs ministry to support underage children of fallen men and women in uniform. (Yonhap)
Legislative Republicans plan to reintroduce a proposal in January to remove state taxes on retirement income, Assembly Speaker Vos said Wednesday.

The proposal follows Republicans past efforts to pass broader income tax cuts that were vetoed or guaranteed to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Vos, R-Rochester, said he hasnt changed his position on wanting to see the broader tax cuts but said he thought he could find a consensus on the retirement tax exemption proposal.

We have too many successful people who leave Wisconsin, Vos said. They leave for six months and a day, move to Florida, Texas, Tennessee. I want them to be here to see their grandkids. I want them to be here to volunteer, to maybe have a part-time job as we struggle with workers.

Republicans introduced a bill in September that would have removed taxes on up to $100,000 in retirement income from, for example, 401(k) accounts and pension funds for individuals age 67 or older. That provision was tacked onto a proposal to cut the tax rate from 5.3% to 4.4% for the states third income tax bracket that covers individuals earning between $27,630 and $304,000 and married filers earning between $36,840 and $405,000.

The bill passed the Assembly, but never received a Senate vote as Evers vowed to veto the proposal, which he said would put Wisconsin on a path to bankruptcy. He vetoed two other proposals to cut the tax rate for the same group of taxpayers.

Vos didnt provide details on the bill Wednesday, which he disclosed to the Wisconsin State Journal on condition it not be reported until Thursday morning. But he said it wouldnt include the proposed income tax cut for the third bracket.

Speaking about tax cuts more generally on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said she would be willing to work with Republicans to give tax breaks to middle-class workers.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said on WisconsinEye in early December that he would be willing to work with Evers on tax reform if the governor was willing.
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Eli Bibas holds a Torah scroll that survived the Holocaust during a ceremony marking the donation of it to Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Eli's son, Yarden, and daughter-in-law were kidnapped from their home in the kibbutz with their two sons, ages 4 and 10 months old, on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants crossed the border and abducted about 240 people and dragged them to Gaza. With the help of Am Yisrael Together, the Torah was donated by the Hoschander family of New York on behalf of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach to show support for the community. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
China to integrate patriotism education into curriculum

09:54, December 22, 2023 By Zhang Yuying ( Global Times

China will comprehensively integrate patriotism education into the curriculum, including various subjects and textbooks, China's Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Thursday. Experts noted that this will help to achieve the educational goal of cultivating students with patriotism.

The new requirement comes as the Patriotic Education Law is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, according to the China News Service.

The law stipulates that China will incorporate patriotism education into the national education system and clarifies the responsibilities that education departments and schools at various levels should fulfill.

Wang Daquan, deputy director-general of MOE's Department of Policies and Regulations, emphasized the need to integrate patriotism education throughout the entire process of school education. Schools at all levels should be guided to teach ideological and political theory courses. Besides, patriotism education should be incorporated into various subjects and textbooks, Wang said.

"This is conducive to improving the curriculum system that includes patriotic education, so as to achieve the educational goal of cultivating students with a patriotic spirit. It also further emphasizes and reaffirms the importance of patriotic education," Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Additionally, the patriotism education law explicitly states that on the National Day of the People's Republic of China (PRC), various forms of celebration activities should be held to carry out patriotism education.

As 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, an official from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee stated at the press conference that it is an opportune time to implement the law and effectively carry out patriotism education. Currently, relevant departments are working on plans for next year's celebration, according to the official.

Xiong said it is necessary to strengthen patriotism education on occasions like the National Day, because it is important to enhance students' experience through various ceremonial activities in addition to curriculum education. "The students' personal experience will make patriotism education go beyond mere verbal expression."

Moreover, officials from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress pointed out that patriotism education should be closely integrated with the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture while implementing the law, so as to promote cultural confidence.

"We should maintain an open and inclusive attitude, learn from the achievements of human civilization in patriotism education, and prevent interference from populism."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) stepped up its attacks on the incoming interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), urging him to "speak boldly what he has to say" to President Yoon Suk Yeol amid criticism he is nothing more than Yoon's "avatar."

Han Dong-hoon, considered one of Yoon's closest confidants, stepped down as justice minister Thursday to take over as chief of the PPP's emergency committee ahead of next year's general elections.

The PPP has hailed the 50-year-old as a "fresh and innovative" face to lead reforms within the party, but the main opposition party has discounted him as merely a puppet of Yoon.

And a day after his nomination, the DPK escalated its attacks on Han.

"He should speak boldly what he has to say to President Yoon Suk Yeol," said Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, the DPK's floor leader, at a leadership meeting. "The main reason why people turned their backs on the ruling party was due to its leader, who never stood against the presidential office."

Ramping up the rhetoric, Hong pressured the incoming PPP chief to support two special investigation proposals, one of them into stock manipulation allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, as well as its plan to launch a parliamentary probe on other pending issues.

The DPK plans to railroad the two special investigation proposals through the National Assembly next week. Yoon can exercise his veto power against the proposals, though it would run the risk of backlash ahead of April's general elections.

"The more he tries to make the ruling party a guard for Kim Keon Hee, the harsher people's judgment will be," Rep. Jang Kyung-tae, a senior member of the DPK, said in a radio interview. (Yonhap)


Independent Analysis Confirms Five New Zones at Andover

Perth, Dec 22, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Raiden Resources Limited ( ASX:RDN ) ( YM4:FRA ) is pleased to present the results of a recent mapping and pegmatite analysis program undertaken over the Andover South Lithium Project tenements.



Mr Dusko Ljubojevic, Managing Director of Raiden commented: "With ongoing work the teams are starting to define further potential on the Andover South project. On the basis of K/Rb ratio analysis and zonation mapping of all pegmatites, we have defined a further five zones of interest, which will be evaluated in more detail in the coming months. We hope that through the improved understanding of the zonation of the pegmatite field, as well as individual pegmatites, future sampling will confirm the mineral potential within the recently defined targets. The Company will re-evaluate all the target areas with the view of potentially drill testing them in conjunction with Target Area 1, the Company's established target zone.



Shareholders can be assured that whilst awaiting heritage survey dates for drill access, which are being followed up on a regular basis, the Company is diligently continuing to explore its Pilbara lithium projects, especially Andover with the aim of defining numerous walk-up drill ready targets."



Andover South Field Program



The Company engaged CSA Global to assist in a re-evaluation exercise of the Andover South pegmatite project in the Pilbara. The most recent field program included re-mapping of the defined pegmatites and analysis of the outcrop minerology with the objective of:



1) Sampling and analysis of Potassium-Feldspar ("K-Feldspar") minerals collected from pegmatites to determine fractionation states (Highly fractionated pegmatites are more likely to host lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) mineralisation).



2) Analysis of the fractionation trends (potassium/rubidium ratio (K/Rb)), as a guide to define additional potential zones of interest in areas with unsampled/under sampled pegmatites, and



3) Evaluate pegmatites which returned low Li2O values, to determine their degree of fractionation and potential for LCT mineralisation, not confirmed by sampling to date.



The following are the key observations on the basis of the analysis;



- Majority of observed pegmatites are classified as "complex zoned" pegmatites. In such pegmatites, mineralised zones are typically distributed around the quartz core(s) and can be variable in nature along the strike and dip of the individual pegmatite.



- In some instances previous sampling of pegmatites sampled segments of the pegmatites that have little potential to contain lithium (e.g. samples containing only quartz and feldspar, and highly weathered parts of the outer pegmatite zones). These pegmatites are still considered prospective to host lithium mineralisation and multiple zones have been identified as areas requiring resampling with new sampling protocols to be followed.



- In reference to a global dataset of K-feldspar K/Rb fractionation data (provided by CSA Global), which indicates that pegmatites globally, with a K/Rb value of <30, have the highest potential to host lithium mineralisation, it was determined that:



- The K-feldspar fractionation data from the Andover South pegmatites specifically indicate that the high-grade lithium mineralisation is associated with K/Rb values of <10. Multiple pegmatites / zones of pegmatites are fractionated (K/Rb 10-20) but are not associated with positive samples.



The most fractionated pegmatites in the Project area have K/Rb values of <10 and have coincident anomalous Cs and Ta. These very highly fractionated pegmatites correspond to rock chip samples with significantly elevated Li2O (up to 3.80% Li2O) and observed spodumene mineralisation. In this pegmatite system a K/Rb of <10 is indicative of a potentially mineralised pegmatite. Therefore, where additional pegmatites Li2O rock chip assay results were low or were not sampled for assay, they still have the potential to host lithium mineralisation.



Summary of target zones:



- Target zone 1 - has been defined across an approximate 1.5km strike extent within tenement E47/4062, with defined pegmatites which correlate to high-grade Li2O mineralisation. The K/Rb ratio data also indicates that the pegmatites in this zone are highly fractionated in this zone.



- Target zone 2 - is defined on the northern extent, and subparallel, to Target area 1. Multiple pegmatites have been mapped, but the initial sampling results did not indicate economic mineralisation. The K/Rb data analysis of these pegmatites indicates that the pegmatites are highly fractionated.



- Target zone 3 - is located on the eastern strike extent of Target zone 1, within tenement E47/4061 and is characterised by outcropping pegmatites, low lithium mineralisation rock samples, but indicated as highly fractionated by the K/Rb ratio analysis.



- Target zone 4 - is located adjacent to Target zone 3 on E47/4061 and is characterised by outcropping pegmatites, low lithium mineralisation from samples collected to date, however it is defined a potentially permissive for LCT mineralisation, as per the K/Rb ratio analysis.



- Target zone 5 - is located on the southern extent of E47/4062 and characterised as potentially permissive for LCT mineralisation, as per the K/Rb ratio analysis.



- Target zone 6 - is located on the western extent of E47/4062, and is also characterised by outcropping pegmatites, which are potentially permissive for LCT mineralisation, as per the K/Rb ratio analysis.



It should also be noted that a significant portion of the Andover South project is obscured by a thin sedimentary cover. These areas will be evaluated through a combination of soil sampling, or shallow air-core/auger drilling, with the objective of defining new potential target zones. This work will probably be undertaken in parallel with the maiden drilling program on the key target areas.



Planned work



On the basis of the analysis it was concluded to undertake further work, prior to commencement of drilling, in order to confirm further potential zones of interest, as defined through this exercise.



Planned work programs;



- Resampling of pegmatites within the new prospective zones, as defined through the K/Rb fractionation data analysis.



- Obtain high resolution drone imagery and lidar of the tenement areas to refine the digitisation of currently defined and potentially further outcropping pegmatites



- Complete a high-resolution magnetic survey over the target area, with the objective of understanding the relationship between structures, pegmatite mineralisation and potentially define a pegmatite response which may be used to determine pegmatite geometry at depth



- Refining drill planning, in conjunction with CSA Global, based on the work done to date, to ensure Phase 1 drilling will be best placed to intersect the mapped lithiumbearing pegmatites



LCT Pegmatites zone mapping



A brief examination of the host rock indicated it to be mostly weakly metamorphosed mafic units at lower greenschist to greenschist level.



Three types of pegmatitic units were observed in the area.



1. Pegmatitic core unit - strongly indurated unit of mainly quartz with varying amounts of feldspars, spodumene and micas (Figure 4a, b*). This is the least weathered of the units and sometimes shows strong silicic alteration.



2. Aplitic unit - fine grained saccharoidal unit dominated by albite and quartz, and more rarely with fine grained K-feldspar (Figure 4c, d*). The aplitic unit sometimes contains small orange to pink garnets. The aplite varies from relatively fresh to strongly weathered.



3. Pegmatitic wall unit - coarsely crystalline feldspar-dominated unit with common quartz and less common muscovite (Figure 4e, f*). Varies from megacrystic K-feldpsar and quartz to a granitic groundmass with megacrystic K-feldspar phenocrysts. Kfeldspar is the most dominant of the feldspars in this unit. In places this unit shows moderate to intense albitisation.



The pegmatitic units occur mainly as parts of more complex zoned pegmatites, containing one or more for the units (Figure 4a, e*) with a general trend from pegmatitic core to the aplitic unit and pegmatitic wall unit. The units are also observed as single veins in some places.



Examination of the previously sampled rock chips at each of the pegmatites explains the variation in Li2O content where mineralised pegmatites were sampled. The main reason is that most of the mineralised pegmatites are complex zoned, and depending on the part of the pegmatite sampled, the sample may or may not contain lithium bearing minerals.



The most abundant visual spodumene is in indurated pegmatitic core zones (e.g., Figure 5ac*), with confirmed visual spodumene up to 29% (Sample R21160) and of 2.22% Li2O.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/1K5A3M1H





About Raiden Resources Limited





Raiden Resources Limited (ASX:RDN) (DAX:YM4) is a dual listed exploration and development company which is advancing the Mt Sholl Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Palladium deposit in the Pilbara. The Company's portfolio host metals and commodities considered critical for the revolution of the energy and electrification revolution.

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Cover Images/Media Punch Celebrity

Jeffery Williams, Sr. previously declared in a September interview that the 'fukumean' rapper entered the guilty plea because his attorney convinced him that it was the right thing to do.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Young Thug's father has once defended Gunna amid snitching allegations against him. In a new interview, Jeffery Williams, Sr. told rapper Lil Baby to "shut the f**k up" for keeping throwing shots at the "fukumean" spitter while he himself never came to support Thugger in court.

"He needs to shut the f**k up because he don't know what's going on," Jeffery Sr. said when speaking to Infamous Sylvia. "You know, he's going off of what he heard. Ask Lil Baby has he ever came to a court date."

"That's what I want y'all to ask these goddamn rappers and these bloggers with this whole 'snitch' s**t. When have y'all went to a court date to support Slime, to support Jeffery, to support Thug, however you wanna name him?" he added. "Everybody that hasn't been there needs to shut the f**k up about Gunna."

This is not the first time Jeffery Sr. came in Gunna's defense. Back in September, he insisted that the emcee didn't do anything that "can hurt" his family.

"I love Gunna," Jeffery said in an interview with Infamous Sylvia. "Let me try to help the attorney clarify that a little simpler. Gunna hasnt done anything whatsoever that can hurt us on this case. Period."

According to Jeffery, Gunna entered the guilty plea because his attorney convinced him that it was the right thing to do.

Gunna has been accused of snitching after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act on December 14, 2022. He took an Alford plea, meaning that he entered a guilty plea to the one charge while maintaining his innocence on that same charge as a form of self-preservation. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but it was commuted to time served.

Both Gunna and his legal team have shut down the snitching accusations. On his song "bread & butter", he makes it clear that keeps loyal to Thugger, who is still currently behind bars. "Never f**ked a n***a, always stayed solid/ Kept it real with n***as, never lied and always stay honest," he raps. "Love my bro so much, I never change on 'em/ Hunna Wunna goin' do the work, bring you the damn profits."

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The former 'High School Musical' actor was not allowed to cry despite 'so many' stirring moments until the very last day when he filmed the final emotional scene.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Zac Efron was barred from crying until the last day of filming on "The Iron Claw". "The Paperboy" star stars in the film alongside "The Bear" actor Jeremy Allen White, playing real life wrestlers Kevin and Kerry Von Erich who were raised by strict father Fritz Von Erich (played by Holt McCallany) who taught them to withhold their emotions - so director Sean Durkin made sure Efron didn't breakdown until he filmed an emotional final scene at the end of the shoot.

"It was all leading up to that [final scene] for Zac, because there were so many moments in the film where his character just wants to cry," Durkin explained in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"His character just wants to break, and I just kept saying to him, 'No, not now, not here.' And so he was keeping it all in, and when we finally got to that final day, he was just full of tears. We did seven takes of that shot with the boys. He just kept going, and it was really amazing."

The movie also features Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, Maura Tierney, and Lily James and tells the story of the pair of WWE Hall of Famers who came from a family of professional wrestlers led by patriarch Fritz, with five of his six sons all following him into the sport.

The brothers - including David, Mike and Kris - rose to fame throughout the 1980s but their story was marred by personal tragedies which came to be known as the Von Erich curse. Durkin went on to explain he doesn't actually believe in the curse, but he's convinced the family members did and it became a self-fufilling prophecy.

He added to THR, "I do not believe in curses, at least not in the mythical sense. I do believe in the psychology of a curse, and when you're in a family where a lot of bad things have happened and happened to you, it's very easy to believe that you are going to get sucked into that pattern."

"And sometimes, that can almost become self-fulfilling, but that psychology certainly can take a toll and almost act as much as the idea of a mythical course could act. So, no, I don't believe in it, but yes, I think the results of it can be the same."

"The Iron Claw" is released on December 22.

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The 'Euphoria' actress feels sad for her 'Anyone but You' male co-star because he bore the brunt of their dating rumors which surfaced because of their new romcom.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sydney Sweeney claims dating rumours that swirled around her and her "Anyone but You" co-star Glen Powell were "really hard" on the actor. The actress, 26, is due to marry her restaurateur fiance, Jonathan Davino, 40, but was thrust into the centre of talk she was having a fling with "Top Gun: Maverick" star Glen, 35, when raunchy photos from the set of their rom-com appeared online in the wake of his split with his long-time partner Gigi Paris, 31.

"It was really hard on Glen, which made me sad because (otherwise) it was such a beautiful experience for the both of us. I care for him so much," Sydney told Glamour UK magazine.

Sydney added she likes to keep her love-life private as "people really love to build someone up, and then tear them down."

The "Euphoria" star, who made her name playing highly-strung high schooler Cassie Howard on the X-rated HBO teen drama, said, "Everyone is always so curious about who I'm with and what's that like, but I think it's important to have something for me."

"I've been in a steady relationship for a really long time, which is not normal in this industry and not normal for my age. What I've noticed about the idea of celebrity is people really love to build someone up, and then tear them down."

Sydney also revealed that her fiance Jonathan helped produce the rom-com she shot with Glen.

The actress and Glen have repeatedly publicly denied there was anything romantic between them. In August, Sydney said her affectionate public interactions with her co-star were mainly a marketing ploy for "Anyone but You".

She told Variety, "It's a rom-com. That's what people want! Glen and I don't really care. We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much; he's such a hard worker, and I'm a hard worker. They want it. It's fun to give it to 'em."

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A woman named Asta Jonasson claims in a lawsuit that the Dominic Toretto depicter in the 'Fast and Furious' film series restrained and groped her before proceeding to masturbate in front of her in his hotel room in 2010.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Vin Diesel has been dragged to court by his former assistant. The "Fast and Furious" actor has been accused of sexual battery by Asta Jonasson in a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, December 21.

In the legal docs, Asta claimed the incident took place in 2010 during the filming of "Fast Five". She alleged that the 56-year-old "forcibly grabbed" her, "groped her breasts, and kissed her" at a hotel suite in Atlanta. "Vin Diesel ignored Ms. Jonasson's clear statements of non-consent to his sexual assaults," the suit added.

Asta, who said she was hired by One Race Productions in September 2010, revealed that her first assignment was organizing parties and catering for Vin. One job requirement included "staying in close physical proximity to Vin Diesel when he was at parties without his long-time girlfriend with whom he had children because, as he explained, it would provide him with cover if he was photographed with another woman."

The plaintiff said she was "fulfilling her work duties" one night and ensuring "no photographs were taken of Vin Diesel, who was entertaining multiple women in the Empire Suite of his luxury hotel" when the alleged assault took place. After the last woman left the place, that was when Vin allegedly "forcibly grabbed Ms. Jonasson, groped her breasts, and kissed her."

At one point, the Dominic Toretto depicter reportedly "pinned her against the wall with his body and grabbed Ms. Jonasson's hand and placed it on his erect penis." The lawsuit further read, "Disgusted by being forced to touch his penis, Ms. Jonasson instantaneously withdrew her hand and again verbally refused him."

Asta claimed Vin "ignored [her] pleas" and then "began to masturbate" while keeping her pinned to the wall. Hours later, Vin's sister Samantha Vincent, who is the president of One Race, reportedly called her.

"Rather than take any actions to protect Ms. Jonasson from further sexual assaults or punish Vin Diesel for his egregious actions, Vincent stated that One Race no longer needed 'any extra help' and terminated Ms. Jonasson's employment," the suit stated. "The message was clear. Ms. Jonasson was fired for courageously resisting Vin Diesel's sexual assault, Vin Diesel would be protected, and his sexual assault covered up."

Asta is seeking damages for lost wages and emotional distress, in addition to "punitive and exemplary damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants, and to make an example of and deter Defendants from engaging in such conduct in the future." As for Vin, he has yet to respond to the allegations.

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The 'Dancing with the Stars' judge announces that his wife's 'cranioplasty surgery has been successfully completed as planned' and thanks those who have prayed for her.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Derek Hough has announced that Hayley Erbert had a successful second brain surgery. The "Dancing with the Stars" judge revealed that his wife is starting her "full recovery" and thanked those who have sent their prayers and support for the couple amid their "challenging time."

On Thursday, December 21, the 38-year-old shared an update on the result of Hayley's second procedure via Instagram. Along with a photo of him sitting next to his wife in hospital, he wrote in a lengthy caption, "With immense relief, gratitude and overwhelming joy I'd like to share that Hayley's cranioplasty surgery has been successfully completed as planned."

Derek went on to say, "My sincere appreciation goes to the exceptional medical team. Their expertise and steady hands were pivotal in this journey, ensuring a smooth and successful surgery. Especially Dr. Mai who not only performed the surgery but was also the one who saved her life 2 weeks ago."

The TV personality also thanked his fans, "We are profoundly touched by the outpouring of support and prayers from each of you. Your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy have been a source of strength and comfort for us during this challenging time. It's truly heartwarming to know how much love and care surrounds us."

Derek further noted, "This surgery marks a significant milestone in my wife's recovery journey, and your support has played a crucial role in getting us here. We are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing she is on the path to a full recovery, surrounded by such a loving community." He then concluded, "Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing with us. We love you with heartfelt thanks and endless gratitude."

On December 7, Derek announced Hayley's diagnosis that required her to do an emergency surgery. "At the end of last night's tour performance in Washington, D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy. She is in stable condition," he shared via Instagram.

Days later, Derek unveiled that Hayley was set to do a second procedure. On December 15, he wrote, "She still has a ways to go with another surgery, hopefully in a few weeks, to insert a skull implant to replace the piece that was removed during the craniectomy. It will restore the skull to its natural shape and protect the brain from injury." On December 20, he asked social media users to pray for his wife as she was "going in" for the second surgery.

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In a statement issued after his former assistant filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles, the 'Fast and Furious' actor's lawyer Bryan Freedman says his client 'categorically denies ... these outlandish allegations.'

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Vin Diesel has shared his response after he's dragged to court by his former assistant. In a statement issued by his lawyer on Thursday, December 21, the Hollywood star "categorically denies" the allegations of sexual battery leveled at him by his ex-employee.

"Let me be very clear, Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety," Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, said in the statement. "This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations."

The allegations were brought forward by Diesel's former assistant Asta Jonasson. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, December 21, she alleges a violent encounter with the actor at the St. Regis Hotel, Atlanta in September 2010 during the filming of "Fast Five".

Jonasson, whose responsibilities included organizing and accompanying the "Fast and Furious" star to parties to ensure no photographs of him were taken, claims one night, after he was entertaining multiple women and the guests left, he "forcibly grabbed Ms. Jonasson, groped her breasts, and kissed her."

The Dominic Toretto depicter reportedly "pinned her against the wall with his body and grabbed Ms. Jonasson's hand and placed it on his erect penis." The lawsuit further reads, "Disgusted by being forced to touch his penis, Ms. Jonasson instantaneously withdrew her hand and again verbally refused him."

Jonasson claims Diesel "ignored [her] pleas" and then "began to masturbate" while keeping her pinned to the wall. Hours later, his sister Samantha Vincent, who is the president of One Race, reportedly called her.

"Rather than take any actions to protect Ms. Jonasson from further sexual assaults or punish Vin Diesel for his egregious actions, Vincent stated that One Race no longer needed 'any extra help' and terminated Ms. Jonasson's employment," the suit states. "The message was clear. Ms. Jonasson was fired for courageously resisting Vin Diesel's sexual assault, Vin Diesel would be protected, and his sexual assault covered up."

Jonasson is seeking damages for lost wages and emotional distress, in addition to "punitive and exemplary damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants, and to make an example of and deter Defendants from engaging in such conduct in the future."

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By Nam Hyun-woo

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is showing mixed responses after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) named former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, who is viewed as a protege of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as the party's interim head.

Some DPK members are saying that Hans nomination is a chance to step up its criticisms of the presidents excessive grip on the PPP and evoke negative public sentiment against the Yoon administration. On the other hand, others say that the DPK should be wary of the impact of Hans political debut, citing it as a loss to President Yoon during the presidential election last year.

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won, a senior DPK member, wrote on Facebook on Thursday night that Hans acceptance of the PPP interim leadership is the best Christmas gift from President Yoon.

Han has many nicknames such as Yoons avatar, heir apparent and younger twin brother. This younger brother seeks to control the PPP and create a republic of prosecutors, but the people will not allow that," he wrote.

A day earlier, the ruling party named Han as its emergency committee chief, meaning the partys interim leader, as the party needs fresh leadership to salvage itself from a pessimistic outlook for the general elections slated for April. Han stepped down from the justice minister post after the nomination, saying he wants to prepare the future of the country.

An outspoken former prosecutor, Han is described as one of the figures who best understands Yoon. Han has worked with Yoon  also a former prosecutor  in multiple investigation teams at the prosecution. He enjoyed high popularity among conservative voters due to his neat styling, smart rhetoric and unyielding stance during arguments with opposition lawmakers after becoming the first justice minister of the Yoon administration.

Optimists among the DPK see this as a chance to step up its criticism against the ruling bloc and evoke negative sentiment.

In recent months, the PPP has been criticized for becoming a mouthpiece of the president, and Hans leadership is triggering concerns that the party may be more submissive to the administration in terms of pending political affairs, such as the DPKs push to launch a special counsel investigation into first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Also, optimists cast a rosy outlook that Han, viewed as a protege of Yoon, will limit the PPPs efforts to canvass centrist voters because Hans support base overlaps with that of Yoon.

Due to this, DPK Rep. Woo Sang-ho said in a radio interview with broadcaster MBC on Wednesday that for the DPK, Hans interim leadership is somewhat desirable because Han has limits that the DPK can use for political framing.

DPK Supreme Council member Rep. Jung Chung-rae also said on Tuesday that it's not a bad thing for the opposition when the number of targets increases, adding he welcomes Han. The DPKs fringe group, Principle and Common Sense, said in a statement it released on Thursday that the PPPs support rate is now synchronized with that of Yoon and it is an opportunity for the DPK.

However, voices are expressing that Hans political debut is something that the DPK should be wary of.

DPK Rep. Park Yong-jin said in an interview with broadcaster SBS that the public will be asking about what the DPK is doing while the PPP is striving to refresh itself, adding that DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung should come up with plans to counter the PPPs move.

DPK Rep. Jung Sung-ho also wrote on Facebook Friday that Han is not like President Yoon and he is capable of reforming the ruling party based on sharp analysis and strong executive power.

Against the backdrop, a fresh survey indicated that Han is outpacing DPK Chairman Lee in a poll about the preferred next president.

According to a survey released by Korea Public Reputation Analysis on Friday, 45 percent of 1,006 respondents said that they prefer Han as the next president, outpacing the DPK chairman with 41 percent.

In a separate question on preference, Han secured 47 percent to outdo Lee with 42 percent. The poll surveyed 1,006 adults from Dec. 20 to 21, and further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commissions website.
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In a new episode of Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills', Erika is seen going after her co-star Denise while also dragging the latter's 19-year-old daughter into their argument.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Erika Jayne didn't go easy on Denise Richards in a new episode of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills". Airing on Wednesday, December 20, the new outing saw Erika slamming Denise while also dragging the latter's daughter Sami Sheen into their argument.

During the verbal fight, Erika appeared to insinuate that Denise's 19-year-old daughter made more money than Denise with her career as an OnlyFans creator. "I just want to know, who's more profitable? You or Sami?" she asked. Denise quickly fired back, saying, "That is a f**king low blow to bring up my daughter's OnlyFans."

The argument came following Erika's remarks about threesomes at a shindig Denise hosted at her house during season 10 of "RHOBH". Denise said that she's still upset because Sami heard the entire conversation at the time.

"OK, your oldest daughter's on OnlyFans. She doesn't know [what a threesome is?]" Erika questioned. "You came in slurring inarticulate, could not string two words together and wanted to call me a b***h," she continued, referring to a THC dinner party hosted at Kyle Richards' house a few weeks earlier.

Erika continued, "You want me to sit here and pretend like it didn't happen? What do you think, I'm not going to go to OnlyFans? I'm not going to go as f**king low as I can? Have you met me?" Erika continued. "So here we are."

Denise's daughter Sami announced her venture into OnlyFans back in June 2022. While her father Charlie Sheen was against the idea, Denise showed support for Sami's decision. "All I can do as a parent is guide her and trust her judgment, but she makes her own choices," the "Love Actually" actress said at the time. She even joined the platform later.

The Wednesday episode also saw Erika mocking Denise for allegedly selling nude photos for only $7 on the subscription-based adult platform. Fellow "RHOBH" cast member Garcelle Beauvais commented in a confessional, "That seems a little low for Denise f**king Richards. You can do better than that. How about, I don't know, $10."

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The 'Fight Club' actor allegedly did not accompany the jewelry designer when she celebrated her 31st birthday with her friends and colleagues in Beverly Hills.

Dec 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Brad Pitt's girlfriend Ines De Ramon reportedly celebrated her 31st birthday without her A-list boyfriend. The "Fight Club" actor and the jewelry designer, who have been dating for a year, had their birthdays one day apart, with Brad turning 60 on December 18 and Ines toasting her 31st on the 19th.

Ines was surrounded by friends and colleagues at celebrity hotspot E Baldi in Beverly Hills on her birthday, with the jewelry designer seen looking happy as she made her way to the Italian eatery carrying a beautiful bouquet of pink and white lilies and gifts tucked into a Neiman Marcus shopping bag, according to the Daily Mail. But the outlet said Brad wasn't at the bash.

Ines' party came a day after she helped Brad ring in his milestone 60th birthday in Los Angeles. A source told PEOPLE before the bash the actor would be keeping his party "very low-key." Another insider told Us Weekly, "He is in a loving relationship, his relationship with most of his kids is loving (and) he's in a good place. All Brad wants this year is for his kids and himself to be happy."

The source also said the father-of-six is "feeling great" and is said to have recently "turned a corner" in repairing his relationship with his kids in the wake of his divorce from their 48-year-old mum Angelina Jolie.

It was previously reported Brad and Ines were planning on having a joint birthday bash. A source told the DailyMail.com, "A joint birthday, Christmas, New Year's-type celebration is in the works. And also, since Brad is turning 60, something might be brewing for that."

Despite the apparent birthday plans, a source said the pair are nowhere near getting married as they are "perfectly happy" enjoying having "fun." The insider added, "Brad is happy and in love with his girlfriend, Ines, but any sign of engagement or getting married or eloping is not in the near future."

"Brad isn't gun shy to get married again, it just is not anything on the mind of both of them," the source elaborated. "No one is pressuring anyone to move fast, no thoughts of having kids or anything like that is happening, they are perfectly happy with each other and love how everything is simple, fun and exciting and always seems new. Brad has no worries when he is with Ines, they just seem to work and are a fun couple."

Brad and Ines first sparked dating rumors in November 2022 when they were spotted looking intimate at a Bono concert in Los Angeles. In December, they were spotted together at Brad's 59th birthday and they saw in the New Year together on holiday in Cabo San Lucas. And in August, Ines was spotted wearing a necklace with a "B" pendant, and Brad is said to now introduce her to people as his "girlfriend."

Their romance came amid Brad's bitter legal battle with former wife Angelina over the French vineyard they once jointly owned. It also started two months after Ines announced her split from "The Vampire Diaries" actor Paul Wesley, 41, to whom she was married for three years.

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If a new report is to be believed, the 60-year-old 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' actor 'seems to be relaxed than before' after dating the 34-year-old jewelry designer.

Dec 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Brad Pitt's new girlfriend Ines de Ramon is surely bringing the best of the actor. If a new report is to be believed, the "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" actor "seems to be relaxed than before" after dating the jewelry designer.

"He's certainly more at ease than he has been in the past few years," a source tells PEOPLE. The insider adds that the 60-year-old Hollywood star and his girlfriend "seem very comfortable when they're together."

The source adds that after celebrating his 60th birthday, the Oscar winner is at the best place. "Look, he's Brad Pitt. He's handsome, intelligent, famous and free. In his place, I'd be happy at any age," the informant divulges.

On December 19, Pitt and Ramon were spotted all smiles while attending a bash to celebrate his milestone with about 30 guests at the Italian restaurant Mother Wolf in Los Angeles. In photos circulating online, the "Babylon" star and his girlfriend looked to be in great spirits as they greeted guests outside the restaurant.

For the big day, the birthday boy stunned in a black cashmere shirt hand-painted with gold floral designs from his fashion line, God's True Cashmere. While the exact shirt and pattern are not available for sale, a very similar style in navy blue retails for a whopping $6,000. He teamed the flashy shirt with black pants and a pair of black loafers.

As for Ramon, who also celebrated her 34th birthday the day before, she opted for a short white dress with a white scarf on her shoulders. She paired the look with black tights and a pair of black high heels, while a balloon appeared to be tied to the back of her dress and she carried what looks like a gift.

The couple was first spotted together when they attended a Bono concert in November. While it's Pitt's first public relationship since his bitter divorce from Angelina Jolie in 2016, he was previously briefly linked to Emily Ratajkowski.

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The leading actress of Martin Scorsese's newest movie remembers meeting her character Mollie Burkhart's native American family before kicking off the production.

Dec 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lily Gladstone was keen to honour Mollie Burkhart's family with her performance in "Killers of the Flower Moon". The 37-year-old actress portrays Mollie, an Osage woman, in Martin Scorsese's epic and explained how she placed lots of value on the opinion of her character's granddaughter Margie.

"The person whose opinion I valued most at the end of the day was always going to be Margie Burkhart, who was Mollie's granddaughter and Cowboy's daughter. Margie had never met her grandmother - Mollie passed away in 1936 - but she had pieced together her sense of who Mollie would've been from little stories from her dad, but not many," Lily told Deadline.

"So, when we were meeting with Margie, I knew that she wasn't going to hand me a list of, 'This is Mollie and how to play her.' There was no blueprint, but where you find that is the legacy they leave within their family. So, there's a lot of small gestures that came from that meeting. The way Margie just is around people. A lot of that went into Mollie."

Lily has earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work in the movie and reflected on getting to meet Margie's family at the picture's Osage premiere. She recalled, "I got to see her in person at our Osage premiere. And she talked about how she was amazed that we had done it, we accomplished it."

"She just embraced me so tightly. She introduced me to her grandchildren, so Mollie's great-great-grandchildren. I remember the youngest one that I met. I could see Mollie's face just so perfectly, and for a second the way it felt like I was able to look at her, it was like she was meeting her grandma. It's like the way she met her grandma was through this film."

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College Vidya, the leading platform for informed online education choices, is excited to announce the launch of their new campaign titled 'Kya Farak Padta Hai'. This heartfelt campaign comes directly from the heart of College Vidyas Veteran Counselors and COO on witnessing how misguided the students are. This campaign aims to highlight the severity of making casual decisions towards careers, particularly in the context of online education. Through this initiative, College Vidya aims to address the casualness, lack of understanding, and apprehensions that students often have when choosing online education, further highlighting the detrimental long-term impact they can have on one's career.

Central to the campaign are two brand films, conceptualised to represent different young faces highlighting their casual approach toward online education. The films will be rolled out across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Recognizing the need for a holistic understanding of the concerns surrounding online education choices, College Vidya surveyed veteran counselors associated with the organization. The survey aimed to identify common queries and unfortunate casual perceptions that students have when opting for online education.

Rohit Gupta, Co-founder & COO of College Vidya, spearheads this social media campaign, directly addressing the concerns and misconceptions of the students. By leveraging his extensive experience and expertise in the field, Rohit Gupta is dedicated to demystifying the myths surrounding online education and providing students with accurate, reliable information to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

He said, Through our campaign, we aim to shatter the casualness and misconceptions surrounding online education. Students must understand the significance of making informed decisions that can shape their future careers. We are committed to empowering students with accurate information, expert guidance, and the appropriate tools they need to navigate the world of online education with confidence. We believe that every choice matters, and by challenging the casual attitudes towards online education, we are paving the way for a generation of students who will embrace the transformative power of digital learning and give due attention to the academic decisions they make in their lives."

College Vidya invites students, parents, and educators to join the conversation by using the hashtag #KyaFarakPadtaHai and share their thoughts, concerns, and success stories related to online education. Through engaging and informative content, College Vidya aims to reach a wider audience, encouraging students to think critically and make well-informed choices when it comes to their education.
The Lok Sabha has approved the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, marking the end of the colonial-era Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.

The Bill, previously passed by the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session, introduces a streamlined and online process for the allotment of titles and registration of periodicals, eliminating the need for physical interactions. This significant change is expected to expedite the process, particularly benefiting small and medium publishers, who will no longer be obligated to file declarations with district magistrates or local authorities.

Under the new statute, publishers and printing presses will experience a simplified procedure, with only an online intimation required for printing presses. The cumbersome eight-step process currently in place, consuming considerable time, will be replaced by a more efficient 60-day title registration process. Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur, while presenting the Bill in the Lok Sabha, emphasized its role in breaking away from the colonial mentality and establishing new laws for a modern India.

The Bill also addresses criminality concerns, proposing financial penalties instead of convictions for certain violations. Additionally, it establishes a credible appellate mechanism, headed by the Chairperson of the Press Council of India. The Act of 1867, a remnant of the British Raj aimed at controlling the press, becomes obsolete in the context of today's free press and the government's commitment to media freedom.

Key features of the Bill include an online mechanism for title verification and registration, no requirement for declarations before local authorities, and a simplified role for District Magistrates/local authorities in the registration process. The Bill prohibits individuals convicted of offenses related to terrorism or unlawful activities from publishing a periodical. Moreover, it permits the printing of facsimile editions of foreign periodicals in India with prior approval from the Central Government and registration with the Press Registrar General. The overhaul seeks to align regulations with the current media landscape and foster a more business-friendly environment.
Forget predictable product launches and tired, tested tropes. BTDT Media, a rising star in the ad galaxy, has just rewritten the mobile marketing playbook with its electrifying #FlipTheScript campaign for the Moto Razr 40 Ultra. Moreover, their craze in the digital marketing industry has made BTDT Media the official Digital Media partner of the MOBEXX Summit & Awards.

This represented a high-octane re-invention of an iconic phone, earning BTDT Media the prestigious Mobile Advertising Excellence Brand Campaign award at the MOBEXX Awards 2023.

However, as we're aware, this isn't the first time this two-year-old agency has garnered recognition. In 2022, BTDT Media secured two accolades at Adgully's DIGIXX Awards.

So, fasten your seatbelts as we prepare to dissect this marketing masterpiece.

Facing the Foldable Flippocalypse

In the face of the Foldable Flippocalypse, the Moto Razr 40 Ultra entered a battlefield dominated by the Galaxy Z Flip series phones (Flip 4, Flip 5). Distinction transcended mere megapixels and processing power; it ignited a cultural spark. BTDT Media, with a visionary approach, looked beyond the specs and tapped into the nostalgia for the original Razr, infusing it with a modern twist.

Recognizing that a simple throwback wouldn't suffice, they understood the imperative of showcasing the Razr 40 Ultra as more than a relic. The campaign's success hinged on establishing an "Emotional Connection" with the audience.

So what did they do? They took decisive action!

Action Speaks Louder Than Slogans:

Breaking free from conventional voiceover approaches, BTDT Media curated a series of action-packed video campaigns that redefined what it means to be a trailblazer in today's dynamic world. To maximize impact, they collaborated with top-tier influencers whose personalities seamlessly aligned with the Razr Ultra 40 Phone.

Meet these five iconic influencers:

These video campaigns weren't mere flashy visuals; they were metaphors intricately woven with the phone's DNA. The foldable design symbolized defiance against the status quo, while the camera's prowess captured the influencers' lives in breathtaking detail.

It was a masterclass in storytelling, subtly showcasing the phone's features without compromising the narrative's impact.

Flipping the Marketing Funnel:

Recognizing that virality transcends catchy jingles, BTDT Media unleashed the #FlipTheScript campaign across the digital universe, saturating Instagram and YouTube with targeted ads. They strategically partnered with influential voices to amplify the message.

This wasn't a solo endeavor. The campaign's success was a testament to BTDT Media's collaborative spirit. Guided by the visionary Arjun Kapadia, the team worked hand-in-hand with Motorola, ensuring the campaign resonated with the brand's core values.

Well, undoubtedly, the credit goes to the team members - Amit Raj | Khushboo Kapadia | Anupam Tiwari | Ronald Menezes | Hitakshi Lalwani | Gauravsinh Revar | Saloni Jain | and others.

The Applause Doesn't Lie:

The results were as electrifying as the campaign itself. The #FlipTheScript hashtag trended like wildfire; each video amassed over 1 million views. Most importantly, the Razr 40 Ultra experienced a meteoric rise in sales on Flipkart and Amazon. It wasn't just about online buzz but a tangible conversion of attention into customers.

And then came the ultimate validation: the 2023 MOBEXX Summit. As the coveted Mobile Advertising Excellence Brand Campaign award landed in BTDT Media's hands, it was a resounding affirmation of their creativity, strategic brilliance, and ability to deliver game-changing results.

Moreover, let's not overlook the masterminds - Lakshay Katyal and Shivam Ranjan from the marketing team of Motorola India. They identified BTDT Media as a worthy agency to collaborate with, resulting in the best Mobile Advertising Excellence Brand Campaign win.

Lessons from the campaign

The #FlipTheScript campaign isn't just a marketing marvel; it's a blueprint for mobile advertising success in the age of information overload. It teaches us that understanding your audience, crafting compelling narratives, and leveraging the power of social media and influencer marketing are the keys to unlocking viral potential.

BTDT Media didn't merely sell a phone; they ignited a revolution, proving that in the mobile marketing arena, it's not about the biggest budget or the fanciest tech; it's about having a clear vision, a captivating story, and the courage to execute it with audacious flair.
LS Digital recently announced its foray into the UK market, aligning with its mission to become a global leader in the offering of Digital Marketing Transformation (DMT) solutions. Recently, it has also acquired digital marketing agencies such as Social Panga, F1 Studioz, and Langoor Digital. In the UK, it will be offering a comprehensive suite of services, which include creative, media, UI/UX, data and insights, tech and innovations, Customer Experience (CX), and communications for meeting the evolving needs of the market. For the expansion of its client base in the UK, it is devising and executing a range of strategies and activations which include emulating the success strategies it employed in the Middle East market along with the establishment of a local presence to drive improved engagement with the clients.

The UK market offers several advantages currently such as increased digital spending and adoption and LS Digital has plans of assisting UK brands by leveraging its strong DMT network helping to optimise their (ROAS) or Return on Advertising Spend. It has the vision of turning LS Digital into a DMT leader within five years in the digital marketing industry.

For overseeing the UK operations, Pawan Wankhede has been appointed as the Business Head, who will be focusing on the expansion of the skills and capabilities of LS Digital in DMT or Digital Marketing Transformation to businesses existing in the UK market.

In conversation with Adgully, Prasad Shejale, Founder & CEO, LS Digital, said, The UK market offers enormous potential for advertising and digital marketing. With a diverse creme market, it provides a sophisticated landscape for brands to engage with consumers.

What is the reason for LS Digital to foray in the UK Market? What are the new services that it is going to offer with this expansion?

The decision to enter the UK market aligns with our broader growth strategy to become a global leader in the delivery of Digital Marketing Transformation (DMT) solutions. This includes recent additions of Langoor Digital, F1 Studioz, and Social Panga as a part of group companies. This has enabled LS Digital to expand its global presence and extend its capabilities as well.

Who is the current client base in the UK? What are the strategies employed to acquire new clients in the UK?

Our current client base in the UK and Europe includes established brands such as Lenovo UK, Abbott, Deutsche Telecom, and Barclays UK. To expand our clientele, we employ a strategy focused on leveraging our enhanced capabilities post-acquisitions, setting up a local office, and replicating the success weve achieved in the Middle East. Our approach involves a combination of providing cutting-edge digital solutions and establishing a local presence for better client engagement.

What are the potential and scope for advertising and digital marketing in the UK market currently? What benefits does the market offer in terms of digital marketing, and how is it different from that in the Indian market?

The UK market offers enormous potential for advertising and digital marketing. With a diverse creme market, it provides a sophisticated landscape for brands to engage with consumers. The benefits include a high level of digital adoption and spending, which presents opportunities for LS Digital to bring its integrated solutions. It is important to note that the UK market is different from India in terms of consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and technological advancements. Therefore, a nuanced approach to digital marketing strategies is required to succeed in this market.

How will Pawan Wankhedes appointment as the Business Head of UK operations, and his extensive experience in digital marketing contribute to the growth of LS Digital in the UK?

Pawan Wankhedes appointment as the Business Head of UK operations is a strategic move to capitalise on his extensive experience in digital marketing in this region. His leadership will play a crucial role in steering LS Digitals growth in the UK. He has a deep understanding of the industry, positioning us well to navigate the market and deliver tailored solutions to our clients.

Could you tell us about the DMT or Digital Marketing Transformation framework formed by LS Digital?

LS Digital empowers brands from various industries to revolutionise marketing by leveraging digital technologies as a catalyst. DMT helps achieve this transformation by seamlessly integrating services across various domains, including media, user interfaces/ user experiences, creative, data, customer experience, and technology.

This comprehensive approach enables brands to stay relevant and appealing to digitally-enabled consumers, fostering growth and success.

What are the plans for expansion and growth in the UK market for LS Digital, and how will the company help the UK brands in harnessing the robust DMT framework, which is shaped by it as well as helping them to optimize their ROAS or Return on Advertising Spend?

Our plans for expansion in the UK involve scaling up our operations, opening local offices, and replicating the success weve had in other regions. LS Digital aims to assist UK brands by leveraging our robust DMT framework. This will not only optimise their Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS), but also help them harness the full potential of our integrated digital solutions for sustainable growth.

How is LS Digitals Transformation framework perfectly positioned to address the gap in the UK market?

Our DMT framework is perfectly positioned to address the gap in the UK market byoffering a comprehensive suite of digital services. LS Digitals integrated approach, covering media, UI/UX, creative, data, CX, and tech, aligns with the evolving needs ofthe UK market. This strategic positioning ensures that we provide tailored solutions that resonate with the specific demands of the UK audience.

What does the road ahead look like for LS Digital?

LS Digital has progressive growth plans. Our vision is to make LS Digital become a DMT leader to reckon within five years, with a strong employee base and a global presence. We anticipate sustained year-on-year growth by leveraging our integrated solutions and staying ahead of industry trends. Our focus remains on delivering value to clients and driving innovation in this dynamic field of digital marketing.
Sony SABs latest family drama, Aangan Aapno Kaa, has captured hearts with its relatable storyline and endearing characters. From the narrative centred around single father Jaidev (Mahesh Thakur) to the three daughters  Pallavi (Ayushi Khurana), Tanvi (Aditi Rathore), and Deepika (Neetha Shetty), viewers are expressing their admiration for the heartfelt portrayal of the father-daughter relationship. The show beautifully captures the bond between a father and his daughters, especially showcasing Pallavis unconditional commitment to caring for her father, even to the extent of deciding not to marry. The emotional resonance of the show is truly heartwarming.

In the recent episodes, viewers saw Akash Awasthi (Samar Vermani) and Pallavi turning into friends from foes. Recently, the actors shot a dance sequence featuring two classic songs - Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan and Gallan Goodiyan. Samar playfully admitted to having "two left feet" on the dance floor, emphasising the challenges he faced while grooving to the beats. However, what made the dance sessions truly memorable was the off-screen bond he shares with Ayushi.

Revealing the intricacies of shooting the family dance sequence, Samar humorously shared, "We all ended up hitting people around us, and me being the tallest, I managed to hit almost everyone during our dance rehearsals. Im not really a great dancer, but we Indians have Bollywood in our blood, and we just ended up performing well. I have the most fun shooting scenes focusing on dancing and emotions, and shooting such scenes with Ayushi is a breeze due to our great off-screen bond, making it effortlessly reflect on screen."

Ayushi Khurana, who plays the role of Pallavi Sharma, says, "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan is supposed to be this deep and emotional song and I couldn't help but burst into laughter instead of blushing when I looked at Samar. Off-screen we call each other bros and we are like buddies whereas on-screen we have to emote romantic feelings so most of the time we ended up laughing. As Pallavi, I have to juggle two different expressions  one of love for Akash and one of confusion regarding her father. It's a bit tricky to convey both these emotions simultaneously, but every time we reviewed the shots, there was an overwhelming sense of joy seeing how beautifully it's all coming together."

Tune in to watch Aangan Aapno Kaa only on Sony SAB every Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM
The Federal Council

Bern, 22.12.2023 - The head of the DDPS, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, has appointed Manuel Suter as Deputy Director of the NCSC as of 1 January 2024. The Federal Council was informed of the appointment at its meeting on 22 December.

Manuel Suter, 44, is currently co-head of the Office of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). From 1 January, he will take up the post of deputy director of the NCSC and head of the Managerial Staff Office. He will be responsible for setting the NCSCs political, legal and strategic direction, strategic cooperation projects with the cantons, universities and businesses, and designing the content of the National Cyber Strategy.



Mr Suter graduated from the University of Zurich with a degree in Political Science, History and Constitutional Law. In 2012, he received his doctorate from ETH Zurich for his dissertation on the governance of cybersecurity. From 2006, he worked as a researcher and doctoral candidate at the Centre for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, and from November 2011 as a senior researcher in the CSSs New Risks research group, where he specialised in critical infrastructure and risk management. From September 2012 to October 2014, he worked for WIF Partner AG as a project manager in infrastructure management. In January 2015, Mr Suter joined the Federal IT Steering Unit (FITSU) as coordinator and project manager of the National Strategy for the Protection of Switzerland against Cyber Risks. Since July 2019, he has been co-head of the Office of the NCSC at the Federal Department of Finance (FDF).



Due to the growing importance of cybersecurity and thus the NCSC, the Federal Council decided on 2 December 2022 to transform the NCSC into a federal office and to transfer it from the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The National Cyber Security Centre will take up its activities within the DDPS on 1 January.

Address for enquiries

Lorenz Frischknecht

Deputy Head of Communication / DDPS Spokesperson

+41 58 484 26 17

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



General Secretariat DDPS

https://www.vbs.admin.ch/



Secretariat-General FDF

http://www.efd.admin.ch




By Baek Byung-yeul

POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo appears to be seeking a third term as he recently purchased additional shares of POSCO Holdings, the group's holding company, additionally the board has changed the chairman selection rules while remaining silent about the current chairman's future course of action, according to industry officials, Friday.

"Chairman Choi is expected to opt for a quiet challenge rather than announcing his bid to run for a third term loudly, an industry official said on condition of anonymity. He appeared to opt for being included automatically among the candidates looking to become the next chairman according to the changed internal regulations of POSCO Holdings.

On Dec. 19, the board of POSCO Holdings changed the regulations so that the procedure for appointing the next chairman would start regardless of the incumbent chairman's expression of intent. Therefore, the incumbent chairman does not necessarily have to declare his intent to seek another term.

Previously, according to company regulations, an incumbent chairman facing the end of his term and wanting to stay on for another term had to express his intent 90 days before the shareholders' meeting. But Choi will be automatically included in the list of next chairman candidates without having to declare his intent.

However, the official added that it remains to be seen  until mid-January  whether the group will release a long list of chairman candidates.

"Last August, KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo also announced that he would not seek a fourth term. Yoon was included in the long list of the next chairman candidates announced by KB Financial Group, but he withdrew his name from consideration, saying it was time to pass the baton to a successor," the official said.

"It could be the same for POSCO Group. When the long list of next chairman candidates comes out in mid-January, the incumbent chairman might express his intention not to seek a third term. It's an issue that needs to be watched further."

When asked whether the chairman has decided to seek a third term, a POSCO Holdings official said, There is nothing to comment.

Choi took office as the group's ninth chairman in July 2018 and won a second term in March 2021.

The industry view is that Choi will seek a third term because his leadership was responsible for the steel-making group's bold investment in the electric vehicle materials sector and diversifying beyond steel to produce a wider variety of materials.

Also, the chairman purchased 700 shares of POSCO Holdings on Dec. 11. Given that chiefs of a company often sell the stocks they own before retiring, his move can be interpreted as a signal that he is vying for a third term since buying more stocks.

POSCO Group said the CEO nominee recommendation committee, which selects the next chairman, held its first meeting on Dec. 21, two days after POSCO Holdings' board meeting.

"The plan is to establish a long list of candidates by mid-January, a shortlist by the end of January, compress it to a finalist in February and recommend one final candidate to the board," the POSCO Holdings official said.

The group will then narrow it down to one final person to report to the board and finally appoint the next chairman at the shareholders' meeting, which is scheduled to be held in March.

If the incumbent chairman is selected as the third chairman, he will be the first person in the history of the group to serve three consecutive terms.

We will disclose all the details regarding the chairman appointment process transparently, the official said.
The Federal Council

Bern, 22.12.2023 - At its meeting on 22 December, the Federal Council appointed Dr Markus Mader as State Secretary for Security Policy. The current head of International Relations Defence will become head of the new State Secretariat for Security Policy (SEPOS) on 1 January. The head of the DDPS, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, also informed the Federal Council that she has appointed Palvi Pulli as Deputy State Secretary. For this role, the Federal Council has conferred the title of ambassador on Ms Pulli.

In view of the geopolitical situation, the Federal Council decided to create a State Secretariat for Security Policy (SEPOS) within the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). The Federal Council has now appointed Markus Mader as State Secretary. He will assume his new role on 1 January.



Mr Mader, 52, studied History, Geography and Swiss History and Constitutional Studies at the University of Zurich, graduating in 1999 with a lic. phil. degree. From 1997-2001, he worked as a research assistant at the Centre for Security Studies at ETH Zurich. During this time, he also worked as a research assistant in the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and as a staff and liaison officer in a KFOR peace support operation in Kosovo.



From 2001-2003, Mr Mader was a visiting fellow at the Centre for Defence Studies at Kings College London. He received his doctorate (DPhil) from the University of Zurich in 2003. He then worked as a security policy advisor and was the Deputy Head of Forces and Armament Planning in the Directorate for Security Policy of the DDPS. He went on to serve as Deputy Military Representative for the Swiss mission to NATO in Brussels. During his career as a conscript officer in the Swiss Armed Forces, he held various command and staff positions, and commanded Armoured Battalion 14 from 2008-2010.



In 2010 and 2011, Mr Mader underwent training to become a defence attache. He then served for four years in Islamabad as defence attache to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. From 2015-2016, he studied at the National War College of the National Defense University in Washington DC, graduating with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. After serving as personal assistant to the Chief of Defence International Relations, he was appointed Director of International Relations Defence by the Federal Council on 1 December 2016, and at the same time was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He was employed by the Defence Group as a civilian employee in this capacity.



As State Secretary, Mr Mader will have overall responsibility for SEPOS, the State Secretariat for Security Policy. He and his staff of around 100 will help strengthen Switzerlands security by ensuring a coherent federal security policy.

Palvi Pulli appointed Deputy State Secretary

The head of the DDPS, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, has informed the Federal Council that she has appointed Palvi Pulli as the Deputy State Secretary of SEPOS as of 1 January. The Federal Council has conferred the title of ambassador on Ms Pulli for as long as she holds this role. She already holds this title in her current role as head of Security Policy in the General Secretariat of the DDPS.



Ms Pulli, 53, in addition to deputising for the State Secretary, will head SEPOSs Strategy and Cooperation unit. Ms Pulli majored in Swiss History and English and minored in Political Science at the University of Neuchatel, graduating in 1998 with a licence es lettres. In addition to her native Finnish, she is fluent in German, French, Italian, English, Swedish and Russian.



From 1999-2008, Ms Pulli held various security policy positions in the General Secretariat of the DDPS and in the Staff of the Federal Council Security Committee. She then worked as an advisor on foreign relations, security policy and federal police matters for the Federal Department of Justice and Police. In July 2017, she was appointed head of Security Policy in the General Secretariat of the DDPS.

Address for enquiries

Lorenz Frischknecht

Deputy Head of Communication / DDPS Spokesperson

+41 58 484 26 17

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



General Secretariat DDPS

https://www.vbs.admin.ch/



Defence

http://www.vtg.admin.ch




Leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are scheduled to hold a protest against the suspension of 146 opposition MPs here in the national capital on Friday. The Members of Parliament, suspended from the Parliaments Winter Session, which was adjourned sine die on Thursday, will protest at the Jantar Mantar at 11 am.

Also, a nationwide protest has also been scheduled at all district headquarters by the Congress Party today. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who was among the suspended lawmakers, on Thursday said that the Friday protest of the INDIA bloc will be staged in all the states.

Its appropriate to protest and all of us will be at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The INDIA alliance protest will happen everywhere tomorrow (Friday) morning in all the states because we want to show the public that if theyd run Parliament like this and wont listen to the opposition then they are ruining the democracy, he had said. Aam Aadmi Party MPs including ND Gupta, Sandeep Pathak, Sant Balbir Seecehwal, and Sanjeev Arora will join the INDIA bloc protest today.

A total of 146 MPs  100 from Lok Sabha and 46 from Rajya Sabha  are currently suspended so far for creating a ruckus and disrupting proceedings in both Houses, while they were demanding a statement from Union Minister Amit Shah about the Parliament security breach incident. Earlier on Thursday, after the conclusion of the 262nd Session of the Rajya Sabha, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that he is pained to state that nearly 22 hours of the Upper House were lost due to avoidable disruptions.

I am pained to state that nearly 22 hours were lost due to avoidable disruptions adversely impacting our overall productivity that finally stood at 79 percent. Weaponizing disruptions and disturbance as a political strategy doesnt resonate with our constitutional obligation of keeping the interest of people at large above any other political considerations, the Rajya Sabha Chairman said. Earlier on Thursday, while the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were underway, the suspended MPs took out a march from the Parliament building to Vijay Chowk to protest against the bulk suspension of opposition lawmakers.

Taking part in the protest march, John Brittas of CPI(M), said, the Centre should now amend the Constitution to say that India is a monarchy. We are protesting against the brutal killing of the democracy; the democracy has been massacred. You could see the Union Home Minister unilaterally; this is Opposition-Mukt Parliament. They (the Centre) should now amend the Constitution to say that India is a monarchy, he said while speaking to ANI.
Avelo Airlines will suspend flights out of Mobile International Airport beginning in March, the Mobile Airport Authority said in a statement, making the announcement roughly seven months after Avelo began direct flights from Mobile to Orlando.

The authority said Mobile is one of eight airports targeted for suspension of flights as the airline evaluates and adjusts its market presence, the statement said.

The last flights from Mobile to Orlando are set for March 4 -- almost a year to the day after Avelo, airport authority and City of Mobile officials announced the airline would begin operations from the airport.

Customers impacted by the suspension will be contacted by Avelo representatives.

Avelo Airlines has made the difficult decision to seasonally suspend service between Mobile, AL and Orlando beginning March 4, 2024, said Courtney Goff, Communications Manager for the airline. Several of our cities, including Mobile, tend to experience fluctuations in air traffic during the first half of the year.

While we are temporarily suspending service, we are actively exploring options to offer seasonal service in the future, Goff added As previously mentioned, the first half of the year timeframe typically does have lower demand, we chose to utilize this time to lessen frequencies and seasonally exit so were in a good position for peak summer travel. This helps us have even better reliability and creates a better experience for our customers.

Mobile Airport Authority President Chris Curry said the suspension of Avelo flights would have no impact on the airports continued improvements, including the new terminal set to open in the fall of 2025.

We deeply appreciate the service Avelo Airlines has provided to our community, and we look forward to their eventual return to the Mobile market, Curry said. We will utilize this temporary suspension to specifically work on those projects that will impact Michigan Avenue, the primary route for passengers accessing both terminals at Mobile International Airport.

When Avelo Airlines returns theyll find an even more welcoming environment for their valued customers.
Alabama has settled a lawsuit filed by a Death Row spiritual advisor who claimed the states procedures to execute an inmate violate the inmates religious liberty, the minister said.

Under the settlement, the Rev. Jeff Hood will be able to anoint Kenneth Smiths with oil and share the Holy Eucharist with him and place his hands on Smiths feet while praying and reading scripture during the execution, the minister said.

A settlement was not yet in federal court records, and the Alabama Department of Corrections could not immediately be reached to confirm a deal between the agency and Hood was in place.

Hood provided AL.com with a document indicating the warden for Alabamas Death Row approved the ministers and Smiths plan on Thursday night:

Under the settlement, the Rev. Jeff Hood will be able to anoint Kenneth Smiths with oil and share the Holy Eucharist with him and place his hands on Smiths feet while praying and reading scripture during the execution, the minister said.The Rev. Jeff Hood

While I know that this huge victory will not save Kenneths life or make the execution chamber any safer for me, I do take some solace in the fact that my efforts have secured his religious liberty and the religious liberty of all who might be executed in the future using nitrogen hypoxia, Hood said.

In the coming days, I will continue ministering to Kenneth, work to stop his execution and prepare my family for the very real possibility that I will not return from this execution if it goes forward.

Hood was referring to the form Alabama made him sign in order to minister to Smith during the execution in which he had to acknowledge the risks Hood faces from nitrogen hypoxia.

The minister said the ADOCs accommodation shows that the State of Alabama seems willing to do whatever it takes to execute Kenneth Smith.

Late yesterday, the State sent word that it had agreed to all of the religious liberty requests contained in my lawsuit, Hood said.

If Kenneth is executed, I will be able to share the Eucharist with him before he enters the chamber, anoint his head with oil when I enter the chamber and place my hands on his feet while praying and reading scripture during the execution process. To accommodate such actions, the State has agreed to not place the mask on Kenneths face until the anointing of oil is completed.

The acknowledgement form, along with an ADOC requirement demanding Hood stay three feet away from Smith during the nitrogen execution, were the basis of the lawsuit Hood filed last week in federal court in Montgomery.

The lawsuit said the rule is hostile toward religion, and is intended to prevent Hoods ability to touch Smith and pray with him.

The untested execution method is supposed to work by having an inmate inhale pure nitrogen with no source of oxygen. The nitrogen would lead to an inmate losing consciousness, asphyxiating and dying.

Smith is set to be the first to die using the new method. No inmate in the United States has ever been put to death using nitrogen. Smith is scheduled to be executed sometime between 2 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, and 6 a.m. on Friday, January 26.

Smith was twice convicted by juries for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in her home in Colbert County in north Alabama in 1988. Sennett, a pastors wife, was beaten and stabbed. Smith, who was hired by the husband, confessed to his role in the crime and has been on death row since 1996.

In August, the Alabama Department of Corrections released a redacted version of its protocol for the new method. It revealed that an inmate would inhale the gas through a tightly fitted gas mask.

According to forms signed by Hood and sent to the department, the prison claimed that oxygen sensors would be installed on the execution chamber walls to ensure safety for any officers, spiritual advisors, or other people in the execution chamber. Those forms, obtained by AL.com, state: However, in the highly unlikely event that the hose supplying breathing gas to the mask were to detach, an area of free-flowing nitrogen gas could result, creating a small area of risk The form said that area of risk would be about two feet from the mask.

Additionally, overpressure could result in a small area of nitrogen gas that displaces the oxygen in the area around the condemned inmates face and/or head.

The lawsuit said Hood hasnt been given information on how those oxygen sensors are tested, or information on how the execution chamber will be ventilated to ensure nitrogen doesnt leak from the mask and affect Hood. Gas doesnt respect boundaries and cant be expected to only stay within three feet, said the lawsuit.

However, there is no scientific basis nor was evidence taken during the passage of this legislation or producing the protocol that indicates this safe area would make anyone safe, reads the suit. Given that nitrogen does not warn of its presence and that it is ambient and can move anywhere in the room, it is unlikely it would stay within the safe area.

The lawsuit stated there are no safety precautions in place, suggested for workplaces by OSHA or the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, in the nitrogen execution protocol.

The form, titled Acknowledgment of Spiritual Advisor, required Hood to agree to remain at least three feet away from the gas mask.
The holiday season often means tons of cooking time spent in the kitchen. Along with all that work comes increased spills from fatty meats and poultry, cheeses, pies and other gooey foods.

An increase in spills prompts many to use oven cleaners to dissolve baked-on food and grease but people need to be careful using those products, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Most oven cleaners have high pH levels, making them caustic, ADPH explained in a statement. If the oven cleaner is not wiped off completely, it can smoke when it burns off, causing burns or irritation to exposed tissue  the mouth, skin, eyes or airways. If swallowed, oven cleaners can cause vomiting and burns to the lips, mouth, throat and digestive tract.

In reviewing the number of calls we have received at the Alabama Poison Information Center, we often have multiple exposures reported during one call because entire households are sharing oven-baked items, said Jessica Pescatore, Clinical Director at Alabama Poison Information Center at Childrens of Alabama. Most exposures result from spraying oven cleaners and forgetting to wipe off or inadequately removing them prior to using the oven for cooking.

Most symptoms are mild but a burn on the lips can cause swelling, redness and blistering in the mouth and throat. When inhaled, oven cleaners can irritate airways, causing symptoms ranging from coughing and chest pain to shortness of breath and possible chemical burns in the throat. Chemical burns in the throat can lead to swelling, which can block the windpipe and cause the person to drool. A burn in the skin can cause redness, peeling, blistering and swelling, and lead to deeper, more severe burns.

ADPH said people should follow all instructions on and pay attention to product safety warnings to avoid contact with eyes, skin and nose and breathing fumes from oven cleaners.

If you do opt to use the products, ADPH recommends wearing thick, long protective gloves, safety glasses, and possibly a respirator to avoid chemicals entering your lungs. Make sure to have adequate ventilation, and call poison control if ingested. The 24/7 toll-free number for the Alabama Poison Information Center at Childrens of Alabama is 800-222-1222 for poison advice for all ages.
A Dothan man serving a life sentence in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution ring is one of 11 non-violent offenders whose sentences are being commuted by President Joe Biden, according to a Friday release from the White House.

The release said Biden is using his authority under the Constitution to uphold the values of redemption and rehabilitation by commuting the sentences of 11 fellow Americans who are serving unduly long sentences for non-violent drug offenses.

Earlie Deacon Freak Barber, 49, of Dothan was serving a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base.

Barber pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September 2009 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, where the cocaine distribution ring was based. He is currently held at the Hazelton federal prison in West Virginia.

Barber received an enhanced sentence due to two prior felony drug convictions, including a 10-year sentence for possession of cocaine in Alabama in 2003, according to state court records. His earliest arrest for cocaine possession dates back to 1998.

The White House said Barbers sentence will now expire on April 20, 2024. He will still be required to serve the 10-year term of post-release supervision.

Biden is also making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, Biden said. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.
Charlie Sheens neighbor reportedly tried to strangle the actor this week after forcing her way into the actors home.

A 47-year-old woman, who has not been publicly identified, was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and burglary after attacking the 58-year-old Two and a Half Men star on Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told TMZ.

Sheen, who was the one to phone authorities, received a knock on his door and the woman barged in as he opened up, sources told the outlet.

The woman reportedly ripped Sheens shirt during the attack before heading back to her own house.

Sheen was not taken to the hospital, though paramedics came to the home after the incident, according to TMZ.

The violent altercation is one of several bizarre encounters between the neighbors, the outlet said.

The day before the attempted choking, the neighbor dumped her garbage on Sheens doorstep, a source close to the actor told TMZ.

Prior to that, Sheen suspected she was the person responsible for pouring a sticky liquid onto his vehicle, the source said.

It was unclear whether Sheen had reported any of the prior incidents to police.

2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Incarcerated men who say they have shown their readiness for parole by holding jobs for years in work release programs are asking a federal court to block what they claim are Alabamas unconstitutional and racially discriminatory parole policies.

Six Black men, all denied parole within the last two years, filed a motion in a federal lawsuit Thursday asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction against Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and the three members of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The motion says changes in the law and policies spearheaded by Ivey and Marshall that led to sharp declines in the rates of parole granted the last four years violate the Constitutions ex post facto clause by increasing terms of incarceration and violate the equal protection clause because they have resulted in fewer paroles for Black prisoners.

They say the policies have effectively shut down the parole system, especially for those convicted of crimes classified as violent.

Alabama has long maintained a parole system that is intended to identify individuals who can safely and productively return to the community, the motion says. The Alabama judiciary has imposed sentences of incarceration with the expectation that the States parole system will operate fairly and without racial bias, and will allow incarcerated individuals to serve less than the full terms of their sentences when those individuals have demonstrated they can successfully participate in the community.

Yet, Defendants Ivey and Marshall pushed through legislative changes in 2019 in furtherance of their view that parole should be extremely limited overall, with any limited parole opportunity decided not on the basis of objective, evidence-based risk assessments to determine fitness for parole, but rather turning on subjective factors and with a focus on the severity of underlying convictions.

The motion asks the court to issue a preliminary injunction requiring the state to follow actuarially- and evidence-based risk assessments in parole decisions and provide explanations when they deny parole to inmates considered low or moderate risks of reoffending.

That would be a return to policies adopted under a law the Alabama Legislature passed in 2015 to reduce prison overcrowding, a bill called the Justice Reinvestment Act, the motion says.

Alabamas parole rate increased and its prison population decreased after that 2015 law was passed. But that trend has reversed.

In fiscal year 2018, the three-member parole board granted parole to 53% of parole candidates.

That rate dropped to 20% in 2020, 15% in 2021 10% in 2022, and 8% in fiscal year 2023.

The rates are lower for Black men. In fiscal year 2022, white parole candidates with one violent offense were granted parole 4.9% of the time, while Black parole candidates were granted parole less than half as often, 2.2% of the time, the plaintiffs said in the court motion.

Related: Black men in Alabama prisons less likely to get parole, often serve more years than white prisoners

Marshall and Ivey pushed for stricter guidelines after parolee Jimmy ONeal Spencer was charged with killing two women and a child in north Alabama in 2018. Spencer has since been convicted and sentenced to death.

The governor and attorney general have said protecting public safety was the first priority for the parole board.

But the men who are plaintiffs in the motion filed Thursday say they have shown they are not a risk to public safety yet were still denied parole. Four of the six men named in the motion filed Thursday have all worked safely for about four years for private and public employers through work release and work center programs operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections, their request to the court says. They have received passes for unsupervised visits with their families of up to 72 hours.

Were doing everything were supposed to do to get back to our families, Arthur Ptomey Jr., one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement issued by the lawyers representing the men. Im guilty of my crime  and yes, I do believe I deserve another chance. I believe no one, though, is getting a fair chance or a fair hearing from this Parole Board to demonstrate we are ready and fit to return to supporting our families and our communities.

Ptomey has served almost 17 years of a 22-year sentence on convictions for robbery and burglary, according to the ADOC website.

Besides the sharp decline and racial disparities in paroles granted, the motion points out that more of those denied parole are required to wait the maximum five years before being considered for parole again. In 2018, about 14% of parole candidates were given the five-year set off before they could be considered. That percentage has been well above 50% the last three years, and was 82% for Black parole candidates in 2021.

The motion filed Thursday comes as part of a lawsuit filed Dec. 12 on behalf of inmates claiming that prisoners in Alabama have been denied parole and forced to work jobs at fast food restaurants as part of a labor-trafficking scheme that generates $450 million a year for the state.

Ten former and current prisoners and labor unions that represent service workers filed the lawsuit against Ivey, Marshall, a beer distributor and several fast food companies. The lawsuit alleges the prison system makes money by deducting fees from the wages of prisoners.

Nine lawyers, from firms in Birmingham, San Francisco, and New York, represent the Alabama prisoners.

Attorney General Marshalls office has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. Marshalls office and the governors office did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Read more: Report says even low-risk inmates unlikely to get parole in Alabama

The lawsuit notes that the parole board is increasingly deviating from guidelines intended to bring some consistency to the factors considered in parole decisions. The guidelines, adopted in 2020, assign a score to parole candidates based on factors such as seriousness of the offense, risk of reoffending, discipline record in prison, participation in programs, and others. Institutional parole officers interview the inmates and prepare the reports.

The parole board is not required to follow the guidelines, which would result in a higher rate of parole. The board followed the guidelines in only 30% of parole decisions in fiscal year 2022. It followed the guidelines on only 12% of the decisions in fiscal year 2023. The guidelines recommended granting parole in 81% of cases in fiscal year 2023, compared to the 8% actually granted.
A 34-year-old Opelika man died Thursday after a stun gun was deployed on him following a police chase in Lee County.

Sheriffs officials identified the man as Jeremy Jackson.

The incident began at 6:57 p.m. when the Lee County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call from a motorist on U.S 280 near Lee Road 251 just east of the Salem community.

The motorist reported a white sedan was swerving in and out of traffic lanes and provided a license plate number.

Deputies were alerted and located the vehicle shortly after 7 p.m. as it continued eastbound on US 280.

Sheriffs officials said the vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner. When deputies tried to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated.

A pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle continued east into Phenix City along several roadways including US 80 and Summerville Road.

Phenix City Police, Russell County Sheriffs Deputies, and an Alabama state trooper joined in the pursuit, which reached speeds of 130 miles per hour.

The chase returned to US 280 westbound toward Opelika and spike strip tire deflation devices were successfully deployed at US 280 and Lee Road 379.

Despite the tires deflating, the white sedan continued to travel westbound at a speed nearing 100 miles per hour before coming to a stop near the intersection of US 280 and Lee Road 249 in the Bleecker community.

The driver - identified as Jackson - exited the vehicle and initially resisted as law enforcement officers worked to take him into custody, sheriffs officials said.

Officers used a Tazer in drive stun mode in the attempt to take the driver into custody. Within a minute, the driver was handcuffed.

Seconds after being handcuffed, officers noticed the driver was not breathing.

An ambulance was requested, CPR was initiated and Narcan administered by officers on the scene.

Jackson was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Jay Jones has requested the Opelika Police Department take the lead on the investigation into the circumstances of the incident as a non-involved agency.

Jacksons body will be transported to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for an autopsy.

The investigation is on-going and once complete, will be submitted to the Lee County District Attorney for presentation to a grand jury.
Birmingham police, perched atop a giant red sleigh, delivered Christmas cheer to children throughout the city.

Thursday and Friday, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond and other officers visited dozens of neighborhoods in all of the citys four precincts, tossing toys to excited young children.

We look forward to this every year, said Lt. Reva Palmer. Weve been working on this for the past two months.

Police were armed with hundreds of toys. The toys were donated through a police toy drive and by officers themselves.

With lights and sirens blaring, the sleigh traveled through east and south Birmingham neighborhoods on Thursday. Friday saw Santa and gang going to neighborhoods in north and west Birmingham.

Birmingham police delivered toys Thursday and Friday to children throughout the city.(Contributed)

The Birmingham Police Department has been broadcasting the giveaway live on its Facebook page.

We love giving back to the children, Palmer said.

Thurmond said while police enjoy the event themselves, the focus is on the community and the kids.

Thats what Christmas is all about  giving back, he said. The police are here to serve them and protect them and we want to make sure they have a fantastic holiday.

The key is to let them know the police are here to help them, he said. Were not their enemy.

We were all children once and got to enjoy that, Thurmond said, and we want to make sure every child enjoys that here in our city this year.
A 24-year-old student killed 14 people and wounded 25 at a Prague university on Thursday in the Czech Republic's worst shooting in decades, before authorities said the attacker was "eliminated."

The violence in the city's historic centre sparked evacuations, a massive response by heavily armed police and warnings for people to stay indoors.

The shooting erupted at the Charles University's Faculty of Arts, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge.

"At this moment I can confirm 14 victims of the horrible crime and 25 wounded, of which 10 seriously," police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters after the shooting.

All the victims were killed inside the building, he said. Media said at least some were the gunman's fellow students.

The Dutch foreign ministry said one of the injured was a Dutch national.

Vondrasek added the gunman, previously unknown to the police, had a "huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition" and that quick police action prevented far more serious carnage.

The government declared a day of national mourning on Dec. 23, with flags on official buildings to be flown at half-mast and people asked to observe a minute's silence at noon.

Lists of missing students were shared on social media while those safe from the shooting posted messages to inform their friends and relatives.

Vondrasek said police started a search for the man before the mass shooting as his father had been found dead in the village of Hostoun west of Prague.

The gunman "left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself," Vondrasek said. Police suggested earlier the gunman had killed his father.

Police searched a Faculty of Arts building where the gunman was expected to show up for a lecture, but he went to the faculty's main building nearby and they did not find him.

"At 13:59 GMT, we received the first information about shooting," Vondrasek told reporters, adding the rapid response unit was on the scene within 12 minutes.

"At 14:20 GMT, the officers in action told us about the gunman's motionless body," Vondrasek said, adding unconfirmed information showed he had killed himself.

Citing a probe into social media, Vondrasek said the gunman was inspired by a "similar case that happened in Russia," without going into details.

Vondrasek said police believed the same gunman had also killed a young man and his two-month-old daughter in a pram during a walk in a forest on the eastern outskirts of Prague on Dec. 15.

The police investigation into the murder that had shocked Prague was deadlocked until evidence found in Hostoun linked the gunman with the crime.

Vondrasek said no police officer was wounded in Thursday's action.

Police evacuated the building, using a concert hall across the street as a temporary refuge for the evacuees.

Czech President Petr Pavel said he was "shocked" by the violence and expressed "deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims."

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the "lone gunman... wasted many lives of mostly young people."

"There is no justification for this horrendous act," he added.

The worst shooting since the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state in 1993 also prompted messages of support from across the world.

U.S. President Joe Biden sent his condolences, slamming the "senseless" shooting.

"The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his "solidarity" with the Czech people, as did other European leaders including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said there was no link between the shooting and "international terrorism."

He added that "no other gunman has been confirmed."

Police cordoned off the area and asked people living nearby to stay at home.

Prague's emergency service said on X that "a large number of ambulance units" were deployed at the faculty.

Though mass gun violence is unusual in the Czech Republic, the nation has been rocked by some instances in recent years.

A 63-year-old man shot seven men and a woman dead in 2015 before killing himself in a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod.

In 2019, a man killed six people in the waiting room of a hospital in the eastern city of Ostrava, with another woman dying days later. The man shot himself dead about three hours after the attack. (AFP)
Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel has been sued by a former assistant who claimed in a lawsuit filed Thursday that the actor sexually assaulted her at a Buckhead hotel in 2010 while the Fast Five movie was being filmed in Atlanta.

Asta Jonasson alleged that she was asked to wait in Diesels suite at the St. Regis hotel, where he groped and kissed her while pinning her against a wall. Diesel also allegedly masturbated while pinning Jonasson to a wall with his body, according to the complaint.

Ms. Jonasson was unable to escape and closed her eyes, scared of angering Vin Diesel by rejecting him further and trying to dissociate, wishing the assault would end, the lawsuit states.

The complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Diesels attorney, Bryan Freedman, said his client categorically denies the allegations.

This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee, Freedman said. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.

Claire-Lise Y. Kutlay, an attorney for Jonasson, said that Jonasson was initially too afraid to report the alleged assault. Jonasson was also made to sign a nondisclosure agreement as an employee of Diesels One Race production business, Kutlay said.

She was afraid what it would mean for her career in the film industry, which has a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing people who do speak up about sexual abuse that they have received or been subjected to, Kutlay said Thursday. She has made the very courageous decision to file a lawsuit so that she can seek justice and hold Vin Diesel and the others that permitted and covered up the sexual assault accountable for their actions.

Diesels sister, Samantha Vincent, has also been sued by Jonasson, case records show. Vincent is the president of Diesels production company that employed Jonasson, and was the one who fired Jonasson shortly after the alleged assault, Kutlay said.

One Race Productions Inc. and One Race Films Inc. are also named as defendants in the case.

Jonasson, a California resident, was over the age of 18 when the alleged assault occurred, Kutlay said. She said Jonasson wants to prevent other women from experiencing what she went through.

Jonasson alleged that she was hired by One Race in September 2010 as an assistant working directly for Diesel. She said her first assignment was to travel to Atlanta for the filming of Fast Five, the fifth movie in the Fast & Furious franchise.

On Sept. 10, 2010, Diesel was allegedly entertaining multiple women at his hotel suite. Once the other women had left, Diesel attempted to undress Jonasson, she alleged.

After the alleged assault, Diesel said Good job, to Jonasson before leaving the suite, per the complaint. Within hours, Jonasson had been fired by Vincent, the lawsuit states.

The message was clear, the complaint states. Ms. Jonasson was fired for courageously resisting Vin Diesels sexual assault, Vin Diesel would be protected, and his sexual assault covered up.

Jonasson was empowered to sue in light of the #MeToo and Times Up movements exposing sexual assault, her lawsuit states. She said she felt protected by the federal Speak Out Act as well as California law allowing her to bring her otherwise untimely claims.

The lawsuit includes civil claims of sexual battery, sex discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A suspect has been arrested in the quadruple shooting earlier this week in southwest Alabama that left four men wounded.

The Clarke County Sheriffs Office identified the suspect as Quinton Williams, reported Fox 10.

Williams allegedly ambushed one man and fired shots that wounded three others Sunday night in the Alma/Gainestown area, in unincorporated Clarke County.

Clarke County Sheriff DeWayne Smith told the station the shooting appeared to stem from an argument Sunday night.

The suspect was arrested on five counts of attempted murder and four counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, according to Fox 10.

The wounded victims were taken to University Hospital in Mobile with non-life-threatening injuries.
Having entered my eighth decade in 2023, Im old enough to remember when the terms public servant and civil servant were used interchangeably to describe someone employed by the federal government. Obviously, the implicationpublic servant or civil servantwas that they were employed to serve the American citizenry. And to acquire one of those jobs, people seeking these roles had to take a civil service exam.

Servant  serve  service.

Do you get a sense of what the expectation was, at least, a few decades ago?

Well, what the heck happened? When was the last time you dealt with a federal employee and got the impression that they had any interest in helping you with anything? Was there any hint that they considered themselves public servants there to provide assistance to you?

Serving the publicor being civil, for that matterseems to be the last thing on their minds these days. But then again, maybe being self-servants rather than public servants makes sense for federal bureaucrats today if you stop and think about it.

Perhaps its as simple as, what economic approach does the person find most appealing? Are they in favor of capitalism or socialism?

As most readers already know, capitalism and socialism are economic systems that countries use to manage their economic resources and regulate their means of production. And as noted therein:

In the United States, capitalism has always been the prevailing system. It is defined as an economic system in which private individuals or businesses, rather than the government, own and control the factors of production: entrepreneurship, capital goods, natural resources, and labor. Capitalisms success is dependent on a free-market economy, driven by supply and demand. With socialism, all legal production and distribution decisions are made by the government, with individuals dependent on the state for food, employment, healthcare, and everything else. The government, rather than the free market, determines the amount of output (or supply) and the pricing levels of these goods and services.

So, where would people seek employment who dont want to compete  who have no interest in entrepreneurial endeavors  or production? Might it be where all such things are dictated for them  where they might become one of those actually dictating who gets what?

It sounds like their perfect match, i.e., its a no-brainer.

Which is more likely to seek employment with a federal agency: a capitalist or a socialist?

A socialist!

Anyone with entrepreneurial instincts or ambitionsor ambition, periodwould opt for the private sector, i.e., would choose to work for a living. Feeding at the government trough would not be on their agenda.

Clearly, this transition from helping the public to bullying the public didnt happen overnight. The transition has been ongoing for some time, but the recent COVID pandemic facilitated the change or, by accident, made it much more apparent.

Control, control, control: Thats what the Feds were all about. It was obvious to some during pre-pandemic, but became clear to almost everyone after the fact.

Was the government focused on serving the public?

No, not in the least! It was all about control, control, control, and economic rankings worldwide prove it.

If you check the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom put out by the Heritage Foundation, the United States ranks 25th of 27 countries in the free or mostly free categories. Only Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, and Taiwan are categorized as free, and in that order.

American citizens should be concerned that countries like Lithuania, Chile, and even the United Arab Emirates rank above the U.S. in the mostly free ranking, and the U.S. is just fractionally above the moderately free grouping. With whats been going on with the federal government and Bidenomics during and after the COVID pandemic, its possible well join Qatar, Botswana and Mongolia in the latter in 2024.

Juxtaposed statisticsthe first being, As of September 2023, there [were] 2.95 million employees in the federal workforce and the second, The biggest [private-sector] employer in the US is Walmart with 2.1 million employees as of December 2023paint a sobering picture.

(And 2.1 million is down from 2.3 million the last time I checked, but thats Bidenomics.)

Is it any wonder, the U.S. is teetering on the edge of the moderately free category? And dont the government versus private-sector employment numbers seem more indicative of a socialist country?

Then, when you consider what federal bureaucrats are being subjected to by the Incompetent-in-Chiefa.k.a., Incontinent-in-Chiefin the White House, the U.S. could drop down to the middle of the list, not just squeak in. Theres new guidance for government employees whereby everyone working for the Feds will be required to use an individuals preferred pronouns when speaking to he/she or about he/she. Yes, the pronoun police have arrived and are coming for you next.

What? Didnt we hear follow the science ad nauseam during COVID? Where did that expectation go?

Earning my undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree, I learned there are distinct differences between individuals having XX chromosomes and those having XY. Of course, having been raised on a dairy farm, I didnt really need a B.S. degree to figure that out. But now, the other B.S. has taken over in Washington, and government Marxist disciples will ignore all XX and XY parameters.

Unreal! Maybe the United States will bypass the moderately free category next year and join Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, and Russia in a mostly unfree slot. But dropping from 25th into the mid-80s would be a pretty drastic plunge. Nonetheless, were sure moving that direction.

Its time to wake up, America! Mostly free capitalism is dying and federal government public service/civil service is dead. Mostly unfree socialism is on the horizon and self-serving socialist bureaucrats have assumed control.

Whats next?

Look at mostly unfree blue cities  San Francisco, Portland, Minneapolis. Life in an outdoor toilet doesnt look all that appealing, but that seems to be where the U.S. is heading these days.

R.W. Trewyn earned a PhD after surviving Vietnam combat, and more treacherously, survived 53-years postwar slogging academes once-hallowed halls.

Image generated by AI.
Although I (or we) wouldnt have it any other way, being a constitutionally-devoted American can often feel like quite the heavy burden, but when all of the mainstream narrative is a contrived clown world, free-thinking patriots are blessed to have the gift of recognizing the silliness, and pointing it out for a good laugh. Get a load of this, reported by Fox News yesterday:

A top Maine state environmental agency delayed a highly-anticipated vote to approve a sweeping electric vehicle (EV) mandate amid a storm that caused widespread power outages. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) announced that it had indefinitely postponed the meeting, which was slated for Thursday afternoon, until further notice following the storm. Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who has pursued an aggressive green energy agenda, declared a state of emergency this week, an action that closed state government offices. Governor Janet Mills declared a State of Civil Emergency for 14 Maine counties following a significant wind and rain storm that has left hundreds of thousands of people without power and that has caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage, including to town and state roadways, the Maine BEP said in a statement.

As the unelected bureaucrats fixed to gather for a highly-anticipated vote to usher in an E.V. mandate a la Gavin Newsom and his California cronies, an act of God weather event struck, knocking out power to a significant portion of Maine residents in the winter with below-freezing temperatures. Although act of God is appropriate given its use as a secular legal phrase, such divine poeticisma storm knocking out the electric grid as government parasites make their move for electric vehicle mandatesgives the storm an obvious double meaning. As one X user asked:

How do you mandate something without the appropriate infrastructure in place? Its almost as if they want things to fail.

And, when that brutal storm hit and that electric grid failed, what do you think those Mainers did? Well, they pulled out their generators, fueled by gas and diesel, and stayed warm, while waiting for their power to be restored. As Maine Democrat Rep. Jared Golden even noted, via Fox:

Forcing Mainers to purchase cars and trucks powered by electricity when our grid is insufficient, charging stations are few and far between, and a storm like yesterdays would render 80% of cars useless is, to say the least, ill-advised.

Maine greenies? You might want to listen to what this gentleman has to say about your ideas, lest you reaffirm your status as useful idiots we think you are:

Image generated by AI.
Judeo-Christian values, time and again, prove to be the antidote to a failing society; in this case specifically, we look at masculinity, which time and again, turns out to be the best saboteur to modern Marxist feminism, but cultural dysfunction in general. Please watch this hilarious and insightful video below:

Homegirl reverted back to factory settings in the presence of masculinity.



6 years of women and gender studies down the drain.  pic.twitter.com/Y5sbIk6i2l  MERICA MEMED (@Mericamemed) December 20, 2023

This cute little leftist, who no doubt gobbled up the gender is a social construct lie, evidenced by the fact that she apparently dates men and women, eating cereal out of an artsy cat bowl from the Brooklyn area of Los Angeles, can barely compose herself as she reminisces on what it was like to actually be treated like a ladyas she said, she felt the feminism leaving her body when her dates simple gesture of handing her his credit card to buy another round of drinks for them, gave her a glimpse of what it was like to have a man exclusively provide for her needs and desires. As she admitted, the gesture activated something feral (or primal, or instinctive) in her, leaving her dramatically sliding off her seat and biting her finger, wondering if she should ditch the liberal snowflakes going Dutch (and no doubt expecting sex and abortions) to date men like this Santa Monicas bros bro. (Girl, yes, yes you should.)

The leftist feminist house of cards is blasted away, when a man simply conveys: Ill take care of you because provision, protection, and security hit at the root of the female sex and the created order. As the author of the X post noted: Homegirl reverted back to factory settings and quipped about how the years of Marxist indoctrination she undoubtedly received at a university went poof! in an instant.

But, this is not all that surprising given that Judeo-Christian virtues, or those of the traditional West, have a divine way of derailing the proliferation of evil (which leftist feminism so ingrained in America today absolutely is), and instead proliferating prosperity, happiness, and morality.

The Judeo-Christian ethos tells us there is no greater expression of love than a man who lays down his life so that others may live abundantly; how many times have Western men done exactly this, either creating a society of unalienable rights and morality, or restoring one on a fast track towards a dystopian nightmare? Too many to count. What about earlier times? Did Samson not give his life to obliterate a culture that spread viciousness and practiced barbarism? Yes. How did King David secure unbelievable harmony and prosperity for Solomon and their people? Well, he wasnt a soyboy crying in the corner over violence and hate speech, allowing wickedness to take root, cheering on the women slaughtering their unborn and the drag queens strutting before toddlers, but embracing his masculinity to bring peace through strength. What about the story of Boaz when he encounters Ruth? Or Hosea as he continues to pursue Gomer and ultimately redeem her? Arent these histories of fidelity, dedication, and steadfast faithfulness?

What is the common denominator? Judeo-Christian masculinity.

Image from X.
The illegal migrant inflow is hitting record highs at Eagle Pass, Texas, and it's out of control at entries across the southern border.

Anyone ask what Mexico is doing about it?

We know they're trying to keep them from flooding Tijuana by building a border fence in that area.

But in that, they aren't stopping the migrants -- they're essentially just pushing them to cross into the U.S. from further down the desert, where migrants, once they get in, complain about a lack of five-star accommodations from the Border Patrol, who by U.S. law are supposed to jail them. They only don't because ... Biden border policy.

In reality, the Mexicans are helping the migrants cross into the U.S. for the exact same reasons that red border states are busing and flying illegal border crossers into their sanctuary cities of choice. They don't want this problem. Illegal migrants cause as many problems in Mexico as they do in the U.S. And by the Mexicans' logic, Joe's the one holding out the sanctuary dinner triangle to them, so it's going to be his problem.

The Daily Mail did some reporting and found out it was really bad.

Here are some details about just how helpful these Mexican officials are in speeding migrants to the best illegal crossings into el norte:

Migrants flooding across the southern border claim that Mexican officials are visiting migrant shelters in the country and instructing them on how to illegally cross into the United States. A record 14,000 migrants have crossed into Eagle Pass, Texas since Sunday night, according to figures by the US Border Patrol, causing chaos and straining resources in the small town. ... But, migrants waiting in Mexico on Thursday for their chance to cross into Eagle Pass told the DailyMail.com they believe the most recent surge has to do with Mexican officials, who have released thousands of them from shelters.

Here's how very helpful they are:

Migrants who have been in the shelter for a longer period of time explained that once migrants arrive, those who have plans to cross into the US are told to wait at the shelter for a few hours. On Wednesday night, about 700 migrants were gathered at the shelter. Video obtained by the DailyMail.com shows Mexican officials telling the migrants they would be walked down to a certain part of the river, where they would be told where the water was shallow so they could cross. The group left and by 6 am Thursday, another mob of 600 were also walked down to the river so they could illegally enter the US. Fresh migrants continued to arrive at the shelter throughout the morning Thursday. 'By this evening, another group will be escorted down to the river so they can cross,' a migrant staying at the shelter explained.

When you have a government that helpful and organized to migrants and their illegal aims, you can get a lot of people across, which is obviously what is happening now.

Meanwhile, back on the Biden ranch, things aren't quite so organized.

In a separate story from the Daily Mail, here is their state of affairs:

President Joe Biden held urgent phone consultations with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Thursday to discuss the running border crisis, as migrants overwhelm facilities along the southern border and shatter daily records. The president is dispatching top administration officials to Mexico City to hammer out new ways with the Mexican president to grapple with the issue, as White House national security spokesman John Kirby spoke to the intractable nature of the problem. 'There's probably more we can be doing,' Kirby admitted to reporters at the White House while describing the outlines of the conversation. He said the two men discussed the efforts to 'manage the unprecedented migratory flows in the western hemisphere,' and described the issue as part of a global problem, not just one that impacts the U.S.

The only thing missing from that Kirby statement is the opening word "Duh."

How stupid are these people running our country?

Our friends the Mexicans can see it, and they are speeding them on in, loading the conveyor belts to get them out of their own country and into Joe Biden's sanctuary nations, and the efficiency of the whole Mexican operation is encouraging more to come as a result. That likely explains why the border surge is so big in Del Rio. More migrants in, more that can come in.

Biden, of course, is clueless on this matter and the only reason he's suddenly making his day-late, dollar-short appeal to the Mexicans is the impact of illegal border crossings on his own polling numbers. Recent surveys show that illegal migration is the number one concern of American voters after Bidenflation, and you can bet that if the Mexicans are acting this way, there's a problem they need to get rid of and hand over to Feckless Joe, too.

Back in the days of President Trump, the Mexicans under the exact same government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded quickly to Trump threatening to shut down the entire border if illegal crossings weren't controlled.

Trump also muscled them into a "remain in Mexico" agreement to disincentivize illegal border crossings and as a result, illegal crossings went down.

Trump got results quickly with his firm hand, laying down the law with Mexico, and pretty amazingly, cordial relations with them resulted, given that he was nice and clear with them about how it was going to be.

Biden? The Mexicans are reading him as a fool, seeing clearly his mixed messages to both migrants and themselves -- an open border and a huge benefit package with no deportation to those who get across, and complaints that people are taking him up on his offer. No wonder Mexicans are speeding them along.

They know an idiot who can be rolled, they've seen thousands of them among the drunks from the U.S. who get rolled in Mexican towns at the border. They know a stupid gringo when they see one.

Joe's the stupid gringo and he won't get far with any panicky phone calls complaining about the consequences of his own stupid decisions. He will get what he gets, same as the drunks do, too bad if he doesn't like it.

Image: VectorPortal.com // CC BY-SA 4.0
Is Joe Biden trying to run the White House or Caligula's palace?

Here's the latest pervy sex scandal, this time coming from Jill Biden's wing of House Biden, from the Daily Mail:

The First Lady's press secretary Michael LaRosa tried to take a date he'd just met up to his room on a secure floor while overseas in a hotel where the president was staying, insiders exclusively tell DailyMail.com. Sources say LaRosa, 40, did it twice during the same trip while accompanying Jill Biden to the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain, in June 2022, and that this was part of a pattern of behavior that led to his forced resignation the following month. A Secret Service source confirmed the incident and claimed that it happened twice on the same trip. 'He was caught by Secret Service not once, but twice bringing dates to a secure floor, obviously putting the First Lady's safety at risk because you're not supposed to bring people in who are not fully vetted,' one senior White House staffer told DailyMail.com.

Seems once wasn't enough. He got caught once, apparently wasn't embarrassed about it, and went and did it again, despite warnings about the lofty position he was in and the risks he was taking.

It was all about the "dates" for this bozo, using official travel on the taxpayer dime for his own pervy purposes, which was undoubtedly anonymous sex partners such as is practiced in some quarters of the gay world.

The safety and security concerns to the rest of the White House staff were of no importance to him, and the possibility of bringing in a foreign agent or terrorist among his "dates" was far from remote. The Soviets used to keep stables of such people to dangle before weaklings like him, male swallows, or as they were known, "ravens." None of that mattered to this guy when he wanted to get it on. His appetites, not the country, came first.

Which pretty well tells us that vetting is a thing of the past in White House employment given the presence of so many of these kinky characters. It also explains the Bidens' indifference to vetting migrants at the border. Anything goes among the Bidens, which is why were have so many of the sex scandals just rolling out in public.

It started with this weasel, which nobody thought was satirical:

Cringe alert! White House intern to promote vaccines! Jen Psaki hire!! pic.twitter.com/3cxM1Cc2qN  RealDrJan (@RealDrJan1) August 9, 2021

Then it moved on to him, famous for his luggage thievery:

This is what the Party and Harris-Bidenite regime wants. I'll see you and raise you Sam Brinton - who if he hadn't been a luggage thief would still have a job. pic.twitter.com/XTooK0Xn96  Old SF Dude  (@WasAnActionGuy) December 17, 2023

Then they had this:

Joe Biden claims to be a Roman Catholic. The fundamental tenets of Catholicism derive from the celebration of Christ's birth (Christmas) and His resurrection (Easter). One sin is unequivocal in the eyes of the Church... pic.twitter.com/labhrSEJbX  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 15, 2023

Senate Democrat allies did their part to complete the picture:

Aidan Maese-Czeropski was revealed to be the staffer for Maryland @SenatorCardin (D) who made a sex tape in a historic room in the Capitol. He denies wrongdoing but recently deleted posts show he has a history of making graphic content. Read my new report:https://t.co/0OD4QrjOG1  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) December 17, 2023

And Joe himself was no slouch with the Biden Family Values getting out.

Hunter Biden spent a staggering $872K on prostitutes, porn and sex club memberships and took $1.6 M from ATMs https://t.co/O1KGiNc286 pic.twitter.com/7Xphz2jJfO  Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) December 8, 2023

Now we have this guy, who denies he was kicked out for his behavior, and who knows, may even be telling the truth, given the Bidens' indifference to scandalous and undignified behavior.

Jill Biden, meanwhile, has issued a heaping helping of hypocrisy:

Since this tweet:



 Joe had a trans activist shake their fake breasts on the White House lawn

 Cocaine found at the White House

 Male Biden appointee steals Womens clothes at airports to wear them

 Gay sex tape filmed in the Senate

 Joes son had sex tapes go public and pic.twitter.com/QgxwTH4yeq  Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 16, 2023

What a Caligula show they've got going on over there -- making one think that these are the few that have gotten found out.

Image: Twitter screen shot
The Biden administration is currently pushing the idea of the Two-State Solution between Israel and the Palestinians, specifically between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (P.A.), led by the 87-year-old Mahmoud Abbas. In an ideal world, the Two-State Solution would seem reasonable and fair. The Palestinian people deserve self-determination as a people with a shared religion, culture, and language. Notably, the same culture, religion, and language are also substantially shared by 22 other Arab countries, including the Jordanian Arabs just across the Jordan River.

There is, however, a serious disconnect between Bidens (and the Wests) two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis and the Palestinian vision of what their state must be. There is simply no widely respected Palestinian leader or group or political entity advocating for two states if one of the states is a permanent Jewish state (Israel). On this issue, Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank strongly agree. Since 1948, Palestinians openly seek to replace the Jewish state rather than live side by side with it. For the P.A., a two-state solution can at most be only an intermediary stage on the way to the ultimate elimination of Israel.

The Biden administration is not referring to Hamas as a party to the Two-State Solution since Hamas has openly declared its intention to wipe out the Jewish state. However, the current leadership of the P.A. and its leader differ from Hamas only in verbiage, sounding softer when interacting in English with Westerners. Both Hamas and the P.A. are wedded to the principle that Israel is illegitimate, and terror and violence against Israelis constitute legitimate resistance. The P.A.s educational system, propaganda, media, and mosques encourage religious hate for Israel, and the P.A. rewards violence against Jews by paying lifetime salaries to the families of Muslims who die murdering Jews.

If Italy, for instance, were the party in dispute with Israel, peace would have been found a long time ago. Shared democratic values with Israel make an enduring peace possible. Democracies with shared values are able to compromise and work together for the common good. France and Germany did it after two murderous world wars that killed millions on both sides. When Germany became a liberal democracy after WWII, a two-state solution of living side by side in peace became possible. They formed a common market that served both peoples well. This is not the case with the P.A.; it is an authoritarian regime.

Israel is a diverse, multicultural society with a liberal multiparty democracy, a flourishing economy, and a sincere desire for peace. The U.N. voted for the Two-State Solution with the Partition Plan of 1947, crafting a Jewish state and an Arab state. The Israelis immediately agreed and accepted a Palestinian state next to Israel. Israeli culture, literature, and music constantly extol a desire for peace and mutual acceptance.

Most Israelis throughout the nations 75 years of independence have prayed for peace with Israels Arab neighbors. Conversely, ever since the Palestinian people recognized themselves politically as Palestinians, they have rejected every offer of compromise with the Jewish community. It started with the 1937 Peel Commission, continued with a strong and violent rejection of the 1947 U.N. Two-State Solution Partition Plan, and more recently involved P.A. leaders Yasser Arafat in 2000 and Mahmoud Abbas in 2008 saying no to a peace settlement with Israel.

Following the 1993 Oslo Accords, signed on the White House lawn, Arafat, the chairman of the P.A.; the Palestinian Liberation Organization; and Fatah admitted that the Oslo Accords were simply a Trojan Horse, meant to be a stage in the dissolution of the Jewish state.

At the Camp David Summit in July 2000, hosted by President Bill Clinton, Arafat refused to end the conflict with Israel. Clinton bemoaned Arafats unwillingness to make peace. Newsweek magazine (June 26, 2001) described Clintons reaction to Arafats reluctance to make peace with Israel. He described Arafat as an aging leader who relishes his own sense of victimhood and seems incapable of making a final peace deal.

In 2008, Arafats successor, Abbas (Abu Mazen), repeated Arafats refusal to accept a Two-State Solution and end the conflict with Israel. Abbas understood that his radicalized people did not want a compromise with the Jews, but wanted the whole pie  namely, Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Safed... Nothing has changed about the Palestinian leadership and the people they govern with regard to compromise and peace with Israel. In fact, a majority of West Bank Palestinians support Hamass agenda.

Reuters reported (December 13, 2023) on a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy Survey and Research (PCPSR), which found that Three out four Palestinians believe the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel was correct. It revealed that seventy-two percent of respondents said they believe the Hamas decision to launch the cross-border rampage in southern Israel was correct. The same PCPSR report found that support for Hamas in the West Bank has more than tripled.

The Biden administration is dangerously delusional in its denial of two critical realities: (1) with 11% approval from his people, Mahmoud Abbass ability to lead a Palestinian state is seriously suspect, and no one in the world has the slightest clue what or who will succeed him, and (2) Palestinians overwhelmingly deny that Israel has a right to exist and at best view the two-state solution as temporary, providing the cover of sovereignty to facilitate rearming and finally removing the Jews.

Staying with likely reality over wishful fantasy, a Palestinian state, now or in the near future, is more than likely to be another terrorist state, supported by Iran, where Hamas or a lookalike leads and uses a new base in the West Bank to attack Israel.

Image: scottgunn via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0.
AI technology could push humanity forward, but many people fear that it will push humanity into the unemployment line. This is whats occupying more peoples minds as AI gains the ability to automate more and more tasks. Now, tens of thousands of Google employees fear that theyre going to be replaced by the same AI thats paying their paychecks.

This is still a developing story, and were still waiting for more information from Google. So, well keep you updated on what happens. Google is a large ad company, and it has a massive ad sales division consisting of more than 30,000 employees. Reportedly, the company is looking to eventually use various AI tools to help boost productivity internally.

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While AI isnt as smart as a human being in certain ways, its still smart in other ways, and it has the ability to perform tasks much faster than a human being. This is whats putting the fear of unemployment into many people. So, the company switching to using AI tools has led to some anxiety within the company.

Thousands of Google employees fear being replaced by AI

The fears only growing because, according to The Information, Google told its employees that its going to be reorganizing its ad sales business. Sure, thats not outright telling the employees Pack your stuff, but it still has many employees on their toes. Also, we cant deny that when many companies cut jobs, they refer to it as reorganizing or restructuring certain departments. Its a way of sugarcoating the harsh facts.

As noted in the report, about 45% of the 30,000 employees in the ad sales department are working on projects that have been simplified by AI. This means that nearly half of the people in the unit are working on projects that could easily be taken over by Bard or Gemini.

If the company does downsize its employees for the sake of efficiency, itll really throw a wrench into the companys whole Developing AI responsibly spiel. Earlier this year, the company made a big deal about how its AI technology wont negatively impact people. Well, does this extend to the people working at the company? This is what were all wondering.

Well just need to wait and see what the company is doing. It, unfortunately, seems likely because companies are cutting jobs left and right. Intel recently cut hundreds of jobs.
Russia has established "comprehensive" defense cooperation with North Korea as well as continuing its strategic partnerships with India and China, the chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told foreign military attaches on Thursday.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea in July, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in September, and there have been other exchanges.

The United States and its allies have voiced concern that Kim could provide weapons and ammunition to Russia to help replace stocks used in its war in Ukraine, and South Korean lawmakers said Russia had helped Pyongyang launch a reconnaissance satellite a month ago.

"The course towards developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and India continues. Active, comprehensive cooperation has been established with the DPRK," Gerasimov said in a year-end address, using an official abbreviation for North Korea.

He gave no further details.

The U.S. has said Russia may be helping North Korea to evade Russian-backed U.N. sanctions prohibiting cooperation with Pyongyang, notably in ballistic missile programs and aeronautical engineering.

The Kremlin said the allegation was "absolutely unfounded."

As East-West tensions spiral over Russia's war in Ukraine, which it calls a "special military operation", Gerasimov said Moscow remained committed to trying to prevent incidents, and maintained "lines of communication to respond to crisis situations," a reference to military hotlines with Washington. (Reuters)
Google and Apple have jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to implement Androids Find My Device network. It aims to ensure compatibility with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across Android and iOS platforms. Notably, the implementation of the Find My Device network is currently waiting for Apple to adopt the required specifications.

Bluetooth location-tracking devices, often used for finding personal items, have raised concerns about potential unwanted tracking of individuals. The proposed specification outlines best practices and instructions for manufacturers. It provides guidance on incorporating unauthorized tracking detection capabilities into their products.

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Dave Burke, Googles Vice President of Engineering for Android, emphasized Androids commitment to user protection, stating, Android has an unwavering commitment to protecting users and will continue to develop strong safeguards and collaborate with the industry to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth tracking devices.

Google and Apple lead initiative to combat unwanted tracking with Androids Find My Device network

Apple, which introduced AirTag with proactive features to discourage unwanted tracking, sees the industry specification as a critical step forward. The collaboration of both Apple and Google builds upon AirTag protections, representing progress in combating unwanted tracking across iOS and Android, notes Ron Huang, Apples Vice President of Sensing and Connectivity.

Importantly, the proposed specification not only incorporates feedback from device manufacturers but also integrates input from safety and advocacy groups. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has proposed the specification required to implement Androids Find My Device network. Interested parties are invited to review and provide comments over the next three months. Google and Apple plan to address feedback and release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023, supported in future versions of Android and iOS. This week Google has up

All in all, the collaboration between Google and Apple represents a significant step towards establishing industry-wide standards to enhance user privacy and safety. Itll particularly address the potential misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking.
At Google I/O in May 2023, the company announced a Magic Compose feature for Google Messages. As the name suggests, it is a generative AI tool that lets you create contextually relevant replies to messages. After limiting it to the US for a few months, Google is now rolling out the feature internationally.

Magic Compose is now available to more Google Messages users

Google rolled out Magic Compose to Google Messages beta users at the end of May. At launch, the feature was only available in English on Android phones with US SIM cards. While an official support page still states this limitation, there have been reports recently that the new AI tool has made its way to some European countries, including France and the UK.

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This hinted at an international rollout and it was. While the company hasnt officially announced it, 9to5Google confirms that Magic Compose is now available to Google Messages users in markets outside the US. The AI tool is still in beta, though. Your Android phone must have the beta version of the Messages app installed to get Magic Compose. Google also recommends you install the beta version of Carrier Services.

Additionally, you must be 18 years or older and sign into Messages with your Google account to access the feature. Even if you meet all of these criteria, there is no guarantee that Magic Compose will be available to you. Google One Premium members get priority access to the AI tool. Staying in the beta program might increase your chances as more spots become available over time.

Magic Compose can create replies and change tones

Once available to you, the Magic Compose button will show up to the left of the text box on the old compose UI fn Google Messagesits a message icon with a tiny sparkle at the top. If you have received the redesigned UI, which is currently in beta, the appears on the right side of the text box.

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When you tap this button, Messages will send up to 20 of your previous messages, including emojis, reactions, links, image captions, and voice transcriptions, to Google serversmessages with attachments, voice messages, or images arent sent. AI will then work its magic to generate relevant and contextual replies. You get multiple suggestions. The selected suggestion is placed in the text box so you can edit it before sending it.

The company assures that it discards the messages from the servers as soon as AI processes them to generate replies. It doesnt keep messages to train machine learning models. Meanwhile, if you have already typed up a reply, Magic Compose helps you rephrase it into seven different tones or styles: Remix, Excited, Chill, Shakespeare, Lyrical, Formal, or Short.
It appears that the high-speed transportation firm Hyperloop One is finally shutting down its operations. The startup that once promised a future of transportation at airline speeds on the ground will be closing down soon. Bloomberg reports that the company failed to win a contract from any organization to build a working hyperloop track.

It will sell off the assets and let go of employees by December 31

Citing people familiar with the matter, the source suggests that the brand will sell off its remaining assets. Dubai port operator DP World, which has majority control, will wind up with the companys intellectual property. The employment for the remaining employees of the company will end on December 31 this year. Its offices will shut down very soon.

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The rest of its hard assets including the test track outside Las Vegas and other equipment will be sold off. Notably, this track was used by the company to conduct its first and only test with passengers way back in 2020. At the time, the test pod achieved a top speed of 100mph. It was far short of the companys original promise of up to 760 miles per hour.

The high-speed transportation firm raised around $450 million since its inception in 2014

Founded in 2014, the futuristic transportation firm managed to raise a funding of around $450 million from various investors so far. While it was originally established as Hyperloop Technologies, its name was changed to Hyperloop One in 2016. The company once again changed its name to Virgin Hyperloop One after Virgin Group founder Richard Branson invested in it.

Virgin removed its branding from Hyperloop last year after it started to focus more on cargo rather than human passengers. The fast-paced transportation startup had a rocky road ever since its inception. In 2017, the company settled a lawsuit with Brogan BamBrogan, one of its co-founders.

At one point, it was perpetually strapped for cash. However, it managed to continue developing its system, thanks to Branson. The British business magnate helped it to raise $172 million in funding in 2019.

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It was working to commercialize the futuristic travel concept called Hyperloop

Hyperloop One worked to commercialize the popular travel concept called the Hyperloop. It is essentially a variant of a vacuum train, which uses levitation to allow near-silent, yet high-speed transportation. Its worth mentioning that Elon Musk reignited interest in the hyperloop technology in 2013.

Musk imagined how a modern hyperloop system would operate with passengers in aluminum pods traveling at up to 800mph. The most interesting scenario he proposed was traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco in just 30 minutes.

While the shutdown of Hyperloop One may be disappointing for some, several other startups and tech players are still working on their own Hyperloop systems. Several companies like Hardt Hyperloop, Swisspod Technologies, DGWHyperloop, and Hyperloop TransportationTechnologies Inc. are at various stages of building their hyperloop prototypes.
Microsoft completed the Activision Blizzard acquisition in October after facing multiple backlash from regulators. Since then, the tech firm has started to change its Xbox gaming leadership to integrate Activision Blizzard. Now, Microsoft is again shaking up the Xbox gaming structure following the departure of Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.

As The Verge reports, Bobby Kotick will step down as Activision Blizzard CEO on December 29. He announced the news on a companys blog post, saying, As my last day leading this company inches closer, I marvel at how far the talented people at our company have come toward realizing the great potential of games.

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It remains to be seen who will lead Activision Blizzard after Kotick. While Koticks departure wasnt that surprising, most members of Activision Blizzard leadership will continue working under Microsoft and its game content and studios president, Matt Booty.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick leaves the company following Microsofts takeover

Meanwhile, Activision Blizzards chief communications officer, Lulu Meservey, will also leave at the end of January. Humam Sakhnini, vice-chair of Blizzard and King, and a bunch of other executives will part ways with Microsoft, too.

According to Xbox chief Phil Spencer, Brian Bulatao (chief administrative officer), Julie Hodges (chief people officer), Armin Zerza (chief financial officer), and Grant Dixton (chief legal officer) will report to their peers at Microsoft gaming department. Spencer added the named people will depart Microsoft in March 2024. He also noted they have an exciting 2024 lineup of games across Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, and Xbox Game Studios.

In an internal memo sent by Matt Booty, he also announced some structural changes at ZeniMax and Bethesda. Jill Braff will serve as the new head of ZeniMax/Bethesda studios and will lead their game development teams. Jamie Leder continues working as CEO of ZeniMax/Bethesda and directly reports to Matt Booty.

Microsoft started changing its Gaming business leadership in October

Structural changes at Microsoft Gaming business and Activision Blizzard date back to October. Less than two weeks had passed since the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft promoted Matt Booty to president of game content and studios. Sarah Bond was also appointed as the new Xbox president to lead the Xbox platform and hardware work. Microsoft is expected to make even more structural changes in 2024.
Russia on Thursday promised to respond in kind should the European Union go ahead with a plan to ringfence profits generated from Russia's frozen assets in the EU and hand them to Ukraine.

The EU is proposing to use the income generated from around $300 billion of funds from Russian central bank reserves  frozen in February 2022 to put pressure on Moscow to withdraw the armed forces it had sent into Ukraine  and could ultimately collect around $16 billion.

"We also have enough assets that are frozen here, in type-C accounts," Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in an interview on the Russia 24 TV channel.

"The figures are not small, the income from using these funds is substantial and can certainly also be used if a decision is made by our unfriendly partners," he said.

Western sanctions imposed in response to the conflict and subsequent Russian countermeasures have stranded assets on both sides.

Prosecutors in Germany on Wednesday said they were applying to confiscate more than 720 million euros ($790 million) from the Frankfurt bank account of a Russian financial institution.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters the institution was the National Settlement Depository (NSD), the domestic payments agent owned by Moscow Exchange, which plays an important role in Russia's financial system as a key intermediary with international markets.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called German leaders "a thieving lot" after being asked about Berlin's plans, and said they had been taking lessons from Washington.

"They used to be thieving in the political sense  breaking agreements, cheating someone  but now they are thieving in the direct sense," he told a press conference in Tunis. (Reuters)
Andrew Tate has had his emergency request to visit his mother in hospital in the UK rejected by a Romanian court.

The social media influencer said he had made the request to leave the country after his mother suffered a heart attack.

In a statement given to the Associated Press, Tates spokesperson said the ruling has left us disheartened.

The kickboxer, 37, and his brother, Tristan, 35, who are both dual UK-US nationals, were ordered not to leave Romania after being charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang.

The duo have denied all allegations of abuse and trafficking, with a trial due to take place.

In a post on X after the ruling, Tate, who has amassed 8.5 million followers on the platform, said: Rejected. The Romanian state decided she must be alone at Christmas, if she is alive.

In a follow-up post, he said: Theres no innocent until proven guilty in Romania.

After spending time in police detention and then being put under house arrest while awaiting his trial, a Bucharest court later eased geographical restrictions on the Tate brothers, allowing them to travel anywhere in Romania.

In June, Romanian prosecutors said the brothers, along with two Romanian nationals, formed an organised crime group in early 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, the UK, the US and other countries.

Alleged victims were taken to buildings in Ilfov county in Romania where they were intimidated, placed under constant surveillance and control and forced into debt, a statement said.

It is alleged the defendants forced them to take part in pornography which was later shared on social media.

Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and there is a political conspiracy designed to silence him.

He was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech.
Christmas getaway disruption is continuing with long queues for cross-Channel journeys, motorway closures and train cancellations.

The Port of Dover in Kent said it is taking about 90 minutes to process cars.

It attributed the delay to a surge in demand for ferries after the Channel Tunnel rail link was closed on Thursday due to unscheduled industrial action by French workers, which ruined the travel plans of tens of thousands of people.

Eurostar, which operates passenger services to and from London St Pancras, is operating two extra services per day between London and Paris up to and including Christmas Eve to help people whose trains were cancelled on Thursday.

Vehicle-carrying train service Eurotunnel is running its usual timetable but is only accepting customers who have pre-booked.

There is currently a 90-minute wait time ahead of French border controls for tourists as we continue to clear the disruption caused by industrial action at the Channel Tunnel yesterday. Please do not turn up at the Port of Dover without a booking.  Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) December 22, 2023

The M20 motorway in Kent remains closed in the coastbound direction between junctions 8 and 9 due to Operation Brock, which involves organising a queue for freight traffic during disruption to cross-Channel services.

National Highways said this was causing 45-minute delays, with tourist traffic diverted on to local roads.

The Government-owned company said a moveable concrete barrier  installed at a cost of tens of millions of pounds  has not been used to create a contraflow system to keep the motorway open in both directions because putting it in position involves closing the road overnight, and Operation Brock is expected to be lifted on Saturday morning at the latest.

Passengers queue at St Pancras International station in London as Christmas getaway disruption is expected to continue (Lucy North/PA)

Some Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras on Friday were due to travel on Thursday but had their journeys cancelled.

Valentin Walch and Pauline Cerceau, both 26, stayed at a friends home overnight after rebooking.

Mr Walch, a handball trainer from Chartres, France, said they were stressed and a little bit angry when they were told they could not travel on Thursday.

He said: We know some people who slept in the train station, were lucky we stayed at a friends.

The M62 motorway was closed from around 11pm on Thursday until shortly before 9am on Friday between junctions 21 (near Rochdale, Greater Manchester) and 22 (near Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire) because of a police investigation following a crash in which a 19-year-old, male car passenger was killed.

This caused long delays to journeys.

Greater Manchester Police said it arrested the 19-year-old driver of the car  which crossed from the westbound carriage on to the eastbound section  on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

On the domestic railway, disruption from strong winds remained following chaos caused by Storm Pia on Thursday.

No LNER trains served Inverness on Friday morning.

Cars with pre-booked tickets were taking about 90 minutes to be processed at Dover (Andrew Matthews/PA)

ScotRail services were suspended between Inverness and Wick, Tain, Ardgay and Lairg.

Meanwhile, Southeastern said it was forced to cancel a number of trains due to a shortage of available train crew.

Services on the Sheerness line were suspended at 10am for the rest of the day, and there are cancellations on the high-speed line to and from London St Pancras throughout the day.

The RAC estimated 13.5 million leisure journeys by car would take place across the UK between Friday and Sunday, up 20% on the three days before Christmas Day last year.

The closures on M62 between j21 and j22 both east and west bound will be remaining on for the foreseeable future due to a serious Police incident, find an alternative route if possible.  North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) December 22, 2023

Road congestion was likely to peak on Friday as drivers embarking on leisure trips competed for road space with commuters and business traffic.

Motorists were advised to travel before 11am or after 6pm if possible to reduce the chance of being stuck in long queues.

Location technology company TomTom said road congestion in cities across Britain was above normal levels at 3pm.

The time taken to cover 10km (6.2 miles) in London was 20 minutes and 15 seconds, some one minute and 51 seconds longer than usual at that time.

Other cities that saw an increase in journey times over the same distance include Birmingham (two minutes and 11 seconds), Manchester (two minutes and 33 seconds), Glasgow (two minutes and 24 seconds) and Cardiff (four minutes and eight seconds).

Likely traffic hotspots on the M25 identified by transport analysis company Inrix include: clockwise between junction 7 (for the M23/Gatwick Airport) and junction 16 (for the M40/Birmingham); and anti-clockwise between junction 17 (Rickmansworth) and junction 12 (for the M3).

Other motorway stretches expected to see long queues included the M1 north from Woburn, Bedfordshire, to Daventry, Northamptonshire, and the M6 south from Wigan, Greater Manchester, to Stafford, Staffordshire.
A criminal investigation has been launched into the alleged abduction of Alex Batty, who returned to the UK last week after six years missing abroad, Greater Manchester Police said.

The teenager 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.

Alex landed in the UK on Saturday having been found by chiropody student Fabien Accidini near the French city of Toulouse last week after walking across the Pyrenees.

Officers in the UK interviewed the 17-year-old after his return from France and a criminal investigation has been launched, GMP said.

Alex left his mother for a better future, telling The Sun she was a great person but not a great mum.

The teenager, who is now under the legal guardianship of his grandmother, Susan Caruana, in Oldham, Greater Manchester, said his mother was anti-government, anti-vax, whose catchphrase was becoming a slave to the system.

He had become fed up with his nomadic lifestyle, with no friends and no social life.

After being looked after by the French authorities, Alex met his step-grandfather at Toulouse airport on Saturday before boarding a flight to the UK, GMP said.

It is thought Alex had been living with his mother and grandfather, who had taken him to Spain in September 2017, across Spain, Morocco and France while he was missing.

Last week French prosecutors said the teenagers mother, Melanie Batty, who does not have legal parental guardianship, may be in Finland.

Antoine Leroy told reporters Alex had said he knew his way of life with his mother had to stop after she said she intended to move to Finland.

This led him to walk for four days and four nights across the Pyrenees, the prosecutor said.
Junior doctors will return to work at 7am on Saturday after a 72-hour strike, with their next spell of industrial action less than a fortnight away.

The effect on the NHS of the latest walkout is not yet known, but health leaders warned earlier this month an impact on patient care would be inevitable.

They are preparing for the longest spell of industrial action in the history of the NHS, which will take place in the new year.

Over the course of the last three days, the British Medical Association (BMA) has urged the Government to get back around the table with junior doctors with a credible offer, and called on Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to stop trying to divide the profession.

But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak branded the action disappointing and urged junior doctors to call off strikes.

The only workforce that is refusing to settle are the junior doctors which is really disappointing, particularly at this time of year when everyone relies so heavily on the NHS and weve been consistently constructive and open to talks, he told broadcasters on Friday.

I would urge junior doctors to re-engage in those talks and call off strike action. And I think everyone can see that the Government has acted constructively here because weve managed to reach agreement, as I said, with every other workforce in the NHS.

Industrial action was announced earlier this month after weeks of talks between unions and ministers.

We strike again today. While workload and waiting lists are at record highs, doctors pay has been cut by more than a quarter since 2008. Enough is enough. The Government must come back to the table with a credible offer. #DoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/1lGhMfQH8A  Junior Doctors (@BMA_JuniorDocs) December 22, 2023

Junior doctors were offered a 3% rise on top of the average 8.8% increase they were given in the summer.

But the BMA said the money would have been split unevenly across different doctor grades and would still amount to pay cuts for many doctors.

On Thursday Ms Atkins suggested many, many doctors would be feeling deeply uncomfortable about the timing of strikes.

The health service is facing mounting seasonal pressure, with officials expecting it to be the most challenging winter yet.

Co-chairmen of the BMAs junior doctors committee, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, said the comments were disappointing after what they thought was an improved tone and approach from Ms Atkins.

Their statement added: We did not walk away from negotiations and we are happy to talk to Ms Atkins at any time.

It is the Governments insistence that they will not talk while strikes are scheduled that is blocking progress and wasting unnecessary time.

We appeal directly to Ms Atkins and the Government to drop this precondition and get back around the table.

The next junior doctors strike will begin at 7am on January 3 and end at 7am on January 9.

It is the longest strike in the 75-year history of the NHS.

Earlier this week, NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer wrote to Professor Philip Banfield, BMA chairman of council, saying hospital staffing levels seen during this weeks junior doctors strike will not be tenable.

He wrote: In the previous periods of industrial action taken solely by your junior doctor members, the core duties typically carried out by striking junior doctors have been covered by other medical colleagues and members of the wider team.

This position will not be tenable in January.

Elsewhere, junior doctors in Wales are planning a 72-hour walkout from January 15, while doctors in training in Northern Ireland are being balloted for potential strike action.

Those in Scotland have already come to an agreement with the Scottish Government.

Scotlands First Minister Humza Yousaf reiterated his Governments offer to mediate talks between UK ministers and unions.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Yousaf said: In Scotland, we have avoided NHS strikes by agreeing a fair pay deal with junior doctors.

I reiterate our offer to the UK Government that were willing to mediate in their dispute, so no more days of NHS activity are lost to strike.
A woman has been arrested after Two And A Half Men star Charlie Sheen was assaulted in Los Angeles, the LA County Sheriffs Department has said.

The attack happened on Wednesday at about 1pm, after the US authorities were called to reports of battery and a disturbance.

Upon contacting the parties involved, deputies identified Charlie Sheen as a victim of assault, it was confirmed.

Charlie Sheen (Ian West/PA)

Electra Schrock was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, force likely to create great bodily injury and residential burglary.

The US authorities said Ms Schrock will appear in court in Los Angeles on Friday.

A representative for Sheen has been contacted for comment.
A Second World War veteran who turns 100 on Christmas Eve is celebrating the milestone by raising money for children affected by the conflict in Gaza.

Terry Holt, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, witnessed first-hand the fate of children living through war when she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army, during the Second World War.

She was based in the Middle East between 1941 and 1948, working in Cairo, Egypt and the Suez Canal.

The impact of the recent Israel-Hamas war has motivated her to raise money for Save the Childrens Gaza Emergency Appeal, and she is asking for donations for her centenary instead of presents.

Terry has been a Save the Children volunteer for 73 years (Terry Holt/PA)

She will host a mulled wine and mince pie coffee morning at her home on Friday in the hope of reaching her fundraising target of 1,500.

Mrs Holt said: As I celebrate my 100th birthday, I feel so grateful for the life I have had, and I wanted to do something to raise much-needed funds to help children who so urgently need support.

When I was stationed in the Middle East in the 1940s, I saw first-hand the fate of children growing up in conflict zones.

Seventy years later as I watch the news and see schools, hospitals and mosques being destroyed it fills me with sadness.

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of such suffering, but we need to try to remain hopeful and do our bit.

I have supported Save the Children for as long as I can remember, and as a mother and grandmother myself I feel it is my duty to fight for the rights of children and do what I can to try and help them grow up with a brighter future.

Mrs Holt has been volunteering with Save the Children for 73 years, making her the charitys oldest known living supporter.

Over the years, her projects have raised thousands of pounds. During Covid, she raised more than 2,000 by walking half a mile a day, despite relying on a walking frame.

She is also the founder of the charitys Cheadle and Gatley branch, which was set up in 1959 and has raised more than 132,000 since records began in 1986.

Gwen Hines, chief executive of Save the Children UK, said: We are incredibly grateful to Terry for her kindness in choosing to spend her 100th birthday fundraising for Save the Childrens Gaza Emergency Appeal.
Dont feel like grocery shopping? Weve got you.

Anastasia Nurullina/Getty Images

Some days theres nothing more therapeutic than going to the grocery store and meandering up and down the aisles to find your go-to items, and other days you just cant be bothered to brave the crowds or long lines, particularly if you dont need to stock up on much. Luckily, for those days when a grocery run just seems out of the question for one reason or another, there are several grocery stores that deliver, and will bring eggs, produce, and whatever else you need, directly to your home.



Weve compiled a list of several large grocery chains that offer delivery, either via their own services or third-party apps such as Shipt and Instacart. Keep in mind that while many of these stores offer delivery nationwide or within several states, its always best to double check and make sure that your neighborhood grocery store is able to deliver to your home. There also may be additional delivery fees associated with your order, depending on where you shop and which services you use. Happy shopping!

Related: 10 Grocery Items You Shouldn't Buy Online

Acme

Acme, which has more than 160 stores throughout the Northeast, has multiple delivery options. The chain offers grocery delivery seven days a week between 8 AM and 10 PM local time, in most locations. Customers can also order Acme groceries from Instacart.

Albertsons

Albertsons is a subsidiary of Albertsons Companies, which has over 2,200 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia, and is one of Americas largest grocery chains. Albertsons offers grocery delivery seven days a week between 8 AM and 10 PM local time, in most locations. Customers can also order groceries from Instacart.

ALDI

Fans of the popular European chain with hundreds of locations throughout the United States will be pleased to know that ALDI has several options for grocery delivery. Shoppers can order groceries for delivery directly through the ALDI website, and can also place delivery orders via Instacart and DoorDash.

Amazon

Considering Amazon is the godfather of home delivery services, its no shock that the company has a myriad of ways to deliver groceries directly to consumers around the country. Shoppers (even those who are not Prime members) can order groceries via Amazon Fresh. For those who do have Amazon Prime, groceries can also be delivered from Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market. Users can also order non-perishable food items via Amazon (or Amazon Prime) from third-party sellers.

Costco

The beloved big-box chain offers same-day delivery to Costco members in qualifying ZIP codes via Instacart. Costco members can order perishable groceries online, including organic meats, produce, and seafood, and have the items delivered during a selected delivery window.



Another option, which is available in the continental United States, is to use Costco 2-Day Delivery. With this service, shoppers can order cleaning supplies, organic non-perishables, coffee, bath tissue, laundry detergent, snacks, and more directly to their door.

Dollar General

With more than 19,000 stores in 47 states, Dollar General is one of the largest retailers in the country. The chain has partnered with DoorDash, and offers grocery delivery through the app.

H-E-B

The Texas-based retailer has more than 380 stores throughout Texas and nearby Mexico. The chain offers home delivery via its app and website. Shoppers can also order groceries from H-E-B via Shipt and Instacart.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee has more than 280 locations across eight Midwestern states, including Illinois, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The chain charges $9.95 for delivery with a minimum purchase of $24.95, and is also available on DoorDash.

Kroger

Kroger, which has more than 2,700 outposts across 35 states, has two grocery delivery options powered by Instacart. Shoppers can select standard delivery, which is same-day, or something called now delivery, which brings groceries to your door in as little as 30 minutes.

Related: 7 Grocery Items to Avoid, According to Food Safety Pros

Meijer

Meijer has more than 240 stores in six states, including Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. The company offers same-day or next-day delivery right to your door, and is also available for delivery via Shipt and Instacart.

Publix

The Florida-based chain operates more than 1,300 stores throughout the South. Shoppers can order Publix groceries for delivery via Instacart.

Safeway

With nearly 1,000 stores across 17 states, Safeway is hard to miss. Like Acme, the chain offers grocery delivery seven days a week between 8 AM and 10 PM local time, in most locations. Customers can also order groceries from Instacart.

Sams Club

The popular big-box store offers same-day delivery, but that service is only available to Sam's Club members. However, shoppers can still get their Sams Club groceries delivered using third party services such as Instacart.

Target

Since Target has nearly 2,000 stores across all 50 states and Washington, D.C, were glad to report that the chain offers grocery delivery. Shoppers can have groceries and other items delivered same-day via Shipt, which is owned by the Target Corporation. Customers can also place orders for same-day delivery via DoorDash and Instacart.

Trader Joes

Trader Joes famously does not have its own in-house delivery service, and the popular chain is also conspicuously absent from Instacart, DoorDash, and similar delivery platforms. However, if youre desperate for a TJs fix, you can find some nonperishable items on Amazon.

Walgreens

Walgreens operates more than 8,700 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and sells everything from medications to fresh produce and eggs. The chain offers delivery in as little as one hour, Monday through Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM, though orders must be placed by 7 PM local time. Prescriptions can be delivered separately via Walgreens Express, and shoppers can also place orders for same-day delivery via DoorDash and Instacart.

Walmart

Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the United States, so the chain naturally has several delivery options available to consumers. Walmart has standard delivery and pick-up options, in which customers can place an order and retrieve it from their local store. The retailer also offers Walmart Express Delivery in select locations, which delivers items to your home in two hours or less, as well as InHome, which is available to Walmart+ members. Using InHome, customers can select how and where they want their groceries to be delivered, and rest assured that their orders are being handled by full-time Walmart associates.



Though Walmart has ended its partnership with DoorDash, it is available via Instacart in most areas, including some parts of New York City.

Wegmans

Wegmans has more than 100 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia. The chain has partnered with Instacart, and offers grocery delivery via the Instacart app, Wegmans app, or Wegmans.com.

Related: 10 Grocery Chains With the Best Private Labels

Whole Foods Market

Since Whole Foods is now owned by Amazon, the pricey grocery store chain will deliver items directly to Amazon Prime members all over the country. Shoppers can pick out their items online and select a delivery window, so theyll know exactly when their groceries will arrive.



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Read the original article on Real Simple.
President Joe Biden spoke with Mexico's president about "additional enforcement actions" to slow migration at the U.S.-Mexico border after the arrival of tens of thousands migrants shut down trade at two ports of entry.

President Joe Biden arrives at White House in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2023, as he returns from Wilmington, Delaware.

Biden and Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spoke Thursday by phone, according to John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, during a White House press briefing.

"The two leaders agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened across our shared border," Kirby said.

The administration is also sending a high-level delegation to Mexico City. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood Randall will meet with the Mexican president and his team in the coming days, Kirby said.

The White House and Congress have been negotiating a national security package that hinges on increased funding and policy changes to border security. Lawmakers left town this week without reaching a deal, and they are not scheduled to return until the second week in January.

Tens of thousands of migrants have crossed the border in Texas in recent days, prompting U.S. Customs and Border Protection to shut down international rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso on Dec. 18. Migrants have been riding atop freight trains in Mexico north to the U.S. border, and the closures are slowing bilateral trade.

CBP also closed a busy pedestrian crossing at San Ysidro and vehicle crossings in Lukeville, Ariz., and Eagle Pass.

U.S., Mexico cooperation on border crisis

This week in Eagle Pass, Texas, hundreds of migrants waited in the open air on patches of grass cordoned off by U.S. Border Patrol, which has struggled to process the number of people crossing the border and turning themselves in to officers.

At the El Paso, Texas, border over the weekend, dozens of migrant families walked along a border highway in Ciudad Juarez, searching for a place to cross the Rio Grande river to the U.S. side as police trucks and vans belonging to the countrys migration authority slowly patrolled the levy on the south side.

A spokesman for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he did not have enough information on Bidens conversation with Lopez Obrador to comment. But the Republican governor has sharply criticized the Democratic president's approach to immigration and border enforcement since arriving at the White House.

Bidens deliberate inaction has left Texas to fend for itself, Abbott said Tuesday in the border city of Brownsville where he signed legislation that allocates $1.54 billion to continue work on then-President Donald Trump's border wall, halted after the change of administrations in 2021.

At the press briefing, Kirby acknowledged the challenging situation.

"The president believes that weve got to do better at immigration, and hes willing to talk and negotiate with members of Congress about immigration policy, just as he is about border security," Kirby said.

The delegation's visit to Mexico City "will really be about getting at the migratory flows and talking to President Lopez Obrador and his team about what more we can do together."

USA TODAY network reporter John Moritz contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Mexico president agree border crisis needs urgent enforcement
Japan loosened arms export controls Friday, for the first time in nearly a decade, a move that would enable the U.S. ally to sell domestically made Patriot missile defense systems to Washington.

Japan strictly controls the export of arms under its pacifist constitution, which limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures.

"The appropriate transfer of defence equipment overseas will contribute to ... international peace and security, and will also strengthen cooperation with allies and the U.S. in security fields," a government document said after the rule was approved by the Cabinet on Friday.

Sales of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC3) system to the United States would be Japan's first export of lethal arms since the end of World War II, local media have reported.

With the new rule, Japan "will be able to export arms which were domestically produced under licence of a foreign company to the licensing country," a national security official in the prime minister's cabinet told AFP prior to the Cabinet approval.

Japan produces the PAC3 surface-to-air missile defense system, paying a licence fee to U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin which developed the system.

"Theoretically, the new rule will enable export" of the PAC3 to the United States, the official said.

A senior ruling party official told reporters this week that the export plan was at the request of Washington, Kyodo News reported.

U.S. President Joe Biden raised the issue with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting at Camp David in August, as well as during an economic summit in San Francisco last month, the Washington Post reported this week, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

Washington is increasingly looking to its allies to supply sophisticated weapons against the backdrop of a shortfall in Ukraine's air defenses, and South Korea has quietly pledged to provide hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition to Kyiv over the past year, the newspaper said.

Japan used to ban all exports of defense equipment but in 2014 the late prime minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet loosened the rules.

The country's defense industry is small, with the only customer being the Japanese military and the market estimated at around 3 trillion yen ($20 billion) annually -- less than some individual U.S. defense contractors' yearly revenues.

The Japanese government also approved on Friday a record defense budget worth $56 billion for the next fiscal year, in line with Kishida's goal of doubling defense spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027. (AFP)
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden announced Friday he's issuing a federal pardon to every American who has used marijuana in the past, including those who were never arrested or prosecuted.

The sweeping pardon applies to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in possession of marijuana for their personal use and those convicted of similar federal crimes. It also forgives pot users in the District of Columbia. It does not apply to individuals who have been jailed for selling the drug, which is illegal under federal law, or other marijuana offenses such as driving under the influence of an illegal substance.

The implication of Biden's pardon promises to have significant implications, as criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. However, the pardons do not apply to people who violated state law, and anyone who wants to receive proof of a pardon will have to apply through the Department of Justice.

April 2, 2022: A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House in Washington D.C.. President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color.

Biden issued a similar pardon last year and promised future reforms. This year's proclamation went further in that it forgave all instances of simple marijuana use or possession under federal law, including for individuals who have never been charged. It also expands Biden's previous directive to include minor marijuana offenses committed on federal property.

The White House says thousands of people with federal and district convictions will be eligible for the pardons, which Biden announced three days before the Christmas holiday.

In a statement, Biden said Americans should not be sent to prison solely for using or possessing marijuana. He urged governors to forgive state offenses.

"Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs," Biden said.

More: Many Americans arrested for marijuana won't find relief under Biden's pardon plan

Biden also commuted the sentences of 11 people he said are "serving disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses" and would have received lesser sentences if they were charged today.

The Congressional Black Caucus said the pardons are a "positive step forward in addressing long-standing racial disparities in crack and powder cocaine sentencing, which for generations, has disproportionately imprisoned Black Americans."

"It is our hope that clemency be granted to more Black Americans who have been criminalized by the decades-old policies of the War on Drugs era," the group said in a statement.

The American Civil Liberties Unions Cynthia W. Roseberry, director of the organization's Justice Division, said in a statement that Biden's actions "send a strong message about the power of redemption" and will help to correct past injustices.

But, she said, Congress must change the law to prevent future Justice Department from revoking Biden's directive not to pursue higher sentences for crack offenses.

Marijuana users who want to take part in Biden's program will have to follow an application process set by the Department of Justice to receive a certificate confirming that they were pardoned under the president's broader order if they need to provide proof of clemency for employment or housing applications.

Biden's proclamation states that the attorney general "shall review all properly submitted applications for certificates of pardon and shall issue such certificates of pardon to eligible applicants in due course."

The Biden administration recommended that the DEA reschedule marijuana use to a lower offense earlier this year.

A record 70% of Americans said in an October survey conducted by Gallup that marijuana use should be legalized. It is favored by a majority of Republicans. And it is highly popular among the liberals, Democrats and young Americans whom Biden hopes to inspire to vote for his reelection.

Recreational marijuana use is legal in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Medical marijuana is now widely allowed in the U.S. It is legal in 38 states.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden pardons marijuana possession convictions; federal, D.C. crimes
A Black woman in Ohio has been charged with a felony for abuse of a corpse after she miscarried into her toilet, according to a criminal complaint, and reproductive rights experts are warning that it could set a dangerous precedent if she is convicted.

The attorney for Brittany Watts and a campaign organized on her behalf called the charges against her unjust, saying they feared the case could open the door to similar prosecutions and lawsuits over miscarriages nationwide.

Just hours after Watts, 33, was admitted to a hospital for a life-threatening hemorrhage after she miscarried in her bathroom Sep. 22, police removed her toilet from her home and searched it for fetal remains, according to a GoFundMe set up to fund her legal expenses and home repairs.

"Ms. Watts suffered a tragic and dangerous miscarriage that jeopardized her own life. Rather than focusing on healing physically and emotionally, she was arrested and charged with a felony and is fighting for her freedom and reputation," her attorney, Traci Timko, said in a statement.

Timko argued in court that there is no law in Ohio that requires a woman suffering a miscarriage to bury or cremate those remains.

The Ohio Revised Code specifies that women should "in no case" be criminalized for the death in utero of an unborn child.

Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, and the author of several books on the abortion debate, says Watts case is far from the first to criminalize a person for the outcome of their pregnancy, but could set a precedent for similar prosecutions and lawsuits if she is convicted.

The abuse of corpse statute clearly wasnt written with pregnancy-related conduct in mind, Ziegler said. Its clearly a much older idea that isnt usually applicable in this kind of context.

Greer Donley, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, whose expertise includes the impact of abortion bans on other aspects of reproductive health care, agreed with Ziegler's concern.

Stillbirth has been in the crosshairs of the abortion wars, so this isnt the first time it has been criminalized, but it might be the first time that this has happened on a national scale and certainly in a post-Dobbs context, she said of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision that removed federal abortion protections in June 2022, marking the end of Roe v. Wade.

Watts case highlights the challenges that women with high-risk pregnancies face after the Supreme Court's decision. As many as 22 states have enacted laws that restrict or ban abortion, giving prosecutors authority to bring charges, sometimes criminal, against those who provide abortions  in some cases even for fetuses with life-threatening abnormalities. The case also adds to the body of evidence that Black women are disproportionately criminalized while pregnant.

Last month, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against Kate Cox, who hoped to terminate her pregnancy after discovering that her fetus has a fatal diagnosis. She eventually left the state to terminate her pregnancy. Donley wrote that she was "not shocked" about the outcome of Cox's case in an opinion essay for The New York Times.

Watts' case also comes amid a push to enshrine abortion rights in state constitutions, after the Supreme Court ruling. In Watts' home state of Ohio, voters added the right to access abortion care into the states Constitution last month.

Police investigation

Police investigated Watts' home after they received a call about the miscarriage from the hospital, Warren Police Department Chief Eric Merkel said. Police sent the case to prosecutors, who he said allowed the charge to be filed.

Warren is 60 miles southeast of Cleveland.

Watts knew she was going to miscarry because doctors told her days before that her fetus could not survive outside her womb because of gestational age, Timko said.

"When the bleeding and the pain from the impending miscarriage got severe, she did the same thing that many women who miscarry at home do. Brittany went into her bathroom, miscarried into her toilet, and flushed," a statement on Watts' GoFundMe said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 16% of pregnant people miscarry or have a stillbirth.

Watts is being charged under a section of Ohio law that punishes those who treat a human corpse in a way that the person knows would outrage reasonable family sensibilities or community sensibilities.

The charge is a felony in the fifth degree, which is punishable by up to a year in prison, and a $2,500 fine.

Watts was arrested Oct. 5, and released on bond the same day after she pleaded not guilty, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said in a press release Tuesday.

Preliminary hearing

On Nov. 2, Watts appeared in court for a preliminary hearing of the case, during which a medical examiner testified that her fetus died in utero and showed no signs of injury, Timko said.

Judge Terry Ivanchak ruled that there is "probable cause to find the accused guilty," and sent the case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury, according to the Trumbull County prosecutor, where Watts case will be heard to determine whether there is enough evidence for a felony indictment.

The issue isnt how the child died or when the child died. Its the fact that the baby was put into a toilet large enough to clog up the toilet, left in that toilet, and she went on her day, Warren Assistant Prosecutor Lewis Guarnieri said during the preliminary hearing.

Guarnieri could not be reached for comment.

Brittany sobbed as she sat in a courtroom listening to police officers describe the details of the most intensely personal moments of her life and then vilify her to the world, all while being recorded by local news media, a statement on the GoFundMe page said.

Legal experts weigh in

Watts' case is unusual because abuse of a corpse is a charge mostly used in the context of homicide cases, Ziegler said. It also stands out from other instances of pregnancy criminalization, because prosecutors conceded that there was nothing Watts could have done to continue her pregnancy.

In most other cases of pregnancy criminalization, prosecutors charged people with conduct that led to fetal demise, such as drug use, fetal assault, child endangerment or feticide, according to a report by the nonprofit group Pregnancy Justice.

Pregnancy Justice compiled cases of pregnancy criminalization across the U.S. from Jan. 1, 2006, until the day before the Dobbs decision, June 23, 2022. It defines pregnancy criminalization as instances in which a person faced a criminal arrest, arrest warrant or court order related to a pregnancy, or where a pregnancy was used as a justification for changes in bond conditions, pretrial release, sentencing, probation or parole revocation.

In the study, abuse of a corpse or tampering with remains were used as a criminal charge in only 2% of the almost 1,400 cases analyzed in the study. A total of 21 of those charges were felonies.

People were being prosecuted for pregnancy loss even before Roe V. Wade was struck down, but Ziegler said the post-Dobbs environment may explain why prosecutors have an interest in pursuing charges against Watts.

"In a case like this where there's no threat to public safety involved and it's a low-level felony, the question is why bother targeting this woman who is clearly grieving for this offense that almost never gets prosecuted on its own?" Ziegler said. "There's a social movement that wants a fetus to be recognized as a rights holding person, and Brittany Watts is seen as a vehicle for moving closer to that reality."
Paramedics were reportedly called but Charlie Sheen was not taken to hospital

American actor Charlie Sheen was assaulted by a woman at his Malibu home, police in Los Angeles have said.

The attack occurred on Wednesday about 13:00 local time (21:00 GMT), authorities said.

Police have arrested Electra Schrock, 47, for assault with a deadly weapon and residential burglary.

Paramedics were reportedly called to Mr Sheen's home in the aftermath, but he was not taken to hospital.

Police did not share a possible motive.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department confirmed the mid-day attack on the former Two and a Half Men star in a statement to the BBC.

Ms Schrock, who is reportedly a neighbour of Mr Sheen, was also arrested for using force likely to create great bodily injury.

Police did not say what weapon was used in the alleged attack.

TMZ reports that Ms Schrock attempted to strangle Mr Sheen and ripped his shirt after he opened his front door.

Ms Schrock had earlier this year pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanour elder abuse, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Mr Sheen, 58, has featured in Hollywood blockbusters such as Platoon, Wall Street and Major League.

He starred for eight seasons on CBS hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, before a spectacular falling out with the show's creator.

He went on to court tabloid headlines with a series of bizarre interviews. He later said that he regretted his actions during that time and blamed his behaviour on drug and alcohol abuse.

In an interview with People magazine earlier this month, Mr Sheen said that "next month I'll be six years sober".

"I have a very consistent lifestyle now. It's all about single dad stuff, and raising my 14-year-old twin boys," the actor said.
The US Supreme Court at night

The ruling from Colorado's top court that Donald Trump cannot appear on the state's ballot as a Republican presidential candidate is now almost certain to end up before the US Supreme Court.

It means the nine justices of America's highest court will, once again, take centre stage in a presidential election year.

The Colorado court said it had found "clear and convincing evidence that President Trump engaged in insurrection" at the time of the Capitol riot and disqualified him from running for president, citing an amendment to the US Constitution.

A number of legal experts who spoke to the BBC said the court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, now finds itself in a precarious position given the highly charged nature of this unprecedented case.

"The Supreme Court is being asked to define the boundaries of democracy," Samuel Issacharoff, a constitutional law professor at New York University, said.

It is a particularly difficult challenge, Prof Issacharoff said, because the former president "has tremendous support on one side of the aisle and tremendous vilification on the other".

The blockbuster case, then, will be closely scrutinised by observers of all political persuasions and could have major ramifications on the public's perception of the court. But how are its nine justices likely to view it?

Almost all experts who spoke to the BBC said the Supreme Court would likely take up the case and overrule Colorado's decision to disqualify Mr Trump, but would look to do so in the least damaging way.

Their decision not to fast-track a case on whether he has immunity from prosecution for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election is evidence of their reluctance to be drawn into the political arena.

"I suspect that institutional caution on their part will impel them towards not upholding the disqualification of Donald Trump," Prof Issacharoff said.

Robert Tsai, a law professor at Boston University, expressed a similar view. He said the court would be thinking: "What's going to be the opinion that looks the least damaging that overrules the Colorado Supreme Court?"

The court has a number of legal options available to it if it does take issue with the Colorado decision, the experts said. Some of those are more forceful and final than others.

The most decisive potential ruling, the experts said, would be to issue a direct opinion on whether Mr Trump should be disqualified from running for federal office.

If they rule directly on that, and overrule Colorado, their decision would apply in all states and the former president would be back on the ballot.

One decisive option would require a majority of the justices to say that they are legally convinced that Mr Trump did not engage in insurrection.

The other decisive option would be for a majority of the justices to find that he did.

"My general reaction is that the Colorado Supreme Court got it right. What happened on January 6 was an insurrection. Trump did engage in it, therefore he is disqualified," Prof Somin said.

The British Broadcasting Corporation

There was some doubt among legal experts, though, about what exactly constitutes insurrection within the amendment used to disqualify Mr Trump. There is little legal precedent to point to in the 150 years since the Civil War-era amendment went into effect.

It was originally written to prevent former Confederate soldiers and politicians who lost the Civil War from being elected into office and overthrowing the Union.

Experts told the BBC it could not have been imagined that the amendment would be applied to a former president running for re-election who is also the dominant candidate of his party.

"You don't have a clear definition of what insurrection is within the meaning of the 14th Amendment. It's not clear. It just uses the word," Prof Tsai said.

The other issue with disqualifying Mr Trump on the grounds of engaging in an insurrection is that he has not yet been found guilty of doing so by any court.

This opens the door to the Supreme Court finding Colorado's decision to be procedurally flawed under the scope of an old legal doctrine called the political question doctrine. It states that in the absence of a court ruling that someone did engage in an insurrection, the question of eligibility is a political question for Congress, not for the courts, Prof Tsai said.

The Supreme Court could also decide that the "officer of the United States" referred to in the 14th Amendment does not refer to the presidency. Some experts have noted that this was one of the weaker arguments.

"If there's anybody who's an officer of the United States, it's somebody who holds the highest and most powerful office in federal government," Prof Somin said.

But others have said the lack of explicit mention of "president" in the text is likely to appeal to many of the conservative judges on the Supreme Court, as it did to a lower court in Colorado.

"That's certainly the kind of answer that would appeal to someone like [Chief Justice] John Roberts," Prof Tsai said. "When he feels like an issue is too politically fraught, he can come up with an opinion that kind of dumps it in someone else's lap or gives neither side a clean victory."

This option would also be favourable to Neil Gorsuch, too, he said.

"That would appeal to him [as] a textualist", Prof Tsai said, someone who expressly looks to give meaning to the words strictly in the text.

Justice Neil Gorsuch (L) and Chief Justice John Roberts (R) are leading textualist thinkers on the Supreme Court

A softer option would be for the court to overrule it on technical grounds.

But legal analysts say a softer, more procedural, ruling, such as one that suggests there was insufficient evidence in Colorado, could mean the issue is left unresolved in the longer term.

"The Supreme Court could end up dismissing on procedural grounds [which] would allow the issue to continue to percolate among state governments and lower courts," Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, said.

"There would be a price to doing that because there would be further uncertainty as to how this issue would be resolved," he said.

"If they did it in a way in which state courts and state officials could continue to make their own decisions on the issue, then the price would be that Mr Trump could be disqualified in some states and not in others," Prof Somin said.

However, the future ruling of the Supreme Court in Mr Trump's Colorado case lies mostly in uncertainty, the experts said.

"They've never been presented with anything like this," Prof Tsai said. "They're kind of in a tough spot. If they step in and save the president here, then it's going to look partisan."

"If they don't step in, it's going to be a huge mess potentially."

Prof Issacharoff put it more simply: "It's a lose-lose."
In response to a lawsuit brought by Detroiters, a three-judge panel ruled Thursday that more than a dozen state legislative maps running through the majority-Black city are unconstitutional because race predominated in Michigan's first-ever citizen-led mapping process.

The maps must be redrawn and no more elections can be held under the current lines, the panel ordered. The judicial appointees of former President George W. Bush, a Republican, directed the parties in the case to appear before the court in January to discuss how to redraw the lines.

They ruled that the 13 Detroit area maps at issue in the case were drawn in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits drawing district lines on the basis of race.

When asked whether the mappers plan to appeal, the redistricting commission's executive director, Edward Woods III, said the group needs time to review the decision. "The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is aware and disappointed by the Court's decision," he said in an email.

The lawsuit against the redistricting commission alleged the maps drawn by the commission also violated federal voting rights requirements to draw districts that provide protected racial minorities an opportunity to elect their preferred candidates, but the panel found that because the commission violated the Equal Protection Clause, plaintiffs did not need to prove their claim that the new maps illegally disenfranchise Black voters. The lawsuit received financial support from a group affiliated with Republican Tony Daunt who serves as a member of Michigan's election panel.

Michigan voters overhauled the process for drawing congressional and state legislative maps with a 2018 ballot proposal, creating an independent citizens commission to draw the lines. The inaugural group of redistricting commissioners made major changes to metro Detroit state legislative districts drawn by Republicans last decade. The commission eliminated majority-Black districts in the state Senate and reduced the number of those districts in the state House.

After the Michigan Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit alleging the new lines diluted an opportunity for Black voters to elect their preferred candidates, a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in March last year sought a court ruling ordering the commission to redraw the state House and Senate maps.

Over six days in a Kalamazoo courtroom, the judges heard emotional testimony from redistricting commissioners, statistics-heavy presentations from political scientists and even a reference to metro Detroit rapper Eminem's "8 Mile."

At the outset of the redistricting process, experts hired by the group told the mappers that the old GOP-drawn maps excessively concentrated Black voters in districts, minimizing their influence. They instructed the commissioners to fix what they called "packed" districts. Lawyers for the commission contend that the new lines pairing Detroit with surrounding suburbs expand opportunities for Black voters.

In response to allegations that hitting racial demographic targets for the new districts was the overriding factor influencing the shape of the district lines, lawyers for the commission countered that no one factor predominated. In addition to race, the commission aimed to draw fair maps that would not give any political party a disproportionate advantage and tried to keep intact communities with shared policy needs.

The panel didn't agree: "The record here shows overwhelmingly  indeed, inescapably  that the Commission drew the boundaries of plaintiffs districts predominantly on the basis of race," said the opinion written by U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Judge Raymond Kethledge.

The opinion rejected the commission's defense that it drew districts to preserve communities with shared policy goals.

"The Commission put cities like Grosse Pointe, Bloomfield Hills, and Birmingham  some of the wealthiest cities in Michigan, where Porsches and Range Rovers are commonplace, and Cadillacs more numerous than Chevrolets  in the same districts as some of the poorest neighborhoods in Detroit, itself belies the idea that 'communities of interest' were paramount in drawing these districts," the opinion states.

In its 116-page opinion and order, the panel undertook a review of the commissions line-drawing process, examining the groups meeting transcripts and public hearings. The panel found the commission adhered to racial demographic quotas the novice mappers received from their hired experts. At various points in the mapping process, commissioners raised concerns about the Detroit-area maps, but the advice from the group's lawyers won out, the panel found.

The record in the case, the panel's opinion reads, "shows that the commissioners did as their experts said  with great difficulty, and misgivings throughout, and over the vociferous objections of Detroit residents at the time  so that, in the end, the Commission limited the percentages of black voters, in the districts at issue here, to the racial targets their experts had given them."

In a Dec. 4 legal brief filed in the lawsuit, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson raised the possibility that if an order to redraw the lines didn't come quickly, lines could not be redrawn in time for the 2024 election cycle when the entire state House is up for reelection.

The panel ordered the commission to redraw the following districts:

House District 1, currently represented by state Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit.

House District 7, currently represented by state Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit.

House District 8, currently represented by state Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park.

House District 10, currently represented by state Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit.

House District 11, currently represented by state Rep. Veronica Paiz, D-Harper Woods.

House District 12, currently represented by state Rep. Kimberly Edwards, D-Eastpointe.

House District 14, currently represented by state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit.

Senate District 1, currently represented by state Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Detroit.

Senate District 3, currently represented by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit.

Senate District 6, currently represented by state Sen. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township.

Senate District 8, currently represented by state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak.

State Senate District 10, currently represented by state Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren.

State Senate District 11, currently represented by state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Court orders redraw of Detroit area legislative districts
The Muscogee Nation issued an arrest warrant for an Okmulgee County jailer after a scuffle broke out between a Lighthorse Police officer and the jail employee.

The Muscogee Nation has issued an arrest warrant for an Okmulgee County jailer accused of assaulting a tribal Lighthorse Police officer during a dispute over a jail booking.

The incident unfolded Monday after Lighthorse Police arrested a non-Native man in Okmulgee, according to Geri Wisner, the attorney general for the Muscogee Nation. The dispute continued into Wednesday, when Lighthorse Police returned to the jail to try to serve the arrest warrant but ultimately left without doing so.

Officials at the jail, which is operated by the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority, have not returned messages seeking comment.

Tensions between county and tribal law enforcement agencies have simmered for years, with many of the conflicts rooted in jurisdictional disputes tied to the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling. The Muscogee Nation and Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office still have not agreed to allow their officers to enforce state and tribal public safety laws simultaneously, although the tribe has similar agreements with dozens of other agencies that operate on its eastern Oklahoma reservation.

In the case of Monday's arrest, Lighthorse Police officers were acting under a cross deputization agreement with a state agency, the Grand River Dam Authority, Wisner said at a press conference Thursday.

She said a Lighthorse officer noticed a man was driving the wrong way in a school zone, and the man later told officers he had fentanyl in his possession.

When Lighthorse officers tried to drop the man off at the Okmulgee County jail, an employee said he would not take him into custody, Wisner said. Muscogee officials also released a video, which they said shows the incident. It was captured by an officer's body camera.

What to know about the Lighthorse officer's body cam footage

The video appears to show a verbal argument between county jail workers and Lighthorse Police officers. When one jail employee turns around to walk to a separate part of the jail, a Lighthorse officer follows him. A door shuts and locks behind them. Other Lighthorse officers try to get into the room, then start yelling. Officers can see into the room through a window in the door.

The body camera footage then appears to shows the jail employee and Lighthorse officer get into a physical altercation. The door obscures the full view and audio of what led to the altercation. Lighthorse officers can be heard calling for back up. Other jail workers rush to open the door, and block more Lighthorse officers from entering the room. One man on the video can be heard saying, "Out of my building, gentlemen."

Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice, who sits on the jail trust, did not return a phone message to discuss what happened. But a sheriff's office employee provided a written statement attributed to Rice. In it, he said sheriff's deputies also responded to the jail during the dispute. He said the arrested man was ultimately booked into the jail "after all proper booking procedures were completed."

Photos of Lighthorse Police responding to the initial call for help on Monday have circulated online. Wisner disputed claims that Lighthorse Police have responded in such large numbers to the jail since Monday.

A spokesman for Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he had been in talking with all agencies "to ensure a peaceful and lawful resolution."

Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement that the incident "demonstrates the need for collective action" to work through jurisdictional questions tied to the McGirt decision. "In response, I am gathering stakeholders to discuss practical solutions that keep our citizens and law enforcement safe while I continue to call on Congress and the courts to address this problem," Stitt said.

More: Muscogee Nation sues to stop Tulsa from prosecuting tribal citizens for traffic offenses

Under a federal law passed in 2022, tribal nations can prosecute anyone accused of assaulting a tribal police officer. Wisner identified the jail employee named in the warrant as Matthew Douglas. She said he faces a charge of protected status battery of Lighthorse Deputy Chief Dennis Northcross.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, Douglas had not turned himself into Muscogee Nation authorities. He could not be reached for comment, and it is unknown whether he retained an attorney.

Speaking at the press conference, Wisner said the incident points to the broader difficulties that tribal police face as they are working toward the same goal as other law enforcement agencies.

"In reality, I think this is the first layer of an onion, if you will, of a long history of conflict, of racism, of a number of issues that existed," Wisner said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lighthorse Police issue warrant for Okmulgee County jailer for assault
Courtesy of Kate Bosworth/Instagram

Justin Long and Kate Bosworth enjoyed many meals on their trip cross country  and they took Us along for the ride.

Ate our way cross country!







, Bosworth, 40, captioned an Instagram post on Thursday, December 21, which featured some of the spots her and Long, 45, visited on their getaway (Things started to get real in Albuquerque w/ stained shirts slide 6).

Long replied in the comments section, writing, Best. Cross country trip. Ever. Thanks in no part to Happys farts



p.s. Those stains are on my @doshombres shirt, @aaronpaul! I figured because we were mostly in the car all day, very few people would see said stained shirt! At least fewer than a million



.

Some of the couples favorite meals included sandwiches at Indianas Shapiros Delicatessen before stopping for a sweet treat at Longs Bakery. Bosworth and Long also showed off the Asian cuisine at Yokozuna Yale in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, featured dessert from The Paleta Project and a meal at Sawmill Market, which is part of the historic Sawmill District.

Justin Long Kate Bosworth

Just like the movies! Kate Bosworth and Justin Long kept their romance under wraps after connecting on a 2021 film project  but fans were quick to notice their chemistry. The Blue Crush star and the Hes Just Not That Into You actor hit it off while working on an unnamed movie in spring of []

Bosworth and Longs friends were quick to comment on their recent adventures. Brittany Snow noted that the pair define couple goals, writing, If love aint like this I dont want it



.

Courtesy of Kate Bosworth/Instagram

Longs former costar Zooey Deschanel was thrilled by the food photos, adding, Im impressed at the double sandwich.

Since going public with their romance, Long and Bosworth have often used social media to highlight adorable moments from their relationship. Long and Bosworth met while filming a movie in 2021 and started dating after the model confirmed her split from then-husband Michael Polish.

Kate Bosworth Dating History

Her blue crushes! Kate Bosworth has dated several fellow actors over the years including Orlando Bloom and Justin Long. During a September 2019 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the California native claimed that she was done dating actors, an experience she called no bueno, adding, Its just  too much of []

Us Weekly exclusively confirmed in March that Bosworth and Polish finalized their divorce. According to legal documents obtained by Us, the former spouses waived spousal support and agreed to divide all assets.

One month later, Bosworth announced that Long popped the question, writing via Instagram, These things are funny to announce. How to do this right? Hes going the distance? Ive got a Blue Crush? Hes just THAT into me? Ive won a date with??? Ok you get it! If life is short, find the one who brings you endless peace and radical wonder.



@justinlong I am so grateful its you.

Courtesy of Kate Bosworth/Instagram

The duo subsequently opened up on Longs podcast, Life Is Short, about how he proposed in a very organic way following a couples therapy session.

Justin Longs Dating History

Ladies man? Justin Long had a lot of high-profile relationships ahead of engagement to Kate Bosworth  and even his exes are rooting for him to find love. You want to know why he gets all the ladies? Well, theres a few reasons, but the comedy is definitely [one of them], Drew Barrymore said of []

We had just gone through this really hard thing and we had spoken to a therapist and we were trying to move through things at the time and she gave us a really great piece of advice which was: Make sure that youre pretty consistently asking the other what you need, or asking the other what they need, Bosworth explained during the April episode. I remember waking up not so many mornings after that therapy session and I looked at Justin and I said  I smiled at you, and I said, What do you need? And he, like, really looked at me and he said, To spend my life with you. And I smiled and I said, Well, yeah, you have that. Oh my gosh, you have that, and he said, No, I mean I really want to spend my life with you.

The duo have since confirmed that they secretly tied the knot by referring to each other as husband and wife.
Fallen trees have caused injury, damage and travel disruption as Storm Pia battered parts of the UK with gusts hitting 115mph.

One man was taken to hospital with what is understood to be non-life-threatening injuries after a tree fell onto his car on the A515 in Clifton, Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Constabulary said a number of trees had fallen on the road, which is expected to be closed for most of the day, and motorists have been advised to find alternative routes.

Also in Derbyshire, in the village of Stanley, workmen attempted to remove a tree that fell onto and damaged the roof of a house.

Further south, a fallen tree blocked a train line between Ascot, Berkshire and Bagshot, Surrey.

Thousands of households were still without electricity as of 2pm on Thursday.

A yellow warning for wind, stretching north from Birmingham to the Shetland Islands and including Northern Ireland, ended at 3pm.

But another yellow alert was issued for snow and ice across Shetland from Thursday and into the weekend, with possible accumulations of 2-5cm of snow.

It has been a very windy start across the UK this morning with a yellow wind warning in force until 3pm today  Take a look at some of the maximum gust speeds we have seen so far  pic.twitter.com/U6f2In97Uq  Met Office (@metoffice) December 21, 2023

Icy patches are expected on untreated roads and pavements on the Scottish archipelago, bringing the risk of injury from slips and falls as well as travel disruption.

Gusts of 115mph were recorded at Cairngorm Summit, winds of 81mph were recorded at Brizlee Wood, near Alnwick, Northumberland and at Baltasound on Shetland, with gusts of more than 70mph recorded elsewhere in the North East of England.

South Western Railway (SWR) announced cancellations, delays or alterations to services until 5pm after the railway between Ascot and Bagshot was blocked.

A spokesperson for Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents Britains electricity network operators, said 80% of customers affected by storm-related power cuts this morning have been reconnected.

But around 17,900 customers are without power at 2pm today, they added.

Workmen remove a fallen tree that has damaged the roof of a house in the village of Stanley in Derbyshire (Jacob King/PA)

Engineers are working to reconnect customers as quickly as possible but strong and disruptive winds persist in many places, which is hampering some efforts.

Northern Powergrid, one of the electricity network operators represented by ENA, said it had restored power to more than 45,000 customers across the North East, Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire by Thursday evening  around 96% of customers impacted by Storm Pia.

Louise Lowes, director of customer service, said: We expect all customers affected by Storm Pia to be back on supply tonight.

According to the ENA, the main areas affected are across Scotland, North East England, Yorkshire, North West England and the Midlands.

Storm Pia, which was named by the Danish Met Institute, is gradually moving towards mainland Europe where its impacts are expected to be more severe, the Met Office said in a statement.

The winds are due to ease for many across the UK on Thursday afternoon with wet weather likely to persist in western areas.

The forecasting body predicted continued unsettled weather over the weekend and said a White Christmas  defined as a single snowflake falling on Christmas Day  is likely, particularly over high ground in the far north of Scotland.

There is roof damage to homes on Haslam Crescent due to high winds. Residents are staying inside whilst inspections take place. Please avoid the area due to current risk from flying debris. pic.twitter.com/tcoYoO2zov  Sheffield City Council (@SheffCouncil) December 21, 2023

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dave Hayter said: Itll be a particularly wet weekend in the north and west, with breezy conditions for many.

While those further south will generally be drier, some sporadic showers could spread into the south west at times, as well as some more persistent rain for Wales on Sunday.

Christmas Day will likely see a continuation of unsettled, mainly showery, weather in the north west, including Northern Ireland.

While the day may start damp in southern and central areas, that rain should clear into the English Channel through the evening.

Oli Claydon, a Met Office spokesman, said there will not be picture postcard snowy scenes on Christmas Day.

An aircraft taking off from Leeds Bradford Airport during Storm Pia (Danny Lawson/PA)

Train passengers experienced significant disruption on Thursday with National Rail reporting that routes across Scotland, and parts of England and Wales were affected, and speed restrictions were in place on lines within the previous weather warning area.

Schools in Shetland were closed.

The roof came off a section of a block of flats in Haslam Crescent, Sheffield, according to the city council.

People on social media reported their sleep had been disturbed by the storm.
While Hanover is known for being the "snack food capital of the U.S.," it's also "famous" for its hot dog scene.

And now, one of those hot dog shops that gives Hanover its claim to fame, the Famous Hot Weiner, is celebrating a century of serving up the sizzle.

Though a lot has changed in those 100 years  a hot dog doesn't cost the nickel that it did in 1923 anymore  a lot has stayed the same.

Famous Hot Weiner co-owner George Keriazes, Pete Keriazes, father of George and Tim, and co-owner Tim Keriazes, pose for a photo at the Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Hanover.

That includes their most popular item, a hot dog with everything, mustard, chili, and a dollop of of diced onions, something that has clearly kept customers coming back for decades.

"One of our mottos is, where old traditions come alive," said co-owner George Keriazes, highlighting that motto to speak to their attempts to keep a consistent customer experience.

A "Famous" history

The Keriazes brothers, Tim and George, are the fourth-generation to run the business, following in the footsteps of their great-grandfather, Nicholas E. Mavros, who immigrated to America from Greece before he opened the shop.

Mavros came to America through Ellis Island in 1918 from a small village in the mountains of Greece and "dreamed of a better life," said George.

As George puts it, the American dream brought Mavros to Hanover. There, Mavros started Hanover's first locally owned fast food business on York Street, on a site around the McCallister Hotel. In 1925, the Famous moved into its current location on the corner of Broadway, York street and Railroad street.

That location  now one of three around York County  is one of the most prominent landmarks of downtown Hanover, with a painted brick facade that reads "Famous Wiener Lunch."

In 1973, George's father, Pete Keriazes, and Nicolas' grandson, Nicholas T. Mavros, opened the second location of the business on Dart Drive, what George refers to as "our flagship store."

"The Dart Drive location is by far the most successful," said George.

That's partially thanks to blind luck, George says, as the adjacent bustling "golden mile" shopping district on Eisenhower Drive didn't exist until over a decade after the second location was built. Now, the bustle of Eisenhower Drive helps drive additional traffic to the location.

"How we ended up here is by the grace of God, and that was about it," said George. "We got very lucky."

The Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Hanover.

In 1999, George and his brother, Tim, who grew up washing dishes and working in the shop, took over the business from their father, Pete. That exchange of ownership didn't come with an instruction manual from his father, though.

"He gave me the keys and told me to go to work," laughed George. "He gave me very little advice even when I asked for it."

"I think he figured he educated me, so, you know, you gotta let it go, and I give him a lot of credit for that because I don't think that was the easiest thing to do," said George.

"I always believed you learn by doing," Pete replied.

One day, George called his father for advice. "What would you do?" Pete recalls George asking.

"I said, what would you do?" Pete remembers responding.

100 years of community, memories

For Pete, seeing the business turn 100 is a special moment.

"It means a lot," said Pete. "I like to think we've served our community."

That community has stuck with the Famous, as George points out he often encounters customers who have come to the Famous all of their lives.

"We have customers who come in that are 70 years old," says George, "and are remembering their childhood here with their grandparents or parents."

Linda and Robert Giles, of Camp Hill, enjoy a hot dog special with fries at the Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive in Hanover on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

When Pete moved to Hanover, he told his wife he was only going to be here for 10 years before they'd move on.

That didn't happen, though, and to this day, Pete still gets breakfast with one of the first customers who wandered into the business in 1973.

During a short ceremony at the Dart Drive location on Tuesday, members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House came to present certificates of recognition to the business for 100 years of service.

"This is a place where family memories are made," said Rep. Kate Klunk (R-169) as she concluded her remarks during that presentation.

Rep. Torren Ecker (R-193) shared in that thought, recalling the days his father brought him to the downtown location as a child.

From left, back row, state rep. Dan Moul(R-91), state senator Kristin Phillips-Hill(R-28), Pa. House Rep. Kate Klunk(R-169), Pa. House Rep. Torren Ecker (R-193), front row, Famous Hot Weiner co-owner George Keriazes, Pete Keriazes, father of George and Tim, and co-owner Tim Keriazes, pose for a photo with letters of recognition from the Pennsylvania House and Senate at the Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Hanover.

"I just want to thank the community for the last 100 years, no one does anything by themselves," said George.

George also appreciates the support of the other businesses in town, including the other hot dog shops in town, such as the Texas Hot Weiner Lunch.

"It was never a competition," says George. "We've always been acquainted, we've always been friends."

"We each have our own following," George adds.

The challenges of a century

Despite the success, though, the history of the business is not without struggles.

The Famous Hot Weiner has weathered the Great Depression, the great recession, two global pandemics, multiple wars, and family tragedy.

Most recently, the business survived the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

"We were really lucky because we packed up really easily," said George, "I think that was key."

The first six weeks of adjusting to the pandemic restrictions were difficult, George said, but the business was able to turn a corner as they settled into the lack of in-house dining.

In fact, the Famous did not have to lay off a single employee during the pandemic, a fact that George remains proud of.

An employee pours chili on hot dogs at the Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Hanover.

With all of the history considered, the hardest period of time for the family was not a global tragedy, but instead a local one, George says.

Not long into the history of the restaurant, the founder, Nicolas Mavros, lost a child who was struck by a trolley in the 1930s, George said.

"I'm not sure how they made it through that time," said George. "It really did break up the family."

Much of the family was sent home to Greece following that tragedy, but returned due to the war in Europe.

"It was only probably due to World War II that they came back to America," said George.

The 21st century

Along with the two Hanover locations, the business expanded to a location in West York, and for the last 20 years, even offers nationwide online orders through their website, www.famoushotweiner.com.

Despite the high cost of shipping, which George notes can be as steep as $60 or $70 for a 12-pack of hotdogs, the business still sees a large demand from those online orders. Orders come with buns, chili sauce, onions and the hotdogs, and customers can also order a 12-pack of burgers.

"It's really grown over the years," said George.

The busiest time for online orders, by far, is around Christmas, George says, with many Hanover transplants getting the Famous as Christmas presents. Another peak time for shipments is Father's Day weekend.

"We enjoy giving a piece of Hanover to somebody in California, or wherever they are," said George.

A "famous" hot dog at the Famous Hot Weiner on Dart Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Hanover.

Though the restaurant does explore menu changes at times, such as adding salads, the family knows what keeps customers coming.

"We're always looking at something new, but of course the number one always stays the same,' says George.

As the family looks towards the future, George is leaving the door open to the next generation, his two children.

"You really have got to have it in your heart," said George, citing the drive and ambition it takes to keep the small business afloat.

"If they have it and they want to try it out, the door is gonna be open," said George, "but there's not gonna be any pressure."

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for The Evening Sun. Contact him at hjones@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Famous Hot Weiner: This Hanover, Pa. staple is celebrating 100 years
The danger of natural disasters on the homefront cannot be understated. Whether youve experienced a hurricane, tornado, wildfire or other type of disaster, the rebuilding process takes time and money. An example is Hurricane Ian, a 2022 Category 5 storm that caused hundreds of fatalities and an estimated $115 billion in damages, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Knowing the different options you have for natural disaster finance is important when you have an unexpected event happen to your property.

Here are some places where you may be able to obtain financial assistance or tap your funds to restore your home, business or other property after being hit by a natural disaster:

Your insurance policy

If you own a home that was damaged due to a natural disaster, you should talk to your insurance company as soon as possible, says Wendy Terrill, a retirement planning counselor at Assurance & Guarantee in Burlington, North Carolina.

The quicker you file a claim, the better. And its important to be proactive if youre in a disaster-prone area. You should make sure you have the necessary coverage depending on where you live, such as hurricane or flood insurance if you live along the coast.

Always be sure to know the extent of your policies and what they do and dont cover, Terrill says. Be aware, there can be time limits on how long you have to file, so its important to act quickly when filing a claim.

In some cases, Terrill adds, its prudent to get a second opinion when totaling up the damage.

Make sure to consult your own qualified public adjuster, not the insurance companys adjuster, as well as an attorney, Terrill says. Not only can this expedite the process, it will also help protect you. Filing insurance claims can help cover costs and shore up cash savings for other things that arent covered by insurance.

Family and friends

Your closest relations may be the most willing to pitch in when disaster strikes, says Justin Nabity, a wealth management advisor at Physicians Thrive in Omaha, Nebraska. One way to get the finances you need would be to ask your friends or family for a loan, Nabity says.

However, Nabity recommends that you should discuss a reasonable payback plan.

The word loan is key here, Nabity says. Make it clear to them that you intend to pay them back the money in full with interest over a period of time. Your loved ones care for you, and more often than not, they would love to help out someone they love whenever they can. Just dont treat the loan like a handout.

One plus of enlisting the help of friends and family is you can access funding as soon as possible. You could even request that they send the money via a digital payment network like Zelle or Venmo directly to your bank account so that you can get your rebuilding efforts underway quickly.

The federal government

The federal government usually makes resources available to help natural disaster victims. The type of assistance that you qualify for will depend on your unique situation. Here are some of the most common assistance programs and providers:

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA offers a variety of programs to support disaster survivors. As soon as the area is safe, FEMA will arrive to start helping impacted individuals survive the fallout of a natural disaster.

In addition to many on-the-ground programs that provide food and shelter as well as cover expenses like moving, storage and clean-up, you could receive FEMA unemployment assistance. Typically, any unemployment benefits related to a disaster will be paid for up to 26 weeks.

If you want to apply for FEMA assistance or explore your options, head to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). These mobile offices are set up after a disaster to help the affected residents navigate the crisis. For complete information, go to FEMAs website.

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance

As a business owner who was affected by a declared disaster, you can access resources provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA). You will find four types of loans available after a disaster: physical damage loans; mitigation assistance; economic injury disaster loans; and military reservist loans. These loans cover things like home repairs, a business owners operating expenses and other financial hardships you might suffer.

You can take advantage of these loan opportunities to help you weather any financial storm, if you have a small business affected by a declared disaster.

IRS: Internal Revenue Service assistance

The IRS, better known for tax collection, is usually not associated with offering a helping hand. But the IRS may be able to help to alleviate some pressing bills. For example, you may receive an extension on your tax payment deadline. That could be a big help if you are running low on funds while rebuilding after a natural disaster.

DAIP: Disaster Assistance Improvement Program

DAIP is a lesser-known federal entity that can help you get back on your feet following a disaster. The goal of DAIP is to help you find the resources you need more easily.

If you are tired of reading through an alphabet soup of agency programs to find the pertinent information, then head to DAIPs Find Assistance page. You can enter your information on the site and receive a unique list of resources and assistance programs that could help you  and save you a lot of time.

Your life insurance policy

If you have a cash value life insurance policy, now may be the time to borrow from it. (You cant borrow from a term life policy, as it only pays out upon death.) You could cover necessary rebuilding expenses with the cash that you withdraw from your cash value life policy. And theres no application required to gain use of your money.

If you dont pay back the money you took from your life insurance policy, however, it will reduce the value of your death benefit, notes Sean Fox, chief revenue officer of personal finance company Achieve. Paying the money back is not required, but any amount not paid back will be deducted from whatever goes to beneficiaries, Fox says. So, keep that in mind as you move forward.

CDs, savings bonds and mutual funds

If you have money tucked away in a certificate of deposit (CD), mutual funds or savings bonds, you could pull cash out now. Note that withdrawing money early from some accounts may result in an early withdrawal penalty.

Talk to a bank representative or a financial advisor to better understand your options if you need to pull money out of these savings vehicles.

529 college savings

If you have contributed money to a 529 college savings plan for your child, then you could tap into those savings. However, you may incur a 10 percent penalty on the earnings portion of your account for any withdrawals. With that, a 529 withdrawal should be a last resort.

In addition to the 10 percent penalty, youll have to pay state and federal income tax on these withdrawals.

Retirement accounts

Another place to access needed cash is in retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) plan, notes certified financial planner Kyle Eaton. 401(k) plans allow participants to take out loans, Eaton says. The maximum amount you can borrow from your plan is 50 percent of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less, according to the IRS.

For instance, if your 401(k) had a (vested) balance of $60,000, the maximum loan that you could take is $30,000, Eaton says.

The major drawback of these distributions is that you will have to repay the account that you took the funds from. Additionally, it could delay your retirement by derailing your savings goals.

Non-government organizations (NGOs)

NGOs, which are often non-profit organizations, often show up to provide help when a natural disaster strikes. Many are able to provide the money and resources needed to rebuild.

Take some time to research the NGOs that are offering assistance in your area. You might be surprised to find a helping hand just around the corner. Examples of NGOs include the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and REACT International.

Bottom line

A natural disaster can turn your world upside down, quite literally. However, theres a good chance you wont have to rebuild alone. Many organizations and individuals are available to help you get back on your feet and create a new normal.

 Bankrate writer Karen Bennett contributed to an update of this story.
Czech authorities sought a motive Friday in a student's gun attack that killed 13 people at a Prague university, where tearful mourners have left a sea of candles to grieve for the victims.

The gunfire Thursday at the Charles University's Faculty of Arts sparked frantic scenes of students running from the attack that was the Czech Republic's worst shooting in decades.

A makeshift memorial of hundreds of candles flickered outside the university on Friday as police pursued the investigation at the campus in Prague's historic center.

The gunman, a 24-year-old student, killed himself after shooting dead 13 people and wounding 25 others.

"We know all 14 dead and their identity. It's 13 victims of the mad gunman and the gunman himself," Interior Minister Vit Rakusan told public broadcaster Czech TV, revising down a previous toll of 14 victims.

He added that three of the wounded were foreigners. The Dutch foreign ministry said earlier one of them was a Dutch national.

All the victims were killed inside the building, and at least some were the gunman's fellow students.

Rakusan had said earlier that there was no link between the shooting and "international terrorism" and that the student acted on his own.

Although police said there was no longer any imminent threat, they were still guarding selected sites including schools on Friday as a preventive measure and "a signal we are here."

The government has declared a national day of mourning on Saturday, with flags on official buildings to be flown at half-staff and people asked to observe a minute's silence at noon.

'Huge arsenal'

The gunman, previously unknown to the police, had a "huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition", Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said after the killings on Thursday.

Police had started a search for the student even before the mass shooting, after his father was found dead in the village of Hostoun west of Prague.

The gunman "left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself," Vondrasek said, declining to confirm whether the gunman had killed his father.

Police had started the search at a Faculty of Arts building where the gunman was expected to show up for a lecture, but he went instead to the faculty's main building nearby.

Police learned about the shooting at around 1400 GMT and sent a rapid response unit to the scene. Twenty minutes later, the gunman was dead.

Citing an inquiry into the student's social media activities, Vondrasek said the gunman was inspired by a "similar case that happened in Russia," without providing further details.

Vondrasek said police believed the same gunman had also killed a young man and his 2-month-old daughter in a pram during a walk in a forest on the eastern outskirts of Prague on Dec. 15.

The investigation into those murders, which had shocked Prague, had stalled until evidence found in Hostoun linked the gunman with the crime.

'Senseless'

The shooting at Charles University, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge, was the deadliest since the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state in 1993.

"There is no justification for this horrendous act," Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

U.S. President Joe Biden sent his condolences, slamming the "senseless" shooting.

"My heart is with those who lost their lives in today's senseless shooting in Prague, those injured, and the Czech people," he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Our authorities are in touch with Czech law enforcement, and we stand ready to offer additional support if needed."

French President Emmanuel Macron, EU President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among those also offering condolences.

Though mass gun violence is unusual in the Czech Republic, the nation has been rocked by some instances in recent years.

A 63-year-old man shot seven men and a woman dead in 2015 before killing himself in a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod.

In 2019, a man killed six people in the waiting room of a hospital in the eastern city of Ostrava, with another woman dying days later. The man shot himself dead about three hours after the attack. (AFP)
A jury has found three officers not guilty in the 2020 death of Manuel "Manny" Ellis while in police custody in Tacoma, Washington.

Christopher Burbank, 38, and Matthew Collins, 40, were each found not guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, while Timothy Rankine, 34, was found not guilty of first-degree manslaughter.

All three officers faced a maximum of life in prison if they had been convicted, according to the Washington Legislature.

"I want to start by thanking the jury and court staff for their service. I also want to thank the members of my legal team for their extraordinary hard work and dedication. I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them," Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement after the verdict.

The jury began deliberating on Dec. 14, but the jury was asked to restart twice, as alternate jurors needed to be called in. On Monday, a juror's status was changed "from seated to alternate because of their unavailability due to a family concern," the superior court said, and an alternate juror joined the 11 other seated members to restart deliberations. Then on Tuesday, a juror tested positive for COVID-19, the court said, and an alternate juror was called.

Ellis, an unarmed, 33-year-old Black man, died on March 3, 2020, after he was restrained, beaten, tased and put in a spit mask by law enforcement, according to prosecutors. In a video of the encounter, Ellis can be heard pleading with the officers, saying, "Can't breathe, sir, can't breathe."

PHOTO: A photo of Manuel Ellis, a black man whose March death while in Tacoma Police custody was recently found to be a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office, is seen near the site of his death, June 3, 2020, in Tacoma, Wash. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Special prosecutor Patricia Eakes of Washington's Attorney General's Office had relied on eyewitness testimony and video evidence to present the state's closing arguments. Eakes said Ellis didn't have to die that night.

"He was a human who deserved the same dignity that we all do," she said. "He deserved to be treated with basic human dignity."

Eakes compared Ellis' treatment to that of an animal, and the description him being hogtied with a hobble in her closing arguments caused tension during the court proceedings. A hobble is a restraining device used by police to secure the legs and ankles of a suspect.

Defense attorneys motioned for a dismissal, a mistrial, and objected to her references to Ellis as a human being several times.

PHOTO: A sign is displayed, May 27, 2021, at a memorial in Tacoma, Wash., where Manuel 'Manny' Ellis died March 3, 2020, after he was restrained by police officers. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

The defense attorneys had maintained that while the death of Ellis was unfortunate, it wasn't unlawful. Throughout the trial, they presented evidence of Ellis' history of drug addiction and mental health issues as their main defense.

The county medical examiner ruled Ellis' death a homicide due to "hypoxia due to physical restraint," and later found the presence of methamphetamine in Ellis' blood. The examiner said his death was not likely caused by drug intoxication, according to the probable cause statement.

Jared Ausserer, an attorney for Collins, who was first on the scene with Burbank, said during his closing argument there was no doubt that Ellis was a good son, uncle and brother, but added, "When he was sober."

"We know when he was high on meth, he was a different person," Ausserer said.

MORE: Officer speaks out after grand jury clears him in shooting of 11-year-old

Wayne Fricke, Burbank's attorney, justified the defendant's use of force and blamed Ellis for his own death. He said Ellis "created his own death," and the use of methamphetamine "caused him to be violent, unpredictable and paranoid."

Rankine, who arrived with a second unit at the scene of the incident, was an officer for 14 months at the time of the incident, according to his attorney Mark Conrad's closing statement. Conrad said he did not have hobble training and followed the superior officer's orders that night.

"Officer Rankine responded to an emergent situation to assist other officers," Anne Bremner, one of Rankine's attorneys, said in a statement to ABC News. "We will ask the jury to not compound the tragedy of Mr. Ellis' death with an unsupported and unjust verdict against Officer Rankine."

MORE: Jury hears testimony in trial of officers charged in Manuel Ellis' death

The Tacoma police union told ABC News in a previous statement that they maintain their stance on this case, that the charges appear to be a "politically motivated witch hunt."

"We certainly maintain our support for these officers and have not changed our beliefs on why they are charged," Henry Betts, Tacoma Police Union Local #6 president, said.

ABC News had previously reached out to Ausserer and Fricke for statements but did not receive a response.

ABC News' Tesfaye Negussie, Brittany Gaddy, Morgan Winsor and Kiara Alfonseca contributed to this report.

Jury finds 3 officers not guilty in Manuel Ellis' 2020 death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Leavenworth man is facing criminal charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child, federal prosecutors said on Thursday.

Antoine Askari Richardson, 25, is accused of four felony charges under an indictment that was unsealed Thursday in Kansas City, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri.

Prosecutors say Richardson worked for the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth at the time of the alleged offenses. He is accused of committing the crimes between October 2022 and March of this year.

Richardson was arrested on the charge and made his initial court appearance at the federal courthouse in Kansas City on Thursday afternoon.

Under the indictment, Richardson is accused of using a child victim to produce child pornography, receiving child sexual abuse images and distribution of child sexual abuse images.

A spokesman for the University of St. Mary said in an email to The Star that Richardson worked as a graduate assistant in its campus ministry beginning in the summer of 2022 and later as an outreach coordinator from April until May. He added that the allegations do not involve the university community or campus.

Richardson was ordered held in federal custody pending the outcome of a detention hearing Dec. 28.
Tommy Lee has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a helicopter in 2003.

In a civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Dec. 19 and obtained by USA TODAY, a woman identified as Jane Doe accused the Motley Crue drummer, 61, of sexually assaulting her during a helicopter ride from San Diego to Van Nuys, California in February 2003.

The woman claims she "was lured under false pretenses by Tommy Lee's personal helicopter pilot, David Martz" to take the ride.

The lawsuit, dated Friday, also names Mayhem Touring, of which Lee was president and owner at the time, and Socal Helicopters, of which Martz was owner at the time, as co-defendants. Martz died in 2015, according to the lawsuit.

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee has been accused of sexually assaulted a woman during a private helicopter ride in 2003.

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Lee for comment.

Tommy Lee accused of sexual assault: What the lawsuit alleges

In the filing, the woman alleges she was invited on a private helicopter flight by Martz and was not aware the Methods of Mayhem band member would also be on the helicopter.

According to the woman, she became friendly with Martz through her work as a bank teller in "late 2001 or early 2002." After being offered a private flight in his helicopter, she accepted an invitation, which she took as a "friendly gesture."

The day of the tour, the woman said lunch plans they'd scheduled prior were canceled at the last minute. When she arrived at the hangar where the helicopter was, Lee was there, with Martz explaining "that he needed to take Lee to Van Nuys and that the trip would take no longer than 35 to 40 minutes," she said. He then told the woman to hop in, she claims.

Jane Doe alleges Martz and Lee consumed alcohol, marijuana and cocaine almost immediately after taking flight, with Martz instructing the woman through the helicopter's headphone system to "just relax" when she wasn't drinking.

Martz then asked her to "come up to the cockpit and sit with Lee," she said. When she declined as there wasn't any room, according to the complaint, Lee told her to sit on his lap "so that she would not miss the view."

The woman "felt immense pressure from both Martz and Lee to come to the cockpit," she alleges, so she obliged.

Within a matter of minutes in the cockpit, the woman claims, "Lee began groping and kissing" her. Her attempts to pull away caused Lee to become "more forceful," she said, and at one point, the drummer penetrated the woman "with his fingers while fondling her breasts."

Lee then pulled down his pants and attempted to force the woman's head "toward his genitals," the lawsuit claims. The woman "was in tears, but she had nowhere to go  she was trapped with little mobility to leave the cockpit."

The woman claims that Martz only watched on, smiling. After the helicopter landed at Van Nuys Airport in California, Lee hugged the woman and hopped out of the helicopter. After, the woman traveled back to the airfield in San Diego in silence.

Jane Doe said she had no contact with Martz again until 2009, during a short telephone call. Martz died in an accident in an aircraft accident in August 2015.

The tape, Tommy Lee, kids: All the bombshells from Pamela Andersons Netflix doc, memoir

The woman "suffer(ed) great shock, distress, humiliation, shame, and guilt," due to the assault, the suit alleges. It was "those feelings, coupled by the fame of Lee and the climate of the music industry at the time (in which rock-n-roll stars like Lee thrived upon and gained even further celebrity from salacious and hedonistic conduct)" led her to believe nothing would come out of reporting the sexual assault.

She also believed the assault was somehow her fault and "that this was an isolated incident that would not be taken seriously by local police authorities."

But the woman alleges since the 2003 incident she has learned "she likely was not the only victim of Martz and Lee." She claims Martz and Lee, as well as the lawsuit's co-defendants, "engaged in coverups to ensure that such sexual assaults were not made public or disclosed to anyone."

Jane Doe is requesting a jury trial for damages of sexual assault, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Tommy Lee's wife Brittany Furlan says Heather Locklear was the 'one that got away'

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tommy Lee accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a helicopter
Man declared innocent after serving record 48 years in jail for murder

An Oklahoma man has been formally declared innocent after spending the longest amount of time in prison of anyone who has been wrongfully convicted in U.S. history.

Glynn Simmons has always maintained his innocence in the 1974 murder case of Carolyn Sue Rogers, but on July 20, a judge finally listened, vacating the 70-year-old's conviction and ordering him a new trial after determining prosecutors withheld evidence.

After Simmons had been out on bond for two months, the same judge, Amy Palumbo, granted a motion filed by Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna to dismiss the case, as Behenna said her office would not seek a retrial due to a lack of remaining evidence.

But those decisions were all based on legalities, not Simmons' actual noncommittal of the crime that put him in jail for decades. That lack of formal recognition pushed him to file a motion in October seeking a declaration of innocence, and to then seek compensation from the state of Oklahoma.

Palumbo ruled in favor of Simmons Tuesday, updating the conviction dismissal to a declaration of "actual innocence."

"This Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted, sentenced and imprisoned in the case at hand, including any lesser included offenses, was not committed by Mr. Simmons," Palumbo said.

Simmons served 48 years, 1 month and 18 days after being convicted, putting him at the top of the time-spent-in-prison list of exonerees, according to data from the National Registry of Exonerations.

"It's a lesson in resilience and tenacity," Simmons said of the innocence ruling Tuesday, per the AP. "Don't let nobody tell you that (exoneration) can't happen, because it really can."

Rogers was 30 years old and working as a store clerk when two robbers entered and shot her in the head on Dec. 30, 1974. Another woman, Belinda Brown, who had entered the store was also shot in the head and survived.

Days after the robbery, Brown told police she wouldn't be able to identify anyone because her eyes were focused on the guns, not the people holding them, according to the Registry.

SEE MORE: Black man wrongly imprisoned for 16 years shot dead by Georgia deputy

However, after Brown viewed eight separate live lineups, police arrested 22-year-old Simmons and 21-year-old Don Roberts and charged them with capital murder.

During the trial, Brown said she had only identified the two during lineups, but she had actually identified four others, none of them being Simmons or Roberts, according to Simmons' attorney Joe Norwood.

Simmons testified during trial that he wasn't even in Oklahoma during the murder. He said he was actually in Harvey, Louisiana, playing pool that day and had never been to the state until coming there to stay with his aunt less than a week after. Multiple people testified to seeing him at the pool hall.

But on June 5, 1975, Simmons and Roberts were convicted and later sentenced to death. Their sentences were later modified to life in prison after the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty was unconstitutional due to unequal application.

Roberts was released on parole in 2008, according to the district attorney's office.

SEE MORE: The current state of the death penalty in the US

Scripps News Oklahoma reported Simmons came across life insurance money when his spouse passed away. He used this to hire a private investigator, who found key information helping the inmate's case, including the report that Brown had identified other suspects and that she had told prosecutors she was reconsidering who she identified in the lineups.

"One of those reports ended up being the basis for the conviction being vacated," Norwood said. "(It) showed that Glynn was not who this young lady picked out."

Now Simmons and his attorneys are hopeful to receive compensation for time served. Palumbo's ruling of innocence makes Simmons eligible for up to $175,000, plus he can file a federal lawsuit against Oklahoma City and the officials who were involved in his wrongful arrest and conviction, Norwood said Wednesday, per AP.

But as of now, he's living off donations while he undergoes treatment for stage 4 cancer, which was detected after his release.

"Glynn is having to live off of GoFundMe, that's literally how the man is surviving right now, paying rent, buying food," Norwood said. "Getting him compensation, and getting compensation is not for sure. (It's) in the future, and he has to sustain himself now."

If you'd like to donate to Simmons' GoFundMe to help him pay for personal and medical finances, click here.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is set to kick off his new organizations listening tour next month, with a speaking engagement at the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics event on Jan. 12.

The two groups announced on Thursday that Manchin would participate in the Politics & Eggs series  typically reserved for candidates running for public office.

The announcement also referenced Americans Together, the nonprofit that Manchin was reportedly preparing to launch several months ago. The group, according to the announcement, will launch its listening tour in New Hampshire in January.

Please join the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics for an in-person program with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, the event description read.

Americans Together, a new organization that is creating a platform for the middle to connect and empower moderate voices around the country, is kicking off this effort by launching a listening tour in January starting in New Hampshire, the description continued. Their goal is to build a bridge between popular will and political outcomes.

Manchin earlier this month said that he planned on launching a two-month winter tour to determine whether there is a national movement for a third-party ticket.

Manchin announced last month he would not seek reelection for his U.S. Senate seat in West Virginia. He has not ruled out a third-party presidential bid, but he said he would not run if he would be a spoiler. He said he was focused on the national tour and declined to speculate on his future.

And the reason I wont make a prediction, what I can tell you is: There might be a movement, there might not. That depends. I really dont know, Manchin said earlier this month. I would not be a spoiler. Ive never been a spoiler in anything. I get into something, I get into win.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Massachusetts police chief apologized after an officer searched a middle school for a copy of "Gender Queer: A Memoir," an illustrated book on gender identity that has been banned in other districts.

The incident occurred on Dec. 8 at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School. A plainclothes officer with the Great Barrington Police Department visited this school to look for the book after the department received a complaint about "concerning illustrations," Boston.com reported.

The complainant allegedly provided police with an image that showed illustrated characters performing sexual acts, according to the news outlet.

The police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Image:

Police Chief Paul Storti told Boston.com that because the complaint was made to the department, they were "obligated and have a duty to examine the complaint further."

In a Facebook statement on Thursday, the chief apologized "to anyone who was negatively [affected] by our involvement at the WEB Dubois Middle School."

"Over the years, our relationship with our schools has been positive and collaborative, so together we worked with the school to try to navigate this sensitive situation," he said. "If our involvement caused distrust and alarm, that was not our intention. I promise you our actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum."

"Gender Queer: A Memoir," by nonbinary author Maia Kobabe  who uses gender-neutral pronouns  tells Kobabe's story from adolescence to adulthood and recounts the author's exploration of gender identity.

It has been at the center of heated debates for years largely because of a handful of graphic illustrations that depict LGBTQ sexual experiences. In 2021, a video went viral after a parent screamed at Fairfax County, Virginia board members and said the book should be removed.

Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginias largest school district, later banned the book. Other schools and libraries followed suit and the book was removed from Brevard Public Schools in Florida and Wake County Public Libraries in North Carolina.

In a 2021 interview with NBC News, Kobabe said the book and its graphics are "integral" for young people questioning their sexuality or gender.

"Its very hard to hear people say This book is not appropriate to young people when its like, I was a young person for whom this book would have been not only appropriate, but so, so necessary," Kobabe said. "There are a lot of people who are questioning their gender, questioning their sexuality and having a real hard time finding honest accounts of somebody else on the same journey."

Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon and School Committee Chair Stephen Bannon addressed the incident in a letter to the district on Tuesday and said the district "does not support banning books."

"Also, we are committed to ensuring that all students feel safe as we support an inclusive environment at our schools," they said.

"The recent incident at the middle school has challenged and impacted our community," the letter stated. "Faced with an unprecedented police investigation of what should be a purely educational issue, we tried our best to serve the interests of students, families, teachers, and staff. In hindsight, we would have approached that moment differently. We are sorry. We can do better to refine and support our existing policies. We are committed to supporting all our students, particularly vulnerable populations."

The district said it will hold several meetings so community members can discuss the incident, including at a scheduled School Committee meeting on Jan. 11.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., blocked two President Biden nominees before the holiday recess over what his office claims is a "lack of responsiveness" from the administration on border security negotiations.

Menendez, who is charged in connection to an alleged corruption scheme to benefit the Egyptian government, blocked the nominations of Basil Gooden for USDA undersecretary of rural development and Summer Mersinger, who was renominated for a commissioner role with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a spokesperson for the senators office reportedly confirmed to Politico.

According to the spokesperson, Menendez is unhappy with the dearth of details from the Biden administration to himself and other Congressional Hispanic Caucus members during the ongoing negotiations with Republicans to pass a supplemental spending bill for Ukraine aid in exchange for border security funding.

Menendez wanted to demonstrate his "dissatisfaction" with the Biden administrations current response on the border, the spokesperson added, describing how the senator indicated last week to Democratic leadership that he intended to block the nominations and proceeded to object again on Wednesday.

TOP POLITICAL COURTROOM MOMENTS OF 2023

The move derailed a plan to fast track confirming the two by voice vote in the Senate before lawmakers departed Washington, D.C., for the holiday recess.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"It is truly shameful that President Biden and his administration are considering selling out migrants and asylum-seekers in order to placate extreme Republicans who are jeopardizing our national security and that of our allies just to score a political point," Menendez said last week.

Illegal border crossings have skyrocketed to record levels in recent weeks, during what is typically a slow migration month.

Politico noted how some saw the objection as payback to Agriculture Chair and No. 3 Senate Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who was the first member of the Senate Democratic leadership to demand Menendezs resignation following his indictment in September on bribery and other offenses.

However, Menendezs spokesperson told Politico that that suggestion was "simply not true."

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

TOP DEM COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THOUSANDS FROM MENENDEZ THE SAME DAY FEDS UNSEALED HIS BRIBERY CHARGES

Menendez, his wife Nadine and three New Jersey businessmen were charged in September in connection to a yearslong corruption scheme in which the high-ranking Democrat allegedly agreed to use his position to benefit the Egyptian government in exchange for hundreds of thousands of bribes, including gold bars, cash and a luxury convertible.

An evidence photo shows a gold bar that was gifted by Fred Daibes and found in Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and Nadine Menendezs home. A federal indictment was unsealed on Friday, September 22, 2023, charging Senator Menendez and his wife - along with three New Jersey businessmen - with bribery offenses relating to alleged efforts to utilize his political position to aid the Arab Republic of Egypt.

He has pleaded not guilty to the initial indictment and additional charges of acting as a foreign agent brought in October. Though he stepped down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the aftermath, the defiant Menendez has refused calls from his own party members  from Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy to local officials  to resign.

Authorities who searched Menendezs home last year found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars, as well as over $480,000 in cash  much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors say. Photos in the indictment show cash that was stuffed in envelopes in jackets bearing Menendezs name. Investigators also say they discovered a Google search by Menendez for the value of a "kilo of gold," and DNA of one man prosecutors say bribed him on an envelope filled with thousands of dollars.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source:Menendez blocks 2 Biden nominees over frustration with border negotiations
Prague  People in the Czech capital were trying to come to grips Friday with the worst mass shooting in the country's history that left 14 dead and dozens injured.

Political leaders, students, friends of the vicitms, and others came together to light candles to mourn the victims at an impromptu vigil by the university headquarters.

A young woman lights a candle at a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the Charles University in central Prague on Dec. 22, 2023, as police investigators kept working on the campus the day after a deadly mass shooting. / Credit: Michal CIZEK / AFP via Getty Images

"Few of my friends study at the philosophy faculty at Charles University," said Kristof Unger, a student. "And they have been really traumatized by the shooting there and I just wanted to make them feel a little bit better."



Robert Hanus, another of the vigil's attendees, said everybody should come together to make a stance against the attack. "This shouldn't be normalized," he said.



The univeristy's rector, Milena Kralickova, was lighting a candle among throngs of others. "The academic community is shaken, deeply shaken," she said.



Authorities said Friday that three foreign nationals were among at least 25 people wounded when a student opened fire at the university in Prague, shooting dead 14 people before killing himself.

A State Department spokesperson told CBS News Thursday evening that it was "not aware of any U.S. citizens injured or killed at this time" in the attack.



Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said police in Prague worked overnight and all the 14 who died in Thursday's attack have been identified. The Institute of Music Sciences confirmed that its head, Lenka Hlavkova, was among the dead.



The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed that three of those wounded were foreigners - two from United Arab Emirates and one from the Netherlands.

A police officer walks around the building of Charles University where a mass shooting took place on Dec. 22, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. / Credit: Getty Images

The bloodshed took place at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, where the 24-year-old shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said.



Petr Matejcek, the director of the police regional headquarters in Prague, said the gunman killed himself on the balcony of the university building when police officers approached him. The gunman's name has not been released.



Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.



Early Friday, with the scene of the shooting still sealed off by the police, people could be seen coming to the vigil by the university headquarters.



Police said Friday they have boosted security at schools and other "soft targets" - usually public facilities that are difficult to secure - in a preventive measure. University rectors also said they would work with police experts on more preventive measures to increase security around campus.



Police have released no details about the dead and wounded or a possible motive for the shooting at the building. Rakusan said Thursday that investigators didn't suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups. Officials said they believed the gunman acted alone.



Vondrasek, the police chief, said they believe the man killed his father earlier on Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He also said the gunman was suspected of killing a man and his 2-month-old daughter on Dec. 15, in Prague.



Police said the shooter had legally owned several guns and that he was heavily armed during the attack.



Leaders from many countries, including the United States, and the U.N Secretary-General conveyed their condolences. The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honor the victims.



Previously, the nation's worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.



Charles University was established in 1348 and the Faculty of Arts is one of its oldest educational facilities.



The building where the shooting took place is located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town. It is just a few minutes' walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

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Police say they have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged child abduction of 17-year-old Alex Batty, who went missing while on holiday in Spain at the age of 11.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police have now interviewed Alex following his return from France.

Police previously said they would not be able to confirm the investigation's nature until Alex provided a statement.

The teenager, from Oldham, was found walking in the French Pyrenees.

He was picked up by a delivery driver who spotted him on a road near Toulouse in the early hours of a rainy morning last week, six years after going missing.

His mother and grandfather, Melanie and David Batty, had left Greater Manchester with Alex for a pre-arranged week-long holiday to Marbella in Spain on 30 September 2017.

He was last seen at the Port of Malaga on 8 October that year, the day they were expected to return to the UK.

Alex's grandmother, Susan Caruana told the BBC in 2018 that she believed Alex's mother and grandfather had taken him to live with a spiritual community in Morocco.

She said at the time they were seeking an alternative lifestyle and did not want Alex to go to school.

It is understood that, since that time, Alex had been living in the remote Pyrenean valleys, travelling about from place to place in a kind of itinerant commune.

The area in the foothills of the Pyrenees is known for attracting people in search of alternative lifestyles.

Alex was met at Toulouse airport by a family member before flying back to the UK last Saturday.

In an interview with the Sun, he said he lied about details of his escape, including how long he had been walking "to try and protect my mum and grandad but I realise that they're probably gonna get caught anyway".

"I didn't get lost. I knew exactly where I was going," he told the tabloid, describing his journey as a two-day hike, first to the town of Quillan to pretend to ask for directions, then on towards Toulouse.

He described his life in Europe as like a holiday at first, which got progressively harder as he began growing up.

"For the first few years when I was in Spain, it was a vacation really. Spending most days doing whatever I wanted, reading, drawing, going to the beach," he said.

"That was until around 14 where I started ... a lot of construction work, demolition work, painting walls, renovation work. I had a non-existent social life.

"I started weighing up the pros and cons of each 'lifestyle' and after a couple of months I realised... England was definitely the way forward."

He said he wanted to tell his mother and grandfather that he was "sorry for leaving, but it was necessary for my future".

"I'd tell them I love them, he added. "All's good, [I'm] happy - very happy actually."
A Hamas-linked financier, once sentenced for 10 years on corruption charges in Sudan, maintains a network of business interests in Europe despite being under US sanctions, leaked documents show.

The business dealings of Abdelbasit Hamza, linked by the US to Osama Bin Laden, span two decades and include a Cypriot firm, a Spanish real estate company, an Egyptian gold business, and a Sudan-based company sanctioned by the US less than a week after the October 7 attacks.

He was arrested in 2019 in Sudan after the downfall of dictator Omar Al-Bashir and was jailed for handling Hamas money, among other charges. But he was only sanctioned by the US after the militant groups October 7 assault on Israel.

CNN, in conjunction with Israeli investigative platform Shomrim and the International Consortium for Investigative Journalism (ICIJ), has uncovered details of Hamzas portfolio of businesses in Europe, part of a network of global assets previously estimated by Sudanese anti-corruption officials as worth over $2bn.

The new revelations come against the backdrop of allegations by critics that Israel and the US underestimated the threat posed by Hamas and did not do enough to curb its illicit global network of business interests.

Hamza, who was freed from prison in after a 2021 military coup ousted the post-Bashir government in Sudan, denies any involvement in Hamas financing. In a written response to CNN, he also denied any relationship to Osama Bin Laden. Hamza said he had been a political prisoner and said he was released by Sudanese authorities in June 2021 because he was completely innocent.

Udi Levy, who served as an intelligence officer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 30 years, says he briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2015 on the threat posed by Hamas financing networks but was ignored. The fact that Israel and the United States did not act against Hamza sooner is a great oversight, Levy said in an interview with Shomrim, the investigative platform.

The Israeli government denies that its actions in recent years had strengthened Hamas. Asked whether the funding provided by Hamza was critical in the October 7 attack, Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu, told CNN: As we have reiterated, this question and many more will be examined after the war. The Prime Ministers war cabinet directed the IDF to destroy Hamas and free the hostages. Israel is fully focused on accomplishing those missions. All questions will be addressed in full after total victory.

The US State Department had not responded to a CNN request for comment by the time of publication.

How Hamza made his money

Documents provided to CNN by the ICIJ from the Cyprus Confidential leak  a trove of more than 3.6 million documents analyzed by ICIJ and 68 media partners, including Shomrim  show Hamza is listed as owning a stake in Matz Holdings, a Cypriot firm incorporated in February 2005. Since its founding, Matz Holdings has held a lucrative concession to exploit two gold mines in Egypt.

Hamza sold a substantial portion of his shares in Matz Holdings the day before the ouster of his ally, Sudans former dictator Omar Al-Bashir in 2019 but still owns a 10% stake in the company. Hamza also owns a Spanish real estate company, hit by US sanctions targeting assets in Hamass investment portfolio roughly a week after sanctions were imposed on Hamza himself.

Hamza owns his stake in Matz Holdings through the Zawaya Group for Development and Investment, a Sudan-based company that was also only sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in October for being linked to Hamas investment portfolio.

The Treasury Department accused him of having longstanding ties to terrorism financing and said he had historic links to companies in Sudan that had been associated with Bin Laden, who lived in Sudan during the 1990s.

Jakob Bliggenstorfer, Hamzas business partner in Matz Holdings was contacted for comment on the US sanctions by the Swiss media company Tamedia, part of the ICIJ Cyprus Confidential consortium. Bliggenstorfer denied to Tamadia that Hamza had any ties to Hamas and described the sanctions imposed on him as a case of mistaken identity.

In November the United Kingdom also sanctioned Hamza, but he has not yet been sanctioned by the European Union.

Shadow men

In the aftermath of Hamas deadly October 7 attack on Israel, when militants killed 1,200 people and seized more than 240 hostages, questions are being raised in Israel and internationally on the failure to neuter the threat from the Iran-backed group.

Netanyahu has faced allegations that he underestimated Hamas, with deadly consequences. CNN and Shomrim have previously reported how Netanyahu allowed Hamas to receive millions of dollars in cash-filled suitcases. Provided by Qatar for humanitarian reasons, the difficulty in monitoring such large sums of cash triggered concerns within Netanyahus own Cabinet, among other officials.

Rockets are fired from Gaza City towards Israel during the October 7 attacks. - Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

The groups finance networks evidently remain a particularly contentious issue for Israel. The IDF said on Tuesday it had killed a Palestinian man accused of being a prominent Hamas financier as part of an operation to dismantle Hamas funding lifeline.

Levy, the former IDF intelligence officer, who headed Mossads economic unit Zalzal until 2016, characterized Hamza as one of a group of shadow men managing those money networks on behalf of Hamas.

In recent years he [Hamza] has become a central figure in Hamas investment portfolio. responsible for dozens of companies  seemingly legitimate whose revenue is for the purpose of financing the movements operations, including its military activity, Levy said, in an interview with Shomrim.

Too late

Sudanese authorities arrested Hamza in April 2019, in the immediate aftermath of Bashirs fall from power. Hamzas assets were seized by Sudans civilian rulers. The countrys new anti-corruption task force indicted Hamza in February 2021 for, among other charges, illicit and suspicious wealth, money laundering, corruption, and terrorist financing. Hamza was later sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Following a military coup in Sudan in October 2021, Hamza was one of several Bashir allies released from prison, and the seizure of his assets was reversed. Former Sudanese officials say this allowed another opportunity to halt Hamza  and Hamas  to slip away.

We realized quickly that much of Abdelbasits financial network was large and complex, Mohamed Al-Faki Suleiman, the former acting head of Sudans civilian anti-corruption committee, told CNN. Investments in oil, hotels, marketing, contracting services, and illegally acquired millions of acres of land.

Al-Faki said hundreds of millions of dollars of Hamzas assets are still held outside Sudan, despite Sudans task force having flagged the funds to authorities in the US and Europe in 2019.

Al-Faki says he regrets that the US and others did not act on Sudans findings. Everything we uncovered turned out to be 100% true, Al-Faki said. The US sanctions came too late.

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Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez, whose unprofessional behavior towards the chief judge in her county provoked a humiliating three-day disciplinary hearing this week, has definitely been a big disappointment since taking office almost three years ago.

One of her worst sins, in my book, was when she reneged on her promises to the wildly over-sentenced Sarah Gonzales-McLinn, who was 19 when she killed her abuser.

Another was her irrational determination to retry Carrody Buchhorn, the Eudora day care worker wrongfully convicted of murder in the death of a child who actually died of natural causes. Even when Valdez finally had to drop that misguided effort, and acknowledged that she couldnt win in court, she did so in a news release that referred to other evidence to support prosecution.

Now, though, that the attorney generals office has named Valdez as a witness in the states effort to avoid compensating Buchhorn for the years she served in prison for something she didnt do, Valdezs position is that she doesnt know enough about the case to testify. But she does know enough to defame Buchhorn?

Valdez wrongly wanted to retry day care worker Carrody Buchhorn for a murder of a child she did not commit.

Valdez actually filed a disciplinary complaint against Buchhorns defense attorney, William Skepnek, for answering my questions about the case, even though as the investigation that followed found, everything he told me was accurate.

She seems to take everything personally, sees enemies everywhere, and then in some cases makes that vision a reality. She regularly blames the out-to-get-her press for her problems, as she did again this week.

And yet Im actually going to take up for her? Sort of.

Priorities of Kansas disciplinary office in Topeka

At least enough, that is, to say that I understand where Melody Brannon, the federal public defender for Kansas, is coming from in complaining that this weeks hearing made her wonder, not for the first time, about the priorities of the Kansas disciplinary office in Topeka, which only rarely holds prosecutors accountable for misconduct.

I think a comparison is warranted: A prosecutor offends the sensibilities of the local bench, and has a three-day hearing where she is facing suspension of her law license. But when a multitude of federal prosecutors surreptitiously collect confidential attorney-client communications for years, then collude, hide, deny, and defy court orders, nothing is done?

Brannon is referring to the finding that phone conversations and video footage of meetings between lawyers and their clients housed at a privately-run Leavenworth Detention Center were improperly obtained by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Kansas City, Kansas. Attorney-client communications are protected from such incursions from law enforcement by the Sixth Amendment.

One glaring difference, Brannon said, between the chief judge who was disrespected by Valdez and the victims of prosecutorial misconduct who I represent is that the latter are all poor, mostly disenfranchised, and often people of color. There is no sense of urgency to respond to them. We have been waiting more than 3 1/2 years for some substantive response from the Disciplinary Office. This is a very broken system.

And one in which, she said, it appears to be a much more serious offense to call a judge a liar on social media than to actually lie to a judge under oath about how people were prosecuted.

Ideally, of course, the disciplinary office could and would handle both.

But I really dont see why being weirdly reactive and rude to a judge is worse than, say, suborning perjury, as a judge found that Wyandotte County prosecutor Ed Brancart did to convict Pete Coones, who as a result served 12 years for a murder he did not commit. Coones died of cancer only 108 days after his release in 2020.

Yet the disciplinary office cleared Brancart, who finally left the attorney generals office earlier this year.

The way some who testified in this weeks hearing described the office under Valdezs predecessor, Charles Branson, made it sound like a lot shinier and prettier an operation than was ever the case.

Branson, lets not forget, lost his reelection bid after trying to prosecute a woman for the crime of reporting that shed been raped.

Valdezs predecessor, Charles Branson, tried to prosecute a woman for reporting that shed been raped.

(The rape allegations themselves were never investigated, and police, according to their own testimony, quickly decided that shed made a false report after seeing text messages in which she downplayed what was happening to a friend, while still intoxicated and while still in the situation. Her bruises and lacerations must have come from rough sex, they decided.)

A KU guest lecturer, however, was not charged by Bransons office even after four women alleged that hed sexually assaulted them.

Bransons office was also the longtime home for problem prosecutor Amy McGowan, whose involvement in multiple wrongful convictions I dont even have room to tell you about. Yet she was allowed to retire in peace, just as former Wyandotte County and federal prosecutor Terra Morehead recently was allowed to do after a similarly shameful career.

Many, myself included, hoped that Valdez would be an improvement over Branson. That there has been almost complete turnover in the office is not in itself a problem, since so much needed to change.

But as it turned out, Valdez just had different problems.

After disagreeing with Chief Judge James McCabria about how to return to in-person court proceedings during COVID-19, Valdez publicly accused him of lying about having consulted her. When he showed that well yes, he had communicated with her office, she texted him this message: The only reason you commented is because I am a Hispanic female (in) a position of power.

She also put out this public statement: Unfortunately, this is yet another example of how an outspoken and honest woman is mischaracterized as untruthful by a male in power. Then she posted that statement on her Facebook page, along with this message: Women of the world- be prepared! If you are hardworking, outspoken, honest, AND in a position of authority, the INSECURE MAN will try to tear you down. Not me, says I!!

Theres MORE, but you get the IDEA.

Federal judges opinion cited prosecutorial misconduct in KCK

Former state and federal prosecutor Mike Warner says that while he doesnt condone Valdezs behavior, he still cant help thinking that its a lot more concerning that no one has suffered any consequences as the result of federal Judge Julie Robinsons damning 188-page 2019 opinion in USA v. Black.

That decision followed a three-year court and special master investigation into federal prosecutorial practices within the Kansas U.S. Attorneys Office, specifically the KCK branch. Judge Robinsons ultimate opinion documented multiple illegal Sixth amendment intrusions, perjury, obstruction of justice and probable destruction of evidence violations, Warner said.

Yet to date, the Kansas Attorney Disciplinary Administrators Office has not held a single prosecutor accountable nor published any detailed findings of fact for not doing so. The Black opinion outlined a complicated case of systemic, deeply embedded federal prosecutorial misconduct persisting for many years. So why have Kansas authorities done nothing?

An alcoholic solo practitioner who abandons his practice is bound to be sanctioned, Warner said, while a prosecutor who wrongfully convicts someone for murder, conceals exculpatory evidence, convinces witnesses to lie by threatening their family or children or sentences dozens of federal defendants to prison after secretly listening to numerous attorney-client calls is not.

Obviously, none of this excuses Valdezs unfortunate behavior towards the chief judge and others. Testimony this week that no judge wants to meet with her alone for fear of having their words twisted sounds about right.

But if the disciplinary office is not equipped for whatever reason to handle even more serious transgressions, the Kansas Supreme Court, which oversees the office, needs to figure out why, and do whatever it would take to change that.
By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) -Former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas, convicted twice for corruption, has asked Mexico for political asylum, arguing he is being persecuted by the attorney general's office, his lawyer said on Friday.

Glas, who was vice president under the leftist government of Rafael Correa between 2013 and 2017, has been inside the Mexican embassy in Quito as a "guest" since the weekend.

The attorney general's office had asked Glas to meet with them about a case involving public funds collected to aid the reconstruction of coastal Manabi province after a 2016 earthquake.

"There has been a political persecution since 2017 which has been scaled up recently by the attorney general, who arbitrarily is trying to process and detain Jorge Glas, who is innocent," lawyer Eduardo Franco Loor told Reuters by phone, confirming Glas requested asylum on Wednesday. "There is tremendous political hatred."

The Mexican government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ecuador's foreign ministry said in a statement it has given documentation of Glas' legal status to Mexico.

"To Ecuador, an eventual granting of diplomatic asylum by Mexico would not be legal," the statement said, adding that the country would "deplore" such a measure.

Glas, 54, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2017 after he was found guilty of receiving bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht in exchange for awarding it government contracts.

He was given a separate eight-year prison sentence in 2020, as was Correa, for using money from contractors to finance campaigns for Correa's political movement.

Glas has been jailed and freed repeatedly - he was last released in November 2022 after completing five years of his sentences.

Though he can move freely within Ecuador, he cannot leave the country during the remainder of his sentences.

The legislature on Thursday declined to authorize a trial over the Manabi case, but the attorney general's office said in a statement it was insisting on charging Glas.

The Mexican government has given asylum to several former officials in Correa's 10-year government, who have argued they are subject to political persecution.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito, additional reporting by Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey, Mexico; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A former Trump White House aide has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that alleged he violated state and federal laws in connection with the online publication of laptop content attributed to Hunter Biden.

The presidents son sued Garrett Ziegler and his company, Marco Polo, in September, claiming they broke state and federal laws in an effort to create an online searchable database with 128,000 emails attributed to Biden.

Attorneys for Ziegler, who worked on trade policy in the White House under Trump adviser Peter Navarro, argued in a 30-page filing that Bidens legal team had not established a causal connection between Zieglers conduct and Bidens claims of injury related to the data and that they failed to state "a viable claim."

Plaintiff alleges no facts which demonstrate Defendants ever accessed any computer, storage, or service which Plaintiff either owns or has exclusive control over, Ziegler's attorneys wrote in a filing with a federal court in the Central District of California.

In their lawsuit, Biden's attorneys had acknowledged that "the precise manner by which Defendant Ziegler obtained Plaintiffs data remains unclear" but said it was indisputable that Ziegler and his company had "to at least some extent, accessed, tampered with, manipulated, altered, copied and damaged" data attributed to Biden in a manner that was illegal and without his consent.

Zieglers legal team also argued that First Amendment protections apply in the case. His attorneys said Ziegler and his companys conduct constitutes protected activity because it involves a public figure and is a matter of public importance.

An attorney for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night.

Separate from the lawsuit, Biden faces a pair of indictments stemming from a federal investigation. He pleaded not guilty to a three-count indictment tied to his alleged possession of a gun while he was using narcotics, and he was indicted this month on nine tax-related charges, including three felony counts. An arraignment in that case is scheduled for January.

House Republicans have also targeted Biden in their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The president's son recently defied a congressional subpoena that requested a closed-door deposition. He instead offered to testify publicly, saying that would ensure that the Republican-led investigations "do not proceed on distortions, manipulated evidence and lies.
Nearly two months ago, John Faulkner and members of the Peavey family, which owns Flat Top Ranch in the Wood River Valley, learned that an application with their names attached for state dollars to kill wolves would move ahead. But they never knew about the application and had no interest in the program.

The proposal was brought to Idahos Wolf Depredation Control Board by a predator control company without the ranchers knowledge. Last week, the board announced it will not move forward with the application or two others it received from Predator Control Corp. owner Trevor Walch.

In late October, the board approved the scope of five rancher proposals submitted as part of a new program to disburse funds to agriculture producers for lethal wolf control. Walchs three proposals, which were nearly identical, bore the typed signatures of the ranchers and detailed plans to contract with Walchs company for ground trapping and aerial hunting of wolves.

Walch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jim Fredericks, director of Idaho Fish and Game and co-chair of the wolf board, told the Idaho Statesman by email that the board later turned down Walchs proposals because they were submitted on behalf of producers without adequate coordination and communication with those producers.

Fredericks said the owners of the ranches named in Walchs other proposals  former Republican state Sen. Jeff Siddoway and the Hunzeker family, who both operate in eastern Idaho, didnt explicitly tell the board they had no knowledge of the proposals.

Our understanding based on conversations with the other producers is that theyd both had some communication with Mr. Walch about predator control in the past, but they were not specifically aware of the proposals or their content, Fredericks said by email.

Fredericks and wolf board co-chair Chanel Tewalt, who heads the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, told the Statesman in an interview last month that its common for large ranch operations to have multiple managers or family members in charge.

It can be a challenge to know who may have communicated with whom on what topic, Fredericks reiterated by email.

In November, Fredericks said he wasnt certain how the wolf board initially became aware of the issues with Walchs proposals. He said the board was working with the ranch owners to determine whether they wanted to move ahead with the proposals anyway.

Suzanne Asha Stone, director of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network and co-founder of its Wood River Wolf Project, which uses nonlethal wolf deterrents to reduce livestock depredations, told the Statesman she reached out to Fish and Game with concerns about the Faulkner/Flat Top proposal, since her organization works with both ranches.

We are grateful to our Wood River Wolf Project ranching partners for rejecting the states reckless scheme to promote aerial gunning of wolves, even those coexisting peacefully with livestock, Stone said.

The International Wildlife Coexistence Network was one of a trio of groups that filed a petition late last month for the U.S. Forest Service to ban aerial gunning by private contractors over national forest lands.

The petition, prompted by Walchs proposals, detailed numerous trapping violations Walch has been found guilty of in Nevada. Walch was also one of several wolf hunters who were issued a warning by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies for violating the Airborne Hunting Act, according to an investigation by Wyoming news outlet WyoFile. Prosecutors declined to press charges.
Two men were arrested after being accused of chaining a 50-year-old unhoused man to a Jeep and dragging him, New Mexico officials said.

Police in Santa Fe responded to a Speedway gas station after getting reports from the fire department that two men had been seen dragging someone through the parking lot with a Jeep, according to a Dec. 20 Facebook post by police.

Adrian Montoya, 31, was the driver of the Jeep and was seen dragging a man later identified as Julian Perez by a chain attached to his legs, according to a probable cause statement obtained by McClatchy News.

Jonathan Gomez, 22, was also involved in the incident, police said.

After officials got to the scene, Gomez told them he works for the gas station and noticed Perez sleeping on the gas stations property, according to police. He told police he tried to wake him up and ask him to move.

After Perez didnt reply, Gomez said he decided to call the non-emergency (dispatch) number but they kept hanging up on him, officials said.

Gomez said he called Montoya, his manager, and they were still unable to wake Perez up, according to police.

Gomez said he kept trying to call the non-emergency phone number as Montoya got a chain from his vehicle, authorities said. The chain was then attached to the mans feet, and he was dragged, police said.

Officers found a video uploaded to Gomez Instagram, and he was heard saying they had dragged the man with a Jeep, police said. Gomez was laughing in the video, authorities said.

The officer on the scene said they smelled alcohol coming from Montoya and he was arrested, police said.

Montoya was charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and driving while intoxicated, police said.

Gomez was charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery and conspiracy, officers said.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, police said.

McClatchy News could not reach Speedway gas station for comment on Dec. 21.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Santa Fe is about 60 miles northeast of Albuquerque.

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U.S. border facilities have a record number of migrants in custody as border agents try to release migrants as fast as possible to avoid overcrowding and local nonprofit groups scramble to keep up with the need, according to three Department of Homeland Security officials.

Many migrants in Arizona's Tucson sector, one of the busiest, are being released directly onto the streets, according to two DHS officials.

The officials said the migrants are dropped off in coordination with the city officials and local nonprofits who help them get transportation to their final destinations.

On Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered more than 12,000 undocumented migrants crossing the border for the third straight day, a new record. And approximately 27,000 migrants were in CBP custody as of Wednesday night, another record, with more arriving and more being released into the United States by the hour.

In the region surrounding Tucson, CBP processing centers are often at double their capacity. The two Homeland Security officials told NBC News that Border Patrol agents are dropping off busloads of migrants every half-hour in downtown Nogales, Arizona, to alleviate crowding in processing centers.

From there, the migrants are typically assisted by a local nongovernmental organization, most often Casa Alitas, which told NBC News that it is seeing a record number of migrants in its shelters and added pressure to help provide transportation elsewhere.

A group of men detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after crossing the border wall in the Tucson Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border are processed at a makeshift intake center on Aug. 29, 2023. (Matt York / AP file)

Its an extra burden that weve all had to lift, making sure that people were not left an hour or two hours away from an airport or major travel hub, Casa Alitas Director Diego Lopez said.

Lopez and his staff help migrants book travel to the interior of the U.S. But he says his organizations resources are running thin. Casa Alitas used to provide things like toys and teddy bears to migrant children, but has had to stop since it now shelters more than 10,000 migrants per week.

We can only focus on helping support people with a meal, clothing and helping people move on to their sponsors, he said. The last few months, as a shelter, we have been breaking records week to week.

Further east, in the border region encompassing Eagle Pass, Texas, hundreds of migrants are amassed under a bridge, and federal facilities are at almost three times their capacity. Border Patrol officials in that sector are using more than 40 buses per day to send migrants from that area to other parts of the Texas border to alleviate overcrowding.

Thousands of migrants wait in the field for CBP to bring them to a processing center, but the sector has so far not released migrants onto the streets.

Despite the high numbers, migrants are still being released in under 72 hours, the court-mandated limit for how long they can stay in CBP processing centers. From there, a small number of migrants may be taken to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but most are released.

Immigrants wait to be processed at a U.S. Border Patrol transit center after they crossed the border from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2023. (Francois Picard / AFP - Getty Images)

The strain has actually proven the efficiency of new technologies that let CBP quickly screen migrants for potential medical conditions or national security threats and then release them. Previous migrant surges, such as in 2019, had left migrants in inhumane conditions. Some werent able to lie down to sleep in CBP processing centers.

All of those currently being released by CBP have court dates and locations where they must appear for their immigration hearings, the three Homeland Security officials said. Earlier this year, to alleviate overcrowding, CBP began releasing migrants without court dates and with only a notice to report to an ICE office. The Biden administration has since been blocked by courts from using that practice.

The head of CBP, Troy Miller, is asking Congress for more money to help his agency handle the record numbers.

The encounter levels we are currently seeing across the southwest border are presenting a serious challenge to the men and women of CBP, said Miller, the senior official performing the duties of the commissioner, as he is not Senate-confirmed to the position. CBP and our federal partners need additional funding from Congress so that we can continue to effectuate consequences for those who do not use the established pathways.

Meanwhile, Senate negotiations that could ultimately deliver more funding to CBP remain unresolved as many lawmakers head home ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Papua New Guinea map

Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern part of the world's second largest island and is prey to volcanic activity, earthquakes and tidal waves.

Linguistically, it is the world's most diverse country, with more than 800 languages.

Some 80% of the population live in rural areas. Many in the isolated mountainous interior live within a non-monetarised economy dependent on subsistence agriculture.

In 2019, the inhabitants of Bougainville voted to become independent from Papua New Guinea by 2027, but the central government has said it has the final say.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

INDEPENDENT STATE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: FACTS

Capital: Port Moresby

Area: 462,840 sq km

Population: 8.9 million

Languages: English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin, plus 851 local languages

Life expectancy: 63 years (men) 68 years (women)

LEADERS

Head of state: Charles III, represented by a Governor-General

Prime minister: James Marape

James Marape

Parliament elected James Marape prime minister in May 2019, after the resignation of his predecessor Peter O'Neill.

This followed Mr Marape's own resignation as finance minister in April due to differences over a high-value gas deal.

He was re-elected as prime minister following parliamentary elections in July 2022.

MEDIA

A man sells morning newspapers on a street in Port Moresby

Radio is important in Papua New Guinea, which has scattered, isolated settlements and low levels of literacy.

The government operates a national network and provincial stations. The media operate in a relatively free environment, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Television coverage is limited mainly to Port Moresby and the provincial capitals.

TIMELINE

Papua New Guinea lies on the "Ring of Fire", an area prone to volcanic eruptions

Some key dates in Papua New Guinea's history:

50,000BC - First settlers are thought to arrive on New Guinea from Asia.

c. 7000BC - Agriculture independently develops in the New Guinea highlands, making it one of the few areas in the world where people independently domesticated plants

500BC - Major migration of Austronesian-speaking peoples to the coastal regions of New Guinea takes place.

1526 - Portuguese sailor Jorge de Meneses is the first European visitor. He names one of the islands "ilhas dos Papuas" or "land of fuzzy-haired people".

1546 - Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea because the islanders resemble the people of Guinea in Africa.

1800 - Substantial trade networks are active all over New Guinea, with the Kula ring, a ceremonial exchange system, being particularly extensive.

1860s - American and European whalers frequent the Bismarck Archipelago.

1884 - Britain establishes a protectorate over south-east New Guinea, while Germany annexes the northern part of New Guinea.

1884 - Britain establishes a protectorate, British New Guinea (BNG), over south-east New Guinea, while Germany annexes the northern part as German New Guinea.

1895 - Gold is found on the Mambare River. A gold rush leads to hostilities between locals and miners.

1906 - Control of British New Guinea transferred to the newly independent Commonwealth of Australia and renamed the Territory of Papua.

1914 - Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during the World War One.

1921 - The League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea, which is governed separately from the Territory of Papua.

1920s - A major gold find along the Bulolo river prompts another gold rush.

1942-45 - New Guinea campaign. Japanese forces occupy parts of both territories, pushing east and south. Allied victories in the battles of Milne Bay, along the Kokoda Trail and around Buna and Gona becomes a key turning point of the Pacific War, forcing the Japanese to retreat. Some 216,000 Japanese, Australian, and US servicemen die during the fighting.

1949 - Australia establishes a joint administration over both territories called the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.

1961 - First elections involving indigenous population.

1963 - UN transfers control of West New Guinea (now Papua) to Indonesia.

1964 - A 64-member House of Assembly replaces Legislative Council and for the first time indigenous representatives are elected to the majority of seats in the legislature.

1971 - Country is renamed Papua New Guinea (PNG).

1973 - Indonesia and PNG agree on the position of their border.

1975 - Papua New Guinea attains full independence from Australia.

1975-76 - Separatist revolt on Bougainville island. The constitution is altered so Bougainville and other districts to have quasi-federal status as provinces.

1977 - First parliamentary elections since independence.

1988-98 - Separatist rebels on Bougainville begin prolonged armed struggle against the government. The recently-formed Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), anxious about environmental destruction and unhappy that profits are leaving the island, forces the closure of the Australian-owned Panguna copper mine. About 20,000 people are killed in the fighting.

1994 - PM Sir Julius Chan signs agreement with several Bougainville secessionist leaders which provides a transitional administration in Bougainville. Bougainville Revolutionary Army leaders are not signatories; they continue to fight for full independence.

1997 - Government hires mercenaries from Sandline International to support government troops in Bougainville, sparking an army mutiny and civil unrest.

1997 - Burnham Truce marks the end of the decade-old armed struggle by Bougainville separatists. Countries in the region establish the Truce Monitoring Group to oversee compliance.

1998 - Permanent ceasefire signed in Bougainville by government representatives and secessionist leaders. Australian-led Peace Monitoring Group takes over from Truce Monitoring Group.

2001 - Bougainville Peace Agreement, guaranteeing a referendum in 10 to 15 years on Bougainville's future political status, is signed in Arawa.

2005 - Bougainville elects its first autonomous government. Former separatist rebel Joseph Kabui becomes president.

2019 - Bougainville overwhelmingly votes for independence in a referendum, to take place by 2027. Talks are continuing between the Bougainville and national governments.
The Ralphs store on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. The chain is accused of illegally denying employment to formerly incarcerated applicants in violation of the state's Fair Chance Act. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Grocery company Ralphs illegally denied jobs to hundreds of people based on their criminal history, Californias Civil Rights Department alleges in a new lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the first of its kind under California's Fair Chance Act, which went into effect in 2018 and limits the use of conviction history in hiring decisions in an effort to reduce barriers and combat discrimination that formerly incarcerated people face when looking for work.

Ralphs included questions about applicants conviction histories on its job application in violation of the law and failed to individually assess whether each applicant's conviction history justified denying them a job under standards set by the Fair Chance Act, the complaint alleges.

As a result, Ralphs refused to hire hundreds of applicants whose conviction histories do not justify denying them positions, according to the lawsuit. These violations are ongoing, according to the complaint.

The Civil Rights Department is seeking monetary damages for the workers who were denied jobs or lost jobs as a result of Ralphs screening practices and a court order to require Ralphs to come into compliance with the law.

When roughly 70 million Americans have some sort of record, policies like those employed by Ralphs arent just discriminatory and against California law, they dont make sense, said Kevin Kish, director of the Civil Rights Department, according to a Thursday news release about the lawsuit. We cant expect people to magically gain the economic and housing stability needed to reintegrate into their communities and stay out of the criminal legal system without a fair chance at steady employment.

Salvador Ramirez, a spokesperson for Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Fair Chance Act prohibits employers with five or more employees from asking about a job applicants criminal history before making a conditional job offer, and sets in place specific procedures for considering an applicants criminal history after a job offer is made. Under the law, employers can decide against hiring an applicant only because of a conviction that has a direct relationship with job responsibilities.

The law also requires that companies provide notice of decisions to deny applicants positions on the basis of their conviction histories, and gives applicants the ability to respond to these preliminary decisions.

Ralph did not do this, according to the Civil Rights Department. More than 75% of job applicants who were told their job offer would be withdrawn were not provided any way to contact Ralphs to contest the decision, as legally required by the Fair Chance Act, the department said.

Ralphs has continued to unlawfully deny jobs to qualified candidates and thats why were taking them to court, Kish said in his Thursday statement.

The Civil Rights Department said that since the law went into effect in 2018, it has investigated hundreds of complaints alleging discrimination in employment decisions based on criminal history information and secured roughly 70 settlements on behalf of affected individuals. Settlements include a nearly $100,000 mediated settlement with the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District earlier this year as well as a $100,000 settlement last year with a construction company that allegedly unlawfully denied a group of applicants positions between 2018 and 2019.

The department said it also has made efforts to identify and correct online job advertisements that violate the Fair Chance Act, sending notices to businesses to address hundreds of violations.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two 10-year-old Wisconsin boys were killed when their father sped away from a traffic stop, was chased and then crashed late Wednesday, the Waukesha County Sheriffs Department said.

Two other children and the driver, the boys' father, were in critical condition, officials said.

A sheriffs deputy pulled the driver over around 11:49 p.m. for speeding and having no plates, and the driver briefly stopped before he sped away, the sheriffs department said.

There was a pursuit, and the vehicle crashed in a town around 11 miles away, the department said.

high speed car crash (WTMJ)

This is a horrific traffic crash, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the lost children.

The sheriffs department said the vehicle crashed on its own, without a collision with law enforcement.

Aerial video from NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee showed what appeared to be a sedan on its side.

"As weve reviewed this, it appears that the driver of the vehicle fled at such a high rate of speed that my deputies werent even in visual contact during the crash," Severson said at a news conference.

Besides the two children who died, four other people were in the car  the driver and his girlfriend, both 29; a 6-year-old girl; and a 14-year-old girl, the sheriff's department said.

All four were injured. The driver was in critical but stable condition at a hospital, the two children were in critical condition, and the other adult was stable, the sheriff's department said.

The Wisconsin State Patrol will conduct the investigation into the traffic crash.

Severson emphasized the investigation was only a few hours old, but he said no apparent wrongdoing had been identified on the part of deputies.

It appears that we have no evidence to believe that laws were violated on behalf of the sheriffs deputies involved, or policies, Severson said. It looks like they did their job right.

The sheriffs office did not immediately publicly identify those killed and injured. The driver had an outstanding warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Severson said.

The driver sped away during the traffic stop, and deputies did not have any contact with him, Severson said.

The chase began in Pewaukee, a city of around 15,000 near Milwaukee, and the crash happened in Delafield, which is around 11 miles to the west, the sheriff's department said.

The Washington County Sheriffs Office will review the incident, which Severson said was being done to provide transparency.

In addition, were going to be looking at the incident from a policy and procedural standpoint, he said.
By Michelle Nichols, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams

UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The U.N. Security Council approved a toned-down bid to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza and sought steps to create conditions to end fighting on Friday, hours after Israel signalled it was widening its ground offensive in the Palestinian enclave.

The United States, which is Israel's main ally and had threatened to veto the Security Council motion during days of wrangling, chose instead to abstain after language was changed on ending hostilities and monitoring aid, a move that let the vote go through.

Washington has regularly backed Israel's right to defend itself, but has grown increasingly concerned at the suffering of Gaza's 2.3 million people amid a soaring death toll and a humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

In its latest update on casualties, Gaza's health ministry said 20,057 Palestinians had been killed and 53,320 wounded in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has vowed to eradicate Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Gaza, after the group's fighters launched a cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The adopted Security Council resolution "calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." The initial draft had called for "an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" to allow aid access.

The resolution also no longer diluted Israel's control over all aid deliveries to Gaza. Israel monitors the limited aid deliveries via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.

Before the U.N. vote, Israel said 5,405 aid trucks - carrying food, water and medical supplies - have entered Gaza since the start of the war. Aid groups say only a fraction of what is needed is coming in. A report by a U.N.-backed body said on Thursday the risk of famine is growing every day.

AIR STRIKES, BOMBARDMENTS

In Gaza on Friday, as hopes faded for an imminent breakthrough in talks this week in Egypt aimed at getting warring Israel and Hamas to agree to a new truce, air strikes, artillery bombardments and fighting were reported across the coastal strip.

Israel's military ordered residents of Al-Bureij, in central Gaza, to move south immediately, indicating a new focus of the ground assault that has already devastated the north of the enclave and made a series of incursions in the south.

Some residents packed up donkey carts and left, but there was no immediate sign of large numbers from Al-Bureij joining the hundreds of thousands fleeing other areas.

"Where should we go to? There is no place safe," Ziad, a medic and father of six, told Reuters by phone. "They ask people to head to (the central Gaza city of) Deir Al-Balah, where they bomb day and night."

Residents reported Israeli tank shelling of eastern areas of Al-Bureij.

Israeli forces have previously engaged with Hamas gunmen on the edges of Al-Bureij but have yet to thrust deeper into the built-up area, which grew out of a camp for Palestinian refugees from the 1948 Israeli-Arab war.

In the south, at least four civilians were killed in an air strike on a car in Rafah, a Palestinian rescue worker said. A boy, his face covered in blood, and a girl, were carried away from the scene, video showed. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

"Israel's indiscriminate strikes on Gaza have turned the north of the Strip into a pile of rubble," medical charity MSF said in a post on X. "In Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, south Gaza, the dead and wounded continue to arrive almost every day... Nowhere is safe."

The Israeli military has expressed regret for civilian deaths but has blamed Iran-backed Hamas for operating in densely populated areas or using civilians as human shields, an allegation the group denies.

Israel says 140 of its soldiers have been killed since it launched its ground incursion into Gaza on Oct. 20.

Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency reported heavy shelling and air strikes on Jabalia al-Balad and Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, and said that Israeli vehicles were trying to advance from the western side of Jabalia amid the sound of gunfire.

Reports in Palestinian media and footage shared by Gazans on social media showed bodies scattered in the street and some buried under rubble around the Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza.

The Israeli military said in a statement its air force destroyed a long-range missile launch site in Juhor ad-Dik, central Gaza, from which, it said, "recent launches into Israeli territory were carried out" - a possible reference to an attack on Tel Aviv on Thursday.

A group representing families of Gaza hostages said on Friday that one captive - 73-year-old Gadi Haggai, a U.S.-Israeli dual national - had died in captivity. It did not give details or say how the information was obtained.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Dan Williams in JerusalemAdditional reporting by Bassam Masoud in Gaza, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, and Nafisa Eltahir in CairoWriting by Grant McCool, Alex Richardson and Andrew HeavensEditing by Diane Craft, Nick Macfie and Frances Kerry)
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House on Thursday said Nippon Steel Corp's $14.9 billion proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel Corp deserves "serious scrutiny," given the company's core role in U.S. steel production that is critical to national security.

In its first substantive statement on the deal, the White House said it viewed a strong domestic steel industry as vital to the U.S. economy and national security and supported a careful review of the transaction by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard said President Joe Biden welcomed manufacturers from the across the world investing in U.S. jobs and workers.

"However, he also believes the purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity - even one from a close ally - appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability," she said in a statement issued late Thursday.

"This looks like the type of transaction that the interagency committee on foreign investment Congress empowered and the Biden administration strengthened is set up to carefully investigate," she said. "This administration will be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and to act if appropriate."

The strongly worded White House statement comes amid growing criticism of the proposed deal by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and the powerful United Steelworkers (USW) union, the main union at the third largest U.S. steel company.

Nippon Steel's U.S. representatives and U.S. Steel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. Steel's shares are trading well below the $55-per-share deal value, indicating investors anticipate that the political controversy around the deal could lead to delays.

The union welcomed Brainard's statement and her emphasis on the deal's potential national security impact.

"Our union shares many of the concerns expressed in todays White House statement, including how this deal may impact the future of domestic steel production," USW President David McCall said in a statement.

"U.S. Steel has made it clear, time and again, that its first and only priority is short-term financial gain for shareholders, even if this comes at the expense of workers, their communities and the nation's lasting capacity to continue meeting its manufacturing needs," he added.

Four Democratic and three Republican U.S. senators have criticized the deal this week, citing national security concerns or raising questions about why the two companies did not consult the United Steelworkers ahead of the announcement.

Nippon said on Monday it would buy Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion in cash, prevailing over rivals such as Cleveland-Cliffs, ArcelorMittal and Nucor in an auction for the 122-year-old steelmaker.

Brainard said Biden viewed U.S. Steel as an integral part of America's "arsenal of democracy" during World War Two and believed it remained "a core component of the overall domestic steel production that is critical to our national security."

Heading into an election year, Biden has made restoring U.S. manufacturing a central pillar of his presidency, and often hails the creation of 800,000 manufacturing jobs during his term.

Brainard said Biden had also taken action to protect U.S. steel companies against unfair and market-distorting trade practices in China and other countries, while supporting union jobs across the economy.

She said the administration was doing everything it could to ensure steelworkers could compete on a level playing field by fighting unfair trade practices.

Heino Klinck, a retired U.S. Army colonel who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia under former President Donald Trump, said calling the deal into question on national security grounds could harm the U.S.-Japan alliance.

"It's unfounded. It could make us look hypocritical at best, and at worst, xenophobic," Klinck told Reuters, adding that he did not expect Japan to ever stand in the way of surging production to aid the U.S. Navy, a key U.S. Steel customer.

"The Japanese will be offended, and I think it will serve Chinese mis- and disinformation campaigning both in Japan and regionally," he said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jasper Ward; editing by Rami Ayyub, Sonali Paul and Leslie Adler)
Don't let that leftover wine go to waste.

Caitlin Bensel

We have all been in a situation where we open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner or with friends, only to be cleaning the kitchen afterward and find there is more than half a bottle remaining.

Sure, leftover wine can be used to cook (Beef Bourguignon is a favorite), but ideally, those liquid leftovers can be consumed at a later date. The conundrum may leave you wondering: How long does leftover wine last? And should you refrigerate leftover wine?

The short answer is yes, you should refrigerate leftover wine, but how long it lasts is dependent on a couple factors.







Meet The Expert

Sarah Malik, Associate Professor, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus







Should You Refrigerate Wine After Opening?

Sarah Malik, who has earned a diploma from the International Sommelier Guild and is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, where she has earned a certified specialist award, says that keeping wine in the refrigerator once it's opened can help extend the life of the bottle.

"Most wine will be fine for three to five days," she says, adding that sparkling wine typically lasts one to two days and using a Champagne stopper can extend that time frame. "Fortified wine, such as Port can last a couple of months."

Related: How Many Glasses Of Wine Are In A Bottle?

Will Wine Spoil if it Is Not Refrigerated?

If wine is not refrigerated after opening, it will come into contact with air and oxidize. Will that spoil the wine? Malik says yes, wine will taste stale.

"Red wines can be kept on the counter, but cork the bottle," Malik says. "You can use a vacuum system that removes air from inside the bottle or an inert gas system such as nitrogen or argon. These are inert and do not react with the wine."

Related: The Best Way To Store Leftover Wine, According To Experts

Should Wine Be Refrigerated?

Malik says that ideally wine should be stored at a constant temperature.

"[Wine] does not like changes in temperature, light, and vibrations, she tells Southern Living. Not everyone has a wine refrigerator, as they can be expensive, and it isnt ideal to keep wine too long in a domestic fridge as it is too cold and could make the cork harden."

Malik recommends keeping wine in a cooler part of the house away from the sunlight and preferably in darkness.

"I keep my wines in a wine fridge at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit," she says. "When I am ready to serve wine, I will take it out and ensure it is taken to the correct temperature by leaving it in the room it will be served."

Related: Does Wine Freeze?

What Temperature Should Wine Be Served?

Malik's suggested temperatures for wine include:

Sweet Wines: Well chilled at 43 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit

Sparkling Wines: Well chilled at 43 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit

Light, medium bodied whites and rose such as Pinot Grigio: Chilled at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit

Full bodied white such as an oaked Chardonnay: Lightly Chilled at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit

Light bodied red, such as Beaujolais: Room temperature or lightly chilled at 55 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit

Medium to full bodied red, such as Shiraz: Room temperature at 59 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit



Frequently Asked Questions

Does wine go bad at room temperature after opening?

Not straight away, but it will taste a little less vibrant after a day or so.

Can spoiled wine make you sick?

No, spoiled wine will not make you sick.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  Not far from where Russias Foreign Minister is holding meetings in Tunisia on Thursday, large green billboards advertising Russia Today, a Kremlin-backed media outlet, have been recently erected.

The ads are yet another indicator that Russia continues to expand its presence in North Africa as support for western powers across the Arab World fades amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

With deep trade ties and large diaspora populations in western Europe, North African countries have long maintained close, albeit complicated, relations with the European Union.

Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia also enjoy close relations with the United States.

But since October the region has been convulsed by protests about Israels latest war with Hamas, including in Tunis, where demonstrators have rallied in front of the United States and French embassies, chanting for a free Palestine.

Arab Barometer, a non-partisan research firm, published data last week that suggested the United States popularity fell 30 percentage points in the weeks after the Israel-Hamas war began. It found Frances image also suffered.

Tunisians views on the world shifted in ways that rarely happen even over the course of a few years. There is no other issue across the Arab world to which people feel so individually and emotionally connected, Arab Barometer researchers concluded, based on 2,406 interviews.

In the vacuum created by western powers' diminishing popularity, Moscow has doubled down on efforts to strengthen its ties to North Africa and spread its narrative about issues including Ukraine and Gaza. Russian officials are exchanging visits with North African leaders, seeking new trade agreements and signing joint memorandums that cover issues ranging from Ukraine to Syria.

It has become obvious that some external forces are not averse to using the next escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in their own interest, to ignite the fire of a regional war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at this weeks Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum in Marrakech, alluding to the United States.

Marrakech was the first destination on Lavrov's tour through North Africa. He arrived in Tunis on Wednesday evening to meet with President Kais Saied and Tunisias foreign minister, who visited Moscow in September, when the two countries announced a new grain deal.

Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Tunisia received roughly half of its total wheat imports from Ukraine.

While lamenting pressure from countries that isolate Russia, Lavrov announced new efforts to expand energy and agriculture trade with North Africa.

He also contrasted Russia's positions with those of the United States in the Middle East.

We have the impression that our Western colleagues are not very willing to try to create a Palestinian state," he said Thursday.

This week's Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum was scheduled before war broke out after Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people and took 240 hostage in Israel on Oct 7. Yet its timing provided Lavrov a useful stage to position Russia alongside Arab countries ahead of an anticipated United Nations vote on an Arab-backed resolution to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.

We hope that the Security Council can adopt this resolution and that there will not be a veto from a permanent member, notably the United States, said Hossam Zaki, assistant secretary general of the Arab League.

The forum came weeks after Russia Today, forged new partnerships and hired journalists to open a bureau in Algeria.

In Morocco, Lavrov found a receptive audience at the forum, which culminated in a joint declaration signed Wednesday that expressed support for the Palestinians. Echoing Moscows political course, it also called for preserving sovereignty of Syria and welcomed efforts to create conditions for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

It is time to take a different approach in dealing with the issues and concerns of the Arab world," Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said in a statement after the signing. We see Russia as a partner.

Morocco and Tunisia have historically hewed more closely to the United States and NATO than Russia. But the countries, along with Algeria, have each attempted to project neutrality and maintain trade and political ties with Russia even throughout the war in Ukraine and Israel's latest war with Hamas.

Moscow is hoping frustration with the United States and European countries will work in its favor elsewhere, said Olga Oliker, the International Crisis Groups program director for Europe and Central Asia on the organizations War & Peace podcast on Wednesday.

North Africa is a key trade partner for both Europe and Russia. Morocco imports fuel and fertilizer from Russia; Tunisia has grown increasingly reliant on Russian supplies of wheat and Algeria, one of Africa's largest militaries, receives a substantial supply of arms from Moscow.

Morocco and Algeria have expanded their imports of Russian diesel since the start of the war in Ukraine, while also attempting to capitalize on new energy demands from Europe as the continent weans itself off Russian gas.

Ivan Klyszcz, a fellow at Estonias International Centre for Defence and Security who researches Russian foreign policy, said Russias posture toward North Africa was in line with its broader agenda to assert its aspirations of being a great power and give its foreign policy a global scope. And North Africa's response since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has been largely in line with its stances throughout the war in Ukraine.

The (North African) countries have positioned themselves in ways to maximize their relations to the great powers  Russia, United States, Europe, he said.

____

Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco.

____

Follow APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
The Washington Posts incoming chief executive and publisher will start the job with a mess on his hands.

William Lewis, the veteran media executive who is set to take the reins of the renowned newspaper in January, will arrive to a newsroom in turmoil with sagging morale as contract negotiations between the Posts leadership and unionized staff remain deadlocked, hundreds of employees depart, and questions are renewed about Lewis role in a decade-old phone hacking scandal.

On Wednesday, members of the union that represents roughly 1,000 newsroom employees stormed the Posts daily editorial meeting, clashing with executive editor Sally Buzbee and interim chief executive Patty Stonesifer over the contract talks stalemate, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.

Workforce tensions

The Washington Post Guild, the union that represents staffers, has been negotiating with executives on a new contract for a year and a half, but it has yet to reach an agreement. Wages and staff reductions have remained a major sticking point between the two sides, causing dismay among union members with the newspapers management.

Adding to the frustrations, The Post, which aimed to slash its workforce with 240 voluntary buyouts by the end of the year, has now exceeded its goal, prompting the newspapers management to offer financial incentives in a bid to retain some employees, the union told its members this week in an email obtained by CNN.

A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the Post had resorted to offering some staffers generous bonuses to remain at the newspaper. Reached for comment, a spokesperson for the Washington Post pointed to a memo sent by Stonesifer to the newspapers staff on Tuesday emphasizing that the number of people accepting the Voluntary Separation package has met our goal for 2024. The spokesperson did not respond to further questions concerning the offers to retain staff.

The company wants us to believe that hitting its caps meant that 240 of our colleagues saw the buyout as a gift, the Guild said in the email. They were threatened with layoffs and made to feel undervalued, disrespected and disposable.

And now, because of those threats, the company seems to have exceeded its buyout goal  and is now panicking, it added.

The Posts management has so far rejected the unions wage demand and has yet to directly confirm whether remaining staffers positions are safe from cuts, the union said.

One Post staffer on Thursday described the atmosphere to CNN as emotionally raw, with numerous departing employees sending goodbye notes. The staffer, who sympathized with the need to be more financially stringent, said management however had behaved in a tone deaf manner as emotions coursed through the newsroom.

Hacking scandal cover-up?

Amid the union standoff, tensions at the Post were inflamed once again on Wednesday after a widely-read NPR article reported that Lewis, the newspapers 54-year-old incoming chief, allegedly assisted in the cover-up of criminal activity when he was acting outside public view while working a decade ago for Rupert Murdochs publishing empire.

The allegations stem from recent lawsuits brought against News Corp.s U.K. newspapers by Prince Harry and Hugh Grant, which allege that Lewis attempted to hamper government officials and deleted incriminating emails to shield Murdochs outlets from the sweeping fallout from the News of the World phone-hacking scandal.

Lewis, the former editor of The Daily Telegraph and publisher of The Wall Street Journal  the latter of which is owned by Murdochs News Corp.  also allegedly attempted to engage in damage control for Murdochs U.K. tabloid, The Sun.

Lewis addressed the allegations in an interview with the Post last month. I took a view very early on that Im never going to talk about it, he said. And its either right or wrong that Ive done that. He has previously denied the allegations.

Stonesifer, speaking to the Post for the same article, said that Lewis didnt shy away from making tough decisions over the course of his 30-year career. That kind of bold leadership was part of what we were actually looking for. And believe me, we did our homework to determine whether that leadership went too far, she said.

A spokesperson for the Post did not comment on the allegations.

Both the buyouts and NPR report come less than two weeks after 750 Post staffers walked off the job in a historic 24-hour strike, protesting the staff cuts and applying pressure on management to negotiate on a new contract in good faith.

On Thursday, departing staffers were sent an email from management encouraging them to buy official merchandise emblazoned with the Posts logo.

Before your last day at The Post, make sure you stop by The Post Store to take advantage of special employee pricing on products, including alumni gear, it said. You will not be able to access discounted rates after your last day at The Post.

A spokesperson for the Post told CNN the message was included in error and is no longer part of any Washington Post employee departure communication.

Still, the email left staffers irritated, with some calling it tone deaf and outrageous.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SOUTH BURLINGTON - Vermont's first and so far only Tesla store is being fitted up at the former Hannaford grocery store building off Shelburne Road in South Burlington.

Signs are already up on the building and at the intersection of Shelburne and Fayette roads, catching the attention of passersby, including Tesla owners who will no longer have to travel to a surrounding state for service and repairs.

Also, prospective Tesla owners will be able to buy new electric vehicles at the store in South Burlington, something that's not possible in every state because of laws dating back to the 1940s that were put in place to protect local car dealerships. Those state laws prohibit car manufacturers from selling directly to customers.

Tesla is in the process of fitting up its first store in Vermont, converting the former Hannaford supermarket off of Shelburne Road in South Burlington, as seen on Dec. 19, 2023.

Tesla's building permit for South Burlington allows for direct sales of electric cars and motorcycles to customers, thanks to a revision of Vermont state law made in 2021. Tesla was also able to get a zoning change from the city of South Burlington that allows for automobile sales at the former Hannaford site.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from the Burlington Free Press.

Tesla put a store in a Connecticut casino to get around state law prohibiting direct sales to customers

In Connecticut, Tesla just opened a store at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, owned by the Mohegan Tribe on tribal land, to get around a state law there that bans direct sales to customers by vehicle manufacturers. Mohegan sovereign land is not subject to the law.

"If you want to purchase a Tesla, you no longer have to go to Boston or New York now that the electric vehicle maker has opened a showroom in the Shops at Mohegan Sun," reported Fox 61 on Wednesday.

A peek inside the new Tesla store being fitted up at the former Hannaford supermarket off Shelburne Road in South Burlington, as seen on Dec. 19, 2023.

Todd Lockwood, who manages the Vermont Tesla Owners Group, said the group was instrumental in getting the Vermont law changed, which allows Tesla to sell EVs in South Burlington.

"(Legislators) made an incredibly narrow amendment (to the law), amusingly narrow," Lockwood said. "Theres an exception made for car manufacturers who produce only electric vehicles. That narrows it down pretty quickly. Rivian could benefit from this as well, and maybe one of the Chinese brands, and there are quite a few of them."

Vermont's Tesla owners won't have to drive to Latham, New York, to get their vehicles serviced

Lockwood estimated there are about 3,000 Tesla owners in Vermont, about 300 of whom belong to the owners' group. Lockwood, who owns a 2020 Model S and a 2021 Model 3, said he and his fellow Tesla owners are looking forward to having a Tesla store in their backyard. Lockwood lives off of Dorset Avenue in South Burlington.

The Tesla store in South Burlington will be able to sell as well as service electric vehicles, thanks to a change in Vermont state law. As seen on Dec. 19, 2023.

"Its going to be saving us a lot of long trips going to service centers," Lockwood said. "The official service center for Vermont is in Latham, New York, a couple miles north of Albany. It takes about two and a half hours to drive there. The funny part of this is, I enjoy driving my Model S so much I actually look forward to those drives."

Tesla also offers mobile servicing, which Lockwood has used.

"A Tesla technician shows up in van full of parts and test equipment," Lockwood said. " They come right to your house or place of work. They cant do everything. They cant lift the car off the ground, which limits them a bit, but if its software-related or replacing a part somewhere on the car, thats a really great option. Ive had those guys by my house many times."

Tesla store in South Burlington is likely to open sometime in January, according to Tesla owner

Lockwood said he has a contact within Tesla who told him the store in South Burlington is expected to open in mid- to late-January. The nearly 47,000-square-foot building will likely include a showroom and will be a distribution hub, according to Lockwood, meaning Vermonters who buy Teslas will no longer have to travel to northern New Jersey to pick up their cars.

Tesla tops the sign on Shelburne Road for Hannaford Plaza in South Burlington, as seen on Dec. 19, 2023.

Lockwood is excited about the amount of space at the South Burlington site, both inside and outside the building.

"That parking lot is going to be perfect, it could not be a better setup," Lockwood said. "A building bigger than you need. In some locations out west, Tesla has their own body shop. Its possible theyll do that too (in South Burlington)."

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Tesla is building a new store in South Burlington for its EVs
A still image shows one of the unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) captured by a Navy pilot and authenticated by the Department of Defense. In a bill introduced Thursday, commercial airline pilots would be able to report sightings of UAP, more commonly known as UFOs, to the federal government.

A pair of amateur plane trackers captured strange footage earlier this month of an unidentified airborne craft that appeared to hover above Air Force One as President Joe Biden visited Los Angeles.

Unsurprisingly, speculation that it was extraterrestrial in origin began almost immediately.

"A few viewers are saying we saw a UFO," Peter Solorzano, who runs the YouTube channel L.A. Flights with his brother Joshua Solorzano, said with a laugh during the Dec. 10 livestream.

The plane spotters had set up that day to film footage at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as two F-35 fighter jets patrolled the skies for the Commander-in-Chief. While they were elated to film the jets being refueled mid-air by a KC-10 tanker aircraft, they didn't expect to capture anything as unusual as the white sphere that came into view.

What's more, the brothers didn't just capture footage of it once, but three times.

UFO bill: Congress' UFO disclosure bill derided for lack of transparency.

'I'm kind of scared looking at this'

The object first appeared to zoom across the screen at 10:18 a.m. local time as it traveled in the opposite direction above Air Force One.

Joshua recognized it right away.

"You saw that? We got something flying in the way," Joshua said. "I'm not too sure what it was."

Watch the video here (skip to 1:30 for the first sighting of the object:

Minutes later, it appeared again, prompting Joshua to comment that "it was moving around weird."

By the time the object appeared on camera for the third and final time at 11:08 a.m., Joshua was starting to become unnerved.

"I'm kind of scared of looking at this," he said. "I'm not sure what that is, could it be a balloon? I'm thinking balloon."

His brother, though, wasn't buying it.

"Are you just saying that to keep certain authorities away?" Peter asked.

The Solorzano brothers did not immediately respond Friday to USA TODAY's request for comment.

Skeptics dismiss UFO sighting as balloon

But some skeptics are already dismissing the sighting as having a mundane explanation.

Author Mick West, a well-known a UFO debunker, reviewed the footage for DailyMail.com and concluded it was most likely a balloon. As for the apparent motion in the video, West said it's likely an illusion caused by the balloon being closer to the camera than the fast-moving plane in the background.

"It looks like a balloon and moves like a balloon," West told the DailyMail.

The Pentagon's relatively new office to investigate UFOs, which the government refers to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP,) has identified more than 500 military encounters with the crafts since 2004.

While some of those reports defy an easy explanation, the Pentagon's e All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has said many have been determined to be natural occurrences such as unpiloted aircraft or weather balloons.

NASA is similarly insistent that no conclusive evidence has yet been found to determine that any reports of UAP are extraterrestrial in origin. However, the space agency recently hired a director of UAP research and released a report stating its intention to continue studying the phenomena that poses a potential threat to U.S. airspace.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plane spotters record video of apparent UFO above LAX as Biden visits
The Fast & Furious star's former assistant filed a lawsuit against him and his production company over an alleged 2010 sexual assault

Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic Vin Diesel in 2020

Vin Diesel is denying claims made by his former assistant in a lawsuit against him alleging sexual battery.

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles this week and obtained by PEOPLE, alleges that in 2010 at Atlantas St. Regis hotel theFast & Furious actor-producer assaulted plaintiff Asta Jonasson, groping her and masturbating while pinning her down.

Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, now 56, told Variety in a statement Thursday, "Let me be very clear: Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety."

This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations," Freedman added.

The lawsuit  a complaint for damages against Diesel, his sister Samantha Vincent and their production company One Race Films  claims sexual battery, discrimination on the basis of sex/gender, intentional infliction of emotional distress, hostile work environment, wrongful termination and retaliation.

The suit alleges that hours after the incident in Diesels hotel suite, throughout which the plaintiff continually pleaded with him to stop, Vincent terminated Jonassons employment with the production company. It also details another inappropriate incident in Atlanta allegedly involving a One Race supervisor summoning Jonasson to his hotel room and inviting her into bed.

Related: Vin Diesel's Former Assistant Sues Actor for Sexual Battery, Claims He Molested Her at Hotel in 2010

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Vin Diesel

Following her employment of less than two weeks with One Race, Jonassons esteem was demolished, and she questioned her own skills and whether a successful career would require her to trade her body for advancement, according to the lawsuit. "Ms. Jonasson felt like she was a piece of trash to be discarded."

Reps for Diesel and One Race Films did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment Thursday.

Jonasson, who signed a nondisclosure agreement at the time, was able to file the claims due to the Speak Out Act, which prevents the enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault and harassment cases. Californias AB2777 also temporarily waives statutes of limitations for sexual abuse allegations that occurred in 2009 or later.

Empowered by the #MeToo and Times Up movements, reads the lawsuit, Jonasson is unwilling to remain silent any longer and seeks to reclaim her agency and justice for the suffering she endured at the hands of Vin Diesel and One Race.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
During the fourth Republican presidential debate earlier this month, Vivek Ramaswamy used his national on-screen appearance to suggest without evidence that the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was an inside job.

Why am I the only person on this stage, at least, who can say that Jan. 6 now does look like it was an inside job? Ramaswamy said.

Since then, hes brought that line and more onto the campaign trail in the lead-up to the Iowa caucuses. He has brought up conspiracy theories around Jan. 6, the 9/11 attacks, the foiled kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and, most recently, the notion that political elites are conspiring to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for president next year.

NBC News asked Ramaswamy how he felt about Alan Hostetter, a convicted participant in the Jan. 6 riot and a former California police chief who called for the execution of Donald Trumps political enemies, offering praise for Ramaswamy and his statements during his sentencing for his activity on Jan. 6. Ramaswamy, in response, did not specifically address Hostetters praise of him but spoke more broadly about the Jan. 6 prosecutions.

Ive met many peaceful protesters from Jan. 6 that in the stories that Ive heard from them seemed like unjust prosecutions, Ramaswamy said.

Hostetter was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering or remaining on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

If you had told me that Jan. 6 was in any way an inside job, the subject of government entrapment, I would have told you that was crazy talk, fringe conspiracy theory nonsense. I can tell you now, having gone somewhat deep in this, its not, Ramaswamy said, describing the evolution of his views over nearly three years. He later added, The reality is, we know that there were federal law enforcement agents in that field. We dont know how many.

Im old enough to remember when it was a 'conspiracy theory' to say that COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan. And that Hunter Bidens laptop was Russian misinformation. And when the media swore that Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election, Tricia McLaughlin, Ramaswamy's communications director, replied when asked to comment on the candidate's statements about Jan. 6 and other issues.

More than 1,200 defendants have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot. There is no evidence that federal agents were actually involved in the riot. But the remarks are part of a pattern of Ramaswamy raising conspiracy-related questions about federal agents involvement in major events.

I think it is legitimate to say how many police, how many federal agents, were on the planes that hit the Twin Towers, Ramaswamy told The Atlantic in August. Maybe the answer is zero. It probably is zero for all I know, right? I have no reason to think it was anything other than zero. But if were doing a comprehensive assessment of what happened on 9/11, we have a 9/11 commission, absolutely that should be an answer the public knows the answer to.

When visiting the memorial in Lower Manhattan on the anniversary this year, he said he stood by those sentiments. While there has been extensive reporting on intelligence and information-sharing failures in the lead-up to 9/11, there is no evidence that federal agents were on the hijacked planes.

Following the release of The Atlantic article, Ramaswamy initially claimed he was taken out of context before the outlet released a transcript and audio of his remarks. Ramaswamy later posted on social media that his comments were related to what he described as a cover-up of an alleged Saudi intelligence officials involvement in the activities of two hijackers before the attacks.

In 2021, the FBI closed its investigation into three Saudi nationals suspected of helping two hijackers prior to the attacks, according to a Justice Department document that had previously been classified.

In the decades after the attack, the FBI has not identified additional groups or individuals responsible for the attack other than those currently charged which is consistent with the final conclusion of the 9/11 Commission Report, the document adds.

Most recently, Ramaswamy has taken aim at Democrats including Whitmer and Biden.

If you told me three years ago, when I was a biotech CEO, that the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot in Michigan was an inside job of entrapment. I would have told you that was crazy, Ramaswamy said to a crowd of thousands, including many children, at Turning Points conference in Phoenix.

Turns out that the militia organization that supposedly organized it was at least a third infiltrated by Fed informants and feds, Ramaswamy said. In September, three out of the 14 individuals involved were acquitted, but nine were convicted in connection with the plot. FBI informants helped provide the information that led to the militia members arrest.

And last week, when House Republicans voted to authorize their formal impeachment inquiry into Biden, Ramaswamy told NBC News that he believes this move by House Republicans is linked to broader Democratic plans to move Biden aside in 2024, despite the fact that the party has rallied around him.

House Democrats voted unanimously against authorizing the impeachment inquiry.

I think part of whats going on in the broader  Democratic establishment, in particular, is, they are preparing to move Biden to one side, Ramaswamy said in Iowa. So we got to cut through. Also, some of the timing of this is the beginning of laying the trap for making sure that Biden has moved out of the way so that the Democratic Party can trot out its next puppet.

On Thursday morning, during a campaign stop in Pella, Iowa, Ramaswamy went deeper into this theory: I thought its gonna be Gavin Newsom or Michelle Obama. Later he said it will be someone hiding in plain sight. Its actually Nikki Haley, he said.

See the things that they call the conspiracy theories, its not [a] conspiracy theory, Ramaswamy told event attendees. Its emergent reality. Its staring you in the face, but its so obviously staring you in the face that you miss it, he remarked in closing.
Waupaca isnt exactly the first place people think of when it comes to wine.

Yet over the past year, people from all over the country have headed to this Wisconsin town for wines you cant get anywhere else in the country. Aged underwater in the Adriatic Sea for more than a year, these exclusive red and white wines, are from Wine of the Sea.

A unique set of connections brought these wines to Wisconsin. It begins with BZ Consortium (bzconsortium.com), a small wine importer based in Waupaca. Zarko Bogojevic, who is from Serbia, met his wife while she was traveling there, and they moved to Wisconsin, where she was from. They built their small wine import company on their connections to the old country.

Several years ago at Vinexpo, a wine and spirits trade show, they discovered a Serbian connection to wines being aged in the Adriatic Sea. They took on the challenge of bringing them to the United States, and in 2022 they brought in the first 500 bottles.

Wine of the Sea bottles are submerged up to 100 feet underwater for up to 22 months, and each receives a hands-on inspection of the cork and seal before being sealed again with wax and packaged for shipping.

But there were concerns from the FDA about the wines, and bringing Wine of the Sea to the U.S. took several years and a letter-writing campaign. Thats where Nick Wood entered the process.

A Green Bay resident with a career in newspapers and publishing, Wood helped with letters, then became a partner with Bogojevic in Wine of the Sea.

Currently, Wine of the Sea ages 15 varietals in the sea for up to two years in special cages. Coral grows on the bottles, making each one unique. Last year, BZ Consortiums first 500 bottles sold out immediately. This year, theyve imported 6,000 bottles, with 1,500 sold in the first month.

Wine of the Sea is available primarily within a 60-mile radius of Waupaca, with shipping to other states available through a New York retailer. Go to wineofthesea.com for information and retail locations, which include select Woodmans and Festival Foods. In the Milwaukee area, the wines will be available at Festival Foods in Hales Corners starting this month.

Wood talked about Wine of the Sea, and how Wisconsin is at the forefront of introducing this product to new consumers.

Wine of the Sea owner Zarko Bogojevic, from left, partner Nick Wood and Director of Business Development Max Hansen hold coral-encrusted Wine of the Sea bottles, which are aged under the Adriatic Sea for up to two years.

From publishing to partner in Wine of the SEa

A former colleague in Waupaca introduced me to BZ Consortium, Biljana and Zarko Bogojevic. They told the story of the wine aged under the ocean, but they could not import it because of an FDA advisory. The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) is the ultimate agency that approves labels. The FDA advised the TTB not to approve any labels because of concerns with wine aged under the ocean.

It was so unexpected. I was caught up in the story  this mom and pop wine and spirits importer in Waupaca trying to get approval for wine aged in the Adriatic. I said sure, Ill write a letter to the FDA using my journalistic communication skills. I thought that would be it. It turned into a two-and-half-year odyssey of research and talking with the folks in Croatia who do the submersion. That company is called Adriatic Shell. It started as an oyster farm.

BZ Consortium started importing wine and spirits in Waupaca in 2019. Zarko is from Serbia. He had a career in construction and the restaurant business. They moved here (where the wife has roots) and started to import wine with friends from the old country. One was a distiller, Perun. They do vodka and gin, among other things.

Then another friend had a top-notch boutique winery, white wines and sparkling from Slovenia. They had those two that they started with, then went to this huge trade show, Vinexpo. It is in New York every year. They went in 2019. The wife was walking around and came to this coral-encrusted bottle of wine, from Erdevik winery from Serbia. She stopped in her tracks, got Zarko, and said, look at this. They started talking in Serbian, said, 'Can we represent the winery in the U.S.?' It wasnt even Wine of the Sea at the time. The owner said wed like that, but it is not legal in the United States. Zarko said, wed like to give it a try.

He wrote to the FDA, got no response, wrote again, and eventually a lawyer in Waupaca wrote on letterhead and asked for permission. That one got a polite, People have tried this and no one has satisfied our concerns about filth or adulteration. That was July 2020. I was introduced to it that August. The letter of approval came in April 2022.

Make plans now if you want to try this unique wine

Adriatic Shell sources the wine from Italy, France and Germany. They find it, bring it to Croatia right on the Adriatic, prepare the bottles, submerge them for a year, retrieve the bottles, condition and send to the United States. We distribute them from Waupaca. The whole process takes 18 months to two years from start to finish.

No one was prepared for a full-on U.S. distribution after breaking into the United States market. Were in the process of ramping up now. We just got our last shipment of this year: 1,700 bottles.

It began with a happy accident

It started as an experiment, a passion project about 10-plus years ago, fairly accidentally. Adriatic Shell, originally an oyster farm, is on an island (but) is based on the mainland. They take a boat, and they have a platform attached to the shore, the base of operations for the oyster farm. Italy is right there, like Michigan to Wisconsin around Lake Michigan.

Winemakers would come with their new vintages, taste wines with seafood. They had a bunch of wine leftover. They didnt want to take it back to the mainland. The owner of Adriatic Shell put a bunch of bottles in an oyster bag, put it over the side, forgot about it. They came back next season, pulled it up. It was coral-encrusted. They tasted the wine and sent it to the winemaker and said, 'Hey, this wine changed.' That was the happy accident that started the whole thing. For the last 10 years he has been experimenting and growing the process.

Coral grows on Wine of the Sea wine bottles that are submerged in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia. The bottles are aged underwater for up to two years, then their wax seals are removed and their corks are inspected by hand before they are resealed and sold.

Ocean accelerates wine aging

We dont make wine. We source the best wines from the best regions... Italy, France, Germany and Serbia.

I was not a wine drinker. Im a beer drinker because Im from Wisconsin. Now Im learning the intricacies of wine. ... Weve got some Barolos, Barbaresco, Amarone, Soave and Brunello di Montalcino. We finally started getting some Bordeaux. We have a limited supply of French Chablis. ...

Look at Barolo and Amarone  these are big, bold, Italian wines, designed to age. The ocean-aging process, the science is just starting to come in a little bit. It is art, it is science, a little bit of both. Wine is a living thing. We think the pressure and temperature, the currents and movements of the bottles down there, the darkness, seems to accelerate the aging by three to five years.

Deux Mers from Wine of the Sea is a Bordeaux-style blend made with cabernet, syrah and merlot.

Start with these sips

The one that got this started, Deux Mers, which means two seas, named for the winery itself located on the 45th parallel just like Napa. That one is a Bordeaux-style blend, which means 50 percent cabernet, 26 percent syrah and 24 percent merlot. That one is the most recognizable, the most approachable for an American audience. It is honestly one of the most delicious.

The Amarone, it is a fairly famous style of Italian wine, they dry the grapes before they press them so the flavors are really intense. That wine in particular reacts to the ocean-aging process.

The packaging and process that make this work

One of the main concerns from the FDA was the seawater would get into the wine, making it adulterated. One of our processes (after it is pulled up from the sea) is we remove the top cap of wax, inspect visually and verify by hand the cork, then we redip it in wax and put a seal on it. The bottles have two different colors of wax. That was a huge concern of the FDA. Now it is a signature of the hand craftsmanship of the process.

Where to find Wine of the Sea ocean-aged wines

Were working to get into the Milwaukee and Madison stores. ... Were an importer and distributor just in Wisconsin. Were servicing a 60-mile radius of Waupaca. Our biggest outlets right now are the BP gas stations in Waupaca. Weve had people drive in from Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago to buy cases. We even had a couple who flew in from Las Vegas. ... The wine is getting known.

Our biggest challenge is national distribution. In October we added a brand ambassador and sales rep in New York and one in California. Weve sold more wine in the last six weeks than we have in the last six months.

This isnt an everyday bottle

In Wisconsin, youll find at retail it is going to be the Deux Mers, entry levels will be around $130, give or take. Some of the unique Barolos coming in, those will be pushing the $200 mark.

Fork. Spoon. Life. explores the everyday relationship that local notables have with food. To suggest future personalities to profile, email clewis@journalsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waupaca's Wine of the Sea sells rare wines aged under the Adriatic Sea
High-tech emergency equipment being widely used in Gansu earthquake relief

09:56, December 22, 2023 By Hu Yuwei, Fan Wei, Zhao Yusha and Li Hao ( Global Times

A Y-20 transport aircraft carrying an emergency command group from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command is pictured before taking off from a military airport in southwest China in response to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake, on December 19, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Gansu's emergency management bureau said at a press conference on Thursday that the province's earthquake relief work has achieved a phased victory. Behind the victory is the wide use of a range of high-tech equipment to support search and rescue efforts.

Chinese Y-20 military aircraft are being used to transport large rescue vehicles, while the Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being operated to assist with emergency telecommunication support and disaster reconnaissance tasks.

Public communication networks in the affected areas has been largely restored to normal.

Global Times reporters on the scene witnessed a Y-20 aircraft carrying an emergency command group under PLA Western Theater Command to a disaster site. Military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times that the Y-20 has a large payload, long range, and a larger cargo hold, making it suitable for transporting larger rescue vehicles.

Zhang noted that setting up the emergency command group on the front line can provide a more accurate and rapid understanding of the situation on the ground, including the terrain, weather, and extent of the disaster in the affected areas, and coordinate and command rescue forces to launch targeted rescue operations on short notice.

On the afternoon of December 19, two helicopters from the PLA 76th Group Army landed on a temporary helipad at a middle school in Jishishan county, the epicenter of the earthquake, carrying out tasks such as aerial reconnaissance, material delivery, and medical evacuation.

Global Times reporters witnessed the wide use of the UAV for lighting at the temporary resettlement sites, which support to ensure all operations could be carried out in an orderly and efficient manner even in the dark.

Several hovering lights are installed in the air. These lighting UAVs are connected to the ground power supply equipment through a cable, allowing them to stay in the air for a long time and provide emergency lighting for large areas at night, making them the "brightest stars in the night sky."

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, China's tethered UAVs are relatively advanced and are being used for emergency communication.

After a major disaster, especially an earthquake, if conventional communication facilities in the affected areas are destroyed or damaged, these tethered UAVs can be used to establish an emergency communication system, overcoming signal blockage caused by tall buildings, and achieving network communication over distances of 10 to 100 kilometers or more. This enables real-time communication between the rescue site and emergency responders.

The Global Times learned that the UAVs employed in the disaster relief mission this time have a lighting range of up to 8,000 square meters. They can withstand wind speeds of up to level 7, heavy rain of up to level 10, and temperatures as low as -20 C, providing a wide range, high brightness, and uninterrupted lighting support for emergency rescue in the earthquake-stricken area.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
For Michael Koubi, Yahya Sinwar has the eyes of a murderer.

Few Israelis know the leader of Hamas in Gaza as well as Koubi, who, as an officer in Israel's internal security organization, Shin Bet, interrogated Sinwar for more than 150 hours when he was held in Israeli prisons.

Sinwar is accused by Israel of masterminding the deadliest terror attack in Israeli history on Oct. 7 of this year when 1,200 Israelis were killed. The Israeli military has dropped leaflets in Gaza offering a reward of $400,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Koubi remembers Sinwar as being "tough," devoid of emotions but "not a psychopath."

"He was a different type of detainee," says the former Shin Bet officer who interrogated Sinwar in the late 80s and early 90s.

In 1989 an Israeli court sentenced Sinwar to four life sentences for his role in killing suspected Palestinian informers and plotting to murder two Israeli soldiers.

PHOTO: Yahia al-Sinwar addresses supporters during a rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Gaza City, on April 14, 2023. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

Sinwar spent the following 22 years in prison and was one of more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees who were released in 2011 in exchange for Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who had been held hostage by Hamas for five years.

At the time of his imprisonment, Sinwar was head of Hamas' infamous internal security arm, Al-Majd and according to Israeli and Palestinian sources his job was to investigate members of Hamas who were potentially working with the Israelis.

Koubi says Sinwar boasted during his interrogations about killing suspected Palestinian informants with "a razor blade" and with "a machete."

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates

It is why, says Koubi, Sinwar was dubbed "the butcher of Khan Younis."

In early December of this year the Israeli military said it had surrounded the home of Sinwar in his hometown of Khan Younis in the southern half of the Gaza Strip. They didn't find him.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Dec. 6 that it was "only a matter of time" before he was located. Israeli military leaders have described Sinwar as "a dead man walking."

The precise whereabouts of Sinwar is still unknown. He is believed by Israeli officials and others to be hiding in Hamas' vast network of tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip.

He has not been heard from since Oct. 7, when Hamas and affiliated groups massacred hundreds of Israeli soldiers and civilians and took around 240 people hostage.

MORE: US trying to close 'gap' between Israel's intent and resulting Gaza death toll: Blinken

"This offensive is the mission of his life," says Dr. Michael Milshtein, whose job it was to study Hamas and key figures such as Sinwar when he worked in Israeli defense intelligence from 1993 until 2015.

In 2014, as chief of the Department for Palestinian Affairs, Milshtein claims he could see indications that Hamas' leadership in Gaza was already working on something big.

At the time Yahya Sinwar was a leading figure in Hamas' political leadership in Gaza. Three years later, in 2017, he was elected as the overall chief of Hamas in the Strip.

PHOTO: Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar attends a rally in support of Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque in Gaza City on October 1, 2022. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Amid outcry over civilian casualties in Gaza, experts note Israel's so-called 'dumb bombs' can be used with precision

"When you're trying to find the seeds of this brutality of Oct. 7 you must understand not only the ideology, but also the personality of Yahya Sinwar," said Milshtein, who is now a senior analyst at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University.

According to Milshtein, Sinwar's brutality against alleged defectors within Hamas was "spread" throughout the organization and directed against Jews and Israelis, culminating in the atrocities committed on Oct. 7.

In recent weeks it has become clear that multiple warning signs about Hamas' plans for an attack were either missed or ignored by Israeli officials, however the attack still succeeded because the precise details about when the group would strike were kept secret.

"That's the way Sinwar works," said Ismat Mansour, a Palestinian writer and activist who spent 15 years inside the same detention facilities as the Hamas leader. Arrested at 16 for his part in the death of an Israeli settler in the West Bank, Mansour was released in 2013 ahead of resumed talks between Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials.

Mansour said that, when in prison, Sinwar operated, for much of the time, "in the shadows  with a small and closed group that he trusts."

He described the Hamas leader as a "tough" and "pragmatic" man who learnt fluent Hebrew and spent much of his time studying Israeli society and security matters, including Israel's army, which is now hunting him down.

Both Sinwar's former fellow inmate Mansour and his former interrogator Koubi agreed that he was not just widely respected by other prisoners but also by prison staff.

"He knew how to convince people to be with him," said former Israeli security officer Koubi, who said Sinwar's influence over prison officials earned him "the best" conditions.

Sinwar's ideology and long-term hatred towards Israel was what motivated him to carry out the attack on Oct. 7, according to Milshtein and Koubi.

Milshtein said he believes the Hamas leader in Gaza was driven by "jihad" and a "vision" that Israelis and Jews are "germs" and their killing could be justified on religious terms.

Mansour, a Palestinian, said there were three factors which drove Sinwar to launch the attack on Oct. 7.

The first, he said, were the visits earlier this year by Israeli hard-right nationalists to the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem as well as raids on the mosque carried out by Israeli police.

The second, according to Mansour, was Sinwar's rejection of Israel's blockade on Gaza and the tight Israeli restrictions on goods and people leaving and entering the Strip.

Finally, as someone who spent much of his adult life behind bars, Sinwar had a "personal commitment," said Mansour, to try and free as many of his close associates being held in Israeli prisons.

Despite multiple statements by Israeli officials clearly pinning the blame for Oct. 7 principally on Sinwar, some independent experts who study Hamas are not convinced he was the main architect of the attack.

Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow on the Middle East at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said he believes Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing in Gaza, was the overall mastermind.

"Sinwar was certainly an important figure in terms of the planning of the attacks that took place on Oct 7. However, at least in my mind, he was not the ultimate architect of those attacks," Lovatt said.

After the scale of the atrocities committed on Oct. 7, Israeli anger "needed to be directed at someone," argued Lovatt, noting Sinwar became a "figure of hate" because he was well-known to Israelis.

In contrast, imagery and information on Deif is so sparse that he is more of "a ghost" figure, said Jennifer Jefferis, a Georgetown University professor and author of "Hamas: Terrorism, Governance and its Future in Middle East Politics."

Jefferis said Israel "needs a win" in its war in Gaza and the emphasis on Sinwar is part of the Israeli government's narrative in claiming that victory.

"Israel is saying to themselves, 'How do we say that we have beaten Hamas?' and I think this is a way they are doing it, by painting a target on this one guy," she said.

Every source interviewed for this article agreed that Sinwar is probably still in Gaza.

His former interrogator, Koubi, predicted that the leader of Hamas in the densely populated Gaza Strip will go down fighting if he's located.

"He wants to die a hero of the slum, as a hero of Hamas, as a hero of the Gaza people," Koubi said.

Both Jefferis and Lovatt said Sinwar's death would not signal the end of Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas is "a grass roots, bottom-up organization," said Lovatt. Hamas "has consistently shown the ability to replace leaders when they are killed or captured."

Jeffries added, "There will be Hamas 2.0 and resistance to whatever comes next."

Who is Yahya Sinwar, Israel's most-wanted Hamas terrorist originally appeared on abcnews.go.com


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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the December 21 shooting in Prague.

Deeply saddened by news of tragic shooting in Charles University, Prague. My heartfelt condolences to families & friends of victims, wishing them endurance, & speedy recovery to those injured. Armenia stands in solidarity with friendly Czech people, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan said in a post on X addressed to his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky.

Lipavsky in turn thanked Mirzoyan for the support. Dear Ararat, thank you for your kind words. Your support means a lot in this tragic time, the Czech FM responded on X.

Dear Ararat, thank you for your kind words. Your support means a lot in this tragic time.  Jan Lipavsky (@JanLipavsky) December 21, 2023

On December 21, a gunman shot dead 14 people and injured another 25 at a university in Prague in the deadliest attack in modern Czech history.

Local police said the 24-year-old gunman was also "eliminated" following the shooting at Charles University in the historic center of the capital.
The Army said the terrorists, after attacking its vehicles, quickly engaged in a gunbattle which continued as reports last came in

An Army vehicle after being ambushed by terrorists, in Poonch district, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Three soldiers were killed and as many injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. (PTI Photo)

SRINAGAR: Three Army jawans were killed and as many injured in a gunbattle with a group of heavily-armed militants after they ambushed two Army vehicles -- a Gypsy and a 1-ton truck -- in the Dera ki Gali area of J&Ks border district of Poonch on Thursday afternoon. Other reports put the death toll as four.

The Army said the terrorists, after attacking its vehicles, quickly engaged in a gunbattle which continued as reports last came in. Security forces reinforcements laid siege to a vast area of the Poonch-Rajouri border districts and had plugged possible escape routes for the militants, police sources said.

A defence spokesman in Jammu said the Army with the J&K police and the CRPF was conducting an operation against terrorists at Dera Ki Gali in the Thanamandi area since Wednesday evening. The operation was launched on hard intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the general area of Dera ki Gali, he said.

The spokesman added: Today (Thursday) at around 3.45 pm, two Army vehicles carrying troops to the operation site to reinforce the joint operation were ambushed by terrorists at Dera ki Gali. The fire was retaliated to. However, in the exchange of fire, three soldiers got killed, while three were injured. The operation is in progress and further details are being ascertained, he said.

Local news agencies GNS and KNO reported four Army jawans identified as B. Singh, K. Kumar, C. Kumar and G. Kumar were killed in the ambush and gunfight while the injured are Sundeep Kumar, S.S. Dass and T.D. Bhaskarrav. However, the Army only confirmed three deaths.

A statement issued by the Army at Nagrota (Jammu) said: At approximately 3.45 pm on December 21, two Army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which were fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by own troops. In the ongoing operation, own troops sustained 3 fatal and 3 non-fatal casualties.

The police sources said the attackers believed to be Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) cadres -- most probably Pakistani nationals -- targeted a truck and a Gypsy of the Indian Army at Dhatyar Morh between Dera ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station of Poonch.

A report from neighbouring Rajouri district said that the reinforcements from the Army, J&K police and the CRPF have been rushed to the area to take on the fleeing militants. The Thannamandi-Dera ki Gali-Bufliaz road has been closed and vehicular traffic to Srinagar (via Mughal Road) and Poonch has been diverted. Since an encounter is underway in the Dera ki Gali area, all are informed to use BG-Jara Wali Gali road to travel to Srinagar or Poonch, a traffic police spokesman said.

Police officials said the attack on the Army vehicles had taken place in the same area where five Army personnel -- Naib Subedar Jaswinder Singh, Naik Mandeep Singh and Sepoys Gajjan Singh, Vaishakh H and Saraj Singh -- were killed in an attack by militants on October 11.

During this operation, two more Army soldiers including a JCO, Subedar Ajay Singh, and Naik Harendra Singh lost their lives on October 16. The duo had earlier gone missing during the massive search operation that was carried out jointly by the Army and J&K polices Special Operations Group in the Naar Khas Forest area of Poonchs Mendhar region.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge with suspended opposition MPs during a protest over their suspension at Mahatma Gandhi statue amid the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (PTI)

NEW DELHI: Three more Opposition MPs were suspended on Thursday from the Lok Sabha, bringing the total number of suspensions from the Lower House to a record 100. Since December 14, an unprecedented total of 146 members have been suspended from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The suspended members, including three Congress MPs  D.K. Suresh, Deepak Baij, and Nakul Nath, were displaying placards and entering the well of the House. Suresh even tore and threw papers at the chair. Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for their suspension, citing their misconduct.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House. The suspensions are a response to the Opposition's demand for a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the December 13 security breach, leading to disruptions in the proceedings. On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two individuals breached security, jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery and releasing yellow smoke canisters. They were subdued by fellow MPs.
by Melani Manel Perera

In his Christmas message, the Archbishop of Colombo reminds the faithful that Jesus was born with no property like many in Sri Lanka today. The prelate also renewed his call to President Wickremesinghe to hold an international investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, released his Christmas message to the Catholic faithful today. In it, he urges Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble way due to the current difficult economic situation in the country.

Catholics have gone through Advent and will spend Christmas amid difficulties due to Sri Lankas serious economic crisis, the archbishop said.

The cost of living today is very high. A family of four spends 120,000 rupees a month for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the average monthly wage is only 80,000 rupees."

The cardinal noted that Catholics are not alone in suffering; ordinary people from other religions are also experiencing a very hard time as the costs of water, electricity and gas are constantly increasing.

Many people who work in occupations such as doctors, accountants, and technicians have left the country, which is becoming further impoverished, he lamented.

Jesus was also born very poor, the prelate reminded the Catholic community. This shows once again that it is possible to live Christmas without unnecessary waste, especially so as not to disrespect those who are poorer than us.

Indeed, Christ also had no property. No wealth. He lived on the streets, preaching from place to place. In the end, he gave everything up, sacrificed everything, and died on the Cross for us."

The Archbishop of Colombo urged all Christians, not just Catholics, to "enjoy a meal at Christmas with the poor who live near your home. On Christmas Day, our parishes will offer lunch to those who cannot put it on the table."

Cardinal Ranjith ended his message addressing President Wickremesinghe. We want the government to carry out a probe into the facts revealed by the investigation of Britains Channel 4 concerning the involvement of the authorities in the Easter massacre of 2019. We want any future investigation to be conducted under international monitoring."

Meanwhile, international agencies have reported that malnutrition is on the rise in Sri Lanka as a result of the economic crisis. In view of this, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka released its Christmas message focusing on the same theme. Let our celebration of Christmas be marked by simplicity and extravagance, reads the statement.
After Canada, the United States has released information suggesting that Indian officials and Indian national are involved in plots to kill activists fighting for the creation of Khalistan, an independent state for Sikhs. Indian PM Modi responded recently to the allegations using cautious tones, but also highlighting the growing radicalisation of the Sikh diaspora. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a key figure.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Last month the United States accused India of devising a plan to assassinate a separatist activist on US territory. The man in question is fighting for the secession of Indian State of Punjab to create Khalistan, a Sikh-majority country.

This week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on the matter for the first time. Speaking to the Financial Times, he said that India will definitely look into any evidence provided by other countries.

If any Indian citizen did anything good or bad", he explained, India would investigate it. Our commitment is to the rule of law, he insisted, adding that such issues would not undermine diplomatic relations between Delhi and Washington.

At the same, Modi questioned the US stand on freedom of speech, noting that his government is "deeply concerned about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas" who, "under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence.

Modis remarks are much more cautious and balanced than those he made a few months ago, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Delhi in connection with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Sikh separatist with Canadian citizenship who was found dead in June. At that time, Delhi rejected the claim as "absurd".

According to the US Department of Justice, an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, hired a hitman for US$ 100,000 to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer and spokesman for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist organisation founded in 2007 and banned in India in 2019.

Nikhil Gupta, 52, is currently in a prison in Prague, Czech Republic. The United States believes he was recruited by an Indian official not only to eliminate Pannun, but also to kill another person in California and at least three more in Canada as part of a wider conspiracy. For this reason, Washington has submitted an extradition request to Czech authorities.

For their part, Gupta's family has turned to the Supreme Court to intervene to get him released, but Czech authorities responded saying that India had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Yesterday, India's Ministry of External Affairs announced that it has had consular access to Gupta on at least three occasions.

India has never hidden its animosity towards Pannun. In the wake of US allegations, Delhi said that Pannun "is wanted for violation of the law."

A high-level inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the allegation and address the US government's security concerns, External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.

Pannun is accused of terrorism and sedition, and his assets in the cities of Amritsar and Chandigarh, Punjab, were seized in September.

In the early 1990s, he joined the movement for an independent Khalistan when he was still a university student. He later moved to the United States, where, after a master's degree in management, he worked as a business analyst on Wall Street.

After he joined SFJ, he began to criticise Indian politicians and celebrities who spoke against Sikh activism while visiting the United States; on such occasions, Pannun called for the application of a US law of 1789 that allows US courts to try cases related to human rights abuses committed in other parts of the world by non-US citizens.

In recent years, the Sikh diaspora, which is concentrated in the United States and Canada, has organised several referenda (with no legal import) for the creation of the independent Khalistan, actions that Delhi has always opposed.

The Indian government and the Modi regime want to kill me, they want to eliminate me for running the global Khalistan referendum voting campaign," Pannun told Time magazine in a recent interview.

This is not the first time that the Sikh separatist has used very harsh tones against the Indian government. In videos posted online by SFJ, Pannun can be seen offering rewards to those who write anti-Indian graffiti, hoist Khalistani flags on government buildings, or desecrate the flag of India.

In other posts, he threatened to shake the very foundation of Indian parliament, but also directly addressed Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah calling for their death.

In other videos, he tells Hindus in Canada to "go back to India and vowed to "avenge the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"Pannun works on optics and through his videos on social media, he attempts to instil fear in the minds of our citizens," a retired Indian intelligence official told the BBC.

"But he's clever, he's a lawyer and chooses his words carefully to avoid falling foul of the law." Until a few years ago, Pannun was more of a "nuisance", but now "he's being taken more seriously.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE.
A new decree signed a few days ago makes it even easier for Kazakhs to obtain Russian citizenship. A measure that mainly concerns the inhabitants of the northern regions with a Russian-speaking majority, which are in fact the poorest in the entire country. The migrants are of immediate use to Russia to replenish the ranks of the army, but they will be of most use after the war.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last December 18, which allows citizens of Kazakhstan (together with those of Moldova and Belarus) to easily obtain Russian citizenship, has relaunched the push to emigrate to Russia, especially by Kazakh citizens of Russian ethnicity, or otherwise attracted by better living conditions. Now it will no longer be necessary to take exams in history and the "foundations of Russian statehood", although it will be necessary to demonstrate that you possess the language.

Acquiring the red passport with the double-headed eagle was not very difficult for Kazakhs before, but now the procedure has been simplified as much as possible. According to Putin's decree, any inhabitant of Kazakhstan can become a Russian citizen immediately after obtaining a residence permit, with a simple linguistic check, and this will especially stimulate Kazakhs from the northern regions with a Russian-speaking majority, which are in fact the poorest in the whole country.

According to the Statistics Office, the emigration of Kazakhs to Russia had been following a downward curve for some time: if in 2000 there were over 108 thousand, last year they had reduced to 19 thousand, the minimum in the last twenty years. Yet, as political scientist Gaziz Abisev argues, the new conditions can really change the dynamics, and people with greater professional qualifications could now also leave: "the specialized technicians here don't necessarily try to emigrate, but at home they don't find offers adequate, and those who could be competitive on the Russian job market are certainly encouraged".

This could lead to a staffing deficit and a strong imbalance in the technology sector in Kazakhstan, and students also prefer to turn to Russia to access higher-level institutions, despite the risk of being involved in military operations. As economist Arman Bejsembaev states, "whatever the outcome of the war in Ukraine, the Russian economy will quickly get back on track as soon as the armed clashes end." If global catastrophes do not occur, with the disintegration of the state and civil war, Russia will be able to return to pre-conflict levels, but for this purpose many workers will be needed in all fields.

It will be Russia that will increasingly need the Kazakhs, rather than the opposite, explains Bejsembaev: "the ruble will continue to devalue, the economic recovery cannot occur automatically, but the Russian market will always remain the most profitable of all countries of the post-Soviet area, being the largest and most diversified". Migrants are needed by Russia immediately to replenish the ranks of the army, but they will be needed above all after the war.

Now the Moscow government wants to avoid at all costs having to announce a new mobilization, with the discontent that it would cause during the presidential election campaign. Already in October, the head of the Investigative Committee, Aleksandr Bastrykin, had proposed depriving migrants of their newly obtained passports if they refused to participate in the war in Ukraine, but to avoid negative repercussions on immigration it was decided to move from threats to flattery .

The wave of new migrants that is expected especially from Kazakhstan will certainly bring several new enlistments in the army, thanks to the promise of high compensation. The aim, however, will be to counteract the demographic decline and the loss of many workers precisely because of the war, with the many thousands of deaths and serious injuries.
The former Pakistani prime minister was granted bail in the state secrets leak case, but remains in prison for corruption. The deadline to file nomination papers for the 8 February election was extended to 24 December. Nawaz Sharif's candidacy is still an open question.

Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In Pakistan's agitated march towards the general elections set for 8 February, former Prime Minister Imran Khan  who is still trying to run from prison  scored a point today.

The Supreme Court granted him bail along with former Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi, both leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a case involving the leak of state secrets when Khan alleged that the United States tried to get rid of him when he was still prime minister.

For now, the former prime minister will remain in prison for the Toshakhana corruption case, related to gifts (including some expensive watches) received from foreign dignitaries that were not reported during his tenure as head of government.

The legal proceedings over the state secrets leak case started in prison with the trial held in-camera. However, an appeal forced the court to allow the presence of observers.

Despite his plea of innocence, Khan was sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case, which is preventing him from running in the upcoming election.

Based on his appeal, the former prime minister is asking to be allowed to run. To get him in the election campaign anyway, his party has used an artificial intelligence voice clone of him from prison.

Today, the Electoral Commission extended the deadline for filing nomination papers by two days, to 24 December. The verdict on Khans eligibility is set for 30 December.

Imran Khans rival, Nawaz Sharif, is also trying to run. A former prime minister like Khan, Sharif was also convicted of corruption, and is candidacy is still an open question. He returned to Pakistan from self-imposed exile a few weeks ago.
What You Should Know About Humiliation Play

Exploring the Potential of Erotic Embarrassment With Humiliation Play

Does the sight  or the sensation  of flushed cheeks and red ears make youquiver? Does the idea of temporarily stepping outside of normal and into the taboo make your pulse quicken? Have you ever felt ashamed or embarrassed  and also deeply aroused?

If you answered yes to any of those questions  or even if they sparked a little curiosity in you  you might be interested in exploring something known as humiliation play.

RELATED: 10 Common Sexual Fetishes and Kinks That Turn People On

A form of sexual engagement that doesnt need to involve any actual penetration, humiliation play is all about engaging the participants minds, figuring out which buttons make a person convulse with erotic embarrassment, and then pushing the hell out of them.

In order to help you better understand the ins and outs of humiliation play, AskMen spoke to some leading sexperts, educators, writers, and creatives throughout the kink world and beyond. Heres what they had to say:

What Is Humiliation Play?

Humiliation play is a variety of kink where embarrassment and erotic desire intersect.

And while it falls under the broader umbrella of BDSM, if you think humiliation play is simply spanking with insults, think again. Not only can humiliation play take on a variety of different forms, but when practiced within a safe and supportive relationship, it can be fun, cathartic, and even transformative for everyone involved as well.

Humiliation play can be entirely verbal or incorporate both verbal and physical elements; but either way, it all starts in the mind, according to professional Dominatrix and BDSM expert Alicia Zadig, author of the book Yes, Mistress: Why Men Crave Female Domination.

Erotic humiliation is a mind game, a ceding control and a thrilling dance of power and surrender, Zadig explains. For many men, this form of masochism isnt just satisfying and pleasurable, its transformative.

The excitement lies in playing with and breaking taboos  things outside of mainstream social norms youre not supposed to want or like  and exploring the forbidden, she adds. Its about finding empowerment in vulnerability, a concept that resonates deeply with the modern mans pursuit of authenticity and self-discovery.

Mark Cunningham, a licensed marriage and family therapist, AASECT-certified sex therapist, and psychedelic therapist, has a similarly holistic take. For some, he says, erotic humiliation may be a way that they tap into their own inner landscape or their relationship with their critic or other wounded parts that they may carry in an entirely new context of sexual or erotic play, and this can be validating or healing.

RELATED: Sexual Fetishes Every Guy Should Try Once

He clarifies, however, that for some the erotic aspects of humiliation may not be connected to any particular lived experiences. Like so much of our desires, it can also be a bit of a mystery.

The appeal of humiliation play is just as diverse as the individuals who seek it out; and so its never wise to assume anything about a persons real life based on their participation or preferences in the world of BDSM  or sex in general.

Midori, a world-renowned sexologist, educator and author of The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage and Wild Side Sex, suggests that we might also see humiliation play as a temporary removal of societal performance of self.

In the context of a safe and supportive structure, such as with a lover, humiliation play allows you to explore the dissonance between the tone of [your] desire with what society imposes,she explains. And its thus not without irony that erotic humiliation can remove a persons sense of shame and self-punishment.

RELATED: The Benefits of Embracing Vulnerability

However, speaking of punishment in the general sense, Midori says it is important to understand that BDSM is not about pain, its more about finding thrill in more intense sensations  like spicy food.

And at the end of playtime, you are still you: The house of self still stands  that which is removed for play is put back, Midori explains. So, humiliation play is not a denigration but more like a vacation for adults looking to shed their societal armor.

Jane Boon, author of the femdom thriller Edge Play, agrees: The underlying truth with erotic humiliation is that it requires a deep understanding by the top of what brings a lump to the bottom's throat and makes them squirm. It is an exquisite experience of being fully seen  especially for those things you rarely share because they are viewed as shameful.

Exploring Different Forms of Humiliation Play

Humiliation play can take on many different forms and tones  and its all down to the subjective desire(s) of the persons involved.

Zadig explains: In the world of BDSM, humiliation practices are as varied as they are intriguing. From verbal humiliation to public displays, each form has its unique appeal. Whats fascinating is the personalization of these practices. Its not a one-size-fits-all. It is a carefully tailored experience that can be both psychologically intense and unexpectedly liberating.

In terms of specific genres of play, Zadig explains that erotic humiliation can incorporate almost any act including:

spanking/flogging or any form of discipline

objectification/being treated like human furniture

feminization and emasculation

strap-on play

pegging and anal play (including wearing butt plugs)

body worship

shoe/boot/foot worship

forced masturbation

CFNM (Clothed Female Nude Male) or submissive nude while the Dominant remains clothed

wearing a collar and leash

being ordered to crawl on hands and knees

chastity training

cuckolding

golden showers

public play or exposure

spitting

face slapping

and so on.

According to Todd Max Carey, director of the groundbreaking feature-length BDSM documentary film tOuch Kink, The first and most important thing I learned about the fetish world is that you could watch two people  heck you can watch 20 sets of two people doing exactly the same activity  but every single one of them is having a unique experience.

Zadig agrees: Erotic humiliation is a very personal thing. What one person finds humiliating, another may not.

This seemingly endless variety of possibilities is, of course, all the more reason for partners to communicate openly and transparently about their desires, boundaries, and any concerns they have.

According to adult performer Miss Brittany Andrews, aka Mistress Mommy, One of the biggest prevailing myths about humiliation play and BDSM in general is that all submissives are into being humiliated. Wrong! Just because you are submissive does not mean that you wish to be treated in a way that presents itself with degradation and humiliation.

RELATED: 10 Kinky Sex Acts to Spice Up Your Sex Life

Andrews continues: Many submissives prefer to be appreciated and rewarded for their worship and service to their Dom  with no humiliation play in the mix.

Put differently: for one person, [humiliation] might be asking your partner to wear your panties under his power suit; for someone else, its dirty talk, Midori explains. Because humiliation can take so many forms, you absolutely need to ask.

There you have it: always ask, never assume.

What Is Small Penis Humiliation and Why Do Some Men Enjoy It?

Exactly as it is described, SPH is the verbal erotic humiliation of a willing male participant about the size of his penis.

SPH is a paradoxical yet intensely erotic experience, says Zadig. It plays with societal norms of masculinity, turning perceived weakness into a source of arousal.

And heres the plot twist: men of all penis sizes can find SPH gratifying.

Ive had many clients who enjoy SPH but have a larger-than-average penis  even pretty large. Its not about the actual size, but rather the psychology, Zadig says.

SPH play varies for each individual, she continues. For some, it can be about eroticizing something they feel self-conscious about, while for others it can tie into the fantasy of being a cuckold and that their partner desires other more well-endowed men who are more capable of pleasing them. It can be about the masculinity aspect and how men are taught since childhood to be a man. SPH toys with that.

Men often have heavily internalized the pressure to perform and be the leader and initiator, Midori adds.

SPH blows all of those societally conditioned expectations out of the water and allows the participant temporary liberation.

How to Begin Safely Exploring Humiliation Play

Exploring erotic humiliation play with a partner requires a foundation of trust and communication. Its about understanding and respecting each others limits and desires, Zadig explains. Start with an open conversation about what youre curious to explore. Set clear boundaries.

RELATED: Mistakes to Avoid When Trying Out Kink

She adds: Find out what types of humiliation would be sexy and a turn-on and find out about hard limits and areas that would be an instant turn-off. It can be as simple as an action you have your partner do or do to them, a name you may use, or a physical position that feels exposed.

Carey agrees, adding: Successful kinky play always starts with careful negotiation, where both partners must be open and fearless about their likes and dislikes, without judgment.

Now, if youre feeling tongue-tied, Midori suggests asking your partner:

How do you want to feel? And then: How do we get there?

RELATED: How to Explain Your Fetish to Your Partner

Midori also points out that planning a BDSM scene is not unlike picking out a movie, because in both of those instances, you are seeking a kind of emotional state and planning for it. Except instead of debating sci-fi vs. rom-com, Midori suggests you ask each other: What makes for a hot, sexy, squirmy, uncomfortable sex situation that you both would enjoy?

Additionally, while safe words are a great basic practice, going beyond a mere safe word allows you to empathize more deeply with each others experience as the scene progresses.

As such, because of the nature of humiliation play, Midori also suggests that partners should ask each other:

What do you look and sound like when its good for you? And what about when its bad for you?

Its all about communication, communication, communication, Andrews agrees. And gentlemen, communication also includes listening.

RELATED: How to Talk About Sex With a Partner

The Importance of Aftercare in Humiliation Play

That being said, the communication doesnt stop just because the scene has ended.

Its vital, Carey explains, for participants to check in afterward, in what's called aftercare, to ensure things went as planned. [Aftercare] is critical in maintaining healthy relationships.

No matter what your idea of aftercare is, never skimp on it. If you want to cuddle, fine. If you want to go for a walk, thats fine too. Just do something that helps you come back to reality.

Aftercare is going to be different for everyone, says Midori. "Aftercare is what each individual requires to regain a good equilibrium.

And this is also true whether you topped or bottomed; in fact, its erroneous to think that the Dominant is not just as deeply impacted by what happened as the submissive is.

Aftercare is important, as it helps maintain the emotional and psychological balance post-play, Zadig explains. This journey can be incredibly enriching, offering a deeper connection and understanding between partners.

Being Ashamed of Finding Humiliation Play Arousing

If you are ashamed of your love of being shamed or doing the shaming I would recommend looking at The Harvey Institutes Six Principles of Sexual Health, and then exploring how these are showing up in yourself or in your relationships with those you love or play with, says Cunningham. I would invite you to look at your relationship with shame and self-compassion, and perhaps explore this in therapy.

Cunningham adds: I would also invite those struggling with sexual shame of their kink to find a community like a BDSM Munch group, or meetup group for poly/kink groups so you can start destigmatizing your experience, or find supportive books like Sacred Kink by Lee Harrington, or Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliot to explore some shadow work as it relates to your desires.

RELATED: The Couples' Guide to Getting Kinky

Midori also points out the importance of keeping humiliation play in its proper context. Think of a hot humiliation scene as an ordeal in the heros journey, she says. You come out at the other end [to the person who loves you] and you put your armor back on.

If youre afraid of political incorrectness in a humiliation scene, or concerned about using language that you or your partner would [normally] find offensive, take heart: dirty talk is yet another aspect of play time that can be negotiated to your comfort  or discomfort  levels.

For example, you can tell your partner: you can call me a slut, but not a whore, Midori clarifies.

Moreover, Midori suggests that some people find it empowering to reclaim the use of what are otherwise derogatory words  but again, ultimately its down to what you and your partner agree upon.

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Airport employees often park in the Elk Lot during work. Parking for employees is typically free, but from today until Wednesday, airline employees will not be allowed to use this lot due to strains on parking capacity.
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Purchased the vehicle new (Camry SE) in January of 2013. I drive a good bit so I quickly rack up miles on a vehicle. Fuel mileage has been good. The lowest mileage that it has given was 25 mpg, this was sitting in heavy stop and go traffic. Most of the time it averages 28 to 30 mpg commuting to and from work. The only thing that I can complain about is the tires, they seem as if they are low quality (cheep) and generate some road noise. Other than that the car has been great.

Purchased the vehicle new (Camry SE) in January of 2013. I drive a good bit so I quickly rack up miles on a vehicle. Fuel mileage has been good. The lowest mileage that it has given was 25 mpg, this was sitting in heavy stop and go traffic. Most of the time it averages 28 to 30 mpg commuting to and from work. The only thing that I can complain about is the tires, they seem as if they are low quality (cheep) and generate some road noise. Other than that the car has been great.  Read More

Purchased the vehicle new (Camry SE) in January of 2013. I drive a good bit so I quickly rack up miles on a vehicle. Fuel mileage has been good. The lowest mileage that it has given was 25 mpg, this was sitting in heavy stop and go traffic. Most of the time it averages 28 to 30 mpg commuting to and from work. The only thing that I can complain about is the tires, they seem as if they are low quality (cheep) and generate some road noise. Other than that the car has been great.  Read More

I bought this car used with the warranty been expired. A few days after purchase, i felt vibrations in the car as I accelerate. I took it to a toyota dealership for inspection and was told it was the torque converter. I cam back so sad because i knew i bought a bad car. I then went on to toyotanation forum and inquired about the problem. I found out that it has been a problem with the 2012-2014 models. To fix it will cost over 2000$ and there is no guarantee it will totally eliminate the problem. I am so disappointed Toyota gave a limited warranty for the fixing of the problem. Sometimes, the vehicle goes way over 150000 miles before the problem begins to prop up.

I bought this car used with the warranty been expired. A few days after purchase, i felt vibrations in the car as I accelerate. I took it to a toyota dealership for inspection and was told it was the torque converter. I cam back so sad because i knew i bought a bad car. I then went on to toyotanation forum and inquired about the problem. I found out that it has been a problem with the 2012-2014 models. To fix it will cost over 2000$ and there is no guarantee it will totally eliminate the problem. I am so disappointed Toyota gave a limited warranty for the fixing of the problem. Sometimes, the vehicle goes way over 150000 miles before the problem begins to prop up.  Read More

I bought this car used with the warranty been expired. A few days after purchase, i felt vibrations in the car as I accelerate. I took it to a toyota dealership for inspection and was told it was the torque converter. I cam back so sad because i knew i bought a bad car. I then went on to toyotanation forum and inquired about the problem. I found out that it has been a problem with the 2012-2014 models. To fix it will cost over 2000$ and there is no guarantee it will totally eliminate the problem. I am so disappointed Toyota gave a limited warranty for the fixing of the problem. Sometimes, the vehicle goes way over 150000 miles before the problem begins to prop up.  Read More

'13 Camry XLE Hybrid... wow, what a car! By Lyndmc | on 5.0
If you live in Australia and have AUD 150,000 to spare, you could start the upcoming years as the proud owner of a gorgeous tiny house. A pre-built unit of the fabulous Wildscape by Tiny Tect is ready to be delivered as soon as January 2024, and it's a truly dazzling piece of architecture.

Photo: Tiny Tect

Photo: Tiny Tect

Photo: Tiny Tect

The Wildscape tiny, one of the most popular models available at the Australian company Tiny Tect, could easily be defined as the perfect off-grid haven for urban dwellers with an adventurer's spirit. It's just as much a rugged, self-sufficient shelter as it is a comfy and cozy family home. It's longer than eight meters (8.4 meters/27.5 feet) and taller than four meters (4.3 meters/14.1 feet), which allows a much more generous configuration compared to standard homes on wheels.This is a home that's ideally suited for family life because it boasts two spacious bedrooms, both on the main floor, a separate dining nook, and even a separate study/home office area. There's something for everybody and enough room for all members of the family to feel comfortable. The smart layout manages to create a sense of privacy, which can sometimes be lacking in small dwellings, while still enhancing socialization and spending time together through cozy setups such as the dining nook.Wildscape looks as sleek and stylish as a contemporary mansion, even though it's a miniature version. The black cladding makes it stand out, as well as the extensive glazing, one of the trademarks of Australian home design. The numerous extra-wide windows are essential for filling the entire main floor space with natural light and allowing home dwellers to take in the gorgeous views no matter where they are in the home.The configuration is not a common one . At one end of the house, an unusual loft-level lounge invites guests to take a seat, enjoy the beautiful views, and relax. It's called a reverse loft, meaning that the bedroom was placed underneath the lounge instead of the other way around, which would be more common.This makes the bedroom easily accessible for anyone and much more private because it can be fully enclosed. The only downside is that it's not very big, with the queen-sized bed taking up most of the space. What's important is that it gets properly ventilated and there's enough light thanks to the windows.A miniature staircase with open, integrated shelves is a space-saving solution. It connects the living room to the main floor while freeing up enough space for a separate dining area, which is a great feature to have in a family tiny home. This nook has a clear retro vibe that brings vintage campers and diners to mind. You rarely see a separate dining compartment such as this one inside tiny homes. The retro-inspired setup makes it much more intimate and cozy, with lovely wooden benches instead of boring chairs and a space-saving pivoting table.It's placed strategically in front of two large windows for a classic look with a nostalgic touch. The kitchen itself is bathed in natural light because it's flanked by windows. There are no overhead cupboards cluttering the area. All storage is neatly kept underneath the countertop, which adds a clean, minimalistic touch to the overall contemporary style. In the living room, an additional shelf sitting close to the ceiling provides extra storage without taking up any of the lounge space.The countertop space could rival the one in a conventional kitchen, taking full advantage of the home's length. It incorporates black, sophisticated fixtures and basic appliances such as a full-size oven and stove. Moving to the bathroom area, you'll also notice full-size appliances. The shower cabin with a glass door instantly makes this bathroom more luxurious. The slim vanity with elegant open shelves is a stylish addition as well.Alison and Ben, the wife and husband who founded Tiny Tect, are strong believers in off-grid living. Their mobile dwellings come with composting toilets instead of conventional ones, which means no more septic tanks and plumbing hassle while also being friendlier to the environment.A typical off-grid setup for the Tiny Tect homes also includes harnessing the energy of the sun through a natural passive solar design and solar trailers instead of the more common roof-mounted photovoltaic panels. Last but not least, rainwater tanks can be a great addition to the Australian climate, allowing owners of tiny homes to be completely independent from external water sources.Tiny Tect is one of the few brands in the industry that was founded by an architect with decades of experience (Alison) and a professional building project manager (Ben). This power combination is easily noticeable in the intricate, durable, and stylish design of each Tiny Tect home. The Wildscape is a beautiful combination of contemporary urban design with off-grid capabilities that looks awesome and feels great for an entire family.
The leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles in the world has chosen the country for its first European plant. The facility will be built in Szeged, Hungary. The move will create thousands of jobs in the area.

Photo: BYD

The production center in Szeged, Hungary will be the first of its kind built by a Chinese automotive company on the territory of Europe. BYD will build the plant in phases.BYD is planning to integrate the most advanced global technology and highly automated production processes into the manufacturing facility in order to turn it into one of the worlds leading centers of its kind and a green ecosystem at the same time.The construction of the plant in the Szeged area will create thousands of jobs and boost local economy, while supporting the local supply chains.One of the reasons that BYD chose Hungary for its first European plant is the fact that Hungary is a significant transportation hub for the continent. The state also features an economy based on a solid infrastructure.Meanwhile, BYD is making huge steps to establish its presence on the Old Continent. Within its first year on the European market, the Chinese have opened 230 retailer stores in 19 countries.They are also selling five models: the BYD Hang, Tan, Atto 3, Seal, and Dolphin , models that slot in segments from C to E, ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs. The auto giant is planning to launch three new models within the upcoming 12 months.BYD has started on an important mission with eh global brand vision to Cool the Earth by 1C, targeting expansion into the European market. BYD has already stoped the production of fossil-fuelled vehicles in the attempt to switch to an entirely electric lineup. It has been, after all, at the top of new energy passenger cars sales in China for the past ten years in a row.With the facility in Hungary, the company is expanding an already huge network, which integrates over 30 industrial parks in China, the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Hungary, and India.Before choosing Hungary, BYD was originally targeting a facility that belongs to Ford. The Chinese were planning on purchasing the factory in Saarlouis , Germany, a current Blue Oval facility where the American carmaker was building the Ford Focus. But with the Focus dead, the carmaker has no use for the facility anymore.Ford had announced the interest of an Asian investor, presumably BYD. But in October, the company also announced that the Asian investor was pulling out of the negotiations, leaving the center with approximately 4,600 employees, plunge back into uncertainty. Only 700 of them would remain in the plant producing components, according to a statement the automaker made to the union leaders.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is obviously a smash hit. Thirty minutes. That is long (short, actually) Toyota needed to sell 1,000 Land Cruisers in Germany. The initial allocation is already sold out. All that potential buyers can do is register on a waiting list.

SUV

Photo: Toyota

If you think that the diesel is dying, well, think again. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is sold in Europe only as a diesel. The model is powered by the 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that delivers 201 horsepower (205 metric horsepower) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque to all four corners via an eight-speed auto box.A mild-hybrid version with a 48V system will hit the market later on. US customers are getting the best of it: theis powered by the turbocharged 2.4-liter, which steers 326 horsepower (331 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque to both axles.The 2024 Land Cruiser is underpinned by Toyotas GA-F architecture, which was designed to make the vehicle 50 percent stiffer than the previous generation.And people are still buying diesels despite all the restrictions imposed by the regulations in force worldwide and the imminent demise of such engines. The speed the first Toyota Land Cruisers were sold in Germany with stands proof.Toyota had allocated an initial stock of 1,000 examples for the European state. All of them sold in half an hour. That translates to almost two (1.8) Land Cruisers sold per second.The Japanese were expecting high interest in the SUV, but they little did they know that it would break records in term of sales speed.The first customers to get their hands on a Land Cruiser were guests at the 20th Bush Taxi Meeting back in September in Ohdruf, Germany. Reservation books for the new-generation Land Cruiser opened at 8 AM on December 21 and closed 30 minutes later. The entire batch was reserved.Now, all those who are interested in purchasing a Toyota Land Cruiser must register on a waiting list. German customers are getting three versions to choose from: the Executive, Tec, and First Edition.There is no info on how many of each version of the entire batch of 1,000 examples had been allocated to Germany. What Toyota disclosed, though, is the fact that Europe will receive 3,000 units of the Land Cruiser First Edition. It is not clear how many of those set wheels on German soil.The Tec and First Edition are the best equipped of the three. They both come with Toyotas new decoupling front stabilizer bar, they ride on 20-inch alloy wheels, are equipped with a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display, while the JBL premium audio system with 14 speakers is also on board.
FBI data says that around 287 cars per 100,000 inhabitants are stolen every year. The Bureau's findings show that car theft is a serious federal problem. Recently published estimates say that the value of all stolen motor vehicles in 2022 amounts to over $44.2 billion. But some places are more prone to car thefts than others. Here's where you might want to park in a garage or at a patrolled facility.

As you may expect, car theft rates can be higher in urban areas and regions with higher population densities. The prevalence of car theft may also be influenced by factors such as lackluster local law enforcement efforts, economic conditions, and the availability of security measures like car alarms and anti-theft devices.This year might be a lot worse in that respect because of social media trends like the "Kia Boyz" that encouraged people to steal vehicles manufactured by South Korean auto brands that are part of the Hyundai group. The keyless relay attack is also a worry for vehicle owners.One in eight Americans has dealt with at least a vehicle break-in during previous winter holiday seasons. As such, you should be very wary about parking.The situation is even more dire for drivers living in or visiting cities like Riverside, California, St. Louis, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) ranked these three urban areas as the worst places for car owners who don't want to see a stranger behind their ride's steering wheel.Keep in mind that the data reveals what happened in 2022. Sadly, preliminary 2023 figures don't show any improvements. In fact, it has only gotten worse. Vivint says that in the first four months of the current year, St. Louis car thefts have increased by 50%.Miami, Florida, and Seattle, Washington, complete the top five, while San Francisco, California, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, occupy the next two spots in this ranking.Atlanta, Georgia, and Portland, Oregon, disappointingly follow suit. Detroit, Michigan, completes the top 10 cities with the most vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants.If you intend to visit one of these places or other urban areas that thieves might target, you might want to ensure that your vehicle's connected services are up to date. That's how you can track the car, in case it mysteriously vanishes . If your ride isn't equipped with this sort of tech, there are aftermarket solutions that can help the Police find your wheels quicker.Vivint's study also revealed that the most unsafe cities during the Holidays are St. Louis, Missouri; Newark, Delaware; and Salt Lake City, Utah. They champion this negative ranking after the smart home technology company compiled data from Google Search Trends and Airbnb features (30%), NBIRS and vehicle theft data (15%), and neighborhood watches (10%).As for autos, the ones thieves like most are Chevrolet Silverados, Ford F-150s, and Honda Civics.Now you know the places to avoid as a car owner who enjoys their peace of mind. Happy holidays!
kW

Photo: Screenshot Youtube | Car Review Channel

PHEV

Completely unrelated to its iconic forefather, the LM002 , which was a V12-powered truck, the Lamborghini Urus uses the same construction as other large crossovers made by the Volkswagen Group. Thus, it shares its nuts and bolts with everything from the Touareg to the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga and is the most exotic member of the family.It used to be available in a single configuration, yet last year's mid-cycle refresh has expanded the family to two members: the S and Performante. The former is the direct successor to the pre-facelifted iteration, and the latter is a more track-focused version that is lighter and more aerodynamic. Power is supplied by the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which develops an identical 666 ps (657 hp/490) in both.But Lamborghini is all about the future now, and that means electrified vehicles that pave the road toward an inevitable zero-emission lineup. The Revuelto , which replaced the mighty Aventador, features a partially electrified assembly, and the Huracan's replacement will follow a similar recipe, albeit with a smaller engine and lesser output. The Urus is also in line with this strategy, as the company is preparing a plug-in hybrid derivative.Its name is unknown, but you can find all kinds of information about it just by searching Urusonline. Some say it will be the sole survivor of the Urus family, with the S and Performante supposedly going away at the end of 2024. Still, we'd take this rumor with a pinch of salt until the automaker confirms it, yet on a related note, we wouldn't act surprised if it turns out to be correct. After all, Lamborghini's future is all-electric.Prototypes of the Urus PHEV have been spotted in the open for quite some time. This model will feature a few visual updates over the rest of the range and is understood to pack a punchier version of the powertrain used by the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. Word on the street is that it will enjoy over 700 horsepower, though we will find out if that's the case when it debuts sometime next year.In the meantime, Lamborghini's Urus PHEV has become the subject of a few renderings. Signed by Car Review Channel on YouTube, they are on the unrealistic side of things, as they imagine it with a rather futuristic makeover. Nevertheless, the model is still recognizable as an Urus, and it's certainly not bad. You can check it out in our image gallery above, and feel free to drop a line below and tell us what you think of it after.
More popular than Porsche's internal combustion-engined Panamera in terms of worldwide deliveries, the all-electric Taycan has been hit with a small recall. According to Zuffenhausen's favorite son, 205 vehicles produced for the 2021 to 2023 model years may experience a high-voltage battery short circuit.

NHTSA

kWh

Photo: Porsche

EV

More specifically, a short circuit within the battery modules. The affected vehicle population kicks off with the rear-drive Taycan, followed by the dual-motor Taycan 4S, Taycan GTS, Taycan Turbo, Taycan Turbo S, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, and Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo. As per documents filed by the automaker with the, production dates range between November 2020 through June 2023.Why are said batteries prone to short within the battery modules? Porsche told the federal watchdog that the root cause is under investigation. The German automaker believes that multiple charging events above the upper voltage limit degrade the cells and cell walls. The cells in question are supplied by LG Energy Solution Wroc?aw sp. z o.o. of Poland.The Wroclaw-based electric vehicle battery production facility is the largest in Europe, and its main customers are Renault and Volkswagen. As far as the Taycan is concerned, the gross capacity doesn't exceed 93.4for Performance Battery Plus. Turning our attention back to the recall, Porsche became aware of this problem in 2021 by means of a report of a fire that occurred shortly after charging.Said battery and a number of others were collected for analysis, indicating that repeated overcharging can damage the cells. Although the investigation is ongoing, Porsche decided to recall the aforementioned vehicles out of an abundance of caution. Taycans manufactured after June 22, 2023 are said to be fine, whereas those included in the recall were identified using machine learning and telematics data. The latter shows battery performance in real time, including charge/discharge anomalies.Be that as it may, Porsche gingerly omitted to explain why vehicles produced after June 22 are perfectly fine. Could it be that Porsche and LG also redesigned the battery modules? In any case, owners will have their vehicles inspected at no charge whatsoever. If necessary, dealers will replace all faulty modules.Owners will be notified by first-class mail no later than February 9, 2024. Until then, owners are advised to contact their preferred retailer or run the VIN on the NHTSA's website to determine whether their all-electric vehicles are indeed included in this recall.Previewed in 2015 by the Mission E design study, Porsche's first series-production electric vehicle was revealed at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Joined at the hip to the Audi e-tron GT, the Taycan rides on the J1 platform, which will be superseded by the PPE of the Macan. The Premium Platform Electric will be ultimately absorbed into the Volkswagen Group's Scalable System Platform, a highly modular architecture that will be used by all group brands.At press time, you can get a 2024 model-year Porsche Taycan in the United States of America for as little as $90,900, excluding the destination freight charge. The Environmental Protection Agency lists the Taycan GTS four-door sedan as the driving range champion, boasting 246 miles (396 kilometers) to its name.
2023 is almost over, and looking back at the updates that Android Auto received this year, it's pretty clear the number one was the Coolwalk interface.

The bug

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

The workaround

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

It's true that Coolwalk arrived later than originally announced, as Google planned to release it in the summer of 2022, but for Android Auto, the wait for highly anticipated improvements has always been long and utterly frustrating.Coolwalk started rolling out in January as one of the biggest Android Auto updates in history. It uses a concept pioneered by the CarPlay Dashboard , dividing the interface into multiple cards to allow several apps to run side-by-side on the same screen.The cards are basically separate frames for certain app categories, such as navigation and audio players. Each app runs in a card, so Coolwalk eventually displays multiple apps on the same screen, regardless of its resolution and aspect ratio.However, as many people eventually found out the hard way, the Coolwalk interface is based on a clever approach but aligns with the overall Android Auto stability. It means Coolwalk sometimes breaks down without users changing a single thing on their side.The first major bug hitting Coolwalk surfaced in February, only a few weeks after Google started the rollout. It has since become more widespread, and despite Google allegedly polishing the experience with updates released throughout 2023, the problem is still around today.More specifically, some of the users whose updates received the Coolwalk update ended up with a frozen screen when the new interface was enabled.However, the odd part is that Coolwalk doesn't freeze entirely but only in the lower part of the screen. The upper part works correctly, but everything on the lower side is frozen , including the taskbar.If you're familiar with the Android Auto interface, you probably know what it means. The lower side is also the home of the taskbar, so a freezing bug makes it impossible for users to switch apps.As a result, users were stuck with whatever app was running on the screen, as they couldn't interact with the taskbar to toggle to another app.Most people who encountered the problem believed Google Maps was responsible for this odd behavior, while others blamed the Coolwalk update. Eventually, it all looked like a mix of the two, with the freezing problem originating from Google Maps running on Android Auto.Users have been trying all kinds of solutions since the first report landed online, but nothing seemed to work to prevent the freezing from happening on Android Auto. The most recent builds didn't change anything, as the frozen screen is still a thing in the Android Auto world. The most recent Android Auto build today is 11 beta.Unsurprisingly, users have already removed and reinstalled Android Auto, cleared the cache, and deleted the app data. Nothing worked, as the freezing bug still occurred when they launched the app in their car.One of our readers recently reached out to me with a solution they claim brought things back to normal after months of struggle. They say they came across my previous coverage of this bug, and after further investigation, they discovered two toggles that seemingly impacted the Coolwalk experience, causing the Android Auto freezing problem.I searched online for more context and found several other users who claimed the same solution did the trick in their cars. It's unclear if this is a universal fix or just resolved the problem for the luckiest users, but it's probably worth a try if you can't get Coolwalk to work in your car.It all comes down to two settings available on your Android device. They are called "remove animations" and "reduce transparency and blur" and are located under the "Vision enhancements" menu bundled with the Android operating system. You can find them on any device running Android 14, and depending on your Android OEM, they could also be available on devices running Android 13.It turns out that enabling these two options breaks down Coolwalk, causing the freezing bug when the mobile device connects to the head unit in a car. Coolwalk comes with several animations to make the experience more fluid, so enabling the two settings and, therefore, blocking the visual effects triggers this long-time bug that not even Google managed to fix.These two settings typically come in handy for users who want to simplify the Android experience and reduce the animations across the operating system. They also help improve the device's performance, as the visual effects could cause slowdowns and lag when interacting with apps and the operating system.The suggestion is worth a try if you're struggling with the same problem, so if you previously configured Android to disable animations, blur, and other visual effects, make sure you return to the default configuration on the mobile device. If the suggestion worked, please post a comment in the box after the jump to let us and other readers know that a solution exists.
kWh

Photo: carwow

Now it's time for some intense racing. Or at least someone's definition of "intense."Just for kicks, both cars were in Eco mode during the first race, and as soon as it began, the BYD Seal's alarms started going off. When you exceed 50 mph (80 kph), it starts beeping and scolding you, even though it packs over 500 hp. Then, after the driver started breaking, the hazard lights began blinking out of the blue.Apparently, the Seal is really naggy when you try to have some fun in it. Moreover, unlike the Tesla, if you don't keep your foot on the break when you're stationary, the Seal will start moving. They tried to fix this from the console, but it seems no such option exists for now. Not to mention that although it's electric, it has a delay when you floor it.So, after they reverted to their Race mode equivalent, it was time to do a proper race. Everything was in order this time, and the BYD was in the lead for more than half the race. However, the Tesla slowly but surely gained some ground and crept up for a photo finish. This happened twice in a row, but as it turns out, the Seal won both races by mere inches.In the end, they both finished the standard quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds. As for the first "unofficial" Eco mode race, the Tesla won with 15.8 seconds, while the BYD Seal crossed the finish line in 16.4 seconds.A couple of 1/2-mile roll races soon followed, where the Seal lost both times mainly due to the 117 mph (188 kph) limiter. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range hit its limit at 126 mph or 203 kph.So, while it was 2-0 for the BYD at drag racing and 2-0 for the Tesla at roll racing, the tie-breaker came from the braking test (pun intended). They had to reach a complete stop from 100 mph or 161 kph, and the BYD won by almost two car lengths.
Only two months ago, the Chinese AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) company was proud to announce that its flagship eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) had officially become the world's first certified autonomous, passenger-carrying electric air taxi. Now, EHang has also delivered the first unit to its owner and is gearing up for commercial operations.

In October 2023, the CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration in China) issued the type certificate (TC) for the EH216-S eVTOL, marking a worldwide industry first for self-flying, passenger-carrying electric air taxis. Now, EHang has also officially received the standard airworthiness certificate (AC), which basically signals the green light for large-scale manufacturing and commercial operations.What better way for an AAM company to end the year than by delivering its first certified aircraft? This pioneering EH216-S aircraft was delivered to ETON, an intelligent aviation technology subsidiary of Guangzhou Development District Communications Investment Group Co., Ltd. The company is managed by the local government of Huangpu District in Guangzhou and will launch the first aerial tourism operations in the area using electric air taxis.The AC will also allow EHang to expand its production capabilities at the Yunfu Production Base, which will soon start delivering more units of the EH216-S to customers.The Chinese eVTOL reached this point in a record time of three years. However, it's been testing the pilotless electric aircraft for much longer than that, with more than 40,000 flight tests under its belt at this moment.The EH216-S is a short-range two-seat UAV. It can cover ranges of up to 22 miles (35 km) on a single charge while cruising at 80.7 mph (130 kph) and a maximum altitude of 9,800 feet (3,000 meters). Its battery needs two hours to be fully charged.Some of EHang's most interesting customers are the Spanish Police, which became the first one in the EU to add eVTOLs to its fleet, and Prestige Aviation, an operator that is bringing the Chinese pilotless air taxi to Bali.

Last year, the EHang eVTOL made waves in Japan, where it carried out multiple demonstration flights, setting new industry records in the process. The electric aircraft completed an extensive tour of four Japanese cities (Amagasaki, Fukuyama, Sakaide, and Oita) and made several breakthroughs. For instance, it demonstrated aerial sightseeing over the sea and completed a flight carrying its largest payload to date (80 kg/176 lbs).The EH216-S made it to the finish line faster because it's now fully certified in China. Other eVTOLs aiming for autonomous operations need to comply with the harsher requirements set up by the civil aviation authorities in Europe and the US. Still, having pilotless electric machines flying in the sky is no longer a sci-fi dream but is closer to becoming a day-to-day reality.
2023 marked a dramatic change in the world situation. War, exploitation and social unrest are intensifying, as the unbearable weight of the global capitalist crisis is offloaded by the ruling class onto the downtrodden and oppressed. In this period of turmoil and social explosions, it is imperative for communists to unashamedly and unerringly declare who we are, and what we stand for. Comrades of the International Marxist Tendency have been rising to the occasion all around the world!

In particular, Israels war on Gaza has lit a spark in the hearts and minds of all who wish to bring an end to the horrors of capitalism and imperialism. More and more people are realising that the only way forward is to turn this epoch of war and misery into one of revolution. And this will only be possible by organising the most determined class fighters out there.

This is the task that the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) set itself in 2023  with great success! To prove this, we have put together a recap of our organisations most important achievements and events over the course of this year.

If you are a communist, the IMT needs you to help us build a revolutionary organisation. If you are reading this, and you are not already a member, then get organised and help us put an end to the nightmare of capitalism once and for all!

Are you a communist?

The standout achievement of 2023 for the IMT is without doubt the Are You a Communist? (AYAC) campaign / Image: Lucha de Clases

The standout achievement of 2023 for the IMT is without doubt the Are You a Communist? (AYAC) campaign. Across the world, the deepening crisis of capitalism is demonstrating every day the superiority of communism to the present system of exploitation and oppression. This has awoken in a significant layer of workers and youth a growing desire to join the fight to overthrow capitalism.

From Denmark to South Africa, from Taiwan to Mexico, comrades of the IMT have tirelessly put up hundreds of thousands of stickers and posters inviting communists to get organised. This has resonated deeply with a growing number of people and has led to the unprecedented growth of our International.

Thanks to the AYAC campaign, our comrades have received thousands of requests to join the IMT, with many messages highlighting the growth of class consciousness among young people and workers.

The communists have arrived!

A landmark event both for the International in 2023 and for the AYAC campaign was the IMTs World Congress, which was held in early August. 400 comrades from more than 40 countries gathered in Italy for five days to discuss the world situation and the tasks of the communists.

With sessions covering topics from the Marxist approach to war to how to build a Bolshevik organisation, the Congress armed the comrades internationally with an immense arsenal of communist ideas and methods. On this basis, the Congress was able to boldly declare that the communists have arrived!

Above all else, this years World Congress showed the immense determination of the comrades around the world. In a galvanising financial collection, the sections raised 630,000 to fund the work of the IMT  completely smashing the ambitious target of 450,000.

The collection saw staggering donations from the developed capitalist countries, such as Switzerland, Canada and the US, but also significant donations from comrades in the areas hit hardest by the global crisis of capitalism, such as Venezuela, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Do you want to conquer Marxist ideas? Then join the communists in the International Marxist Tendency! pic.twitter.com/y8kZZ86GXo  Socialist Appeal (IMT) (@socialist_app) August 11, 2023

A party of a new type

In order to better reflect the boldness of the AYAC campaign, some sections of the IMT have taken the decision to rename themselves in the coming period.

Socialist Appeal, the British section of the IMT, has announced that next month it will be changing the name of its fortnightly paper to The Communist, and will next year hold a special congress to change the organisations name to the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP).

This is a very significant step that will ensure that our comrades in Britain carry the unblemished standard of communism wherever they go, sweeping away the legacy of the reformists and Stalinists that have misused the name communist for decades.

The refounding of the British section is the culmination of their campaign to reach 1,000 members this year, which with the help of the AYAC campaign was readily achieved. Going into 2024 with over 1,100 comrades, the soon-to-be Revolutionary Communist Party has set its sights on reaching 2,000 members within the next year.

2024 will be a massive year for the Marxists in Britain. In January, we are launching a new paper: The Communist. And in May, we are founding the Revolutionary Communist Party. Support these vital ventures. Donate to our campaign fund today!



 https://t.co/IScpGQTA7X pic.twitter.com/E3OFji8OD7  Socialist Appeal (IMT) (@socialist_app) December 15, 2023

Audacity, audacity, and still more audacity

Much like in Britain, the IMT in Brazil has also taken the decision to rename their organisation from Marxist Left to the Internationalist Communist Organisation. This comes at a time when the section has grown by almost 70 percent since the beginning of this year, thanks to the consistent work of the comrades.

In Canada, Fightback/La Riposte socialiste received 150 requests to join within just the first week of the AYAC campaign. The Canadian section of the IMT has reached the important milestone of over 200 members in Quebec and can now proudly say that it is the largest Trotskyist organisation in Canadian history!

The United States has also made the most of the AYAC campaign. In the month of September alone, over 200 people joined Socialist Revolution, the US section of the IMT. Individual branches tripled in size in the course of one month, such as the comrades in Dallas, who recruited 18 people in one meeting.

These achievements have been repeated in country after country, showing the explosive growth of class consciousness internationally, particularly among young people.

Comrades have also not been afraid to ruffle a few feathers with the AYAC campaign. Right wingers and reactionaries the world over have expressed their outrage that the communists are recruiting for revolution.

Failed Republican congressional nominee Laura Loomer, Turning Point USA, Kristian Niemietz  the head of political economy at a major libertarian think-tank in the UK, prominent Danish businessman Martin Buch Thorborg, major Swiss newspaper Basel jetzt; all of these and more have taken time out of their day to scream into the void about the AYAC campaign.

With enemies like these, we must be doing something right!

Championing revolutionary theory

A communist organisation is nothing without its ideas. The sound understanding and active defence of Marxist theory is the bedrock on which the IMT is built. The purpose of all our activities is not simply to bring communists together, but to give them the theoretical training necessary to achieve our revolutionary goals.

For this reason, marxist.com has endeavoured to bring readers high-quality Marxist analysis in over 35 languages. This year we have uploaded over 1,000 articles, which constitute a goldmine of revolutionary material that is unrivalled anywhere else online.

We have been particularly pleased to publish articles such as the English translations of the contributions to a debate between our comrades in the Spanish State and the Socialist Movement, which has rapidly emerged as a force organising radical youth in the region.

Such fraternal dialogue and debate is invaluable at a time when the ideas and tactics of the communists must be our sharpest tool in the class struggle.

But the theoretical output of the IMT is not limited to this website. Wellred Books, the publishing house of the International, has been extremely busy in 2023 and has upheld its well-deserved reputation as one of the finest sources of revolutionary literature worldwide. This is reflected in Wellreds sales this year, which reached almost 14,000 books!

This years bestseller for Wellred was the much-anticipated publication of Alan Woods Class Struggle in the Roman Republic, the first ever complete history of the Roman Republic from a Marxist perspective. The book was officially launched at the IMT World Congress, with Alan speaking on the lessons of this period for the class struggle today.

Some of our comrades in Sweden discussing The Class Struggle in the Roman Republic 



Click below to get a copy for yourself and delve into this treasure trove of history and theory!



 https://t.co/01SadPGHhw pic.twitter.com/08ilwfJrc7  Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) August 23, 2023

Another standout publication in 2023 was Women, Family and the Russian Revolution by John Peter Roberts and Fred Weston. Making second place in this years Wellred bestsellers, this enlightening book provides a Marxist analysis of the womens struggle in Russia throughout the 20th century. Having won significant freedoms thanks to the conquest of power by the working class in 1917, women were steadily disempowered under the Stalinist degeneration of the Soviet Union.

Order our latest book now at https://t.co/2zvt52d5Fv  pic.twitter.com/VWUf7CHxCo  Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) May 3, 2023

Alongside these new texts, we are also proud to have republished this year Trotskys Writings on Britain, with a new introduction by Rob Sewell. This monumental compilation of Trotskys work deals with one of the most turbulent periods in British history with remarkable clarity. With chapters dealing with topics from philosophy to economics to history, Writings on Britain is a must-read for communists worldwide. Clearly readers were aware of this, with Writings on Britain making this years top three most popular books from Wellred.

A few pictures sent in from Kensington, London to get started pic.twitter.com/sLSPONhp1V  Wellred Books Britain (@WellredBritain) March 6, 2023

In addition to the IMTs English-language publications, a number of invaluable translations were released this year.

Alan Woods The History of Philosophy: a Marxist Perspective  one of the highlights of Wellred Books publications in 2022  is now available in Spanish, French and German, thanks to the tireless work of IMT comrades in a number of countries.

In defiance of heavy state censorship, our comrades in Pakistan also recently held a launch event for the Urdu translation of Alan Woods Bolshevism: The Road to Revolution / Image: Lal Salaam

In defiance of heavy state censorship, our comrades in Pakistan also recently held a launch event for the Urdu translation of Alan Woods Bolshevism: The Road to Revolution. That this modern classic of revolutionary theory and practice is now available to a new layer of communists in Pakistan cannot come at a more important time for the crisis-ridden region.

Last but by no means least from Wellred Books this year were four spectacular editions of In Defence of Marxism magazine (IDOM). IDOM magazine is the premium regular source of Marxist theory published in print internationally and this year brought readers articles on everything from the Spanish conquest of the Americas to an assessment of the impact of Artificial Intelligence.

Selling 13,000 magazines this year in English and Spanish alone, this has been by far the most successful year yet for IDOM. In addition, the magazine is available in eight languages, making it a genuinely internationalist publication, read in dozens of countries worldwide.

Launching on 15 July 



Subscribe to the In Defence of Marxism magazine at https://t.co/uF17EBsfX9  pic.twitter.com/69LtNE7eew  Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) July 3, 2023

For those who prefer to listen to their Marxist theory, however, 2023 was certainly no disappointment.

This year Wellred released 44 brand new audiobooks. This includes classics such as Lenins Imperialism or Marxs Eighteenth Brumaire, as well as modern publications including Marie Frederiksens The Revolutionary Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg and Rob Sewells Germany: from Revolution to Counter-Revolution.

In addition, 2023 saw the launch of two new IMTs podcasts, International Marxist Radio, and then The Spectre of Communism, which have regularly produced in-depth interviews and discussions on topics from contemporary news to history and theory.

Spanning 40 episodes and reaching 120,000 streams this year, the IMTs podcasts have proven to be a useful and popular tool for educating communists worldwide. The show has also hosted speakers from the United States, Pakistan, France, Germany, South Africa and Britain, making it a truly international operation.

Record-breaking schools and congresses

But articles and podcasts can never compare to the educational impact of in-person activity. This year saw some of the biggest gatherings that the IMT has ever organised. Here are some examples of the stunning work that the comrades of the IMT have been up to.

One of the most recent events of the year was the Workers Socialist School, organised by the Red Workers Front in Karachi. This was not only the RWFs first workers' school, it was the first political school for workers in the history of Pakistan. With 170 people attending, some of whom had to travel for more than 20 hours to make it, the school was a stunning achievement on the part of the comrades.

Simultaneously, on the other side of the world, our recent 5th Panamerican Marxist School in Mexico City was an immense success. Gathering 110 comrades from 15 countries, the event was possible thanks to the generous collection of $10,000 in small and medium donations from comrades and supporters of the IMT internationally.

The IMTs largest in-person school of the year was the Revolution Festival, organised by the British section. This years event attracted 1,000 communists including visitors from across Europe and the Americas. In a profound display of revolutionary sacrifice, the comrades raised 210,000 to help fund the relaunch of the section and its paper, blasting through the target of 160,000.

Tonight's plenary session 'Building communism in Britain' has kicked off with a fantastic video charting the explosive growth of the IMT in recent months.



The mood is electric! Now onto Rob Sewell's talk on the crisis in Britain and the role of communists. #RevolutionFestival pic.twitter.com/GZrucOKWzb  Socialist Appeal (IMT) (@socialist_app) November 11, 2023

The extremely important work of the IMTs comrades in the Middle East and North Africa was also immensely successful this year. The IMTs first ever Arabic-language Marxist University, held online in March, attracted 254 registrations and consistently maintained a high participation throughout, despite difficulties accessing the internet in the region.

Turning our attention to the Americas, last months congress and cadre school of the Brazilian section brought together 200 communists from across the country. This event included an extremely timely Rally Against Imperialist Wars, which put forward an internationalist position on the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine and was held jointly with the Brazilian Communist Party  Revolutionary Reconstruction.

In North America, this years Montreal Marxist Winter School was the largest Marxist gathering in Canada in a generation! 460 attendees from five countries met for a weekend of talks under the theme The Revolutionary Party. The dedication and enthusiasm of the comrades was reflected in the thirst for theory, with $17,000 worth of Marxist literature sold in just two days.

Final session of #mws2023 : Fred Weston of @marxistcom speaking on Ted Grant and the Fourth International! pic.twitter.com/hFI6iGukQl  Fightback (@CanadaMarxists) February 19, 2023

In the United States, the comrades have also been busy organising schools. Hundreds of communists from across the country attended four separate Marxist Schools, which IMT comrades organised in New York, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Bellingham.

Phoenix #MarxistSchool off to a great start today with discussions on "The German Revolution of 1923" and "Palestinian Liberation: Intifada Until Victory!"



Are you a #communist? There's still time to register and attend the rest of the day and tomorrow: https://t.co/UsjfIPOI3X pic.twitter.com/4HzSXGPfwd  Socialist Revolution (@usimt) November 4, 2023

In Europe, the recent IMT Francophone School, held in Geneva, brought together 200 French-speaking communists from four countries. It was the largest French-language event the IMT has ever organised and comrades raised an impressive 11,000 Swiss francs.

 Venus de Paris, Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille, Grenoble, Montpellier et d'ailleurs encore, les militants de Revolution se sont reunis a Geneve aux cotes de nos camarades suisses, belges et quebecois, pour une nouvelle edition de notre Ecole Francophone Internationale !  pic.twitter.com/PiAtHDGJmm  Revolution (@revolution_tmi) November 26, 2023

Across the border in Germany, last months Karl Marx Seminar 2023 attracted 188 young communists from eight countries for a weekend of discussion dedicated to the German Revolution of 1918-1923. An excellent financial collection raised over 28,000!

Uber 120 Teilnehmer beim Karl-Marx-Seminar in Berlin! Unser bisher grotes Seminar war ein voller Erfolg.

Nach diesem Wochenende voller Diskussion uber marxistische Theorie, geht es jetzt wieder an die revolutionare Praxis.#Revolution #marx22 #roterherbst #CommunismOnCampus pic.twitter.com/DWxAG39T9A  der funke Deutschland (@derfunkeDE) November 14, 2022

In Austria, this years Pfingstseminar included 15 workshops on wide ranging topics. 200 communists took part, with guests from across Europe giving the event a truly internationalist spirit.

Apart from schools, however, many sections also organised groundbreaking congresses this year!

The 22nd congress of the IMT in Italy took place in February, with comrades meeting for their first in-person congress since the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was a great success, attracting 180 comrades from over 25 cities across Italy.

The 22nd congress of Sinistra Classe Rivoluzione: an unforgettable event https://t.co/lOgo6fnCsz pic.twitter.com/n17RdNTna5  Sinistra Classe Rivoluzione (@falcemartello) March 23, 2023

The Swedish section of the IMT held an important congress in April, bringing together over 100 enthusiastic communists. Thanks to the impressive determination of the comrades, more than 37,000 was raised to help build the IMT.

Similarly, the IMT in the Spanish state held an important congress earlier this year, in Madrid. Dozens of comrades attended from across Spain, as well as from Catalonia and the Basque Country.

There were also important steps taken towards growing the IMTs work in countries where we previously did not have a presence. 2023 saw the first meetings of the IMT in Hungary and Ireland, with regular communist newspapers being launched by our comrades in both countries.

Intifada until victory!

Communists will always stand on the side of the oppressed and are not afraid to raise our voice / Image: Der Funke

Since October, however, the defining feature of the IMTs work internationally has been our response to the brutal war that is being fought by the Israeli ruling class against the people of Gaza. Communists will always stand on the side of the oppressed and are not afraid to raise our voice, even in the face of repression.

This website is proud to have published over 40 English-language articles on Israel and Palestine since 7 October. These articles have not only reported on events as they happen, but have provided a consistent theoretical, historical and above all a communist perspective.

In the past two weeks, tens of thousands of people across the United States have rallied in support of #Palestine. The communists organized in the IMT participated in over 40 demonstrations in 21 cities across the country. Here are photos from just a few of them! #DefendGaza pic.twitter.com/3GL10M4jUf  Socialist Revolution (@usimt) October 20, 2023

Likewise, the comrades of the IMT internationally have done an outstanding job expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine. Often, as the most consistent opponents of imperialist war, our comrades have come under attack from the ruling class. Everywhere, however, the IMT has stood firm and, unlike much of the left, we have always resisted pressures to capitulate or water-down our principles.

In Britain and Canada, universities have attempted to silence the activities of our student comrades using methods including censorship, threats, and actually shutting down or suspending our student groups.

In several countries, our comrades were targeted by the police for their determined support for Palestine. In Sweden, a comrade was detained by police simply for reading our material on a public train. The Metropolitan Police in London, meanwhile, orchestrated a manhunt against three of our comrades via Twitter, in an attempt to intimidate them into silence.

 BREAKING - The Met Police, under pressure from the Tories, are trying to attack comrades of the International Marxist Tendency with spurious allegations, because we have been boldly calling for revolutionary solutions at Palestine demonstrations.



Article will follow soon. pic.twitter.com/q1OWazpq5F  Socialist Appeal (IMT) (@socialist_app) November 3, 2023

Comrades in many countries have also been targeted by the right-wing media, which has spewed lies and accusations of terrorist sympathising against us. In Austria, the national public broadcaster claimed that the IMT celebrated the Hamas attacks as a revolutionary deed.

Likewise, Swiss capitalist media launched a full-scale offensive against our comrades, accusing them of defending Hamas, encouraging violence and being anti-semites. In Britain too, the Telegraph, frothing at the mouth, claimed the slogan intifada until victory is antisemitic, violent and pro-Hamas.

The Telegraph (@Telegraph) has openly attacked communists and Marxists at UK universities for expressing solidarity with Palestine. We are not intimidated. We will redouble our efforts to support Palestine by fighting to overthrow the imperialist British government. pic.twitter.com/95yx6kE7Gt  Socialist Appeal (IMT) (@socialist_app) October 18, 2023

These are just a handful of examples of the attempts of supposedly liberal democratic regimes to undermine the free speech of communists in their support for Palestine  but without success!

Comrades of the IMT have made a bold impact at demonstrations around the world and have put forward a communist position to tens of thousands through speeches at demos and rallies.

In Italy, comrades in Modena organised an impressive campaign inside the metalworkers union in solidarity with the Palestinian people. This culminated in a lively demonstration of 2,000 workers and youth, led by our comrades, under the slogan Palestina libera (Free Palestine).

Always and everywhere, our comrades have remained defiant. Faced with all sorts of attacks, we proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the Palestinian people in declaring: Intifada until victory!

A revolutionary banner on May Day

1 May, International Workers Day, was another key occasion in which comrades of the IMT internationally stood up and proudly declared that the communists are here, and we are organised!

This year, the IMT was active on May Day in over 30 countries, as comrades carried the red flag high and marched in solidarity with workers struggles everywhere. Below are some highlights of this years May Day for the IMT; a full report on all our activities on the day is available here.

In Britain, comrades attended demonstrations in 12 cities, with more than 100 communists forming a revolutionary bloc in London. The audacious revolutionary enthusiasm of the comrades on the bloc made an impact on all those attending, with 215 papers being sold, alongside 650 of other educational material.

Our Danish comrades also had an impressive May Day, organising their own event entitled Revolutionary May Day  for class struggle and socialism. In sharp defiance of the attempts of the reformists to turn May Day into a drinking holiday, our comrades explicitly revolutionary event attracted several hundred people over the course of the day.

Our Danish comrades also had an impressive May Day / Image RS

While in North America there may not be a strong tradition of celebrating International Workers Day, comrades in Canada and the United States attended demonstrations across the continent, selling hundreds of papers and meeting dozens of young communists eager to get organised. In Toronto, IMT comrades organised a meeting on the history and significance of May Day, with over 110 people in attendance.

In Nigeria, despite immense economic hardship and political turmoil, our comrades sold 119 papers across demonstrations in three major areas: Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja. This was a great success given a relatively low turnout from workers, who are being hit hard by the deep social and economic crisis impacting the country.

In Nigeria, despite immense economic hardship and political turmoil, our comrades sold 119 papers across demonstrations in three major areas / Image: Workers Alternative

May Day also saw the largest mobilisation to date for the Polish section of the IMT, who were able to sell almost half of their supply of newspapers at a demonstration in Warsaw. Our comrades were the only group raising the concrete task of building a revolutionary organisation in Poland and internationally, with one comrade giving a well-received revolutionary speech about the need for workers to fight back against capitalism.

Striking back

2023 saw a wave of huge strikes sweep the world. IMT comrades consistently showed revolutionary solidarity with these movements, which concretely demonstrate the immense power that the working class holds.

From the near-insurrectionary strike in France against Macrons hated retirement age hike, to the recent strike of 600,000 public sector workers in Quebec, to the mega-strike of German transport workers in March, wherever the workers moved, comrades of the IMT have been attending picket lines, publishing reports and following the growing militancy of the labour movement.

Place de la Republique, Paris



pic.twitter.com/xKsFGbIfAv  Joseph Attard (@josephattard02) January 19, 2023

Swedish comrades, for example, have been attending picket lines for the ongoing strike of Tesla mechanics. The immense wave of solidarity with the workers, in which our comrades are playing a part, has been a slap to the face of arrogant billionaire Elon Musk.

Swedish comrades have been attending picket lines for the ongoing strike of Tesla mechanics / Image: Revolution

In Britain, comrades energetically mobilised to support the strike of over half-a-million workers at the beginning of February. Comrades attended dozens of picket lines and demonstrations, connecting the power of the strike to the need for workers to organise.

Likewise in May, Belgian comrades supported the strike of thousands of workers at Delhaize, the countrys biggest supermarket chain. Comrades put forward the need for solidarity committees to prevent the inspiring struggle of these workers from becoming isolated.

In March, following a tragic and avoidable train crash in Greece which killed over 50 people, our comrades took part in a militant general strike that brought up to 150,000 people onto the streets of Athens.

In all of these instances, the IMTs message is simple: the unity and strength of the working class is the only force that can change society for the better.

We only want the earth

The IMT is growing at an unprecedented rate / Image: IMT

These examples are just a taster of what the IMT has been up to around the world in 2023. Every day, somewhere in the world, our comrades are active in their local areas or their workplaces, spreading communist ideas and getting people organised for revolution.

What is clear, however, is that more and more people are realising that there is no solution to the problems of the oppressed under capitalism. The IMT is growing at an unprecedented rate, allowing our comrades to reach more and more radical workers and youth every year.

The forces of communism are stronger now than they have been for a considerable time, but they are not yet strong enough. If we are to be ready for the social explosions that impend, we need thousands and tens of thousands of trained communists at the forefront of revolutionary movements wherever they develop.

In the words of Irish Marxist revolutionary, James Connolly, our demands are most moderate, we only want the earth. Although there is much to be done, our goal is nothing less than the total liberation of the masses from the chains of class society. Join us, comrade, in the most important struggle facing humanity today.
4WD

SUV

If we take the highlights, the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs have a punchier diesel engine, improved suspension setups, new technology and features, new signature LED lighting, a larger, now "best-in-class" 17.1-inch infotainment display, and more. As such, they are far more enticing  including now with a 305 hp and 495 lb-ft turbodiesel Duramax engine, 10% more potent than its predecessor.As such, many people will probably wait a little longer to get a 2025 Tahoe or Suburban , especially since the optional SuperCruise will be released after the initial launch. However, we don't expect the lineup to change from the current setup  Tahoe can be had in 2WD andguise with LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims, while the larger Suburban features the exact same grades, of course.This probably shouldn't be a deal breaker for anyone because there's enough choice with one major exception  the only true off-road oriented trim is the 4WD-only Z71, and maybe that has started growing a bit long in the tooth for some people. For example, perhaps they would love to see the 2025 Tahoe and Suburban adopt the more extreme stance of their truck counterparts.More precisely, some folks would love to see, at the very least, the (slightly) nimbler Tahoe feature the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison treatments just like its Silverado 1500 and HD siblings. For sure, if ever real, these adventurous trims would surely pay a beautiful homage to the times when Chevrolet was building the popular K5 Blazer, and thecould go anywhere at any time.However, we might never see a Tahoe ZR2 in the real world, let alone a ZR2 Bison. No worries, there's also the imaginative realm of digital car content creators  and over there, this virtual artist, better known as c_zr1 on social media, gives us CGI food for thought in the form of a Tahoe ZR2 Bison fitted with the 682-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Caddy Escalade-V. Wait, what?Yep, since this is all wishful thinking, the pixel master not only transformed the Tahoe with the usual ZR2 Bison features like Multimatic's DSSV suspension system, 35-inch tires, and beadlock off-road wheels, electronic front and rear locking differentials, side guards and bottom protections, a newly shortened front bumper and all the other perks that Colorado and Silverado models get. Instead, the CGI expert also performed a pretty cool swap and dropped the 682-hp supercharged V8 under the ZR2 Bison-style hood. What do you think of it?
22 December 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The growing chaos around the world is affecting the whole system, deforming and dehumanising human hearts. Azerbaijan and Armenia have found a way to achieve the signing of a peace treaty, as evidenced by the recent actions of the parties to exchange prisoners of war.

In the end, it was accepted for both sides to solve issues and cases without the participation of mediators, as over the past 35 years the participation of different mediators has not led to the improvement of the situation in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Existing shadow organisations controlled by the West have always wanted to see enmity between the neighbours of the South Caucasus represented by Armenia and Azerbaijan. Perhaps shadow groups were the founders of creation of dozens of terrorist groups on the territory of Armenia, which in consequence unleashed wars and strife between neighbours.

There is no more conflict, Garabagh was returned by the Azerbaijani army after the completion of the anti-terrorist operation on 19 September, recognised by the Armenian Prime Minister as a part of Azerbaijan as well as recognised by the world community. Huge support of Armenian lobbyists around the world, Western investments are used to spread propaganda of anti-Azerbaijani statements, "prosecutors represented by Ocampo", "Lemkin" institute and state institutions are bribed. Instead of the propaganda of "ethnic cleansing", "genocide and exodus of Armenians" and the huge amount of investments for their propaganda, it could be beneficial for Armenians if they pursue the desire for peace and prosperity with their neighbours.

In Azerbaijan, the majority is for peace with Armenia and does not want to antagonise its neighbours, which is not the case with the latter. Just as the existing shadow organisations in Armenia provoked people to hate Muslims and their Turkic neighbours, this hatred continues to spread in the minds of Armenian society. Some do not hide their desire for "revenge", and one of them is the head of the Tavush Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bagrat Galastanyan, who in his sermon decided to go against the law of both the creator and the local authorities. In the sermon, he called on Armenians to go to war with Azerbaijan and called himself a revanchist.

"Yes, I consider myself a revanchist and I will live like that until the last second of my life."

How can a person being a sacred servant talk about revanchism and incite people to go to war with Azerbaijan? Perhaps in Armenia, this is how they think, where there is no limit to their fantasies. In Armenia, there is still a maniacal desire to revive the already-dead issue of the "Nagorno Karabakh", which is a potential threat to destabilise the situation in the South Caucasus. The West is just waiting for an opportunity to arm Armenians and send them to war, and this provocation by the clergyman is a good reason for that.

It is worth paying attention to the statements of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with PTA on 19 December, where the issue of "Nagorno-Karabakh" was raised. Saying that -

"Armenia's leaders of 1990-1991 did not say that we need independence to have a state, they said that we need an independent state to solve the problem of "Nagorno-Karabakh."

Here is the most important question.

Now the representatives of the opposition say that the existence of Armenia without "Nagorno-Karabakh" makes no sense because the statehood of Armenia was created to solve the "Karabakh" issue. That is, if the "Nagorno-Karabakh" issue was solved, what would be the fate of Armenia after its solution?

Therefore, the separatists, vassals of the West, needed "NK" more than Armenia itself, and based on Pashinyan's words, the opposition is still committed to the opinion that Armenia was created to solve the "Garabagh issue".

The popularity of the Prime Minister is decreasing day by day, and the faith in his rule is disappearing. He is now being called a murderer, a traitor and all kinds of mudslinging. There is also a mood in Yerevan to prevent the signing of the peace treaty, saying that Azerbaijan does not fulfil its obligations under the peace treaty and that action is needed.

"There were people in 1990-1991 that I not only knew but guided. They were brainless, Nikols of that time."

Paruyr Hayrikyan, head of the National Self-Determination Association, said this in an interview with Armenian News, referring to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that in 1990-1991, leaders said we needed independence not to have a state, but to solve the issue of "Nagorno-Karabakh."

"For them, there was the issue of 'Artsakh' imposed by Moscow. At one time Moscow, with the help of Stalin, created the Artsakh problem so that if Azerbaijanis wanted to become independent, they could be curbed, and if Armenians wanted the same, they could already curb them. That is, he took them hostage.

Vain attempts at propaganda, as we see, continue to take place in Armenia, perhaps based on the fear imposed by the separatist clan and Western lobbyists on Armenian society. Once in a while in the headlines of Armenian media, you will see news accompanying the achievement of a peace agreement between the countries, news that will induce in the minds of the society not fear, but hope and faith to live with neighbours, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Those Armenians who continue to live with the mythological belief in "Invincible Armenia", "First of the First on Earth", and that not Shusha, but "Shushi" is Armenian, continue to promote their myth imposed from outside and thus through the myth imposed from "outside" to Armenians from childhood, encourages them to take mind-boggling actions.

Azerbaijan's refusal of Armenia's peace treaty proposal to withdraw troops from the borders and discuss the matter separately was perceived by many in Yerevan as Pashinyan's "surrender of Artsakh", and therefore, from Armenian reasoning, there is a deliberate attack on Armenia in the future.

"He understands perfectly well what he has done for Artsakh, how he failed the negotiations, how he lost the war, how he failed the peace process. He is the first Armenian leader to recognise Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, and that says it all," said Armenia bloc MP Anna Grigoryan.

In her assessment, Pashinyan has been pursuing a clear policy to get rid of Artsakh since 2018.

"He is destroying the foundations of our state to justify himself. Pashinyan essentially admitted that he knew about the planned attack on Artsakh and did nothing. What else does treason look like?", Grigoryan concluded.

The MP from the Armenia bloc further stated that even if in case of signing a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku, the treaty will not be a peace treaty, but an agreement to fix the current state of affairs will be the following - "the presence of Artsakh within Azerbaijan, the presence of Azerbaijani military on the territory of Armenia and both the threat of a new war from Azerbaijan".

Armenia is being torn apart from within by the problems they have been so coolly dealing with for decades, having gone along with the separatist clan they end up with what they have. They have lost the war they drove themselves into, the adored "Nagorno-Karabakh" has not changed in 30 years, but only emptied due to the activities of foreign companies.

The Azerbaijani flag is now flying in all towns of Garabagh, and people are filled with joy and love that they have returned to their native land after a long separation. Despite the aggression and hatred of the majority of Armenians, Azerbaijanis are not against the return of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh by order of Yerevan. It remains to be believed that Armenians will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and will find a way out of the difficult situation into which the West so diligently escorted them.

---

Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
22 December 2023 20:37 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

A network of French spies was uncovered in Azerbaijan due to the careful work of the Azerbaijani State Security Service. France's relations with Azerbaijan have become more strained in political terms with recent events and actions from the former. France's commitment to supporting the separatist clan and Armenia itself for centuries has led it to interfere in the internal affairs of countries both far and near.

After the restoration of justice and sovereignty in the territory of Azerbaijani Garabagh as a result of the successfully implemented anti-terrorist operation to eradicate the separatist clan, most of the "crusader" countries turned against Azerbaijan. Instead of contributing to the improvement of relations between neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia, many Western powers, for selfish purposes, have come to "help" arming Armenia. France is in the front row here, in first place.

Having switched on reformatting the world order, the world powers regrouped and are fighting for a place in this world. France, adhering to the character of a coloniser, loses its place in parts of Africa and decides to move to plan "B" towards Armenia. France's actions to arm Armenia hindered the peace process and the achievement of the signing of a peace treaty between the neighbours, where the European Union, with its "observer missions," added fuel to the fire. The West began to act based on Armenia's allied relations with Russia, expressing "assistance" to Yerevan by arming it and sending "observer missions" to deter "possible attacks" from Azerbaijan.

Most of the attempts of the Western structures to create a problem inside Azerbaijan, to impose fear and destruction in an attempt to carry out terrorist attacks, have failed, thanks to the brilliantly conducted operation of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.

It became known that in Azerbaijan a wide residency of agents of special services of France that were involved in various operations in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, several countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia was revealed.

According to the information, it is noted that some time ago in the territory of Azerbaijan, the internal residence of the French embassy very confidently and calmly carried out intelligence activities against representatives of countries known as "partners" of Paris.

At the same time, the residents, using wide connections, were actively moving in the countries of the region, while forming new tasks and expanding their sphere of influence. According to the information, the investigation led to very interesting aspects that revealed a network of interconnected personalities. One of them is a French citizen who, for many years, was a freelancer in the French intelligence community and initiated cooperation with the law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan.

As a result of the cooperation, dozens of French agents, some of whom served and continue to work in Azerbaijan, and others currently working in several neighbouring countries and international organisations, were uncovered.

At the same time, the special services of Azerbaijan were provided with evidence and documents regarding the activities of the French residents in the region of the South Caucasus, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Moldova.

In connection with the criminal case conducted by the special services of Azerbaijan, several persons who carried out intelligence activities in Ukraine, Georgia and Azerbaijan were arrested.

The Azerbaijani side has not yet made any official statements in this regard.

The scale of the failure of the French intelligence is nailed and will be a serious blow to the image of the intelligence. In August 2023, Emmanuel Macron expressed dissatisfaction with the head of France's foreign intelligence service, Bernard Amyot, whose activities had dealt a blow to Paris' positions in Africa and Eastern Europe. Nicolas Lerner, who headed the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI), has been appointed head of the General Staff.

An immigration crisis, an economic crisis, and several other weighty problems enveloped France. In Saint-Gaudens, France, 50 tractors and 200 farmers hold a demonstration where they dump 20 trailers of manure and waste in front of the prefecture and government buildings. On top of all this, the capture of French spies in Azerbaijan is added. The reputation of the French President is under considerable strain after a series of endless crises on both economic and social grounds.

After investigations by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan to uncover a network of French spies, we learn detailed information that will shed more light on the matter.

Paris recently tried with the help of pro-Armenian officials to prevent the COP29 global summit on climate change from being held in Azerbaijan. Armenia withdrew its candidature to host the summit, in response to goodwill towards Azerbaijan, which has also been honoured in other countries. Despite France's futile attempts, Armenia and Azerbaijan have exchanged prisoners of war and will soon begin discussing issues related to the peace treaty.

It is worth recalling that Azerbaijan, under the chairmanship of the Baku Initiative Group, was able to bring together in one place (Baku) peoples who had been subjected to persecution and colonialism by France for centuries. Lacking support from the world community, Azerbaijan has taken on the task of helping to inform the world about the urgent problems of these nations.

The international conference "Dialogues of Decolonisation: Legacy, Challenges and Progress" has started in Baku. The conference was organised by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the NAM Youth Organisation.

Edel Tadal, a member of the Movement for Social Liberation and Decolonisation of French Guiana, spoke at the conference, where he stated that today France, by offering vocational training, seeks to recruit the youth of Guiana to eventually join the French army.

One of the main challenges for our people is to reconnect with their culture. This may include encouraging various initiatives, especially on the part of cultural associations. These actions help to awaken people on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. This is the first step towards reparations and further movement towards decolonisation," said Tadal.

The French spies may also have been looking for ways to recruit the youth of the countries they visited, based on the information above. If Armenia would open their eyes more widely, it would notice how their young people are being recruited to the frontlines in Ukraine as a result of this recruitment.

It is possible to assume that propaganda will continue in the direction of Azerbaijan from different corners of the world as we get closer to achieving peace.

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Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

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22 December 2023 18:25 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia totaled $1371.4 mln in January-November this year, the National Statistical Office of Georgia has reported, Azernews reports.

It is reported that during the reporting period, goods and products worth $583.61 mln were exported from Azerbaijan to Georgia. This is $12.60 mln or 2.2 percent more than in the same period of 2022.

Imports from Azerbaijan accounted for 4.2 percent of Georgia's total imports. This year, Georgia's total imports increased by 16.1 percent year-on-year to $14 bln 28 mln.

In January-November this year, Georgia exported goods and products worth $787.79 mln to Azerbaijan. This is 32.3 percent more than last year.

According to economist Eldaniz Amirov, during the first 8 months of this year, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia has exceeded $612.87m, and this trend suggests that the turnover will exceed $900m by the end of the year. Besides, Georgia has invested $279 for 815 total investment activities in Azerbaijan, and in turn, Azerbaijan has invested $3.4bn. This means that Azerbaijan invested 12 times more in Georgia.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia are generally at a high level, but in order for the economic relations to be manifested, especially in the trade turnover, the expert says that a number of things need to be done.

"At the same time, it is necessary to rediscover the existing potential. It is true that the joint generation of electricity produced from alternative energy sources and exports to Europe through the bottom of the Black Sea will contribute to the trade turnover between the two countries," Amirov added.

It is significant to note that Georgia plays an important transit role in the delivery of Azerbaijans energy resources to European markets. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan is one of the major investors in Georgia, and Azerbaijan's SOCAR is the biggest taxpayer in Georgia. Therefore, relations with Georgia are of particular importance in Azerbaijan's policy regarding neighbouring countries.

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22 December 2023 17:07 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

The World Bank provides technical assistance for women in Azerbaijan to work in previously prohibited areas based on the request of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Azernews reports.

Vusala Asadova, Senior Assistant for Operations of the Azerbaijan office of the World Bank, said this.

She said that this support is implemented within the framework of the Flexible Technical Assistance Tool for Azerbaijan (AZTAF) and is aimed at eliminating the knowledge gaps in the prohibited areas for women: "In the Soviet era, it was forbidden for women to work in industries and professions (positions) with harmful and difficult working conditions. The number of these professions was 674, which was reflected in the Labour Code. As technology developed, it became possible for women to work in these professions, and it was determined that they did not pose any risk to their lives. It was even discovered that some professions no longer exist. As the World Bank, we helped to eliminate this list at the request of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population.

V. Asadova noted that an international consultant was involved in this regard, and a different approach was put forward in this direction: "Activities in this direction were performed even before the relevant ministry applied for the issue. But a successful result was not achieved. The hired consultant put forward such an approach that the activity in this direction should be based on the environment of the work, not the name of the profession. That is, if the work environment is harmful for women, it means that it is also harmful for men. In this case, it was recommended to improve the working environment and eliminate the damages, which helped to achieve a more positive result.

According to him, as a result of cooperation, the list of prohibited professions has been eliminated. After the additions to the Labour Code in December of last year, only 204 prohibited professions were identified, which are applied to pregnant women and women with children under 1 year of age," the representative of the World Bank pointed out.

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22 December 2023 14:04 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Renowned film director Yuli Gusman has been awarded the Sharaf Order.

Recall that by the presidential order dated August 7, 2023, Yuli Gusman was awarded this highest order for his great services in the development of cultural ties between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, Azernews reports.

The Culture Minister Adil Karimi congratulated Yuli Gusman on his 80th birthday and on being awarded the highest award in Azerbaijan.

The minister hailed the rich creative heritage of the director, who devoted most of his life to the field of art.

Yuli Gusman, who was always proud to be from Baku, contributed to bringing the right voice of Azerbaijan to the world community.

Yuli Gusman, who spoke at the meeting, expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the high appreciation given to his work.

Next, the minister presented the director with the Sharaf Order and his certificate. A photo was also taken as a souvenir.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 December 2023 12:21 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Representatives of Baku Metropolitan CJSC participated in the traditional Intermetro international scientific-practical conference and exhibition held in Moscow, the capital of Russia.

Azernews informs with reference to the joint stock company.

This event, attended by Azad Mustafayev, Chief Operating Engineer, and Edgar Mammadov, Department Head of the Baku Metro Project Institute, was dedicated to the prospects of rail transport development in the era of intensive application of new technologies. The conference, which is held once every two years, is the only exhibition for more than 10 years that brings together metropolitan services, managers of railway transport in the CIS countries, as well as organisations engaged in production for railway transport, and presents technical innovations and technologically innovative solutions.

According to the program, the representatives of the Baku metro participated first in the plenary session and then closely participated in the work of the sections organized on related topics and exchanged opinions. In the following days of the conference, the leaders of railway transport and companies held final deliberations, which included strategic ways for the development of cooperation. The exchange of experience, applied innovations, and their effectiveness were the subject of special discussion.

The Azerbaijani delegation visited the Nijegorodskoye electrical depot of the Moscow metro, which was commissioned this year, and the Kaluga Economic Zone. Officials of the Baku Metro, who got acquainted with the innovations implemented in the depot, held discussions with their Russian counterparts. According to A. Mustafayev, familiarisation and technical discussions with the materials used in the production and the equipment used in the production of the composite sleepers were quite effective. In addition, the process of modelling applied in the new depot and adapting it to the requirements of modern standards is important from the point of view of the comparative analysis of the projects carried out in the electrical depots of the Baku metro.

The experience gained at the conference and exhibition was presented to the discussion of the technical specialist staff of the metropolis.

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22 December 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan expressed its condolences to the Czech Republic.

According to Azernews, it was shared on the "X" social network account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of the mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those killed in this tragic attack and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives as a result of mass shooting at the Charles University in #Prague, Czech Republic.



We express heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic attack & we wish speedy recovery to the injured ones.@CzechMFA  MFA Azerbaijan  (@AzerbaijanMFA) December 21, 2023

It should be noted that at least 15 people died and 24 were injured as a result of the shooting at Karlov University in Prague.

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22 December 2023 09:54 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Following the instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored village of Zabukh in the Lachin district took place, Azernews reports.

On December 22, 30 families (121 people) living in the capital city and Absheron left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku for Zabukh.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Lachin, which were restored or rebuilt based on instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Lachin residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the village of Zabukh has been provided for 176 families688 people.

To recall, the first migration to Zabukh took place on August 25 of this year.

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22 December 2023 10:21 (UTC+04:00)

Asim Aliyev Read more

Baku hosts the international conference "Dialogues on Decolonization: Legacy, Challenges and Development", Azernews reports.

The event was organised by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the Youth Organisation of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The main goal of the conference is to create a platform for solving this global problem.

Rustam Mahmudov, representative of the NAM Parliamentary Network, opened the event with an introductory speech. He noted that during the years when Azerbaijan chaired the Non-Aligned Movement, great attention was paid to the fight against colonialism.

According to R. Mahmudov, many countries in the world suffered from colonial policy, and this problem continues in the 21st century: "Azerbaijan paid special attention to the problem of decolonization during the 4 years of its chairmanship. Unfortunately, many countries are still suffering from it." France is one of the states continuing colonial policies.

He also recalled that within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the National Assembly, important initiatives were realised, in particular international conferences.

MP Tural Ganjaliyev also spoke at the conference.

MP Tural Ganjaliyev emphasized in his speech that "neocolonialism and its consequences pose a serious threat to international relations and international law. France, as a former colonial power, using the tools of neocolonialism, exploits and carries out illegal trade of resources belonging to indigenous peoples".

According to T. Ganjaliyev, Azerbaijan has an experience of struggle against colonization, which he would like to share - common history and experience with those peoples who were also enslaved by foreign domination, suffered from the policy of colonialism.

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22 December 2023 17:54 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Winter brings forth a unique beauty, enveloping the landscape in a tranquil atmosphere. During this time of year, nature enters a phase of relaxation and renewal. The winter season sets in Azerbaijan on December 22.

During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day and longest night.

In the Southern Hemisphere, astronomical summer begins at this moment.

The duration of daylight is 9 hours, 17 minutes, and 22 seconds, and the duration of night is 14 hours, 42 minutes, and 38 seconds. This happened on December 22 at 07:27. (GMT+4).

For nature lovers, winter in Azerbaijan offers countless opportunities to witness breathtaking natural phenomena such as frozen waterfalls and pristine snowy landscapes.

The country's national parks and reserves, including Goygol National Park and Shahdag National Park, provide a serene retreat for those seeking to connect with nature in its winter attire.

The reserve accounts for 500 plant species, including nearly 60 endemic ones. One can come across such animals as roe deer, wild boar, and chamois there.

Anyone visiting the Land of Fire should enjoy the magnificent views at Goygol National Park.

A cold climate with dry winters prevails in the area. The annual temperature of the weather wavers between 4-10 degrees C. Annual precipitation is 600-900 mm.

It includes one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in Azerbaijan - Goygol.

The lake gets its name from its deep blue-colored water. It was formed in 1939 as a result of the earthquake that occurred in Ganja. Kapaz mountain tumbled down and blocked up the Aghsuchay river.

The water in the lake is always cold, even in August, and does not rise above +17C.

More than 423 types of trees, shrubs, and medicinal plants grow here. In the surrounding forests, you can meet wolves, foxes, deer, jackals, bears, lynxes, and many other animals.

The lake area is ideal for walking, travelling, and family picnics. Recreation on the shore of the fresh lake is the best decision on hot days.

Established in 2006, Shahdag National Park has emerged as a top destination for travelers. The park offers an incredible opportunity to witness the marvels of the natural world. Spanning an initial area of 115,900 hectares (1,159 km2), the park was later expanded to 130,508.1 hectares (1,305.081 km2) as per a presidential decree issued in 2010.



Shahdag National Park is truly captivating, offering a habitat for the rare East Caucasian tur, a species of mountain-dwelling goat antelope exclusively found in the eastern region of the Caucasus Mountains.

The park is also home to a diverse range of large mammals, including the Caucasian and Bezoar ibex, domestic goat, Caucasian lynx, Syrian brown bear, wild boar, Indian wolf, common jackal, common jungle cat, red fox, roe deer, and bison, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.



A rich variety of tree species, such as the Caucasian Oak, Caucasian and European Hornbeam, Oriental Hornbeam, Oriental Beech, Silver Birch, Birch, Common Yew, White Willow, Common Walnut, and Wild Cherry, flourish within the park's boundaries.



Shahdag National Park provides a serene haven for those seeking a profound connection with nature, offering a wealth of natural beauty and biodiversity to explore and appreciate.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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22 December 2023 14:57 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

World Bank held an event on the program of Azerbaijan Rapid Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF) funded by the EU in Baku, Azernews reports.

Saida Bagirli, the Team Leader and Senior Specialist on Operations made an opening speech and gave detailed information about AZTAF. She said that AZTAF is a three-year program, with a total budget of EUR 5.25 million. The program has been funded by the EU and managed by the World Bank and aims to provide advisory and analytical support and capacity building to the Government of Azerbaijan in line with the Azerbaijan 2030 National Priorities.

"In particular, AZTAF will help enhance social inclusion and connectivity, spur economic reforms, strengthen public sector governance, and facilitate an effective post-COVID-19 recovery," she said.

Saida Bagisli added that the AZTAF program is aligned with the five National Priorities and goals of the Socio-economic development Strategy of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026.

Then, Leyla Taghiyeva, the AZTAF program coordinator, took the floor and filled the participants in on the activities conducted relating to the National Priorities.

Following Leyla Taghiyeva, Shamsi Mustafayeva, the consultant in the WB spoke about the preliminary results of the Gender Assessment project conducted in the Azerbaijan Railways and Baku Port.

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22 December 2023 14:23 (UTC+04:00)

Asim Aliyev Read more

A delegation led by Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Tariq Bakit visited the Ministry of Culture on December 21, Azernews reports.

Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov welcomed the guests, noted that relations between the OIC and Azerbaijan are developing, and emphasised that there are new opportunities for cooperation in the cultural field.

Expressing gratitude for the reception and kind words, Bakit stated that the organisation attaches great importance to relations with our country. He also noted that the OIC has always been on the side of justice during the occupation of Garabagh. At the meeting, the organisation was informed about the large-scale repair and reconstruction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state in the direction of restoring the destroyed cultural heritage in Garabagh. In turn, the guests noted that in the near future they expect to organise joint international events in the cultural sphere in Shusha and expressed their joy over the implementation of OIC resolutions.

Within the framework of the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the current projects on the bilateral agenda, including the events planned within the project "Shusha: Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024" and the VI World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue to be held in our country within the framework of the Baku Process.

At the end, souvenirs were handed out as keepsakes.

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22 December 2023 11:14 (UTC+04:00)

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your birthday.

Thanks to your unquestionable leadership and talent embodied by you as a national leader, you have successfully implemented an effective model of economic development for Azerbaijan, enhancing the country's prestige in the international arena.

I extend my congratulations on your successful chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement. It is gratifying to underline that the strategic partnership between Minsk and Baku, built on respect and mutual understanding, yields significant results in trade, economy, and other areas of cooperation.

I highly value our friendship and the trustful relationship between our two nations. I look forward to future meetings and engaging in exciting joint projects across various fields.

I wish you, dear Ilham Heydarovich, further successful and productive activities for the benefit of the Republic of Azerbaijan, good health, peace, and happiness to you, your loved ones, and your family.

Aleksandr Lukashenko,

President of the Republic of Belarus

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22 December 2023 12:52 (UTC+04:00)

Asim Aliyev Read more

The Western Azerbaijan Community has made an appeal. In its address, the Community condemns the statement of the European Union of December 21, 2023, on Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

It was stated that the EU, which turned a blind eye to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and ignored various appeals of the West Azerbaijan community, expressed "concern" about several individuals in Azerbaijan, which is a manifestation of prejudice and double standards.

The appeal also says that manipulation and politicisation of human rights have become the EU's way of thinking. For some reason, arrogant officials like Josep Borell, deputies with a crusader mentality sitting in the European Parliament, believe that the world revolves around Brussels, the EU.

''The EU should stop interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, deal with Islamophobia, suppression of ethnic minorities, and other fundamental problems in the EU area from France, the Netherlands, to Lithuania, and instead of building a military base in Armenia, demand that it allow Western Azerbaijanis to return to their homeland.''

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22 December 2023 13:18 (UTC+04:00)

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your birthday anniversary. Please, accept my warmest regards and the best wishes of joy, happiness and success in your endeavors and aspirations for prosperity, peace and stability of your country and the friendly people of Azerbaijan.

Your personal commitment and engagement to further developing relations between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is highly valued and very much appreciated.

Hereby, I avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm that the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan will be further enhanced by a wide range of bilateral and multilateral initiatives for the benefit of our nations.

Excellency, allow me to once again renew the assurances of my highest consideration, and wish you every success in your most important endeavors.

Sincerely,

Irakli Garibashvili

Prime Minister of Georgia "

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22 December 2023 13:35 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanovic, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

It is pleasure to send warm congratulations for your birthday and best wishes of health, happiness and professional achievements.

Mr. President, I wish you all the best and much success in your efforts to further enhance the prosperity of your country.

I am confident that in the spirit of friendship, Croatia and Azerbaijan will further strengthen and intensify bilateral cooperation, whereby joint work to advance economic relations is of exceptional importance.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Zoran Milanovic

President of the Republic of Croatia"

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22 December 2023 13:53 (UTC+04:00)

King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

It gives me much pleasure to extend to you my most sincere felicitations and best wishes on the anniversary of Your Excellencys birthday.

Please accept my best wishes for your personal health, happiness.

Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein

King of Jordan"

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22 December 2023 14:46 (UTC+04:00)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

Please accept my sincerest congratulations on your birthday.

The year 2023, marking the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, was momentous for both Azerbaijan and for you personally. It is in this year that the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan was fully restored.

I am grateful to Azerbaijan and to you personally for supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, independence and territorial integrity, as well as for assistance in addressing the humanitarian consequences of the war with Russia.

I highly value the existing friendly relations between our states and our personal constructive and sincere dialogue. I am confident that the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani strategic cooperation, based on respect and trust, will continue to actively develop for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Your Excellency, I wish you robust health, inexhaustible energy and success in your responsible state activities.

Sincerely,

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine"

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22 December 2023 16:24 (UTC+04:00)

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your birthday.

I would like to express my gratitude to you for your significant contribution and special attention to strengthening and developing bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Taking this pleasant opportunity, dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I sincerely wish you robust health, happiness and success in all your endeavors.

Respectfully,

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov

National Leader of the Turkmen People,

Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan"

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22 December 2023 16:16 (UTC+04:00)

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your birthday!

I would like to emphasise that your strategic vision, successful political and economic reforms implemented under your leadership have significantly strengthened Azerbaijan`s international prestige, stability, and the prosperity of its people.

I am confident that the new geopolitical reality in the South Caucasus, along with the ongoing expansion of transportation and logistical capabilities, will pave the way for strengthening friendship and strategic partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan. This partnership reached an unprecedented level last year following the outcomes of our bilateral visits in April and October.

I sincerely wish you, dear Ilham Heydarovich, robust health, prosperity, and continued success in your state activities for the benefit of the fraternal people of Azerbaijan.

Sincerely,

Sadyr Zhaparov

President of the Kyrgyz Republic"

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22 December 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Asim Aliyev Read more

Head of the Public Union "Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkiye and Azerbaijan" (TUIB) Hussein Buyukfirat emphasized that the Azerbaijani-Turkish Investment Forum will be held annually, Azernews reports.

According to Hussein Buyukfirat, this will contribute to Turkic unity, which is going through a historical period.

"We will continue our work in this direction. But businessmen have a great responsibility," the TUIB spokesman said.

H.Buyukfirat stated that with Azerbaijan's victory in Garabagh a new era has begun in the region:

"A new door has opened in the region. We are entering the process of unification of the Turkic world".

He added that strategic decisions were made at the first Azerbaijani-Turkish investment forum.

Recall, Azerbaijani-Turkish Investment Forum was held in Baku on December 21. The event was attended by Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Head of the Financial Department of the President's Office Goksel Ashan.

The event, which aims to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, is also intended to make an important contribution to regional development. The forum discussed strategic issues related to the expansion of economic cooperation, as well as steps to be taken to create strong economic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as potential investment opportunities.

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22 December 2023 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has visited the village of Pirlar in the Khojaly district.

According to Azernews, the President examined the territory of the village.

The village of Pirlar, nestled at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1993. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.

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22 December 2023 18:33 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Peter Mihalko, has congratulated Azerbaijan on holding the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026, Azernews reports.

Congratulations to Azerbaijan on hosting the World Urban Forum #WUF13 in 2026 in Baku! This beautiful city will become the centre of urban development policies on global scale, promoted by UN-HABITAT. Best wishes of success!#Baku2026 #BeautifulBaku #UN #BeautifulAzerbaijan pic.twitter.com/Z41jHgc0l7  Peter Michalko (@MichalkoPeter) December 22, 2023

"Baku will become the centre of urban policy on a global scale" - Peter Mikhalko

"This beautiful city will be the center of the global urban planning policy put forward by UN-Habitat. I wish you success!"

It should be noted that the signing ceremony of the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations (UN) on holding the thirteenth session of the World Urban Development Forum in Baku in 2026 took place today.

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22 December 2023 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Italy increased its natural gas imports from Azerbaijan in October 2023 to 881.2 mln m, up from 800.5 mln m in September, the European Union's statistical office Eurostat stated, Azernews reports.

This represents an increase of more than 10 percent on a month-on-month basis.

In the first ten months of 2023, Italy imported 7.7 bln m of gas from Azerbaijan for a total value of over 4 bln.

In October, the value of these imports was 364.2 mln euros, compared to 310.6 mln euros in September, which means an increase of almost 17.3 percent.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan started transporting gas to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) on December 31, 2020. It transports gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries via Georgia and Turkiye.

The cost of the project was $33 bln. The capital expenditure on the SSC is expected to be fully recovered within 8-10 years.

In July 2022, Azerbaijan and the EU agreed to increase the volume of gas supplies through the SSC from the current 10 bln m to 20 bln m by 2027.

Generally, Azerbaijan's gas exports to Europe in January-September amounted to 8.6 Bcm, up 3.6% from the 8.3 Bcm reported in the year-ago period. Total exports, including to Turkey and Georgia, amounted to 17.8 Bcm, an increase of 9.2% year-on-year.

According to official data, Azerbaijan's total gas production during January-September was 36.1 Bcm, up 4.9% on the year. Of the total, 19.7 Bcm was produced from Shah Deniz, while 9.6 Bcm was produced as associated gas from the ACG oil field. A total of 6.4 Bcm was produced from fields operated by Socar.

Moreover, the country's gas output has also been boosted by the startup in July of the Absheron field, which was reported as having produced 0.4 Bcm since production began.

TotalEnergies and Azerbaijan's state-owned SOCAR announced the start of production at the first phase of Absheron, operated by their JOCAP joint venture, on July 10.

Note that Azerbaijan exports gas to Europe from the Shah Deniz field via the Southern Gas Corridor and has plans to raise exports to 20 Bcm/year by 2027 under a Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the European Commission in July 2022.

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22 December 2023 12:43 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

SOCAR AQS Sondaj Muhendislik Sanayi ve Ticaret A. (SOCAR AQS Turkiye), a SOCAR AQS subsidiary, has signed another important contract with Calk Petroleum, one of Turkey's largest private oil and gas operators, Azernews reports.

According to the contract, SOCAR AQS Turkiye will provide drilling services for the safe and efficient completion of five onshore oil wells in the Turkish province of Diyarbakir. SOCAR AQS Turkiye will use the HH300, the country's first hydraulic rig, an innovative installation that offers significant advantages over traditional rigs, such as improved efficiency and lower noise levels.

"Diversification of our client base is in line with our Corporate Growth Strategy," said Samir Mollayev, General Director of SOCAR AQS. By signing this new contract in Turkiye, we embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, confident that our dedication, innovation, and unwavering pursuit of excellence will lead us to success."

"We are pleased to partner with alk Petroleum, and are confident that our expertise stands as a guarantee for the activities that will be performed under this contract," said Famil Khalafov, Country Manager of SOCAR AQS Turkiye.

SOCAR AQS has been implementing drilling projects in Turkiye since 2019, and one of the most recent agreements with Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), the Republic of Turkiye's state oil company, will see the drilling of four additional oil wells. SOCAR AQS is also expanding the Tuz Golu underground gas storage facility in Turkey.

SOCAR AQS aims to strengthen its position as a leading provider of drilling and well services in the region and globally by focusing on excellence, safety, and sustainability.

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22 December 2023 17:52 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Azerbaijan will participate in the international tourism exhibition OTM Mumbai 2024 to be held in Mumbai, India, on February 8-10 next year, Azernews reports

According to the information, the State Tourism Agency has already started preparations in this regard. The OTM Mumbai 2024 tourism exhibition will be organised at the Jio World Congress Centre.

It should be noted that this year a total of 14 local tourism industry representatives, including Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, participated in this event. This year, registration for the companies will continue until December 29 on the Azerbaijan Tourism Board's official website.

OTM is the leading travel trade show in Asia-Pacific, with over 800 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Thousands of travel professionals attend OTM year after year because of the valuable networking opportunities it offers. OTM provides chances to learn about tourism trends and innovations, attend workshops, be part of discussions about whats happening in the travel industry, and give businesses the boost they deserve.

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The Beatles were in the middle of a tour that had them play five shows in just three days at Japan's famed Nippon Budokan arena  but when they werent performing, they were holed up in the presidential suite of the Tokyo Hilton creating a work of art that came to be known as "Images of a Woman."

That painting, believed by some experts to be the only artwork jointly made by all four Beatles (or at least signed by all four), will be up for sale at Christie's auction house in New York on February 1.

Images of a Woman is estimated to fetch somewhere in the realm of $400,000 to $600,000 and crystallizes a magic moment in Beatles history, said Christies specialist Casey Rogers during a phone interview.

As the story goes, the Fab Four spent about 100 hours in Japan during their 1966 tour.

Outside of performing (and aside from two instances where Paul McCartney and John Lennon each slipped out with members of their entourage for sightseeing adventures in Tokyo), the group stayed put in their hotel room at the behest of local authorities who were concerned about their safety.

A visitor gifted them some art supplies, according to Christies press release; the band soon wound up around a table, with a blank sheet of Japanese art paper in the middle and a lamp roughly centered on top of it. Each Beatle sat at a corner, painting something different. Recordings for the album that would become Revolver played in the background. ...continue reading
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls objects to a requested time extension for a formal response to her federal First Amendment lawsuit. Earls' latest court filing offers details about her ongoing dispute with a state judicial standards group.Earls asked for a status conference in her case. She suggested she might seek a temporary restraining order,Earls filed suit on Aug. 29 against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. She argued that a commission investigation into her published comments amounted to a campaign toher speech on matters of public interest.Earls seeks a preliminary injunction blocking the investigation and any other action against her while her lawsuit proceeds. Court rules call for the commission to respond to the requested injunction by Sept. 22.The commission's attorney filed a motion Wednesday seeking a two-week extension to Oct. 6. Earls filed a document the same day lodging her objection.Earls' lawyers wrote.Earls' court filing continued.Lawyers for the two parties started discussion about the case on Sept. 7, according to Earls' lawyers.The commission agreed to delay any action in its investigation until Nov. 1That timeline raised concerns for Earls.Earls' lawyers wrote.When the commission would not agree to delay its investigationEarls' lawyers explained that they would object to the proposed Oct. 6 extension.Earls' lawyers wrote.The commission's proposal addresses the first item but creates anNov. 1 deadline for an injunction.Earls' lawyers wrote.Earls rejected the suggestion that she seek an advisory opinion from the commission. Her lawyers labeled that ideaaccording to Earls' court filing.The commission notified Earls on Aug. 15 that she is the subject of an investigation based on an interview published online in June. Earls is seeking an injunction, along with a declaration that the commission's investigation and possible punishment of her violates her constitutional right to free speech.Appeals Court Judge Chris Dillon chairs the Judicial Standards Commission. Judge Jeffery Carpenter co-chairs the group. Dillon and Carpenter are Republicans. Earls is a Democrat.Earls' suit names the commission and 14 individual members as defendants.The lawsuit says the commission has initiated two investigations of Earls this year related to her public commentsThe publication Law360 published a June 20 interview titledShe was responding to a May 17 article in the North Carolina Bar Association's publication. That article focused on the race and sex of lawyers arguing cases as the state's highest court.according to the complaint.The First Amendmentthe complaint added.Earls argues that the investigation into her commentsShe accuses the commission ofThe justice labels the August notice part of aher free-speech rights. Her complaint cites an earlier investigation in March. It related to comments Earls made about rule changes and a proposed legislative change linked to the state's courts.
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.
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare is kicking off a roughly $17.8 million expansion project at its Bloomington, Ill.-based St. Joseph Medical Center to address an increase of inpatient care demand.

The project will add 25 beds, 10 medical-surgical care beds and 15 intensive-care beds, to the hospital's existing 149 beds, a spokesperson for OSF HealthCare told Becker's.

While the 25-bed project has been approved, the hospital also applied to the state of Illinois in August for three additional beds, but is currently waiting on approval. If approved, these beds would make the existing bed count 152 prior to the expansion project, and 177 beds post-project.

The hospital, which became a regional referral center during the pandemic, offers services like pediatrics, heart and vascular care, cancer care, neurosurgery, pregnancy and birthing, emergency services, and more.

Over the last few years, the hospital has been forced to deny hundreds of incoming patient transfers due to being at capacity, making the expansion project key in serving surrounding rural communities, the spokesperson said.

"As we continue to live into our critical role of providing high-quality, specialized care to patients across the region, the population of McLean County is experiencing rapid growth in local industry which further increases demand for healthcare services," Jennifer Ulrich, interim president of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Expanding our capacity ensures OSF St. Joseph Medical Center can meet the needs of our patients today and in the future."

Construction should kick off in early 2024, with the hospital waiting on an Illinois Department of Health permit which is expected prior to Feb.14, the spokesperson said. The project is also expected to start providing patient services prior to the end of 2026.
The number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan in the first 11 months of 2023 reached a new record of nearly 537,00, surpassing the previous record of over 495,000 visitors achieved in 2019.

The figures were released by the Japan National Tourism Organisation on December 20.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Japan is one of the top foreign destinations of Vietnamese holiday-makers, while Vietnam is also popular among Japanese tourists. In the first 11 months of 2023, Vietnam welcomed nearly 530,000 Japanese visitors. ...continue reading
Following Jersey City, N.J.-based CarePoint Health's call for $130 million in additional state funding, the health system has received "unanimous support" from Hoboken City Council regarding the resolution, according to a Dec. 21 release shared with Becker's.

To combat challenges like rising healthcare costs, escalating regional homelessness, uncompensated care demand, and to maintain optimal pace operations, the organization says it's in need of at least $100 million in state appropriations, along with a $30 million Governors Grant.

Additional FEMA funds to tackle inflated costs brought on due to COVID-19 patients are also part of the resolution demands.

"The uncertainty of our financial situation is indeed dire and we hope today's resolution as well as the outpouring of support we are seeing from residents throughout Hudson County to plead will be taken seriously," Justin Drew, CarePoint Health vice president of marketing and patient experience, said in the release.

The New Jersey Department of Health gave CarePoint $10 million in the 2023 budget. With just a few days left in the year, the health system's three safety-net hospitals have also not received any of the $700 million in the American Rescue Plan Act that was to be distributed to New Jersey hospitals by the end of 2023.

The health system hopes that the city council's resolution approval will get the attention of local legislators to help advocate for this type of funding, a spokesperson for CarePoint told Becker's. With already over 800 signatures, CarePoint also launched a petition drive to urge funding from state leaders.
While shuttered North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital is targeting a March 2024 reopening date, it still has a few more steps to take in the process, The Berkshire Eagle reported Dec. 21.

Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Health Systems, which purchased the hospital after it closed in March 2014, shared the plans to reopen it in June. Since its closure, the hospital is now called the North Adams Campus of Berkshire Medical Center, and offers a cardiac rehabilitation unit, numerous outpatient services, an emergency department, and more, the publication shared.

However, a recent federal guidelines change is making it possible to reopen the hospital under its former name. While the facility will be able to reopen with 25 inpatient beds, NARH will only operate 18 when it becomes a critical access hospital.

"We are incredibly pleased that the Public Health Council of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health voted last week to approve our Determination of Need application for original licensure of a hospital in North Adams," a spokesperson for Berkshire Health Systems said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are grateful for our legislators, especially Congressman Richard Neal and Representative John Barrett, local leaders, the BHS employee team, and members of our community, all of whom have played important roles in bringing our application to this point."

Now that BHS has the state Department of Public Health's application and authorization approval to move forward with hospital renovations, the final regulatory step at the state level is a hospital licensure, along with a CMS designation as a critical access hospital, The Berkshire Eagle reported.

Inside the hospital, demolition work is ongoing to prepare it for $2.85 million in renovations needed prior to opening.

The renovations have faced setbacks, as the Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Pittsfield, Mass.-based Integritus Healthcare, a not-for-profit nursing home organization, expressed concerns on how the new 18-swing beds could affect the region's healthcare and long-term care ecosystem, Darlene Rodowicz, president of BHS told the publication.

"There are three critical access hospitals in the state already, all of whom have swing beds, and Im not aware of any incidents where a hospital with swing beds has caused a nursing home to close," Ms. Rodowicz told the publication. "The swing is so important for some patients; its not available for all patients. Its not intended to be a place you stay for a long time, its intended to stay one or two weeks and then you go home. That doesnt apply to every patient that is looking for a subacute level of care."

BHS, which is currently hiring for around 70 new positions, will need a certificate of occupancy from the city of North Adams once renovations wrap up, with the state DPH then conducting a licensure survey.

Once both are complete, patients can be admitted to the hospital, however, CMS must still give approval before NARH can become a critical access hospital.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, 2024 is poised to be a pivotal year marked by significant advancements in artificial intelligence integration, heightened focus on cybersecurity and a renewed commitment to enhancing patient engagement.

Here are six trends CIOs are looking out for in 2024:

Artificial intelligence: Hospitals and health systems have increasingly turned to AI to streamline clinical decision support in radiology and improve efficiency in clinical documentation and administrative tasks. IT executives are anticipating 2024 to be the year of widespread AI integration as organizations seek to optimize workflows and provide healthcare providers with more valuable time for patient care. With AI proving its efficacy in radiology and clinical documentation, healthcare institutions are recognizing the need to establish robust AI regulation and governance frameworks. The year ahead is expected to witness a surge in regulatory mandates and legal actions surrounding AI, prompting hospitals to proactively structure their governance to align with evolving standards. The HHS and White House have already taken the lead by releasing principles to guide the responsible use of AI in the healthcare industry.





Hospitals and health systems have increasingly turned to AI to streamline clinical decision support in radiology and improve efficiency in clinical documentation and administrative tasks. IT executives are anticipating 2024 to be the year of widespread AI integration as organizations seek to optimize workflows and provide healthcare providers with more valuable time for patient care. With AI proving its efficacy in radiology and clinical documentation, healthcare institutions are recognizing the need to establish robust AI regulation and governance frameworks. The year ahead is expected to witness a surge in regulatory mandates and legal actions surrounding AI, prompting hospitals to proactively structure their governance to align with evolving standards. The HHS and White House have already taken the lead by releasing principles to guide the responsible use of AI in the healthcare industry. Cybersecurity: According to HHS, the frequency of cyber incidents in the healthcare sector has surged, showing a 93% rise in significant breaches reported to the Office for Civil Rights from 2018 to 2022. The rise in incidents is causing CIOs to want to increase their investment in cybersecurity as ransomware attacks get more frequent and more sophisticated. For example, ransomware gangs have been taking responsibility for multiple attacks on health systems this year, including an attack on Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Oceanside, Calif.-based Tri-City Medical Center, and Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network.



Additionally, 2023 saw the rise in third-party breaches. According to the Department of Health and Human Services' HIPAA breach reporting website, half of the 10 largest healthcare-related data breaches reported this year were caused by vendors or business associates.The threat of third-party breaches in healthcare is vital for CIOs to address because of the sensitive nature of patient data, the need for regulatory compliance, potential reputation damage, the importance of operational continuity, financial implications and the complexity of the vendor landscape. In 2024, CIOs are prioritizing proactive measures, such as robust vendor risk management and cybersecurity strategies, to ensure they can safeguard patient information and maintain the integrity of their healthcare systems.





According to HHS, the frequency of cyber incidents in the healthcare sector has surged, showing a 93% rise in significant breaches reported to the Office for Civil Rights from 2018 to 2022. The rise in incidents is causing CIOs to want to increase their investment in cybersecurity as ransomware attacks get more frequent and more sophisticated. For example, ransomware gangs have been taking responsibility for multiple attacks on health systems this year, including an attack on Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Oceanside, Calif.-based Tri-City Medical Center, and Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network. Additionally, 2023 saw the rise in third-party breaches. According to the Department of Health and Human Services' HIPAA breach reporting website, half of the 10 largest healthcare-related data breaches reported this year were caused by vendors or business associates.The threat of third-party breaches in healthcare is vital for CIOs to address because of the sensitive nature of patient data, the need for regulatory compliance, potential reputation damage, the importance of operational continuity, financial implications and the complexity of the vendor landscape. In 2024, CIOs are prioritizing proactive measures, such as robust vendor risk management and cybersecurity strategies, to ensure they can safeguard patient information and maintain the integrity of their healthcare systems. Optimizing the EHR: Electronic health record documentation is a task that many CIOs told Becker's can be daunting for their staff. This is why many healthcare organizations have been looking to use technology to solve this issue. For example, UC San Diego Health, Madison Wis.-based UW Health and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care are among healthcare organizations that have begun testing the use of generative AI in its EHR systems that can asynchronously draft responses to patient messages for providers.



Similarly, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has been conducting pilots with Google's healthcare-based AI tools. The pilot uses the tech company's Augmedix platform, powered by natural language processing and Google Cloud's MedLM on Vertex AI, to transform clinician-patient interactions into medical notes.



Additionally, many hospitals and health systems have been moving to consolidate their disparate EHRs into one system this year and next. This comes as a result of organizations looking to have one integrated platform where their staff can go  making care delivery a much more seamless experience.



This trend is expected to gain momentum as healthcare organizations continue to explore innovative ways to relieve their staff of administrative burdens and enhance overall operational efficiency.





Patient engagement: In 2024, healthcare systems are set to revisit and refine the first generation of patient engagement tools implemented during the pandemic. The focus will be on seeking new and improved methods to better meet the diverse needs of the patients they serve. The evolving landscape of patient engagement technology is anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing the overall healthcare experience for individuals.





Innovation at the forefront: In the midst of ongoing financial challenges confronting hospitals and health systems, healthcare executives are exploring the potential for these obstacles to serve as catalysts for new opportunities in innovation. Notably, healthcare organizations are examining the role of innovation in discovering methods to achieve tasks with greater speed, cost-effectiveness, efficiency and agility.




The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department have ramped up antitrust enforcement against mergers and acquisitions across various industries, including healthcare, since Lina Khan, 34, was appointed FTC chair, a position she will hold until Sept. 25, 2024.

Before joining the FTC, Ms. Khan was an associate professor of law at Columbia Law School in New York City. She previously served as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on antitrust, commercial and administrative law, legal adviser to former FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra and legal director at the Open Markets Institute.

Earlier this year, the FTC requested a budget of $590 million for 2024  an increase of $160 million from 2022. The agency said $70 million of the additional funding will go toward addressing healthcare merger challenges, rulemaking and investigations.

The Biden administration supported this move in a series of policies announced Dec. 7 and signaled its intention to apply more scrutiny to anticompetitive practices and implement stricter reviews of healthcare mergers and acquisitions.

On Dec. 18, the FTC and Justice Department updated their merger guidelines, which break down the factors and frameworks used to review proposed deals. Under the guidelines  which apply to both horizontal and vertical mergers  health systems would not be allowed to merge if doing so prevents a potential competitor from entering the market or reduces incentives to pay higher wages. The guidelines may also be used to challenge cross-market mergers that have been historically difficult to challenge.

In their Dec. 18 Hart-Scott-Rodino Report to Congress, the FTC and DOJ outlined that they filed 50 merger enforcement actions in fiscal year 2022  the highest level of enforcement activity in more than 20 years  and this trend is expected to continue in 2024 amid changing M&A guidelines and stricter reviews of potentially anticompetitive deals.

Ms. Khan and the FTC will be armed with more tools and resources to challenge such transactions in 2024, but they have already had some success in the last two years. Here are six health system M&As that were called off after FTC enforcement actions or challenges under Ms. Kahn's leadership:

1. John Muir Health and Tenet Healthcare

Walnut Creek, Calif.-based John Muir Health terminated plans to fully acquire San Ramon (Calif.) Regional Medical Center from majority owner Tenet Healthcare.

The FTC on Dec. 17 sued to block the deal, arguing that it would drive up healthcare costs in the area by eliminating head-to-head competition between John Muir and Tenet.

"John Muir's anticompetitive hospital takeover would have driven up healthcare costs for critical services like heart surgery, spinal surgery and maternity care. It also threatened to eliminate improvements in care driven by competition, which directly benefit patients," FTC Bureau of Competition Director Henry Liu said in a statement. "Now that this transaction is terminated, John Muir and Tenet's San Ramon Regional Medical Center can continue competing head-to-head to offer high-quality care at the best prices for Californians in the I-680 corridor."

John Muir and Tenet said they strongly disagreed with the FTC but decided not to fight the agency in court "due to the cost and disruption of litigation," according to a statement shared with Becker's.

2. Steward Health Care and HCA

In June 2022, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA and Dallas-based Steward Health Care System abandoned their proposed deal involving five Utah hospitals. The decision came 13 days after the commission challenged the transaction.

HCA had planned to acquire five Utah hospitals from Steward. Under the proposed acquisition, the hospitals would become part of HCA's mountain division, which includes 11 hospitals throughout Utah, Idaho and Alaska.

The FTC alleged the acquisition would eliminate the second-and fourth-largest healthcare systems in Utah's Wasatch Front region, where about 80% of the state's residents live. By filing suit to challenge the deal, the transaction was halted pending an administrative proceeding with an administrative trial set to begin Dec. 13.

"For the second time in a week, parties who proposed an anticompetitive hospital merger have called their deal off after the FTC filed a complaint to block the deal," FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova said in an statement. "This transaction, like the RWJBarnabas Health/Saint Peter's transaction that was abandoned two days ago, should never have been proposed in the first place. This should be a lesson learned to hospital systems all over the country and their counsel: The FTC will not hesitate to take action in enforcing the antitrust laws to protect healthcare consumers who are faced with unlawful hospital consolidation."

3. RWJBarnabas Health and Saint Peter's Healthcare System

In June 2022, two New Jersey systems  New Brunswick-based Saint Peter's Healthcare System and West Orange-based RWJBarnabas Health  terminated a definitive agreement to merge after the FTC filed a suit to block the transaction.

The FTC alleged the deal would eliminate head-to-head competition between the two systems and raise prices for inpatient general acute care services. The deal would have given the combined health system a market share of about 50% for general acute care services in Middlesex County as a whole, resulting in a presumption of harm under the antitrust laws, according to the agency's complaint.

"Saint Peter's University Hospital is less than one mile away from [RWJBarnabas] in New Brunswick, and they are the only two hospitals in that city," Ms. Vedova said. "There is overwhelming evidence that this acquisition would be bad for patients, because the parties would no longer have to compete to provide the lowest prices and the best quality and service."

4. Hackensack Meridian Health and Englewood Health

Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health and Englewood Health withdrew their plans to merge in April 2022 after a U.S. appellate court affirmed the order of the district court to block the deal.

The FTC challenged the transaction in 2020, arguing it would give Hackensack Meridian control of three of the six hospitals in Bergen County and raise healthcare costs, according to nj.com. U.S. Circuit Judge D. Michael Fisher agreed the acquisition would raise prices, despite the systems arguing that merging some operations would bring savings.

"We firmly believe this merger was in the best interest of our patients and the community at large," Hackensack Meridian told Becker's. "Given the appellate court's decision, the board and leadership of Hackensack Meridian Health have decided not to pursue the merger."

5. Care New England and Lifespan

In February 2022, the boards of Lifespan and Care New England  both based in Providence, R.I.  called off plans to merge after the FTC filed a suit with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha to block the deal. The merger would have given the combined system 80% of the market's hospital beds and ownership of eight of Rhode Island's 13 hospitals.

The FTC cited competition concerns in its decision. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the state would join the FTC in the lawsuit, stating the deal would raise healthcare costs.

"If this extraordinary and unprecedented level of control and consolidation were allowed to go forward, nearly all Rhode Islanders would see their healthcare costs go up for healthcare that is lower in quality and harder to access, and Rhode Island's healthcare workers would be harmed," Mr. Neronha said in his decision.

6. Crouse Health System and State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Syracuse, N.Y.-based SUNY Upstate Medical University and Crouse Health System abandoned plans to merge in February 2022.

The decision came after the FTC voiced its opposition to the deal, claiming it would leave Syracuse with just two hospital systems  Upstate and St. Joseph's Health  and give the combined entity a 67% share of commercially insured inpatient services in Onondaga County.

"It is very good news for patients and healthcare workers in upstate New York that this proposed merger is not going to happen," Elizabeth Wilkins, director of the FTC's office of policy planning, said. "The deal presented substantial risk of serious competitive and consumer harm in the form of higher healthcare costs, lower quality, reduced innovation, reduced access to care and depressed wages for hospital employees."

In its comment to the New York State Department of Health, the FTC opposed the neighboring hospitals' request to grant a certificate of public advantage  which gives the state authority to greenlight hospital mergers  arguing that it could have shielded the planned merger from antitrust laws.






From Community Health Network agreeing to a $345 million settlement to resolve allegations dating to 2008, to Seattle Children's Hospital suing the Texas attorney general, here are 10 hospital lawsuits, settlements and legal developments Becker's has reported since Dec. 14.

1. Salem (Ohio) Community Hospital is facing a lawsuit due to a breach at medical transcription service Perry Johnson & Associates that led some of the hospital's patient data to be compromised.

2. Seattle Children's Hospital filed a lawsuit against the Texas Office of the Attorney General after the agency requested documents related to gender transition policies and related care provided to Texas children.

3. Alexander Rovt, PhD, chair of the board of trustees of One Brooklyn Health, a financially struggling health system that runs three private hospitals in New York City, faces a lawsuit over a September board vote to oust the organization's CEO.

4. Watsonville (Calif.) Community Hospital's liquidation trustee Jeremy Rosenthal filed a lawsuit against three executives of Halsen Healthcare, the company that formerly owned the hospital, accusing them of draining its funds for personal use, improper payments, negligent operations and more.

5. Scripps Clinical Medical Group in San Diego agreed to pay nearly $6.9 million to settle discrimination allegations over a mandatory retirement age for physicians.

6. Indianapolis-based Community Health Network agreed to a $345 million settlement to resolve allegations that, as far back as 2008, it violated the False Claims Act and Stark law.

7. Warwick, R.I.-based Kent Hospital, an affiliate of Care New England Health System, agreed to a $35,000 settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act following a patient complaint.

8. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Dallas-based Steward Health Care System and its subsidiaries, alleging violations of the physician self-referral law and submission of false claims to Medicare.

9. A judge told St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital it would not decide on a retrial for its lawsuit case that was brought to light in a Netflix documentary until after the holidays.

10. North Carolina's attorney general is suing HCA Healthcare, alleging the for-profit hospital operator has cut emergency and cancer care at Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health System and lapsed on its 2019 purchase agreement in doing so.
A Florida nurse practitioner faces 20 years in prison for a $192 million Medicare fraud scheme that left her ordering more cancer genetic tests than any other provider in the United States.

Elizabeth Hernandez, 45, of Miami, signed orders for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, telemedicine visits and genetic testing for Medicare beneficiaries that she never spoke to, examined, or treated, according to court documents.

Medicare members were contacted by telemarketing companies, who convinced them to accept orthotic braces, telemedicine care and genetic tests. The pre-filled orders for these products and services then went to Ms. Hernandez, who signed them, confirming that she had examined or treated the patients.

Ms. Hernandez routinely billed Medicare for more than 24 hours of telemedicine in a single day and ordered more cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries than any other provider in the country. She pocketed approximately $1.6 million from the scheme, which funded her purchases of expensive cars, jewelry, home renovations and travel.

Ms. Hernandez was convicted in September and sentenced Dec. 21 to 20 years in prison for her role in the scheme, which was investigated by HHS and the FBI.
The New York State Department of Health has ordered New York City-based Mount Sinai Beth Israel to "cease and desist" from closing beds and services without approval of the department.

In a Dec. 21 letter to the hospital's president and CEO, state officials said continuing to close beds or services without department approval may result in civil penalties of $2,000 per day for each day that the beds or services are closed without approval. The department also noted its right to seek a court order if necessary.

"The department was recently informed by local officials that Beth Israel was ending services without authorization from the state department of health," Erin Clary, a spokesperson for the department, said in a Dec. 21 statement shared with Becker's.

"We confirmed, and today we directed Beth Israel to cease and desist in closing beds and services until a closure plan is approved by the department. The department expects written confirmation that the closures will stop. Failure to comply may result in fines and other penalties."

Loren Riegelhaupt, a hospital spokesperson, shared the following statement with Becker's: "We have received the letter and are reviewing it. As we have always said, the health and safety of our patients are  and must remain  our top priorities."

Earlier this year, New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System announced plans to close its Beth Israel campus.

The hospital's closure plan was submitted for the state health department's review and approval on Oct. 25, and on Nov. 17, the hospital submitted an addendum to the plan, according to the department.

The department said the addendum to the plan described that operations would be closing more quickly than anticipated due to "decreased patient utilization" and "a number of staff resignations as result of the planned closure that, coupled together, will impact on the delivery of services as [Mount Sinai Beth Israel] moves toward full closure".

The department said the hospital indicated that "further adjustments may be needed to the timing (and scope) of the service reductions based on circumstances outside of Mount Sinai Beth Israel's control".

Beth Israel, a teaching hospital, has served Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1889. However, it has been struggling financially, losing more than $1 billion in the last decade.

Mount Sinai officials have also said that the Beth Israel campus is running at only 20% to 25% capacity and is on track to lose $150 million this year alone.

Meanwhile, some Manhattan residents have rallied against Mount Sinai's plan to close its Beth Israel campus in July. Community members argue that the closure will leave only one hospital south of 23rd Street in an area that has a population greater than 400,000 people.
Workforce retention is top of mind for the many healthcare leaders as staffing shortages run rampant.

Some health systems have gone all-in on solving this growing crisis. At Scripps Health in San Diego, worker retention rate and headcount notably increased in 2023.

Eric Cole, Scripps' corporate senior vice president of human resources, joined Becker's to share how the system revamped its strategy to maintain a thriving workforce.

Editor's note: This response has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: How has Scripps Health changed the most over the last year, and what change/update that you made in 2023 as a chief human resources officer has paid off the most?

Eric Cole: In the last year, Scripps Health has focused intently on retaining our valuable workforce. Using a multifaceted approach that leverages workforce predictive analytics, multiple listening posts and staff ideas, suggestions and decisions that affect their work, we increased our workforce retention rate from 82% to 88% (82% to 89% for RNs). We also decreased agency and traveler dependency from over 300 to less than 30 and increased our workforce headcount through recruitment by 6% (11% for RNs). These outcomes allow our workforce to support Scripps national recognition for delivering high-quality patient care, reflected by our ranking among the top 15 health systems in the United States this year by Premier Inc. artificial intelligence.

In 2023, Scripps relaunched our Front-Line Leader Academy, one of our unique leadership development and cultural assimilation programs. Led by our CEO, Chris Van Gorder, and supported by the chief human resources officer and chief medical officer, this program brings multiple cohorts of supervisors together to help front-line supervisors cultivate and use open communication, authenticity, empathy and other tenets of front-line leadership to foster healthy, productive teams. We have received feedback from participants that the Front-Line Leader Academy has been a transformational experience. Continuing these development opportunities and supporting their growth is integral in maintaining and improving our workforce retention efforts.

Like what you see? Executives featured in this article will speak at the 14th Annual Meeting in Chicago! Hospital and health system leaders, click here to apply for a complimentary badge. Interested in exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities to connect with 3,000+ hospital and health system leaders? Download the prospectus here.
Cailee Spaeny talks about playing the Kings better half in a uniquely bananas marriage

Cailee Spaeny doesnt want to talk about the lineage. Since 1999, a handful of young, female actors have been turned into stars by the filmmaker Sofia Coppola  she of cinemas pink hues, aimless heroes and fractured girlhoods.

Kirsten Dunst graduated from kiddie movies with The Virgin Suicides. Scarlett Johansson became Scarlett Johansson with Lost in Translation. Elle Fanning unlocked new depths to her work with Somewhere. But ask Spaeny if shes thought about what it means to be a Coppola muse and she shudders.

Honestly, I just needed to make sure the film turned out OK, the 25-year-old laughs. A month before we meet, Spaeny could be found sitting anxiously at the Venice Film Festival and about to see her starring role in Coppolas Priscilla for the first time. She busied herself by comparing nerves with Euphorias Jacob Elordi.

In the film, the pair play Priscilla and Elvis Presley, two halves of a famed, dysfunctional and  if were being frank  uniquely bananas marriage.

We kept saying to each other, What if were in the first bad Sofia Coppola movie? What if weve ruined her? And now that shes seen it? She hesitates. I mean, I think we can relax a little now.

In Priscilla, Spaeny  who last week was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance  ages from 14 to 27, a transformation aided by a series of outrageous beehive hairdos and eyelashes you could probably see from space.

Today, sat in a London hotel suite, shes been thoroughly rinsed of her Fifties greasepaint  her hair is cropped into a tight bob, her outfit a crisp white suit, her accessories minimal apart from two tiny gold studs in her ears. In conversation she veers between poise and neuroses, beaming with pride over Priscilla as a movie, but shrinking into her seat whenever its pointed out that shes actually in it.

She tells me, for instance, that shes only felt truly comfortable around Coppola in recent weeks. I did my research, I had all my notes and my books and photos, but then Id sit down and it would be her! She is so lovely and kind, but I did feel so nervous every time I would have to talk to her.

Priscilla had an accelerated, month-long production and a tiny budget. In October, Coppola said that it was so stretched that she at one point nearly raffled off a game of pickleball with Elordi just to try and get another day of shooting financed.

We had very minimal prep, and 30 days of flying by the seat of our pants, Spaeny remembers. Then we blinked and it was all over.

Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi in Priscilla

Not once did Coppola seem nervous about any of it  which merely hastened Spaenys own nerves.

Sofia never wears her stress. Her friends call her an iron fist in a silk glove.

Once the first screening happened in Venice, Spaeny felt she could breathe: The movie was well received, Priscilla [herself] said to me that she felt good about the film and my performance. I said to both her and Sofia, like, OK should we grab a drink now?

Its important to note the Priscilla Presley of it all. Priscilla is an odd beast when it comes to biographical films  its endorsed by its subject, and adapted from a memoir written by its subject, but is also unafraid of depicting Elvis as a very bad or at least vaguely dicey man.

The 24-year-old Elvis met Priscilla when she was 14  he was based in Germany as part of his military service, while she was a military brat stationed in the country with her family.

The pair struck up a connection at a party in his home  shed been invited by one of his friends  and carried on a romantic if, according to Priscilla, strictly chaste correspondence over the following seven years.

Priscilla has long insisted that Elvis wasnt predatory due to, she claims, the fact that they only had sex once they were married and Priscilla had turned 21. Eyebrows will be raised all the same.

Elvis was sexualised very early on. He had his youth taken away from him, and no one had experienced that level of fame before either

Their relationship was fraught. In Priscilla, Elvis is depicted as a magnetic, insecure pop idol  and a cruel, drug-abusing narcissist who effectively locks Priscilla away in his fortress-like home. (As an aside, weeks after I meet Spaeny, a report emerges claiming that before her death in January this year, Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis and Priscillas only child, urged Coppola not to make the film, citing its vengeful and contemptuous perspective on her parents marriage.

In a statement, Coppola said that she took great care in honouring [Priscilla], while also presenting [Elvis] with sensitivity and complexity.)

Spaeny is still unpacking their marriage. Its strange and shocking, obviously, she says. Priscilla had such a complicated relationship with him, and shes also fiercely protective over her family and Elviss legacy. So its nuanced. But thats what makes this story so fascinating  you want to hit the pause button and lean in.

I tell Spaeny that I came away most fascinated by Elviss relationship to sex  he seems to avoid having sex with Priscilla even after they marry, and almost because theyre married, all the while carrying on affairs with numerous other women.

If I were to do a sort of pop psychology thing, Spaeny laughs, he was a Christian, and had this idea of purity when it came to marriage and women. He was also being pushed into this very secular world and was sexualised very early on. He had his youth taken away from him, and no one had experienced that level of fame before either, so he didnt have anyone to help him navigate this life that hed been thrust into.

Spaeny says her own journey was less drama-plagued  she always had a warm cocoon of family around her, as well as a preternatural determination to become an actor.

Hailing from Springfield, Missouri, she dropped out of school at the age of 13 to chase her dreams  she acted in local theatre, and even worked as a performer at an 1800s-themed amusement park.

#I got dropped into a very adult world, but I also understood that I needed to find a way to make acting my living, she says. I had to get out of the town I grew up in and start a new life on my own.

She was 14 when she discovered Coppolas work, bingeing on DVDs of The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette and Somewhere.

They totally changed how I looked at myself, she says. In her films I saw girls my age who werent being played by 30-year-olds, who werent dumbed down or naive. She doesnt underestimate young women. Teenage girls are complicated  they have dark sides, passions, longings and fantasies, which Sofia understands. Her films gave me permission to explore all of those parts of myself. They made me unafraid of those parts of myself.

As movies, they were also unlike anything shed ever seen before. I grew up on very commercial, blockbuster films  my mom and dad werent putting on offbeat indie movies, you know? So Id watch Sofias movies and Id just think: oh my god, this is so punk!

Accompanied by her mother and a handful of siblings (she is one of a total of nine), Spaeny would travel back and forth from Missouri to Los Angeles a few times a year, finding real film work once she turned 18.

She was the teenage mother whose murder kickstarted the Kate Winslet mini-series Mare of Easttown, played Dakota Johnsons kid sister in the cult thriller Bad Times at the El Royale, and was  in a canny bit of experimental casting  a male scientist studying soundwaves in Alex Garlands inventive sci-fi show Devs.

Next year she reunites with Garland for the apocalyptic action movie Civil War alongside Kirsten Dunst  and in a testament to Priscillas fast production and release turnaround, it was working with Dunst on Civil War, which was filmed in early 2022, that got her recommended for Priscilla.

She put in a good word for me, she gushes. I mean, she and Sofia are like sisters so it obviously meant a lot to have her blessing. Shes her muse!

Dunst has been Coppolas most consistent collaborator, starring in The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette and The Beguiled, and cameoing in The Bling Ring.

Once she was hired for Priscilla, Spaeny rang up Dunst to ask what she ought to expect from working with Coppola. The answers were very specific: Sofia will become her favourite director, shell look gorgeous at all times, and shell film at least one shot in a bathtub.

And it all ended up happening! she says. I remember laughing once I got the script and I was, like, well  theres my bathtub shot! And she did make me look really good.

So when it comes to Coppola-centric predictions, Spaeny is three for three. Chances are  just like Dunst, Johansson and Fanning before her  shell become a megastar soon, too.

Priscilla is in selected cinemas from 26 December, followed by a wide release on January 1
TOKYO, Dec 22 ( News On Japan ) - Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has finalized a comprehensive guideline to promote better sleep health, advocating over 6 hours of shut-eye for adults, and 9 to 12 hours for elementary school kids.

While recognizing that sleep needs can vary from person to person, the Ministry's guidelines, released Thursday, suggest a range of 8 to 10 hours for junior high and high school students and 9 to 12 hours for elementary school children. These recommendations aim to cater to the distinct developmental and health needs of each age group.

In contrast, for elderly individuals, the guidelines recommend limiting time in bed to no more than 8 hours. This recommendation is based on studies indicating potential health risks associated with prolonged bed rest in older adults.

The guidelines also offer advice on enhancing sleep quality. Key suggestions include not bringing smartphones into the sleeping area, maintaining a dark environment in the bedroom, and avoiding alcohol before bedtime.
TV loves to wheel in a celeb, but it was a shock to see Dion Dublin tour houses with a punk princess of the 80s

TV review: As Homes Under The Hammer celebrates its 20th anniversary with the help of Toyah Willcox, there are unruly throngs of celebs queuing up for festive specials

Toyah Willcox is one of a few celebs who will show us around one of the houses and she was like a child who has found two Buckaroos under the tree.

Billy Weir Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 19:00

The joy of working shifts is that you have mornings to do things.
As he nears the end of his sit-out at St Annes Cathedral, Dean of Belfast Stephen Forde reminds us to count our blessing and remember to be generous to those less fortunate this Christmas

Although there are still two shopping days to go until Christmas, this is the last of the Belfast Telegraph pieces from myself as Black Santa.

At St Annes Cathedral we are busy getting ready for our Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 8pm, the First Communion of Christmas at 11pm, and our Festival Communion Service at 11am on Christmas morning. Across the country people will be preparing to herald the birth of the baby of Bethlehem with carols and readings and reflections.

But the business of collecting for the Black Santa on the steps of the cathedral will continue right up to 4pm on Christmas Eve.

The weather forecast for rain and stormy winds proved to be only too accurate yesterday. Those shopping in Belfast had to battle the gales  and Black Santa and his helpers got thoroughly soaked!

But for anyone who is having to sleep rough, or for a family forced to leave their home for safety, and for those who find themselves refugees, the rain and the wind will be the least of their problems.

For the volunteers of the Peoples Kitchen working in north Belfast, or the volunteers with the Samaritans who will mind the phones over the Christmas period, or aid partners working in the rain of Gaza, or any of the other 130 charities that Black Santa hopes to support, what matters most is the generosity of those who choose to give.

Perhaps Christmas is the best time to look around at family and friends, and in the old phrase, to count our blessings.

From the gift of the Christ Child, who is the heart of Christmas, may we each be generous for those whose lives will be changed from Black Santas barrel. Every penny given to the Black Santa Appeal is given away again to those special local charities who know our local needs best.

For what has been given to the Black Santa Appeal, thank you. And for what is still to be given, there are two more days to call by to the cathedral steps, or even to give online over the Christmas holiday.

So, as the Red Santa says: Merry Christmas everybody.
The case of a man accused of perverting the course of justice in the police investigation into the murder of Charlotte Murray has been sent to the Crown court.

Brian Ernest Barnard, of Currans Brae, Moy, Co Tyrone, faces three counts of making false statements to police on a number of occasions during the investigation.

Proceedings had been delayed awaiting the outcome of appeal proceedings launched by the man convicted of murdering Charlotte as Barnards defence felt this may impact on my client.

In October 2019, a jury at Dungannon Crown Court unanimously found Charlottes former partner John Patrick Miller guilty of her murder.

The Court of Appeal hearing took place earlier this month where Dame Siobhan Keegan dismissed all aspects and upheld the conviction.

Today, Barnard appeared for a committal hearing charged with intending to pervert the course of justice by making false statements on July 11, 2013, January 13, 2018, and June 26, 2018.

A prosecuting lawyer told Dungannon Magistrates Court there is a case to answer which was agreed by Deputy District Judge Liam McStay.

Barnard spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges.

Judge McStay remanded Barnard on bail of 500 to appear for arraignment before Dungannon Crown Court on January 23.

Last seen alive in 2012, Charlotte was later reported missing and enquiries led police to escalate this to a murder investigation.

Despite exhaustive searches, her body has never been found.

When convicted, Miller previously of Redford Park, Dungannon, gasped in disbelief as the verdict was read out.

Throughout cross-examination, he denied killing Charlotte (34) on a date between October 30, and November 1, 2012.

She disappeared from the house they shared in Moy, leaving behind her dog Bella, and a Peugeot car which he later sold.

He maintained Charlotte was still alive, that he never killed her, and he hoped she would someday walk in the door and say sorry for all this.

After four weeks of evidence, the jury took just over three hours to reach a unanimous guilty verdict of murder.

Members of both families were seated in the public gallery, having attended every day of the trial.

John Miller and Charlotte Murray

Charlottes mother and twin sister wept silently and were comforted by family and friends, while others briefly broke out in applause.

Millers parents and sister appeared stunned.

Miller, visibly shaking and crying, was told by the judge: You have been found guilty of murder and the only sentence is life imprisonment. You will be remanded in custody.

He was handcuffed and taken to the cells, looking briefly toward family members as he passed them.

The same day, it emerged police had decided to drain a flooded quarry in Benburb in the hope of finding Charlottes remains.

While this operation went ahead and lasted a number of days, nothing was found.

Charlottes grieving family have consistently called on Miller to do the right thing and tell them what became of her body so they can lay her to rest.

At a later tariff hearing, Miller was told he will spend 16 years in prison before he is eligible for release.
Keziah Macharia (41) appeared before a London magistrate charged with the murder of her four-year-old son, Kobi Macharia-Dooly

Police officers on site where a four-year-old boy has died after suffering knife injuries

A heartbroken Irish family have paid tribute to a four-year-old boy whose mother has been charged with his murder in the UK.

Keziah Macharia (41) appeared before a London magistrate charged with the murder of Kobi Macharia-Dooly on Wednesday evening.

The boy was found fatally stabbed at his Hackney home in east London after police raced to the property following a telephone call which raised concerns over the toddler's welfare.

Kobi's father, Ben Dooly, is based in the UK but is originally from Tramore in Waterford.

The Dooly family are highly respected in Waterford with very strong community, business and sporting connections.

Kobi Macharia-Dooly (4)

The young man was working outside London when the tragedy involving his son occurred in east London.

His Waterford-based family have issued a statement hailing Kobi for "the joy and laughter" the toddler brought to the world - and admitting they are heartbroken by the events of Wednesday night..

"With heavy hearts we bid farewell to Kobi, you will be so dearly missed," they said.

"The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken from us far too soon. We will be thinking of you day and night for eternity till we meet you again."

"The family would like to acknowledge and appreciate all messages of support. Please respect our family privacy at this very difficult time."

Members of the Dooly family have travelled from Waterford to the UK to support the heartbroken father in the wake of the shocking tragedy.

Kobi's grandfather and grandmother were met on arrival in London by Metropolitan Police liaison officers who have been assisting the heartbroken Irish father since Wednesday.

The young man is left devastated by the appalling circumstances of the incident in which his young son died just days before Christmas.

The scene of the killing in Montague Road, Hackney, London. Photo: PA.

Ms Macharia, who is a British national, appeared before Thames Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon in respect of the murder charge.

She was remanded in ongoing custody to appear again before the Old Bailey on December 28.

A full post mortem examination will be performed next week on the boy.

Kobi was discovered critically injured at a property in London after apparently being the victim of a frenzied knife attack.

Ms Macharia was arrested at the scene and had been questioned since Wednesday evening on suspicion of the toddler's murder.

Metropolitan police officers attended the scene at Montague Road, Dalston in Hackney after they had received a telephone call which raised serious concerns about the child's welfare.

Police officers attended the scene at 10.50pm on Wednesday evening and were supported by units from the London Ambulance Service.

The four year old boy was discovered at the property with critical injuries including apparent stab and slash wounds.

Paramedics gave emergency treatment at the scene before rushing the toddler to a nearby hospital.

Tragically, despite desperate efforts by doctors to stabilise the boy's condition, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Metropolitan police officers questioned the 41-year-old woman at the scene.

She was the only person at the property and was discovered blood-soaked in her pyjamas.

The boy's father was working outside London and is understood to have been planning a trip back to Ireland over the Christmas period to meet extended family.

The boy was born in the UK and had lived throughout his young life in the Hackney area of east London.

Neighbours described him as an energetic, happy boy who was often seen playing in the area.

When questioned by police about the circumstances of what happened, the 41-year-old woman was in a very distressed condition.

Neighbours described screaming and frantic efforts by police and paramedics at the scene to aid the injured child.

The woman was later arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to a nearby police station.

She remains in custody and it is understood will undergo a full medical and psychiatric examination.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson indicated that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Hackney locals described emotional scenes outside the Montague Road property with several police officers visibly distressed at what they had discovered inside the property.

An investigation is now under way by homicide detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of Hackney and Tower Hamlets admitted the entire Hackney community was shocked by the incident.

"This is an extremely distressing incident which will understandably cause shock and disbelief amongst the local community and those who attended the scene," he said.

He said the little boy was rushed to hospital for treatment but, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he subsequently died from his injuries.

"We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it."

"Specialist officers from our homicide team are progressing this investigation and continue to work to establish the circumstances of this young child's death, and the events that led up to it."

"This incident occurred within the home and, while there is no wider public safety risk, additional officers will be present in the area as we recognise the impact this will have on the community."

A special liaison officer has been appointed to assist the boy's family.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the matter.

Consular assistance is being provided to those involved.

"As with all consular cases, the DFA does not comment on the details of individual cases."
Empty bus lanes in Belfast City Centre as public transport workers in Northern Ireland go on strike. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The chief executive of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce has said that the strike action taking place on Friday, which sees all bus and rail services ground to a halt for 24 hours, has gone on one day too many.

This is the fourth day of strike action announced by Translink workers and unions Unite, GMB and SIPTU.

The unions were informed that Translink could only offer a pay freeze because of the budget imposed on the department for infrastructure by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris.

Chief executive of the Belfast chamber of commerce, Claire Guinness, has however said that while their members have sympathy for the cause, entering the fourth day of strikes seems a bit heavy handed.

Read more Heaton-Harris challenged as public transport workers stage further strike

Speaking on Friday mornings Good Morning Ulster, she said this weekend is the biggest of the year in terms of trading, activity and footfall for businesses right across Northern Ireland, not just Belfast city centre.

Today is also the last day of the Christmas Market in Belfast and it is unfortunate we have another day of strikes, she said.

Everyone has sympathy and support for the cause, and of course public sector workers deserve proper pay in the wake of the cost of living crisis, we also very much support the right to strike, however we are into the fourth day and it feels a bit heavy handed now.

Workers have lost four days pay, thats a week salary for December which must be hard on them, but its also a huge cost to our city centre, particularly retail and hospitality, she added.

Negotiations in terms of pay packages have stopped for now so I dont see what can be gained today from the strike.

Our members and other traders, especially small and independent shops who are feeling the pain, would have appreciated some leniency on today.

Ms Guinness said that some businesses have reported losses around 14,000 in one day due to cancellations.

It has caused severe economic downturn in terms of trade and retail and hospitality has really suffered, she said.

Anecdotally they have been about 20% down.

We are committed to having a bustling, thriving, modern city centre, she added.

Alan Perry from the GMB Union has said Translink workers have been forced into taking this action, adding that they too would prefer to be at work.

I appreciate and understand the impact this is having on the retail sector, he said.

And we shouldnt be focusing on pitting one worker against another, but there is a solution here, there is an offer on the table, but the secretary of state is instead busy playing scrooge and not releasing the money.

Ultimately we have not received the pay increase they deserve, so we have no option but to continue industrial action, he added.

Public sector workers are just being used as political pawns in these particular round of discussions to get the DUP back into power.
The club of which murdered GAA official Sean Brown was once chairman has publicly backed an interstate case being taken by the Irish government over the Legacy Act.

The Wolfe Tones GAA club in Bellaghy labelled the move a welcome display of courage and conviction  and appealed for the support of the wider Association.

In May 1997, the 61-year-old grandfather was abducted from outside the club while he was locking the gates and bundled into the back of a car by a Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) gang.

He was driven a short distance away and shot six times. To date, no one has been convicted of his murder.

In 2022, the PSNI paid an undisclosed sum to the Brown family and apologised over inadequacies in the original investigation.

In a post on Facebook, the Wolfe Tones GAA club said: As a club, as friends and neighbours, we can no longer hold our dignified silence. As a community, we are furious at the treatment of the Brown family and we actively seek the support and solidarity of our wider association at this time of legal and moral repugnance.

They said as a result of the Act, they fear the inquest process is in jeopardy if all evidence is not heard and reported by the cut-off date of May 1 2024. They said: The family invested their full faith in the inquest process, an inquest being the most fundamental, rudimentary, perfunctory of legal processes, that the state must conclude when a life is taken in the manner in which Seans was stolen from him.

The post added that the Legacy Act is an obscenity whose one achievement has been to unite all communities here. Whereas this legislation will have different traumatic outcomes for different traumatized families.

"Notwithstanding that, the NIO were able to lodge a certificate assuring Public Interest Immunity on behalf of MI5.

At successive court hearings in November and December, the family, our esteemed neighbours, have been insulted with derogatory submissions asserting, in short, that the State cannot discharge their legal obligations, the statement continued, also accusing the PSNI of failing in their duty to provide answers about the sensitive material.

The Brown family ask one simple question of the state intelligence and security forces: if you have nothing to hide, why has it taken you 26 years to prove it?

They concluded: Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC welcome the decision of the Irish Government to take an Inter State case against the British Government to the European Court of Human Rights. This is a welcome display of both courage and conviction. It is clear that politicians are now prepared to match the groundswell of public opinion, against the Legacy Act, with political action. What we, as members of the GAA, now seek is that the leaders of the Association show the same commitment, leadership and action.

We are indebted to the voluntary motions of solidarity reciting expression of concern, by the recent Country Conventions of Derry, Tyrone and Armagh. We respectfully request that this correspondence is considered by all units of our Association, at both club and country level, and we ask each chairman or the last person to lock your club gates, is this how you would accept your family, your club, your community, your own dignified memory, to be treated.

An NIO spokesperson said: "The UK Government is confident that the Legacy Act will provide answers to many families who have waited decades for information about what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles."

The GAA has been approached for comment.
Gerry Kelly, President of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust is with Kirsten and Jacqueline Thompson as the arrive at Santa Park in Lapland. memories for the young participants.

(L-R) Clodagh McGrath with mum Natalie from Belfast, Colin Barkley, Chair of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and Alex Marks with mum Hazel from Randalstown.

Daithi Mac Gabhann and Quinn Callaghan on their way to Lapland to see Santa. Pic: Declan Roughan.

Jenny Ellenbogen from Bangor helps hand out the selection boxes on her way to see Santa in Lapland.

Aidan Mc Donnell with mum Lucy from Glenravel on their way to Lapland.

Seriously-ill children from Northern Ireland have enjoyed a magical flight to Lapland to see Santa Claus.

They included organ donation campaigner Daithi Mac Gabhann (6) from west Belfast.

Those on-board were all-smiles as they enjoyed a day filled with enchanting activities, including reindeer and husky dog rides, mini skidoo adventures, a snowmobile safari, sleigh rides, and a special meeting with Father Christmas himself.

The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust staged the annual trip on Tuesday for 85 children facing terminal illnesses and life-limiting conditions.

Jenny Ellenbogen from Bangor helps hand out the selection boxes on her way to see Santa in Lapland.

The trip, which first started in 2008, transported the children from Belfast to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland.

Among the families sharing this magical experience were Sharon Ogle and son Isaac (8) from east Belfast.

Sharon said: Lapland is magical. There is no other place like it. Isaac and I had so much fun and made so many new memories. Huskies, reindeer, elves, snow mobiles, sledges, sleighs, warm berry juice, graduating elf school, baking, arts and crafts, train, snow  and I mean snow right up to our knees when walking!, party on the plane and we met Santa!

Angela McClements and son Alfie (9) from Ballymoney said that it was the best day ever.

We feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to join you on this trip. I cant put into words how thankful I am for the memories, said Angela.

Chris Power and son Daniel (10) from Dunmurry added that the trip was flawless and was surprise after surprise from start to finish.

Claire McAreavey and son Sam (5) from Gilford said that the trip was something they will treasure forever.

I cant tell you how much of a lift it has given us all at the end of a difficult year, she said.

Generous collaborations with TUI, Belfast International Airport, Swissport, Santa Park, and Wild Nordic in Rovaniemi, Finland, made the heart-warming adventure possible, creating unforgettable memories for the young participants.

(L-R) Clodagh McGrath with mum Natalie from Belfast, Colin Barkley, Chair of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust and Alex Marks with mum Hazel from Randalstown.

Colin Barkley, Chair of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, said: There is no greater Christmas gift than providing joy to young children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and helping alleviate the usual challenges that come with travelling for their families.

Were thrilled to have crafted the enchantment of our Lapland trip for another year. Witnessing the sheer joy on their faces is a timeless delight."

Gerry Kelly, President of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust is with Kirsten and Jacqueline Thompson as the arrive at Santa Park in Lapland. memories for the young participants.

Dr Mark Rollins, a charity Trustee and a Senior Consultant Paediatrician, added: NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust is a unique charity which allows health and community care workers, based in all the paediatric departments and hospitals in Northern Ireland, to nominate the sick children they feel most deserve such an amazing treat.

The health teams are all aware of the significant burden on carers and families who look after their childs condition and needs daily. Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals give up their own time to volunteer to ensure that these children can experience a magical time in a safe environment whilst not forgetting the boost the trip gives to their self-confidence and mental well-being."
It could come despite Westminster banning app on government official devices

Millions of users have recreated the many trends that went viral TikTok in 2023 (Alamy/PA)

A Northern Ireland council could be set to generate its own TikTok video campaign despite Westminster banning the app from government officials devices on security grounds.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) is to consider an advertising programme as part of the UK wide strategy for a Smoke Free Generation by 2030.

A discussion in chambers has suggested the use of the Chinese based social media platform, however central government concerns have been raised of data being transferred from TikTok to the Beijing government.

Although, the UK Cabinet Office allows for local authorities to decide on TikTok use for themselves, some councils such as North Yorkshire have banned the social media App from staff devices, due to concerns over data security.

Mournes DUP rep, Henry Reilly said: When looking at the Smoke Free Generation plans, I am on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership and we have had quite a detailed discussion on this and they were concerned about this.

There are unscrupulous people who are exploiting young people. And they are giving them vapes and some of them contain addictive chemicals, that can make a child very vulnerable.

The problem is, parents dont know about it and I dont know how we can get that message out.

On that committee there was people from the Education Authority and the Youth Justice Department also and if we could organise even a joint TikTok ad or something that would get to young people and get to the parents to make them aware of this.

If people dont know about the threat that exists, at least they are made aware of it, then they know what to look out for and then that helps to fight the battle.

Any guidance from council management would be appreciated.

A council officer responding, told councillor Reilly that a discussion could be made between all parties involved with the NMDDC marketing team to look into the matter further.
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.
China hands over mobile meteorological station to Botswana

Xinhua) 10:03, December 22, 2023

Wang Xuefeng (2nd L), Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, and Grace Muzila (2nd R), permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, listen to introductions after a hand-over ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana, on Dec. 21, 2023. The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change.

The multi-satellite data mobile receiving and processing system, donated by the Chinese government, will provide strong support to Botswana in environmental monitoring, agricultural production and extreme climate prevention, to help Botswana achieve its goals of environmentally sustainable development, said Wang Xuefeng, Chinese ambassador to Botswana, at the handover ceremony, adding that this station is just one of the fruits of nine programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.

As the world's largest developing country and a responsible country, China has always been an active advocator and practitioner of South-South cooperation on climate change. As of now, China has signed 48 cooperation agreements with 40 developing countries, Wang said.

Grace Muzila, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, received the station on behalf of the Botswana government and thanked the Chinese government for its selfless donation.

"In Botswana, frequent drought is exacerbating water scarcity and thereby negatively impacting people's health and productivity. The donation will go a long way in helping us deal with impact of climate change and help strengthen our abilities to keep lives and property safe, reducing the risk of disasters and maintaining resilient and viable economy," she said.

In November 2020, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Gaborone under South-South cooperation for addressing climate change. According to the MoU, the Chinese government agreed to donate a multi-satellite data mobile receiving and processing system to Botswana, to help improve the latter's capacity to address climate change.

Photo taken on Dec. 21, 2023 shows the mobile meteorological station donated by Chinese government to Botswana government in Gaborone, Botswana. The Chinese Embassy handed over a mobile meteorological station to the Botswana government in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Thursday, aiming at helping improve the southern African country's capacity to address climate change. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Japanese weather officials are warning of traffic disruptions as heavy snow blankets wide areas in Hokuriku and other regions along the Sea of Japan.

Snow has accumulated at levels far above average in many areas. The heavy snowfall has passed its peak, but the Meteorological Agency is calling on people to watch out for snowy or icy roads.

Heavy snow fell mainly along the Sea of Japan due to a midwinter-level cold air mass and a winter pressure pattern.

During the 24 hours through 11 a.m. on Saturday, snowfall reached 62 centimeters in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, and 60 centimeters in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture.

Many areas had higher-than-average snow accumulations, including 91 centimeters in Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture.

Local officials say more than 170 households were cut off by the snow in mountainous areas in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Saturday morning.

The snow caused six skidding accidents on the Tohoku Expressway in 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. in Iwate Prefecture. Police say the accidents occurred individually and nobody was injured.
Tanya Williams-Powell, the granddaughter of Thomas Niedermayer killed by the IRA in 1973 (Liam McBurney/PA)

The granddaughter of a German businessman who was killed by the IRA 50 years ago has said that the trauma caused to families during the Troubles must never be forgotten.

Events are taking place in Belfast and Lisburn on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the death of Thomas Niedermayer.

Mr Niedermayer, the manager of the Grundig factory in Belfast and the West German honorary consul for Northern Ireland, was kidnapped by the provisional IRA on December 27 1973.

Thomas Niedermayer, with his wife Ingeborg and their daughters Gabrielle (left) and Renate (right) (Family handout/PA)

His body was not found until seven years later in 1980, when he was discovered in a shallow grave in Colin Glen, Belfast.

Four of his family members, including his widow Ingeborg, his daughters Renate and Gabrielle, and his son in law Robin, took their own lives in the years following his death.

On Friday morning a tree will be planted at Colin Glen and an event of reflection will take place at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn later in the day.

Mr Niedermayers granddaughter, Tanya Williams-Powell, will attend the events.

She told the PA news agency that the reflection event would remember all the members of her family who lost their lives.

She said: I really wanted to do that because I was aware that when Inge and Renate died, their funerals were quite quick and there were very few people in attendance.

I just wanted people to come and have the chance to mourn for them, rather than just Thomas.

I think it is very important not to forget the past because it is only from understanding it that we can learn and move on in a more positive way.

Our story is not unique or special and there are people who have suffered a lot more, but I think it is important to remember that the Troubles affected so many people and not only the immediate and direct victims, but also families. I think we need to keep an awareness of that.

Tanya Williams-Powell said the trauma of the Troubles must not be forgotten (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms Williams-Powells grandfather was killed before she was born.

She said: He was kidnapped in 1973, I was born in 1976. I never got the chance to meet him and only met Inge and Renate a few times.

I would say our lives have been influenced by that, my sister and I lost both our parents in our teenage years, partly due to the fact that Thomas was kidnapped and killed.

The trauma that it caused my mum (Gabrielle), it rippled down into other members of the family as well.

The guilt that each family member felt, they werent able to talk it through and get over it.

Awareness of mental health has come on so much since those times. Awful things happened but people had to try to get on with their lives.

These days we take much more time to comfort and help people overcome that sense of loss and move on.

Fridays events have been organised with the help of victims organisation, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

Kenny Donaldson of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (Liam McBurney/PA)

SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: Following the known knowledge of Thomas murder and the discovery of his remains, four further lives were cruelly cut prematurely short in a chilling domino effect of traumatic pain and loss.

We are privileged to have become acquainted with the surviving family and particularly with the granddaughters of Thomas and Ingeborg.

Incredibly there is an absence of bitterness, hate or will to seek retribution within those who remain.

Instead they are filled with love and a commitment of ensuring that the legacy of a much-loved grandfather, granny, auntie, mum and dad is kept front and centre.

Mr Donaldson added: Thomas sought to bring employment to an area of Northern Ireland which was suffering severely as a consequence of post-war rebuild but also the onslaught of The Troubles.

His objective was to bring a form of economic stability, and in time prosperity to the region.

Cruelly his life was stolen away by those intent on keeping Northern Ireland on its knees, and of keeping our people separated.

The planting of a tree complete with plaque at the location in Colin Glen where Thomas was found is hugely symbolic and we thank those who have facilitated this to occur.

It is also highly significant to have the German ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and several UK-based German diplomats present for events marking this milestone anniversary.
A woman accused of assisting the murder of Odhran Kelly by helping dispose of his body was seen on CCTV carrying him to a car, which was later set ablaze, a court has heard.

The details of the case were released yesterday for the first time, as Stephanie McClelland was granted bail at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

McClelland, of Shan Slieve, Lurgan, who appeared in court via video link from Hydebank Womens Prison, was wearing a green and navy checked shirt.

The court heard that the 36-year-old was one of the people captured on CCTV carrying Mr Kellys body to a car which was later set alight.

Objecting to bail, a PSNI officer gave details of the case for the first time.

Mr Kellys badly burnt body was found beside a car which was ablaze in the Edward Street area of Lurgan around 4am on Sunday, December 3.

Attending, police observed blood on the door [of a flat in Maple Court] that leads inside the landing, said the officer.

A large amount of blood was found inside the flat. In the kitchen, there was broken beer bottles with blood on them  a significant amount of congealed blood. There was also drugs paraphernalia and a large amount of cash and gloves with blood on them.

Andrea Stevenson (43) has also been accused of assisting the murder of 23-year-old Mr Kelly, while Lurgan men, Shane Harte (31), from Headington House, and Gary Damien Scullion (31), from Edward Street, are in custody charged with the murder.

It was heard in court that police then called at the Maple Court flat opposite, where Stevenson answered.

Inside was McClelland and a 10-year-old child, who was no relation to the 36-year-old.

"Police observed that the flat smelt strongly of bleach, the officer told the court. A male was sitting in the kitchen. Stephanie McClelland and the child were sitting in the living room.

"The male was wearing boxer shorts only. He was arrested for murder.

"There was clothing and blood-stained washing in the washing machine. Andrea Stevenson and Stephanie McClelland were arrested for murder and conveyed to custody. Both were interviewed several times.

McClelland initially denied any involvement in the incident but stated she heard a male voice with a Dublin accent in the flat talking to Stevenson and a male suspect, but said she was not threatened herself.

"After several interviews, Stephanie McClelland admitted that it was them who appeared on CCTV carrying the body and assisting the male suspect under duress, said the officer.

McClelland, who has one previous motoring offence, was then charged with the offence of assisting the offenders and made no reply to the charge.

Outlining the PSNIs opposition to bail, the officer said there are concerns McClelland may contact key witnesses, including the 10-year-old child who police are yet to speak to.

He also said 700 people attended a vigil for Mr Kelly on Edward Street earlier this month and police are genuinely concerned for the safety of McClelland due to community feeling.

The officer added that McClelland was not forthcoming during police interviews.

District Judge Chris Holmes said it seems that McClelland was in the wrong place at the wrong time with no record, to which the officer replied potentially.

"At the moment, it does appear to be a woman with no previous convictions at the wrong place at the wrong time, said the judge.

McClelland was released on her own bail of 500 to an address approved by police.

She must not have any contact with anyone involved in the murder case, she must report to a police station to sign bail three times a week, observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am and she must not use social media.

The judge told McClelland: Stay off social media. Trust me, that is for your own good  either in or out, just dont be reading it or writing on it.

McClelland must reappear before court on February 16.
Sinn Fein and the DUP have published their Christmas messages for 2023

Sinn Fein and the DUP have published their Christmas messages for 2023

Northern Ireland needs to see the restoration of its delicate political balances, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Both Sinn Fein and the DUP released their Christmas messages on Friday, with Mr Donaldson using the opportunity to take credit for significant progress in negotiations with the UK Government.

"Over the course of the last year much work has been completed on a number of issues, said the Lagan Valley MP.

We continue to work to secure new arrangements that restore Northern Irelands place in the Union and the United Kingdom internal market.

"We want to see the restoration of the delicate political balances in Northern Ireland and the Assembly and Executive again taking decisions for the good of Northern Ireland.

"Over the course of recent months significant progress has been made in our negotiations with the Government. We will continue to work on these issues until we secure what must be achieved.

"Had it not been for our actions, progress would not have been made and there would have been no prospect of securing and remedying the harm done to Northern Ireland by the Protocol.

"Christmas is a time when we can all pause and reflect. Many of us have an opportunity to step back from the everyday routine of life and spend time with family and friends.

Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle ONeill said 2024 marked a year of real opportunities.

"Christmas is a time for reflection and remembering those who are no longer with us and its a time to celebrate and reunite with family and friends, she said.

"As we look towards 2024, I am hopeful and determined that it will be a year of real opportunities which we can all seize and move forward together.

People deserve all parties working together to support workers and families, and the Assembly and Executive restored to have their back through these challenging times.

We owe it to our young people to make progress happen and to build a better future for everyone.

"For now, enjoy your time with family and friends and have a wonderful festive season. Nollaig Shona agus Bliain Ur faoi mhaise daoibh.

Meanwhile, NIs four main churches have also issued their Christmas message.

Presbyterian Church Moderator Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney said it was important to find time for reflection among a world filled with bad news.

"As we look forward to what is to come, consider taking the time to attend a Christmas Service. In a childrens nativity, or carol service, ponder with others the wonder of the birth of Jesus, taking time away from this busy and chaotic world to remember that God is with us, he said.

A joint message from the Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh  Bishop Eamon Martin and Rev John McDowell  reflected on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

"[It] marked simply the first faltering steps down a very long road to a new, brighter, and shared future, they said.

"Further progress along that road can be made if we show patience and a willingness to listen to one another when we differ and also recognise the need for greater understanding and reconciliation.

"Images we have witnessed from troubled places around the world have reminded us of just how fragile and precious peace really is. This Christmas we keep all those who are suffering in our thoughts and prayers.
Marie Coyne at the grave of the thirteen skulls on Inishbofin (Marie Coyne)

Thirteen skulls stolen by academics that were returned to an Irish island this year are to spend their first Christmas at home in 133 years, a local historian has said.

A reburial ceremony for the human skulls was held on Inishbofin this summer and involved locals and campaigners who had pushed for their return.

The skulls, thought to be around 400 years old, were taken from a monastery on the island of Inishbofin off Irelands west coast by two Trinity University-affiliated academics in 1890.

After sketching the skulls in the nook of St Colmans monastery, considered sacred by the islanders, Alfred C Haddon and Andrew F Dixon took the skulls in the middle of the night.

The skulls were returned in a process undertaken by Trinity College Dublin to review legacy issues at the university.

The ancient human skulls were stolen by academics more than 100 years ago from St Colmans monastery on the island (Inishbofin Heritage Museum)

The decision to return the remains follows years of campaigning by Inishbofin historian Marie Coyne.

She was one of four local women to carry the coffin carrying the skulls to their place of rest in the graveyard  believed to be the first time women on the island had been pallbearers.

Its a happy Christmas for the human remains, because theyre home for the first time in 133 years, Ms Coyne said.

Its just very special to have them here, and where the skulls remains are in the graveyard, you can see right into the abbey where they were taken from.

Asked what it was like to stand in front of the grave, she said: Its peaceful.

I dont know who these people were, Id say their lives were tough. They had families and love, I dont think they would have thought what would happen to their remains.

She said a path had been worn in the area from locals and visitors travelling to see the grave, in a sign of how much interest there has been in the returned remains.

A reburial ceremony has been held on an the island for the skulls, thought to be around 400 years old (Inishbofin Heritage Museum)

Maybe its a small person up against the big powers that be, maybe its the humanity.

Look at what is going on in Gaza and in these places  there are families destroyed, and they will never find their familys remains.

She said that she would place candles on the skulls grave on Christmas Eve.

Other campaign efforts are under way to have remains brought back to the islands, including the return of several skulls to St Finians Bay.

In June, the Government set up a committee to advise on the restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive objects in Ireland, as there are no guidelines on these cases.

The committee is made up of people from the museum, archives and gallery sector, legal and ethics experts and government officials.
Arion Kurtaj was described as a key player in the LapsusS hacking group (PA)

A teenager who leaked clips of an upcoming Grand Theft Auto game during a hacking spree has been sentenced to a hospital order, court staff have said.

Arion Kurtaj, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons were described by the prosecution as the key players in the LapsusS hacking group.

Psychiatrists had assessed Kurtaj as unfit to stand trial so the role of the jury in his case was to decide whether he had committed the acts alleged against him.

Following a two-month trial at Londons Southwark Crown Court plus nine hours and 19 minutes of deliberations, a jury unanimously found Kurtaj had carried out 12 offences in his spree of innovative hacks.

Neither defendant gave evidence during the jury trial at Southwark Crown Court (Sean Dempsey/PA)

These offences included six counts of carrying out an unauthorised act to impair the operation of a computer, three counts of blackmail, two fraud offences, and failing to comply with a section 49 notice to disclose a key when he did not give up the password to his mobile phone when asked to by police.

He tried to blackmail Rockstar Games by threatening to leak the stolen source code for the Grand Theft Auto sequel on to internet forums, the indictment stated.

Kurtaj and the youth were also accused of hacking software company Nvidia in February 2022 before threatening to release Nvidia Corporations intellectual property on to the web if it did not pay them.

At a sentencing hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, Kurtaj was given a hospital order, meaning he will remain at a secure hospital unless doctors deem him no longer a danger, a court worker told the PA news agency.

Kurtajs defence counsel David Miller described the youngster as the most vulnerable of adolescents who was now pitted against huge companies and corporations worth billions, who had unlimited funds and unlimited resources including the FBI, National Crime Agency, Interpol and City of London Police.
Mourners lit candles outside the headquarters of Charles University for victims of mass shooting in Prague (AP)

Three foreign nationals  two from Saudi Arabia and one from the Netherlands  were among 25 people injured in a deadly shooting at a university in Prague, authorities have said.

Police are investigating a possible motive for the attack by a 24-year-old student, which left 14 people dead.

It is one of the worst attacks in the Czech Republic in recent years.

The incident took place at Charles University (AP)

The bloodshed took place in the Czech capital on Thursday at the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek said.

The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said police in Prague worked overnight and 13 of those killed have been identified. He also said three of those wounded were foreigners  two from Saudi Arabia and one from the Netherlands.

Police gave no other details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.

The shooting began at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University (AP)

Mr Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Officials do not believe the gunman had an accomplice.

Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his home town of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself.

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

The incident has stunned the country, and prompted messages of condolence from the White House (AP)

The police chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns, with police saying he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition.

The shootings were well thought-out, a horrible act, Mr Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

The death toll could rise, authorities have warned (AP)

Charles University said in a statement: We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Mr Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.

Mourners have left tributes outside the scene of the bloodshed (AP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence from US President Joe Biden.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Ms Jean-Pierre said.

On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Petra McNeilly is originally from Prague, where the attack took place.

A woman lights candles outside the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague. Pic: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Paramedics load a stretcher into an ambulance van at the location of the shooting. Pic: Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images

An attack which killed more than a dozen people in central Europe on Thursday was shocking to the core, a Czech woman living in Northern Ireland has said.

A lone gunman killed 14 people, some of whom were foreign nationals, before shooting himself. More than 20 people have been injured after the gunman opened fire at at the philosophy department building of Charles University in the Czechia capital of Prague on December 21.

The gunman was a student there.

The attacker has been named locally as 24-year-old David Kozak, who is thought to have killed his father at a separate location

Petra McNeilly, who is originally from the Prague area but now lives in Co Antrim, said news of the attack had been quite terrifying and that the Czech Republic was a relatively peaceful place.

"Its a horrific tragedy, theres no doubt about it, she told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Czech society is relatively peaceful, youd never think something like that would happen.

"For outsiders, its probably not completely clear, but to be a student at Charles University, you really are a gifted, clever person.

"This is somebody from a very good upbringing; an intelligent, capable person. Charles University is like Cambridge, or Oxford. Its really prestigious.

"That doesnt mean he came from a prestigious background, but he had to be capable to get there, and you dont expect people in that kind of position to do something like that.

"For somebody to do something like this is really shocking to the core; it is quite petrifying.

Czech President Petr Pavel has appealed for unity and Saturday has been declared a national day of mourning after the attacks.

A woman lights candles outside the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague. Pic: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that, based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected of killing another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in the east of Prague.

The police chief described the suspect as an excellent student but did not provide any other information.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his home town of Hostoun, just west of Prague.

The gunman suffered "devastating injuries" but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice".

The shooter legally owned several guns, with police saying he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition.

The shootings were "well thought-out, a horrible act", Mr Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

Charles University said in a statement: "We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy."

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town. It is just a few minutes' walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

"There's no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism," Mr Rakusan said.

"It's a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence from US President Joe Biden.

"The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence," Ms Jean-Pierre said.

"On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery."

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nation's worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pose before the start of bilateral talks at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, July 6, 2022.

The foreign ministers of China and the Philippines have agreed to hold a meeting under the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea as soon as possible, amid tensions between the two countries over several reefs in the contested waters.

Wang Yi, who also sits on the powerful Politburo of the Communist Party of China, and Filipino counterpart Enrique Manolo, during a phone call on Wednesday, discussed holding a meeting under the BCM, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The phone conversation was held at the request of the Philippines, it said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-Philippines relations face serious difficulty and the root cause lies in the Philippines change of policy and position, refusing to honor its commitment and repeated provocations that undermine Chinas legitimate and lawful rights and interests, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Thursday.

We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea.

During the phone call, the two sides agreed to hold a meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue at an early date, China Daily, a state-run news outlet, quoted the ministry as saying.

In 2017, the consultation mechanism was established to promote bilateral discussion and cooperation between China and the Philippines. Seven meetings have taken place since then under the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM). The last one occurred in Manila in March.

In reporting about the call, Chinese state media asserted that Wang Yi said the Philippines had downgraded itself to a proxy of the United States.

Tensions have been rising between Manila and Beijing over two atolls in the South China Sea  the Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal and Scarborough Shoal  which both countries claim.

In a statement on Thursday, Manalo said, We had a frank and candid exchange and ended our call with a closer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues. The Philippine foreign minister did not elaborate.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said his nation expected to broaden multinational patrols in the South China Sea next year by adding more participants, a move that is expected to irk China.

The defense secretary said sea patrols would be held in 2024 with France, India, the U.K. and other countries that do not have agreements with the Philippines for such joint operations.

Earlier this year, the Philippines launched bilateral patrols with the United States and Australia in the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for the parts of the South China Sea under its jurisdiction.
In a historic first for Southeast Asia, Thai lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill to begin the process of legalizing same-sex marriages, capping off a years-long campaign by advocates for LGBTQ rights.

The Marriage Equality Bill, which saw multiple versions proposed by the ruling and opposition parties as well as through a public petition, received resounding support in the House of Representatives. As many as 369 MPs voted in favor of it versus 10 who voted against the proposed legislation.

The benefits of this [bill] affirm the governments commitment to human rights, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said while presenting the governments version of the bill to Parliament. We are working to ensure everyone has equal access to family life, free from unfair discrimination.

This law should not be seen as belonging to any particular party. It should be a collective effort for the benefit of all Thai society, he said.

Different versions of the bill proposed by the ruling and opposition parties had only minor differences and had agreement on key issues.

The core feature common to all versions of the bill is the alteration of the marriage definition from a union between male and female to two individuals (of any gender).

This change grants spouses access to a host of legal rights that were previously exclusive to heterosexual couples.

If approved by the king, the Thai government will publish the bill in the Royal Gazette before it becomes law  a process that would make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia and only the third in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

There is no timeline for completing the process.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin previously announced that the Cabinet had approved a draft amendment to the code regulating civil unions in Thailand.

This law will enable same-sex couples to engage and marry under the Civil and Commercial Code, granting them rights and responsibilities equal to heterosexual married couples, he told reporters.

Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a member of the LGBTQ community and an MP from the main opposition Move Forward Party, addressed Parliament to share a personal perspective.

I was born a transgender. Whether I laugh or cry, my transgender identity always remains with me, Tunyawaj said. Transgender individuals have a place in society, have rights and dignity, and deserve to live life as they wish, including within a family setting.

Public support

The bill enjoys overwhelming support in Thailand, with a survey during formal public consultation showing nearly 97% in favor.

Thailand boasts one of the most vibrant LGBTQ communities in Asia, a region where only Taiwan and Nepal previously recognized the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

Annually, thousands of Thais participate in Pride Month celebrations and tourism authorities actively promote the countrys welcoming environment for LGBTQ travelers.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center, an American think-tank, revealed that 60% of Thai adults support the legalization of same-sex marriage. This places Thailand behind only Japan (68%) and Vietnam (65%) in terms of support for such a measure in Asia.

However, discrimination against gay and lesbian individuals persists in Thailand, particularly in employment and health care, advocates say.

Same-sex couples were previously unable to adopt children, make emergency health care decisions for their partners, or access spousal benefits, including tax deductions and government pensions.

If enacted, the law is expected to address many of these issues, said Matcha Phorn-in, a rights activist and executive director of the Sangsan Anakot Yawachon Development Project, an advocacy group led by LGBTQ feminists.

Looking at the current societal atmosphere, theres hardly any concern. The principles of all drafts show no hidden discrimination, she said.

However, once the law passes, our next step is genuine participation. The law must not lead to people of diverse sexual orientations becoming second-class citizens through its enforcement.
Head of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Cambodia, Angkor period, 9th century, stone; Head of a Buddha; Cambodia, Angkor period, ca. 92050, stone; Male Deity  probably Shiva  Cambodia, Angkor period, mid-11th century. [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

From left: Standing Eight-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Cambodia, Angkor period, late 12th century, stone; face from a male deity  probably Shiva  Cambodia, Angkor period, ca. 93060, bronze with silver inlay; Standing Female Deity  probably Uma  Cambodia, Angkor period, ca. mid-11th century, stone; possibly Standing Shiva, Thailand, Angkor period, 11th century, gilt-copper alloy with silver inlay. [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

From left: The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease, Cambodia, Angkor period, late 10thearly 11th century, copper alloy with silver inlay; Kneeling Female, Thailand, Angkor period, Khmer style of the Baphuon, 11th century, bronze inlaid with silver and traces of gold. [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

From left: Ardhanarishvara  Composite of Shiva and Parvati  Cambodia, pre-Angkor period, 7th-8th century; head of Avalokiteshvara  the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion  Cambodia, Angkor period, 10th century, bronze; and four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Cambodia, Angkor period, 11th century, bronze. [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

When an American museum announced last week that it would return two Angkor era statues to Thailand, including the well-known Golden Boy  dating to the 11th century, the emotive issue of stolen antiquities became a hot topic here.

Turns out, many Thais discovered that more than 100 stolen artifacts from their country are scattered in museums worldwide, according to experts.

But the Thai government, for now, has formally requested the return of only about 30 items  the repatriation of artifacts is a long process  and even those efforts have so far proven futile, according to noted local archaeologist Thanongsak Hanwong.

We have officially submitted documents requesting the return of over 30 artifacts to various countries, Thanongsak, whos also a member of a government committee for the repatriation of stolen artifacts, told BenarNews.

Additionally, there are about ten more cases where official requests have yet to be sent. However, Thai embassies abroad are negotiating their return. Some museums are reluctant to publicize these repatriations.

Last Friday, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York announced it was returning the two statues to Thailand along with 14 artifacts  also from the Angkor period  to neighboring Cambodia.

What might explain this wide difference in the number of artifacts being returned to the two countries?

Especially considering that the Met, as the world-famous New York institution is known, also holds notable 9th century Thai statues Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and Bodhisattva Maitreya  Thailand has been unsuccessfully trying to recover the former since 2016, Thanongsak said.

A complex process

Many museums abroad just ignore Thailands return requests despite the artifacts provenance established as Thai, said Thanongsak and his group Sam-nuk Sam-Roi Ong (SSO), a group of local archaeologists and historians.

What does not help is that the Thai government has never explicitly said it prohibits its antiquities from being sold and taken overseas, Thanongsak said.

Lintel with Shiva on Nandi, Cambodia, Angkor period, 11th century, stone. [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Cambodias success in repatriating many of its artifacts from abroad is due to its governments declaration that it never consented to Khmer art leaving the country. Therefore, Khmer artifacts located outside of Cambodia are considered to have been acquired illegally, Thanongsak said.

Cambodia has clearly stated that they never permitted the export of their artifacts, unlike Thailand, where permissions have been granted at the discretion of the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, he said.

The process of repatriating Thai artifacts is more complex than that of Cambodia, as it requires proof that the items were indeed stolen.

The Thai governments Department of Fine Arts is actively pursuing the return of Thai artifacts scattered abroad, Phanom Butrachoti, the departments director-general, told BenarNews.

It might seem slow, but each artifact requires careful consideration by relevant committees to ensure its illegal export from Thailand, to avoid future complications, Phanom said.

Standing Shiva [left], known as "Golden Boy," Thailand, Angkor period, 11th century, gilt-copper alloy with silver inlay and Kneeling Female, Thailand, Angkor period, Khmer style of the Baphuon, second half of the 11th century, bronze inlaid with silver and traces of gold. [Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Take the case of Golden Boy, which the Mets website describes as an 11th century statue, possibly of the mythical Hindu god Shiva, made of gilt-copper alloy and silver inlay.

The process to repatriate the Golden Boy took over three years of negotiations and gathering information from local villagers, Thanongsak said.

The statue (pictured above) had been found by locals in Buriram province in the early 1970s. British antiquities dealer Douglas A.J. Latchford bought it from the locals for 1 million baht back then, and sold it abroad.

The pursuit to reclaim Golden Boy started in 2021. I presented this case to the Committee for the Follow-Up on Antiquities. [Was] sent to Ban Yang (in Buriram), I gathered information to substantiate its origins, the Thai archaeologist said.

Our efforts, backed by detailed data and Latchfords book citing its acquisition from Ban Yang, eventually led to the Mets representatives negotiating with Thailand, resulting in its return.

The Phra Narai Bantomsin lintel affair

The Met agreeing to return the statue is not a common occurrence, Thanongsak said.

Another instance of such a return was the Narai Bantomsin lintel, he said.

He was referring to a stone carving of a facade from between the 12th and 14th centuries, which went missing or was stolen in the 1960s from Phanom Rung Historical Park and later found displayed at The Art Institute of Chicago.

Its return was a result of extensive campaigns and protests by a charged Thai public.

The way its told, what came to be called The Phra Narai Bantomsin lintel affair took off in February 1988, when Thai newspapers all together published an open letter from the Thai public demanding the lintel be repatriated.

In May that year, more than 500 Thais protested in front of the Art Institute of Chicago, demanding for the return of the lintel.

The same year, Thai rock band Carabao released an album called Narai Bantomsin, with the cover showing the Statue of Liberty holding the lintel. Included in the album was a song titled Return Michael Jackson, bring back Narai.

Pressure was mounting. A Chicago-based philanthropic group, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, noticed the brouhaha and decided to facilitate the lintels return.

The foundation offered the museum in Chicago Thai artifacts worth 50 million baht as a replacement for the stone artifact, and the institute agreed to let go of the lintel.

The stone artifact arrived at Don Mueang Airport on the evening of Nov. 10, 1988, to a media reception of the kind reserved for international rock stars, the Bangkok Post reported.

The arrival event, which was broadcast nationwide, included the opening of the wooden crate that contained the lintel.

When the lid was lifted to reveal the stone carving, the cheer almost rocked the airport.

Narai Bantomsin was finally home.

Shailaja Neelakantan in Washington contributed to this report.
TOKYO, Dec 23 ( News On Japan ) - A historic verdict has been delivered in the 1971 Shibuya riot case, with a member of the radical faction 'Chukaku-ha' receiving a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in the brutal murder of a police officer.

Masaaki Osaka, now 74, was implicated in a 1971 conspiracy with other students leading to the murder of 21-year-old police officer Tsuneo Nakamura with an iron pipe and tossing a Molotov cocktail directly at the victim.

The Tokyo District Court acknowledged, "Despite the elapse of more than 50 years, it's still conceivable to find the truth if proper legal processes are followed."

In Friday's ruling, the court highlighted Osaka's role in the brutal and unwarranted assault against an unarmed officer, driven by a motive aligned with the extreme goal of eliminating the riot police.

Throughout his trial, Osaka consistently declared his innocence, contending that the entire legal process against him, from the issuance of the wanted notice to the trial, was marred by injustice and irrationality.

After the riot, Osaka evaded capture for 46 years, eventually being apprehended in 2017 at a hideout in Hiroshima.

The crux of the trial revolved around piecing together the facts, involving extensive witness testimony from individuals who had observed the riot, participants, and former law enforcement officers, in a legal battle that spanned over a year.

Wikipedia: Chukaku-ha (Revolutionary Communist League, National Committee)
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy skies with afternoon snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 32F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
BENNINGTON  Farm Road Brewing owner Seth Barrows, who died unexpectedly earlier this month, is being remembered as someone who had a significant positive impact on the downtown and the wider community.

Barrows, who had been a passionate home brewer of craft beers, realized a dream in February 2021 when he opened the brew pub in extensively renovated space at 400 Main St.

The pub straddles a key Four Corners location opposite the historic Hotel Putnam at the heart of Benningtons downtown.

On behalf of the Better Bennington Corporation, we would like to say our deepest condolences to Seth Barrows' family and friends, said Jeanne Mintrone, the downtown promotional organizations executive director. His passing is not just a loss for Farm Road Brewing but a profound one for our entire community.

She added that Seth's dedication, tenacity, and the warm atmosphere he created will be remembered by all who had the privilege of being part of it. May his legacy endure through the memories and the sense of family he fostered.

A post on the BBC Facebook page shortly after his death Dec. 8 said in part, We at the Better Bennington Corporation had the privilege of getting to know Seth. We engaged in conversations about the future of Bennington's events, and we were incredibly grateful for his generosity in sponsoring the BBC's Thursday Night Live. Seth's dedication to the community and his warm presence will be sorely missed ... The northeast corner of the Four Corners will not be the same without him.

Barrows, 51, died unexpectedly at his home on Farm Road in Arlington. According to his obituary notice, a memorial service, including military honors, will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2024, at the Elks Lodge in Bennington.

A mentor and a friend

Erin Miller, a close friend of Barrows' who worked as a bartender at Farm Road, said it was still difficult to put into words what the loss meant to her, but did her best to sum up her dearly-missed friend.

"There are so many wonderful things I could and would say about Seth. He was my mentor and my best friend. Seth loved what he did. He loved making beer and making it in his home state of Vermont, particularly here in Bennington," she said via email. "The community we built within the brewery was something special and it was not something he took for granted. He believed in local craft brewing and very much looked forward to the future."

"Most of all he believed in having fun with what we do," she continued. "That included sharing a laugh and a pint with our regulars, introducing new people to craft beer, going to brew fests and of course feeding our spent grain to local cows. He will be missed greatly. I am forever grateful for knowing him and learning from him."

Passion for brewing

Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said Barrows had previously been an important influence in the downtown through active participation in annual Chamber homebrew festivals and other events.

Harrington said one of the goals of the brewfests is that hopefully, theres one or two that percolate to the top and want to go out and be professional brewers. Seth was a great example.

The pub owner died too young and will be missed, Harrington said.

Barrows continued to be involved with brewfests as a judge as a sponsor, as a host for after-parties, he said.

The transformation of that building [400 Main St.] also provided a very needed facelift at the Four Corners, Harrington said.

He said the fact that Barrows was based in the Northshire yet established a business in Bennington also illustrated how the regional business community can all work together. As a chamber, we like to celebrate that.

Sense of history

I had the opportunity to meet Seth while creating the 250th promotional video A Bounty for the Arrest of Ethan Allen, said Jonah Spivak, the towns communications coordinator, who is active in planning 250th anniversary commemorations related to the 1777 Battle of Bennington.

He was a lover of local history, a proud community supporter, and a brewer of top quality, Spivak said. Losing Seth is a great loss for downtown and the community as a whole. I am shocked and saddened by his tragic death.

Seths passing is such a tremendous tragedy, and we have had his entire family and circle of friends in our thoughts over the past few days, said Jonathan Cooper, Community and Economic Development program manager at the Bennington County Regional Commission.

We were fortunate to work with Seth on a small grant application that helped support some of the amazing efforts he put into Farm Road Brewing, he said. Through that experience and subsequent visits we got to know him a bit, and through the brewery  since it takes all hands to make these ventures work  we had the opportunity to meet his wife (Marsha Barrows), and his daughter. Our hearts go out to them.

Cooper said the owners vision for the brew pub almost seemed like it emerged fully formed when I walked in on opening day, but that was on account of the years of detailed thought and commitment that he and Marsha had put into the project. That commitment was never more evident than his own focus on opening during the pandemic, which gave many people the pleasure of seeing a new business open its doors right on Putnam Square during a time when many more doors were closing.

Bennington has really emerged as a hotspot for brewing activity over the past decade, and Seths presence, personality, and production brought him into friendly and warm contact with the other brewers operating in town, Cooper said.

Michael Madison, co-owner of Madison Brewing Company Pub & Restaurant, said, It is very sad that this happened ... I was in pretty big shock when I heard it.

Ive only known Seth for the time that he was open, but him and I pretty much hit it off right off the bat, Madison said. Considering we were in the same type of business, we did a lot of discussions together. Anytime I needed anything he was always there for, and that relationship went back and forth.

My first impression of [Barrows] was this is a great, stand-up guy, Madison said.

He said that type of cooperation also was true among other similar establishments in town, including advertising together and otherwise supporting their fellow business owners.

Opening Farm Road Brewing was a great thing for the downtown, Madison said.

Glen Sauer, manager of the Village Garage Distillery, said, Im still trying to process the whole thing. He was a great addition to the downtown family, and I have nothing but good to say about him. He will be sorely missed.

Sauer said both opened their businesses in the downtown in 2021.

He was helping us, Sauer said. We would love to see the downtown become a destination for people. So people would put their blinkers on and turn into our downtown and have options, things to do.

Farm Road Brewing became one of those good options, he said, adding that his business would be happy to assist if a decision is made to continue the brew pub.

"I worked with Seth when he received a town loan to purchase equipment to get Farm Road Brewing started," said Bennington Community Development Director Shannon Barsotti. "I was impressed by his intelligence, his passion for brewing, and his commitment to Bennington. He was a welcoming host who quickly created a neighborhood gathering spot at Farm Road that brought the Four Corners to life. Seth will be greatly missed, and I hope that his legacy at Farm Road Brewing can be continued."

Retired from military

According to his obituary, Barrows had retired after 25 years of service in the Navy and later the Air Force.

He was born in Middlebury and grew up in Dorset, graduating from Burr and Burton Academy, and later receiving a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Maine Maritime Academy.

A few years prior to establishing Farm Road Brewing, he had attended the American Brewers Guild Brew School in Middlebury.
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Kripalu is planning its first full season in three years as the nonprofit continues to bounce back from the economic impact of the pandemic.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
Jim Shulman, a Pittsfield native and retired Psychologist living in Ohio, is the author of "Berkshire Memories: A Baby Boomer Looks Back at Growing Up in Pittsfield." If you have a comment about this story, please write the Berkshire Eagle at letters@berkshireeagle.com and if you have a memory of a Berkshire baby-boom landmark, business or event you'd like to see in a column, write Jim at jesjmskali@aol.com
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At one home in Pittsfield, Christmas has come early. It started the way so many of the best holiday stories do: with a wish and heartfelt letter  from a dog named Blue.
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PITTSFIELD  The plaintiff in a civil suit against General Electric Co. and other companies has filed a motion to return the case to Berkshire Superior Court, where it was first filed.

Attorneys Thomas Bosworth and John B. Stewart filed the motion on behalf of Crystal Czerno of Pittsfield on Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Czerno's lawsuit alleges that exposure to PCBs at Allendale Elementary School, which is built atop PCB-tainted fill and adjacent to the Hill 78 landfill, caused her sons leukemia.

Czerno is also suing Monsanto, which manufactured PCBs; Bayer, which now owns Monsanto; and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) and three of its petrochemical and plastics manufacturing subsidiaries in Pittsfield.

Bosworth, a Lenox native with his own law practice in Philadelphia, and Stewart, a Springfield attorney assisting as local counsel, represent Czerno and plaintiffs in eight other lawsuits alleging that they were sickened by exposure to PCBs, and that the defendants used and disposed of PCBs despite knowing they posed a health threat.

General Electric has yet to file a response to the motion, but has sought and received an extension until Jan. 31, 2024. U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni, who is presiding over the case, granted that extension on Dec. 19.

GE filed a motion to move the case to federal court on Sept. 29. In the motion, filed by attorneys for Campbell, Conroy & ONeil, PC. of Boston, GE argued it used the chemical in manufacturing because the federal government required it, and that it remediated the contamination it caused with federal supervision and approval.

Those factors make the case for removal to U.S. District Court "paradigmatic," the motion states, "because GE was 'acting under' the authority of federal officers with respect to multiple aspects of the charged conduct ... federal officers controlled these products from the 'cradle' of manufacturing to the 'grave' of remediation."

But Bosworth says GEs argument falls well short of proving that the case belongs in federal court. He noted that other attempts to use that defense in other states have failed.

The origin of defendant GEs conduct in this case is GEs decades of improper disposal, placement, discarding, and dumping of PCBs throughout Pittsfield, including improper disposal and placement of PCBs at Hill 78 and Allendale Elementary School, says the motion to remand. The federal government never required, mandated, ordered, or supervised any of this improper disposal, placement, discarding, and dumping of PCBs.

Theyre trying to draw a causal nexus between things that happened in World War II and Oh, by the way, PCBs were used,' Bosworth said Thursday. So what? Did the feds require GE to dump in an elementary school? No. Did they require them to dump PCBs around Pittsfield and millions of pounds of PCBs into the Housatonic? No.

And its not lost on me they dont want a jury of Berkshire County residents to decide their fate, he added.

One of the nine plaintiffs, Diane Romero, 43, of Pittsfield, died of cancer Dec. 3, Bosworth said.

Bosworth said he was informed of Romeros death by her son. He said the family has told him they wish to continue the lawsuit.

She was a very well-established nurse at Berkshire Medical Center, and recently promoted, Bosworth said. She was just a really, really wonderful, loving and kind person. She was loved by her co-workers and [was] a wonderful mom.

Romero, whose home is on California Avenue  close to Allendale Elementary School, Hill 78 and the northern border of what was GEs 254-acre campus  said in her lawsuit that she had developed an aggressive form of breast cancer that metastasized to various parts of her body, including her brain and spinal cord. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation for her breast cancer, as well as about 10 rounds of targeted radiation of her brain for metastatic brain cancer.
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Projects in the Berkshires have been targeted by the Department of Fish and Games Division of Ecological Restoration for grants that will help fund work to improve infrastructure resilience in the face of heavier rains brought on by the changing climate.
GREAT BARRINGTON  Town Police Chief Paul Storti has apologized for any "distrust and alarm" a police officer's search for an illustrated novel caused in the community and affirmed that it is "not our role to seek out, censor, or 'ban books' in our schools."

Facing blowback stemming from the Dec. 8 search for "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, Storti said that police actions that day "were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum."

"We are aware every day of larger issues that can stoke anger, hatred, and lead to discrimination," he wrote in a message on the Great Barrington Police Department's Facebook page. "Its been my personal goal as your police chief to head a department that can act as an ally to our community in times that can be polarizing. Whatever your race or gender, ethnicity, legal status or mental health, we strive to serve you all equally."

Text of message from Police Chief Paul Storti As the Chief of Police for the Great Barrington Police Department, I apologize to anyone who was negatively effected by our involvement at the WEB Dubois Middle School on December 8, 2023. Over the years, our relationship with our schools has been positive and collaborative, so together we worked with the school to try to navigate this sensitive situation. If our involvement caused distrust and alarm, that was not our intention. I promise you our actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum. We are aware every day of larger issues that can stoke anger, hatred, and lead to discrimination. Its been my personal goal as your police chief to head a department that can act as an ally to our community in times that can be polarizing. Whatever your race or gender, ethnicity, legal status or mental health, we strive to serve you all equally. I wish to emphasize again to our residents, teachers, students and wider community that it is not our role to seek out, censor, or ban books in our schools. I appreciate that I cannot take our alliance with our community for granted. The professional actions of police do, and will, come under scrutiny. It is our job to act with integrity and professionalism. We make our best efforts to be transparent about our work. If there is an opportunity to be included in these discussions going forward, we welcome a seat at the table.

Storti's apology was met with some support among commenters  but many others remained outraged. A number of commenters accused police of overreach like that of fascist regimes including those run by Nazis and communists.

The firestorm began after a citizen notified police of explicit sexual material in the book that they deemed potentially pornographic or obscene, and sent police a picture of the book in that classroom. In response, police and school officials agreed that a plainclothed officer would look for the book after school in the classroom of an English teacher at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School.

The officer, who had announced he would turn on his body-worn camera during the encounter, was escorted to the classroom by Du Bois Principal Miles Wheat.

No one could find the book, which is part of the teacher's resource library collection. And a week later, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue announced that there would be no investigation. Instead, he said, the matter of the book's appropriateness would be kicked to the schools  where such concerns are typically dealt with.

But those book challenges through the schools reveal the identity of the person making them, whereas a complaint made to police could be kept anonymous.

School officials also apologized earlier this week for whatever role they played.

"Gender Queer" is an award-winning coming of age memoir that depicts the struggles of gender uncertainty and confusion about gender roles.

It is also the most challenged book in the U.S., where an uptick of book challenges and bans continue to rile schools and libraries.

Parents concerned about police involvement in the schools want answers. Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon announced last week a meeting would be held Jan. 11 to air concerns and talk about why police got involved.

Questions remain. One is why police chose to go to the school to view the book, when copies can be found outside the school.

Also, it's not clear why police only focused on that particular classroom given that the book also can be checked out from another classroom at the school with the consent of parents, according to several sources that include parents.

Neither Storti nor Wheat could immediately be reached for comment. The teacher whose classroom was searched has previously said that she does not want to comment nor have her name published for fear of reprisals in a volatile political climate.

A lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts told The Eagle earlier this week that "Police going into schools and searching for books is the sort of thing you hear about in communist China and Russia."

Both the ACLU and The Eagle have requested public records pertaining to the incident, including the bodycam footage.

In his apology, Storti also said the department hopes to be included in any "discussions going forward."

"I appreciate that I cannot take our alliance with our community for granted," he wrote. "The professional actions of police do, and will, come under scrutiny. It is our job to act with integrity and professionalism. We make our best efforts to be transparent about our work."
A priest walks at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. World-famous Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have been put on hold due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
My childhood view of Christmas was colorful, clean, and pleasant. I remember Daddy marching down the church aisle at Christmas, singing, We Three Kings. I had a sanitized view of camels, too  until I visited one that was filthy, by his own choice. He sometimes projected that filth of his in the direction of onlookers. My romantic view of a stable and the three wise mens journey vanished.

Gone also is the childhood notion that the first Christmas was all joy and peace for the main characters. Mary and Joseph experienced a bevy of emotions and challenges that included betrayal, fear, and loneliness. In other words, the first Christmas offers a lot of hope for real people in a fallen world whose holiday celebrations fall short of the mythical ideal.

Most of us are familiar with Mary. But Joseph is also worth a deeper look. Lets consider five lessons from Josephs faith that first Christmas.

1. By Faith Joseph Displayed Kindness under Pressure

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly (Matt. 1:18-19).

Kindness and godliness go together. In fact, Proverbs tells us the righteous show regard even for their animals (Pro. 12:10). Our culture suffers from a dearth of kindness. Hateful comments on social media show even believers tearing down fellow believers. Josephs example of kindness can teach us a lot about faith in the midst of disappointment.

From a human viewpoint, Joseph had every right to be angry. His fiance unexpectedly left town for three months and returned three months pregnant! Her story about an angels visit and still being a virginbut pregnantmust have sent him reeling.

How could he have been so deceived about Marys character? And why would she make up such a ridiculous story about an angels visit to cover her betrayal?

The stigma of illegitimacy followed Jesus throughout his life (John 8:41). In our morally lax society, we cant fully appreciate the shame this label carried in Marys culture. Books written less than a century ago provide an idea of the stigma and consequence a moral lapse brought. A compromising letter was enough to ostracize a woman from polite society and prevent a respectable marriage.

Under Mosaic law, anyone guilty of adultery would be stoned (Lev. 20:10). In The Indescribable Gift, Richard Exley explains the three steps in a Jewish marriage and the binding commitment of a betrothal. First there was the engagement, a contract arranged by family members. Next came the betrothal, a public ratification of the engagement. According to Exley, during this period the couple is considered husband and wife, though the marriage has not been consummated. The only way a betrothal could be terminated was by death or divorce

The last stage is the marriage proper, when the groom takes his bride into the bridal chamber and consummates the marriage. This is followed by a wedding party.

Thered never been a virgin birth before. It was natural for Joseph to doubt Marys explanation. Yet Josephs faith guided him to be kind even when his emotions whirled within him. He chose to quietly divorce her and protect her from public shame.

Joseph models a Christ-like response to betrayal. Kindness and grace leave the door open for the wrongdoer to repent and be restored to God and his people. In Josephs case, when Marys reputation was cleared, he had to deal only with having doubted her story. He had no regrets about how he had handled the matter.

Josephs kindness with Mary  when he believed shed betrayed him  shows the kindness faith produces even under pressure (Galatians 5:22).

2. By Faith Joseph Showed Courage

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20).

Why was Joseph afraid? The obvious answer is that he feared Mary was involved or had been with another man, that she was immoral and not the person hed believed her to be. Since he hadnt heard from God at this time, how could he believe Mary? How could he ever trust her? How could he raise another mans child?

The angel quieted this fear. There was no other man. Mary had told him the truth. She was carrying the Son of God.

I imagine other fears also taunted Joseph. Mary was three months pregnant at this point. To take her as his wife made him look immoral. What would this do to his standing in the Jewish community? Would his carpentry business suffer? Would they be thrown out of the synagogue and shunned by family and friends?

But when Joseph heard that this was Gods plan for him, all other concerns melted. He put aside his fears and followed God in faith. Joseph didnt deny the challenges involved, but he accepted Gods plan with courageous faith.

When we know and trust God, we too find the courage to face our fears and follow Him.

3. By Faith Joseph Received Guidance and Revelation

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up, he said, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him (Matt. 2:13).

When I feel panic because Im not sure of the next step, remembering how God dealt with Joseph reassures me. Throughout this story, God warned and directed Joseph step by step. The Bible says God still shares insights with those who walk with Him (John 16:13), and He directs our path (Pro. 16:9).

Gods ways often baffle me. If Id been directing the events of the first Christmas, I would have preempted the tension and misunderstanding between Mary and Joseph by sending the angel to Joseph before he met with Mary. I would have warned him about their need to flee before the middle of the night they had to leave. But Gods ways are not my waysthey are better (Is. 55:9). And so is His timing. God sent Joseph the direction he needed when he needed it, not before. Hell do the same for me.

4. By Faith Joseph Obeyed God

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (Matt. 1:24).

Joseph demonstrates the obedience of faith. Three times when an angel spoke to him in a dream he immediately obeyed. His quick response meant fleeing, perhaps on foot, leaving behind what they couldnt carry and starting over in a new location (Luke 2:13). One of lesser faith might have waited to finish and get paid for the carpentry project he was working on.

Josephs obedience showed his trust in Gods wisdom and provision for the unknown.

5. By Faith Joseph Lived Within His Means

But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean (Leviticus 12:8).

They also offered a sacrifice as required by the Lords Teachings: a pair of mourning doves or two young pigeons (Luke 2:24).

At Christmas, we  especially parents and grandparents  dont want our loved ones to feel disappointed or less than their friends. This can pressure us to spend more than we should. I appreciate that the Christmas story shows the humility of Joseph. At the circumcision of Jesus  Gods very Son  Mary and Joseph didnt offer a lamb, but the lesser offering of a pair of doves or pigeons. Charles Ryrie says in the Ryrie Study Bible that this shows the familys poverty.

When were tempted to react, feel sorry for ourselves, delay obedience, or overindulge this season, may Josephs example bolster our faith to live courageously and in step with our Savior.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Nankimstudio

Debbie W. Wilson is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and former Christian counselor who speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. Her books include Give Yourself a Break, Little Women, Big God, and Little Faith, Big God.

She and her husband lead Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit Christian counseling and Bible teaching ministry. Despite time in Boston, the Midwest, and Southern California, Debbie still says yall. Her family, which includes two mischievous standard poodles, calls North Carolina home. Connect with Debbie, find free resources, and learn about her books at debbieWwilson.com.
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Adding heft to the growing power of Gujarat pharma production

The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) boasts of Rs 6000 crore plus worth Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed in a single day on December 20, 2023 related to bulk drugs and formulations production in Gujarat by the hands of the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The MoUs will translate into setting up of new bulk drug units in Vadodara and expansion of pharma formulations businesses in Ahmedabad. This will add heft to the growing power of Gujarat pharma production which contributes to 28 per cent of pharmaceutical exports in the country.

This comes close on the heels of fifteen major and small pharmaceutical companies having entered into MoUs worth Rs 3,555 crore with the Gujarat government earlier this month. These companies would be manufacturing bulk drugs, formulations and medical devices offering a wide range of product categories.

Companies which are investing in projects worth more than Rs 500 crore are being awarded the MoU certificates by the hands of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, informed Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) commissioner Dr H G Koshia, who is also the Pharma Guardian Officer of Gujarat.

Zydus Life Sciences is investing Rs 5006 crore for expansion of business in bulk drugs and formulations in Ahmedabad.

Mumbai headquartered BDR Pharmaceuticals International is investing Rs 500 crore in anti-cancer APIs and formulations. They are building one of the largest state-of-the art API production units in the oncology segment in Vadodara.

ALS Pharma has proposed to invest Rs 515 crore in a bulk drug manufacturing unit in Vadodara. This amounts to a total figure of Rs 6021 crore of investments in bulk drugs and bulk drugs put together which are a precursor to the forthcoming 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit (VGGS)-2024 which will be held between January 11 and 13, 2024, informed Dr Koshia.

Bhagwati Prasad
The rating firm, Avance Media's 100 Most Influential African Women 2023 is made up of prominent African women breaking the bias across the world and includes two presidents, three vice presidents, one prime minister, ministers, and top CEOs of both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations.

Image supplied. The list of the 100 Most Influential African Women 2023 has been announced

The firm has launched its annual publication to highlight and celebrate the remarkable endeavours of African women, who inspire the future leaders of Africa.

It includes the President of Tanzania - H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Merck Foundation CEO, senator - Dr Rasha Kelej; prime minister of Namibia - Rt. Hon Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

Most influenical NGO

Kelej, also president of More Than a Mother campaign has been recognised for the fifth consecutive year.

Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation was recognised as the 2022 NGO of the Year, the most influential NGO in Africa whose collective efforts greatly contribute to shaping Africas future through key sectors such as health, education and economic empowerment by transforming patient care landscape, creating a culture shift, supporting girl education, empowering women, and breaking infertility stigma in Africa and beyond.

Kelej has been recognised for her commitment towards women empowerment, girl education and patient care transformation in Africa and other developing countries.

Thank you all for recognising my efforts & commitment, which is part of Merck Foundation's commitment towards building healthcare capacity, transforming the patient care landscape with a special focus on women's health, empowering women and girls so that they can reach their potential and pursue their dreams, says Kelej.

She adds, I promise to continue to my efforts in leading Merck Foundation to further empower women, support girl education, and improve patient access to quality and equitable healthcare in Africa, Asia and beyond. Congratulations to all the exceptional women who have been selected this year with me. Well deserved.

Kelej was also conferred with the Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt) Degree (Honoris Causa) by the Krishna World University, India, for her outstanding achievement in the social sciences, justice and reform, earlier this year.

More Than a Mother campaign

In partnership with 22 First Ladies of Africa as ambassadors of More Than a Mother campaign, has provided more than 1,700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries.

Scholarships of one-year, two-year, and three-year diploma and Master degrees in more than 42 critical and underserved specialties are provided to these doctors who became the first specialists in their countries.

 I am very proud that over 780 scholarships out of total scholarships are provided to female medical graduates, this is a great milestone for us, says Kelej.

Educating Linda programme

Through the Educating Linda programme in partnership with 22 first ladies of Africa, Kelej has also contributed to the future of thousands of school girls by providing scholarships and essential school items in many African countries.

This programme has benefitted many girls by providing scholarships in many African countries like Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

Moreover, 3,000 sets of essential school items have been distributed for girls' schools in many countries like Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia.

Mars Awards

the Merck Foundation has also announced the Mars Awards to appreciate and recognise Best African Women Researchers and 'est Young African Researcher.

The aim is to empower women and young African researchers, advance their research capacity and promote their contribution to Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), with a focus on the role of scientific research in women's health and reproductive care this year.
A Romans Pizza franchisee has secured a significant court victory against Romans Pizza and its CEO, John Nicolakakis.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Last week, Romans Pizza franchisee Basil Kassimatis approached the Johannesburg High Court seeking an urgent interdict after he received a letter from the attorneys of his franchisor asserting that hed failed to sign franchise agreements and neglected to make payments for alleged outstanding royalty fees as demanded.

This notification gave Kassimatis a two-month notice, with the intended closure of his stores on 7 December 2023.

Kassimatis, a former COO of Romans Pizza, has been involved in protracted negotiations with Romans Pizza and Nicolakakis specifically regarding the status of his stores franchise agreements. He subsequently sought urgent relief in an attempt to prevent the closure of four of his stores, which would have left at least 38 employees jobless weeks before Christmas.

The court ruled in Kassimatis favour, determining that the franchisor must allow him to continue the operation of his franchise businesses. Additionally, the court ordered Kassimatis to pay contested royalty fees into the trust account of attorneys, maintaining these funds as stakeholders until a final determination is reached.

These payments are to be calculated based on the respondent's structure of royalty fees applicable to all franchisees.

While Kassimatis will continue to dispute the franchisor's claims that he breached their agreement, this case goes beyond the four stores in question.

What we are dealing with here is nothing short of corporate bullying by a franchisor and its CEO who clearly has no qualms rendering dozens of people jobless at this time of year, said Kassimatis.

What Kassimatis and his employees are faced with is an example of a broader issue within the franchising industry, where large franchisors wield significant power over dependent franchisees, putting their licenses at risk based on arbitrary decisions.

Franchisees, unfortunately, receive minimal protection in such instances. Industry bodies like the Franchise Association, ostensibly designed to represent the interests of both parties, often skew in favour of franchisors.

In light of these challenges, Kassimatis believes the time has come for a comprehensive reassessment of the franchising sector, its regulations, and the rights afforded to franchisees.

With this in mind, he intends to approach the Competition Commission to raise this issue of potential anti-competitive behaviour.

For Kassimatis, its critical to address this power imbalance and ensure a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders involved.

We will continue to fight for our employees and their families, at a time when South Africa cannot afford more unemployment. We also remain committed to our customers, and the communities we serve. We will continue to operate our franchise stores diligently and in accordance with the law, while advocating for a more just and transparent franchising industry, added Kassimatis.
Angola is leaving the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) because membership is not serving its interests, oil minister Diamantino Azevedo said on Thursday.

OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken. Source: Reuters/Dado Ruvic

Angola's President Joao Lourenco earlier approved the country's decision to withdraw which was taken at a cabinet meeting, the presidency said in a statement.

Confirming an earlier report by local news agency ANGOP, Azevedo told public television the decision to leave was because OPEC membership was not serving Angola's interests but did not give further details.

Oil prices extended losses on the news, with Brent prices down over $1 to $78.50 a barrel by 12h50 GMT.

Angola's exit is a setback for OPEC and its allies, just as the group tries to get members to cut output to support prices.

Last month, Azevedo's office protested a decision by OPEC to cut its production quota for 2024. Bloomberg also quoted Angola's OPEC Governor Estevao Pedro as saying the country was unhappy with its 2024 target and did not plan to stick to it.

Disagreements over African output quotas had earlier helped delay a meeting of the wider OPEC+ oil producer group.
Bitcoin mining, a crucial part of the cryptocurrencys infrastructure, is largely responsible for a staggering 104% increase in electricity usage. The process involves solving intricate mathematical problems to validate and record transactions on Bitcoins decentralised ledger. This significant uptick raises pressing questions about the sustainability and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.

Bitcoin mining activity in 2023 has contributed to a surge in electricity use. Source: Dmytro Demidko/Unsplash

"As Bitcoin popularity surges, more miners seek to capitalise on its value. This emphasises the need to examine and mitigate the environmental impact of mining activities. Environmentalists have consistently voiced concerns about the consequences of Bitcoin mining which pose a threat," explains Edith Reads, a finance analyst at Stocklytics.

"These concerns often revolve around the substantial energy consumption in mining operations, which contributes to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Striking a balance between the advantages of decentralised digital currencies and the environmental impact of their creation is now imperative."

Bitcoin compared to other payment systems

Over the course of a year, the total energy consumption linked to Bitcoin mining operations surged dramatically from around an estimated 67TWh to over 137TWh. To put things into perspective, the energy used in one transaction could power 474,389 Visa transactions. Additionally, the carbon footprint left behind by a transaction is equivalent to 871,620 Visa transactions.

Possible solutions

Scalability challenges significantly impact Bitcoins energy consumption, and these issues intricately link to environmental concerns. The primary culprit is the energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, which has drawn criticism primarily for its substantial energy consumption despite effectively securing the network.

Bitcoin grapples with challenges in effectively managing an expanding volume of transactions.

Alternative consensus mechanisms, like proof of stake, have emerged in response to these challenges. The primary aim of such alternatives is to decrease energy consumption. This could help achieve up to 99.95% energy savings compared to the energy-intensive PoW method.

At what cost?

Analysts have varying opinions on the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, which is often tied to discussions about the cost of Bitcoin on the environment.

Many critics argue that the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining is disproportionately high, with a carbon footprint deemed excessive. Some even contend that these emissions surpass those of smaller nations, posing a formidable challenge in mitigating carbon output and contributing to environmental degradation.

The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index reveals that Bitcoin creation consumes an annual electricity amounting to 147TWh, exceeding the energy consumption of entire countries such as the Netherlands or the Philippines.

In addressing growing concerns, the mining community is actively working on identifying environmentally friendly alternatives. In its evolution and acceptance, it becomes increasingly crucial for the cryptocurrency industry to actively seek and implement solutions that align with global sustainability objectives.
[co-author is Phillip Keuhlen, a retired naval officer and nuclear industry senior manager. He was educated at the US Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School and had the privilege to command the USS Sam Houston (SSN-609), a nuclear submarine. He writes on topics related to governance and national security.]

There is a misunderstanding that brainwashing, a technique of mental and psychological reprogramming conducted in an environment of ideological totalism, is irresistible and permanent. However, social isolation, sensory and sleep deprivation, torture, and psychological manipulation in a dystopian environment do not transform most subjects into passive automatons that are amenable to any and all suggestions.

A far more successful system of thought control and persuasion is described by founders of Critical Race Theory (CRT), who far better understood the psychological motivations required to instill long-lasting and uncompromising cognitive alterations. Their genius was to disguise this obscure, destructive Marxist philosophy by identifying the operational component of CRT with three benign words that appeal to fairness and the fellowship of the human racediversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Brainwashing and DEI share a spectrum of similar mind-altering practices, including the strict control of word definitions and speech patterns, the emphasis on confession without absolution, the forfeiture of individual identity to the group, and the labeling of detractors in absolute, pejorative terms. But unlike the brainwashing techniques employed in the Chinese prison camps of the 1950s, DEI offers its subjects a sense of belonging and a path to the self-defined moral high ground that has captured the will of millions, who are willing to devote their lives with near religious fervor to the transformation of the worlds institutions.

In 1950 the journalist and CIA operative Eduard Hunter introduced and glamorized the term brainwashing to describe the coercive methods of mind control the Chinese Communists employed against US POWs during the Korean War. His sensational claims of an irresistible form of indoctrination that rendered its subjects intellectually placid remodeled evinced parallels to the fictional works of Brave New World and 1984. The movie The Manchurian Candidate led the public to speculate that there were those among us, who could be activated by a simple word or deed to metamorphose from an everyday citizen to an active Communist agent.

The psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton repudiated many of Hunters claims, citing evidence from his extensive interviews of both military and civilian prisoners that were the targets of intensive, programmed thought reform. Lifton stated that the process could be resisted, its implementation was systemic, and the methods were not exclusive to the Chinese. Supporting his claim was that only twenty-one of twenty-two thousand US POWs refused repatriation, while the remainder, despite receiving comprehensive mental reprogramming, elected to return home.

Lifton published his findings in 1961 in the book, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brainwashing in China. He listed eight elements that form the basis for intimidatory mind programming that share similar psychological objectives with DEI. Communication is highly controlled with the reduction of language to easily remembered cliches in a system where subjects do not realize they are being manipulated.

Purity of thought is a requisite, and it is defined in a good vs. evil dialectic that considers opposing doctrines as illegitimate. Ideology is sacred, and ones character must be shaped to fit the template. Those who stray from the doctrine must confess lapses, while unrepentant detractors have no authority to express contrary opinions.

In a 2014 interview Dr. Lifton reiterated that the term brainwashing was a misleading construct and that he preferred the terms thought reform or mind control. Brainwashing imputes an all-or-nothing phenomena and does not account for different types or levels of persuasion. He provided two examples applicable to the political and academic setting that he described as more gentle expressions of totalism. The politician can be compelled to confess for failing to adhere to political orthodoxy, and the student can be subjected to psychological coercion for failing to attain proper achievement, depending on the ideas promulgated by ones teachers.

For thirteen years impressionable K-12 students are bombarded with relentless propaganda promoted by teachers who interact with them as trusted adult authority figures. The two largest teachers unions in the United States, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), staunchly support DEI, and its member teachers could be described as its disciples. The NEAs three million educators and retired members are pledged to promote inclusivity and racial justiceboth politically charged terms drawn from the core of Marxist critical theories. The smaller AFT includes 80,000 educators and 250,000 retired members, but the organizations DEI and racial justice resolutions read more like the Occupy Wall Street Manifesto than a pledge to provide the highest quality of merit-based education.

By the time a cadet or midshipman enters a United States military academy most of them have been subjected to the more gentle expressions of totalism from grammar school through high school. DEI indoctrination methods brilliantly lull both students and parents into complacency by branding it as a philosophy that embraces equal opportunity and inclusiveness rather than a nihilistic, radical doctrine that advocates anti-capitalism, anti-free speech, and the primacy of the state over the individual. From the guileless first grader to the high school senior, the students exposure to DEI is promotional, which explains the ease of its long march to the institutions envisioned by the father of the New Left, Herbert Marcuse.

Acceptance to a military academy represents a crossroads where adolescents and young adults anticipate the experience of an intensive, traditional military environment, where they will have the opportunity to live in a setting where behavioral expectations are centered on ability, unity, and service. In theory the academies present a stark contrast to civilian institutions where pervasive DEI programs promote individual identity defined by phenotype and sexual orientation, a culture of power structures and victimhood, and the idea that guilt and genetics are inseparable.

For over a decade, since the introduction of President Obamas Executive Order 13583, US military academy administrations have deemphasized merit and embedded DEI programs into the fabric of academy life, describing them as a military necessity and on par with academic performance. The faculty and staff at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) advance the principles and practices of critical pedagogy by inserting critical theory principles into both the social sciences and STEM curricula.

A summary of Critical Race Training at the USNA and its DEI informational page on the academys website describes an odd mixture of an unabated institutional commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, while simultaneously endorsing segregated affinity groups based on ethnicity, sex, and race. The most recent USNA DEI conference excluded all participants who did not receive an invitationan indication of a lack of tolerance for competing ideas and the advancement of sanctioned opinions viewed through the lens of racial identity.

The United States Military Academys (USMA) 2023 DEI Conference revealed an academy administration that has faithfully fulfilled Marcuses bidding by enlisting the corps of cadets to serve as soldiers in support of DEI. USMA officials proclaim DEIs indisputable benefit to the military, citing evidence from the financial services and management consulting sectors, but these under-powered studies were conducted in a limited, non-military setting. Comprehensive studies from Harvard and Tel Aviv Universities of 800 companies spanning 30 years contradict this view and demonstrate that DEI programs frequently do not change attitudes and often aggravate racial biases and hostilities.

Testimony in July 2023 by the superintendents for all three major service academies at the House Armed Services Committee demonstrated a uniformity of opinion often delivered in a talking point format fraught with cliches. Their vigorous commitment to DEI unveiled a degree of smugness, not unlike the testimony exhibited by three high profile Ivy League university presidents, whose comments portrayed them as ideologues defending tenuous positions. High-ranking generals, who defend programs that promote racial discrimination and disregard merit as the preeminent predictor of student success, do little to gain the publics trust as guardians of the next generation of military leaders.

All of the US service academies have adopted efficient versions of thought reform programs described by Lifton. Military academy campuses represent a milieu that is spatially and socially isolated from the general public. The atmosphere is rigidly hierarchical, both in terms of professor-student and officer-subordinate relationships. For four years, academies function as a petri dish, where radical ideas can be imposed under the guise of military and academic training. Late stage adolescents and young adults are highly impressionable and vulnerable to external stimuli when subjected to subtle but comprehensive propaganda.

The psychological pressure, potential abuse of power and intimidation, and specter of anonymous accusations are foreign to non-totalitarian military organizations. Yet DEI, which permeates the lives of Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets and Naval Academy midshipmen, employs these techniques. At both USAFA and USNA, cadet political officers, who wear a distinctive armband, are installed in each squadron or company and tasked to report DEI-related information outside the chain of command to the academys Chief of DEI. White male cadets at USAFA are subjected to harassment in the classroom and forced to explain their white privilege. A Cornell-trained, civilian professor of economics identified a white male cadet not by name but as White boy #2. She informed the class that she was inclined to do so, since all white people look alike.

The window of opportunity to obtrude years of DEI indoctrination and train officers in accordance with the highest standards of military science has been squandered. Cadets and midshipmen hoping for a reprieve from DEI propaganda become disheartened, and their classmates, who support DEI dogma, are emboldened by the affirmation granted them by professors and members of the military training department. Congruent opinions between superiors and students in the academy setting offer distinct rewardsenhanced prospects for promotion and academic and professional advancement. The academies have become a reliable source of pro-DEI military officers, and although they commission less than 20% of the officer corps, these graduates command a disproportionate influence within the Department of Defense.

Just as excess death rates provide a measure of general public health, the US military recruitment crisis serves as a litmus test of the health of the United States armed forces. Despite overwhelming support of the DEI culture by members of the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House, a career of service to the country is no longer appealing to many young Americans, particularly those from families whose service is generational.

Wokeness, affirmative action, CRT, and DEI are not recognized by the public as a panacea for military readiness and power, but as a means to incapacitate and infect the armed services with Marxist propaganda. Forty percent of the admirals and generals, whose promotions were delayed, have made public statements supporting DEI. Once a critical mass of officers reaches 30%, DEI will be self-sustaining, and it will take years to reverse the trend.

The effectiveness and permanency of classic brainwashing programs never materialized. They lacked the ability to subtly influence and manipulate young minds over long periods of time. The laws of physics illustrate that the application of a small force over an extended period of time can produce large changes of momentum to an object, provided the time is sufficiently long. DEI thought reform draws on this analogy.

DEI propaganda succeeded where traditional Marxist thought revision failed by understanding the human psyches vulnerability to incremental influence over long periods at the crucial periods of psychological development. DEIs ability to persuade large populations to voluntarily act in a self-destructive manner marks it as a triumph of Marxist brainwashing.

Cadets and midshipmen face a daunting taskhow to resist DEI indoctrination that applies thought reform through coercive, yet often subtle psychological techniques. They are the targets of unethical and subconscious manipulation that are purposely directed at them without informed consent. The systematic intellectual and behavioral seduction of susceptible college-age students without their express knowledge for the purpose to achieve a contrived outcome exposes them to the dangers of medical experimentation.

Adolescents and young adults attending US service academies are expected to take orders with little reservation, but they are also patients, who are entitled to the protections afforded by the Nuremberg Code. Cadets and midshipmen were required to receive Covid-19 mandatory vaccinations without proper informed consent. Now they endure the insidious processes of thought reform that are psychologically invasive and often result in long-lasting effects. Their right to understand the fully disclosed risks and benefits of these intrusions and the option to refuse them protects them from these abuses.

Patients living in highly structured organizations where proof by authority doctrines are preeminent often lack the safeguards that ensure their basic human and medical rights. Military medical professionals, particularly psychologists and psychiatrists, have the obligation to publicize unethical medical practices that are conducted without the patients voluntary consent. The need to serve as patient advocates and to identify and resist DEI indoctrination protocols represent the standard of care.

Members of the medical community are the select few in the present-day military who can offer safe harbor to those exposed to unremitting propaganda. DEI is a scourge of the armed forces, and commanders should cultivate relationships with military medical and legal professionals to channel their efforts to challenge DEI programs at every level.



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On December 6, it was announced with much fanfare that the 10/7 Project, a new centralized communications operation to promote continued US bipartisan support for Israel; push for accurate, complete coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, and achieve a stronger media focus on the victims of October 7s Al-Aqsa Flood would be launched, by a quintet of the largest Israeli lobby groups on U.S. soil.

Who and what is funding the 10/7 Project isnt at all clear. Publicity material spoke vaguely of an unnamed coterie of philanthropists and the organizations interest in sourcing more philanthropic support moving forward. Future formal financial disclosures may make for fascinating reading, but its founders offer some clues.

The five comprise the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. This is quite the rogues gallery of Zionist entities, several of which have deplorable track records of actively whitewashing, if not outright facilitating, Israeli apartheid propaganda activities that have become turbocharged since October 7.

As such, the 10/7 Projects professed mission of countering disinformation about October 7 and Israels response to the events can only be considered highly disquieting, especially given its target audience is key media and government influencers. In reality, of course, the organization is just the latest salvo in the Zionist states long-running information war against Palestinians and the Western world. This pitched battle has recently become ever more treacherous, specifically due to Tel Avivs genocidal response to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

One could be forgiven for thinking the 10/7 Project had already floundered in its objectives. After an initial ripple of mainstream interest, primarily from Israeli outlets and Zionist news platforms, the organization has seemingly vanished without a trace from the media landscape  or at least, its name has. As we shall see, though, its evident that in the manner of an iceberg, the 10/7 Projects public footprint represents but the visible tip of something far larger and considerably more destructive.

STRANGLEHOLD ON CONGRESS

While the 10/7 Project may not be directly making headlines daily, its parent organizations certainly are. The ADL has since October 7 published a steady stream of reports, lapped up by the media largely without question, testifying to an explosion of anti-Semitic incidents across the Western world in the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Shocking stuff, one might think. Yet, as an investigation by MintPress News Senior Staff Writer Alan MacLeod revealed, the ADL is producing such staggering figures by categorizing anti-Israel and pro-Palestine rallies and corresponding chants at both as individual anti-Semitic incidents. Despite the exposure of its embarrassing, Enron-style accounting, the League continues to pump out the same bogus research at regular intervals. On December 12, it claimed anti-Semitism in the US was now up 337% in the wake of October 7, an all-time record.

It is far from the first time ADL definitions of anti-Semitism have failed to pass muster. For example, in December 2022, The Grayzones Alex Rubinstein revealed that the League did not categorize Ukraines openly Neo-Nazi paramilitary Azov Battalion to be the far right group it once was. This, despite the fact that Azovs mission to lead the white races of the world in a final crusadeagainst Semite-led Untermenschen, as articulated by founder Andriy Biletsky, remains unchanged.

Meanwhile, the infamous AIPAC  accurately described by U.S. political scientist John Mearsheimer as a de facto agent for a foreign government, [with] a stranglehold on Congress  has made clear its significantly intensified mission to rid Washington DC of any elected official possessed of even vaguely anti-war, pro-Palestinian views, by declaring war on lawmakers such as Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar.

When AIPAC moves against, or in favor, of particular politicians, they mean business  and depressingly, the organization usually wins. Annually, the organization publishes a report on its policy and political achievements that year. Its 2022 installment boasts, among other things, of bagging $3.3 billion for security assistance to Israel, with no added conditions and having gifted $17.5 million  the most of any U.S. PAC  to pro-Israel candidates, 98% of whom won their elections, in the process defeating 13 anti-Israel challengers.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The official website of the 10/7 Project is spartan in the extreme. Visitors are offered a contact us form, a link to subscribe to its regular newsletter, and a what we do section listing purported activities. This includes informing the public with credible, real-time information about events in Israel and Gaza, highlighting excellent reporting, calling out biased coverage, holding biased media accountable, and offering expert spokespeople for press and broadcast outlets.

Unmentioned anywhere is that the 10/7 Project is represented by a trio of notorious PR and political consultancies  CKR Solutions, OnMessage Public Strategies, and SKDK. Together, they move in the shadows to advance the organizations interests and messaging publicly and on Capitol Hill. SKDKs contribution will inevitably be the most insidious and impactful.

Since its founding in 2004, the company has careened from damaging scandal to damaging scandal yet consistently secures major, big-ticket clients. The reason for this is clear. SKDK was founded by and employs a retinue of high-ranking, well-connected Democratic operatives. Among them is Anita Dunn, Barack Obamas White. House Communications Director, credited as the mastermind of Joe Bidens 2020 election win and widely regarded as a key member of the Presidents inner circle.

Ever since Obamas 2008 election win, SKDK has been plausibly accused of selling privileged access to the White House to clients despite failing to register as a lobbying firm. This means major corporations have a direct means of encouraging  and bribing  the Oval Office to offer tax breaks, shred regulations, dump legislation, smash unions, and generally harm the U.S. public interest with total impunity and in absolute secrecy.

SKDKs expansive Rolodex also helps politicians get out of serious trouble. In 2018-2019, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan paid the company $200,000 for crisis communications assistance after one of his campaign workers sued him for harming her professionally when she complained of sexual harassment by one of his top aides. Meanwhile, in August 2021, it was revealed a senior SKDK staffer personally intervened to suppress negative media coverage of sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Even more perversely, its since been revealed that at the same time, SKDK was advising Madigan on how to navigate his public controversy, the company was also helping his former campaign worker bring a lawsuit against the aide whod sexually harassed her. A perfect demonstration of the DC blobs incestuous nature and SKDKs total lack of ethical and professional scruples one would be hard-pressed to find. And both are highly competitive categories.

SKDK played a pivotal role in Bidens 2020 presidential bid, decisively reversing his fortunes after abysmal performances in numerous caucuses. While the mainstream media primarily praised the miraculous work of the company and Dunn  his de facto campaign director  there has also been fierce controversy surrounding its electioneering activities. For example, SKDK fired off daily Misinformation Briefings to major tech and social media firms, including Google, Meta and Twitter, requesting that specific content be suppressed or removed.

In most cases, the recipients complied, meaning SKDK exerted extraordinary influence over what voters did and did not know and could and could not see during the controversial 2020 Presidential election. Which surely at least partially accounts for Bidens victory. To make matters even worse, the company was simultaneously. reaping a $35 million windfall from the government of California by running the states supposedly bipartisan get-out-the-vote campaign. The contract, originally to be financed by local taxpayers, was mysteriously awarded to SKDK on a no-bid basis.

DICTATE TERMS

Clearly, the 10/7 Project was intended to be a very public affair. In an early promotional interview, executive director Josh Isay  perhaps unsurprisingly, until August 2022 SKDKs longtime CEO  boasted about the widespread enthusiasm with which the organizations efforts to set the record straight and combat misinformation spouted by Hamas terrorists and their anti-Israel allies had so far been received:

We look forward to continuing to do the critically important work of providing policymakers and the American public with reliable information about Israel and Hamas, and uplifting the stories of the innocent victims of the October 7th massacre.

Yet, there is no obvious sign of those ambitions bearing fruit to date. A partial explanation for this failure may lie in the 10/7 Projects wish to transform the innocent victims of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood into human interest stories and atrocity propaganda while elevating the organizations eponymous date to the position of 9/11 in the American publics mind.

In the weeks since the 10/7 Projects inception, it has become ever-increasingly clear the Zionist narrative of what unfolded when Hamas breached Gazas armored concentration camp walls  unquestioningly regurgitated over and again for weeks after that by the Western media  is completely and grotesquely fraudulent.

For example, on December 15, it was reported based on social security data that Tel Avivs claim that 1,200 civilians died in the initial assault was greatly exaggerated. In reality, just 695 lost their lives. The previous figure was itself a revision from an initial civilian casualty estimate of 1,400.

Every civilian death in a warzone is an extremely grave crime. It is surely for this reason that Tel Aviv on December 12 desperately argued it would not be morally sound to investigate friendly fire incidents in kibbutzim and southern Israeli communities during Operation Al Aqsa Flood  civilians killed by Israeli Occupation Forces. Nonetheless, the numbers involved are avowedly immense.

Among the stories of the innocent victims of the October 7th massacre selected by the 10/7 Project for public uplifting in service of whitewashing and justifying the Gaza genocide will have been a great many individuals slaughtered in cold blood by indiscriminate, excessively violent IDF actions. This is all but inevitable. Urgently casting those victims into obscurity while ensuring the entire issue of Zionist friendly fire was not examined is now of paramount importance.

More significantly, though, the exposure  and occasional admission  of Tel Avivs brazen lies has fundamentally shifted mainstream narratives and sympathies away from Israel and towards the Palestinians. Audiences of every extraction globally can witness the monstrous reality of the genocide in Gaza and learn of Zionist abuse of the Palestinians even before the colonial entitys founding in 1948 with their own eyes and ears.

Israeli deceit has been so relentless and so readily exposed that even typically subservient Western news networks and their featured pundits are treating official claims with enormous skepticism. Similarly, Zionist violence is so constantly unremitting and wantonly sadistic that graphic reports of carpet bombs maiming and slaughtering every generation of Palestinians are now commonplace.

Meanwhile, developments such as the revelation that IDF soldiers killed three shirtless Israelis waving a white flag, speaking Hebrew and seeking their assistance have traveled widely, in turn highlighting prior examples of identical peacetime atrocities inflicted upon Palestinians. By contrast, there has to date been no misinformation spouted by Hamas terrorists and their anti-Israel allies to combat at all.

A LOSING BATTLE

As a result, the 10/7 Project and its founders are placed in the invidious position of having to publicly defend the defensible  namely, a modern-day genocide unfolding on television screens and front page headlines the world over. In such circumstances, overt and unashamed advocacy work is best conducted behind the scenes. Yet, it is precisely in this context that the 10/7 Project may be most dangerous and potent due to its open-door Oval Office access.

Tireless solidarity efforts by European activists, protesters, citizen journalists, and civil society organizations have produced significant results. Paris went from mulling legislation criminalizing anti-Zionism in November to now leading global pressure for a ceasefire. Multiple governments and opposition leaders are likewise changing their tune. Senior British officials openly warn Netanyahu to drastically rein in his unquenchable bloodlust if he wishes to retain any international support.

Stateside, however, while the crusading work of grassroots pro-Palestine voices and groups has been redoubtable, the Biden administrations commitment to facilitating, encouraging, and exacerbating the Gaza genocide, however it can, remains undimmed. While the President has demanded Netanyahus slaughter be wrapped up by the new year, there is no indication material, financial, and diplomatic support upon which the new Nakba depends is being curtailed. On December 18, during an official visit to Tel Aviv, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a bloodcurdling oath:

This is Israels operation, and Im not here to dictate timelines or terms. Our support [for] Israels right to defend itself is ironclad, as youve heard me say a number of times, and thats not going to change.

One way greater pressure could be brought to bear against the Biden administration might be for citizens to demand their elected representatives in Washington to disclose what dealings they may have had with the 10/7 Project or its representatives since its launch.

To ascertain whether and how White House policy and public pronouncements are being directly informed, if not explicitly dictated, by the wishes and wills of a shadowy and unaccountable lobbying coalition with indeterminate but no doubt intimate political and financial connections to the perpetrators of a 21st century Holocaust. Perhaps then the President might be sufficiently embarrassed to at last rein in his out-of-control, genocidal proxy.

Feature photo | President Joe Biden is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport on Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. Evan Vucci | AP

Kit Klarenberg is an investigative journalist and MintPress News contributor exploring the role of intelligence services in shaping politics and perceptions. His work has previously appeared in The Cradle, Declassified UK, and Grayzone. Follow him on Twitter @KitKlarenberg.
Former ADL director Abe Foxman is calling a total and complete shutdown of "diversity, equity and inclusion" brainwashing because Jews are being treated the same as white people.





DEI is treating Jews like white people. Time to shut it down. pic.twitter.com/EXgxxm7aGj  Echo Chamber (@echo_chamberz) December 21, 2023



From Jewish Insider, "Former ADL, AJC leaders Abe Foxman and David Harris call for scrapping DEI":

[Abe] Foxman, who served as the Anti-Defamation Leagues national director for 28 years until 2015, insisted that DEI cannot be fixed.



He said that part of the problem is that DEI is based on a faulty premise  that racism is a function of oppressed and oppressors [and] that all white people are oppressors and all people of color [are] oppressed.



The results, Foxman said, are bias, illiberalism, reinforced, legitimized and institutionalized antisemitism in many institutions.



Foxman added: It has built a huge funded bureaucracy which is today difficult to change or amend. Efforts by communal Jewish organizations to include the Jewish community or soften its impact on antisemitism have failed. It cannot be fixed, it needs to be scrapped and replaced by a vigorous implementation of our civil rights laws that are color blind, and apply equally to all. If necessary some civil rights laws can be amended and strengthened. DEI was developed to eliminate bias but sadly it created bias.



David Harris, the longtime CEO of the American Jewish Committee, echoed similar criticisms of DEI.



DEI has evolved into a mammoth, ideologically-driven presence on many campuses, some of which have literally hundreds of staff working exclusively in this space, Harris told JI.



Accordingly, I dont believe that outside efforts, however well-intentioned, that nibble around the edges or simply seek to add Jews to the DEI agenda, address the heart of the problem. DEI today poses a major challenge to liberal understanding of American societal aims, so the goal of rethinking it conceptually is far more urgent than just trying to get along with it.



Current AJC and ADL leaders told JI their organizations are taking an engage-and-influence approach and had been doing so well before Oct. 7.



Sara Coodin, AJCs director of academic affairs, said that the group engages pretty regularly and partners with universities to work on education programs that can have the kinds of results we are looking for, more inclusion for Jewish students.



We tend not to take an overly divisive approach when it comes to DEI, she said, pointing to an AJC-run trip that brings DEI university staff to Israel.

Current ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also appears to be pivoting away from DEI. A few days ago, he hilariously claimed he's against "cancel culture" and described it as "un-Jewish."





Jonathan Greenblatt of the ADL explains his role and relationship with Musk.



The only team I play for is the Jewish team



Goes on to say that cancel culture is un-jewish(lol), then celebrates Elon for banning from the river to the sea. pic.twitter.com/xijsbwshFI  Hark (@Hark240) December 16, 2023



Everything was great when the ADL was brainwashing children that whites are their oppressors but now that Jews are being lumped in with whites it's suddenly a problem.



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Israel's religious "war of extermination" to "wipe out Amalek" is among the deadliest and most destructive in history, the AP reports.



From AP, "Israel's military campaign in Gaza seen as among the most destructive in history, experts say":

In just over two months, the offensive has wreaked more destruction than the razing of Syria's Aleppo between 2012 and 2016, Ukraine's Mariupol or, proportionally, the Allied bombing of Germany in World War II. It has killed more civilians than the U.S.-led coalition did in its three-year campaign against the Islamic State group.



The Israeli military has said little about what kinds of bombs and artillery it is using in Gaza. But from blast fragments found on-site and analyses of strike footage, experts are confident that the vast majority of bombs dropped on the besieged enclave are U.S.-made. They say the weapons include 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) "bunker-busters" that have killed hundreds in densely populated areas.



With the Palestinian death toll in Gaza approaching 20,000, the international community is calling for a cease-fire. Israel vows to press ahead, saying it wants to destroy Hamas' military capabilities following the militant group's Oct. 7 cross-border rampage that triggered the war, in which it killed 1,200 people and took 240 others hostage.



[...] Israel's offensive has destroyed over two-thirds of all structures in northern Gaza and a quarter of buildings in the southern area of Khan Younis, according to an analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data by Corey Scher of the CUNY Graduate Center and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University, experts in mapping damage during wartime.

[...] By some measures, destruction in Gaza has outpaced Allied bombings of Germany during World War II.



Between 1942 and 1945, the allies attacked 51 major German cities and towns, destroying about 40-50% of their urban areas, said Robert Pape, a U.S. military historian. Pape said this amounted to 10% of buildings across Germany, compared to over 33% across Gaza, a densely populated territory of just 140 square miles (360 square kilometers).



"Gaza is one of the most intense civilian punishment campaigns in history," said Pape. "It now sits comfortably in the top quartile of the most devastating bombing campaigns ever."



The U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault to expel the Islamic State group from the Iraqi city of Mosul was considered one of the most intense attacks on a city in generations. That nine-month battle killed around 10,000 civilians, a third of them from coalition bombardment, according an Associated Press investigation at the time.



During the 2014-2017 campaign to defeat IS in Iraq, the coalition carried out nearly 15,000 strikes across the country, according to Airwars, a London-based independent group that tracks recent conflicts. By comparison, the Israeli military said last week it has conducted 22,000 strikes in Gaza.

The US should be intervening to stop this slaughter instead of sending Israel endless bombs and lying about "Hamas tunnels" operating under their biggest hospital to provide cover for their war crimes.



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Related Articles:

Some 560 children were killed in 18 months in Russia's war with Ukraine whereas 8,000 children have been killed in just two and a half months in Israel's war with Gaza. Russia's war is killing an average of 31 children a month, whereas Israel's war is killing an average of 3,200 children a month.

On December 6, it was announced with much fanfare that the 10/7 Project, a new centralized communications operation to promote continued US bipartisan support for Israel; push for accurate, complete coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, and achieve a stronger media focus on the victims of October 7s Al-Aqsa Flood would be launched, by a quintet of the largest Israeli lobby groups on U.S. soil.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - Registered Israeli foreign agent driving contrived campus antisemitism crisis

Lawsuits accusing top US universities of harboring antisemitism all originate from one source: a corporate law firm that fielded the pro-settler ex-US ambassador to Israel, and which was registered as a foreign agent of an Israeli principal as recently as 2021. The firm now represents professional Israel lobby activists posing as victimized Jewish students and seeking to crush the free speech rights of Palestine solidarity activists.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - Ansar Allah, the Red Sea and false flags

Since the launch of Al-Aqsa Flood on the 7th of October and the subsequent Israeli onslaught on the beleaguered Gaza Strip, what has perhaps been most notable is the response of Yemen to the ongoing slaughter.

The Washington Post reported that Israel has dropped over 22,000 US-made bombs, including white phosphorus weapons, on Gaza within six weeks.

Expanding on plans first laid during the Trump administration, Israels government and military  aided by Silicon Valley billionaires  seek to build back better in Gaza after the current conflict, installing a technocracy that is likely already being augmented globally through the weaponization of buzzwords like decentralization or financial freedom.

Israel's previously reported somewhat far-fetched sounding plan to flood Gaza's underground network of tunnels, to flush out and kill Hamas operatives, is actually happening.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 - Stranger Than Historical Fiction: The Haavara Agreement

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 - Israel drove suitcases stuffed with cash into Gaza to keep Hamas in power: NYT

Israeli officials are facing backlash after years of Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu quietly allowing Hamas to remain in power. But reporting in the New York Times has revealed that Netanyahu's government was more hands-on about helping Hamas: they helped a Qatari diplomat bring suitcases of cash into Gaza, indirectly boosting the militant organization, according to the report.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - VINDICATED: Israeli Intelligence Knew October 7 Attack Plan a Year in Advance

On October 8th, the day after the Hamas attack, I penned an article calling bullshit on the intelligence failure narrative that emerged immediately in the aftermath  how could the governing authorities and media call it confidently an intelligence failure mere hours after the event?  just as the same narrative emerged just following the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan and DC.

The Guardian spoke with experts who disputed Israels claim that the AI targeting program is minimizing civilian casualties.

Monday, November 20, 2023 - Israeli Parliament Members Demand U.S., Europe Import Gazan Refugees
Some of the emails were sent around the time when Joe Biden went to Ukraine and when Hunter was working for Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company, according to NBC News.

The records show the dates of the emails and who exchanged them, but does not include the text of the messages themselves.

A spokesperson declined to comment when NBC requested, but reportedly referred to House Democrats' statements that Eric Schwerin was President Biden's financial advisor between 2009 and 2017.

House Republicans are currently leading an impeachment inquiry against Biden over an alleged influence-peddling scheme involving Hunter.

Last month, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, requested meetings with the leaders of Blue Star Strategies, a lobbying firm that did work for the Ukrainian energy firm that previously employed Hunter Biden.

The first son said on a podcast that probes by the House GOP are a "clown show" that he doesn't want to be a part of.
Researchers have developed an airborne mRNA vaccine offering a vehicle by which to rapidly vaccinate the masses without their knowledge or consent.

A team from Yale University has developed a new airborne method for delivering mRNA right to your lungs. The method has also been used to vaccinate mice intranasally, opening the door for human testing in the near future.

While scientists may celebrate this invention as a convenient method to vaccinate large populations, skeptics raise obvious concerns about the potential misuse of an airborne vaccine, including the possibility of covert bioenhancements a concept that has previously been suggested in academic literature. (source).

Roman Balmakov of Facts Matter discusses the study in the video below

The Study: Polymer nanoparticles deliver mRNA to the lung for mucosal vaccination

In a research conducted on mice, scientists from Yale University developed polymer nanoparticles to encapsulate mRNA, transforming it into an inhalable form for delivery to the lungs. Courtney Malo, who serves as an editor at Science Translational Medicine, the publication that featured the study, explained,

The ability to efficiently deliver mRNA to the lung would have applications for vaccine development, gene therapy, and more. Here, Suberi et al. showed that such mRNA delivery can be accomplished by encapsulating mRNAs of interest within optimized poly(amine-co-ester) polyplexes [nanoparticles].

Polyplex-delivered mRNAs were efficiently translated into protein in the lungs of mice with limited evidence of toxicity. This platform was successfully applied as an intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, eliciting robust immune responses that conferred protection against subsequent viral challenge.

These results highlight the potential of this delivery system for vaccine applications and beyond.

The team, which was led by cellular and molecular physiologist Mark Saltzman, claims that the inhalable mRNA vaccine successfully protected against SARS-CoV-2, and that it opens the door to delivering other messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics for gene replacement therapy and other treatments in the lungs.(source)

For the study, mice received two intranasal doses of nanoparticles carrying mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which proved to be effective in the animals. In the past, lung-targeted mRNA therapies had trouble making it into the cells necessary to express the encoded protein, known as poor transfection efficiency (source).

The Saltzman group got around this hurdle in part by using a nanoparticle made from poly(amine-co-ester) polyplexes, or PACE, a biocompatible and highly customizable polymer, a Yale University news release explained. In a previous study, Saltzman had tried a prime and spike system to deliver COVID-19 shots, which involved injecting mRNA shots into a muscle, then spraying spike proteins into the nose.

It turned out the injection portion may be unnecessary, and Saltzman has high hopes for the airborne delivery method, beyond vaccines: (source).

In the new report, there is no intramuscular injection. We just gave two doses, a prime, and a boost, intranasally, and we got a highly protective immune response. But we also showed that, generally, you can deliver different kinds of mRNA. So its not just good for a vaccine, but potentially also good for gene replacement therapy in diseases like cystic fibrosis and gene editing.

We used a vaccine example to show that it works, but it opens the door to doing all these other kinds of interventions.

Air Vax Could Radically Change How People Are Vaccinated

Saltzman says this new method of delivery could radically change the way people are vaccinated, making it easier to vaccinate people in remote areas or those who are afraid of needles.10 But thats not all. An airborne vaccine makes it possible to rapidly disseminate it across a population.

No Jab Needed

By releasing the vaccine in the air, theres no need to inject each person individually  which is not only time-consuming but difficult if an individual objects to the shot. This isnt the case with an airborne vaccine, which can be released into the air without consent or even the publics knowledge.

A similar strategy is being used with mRNA in shrimp, which are too small and numerous to be injected individually. Instead, an oral nanovaccine was created to stop the spread of a virus. Shai Ufaz, chief executive officer of ViAqua, which developed the technology, stated:

Oral delivery is the holy grail of aquaculture health development due to both the impossibility of vaccinating individual shrimp and its ability to substantially bring down the operational costs of disease management while improving outcomes 

While the Yale scientists are targeting an intranasal mRNA product, the outcome is the same  get as many exposed as possible with the least amount of cost and effort. According to the Yale study:

An inhalable platform for messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics would enable minimally invasive and lung-targeted delivery for a host of pulmonary diseases. Development of lung-targeted mRNA therapeutics has been limited by poor transfection efficiency and risk of vehicle-induced pathology.

Here, we report an inhalable polymer-based vehicle for the delivery of therapeutic mRNAs to the lung. We optimized biodegradable poly(amine-co-ester) (PACE) polyplexes [nanoparticles] for mRNA delivery using end-group modifications and polyethylene glycol. These polyplexes achieved high transfection of mRNA throughout the lung, particularly in epithelial and antigen-presenting cells.

We applied this technology to develop a mucosal vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and found that intranasal vaccination with spike proteinencoding mRNA polyplexes induced potent cellular and humoral adaptive immunity and protected susceptible mice from lethal viral challenge. Together, these results demonstrate the translational potential of PACE polyplexes for therapeutic delivery of mRNA to the lungs.

The following excerpts are from Dr Joseph Mercola, who explains his concerns regarding the airborne mRNA

US Government Has History of Bioweapons Release

When you put the pieces of the puzzle together, a disturbing picture emerges. As reported by The Epoch Times, we have a history of the U.S. government taking extreme measures to mandate and promote COVID-19 shots to the public. Now, researchers have developed an airborne mRNA vaccine, offering a vehicle by which to rapidly vaccinate the masses without their knowledge or consent (source).

Is there proof that the government or another entity has plans to covertly release an air vax on the population? No. But there is a history of it carrying out secret bioweapon simulations on Americans. In 1950, the U.S. Navy sprayed Serratia marcescens bacteria into the air near San Francisco over a period of six days.

Dubbed Operation Sea Spray, the project was intended to determine how susceptible the city was to a bioweapon attack. Serratia marcescens turns whatever it touches bright red, making it easy to track. It spread throughout the city, as residents inhaled the microbes from the air. While the U.S. military initially thought Serratia marcescens wouldnt harm humans, an outbreak occurred, with some developing urinary tract infections as a result.

At least one person died and some have suggested that the release forever changed the areas microbial ecology, Smithsonian Magazine reported. This wasnt an isolated incident, as the U.S. government carried out many other experiments across the U.S. over the next 20 years. (source).

So, while its disturbing to think of an air vax experiment being conducted on an unsuspecting public, its not unprecedented.

Bioethics Study Promotes Covert, Compulsory Bioenhancement

Adding to the story is academic endorsement of the use of compulsory, covert bioenhancements. Writing in the journal Bioethics, Parker Crutchfield with Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, discusses moral bioenhancements, which refers to the use of biomedical means to trigger moral improvements.

Drug treatments, including vaccines, and genetic engineering are potential examples of bioenhancements. Further, according to Crutchfield:

It is necessary to morally bioenhance the population in order to prevent ultimate harm. Moral bioenhancement is the potential practice of influencing a persons moral behavior by way of biological intervention upon their moral attitudes, motivations, or dispositions.

The technology that may permit moral bioenhancement is on the scale between nonexistent and nascent, but common examples of potential interventions include infusing water supplies with pharmaceuticals that enhance empathy or altruism or otherwise intervening on a persons emotions or motivations, in an attempt to influence the persons moral behavior.

Some argue that moral bioenhancements should be compulsory for the greater good. Crutchfield believes this doesnt go far enough. He also wants them to be covert: (source).

I take this argument one step further, arguing that if moral bioenhancement ought to be compulsory, then its administration ought to be covert rather than overt. This is to say that it is morally preferable for compulsory moral bioenhancement to be administered without the recipients knowing that they are receiving the enhancement.

He even goes so far as to suggest a covert compulsory program promotes values such as liberty, utility, equality and autonomy better than an overt program does. (source).

So here we have evidence of academic support for covertly releasing drugs and other bioenhancements onto the public. This, combined with the creation of an airborne mRNA vaccine and the governments history of experimenting on the public, paints an unsettling picture of the future.

Problems With mRNA COVID Shots Persist

Aside from the concerns of airborne delivery, mRNA COVID-19 shots are associated with significant risks  no matter how youre exposed. People ages 65 and older who received Pfizers updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster shot may be at increased risk of stroke, according to an announcement made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. (source).

Further, a large study from Israel revealed that Pfizers COVID-19 mRNA jab is associated with a threefold increased risk of myocarditis, leading to the condition at a rate of 1 to 5 events per 100,000 persons (source). Other elevated risks were also identified following the COVID jab, including lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), appendicitis, and herpes zoster infection (source).

At least 16,183 people also say theyve developed tinnitus after receiving a COVID-19 shot (source). The reports were filed with the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database. But considering only between 1% and 10% of adverse reactions are ever reported to VAERS, the actual number is likely much higher.

Its because of risks like these that informed consent is essential for any medical procedure, including vaccinations. The development of airborne mRNA jabs, however, makes the possibility of informed consent being taken away all the more real. From Mercola
hinas shadowy miniature spaceplane appears to have deployed at least six objects into orbit while conducting its latest mission, its third. The reusable space vehicle, which is understood to be broadly comparable to the U.S. Space Forces X-37B, clearly has military applications, although the exact nature of its payloads remains mysterious.

The Chinese spaceplane, named Shenlong (meaning Divine Dragon), has placed the objects in Earth orbit since it was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on December 14. The existence of these objects has been confirmed by amateur spacecraft trackers.

The spaceplane itself is launched atop a traditional space launch rocket and is propelled into orbit using a secondary booster. It returns to Earth in an unpowered mode, much like the X-37B.

One amateur astronomer, Scott Tilley, told Space.coms Brett Tingley that some of the objects  which have been named A, B, C, D, E, and F  seem to be transmitting signals. Tilley has described these objects as mysterious wingmen, a nod to the loyal wingman terminology used for the drones that operate collaboratively with piloted aircraft. The Shenlong, of course, is uncrewed.

Tilley also provided with details on the differences in transmissions between the objects, with Object A said to be sending small amounts of data, while Objects D and E seem to be only emitting placeholder signals, without accompanying data.

It should be noted that unlike emissions early in the Chinese spaceplane missions 1 and 2, these emissions are very intermittent and do not stay on long, Tilley told . Its taken days of observations tracking pass after pass with dish antennas to come up with this data.

While we cannot be entirely sure that these mysterious signals come from objects released by the Shenlong, the evidence is compelling.
Juan Lozano works alongside his daughter and head chef at Andina Victoria in San Francisco. Jobs in Californias hospitality sector have increased in recent months, now on par with pre-pandemic numbers. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Californias unemployment rate crept up to 4.9% last month, one of the highest in the nation. Its the second month in a row the state saw an increase in people on unemployment rolls, according to the California Employment Development Department.

Unemployment rates increased in every Bay Area county last month. Meanwhile, they also rose in 11 states, plus California, between October and November. Unemployment rates remained stable in 38 states and Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Former EDD head Michael Bernick, now an attorney at Duane Morris LLP, pointed out that the Golden States unemployment rate of 4.9% is the second highest of any state, while the 9,300 nonfarm payroll jobs the state did add in November was among the lowest month-to-month gains of the past five years.

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In 2022, California averaged job gains of 51,000 jobs per month, Bernick said in an email. This rate began to slow in the second quarter of this year, and the slowing continued in quarter three.

Californias job losses were led by the professional and business services sector, which shed more than 11,000 jobs last month, possibly reflecting layoffs in the tech sector, while the trade, transportation and logistics sector lost 5,300 jobs.

Businesses in private education and health services added a total of 10,500 jobs last month, while the leisure and hospitality sector added nearly 8,000 and the construction industry added 6,500 jobs.

The EDD said in a release that there were above-average gains in the nursing and residential care and social assistance jobs, and that the leisure and hospitality sector, one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 economic effects, now employs 1.3% more people statewide than it did before the pandemic

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Leisure and hospitality gained 7,900 jobs, boosting its total to 25,800.

The end of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike also added nearly 2,000 jobs back to the rolls.


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One thing is clear: the math of inheriting a home in California is complicated and depends on individual situations. Courtesy of the real estate agent Proposition 19 has introduced questions into how property is inherited and the ways people are planning for their financial future. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

If the responses to my last column on the math of inheriting a home in California are any indication, Proposition 19 has introduced many questions into peoples finances and how they are planning for the future.

In that column, I outlined what to consider if you inherit a home or are planning to pass property to your kids. I spoke with tax experts and estate attorneys about the implications of Prop. 19, which went into effect in 2021 and dramatically changed how Californians are taxed on inherited property. One estate attorney called it the worst thing to happen in inheritance law in California in decades.

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Many of you sent interesting follow-up questions. So I went back to the lawyers and reached out to several Bay Area tax assessors to get some answers.

One thing is clear: estate planning is complex, and every persons situation is different. No advice will be one-size-fits-all, and experts urge you to contact legal and financial advisers or your local assessors office for specific guidance.

Welcome to Hella Expensive, a column thats aimed at helping readers navigate the financial aspects of living in the Bay Area. In each column, Ill present a topic that impacts your bank account and financial future: homeownership and renting, the path to retirement, and how to manage your money in this infamously expensive region. Send your financial questions and concerns to me at kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.

Q: Ive heard that parents can set up an LLC with their children and put the house into the LLC. Since ownership does not change on the death of the parents, the property isnt reassessed. Is this correct?

A: Estate planning attorney Alexandra Ayoub of Ayoub & Dodson LLP in Oakland said LLCs can be a beneficial solution for some, but warns that it must be set up correctly.

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The rules around reassessments for LLCs are quite complex and depend on change of control/change of ownership,  she said. If theres a change in ownership of over 50% of the LLC, property taxes will be reassessed. Further, if the change of ownership is not reported to the California State Board of Equalization within 90 days, there are steep penalties.

San Francisco estate planning and probate attorney Elizabeth Button said families should consult an estate planner who specializes in this type of transfer.

The LLC and the gifting must be done in a way that will not trigger a reassessment, with the children being minority shareholders in the LLC, she said. This isnt always an option for everyone since it must be done with an attorney and can be expensive.

She said an LLC can be put into a trust and the assets can pass free of probate, the often lengthy and costly legal process to transfer property after a property owner dies. In California, it can take on average between nine months to 1 years to go through probate, perhaps longer.

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Q: Is it possible to add an adult childs name to the house deed before the original purchasing parent passes? Would this simplify the inheritance and possible probate court process?

A: The idea of adding children onto your deed in order to facilitate inheritance is fraught with problems, said Steve Brickley, a CPA and financial planner with Brickley Wealth Management in San Mateo.

According to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorders Office, a child added to the title could be subject to California Change in Ownership rules and it could trigger a reassessment.

The California State Board of Equalization explains: If 50% of the property is transferred, the assessor will reassess only 50% of the property at its current fair market value as of the date of the transfer, and deduct 50% from any existing Proposition 13 base year value.

And the Prop. 19 rule on residence would still apply no matter when children are added to the deed: the home must be the parents principal residence and become the childs principal residence within one year of the parents passing.

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Beneficiaries would have the right to survivorship on the title, which would allow them to avoid probate and the property to be transferred automatically upon the parents death.

However, this depends on how title is held on the deed (such as Joint Tenancy or Tenancy in Common), and is another example where families need to consult with a qualified attorney and financial adviser, the S.F. assessor-recorders office wrote in an email statement.

It may bypass the probate process, but youd be paying more in taxes yearly than you would for a probate or trust, Button said.

Q: A reader writes: A simple self-prepared Transfer on Death Deed recording is the least expensive, most flexible and easiest option to transfer property. Is this true?

A: A revocable transfer on death deed or TOD deed allows a homeowner to transfer their property to a named beneficiary and, if the deed is done correctly, avoid probate. It has no effect until the owner dies, and can be revoked at any time, according to the California Legislative Information website.

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TOD deeds are sometimes called poor mans trusts because they avoid the need to set up expensive trusts to keep assets out of probate. They are especially useful for single people, including widows and widowers, according to a 2015 Chronicle story

Ayoub said these deeds are a relatively new vehicle by which one designates a beneficiary to inherit the subject property upon their death.

She believes it is not a good substitution for an estate plan, and would only be appropriate in very limited circumstances. Like adding a child to the title, this deed could potentially avoid probate but wont help with the Prop. 19 reassessment, Ayoub said.

She said people who try to do TOD deeds on their own often dont do it properly, and the process can be rife with pitfalls.

If there are any errors in the deed, it becomes void, and co-owners of a home must each sign a separate deed. This type of deed can attract fraud, with predators persuading elderly people to transfer the home to them upon death. While a family member can intervene in court, a living trust could include language to prevent this type of fraud.

Some other issues Button says a person could run into with a TOD deed are:

If the person named in the deed dies before the homeowner, then the deed would become invalid.

It doesnt allow for a contingent beneficiary to be named.

Problems could arise if the deed names a minor, who wouldnt be able to take possession of the property until they turn 18. Button said the type of deed doesnt allow for a custodian to be named, so a custodian would need to be appointed in court.

The TOD leaves the named individual personally liable for the transferors debts, and could cause problems with title insurance, which could take years to resolve. This would lead to the named being forced to upkeep the home.

Q: How does Prop. 19 affect the inheritance of a property among siblings, when one of them lives in the property but others do not? I am likely to inherit a 3-unit building in San Francisco along with my sister when our parents pass. Currently, my parents live in one unit, while my sister lives in another, smaller, unit. Assuming that remains true, how would property taxes be reassessed under Prop. 19?

A: According to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorders Office, the building as a whole is not considered a principal residence.

Only the parents unit will qualify for Prop. 19 exclusion, as long as one of the children makes that unit their principal residence and files for the Homeowners Exemption within one year of property transfer. The other two units will be reassessed at Fair Market Value because they were not the parents principal residence.

Q: My uncle owns a home in San Francisco, and is worried that if he were to go to an assisted living or nursing facility, that would change the way the home is reassessed when it passes to his kids because he wouldnt be living there. Is this true?

A: Your uncle can file for the homeowners exemption before moving to a facility. Upon filing, he may be eligible for an exemption of up to $7,000 off the propertys assessed value.

According to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorders Office, the homeowner would qualify for the homeowners exemption as long as it is not rented or leased to others, and is expected to return to the dwelling. An absence of more than a year would raise considerable doubt that the home is the primary residence and that the homeowner would actually return, according to the California State Board of Equalization.

The issue becomes how long the assessor will honor that exemption depending on how long the uncle is out of the home, and whether the home is rented while he is absent, said John Tuteur, assessor-recorder-county clerk for the Napa County. The law does provide for an expectation that the uncle will return to the home if not rented during his absence and depending on the length of time he is absent.

Rachel A. Dodson, estate planning attorney at Ayoub of Ayoub & Dodson LLP, pointed out that there is proposed state legislation, SB520, that applies to this exact situation. If passed, it would allow a person receiving the homeowners exemption to continue to be deemed an occupant of their home if they become confined to a care facility, as long as they intend to return to the dwelling and it is not rented or leased out while they are gone.

If you have more questions or are looking for affordable resources:

Lower-cost and DIY estate planning resources are available online, but experts warn these can easily go wrong if not handled correctly. Button said some common mistakes shes seen include using legal terms incorrectly, unfunded trusts, no contingent beneficiaries named, and documents signed when they should be notarized or vice versa.

However, in partnership with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, the San Francisco Office of the Assessor-Recorder provides free and low-cost estate plans to low- and middle-income San Franciscans, focusing on residents in the southeast and other neighborhoods where there is a combination of high homeownership rates, lower-income communities and communities of color.

The office encourages those with questions about Prop. 19 to visit in person at City Hall, Room 190, phone 415-554-5596, or email assessor@sfgov.org.
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Postal Code
Five men have been arrested on Friday morning in connection to a cocaine seizure on a cargo vessel in Limerick.

On Tuesday, approximately 300kg of cocaine worth 21 million was seized was seized frop the ship.

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Revenue officers boarded and searched the registered bulk cargo vessel, which had arrived in the port of Foynes from Canada.

A search of the vessel remains ongoing.

The five men, with ages from 35 to 50, were arrested for the offence of importation of controlled drugs contrary to Section 15(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84 as amended by Section 82 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Gardai said they are all detained at Garda stations in the Limerick Division and investigations are ongoing.
The granddaughter of a German businessman who was killed by the IRA 50 years ago has said that the trauma caused to families during the Troubles must never be forgotten.

Events are taking place in Belfast and Lisburn on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the death of Thomas Niedermayer.

Mr Niedermayer, the manager of the Grundig factory in Belfast and the West German honorary consul for Northern Ireland, was kidnapped by the provisional IRA on December 27th, 1973.

His body was not found until seven years later in 1980, when he was discovered in a shallow grave in Colin Glen, Belfast.

Four of his family members, including his widow Ingeborg, his daughters Renate and Gabrielle, and his son-in-law Robin, took their own lives in the years following his death.

On Friday morning, a tree will be planted at Colin Glen and an event of reflection will take place at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn later in the day.

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Mr Niedermayers granddaughter, Tanya Williams-Powell, will attend the events.

She told the PA news agency that the reflection event would remember all the members of her family who lost their lives.

She said: I really wanted to do that because I was aware that when Inge and Renate died, their funerals were quite quick and there were very few people in attendance.

I just wanted people to come and have the chance to mourn for them, rather than just Thomas.

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I think it is very important not to forget the past because it is only from understanding it that we can learn and move on in a more positive way.

Our story is not unique or special and there are people who have suffered a lot more, but I think it is important to remember that the Troubles affected so many people and not only the immediate and direct victims, but also families. I think we need to keep an awareness of that.

Ms Williams-Powells grandfather was killed before she was born.

She said: He was kidnapped in 1973, I was born in 1976. I never got the chance to meet him and only met Inge and Renate a few times.

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I would say our lives have been influenced by that, my sister and I lost both our parents in our teenage years, partly due to the fact that Thomas was kidnapped and killed.

The trauma that it caused my mum (Gabrielle), it rippled down into other members of the family as well.

The guilt that each family member felt, they werent able to talk it through and get over it.

Awareness of mental health has come on so much since those times. Awful things happened, but people had to try to get on with their lives.

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These days we take much more time to comfort and help people overcome that sense of loss and move on.

Fridays events have been organised with the help of victims organisation, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: Following the known knowledge of Thomas murder and the discovery of his remains, four further lives were cruelly cut prematurely short in a chilling domino effect of traumatic pain and loss.

We are privileged to have become acquainted with the surviving family and particularly with the granddaughters of Thomas and Ingeborg.

Incredibly there is an absence of bitterness, hate or will to seek retribution within those who remain.

Instead they are filled with love and a commitment of ensuring that the legacy of a much-loved grandfather, granny, auntie, mum and dad is kept front and centre.

Mr Donaldson added: Thomas sought to bring employment to an area of Northern Ireland which was suffering severely as a consequence of post-war rebuild but also the onslaught of The Troubles.

His objective was to bring a form of economic stability, and in time prosperity to the region.

Cruelly his life was stolen away by those intent on keeping Northern Ireland on its knees, and of keeping our people separated.

The planting of a tree complete with plaque at the location in Colin Glen where Thomas was found is hugely symbolic and we thank those who have facilitated this to occur.

It is also highly significant to have the German ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and several UK-based German diplomats present for events marking this milestone anniversary.
Pacifica police said the person suspected of killing a man and injuring a woman in a stabbing has died. Mark Winema/Getty Images

A man suspected of killing a man and injuring a woman in a Thursday stabbing is dead, according to Pacifica police.

Around 7:45 a.m., police responded to a house on the 200 block of Naomi Avenue following a report of domestic violence. When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman suffering from stab wounds. Police said the suspect  Jason Gillenwater, 46  was seen leaving the area on foot.

The woman stabbed in Pacifica was hospitalized, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Mateo County Coroners Office identified him as Ezra Raymond Pouech, a 30-year-old Oakland resident.

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Vallemar Elementary School was briefly placed on lockdown as police searched for Gillenwater.

Around 1:45 p.m., Ukiah police located Gillenwater driving south down Highway 101, according to Officer Alex Kimball, a spokesperson for California Highway Patrols Ukiah office. Officers with the Ukiah Police Department and CHP pulled Gillenwater over and spoke with him, but rather than turn himself over, Gillenwater shot himself with a shotgun, Kimball said.

Highway 101 in Ukiah was shut down for more than two hours during as officers investigated the scene, according to Kimball.

Pacifica police said Gillenwater had been arrested exactly one week prior at the same house where the stabbing occurred for a domestic violence incident involving the female victim. Gillenwater was booked into San Mateo County jail, but was released after posting bail, according to the Police Department.

During that incident, police confiscated ammunition and several firearms from the Naomi Avenue house and obtained protective orders meant to keep Gillenwater from buying firearms or contacting the female victim, officials said. Despite that, police said, Gillenwater drove to Colusa County after the stabbing and was able to buy a firearm. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how Gillenwater was able to buy the firearm.

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Gillenwater was a paramedic for the Colma Fire Protection District. He had been on administrative leave since Dec. 15, following the previous alleged domestic violence incident, according to Colma Fire Protection District Chief Geoff Balton.

The stabbing victims were Gillenwaters ex-wife and her current boyfriend, KGO-TV reported.

We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and keeping the family members and Pacifica community close in our hearts as they cope with this profound loss, Pacifica Police Chief Maria Sarasua said in a statement. I am grateful to our San Mateo County allied agencies, the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office, and the California Highway Patrol for their assistance during this investigation.

Pacifica police were still investigating the incident Thursday night. Anyone with information was asked to contact police at 650-738-7314 and refer to the case number #23-3391.
Israels war to destroy Hamas has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, health officials in Gaza have said.

The announcement comes as Israel expanded its offensive and ordered tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.

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The deaths amount to nearly 1 per cent of the territorys pre-war population.

Israels aerial and ground offensive has been one of the most devastating military campaigns in modern history, displacing nearly 85% of Gazas 2.3 million people and levelling wide swathes of the tiny coastal enclave.

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More than half a million people in Gaza  a quarter of the population  are starving, according to a report from the United Nations and other agencies.

Israel declared war after Hamass October 7th attack, in which militants from Gaza stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking some 240 hostages. Israel has vowed to keep up the fight until Hamas is destroyed and removed from power in Gaza and all the hostages are freed.

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After many delays, the UN Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution on Friday calling for the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to civilians in Gaza.

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The United States won the removal of a tougher call for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It abstained in the vote, as did Russia, which wanted the stronger language. The resolution was the first on the war to make it through the council after the US vetoed two earlier ones calling for humanitarian pauses and a full ceasefire.

Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian affairs chief, lamented the worlds inaction.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to civilians in Gaza (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

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That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience, he wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Israel, shielded by the United States, has resisted international pressure to scale back its offensive. The military has said that months of fighting lie ahead in southern Gaza.

Evacuation orders have pushed displaced civilians into increasingly smaller areas of the south as troops focus on the city of Khan Younis, Gazas second largest.

The military said late on Thursday that it is sending more ground forces, including combat engineers, to Khan Younis to target Hamas militants above ground and in tunnels.

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On Friday, it ordered tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes in Burej, an urban refugee camp, and surrounding communities in central Gaza, suggesting a ground assault there could be next.

In the city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, an air strike on a house killed six people, according to Associated Press journalists who saw the bodies at a hospital. Among the dead were a blind man, his wife and their four-month-old child, said the infants grandfather, Anwar Dhair.

Palestinians stand around a car targeted in an Israeli air strike in Rafah (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

Rafah is one of the few places in Gaza not under evacuation orders but has been targeted in Israeli strikes almost every day.

The air and ground campaign continued in the north, where Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas militants.

Mustafa Abu Taha, a Palestinian farm worker, said many areas of his hard-hit Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah have become inaccessible because of massive destruction from air strikes.

They are hitting anything moving, he said of Israeli forces.

Gazas Health Ministry said it has documented 20,057 deaths in the fighting and more than 50,000 wounded. It does not differentiate between combatant and civilian deaths. It has previously said that roughly two-thirds of the dead were women or minors.

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Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, citing the groups use of crowded residential areas for military purposes and its tunnels under urban areas.

Family and friends of an Israeli soldier mourn over his grave during his funeral at Kiryat Shaul cemetery in Tel Aviv (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israels military says 139 of its soldiers have been killed in the ground offensive. It says it has killed thousands of Hamas militants, including about 2,000 in the past three weeks, but it has not presented any evidence to back up the claim.

For most of the war, Israel also stopped entry of food, water, fuel and other supplies except for truck convoys of aid from Egypt, which cover only a fraction of the needs in Gaza.

Because of insufficient aid entering Gaza, the extent of starvation has eclipsed the near-famines of recent years in Afghanistan and Yemen, and the risk of famine is increasing each day, the UN report said.

An Israeli military liaison officer with Gaza said there is no food shortage in Gaza, saying sufficient aid is getting through.

Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing several days ago amid international demands to increase the flow of aid. But the military on Thursday struck the Palestinian side of the crossing, killing four staffers, and the UN said it was unable to pick up aid there for delivery. It was not immediately known if the UN resumed work there on Friday. The Israeli military said it was targeting militants.

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Palestinians wounded in Israeli air strikes arrive at the Nasser hospital in the town of Khan Younis (AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman)

The war has also pushed Gazas health sector into collapse.

Only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially functioning, all located in the south, according to the World Health Organisation.

The agency reported soaring rates of diseases in Gaza, including a five-fold rise in diarrhoea and increases in cases of meningitis, skin rashes and scabies.
Cosy up with some gripping thrillers in this weeks new releases

Fiction

1. Her by Mira V Shah is published in paperback by Hodder. Available now

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(Hodder/PA)

When Natalie moves into the same street as Rani, she seems to have it all. Rani is an unfulfilled housewife, grappling with low self-esteem and struggling to fit into the wealthy neighbourhood she rents her flat in, whilst Natalie has the perfect husband, house and job. However, as Rani befriends Natalie, the closer she gets the more she realises that this world is not as perfect as it would seem. Natalie is hiding secrets from her past that even she is struggling to uncover. Narrated from the thoughts of both Rani and Natalie, two very different contrasting and complex characters, this psychological thriller is filled with twists and turns that keep you gripped to the very end. You wont want to put it down.

9/10

(Review by Jacqueline Ling)

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2. Murder Town by Shelley Burr is published in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton on December 28th.

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(Hodder & Stoughton/PA)

Its obvious why Rainier is known as murder town  three people were killed, shattering the local community for a generation. Just when memories start to fade after 15 years, a controversial plan to run tours around the murder sites rekindles the horrors of the past. But the tour operator is murdered, sparking fears of a copycat Rainier Ripper. The desperate authorities enlist a prisoner to try to befriend the original Ripper in his cell for possible clues. The main characters of Murder Town are compelling, such as teashop owner Gemma Guillory, who discovered one of the original murder victims, and her police officer husband with his dark secrets. The plot takes several twists, skilfully told by Australian writer Shelley Burr  while the ending leaves open the mouth-watering prospect of a follow up.

7/10

(Review by Alan Jones)

3. Central Places by Delia Cai is published in paperback by Merky Books. Available now

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In her debut, Vanity Fair writer Delia Cai takes on themes of racial passing and belonging through the Chinese-American experience of her 27-year-old protagonist, Audrey Zhou. On a reluctant visit to her parents in Illinois for the first time in eight years, Audrey struggles to reconcile her small-town teenage self with the New Yorker adult she has become. As the borders between Illinois and New York dissipate, so too do those built up between Audrey and the parents who immigrated from Wuhan to raise her. In the midst of her own self-discovery, she also has to choose between her childhood crush and her golden-boy fiance. It is a simple story, but Cai gives a witty insight into what it is like to navigate life as a young Chinese-American woman.

7/10

(Review by Kristina Wemyss)

Non-fiction

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4. How They Broke Britain by James OBrien is published in hardback by WH Allen. Available now

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(WH Allen/PA)

From the extensive introduction to the last page, this is a compelling read. A thought-provoking and illuminating book; OBrien doesnt hold any punches when taking the reader through the characters and events populating British society since 2010. It is a book which will make you gasp in shock, shake your head in bewilderment and wonder how any of this was allowed to take place in 21st century Britain. Whilst it would have been easy for the book to become about the authors frustrations with the governing party since 2010, he has done a great job of keeping it factual, interesting, and informative, tracing the role of the press, politicians and commentators and their impact. Its an easy and fascinating read; well-constructed and with the rhythm required to maintain interest.

8/10

(Review by Frances Taylor-Cook)

Childrens book of the week

5. The Robin Who Stole Christmas by Rachel Morrisroe, illustrated by Richard Merritt, is published in paperback by Puffin. Available now

This is a bright, witty, rhyming Christmas treat, telling the story of Rotten Robin as he learns about the true meaning of Christmas. The vivid, humorous, and detailed illustrations complement the cheeky nature of the story perfectly. The storytelling is a refreshing change from the usual narrative of childrens Christmas stories, balancing the perfect amount of naughty and nice, with age-relevant humour aplenty. This is sure to be a tale that will be asked for again and again, and will spark the imagination of children to explore all the other things that Rotten Robin and his grim and grizzly crew could get up to.

9/10

(Review by Frances Taylor-Cook)

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BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16th

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

2. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

3. The Secret by Lee Child & Andrew Child

4. In Memoriam by Alice Winn

5. A Stroke Of The Pen by Terry Pratchett

6. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

7. Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang

8. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

9. The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

10. The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Private Eye Annual: 2023 by Ian Hislop

2. Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart

3. Guinness World Records 2024

4. Rambling Man by Billy Connolly

5. 5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

6. How They Broke Britain by James OBrien

7. Unruly by David Mitchell

8. The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

9. Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

10. Loosely Based On A Made-up Story by James Blunt

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. Unruly by David Mitchell

2. How They Broke Britain by James OBrien

3. Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

4. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

5. The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

6. Atomic Habits by James Clear

7. The Twat Files by Dawn French

8. Loosely Based On A Made-Up Story by James Blunt

9. Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger

10. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

(Compiled by Audible)
France has completed the withdrawal of its troops after they were asked to leave Niger by the countrys new junta.

The last French military aircraft and troops departed Niger by the December 22 deadline set by the junta which severed ties with Paris after the coup in July, the French Army General Staff told The Associated Press. France already announced this week that it would close its diplomatic mission in Niger for an indefinite period.

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The move ends years of on-the-ground military support and raises concerns from analysts about a gap in the fight against jihadi violence across the Sahel region of Africa.

However, the country would continue to be involved in the Sahel  the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert which has been a hotspot for violent extremism  although differently, President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to a base in Jordan.

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I decided on some important reconfigurations, Mr Macron said. We will continue to protect our interests over there but our armies wont be as present permanently, will be less stationary and also less exposed, he said.



French President Emmanuel Macron said he had decided on reconfigurations (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, Pool)

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Nigers junta described the end of the military co-operation with France as the start of a new era for Nigeriens.

Niger stands tall, and the security of our homeland will no longer depend on a foreign presence, it said via X, formerly known as Twitter. We are determined to meet the challenges before us, by consolidating our national military and strategic capabilities.

But analysts say a vacuum will be created by the troops departure. It will leave Niger and the entire Sahel worse off in terms of overall counter-terrorism efforts as Niger was seen as the last remaining Western partner in the decade-long fight against jihadi groups in the region, said Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused security consulting company Signal Risk.

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Some 1,500 French troops were training and supporting the local military in Niger, which had been envisioned as the base for counter-terrorism operations in the region after anti-French sentiment grew in Mali and Burkina Faso, both run by juntas that have also forced French troops out.

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But after deposing Nigers democratically-elected president Mohamed Bazoum, the nations junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani severed military relations with France and other European countries. Instead, he sought defence co-operation with Russia, whose private mercenary Wagner Group is already active in parts of Africa but faces an uncertain future there following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The withdrawal of foreign military missions is already affecting security in Niger, where the number of attacks has surged, according to Oluwole Ojewale with the Dakar-based Institute for Security Studies.

The country has not demonstrated sufficient military capabilities to fill the vacuum created by the withdrawal. Strategic attacks are being launched by the various armed groups who now roam freely in the ungoverned spaces in the country and incidents have remained on the rise, said Ojewale.

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The junta in Niger has formed a security alliance with the military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso to co-ordinate counter-terrorism operations across the Sahel.

However, much of the immediate impact of the departure of French troops would be felt in western Nigers Tillaberi region which has been the hotspot for extremism in the country, said Mr Ryan.

Violent extremist organisations may utilise the vacuum created to exploit and expand their operations in the Sahel, he said.
A student opened fire on Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20, officials said.

The incident marks the Czech Republics worst mass shooting.

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The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the gunman was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said.

The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

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Mr Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He did not explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

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Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He did not elaborate.

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

The chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record, but did not provide any other information.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

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The gunman legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed on Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Mr Vondrasek said.

A woman lights candles outside the scene of the shooting (Petr David Josek/AP)

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

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We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

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The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town.

It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was backed by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Mr Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Police officers stand on the balcony of the philosophical faculty of Charles University (Petr David Josek/AP)

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency.

President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

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She said: The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence.

On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the shooting victims, prime minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Three foreign nationals  two from Saudi Arabia and one from the Netherlands  were among 25 people injured in a deadly shooting at a university in Prague, authorities have said.

Police are investigating a possible motive for the attack by a 24-year-old student, which left 14 people dead.

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It is one of the worst attacks in the Czech Republic in recent years.



The incident took place at Charles University (AP)

The bloodshed took place in the Czech capital on Thursday at the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek said.

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The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said police in Prague worked overnight and 13 of those killed have been identified. He also said three of those wounded were foreigners  two from Saudi Arabia and one from the Netherlands.

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Police gave no other details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.



The shooting began at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University (AP)

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Mr Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Officials do not believe the gunman had an accomplice.

Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his home town of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself.

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Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.



The incident has stunned the country, and prompted messages of condolence from the White House (AP)

The police chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record.

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The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns, with police saying he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition.

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The shootings were well thought-out, a horrible act, Mr Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.



The death toll could rise, authorities have warned (AP)

Charles University said in a statement: We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Mr Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.



Mourners have left tributes outside the scene of the bloodshed (AP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence from US President Joe Biden.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Ms Jean-Pierre said.

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On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
A teenager in the UK who leaked clips of an upcoming Grand Theft Auto game during a hacking spree has been sentenced to a hospital order, court staff have said.

Arion Kurtaj (18) and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons were described by the prosecution as the key players in the LapsusS hacking group.

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Psychiatrists had assessed Kurtaj as unfit to stand trial so the role of the jury in his case was to decide whether he had committed the acts alleged against him.

Following a two-month trial at Londons Southwark Crown Court plus nine hours and 19 minutes of deliberations, a jury unanimously found Kurtaj had carried out 12 offences in his spree of innovative hacks.

Neither defendant gave evidence during the jury trial at Southwark Crown Court (Sean Dempsey/PA)

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These offences included six counts of carrying out an unauthorised act to impair the operation of a computer, three counts of blackmail, two fraud offences, and failing to comply with a section 49 notice to disclose a key when he did not give up the password to his mobile phone when asked by police.

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He tried to blackmail Rockstar Games by threatening to leak the stolen source code for the Grand Theft Auto sequel on to internet forums, the indictment stated.

Kurtaj and the youth were also accused of hacking software company Nvidia in February 2022 before threatening to release Nvidia Corporations intellectual property on to the web if it did not pay them.

At a sentencing hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, Kurtaj was given a hospital order, meaning he will remain at a secure hospital unless doctors deem him no longer a danger, a court worker told the PA news agency.

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Kurtajs defence counsel David Miller described the youngster as the most vulnerable of adolescents who was now pitted against huge companies and corporations worth billions, who had unlimited funds and unlimited resources including the FBI, National Crime Agency, Interpol and City of London Police.
Donald Trump pressured two election officials not to certify 2020 vote totals in a key Michigan county, according to a recording of a post-election phone call disclosed in a report by The Detroit News.

The former US presidents 2024 campaign neither confirmed nor denied the recordings legitimacy, insisting in a statement that all of Mr Trumps actions after his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden were taken to uphold his oath of office and ensure fair elections.

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Mr Trump has consistently repeated falsehoods about the 2020 election as he runs for the White House again. No evidence has emerged in a litany of federal, state and outside investigations of voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the election.

The November 17th, 2020, telephone call included then-president Mr Trump, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Wayne County elections authorities Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, both of them Republicans, The Detroit News reported.

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Mr Trump told the two canvassers that they would look terrible if they certified results after having initially opposed certification, the newspaper said.

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A congressional report states that Mr Trump and Ms McDaniel called Ms Palmer, right, and Mr Hartmann (Robin Buckson/Detroit News via AP, File)

The two ultimately issued signed affidavits asserting their opposition to certifying Wayne Countys results.

The newspaper said the recordings were made by a person who was present for the call with Ms Palmer and Mr Hartmann.

The report comes as Mr Trump seeks the 2024 Republican nomination while grappling with multiple criminal indictments, including a federal case and a Georgia case tied to his efforts to overturn Mr Bidens victory.

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As he campaigns for a return to the White House, Mr Trump continues to repeat the lies that the 2020 election was stolen, despite multiple recounts and court cases confirming his defeat.

Mr Biden won Michigan, with Wayne County, which includes Detroit, providing a trove of Democratic votes.

Weve got to fight for our country, Mr Trump said on the recordings, according to The Detroit News. We cant let these people take our country away from us.

Ms McDaniel, a Michigan native, reportedly said during the call: If you can go home tonight, do not sign it, adding: We will get you attorneys.

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Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Mr Trump is said to have reinforced the point, assuring the local officials: Well take care of that.

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Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Mr Trump, said in a statement that Mr Trumps actions were were taken in furtherance of his duty as president of the United States to faithfully take care of the laws and ensure election integrity.

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President Trump and the American people have the constitutional right to free and fair elections, Mr Cheung said.

Mr Trump sat for a lengthy interview on conservative radio on Friday but host Hugh Hewitt did not ask about the Michigan report. Mr Trump instead spent the interview clarifying his remarks earlier this month that he had day one plans akin to being a dictator.

Asked directly on Friday whether he would rule as an authoritarian, Mr Trump responded: Not at all. No, Im gonna rule as somebody thats very popular with the people.

Mr Trump also defended his previous comments that people entering the US illegally are poisoning the blood of our country. He insisted he was not talking about a specific group and said he had not been aware that he was using rhetoric that Adolf Hitler used as German dictator.

I know nothing about Hitler. Im not a student of Hitler. I never read his works, Mr Trump told Mr Hewitt. Despite those denials, Mr Trump insisted confidently that Hitler didnt say it the way I said it.

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Mr Hewitt did ask whether Mr Trump, if he were elected to another term, would willingly cede power when it concluded and he was constitutionally barred from holding office any longer.

Of course. And I did that this time, he said, before reverting to his false claims of a rigged 2020 election.

Donald Trump was defeated by Joe Biden in the state of Michigan in the 2020 US election (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

The Republican National Committee did not immediately respond on Friday to The Detroit Newss report about the 2020 phone call featuring Ms McDaniel.

The new disclosure of the recording appears to add details to communications with local officials referenced in the January 6th committees final report on Mr Trumps actions after the 2020 election and leading up to the January 6th, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Mr Trumps supporters on the day that Congress convened to ratify the Electoral College results.

That congressional report states that Mr Trump and Ms McDaniel called Ms Palmer and Mr Hartmann about 20 minutes after the two officials had changed their initial votes and agreed to certify the results.

The Select Committee doesnt know what President Trump privately said on that phone call, the report states.

The committee states that Mr Hartmann, at the time of the congressional inquiry, said that he was not pressured in a conversation he described as involving general comments about different states.

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But the January 6th committee emphasised Ms Palmer and Mr Hartmanns decision, made after Mr Trumps call, to issue the signed affidavits reasserting their original opposition to certification.

The Michigan call would have occurred about six weeks before another call Mr Trump made to Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. That conversation is among the key points in Mr Trumps indictment in Fulton County that accuses the former president of a racketeering scheme to overturn Mr Bidens narrow victory in Georgia.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Mr Trump told Mr Raffensperger in that call. Because we won the state.

Georgia counted its votes three times before certifying Mr Bidens win by an 11,779-vote margin.
Is it possible to regift a Christmas movie that you dont much like? If so, would you be OK if I scratch out my name on the Elf gift tag and sub in yours?

This 2003 comedy, starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau on his way from indie fare such as the excellent Swingers to big-budget Disney spectaculars like The Lion King and Iron Man and The Mandalorian, is considered a classic by some. Bah humbug, I say. The only Christmas spirit it stirred in me was the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Is it time to put Elf on the shelf? Credit: Janet Briggs

Incredibly, I had never seen Elf until I popped it on Netflix the other day, where it is tagged as both a family movie and a comedy (youll find it on a bunch of other streaming platforms too, including Stan, Binge, Foxtel, Paramount+ and as a pay-per-view option on heaps of others; if nothing I say here can dissuade you, you have few excuses not to waste 96 minutes of your life).

I had hoped for a chuckle or two, at the very least. But only when Will Ferrells oversized man-child Buddy was hit by a car did the cockles of my heart warm even a little.
Unlike his precursors, Mack is a husband and father, and hence in theory some kind of authority figure. But hes scared of everything, especially everything outside his small, secluded middle-American pond. When he and his family are invited to head south for the winter for the first time, all he can think of is the predators waiting to devour them.

Anyone making a movie about cartoon ducks has a lot to live up to. The point has not been lost on Migration director Benjamin Renner and his team at Illumination Entertainment: their hero Mack Mallard (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) has bulging eyes that narrow in suspicion in the manner of Donald or Daffy, and splutters neurotically in much the same way.

Still, his nest-mate Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is less inclined to get into a flap, while their kids Dax (Caspar Jennings) and Gwen (Tresi Gazal) are itching to spread their wings. So against Macks better judgment, soon the whole brood are headed for the island paradise of Jamaica  though naturally, it doesnt take long for them to veer off course.

This kind of plot has become a staple of Hollywood animation: the one about the over-protective dad who needs to learn to let go. Versions of it can be found in Illuminations The Secret Life of Pets and Despicable Me sequels, as well as the Croods films from Dreamworks, with Nicolas Cage as the voice of a Stone Age patriarch forced to move with the times.

Awkwafina voices a street-smart city pigeon named Chump in Migration.

The irony is that Migration plays it safe in just about every respect: the adventures are straightforward ones, typically culminating in slapstick chases while allowing room for Mack to face his fears. We also get the usual quotient of guest stars, including Carol Kane as an ambiguously motivated heron, Awkwafina as a street-smart pigeon and Keegan Michael-Key as a morose parrot who livens up when freed from his cage.

Its all very professionally done, with occasional passages of animation that are enjoyable for their own sake, such as when the Mallard family are swooping through clouds that cling to them like soap suds, or when Mack and Pam are stranded on a human dance floor and obliged to join in to avoid being stomped.
The films producers, Iain Canning and his Australian business partner Emile Sherman, first approached Winton 15 years ago to ask if they could put his story on the screen, but they found a modest man uninterested in making himself famous to a new generation. It was only after his death they got the go-ahead from his daughter, who had written a book about his war work.

In the opening scenes of One Life, Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins) is in his eighties, leading a seemingly tranquil life with his wife, Grete (Lena Olin), in suburban Surrey. But the clutter in his study is a revealing reflection of the tumult in his head. His mind is full of ghosts who are reviving memories of the refugees he helped to rescue in Prague during World War II.

The film flips back and forth in time, as Winton recalls his first visit to Prague in 1938. The city is already full of refugees on the run from the German takeover of the Sudetenland and the young Winton (Johnny Flynn)  Nicky to his friends  is appalled at the sight of so many children lacking food and shelter in the middle of a European winter. Busy getting the Nazis political targets out of the country, his fellow refugee workers, Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) and Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharpe), believe it will be too hard to evacuate children as well. But Nicky isnt listening. His optimism is remarkable, his stubbornness miraculous.

Helena Bonham Carter plays Wintons mother Babi, who helped the children find homes in Britain.

Inspired by the Kindertransport initiative already under way in Germany and Austria, he returns to London and calls on his like-minded and equally effective mother, Babi (Helena Bonham Carter), a small bulldozer powered by charm. Together, they recruit volunteers to help raise money, find foster families for the children and canvas support from the British government in simplifying visa rules.

The Prague sequences are heartbreaking. Garai is especially good as the heroic Doreen, who stays on in the city long after the Nazis arrival, but its Hopkins who anchors the films emotional centre with his slow burn of a performance. Hes always been able to use silence to express all that hes not saying, and Winton camouflages his passion and his anguish with the matter of factness of someone who is naturally averse to making a fuss.

Theres something very moving in watching him trying to hold back the tears when hes finally made aware of the difference he has made to the lives of so many people. Until then, he can do nothing but dwell on the failures  the children he didnt manage to save. He still has their photos. Their faces gaze at him from the old scrapbook he keeps amid the mess in his study.
Joseph Adam Moore, seen in October in his makeshift dwelling on Ninth Avenue in San Franciscos Richmond District. Moore was convicted this week of a public nuisance charge. Rachel Swan/The Chronicle

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Friday that a man who posted handmade signs advertising meth and fentanyl at his improvised dwelling near an elementary school in the citys Richmond District was convicted of a public nuisance charge.

Joseph Moore, 46, infuriated the Richmond with signs that read Free fentanyl 4 new users and Meth for stolen items! placed with his other belongings on the sidewalk near Ninth Avenue and Geary Boulevard.

In an interview in October, Moore insisted that the signs were not a joke, but acknowledged that he delighted in incensing the neighborhood. Moore said he became increasingly confrontational with other Richmond District residents in part because his belongings had repeatedly been seized. He was not charged with drug crimes.

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The signs were visible in classrooms occupied by students in kindergarten, fifth grade and sixth grade at Stella Maris Academy, Jenkins said in a statement.

This verdict sends a clear message that Mr. Moores conduct will not be condoned in San Francisco, Jenkins said in a statement. While San Francisco remains a compassionate city we understand that we must prioritize and protect our children and their surroundings.

The day before his arrest in October, Moore had gotten into a verbal altercation with another man just outside his makeshift home, according to San Francisco police. Officials said Moore threw an unidentified liquid on the other man, leading to a physical altercation. He was then arrested but released shortly after.

Moore was in custody as of Friday morning, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for Dec. 27. He faces up to six months in jail. He is also a registered sex offender following a conviction of unlawful sex with a minor in 1997.
The moment al-Sayyid Ahmad walked across his courtyard in Cairo, with his wife holding a lamp at the top of the stairs, I knew I was at home. The opening of a new book had taken me back to the streets of Egypt between the wars, where I watched the forlorn passions of the couples son, Kamal, and waited for more shameless comedy with al-Sayyid Ahmads favourite lute-player, Zanuba.

No, this is not my usual Friday column about Australian politics. Its a second column on something I wrote about last year: getting lost in a good book.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

One of my favourite novels from last year, Palace Walk, by Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, has a sequel just as lively: Palace of Desire, the second of his Cairo trilogy. It was one of the best this year.

Who wouldnt want to escape 2023 with the turn of a page? Luckily, my daughter had set me a target: read 52 books from 52 countries in 52 weeks. I took up the idea last year when I was stuck at home in the pandemic. This year, even with COVID receding, I kept crossing borders by the book.
A man and woman have been arrested and charged with stealing childrens toys from a toy store south-east of Brisbane.

Police said the pair and a third person went to the shop on Redland Bay Road in Capalaba on Tuesday afternoon and left with a number of toys.

Police shared video of toys being found at the home in Eagleby where the pair were arrested. Credit: Queensland Police

One of the toy stores workers confronted them, and was assaulted before the group left, police said.

Detectives from the Cleveland Criminal Investigation Branch searched a home at Eagleby on Thursday morning, and arrested the pair after finding the stolen toys along with illegal drugs.
The nattily carpeted Bardia Bistro upstairs, named after the location of a World War II battle in Libya, is a down-to-earth, congenial space for our interview. The large room is populated mostly by seniors groups, and the large windows overlook the Plenty River, and houses on a heavily treed hill beyond. The lamb cutlets dish at Greensborough RSL. Credit: Justin McManus The food is fresh and hearty, a pleasing roll-call of burgers, schnitzels, pasta and noodle dishes. Connell has an entree serve of salt-and-pepper calamari with green salad and lemon dill aioli and a can of Coca-Cola. I choose the crumbed lamb cutlets with mashed potato, carrot, broccoli and red currant jus, and a glass of De Bortoli Vivo chardonnay.

I grew up in Melbournes north-east, and we speak of how Greensborough has changed, from essentially a country town to well-populated suburb. I still like it, but its a busy place now, he says. When he moved here in 1950, aged eight, with his parents and six siblings, you knew everybody. Entree plate of salt and pepper calamari at Greensborough RSL. Credit: Justin McManus He remembers that in the 1950s, Main Street, where the RSL sits downhill at the end of the strip, was a narrow bitumen road. Elsewhere, the suburb had mostly dirt roads, and behind his house in Nell Street were paddocks.

Greensborough then had two grocery stores, a small hospital, the Greensborough Hotel thats still there, a picture theatre, two churches, a newsagent, a railway station and a blacksmith. At age 12, Connell attended Macleod High School, three kilometres away, which was then so new that it was not finished, so he travelled 15 kilometres from home to Westgarth Central School in Northcote for some of his classes. Santa Harold interviewed, over lunch, by Carolyn Webb at Greensborough RSL. Credit: Justin McManus Like many of his generation, Connell left school at 14, and after a few years working at McKay and Simmons grocers and as a postman, he trained with local businesses as a carpenter and joiner. At age 23, he married Elvia, an English migrant, having met her at a dance in Hawthorn. Connell joined the fire brigade in 1964. It had superannuation and it was a good job, Connell says.

The couple settled in a Greensborough house where they still live. They had three children, and now have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Connell initially worked at Eastern Hill fire station, in East Melbourne, but mostly was at Greensborough fire station, which was then in Church Street, off Main Street. As a firey, Connell attended some tragic situations. Near where we sit, Connell discovered a man burnt to death in his car after a collision with another car in Diamond Creek Road. Connell once rescued another man trapped in a wreck and choking on his false teeth, slumped over after his car crashed into a bridge at Lower Plenty. Connell held him upright, keeping his airway clear, and took out the false teeth, until he could be freed and the ambulance came.

I got a call that night from the hospital saying, wheres his teeth? I said, theyre in the car. They said, next time you do that, will you put them in his pocket? One little girl got her tongue stuck in a bathroom tap at her house. And the door was locked. Connell broke in through the window but had to saw the tap off to free her. Connell had to quit firefighting after 15 years because his body wore out. He had two knee replacements. Once he jumped over a fence at a fire at Flemington wool store and landed on a concrete gutter. After quitting, Connell mostly worked in carpentry and maintenance jobs. He once worked as a cleaner at a nursing home, and being a friendly soul, would chat to people.

They told me I was not allowed to talk to the patients. I said well, Im leaving. I was that disappointed. Connell first worked as Santa in a Greensborough toy shop in 1974. It was a good side job. He also drove taxis. Being Santa was a way of helping local businesses, talking to people and being part of the community. When the Plaza, or Greensborough Shopping Centre as it was then known, with its light-filled central atrium, opened in 1978, Connell was Santa at Waltons department store, where his wife worked in an office, and has been one of the Plazas Santas every Christmas since the early 1980s, now based in the ground-floor atrium. He said Santa photos used to be developed at a Kodak store in the Plaza and picked up by customers a few hours later. Today, customers are handed prints in minutes, or are given digital copies by email or USB next to Santas throne.

Connell still enjoys being the pleasant yuletide figure. With children, who these days ask for Lego, iPhones and clothes, Connell says its important to listen to what theyve got to say, and try to help them out. Loading Sometimes kids with separated parents will say, I want Dad to come home. Santa makes no promises. He says: Ill see what I can do about that. Connell adds: If someone asks for a dog I say, Ill see your mum about that, and you can see the parent going, no, no, no. Connell will point out to the child that if they go on holidays, its not good to leave a dog alone. They say they never thought of that.

Santas photos with pets can be fun, but chaotic. One client, about 50 years old, held a chook under each arm for a photo, while Connell held a terrier dog. We had a couple of guinea pigs in for photos this year, and a rooster. There have been a few lizards. Theres only ever been one snake. It was only a little snake and I said, Ooh, Santa doesnt like snakes. But being a trouper, Connell did the photo. Snakes were later banned. Crying toddlers come with the job. It breaks your heart, but you try your hardest, Connell says. Some kids are scared of Santa, so the child is placed in the foreground, facing the camera, and Santa will edge into the background.

Adults often pose for Santa photos. I had a mum and dad in, and they wanted a house without a mortgage. I said, well, Ill try. Connell hasnt got plans to retire as Santa. He still loves it. I did it for my great-grandson this year, who is six months old because my grandson, his dad, wanted me to be his first Santa. Loading Connell still gets a lot out of it. Yes, it gets hot wearing a wintry red outfit with fluffy white trim, a heavy beard and wig and boots. He can be exhausted at the end of the day. Some of the dogs pull like hell on their leads.

Connell adds: One customer said to me, I dont know how you do this, mate. I said, I chose it, so I accept it. He said, not many people would do it. But I enjoy it. Sometimes Connell is soaked in sweat, but an insiders tip is that he alternates between three Santa suits, meaning he always wears a clean one. He once had an electric fan going next to his throne while Santa, but it was blowing my beard around and was too annoying. You just keep working, is his mantra. You see, Connell grew up before air-conditioners were common, and as a firefighter, or at his house up in the bush, the heat never worried him.
Mobile-speed-camera workers will warn motorists they are approaching a speed trap and occasionally switch off their cameras as an unresolved pay dispute with the cameras private operator drags on.

The Community and Public Sector Union said mobile camera operators would kick off protected industrial actions on Saturday, including switching cameras off for up to 14 minutes at a time and displaying signs outside their cars saying: Camera Car Ahead / Slow Down for Safety.

Mobile-speed-camera workers are locked in a pay dispute with Serco. Credit: Wayne Taylor

The union action will ramp up to an unlimited number of 30-minute work stoppages on Christmas Day, as workers push for a pay rise from multinational government services giant Serco.

Serco, which operates the cameras for Victorias Department of Justice and Community Safety, is also facing strike action from Australian Services Union members who work in its traffic camera headquarters in Tullamarine.
The boss of Alcoa Australia, Matt Reed, has been promoted to lead the US miners global operations from his Perth base after just seven months with the aluminium specialist.

Reed took charge of Alcoas WA bauxite mines and alumina refineries and a Victorian aluminium smelter in June after two years running the operations of South Australian miner Oz Minerals, which BHP took over this year.

Matt Reed joined Alcoa Australia in June after BHP took over his former employer Oz Minerals Credit: Tony McDonough

On Thursday, Alcoa announced Reed would become its chief operations officer and an executive vice president from January 1, 2024.

Reed will replace Bill Oplinger, who became Alcoa chief executive in September. He will be responsible for production, costs, safety and environmental management for Alcoas operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Norway, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea.
For detailed instructions and up-to-the-minute advice visit Emergency WA.

Vision emerging from the 9 News Perth helicopter on Friday showed horses and fire trucks alike rushing from the path of flames as they engulf bushland and set alight a property south-east of Perth, the fourth to be lost in the seven major fires that have erupted since Wednesday.

But after a stressful week for firefighters, the fires were all downgraded by Friday evening to a watch and act.

Helicopter vision from Friday in the Keysbrook area. Credit: 9 News Perth

Authorities issued new emergency warnings on Friday for people in parts of the Shires of Serpentine Jarrahdale and Murray in Perths south-east, where two uninhabited properties were lost in Keysbrook, and parts of the shires of Swan, Mundaring, Northam and Toodyay in the north-east.
Some people flee overseas to escape the family obligations and forced cheer of Christmas, others regretfully sacrifice their traditional celebrations for a holiday. But either way, Christmas doesnt have to be a dud.

Seek out festive events, like the atmospheric Strasbourg Christmas markets.

While you might fear missing out on comforts and joy, you could discover that an overseas Christmas gets you closer to the spirit of the season without the distractions of tinsel and turkey.

A change from the routine Christmas might be invigorating, and a local Christmas provides a new cultural experience that can provide lasting good memories.

If youre a churchgoer, find out where midnight Mass or other services are being held. Even if you arent, church services are a cultural experience, whether taking in evensong in an English cathedral, or carol singing at Silent Night Chapel outside Salzburg.
Pro-Iran militias launch 60 attacks on U.S. bases in Syria to avenge Gaza conflict: monitor

Xinhua) 11:20, December 22, 2023

DAMASCUS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pro-Iran militias have launched 60 attacks on American bases in Syria since Oct. 19 in retaliation for the United States' backing of Israel during the Gaza conflict, a war monitor reported Thursday.

The attacks, which included rocket shells and drone strikes, have been targeting the U.S. bases in eastern Syria rather than the energy fields that some U.S. bases were built on, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks had recently escalated as the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip continued, noting that the U.S. forces are tight-lipped about their losses.

In previous reports, the observatory noted that these attacks were launched from inside the Iraqi territories and targeted U.S. bases in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Christy Gagans Infinity was stolen in August and then ticketed by the city after apparently being abandoned. The city is now able to check whether a vehicle was stolen before ticketing it. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

After years of ticketing stolen cars, San Francisco parking control officers are now notifying police instead of citing the vehicles.

Municipal Transportation Agency Director Jeff Tumlin and Police Chief Bill Scott informed Mayor London Breed in a letter Wednesday that the two agencies had found a way to flag stolen vehicles and notify owners  rather than cite them.

Breed ordered the MTA to stop ticketing stolen cars hours after an Oct. 11 Chronicle investigation exposed the practice. The report showed that from May 1 to Sept. 17, SFMTA parking control officers ticketed 411 vehicles that had been reported stolen, issuing fines totaling nearly $70,000. Some were written up multiple times; one received eight citations.

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Since Nov. 9, MTA workers have identified 26 stolen cars and reported them to the police, officials said.

Because of this alert, these vehicles did not receive a citation while their vehicle was stolen, Tumlin and Scott wrote.

Inner Richmond neighborhood resident Susan Kostal, who was one of several car theft victims featured in the Chronicles story, said her Honda CR-V was stolen in 2014 and subsequently ticketed.

On Thursday, she said she is thrilled to hear that MTA and SFPD had followed through on Breeds order, but added that the city had been aware of the issue for years without addressing it.

One questions whether (not addressing this sooner) was driven by the revenue derived from tickets, but the agencies cooperating in this way seems the right response to victims of crime, she said. While violent crime may be down, its things like car break-ins, car theft, package theft which impact more people, on a day-to-day basis. And this should improve our quality of life in San Francisco.

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In its original investigation, the Chronicle interviewed several San Francisco car owners whose vehicles were stolen and ticketed. Because the city ticketed the cars instead of notifying them, the only way the owners located the cars was looking them up on the SFMTAs citation website, which showed where and when theyd been cited.

Christy Gagans Infiniti sport utility vehicle was taken from outside her West Portal-area home in August. She plugged her license plate into the SFMTA website and found it had been ticketed in the Fillmore neighborhood, where thieves had apparently abandoned it. After reading the story, San Francisco resident Ralf Schubert was able to locate his Acura Integra.

In her Oct. 11 executive order, Breed said the city should be doing everything it can to help crime victims but had fallen short, and gave MTA and SFPD 45 days to come up with a solution.

The MTA and SFPD said in their letter to Breed that they coordinated with the states Department of Justice to obtain Californias stolen vehicle plate file. Then, according to MTA spokesperson Erica Kato, they loaded the file onto ticket writers devices. Now, whenever a ticket writer enters a stolen plate number into their device, they receive a message the car was stolen.

Everything happened pretty fast, she said. We had the system up and running in early November.

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The agencies waited until now to announce the changes to work out any bugs in the system, and to make sure the technology was sound, Kato said.

Breed spokesperson Parisa Safarzadeh said Thursday that the two agencies are working better together and more efficiently to make sure victims of car thefts are not penalized by unnecessary ticketing.

We problem-solved for a simple solution and process that now allows us to better support victims of car theft in San Francisco, she said. This is the work we are committed to every day.

Tumlin and Scott thanked their staffs for completing the technical work to make their systems work together, and the citys citation processing vendor for coordination in making the integration quickly.

We targeted completion by the start of APEC and we were successful in making this a reality, they wrote, referring to Novembers Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

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Ticket writers had a similar ability in the past, but the department had lost that ability, MTA officials previously said, explaining that it didnt have access to a database of stolen vehicles because the agency had been extracting the data from an internal city-owned software system that was phased out by the vendor.

Now, if the MTAs ticket device flags a match, the parking control officer contacts a dispatcher who notifies SFPD of the location of the identified vehicle so SFPD can recover the vehicle and return it to the owner.

Since Nov. 9, the Police Department has received more than 600 reports of stolen cars, according to SFPD data. Data was not immediately available on how many of those cars the city has recovered, nor whether any were ticketed.

Tumlin and Scott wrote that SFPD will continue to respond and recover stolen vehicles as it always has.

When the SFMTA notifies the SFPD about a stolen vehicle, officers respond as expeditiously as possible and attempt to contact the vehicles owner, they wrote. If the vehicle must be towed, the SFPD helps the owner gain access to their vehicle and all tow fees are waived.
The source also said the flight was cancelled for the day. Photo: Pxfuel/representative)

A British Airways plane enroute to London returned to the national capital on Friday morning due to a technical issue, according to sources.

The aircraft, which took off at around 0945 hours, returned soon due to fire indication lights. There were more than 200 people onboard, one of the sources said.

As per information on flight tracking website Flightradar24, the flight BA 142 was operated with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The source also said the flight was cancelled for the day.

Further details could not be immediately ascertained.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Friday dismissed an appeal of Jet Airways bidder Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC) challenging the sale of aircraft belonging to the grounded airline.



The tribunal had reserved its order on an appeal filed by JKC against the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order asking the airlines monitoring committee to conclude the sale of the Jet aircraft.



All-India Jet Airways Officers and Staff Association had also filed an appeal against NCLTs order. This was also dismissed by the NCLAT on Friday. JKC had argued that the NCLTs order for the sale of the aircraft was beyond its jurisdiction. It said the sale was put on hold in November 2022 because of a disagreement in the Monitoring Committee (MC), which has JKC and the lenders.



JKC said the lenders were stopping it from taking over the airline fully. Meanwhile, Malta-based Ace Aviation, which is the prospective buyer of the aircraft in question, said with each passing moment the aircrafts value depreciates and submitted that the NCLT had directed the sale proceeds of Rs 400 crore to be deposited in an escrow account. It also said the MC may decide how to distribute the sale proceeds among themselves. The company had claimed to have already deposited Rs 50 out of Rs 400 crore and was planning to deposit the rest of the amount too. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Venkatraman, appearing for the lenders, had said they were losing public money to keep the airline afloat due to maintenance costs.



NCLAT on Friday said the sale of aircraft does not affect the rights of any of the stakeholders as the sale proceeds will be deposited in an escrow account. These proceeds will then be distributed as per the resolution plan.

The NCLT in October had directed the MC to reinitiate the process and conclude the sale of the aircraft after considering the applicant as one of the eligible bidders.

The MC in 2022 accepted Ace Aviations letter of intent to buy three aircraft. Malta-based Challenge Group had successfully bid through its special purpose vehicle - Ace Aviation for three B777-300 aircraft of Jet Airways.

"We appreciate the NCLAT's decision to allow the sale of Jet Airways aircraft to Ace Aviation. We recognise the importance of closing the deal swiftly to prevent any loss in asset value as the longer sale process would deteriorate the aircraft's condition further and impact the commercial viability of the deal. We are confident that all parties involved will continue to cooperate in a practical and pragmatic approach, aligning with aviation standards, to expedite the completion of this transaction," said Eshel Heffetz, CEO of The Challenges Airlines.


To Kill A Tiger, the latest film by Indo-Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja, has been shortlisted for the 2024 Oscars in the Documentary Feature Film category. The 96th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles.

The shortlist was announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday. The documentary, which is set entirely in India, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2022 and won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film.

In fact, the film received a theatrical release in North America this year, a rare accomplishment for documentaries. It has been supported by a star cast of executive producers, including British Indian actor Dev Patel, Indian-American actress Mindy Kaling, and Indo-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur.

What is 'To Kill a Tiger' all about?

Nisha Pahuja's film tracks the harrowing story of a family in Jharkhand and their journey to bring the culprits in a sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl to justice.

Commenting on the film, a TIFF jury statement on the selection said, "It's not easy to film love. In Nisha Pahuja's To Kill A Tiger, a father defends his daughter, and together they change a village, a country and, maybe, the world."





ALSO READ: Oscar 2024: India's official entry '2018' fails to make it to final 15 In its description of the film, TIFF noted, "While aspects of this story might seem culturally specific, there is much in To Kill A Tiger that speaks more broadly to rape culture and the silencing of women. Many people in the village insist that the perpetrators' "naughty" behaviour must have been provoked by Ranjit's daughter, but she needs to be reassured that what happened wasn't her fault. When it comes to rape, shame is wielded like a blunt instrument. But the story of Ranjit and his fearless daughter, enduring so many voices clamouring for them to stand down, is one of remarkable strength and defiance."

Pahuja, in her director's statement, said, "The film was a record of a very painful time in their lives  but it also captured the immense love and strength of an exceptional family who had nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide."

Oscars 2024: India's official entry 2018 out of race

Meanwhile, Malayalam film "2018: Everyone is a Hero", India's official entry in the international feature film category at the 2024 Academy Awards, is out of the Oscars race.

"2018", starring Tovino Thomas in the lead, was announced as India's official entry for the 96th Oscars in September this year. The movie narrates the story of the devastating Kerala floods in 2018.
Police broke into the house of a Pakistani correspondent, Khursheed Anwar Khan, late Thursday night without any warrants and searched his house, harassing the family, according to Dawn.

The Mianwali Police, with a dozen policemen cordoned off the house, while women police officers searched the house without producing any warrants.

This correspondent was informed by the police that they are not pleased with the journalist for covering the recent instances of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders from Mianwali district having their nomination papers stolen and for helping his relative, PTI district vice president of women's wing Amara Niazi, submit her nomination papers, Dawn reported.

Following the incident, senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said that journalism is becoming "very difficult" in Pakistan.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mir said, "Journalism is becoming very difficult in Pakistan. Security agencies are monitoring the stories filed by district correspondents and harassing them through local police. Censorship is no more a secret, constitution turned into a joke."

Meanwhile, the police said they raided the correspondent's house on a tip-off that the journalist was hiding Amara Niazi and other PTI activists.

According to Dawn, Khurshid Anwar Khan had reported massively on the treatment meted out to former MNA Amjad Khan Niazi, currently in jail for the May 9 riots.

Despite the special judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Sargodha's directives, Niazi was not permitted to sign his nomination papers.

The Dawn correspondent had earlier reported on the events of the two PTI ticket candidates' nomination papers being stolen on Wednesday at the district court's returning office. Despite the fact that both candidates pointed the finger at the civvies, the police denied their accusations and claimed not to be aware of the supposed instances, according to Dawn.

Among the candidates were Rafiullah Khan, the brother of former PTI MPA Ameenullah Khan and Gen Sanaullah Khan Shaheed, and Ziaullah Khan Niazi lawyer, a retired judicial officer.

The plight of journalists in Pakistan continues to remain a grave concern.

Recently, a senior Pakistani journalist, Sami Abraham, was reportedly 'abducted' by unidentified men in Islamabad on May 24, his family claimed, saying that there was no information available regarding his location.

Abraham was detained by law enforcement. Abraham's brother Ali Raza has reported a complaint of abduction to the Aabpara Police Station in the federal capital, according to Dawn.

He was taken against his will by a group of eight to ten unidentifiable individuals who suddenly emerged from the cars.

Notably, Sami Abraham is a leading Pakistani journalist and an anchor with the privately-owned broadcaster BOL News.

Pakistan continues to remain "one of the most dangerous countries" for journalists. As per the New Pakistan report, journalists in Pakistan have been killed by militants, insurgents, and "unidentified state actors."

While quoting an editorial from Dawn, the report stated, "The common thread in these killings is that truth and justice are elusive, and killers walk free while families look in vain for answers.
In an attempt to provide "global business ecosystem" at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), the Gujarat government on Friday lifted the ban on liquor in the area, exempting it from prohibition which is in place across the state.

Being the state in which Mahatma Gandhi was born, the manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages have been banned in Gujarat since its formation.

Such exemption had never been granted in any area of the state in the past. "GIFT City has emerged as a global financial and technological hub which is bustling with economic activities. An important decision has been taken on Friday to change rules to allow 'wine and dine' facilities in the GIFT City area to provide a global business ecosystem to global investors, technical experts and national and international companies," the state prohibition department said in a statement.

"Under the new system, hotels, restaurants and clubs (existing and that will come up) in the GIFT City area will be given permits for wine and dine facilities," it said. However, such establishments will not be allowed to sell liquor bottles to people. "Those officially working in GIFT City area and their official guests will be able to go to such hotels, restaurants and clubs for wine and dine facilities," the statement further said.



Liquor access permits will be given to owners and employees of companies in the GIFT City and temporary permits will be given to their visitors who can go to such hotels and restaurants to consume alcohol.



The state prohibition and excise department will regulate the import, storage and sale of liquor in the city. At present, outsiders visiting Gujarat can buy liquor from authorised outlets by obtaining a temporary permit.



The opposition Congress, meanwhile, opposed the decision. "Look at the situation of women in the states where liquor is freely available.Families are getting destroyed. Liquor not only damages health but it also disturbs social fabric. There is no proof that development can be achieved due to liquor. If that was true, then the states which do not have prohibition would be at the top of development charts," Congress leader Manish Doshi said.



By legalizing sale and consumption of liquor "in Gujarat of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel" the BJP government was exhibiting its double standards, and it does not want to implement prohibition properly, said another Congress leader Hiren Banker. The DREAM city in Surat which houses recently inaugurated diamond bourse has also demanded exemption from prohibition.



In the past, former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela had demanded that the ban on liquor be lifted in the state.
Leaders of the Opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc have hit the streets today to protest against the suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament in an "undemocratic manner" during the winter session.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi and other members of the alliance addressed the protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, which kicked off at 11 am.

#WATCH | Leaders of the INDIA bloc come together to protest against the suspension of 146 opposition MPs at Jantar Mantar in Delhi pic.twitter.com/63rHfQ46FA December 22, 2023

Rahul Gandhi attacks govt over Parliament security breach

While addressing the Jantar Mantar rally, Rahul Gandhi blamed the Narendra Modi government for the Parliament security breach, which took place on December 13. He said it was "unemployment which eventually led to the Parliament security breach".

Gandhi further questioned how the youth who were able to enter the Parliament were able to carry the gas canisters. "If they could have passed the security checks then they could have also carried anything else, how were they able to pass the security checks?" Gandhi questioned.

He added, "The Modi government has not given employment to youth, this is why they jumped and entered the Parliament."

VIDEO | "Two-three youths entered the Parliament with smoke cannister and we saw how BJP MPs got scared and ran away. Now, it is definitely a question of a security breach but the reason behind the protest (of youth intruding into the Lok Sabha) is unemployment," says Congress MP pic.twitter.com/UjajLm5hjr Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel December 22, 2023

At the rally, Gandhi also said that by suspending the Opposition MPs, the government has silenced crores of people as every MP carries lakhs of votes and represents the people of the country.

'Can't take away our right to speak'

After the Gandhi scion, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to the dais to train guns at the BJP-ruled Centre for the unprecedented suspension of MPs.

"Under our Constitution, everyone has the right to speak. When we give notice [in Parliament] we are not even given a chance to read the notice. Should I say that the BJP govt is not letting a Dalit speak?"

He said that their right to speak cannot be taken away. "This freedom was given to us by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. You suspend Opposition MPs and pass laws unopposed We have to fight together."

'Govt cannot murder democracy'

Speaking about the protest, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "In the history of democracy in the world, 146 MPs have never been suspended... People should know that democracy is in danger. The protest is to tell the people that whatever is happening is wrong for the future of the country... There is only one solution, people should change this government and bring the INDIA Alliance into power."

"This government cannot murder the democracy as it is doing now and it cannot rule the country any more. Parliament is 'superme' in our democracy and Ambedkar made it clear. He even went on to say 'Opposition is important for parliament'. But they are killing the opposition, this is fascism. Can we afford this fascist dictatorship? The INDIA bloc should fight together and defeat the BJP. The Constitution and democracy must be saved...it is under attack," Communist Party of India (CPI) 's D Raja said.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala, at the INDIA bloc's protest at Jantar Mantar, told news agency PTI, "Democracy is being strangled in India. If Parliament has to be run without opposition, if there is no freedom to ask questions, if the accountability of the government is not fixed, and if the Constitution is not followed, then what meaning will be left of Parliament."

He said that the INDIA bloc is fighting the battle together and will "neither be afraid nor get tired nor stop."

BJP's response on mass suspension of MPs

In response, Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said at a press briefing, "They [suspended MPs] themselves came and said to suspend them. The Congress party has such a low-level strategy."

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "The Speaker is the custodian of the Parliament. The Lok Sabha Speaker is saying repeatedly that he is responsible for the security. Why are they not trusting what the Speaker is saying? They were deliberately looking for revenge after the defeat in the Assembly elections. They had been planning internally and they got the opportunity."

Bulk suspension of MPs in Parliament

A series of suspensions ensued in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha after the Winter Session witnessed disruptions following the December 13 breach of Parliament security incident with demands of a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.

Ahead of the sine-die conclusion of the session, three more Opposition MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, pushing the total number of suspensions to a record-breaking 146.

On Thursday, the Opposition MPs, including those suspended, marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk as a mark of protest against the move by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

During the earlier protest, Kharge urged the government to "behave democratically", alleging that the BJP does not have faith in democracy.

"Parliament is a big Panchayat. If one will not speak in Parliament where would one speak. It is unfortunate that Home Minister Shah and Prime Minister Modi did not come to the House to apprise about the security breach. They spoke about issues which should be spoken in the House, outside it," he said, adding that PM Modi had violated parliamentary privilege by not speaking on the security breach issue inside the Parliament.

(With agency input)
A 24-year-old student, identified as David Kozak, unleashed terror at Charles University's Faculty of Arts, leaving 14 dead and 25 injured on Thursday. The assailant's motives remain unclear, but the incident has shocked the nation and raised concerns about campus safety. Here is everything that is known so far about the deadly attack.

What happened at Prague University?

On December 21, a gunman carried out a deadly attack at Charles University in Prague . The incident unfolded at the Faculty of Arts building on Jan Palach Square, where the assailant shot and killed 14 people, with 25 others sustaining injuries. Earlier reports had suggested 15 dead and 25 injured, but the authorities have clarified the matter since, warning that the death toll may rise. The shooting commenced around 15:00 local time.

Videos from the shooting later emerged on social media sites, showing people jumping from one of the building's ledges to escape the attacker. Other videos emerged showing people fleeing in terror.

Who was the gunman in Prague?

The assailant was identified as David Kozak, according to a report by The Economic Times. Kozak was a 24-year-old student enrolled in the Institute of World History at Charles University's Faculty of Arts. He hails from the village of Houstoun, located 21 km outside Prague, and is studying Polish history.

The assailant was described as an excellent student with seemingly no criminal record. Kozak legally owned several guns and was reportedly heavily armed for the Thursday attack in the city's centre.

Kozak's father was found dead earlier on the same day, adding another layer of tragedy to the unfolding events.

What was the motive behind the shooting in Prague?

Authorities in Prague seem to be grappling with the motive behind the attack, emphasising that the gunman's motives are not immediately known.

The police chief, Martin Vondrasek, disclosed that the assailant had initially been sought in a different university building on Celetna Street, near Prague's Old Town Square, before diverting his attention to the arts faculty. This has also raised questions about the specific choice of the arts faculty.

The gunman had left some disturbing messages on social media about his thoughts on suicide and mass shootings. Some posts also alleged ties to a prior shooting in Russia. Kozak also seemed to have drawn inspiration from a school shooting in Russia, indicating a troubled background.

After searching his home, the police now also suspect Kozak of being involved in a separate killing of a man and his 2-month-old daughter on December 15.

Preliminary information further suggested a potential link to two deaths in a forest near Prague the previous week.

Response and evacuation during the rampage

As the shooting unfolded, university staff and students were instructed to barricade themselves in classrooms. The police responded swiftly, evacuating the area, attending to the injured, and urging civilians to seek shelter. According to a report by the BBC, an email was also sent out to university staff to secure themselves in the building. Ambulances were also deployed to tend to injuries and also urged civilians to seek shelter.

What happened to the gunman?

The police chief informed the media that the gunman had been "eliminated" after the shooting in the capital city. The authorities added that Kozak had sustained several injuries, but it is unclear whether these injuries were self-sustained or if he was shot down by the police during an exchange of gunfire. Police chief Vondrasek added that there was no evidence of an accomplice being involved in the attack.

Reaction to the shooting in Prague

As gun-related crimes are rare in the Czech Republic, this senseless violence drew international attention, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing shock over the attack.

Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda expressed shock and dismay at the unexpected incident, acknowledging the evolving threats even in traditionally peaceful locations. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan assured the public that there was nothing to suggest that the incident was linked to international terrorism and urged people to comply with police directives.

The incident has also prompted discussion on campus safety and security, as well as mental health awareness, which resonated beyond Czech borders. In the coming days, the city of Prague will be mourning the lives lost and coming to terms with the aftermath of this tragic event just days before the Christmas holidays.


US military leaders, acknowledging the significance of renewed communication, had been expressing their concerns for months

In a significant development, the highest-ranking US and Chinese military officials engaged in dialogue on Thursday, ending a year-long silence that had raised concerns within the Pentagon, CNN reported.

General CQ Brown, Jr, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, initiated a video conference call with his Chinese counterpart, General Liu Zhenli of the People's Liberation Army of China.

This marked the first conversation between the two leaders since Gen Brown assumed his role as chairman, according to CNN.

During the video conference, Gen Brown emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to responsibly manage competition, prevent miscalculations, and maintain open lines of communication, Joint Staff spokesperson Captain Jereal Dorsey said.

"Gen Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication," Dorsey said, adding, "Gen Brown reiterated the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings."

The hiatus in communication between the US and Chinese military leadership had persisted for over a year, triggered by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022. China responded with military drills around the island, leading to heightened tensions.

The lack of dialogue became a source of concern for the Pentagon, especially in light of various incidents, including a Chinese spy balloon traversing the continental US and an increase in "coercive and risky" behaviour by Chinese pilots against US aircraft in the East and South China Seas, according to CNN.

The restoration of communication was identified as a priority in the recent talks between President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping. President Biden, speaking on the matter, emphasised his commitment to managing the situation in a rational and manageable manner to avoid conflict.

"My responsibility is to make this rational and manageable, so it doesn't result in conflict," Biden said at the time. "That's what I'm all about."

US military leaders, acknowledging the significance of renewed communication, had been expressing their concerns for months. Following the meeting between Biden and Xi, the Pentagon announced active coordination with Beijing to establish communication channels.

In June, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had a brief encounter with then-PRC Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, but no substantive exchange occurred. Since then, Shangfu has been relieved of his position, and a new defence minister has yet to be appointed.

One of the key issues discussed in the conversation between Gen Brown and Gen Liu Zhenli was the opening of communication channels between the US Indo-Pacific Command and the People's Liberation Army Eastern and Southern Theatre Commands.

Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, had previously stated that his standing request to speak with his Chinese counterparts had been ignored throughout his tenure.

Aquilino emphasised the ongoing efforts to engage with China but noted differing opinions on the matter. "[T]he theme here is we continue to try to engage with our partner," Aquilino said at the time, "but there's a different opinion there," CNN reported.
The US Congress has approved a measure prohibiting the Pentagon from using any seaport worldwide reliant on the Chinese logistics platform LOGINK, the Voice of America (VOA) reported.

According to Senators Tom Cotton and Representative Michelle Steel, LOGINK allows Beijing to monitor America's military supply chain by tracking cargo and ship movements through commercial ports.

Their amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2024 also restricts federal funding for ports using LOGINK. The bill, passed on December 14, is set to take effect six months after President Joe Biden signs the NDAA, which is pending.

In an email interview with VOA, Representative Steel highlighted the severity of LOGINK's threat, operating under the Chinese Communist Party, and expressed concern about Beijing's investments in over 100 ports across 60 nations.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), which keeps track of the national security implications of US-China trade, noted that LOGINK's visibility into global shipping and supply chains could expose US supply chain vulnerabilities and track shipments of US military cargo.

"LOGINK's visibility into global shipping and supply chains could also enable the Chinese government to identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and to track shipments of U.S. military cargo on commercial freight," USCC 2022 report stated.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon's US Transportation Command told VOA in an email on Tuesday, "USTRANSCOM understands the visibility into global logistics China has through their Belt and Road Initiative and related public-private arrangements."

LOGINK collaborates with over 20 ports globally, encompassing six in Japan, five in South Korea, and one in Malaysia. Additionally, there are at least nine ports across Europe and three in the Middle East affiliated with LOGINK.

Notably, the commission's report indicates the absence of LOGINK port contracts in the US, revealing that Beijing subsidises this cost-free platform.

Under the NDAA, Congress is mandated to commission a study on how foreign influence in the 15 largest American container ports "could affect" national and economic security.

Ivan Kanapathy, a former National Security Council director and current senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, "Chinese companies are operating ports in the United States, which poses a national security risk to our critical infrastructure. This report will spur policy to counter that risk."

The Chinese Embassy referred inquiries to China's General Administration of Customs, which did not respond to VOA's email inquiries.

Michael Wessel, a USCC member, hailed the legislation as a "major step" to address the LOGINK threat, underscoring the need for an alternative.

Gabe Collins, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute, highlighted the absence of a viable alternative to LOGINK on its scale, estimating it gathers data on up to half of global shipping capacity.

The US ban signals a need for an alternative and requires negotiations with allies and partners to remove LOGINK from their ports. The International Association of Ports and Harbours is yet to determine its members' response to the new legislation.

Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs, revealed European leaders' unawareness of LOGINK's monitoring capacity, emphasising the need for thorough consideration of such matters, Voice of America reported.
The Crisis Management Centre foresees that 2024 will carry with it increased threats to individuals, organisations and governments in a combined manner that can only be described as attacks on "reputation security".

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222890088/en/

Nordin Abdullah, Founder of the Crisis Management Centre and Founding Chairman of the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF), speaking at the Stratcom Disaster Communication Forum. | Ankara, Turkiye, 25-26 April 2023 | Photo by NHA/MGBF (Photo: Business Wire)

Previously, the Crisis Management Centre focused on the threat matrix and the expansion of technology-enhanced attacks on organisations that play critical roles in various supply chains. Now, that too has evolved; weaponised information through targeted distribution as part of a coordinated business or political objective have become increasingly more apparent. This has created a capability gap in organisations as they struggle to deal with the threat of persistent multi-domain crisis.

The Reputation-Revenue Dynamic has come into sharp focus of late. It was something developed by our team at the Crisis Management Centre as a way to understand how various communities respond to communications during a crisis. Now the operating environment is defined by the constant existence of crisis, an effective approach to resilience has become even more critical in the decision-making process of the public and private sectors, said Nordin Abdullah, Founder of the Crisis Management Centre.

He continued, Boycotts and divestment activities on the back of various conflicts coupled with issues driven by activists have challenged the way that the corporate sector understands ESG. The social contract of every business is now examined on social media and felt in every boardroom. It is easy for those in leadership positions to get stuck in the weeds during a crisis and be taken away from the strategic objectives of an organisation.

An emerging area of concern is employee attrition rates, individuals within the organisation from the CEO down are at greater risk of losing their jobs during or post crisis. Designing a resilient approach in this case involves both an inward and outward approach, concluded Nordin who is also the Founding Chairman of the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF).

The Crisis Management Centre will organise the first conference dedicated to the idea of Reputation Security in May 2024. The conference will see the launch of Nordin Abdullahs groundbreaking book titled Reputation Security: Leadership in the Age of Crisis.

Nordin Abdullah is an Australian businessman living in Asia and is currently Managing Director of Glenreagh Sdn Bhd. His focused approach to advocacy and keen understanding of the complex relationships between corporations, governments, academia, non-government organisations and the media has enabled Nordin to implement his creative approach to strategic problem-solving and sustainable development across various sectors. Nordin established the Crisis Management Centre to assist individuals, communities, corporations and governments with all aspects of crisis.

For more information about the conference visit www.crisismanagementcentre.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222890088/en/
Marcelino Flores delivers food at Picos restaurant in Houston. Only about half the service workers in the U.S. receive paid sick leave. David J. Phillip/Associated Press 2021

Recently, a patient walked into my clinic complaining of diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain. It was clear she had gastroenteritis, a stomach bug, and that she should stay home, hydrate and rest. Her symptoms had already begun to improve so I was puzzled as to why she had even bothered to come in, but the answer soon became obvious.

Do you think I can get a doctors note so that I can take today and tomorrow off? she asked.

Her question hit me with a pang of annoyance  not at her, but at the fact that she was forced to come in to get a note.

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In my several years of practice, my wealthy patients working in tech have yet to ask me for a doctors note. When I worked at a health startup, I never even thought of asking for a note from a doctor, as my, Im sick so I will be out today was never met with anything but wishes for a speedy recovery.

But as practically any urgent care physician will tell you, blue-collar workers like this patient (who worked in a cafeteria) are frequently asked to provide a doctors approval for their right to take a sick day.

With no federal law mandating paid sick leave, access to paid sick time varies substantially by state and industry. California is one of 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., that mandate paid sick leave. Though service workers are more likely to get sick because they are required to be around many other people, only about half of these workers nationwide have paid sick time, in contrast to 96% of those in management, business or finance who do get it, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The requirement for a doctors note is disproportionately applied to blue-collar workers and inevitably worsens existing inequities in access to paid sick days.

Some may argue that a doctors note is needed to prevent workers from misusing sick days for other purposes. Yet, when a paid sick leave policy with no requirement for notes for absences of two days or less was implemented in Connecticut in 2011, misuse of these benefits seldom happened. In fact, only a third of eligible employees even used the benefit.

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The requirement is also a huge waste of precious recovery time for workers subject to it. People who come into my urgent care clinic often have to wait two or more hours for their turn. When driving and visit times are factored in, a clinic visit can take four hours, or half of a regular working day, just to get a note.

Besides, in California, demanding a doctors note as a requirement to take a paid sick leave might be illegal. The California Labor Commissioners Office has opined that an employee can file a paid sick leave claim against their employer when they are (denied) sick leave due to a failure to provide details. Yet, this statement is far from being definitive, and an average worker is unlikely to be aware of such legal nuances or feel empowered to push back to their manager. A paid sick leave information poster mandated to be displayed in a workplace states an employer shall provide paid sick days upon the oral or written request of an employee, but missing is any information about whether employers can require a doctors note.

The perceived need for a doctors note, legal or not, combined with difficulty accessing a clinician may compel an average worker to show up sick. Presenteeism, or working while sick, may seem attractive to employers, but in the long run, everyone loses. Working while sick not only decreases productivity but also increases the risk of injury.

When more than half of restaurant-related foodborne illnesses are caused by employees showing up sick, we wouldnt want these workers  like the one who came to my clinic  to prepare our food before they feel better. Studies suggest that access to paid sick days cuts down the transmission of respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 and can lead to significant savings just from reduced absences from flu-like illnesses alone.

We need to help workers fully utilize their paid sick leave to get the care they need and recover  with minimal hoops to jump through  because when they do, everyone wins.

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To do so, first, we must make known what is already true: A new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom increases paid sick leave from three to five days per year starting in 2024. Furthermore, the Labor Commissioners Office can and should clarify and publicize its stance on employers requiring a doctors note as a precondition to using paid sick leave, including on its mandated posters in workplaces. Finally, Congress can pass the Healthy Families Act, which mandates paid sick leave to all workers regardless of where they live or for whom they work.


Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced that LIVTENCITY (maribavir) has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for the treatment of adult patients with post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT) cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that is refractory to treatment (with or without genotypic resistance) with ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir or foscarnet. LIVTENCITY is the first and only inhibitor of CMV-specific UL97 protein kinase in China for this indication. LIVTENCITY was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by China Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in 2021.

The approval of LIVTENCITY by the NMPA of China recognizes the critical need for post-transplant care and that CMV infection, when not successfully treated, can pose serious challenges to transplant recipients that can lead to complications such as increased organ rejection and hospitalization rates, said Ramona Sequeira, president, Global Portfolio Division, Takeda. This approval will help redefine the CMV treatment landscape for transplant patients in China and is a positive step forward toward addressing an unmet need for this community.

The NMPA approval is based on the results of the Phase 3 SOLSTICE trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of maribavir versus conventional antiviral therapies  ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir or foscarnet  for the treatment of patients with CMV infection/disease refractory* to prior therapies. In the SOLSTICE trial, LIVTENCITY was superior to conventional therapies at Week 8 for the primary endpoint of confirmed CMV viremia clearancea in post-transplant adults with refractory* CMV infection.1

The NMPA approval marks the 12th approval of LIVTENCITY around the world for post-transplant CMV refractory* to prior therapies, including four other major markets beyond China: the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union.4-7

Out of the estimated 200,000 adult transplants per year globally, CMV is one of the most common infections experienced by transplant patients with an estimated incidence rate of 16%-56% in SOT and 30%-80% in HSCT recipients.8,9

About LIVTENCITY

LIVTENCITY (maribavir), an orally bioavailable anti-CMV compound, is the first and only antiviral agent that targets and inhibits the UL97 protein kinase and thus its natural substrates.1 It is approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for the treatment of adults with post-HSCT or SOT cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that is refractory to treatment (with or without genotypic resistance) with ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir or foscarnet.

Product Name LIVTENCITY 200 mg film coated tablets. Generic Name Maribavir Posology and Administration LIVTENCITY should be initiated by a physician experienced in the management of patients who have undergone solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Posology: The recommended dose of LIVTENCITY is 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) twice daily resulting in a daily dose of 800 mg for 8 weeks. Treatment duration may need to be individualized based on the clinical characteristics of each patient. Pediatric population: The safety and efficacy of LIVTENCITY in patients below 18 years of age have not been established. No data are available. Method of administration: Oral use. LIVTENCITY is intended for oral use only and can be taken with or without food. The film coated tablet can be taken as a whole tablet, a crushed tablet, or a crushed tablet through a nasogastric or orogastric tube.



About Takedas SOLSTICE Trial

The TAK-620-303 (SOLSTICE) trial (NCT02931539, EudraCT 2015-004725-13) was a global, multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled superiority trial to assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with either maribavir or conventional antiviral therapy in 352 hematopoietic stem cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients with CMV infection refractory* to one or a combination of the conventional antiviral therapies: ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir. Adult patients underwent a 2-week screening period, followed by randomization 2:1 to maribavir (n=235) (400 mg, twice daily) or conventional antiviral therapies (n=117) (as dosed by the investigator) for up to 8 weeks. After completion of the treatment period, subjects entered a 12-week follow-up phase.1

The trials primary efficacy endpoint was confirmed CMV viremia clearance a at the end of Week 8. The key secondary endpoint was confirmed CMV viremia clearance and CMV infection symptom control at the end of Study Week 8 with maintenance of this treatment effect through Study Week 16.1

About CMV

CMV is a beta herpesvirus that commonly infects humans; serologic evidence of prior infection can be found in 40-100% of various adult populations.10 CMV typically resides latent and asymptomatic in the body but may reactivate during periods of immunosuppression. Serious disease may occur in individuals with compromised immune systems, which includes patients who receive immunosuppressants associated with various types of transplants including HSCT or SOT.8 Out of the estimated 200,000 adult transplants per year globally, CMV is one of the most common viral infections experienced by transplant recipients, with an estimated incidence rate between 16-56% in SOT recipients and 30-80% in HSCT recipients.8,9

In transplant recipients, reactivation of CMV can lead to serious consequences including graft loss and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.1,2 Existing therapies to treat post-transplant CMV infections may demonstrate serious side effects that require dose adjustments or may fail to adequately suppress viral replication.11 Additionally, existing therapies may require or prolong hospitalization due to administration.11,12

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

LIVTENCITY Safety Information

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients and co-administration with ganciclovir or valganciclovir.

Special warnings and precautions for use

Virologic failure can occur during and after treatment with LIVTENCITY. Some maribavir pUL97 resistance-associated substitutions confer cross-resistance to ganciclovir and valganciclovir. CMV DNA levels should be monitored, and resistance mutations should be investigated in patients who do not respond to treatment. Treatment should be discontinued if maribavir resistance mutations are detected.

LIVTENCITY is not expected to be effective in treating CMV CNS infections (e.g. meningo encephalitis).

LIVTENCITY has the potential to increase the concentrations of immunosuppressants that are cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A/P-gp substrates with narrow therapeutic margins (including tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus and everolimus). The plasma levels of these immunosuppressants must be frequently monitored throughout treatment with LIVTENCITY, especially following initiation and after discontinuation of LIVTENCITY, and doses should be adjusted, as needed.

The concomitant use of LIVTENCITY and certain medicinal products may result in known or potentially significant medicinal product interactions, some of which may lead to:

possible clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposure of concomitant medicinal products.

reduced therapeutic effect of LIVTENCITY.



Sodium content: This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially sodium free.

Pregnancy & Breast-feeding: LIVTENCITY is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. Breast feeding should be discontinued during treatment with LIVTENCITY.

Interactions

If dose adjustments of concomitant medicinal products are made due to treatment with maribavir, doses should be readjusted after treatment with maribavir is completed.

Effect of other medicinal products on maribavir: Co-administration of maribavir with strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inducers rifampicin, rifabutin or St. Johns wort is not recommended. If co-administration of maribavir with other strong or moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, efavirenz, phenobarbital and phenytoin) cannot be avoided, the maribavir dose should be increased to 1 200 mg twice daily. No dose adjustment is needed when maribavir is co-administrated with CYP3A inhibitors.

Effect of maribavir on other medicinal products: Co-administration of maribavir with valganciclovir and ganciclovir is contraindicated. Concomitant administration of maribavir and medicinal products that are sensitive substrates of CYP1A2 with a narrow therapeutic window (e.g., tizanidine and theophylline) should be avoided due to the risk for lack of efficacy of CYP1A2 substrates.

When the immunosuppressants tacrolimus, cyclosporine, everolimus or sirolimus are co-administered with maribavir, immunosuppressant levels should be frequently monitored throughout treatment with maribavir, especially following initiation and after discontinuation of maribavir and dose adjusted, when needed.

Caution should be exercised when maribavir and sensitive P-gp substrates (e.g., digoxin, dabigatran) are co administered. Serum digoxin concentrations should be monitored, and dose of digoxin may need to be reduced, as needed.

Co-administration of maribavir with sensitive BCRP substrates such as rosuvastatin, is expected to increase their exposure and lead to undesirable effects.

Adverse Reactions

Very common (1/10) Taste disturbance, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue Common (1/100 to <1/10) Headache, Abdominal pain upper, Decreased appetite, Immunosuppressant drug level increased, Weight decreased

The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions were diarrhea (2%) and nausea, weight decreased, fatigue, immunosuppressant drug concentration level increased, and vomiting (all occurring at >1%).

Please consult the LIVTENCITY (maribavir) approved label before prescribing, particularly in relation to dosing and treatment monitoring.

For the European Union, please consult the Summary of Products Characteristics (SmPC).

For China, please consult the LIVTENCITY China Package Leaflet.

For full U.S. Prescribing Information, including the approved indication and important safety information, please visit: https://content.takeda.com/?contenttype=pi&product=liv&language=eng&country=usa&documentnumber=1

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, press release means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, Takeda is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words we, us and our are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takedas future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as targets, plans, believes, hopes, continues, expects, aims, intends, ensures, will, may, should, would, could anticipates, estimates, projects or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takedas global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takedas operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takedas most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takedas other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takedas website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takedas future results.

Medical information

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.

* Including a subgroup with genotypic resistance to conventional therapies.

a Defined as confirmed CMV DNA concentration below the lower limit of quantification (<LLOQ; i.e., <137 IU/mL) in two consecutive samples separated by at least five days.

 CMV infection symptom control was defined as resolution or improvement of tissue-invasive disease or CMV syndrome for symptomatic patients at baseline, or no new symptoms for patients who were asymptomatic at baseline.

References

Avery R, Alain S, Alexander BD, et al. SOLSTICE Trial Investigators. Maribavir for refractory cytomegalovirus infections with or without resistance post-transplant: results from a phase 3 randomized clinical trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2022;75(4):690701. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab988 Ramanan P, Razonable RR. Cytomegalovirus infections in solid organ transplantation: a review. Infection & Chemotherapy. 2013;45(3):260 Camargo JF, Komanduri KV. Emerging concepts in cytomegalovirus infection following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther. 2017;10(4):233-238. doi:10.1016/j.hemonc.2017.05.001 Takeda. Health Canada approves Takedas LIVTENCITYTM (maribavir) the first and only treatment for adults with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Published September 20, 2022. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.takeda.com/en-ca/newsroom/news-releases/2022/health-canada-approves-takedas-livtencity-maribavir-the-first-and-only-treatment-for-adults-with-post-transplant-cytomegalovirus-cmv-infection/ Takeda. Takedas LIVTENCITY (maribavir) approved by U.S. FDA as the first and only treatment for people ages 12 and older with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV), refractory (with or without genotypic resistance) to conventional antiviral therapies. Published November 23, 2021. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211123006185/en/Takeda%E2%80%99s-LIVTENCITYTM-maribavir-Approved-by-U.S.-FDA-as-the-First-and-Only-Treatment-for-People-Ages-12-and-Older-with-Post-Transplant-Cytomegalovirus-CMV-Refractory-With-or-Without-Genotypic-Resistance-to-Conventional-Antiviral-Therapies Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). LIVTENCITY maribavir 200 mg film coated tablet bottle (380132) [Australian product information]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Published October 8, 2022. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/artg/380132 Takeda. European Commission (EC) approves LIVTENCITY (maribavir) for the treatment of adults with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and/or disease that are refractory (with or without resistance) to one or more prior therapies. Published November 11, 2022. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2022/european-commission-ec-approves-livtencitytm-maribavir/ Azevedo LS, Pierrotti LC, Abdala E, et al. Cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients. Clinics (Sao Paolo). 2015;70(7):515-523. doi:10.6061/clinics/2015(07)09 Styczynski J. Who is the patient at risk of CMV recurrence: a review of the current scientific evidence with a focus on hematopoietic cell transplantation. Infect Dis Ther. 2018;(7):1-16. doi:10.1007/s40121-017-0180-z de la Hoz RE, Stephanie G, Sherlock C. Diagnosis and treatment approaches to CMV infections in adult patients. J Clin Virol. 2002;25(Suppl 1):S1-S12. doi:10.1016/s1386-6532(02)00091-4 Chemaly RF, Chou S, Einsele H, et al. Definitions of resistant and refractory cytomegalovirus infection and disease in transplant recipients for use in clinical trials. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;68(8):1420-1426. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy696 Martin-Gandul C, Perez-Romero P, Gonzalez-Roncero FM, et al. Clinical impact of neutropenia related with the preemptive therapy of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients. J Infect. 2014;69(5):500-6. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2014.07.001

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221976317/en/
Deputy Sheriff Damien Nelson holds a drone as it prepares to take off during a training exercise at the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office in Ukiah. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Days after purchasing their first drone last winter, the Butte County sheriffs search-and-rescue team members flew it over a flooded farm plot east of Chico and located a man stranded in his pickup truck in rising water.

Once searchers had driven to the general area of the mans emergency call, they launched the quadcopter, equipped with a 56x zoom lens and thermal imaging, as their eye in the sky, soaring over submerged homes and crop fields. They found the man in his truck within minutes, probably saving hours that a traditional search crew may have needed to comb through the flood zone.

Theyve been a game-changer for us, said Dan Newman, captain of the Butte County team. We knew drones were going to be the next best thing for our team; weve just been waiting for the technology to be there.

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Across the state, authorities are turning to drones to help find missing people, particularly in remote areas where the landscapes are vast and varied.

Deputy Sheriff and drone pilot Jared Chaney of Mendocino County is considered by some search-and-rescue experts to be one of the top drone operator-searchers in the state. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

In many cases, these are the same off-the-shelf unmanned aerial vehicles piloted by hobbyists and photographers, or used to inspect cell towers and monitor farmlands. Deploying them in backcountry searches and across wide open spaces is now possible due to technological improvements  stronger batteries, sharper cameras  and lower costs.

After ramping up in the last two years, drones have become nearly ubiquitous in search operations, authorities say.

When a hiker got stuck on a cliff above a rushing river in Nevada County in October, searchers remotely operated a drone equipped with thermal infrared sensors to locate him. After a small boat capsized off the Mendocino coast in November, sheriffs deputies and search-and-rescue volunteers used drones to comb swaths of coastal bluffs and coves for one of its missing passengers.

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Theyve made a tough job simpler and safer, authorities say. Rather than sending a rope team to rappel into a river canyon, for instance, a trained operator can sweep the area from the sky in a fraction of the time and with minimal risk.

Many of the drones used in search-and-rescue are off-the-shelf models like the DJI Magic 2 Enterprise. The one used by Mendocino Countys team, pictured, includes a speaker and spotlight. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Theyre good for ruling things out, said Jared Chaney, a Mendocino County sheriffs deputy and commander of the search-and-rescue team. You can cover vast open spaces like beaches and lakeshores very quickly. You can search a corn maze in 10 seconds.

Butte County authorities have been training with drones above the Sacramento River in preparation for emergencies that may arise during hot summer months when college students and families flock to its beaches and float on its current.

Cal Fire has embraced them as well. Scott Eckman, Cal Fires Unmanned Aircraft Systems program fleet manager, said the agency stocks about 100 drones  mostly models similar to consumer quadcopters, but also some heftier ones capable of carrying larger payloads. It has used them to map the spread of wildfires, and more applications are being explored.

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We quickly realized their value in search operations, and we use them constantly on medical rescues and water rescues, Eckman said. Theyre super beneficial.

Some drones used for search-and-rescue have thermal imaging capabilities, allowing pilots to see body heat at night. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

But drones arent perfect, experts say.

We immediately thought, thisll solve everything. It doesnt. Its not the silver bullet that everyone thought, Chaney said.

Scanning open space with a drone is like looking through a paper towel roll given how narrow an operators field of view is through a small camera lens, Chaney said. It doesnt matter how killer the camera is. Locating something on a tiny screen while youre flying, its tough to find stuff. Peering through the canopy from above a dense forest is especially difficult, Chaney said.

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Beyond looking for missing people, Chaney and his team are training on drone drops  delivering small payloads of, say, a bottle of water or cellphone to a person trapped somewhere in distress. One of the teams drones is equipped with a loudspeaker so an operator can communicate instructions to a person in need.

Drones have been shown to be useful in search-and-rescue in other ways, too. When a man driving a snowy back road through an Oregon forest last winter became stuck in a spot without cell reception, he tied his iPhone to a drone, typed in a text message to a friend and launched the drone hundreds of feet into the sky. At that elevation the phone gained enough reception to send the text, and a search team was deployed to bring the man back to safety.

A man in Oregon who became stuck on a snowbound back road tied his cellphone to a drone and launched it into the sky, where it picked up cell service. He was able to send an emergency text message that triggered his rescue. Lane County Sheriff's Search and Rescue

More advancements and techniques for using drones in search-and-rescue are on the horizon. Chaney mentioned that some operators are using virtual reality headsets to glean better views of the surroundings being searched.

The drone program in our department is absolutely thriving, Chaney said. Its a keeper.
Friday, December 22, 2023 at 1:27AM

Image: Apple

Apple faces import and sales ban on its latest smartwatches in the US. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) rejected Apples request to postpone the ban while it appeals an earlier ruling. The ITC found that Apples Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 violated Masimos patents on SpO2 sensors, which measure blood oxygen levels.

Apple will stop selling the affected watches in its stores by December 24, before the ban takes effect on December 26. The company is looking for ways to bypass the ban, such as making software updates. The ban only applies to the US market. Other retailers can still sell the watches until they run out of stock. Apple could still reverse the ban if President Joe Biden intervenes. But as The Verge noted, it is very unlikely to happen.

Source
University Living, the global platform for student accommodation, is excited to announce groundbreaking collaborations with esteemed international airlines Emirates and Etihad, along with well-known travel and flight service providers MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, and Skyscanner. This strategic alliance aims to offer Indian students unparalleled discounts and special incentives as they embark on their academic journeys abroad.

Emirates and Etihad Airlines, renowned for their extensive network of international destinations, will play a crucial role in facilitating the travel plans of Indian students. MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, and Skyscanner, leading travel service providers, will ensure a seamless booking experience, providing additional discounts to ensure that students have access to a broad range of benefits. These benefits include discounted airfare, travel packages, as well as personalized and priority support through the University Living platform.

These partnerships between University Living and industry giants come at a time when the outbound student market is experiencing remarkable growth. As per the 'Indian Student Mobility Report 2023' released by University Living earlier this year, an estimated 1.3 million Indian students are expected to pursue their studies abroad by the end of 2023. Of these students, 58% are seeking higher education in countries such as Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. Additionally, emerging destinations like Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Ireland, Singapore, Dubai, and New Zealand are gaining popularity among Indian students. As the demand for international education continues to rise, the partnership between University Living and Emirates, Etihad, MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, and Skyscanner underscores a shared commitment to supporting Indian students on their path to success.

Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO, University Living, expressed his enthusiasm on these partnerships, stating, "We are excited to collaborate with Emirates, Etihad, MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, and Skyscanner to offer exclusive benefits to Indian students pursuing education abroad. This partnership reflects our commitment to enhancing the overall student experience and making their journey as seamless as possible. By providing special discounts and offers, we aim to ease the financial burden on students and their families as they embark to fulfil their potential." This collaboration underscores the commitment of all parties involved to support Indian students in their pursuit of higher education across the globe.

Quotes from Partner Organisations

Emirates Airlines Spokesperson, "Emirates Airlines is excited to partner with University Living as an extension of its commitment to provide Indian students with safe, convenient, and world-class travel experiences. This collaboration aligns with our dedication to supporting the aspirations of Indian students and facilitating their journeys to prestigious international educational institutions across the world."

Etihad Airlines Spokesperson, "At Etihad Airlines, we understand the importance of education and the value of global learning experiences. We are delighted to join forces with University Living to offer Indian students our extensive network and premium services that will ensure the students embark on their academic adventures with confidence and ease. This partnership reflects our commitment to enhancing the educational opportunities available to Indian students."

Skyscanner spokesperson, "To ease the challenges faced by students when they plan to study overseas, it always helps to have an expert they can rely on like University Living. Through our partnership with University Living, we have enabled Skyscanner's technology to power their search widget for travel, in order to offer support in terms of exclusive offers and discounts. As a traveller-first platform, we are excited to bring forward our innovation to make travel planning an enjoyable and fuss-free experience to Indian students during their academic pursuits."

Thomas Cook has extended priority services to Indian students applying from UL platform for the Study Buddy card. The key benefits will include free International Student Identity Card (ISIC), Free global SIM card, Free ATM withdrawal once a month and surcharge free withdrawals at All Point ATMs in US, Canada, Mexico, UK and Australia. Similarly, MakeMyTrip offers exclusive discount codes to Indian students booking from University Living platform.

About University Living

University Living Accommodation is a community-based global student housing managed marketplace, providing students with safe, comfortable, and affordable accommodation options across different countries. They are a leading global provider and a pioneer of student accommodation in the Indian subcontinent, with an inventory of around 1.75 million beds in 300+ international student popular cities across the UK, Ireland, Australia, Europe, USA and Canada covering 1000+ global universities.

The company generates annual traffic of 8 Million annually and has assisted 2 Million students to date from 110+ nationalities. University Living has built an organic marketplace for student accommodation, and the focus has always been to stay ahead of the curve, which makes the company a tech-enabled and content-led product. UL is an award-winning organization with a GBV of 500 million and more than 15 million nights in just 7 years. Being a category creator with a decade of experience, the company offers hassle-free booking services, transparent pricing, and 24/7 assistance to ensure a seamless post-admission experience for students.
Shira Stein is The San Francisco Chronicle's Washington correspondent, covering national politics and policy with a particular eye to the impacts on California. She was previously a health care reporter and received several awards for her work covering the COVID-19 pandemic for Bloomberg. She also covered the fall of Roe v. Wade, including being the first to report President Joe Bidens consideration of a public health emergency for reproductive rights; the Trump administrations efforts to lower prescription drug prices; and the third legal fight to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

She previously interned at the Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, and the Colorado-based Durango Herald. She is a native of the Bay Area and a graduate of American University.

She can be reached at shira.stein@sfchronicle.com.
(En francais)

KINSHASA  In a preliminary statement (PDF) released today, The Carter Center calls for patience and transparency while election operations continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the Dec. 20 election.

The Center reminds citizens to wait for the Independent National Election Commission  known by its French acronym, CENI  to announce results and urges political leaders to help promote peace as tabulation of results continues. To ensure the credibility of the process, the Center calls on CENI to post results at Local Centers of Results Compilation, as well as all polling station results on its website allowing the verification of results in accordance with international best practices to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

The Centers observation mission found that while CENI made significant efforts to overcome operational and security challenges to deploy the necessary materials and personnel to polling stations to hold elections on Dec. 20, many polling stations opened late or did not open at all, resulting in CENI extending voting to a second day.

The mission found that the election was competitive and citizen engagement demonstrated a strong commitment to democracy. However, there was a lack of confidence in the process, stemming in part from previous elections, as well as from gaps in transparency, especially regarding the voter register.

Although the mission observed that the campaign period was generally calm, several violent incidents were reported as election day drew closer. At least 19 deaths, including two candidates, have been attributed to election-related violence.

The mission found that socio-cultural barriers, security concerns, and challenges to accessing financial resources affected the participation of women and minority groups in the electoral process. Also, efforts to include people with disabilities and ethnic minorities appeared to have limited impact.

On Dec. 20-21, 43 observers from 22 countries visited 154 polling stations in 11 provinces. They observed the opening of polling stations, voting, closing, and counting procedures. The Carter Center was the only international election observation mission that deployed long-term observers across the country.

Some Center observers will stay in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and continue to assess the post-election process. The Center plans to issue a comprehensive final report including recommendations for future elections in the coming months

Background

Following an invitation by the Congolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Carter Center launched an international election observation mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2023.

The Center has worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2006, when it observed the countrys presidential and parliamentary elections. Since that time, the Center has established a permanent office in the country, supporting citizen election observation networks, human rights defenders, and civil society-led efforts to increase the transparency of extractive industries in the country. The Center observed the 2011 national elections and deployed an expert team for the 2018 elections. In addition, the Center has provided technical assistance to electoral reform efforts and to citizen observation organizations.

The Center conducts its work in accordance with the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and makes assessments based on the Democratic Republic of the Congos national legal framework, as well as regional and international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

Since 1989, The Carter Center has been a leader in election observation, monitoring more than 115 elections in 40 countries, including the United States.

Translation

Declaration preliminaire du Centre Carter sur les elections generales en Republique Democratique du Congo (PDF)

###

Contact: In Kinshasa, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org

The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
The state Civil Rights Department accused Ralphs Grocery Co. on Thursday of violating California law by asking job applicants if they have criminal records and denying employment to more than 1,000 of them. Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

The state Civil Rights Department accused Ralphs Grocery Co. on Thursday of violating California law by asking job applicants if they have criminal records and denying employment to more than 1,000 of them. The department said it is the first such suit it has filed since the law took effect in 2018.

When roughly 70 million Americans have some sort of record, policies like those employed by Ralphs arent just discriminatory and against California law, they dont make sense, the departments director, Kevin Kish, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ralphs has continued to unlawfully deny jobs to qualified candidates and thats why were taking them to court.

Ralphs, a subsidiary of Kroger Co., is the largest supermarket chain in Southern California, with about 25,000 employees at 185 stores, according to the lawsuit. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The 2018 law, known as the Fair Chance Act or ban the box, was supported by labor and civil rights groups and opposed by businesses. It applies to employers with five or more employees and prohibits them from asking about an applicants criminal record until they have conditionally offered the applicant a job.

After a conditional offer, an employer could request the applicants record and withdraw the offer for crimes that are related to the job being sought, other than felony convictions that are more than seven years old or misdemeanors more than three years old. But the applicant must first be given a chance to respond to the decision in writing, and the employer must consider the response before taking final action.

The Civil Rights Department said it has settled about 70 cases with other employers accused of violating the law. In August, the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District in Contra Costa County agreed to pay $97,500 to a woman who had fought fires while in prison, then was denied a job by the district after it learned she had a criminal record.

Ralphs has all but ignored the law, the Civil Rights Department said in the lawsuit.

The suit said the company uses a job application form from Krogers that asks applicants about their criminal records. One line on the form tells California applicants they do not have to disclose their records, but another line tells them not to report convictions that have been sealed or overturned.

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That amounts to a suggestion that other convictions must be disclosed, the suit said, and the message has been received  more than 70% of California applicants between 2018 and 2022 answered the question, despite the disclaimer.

Ralphs has also failed to describe the types of convictions that would disqualify applicants or properly inform them of their right to object, the suit said. And it said the company has improperly withdrawn job offers to applicants who had a misdemeanor conviction for excessive noise, or a conviction for possessing marijuana in a state where it remains illegal.
Pakistans cement and clinker exports increase

22 December 2023

Pakistans cement industry has registered substantial growth in dispatches of cement and clinker exports in terms of value and quantity during the first five months of FY23-24 (July-November 2023) due to the continued depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against foreign currency and the falling coal prices.



Pakistans cement and clinker exports increased by around 48.3 per cent in the 5MFY23-24 to US$114 (2.93Mt), compared to US$76.87m (1.54Mt) in the 5MFY22-23, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said. In terms of volumes, exports increased by 89.4 per cent YoY in the same period. The export revenue, in Pakistani rupee terms, saw a significant growth of 90.4 per cent to PKR32.86bn (US$116.9m) during this export period, sustained by the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar.



The data on exports and imports released by PBS revealed that MoM, cement and clinker exports registered a 20.8 per cent decline in terms of value in November 2023 to US$20.91m (525,281t) from US$26.4m (731,380t) in October 2023. But the dispatch volumes, the MoM, saw an increase of 28.2 per cent. The YoY cement export data depicts a healthy picture increasing by 97.1 per cent in value and 135.1 per cent in volume, if compared to data from November 2022 (US$10.60 at 223,387t).



Outlook

According to Spectrum Securities, demand in cement sales is expected to increase by five per cent in FY23-24, which aligns with industry players expectations supported by anticipation of a decline in interest rates and lower coal prices. However, inflated construction costs, political uncertainty, and volatility in energy prices can pose risks to the industry.

Published under
Danielle Echeverria is a reporter for The Chronicles Engagement and Breaking News team. She recently completed her Master's degree in journalism at Stanford University, where she won the Nicholas Roosevelt Environmental Journalism Award for her reporting and covered agriculture, climate change and worker safety. She previously interned The Chronicle on the Business desk, as well as at Big Local News, focusing on data journalism. She is originally from Bakersfield, California.

She can be reached at danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com.
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by Vijay Prashad





Within the United Nations, there is a little-known debate about the status of global tax regulation. In August 2023, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a draft document called Promotion of Inclusive and Effective International Tax Cooperation at the United Nations. This document comes out of a long debate led by the Global South about the unregulated behaviour of transnational corporations (especially the ways in which they avoid taxation) and about the fact that discussions regarding regulations have been dominated by Global North countries (notably those in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, an intergovernmental platform largely made up of the richest countries in the world). In October of last year, the government of Nigeria spearheaded a resolution in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that advocated for an international tax cooperation treaty and proposed that the UN take over jurisdiction of the debate about tax regulation. In December 2022, the UNGA passed the resolution, which asked Guterres to move forward with a report on the topic and develop a new international tax agenda.





Arturo Rivera (Mexico), El Encuentro (The Meeting), 2016.





Guterress August 2023 report affirmed the need for an inclusive and effective tax treaty, arguing that the two-pillar solution laid out in the OECD and G20s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting is insufficient. The second pillar in this solution discusses the development of a global minimum effective tax on excess profits. However, this tax would be levied on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, which would open the entire process to chaos. Furthermore, even though the OECD-G20 policy has been developed by a minority of countries, it is intended to become the global norm for all countries. Even when the OECD and G20 ask for inputs from other countries, Guterres writes, many of those countries find that there are significant barriers to meaningful engagement in agenda-setting and decision making. This, Guterres said, is unjust. The UN should be the site where a new international taxation treaty is created  not a site for arbitrary bodies such as the OECD and the G20 to impose their agendas.





To be fair, the OECD has developed a number of important proposals, including a global tax deal in 2021 that was agreed upon by 136 countries. However, due to pressure from transnational corporations (and the United States government), the implementation of this agreement was delayed until 2026. Nonetheless, leaks from illicit tax havens (such as the Paradise Papers, beginning in 2017, and the Luxembourg Leaks, beginning in 2014) brought the issue of regulating of financial flows to the fore, pressuring the OECD and the G20 to act on its promises. An outcome statement from the OECD in July 2023 put the issue back on the table, with the two-pillar tax regime coming into effect in 2024. This regime institutes a global tax of at least 15% on transnational corporations profits that exceed 750 million in each jurisdiction. Even here, the regulations offer transnational corporations a safe harbour until June 2028 through practices such as a simplified effective tax rate, a routine profits test, and a de minimis test  all instruments that require some accounting training to properly understand. In other words, the system designed to regulate transnational corporations merely creates business opportunities for global accounting firms that help these companies continue to shield their profits. In 2022, the main four accounting firms earned between $34 and $60 billion each in revenues, and Deloitte alone earned $64.9 billion in 2023 (a 9.3% increase since last year).





The Tax Justice Networks annual report, published in July 2023, noted that the entire debate over taxes boils down to one number: $4.8 trillion. That is how much tax we estimate wealthy corporations and individuals will avoid and evade over the next decade under the current direction of OECD tax leadership. The data shows that higher income countries lose the greatest amounts of revenue in absolute terms and also that they are responsible for the greatest share of the problem, globally. The top ten contributors to global tax theft are, in descending order, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Cayman Islands, Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg, Bermuda, the United States, Singapore, Ireland, and Hong Kong (it is worth noting that both the Cayman Islands and Bermuda are British territories). Lower income countries, however, incur the most intense losses, losing by far the greatest share of their current tax revenues or public spending needs. For instance, as the OECD report Tax Transparency in Africa 2023 shows, the continent loses up to $88 billion each year due to illicit financial flows. In its report, the Tax Justice Network issued a clarion call:





Countries have a choice to make: forfeit the money now, and with it our future, to the wealthiest handful of people in the world, or claim it, and with it a future where the power of the wealthiest corporations and billionaires, like the kings and barons before them, is reined in by the march of democracy. A future where tax is our most powerful tool for addressing the challenges our societies face and for building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive world.





In 1975, the United Nations established the Information and Research Centre on Transnational Corporations (UNCTC). Two interconnected events led to its inception: first, the UNGAs passage of the New International Economic Order (NIEO) in 1974, and second, the coup against the Popular Unity government of Chilean President Salvador Allende in September 1973. By 1972, Allende had taken leadership of the process to create the NIEO to allow countries such as Chile sovereignty over their raw materials. Allende spoke forcefully on these issues at the UNCTAD III meeting in Santiago in April 1972 and at the UNGA in December 1972 (which we discuss in more depth in our dossier The Coup Against the Third World: Chile, 1973). The coup against Allende strengthened the will in the Third World to oversee and regulate transnational corporations such as the former telecommunications giant International Telegraph and Telephone Company (ITT) and copper firm Anaconda, both of which played a decisive role in the coup in Chile. The UNCTC was, therefore, the child of both the NIEO and the coup.





The UNCTCs mission was straightforward: build an information system about the activities of transnational corporations, create technical assistance programmes that help Third World governments negotiate with these firms, and establish a code of conduct that these firms would need to abide by with respect to their international activities. The UNCTC, with thirty-three employees, did not begin its work until 1977. From the start, it found itself under pressure levied by the International Chamber of Commerce as well as various US-based think tanks, which lobbied the US government to prevent it from functioning.





Nonetheless, in its fifteen years of existence, UNCTC staff produced 265 documents that covered areas such as bilateral investment treaties and the social impact of transnational corporations. The UNCTCs work was slowly inching toward creating a code of conduct for transnational firms, which would have hampered the ability of these firms to create a system of financial plunder through illicit financial flows (including transfer pricing and remittance of profits). In 1987, the UNGA urged the UNCTC to finalise the code of conduct and hold a special session to discuss the code.





That same year, the Heritage Foundation, based in the US, argued that the UNCTC had a deliberate anti-West and anti-free enterprise motive. In March 1991, the US State Department sent a demarche to its embassies to lobby against the code of conduct, which it saw as a relic of another era, when foreign direct investment was looked upon with considerable concern. The session to finalise the code of conduct never took place. The US pushed the incoming UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to abolish the UNCTC, which he did as part of a broader UN reform agenda. This was the sunset of tax regulation. When the OECD picked up the mantle, it did so almost to ensure that a patina of liberalism would remain in place while transnational corporations operated in a largely lawless global environment.





In 1976, the radical Peruvian poet Magda Portal (19001989) wrote A Poem for Ernesto Cardenal (a Nicaraguan poet). The poem acknowledged that inequality and misery had been in our towns for centuries, but that what the transnational corporations and their henchmen are doing is worse. As she wrote:





On this side of America, you can feel the nauseating and toxic breath of those who only want our mines, our oil, our gold, and our food.







Never was more torment spread over the sleepless earth.

It was not more execrable to continue living without shouting at the top of

our lungs in a howl, the protest, the rejection, the demand for

justice. To whom?





How can we continue living like this on a daily basis,

ruminating on food, loving and enjoying life when

hundreds of thousands of condemned people on

Earth are drowning in their own blood? And in Black Africa, with its apartheid

and its Sowetos, and in Namibia and Rhodesia, and in Asia,

in Lebanon and in Northern Ireland, on the rack

of the executed? Can we continue living like this

when a single scream of horror runs through

the vertebrae of the world?
The American Heart Association, Chattanooga Area Food Bank and Helping Hands Ending Hunger announce a partnership to improve the health of North Georgia communities through Healthy Pantries, Healthy Hearts initiative.With support from the Frank P. Pierce Foundation, The American Heart Association will improve the mental and physical wellbeing and nutrition security of children in 19 schools in low-income, food-insecure communities throughout North Georgia.The goal of the Healthy Pantries, Healthy Hearts partnership is to integrate a healthy food pantry initiative, working with school food pantries and the community to encourage the healthier choice, the easier choice.With the help of community partners, Helping Hands Ending Hunger and The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, monthly produce drop offs will be provided to 10 school pantries, along with pantry equipment upgrades and nutrition education for staff and families.Through this partnership, pantries will be added to six additional North Georgia schools and educational materials will be provided to 21 other schools that don't currently have pantries.The American Heart Association is committed to equitable health for all by fighting alongside our community partners so that everyone can eat healthy no matter where they live or the circumstances theyre in. We are grateful for this opportunity to work with likeminded organizations to make healthier choices easier choices for families and students," said Emily Niespodziany, American Heart Association executive director, Development & Community Health Chattanooga & Georgia Communities."Helping Hands Ending Hunger and the Chattanooga Area Food Bank play a pivotal role in the initiative, directly facilitating produce drop offs, providing reusable grocery bags, heart healthy recipes, and upgrading pantry equipment," officials said."This important collaboration is leveraging collective resources to address food insecurity and health in a really creative way. Pooling our respective expertise, we are able to magnify our impact on children who struggle with hunger and ill health. Bringing educational components to the table broadens our outreach to the families as well. We are thrilled to develop this partnership and look forward to sharing the great outcomes that are sure to follow," says Carla Harward, CEO Helping Hands Ending Hunger, Inc.We are so excited to expand on our partnerships with Helping Hands Ending Hunger and the American Heart Association in our Northwest Georgia communities. All of our organizations share a common goal: to ensure our children have the nourishing food they need to thrive in school. We are committed to addressing food insecurity from all sides, from its root causes to its chronic effects, and to finding innovative, sustainable solutions. Each team is bringing their own expertise, and were all learning from one another. Thats what this partnership is all about, said Melissa Blevins, president and CEO, Chattanooga Area Food Bank."This life-changing initiative and partnership would not have been possible without the support of the Frank P. Pierce Foundation," officials said. "Their support ensures continued funding of cardiovascular research, enabling all three organizations to provide critical resources toschools and inspire thousands of students and families to make lasting changes for their heart health.Frank Pierce was committed to the North Georgia community during his lifetime and created the Frank P. Pierce Foundation to continue this commitment to support charitable causes after his death. In keeping with Mr. Pierce's desire to assist and elevate the North Georgia community, the Frank P. Pierce Foundation is proud to partner with the American Heart Association to make available to the children and families of North Georgia both healthy food options and nutrition education, said Lee Ann Adams, member, Gearhiser, Peters, Elliott & Cannon, PLLC.
Dr. Russell Dyer, Director of Schools for the Cleveland Schools, has been selected as the next superintendent at Collierville Schools in the Memphis area.

Dr. Dyer said, "Collierville holds a special place in my heart, and the prospect of concluding my career where I initially started is something I cannot ignore. Additionally, my family's presence in West Tennessee further influences this decision."

Officials said, "During his tenure with Cleveland City Schools, Dr. Dyer has showcased exceptional proficiency in academic, financial, and operational management, significantly contributing to the progress of the district.

It's essential to note that this selection is pending contract negotiation, scheduled to take place soon. However, as the school system navigates this transition, the Cleveland City Board of Education will start the search for a new director of schools, ensuring a seamless continuity in providing an excellent education for the students."

Nate Tucker, chairman of the Cleveland City Board of Education, said, The Cleveland City Board of Education fully supports Dr. Russell Dyer's decision to embark on a new chapter with Collierville Schools. We extend our unwavering support and look forward to a seamless collaboration during this transition.

Our collective journey over the past several years has been invaluable, and we express our gratitude for the great working relationship we've shared with Dr. Dyer."

Cleveland City Schools will provide regular updates to the community throughout this process, it was stated.

Dr. Dyer started as the director of Cleveland City Schools on July 1, 2016. Before coming to Cleveland, he was chief of staff for Collierville Schools for two years.

Prior to the opening of Collierville Schools, Dr. Dyer was the principal at Collierville High School in Collierville and Bon Lin Middle School in Bartlett, Tn. He has also served as a middle school teacher, assistant principal, and Human Resources specialist all in Shelby County Schools.

Dr. Dyer was awarded the Tennessee PTA Outstanding Principal of the Year Award in 2011 and the Rotary Club Teacher of the Year Award in 1999. In 2019, his peers named Dr. Dyer the Southeast Tennessee Superintendent of the Year. In 2020, he was named to the National Schools Public Relations Associations Superintendents to Watch list.

Dr. Dyer serves on the Board for the Boys and Girls Club of the Ocoee Region, the United Way of the Ocoee Region, the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation as well as the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents and the Association of Independent and Municipal Schools. He also serves on the Governing Board for the American Association of School Administrators - The School Superintendents Association.

Dr. Dyer is an avid outdoors enthusiast; he enjoys hiking and water sports. He is also active in his church and mentors students in the youth ministry.




Harrison Elementary School's leadership students rallied together with a fundraising Coin Drive for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, raising a school-record of $1,479.64 to support families facing childhood cancer.

We are so proud of our students for organizing such a successful campaign for such a worthy cause, said Kristina Varela, school counselor at Harrison Elementary.

The initiative showcased the hard working passion and commitment of the young leaders at Harrison Elementary School, who took the reins to support AHF's mission of providing 100 percent-free comprehensive, coordinated care to families facing pediatric cancer. The proceeds from this coin drive will contribute to AHF's multifaceted family programs and services, such as Mental and Behavioral Health Therapy, Educational Resources, Occupational Therapy, Music & Art Therapy and more.

We're incredibly moved and grateful for the extraordinary efforts put forth by the students at Harrison Elementary, said Rocco Mansueto, educational support navigator at the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Their enthusiasm and commitment not only help AHF provide invaluable support to families navigating the complexities of pediatric cancer, but also inspire others to give back in unique ways like this. It is amazing to see young kids work together for good causes.

The success of the Harrison Elementary coin drive stands as a testament to the power of collective action and community support. AHF extends its heartfelt appreciation to the students, faculty and everyone involved in making this initiative a success.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation encourages and welcomes any school, club, team or organization that wishes to host a unique fundraiser to support their cause. From coin drives to lemonade stands to bake sales and give-back games, every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families affected by pediatric cancer, said officials.

For more information on how to get involved or organize a fundraiser for the Austin Hatcher Foundation, please visit www.hatcherfoundation.org or contact Megan Smith at Megan@HatcherFoundation.org.
Mayor Tim Kelly announced the appointment of Jermaine Freeman to chief of staff. Mr. Freeman, formerly the mayors senior advisor for Economic Development and a leader within the administration since its beginning, has been serving as interim chief of staff since May.

"Jermaine is an invaluable asset to our team and to the community, and the right person to serve in this critical role. Im confident he will continue to drive our vision forward with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to public service, said Mayor Kelly.

Mayor Kelly also announced the following key positions:

Brooke Satterfield has been named chief policy officer and will drive the development, analysis, and implementation of policies addressing the key priorities and initiatives for the mayors One Chattanooga Plan.

Ms. Satterfield, a two-time UTC graduate, joined the City in 2017 and has served as Mayor Kellys deputy chief and director of Policy Planning and Implementation.

Kevin Roig, senior advisor for Public Affairs, will serve as the chief of staffs number two, helping advance the mayors agenda with strategic, managerial, and political leadership. Mr. Roig joined the team in 2023 after nearly a decade in Washington D.C., where he was a senior Capitol Hill staffer and successful congressional campaign manager in four federal election cycles.

Eric Holl will join the Kelly Administration as senior advisor for communications in January and will lead the mayors communications program. He is a seasoned communicator and is relocating to Chattanooga at the conclusion of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards administration, in which he served as deputy chief of staff for Communications and Special Projects.

High-performing teams have the right people in the right slots, and we are optimizing to get a lot of important projects delivered in 2024, said Mayor Kelly. Our talented team is excited to hit the ground running in the new year, continuing to work hard in service of every Chattanoogan in every neighborhood.
As Tennessee employers prepared for the busy holiday season, new data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development showed more Tennesseans were available to work in November when compared to the previous month.

While the states seasonally adjusted Labor Force Participation Rate remained steady at 59.4 percent, estimates show the number of Tennesseans not working increased by slightly more than 5,000 individuals. That change caused the unemployment rate to inch up to 3.5 percent, from 3.3 percent percent in October.

In a year-to-year comparison, Tennessees latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged and matched the November 2022 rate of 3.5 percent.

Tennessee employers increased their payrolls by 19,500 nonfarm positions over the last year. The healthcare and social assistance sector saw the most year-to-year growth. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector added the next highest number of jobs and was followed by the local government sector.

Between October and November, Tennessee did experience a decrease of 4,400 nonfarm jobs. The administrative, support, and waste services sector lost the most positions. The retail trade sector accounted for the next highest job loss, followed by the transportation, warehousing, and utilities sector.

A complete analysis of Tennessees November 2023 unemployment data is available here.

The nations seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November came in at 3.7 percent, 0.2 of a percentage point higher than Tennessees rate for the month. The new national rate dropped 0.2 of a percentage point when compared to the previous months rate of 3.9 percent but was up 0.1 of a percentage point from the 3.6 percent rate in November 2022.

Tennesseans looking to start the new year with a new job can begin that search at one of nearly 80 American Job Centers across the state. Career specialists work one-on-one with job seekers to help them find employment, training for new career opportunities, and programs that can help remove any barriers that are keeping them from advancing in the workforce. All the services the state offers come at no cost to Tennesseans. This interactive map will guide job seekers to the American Job Center that is closest to them.

The state of Tennessee will release the November 2023 County unemployment data on Thursday, Dec. 28.
A Knoxville couple, including a Department of Safety district manager, have pleaded guilty to involvement in a conspiracy to produce hundreds of false Tennessee drivers licenses and identification cards for individuals who were not qualified under Tennessee law to receive them.

Cheryl Huff, 49, and Mario Paz-Mejia, 50, who are married, entered guilty pleas in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee to one count of conspiracy to produce, without lawful authority, identification documents or false identification documents.

Sentencing has been set for May 24, 2024, before Judge Katherine A. Crytzer in the United States District Court at Knoxville.

Huff and Paz-Mejia each face a term of up to 15 years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines, and supervised release of three years.

As part of their written plea agreements, Ms. Huff and Paz-Mejia waived an indictment by a federal Grand Jury and agreed to plead guilty for their role in the conspiracy.

According to the plea agreements, Ms. Huff was a district manager for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSHS), which issues Tennessee drivers licenses and identification cards at various Driver Service Centers (DSC) across Tennessee.

She managed and supervised DSC employees in the Greater Knoxville area and had authority to issue drivers licenses and application cards.

Prosecutors said, "Paz-Mejia recruited individuals who were neither citizens of the United States nor residents of Tennessee who wanted to acquire a Tennessee drivers license or identification card.

"Using his association with Huff, Paz-Mejia represented to his customers that, in return for $2,500, Paz-Mejia could obtain for them a Tennessee drivers license or identification card. PazMejia also assisted his customers in obtaining false citizenship and residency documents - two requirements to obtain a Tennessee drivers license - including fraudulent lease agreements to establish proof of Tennessee residency, and false birth certificates, Social Security cards, and drivers licenses from other states and U.S. territories to establish proof of citizenship or legal residency in the United States.

"Ms. Huff knew, or deliberately ignored a high probability, that Paz-Mejia was helping his customers obtain false citizenship and residency documents and that Paz-Mejia charged his customers money to obtain a Tennessee drivers license or identification card. Ms. Huff used her access to TDSHSs internal software to confirm that the names and information on the false citizenship and residency documents used by Paz-Mejias customers could be used to obtain a Tennessee drivers license or identification card.

"For example, on June 23, 2021, Paz-Mejia texted Huff the name, date of birth, and personal information used on false identification documents, asking Huff to 'check that please.' Ms. Huff responded, 'All of these are not on file. Theyre good.'

"After Paz-Mejias customers acquired false citizenship and residency documents, PazMejia arranged to meet them at a Knoxville-area DSC before business hours. With Ms. Huffs assistance, Paz-Mejia escorted his customers into DSCs before business hours, including through a backdoor employee-only entrance. Once Paz-Mejia and his customers were inside, Ms.

"Ms. Huff initiated drivers license applications for the customers using TDSHS software. Huff also instructed subordinate DSC employees to complete applications and issue drivers licenses to many of Paz-Mejias customers."

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee Francis M. Hamilton III said, Abusing a position of public trust to commit any federal crime, including conspiracy to unlawfully produce false identification documents, undermines the publics confidence in government functions and creates a serious security risk.

"Our office will aggressively prosecute government employees who abuse their trusted employment positions for personal gain.

I am deeply disappointed in the actions of a former Tennessee Driver Services District Manager and others who betrayed the trust and tarnished the reputation of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. I want to thank the departmental employees for having the courage to alert and cooperate with the Tennessee Highway Patrols Criminal Investigation Division on this case involving one of their co-workers. Our agency cooperates and works closely with federal law enforcement partners and the United States Attorneys Office to pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.

The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrols Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Department of Homeland Securitys Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Secret Service.

William A. Roach, Jr., Assistant United States Attorney, represented the United States.
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

ATEFI, VAFA ATOUSI

4685 SENGEN TRACE ALPHARETTA, 30022

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

ILLEGAL PARKING



BROCK, CLAYTON MICHAEL

6651 BEA LANE HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

(VOP) ATTEMPT POSSESSION OF HERION FOR RESALE

(VOP) ATTEMPT POSSESSION OF HERION FOR RESALE



BROOM, LOGAN WAYNE

123 MOUNTAIN ROAD SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S



COFFELT, COREY ALAN

14 CLARA DR RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY



CONNER, CEDRIC ANTONIO

1207 GROVE APT D CHATTANOOGA, 37402

Age at Arrest: 50 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT



COTTON, DOMINICK MILES

201 EADS ST APT 128 CHATTANOOGA, 37412

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



CRUTCHER, SOLOMON LEBRON

2810 15TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374071649

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



GARTH, EDWARD LAWUAN

1214 EAST 3TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



GLANTON, ROOSEVELT

3518 OHLS AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37410

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATION

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

SPEEDING

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE 5TH OFFENSE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS

IGNITION INTERLOCK VIOLATION



HAIRSTON, WALTER DARRELL

727 E 11TH ST HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37403

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (FAILURE TO APPEAR)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT)

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (SIMPLE POSSESSION OF CONTR



HARPER, JAMES MARQUESE

HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA,

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



HARRIS, KENDRIC DEMARCUS

2817 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374063942

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH



HENDERSON, TERRANCE

1156 GREENBRIAR RD BETHEL PARK, 15102

Age at Arrest: 44 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

SEXUAL BATTERY



HORTON, CRYSTAL MICHELL

2313 UNION AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374043714

Age at Arrest: 39 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY-UNDER 10



JACKSON, PATRICK MARIO

2744 4TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374073604

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



JOHNSON, SHUN ANTONIO

3207 5TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 42 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



LAUBSCHER, JEREMY RYAN

709 RAY LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37343

Age at Arrest: 45 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)



LOPEZ, SAMI LEONEL

198 ROXYBURY CIR HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 24 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION



LOWENTHAL, DUNCAN RALPH WILLIAM

605 HATCH TRAIL SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR

HARASSMENT



MARTIN, TRAVIS MAURICE

1810 S HOLLY ST CHATTANOOGA, 374045019

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH



MBOUP, MOHAMED BEN

2425 WEST WIND DR SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



MCNABB, CRYSTAL

517 OLD WHITESIDE RD WHITESIDE, 37396

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY



ORDON, JOSE ANIVAL

4617 ENGLISH AVE CHATTANOOGA,

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

RECKLESS DRIVING

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE



PELLETIER, MITCH J

1118 ESPALIER DRIVE DECATUR, 37322

Age at Arrest: 30 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS



PEREZ-PEREZ, GILBER RAFAEL

3301 3RD AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE

DRIVING WRONG DIRECTION ON "ONE-WAY" ROAD

OPEN CONTAINER LAW



RAINES, STORMIE DONYELLE

841 ASHLAND TER CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 30 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



REYNOSO JACINTO, PASCUAL E

4317 OAKLAND AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 19 years old

Arresting Agency:

FAILURE TO APPEAR



SANDERS, GARY STEVE

897 LEE DR RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 66 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



SWANSON, DEVIN CRAIG

5608 OLD DAYTON PIKE RED BANK, 37415

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy

FAILURE TO APPEAR



TOWNSEND, DAVID BARTHOLOMEW

4509 JOE LEWIS RD KNOXVILLE, 379207265

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY

EVADING ARREST

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE



WEAVER, KIMMY LESHAUN

1608 HENERY AVE KNOXVILLE, 37923

Age at Arrest: 48 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



WYATT, ALFRED LATREY

2244 EAST 24TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

THEFT OF PROPERTY

INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY CALLS

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

HARASSMENT

INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY CALLS

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY

THEFT OF PROPERTY

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY CALLS

STALKING (DOMESTIC)

HARASSMENT

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Here are the mug shots:

CONNER, CEDRIC ANTONIO

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 07/25/1973

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT

NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT COTTON, DOMINICK MILES

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 09/14/1985

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

CRUTCHER, SOLOMON LEBRON

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 04/16/1992

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

GARTH, EDWARD LAWUAN

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 11/01/1986

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT HAIRSTON, WALTER DARRELL

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 08/04/1972

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION HARRIS, KENDRIC DEMARCUS

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 04/20/2001

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

EVADING ARREST

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

RECKLESS DRIVING

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

POSS OF FIREARM DURING A FELONY

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE HENDERSON, TERRANCE

Age at Arrest: 44

Date of Birth: 08/03/1979

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

SEXUAL BATTERY JACKSON, PATRICK MARIO

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 02/15/1972

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT JOHNSON, SHUN ANTONIO

Age at Arrest: 42

Date of Birth: 04/03/1981

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

LAUBSCHER, JEREMY RYAN

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 10/02/1978

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)

LOPEZ, SAMI LEONEL

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 06/07/1999

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION LOWENTHAL, DUNCAN RALPH WILLIAM

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 12/10/1992

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR

HARASSMENT MBOUP, MOHAMED BEN

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 03/05/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

MCNABB, CRYSTAL

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 08/02/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY PELLETIER, MITCH J

Age at Arrest: 30

Date of Birth: 02/15/1993

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS RAINES, STORMIE DONYELLE

Age at Arrest: 30

Date of Birth: 12/31/1992

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

REYNOSO JACINTO, PASCUAL E

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 02/01/2004

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR TOWNSEND, DAVID BARTHOLOMEW

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 11/13/1991

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

EVADING ARREST

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WEAVER, KIMMY LESHAUN

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 05/14/1975

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 12/21/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)






Effective at the end of the Annual Shareholders Meeting on April 25, 2024, Dr. Markus Kamieth (53) will take over as Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. This was decided by the supervisory board in its meeting on December 20, 2023. Markus Kamieth has been a member of the Board of Executive Directors since 2017. He succeeds Dr. Martin Brudermuller (62), who has been Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors since 2018 and has been a member of the Board of Executive Directors since 2006.

Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BASF SE: Martin Brudermuller has led BASF with courage and foresight since 2018. He has steered BASF through exceptionally challenging times with strong leadership and made important strategic decisions for the long-term success of the company. This includes in particular the focus on the transformation of BASF towards climate neutrality. The Supervisory Board thanks Martin Brudermuller for his outstanding achievements. With Markus Kamieth, we have a highly competent and experienced successor, who has achieved excellent results for BASF during his diverse professional positions in Germany, the United States and Asia. He combines strategic vision with operational implementation strength and will provide new impulses to the businesses and teams at BASF.

The Supervisory Board has appointed Anup Kothari (55), currently President of the Nutrition & Health division, to the Board of Executive Directors effective March 1, 2024. Anup Kothari began his career at BASF in North America and has held various positions in the United States, Germany and China in different divisions.

The Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel (54) to the Board of Executive Directors and Industrial Relations Director effective February 1, 2024. She is currently President of the Europe, Middle East, Africa region. In 2010, she joined BASF following the acquisition of the former Cognis and has successfully led various businesses since that time.

Katja Scharpwinkel succeeds Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner (55) who informed the Supervisory Board that she will not extend her current contract which runs until January 31, 2024. Bock: The Supervisory Board regrets the wish of Melanie Maas-Brunner, which developed over a longer period of time, to pursue new professional challenges. We thank her sincerely for her achievements.

The Supervisory Board has extended the contract of Michael Heinz (59), member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, until the Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2026. Michael Heinz has been a member of the Board of Executive Directors since 2011. He is responsible for the Agricultural Solutions, Nutrition & Health and Care Chemicals divisions as well as the North America and South America regions.
New state flag designs are chosen, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 St. Paul, Minn. A commission tasked with redesigning Minnesota's state flag meets Friday to consider three top designs, all bearing an image of the North Star.
Dec. 20, a national day of mourning due to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, is a grim reminder of how the notorious U.S. foreign policy of the Monroe Doctrine has blighted the Americas for two centuries.





Back in December 1823, then U.S. President James Monroe put forward the idea that America is for Americans in his annual State of the Union address to Congress. The Monroe Doctrine thus became the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.





A U.S. Army M-113 armored personnel carrier on a street near the destroyed Panamanian Defense Force headquarters. Source: J. Elliot

Waving the banner of the Monroe Doctrine, the United States, through military invasions and political intervention, annexed the territories of Latin American and Caribbean countries, occupied strategic locations, and constantly interfered in the domestic and foreign affairs of Latin American countries to expand its sphere of influence and maximize its interests.





Moreover, by manipulating ideology, the United States has disrupted Latin American integration and strengthened the continents subordinate status to the United States.





One palpable incident was 34 years ago, when the United States invaded Panama, overthrowing Manuel Antonio Noriegas regime and intending to permanently control the Panama Canal.





The United Nations (UN) General Assembly subsequently passed a resolution to strongly deplore the action that constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.





Over the past 200 years, the unilateral sanctions and forced concessions the United States has imposed on Latin American countries have fueled unremitting resistance. The United States has also pursued a Latin America policy of benefiting those who follow its lead and destroying those who resist. To counter such hegemonic arrogance, Latin American countries have joined forces to defend their legitimate rights and interests.





For a long time, Latin Americans have seen through the Monroe Doctrine, as they recognized that it is not a banner of justice that upholds peace and development in the Americas. Rather, it is a blatant attempt to carry out the idea that America is for Americans of the United States, which has always treated Latin America as a backyard to serve its own interests.





Numerous politicians and scholars on the continent continue to show the imperialistic nature of the Monroe Doctrine to the world. The resistance against U.S. aggression, intervention, economic colonization and ideological control is continuously growing in Latin American countries, and their people, with a strong will for independence and justice, have been striving to eradicate the imperialistic blight.





Latin American countries have thus pursued autonomous diplomatic policies and actively expanded cooperation with regional countries, opening up new space for their own development.





In January, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held its seventh summit and issued the Declaration of Buenos Aires, sending a strong message of strengthening regional cooperation and integration, and opposing foreign interference.





In May, heads of state and representatives from all 12 South American countries gathered in Brazil and reached the Brasilia Consensus to promote regional cooperation. During this regional leaders summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for the creation of a common currency for South American trade in order to reduce the dependence on the U.S. dollar.





Nowadays, Latin America is different from what it used to be, with its economies and diplomacy being more independent, thanks to increasing regional solidarity and its rising international status. The balance of history between intervention and counter-intervention, oppression and counter-oppression is tilting in favor of the Latin American countries.





Across the world, the rise of developing countries has promoted the democratization of international relations, peace and development, as well as win-win cooperation, which has become an unstoppable trend of the time. More and more countries, big or small, have chosen to jointly build a community with a shared future for humankind. The Monroe Doctrine, which goes against the general trend of the times, is doomed to be eliminated.





In fact, the United States is aware that the Monroe Doctrine is outdated. On Nov. 18, former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared that the Monroe Doctrine is over during a meeting of the Organization of American States.





However, given the disgraceful history of U.S. double-dealing, the Monroe Doctrine may be over on paper, but the U.S. hegemonic behavior is far from over. There will surely be a Monroe Doctrine 2.0 and even Monroe Doctrine 3.0 in the future.





In reality, the ghost of the Monroe Doctrine lingers, and the fight against U.S. intervention and subversion will never cease. Latin America should not be the front yard or backyard of the United States. The Monroe Doctrine is definitely a thing of the past and obviously outdated.
A recent survey of 2,000 adults commissioned by UserTesting and conducted by OnePoll shows a growing trend of Americans preferring to seek medical advice from social media and health-focused websites rather than consulting healthcare professionals.

The findings revealed that a notable number of individuals prioritize the web for what they believe to be reliable health information, with 53% turning to healthcare websites and 46% to social media platforms, as opposed to 44% who would first approach an actual doctor.

Furthermore, almost three out of four people or 73% think that they understand their own health better than their doctor does.

The survey also found varying levels of trust in artificial intelligence (AI) for health-related tasks across the globe. While 44% of British and 27% of Australian respondents (each group numbering 1,000 adults) expressed distrust in AI for any health-related activities, only 6% of American participants shared this skepticism towards AI in healthcare.

Highlighting this trend further, two-thirds of Americans admit to searching for their symptoms online using search engines such as Google or health information websites, including WebMD.

The survey participants also indicated a preference for consulting the internet or ChatGPT over their doctor due to various reasons. Approximately 57% cited confusion about their healthcare insurance coverage, 51% reported feeling embarrassed about their health issues, and 45% claimed they wanted a second opinion.

According to Lija Hogan, a spokesperson for UserTesting, the patient experience or PX is about more than just the relationship between patients and healthcare providers.

Healthcare journeys include digital touchpoints that extend beyond scheduling appointments or remote visits. Americans are using AI as a means to help them navigate a complex experience with more information that is understandable and relevant to them and that they feel is trustworthy, Hogan said.

The survey further revealed that a majority of people are open to trusting AI for various health-related tasks, including suggesting treatment plans (53%), arranging doctor appointments (52%), and liaising with pharmacies for prescription fulfillment (47%).

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People love to revisit the Home Alone movies starring famous kid star Macaulay Culkin during Christmas and the holiday season.

Macaulay plays Kevin, the youngest sibling of the McCallister family, who gets left home alone after his family mistakenly leaves him behind after departing for a family Christmas trip to Paris.

While home alone, Kevin unexpectedly has to defend himself and his house after two men, one of them being played by the legendary Joe Pesci, try to rob it.

Something that has stumped many people since the first Home Alone movie was released in 1990 was how Kevins dad, Peter McCallister, could afford their massive house and an international Christmas trip to Paris for their extended family. After all, no one ever explicitly mentions what Peter does for a living in the movie.

One TikTok creator recently shared a hilarious yet convincing online theory about why Peter McCalister lived such a lavish lifestyle and why people may have wanted to steal from him.

Brian Rooney (@roon_tang) is an online comedian who uses a fan theory to explain that Peter McCalister may have beena mob boss.

The fan theory further explains that it would make sense if the burglars, Harry and Marv, were from a different rival mob family and were seeking revenge, which is why they were on the McCallisters block.

I think it makes sense, says Brian in his video.

I mean, you got Joe Pesci playing Harry. When does Joe Pesci ever take on a role that isnt mob-related?

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At first glance, William Turpin and his business partner, Thomas Wadsworth, appeared to be like most other prestigious and powerful white men in late 18th-century South Carolina. They were successful Charleston merchants, had business interests across the state, got involved in state politics, and enslaved numerous human beings. Nothing about them seemed out of the ordinary.

But, quietly, these two men changed their minds about slavery. They became committed abolitionists and worked to free dozens of enslaved people across South Carolina. When most wealthy, white Carolinians were increasingly committed to slavery and defending it as a Christian institution, Turpin and Wadsworth were compelled by their convictions to break the shackles they had placed on dozens of men and women.

In an era when the Bible was edited so that enslaved people wouldnt get the idea that God cared about their freedom, Turpin left a secret record of emancipation in a copy of the Scriptures, which is now in the South Carolina State Museum.

Perhaps its not surprising that this story of faith and freedom is mostly unknown. The two men were, after all, working not to attract attention.

Neither had deep roots in Charleston or close familial ties to its storied white planter dynasties. Turpins family was originally from Rhode Island, and Wadsworth was a native of Massachusetts who moved to South Carolina only shortly after the American Revolution. Both had public careers and served in the South Carolina Legislature, but their political profiles were not particularly high. Neither of them appeared to give any of their legislative colleagues the sense that they were developing strong, countercultural opinions on one of the most explosive issues of the day.

Wadsworth served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1791 to 1797. He represented Laurens District, near Greenville.

Turpin was a state senator representing the parish that comprised the city of Charleston in 1809. Before that, Turpin had served in various public offices, most notably as a commissioner for the East Bay Lottery. This was the same East Bay Lottery that an enslaved man named Telemaque won in 1799. After buying his own freedom, Telemaque changed his name to Denmark Vesey.

The two men were business partners. Their business interests led them to acquire land across South Carolinas upcountry at what turned out to be just the right time for financial success. In the 1780s, they received several land grants for thousands of acres in both the Ninety-Six and Orangeburg districts. When the cotton gin was invented a few years later, short-staple cottonwhich grew well in South Carolinas upcountrybecame a very profitable commodity. Cotton was cultivated with enslaved labor, so the cotton boom also drove up the price of enslaved people.

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And Turpin and Wadsworth were invested in that market as well.

This is, so far, a fairly typical story: politically connected and commercially savvy white men making money off a change in the market and ongoing exploitation of labor.

But something else was happening too. Beneath the surface, away from public view, these men were developing different ideas. Wadsworth called it notions of humanity.

The first evidence of something different about these men came in 1799, when Wadsworth died of malaria. In his will, he freed nearly two dozen people.

Individual emancipations, or manumissions, were not uncommon at the time. These were seen as benevolent final acts, which in no way threatened the regime of slavery or prefigured a general emancipation. In South Carolina, however, the number of people that Wadsworth freed at once was unheard of. In that historical moment, it appeared less like the common cultural practice of deathbed generosity and more like an act of liberation.

The former state legislator also left each family enough property so that they could support themselves in freedom. He left them each 50 acres, livestock, and equipment.

The freed people were scattered across four large districts in South Carolinas upcountryAbbeville, Newberry, Union, and Laurens. With the families spread across the upcountry, the scope of Wadsworths emancipations appears to have gone unnoticed.

The dying man knew, however, that the people he freed would not fare well in a region where fear and hostility toward free people of color were increasing. So, as part of his last wishes, Wadsworth entrusted them to the protection of his friend, Turpin, and the Bush River Quakers in Newberry District.

Quakers were some of the nations first organized abolitionists. A large number of them believed that slavery ran counter to the laws of God. Wadsworth trusted they would look after the freed people as friends, protecting them from anyone who might seek to re-enslave them, and hoped they would treat the Black families as fellow children of God.

This might not be enough to consider Wadsworth and Turpin abolitionists, opponents of slavery itself, but Turpins papers show that this one-time enslaver had also spent his money emancipating people. He called them each by name and gave them property. Altogether, Turpin was personally involved in emancipating nearly 60 people.

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When he left the South in 1824, he also started to speak out against slavery. Speaking from experience, he began to publicly condemn the peculiar institution that had become a way of life in a large portion of the United States and earned many people a lot of money, including Turpin himself.

He wrote former president Thomas Jefferson, urging him to take up the cause of abolition. It was not enough, Turpin told Jefferson, to advocate for freedom on paper. It was required by God himself to set the captives free.

Turpin wrote James Madison, too, hoping the founding father who played such a pivotal role in drafting the Bill of Rights would see the importance of ending slavery.

I have lived more than half a hundred year in a Slave State, he wrote Madison in one letter, have ownd [sic] Plantations & Slaves, [and] am well acquainted with the treatment and Disposition of Slaves and of the Laws of all the Southern States. I was so much Convinced of the Evil of Slavery, that we gave 50 [odd] their Freedom.

Image: Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum

Image: Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum

Turpin told Madison that for years, he thought he and Wadsworth were perhaps the only white men concerned with the cause of the oppressed Affricans. Then, with a reference to his faith, he prophesied a warning to those who continued to support such oppression that things were about to change.

Now God has raisd up 40 millions of consiensious people throughout the world to advocate their cause, Turpin wrote, & is dailey adding more to their number.

Turpin lived long enough to see the abolitionist movement organize in 1830. In 1835, those abolitionists mailed more than 100,000 antislavery tracts to slaveholders, outraging the city leaders where Turpin had once served as a legislator and prompting an attack on the federal mail. It was one of the tremors indicating the earthquake to come.

Turpins letters to Madison indicate that he may have already had a sense of what was coming. He believed, after all, that the Almighty was just and that slavery was a horrific sin.

Turpin may have had other motivations besides his faith for converting to the cause of abolitionism. But his Christianity clearly helped compel his personal obedience to what he eventually saw as a righteous cause and also pushed him to acts of contrition.

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I could not Rest, he wrote, until I had paid them Wages for the time we held them as Slaves.

When he died in 1835, Turpin left behind an estate plan that remembered the families that Wadsworth had freed so many years before. He bequeathed them $8,000not as a gift, according to his will, but proper renumeration for their time as slaves to Wadsworth and Turpin.

Turpin also gave his wealth to well-known abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison, Benjamin Lundy, and Arthur Tappan, and to abolitionist organizations such as the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves and the Genius of Universal Emancipation newspaper.

His obituary described him as an abolitionist and a Quaker.

This past summer, the South Carolina State Museum acquired Turpins personal Bible. Within its pages lies the clearest testament to ties between his faith and his conversion to the cause of abolitionism. In the front of the large Bible published in 1815, where religious families of that era often recorded their births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, Turpin recorded by hand the names and details of those he and Wadsworth freed.

The list gives careful attention to each, treating them with respect.

Will aged 47 years, one entry says, a first Rate man set free 14th April 1814.

The next reads, Lund aged 35 years a first Rate Carpenter set free 12 May 1820.

On the next line is Jenny 25 sister to Lund , followed by more who were set free that day: Leah, Tony, Juda, Abram, Boston, Cesar, Hector, another Leah, and her three sons.

Lists, of course, were common tools for enslavers. They used ledgers like this and the latest techniques of bookkeeping to track the value of the humans they owned and the profits their suffering created. In contrast, Turpins ledger recognized their freedom and their eternal worth as children of God.

It also served as proof that these men and women had been set free. Turpin directed that his heirs keep his Bible in South Carolina, knowing the ledger it contained was evidence that he had emancipated these individuals. Legal and social conditions grew more hostile for Black people as the Civil War approached. At least one, Boston, was kidnapped by slave traders in 1825 and re-enslaved. What ultimately happened to him remains unknown.

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Indeed, we know too little about the people that Turpin and Wadsworth freedtheir lives, their faith, and their stories. There is also much we still do not know about Turpin, Wadsworth, and the abolitionism they kept secret for so long. Turpins Bible, however, gives the South Carolina State Museum a place to start. Work is underway to learn more about these enslaved people and their enslavers who changed their minds. And there are plans to reunite descendants from both groups, to physically bring them together with the record in Turpins Bible and commemorate this monument to a faith that set captives free.

David Dangerfield is a professor of history at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.

Ramon Jackson is curator of African American culture and history at the South Carolina State Museum.
In an age of polarization and strong opinions, a sizable share of American Christians are still not sure what they think about issues within the Israel-Hamas war.

A recent Lifeway Research survey, sponsored by the Philos Project, found significant convictions among self-identified believers: Strong majorities support Israels right of self-defense (83%), but also the Palestinian right of self-determination (76%) and the goal of a two-state solution (81%).

But many questions revealed uncertainties about the complexity of the conflict:

15% are not sure about the optimal outcome.

17% are not sure if Gazans are responsible for Hamass attacks.

18% are not sure if armed Palestinian rebellion is a natural response to mistreatment.

24% are not sure if Israels blockade of Gaza has oppressed Palestinians.

24% are not sure if Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza is illegal occupation.

26% are not sure if most Gazans support Hamass fight against Israel.

31% are not sure if Israeli settlements beyond agreed-upon borders are illegal.

Furthermore, 41 percent hover between somewhat positive (25%) and somewhat negative (16%) in their overall perception of Israel, while 11 percent are not sure at all.

For each of these issues, of course, pluralities had an opinion on one side or another, as CT noted last week. To parse out the meaning of these diverse American Christian perspectives, CT asked four evangelical expertstwo from peace-focused organizations in the US, and a Palestinian Christian and a Messianic Jewish leader from Israelto describe what they found most surprising, concerning, and encouraging about the survey results:

Robert Nicholson, president of the Philos Project (promoting positive Christian engagement in the Near East in the spirit of the Hebraic Tradition):

In a moment when so much of the world is equivocating on or condemning Israel, I am pleasantly surprised to see so many American Christians still holding the line and calling out the unspeakable evil perpetrated by Hamas. A large majority (83%) agrees that Israel must take bold measures against their decades-long campaign of terrorism.

That most Christians name the media as the biggest influence on their thinking about this conflict (44%)not the Bible (27%)is pretty shocking. Only small percentages say that their church (12%) or Christian leaders (10%) influence their opinion at all. It just goes to show that Christians are no more immune from the Zeitgeist than anyone else. It also points to a lack of leadership among pastors who are not helping their flocks think through one of the most important conflicts of our day. Only 14 percent have heard support for Israel voiced in their churches.

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I am also concerned by the large number of people who lean toward peace-forward options for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That 88 percent believe that lasting peace requires a mutually agreed-upon solution is commendable but out of touch with reality when Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

This survey reveals a direct correlation between church attendance and moral clarity, regardless of ones denomination, and that is very encouraging. Those who attend church more often are more likely to name the evil that started this war, and support the victims as they act to defend themselves. Whereas 16 percent of Christians say the US is not doing enough to help Israel, the share jumps to 23 percent for those in church at least once per week. The overall positive perception of Israel increases from 65 to 71 percent as well.

Christian friendship with the Jewish people41 percent have met an Israeliand by extension the Jewish state, has never been more important than it is today. But only 13 percent express that their personal experiences with Jews are contributing to their perception of Israel. Christians spent the better part of 20 centuries condemning the Jews. It is unconscionable that now, when the Jews are under attack by religious extremists, Christians would do anything but stand beside them.

Todd Deatherage, executive director of the Telos Group (a pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian, and pro-peace movement seeking dignity, freedom, and security for all):

For too long, many in the American church have participated in the fiction that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a zero-sum game. These survey results show that this false pro-Israel/pro-Palestine binary does not match most Christians understanding that all life is sacred, and that Israelis and Palestinians each have inherent dignity.

But it was still unexpected to see such strong support for what we at Telos call mutual flourishingthat there cannot be a good future for either Israelis or Palestinians in the land unless there is a good future for both. Overwhelming majorities of US Christians support the goal of a two-state solution (81%), believe in the right of statehood and self-determination for both nations (88% for Israelis, 76% for Palestinians), and say that lasting peace depends upon their mutual agreement (88%).

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It was heartening how so many see that violence begets violence, and that the sacredness of human life necessitates a stand against both the brutal Hamas attack of October 7 and the Israeli blockade, invasion, and bombardment of Gaza that has resulted in massive loss of human life and ruination.

Only 16 percent agree that Hamas can achieve its national aspirations solely through violence, while 75 percent agree that it is an extremist group isolated from most other Arabs. And 50 percent agree that the blockade has oppressed Palestinians.

That such large numbers believe Christians should advocate for an immediate ceasefire (42%) and strong efforts to minimize civilian casualties (53%) speaks to an understanding that violence in all its forms is how we got into all this. It is not the way out.

My concern arises from the way the views expressed here are not being heard. The dominant voice emerging from the evangelical world is not reflective of the nuance and complexity represented in this survey. This is a historic moment in which Christians should not remain silent, especially as many prominent Christian leaders have expressed ongoing support for the destruction of Gaza, and others are maddeningly indifferent to the loss of Palestinian lives.

For too long, evangelical Christians have been the largest and most vocal voice dismissing Palestinian connections to the land and ultimately disregarding Palestinian humanity, even that of Palestinian Christians. And yet, its hard to see how this war does not bring about the extinction of the Christian community in Gaza that goes back centuries.

A robust community of peacemakers is urgently needed, bound to support the flourishing of alland in a time like this to mourn with all who mourn. But we are also compelled to act to end this madness and address the core issues in a way that will allow for security, dignity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. These results suggest that this road, which has often felt so lonely, is more possible than ever. Christians can and must be a part of this work.

Dan Sered, chief operating officer of Jews for Jesus and president of the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism:

Findings within the Lifeway survey were expectedand shocking. What concerns me the most is how heavily the media influences ones opinion of Israel. We have been praying that the Lord would use this tragedy to draw people nearer to himself. But the present reality revealed that 44 percent of Christians admit that the media most shapes their perspective, compared to a low 17 percent who follow the Bible.

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The implications go beyond the war and transcend the Middle East. When media drowns out the Scriptures, faulty news reports go unconstrained and perspectives get steered by emotion, experience, and opinion. In Isaiah 55, the Lord tells us that My thoughts are higher than your thoughts, but only 12 percent of Christians are influenced on Israel by their local church. And the challenge will be amplified for biblical discipleship as the US enters a presidential election year.

But furthermore, when 81 percent of self-identified Christians support the goal of a two-state solution, it reflects their lack of understanding that Hamas does notthey want Jews exterminated. Yet only 33 percent of responders believe Christians should advocate for Israel to continue the fight until Hamas surrenders.

I ask my fellow believers, Are you willing to become a modern-day Corrie ten Boom and give safe harbor to Jewish people? As we focus on Jesus Nativity, it is appropriate to remember that the one born King of the Jews wants us to pray for the safety of the people he came to save.

Christians believe Gods promises to preserve them, but these are no assurance to non-believing Israelis. For them as well as us, the Holocaust is not so distant a memory that we can be forgiven for wondering if the world would once again turn a blind eye to the renewal of a final solution.

Satan would like nothing better than to see terrorists wreak destruction on the land and all its people. As ChristiansJews, non-Jews, and Palestinianswe need to make it clear that the only hope for lasting peace is by becoming followers of Jesus. Gospel proclamation must be our high priority.

This survey was conducted online, and media is a main reason why almost 9 in 10 Christians have kept up with the current war. But when anything moves from being a resource to a reliance, it suggests that trust is put in the Psalm 20:7 equivalent of chariots and horses. These are challenging times, and the cruelty of terrorism has left many yearning for hope and comfort. Indeed, the IDF has a long track record of success, and the United States has shown strong support for Israel.

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But I know that to draw hope from these is futile and temporary. My trust must be rooted firmly in the Lord, strengthened by his Word and presence in prayer. Only then am I reminded of the eternal hope I have in Messiah Yeshua, both now and for the future.

Botrus Mansour, Nazareth-based chairman of the Convention of Evangelical Churches in Israel, in his personal capacity as a Palestinian Israeli Christian writer and lawyer:

In light of the brutal October 7 attack by Hamas, I had expected that US Christian support for Israel would have been even higher than it is. Yet I was surprised the results indicate more balanced positions. A majority (53%) agree that believers should advocate for strong measures to minimize civilian casualties, reflecting the high death toll of innocent Palestinians. A strong minority (42%) additionally calls for an immediate ceasefire to stop the killing.

I wish these numbers were higher.

There also appears to be a better understanding of the context of the Hamas attackswithout justifying them, of course. While only one-third (36%) agree that Israeli control over Gaza and the West Bank is an illegal occupation, half (50%) agree that the blockade of Gaza has oppressed Palestinians. And three-quarters (74%) agree in general that Palestinians have the right to defend themselves and the land their families have lived on for generations.

Occupation contradicts international law and is a serious hurdle to peace talks and any just solution.

What encourages me is the solid support of a political solution after the war (88%) and the recognition of the Palestinian right of self-determination (76%). My prayer is that this translates into solid action without compromise. My hope is that for the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians, any party that refuses a viable fair resolution of this conflict be held accountable.

But I am concerned that many think Christians should advocate for Israel fighting until all hostages are released (38%) or until Hamas surrenders (33%). The price would be very high: a long war with increasing numbers of Israeli soldiers killed alongside tens of thousands of additional innocent Palestinians. Not only are these goals very difficult, but they also contradict.

Yet the share advocating for the formation of a self-governing Palestinians state outside Israel (30%) is even lower, despite it being a strong aspiration. This is the long-range solution that if done in good faith will put an end to cycles of bloody violence.

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It is interesting to see that 44 percent of American Christians cite the media as most influential on their opinions about Israel, while only 17 percent cite the Bible. I wonder if this is reflected in the descending reasons they give for their support, from Israels right to self-defense (60%) and it being the closest US ally (47%) to it being the historic Jewish homeland (44%) or linked to Jesus Jewishness (32%), biblical prophecy (30%), and the Bibles teachings (28%).

All of these reasons are perhaps valid, but they completely ignore the moral dimension of Israels treatment of Palestinians. The media is a good source but is sometimes biasedand 44 percent agreewhile understanding Gods word about the current state of Israel is not as easy a task as some people think.

Unfortunately, only 13 percent of American Christians have had their opinions influenced by personal experiences with Jews, and only 5 percent with Palestinians. Of the latter, I wish there was more, to overcome the stereotypes that exist. Palestinians are generous, hard-working, and hospitable. More people should discover this.

Editors note: A selection of CTs Israel-Hamas war coverage is now available in Arabic , among eight other languages

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
In the new film Freuds Last Session, based on the play by Mark St. Germain, C. S. Lewis visits Sigmund Freud at the advent of World War II. The resulting debate and friendship are fictional, but many of their arguments and elements of their life stories are taken from the mens own writings.

CT interviewed director and cowriter Matthew Brown and actor Matthew Goode, who plays Lewis. Mild spoilers ahead. Freuds Last Session premieres in New York and Los Angeles on December 22 and is expected to release nationally in early 2024. See CTs review here.

This conversation has been edited and condensed.

What do you think about the premise of Freud and Lewis having a discussion together? Is this how the two men would have interacted had they met?

Matthew Goode: I know that some people will feel like it should have been more heated and shouty, but one thing Im proud about is that the film didnt become that. Its nuanced, and complicated, and less about point-scoring.

And its about a man whos at the end of his life, who was pretty angry about the pain that hes had to endure. Hes lined C. S. Lewis up like a bullseye, and hes a human dart flying at it. And that was Lewiss job, to parry these barbs that are sent his way.

We all know that Jesus existed; thats irrefutable. But neither man can prove or disprove whether he was the Son of God. Its actually what unites them. And thats the beauty of faith. So I think thats exactly how it wouldve gone. I think theyd have had a really great friendship.

How did you work to portray this matchup of minds as balanced, without feeling like it was decided one way or the other?

Matthew Brown: If you come into it not having an agenda, thats a good place to start. I wanted to keep myself as the filmmaker out of it completely. Its not We have to keep score; thats not how life is. It has a human part of the story that is just as important as the intellectual debate. So I really felt like leaving it to the audience to decide what they thought.

The weird thing is, everybody thinks the other side won when they see it. My Christian friends think that Freud was more convincing, and vice versa, the psychiatric community thinks that Lewis won. Its fascinating.

What do you hope audiences take from this portrayal of two men with opposing viewpoints being able to talk through disagreements without vilifying each other?

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Brown: The reason I made this film was the timeliness of it and the need for discussion and conversation. And I hoped if I could keep out of it, that would allow audiences to have a conversation themselves. If they want to discuss who won or other aspects of the film, thats great, but hopefully they wouldnt be afraid to have conversation.

Today everyone is afraid to speak, and the loudest voice in the room tends to win, and its ridiculous because theres more in common than not between these two people as human beings. Thats what I love: At the end of this film, I feel like neither of them want to leave.

What helped you understand the character of Lewis? Did embodying him change any of your own views?

Goode: I was aware only of the Chronicles of Narnia as a child growing up, so he was a wonderful man to research. (The elephant in the room is the fact that Tony had played Lewis in Shadowlands, which shows him later on in his life.)

There wasnt anything I found that changed my opinion on the man or on any faith. I still dont know where I fall when it comes to my belief system. But what I did love is hes having his faith tested. And it was an exercise in biting his lip and being respectful toward someone who is clearly dying and is his elder. What you have is humanity laid bare. Change happens from conversations at your own kitchen table, so hopefully people will go home and talk about it.

I love the very humanizing moments they have that arent during talk or debate but while helping each other through pain and suffering.

Brown: By the end of this film, you have Lewis putting his hand into Freuds mouth to assist him as hes choking on a prosthetic. Thats very, very human. Theyre helping one another and theyre caring about one another, and they can laugh at jokes. One of my favorite moments is Lewis tying Freuds apron as Freud is in the pantry. They might disagree, but theyre still people, and they can like each other.

What was it like working with Mark St. Germain, the playwright, on this screenplay? What did you bring to it to make it feel more cinematic?

Brown: This whole thing took place over about six years. I worked with Mark in the beginning just as a director; he was screenwriting and I was giving him notes. At a certain point, I took over more as a writer/director.

The challenge was finding ways to keep the story moving forward on the human side, whether through the flashbacks or the fantasy sequences, and making sure you stay engaged with the conversation in the room. It doesnt really work if you do it all one way or the other way. It has to be a balance, which is funny because you have these two people with these different ideas and thats also a balance.

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Goode: Its a balance of what the moviegoing audience will accept as well, because the last thing it needs is to become just two people for two hours having an argument. Thats not going to be fascinating to watch. So it needed movement. And also you get to show that they have more in commonwith their overbearing fathers and their childhoodsthan not.

Brown: Yeah. When Lewis is talking about the war, if you dont actually see the war and you dont see the PTSD, it wont have the same weight. So it was important to have those elements.

Goode: I liked that you separated those two things. You didnt go from the PTSD into a flashback. It was nice to have 45 minutes between, because it makes you come full circle. It has more of an effect, I thinkcertainly when I watched it.

Brown: I hope people will come to a cinema for a film like this. Audiences right now are not given a lot of films that trust them to think and make up their own minds and engage intellectually.

Goode: Actors arent given a lot of those scripts, either.

What was behind your decision to bring Anna Freud in as a major character, when she was only mentioned in the play?

Brown: I wanted this to be a story about two therapy sessions going on simultaneously as much as a philosophical debate.

When you look at C. S. Lewis, his great issue is his PTSD, and there mightve been some unconscious replacing ofcertainly Freud would suggesthis mother with Janie Moore, the mother of his friend who was in the trenches with him.

Then on the other side of the coin you have Freud, whos nearing the last days of his life, who is tormented by the loss of his daughter Sophie, who was the apple of his eye. He has this very conflicted relationship with his other daughter, whos trying to follow in his footsteps and was incredibly successful as a child psychiatrist. To me, to understand Freud at this time in his life was to understand Anna Freud. So we had to bring her forward.

What would you say to Christian viewers, who perhaps know more about Lewis than Freud or bring in preconceived notions about the two men?

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Brown: I showed the film to my brother-in-law, and I was nervous because he was well-read on Lewis and is a pastor at a church. He said he felt like I had been fair about and true to Lewis as much as I was to Freud. What he loved about it was it allows Christians to have their faith challenged. Thats a very important part of being a Christian. And Im hoping that could be said for the other side too. We all should be unafraid to be challenged in our beliefs, because it helps us grow and evolve. So I hope Christians can see Lewis through Matthews beautiful performance, be challenged, and consider that.

Alexandra Mellen is senior copy editor at Christianity Today.
In addition to talking to churches in Colombia about their outreach to migrants for our October issue, global staff writer Sophia Lee visited El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to learn how one man wants to teach Americans the history of their southern border for our November cover story, The Crossing.

Readers resonated with the topic and the location. Several people reflected on their time in El Paso spent learning about its unique culture and beauty. T. D. Proffitt of Santa Ana, California, offered further reading suggestions (The Mexican Border Cities by Daniel D. Arreola and James R. Curtis, and his own Tijuana: The History of a Mexican Metropolis).

People were also still talking about Lees Colombia story, The Landless. Aaron Lincoln of Gloucester, England, said he likes to read CT stories like this one with an online map at hand to make an otherwise distant place or foreign people instantly more local. And Cheryl Berto of Delta, British Columbia, declared, If the blessing of God is a life of ease and prosperity, then we have missed the plot. This article is an excellent help for us in getting back on track with what kingdom living means.

Alexandra Mellen

Conversations editor

Not surprising given that in a lot of American churches, Dems werent made to feel welcome after Trumps election.

@johnegibson (X/Twitter)

You may want to look up the definition of correlation is not causation before asserting something like this. Blaming Trump is easy. The church looking at itself as the source of millennial decline is probably harder.

@ClaytonArnall (X/Twitter)

I was really excited to hear more about what is being modeled differently, but this article was nothing about that. It was all about complementarian versus egalitarian without the terms.

@nad_mills (Instagram)

Thank you @ct_mag for continually highlighting the whole Body. More, please!

@drnaimalett (Instagram)

I believe we need far greater clarity on what it means to be a Christianwhat it means to be in covenant with God through Jesus Christ, driven by a worshiping heart to a relationship of believing loyalty and intimate communication. Then we will see clearly what the counterfeit is.

Doug Michalak (Facebook)

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Susan Mettess article arrived two days before my scheduled financial review. I read it twice, underlining points that reflected my beliefs about the gospels truths regarding wealth and reconsidering beliefs I have held for decades. While I too have no one-fits-all answers, Mettes clarified so many points regarding generosity, thrift, and simple living. When I go for my appointment, I will be prepared with a clearer head considering the spiritual meaning of these financial issues and decisions needed.

Lloyd Kaufman,

Des Moines, IA

When you serve those in need, you dont become Christ to them; they become Christ to you.

Ben Kucenski (Facebook)

Jesus did not call the Samaritan good. In fact the word good is not used in the parable, which is about what it means to be a neighbor.

@gdavidritchie (X/Twitter)

There was no good Samaritan in Jesus dayat least not to his hearers. To that crowd, the only good Samaritan was a dead Samaritan. The point of the story is not that he did the right thing, but that the wrong person did the right thing. In our Western evangelical culture, when we are good, we see ourselves as the good Samaritan, and this blinds us to the goodness of God in the other.

Bob Gadd

Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Behind the Scenes

While I was working on The Crossing, some American Christians told me about their disappointment with their fellow citizens attitude toward migrants. People in other countries seem more welcoming, they said.

A couple weeks later, I flew to Colombia. In Medellin, I met an Uber driver who asked what a Korean American woman was doing alone in Colombia. I told him I was reporting on the migration crisis, and his face soured. These migrants, he complained, are uncivilized. Theyve come to contaminate our beautiful city. When I later told him I grew up with Chinese people, his expression twisted again.

The instinct to fear and distrust the stranger is human nature, in El Paso or Medellin. This complicates the work of peacemaking at the US-Mexico border and the ministry of a church at the Venezuela-Colombia border. Yet in these places I also witnessed the purest form of human naturethe image of God.

I too tend to get cynical about peoplethat seems to come with being a journalist. But my work at CT has been healing my cynicism as I report on Gods people doing kingdom workshining the glory of whats both here and yet to come.

Sophia Lee

global staff writer

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
EQS-Ad-hoc: Klockner & Co SE / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions/Disposal

Klockner & Co SE: Klockner Co intends to sell four European country organizations to strengthen focus on higher value-added business and streamline portfolio



22-Dec-2023 / 08:37 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc.



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Klockner & Co intends to sell parts of its European commodity distribution business. In this regard, the company has received an irrevocable offer by the Spanish Hierros Anon S.A. today that comprises all relevant terms and conditions regarding an acquisition of the country organizations in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium.



With the proposed transaction, the Management Board of Klockner & Co would continue to prioritize businesses with higher value-added products and services along the value chain of its customers like processing and fabrication services. These offers have higher profitability and more stable demand due to the long-term contractual relationships and strong customisation associated with the higher value-added business. The proposed sale would significantly reduce the companys dependence on volatile commodity markets. Going forward, Klockner & Co will continue to concentrate on the growth of its biggest market in North America and its attractive European activities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH).



The country organizations in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium employed around 1,500 people as of September 30, 2023. In the first nine months of 2023, these businesses collectively contributed 621 million in sales, representing about 10% of Klockner & Cos total sales volume. In the same reporting period, EBITDA before material special effects reached a negative 19 million and total assets of around 552 million. The proposed transaction is expected to have a considerably positive impact on the Group EBITDA before material special effects from the financial year 2024 onwards. In addition, the company expects a one-time negative effect on the Group equity of around 210 million based on the current equity of the organizations and further deconsolidation effects. However, the equity ratio of the remaining Group is expected to increase to approximately 51%.



The proposed transaction is subject to information and consultation procedures with the relevant employee representative bodies, as well as the customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Closing, after an acceptance of the irrevocable offer, is expected to take place in the first half of 2024.



End of Inside Information

Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



For the definitions of EBITDA and EBITDA before material special effects reference is made to our homepage (accessible via https://www.kloeckner.com/en/glossary/) and/or the annual report 2022, p. 37 (accessible via https://www.kloeckner.com/en/investors/publications/). 22-Dec-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


For 1,400 years, Christians have wrestled with how to defend their faith to Muslims. While Islam accepts Jesus as a prophet, it denies his divinity. And as for his sacrifice for sin on the cross, the Quran denies the crucifixion and by extension the resurrection, claiming instead that God took him directly to heaven.

Christian responses have often been polemical, seeking to invalidate the message and morality of Muhammad. They have also been apologetic, sometimes employing legal arguments that Muslims view as manmade and changeablethus lacking authority to adjudicate matters of eternal significance.

Baptist pastor Suheil Madanat seeks instead to ground the authenticity of the gospel account within Islam itself. In Evidence for the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ Examined through Islamic Law, the former president of the Jordan Baptist Convention (20162022) consults expert sharia compendiums and relevant scholarly works to learn sharias criteria for validating relevant evidenceincluding eyewitness testimony, confession, expert opinion, and circumstantial evidenceand examines the New Testament accounts against it.

Endorsed by scholars at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Amman, the book is a new resource for Muslim apologetics and comparative religion. CT interviewed Madanat about liberal source criticism, the divergence in resurrection accounts, and his ultimate hope for Muslims who read his book.

How does traditional Islam look at the Bible?

In principle, they accept both the Old and New Testaments as the word of God, but they believe that they have been largely corrupted. Though they accept that some accounts read today still have some truth, they do not accept the Bible as authentic. This is especially the case for the parts that contradict Islammainly the divinity, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.

How do Arab Christians tend to address these objections?

Most of what I read in Arabic is a polemical approach rather than apologetic. They are more concerned about attacking the ethics of Muhammad and the teaching of the Quran rather than defending the Scripture. I have not seen much done to vindicate the authenticity of the Bible, though some is done in academic circles.

But I must add that Muslim scholars do not provide solid testable evidence that can be argued against. They say the Bible is corrupt, but what is the alternative? The Quran speaks about preserving the divine text, but where then is the authentic text? How did God allow this? When did the corruption happen exactly? To be sure, they do tell a story of the alleged corruption, but it contradicts plain historical facts.

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They do not give objective answers to these questions, inviting the polemical reply.

Is this why you wanted to defend the Bible through an Islamic framework?

My task here is not to defend the whole Bible but the reliability of the accounts of crucifixion and resurrection, the backbone of our Christian faith. The libraries of the West are full of conservative responses to liberal source criticism and other critiques, but they do not mean much to most Muslims. Since the Quran says that the Bible is corrupt, they ask: Why should we care about an intra-Christian dispute?

But when I say I want to examine evidence for Chistian claims through the filters of divine Islamic lawit immediately catches their attention.

What is your method?

Islamic law has established strict criteria to examine eyewitness testimonies, but those who experienced the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are long deceased. Their evidence exists only in documentary formthe Gospels. These must be first authenticated, so they can be equivalent to live eyewitness accounts, and then examined.

The problem is that Islamic law, unlike the Anglo-American common law, has no criteria for authenticating ancient documents. Nonetheless, the primary divine sources of Islamic law, the Quran and Sunna [recorded traditions about Muhammads words and deeds], are themselves ancient documents. What standards do Islamic scholars use in their literature to defend their authenticity?

I reviewed this literature, and it makes a convincing case in the face of Western liberal criticism. I am convinced the Quran is largely authentic, written by Muhammad, with only minor variants. This critique, however, is similar to that levelled against the Bible and often quoted by Muslim scholars in their anti-Christian claims. I then simply ask Muslims to be consistentand fair.

How do you proceed?

Step one uses the existing apologetic material to establish that the New Testament accounts were written by eyewitnesses. I examine the ancient manuscripts textual purity, as well as the dating of the gospel records and their internal evidence that includes the incidental details of personal names, dates, and geographical places.

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When Jesus fed the multitude, for example, it says they sat on lush grass. But paying attention to the chronology of Jewish feasts, it lines up beautifully with the only season in which the fields are green even today, both in Palestine and Jordan.

Once the gospels are proven to be authentic records, the next step is to pass the Christian evidence through the filters of the Islamic law and see how it responds. Here I remind Muslims that since they believe that sharia is immutable, sent by God, they must trust it.

This is how I started my research in the first place, and, amazingly, Christian evidence passed the test of Islamic law par excellence.

What are these filters?

One is the required number and gender of eyewitnesses. Credibility usually depends on two males, with female testimony worth half of that as a man, as a well-known tradition in Islam says that women are deficient.

The biblical testimonies were written by eyewitness men: Matthew, John, and Peter as direct eyewitnesses of the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul also saw the risen Christ, and his confessionalong with that of Jamessatisfies the criteria of Islamic law. But we also have indirect witnesses, which Islam accepts in the case of a death that has been established within the community. Mark, Luke, and several non-Christian ancient writers fit this category, with Luke further established as an expert witness.

Each witness must also satisfy several strict criteria, both at the time of witnessing the event and at the time of giving the testimony. All these have been applied to each biblical witness, and they all passed. Among these, for example, is the criterion that there should be no hint of personal benefit. And we know that the disciples died as martyrs for their faith; they had nothing to gain through deception.

Another criterion is that a non-Muslim cannot give witness against a Muslim. But the Quran calls Jesus disciplesHawariyyun in Arabicrighteous men who therefore count as Muslims. Eyewitnesses furthermore must be able to reason clearlywhich the written accounts establishand cannot be blind, deaf, or dumb. They must also be free men, not slaves, and have reliable memory.

Are there objections about the divergent details in the gospel accounts?

That is another criterion, that witness accounts be consistent. But Islamic law presents many cases demonstrating that if there is a possible scenario to account for apparent differences, it must be accepted. Christians have long created harmonies of the gospel and, except for minor details, the main events of crucifixion, burial, and resurrection pass the test.

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Yet the Quran says Jesus was not crucified, only that it appeared to them as such.

This claim does not make sense. This is the prevailing viewpoint in 99 percent of the Muslim world. But we must remember that Muhammad never saw the New Testament to examine the account himself; it was not translated into Arabic until the second Islamic century.

The principle they draw upon is that God would not allow his distinguished prophet to suffer such humiliation, and so God substituted Jesus with someone else. But when? If directly before the crucifixion, then it was Jesus who still underwent the humiliation of his unfair trial and public scourging. If it was before or during the trial, then certainly the unfortunate person in Jesus place would have cried out and given evidence during the trial that he was not Jesus.

What do you expect will happen if open-minded Muslims read your book?

If it simply raises doubts about the allegation that Jesus was not crucified, this would be enough. But once a person starts thinking about questions to their received faith, they may begin to doubt the whole story. Why does the Quran deny an account, they might wonder, that the divine Islamic law establishes through credible testimony?

This might prompt readers seeking the truth to search for additional evidence. My ultimate hope is that they come to believe.
Perennial favorite John 3:16 may have nothing to do with the war against Russia.

Isaiah 41:10 speaks more clearly to times of conflictthough it boasts a leading position in many other nations as well.

But missing from the top 10 list in Ukraineand no other nation highlighted by YouVersionis Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Evangelical leaders shared their reflections on why millions of citizens in the Orthodox majority country may have found inspiration in the top 10 verses, not others, and suggest personal favorites that shed light on life in a war-torn nation:

Igor Bandura, vice president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine:

The results released by YouVersion are informative, inspiring, and challenging. My heart cries out in unison with all of them, as they reflect Gods love as the source of life within our deep search for meaning under the pressure of war. It is no wonder that John 3:16 ranks first, giving comfort against the power of darkness in the midst of loss, suffering, and simple exhaustion.

The Bible remains our most powerful source of encouragement, wisdom, and strength.

Perhaps Jeremiah 29:11 is left out because while God plans not to harm us, Russia doesand the imaginable near-term consequences keep Ukrainians from contemplating an unimaginable future. Certainly, this is a challenge for faith. But mine has been strengthened through a different unlisted inspiring verse in Zechariah 9:12: Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

There are two possible interpretations. First, that despite being prisoners of our overwhelming circumstances, there is still hope available to us. And second, that Gods hope has made us prisoners, and that we cannot live any other way. Both are trueand we await the double that God has promised.

Maxym Oliferovski, a Mennonite Brethren pastor and project leader for Multiply Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia:

That these 10 Bible verses have been shared the most in Ukraine does not surprise me at all. The first five focus on love, protection, and strength, communicating Gods care for us during the many hardships caused by the invasion. Most meaningful to me has been 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, because I tend to live in the future. But in the uncertainty of war, even short-term plans become impossible. God then reminds me I must rest in him, greatly decreasing my worry and stress.

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The second five verses, taken together, strike me as a prayer for faith, holiness, and bravery. It is so easy to lose focus and get depressed. Certainly, we need healing, which comes through his Word. But we also realize that beyond the physical war in Ukraine there is a spiritual war waged against usand these verses show us how to fight.

Guard your heart, says Proverbs. Seek first his righteousness, says Matthew. These verses help us care for our mental health, and then to discern the multiple opinions and outright lies that abound in both wars. Commitment to the truth of Gods kingdom is the plumb line to test our everyday actions.

If I were to add one verse to the list it would be the promise of Revelation 21:4: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. We pray for victory in Ukraine, and we anticipate the day all our mourning will come to an end.

Valentin Siniy, president of Tavriski Christian Institute, Kherson:

I see three themes in this list of verses. The first is Gods comforting presence in 1 Peter, Romans, Philippians, and especially Isaiah 40:10: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Another set provides the remedy against the fear and weakness brought upon us by Russian aggression. Be strong and courageous, we read in Joshua. Timothy contrasts Gods love with timidity. And in Philippians we are reminded that God will give us the strength we need.

But the third group calls us to the churchs role in a broken world. We are to express Gods love (John 3:16), seek his kingdom (Matt. 6:33), and, in the process, guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23)and by extension the hearts of those around us as well. Our perspective on the world has shifted, and as the church inquires about the theology of mission, it is no longer the dualism of church and stateit now crucially includes society as well.

Curiously absent are verses on evil, anger, and grief. One that I hear frequently quoted is Psalm 109:89: May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Applied to Judas in the New Testament, imprecatory passages like these have been an outlet for our emotions as we call for Gods justice.

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Sergey Rakhuba, president of Mission Eurasia:

As Ukraine undergoes a brutal war imposed by Russia, we continue to fight for our freedom, independence, and even our very existence as a nation. A third of our population has been displaced with thousands of people killed, and especially for the innocent children caught in this chaos, this winter is a difficult season filled not with Christmas carols but the sad tones of resilience and struggle.

In this context, Jeremiah 29:11 may not be shared widely online where YouVersion can monitor its citation, but I can assure you that it is preached in churches and lived out in tangible service to millions of people who see it in action.

First given to the Jewish people during their time of exile and trial, I first received it 18 years ago when battling a severe illness and the possibility of life in a wheelchair. I was thick in a fog of despair, but its words dispelled my spiritual disorientation and filled me with divine certainty that God still had a plan for my life. The verse imprinted forever on my heart and has since been my beacon of hope. It is often through pain and deprivation that God shapes our faith.

But when tucking their children to bed in shelters with a night sky torn apart by the screech of ballistic missiles, telling a parent to believe that these are God's plans for their good seems almost incomprehensible. A theologian may be able to provide clear exegesis, but for the weary Ukrainian pastortirelessly caring for the endless needs of his war-torn communityit is not unreasonable to find doubt, difficulty of interpretation, or even the online neglect of this Scripture.

For me, the verse encourages us to believe in Gods providence, that there is a divine purpose even when the future of Ukraine seems uncertain. But it is also a powerful source of hope in overcoming adversity. Whether on the battlefield or in homes deprived by the chaos of war, it inspires resilience as we rely on God that better days are ahead, as determined by him.

These difficult days are not the end of our story.

Finally, the verse motivates us to long for and dream about an unknown future. God has plans for our lives, but we have a role in realizing them. It spurs on our efforts toward victory, but also to prepare for the healing, restoration, and recovery necessary after the war ends. Jeremiah envisions our prospering, and we are prayingand believingthat it will come soon.





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My upbringing and education were secular, with no serious consideration of religion. Although my family was nominally Anglican and my parents felt obliged to take us to Sunday school and have us christened, my mother told us she did not believe in Gods existence. Stories about arks and miracles seemed like fables for children.

As a teenager with a minimal understanding of Scripture, I decided that Christianity was a superstitious and limited worldview, and that a miracle-working god-man could only be nonsense. (It is easy to reject teachings when you know them only at a trivial, superficial level.)

As a young adult, I became interested in philosophies like existentialism, Stoicism, and nihilism, viewing them as possible avenues of finding meaning in life. I was driven to answer the fundamental question of whether our lives have meaning, as opposed to being merely random events that end in death. And for roughly 10 years, I searched for answers in the findings of modern science as well as in a wide range of humankinds belief systems, both philosophical and religious. Both paths would ultimately converge, leading me to an unlikely faith in Christ.

My study of religious traditions brought me into contact with Daoism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, forms of mysticism and meditation, and various Eastern gurus. Each system offered glimmers of insight, but none felt intellectually satisfying. I wondered whether I would ever find one unified truth about life and the cosmos.

At various points in my research, I encountered references to the cosmic Christ. And I decided that a truly objective study would involve familiarizing myself with Christian Scripture, just as Id done with texts like the Quran. While commuting to teach mathematics at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, I would listen to recordings of the New Testament, hoping they would validate my quest to discredit the Christian message.

The outcome, however, was rather different. Through the four Gospels, I encountered a voice that was strikingly different from anything I had read before. In Jesus debates with the Jewish leaders of his time, I saw a credible and incisive intellect. His parables and metaphors struck me as cleverly constructed and consistent in revealing that Jesus is Gods only Son and the true Shepherd of his people. He claimed to speak with absolute authority and embody the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, but he also wept with compassion, expressed frustration at his disciples, and otherwise manifested a range of regular human emotions.

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I had expected to find a simplistic hero figure spouting empty spiritual platitudes, but instead I found a realistic, coherent, and inspiring portrayal that didnt come across like a random fabrication. And I found myself nodding along with Albert Einsteins remark in a 1929 interview with The Saturday Evening Post: No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.

For the next few years, I undertook extensive research into Christianity. I studied the Old and New Testaments. I read theological views and rabbinic writings about messianic prophecy. I searched for references to Jesus in nonbiblical sources. And I explored the history of the early church as it interacted with first-century Judaism.

Over time, I came to distrust the popular atheist claim of a Jesus mythology that had spiraled out of control. In part, this was because I could appreciate the links and consistencies between the Old and New Testaments, which are extensive and truly remarkable. Reading from Genesis through Revelation, we see Jesus life and death as part of a holistic picture of Gods promises being fulfilled. If Jesus never said or did the bulk of what is recorded in the New Testament, then the biblical writers would have had to invent a vast amount of detail that somehow harmonizes with various Old Testament images, themes, prophecies, festival dates, and rituals. This would have been the most sophisticated fraud ever perpetrated.

The claims of the Bible were more trustworthy than I had supposed. They were also surprisingly compelling. I found the core Christian message of sin, atonement, and redemption to be increasingly coherent and persuasive. Modern minds usually reject notions of innate sinfulness, but for me, they made sense of the worlds most intractable problems.

Alongside investigating world religions, I was researching what science says about the development of our universe and conscious life. Could purely materialistic processes account for the world we know? I read widely in the areas of cosmology, quantum physics, relativity, abiogenesis, and evolution. I discovered that many highly regarded scientists believe some form of guiding intelligence is necessary to explain a universe capable of sustaining human life. It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned natures numbers to make the universe work properly, physicist Paul Davies said. The impression of design is overwhelming. An award-winning chemist, Marcos Eberlin, has concluded that the available evidence seems to point beyond any blind evolutionary process to the workings of an attribute unique to mindsforesight.

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These are not simply God of the gaps arguments, which replace our ignorance with some imagined creator. These are informed, professional evaluations of statistical and scientific evidence. Simply put, many scientists are proposing that there is more to our universe than materialistic processes can explain.

Image: Top: Eileen Laubscher, Bottom: Ilan Godfrey

While God was working on my mind, I believe the Holy Spirit was also working on my heart. There were moments in my rational journey toward faith in Christ where I sensed a higher guiding presence in my life. At one point quite early in my investigation, when I was still unconvinced by Christian teachings, I was immersing myself in Sufism, which is known for being peaceful and contemplative. I earnestly tried living by its precepts, which included developing patience and love toward others, but this did not come easily.

One day I lost my temper with a neighbor over her screaming children. After a heated confrontation, I stormed back into my house, fuming with frustration at my failure to master my emotions. Throwing my hands up in exhaustion, I said aloud, I give up! I cant do it. At which point, a clear voice in my consciousness, quite distinct from my own thoughts, said quietly, Of course you cant.

Its difficult to describe the profound effect of those surprising words. Laughing, I felt an instantaneous and joyous sense of release from a burden. I realized with absolute clarity that I didnt have to strive to perfect myself. I knew there must be some other way to live a better life, even if I couldnt yet identify the alternative.

Much later in my investigation, when I was seriously pondering the Christian concept of sin, I experienced a stark, painful realization of my own sinfulness. It wasnt any one moral failing that awakened this voice of conscienceonly a broad awareness that all my plans and actions had been aimed primarily at satisfying my own needs. Suddenly, biblical claims that all have sinned and fallen short of Gods glory were more than intellectual abstractions. Sobbing, I fell to my knees in shame.

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But mercifully, my despair didnt last for long. I confessed wholeheartedly that I was indeed sinful in nature, and I asked for Gods forgiveness. Immediately, I was blessed with a profound sense of peace. After years of denial and deep reluctance, I was finally ready to submit to the truth of the Christian message. In due course, I would commit myself to Christ and be baptized into the church.

In Johns gospel, Jesus says, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them (6:44). Every day, I thank God for his grace in drawing this arrogant skeptic to him.

Julie Hannah is a mathematics lecturer and the author of A Skeptics Investigation into Jesus.

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper, Nicole Martin, and editor in chief Russell Moore gather around the microphone to talk about the authority figures shaping our world. This past week the pope sent ripples through the Catholic church when he declared that same-sex relationships would now be invited to blessings. Colorado followed with ripples of its own when the court determined Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president in 2024. And, rising from scandal, Hillsongs Brian Houston is starting a new church in the coming year. Tune in and join the conversation.

Read More from Christianity Today About Todays Topics:

Why You Shouldn't Have a Position on LGBTQs.

What Mark Driscoll Told Brian Houston at Hillsong Conference

Hillsong Founder Not Guilty of Sexual Abuse Cover-Up

The Bulletin is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producer: Erik Petrik

Producers: Clarissa Moll and Matt Stevens

Associate Producer: McKenzie Hill

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Music: Dan Phelps

Show Design: Bryan Todd

Graphic Design: Amy Jones

Social Media: Kate Lucky
Home U.S. Church fires lead pastor after shock arrest for patronizing minor for sex

Board members of the Mount Hope Christian Church in Fayette County, West Virginia, say they have fired their lead pastor, Elbert Eugene Goins, popularly known as "Buddy Goins," a day after he was arrested for allegedly patronizing a minor victimized by sexual servitude. They said the incident has left them "shocked."

"The incident that resulted in the arrest did not occur in our church building or on our premises. Furthermore, the FBI has informed us there is no reason to believe that any of the members of our congregation were involved in the events leading to Mr. Goins' arrest," the board said in a statement cited by WOAY. "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation of this matter."

While Goins' name is still listed on the church's website, his photo and any other details about his background have been scrubbed from the platform. The church did not immediately respond to further requests for comment from The Christian Post on Wednesday.

A criminal complaint against Goins says he was arrested on Dec. 8 in Beckley after allegedly discussing plans with an adult to have sex with their minor child.

"During the conversations, Goins discussed meeting with the child's purported guardian and the purported minor child with the intent to pay for sexual services with the minor," the complaint notes.

What the former lead pastor didn't know, however, was that he was planning to meet up with many law enforcement officers, including members of the West Virginia State Police in Beckley.

After he was arrested and "advised he was communicating with an adult" about having sex with the adult's minor child, Goins suggested that he was hoping to have sex with the adult. The complaint noted, however, that he also understood from the conversation he had with the adult what could be assumed.

Since his arrest, Goins, who faces at least three years behind bars if convicted and a maximum sentence of 15 years, posted a $50,000 bond and is now set for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 28.

Goins' arrest echoes similarities to charges brought against Virginia Beach's Rock Church International Senior Pastor John Blanchard some two years ago when he was among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021.

The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, which are felonies. He was arrested at a hotel where he was supposed to meet a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl.

Despite a special prosecutor concluding that the charges against him were "sound," Blanchard did not face prosecution. A Virginia judge agreed this summer to expunge the case from the record.

"It's kind of like it never happened," Virginia Beach attorney and legal analyst Ed Booth told 13NewsNow. "When that record is run later by an employer, by law enforcement, by whoever, the information is not there. That's what an expungement means, really."
Home Entertainment Kat von D says she's been attending Bible study, living in a parsonage after baptism

Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D, who was baptized in October and is known for her role on the TLC reality series "LA Ink," opened up about the challenges and criticisms she has faced as a "goth" Christian in a Dec. 12 episode of "This Past Weekend" podcast with stand-up comedian and podcaster, Theo Von.

"It's such an intimate and personal thing. My relationship with God is my own. I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere," said the artist, whose real name is Katherine von Drachenberg. "Especially now, I think being public with my faith puts you into like this microscopic, critical tank."

The reality star, who is 17 years sober, said she "gets criticized from all sides now" but doesn't care.

"At the end of the day, you know, my relationship is with God, not you," she said. "I think because people have a hard time understanding [my] aesthetic and pairing that with something  like Christianity," she added.

"I don't understand why people don't see how close-minded that is. Why would you think that you have to look a certain way to have an understanding of the Bible?"

At the small Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay, Indiana, Drachenberg said she attends Bible studies and enjoys the intimate church environment. She said she currently lives in the church's parsonage because the renovations to her house have not yet been completed.

She said the smaller church seems to foster more individuality in how congregants dress themselves, and everyone seems to know one another in a closer-knit way.

Having recently attended a larger California church, she said it seemed everyone dressed similarly and fewer people looked different.

"Modern-day Christians are so used to being surrounded by people that look the same as them. When someone like me comes into the mix, it's like, 'Oh, wait, this is demonic.'  I get called demonic a lot. [And I get told]: 'You're serving two masters.' I'm like, I don't think any of that is accurate," Drachenberg said.

"I don't think there's any dress code to be a Christian.  But I get it a lot.  [After I posted] my last post, I thought it was a very cool modest image of me in a dress and some funny shoes, and the comments are just hilarious."

During the two-hour podcast, Drachenberg also mentioned the Old Testament account of Job, who she said "was put through all these trials [yet] maintained his faith" and kept praising God.

Despite facing criticisms about her "goth" image in how she dresses, Drachenberg has learned how to give thanks to God and stand firm in His promises for all who choose to follow Him, regardless of exterior appearance.

"The last few years for me have been so rough behind the curtains," she said. "I don't share [it] all  But I'm still going to live in a state of gratitude. The world could be falling apart, and I'm still, like, I praise God."

Drachenbergmade headlines in August 2022 when she announced that she had thrown away her extensive catalog of witchcraft literature, saying that she had "come to some pretty meaningful realizations" in recent years, saying she "got a lot of things wrong in my past."
Home U.S. Christian veteran who toppled Iowa satanic display says detractors 'overcomplicating' evil 'People are tying themselves in knots trying to justify it'

The U.S. Navy veteran who toppled a satanic display in the Iowa State Capitol told The Christian Post that his detractors defending it on constitutional grounds are "overcomplicating" the situation and should stand firm against spiritual evil.

Michael Cassidy, 35, made headlines last week when he pushed over a red-cloaked Baphomet statue erected near a Nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda, as first reported by The Republic Sentinel. He tossed its silver goat head in the trash before turning himself in to authorities, who issued him a citation for fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Hislegal defense fund has raised more than $80,000 as of Friday.

The Baphomet figure, constructed with pool noodles, had been erected by the Iowa chapter of The Satanic Temple. The display also featured a candle-lit altar adorned with the seven "Fundamental Tenets" of the organization, which claims not to believe in a personal devil.

Cassidy, who unsuccessfully ran for the Mississippi House of Representatives this year, told CP that he bought a plane ticket from Mississippi to Des Moines on Wednesday, toppled the statue the next day, and then flew back. When he encountered the display in person, he said it was more disturbing than the pictures of it online.

Claiming he didn't initially intend to rip down the display when he saw it, Cassidy said he eyed the open doors near the statue and considered just slipping out but felt compelled to do something.

"I don't want to have the conversation with Jesus someday and have Him say, 'Hey, there was this statue, and you knew it was wrong for it to be up there, but you were afraid of worldly things and worldly consequences, and you were ashamed of me and my opposition to the devil,'" he said.

"The world tells us to be ashamed of God, and He tells us not to be," Cassidy recounted his thoughts that day. "So that's when I made the decision, which was pretty much right before I took it down."

The display had prompted debate among Republican state legislators regarding whether it should be removed. Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman, a Christian pastor, argued that the display violated the Iowa State Constitution and appealed to Iowa's Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to take it down.

State Rep. Jon Dunwell, also a pastor, posted a viral thread on X saying that while he personally finds the altar "objectionable" and "classified as evil," he does not believe it to be the government's place to arbitrate religion.

"For me, I would rather have an evil, blasphemous display or no display at all than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate," Dunwell told CP in an interview last week.

Cassidy believes arguments such as Dunwell's are a misinterpretation of the Constitution and the intentions of those who wrote it.

"The people who wrote our Constitution would be shocked to think of defending Satan as consistent with their beliefs when they wrote the laws that govern our nation," he said.

Simply because Satanists filled out a government form and checked the right boxes does not mean their display deserves to be equivalent to a Nativity scene and displayed on government property, Cassidy argued.

"People start overcomplicating the truth, which is that God is great and should be honored, and the devil is evil and should not be honored," he said. "I think people are tying themselves in knots trying to justify it, and it's really a lot simpler than that."

Cassidy noted that legal arguments possessing "a lot more intellectual heft" than he can offer have backed him up, but he maintained that his moral argument is not complex.

"The devil is evil, and we should not pretend or act as if he is equal to a Nativity scene," he said.

CitingMark 8:38, when Jesus Christ warned that anyone ashamed of Him will be ashamed on Judgment Day, Cassidy hopes that what he did would galvanize Christians to push back against the increasing torrent of anti-Christian sentiment in American culture.

"I want Christians to reinvigorate their faith," he said. "I want them to not be ashamed of standing up for God and to joyfully spread the Gospel. Whether it's talking to their friends or their family members who maybe haven't gone to church in a while or have fallen away from the faith, I want them to start having these conversations and to get churches full again. That's what I want."

Without going into detail, Cassidy said he has been subject to spiritual attack and negativity since toppling the satanic statue but emphasized that he has also been flooded with "great support" and hopes the Satanists responsible for the display can someday come to faith.

"It's just a daily reminder that the devil is real, even if not all of them believe it," he said of Satanists. "Some of them really do believe in Satan, a lot of them don't. A lot of them are atheists and just think that this is all a joke, and they're so wrong."

"I hope that that they see the error of their ways and that they can they can learn about Jesus one day," he added. "That's my hope."
Home Politics National Archives settles suit with visitors asked to hide pro-life messages

The National Archives has reached a settlement with March for Life attendees who sued because security officials told the activists they could not wear pro-life apparel inside the building.

The American Center for Law and Justice, which filed a complaint against the institution earlier this year, announced in a statement that several of its clients reached a settlement with the National Archives and Records Administration. The National Archives and Records Administration runs the National Archives, a Washington, D.C.-based museum that hosts original copies of the U.S. Constitution and other historic documents.

The National Archives faced the complaint after plaintiffs Tamara R. and her minor daughter, as well as Wendilee Walpole Lassiter and Terrie Kallal, were asked to remove apparel and clothing displaying pro-life messages as they toured the facility while in town for the annual March for Life in January.

One of the pieces of clothing in question read MARCH 4 LIFE 2014: Saint Cecilias Youth Group, Glen Carbon, IL.

The plaintiffs were told by a security officer working at the museum to either remove the clothing or leave, citing concerns that it would incite others. Eleven months later, the National Archives, NARA and the Archivist of the United States agreed to pay the plaintiffs $10,000 to settle every claim of any kind relating to this civil action.

The monetary payment is one of several aspects of the Voluntary Stipulation of Settlement and Dismissal filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday.

The defendants also agreed to make available to the plaintiffs and their attorneys video footage of the events that unfolded on Jan. 20, the day of the March for Life, when they were asked to remove articles of their clothing with a pro-life message.

Micah Cheatham, the chief of management and administration at NARA, outlined the actions taken by his agency to address the wrongs done to the plaintiffs earlier this year and to prevent them from happening again in an affidavit filed Monday.

Specifically, he noted that the Acting Archivist of the United States, who was at that time the interim head of NARA, issued a public apology to Plaintiffs through a press release to major media outlets and posted the apology to NARAs public website.

Additional steps taken include the establishment of guidance reminding all NARA employees of the First Amendment rights of visitors to NARA facilities and the consent order NARA entered into with plaintiffs vowing that no future visitors will be prohibited from wearing t-shirts, hats, buttons, or other attire that displays protest language, including religious and political speech.

After sharing the consent order with NARA staff, the agency apologized to Lassiter in person and offered her an exclusive tour of the museum.

The tour Lassiter received included the opportunity to view records of high intrinsic value that are not normally made available to the public. Additionally, NARA changed its procedures to require its federal employees to conduct periodic walk-throughs of the exhibit spaces in the National Archives Museum during their normal working hours on weekdays to evaluate the visitor experience.

Instructions provided to NARAs security force vendor Allied Universal Security highlight Procedures for Visitors Engaging in Protected Activity, including Protests and Demonstrations. The list declares that All visitors inside and outside the building, including Protesters/Demonstrators, may wear t-shirts, hats, buttons, etc., displaying any words, symbols, and images, etc., that constitute constitutionally protected speech, including protest language, religious viewpoints, and profanity.

The procedures stress that separate rules apply to all NARA Research Rooms, which generally prohibit coats and hats because they present a security risk, unless they are considered a religious covering. Cheatham also stated that AUS removed the security supervisor who was at fault from working at NRA, referring to the unnamed individual responsible for asking the plaintiffs to hide the pro-life messages on their clothing.

Aconsent order filed Tuesday asserts that defendants and their employees are ENJOINED from prohibiting visiting members of the public to NARA facilities from wearing t-shirts, hats, buttons, etc., that display protest language, including religious and political speech. It also indicated that NARA would agree to provide the minor daughter and Kallal with personal tours of the National Archives.

This is an especially important victory, as one month from today, pro-life Americans will once again gather in Washington, D.C., for the March for Life, said ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow. Our victory today ensures that they will be free from harassment and that their First Amendment rights will be protected should they choose to visit the National Archives and view the very documents that protect those sacred rights.
Home Education Virginia drops charge against Loudoun superintendent at center of trans bathroom controversy

Prosecutors will not pursue the remaining criminal charge against Scott Ziegler, the former Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent who faced several indictments after the district was scrutinized for lying to parents about a sexual assault as it sought to enact a trans bathroom policy.

Prosecutors working for Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a "motion for nolle prosequi" Wednesday, a legal notice to abandon prosecution before trial, The Daily Wire reported. The former superintendent still faced a third misdemeanor charge.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced in December 2022 that a Loudoun County judge ordered the unsealing of four indictments issued by a special grand jury against Ziegler. The jury also indicted the school system's public information officer Wayde Byard.

Ziegler faced "one count of misdemeanor false publication," "one count of misdemeanor prohibited conduct," and "one count of misdemeanor penalizing an employee for a court appearance." Before the announcement of the indictments, the Loudoun County school board voted to fire Ziegler following the grand jury report.

"The Commonwealth submits that the orderly administration of justice, judicial economy, and the ends of justice mitigate against expending the significant additional resources that would be required to try the Defendant by jury on the instant Class 3 misdemeanor indictment," the motion stated.

Ziegler faces a $2,500 fine, 12 months in jail and other collateral consequences for a case unrelated to the controversy surrounding the proposed trans bathroom policy.

In September, a jury found Ziegler guilty of retaliating against a former special education teacher who complained about the district's response to her complaints about a student groping her in the classroom. The jury did not find Ziegler guilty of retaliating against the employee for testifying in April 2022.

As prosecutors noted in their Wednesday motion, Ziegler was also charged for lying during a June 2021 school board meeting. In response to parents concerned about a proposed trans bathroom policy, the superintendent said that the district had no record of any sexual assaults taking place in bathrooms.

A male student wearing a skirt sexually assaulted a female student inside the girls' bathroom on May 28, 2021, at Stone Bridge High School. The same male student sexually assaulted another girl a few months later after he was transferred to Broad Run High School.

The special grand jury report, which investigated the district's response to the assaults, called Ziegler's assertion during the meeting a "bald-faced lie." In a Nov. 10 letter to Ziegler, Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman also contradicted the claims made by the former superintendent during the June 2021 school board meeting.

"[D]espite a public statement at a School Board meeting on June 22, 2021, denying any knowledge of sexual assaults in any LCPS bathrooms, you sent an email on May 28, 2021, to members of the School Board advising them of the incident  thus invalidating your public statement," Chapman wrote.

The grand jury report also condemned the district's "lack of cooperation" during its investigation, accusing the LCSB of putting up "roadblocks" from the very beginning. At one point, a lawyer for the board chairman and superintendent submitted a motion to quash the grand jury's subpoenas, but the motion was rejected.

"LCSB's counsel consistently and repeatedly interrupted answers of his own witnesses when he felt certain information was about to be revealed," the report stated.

"LCSB's counsel consistently and repeatedly objected to questions that would elicit information about a meeting or conversation that occurred when LCSB division counsel was present  regardless of whether that meeting or conversation had anything to do with soliciting legal advice, or if division counsel was even a party to the meeting or conversation. Division counsel's mere silent presence in a crowded room was enough for LCSB's lawyer to claim the attorney-client privilege and instruct the witnesses not to answer the question."
Home World Chinese Christian elder arrested in front of 6 year-old daughter on false 'fraud' charges

A Christian rights group is calling for the release of a church elder who was forcibly detained by police officers in front of his 6-year-old daughter at his home in Anhui province, central China, on what it says are trumped-up charges of "fraud."

In a pre-dawn raid in November, Ding Zhongfu, an elder in Ganquan church, was forcibly detained by five police officers who conducted an interrogation and searched the apartment Ding shared with his wife, Ge Yunxia, and their young daughter, according to The Associated Press.

The family of Ding, now in custody on fraud allegations, has publicly refuted these claims, suggesting his arrest is indicative of a broader suppression of religious freedom in China. They disclosed to AP that four other senior members of the Ganquan church, meaning "Sweet Spring," were similarly apprehended, as reported by a Christian prayer group.

On Dec. 1, police called Ding's wife into the station, saying that her husband was being criminally detained on suspicion of fraud, yet declined to give her a copy of any paperwork they had her sign that acknowledged they were investigating him.

Bob Fu, leader of ChinaAid, a U.S.-based Christian rights organization calling for Ding's release, highlighted the increasing use of fraud charges against leaders of house churches, Christian congregations operating independently of state-sanctioned churches in China. Fu emphasized that these charges are often a guise for religious persecution.

"Under the fabricated charge of 'fraud,' many Christians faced harsh persecution," Fu told the AP.

The Ganquan church, which has about 400-500 worshipers, has faced multiple relocations over the past decade due to government pressure. The congregation had pooled funds to purchase a worship property, but police have consistently barred its use for religious gatherings.

In China, religions deemed as "foreign," including Christianity, Islam and Tibetan Buddhism, face high levels of persecution.

The Chinese government permits Christian worship but restricts it to officially registered churches. Many believers, however, opt for house churches to avoid state interference in their religious practices. But recent years have seen heightened efforts by Beijing to clamp down on house churches.

In 2018, President Xi Jinping introduced a five-year policy geared toward the "Sinicization of Christianity," forcing sanctioned churches into allegiance with the Communist Party, its leaders and its principles. This policy led to the closure of numerous house churches through various means, including evictions and arrests.

In its annual persecution report for 2022, China Aid warnedof an increase in "fraud" charges against house church pastors and leaders in mainland China that allege the practice of tithing and offerings in churches is illegal.

In addition to Ding, several house church pastors and elders in China have been jailed under these charges in recent months.

These include Pastor Hao Zhiwei from Ezhou House Church in Hubei province, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, and elder Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan of Qingcaodi Church in Sichuan province. They face potential sentencing of up to 10 years in prison as their case rests in Jinyang District Court.

"We are gravely concerned about how the Communist regime also treats the State-sanctioned church," Fu said in a statement at the time. "Previously, they asked for sole allegiance to the Communist Party, but since the 20th National Party Congress, they shifted their emphasis to aligning with Xi Jinping."

"Their goal," he added, "is not only to curate a 'socialist-friendly' church; they hope to erase it. The international community needs to know about these trends and developments as China continues to rise on the global stage."

China is ranked No. 16 on Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian.

"New restrictions on internet and social media  together with the 2018 regulations on religion, which continue to be revised  are putting severe limitations on Christian freedom," Open Doors warns in a fact sheet. "Many churches are being monitored and closed, no matter whether they are independent or belong to the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. It remains illegal for under-18s to attend church. The old idea that churches will only be perceived as being a threat if they become too large, too political or invite foreign guests is now an unreliable guideline."
Russia insists that its industrial and defense production is unaffected by Western economic sanctions. That is untrue because most Western suppliers are well known firms that are often the only manufacturers of key components. Their official policy is that the sanctions are observed. There is some diversion of components to Russia, via legitimate customers who sell items to firms that will take the opportunity to resell items to smugglers who supply these items to any customer who is willing to pay higher prices that justify the risk of getting caught and prosecuted for such illegal transactions. Some of these illegal suppliers are far down the supply chain. It takes some effort to track them down, but it can be done once there is clear evidence that items are getting to sanctioned users. Those illegal suppliers are often obscure organizations in small countries, where bribes will prevent undue attention to these transactions.

Officially, Russia insists that it is obtaining all it needs legally and refuses to provide proof. Russia is indeed obtaining needed Western items, often for weapons used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The problem is that Russian weapons manufacturers have become dependent on Western components and industrial machinery to insure that their products are competitive, and exportable, in terms of price and capabilities. Many of those export items are no longer available from Russia because the sanctions have reduced or eliminated supplies of key components. While Russia can substitute different foreign components, or lesser quality versions of the same foreign components, that affects the reliability and cost of the finished items.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the new Russia had prospered because of legal access to Western goods. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 triggered economic sanctions that Russia tried to dismiss as unimportant. The sanctions were important and anyone who knew where Western industrial exports were going understood that post-1991 Russia had become a major customer. The sanctions meant lost business for Western suppliers, and Russian customers resorting to other sources. This was often difficult and sometimes impossible to do.

Since the 1990s Russia didnt have to get by with inferior Soviet Russian manufacturing equipment, and could obtain major industrial items from Americans and European suppliers, most of them NATO members and supporters of Ukraine and in some cases suppliers of industrial equipment to Ukraine. South Korea is another supplier, but a country that complies with Western sanctions. South Korea is a major supplier of industrial items to European countries.

Over the last 30 years Russia had purchased more and more industrial manufacturing items from Western firms like Siemens, Fanuc, Mycronic, and Delta Electronics. The suppliers observed the sanctions and Russia has had to seek other sources for this equipment that was essential to keep Russian manufacturers operating. This included machine tools and similar items all manufacturers used. These industrial items were still not manufactured in Russia. Before 1991 even the Soviets tried to import or smuggle in Western industrial equipment. Russia has never been able to create a modern heavy machine-building industry, which was needed for arms manufacturing. That was one reason why Russian weapons, including tanks, aircraft and warships were never able to reach Western levels of quality and effectiveness.

There is a similar situation with Chinese industrial equipment. China was late to the industrial revolution and didnt go through it until the 1980s. Chinese quality is improving but not yet competitive with Western products. China is not about to ignore the Western sanctions because they value their relationships with Western suppliers and customers. Russia is on its own and thats not enough to keep the industrial production going to produce weapons for Russians fighting in Ukraine.

Its worse than that because the sanctions have also crippled production of weapons as well as commercial items. Some efforts have been made to copy Western industrial equipment and create Russian versions. In addition to violating patents, this rarely results in an effective copy, much less a competitive one. This includes key components of aircraft and warships as well as similar high-tech items for the ground forces. Railroad equipment and commercial aircraft manufacturers are also dependent on these resources.

Manufacturers also have to replace worn out industrial equipment as well as upgrade to more effective models. As long as the sanctions last, Russian manufacturing capabilities will decline in terms of quantity and quality. Russia has achieved new levels of quality and quantity in terms of producing industrial equipment for manufacturers. The longer the sanctions last, the more time it will take to catch up. Russia insists that these problems are being overcome but they are not. Production of new tanks and combat aircraft have declined since 2022, when the sanctions began.
Home U.S. Liberty University grieves Israeli hostages mistakenly killed by IDF troops in Gaza

Liberty University expressed condolences to the family of 26-year-old Alon Shamriz, one of three Israeli hostages the Israel Defense Forces accidentally killed after the troops mistakenly identified them as a threat.

Hamas kidnapped Shamriz and the two other hostages, Yotam Haim, 28, and Samar Fouad Talalka, 24, during the terror groups surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7 that killed at least 1,200 people, a majority of them civilians. The terrorists also seized around 240 individuals as hostages, and so far, over 100 hostages have been released since the attack in October.

On Wednesday, Liberty University, a prominent Evangelical university in Virginia founded by Jerry Falwell Sr., released a statement about the death of Shamriz and the two other hostages, highlighting a special Nov. 8 convocation it hosted with Yonatan and Ido Shamriz, Alon Shamrizs brothers, to pray for Israel.

Liberty University President Dondi Costin concluded the event by leading everyone in prayer.

Words are inadequate to comfort these grieving families whose hearts have been broken by this unimaginable tragedy. We love the Shamriz family and plead for God to comfort them as they mourn the loss of their brother Alon, Costin said.

I ask the Liberty University community to do what Champions for Christ always do in times like these by praying for this dear family and all who have suffered loss stemming from the unspeakable events of Oct. 7, he continued.

As The Times of Israel reported, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that the Israeli military bears full responsibility for the tragic incident that took place last Friday in an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.

Following Hamas Oct. 7 attack, Israel launched airstrikes and a military campaign in Gaza to eradicate Hamas, a terror group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, and release the hostages. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Friday that more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began over two months ago.

The terrorists abducted Shamriz and Haim from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while the third hostage, Talalka, was taken from Nir Am.

IDF soldiers mistakenly shot the three hostages in Shejaiya, a northern Gaza neighborhood that is considered a key Hamas stronghold and has been the site of heavy fighting in recent days, according to The Times of Israel.

Regarding how the three hostages escaped from Hamas, Hagari said that the military believes that the three fled or were abandoned by the terrorists who held them captive.

The outlet reported Sunday on the funeral Shamrizs family held for him, where his brothers Ido and Yonatan each delivered a eulogy. Economy Minister Nir Barkat and Yesh Atid MK Debbie Bitton were also in attendance at the funeral.

This time, too, you fled against all odds, and you did what you had to do in order to come home, Ido said during his eulogy. My poor brother, what did you go through in those moments when you had already seen the light, and it turned into darkness? The one who abandoned you also murdered you after you did everything right. Everything we did was for you, and now it will all be for your memory.

My brother, I am sorry we didnt do enough, he continued. Im sorry we didnt manage.  My brother, give me a little bit of your wisdom to know how to move forward. Give me some of your strength because I have none left.

Yonatan also blamed the Israeli military and Hamas for the death of his brother, promising that Shamrizs name would be a symbol of bravery and revolution. He said that Shamriz did not die in vain, declaring, We will get up, and we will shake the country.

We will not forget and we will not forgive those who betrayed us on the 7th [of October], the government which brought disaster on us. We will chase those responsible, and they will be sorry, he added.
Home U.S. Pro-life pregnancy center sues New Jersey AG over subpoena demanding donor information

A Christian pro-life pregnancy center is suing the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office after the state agency sent a subpoena demanding that the nonprofit release information about its donors and employees.

Alliance Defending Freedom announced Monday that it had filed a lawsuit against New Jerseys Democrat Attorney General Matthew Platkin on behalf of First Choice Womens Resource Centers, a network of pro-life pregnancy centers in the state.

Thecomplaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey's Trenton Vicinage last week, asks a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction halting the enforcement of a subpoena issued last month that seeks extensive information about First Choice.

As indicated in the complaint, the Nov. 15 subpoena expressed concern about possible violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act committed by First Choice when providing information about the lawful practice of Abortion Pill Reversal.

Specifically, the subpoena cited the attorney generals authority under the NJCF Act, the Charitable Registration and Investigation Act and the state law enforcement agencys "investigative authority regarding Professions and Occupations" to demand a copy of all solicitations and advertisements published by First Choice as well as documents provided to clients and/or donors, documents identifying personnel and outlining donations made to the ministry.

Additionally, Platkins subpoena asks First Choice to provide documents outlining where the network of pro-life pregnancy centers sends clients seeking abortion pill reversals, complaints and concerns about the organizations services, as well as copies of statements questioning the efficacy of abortion and promoting the abortion pill reversal process. His office is also demanding that First Choice present documents related to other pro-life groups, including Heartbeat International, Abortion Pill Reversal Network and Care Net.

Complying with the Subpoena would bury First Choice in an inordinate amount of work, the lawsuit against Platkin stated. The Ministry estimates that it would take several staff membersincluding the Executive Director, the volunteer Medical Director, the finance department, and all medical staffat least an entire month to produce all requested documents.

The complaint also warned that disclosure of documents that identify First Choices donors, as required by the Subpoena, will likely result in a decrease in donations, as donors will be hesitant to associate with the Ministry out of fear of retaliation and public exposure.

Disclosure of the identities of First Choices employees will likely cause current employees to leave the already short-staffed Ministry and will deter prospective employees from applying out of the reasonable fear of retaliation and public disclosure, the lawsuit predicted.

The lawsuit asserted that Platkin has a well-documented zeal for abortion, strong antipathy toward organizations that protect pregnant women and unborn children from the harms of abortion, and a particular animus toward pregnancy resource centers like those operated by First Choice.

The lawsuit also noted that Platkin has worked with abortion provider Planned Parenthood and treats their "comparable secular activity ... more favorably than First Choices religious activity, having declined to serve subpoenas on them despite their well-known failures in data security and misleading statements on their websites."

Its unlawful for New Jerseys attorney general to use the authority of his office to harm those with whom he disagrees, said ADF Senior Counsel Lincoln Wilson in a statementMonday.

Attorney General Platkin has aligned himself with Planned Parenthoods pro-abortion mission and even enlisted its help to target pro-life pregnancy centers like our client First Choice.

An unnamed spokesperson for Platkin's office said in a statement to The Washington Times that "our subpoena does not violate their rights, and we are confident that the courts will agree.

"Under longstanding New Jersey law, nonprofits operating in our state cannot engage in deception about the work they do," stated the attorney general spokesperson.

"New Jersey law provides the Attorney General clear authority to investigate nonprofits that may be violating those requirements. By filing this lawsuit, First Choice is refusing to even answer questions about its candor and its operations."

Platkin was one of 16 Democrat attorneys general who had previously signed a letter accusing pro-life pregnancy centers of spreading misinformation and harm by misleading consumers and delaying access to critical, time-sensitive reproductive healthcare.
Home U.S. Trans activist Kendall Stephens charged with raping kids under 13

Philadelphia police arrested LGBT activist Kendall Stephens, a 37-year-old male who identifies as a woman, for allegedly raping two minors under the age of 13. The victims' aunt told reporters that she believes Kendall was "grooming" her nephews.

Stephens became an activist after he was attacked at his South Philadelphia home in August 2020, an act that was charged as a hate crime. Since becoming a prominent LGBT activist calling for Pennsylvania's hate crime statute to include trans-identifying individuals, Stephens has worked alongside multiple public officials, including Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Police arrested Stephens on Monday, and he was arraigned in Philadelphia Municipal Court on the same day. Court documents show that Stephens was charged with multiple offenses, including rape, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors and indecent assault against people less than 13 years of age.

Stephens' bail is set for $250,000, and his next court hearing is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 29.

An unnamed aunt of the two victims who spoke to Fox 29 this week but didn't want her name to be published said that the two victims called Stephens "Aunt Kendall," as he was a close family friend who had been around since the boys were born.

"You had this aunt stature in their life, whereas they're going to look at you and think, 'I don't want to tell an adult because I don't want something bad to happen to Aunt Kendall,'" the victims' aunt said.

According to the aunt, her 7-year-old nephew told his grandmother about the alleged abuse, prompting the two women to speak to both boys individually to learn what had happened. The boys reportedly cried when they opened up to their aunt and grandmother.

The two women confronted Stephens with the allegations, with the aunt recalling that the LGBT advocate did not attempt to deny it. Instead, Stephens allegedly blamed the oldest victim, a 9-year-old, claiming that the boy tried to kiss him first.

Philadelphia police received a report about the alleged abuse in September 2023, according to Fox 29.

"I feel like she was grooming my nephews.  My nephews have definitely endured a lot," the aunt said. "I don't want her to be able to use this reputation and think that it's going to be able to get her out of this situation because what she did to my nephews is unbelievable."

An affidavit obtained by Fox 29 details allegations of multiple sexual encounters with the young boys.

CBS News Philadelphia reported in February that Tymesha Wearing was convicted of a hate crime for her involvement in the home invasion and assault of Stephens in August 2022. Wearing was convicted of a minor criminal offense and sentenced to 11.5 to 23 months of house arrest.

Philadelphia District Attorney Krasner spoke publicly about Stephens' case, calling for hate crime laws in the state to include LGBT-identifying people. Krasner also praised Stephens for continuing to "speak out loudly on behalf of other queer victims of violent crime."

"Although Philadelphia County recognizes what happened to me as a hate crime, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's hate crime statute doesn't recognize me as a person worthy of protection because I'm transgender, I am an unworthy minority in the eyes of the law, and that needs to change, or the cycle of hate will continue," Stephens said at the time.

According to a WPVI report, Stephens attended a 2021 press conference alongside several other activists to announce the launch of Krasner's "LGBTQ+ Advisory Board." The board aims to connect victims of crimes with information and resources.
Debate Ignites As Christian Navy Veteran Who Faces Potential Jail Time Defends Decapitating Satanist Display

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The Satanic Temple's devilish display in the Iowa State Capitol was destroyed last week by a Christian Navy veteran who has said he simply couldn't stand by and let the evil symbolism stand.

"Matthew Cassidy, 35, made headlines last week when he pushed over a red-cloaked Baphomet statue erected near a Nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda, as first reported by The Republic Sentinel," The Christian Post's Jon Brown reported. "He tossed its silver goat head in the trash before turning himself in to authorities, who issued him a citation for fourth-degree criminal mischief."





Cassidy faces a legal battle now, though he's defending himself and his actions. A fierce debate has since followed about his actions, with some praising him and others decrying the destruction. Brown joins Billy Hallowell on "The Inside Story" to break it all down.

The Satanic Temple's devilish display in the Iowa State Capitol was destroyed last week by a Christian Navy veteran who has said he simply couldn't stand by and let the evil symbolism stand.

"Matthew Cassidy, 35, made headlines last week when he pushed over a red-cloaked Baphomet statue erected near a Nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda, as first reported by The Republic Sentinel," The Christian Post's Jon Brown reported. "He tossed its silver goat head in the trash before turning himself in to authorities, who issued him a citation for fourth-degree criminal mischief."

Cassidy faces a legal battle now, though he's defending himself and his actions. A fierce debate has since followed about his actions, with some praising him and others decrying the destruction. Brown joins Billy Hallowell on "The Inside Story" to break it all down.
Home Opinion 5 ways we should respond to Mike Bickles statement

My long-standing friend and fellow leader, Mike Bickle, has issued a statement regarding his current situation where he faced allegations about sinful misconduct. Multitudes across America and abroad have been praying for truth to be revealed and we believe that has happened while we continue praying as the careful investigation continues. I affirm the current IHOPKC senior leadership and have confidence in their ongoing oversight.

In my weekly written and video commentaries Ive joined other leaders in expressing support for Mike while underscoring absolute adherence to biblical guidelines and accountability:



I reiterate, that accountability is essential, and if the careful investigation reveals wrongdoing, I am confident it will be handled, biblically and redemptively with discipline and Gods plan for restoration

I, like others, emulated the example of Billy Graham when asked about Richard Nixon during Watergate. I am still his friend. I have not forsaken him. I have met and prayed with him many times.

In his personal statement, Mike shared that he was deeply grieved about my past sins of 20+ years ago I asked for forgiveness [from his wife, family, and now church community and the body of Christ]. He sincerely believed these things were dealt with and under the blood of Jesus but since this has now become public, I want to repent publicly.

With todays open season in social media, Mike mentioned that some accusations, are out of context, greatly exaggerated or blatantly false  but please do not criticize those who are voicing their disdain for me. Please only speak blessing to them and about them (Matt.5:44).

He said that he would not be engaging in public preaching ministry and sees this as Gods delayed loving discipline on my life (Heb.12:6, 11) and will look to other leaders to determine how long this season will last  it may be long and it may even be permanent. I will only reengage in my public preaching ministry if God confirms it through others.

Five ways we should respond



1. According to Scripture

Besides praying for Gods continued guidance for leaders entrusted with oversight in this matter, the Bible calls us to carefully guard our speech and speculation while we embrace His directive in this situation: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted (Gal.6:1).

2. Recognize leaders are called to a higher standard

Biblical criteria for leadership in the church starts with integrity and leaders being above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2). Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (Jam. 3:1).

3. An offenders response needs to be confession, repentance and demonstration

Individuals need to confess specifically and directly to the people who were affected by the sin; repent (which is not merely admitting sin, sorry one is caught or feeling bad over consequences) but godly sorrow brings repentance (2 Cor. 7:14) characterized by heartfelt brokenness proven in a changed life over a period of time. Whoever confesses and renounces his sin finds mercy (Prv. 28:13). Bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:8).

4. God is merciful to those genuinely submitting to His plan for restoration

Grace is giving people what they dont deserve; mercy is not giving people what they do deserve. The Bible teaches us that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

While we never compromise with sin or Gods holy standards we must guard against harsh, legalistic standards for people to be restored. Our example is the humble prodigal who repented and returned to his fathers loving embrace.

Moses committed murder and yet was forgiven and restored. David committed adultery and arranged a murder and was restored. The disciples fled in Christs hour of need and Peter denied he knew Him three times (even after he had been warned!) and was restored.

There are consequences for sin but the mercy of the Lord endures forever remains the most quoted verse in all the Bible. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy (Matt. 5:7).

5. The glorious Church for which Christ is returning requires we all do our part to uphold righteousness



Jesus Christ pledged to build His church and He intends it to be one of purity and power. In times of testing like this, pressure reveals the person so lets not squander our opportunity but be faithful to see righteousness established in our own hearts as well as Mikes.



I will restore your judges, as in the days of old, your counselors, as at the beginning. Afterward, you will be called the City of Righteousness, The Faithful City (Is. 1:26).

Arthur Wallis, one of my favorite icons of the faith whos now in heaven, said, If we allow the righteousness of the kingdom to be diluted by unrighteousness, the kingdom loses its primary and distinctive feature. Its authority is undermined, its cutting edge is gone.



With everything that has surfaced with our brother, Mike Bickle, and the inspiring International House of Prayer, may their cutting edge prophetic ministry emerge even sharper than ever before through this experience.
Home Opinion Zero rewards for Iran in Lebanon

Much discussion is now emerging about the day after the Gaza war. Arrangements for the beleaguered Strip will have to be worked out principally between Israel and the US to settle the status of Gaza following the ending of the fighting and the downsizing, if not all-out defeat, of Hamas. When it comes to auxiliary arrangements for Lebanon after the guns fall silent in Gaza, some potentially disastrous pitfalls will need to be avoided.

After the unconscionable that happened in southern Israel on October 7, it would be a mistaken delusion to consider further concessions to pragmatic Iran in Lebanon as somehow constituting a guarantee of future security and stability on the Lebanese-Israeli border when the war in Gaza comes to an end. Iran from the start has been attempting to fool everyone  Americans, Europeans, Israelis, Arabs, and Palestinians, with its version of deep taqiyya, or precautionary dissimulation. Such taqiyya is an integral part of apocalyptic Mahdism represented by the Khomeinist ideology of Wilayat al-Faqih, an ideology that when combined with nuclear capabilities constitutes in its toxicity an unprecedented challenge that neither Israel nor the West have had to face before in the Middle East region.

Iran did not avoid escalation of the current war in Israels north out of the goodness of its heart or purity of its intensions thereby necessitating some sort of reciprocation with rewards. Instead, Iranian self-serving pragmatism wishes to preserve Hezbollah, the cornerstone military asset in its project of imperial expansion into Arab lands, for another day of fighting at its own choosing. The carefully crafted imperial thrust by Iran into Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, augmented by the Houthi theater in Yemen, had as its primary objective to create strategic depth at Arab expense for the troubled regime in Tehran.

As matters stand, Hezbollah is already too strong in Lebanon, but it seeks under an international post-Gaza cover a deeper military entrenchment in parallel with a tighter stranglehold on the country and its people than it currently enjoys. And make no mistake: Hezbollahs leader Nasrallah has himself said it in public on numerous occasions that their ultimate objective is to create in Lebanon an Islamic state identical to that in Iran. It should be noted here that most Lebanese do not support Hezbollah, or its unilateral launch on October 8 of hostilities against Israel as part of the unified fronts strategy of the so-called Sector of Resistance led by Iran, not to mention Hezbollahs illicit political and military control over much in todays Lebanon. This Lebanese majority opposed to Hezbollah is composed of most of the Christians and Sunnis  already together comprising over 50% of the population  plus most of the Druze, and a good number of brave Shiites.

Their opposition to Hezbollah rests primarily on their rejection of the groups anti-Lebanese subservience to an alien foreign power. Hezbollah is the armed Iranian proxy that protects the corrupt ruling mafia that defrauded the country by stealing peoples money in collusion with the crooked banks. Hezbollah is purposely keeping Lebanon in a state of open-ended political stasis and economic freefall  no reforms, no presidential elections, no new government, no investigation into the devastating Beirut Port explosion of 4 August 2020, nothing. Adding insult to injury, Hezbollah has carved out its own confederal statelet to encompass Lebanons south, Beiruts southern suburbs, and parts of the Bekaa Valley, where neither the Lebanese state nor Lebanons legitimate security forces exercise any sway. This Hezbollah-stan entity comes complete with its own army, its own insulated mini-economy resting largely on smuggling, its own foreign policy, and its independent declarations of war as well as truce deal-making when that is deemed suitable. It was Hezbollah that facilitated the demarcation of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel as their way of showing the Lebanese who is boss while simultaneously fortifying their entrenchment in the country.

Talk abounds about finalizing the demarcation of the land border between Lebanon and Israel, about moving Hezbollah fighters out of the immediate border region some 30 kilometers to the north beyond the Litani river  either through an agreement or by force  about implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that would ensure a tranquil no-mans land free of Hezbollah military assets in the border area with Israel, and so on. All sounds fine, but it is far from enough. Unless Hezbollahs iron grip over Lebanon is seriously challenged, little will have been achieved and major future headaches for Israel, the Arab region, and the West will have been allowed to gestate under the guise of the new security arrangements  it would mean reverting back to pre-October 7 calamitous thinking on vital security issues.



This is how Iran operates through its proxies, and Gazas painstaking tunnel network is a glaring testimony to the kind of patient entrenchment that Iran is bent on achieving, incremental carpet-weaving style. In Gaza there was no popular opposition to Hamas, but in Lebanon Hezbollah is far from popular, or from being assured of any mass support across the various Lebanese communities.

Taking this reality into account, any new policy towards Lebanon must first be premised on beefing up the capabilities of the Lebanese army to begin to serve as a counterbalance to Hezbollah. Also, bolstering the endurance of the population for the long haul in terms of ensuring basic economic needs, affordable access to education, functioning healthcare services, and the wherewithal for the various communities to weather the hard times that have befallen them since the inflicted collapse of 2019  all this will sustain the domestic environment that is essentially opposed to any Hezbollah domination. A concerted international push for the Lebanese parliament to elect a clean, capable, visionary, and reformist President of the Republic (such persons do exist)  a centrist non-confrontational individual who is also no Hezbollah puppetshould be the focus of any benevolent external involvement in new arrangements for ailing Lebanon.

Lebanon remains potentially very viable, and quickly so, even while Hezbollah is kept in place for now. Despite everything, the country still enjoys the precious commodity of personal and communal freedoms alongside unique human capabilities unmatched across most Arab societies. One way to diffuse the excuse Hezbollah always presents for maintaining its armed resistance in south Lebanon, namely the occupation by Israel of the Shebaa Farms, would be for Israel to evacuate these and place them under reliable and enhanced international military custody. This will help deprive Hezbollah of the pretext for liberation of occupied Lebanese lands.

Further unchallenged entrenchment of Hezbollah in Lebanon translates into deeper Iranian consolidation in Western Asia  bad news for all in the region and beyond. The time has come to put a stop to Irans imperial expansion into Western Asia and to begin tangibly to roll it back. American wobbliness, indecision, and absence of resolve in the face of rising provocations from Irans proxies send a message of weakness to those who only comprehend the language of force. Do not repeat the same deadly mistakes as before by ignoring the lessons of Hamass entrenchment in, and underneath, the Gaza Strip. Do not reward Irans regional piracy in Lebanon.
The story of songs in Luke's Nativity - and their influence on Christian worship

A set of five short songs in the Gospel of Luke are known as the Christmas Canticles, and have contributed greatly to Christian worship over the centuries. This is the story...

The Christmas Canticles

Luke's account of the Nativity in the first two chapters of his Gospel account includes five songs which have been used over the centuries for Christian worship and liturgy. It is in Luke that we find the song of Mary, known as the Magnificat; the song of Zechariah, known as the Benedictus; the song of the angels, known as the Gloria; and the song of Simeon, known as the Nunc Dimittis.

These are sometimes called the Christmas Canticles, or sometimes the Evangelical Canticles, because they are found in the Gospel (or Evangelium in Latin) of St. Luke. The word canticle derives from the Latin word "canticulum", meaning little song. These canticles have been chanted or sung in liturgy through most of Church history and across the Christian world. In most modern translations of the Bible, they are lain out as poetry. Although originally in Greek, they are actually better known in Latin.

The Magnificat

The first canticle in Luke is known as the Magnificat and is found at Luke 1:46-55. The name Magnificat comes from its first line in Latin "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" meaning "My soul doth magnify the Lord" (Luke 1:46 KJV). The canticle appears in the Nativity chronology, when Mary goes to spend three months with Elizabeth, before Jesus is born. The Magnificat is a poem of praise to God, and is the longest sequence of words spoken by any woman in the New Testament. It is in the style of Old Testament canticles, and is the first one in the New Testament. Actually, there was some debate about whether the song is attributed to Mary, or whether it was spoken by Elizabeth. Depending on the manuscript which it is translated from, the Magnificat follows the phrase "And Mary said:" or "And Elizabeth said:". The NRSV acknowledges this with a footnote attached to the name Mary, which reads "and other ancient authorities read Elizabeth".

Some scholars wonder if it originally read "And she said", and scribes added in the name according to their understanding. The words make sense for either. However, most people ascribe it to Mary, and the Magnificat is known as the Song of Mary, or the Canticle of Mary, or in the Orthodox world the Ode of the Theotokos.

The canticle echoes several Hebrew biblical passages. The strongest allusion is to the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), an Old Testament canticle. In many ways the stories of Elizabeth and Mary have parallels with the story of Hannah, who had a miracle firstborn son who was dedicated at the Temple to a lifetime of service.

For some readers the Magnificat is also revolutionary, and almost a manifesto for liberation theology. In it, the proud are humbled and the humble exalted. Her lines read, "He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:51-53).

In the liturgy a doxology is added to the end of the Magnificat, called the Gloria Patri which goes "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen." This is not found in the original, but is part of the liturgical tradition. In some churches, the Magnificat is chanted every Sunday, and it is part of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

It has been set to music many times including by Bach and Mozart. A modern classic hymn, which is a form of the Magnificat, is "Tell out my Soul" by Timothy Dudley-Smith written in 1961, based on the text in the New English Bible. An even more modern version is "My soul will magnify the Lord" by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend.

The Benedictus

The second canticle in Luke is the Benedictus, which is found at Luke 1:68-79. It is also known as the Song of Zachariah, or the Canticle of Zachary. It appears in the Nativity chronology, 8 days after the birth of John the Baptist at his circumcision. The title comes from the opening lines in Latin, "Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel", which translates in the Authorized Version as "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel" (Luke 1:68).

The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving from Zechariah the priest, father of John the Baptist. The first (verses 6875) is a song of thanksgiving for the realisation of the Messianic hopes of the Jewish nation. The second part is addressed to his own son, which quotes Isaiah 40:3.

The Benedictus has been part of Christian worship since the sixth century, and is part of the Book of Common Prayer.

The Benedictus has been set to music many times. One haunting composition is the 'Benedictus' by Sir Karl Jenkins from his composition "The Armed Man". According to the British radio station Classic FM it is "surely one of the most beautiful pieces of choral music from the last 50 years".

Nunc Dimittis

The third canticle in Luke is the Nunc Dimittis, which is found at Luke 2:29-32. It appears in the Nativity chronology, 40 days after the birth of Jesus at the purification of Mary at the Temple. The title comes from the opening words in Latin, "Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine" which translates in the Authorized Version as "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord" (Luke 2:29 KJV). It is also known as the Song of Simeon, or the Canticle of Simeon.

This song is only three verses long, but has many Old Testament allusions. For example, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation" (Luke 2:30 KJV) alludes to Isaiah 52:10, and "Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people" (Luke 2:31 KJV) alludes to Psalm 98:2.

It has been part of Christian worship since the fourth century, and is part of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

The Nunc Dimittis has been set to music many times. In 1915, the composer Gustav Holst created a setting for Nunc Dimittis for choirs. A modern version was produced by Geoffrey Burgon in 1979. It may be remembered by some being played over the closing credits of episodes of the 1979 British BBC television series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Gloria in Excelsis is found at Luke 2:14. It appears in the Nativity chronology as being sung by the angels at Bethlehem when they announced the birth of Jesus. The title comes from the opening words in Latin, "Gloria in excelsis Deo", meaning "Glory to God in the highest". It is also known as the Angelic Hymn, or the Hymn of the Angels, or just the Gloria.

It has been part of Christian worship since the fourth century, and is part of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

The Gloria has been set to music many times including by Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Haydn, Vivaldi and a rediscovered work by Handel.

The song "While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night" is a metrical rendering of Luke 2:8-14 by Nahum Tate in common metre. This first appeared in print as an appendix to the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter in 1700. This ends with the Gloria. In the eighteenth century the fact that it was Scripture set to music, meant that it was the only Christmas hymn authorized to be sung by the Anglican Church.

At Christmas many people also sing the carol "Ding dong! Merrily on high", first published in 1924, which has the chorus "Gloria in excelsis Deo". In 1978 there was a Taize version. In 1981, the Dublin band U2 released a single called Gloria, singing "Gloria, in te domine, Gloria, exultate, Gloria, gloria" in Latin.

The Canticles today

The songs of Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon, are known as the Christmas Canticles. They have continued to be used as rich songs of praise down through the ages. These Scriptural canticles remain important to liturgical worship in the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and high Anglican traditions. Why not read them in Luke, and ask Spofity or Alexa to play some of the beautiful compositions of them?
Iran welcomes cultural exchanges with China via museum delegation: official

Xinhua) 11:25, December 22, 2023

Hadi Mirzaei, director general of the General Office of Museums of the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts speaks during the dispatching ceremony of an Iranian delegation dedicated to museums and cultural exchanges with China, in Tehran, Iran, Dec. 20, 2023. Cooperation and cultural exchanges will help promote bilateral ties between China and Iran, Mirzaei said here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation and cultural exchanges will help promote bilateral ties between China and Iran, an Iranian official said here on Wednesday.

Hadi Mirzaei, director general of the General Office of Museums of the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, made the remarks on the sidelines of the dispatching ceremony of an Iranian delegation dedicated to museums and cultural exchanges with China.

The ceremony was attended by several Iranian museum curators who will attend a specialized training course on visiting museums in China in January 2024.

Mirzaei said he hoped that the young Iranian museum curators who have joined the delegation will improve the future of Iran's museum curatorship and help strengthen cultural understanding between the two countries. He further said that the course will help the participants become qualified hosts for Chinese tourists.

Several Iranian museum curators who will attend a specialized training course on visiting museums in China in January 2024 pose for a photo during the dispatching ceremony of an Iranian delegation dedicated to museums and cultural exchanges with China, in Tehran, Iran, Dec. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Shadati)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerhskovich, arrested in Russia on espionage charges, will remain in detention until Jan. 30, a court in Moscow ruled on Thursday. The hearing took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified. Dmitry Serebryakov/AP

MOSCOW (AP)  A Russian deputy foreign minister said that talks with the United States on a potential prisoner exchange that would free Americans held in Russia are hampered by publicity and an alleged disparity in the U.S. negotiating stance.

The U.S. State Department said last week that Russia rejected several proposals for freeing Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage, and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in March and is facing espionage charges.

Here, as in many other areas, we observe the American traditional desire to get more for ourselves and give the minimum, as they say," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the Interfax news agency that was published Friday.

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The United States has declared both Whelan and Gershkovich to be wrongly detained, and their cases have attracted substantial media attention.

The American media, in general, at the instigation of the current administration, are actually engaged in savoring these stories, Ryabkov alleged. This is a very difficult process, even when it is conducted confidentially behind closed doors.

It is interesting that the participants in these contacts on the American side insist on their complete confidentiality. We also adhere to this line, but then certain turns occur when the White House regularly makes leaks and begins to discuss sensitive issues in the public space, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Moscow was discussing Whelan and Gershkovich with the U.S. and the Kremlin hoped to find a solution."

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Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, has been jailed in Russia since his December 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges that both he and the U.S. government dispute. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
MBABANE  Business Eswatini (BE) has cautioned emaSwati to buy local for this festive season.

BE said most businesses in the country do their biggest turnover during the Christmas season. According to the organisation, they say, it was during this particular season that businesses try to make up for bad trading months, which was the main reason why they were encouraging shoppers to spend most of their money in-country in support of all businesses - both big and small.When we talk about businesses we are not talking exclusively about the well-known big retailers, but we have the street vendors in mind too, as they desperately need all the support they can get from us, said Nathi Dlamini the CEO of Business Eswatini.

Singled

He singled out the informal sector, as most deserving of shoppers share of wallet because, according to him, they were intrinsically part of the countrys social fabric and economic landscape, without which the country would impoverish its economic development agenda. He said this sector was necessary and its contribution in terms of value cannot be disputed.He further said that street vendors, much like the bigger retailers, survived exclusively on the patronage by emaSwati, and this being the case, he said he hoped that shoppers would intentionally choose to spend their money locally, as opposed to crossing the border.
Ken Kremer, chief technical officer at Involta, points out that the companys inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report reflects its commitment to set an example for the IT industry. It also emphasizes Involtas focus on the three pillars of its ESG strategy: environmental sustainability, employee well-being, and strong governance practices.

When Involta was founded in 2007, sustainability wasnt a top-of-mind issue for the industry, but our founders understood its importance and continually made everyday improvements that promoted energy efficiency and reduced our carbon emissions, says Kremer. Now we have the tools, strategies, and language needed to track and report on our environmental performance and ensure that our approach to ESG is marked by the same attention to detail our customers associate with our IT solutions and services.

Based in Tucson, Arizona, and with more than 240 employees, Involta operates 12 high-performance data centers in Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The companys compute, networking, and storage offerings encompass a wide range of managed IT services and draw on its 12,000-mile fiber network.

Leaders in the financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors know Involta for the technical strength of our solutions, our exceptional service guarantees, and the personal service and concierge-level care we provide, adds Kremer. We work to ensure that our core values, which we refer to as DRIVE  dedicated, results, integrity, visionary and experience  permeate everything we do, whether its providing a security operations center, delivering managed services  including Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Storage-as-a-Service, Backup-as-a-Service, and Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service  or designing the applications and infrastructure they need to meet their business objectives. Increasingly, we are also finding that these same customers are working towards sustainability goals of their own.

Kremer notes that Involta is proud to support that important work by driving change and innovation in the technology sector. One example includes the use of closed-loop, water-free, and refrigerant-based cooling systems in all of the companys data centers. Another is a new state-of-the-art approach to ventilation.

Through our partnership with DuctSox, we helped develop the industrys first customizable air displacement ventilation dispersion system, he says. Not only do we not use the water that many data centers rely on, but we are also radically decreasing how much power is required to ventilate our facilities.

This includes Involtas Northpoint data center in Pennsylvania  a 40,000 square foot certified tier III facility that uses half as much power as the companys first data center that went into operation in 2008. With a power usage effectiveness of 1.3, it is among the top five percent of the most efficient multi-tenant data centers nationwide. And with multiple uninterruptible power supply and diesel-powered generator systems in place at each of Involtas data centers, power availability is backed up by a 100% guarantee.

Data centers today use nearly 1% of electricity and create .3% of CO2 emissions globally, adds Kremer. As enterprises continue their digital transformations, they require more high-performance computing capabilities and generate more data, both of which require more power. Thats why it is absolutely essential that data center providers work to achieve net zero goals and collectively strive to create a more efficient, and more sustainable future for all.

That is why Kremer says Involta joined VMwares Zero Carbon Committed initiative. It is also why he believes efforts to procure more renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions are crucial and should influence how companies choose their partners.

Weve worked with VMware as a Cloud Verified partner for many years, a relationship that has helped us reimagine and grow our cloud solutions to align with the evolving needs of modern businesses, he says. VMwares cloud, networking and security, and digital workspace offerings provide a dynamic and efficient digital foundation to global customers and help empower entire industries to minimize their impact on the environment. Partnerships with others that share the same vision serve as a force multiplier in efforts to address climate change.

Such efforts he notes are consistent with each of the three key pillars of Involtas ESG strategy: environmental sustainability, employee well-being, and strong governance practices.

Involtas employees volunteer for projects like Clean Yer Creek, an annual cleanup in Duluth, and numerous other initiatives that address ESG issues like hunger, literacy, and housing, says Kremer. Its important to be in tune with the communities we serve. Our vision to enable our customers to transform their worlds through technology has never been more paramount, or more closely tied to the sustainability movement. Technology and energy go hand in hand, and as technology advances, we become increasingly dependent on energy. Paying attention to our energy mix and prioritizing renewable energy is a strategy Involta has fully embraced, and we hope to see our peers follow suit.

Learn more about Involta and its partnership with VMware here.
Concurs de selectare a companiilor interesate sa elaboreze un sondaj de opinie pentru Societatea de Cruce Rosie din Moldova
Articol adaugat de: UNICEF Moldova

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Articol adaugat de: CILC Haga Sucursala din RM

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MBABANE - No more forcing pupils to have more than one school uniform as they are required to have one basic school uniform for everyday use.

This is according to the Eswatini School Uniform Guidelines for December 2023. The guidelines were set by the Ministry of Education and Training, in collaboration with the Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC). The guidelines are set to regulate and control the use and the trade of school uniforms by schools in Eswatini. These guidelines are to be used by all schools in the country, both public and private and initiated by the respective school committees for adoption by parents and/or guardians and learners.

They were developed for the purposes of achieving an overall healthy competitive market, while protecting the interests of a learner or the rights of a learner within the countrys education sector. This comes after the commission instituted an investigation at its instance, against all schools and suppliers of school uniforms, for allegations of engaging in anti-competitive trade practices, prohibited by the Act.

According to the guidelines, the schools were directed to cease and desist from entering into anti-competitive agreements with the suppliers, the conduct or behaviour of the schools is hereby declared to be contrary and prohibited in terms of Section 30 (1) of the Act and schools should abide and comply with the guideline as set out in Circular No. 10 of 2017 of the ministry and are to ensure that school uniform items are as generic as possible. Adding, the guidelines explained that a school uniform must allow pupils to participate in school activities with comfort and safety decorum and inability or failure to obtain a school uniform should not deter attendance or participation of a child in the school program.

Guidelines

The guidelines further state that there should be a limit to the number of school uniforms required by a single school, as such only one basic school uniform for everyday use in a school shall be required, throughout the week. Furthermore, the guidelines were explicitly clear that schools may only primarily require and compel items that are essential/basic in terms of school uniform and may not compel learners to source or obtain what is listed as optional items.

No child should be excluded from any school activity because of an inability to obtain or to wear the school uniform within the suitable and acceptable bounds of safety. Where optional items are required in addition to the basic items, the school should exercise reasonable discretion to ensure that the child is not denied access to school programmes, read the guidelines in part.

he Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati said the guidelines were fine and in order, even though there were inputs they had made as stakeholders, to strengthen the guidelines. Vilakati said if the guidelines would be enforced in the right manner without favouring some schools, they would be effective. He explained that there were those pupils who would still be unable to buy the uniforms due to affordability and they will still be affected.

This will not mean anything to such pupils who do not afford it. We say they should be allowed to be admitted to schools without having uniforms, Vilakati said. Meanwhile, the Swaziland Association of School Administrators (SASA) Secretary General Gcina Thusi acknowledged that there was a need for a main school uniform, which every learner must possess, which should be the symbol of the school. Thusi said the other school uniforms were taken as extras for those who could afford them.

Having more than one school uniform is prevalent in urban schools, where parents decide that they can afford it. You cannot say anything if the parents have taken that decision, Thusi said. He explained that such a decision would accommodate even those who afforded the basic uniform.
Articol adaugat de: Tatiana Profir

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Articol adaugat de: GIZ Moldova

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UN Women Moldova Country Office intends to hire one or more consultants to facilitate communication initiatives and events and increase the visibility of UN Women activities. The objective of this Consultancy is to support UN Women communications team in elaboration and implementation of local communication campaigns, materials and events in strict compliance with the HQ and Regional communication and visibility guidelines and thus increase the visibility and participation of UN Women as a whole, as well as of the UN Women Moldova Country Office and its donors.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by 14 January 2024 to UN WOMEN Jobs - 114958- Communications Consultants (Multiple positions) (undp.org) ,with the following documents:

Cover letter to include a brief overview in English (unedited text) about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.

Duly filled Personal History Form PHF11/CV (downloadable from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc ).

Financial Proposal should contain a daily fee for the required work tasks (Please refer to annex I and annex II).

should contain a daily fee for the required work tasks (Please refer to annex I and annex II). Examples of campaigns/materials/products elaborated by the candidate or under his/her coordination.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

The United Nations in Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.
PERTH, Australia (AP)  A wildfire burning out of control on the outskirts of the Australian west coast city of Perth on Thursday destroyed at least two homes and injured two people, officials said.

An emergency warning was issued for the eastern suburb of Parkerville where the fire was sparked by a tree branch falling on power lines on Thursday morning. The alert warned that the fire posed a threat to lives and homes.

At least two homes had been completely lost, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.

The full extent of the damage wouldn`t be known until inspection crews were able to survey the fire zone.

Two men in their 60s were hospitalized after being injured by the fire in separate incidents, media reported. One had minor burns and the other an injured foot. The ambulance service didn`t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fire authorities reported late Thursday that the fire had been contained but remained out of control after razing 90 hectares (220 acres).

One of the destroyed homes belonged to Mark Norton who lives near where the fire started and had little time to escape.

The fire was on both sides: really, really hot, Norton told Australian Broadcasting Corp. It was an awful experience.

The fire was still the height of the trees when I left. How they (firefighters) managed to contain that in such a short period of time in 39-degree (Celsius; 102 F) heat with this wind  theyre amazing, they really are, Norton added.

Power was off at more than 150 properties and several roads had been cut off.

Parkerville resident Yvonne Blyth said that her car was packed with her childrens Christmas gifts in case the family had to evacuate their home, which is located in a forest. The fire had come close but appeared to be moving away from her home of 18 years, she said.

Weve seen three or four fires now, but this was the closest one, Blyth said.

We all love living in the forest, but this is the scariest part of living around here. Its absolutely terrifying, Blyth added.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A medical provider defending against a malpractice lawsuit cannot introduce evidence about assumption of risk if the patient acknowledges that she gave her informed consent, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Informed consent evidence is inadmissible, and an assumption-of-the-risk defense is improper, in professional negligence suits when the plaintiff does not challenge consent, as it serves only to confuse and mislead the jury, the courts 3-0 decision says.

The high court ordered a new trial for the plaintiff, a woman whose uterine wall and small intestine were pierced during minor surgery. It found that the Clark County trial court made four significant errors while presiding over a jury trial in a professional negligence action filed by Kimberly D. Taylor.

In addition to the informed consent issue, the court said the trial court also erred by:

Barring testimony from the plaintiff regarding the reasonableness of medical bills for treatment to repair the injury.

Allowing the defense to introduce evidence about insurance write-downs of medical bills.

Prohibiting the plaintiffs attorney from urging the jury during closing arguments to send a message to the defendant.

Taylor filed a malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Keith Grill and Womens Health Associates of Southern Nevada while undergoing a hysteroscopy, which is usually a routine procedure in which a flexible tube is inserted through the vagina to take a tissue sample or remove polyps or fibroid tumors.

Taylor alleges Brill continued the surgery after observing the perforation of the uterine wall, failed to evaluate or diagnose the perforation of her intestine, failed to inform the post-anesthesia care unit of the perforation and didnt apprise her of the injury either.

Before trial, the district court  over Taylors objections  allowed the defense to introduce evidence about Taylors knowledge of the risks and complications associated with the procedure. A jury unanimously found in favor of Brill and denied all of Taylors claims. Taylor appealed.

The court said in its opinion that it has never before considered whether evidence of informed consent is relevant in a professional negligence action. Generally, the evidence presented in malpractice cases involve deviation from the standard of care and medical causation, the court said. Those topics relate directly to the two elements a plaintiff must prove; that the medical provider deviated from the standard of care and those actions caused damages.

An assumption-of-the-risk defense, on the other hand, requires proof that the plaintiff voluntarily exposed herself to danger and had actual knowledge of the risk being assumed.

We conclude that such evidence and argument is irrelevant to demonstrating that a medical provider conformed to the accepted standard of care or to refute medical causation when defending against a medical malpractice claim, the opinion says.

Taylors lawsuit sought to recoup the amounts she spent on medical care to repair her uterine wall and intestine after the procedure, called special damages. The trial court, however, refused to allow her to admit evidence because she had not proffered a medical expert to testify that the charges were reasonable and necessary.

The Supreme Court said that was error. The trial court relied on a decision where testimony from a treating physician was admitted and deemed to be substantial evidence, according the opinion. The court said the ruling should not have been interpreted to mean that only medical experts can testify about the reasonableness of medical bills.

Taylor, herself, worked in the medical billing industry and she had also had called a chief financial officer for a hospital and a health care customer service billing manager to testify. The opinion says the information was relevant and admissible.

While the trial court excluded the vast majority of medical billing evidence that related to Taylors claim, it admitted the evidence of insurance write-downs that was offered by the defense. The Supreme Court said that, too, was a mistake.

Finally, Taylor argued that the district court had improperly limited her closing arguments by barring her lawyer to tell the jury that it should send a message with its verdict.

The Supreme Court agreed with her on that point, as well, The opinion says such a statement would be improper if the attorney were advising the jury to disregard evidence. Taylors attorney, however, was asking the jury to send a message after considering the evidence presented at trial, the opinion says.

The court reversed the district courts judgment and directed it to hold a new trial.

Because the decision was made by a panel of three justices, the full court may reconsider a case if two members of the panel makes a request.

The state Legislature in 1997 authorized the Supreme Court to hear and decide cases in panels of three justices. The full Court must consider any case in which two members of a panel make such a request.

Top photo: Hysteroscopy surgical instruments are shown.
BEREA, Ohio  A Middleburg Heights man, 30, and a Strongsville man, 29, faced criminal charges after police found a plastic bag containing what they believed was heroin in their Toyota Camry on Dec. 14.

At about 1:30 p.m., police pulled over the Camry on Ohio 237 northbound near Eastland Road after checking the license plate and learning that the cars owner was wanted.

The Camrys driver, the older man, said he was not the cars owner. His hands shook as he handed police his drivers license. The man said his high-school buddy had just been hired as a Berea police officer.

Police noticed several scratched-off lottery tickets, sometimes used to store and distribute narcotics, in the car.

Using their computer, police learned that the older man in 2018 had been stopped by Middleburg Heights police, who found that the man was carrying suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Police summoned a drug-detecting K-9 to the scene. The K-9 indicated that drugs were in the Camry.

In addition to the suspected heroin, police found two crack cocaine pipes, two digital scales containing white powdery residue, burnt tinfoil, a cut straw, seven cell phones and an alprazolam pill used to treat anxiety in the car.

The younger man, the passenger, identified himself only after police said they would arrest him if he didnt. He was wanted for burglary in Medina County and possession of drug abuse instruments in Lakewood. He was arrested.

The older man was carrying $120. Police told him he would be charged if they verified that the brown powder found in his car was heroin.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Naomie Miller grew up in Haiti, where she shared a one-room home with nine family members. Now Naomie, her husband Alex and their extended family are celebrating the holidays in their new Solon home, after winning the Better Home Giveaway.

The Better Home Giveaway makes home ownership easier for families, according to the Better Home & Finance Holding Company, a leading digital homeownership company.

The Solon home is large enough to give everyone in the seven-person family a bedroom of their own Naomie, Alex, their 5-year-old son Emerson and Naomies four siblings  a brother, 20, sister, 19, and twin sisters, 16.

It was hard to believe. The thing that we most needed in our entire life was a home, so we felt incredible relief, said Alex, 39. We felt so blessed  we still feel blessed.

The Miller family won $500,000 for a house, based on the challenges theyve faced in buying a home and the impact theyve had on their communities, Better Home and Finance said.

Better Home and Finances technology platform, Tinman, allows customers to see mortgage rate option, get pre-approved and close their home loan in as little as three weeks, the company said.

Naomie, 36, and Alex met after Alex traveled to Haiti as part of a medical relief team that responded to the countrys devastating 2010 earthquake. Naomie moved to the United States and into Alexs apartment in South Euclid in 2012. The couple married the same year.

In the years that followed, the couple lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They eventually decided to move back to Northeast Ohio and buy a house to be closer to family.

While researching mortgage applications in January 2023, Alex stumbled on the giveaway on Better Homes website and applied. In the months that followed, the Millers bid on many homes, but kept getting outbid by other prospective buyers.

By April, the Millers still hadnt found their new home, but decided to move into Alexs parents home in Beachwood while they continued their search.

That same month, four of Naomies siblings moved to the United States and into the Beachwood home as well, as refugees under a new visa class established in January 2023. The Millers now not only needed a home, but a home that could accommodate six adults and one child.

Thats when they finally heard back about the giveaway.

I woke up the morning of April 15 to find out we didnt get a house we were really excited about, Alex said. But a couple of hours later we got an email from Better Home saying that we were one of 25 finalists in the giveaway.

The next step was for the Millers to record and submit a five-minute video about the family, what they do and their life together. About six weeks after making the video, they got a call saying that they were one of three finalists. A winner had been chosen and a team would be coming out to film the Millers when the announcement was made.

Thats how the Millers found out they had won.

The giveaway awarded the Millers $500,000 for a new home. The house they picked exceeded that, so they were required to take out a mortgage for the difference.

Alex works for University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, and Naomie is a dental assistant in Solon.

The family then started their home search once more, and when they first saw the Solon house they would ultimately call home, Naomie knew it was the one immediately.

When I first saw the house, I liked the way it was built, it felt solid and there were a lot of bedrooms for everybody so they could have their own room and feel comfortable, Naomie said. I looked at Alex and said, This is it and it happened.

The family moved into the house in September.

There have already been so many firsts in this house, Alex said. Naomies siblings saw their first snowfall here and made their first snowballs. We had our first Halloween celebration with everyone in costumes trick or treating in the neighborhood. We had our first Thanksgiving. This house really feels like a new beginning for so many people who are looking to start a life here.

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.
MBABANE  Zweli Simelane and Jabulani Simelane allege that they do not know their co-accused, Siphosethu Malinga, who is a member of Economic Freedom Fighters Swaziland.

Zweli informed the court that they had never seen him prior to their arrest. He alleged that they got to know him after their arrest. I wish to state that the first accused (Malinga) is unknown to both myself and the second applicant herein. We have never met him in our lives and we only got to know of him upon our arrest. Zweli informed the court that upon their arrest and during interrogation, the police informed them that Malinga led them to their residence at Phuzumoya, where they allegedly found a bag which contained a bulletproof vest inscribed HMCS and two cellphones.

Police

This is what led the police to then arrest us. It has not been said by the police whether the first accused implicated us in any manner whatsoever in the commission of any crimes and there is no way he could have done that because we do not even know him. We have no knowledge of the items allegedly found in our residence at Phuzumoya, Zweli submitted. He said he recalled at some point being called by one Victor Simelane, who is the National Secretary of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), informing him that there were certain members of the party who were stranded around his home area (Phuzumoya), and they were requesting for accommodation for the night so that they could proceed to their destination on the following day.

Zweli said he had no reason not to refuse with his house to accommodate them, because they were said to be members of SWALIMO - my fathers organisation. Accordingly, I telephonically gave the permission to use my house since most of the time I am in Manzini, where I am running a bottle store business called One-Up Bottle Store and a number of construction projects based in Manzini. I work there with my brother, the second applicant. When I gave permission for the usage of our lilawu back at home, which I share with the second applicant, both myself and the second applicant were at work in my business at One-Up Bottle Store.

This was not the first time that I gave permission to accommodate members of my fathers organisation without even knowing who they were, but simply trusting the person calling to request for accommodation being in the leadership of the organisation, said Zweli. He pointed out that he had no knowledge of the items allegedly found at their residence, which were purportedly linked to criminal and terrorism activities. During interrogation and torture by the police, we were told that the items listed in the indictment were found in our house.

The investigating officers told us that they were led to our house by the first accused, who informed them that the said items were in our house.

Whether or not the first accused was among those who spent the night at our house, we do not know since we were not there. Apparently, the items which the police found in our house were left by the people to whom we gave accommodation. As already stated above, the first accused is unknown to us and we only met him for the first time when we were arrested and indicted in these proceedings, he said. The bail application will be heard today.
MATSAPHA  There were no medical drugs ever transported to South Africa by our truck, says SwaziPharm.

This was confirmed and seen when the sealed trailers of the truck, which had been impounded in South Africa, were opened at the SwaziPharm Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd property in Matsapha. SwaziPharm Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd Director Kareem Ashraff explained that he had invited the media and government officials to showcase that the perception that had been created when his truck driver was arrested, was off the mark.

When the consignment, which hogged headlines after the truck driver, Bongani Shongwe, was arrested with the consumable supplies at Oshoek Border Gate, it was assumed and or there was a perception that they could have been stolen locally and were being smuggled into South Africa.

Oshoek Border Gate is on the South African side of Ngwenya Border Gate, which allows traffic to enter/exit the two States of Eswatini and South Africa.

Ashraff explained that his company had followed the necessary procedure to transport the medical consumables to South Africa. This, he said, had been done through seeking a permit and on the local side of the border, the truck was cleared. He said at Oshoek, the truck driver was also cleared by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and was only stopped before the boom gate leading to South Africa. The truck was released to SwaziPharm after seven months of being stuck at Oshoek while ferrying medical consumable supplies valued at E1.5 million. The truck was released at the beginning of the week after their proprietors were fined a penalty of E10 000 for using the wrong port of entry when transporting medical consumable supplies to South Africa.

Meanwhile, subsequent to the arrest of Shongwe (34), at the Oshoek Border Gate, by the South African Police Service (SAPS) under the Border Policing, he appeared at the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrates Court and he was charged for the contravention of the South Africa Medical Act. At the time, SAPSs Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed that a liSwati man was arrested. Through a media statement, which was issued by the office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, it was reported that Shongwe was nabbed after failure to produce authorisation for transportation of the consignment across the border.

It was stated that the police, who were busy with their routine duties, searched a truck which was pulling two trailers. During their search, the law enforcers reportedly discovered that the truck was transporting a huge consignment of medical supplies and that it was headed to South Africa, from Eswatini.

Authorisation

The statement claimed that Shongwe, at the time, could not produce authorisation for transportation of the load across the border, hence he was locked up and charged for alleged contravention of the Medical Act. However, yesterday, Ashraff showed this publication that in actual fact, the company, when seeking to return the consumable supplies to South Africa, had been granted the authority to do so by the Ministry of Health.

The document, which Ashraff showed to this publication, is titled Re: Authorisation of SwaziPharm to export to South Africa. It was directed to the commissioner of Eswatini Revenue Services (ERS) and was dated December 21, 2022. Your office is kindly informed that SwaziPharm, a registered importer/exporter with the Ministry of Health, has been granted authority to export the following commodities to Supra Healthcare JHB, situated in Johannesburg, South Africa, using invoice number SWAINV370391 dated December 12, 2022, reads in part the communication.

The authority further advised the commissioner of ERS that the products which were being transported were as per the invoice and extended appreciation to the ERS commissioner in advance. The Ministry of Health signature was appended by the Assistant of Pharmaceutical Services, Brenda Mhlanga, on behalf of the Director of Health Services. Ashraff claimed that despite having this authority, when he sought the intervention of the Ministry of Health, it was not forthcoming. Instead, he said he had to wait for seven months for his truck and consignment to be released.

Meanwhile, Ashraff also showed this publications reporter communication purported to be from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which was addressed to the prosecutor of Shongwes case. The communication from Advocate Moletele Maebana, advised the prosecutor that Ashraff had taken ownership of the consignment which was confiscated. I confirm that together with the investigating officer, Sergeant Kubheka, we met with the employer of the above-mentioned accused, wherein he indicated that he would take the responsibility as the accused was only his driver, reads in part the communication by SAHPRAs Advocate Maebana.

The communication by SAHPRA further expressed concern that the confiscated consignment was not kept in any storage and it would be compromised. Advocate Maebana, according to the document, communicated that his office did not have any problem as the matter was long overdue and did not object if admission of guilt fine could be fixed by the office of the prosecutor. The communication further advised that the SAHPRA had no objection if the consignment could be released to the owner, only on condition that it would be taken back to Eswatini.

On the other hand, Ashraff said: We were made to pay E10 000 admission of guilt fine for exporting consumable supplies into South Africa despite that we were returning the supplies to SUPRA Healthcare JHB, where we had initially bought them. The E10 000 admission of guilt fine, according to documentation exhibited by Ashraff, was paid on December 18, 2023, at Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrates Court as a fine for Shongwe. The businessman expressed discontent in the manner the whole issue was dealt with, as he said the truck could have been ordered to return to Eswatini if the paperwork was not sufficient for it to enter into South Africa with the consignment.
MBABANE  Over 600 emaSwati beat the early morning to become first in line to apply for travel documents at the Ministry of Home Affairs, only to be allegedly informed that 50 people would be assisted.

As early as 7am, there were already long queues at the ministry. According to some of the people who were found in the queue, they were allegedly told by the ministrys officials, after registering them, that they would attend to only 50 people. They added that they were also told by the officials not to fetch their travel documents today due to the demand. It is a known fact that travel documents are issued on the same day. All this is happening at a time when the country has run out of travel documents for almost four months, from June. The ministry announced early last month that the travel documents were now available.

Announcement

However, there was another announcement made, informing the nation about renovations that were ongoing within the Ministry of Home Affairs, where most of the equipment used for producing passports and travel documents was kept. This also resulted in another suspension of the issuance of the travel documents by the office. A number of emaSwati are desperate to get the travel documents and were told that there was only the 64-page travel documents worth E500 each. An elderly woman, who identified herself as Georgina Mabuza, said she had pressure to get the travel document as her daughter who lived in South Africa was hospitalised and she needed to look after her.

Mabuza said after it was announced that the travel documents were available, she started the process to acquire one and had been checking constantly with the office. Mabuza said she was supposed to leave today and was disappointed to hear that they would be attending to only 50 people yet she was number 86. Another elderly person, Thembeni Mkhonza, stated that she was due to leave the country after Christmas. Mkhonza said beyond forcing them to settle for the E500 travel documents, they were being frustrated by the officers who were very slow in processing the documents. She said they now had the money, but they were discouraged by the process.

We really do not understand why it is taking so long to process the documents, she lamented. In an interview with the ministrys Communication Officer, Mlandvo Dlamini, he said they were working around the clock to help everyone who needed assistance. Dlamini said following their announcement last week that their production centre would be closed due to renovations, they were done and had started working. He appealed to the nation to be patient, adding that they would try by all means to assist everyone until close of business. Dlamini stated that due to the high demand, they would not be able to issue the documents on the same day, to allow speeding up the production process.

He further encouraged the nation to make use of their service centres across the country. Dlamini encouraged people to plan ahead for their trips and avoid the last minute rush in accessing travel documents. He said he understood that most people preferred to come to the headquarters as the documents were issued on the same day there. Dlamini said by using the service centres, it could remove the burden and congestion for the ministry.
MBABANE - Investigations into the theft and illegal sale of Green Chert have led to the arrest of two police officers, who are now facing a charge of corruption.

Green Chert is a type of Quartz, with a very good quality; It can be used for the manufacturing of artifacts and even jewellery. The lower quality is also used in construction. The rock is polished and used to make jewellery. It is also used for paving by high-end property owners.

The two police officers, Constable Mancoba Peter Vilakati (40), who is based at Piggs Peak Police Station and Sergeant Bakhona Nick Moyane, who works under the Royal Residence Protection Unit, were arrested by their colleagues from the Organised Crime Unit, known as Tingculungculu, on Wednesday.

Detained

They were subsequently detained at the Mbabane Police Station and they made their maiden court appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court yesterday. Notably, Moyane is one of the police officers who were recently promoted from being a constable to sergeant. Investigations by the police revealed that the two police officers took the Green Chert from suspects, but instead of taking it to the police station, they allegedly hid it at a certain homestead and later solicited a buyer. The police officers are alleged to have not arrested the suspects after taking the Green Chert from them.

Foreigner

It is alleged that it was after they had secured a buyer, who was a foreigner, around Ezulwini, that they allegedly organised people to go and fetch the Green Chert from the homestead where they were hiding it. After collecting it, the transporters are said to have proceeded to deliver it to the potential buyer. They were, however, caught by the police around Mvutjini while on their way to deliver the consignment to the waiting buyer.

Upon being intercepted by the police at Mvutjini, the transporters then revealed that they had allegedly been sent by the accused persons (Vilakati and Moyane), to go and deliver the consignment to a Chinese businessperson around Ezulwini. They now stand accused of having contravened Section 21(2) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006. This section provides that: A public officer who, whether in Eswatini or elsewhere, solicits or accepts any advantage as an inducement to or reward for or otherwise on an account of the public officer commits an offence.

The accused persons are charged with the offence of contravening Section 21(2) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, in that upon or about July 30, 2023, near Luhlangotsini/Eluswekweni in the Hhohho Region, acting jointly in furtherance of a common purpose, unlawfully solicited an advantage as an inducement in the performance of their duties as police officers, reads part of the charge sheet.

The illegal mining of the stone is rife around Malolotja Nature Reserve, where there are mountains full of the green stone. Illegal miners steal the stones in loads of 30 kilogrammes per person. It was gathered that they can steal as much as a tonne per day. They are paid about E20 per kilogramme.

The mountains where the stones are situated are near the borderline with South Africa (SA). After illegally mining the rock, they transport it into SA, where they are paid in cash.

Despite the loud activities which are said to be audible at a nearby army camp stationed within the nature reserve, the illegal miners continue without worrying about the army men. This publication gathered that there were concerns from the rangers at the reserve that despite the presence of soldiers, the criminal activities continued daily.It was also gathered that at the beginning of 2021, a soldier was found standing near where the illegal miners were mining the rock. The soldier is said to have been discovered by game rangers, who asked him why he had not taken action.

Though the illegal miners are paid a meagre E20 per kilogramme, each person can carry as much as 30kg, meaning they earn as much as E600.

Despite the low price of the rock, when exported overseas, the rock can generate over a thousand times more profit than what the illegal miners are paid. It was previously reported that rangers at the reserve had reported that SA nationals entered the country in groups of between 20 and 30 to steal the Green Chert. Each person can carry as much as 30kg in a backpack while navigating the mountainous terrain back into the country.
Citi just refreshed its highest conviction stock ideas for Europe. The list comprises its analysts' strongest buy and sell ideas for the next 12 months, according to Citi. It says its list of such ideas has delivered an absolute return of 10% over the last 12 months. Since January 2021, this list  which evolves as its analysts' conviction levels for stocks change  has beaten the Stoxx 600 index by 2.5% on an annualized basis. Citi added new names in this latest update of the list, according to its note dated Dec. 12. Here are four of them. Capgemini Citi says the French IT services and consulting firm has an "improved positioning and growth profile." Its portfolio mix makes it well positioned for higher growth, and it's set for higher-than-expected margin expansion, the bank added. Capgemini also has attractive valuations, Citi said. The stock "remains attractive" relative to peers  both on earnings and its free cash flow. "We see consensus underestimating the potential for revenue growth acceleration and margin expansion," said Citi. It gave the stock a price target of 235 euros ($257), or potential upside of nearly 23%. Continental German auto parts maker Continental has gone through a tech transition across its product lines, which has eaten into its margins. But Citi believes the firm should soon begin to reap the benefits, with the auto electronics space "transforming rapidly." "We think the perception for Conti is starting to change from an undesirable equity story to potentially one of the best performing ideas within autos-sector into 2024," said Citi analysts. It said the firm's valuation "looks compelling," trading at roughly a 30% discount to historical averages. Citi gave the stock a price target of 87 euros, or potential upside of about 14%. London Stock Exchange Citi says London Stock Exchange 's growth should accelerate from 2025. Catalysts include its partnership with Microsoft, which the bank said is set to drive a series of new products from the first half of 2024. The bank gave the stock a price target of 106, or 10600 pence ($134). Stocks in the U.K. trade in pence. That represents potential upside of nearly 15%. Prosus Citi said Netherlands-based investment group Prosus is set to take a "more active approach" to portfolio management and a "disciplined approach" to capital allocation. It noted that the firm's management has stated there would have to be a clear path to profitability. The bank added that Prosus is "one of the most exposed stocks to China in Europe  so it would be a beneficiary of improving sentiment to China." Citi gave the stock a price target of 42.50 euros, or potential upside of 41%.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
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Tencent lost about $43.5 billion in market value on Friday after China surprised financial markets with a fresh set of rules aimed at curbing excessive gaming and spending. The draft guidelines from China's National Press and Publication Administration sank the Hong Kong-listed shares of Tencent, NetEase and Bilibili  among the largest online gaming-related counters in the world's biggest online gaming market. "The most recent regulatory move on the online gaming industry is the last thing the market was hoping to hear out of Beijing," Brian Tycangco, an analyst at Stansberry Research told CNBC. "While well intended, the move casts doubt on the viability of existing business models that mostly are built around incentive or rewards to attract users and boost loyalty," he added. Shenzhen-based Tencent , which owns WeChat and generated over a fifth of its third-quarter revenue from domestic online gaming, saw its shares tumble about 12.4% to close at HK$274, its lowest closing level since end-November 2022.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Tencent Holdings

NetEase , 80% of whose third-quarter revenue came from domestic online gaming, plunged 24.6% to close at HK$122. Friday's losses wiped out about 115.1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($14.7 billion) off NetEase's market capitalization. Bilibili , a social media site that derived 17.1% of its total third-quarter net revenue from Chinese domestic gaming, saw its shares slide 9.7% to close at HK$80.30, its lowest since November 2022  shaving about 2.4 billion Hong Kong dollars ($307 million) off its market capitalization. The Hang Seng Index closed down 1.7% on Friday ahead of a four-day holiday weekend, while the China Enterprises Index of the largest offshore mainland blue-chip names listed in Hong Kong ended down 2.3%. "I'm confident we'll get more clarity on these new rules in the coming days and weeks. But investors don't want to wait around for the dust to settle. Better coordination between industry and regulators will benefit everyone in the future," Tycangco said.

New guidelines, fresh setback

New draft guidelines released by China's top gaming regulator require owners of online games to abstain from providing or condoning high-value or expensive transactions in virtual entities whether by auction or speculative activity, among other things. Daily login rewards will also be banned, while recharging limits must be imposed with pop-up warnings issued to users who display "irrational consumption behavior," the National Press and Publication Administration said. "These new measures do not fundamentally alter the online gaming business model and operations," Vigo Zhang, vice-president of Tencent Games, told CNBC. "They clarify the authorities' support for the online gaming industry, providing instructive guidance encouraging the innovation of high quality games."

These latest draft rules come at a time, given the broader China technology industry was just emerging from a broader crackdown that started in late 2020. Just over a year ago, Tencent secured rights to five of the 45 foreign game licenses approved by the National Press and Publication Administration in the first batch of approvals since Beijing's crackdown on the video-games sector that started in August 2021. At the country's annual legislative meetings in 2021, China President Xi Jinping blamed addiction to online gaming for rising myopia and the adverse psychological well-being of the country's young.

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Later that year, the National Press and Publication Administration proposed that children under 18 be should not allowed to play online games for more than three hours a week, limiting them to legal game time only between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays, weekends and public holidays starting in early September. In August, the Cyberspace Administration of China proposed rules to limit the smartphone screen time of people under the age of 18 to a maximum of two hours per day.  CNBC's Lim Hui Jie and Arjun Kharpal contributed to this story.
U.S. Air Force F16 fighter jets fly in formation during U.S.-Philippines joint air force exercises dubbed Cope Thunder at Clark Air Base on May 09, 2023 in Mabalacat, Pampanga province, Philippines.

The chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Brown, spoke virtually with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Liu Zhenli, Thursday in the first direct high-level engagement between the two militaries in more than a year.

This meeting comes just after President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping agreed to resume high-level military communication in their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit in San Francisco last month.

"The meeting between General Brown and General Liu is indicative of both sides' desire to sustain more stable engagement in the months ahead, a goal that senior officials in both countries have repeatedly reiterated in the wake of the Biden-Xi meeting," Eurasia Group's China analysts wrote in a client note.

Beijing stopped high level military communication after the former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022 as ties between the world's two biggest economies soured.

Beijing had rebuffed U.S. efforts to resume communication, notably at a regional defense summit in Singapore earlier this year.

The resumption of direct talks comes at a time Beijing and Manila are escalating their face-off in the South China Sea, defending their territorial claims in the crucial waterway.

Other Southeast Asian countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam also claim parts of the South China Sea. Many countries have deepened security ties with the U.S. partly to counter China's aggression in the region.

"The key to developing a healthy, stable, and sustainable military-to-military relationship is ... a correct understanding of China," China's Defense Ministry said in a readout of the Brown-Liu virtual call.

"The United States should earnestly respect China's core interests and major concerns, and focus on promoting pragmatic cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding."

The Chinese readout mentioned the South China Sea, urging the U.S. to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the waterway while reiterating Taiwan is "purely China's internal affairs."

China has consistently maintained its claim over self-governed Taiwan and the majority of the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled in 2016 that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law.

"Gen. Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication," according to a U.S. Defense Department readout.

"Gen. Brown reiterated the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings," the U.S. Defense Department added.

The U.S. has documented more than 180 coercive and risky air intercepts against its aircraft in the region between 2021 and 2023, according to its latest China Military Power Report.

The U.S. readout suggests that lower level military engagement between the two countries may soon resume. This includes their bilateral Defense Policy Coordination Talks, Military Maritime Consultative Agreement talks, and opening lines of communication between the leaders of the respective military commands in the South China Sea and the broader Pacific.

"It is unlikely that military-to-military engagement will lead the People's Liberation Army to significantly scale back operations such as intentional intercepts of US aircraft in the South China Sea, activities that are central to China's effort to push back US and allied military operations in the region," Eurasia Group analysts said.

"Regular military diplomacy does, however, offer an avenue for addressing other security concerns, resolving misunderstandings, deescalating potential crises, and reducing the risk of kinetic conflict," they added.

 CNBC's Evelyn Cheng contributed to this story.
Sixty years after their invention, Pop-Tarts remain beloved by consumers who bought about three billion of them in 2022.

"We didn't realize that this thing was going to go as well as it did," said 96-year-old Bill Post, who helped develop Pop-Tarts in the early 1960s. "It went beyond any expectations we had."

Post remembers when Kellogg's came to Keebler, the cookie and cracker company where he worked at the time, to ask that Keebler make a breakfast snack for the cereal giant. Post said the two companies collaborated on the product, with Keebler as the manufacturer and Kellogg's as the marketer.

"It was an unusual, cooperative thing," said Post. "We got along famously."

Pop-Tarts were initially released in Cleveland, a test market, in 1963.

"They wanted 10,000 cases of each flavor. But it was such a success that we made 45,000 cases of each flavor," he said. "The production was not enough. They ran out."

Now Pop-Tarts, owned by Kellanova , the business made up of Kellogg's snacking brands, is on the cusp of becoming the company's next billion-dollar product. In 2022, the toaster pastry brought in about $978 million in U.S. sales, according to Circana, a Chicago-based research firm. By October 2023, U.S. sales for the year were already at $985 million.

"The reality is we're looking for that next billion and how we start to continue that wonderful journey," said Oli Morton, the general manager of the portable wholesome snacks division at Kellanova. "We're actually even more excited about how we go and close the next opportunity down and how we continue to be relevant."

One way the brand is trying to keep itself top of mind is the first annual Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando, Florida.

In October, the Kellogg Company split into two independent, publicly traded companies. Kellanova, which kept the "K" ticker symbol, is focused on snacks. W.K. Kellogg Co., which trades under the symbol "KLG," runs Kellogg's cereal brands.

In 2022, snacking brought in $7.5 billion, or 60%, of Kellogg's sales. The company's five snack brands in order of profitability are Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Eggo and Rice Krispies Treats.

Robert Moskow, a food and agribusiness analyst for TD Cowen, said Pop-Tarts' biggest competitors are "real" pastries, rather than similar products.

"There really haven't been any other copycats that have had any success in the toaster pastry," he said.

"I think that's a testament to very consistent branding for the product," he said.

Watch this video to learn more.
Case 1: MFN status in tax matters isnt there for the asking

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In Assessing Officer vs M/s Nestle SA matter, the Supreme Court in October upended the hitherto held view that in terms of section 90 of the Income tax Act, 1961 governing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD) could automatically claim the Most Favoured Nation (MFN ) status should another member of the OECD subsequently be bestowed with the best tax terms.

In this case, Slovenia got away with just a 5% tax on dividend from its Indian investments and Nestle registered in the Netherlands having DTAA with India and also a member of OECD staked its claim for a similar 5% tax on dividend from its Indian investments. The Delhi High Court had upheld this claim, but on appeal the SC agreed with the following two submissions of the AO :

A specific notification under section 90 by the Indian government was necessary extending the benefit under Indo-Slovenia DTAA also to India-Netherlands DTAA.

Slovenia was not a member of OECD at the time Indo-Netherlands DTAA was signed and therefore what was offered to it wasnt automatically available to Netherlands also.

The SC seems to have rocked the boats of MNCs by this restrictive interpretation. Hitherto, MFN status was there for the asking but not hereafter.

Case 2: In design imitation what matters is the overall visual impression

In Havells India Limited v. Polycab India Limited, the Delhi High Court on 6 th December held it is the overall shape and configuration which matters. The Court is not supposed to fragment the shape or configuration of the suit design into minor individual elements and start measuring lengths and breadths in order to arrive at a finding regarding imitation/similarity.

This is similar to the law under the trademark law where deceptively similar trademarks have to be adjudged through the prism of lay persons. The bone of contention was charge of imitation of design of fans of Havells by Polycab. Fans are fans and therefore the doctrine of prior use has to be invoked contended Polycab but the Court found that the surface of Polycab fans in question were uniquely different which is why registration was granted under the design law.

Case 3: Medical reimbursement cannot be rejected on the ground that treatment was taken in a non-network hospital

C Mani v Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court recently gave a significant judgement that has wider applicability on a larger front. The petitioner who had to undergo urgent renal treatment went to a hospital that was not in the list of approved hospitals by the Tamil Nadu government. On this ground, his reimbursement claim was rejected.

The High Court took cudgels for the petitioner when it set aside the rejection of reimbursement. Even insurance companies prescribe a list of hospitals. While such lists are kosher for cashless claims, reimbursements are a different kettle of fish. No person in distress must be forced to look at the list of prescribed hospitals when the family and friends are in a rush to admit in the nearest hospital possible.

But then authorities and insurers are worried about fake and fictitious claims made in cahoots with unscrupulous hospitals. One hope IRDA comes up with a via media.

Case 4: Marriage registration cannot be denied merely because bride or groom is a foreigner

The Rajasthan High Court has recently held that the denial of registration of a marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act solely on the ground that one or both of them are foreign nationals is not justified.

Such an act of the respondent registrar of marriages amounts to a violation of the right to equality afforded to 'citizens' and 'non-citizens' alike as enunciated in various apex court verdicts. This is a salutary law, the one that recognises the contemporary realities besides distinguishing between laws on registration on the one hand and laws conferring privileges like citizenship.

The author, S Murlidharan, is a Chartered Accountant and legal expert, and share comments and interpretations to important court rulings and judgements. The views expressed are his own and personal.

Read the previous Legal Digest columns here
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  Two navy ships successfully led the delivery of Christmas packages to troops, fisherfolk and communities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from December 11 to 18, the military reported.

The Naval Forces West stationed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan said the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar led the ferrying of Christmas goods and essential supplies to maritime outposts in nine features of the Kalayaan Island Group, including Pag-asa Island.

The Rotation and Reprovision operations, combined with the vigilance of the Maritime Patrol and Sovereignty Patrol, ensured the seamless execution of the mission, added the statement released Thursday.

The Naval Forces West extended its gratitude to all the sponsors, different organizations, and partner stakeholders who supported the initiative.

The success of this project is a testament to the power of collective goodwill and the impact that a united community can have on the lives of those communities and troops that are in the far-flung area of the country, it said.

Organizations and private sponsors for the mission include ATIN ITO Coalition, The National Youth Movement for the WPS, Rise Against Hunger, Las Pinas Horton Eagles Club, and financial institutions based in Palawan.

The Christmas convoy organized by ATIN ITO Coalition previously decided to abort a similar mission and returned to El Nido, Palawan after four Chinese ships shadowed the Filipino vessels.

Two Chinese Navy ships, one China Coast Guard vessel, and one cargo ship began shadowing the convoy on Dec. 10, organizers said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22)  Four telecommunications posts along Major Dizon Street in Marikina fell, one of them hitting a waiting shed and killing one person, Marikina City Rescue told CNN Philippines early Friday morning.

Authorities said a 10-wheeler truck pulled the hanging cables between the posts and toppled them, including the one closest to the victim  a teenager waiting for a jeepney ride home.

His father said his 16-year-old son went to Marikina Riverbanks and was supposed to return home in Quezon City when the tragedy happened.

Rescuers said they received an incident report around 11 p.m. on Thursday.

This story will be updated.
Fort Johnson, LA (71446)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible late. High 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. Low 54F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
In the 1990s and early aughts, if a child or young adult decided theyd like to have their ears pierced, we all knew where they were headed: Claires. Off to the mall you went, with a parent or sympathetic unrelated 18-year-old ready to sign a form giving another teen carte blanche with your earlobes. Food court Mr. Pibb clutched tightly in hand, with the snap of a plastic press, you joined an aesthetic tradition almost as old as civilization itself.

Body modification has been around for millennia, and it extends far beyond cheap butterfly studs. That, unfortunately, seems to be where the lily-livered Claires employees draw the line, despite my repeated requests and bribes. Ive tried to explain to them that all these stylistic skeleton adjustments are part of our species' proud history. Still, they rebuff me, report me to their managers, and take Polaroids of me to include in their employee training.

To that end, here are five historical body modifications the cowards at Claires refuse to do on me

5 Scarification christopher Imagine this, but it  s the Godsmack logo. Look, youve already buttered your bread by punching holes in prepubescent skin. So, please carefully and calmly explain to me why my requests for scarification go unfulfilled. Is running a thin needle through an earlobe so different from peeling back patterned swaths of skin from my back and then irritating said wound to produce raised scars? Your weak, modern stomach may find it less appealing than a tattoo, but its time to get over it. The practice of scarification, creating intentionally raised scars on the skin, has been recorded all the way back to the year 2000 B.C., and existed in many cultures, especially in Africa. Id like to see you tell the Maori people of New Zealand that theyre being weird and are spilling curly fries everywhere! Advertisement

4 Neck Elongation Joe mon bkk My days of not being able to see what my neighbor  s up to are over! Ah, bones, the sticks of the body. None longer than the spine, a feature of our skeleton meant to keep our neck and asshole aligned. Also a body part that is often associated with swan-like grace, something Im severely lacking. A problem I thought would be answered when I arrived at my local Claires with a series of metal rings and a picture of Geoffrey the Giraffe from the shuttered Toys R Us next door for inspiration. Now, I have to be honest here: I realize that the rings used to stretch necks in the pasts were actually increasingly longer coils. The origin of the coils is debated, with tales saying it was meant to defend the neck from tiger attacks or to make women less attractive to neighboring villages. You might also say, Well, actually, the neck isnt made longer, the collarbone and ribs are compressed and Ill accept that. None of this changes the fact that I want to look like a goose and the spineless (no pun intended) Claires employees wont even give me a ballpark price on that. Advertisement

3 Skull Shaping Maunus Gimme that candy-corn head! Advertisement As a bald man, I am infinitely more aware of the exact shape of my skull than most. Staring at that horrid thing at a minimum of twice a day in the mirror has made me realize one thing: BORING! Ive had enough of my top being a circle, by far the most goody-two-shoes of all shapes. I have no corners, and Im exactly as tall as I am wide! Shut up, nerd! Luckily, Im not the only one to reject the hegemony of round-headed culture in search of more interesting head shapes. Cultures across the world, from Africa to France, have practiced what scientists call artificial cranial deformation, encouraging the lengthening and shaping of human skulls by restricting their growth and encouraging deformation with constricting devices. The very same sort of device that I watched a mall security guard smash to pieces and throw in a clown-shaped trashcan right in front of me in response to yet another Code Eli called in by Nicole, the meanest Claires employee I have ever met. Advertisement

2 Foot Binding Woller We  re going to stick to in-shoe photos here. Im an empathetic man. Im not going to sit here and devalue centuries of torturous pain enacted on Chinese women in search of beauty standards. Its unlikely that the young Chinese girls put through this process were doing so of their own accord, and it left them debilitated for the rest of their life. For those reasons, Im glad that it was outlawed in the mid-1900s, and it should remain that way  for them. Advertisement Me, on the other hand? Its my body, and if I would like to pursue the peak, 3-inch foot known as the golden lotus, that should be between me and my tootsies. Nevertheless, my instructions to a Claires employee were roundly rejected. Piercing an ear hurts, right? Is it such a jump to think that the same business would be willing to break all my toes for me? Once again, I left the mall not on my e-bike, but in the back of a police car with, ironically, my hands bound tightly together. Advertisement
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Lightning crackled offshore as a blustery Pacific storm crossed the San Diego coast and pushed eastward through desert areas into Arizona early Friday after flooding communities northwest of Los Angeles.

As millions scrambled to finish holiday shopping or headed out onto highways, a swath of Southern California remained under a flood watch due to possible periods of more rain, but forecasters said there was much less storminess and the holiday weekend would be dry.

After slowly moving down the coast during the week, the brunt of the storm reached San Diego late Thursday. Just before midnight, a squall with gusts up to 55 mph (88.5 kph) dumped more than a half-inch (1.5 centimeters) of rain at Point Loma in 30 to 40 minutes, the National Weather Service said.

Rain also began arriving in southwest Arizona. The weather service's Flagstaff office said the center of the low-pressure system was expected to move from southwest of San Diego to near Yuma by evening.

On Thursday, the storm unleashed extraordinary rainfall on coastal counties northwest of Los Angeles, flooding homes and stranding motorists on streets inundated with water.

Downpours swamped areas in the Ventura County cities of Port Hueneme and Oxnard, and about 35 miles (56 kilometers) up the coast in Santa Barbara County.

Between midnight and 1 a.m., the storm dumped 3.18 inches (8 centimeters) of rainfall in downtown Oxnard, surpassing the areas average of 2.56 inches (6.5 centimeters) for the entire month of December, according to the National Weather Service.

In Oxnard, particularly, overnight there were downpours that preliminary data suggests were probably the heaviest downpours ever observed in that part of Southern California, climate scientist Daniel Swain, of the University of California, Los Angeles, said in an online briefing.

Sven Dybdahl, owner of olive oil and vinegar store Viva Oliva in downtown Santa Barbara, said he was grateful that the weather came at the tail end of the holiday shopping season, otherwise hed be worried about his stores bottom line.

It will have an impact, but thankfully its happening quite late, he said.

The storm swept through Northern California earlier in the week as the center of the low-pressure system slowly moved south off the coast. Forecasters described it as a cutoff low, a storm that is cut off from the general west-to-east flow and can linger for days, increasing the amount of rainfall.

On the central coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the storm dropped about 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain at Rocky Butte in San Luis Obispo County, the weather service said.

Despite the storm's prolific precipitation, it brought little snow to Southern California's mountains, a condition also being experienced elsewhere in the country.

Winter weather advisories were to remain in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday but forecasters said there would be little, if any, accumulation below 7,500-foot (2,286-meter) elevations.

___

Associated Press reporters Stefanie Dazio and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
A man wanted on felony charges and a police dog were killed in a shooting involving Connecticut State Police troopers on Thursday evening, authorities said.

State police said troopers went to the Pawcatuck section of Stonington, near the Rhode Island state line, at about 7:30 p.m. to serve the warrant and a shooting occurred. No details about the shooting, including who fired their guns, were released.

The state Inspector General's Office said Friday that the man, Vaughn Malloy, and a state police dog, Broko, died in the shooting. It was not immediately clear whether any troopers were injured.

Authorities said the felony arrest warrant was obtained by Norwich police, but did not disclose additional details.

State police said in a statement that Broko courageously gave his life protecting his handler, fellow troopers, and our community.

K9 Broko heroically served with unwavering dedication, saving lives by locating missing individuals, apprehending dangerous suspects, and providing a steadfast shield to his handler. K9 Broko ultimately sacrificed his life doing what he was known best for, state police said.

A procession of dozens of police vehicles drove through town several hours after the shooting.

Broko graduated from the 2021 state police patrol K-9 class and was a member of the state police search and rescue team, police said. Broko and his handler were assigned to the Southbury barracks before joining the statewide K-9 unit, authorities said.

According to state court records, arrest warrants had been issued for a Vaughn Malloy who was wanted for allegedly violating probation and failing to appear in court.

The probation violation was related to a conviction for violating a protective order that led to a sentence of two years of probation, court records show. The failure to appear in court charges were related to motor vehicle violations including fleeing the scene of an accident, according to the records.

Public defenders listed as previously having clients named Vaughn Malloy did not immediately return email messages seeking comment Friday.
China to advance cooperation, development of Greater Bay Area

Xinhua) 11:30, December 22, 2023

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, on Thursday unveiled two plans that aim to boost cooperation and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

China expects Shenzhen's Qianhai to play its leading role in developing the Greater Bay Area and broadening Hong Kong's development space, according to the plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

By 2035, the cooperation zone, which covers an area of 120.56 square kilometers, shall have established an innovation-driven development model featuring industrial synergy and market connectivity with Hong Kong and Macao and become a new international trade center, an international high-end shipping service center, and an engine for high-quality development, said the document.

In a separate statement, the NDRC also released a plan for the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai.

By 2035, the 106-square-kilometer area is expected to become a strong growth engine for the Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao science and technology innovation corridor and have helped promote appropriate diversity in Macao's economy.

By then, the Hengqin cooperation zone is also expected to become a livable area supporting the free flow of factors between Hengqin and Macao, with around 80,000 Macao residents working there and around 120,000 living there, according to the plan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The peace sign when it was first lit up back in 2011. Photo: William Reynolds

You have to crane your neck to see it, but if youve walked by the Ansonia on a recent evening, you may have noticed an illuminated peace sign in the turret on the very top floor. It belongs to Brigitte Vosse, a 69-year-old resident of the 119-year-old Beaux-Arts building on Broadway and 73rd who had previously spent years battling the city and her neighbors over its place in her window on the 17th floor. She even lost a federal court case over it in 2016. But now, its back.

The peace sign lit up earlier this week.

Vosse, a clothing designer whose living room occupies arguably the most distinctive turret in the hotel turned condo, first put up the peace sign more than a decade ago as a protest against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to reporting at the time. (Vosse did not respond to a request for comment.) Complaints from her neighbors soon followed. Its so unattractive, a resident told DNA Info in 2011. That person seems to be imposing his decorating taste on the neighborhood. Someone in a neighboring building told the outlet that the Upper West Side is about preserving whats beautiful and historic, and that the sign was jarring and ugly. In 2012, the city fined Vosse $800, citing an ordinance that prohibits illuminated signs more than 40 feet above curb level. Vosses sign is 150 feet up.

Vosse paid the fine but refused to remove the sign and instead sued the city. She claimed that the order to take it down violated her First Amendment right to free speech and wrote in court documents that she wanted to express to the viewing public my opposition to war as a solution to human problems.

She lost. A federal appeals court upheld the citys decision, writing that Vosse was free to hang up an unilluminated sign and that the First Amendment does not guarantee the right to communicate ones views at all times and places or in any manner that may be desired. Vosses lawyer told the New York Daily News at the time that without the lights, the sign would have been virtually invisible from her top-floor apartment.

Which was true when I walked by the Ansonia one afternoon this week. But at night it glows from its contested window perch. Until, and if, someone makes her take it down again.
The explosion occurred at approximately 6:34 p.m. The driver, identified late Thursday as 60-year-old Sylvester Basil Jr., of Clute, Texas, suffered third-degree burns on his hands and face. He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for treatment.

GLENVILLE  An 18-wheel tractor-trailer, carrying what officials believe to be compressed gas containers, rammed into the Maple Avenue bridge in Glenville and exploded, releasing a cloud over the suburban community on Thursday night.

Police said he failed to recognize the height warning signs and struck the bridge while traveling from Pennsylvania to make a delivery to an unknown location approximately an hour north of the Schenectady County town.

"It's, by far, the worst bridge hit  by far," Glenville Supervisor Chris Koetzle said. The town has been the location of numerous bridge strikes at multiple overpasses in recent years.

A freight train was traveling over the tracks at the time of the incident, but didnt sustain any known damage or stop, according to Glenville police Chief Stephen Janik.

I would assume with the . . . amount of fire that was here, that the train was probably engulfed, Janik said.

Meanwhile, shockwaves were felt as far as Clifton Park as plumes hovered into the sky. Flames were reported as high as 200 feet and, by the time crews arrived on-scene, sustained at 50 feet.

The fire was under control by late Thursday evening.

Among agencies responding to the scene were state and local police, officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation, and volunteer fire agencies, including crews from East Glenville, Alplaus and Thomas Corners.

Thomas Corners Chief Dan Vlainich got into a collision en route to the scene. Police said late Thursday that Vlainich was traveling northbound on Maple Avenue with lights and siren activated when a vehicle in front of him traveling in the same direction attempted to make a left turn into a driveway as the fire chief was attempting the pass.

The vehicle was struck and three occupants were injured, police said in a news release at 10:35 p.m. Thursday. All were transported to Albany Medical Center. This is the only information available at this time.

For civilians, Alplaus and Glenridge roads were closed to traffic, according to Janik, and expected to stay that way at least through the night. Police said Maple Avenue will be closed for an undetermined amount of time while the accident scene is made safe and the investigation can be conducted.

Koetzle had advised drivers to steer clear of the area.

"I wouldn't come anywhere near Hetcheltown [Road], Glenridge [Road] or Maple," he said.

Homes within the immediate area were evacuated.

It was unclear whether there are still tanks full of gas from the remaining hull of the truck.

Most residents and businesses on the east side of town lost power as a result of the incident, police said.

National Grid reported an ongoing outage in the area of the crash. As of 11:35 p.m. Thursday, only several properties in the immediate vicinity of the bridge did not have power, according to the companys outage map.

Peter Sweet, a former nurse of 20 years at Ellis Medicine, was coming home from Planet Fitness when he saw the power flash on and off, and a plume of smoke drift into the sky. He said he followed emergency responders to the scene. There, he identified himself as a nurse and helped treat the driver alongside officers on the scene.

Sweet said he was determined to avoid having the driver go into shock.

I just kept him calm, asking him where he was from and told him that I was going to take good care of him, Sweet said. But his hands were pretty burnt.

The driver was conscious at the scene, but said little due to disorientation from the incident, Janik reported. The driver wasnt familiar with the area.

He did indicate to officers as they were doing the investigation that he did not see the low bridge sign, the police chief said.

Koetzle said that engineers could look at possible damage to the steel bridge as soon as Friday morning.

The Maple Avenue bridge is not as well known for collisions as the towns Glenridge Road bridge. Over the past year, the Maple Avenue bridge was struck twice in September, and once each in May, June and July.

Earlier this year, the state finished installing laser detection near the Glenridge Road bridge that notifies drivers a strike is imminent if a too-tall vehicle trips the system. The system was part of a $1.9 million package designed to mitigate bridge strikes that also included flashing signs and a truck turnaround.

On Thursday, Koetzle and Janik questioned whether the number has increased as a result of the new system on Glenridge Road, a part of state Highway 914V.

Maple Avenue is on Schenectady County Highway 29, which runs from Freemans Bridge Road to the Indian Kill Nature Preserve.

So now we have another government agency to deal with, said Koetzle about truck traffic being redirected to the county-owned highway. But weve got to get the state and the county together, and we've got to address this issue.

This is a very dangerous area, he continued. Tonight, this just highlights that.
Archbishops of Canterbury have not always got on well with monarchs. The 'turbulent priest' Thomas a Becket was assassinated in 1170 by knights hoping to impress Henry II. Four centuries later, Thomas Cranmer was burned at the stake after his foe 'Bloody' Mary became queen.

By and large, it is probably an improvement that the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is so much a royal favourite that the King is making him a knight of the Royal Victorian Order. 'Arise Your Most Reverend Grace Sir Justin'.

Quite the mouthful, won't it be? A Maltese cross will be bestowed and Dr Welby may in due course be entitled to parade about the place in a blue and red robe with sash, star and long gilt tassels that may once have pulled open the curtains at the Marble Arch Odeon.

All this for an odd little egalitarian of an Archbishop who holds droningly woke views and comes across more like a Neasden notary's clerk than a princeling of the apostolic succession.

As a royalist and churchgoer, I might be expected to rejoice at this Christmas bauble of a knighthood. Count me out.

I am afraid it makes me queasy, and not just because most people will laugh at the Ruritanian spectacle. I don't want my Archbishop to be anyone's favourite. If necessary, I want him to be a nettle to the Establishment.

The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, (pictured at the CBI conference in November 2019) is so much a royal favourite that the King is making him a knight of the Royal Victorian Order

King Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London on May 6, 2023

To criticise an archbish' at Christmas is no doubt unsporting, but Dr Welby's leadership of my Church, if something so palsied can ever be called leadership, has been a disaster. His failure has been so serious that it neutralises any qualms about lack of seasonal goodwill.

The brutal truth is this: Justin Welby is an insipid Archbishop who has feebly gone along with all the nostrums and assumptions of a tired political caste.

His numerous interventions, drearily Establishment-Left, have damaged and impoverished the Church of England while leaving an increasingly unchurched nation bored and baffled.

And during Covid, when non-believers really might have been ready to sit up and pay attention, he disappeared. Dr Welby ordered churches to be closed and had himself filmed giving an Easter communion in his kitchen at Lambeth Palace.

Then he went off on retreat for months, at a time when the country was in mental agony.

An Archbishop needs mystique, a theatrical voice, demotic gifts and a bluff humour. Dr Welby is not without a certain dry wit, but on the other qualities he is seriously ill-equipped.

His lack of public projection  pulpit oomph, you could call it, or simple star quality  has left Christianity underpowered at a time of cultural peril from both Islam and secularism.

Meanwhile, his recent stance on the small boats issue, which saw him leading opposition in the House of Lords and calling Rishi Sunak's policy 'against the judgment of God', betrayed either political naivety or a cold detachment. Nor was its theology entirely convincing.

Like the Supreme Court, the Archbishop adopted a tone of preachy superiority while making life easier for the people-smugglers whose rip-off trade in illegal sea crossings has left hundreds of young people dead in the Channel.

Judges and prelates helping cynical killers: It has come to this.

'Does the King really agree with his Archbishop's world-view? Or is His Majesty a soft touch?' questions Quentin Letts. King Charles III looks at a crucifix after attending an Advent Service and Christmas Reception at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre on December 5, 2023

King Charles III and the Archbishop of Canterbury pictured at a reception of faith leaders during a visit to the new Lambeth Palace Library in London on November 16, 2023

Dr Welby, 67, who became Archbishop ten years ago, would not see it like that. He would argue, as he has in the House of Lords and elsewhere, that 'Britain has moral and legal responsibilities to those who come to us seeking safety and refuge'.

Yet most of those who cross the Channel illegally are economic migrants. 'Refuge' seldom has much to do with it.

And what of the moral duty of ministers to respond to the electorate's clamour for illegal migration to be stopped? If, to quote the Book of Common Prayer, we wish to be 'godly and quietly governed', the delicate compact between governor and governed must be respected.

What, too, of the morality of stopping the people-smugglers? Are politicians merely to tolerate such criminality? Where is the morality in that? Or are small-boats victims' lives less important than principles about judicial treaties?

As with the Supreme Court judgment, there was an intellectual and moral case for the Archbishop to say 'the criminal and social pressures here are so great that the Government is right to act', but he chose not to make it. Why not? Did it have something to do with personal politics?

'Everyone is political,' Dr Welby once said. 'Every decision we make is a political decision.' How depressing to hear such words from a senior priest.

Religion should shimmer far above politics. Time and again Dr Welby has waded into low-grade election politics, from Brexit to Black Lives Matter.

He suggested climate change was more wicked than the Holocaust. He called zero-hours contracts 'a reincarnation of an ancient evil'.

He blundered into a party-political row over universal credit, taking the side of that celebrated saint, the then shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

In the row about statues of long-dead church benefactors whose fortunes came from slave-trading, Archbishop Justin inevitably backed the iconoclasts and said much-loved memorials would have to be torn down.

When anti-slavery campaigners cheekily demanded reparations from the Church of England, he pretty much said 'name your price, my friends'.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby stands at the entrance of Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla on May 6, 2023

Millions of pounds of Church funds are to be given away. In parishes across the kingdom, wardens could have done with that money to keep their church roofs in one piece.

Congregants, when asked to make donations, now understandably refuse to do so if their money is spent that way.

In private, Mr Welby is no doubt a decent and kindly soul, and he may well have helped the King out of some sticky family dilemmas, not least with Prince Andrew and with Harry and Meghan.

A heartfelt royal thank you would not have been out of place. But making a serving Archbishop a knight of the monarch's personal order of chivalry feels more pointed.

It may look like royal approval for a preposterously woke archiepiscopacy. Does the King really agree with his Archbishop's world-view? Or is His Majesty a soft touch?

The King may find Eton-educated Sir Justin, as we must soon call him, congenial company. The two of them, being privileged altruists of a certain vintage, may well agree on climate change, immigration and various other pillars of Sixties liberalism.

But the monarch would be better served by a prelate who spoke up for those in the pews, rather than for our self-hating elite.
A psychic known as the 'Prophet of Doom' has unleashed a series of predictions for the coming year, including a Russia-China alliance and global cyber attacks.

Craig Hamilton-Parker, from Southampton, claims he can see into the future and works as a spiritual medium.

The psychic, 69, who works alongside his wife Jane, correctly predicted the pandemic, Brexit, Donald Trump becoming president and even the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Craig recently released a new series of predictions that he expects will come true over the next 12 months.

In a two-hour long YouTube video he claimed 'big floods' will engulf London and Europe, a new pandemic will start in Australia and Russian president Vladimir Putin will trip off this mortal coil.

At the start of the clip Craig states: 'The predictions here are going to be kind of 2024 probably round to about 2026.'

Looking ahead to that three-year period, he said: 'I think after 2026 we're going to see some very positive things starting to happen in the world, but up until then, I feel it's still a rocky path.'

Craig's conjectures were not all doom and gloom and he predicted there would also be a concurrent growth in spirituality and a cure for cancer.

He explained: 'This is all going to be tied in with artificial intelligence, and I feel that something major is going to be discovered straight away in 2024.

'Many advances in the medical field and care, advances in alzheimer's as well, which would suit me well because I am getting there', he quipped.

Craig who is dubbed the 'new Nostradamus', also predicted a Russia-China alliance.

He said: 'Back in 2015, I started to say that I saw that Russia and China would form an alliance, and this is beginning to happen. So one of my first predictions is about this Russian and China alliance, which I think is very important at the moment.

Craig Hamilton-Parker known as the 'Prophet of Doom', predicted a Russia-China alliance, global cyberattacks and 'many natural disasters' for 2024

'I said at the time that the Russian economy would be seen to shrink over the coming years and would do an arms deal with China, and sadly, that's beginning to happen, particularly over the Ukraine war.'

He also predicted the death of Russian president Vladimir Putin saying he 'hasn't got long'.

'I sense his death is imminent, this could be the changing point, this could be what finishes it all. The [Russia-Ukraine war] will drag on after Putin's death but that will be the death knell of the war an agreement might be made once he is gone.'

However, Hamilton-Parker did say that the person who takes over as Russian president will be 'just as bad', saying he predicts it will be 'a woman'.

Craig also predicted that in 2024 we're going to see a 'significant' amount of cyber attacks around the world.

He said: 'We're going to see spyware, a big spyware release will happen. There's something going to happen that will bring down some banking systems.'

Craig claimed there will also be many natural disasters in 2024 around the world including an earthquake in America and Italy.

Saying: 'I feel that America is going to get quite a big earthquake, and it'll go all along the west coast and as far as Mexico City. I don't see everything collapsing...but I feel there is a big one coming this year.'

Craig also said he sees a lot happening in Australia over the next few years including wildfires, flooding, an explosion in the Great Barrier Reef and a new pandemic originating there

He also said that he sees 'big floods' that will engulf London and Europe, with Germany particularly affected. More worryingly, he added that he sees a tsunami hitting Australia.

He said: 'I see quite a lot of overwhelming flooding coming through Europe and the UK as well. I see another tsunami this time though it's in the Pacific, and I saw the Australian coast affected.'

Craig also said he sees a lot happening in Australia over the next few years including wildfires, flooding, an explosion in the Great Barrier Reef and a new pandemic originating there.

He said: 'Not in 2024 but in the future I see another pandemic rising, out of Australia, this is a bacterial infection of some sort, the world will beat it, it won't be as extreme as Covid.

'I see fires around Canberra and I saw flooding around Tasmania, apparently this already happened. Someone said to me because I made this prediction a few weeks ago, so maybe that's already happened I don't know.

The psychic also predicted the death of Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured) in 2024 saying he 'hasn't got long'

In 2017, he issued the chilling claim that a flu pandemic would at some unspecified point sweep the world, and by 2020 Covid-19 swept across the world.

Craig also delved into politics saying he predicts that the Tories will win the next election in the UK.

'A big swing towards the Labour party, but I feel nonetheless that people don't have the confidence in Keir Starmer, if Labour do win Keir won't stay in power for very long, he will be removed.

'I feel the Tories will just scrape in, even though the polls at the minute say completely the opposite, but I feel there is a lot happening between now and then, a lot of shifts in power, new people coming into play, Nigel Farage maybe in the future.'
A woman revealed she is 'disgusted' by her son after she found out he is scamming people online.

Taking to British parenting platform Mumsnet, the mum explained her 17-year old has done 'every wrong thing a teen can do' and is 'behaving like a sc*mbag'.

She later revealed in the comments that her son was selling items, such as headphones, that he doesn't have and claimed she doesn't know how to deal with him.

Views were mixed, however many suggested she should call the police on her son.

The post read: 'Don't know how to deal with this. Ds scamming people online. Back story is we've stopped giving him money due to many ultimatums regarding weed.

A woman revealed on Mumsnet that she is 'disgusted' in her son after she found out he was scamming people online (stock image)

'Last week he was showing off about how he's managed to find a way to make money. I knew it would be something dodgy and he had sold something online which he doesn't have to sell.

'I told him how disgusted I was, how he's behaving like a scumbag etc. Initially he didn't care but then said he knew it was wrong and wouldn't do it again. And now he has.

'I'm so disappointed. I'm embarrassed with how he's turning out. He doesn't seem to have any morals.

'Every wrong thing a teen can do, he's done. Graffiti, shop lifting, excessive weed smoking and now this. I give up.'

Many rushed to the comments to say she needs to teach him a lesson by calling the police.

One person wrote: 'You KNOW the right thing to do for your son, as well as the people he has now stolen from, is to call the Police on him.

'Get him off this path NOW while he's still young. Otherwise he's going to be lost in a life of criminality and prison. If not worse.'

Another said: 'Id tell him to give the money back straightaway and that you need to see proof of the refunds.

Taking to the British parenting platform , the mum explained that her son was selling items, such as headphones, that he doesn't have and claimed she doesn't know how to deal with him

'If not done within 24 hours youll be going to the Police - and do it. I know its hard but he really needs to learn consequences.

'I do feel for you, Ive been in a not too dissimilar position and they really need to learn right from wrong.

Someone else said: 'Another one for calling the police. This is out and out fraud. It might teach him a lesson.'

A fourth said: 'He hasn't "found a way to make money" - he is committing fraud, a crime, and is a criminal. He will be found out.'

Some were against the idea of turning the teenager into the police, and warned his mother it could have a huge impact on his future

However, others took a different view and said they couldn't turn their own child in.

'I would not report him to the police - if he was to be prosecuted - it could impact on his life for years and prevent him from doing things in the future - when he made a mistakes at 17,' one said. 'I might make him believe I would do it though - but it depends on how effective it might be.'

'My brother was the same, calling the police won't do anything,' another wrote. 'My brother has been arrested dozens of times and only faced real prison time in his 30's. My poor mum is beside herself with him, but you can't physically control a young, strong, angry man or stop him making bad decisions. I don't know what the answer is.'

Many rushed to the comments to say she needs to teach him a lesson by calling the police

Others suggested other ways to punish the teenager without resorting to calling the police.

'Not sure what to say really. I too would be appalled at a child of mine taking advantage of what are most likely those more vulnerable than him for a few quid,' one said.

'He would not get anything from me and I would be asking the police to come and speak with him, as well as speaking to the college about it.

'Until there is a consequence absolutely nothing will change and he will at some point put the death knell on what sounds like it could have been a brilliant life.

'I would, however offer to pay for him to attend counselling (paid directly to them and never through him).'

One person said: 'Take away his phone. Remove his access to the internet. Close down his bank account.

'Ground him- and only give out a door key when he has permission to go out. These are all privileges he needs to earn back by demonstrating changed behaviour.

'He needs to give back the money he has scammed, Don't drop the rope. Keep talking to him.'

Another said: 'My advice is to start again, its not too late. Ive been where you are and it is possible.

'Be clear with your consequences & boundaries. Remind him if he gets caught of the criminal record he will receive.

'Give him some money if you can afford to or suggest that he gets a part time job. Not giving him money hasnt worked. It can make people feel powerless.

Others suggested other ways to punish the teenager without resorting to calling the police

'Try lots of positive praise for doing things right like when he was younger. It doesnt matter what you are, you always want praise and approval from people you value.'

Another said: 'How is he accessing the internet, phone, laptop etc? Can you remove his devices or remove the internet and stop paying for his data. Can you encourage him to get a job rather than scamming people? Could he earn money off you by doing jobs?'
A woman who found a $6,000 wedding gown for only $25 at a Goodwill in Birmingham, Alabama in September has revealed that she is now engaged and can finally wear her fabulous find.

Emmali Osterhoudt, 21, originally shared the viral video on TikTok in September, showcasing the pricey, celebrity-beloved wedding gown, which she bought before her fiance proposed.

On Wednesday, Emmali posted a video on TikTok that showed the moment her boyfriend got down on one knee outside Buckingham Palace with the caption, 'I can finally wear my $25 Galia Lahav dress!'

Emmali's friends celebrated her engagement in the comments section as followers rejoiced she'd be able to wear the glamorous gown.

Emmali Osterhoudt, 21, who found a $6,000 wedding gown for only $25 at a Goodwill in Birmingham, Alabama in September just got engaged and can finally wear her fabulous find

Emmali's friends celebrated her engagement in the comments section as followers rejoiced she'd be able to wear the glamorous gown

Emmali originally shared the viral video on TikTok in September, showcasing the pricey, celebrity-beloved wedding gown, which she bought before her fiance proposed

Designer to the stars! Here's who loves Galia Lahav's designs Olympic gymnast Simone Biles got married in four Galia Lahav dresses

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'SHUT UP!!! I remember that video,' one commenter wrote, as another celebrated, 'I love the TikTok algorithm!! Congrats.'

'Omg biggest congrats!!! Cant wait to see you and that dress down the aisle,' one commenter proclaimed.

Another asked, 'How were you able to find that dress ? do you live in a rich area?'

Emmali's joyful news comes just three months after she earned viral fame by showing off the incredible designer find she happened upon in Goodwill.

In the original video, Emmali announced, 'I found my wedding dress at Goodwill for $25 and it fits me like a glove. It wouldn't need any sort of alterations.'

'It's gorgeous,' the Alabama woman continued. 'I found it online and the original price is $6,200.'

'It's by Galia Lahav. Paris Hilton's wedding dress was from this brand. Beyonce has worn this brand before. It's just stunning,' she continued, mentioning just a few of the A-listers who adore the Israeli designer's ornate creations.

The plunging white lace dress had crystal and pearl embellishments throughout the floral design.

Emmali captioned the video, 'I'm so freaking excited about this find, I may not even use it when it comes to the day because I'm not getting engaged or married for a while but maybe it's fate.'

However, four months later it looks like she's getting ready to tie the knot and she will be wearing the stunning backless gown for the momentous occasion.

Emmali displayed the stunning pearl and crystal details on the wedding gown

Commenters were shocked she was able to find the gown for such an inexpensive price

Commenters adored the incredible gown, and some urged her to donate the dress in the future.

One woman explained, 'I donated my wedding dress, in hopes that another woman who wouldnt otherwise be able to afford it could enjoy it on her special day too.'

Another wrote, 'Sisterhood of the traveling wedding dress. You must donate it after your wedding and someone else find it and the cycle continues.'

Another person said, 'As someone who has worked in bridal for 9 years and still has never seen a Galia Lahav in person, my jaw is on the FLOOR,' calling the intricate gown 'the find of a LIFETIME!'

'Im a bridal stylist, and let me tell you.. YOU HIT THE JACKPOT,' another person agreed.

'We literally sell this dress where I work for $6,800,' another woman said, calling it a '20/10 find.'

'My Goodwill tries to charge me $25 for a sock,' a shopper joked.

Emmali and her husband-to-be are planning an intimate wedding, according to an interview with People

"The wedding is going to be small and intimate, but I do have plans to wear the dress nonetheless," Emmali told People.

'I knew he was proposing on the trip to London, but I wasn't sure when. So when I told him I wanted pictures in front of Buckingham Palace and then saw he was down on one knee my jaw dropped,' Emmali continued.

Galia decided to donate wedding gowns to Goodwill after seeing the video.

Emmali previously told Good Morning America, 'a lot of the comments I was getting were like, 'Why would [you] buy that when there are other women who are getting engaged or already engaged who need it more?'"

Now, she'll be wearing the gown, and other women will have the chance to thrift their very own.
Read more: White Fox Boutique speak out after backlash over Christmas delays

While in Sydney the 22-year-old packed an order in the warehouse

An American influencer started packing orders while visiting the White Fox Boutique headquarters in Sydney.

Darcy McQueeny, who is on a holiday in Australia, 'casually stopped by the packing room' to help with the massive backlog.

In a TikTok video the 22-year-old can be seen scanning a product, finds it on the computer then puts it in a DHL delivery bag and smiles after completing the task.

Thousands of customers claimed they have waited up to two months for their items and many have slammed the company for 'ruining Christmas'.

Shoppers have claimed they have received no response or a 'sub-par' reply from the brand when asked how long they would be waiting.

American influencer Darcy McQueeny, 22, went to the White Fox Boutique headquarters in Sydney last week. During an office tour, she started packing an order in the packing room

Founders Georgia and Daniel Contos (pictured) apologised for the significant delays earlier this week

While Darcy was doing a kind act of service, it didn't sit well with customers who slammed the brand in the comments.

'When White Fox is under scrutiny so they get influencers to come in to promote them,' one wrote.

'They should close off sales until they clear the backlog!' another claimed.

'You're the only one who has actually packed an order!!' a third added, someone else said: 'No seriously mine's a Christmas present, hurry the f*** up White Fox.'

Others vented their frustrations and claimed they ordered from the website in October yet the order 'hasn't been dispatched yet'.

'Darcy can you look for my order and make sure it gets here by Christmas?' one said.

'Keep packing!! I've been waiting WEEKS for my package,' another wrote.

The record-breaking Black Friday sales exceeded expectations and caused a backlog of package deliveries.

In another video, Darcy gave her viewers a tour of the White Fox headquarters - complete with a 'pink room', gym, massive kitchen, podcast studio and wardrobe.

In a TikTok video the 22-year-old influencer can be seen scanning a product, finds it on the computer then puts it in a DHL delivery bag and smiles after completing the task

Elsewhere on Facebook hundreds more criticised the White Fox warehouse itself after a video was shared to the brand's Instagram showing employees working hard packing orders

Elsewhere on Facebook hundreds more criticised the White Fox warehouse itself after a video was shared to the brand's Instagram showing employees working hard.

Customers admitted they expected to see more workers based on the demand and how popular the brand has become.

'I don't know why but this doesn't look like what I imagine a multi-million-dollar business warehouse to look like. Where's all the stock?' one customer wrote in the 'Tea Time' Facebook group.

'Anyone else felt the need to go in and re-organise that warehouse?' someone else said.

'This does not look like a very effective way to run a warehouse,' a third wrote.

Co-founder Georgia Contos told FEMAIL on Monday she has all hands on deck to get orders out quickly.

'The team is currently working seven days per week and extended hours. Including myself and Daniel assisting in the warehouse,' she said, adding: 'Currently we are dispatching over 20,000-25,000 orders per day.'

She admitted they are receiving 5,000 customer enquiries per day about delays.

Read more: Furious shoppers turn on White Fox Boutique over 'insensitive' post after 'ruining Christmas' Georgia Contos, the director and founder of the popular clothing company, told FEMAIL she has all hands on deck to get orders out quickl Advertisement

Earlier this week the young founders Georgia and Daniel Contos apologised following the backlash from customers.

From their Australian warehouse, the couple admitted they were sorry for the significant delays and say they're 'still learning', despite being 10 years into the business.

'We are obviously very sorry with the fact that it's taken us longer than normal to get the orders out... as we scale with growth, there's always going to be learning curves,' Mrs Contos told A Current Affair.

Mr Contos added: 'Comparative to where we were this time last year, we were sending out maybe 100,000 orders and now we're trying to manage upwards of 750,000.'

UK-based customer Chelsea Reeves told FEMAIL she paid for 3-5 day express delivery yet had been waiting over a month for two hoodies

UK-based customer Chelsea Reeves previously told FEMAIL she paid for 3-5 day express delivery yet had been waiting over a month for two hoodies.

'I'm extremely disappointed because waiting a month for a company that has massively gone viral is disappointing,' she said.

The 21-year-old bought the jumpers for loved ones as Christmas gifts - making the experience even more infuriating.

'You shouldn't ship out of the country if you can't stick to the time frames they make us pay for, no email for delay deliveries or discounts offered it's poor service,' she said.

'It will be even more disappointing if they don't fit correctly or the quality isn't up to nice standards. I think you expect better from a company who's growing as much as they are.'

The young woman was even irritated when the brand's social media team asked her to 'allow some extra time for dispatch in our busy sale period!' as she ordered on November 19.

Chelsea said that she ordered on November 19 and got a message to say her items were in transit - but hasn't received them yet

Georgia told FEMAIL: 'We did prepare for these sales, ramping up both staff in our warehouse and additional resources in customer service,' she said.

'Unfortunately even with all of this preparation we still exceeded three times our sales targets.'

She said she is very apologetic about the delays and understands it is frustrating in the lead up to Christmas 'which is why the whole team across all departments are assisting in getting the orders out'.
Ivanka Trump opened up about the resilience of the Israeli people on Thursday after visiting a kibbutz that was devastated by the Hamas terrorist attack.

The former White House senior adviser and her husband, Jared Kushner, toured Kfar Aza, a southern kibbutz near the border of Gaza, where members of the Gaza-based terrorist organization massacred civilians and abducted hostages on October 7.

The couple spoke with residents of the community, as well as border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the attack.

Ivanka and Jared, both 42, also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is considered the holiest site in Judaism where Jewish people are allowed to pray.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both 42, traveled to Israel on Thursday to visit a kibbutz that was devastated by the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7

The former White House senior advisor wore a bulletproof vest while touring Kfar Aza, a southern kibbutz near the border of Gaza, where civilians were massacred and abducted

Ivanka and Jared met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog later that evening

The former first daughter took to Instagram to share photos from the somber trip, including images of her and her husband wearing bulletproof vests in Kfar Aza.

Knesset speaker Amir Ohana met the couple when they landed in Tel Aviv early Thursday and took them to the southern border.

Ivanka was dressed in green cargo pants, a white button-down shirt, and white sneakers, while Jared had on a similar outfit.

'As I depart from Israel, my heart fills with a mix of sorrow and hope,' she wrote in the caption of her heartfelt post.

'Witnessing the aftermath of the October 7th terrorist attack, I heard heart-wrenching stories from victims, families, soldiers, and first responders. Their strength amid the despair was profoundly moving and the resolve of this resilient and tough people reminds us that even in the darkest times, hope and goodness are ever-present.

'As so many rise to help, heal, and rebuild, its a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. Tonight and every night I pray for the safe return of all hostages and the healing of each victim and of their families,' she concluded.

Ivanka and Jared met residents who lived in the community up until the attack, The Jerusalem Post reported.

A local named Chen Kotler told the couple that 64 people were murdered and 19 were kidnapped in the kibbutz, saying five are 'still hostages in captivity in Gaza.'

The couple was met by Knesset speaker Amir Ohana when they landed in Tel Aviv early Thursday and were taken to the southern border

Ivanka and Jared spoke with residents of the kibbutz, as well as border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the attack

A local named Chen Kotler told Ivanka and Jared that 64 people were murdered and 19 were kidnapped in the kibbutz, saying five are 'still hostages in captivity in Gaza'

She reportedly gave Ivanka a dog tag inscribed with the words 'Kfar Aza is my home,' telling the former first daughter, 'Hopefully, one day, I can host you in my home.'

The couple also spoke with border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the massacre, as well as members of ZAKA, a voluntary emergency response team.

'Thank you for sharing your stories with us. I just have to say it's very humbling for me to be with you, with the heroic acts that you did,' Jared said during the visit. 'What you did had made a massive difference.'

Later that evening, the couple met with President Herzog, First Lady Michal Herzog, and families of the hostages who remain in captivity.

Jared was dressed in a suit and tie, while Ivanka had on a black and white polka dot midi dress and black pumps.

The mother of three shared photos of herself with the Israeli president and kissing the Western Wall, which she and her family had visited earlier this year.

Kotler reportedly gave Ivanka a dog tag inscribed with the words 'Kfar Aza is my home,' telling the former first daughter, 'Hopefully, one day, I can host you in my home'

Ivanka was dressed in green cargo pants, a white button-down shirt, and white sneakers, while Jared had on a similar outfit

Ivanka took to Instagram to share photos from the somber trip, including images of her and her husband wearing bulletproof vests in Kfar Aza

Ivanka wrote that her heart was filled with a 'mix of sorry and hope' when she left Israel, saying she was moved by the community's 'strength amid the despair'

'Praying for the safe return of all the hostages and the healing of each victim and their families #nothostagesleftbehind,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

Located in east Jerusalem, the Western Wall is a section of one of four original retaining walls King Herod built in the first century B.C. to support the Temple Mount.

It is also the only remaining portion of the Second Jewish Temple, which stood in Jerusalem until the Romans destroyed it in 70 A.D.

Ivanka, who was raised Christian, converted to Orthodox Judaism to marry Jared in 2009, and they are raising their three children in the same faith.

Jared also shared photos from the visit on Instagram, sharing a similar sentiment as his wife of 14 years.

'Ivanka and I traveled to Israel to bear witness. Its important to see with ones own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7,' he wrote.

The couple also had a meeting with President Herzog, First Lady Michal Herzog, and families of the hostages who remain in captivity

Ivanka, who was raised Christian, converted to Orthodox Judaism to marry Jared in 2009, and they are raising their three children in the same faith

The mother of three shared a photo of herself praying for the hostages at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Judaism where Jewish people are allowed to pray.

Jared also shared photos from the visit on Instagram, sharing a similar sentiment as his wife of 14 years

'We met with families of those that were [kidnapped], including some still in Gaza. We met with several political leaders who are committed to building lasting solutions to intractable problems. With determination, trust, pragmatism, and creativity, the previously unthinkable can be accomplished.

'We will pray that the coalition for peace, prosperity, respect, and understanding will prevail and create a bright and exciting future for humanity.'

Ivanka publicly quit politics in November 2022, saying she loved her father, former President Donald Trump, but would not be a part of his 2024 campaign.

Donald Trump has also maintained that his oldest daughter and son-in-law would not be a part of his administration if he were to win a second term.

The couple traveled to Israel 'to show their support for its people' and the 'trip was in no way related to politics or former President Trump's re-election bid,' according to a source who spoke with the Wall Street Journal.

President Herzog praised Ivanka and Jared on Instagram for 'standing by the State of Israel in these difficult days, for working for the immediate return of the hostages, and promoting peace in our region.'
Queen Letizia of Spain oozed elegance in a sharp black velvet suit as she stepped out in Madrid with King Felipe.

The 51-year-old royal donned an expertly-tailored Paco Rabanne blazer, paired with matching velvet cigarette trousers costing a total of 1,734 (2,000).

The stunning combination featured satin detailing and crystal buttons, as the royal mother-of-two also sported crystal earrings to pair with her outfit.

As she and King Felipe, 55, arrived at the closing concert of the Spanish leadership of the EU at the National Auditorium in the nation's capital, they put on a united front in the face of affair allegations from her ex-brother-in-law Jaime del Burgo, which he appeared to double down on last week.

Jaime, a Spanish businessman who now lives in the UK, went on another explosive rant on Twitter this week in which he appeared to double down on the claims he was romantically involved with the Spanish Queen even after she married King Felipe. The Spanish palace declined to comment on the allegations.

Queen Letizia stunned in a black Paco Rabanne velvet suit as she stepped out in Madrid last night

Looking regal as they stepped out, the King and Queen brushed off the fallout from Del Burgo's allegations, looking suave and sleek in their evening attire.

To match her stunning suit, Queen Letizia opted for a sleek and intricate updo, smoky eyeshadow and a red lip plus a touch of bronze.

Meanwhile Felipe opted for a sharp pinstripe suit with a blue tie.

The appearance comes after Del Burgo, who was once married to Queen Letizia's sister Telma Ortiz, unleashed an explosive and bizarre rant on X, formerly Twitter, directed at the Spanish royal family and the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

The Spanish Queen attended the closing concert of the Spanish leadership of the EU with her husband King Felipe

The Spanish King and Queen were sharp in their suits as they attended the concert, as they put on a united front following affair allegations

The King and Queen beamed as they stood with other EU delegates at the National Auditorium in Madrid

The cryptic post insisted that 'the truth will come out'.

In his elusive message, Del Burgo referenced the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution - which prevents a President from being elected more than twice - and painter Francisco de Goya, who is known for his works depicting the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Spain, and especially the Peninsular War.

Del Burgo encouraged people to 'firmly limit the scope of the expansive and suffocating power' - otherwise he warned we will 'continue to be slaves, and most of us without knowing it', tagging both the Royal Family and Spanish president Pedro Sanchez in the post.

Meanwhile, last week, the former King of Spain was accused of playing a part in 'stirring up' rumours about the alleged affair between Queen Letizia and her former brother-in-law.

A veteran Spanish journalist accused supporters of Juan Carlos, who has been all-but frozen out of the royal family, of whipping up a 'campaign' against his son Felipe.

Referring to the claims, popular radio host Federico Jimenez Losantos said: 'It's the 'nth' campaign orchestrated against Felipe VI,' before adding: 'It is Juan Carlos's circles who are stirring it up.'

Juan Carlos reigned as King of Spain from 1975 to 2014 when he abdicated in favour of his son. The official reason was given as his age but a string of controversies ensued and there have been suggestions that he was pressured to give up the throne to protect the institution.

Meanwhile, last week, the former King of Spain was accused of playing a part in 'stirring up' rumours about the alleged affair between Queen Letizia and her former brother-in-law.

A veteran Spanish journalist accused supporters of Juan Carlos, who has been all-but frozen out of the royal family, of whipping up a 'campaign' against his son Felipe.

Referring to the claims, popular radio host Federico Jimenez Losantos said: 'It's the 'nth' campaign orchestrated against Felipe VI,' before adding: 'It is Juan Carlos's circles who are stirring it up.'

Juan Carlos reigned as King of Spain from 1975 to 2014 when he abdicated in favour of his son.

The official reason was given as his age but a string of controversies ensued and there have been suggestions that he was pressured to give up the throne to protect the institution.

Meanwhile, last week, the former King of Spain was accused of playing a part in 'stirring up' rumours about the alleged affair between Queen Letizia and her former brother-in-law.

A veteran Spanish journalist accused supporters of Juan Carlos, who has been all-but frozen out of the royal family, of whipping up a 'campaign' against his son Felipe.

Referring to the claims, popular radio host Federico Jimenez Losantos said: 'It's the 'nth' campaign orchestrated against Felipe VI,' before adding: 'It is Juan Carlos's circles who are stirring it up.'

Juan Carlos reigned as King of Spain from 1975 to 2014 when he abdicated in favour of his son.

The official reason was given as his age but a string of controversies ensued and there have been suggestions that he was pressured to give up the throne to protect the institution.

Father-of-two Del Burgo, who divorced Telma Ortiz by mutual consent in 2016 four years after they married and two years after they split up, claimed in the book that he was carrying an engagement ring in his pocket during a meeting at Madrid's Ritz Hotel with his 'then-girlfriend' Letizia in 2002 when she told him she had fallen in love with the future King of Spain.

He alleged he became friends with Felipe after they met and was asked by Letizia to be a witness at their May 22 2004 wedding.

Jaime also makes the incredible claim that the Queen asked to see him the night before the wedding at the exclusive El Latigazo restaurant in Madrid - where she asked him to 'never leave' her.

He said in quotes Jaime Penafiel said he had obtained via emails and phone calls with del Burgo: 'When we met, she took hold of my hand and asked me why I had never asked her to marry me. Obviously I didn't reply.

'I encouraged her as best I could. The last thing she said to me before we said goodbye to each other in that restaurant was a request: "Never leave me."'

The businessman - who is the son of the former politician Jaime Ignacio del Burgo - claimed their romantic relationship was forged in Venice and pre-dated the year 2000.

He also recalled a moment he says occurred following Princess Leonor's birth when they were lying together in a hammock by a pool, saying in the book which was released last month: 'Letizia told me "I love you" and I responded "I love you".'

Telma is now with Irish lawyer Gavin Bonnar and the couple welcomed their first child together in October 2021. Gavin shares two children with his first wife - musician Sharon Corr.

In her recent album, The Fool & The Scorpion, Sharon wrote lyrics which included the phrase 'the queen's twisted sister' - which fans speculated were inspired by her children's new step-mother.

Meanwhile, Del Burgo married Swedish lawyer Lucia Diaz Liljestrom.

His X bio also says he is father to 'Ulla and Liv'.

Speaking to El Cierre Digitial, Letizia and I author Jaime Penafiel said Letizia was del Burgo's 'great love' and the pair's relationship turned into a 'great friendship' after she became romantically involved with Felipe.

What's more, the royal's ex-brother-in-law also made the far-fetched claim that he 'dealt' with Letizia's pre-nuptial agreement and helped to front the cost of the Queen's family's wedding outfits.

He is quoted as saying: 'When the wedding with Felipe came round, I dealt with the pre-nuptial agreement as you know, amongst other things.

'I also had to pay Letizia's family's expenses because [former King] Juan Carlos refused to pay or even go halves with me. So with the help of my friend Felipe Varela, I dressed her mum, grandmother and her sisters. And with the help of Jaime Jason, her father, grandparents and a cousin.'

Queen Letizia opted for diamond earrings which matched her crystal detailing on the suit

The Queen's stunning suit featured satin detailing and crystal buttons

Letizia stunned in her sharp tailored suit as she and the King stepped out in Madrid

The Spanish queen, who often wears her hair down, opted for a sleek and intricate updo for the occasion

In the book, Letizia's alleged ex-lover describes Felipe as a 'kind-hearted man' and even goes on to say that he had a 'great friendship' with the royal. He told the author: 'I told him my problems and he told [me] his.'

Father-of-two Del Burgo, who divorced Telma Ortiz by mutual consent in 2016 four years after they married and two years after they split up, claimed in the book that he was carrying an engagement ring in his pocket during a meeting at Madrid's Ritz Hotel with his 'then-girlfriend' Letizia in 2002 when she told him she had fallen in love with the future King of Spain.

He alleged he became friends with Felipe after they met and was asked by Letizia to be a witness at their May 22 2004 wedding.

Jaime also makes the incredible claim that the Queen asked to see him the night before the wedding at the exclusive El Latigazo restaurant in Madrid - where she asked him to 'never leave' her.

He said in quotes Jaime Penafiel said he had obtained via emails and phone calls with del Burgo: 'When we met, she took hold of my hand and asked me why I had never asked her to marry me. Obviously I didn't reply.

'I encouraged her as best I could. The last thing she said to me before we said goodbye to each other in that restaurant was a request: "Never leave me."'

The businessman - who is the son of the former politician Jaime Ignacio del Burgo - claimed their romantic relationship was forged in Venice and pre-dated the year 2000.

He also recalled a moment he says occurred following Princess Leonor's birth when they were lying together in a hammock by a pool, saying in the book which was released last month: 'Letizia told me "I love you" and I responded "I love you".'

Telma is now with Irish lawyer Gavin Bonnar and the couple welcomed their first child together in October 2021. Gavin shares two children with his first wife - musician Sharon Corr.

In her recent album, The Fool & The Scorpion, Sharon wrote lyrics which included the phrase 'the queen's twisted sister' - which fans speculated were inspired by her children's new step-mother.

Meanwhile, Del Burgo married Swedish lawyer Lucia Diaz Liljestrom.

His X bio also says he is father to 'Ulla and Liv'.

Speaking to El Cierre Digitial, Letizia and I author Jaime Penafiel said Letizia was del Burgo's 'great love' and the pair's relationship turned into a 'great friendship' after she became romantically involved with Felipe.

What's more, the royal's ex-brother-in-law also made the far-fetched claim that he 'dealt' with Letizia's pre-nuptial agreement and helped to front the cost of the Queen's family's wedding outfits.

He is quoted as saying: 'When the wedding with Felipe came round, I dealt with the pre-nuptial agreement as you know, amongst other things.

'I also had to pay Letizia's family's expenses because [former King] Juan Carlos refused to pay or even go halves with me. So with the help of my friend Felipe Varela, I dressed her mum, grandmother and her sisters. And with the help of Jaime Jason, her father, grandparents and a cousin.'

In the book, Letizia's alleged ex-lover describes Felipe as a 'kind-hearted man' and even goes on to say that he had a 'great friendship' with the royal. He told the author: 'I told him my problems and he told [me] his.'
A Bulgarian social media influencer with the 'world's biggest lips' is gifting herself more filler this year as an early Christmas present - but her family don't approve.

Andrea Ivanova, 26, a social media influencer from Bulgaria, treates herself to new filler every Christmas, and even auctioned off mistletoe kisses last year to fund her expensive habit.

And while she's eager to debut her new pout, which has cost her an estimated 19,000 in total, the former philosophy student claimed that family and friends are 'concerned' about her health.

She is also keen to find a partner, although she has struggled with this in the past, but will only accept somebody if they're comfortable with her striking looks.

'They think that something bad will happen to me and that all beauty procedures may lead to fatal consequences in the future,' she explained.

Andrea Ivanova regularly hits the headlines due to her enhanced appearance, and last year, she auctioned off mistletoe kisses for cash in a bid to fund her expensive habit

'I'm an adult and I decide what to do with my body. Every year, I make new fillers a gift for myself.

'I give myself new hyaluronic acid injections for Christmas and New Year. I like to go into the New Year with many more new procedures and fillers'.

Andrea, who started her transformation in 2018, plans to spend the festive season surrounded by friends and family eating plenty of food, and now wants the world record for biggest cheeks.

In the New Year, she will undergo more procedures to enhance her face - despite not even being entirely sure how much she currently has.

She said: 'I don't know exactly how much I have in my face. I have constantly been putting it in for years, so the amount is quite large.

'I love going for aesthetic procedures for my face, it's my favourite activity and I'm very excited to have more.

'I am very happy with my new bigger lips and I can't wait for the next on my whole face'.

But it turns out that Andrea's friends and family aren't the only ones who disapprove of her funky face.

Andrea Ivanova before having any lip filler, a far cry away from her current face, she is seen sporting a baby pink lip and cat eyes

Andrea has already spent a staggering 19,000 on surgeries and still wants more, but she isn't even sure how much she has in her body currently

Andrea has admitted issues with her love life as a result of her unconventional appearance, having unsuccessfully applied for dating game show, .

The Instagram model previously divulged what she's looking for in a relationship - saying that she'll only take someone who accepts her for how she looks.

The 26-year-old added: 'If I have a relationship with someone and he tells me that he's uncomfortable when walking down the street with me or in public, then we will break up.

'I will feel bad or offended, so I will then have to look for a new partner who won't be hindered by my appearance.

'I would like to fall madly and truly in love and meet the right partner for me, because love is the most beautiful thing in this world'.
Princess Charlotte could follow in the footsteps of Princess Anne and become The Princess Royal, the Daily Mails Royal Editor Rebecca English has told Palace Confidential.

Speaking on the Mail+'s weekly talk show, the London-based journalist said the Prince and Princess of Wales' only daughter is a 'little mini-me' of the King's sister.

'Charlotte could be a new Princess Royal, that would be great,' said Rebecca. 'I've always said, I really see Charlotte as like a little mini-me Princess Anne.

'I love the way that she's in charge of her brothers and I love the slight eye-rolling whenever they do something naughty. I just think she's got a great streak of Princess Anne in her.'

Royal contributor Victoria Murphy added: 'I think that's what she will be, Princess Royal. I think there's definitely echoes of the Charles and Anne dynamic in the George and Charlotte dynamic.'

Princess Charlotte (pictured with Prince Louis in December) could follow in the footsteps of Princess Anne and become The Princess Royal, the Daily Mails Royal Editor Rebecca English has told Palace Confidential .

When Prince William is crowned King, it will be up to him to decide if and when Charlotte receives the title.

However, she wouldn't be able to be given the title until after Princess Anne's death. The King's sister was bestowed the honour in 1987, when she was 36 years old.

The Princess Royal title is held for life and is traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the monarch.

Elsewhere on today's show, Rebecca suggested Prince Louis could be the next Duke of Edinburgh.

The journalist said: 'I think there's a very good chance it will go to Louis, Charlotte's been rumoured as well.

'It would be great to have a Duchess of Edinburgh wouldn't it... But yes, I think it will probably go to Charlotte or Louis, that would be my guess.'

It comes after the Daily Mail's Richard Eden said Prince Edward and his wife Sophie are the unsung heroes of the Royal Family - but added that it is an insult that their titles as Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are not hereditary.

He believes King Charles should give them an immediate upgrade so they can pass the dukedom down the generations  a move which might also encourage their son James to join The Firm when the time is right.

Speaking on the Mail+'s weekly talk show, the London-based journalist (pictured) said the Prince and Princess of Wales' only daughter is a 'little mini-me' of the King's sister

The King's sister (pictured in July 2017 at a banquet) was bestowed the honour in 1987, when she was 36 years old

It is sometimes easy to forget that the Royal Family is much more than just our monarch. And I would like to highlight two of my unsung royal heroes of the year: Prince Edward and Sophie, writes Eden in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.

King Charles recognised the couple's contribution to the success of the Monarchy by announcing on Edward's 59th birthday in March that he would succeed their father as Duke of Edinburgh.

'This was something that our late Queen and Prince Philip had publicly made clear should happen at the time of Edward's wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.

It was, however, a shame that the King turned the Dukedom of Edinburgh into a life peerage rather than the hereditary title it had previously been. In my opinion, this was an insult.

What better way to celebrate Edward and Sophie's importance than by upgrading the title to a hereditary one?

Perhaps that would be a good way to encourage their son, James, the Earl of Wessex, to join The Firm when the time comes? He could join his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, in providing vital support to their cousin Prince William.
A social media-famous bartender has been slammed for advertising a drink concoction which has a name that has been branded 'racist' towards the travelling community.

Adam Rigby, who often posts drinks concoctions on his Man Cave Bartender Instagram, TikTok and YouTube pages, has come under fire for promoting a drink called The Traveller's Wife - named so because it is 'black and blue', alluding to a stereotype that travellers are violent towards their spouses.

Although Adam, from Birmingham, stated on his post that the name of the drink, made from WKD and Guinness, was already established and not thought up by him, he still faced criticism from a prominent Irish traveller and politician on X, formerly Twitter.

Posting a screenshot of the Instagram post (which has now been deleted) on X, Sinn Fein candidate James Stokes, who is from the travelling community in Kildare, Ireland, accused Adam of 'promoting racist stereotypes' and 'having a joke at domestic abuse'.

As he encouraged other people to report the post, James received many replies agreeing the photo and its caption promoted 'stereotypical tropes' - although a few insisted it was 'just a bit of craic'.

A social media-famous bartender has come under fire after posting a drink his Instagram account called 'The Traveller's Wife' because it is 'black and blue'

Adam, who has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram and who often posts inventive drinks concoctions on his page, initially posted the photo of his drink, which was layered with blue WKD at the bottom of the glass and topped off with the stout, with a caption explaining the drink's name.

He wrote: 'The Traveller's Wife, because it's black and blue (I didn't name this).'

Adam added several emojis to the post, including a fist and a bashful face hiding behind its hands.

At the time James took a screenshot of the post, it had been 'liked' 189 times - but the budding politician was not impressed by the drink.

Adam Rigby (pictured) has been criticised by some who think his post was 'racist' towards the travelling community

James Stokes, a young Sinn Fein candidate who is from the traveller community, led the criticism of the bartender

He wrote on X: 'The post below should be taken down, promoting racist stereotypes, and then also having a joke at domestic abuse.

'The Travellers wife because its black and blue. A post and a pub promoting this racism is disgusting behavior. I urge my followers to report the post linked below and comment on it asking for it to be taken [down].

'Do better [Adam Rigby].'

Another twitter user, Meghan Berry, screenshotted Adam's post about the drink on Facebook and said she was 'disgusted' by it.

She wrote: 'Domestic violence is not a Traveller specific issue, its societal issue, in fact a global issue it affects every single group of people across the globe no matter what walk of life they come from.'

Replying to James, many people agreed they thought the name of the drink was offensive.

One said: 'Theres nothing funny in those stereotypical tropes, its like something from the 70s.'

Another of James's followers, Cllr Joan Hopkins of Fingal, said it was 'racist, sexist and generally disgusting'.

However, others suggested Adam's now-deleted post was 'just a joke' and accused James of not having a sense of humour about it.

The young politician later argued that the fact people could not see why he was offended by the post indicates that 'racism against Irish travellers is normalised'.

He also claimed that, he had criticised Adam for the post, the bartender blocked him.

FEMAIL has approached Adam for comment.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will make a high-profile visit to Rome in the spring as part of a European charm offensive.

It will be Kates first working trip abroad in over a year, and the couples first to Italy.

While Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, the Mail can reveal talks are under way at the highest level and a date has been pencilled in.

It is not yet clear whether the short visit will include a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The charm offensive will mark the couples inaugural trip on behalf of the Government as the new Princess and Princess of Wales.

Italy bound: The Prince and Princess of Wales look to have 'pencilled in' their first royal visit of 2024, with a trip to Rome to help promote Anglo-Italian relations thought to be in the pipeline (Kate and William pictured in January 2023 at BAFTA in London)

This is because, although they travelled to Boston in the US this time last year, the trip was for Prince Williams Earthshot Prize, which is a personal initiative.

It is understood that negotiations around the couple meeting with Pope Francis are still very much on the table and nothing has been decided yet.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have visited Rome twice in recent years and on both visits they made a point of going to meet the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2017.

But 87-year-old Pope Francis is in worse health, and last month cancelled a trip to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai at the last minute.

A source said a possible meeting had yet to be discussed at embassy level. Kensington Palace would not comment on the Rome trip directly but a spokesman said: We look forward to announcing the Prince and Princess travel plans in due course.

The royal couple could spend time at Vatican City meeting the head of the Catholic church Pope Francis

Ciao! The Princess of Wales spent some of her gap year in Florence, and is thought to have a reasonable command of the Italian language

It comes after their last official government trip  to the Caribbean in March 2022  was beset by a host of PR problems.

Villagers in Belize used the visit to stage a protest over indigenous land issues, while there were republican demonstrations in Jamaica and uncomfortable questions as to whether the tour had too much of a colonial tone. Italy will be altogether different.

There is still great interest in the British Royal Family in the country and the late Princess Dianas popularity endures.

As one of the fashion meccas of the world, it is also likely a visit by the stylish Princess of Wales would be much welcomed.

The late Princess Diana, pictured with then Prince Charles, in Florence in 1985. Diana's popularity has endured in the European country, and it's thought Kate and William's visit will bolster relations between the two countries

Members of the Royal Family undertake foreign tours at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and are designed to promote diplomatic, trade and cultural links between Britain and the host nation.

The princess is likely to speak a little Italian as she spent time in Florence during her gap year.

After leaving Marlborough College at the age of 18 in 2000 she lived and studied in the city with four friends.

Then simply Kate Middleton, she was a student at the British Institute of Florence in Palazzo dello Strozzino where she focused on Italian and history of art.

She subsequently enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, to study art history.
They've got five consecutive festive number one singles under their belt and have even surpassed a record set by The Beatles.

But husband-wife duo LadBaby - who earlier this month admitted that they won't be releasing a track for 2023 - never expected to hit their level of fame when they first made a food-inspired charity tune in 2018.

That year, We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls, a parody of the 1985 Starship hit, scooped the coveted number one, beating songs by Ava Max and Ariana Grande to the top spot.

Further successes followed for Max Hoyle, 36, and his wife Roxanne 39 - including I Love Sausage Rolls (2019), Don't Stop Me Eatin' (2020) and the Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John-featuring Sausage Rolls For Everyone (2021).

Last year, the couple from Nottingham once again defied the odds and got No 1 after joining forced with financial expert Martin Lewis for Food Aid - based on the 1984 BandAid track.

Husband-wife duo LadBaby - who earlier this month admitted that they won't be releasing a track for 2023 - never expected to hit their level of fame when they first made a food-inspired charity tune in 2018. Pictured this month

With LadBaby out the competition, Wham!'s Last Christmas has this year scored a first  by shooting to the top of the charts to enjoy its first ever year as Christmas Number 1 single in the UK.

Here, FEMAIL looks at the couple's rise from family vloggers to stardom - including brushing shoulders with famous pals, appearing on daytime TV and hosting their own live show.

SURPRISE HIT

Mark, a graphic designer and blogger from Nottingham, rose to fame with his wife Roxanne - by making YouTube videos.

The clips posted under the name of LadBaby followed his life as he prepared to welcome his first child with Roxanne, who is known as LadBabyMum.

The couple eloped in Las Vegas in 2015, going on to welcome their first son Phoenix, six, in 2016 and Kobe, four, in 2018.

Their social media accounts, which have over 12Million followers combined, feature light-hearted videos on parenting tips, money saving hacks and pranks.

LadyBaby took a bash at their first Christmas No 1 back in 2018.

We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls raked in 75,000 combined streams and sales to take the top spot, and despite a fiercely close race all week, finished 18,500 ahead of the closest competition after a last-minute push.

@ladbabyofficial  SHOWTIME!  Huge thank you to everyone that came to our first ever LIVE Show in Nottingham! You were honestly the most amazing crowd ever and we loved every minute of it  Cant wait to do it all again this Sunday in Birmingham (a few tickets still available - Link in Bio).  Where would you like us to take the show next year if we decide to do it all again?? #livelaughlove #christmas #christmasshow  original sound - ladbabyofficial

This month LadBaby treated Nottingham audiences with its first ever live show. A TikTok video shared by the couple's account shows a packed theatre delighting in humorous festive skits

Mark's victory was made all the more remarkable as the father-of-two, who donated all profits to The Trussell Trust, which runs food banks around the UK, had never sung before in his life.

'I'm not someone that sings in the shower, which everyone can probably hear if they've listened to the song,' he told Femail at the time.

CONTINUED SUCCESS

The duo secured the top spot with another novelty charity single I Love Sausage Rolls in 2019.

It rose to the top of the charts once again - warding off stiff competition from the likes of Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi and Dua Lipa.

The festive song, a take on Joan Jett's 1981 hit I Love Rock 'n' Roll, once again raised money for food bank charity The Trussell Trust.

Mark revealed that he had reached out to Stormzy and Lewis Capaldi to collaborate on the track, but neither accepted his request.

However, they both shared messages of support to the vlogger, which he says were 'highlights of my life'.

LadBaby landed Christmas No 1 for the third year running in 2020 with his single Don't Stop Me Eating.

Last year, they beat a record set by The Beatles in the 1960s when they topped the charts with their single Food Aid, a rework of the Band Aid song Do They Know It's Christmas

The Youtube stars beat Gemma Collins and Mariah Carey with the charity single Don't Stop Me Eating, sung to the tune of Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

The happy couple were seen sporting white faux fur hats and matching Santa Claus costumes decorated with a sausage roll print.

Their children also rocked matching sausage roll outfits as they smiled for a picture alongside their father's three Christmas Number One awards.

They also made chart history by securing the Christmas number one for a fourth consecutive year in 2021, becoming the first musician to do so in the 70 years of the Official Christmas Chart.

Mark and Roxanne scored the top chart spot with the novelty track Sausage Rolls For Everyone featuring global superstars, Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John.

The song is a sausage roll-themed charity rework of Ed and Sir Elton's own new festive single Merry Christmas, again, in aid of The Trussell Trust food banks.

LadBaby pictured attending the VIP launch party for Christmas at Hamleys in London, earlier in November

They've got five consecutive festive number one singles under their belt and have even surpassed a record set by The Beatles. But husband-wife duo LadBaby earlier this month admitted that they won't be releasing a track for 2023

The milestone meant that LadBaby surpassed music titans The Beatles and Spice Girls, who are the only other acts to score a consecutive hat-trick.

Last year, they beat a record set by The Beatles in the 1960s when they topped the charts with their single Food Aid, a rework of the Band Aid song Do They Know It's Christmas.

But now the couple have revealed they have decided 'to pass the baton on'.

In November, Mark told the Metro: 'We never expected it to be five, I'll be totally honest. It's one of those things that just happened over the years and we thought it was amazing that the public got behind us in the way that they did.

'Five years ago when we started this, we knew the importance of food banks in this country and we wanted to raise funds and awareness for that so we did that one [song], that was lovely.'

DAYTIME TV GUESTS

While they're no longer in the race, LadBaby are still renowned celebrities in the festive charity scene.

And earlier this week, the couple were on ITV to discuss charity single 'Golden', by Joss Stone and Lorraine's Change + Check Choir.

The couple sat down with Ranvir Singh as they discussed the importance of backing causes close to our heart this time of year.

Earlier this week, the couple were on ITV to discuss charity single 'Golden', by Joss Stone and Lorraine's Change + Check Choir

'It was a pleasure to join the amazing @lorraine team this morning to talk all things Christmas and the importance of charity songs at this time of year,' the pair wrote in an Instagram post after the appearance.

'If everyone reading this gets behind just one charity song this Christmas it could make such a huge difference to so many people! Being ambassadors of the @trusselltrust we know just how far 1 persons support can go to changing someones life.

'The song "Golden" has been launched by Lorraines Change+Check campaign with all proceeds being donated to Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity and wed love to see it flying high in the charts this Friday!'

CELEB PALS - BOTH REAL AND FAKE!

Since achieving their incredible success, the couple have made some famous pals along the way - including Martin Lewis and Bob Geldof.

Last year the YouTube stars joined forces with the financial expert for Food Aid - a rework of the Band Aid classic.

The music video, which came out on December 16 last year, also featured cameos from celebrity lookalikes of Boy George, Elton John, Adele and others.

In February, Bob Geldoff - who wrote the iconic Band Aid track with Midge Ure, 69, in 1984 - explained why he let the YouTubers use the track.

Since achieving their incredible success, the couple have made some famous pals along the way - including Martin Lewis (left) and Bob Geldof

The couple were also in attendance at the Pride of Britain awards in October, where they took Instagram snaps with famous faces including Frankie Bridge, Alison Hammond, Sunetra Sarker and Scarlett Moffatt

Speaking on This Morning, the rocker revealed that he permitted the project in order to help 'people that are disgracefully going cold and hungry' as he slammed the cost of living crisis.

Bob said: 'It's probably the record that's has the most number one's ever. It just keeps generating and obviously that money keeps going to charity. It's less of a song a more of its own thing. It's history.'

'The LadBaby thing, whatever you think of the production, that doesn't matter. With LadBaby, it was for the many people that are disgracefully going cold and hungry in Great Britain in 2023.'

The musician added of Do They Know It's Christmas: 'It has a life of it's own now.'

The couple were also in attendance at the Pride of Britain awards in October, where they took Instagram snaps with famous faces including Frankie Bridge, Alison Hammond, Sunetra Sarker and Scarlett Moffatt.

DAZZLING LIVE SHOWS

This month LadBaby treated Nottingham audiences with its first ever live show.

A TikTok video shared by the couple's account shows a packed theatre delighting in humorous festive skits.

Flashing lights and exciting props appeared to make for a lively crowd.

'SHOWTIME! Huge thank you to everyone that came to our first ever LIVE Show in Nottingham,' they wrote.

'You were honestly the most amazing crowd ever and we loved every minute of it.'
Read more: The present you should never buy anyone at Christmas

Chef Miguel Maestre has shared a glimpse into what Christmas looks like in his home - and the kitchen secrets he swears by that delight his guests.

The Spanish-born Australian chef always prepares a turkey roll, ham, porchetta with a mushroom sauce and a range of fresh salads along with pavlova and traditional Spanish cakes for dessert.

The 44-year-old shops around for the best deals and starts preparing the night before then wakes up early on Christmas morning to begin the cook-up by 9am.

'Everyone is the head chef in their own kitchen and your home is your own little restaurant. Always think about what's on your menu and plan your meals,' Miguel told FEMAIL.

Miguel said even though he's the 'cook', Christmas is a team effort and the family get involved.

Spanish-born Australian chef Miguel Maestre always cooks a turkey roll, ham and porchetta with a mushroom sauce on Christmas day. These mains are accompanied by a range of salads and vegetable side dishes

A turkey roll is an easy but tasty option home cooks can prepare. When choosing what to serve on Christmas day, Miguel encourages home cooks to play to their strengths

'You have to let everyone shine a little bit on the day and it'll take the pressure off you too,' Miguel, who is an ambassador for Australian Mushrooms, explained.

His mother-in-law prepares the shortbread, family members help cut the meat, and there's always a disagreement over who brings the sauce.

For entree, a platter of fresh seafood is served with a mayonnaise and tabasco sauce.

Miguel also prepares a Christmas ham for the main and tends to choose a smaller one so they can indulge in plenty of other dishes.

'Being Spanish, we really like tapas and don't just like to have one thing. So we try have a smaller portion of lots of different dishes,' he said.

Salads are always be the easiest to prepare, as too is the the porchetta pork roll and turkey roll. Sides include potatoes, mushrooms and mixed vegetables.

One common mistake people make with Christmas ham is glazing it straight from the fridge when it should be at room temperature. Home cooks also should be careful when scoring the meat and be sure not to cut too deep, otherwise you'll 'break the lovely layer of fat' on top

For the perfect ham glaze, Miguel said you should buy a good quality ham with the skin on.

A sugary glaze will create a very thick coating, so it's essential to choose a suitable ingredient like maple syrup, honey or brown sugar.

'When glazing, it's all about the base. Double glaze and even triple glaze to create that thickness,' he said.

'The temperature of the meat is really important too before you glaze it. Some people take it straight out of the fridge and add the glaze when it's still cold. It's one of the biggest mistakes people make.

'The meat should be at room temperature. Depending on where you are and how hot it is will determine how long this takes. But in Australia it should only take a few minutes.'

Home cooks should be careful when scoring the meat and be sure not to cut too deep, otherwise you'll 'break the lovely layer of fat' on top.

'Don't overcomplicate it. Choose your menu, keep it within reason and commit to it,' he said

'Score in a diamond, crisscross pattern for that traditional Christmas look,' Miguel added.

To avoid a dry glaze, ensure there's moisture in the oven pan by adding a splash of chicken stock or white wine on the bottom. This will create steam so the meat doesn't dry out.

For the last few minutes you should change the setting on the oven to grill for the perfect crispy golden finish.

'You need to be watching it. Don't change it to grill then talk to your grandmother. Watch it because otherwise it'll burn,' Miguel said.

And finally - use a sharp carving knife to cut the meat in real time on the table in front of guests.

When choosing what to serve on Christmas day, Miguel encourages home cooks to play to their strengths.

'Don't overcomplicate it. Choose your menu, keep it within reason and commit to it,' he said.

'If you're a less confident cook, don't prepare something that's out of your comfort zone.'

When it comes to cooking on a budget, Miguel recommends 'bulking up' meals by adding extra vegetables - such as mushroom, zucchini, chickpeas and potatoes. Miguel said shares there's nothing wrong with using simple ingredients, noting it's what you do with them that makes the difference

When it comes to cooking on a budget a lot of different factors and elements come into play.

'You need to look at the big picture and start from scratch. I love planning ahead for the week and always consider what food is in season - it's my top priority,' Miguel said.

'Always try to take people on a journey - and never go shopping when you're hungry.

He added: 'Basic meals don't need to be boring. Mushrooms are my secret weapon to reinvent a recipe as they're rich in taste, add a tonne of flavour and texture. From button to portobello, to swiss brown, there's a mushroom to suit every meal.'

He also recommends 'bulking up' meals by adding extra vegetables - such as mushroom, zucchini, chickpeas and potatoes.

Home cooks should also be smart about the balance of protein.

For example, if you're having steak night, don't serve one huge piece of meat per person. Instead be smart about your sizes and chop up one large portion to divide among guests or family.

Miguel said shares there's nothing wrong with using simple ingredients, noting it's what you do with them that makes the difference.

'With the right ingredients you can reinvent the most basic dish - even the humble cheese toastie,' he added.

'One of my favourite dishes to make is my Mushroom Banh Mi. I saute the mushrooms to bolster the flavour and make it more exciting for the palate.'

How to make Miguel Maestre's 'FunGuy' Mushroom Gozleme: Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing

30g butter, chopped

1kg flat mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

200g shredded silverbeet leaves (See Tip)

180g block haloumi, coarsely grated

1 cups grated mozzarella

Extra 2 flat mushrooms, thinly sliced

16 fresh sage leaves

Lemon wedges, to serve Dough 320g (2 & 1/3 cups) plain flour, extra for dusting

180mL (3/4 cup) warm water

1/4cup extra virgin olive oil Method: For the mushrooms, heat oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add flat mushrooms and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelised. Transfer to a bowl, stir in chives and allow to cool. To make dough, place flour in a large bowl and season with salt. Make a well in the centre. Add water and oil, then stir with a butter knife until dough starts to come together. Turn out onto a lightly floured bench. Gently knead into a smooth ball. Divide dough into four equal portions and roll each into a ball. Place on a tray and loosely cover with a clean tea towel. Stand for 15 minutes. Add silverbeet, haloumi and mozzarella to the mushrooms and toss to combine. To assemble, roll out one portion of dough on a lightly floured bench into a 15cm x 30cm rectangle. Place on a sheet of baking paper. Arrange 4-5 slices of mushroom and 6 sage leaves over top of dough and lightly press into dough. Drizzle with extra oil, then cover with another sheet of baking paper and invert. Remove the top sheet of baking paper and spoon one-quarter of the mushroom filling over half the dough, then season with salt and pepper. Fold over remaining dough to enclose, then pinch and press edges together to seal. Repeat to make a total of four gozleme. Heat the same clean frying pan over medium-high heat. Add gozleme in two batches. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove. Advertisement

Miguel started learning to become a chef professionally when he was 18 but still learns new skills today.

'I learnt so many things from my mum - she started my love for food,' he said.

'The best way to become a better cook is to find your mentors in the kitchen.

'You can watch 100 cooking shows and learn nothing. Or you could learn from people around you and it'll be a lesson with you for life.'
A woman who has had more than 100 dangerous sun spots cut out of her skin is issuing a warning to Aussies about protecting their complexions under strong UV rays.

Lana Kelly, from Brisbane, got her first skin cancer diagnosis when she was just 16 after growing up on the Sunshine Coast with a lax approach to sun protection.

Since she had the cancer removed, the now-39-year-old has been hyper-vigilant when it comes to her skin and has regular checkups where almost every time something needs to be biopsied.

Lana told FEMAIL she has had over 100 moles, spots, carcinomas and early-stage melanomas surgically removed despite staying out of the sun and always wearing sunscreen.

Her cautious attitude to the sun coupled with her desire for golden skin saw her become a fake tanning addict which sparked a business idea. Lana launched a line of haircare products, Auriche, specifically for self tanners in December.

Lana Kelly, from Brisbane, got her first skin cancer diagnosis when she was just 16 after growing up on the Sunshine Coast with a lax approach to sun protection

Since her first skin cancer diagnosis, she has had more than 100 moles, spots carcinomas and early-stage melanomas surgically removed

Lara has her first skin cancer scare when she was 16 after she got two spots that had changed in appearance on her face checked out by her GP.

The spots were found to be cancerous and she had them removed leaving a 'Harry Potter' scar on her right cheek.

'When it's cancerous they need to take quite a bit of tissue, it's not just a simple cut,' she said.

'That was a pretty scary experience being so young and having to have that kind of surgery. It was very sobering.'

Thankfully, skin cancers caught early enough can be removed surgically and there is no need for further treatment.

Lana's brush with skin cancer saw her become extra cautious when protecting herself from the sun but she wasn't out of danger.

'Since that age, I've been going to the dermatologist definitely at least once a year but sometimes on three month cycle,' she said.

'I don't even know how many spots but I would have had probably a hundred cut off for biopsies and there were different types of cancer in (a number) of them.'

The now-39-year-old has been hyper vigilant when it comes to her skin and has regular check ups where almost every time something needs to be biopsied to check for cancer

Even though Lana has been to a dermatologist more times than she can count, she said waiting for biopsy results to determine if a suspicious spot was cancerous has never gotten easier.

'It's nerve wracking each time. I think you don't realise the stress until you get the text message saying it's all fine or even to come back, at least you know,' she said.

'I've only had one very early stage melanoma but all of the other ones would have been problematic if I weren't on top of them.'

Lana has become an expert in identifying when a freckle or mole has the potential to turn cancerous.

She said it's important to monitor moles and spots for any change in appearance or colour or if one becomes red, itchy or looks irregular.

'Sometimes it's just a weird feeling. Two weeks ago I had one cut off my collar bone. It looked stable, it hadn't changed or anything but I kept finding myself drawn to and concerned about it,' she said.

Lana has become an expert in identifying is a spot has the potential to turn cancerous. She said to monitor any change in appearance or colour or if a spot becomes red or itchy

Melanoma warning signs and symptoms: What to look out for New moles.

Moles that increases in size.

An outline of a mole that becomes notched.

A spot that changes colour from brown to black or is varied.

A spot that becomes raised or develops a lump within it.

The surface of a mole becoming rough, scaly or ulcerated.

Moles that itch or tingle.

Moles that bleed or weep.

Spots that look different from the others. Source: Cancer Council Advertisement

'I went to see my dermatologist and in fact it was skin cancer. Over many years I've become very aware of where my spots are and really keep an eye on them and take notice when things might feel off.'

The risk of skin cancer has plagued Lana's immediate family, not because of genetics, but a lack of education around sun protection when she was a child.

Lana's four sisters have had similar issues with two going through skin cancer treatments.

Their dad has also undergone chemotherapy, radiation and had a portion of his skull removed when a dangerous melanoma spread.

'I'm always wearing hats and sunscreen and all of those sorts of things. Unfortunately for me though, the damage was done and locked in from a young age so it's been years of seeing it manifest,' Lana said.

She and her sisters spent hours at the beach and in the sun as kids as their dad was a professional surfer but preventing sun burns was always an after thought.

'My parents were not super vigilant when it came to sun protection. They were quite young and the education around sun protection was not what it is today,' she said.

'We would be fairly regularly sunburnt before the age of seven. The damage done before the age of seven is really critical. It really sticks with you.'

Lana's four sisters (pictured L-R: Lana, Nicolette Maxwell, Danika Maxwell and Talia OSullivan) have had similar issues with two going through skin cancer treatments

Lana and her sisters spent hours at the beach and in the sun as kids as their dad was a professional surfer but preventing sun burns was always an after thought

UV damage that happens during childhood has been strongly linked to an increased risk of skin cancer later in life according to Better Health.

As a result, Lana is always covered in sunscreen regardless of the weather and makes sure not to expose her skin to the sun if she can help it.

Her favourite go-to sunscreen is La Roche-Posay SPF 50 which she reapplies every two hours.

'It's super light. I use that everywhere because it's the kind of sunscreen where you don't feel like you're wearing anything. It's in your handbag and it's really easy to reapply,' she said.

Lana makes sure she gets up early before the UV levels peak to exercise or go to the beach where she uses invisible zinc as well as sun cream.

She also always wears a hat and clothes that cover her up as much as possible during the day and swears by linen for when the weather is hot.

Despite her efforts to stay away from the sun, Lana always wanted a glowing bronze complexion which lead to her 'addiction' to fake tanning.

Despite her efforts to stay away from the sun, Lana always wanted a glowing bronze complexion which lead to her 'addiction' to fake tanning

'Tanning is a religion for me,' she joked.

'It's a really nice way to feel better about my skin...My husband bought me a machine to do it for me at home which is so kind.'

Lana's tanning obsession even saw her buy and ship a spray tan machine out to Italy for her destination wedding so she and some of her guests could have olive skin for her big day.

She started to notice the damage fake tanning products was doing to her dyed-blonde hair.

'I was experiencing this awful yellow banding through my hairline. It took me a little while to figure out the reason was the tan,' she said.

'I went online to see if there was a solution and there wasn't which is just crazy to me.'

Lana started looking into the issue further and discovered tanning products not only cause discolouration to lighter hair but also damage and breakage.

'Discoloration is only a very small part of the problem. Even virgin hair is really badly damaged by fake tan,' she explained.

'The (hair) cuticles can become entirely cracked making the hair dry and rough. As soon as the cuticle is damaged everything can penetrate the hair and it becomes more porous.'

Before and after: Lana discovered tanning products can be as 'damaging to hair as bleach' causing discolouration as well as breakage and dryness

In December Lana launched Auriche offering products that treat and protect hair from self-tan mousse, spray tan, or gradual tanning lotion

Tanning products come into contact with the hair around the back of the neck and on the mid-lengths and ends that touch the back and shoulders which is where the most damage is seen.

Lana said many self tanners think the wispy hairs on the back of their neck are 'baby hairs' but they're actually broken strands weakened by chemicals in tanning products.

The revelation of how bad tanning was for the hair set Lana on a path to create her own shampoo and conditioner specifically for those who love to use fake tan.

She spent months experimenting with different solutions on her kitchen bench while she had lot of free time during COVID lockdown before enlisting the help of a chemist to come up with an effective formula.

On December 1, after 18 months of researching and formulating, Lana launched Auriche offering products that treat and protect hair from self-tan mousse, spray tan, or gradual tanning lotion.

She created a range of products suited to tanners who either need to repair existing damage, prevent breakage from occurring and protect locks from chemicals in fake tanning products Lana said can be as harmful to the hair as bleach.
A Texas mom is suing doctors who she paid to tie her fallopian tubes to prevent her from getting pregnant again - only to have another child a year later and realize they never performed the procedure.

Grissel Velasco gave birth to her third child at Sun City Womens Health Care in El Paso, Texas, in 2014. She delivered her son via a C-section despite doctors advising her against having another baby using this method because of the risks of repeated C-sections.

Before the birth, she had paid the clinic $400 to get tubal ligation, a procedure that involves tying the fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy.

The doctors were to perform the procedure while she was in surgery for her C-section.

But in October 2015, she tested positive on an at-home pregnancy test and a subsequent ultrasound verified she was five months pregnant with a baby girl.

Ms Velasco left the doctor's appointment terrified and in tears, said said, and she later found out her sterilization was never done.

In October 2015, Ms Velsaco tested positive on an at-home pregnancy test. An ultrasound verified that she was four or five months pregnant with a baby girl

Ms Velsaco told KERA News she spoke to her son's doctor after finding out about her pregnancy: 'They were the ones who read the papers to me, and for that reason I signed to not have children. I agreed to not having more children.

'I paid to have surgery, and I don't know what the doctor did because I'm pregnant again.'

After finding out she was pregnant again, Ms Velasco did not want an abortion but she found the rest of the pregnancy extremely difficult.

She said: 'I was late to accept my pregnancy. It wasn't easy for me at all. I was very depressed, I cried a lot, sometimes I even had a really bad temper.'

She also admitted she felt suicidal at times.

Her daughter, now 7, is doing well.

She sued Sun City Womens Health Care in El Paso and its owner, OB-GYN Dr Michiel Noe, a former El Paso City Council member, for medical negligence.

Now, her lawsuit against Dr Noe and the clinic is now before the Texas Supreme Court

The court's decision could have far-reaching consequences and determine to what extent people can be awarded damages for the burden of an unwanted pregnancy.

Alternatively, it could shield doctors from responsibility for causing pregnancies out of negligence.

Ms Velasco is suing for an undisclosed amount, which includes medical expenses for the cost of a tubal ligation; compensation for the invasion of her body for that procedure; the risk of an unspecified additional medical procedure and recovery; the probability she will incur future expenses; past and future physical pain and suffering and mental anguish; and the financial means to maintain, support, and educate her fourth child.

In court filings, Dr Noe and his lawyers said he did not perform tubal ligation on Ms Velasco because her medical records showed she did not request one.

They also said Ms Velasco did not wait the full 30-day consent period between agreeing to the procedure and having it done.
People looking to get away this holiday should be careful of what they pack in their carry-ons before hopping on a plane.

Along with shoes, books and toothpaste, you'll also likely stow away any medications you take - and while you may not think twice about packing doctor-prescribed drugs, those everyday pills could be illegal at your destination.

Rules governing prescribed drugs vary by country, and some prescription drugs readily available in some countries may be illegal in others, from cannabis, which is legal in some US states, to painkillers like Vicodin.

Researchers found the United States had the strictest prescription drug laws when it comes to traveling with medications. The US bans 562 drugs for travelers visiting the country.

Germany had the second strictest prescription drug laws, listing 464 drugs illegal in the country.

With 328 substances banned, Japan had the third strictest medication regulations and Colombia came in fourth, with 324 drugs banned.

The medications most likely to get travelers in trouble included amphetamines  such as Adderall  and pain medications that contain hydrocodone.

The above list shows the countries with the most controlled drugs on their banned list. The list was compiled by researchers at Universal Drugstore

Gigi Hadid at a Miu Miu event in California in August, following her marijuana arrest in the Cayman Islands a month earlier

Many countries have tighter restrictions on some drugs because of concerns over addiction and their health effects.

Pharmacists at Universal Drugstore, which carried out the research, urged Americans to check regulations at their destination country before traveling.

Some countries  like Japan  will allow travelers to enter with a prescription medication from their home country if they have a note from their doctor and are only carrying up to a 30-day supply.

But in other countries, passengers can face arrest at borders, fines in excess of $30,000 and up to 25 years in jail.

For their study, the researchers counted the number of controlled drugs banned in 18 countries.

They compiled the data from official lists of banned substances published by countries drug regulation authorities or departments of health.

Results showed the United States had the tightest rules.

This is likely because of the country's war on drugs  although limited enforcement in some areas leads to many drugs being available.

In fifth place was the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with 293 controlled drugs banned, while in sixth was Qatar, with 231 banned, and in seventh was Thailand, with 225 banned.

Several celebrities have recently fallen foul of regulations in countries because they carried cannabis outside the US.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid was arrested at an airport in the Cayman Islands this year after she was found carrying marijuana  which she claimed to have bought in New York City using a medical license.

The above shows the drugs that are most likely to be banned in the eighteen countries in the list by the proportion that banned the drug (the percentage figure)

The United States, Germany and Japan had the most banned controlled drugs

Amphetamines like Adderall are used in the US to treat conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), with the drugs working to boost concentration.

But in many other countries  including Japan, the UAE and South Korea  these are banned because of the risks of addiction and abuse.

Hydrocodone with acetaminophen  also called Vicodin, Lortab or Lorcet among others  is an opioid medication prescribed in the US for relieving moderate to severe pain.

It is one of America's most popular, with more than 83million doses sold every year, but in many countries hydrocodone is banned because of concerns over addiction.

Marijuana is illegal in more than 160 countries worldwide  including the UK, Germany and Japan  and still illegal at the federal level in the US.

America is going through a period of loosening rules  with 24 of 50 states legalizing recreational marijuana  saying the drug can help people to manage chronic pain, nausea and to help with other disorders.

But the weed available today is much stronger than that available 50 years ago, with concerns now being raised over the impact this is having on people's health.

A growing body of research shows regular use of marijuana can stunt brain development in young adults, while the drug has also been linked to hallucinations and psychosis.

Most countries have not legalized weed over the potential risks it poses to people's health and because authorities there are not convinced the drug is safe.

When people enter the US carrying illegal drugs, they are stopped at customs. Penalties include fines and possible jail-time.

Jamie Winn PharmD, medical director for Universal Drugstore, said: 'Traveling with prescription drugs demands a good level of research on the legal drug laws in your host country, and you must understand the medication regulations of your destination.

'If your prescription includes controlled substances, be extra cautious.

'Always carry a copy of your prescription, clearly stating your medical condition and the necessity of the prescription drugs.

'Familiarize yourself with the generic names of your medication too, as brand names can vary globally.

'Ensure that you stay informed as regulations change; therefore, you must check for updates on reliable government sources.'
Strikes planned by junior doctors for January will present a dramatic risk to patients, health leaders have said.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, has warned that hospital staffing levels seen during this weeks industrial action will not be sustainable next month.

He said most teams dread the first week of January as it is typically the years most challenging, and services are already facing enormous demand.

Junior doctors are currently on their third day of a 72-hour walkout and will return to work tomorrow before picketing again for six days from January 3  the longest strike in NHS history.

In a letter to Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of council at the British Medical Association, Mr Mortimer called on the union to grant more exemptions when doctors could cross picket lines to help out.

The BMA is calling for pay for junior doctors that the Government said would amount to a 35 per cent rise and is unaffordable

He wrote: Your joint letter with NHS England makes clear that in relation to the December action that the staff recall and derogations process remains largely the same as the previous strikes.

This arrangement will not be sustainable in January.

In the previous periods of industrial action taken solely by your junior doctor members, the core duties typically carried out by striking junior doctors have been covered by other medical colleagues and members of the wider team.

This position will not be tenable in January.

Mr Mortimers letter continued: I recognise that there are countless examples where our colleagues are not able to do their very best for their patients, but the first fortnight in January is one of the times when this risk dramatically increases. I would urge the leadership of the BMA to not therefore make this position worse during strike action in January.

Professor Banfield said the BMA is strongly committed to ensuring that patients are safe during strikes.

Junior doctors are currently on their third day of a 72-hour walkout and will return to work tomorrow before picketing again for six days from January 3

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told BBC Radio 4s Today programme yesterday: Consultants and nurses and other doctors who arent on strike are, today and yesterday, and will be over January, coming in, doing extra shifts, to ensure that that level of care is provided for patients. They are being expected by the junior doctors committee to pick up the slack of their strikes.

She suggested Department of Health and Social Care ministers and officials would be back round the table in 20 minutes for talks if the strikes are called off.

She added that many, many doctors will be deeply uncomfortable that their committee has called these strikes at this time.

She said: I would encourage anyone who feels like that quietly to consider whether this committee is in fact representing their views.

The BMA is calling for pay for junior doctors that the Government said would amount to a 35 per cent rise and is unaffordable.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said consultants nurses, and other doctors who arent on strike are, are being expected to pick up the slack

Nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics have called off strikes following pay deals but junior doctors rejected the Governments offer of a 3 per cent increase on top of an average 8.8 per cent 2023-24 pay rise.

One NHS trust chief executive told the Guardian the pay row was fracturing relationships between junior doctors and consultants, as they thought the disruption had gone on too long and the trainees dont have a huge amount to complain about.

Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairmen of the BMAs junior doctors committee, said: Throughout negotiations with the Government we had a mutually agreed deadline for them to make a credible offer.

'This deadline passed and we were therefore forced to call strikes. We did not walk away from negotiations and we are happy to talk to Ms Atkins at any time.

'It is the Governments insistence that they will not talk while strikes are scheduled that is blocking progress and wasting unnecessary time.
Ambulance bosses have urged the NHS to treat patients in corridors as emergency vehicles are being forced to queue for up to 10 hours outside hospitals.

NHS England figures show nearly 29,000 hours were lost last week to delays when handing over patients who arrived at A&E in an ambulance.

One in three patients were forced to wait more than 30 minutes while one in seven had to wait more than an hour. The target time is 15 minutes.

Daren Mochrie, chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), said that, while it was 'never ideal', it would be better to admit patients into corridors than leave them in the back of ambulances.

NHS bosses have blamed a lack of space in hospitals, which is being fuelled by striking junior doctors reducing capacity to discharge patients and free up beds.

NHS England figures show nearly 29,000 hours were lost last week to delays when handing over patients who arrived at A&E in an ambulance

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Mr Mochrie told MailOnline: 'It is never ideal to be holding patients in the back of ambulances outside emergency departments or treating them in the corridors of emergency departments.

'But it is more appropriate to do that than cause potential further harm to patients by keeping them in the back of ambulances outside and preventing those crews from attending other potentially life-threatening patients in the community.

'At least if the patient's condition was to deteriorate, the emergency department would have the equipment and clinical staff on hand to immediately intervene.'

He said it was 'obvious' that there is much greater risk to people who become seriously ill at home or in the street if their ambulance is delayed at the local emergency department.

'Our staff come to work to save lives and improve the outcomes for patients and I so am also deeply concerned about the impact this is having on our staff, from those in our control rooms who are having to stay on the line trying to provide lifesaving help and reassurance over the phone or the paramedics who come to work to respond to patients, not to spend a full shift sitting outside emergency departments or standing in corridors, unable to help,' Mr Mochrie added.

NHS rules set out that handovers should be completed within 15 minutes and that none should last more than one hour.

Long handover delays can see ambulances stuck in queues outside hospitals for hours, instead of responding to incoming calls.

Latest health service data shows ambulances lost 28,966 hours in handover delays in the week to December 17 that took longer than 30 minutes to complete.

READ MORE: Strikes by junior doctors pose a 'dramatic risk' to patients, health leaders warn amid what is set to be the longest walkout in NHS history Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, has warned that hospital staffing levels seen during this week's industrial action will not be 'sustainable' next month Advertisement

However, this is lower than the 46,085 hours during the equivalent week last year, which was considered the worst NHS winter crisis in a generation.

Terrifying scenes saw military personnel drafted in to drive ambulances during strikes and waits of up to 30 hours in A&E, with patients treated in corridors and sleeping on the floor due to Dickensian overcrowding.

Meanwhile, a third of patients arriving at hospital by ambulance last week had to wait more than half an hour to be handed over to A&E teams.

One in seven ambulance handovers  14 per cent or 12,196 patients  were delayed by more than an hour, below the 24 per cent reported at this stage in 2022.

Handover delays signal severe strain on the NHS, as it means there is a mismatch between capacity in hospitals and demand for emergency care.

The NHS experiences a surge in demand every year due to an influx in seasonal illnesses, such as flu and the winter vomiting bug norovirus. Chronic conditions worsened by cold weather, such as respiratory diseases, add further pressure.

NHS figures show that 96 per cent of hospital beds were taken up last week, which is the second highest on record. This is despite staff rushing to free up beds ahead of strikes by junior doctors and to ensure patients get home in time for Christmas.

An average of over 12,700 (12,728) beds were filled every day last week by patients ready and waiting for discharge  known as bed blockers. The health service blames a lack of capacity in social care, which forces patients to spend longer in hospital.

Health leaders have warned that walkouts by junior doctors this week further exacerbate the problem.

The AACE said that, while it doesn't have data on the effect of junior doctors strikes, they are 'clearly likely to result in additional pressures on an already-challenged system'. It called for a swift revolution to the dispute.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins earlier this week warned that the strikes 'will mean that people will stay in hospital longer than if the strikes had not happened because hospitals will not be able to discharge them.'

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NHS bosses had already warned that hospitals will operate at full capacity for just four weekdays until January 10. Only December 27, 28, 29 and January 2 are unaffected by the impending chaos of the holidays and walk-outs until January 10

She launched a crackdown on five of the worst-performing NHS trusts, summoning bosses with the some of the longest A&E waiting times and ambulance handovers to a meeting.

It is understood the CEOs from University Hospitals Plymouth Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals FT, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust and Worcester Hospital attended the virtual meeting with the Secretary of State.

It followed reports of emergency patients were being kept waiting in ambulances for 10 hours in some areas while hospitals prioritised existing patients.

A source close to the Health Secretary said they were told 'in no uncertain terms' that their performance not acceptable and they would be closely monitored this winter.

The source said: 'The Secretary of State made it abundantly clear to senior management that they should buck up their ideas this winter.

Junior doctors' pay - the truth Junior doctors were awarded a pay rise of 6 per cent plus a consolidated payment of 1,250 in July, in line with the recommendation of the Independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. The package was equivalent to an average increase of 8.1 per cent from 2022/23 to 2023/24, or 10.3 per cent for those in their first year of training. Average basic pay for a first year doctor increased from 29,384 to 32,397, while a junior doctor who had been a specialty trainee for six years or more saw their pay rise from 58,398 to 63,152. Many are paid a higher sum for working overtime and receiving enhanced rates for working unsociable hours. Junior doctors pocketed the extra money despite vowing to continue striking, with some boasting the additional income would subsidise further walkouts. Steve Barclay, who was Health Secretary from October 2022 until November 2023, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had described the settlement as final and insisted there would be no more talks about pay. But the British Medical Association has held further negotiations with officials and ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care since October, resulting an offer of an extra 3 per cent, which has been rejected by union representatives. The BMA has claimed that junior doctors have seen their pay eroded by more than a quarter in real terms over the past 15 years. The trainee medics have been demanding full pay restoration  worth around 35 per cent  and have said they would not settle for anything less, although senior figures within the union have suggested they may compromise. Advertisement

'The managers accepted they had all the resource they needed from the department and NHSE but were not hitting their targets and failing their local communities.

'It is frankly, not fair that patients in these areas are facing the longest delays due to poor management - whether that is stuck on an ambulance, sat in A&E or waiting to be discharged from the wards to go home for Christmas.'

Junior doctors kicked off at 72-hour strike at 7am on Wednesday, which will wrap up tomorrow morning. The medics will return two days before Christmas before embarking on a mammoth six-day stoppage from January 3.

It comes after weeks of promising talks between ministers and members of the British Medical Association (BMA), which is coordinating the action, broke down.

Ministers had initially offered junior doctors an 8.8 per cent pay rise, on average, for the 2023/24 financial year.

However, the uplift was higher for first year medics, who were given a 10.3 per cent boost.

Junior doctors in their first year now have a basic pay of 32,300, while those with three years' experience make 43,900. The most senior earn 63,100.

Ministers insisted this was the final offer, despite weeks of devastating strikes by junior doctors staged since March.

But Ms Atkins offered the medics an additional 3 per cent on top of this rise.

However, Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, who co-chair the BMA's junior doctor committee, said this sum was still 'completely insufficient' and pressed ahead with fresh walkouts.

The BMA has claimed that junior doctors have seen their pay eroded by more than a quarter in real terms since 2008.

Trainee medics have been demanding full pay restoration  worth around 35 per cent  and have said they would not settle for anything less.

However, senior figures within the union have suggested they may compromise.

After talks broke down, Ms Atkins said the union walked away from the table before it was presented its 'final offer'.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, yesterday warned that the January action planned by junior doctors will present a 'dramatic risk' to patients.

He said hospital staffing levels seen during this week's industrial action will not be 'sustainable' next month.

Most medics already 'dread' the first week of January as it is typically the year's most challenging, and services are 'already facing enormous demand', Mr Mortimer said.

In a letter to Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of council at the BMA, Mr Mortimer called on the union to grant more exemptions when doctors could cross picket lines to help out.

Professor Banfield said the BMA is 'strongly committed to ensuring that patients are safe during strikes'.
Jasmyne Kite, 9, from North Carolina, passed away on Monday from the flu

America is in the throes of a tripledemic as RSV, flu and Covid all strike hospitals at the same time.

Doctors in some children's hospitals are already saying this is the worst year for RSV infections they have ever seen  with children sicker than ever before.

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are also warning over children's hospitals, saying units are 'nearly as full as they were this time last year' and that they could soon be 'strained'.

Experts say an earlier-than-normal winter virus season, coupled with children's underdeveloped immune systems from lockdowns could be behind the surge.

Flu infections are also rising, having tripled in a month  with nearly half of states now reporting high or very high levels of flu-like illness. Two weeks ago, only 14 states  or just over a quarter  were at this level.

CDC estimates also suggest 5.3million people are currently sick with the flu, which is 40 percent higher than at this time in 2019  the year before the pandemic.

And there are signs Covid is on the rise, with wastewater surveillance showing a ten percent rise in the amount of Covid detected in the latest week data is available. There are also concerns over a new variant  JN.1  which early tests suggest may be more infectious.

The above map shows flu-like illness levels by state for the week ending December 16, the latest available. It shows that nearly half of states have high or very high infection levels

The above data shows flu cases by week since the start of this year. They are continuing to rise and have tripled within a month, according to the data

The above shows wastewater surveillance for Covid. This suggests that cases of the virus have risen by 10 percent in a week, for the latest week that data is available

RSV is also ramping up nationwide. Louisiana , South Carolina and New Mexico have very high levels of respiratory illness, according to the CDC, as do Mississippi and Alabama

Raising the alarm over children's hospitals, Whitney Marvin  a pediatric intensive care specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina's hospital  said this RSV season is the worst she can remember.

She told the Washington Post that children were hospitalized for longer than normal and that the season started earlier than it did last year.

'We're still making sure patients are getting the care they need,' she said. 'It just may not always be the closest hospital to them.

'All of us in the ICU who see the sickest kids are all hopeful we can see a different RSV season next year with wider distribution of vaccine.'

A spokesperson for the CDC said: 'In some parts of the country, hospital beds for children are already nearly as full as they were this time last year.

'If these trends continue, the situation at the end of this month could again strain emergency departments and hospitals.'

Children's hospitals suffered from pressure on their units last year amid a wave of hospitalizations.

Experts now fear the same trend is repeating itself this year as diseases continue to spread again in the wake of the pandemic.

In the week to November 25, data analyzed by DailyMail.com showed 79 out of 711 children's units  or 11 percent  were at or over capacity.

Latest data shows RSV cases appear to have peaked, with the positivity rate  proportion of tests that pick up the virus  for PCR tests for the virus dropping to 11 percent in the week to December 16, the latest available, compared to 12 percent in the previous week.

But experts say hospitalizations will likely remain high for longer because of the time taken for someone who has caught the virus to become ill enough to seek care in hospital.

The above maps show flu-like illness levels by state in the week to December 2 (left) and November 25. Flu cases are rising in the US

There have been more than 23,000 new hospital admissions in the week ending December 9 - the fifth consecutive week numbers have risen and the highest levels seen since February

CDC director Dr Mandy Cohen says RSV has likely already peaked this year, although there is no sign of this yet for flu or Covid.

She said last week: 'We're seeing RSV peak a bit sooner, but we do not believe we're near yet at the peak of flu or Covid.'

A total of 24 states reported high or very high flu-like illness in the week to December 16, the latest available  up from 19 in the previous seven-day spell.

Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and Massachusetts were the latest states to report high or very high levels within the past week.

Louisiana and South Carolina are currently the hardest hit, with both reporting 'very high' levels of flu-like illness, alongside most southern states.

The CDC says 5.3million people have been sickened with the flu so far this year, while 54,000 people have been hospitalized and 3,200 have died from the disease.

This is 40 percent higher than the same time in 2019  the year before the pandemic  for infections, when 3.7million had been recorded.

But it is below the sasme time last year, when there were 15million illnesses at this time.

At this time in 2019, there were also 32,000 hospitalizations and 1,800 deaths.

Dr Bill Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, said he hoped the US could get back to 'normal' disease trends very soon.

He previously told DailyMail.com: 'I thought we were pretty much back to normal this year but apparently that is not the case.

'I would hope we can get back to an old normal rather more quickly in the context of this season.'

He pointed out that now that people were monitoring the spread of viruses more they may be spotting outbreaks more often than previously.

Jasmyne Kite, 9, from Wilson, North Carolina, passed away on December 18 from the flu

Latest CDC data showed flu cases were rising, with the proportion of swabs picking up the virus rising to nearly 13 percent in the week to December 16, the latest for which data is available.

For comparison, in the previous seven-day spell 9.9 percent of swabs detected the virus.

There have also been at least 14 pediatric deaths from the flu reported this year  or those in children.

Among the victims was nine-year-old Jasmyne Kite, from Wilson, North Carolina, passed away on December 18 after catching the common virus.

She is one of 14 flu-related deaths in the state so far in 2023.

After feeling ill for five days, Jasmyne was taken to the hospital last Wednesday after she began slipping in and out of consciousness.

The flu virus had infected her heart, doctors said, and Jasmyne suffered a cardiac arrest.

The flu had brought on viral myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.

Matthew Ledoux, ECU healths pediatrician-in-chief in Greenville, where Jasmyne was treated, said flu can be deadly for children.

'Their systems are pretty young, and they havent been exposed to most of those things,' he told Cleveland19.

CDC data shows that daily hospitalizations due to Covid have risen by three percent in the first week of December.

There were more than 23,000 new Covid hospital admissions in the week ending December 9 - the fifth consecutive week numbers have risen and the highest levels seen since February.

However, it is still 33 percent lower than the 34,932 hospitalizations this time last year.

Nationally, weekly Covid death rates are still 36 times lower than the peak of 2021 and 24 times lower than the peak of 2020, but they are expected to continue growing into winter.

The new variant JN.1 was first detected in the US in September and now accounts for an estimated 20 percent of cases.

The CDC expects it to reach 50 percent in the next two weeks, said Dr Manisha Patel, the agency's chief medical officer of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Meanwhile, more than half of states, particularly those in the South, have reported high or very high flu activity as of the week ending December 16.

The threshold for high is if at least two of the following are in the top percentiles nationally: the rate of flu-related hospitalizations, the percentage of deaths resulting from flu or the percentage of patient visits to outpatient clinics with flu symptoms.

Meanwhile, seniors in the US could be facing a 'great risk of serious illness' due to their low vaccination rates.

Health officials stressed an urgent need' to protect the vulnerable population from an outbreak of respiratory viruses.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report today found that as of December 10, just one-third of residents were up to date with their Covid vaccine, and just 10 percent had received a vaccine for RSV.

A higher share  72 percent  have received their flu vaccine.

Older residents in nursing homes are at heightened risk of severe illness and death from any one of the three viruses due to their weakened immune systems.

During the 2021-2022 flu season, the death rate for people 65 years and older was around 7.4 per 100,000 population, compared to 0.1 per 100,000 people among those aged 18 to 49 years.

Health experts have warned America is battling one of the worst winter cold seasons they've seen as cases of Covid, flu, and RSV continue to climb and put pressure on hospitals.
READ MORE: Why you do NOT need to shower each morning ... or ever again!

Dr Jason Singh of Virginia shared a TikTok about the best time to shower

A doctor has revealed the best time of day to take a shower.

Dr Jason Singh, a primary care physician in Virginia, posted a video on TikTok this week discussing whether it's best to shower in the morning or the evening.

About two-thirds of Americans report taking a shower every day, but the best time of day has been fiercely debated.

However, Dr Singh said that evening showers reign supreme by improving sleep quality, washing away pollutants, and hydrating dry skin.

Morning showers, however, can still eliminate grime and promote better hygiene.

Dr Jason Singh, a primary care doctor in Virginia, posted a TikTok this week where he compared the benefits of showering in the morning to showering at night

More than two-thirds of Americans report showering every day, but whether it's better to do it in the morning versus at night has been fiercely debated

'Overall, nighttime showers have more benefits to them, but a morning shower has really one benefit, and that's better hygiene,' Dr Singh said in the video, which has more than 688,000 views.

He said that a warm shower triggers the release of melatonin, a hormone that tells the body it's time to sleep.

In the hours before bedtime, the body naturally cools down, which promotes sleep. Taking a warm shower and then drying off mimics that process.

Poll When do you shower? Morning Evening When do you shower? Morning 425 votes

Evening 358 votes Now share your opinion





'As you towel off, your body cools down to the appropriate temperature,' Dr Singh said. 'These two things, when combined, transition into better sleep.'

A 2019 meta-analysis of 17 studies found that taking an evening shower between 104 and 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit led to better sleep quality.

Opting for a shower closer to bedtime can also make you feel cleaner before getting under the covers. 'Showering at night helps to wash away the entire day's grime, be it an environmental pollutant, sweat, or mysterious odors,' Dr Singh said.

In the morning, you're less likely to have as many germ-filled contaminants lurking in your skin.

Those with dry skin or conditions like acne and eczema could also benefit from getting clean in the evening.

Showering at night can promote the production of sleep hormone melatonin and keep skin hydrated, Dr Singh said.

These conditions deplete the skin of natural moisture. Showering can help replenish that moisture, and those effects last longer at night because that is when skin cells repair themselves.

'If you're prone to dry skin or sensitive skin, then showering at night is a better way to help hydrate your skin,' Dr Singh said.

However, a morning shower still has benefits. Even during the night, skin still accumulates bacteria and other germs as it sweats and sheds skin cells. Showering in the morning can still eliminate some of those contaminants, Dr Singh said.

'We know your body can accumulate some germs such as bacteria and fungus through processes like swearing and shedding skin cells,' he said.

'The byproduct of these creates an odor, and so morning showers cleanse the bacteria and skin secretions that have built up, bringing the skin microbiome to a more hygienic baseline. '
Looking down at your phone to text, check an email or scroll on social media could end with a visit to the hospital.

Injuries from 'twalking,' or texting while walking, are becoming more common, with doctors seeing an increase in patients with cuts, bruises and even fractures resulting from distracted strolling.

Messaging while on the move is soon to become the most common reason for tech injuries in the US, researchers found.

Phones currently cause 23 percent of tech injuries nationwide - from things like tripping over cords to bumping into objects while texting.

This made phones the second most dangerous tech product in America, behind TVs, which typically lead to injuries when people try to lift them.

Texting was the biggest cause of incidents involving a phone with 334, closely followed by talking with 333 and walking with 281

It comes as academics in Australia said taking selfies should be considered a 'public health problem.'

Decluttr - an online trade-in platform that buys unwanted tech - used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) compiled over the last decade on tech-related injuries and found they have risen 20 percent since 2020.

The increase is partly due to pandemic lockdowns leaving us more reliant on technology, the company said.

And tech-addicted millennials are most prone to accidents.

Types of incidents included walking into lampposts and bus stops, tripping into water fountains and falling down stairs.

General pain was the most common complaint from 'twalking' injuries, followed by bruising and lacerations, especially to the face and head.

Dr Sean Rockett, an orthopedic doctor from New England, told DailyMail.com he has seen 'many ankle sprains and wrist fractures from falling off curbs mostly' while patients have been on their phones.

A team from Australia analyzed scientific papers and media reports on injuries or deaths from selfies worldwide since 2008, and found nearly 400 had been reported over the 13-year study period  including 77 in the US.

Victims were most likely to be female tourists in their early 20s, while falling and drowning while taking a photo were the leading two causes of death.

In 2017, a 67-year-old woman plunged through a sidewalk access door in New Jersey because she was distracted by her phone.

She was then rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

In 2015, a man died after falling from a San Diego cliff after, police believe, he had been trying to take a photo of the sunset.

'He wasn't watching where he was walking and looking more down at the device,' San Diego Lifeguard Sgt. Bill Bender told CBS.

In August 2012, a Philadelphia man fell onto train tracks while on his phone, but was helped off the tracks before a train arrived.

In the same year, a n Indiana mother named Bonnie Miller had to be rescued from Lake Michigan after she fell in the water while walking on a pier texting and not paying attention.

'I had set an appointment for the wrong time and so I sent about three words. Next thing you know it was the water,' Mrs Miller said to ABC57.com following her accident in March 2012.

Her husband realized what was going on and jumped in after her as other passersby called for help.

In 2011, 19-year-old Ryan Robbins died after a night out in Melbourne, Australia, as he accidentally walked over a short railing in a parking lot and plunged to his death while texting his friend.

Earlier this year, researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia asked 50 young adults to walk along a tiled path, which featured a sliding tile that would cause them to slip.

They did so either without texting or while typing the phrase 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' into their phone.

Texting was found to increase the risk of accidental falls in the study volunteers, who were recorded slipping but wore a safety harness to prevent them from actually falling to the ground and suffering injuries.

The results - that texting pedestrians risk falling over - may seem obvious, but motion sensors attached to each person provided insight into why texting while walking is potentially such a bad idea.

When people texted, their gait was less stable, and they were less able to recover their balance.

A separate, similar study published in JAMA in 2019 examined 20 years of data from emergency rooms and observed a spike in cellphone-related incidents.

Researchers found the number of head and neck injuries related to cell phones while doing things like walking increased steadily between 1998 and 2017, as cell phones became a permanent fixture in most American's hands.

While most of the injuries were minor, such as cuts and bruises, some were more serious and included fractures.
Oil prices tipped above $80 per barrel on Friday after shipping firms reduced their traffic through the Red Sea following a series of attacks.

Brent Crude futures were 0.9 per cent up at $80.32 in morning trading, its highest price since the end of November, before dipping back to $79.76 during the early afternoon, according to Morningstar.

Rebels from Yemen's Houthi movement claimed to have launched numerous assaults in the Bab-al-Mandab Strait over recent weeks on commercial vessels they believe are heading towards Israel.

Danger: Oil prices tipped above $80 per barrel on Friday after shipping firms reduced their traffic through the Red Sea following a series of attacks

Consequently, many prominent shipowners have diverted journeys away from the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, which is directly connected to the Suez Canal.

Both Moller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced their vessels would instead travel around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, costing millions of dollars and adding a potential ten extra days to trips.

Oil tanker groups Euronav and Frontline declared on 18 December that they would avoid the Red Sea, with energy giant BP following a few days afterwards, blaming the 'deteriorating security situation'.

So far, oil prices and supplies have endured limited impact from the Houthi attacks as most Middle Eastern oil is transported via the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition, a multinational coalition fronted by the United States - called Operation Prosperity Guardian - has been launched to safeguard ships travelling through the Red Sea.

Nonetheless, oil prices could rise significantly higher should the Israel-Hamas war that began on 7 October escalate into a broader regional conflagration.

Oil prices soared considerably in 2022 following the gradual loosening of Covid-related restrictions across the world and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Brent crude spot prices averaged about $100 per barrel throughout the year, while the comparative figure for West Texas Intermediate was $95.

Though prices have slid back this year, they remain far above pre-pandemic levels, partly due to some oil-producing countries cutting output.

At the end of November, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia - a group known as OPEC+ - agreed to reduce production levels by 2.2 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2024.

On Thursday, Angola announced it was leaving OPEC after clashing with Saudi Arabia over lowering its production baseline.

Analysts do not expect the decision to dramatically affect oil prices, as Angola is responsible for just under 2 per cent of OPEC+'s output, which totalled 43 million barrels per day last month, according to the International Energy Agency.
We ask the experts which toys and collectables are worth investing in

Looking for a last-minute gift? Consider a collectable that could rise in value

If you're still looking for some last-minute gift ideas, you might want to consider looking at collectables.

There are plenty of items that you could buy as an investment, like a first-edition book or vintage bottle of wine, but these can often be expensive.

Instead, looking for smaller-ticket items and buying 'one to play and one to put away' could net you some extra cash in the coming years.

We speak to some collectable experts about what gifts might rise in value over time, and which could make you a pretty penny as soon as the new year.

Collectables: Trainers, trading cards and collectables have all soared in popularity recently

Funko Pops

With such a vast number of brands and collections, as well as increasing number of franchises - think of the ever-expanding Marvel universe - investing in toys can be a daunting prospect.

Toy expert Dougie Anscombe-Stephen, founder of Not Another Toy Store says: 'In the 80s you could fixate on Star Wars: A New Hope and the toys released in 1977.

'There was a very narrow range of toys and collectables as it was based on one film and there was always going to be a limited amount.

'Today, the loyalty isn't towards franchises I don't think. For millennials it's more about the toy brand itself and that's where you'll start to see a shift.

Anscombe-Stephen focuses on the lower end of the market and thinks there is value to be found in limited releases.

Among these are Funko Pops, the cute, big-headed vinyl figures which have become popular with collectors since they arrived on the scene in 2010.

'A lot of people buy Funkos at the moment because of the low price point - they can afford to buy two or more,' he says. 'You can pick them up for anything from 5 to 12, but the market is getting a lot more savvy as to which are the rarer ones.'

There are a few ways to find out which Funko Pops are the most valuable. The first is the Funko app, which aggregates data on trending toys and their value.

The other, which is growing in popularity, is by doing your own research, using online forums and speaking to other collectors.

Cheap and cheerful: Funko Pops can be bought for as little as 5, but could rise in value

'What my kids and I do is look at crowdsourcing the information,' says Anscombe-Stephen. 'Ask who's seen a model, and you start to build up a picture of how many of that design Funko has released.'

If you're new to Funko Pops, he suggests starting with five or six models because 'there are a ridiculous amount of collections out there from there you can double down on researching.'

He recommends that people looking for a toy investment over five to 10 years should consider rare Funko Pops as they are likely to rise in value.

'The important thing to remember is that, of the thousands of people I've met who deal with Funkos, I've only ever met one person who was really serious about it. For the rest it's still rooted in fun and not about pure profit,' he adds.

Lego

When it comes to classic toys that could rise in value, Anscombe-Stephen's top pick is Lego.

'Lego has been a feature of the collector market for some time,' he says. 'I've been after a Lego castle set from the mid-80s and you'd be lucky to find one now.

'If you look at Lego both as an investment and for the sense of enjoyment, the two are by far the most equal in measure [of any toy].'

His top tip is to snap up new Lego sets when they are released, and then sell when the firm retires them.

'If you know it's coming into retirement soon, you could see it on the secondary market for twice the price,' Anscombe-Stephen says.

'A 150 set the day after it retires could sell for 450 at trade shows. We sold a set for 300 and a few weeks later it sold again for 800.

Of course, you can make even more if you take care of it for a longer time.

'You can sit on it knowing you could make money, but you could also enjoy it,' he adds. 'The sheer amount of enjoyment on the build and admiring it is huge.'

Tamagotchis

Millennials will remember Tamagotchis as one of the biggest toy fads of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, the pocket-sized digital pets from Japan are making a comeback.

If you got your hands on an original Tamagotchi or it's been in your attic for the past 20 years, you could be sitting on a few hundred pounds, according to Anscombe-Stephen.

As long as there's nostalgia there and people are willing to be a part of it, there'll be a price tag attached Toy expert Dougie Anscombe-Stephen

'I wouldn't have believed that original ones from the 1990s would be worth 200 now,' he says.

A number of Tamagotchis have been reissued recently and remain at the lower price point of around 20.

'Retro is coming back and kids are wanting to go back to that lo-fi tech,' says Anscombe-Stephen. 'I think they will speculate but it will take time, maybe 20 to 30 years if you keep hold of them.

'Nostalgia is a huge seller and a huge weapon of speculation. As long as there's nostalgia there and people are willing to be a part of it, there'll be a price tag attached.'

Crucially though, you'll need to keep it in mint condition. Factors like sun damage and bleaching can significantly decrease the resale price.

Virtual pet: Tamagotchis were a popular game in the late 1990s and early 2000s but are making a comeback

Video consoles and games

Like Tamagotchis, interest in retro video games has rocketed in recent years.

Andrew Ewbank, partner and auctioneer at Ewbank's Auctions says that, as most video games now come in the form of digital downloads, having a cartridge to hold in your hands has taken on a nostalgic appeal.

'People tend to have digital-only versions for their consoles, and so the appeal of older games is around the physical issue of them,' he says.

'Some of them are more rare and valuable because of quirks. It might be a banned video game or artwork and access was restricted, which increases the value.'

The most desirable items at the moment are sealed Nintendo Game Boy games. 'Where people have bought a couple of copies and put one in the attic, they're selling for 2,000 to 3,000.'

As with toys, condition of the product and whether it is sealed is important.

With newer games, Ewbank says the value is harder to predict.

'The impact of streaming has yet to be fully seen. Physical copies of games are becoming rarer, and the most valuable things tend to be iconic games that are sealed,' he says.

If you're looking to buy something to put away, he recommends opting for limited and collector's editions and to keep them in their shrink wrap.

Anscombe-Stephen says there is also money to be made in the 'flipping' market - when something is bought to be sold in the short term to make a profit.

However, this is less of a seasonal phenomenon and one focused on limited product releases.

Pokemon cards

Pokemon is synonymous with the trading card market, and their popularity has continued to soar.

The nostalgia around the '151' collection - the original cast of characters - is a good place to start if you're considering buying trading cards as an investment, says Ewbank.

'It's old characters like Pikachu with new artworks that appeals to the original players,' he says. 'You could buy a set from retail and if you can get hold of two, leave it sealed and hope it exponentially rises in value.'

As with other products, sealed trading cards are going to increase in value more.

Catch them all: Pokemon card collectors could see their investments grow in value

'A played card which has elastic bands around it, or the edges worn, is going to have a much lower value,' Ewbank adds.

Trading cards can be graded depending on their condition, but you'll want a 7.5/10 or more grade to increase the value, says Ewbank.

Grading card companies will charge you for the service, and you can also do this through a broker for a fee. A 'gem mint 10' is the best grade you can achieve.

Trading cards are a good example of the fact that the value of collectables can go down, as well as up, however,

If a company decides to reprint a set of trading cards, however, the value of your cards is likely to drop.

Last year, Hasbro was accused of overprinting Magic the Gathering trading cards and diminishing their value, to the dismay of collectors.

Ewbank says: 'It is still a young market and prices move up and down quite quickly. 'What tends to move the needle on this is that 2021 saw the high point of prices in lockdown, which had a knock-on effect. People were at home more, so there were more players and more buyers.

'Now, people have less disposable income and people are playing less. It means prices have dropped back and there's been a big rebalancing on prices.'

Trainers

The rise of platforms like StockX, a platform dedicated to reselling trainers and clothes, shows trainers have become one of the most sought after items for collectors.

Drew Haines, merchandising director of trainers at StockX, said: 'A new generation of consumers are seeking out investment opportunities that are meaningful on a personal and cultural level while also delivering future returns. Sneakers are one of the leading categories of this paradigm shift.'

Could a pair of trainers you get for Christmas actually be a good investment, though?

The Jordan brand has been protective of Jordan 4 releases, driving up their value

The collaboration between Adidas and clothing brand Wales Bonner shows how the price can rise very quickly on the back of collector hype.

Their latest Adidas Samba Pony trainer is very popular at the moment but Haines says it is trainers from their earlier collections that are seeing the most significant appreciation.

The Adidas Samba Wales Bonner Cream Green was released in June 2022 for $160 (125). Its average resale price on StockX is now $514.

Haines said: 'The more limited a release is, the better the chance is that it will trade for a premium. The Jordan brand has been super protective of Jordan 4 releases  you will only see a few Jordan 4s every year, including collaborations. As a result, the supply is more limited, driving up the value of every release.'

So how do you know which trainers are going to rise in value? As with any investment, it's hard to know whether they will, or by how much.

However, as supply of older trainers tends to decrease over time, resale values tend to increase. This is especially true of trainers that are unworn and in their original packaging.

Haines said: 'A large number of people purchase sneakers to wear rather than to sell, meaning there is an ever decreasing amount of "deadstock" products available for people to trade.'

He recommends looking at early collections from a first-ever collaboration like Wales Bonner x adidas or JJJJound x Asics, can increase in value over time.

He adds: 'Also, don't underestimate the power of a major movie or TV franchise. We've seen collaborations that involve Star Wars and Batman see really strong price appreciation  and that's happening cross-category, from collectables like Lego sets to special sneakers.'

Vinyl

With vinyl back in vogue and a growing number of collectors, records could be a great investment this Christmas.

Steve Taylor, dealer at sellvinylrecords.co.uk, says potential investors should look for big artists with an already proven worldwide collectors market.

'I'm thinking here artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie - but perhaps look no further than the Beatles and the Stones, who have both had new releases this year. Even big collectable bands in more niche genres Like Iron Maiden or Metallica,' he says.

Hitmaker: Limited edition Taylor Swift vinyl records could rise in value in the coming years, says one expert

Limited editions are also worth a look, as scarcity can increase the value of records, especially if you can get your hands on a small run of 500 or 1000.

Oasis' live album Familiar to Millions cost approximately 29.99 in 2000 and is now worth 750. Similarly, Taylor Swift's pink vinyl limited edition record of 1989 cost 29.99 in 2018 and is now valued at 1500.

Taylor's top recommendations for this Christmas are Taylor Swift's lilac vinyl limited edition release of 'Speak Now', currently retailing at 49.99.

He also recommends The Beatles' 1962-1966 red vinyl limited edition, retailing at 79.99, and Metallica's Master of Puppets, coloured vinyl limited edition, which is on pre-release for 39.99.

Taylor also recommends looking for upcoming artists that might make it big one day.

'The sheer fact that they are relatively unknown now will mean limited numbers on the market. 'If or when they make it to the big time, these very early recordings will be sought after and therefore rise significantly in value.

'It's a bit more risky opting towards lesser-known or unknown artists, but there are also new artists that are already making their mark in the collectable market.

'Taylor Swift is a great example of this.'
The latest episodes of The Crown show the moment 19-year-old Prince Willliam fell in love with Catherine Middleton at St Andrews University.

Unforgettably, she sashayed down the catwalk in an eye-popping at a charity fashion show. The wide-eyed prince declared 'Wow! Kates hot'.

Eighty years ago this Christmas, by curious coincidence, William's grandfather, Prince Philip of Greece had a similar kerching moment.

At a pantomime at Windsor Castle, the 22-year-old was stunned to see Princess Elizabeth, parading across the stage - legs on display - in Aladdin.

It was a far cry from their first recorded encounter at Dartmouth Naval College in July 1939 when Philip was a show-off 18-year-old cadet and Elizabeth, five years his junior, was very much a schoolgirl in her socks, classic little girl shoes and unflattering beret.

First recorded meeting between Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth, 13, at Dartmouth Royal Naval College, 1939

Princess Elizabeth shows a leg during the production of Aladdin in 1943

A signed photograph of Princesses Elizabeth, left, and Margaret in 1943

Now she was clearly blossoming into an attractive young woman with undoubtedly shapely legs to boot.

Philip very nearly didn't see the panto. He'd been confined to bed with 'flu at London's Claridges Hotel but rallied in time to attend the third and final night of the show on 18 December 1943, where he saw Elizabeth as the Principal Boy and her 13-year-old sister Margaret as Princess Roxanne.

An ecstatic Elizabeth told her governess Marion Crawford: 'Who do you think is coming to see us act, Crawfie? Philip.'

The princess was flushed with excitement according to Crawfie, who said: 'I have never known Lilibet more animated. There was a sparkle about her none of us had ever seen before. Many people remarked on it.'

Philip sat on the front row alongside the King and Queen and his cousin Princess Marina. The King was more concerned than the prince with his eldest daughter's costume which he had personally inspected.

'Lilibet cannot possibly wear that,' he complained to Miss C, 'The tunic is too short.'

But wear it, she did.

From her position in the wings, meanwhile, the governess had the chance to give Philip the once over.

'He was greatly changed,' she noted, 'It was a grave and charming young man who sat there with nothing of the rather bumptious young boy I had first known about him.'

The programme for Aladdin, which starred Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret

The Royal Family arrive by boat at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, 1939. Left to right: Louis Mountbatten, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI and Princess Elizabeth

Prince Philip of Greece at Gordonstoun in 1939

A charming portrait of Princess Elizabeth as Aladdin in 1943

Crawfie must have missed the bits when, according to his cousin Alexandra, Queen of Yugoslavia, Philip was 'nearly falling out of his seat with laughter at such corny jokes as...

Widow Twankey: There's a large copper in the kitchen.

Princess Elizabeth: We'll soon get rid of him.

Also in the audience was the princesss friend Alethea Fitzalan Howard, who wrote in her diary: Philip seems so suited to PE and I kept wondering today whether he is her future husband.

'I think it is the most desirable event that could possibly happen. She would like it and, though he could not be in love with her, I believe he is not averse to the idea.

There was more excitement for the princess as the King and Queen invited Philip to stay for the weekend at Windsor Castle. He was back a week later with his cousin David Milford-Haven to spend Christmas with the Royal Family.

Queen Alexandra recalled there was a party of nine seated for dinner on Christmas Eve and that 'Philip entertained the King with a half-comical account of the adventures on HMS Wallace off Sicily when three German aircraft dive-bombed her.'

Later they turned all the lights out in the drawing room and told ghost stories by the fire light. 'We settled ourselves to be frightened,' Margaret wrote, 'and we were NOT. Most disappointing.' One would suspect Elizabeth and Philip enjoyed the ghostly blackout more than the complaining princess did.

Crawfie received an excited report from Elizabeth: 'We had a very gay time, with a film, dinner parties and dancing to the gramophone'

The King' Private Secretary, Tommy Lascelles, noted they 'frisked and capered away till nearly 1am'.

Normally hard to please Margaret added: 'went mad and we danced and danced and danced...the best night of all.'

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret as Aladdin and Princess Roxana at Windsor Castle

Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in his naval uniform and fiancee Princess Elizabeth on their arrival at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in July 1947

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten outside Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, in the state apartments at Buckingham Palace in July 1947as her engagement to Philip is announced

In a thank you letter to Queen Elizabeth, Philip hoped 'my behaviour did not get out of hand.'

In another thank you after another stay a few weeks later he reflected on how much he loved 'the simple enjoyment of family pleasures and amusements,' and the fact that the King and Queen family gave him 'the feeling that I am welcome to share them.

For the young man who had not a house he could call home since his parents split when he was nine, the tightly-knit royal family must have seemed as solid as the stones of Windsor Castle itself.

The rest, as they say, was history. From then on Philip and Elizabeth took a much greater interest in each other's lives and activities, and as Marion Crawford noted the Christmas of 1943 was a very definite turning point for the young couple.
Sven-Goran Eriksson today revealed he has terminal cancer , declaring: 'I have to fight as long as possible'. The former England manager, 75, fears he has a year to live or at 'worst a little less' after the bombshell diagnosis last year. He said: 'Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good. Everyone guesses it's cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can'. When asked what the prognosis is, he told Sweden's P1 radio station that he has 'maybe at best a year, at worst a little less, or at best maybe even longer. You can't be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it'. There had been speculation about his health after he stopped working as sporting director of Karlstad in his native Sweden . Today he revealed that he collapsed after a run last year and found out he was seriously ill. He said: 'It is not good. Everyone guessed it's cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can'.
Criminals are hacking children's social media accounts and cloning their voices using AI to trick their parents into sending them money, MailOnline can reveal.

Even the most basic scammers are using simple AI tools online to turn just three seconds of a child's voice into deepfake audio files with an 85 to 90 per cent match, security experts have warned.

With more effort spent on cloning, hackers can even achieve a 95 per cent voice match, research from security firm McAfee shows, leaving parents at risk of being exploited by ruthless fraudsters.

The more accurate the clone, the better chance a criminal has of preying on the vulnerability of a friend or family member and tricking them into handing over their money.

One influencer, with nearly 400,000 followers on TikTok, revealed how her mother was woken up in the middle of the night to a call from an unknown number. When she answered, it was her daughter's voice - which had been cloned - screaming for help.

It comes as fraud experts issued fresh warnings over the latest 'hi mum' texts where scammers 'prey on our goodwill with emotive stories' and con parents into thinking their children are in trouble.

Vonny Gamot, head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at McAfee, told MailOnline that AI is 'becoming a catalyst' for online fraud such as the 'hi mum, hi dad' scam.

She said: 'The AI wave is going to give a second life to everything that has been around for a while already. The only thing is, we're going to see more and those threats are going to be even more lethal because of AI.'

Ms Gamot revealed how a rise in the younger generating using social media - as well as preferring sending voice notes over text messages - could be behind the rise in this type of fraud.

Hackers are targeting children's social media accounts, such as on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok to obtain samples of their voices from videos posted online or from voice messages.

Ms Gamot explained: 'Hackers are going to sample their voice from the social media. They're going to use no more than three seconds and they are going to create a new scam.'

She added: 'You know this voice - and the reason why you know this voice is because this voice has been sampled. The sample is genuine but the AI has used it to create a full scam.'

The hackers will then call, send voicemails or voice messages with the sample to the 'mum' and 'dad' contacts saved in the children's phones.

Ms Gamot explained that when a mother or father then hears the voice of their child, they are likely to panic in the moment. 'You're losing your vigilance, you're not calling on your common sense,' she added.

One woman shared a video on TikTok where she claimed that her family had fallen victim to the terrifying AI voice scam.

'These people are manipulating your voice, taking your voice from phone calls you've made, this video, and they create what they want your voice to say,' she said.

'At 2.26 in the morning my mum got a call from an unknown number and of course she answered it because she's like something's wrong, it's 2.30am. When she answers the phone, it's me, my voice, screaming hysterically and crying.'

The woman explained how when her mother asked what was wrong, the voice kept shouting: 'Please don't hurt me, please. Why are you doing this?'

She continued: 'All of a sudden the call ended out of nowhere. She's trying to call the number back and getting no response.'

She even revealed how the voice was using her dog's name during the call, making the scam even more realistic.

Criminals are hacking children's social media accounts and cloning their voices using AI to trick parents into sending them money (file image)

This woman shared how her family had fallen victim to the AI voice scam. Her mother received a phone call in the middle of the night. When she answered, it was a clone of her daughter's voice screaming for help

It's not just children who are being targeted. A McAfee survey found 50 per cent of adults share their voice data online at least once a week on social media or through voice notes.

The research revealed scammers are using AI technology to clone voices and then send a fake voicemail to or call the victim's contacts pretending to be in distress.

How to protect yourself from AI voice cloning Create a 'codeword' with children, family members or trusted close friends that only they could know - and make a plan to always ask for it if they call, text or email.

Always question the source: If it's a call, text or email from an unknown sender, or even if it's from a number you recognise, stop, pause and think. Does that really sound like them? Hang up and call the person directly.

Think before you click and share  Who is in your social media network? Do you really know and trust them? Be thoughtful about the friends and connections you have online. The wider your connections and the more you share, the more risk you may be opening yourself up to having your identity cloned for malicious purposes.

Identity theft protection services can help make sure your personally identifiable information is not accessible or notify you if your private information makes its way to the Dark Web. Take control of your personal data to avoid a cybercriminal being able to pose as you.

Source: McAfee Advertisement

Some 65 per cent of adults were not confident that they could identify the cloned version from the real thing.

The cost of falling for an AI voice scam can be significant, with 40 per cent of people who'd lost money saying it had cost them over 1,000, while 6 per cent were duped out of between 5,000 and 15,000.

Ms Gamot said that her company is already identifying 1.5 million plus threats per day that are AI based - with the 'hi mum, hi dad' scam text one major form of fraud.

'Scammers will use AI tool that they can simply find online or on the dark web. They will sample something,' she added.

'In that case it could be a voice, they then use it against you, and they're going to try to either get data out of you so that they can resell it or they're going try to get money out of you. In both cases, you're not in a good shape.'

Ms Gamot said that the 'digitisation of the younger generation is becoming increasingly important' - with children getting access to devices at a younger age and schools asking kids to do homework online.

McAfee advise victims of potential AI scams to first 'take a breath' and then call their friend or family member to double or even triple check that they are not in trouble.

Ms Gamot explained: 'We are really starting to see that those threats are picking up and we wan to make sure that we give everyone the tool to actually protect themselves while they continue to enjoy their digital life online.

'The only thing is we want to make sure that people can do this in a safe way.

'And before we we tried sell our solutions, we also want to share a few tips that we believe you know, doesn't cost anything, and actually, pretty pretty efficient, and really start by again taking a big breath and and thinking twice about is it?'

Pictured above are examples of scammers posing as children to con parents into sending money. There has been a resurgence in the 'hi mum, hi dad' scam - which is increasing with the development of AI

McAfee also suggests setting a verbal 'codeword' with children or trusted close friends that only they could know when in trouble.

Scam expert Nick France, of leading cybersecurity company Sectigo, also fears that these types of fraud will only increase in the next five years, especially with the growing use of AI deepfakes.

Mr France told MailOnline: 'The ever-increasing sophistication of AI has made it possible for cybercriminals to successfully mimic the voice of another person, and successfully impersonate them for a number of attacks.

'People think phone scams, that successfully manipulate someone's voice is mission impossible, but the reality is that AI deepfake voice technology is more democratised than we like to believe, it doesn't take an MIT graduate to pull this off.

Just last month, Sadiq Khan fell victim to a deepfake audio which mimicked him saying: 'I don't give a flying s*** about the Remembrance weekend.'

A McAfee survey found 50 per cent of adults share their voice data online at least once a week on social media or through voice notes. (file image)

The rise of AI voice cloning has brought a resurgence of the 'hi mum, hi dad' scam which first started appearing on Whatsapp in 2021.

It has since grown on other platforms such as text messages and now voice messages.

Data shared with MailOnline by TSB shows that 'Friends and Family fraud' accounts for 53 per cent of all impersonation scams, with 93 per cent originating on WhatsApp.

The average loss for the fraud victim is more than 1,600.

Matt Hepburn, fraud spokesman for TSB, said: 'Friends and family impersonation scammers prey on our goodwill with emotive stories and pleas for urgent financial help, simply to steal money intended for someone close to us.

'If you receive one of these texts, contact the individual directly before engaging any further, and certainly before ever making a payment  as it's highly likely to be a scam.'

Chris Ainsley, Head of Fraud at Santander, told MailOnline: 'It's natural to want to immediately act on any messages from loved ones asking for help, but scammers will impersonate friends and family members to panic you into transferring money without thinking about what you're doing.

'Always take the time to consider what you're being asked to do, any requests to transfer money to a new account or excuses why a person can't speak directly on the phone, should be treated as a red flag.'
But a judge ruled Scott should not have transferred the money meaning Vilardi and co-accused husband Ross Vilardi, 36, were not entitled to a dime

As her mom's sole heir, this may have led Vilardi, 40, to believe she stood to inherit $104,913.15

Prior to the murders, victim Cathy Taylor Scott had transferred herself funds from her mom and fellow victim Violet Taylor's account, court documents show

The South Carolina mother charged with murdering four family members eight years after the gory killings took place, may have thought she stood to inherit more than $100,000 from the deaths, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Amy Vilardi, 40, and her husband Ross, 36, were arrested and charged with the 2015 murders of her mother Cathy Taylor Scott, 60, her grandmother Violet Taylor, 82, her stepfather Mike Scott, 58 and Mike's mother Barbara Scott, 80, last week. The couple appeared in court and were denied bond Saturday.

Now, court documents obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, shed light on a chilling possible motive for the heinous crimes which shocked the rural community of Pendleton, South Carolina, where the victims and their alleged killers all lived.

Six months after the killings, Vilardi and her husband sued Anderson County Sheriffs Department for the return of property seized in a string of search warrants executed on the murder victims home, the Vilardis trailer and a storage facility owned by Vilardis husband.

The property included $88,500 in cash and other property that the Vilardis argued was theirs and of no evidentiary value'.

Amy Vilardi and her husband Ross are accused of brutally murdering four members of their family. Now court documents exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com reveal she may have believed that she would stand to inherit $100,000 upon her relatives' deaths

Vilardi, 40, and her husband Ross (pictured in mugshots) sued Anderson County Sheriffs Department six months after the killings for the return of property seized in a string of searches on the murder victims home, the Vilardis trailer and a storage facility owned by Ross

But, by bringing the suit, Vilardi unwittingly sparked a protracted legal fight over her grandmothers estate, as family members intervened in a bid to ensure that she and the husband she married just eight weeks after the murders didnt get a dime.

Anderson County Court documents reviewed by DailyMail.com show that the court battle exposed a string of shady financial moves that took place in the months before the murders and could have led Vilardi to wrongly believe that she alone stood to inherit a $105,000 fortune.

Vilardis grandmother, Violet, inherited a substantial sum of money from her late husband John Taylor when he died without a will on June 20, 1985.

Taylors sons, David, 73, and Roger, 75,  Vilardis uncles  and her daughter Cathy  Vilardis mother  transferred their interests in the money and personal property to Violet four days later on June 24.

According to court documents, At the time of her death Violet J Taylor lived with her daughter, Cathy Taylor Scott, [who] helped her mother with her financial matters and Violet J Taylor placed special trust and confidence in her.

Eighteen months before her murder Violet signed over general durable power of attorney to Cathy.

Then on August 14, 2014, Cathy withdrew $75,000 that had been held by her mother in two high performing money market accounts and placed them in a checking account in her name only.

She then withdrew a further $40,000 from a savings account held by her mother and placed it in a checking account in their joint names.

Cathy Scott withdrew $75,000 that had been held by her mother in two high performing money market accounts and placed them in a checking account in her name only. She is pictured with her husband Mike

The estate of Vilardi's slain grandmother Violet Taylor, 82, (left) was at the center of the lawsuit and may have led Vilardi to believe she personally stood to inherit $104, 913.15. Mike Scott's mother Barbara Scott, 80, was also killed.

Ironically one of the last checks written from that account was a prepayment for Violets funeral expenses. The check for $11,426 was made out to Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home on September 25, 2015.

A little over a month later, Vilardi placed the 911 call to report finding the bodies of her mother, stepfather and two grandmothers in the double-wide trailer they shared.

Detectives worked on the belief that the victims knew their killers from the very start. This week after the arrests, Sheriff Chad McBride said: 'I think we knew this day would come.'

Describing the attacks as very, very aggressive and personal, cops believe the two elderly women were shot when they emerged from their bedrooms after Mike Scott had been blasted in the head while in the lounge.

Cathy managed to escape to the master bedroom where the killer, or killers, followed her and shot her twice in the head.

There were two guns beside her next to the bed  a pellet gun and a shotgun  which belonged to her husband but had not been used.

Anderson County Sheriffs Office Detective Scotty Hill told the Unsolved Mysteries podcast earlier this year: Mike, Barbara and Violet were killed by their throats being slashed, and Cathy was killed by a stab wound to the chest.

Mike, Barbara and Violet were all shot post-mortem. Cathy was shot while still alive, but that wasnt what killed her. It was the knife wound to the chest that killed her.

Anderson County Judge Martha Newton ruled that money Vilardi was seeking as her mother's heir did not really belong to her mom and should have instead gone to her grandmother's surviving children

All four family members were slaughtered in this three-bedroom home outside Pendleton. The Vilardis were sued for breach of contract for allegedly agreeing to sell the home and then pocketing $10,000 without handing over a deed

Once we found out the extent of the injuries and the fact that their throats were cut, and then they were shot post-mortem, it seemed very, very aggressive and personal, and somebody full of rage and hate.

The officer said he had never seen anything like it before  or since.

DailyMail.com previously reported that investigators were digging into any history of family disputes.

Vilardi admitted that she had been arguing with her mother at the time of her death and was not allowing the older woman to see her six and four-year-old grandchildren, even though the families lived just yards from each other.

But she dismissed the argument as not serious and like any other disagreement families might have.

The 40-year-old mother of two wept in television interviews during which she demanded answers from investigators and wondered how the killer could live with themself.

At the time of her mothers death, Vilardi was the sole legal representative of her estate.

But while Vilardi may have believed that estate to amount to the sizeable sum that her mother Cathy had moved from Violets accounts into ones established in her own name, Anderson County Judge Martha Newton did not agree.

Amy and Ross Vilardi married eight weeks after the murders. They lived in a mobile home next to the family home

Vilardi had demanded to know why police were not making more progress in the investigation in TV interviews before being charged eight years later

In a ruling handed down on May 3, 2018, Newton noted that the only money that ever went into any of these accounts had come from Violets inheritance, her social security retirement, her pension benefits, and interest accrued.

Three years after Violet, Cathy, Mike, and Barbara were brutally murdered, Judge Newton found that Cathy Scott breached her fiduciary duty when she transferred money from accounts she did not contribute to'.

The judge ruled that the money that Vilardi was seeking to claim as Cathys heir, was actually Violet's. As such, the court found, it should be distributed to her surviving children, the representatives of her estate, David, and Roger Taylor.

Mike Scotts sister, Pam Isbell, who had also intervened in a separate bid to prevent the money going to the Vilardis, accepted this settlement.

A second lawsuit uncovered by DailyMail.com shows that nine months before losing this claim to Taylors estate, and two years after the killings, in August 2017, Vilardi and her husband were sued for breach of contract.

The legal action was brought by a couple to whom the Vilardis had agreed to sell the double-wide trailer in which the victims lived and their own neighboring single-wide out of which Vilardi ran a dog grooming business.

According to court documents seen by DailyMail.com Vilardi and her husband, who had by then moved away, were accused of pocketing a $10,000 deposit then failing to hand over the deeds as agreed.

The case was dismissed in October 2019 after the issue was resolved with Vilardi finally selling the property to the couple for $63,750.
Humza Yousaf yesterday faced an unprecedented backlash over his tax-hiking Budget that will see people pay more and get less.

As the SNP was attacked from almost all sectors over its fiscal decisions, the First Minister was accused of driving doctors out of Scotlands NHS by forcing them to pay thousands more than medics in England.

Councils, business leaders, economists, community groups, charities and opposition parties have all criticised the tax and spending plans unveiled by Finance Secretary Shona Robison on Tuesday.

And Mr Yousaf was branded high tax Humza at Holyrood as he was condemned for raising taxes while cutting services.

In a triple whammy, a new 45p income tax band will hit earnings above 75,000, the top rate on earnings above 125,140 will rise by 1p to 48p, and the higher rate threshold will be frozen at 43,663.

Humza Yousaf's tax hiking Budget was met with a huge backlash at First Minister's Questions

This will see everyone earning above 28,850 in Scotland paying more tax than those living in other parts of the UK.

Taking Mr Humza to task at First Ministers Questions, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: At its heart, this was a Budget which was about Scots paying more and getting less.

These SNP tax hikes will damage our economy and risk forcing highly skilled, valued workers out of Scotland.

Mr Ross highlighted the concerns of Iain Kennedy, chairman of the British Medical Association Scotland, who warned about the impact of the new 45p tax band.

Mr Kennedy said: This measure may push more doctors out of the NHS to jobs elsewhere or retirement  or force them to cut overtime. He also argued this could see NHS boards having to spend more on locums to cover growing gaps and hinder efforts to cut waiting lists.

Mr Ross said: We could lose those nurses, doctors and specialist NHS staff for good. Does Humza Yousaf accept his tax rises could force key workers out of Scotlands NHS?

He also slammed the failure to give struggling Scots firms the same business rates relief as their counterparts get in England.

Mr Ross said: He is putting Scottish businesses at a competitive disadvantage, he is driving key NHS staff away, and his decisions mean 1.5million Scots will pay more than people south of the Border. Is this all Scotland can expect from high tax Humza?

Council umbrella body Cosla said local authorities are now facing a 351million shortfall.

Cosla president Shona Morrison said: Initial analysis shows a real-terms cut which will leave council services at breaking point.

'The Budget could result in service cuts, job losses and a shift to providing statutory services only.

This means potentially losing libraries, leisure centres and all the things that improve our lives.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: This is the most devastating Budget in the history of devolution.

'Why is it on his watch Scots pay more and get less? But Mr Yousaf said: This Budget at its very heart is about values. We are asking the top 5 per cent of earners to pay a little more. And by doing so we are able to give our NHS over 500million of an uplift.

He added: Every time we ensure progressive taxation in Scotland, Douglas Ross suggests there will be some kind of mass exodus. Well the statistics dont bear that out.

He said figures showed a net inward migration of 10,000 people from the rest of the UK in 2021.

On Wednesday, the Scottish Fiscal Commission urged ministers to conduct more research to see if their tax policies are now deterring people from coming to Scotland.
It was the final FMQs of 2023 and Father Christmas must have come early, for everyone was in possession of their own set of facts. Douglas Ross insisted on knowing whether Humza Yousaf thought it fair that a majority of Scots will pay more tax than people south of the Border who earn the same wage.

Yousaf told him the majority of people in Scotland will pay less tax than people in the rest of the United Kingdom. And there were no ifs, no buts and no maybes about that.

Ross branded the First Minister high-tax Humza, while Yousaf accused him of advocating for himself, as one of the top 5 per cent-earners in the country, to get 754 extra in a tax cut.

The snider their leaders got, the rowdier the Nationalist and Tory contingents grew. Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone told them all to wheesht, adding: I do not want to be shouting into a void. When you spend your days sitting across from Shona Robison and Michael Matheson, voids are a hazard of the job.

Ross had a little fun with Transport Secretary Mairi McAllans claim that world leaders had been hitting up the Scottish Government for advice.

Douglas Ross (right) took Humza Yousaf to task over his flawed fiscal plans

Has Justin Trudeau been on the phone looking for a camper van? Maybe Emmanuel Macron is calling the health secretary to hear how to stream the Celtic match from Morocco. Maybe Joe Biden is asking for advice on how to deal with a disastrous predecessor at the heart of a criminal investigation.

Among the Nats, the Tory leaders little peroration went down as well as an extra helping of Brussels sprouts at Christmas lunch. Im not saying they were incandescent but any couples leaving Nazareth on a donkey should be careful not to mistake the SNP benches for the Star of Bethlehem. (Plus, Mary and Joseph were travelling to register for tax, so they would do well to avoid Scotland altogether.)

The First Minister brushed aside Rosss warnings that hiking taxes could drive higher earners away from Scotland. He clutched a bundle of papers which he said were the population statistics and showed more people coming to live here.

He jabbed his finger into the papers over and over to underline his point, though it had the unfortunate effect of making him look like a very agitated statistician whod just found a decimal point out of place.

Why are they coming here? he asked, rhetorically, of skilled economic migrants. Because in Scotland, they get free university education, free childcare, free school meals and free nursing and personal care.

He seemed to think he deserved the credit for all these free services, rather than the taxpayers who fund them. It was like listening to a junior elf in the North Pole toy factory trying to take credit for Santas Yuletide beneficence.

Things did not improve when Anas Sarwar got his go. First Minister, he asked. Why is it that everything you touch breaks? This did nothing to bring peace to Holyrood or goodwill to all members. Yousaf indignantly accused the Labour leader of engaging in personal attacks. In the Scottish parliament? Never!

Yousaf wanted to know if Sarwar had asked Santa Claus for a backbone, to which Sarwar thrust his hand downward to mimic Yousafs polling numbers.

The best and brightest of Scottish politics, folks.

One of the more serious questions came from Labour MSP Sarah Boyack, who rhymed off the various climate targets Yousafs government has failed to meet and the climate funds it has cut.

How can he say his government is tackling the climate emergency when it is failing in so many ways? she asked.

The First Minister complained that when we bring proposals forward, they seem to be opposed by the Opposition time and again. Hes still struggling to get his head around this Opposition concept, isnt he?
Erin Foley and her twin brother Ted Albin are accused of using their health care company to bill the government for fraudulently ordered wheelchairs and canes

The wife of a Florida sheriff's captain has been nabbed by federal authorities and charged in connection with a $25 million-health care fraud scheme.

The suspect, the mother of two teenage boys, was identified by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York as Erin Foley of Loxahatchee, Florida.

She and her twin brother, Ted Albin of Stuart, Florida, allegedly swindled millions in Medicare government money that should have gone to the health care of retirees and disabled people.

Over the course of four years until 2021, the 46-year-old siblings allegedly used their health care billing company, Grapevine Professional Services Inc., to bill the government for 'durable medical equipment' such as wheelchairs, canes, knee braces and walking aides that were fraudulently ordered.

Erin Foley is accused using her and her brother's health care company to bill the government for fraudulently ordered wheelchairs and canes. She's pictured with her Florida sheriff's captain husband

Erin and her twin brother Ted Albin were arrested by federal authorities Tuesday and charged in connection to the scheme

According to a four-count indictment unsealed Tuesday, Foley and Albin billed fraudulently $25million worth of equipment, causing diverse government agencies and even private insurers to pay out $9 million.

According to the indictment, Grapevine obtained prescriptions and orders for the equipment through other companies it controlled, including Liberty Bell Medical Supply LLC, Skye Medical Equipment Inc., A&E Medical Inc. and Priority Medical Supply LLC.

Foley is the wife of well-known Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Captain Randy Foley, 49, a 23-year veteran of the sheriff's office and head of the Behavioral Services Division

At least one of the companies is located inside Grapevine Professional Services in a suburban West Palm Beach office building.

The US Department of Justice also accuses the siblings of acting as brokers for the equipment and soliciting and receiving cash kickbacks.

Foley and Albin are facing a maximum 50 years behind bars on the four counts, including health care fraud, wire fraud and violation of anti-kickback laws.

'Medicare is a valuable taxpayer-funded program designed to provide affordable health care to people over 65 or with disabilities, not to line the pockets of those who would enrich themselves through fraud,' U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said after the arrests.

'Here, the defendants are charged with illegally profiting from the purchase and sale of millions of dollars worth of bogus orders for medical equipment  Such illicit conduct can affect the availability of medical services and drive up the costs of health care.'

Foley is the wife of well-known Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Captain Randy Foley, 49, a 23-year veteran of the sheriff's office and head of the Behavioral Services Division.

According to federal court records, Capt. Foley appeared on behalf of his wife in federal court in West Palm Beach Tuesday morning to answer questions from a magistrate during a bond hearing.

Her bond was set at $500,000.

Capt. Foley's division mainly enforces red-flag laws that allow the seizures of guns from individuals who could, for reasons such as problematic mental health, use them in mass shootings.

Foley's division has been a showcase program for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, a Democrat who is running for a sixth term in a job that includes local protection of former President Donald Trump and his Palm Beach property Mar-a-Lago.

In March 2019, Bradshaw appeared before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., to brag about how Foley implemented a unique collaboration with mental health professionals to identify and monitor those red-flagged as gun owners who could create violent situations.

And just on November 2, Randy Foley was honored by local FBI agents with a certificate of appreciation for his work.

At dawn on Tuesday, however, the same FBI agents raided Foley's home in Loxahatchee, a farm-dotted far suburb of West Palm Beach, and reportedly seized some of his wife's work papers, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told DailyMail.com.

Through a spokeswoman, the sheriff's office responded to questions on whether its Internal Affairs unit would investigate Capt. Foley's knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of what his wife was doing.

According to Florida state records obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, Capt. Foley is in business with his wife, whom he married in Las Vegas in 2003.

They have been running a consulting company called Liberty Belle Consulting Inc.

He is listed as the registered agent and president. Erin Foley is listed as an officer.

The company is not mentioned in the indictment.

Foley, a mother-of-two, faces a maximum 50 years behind bars on the four counts, including health care fraud, wire fraud and violation of anti-kickback laws

Foley and Albin are accused of billing $25million worth of equipment, causing government agencies and private insurers to pay out $9 million

A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on 'another agency's investigation.'

However, PBSO Spokeswoman Teri Barbera said: 'Capt. Foley is a highly respected member of PBSO and is not implicated in these yet-to-be-proven allegations.'

Public records and social media postings show the Foleys were not living a millionaires' lifestyle but seemed financially comfortable.

Located on nearly two acres of land, their ranch home in Palm Beach's horse country is just shy of 2,000 square feet and valued at around $500,000, according to property tax records.

The Foleys own a newer model large pickup truck and a luxury trailer, according to Facebook postings and photos of their house.

A PBSO source who asked that his name not be released said Capt. Foley and his wife were known to take exotic vacations in far-flung places.
A UPS driver was committed to delivering packages in Maine despite the widespread flooding throughout the state.

Jody Churchill shared a photo on Facebook of UPS driver Ryan Long using a boat to make it across a washed-out section of Pond Road in Mercer on December 19.

'UPS - Whatever it takes! Road washout doesn't stop presents delivery,' Churchill wrote.

Long's boat ride comes after a severe wind and rainstorm hit Maine a day earlier.

Hundreds of homeowners were left without power, and residents have posted photos and videos on social media of themselves using boats instead of cars.

Jody Churchill shared a photo on Facebook of UPS driver Ryan Long using a boat to make it across a washed-out section of Pond Road in Mercer, Maine, on December 19.

'UPS - Whatever it takes! Road washout doesn't stop presents delivery,' Churchill wrote on social media. Pictured: Ryan Long (right)

Mercer is a small town in central Maine and was significantly affected by the rain.

Long, who was successfully driving the truck until reaching Pond Road during a recent delivery, became worried he couldn't deliver packages to the houses on a damaged road.

It was then that Long spotted the boat at a nearby house that neighbors have now dubbed Butch's Courtesy Ferry.

A woman who owns the boat told Maine's Total Coverage she and her husband use it to get to work.

The UPS employee borrowed the boat, and after receiving help from three other neighbors, he successfully delivered all the packages.

Long, who was successfully driving the truck until reaching Pond Road during a recent delivery, became worried he couldn't deliver packages to the houses on a damaged road

Social media users have been praising Long since Churchill posted the photos of his solution to the damaged road.

Most Instagram users have commented that Long deserves a raise or holiday bonus for what he did.

Facebook users have also been praising his mom for raising 'a beautiful human being' and she couldn't be more proud of him.

Social media users have been overjoyed with Long's actions and have praised his mom for raising 'a beautiful human being'

'He is such a precious human,' she commented on one of the photos.

'Thank you for showing your appreciation for him. He really does go above and beyond to help anyone in need.'

Mercer residents on Facebook commented yesterday that roads in the towns have yet to be repaired, including Pond Road.

Several people throughout Mercer and other surrounding towns are still without power.
A California mother who urged her eight-year-old daughter to crawl under an idling train that killed the little girl when it started to move will head to jail for six years.

Joy Frances Collins was found guilty of child abuse and endangerment after the despicable act that saw her daughter, Joyanna Harris, die in the December 2018 incident.

Collins had instructed both of her children to crawl under the cargo train so they could catch a bus on the other side of the tracks. Her nine-year-old son survived the horrific ordeal, but was injured.

Before Collins was sentenced on Tuesday, she pleaded with the judge and asked for mercy to avoid jail. She appeared distressed as she told the court, 'there's not a day that goes by that I don't regret any of that.'

Joy Frances Collins was found guilty of child abuse and endangerment after the despicable act that saw her daughter, Joyanna Harris, 8, die after being run over by a train

Collins weeps during in court on Tuesday and was sentenced to six years behind bars for the child's death

The train tracks and site of where little Joyanna Harris was killed after she was dragged nearly 100 yards when the train that was idle started to move

Police said Collins told her daughter to 'hurry up' under the train before she was dragged nearly 100 yards along the rail crossing on North Diana Street and Belmont Avenue in Fresno.

At her October court appearance, Fresno Police Department Detective Paul Hill told the jury Collins 'didn't want to miss the bus,' ABC30 News previously reported.

He also said Collins reported she felt it was safe to cross.

Jason Wilson, a paramedic and ICU nurse said the little girl had 'some severe injuries' and was 'nonresponsive.' Graphic photos of Joyanna were shown to the jury.

One of the photos jurors saw was also a 'no trespassing' sign near the tragic incident.

The photos were so disturbing that Collins had to walk out of the courtroom.

The cargo train the little girl was under was passing through Fresno on its way to Barstow, the news outlet reported.

Vicent Garza, a crime scene technician with the Fresno Police Department, said the impact of came from the second train car. He said, 'on that train car, there was blood on there.'

Collins was taken to Valley State Prison in Chowchilla to serve her term. She was also ordered to pay a $1,200 fine.

Collins' son is in the custody of his grandparents.
Another of the Gold Coast's top lawyers has died with colleagues and loved ones describing him as a 'beautiful, intelligent, engaging and loving man'.

Prominent criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings passed suddenly at age 49 on Wednesday.

His death has sparked an outpouring of grief from Queensland's legal community.

His colleagues at Rawlings Criminal Law solicitors, Daniel McShane and Ashley Knopp, said Mr Rawlings death has left them 'absolutely in shock and completely devastated'.

'He was an incredible lawyer with a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it,' they told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

'He was eccentric, fun, and had an amazing sense of humour. A truly great friend and brother who will be sorely missed.'

On behalf of Mr Rawlings family, his cousin, Siobhan Waterhouse, said: 'To the family, Dan brought fun, music, and some of the most side-splitting crack-ups.

'He was a vibrant and loving uncle, dedicated and loyal brother, and wickedly fun cousin and nephew.

'He was the life of every party, lit up a room, and made everyone feel welcome. We all adored him, are better off for knowing him, and will miss him forever.'

Prominent Gold Coast lawyer Dan Rawlings (above) died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 49

His close friend, Glenn Boswell, said: 'As all of you know, Dan was a beautiful, intelligent, engaging and loving man.

'He made all of our lives richer and better for having known and loved him.

'He will be deeply missed by all of us, especially his sisters Katie and Tasha and all of his wonderful friends and family that have had the pleasure of having met and shared our lives with him.'

Several lawyers from around the Gold Coast have also shared tributes to Mr Rawlings online.

'He was a good and dedicated lawyer but, most importantly, a good man. I always enjoyed his company and his sense of humour. Rest In Peace Daniel,' one said.

'Oh no, so sad. We've lost too many good men,' another wrote.

Mr Rawlings was born in Perth and educated in New Zealand. He studied law at Dunedin's Otago University and philosophy at Melbourne's Victoria University.

He established his law firm, Rawlings Criminal Law, in Southport in 2018.

Mr Rawlings defended numerous high-profile clients, including Jarvis Farrier who was convicted of manslaughter after he stabbed his 17-year-old friend, Harrison Geppert, over a pair of stolen shoes.

Mr Rawlings defended numerous high-profile clients, including Jarvis Farrier and Rowan Larkin (pictured, Mr Rawlings outside court during Jarvis Farrier's trial)

Mr Rawlings also represented former police officer Rowan Larkin at his committal proceedings in September.

Larkin had been accused of assaulting and stalking his former partner last year.

Mr Rawlings' death follows those of high-profile criminal lawyer and former soldier, Dave Garratt, last December and director and founding partner of now-collapsed Southport firm Cooper Roper Legal, Evan Cooper, in January.

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ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott has begun a keynote speech to shareholders by acknowledging far north Queensland cyclone victims instead of Indigenous traditional owners.

At previous annual general meetings, Mr Elliott and his chairman Paul O'Sullivan have routinely taken turns to pay their respects to the traditional custodians of the land where the capital city meeting was being held.

But at the 2023 AGM in Brisbane the CEO departed from that usual practice, following the landslide defeat of the Voice referendum which saw the No vote win 60 per cent support in October.

This was after ANZ gave $2.5million to charities campaigning for the Yes case.

Mr Elliott on Thursday started his address by acknowledging those affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper which has cut off Cairns, caused widespread flooding and led to 3,800 insurance claims from Cape York Peninsula to Mackay.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to be here today in Brisbane to meet with you,' he said.

'Before I begin, I would like to join the chairman in acknowledging those who have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in far north Queensland.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott has begun a keynote speech to shareholders by acknowledging far north Queensland cyclone victims instead of Indigenous traditional owners

'We have a customer relief package in place and, while staying safe is everyone's first priority, I encourage customers needing financial assistance to reach out.'

At Thursday's AGM, Mr O'Sullivan acknowledged the board made a controversial decision to give more than $2.5million to groups linked to the Voice's failed Yes campaign.

'So, after careful consideration from both the management team and the board, we decided that providing financial support for constitutional recognition was consistent with both our purpose and our long-held support for reconciliation,' he said.

'As a result, ANZ donated $2.5million to Australians for Constitutional Indigenous Recognition and $250,000 to the Uluru Dialogues.

'We understand not everyone will agree with our approach, however we firmly believe we remained true to ANZ's long track record and our values in seeking to address the structural disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.'

Mr O'Sullivan did acknowledge the traditional owners, following an acknowledgement of country from an ANZ staff member, but those words didn't feature on the bank's Bluenotes website summary of his AGM speech on Thursday.

'Thank you to Dempsey for a wonderful acknowledgment of country,' he said.

'I would also like to acknowledge the Jagera and the Turrbal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet today.

'I pay my respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today.'

ANZ's acknowledgement about its involvement in the Yes campaign was made a day before the Institute of Public Affairs, a libertarian think tank, released a new poll showing 64 per cent of respondents opposed big business getting involved in political issues, based on a survey of 3,500 people.

IPA senior fellow John Roskam said: 'Big business will not be forgiven for trying to divide Australians.'

Conservative voters were even more opposed to big business meddling in political issues, with 87 per cent of Nationals voters agreeing it did not reflect their values compared with 70 per cent of Liberal Party voters, 58 per cent of Labor voters and 56 per cent of Greens voters.

Baby boomers were more opposed to big business involvement in politics, with 78 per cent of those over 65 declaring it clashed with their values, compared with 52 per cent of those aged 18 to 24.

'Big business speaks for a small circle of rich elite CEOs who are more interested in virtue-signalling than standing up for the interests of mainstream Australians,' Mr Roskam said.

Mr Elliott on Thursday started his address by acknowledging those affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper which has cut off Cairns and caused widespread flooding (pictured are Cairns residents at Machans Beach cleaning up after Tropical Cyclone Jasper)

In 2022, Mr O'Sullivan began his AGM address by referencing Aboriginal people in Adelaide.

'I'd like to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land from which we are presenting and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging,' he said.

'I extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today.'

In 2021, Mr O'Sullivan paid tribute to Melbourne's traditional owners during a virtual AGM held shortly after the Victorian capital's sixth lockdown.

'Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land from which we are presenting and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging,' he said.

'I extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today.'

In 2020, it was Mr Elliott's turn to acknowledge traditional owners at a virtual AGM in Melbourne.

'Thank you Paul and good morning. I'd also like to extend my welcome to you today and acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples as the traditional owners of the land from which we are broadcasting this morning,' he said.

The next line three years ago acknowledged victims of natural disasters.

'As Paul mentioned, the thoughts of all our people are with those who have suffered either from the bushfires that began the year or the pandemic that defined it,' he said.

As of Thursday, the Insurance Council of Australia confirmed more than 3,800 claims had already lodged across areas stretching from Cape York Peninsula to Mackay 1,700km away in north Queensland as a result of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The category two cyclone has been deemed an 'insurance catastrophe'.

At Thursday's AGM, ANZ chairman Paul O'Sullivan acknowledged the board made a controversial decision to give $2.5million to groups linked to the failed Yes campaign (pictured are devastated Yes23 supporters on October 14)

During ANZ's last AGM in Brisbane in December 2019, former chairman David Gonski acknowledged the Indigenous traditional owners ahead of those battling the summer bushfires, only weeks before the first case of Covid came to Australia.

'Your directors, including our chief executive officer Shayne Elliott, are all here and they join me in welcoming you,' he said.

'Before I start the meeting, I acknowledge both the Jagera people and the Turrbul people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which this meeting is taking place.

'We respect their spiritual relationship with their country and we pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

'I extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today.

'On behalf of everybody at ANZ, I'd also like to express our concern for all those affected by the fires here in Queensland, as well those in other parts of the country.'

The 2017 AGM was the last one where both the CEO and chairman paid tribute to the Indigenous traditional owners by name with Mr Elliott and Mr Gonski both acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation in Sydney.
Chaos erupted in a Coles carpark as an out-of-control SUV allegedly ran into two pedestrians before crashing into several cars in Sydney's south.

The 78-year-old driver of a white Hyundai SUV lost control of his vehicle and allegedly hit two pedestrians aged 53 and 63 years in the carpark of the Coles supermarket at 11.10am on Grand Parade, Ramsgate in Sydney's south on Thursday morning.

The out-of-control vehicle also left a trail of destruction, damaging several cars parked in the supermarket's car spots.

'The 78-year-old male driver of the SUV, along with the 53-year-old and 63-year-old pedestrians, were treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics at the scene,' NSW Police said.

'The 78-year-old driver and 53-year-old pedestrian were taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition.'

The 78 year-old driver of a white Hyundai SUV lost control of his vehicle and allegedly hit two pedestrians aged 53 and 63 years

The out-of-control vehicle also left a trail of destruction damaging several cars parked in the supermarket's car spots

A St George Hospital spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia both patients are in a stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information or dashcam video of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A taxi driver has been sacked after a travel vlogger accused him of stealing by charging $31 for a seven-minute drive without having the meter on.

American travel influencer, Christian LeBlanc, touched down at Brisbane Airport on Sunday night and hailed a cab to the nearby Ibis Hotel.

He claimed his driver didn't turn the taxi meter on and that he requested $31.50 after they arrived at the hotel following the short drive.

Mr LeBlanc refused to pay and instead asked the hotel manager if the fare was accurate.

He and the taxi driver driver argued back and forth, only for the cabbie to change his tune and request $21 for the ride instead. He claimed the meter had been on the whole time.

Mr LeBlanc went out to film the taxi's number plate but the driver erupted at the vlogger and said 'I'll f**k you up'.

American travel influencer, Christian LeBlanc, touched down at Brisbane Airport on Sunday night and hailed a cab to the nearby Ibis Hotel. He claimed his taxi driver tried to steal from him by not turning the meter on

Sharing the video to his TikTok, Mr LeBlanc said the experience was one of the worst he'd ever had during his travels.

At the beginning of the video, Mr LeBlanc and the driver were seen arguing over the price, before the vlogger accused the cabbie of trying to steal from him.

'He insults me for not paying his illegal fees and prevents me from talking to the hotel by holding onto my bags,' Mr LeBlanc said.

Mr LeBlanc asked hotel staff what a reasonable fare would be from the airport and said his driver did not run the meter.

The receptionist said that was illegal. The driver denied not running the meter and said he only charged Mr LeBlanc $21.

'I followed the road with the meter on, this guy don't have the money,' the driver said.

The cab driver has since been 'removed from the 13cabs network', a spokesperson said

The cabbie told Mr LeBlanc 'don't bulls**t me'.

'Don't bulls**t? Yeah don't pay for your f**king taxi. You little thief,' Mr LeBlanc said.

'Yeah go ahead buddy, your company is going to see all about this one.'

Mr LeBlanc eventually paid the $21 fare and followed the driver outside to film his licence plate.

The vlogger closed the taxi's boot so he could see the number plate but was then threatened by the driver.

'Why you f**king touching my car bro?' the driver said before attempting to slap Mr LeBlanc's phone out of his hand.

'I'll f**k you up,' he shouted before he got back into this taxi and drove off.

A 13cabs spokesman said the matter had been investigated and the driver was removed from the 13cabs network.

The company made it clear to drivers the meter must be used for all rank and hail work.

'All relevant information has been passed onto the regulator in Queensland for their consideration and action,' he said.

Mr LeBlanc said after sharing his video, which has received more 2.8 million views, 13cabs gifted him a $50 voucher.
After touching down in the Canadian city, airplane staff informed him they did not have the necessary equipment to help him disembark

A British man with multiple sclerosis has claimed he almost lost his foot when he was stranded on a plane and paramedics had to use food trolleys to help him exit.

Geoffrey Schneiderman, 63, landed at Vancouver International Airport in July 2022 aboard a British Airways flight for a family vacation.

After landing at the airport, staff aboard the plane informed Schneiderman they did not have the necessary lift to help him safely exit the aircraft on his wheelchair.

After two hours of confusion and failed attempts to have him helped off the plane, paramedics had to use food trolleys to help him disembark.

'I suppose they were doing their best to keep me level and on the food carts, but food carts are just not designed to transport people,' he said.

After touching down in the Canadian city, airplane staff informed Geoffrey Schneiderman they did not have the necessary equipment to help him disembark

'I was beginning to feel very alarmed and panicked. They didn't have any way of keeping [the food trolleys] together other than manually,' he told CBC News.

Schneiderman said he developed a pressure sore due to the prolonged time sitting.

He was bedridden for the vacation and the pressure sore on his foot grew septic and was close to needing amputation. He also said he was left with anxiety as a result of the incident.

Schneiderman continued: 'It was as though it was happening to somebody else. I was having panic attacks about it and panic episodes about being trapped in places.

'There were parts of it, I remember, I was just closing my eyes knowing I am completely trapped. It was terror. It was just terror.'

Paramedics had to resolve to using a rigid stretcher to lift Schneiderman onto the top of two trolleys, with his head and legs left hanging over either end.

To his horror, the carts started to separate as paramedics wheeled him down the aisle.

'The carts started separating  that was the point when my partner said he nearly had a heart attack, because he could see what was happening and heard them call that the trolleys are coming apart', Schneiderman added.

After eventually making it from the aircraft, he claims the paramedics who aided him in his rescue then dragged him to his waiting wheelchair.

A pressure sore on his foot went septic due to the incident, with Schneiderman saying his foot was close to being amputated after the flesh died

Staff aboard the plane informed Schneiderman that they did not have the necessary lift, seen here, to help him safely exit the aircraft on his wheelchair

'They pulled from under my arms and just dragged me. My shoes came off my trousers actually started coming off,' he said.

Once the pressure sore grew septic, there was talk of having his foot amputated after the flesh died and became necrotic.

He added: 'Before, I was pretty much in the best health that I've been in for a long time and it just put the spokes in the wheel for absolutely everything.

'I was going to the hospital three times a week to have the dressings changed and it just took over my life completely.'

British Airways offered him a 500 ($630) settlement, which he eventually negotiated higher to 1,500, around $1900.

Schneiderman right and his longtime partner Francisco (left) were travelling from London to Vancouver to visit family when the incident occurred

In a statement to CBC, Vancouver International Airport said: 'Airlines have a duty to safely onboard, carry and deplane all passengers.

'It is also each airlines' responsibility to work with their contracted ground handling crews who support airlines by providing the specialized equipment required for travelers with mobility issues.'

Last month, Air Canada came under fire after the airline was accused of disconnecting a disabled woman's ventilator.

Alessia Di Virgilio, a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair to move and a ventilator to breathe, was filmed having her breathing device disconnected on an Air Canada trip in an undercover CBC report.

Hidden cameras caught poorly trained staff struggling to move Di Virgilio leading to her ventilator coming detached multiple times.

Di Virgilio said she can only manage a few breaths without her ventilator before her breathing becomes shallow.

A lift was also dropped on her head by staff at the firm, whose CEO was paid $9 million USD in 2022.

Air Canada said in a statement to CBC: 'The vast, vast majority of customers with mobility needs travelled without issue and in those relatively rare instances where barriers were encountered, we moved quickly to address concerns.'
Michelle Mone and her husband sold their deluxe 19million London townhouse this year amid the fallout from the PPE scandal.

The Belgravia home was put up for sale for 23million last year but the price was gradually reduced.

Michelle Mone and her husband sold their deluxe 19million London townhouse this year amid the fallout from the PPE scandal

The Belgravia home was put up for sale for 23million last year but the price was gradually reduced

Baroness Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, who also put his 127ft yacht Lady M on the market, are being investigated for alleged fraud and bribery in relation to their involvement with the Government's lucrative PPE contract  which the couple deny.

The six-bedroom Regency home had its own indoor pool, spa, home cinema and gym, and was described as a 'stylish fusion' of classical and contemporary designs.

According to The Times, a spokesman for Barrowman confirmed that the house was sold months ago.

His yacht remains listed for 6.8million. Neighbours told The Times how the baroness had posted pictures of herself in the house on social media.
A former Vanderbilt University professor who accused Harvard president Claudine Gay of plagiarizing her work has called for the university to fire Gay 'posthaste.'

Gay, who only took up the role in July, has found herself in a deeply uncomfortable spotlight following the October 7 Hamas terror attack. She was seen as slow to condemn students justifying the attack, and on December 5 made a disastrous appearance before Congress, equivocating over whether calling for the genocide of Jews was hate speech.

Her academic record has been pored over, and critics have found several instances where she failed to properly cite her sources. Congress is now investigating the allegations, as well as looking into antisemitism on campuses nationwide.

Amid a firestorm of plagiarism accusations, Harvard last week said she was submitting amendments to two texts.

But one of the people she is accused of plagiarizing - Dr. Carol Swain - has been adamant that Gay is unfit for the role.

On Thursday, Swain said Gay had to be fired.

Dr. Carol Swain claims Harvard won't condemn president Claudine Gay because she 'is the product of an elite system that holds minorities of high pedigree to a lower standard'. On Thursday she called for Gay to be fired

Harvard launched a probe into claims Gay plagiarized some of her academic work in October - months before the accusations publicly emerged

'I have some free unsolicited advice for Harvard University,' Swain wrote on X.

'1. Stop listening to the apologists for plagiarism.

'2. Fire Claudine Gay posthaste. She can be relieved of duties until the terms are negotiated.'

The Harvard Corporation, which runs the university, said last week they had reviewed the allegations of plagiarism, and retained faith in Gay.

But Swain - who wrote a scathing essay for the Wall Street Journal accusing Gay of being given special treatment as a 'high pedigree minority' - said the corporation was misguided.

'Stop listening to the racist mob of whites and blacks who cry racism while being among the worst offenders,' said Swain.

'Hire the best man or woman who can steer the university back towards sanity. Appeasing the Marxist identity politics mob should not be a consideration. The person for the job might be a middle to older age white Jewish man who believes in classical liberalism.'

Swain also urged Harvard's leaders to 'have a sit down conversation with the people who have been harmed by the plagiarism of Gay and the system that protects her.'

She said it was time to 'recognize that Harvard's systematic racism and classism have far reaching effects.'

She concluded: 'Apologize to alumni, students, parents, and donors who have been harmed and embarrassed.'

Swain claims Gay failed to credit parts of her 1993 book - Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress - as well as her 1997 article, titled Women and Blacks in Congress: 1870-1996.

She wrote in The Wall Street Journal: 'Harvard can't condemn Ms. Gay because she is the product of an elite system that holds minorities of high pedigree to a lower standard. This harms academia as a whole, and it demeans Americans, of all races, who had to work for everything they earned.'

Swain, a right-wing political commentator, addressed other authors who were allegedly plagiarized by Gay, but failed to condemn her, describing the missed sourcing to a few harmless inadequate citations.

'Ms. Gay had no problem riding on the coattails of people whose work she used without proper attribution. Many of those whose work she pilfered aren't as incensed as I am. They are elites who have benefited from a system that protects its own,' the political scientist said.

Swain claims Gay failed to credit parts of her 1993 book Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress , as well as her 1997 article titled Women and Blacks in Congress: 1870-1996

Trucks calling for Gay to be fired have appeared outside Harvard's campus

Gay has also been accused of copying two paragraphs from work by then-Harvard scholars D. Stephen Voss and Bradley Palmquist. One paragraph is nearly identical except for a few words.

But Voss, who now teaches at the University of Kentucky, told The Crimson that while Gay 'technically plagiarized,' it is 'minor-to-inconsequential.'

Harvard professor Lawrence Lobo, another scholar allegedly plagiarized by Gay, similarly told the Boston Globe: 'I find myself unconcerned about these claims as our work was explicitly acknowledged.'

Swain went even further, repeating critics' claims that Gay's academic work is far from impressive and doesn't stand up to the standards that should be held for the president of Harvard.

The scholar added: 'Even aside from the documented instances of plagiarism, Ms. Gay's work wouldn't normally have earned tenure in the Ivy League. Tenure at a top-tier institution normally demands ground-breaking originality; her work displays none.

'In a world where the privilege of diversity is king, Ms. Gay was able to parlay mediocre research into tenure and administrative advancement at what was once considered a world-class university.'

Gay has denied the accusations of plagiarism.

Harvard President Claudine Gay at the congressional hearing on antisemitism on campus



The university investigated the plagiarism allegations, and, on December 15, said corrections had been submitted.

The corrections were made to a 2017 article titled 'A Room for One's Own? The Partisan Allocation of Affordable Housing,' in the Urban Affairs Review.

A 2001 article titled 'The Effect of Black Congressional Representation on Political Participation' in the American Political Science Review was also amended.

Jonathan Swain, a spokesman for the university, did not address the other articles that journalist Christopher Rufo found.

Harvard launched a probe into claims that Gay plagiarized some of her academic work in October - months before the accusations publicly emerged, the Ivy League has revealed.

The university's board issued a statement on Tuesday announcing Gay will remain in her post despite calls for her resignation following her disastrous congressional testimony on anti-Semitism on campus and allegations of plagiarism.

The board of directors said: 'The University became aware in late October of allegations regarding three articles. At President Gay's request, the Fellows promptly initiated an independent review by distinguished political scientists and conducted a review of her published work.

'On December 9, the Fellows reviewed the results, which revealed a few instances of inadequate citation. While the analysis found no violation of Harvard's standards for research misconduct, President Gay is proactively requesting four corrections in two articles to insert citations and quotation marks that were omitted from the original publications.'

While the board says they found no violation of the school's policies in Gay's work, The Harvard Crimson, which reviewed the examples of alleged plagiarism, landed at a different conclusion.

Claudine Gay is seen on December 5, testifying in front of Congress about campus antisemitism. On Friday, the university said two of her articles had been amended following allegations of plagiarism

Demonstrators are seen in Harvard on October 14. Gay was criticized for being slow to condemn student justification of Hamas' terror attacks

Students protesting in support of Palestine are pictured by Columbia University on November 15

The school's paper wrote that some of Gay's writings 'appear to violate Harvard's current policies around plagiarism and academic integrity.'

It comes after the Washington Free Beacon and right-wing bloggers Rufo and Christopher Brunet claimed Gay plagiarized parts of four academic works, including her 1994 Ph.D. dissertation at Harvard, titled 'Taking Charge: Black Electoral Success and the Redefinition of American Politics.'

Billionaire Bill Ackman amplified the allegations as part of his campaign to oust Gay from his alma mater's top job.

Gay defended her work telling The Boston Globe: 'I stand by the integrity of my scholarship. Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure my scholarship adheres to the highest academic standards.'

While the bloggers focused their claims on Gay's dissertation, The Free Beacon also looked at three other works by the scholar: a 1993 essay in the publication Origins and two papers from 2012 and 2017, when Gay was already a Harvard professor.

While some of the claims by the Free Beacon include minor citation issues, the Crimson said others are 'are more substantial, including some paragraphs and sentences nearly identical to other work and lacking citations.'

Gay was accused of copying two paragraphs from work by then-Harvard scholars D. Stephen Voss and Bradley Palmquist. One paragraph is nearly identical except for a few words

However, Gay did not use any quotation marks or in-text citations - Voss and Palmquist are not cited anywhere in her dissertation

D. Stephen Voss, who now teaches at the University of Kentucky, told The Crimson that while Gay 'technically plagiarized,' it is 'minor-to-inconsequential'

The student publication notes Harvard's rule on what constitutes plagiarism says when copying language 'word for word,' scholars 'must give credit to the author of the source material, either by placing the source material in quotation marks and providing a clear citation, or by paraphrasing the source material and providing a clear citation.'

Gay was accused of copying two paragraphs from work by then-Harvard scholars D. Stephen Voss and Bradley Palmquist.

One paragraph is nearly identical except for a few words.

However, Gay did not use any quotation marks or in-text citations - Voss and Palmquist are not cited anywhere in her dissertation.

It's unclear whether the same rules applied when Gay turned in her dissertation in 1997.

But Voss, who now teaches at the University of Kentucky, told The Crimson that while Gay 'technically plagiarized,' it is 'minor-to-inconsequential.'

He said: 'This doesn't at all look sneaky... It looks like maybe she just didn't have a sense of what we normally tell students they're supposed to do and not do.'

Harvard professor Lawrence Lobo, one of those allegedly plagiarized by Gay, similarly told the Boston Globe: 'I find myself unconcerned about these claims as our work was explicitly acknowledged.'
Pro-Palestine messages and red paint have been splattered across the windows of the ABC's Melbourne headquarters - just days after a fill-in radio presenter was axed for posting her views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The words 'Tell the truth about Palestine' were seen scrawled across the windows in white spray paint on Friday morning while the ABC's logo had been covered in red graffiti.

Red paint had also been sprayed over the windows, front doors and ground outside the national broadcaster's office in Southbank in the city's CBD.

Police are now investigating the 'criminal damage incident'.

The words 'tell the truth about Palestine ' were seen scrawled across the windows of the ABC's Melbourne office on Friday morning

'Officers were called to reports unknown offenders had spray painted sections of the building on Southbank Boulevard about 3.50am,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

An ABC spokesman confirmed no one was hurt in the incident.

'There was minimal damage,' he said.

The vandalism comes after the axing of Antoinette Lattouf, who had been filling in as the presenter for ABC's Sydney mornings this week for usual host Sarah Macdonald.

Red graffiti has been sprayed across the windows and walls of the broadcaster's office in Southbank

Daily Mail Australia doesn't suggest that Ms Lattouf played any role whatsoever in the graffiti attack.

The ABC told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Lattouf was ordered off the air effective immediately after her program on Wednesday. She had been due to host from Monday to Friday this week.

'ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will not be back on air for her remaining two shifts this week,' the spokesperson said.

Late on Wednesday night, Ms Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was 'very disappointed by the ABC's decision today'.

'I believe I was terminated unlawfully,' she said.

'This is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking. I'm currently considering my legal options.'

Ms Lattouf's posts about the conflict in the Middle East, which were on various online platforms, are understood to have breached the ABC's social media policies.

The vandalism comes after the axing of Antoinette Lattouf, who had been filling in as the presenter for ABC's Sydney mornings this week for usual host Sarah Macdonald

The ABC has strict editorial policies and requires staff to be impartial in their reporting and protect the broadcaster's reputation.

'A thoughtless post or tweet can instantly compromise this perception of impartiality,' the ABC's rules state.

She recently co-authored an article questioning the veracity of viral footage that showed pro-Palestine activists chanting 'gas the Jews' at the Sydney Opera House at a protest in October.

It's understood Ms Lattouf was axed after a string of complaints from the Jewish community reached ABC chair Ita Buttrose.

Daily Mail Australia understands the complaints centre on social media posts Ms Lattouf made that were critical of the Jewish state in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Friday's vandalism is second time in a week the broadcasters' offices have been targeted.

Portraits of Palestinian journalists killed in the conflict were seen plastered to the building on Wednesday.

About 40 portraits were stuck to the ABC's office windows and doors depicting the names and sketches of the dead journalists.

Nine's Melbourne newspaper The Age and TV office also faced protests on Wednesday after activists blocked the entrance to the headquarters in Docklands.

The group, who were behind fake corpses placed outside seven Labor MPs' offices in November, donned press vests to protest the deaths of 95 journalists in Gaza, alleging 'silence' from Australian media outlets.
The mother of a family who lost everything in a bushfire said she saw her family home burning to the ground on the TV at her work.

Julie Moody, her husband Craig and their children were set to host Christmas this year, a plan that went out the window when their Parkerville, east Perth, home was destroyed on Thursday.

A catastrophic bushfire in the area - of the five emergency-level fires that threatened Western Australians over Wednesday and Thursday - has reduced at least two homes to ashes.

While the blaze was burning through the suburb on Thursday, Mrs Moody had checked her security cameras to see how her family's property was holding up.

She was shocked to see the fire was already at their pool and inching closer towards their three-storey home.

A family lost their Parkerville home (above) on Wednesday to the Perth Hills bushfires, just days before Christmas

Mother Julie Moody (above) said her husband just managed to rescue their family dogs from the burning home after she saw the fire creeping up on their CCTV

Mrs Moody quickly called her husband from her work and told him the house was in danger.

'I rang my husband and told him to race home and he managed to get through the roadblocks to get the dogs out,' Mrs Moody told The West on Friday.

'He had to go through the barriers and a neighbour's property because no one would let him in but if he didn't do that the dogs would be gone.

'The verandah and home was already burning when he was there. He said it was very hot but he had to go to get the dogs out.'

Mrs Moody's worst fears were confirmed a short time later when her colleagues showed her news footage of her home burning down.

While the family is grateful no-one was injured and their dogs made it out safe, they've been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Ms Moody said she watched news footage of her house (above) burning down from TV at work

'It's devastating. It's heartbreaking. The enormity of it is just unbelievable,' Mrs Moody said.

The family lost their home, shed, and several cars in the inferno - including the rally car driven by their son, Sam.

Family friend, Kelly Thomas, has started a GoFundMe to help the family financially recover.

'Craig, Julie and kids are kind, caring, hardworking humans who would do anything to help anyone in need,' the post reads.

'Some would know them from rallying. Their youngest, Sam, is an aspiring rally driver who has just lost his race car and all his spares!

'Lets help the Moodys get back on their feet for what will be a very tough Christmas and few months/years ahead.'

The family lost their home, shed, and several cars in the inferno - including the rally car driven by their son, Sam

The fundraiser has collected 63 donations worth $7,960 within its first 12 hours.

The cause of the devastating Perth Hills fire has been pinpointed to a tree that fell on a power-line during strong winds at about 9.30am on Thursday.

Hot, dry winds in the regions fed the flames and it moved too quickly for firefighters to contain.
Hardware chain Bunnings has surprised residents with some Christmas cheer as long as they did one thing to earn the gesture.

A woman discovered a letter from her local Bunnings store, in Gawler South Australia on her doorstop and it included a $10 store gift voucher.

The unexpected note thanked the South Australian resident for her wonderful Christmas light display.

'Hello neighbour! Wow! Your Christmas lights are amazing!' the letter said.

'We want to thank you for adding a bit of magic to our community this festive season. Here is a little something to show you our appreciation.

A woman discovered a letter from her local Bunnings store, in Gawler South Australia on her doorstop and it included a $10 store gift voucher

Bunnings makes small gestures like Christmas notes and vouchers to local residents and are done on an ad hoc basis. The activity varies from store to store

'Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Best wishes, the team at Bunnings Gawler.'

The appreciation was mutual with the woman writing on Facebook on Wednesday about the kind act.

'Look what I had waiting at my doorstep this morning. What a lovely gesture,' the woman wrote.

She posted a picture of her dazzling Christmas light display, along with a photo of the note she received from the hardware giant.

Bunnings makes small gestures like Christmas notes and vouchers to local residents and are done on an ad hoc basis. The activity varies from store to store.

When Bunnings staff members see a Christmas display that resonates with them in their community, they can nominate the house to receive a gift.

And whilst it's not a requirement for individual stores to get involved, the gesture is something that can happen nationally.

'Brightening someones day with a small gesture like this is what our team does best and we hope this brings a few smiles to people who have gone all out with their decorating this year,' Bunnings director of store operations Ben Camrie told Daily Mail Australia.

Some Bunnings customers posted they also were gifted an unexpected voucher from the hardware store, with one writing they received a $20 voucher

'We know it has been a challenging year for many and we wanted to celebrate those who are spreading some joy in their neighbourhood with a little surprise from their local Bunnings team.'

Not surprisingly, the social media post attracted thousands of reactions with people loving the thoughtful surprise.

'Absolutely precious! This is just beautiful. Its great to be appreciated,' one person wrote.

Others labelled the thank you note and voucher 'beautiful' and 'thoughtful'.

Some Bunnings customers posted they also were gifted an unexpected voucher from the hardware store.

'We got one too. Was a very nice unexpected surprise,' wrote one.

'We got one too but it was $20,' commented another.
The 19-year-old daughter of television presenter Emma Alberici has been cleared of breaking a door at her mother's home almost a year after she was charged.

Allegra McCauley was the subject of an interim apprehended violence taken out by police to protect her mother but that application has also been withdrawn.

McCauley had pleaded not guilty to intentionally damaging or destroying 'skirting around the door' at Alberici's Coogee home in Sydney's eastern suburbs about midday on December 29 last year.

Under the interim restraining order issued after that alleged incident McCauley had been prevented from going within 50m of the former ABC reporter's house or place of employment.

Allegra McCauley, the 19-year-old daughter of television presenter Emma Alberici, has been cleared of breaking a door at her mother's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs. McCauley is pictured

McCauley, who has worked as a waitress and barmaid, is one of 53-year-old Alberici's three children with ex-husband Jason McCauley.

Alberici was a foreign correspondent and chief economics correspondent for the national broadcaster, where she also hosted Lateline for five years.

She was made redundant by the ABC in 2020.

Alberici, who has generally kept her personal life private, married 60 Minutes sound recordist McCauley in 2003 and the couple separated in 2016.

Their daughter first faced Waverley Local Court in January when her lawyer entered a not guilty plea to the property offence and indicated she would be opposing the AVO application.

On Thursday, McCauley returned to the same court for a hearing but the charge was dismissed and the AVO application withdrawn.

Alberici, who was once a reporter for the Nine Network's A Current Affair, became the ABC's chief economics correspondent after Lateline was axed in October 2017.

Allegra McCauley had been prevented from going within 50m of her mother Emma Alberici's house or place of work. An application for an apprehended violence to protect Alberici (above) was withdrawn

In that role she wrote a news story for the ABC website in February 2018 which stated only one of five large Australian companies paid tax, as well as an analysis piece critical of the Coalition federal government's proposed company tax cuts.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull attacked Alberici in parliament over the news story which he described as 'one of the most confused and poorly researched articles I've seen on this topic'.

The ABC took down the story and analysis but both were edited and republished after negotiations between the broadcaster and a lawyer acting for Alberici.

Supporters of the journalist accused the ABC of buckling to pressure from Mr Turnbull and claimed Alberici had been unfairly targeted.

The ABC claimed it had identified errors or misleading statements in Alberici's company tax cuts story and found her analysis piece lacked impartiality.

She was made redundant in 2020 and reached a settlement with the ABC after taking a complaint to the Fair Work Commission.

McCauley, one of the former ABC journalist's three children with ex-husband Jason McCauley, appeared in Waverley Local Court on Thursday. She is pictured at the same court in January

Alberici responded to news of that settlement in a social media post which referred to then ABC director of news Gaven Morris.

'It is true that the ABC and I reached an agreement yesterday,' she wrote.

'After 18 years of loyal service, including as one of the country's first mother foreign correspondents (with three kids under three) I am no longer employed by them.

'Despite the enormous toll his actions have taken on my mental health, Gaven Morris wanted to call it a termination payout, no doubt so he could tell the world I was fired for incompetence or some such.

'To be crystal clear: I have never coveted the camera. I will no longer be on TV and will not accept any role if it's offered. It is too painful to be in the public eye. For further removal of doubt, I have been made no offers from anyone in the media.'

Since then, Alberici has worked in strategy, government relations and communications for financial comparison website Compare the Market then as a headhunter for recruitment firm Derwent.

Alberici's memoir Rewrite the Story was published in November 2022 and she is an ambassador for the children's cancer charity Camp Quality.
Kellyanne Conway savaged Democrats who wanted former President Donald Trump off the ballot by summing up their daily schedule in seven seconds.

'I just think the Democrats wake up every morning and look at the calendar. The iPhone says January 6, 2021,' the former Trump advisor, 56, said.

'The date never changes. Then they get in an electric vehicle and get an abortion,' she said on Fox News' midday show, Outnumbered, Wednesday.

Conway defended her former boss after the Colorado Supreme Court Tuesday removed Trump from the state's 2024 Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment.

The court found that Trump engaged in 'insurrection' as defined by the Fourteenth Amendment during the January 6 Capitol attack and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Kellyanne Conway, 56, savaged Democrats who wanted former President Donald Trump off the ballot by summing up their daily schedule in seven seconds

'I just think the Democrats wake up every morning and look at the calendar. The iPhone says January 6, 2021,' she said

Kellyanne: I think Democrats wake up every morning and they look at the calendar on the iPhone and it says January 6th. The date never changes. And then they get into an electric vehicle and go get an abortion. pic.twitter.com/fffuat7BVR  Acyn (@Acyn) December 20, 2023

Conway mocked Democrats for being obsessed with the January 6 riots by describing what she called a typical Democrat's day.

'I just described the Democratic Party to you in seven seconds,' Conway said. 'That's it. That's what I see.'

Conway became a Trump advisor in 2016, serving as his campaign manager. She resigned from the White House to spend more time with her family in late August 2020.

While defending Trump, Conway also commented on President Joe Biden's reaction to the Colorado Supreme Court's 4-3 decision.

As Biden sided with the court and said there's 'no question' Trump engaged in an 'insurrection' on January 6, Conway predicted the decision will be overturned by the Supreme Court's conservative majority.

President Biden will 'eat and own and swallow perhaps a 9-0 unanimous decision by the Supreme Court,' Conway said.

She called on Americans to pray for the justices: 'I truly worry for their safety. These crazy people out there, these fanatical Biden voters out there, if there are any left.

'They find their way to the Supreme Court justices' homes, their kids' schools, their places of work, their places of worship,' she said.

'The date never changes. Then they get in an electric vehicle and get an abortion,' Conway said on Fox News' midday show Outnumbered Wednesday

Conway mocked democrats for being obsessed with abortion rights and the January 6 Capitol attack as she defended her former boss. Abortion rights demonstrators are pictured in Texas in 2022

In a 4-3 decision from Democratic-appointed justices, Colorado's high court ruled the ex-president and 2024 hopeful isn't eligible for the presidency.

The 14th Amendment was approved after the Civil War and bars officials from seeking future office should they have 'engaged in insurrection.'

'A majority of the court holds that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment,' the court wrote.

It is the first time in history that the Constitution's 'insurrection clause' has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung confirmed Tuesday evening that the former president would appeal it to the Supreme Court.

In Biden's first public comments since the staggering ruling, he said it is now up to the Supreme Court to decide if Trump violated the 14th Amendment and should be barred from holding public office.

'I think its self-evident. You saw it all,' Biden told reporters as he got off Air Force One on a trip to Milwaukee, a key political battleground where he also beat Trump in 2020.

'Now whether the 14th Amendment applies, Ill let the court make that decision,' Biden said.

'But he certainly supported an insurrection. Theres no question about it. None. Zero.' Then, Biden added about his rival, 'He seems to be doubling down on everything.'

Conway defended her former boss after the Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday removed Trump (pictured on January 6, 2021) from the state's 2024 Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment

Colorado's high court found that Trump engaged in 'insurrection' as defined by the Fourteenth Amendment during the January 6 Capitol attack and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election

President Joe Biden approached reporters and said former President Donald Trump 'supported an insurrection'

Conway announced in August 2020 that she would leave the White House after her 15-year-old daughter Claudia said she was 'officially pushing for emancipation' from her parents in a series of tweets.

She was resigning from her job for the sake of her family, to be 'less drama, more mama,' she said in a statement.

Conway and her husband George filed for divorce in March after 22 years of marriage as the former Trump advisor admitted her husband's criticism of Trump was a betrayal.

The couple known for being political opposites went their separate ways after years of speculation if the pair even liked each other.

George has been one of Donald Trump's biggest critics, and publicly mocked the president on Twitter while he employed his wife.

Kellyanne and George wed in 2001 and had four children - Claudia, Vanessa, Charlotte, and George - together.

Trump celebrated her divorce on Truth Social, writing: 'Congratulations to Kellyanne Conway on her DIVORCE from her wacko husband, Mr. Kellyanne Conway.

'Free at last, she has finally gotten rid of the disgusting albatross around her neck. She is a great person, and will now be free to lead the kind of life that she deservesand it will be a great life without the extremely unattractive loser by her side!'
Three women have been rushed to hospital after a violent stabbing brawl erupted in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police were called to the altercation in Hackham West in Adelaide's south at 4am and found three injured women suffering from stab wounds.

A woman, 21, suffering from multiple wounds was rushed to Flinders Medical Centre in a serious but stable condition.

A second 21-year-old woman and another woman were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

'Investigations are continuing and police will be speaking with the three women and other people who were involved or witnessed this incident,' police said on Friday.

'Police wish to reassure the local community that this was not a random incident and all people involved are known to each other.'

The wild brawl broke out at Hackham West in Adelaide's south on Friday morning

The brawl broke out at Radom Court, and the intersection of Majorca Rd and Warsaw Crescent was closed to traffic while police examined the crime scene.

The incident adds to a sudden blast of brutal knife violence that has hit Australia this week.

On Wednesday, real estate agent Julie Seed was allegedly murdered in a random daylight stabbing in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton.

On Thursday, Brisbane was hit with two stabbings.

Paramedics rushed a 46-year-old man to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane just after 8am in a serious condition.

A man was also found at a petrol station with multiple stab wounds in the suburb of Annerley.

A short time later that morning, a woman was allegedly murdered in a stabbing attack in the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton.

Three women were stabbed in an early-morning brawl in Radom Court in Hackham West

Julie Seed was allegedly stabbed to death in a random attack in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Queensland police were called to an Oxford St address in the leafy suburb east of the CBD after reports of a disturbance.

They allege a 55-year-old woman entered a unit and stabbed the 43-year-old resident.

The alleged victim sustained several serious stab wounds and was transported to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, where she later died, police said.

'Police will allege the two women were known to each other but not in a familial setting,' the police said.
A well-known Chicago activist has called for Donald Trump to 'come in here and clean up this mess,' decrying the influx of migrants and urging authorities to 'send them all back.'

George Blakemore, 81, has for the last 40 years attended every public meeting he can, from City Council to the Chicago Board of Education to the Water Reclamation District, Block Club Chicago reported.

Earlier this month, at a city council hearing to discuss putting Chicago's sanctuary city status on the ballot in March, Blakemore spoke out against Chicago's current policy towards migrants.

More than 26,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago over the past year by bus and plane, with about 14,000 currently in shelters. Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, has sent migrants from his state to Democrat-run cities in the north, in a bid to pressure Joe Biden to take action.

The cities are struggling to cope - and in Chicago a five-year-old boy died in a freezing and damp Chicago shelter on Sunday, and many are sleeping in O'Hare airport or police station lobbies.

Blakemore, who is black, said the situation was untenable.

George Blakemore, 81, is pictured on December 14 addressing a meeting of the Chicago city council, where they discussed whether to put ending the sanctuary city status to a vote

Blakemore has been attending public meetings in Chicago for 40 years, becoming well known for his views

'I am anti-illegal immigrant,' he said at the December 14 meeting. 'Send them all back across the Rio Grande.'

He yelled: 'We are the only people in America who were enslaved. We didn't come over waiting and looking for something. When we came we built this country, on free labor.

'To see another group come over here - it's disgraceful, it's un-American.'

He asked the council: 'What about the black children? The black workers? They compete with us.'

Blakemore continued: 'I am strictly advocating for black people. Call ICE on them.

'Trump, come in here and clean this mess up. The most corrupt city in the United States is the city of Chicago.'

Another activist, who gave her name as Lorraine Lawrence, agreed with Blakemore.

'I'm not for the sanctuary city,' she said. 'People have waited years to come in here legally. Not just come in on the buses. This is ludicrous.

'West Side and South Side black communities have been earmarked for having funds, but never seen it.'

She added: 'Is it fair to these communities that have been waiting for years?'

Lorraine Lawrence said she was against the sanctuary city declaration, as she said it was unfair

Nelly Musajeva, a neurobiology student at Dominican University, called for the current policy to remain

But others said the current sanctuary city status should remain.

Nelly Musajeva, a neurobiology student at Dominican University, said she was undocumented, and said it would be wrong to expel law-abiding citizens such as herself.

Miwa Shimokogawa, a graphic designer and activist with Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said the sanctuary city designation made everyone safer.

'It will sow further distrust between communities of color and police,' she said. 'Meanwhile, it will do nothing to stop the buses coming from the south.'

Council members then voted on whether to put on the March primary ballot the question: 'Should the city of Chicago continue to keep its designation as a Sanctuary City?'

They voted 31-16 against putting the question to the electorate.

Mayor Brandon Johnson had ordered his lieutenants to quash a bid to put the controversial 'Welcoming City Ordinance' to a referendum - and in November his floor leader was forced to resign for physically blocking opponents trying to access a previous vote on the issue.

Alderman Anthony Beale, who is trying to get the question on the ballot, accused his opponents of being scared to the facts.

'What are you scared of? To let the people have a voice? The truth?' he asked after the vote.

'That's all this question is asking, is to let the people have a say.'

Alderman Anthony Beale accused the Democrat leadership of cowardice as his bid to put sanctuary city status to a public vote was defeated 31 to 16 in the council chamber

Mayor Brandon Johnson ordered his lieutenants to quash a bid to put the controversial 'Welcoming City Ordinance' to a referendum on Chicago's March primary ballot

The migrants who have arrived in the city after crossing the Mexican border since August last year have sought shelter in parks, police stations and the city airport

The city expects to spend $300 million this year on coping with more than 24,000 migrants who have arrived in the city after crossing the Mexican border since August last year.

It spent nearly $1 million on a tent camp in Brighton Park before tests revealed the soil was too poisonous to live on, and more than 3,000 migrants are still waiting for shelter as arctic winter temperatures start to bite.

City authorities have faced a furious backlash from residents as parks and public facilities have been commandeered to house the newcomers who are still arriving at a rate of 700 a week.

Around 300 are still living on the floors of Chicago's police stations, and conditions are so bad across the city that some have decided to return home to South America.

Sanctuary city status means that city officials are forbidden from asking questions about a person's immigration status, or revealing it to federal authorities.

Police in the city are not allowed to arrest anyone solely because they are an illegal immigrant, and the city will not co-operate with an investigation by immigration authorities unless ordered to by a court.

More than 560 cities, states and counties across the US have declared themselves sanctuaries, and Chicago adopted the status in 1985.

Stunning images have shown droves of migrants traversing difficult terrain and wading through the Rio Grande river on their way over the southern border

O'Hare International Airport accommodated hundreds of migrants in a screened off area as the crisis gathered steam this summer

The meeting was to discuss whether the city should ask voters in March if Chicago should remain a sanctuary city as the it continues being overwhelmed with more than 26,000 newly arrived migrants

But fears for the thousands of migrants still unsheltered are growing as temperatures drop and the viciously cold Chicago winter starts to bite

Sanctuary cities have been a favorite target of governors on the southern border who have bussed thousands of migrants north to them as the migration crisis has gathered steam.

Johnson was among five Democratic city mayors who headed to DC to beg the Biden administration for $5 billion in federal funds to deal with the issue.

'Our cities need additional resources that far exceed the amount proposed in order to properly care for the asylum seekers entering our communities,' they wrote.

'Relying on municipal budgets is not sustainable and has forced us to cut essential city services.'

Johnson accused his opponents of 'meanness' and claimed a public vote on sanctuary status would do nothing to address the strain from migrants.

'This is a crisis, and as I've said, it's not going to go away because people are upset,' he told reporters after the December 14 vote.

'Now unfortunately, you have individuals that have used this as a way to execute its meanness.

'That type of meanness has caused the type of strife that we're experiencing now.'

But Beale accused the mayor of cowardice.

'It is a shame that you all are scared,' he told the city council meeting.

'Are we afraid that the people are going to tell us that we are spending money frivolously in this body?

'Are we afraid that the people are going to tell us that we are headed in the wrong direction?

'I figured you all had something up your sleeve, but let me just say that it is a shame.'
'Paranoid' ministers have been accused of gagging military and spy chiefs to raise their own profiles ahead of an election.

In a recent case the head of the Armed Forces was withdrawn from a televised interview on Remembrance Sunday at the eleventh hour, according to defence sources.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, had arranged to appear on BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. His place on the programme's Remembrance Sunday Special was subsequently taken by recently appointed Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

The move made Admiral Sir Tony the first CDS in recent years not to make a major speech on the day the country marks the service of veterans.

According to defence sources, the decision upset senior officers across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, who are said to fear they are being gagged by Downing Street. A source told the Mail: 'Sir Tony took it pretty well but it felt like a snub as the interview was pre-arranged. On an occasion like Remembrance Sunday the CDS speaks for all of us.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, had arranged to appear on BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg

His place on the programme's Remembrance Sunday Special was subsequently taken by recently appointed Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured)

'The department [MoD] appears to want to boost Shapps's profile and maintain tight control over all its public messaging, most likely due to a general election in the next 12 months.'

Downing Street has apparently advised the MoD of a 'ministers only' rule in place for the foreseeable future, which critics claim is overly controlling and short-sighted. After a spate of negative stories about Armed Forces cuts and misconduct allegations such as SAS soldiers allegedly involved in a drugs ring, Mr Shapps is paying close attention to media coverage.

Every morning the Defence Secretary's officials must provide a detailed memorandum including all the latest reports. Frustrated staff have christened this 'Shappdate'.

The heads of the UK's spy agencies - MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - are also understood to be affected by the 'ministers only' ruling.

But last night the Government hit back, denying such a policy had been imposed.

A spokesman said: 'This is not true.

'High-profile public figures including defence and diplomatic staff have spoken to media in recent months.'
An ABC journalist has slipped up on live television by saying Brittany Higgins flew to France this week to 'start a new life' with her alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann.

Experienced court reporter Elizabeth Byrne made the comment on ABC News Mornings while discussing Lerhmann's defamation case with host Casey Briggs.

Byrne's innocent mistake might not surprise followers of the Higgins saga who see some vague physical similarity between Mr Lehrmann and her fiance David Sharaz.

The two young men have similar builds, thick dark hair, wear spectacles and always attend court in a suit.

They are also often referenced in the same sentence in media reports.

An ABC journalist has slipped up on live television by saying Brittany Higgins has moved to France to 'start a new life' with her alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann rather than her fiance David Sharaz. Ms Higgins is pictured with Mr Sharaz in France

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed last month that Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz were quitting Queensland to start afresh in the village of Lunas in the south of France.

The couple has been pictured this week at the five-bedroom chateau Ms Higgins bought using some of her $2.4million taxpayer-funded compensation payout.

On Thursday morning, Byrne did a live cross from Canberra to provide an update on Mr Lehrmann's defamation action against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

After Byrne, who has worked for the national broadcaster since 1987, described what was at stake for Ten and Mr Lehrmann, Briggs asked her about Ms Higgins.

'Well, Brittany Higgins was only a witness in this case,' Byrne said. 'She doesn't have, um, you know, a finger in the pie at all with this.

'She just agreed to be a witness for Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson and in fact is no longer here in the country.

'She and Bruce Lehrmann left a few days ago to start a new life in France. But no doubt they'll be watching on to see how this pans out.'

Briggs did not correct the reporter and simply said: 'Elizabeth Byrne in Canberra. Thanks for the update.'

Viewers reacted quickly on social media, with one X user calling for an apology and describing Byrne's mix-up as 'outrageous'.

Another wrote on the same platform: 'I know it was a slip of the tongue, but I gasped'.

A spokesman for the ABC declined to comment.

Mr Sharaz is a former journalist while Mr Lehrmann was a Liberal staffer when he briefly worked with Ms Higgins in the office of Senator Linda Reynolds.

Bruce Lehrmann (above) is suing Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson over an interview on The Project in which Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped in a Parliament House office

Ms Higgins has accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her on a couch in their boss's Parliament House office in March 2019 but at the time she did not go to police.

Mr Lehrmann is suing Ten and Wilkinson over a February 2021 interview on The Project in which Ms Higgins made the claim she was raped by a colleague without naming him.

He was later charged with rape and faced trial but the ACT Supreme Court hearing was aborted in October last year due to juror misconduct.

Mr Lehrmann has always denied having had an sexual contact with Ms Higgins.

Justice Michael Lee, who is presiding over the defamation case in Sydney, is hearing final submissions.
Tributes have flooded in for a much-loved young firefighter who tragically passed away in his sleep.

Daniel 'Pagey' Page, a Lieutenant 2 at Salisbury Country Fire Service branch in South Australia, died on Tuesday - just days before Christmas.

The sad news was shared to Facebook by his workplace two days later, remembering him as 'one of Salisbury's greats'.

'Daniel, or as we call him 'Pagey', joined Salisbury CFS in 2017 and we knew from day one he would go on to achieve great things,' the post read.

Daniel 'Pagey' Page (pictured) died during his sleep on Tuesday evening, just days before Christmas

'From the stories told, his amazing, kind and empathetic nature has touched many in the service and the patients he cared for as well as saved.'

'Pagey always had time for everyone around him and was the first to put his hand up when someone needed help,' it continued.

'His favourite things in life were triple double macchiatos, exploring the countryside with friends and family, working on vehicles or his next project, working incredibly hard to achieve more and being part of SAAS (South Australian Ambulance Service) to help others.'

The South Australian man was a Lieutenant 2 at Salisbury Country Fire Service branch and also worked as an Ambulance Officer with the South Australian Ambulance Service

Messages of love and support flowed in the comments section of the tragic Facebook post with many of his co-workers sharing stories about the 'special' man

The young firefighter was the caretaker for truck 58 and was in the middle of fixing up a leaky master cylinder - which was completed in his honour by a friend.

'You will be forever missed Pagey and the world was a much better place with you in it. Rest easy mate, we will take it from here,' it read.

Working his way up the ranks from Firefighter, to Senior Firefighter and then Lieutenant 2, the much-loved local was also an Ambulance Officer with the South Australian Ambulance Service.

Mr Page was awarded a commendation for his work in evacuating residents of a nursing home on the River Murray during last year's floods.

He was also set to receive his National Emergency Medal for his part in fighting the 2019-2020 bushfires.

Mr Page was in the middle of fixing up truck 58's leaky master cylinder which was completed in his honour by a friend

Much-loved and excellent at his job, Mr Page was awarded a commendation for his work in evacuations during last year's floods and was set to receive his National Emergency Medal for his part in fighting the 2019-2020 bushfires

Mr Page was an aspiring paramedic and had just been accepted to study at Flinders University.

The post garnered hundreds of reactions and comments with friends, family and locals sending messages of love and support for the South Australian man's family.

'Only the good die young....RIP, to a proper hero,' one wrote.

Another added: 'A truly amazing guy, always had a smile no matter the situation, always providing his crew support and a gentle nudge if needed. He will still be at the front guiding us through danger and looking down as a leader that he was.

'Pagey was special, he always had time for a chat and a laugh, his quick wit, intelligence and people skills set him apart from the rest and his rise through the ranks was not unexpected.'

The young firefighter was described as a 'truly amazing guy' and a 'proper hero' for his contributions to the community

A third shared the story of the day he first met Mr Page, writing: 'Met him when he came on board as an apprentice - crashed his car the night before his first day at work - still made it in to set a huge impression.

'Grew into a young man, hugely generous with his time, set his goals on some worthy endeavours which speak volumes of him and his family.'

'Such a loss to all lucky enough to have spent time with him,' the co-worker added.

Several neighbouring fire stations also offered their condolences, changing the official account profile pictures to the 'firefighter down' emblem.
The family of a young autistic boy who claims the child had a swastika carved into his back by fellow students earlier this year has filed suit against the district where it allegedly happened.

The nonverbal teen and his mom, identified only as S.K. and C.K. in court papers, said the senseless act was carried out at Las Vegas's Clark High School in March, and claim the Clark County School District failed to protect the then 17-year-old.

The complaint demands the district pay an unspecified sum so the teen may attend an outside therapy program, as well as further reimbursement for the family for any expenses they suffered..

The lawsuit also states the teen, now 18, has since been homeschooled, and accuses officials of 'fail[ing] to provide [him with] a safe school environment that was free from harassment, intimidation and bullying.'

The complaint was filed November 13 with the Nevada Department of Special Education. It comes nearly a year after the alleged strike, which drew scrutiny from the Anti-Defamation League.

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The young, nonverbal boy is said to have had a swastika carved into his back by students at his local high school on March 9, leading to the recent lawsuit

The suit claim the Clark County School District failed to protect the then 17-year-old at Las Vegas 's Clark High , and says he has been homeschooled ever since

'On March 9, 2023, S.K. came home from school with a swastika physically carved into his back,' the suit, first reported by The New York Post, states.

'[He] refused to enter that specific bathroom after that day,' it goes on, referencing the lavatory where they the alleged attack took place.

'The district denied any knowledge of the incident occurring,' it then declares.

'[From] the outset, the district failed to provide S.K. a safe school environment that was free from harassment, intimidation and bullying.'

The suit further claims after the alleged instance, the boy's 'service dog bag was broken and re-sewn' after he was allegedly ambushed for being Jewish.

In earlier statements delivered to the media, the boy's mother already said her son is attended the school with a service dog.

She also said the boy was nonverbal, and had been wearing a yarmulke at the time of the alleged attack.

The complaint then references how, after an internal investigation, Clark County school officials said they 'found no evidence that would indicate the origin of the [boy's] injuries', effectively throwing cold water on the family's claims.

Ziporah Reich, director of litigation at the Lawfare Project, helped file the complaint, and is one of many handling the now more than month-long case. She is seen here in an interview earlier this year, after the claims about the school's handling of the incident made headlines

The November 13 complaint references how, after an internal investigation, Clark County school officials said they 'found no evidence that would indicate the origin of the [boy's] injuries', effectively throwing cold water on the family's claims

That declaration came after a staff review of available camera footage, after which several other law enforcement agencies reviewed the same information and found no evidence to determine the swastika's origin, according to the district.

By coming to this conclusion, the complaint states, the district failed to provide the student with a proper education under the Individuals with Disability Education Improvement Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The family demands the district foot the bill for outside counseling for the teenager, as well as damages for the family's suffering and the alleged interruption to the boy's education.

Additionally, Ziporah Reich, director of litigation at the pro-bono legal service that helped file the complaint, issued a statement about the case.

'This horrific act against a defenseless Jewish student is a stark reminder of the deeply rooted issue of antisemitism that persists in our society,' the Lawfare Project lawyer said.

'Furthermore,' she added, 'the failure of the Clark County School District to conduct a proper investigation into this incident is evidence of the systemic apathy that exists towards Jews who are targeted by hate-crimes.'

Local counsel Lori Rogich added, 'I am committed and will do whatever I can to help this student and this cause.

'I fought for the well-being and rights of children with special needs in the past and I will always fight against antisemitism in all its forms.'

'On March 9, 2023, [the boy] came home from school with a swastika physically carved into his back,' the suit states. '[He] refused to enter that specific bathroom after that day,' it goes on. 'The district denied any knowledge of the incident occurring'

The school district said it does not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit comes months after the Orthodox Jewish news service COLlive.com became the first to report on the incident. At the time, the outlet secured an interview with the child's mom, who said she spotted the symbol that day when her son arrived home.

She later told The Jewish Press that as soon as she spotted it, she wrote an email to a school staffer who had been tasked with shadowing her son that day.

The mom reportedly asked at the time: 'Did he use the bathroom?' Did he have any meltdowns yesterday? I would think this would have caused him to have a meltdown.'

The staffer allegedly responded by writing the boy 'had a good day,' stating he had 'no meltdowns or anything.

She further insisted the child 'was with me the whole day [and] he didnt use the restroom.'

The day after the exchange, the mom claimed the child refused to use the school bathroom - spurring her to file a report with the Clark County School District Police.

Jewish publication YNet news recently reported the incident being investigated by feds as a 'suspected hate crime.' In a statement days later, though, the FBI shot down the outlet's claim - saying only it was 'prepared' to jump into cops' current investigation at a moment's notice

Local investigations later found nothing to substantiate the family's claims. Their lawsuit remains ongoing

Explaining while she filed the report - which has since been tossed - she claimed: 'The shadow has kept [my son] from class in the past.

'I dropped him off at school one time last year and I got an email from the teacher and occupational therapist that he was absent from class.

'I pulled my son out of school because its an unsafe environment,' she declared.

After the series of media spots, fellow Jewish publication YNet news erroneously reported the incident being investigated by feds as a 'suspected hate crime.'

In a statement days later, though, the FBI shot down the outlet's claim - saying only it was 'prepared' to jump into cops' current investigation at a moment's notice.

'We are aware of the incident and are in regular contact with local authorities,' the agency said in a statement in late April.

'If during the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal civil rights violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate.'

Those local probes yielded nothing, paving the way for the newly launched suit, which remains ongoing.
A young woman lost nearly $35,000 after falling victim to an elaborate scam that started as a seemingly innocent warning telling her she'd been charged twice for her Netflix account.

Rachel De Candia, 28, received an email she thought was legitimate in October telling her she'd been charged twice for the streaming service.

She replied with her bank details, as requested, thinking she'd be issued a refund.

A week later she received a call from an anonymous person claiming to be from NAB's fraud and security team informing her that her bank cards and accounts had been compromised.

Rachel De Candia, 28, was scammed out of nearly $35,000 from people pretending to be from her banks

'They said my whole account had been compromised and I needed to transfer my money out. They also said my cards had been copied at some point so I had to send them off for forensics,' Ms De Candia told Yahoo News.

The 28-year-old transferred $6,040 via PayID into an account she believed had been set up by the bank.

Later that day, an Uber arrived at Ms De Candia's home with a demand that she hand over her 'compromised' NAB and Westpac debit cards.

While admitting the situation was 'weird', the woman said she was so panicked that she handed over her cards in the hope that it would be the end of her nightmare.

But it was only just the start of the ordeal, as the scammers went on a shopping spree with her cards, visiting ATMs to withdraw cash before splurging in Officeworks, Kmart and Coles.

They spent almost $29,000 and because Ms De Candia had already transferred the $6,000, in total she lost close to $35,000, which she had been saving towards a house deposit.

She had applied for a home loan prior to being scammed.

Those plans have been put on hold as she tries desperately to recover her savings.

'A lot of the things they bought were Apple gift cards, Apple iPhones, as well as cash from the ATMs. I was told by police they convert this into cryptocurrency and it can't be traced,' she said.

She didn't realise her mistake until speaking to her partner later that evening before immediately reporting the matter to her banks and police.

Ms De Candia, 28, received an email she thought was legitimate in October telling her she'd been charged twice for her Netflix account

Police have arrested a scammer who was allegedly involved.

NAB managed to salvage $5,000 to be returned to Ms De Candia but due to ongoing court matters, the rest has not yet been recovered.

'It's my life savings. It's not like I can earn that money back within a certain amount of time. To have this amount of money gone is catastrophic,' she said.

Both banks issued warnings to Aussies about scammers.

Westpac said it would never ask customers to transfer money into other accounts to keep it safe or ask them to hand over their cards or PINs.

NAB said it would never ask customers to confirm, update or disclose personal or banking information via a link in an email or text message.

Those who receive suspicious calls or texts are urged to delete them or hang up immediately.
Suella Braverman yesterday stepped up calls to quit the European Convention on Human Rights after Dublin threatened legal action against the UK in relation to Northern Ireland's Troubles.

The Irish government on Wednesday launched a legal bid to block legislation to prevent claims against British veterans.

Northern Ireland minister Lord Caine yesterday said the decision was 'deeply regrettable' and could have consequences for relations with Ireland.

Mrs Braverman said: 'For years, brave British veterans have been harassed through the courts. It is vital that the UK does all it can to protect them now.'

The former home secretary said Ireland's legal challenge underlined the need to ditch the ECHR.

Suella Braverman (pictured) yesterday stepped up calls to quit the European Convention on Human Rights after Dublin threatened legal action against the UK in relation to Northern Ireland's Troubles

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (pictured) said he had received 'strong' legal advice the legislation breaches international law

'Article 2 of the ECHR protects the right to life  something with which we all agree,' she said. 'But it has been stretched so far by the Strasbourg jurisprudence to now be an obstacle to justice and fairness. Another reason why we need to leave the ECHR.'

The Legacy Act is designed to end the legal pursuit of British soldiers over incidents during the Troubles decades ago.

Controversially, it also gives an effective amnesty to IRA and loyalist terrorists who killed thousands, drawing a line under the events of the past.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he had received 'strong' legal advice the legislation breaches international law. Lord Caine told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: 'We highly value the relationship with the Irish government. Can I rule out any consequences? The answer is no.'
Dame Esther Rantzen has issued a desperate plea that the 'cruelty must stop' as she called for a free vote to be held on legalising assisted dying.

The broadcaster, who has stage four lung cancer, said she has heard tales of 'intolerable suffering' since revealing that she has joined assisted-dying clinic Dignitas.

She has since become impassioned with the laws and called on politicians to grapple with the issue for the first time since 2015.

'Nobody would impose it. All we ask is the choice. It's our life, and it will be our death', she wrote in the Daily Express today.

Dame Esther, who was diagnosed at the beginning of the year, said she will find out in a few weeks if a new medication she has been taking is 'performing its miracle' or if it has 'given up'. In such case, she will consider going to Dignitas to end her life.

Speaking on the current illegal status of assisted dying in the UK she pleaded: 'This cruelty must stop.'

Dame Esther Rantzen has issued a desperate plea that the 'cruelty must stop' as she called for a free vote to be held on legalising assisted dying

The broadcaster, who has stage four lung cancer, said she has heard tales of 'intolerable suffering' since revealing that she has joined assisted-dying clinic Dignitas

She continued:'The current law was intended to protect the vulnerable, to stop them being pressured into suicide.

'And of course precautions are vital. But bad cases make bad laws, and in trying to prevent crime the law at the moment denies us the most valuable freedom of all, the freedom to choose when to end our own suffering.'

The mother-of-three previously said that if 'nothing's working' she might 'buzz off to Zurich' in Switzerland but realises this would put her family and friends in a difficult position as they could be prosecuted should they decide to join her.

Speaking on The Today podcast earlier this week, she said: 'I have in my brain though, well, if the next scan says nothing's working I might buzz off to Zurich but, you know, it puts my family and friends in a difficult position because they would want to go with me. And that means that the police might prosecute them.

'So we've got to do something. At the moment, it's not really working, is it?'

Dame Esther said that she had discussed the issue with her family and they had told her it was her 'decision' and 'choice'.

She continued: 'I explained to them that actually I don't want their last memories of me to be painful because if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times and I don't want that to happen. I don't want to be that sort of victim in their lives.'

The long-time presenter said that, if she was made prime minister for the week, she would 'get them to do a free vote on assisted dying'.

Dame Esther Rantzen has revealed that she has joined assisted-dying clinic Dignitas (pictured) and will consider going there to end her life should her next scan show she is getting worse

Dame Esther explained to her family that she didn't 'want their last memories of me to be painful because if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times'

She added: 'I think it's important that the law catches up with what the country wants.'

Dame Esther also told how she was looking forward to a 'very unexpected' Christmas with her family. 'I didn't think I would make it to my birthday [June 22],' she admitted.

'I definitely didn't think I'd make it to this Christmas, which I am, it appears. Though anything can happen; I live in a forest, a tree can fall on me.

'I've got to drop off my perch for some reason, and I'm 83 damn it, so I should be jolly grateful and indeed am.' The mother-of-three and grandmother-of-five helped to set up Childline, which provides counselling to young people, in 1987. Her daughter Rebecca Wilcox, 43, is now training to join the charity.

Is Assisted Suicide illegal in Britain? Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and jailed for up to 14 years if found guilty of an offence. Section two of the act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. In 2015 MPs including former prime minister David Cameron rejected a Bill to legalise assisted dying. Opposition to changing the law has come from faith groups, campaigners who say disabled people may feel pressured to end their lives and campaigners who fear assisted dying would become a business. Advertisement

Her daughter Rebecca, 43, told the Express that the pair are so determined to end the ban on assisted dying they may lobby their MP Michael Gove at home during the festive season.

Laying out her argument for more compassionate laws, Dame Esther says most people with terminal cancer have 'gentle, painfree deaths. But not all'.

She urged lawmakers to look beyond party politics, and to allow time for a proper debate and vote in order to 'make a real difference to the happiness of the people they govern'.

Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

The Health and Social Care Committee is due to publish its report into assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales, having launched an inquiry in December 2022 to examine different perspectives in the debate.

The Government has repeatedly said the issue is 'a matter of conscience' for MPs to vote on. But this can happen only if sufficient time is allocated for the proposed law change to be thoroughly debated in the Commons and if MPs are granted a free vote.

Parliament voted 330 to 118 not to change the law eight years ago but activists say opinions have changed dramatically since and it is time for a fresh debate.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer yesterday backed calls for a change in the law on assisted dying, potentially paving the way for a new vote.

The Labour leader, who backed a change in the law the last time the issue was voted on in the Commons in 2015, acknowledged it would have to be addressed carefully.

'On the question of assisted dying, there are obviously strong views both ways on this, which I respect,' he told reporters during a visit to Estonia.

'And that's why traditionally, this has always been dealt with with a private member's bill and a free vote and that seems appropriate to me.

Dame Esther said that if the next scan says nothing's working, then she 'might buzz off to Zurich' (Pictured: A bed in the clinic Dignitas assisted suicide clinic)

Dame Esther married Desmond Wilcox, a fellow journalist, in 1977. The couple had three children together, Miriam, Rebecca, and Josh, before Desmond died from heart disease in September 2000 aged 69

'I personally do think there are grounds for changing the law, we have to be careful, but it would have to be, I think, a free vote on an issue where there are such divided and strong views.'

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said the issue was always treated as a 'matter of conscience', with MPs given a free vote.

She declined to say whether she thought it was time for another vote in Parliament, telling BBC Radio 4's Today: 'As Health Secretary, I think actually, it's right that I don't express an opinion on this.'

But she added: 'I think that if there was a will in Parliament that it will happen, if Members of Parliament, backbenchers, want it to happen.'
A man is accused of sexually assaulting dozens of unsuspecting women at a Melbourne nightclub during an alleged groping spree.

David Maria Anthony Rayan, 33, faces more than 70 sex offences over his alleged rampage at a Chapel Street nightclub in trendy Prahran, in Melbourne's inner city.

Most of Rayan's alleged victims had no idea who he was when he allegedly touched, kissed and groped them.

David Maria Anthony Rayan leaves a Melbourne court on Friday

David Maria Anthony Rayan, 33, faces dozens of sexual assault charges

Rayan, who is a former PwC IT worker, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday where his matter was adjourned until early next year.

Police claim the majority of the alleged attacks happened on September 23, when Rayan was slapped with more than two dozen offences.

Court documents state Rayan is accused of grabbing the buttocks of numerous women, with some having their genitals grabbed.

Over two nights in October, women alleged Rayan rubbed his penis against them, grabbed at their breasts and kissed their shoulders.

One woman claimed Rayan attempted to kiss her on the buttocks during an alleged attack on October 14.

Police are still working to track down dozens of women allegedly touched by Rayan.

Prosecutors on Friday asked for 12 weeks to compile evidence as they were combing through a 'large amount' of video footage.

CCTV from the venue was being matched up with the Chapel Street nightclub's identification scanners to help locate all the victims, the police prosecutor said.

David Maria Anthony Rayan refused to comment to reporters outside court

He said many of the victims had been identified from CCTV and contacted by police about the alleged offending.

Some were foreigners who had since returned home overseas and police will liaise with international authorities to get statements from them, he said.

'A large number of these people are not Australian citizens,' the prosecutor told the court.

Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano agreed to give the prosecution three months to compile their brief of evidence.

Rayan remains on bail and will return to the court on May 10.

Bombarded by reporters outside court, Rayan refused to comment about his alleged behaviour.
They're likely to be raising a glass in vineyards across Britain after a miracle harvest delivered 50 per cent more grapes than ever before.

Near perfect growing weather through 2023 helped confirm the UK as a force in the wine industry, particularly for award-winning champagne-style fizz.

A number of French champagne houses have invested in vineyards in the UK, where the warming climate and soil across south and the east of England provide the ideal terroir.

The record harvest, which saw the top four grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier and Bacchus perform well, is expected to produce up to 22million bottles.

In the last five years, hectarage has grown by nearly 75 per cent with the total area under production now over 1,000 hectares higher than in 2018.

Near perfect growing weather through 2023 helped confirm the UK as a force in the wine industry

The record harvest, which saw the top four grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier and Bacchus perform well, is expected to produce up to 22million bottles

A number of French champagne houses have invested in vineyards in the UK, where the warming climate and soil across south and the east of England provide the ideal terroir

The details have been released by WineGB who said that despite a lacklustre summer, the weather conditions throughout the year proved perfect for production boosted by the late heat in September.

The highest yields were achieved in the drier and warmer regions, East Anglia, the South East, and Wessex - Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

Vineyards reported heavy crop and bunch weights. Whilst ripeness levels were lower than average, as were acids, winemakers are optimistic about the quality of the fruit and resulting wine.

Master of Wine, Stephen Skelton, said: 2023 will be a vintage to remember. The excellent yields are attributed to not only the near perfect weather for grapes at key times of the growing season, but also comes on the back of more hectares than ever before coming into production. Chief executive of WineGB, Nicola Bates, said: There was a silver lining to our miserable summer, and that is a fantastic season for wine.

UK consumers are drinking more and more home produce and at the same time exports are going up especially in the Nordics and Japan.
The University of Bradford has announced a scholarship scheme to help get more white working-class men into higher education.

White male students who are in this economic demographic and already living in the Bradford district will be eligible to receive the bursary of 400 a month towards living costs while studying at the university.

The city has one of the most multi-cultural populations in the country, having seen its white British population decrease from 63.9% in 2011 to 56.7% in 2021.

White male pupils eligible for free school meals are less likely to go on to higher education than any other demographic, according to government data published earlier this year, with only 4.6 per cent of students from that group.

At the University of Bradford that proportion is even lower, at about 1.7 per cent of the student body, as families in the area feel the widening gap between rich and poor due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

The University of Bradford has announced a scholarship scheme to help get more white working-class men into higher education

Professor Shirley Congdon, vice-chancellor of the university, said that the scholarship 'further emphasises the university's commitment to social mobility, helping to ensure that everyone who studies at Bradford fulfils their potential'.

The scholarship will be funded by the Keith Howard Foundation, named after the late philanthropist and businessman who studied at the university.

Melissa Tomlinson, chair of the foundation, said: 'Social mobility is a key component of the work the foundation supports across Yorkshire.

'This new scholarship will also help its students on their road to an exciting future. We look forward to following the journeys of the scholars who participate in the programme at the University of Bradford.'
Artificial intelligence is a 'clear and present danger' to next year's General Election, former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland has warned.

He told the BBC: 'Unless policymakers are showing some leadership on the need for a strong and effective domestic set of guardrails  plus international work  then we are going to be behind the curve.'

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has said the Government is taking the threat 'extremely seriously'.

AI-generated misinformation has already disrupted votes abroad, and British politicians such as Sir Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan have been targeted by 'deepfake' technology.

Steps have been taken to protect elections from foreign interference, with a Defending Democracy Taskforce launched.

Artificial intelligence is a 'clear and present danger' to next year's General Election, former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland has warned

British politicians such as Sir Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan have been targeted by 'deepfake' technology

While fake images and doctored audio have been around for years, concerns have been raised over how much quicker and easier it can be to create more convincing versions  'deepfakes'  with AI.

The National Cyber Security Centre has highlighted the danger, saying 'deepfake campaigns will likely become more advanced'.

In September, a fake audio clip emerged of a candidate in Slovakia's general election seemingly discussing how to rig the vote. He then lost to a pro-Russian party.
A firefighter who died battling a house fire has been remembered as a man with a 'vibrant spirit' who made the ultimate professional sacrifice.

Michael Kidd, 51, died on December 12 after being struck by a falling wooden beam while fighting a blaze that engulfed the house at Grose Vale, in Sydney's outer northwest.

He was dragged from the house and colleagues tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Kidd was laid to rest at St Monica's Catholic Church, Richmond, on Friday in a service attended by hundreds of mourners, including NSW Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib.

His casket, draped in the Australian flag, was brought to the church on the back of a vintage fire engine as part of a Fire and Rescue NSW motorcade, accompanied by the strains of the agency's brass band.

Fire fighter Michael Kidd was laid to rest (pictured) in Sydney's north-west on Friday after he died battling a blaze that engulfed a suburban home last week

NSW Premier Chris Minns (right) and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib (left) also attended the funeral

Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell paid tribute to the on-call Richmond Station 82 firefighter as a man who loved his job.

'Michael loved being a firefighter, whether that was with Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service, and he was bloody good at it,' he told mourners.

'He juggled family, work and other commitments, despite all this he was still one of the most regular attendees at the fire station.'

The lethal blaze was one of thousands Mr Kidd attended over his many years of service since starting as a rural firefighter in 1989, Mr Fewtrell said.

'While firefighting can be a dangerous activity that does not make it okay that we have lost Michael, it is not something that we just accept,' he said.

'Michael has made the ultimate sacrifice.

'It is a sacrifice made not just by Michael but by his family, his fellow firefighters and his friends as we no longer have him.'

Mr Kidd's younger sisters, Belinda and Elizabeth, remembered him for his 'vibrant spirit' and love of family.

Speaking of the 51-year-old's children, Lachlan and Samantha, Belinda said 'he supported their dreams and made sure he always had time for them'.

Hundreds of mourners including family, friends and colleagues gathered at the church to pay their respects

Mr Kidd (pictured) who began his career as a rural firefighter in 1989 fought thousands of blazes and was remembered as someone who loved what he did

Elizabeth said the entire family loved and missed her brother, saying 'every time we think of you we will smile'.

Mr Kidd's wife Rebecca, whose eulogy was delivered by Fire and Rescue NSW chaplain Lyndsay Smith, said her husband 'made the world a better place'.

She remembered him as a man who could strike up a conversation with anyone, had a great passion for cars and who died doing what he loved.

'He will not be forgotten.'

Mr Kidd died after he was struck by a falling wooden beam while he was fighting the fire
A council has come under fire for 'political correctness gone mad' after banning childcare workers from being given Christmas presents from appreciative families.

The new policy is part of a new blanket crackdown in the City of Yarra, Melbourne to help stop bribery and kickbacks to staff and came into effect this week.

'It's political correctness gone mad. If they want to fix governments, go and fix the real issues,' Yarra Residents Collective co-founder Adam Promnitz told 3AW Melbourne.

'Don't go and punish the lowest paid workers.

Mr Promnitz said the blanket ban on council workers and workplaces was 'craziness' and that commonsense should prevail.

An Australian council has come under fire for 'political correctness gone mad' after banning childcare workers from being given Christmas presents from appreciative families (stock image)

'All we want is to say thanks to our teachers with a small token of appreciation,' Yarra Residents Collective co-founder Adam Promnitz said (stock image)

'It's a new low. The people looking after our kids don't have any decision-making powers.

'Childcare educators - they're not making planning decisions, they're not the ones who are awarding $10 million contractors to developers.

'All we want is to say thanks to our teachers with a small token of appreciation.'

Mr Promnitz said the council will take any presents received by childcare workers and donate them to charities on the gift-givers' behalf.

He posted to Yarra Resident Collective's Facebook page that giving a gift to a teacher is part of an Aussie Christmas tradition and it helps to teach children values.

'They [the council] really are the grinches who stole Christmas.'

Yarra City Council chief executive officer Sue Wilkinson told Daily Mail Australia the council is grateful their staff are so highly regarded and know some parents are disappointed with their stance.

'We are extremely proud of all of our staff who have done an amazing job all year for our community,' she said.

'Many of our staff have regulatory and compliance responsibilities and the policy aims to protect our staff from risks around perceived corruption or impropriety.

The City of Yarra has confirmed any gifts received by staff will be donated to charities in the Yarra area

'We want our community to have confidence that all our staff act with integrity at all times and that is why a consistent approach across our workforce is taken.

'Whilst we are humbled by the kindness and support from our community, unfortunately we cannot accept gifts, although well meaning.'

Ms Wilkinson confirmed any gifts received by staff will be donated to charities in the Yarra area.

The gift policy was changed after Victorias Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission released its final report of its five-year investigation into local government earlier this year.

They found the developer John Woodman had given suburban councillors hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for project support.

As a result the watchdog for local councils, Local Government Inspectorate, issued advice to councils on how they should create better policies.

The blanket ban on gifts came into effect this week and applies to all council workers in the City of Yarra

City of Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly told The Age whilst he supported tighter policies for councillors, he believed banning childcare workers from Christmas presents was 'ludicrous and heavy handed'.

Mr Jolly is trying to get the decision overturned and has taken the issue to the council's head of governance.

'Its collective punishment,' he said.

'How is giving a mince tart at Christmas-time to a childcare or kindergarten worker, whos on the lowest pay and has looked after your kid all year, bribery or potentially corruption?

3AW radio personality Tom Elliott said the council's move isn't that surprising, given they have appointed a person to 'look after flags and they have a bin tax'.

But he too was left wondering how giving a Christmas present to a childcare worker could ever be interpreted as something sinister.

'On what basis could a gift to the kindergarten teacher be considered a bribe?' he said.

'What? You get more plasticine than the other kids? You get to play baby Jesus in the Christmas play?'
The former lead prosecutor in Hunter Bidens criminal probe has been muzzled by the Justice Department from sharing key information with Congressional investigators, documents reveal.

The revelation comes from the transcript of ex-Delaware federal prosecutor Lesley Wolfs interview with Rep. Jim Jordan's House Judiciary Committee that took place on December 14, reviewed by DailyMail.com.

IRS whistleblowers pointed the finger at Wolf for allegedly shutting down leads in the criminal probe that involved President Joe Biden, claiming she obstructed the investigation.

But when asked by Judiciary Committee staff about the allegations, Wolf said she was not authorized to respond and unable to answer.

Wolf declined to even confirm whether she was the lead Assistant US Attorney on the Hunter Biden case  a role that others involved in the probe have testified that she played.

Lesley Wolf, the former lead prosecutor in Hunter Biden s criminal probe has been muzzled by the Justice Department from sharing key information with Congressional investigators, documents reveal

Wolf declined to even confirm whether she was the lead Assistant US Attorney on the Hunter Biden case  a role that others involved in the probe have testified that she played

In the 159-page transcript, Wolf gave general answers to staffers questions but repeatedly refused to answer anything specific about Hunters case.

Though she was a central figure in the Biden probe for years, Wolf mysteriously failed to appear on any prosecution documents filed in Delaware and California courts against Hunter, and has reportedly now left her job at the Justice Department after 16 years service.

IRS whistleblowers Joseph Ziegler and Gary Shapley, who ran the tax probe into Hunter, testified to Congress that Wolf shut down leads that could involve Joe Biden.

E-mails show Wolf ordered all references to Political Figure 1 be removed from a search warrant drafted by investigators. She admitted in her Congressional interview that Political Figure 1 was Joe Biden.

Wolf also denied agents request to search Joes Wilmington guest house where Hunter had lived in 2018.

Shapley said Wolf agreed that a lot of evidence in our investigation would be found in the guest house of former Vice President Biden, but said there is no way we will get that approved.

Wolf allegedly told agents she did not want to ask about the big guy or dad, pseudonyms for Joe Biden, when they interviewed witnesses close to him including his brother Jim and Hunters business partner and Biden family friend Rob Walker.

The IRS agents claimed she tipped off Hunters legal team ahead of their search of his storage unit.

In the 159-page transcript, Wolf gave general answers to staffers questions but repeatedly refused to answer anything specific about Hunters case

House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan

IRS whistleblowers Joseph Ziegler (pictured) and Gary Shapley, who ran the tax probe into Hunter, testified to Congress that Wolf shut down leads that could involve Joe Biden

According to Shapleys contemporaneous notes, Wolf said in a prosecution meeting that she was not personally interested in looking into potential campaign finance violations involving Joe.

Congressional Republicans concluded from their investigation that IRS agents were prevented from looking into financial transactions between Joe Biden and his son that would normally have been pursued in any similar investigation.

In July, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Wolf was colleagues and friends with former Delaware prosecutor Alexander Mackler, a close friend of the Biden family who had previously worked as Joes late son Beau Bidens campaign manager for his 2010 Delaware Attorney General bid.

Mackler worked in the Delaware Attorneys office from August 2016 through May 2019  when the offices probe into Hunters shady overseas dealings was already underway.

Asked by Congressional staff whether Mackler played any role in the Hunter probe, Wolf turned to her attorneys and said: Can I answer? then replied: I'm not authorized to answer that question.

In July, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Wolf was colleagues and friends with former Delaware prosecutor Alexander Mackler , a close friend of the Biden family who had previously worked as Joes late son Beau Bidens campaign manager for his 2010 Delaware Attorney General bid

While serving as a Delaware federal prosecutor, Mackler continually checked in on Hunter with warm, loving emails  as Hunter pursued a series of self-confessed crack cocaine and prostitute binges

In another telling email, Mackler wrote to a select group of 27 friends and family members inviting them to an informal wake for a family member. The email was forwarded to Hunter

She added Mackler was still on the payroll but not in the Delaware office from the beginning of 2019.

Wolf denied having any professional contact with Mackler after he joined the Biden transition team in 2020, but did not rule out perhaps at a going away party for another colleague or anything else.

She told House Judiciary staffers that in light of the ongoing nature of the investigation, she was legally obligated at this time to largely remain silent as to those allegations, beyond stating the truth, which is, at all times while serving as an AUSA, I acted consistently with the Justice Manual, DOJ policy directives, and my statutory legal and ethical obligations.

She added that she followed the facts where they led and made decisions in the best interests of the investigation.
Donald Trump personally phoned two Michigan election workers in the days after the November 2020 election and told them they would look 'terrible' if they certified the vote for Joe Biden, new audio has revealed.

The then-president's call is seen by critics as yet more evidence of his determination to overturn the results at any cost.

On November 17, 2020, Trump called the two Republican canvassers - tasked with certifying local election results - in Wayne County, the most populous district of Michigan, encompassing all of Detroit.

Trump told them that they needed to refuse to certify the votes.

Also on the call was Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, who is from Michigan.

The then-president told Monica Palmer and William Hartmann that they have 'to fight for our country,' said Trump on the recordings, according to The Detroit News.

Monica Palmer (left) and William Hartmann (right, who died in 2021) were the two Republicans on the Wayne County board of canvassers, who certify elections

Donald Trump is seen at a campaign rally on November 2, 2020. On November 17 he would call two Michigan election officials to try and get them to block certification of the votes

Ronna McDaniel, who is from Michigan, was on the call with Trump and the two Michigan officials

The recordings were made by a person who was present for the 9:55pm call with Palmer and Hartmann. Hartmann died of COVID in 2021, aged 63.

Trump told the pair: 'We can't let these people take our country away from us.'

Trump said Republicans had been 'cheated on this election' and 'everybody knows Detroit is crooked as hell.'

The call was made as Palmer and Hartmann were sitting in a car outside the office of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, where the two Democrats and two Republicans that make up the board were meeting.

They had dragged their heels on signing to confirm the vote tally, and McDaniel urged the pair to go home that same night, avoiding signing the official statement.

'If you can go home tonight, do not sign it,' said McDaniel. 'We will get you attorneys.'

Trump added: 'We'll take care of that.'

Palmer and Hartmann left the canvassers meeting without signing the official statement of votes for Wayne County, The Detroit News reported.

The following day, they unsuccessfully attempted to rescind their votes in favor of certification, filing legal affidavits claiming they were pressured.

She said 'intense bullying and coercion' coupled with bad legal advice forced them to agree to certify the election, after they had voted 'no.'

Hartmann (left) and Palmer (center) are seen during the November 17 meeting. Afterwards, Trump would phone them while they sat in a car in the parking lot outside the office

Palmer is seen speaking to Jonathan Kinloch, one of two Democrats on the board

Monica Palmer, pictured on November 20, 2020, said she could not remember the call

William Hartmann died in December 2021 from COVID. The vocal anti-vaxxer was 63

At 10:38am on that same morning, November 18, Trump tweeted a message of encouragement to Palmer and Hartmann.

He wrote: ''The numbers have not improved, it is still 71% out of balance', stated Wayne County, Michigan, Canvassers. 'There is widespread irregularities in poll numbers.' There are 'more votes than people'. The two harassed patriot Canvassers refuse to sign the papers!'

Trump's claim about the votes being 'out of balance' were not true - and he actually won more votes in the county in 2020 than in 2016.

He won 5,200 more votes in 2020 than four years earlier.

Ultimately, Palmer and Hartmann refused to sign, but they were overruled by the Michigan Bureau of Elections.

The Bureau told county officials the vote that happened, and the signatures of the chair or vice chair of the four-member canvassing board and the county clerk were the only things necessary to advance the certification to the State Board of Canvassers.

Michigan's vote was officially certified on November 23, 2020.

Jonathan Kinloch, one of two Democrats on the four-person board at the time, said what happened on the call with Trump was 'insane.'

He told the paper: 'It's just shocking that the president of the United States was at the most minute level trying to stop the election process from happening.'

Kinloch on Thursday night told CNN's Laura Coates that Palmer told him she was 'coming under a lot of pressure' about the vote - but he never imagined she meant the president was calling her in the parking lot.

Palmer said she didn't recall the phone conversation, but McDaniel defended it.

'What I said publicly and repeatedly at the time, as referenced in my letter on Nov. 21, 2020, is that there was ample evidence that warranted an audit,' she said.

Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, said Trump's actions 'were taken in furtherance of his duty as president of the United States to faithfully take care of the laws and ensure election integrity, including investigating the rigged and stolen 2020 presidential election.'

He added: 'President Trump and the American people have the constitutional right to free and fair elections.'
She will now spend at least 15 years in prison, after admitting she hit her mom over the head with an end table made of glass and stabbed her with a piece

A Las Vegas woman who once said she was too 'pretty' to be arrested will head to prison for at least 15 years after admitting to the violent murder of her mom.

The judgment comes three months after Hend Bustami, now 29, pleaded 'guilty but mentally ill' to a second-degree murder with a deadly weapon charge for the October 2022 killing of 61-year-old Afaf Hussanen.

She will now spend the next 15 years in prison, after telling officers that an argument over cigarettes escalated to the point where she hit her mom over the head with an end table made of glass and stabbed her with a piece that broke off.

About a month before the killings, Bustami made headlines for an entirely different reason - an arrest at Harry Reid International Airport after she skipped out on a bill at an airport Chili's restaurant.

When officers descended on her, she pretested she was too 'pretty' to be arrested, labeling the lawmen as 'perverts' who were 'trying to rape her, because they never seen anyone as good looking.'

A month later, she would phone 911 to tell operators, 'I think I killed my mommy.'

Scroll down for video:

Hend Bustami of Las Vegas, reportedly called police around 2.30am to admit she killed her mother on October 26, 2022. A month prior, Bustami made headlines for an entirely different reason - an arrest ata Nevada airport where she said she was 'too pretty to be arrested

Bustami, now 29, pleaded 'guilty but mentally ill' to the charge for second-degree murder with a deadly weapon Thursday, for the October 2022 killing of 61-year-old Afaf Hussanen.

Bustami, seen at left, sits in a Clark County courtroom as she received her sentence Tuesday, She pleaded guilty but mentally ill, meaning she was competent enough to stand trial, but mentally ill at the time of the offense

'Do you need police, fire, or medical?' the 911 dispatcher is heard asking the then 28-year-old an audio recording of her 911 call the night in question, which prosecutors played during Bustamis grand jury hearing.

'Uh, medical,' she responds. 'I think I killed my mommy.'

Bustami proceeds to give the dispatcher her mother's address - a home they shared in the south Vegas valley near Jones Boulevard and Cactus Avenue - before being asked why she thinks she 'killed her mommy.'

'Because I did. I murdered her,' Bustami calmly states, five months before being indicted on the murder charge.

'How did you do that?' the dispatcher asks - to which Bustami replies 'I broke the table on her head.'

The convicted killer goes on to reiterate to the dispatcher how she was still at her mother's house, once again confirming the address.

The dispatch worker then asks: 'Okay, what did you do to her?'

'I killed her,' Bustami responds quietly.

'How did you kill her, you said something about a table?' the dispatcher asks again.

'I broke the table on her head,' Bustami explains. 'I broke the table on her head and I cut her neck off.'

'You cut what?' the dispatcher asks in disbelief.

'Her neck off,' the woman coolly replies.

She will now spend the next 15 years in prison, after telling officers that an argument over cigarettes escalated to the point where she hit her mom over the head with an end table made of glass and stabbed her with a piece that broke off

The murder took place at this home they shared in the south Vegas valley near Jones Boulevard and Cactus Avenue, following an argument the suspect admitted was 'over cigarettes'

About a month prior, Bustami made headlines for an entirely different reason - an arrest at Harry Reid International Airport after she skipped out on a bill at an airport Chili's restaurant. Pictured: the Chili's restaurant in Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport

'I think I hurt my mommy,' dispatchers believe Bustami told them before hanging up the phone

Hussanen was found stabbed to death at the home with pieces of broken glass. Her daughter was later found more than 150 miles away driving in California

Police would quickly descend on the scene, and California Highway cops would later locate Bustami driving aimlessly some 150 miles away near Barstow, police said.

While speaking to officers, Bustami was covered in blood, and allegedly again admitted to the killing.

She was subsequently arrested for the second time in a month, after her allegedly drunk tirade - and dine-and-dash - at the airport restaurant.

Though Bustami was found mentally competent to stand trial, her public defender argued that a psychologist 'found her experiencing "intermittent exacerbations of psychosis," and "in need of continuing psychiatric treatment,"' court records said.

At first, she pleaded not guilty, before using her lawyer's argument to secure a plea deal that would see her pleaded guilty but mentally ill to second-degree murder - meaning she was mentally ill at the time of the offense.

The deal also saw her plead guilty for a slew of other offenses for which she had prior felony convictions - including charges of burglary, home invasion, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and sale of a controlled substance.

Judge Jacqueline Bluth on Tuesday hit Bustami with 15-year-to-life sentence, a court spokesperson confirmed - before revealing that Bustami will be up for parole in 2037 with credit for time served.

As part of her sentence, Bustami will also be required to receive medical care for mental illness, due to the psychologist's diagnosis and her apparent history of outbursts

As a result, Judge Jacqueline Bluth on Tuesday hit Bustami with 15-year-to-life sentence, a court spokesperson confirmed - before revealing that Bustami will be up for parole in 2037 with credit for time served.

As part of her sentence, Bustami will also be required to receive medical care for mental illness, due to the psychologist's diagnosis and her apparent history of outbursts.

In dishing out her ruling, Bluth said Bustami's mental health history includes diagnoses for several types of psychoses and disorders, and that she will have the option to receive mental health treatment while incarcerated.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Clark County District Attorney's office for comment.
Rain and thunderstorms look set to dampen Christmas day for millions of Australians as the mild weather on the east coast is forecast to 'intensify' this weekend.

Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra could see heavy rainfalls while the central and western areas of the country will likely be hot and dry.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said a number of weather systems were working together to increase the chance of widespread rainfall over NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

'Potentially severe thunderstorms could hit parts of eastern and southeastern Australia on Christmas Day,' Mr Domensino said.

'This is due to instability as moisture-laden air near the surface interacts with a colder pool of air aloft.'

'A broad low pressure trough over those states is also being fed by moisture-laden north-easterly winds.'

He added this was heightened by a positive Southern Annular Mode, which can bring wet weather to Australia's east, and that there could even be hail in some parts on Christmas day courtesy of the cold and dry upper-level air.

It is looking like December 25 will be a wet one for the east coast as this rainfall map shows

A number of weather systems are working together to cause the increased chance of rain, hail and heavy winds

Mr Domensino said particularly in north-eastern NSW and eastern Queensland, any storms that do develop 'could cause large to giant hail, damaging to destructive winds and heavy rainfall'.

He said while storms might not be as fierce in Victoria 'one of the main threats will still be heavy rain, which could cause areas of flash flooding'.

Sydney could escape most of the rain but as much as 8mm could fall over December 24 and 25.

Melbourne will likely get more rain with 9mm on Sunday, up to 25mm on Monday and another 10mm on Tuesday.

Brisbane will be wet and humid on Christmas Day with temperatures up to 33C and 20mm of rain followed by another 10mm on Tuesday.

This map shows convective available potential energy (CAPE) in the atmosphere forecast for December 25. The model is used to anticipate the severity of storms and shows northeast NSW and eastern Queensland could see wild storms

In Cairns, which has seen intense rain and flash flooding in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, it looks to be sunny with just a shower or two early in the week.

Adelaide will see a mostly dry and sunny Christmas but cool with highs around 22C for early next week.

Darwin will also be fairly dry, which is unusual for the monsoon season.

In Perth it will be an ideal warm and sunny Christmas with clear skies and maximums of 33C to 35C.

Perth residents look to be in for great beach weather over Christmas while other capitals will be cool and wet (pictured: Bondi last year)
Data has been stolen by hackers from one of Australia's largest not-for-profit health operators, St Vincent's Health.

The hospital and aged care provider, which operates across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, became the victim of a cyberattack on Tuesday.

The organisation said on Thursday it had 'found evidence that cyber criminals had removed some data from our network'.

'St Vincent's is working to determine what data has been removed,' St Vincent's Health said in a statement on Friday.

Data has been stolen by hackers from one of Australia's largest not-for-profit health providers, St Vincent's Health (pictured is St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney)

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'The investigation into this matter is ongoing.'

Following the cyberattack on Tuesday, the organisation said it took immediate steps to contain the data breach.

This included engaging with external security experts and notifying all relevant state and federal government agencies.

'Key activities include securing and containing the incident, understanding what the cyber criminals have done, and identifying what data may have been accessed and stolen,' the statement continued.

St Vincent's said the ability to care for patients had not been impacted.

'Our priority is the health and safety of our patients, residents, and our people, and the continuity of St Vincent's services for the community,' it said.

It comes after National Office of Cyber Security co-ordinator Darren Goldie confirmed on X, formally known as Twitter, on Thursday that his team was working with St Vincent's Health Australia.

St Vincent's said the ability to care for patients had not been impacted

'My team is working with Services Australia, the Department of Health and Aged Care and relevant state and territory agencies to ensure a co-ordinated government response to this incident and to mitigate any flow-on effects,' Air Marshall Goldie said.

'The Australian Signal's Directorate's Australian Cyber Security Centre is also working closely with St Vincent's.

'St Vincent's has taken immediate steps to contain the incident and is prioritising the health and safety of its patients and people and the continuity of services for the community.

'We're advised that this incident has not affected the ability of St Vincent's to deliver their important services to patients, residents, and the broader community across their hospital, aged care, and virtual and home health networks.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would get the 'appropriate briefing' when asked about the data breach during a press conference in Cairns on Friday.

'Cybersecurity is a major issue. The government has responded with a Cybersecurity Minister and a cybersecurity strategy that we announced recently.' he said

'All of the predictions are for increased threats when it comes to cybersecurity, which is why my government takes these issues so seriously.'
A young Adelaide mum who was behind bars over the death of a renowned doctor has been immediately released on bail.

Jacinta Davila, 27 will spend Christmas at home with her eight-month-old son under home detention after her murder charge over the death of Dr Michael Yung death was dropped by prosecutors on Friday.

Prosecutors downgraded her charge to assisting an offender, an offence that still carries a significant legal punishment.

Davila and her partner Kerem Aydin, 22, were initially both charged with murdering Dr Yung in a violent home invasion at Gilberton in Adelaide's inner-north earlier in this month.

Magistrate Michael Jandy had previously heard Davila's DNA was found on a headtorch at the suspected entry point, adjacent to a fly screen that had been sliced open, while Aydin was linked to blood stains at the scene.

Jacinta Davila (right) will be at home for her baby son's first Christmas after her murder charge was dropped by prosecutors

Dr Michael Yung (picture) was killed in a violent home invasion in Adelaide's inner-north

Ms Davila walked free from Adelaide's Women's Prison on Friday after her murder charge over the death of Dr Michael Yung death was dropped by prosecutors

While there was a relatively strong case that Davila had tampered with evidence by attempting to wash blood from clothing found at the couple's Thebarton home, Mr Jandy said there was an obvious question mark surrounding the strength of evidence attaching her to the crime scene.

Although Davila's DNA was found at the Gilberton house, it could have transferred from her to the crime scene via Aydin, he said.

'Absent of any other evidence putting this defendant at the scene of the crime at the time, the case will remain possibly equivocal in relation to her,' Mr Jandy told Adelaide Magistrates Court on December 13.

Mr Jandy allowed Davila to be released from Adelaide Women's Prison on Friday after prosecutors said they would not oppose bail.

Davila was released from Adelaide Women's Prison on Friday after prosecutors said they would not oppose bail

Ms Davila's lawyer Alexander Jackson (pictured on Friday ) told the court that keeping his client in custody throughout a lengthy trial would bring undue hardship on her baby boy

Jamila Davila (right) will be fitted with an electric monitoring device, surrender her passport and have no contact with her partner Kerem Aydin (left) as part of her strict bail conditions

Davila will remain on home detention at a house in Mile End, where she will be able to look after her eight-month-old son.

Davila sobbed and exhaled heavily with relief after being granted bail.

'Thank you so much,' she told the judge via videolink.

Her lawyer, Alexander Jackson, had earlier told the court that her client was effectively the baby's sole carer and that remaining in custody throughout a lengthy trial would bring undue hardship on him.

The couple had unsuccessfully attempted co-parenting after the child was conceived during a one-night stand, he told the court.

As part of her bail conditions, Davila must be fitted with an electric monitoring device, relinquish her passport, avoid all contact with Aydin and only leave the house with the express approval of a corrections supervisor.

Jacinta Davila (left) wept after finding out she would immediately be released from custody. Her partner Kerem Aydin (right) remains behind bars charged with murder

Aydin remains charged with Dr Yung's murder and trespassing with the intention to steal more than $30,000 worth of property.

The pair will return to court in March.

Detectives were no longer seeking any other suspects for the alleged crime.

"There has been no connection identified between the arrested people and those being sought for a recent crime spree across Adelaide," police said.
A Catholic women's college in Indiana has reversed its decision to allow biological males to attend the institute if they have a history of identifying as a woman.

St Mary's College, in Notre Dame, had announced in November it would be allowing men who identify as women to enroll at the college in the fall of 2024.

On Thursday morning, President Katie Conboy issued an email to faculty at the college addressing an outcry over their decision.

In the email, first reported by The Daily Signal, Conboy confirmed the board had decided to return to the previous admission policy.

The school's change had promoted fury from people including Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades who released a statement condemning the switch.

St Mary's College in Indiana has decided to reverse their decision to allow transgender applicants to the all female school

After originally announcing the change in policy last month, President Katie Conboy, seen here, said they would be reverting to their original applicant policy

Conboy said in the email: 'This has weighed heavily on our minds and in our hearts.

'There have been many voices responding to us from many places and perspectives. We have listened closely, and we have heard each of you.

'Some worried that this was much more than a policy decision: they felt it was a dilution of our mission or even a threat to our Catholic identity.

'Moreover, we clearly underestimated our communitys genuine desire to be engaged in the process of shaping a policy of such significance.

'As this last month unfolded, we lost peoples trust and unintentionally created division where we had hoped for unity. For this, we are deeply sorry.

'Taking all these factors into consideration, the Board has decided that we will return to our previous admission policy.

'Although this has been a challenging time for our community, we believe that the College should continually grapple with the complexity of living our Catholic values in a changing world.'

Bishop Rhoades said in his statement that the college had fundamentally departed from Catholic teaching on the nature of woman.

He added: 'To call itself a "womens college" and to admit male students who consistently live and identify as women suggests that the college affirms an ideology of gender that separates sex from gender and claims that sexual identity is based on the subjective experience of the individual.'

Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades, pictured here, strongly condemned the move by the college

Since Conboy announced the reversal in policy, students and alumni have expressed delight at the decision.

Claire Bettag, a junior at St Mary's, told The Daily Signal: 'Im so proud of the women at Saint Marys who were willing to stand up against this anti-women, anti-Catholic policy. God's truth will always win.'

Clare Ath, who graduated from the school in 2018, added: 'When this admissions decision became public hundreds of alumni banded together to stand for the Church and her teachings.

'While I would hope the reversal is because administrators realized we must teach the truth with love, my guess is the reversal is because alumni banded together, pulled their donations, notified their diocese and media, and said we will not let Our Ladys college be corrupted by secular gender ideology.'

Patrick Reilly, president and founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, said: 'This is such welcome news in this season when we celebrate Christ, Wisdom become true man, and Mary, true woman and true Mother of the Son of God.

'This is the truth which is the foundation of Catholic education and not the complexity of living our Catholic values in a changing world.'

The school was founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Its tuition costs around $50,000 per year.
Recently sacked ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf has claimed she was unlawfully terminated in an application lodged with the Fair Work Commission.

The mother-of-two had said she was 'disappointed' after being suddenly let go on Wednesday afternoon.

She'd been filling in for Sarah Macdonald as host of the ABC Sydney Mornings radio program this week but was told on Wednesday she was no longer needed for her shifts on Thursday and Friday.

It's understood she was sacked after sharing at least one post about the conflict in the Middle East which breached the ABC's social media policies.

Ms Lattouf filed an application with the FWC on Friday afternoon.

Recently sacked ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf has claimed she was unlawfully terminated in an application submitted with the Fair Work Commission

The submission alleges she was fired after sharing an Instagram post from Human Rights Watch, which breached the broadcaster's policies, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

It also alleges ABC Managing Director David Anderson had made the decision to terminate Ms Lattouf.

The ABC declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

Her unfair dismissal claim could well become a landmark case amid growing tensions in the Australian media over how the Israel-Gaza war should be covered.

Late on Wednesday night, Ms Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was 'very disappointed by the ABC's decision today'.

'I believe I was terminated unlawfully,' she said.

Ms Lattouf has made a number of social media posts on various platforms since October 7 which were critical of the Israeli government

Late on Wednesday night, Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was 'very disappointed by the ABC's decision today. The post is pictured

'This is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking. I'm currently considering my legal options.'

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The ABC has strict editorial policies and requires staff to be impartial in their reporting and protect the broadcaster's reputation.

'A thoughtless post or tweet can instantly compromise this perception of impartiality,' the ABC's rules state.

It's understood Ms Lattouf was axed after a string of complaints from the Jewish community regarding anti-Israel posts she shared.

A GoFundMe has since been set up by Ms Lattouf's supporters, to help fund her legal fees.

'We stand with Antoinette and support the rights of workers to be able to share news that expresses an opinion or reinforces a fact, without fear of retribution,' the fundraiser, which has garnered more than $5,000 in donations, read.

'We must help her fight this decision and we must fight for the right of all of us to share whats happening around the world, without fear of professional reprimand.

'Seeking and speaking the truth, and sharing that truth with others, should never be punishable, its a freedom and a right we all have an obligation to defend.'

Ms Lattouf recently co-authored an article questioning the veracity of viral footage that showed pro-Palestine activists chanting 'gas the Jews' at the Sydney Opera House at a protest in October.

'Analysis of the Aust Jewish Association videos by fact checker RMIT CrossCheck found a number of signs that suggest audio was edited' she claimed.

In another post from November Lattouf wrote: 'We need a PERMANENT ceasefire and to address the ROOT of the problem - unlawful occupation of Palestine.'

In a video posted to Instagram in October, Lattouf attempted an analysis of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and called both Hamas and the Israeli government 'extremists'.

She called for the mourning of all civilian life lost in the conflict and for the condemnation of anti-Arab and anti-Semitic rhetoric, but added: 'You can and should condemn illegal military occupation of Palestine that's been happening for 75 years.

'You can and should remember human rights organisation internationally and in Israel have called the occupation "apartheid",' she said.

'You can and should speak out against the occupation of Palestine - because that is the root of all of this.'
Harry and Meghan's Montecito neighborhood was among those in Southern California doused with several inches of rain and flash flooding Thursday, leaving vehicles stranded on flooded roads.

Nearby Oxnard got a month's worth of rain in a single hour in a storm that pummeled Southern California while Christmas travel got underway, with more potentially set to hit the region on Friday.

The downpours targeted Ventura and covered Santa Barbara and Montecito, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live with their children. The family is currently away from home on holiday.

Counties northwest of Los Angeles County were also hit overnight, swamping areas in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Santa Barbara, where a police detective carried a woman on his back after the SUV she was riding in got stuck in knee-deep floodwaters.

Between midnight and 1 a.m. local time, the storm dumped 3.18 inches of rainfall in downtown Oxnard, surpassing the area's average of 2.56 inches for the entire month of December, according to the National Weather Service.

Harry and Meghan 's Montecito neighborhood was among those in Southern California doused with several inches of rain and flash flooding on Thursday , leaving vehicles stranded on flooded roadways

The downpours targeted Ventura and covered Santa Barbara and Montecito, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live with their children. The family is currently away from home on holiday

The deluge prompted flash flooding in Ventura County around 1:30 a.m., the weather service said.

Later in the morning, streets began filling with water in parts of Santa Barbara as the storm delivered another deluge.

By midday, the rain and wind had eased and residents ventured outside to inspect the damage.

By late afternoon, the city of Port Hueneme had lifted evacuation orders for residences on four streets.

About 60 houses were affected by the orders, all in a senior citizen community, said Andy VanSciver, a Ventura County fire spokesperson. An evacuation center was set up at a college gymnasium.

Three people from the senior community were taken to hospitals out of an abundance of caution, and there were multiple rescues of drivers from flooded vehicles, he said.

The city of Oxnard stated in a social media post that many streets and intersections were heavily impacted.

'Please stay off the city streets for the next several hours until the water recedes,' the post said.

Santa Barbara Police Deptartment detective Bryce Ford helps a motorist out of her car on a flooded street during a rainstorm

Dental assistant Lily Tovar mops the floor at Smile Dental Care after flooding from heavy rain

A man walks past a submerged vehicle on a flooded street in Santa Barbara

Counties northwest of Los Angeles County were also hit overnight, swamping areas in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Santa Barbara

A southbound off-ramp from Highway 101 in the Montecito neighborhood where Harry and Meghan live saw a minor mudslide and flooding

Between midnight and 1 a.m. local time, the storm dumped 3.18 inches of rainfall in downtown Oxnard, surpassing the area's average of 2.56 inches for the entire month of December

A man watches motorists drive through a flooded street during a rain storm

'This is a genuinely dramatic storm,' climate scientist Daniel Swain, of the University of California, Los Angeles, said in an online briefing.

'In Oxnard, particularly, overnight there were downpours that preliminary data suggests were probably the heaviest downpours ever observed in that part of Southern California.'

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Oxnard and the city of Ventura at 1:28 a.m. due to a high-intensity thunderstorm, but no tornado activity was immediately observed, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post.

Hours later at Heritage Coffee and Gifts in downtown Oxnard, manager Carlos Larios said the storm hadnt made a dent in their Thursday morning rush despite 'gloomy' skies.

'People are still coming in to get coffee, which is surprising,' he said. 'I dont think the rain is going to stop many people from being out and about.'

The storm swept through Northern California earlier in the week as the center of the low-pressure system slowly moved south off the coast.

Forecasters described it as a 'cutoff low,' a storm that is cut off from the general west-to-east flow and can linger for days, increasing the amount of rainfall.

The system was producing hit-and-miss bands of precipitation rather than generalized widespread rainfall.

A vehicle is submerged in floodwaters near an overpass as rain comes down

The storm swept through Northern California earlier in the week as the center of the low-pressure system slowly moved south off the coast

'This is a genuinely dramatic storm,' climate scientist Daniel Swain, of the University of California, Los Angeles, said in an online briefing

A man tries to push a vehicle out of a flooded street as rain comes down in Santa Barbara

Forecasters said the low would wobble slightly away from the coast on Thursday, drawing moisture away and allowing some sunshine, but will return.

The San Diego-area weather office warned that rather than fizzling, the storm was gathering energy and its main core would move through that region overnight through Friday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the county Friday, as well as much of southwestern California.

Showers and thunderstorms could dump up to 1.5 inches of rain through the day, but the real concern was that some areas could be drenched with a half-inch to an inch of rain in just an hour, causing streams, creeks and rivers to overflow, the weather service said.

Meanwhile, Californians were gearing up for holiday travel and finishing preparations for Christmas.

The Automobile Club of Southern California predicted 9.5 million people in the region would travel during the year-end holiday period.
A group of heartless vandals who destroyed Christmas decorations set up by a young boy living with a rare form of cancer have been slammed as 'cowards'.

The teenagers damaged the Christmas lights decorations outside a property on Mayfair Drive in Wodonga, north of Victoria at about 2.45am on Wednesday.

The decorations had been carefully put up by Ethan, a nine-year-old boy who lives with Ependymoma, a rare brain tumour.

With the help of his mother Tiffany, Ethan made several hand-painted Pokemon decorations which were displayed on boards at the front of their house.

When Ethan woke up on Wednesday morning he was shattered to discover cruel vandals had destroyed his hard work just days before Christmas.

A young boy has been left shattered after his Christmas lights decorations were destroyed by a group of vandals (pictured are his handmade Pokemon decorations)

Ethan lives with a rare cancer, Ependymoma, and has endured numerous CT and MRI scans

CCTV footage of the incident shows a teenager damaging the boards after tearing one just moments earlier.

Tiffany said her son was left heartbroken by the group's cowardly act.

'The incident has devastated our little man,' Tiffany told 9News.

'My care-free little boy who loves life to the fullest requested a Pokemon board as big as he is for our Christmas display this year, which quickly turned into seven boards.'

Tiffany said this Christmas could be her son's last and that the family struggled to understand why the teenagers decided to damage the decorations.

'The Pokemon boards gave Ethan a lot of joy along with a lot of locals, and to have them destroyed has broken him,' she added.

Ethan has undergone numerous CT and MRI scans over the past year as part of his ongoing treatment for his rare form of brain cancer.

Infants diagnosed with the condition have a low five year survival rate despite chemotherapy saving many lives of those who suffer the disease.

CCTV footage of the incident showed a teenager (pictured) damaging the boards that had been put up at the front of the property

Tiffany says she reported the incident to police and claims the group has ruined several other displays in the area.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Victoria Police for comment.

Katrina, a local, has started a GoFundMe page too raise money to fix the display with residents raising $710 of the $1,000 goal so far.

'This Christmas might be his last one and this poor little boy is so upset that some kids have come along and destroyed it,' she wrote.

'I want to raise funds to help this family create the best Christmas display ever and have the best Christmas ever with [their] son Ethan and make the most out of this and great memories.'
Nikki Haley is trailing Donald Trump by only four points in the latest poll of New Hampshire voters, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown on January 23.

Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and Trump's UN ambassador, was chosen by 29 percent of likely Republican voters in the American Research Group poll.

Trump secured 33 percent of support.

'Granite Staters are ready for a new generation of conservative leadership,' said Olivia Perez-Cubas, Haley's spokesperson.

'As Nikki continues to surge, it's clear this is a two-person race between Nikki and Donald Trump and we look forward to debating him one-to-one.'

Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, came in third with 13 percent of support, beating Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, who was chosen by only six percent of those surveyed.

Nikki Haley is trailing Donald Trump by only four points in the latest poll of New Hampshire voters, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown on January 23

Nikki Haley is seen with Donald Trump in the Oval Office in October 2018, when she resigned as his UN ambassador. She was praised for managing to keep Trump and his supporters on side, but not being tarnished by the proximity

DeSantis is still the second-placed candidate to Trump nationwide, but his candidacy has disappointed many, who expected him to easily defeat Trump.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and political newcomer who burned brightly but has fizzled out under intense scrutiny, came in fifth with only 5 percent of support.

The pollsters spoke to 361 Republicans and 239 undeclared voters between December 14-20.

The poll is consistent with the steady climb Haley has made since the beginning of the fall, helped by strong performances in the primary debates and several key endorsements.

Her campaign was delighted to secure the backing of New Hampshire's four-time governor, the widely liked Chris Sununu.

On Monday, Haley's team unveiled another 50 names of local politicians and businesspeople who are backing her.

Trump is seen on December 19 at a rally in Waterloo, Iowa

Haley is pictured on Thursday at a rally in Anamosa, Iowa, ahead of the first vote in the election, on January 15

Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy pictured on December 6 during the debate in Alabama

Christie is facing calls to drop out and allow his supporters to back Haley, but he is not showing signs of wanting to do so.

Sununu said Christie should 'clear the way' for Haley, saying she was the best-placed candidate to defeat Trump.

'I'm behind Nikki Haley,' said Sununu, when asked if the former New Jersey governor should drop out.

'I think they should all get out frankly, including former President Trump. I think everyone should kind of clear the way.'

But Christie insisted his candidacy was still strong.

'I'm not going anywhere, so let's be really clear about that,' he said.

He added that it wasn't Sununu's job 'to tell anybody when to get out.'

President Joe Biden would lose to Trump and Haley if he faced either in a general election match-up today

The polling comes as the candidates compete for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat President Joe Biden in 2024. Iowa is up first for Republicans, followed by the New Hampshire primary.

Biden continues to lag in polling and approval ratings, including a new survey that found he would lose to both Trump and Haley in the general election.

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.

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.
Cops responding to the deadly UNLV shooting mistook the gunman for a bystander telling him to 'get out' in newly released body camera footage.

With their weapons drawn, two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers can be seen climbing stairs inside the school during the December 6 shooting.

The shooter, 67-year-old Anthony Polito, appears only for a few moments in the more than five hours of footage released Wednesday.

Polito is seen wearing a long black trench coat over a white shirt and moving calmly through the first floor of the business school, one of his hands is visible at his side.

The officers can be heard shouting at Polito 'get out! get out!' as they point to an exit and continue along a walkway.

Polito opened fire inside the school and murdered three professors, Jan Chang, Patricia Velez and Naoko Takemaru. He was angered after having a job application rejected at the university.

Anthony Polito is seen here walking out of the building housing the business school at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas after he fatally shot three professors and injured a fourth

Polito opened fire at the University earlier this month, killing three professors and injuring a fourth person

Clark County Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said Thursday the two officers were not aware they had encountered the gunman inside the building.

'They don't have a description of the shooter at the time, and they know there are other police resources on the first floor,' Walsh said.

Roughly one minute after the brief interaction, Polito exited the building and was killed in a shootout after pulling his weapon, according to authorities.

Other clips show officers swarming on the campus shortly after Polito opened fire just before midday.

Officers can be seen combing through stairwells and hallways in an attempt to locate the shooter.

One cop can be heard saying: 'Careful. Don't rush it. Watch the doors. Keep looking at the doors, he's still active.'

Another officer can be heard reporting that Polito 'was down', but they continue to search the campus.

One officer can be heard adding: 'I have bodies in here, like a lot. Every f***ing floor.'

Other clips show officers swarming on the campus shortly after Polito opened fire just before midday

Police have not yet been able to identify a specific motive in the shooting, but said he had been rejected from the university

Police have not specified a motive for the shooting but said and had been turned down for a teaching job at UNLV and other Nevada schools.

He left a tenured post in 2017 at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, after teaching business there for more than 15 years.

In a statement, UNLV President Keith Whitfield said the mass shooting was 'the most difficult day in the history of our university', and said his 'heart breaks for the families, friends and loved ones of Dr. Navarro and Dr. Chang'.

Navarro-Velez was a mother-of-four, her former professor at the University of Puerto Rico, David Correa, told the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Chang was a business professor who had worked at UNLV for over 20 years, and was a longtime respected educator focusing on management information systems.

Takemaru was an Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Nevada and taught all levels of Japanese language.

This photo provided by The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shows the weapon used in the UNLV campus shooting by Polito

Professor Naoko Takemaru, pictured here, died from multiple gunshot wounds according to officials at Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner

Patricia Navarro-Velez, an assistant professor at the UNLV accounting department, and Jerry Changn were shot dead by Polito

Before the shooting, Polito mailed 22 letters to university faculty members across the US.

Officials were able to intercept some of the letters sent, and the first opened had an 'unknown white powder substance,' according to law enforcement.

Investigators searched an apartment in nearby Henderson, Nevada, following the shooting,

Officials said they retrieved several electronic devices, including Polito's cellphone, one of the officials said. They also found a 'last will and testament' type document.
Pakistani minister urges Pakistani, Chinese media to contribute to CPEC construction

Xinhua) 13:11, December 22, 2023

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi urged Pakistani and Chinese media to disseminate accurate and unbiased narratives to contribute to the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"As custodians of information, the role of media as guardians of truth is more vital than ever," the minister said on Wednesday while addressing a media forum here.

Talking about the news reporting of CPEC, Solangi said that the media's crucial role in shaping public perception of CPEC requires objective reporting.

Addressing the occasion, Chairman of the Pakistani Senate's Defense Committee Mushahid Hussain Syed said Pakistani and Chinese media should continue to leverage their strengths to help deepen the iron-clad friendship between the two countries and promote the high-quality development of CPEC.

Also on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said that the comprehensive and in-depth development of China-Pakistan relations has provided rich materials and favorable conditions for media cooperation between the two countries. With joint efforts, the China-Pakistan relations enjoy stronger public support and the media environment for bilateral cooperation becomes more positive.

The ambassador said that Chinese and Pakistani media should continue to deepen cooperation by providing more colorful content, innovating communication methods, expanding media platforms, and broadening the audience base.

"Both sides' media should do a good job to report stories about the two peoples' pursuit of a better life and win-win cooperation, and then contribute media power to building a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era," he added.

Launched in 2013, CPEC, the flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Footage shows the moment a real-life Grinch stole all of a family's Christmas - by stealing all of their presents from right under their tree.

The theft occurred in seaside Huntington Beach, California, Monday, and has left the home's residents - both tall and small - without any presents at all.

'When I came home, our kid saw what happened, and it troubled him,' the homeowner told CBS News Tuesday, asking to remain anonymous.

'I took him to the neighbor's to make sure that they'd cleared the house and no one was home,' they added, as both the thief and the gifts remains at-large.

Thankfully, a security camera captured the entire ordeal, after the hoodie-wearing hoodlum - donning the same shade of red as the meanspirited resident of Whoville - somehow got inside during the middle of the day.

Scroll down for video:

Footage shows the moment a real-life Grinch stole all of a family's Christmas - by stealing all of their presents from right out of their home.

Thankfully, a security camera captured the entire ordeal, after the hoodie-wearing hoodlum - donning the same red as the meanspirited Whoville - gained entry in the middle of the day

'He broke through the rear window glass door and was able to gain entry to the backroom,' the homeowner told CBS.

'I hope they find this guy,' neighbor Mallory Maske added, as cops had yet to make an arrest. 'I mean to break into people's homes, ruining Christmas, not cool.

'So, let's find him.'

The thief - believed to be in his 20s to 30s - spent several minutes inside the house overall, collecting all the packages from out under the tree and putting them in a sack just like his cartoon counterpart.

He also combed through the domicile owner's drawers and stole jewelry.

Moments after he finished, the homeowner's son returned from school - narrowly missing the robber by minutes around 2:45pm.

At the time, many in the well-off neighborhood were still at home, but the thief somehow made it off unhindered.

Huntington Beach police, however, said in a statement they have received some tips from other residents in the area.

'He broke through the rear window glass door and was able to gain entry to the backroom,' the homeowner told CBS.

The thief - believed to be in his 20s to 30s - spent several minutes inside the house overall, collecting all the packages from out under the tree and putting them in a sack just like his cartoon counterpart.

He also combed through the domicile owner's drawers and stole jewelry

Moments after he finished, the homeowner's son returned from school - narrowly missing the robber by minutes around 2:45pm

Huntington Beach police, however, said in a statement they have received some tips from other residents in the area

'I hope they find this guy,' neighbor Mallory Maske said, as cops had yet to make an arrest. 'I mean to break into people's homes, ruining Christmas, not cool. 'So, let's find him'

The targeted home, meanwhile, is located blocks away from an elementary school, and had a camera set up near the decorated tree.

It comes as cops across the country have warned of an uptick in package theft, particularly during the holidays.

Just last week, a 32-year-old porch pirate in Florida was caught on camera stealing packages from a series of homes before admitting to cops that she planned to 're-gift' them for Christmas.

This past Friday, in a slightly less serious case, a toddler was caught stealing a package from a family's front porch before running back to their mother and fleeing.

In August , a woman had a package stolen in Suburban Virginia - in another filmed clip that went viral after it showed the delivery person being disarmed while still bringing the package to her door.

With such incidents in mind, cops have warned communities to increase precautionary measures, and make sure their homes are well-secured.
It found far more hashtags aligned with Chinese political strategy on Tiktok than Instagram

A new report from a group of researchers at Rutgers University analyzed the number of posts with politically-charged hashtags on the platform

TikTok promotes and demotes certain topics based on the preferences of the Chinese government, a new study claims.

Researchers from the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University analyzed the number of posts with politically-charged hashtags on TikTok versus Instagram.

TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and critics have long questioned its ties to the communist government and security concerns

The researchers suspect TikTok is manipulating discourse not only on topics specific to China, but also on strategically important topics such as the wars in Ukraine and Israel.

'We assess a strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese Government,' the report reads.

A new study from researchers at Rutgers University claims that TikTok likely promotes and demotes certain topics based on the preferences of the Chinese government

The tech giant has faced extensive scrutiny in the United States due to its proximity to the Chinese Communist Party (pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping)

In their analysis, the researchers first examined the performance of hashtags related to pop culture including #TaylorSwift and #CristianoRonaldo.

They found that there were 2.2 posts on Instagram with a top pop culture hashtag for every one post on TikTok.

They justified the discrepancy by taking into account Instagram's user base of over 2 billion, which is roughly two times larger than the number of TikTok users.

Upon examining political hashtags, however, the researchers found significant differences.

For every one TikTok post with a hashtag supporting Ukraine, there were 8.5 such posts on Instagram, which coincides with Chinas support of Russia, the researchers said.

But the inconsistencies grew even more dramatic when looking at hashtags that more closely aligned with China's political strategies.

For the hashtag #HongKongProtests, in reference to the city's pro-democracy demonstrations, there were 206 posts on Instagram for every one on TikTok.

Researchers added the dynamic was reversed for hashtags that aligned with Chinese political strategy, like #StandWithKashmir, which dwarfed the number of tagged posts on Instagram with a ratio of 661-to-1.

In the study, researchers compared the number of posts with politically-charged hashtags on TikTok to those on Instagram

'It is challenging to imagine that activity of such magnitude could occur on a platform organically, and without the knowledge and consent of the platform itself,' the researchers wrote.

The report noted hashtags about domestic U.S. politics generally did not show anomalies.

For every post on TikTok with the hashtag #Trump, for instance, there were 2.2 posts under the same hashtag on Instagram.

In a statement to NBC News, a spokesperson for the tech giant called the report's claims of suppression 'baseless.'

'It fails to take into account the basic fact that hashtags are created by users, not by TikTok,' the statement read.

'Most importantly, anyone familiar with how the platform works can see for themselves the content they refer to is widely available and claims of suppression are baseless.'

However, the researchers insisted the patterns could not be explained by organic factors.

They mentioned that their methodology replicated that used by TikTok last month in addressing claims that its recommendation algorithm is biased in favor of Palestine.

The study found that some discrepancies were so significant that they could not occur 'without the knowledge and consent of the platform itself'

TikTok has faced extensive American scrutiny over its proximity to the Chinese Communist Party and whether it presents a threat to national security.

The company is owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance, but its headquarters are in Singapore and LA.

The app is almost entirely banned from U.S. government devices, as per the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December of last year.

But the platform has resisted the criticism, saying it is willing to make accommodations for user privacy by storing data in U.S.-based servers.

A statement on the company's website reads: 'As of July 2022, all new U.S. user data is stored automatically in Oracle's U.S. Cloud Infrastructure, and access is managed exclusively by the TikTok US Data Security team.'

Just last month, a federal judge blocked a Montana law that sought to ban TikTok across the state, arguing that it 'oversteps state power' and 'likely violates the First Amendment.'
A woman who was allegedly murdered by her neighbour has been described by grief-stricken loved ones as a 'devoted daughter, sister and mother'.

Ana Fa Lavaka, 43, was allegedly murdered by Dorothy Jane Downie, 55, in a unit complex on Oxford Street in Hamilton, Brisbane, at about 8.45am on Thursday.

Emergency services found the mother-of-one critically injured from multiple wounds including a stab wound to the chest.

She was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead as a result of her injuries.

Downie appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday where she was charged with murder and enter dwelling with intent.

Ana Fa Lavaka, 43, (pictured) was allegedly murdered by Dorothy Jane Downie, 55, in a unit complex on Oxford Street in Hamilton, Brisbane, at 8.45am on Thursday

Forensic were seen putting evidence into brown paper bags at the home on Thursday

Emergency services found Ms Lavaka critically injured at the Hamilton unit complex (pictured)

Ms Lavaka's relative, Ana Kauffusi, shared a tribute online in the hours after the alleged murder.

'Both born in the same year, same month I was older than you by 22 days. B1 and B2,' she wrote.

'You would always hate it when I tell everyone you were named after me.

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'We had plans for our 50th birthday. You wanted to go on a cruise clearly knowing I get sea sick.

'I stayed up last night waiting for your call cos (sic) we had a lot to complain about for yesterday.'

Others from Ms Lavaka's local Tongan community shared their sympathies for her family on social media.

'Ana was known to many as our avid baker, devoted daughter, sister and most importantly mother to her beautiful daughter Amelia,' one person wrote.

In court, police prosecutor Tara Williams made an urgent forensic request for a sample of Downie's blood before it was too late, the Courier Mail reports.

'The urgency is in relation to the level of drugs whether prescription or non-prescription present in her blood at the time,' she told the court.

'Over time the longer it takes to deal with this application the levels are going to change your honour. It's going to result in incomplete information for the prosecution and for the defence to consider.'

Downie's defence, Daniel Hannay, said police believed his client had a history of 'delusions of grandeur and psychosis', which he had yet to address.

Mr Hannay said Downie needed to first be attended to by a mental health nurse and did not oppose Sgt Williams' request for a blood sample.

Ms Lavaka died at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital on Thursday

A crime scene was set up at the Oxford Street complex (pictured) on Thursday

Detectives (pictured) arrived at the public housing unit complex to door-knock residents

Magistrate Hackett said that despite Downie's mental health issues, the evidence requested by Sgt Williams had the 'potential to be highly relevant and could be lost'.

No application was made for bail and Downie did not appear in court on Friday.

She was remanded in custody and will not be required to attend her next court appearance on February 14.

Detective Inspector John Mison confirmed officers had attended the unit complex previously 'on a number of occasions'.

'This is a very sad tragic loss of life,' he told reporters on Thursday.

The unit complex is multi-unit public housing run by the Department of Housing.

Anyone who may have information is urged contact Crime Stoppers.
Labour MP Dawn Butler has vowed to report online message board Mumsnet to the Metropolitan Police after users on the site and other social media slammed her reaction to the Brianna Ghey murder trial verdict.

The Brent Central MP, 54, said she would refer the message board to the authorities after she claimed to have received messages from 'nasty, vicious, inhumane' people criticising her suggestion that the teenager's murder was driven by transphobia.

Trans teenager Brianna, 16, was stabbed to death in Warrington, Cheshire in February this year by two teenagers who have since been convicted of her murder. Police say they do not believe the murder was driven by transphobia.

After the teens were convicted, Ms Butler shared a video of Brianna's father Peter Spooner outside court on X, formerly Twitter, claiming: 'This cruel government has created so much hate towards the trans community they should be ashamed.'

But the comments were seized upon by Mumsnet users who accused her of 'crowbarring' in 'virtue signalling'.

Labour MP Dawn Butler - pictured here at the GUBA Awards in London last month - says she plans to report Mumsnet to Scotland Yard

Ms Butler appeared to suggest the killing of Brianna Ghey had been driven by a hatred of trans people  before pledging to report Mumsnet to the police after her remarks were criticised

Ms Butler had posted a comment on the murder of trans teen Brianna Ghey (pictured), claiming the government had created 'so much hate towards the trans community'

X users criticised Ms Butler's response to the conviction of Brianna Ghey's killers earlier this week

Another expressed a desire to see the MP 'ratioed' on X - a term for when a user's replies are overwhelmed with negative comments, outnumbering supportive comments, likes and retweets.

Other users accused Ms Butler of 'weaponising' Brianna's murder, calling her remarks 'gross' and 'political point scoring'.

Ms Butler then tweeted: 'Oh I wondered where these nasty vicious inhumane people were coming from. Time for me to unfollow and report Mumsnet to @metpoliceuk.'

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However, this post then attracted further criticism from users who accused her of stifling free speech. One said: 'Women are allowed to have a chat, Dawn.'

Another added: 'People criticised you for making wholly inappropriate remarks at the conclusion of a horrible murder case.

'You do know that criticising politicians for their public utterances is not actually illegal?'

One Mumsnet user said the notion of the MP reporting the website to police was 'bonkers'.

Mumsnet - which has previously been accused of hosting transphobic views posted by its members - responded directly to the MP's tweet, asking her to get in touch if she identified particularly troubling posts.

It said: 'Hi Dawn, our talk guidelines are clear and we don't permit posts that break the law, including hate speech. If you've seen a post that you think falls into this category, please do report it.'

In a further statement to MailOnline, Mumsnet founder and CEO Justine Roberts said: 'Our forum guidelines are pretty clear. We allow legal discussion, which sometimes means people will make comments that individuals don't agree with or like.

'We specifically disallow hate speech and deliberately inflammatory posts and we have an active moderation team who respond, on average in under an hour, to complaints about posts.

'It's somewhat ironic that Ms Butler chose to post her attack on Mumsnet on X (formerly Twitter) which regularly hosts comments that wouldn't last a moment on Mumsnet and where the moderation is light touch at best.

'We see this kind of double standard a lot and I'm beginning to wonder if it might be because Mumsnet is the only major platform dominated by women's voices.'

MailOnline has contacted Dawn Butler and the Metropolitan Police for further comment.

The murder of trans teen Brianna Ghey at the hands of two teenagers shocked the nation - but police who investigated the killing and ultimately brought her murderers to justice say they do not believe the crime was motivated by hate.

Her killers had drawn up a 'kill list' featuring four other children, while Girl X had expressed a fascination with serial killers.

Text messages sent by Boy Y made reference to Brianna's transgender identity, including referring to her as 'it', asking whether she was a 'femboy or a t*****?' and whether, when attacked, she would 'scream like a man or a girl'.

Brianna, 16, was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in a park Cheshire, on February 11

Some of the comments on Mumsnet criticising both her initial comment and her subsequent post about reporting the message board to the police

Detective Superintendent Mike Evans, head of crime at Cheshire Police, told the Mail after the trial concluded: 'If it was not Brianna, it would have been one of the other four children on the list.

'It is just Brianna was the one who was accessible at that time and the focus of those desires.

'In a strange way Girl X was obsessed with Brianna, almost attracted and intrigued by her. With Boy Y, there is some really horrific and dehumanising transphobic comments.

'Brianna was not killed because she was transgender, but the fact that she was transgender made her a bit more vulnerable and accessible.

'Whoever they had attacked that day they would have shown that level of contempt and disrespect for, there is nothing to suggest it was a worse attack because Brianna was transgender.'

The matter will be decided by the judge when aggravating factors are considered at the February 2 sentencing hearing.

Girl X and Boy Y will be named after they are sentenced after an application was made to the court on behalf of the PA news agency and ITV that has been supported by Brianna's family.

Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip said she was in favour of removing the restrictions, but said the order would only be lifted on the day of sentencing.

Lawyers for both defendants opposed the bid, citing possible consequences for the killers' families. Girl X's family have already received death threats, they said.

The prosecution took a 'neutral' position, Mrs Justice Yip added.

She said: 'The public will naturally wish to know the identities of the young people responsible as they seek to understand how children could do something so dreadful.

'Continuing restrictions inhibits full and informed debate and restricts the full reporting of the case.'
A group of people who were detained in Australia as children and accused of people smuggling will receive more than $27million in compensation.

The Federal Court has signed off on a settlement between the Commonwealth and a group led by Indonesian man Ali Yasmin, who himself will receive $40,000 from the agreed sum.

Mr Yasmin led the claim on behalf of himself and other Indonesian children who alleged they arrived in Australia unaccompanied by adults over six years between 2007 and 2013.

He was sentenced in 2010 to five years' prison, to be served in a maximum security prison in Western Australia, despite being 13-years-old at the time.

He was released and deported in 2012.

The Federal Court has signed off on a settlement between the Commonwealth and a group led by Indonesian man Ali Yasmin, who himself will receive $40,000 from the agreed sum

In their lawsuit, Mr Yasmin and the group members said they were born and raised in remote coastal fishing communities in conditions of poverty, with a low level of education and little or no English language ability.

It was alleged they boarded smuggling boats as children unaccompanied by legal guardians and were told they would be paid to work as a crew member.

When the boats were intercepted they were transferred to Christmas Island for immigration processing.

READ MORE: Boat from Indonesia lands in Australia undetected Advertisement

The group has previously been reported as including more than 100 people, but registrations for membership have been extended until December 2024.

The group alleged they were investigated for alleged people smuggling offences, and detained by the then-Department of Immigration and Citizenship and Australian Federal Police.

Mr Yasmin said he and other group members told the Department of Immigration and Citizenship that they were under the age of 18, but in each case were told their appearance was inconsistent with being a minor.

He alleged he and other group members were incorrectly assessed by the Commonwealth to be adults, on the basis of unreliable wrist X-rays.

He contended the Commonwealth knew wrist X-rays were not a reliable way to determine a person's age. The method has since been discredited.

Each member of the group was then charged, indicted, prosecuted, convicted and/or imprisoned in adult correctional facilities for those offences, it was alleged.

The settlement, signed off on Friday by Justice Christopher Horan, was agreed to by the Commonwealth without any admissions of wrongdoing or liability.

The settlement, signed off on Friday by Justice Christopher Horan, was agreed to by the Commonwealth without any admissions of wrongdoing or liability

The Commonwealth specifically denied the unlawful detention, claiming it was authorised and required by the Migration Act.

It also denied it owed the duties of care alleged by the group, or that it breached those duties.

The settlement agreement as a whole was found by Justice Horan to be fair and reasonable, and in the interests of group members as a whole.

The initial proposed settlement would have seen Mr Yasmin receive $100,000 but Justice Horan reduced that figure to $40,000 finding the original amount was not fair or in the interests of the group members as a whole.

Another $2.5million was approved to cover legal costs.
The gunman who unleashed terror on Prague took shot after shot at his victims from the balcony of a top university building as a hero shouted 'shoot here you f***er' in a bid to distract him, chilling footage has revealed.

David Kozak, 24, killed 14 people and injured 25 - ten seriously - during the deadly rampage in which he targeted students and tourists from the balcony of the Charles University's philosophy building.

The first victim of the deadly attack has now been identified as Lenka Hlavkova, who was the director of the Institute of Music Science at the University's philosophy department. The Institute shared a black and white picture of Lenka while confirming her death in the 'cruel' attack.

Meanwhile, sickening video has emerged of Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at the university, standing on the balcony and aiming his powerful ZEV-30 rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one.

Kozak, wearing all black, can be seen walking calmly along the balcony and taking aim at the terrified students fleeing the university and tourists who had been gathered in the popular square below.

On the ground, a heroic man, a journalist, can be heard screaming 'shoot me you f***er' in a desperate and valiant bid to distract the shooter and save the lives of others, reports newspaper Blesk.

But the 24-year-old ignores his pleas and continues to fire in quick succession at his victims below as the man frantically tells police where exactly Kozak is located on the balcony through a walkie-talkie, urging them to 'take a shot' at the shooter.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle - which has the power to pierce through body armour - on the bannister. He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below.

The sickening footage shows just how calm and composed the shooter was as he unleashed terror in the mass shooting - the worst in the Czech Republic's modern history - as he shot dead 14 victims.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle on the bannister

He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below

Sickening video has now emerged of Kozak, who was a student at the university, standing on the balcony and aiming his rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one

Sickening video has now emerged of Kozak, who was a student at the university, standing on the balcony and aiming his rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one

Student David Kozak, 24, has been named as the killer by local police

The gunman began his attack at 3pm yesterday and by 4pm, police said he had been 'eliminated' after elite cops were seen storming the building. The cops opened fire at Kozak while he was still trying to shoot more victims, Police President Martin Vondrasek said.

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a balcony in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms.

It comes as the Czech police said today that 13 out of the 14 victims have been identified, with the government announcing a day of mourning on Saturday. The Interior ministry said there were two UAE citizens and one Dutch person among the injured.

Kozak murdered his father in his hometown of Hostoun before travelling the 13 miles into the Czech capital where he began randomly shooting people from the balcony of Charles University's philosophy building.

The shooter legally owned several guns - police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition - and that what he did was 'well thought out, a horrible act,' Vondrasek said.

He had a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition with him, with the country's Interior Minister saying that 'if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

In the lead up to his killing spree, Kozak is thought to have kept a diary in Russian on messaging app Telegram, writing in one chilling post: 'I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.'

It emerged last night that police are investigating whether Kozak may have killed a father, 32, and his two-month-old daughter in Klanovice, near Prague. Hundreds of police combed the wooded area after the perpetrator disappeared, and authorities are currently probing whether the two killing sprees could be linked.

Thursday's massacre is the Czech Republic's worst ever mass shooting, and the gunman is believed to have been inspired by a school shooting carried out by 14-year-old schoolgirl in Russia earlier this month.

'I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide, Alina Afanaskina helped me too much,' he allegedly wrote on December 10 of the Bryansk school shooter, who killed two students before taking her own life.

The chilling post in what the writer called their 'diary' about 'life before the shooting' went on: 'I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future.'

Two friends comfort each other during a vigil to honour victims following a shooting at one of Charles University's buildings in Prague on Friday

People light candles at a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the Charles University in central Prague on Friday

A chilling image shows Kozak dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of a faculty building

A gun recovered by police in Prague which is thought to have been used in the attack

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a faculty in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms

Armed police respond to a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

An armed police officer takes position near the area of a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

Police officiers walk around the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University where a mass shooting took place on Friday

Distressed members of the public are wrapped in foil as night draws in following the horrific attack

A woman lights a candle in front of the Charles University main building following a shooting at one of the university's buildings in Prague on Thursday night

Just five days after the disturbing posts appeared online, a father and baby girl were shot dead in Klanovice, a forest area outside of Prague.

More than 250 police were sent to search the area and a helicopter with thermal imaging was used to scour the woodland area, but the gunman was never found.

At the time, police spokesman Jan Rybansky told iDNES.cz.: 'The case is being worked on by a team of several dozen of the most experienced criminologists, who were also reinforced by colleagues from the Office of the Criminal Police Service and Investigations of the Police Presidium.'

Horrified friends of the dead man said: 'I remember him as a trainee from the camp and from the tourist section. He was friendly and up for every joke.

'After school, he focused on himself and started playing a lot of sports. On that occasion he met his future wife.

'This summer he talked about how happy he is in his life. He said he had a beautiful wife, a child and more on the way. What else could you wish for. He looked happy.

'Who would do such a thing'.

As investigations into the double murder continue, Czech police now have to assess how a mass killing was able to take place just days later, a half an hour drive away in Prague - and whether the two attacks were both carried out by Kozak.

'As far as Klanovicky les is concerned, it is not known that the victims were in any way connected to the perpetrator. I am convinced that the victims were completely randomly selected by a person without any criminal history,' police spokesman Martin Vondracek said on Thursday night.

Vondracek revealed at the press conference: 'We are working very seriously with the fact that the attacker from the Faculty of Philosophy is also responsible for the two victims from the end of last week in Klanovicky les.'

Horrific scenes unfolded at the historic Charles University campus on Thursday, with pictures showing the gunman dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of the prestigious college's Faculty of Arts building.

Terrified students and tourists were seen fleeing while others crouched beneath a window ledge on the high building as gunshots rang out in what is one of Europe's top tourist hotspots. Reports have suggested that one person died after falling from a building as they took cover.

There are fears that tourists could be among those killed or the 25 injured in today's shooting, with police working to identify the victims and saying they will contact embassies with updates in the event of foreign nationals being affected in the atrocity.

Elite cops were seen storming the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the gunman was a student, with police saying the gunman had been 'eliminated' at 4pm - an hour after the deadly carnage began.

Dramatic video shows terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city

Pictures showed how students and teachers had barricaded themselves into classrooms during the shooting

Police said the gunman's body had been found in the area and suggested he had taken his own life when cops closed in on him - though cops did say they had fired at him.

'Due to the devastating injury sustained by the suspect, we are unable to confirm his identity,' Vondracek said. 'From the information available to me, there should have been a suicide, however, the police also used a service weapon.'

He added that the death toll could have been much higher: 'There was a large quantity of ammunition and if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

Dramatic video showed terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city.

The gunman fired at his victims one by one from the top of the university building - two hours after he is said to have murdered his father in the town of Hostoun.

In separate footage, people were seen running with their hands raised in the air from the prestigious University's Faculty of Arts building in the capital, as armed police officers swooped in.

The shooting started at 3pm and police said the gunman was 'eliminated' at 4pm after elite cops were seen storming the building. At least 14 people were killed in the shooting and more than 20 were injured - 11 seriously, Prague's emergency services said.

British tourist Joe Hyland, who was on his first holiday abroad with his group of friends, said they were worried there could have been multiple attackers, and rushed to text their loved ones in case the worst happened.

'As we got onto the tube and we don't know how many attackers there are and we don't know what the attackers are, so it the tube the best place or the worst place to go? So we decided to ring our parents to say we loved them and call our friends,' he told the BBC.

Speaking from Prague, his friend added: 'It's our first holiday as us boys. When something like that happens you call you loved ones because you don't know in the confusion if you are going to be able to speak to them.'

A British father and daughter also witnessed the chaos unfold. The unnamed man told The Sun: 'My daughter said, 'Dad, look up there, there's a guy on the roof'. And all of a sudden it just went mental, it sounded like a load of firecrackers.

'I would have said about 30 people got shot. There was a guy lying dead on the right hand side of the square. He was shot in the chest.'

A faculty member of the university, Zora Hesova, said people were locked in classrooms inside the building as armed police officers descended on the scene.

Police later said they killed the gunman after they stormed the building and have evacuated everyone who was trapped inside.

'The gunman was eliminated!!!' police said on X, formerly Twitter. 'The building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of wounded people on the scene.'

Extraordinary images show the gunman, who was dressed in black, standing on the roof of the faculty building and pointing his rifle with a scope mounted on top at people down below.

Petr Nedoma, the director of the Rudolfinum - a concert hall on the square across from the Faculty of Arts - told Czech broadcaster CT24: 'Upstairs on the walkway of the Faculty of Arts, I saw a man standing with a gun in his hand and shooting towards the Manes bridge with certain delays.

'I watched what was happening from inside the Rudolfinum for a long time. I stayed in the building and was by the windows for as much cover as possible.'

Nedoma added: 'Then he put his hands up and threw the gun towards the road, it remained lying by the philosophy faculty. Then a lot of people appeared upstairs, I don't know if it was the police.

'I left the window and watched the police evacuate people from the Faculty of Philosophy, taking them away with their hands behind their heads in different directions, a large number of cars, people running around.'

Terrified teachers and students at the Charles University Faculty of Arts were instructed to lock themselves in classrooms before they were evacuated.

Klara, a student, told news site iDnes.cz she was among those who police evacuated from the building.

'It was terribly scary, there were a lot of policemen everywhere, who were shouting at us with submachine guns, telling us to run outside,' she said.

An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to 'stay put'.

'Don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights,' the email said.

One student, Deda Mrazek, said she was in the university's library when the gunman began shooting at his victims.

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the university in central Prague on Thursday

People can be seen running from a building in Prague

People wrap up as they wait near the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic

Sharing a picture of students hiding in the back of a computer lab, Deda wrote: 'I am OK. I was in the library at the time of the shooting.

'They sent us to the back of the computer lab where there are no windows. Word has now spread that the gunman is dead.'

She said as soon as they heard the gunman had been killed, the terrified students all called their families to say that they were safe.

The police have sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the university building, which is located in a busy part of town that has a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square

'According to preliminary information, the shooter himself should be dead, there are dead and wounded on site, I will not speculate now about the final number,' Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Czech Television.

Rakusan added 'no other gunman has been confirmed' and called on people to follow police instructions.

Police in the Czech Republic's capital have urged residents to shelter inside and avoid the area due to the shooting.

President Petr Pavel tweeted: 'I am shocked by the events at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University.

'I would like to express my deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims that the shooting claimed.

'I want to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and providing maximum cooperation.'

The British Embassy in Prague has urged people in the city, which is popular with tourists, to avoid the around the Charles University and the Faculty of Arts.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his trip to the east of the country and was en route to Prague, he said on X.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.
Britain's rapidly shrinking military has prompted defence chiefs to shift hundreds of troops from the front line and into recruitment offices.

More than 400 soldiers from across the British Army have been ordered by top brass to join the effort to try and get more people to enlist.

It comes as figures from the Labour party revealed the Army has shrunk by more than 3,000 troops in the past 12 months, with 9,438 personnel leaving while only 6,308 joined.

Britain's part-time reservist force is also shrinking despite recent efforts to grow it. Between October last year and September 2023, 5,580 reservists left and only 3,780 joined.

The latest recruitment statistics from the Ministry of Defence reveal the total Army strength plummeted from 79,139 to 75,983 during the same period, as recruiters failed to hire fresh new personnel to plug the gaps, leaving key roles unfilled.

Hundreds of soldiers from across the British Army have been ordered into recruitment offices to try and help increase the size of the force (stock picture)

General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing head of the Army, said recruitment was his highest priority after military operations. 'We are taking 400 soldiers out of the field army to put them alongside recruiters, because, guess what, it takes a soldier to recruit a soldier,' Gen Sanders told MPs during a recent select committee hearing.

The Army is not alone in its struggle to recruit new personnel; both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are also battling to hire more troops.

Earlier this month, MailOnline revealed how the Navy was turning to a 'refer-a-friend'-style scheme to enlist new sailors.

Top brass within the Senior Service are offering sailors and Royal Marines a 500 incentive for each person they manage to 'encourage' to sign on, as part of an internal scheme earmarked to last until March 2025.

The number of sailors, soldiers and airmen quitting UK forces have skyrocketed, with 16,460 having left in the past year - up six per cent from last year - compared to 10,470 that joined, which is 2,130 less than the year before (16.9 per cent).

Under plans by ministers, the Army is set to be slashed to its smallest number in more than two centuries, reducing to 73,000 by 2025.

Speaking of the shrinking number of troops, Admiral Lord Alan West, former head of the Royal Navy, told MailOnline he was 'worried'.

'No one wants to join something that is viewed as a shrinking endeavour,' said Lord West, who sits on parliament's intelligence and security committee.

General Sir Patrick Sanders (pictured) told a committee of MPs that 400 soldiers have been shunted across into recruitment offices to try and help bolster numbers

The Royal Navy is also facing a recruitment war, with the force now offering serving regular and reservist personnel 500 for each person they successfully refer who goes to join the military

'I find it extraordinary that nearly every other Nato member is increasing defence spending and we're not,' he added.

Gen Sanders, well known for not mincing his words having launched a blistering attack on the Army's armoured vehicles, tanks, bureaucracy and belief that part-time soldiers can replace regulars earlier this year, added he was concerned by the dip in reservists.

'The thing that worries me most is about the reserves, because we are losing reservists faster than we are recruiting them. We have got a very good story to tell about what we expect from the reserves and what we need from them, but I don't think we are telling it very well,' he said, reported The Times.

Defence sources have blamed the 'outrageous' amount of time it takes for potential recruits to go through the application process after expressing an interest in joining the British Army, with some waiting upwards of two years.

Poor housing standards, with troops being forced to live in mould-ridden homes or kicked into shipping containers because their barracks are infested with rats, have also been blamed.

General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of Joint Forces Command, slammed the shameful state of Britain's military housing, which he claimed had been a 'systemic problem' that's plagued the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for decades.

This was the state of one roof inside the mouldy military home of a pregnant mother, as revealed by MailOnline last week

Another military home appeared to be part of a tree growing through a crack in the wall which they say housing bosses haven't dealt with for months

While at an Army base in Shropshire, soldiers have been told to live in shipping containers, kitted out with a single bed, drawers, a wardrobe and toilet area

Row after row of the huts have reportedly been installed at Clive Barracks near Tern Hill, which is home to the Royal Irish Regiment

'We have some truly atrocious accommodation that people would not put their dog in. It's that shocking,' he told MailOnline last week.

'It's an abuse of goodwill if you expect people to live in accommodation that would fail every social housing test - and yet we want them to defend the country. It's an outrage.'

Speaking of the woes, John Healey, Labour's shadow defence secretary - who was this week out in Estonia with Keir Starmer visiting UK troops - told The Times: 'Over 13 years Conservative ministers have cut the army to its smallest size since Napoleon; now they're deploying hundreds of soldiers to bail out their failing recruitment drive.

'We need the best in our British military and ministers must get a grip of the growing problems with forces recruitment and retention.'

Capita, which is in charge of Army recruitment, is expected to be brought before the defence select committee next month to give evidence on its performance.

An Army spokesman said recruitment was a 'top priority', and that trials and pilots are 'under way to support army careers, backed by investment to increase recruitment and retention'.

'The army continues to meet its frontline operational commitments and it is not unusual to redeploy personnel to support different tasks,' the spokesman added.
This is the horrifying moment a man dressed as the Russian Father Christmas slipped from a 24-storey building and fell to his death in Chelyabinsk, west Russia.

Astonishing footage shows the professional climber trying to abseil down the building with ropes to greet children below - before the stunt were terribly wrong.

The man dressed as 'Grandfather Frost' is seen lit up with a spotlight as he loses his grip and falls some 240ft to his death.

The red-robed Santa was an experienced climber but reports say he mixed up his safety ropes resulting in the horrific fall.

He landed on a snow-covered structure one floor above the ground level which meant the children did not see his body.

Grandfather Frost is seen in his red fur coat attempting to abseil down from the building

Footage showed Santa at the top of the building, preparing to climb down in a daring stunt

Spectators initially thought the fall was part of the act and did not immediately understand the tragedy that had witnessed.

Among those watching were the man's wife and young child, said reports.

A voice is heard in the crowd asking in disbelief: 'He didn't fall.?'.

A man says: 'Now he'll come out [to see the children]...he couldn't fall!'

An eyewitness said: 'My son didn't understand anything. Others understood, and they left in hysterics. All the parents, naturally, are in shock.'

Another said: 'Everyone was having fun, and no-one could even think this would happen.

'I thought until the last minute that it was some kind of dummy, that it was a prank.

'The festivities carried on. There was at first no suspicion that this was a tragedy?'

The residential management company that staged the event apologised for the incident and said that the climber was an 'experienced specialist'.

'Today's holiday turned into a monstrous misfortune,' they said.

'An industrial climber dressed as Grandfather Frost [Santa Claus] fell while descending from his house and died.'

It was a 'terrible and completely unpredictable incident'.

The company said: 'We will do everything in our power to help the police understand the reasons and never allow this to happen again.'

A resident said: 'My husband and son were there.

'There were many witnesses there, including children.

'For now, no-one knows why he fell.

'Climbers wash the windows in our apartment block - and there has never been a single emergency.'

A local source said: 'The man was performing tricks on climbing equipment when his wife and child were in the yard of the residential tower.

'They witnessed his death.'

Russian state investigators arrived at the scene.

They are reportedly checking the circumstances of the tragedy and a possible violation of safety rules.

The dead man's age was variously reported as 25 and 35.

The man suddenly lost his grip and fell some 240ft, landing on a structure above the first floor

The man landed on a platform, meaning the children below could not see the body

Grandfather Frost - or Ded Moroz - is a legendary figure like Father Christmas recognised in east Slavic countries, including Russia.

He wears a long red or blue fur coat, wields a magic stick and often rides a 'troika' chariot of three horses.

Unlike Santa in the West, Grandfather Frost is helped by his granddaughter Snegurochka, meaning the snow maiden.

The figure was exiled during the Soviet era, deemed an instrument of the bourgeoisie, but made a later comeback in 1935 as Josef Stalin looked to boost his own popularity.
Abba's hologram show Abba Voyage has pumped 322million into the British economy - with more than a million tickets bought at up to 181.50 each.

The positive financial impact of the Swedish hit-makers' new venture in London has been revealed in a new report.

The four-piece band are represented as digital avatars in the popular attraction at Stratford's Queen Elizabeth Park in east London, previously home of the London 2012 Olympics.

And Abba are evidently making 'money, money, money', to quote one of their hits, according to the new study.

Glittery avatars representing each member are displayed each night before sell-out crowds.

Avatars of the Abba group members are beamed before crowds in the band's newly-built venue in east London which has attracted rave reviews and hefty profits

The Swedish hit-makers, who split in 1982 but put out a new album years later, were seen reunited at Abba Voyage's London premiere

And a new report looking back over a year of the Abba Voyage attraction has hauled its positive effects for the capital.

Strategists Sound Diplomacy and social value consultancy RealWorth say the gigs at the 3,000-capacity Abba Arena contributed 322.6m in spending around the area.

More than 1million tickets were old, priced at around 181.50.

Only five more venues in the capital were visited more last year, the new report says.

Abba Voyage showcases so-called 'Abbatar' versions of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

The 90-minute concert includes such hits as Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All and Voulez-Vous.

The new economic impact study - commissioned by the shows producers - suggested it had benefits for neighbouring boroughs Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

Extra spending went towards accommodation, food and drink, transport and shopping, researchers found.

Avatars of the four Abba members are beamed out across the venue in the Queen Elizabeth Par, in Stratford in east London, where the London 2012 Olympics were held

And the report suggests the Abba experience has backed more than 5,000 jobs in London, including people employed at the venue as well as those in other sectors.

It comes amid figures showing just how willing fans are to fork out ever-increasing amounts for concert tickets to see such big artists as Taylor Swift, who brings her record-breaking 'Eras' tour to Britain next year.

The Abba Voyage experience is heading worldwide after its UK success - after having its London run extended, revealed by the Mail.

The gig five years in the making takes the audience back to Abba's 1970s and 1980s prime.

The Daily Mail's Adrian Thrills gave the show a four-star review, acclaiming the avatars for their 'realistic' look and 'rocking' performance.

He told how highlights included a dance medley featuring Lay All Your Love On Me and Summer Night City

It also showcases Waterloo which saw the avatars projected against vintage footage of the band's 1974 Eurovision triumph in Brighton.
Tories voiced alarm today after Rishi Sunak watered down measures to cut net migration - less than three weeks after they were announced.

Senior figures warned that ministers must clarify the situation 'very quickly' after slipping out news that the minimum income for bringing a foreign relative to Britain will only rise to 29,000 rather than the 38,700 previously suggested.

A document released by the Home Office last night also warned the change could lead to a surge in the number of UK-based families bringing legal challenges under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

It said more applicants could launch claims under Article 8, the 'right to private and family life', if they were prevented from bringing relatives to the UK.

Opposition parties accused the government of a 'shambles' and 'chaos' over how to get numbers under control.

James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak hailed the 'biggest ever' legal immigration crackdown when they announced the plans last month

The number of dependants accompanying people on work visas has been rising sharply

Earlier this month the government set out a far-reaching programme of immigration reform that is intended to slash net migration by 300,000

Mr Cleverly vowed 'enough is enough' when he first unveiled the five-point plan designed to slash net migration by 300,000 a year.

After a battering from the Tory backbenches over annual net migration hitting a record 745,000, the Home Secretary said it would lead to the 'biggest ever reduction in net migration'.

Emphasising the scale of his reforms, he told MPs on December 4: 'We will ensure that people bring only dependants whom they can support financially, by raising the minimum income for family visas to the same threshold as the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers, which is 38,700.

'The minimum income requirement is currently 18,600 and has not been increased since 2012.'

By comparison, yesterday's document said: 'As part of a staged implementation, an initial increase to  29,000 will be enacted initially.'

It added: 'Some applicants may still be granted permission if a refusal would result in a breach of Article 8 ECHR and they then meet an exceptional circumstances test.

'While currently only several hundred such claims are made a year it is likely a greater proportion of people will no longer meet the threshold based on earnings alone and rely on their Article 8 rights.

'The proportion of those that would be successful is uncertain.'

Tory MP Sir John Hayes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning he had been assured the policy was still in place, but insisted there needs to be a firm table for hitting the 38,700 minimum.

In 2022 care workers and home carers became eligible for health visas, which now dominate the work visa route

Studying and work dominate the reasons for non-EU citizens coming to the UK, while numbers of dependants has been rising

'The policy remains to increase the threshold to 38,000, what they're talking about is implementing it in phases,' he said.

'So first to go to 29,000 then to 34,500 then to 38,700. Now the key thing about that is phases mustn't take long.'

He added: 'What they haven't said is when, so what I'm saying is that needs to be done very quickly because you need certainty, you need certainty for individuals, certainty for employers.

'And if we're going to 38,700, which seems to be very sensible, then that needs to be done with speed so that people know where they stand.'

Jonathan Gullis, a Conservative former minister and supporter of tighter migration controls, wrote on X: 'Legal migration to the UK is too high and unsustainable.

'That is why the Government was right to introduce tough and necessary new measures to get numbers down, and demonstrate control of our borders.

'This decision is deeply disappointing and undermines our efforts.'

Miriam Cates MP, co-chairman of the New Conservatives grouping of Right-wing Tory backbenchers, expressed reservations about the change.

'Reducing the threshold for spousal visas so soon after promising a crackdown does not bode well,' she said.

'Immigration into the UK is far, far too high, putting pressure on our economy, public services and our democracy.

'In order to bring numbers down, the Government has to take decisive action, limiting the number of visas given out to foreign workers, students and dependants.'

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the change was 'more evidence of Tory government chaos on immigration and the economy'.

She added: 'On their watch, net migration has trebled as skills shortages have got worse and worse  and they still have no proper plan to link the immigration system to training or workforce planning.

'They failed to consult anyone on their new proposals and took no account of the impact of steep spousal visa changes on families next year, so it's no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush.'

The visa allows UK-based families to bring overseas relatives to the UK if they can meet financial requirements.

In the year ending September a total of 82,395 family-related visas were granted - 65,278 to partners and 10,397 to children, with the remaining 6,720 listed as 'other' types of relatives.

When Mr Cleverly announced the 38,700 figure an immigration campaign group, Reunite Families, described it as 'cruel'.

At the same time, Dr Madeleine Sumption of Oxford University's Migration Observatory also described the increase in the family visa income threshold as 'the biggest surprise of the day, and one of the parts of the package that could have the most significant impacts on individuals'.
Copycats who have been 'inspired' by a mass shooter and vowed to replicate his mass slaughter in Prague on Thursday are being targeted by Czech police.

David Kozak opened fire at Prague's Charles University yesterday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20 in a calculated attack, officials said.

The bloodshed, which marks the Czech Republic's worst mass shooting, took place in the school's philosophy department building, where the gunman was a student.

The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released, but it has been widely reported that he was 24-year-old David Kozak, who had killed his father earlier in the day and is also a key suspect in another double murder.

Now, Czech police are reporting that they found messages online by people expressing their intention to copy the shooter's deadly actions.

They are working to crack down on the individuals behind the posts.

David Kozak opened fire at Prague's Charles University yesterday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20, officials said

In a morning update, Czech police said they were monitoring online activities, and explained it was for this reason they had not released more details on the shooter.

The less visible part of our work is the monitoring of social networks,' the police said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

'Immediately after the shooting, teams of analysts began to elaborate and examine the various posts. The writers of the worst atrocities will have the opportunity to show their heroism in criminal proceedings.

'Why is it important to remain silent at the right time and not demonise the shooter? Since yesterday, we have registered several specific cases of people who were (allegedly) inspired by the terrible act and want to follow it,' the cops added.

'We respond immediately, if you register something like this in your area, call 158.'

The update added: 'Starting today, we have adopted nationwide PREVENTIVE measures in relation to soft targets and schools.

'We have no information about any specific threat and it is really a prevention - a signal that we are here and we are ready.'

Later, during a press conference, the director of Prague's police said they had arrested one person due to messages posted online.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

A chilling image shared on local media purports to show the man dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of a faculty building

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a faculty in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms

A gun recovered by police in Prague which is thought to have been used in the attack

Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He did not elaborate.

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

The chief described the gunman as an excellent student - who studied history - with no criminal record, but did not provide any other information.

No official motivation has been released by authorities. However, it has been reported that Kozak was himself inspired by a school shooting in Russia earlier this month, in which a 14-year-old schoolgirl killed her classmates and then herself.

'I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide, Alina Afanaskina helped me too much,' he allegedly wrote in Russian on December 10 of the Bryansk school shooter, who killed two students before taking her own life.

The chilling post in what the writer called their 'diary' about 'life before the shooting' went on: 'I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future.'

Just five days after the disturbing posts appeared online, a father and baby girl were shot dead in Klanovice, a forest area outside of Prague.

More than 250 police were sent to search the area and a helicopter with thermal imaging was used to scour the woodland area, but the gunman was never found.

The shooting started at 3pm at the Charles University Faculty of Arts building and police said the gunman was 'eliminated' at 4pm after elite cops were seen storming the building

Horrified friends of the dead man said: 'I remember him as a trainee from the camp and from the tourist section. He was friendly and up for every joke.

'After school, he focused on himself and started playing a lot of sports. On that occasion he met his future wife.

'This summer he talked about how happy he is in his life. He said he had a beautiful wife, a child and more on the way. What else could you wish for. He looked happy.

'Who would do such a thing'.

The police chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record, but did not provide any other information.

The gunman suffered 'devastating injuries' but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was 'nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice'.

The gunman legally owned several guns - police said he was heavily armed on Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition - and that what he did was 'well thought out, a horrible act', Mr Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

A faculty member of the university, Zora Hesova, said people were still locked in classrooms inside the building as armed police officers descended on the scene

'We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy,' Charles University said in a statement.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town.

It is just a few minutes' walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was backed by foreign interests.

'There's no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism,' Mr Rakusan said.

'It's a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.'

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency.

President Petr Pavel said he was 'shocked' by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

She said: 'The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence.

'On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.'

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the shooting victims, prime minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nation's worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
A robbery suspect killed his girlfriend and partner in crime as the pair argued about what to do with the loot that they stole from a local casino, police said.

Brandon Huddleston, 25, was arrested Tuesday, more than a month after the death of Lacey Nix, 32, which occurred on November 13 in Springfield, Missouri. Investigators say that the pair were fighting over money when he shot her dead.

Huddleston alleges that Nix pointed a gun at him first which prompted him to shoot her, police recovered two guns at the scene.

On the same day as the shooting, the duo broke into a local casino, Spin City Gambling Center, and made off with $5,000. After agreeing to split the money equally, the pair got into an argument.

Investigators said $3,000 was found in Huddleston's bag and $1,950 was found in a locked box in the home where Nix was killed.

'You aren't going to shoot me over $3,000,' Huddleston can be heard saying on video recovered by the police, Ozarks First reports. The video was recorded on a Blink camera.

Lacey Nix, 32, was killed on November 13 after she was shot hours after she aided in the robbery of her former employer, police said

Brandon Huddleston, 25, is accused of killing Nix and is also charged with possession of meth

Two days before the shooting and robbery, police also said that Huddleston punched Nix in the face. That too was caught on camera.

Nix was a former employee at the casino she is accused of robbing.

In addition to murder charges, Huddleston is also accused of methamphetamine possession.

The suspect has previous domestic abuse allegations from 2018 and 2017. In one of those cases, it was dropped after the victim died prior to making an appearance in court.

A vigil was held for Nix in Springfield a week after her death in November.,

'She loved hard, and if she gave you her love, she stood by that,' her mother, Cheryl Watts, told KY3.

Speaking about the turnout, Watts said that it 'meant a lot.'

'Anybody that knew Lacey knew that she was full life; she loved her family, she loved her friends.'

'I know that shes been with us, and shes mad as hell about it. Because she gave that person unconditional, unconditional acceptance and friendship and maybe, I dont know. I didnt only meet him a few times. So I know shes mad. Shes mad, and she doesnt understand why.'

A vigil was held for Nix in Springfield a week after her death in November., 'She loved hard, and if she gave you her love, she stood by that,' her mother, Cheryl Watts, told KY3

A GoFundMe page that has been set up for Nix's family has so far raised $1,500

Nix's friends pictured at a celebration of her life which took place in Springfield on November 21

Watts told the station that Nix admitted to her friends that Huddleston was abusive to her.

'If you dont know the signs of domestic violence, learn them. Listen, watch for things because there are things that Im that Im remembering now that Im like, wait a minute. That kind of makes sense.'

At the time, KY3 reported that police had questioned a suspect in the death but had yet to make an arrest.

A GoFundMe page that has been set up for Nix's family has so far raised $1,500.

'The funds raised here will be used for Laceys final expenses. Any funds raised beyond that will be donated to a local Battered Women's Shelter and the Fight to End Domestic Violence,' the page explains.
The Czech Republic declared Saturday a day of mourning after a gunman killed 14 people in Prague in the country's worst mass shooting in history.

David Kozak, 24, killed 14 people and injured 25 - ten seriously - during the deadly rampage in which he targeted students and tourists from the balcony of the Charles University's philosophy building.

The Czech government announced tomorrow will be a day of mourning, with flags on official buildings to be flown at half-mast and people asked to observe a minute's silence at noon (11am GMT).

Today, Charles University raised black flags in the victims' honour and cancelled all lectures and events following the shooting.

People have been lighting candles outside the university's medieval downtown headquarters since Thursday evening, and leaders of the nation's universities planned to pay respects there later on Friday morning.

A chilling image shows Kozak dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of a faculty building

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a faculty in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms

Student David Kozak, 24, has been named as the killer by local police

The gunman began his attack at 3pm yesterday and by 4pm, police said he had been 'eliminated' after elite officers were seen storming the building.

The officers opened fire at Kozak while he was still trying to shoot more victims, Police president Martin Vondrasek said.

Extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a balcony in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms.

It comes as Czech police said today that 13 out of the 14 victims have been identified. The Interior ministry said there were two UAE citizens and one Dutch person among the injured.

Kozak murdered his father in his hometown of Hostoun before travelling the 13 miles into the Czech capital where he began randomly shooting people from the balcony of Charles University's philosophy building.

The shooter legally owned several guns - police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition - and that what he did was 'well thought out, a horrible act,' Vondrasek said.

He had a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition with him, with the country's interior minister saying that 'if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims'.

In the lead up to his killing spree, Kozak is thought to have kept a diary in Russian on messaging app Telegram, writing in one chilling post: 'I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.'

It emerged last night that police are investigating whether Kozak may have killed a father, 32, and his two-month-old daughter in Klanovice, near Prague. Hundreds of police combed the wooded area after the perpetrator disappeared, and authorities are currently probing whether the two killing sprees could be linked.

Today, Charles University raised black flags in the victims' honour and cancelled all lectures and events following the shooting

Young people light candles at a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the Charles University in central Prague on Friday

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala lays flowers outside Charles University building on Friday

'I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide, Alina Afanaskina helped me too much,' he allegedly wrote on December 10 of the Bryansk school shooter, who killed two students before taking her own life.

The chilling post in what the writer called their 'diary' about 'life before the shooting' went on: 'I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future.'

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the 'lone gunman... wasted many lives of mostly young people'.

'There is no justification for this horrendous act,' he added.

Though mass gun violence is unusual in the Czech Republic, the nation has been rocked by some instances in recent years.

A 63-year-old man shot seven men and a woman dead in 2015 before killing himself in a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod.

In 2019, a man killed six people in the waiting room of a hospital in the eastern city of Ostrava, with another woman dying days later. The man shot himself dead about three hours after the attack.
A woman has appeared in court after she was charged with murdering her young son, who was found with fatal knife injuries at a home in London on Wednesday.

Keziah Macharia, 41, of Montague Road in Dalston, Hackney, appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates' Court on Friday morning charged with killing her son Kobi Macharia Dooly, four.

A further appearance has been scheduled for the Old Bailey on December 28. She entered no plea, and remains in custody ahead of her next appearance.

A special post-mortem is scheduled to take place on the same day, the Metropolitan Police said on Friday morning.

Police launched an investigation after they were called to an address in Montague Road at around 10.50pm on Wednesday December 20.

Forensic officers at a property on Montague Road in Dalston after four-year-old Kobi Dooley-Macharia was found with fatal knife injuries

Scotland Yard have charged 41-year-old Keziah Macharia with murder following the incident (pictured: forensic officers at an address on Montague Road on Thursday)

Montague Road is located in Dalston, within the borough of Hackney in London

Officers say they were called to the address following what they called 'concerns for the welfare of a child'.

Detectives say Kobi was found at an address on the street suffering from knife injuries.

Emergency services rushed him to hospital but he later died of his injuries, despite the best efforts of medics.

Neighbours had described Kobi as a 'happy' boy often seen playing on his scooter, and told reporters a woman had been seen being led away in pyjamas by police.

One local told the PA news agency a 'loving family' lived at the address, adding that officers had to force entry into a top floor flat on the street.

The resident, a 36-year-old hairdresser, said: added: 'We often saw the boy playing on his scooter. He was happy and energetic. '

The Metropolitan Police previously said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack after a woman was arrested.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: 'We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it.'
A Chinese doctor punched his 82-year-old patient in the face three times while performing surgery on her eyes, shocking video has shown.

Authorities at the hospital are investigating the incident, while the facility's parent group suspended the surgeon and dismissed the CEO of the hospital.

While the incident happened in 2019, the footage went viral on Chinese social media this week, sparking outrage online.

It appears to show the surgeon punching the woman in the face, with the hospital group saying this was because the patient wouldn't stop moving during surgery.

The hospital's parent group, Aier China, said the incident took place in its hospital in Guigang, a southwestern Chinese city, 300 miles west from Hong Kong.

A Chinese doctor (seen right) punched his 82-year-old patient in the face three times while performing surgery on her eyes, shocking video has shown

It said the patient was an 82-year-old woman who 'during the surgery, due to local anaesthesia [...] had intolerance,' the BBC reported.

The statement said she moved her head an eyeballs multiple times.

Because the patient only spoke a local dialect and did not appear to respond to the surgeon's warnings, given in Mandarin, the doctor 'treated the patient roughly in an emergency situation,' the statement added.

The woman suffered bruises on her forehead due to the attack, authorities said.

Management at the Guigang hospital apologised for the incident and paid 500 yuan (around 55) in compensation to the patient, according to her son.

The man told local news outlets that his mother is now blind in her left eye, although it was not clear if this was due to the incident or for another reason.

Aier China said hospital staff failed to report the incident to its headquarters.

On Thursday, the parent company said it had dismissed the CEO of the facility and had suspended the surgeon - who is also the hospital dean.

Authorities at the hospital are investigating the incident, while the facility's parent group suspended the surgeon (seen top-right) and dismissed the CEO of the hospital

The video appears to show the surgeon punching the woman in the face, with the hospital group saying this was because the patient wouldn't stop moving during surgery

This decision was taken due to 'serious violations of the group's regulations', it said.

Although the shocking incident occurred in December 2019, in only hit headlines in China this week after footage of the incident went viral.

The video, recorded on a camera overlooking the patient, shows the surgeon in green scrubs as he operates on her, peering through a surgical microscope.

After ten seconds or so, the surgeon suddenly lashes out. He slams his fist down into the patients face once, and the less aggressively twice more.

The sheets covering the woman suddenly lurch up as she reacts to being hit.

Another medical worker, likely an assistant, rushes to the surgeons aid, seemingly unaware what caused the patient to suddenly shift under the sheets.

Prominent Chinese doctor, Ai Fen, shared CCTV footage of the surgery online, causing it to go viral on China's closely-watched social media platform Weibo.

Dr Ai was among a group of doctors who first alerted the public to the initial outbreak of Covid-19 in the city of Wuhan, according to the BBC.

The video, recorded on a camera overlooking the patient, shows the surgeon in green scrubs as he operates on her, peering through a surgical microscope

She has more than two million followers on Weibo.

The doctor has also been embroiled in legal disputes with Aier China.

In 2021, she went for her own operation at one of the group's hospital, which she said left her nearly blind in one eye.

The company has denied the allegation, the BBC reported.
A police chief who led the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper has died aged 96.

James Hobson was in charge of the search for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe.

But the former Assistant Chief Constable with West Yorkshire Police didn't like Lee Ingleby's portrayal of him in ITV's recent series The Long Shadow.

Sutcliffe murdered 13 women and attempted to kill another seven across the north of England between 1975 and 1980, before finally being arrested in 1981.

Mr Hobson, played by Ingleby in the recent ITV docudrama. was seen as a controversial figure in recent years.

James Hobson, who has died aged 96, led the hunt for the 'Yorkshire Ripper' Peter Sutcliffe who was later found guilty of 13 murders

Lee Ingleby (left) played James Hobson in ITV's docudrama The Long Shadow about the Sutcliffe killings, alongside Jack Deam as Les Hanley

Peter Sutcliffe, convicted of 13 murders, died at the age of 74 in November 2020

Mr Hobson was criticised after 16-year-old shop assistant Jayne MacDonald was murdered, for seeming to suggest some victims' lives were not as valuable as others.

He said the killer had 'made it clear that he hates prostitutes', before adding in a press conference: 'Many people do.

'We, as a police force, will continue to arrest prostitutes - but the Ripper is now killing innocent girls."

He was accused of suggesting the force only started to take the case seriously once supposed 'innocent girls' were killed.

Critics said there was a 'toxic culture' shifting responsibility for public safety on to women themselves while police urged them not to go out after dark.

Mr Hobson's family have told how he 'never lost interest' in serial killer Sutcliffe - reading any new books or articles that emerged about him.

The ex-officer known to many as Jim died on December 12 at St James' Hospital in Leeds, following gall bladder complications.

James Hobson - previously in charge of the 'Yorkshire Ripper' investigation - never lost interest in the case, according to relatives following his death

His grandson Franco Pardini said: 'My grandfather was an old-fashioned, stiff-upper-lip kind of man. You didn't mess with him.

'He was a stern figure growing up - if he told you off, you knew you'd done something wrong.'

Mr Pardini described how the Sutcliffe investigation affected his grandfather, saying: 'It was a testing and worrying time.

'He had a daughter at the time - my mum - who was young and going out and had a boyfriend who is now my dad.

'At one point the police stopped my mum and dad and one of the officers said, "Who wants to tell the boss we've stopped his daughter with a gentleman we don't know?"'

But he also told how Mr Hobson was frustrated by the ITV drama The Long Shadow.

Mr Pardini said: 'Having sat down with him after watching, he said there was a lot of artistic licence and mistakes.

'Even in his later years, grandpa would go to the library to read crime novels and if anything came out about Sutcliffe he would read it - he never lost interest.

'I was one of the few people he ever spoke to about it - he didn't even speak to my mum.'

Mr Pardini also said that while his grandfather will forever be remembered for his work on the infamous case, he remained most proud of serving in the Royal Navy.
The government does not know how many Britons who left to fight for Islamic State ten years ago remain in Syria today, it has been revealed.

A quarter of some 900 British citizens who have left to the region since 2013 are still yet to return, according to the Home Office.

More than 200 of them are whereabouts unknown. A 2018 report referencing persons of 'national security concern' claimed 20 per cent had been killed overseas and 40 per cent had returned to the UK.

Maya Foa, executive director of human rights charity Reprieve, told The Times the government should know who the potentially dangerous people still at large are.

'They should know how many of these supposedly dangerous people, who are British or travelled to Syria from Britain, are left,' she said.

'They are said to pose this risk, so the government should know who they are and where they are, and then take all steps to assess and understand that risk.'

British Jihadi wife Shamima Begum pictured with her week old son Jerah in Al Hawl camp for captured ISIS wives in children, Kurdish Syria. Undated

Fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle in the northern city of Mosul, Iraq, June 23, 2014

A government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that UK officials have facilitated the repatriation of a number of British Nationals from Syria to the United Kingdom in December.

'This repatriation is in line with the long-standing policy that all requests for UK consular assistance from Syria are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant circumstances including, but not limited to, national security.'

Since 2011, the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Syria, and all services of the British Embassy in Damascus are suspended. The FCDO notes that this makes repatriations 'far from straightforward'.

Syria is in the midst of a brutal civil war and displaced persons remain scattered across the country, making it further more difficult to accurately estimate the changing number of British nationals in affected regions.

Hundreds of Britons left the country to join Islamic State's fight in Syria from 2013, many later detained in prisons in Turkey and Kurdish prisons.

The Peshmerga, the standing army of the Kurds, played a vital role in helping take down ISIS - and is understood to have some 10-15 British men in its prisons, according to Reprieve.

By 2017, more than 150 suspended jihadists and criminals had been stripped of their British citizenship and banned from returning to the UK.

Quoting official figures and security sources, the Sunday Times reported that more than 40 suspects had their right to a passport removed in 2017 alone.

They included gunmen and 'jihadi brides' who travelled to Syria, it added.

Now, there are an estimated 20 so-called jihadi brides and 40 children in two camps in northern Syria, according to The Times.

Most of those in camps are under 10, according to Ms Foa.

Not all rejected the return of foreign fighters. The United States, Canada and Australia are among those who have sought to repatriate individuals who left for Syria.

The Daily Mail reported last week that dozens of jihadi brides like Shamima Begum could now return to the UK as America piles pressure on ministers to accept them back into Britain.

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.'

Ms Begum was 15 when she and two other east London schoolgirls fled to join ISIS in February 2015, marrying a 23-year-old ISIS fighter ten days after arriving in Syria.

Her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds by the former home secretary Sajid Javid shortly after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

She now continues to seek repatriation to the UK as her lawyers vow to challenge the decision to remove her citizenship, citing 'credible' evidence she was a victim of trafficking.

Men, suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, gather in a prison cell in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on October 26, 2019

Ms Begum, now 23, brought a challenge against the Home Office at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), where her lawyers argued she should be allowed to return to Britain on the basis she was 'a victim of child sex trafficking'.

The Home Office defended the decision by saying the security services 'continue to assess' that she poses a risk to the UK.
This is the horrifying moment a woman at a Christmas market in Belgium was crushed to death by a toppling five-ton Christmas tree.

Shocking CCTV footage shows the 65ft (20-metre) tree near a carousel falling in the historic town square in the city of Oudenaarde late on Thursday.

A 63-year-old woman from the city was killed and two others 'lightly injured' when strong winds blew it down, local officials confirmed today.

'Gusts of wind and the heavy rain made sure that the tree collapsed,' Mayor Marnic De Meulemeester said. The Christmas market was immediately cancelled.

An investigation will now 'focus on whether the tree had been properly secured and will also look at the impact of the weather,' a spokesperson for the Oost-Vlaanderen province prosecutor said.

Storm Pia, which disrupted traffic in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands on Thursday, hit western Belgium last night prompting the weather service to issue a yellow code warning for the coastal areas.

Security camera footage showed the moment the tree toppled in the Belgian market Thursday

The tree is seen next to a carousel falling in the historic town square yesterday evening

A woman was killed and two left with light injuries when the tree fell suddenly, officials said

The tragedy occurred around 7pm on Thursday, Protothema reported today.

'There was a gust of wind and suddenly the tree fell,' eyewitness Frederic Verkursh said.

'A nurse who was present coordinated us until the paramedics arrived. Some lifted the top of the tree and some others went under to pull out the trapped. One woman was injured in the leg, one in the arm and the third was in a very serious condition.'

Problems with the tree's installation had prompted the local authority to strengthen it last month, the outlet reported.

Elsewhere, in the Netherlands, a woman was reportedly seriously injured Thursday by a falling tree in the eastern town of Wilp.

Streets around harbours also flooded overnight in some North Sea towns including Scheveningen, the seaside suburb of The Hague.

The huge Maeslantkering storm barrier that protects Rotterdam from high sea levels automatically closed for the first time because of high water levels - meaning that all six major storm barriers that protect the low-lying Netherlands were closed at the same time.

The nation's water and infrastructure authority said that was also a first. By Friday morning, all six barriers were open again as winds eased.

In London, Euston station was closed yesterday amid major travel chaos after 113mph Storm Pia swept in and ruined the Christmas getaway.

Euston was shut to arriving passengers as crowds built up, with all Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains services cancelled because of damage to the overhead electric wires in two separate sections - one between Watford Junction and London Euston and the other, a bag caught in cables between Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe.

One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, described the chaos to MailOnline this morning: 'There seemed to be thousands of people bumping chaotically into each other, whilst the staff were blasting announcements nobody could really hear through the speakers.

'Then it spilled to Marylebone, where one could allegedly take an alternative route. But that was a mistake too. Complete omnishambles. All because of wind?'

Passengers wait for updates after trains from London Euston station were cancelled

Overcrowding at St Pancras station Thursday as Eurostar cancels all trains in and out of London

German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn also said there were cancellations on routes from Hamburg and Hannover to Frankfurt and Munich due to the storm.

Long-distance services from Hamburg northward to Kiel and Flensburg were not running, among other disruptions.

The company said that falling trees damaged overhead electric wires or blocked tracks largely in northern Germany, but also in the central state of Hesse.

There were some delays late on Thursday evening at Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest, though there were no cancellations as a result of the storm, and the airport operator said that it was business as usual on Friday morning, the dpa news agency reported.

In Hamburg, the Elbe River flooded streets around the city's fish market, with water waist-high in places.

German authorities warned of a storm surge of up to 10ft or more above mean high tide on parts of the North Sea coast on Friday.
A gangster who persuaded a prison officer to have phone sex with him, costing her her job, previously had an affair with a nurse at the same jail.

Drug dealer Harri Pullen, 25, 'terrified' pretty prison officer Ruth Shmylo into intimate phone calls with him after he allegedly made threats towards her family.

Ms Shmylo, 26, was cleared of having an inappropriate relationship with the criminal between December 2020 and April 2021.

It can now be reported that Pullen engaged in a relationship with another member of prison staff, nurse Elyse Mae Hibbs, 25, who was jailed for six months and suspended from the nursing register for a year over her own affair with the lout.

The drug dealer's conduct is now linked to two women incurring professional consequences after he allegedly used threats to manipulate them into speaking to him at the same prison.

Harri Pullen allegedly used threats to entice both women into forming relationships with him while in prison

Elyse Mae Hibbs was working as a nurse at HMP Parc when she embarked on a relationship with Pullen

Prison officer Ruth Shmylo - described as 'very pretty' in court - was cleared of having an inappropriate relationship with Pullen after she told a jury he threatened her

Elyse Hibbs leaving court during her trial last year. She was ultimately jailed for six months for the affair with Pullen

Ms Shmylo said she continued the affair with Pullen 'almost to pacify him because I was terrified of him'

Hibbs' affair with Pullen was previously reported - but the criminal's name remained out of the public domain while Ms Shmylo's trial continued.

Hibbs allegedly communicated with Pullen through a mutual acquaintance on Instagram. Her trial in 2022 heard that Pullen was allegedly communicating with her using an iPhone he was concealing on his person.

She quit her post at HMP Parc in Bridgend in July 2021 and was arrested a week later.

Ms Hibbs admitted exchanging messages with the prisoner and told police she was scared to end the contact after he had previously threatened her.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said of the nurse's calls with the inmate: 'He tells her that he loves her and she tells him that she loves him too.

'The calls included references to the defendant's existing partner and the inmate continuously suggested he would replace him and be in a relationship with her.

'She told him she didn't want him messaging her as she was anxious and that she didn't trust him.'

Mr Cobbe added: 'She explained that she and the inmate were never in a sexual relationship of any kind at all.

'She accepted she should have reported the matter but that she got in too deep and couldn't get out.'

Adam Sharp, defending, said the prisoner was known within the system to be a 'particularly manipulative individual'.

He said: 'She was young, impressionable, inexperienced and vulnerable to the malign influence of the inmate who sought to exploit her.'

However, Hibbs was jailed for six months last year, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council handed her a 12 month ban in July following her conviction, reports the Telegraph.

Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, told Hibbs: 'You knew what you were doing was wrong, you had training but nevertheless you went ahead and formed what was clearly an emotional relationship with this prisoner.

'Although you were young you held a position of responsibility as a nurse and as a member of prison staff. You failed to report initial contact despite advice from a colleague and training you had had.

'You engaged in flirtatious relationship initially, you failed to report the on-going contact and you failed to report that this inmate had upon him and in custody an unlawful device.'

Both Ms Shmylo and Hibbs worked at HMP Parc in Bridgend, which is operated by private firm G4S

Pullen's conduct led to one of the objects of his affection at the G4S-run prison quitting her job  and the other failing her probation

Ruth Shmylo pictured last year. She told the jury at her trial that she had sought to expose inappropriate behaviour by corrupt prison officials, leading to her being ostracised

She cut an altogether more low-key profile at court this week when she was cleared of misconduct in public office

Ms Shmylo - this week cleared of a charge of misconduct in public office - said she feared reporting Pullen's manipulative behaviour to her bosses because her previous attempts at whistleblowing had led to her being ostracised by colleagues.

She was sacked from her job at the G4S-run Category-B HMP Parc in Bridgend and Pullen was moved to another prison after the affair was exposed.

Pullen was moved to HMP Manchester  also known as Strangeways  and added Shmylo to his approved calls list after she had been let go following a probationary meeting in which the provocative calls were discussed.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the court: 'She conceded during the course of her interview that she had had phone sex with the inmate.

'She explained this was principally the inmate saying things to her, noting that "I was listening for the best part of it".'

Ms Shmylo and Pullen's conversations were recorded by officials; calls played to the court included Pullen repeatedly telling her: 'I love you.'

Giving evidence at her own trial, the prison officer said Pullen made several threats over time and that she took the calls to 'pacify' him.

She said: 'He made multiple threats to me since then. He said he knew my address, he would get my car blown up and that he would have my cats killed.

'I spoke to him almost to pacify him because I was terrified of him.'

Lawyers acting for her also said her attempts to raise awareness of corrupt officials mixing saliva and semen into the meals of prisoners they did not like led to her being branded a 'grass'.

Claire Wilks, defending, said 'She called out a regime of corruption, she called out a regime of food tampering. Pretty disgusting isn't it? The type of thing you might see in some sort of Netflix drama.

'A 23-year-old young woman who had nine weeks of training was brave enough to call that out. And look what she got in return. She was called a grass, assaulted, slapped on the bottom, degraded, humiliated.

'And they expect that same person to call out Harri Pullen?'

Asked by her lawyer if she got any sort of gratification from Pullen's calls, Shmylo said: 'No. The first time when I came to be aware Harri was masturbating I asked him to stop. I repeatedly asked him to stop and I cried.

'It made him really angry and his exact words were: "You're making out like I'm kind of nonce."

'It was like I had insulted him because I was crying and I was repeatedly saying: 'I'm not doing this, I'm not doing this."'

Shmylo, of Treforest, Pontypridd was cleared of one charge of misconduct in a public office.
The gunman who unleashed terror on Prague and murdered 14 people was an introverted history 'nerd' who had made a homemade bomb in the cellar of his home, it has been claimed.

David Kozak, 24, described as a model student, killed 14 people and injured 25 during yesterday's deadly rampage in which he targeted students and tourists from the balcony of the Charles University's philosophy building.

Before launching Kozak's deadly rampage at the university, during which he was filmed taking shot after shot at his victims, the history student had murdered his father and texted his female friend to say he was suicidal.

Now, it has emerged that police found a homemade bomb in the cellar of Kozak's home as well as his father's dead body. A police source told La Stampa the homemade device consisted of a 'cylinder, ammunition, pyrotechnic material and chemical substances'.

'The cellar looked like a bunker. The bottle was large, it had several cables connected to it, leading to other equipment. In my opinion, it contained a system that would have caused an explosion,' the source close to the investigation said.

More details are also emerging about Kozak, with those who knew him describing him as an introverted history 'nerd' who was fascinated with guns and hated the world. Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at Charles University, had completed his undergraduate thesis on 19th century Polish history.

It comes as the first two victims of the mass shooting were identified as Lenka Hlavkova, a director at the university, and student Lucie Spindlerova.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle on the bannister

It comes as the first two victims of the mass shooting were identified as Lenka Hlavkova, a director at the university, and student Lucie Spindlerova

David Kozak, 24, described as a model student, killed 14 people and injured 25 during yesterday's deadly rampage in which he targeted students and tourists from the balcony of the Charles University's philosophy building

Now, tense bodycam footage has emerged showing elite cops sprinting towards the building and sprinting up the stairs towards the top floods in a bid to find Kozak who was picking off his victims one by one from the balcony

A woman breaks down in tears at a memorial during a vigil following a shooting at one of Charles University's buildings in Prague on Friday

Mourners hug outside the headquarters of Charles University after a mass shooting in Prague on Friday

Lenka, who was the director of the Institute of Music Science at the University's philosophy department, was confirmed as one of the victims of the 'cruel attack'

The Institute shared a picture of the mother-of-two while her colleagues said they were 'utterly devastated' that Lenka, who spent her career dedicated to studying the history of music in the Czech Republic, had been 'senselessly' murdered.

The second victim was named as Lucie Spindlerova, a proof reader for the newspaper Lidove Noviny. She is said to have been a first year student of Czech sign language.

Prague shooting timeline 12.26pm: A witness in the Kladno-region village of Hostoun calls Czech police saying her friend sent her a suicidal text message and is not responding to her phone calls. Central Bohemian police respond and a rescue service is dispatched to the location. 12.40pm: Police patrol in the region reports that a body of a dead man has been found and, during the next few minutes, send information to headquarters that equipment resembling an 'explosive system' has been found in the house. 12.42pm: Police send out a warning that the suicidal person is on his way to Prague, 10 miles from Hostoun. 13.10pm: The operational headquarters of Prague police becomes involved. 13.15pm: A nationwide search operation for the man is declared. 13.27pm: A request from the Central Bohemian region arrives for the Prague police to carry out a search of the Faculty of Arts in Prague, including the information that there is a possibility that there will be an armed suspect moving around Prague. 13.49pm: Police receive information that the suspect might be at a Charles University Faculty of Arts building on Prague's Celetna street. Police units are activated and directed to that building because. 14.22pm: The building on Celetna is evacuated by police. 14.29pm: Police receive reports of a shooting at another Faculty of Arts building, the philosophy department on Jan Pallach square. Patrols arrive on the scene within a few minutes. 15.11pm: The operational director receives information that the suspect is on the roof at the faculty building. 15.20pm: Information is recorded that the perpetrator has been 'eliminated'. It is later reported that he likely shot himself. Subsequently, the building and perimeter are secured to allow criminal police to investigate the crime scene and evacuate students. 9am Friday: Investigation of the crime scene is completed by Friday morning, and the number of victims and injured is established. Advertisement

It comes as dramatic police bodycam footage shows cops racing through Charles University to search for Kozak before they found the killer dead on the roof.

The tense footage shows elite cops sprinting towards the building and sprinting up the stairs towards the top floods in a bid to find Kozak who was picking off his victims one by one from the balcony.

The brave elite cops barged through a door to the balcony and footage shows Kozak's body lying on the floor. Police said Kozak, knowing he was surrounded by cops, had killed himself with his shotgun after throwing his elite long-range rifle off the balcony.

Harrowing video shows other police officers discovering injured students inside a classroom and desperately trying to stem their blood loss before evacuating them from the building.

The injured victims were rushed to hospitals across the city for treatment, with the head of one emergency department saying she had 'never seen so many people shot at once'.

'I have never seen so many people shot at once and such extensive gunshot wounds in my twenty years of medical practice,' Jiri Karasek, the head of the emergency department at the Faculty Hospital in Motola on the outskirts of Prague, told Idnes.

Karasek said six people in their 20s, most likely students, and a woman in her 60s, were brought to the hospital after being shot.

It comes as sickening footage emerged of Kozak taking shot after shot at his victims from the balcony of the university building as a hero shouted 'shoot here you f***er' in a bid to distract him.

Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at the university, is seen standing on the balcony and aiming his powerful ZEV-30 rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one.

Kozak, wearing all black, can be seen walking calmly along the balcony and taking aim at the terrified students fleeing the university and tourists who had been gathered in the popular square below.

On the ground, a heroic man can be heard screaming 'shoot me you f***er' in a desperate and valiant bid to distract the shooter and save the lives of others, reports newspaper Blesk.

But the 24-year-old ignores his pleas and continues to fire in quick succession at his victims below as the man frantically tells police where exactly Kozak is located on the balcony through a walkie-talkie, urging them to 'take a shot' at the shooter.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle - which has the power to pierce through body armour - on the bannister. He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below.

The sickening footage shows just how calm and composed the shooter was as he unleashed terror in the mass shooting - the worst in the Czech Republic's modern history - as he shot dead 14 victims.

Czech police today released bodycam footage of students being evacuated from the building with their hands up before officers raced through the building to search for Kozak.

The elite officers sprinted up the stairs and up to the roof where they found Kozak's dead body.

Police said Kozak had been trying to hide behind the pillars of the balcony so as not to get shot by officers who were on the ground.

But as he realised he was surrounded by police, he threw his long-range gun off to the ground - and all he had left was his shotgun.

Police said: 'As we were getting close to him on the balcony, Kozak killed himself.'

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a balcony in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms.

It comes as the Czech police said today that they had identified all 14 victims and told their families, with the government announcing a day of mourning on Saturday. The Interior ministry said there were two UAE citizens and one Dutch person among the injured.

At 12.26pm yesterday, a woman from the village of Hostoun called police to tell them Kozak had sent her a suicidal text message and is not responding to her phone calls.

Ten minutes later, at 12.40pm, police in the area discovered the body of Kozak's father after he had murdered him as well as equipment resembling an 'explosive system' in the family home.

But when police arrived at Kozak's family home, he was already travelling the 13 miles into the Czech capital where he began randomly shooting people from the balcony of Charles University's philosophy building.

The shooter legally owned several guns - police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition - and that what he did was 'well thought out, a horrible act,' Vondrasek said.

Victims of the attack are evacuated by police officers with some placed on stretchers on Thursday night

A woman cries outside the headquarters of Charles University for the victims of mass shooting in Prague on Friday

Two friends comfort each other during a vigil to honour victims following a shooting at one of Charles University's buildings in Prague on Friday

People light candles at a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the Charles University in central Prague on Friday

Mourners are overcome with emotion at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting on Friday

Sickening video has now emerged of Kozak, who was a student at the university, standing on the balcony and aiming his rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one

He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below

A chilling image shows Kozak dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of a faculty building

A gun recovered by police in Prague which is thought to have been used in the attack

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a faculty in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms

He had a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition with him, with the country's Interior Minister saying that 'if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

In the lead up to his killing spree, Kozak is thought to have kept a diary in Russian on messaging app Telegram, writing in one chilling post: 'I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.'

It emerged last night that police are investigating whether Kozak may have killed a father, 32, named locally as Martin and his two-month-old daughter in Klanovice, near Prague.

Hundreds of police combed the wooded area after the perpetrator disappeared, and authorities are currently probing whether the two killing sprees could be linked.

Thursday's massacre is the Czech Republic's worst ever mass shooting, and the gunman is believed to have been inspired by a school shooting carried out by 14-year-old schoolgirl in Russia earlier this month.

'I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide, Alina Afanaskina helped me too much,' he allegedly wrote on December 10 of the Bryansk school shooter, who killed two students before taking her own life.

The chilling post in what the writer called their 'diary' about 'life before the shooting' went on: 'I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future.'

Just five days after the disturbing posts appeared online, a father named locally as Martin and baby girl were shot dead in Klanovice, a forest area outside of Prague.

More than 250 police were sent to search the area and a helicopter with thermal imaging was used to scour the woodland area, but the gunman was never found.

At the time, police spokesman Jan Rybansky told iDNES.cz.: 'The case is being worked on by a team of several dozen of the most experienced criminologists, who were also reinforced by colleagues from the Office of the Criminal Police Service and Investigations of the Police Presidium.'

Horrified friends of Martin said: 'I remember him as a trainee from the camp and from the tourist section. He was friendly and up for every joke.

'After school, he focused on himself and started playing a lot of sports. On that occasion he met his future wife.

'This summer he talked about how happy he is in his life. He said he had a beautiful wife, a child and more on the way. What else could you wish for. He looked happy.

'Who would do such a thing'.

Armed police respond to a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

An armed police officer takes position near the area of a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

Police officiers walk around the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University where a mass shooting took place on Friday

Distressed members of the public are wrapped in foil as night draws in following the horrific attack

A woman lights a candle in front of the Charles University main building following a shooting at one of the university's buildings in Prague on Thursday night

As investigations into the double murder continue, Czech police now have to assess how a mass killing was able to take place just days later, a half an hour drive away in Prague - and whether the two attacks were both carried out by Kozak.

'As far as Klanovicky les is concerned, it is not known that the victims were in any way connected to the perpetrator. I am convinced that the victims were completely randomly selected by a person without any criminal history,' police spokesman Martin Vondracek said on Thursday night.

Vondracek revealed at the press conference: 'We are working very seriously with the fact that the attacker from the Faculty of Philosophy is also responsible for the two victims from the end of last week in Klanovicky les.'

Horrific scenes unfolded at the historic Charles University campus on Thursday, with pictures showing the gunman dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of the prestigious college's Faculty of Arts building.

Terrified students and tourists were seen fleeing while others crouched beneath a window ledge on the high building as gunshots rang out in what is one of Europe's top tourist hotspots. Reports have suggested that one person died after falling from a building as they took cover.

There are fears that tourists could be among those killed or the 25 injured in today's shooting, with police working to identify the victims and saying they will contact embassies with updates in the event of foreign nationals being affected in the atrocity.

Elite cops were seen storming the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the gunman was a student, with police saying the gunman had been 'eliminated' at 4pm - an hour after the deadly carnage began.

Dramatic video shows terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city

Pictures showed how students and teachers had barricaded themselves into classrooms during the shooting

Police said the gunman's body had been found in the area and suggested he had taken his own life when cops closed in on him - though cops did say they had fired at him.

'Due to the devastating injury sustained by the suspect, we are unable to confirm his identity,' Vondracek said. 'From the information available to me, there should have been a suicide, however, the police also used a service weapon.'

He added that the death toll could have been much higher: 'There was a large quantity of ammunition and if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

Dramatic video showed terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city.

The gunman fired at his victims one by one from the top of the university building - two hours after he is said to have murdered his father in the town of Hostoun.

In separate footage, people were seen running with their hands raised in the air from the prestigious University's Faculty of Arts building in the capital, as armed police officers swooped in.

The shooting started at 3pm and police said the gunman was 'eliminated' at 4pm after elite cops were seen storming the building. At least 14 people were killed in the shooting and more than 20 were injured - 11 seriously, Prague's emergency services said.

British tourist Joe Hyland, who was on his first holiday abroad with his group of friends, said they were worried there could have been multiple attackers, and rushed to text their loved ones in case the worst happened.

'As we got onto the tube and we don't know how many attackers there are and we don't know what the attackers are, so it the tube the best place or the worst place to go? So we decided to ring our parents to say we loved them and call our friends,' he told the BBC.

Speaking from Prague, his friend added: 'It's our first holiday as us boys. When something like that happens you call you loved ones because you don't know in the confusion if you are going to be able to speak to them.'

A British father and daughter also witnessed the chaos unfold. The unnamed man told The Sun: 'My daughter said, 'Dad, look up there, there's a guy on the roof'. And all of a sudden it just went mental, it sounded like a load of firecrackers.

'I would have said about 30 people got shot. There was a guy lying dead on the right hand side of the square. He was shot in the chest.'

A faculty member of the university, Zora Hesova, said people were locked in classrooms inside the building as armed police officers descended on the scene.

Police later said they killed the gunman after they stormed the building and have evacuated everyone who was trapped inside.

'The gunman was eliminated!!!' police said on X, formerly Twitter. 'The building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of wounded people on the scene.'

Extraordinary images show the gunman, who was dressed in black, standing on the roof of the faculty building and pointing his rifle with a scope mounted on top at people down below.

Petr Nedoma, the director of the Rudolfinum - a concert hall on the square across from the Faculty of Arts - told Czech broadcaster CT24: 'Upstairs on the walkway of the Faculty of Arts, I saw a man standing with a gun in his hand and shooting towards the Manes bridge with certain delays.

'I watched what was happening from inside the Rudolfinum for a long time. I stayed in the building and was by the windows for as much cover as possible.'

Nedoma added: 'Then he put his hands up and threw the gun towards the road, it remained lying by the philosophy faculty. Then a lot of people appeared upstairs, I don't know if it was the police.

'I left the window and watched the police evacuate people from the Faculty of Philosophy, taking them away with their hands behind their heads in different directions, a large number of cars, people running around.'

Terrified teachers and students at the Charles University Faculty of Arts were instructed to lock themselves in classrooms before they were evacuated.

Klara, a student, told news site iDnes.cz she was among those who police evacuated from the building.

'It was terribly scary, there were a lot of policemen everywhere, who were shouting at us with submachine guns, telling us to run outside,' she said.

An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to 'stay put'.

'Don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights,' the email said.

One student said she was in the university's library when the gunman began shooting at his victims.

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the university in central Prague on Thursday

People can be seen running from a building in Prague

People wrap up as they wait near the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic

Sharing a picture of students hiding in the back of a computer lab, she wrote: 'I am OK. I was in the library at the time of the shooting.

'They sent us to the back of the computer lab where there are no windows. Word has now spread that the gunman is dead.'

She said as soon as they heard the gunman had been killed, the terrified students all called their families to say that they were safe.

The police have sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the university building, which is located in a busy part of town that has a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square

'According to preliminary information, the shooter himself should be dead, there are dead and wounded on site, I will not speculate now about the final number,' Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Czech Television.

Rakusan added 'no other gunman has been confirmed' and called on people to follow police instructions.

Police in the Czech Republic's capital have urged residents to shelter inside and avoid the area due to the shooting.

President Petr Pavel tweeted: 'I am shocked by the events at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University.

'I would like to express my deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims that the shooting claimed.

'I want to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and providing maximum cooperation.'

The British Embassy in Prague has urged people in the city, which is popular with tourists, to avoid the around the Charles University and the Faculty of Arts.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his trip to the east of the country and was en route to Prague, he said on X.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.
Barclay Primary School said 'misinformation' was being used to target teacher

A TikTok video viewed more than 250,000 times sparked a huge protest outside an east London primary school and forced it to close early for Christmas after alleging an eight-year-old Palestinian boy was bullied by teachers.

The post by influencer Zaki, which has since been deleted, made a series of claims about how the pupil was allegedly treated by staff at Barclay Primary School after showing support for Palestine on a mufti day.

These included claims he had been 'bullied, harassed and mentally traumatised by his teachers' for wearing a Palestine badge on his coat and that he was 'denied playtime and lunch privileges' for refusing to remove it.

As the video quickly spread on social media, bosses at the school in Leyton, Waltham Forest, wrote to parents slamming the 'malicious fabrications' which they said resulted in staff being threatened.

The response added that there was 'no evidence to support any allegations of bullying or misconduct' and that internal and external investigations found the claims to be 'false'.

Following the alleged threats to staff, the school - responsible for the education of 1,293 children up to the age of 11 - decided to close for Christmas on Wednesday, two days earlier than it had planned to break up.

Dozens of activists who had viewed the video then took part in a protest at the school on Thursday, chanting 'Barclay, shame on you' and 'education is under attack'. They also erected the Palestine flag outside the entrance.

Parents staged a protest amid a row over students wearing Palestinian symbols at Barclay Primary School

A TikTok post by influencer Zaki, which has since been deleted, made a series of claims about how the pupil was allegedly treated by staff at Barclay Primary School after showing support for Palestine on a mufti day

A Palestinian flag flies above Barclay Primary School, which has been forced to break early for the holidays due to 'threats to staff'

Aaron Wright (pictured) is the Executive Headteacher at Brook House Primary School and Leigh Beck Junior School in the Lion Academy Trust

BREAKING: Parents are protesting outside London's Barclay Primary School amid a row with Muslim parents over alleged anti-Palestine censorship. pic.twitter.com/32E8XEV74K  5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) December 21, 2023

The row first erupted when some pupils used a Children in Need mufti day to show their support for Palestine with flags, badges and stickers.

A letter was then sent to eight families - out of a school of 1,325 students - warning that 'inappropriate comments made at school including extremist or divisive comments' would result in formal meetings with senior figures at the school.

The note also said it could potentially lead to referrals to the Government's counter terrorism programme, Prevent, or Waltham Forest's Hate Crime Team.

TikToker Zaki then posted a video, in which he told followers: 'Barclay Primary School is basically saying that if you support Palestine, you're going to become a terrorist - or you already are one.'

He also alleged in the clip that a boy had been 'bullied, harassed and mentally traumatised by his teachers' and that 170 parents signed a letter of complaint, citing concerns over 'freedom of speech, disparity of approach and Islamophobia'.

The original video, viewed more than a quarter of a million times, now appears to have been deleted, but he has posted a subsequent clip in which he claims the school is 'trying to silence me'.

The school, which first opened in 1908 and operates a nursery school of pupils aged three and upwards, refutes the claims made in the original video and says there is 'no evidence to support any allegations of bullying or misconduct'.

Education bosses then sent another letter to parents this week after the clip was widely shared, saying the reference to Prevent had been 'deliberately taken out of context'.

A spokesperson for the Lion Academy Trust, which runs the school, added that it has never reported anyone to Prevent, nor would it wish to do so, but said it was 'seeking to be transparent by making individuals aware of the school's legal obligations'.

Valerie, whose young son goes to the school, told MailOnline she thought staff had got it 'really wrong' but expressed disappointment at the early closure, and questioned if the protests were 'suitable'.

'I wasn't there this morning - I had to work,' she explained.

One parent at the protest criticised the school for not allowing a student 'to wear the badge of his homeland'

Video footage showed parents gathering outside the school with pro-Palestinian flags and placards, and chanting 'Education is under attack'

'I think it's basically the two things: the school's got it really wrong, but I am not sure if the protests are suitable.

'I think it would be better to raise money for Palestinian relief rather than stage protests.

'It's disappointing, because the children are so young. They're primary school children, so I think they're too young to understand.

'My son missed his Christmas dinner today [at the school]. It's just unfortunate.

'I think everybody can be a little more accommodating given where we are in the world.'

But Oscar Spinoza, a builder whose young son also attends Barclays, says showing solidarity with the Palestinian community is more important than children not being able to attend school for a few days.

'We were surprised in the morning,' the 34-year-old said.

'Nobody told us [the school was shut] this morning. I'm not political, but it's showing solidarity. Everyone should have a voice.

'What is most important is the people dying - one day off school is not going to change anything.

'In Ukraine as well, in many places. People's egos are so high that no one wants to make clear decisions and stop the wars.'

The school announced yesterday that the school would be closing with immediate effect - two days earlier than planned - 'in light of escalating threats against staff and the school'.

School leaders said the decision had been made 'after careful reflection and because we need the school to be a safe place for the children and staff'.

In the latest letter, seen by Sky News, the school's executive headteacher Aaron Wright said: 'Over the course of the weekend, a video was published on TikTok which has made and amplified a series of false and malicious allegations against Barclay Primary School and a Lion Academy Trust board member.

'This has been further shared on social media and misdirected and unhelpful commentary about the school and our staff are being circulated.'

A parent holds a placard supporting 'the student who has not been allowed to attend school since November 23'

The dispute escalated further when eight parents were sent a letter that allegedly 'threatened' to report them to Prevent

A Palestinian flag flies above Barclay Primary School, which has been engulfed in a row

Mr Wright said the school was working with the police, Department for Education, Ofsted and other local safeguarding bodies to help 'tackle the disinformation'.

He added: 'Sadly, it seems that there is a tiny minority of carers/parents who have elected to work against the school have been directly responsible for the malicious and false content being published online.'

Following this morning's protests, which commenced at around 8:30, victorious Palestinian flags now flutter in the strong winds after being erected on lampposts on deserted Canterbury Road, on which the school is located.

A sole Union Jack flies on a white flagpole just inside the school gates on which pro-Palestine placards have been left - its red, white and blue outnumbered by the ubiquitous red, black and green of the flags around it.

One demonstrator told Sky News: 'The school had a massive Ukrainian flag outside and promoted the fact that they were supporting Ukraine.

'We had a situation today where Israel is attacking Gaza. Why is it that they are not allowing an eight-year-old child to wear the badge of his homeland, of his heritage?'

A statement from the Lion Academy Trust said that pupils were 'being directly impacted by the actions of a misdirected and misinformed few, seeking to disrupt a primary school from exercising its proper function to educate children.'

It continued: 'We will never tolerate bullying or intimidation from any source - and have the full support of the Department for Education, Ofsted and the police in this matter.

'We will take any and all necessary steps to protect our pupils, staff and values.'

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended a protest at a school on Canterbury Road, E10, and it was 'peacefully concluded'.
She sent the footage to his father to 'scare' him

A seven-month-old baby was strangled with a cord and choked with a sock by his mother in a bid to 'emotionally manipulate' his father, a court has heard.

Holly Anne Maxwell, 26, pleaded guilty to three charges of assault and one charge of impeding a person's breathing in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday.

Maxwell filmed her baby with a cord pulled tight around his neck and a sock shoved into his mouth and sent the footage to his father in January.

The videos are so graphic that police 'protected' prosecutors from seeing them.

Maxwell pleaded not guilty to original charges of intending to hurt and threatening to kill but changed her plea to guilty to the new charges.

Holly Anne Maxwell, 26, pleaded guilty to three charges of assault and one charge of impeding a person's breathing in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday

In footage sent to the baby's father, Maxwell could be heard screaming 'I'm going to f****** flog this c***, I'm going to kill this c***', and 'he's going to get hurt'.

Another video showed the baby crying in the back of a car while Maxwell screamed that she could not 'stand being stuck alone with this c***'.

The court heard that Maxwell split from the baby's father in late 2022 and used the photos and videos to 'emotionally manipulate' and scare him, WA Today reports.

Although prosecutors were unable to see the material, the court heard that Maxwell filmed her son with a black sock in his mouth and a cord around his neck.

Maxwell is due to next appear in court in January while a psychological report is prepared for the magistrate before sentencing.
Keir Starmer has followed in a long line of politicians togging up in military fatigues to add a bit of edge to their image.

The Labour leader was pictured in camouflage gear posing alongside British troops as he made a pre-Christmas visit to Estonia yesterday.

The moody images of Sir Keir flanked by soldiers helping to protect the border with Russia comes after warnings that he is still regarded as boring by voters - despite a commanding lead in the polls.

He and shadow defence secretary John Healey made the trip to stress their commitment to Nato and burnish the party's defence credentials ahead of next year's general election.

The party is keen to get as far politically from the previous regime of Jeremy Corbyn, who was seen as being too soft on Russia and defence generally.

One Westminster wag compared Sir Keir to Gareth out of sitcom The Office, who would often boast about his experiences in the Territorial Army.

In contrast, Rishi Sunak wore a simple suit and jacket for his trip to RAF Lossiemouth earlier this week.

But Sir Keir is far from the first political leader to use military imagery in a bid to bolster their standing.

Keir Starmer was pictured in camouflage gear posing alongside British troops as he made a pre-Christmas visit to Estonia yesterday

One Westminster wag compared Sir Keir to Gareth from sitcom The Office, who would often boast about his experiences in the Territorial Army

In contrast, Rishi Sunak wore a simple suit and jacket for his trip to RAF Lossiemouth earlier this week

Mr Sunak did dress up in combat trousers in 2021 when he tested his mettle at a military assault course

Wartime leader Winston Churchill was often seen in uniform, although he had earned the privilege after training at Sandhurst and seeing action in foreign conflicts including the Boer War (pictured in 1948)

Baroness Thatcher famously posed in a tank on a visit to British forces in Germany in 1986

That iconic picture was evoked by Liz Truss in 2021 when as foreign secretary she made her own trip to Estonia

Wartime leader Winston Churchill was often seen in uniform, although he had earned the privilege after training at Sandhurst and seeing action in foreign conflicts including the Boer War.

Baroness Thatcher famously posed in a tank on a visit to British forces in Germany in 1986.

That iconic picture was evoked by Liz Truss in 2021 when as foreign secretary she made her own trip to Estonia.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has regularly been photographed in military attire.

During his career he has wielded machine guns and rocket launchers on camera, as well as climbing into a tank.

Before leaving No10 he memorably recreated Tom Cruise's walk to a fighter jet from classic film Top Gun, before being taken on a spin in a Typhoon.

Former Tory press chief Giles Kenningham told MailOnline that Sir Keir was trying to make himself look more prime ministerial.

'Rishi Sunak has the benefit of power of incumbency, and all the trappings of office that can make him look statesmanlike.

'Starmer is never going to be able to compete with that so he is going to have to try to find other ways to make himself look like a PM in waiting.

'I suspect that is the aim here. But if you are not careful with these things they can dangerously backfire.'

Mr Kenningham added: 'In the public's mind he is seen as boring. Voters only ever see Starmer in a suit.'

A Conservative source said they had a slightly different response to the images. 'The first thing I thought was he looked like Gareth out of The Office,' they said.

Speaking on his visit to the Baltic, Sir Keir said: 'I think we have to be mindful of that threat from Russia to Europe, to ourselves in the UK and the interference that goes on...

'This is a real and constant threat from Russia, measured in years, and measured back home in the UK as well.'

Boris Johnson has regularly been photographed in military attire

Before leaving No10 Mr Johnson memorably recreated Tom Cruise's walk to a fighter jet from classic film Top Gun, before being taken on a spin in a Typhoon

Mr Johnson took to the cockpit of a Typhoon last year

Downing Street released footage of the then-PM being flown in the fighter jet

Sir Keir and shadow defence secretary John Healey (centre) are shown a tank at the Tapa NATO operating base in Estonia
London resembled a ghost town today with normally-bustling landmarks such as Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square deserted as residents left for Christmas.

Other areas such as Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street were also looking almost empty this morning as Londoners travelled to visit their families for the holidays.

And the M25 around the capital appeared very quiet in places today, although queues will likely intensify later on as people drive home after finishing work.

However, there were very different scenes at London St Pancras railway station and the Port of Dover in Kent which were packed today after chaos caused by yesterday's last-minute strike by Eurotunnel staff in France carried through into this morning.

Meanwhile some Londoners have been taking advantage of flexible work-from-home arrangements to finish their festive shopping, go to the pub and see family.

This has left offices, roads and railway stations quiet in the week before Christmas - with data from traffic analysts TomTom showing congestion was significantly down.

A very quiet Oxford Street in London this morning as people head home for Christmas

A nearly empty Trafalgar Square in London this morning as the capital turns into a ghost town

A small number of people walk through Piccadilly Circus in London's West End this morning

A very quiet Leicester Square in London today as people head home for the holidays

Oxford Street in London is also very quiet today as people leave the capital for Christmas

Low numbers of people walk on Oxford Street in London today ahead of the holidays

The M25 motorway which runs around Greater London is also quiet this morning

Earlier this week, the company revealed the number of commuter journeys had plummeted this week compared with three weeks ago, with rush-hour congestion in London 22 per cent lower at 8am on Tuesday than at the same time last month.

Manchester saw one of the greatest drops in traffic, with congestion falling by 35 per cent on Tuesday compared with the same day in November.

Meanwhile, the number of people going into the office also dropped earlier, with just 53 per cent of desk space occupied last week compared with 58 per cent in the middle of last month.

Normally busy business areas such as Canary Wharf have also looked visibly quieter this week.

It comes as latest Cabinet Office data shows three-quarters of the Government's offices were less busy in the first week of December than a fortnight earlier.

Network Rail said the morning peak for commuters at some of London's largest railway stations on Monday was down 12 per cent on last week, resulting in 100,000 fewer journeys.

Experts say the data suggests employees have been using hybrid work arrangements to hit the shops and do some last-minute gift buying before December 25.

Andy Merchant, traffic expert at TomTom, told MailOnline: 'With schools finishing last Friday it is likely that more parents are working from home this week.

'This means that 'the big getaway' may be more staggered although we do still expect to see traffic rise on Friday and Saturday.

'For the past couple of years Christmas has been on the weekend leading to people travelling on a Thursday or Friday which is more noticeable.

The AA has predicted that today and tomorrow will be the busiest days on the UK's roads

The RAC said 13.5 million leisure journeys by car are expected between today and Sunday

The AA issued this route planner map for the 'amber traffic warning' today and tomorrow

'This year many people will travel on the weekend, so we may see bigger spikes against normal Saturday and Sunday traffic. We also expect to see queues for EV chargers across the weekend.'

Christmas Eve last trains from London DESTINATION LAST TRAIN FROM TRAIN OPERATOR Birmingham New Street 17:22 Euston London Northwestern Birmingham New Street 17:39 Euston Avanti West Coast Birmingham Moor Street 20:00 Marylebone Chiltern Railways Brighton 19:51 London Bridge Thameslink Cambridge 21:28 Liverpool Street Greater Anglia Crewe 17:42 Euston Avanti West Coast Edinburgh 09:52 Euston Avanti West Coast Exeter St Davids 18:20 Waterloo South Western Railway Gatwick Airport 19:46 Victoria Southern Gatwick Airport 20:15 London Bridge Thameslink Glasgow Central 16:29 Euston Avanti West Coast Hull 12:30 St Pancras Hull Trains Ipswich 21:00 Liverpool Street Greater Anglia Leicester 20:02 St Pancras East Midlands Railway Liverpool Lime Street 17:42 Euston Avanti West Coast Luton 20:06 St Pancras Thameslink Manchester Piccadilly 17:52 Euston Avanti West Coast Northampton 20:20 Euston London Northwestern Norwich 21:00 Liverpool Street Greater Anglia Oxford 20:12 Marylebone Chiltern Railways Portsmouth Harbour 20:30 Waterloo South Western Railway Preston 16:29 Euston Avanti West Coast Reading 21:09 Waterloo South Western Railway Sevenoaks 21:46 Charing Cross Southeastern Sheffield 19:32 St Pancras East Midlands Railway Southend Victoria 21:37 Liverpool Street Greater Anglia Stansted Airport 23:25 Liverpool Street Greater Anglia Swansea None direct Windsor 20:44 Waterloo South Western Railway

Speaking of the rush to the shops, Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI, told The Times earlier this week: 'Footfall across all retail destinations rose by 8.6 per cent on Monday from the week before, signalling a strong start to the final trading week ahead of Christmas Day.'

The 'lull' is expected to be followed by a huge rise in travel from today, with people commuting and going to see family and friends for the festive long weekend.

Tomorrow and Sunday are set to be the busiest days for commuting, according to rail operators.

Birmingham has also seen a decline in congestion, plummeting from 71 per cent last month to 67 per cent on Tuesday. Like London, Edinburgh has also seen a 16 per cent decrease in traffic.

It comes before traffic will rise again to 3.2 million trips today, the RAC said  with some 13.5million leisure car journeys expected between today and Christmas Eve.

Some workers have taken to social media this week boasting how they are using WFH to watch Christmas movies and have an extended break.

One person wrote on X: 'I love having Mondays and Tuesdays off/WFH. Playing Christmas music and rubbing my feet together all day!'

Another said: 'It's going to be a very long Christmas holiday. WFH gang.' A third wrote: 'Watching Friends and Family Christmas while I WFH!!!'

It comes as civil servants in Whitehall are taking an 'early Christmas' this year, with more staff working from home.

Recent data from the Cabinet Office has revealed that three-quarters of the Government's offices were less busy in the first week of December than two weeks before.

The data, which was released for 20 departments, proves that 15 had lower occupancy from December 4 in comparison to the week starting on November 20, suggesting rising numbers are in the run-up to the festive period.

Last month, Whitehall staff were told they must spend at least 60 per cent of their time working 'face to face' in the office, instead of simply being encouraged to turn up to the office two or three days a week.

The push back is part of a bid to boost productivity, following reports that it had dropped since the pandemic.

Workers at Companies House, however, cannot come in as much as the Government is demanding because of a lack off office space.

The Department of Business and Trade, which Companies House, belonged revealed it had reduced the sizes of its offices in Edinburgh, with similar plans for Cardiff and Belfast.

Big queues this morning for the Eurostar at London St Pancras station after yesterday's strike

A busy departures hall at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 today as people head abroad

Passengers looking at a departure board at London King's Cross railway station this morning

Meanwhile, it has been reported that new university graduates have become so adjusted to working from home they won't even come into the office for an interview, according to one boss.

The UK's post-lockdown WFH boom has seen employers downsize their premises, the blame pinned on 'entitled' and 'quiet quitting' Gen Z-ers who entered the world of work remotely and are allegedly resistant to changing their habits.

Bosses have offered ludicrous benefits like pool tables and office pets to lure staff into work, but a poll suggests they're considered 'useless' by younger staff who want support and benefits directly tied to their personal development.
Two police camera operators who deleted records of speeding offences so their friends could get away with road traffic offences have been jailed.

Samantha Halden-Evans, 36, and Jonathan Hill, 47, were found to have committed acts of 'very serious corruption' after they were investigated by a taskforce while working for the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership.

The crooked police staff conspired to commit misconduct in public office between May 2019 and October 2020, deliberately failing to process data and deleting information so drivers - many known to them - would avoid fines and convictions.

Halden-Evans also passed on details about whether certain speed cameras were working and committed other data breaches  including one in relation to a murder investigation.

Halden-Evans, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, was charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Samantha Halden-Evans, 36, and Jonathan Hill, 47, were found to have conspired to help people avoid speeding fines and convictions

Wayne Riley pleaded guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice ahead of the trial

The police workers were found to have failed to process data or to have deleted records so drivers would avoid fines and convictions (pictured: a file photo of a speed camera)

She pleaded guilty to the charges and was jailed for four years and two months at Stafford Crown Court yesterday, December 21.

Hill, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, was caged for 18 months after admitting misconduct in public office in January 2023.

Two members of the public, one of whom was in a relationship with Halden-Evans, also admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Wayne Riley, 41, also from Cheadle, was sentenced to two years and eight months while Nikki Baker, 35, from Werrington, Staffordshire, was sentenced to ten months.

The court heard the conspiracy came to light after a burglary in Cheshire in 2020 where detectives examined a mobile phone and found messages traced back to Halden-Evans.

She was arrested in February 2021 and a mobile phone was seized from her. Evidence was found that Halden-Evans had been deleting offence details so that people, many known to herself or to Hill, would avoid speeding penalties.

She had accessed and disclosed data on police computer systems without authorisation between August 2017 and February 2021.

Hill was arrested in April 2021 and it was found he had asked Halden-Evans to check number plates to see if the drivers had been caught speeding at specific locations.

Halden-Evans resigned from Staffordshire Police in August 2021 prior to a disciplinary hearing and Hill was dismissed from the force following a hearing in December 2021.

The charges came following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) directed investigation carried out by Staffordshire Police's Anti-Corruption Unit.

One of the police workers was found to have asked his colleague to check number plates to see if drivers had been caught speeding in specific locations (pictured: a file photo of a police safety camera van)

IOPC Director of Operations, Steve Noonan said: 'The offences committed by these two individuals amounted to very serious corruption.

'In addition to the deletion of speeding offences, evidence showed that Hill was asking Halden-Evans to check whether people had been caught by cameras speeding on certain roads.

'She was also passing on details about whether speed cameras in Staffordshire were active or not, and there were other data breaches including one relating to a murder investigation.

'Such behaviour is a betrayal of the public's trust and undermines confidence in policing.

'This investigation is testament to how seriously the IOPC, law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system takes this kind of behaviour and I am grateful to all those involved in ensuring justice was served today.'

Deputy Chief Constable Jon Roy, of Staffordshire Police, said: 'The vast majority of our officers and staff conduct themselves professionally and work tirelessly to protect the public.

'We expect the highest levels of honesty and integrity from all of our officers and staff and anyone who falls below these standards will be held to account.'

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: 'It is absolutely vital that the public can have confidence in everyone engaged in police activity, and in the activity of the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership.

'Keeping our roads safe for the communities of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is too important to be undermined by the actions of a few individuals.

'Whether those individuals are officers or staff makes no difference. Everyone within the organisation should be held to the very highest standards, and I welcome today's outcome.'
A family has been left homeless just days before Christmas following a suspected arson attack on their home which killed a pet dog.

Paul Beattie's sons, Blaine and Cameron, aged 10 and 21, were forced to jump from an upstairs window to escape the inferno.

Ten-year-old Blaine was left suffering 40 per cent burns and is fighting for his life in hospital.

The family from Peterlee, Co Durham, also lost all of their Christmas presents as a result of the blaze.

Blaine is currently being treated in hospital where his condition is described as 'serious but not life threatening'.

Paul Beattie, left, from Peterlee, Co Durham was working in Asda when his house caught fire

Blaine, pictured, suffered life-changing injuries following the blaze at the home in Peterlee

A man in his mid-20s has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has since been released on bail.

Mr Beattie was working his regular night shift at Asda on December 14 when the fire started in a wheelie-bin just after 1.15am.

It spread to the house causing extensive damage to the upstairs flat where his children lay asleep.

Paula Townley, who has set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to help the family, was at work with Paul when he was told his house was up in flames with his children still inside.

She said: 'I saw Paul run towards the doors at work, and I'll never forget the look on his face - he was as white as a sheet and the panic on his face is something I just can't get out of my head.

'I said to him I'd rush him to his house but then three police officers turned up in a matter of seconds and took him themselves.

'He's absolutely devastated. I don't think it has fully hit him what has actually happened.

Police have arrested a man in his mid 20s on suspicion of arson following the attack on the house, pictured

Blaine, pictured, is being treated in Newcastle's Royal Infirmary where he is in a life-threatening condition

'All he can think about is his kids' Christmas presents. 'He keeps telling me about replacing them, buying the oldest son the TV he had originally bought for him and the youngest son some Xbox games - but they don't even have an Xbox to play them on now with everything being destroyed.

'I think with everything going on with the house, his son, having to pay for hotels up in Newcastle and taking the bus every day to go to the hospital to see him, it's so much to take on.'

Blaine remains in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he is expected to require lengthy treatment. It is understood he has now been moved to the burns unit.

His older brother Cameron suffered minor burns and the effects of smoke inhalation.

A GoFundme page has been established to raise money for the familiy who are now homeless

Paula, with the help of her son, has now set up a GoFundMe page to try to help the Paul and his family get back on their feet.

She added: 'It's awful to see what's happened to Paul and his family, he's just a single Dad trying to provide for his family - I wanted to try and help them as much as I possibly could.

'Even a few hundred pounds would help him in some way, I never thought it would get the attention it's getting now.

'We've raised over six thousand pounds now and Paul truly can't believe thesupport he's getting and that people are donating.'

The GoFundMe page caught the attention of ex-Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby, who donated 500.

Paula continued: 'Although we've had some generous donations, especially at this time of year, we need more support.

'It's vital that we get as much money raised as possible to help Paul and his family get back on their feet.

'Even the smallest donation goes a long way.'

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and are appealing for anyone in the area to come forward to assist.

DCI Lindsay Banks-Brown, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This was a young boy, who should have been safe in his family home, and whose life will never be the same again.

'It is an horrendous incident, but frankly it could have been even worse - we could easily have been dealing with a fatal house fire in which a child lost their life.

'If anyone has any information which can help our enquiry, I would ask them to do the right thing and get in touch with us immediately.'
It was uncovered by an urban explorer named Escapade, who branded it 'creepy'

Haunting images reveal an abandoned Highland hunting lodge left like a shrine to Winston Churchill and the Royals, with dozens of stunning photographs uncovered.

The house, discovered by an urban explorer who goes by the name Escapade, is like a time capsule of begone era, with an old copy of a newspaper dating back to 1951.

Forgotten yet untouched memorabilia inside this lost Scottish mansion includes old military jackets, battle armour, a sword and portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte.

There are also dozens of old photographs, including pictures of the royals when they were young, signed photos of Winston Churchill during his years of service and the Queen Mother from 10 Downing Street.

The huge property also features numerous taxidermied animals, including an eagle and a stag, an old Victorian doll house, and an ancient piano.

A glimpse into the past: An urban explorer has discovered an abandoned mansion in the Scottish Highlands

Untouched by vandals: The old hunting lodge was owned by Archie Sinclair, former leader of the Liberal Party and Secretary of State for Air during World War 2

The house is located in the Thurso countryside (Pictured: Abandoned pram and stuffed animals)

The house, while in a dilapidated condition, is full of treasures. Pictured: Two swords lying against an old bed

The house is home to all kinds of fascinating memorabilia including battle armour, a sword and military jackets (pictured)

The lodge also has a number of taxidermied animals that were killed during hunts, including a stag's head (pictured)

The images taken are beautiful yet haunting (Pictured: Old piano and globe)

The eerie mansion has deteriorated over the years (Pictured: Old decorations and furniture)

Old portraits left behind (Pictured: Portrait of Napoleon)

In the house were some real treasures, including a Victorian dolls house (pictured)

The mansion (pictured) has a rich history and is deep in the countryside, surrounded by lush green and marshy land

This isolated structure is situated deep in the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by lush green and marshy land, sitting peacefully in the Thurso countryside.

The house was apparently owned by Archie Sinclair, leader of the Liberal Party 1935-1945.

He served in Churchill's all-party coalition government in World War 2 as the Secretary of State for Air.

A man who goes by the name of Escapade trekked to the house and discovered these hidden gems.

Escapade is an urbex explorer, urbex being an abbreviation of urban exploring, which means going into abandoned and dilapidated buildings, often fenced off or hidden in some way.

He said: 'I do not know a lot about all the portraits and pictures we found at the mansion, but I could tell I was surrounded by history.

'It's a huge place and absolutely full. I am just grateful that no vandals have disturbed it.

'The floors had started to decay, the wallpapers were peeling off, and we found old copies of the newspaper The Scotsman, one of them was dated June 18, 1951.

Pictured: An old photograph of Winston Churchill and Archie Sinclair

Pictured: A King Lear book on old photographs

Pictured: A photograph of a young Archie Sinclair with his dog

Pictured: Portraits of Archie Sinclair through various stages of life

Pictured: A photograph of Archie Sinclair with fellow colleagues

Pictured: Well-preserved photographs

Pictured: Photographs of Archie Sinclair with his wife and family

'Although we were aware that this was Archie's hunting mansion, coming across the taxidermied animals was still very creepy and exciting.'

This building was a rundown lodge before the Sinclairs took over and transformed it into their home.

They would come to this place for a brief period of time every year and leave behind the politics of the world.

Escapade said: 'Not everyone was allowed in the mansion. Guests were chosen with great care.

'Archie also followed his own time; he refused to change from British Summer Time before his sabbatical was over.

'This habit saw him arriving one hour early for meetings and lunches.

'When Winston Churchill's government fell in 1922, it was rumoured that Archie was shooting grouse with Robert Boothby, former Parliamentary Secretary, here.

'This house was almost frozen in time, waiting for the Sinclairs to make their annual summer trip back home.'
100million plumber Charlie Mullins has pulled the plug on his 'feel good' radio station that pledged to make listeners laugh every ten minutes, MailOnline can reveal today.

Great British Radio was due to go national in December but has ceased broadcasting immediately after a meeting of shareholders yesterday - less than two years after its launch.

A senior industry insider told MailOnline: 'I think they just ran out of cash and Charlie wasn't prepared to prop it up anymore without other people investing'.

It came as the Pimlico Plumbers founder, 71, who sold it for around 145million, told the Mail he will launch a Harrods-standard handyman firm charging 150 to 200 an hour, admitting: 'I'm down to my last 100million'.

Mr Mullins was chairman of Great British Radio and ran it with CEO and breakfast show host Mike Osman, a veteran broadcaster and impressionist. It also had a roster including Cheryl Baker, Linda Lusardi and Harry Redknapp since it started in April 2022.

But it shut down at midnight last night and one broadcaster claims that some staff have not been paid after being put out of work just days before Christmas.

Charlie Mullins (left) was chairman of Great British Radio and ran it with CEO and breakfast show host Mike Osman (right). It has shut down after less than 2 years

Cheryl Baker and Linda Lusardi had both worked on the station

Great British Radio was a 'feel good' radio station that pledged to make listeners laugh every ten minutes. Stars included Cheryl Baker and Harry Redknapp

Regional broadcaster Jason King says that people who worked there have been left out of pocker

Regional broadcaster Jason King claims that some Great British Radio workers are going unpaid this Christmas.

He said in a tweet to Mr Mullins: 'Very sad when a radio business fails, even worse when those whove supported the project find themselves out of pocket a few days before Christmas. Please do the right thing and pay the team. Imagine if you didnt get paid for a plumbing job'.

READ MORE: Plumbing tycoon Charlie Mullins plots new handyman venture - charging up to 200 an hour Flush: Mullins sold Pimlico Plumbers to US home services giant Neighborly in 2021 for 140m Advertisement

The Pimlico Plumbers founder had launched Great British Radio as a 'no bad news' station, with no news bulletins and only fun, music, interviews and comedy.

Listeners could tune in on DAB in London, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire as well as online.

Great British Radio was due to become a national station on December 4 but it never happened. And three weeks later it has shut down.

One listener said today: 'That's a shame as they played a good selection of tunes you didn't often hear on the radio'.

Great British Radio appears to have failed to pull in listeners from stations such as BBC Radio 2 in the way Greatest Hits Radio has done so.

Mr Mullins has not commented. MailOnline has contacted his spokesman. A spokesman for the station said: 'Great British Radio Ltd has today ceased to trade and will no longer broadcast.

'The difficult decision was made by CEO and Director Mike Osman following a meeting earlier today with the company shareholders and investors.'

The sad news came just 20 months after its launch.

Mr Mullins said at the time: 'I'm proud to be supporting Great British Radio. It will be like a breath of fresh air and I believe the public is going to love it.'

CEO Mike Osman said: 'Our recipe will include great laughs, great guests, and great music. There will be showbiz guests plus interviews with ordinary people who have made a positive difference in their community.

'Our guests will have time to relax and get their point across. It's all about making a great impression and lifting the spirits of the public'.

Mullins set up Pimlico Plumbers after leaving school at 15 with no qualifications to become an apprentice to Bill Ellis, 'a plumber who had everything that I never had: nice car, clothes, jewellery.

He told me, 'Become an apprentice plumber, and you'll never run out of work, and you'll earn loads of money.' He was right.'

Mullins' next splurge is a far cry from his upbringing, in London's Elephant and Castle.

The son of a factory worker and a cleaner, he started his business in 1979, building it up into a 50m-a-year empire.

'I'm down to my last 100m,' Mullins told the Mail yesterday. He now has a 30m Spanish villa complex, a Rolls-Royce, and 'at least 20 watches although I never wind them up'.

'You're only here once. I'm quite happy to spend it  and I've given more than a million to charity this year. I won't be the richest man in the graveyard.

'But it's clear the money isn't going to last forever.'

Pipe dreams: Entrepreneur Charlie Mullins in his luxury apartment overlooking the Thames

Early days: A younger Mullins at Pimlico Plumbers. He set up the company after leaving school at 15 with no qualifications

That's one reason why Mullins is going back to work, spending almost 20m on launching a plumbing, electrical and building services business, We Fix.

He's bought premises, hired designers, and is acquiring 100 electric vans so that in September, on the day his three-year lock-out period with Neighborly ends, We Fix is in business.

'We're going to be a bit like Harrods,' Mullins asserts. 'We won't be cheap: we will charge 150 to 200 an hour, but people will always pay for quality.

'Customers will flock back to us. We're going to build a 500m family business.' Mullins claims celebrities from Pimlico days including Simon Cowell and Joan Collins will come back. His son, Scott, will run it.

However, he's heading into controversial territory with recruitment. 'I won't be taking on anyone who wants to be known as a certain person or a certain gender. You're either male or female.

'If you're not sure, you're not coming on with us.

'If [someone] comes in saying, 'I'm Mary, I want to work in the call centre' but they used to be Trevor the bricklayer, they're not getting the job.'

Mullins has a history of employment law battles, and lost a landmark case over holiday pay. 'If it's against the law, then it's against the law. We'll put it in our terms and conditions.'
Israeli special forces claim to have destroyed a large network of strategic underground tunnels operated by Hamas in Gaza.

Dramatic footage released by the IDF appeared to show a large explosion in the 'Elite Quarter' of Gaza City, north Gaza Strip, on Thursday.

The military said it had 'exposed the terrorist infrastructure' under the city late Wednesday, revealing 'bureaus belonging to Hamas' senior military and political leadership'.

'The network of tunnels was destroyed in a controlled manner,' the IDF said in a statement shared on Telegram with the footage.

The claims came as an in-depth investigation by The Washington Post published Thursday concluded there was 'no immediate' evidence rooms connecting the city's al-Shifa hospital to tunnels were used for military purposes by Hamas.

The death toll in Gaza surpassed 20,000, health officials said today, as Israeli bombing over the besieged strip continues unabated - and amid growing calls from pro-Palestinian protestors and the families of Israeli hostages for a ceasefire.

Some 85 per cent of the 2.3mn population of Gaza has now been displaced by Israel's bombing campaign, with civilians ordered in October to evacuate the north and head south before being told to evacuate the south. Charities warn there are fewer and fewer safe places for residents to turn.

Despite the calls for peace, Israel has indicated it plans to expand its ground offensive. The military said late Thursday it is sending more ground forces, including combat engineers, to Khan Younis to target Hamas above ground and in tunnels.

On Friday, the IDF ordered tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes in Burej, an urban refugee camp, and surrounding communities, also in the south.

The IDF shared footage of what it said was the destruction of Hamas infrastructure

Footage showed the 'Elite Quarter' of Gaza City levelled by explosions on Thursday

Thermal imaging from above showed the explosions detonating yesterday

According to Israel's military, Gaza City is built upon extensive networks of tunnels used by Hamas - evidence, it says, that Gaza's de facto government is using human shields. Hamas denies the accusation.

Both the US and Israel have claimed al-Shifa, the city's largest hospital, is being used as cover for Hamas bases underground. Following raids on the hospital last month - and the evacuation of patients - Israel has begun cautious movements through tunnels discovered around the centre.

Israel shared videos last month purporting to reveal small arms caches stashed in the hospital. Hundreds were then forced to evacuate on November 18 after over a week spent fully securing the building.

Progress is expected to be slow as the IDF moves through cautiously with robots and dogs, anticipating traps set up by Hamas.

However, an investigation by The Washington Post shared on Thursday, based on open-source visuals and satellite imagery, found little evidence to back up Israel's 'remarkably specific' claims about al-Shifa.

The Post's analysis claimed that 'the rooms connected to the tunnel network discovered by IDF troops showed no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas', that 'none of the five hospital buildings identified by Hagari appeared to be connected to the tunnel network' and that 'there is no evidence that the tunnels could be accessed from inside hospital wards'.

Israel has launched raids on the hospital, claiming that it is being used as a base for Hamas. Under international law, the hospital would lose its special protections if found to be used for significant purposes. Depending on the context, the retrieval of small arms may not be enough to ascertain whether the building was being used in this way.

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 20,000, according to health officials, the latest indication of the staggering cost of the war as Israel expanded its ground offensive and ordered tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.

The deaths, amounting to nearly 1% of the territory's prewar population, are just one measure of the devastation wrought by the conflict that over 11 weeks has displaced nearly 85% of Gaza's people and leveled wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave.

A view of damage after Israeli army hit the pediatric department of Nasser Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis city on December 17, 2023

Many patients receiving treatment were evacuated from hospital after an Israeli airstrike

Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City, on Oct. 11, 2023

A view of rubble of after a building was struck by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on October 8

More than half a million people in Gaza - a quarter of the population - are starving, according to a report Thursday from the United Nations and other agencies describing the crisis caused by Israel's bombardment and siege on the territory in response to Hamas' October 7 attack.

Chiara Saccardi, Regional Head of Action Against Hunger in the Middle East, said in a statement shared with MailOnline: 'The combination of incessant shelling, shortages of food, water, fuel, and the inability of humanitarian agencies to fully operate in Gaza has caused this desperate situation.

'The UN and humanitarian organisations have been warning for weeks about the need to remove barriers to aid entering Gaza to avoid this reality.

'Everything we are doing is insufficient to meet the needs of two million people. It is difficult to find flour and rice, and people have to wait hours to access latrines and wash themselves.

'We are experiencing an emergency like I have never seen before,' adds Noelia Monge, Head of Emergencies for Action Against Hunger, who recently returned from the region.

According to the charity, 'virtually every household in Gaza skips meals every day. Four out of five households in the north, and half of those displaced in the south, go days without eating a single thing. This situation could be reversed immediately with increased humanitarian access.'

'Nasma' a humanitarian and development aid worker working with Mercy Corps in Gaza, told MailOnline: 'The situation has become catastrophic. I don't think I've ever seen something like this before, or ever imagined that we would get to this point.

'Since the ceasefire or the pause stopped, it has been crazy. It's been much worse honestly than before like before it was everything was happening mostly in the north of Gaza but I live in the south of Gaza and that's where everything has been happening.

'After this pause ended, after it ended there were at least, on that day, I think it was Friday at least, three different bombings and two of them were in the refugee camp.

'And because we live near a hospital, we hear all the ambulances, all the screams and everything. It was horrible.

'It really was seeing people running to the hospital to check on their families and everything and then seeing trucks loaded with people who were injured. It's catastrophic, honestly.'

'Nowadays people won't be lucky enough to get a load of bread at the end of the day. And then there are long queues everywhere, like queues for water, only a couple of functioning water plants,' she added.

'Our lives have really just been queues for the past days since this started. And the queues are getting longer and longer. There are queues for gas, cooking gas, and then are are queues for fuel. Because cars are even now running on corn oil, which is horrible because everything is polluted. You can't breathe the air outside.'

Tents and shelters used by displaced Palestinians stand at the yard of Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City November 12, 2023

Israel claimed to have found a tunnel near the hospital which they say supports their claims the hospital is sat on top of a Hamas stronghold

Wounded Palestinians arrive to al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, October 16

Wounded Palestinian children lay at the al-Shifa hospital, following Israeli airstrikes, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, October 17

Despite the emergency, Israel has resisted international pressure to scale back its offensive and has said it would press on until Hamas, the group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years, has been destroyed.

The military has said that months of fighting lie ahead in southern Gaza, an area packed with the vast majority of the enclave's 2.3 million people, many of whom were ordered to flee combat in the north in earlier stages of the war.

Since then, evacuation orders have pushed displaced civilians into ever-smaller areas of the south as troops focus on the city of Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest.

The military said late Thursday that it is sending more ground forces, including combat engineers, to Khan Younis to target Hamas militants above ground and in tunnels.

On Friday, the military ordered tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes in Burej, an urban refugee camp, and surrounding communities, within the territory that Israel originally told people to flee to.

The air and ground campaign also continued in the north, even as Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas militants there.

Mustafa Abu Taha, a Palestinian farm worker, said ground battles and airstrikes have continued in his hard-hit Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah, adding that many areas have become inaccessible because of massive destruction from airstrikes.

'They are hitting anything moving,' he said of Israeli forces.

In the city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, an airstrike on a house killed six people, including an infant, according to Associated Press journalists who saw the bodies at a hospital. Rafah is one of the few places in Gaza not under evacuation orders, but has been targeted in Israeli strikes almost every day.

Meanwhile, phone and internet services were gradually being restored late Thursday, after the latest communications blackout of 35 hours.

Repeated cuts in communications have hampered aid deliveries at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.

The hunger eclipsed even the near-famines of recent years in Afghanistan and Yemen, according to Thursday's report, which warned that the risk of famine is 'increasing each day,' blaming the hunger on insufficient aid entering Gaza.

'It doesn't get any worse,' said Arif Husain, chief economist for the U.N.'s World Food Program. 'I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed.'

The war has also pushed Gaza's health sector into collapse.

Only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially functioning, all located in the south, according to the World Health Organization.

The agency reported soaring rates of infectious diseases in Gaza, including a five-fold increase in diarrhea, particularly among young children, compared to pre-war figures. It said there's been a rise in upper respiratory infections, meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox.

'With the health system on its knees, those facing the deadly combination of hunger and disease are left with few options,' it said.

An aerial view of destroyed buildings following the Israeli airstrikes in Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on October 12

A Palestinian family walks out of the Jenin camp heading to a safer place as the Israeli forces raid on Jenin refugee camp continues for a third consecutive day, 14 December 2023

An Israeli military vehicle is seen amid tear gas on a street as the raid on Jenin refugee camp enters a third consecutive day, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 14 December 2023

An Israeli military helicopter flies over the fighting area east of the city of Khan Yunis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on December 16, 2023

WHO relief workers reported 'unbearable' scenes in two hospitals they visited in northern Gaza: Bedridden patients with untreated wounds cry out for water, the few remaining doctors and nurses have no supplies, and bodies are lined up in the courtyard.

Israeli forces have raided a series of health facilities in the north in recent weeks, detaining men for interrogation and expelling others.

On Thursday, troops stormed the Palestinian Red Crescent's ambulance center in the Jabaliya refugee camp, taking away paramedics and ambulance crews, the group said. On Friday, the Red Crescent said the military released some of the paramedics, including women, but eight remained in detention with their whereabouts not known.
The race to be named 2023's Christmas Number 1 will come to an end later today  with competition among the classics in the first post-LadBaby chart battle said to be neck and neck.

Festive favourites by Wham! and Mariah Carey are battling with Sam Ryder's You're Christmas To Me for the top spot, according to bookmakers.

The bowing out of YouTubers LadBaby from the Christmas Number 1 battle means 2023 will be the first time there isn't a sausage roll-themed tune duking it out with the traditional picks for the coveted Yuletide crown.

However, a campaign to get The Pogues' Fairytale of New York to number one in memory of frontman Shane MacGowan continued up until the deadline for sales and streams passed at 11.59pm on Thursday night.

Official Charts says it is the closest race in recent memory  with just 42 sales separating Wham and Sam Ryder at the start of the week.

Mariah Carey in the video for the Make My Wish Come True Edition of All I Want for Christmas Is You

A scene from the video for Wham!'s perennial Christmas single, Last Christmas. The song is favourite to be named UK Christmas Number 1

Shane MacGowan in the video for The Pogues' Fairytale of New York. A campaign to get the song to number one is being coordinated by fans in memory of the late frontman

Eurovision star Sam Ryder has embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign in the battle to get his new song, You're Christmas To Me, to number one later today

Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said: '(This) feels much more exciting than it has done for a few years.

'LadBaby have dominated for the last five years and I think by the time it reached its fifth Christmas number one last year, people were keen to see something a bit fresh and a bit new.

'We've obviously got the classics that are coming back into the charts, we've got the usual run of charity records driven by ordinary people who just want to raise some money for good causes, and we've also got one or two really interesting releases as well, like Sam Ryder.'

How are the Official Charts decided? In 2014, the Official Charts began including audio streaming in the singles chart as sales fell out of favour with the rise of services such as Spotify. In 2017, it overhauled the algorithm it uses to decide how many streams constitute the same value as a purchase of a single, based on whether people pay for their streaming. From 12am Friday until 11.59pm on Thursday each week, the Official Charts count sales and streams from 8,000 sources - covering CDs, vinyls, cassettes and both downloads and streams of audio and video. It counts 100 premium streams - by users who pay for Spotify Premium or other paid services - and 600 'free' streams as one single 'purchase'. And everything from remixes to acoustic versions counts towards the chart entry for a single song. Advertisement

The Official Charts midweek update, released on Monday, put Last Christmas at number one, followed by Ryder's song, Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, Ed Sheeran and Elton John's Merry Christmas, and The Pogues at number five.

Meanwhile, streaming data published by Spotify for the week up to December 21 showed that Last Christmas had been streamed more than six million times, giving it the top spot ahead of the Thursday deadline.

Ahead of the deadline last night, bookmakers slashed their odds for Wham! to take the prize after the momentum around the campaign appeared to falter  and the song failed to beat out other Christmas tunes in the December charts.

Announcing odds on Thursday at lunchtime, Sky Bet said it had Last Christmas 1/25 odds-on to be named Number 1. However, bookie bosses say there is still potential for Sam Ryder and The Pogues to cause a 'festive upset'.

Sky Bet has Ryder's song at 12/1, while The Pogues' Fairytale of New York  which has never made it to Number 1  sits at 16/1.

Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas, which has dominated streaming charts this month, had long odds of 40/1.

The campaign to be named number one has seen the competitors engaging in all-out musical warfare to reach the top  with bus tours, special edition singles and movie tie-ins all being deployed by those vying for the crown.

The British Eurovision star's single, You're Christmas To Me, is an Amazon Music original and has been heavily promoted as the theme song to the shopping and streaming juggernaut's Christmas film, Your Christmas Or Mine 2.

Ryder has also been hitting the campaign trail in his 'Sam-ta Grotto' bus, putting on dozens of performances of the song across the country.

He told BBC Breakfast that he wants to dispel the notion that 'all new Christmas songs are rubbish'.

Ryder added: 'We've done 26 performances in the last six days, doing everything we possibly can to make this Christmas miracle come true - because it's not often you find yourself in a chart race against the almighty Wham!.

'But, with massive respect to those absolute legends, there's always room for new music and new artists coming through and attempts at putting new Christmas music out there.'

The Official Charts midweek update, released on Monday, puts Last Christmas at number one, with the Pogues at number five. The final result will be revealed later today

Official data published by Spotify for the week to December 21 showed Wham! taking the top spot in the streaming service's charts, played more than six million times

The Pogues fans had hoped to get the song to number one in memory of frontman Shane MacGowan after he died last month (pictured here with duet partner Kirsty MacColl)

Elsewhere, Wham has released a special edition Last Christmas Vinyl and a first-time CD single release of the song, while Fairytale of New York has been released in a special edition charity vinyl.

Profits from the Kirsty MacColl duet will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community, an organization that the late Shane MacGowan supported.

However, some Pogues fans have already thrown in the towel. One Facebook group launched shortly before MacGowan's death featured dismayed supporters of the campaign pushing to get Fairytale to number one next week instead.

One wrote: 'It looks like we didn't get the Christmas #1, but we can get Fairytale to #1 next week. Most people will stop streaming Christmas songs after Christmas Day. If we carry on all week, we can do it.'

The Official Charts records both physical and digital single sales and streaming data, including plays of music videos on platforms such as YouTube.

Each contributes to the overall 'units' deemed to have been sold for each single - but some carry more weight than others.

Those who stream music on free platforms, for instance, are deemed to have made less of a contribution towards a song's 'sales' than those on paid platforms, which in turn count for less than one-to-one purchases.

Streams of newer songs also carry more weight than established favourites, giving them a fighting chance at breaking into the charts upon release.

The Official Charts Top 40 will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1 starting from 4pm.
Progozhin, formerly close to Putin and the boss of Wagner private army, died in a plane crash in August, months after launching a failed coup against the Kremlin

The assassination of warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was 'put in motion' by Vladimir Putin's closest security aide Nikolai Patrushev, it was reported today.

Progozhin - formerly close to Putin and the boss of Wagner private army - died in a plane crash in August, months after he launched a failed coup against the Kremlin.

Now an investigation by The Wall Street Journal says a 'small explosive device' was 'slipped under the wing', and that shadowy ex-FSB security service chief Patrushev, 72, was behind the assassination.

Putin, 71, in October suggested that Prigozhin and his associates were high on cocaine when they detonated hand grenades in his business jet.

He alleged 'fragments of hand grenades were discovered in the bodies of the deceased in the air crash'.

The assassination of warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was 'put in motion' by Vladimir Putin 's closest security aide Nikolai Patrushev, it was reported today

Progozhin - formerly close to Putin and the boss of Wagner private army - died in a plane crash in August, months after he launched a failed coup against the Kremlin

Putin, 71, in October suggested that Prigozhin and his associates were high on cocaine when they detonated hand grenades in his business jet

But the journal cited a former Russian intelligence officer saying that Patrushev 'in his office in central Moscow, gave orders to his assistant to proceed in shaping an operation to dispose of Progozhin' - who had led the failed armed coup against Putin's high command in June.

Western intelligence agencies said Putin 'was later shown the plans and didn't object', according to the report. This suggested Putin had given his blessing.

The Kremlin had previously denied Putin was involved in ordering the assassination of ex-ally Prigozhin and today claimed the WSJ report was 'pulp fiction'.

The dictator's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'We saw this material, but would not like to comment on it.

'It's unlikely that such materials can be commented on.'

The WSJ said the bomb was planted on Prigozhin's Embraer Legacy 600 before it took off with Prigozhin and nine others on board.

The others included his Wagner military commander Dmitry Utkin, 53, and flight attendant Kristina Raspopova, 39, who had revealed to her relatives a mysterious delay in the departure of the flight carrying the warlord.

All were killed when the plane was blown out of the sky at 28,000 feet, some 30 minutes after it left Moscow bound for St Petersburg.

Western intelligence agencies said Putin 'was shown the plans and didn't object', according to the new report. This suggested Putin (seen right with Prigozhin) had given his blessing

An investigation by The Wall Street Journal says a 'small explosive device' was 'slipped under the wing', and that shadowy ex-FSB security service chief Nikolai Patrushev (pictured in November), 72, was behind the assassination

Yevgeny Prigozhin private jet's crash site in Tver region, Russia, in August 2023

A Kremlin source was quoted saying of Prigozhin that after the coup bid 'he had to be removed'.

Patrushev, 72, is known to wield extraordinary influence in the Kremlin, and some even claim he is the real source of power in Russia.

He is described as Putin's 'oldest ally and confidante', and his official position is secretary of the security council which is headed by the president.

He had warned Putin that Prigozhin was becoming too powerful and a loose cannon in the Russian power structure, it is alleged..

Patrushev is widely believed to be angling for his son Dmitry, 46, to take over from Putin as president when the long-time dictator stands down.

Dmitry is currently agriculture minister.

A former CIA station chief Rolf Mowatt-Larssen was quoted by the journal explaining the gap in time between the failed coup and the alleged assassination.

'You can see what Putin's plan was - to keep the dead man walking so they could continue to find out what happened,' he said.

The Russian media reported that DNA tests confirmed Prigozhin - who was known to use body doubles - had died in the crash.

Flight attendant Kristina Raspopova, 39, who had revealed to her relatives a mysterious delay in the departure of the flight carrying the warlord, was also killed in the crash

Reports that he had been tipped off and missed the plane, and now fled abroad, are seen as conspiracy theories.

Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergey Markov claimed the West was out to discredit Patrushev, seen as a hardliner.

'Apparently, the West now wants negotiations on Ukraine, and for some reason, it really doesn't like Patrushev and wants to kick Patrushev out of Putin's team,' he claimed.

The official Russian plane crash investigation is surrounded by secrecy.
Druids, stonehuggers and even morris dancers have descended on Stonehenge to mark 2023's winter solstice - the shortest day of the year.

Thousands of people greeted the sunrise with cheers as it rose over the ancient heritage site in Wiltshire for the winter solstice.

Those who observed the spectacle at the neolithic monument braved a blustery morning and overcast skies to catch a glimpse of the sun to mark the shortest day.

Traditional groups including morris dancers took part in the celebrations - welcomed by tourism chiefs as 'peaceful'.

English Heritages Rebecca Eade said: 'It was wonderful to welcome approximately 6,000 people to Stonehenge this morning to celebrate a chilly winter solstice.

Hordes of people have headed to the Stonehenge monument in Wiltshire to mark the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year

Thousands of people braved a blustery morning to catch the sunrise over Stonehenge

'We were delighted that a further 98,500 people watched the sunrise live online from right around the world.

'It was a peaceful celebration and despite a cloudy and blustery start, people did enjoy a bright winter solstice sunrise.'

Stonehenge is a monument built on the alignment of the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

It is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.

The date of the equinoxes and solstices varies because the Gregorian calendar does not exactly match the length of the tropical year  the time it takes the Earth to complete an orbit around the Sun.

To realign the calendar with the tropical year, a leap day is introduced every four years and when this happens, the equinox and solstice dates shift back to the earlier date.

Celebrants flocked to the heritage site in Wiltshire as part of a centuries-old tradition

Revellers played music as they marked the occasion despite inclement weather

Members of a traditional dance group was among those taking part in the festivities near Stonehenge's standing stones

Thousands of people took part in the event following ancient traditions

Organisers told of the pleasure felt by people enjoying the 'bright winter solstice'

People dressed up to mark the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere

The festivities nodded towards historic pagan celebrations - as well as costumes

Ancient and modern - revellers captured their own mobile phone footage at Stonehenge

How Stonehenge is the centre of the neo-pagan world One regular group of visitors to Stonehenge since the mid-19th century has been the neo-pagans, including people who claim to have resurrected the ancient practices of the Celtic druids. It is believed that Stonehenge has been a burial and religious site since it was first built, but nothing is known of any specific rituals which might have taken place there in prehistoric times. However, in the 1870s visitors started going to the monument on the night of the summer solstice - when the rising sun casts its first rays into the middle of the circle. Prehistoric monument: It is believed that Stonehenge in Wiltshire has been a burial and religious site since it was first built From 1905, the Ancient Order of Druids - which despite its name dates back only to the 18th century - carried out modern druidic rites at the site. Pagan ceremonies continued at Stonehenge throughout the 20th century, despite hostility from some archaeologists who insisted there was no link between ancient religion and modern practices. In the 1970s, the druids were joined by members of the burgeoning New Age movement, who held an annual 'free festival' at the monument and saw Stonehenge as a major landmark for followers of alternative lifestyles. Problems in the past: Police arrest revellers at Stonehenge after disturbances on the summer solstice in June 1988 Concerned about the thousands of people who were flocking to the monument for the solstice, English Heritage gained a High Court injunction in 1985 banning revellers from entering the site. When 600 people turned up anyway, it prompted violent clashes with police - known as 'The Battle of the Beanfield' - in which eight officers and 16 travellers ended up in hospital. However in 2000, the monument's custodians decided to open up Stonehenge twice a year, on the summer and winter solstices - and now it also open for the spring and autumn equinox. Advertisement

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, with more details here on how it offers just seven hours and 50 minutes of daylight.
READ MORE: Corrupt police jailed for deleting details of speeding for friends

A prison officer who shared 'intimate sexual chat' and explicit images with three inmates she had relationships with is now herself behind bars.

Sarah Janes Williams, 38, of Widnes, Cheshire, was working at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool when she 'fell into the traps and into the arms of sophisticated criminals', her lawyers said.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the jail worker knew the inmates had mobile phones  but opted to begin exchanging messages and explicit images with them, rather than reporting their illegal devices to her bosses.

The court heard that these included 'sexual messages and chat and images, intimate sexual chat'. However, Williams did not engage in any physical sexual contact with the people she was meant to be guarding.

The court heard that after finishing her training  which included training on 'corruption prevention'  she had been placed in the 'Canal' wing of Altcourse.

Sarah Williams seen leaving court during her trial, prior to being jailed on Thursday

Williams 'fell into the traps and fell into the arms of sophisticated criminals', her lawyers said

Williams worked at HMP Altcourse, near Liverpool, when she began swapping illict messages with three inmates

The Sodexo-operated Category B prison houses criminals serving medium-to-long term sentences as well as badly behaved inmates.

Her misconduct came to light when bosses at Altcourse received a tip that she was involved in inappropriate conduct.

The matter was then escalated to the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's anti-corruption department after phones seized from inmates revealed the illicit communications.

READ MORE: Gangster who trapped glamorous prison guard into phone sex also had affair with nurse in same jail Ruth Shmylo was cleared of misconduct in public office after she said she had been coerced by prisoner Harri Pullen Advertisement

Williams was then arrested at home in July 2020 and on Thursday she was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to three counts of misconduct in public office, and one count of intending to secure unauthorised access to data.

Two of the inmates she was messaging pleaded guilty to possessing mobile phones in prison and have been given extended jail sentences.

Connor Crawford, who is currently serving a sentence for possessing firearms with intent to endanger life, pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone in prison and was jailed on 8 June at Liverpool Crown Court for an additional six months.

Craig Steenson, who is serving a sentence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs , also pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone in prison and was also jailed on 8 June at Liverpool Crown Court for an additional six months.

A third inmate is due in court next year.

The mum-of-three also told one of the criminals that another inmate was suspected by her colleagues of having illicit items in his cell, and she illegally searched the prison database for him to find out which prison another individual was being held.

Jailing her for 18 months on Thursday, Judge Watson said that 'reading between the lines' in reports prepared about her, she came across as 'someone who seeks approval'.

The judge continues: 'You sought approval having started this job, not from colleagues and fellow prison officers, but from inmates.

'Having done so, you compromised your position and everyone else's in terms of safety on the wing and you allowed three inmates with serious organised crime connections effectively unrestricted contact with their criminal associates.'

Judge Watson said that Williams, who is also known by her maiden name of Moore, knew that between them the prisoners had four mobile phones.

Wher home was searched details of gang members, some of them rivals to the inmates, were found. She had transferred money to one of them after he was transferred to a prison in Manchester.

He said that the request by one for information from the database about the whereabouts of another organised crime group member, whether an associate or rival, was 'not benign'.

Williams was jailed for 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) on Thursday after pleading guilty to four charges

Matthew O'Neill, defending, said Williams had fallen 'for the charms of these prisoners', adding that she may have a personality disorder 'which may have impaired her decision making'.

He added: '(She was placed on a wing with) sophisticated dangerous criminals and at a time when suffering with her mental health. She had a diagnosis of bi-polar affective disorder.'

Detective Chief Inspector Chris McClellan from the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: 'Relationships between prison staff and inmates greatly undermine and destabilise the prison regime.

'Sarah Williams became romantically involved with these prisoners just a short time after joining the prison service.

'Despite completing her initial training which included corruption prevention inputs, she continuously broke the law by starting multiple relationships with inmates, taking mobiles phones into prison, and for passing sensitive information onto these inmates that she had unlawfully obtained from prison IT systems.

'The overwhelming majority of prison staff carry out their duties to the highest standards, however the minority who do engage in inappropriate behaviour will be investigated and the appropriate action taken.

'We want to urge prison staff to be aware of any warning signs and to report any type of inappropriate behaviour so that we can take action to bring them to justice.'

Her jailing comes after a former prison officer at a Category B prison in Wales was cleared of misconduct in public office after she was allegedly coerced into phone sex with an inmate who threatened her.

'Very pretty' Ruth Shmylo, 26, said Harri Pullen had become 'fixated' on her and that she engaged in the calls  which she said she did not gain any gratification from  in order to 'pacify' him.

Pullen continued communicating with her after he was moved to another jail following the exposure of the affair  which saw Ms Shmylo fail her probation and lose her job.

It has since emerged that he also embarked on an affair with another member of prison staff, nurse Elyse Mae Hibbs, using a mobile phone hidden on his person.

Hibbs was jailed for six months in 2022 and later suspended from nursing practice after admitting misconduct in public office, having failed to report the illicit device to her bosses.
A Norwegian cruise ship carrying 400 passengers and crew is being towed back to Germany after being pounded by a 'rogue wave' which knocked out its power during a ferocious storm in the North Sea.

The UK-bound MS Maud, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, was sailing some 162 miles off Denmark's west coast and about 217 miles off Britain's east coast when the wave shattered windows on the bridge.

The ship had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury, in the UK, on December 9 and was due to return to the Essex port on December 23, meaning it is likely there are dozens of Brits on board.

Stomach-churning footage shared by passengers highlights just how choppy the conditions were, with the ship seen aggressively rocking up and down as it was ravaged by huge waves, while belongings were strewn across the floor.

The video, which was shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow passengers with one writing: 'We're watching films in our room. Every time we move we nearly go flying.'

MS Maud (pictured) had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury, in the UK, on December 9 and it was due to return to the Essex port on December 23

Footage shared from inside MS Maud shows the ship moving up and down aggressively, while items are strewn across the floor

The ship's 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesperson for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (DJRC) confirmed, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to connect a tow line to the cruise ship.

'An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhafen in Germany at around 8-9 knots,' the spokesperson said.

The power outage caused the crew to lose its ability to navigate. However, the vessel's main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.

MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in Britain on Friday.

Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the vessel was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.

A spokesperson for HX said: 'Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave. The ship was sailing towards Tilbury, UK from Flor, Norway when the incident occurred.

'At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious guest or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident. The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew are able to sail under their own power.

'Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritise the safety of those onboard.

'The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany for disembarkation. Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard.'

The area was hit by a storm late on Thursday with hurricane-force gusts blowing from the northwest, and they are forecasted to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.

Another video shows the rough North Sea conditions as the crew had to be towed to Germany

The map shoes the route of MS Maud from Floroe to Tilbury before it lost navigation ability in the North Sea

The MS Maud - formerly known as the MS Midnatsol - got its name from a polar vessel from 100 years ago, according to its website.

The original vessel was named for the first queen of what's come to be known as modern-day Norway.

The ship is outfitted with technology that its website claims makes it 'exceptionally well-suited' for cruises between Norway and the British Isles.

Journeys on the MS Maud cost anywhere between $3,000 and nearly $10,000.

It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm (pictured) and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'

It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'.

The Spirit of Discovery cut short its two-week voyage and headed back to Portsmouth early to avoid the oncoming tempest when punishing winds and choppy waters caught up with it.

Around 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, the majority of whom were hurt as the ship's safety system was activated, causing it to dramatically veer and shudder to a halt, according to Saga at the time.
The US-Israeli citizen is the first American hostage to die in the conflict

He was snatched by Hamas on October 7 while on a morning walk with his wife

A US-Israeli dual citizen taken into captivity by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attacks has become the first American hostage to die, a group representing hostages' families said on Friday.

Gadi Haggai, 73, who also held Israeli citizenship, had not been seen since the brutal attack that claimed the lives of over 1,200 people, when he was taken with his wife Judi on a morning walk around the kibbutz.

According to Israeli outlet Haaretz, Judi was able to call a kibbutz member for help after their abduction, and told them she had been shot in the arm while Gadi had been shot in the head and was 'critically injured.'

His body has remained in Gaza since, and although the couple were initially presumed to be held hostage, it is now believed that Haggai may have been killed during the October 7 blitz.

President Joe Biden issued a statement to say he was 'heartbroken' by the news that Haggai is believed to have been murdered.

Judi, who is also an American citizen, remains in captivity in Gaza.

Gadi Haggai, 73, had not been seen since Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks, when he was taken with his wife Judi (pictured together) on a morning walk around the kibbutz

Haggai, who was a cook in the kibbutz dining hall, is survived by four children and seven grandchildren, and was known as a talented musician

'Jill and I are heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,' President Biden said.

'We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife, Judy. Their daughter joined by phone my meeting with the families of hostages last week.

'Those families bravely shared with me the harrowing ordeal that they have endured over the past months as they await news of their loved ones. Its intolerable.

'Today, we are praying for their four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones and are grieving this tragic news with them.

'And I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.'

The US dual national was among some 240 people seized during the October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas.

Haggai, who was a cook in the kibbutz dining hall, is survived by four children and seven grandchildren, and was known as a talented musician.

He had played music from an early age, and his proficiency with the recorder and flute saw him play in the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra during his military service.

The father moved to the United States after his army days and used his saxophone skills to pursue a passion for jazz. He returned to Israel several years later, where he met Judi and the two got married.

After he and Judi were taken hostage almost 12 weeks ago, Haggai's son Ahl pleaded for their safe return.

He said he had seen his parents just three days before the terrorist attacks, and fondly recalled his final interaction with his parents, who he called his 'inspiration.'

It is believed that Gadi (right) may have been killed during the October 7 attacks, while his wife Judi (left), an American, remains in captivity in Gaza

'Dad and I always argued about every subject under the sun,' he said. 'And on that Wednesday when they came to visit us, he said 'not today, let's not argue'... and we parted with a hug.'

He said he found out about the October 7 attacks as he was woken up by a phone call from his sister, but he said at that point he 'didn't yet know there were terrorists in the kibbutz.'

'I tried to call my parents, my mom's phone rang once and it disconnected,' he continued. 'Dad's phone rang three times and it disconnected.'

'The situation became clear to me, that the kibbutz is under attack and people are being murdered, homes set on fire.

'On Sunday we were informed that their phones pinged in Gaza... it's awful, I feel that I'm stuck in the same place and the world goes on.

'In some ways, I don't have my home. I ask the Israeli government, the countries of the world, Hamas, Qatar, whoever is involved, bring my parents home.'

An Israeli officer walks on the ground of the Super Nova Festival in Re'im, Israel, 17 October 2023, which was attacked by Hamas on 7 October

Sigal Manzuri, whose daughters Norelle and Roya were killed when they attended the Nova festival, hugs family friend Lior Goldstein at a tribute to the people who were killed during the October 7 attack by Hamas gunmen, at the site of the festival

Drawing on various information sources, an Israeli government-appointed committee has been declaring some hostages dead in absentia.

Hamas has generally not confirmed hostage deaths, but has warned that 'time is running out' for the hostages as the Palestinian militants' war with Israel nears its 12th week.

According to an official Israeli tally, 129 people remain held in Gaza after the rest were repatriated in a November truce or recovered during a military offensive.

Of those still in Gaza, 22 are dead, the Israeli government says.

The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold U.S. citizenship. The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment.

It comes as officials say the Israeli military has killed more than 2,000 'terrorists' since the cease-fire with Hamas ended after six days.

The IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Thursday that it took out Hamas extremists 'from the air, sea, and land', which included destroying a tunnel network in the 'Hamas Elite Quarter' in the center of Gaza City.

'This is a complex network of tunnels connecting hideout apartments to various facilities and bunkers of senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization, which we revealed to the world yesterday,' Hagari said.
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These are some elephants you'll never forget.

The Vital Impacts non-profit organization is presenting art and storytelling photographs to benefit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary at the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya.

Images taken by over 100 photographers will support orphaned elephants.

Ami Vitale has covered the incredible story for seven years at the sanctuary that is currently the home to at least 47 rescued elephants.

The Samburu community founded and opened the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in 2016 to rescue and care for orphaned or abandoned elephants in Kenya. The elephant keepers goal is to rehabilitate each animal and release them into wild herds located near their habitats in Kenya

Marina Cano's striking image of an elephant, called Dusty Trunk is benefiting the sanctuary

Rajan was a 66-year-old elephant transported to the Andaman Islands in India to cut down trees in the 1950s. The elephant was forced to learn how to swim in the ocean in order to transport logs to barges. Rajan's job, known as logging, was banned in 2002. The elephant spent the remainder of his life on an island he helped log and was cared for by a man named Nazroo

Despite 32 elephant reserves in India, Rajan called the island, which was surrounded by tall trees and located near the Andaman Archipelago, home. Photographer Jody McDonald took a picture of him enjoying a walk in his home before he died in 2016

Lodokejek, an orphaned elephant, was comforted by Mary Lengees at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in a photograph taken by Ami Vitale. Lengees is one of the first female elephant keepers at the sanctuary. She provides care to all of the elephants in the sanctuary, including Lodokejek, who was rescued at three weeks old after both of his parents likely died during a drought

According to the World Wildlife Fund, at least 20,000 elephants are killed in Africa each year for their tusks, while 50 or more are killed each day. The tusks of one elephant killed in Tsavo by poachers in 2004 are stored at Kenya Wildlife Service's ivory strongroom. Photographer Nick Brandt took a picture of the Rangers from Big Life Foundation walking with the tusks after they were found in Kenya

The sanctuary is the first community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa.

It's been promoted by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Samburu County Government for recognizing the wish of the community to keep elephants in the area, while taking the lead in rescuing, rehabilitating, and eventually releasing the animals back into herds within their home.

Each elephant keeper at the sanctuary are formerly trained to care for them and come from the community.

They also have a mobile elephant rescue team that works to continue rescuing them, spread awareness and mitigate human and wildlife conflict in the area.

Anyone looking to help the elephants in this sanctuary can do so by adopting an orphaned or abandoned elephant for $50 every 12 months or donate bottles of milk that can be purchased on the sanctuary website.

People can also donate money to the sanctuary, provide legacy gifts, or look into creating a fundraiser.

Manatees in Mexico have been spotted throughout the Quintana Roo and Xcalak villages despite experts saying there may be fewer than 1,000 of these creatures left in the country. Mexican photographer Christian Vizi was lucky enough to get a photo of a manatee in the Mexican waters swimming in 2017

Photographer Steven David Johnson found clusters of salamanders putting eggs below the surface of the water in a vernal pool outside of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Salamanders can lay anywhere from six to 500 eggs either on land or water

Shawn Heinrichs took this photo of a whale tail and only focused on 'the mother and calf humpback whale' beneath him. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, female humpback whales are protective of their calves that stay with them for one year before weaning

Known for his stylized portraits of animals, Tim Flach took a photograph of four Gentoo penguins diving underwater. Gentoo penguins are built for efficient swimming and diving. They also prefer to settle in ice-free areas, including coastal plains and cliffs

This photo is part of the To Dance with Shadows series with pictures taken by Aletheia Casey in 2020. The image is meant to explore 'the silent and fragile places of the post-pandemic landscape.' Casey's specialty is photograph manipulation and disfiguration to reflect the way in which the future seems distorted and dark with shadows

Photographer Beth Moon was inspired to create a project that features this picture of a raven after visiting a special location in the California Coastline. She formed a relationship with ravens, a species that she considers to be 'part pirate, part prophet, makers of magic and mischief'

Karim Iliya captured this sea lion in his photograph in 2019 off the coast of Baja California. Shortly after this was taken, some of the small fish in the picture were eaten by the sea lion. There are several sea lion colonies in Baja California, but people usually find them on rocks or small islands on the West Coast

Vincent J Musi photographed Daisy Mae in her home in West St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2011. Mae is a miniature Vietnamese potbellied big, known for their short legs and low-hanging bellies. Sadly, the small breed of pigs have been declared threatened/endangered by the WWA

Wildlife photographer and cinematographer Shaaz Jung specializes in documenting big cats. This photo is one of the many pictures taken by him while on safari

Photographer Jim Naughten was able to illustrate of a group of orangutans hanging around the branches of a beautiful blue-leaved tree. Orangutans are currently the only surviving species of its subfamily that are usually found in Borneo and Sumatra

The elephant photographs and other pictures being sold on Vital Impacts were taken by many award winning photographers, including Ami Vitale, Jimmy Chin, Beth Moon, and Bertie Gregory.

The website also featured photos taken by other up-and-coming photographers throughout the world.

Each image featured in these powerful photos has a story that hopefully can create change.

From spreading awareness about elephants, to showing the heartbreaking reality about melting ice, the images are meant to inspire us all want to change the world.

The photos even include people who've already made changes, including elephant keeper Mary Lengees and the world's expert of chimpanzees, Jane Goodall.

The photograph of Goodall was taken in 1990 at the Brazzaville Zoo in the Republic of Congo by Michael Nichols, and it also includes the chimpanzee expert's autograph. The photo of Jane will be used to raise money for the Jane Goodall Institute.

Reuben Wu photographed a halo above the Siloli altiplano desert in 2019 while testing new camera equipment in Bolivia. This image is from his body of work Lux Noctis", an ongoing project that depicts landscapes unbound by time and space, influenced by ideas of planetary exploration, chiaroscuro painting, and science fiction.

The Cerro Torre is a mountain that Reinhold Messner described as a shriek turned to stone. Photographer Jimmy Chin was lucky to get a glimpse of the landscape the mountain has to offer in Argentina and Chile. The top of the mountain is known for its rime ice that is formed by strong winds

Icelandic explorer Gunnar Gunnarsson took a landscape photo of Scoresby Sound located in North East Greenland. Icebergs have long been used by locals over the centuries to distinguish seasons and identify towns in Greenland

This photo of the Orion Bar was taken by the James Webb telescope earlier this year. The photo shows a clear shot of the Bar in the Orion Nebula, which is home to about 700 stars

Jim Richardson took a shot of this view while in an uninhabited island in St. Kilda, Scotland, in 2014. St. Kilda has been a safe haven for gannets and puffins and won dual UNESCO World Heritage Site awards

Fireflies flew in the area near the hometown of photographer Sriram Murali. The insects covered the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu India in Murali's picture taken in April 2022 at a remote area in the reserve. Murali was 'transported to a time centuries before,' but was saddened to know that fireflies have become rare

Gya Village located in Ladakh is the home to an ice stupa built by youth of the village in the Indian Union territory. Photographer Ciril Jazbec found the stupa while on a trip. Gya has been a popular winter destination

Sublime is an excellent name for this photograph of the Smorstabbtinden mountain in Norway's Jotunheimen National Park. Orsolya Haarberg's photograph also includes two skiers enjoying the snowy view of the mountains

Mitch Dobrowner was busy running a studio before getting a photograph of this incredible view of the Arizona and New Mexico border in 2017. Today, he works to create images that help evoke how he sees the planet

Iceland's river deltas contain volcanic ash that make them rich with minerals as seen in this overhead picture taken by Brooke Holm

Coral reefs, like the one pictured above by Alexander Mustard, are diverse ecosystems in which thousands of new species are still being discovered. These reefs are on the front line of the climate crisis

British wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory got this shot of killer whales preparing to wave wash a Weddell seal while in the Antarctic Peninsula. The bubbles on top of each whale may indicate a visual display of communication before the pod's coordinated attack

These tree trunks taken by Beth Moon in Morondava, Madagascar, are what locals call Les Baobabs Amoureux. They come from the Adansonia Za botanical species that is known for its unique shapes. The trees are estimated to be more than 600 years old and are said to bring good luck to couples in love

Drawn between dreams and ideas, Adeolu Osibodu applied his liking to this photograph he took of people along the water. Odibodu likes to capture moments that express 'a sense of multi reality, hallucination and a feeling of lost memory,' that are featured in all his images

The legendary Jane Goodall, a world expert on chimpanzees, is pictured in this Michael Nichols photograph. This image will be used to raise money for the Jane Goodall Institute

A short film about the sanctuary by Ami Vitale is featured in a new exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The exhibition, named The Secret World of Elephants, opened on November 13.

The purpose of the exhibition is to reveal 'new science about both ancient and modern elephants.'

This includes their minds and senses, why they're essential to the health of their ecosystems, and the efforts being made to overcome threats to their survival.

An additional ticket is required for museum visitors, but valued members can get into the exhibit for free.
This is the sumptuous interior of Michelle Mone's deluxe 19million London townhouse - now sold for millions less than its original asking price amid the fallout from the PPE scandal.

The Belgravia home's living room had original artwork on the wall depicting Lady Mone's husband Doug Barrowman next to an image of one of her own heroines, Marilyn Monroe, MailOnline can reveal.

Lady Mone previously said Marilyn would be among her dream dinner guests, along with Ed Sheeran and Prince William, because she'd like to 'hear all her stories' - but wouldn't 'dare' to cook for them herself.

The stunning 6,000 square-foot Belgravia residence was listed for sale in December last year. But the asking price was also reportedly reduced by more than 3million within one day of going on the market.

Mone had regularly posted photos of herself in the townhouse. In fact, in 2021 she tweeted a photo of herself reportedly standing in front of the property's back door that she captioned: 'If things aren't going right, make a change.' Some followers branded her 'property porn' posts, 'showing off'.

According to The Times, a spokesman for Barrowman confirmed that the six-bedroom Regency home was sold months ago.

The Belgravia home's living room had original artwork on the wall depicting Lady Mone's husband Doug Barrowman (centre) above the sofa next to an image of one of her heroines, Marilyn Monroe (far right)

The home underwent 'extensive' renovations after it was acquired in 2011. It is now sold

It boasts a cinema, media room, gym, swimming pool and spa amenities, such as a jacuzzi and steam room

One of the six-bedrooms in the couple's former Regency home

The Belgravia home was put up for sale for 23million last year but the price was gradually reduced to 18.95m. It is not know how much it sold for

In 2021 Lady Mone tweeted a photo of herself reportedly standing in front of the Belgravia property's back door that was captioned: 'If things aren't going right, make a change'

It boasts a cinema, media room, gym, swimming pool and spa amenities, such as a jacuzzi and steam room. It was described as a stylish fusion of classical and contemporary designs.

The Belgravia home was put up for sale for 23million last year but the price was gradually reduced to 18.95million. It included an adjacent mews house.

Baroness Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, who also put his 127ft yacht Lady M on the market, are being investigated for alleged fraud and bribery in relation to their involvement with the Governments lucrative PPE contract  which the couple deny.

The home underwent 'extensive' renovations since it was acquired in 2011. The property has a 'cutting edge' design that fuses its classical period features with modern flare.

Neighbours told The Times last year that they would be happy to see her family move away, claiming she is 'not very neighbourly' and that her adult children frequently host 'extremely loud' parties.

It came as a lawyer who campaigns for tougher Press regulation faces being probed by his own regulator for passing on lies from his client Michelle Mone.

Jonathan Coad was forced into a humiliating 'unqualified apology' this week for misleading journalists about Baroness Mone's PPE scandal.

The media lawyer, who has been outspoken about what he calls newspapers' 'almost limitless ability to mislead us', said he did not intend to misinform.

He has long demanded higher standards in journalism and has actively supported Hacked Off, the pressure group trying to impose tighter restrictions on the media.

He has even called for greater punishments for lawyers who misuse the legal system to thwart 'legitimate criticism' of people in power.

Now he faces questions after the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced a probe into the Mone case.

The watchdog's spokesman said yesterday: 'We are gathering information before deciding on any next steps.'

Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman, appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. She admitted she stands to benefit from profits of tens of millions of pounds from a PPE deal with the Government after repeatedly insisting she had nothing to do with it

A lawyer who campaigns for tougher Press regulation faces being probed by his own regulator for passing on lies from his client Michelle Mone

Jonathan Coad was forced into a humiliating 'unqualified apology' this week for misleading journalists about Baroness Mone 's PPE scandal

The SRA, which regulates solicitors in England, can issue a fine of up to 20,000 for breaches of its code.

Mr Coad said he was '100 per cent confident' he had not infringed the code.

He issued his apology after his own role was exposed in helping his millionaire client Baroness Mone spread misinformation about her links to a lucrative PPE contract, which he says he did unintentionally.

He issued denials on her behalf to journalists investigating her links to PPE Medpro, a company run by her husband who received 60million in profits for supplying PPE during the pandemic.

The firm is now being sued by the Government for 'unjust enrichment'. Mr Coad told publications including The Guardian in 2020 that she 'never had any role or function' in the company.

He also said 'any suggestion of an association' between Baroness Mone and the company would be 'misleading' and 'defamatory'.

This week, after Baroness Mone finally admitted she had not told the truth and accepted that her husband had shared the windfall with his family, Mr Coad said he was sorry. He told The Guardian he 'neither knew nor had any reason to believe that my client was not telling me the truth'.
President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of people who were convicted of simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in Washington, D.C.  expanding a pot pardon from last year as he commutes the sentences of 11 inmates serving time for drug offenses.

The White House released the clemencies on Friday morning, shortly before revealing the identities of the 11 individuals.

The list includes people convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine base, and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school. Some of them were serving life sentences, including a Georgia man convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine as well as cocaine possession.

A Kansas City man convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams of cocaine will have his sentence commuted to 25 years.

His Friday actions follow on a 2022 order that pardoned thousands of people for simple possession of marijuana under federal law.

President Joe Biden will commute the sentences of 11 inmates serving time for drug offenses and announce sweeping pardons for certain marijuana offenses

'America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger,' Biden said.

'That is why today I am announcing additional steps I am taking to make the promise of equal justice a reality.

His new order extends the pardon for simple possession on certain federal lands and in the District of Columbia.

He said it was to target people 'who may continue to experience the unnecessary collateral consequences of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana.'

His order states that it does not apply to 'other controlled substances,' nor does it apply to possession with an intend to distribute, or driving under the influence. It applies to citizens and legal residents, but not to people who came here illegally. Immigration authorities sometimes use drug offenses to remove people who aren't legal migrants.

Earlie Deacon Barber was convicted to life in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base. His sentence would be commuted to expire next year

Leroy Jamal Lymons, 34, got a life sentence and was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine. His sentence was commuted to 27 years

'First, I am commuting the sentences of 11 people who are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses,' Biden said in his statement, released as much of official Washington was already leaving town for the holidays.

'All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today.

'Second, following my pardon of prior federal and D.C. offenses of simple possession of marijuana, I am issuing a Proclamation that will pardon additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law.

'Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

'Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.

'Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.

'Thats why I continue to urge Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action.

'I have exercised my clemency power more than any recent predecessor has at this point in their presidency.

'And while todays announcement marks important progress, my Administration will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver reforms that advance equal justice, address racial disparities, strengthen public safety, and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.
A good Samaritan heroically rescued a child and his father from their car just moments before it floated away during Southern California's flash floods.

Neighborhoods in Southern California were doused with several inches of rain and flash flooding on Thursday, leaving vehicles stranded on flooded roads.

Just off the entrance to the 101 freeway in Santa Barbara - a BMW sedan was engulfed by rainwater from the flash floods, leaving its passengers stranded in the middle of a gigantic and deep puddle of water.

Luckily - a good Samaritan in a much larger truck came to the rescue and managed to scoop the child and his father out of the BMW and into his Toyota Tundra.

Video footage shows the moment that the hero carefully pulled the casualties to safety through the passenger seat window of his car.

A good Samaritan heroically rescued a child and his father from their car just moments before it floated away during Southern California's flash floods

Neighborhoods in Southern California were doused with several inches of rain and flash flooding on Thursday, leaving vehicles stranded on flooded roads

Just off the entrance to the 101 freeway in Santa Barbara - a BMW sedan was engulfed by rainwater from the flash floods, leaving its passengers stranded in the middle of a gigantic and deep puddle of water

Luckily - a good Samaritan in a much larger truck came to the rescue and managed to scoop the child and his father out of the BMW and into his Toyota Tundra.

The truck then managed to wade through the deep water and escape the dramatic puddle.

Forecasters had predicted that the most dangerous conditions would start to make an impact on Wednesday afternoon through Friday in Southern California.

The National Weather Service said in a severe weather alert that chances of thunderstorms and lighting would be 'favorable' and even suggested the potential of a 'short-lived' tornado.

Between midnight and 1 am local time on Thursday, the storm dumped 3.18 inches of rainfall in downtown Oxnard, surpassing the area's average of 2.56 inches for the entire month of December, according to the National Weather Service.

Counties northwest of Los Angeles County were also hit overnight, swamping areas in the cities of Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Santa Barbara, where a police detective carried a woman on his back after the SUV she was riding in got stuck in knee-deep floodwaters.

Later in the morning, streets began filling with water in parts of Santa Barbara as the storm delivered another deluge.

By midday, the rain and wind had eased and residents ventured outside to inspect the damage.

By late afternoon, the city of Port Hueneme had lifted evacuation orders for residences on four streets.

About 60 houses were affected by the orders, all in a senior citizen community, said Andy VanSciver, a Ventura County fire spokesperson. An evacuation center was set up at a college gymnasium.

The truck finally managed to wade through the deep water and escape the dramatic puddle

Between midnight and 1 a.m. local time, the storm dumped 3.18 inches of rainfall in downtown Oxnard, surpassing the area's average of 2.56 inches for the entire month of December

Santa Barbara Police Department detective Bryce Ford helps a motorist out of her car on a flooded street during a rainstorm

A man walks past a submerged vehicle on a flooded street in Santa Barbara

The major rainstorm is expected to hit Southern California late Wednesday and possibly go until Saturday morning. Downpours have already reached San Francisco on Tuesday

Three people from the senior community were taken to hospitals out of an abundance of caution, and there were multiple rescues of drivers from flooded vehicles, he said.

The city of Oxnard stated in a social media post that many streets and intersections were heavily impacted.

'Please stay off the city streets for the next several hours until the water recedes,' the post said.

Meanwhile, Californians were gearing up for holiday travel and finishing preparations for Christmas.

The Automobile Club of Southern California predicted 9.5 million people in the region would travel during the year-end holiday period.
Astonishing police bodycam footage shows cops racing into a university building in Prague to search for a gunman who had killed 14 people and treating wounded victims before they found the killer dead on the roof.

The tense footage shows elite cops racing one by one into the Charles University's philosophy building after they were told gunman David Kozak, 24, was shooting at his victims from the balcony with his powerful ZEV-30 rifle on the fourth floor.

The brave officers, armed with rifles and wearing body armour, are seen sprinting up the stairs and raising their weapons - knowing that any minute they could face the gunman.

The nerve-wracking footage shows the elite cops scouring the corridors for the gunman and for a few seconds, they couldn't locate the door leading up to the fourth-floor balcony from which Kozak was shooting at his victims.

But finally the officers, their hearts racing, barged through a door to the balcony and footage shows Kozak's body lying on the floor next to a pool of blood.

Police said Kozak, knowing he was surrounded by cops, had killed himself with shotgun after throwing his long-range rifle off the balcony. They said: 'As we were getting close to him on the balcony, Kozak killed himself.'

The brave officers, armed with rifles and wearing body armour, are seen sprinting up the stairs and raising their weapons - knowing that any minute they could face the gunman

The tense footage shows elite cops racing one by one into the Charles University's philosophy building after they were told gunman David Kozak, 24, was shooting at his victims from the balcony with his powerful ZEV-30 rifle on the fourth floor

The officers barged through a door to the balcony and footage shows Kozak's body lying on the floor next to a pool of blood.

Kozak murdered 14 people and wounded 25 more - ten seriously - in the Czech Republic's deadliest mass shooting in history

He had murdered 14 people and wounded 25 more - ten seriously - in the Czech Republic's deadliest mass shooting in history.

Harrowing video shows other police officers discovering injured students inside a classroom and desperately trying to stem their blood loss before evacuating them from the building.

The officers are seen putting medical gloves on and administering first aid to the wounded victims, one of whom could be seen lying on the floor.

At one point, police officers are seen carrying an injured victim who had been wrapped up in a foil blanket to keep them warm.

Inside the building, armed officers can be seen surrounding a door that had been barricaded shut by terrified students and teachers who had heard the gunshots and had no time to flee.

The officers wrenched the door open and can be seen raising their guns - at this point not knowing if there was more than one shooter - and shouting at those inside to raise their hands.

Once inside, there appear to be injured people lying on the floor, their bodies blurred by police in the footage.

At the end of the footage, scores of terrified students were seen being led away from the university with their hands above their heads.

The nerve-wracking footage shows the elite cops scouring the corridors for the gunman and for a few seconds, they couldn't locate the door leading up to the fourth-floor balcony from which Kozak was shooting at his victims

Harrowing video shows other police officers discovering injured students inside a classroom and desperately trying to stem their blood loss before evacuating them from the building

Inside the building, armed officers can be seen surrounding a door that had been barricaded shut by terrified students and teachers who had heard the gunshots and had no time to flee

The officers wrenched the door open and can be seen raising their guns - at this point not knowing if there was more than one shooter - and shouting at those inside to raise their hands

At the end of the footage, scores of terrified students were seen being led away from the university with their hands above their heads

Before launching Kozak's deadly rampage at the university, during which he was filmed taking shot after shot at his victims, the history student had murdered his father and texted his female friend to say he was suicidal.

It has since emerged that police found a homemade bomb in the cellar of Kozak's home as well as his father's dead body. A police source told La Stampa the homemade device consisted of a 'cylinder, ammunition, pyrotechnic material and chemical substances'.

'The cellar looked like a bunker. The bottle was large, it had several cables connected to it, leading to other equipment. In my opinion, it contained a system that would have caused an explosion,' the source close to the investigation said.

More details are also emerging about Kozak, with those who knew him describing him as an introverted history 'nerd' who was fascinated with guns and hated the world. Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at Charles University, had completed his undergraduate thesis on 19th century Polish history.

It comes as the first victim of the mass shooting has been identified as Lenka Hlavkova, who was the director of the Institute of Music Science at the University's philosophy department.

The Institute shared a picture of the mother-of-two while confirming her death in the 'cruel' attack.

Her colleagues said they were 'utterly devastated' that Lenka, who spent her career dedicated to studying the history of music in the Czech Republic, had been 'senselessly' murdered.

A second victim was named as Lucie Spindlerova, a proof reader for the newspaper Lidove Noviny. She is said to have been a first year student of Czech sign language.
A decorator has been told he is facing prison for stealing 42,000 of watches from King Charless billionaire godson.

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, lost a 30,000 Cartier London Tank JC wristwatch, a 6,000 Panerai Luminor Marina watch and a 6,000 Breitling watch after Matthew Turner crept into his bedroom at his stately home.

Decorators had been hired to redecorate some of the rooms at his Eaton Hall home in Cheshire last August, but the Dukes bedroom was not one of the rooms needing refurbishment.

The Duke, godfather to the Prince and Princess of Wales' son Prince George, only realised the watches were missing three weeks later when looking for the Cartier.

That watch has been recovered, but the others are still missing.

Matthew Turner has been told by a judge he's facing a jail term after admitting he stole watchers worth tens of thousands of pounds from King Charles' godson

Burglary victim Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, only realised what he had lost when looking for a stolen Cartier watch to wear

Turner, 24, of Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, appeared at Chester Crown Court today after pleading guilty to burglary between August 7 and August 31 2022, at an earlier hearing.

Two others, Kayleigh Gordon, 33, and 30-year-old Nathan Elliott, also of Ellesmere Port, appeared alongside him in the dock accused of handling stolen goods.

Gordon - who is yet to enter a plea - is due to face trial along with Elliot, who pleaded not guilty to the charge last month.

The court heard that only one of the three watches - the Cartier London Tank JC - had been recovered while the others were still missing.

Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, told Turner: 'You have not provided any real information about what happened to the other to watches.'

The watch that had been recovered belonged to the Duke, he said, while the others belonged to his father, the late Duke of Westminster.

The judge added: 'I am not impressed they have not been recovered.'

He also warned Turner: 'Lets not be under any illusions - right at this moment we are looking at a custodial sentence.'

Among the items taken was a Cartier London Tank JC watch valued at 30,000

The Duke also had a Panerai Luminor Marina watch nabbed

Turner has admitted an unrelated sneak theft of 60 from a tyre shop, which the judge described as a 'pretty mean theft from a work colleague'.

All three co-accused were bailed to appear at Chester Crown Court on January 26, the date Turner is scheduled to be sentenced.

The judge set a provisional trial date for Gordon and Elliott for December 9 next year.
Delta airlines said they never received his request for special assistance and claimed they have staff at every airport to help disabled passengers

Chang requested an aisle seat and assistance to help him board, but learned the airline was not able to accommodate him when he got to the airport

Sean Chang, who is wheelchair-bound, was flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson-Atlanta International Airport on November 3

A paraplegic man claimed he was 'humiliated' after he was forced to crawl to his seat on a Delta plane as flight attendants refused to help him.

Sean Chang, who is wheelchair-bound, was flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson-Atlanta International Airport to Los Angeles on an 8.45am flight on November 3. After he was delayed on the security line and had only ten minutes left before take-off, he says he was unable to get the help he needed.

Chang said he requested an aisle seat and assistance to help him board but learned the airline was not able to accommodate him.

'I was told, 'Hey, there is no aisle chair ready for you,' Chang told USA Today.

He added that he was told by an agent that the airline never received his special request for wheelchair assistance. They told him that he could take a later flight or travel on the flight that was departing.

Chang, who stops eating and drinking 24 hours before flying, said it would have been too long of a delay, so felt he had no other option to take the flight.

He described the ordeal as 'extremely humiliating ... especially being on the floor and everybody's above you looking down.'

Sean Chang uses a wheelchair and claimed he was 'humiliated' after he was forced to crawl to his seat on a Delta plane as flight attendants refused to help him during a flight last month at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Delta said that they have staff at every airport to help disabled passengers and said that no violation took place because Chang chose to board the flight

Emily Pitchford, a Delta spokesperson told DailyMail.com that they were aware of the incident and said that their policy allows passengers to decide how to board if assistance is not available.

The spokesperson said in Chang's case, he arrived to the gate 10 minutes prior to departure and it was determined that special assistance had not been requested by the customer to board flight DL838 from ATL to LAX.

'Although Delta employees offered to move the customer to a direct flight less than 1.5 hours later to allow for proper boarding assistance, the customer opted to board himself,' she said.

Chang, who did not want to wait for the next flight that would have given him the assistance he had initially requested, was the one who 'suggested' to the agent that he would crawl to his seat.

The spokesperson said he was seated in the main cabin, also known as economy, in row 17C, an aisle seat.

Chang told USA Today, 'we need to make sure disabled people have rights, equal rights.'

The airline said they want their disabled passengers to board with safety and with dignity.

Their staff is trained to rely on the customer to tell the airline employees how best to assist them to make their travel experience as pleasant as possible.

The spokesperson said the airline has staff at every airport to help disabled passengers and said that no violation occurred because Chang chose how to board the flight.

Though Delta gave Chang his money back for the price he paid for the flight, along with extra miles and vouchers, he told USA Today that the airlines must face harsher fines when disabled customers are inconvenienced.

Delta recommends prior to departure, for customers arrive to the airport two hours prior to domestic flight departures and three hours prior to international flight departures.

The Fly Delta App is a resource that they encourage travelers to use.

'Customers in need of mobility assistance or additional services during travel can easily share this information ahead of their journey by tapping the 'Accessible Services' button within the Fly Delta App,' the spokesperson said.

She said this is in addition to options available during booking on delta.com or via phone.

Chang told the news outlet, 'I wanted to be compensated for something you can't put a price on.'
Incidents with disruptive airline passengers, including assaults on flight crews and dangerous in-flight freak-outs, still remain well above pre-pandemic norms, according to federal data.

With the year nearly finished, the Federal Aviation Administration reports 1,987 'unruly passenger' incidents for 2023, a 71 percent increase from the number of such incidents in 2019.

Still, this year's figures are an improvement from the staggering record high of 5,973 incidents reported in 2021, when mask mandates and other pandemic-related issues sent tensions boiling over.

But industry experts say that chaos from disruptive passengers still remains unacceptably common, causing flight delays and putting airline workers and customers at risk.

'They're certainly down significantly from the peak of Covid, which is really good to see. But there still are events that are out there happening,' David Seymour, American Airline's chief operating officer, told the Wall Street Journal.

With the year nearly finished, the Federal Aviation Administration reports 1,987 'unruly passenger' incidents for 2023, a 71 percent increase from the number in 2019

Experts cite a number of factors fueling the elevated number of in-flight incidents, including drugs, the return of alcohol service after a roughly two-year pandemic moratorium, and mental health issues.

In October, an off-duty pilot riding in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight lunged at controls that would have shut down the engines, before trying to open an emergency exit as flight crew restrained him during an emergency landing.

The pilot, Joseph Emerson, said he had taken magic mushrooms and thought he was having a nervous breakdown. He has pleaded not guilty 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person  one for each person on the plane.

In March, a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston was filmed as he threatened to 'kill every man on this plane'.

Prosecutors said the man attempted to open an emergency exit door on the plane and then allegedly attempted to stab a flight attendant in the neck with a broken spoon.

That passenger, Francisco Severo Torres, was arrested and charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members using a dangerous weapon, but his case is on hold after a judge ruled him mentally incompetent to stand trial.

In March, a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston was filmed as he threatened to 'kill every man on this plane'

In March, a passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Seattle opened the plane's emergency exit as it taxied down the runway

Also in March, a passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Seattle opened the plane's emergency exit as it taxied down the runway, causing the emergency slide to deploy.

The passenger was detained by Los Angeles Airport Police and was taken to a local hospital for a mental evaluation, according to news reports.

Another March incident saw a man caught on video as he attacked another passenger unprovoked in front of his children during a Southwest Airlines flight.

The violent confrontation saw the man put another in a headlock as others on board were forced to intervene yelling: 'Do not hit him again.'

Last month, a woman on a Frontier Airlines flight from Houston to Denver was filmed having an epic meltdown as flight crew attempted to restrain her.

The woman was seen crawling over the backs of seats, screaming, crying, and thrashing as flight attendants attempted to escort her off the plane. The woman's identity and the full circumstances of the incident are unclear.

In August, another woman's shocking freak-out on an American flight departing from Dallas garnered headlines, after she was filmed frantically demanding to be let off the plane and claiming another passenger was 'not real'.

'I'm telling you, I'm getting the f*** off and there's a reason why I'm getting the f*** off and everyone can either believe it or they can not believe it,' the unidentified woman is heard saying as she walks to the front of the plane.

'I don't give two f****, but I am telling you right now - that m*****f***** back there is NOT real,' she adds, pointing towards the back of the plane.

'And you can sit on this plane and you can die with them or not. I'm not going to.'

The TikTok user who filmed the incident said the woman 'somehow didn't get arrested and got back through security after the whole plane had to deplane.'

A woman's meltdown was caught on video as she frantically demanded to get off a plane and claimed someone in the back of the aircraft was not real

In April, a flight from New Jersey to Tel Aviv was forced to turn back after a passenger (above) refused to get up from the airline steward's seat while waiting for the bathroom

Monthly tallies of unruly passengers show a record spike in March 2021, when widespread air travel resumed, but mask mandates and other restrictions remained in place

In April, a flight from New Jersey to Tel Aviv was forced to turn back after a passenger refused to get up from the airline steward's seat while waiting for the bathroom.

The plane took off from Newark after midnight at 12:48am, in the early hours of Sunday, and landed back there at 6:28am, according to data from FlightAware.

United said the 'disruptive' passenger was escorted off the plane first but that all the other passengers also had to disembark as the flight needed to be rescheduled.

Video taken by a passenger shows the moment the unidentified man was escorted out of the plane carrying his hand luggage, to a chorus of boos from other passengers.

The airline said that law enforcement met the aircraft and removed the passenger.

In May, a angry American Airlines passenger was caught on video shoving two travelers out of the way while getting off the plane.

Wearing a metallic gold Michael Kors jacket and sunglasses, the passenger caused havoc on the flight from Charlotte to Fort Lauderdale as he attempted to squeeze past in the aisle and disembark before other people.

The aspiring actor, who goes by the name Vosiey Fvogeswier, is heard on the video shouting: 'I make the rules as I go.'

The gold-clad passenger then barges through, knocking two people to the side, in a bid to get closer to the front of the airplane.
'There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success,' he wrote as he encouraged the employees to work even harder

The chief executive of Wayfair has used his end-of-year-message to tell employees they need to work harder and that 'laziness' is not often 'rewarded with success'.

Niraj Shah, who is worth an estimated $1 billion, issued a note to staff earlier this month to celebrate the company's recent success as it became profitable once again.

'Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success,' he wrote in an email to corporate employees, first obtained by the Business Insider.

Shah encouraged workers to think of the online furniture company's money they spend as their own and to negotiate prices.

It comes after Wayfair, which has around 15,000 employees, quietly cut dozens dozens of jobs last month, despite two rounds of major layoffs in the past year.

The company struggled at the beginning of 2022 as people returned to in-person shopping, but the CEO announced it is back to being profitable.

Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah has used his end-of-year-message to tell employees they need to work harder and that 'laziness' is not often 'rewarded with success'

Shah, who is worth an estimated $1 billion, issued a note to staff earlier this month to celebrate the company's recent success as it became profitable once again

Wayfair, which has around 15,000 employees, struggled at the beginning of 2022 as people returned to in-person shopping, but the CEO announced it is back to being profitable

Shah used his end-of-year-message to warn employees that hard work is still required despite a successful year where repeat customers are back.

'Winning feels good - and is a great reward for all of our efforts,' he wrote.

'Our market share is growing nicely, our repeat is increasing, our suppliers are leaning in, and we are profitable. This is something to be very proud of.

'We still have some work to do to make sure that we get fully back. And this is what I want us all to push on in the weeks and months to come.

'Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfillment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialize into tangible results.'

He added: 'Would you spend money on that, would you spend that much money for that thing, does that price seem reasonable, and lastly  have you negotiated the price?

'Together, we can win much faster than we are winning now if we all row in this direction together.

'Lets be aggressive, pragmatic, frugal, agile, customer oriented, and smart.'

The average warehouse associate at Wayfair earns around $18 per hour, and the majority of its employees are required to work on-site.

Shah used his message to warn employees that hard work is still required despite a successful year where repeat customers are back

He encouraged workers to think of the online furniture company's money they spend as their own and to negotiate prices

The average warehouse associate at Wayfair earns around $18 per hour and the majority of its employees are required to work on-site

Shah also pointed to inaccurate phrases, which have been attributed to him.

'The one I would reference here that I heard was "Niraj said that he does not think that we should work late."'

'I would suggest that this is laughably false. Hard work is essential for success, and a key part of getting things done.'

Shah was slammed by Wayfair customers for his message to employees and they vowed to boycott the company.

'Hey Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah. I will no longer purchase anything from Wayfair over how you treat your employees so long as you remain CEO,' Mike Hannigan wrote on X. 'Resign.'

Shah was slammed by Wayfair customers for his message to employees and they vowed to boycott the company

Another wrote: 'Let @Wayfair know wont buy their products until Niraj Shah recognizes their workers as human beings and not chits / widgets.'

A third added: 'Bye Wayfair. There's a chair I wanted but it's out of stock. I won't be buying anything from your company.'

Wayfair's recent profitability comes after it underwent a series of cost-cutting measures including laying off parts of its workforce.

It made five percent of its workforce redundant and enforced large-scale layoffs in January and August with 1,750 jobs and 870 jobs cut.

The company secretly made further cuts in small groups of around 10, according to the Boston Globe.

They were reportedly offered severance packages but this was half the amount given to those laid off in January.

Wayfair reported a loss of $163 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $283million lost in the same quarter last year and the company's stock is 74 percent up so far this year.

Shah co-founded Wayfair in August 2002, and he was worth an estimated $3.6billion in 2021, according to Forbes.

But this dropped to $1.6 billion in 2022 and has fallen even further this year.

A spokesman for Wayfair told DailyMail.com: 'We are incredibly proud of our world-class team and culture of open communication.

'In his note, which was sent to our salaried corporate employees, Niraj was reinforcing some of the values that have contributed to Wayfairs success, including questioning the status quo, being cost-efficient and working hard together to drive results.'
Dramatic video footage captured the moment a man was kidnapped at gunpoint on a street in Brazil while he was waiting for a woman he met on Tinder.

The victim, who was celebrating his 35th birthday, was held for 10 hours before he was rescued by police from a home in the northern side of Sao Paulo during the early hours of Thursday.

He told SBT News that his captors hit him with a gun and threatened to shoot him dead unless he provided the password to his bank accounts.

They eventually forced him to wire an unspecified amount of money via Pix, a Brazilian instant payment application.

A Brazilian man was kidnapped at gunpoint in the southeastern city of Sao Paulo on Wednesday and held for 10 hours by his captors, who beat him until he turned over his password to his bank accounts and transferred an unspecified amount of money. The 35-year-old victim was rescued without incident Thursday and two of his captors were arrested

The victim (pictured on the bed) told police he had been talking with a woman he met on Tinder for three days and decided to meet her to celebrate his 35th birthday

Authorities were able to access the victim's cellphone GPS and tracked him and his captors to a bar and after noticing that it was closed, the searched a home security camera and spotted them walking past another bar. They searched several homes in the area until they were able to find the victim and two of his five captors in a residence

'The entire time, I was tied by my hands and legs and with the shirt over my head so as not to identify the criminals,' he said.

'I had to say the correct password, otherwise I would die. It was really traumatic, I was just thinking about my children at the time, my daughter, my son, my family and praying a lot that the situation would end well.'

The man told police he had been chatting with a woman on the dating app for three days and agreed to meet her for a date on Wednesday.

A surveillance camera showed the man stepping out of his car and standing on the sidewalk awaiting for his date to arrive when a man approached him from behind and pointed a gun at his head.

Sao Paulo cops arrested two suspects linked to the kidnapping of a 35-year-old man and are still searching for three additional suspects

The suspects were able to subdue the 35-year-old man and forced him into his car before they drove away

Four men then rushed over and forced him into his vehicle and drove away from the scene.

Neighborhood residents alerted the Civil Police and investigators were able to access his cellphone's GPS, which led them to a bar, according to a police report obtained by Brazilian news outlet G1.

The cops found that the bar was closed and reviewed a home security camera, which showed the kidnappers exiting the car with the victim and walking over to another bar.

Authorities then spotted an entrance gate to a lot where multiple homes were located and searched each residence until they discovered the man and two of his captors, identified as Jhonatam da Silva and Fabricio Ferreira.

They were arrested on robbery and extortion charges. Police submitted a pre-trial detention request with a court.

The other three suspects were still on the run as of Friday morning.

Sao Paulo Department of Security data shows that more 90 percent of kidnapping reported in the state are attributed to fake profiles set up on dating apps, including Tinder.

DailyMail.com reached out to Tinder for comment.
The founder of parenting message board Mumsnet has hit back at a Labour MP who has threatened to report the website to the Metropolitan Police after users on the site slammed her reaction to the Brianna Ghey murder trial verdict.

Dawn Butler told critics to 'get a life' after they hit out at her suggestion that the trans teenager's death at the hands of two teenagers in Cheshire earlier this year had been driven by 'hate towards the trans community' from within the government.

The Brent Central MP's post was then shared on Mumsnet, and she claimed this prompted an influx of messages from 'nasty, vicious, inhumane' people on X, formerly Twitter. The MP then said she would report the message board to the Met.

In a statement to MailOnline, Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts said the website allowed 'legal discussion', adding: '(This) sometimes means people will make comments that individuals don't agree with or like.'

Amid the social media storm, Butler then re-appeared on X on Friday to brand her critics 'transphobes', telling them: 'Get a life'.

Labour MP Dawn Butler - pictured here at the GUBA Awards in London last month - says she plans to report Mumsnet to Scotland Yard

Ms Butler appeared to suggest Brianna Ghey's killing had been motivated by hate (top), before pledging to report Mumsnet to the police (middle). Since then, she has branded her critics 'frothing' and told them: 'Get a life' (bottom)

Ms Butler had posted a comment on the murder of trans teen Brianna Ghey (pictured), claiming the government had created 'so much hate towards the trans community'

Some users on X responded to Butler's 'get a life' remark with accusations of using Brianna's death for 'political capital'. One simply responded with a 'reaction meme' of Sir Keir Starmer with a pained expression on his face

Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts (pictured) has hit back at Ms Butler's comments, noting: 'Sometimes people will make comments individuals don't like'

Butler has not responded to MailOnline's requests for comment, while Scotland Yard has not been immediately able to say whether it has received a report from her concerning comments made by Mumsnet members.

The row began after the Brent Central MP, 54, shared a video on X of Brianna's father Peter Spooner outside court following the verdict on Wednesday.

Dawn Butler: What else has she said? Labour MP Dawn Butler has attracted criticism after suggesting the killing of Brianna Ghey was motivated by transphobia, despite detectives disagreeing with the theory. It is not the first time the MP has used her platform to speak out on issues such as racism  but she has also made critical remarks about other MPs and spoken about her personal life. In July 2021, she was barred from the House of Commons after branding then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson a 'liar', in breach of parliamentary rules. In August 2020, she accused the Metropolitan Police of racial profiling after two officers pulled her over in east London and demanded to know what was in the back of her car. A year after she was elected in 2015, Butler also stuck her head above the parapet to reveal what she claimed was a culture of racism in Parliament. She alleged that a fellow MP mistook her for a cleaner as she boarded a lift. A month prior, she suggested then-PM David Cameron was 's****ing all over the working class' in a tweet. In an interview earlier this year Ms Butler revealed she kissed actor Idris Elba as a teenager, claiming: 'It could have been a big romance.' Advertisement

She wrote: 'Heartbreaking. Just Heartbreaking. Listening to this Father's love for his trans Daughter Brianna is powerful.

'This cruel government has created so much hate towards the trans community they should be ashamed.'

Trans teenager Brianna, 16, was stabbed to death in Warrington, Cheshire in February this year by two teenagers who have since been convicted of her murder. Police say they do not believe the murder was driven by transphobia.

Ms Butler's original comments in the wake of the verdict were seized upon by Mumsnet users who accused her of 'crowbarring' in 'virtue signalling'.

Another expressed a desire to see the MP 'ratioed' on X - a term for when a user's replies are overwhelmed with negative comments, outnumbering supportive comments, likes and retweets.

Other users accused Ms Butler of 'weaponising' Brianna's murder, calling her remarks 'gross' and 'political point scoring'.

Ms Butler then tweeted: 'Oh I wondered where these nasty vicious inhumane people were coming from. Time for me to unfollow and report Mumsnet to @metpoliceuk.'

This post then attracted further criticism from users who accused her of stifling free speech. One said: 'Women are allowed to have a chat, Dawn.'

Another added: 'People criticised you for making wholly inappropriate remarks at the conclusion of a horrible murder case.

'You do know that criticising politicians for their public utterances is not actually illegal?'

One Mumsnet user later said the notion of the MP reporting the website to police was 'bonkers'.

Mumsnet - which has previously been accused of hosting transphobic views posted by its members - responded directly to the MP's tweet, asking her to get in touch if she identified particularly troubling posts.

It said: 'Hi Dawn, our talk guidelines are clear and we don't permit posts that break the law, including hate speech. If you've seen a post that you think falls into this category, please do report it.'

In a statement to MailOnline, Mumsnet founder and CEO Justine Roberts said: 'Our forum guidelines are pretty clear. We allow legal discussion, which sometimes means people will make comments that individuals don't agree with or like.

'We specifically disallow hate speech and deliberately inflammatory posts and we have an active moderation team who respond, on average in under an hour, to complaints about posts.

'It's somewhat ironic that Ms Butler chose to post her attack on Mumsnet on X (formerly Twitter) which regularly hosts comments that wouldn't last a moment on Mumsnet and where the moderation is light touch at best.

'We see this kind of double standard a lot and I'm beginning to wonder if it might be because Mumsnet is the only major platform dominated by women's voices.'

X users criticised Ms Butler's response to the conviction of Brianna Ghey's killers earlier this week

Writing on X on Friday, Ms Butler said: 'Morning X... I can see the trans phobes (sic) are still frothing. Get a life! Be kinder, be nicer, be better! It's Christmas.

'To everyone else wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.'

Her follow-up comment has been met with similar anger by some users on X, who accused her of wasting police time on 'opinions that you don't like' and 'making political capital' out of the trans teen's death.

READ MORE: Brianna Ghey's killers WILL be named next year as judge decides to lift anonymity of two teenagers who stabbed schoolgirl to death Advertisement

Another quipped: 'Didn't you just report a website to the police because you got offended?'

Another shared a 'reaction meme' of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sitting in the Commons with a grimacing expression.

MailOnline has contacted Dawn Butler's office for further comment. The Met Police could not immediately say whether it had received a report from the MP.

The murder of trans teen Brianna Ghey at the hands of two teenagers shocked the nation - but police who investigated the killing and ultimately brought her murderers to justice say they do not believe the crime was motivated by hate.

Her killers had drawn up a 'kill list' featuring four other children, while Girl X had expressed a fascination with serial killers.

Text messages sent by Boy Y made reference to Brianna's transgender identity, including referring to her as 'it', asking whether she was a 'femboy or a t*****?' and whether, when attacked, she would 'scream like a man or a girl'.

Detective Superintendent Mike Evans, head of crime at Cheshire Police, told the Mail after the trial concluded: 'If it was not Brianna, it would have been one of the other four children on the list.

'It is just Brianna was the one who was accessible at that time and the focus of those desires.

'In a strange way Girl X was obsessed with Brianna, almost attracted and intrigued by her. With Boy Y, there is some really horrific and dehumanising transphobic comments.'

Brianna, 16, was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in a park Cheshire, on February 11

Some of the comments on Mumsnet criticising both her initial comment and her subsequent post about reporting the message board to the police

He added: 'Brianna was not killed because she was transgender, but the fact that she was transgender made her a bit more vulnerable and accessible.

'Whoever they had attacked that day they would have shown that level of contempt and disrespect for, there is nothing to suggest it was a worse attack because Brianna was transgender.'

The matter will be decided by the judge when aggravating factors are considered at the February 2 sentencing hearing.

Girl X and Boy Y will be named after they are sentenced after an application was made to the court on behalf of the PA news agency and ITV that has been supported by Brianna's family.

Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip said she was in favour of removing the restrictions, but said the order would only be lifted on the day of sentencing.

Lawyers for both defendants opposed the bid, citing possible consequences for the killers' families. Girl X's family have already received death threats, they said.

The prosecution took a 'neutral' position, Mrs Justice Yip added.

She said: 'The public will naturally wish to know the identities of the young people responsible as they seek to understand how children could do something so dreadful.

'Continuing restrictions inhibits full and informed debate and restricts the full reporting of the case.'

The verdict came as the Department for Education published new guidelines stating that pupils should only be allowed to undergo 'social transitioning'  where they change pronouns and their outward-presenting appearance  at school in exceptional circumstances.

The 'parents first' approach, which will be subject to a 12-week consultation, insists teachers can still refer to children collectively as 'girls' or 'boys'.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the rules 'remove any confusion about the protections that must be in place for biological sex and single-sex spaces'.

However, some schools are already saying they will shun the guidelines - which are only advisory rather than having legal force.

Kevin Sexton, executive headteacher of Chesterfield High School in Liverpool told Sky News: 'I'm not going to change what has worked for our school for the last 10 years.'

Chesterfield is a mixed comprehensive with 1,600 pupils - about 30 of them identifying as transgender, non-binary or genderfluid. It has gender neutral toilets and uniforms.
David Kozak, 24, was used to kill a father, 32, and his daughter

Police today confirmed a gun owned by the shooter who massacred 14 people in Prague was used to slay a father and his two-month-old baby a week ago.

David Kozak, 24, was suspected of being behind the slaying of the 32-year-old father, named locally as Martin, and his daughter as she lay in her pram during a walk through a forest in Klanovice, near Prague, on December 15.

But now Czech police, who have been searching Kozak's home since he launched his deadly rampage at Charles University, have confirmed that a weapon found at the property was used to shoot dead Martin and his baby after running forensic tests.

The investigation into those murders, which had shocked Prague, had stalled after police had found no weapon despite combing the forest for clues for hours. That it is until now, with evidence confirming that Kozak had killed the father and baby.

The chilling double-murder is now feared to have been a 'dry run' for the carnage he unleashed yesterday, with the gunman targeting students and tourists from the balcony of the university's philosophy building six days later.

Before launching his deadly rampage at the university yesterday, during which Kozak was filmed taking shot after shot at his victims, the history student had murdered his father and texted his female friend to say he was suicidal.

During a search of his home, police also found a homemade bomb in the cellar as well as his father's dead body. A police source told La Stampa the homemade device consisted of a 'cylinder, ammunition, pyrotechnic material and chemical substances'.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle on the bannister

It comes as the first two victims of the mass shooting were identified as Lenka Hlavkova, a director at the university, and student Lucie Spindlerova

David Kozak, 24, described as a model student, killed 14 people and injured 25 during yesterday's deadly rampage in which he targeted students and tourists from the balcony of the Charles University's philosophy building

Now, tense bodycam footage has emerged showing elite cops sprinting towards the building and sprinting up the stairs towards the top floods in a bid to find Kozak who was picking off his victims one by one from the balcony

A woman breaks down in tears at a memorial during a vigil following a shooting at one of Charles University's buildings in Prague on Friday

Mourners hug outside the headquarters of Charles University after a mass shooting in Prague on Friday

'The cellar looked like a bunker. The bottle was large, it had several cables connected to it, leading to other equipment. In my opinion, it contained a system that would have caused an explosion,' the source close to the investigation said.

More details are also emerging about Kozak, with those who knew him describing him as an introverted history 'nerd' who was fascinated with guns and hated the world. Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at Charles University, had completed his undergraduate thesis on 19th century Polish history.

It comes as the first two victims of the mass shooting were identified as Lenka Hlavkova, a director at the university, and student Lucie Spindlerova.

Lenka, who was the director of the Institute of Music Science at the University's philosophy department, was confirmed as one of the victims of the 'cruel attack'

The Institute shared a picture of the mother-of-two while her colleagues said they were 'utterly devastated' that Lenka, who spent her career dedicated to studying the history of music in the Czech Republic, had been 'senselessly' murdered.

The second victim was named as Lucie Spindlerova, a proof reader for the newspaper Lidove Noviny. She is said to have been a first year student of Czech sign language.

Prague shooting timeline 12.26pm: A witness in the Kladno-region village of Hostoun calls Czech police saying her friend sent her a suicidal text message and is not responding to her phone calls. Central Bohemian police respond and a rescue service is dispatched to the location. 12.40pm: Police patrol in the region reports that a body of a dead man has been found and, during the next few minutes, send information to headquarters that equipment resembling an 'explosive system' has been found in the house. 12.42pm: Police send out a warning that the suicidal person is on his way to Prague, 10 miles from Hostoun. 13.10pm: The operational headquarters of Prague police becomes involved. 13.15pm: A nationwide search operation for the man is declared. 13.27pm: A request from the Central Bohemian region arrives for the Prague police to carry out a search of the Faculty of Arts in Prague, including the information that there is a possibility that there will be an armed suspect moving around Prague. 13.49pm: Police receive information that the suspect might be at a Charles University Faculty of Arts building on Prague's Celetna street. Police units are activated and directed to that building because. 14.22pm: The building on Celetna is evacuated by police. 14.29pm: Police receive reports of a shooting at another Faculty of Arts building, the philosophy department on Jan Pallach square. Patrols arrive on the scene within a few minutes. 15.11pm: The operational director receives information that the suspect is on the roof at the faculty building. 15.20pm: Information is recorded that the perpetrator has been 'eliminated'. It is later reported that he likely shot himself. Subsequently, the building and perimeter are secured to allow criminal police to investigate the crime scene and evacuate students. 9am Friday: Investigation of the crime scene is completed by Friday morning, and the number of victims and injured is established. Advertisement

It comes as dramatic police bodycam footage shows cops racing through Charles University to search for Kozak before they found the killer dead on the roof.

The tense footage shows elite cops sprinting towards the building and sprinting up the stairs towards the top floods in a bid to find Kozak who was picking off his victims one by one from the balcony.

The brave elite cops barged through a door to the balcony and footage shows Kozak's body lying on the floor. Police said Kozak, knowing he was surrounded by cops, had killed himself with his shotgun after throwing his elite long-range rifle off the balcony.

Harrowing video shows other police officers discovering injured students inside a classroom and desperately trying to stem their blood loss before evacuating them from the building.

The injured victims were rushed to hospitals across the city for treatment, with the head of one emergency department saying she had 'never seen so many people shot at once'.

'I have never seen so many people shot at once and such extensive gunshot wounds in my twenty years of medical practice,' Jiri Karasek, the head of the emergency department at the Faculty Hospital in Motola on the outskirts of Prague, told Idnes.

Karasek said six people in their 20s, most likely students, and a woman in her 60s, were brought to the hospital after being shot.

It comes as sickening footage emerged of Kozak taking shot after shot at his victims from the balcony of the university building as a hero shouted 'shoot here you f***er' in a bid to distract him.

Kozak, who was a Master's student of history at the university, is seen standing on the balcony and aiming his powerful ZEV-30 rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one.

Kozak, wearing all black, can be seen walking calmly along the balcony and taking aim at the terrified students fleeing the university and tourists who had been gathered in the popular square below.

On the ground, a heroic man can be heard screaming 'shoot me you f***er' in a desperate and valiant bid to distract the shooter and save the lives of others, reports newspaper Blesk.

But the 24-year-old ignores his pleas and continues to fire in quick succession at his victims below as the man frantically tells police where exactly Kozak is located on the balcony through a walkie-talkie, urging them to 'take a shot' at the shooter.

The shooter pauses again, taking cover underneath a Ukrainian flag, before walking to the edge of the balcony and resting his rifle - which has the power to pierce through body armour - on the bannister. He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below.

The sickening footage shows just how calm and composed the shooter was as he unleashed terror in the mass shooting - the worst in the Czech Republic's modern history - as he shot dead 14 victims.

Czech police today released bodycam footage of students being evacuated from the building with their hands up before officers raced through the building to search for Kozak.

The elite officers sprinted up the stairs and up to the roof where they found Kozak's dead body.

Police said Kozak had been trying to hide behind the pillars of the balcony so as not to get shot by officers who were on the ground.

But as he realised he was surrounded by police, he threw his long-range gun off to the ground - and all he had left was his shotgun.

Police said: 'As we were getting close to him on the balcony, Kozak killed himself.'

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a balcony in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms.

It comes as the Czech police said today that they had identified all 14 victims and told their families, with the government announcing a day of mourning on Saturday. The Interior ministry said there were two UAE citizens and one Dutch person among the injured.

At 12.26pm yesterday, a woman from the village of Hostoun called police to tell them Kozak had sent her a suicidal text message and is not responding to her phone calls.

Ten minutes later, at 12.40pm, police in the area discovered the body of Kozak's father after he had murdered him as well as equipment resembling an 'explosive system' in the family home.

But when police arrived at Kozak's family home, he was already travelling the 13 miles into the Czech capital where he began randomly shooting people from the balcony of Charles University's philosophy building.

The shooter legally owned several guns - police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition - and that what he did was 'well thought out, a horrible act,' Vondrasek said.

Victims of the attack are evacuated by police officers with some placed on stretchers on Thursday night

A woman cries outside the headquarters of Charles University for the victims of mass shooting in Prague on Friday

Two friends comfort each other during a vigil to honour victims following a shooting at one of Charles University's buildings in Prague on Friday

People light candles at a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the Charles University in central Prague on Friday

Mourners are overcome with emotion at a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting on Friday

Sickening video has now emerged of Kozak, who was a student at the university, standing on the balcony and aiming his rifle at people below, picking his victims off one by one

He spots victims fleeing and fires two shots in quick succession as the heroic man screams from below

A chilling image shows Kozak dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of a faculty building

A gun recovered by police in Prague which is thought to have been used in the attack

Other extraordinary images show terrified students cowering on a ledge high up on a faculty in a bid to hide from the gunman after others were told to barricade themselves in classrooms

He had a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition with him, with the country's Interior Minister saying that 'if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

In the lead up to his killing spree, Kozak is thought to have kept a diary in Russian on messaging app Telegram, writing in one chilling post: 'I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.'

It emerged last night that police are investigating whether Kozak may have killed a father, 32, named locally as Martin and his two-month-old daughter in Klanovice, near Prague.

Hundreds of police combed the wooded area after the perpetrator disappeared, and authorities are currently probing whether the two killing sprees could be linked.

Thursday's massacre is the Czech Republic's worst ever mass shooting, and the gunman is believed to have been inspired by a school shooting carried out by 14-year-old schoolgirl in Russia earlier this month.

'I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide, Alina Afanaskina helped me too much,' he allegedly wrote on December 10 of the Bryansk school shooter, who killed two students before taking her own life.

The chilling post in what the writer called their 'diary' about 'life before the shooting' went on: 'I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future.'

Just five days after the disturbing posts appeared online, a father named locally as Martin and baby girl were shot dead in Klanovice, a forest area outside of Prague.

More than 250 police were sent to search the area and a helicopter with thermal imaging was used to scour the woodland area, but the gunman was never found.

At the time, police spokesman Jan Rybansky told iDNES.cz.: 'The case is being worked on by a team of several dozen of the most experienced criminologists, who were also reinforced by colleagues from the Office of the Criminal Police Service and Investigations of the Police Presidium.'

Horrified friends of Martin said: 'I remember him as a trainee from the camp and from the tourist section. He was friendly and up for every joke.

'After school, he focused on himself and started playing a lot of sports. On that occasion he met his future wife.

'This summer he talked about how happy he is in his life. He said he had a beautiful wife, a child and more on the way. What else could you wish for. He looked happy.

'Who would do such a thing'.

Armed police respond to a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

An armed police officer takes position near the area of a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University on Thursday

Police officiers walk around the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University where a mass shooting took place on Friday

Distressed members of the public are wrapped in foil as night draws in following the horrific attack

A woman lights a candle in front of the Charles University main building following a shooting at one of the university's buildings in Prague on Thursday night

As investigations into the double murder continue, Czech police now have to assess how a mass killing was able to take place just days later, a half an hour drive away in Prague - and whether the two attacks were both carried out by Kozak.

'As far as Klanovicky les is concerned, it is not known that the victims were in any way connected to the perpetrator. I am convinced that the victims were completely randomly selected by a person without any criminal history,' police spokesman Martin Vondracek said on Thursday night.

Vondracek revealed at the press conference: 'We are working very seriously with the fact that the attacker from the Faculty of Philosophy is also responsible for the two victims from the end of last week in Klanovicky les.'

Horrific scenes unfolded at the historic Charles University campus on Thursday, with pictures showing the gunman dressed in black aiming a rifle at people below while standing on top of the prestigious college's Faculty of Arts building.

Terrified students and tourists were seen fleeing while others crouched beneath a window ledge on the high building as gunshots rang out in what is one of Europe's top tourist hotspots. Reports have suggested that one person died after falling from a building as they took cover.

There are fears that tourists could be among those killed or the 25 injured in today's shooting, with police working to identify the victims and saying they will contact embassies with updates in the event of foreign nationals being affected in the atrocity.

Elite cops were seen storming the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the gunman was a student, with police saying the gunman had been 'eliminated' at 4pm - an hour after the deadly carnage began.

Dramatic video shows terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city

Pictures showed how students and teachers had barricaded themselves into classrooms during the shooting

Police said the gunman's body had been found in the area and suggested he had taken his own life when cops closed in on him - though cops did say they had fired at him.

'Due to the devastating injury sustained by the suspect, we are unable to confirm his identity,' Vondracek said. 'From the information available to me, there should have been a suicide, however, the police also used a service weapon.'

He added that the death toll could have been much higher: 'There was a large quantity of ammunition and if the police hadn't entered the building in time, the perpetrator wouldn't have been dead on the roof and there would have been a lot more victims.'

Dramatic video showed terrified crowds of tourists and locals sprinting across the famous Charles Bridge - one of Europe's top tourist sites - after they heard the sickening sound of gunshots in the city.

The gunman fired at his victims one by one from the top of the university building - two hours after he is said to have murdered his father in the town of Hostoun.

In separate footage, people were seen running with their hands raised in the air from the prestigious University's Faculty of Arts building in the capital, as armed police officers swooped in.

The shooting started at 3pm and police said the gunman was 'eliminated' at 4pm after elite cops were seen storming the building. At least 14 people were killed in the shooting and more than 20 were injured - 11 seriously, Prague's emergency services said.

British tourist Joe Hyland, who was on his first holiday abroad with his group of friends, said they were worried there could have been multiple attackers, and rushed to text their loved ones in case the worst happened.

'As we got onto the tube and we don't know how many attackers there are and we don't know what the attackers are, so it the tube the best place or the worst place to go? So we decided to ring our parents to say we loved them and call our friends,' he told the BBC.

Speaking from Prague, his friend added: 'It's our first holiday as us boys. When something like that happens you call you loved ones because you don't know in the confusion if you are going to be able to speak to them.'

A British father and daughter also witnessed the chaos unfold. The unnamed man told The Sun: 'My daughter said, 'Dad, look up there, there's a guy on the roof'. And all of a sudden it just went mental, it sounded like a load of firecrackers.

'I would have said about 30 people got shot. There was a guy lying dead on the right hand side of the square. He was shot in the chest.'

A faculty member of the university, Zora Hesova, said people were locked in classrooms inside the building as armed police officers descended on the scene.

Police later said they killed the gunman after they stormed the building and have evacuated everyone who was trapped inside.

'The gunman was eliminated!!!' police said on X, formerly Twitter. 'The building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of wounded people on the scene.'

Extraordinary images show the gunman, who was dressed in black, standing on the roof of the faculty building and pointing his rifle with a scope mounted on top at people down below.

Petr Nedoma, the director of the Rudolfinum - a concert hall on the square across from the Faculty of Arts - told Czech broadcaster CT24: 'Upstairs on the walkway of the Faculty of Arts, I saw a man standing with a gun in his hand and shooting towards the Manes bridge with certain delays.

'I watched what was happening from inside the Rudolfinum for a long time. I stayed in the building and was by the windows for as much cover as possible.'

Nedoma added: 'Then he put his hands up and threw the gun towards the road, it remained lying by the philosophy faculty. Then a lot of people appeared upstairs, I don't know if it was the police.

'I left the window and watched the police evacuate people from the Faculty of Philosophy, taking them away with their hands behind their heads in different directions, a large number of cars, people running around.'

Terrified teachers and students at the Charles University Faculty of Arts were instructed to lock themselves in classrooms before they were evacuated.

Klara, a student, told news site iDnes.cz she was among those who police evacuated from the building.

'It was terribly scary, there were a lot of policemen everywhere, who were shouting at us with submachine guns, telling us to run outside,' she said.

An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to 'stay put'.

'Don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights,' the email said.

One student said she was in the university's library when the gunman began shooting at his victims.

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the university in central Prague on Thursday

People can be seen running from a building in Prague

People wrap up as they wait near the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic

Sharing a picture of students hiding in the back of a computer lab, she wrote: 'I am OK. I was in the library at the time of the shooting.

'They sent us to the back of the computer lab where there are no windows. Word has now spread that the gunman is dead.'

She said as soon as they heard the gunman had been killed, the terrified students all called their families to say that they were safe.

The police have sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the university building, which is located in a busy part of town that has a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square

'According to preliminary information, the shooter himself should be dead, there are dead and wounded on site, I will not speculate now about the final number,' Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Czech Television.

Rakusan added 'no other gunman has been confirmed' and called on people to follow police instructions.

Police in the Czech Republic's capital have urged residents to shelter inside and avoid the area due to the shooting.

President Petr Pavel tweeted: 'I am shocked by the events at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University.

'I would like to express my deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims that the shooting claimed.

'I want to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and providing maximum cooperation.'

The British Embassy in Prague has urged people in the city, which is popular with tourists, to avoid the around the Charles University and the Faculty of Arts.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his trip to the east of the country and was en route to Prague, he said on X.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.
A four-year-old boy allegedly stabbed to death by his mother at a flat in London has been pictured for the first time as his heartbroken family paid tribute to the 'dearly missed' youngster.

Kobi Macharia Dooly was found with fatal knife injuries at an address on Montague Road in Dalston, Hackney, on Wednesday night.

His mother, Keziah Macharia, 41, of Montague Road, appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates' Court on Friday morning charged with killing her son Kobi.

In a statement, the boy's father Ben Dooly, who is originally from Tramore in south-east Ireland, and the rest of his family said: 'The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken far too soon.'

Mr Dooly is reported to live in the UK, and his family have travelled from Ireland to be by his side following the events of Wednesday night.

Kobi Macharia Dooly was found with fatal knife injuries at an address in Dalston, east London, on Wednesday. He could not be saved despite the best efforts of medics

Police officers at a property on Montague Road in Dalston after four-year-old Kobi Macharia Dooly was found with fatal knife injuries

Scotland Yard have charged 41-year-old Keziah Macharia with murder following the incident (pictured: forensic officers at an address on Montague Road on Thursday)

Montague Road is located in Dalston, within the London borough of Hackney

In a statement this afternoon, the family said: 'With heavy hearts we bid farewell to Kobi, you will be so dearly missed.

'The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken from us far too soon. We will be thinking of you day and night for eternity till we meet you again.

'The family would like to acknowledge and appreciate all messages of support. Please respect our family privacy at this very difficult time.'

Irish state broadcaster RTE reports that Mr Dooly's extended family are well-known businesspeople, owning local takeaways and an amusement arcade.

Members of the family have travelled to the UK, reports the Irish Independent, which states that Kobi's grandparents were met by Met Police liaison officers upon their arrival in London.

Ms Macharia will appear at the Old Bailey on December 28. She entered no plea during the short hearing at Thames Magistrates' Court on Friday, and remains in custody ahead of her next appearance.

A special post-mortem is scheduled to take place on the same day, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police launched an investigation after they were called to an address in Montague Road at around 10.50pm on Wednesday December 20.

Officers say they were called to the address following what they called 'concerns for the welfare of a child'.

Detectives say Kobi was found at an address on the street suffering from knife injuries.

Emergency services rushed him to hospital but he later died of his injuries, despite the best efforts of medics.

Neighbours had described Kobi as a 'happy' boy often seen playing on his scooter, and told reporters a woman had been seen being led away in pyjamas by police.

One local told the PA news agency a 'loving family' lived at the address, adding that officers had to force entry into a top floor flat on the street.

The resident, a 36-year-old hairdresser, said: added: 'We often saw the boy playing on his scooter. He was happy and energetic.'

The Metropolitan Police previously said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: 'We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it.'
This is the terrifying moment a Norwegian cruise ship with British tourists on board was struck by a 'rogue wave', sending passengers sliding around the floor and knocking out its power during a ferocious North Sea storm.

MS Maud was sailing some 162 miles off Denmark's west coast and about 217 miles off Britain's east coast when the monster wave shattered its windows on the bridge.

The luxury cruise ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury on December 9 and was due to return to the Essex port on December 23.

Dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline shows the exact moment the freak wave hit, leaving the ship impossible to navigate and requiring a tow to Germany.

The passenger who filmed the moment said: 'I had the bridge camera showing on the TV to try to stop dizziness and just randomly decided to film it!

'As soon as the wave struck, the TV screen went blank and the ship's horn distress signal sounded so I knew something was wrong.'

The holidaymaker, who expected it was going to be a 'rough ride' after going over several other big waves, described how passengers, fixed tables and chairs were sent sliding across the floor. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.

MS Maud (pictured) had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury, in the UK, on December 9 and it was due to return to the Essex port on December 23

One passenger, who was filming the bridge camera at the time, captured the moment the 'rogue wave' struck MS Maud

Terrifying footage shows the enormous wave crashing into the Norwegian ship, which resulted in a power outage

A shop on MS Maud was left in complete disarray after following the incident. A clean-up operation was underway today

Pictures shared with MailOnline show the destruction caused by the wave, including a shop where the windows had been smashed in and products were left strewn across the floor.

Those on board the ship, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, said a big clean-up operation was underway today.

Were you on board MS Maud? Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement

Another passenger, Betty Little, was on the trip with her 96-year-old mother Jessie when the wave struck. She praised the crew for their response as they are both disabled and needed extra support amid the panic.

Ms Little told MailOnline: 'When we had to go to muster stations, we almost immediately had assistance. One crew member, with the further assistance of four others, gave my mother a piggyback down the stairs, and I had two assisting me. We had assistance to don our survival gear and were made as comfortable as possible.

'Later, water was provided along with cans of Coca-Cola and ginger ale, as well as sandwiches. Absolutely amazing crew!'

Other stomach-churning footage shared by passengers showed just how choppy the conditions were, with the ship seen aggressively rocking up and down as it was ravaged by huge waves.

One video, which was shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow passengers with one writing: 'We're watching films in our room. Every time we move we nearly go flying.'

The ship's 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesperson for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (DJRC) confirmed, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to connect a tow line to the cruise ship.

'An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhafen in Germany at around 8-9 knots,' the spokesperson said.

A shop window on MS Maud was smashed in after the huge wave sparked mayhem on board

The TV camera went completely blank after the wave came crashing into the ship - and passengers were told to assemble at the muster point

Footage shared from inside MS Maud shows the ship moving up and down aggressively, while items are strewn across the floor

Despite the power outage, the vessel's main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.

MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in Britain on Friday.

Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the vessel was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.

A spokesperson for HX said: 'Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave. The ship was sailing towards Tilbury, UK from Flor, Norway when the incident occurred.

'At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious guest or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident. The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew are able to sail under their own power.

'Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritise the safety of those onboard.

'The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany for disembarkation. Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard.'

The area was hit by a storm late on Thursday with hurricane-force gusts blowing from the northwest, and they are forecast to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.

Remarkable footage from the ship's bridge camera shows just how big the waves were leading up to the 'rogue wave'

Another video shows the rough North Sea conditions as the crew had to be towed to Germany

The map shoes the route of MS Maud from Floroe to Tilbury before it lost navigation ability in the North Sea

The MS Maud - formerly known as the MS Midnatsol - got its name from a polar vessel from 100 years ago, according to its website.

The original vessel was named for the first queen of what's come to be known as modern-day Norway.

The ship is outfitted with technology that its website claims makes it 'exceptionally well-suited' for cruises between Norway and the British Isles.

Journeys on the MS Maud cost anywhere between $3,000 and nearly $10,000.

It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm (pictured) and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'

It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'.

The Spirit of Discovery cut short its two-week voyage and headed back to Portsmouth early to avoid the oncoming tempest when punishing winds and choppy waters caught up with it.

Around 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, the majority of whom were hurt as the ship's safety system was activated, causing it to dramatically veer and shudder to a halt, according to Saga at the time.
Go on, they say. You must know the truth. You can tell us now  GO ON! One of the great things about being an ex-Prime Minister is that people assume you are the repository of all sorts of top-secret information.

You have the answer, they imagine, to the questions that have been nagging them for years. They can be really very persistent, and there are three topics that seem to come up again and again.

There is of course Her late Majesty the Queen, who still arouses a global curiosity that is absolutely insatiable. People are agog to know what she was really like, and fall upon the slightest detail as if it were gold.

So within the limits of the Privy Council oath, I try to oblige. I can normally satisfy them with some low-grade intelligence about the atmosphere at those Balmoral barbecues  harmless nonsense about Tupperware or the secret ingredients of the Queen's vinaigrette, that kind of thing, and the conversation drifts on. The next most popular subject is the true character and habits of Larry, the world-famous Downing Street cat. What's he really like? they say. Come on?

Since Larry is not protected by any doctrine of confidentiality, I give them the sobering truth: that Larry, in my view, is a bit of a thug.

Boris Johnson has revealed the answers to the questions he's most asked as a former PM

I say this because our dog Dilyn went a few times to Larry's lair, and Larry being out at the time Dilyn decided  entirely naturally and reasonably  to eat his food. The reprisals were terrible.

If you look closely at Larry, you can see that he is constructed like a sumo wrestler. He also has the talons of a velociraptor, and he is one of those cats who not only likes his food but also takes a dim view of anyone else who tries to scoff it.

Have you ever reached out idly in a pub to take a chip from someone else's plate, and found yourself unexpectedly stabbed in the hand by a fork? That is the kind of reaction that Dilyn provoked from the Downing Street mouser.

The poor dog was quite badly mauled. In fact, he became so terrified of Larry that he would refuse to go to the entrance hall of No 10, or the corridor leading to the Cabinet Room  anywhere he might come across Catzilla; and if I tried to drag him on his lead, he would flatten himself on the floor like a hairy rug and whimper piteously.

Then Larry would stalk out towards us, arching his back like Sydney Harbour Bridge, and screeching at Dilyn, who was by now such a gibbering wreck that I had to pick him up and carry him to safety.

If legions of Larry fans are shocked by this portrait of the famous feline  well, I think the public have a right to know the truth, and I have no hesitation in filling them in on Larry and his character, because I can speak with some authority.

Then there is the third big subject  the question that for some reason people have been asking more frequently in the last couple of months.

Go on, they say. I bet you know the answer. I bet you have seen the real, ultra hush-hush info, the five star strap material.

I can normally satisfy them with some low-grade intelligence about the atmosphere at those Balmoral barbecues  harmless nonsense about Tupperware or the secret ingredients of the Queen's vinaigrette, that kind of thing, BORIS JOHNSON writes

Here, Boris, they say  cough it up. Do aliens actually exist  yes or no? You mean little green men? I say. Yes, they say.

I want to stress that all these questions strike me as reasonable. We are a nation of monarchists: of course we want to know about the Queen  the real human being who for so long symbolised and personified our entire country.

Of course we want to know about Larry, since we are all animal lovers, and know that cats can have all sorts of temperaments.

We are also rationalists, empiricists, and the more we learn about the Cosmos the more puzzling it all seems to be.

There are said to be approximately 200 billion trillion stars in the Universe, and an even greater number of planets and asteroids and other clods and clumps of matter. Are we really supposed to believe that this Earth is the only place capable of supporting life?

Surely it is statistically inevitable that something somewhere else has hatched or spawned or otherwise twitched into life, zapped by lightning in some distant storm cloud of ammonia?

The Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has called the world's attention to a peculiar celestial body that was shaped like a long, flat 400 metre cigar, and that zoomed past us in 2017. It was first spotted by astronomers in Hawaii, and it was christened Oumuamua, which means 'visitor from afar arriving first' in Hawaiian.

Our dog Dilyn went a few times to Larry's lair, and Larry being out at the time Dilyn decided  entirely naturally and reasonably  to eat his food. The reprisals were terrible

In the view of Professor Loeb, the object was unquestionably an artefact of alien intelligence, perhaps a 'light sail' or vestige of an other-worldly transport system but it scooted past us so fast that we hardly had time to get a handle on it.

Was it a space craft? Was it a giant tapas platter? I am afraid that the overwhelming scientific consensus is that Prof Loeb is wrong, and that Oumuamua is just a comet like any other . . .

And so I might as well tell you now  you faithful ufologists who have made it so far in this article  that there is no evidence whatsoever that is available to the British government to suggest that alien life forms have ever existed. That does not mean, of course, that they do not exist. Perhaps the great tapas platter will do a U-turn and come back to land among us, and all the great mysteries will be solved at once.

Perhaps Oumuamua will return bearing kidnapped racehorse Shergar and Lord Lucan and Amelia Earhart  regaling each other with the missing WhatsApps from Penny Mordaunt's phone. But somehow I don't think so.

Which leads us to a stupefying reflection. Even though there are 200 billion trillion other stars, as well as our yellowy little sun, and therefore 200 billion trillion other potential solar systems, there is only one planet that has actually produced life, and we are on it now.

With every year that passes, in which Prof Loeb and others fail to find any sign of anyone else out there, that probability grows.

Every year we send more and more plaintive signals to the heavens  desperate bat-squeaks to make clear our existence  and the silence grows ever longer and more profound.

Since Larry is not protected by any doctrine of confidentiality, I give them the sobering truth: that Larry, in my view, is a bit of a thug

It is the fact of that singularity that is surely far more mind-boggling than the alternative; because if aliens do not exist, then you have to ask yourself, why us, why here, why now?

Is this whole thing a fluke, or is there in fact some divine plan  some supernatural afflatus* that breathed life into this lump of rock and no other?

Well, I have been through the papers, and I have listened to the best and most brilliant of our agents  and I am here to tell you that they do not have the slightest idea. On this greatest of all questions our intelligence community is totally dumb.

They have no evidence for any such supernatural phenomenon. Nor can they rule it out, any more than they can rule out the existence of Santa Claus.

Happy Christmas!
This is the shocking moment brazen thieves raided a Tesco store of Christmas drink in front of customers.

Four men wearing dark-coloured jackets were caught on camera, believed to be in the Cricklewood Express store in London, pilfering the shelves of booze just days before Christmas.

But they are undeterred despite being filmed and continue to load up their rucksacks, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, and Lidl carrier bags with bottles of wine and spirits.

Two men can be seen crouching on the floor stuffing their bags, while the other two reach over them to grab drinks from the higher shelves.

With their bags full of booze they are then seen scurrying away.

The 24-second clip was posted on X, formerly Twitter, with some questioning where the security and staff members were.

This is the shocking moment four men wearing dark-coloured jackets raided a Tesco store in London of its booze

They are undeterred despite being filmed and continue to load up their rucksacks, Waitrose , Sainsbury's , and Lidl carrier bags with bottles of wine and spirits

One, who suggested he was a Tesco employee, said: 'We as staff in Tesco cant stop or challenge shoplifters so this will be happening on a regular basis just saying.'

READ MORE: Moment shoplifting gang steal bottles of wine in front of stunned shoppers before scarpering Advertisement

The Met Police told MailOnline: 'We are aware of video footage which appears to show a man stealing items from a Tesco store in Cricklewood on Thursday, 21 December.

'An incident, which we believe is related, was reported to police on 21 December after the suspect had left the premises.

'Anyone who knows the identity of the person shown in the video is asked to call 101 or Tweet @MetCC with ref 2432436/23.'

MailOnline has contacted Tesco for comment.

The store was targeted by a gang just last month raiding the fridges of cool bottles of wine.

One thief was dressed in a high-vis coat, face mask and cap. The other two were dressed in hooded coats but did not cover their faces.

A store alarm can be heard as the group shamelessly clears out the fridge door.

Shocked onlookers stare as the thieves make a beeline for the exit during the morning rush hour.

But, while making their way out, one man steals washing up tablets to add to his haul.

One of the trio can be heard saying: 'You're just getting greedy now.'

No members of staff were seen in the clip.

The same store was targeted just last month by a shoplifting gang of thieves who were caught on camera stealing alcohol in front of stunned shoppers before scarpering out of a Tesco

One thief was dressed in a high-vis coat, face mask and cap. The other two were dressed in hooded coats but did not cover their faces

Footage at the Tesco shows the brazen thieves grabbing bottles of wine from the fridge and popping in their bags

It comes as Britain's supermarkets were a scene of chaos elsewhere today as last-minute Christmas shoppers flooded the aisles.

Remarkable images showed huge queues for the checkouts as desperate Brits scrambled to get their hands on the last stocks of food, booze and gifts.

Some lines were even snaking outside the stores, while there was gridlock in car parks as frustrated shoppers bemoaned delays.

Shelves were stripped bare as many shoppers' frantic hunt for essentials including cheese failed to bear fruit.

In Wales, shoppers reporting waiting some 17 minutes just to get into the shops, while others said they faced queues of three-quarters-of-an-hour to be served by staff.

Elsewhere, scenes were described as 'bedlam' as a shortage of trolleys meant many had to fill baskets with heavy goods instead.

One shopper said on X, formerly Twitter: 'Just been in a huge ASDA where it was bedlam. No trolleys, only a load of baskets. Decided to do a much smaller basket shop and still got caught in a baskets only queue of >50 people. The trolley queues were all the way to the back of the shop.'

Shoppers at the busy Tesco Extra store in Llansamlet, Swansea, on Friday, December 22

People could be seen in long queues at the Tesco store, while at other supermarkets some said they were waiting for an hour

Shoppers took to X, formerly Twitter, to detail their experiences waiting in hour-long queues as people headed to the supermarkets to stock up on food and booze just days before Christmas

Another added: 'You know the travel news on the radio? Here's the supermarket equivalent. Avoid Asda, Cumbernauld!! Queue for the tills goes down the booze aisle at the back of the shop, right to the bottom and back along to the pizza counter at the opposite end of the store.'

A third described the Asda Aintree store as one of the 'most horrific' afternoons after they were caught up in hour-long queues.

They wrote: 'All the shelves ransacked like we are going into lockdown. Now for a well deserved beer.'

Shoppers also reported long waits in Tesco and Morrisons, while people were pictured queuing in the car park at an M&S.

People in Sainsbury's were shopping like it was 'war', one X user wrote, although staff were said to be handing out Quality Street chocolates for those waiting in the queues.

One person wrote: Well the checkout queues at the big Sainsbury's are doubling back up the aisles and staff are going up and down handing out quality street and roses chocs to people waiting.'
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Gleaming uniforms, roaring Red Arrows, snipers hidden in the undergrowth and all the pomp and pageantry of the King's Coronation are among the pictures selected by the Ministry of Defence as the best images taken by military photographers this year.

From training Ukrainian soldiers in the rolling hills of Wiltshire, to evacuating refugees in arid heat of Sudan and counter-terrorism patrols in the skies above Iraq, the UK armed forces have chosen photos that encapsulate the reality of life for British troops.

Those who captured these images are all soldiers, sailors and aviators first and photographers second, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD), deploying with their rifle as well as their camera.

Giles Anderson's iconic image of King Charles waving to crowds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his Coronation is among the pictures making the top of the list - and one that will no doubt go down as an historic image of nation's new head of state.

RAF photographer Cpl Phil Dye also made the cut with his selfie from the cockpit of a Red Arrows Hawk T1 as the team returned to RAF Waddington following a stint of aerobatic practice in Greece.

RAF photographer Cpl Phil Dye made the cut with his selfie from the cockpit of a Red Arrows Hawk T1 as the team returned to RAF Waddington following a stint of aerobatic practice in Greece

A spotter and sniper team of support company, 1st Battalion (1RGR) The Royal Gurkha Rifles, look through their sights and take cover during a training mission in the Northern Territory of Australia taking part in Exercise Pacific Kukri

A member of the RAF shared a lighter moment with a family she was helping to evacuate during the crisis in Sudan, as she pokes her tongue out cheekily at a little boy

And the Red Arrows once again made the grade with this picture showing the elite display team soaring through the sky in Paris

While families in Portsmouth decked the city's coastline with the Union Flag as they waved off their loved ones on the Royal Navy's newest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales at the start of September

Royal Navy snapper Leading Photographer Chris Sellars was honoured for his tropical image capturing sailors from patrol ship HMS Tamar as they relaxed on a palm tree at a beach in Diego Garcia.

Fellow naval lensman LPhot Mark Johnson's photo of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando helping an elderly woman into the back of an RAF evacuation jet in Sudan, also made the grade.

While colleague Petty Officer (Phot) Arron Hoare captured the emotion on the face of a British Army medic as she cradled a shirtless baby after treating him during the same rescue operation.

The Navy's elite strike force were scrambled alongside soldiers from the Army, 16 Air Assault Brigade and the RAF to evacuate British national's from the war-torn Africa nation in April as violence erupted once again.

Major Ric Cole, of the UK Commando Force, said: 'Young commandos, many on their first operational deployment, approaching this challenging mission with the highest levels of professionalism  and the good humour and compassion we would expect from a Royal Marine.'

LPhot Mark Johnson's image of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando helping an elderly woman into the back of an RAF evacuation jet in Sudan, also made the grade

An Army medic cradles a baby in an emotional image evacuating British nationals from Sudan in April

Royal Navy snapper Leading Photographer Chris Sellars was honoured for his tropical image capturing some of the sailors from patrol ship HMS Tamar as they relaxed on a palm tree at a beach in Diego Garcia

Life was certainly a beach for these sailors on frigate HMS Lancaster as they snorkelled with a turtle off Daymaniyat Islands, Muscat, Oman

Gurkha soldiers came together to celebrate Dashain, a major Hindu festival that celebrates the spirit of community, singing and cheering at their base in Cyprus

And in this moody image, a member of the Royal Marine's X-Ray Company Group, kneels on a beach after arriving in the cover of darkness in Poland during a major Nato training drill

Image of the Parachute Engineer Regiment and Commando Royal Engineers conducting urgent airfield repairs during the night at the Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan during a missing to help evacuate British nationals in April

RAF photographer Cpl Phil Dye made the cut with his selfie from the cockpit of a Red Arrows Hawk T1 as the team returned to RAF Waddington following a stint of aerobatic practice in Greece

Back home in the UK, and images of the King's Coronation all featured heavily - including a snap of troops from the Household Division as they took the train to get into London's Waterloo Station.

Army photographer Staff Sergeant Dek Traylor was up close and personnel with the soldiers as the made final preparations, slipping into the tradition bearskin hats and red uniforms.

The soldier's journey to the capital later went viral, with images of the British public cheering as they made their way through the station towards Buckingham Palace.

Speaking about this year's stunning selection of military pictures, Panay Triantafillides, editor of defence imagery at the MoD, said: 'Our photographers who are first and foremost sailors, soldiers, and aviators play an essential role in providing accountability and transparency to the public by providing images and videos of defence activity at home and abroad.

A soldier from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, flies the Parrot Anafi drone to identify targets during a tactical training exercise in November

This image showed what life was like for an Estonian military working dog and its handler, seen here visiting the Amari Air Base in Estonia, supporting British personnel while deployed overseas there

A long exposure image of a US Air Force CV-22B Osprey (right) based at RAF Mildenhall, Norfolk on the flight deck of UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth as it practices take offs and landings (pictured with an F-35 stealth jet, left)

And this image shows two British troops (left) as they led a patrol of Ukrainian recruits during an exercise on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Pictured is the flypast formation heading towards Buckingham Place, as part of the King's Birthday Flypast over London in June

Images from the King's Coronation, like this one of members of the Household Division marching from Westminster Abbey down The Mall, featured heavily in this year's round up

Army photographer Staff Sergeant Dek Traylor was up close and personnel with the soldiers as the made final preparations, slipping into the tradition bearskin hats and red uniforms.

A guitarist performs a solo on the roof of Horseguards during The Household Division's Military Musical Spectacular: 'Orb and Sceptre'.

A Chinooks from 28 Squadron (Sqn) at RAF Benson swoops in operating out of RAF Valley during an exercise in Snowdonia National Park

'The versatility of our photographers is clearly evident in this year's release. 2023 has been a historic year that has impressed upon us the enduring relationship between the UK Armed Forces and the Royal Family.

'These and thousands of other images and videos are made freely available on the MoD's Defence Imagery website (www.defenceimagery.mod.uk) for the public to view and enjoy.'

Almost 7,000 British sailors, soldiers, and aviators will spend Christmas deployed overseas, serving on 40 operations in 30 countries, and sacrificing the holidays with their family and friends to keep the UK safe.

Their vital work this Christmas includes securing Nato's eastern flank in Estonia and Poland, protecting peace, stability, and safeguarding vital trade routes in the Gulf and Indian Ocean, protecting critical underwater infrastructure from the English Channel to the Baltic, and preventing escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and providing humanitarian support to Gaza.

Royal Marines proved why they are 'tough as nails' during a freezing deployment to Norway. Pictured are Commandos as they clamber onto a Merlin Helicopter from 845 Naval Air Squadron

The Red Arrows lit up the sky over Buckingham Palace for the King's birthday fly past earlier this year

But it's not all hard work - as this soldier from 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps' 12 Squadron proved while taking a nap in a hammock during an exercise in Georgia

Thousands of military personnel will be deployed over Christmas, including the men and woman on HMS Diamond (pictured). The Type 45 destroyer is part of the British mission to protect the Red Sea from Houthi rebels

Joint Forces board a C-130 aircraft bound for Sudan. Personnel of 3 Commando Brigade and Joint Force HW deployed to Cyprus to assist with evacuations in Sudan

A 40 Commando Medic, seen here entertaining a baby during the final days of evacuations from Wadi Seidna Air Base in Sudan

At home in the UK, Royal Air Force aviators are ready to scramble Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth to monitor any enemy aircraft which approach UK airspace this Christmas.

Somewhere deep in the ocean, a Royal Navy nuclear attack submarine continues to provide the nations nuclear deterrent in a patrol that has continued uninterrupted for 54 years.

And 60 soldiers from the Household Division of the British Army will continue to guard royal palaces in the nations capital throughout the Christmas period.
Described as the 'greatest train journey in the world' and incorporating a trip over the celebrated Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films, it's one of Britain's top tourist attractions.

But journeys on The Jacobite steam train between Fort William and Mallaig, in the West Highlands of Scotland, could be cancelled for good after its operator lost a High Court case today.

West Coast Railway, which operates The Jacobite as well as The Flying Scotsman and a number of other popular excursion trains, was challenging regulator The Office of Rail and Road's (ORR) ban on the use of slam-door carriages without central locking.

The vintage rolling stock is only used on the West Highland Line  which has a maximum speed of less than 50mph  and not its other operations.

Although banned from the mainline network since 1999 following fatalities and injuries caused by passengers falling from the doors, the ORR has had discretion to allow heritage operators to use the trains.

The Hogwarts Express service was temporarily suspended over summer after a safety examination raised concerns about secondary door locks

The Jacobite steam train as it crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct

But earlier this year, the regulator said it wants to ensure those companies also 'meet minimum safety standards by introducing minimum engineering safety solutions, namely central door locking'.

West Coast contended its procedures 'are as safe as a central door locking mechanism', with trained stewards operating the doors, not passengers, warning signs in all carriages and 'passenger announcements to alert passengers to the risks'.

The company said the ORR's decision was 'irrational at common law given its disproportionate and draconian effect' and a 'misinterpretation' of the 1999 regulations.

But Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed West Coast's case, saying it was satisfied the ORR was acting on an 'evidential basis' and that the cost of fitting central locking could be recouped through a modest rise in fares.

West Coast told the court more than 100,000 passenger journeys are made on The Jacobite each year, generating 4.7million in fares and an average profit of 1million.

The company said upgrading the carriages would set the company back 7m from the cost of the work and lost fares while trains were out of service.

After the ruling, James Shuttleworth, commercial manager for West Coast Railway, based in Carnforth, Lancashire, said: 'We are disappointed by the High Court's judgment.

'We will now reflect and consider options to enable us to continue running safe services enjoyed by so many visitors from the UK and around the world, upon which local businesses along our routes rely.

'We are committed to working with the ORR to find a long-term solution.'

The company is still taking bookings for next year's services, which run from the spring until autumn.

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, played by Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, travel on the Hogwarts Express

The Office for Rail and Road (ORR) said train doors should have a modern central locking system in line with regulations that were put into action 20 years ago (stock image)

Mr Shuttleworth added: 'Our operational experience tells us that our safety measures guarantee the safety of our passengers and colleagues.

'The ORR's decision to revoke our exemption would require us to install a modern safety system on carriages from a different era. The estimated cost of 7m would be an extraordinary investment and would present a significant financial challenge.'

The ORR initially ordered the service to cease last July but granted a temporary reprieve in August for the rest of the 2023 season pending the court challenge.

An ORR spokesman said: 'We are committed to ensuring the safety of all passengers.

'Other charter heritage operators which use the mainline railway have made the necessary investment to install central door locking on 'hinged door' carriages and it remains open to the West Coast Railway Company Limited to do the same.

'Such converted carriages can both retain their heritage appeal yet also reflect minimum modern safety standards.'
A champagne-loving conman who posed as a millionaire playboy, claiming he was buying a 2m Grand Designs home to swindle pensioners out of 275,000, has been jailed for seven years.

Layne Perry, 39, 'dazzled' victims by posing as a millionaire playboy who flew helicopters, rode with the local hunt and was a high roller at casinos.

But all the time Perry was living in a rented seaside caravan and relying on handouts from his girlfriend's mother.

Perry took one of his victims to view Kemeys Folly in South Wales, which appeared on Channel 4's Grand Designs in 2009 and is currently on the market for 1.85m.

He told a recently widowed hotelier he was buying a country estate in Gloucestershire where she could live out her days rent free.

Layne Perry, of South Kensington, London, was found guilty of 23 charges of fraud involving 275,000 of his victims' money and loans taken out in their names at Cardiff Crown Court

Fraud victims Charlie and Val Gwilliam outside Cardiff Crown Court after Layne Perry was sentenced

Perry took one of his victims to view Kemeys Folly in South Wales, which appeared on Channel 4's Grand Designs in 2009 and is currently on the market for 1.85m. He told a recently widowed hotelier he was buying a country estate in Gloucestershire where she could live out her days rent free

Perry claims to have worked for merchant bankers Close Brothers and payment processing company Global Payments UK.

He told the court he makes 80,000 a year as a professional gambler and boasted that he earns more a year than the prosecuting barrister.

Perry, of South Kensington, London, was found guilty of 23 charges of fraud involving 275,000 of his victims' money and loans taken out in their names at Cardiff Crown Court.

Prosecutor Emma Harris told how Perry befriended Charles Gwilliam and his wife Val at livery stables in Bridgend, South Wales, where they kept three horses.

She said: 'Perry took out loans in their name and applied for credit cards in their name. He portrayed himself as the Gwilliams to make a gain of approximately 76,000 across the various financial institutions.

'Perry told the couple he was going to buy a house called Kemeys Folly near Newport and took Mr Gwilliam to visit the property.

'Perry asked Mr Gwilliam to give up his job and go to live at the property with his wife and Mr Perry's partner Serena.'

Mr Gwilliam, 67, said he thought of Perry as a best friend and that Perry had described him and his wife as 'like a second mum and dad'.

But he said he was 'frightened' after discovering unauthorised loans and financial agreements in his name for more than 130,000 taken out by Perry without his knowledge.

Delivery driver Mr Gwilliam told the jury: 'I told him I knew what was going on and I was contacting the banks and the police.

'He told me if it went to court his barrister would put Val in hospital or in the ground. I've never spoken to him since.'

Perry also befriended recently widowed Sharan Jones, 69, from Aberdare, South Wales, and set out to exploit her vulnerability.

Mrs Jones told the court: 'He said he was wealthy, he took me horse racing. He lived the horse life and he loved champagne.

'I was going to have a new life. In my mind's eye it was like something off the telly. I embraced it. I thought I'd have company for the rest of my life.

'He cared so much for me, I trusted him implicitly, like a member of my family.

'He would take my letters unopened. I just gave them to him. I didn't know how to use internet banking - Layne said he would set it up. He told me, "You don't have to do nothing, just look after yourself.'''

Perry siphoned 98,000 from Mrs Jones's accounts and set up multiple credit cards and loans in her name. In all, he took 145,000 from her.

Layne Perry is led to Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing

Fraud victims Charlie and Val Gwilliam arrive at Cardiff Crown Court for the sentencing of Layne Perry

The conman was caught when police pulled over his top-of-the range black 5-series BMW in Leicestershire and found Mrs Jones passport and financial documents relating to the various frauds all committed in 2019.

Judge Paul Hobson told him: 'You ruthlessly targeted these victims. You selected Sharan Jones, you knew she was recently widowed and had property.

'You befriended her, you dazzled with your brand of charm.

'Valerie and Charles Gwilliam were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their misfortune was that they kept their horses in the same place.

'These were decent, honest people who simply wanted a quiet life and to look after horses.'

The judge said their lives had been shattered so that Perry could live the high life.

He said: 'Every gambler knows there comes a time when the stake has to be paid, for you that day has come. I detect no hint of remorse for what you did to these people.'

After the case, Detective Constables Ian Pring and Neville Evans, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of Mrs Jones and the Gwilliams in coming forward to give evidence.

South Wales Police believe other victims may now come forward.

DC Pring said after the case: 'In my mind he's a conman, he's a fantasist. He perceives himself to be a wealthy businessman, claims to be a millionaire, a helicopter pilot and of course it's all just a lie. His whole life is built on lies.'
Forest Park police Sargent Jackie Dreyer said the woman was beaten so viciously that Mathews hands were 'covered in the victims blood'

Mathews approached the 44-year-old victim while she was walking to a bus stop in Forest Park, Ohio, on April 29

A Nicaraguan migrant who has been deported from the United States 'five times' is jailed for 19 years for raping a developmentally disabled Ohio woman claiming he was 'possessed by a demon.'

German Mathews, 40, pleaded guilty last month to rape, felonious assault and kidnapping, and was sentenced on Wednesday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for the brutal crime.

Mathews approached the 44-year-old special needs woman when she was walking to a bus stop at Forest Park near Winton Road and Smiley Avenue on April 29 while she was on her way to work.

The assailant grabbed the victim and threw her down a hill into a wooded area where he sexually assaulted her and battered her until she was beaten and bloodied.

A person who witnessed the heinous act called 911. When police arrived, Matthews was still on top of the victim. As he tried to flee, police pursued him and he was arrested shortly after, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Forest Park police Sargent Jackie Dreyer said the woman was beaten so viciously that Mathews hands were 'covered in the victims blood.'

Pictured: German Mathews, 40, pleaded guilty last month to rape, felonious assault and kidnapping, and was sentenced on Wednesday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for the brutal crime that took place April 29 in Forest Park

Forest Park police Sargent Jackie Dreyer said the woman was beaten so viciously that Mathews hands were 'covered in the victims blood' and called him an 'animalistic predator whose actions are beyond words'

Mathews attorney, James Bogen, told Judge Alison Hatheway that his client came to the country undocumented from his native Nicaragua to escape poverty. He said his client had no recollection of the attack and said 'he was horrified' when he was shown the officer's bodycam video and 'felt terrible about what he did'

The victim survived but suffered multiple head injuries and facial fractures.

Dreyer outraged by the attack called Matthews an 'animalistic predator whose actions are beyond words,' as he 'preyed upon an innocent victim.'

She described the incident as one of 'the most heinous crimes she has ever investigated' in her 20-plus years in law enforcement.

Mathews was in the United States illegally at the time of the April attack, and is expected to be deported despite being deported five other times and having re-entered re-entered the country.

Depending on his conduct in prison, the state prison system could hold him for up to five and a half additional years.

His attorney, James Bogen, told Judge Alison Hatheway that his client came to the country undocumented from his native Nicaragua to escape poverty.

On the day of the attack, he said his client had stolen alcohol from a nearby inconvenience store and was intoxicated.

He said based upon post-examination, Mathews was likely in a state of 'alcohol-induced psychosis.'

Bogen said his client had no recollection of the attack and said 'he was horrified' when he was shown the officer's bodycam video and said he 'felt terrible about what he did.'

He claimed his actions at the time was because he was 'possessed by a demon.'

In the courtroom, Bogen told the judge that the man who attacked the stranger 'is not the German Mathews you see here today.'

The bus stop in Forest Park where the victim was spotted before she was dragged into a wooded area by Mathews raped and beaten in the heinous April 29 attack

Mathews also goes by the name Hernan Mateos.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Mathews was caught by the Border Patrol in Laredo, Texas, in June 2005 when he entered the United States country illegally.

At the time, the agency told local 12 News, Mathews voluntarily returned across the border.

But, in 2006 he re-entered the United States again this time Miami.

In Miami, he was arrested on three times, in 2006 it was driving without a valid license and a DUI; in 2009 for disorder intoxication and in 2012 for sexual battery and false imprisonment.

According to court records, prosecutors chose not to pursue a conviction in the 2012 case, as per the news outlet.

After he was imprisoned for ICE, Mathews was deported to Nicaragua seven months later but made it back to the U.S. again.

A criminal complaint from July 2017, revealed that Mathews admitted to rafting across the Rio Grande into Texas, The New York Post reported.

He was arrested, convicted and sentenced to one day in prison and fined $10, 12News said.

Immigration attorney Nazly Mamedova told local 12News when asked how it was possible for Mathews to re-enter the U.S. so many different times. She said, 'it is very rare, but it is possible.'

Mamedova said most illegal immigrants who are forced to leave the country are slapped with a re-entry ban. They typically run from three to ten years.

'Sometimes [the] ban is permanent too,' the attorney said.

She also pointed out when Mathews first arrived in the U.S. illegally in 2005 and was sent back to his country that is not considered 'a deportation, per say,' she explained.

Mamedova added; 'You are able to come back again.'
It was a 'life saving' moment Muzhda Naderi had feared would never happen and when this week she finally stepped onto British soil, she said it was 'like a beautiful dream come true...'

For more than a year after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, the former British Council (BC) teacher had lived in hiding with her husband Hoshang, 39, and daughter Arina, six, moving home regularly around the country to stay ahead of search parties sworn to punish her for teaching 'the language of their Christian enemy.'

After becoming pregnant, she and her family escaped with the help of this newspaper's award winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign into neighbouring Pakistan where they spent more than a year in Islamabad hotels as frustrated and depressed they waited to begin a new life in Britain.

'In those dark, difficult times it was hard to believe our new life would ever happen and it was an amazing, wonderful feeling to arrive at last in the UK and feel truly safe, it was as if a huge shadow had been lifted from our lives,' recalled the 32 year-old as she held her 11-month-old son, Arian.

To mark their historic personal journey the family recorded their own 'selfie diary' showing them packing their few belongings in Islamabad, their journey through the capital's airport, the excitement of the 11-hour flight, the joy of arrival in England in their hotel. Their final photo is posed by 'an English' Christmas tree.

Former British Council teacher Muzhda Naderi, 32, who arrived in UK this week with her husband Hoshang, 39, daughter Ariana, six, and 11 month-old son Arian

For more than a year after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan , the former British Council (BC) teacher had lived in hiding with her husband and daughter

She said : 'I want to share it with you  the Mail's campaign  because you never gave up on us, you told our story, you fought for us, you helped us escape when I was pregnant and most vulnerable to the Taliban, you encouraged us and fought for us, I say 'thank you' from my heart, my family will never forget what you have done.'

In the days after the Taliban swept into Kabul in August 2021, Muzhda bravely spoke out on behalf of BC teachers who feared they would be killed because they had promoted UK 'values and language' throughout Afghanistan.

Using a false name to protect her identity  her face pixelated in a photograph that appeared under the headline 'A is for Abandoned'  she told how the small group of women who were BC teachers felt left behind by the UK and especially at risk with their husbands also targets for allowing their wives to have worked for the British.

'We were women who had defied the Taliban and to them, that made our crime even greater meaning they would want their revenge that much more.'

Muzhda, who had worked at 50 schools in the north of the country, had applied like her colleagues for sanctuary in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) but while some escaped on the Operation Pitting evacuation flights, many were left behind to go into hiding.

Muzhda and her family queue for check-in for their special charter flight

Final moments in their Islamabad hotel this week for Muzhda, Hoshang and Ariana

Some teachers were brutally beaten, one woman was told she would have to marry a Taliban fighter, while a male colleague died.

For Muzhda and colleagues there was the anger and heartbreak of being told that unlike those rescued, they did not qualify for ARAP and had to apply under the secondary Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

It took many months of hardship and fear for them to eventually be told they were eligible under the scheme to relocate to the UK. They then had to make their own way to Pakistan where they were put in hotels overseen by the British High Commission. For many like Muzhda, the wait was more than a year.

'It was a very difficult and uncertain time,' she said, 'Some Afghans had been in hotels more than two years and there was no clarity on when we would be allowed to move, all our visas had expired and Pakistan was arresting and threatening to deport Afghans.

'The relief and joy of finally being told we could fly was fantastic but it wasn't until we were touching down in the UK that we could finally believe that our new life was really about to begin.

The family are pictured during their flight to the UK this week

The family's first day in the UK and a visit to a sparkling Christmas tree near the hotel

The family was among more than 500 Afghans who worked with the UK and arrived on two flights from Pakistan in recent days

'Had we remained in Afghanistan we would have had to stay in hiding, unable to work, always looking over our shoulders. There would have been no future for my daughter, she would have gone to school until the age of 10 and then nothing. Now there are so many possibilities and opportunities.'

The family was among more than 500 Afghans who worked with the UK and arrived on two flights from Pakistan in recent days  the largest number brought to Britain under ACRS from Islamabad's hotels. A further 1,200 Afghans are expected to be flown to Britain under ARAP and ACRS by the end of the year.

Around 70 per cent of the 500 have already been matched to housing  some have already moved. Muzhda's family have been told they will be going in the New Year to the West of England.

Professor Sara de Jong, a founding member of the Sulha Alliance, which helps Afghans who worked for the UK, said : 'We are happy that Muzhda, who raised her voice on behalf of all BC teachers in a video message on the 2nd anniversary of the Taliban take-over to plea with the UK Government to finally bring them from Pakistan to the UK, is finally here.

'We and others still waiting, are left with questions about why the UK Government only acted to move them to safety when the Pakistan Government threatened to deport these Afghans.'
A woman has filed a lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire claiming she was ousted from her job as head of the school's diversity office because she is white.

Rochelle Hoffman, 36, says she was forced to resign as interim director of the campuss Multicultural Student Services office shortly after being promoted because of racial discrimination.

In a civil lawsuit seen by DailyMail.com, Hoffman claims students told the schools former Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Student Affairs Olga Diaz that a white woman was not suited for the role.

Students and faculty repeatedly expressed they 'didnt want white people overseeing spaces intended to serve students of color,' according to the suit.

One of the students cited in the suit allegedly asked during an open forum: 'Do you personally feel white staff can do as effective a job as a person of color, within a space for people of color?'

Rochelle Hoffman, 36, says she was forced to resign from her role at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire's diversity office because of racial discrimination

Hoffman claims students told the former Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Student Affairs Olga Diaz (pictured) that a white woman was not suited for the role

Another student is quoting as saying: 'We dont want white people in the MSS office... Our heritage months are not for the campus, they are for us only.'

The suit alleges: 'At the Open House forums students wanted Diaz to promise she would hire people of color to work in MSS. There was an absolute sense that any position formerly held by a person of color needed to be filled by a person of color, preferably a person with the same profile to maintain the affinity-based mode.

'The affinity model that had been in use at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was premised on the idea that for a student to be well served, they needed to be assigned a coordinator of the same ethnic background and that a white person could not adequately support a student of color.'

Hoffman claims she felt compelled to resign last year after just eight months on the job because of hostility by staff despite her performance ratings saying she exceeded expectations.

The suit states: 'It was exclusively Hoffmans identity as white that was the issue; criticism was about her race and color, not her qualifications.'

According to the filing, in the job Hoffman 'created and managed programming for students of color and for low income and first-generation college students' and 'taught classes and created new classes to improve retention, grade point averages and graduation rates for these groups.

The lawsuit names the university's Board of Regents, UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt (left), and Assistant Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Teresa OHalloran (right)

Hoffman is seeking compensation for loss of wages and for 'psychological injury, emotional distress, loss of reputation, career damage, and attorney fees and costs.'

She previously worked for six years the school's Blugold Beginnings office, which served 'underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students.' The office merged with the Office of Multicultural Affairs last year.

Since filing the lawsuit Hoffman's role was reassigned to a senior academic advising coordinator for the university, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The lawsuit, filed was first reported by Wisconsin Public Radio and names the university's Board of Regents, UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt, and Assistant Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Teresa OHalloran.

UW-Eau Claire said in a statement: 'As is the case with all pending litigation, UW-Eau Claire will not offer a statement or comment on the lawsuit. UW-Eau Claire does not discriminate based on race in any employment decisions.'
A PhD engineering student who built a 'kamikaze' drone in the hopes it would deliver chemical weapons for Isis has today been jailed for life.

Mohamed Al Bared, 27, used a 3D printer in his bedroom to put together a prototype of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The terror group was so impressed by the student's work that it shared one of his videos in a propaganda film on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

Today a judge at Birmingham Crown Court jailed Al Bared, of Kare Road, Coventry, for life and ordered him to serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

He was found guilty in September after jurors deliberated for around six hours over two days before unanimously convicting Al Bared.

The mechanical and chemical engineering graduate was found guilty of a single count of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts to benefit a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Mohamed Al Bared, 27, of Kare Road, Coventry, put together a prototype of the unmanned aerial vehicle in his bedroom

A judge at Birmingham Crown Court said that the design of the drone was 'at best suspect and at worse fundamentally flawed'

Passing sentence today, Judge Paul Farrer KC said Al Bared, who previously studied at Coventry University and the University of Warwick, had decided to lend his support to the 'terrorist agenda' of IS.

PhD student Al Bared, who also studied at the University of Birmingham and specialised in laser drilling, had contacted IS through an online messaging service and began to construct a drone in July 2022.

READ MORE: PhD student found guilty of building a terror kamikaze drone to carry a bomb for IS faces jail Advertisement

Judge Farrer said: 'I have no doubt that you intended your design to be used as a single-use weapon with a range of up to five kilometres.

'Your preparations were undertaken with a view to endangering multiple lives.'

Observing that the design of the drone was 'at best suspect and at worse fundamentally flawed', the judge added: 'This was a work in progress.

'You are a manipulative individual. You are a committed extremist. I have no doubt that you are still today a supporter of Islamic State.

'It is impossible to say whether you will ever surrender your extremist views. You are a dangerous offender from whom the public requires protection.

'The seriousness of the offending justifies a sentence of life imprisonment.'

The UAV and a mobile phone were seized when Al Bared was arrested in January this year, leading to the discovery of encrypted online chats and other digital material exposing his support for IS.

The court heard he intended to make a video-transmitting fixed-wing drone for terrorist purposes and to travel to West Africa via Turkey.

Al Bared used a 3D printer (pictured) in his bedroom to put together a prototype of the unmanned aerial vehicle

Al Bared had filled in an IS application form and set up a UK-registered company, purportedly to import Turkish food, to help plans for future foreign travel, his trial was told.

Written material saying the idea for the drone was 'somewhat inspired by the design of the Tomahawk missile' was also put before jurors, in what the Crown said was Al Bared describing his build process.

Prior to sentencing, Al Bared's barrister, Alistair Webster KC, applied unsuccessfully for the case to be adjourned for further consideration of psychiatric reports.

'He is not a person suited to being in prison,' Mr Webster said. 'He is in a highly agitated state about the way things have gone.

'He finds the nature of some of the other prisoners extremely challenging.'

Commenting after the case, Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'Mohamad Al Bared built a drone with the sole purpose of supplying ISIS with the means to cause horror and destruction.

'This sentence means that a highly dangerous individual has been taken off the streets.

'The CPS will always work with the police to prosecute those who carry out such terrorism activities in order to keep communities safe.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, said: 'Al-Bared was a calculated individual and coupled with his education and expertise in mechanical and chemical engineering he was clearly very dangerous.

'He has made a purpose-built drone able to carry explosives or chemicals to be used as a weapon in a war zone, thankfully he was unable to continue his efforts following his swift arrest earlier this year.

The terror group was so impressed by the student's work that it shared one of his videos in a propaganda film on the encrypted messaging app Telegram

'The jury heard how security conscious he was going to great lengths to try to hide anything that might lead to his identification.

'Today's sentence means a dangerous individual has been taken off our streets, there is no place in our society for individuals intent on participating in terrorism activity.

'We will continue to work with partners and the CPS to protect our communities by pursuing and prosecuting such individuals.

'We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area.'
Former President Donald Trump said in an interview he knows 'nothing' about Hitler, as he once again repeated comments that immigrants are 'poisoning the blood' of the nation, flatly rejecting rhetorical comparisons to the Fuhrer.

He was asked about critics saying he used 'Hitlerian language' in his repeated use of the 'poisoning' language to describe migrants. The German dictator wrote about the 'poisoning' of German blood by the Jews in his 1925 manifesto that preceded the Holocaust. Trump has refused to back down, using the language at campaign rallies amid the fury.

'No, and I never knew that Hitler said it, either, by the way. And I never read Mein Kampf. They said I read Mein Kampf. These are people that are disinformation horrible people that we're dealing with. I never read Mein Kampf,' Trump said.

Interviewer and conservative talk host Hugh Hewitt then asked Trump: 'So you intend no racist sentiment whatsoever when you say poisoning our blood?'

'Dear, no,' Trump responded.

'I know nothing about Hitler,' said former President Donald Trump, who doubled down on his comments about migrants 'poisoning the blood' of the nation

He cited his support among African American and Hispanic voters, which are running above GOP benchmarks.

He then went further, saying he knew 'nothing' about Hitler.

'First of all, I know nothing about Hitler. I'm not a student of Hitler. I never read his works. They say that he said something about blood. He didn't say it the way I said it, either, by the way, It's a very different kind of a statement.'

He then repeated some of his warnings about flows of migrants into the country, during a week when the nation experienced record migrant encounters at the southern border.

'What I'm saying when I talk about people coming into our country is they are destroying our country. This country is, we have prisoners coming in. We have mental patients coming in by the thousands, really, by the millions, because you take a look. I believe the number will be 15 million people, maybe more than that, by the time this lunatic leaves office. 15 million people, and he's destroying our country,' he said.'

Trump said migrants 'don't speak our language, and nobody knows what's going on,' and said people released from mental asylums were coming over, even as many migrants claim political persecution or economic hardship

Trump said he wasn't a student of Hitler and had not read his manifesto, although his ex-wife said a friend once gave Trump a copy of Hitler's speeches that he kept in a cabinet near his bed

Trump's repeated comments about migrants poisoning the blood of the nation and his insistence he is unfamiliar with Hitler's use of similar language has resurfaced comments by his late first wife, Ivana Trump, who claimed Trump owned a book of Hitler's speeches that he kept in a cabinet at his bedside.

The quote came from a 1990 Vanity Fair interview. A reporter asked Trump about it, and the then real estate baron said his friend had given him a copy of the famous book. 'I did give him a book about Hitler. But it was My New Order, Hitler's speeches, not Mein Kampf,' the friend, Marty Davis, said.

Hewitt also gave Trump an opportunity to further clarify his 'dictator' comment during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, where he said he said he wouldn't abuse power 'except for Day One.'

'If you are reelected, will you peacefully surrender power at the end of your second term as required by the Constitution?' Hewitt asked him.

'Of course,' Trump replied, before speaking of leaving office in 2021 following his election overturn effort that has him battling an indictment in federal court in D.C.

'And I did that this time. And I'll tell you what. The election was rigged, and we have plenty of evidence of it. But I did it anyway. The other question you should ask is you should ask the other side will you cheat on the elections, because the only way we're going to lose is if they cheat on the elections,' Trump said.

'It is language that I think people have rightly found similar to the language of Hitler,' said Vice President Kamala Harris

As he has in recent speeches, Trump repeated his 'blood' comments about immigrants, bringing up terrorists and mentally ill people.

'When you look at it, and you look at what's coming in, we have, from all over the world, not one group, they're coming in from Asia, from Africa, from South America. They're coming from all over the world. They're coming from prisons. They're coming from mental institutions and insane asylums. They're terrorists. Absolutely, that's poisoning our country,' Trump said.

'That's poisoning the blood of our country. And that's what's happening.'

Then he said the migrants don't speak English.

'They have people coming in, we don't even know what the language is that they speak. We have nobody that speaks the language. And they're loading up our classes. We're loading up our classes, our school classes, with children that don't speak the language. They don't speak our language, and nobody knows what's going on. No, we are poisoning our country. We're poisoning the blood of our country, and you have people coming in, think of it, mental institutions all over the world are being emptied out into the United States. Jails and prisons are being emptied out into the United States. This is poisoning our country.'

The Biden campaign has been hammering Trump for his use of the language, and Vice President Kamala Harris joined the condemnation this week.

'I was raised knowing that there will be some people who will use their voice in a way that is meant to dehumanize, meant to suggest that the vast majority of us don't have anything in common, when, in fact, the vast majority of us have more in common than what separates us,' she said.

'And I would interpret it, I think, then as I do now, which is, it is language that is meant to divide us. It is language that I think people have rightly found similar to the language of Hitler,' she said.

'And I think it's just critically important that we remind each other, including our children, that the true measure of the strength of a leader is based not on who they beat down, but who they lift up.'
A newly released video revealed the moment a lawyer purchased food from a grocery store that she used to allegedly poison and kill her former boyfriend's father and grandmother in Brazil.

Amanda Partata, 31, visited the store in the southern city of Goiania on Sunday and purchased cheese bread, cakes, biscuits and juice before she returned to hotel, the Goias Civil Police said.

Partata then returned to her hotel and later visited the home of his ex-boyfriend's father, Police officer Leonardo Pereira, 58, and his mother, Luzia Alves, 86,

She spent about three hours with the family and then returned to her home city of Itumbiara.

A Brazilian grocery security camera captured Amanda Partata shopping for the food she allegedly poisoned and fed to her ex-boyfriend's father and grandmother on Sunday, hours before they both died. Partata was arrested Wednesday

Brazilian lawyer Armanda Partata is facing double homicide charges following her arrest Wednesday, three days after she allegedly poisoned her ex-boyfriend's father and grandmother to death

Goiania Civil Police agent Leonardo Pereira (left) and his mother, Luzia Alves (right), died at a hospital in Goiania, Brazil after eating food that had been poisoned

Pereira called Partata to tell her that he and his mother had fallen ill and warned her that they had vomited and had diarrhea.

He urged her to seek care because she had claimed that she was pregnant. Pereira and Alves were rushed to a local hospital, where they died.

Goias Civil Police chief Carlos Alfama said that investigators are still looking into whether Partata poisoned the food at her hotel room or the victims' residence.

'Various foods were purchased. Even for a technical reason, it is more possible that the poison was administered in the juice, because it is easier to dissolve the poison in the liquid medium,' Alfama said.

Partata was apprehended Wednesday at a clinic, where her family admitted her for an psychiatric evaluation after she attempted to commit suicide.

Amanda Partata holds a juice container, one of the items that she purchased before she allegedly poisoned them and fed the father and grandmother of her ex-boyfriend

Amanda Partata was arrested Wednesday by Brazilian authorities in Goiania, Brazil, for the alleged murders of her ex-boyfriend's father and grandmother, who both died Sunday hours after they ate food that was she had poisoned

Partata, who is facing double homicide charges, dated Pereira's son for a month and a half before they broke up around June or July and did not accept the end of the relationship.

Following the breakup, the woman informed her former boyfriend that she was pregnant and his family held a gender reveal party, which showed that they were expecting a girl, Brazilian news outlet Metropoles reported.

A medical document provided by her attorneys to the police at her arraignment hearing showed that she is not pregnant.

The Goia Civil Police is not sure if Partata lied about being pregnant and created test result documents to prove she was or if she suffered a miscarriage.

Alfama said that Partata harassed her ex-boyfriend and his family by sending threatening messages via six fake social media profiles.

She downloaded a software on her cellphone that she used to block her cellphone number and text messaged threats to her former boyfriend.

On one occasion, Partata texted herself a message that read, 'I'm going to kill you and your little girlfriend.'
A terror scout has been jailed for spying on a dissident Iranian television channel before a 'planned attack' on British soil.

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, carried out hostile reconnaissance for others unknown at the London headquarters of Persian-language television channel Iran International in February.

After a trial at the Old Bailey, the Chechnya-born Austrian was found guilty of trying to collect information for terrorist purposes.

Judge Richard Marks KC jailed Dovtaev for three years and six months with a further licence period of 12 months.

Mitigating, Paul Keleher KC said there was every possibility Dovtaev was a 'useful idiot' employed to go Iran International to provoke a security response and 'put the wind up' employees.

He said the idea Iran would contemplate a terrorist attack on a news organisation in England was 'far-fetched'.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge said those behind the defendant's actions planned an attack on Iran International.

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, (pictured) carried out hostile reconnaissance for others unknown at the London headquarters of Persian-language television channel Iran International in February

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev (pictured) was found guilty of trying to collect information for terrorist purposes

He said: 'There is of course no direct evidence in this case as to the precise use to which the video footage, if obtained, would have been put by others, but I am satisfied to the criminal standard of proof that an attack of some sort on Iran International was the plan of those who were behind this.

'It is significant, in my judgment, that following your arrest still and video images were recovered from your phone, taken at the park by another or others, featuring the security arrangements at the entrance gate and outside the building where Iran International were based.

'The unchallenged evidence was that that imagery had been captured on at least two previous occasions and went back in time to the summer of 2022.

'I conclude from that that there was an element of both planning and persistence on the part of those who were behind this, consistent with a planned attack and, moreover, they clearly trusted you to carry out this further reconnaissance.'

Previously, Iran International spokesman Adam Baillie said its journalists would not be 'cowed by threats'.

He said: 'This trial was a reminder of the threats journalists and news organisations face. Journalism is under attack across the world from those who seek to suppress media freedom.'

Commenting on the case, Met Commander Dominic Murphy said counter-terrorism police were 'very alive' to the threat posed by Iran to potential targets on British soil.

The head of the Met's SO15 Counter-terrorism Command said: 'For a considerable amount of time, we've been worried about threats projected into the UK from Iran.

After a trial at the Old Bailey (pictured), the Chechnya-born Austrian was found guilty of trying to collect information for terrorist purposes

'At this time, we don't know why Dovtaev was conducting this activity except to say that we believe very strongly that it was for terrorism.

'We don't know who did it but we have always been concerned about threats projected into the UK, and in this case particularly against Persian language media.

'I'm pleased to say the company are still broadcasting from London but just in a different location now.'

Fifteen plots 'generated from Iran' against individuals or organisations in the UK have been disrupted and police are alive to the threat from the hostile state, he said.

Iran International had been highly critical of the Iranian government for years and publicly accused it of human rights violations, jurors were told.

Last September, it reported on the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly violating headscarf rules.

Amid the subsequent protests in Iran, the country's minister of intelligence designated the television channel a 'terrorist organisation'.

In November, state-owned Iranian media described Iran International as being on a 'terror blacklist'.

It said: 'Those operating the TV channel have been declared as 'wanted' by the ministry (of intelligence).'

Jurors were told of close political ties between Iran, Russia and Chechnya, where the defendant was born.

Since 2019, Iran has been in a strategic alliance with Russia.

Chechnya was described as a 'subject' of the Russian Federation and deployed forces to fight in Ukraine last year, jurors were told.

On February 11, IT worker and married father-of-three Dovtaev boarded a plane from Vienna to Gatwick.

From the airport, he took a taxi directly to the headquarters of Iran International and carried out 'hostile reconnaissance' for an unidentified individual or group, the court was told.

He sought to 'identify and exploit' vulnerabilities in the security of the company's premises in the Chiswick Business Park, west London, jurors heard.

When initially questioned, he told security guards he was meeting a friend.

He was arrested by police at a nearby Starbucks after being seen filming the Iran International building on his phone.

Body camera footage of Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev being arrested by counter-terrorism police officers

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev at Gatwick Airport. shortly before he travelled to Chiswick Business Park

In a prepared statement to police, he denied being involved with any terrorist organisation and claimed he shot a video 'to show to my three children as there was a lake there'.

The court was told Dovtaev's trip was the most recent in a series of similar visits by 'others unknown' to identify chinks in security that could be exploited by those planning an attack.

Prosecutor Nicholas de la Poer KC said: 'As a result of the Iranian authorities' attitude towards Iran International, the organisation and its employees all became targets for violent reprisals.

'As such, the security at their place of work was of very real and practical interest to those who might wish to carry out such reprisals.

'The very fact that the defendant went to collect information shows that planning by others was already under way.'
The main political group supporting Ron DeSantis' run for the white House is canceling TV adverts in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote in the Republican presidential nomination contest.

It came as DeSantis continued to lag far behind Donald Trump in in polls while battling for second place with Nikki Haley.

Never Back Down, a super PAC, ditched $2.5 million in bookings for ads in Iowa and New Hampshire and some national slots, according to data from tracking company AdImpact

The group will move its priorities to a 'ground game' focused on getting out DeSantis voters on election day.

Ron DeSantis has three weeks to make up ground on Donald Trump in Iowa

The Never Back Down super PAC is shifting away from TV ads

Donald Trump leads DeSantis by 33 points in Iowa

The move followed weeks of reports of turmoil within Never Back Down, including the resignation over the weekend of top strategist Jeff Roe.

His departure came in the wake of a series of other senior figures leaving.

Never Back Down has already spent at least $40 million on advertising to promote the Florida governor.

Its TV advertising role is being filled by another group called Fight Right.

A spokeswoman for Fight Right told NBC News it intends to spend more than $2.5 million on TV ads in Iowa alone starting on Sunday.

More than $1 million will be spent on an ad attacking Haley.

It says: 'Tricky Nikki pretends shes tough on China. But as governor she promised to do whatever it takes to get Chinese companies set up in our back yard.'

Nikki Haley will be the target of a new pro-DeSantis ad labeling her 'Tricky Nikki'

DeSantis is struggling to catch Trump

In an average of polls in Iowa, DeSantis trails Trump by 33 points, and is only two points ahead of Haley.

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, he is in fourth place behind Trump, Haley and Chris Christie, according to polls.

In a statement last week Never Back Down's chairman Scott Wagner said: Never Back Down is laser focused on its core mission - running the most advanced grassroots and political caucus operation in this race and helping deliver the GOP nomination for Governor DeSantis who will deliver America from the disastrous policies of the Left.

'We are thrilled to have Fight Right and others covering the air for Governor DeSantis while we work the ground game in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and beyond, Wagner said.
Two teenagers who stabbed a Bulgarian student to death in revenge for his drunken horseplay on a bus have been jailed for life.

Business management student Gabriel Stoyanov, 21, was knifed in the chest after he flicked a 16-year-old boys ear and punched him in the stomach, the Old Bailey heard.

The teenage killers armed themselves with a bottle, a motorbike chain and a knife before cornering and stabbing Mr Stoyanov to death in Bromley Road, Downham, southeast London.

Surgery was carried out on the street to remove his lung and doctors fought for his life for 17 hours before he died in hospital the next day.

Alfie Kibble, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, denied but were convicted of murder after a trial in August.

A 15-year-old denied and was cleared of murder but was convicted of manslaughter.

Business management student Gabriel Stoyanov, 21, (pictured) was knifed in the chest after he flicked a 16-year-old boys ear and punched him in the stomach, the Old Bailey heard

After the verdict his mother told her son she loved him before she left court, calling the judge a bully and a f*****g p***y old man.

Kibble was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 14 years and 9 months. The 16-year-old was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.

The 15-year-old was jailed for six years eight months.

Judge John Hillen told them: The motive was incredible, as it seems to have been no more than that you found yourself annoyed and disrespected by Gabriel Stoyonovs boorish behaviour on a bus.

Gabriel Stoyonov was 21. He was a student who had just started his first term at university. He studied business management.

He was loved by many people. He was easy-going, compassionate and always ready to help others,

He was described by his mother as being full of energy, life and dreams, with the energy to achieve them.

He was not your only victim. He was the joy of his family and his untimely death has devastated them.

Forensic officers at the scene in Downham, southeast London, the day after Stoyanov was attacked

You took his life from him. In doing so you left his mother with terrible grief that she describes in her impact statement which will be with her everywhere and always.

Mr Stoyanovs mother Mariana earlier said in a victim impact statement read to court that her son had dreams of returning to Bulgaria to set up his own business.

She said: They took a part of me too - they took away my son, my best friend. I have been denied a right to see grandchildren, to see him as a graduate student, to see him married and to share in his daily woes together.

Losing a child is a terrible thing and I can assure you nothing is worse than this.

No one has a right to take a human life and tear apart families in this way.

Gabriel was a young man with a sparkling personality and infinite goodness in his heart, easy going, compassionate and always willing to help others.

The 16-year-old stabber had previous convictions for mugging three people.

Prosecutor Edward Brown, KC, said earlier: Gabriel was killed for being little more than drunk and annoying - perhaps very annoying.

However, nothing he did reasonably justified being attacked and killed.

Mr Stoyanov boarded the 181 bus drunk with a friend at 11.04pm on 4 November last year.

Mr Brown said: It is clear from the CCTV footage that Gabriel was drunk - he had been seen in a pub in Sydenham that night and was described as on a high.

It hasnt been possible to track all his movements before the bus journey but considerable alcohol had plainly been consumed by him before the bus journey - and its effects were obvious.

The three defendants boarded that same bus and also went to the seats at the back.

Fortified by drink, Gabriel sought to engage the defendants, and although the defendants do not appear to be unduly troubled by his antics at this stage, his attention was not welcomed.

He would flick [the 16-year-olds] ear.

Gabriel can be seen to move between the three defendants and a group of female work friends.

Gabriel wouldnt, it seems leave them all alone.

Reaction amongst the females to his behaviour was mixed - some saw it as something to be tolerated and perhaps be amused by and ignored.

Another was not best pleased and positively did not feel at ease with the attention she received from Gabriel.

He was at the same time rude to one of the girls and in the same breath apologising, whilst to others some of his actions were amusing - he was also seen to be laughing with the three defendants as they tried to ignore him.

At other moments he appeared to become louder, saying things like, do you want me to pull it out?

Something was seen in his hand although from all the evidence not a knife and more likely the top of a small vodka bottle.

At one moment he appeared to punch one of the three defendants, likely [the 16-year-old] in the stomach - in fact not with any effective force.

At one point the deceased can be seen to lean over towards [the 16-year-old] who was sitting next to the window.

He was then pulled away by his friend and taken off the bus.

It should have been the end of any kind of confrontation.

The defendants, looking out at Gabriel and his friend through the window, remained on the bus but not for long.

Their actions thereafter show that they had not dismissed Gabriels antics for what they were and ignored them - drunken and annoying as they obviously were.

The defendants got off the bus two stops later and went to the 16-year-olds home.

The next time they were seen on CCTV the 16-year-old had a knife, Kibble a motorbike chain and the 15-year-old a bottle, the court heard.

They returned to where Mr Stoyanov got off the bus where he had gone inside a takeaway.

They were waiting for Gabriel to emerge down that side street.

As the deceased left the takeaway and crossed the street, he obviously noticed the defendants and pointed them out to his friend.

They came towards him.

Stoyanov backed away but as he did [the 15-year-old] can be seen running towards him and throwing the bottle at Gabriel. It hit him.

Kibble struck out at him with that large heavy bike chain and it was then [the 16-year-old] who swung the knife at Stoyanov, not once but then again, and this time, successfully- the knife was plunged straight into Gabriel Stoyanovs chest.

As the defendants then ran off away down the street, as they immediately did, leaving Gabriel clutching his chest by now fatally injured - one can actually see the knife still in (the 16-year-olds) hand.

The fatal wound had penetrated his lung.

Kibble, of Thamesmead, southeast London, and the 16-year-old, denied but were convicted of murder and possession of offensive weapons.

The 15-year-old denied and was cleared of murder but was convicted of manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon.
The US Coast Guard rescued a 65-foot lobster boat and its crew after it lost all steering and was adrift in the waters southwest of Nantucket.

Crews from Station Brant Point in Nantucket and Air Station Cape Cod responded to a call by the vessel named Two Dukes around 9.30 am earlier this week.

Four crew members and a dog were rescued. The captain was found with facial injuries after a window got blown out in the heavy seas and left him with lacerations.

The rescue crew, which included four people, found Two Dukes seven miles southeast of Marthas Vineyard.

Crews from Station Brant Point in Nantucket and Air Station Cape Cod responded to a call by the vessel named Two Dukes around 9.30 am earlier this week

The rescue crew, which included four people, found Two Dukes seven miles southeast of Marthas Vineyard

Footage released by the US Coast Guard Northeast shows two crewmembers were hoisted by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.

The captain and first mate remained onboard to assist in towing Two Dukes.

A Coast Guard crew from Station Woods Hole towed the vessel to Vineyard Haven Harbor after receiving the boat from the Station Brant Point crew.

Station Brant Point master chief Lance Wiser praised his crew despite challenging weather conditions.

'There were still rough conditions on the south side of the island. We went out in the worst of the storm yesterday for training, preparing for cases like this.

'I couldn't be more proud of this crew. First heavy weather SAR case of the winter season. Fifteen to 20-foot seas, shoals all over. The fishermen were extremely grateful.'

A Coast Guard crew from Station Woods Hole towed the vessel to Vineyard Haven Harbor after receiving the boat from the Station Brant Point crew

Footage released by the US Coast Guard Northeast shows two crewmembers were hoisted by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter

The captain and first mate remained onboard to assist in towing Two Dukes

According to Coast Guard spokesperson Lyric Jackson, where Two Dukes set out from is unclear, but its home base is Newport.

Station Brant Point's boatswain's mate (BM2) Chad Austin said of the incident: 'With the boat being dead in the water and caught between multiple shoals, it was the largest sea state I have seen in my four years here and definitely the most aggressive I have ever been in being a newly certified heavy weather coxswain.

'My crew made it extremely easy for me as the boat driver. We trusted our training and everything ended up working out as smoothly as possible'

A fierce storm has hit the East Coast this week, bringing high winds and heavy downpours to northern New England.

According to PowerOutage.us, power to more than 750,000 customers across New England, New York and New Jersey had been cut due to winds.

The extreme weather caused four confirmed deaths along the Coast.
When Ham would not comply to the deputies ordered he was tasered first, but when that did not yield results, he was shot with a firearm

A 39-year-old convicted felon was shot dead by police after the man attacked a Florida police officer with a metal rod after and burned his girlfriend's nine-year-old son because he thought the boy was 'possessed by a demon.'

Richard Myron Ham was wielding two metal rods and burning debris, including live ammunition, on the side of the road on U.S. 98 in Sebring around 4 pm on Tuesday.

When deputies from the Highlands County Sheriffs Department and Highlands County Fire-Rescue arrived to the scene, witnesses told police that Ham had covered his girlfriend Lakenya Phillips, 30, young son with a blanket before pushing him into the burning fire.

Moments before the bizarre ordeal, the couple had been setting fire to the boy's possessions. Miraculously, the child survived and escaped without injury. He is currently in DCF custody.

When Ham refused to comply to the deputies orders, he was taseed. When the taser did not work, Ham struck one of the deputies with the metal rod on his head that was reportedly handed to him by Phillips, before Ham was fatally shot.

Richard Myron Ham was wielding two metal rod and burning debris his girlfriend's sons possessions before pushing his girlfriends son into the burning flames claiming that the boy was 'possessed by a demon' before he was fatally shot

Deputies arrived at Bay Blossom Drive and U.S. 98 in Sebring around 4pm on Tuesday when reports came of the bizarre demonic act

Ham's girlfriend Lakenya Phillips, 30, was also involved in the crime and was taken in custody at the scene

As emergency responders tried to render aid to Ham as his girlfriend was reported to have been acting violent toward the police and was taken into custody.

Ham was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The officer, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to a different hospital where he was treated and released.

Police said the child told him that he had not bathed or brushed his teeth in at least 10 days as they traveled to Florida and had not been fed for at least 24 hours.

He said that both Ham and Phillips had regularly been using drugs and that Ham had earlier threatened him with a large knife, as well as claiming he had used that knife to kill someone.

Investigators are working with law enforcement in several states to follow up on that statement, officials said.

On December 6, Phillips and the child were listed as missing and endangered out of Wichita, Kansas. It also remains unclear why the mother and son traveled to Sebring, Florida from Kansas.

Inside the vehicle Ham and Phillips was using officials found multiple firearms and drugs.

'The deputies that were involved in the incident have 16 years and 8 years of service and both have been trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, the department said, as per a news release.

'They have been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated by the 10th Judicial Circuits Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force.'
Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger may finally go on trial this summer, with prosecutors urging to set a date, saying they expect it to last six weeks.

In the latest court filing in the case that has captivated the nation's attention, prosecutors on Thursday also requested that the trial take place outside the academic calendar of the area's schools.

The filing notes that Moscow High School is directly adjacent to the courthouse and that media attention on the case has already 'has strained available parking as well as safety and convenience for pedestrians, including students.'

Moreover, it points out that Kohberger's legal team has had enough time to offer an alibi and has not, asking the judge to consider the matter closed and deadlines be set for both parties to conclude discovery and pre-trial motions.

'The State submits the opportunity for the Defendant to disclose an alibi and notify the State of the same has passed and asks that the Court not reopen this issue,' the filing reads.

Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger may finally go on trial this summer, as prosecutors have asked a judge to set a date, saying they expect it to last six weeks

The former criminology PhD student is accused of fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin , 20, on November 13. Victims (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle

Prosecutors also requested the trial be scheduled from 8.30am to 3pm, saying it's 'appropriate to afford jurors some amount of time to tend to their personal affairs.'

Kohberger's trial was scheduled for October 2nd but was delayed after he waived his right to a speedy trial.

The prosecutors' filing comes days after Judge John C. Judge denied Kohberger's second attempt to have the capital murder case dismissed.

Kohbergers attorneys filed a motion earlier this year asking the judge to dismiss the indictment, contending in part that the jury was biased, that jurors were given inadmissible evidence, and that they didnt use the right legal standard when they decided to indict.

The defense also previously revealed they would be contesting the notion that Kohberger's DNA was left at the scene on the knife sheath, and also argue DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the Idaho crime scene.

They are also demanding more information on how the FBI used the DNA to create family trees that led them to Kohberger and his father, for an early-morning arrest in Pennsylvania almost a year ago to the day.

Kohberger was arrested some 2,300 miles from the crime scene in Pennsylvania. He was attending college in nearby Washington State

It's been over one year since college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were brutally murdered in their off-campus home.

Kohberger, a former PhD criminology student at nearby Washington State University, was arrested during a raid on his parents' home in Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania, on December 30.

Detectives relied on genetic genealogy to build their case against him, using genetic genealogy to create a a DNA profile from the DNA left on a knife sheath at the scene.

The FBI tracked down Kohberger by tracing his distant relatives through genetic genealogy databases - and then secretly collected a sample of his father's DNA to confirm his identity.

Police say they also matched Kohberger's DNA to the knife sheath after his arrest.

Investigators also pieced together cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings.

Investigators allegedly matched the DNA on a Ka-Bar knife sheath to that of Kohberger. Pictured is a similar Ka-Bar seven inch hunting knife

It comes as relatives protest the approaching demolition of the house where he allegedly committed the murders

Last week Kohberger's legal team was given access to the off-campus home where the deaths occurred so the lawyers can gather photos, measurements and other documentation before the house is demolished on December 28.

The rental was gifted by its owner to the college in the aftermath of the killings and its president Scott Green has insisted on the need to tear it down, branding it a 'grim reminder of the heinous act that took place there'.

'While we appreciate the emotional connection some family members of the victims may have to this house, it is time for its removal and to allow the collective healing of our community to continue,' he said.

Judge Judge entered a not-guilty plea on Kohbergers behalf earlier this year, and Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has said he intends to seek the death penalty.
Japan has agreed to send Patriot missiles to the U.S. in a break from its self-imposed ban on exporting deadly weapons since the end of the Second World War.

The White House welcomed the decision that could help boost the missile stockpile Ukraine needs to defend itself from a Russian onslaught this winter.

The Pentagon has said that Kyiv is facing a massive shortfall in munitions that could have disastrous consequences in the war with Vladimir Putin's forces.

Congress also failed to pass a $68 billion bill to give aid to Ukraine after negotiations over adding extra security for the border collapsed.

Because of the deal with Tokyo, Washington can now send its supply to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The advanced PAC-3 interceptors, believed to be part of the deal, can destroy large aircraft and missiles and cost roughly $4 million each.

The PAC-2 system is designed to take out ballistic missiles by exploding nearby.

Japan has agreed to send Patriot missiles to the U.S. in a break from its self-imposed ban on exporting deadly weapons since the end of the Second World War. Mime Pence inspects the missile defense system in 2017

Japan is also trying to strengthen its defense industry as tensions build in the Indo-Pacific and China and North Korea ramp up their military activity.

'This holds significant meaning in terms of further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. It will contribute not only to Japan's security but also the peace and stability of the wider Indo-Pacific region,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said following the announcement.

Although Japan's new export controls still prevent it from shipping weapons to countries that are at war, it may indirectly benefit Ukraine in its war with Russia as it gives the United States extra capacity to provide military aid to Kyiv.

If the U.S. does want to send the missiles to Ukraine, it will require Japan's approval first.

'This decision will contribute to the security of Japan and to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by ensuring that U.S. forces, in close cooperation with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, will continue to maintain a credible deterrence and response capability,' White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

A Japanese government official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the missiles would be used to re-stock the U.S. military's arsenal for the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific.

The Patriot system is one of an array of sophisticated air defence units supplied by the West to help Ukraine after Russia invaded.

Under previous rules, Japan could only export components of arms and was prohibited from delivering completed products.

The revised guidelines now allow Tokyo to export completed products to countries where patent holders are based.

Japan is also trying to strengthen its defense industry as tensions build in the Indo-Pacific and China ramps up its military activity. A missile is pictured in Tokyo in 2016

A PAC-2 ATM missile is fired in Romania during a training exercise next to the Black Sea in November 2023 (file picture)

Japan produces Patriot missiles under lisence from U.S. firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Tokyo is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells, manufactured under BAE Systems' lisence, to the United Kingdom, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The Japanese government official said exports are considered once the country where the license holder is based makes a formal request, adding that the United States has so far been the only country to make such a request.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, in a post on X, called it a 'historic decision' and a 'significant example of Japan's shared commitment to deterrence,' adding: 'Japan is undertaking a once-in-a-generation defense modernization.'

Japan's ruling party has been mulling various changes to export controls for several months, as the rules potentially stand in the way of the ability to export next-generation fighter jets in development with Britain and Italy.
Tylee Ryan, 16, and her brother JJ Vallow, seven, went missing in September 2019 before their bodies were found in June 2020 in her stepfather's backyard

The remains of murdered teenager Tylee Ryan will be released to her family four years after she was killed by her 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow.

The 16-year-old and her younger brother JJ, seven, went missing in September 2019 before their bodies were discovered in June 2020 in her stepfather's backyard.

Their mother Vallow was convicted of their murders in May as well as conspiracy to murder her husband Chad Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy. Daybell is also set to stand trial for the children's murder in April 2024.

An Idaho judge ruled on Thursday that Tylee's remains will be allowed to be released to her family. 'It is hereby ordered that the body of Tylee Ryan may be released to her next of kin,' district judge Steven Boyce stated.

It comes after her brother JJ's remains were handed to relatives in October. The state of Idaho had custody of their bodies since the gruesome discovery.

The remains of murdered teenager Tylee Ryan will be released to her family four years after she was killed by her 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow

The 16-year-old and her younger brother JJ, seven, (right) went missing in September 2019 and their bodies were discovered in June 2020 in her stepfather's backyard

Their mother Vallow (pictured) was convicted of their murders in May as well as conspiracy to murder her husband Chad Daybell 's ex-wife

The order to release Tylee's body means she will now have the chance to be buried by her family.

Daybell has also been charged with first-degree murder over the young children's death and a judge ruled on Tuesday that he may be sentenced to death as punishment if found guilty.

His legal team had filed two motions in Fremont County on November 9 requesting that the death penalty be removed as a possible sentence. But both were denied by the judge presiding over the case.

Vallow was convicted of killing her two children in May as part of a sick religious plot.

She was back in court on December 7 as she faces two charges of conspiracy to murder her relatives when she descended into violent religious fanaticism.

The 'Doomsday Cult' mom is accused of scheming with her brother Alex Cox to kill her husband Charles Vallow in July 2019, and planning to kill her niece's husband Brandon Boudreaux.

Vallow was extradited from Idaho to Arizona last week to face the charges. She was indicted over Vallow's death in June 2021, and Boudreaux's planned murder in February 2022.

The alleged plans to murder her relatives came as Vallow became obsessed with the incoming apocalypse and her whirlwind marriage to doomsday author Chad Daybell in late 2019.

Vallow appeared only briefly, wearing handcuffs and an orange prison jumpsuit, as she stated her name and acknowledged the charges against her.

JJ's remains were handed to relatives in October. The state of Idaho had custody of their bodies since the gruesome discovery

Lori Vallow, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, smirked as she appeared in court on December 7 to face two charges of conspiracy to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow and niece's husband Brandon Boudreaux

Chad Daybell, pictured in court, is also set to stand trial for the children's murder in April 2024

She was booked into the Maricopa County Jail last week after her extradition, where she is being held without bond.

The additional charges against her come after a grand jury indicted Vallow in 2021 in connection to the killing of Charles, who was fatally shot by Cox in her Arizona home.

Cox, who died of natural causes in December 2019, insisted he shot and killed Charles out of self defense, but prosecutors claim it was planned as the brother and sister both descended into beliefs of the apocalypse.

It is claimed that Vallow and Cox, both devout Mormons, were convinced the end of times was imminent, and their relatives had become possessed by zombies and believed they could save them through killing them.

Prosecutors allege the religious zealotry was an excuse used by the family to carry out the murders.

The 'Doomsday Cult' mom was back in court on December 7 as she faces two charges of conspiracy to murder her relatives when she descended into violent religious fanaticism

Vallow was previously pictured in mugshots from 2020 (left) and 2022 (right)

Vallow smirked in a mugshot taken in August after she was sentenced to life in an Idaho prison for murdering her children, JJ and Tylee

In 2020, police discovered JJ and Tylee's remains in shallow graves in Chad Daybell's yard

The plot also saw Vallow alleged plan to kill her niece's husband Brandon Boudreaux, who was shot at from a moving car in October 2019 but was not hit, shortly after JJ and Tylee were last seen alive.

Boudreaux reportedly told investigators at the time he believed Cox was behind the wheel, and it is claimed Cox conspired with Lori to kill Boudreaux and Charles Vallow because they were expressing concerns over the religious extremism that had gripped their family.

Vallow appeared only briefly on Thursday, wearing handcuffs and an orange prison jumpsuit, as she stated her name and acknowledged the charges against her.

She was booked into the Maricopa County Jail last week after her extradition, where she is being held without bond.
SCOTUS is also set to consider case kicking him off the Colorado ballot

Court of Appeals in D.C. will now consider if Trump is immune from prosecution

Donald Trump has hit back at Special Counsel Jack Smith and President Biden over their 'failed Witch Hunt', after the Supreme Court declined to fast-track a case to consider if he is immune from prosecution.

The former president branded the case brought by Smith as a 'desperate attempt to short circuit our Great Constitution'.

'The Supreme Court has unanimously rejected Deranged Jack Smiths desperate attempt to short circuit our Great Constitution,' he said on Truth Social.

'Crooked Joe Biden and his henchmen waited three years to bring this sham case, and now they have tried and failed to rush this Witch Hunt through the courts.

'Of course I am entitled to Presidential Immunity. I was President, it was my right and duty to investigate, and speak on, the rigged and stolen 2020 Presidential Election.'

The justices delivered a blow to Smith by rebuffing his bid to leap-frog a lower court of appeals and speed up a ruling on the former president's claim he has immunity in the January 6 case.

Trump, 77, has argued that the case should be dismissed because former presidents cannot face criminal charges for conduct related to their official responsibilities.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday declined to immediately decide former President Donald Trump's claim that he cannot be prosecuted for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, allowing a lower court to continue reviewing the issue

In a post to his Truth Social platform, the former president branded the case brought by Smith as a 'desperate attempt to short circuit our Great Constitution'

The decision is a victory for the Republican presidential frontrunner and increases the chances it will delay his federal election interference trial which is slated to start on March 4.

Now Trump's legal troubles could get pushed closer to or even after the November 5 general elections, where he his vying for a rematch with 81-year-old Joe Biden.

The justices, three of whom Trump appointed, are also set to take up the Colorado case of whether he can be kicked off the ballot for being an 'insurrectionist'.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit could now rule on if the president can be prosecuted for interfering with the transfer of power after the 2020 election.

That will come in a ruling by a three-judge panel, which Trump can appeal to the full court. If the decision goes against him, he can try to appeal it to the Supreme Court.

The panel the case has drawn includes two Biden appointees and one judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush. It has already set an expedited review, with arguments set for January 9, days before the Iowa Caucuses.

The Supreme Court didn't explain its reasons or make note of any dissenting opinions. Nor did it note any recusals. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been under pressure to recuse himself from January 6 related cases after his wife Ginni Thomas was revealed to have texted with former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and called the 2020 election a 'heist.'

Prosecutors have accused Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, of attempting to obstruct Congress and defraud the U.S. government through schemes to reverse Democratic President Joe Biden's 2020 election win.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected that claim on December 1, prompting Trump's appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Trump's appeal suspended his trial, currently set for March.

The justices delivered a blow to Special Counsel Jack Smith by rebuffing his bid to leap-frog a lower court of appeals and speed up a ruling on the former president's claim he has immunity in the January 6 case

Special Counsel Jack Smith has claimed Trump's legal team is trying to delay the federal election interference trial until after the November presidential election. The timeline for his case in now in jeopardy

Trump isn't out of the woods in his legal saga. The Stormy Daniels trial in New York, where he is charged with falsifying business documents, is set to begin March 25

In a bid to avoid delaying Trump's trial, Smith on December 11 urged the Supreme Court to undertake an expedited ruling - even as the D.C. Circuit court races to rule on the issue.

If Trump is reelected to the White House on November 5, he could seek to pardon himself of any federal crimes  although constitutional scholars are split on whether he would have the authority.

Trump's lawyers opposed Smith's request, telling the justices in a court filing the special counsel's bid to bypass the normal appellate process amounted to a 'rush to decide the issues with reckless abandon.'

Three of the nine Supreme Court justices were appointed by Trump, who cemented a 6-3 conservative majority.

The court did not reveal the vote on its decision not to decide to take the case on an expedited basis.

The blow against Smith comes after he argued in his most recent brief on Thursday that it was a matter of 'utmost gravity' and that the nation had a 'compelling interest' in a decision on the immunity issue.

What he didn't say outright was that absent a move by the Supreme Court, it could push Trump's schedule trial date beyond Super Tuesday and later in the election process, allowing Trump to argue he is facing a political prosecution ever after delaying the event himself.

The move by the court by no means gets Trump out of the legal thicket he is in. The Stormy Daniels case in New York, where Trump is charged with falsifying business records related to the $130,000 payoff of porn star Stormy Daniels, is set to go to trial March 25.

Trump case relating to an effort to overturn the election continues to move ahead in Georgia, and he also has been charged with conspiring to conceal national security documents at Mar-a-Lago, in a Florida trial that is running months behind schedule.
Ship was rescued and is on way to Germany to let off passengers and get repairs

MS Maud crippled by wave that smashed through bridge windows in North Sea

An American woman spent a terrifying 20 minutes thinking she was going to die as she hid from flying debris on a cruise ship hit by a massive wave.

MS Maud was sailing some 162 miles off Denmark's west coast and about 217 miles off Britain's east coast when the monster wave shattered its windows on the bridge.

The luxury cruise ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition from Tilbury in the UK on December 9 and was due to return to port on December 23.

Elizabeth Lawrence, who works at Apple in Silicon Valley, was on board the Norwegian cruise ship and told of how close they all came to drowning.

She described the 'terrifying ordeal' on X, saying: 'I'll be honest, there was about 20 minutes yesterday where I thought the ship might capsize, it was rolling so heavily and we didn't have any idea what had happened.

'It really hit home when they started handing out orange survival suits to everyone.'

Elizabeth Lawrence, who works at Apple in Silicon Valley, was on board the Norwegian cruise ship and told of how close they all came to drowning

Lawrence and her friends hunkered down between the buffet tables in the restaurant as the ship rolled violently in the rough seas.

'That was the safest area to avoid flying chairs and furniture,' she explained.

'After maybe 20 minutes, someone explained that the bridge had lost power but that the ship was still the safest place to be.

'Which Im sure was correct. The waves must have been more than 10 meters, no one wanted to chance a lifeboat.'

Lawrence said rescue boats quickly began to arrive and after five hours holed up in a muster area, they were allowed to return to their cabins.

'I returned to my cabin and someone had clearly been in to clean up broken glasses mugs on the floor,' she said.

'They brought eggs and bacon to my cabin this morning, and medical came by to check everyone. They could not have handled things better.'

Lawrence praised the reaction of the crew from HX who appeared so well trained and practiced that they quickly had everyone in emergency gear.

'They were constantly calming everyone down, even bringing people water when the ship was still rocking and any movement was risky,' she said.

'It really puts in perspective how you never think these things will actually happen (and you hope they never do), but when/if a crisis comes, having that solid training, experience, and clearly defined roles for all crew members makes all the difference.'

Lawrence and her friends hunkered down between the buffet tables in the restaurant as the ship rolled violently in the rough seas

One passenger, who was filming the bridge camera at the time, captured the moment the 'rogue wave' struck MS Maud

Lawrence warned all cruise passengers how important it was to pay attention to security briefings as some people went to the wrong muster point and the crew spent an hour looking for them.

'We were all worried they might have been on a top deck and washed overboard,' she said.

Dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline showed the exact moment the freak wave hit, making the ship impossible to navigate and requiring a tow to Germany.

'I had the bridge camera showing on the TV to try to stop dizziness and just randomly decided to film it!' the passenger who filmed the wave said.

'As soon as the wave struck, the TV screen went blank and the ship's horn distress signal sounded so I knew something was wrong.'

The holidaymaker, who expected it was going to be a 'rough ride' after going over several other big waves, described how passengers, fixed tables and chairs were sent sliding across the floor. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.

MS Maud (pictured) had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury, in the UK, on December 9 and it was due to return to the Essex port on December 23

Terrifying footage shows the enormous wave crashing into the Norwegian ship, which resulted in a power outage

A shop on MS Maud was left in complete disarray after following the incident. A clean-up operation was underway today

Pictures shared with MailOnline show the destruction caused by the wave, including a shop where the windows had been smashed in and products were left strewn across the floor.

Those on board the ship, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, said a big clean-up operation was underway today.

Another passenger, Betty Little, was on the trip with her 96-year-old mother Jessie when the wave struck.

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She praised the crew for their response as they are both disabled and needed extra support amid the panic.

'When we had to go to muster stations, we almost immediately had assistance,' Little told MailOnline.

'One crew member, with the further assistance of four others, gave my mother a piggyback down the stairs, and I had two assisting me.

'We had assistance to don our survival gear and were made as comfortable as possible.

'Later, water was provided along with cans of Coca-Cola and ginger ale, as well as sandwiches. Absolutely amazing crew!'

Other stomach-churning footage shared by passengers showed just how choppy the conditions were, with the ship seen aggressively rocking up and down as it was ravaged by huge waves.

One video, which was shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow passengers with one writing: 'We're watching films in our room. Every time we move we nearly go flying.'

The ship's 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesperson for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to connect a tow line to the cruise ship.

'An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhafen in Germany at around 8-9 knots,' it said.

A shop window on MS Maud was smashed in after the huge wave sparked mayhem on board

The TV camera went completely blank after the wave came crashing into the ship - and passengers were told to assemble at the muster point

Footage shared from inside MS Maud shows the ship moving up and down aggressively, while items are strewn across the floor

Despite the power outage, the vessel's main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.

MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in Britain on Friday.

Hurtigruten confirmed on Friday that the vessel was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.

'Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave. The ship was sailing towards Tilbury, UK from Flor, Norway when the incident occurred,' it said.

'At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious guest or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident. The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew are able to sail under their own power.

'Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritise the safety of those onboard.

'The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany for disembarkation. Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard.'

The area was hit by a storm late on Thursday with hurricane-force gusts blowing from the northwest, and they are forecast to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.

Remarkable footage from the ship's bridge camera shows just how big the waves were leading up to the 'rogue wave'

Another video shows the rough North Sea conditions as the crew had to be towed to Germany

The map shoes the route of MS Maud from Floroe to Tilbury before it lost navigation ability in the North Sea

The MS Maud - formerly known as the MS Midnatsol - got its name from a polar vessel from 100 years ago, according to its website.

The original vessel was named for the first queen of what's come to be known as modern-day Norway.

The ship is outfitted with technology that its website claims makes it 'exceptionally well-suited' for cruises between Norway and the British Isles.

Journeys on the MS Maud cost anywhere between $3,000 and nearly $10,000.

It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm (pictured) and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'

Six weeks ago a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to 'hold on for dear life'.

The Spirit of Discovery cut short its two-week voyage and headed back to Portsmouth early to avoid the oncoming tempest when punishing winds and choppy waters caught up with it.

Around 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, the majority of whom were hurt as the ship's safety system was activated, causing it to dramatically veer and shudder to a halt, according to Saga at the time.
Seven workers were killed at gold mine in Peru on Thursday morning, according to police.

The National Police chief Enrique Monroy in the southern town of La Rinconada told radio station RPP that the miners died in an accident.

Their bodies were found covered in mud about a mile deep in the mine with injuries to their extremities.

Monroy said that initial evidence pointed to a collapse inside the pit.

'They show fractures and signs of asphyxiation,' Monroy told AFP.

Seven workers were killed Thursday in what police believe was a mine collapse in La Rinconada, a city in southern Peru

The bodies of seven gold mine workers lie on the flatbed of a police vehicle after they were removed from the southern Peruvian pit where they were killed

Gold mine accidents in Peru occur frequently because workers don't follow safety or environmental protocols

Authorities were able to remove the bodies in a mine cart and transferred them to a local morgue.

In Peru, the world's second-largest copper producer and seventh-largest gold producer, collapses or accidents are frequent at informal or illegal mines.

The accidents usually occur where workers dig out ore without following safety or environmental regulations.

The area around La Rinconada has many small mines that operate without legal permissions.

Nine workers were killed and 23 were wounded in an explosion at a mine in the northern province of Pataz earlier this month.

Four workers were held hostage and were released by the suspects, who fled.

The government and the miners blamed on 'criminal gangs' acting on the behalf of illegal miners.
Moore is a convicted pedophile - he now faces six months in jail for his inappropriate signs

A homeless pedophile who held signs advertising 'free fentanyl' outside of an elementary school has been convicted of creating a public nuisance.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Friday that Joseph Adam Moore, 46, has been convicted of creating a public nuisance after his inappropriate behavior in October.

Moore - a convicted pedophile - held signs that read 'Meth for Stolen Items' and 'Free Fentanyl 4 New Users' while standing outside of Stella Maris Academy, a school for children aged two through 13.

Joseph Adam Moore, 46, lives in a tent near the $11,700-a-year school. Records from California's sex offender register indicate that Moore was jailed for six years for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 in 1997.

Evidence presented in trial shows that Moore piled his belongings on San Francisco's Ninth Avenue, blocking the sidewalk and e-bike access, on October 19 and 20.

A homeless pedophile who held signs advertising 'free fentanyl' outside of an elementary school has been convicted of creating a public nuisance

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Friday that Joseph Adam Moore, 46 (pictured), has been convicted of creating a public nuisance after his inappropriate behavior in October

Moore - a convicted pedophile - held signs that read 'Meth for Stolen Items' and 'Free Fentanyl 4 New Users' while standing outside of the $11,700-a-year school

'This verdict sends a clear message that Mr. Moore's conduct will not be condoned in San Francisco,' Jenkins said. 'While we remain a compassionate city, we must protect our children.'

'This verdict recognizes that his conduct impacted a whole community,' Assistant District Attorney Rachel Schneider said after prosecuting the case.

The pedophile remains in custody and his sentencing is scheduled to take place on December 27.

Moore could face up to six months in jail for charges relating to creating a public nuisance and he could also face probation revocation in a separate case.

He has been arrested five times since 2007 for failing to notify authorities of his address as a sex offender every 30 days.

According to a Santa Cruz Sentinel article from 1997, Moore was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old girl in Santa Clara County before being released from custody and then having sex with a 15-year-old in Santa Cruz.

Speaking to ABC7 in October, Moore insisted that the sign was not a ruse - and he was actively handing out the killer drug.

Moore told the outlet, 'It's not a joke' and said he would pass on the drugs that other people gave him in exchange for supplies he provides.

He also told ABC7: 'So they bring me trash that they've scavenged, things that they think are valuable, or they give me some of the drugs that they have, which I don't do.

'I only live by two rules: be kind to others and make it look easy for children.'

Moore is not considered a 'high-risk' offender so he does not have to stay 2,000 feet away from a school.

Moore (pictured) could face up to six months in jail for charges relating to creating a public nuisance and he could also face probation revocation in a separate case

The convicted pedophile had set up camp outside Stella Maris Academy, a school for children aged two through 13

Evidence presented in trial shows that Moore piled his belongings on San Francisco's Ninth Avenue, blocking the sidewalk and e-bike access, on October 19 and 20

Neighbor Jon Chintanaroad told the outlet: 'My wife walks our baby around by herself. I always kind of want to be there because you never know.

'And it just sucks to always kind of have that sense of like, extra vigilance. In a neighborhood that's supposed to be quiet and residential.'

Peter Marlow, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, said of the display in October: ''We dont want anything of that nature anywhere near our schools, but we want to be able to work with law enforcement to establish the guidelines.'

Marlow said that police had visited Moore's camp multiple times.

'I noticed this person is well-established there. They disappeared about a month ago, and now theyve shown up again,' Marlow told the Standard.

'I had seen him for the past year before he disappeared, but now hes back. I dont know about these signs about fentanyl and all of this.'

He added the school would be examining Moore's claims he is selling drugs.
Iran is 'deeply involved' in planning attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and has provided intelligence to help Yemen's Houthi faction target ships, the White House said on Friday.

'We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,' White House national security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

'This is consistent with Iran's long-term materiel support and encouragement of the Houthis' destabilizing actions in the region,' she added. 'This is an international challenge that demands collective action.'

A surveillance vessel in the Red Sea, controlled by Iran's paramilitary forces, is passing targeting information along to the Houthis, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday citing Western and regional security officials.

The report did not name the suspected spy ship, but DailyMail.com understands that it is the Behshad, an Iranian-flagged purported cargo ship that has been at anchor in the middle of the Red Sea since July 2021.

A Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) container ship crosses the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea in Ismailia, Egypt on Friday

The location of suspected Iranian spy ship Behshad is seen above. The purported cargo vessel has been anchored in the Red Sea since 2021, when it replaced another damaged spy ship

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb strait in recent days in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which is fighting Israel in Gaza.

The attacks, targeting a key trade route, especially for oil, have pushed some shipping companies to reroute vessels or pause shipping through the Suez Canal, with potential widespread implications for global trade.

For their part, the Houthis scoffed at the suggestion that their attacks were aided by Iranian intelligence.

'It's strange to attribute everything to Iran as if it were the world's strongest power,' a spokesperson for the group told the Journal.

'We have intelligence facilities that have proven themselves over the years of aggression against us.'

Tehran has also denied aiding the Yemen rebel group in launching their attacks.

The suspected Iranian spy ship Behshad has been in the Red Sea since 2021, loitering off Eritrea's Dahlak archipelago.

It arrived there after Iran removed the Saviz, another suspected spy base in the Red Sea that had suffered damage in a mine attack that analysts attributed to Israel, which did not publicly acknowledge the attack.

Like the Savis, the Behshad is regularly resupplied by passing Iranian vessels. The ship remained at anchor in the Red Sea on Thursday, according to tracking data from MaritimeTraffic.com.

The Behshad may have played a role in the dramatic hijacking of the Israeli-linked Galaxy Leader cargo vessel last month, after the vessel passed near where the suspected spy ship was anchored shortly before it was attacked by helicopter-born militants.

The suspected Iranian spy ship Behshad (above) has been in the Red Sea since 2021, loitering off Eritrea's Dahlak archipelago

Houthi supporters chat slogans during a protest on Friday in Sana'a, Yemen against the recently announced operation to safeguard trade and to protect ships in the Red Sea

Tracking data shows commercial vessels in the Red Sea on Friday

The US last week announced a naval coalition involving 20 countries aimed at helping safeguard vessels from attacks in the Red Sea.

Some of the countries involved have said operations to protect commercial traffic will be as part of existing naval agreements.

Meanwhile, more commercial vessels are avoiding the Red Sea, instead taking a lengthy detour around Africa for fear of falling under attack.

At least two ships transporting oil or oil products between the US Gulf Coast and India on Friday were re-routing from the Red Sea, according to vessel tracking data.

Iran-backed Houthis, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip, have attacked commercial shipping with drones and missiles, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

The Aigeorgis, which was chartered by BP to carry vacuum gasoil (VGO) from India's Jamnagar to Texas, on Friday was headed along Africa's East Coast toward the Cape of Good Hope, according to financial firm LSEG's ship tracking data.

BP's VGO shipments from Jamnagar historically moved through the Red Sea. The new route adds nine days to the journey between India and the U.S. Gulf Coast. VGO is a refining feedstock used to produce gasoline and diesel.

'War risk premiums for tankers traveling via the Red Sea have been rising of late so that can make the longer (Cape of Good Hope) route a slightly less bitter pill for charterers,' said Jay Maroo, an analyst at energy data firm Vortexa.
Rishi Sunak has confirmed that plans requiring workers to earn 38,700 before they can bring family to Britain will not be introduced until 2025  months after the original deadline.

The Prime Minister, who was branded 'weak' by his own MPs after the Home Office appeared to water down the policy, said his Government were 'doing exactly as we said we were doing it'.

The income threshold change was originally scheduled for next spring  but will now be split into two phases, with the level raising to 29,000 in February from its current 18,600.

Mr Sunak said the change was 'absolutely right'. 'We are increasing the salary threshold significantly. We are doing exactly as we said we were doing it, we are just doing it in two stages,' he added.

Tory MPs on the Right of the party  who are concerned immigration will play a major factor in next year's election  criticised the U-turn.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that plans requiring workers to earn 38,700 before they can bring family to Britain will not be introduced until 2025

Tory MPs on the Right of the party  who are concerned immigration will play a major factor in next year's election  criticised the U-turn

Ex-Cabinet minister David Jones said: 'The Government should have stuck to its guns.

'Yesterday's decision was a regrettable sign of weakness, made worse by the fact that Parliament was not sitting and therefore was unable to interrogate ministers.'

Former minister Jonathan Gullis said: 'This decision is deeply disappointing and undermines our efforts.'

Reform UK Party leader Richard Tice, who has said he will take on the Tories at the next election on their immigration record, said the Government 'simply cannot be trusted to do what they say'.

Mr Sunak is also under pressure to get the Rwanda scheme off the ground.

But yesterday Home Secretary James Cleverly said talks had not yet begun with airlines about flying migrants there.
The grieving father of a hostage mistakenly shot dead by the IDF has demanded his country call an immediate ceasefire to free those in captivity.

Avi Shamriz, 62, singled out Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for 'failing' his son Alon, as he said eliminating Hamas must wait until all hostages are released.

In an unflinching interview, the 'broken' special forces veteran also told how his 26-year-old boy did 'everything right' to save himself but was gunned down anyway.

Mr Shamriz said: 'You cannot just shoot people. Even if it's under war, under pressure, under other conditions, you cannot shoot them just like that.'

Alon was taken hostage by Hamas from Kfar Aza kibbutz near the Gaza border along with Yotam Haim, 28, on October 7.

Avi Shamriz, 62, singled out Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for 'failing' his son Alon, as he said eliminating Hamas must wait until all hostages are released

Alon, 26, (pictured) was mistakenly killed by IDF soldiers despite removing his shirt to show he had no explosives and waving a makeshift white flag

The computer engineering student, also a former Israeli special forces soldier, managed to escape Hamas with Mr Haim and another hostage, 24-year-old Samer Talalka.

READ MORE: Israeli hostages had used food to write 'SOS' on makeshift white flags they were waving when they were shot by IDF forces who ignored orders not to fire Advertisement

But despite removing their shirts to show they had no explosives and waving a makeshift white flag, they were gunned down by IDF soldiers on December 15.

Mr Shamriz said he believed his son had led his fellow captives to safety using skills gained during his national service.

'The only thing I know is he did everything right,' he said at the hotel north of Tel Aviv his family has lived in since terrorists destroyed their kibbutz.

'They didn't try to stop them, they didn't try to identify them, they just shot them  and that's it.'

Mr Shamriz, a chief financial officer who lives with wife Dikla, 61, and children Ido, 32, Yonatan, 34, and Roni, 20, said he feels 'terrible' for those who killed his son.

'We have the most honest army in the world, trust me, I served there,' he said.

'The prime minister is doing whatever he wants for his survival. If 135 hostages are killed and returned as bodies, he doesn't care.

'He wants to eliminate Hamas, he thinks that is going to give him the ticket to stay in his chair. First release all the hostages. You can eliminate Hamas in one year.'

Alon, 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

There was anguish at the funeral of Alon, whose family gathered to bury him last Sunday.

'Those who abandoned you also murdered you after all that you did right,' Shamriz' brother Ido said at the funeral, according to the 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.'

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.
To the women he app-roached on dating websites, Tom Plimmer would make great capital of his status as a GP. There is something about being a doctor, in particular a general practitioner, that conveys an extra layer of trustworthiness, of compassion and empathy.

Sadly, those are qualities that seem to have been sorely missing when it came to this particular GP and his personal relationships.

The 40-year-old Cambridge-educated medic saw his reputation shattered earlier this year when he admitted having sex with women in his consulting rooms. This week, he was further disgraced when the same medical tribunal reconvened and found he had targeted a vulnerable colleague in various ways, including sending her an unsolicited video of him having sex with another woman, bombarding her with explicit photographs and subjecting her to lewd gestures.

The location for much of this activity? The privacy of his consulting rooms at a busy surgery in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The detail of the protracted Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing that still has to determine Plimmer's fitness to be a doctor, is both deeply disturbing and unpalatable; but as the Mail has uncovered during investigations into the medic's background - the case is just the tip of a very sordid iceberg.

Perennially unfaithful, a self-confessed sex addict and now, more chillingly, a manipulative sex pest, Tom Plimmer's proclivities could not be further removed from what most people would expect of a family doctor.

Tom Plimmer saw his reputation shattered earlier this year when he admitted having sex with women in his consulting rooms

This week, he was further disgraced when the same medical tribunal reconvened and found he had targeted a vulnerable colleague in various ways

And shockingly, this is not even the first time that Plimmer's professionalism has been called into question - in fact, his first job as a qualified GP, in Cambridgeshire, ended under a cloud after he was found to have been viewing porn and browsing adult dating sites, looking for sex, on his work computer.

He went on to speak openly and publicly in a national newspaper about his sex addiction - confessing to sleeping with 90 women and being serially unfaithful - and avowing that Sex Addicts Anonymous 'saved my life'.

Yet, he was allowed to take up a new position as a GP in Swindon in 2017 - a fact that remains baffling to the women who have crossed his path since. This week we have spoken to five women who had relationships with Plimmer. As one puts it: 'Ninety women? Make that 90,000.'

These women share much in common. They are professional, working women; intelligent, but almost all, in some way, vulnerable.

They have bravely agreed to speak to the Mail anonymously (the emotional scars of their encounters run deep) in the hope that their experiences help prevent any others going through a similar ordeal.

Anna is in her 30s, she's not a person easily fooled. Now a happily married mother-of-one, she is able to laugh about the sheer audacity of the lies she was told during her relationship with Plimmer seven years ago - but it wasn't always thus.

She describes meeting Plimmer on Tinder in 2016. 'I liked that he was a doctor,' Anna admits. 'I know that sounds really superficial, but that was what initially drew me to his profile.'

He went on to speak openly and publicly in a national newspaper about his sex addiction

His profession gave her, a woman scarred by a previous abusive relationship, a confidence that this was a kind, caring man she could trust. They began to date - meeting for dinner, speaking every day, seeing each other once or twice a week. He would stay at her home, she visited his just once.

That trust was knocked relatively early on when her protective mother stumbled across a couple of Plimmer's newspaper confessionals about sex addiction and faking orgasms (one headlined 'I was a GP... how could I also be a sex addict?').

But, testament to his remarkable charm, he managed to persuade his partner that he had sought treatment for this, and it was all 'in the past'; he was reformed. 'Don't worry, you are safe with me. I will never hurt you,' he said.

'He convinced me it was all going to be OK,' says Anna. 'He's charming and knows all the right things to say. As a GP he will have studied mental health and addiction - he knows how to act as if he has been rehabilitated.'

Just a few weeks later the first elaborate lie landed: Plimmer's mother was in hospital having suffered 'a stroke'. Two weeks later, in early October, there was a new development, an early morning message that Plimmer's mother had died.

Anna laughs as she recalls the event, not because she is without compassion but because she now knows Plimmer's 72-year-old mum is very much alive. She's aghast as she recalls: 'He was talking to me about funeral plans, and I kept offering to help.' That Christmas he came to meet my family, including my parents and grandparents - my grandfather had suffered a stroke himself a few years before.

He was allowed to take up a new position as a GP in Swindon in 2017

'Tom told my family how difficult things had been since losing his mother, and my mum said to him: 'If there is anything we can do to be a support, just let us know.' The whole family even raised a glass to his deceased mother!'

Lies, of course, often crumble, and this deceit imploded spectacularly during a group Sunday lunch in late January, when one of Anna's friends asked if she could charge her phone. The friend needed to unplug Plimmer's phone to do so, and as she did his home screen lit up.

'She came back to the table with tears in her eyes and said, 'I need to talk to you', then she took me aside and pressed the button so his home screen lit up again and it was just full of messages, explicit messages from different women  all of which he must have received while we were eating.'

The confrontation that followed was devastating - he didn't deny the evidence of his infidelity. He'd relapsed, he said.

The next denouement came in a cooler, calmer moment days later when, wondering what else he might be lying about, some online detective work revealed that his mother was, in fact, alive and well. Anna does not want to dwell on the experience, rather she is furious at all that was still to come.

Her own mother wrote to the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2017, highlighting Plimmer's duplicity, providing evidence of his lies including screenshots of messages Plimmer had sent to her daughter about his mother's 'death', and raising concerns for his mental well-being.

The response? That what happened in his private life did not affect his ability to be a GP, so no further action would be taken.

This week we have spoken to five women who had relationships with Plimmer. As one puts it: 'Ninety women? Make that 90,000 '

Anna is now deeply concerned about how Plimmer continues to be allowed to practise with minimal conditions (effectively, he only has to keep the GMC and various other individuals notified where he is working and in what capacity). To add insult to injury, even now he is operating a health and well-being business under a different first name, which falls outside the realms of any kind of regulation for medical practitioners.

For these services at 'Mind, Body and Emotional Wellness with Dr Matthew' in Gloucester, where he lives, Plimmer charges 65 for an individual, 55-minute therapeutic session, or 775 for a group session in a business or educational setting.

Anna is appalled that he is professing to give mental health support to potentially very vulnerable clients, including students. She has fired off letters and phone calls to numerous NHS bodies, police forces and the GMC, all to no avail.

'He has taken all of us for a ride,' Anna says. 'To me, it is really simple that his behaviour and outrageous, harmful lies mean he has bought his profession into disrepute and needs to be erased from the medical register without delay. But more than that, I want to make sure he doesn't continue to be exposed to potentially vulnerable patients and clients, or to take advantage of any other woman.'

In this sentiment, Anna is not alone - that is the over-riding motivation of each of the women I have spoken to this week. Freya is a teacher and mother-of-three who dated Plimmer for a few months between 2018 and 2019, but never quite let her guard fully down, because there was something in his strangely forceful manner that she was unsure about.

He pushed her up against a wall for a kiss on the very first date, which made her uncomfortable, but tentatively the relationship progressed.

Freya's uncertainty was fuelled when she, too, stumbled across that newspaper sex addict confession. Understandably, she confronted Plimmer.

'He said he had been to rehab and was completely healed,' she says with embarrassed resignation. 'He said he'd gone and done some spiritual thing and travelled'

It was the beginning of the end of the six-month relationship, but the aftermath was protracted. 'He would be messaging me constantly, saying he missed me, that he loved me. He would ring me saying he was crying on the floor. Knowing what I know now is very weird because he was obviously in a long-term relationship with someone else while he was dating me.'

That other woman is Danielle, a PR professional and single-mother-of two who began dating the doctor in 2019 after meeting him online.

The reason Danielle and Freya know about each other is a striking moment in the whole tawdry saga of Plimmer's web of lies. While he was dating the teacher, her teenage son had been seriously ill in hospital with suspected meningitis. Imagine Freya's horror when, four years later, she received a photograph from a stranger on Facebook, asking: 'Is this your son in hospital?'

The sender of this image was Danielle, who had been sent it by Plimmer. He had claimed the photograph was of his own brother, but she turned detective and uncovered the truth after her own relationship with Plimmer collapsed in the wake of his lies.

'I think he is sick, no sane person would do this. No one would choose a life of this much chaos and disconnection,' Danielle says.

She shared her life with Plimmer for two years from 2019. He moved into her home, holidayed with her children  all, she was to discover, while having sexual relationships with numerous other women, including the two women whom he admitted having sex with at his surgery in January and May 2020.

'When you really love someone and you introduce them to your children, it's nice to think you actually know them, and it's quite a shock when you find out you don't,' she says.

'It's like you've been living in someone else's fiction, wasting your time, which in your 30s is quite critical. And then I had to try to explain it somehow to the children, who were very young, and that was hard to do.

'I've tracked him, going back to his Cambridge years, and basically have found this behaviour going on in one way or another since he was 18 - but it seems to have escalated.'

Known as Ms D in the tribunal, Danielle withdrew from the case before it concluded having found the experience too bruising, but is in no doubt that her relationship with Tom Plimmer was 'relationship fraud'.

'I certainly think people can be darker than I ever expected,' she says. Her two-year relationship with the doctor crumbled when she tagged him in a social media post, only to have someone get in contact 'wondering why I was tagging her boyfriend in my pictures'.

What followed has been a two-year journey of piecing together an ever-growing jigsaw of lies.

'I set up an Instagram account with just photos of me and him on it, I just wanted to see if any more women noticed him and messaged me, and they did.'

And they kept coming.

As for Plimmer, who is apparently a church-goer, he declined to comment yesterday. He recently uploaded an interesting post to his personal blog; it was entitled No More Lies.

It began thus: 'Lying can of course lead to a lot of trouble and hurt to both the receiver and, eventually, the deliverer of said lies. However, more than the lie itself it's the lies that we actually believe that do the most harm.'

Certainly the women he duped would agree with this. But it remains to be seen whether Plimmer's complex web of lies, and his sordid exploits in his consulting rooms, will be enough to put an end to any prospect of him returning to work as a GP.

* Names have been changed.
Joe Biden joked that he was promoting a youngster to 'congressman' as he visited patients in a children's hospital in Washington.

The president listened as Jill Biden read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' to a group of patients and their families at Children's National Hospital.

It was the President and First Ladys third holiday visit to the hospital.

Other patients also joined in virtually from their rooms.

Sumukh Arunkumar, 10, reacts as Joe Biden promotes him to 'Congressman'

Sumukh Arunkumar, 10, and Joe Biden during a presidential holiday visit to patients and families at Children's National Hospital in Washington

Sumukh Arunkumar, jumps for joy

At the end of the First Lady's book reading Biden told the children 'Yay Santa' and invited one of them, Sumukh Arunkumar, 10, on to the stage.

'Come here Mr Mayor...I'm going to promote him. I'm going to make him a congressman,' he joked.

Biden thanked staff, saying 'it's special, special what you do.''

He added: 'Jill and I spent time, the same like you parents do, with our children, other circumstances.

'But you know, that old expression where there's life there's hope. Hopefully you kids are going to come back when you're out of the hospital and hang out with other kids. And you will know what's it's like, right.

First Lady Jill Biden reads 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' during a holiday visit to patients and families at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 22, 2023

Joe Biden addresses young patients and their families

Joe Biden greets patients and their families at Children's National Hospital

US President Joe Biden reacts as First Lady Jill Biden reads 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'

'So thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all you do. And I'll see you hopefully before next Christmas. The next Christmas I see you maybe I'll see you at the White House.'

Biden went on: 'Every single year there's more and more cures, every single solitary year. So as my father would say, keep the faith. We're gonna beat all this, I promise you.'

He added: 'If one of you kids, when you're president, you remember us OK?

'When they say Joe and Jill Biden are out in the waiting room promise you don't say who.'
A woman is fighting for life following a horror buggy roll over in the central highlands of Queensland.

Emergency services were called to a buggy crash involving two people in Duargina, west of Rockhampton at around 1.35pm on Friday.

A buggy has rolled in Queensland with a woman left in a critcal condition. Picture: 7News

The woman, aged in her 40s, was treated at the Apis Creek Rd site for head and leg injuries before being flown to hospital in a critical condition.

The second person, a teenage boy, was also treated at the scene for a head injury before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Elsewhere in Queensland, an 18-year-old man died after his vehicle rolled off the Bruce Highway and crashed at Ambrose, about 30km from Gladstone, on Friday evening.

The driver, from Toolooa, died at the scene after the car left the road near Gentle Annie Road about 6.30pm.

Two passengers - a 17-year-old male from Toolooa and a 19-year-old man from South Gladstone man - suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were assessed at Gladstone Hospital.

Early on Saturday morning, a 27-year-old man from the north-west Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove died after his motorbike crashed into a pole.

Police said the rider was travelling along Waterworks Road shortly after midnight when his bike veered off the road and smashed into a pole.

He sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.
A Scottish nationalist MP has been branded 'crass and disrespectful' after he billed taxpayers for a memorial wreath.

Steven Bonnar claimed 45 on his expenses to send a floral tribute to a service in his Coatbridge constituency east of Glasgow.

He was reimbursed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in June, with the item filed under office allowances as 'wreath for a constituency memorial service'.

After spotting it in the latest published expenses data, his party said it should not have been claimed. An SNP spokesman said it was an 'error' and that Mr Bonnar will repay it 'at the earliest opportunity'.

Steven Bonnar (pictured) claimed 45 on his expenses to send a floral tribute to a service in his Coatbridge constituency east of Glasgow

He was reimbursed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in June, with the item filed under office allowances as 'wreath for a constituency memorial service'

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher (pictured) described it as a 'crass and disrespectful claim'

Last night, Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher described it as a 'crass and disrespectful claim', adding: 'The public will be appalled that he felt it appropriate to bill the taxpayer for a wreath.'

The data also revealed a Tory whip tried to claim for research he commissioned into the 20 MPs he himself was responsible for.

Adam Holloway, who served in the whips' office under Liz Truss, put in a 120 bill last December, which was rejected.
A top secret Chinese spaceplane that launched into orbit last week is sending strong signals over North America.

The craft - dubbed Shenlong after a spirit dragon from Chinese mythology - has released six mysterious objects after reaching the Earth's orbit for the third time in three years.

The objects are being tracked by the US Space Force but no details have been released publicly as to what they are or what purpose they serve.

Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley has been tracking the plane and examining the signals they have been emitting.

He told DailyMail.com they appear to be sending the strongest signals while passing over North America.

It comes just 10 months after the US shot down a Chinese spy that could have collected intelligence as it passed over several military sites.

China's top-secret spaceplane deployed five unidentified objects into orbit after launching last week, which are now sending strong signals back to Earth. Pictured is a shot of the spaceplane in orbit

Tilley said he believes the signals are targeting a ground station or boat near British Columbia, Canada, where he lives.

'When the spaceplane passes over me, it only emits on a certain trajectory of pass that appears to favor a location south to southwest of me.

'I.e., on higher elevation passes over me, there are no signals, but on ocean-hugging passes to my southwest, all of my observations of the object have occurred.'

Tilley has teamed up with a group in Switzerland that specializes in optical-band space surveillance, and the collaboration has been keeping a close eye on the plane since it launched on December 15.

The US Department of Defense has designated the six objects OBJECT A through F.

Tilley and the team in Switzerland labeled the spaceplane Object A, which has 'now been identified as the test spacecraft by the US Space Force.'

Object B is 'very bright' and showed 'characteristics during several passes that we would rather associate with an upper stage,' according to S2A Systems, the team in Switzerland.

'The light curve of Object D also indicates a stabilized attitude control,' the team continued.

Object A is very bright with a stable attitude control - pictured is the light curve captured by Tilley

'Object C appears to be a rapidly spinning faint piece of debris. OBJECT F is also quite faint, but no rotation has yet been detected.

'We will carry out further measurements during the coming weeks.'

Objects E and D are believed to be satellites.

'The object suspected as the space plane Object A emits signals,' said Tilley.

'Objects D and E have also been observed emitting signals by an observer in Australia.

'I have also received another report just now of a possible reception of signals from Object B.'

Tilley has teamed up with a group in Switzerland that specializes in optical-band space surveillance, and the collaboration has been keeping a close eye on the plane since it launched on December 15

China's spaceplane launched one day after the US was forced to scrub the flight of its 'spy' plane (pictured), which the US Space Force chief said was 'no coincidence.'

An announcement in the Chinese press described the purpose of the space plane as providing 'technical support for the peaceful use of space' - but the nation has kept details under wraps, as has American officials about their craft.

China's spaceplane launched one day after the US was forced to scrub the flight of its 'spy' plane, which the US Space Force chief said was 'no coincidence.'

'It's probably no coincidence that they're trying to match us in timing and sequence of this,' General Chance Saltzman, Space Force's Chief of Space Operations, said.

Speaking at the Space Force Association's Spacepower Conference in Orlando, General Saltzman emphasized the sophistication of these unmanned and reusable orbital spycrafts, which can offer greater operational security than spy satellites.

'The ability to put something into orbit, do some things, and bring it home and take a look at the results is powerful,' Saltzman said.

'It's no surprise that the Chinese are extremely interested in our spaceplane,' he said. 'And we're extremely interested in theirs.'

Nevertheless  despite years of promo photos of America's Boeing-designed X-37B covert spacecraft  no images of its Chinese rival have leaked to the public.
Since its release back in 1986, Chris Rea's 'Driving Home for Christmas' has been one of the most popular Christmas hits in the UK.

But a new study suggests that if Rea is feeling eco-friendly this Christmas, he might have to release a new version of the track.

Scientists have calculated that Rea's journey from Abbey Road music studios to his home in Middlesbrough in his wife's Austin Mini would have produced 44kg of carbon dioxide (CO2).

However, the team from the University of Sheffield say that he could have slashed his carbon footprint by a whopping 88 per cent if he'd taken the train instead.

'Emissions of both the car and train journey have fallen by around 80 per cent since the song was written, but the train is still the greener way to travel,' said Dr Stuart Walker, who led the study.

Since its release back in 1986, Chris Rea's 'Driving Home for Christmas ' has been one of the most popular Christmas hits in the UK. But a new study suggests that if Rea (pictured on stage in 2006) is feeling eco-friendly this Christmas, he might have to release a new version of the track

Re-routing Chris Rea's drive home for Christmas The team calculated the average carbon emissions released during the 241-mile journey from London's Abbey Road Studios to Middlesbrough using various forms of transport: Mini Austin in 1978 : 44kg Electric Mini Austin in 2023 : 11kg Ferrari : 148kg Fiat 500 : 37kg Tube and train : 5kg Advertisement

Rea was inspired to write Driving Home for Christmas after his wife came down to London to drive him home in her Austin Mini to save money.

Speaking to The Guardian, he explained: 'We kept getting stuck in traffic and I'd look across at the other drivers, who all looked so miserable.

'Jokingly, I started singing: 'We're driving home for Christmas'.

'Then, whenever the street lights shone inside the car, I started writing down lyrics.'

In the new study, the team calculated the average carbon emissions released during the 241-mile journey using various forms of transport.

This includes his original Mini, an electric version he had commissioned earlier this year, and the train.

In his 1978 Mini Austin, the team calculated that around 44kg of CO2 would have been emitted.

His new electric car would fare much better, according to their calculations.

If the electric Mini could manage around six kilometres per kWh, the team estimates that the total emissions for the trip would be 11kg of CO2.

A common modern electric car might reduce this even further to as little as 8kg.

The team calculated the average carbon emissions released during the 241-mile journey from London's Abbey Road Studios (pictured) to Middlesbrough using various forms of transport

A trip from St John's Wood to King's Cross on the London Underground, and then the train up to Middlesbrough would emit just 5kg of CO2, according to the researchers

READ MORE: The perfect Christmas sandwich, according to ChatGPT Advertisement

However, the train was found to be the best option by far for Rea to slash his carbon footprint.

Since 2019, electric trains have run on the East Coast Mainline.

This means that a trip from St John's Wood to King's Cross on the London Underground, and then the train up to Middlesbrough would emit just 5kg of CO2, according to the researchers.

'We also calculated the emissions of some of Chris' favourite vehicles, including a Ferrari (148kg CO2) and a tiny Fiat 500 (37kg), but none could beat the train,' Dr Walker said.

'If Chris had adopted an early hybrid Toyota Prius in 2009 or bought a Tesla in 2012, his emissions would be lower than a petrol or diesel car, but still higher than the equivalent train journey.'

According to the team, emissions from rail journeys are set to fall even further in the future.

'We found that the emissions of the rail journey would fall over time, helped by the electrification of the line and the gradual reduction in emissions as more and more of our electricity is supplied by renewable energy,' Dr Walker added.

MailOnline has contacted Rea for comment.
Flying deer were spotted over Utah just days before Christmas, but the airborne animals were not pulling Santa's sleigh.

Wrapped in red fabric, the animals were hanging from a rope attached to a helicopter that was relocating them to an area to perform health assessments.

Biologists conduct the mission each winter, moving 1,200 deer to an open area where the four-legged animals can be tagged with GPS collars.

The team ran into action as soon as the deer landed on the ground, removing the clothes and releasing them back into the wild.

Wrapped in red fabric, the animals were hanging from a rope attached to a helicopter that was relocating them to an area to perform health assessments

The mission was conducted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, which shared the video on its Facebook page.

'These aren't Santa's flying reindeer! Each winter, our biologists capture and place GPS collars on approximately 1,200 deer throughout the state,' the post reads.

'They are also brought to a staging area where we perform health assessments before safely letting them go back into the wild.

'These important efforts help us monitor and learn about deer migration patterns.'

Biologists measure the fat content of the deer and place a vaginal implant in some of the does so when they give birth, the tracker will lead experts to the fawn.

Wrapped in red fabric, the animals were hanging from a rope attached to a helicopter that was relocating them to an area to perform health assessments

The team ran into action as soon as the deer landed on the ground, removing the clothes and releasing them back into the wild

'Placing GPS collars on deer and following the animals over time provides biologists with valuable information, including how long deer live in Utah, their habitat type during different times of the year, and their migration patterns

'Placing GPS collars on deer and following the animals over time provides biologists with valuable information, including how long deer live in Utah, their habitat type during different times of the year, and their migration patterns,' the organization shared.

The trackers also help researchers uncover poaching.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reported that 179 of the animals were killed illegally in the state last year, among the total of 1,283 wild animals and fish that were poached - an 11 percent increase from 2021.

The deer are captured by a team using net guns and are then placed in red bags - the animal's eyes are also covered.

The captures typically occur in November and December (with a few happening in February and March) when the animals have migrated to lower elevations and are easier to locate.

Another reason the captures take place during the winter is that big game animals have difficulty regulating their body temperature, and the cool weather helps them recover more quickly.
Burger fans in Pasadena, California will soon get to taste the future of fast food: a patented, AI-powered, short-order-cooking robot named Flippy.

Flippy's makers said the new dining spot will be 'the world's first operating restaurant where both ordering and every single cooking process are fully automated.'

In addition to Flippy, responsible for deep frying chicken nuggets and French fries, a fellow 'BurgerBot' will be grilling up patties, and a biometric payment system, PopID, will take customers' orders.

While Flippy got its first job in the fast food industry back in 2017, serving at 50 CaliBurger restaurants after training, the new 'CaliExpress by Flippy' will be the first time the rail-mounted mechanical arm will get to work with more of its own kind.

Burger fans in Pasadena, California will soon get the chance to taste the future of fast food: a patented, AI-powered, short-order-cooking robot named Flippy cooking with its robot friends

Holding company Cali Group  which owns Miso Robotics, the firm behind Flippy  said it hoped the new CaliExpress will 'inspire the next generation of kitchen AI and automation entrepreneurs' by offering educational tours and robotics exhibits.

'The CaliExpress by Flippy location will also be a pseudo-museum experience presented by Miso Robotics,' the company said in a statement.

'Including dancing robot arms from retired Flippy units, experimental 3D-printed artifacts from past development, photographic displays, and much more.'

Cali Group said it wanted to encourage local schools and educational groups to reach out for tours of the soon-to-open fast-food restaurant.

The company had expected to open CaliExpress by Flippy this month, according to Forbes, but a spokesman now tells the financial news publication that the Pasadena location will be 'opening soon' in 2024.

While fast food and fast casual restaurants as diverse as Wendy's, IHOP, Chipotle, and Sweetgreen have all been busy integrating AI into their operations, critics have expressed concern over the human and economic costs.

Miso Robotics, a California-based company, built a kitchen bot called Flippy capable of cooking 300 burgers daily. Flippy then expanded into whipping up fries

The company had expected to open CaliExpress by Flippy this month, according to Forbes, but a spokesman now tells the financial news publication that the Pasadena location will be 'opening soon' in 2024

Valyant AI founder Rob Carpenter told Fox News this May that millions of jobs will likely be lost over the next five to 10 years as robots and computer kiosks replace most fast food roles.

'We are going to see AI jump from back-office processing and manufacturing facilities to consumer-facing, front-facing, traditionally human-only jobs,' the AI entrepreneur said.

'This is definitely a watershed moment for artificial intelligence,' Carpenter noted.

And top tech executives, researchers and academics, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have spent the past year of raging AI debate raising the 'risk of extinction from AI.'

Built by Miso Robotics, a food services startup from Pasadena, California, Flippy is now capable of working an entire fry station and can do over twice as many food preparation jobs as the first Flippy, including basket filling, emptying, and returning - according to the firm

READ MORE: Burger and fr-AI-s? McDonald's reveals plans to use AI to produce 'hotter, fresher food' for customers with Google's help McDonald's will soon be bringing AI into the kitchen as it announces a partnership with Google Cloud to implement high-powered computing into thousands of restaurants. Advertisement

'Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war,' more than 350 signatories wrote in a letter published by the nonprofit Center for AI Safety (CAIS).

As well as Altman, they included the CEOs of AI firms DeepMind and Anthropic and executives from Microsoft and Google.

The members of Cali Group have been much more optimistic about the promise and potential of their AI-powered, robotic cooks.

'The marriage of these various technologies to create the most autonomous restaurant in the world is the culmination of years of research, development, and investment in a family of revolutionary companies,' said PopID CEO John Miller, who does double duty as a board member of Miso Robotics.

'AI-powered, robotic order-taking and cooking enables the major chains that feed America to substantially improve quality, consistency and speed,' CEO Miso Robotics CEO Rich Hull said in the firm's CaliExpress announcement.

'Miso is proud to partner with Cali Group and PopID to make CaliExpress by Flippy a reality,' the executive added.

'Flippy has been an incredible success story, and now everyone in Southern California can come take a look  and a taste  for themselves.'
While NASA has proved it can deflect a killer asteroid off a path toward Earth, scientists are working on a Plan B - and it includes a nuclear bomb.

California researchers have developed a simulation of what impact a giant explosive would have when detonated on the space rock's surface.

The model showed the bomb landing on the asteroid, going off and sending its powerful energy shooting through the cosmic object.

The team found two scenarios: The device would either deflect the asteroid away from Earth or it could disrupt the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that would also miss the planet.

The model showed the bomb landing on the asteroid, going off and sending its powerful energy shooting through the cosmic object

Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LNL) created the simulation to see if a nuclear bomb would save us from a catastrophic asteroid if NASA failed.

The team hopes the model will help increase our chances of survival with the American space agency's strategy.

NASA sent a spacecraft to an asteroid in 2020 and successfully knocked it from its orbit, showing it could deflect an asteroid heading toward Earth.

Mary Burkey, who led the research, said: 'If we have enough warning time, we could potentially launch a nuclear device, sending it millions of miles away to an asteroid that is headed toward Earth.'

Burkey said that nuclear devices have the highest energy density ratio per unit of mass of any human technology, which could make them an invaluable tool in mitigating asteroid threats.

The team found two scenarios: The device would either deflect the asteroid away from Earth or it could disrupt the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that would also miss the planet

But, as the team wrote in their paper, 'predicting the effectiveness of a potential nuclear deflection or disruption mission depends on accurate multiphysics simulations of the device's X-ray energy deposition into the asteroid and the resulting material ablation.'

Burkey said that accurate predictions for the effectiveness of nuclear deflection missions rely on sophisticated multiphysics simulations, explaining that LLNL simulation models cover a wide range of physical factors, making them complex and computationally demanding.

The simulation tracked photons penetrating surfaces of asteroid-like materials such as rock, iron, and ice while accounting for more complex processes, such as reradiation.

The model also considered initial conditions, including different porosities, source spectra, radiation fluences, source durations, and angles of incidence.

'This comprehensive approach makes the model applicable to many potential asteroid scenarios,' the team shared.

Megan Bruck Syal, LLNLs planetary defense project lead, explained that in the event Earth is threatened by a killer asteroid, a simulation model like this one will be crucial.

She continued that it will allow the powers to act fast, know the risks and ultimately save lives.

'While the probability of a large asteroid impact during our lifetime is low, the potential consequences could be devastating,' Bruck Syal said.
READ MORE: Irate driver drags eco-protester off a road before ramming others

Previously, the group splashed the Brandenburg Gate with its signature orange

The group chose the holidays to protest government policies on climate change

California-funded eco-activists sprayed orange paint on Christmas trees in seven German cities in a protest against government inaction on climate change.

In a video posted to X last week, two protestors sprayed a Christmas tree with orange paint from fire extinguishers while a third unfurled a banner nearby.

The video was posted by the German activist group Letzte Generation - German for 'Last Generation.'

Letzte Generation has been known to spray its signature orange in public places as a protest tactic.

According to the group's social media posts about the incident, the latest act of political vandalism was part of a coordinated demonstration across multiple German cities.

In a video posted to X last week, two protestors can be seen spraying a Christmas tree with orange paint from fire extinguishers while a third unfurled a banner nearby

A police officer in Berlin inspects a Christmas tree after climate change activists from the group Letzte Generation, funded by a California climate group, sprayed it with orange paint

According to Letzte Generation's website, the group receives a large part of its funding for recruitment and action from the Los Angeles-based Climate Emergency Fund.

'In Berlin, Oldenburg, Kiel, Leipzig, Rostock, Nuremberg and Munich we colored Christmas trees orange,' the group wrote in another post about the holiday demonstration.

 Wir farben Weihnachtsbaume orange



In Berlin, Oldenburg, Kiel, Leipzig, Rostock, Nurnberg und Munchen haben wir Weihnachtsbaume mit orangener Farbe eingefarbt. pic.twitter.com/p3ZvNimLzX  Letzte Generation (@AufstandLastGen) December 13, 2023

According to its announcements, the group deliberately chose the holiday season for the protest.

'Amidst the flashing lights, shiny jewelry and festive atmosphere, it's easy to forget: We're racing full speed towards catastrophe, and our governments are failing miserably to pull the emergency brake in Dubai,' the group wrote in its next post - a reference to the COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

According to its announcements, the group deliberately chose the holiday season for the protest

Letzte Generation staged this multi-city demonstration to protest what they see as political inaction on climate change

That post showed another defaced Christmas tree.

 "Inmitten blinkender Lichter, glanzendem Schmuck und festlicher Stimmung lasst es sich leicht vergessen: Wir rasen mit Vollgas in die Katastrophe und unsere Regierungen scheitern in Dubai gerade krachend daran, die Notbremse zu ziehen. pic.twitter.com/77JSic4JXf  Letzte Generation (@AufstandLastGen) December 13, 2023

In a third post on X, more members of the group were shown standing in front of two more spray painted Christmas trees.

'We call: Let us do everything peaceful together to prevent a world that is 3 degrees hotter,' that post read. 'We can't rely on governments and corporations to do this. We ourselves are called upon to take action and engage in civil disobedience.'

Letzte Generation is known for its particularly disruptive protests, including ones that block public roads.

The group made headlines in September when one such demonstration turned violent.

A motorist, whose car was blocked when the group's members sat across a road in Manheim, Germany, got out and attacked multiple protestors.

 Wir rufen auf:



Lasst uns gemeinsam alles friedliche unternehmen, um eine 3 Grad heiere Welt noch zu verhindern.



Auf die Regierungen und Konzerne konnen wir dabei nicht hoffen. Wir sind selbst dazu aufgerufen aktiv zu werden und zivilen Ungehorsam zu leisten. pic.twitter.com/1YqWOrsahC  Letzte Generation (@AufstandLastGen) December 13, 2023

Members of Letzte Generation sprayed the Brandenburg Gate with orange paint in September, also to protest climate policies

Also in September, the group staged another messy protest, spraying Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate with orange paint.

'The protest makes it clear: It is time for a political change,' the group said in a statement at the time. 'Away from fossil fuels - towards fairness.'

In May, police in Germany carried out nationwide raids on the homes of seven members of Letzte Generation in an attempt to gather evidence to call the group a criminal organization.
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Eat your heart out, Father Ted.

This stunning island off the Irish coast - reminiscent of the fictional Craggy Island in the 90s Channel 4 sitcom that shares its name with the title character - is up for sale and could be yours for less than a million euros.

Representing 64 acres of 'uninhabited solitude', Middle Calf Island, off Ireland's south coast, boasts a gorgeous private beach, abundant wildlife and views across the 'wild' Atlantic Ocean. So says Vladi Private Islands, the company tasked with selling it.

The firm's CEO, Farhad Vladi, told MailOnline Travel that it is expected to sell for less than 1million (866,000) - significantly less than the average price of a flat in Westminster, which currently sits at 1.22million, according to Foxtons. And around the average price of a London house.

A property listing for the island, which is part of Ireland's Co. Cork region, says the land was last inhabited before WWII and features several ruins. It is also home to around 25 Kerry Bog Ponies, which graze there year round and are included in the sale.

Scroll down for breathtaking images of the island. Could you live out your life like Father Ted there?

Behold Middle Calf Island, a 64-acre uninhabited private island situated off the West Cork coast of Ireland. The land is being sold by Vladi Private Islands and is expected to sell for less than 1million (866,000)

The island features 'the ruins of four dwellings and outbuildings and many stone walls'

Vladi Private Islands says the island does not have a pier but does feature 'beautiful beaches' (above)

The land mass (front) is among several islands situated between the town of Schull, on mainland Ireland, and Cape Clear Island

Middle Calf Island is located between West Calf and East Calf Islands

The island is currently being farmed and is home to a herd of around 25 Kerry Bog Ponies (pictured), which graze there year round, according to the listing. 'It was also previously grazed by sheep,' it adds

Six families once lived a self-sufficient life on the island, according to the listing. 'A school was set up there in 1835 which was also attended by pupils from neighbouring communities,' it says, adding: 'In 1841, the population of the island was 39. The last family left the island in 1937'

The island offers views across Cape Clear Island in one direction and 'the vast stretches of the wild Atlantic' in the other, says Vladi Private Islands

Outline Planning Permission for the reconstruction of a ruined building 'for use as a dwelling' and for the 'reconstruction of outbuildings for ancillary use' was previously granted but has now expired, Vladi Private Islands explains

The potential new owner could enjoy magnificent walks on the island, which offers stunning scenery including several lakes
Members of a Holyrood committee say it could 'benefit' residents and visitors

A visitor levy in Scotland would be 'unlikely' to have a detrimental impact on local authority areas, a Holyrood committee has said in a report, bringing the tax one step closer.

The Scottish Parliament's Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee published its stage one report on the Visitor Levy Bill on Thursday.

If passed, it would allow local authorities to introduce an overnight accommodation levy in order to reinvest locally in facilities or services used by tourists.

The majority of committee members have supported the Bill and said it is 'unlikely' the levy will have a detrimental effect on certain local authority areas, as long as the rate is relatively modest.

Scottish Conservative members Miles Briggs and Pam Gosal did not support several of the report's conclusions, or the general principles behind the Bill.

A Holyrood committee said in a report that a visitor levy in Scotland would be 'unlikely' to have a detrimental impact on local authority areas and has the potential to bring 'significant benefits'. Above: Festival crowds along Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Read our Stage 1 Report on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill



Following our consideration of the Bill, most of the Committee has supported the general principles behind the legislation.



Reporthttps://t.co/fuv5WnFotB



Convener @ArianeBurgessHI explains more pic.twitter.com/18xMZiUiJd  Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (@SP_LocalGov) December 21, 2023

There was general agreement that the introduction of a levy has the potential to bring 'significant benefits' to visitors, the tourism sector and local residents.

Local authorities will be able to design and implement the levy in a way that suits the area's circumstances.

But committee members also recognised business concerns around the timing of the legislation, following the impact of Covid-19 on Scotland's tourism sector and the increased costs of doing business, as well as recent changes to short-term let licensing.

The report acknowledged concerns that the introduction of the levy could result in an additional administrative burden.

However, the Bill will require localised monitoring and reporting to ensure transparency and accountability.

Local authorities in Scotland will be able to design and implement the levy in a way that suits the area's circumstances. Above: Throngs of tourists in Edinburgh

It is anticipated the earliest the levy could be implemented would be 2026.

Ariane Burgess, convener of the committee, said: 'In supporting the Visitor Levy Bill at stage one, a majority of the members of the committee recognise its potential to positively impact Scotland's tourism sector.

'After thorough consultation and consideration, most members of the committee have supported the core principles of the legislation, emphasising that a well-designed levy, at a modest rate, shouldn't discourage visitors and should bring benefits for the tourism sector.

'A majority of the members of the committee welcomed and supported the flexibility provided by the Bill, which will enable local authorities to customise the levy's implementation meaning that local levies are designed to suit local circumstances.

'Understanding concerns from businesses and being mindful of possible administrative burdens, a majority of members of the committee believe that industry worries can be resolved through constructive engagement and consultation at the local level, ahead of any levy being introduced in 2026.'
Nigella's Amsterdam Christmas

BBC iPlayer

Rating:

In case you're wondering, 'Why Amsterdam?', the question is never answered. Nigella simply says she 'first came to Amsterdam at this time of year about half a lifetime ago'.

But why not Amsterdam? Perhaps it's Nigella's first annual alphabetically themed Christmas special set in a different city?

'You can see why it's known as the Venice of the North!' exclaimed Ms Lawson, embarking on her twinkly, jazz-tinged hour of foodie escapism. And even though personally I'd always thought the Venice of the North was St Petersburg, Google reveals Bruges and Birmingham are also in contention for the title.

In case you're wondering, 'Why Amsterdam?', the question is never answered. Nigella simply says she 'first came to Amsterdam at this time of year about half a lifetime ago'

Please, Nigella, do not make either of them next year's destination.

Sensibly, our hostess got the party started by mixing herself a cocktail, the so-called 'Amsterdamage': ice, equal parts dry white vermouth, triple sec (or Cointreau, or 'any orange liqueur') and Jenever  a Dutch juniper-flavoured liqueur (my drinks tray failed to deliver, disappointingly)  plus orange bitters. 'Shake it all about and Bob's your Dutch uncle!'

I'm in. Who wouldn't be?

Having recently made headlines for turning her back on Christmas cake ('Much as I love a slice, I am surrounded by those who abominate dried fruit in all its seasonal manifestations,' she's previously admitted), Nigella was soon wrapping a log of almond paste in puff pastry to make 'sweet sausage rolls', before heading off to hunt for serious cheese: 'Once I have my cheese board settled, I feel my Christmas happiness is assured.'

After which it was time to make an Indonesian-inspired chicken biryani accompanied by a pineapple salad. For which  and obviously without having tasted it  I have only three words: Nom, nom and NOM!

'There's a real difference between the food you go out for and the food you make at home,' Nigella observed sagely, knocking back a 'crispy, crunchy croquette' while a bartender mixed her a mystery cocktail. Though perhaps not quite as much of a difference round Nigella's as, say, round yours or mine?

I doubt the percentage of viewers who actually cook Nigella's recipes comes remotely close to the numbers tuning in merely for her seductive side-eye smiles to camera  yes, even in her curlers. Nonetheless, you can very easily lose yourself in Nigella's cod-philosophising (in the absence of actual cod) as she loses herself in liquorice ('I take it very seriously') and cake ('I just have a thing about layering up. I find it calming and celebratory at the same time').

Somehow, she makes this sort of nonsense make some sort of sense, if only at Christmas. Because, having stuck on some Michael Buble and wopped leftover chicken skins into the air fryer, I'm feeling far less furious and a lot more festive.

As they say in Amsterdam  proost!

Festive cheese, please...

The Madame Blanc Mysteries souses its low-stakes plots with enough sunshine that viewers can cave in and clock off. The cast are also clearly enjoying themselves far too much for it to be real hard work; Robin Askwith even reduces his commute by living on the island of Gozo, where the show is filmed.

This year's Christmas Special was predictably low on surprises, high on laughs. It's cheesy but mmmmoreish.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries souses its low-stakes plots with enough sunshine that viewers can cave in and clock off

All Creatures Great And Small didn't deliver that many creatures, great or small, in its Christmas special (My5)  unless you counted Helen's baby. Vet Siegfried certainly did: 'How different from a sow can it be?' he thundered at the prospect of playing midwife.

Meanwhile, James made a splint for his RAF squadron's feathered mascot. All in all, a heartwarming episode of my new Christmas favourite, Call The Midwives, Great And Small...

This swindler's tale was a con

Vanishing Act

ITVX

Rating:

Often, the phrase 'inspired by real events' seduces us before we realise what we're watching isn't 'real', it just feels that way. Sometimes actors are so good we trust them.

So, when Vanishing Act's narrator says, 'They found my shoe with my foot still in it', I was hooked.

The narrator is Australian self-styled 'financial adviser' Melissa Caddick, whose multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme  ripping off mainly family and friends  fuelled a luxe lifestyle in the chic clifftop Sydney suburb of Dover Heights.

The narrator is Australian self-styled 'financial adviser' Melissa Caddick (pictured with Angie), whose multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme  ripping off mainly family and friends  fuelled a luxe lifestyle in the chic clifftop Sydney suburb of Dover Heights

The 49-year-old mother of a son, Caddick disappeared the day after Australia's Securities & Investments Commission raided her home in November 2020. Still, despite a DNA match to that foot, Caddick remains a 'missing person'; the drama's faked-death scenario is a spurious reading of the con artist's vanishing act.

That it's ever remotely believable is down to Atkinson's entertaining take on a profoundly unlikeable protagonist. Ultimately, however, Caddick doesn't deserve either Atkinson's sterling efforts or our three-hour investment in her entirely fictitious life.

A life, I suspect, Caddick invested so much of herself into sustaining that she convinced herself it was as real as the Dior frocks in her wardrobe.
Studio 10 had its final show on Friday, and viewers were treated to a very bizarre send-off.

A Channel Ten spokesperson confirmed in November the embattled breakfast show had officially been axed after more than a decade on the air.

During their last episode, Tristan MacManus, Denise Drysdale and Angela Bishop bid fans a final farewell after more than a decade on the morning program.

And it was nothing short of awkward, when crew members were unable to think of any good memories from their time on the show.

The toe-curling moment came when presenter Jesse Baird ventured behind the scenes of the studio to interview long-term crew members.

Channel Ten 's breakfast show Studio 10 had its final show on Friday, and viewers were treated to a very bizarre send-off

He asked the program's assistant director Mel, who had been working at Channel Ten for 18 years, her fondest memory of the program.

Mel was stumped and was unable to recollect any amazing times from her near-two decades at the network.

'From the 18 years? No, not on the spot,' she answered.

Former host Sarah Harris also surprised the panellists as she made a shock return to the show.

Former host Sarah Harris also surprised the panellists as she made a shock return to the show

The Channel Ten star disguised herself by wearing a wig and glasses and sitting in the audience

The Channel Ten star disguised herself by wearing a wig and glasses and sitting in the audience.

After being approached by reporter Daniel Doody, she pulled the items off before going over to hug her former co-hosts.

'It was an operation trying to hide from all of you. I've been here since 7am,' she said.

She also recalled the moment a dog had an accident on-air and joked he was 'telling her what he thinks of her career'.

Meanwhile, things took a risque turn when the hosts were treated to a sexy Christmas-themed dance performed by Magic Men Australia.

The men donned Santa hats while ripping off their white singlets and stripping down to their trousers as they proceeded to give Jesse and Denise a lap dance.

And the last episode was nothing short of awkward, when crew members were unable to think of any good memories from their time on the program

Former host Sarah Harris also surprised the panellists as she made a shock return to the show

At the end of the show, Denise thanked viewers and her co-hosts for their support over the years.

'I just want to say thank you to everyone that I've met on the show, worked with that have helped me and looked after me,' she said.

Tristan added: 'It's been an emotional day. We aren't lucky enough to have everyone here that has played a part in this show.'

'So if you played any part in the show and you're sitting at home right now, thank you very very much from the bottom of our hearts.'

She also recalled the moment a dog had an accident on-air and joked he was 'telling her what he thinks of her career'

An emotional Angela also said: 'The time has come to finally sign off from Studio 10 for the last time and we have so many people to thank. All the incredible guests we've had over the years, some who've shared harrowing personal stories or have sung or danced or cooked or taught us something new.

'The incredibly talented people who've sat in the host seats over the years since that first day with Sarah, Jo, Jess and Ita and been part of our family.'

She became emotional as she continued: 'And we're so grateful you decided to make us part of your day during the past 10 years, you have shared milestone events in our lives.'

Angela then handed over to Sarah to sign off and end the show for the final time.

At the end of the show, the hosts thanked viewers for their support over the years

Following the announcement of Studio 10's cancellation, staff of Channel Ten hit back at network executives after receiving a brutal email that informed employees of the axing.

Crew members on the breakfast show were left furious by the 'emotionless and cold' announcement that the last episode would air on December 22.

The email, sent just after 1pm on Tuesday, explained the program was being canned, but offered no words of support or comfort to the team, reported The Daily Telegraph.

Things took a risque turn when the hosts were treated to a sexy Christmas-themed dance performed by Magic Men Australia. The dancers stripped down and grinded on Jesse and Denise

According to the publication, a senior Channel 10 staff member said many employees were disgruntled by the lack of empathy and care in the email.

'Just two weeks ago Studio 10 was celebrating its 10th anniversary on air - now the team isn't even being thanked for its hard work or successes,' they said.

READ MORE: How Channel Ten went woke - and could now go BROKE Advertisement

They added: 'For management to blame it on a 'change in viewing habits' rather than poor decision making at the top is unfair.'

In the email, Network News Director Martin White said 'there will be a new morning lineup' in 2024.

He added there would be 'an increased focus on news and current affairs throughout the day', with a 3.30pm news bulletin being added to the timetable.

'We will be welcoming some members from the Studio 10 team into the news team. No news jobs will be impacted because of this change,' he wrote.

A spokesperson confirmed last month the last episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens.

Hosts Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus, as well as special roving reporter Daniel Doody, will remain with the network and be deployed in different roles.

Bishop and McManus admitted in an emotional Instagram video it had been a 'tough day' after being informed about the news at lunchtime on Tuesday.

'It's a tough day for the whole Studio 10 family because we have loved bringing you the show for the last 10 years,' Bishop said.

'We're all really proud to be part of it. To finish up, I'm going to pinch a quote, 'Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened'.'

Meanwhile, another network spokesperson thanked the show's hosts, past and present, staff and viewers for supporting the program.
Katie Holmes demonstrated her winning street style when she was spotted dashing around New York City this Thursday.

The 45-year-old actress, who rang in her birthday on Monday, was seen sharing a laugh with a gal pal in the days leading up to Christmas.

Exuding an air of festive cheer, Katie modeled a fashionable ensemble that included a long, sleek camel-toned overcoat.

She swept her signature dark hair into a large updo and sharpened her features with makeup, augmenting the look with a burnt-orange set of aviators.

Her ensemble carried a whiff of casual nonchalance, including as it did a pair of baggy faded jeans and a set of sneakers.

Katie Holmes demonstrated her winning street style when she was spotted dashing around New York City this Thursday

The 45-year-old actress, who rang in her birthday on Monday, was seen sharing a laugh with a gal pal in the days leading up to Christmas

Katie, who shares a 17-year-old daughter called Suri with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, accessorized with a voluminous black leather handbag.

Earlier this year, Katie gave an interview to Glamour magazine and offered up some of her opinions about modern fashion.

'I think the 90s style is exactly back. Makes me feel old. We lived through that already!' said Katie, who grew up in Toledo, Ohio in the 1980s and 1990s. 'My mom says she should have saved things. I should have saved things.'

Reflecting on her wardrobe choices as a boldface name, the fashion maven confessed: 'Its a funny world because the culture of celebrity and the access that exists now could be quite a distraction from who the person is.'

Said she: 'I'm an actor, so people say: "Oh, do you think about what you wear before you go to the grocery store?" No, because its not my job. You know what I mean?'

The Batman Begins actress acknowledged: 'But yesterday, going and doing a talk show is part of my job. So yes, thats put together.'

Alongside her career as an actress, Katie has directed three films - All We Had, Alone Together and this year's Rare Objects starring her alongside Alan Cumming.

Earlier this year, she hinted at some future directorial projects, dishing that she was 'Im putting together two films right now.'

The 45-year-old actress, who rang in her birthday on Monday, was seen sharing a laugh with a gal pal in the days leading up to Christmas

She swept her signature dark hair into a large updo and sharpened her features with makeup, augmenting the look with a burnt-orange set of aviators

Se specified: 'One is a smaller one that Alan Cumming and I wrote together, and itll be the two of us. And then another project that Ill just direct and were figuring out casting. Im always trying to find stories.'

Katie gushed: 'Its so exciting to have a voice as a woman and put our perspective out there. You reach a certain age and youre like: "I think this is interesting."

The Dawson's Creek alumna added: 'I finally have the confidence to be like: "No, I think Im going to say this. I think Im going to do this."'

Tom and Katie held a Scientologist wedding at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano in November 2006, seven months after their daughter was born.

Katie filed in 2012 for a divorce that was finalized only 10 days later, with Suri's mother retaining primary custody while Tom retained visitation rights.

David Miscavige's father Ron told the MailOnline in 2016 that Katie's misgivings about Scientology - including the effect it could have on her daughter - contributed to her decision to leave Tom.

Tom has not been pictured with Suri in about a decade, on which subject an Us Weekly source alleged in 2018: 'Every person is allowed to see their child if they wanted to. He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist.'
Lisa Kudrow told her then-boyfriend Conan O'Brien he was a 'no one' - in an effort to bolster his spirits - as he took on the massive task of appearing in the late night NBC slot once manned by David Letterman in 1993.

The exchange was chronicled in a new Vanity Fair piece documenting an oral history of the first year of the Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

The actress, 60, who played Phoebe Buffay on the sitcom Friends, explained that she sought to relax O'Brien in expressing to him that whoever was to try to take the spot couldn't be an established name.

SNL alums Chevy Chase and Dennis Miller both had short-lived runs on late night in the same timeframe, in the wake of the 1992 retirement of the late Johnny Carson; the Vanity Fair piece indicates NBC was looking at the late Garry Shandling for the spot.

'I don't know how much we talked about it,' Kudrow told the publication. 'I just knew, "You're trying to replace David Letterman. No one replaces David Letterman. You're no one." It can't be anybody that an audience would know.'

Lisa Kudrow, 60, told her then-boyfriend Conan O'Brien, 60, he was a 'no one' - in an effort to bolster his spirits - as he took on the massive task of appearing in the late night NBC slot once manned by David Letterman in 1993

The Friends star was a guest on O'Brien's NBC series in 1995

O'Brien, 60, said in the piece that auditioning for the hosting slot was akin to 'linguine meeting marinara sauce for the first time,' and that there were a number of growing pains along his path to establishing himself as a steady presence on late night.

O'Brien, who hit the air on NBC in September 1993, said he and his team 'were very naive' and 'just had to go through the spanking machine' in order to cement himself in the spot.

'I had to develop from a fetal pig to a full-size pig in front of America,' O'Brien said. 'And that just had to happen. There was no way around it.'

O'Brien dealt with potential cancellation in his first year, but an appearance from Letterman himself in February 1994 helped buoy O'Brien's confidence and ratings.

He turned the corner months later, as his summer 1994 season saw increased ratings, with college age people driving his surge in popularity.

'Suddenly the audiences became great,' he said. 'I didn't know what was happening. And then it dawned on me. Colleges let out. So college students started to come.'

Kudrow told Vanity Fair of O'Brien's persistence: 'He just kept showing up as him.

'He just kept being himself, with his own kind of humor and comedy, where if you just keep doing it, then people get it: "Oh, thats you. This isnt an awkward thing. Its you."'

Late night icon David Letterman, 76, was pictured in LA at an event this past March

In all, the series Late Night with Conan O'Brien ran for more than 2700 episodes from 1993-2009

The former couple reunited for a virtual appearance on Conan on TBS in 2020

In all, the series Late Night with Conan O'Brien ran more than 2700 episodes from 1993-2009, ending with O'Brien's ill-fated overtaking of The Tonight Show.

The show would win an Emmy in 2007 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program amid 28 nominations it racked up during its 16-year run.

Following his departure from NBC amid acrimonious circumstances in 2010, O'Brien inked a deal with TBS, where he stayed until 2021 with his talk show Conan for more than 1,400 episodes.

On his final episode in June of 2021, O'Brien said, 'My advice to anyone watching right now - and it's not easy to do, it's not easy to do, but try; try and do what you love with people you love. If you can manage that, it's the definition of heaven on Earth.'
White Christmas (Crucible, Sheffield)

Verdict: The Dream is on

Rating:

The House With Chicken Legs (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London)

Verdict: Lovably oddball

Rating:

According to the Met Office, most of us have at least another 12 months of dreaming of a white Christmas ahead of us. And yet we still have some reasons to be cheerful this year, thanks to a dream production of Irving Berlin's yuletide warmer in Sheffield.

Don't think that's easy, either. This is a musical with a decidedly sketchy plot that can easily turn to slush. But the story's shortcomings are breezily swept aside in Paul Foster's twinkle-toed production.

The show fizzes from the start, as our ex-U.S. Army variety act Bob and Phil (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the film version) meet showgirl sisters Judy and Betty, and follow them to an unseasonably warm, snow-free Vermont for Christmas.

Here, the boys run into their beloved-but-belligerent WWII general, Hank Waverly, and resolve to save his failing ski resort by staging a full-scale Broadway beano.

Songs including Count Your Blessings are shamelessly saccharine, and other numbers seem like Berlin's odds and ends. But who cares when the completely extraneous I Love A Piano cues a huge, tumultuous full-company tap dance with everyone dressed like keyboards?

The show fizzes from the start, as our ex-U.S. Army variety act Bob and Phil (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the film version) meet showgirl sisters Judy and Betty, and follow them to an unseasonably warm, snow-free Vermont for Christmas

Songs including Count Your Blessings are shamelessly saccharine, and other numbers seem like Berlin's odds and ends

Falling In And Out Of Love Can Be Fun is a perfect pick-me up for seasonal lonely hearts, and of course the title tune is make-believe with tinsel on top (even if it triggers flashbacks to Muzak in shop queues pre-Christmas).

A terrific cast ensure everything runs like clockwork, with George Blagden's workaholic showman Bob suitably stuffy... and just waiting to be brought to heel by Grace Mouat's no-nonsense Betty.

Natasha Mould, as Betty's show-partner Judy, is a squeaky living doll, while Sandra Marvin, as concierge 'Megaphone Martha', adds decibels to her turns.

But the hallmark of the show's success is that at the matinee I caught this week, Danny Collins had to step in for his first performance as understudy in the leading role of fun-loving, philandering Phil (covering an indisposed Stuart Neal)... and if you didn't know, you'd never have known. Cheeky and charming, Collins was as light on his feet as a squirrel and sang like a willow warbler. If I was Neal, I'd fear for my job.

By comparison, The House With Chicken Legs is as ungainly as the title suggests  but it's still a lovably oddball children's show that parents can enjoy, too.

Based on Sophie Anderson's novel for young people, it's the tale of Marinka, who lives in the chicken-legged house with an eccentric 'Baba Yaga' witch, who guides the souls of the dead to the next world. The story is really a coming-of-age yarn, as plucky Marinka learns to stand on her own two (human) feet.

Based on Sophie Anderson's novel for young people, it's the tale of Marinka, who lives in the chicken-legged house with an eccentric 'Baba Yaga' witch, who guides the souls of the dead to the next world

The loveliest part of it is Alexander Wolfe's East European-style klezmer music featuring squeezebox, violin, and drums  plus a xylophone-like instrument whose name I can't quite marimba.

Although Oliver Lansley and James Seager's over-long production labours with huge clunky, cartoon houses that need shunting about the stage, it's full of seasonal cheer.

As Marinka, Eve De Leon Allen is a wide-eyed innocent who's also a tenacious creature with a bright, strawberry voice. And Dan Willis adds airborne mischief, operating the puppet of her faithful, feathery-friend Jackdaw to make sure it's kooky but cute.

Jack And The Beanstalk (Broadway Theatre, London)

Verdict: Family fun

Rating:

Suzie McKenna is responsible for the Hackney Empire's sparkling pantos for two decades, and now plies her trade as writer/director of Jack And The Beanstalk across the Thames at the recently restored Broadway in Catford, an Art Deco beauty.

Derek Elroy leads the cast as Dame Dolores Trott in her reworked story  there's a Queen Bee (Siobhan Athwal) to remind us how important bees are, and a Scarecrow (Wayne Rollins)  but McKenna includes several traditional elements, too.

It's a family show; Durone Stokes is a sweet-natured Jack and there's little rudery (although the cheeky interplay between the Dame and Scarecrow keeps the grown-ups entertained), and Caroline the Cow is just lovely. McKenna throws in a few political gags  the baddie is Boris the Flying Cockroach (Ben Fox) and the audience are encouraged to shout 'lying cockroach' whenever he appears.

The Nutcracker (Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House)

Verdict: Whats better than The Nutcracker at Christmas? Two Nutcrackers

Rating:

It's the Christmas season, so that means The Nutcracker. And there is no production more magical than Peter Wrights at the Royal Ballet.

Its a confection, a delicious fantasy, presided over by Christmas angels. Going to this Nutcracker is to opt out of the 21st century and the struggle for existence  hooray!

The opening party for St Nicholas, with the bishop himself and the conjurer Drosselmeyer  Gary Wright [AVIS?] in a lovely swirly cloak  gives way to the midnight battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, whom the party girl (Sae Maeda on the first night as a brilliant young Clara) sees off with a swipe of her slipper.

And then, as the Christmas tree grows and grows, enter 24 snowflakes and were onto the realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dancers from afar.

Youve got to do ethnic turns carefully these days  at the English National Ballet the Arab dance is an all-girl affair  but here, amended by Gary Avis (him again), its a sensuous performance by Lukas Braendsrod and Melissa Hamilton.

Towering over all of them are the Sugar Plum Fairy and her King. On the first night it was the magical pairing of Fumi Kaneko and William Bracewell, and they brought the house down.

As for plot, the Nutcracker is tricky, with no obvious connection between the first and second act  not that anyone cares.

Here, the story starts and ends with Drosselmeyer brooding over his lost nephew, transformed into the Nutcracker, and at the end the nephew returns. That gives the story a sort of coherence. If you cant go in person, there are cinema screenings up to Christmas.

And, more good news, theres not just one Nutcracker in town, but two. Over at the Coliseum, in Wayne Eaglings familiar English National Ballet version, the story begins and ends with little Clara and Freddy in their bedroom, and the action is directed by the magician (Fabian Reimair), with the grown Clara and the Nephew  Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw  doubling as Sugar Plum Fairy and King.

This production has the best and scariest Mouse King (James Streeter), but its sometimes just drab  Act Two begins on a bare stage.

But the real star of any Nutcracker remains Tchaikovskys sublime, melodic score: abiding enchantment.
Vin Diesel has vehemently refuted his former assistant's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlantas St. Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010.

In response to Asta Jonasson's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing the 56-year-old actor of sexual battery, his lawyer told Variety that the father-of-three 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety.'

'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee,' Diesel's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement.

His lawyer also stated that 'there is clear evidence, which completely refutes' the plaintiff's 'outlandish allegations.'

Jonasson says she was hired by production company One Race Films to be assistant while he filmed the movie in Georgia.

Vin Diesel has vehemently refuted his former assistant's claim that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlantas St. Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010 (pictured in April 2023)

According to documents obtained by the publication, Jonasson claimed she was at Diesel's suite at the St. Regis in Atlanta while he was 'entertaining multiple women.'

She claimed when the last woman left, she was tasked with escorting Diesel out of the hotel to avoid paparazzi. She also alleged the actor forcibly grabbed her, groped her breast and kissed her, while in the suite.

Jonasson claimed she struggled to break free, but the actor allegedly continued.

She alleged Diesel then lifted up her dress and tried to pull down her underwear, before pinning her against the wall, grabbing her hand and placing it on his erect penis.

She alleged the actor was in his underwear after pulling down his cargo shorts.

Jonasson then alleged he pulled down her underwear and began masturbating while leaning against her. She claimed she kept her eyes closed to 'dissociate.'

She claimed when he finished, he pulled up his shorts and said: 'No one can say s**t about Asta' and left the room.

Jonasson claimed hours later Diesel's sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent called her and fired her, saying 'they no longer needed her help.'

In response to Asta Jonasson's lawsuit, accusing the actor of sexual battery, his lawyer told Variety that the father-of-three 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety'

'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee,' Diesel's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said

Diesel has been with partner Paloma Jimenez, 40, since 2007, and they have three children: Hania, Vincent and Pauline (pictured 2019)

In the suit, Jonasson said she believes she was fired because she resisted Diesel during the alleged assault.

Jonasson also said she remained silent 'out of fear of Diesel's power in Hollywood' and because of 'her immigration status as a green card holder.'

She said she now feels empowered by the #MeToo movement and cited California's Speak Out Act - which allows victims to file sexual assault claims for alleged incidents dating back to 2009.

Jonasson said she is suing Diesel, his sister and One Race Films for sexual battery, wrongful termination and hostile work environment.

DailyMail.com has contacted Vin Diesel's representatives for comment.

Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.

He has been with partner Paloma Jimenez, 40, since 2007. The pair share three kids: Hania, Vincent and Pauline.
Nicky Hilton unleashed her animal instinct in a leopard print coat when she was spotted pounding the pavement in New York on Thursday.

Just a few days before Christmas, the 40-year-old little sister of Paris Hilton surfaced in the city that never sleeps to run an errand.

She draped her eye-catching wrap over an ensemble that was otherwise completely black, in a typical example of Manhattan chic.

Her skintight leather trousers matched her boots, and she brought the look together with a simple black scarf and quilted handbag.

With her signature blonde hair swept back into a ponytail, the leggy socialite chatted on the phone as she headed up the street.

Nicky Hilton unleashed her animal instinct in a leopard print coat when she was spotted pounding the pavement in New York on Thursday

Her latest outing comes one day after she celebrated her eldest daughter Teddy's birthday by taking her to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Nicky and her husband James Rothschild share three children - Teddy, six, Lily-Grace, five, and a one-year-old son whose name she has not disclosed.

Teddy's sixth birthday celebration at Radio City Music Hall included Nicky's dashing brother Baron Hilton II and his pregnant wife Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff.

Baron and Tessa were also accompanied by their two older children - their three-year-old daughter Milou and one-year-old son Caspian.

Tessa can trace her lineage to a branch of the Wittelsbachs, the famously eccentric Bavarian royal house that produced Wagner's patron, the Mad King Ludwig.

Nicky married James, a grandson of the third Baron Rothschild, in 2015 in a ceremony in the Orangery at Kensington Palace with Paris as maid of honor.

Paris herself became a mother twice this year, welcoming two children via surrogacy with her venture capitalist husband Carter Reum.

They shocked the world in January when they announced the arrival of their son Phoenix, and then did so again on Thanksgiving when Paris broke the news that she now had a daughter and had called her London.

Just a few days before Christmas, the 40-year-old little sister of Paris Hilton surfaced in the city that never sleeps to run an errand

Her skintight leather trousers matched her boots, and she brought the look together with a simple black scarf and quilted handbag

Social media was set ablaze by the baby girl's name, with fans pointing out that the old Disney Channel sitcom The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody included a character called London Tipton (Brenda Song) who was an obvious parody of Paris.

Paris herself noticed the link between her and the sitcom character years ago, tweeting that she had realized 'London Tipton is basically me.'

Meanwhile, Nicky gave an interview this month about the way her and Paris' approach to the holidays has changed since they had children.

'I mean, usually around this time of the year we're trying to figure out what we should do for New Year's Eve, should we go to Vegas?' she told People. 'But this year we're talking about doing a trip with all the children.'
Her father is a famous actor, one of the best-known contemporary comedians, with a net worth of $100 million.

Her father was a longtime voice actor of Buzz Lightyear for Disney-Pixar's Toy Story franchise.

He worked alongside Tom Hanks and developed a friendship with him that has lasted 'to infinity and beyond' off-screen as well.

He is also close with Jay Leno and Richard Karn.

Her dad is most well-known for playing Father Christmas in the Santa Clause franchise films.

Before she turned 14 this year, she made her debut into Hollywood and played his onscreen daughter in his 2022 drama series, The Santa Clauses.

She is his youngest out of the actor's two children. She has an older sister, who has made an appearance on his show, Home Improvement.

Her father also worked with Pamela Anderson in that 90s sitcom and played the main protagonist, Tim 'The Tool Man' Taylor.

Who is this nepo baby?

Can you guess this Hollywood nepo baby?

She is 14-year-old Elizabeth Allen-Dick, daughter of Tim Allen.

Her father is often considered a household name as he starred in a number of hit shows including Last Man Standing.

His career as a comedian kicked off after his prison release in 1981, and he rose to stardom when he started working on Home Improvement about a decade later.

Elizabeth is his second child, whom he shares with his wife, Zoom actress Jane Hajduk, 57.

He also shares daughter Katherine 'Kady' Allen, 34, with his ex-wife, Laura Deibel  whom he was married from 1984 to 1989.

After making her acting debut, Elizabeth raved about the experience of working with her father on set.

On the topic of The Santa Clauses, she said it was an 'incredible' experience.

'It was just so much fun,' she said in conversation with HollywoodLife in November 2022.

It's Tim Allen's daughter Elizabeth Allen-Dick! The 14-year-old joined her father at opening night of MJ The Musical in Los Angeles on Thursday

She is now following in his Hollywood footsteps as she works with him on set for the Christmas show

She added that she enjoyed every single day of the two months of production and admitted: 'It was never work to me.'

She also revealed that 'it was never stressful' and she was 'never nervous'.

'I never felt like I had one day of work throughout the two months of shooting,' she added.

Most recently, she revealed that there is only one Saint Nick in their household, and they watch her father's Santa Clause movies for the holiday each year.

'Every Christmas we watch all three of them,' she told The New York Post while promoting the second season of The Santa Clauses.

'We do watch other movies! Not many,' the Hollywood vet responded. 'We do watch other people, other actors.'

'But he also won't watch any other Santa Claus movies other than himself,' Elizabeth continued about her famous father.

Elizabeth played her real-life dad's onscreen daughter in both seasons one and two of The Santa Clauses

She is Tim's youngest daughter  whom he shares with his wife Jane Hajduk; seen in November 2022

Tim and the Zoom actress, 57, have been married since 2006; seen in November 2022

Her father was a longtime voice actor of Buzz Lightyear for Disney-Pixar's Toy Story franchise. He also shares daughter Katherine 'Kady' Allen, 34, with his ex-wife, Laura Deibel (not shown)  whom he was married from 1984 to 1989; seen in June 2019

'I can't watch another Santa Claus movie,' Tim explained. 'Especially when they're bad Santas.

'I know there are people that like the ugly Santa movies but sometimes I'm like, "Eh, I don't know if I like bad Santas." You know, dressed up with knives and stabbing. I don't like that,' he told the outlet.

On Thursday, Tim and Elizabeth enjoyed some father-daughter bonding time as they attended the opening night of MJ The Musical in Los Angeles.

At the event, they sported coordinating, all-black ensembles and showcased their identical, contagious grins.
Netflix fans have gone into meltdown with the release of Zach Snyder's new sci-fi film Rebel Moon.

Centred around 'the most wanted fugitive in the known universe', Kora (Sofia Boutella), battles it out in a bid to save the quiet farming moon of Veldt.

The lone wolf soldier discovered a sense of connection on the tranquil farming moon - a far cry from her past life as a soldier for the Imperium.

Unfortunately when a sadistic Interstellar empire comes - who is determined to control the entire galaxy - comes knocking on their door, Kora is forced to dig up her past to save her home and the people in it.

After the evil admiral, Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein) visits their planet on a huge and ominous battle cruise, Kora makes her way across the universe to gather a team of fighters to help protect the quiet Veldt.

Lone wolf soldier Kora has discovered a community on the quaint farming moon of Veldt (pictured Sofia Boutella as Kora)

But when brutal Imperium admiral Atticus (played by Ed Skrein, pictured) arrives on the moon, former soldier Kora is forced to protect her home

Hellbent on conquering the galaxy, under the orders of the Emperor of the Imperium, the brutal soldiers are adamant on taking over the quaint farming moon (pictured: The people of Veldt)

Among the scrappy team of fighters includes, mercenary Kai (Charlie Hunnam), ex-Imperium general Titus (Dijmon Hounsou), refugee, Miliua (E. Duffy), cyborg swordsman Nemesis (Doona Bae), ex-nobleman Tarak (Staz Nair), sibling Darrian (Ray Fisher) and Devra Bloodaxe (Cleopatra Coleman) and Veldt farmer Gunnar (Michiel Huisman).

Robot Jimmy (voiced by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins) is also seen to be waiting as a back up, after many years out of duty.

Director Snyder explained Jimmy and similar AI machines to him struggle to accept their current reality and become slightly 'disillusioned' because they were created for a specific role.

Now many of the robots, including Jimmy have lost the will to fight in order to protect the Veldt.

Regarding the rebellious clan defending the quiet farming moon, Snyder told Netflix: 'They're all mifits. Theyre all healing and finding a place to belong. Its a movie about finding a family.

'Thats really at the heart of the movie in a lot of ways: Kora finding a place to call home, something that she wants to protect.'

Fans have been raving about the film ever since it's release on Friday, with many taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to give their reviews of the action packed movie.

'OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH I DIDNT REALIZE HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS MOVIE AHHH,' one wrote.

Among the scrappy team of fighters includes, mercenary Kai (Charlie Hunnam), ex-Imperium general Titus (Dijmon Hounsou), refugee, Miliua (E. Duffy), cyborg swordsman Nemesis (Doona Bae), ex-nobleman Tarak (Staz Nair), sibling Darrian (Ray Fisher) and Devra Bloodaxe (Cleopatra Coleman) and Veldt farmer Gunnar (Michiel Huisman)

Robot Jimmy is also waiting on the bench to protect the moon, but he is disillusioned with his purpose and lacks the will to fight (pictured: mercenary Kai, played by Charlie Hunnam)

Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to rave about the new sci-fi movie by Zack Snyder, calling it one of the best productions on the streaming platform

'I'm sorry???? How the hell can anyone HATE #RebelMoon? This movie is AWESOME!!! This movie, at its WORST, is a fun popcorn flick!!!'

'I actually dont even have any words and yet I have so much to say about #RebelMoon part one. That was just incredible.'

Poll Will YOU be watching Rebel Moon? Yes No Not Sure Will YOU be watching Rebel Moon? Yes 152 votes

No 52 votes

Not Sure 18 votes Now share your opinion





Another raved: 'A friend just called me raving after just finishing the movie. You know when you can hear over the phone when someone is smiling ear to ear?

'Yeah, that. THEY GET IT, THEY FINALLY GET IT.

'Just finished #RebelMoon and I have to say it was amazing and highly recommend to everyone. Cant wait to see part 2.

'My first reaction is that this might be the best fantsy/sci-fi project Netflix has ever made.'

One eager fan went as far as to congratulated creator, Zack Snyder, for 'one of the best productions' on Netflix.

And fans won't have to wait too long for the second instalment of the franchise either.

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver will hit Netflix screens on April 19, 2024.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire is currently available to stream on Netflix now.
Fans have slammed Vin Diesel's 'creepy and cringeworthy' behaviour in a resurfaced interview, after the actor refuted claims he 'forced himself' on a former assistant.

The Fast & Furious star, 56, has been accused of sexual battery in a new lawsuit filed by his assistant Asta Jonasson, but has 'categorically denied' her claims.

Following news of the lawsuit on Thursday, an interview resurfaced between Diesel and Brazilian YouTube star Carol Moreira, during a press junket for XXX: The Return of Zander Cage in 2017.

The footage, which was re-shared on X, showed the star gushing over the 'beautiful' presenter, asking if he could have lunch with her, and crawling towards her on his knees.

In the clip, Diesel declares: 'God you're so beautiful, you're so beautiful man, am I right or wrong?' before turning to crew members off-camera.

Fans have slammed Vin Diesel's 'creepy and cringeworthy' behaviour in a resurfaced interview, after the actor refuted claims he 'forced himself' on a former assistant

As the journalist responds: 'Thank you,' Diesel goes on: 'How am I supposed to do this interview?

'She's so beautiful. Let's get out of here, let's go have lunch. My god I love her. Look how beautiful she is, god I love her wow.'

Despite the journalist's attempts to continue the interview, asking him to deliver his famous catchphrase I Am Groot in Portuguese, he adds: 'What's wrong? Am I the only one saying look how beautiful.'

Crawling towards the journalist on his knees, Diesel adds: 'She's so f*****g beautiful it's like, you can't even do an interview with her.'

After a clip of the interview was shared on social media, many users flooded the replies with criticism of Diesel's behaviour, branding it 'creepy' and 'unprofessional.'

One wrote: 'This is so f*****g creepy, holy s**t,' while another added: 'One of the cringiest interviews ever. Gross!!'

A third wrote: 'OMG he's so weird. I didn't know vin was like that.'

It comes after Diesel's lawyer vehemently refuted claims by his former assistant that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlanta's St. Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010.

The footage, which was re-shared on X, showed the star gushing over the 'beautiful' presenter, asking if he could have lunch with her, and crawling towards her on his knees

In the clip, Diesel declares: 'God you're so beautiful, you're so beautiful man, am I right or wrong?' before turning to crew members off-camera

After a clip of the interview was shared on social media, many users flooded the replies with criticism of Diesel's behaviour, branding it 'creepy' and 'unprofessional'

In response to Asta Jonasson's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, his lawyer told Variety that the father-of-three 'categorically denies this claim in its entirety.'

'This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly nine-day employee,' Diesel's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement.

His lawyer also stated that 'there is clear evidence, which completely refutes' the plaintiff's 'outlandish allegations.'

Jonasson says she was hired by production company One Race Films to be assistant while he filmed the movie in Georgia.

According to documents obtained by the publication, Jonasson claimed she was at Diesel's suite at the St. Regis in Atlanta while he was 'entertaining multiple women.'

She claimed when the last woman left, she was tasked with escorting Diesel out of the hotel to avoid paparazzi. She also alleged the actor forcibly grabbed her, groped her breast and kissed her, while in the suite.

Jonasson claimed she struggled to break free, but the actor allegedly continued.

She alleged Diesel then lifted up her dress and tried to pull down her underwear, before pinning her against the wall, grabbing her hand and placing it on his erect penis.

She alleged the actor was in his underwear after pulling down his cargo shorts.

Jonasson then alleged he pulled down her underwear and began masturbating while leaning against her. She claimed she kept her eyes closed to 'dissociate.'

She claimed when he finished, he pulled up his shorts and said: 'No one can say s**t about Asta' and left the room.

Jonasson claimed hours later Diesel's sister and president of One Race, Samantha Vincent called her and fired her, saying 'they no longer needed her help.'

It comes after Diesel's lawyer vehemently refuted claims by his former assistant that he 'forced himself on her' in Atlantas St. Regis hotel during production of Fast 5 in 2010

In the suit, Jonasson said she believes she was fired because she resisted Diesel during the alleged assault.

Jonasson also said she remained silent 'out of fear of Diesel's power in Hollywood' and because of 'her immigration status as a green card holder.'

She said she now feels empowered by the #MeToo movement and cited California's Speak Out Act - which allows victims to file sexual assault claims for alleged incidents dating back to 2009.

Jonasson said she is suing Diesel, his sister and One Race Films for sexual battery, wrongful termination and hostile work environment.

DailyMail.com has contacted Vin Diesel's representatives for comment.

Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.

He has been with partner Paloma Jimenez, 40, since 2007. The pair share three kids: Hania, Vincent and Pauline.
This is England fans have been left convinced a new series could be in the works after the cast and crew including Vicky McClure and creator Shane Meadows enjoyed a Christmas catch up on Thursday.

Thomas Turgoose, 31, who played Shaun Fields in the iconic drama, took to Instagram with a snap of his colleagues as they all enjoyed all beamed for the camera while enjoying a meal at a restaurant.

The 2006 film This is England, was a huge success and led to three subsequent TV series focusing on the characters in the years 86, 88 and 1990, which ended in 2015.

Thomas captioned the black and white snap: 'This Is England Christmas nights out'.

This is England fans have been left convinced a new series could be in the works after the cast and crew enjoyed a catch up this week

Thomas Turgoose, 31, took to Instagram with a snap of his colleagues as they all enjoyed all beamed for the camera while enjoying a meal at a restaurant

Fans were sent wild by the reunion and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in their droves with one writing: 'Confirming a new season for us?!'.

While a second wrote: 'We need that film'.

And a third begged: 'Just announce the new series all ready'.

Someone else typed: 'Just one more series pleaseeee'.

With another writing: 'Man, you guys need to collaborate again'.

Earlier this month Vicky was made an Member of the Order of the British Empire [MBE] by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

The actress, 40, was given the honour, which recognises services to drama and to charity.

The British actress wore a wool broad Versace shoulder coat worn over a grain de poudre double-breasted hourglass tailored jacket with signature Medusa buttons and tailoring label detail and matching tailored Bermuda shorts from the Fall-Winter 2023 collection.

The 2006 film This is England, was a huge success and led to three subsequent TV series focusing on the characters in the years 86, 88 and 1990, which ended in 2015 (Vicky McClure pictured with co-star Joseph Gilgun)

Thomas was ust 13-years-old when he first played Shaun Fields in the iconic drama (right, in This Is England in 2006)

Vicky McClure won critical acclaim for her role as Lol Jenkins (right, pictured on the show)

Perry Fitzpatrick played Flip in the iconic drama (right, pictured in character)

Chanel Cresswell was just 15 years old when she was cast as Kelly Jenkins in the 2006 film

They were also joined by director and creator Shane Meadows

Fans were sent wild by the reunion and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in their droves with one writing: 'Confirming a new season for us?!'

She carried a Greca Goddess bag and Pin-Point knee-high boots by the label to complete the look which had an edgy metal heel.

Vicky wore an animated smile on her face as the king uttered a few words to her, before he pinned the award to her jacket.

Vicky, who played Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line Of Duty is soon to be starring in the second season of TV series Trigger Point.

The crime series sees Vicky play ex-military bomb disposal expert Lana Washington, an Afghan war veteran now leading the Metropolitan Police bomb squad.

The crime drama centres on Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad officers who risk their lives daily on 'the long walk' towards danger.

The drama followed a teen who is taken under the wing by a group of skinheads in the Midlands

Stephen Graham who played ringleader Combo (pictured) was notibly absent from the reunion

Trigger Point was written by screenwriting newcomer Daniel Brierley and produced by Jed's HTM Television.

Series one focused on a terrorist campaign that threatened the capital over the summer with the bomb disposal operatives or 'Expos', at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate.

Nearly 11 million viewers watched the first episode and the series averaged 9.24 million viewers per episodes 1-4, as the audience enjoyed the series on ITV, ITV Hub and BritBox.

Season 2 will see Lana and her officers up against a terrorist group targeting London, leaving clues for them to find as they prepare to attack in different locations.
Lisa Wilkinson wants to make a return to TV screens following months of inaction and five tedious weeks spent in a courtroom, sources say.

The Channel 10 star and former darling of breakfast TV is keen to get back to delivering more 'blockbuster interviews' in the New Year, friends told the Weekend Australian.

Wilkinson quit The Project last November and despite remaining on the Ten payroll until the end of 2024, she hasn't appeared on the channel for 13 months.

Despite her lengthy hiatus from the network, Wilkinson has remained in the public eye through her role in a highly-publicised defamation trial.

Lisa Wilkinson (pictured on The Project) is 'desperate' to make a return to Australian TV screens following months of inaction and five tedious weeks in the courtroom

Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network 10 and Wilkinson over an interview with Brittany Higgins that was broadcast on The Project and online.

In the interview, Ms Higgins did not name Mr Lehrmann but alleged she had been raped in Parliament House by a Liberal Sstaffer in 2019.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The flashy details you missed in Lisa Wilkinson's power suit parade Advertisement

The trial wrapped on Friday, with the judge acknowledging it was an 'extraordinarily difficult case to control in the courtroom' due to its controversy.

Friends of Wilkinson say her court appearances have played in her favour by giving the TV star 'a constant stream of publicity'.

'Yes, she's been off air for a while but I don't think anyone will have forgotten her,' former Seven and Nine executive Peter Meakin told the Weekend Australian.

'I'm sure her loyal followers will remain loyal.'

However, a senior TV media executive who wished to remain anonymous said Wilkinson's return to screens may not be so simple, claiming she had committed 'professional suicide' over the Higgins interview.

During the last day of the trial on Friday, Mr Lehrmann's and Wilkinson's lawyers disagreed over her control on the production of her interview with Ms Higgins.

Mr Lehrmann's barrister Matthew Richardson SC rejected the notion that Wilkinson had little decision-making power in the final content of the broadcast.

Friends of Wilkinson say her court appearances have played in her favour by giving the TV star 'a constant stream of publicity' (she is pictured during a break on December 15)

Wilkinson's lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC, argued the media personality was just the face of the show and that producers were the ones making the calls.

'I'll say in the documents and we've gone through them very carefully. I think about 80 to 90 per cent of the material she's not copied into her suggestions were not taken up by the producers. So she had no decision-making power as to the final content of the broadcast,' Ms Chrysanthou said on Thursday.

However, Mr Richardson pointed out that Wilkinson had 'stood on a stage and accepted a Logie award for the program'.

'Just dealing with a separate role of Ms Wilkinson on the day of the broadcast, [producer] Chris Bendall described her as responsible for developing, conducting and delivering the story,' he told the court.

'Now we see her instructing the counsel to say, 'Well I don't really have that much to do with the program, particularly near the end'.'

He said Wilkinson had a timeline Ms Higgins' prepared of her allegations, she spent five hours meeting Ms Higgins in the weeks prior to broadcast, and recorded an interview with her a week later.

Mr Richardson then brought up the level of involvement that The Project producer, Angus Llewellyn, had in the program.

'If Your Honour squints into the horizon, and looks far, far away down the end of the river, Your Honour will see Mr Llewellyn on a barge destined for the next market town,' he said.

At that comment, Wilkinson looked up from her notebook, grimaced, and slowly shook her head.

Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network 10 and Wilkinson over an interview with Brittany Higgins that was broadcast on The Project and online

It comes as a senior Paramount executive has identified one telling clue that Wilkinson won't be returning to Channel Ten screens.

Channel Ten, which is owned by Paramount, unveiled its 2024 content line-up at its Upfronts event last week and Wilkinson, 63, was not featured.

Network Ten maintains they are in talks to develop 'other projects' with Wilkinson.

Television and radio industry expert Peter Ford said Wilkinson was 'Australia's highest paid TV star at $44,000 a week and she's not actually doing anything on camera' and would likely never again appear on the Ten Network.

He told Daily Mail Australia the legal fallout from Wilkinson's interview with Ms Higgins was 'a very toxic situation' for the embattled network.
Interview: Chinese language studies to boost cultural diversity, exchange in Ghanaian university

Xinhua) 13:12, December 22, 2023

ACCRA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- As the cooperation between China and Ghana forges ahead, more and more Ghanaian universities are riding the wave of the Chinese language popularity to promote cultural diversity and exchange on campus.

On Tuesday, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), one of the most renowned universities in Ghana, became the latest host of a Confucius Institute in the West African country.

Daniel Duah, dean of the International Programs Office at KNUST, told Xinhua in an interview that KNUST has always considered China an important partner and the timing was ripe to include Chinese language studies in the curriculum.

"We decided to explore our partnership with the Hubei University of Automotive Technology to have a Confucius Institute here, not only for the language but also for the cultural exchange and international academic exchange programs," Duah stated.

He said that with the rapid changes occurring in the world, coupled with the lessons from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for learners to understand different cultures and languages around the world.

"The world is a changing place, and COVID-19 taught us that the world is a global village, and you can not go far without partnerships. It is an opportunity for our students to have that diversity in culture that we desire on campus," he said.

He said that the university has already included the Chinese language as a course, but the presence of the Confucius Institute would help KNUST introduce a degree program in Chinese.

He said KNUST would work hard in partnership with their Chinese counterparts to ensure that the Confucius Institute becomes unique, yielding positive dividends for Ghana and China.

Duah lauded the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Lu Kun for his leading role in ensuring that KNUST finally received the nod to host the third Confucius Institute in Ghana.

"After the subsiding of COVID-19, the ambassador personally visited us and has been a huge pillar for this to happen, and we believe that this is going to deepen further the bilateral relations between Ghana and China," Duah concluded.

In recent years, studying the Chinese language has been increasingly popular in Ghana, where two Confucius Institutes have been established at the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast, respectively, since 2013.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Her workload has exploded over the past year - with her Love Island hosting duties going down a storm with viewers.

And Maya Jama certainly seems to be enjoying her successes as she took to Instagram on Thursday to flaunt her swanky belongings.

The TV favourite, 29, shared a number of shots from her recent antics with her 3million followers, including a shot showing her posing in the back of a car with a 30k Hermes handbag and a vast bunch of red flowers.

Another shot showed her playing cards during a US trip where she was joined by Stormzy, with whom she reunited earlier this year, while she gave an insight into her love of gambling by sharing a shot of $16k (12k) worth of chips in the casino.

Upping the heat in another image, Maya looked red hot in a sexy black dress with cut-outs which made the most of her ample cleavage.

Maya Jama certainly seems to be enjoying her successes as she took to Instagram on Thursday to flaunt her swanky belongings

She gave an insight into her love of gambling by sharing a shot of $16k (12k) worth of chips in the casino

Upping the heat in another image, Maya looked red hot in a sexy black dress with cut-outs which made the most of her ample cleavage

She was also seen playing cards on what appeared to be a private jet

A number of the pictures in the carousel came from her trip to Vegas with her love, with whom she watched a UFC fight together in Sin City.

She 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.

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.

A number of the pictures in the carousel came from her trip to Vegas with her love, with whom she watched a UFC fight together in Sin City

She 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

She later took to her social media after her wild night on the tiles

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.

Maya confirmed her relationship was Stormzy was back on in August as they were seen strolling hand-in-hand during a holiday in Greece.

They looked smitten in a snap Maya shared on her social media as she posted about hosting the British Fashion Awards earlier this month

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.'
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have been spending some quality time together after a busy few weeks.

The Made In Chelsea star, 31, took to his Instagram Stories on Thursday to share a snap of himself cuddled up to former Love Island star Zara, 27.

The pair looked loved-up as Sam wrapped his arm around his girlfriend as they relaxed on the sofa together after his stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!.

He gushed that he was 'happy to have the goose home' after Zara revealed she had undergone a mystery hospital procedure just days earlier.

However, she appears to be recovering as she took to her Stories to share a video of her poking fun at Sam as he fumed over the amount of Christmas deliveries arriving at their home.

Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott have been spending some quality time together after the Made In Chelsea star's return from the Australian jungle and Zara's recent hospital stay

Zara had a mystery hospital procedure this week, but seems to be on the mend as she took to Instagram to share a video of her poking fun at Sam as he fumed over her Christmas deliveries

As Zara couldn't stop laughing, Sam fumed: 'We've had so many people at the door! You've ordered things and not been here. I'm up left right and centre!'

Alongside the video, Zara penned: 'Anyone else's bf fuming at the amount of times the doobell goes in a day with all your deliveries???'

Earlier this week, Zara revealed that she had been admitted to hospital for a mystery procedure.

The Strictly star concerned her Instagram followers on Tuesday as she shared a snap from her hospital bed.

Zara, who did not reveal what the surgery was for, donned a festive pink pyjama set and had a cannula in her arm as she took the selfie.

Alongside the picture, Zara penned: 'Had a little procedure done yesterday! Now ready for a super chilled Xmas.'

Zara had her boyfriend Sam by her side while recovering, as he shared a snap with her and wrote: 'My tiny goose recovering after a little op.'

Zara also celebrated her 27th birthday last week, after being reunited with Sam as he returned to the UK after being crowned the winner of I'm A Celebrity.

Sam was crowned the winner earlier this month, beating Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage, where he came out with over 50 per cent of the votes.

Earlier this week, Zara revealed that she had been admitted to hospital for a mystery procedure as she shared a snap from her hospital bed

Zara had her boyfriend Sam by her side while recovering, as he shared a snap with her and wrote: 'My tiny goose recovering after a little op'

It comes after Zara was recently reunited with Sam as he returned to the UK after being crowned the winner of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! 2023

Zara also recently competed on the BBC show earlier this year with professional partner Graziano Di Prima, but they were sadly eliminated during Halloween Week

As they reunited at the airport, Zara proudly clutched some balloons and flashed huge smile as she waited for him.

Upon their emotional reunion, the couple shared a kiss and held each others' faces, after spending four weeks apart.

Sam was joined on his flight by best pal Pete Wicks who had flown out to greet him in the jungle while Zara has remained at the couple's home in London.

She had previously explained to fans of the show that she wouldn't be in Australia due to her stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

'Pete is going. We've had a few laughs and jokes about this,' she explained in an Instagram post.

'But in all seriousness; Sam thought I was still going to be in Strictly (bless him, the optimism), so Pete cleared his whole diary for 2/3 weeks to be there.'
Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd will beg ex Chloe Harris to save his life in upcoming scenes after he was kidnapped by her gangster father.

The battered and bloodied character (played by Lawrence Robb) was tied to a chair in a disused factory as he was pressured to give up all rights to son Reuben.

Taken to see Mackenzie by her Dad (Robert Beck) Chloe was left gobsmacked as he sat blindfolded, gagged and injured.

Desperate he pleads with his former lover (Jessie Elland) and mother of his child who despite doing her best to look menacing is left torn.

What will she do next?

Emmerdale's Mackenzie Boyd (played by Lawrence Robb) will beg ex Chloe Harris to save his life in upcoming scenes after he was kidnapped by her gangster father

The battered and bloodied character was tied to a chair in a disused factory as he was pressured to give up all rights to son Reuben (Robert Beck and Jessie Elland pictured)

It comes after the soaps stars Lisa Riley and Danny Miller have led tributes to actor Steve Halliwell following his death at the age of 77.

The soap star, best known for playing Zak Dingle, peacefully passed away in a hospice surrounded by his family, ITV revealed last week.

Steve was the second longest serving cast member in Emmerdale after joining the cast in 1994. He played the head of the Dingle household and was involved in several explosive storylines alongside his on-off wife Lisa Dingle (Jane Cox).

Steve's co-stars were quick to pay tribute, with Lisa Riley - who played his on-screen daughter Mandy Dingle - sharing on Instagram: 'My dearest Steve.love you so much you are now finally at peace. Thank you for years of laughter, you were still laughing right up to the end.

'Adored, loved,respected by us all, a LEGEND in my eyes thats for sure-we have stories and memories to last for many more years to come.

'Sleep well Stevie-our prayers of strength go to Charlotte, Val and Angelina at this really difficult timeour extended family That boy from Bury did good #dingle #family #restinpeace #love #legend #memory #rip @emmerdale #emmerdale.'

As Emmerdale shared the news on their Instagram account, Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesy, commented: 'Well miss you Steve. Rest well my friend '

James Hooton, who has played Steve's on-screen son Sam Dingle since 1995, also paid tribute.

He tweeted: 'A soap icon and a great friend has passed away today!

Taken to see Mackenzie by her Dad (Robert Beck) Chloe was left gobsmacked as he sat blindfolded, gagged and injured

Desperate he pleads with his former lover (Jessie Elland) and mother of his child who despite doing her best to look menacing is left torn

'Steve Halliwell was the first person I met when I walked through the door into the Emmerdale studios and we remained friends until the end!

'A truly loved character and a strong proud man, RIP Steve you will be sadly missed.'

Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa Woodfield, shared: 'A wonderful man, will be greatly missed. Thinking of his family at this sad time, rest in peace Steve '

Kelvin Fletcher, who played Andy Sugden, wrote: 'What a man and what a legacy. So many incredible memories. We had some fun. God Bless '

It comes after the soaps stars Lisa Riley and Danny Miller have led tributes to actor Steve Halliwell following his death at the age of 77 (Lisa pictured with Steve on the soap, who played her father)

The soap star , best known for playing Zak Dingle, peacefully passed away in a hospice surrounded by his family, ITV revealed on Friday

Steve is survived by his wife Val and their daughter Charlotte.

ITV shared: 'All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we'd request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss.

'Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family.

'Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.

John Whiston Managing Director of Continuing Drama & Head of ITV in the North, added: 'Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on.

'To millions of Emmerdale viewers he was the brawny but crafty Dingle patriarch who led the clan with a strong fist and a warm heart.

'To everyone who worked on Emmerdale he was a much loved friend and colleague, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously.'
Marty Sheargold has been spotted for the first time since taking a leave of absence from his Triple M breakfast show.

The radio host, 52, appeared in a photo posted by Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann showing the men enjoying a Christmas lunch.

'It's the inaugural Christmas lunch for the sexy bald man club #helloladies,' Anthony wrote.

Lehmann has been filling in on The Marty Sheargold Show while Sheargold has been away.

Also pictured were Tom Gleeson, Adam Rozenbachs and Titus O'Reily.

Marty Sheargold has been spotted for the first time since taking leave from his Triple M breakfast show. He appeared in a photo posted by Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann showing the men enjoying a Christmas lunch. Also pictured: Tom Gleeson, Adam Rozenbachs, Titus O'Reily

Sheargold popped out on Thursday too, and was pictured alongside Bruce McAvaney and producer Loren Barry.

Earlier this year, Marty officially announced an 'extended break' from work following an alleged incident at the AFL Grand Final.

Neither Sheargold or Triple M's parent company Southern Cross Austereo have confirmed whether the radio star will return to his breakfast show in 2024.

However, he will be returning to his roots in stand up as he stars alongside comedians Mick Molloy, Lawrence Mooney, and Sam Pang for a special event called The Comedians at the Geelong Arts Centre in February.

Sheargold popped out on Thursday too, and was pictured alongside Bruce McAvaney and producer Loren Barry. All pictured

'It's the inaugural Christmas lunch for the sexy bald man club #helloladies,' Anthony wrote

According to a promo, the all-star show will be 'No holds barred, good old fashioned stand-up comedy.'

'Radio, television, film, podcasts, they've done it all and now, they bring all the laughs to the stage.'

In November, Sheargold's show scored a ratings jump in his absence, enjoying a 7.2 percent audience share, up 1.4 percent from the previous survey.

The Marty Sheargold Show previously rated 5.8, placing it in eighth spot in the Melbourne breakfast radio market.

Sheargold's producer Loren Barry was in Sydney in October as one of the hosts of the ACRA Awards.

Earlier this year, Marty officially announced an 'extended break ' from work following an alleged incident at the AFL Grand Final

She told The Herald Sun that Sheargold would be back, assuring the show's listeners that 'everything is fine'.

'He is just taking some time, he is just spending some time with his family, but we are all good,' Barry said. 'Everything is fine. We will be back.'

She also shone a light on the gruelling life behind the microphone, stating 'working in breakfast radio you just get really tired. It is a very tiring job'.

Marty also stars in the ABC sitcom Fisk, which was picked up by Netflix and has taken off in the UK and US.

SCA told the Daily Mail that they 'look forward to Marty returning in 2024.'
She showcased her flawless complexion as the new cover star of the winter 2024 issue of NewBeauty Magazine.

And Bryce Dallas Howard revealed even more in stunning new photos from her cover story.

The 42-year-old nepo star set temperatures soaring in a low-cut busty black top before lightening her look with a gorgeous feathered off-the-shoulder top for the magazine.

She showcased the striking look as she hits the publicity trail for her upcoming comic spy thriller Argylle, which costars Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and Sam Rockwell, among other stars.

Bryce's attention-grabbing looks included the aforementioned all-black ensemble featuring a plunging black top with thin straps.

Bryce Dallas Howard, 42, stunned in contrasting light and dark ensembles inside her winter 2024 cover story for NewBeauty

She contrasted an edgy black look with a busty low-cut top with an angelic cream-colored off-the-shoulder sweater top decorated with feathers

Bryce covered NewBeauty as she promotes her upcoming spy comedy thriller Argylle, costarring Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and Sam Rockwell, among others

She wore the item tucked into an intriguing black leather skirt with textured ribs running down the front and wrapping around her hips.

The Jurassic World star also had a cool leather jacket on to complement the skirt, though she wore it pulled down on her arms to showcase her shoulders.

She stuck to the dark theme with a shimmering blazer dress covered in black and midnight blue sequins.

She contrasted it with her lustrous red tresses, which cascaded down her shoulders in thick wave, and she matched the dress to her thigh-high black stiletto boots that had an argyle pattern.

Bryce rocked the same outfit for her cover shot, which focused on her face and wind-swept hair.

The photo shoot also included some lighter ensembles, including a cream-colored off-the-shoulder sweater-style top with thick ribs.

It was decorated with lovely white feathers, and she paired it with a beige leather skirt that hugged her hips and emphasized her hourglass figure.

The daughter of Ron Howard completed the look with tall red leather stiletto boots.

Her revealing black top came with a ribbed black leather skirt and a matching leather jacket, which she draped over her shoulder in one closeup

She stuck to the dark theme with a shimmering blazer dress covered in black and midnight blue sequins, along with thigh-high black stiletto boots

Her feathered top was complemented by a beige leather skirt and tall red leather boots

She opted for a more muted look in another shot that showed her resting on the floor and leaning against a beige sofa.

Bryce was dressed this time in a flowing gray skirt paired with a matching vest-like button-up top with voluminous pleated sleeves that were slightly translucent.

Rounding out her earth-toned looks was a cozy cream-colored sweater that the screen star wore with the collar turned up in a close up.

In the accompanying interview, the siren detailed the aspects of filmmaking that get her most excited.

'I can remember pretty much every beauty detail for any character Ive ever playedits part of the process for me. Its sort of how I get into character,' she explained to the publication.

The Jurassic World actress also revealed, 'I feel most beautiful when I get to be a palette for incredible, brilliant makeup and hair artists.'

She elaborated, 'I do best when I give in and let my glam team do their thingwhen I let them do the exact opposite of a look I think I want or that I normally do.'

She opted for a more muted look in another shot. Bryce was dressed this time in a flowing gray skirt paired with a matching vest-like button-up top with voluminous pleated sleeves that were slightly translucent

Rounding out her earth-toned looks was a cozy cream-colored sweater that the screen star wore with the collar turned up in a close up

The Jurassic World actress revealed, 'I feel most beautiful when I get to be a palette for incredible, brilliant makeup and hair artists'; pictured December 3

On the other hand, Howard noted, 'Im not a natural when it comes to pressits hard for me to get dressed up for the red carpet and do the whole circuit.'

She recalled a particularly unsettling moment: 'Ill never forget the time I was with Tom Cruise in Japan for a movie, and he literally got sucked up by the crowd while he was doing pressthey literally just surrounded him, and he disappeared. It was scary.'

The star emphasized, 'So, most of the time, all that makes me feel uncomfortable. Like, Im just standing there, and people are looking at me.'

Elsewhere in the conversation, the NYU graduate gushed about working with supermodel Claudia Schiffer  who is married to Argylle director Matthew Vaughn  on her latest project.

'Can you believe I got to work with Claudia Schiffer on this one!' Howard said excitedly.

'I was texting Claudia Schifferthe supermodelto go over some of the creative; I still cant believe it. Claudia Schiffer! She oversaw the overall creative direction and the styling.'

She continued, 'Like I said, Im really into all the beauty-style details that get you into character, so it was fun to collaborate together.

'We went back and forth on a bunch of things. I was constantly sending her messages like, "Would Elly wear this? What do you think about this?" We really got into it.'

Bryce stars in the upcoming spy thriller Argylle, in theaters February 2

'I can remember pretty much every beauty detail for any character Ive ever playedits part of the process for me. Its sort of how I get into character,' she explained to the publication; pictured in March

She elaborated, 'I do best when I give in and let my glam team do their thingwhen I let them do the exact opposite of a look I think I want or that I normally do'; pictured in February 2020

Argylle is a comedy with a February 2 release date, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+.

The notable cast also includes Catherine OHara, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena and Ariana DeBose.

In addition to acting, Bryce is an established director.

Her oeuvre includes helming episodes for each season of the live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, and a documentary for Disney+.
Strictly pro Neil Jones has revealed his and fiancee Chyna Mills' plans for their first Christmas with newborn daughter Havana.

The dancer, 41, and Love Island star, 24, welcomed the tot in October and said they would celebrating the big day by jetting off to an exotic location.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at Action for Childrens Starry Night Gala Neil said: 'I honestly cant wait! I know she's too young to really know what it's about, but it's just special'.

'I think we're going to go abroad and bring the baby with us. Im not exactly sure where yet'.

Strictly pro Neil Jones revealed his and fiancee Chyna Mills' plans for their first Christmas with newborn daughter Havana

The dancer, 41, and Love Island star, 24, welcomed the tot in October and said they would celebrating the big day by jetting off to an exotic location

He also revealed how the couple were unlikely have anymore children after falling pregnant so quickly with Havana.

'When we first met, we spoke about children, and Chyna said she wasnt sure. Shes a social worker so shes been around a lot of things with kids, so she wasnt sure,'.

He continued: 'Then two months down the line, we spoke about it, and she said, Lets do it, so we tried, but didnt realise it would happen so quick'.

'Were both really content with one and agreed that thats a mutual thing. I think its all about time, and give her as much as our time as possible and Im not sure wed be able to do it with two [kids]'.

The couple confirmed their engagement in April, however the wedding will not be anytime soon in order for Havana to walk down the aisle.

Saying: 'I think that's quite nice, especially when your child can actually be at your wedding'.

Neil then went on to reveal ex-wife and fellow Strictly star Katya Jones would not be on the guest list following their 2019 divorce.

'I think it'd be a very small group, and it would be just really close friends only'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at Action for Childrens Starry Night Gala Neil said: 'I honestly cant wait! I know she's too young to really know what it's about, but it's just special'

He also revealed how the couple were unlikely have anymore children after falling pregnant so quickly with Havana (pictured together in June)

It comes after Tillie Amartey has said she signed up for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special to prove that you can 'do anything you put your mind to'.

The actress and presenter, 20, will be taking on the jive alongside professional dancer Neil in a bid to be crowned the Christmas champion 2023.

She is among six celebrities who will battle it out on the dancefloor in the festive special, which will air on December 25.

Ahead of the show, she said: 'You cant say no to Strictly. I want to prove to myself and other younger people, that you can do anything you put your mind to. Yes Im an actress and a presenter, but why cant I dance as well?!'

Her partner Neil was so impressed by her moves that he struggled to believe she had no dance experience.

It comes after Tillie Amartey has said she signed up for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special to prove that you can 'do anything you put your mind to'

The actress and presenter, 20, will be taking on the jive alongside professional dancer Neil Jones in a bid to be crowned the Christmas champion 2023

He said: 'Tillie has been brilliant. At the beginning I thought she was a dancer. When she told me she wasnt, I didnt believe her, and then I realised when we started she really didnt have any experience.

'But she picks everything up really quick, and she has her own way and style of dancing which is great.'

She revealed that while the dance competition is a 'staple' within her household as her mother is a dancer, she has never danced professionally before.

Tillie explained: 'When I was seven, maybe six, I did one dancing competition, because my mum was a dancer, and I did the competition, but then she asked me if I wanted to horse ride, so I took that instead as I didnt do too wellso Im going to say no!'

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 25 from 4.40pm.
Mel B has proudly recalled branding James Corden the 'biggest d***head celebrity' she has ever met on Thursday.

The Spice Girl, 48, appeared on Joe Lycett's show Late Night when she was reminded of the insult after originally making it 12-months earlier.

Asked by the host which of the iconic 90s Girl band made the disparaging remark, Mel threw her arm in the air shouting: 'Me!'.

It occurred during a 2022 interview on The Big Narstie Show when co-host Mo Gilligan enquired: 'Who is the biggest d***head celebrity you've ever met?'

Without hesitation, Mel responded: 'So, there's a few. James Corden, Geri Halliwell, Jessie J and me!'

Mel B, 48, has proudly recalled branding James Corden the 'biggest d***head celebrity' she has ever met on Thursday

The Spice Girl appeared on Joe Lycett's show Late Night when she was reminded of the insult after making it 12-months earlier (James Corden pictured)

As Mo probed, 'But Geri, she's your bandmate?' Mel quipped: 'I know, I love her to bits but she's really f***ing annoying'.

Last year the Late Late show host, 44, was accused of 'stealing' jokes from other comedians as well as being banned briefly from a swanky New York restaurant due to his 'rude' behaviour.

He was branded a 'tiny cretin of a man' by the furious owner of iconic New York Balthazar restaurant  who claimed he is the 'most abusive customer ever.'

A former colleague of James told Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff of his downfall: This has been a long time coming, hasnt it?'.

Another source described Corden as a very complicated and very insecure person who can behave very badly  and Ive seen him do it.

Gavin and Stacy co-writer Ruth Jones had previously said that his company is a rollercoaster because there are two versions of James Corden, and one is nicer than the other.

Even mild-mannered actor Eddie Redmayne, who went to stage school with him, also said that his behaviour can be very mean.

Redmayne recounted a tale of Corden ambushing him on The Late Late Show by broadcasting a full two-and-a-half-minute clip of the Oscar-winning star singing Memory while at school. I just sort of squirmed, said Redmayne. It was public ritual humiliation.

Asked by the host which of the iconic 90s Girl band made the disparaging remark, Mel threw her arm in the air shouting: 'Me!'

It occurred during a 2022 interview on The Big Narstie Show (pictured) when co-host Mo Gilligan enquired: 'Who is the biggest d***head celebrity you've ever met?'

Mel pictured during a 2018 apprence on James' The Late Late Show

In November 2022 James has apologised to Ricky Gervais after 'inadvertently' using his 2018 stand-up joke on his Late Late Show.

It comes after Gervais, 61, tweeted a clip from the television host's show on Halloween night in which Corden repeated the joke from his 2018 Netflix stand-up comedy gig Ricky Gervais: Humanity.

Gervais' stolen joke is about Twitter users getting angry about a poster in a town square about guitar lessons.

Last year the Late Late show host, 44, was accused of 'stealing' jokes from other comedians as well as being banned briefly from a swanky New York restaurant due to his 'rude' behaviour (pictured with wife Julia Carey)

In November 2022 James has apologised to Ricky Gervais after 'inadvertently' using his 2018 stand-up joke on his Late Late Show

Corden wrote on the social media site: 'Inadvertently told a brilliant Ricky Gervais joke on the show last night, obviously not knowing it came from him.

'It's brilliant, because it's a Ricky Gervais joke. You can watch all Ricky's excellent specials on Netflix.'

Ricky then shared a clip of Corden repeating the joke, saying: 'The bit about the town square advert for guitar lessons is brilliant.'

But the comedian said he deleted the tweet because he 'felt sorry for Corden
Glen Powell was a guest on Thursday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and he addressed his recent racy Men's Health photoshoot.

While on the show, the 35-year-old Top Gun: Maverick star  who stars in the new movie Anyone But You alongside Sydney Sweeney  quipped about stripping down to the bare in last month's spread.

'Its been kind of a very nude series of months for me,' he said before adding, 'I'm gonna put my clothes on. Thank God it's winter.'

As the November cover star of the publication, Powell flashed his chiseled physique in a series of photos.

In one cheeky snap, the actor even bared his behind.

Glen Powell was a guest on Thursday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and he addressed his recent racy Men's Health photoshoot

As the November cover star of the publication, Powell flashed his chiseled physique in a series of photos. In one cheeky snap, the actor even bared his behind

In his latest film, out on Friday, Glen also appears in the nude after a spider crawls into his shorts.

Glen revealed to Variety that he 'almost died' while shooting the scene.

'You just have to grip it and rip it on a scene like that,' he explained about filming in the buff.

'You know youre not going to leave that filming day looking cool, so you just have to embrace it. Taking your clothes off on the side of a cliff in a hurry is not safe either,' he noted.

The Hollywood hunk added: 'Nobody talks about that safety issue on set, where I almost died falling off a cliff taking my pants off too fast. But its a really fun scene, so it was all worth it.'

In his Men's Health interview, he discussed the rumors that arose about him and his 26-year-old co-star sparking an on-se romance.

'When all that stuff happened, you know, publicly, it felt disorienting and unfair,' he said of the gossip that came up when his and Sweeney's red carpet chemistry was on full display earlier this year.

'But what I'm realizing is, that's just a part of this gig now,' he said.

Sydney posted a flirty shot of her and Powell on Instagram this week as she plugged their film

Anyone But You is in theaters now

Both Sydney and Glen have repeatedly denied there is anything to the speculation of a romance between them.

In August, Sydney said her affectionate public interactions with her co-star were a marketing ploy for their film.

Speaking to Variety, she said: 'It's a rom-com. Thats what people want! Glen and I dont really care.

'We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much; hes such a hard worker, and Im a hard worker.'
Below Deck Down Under star Jason Chambers is clearing up a few things.

He really didn't expect all the attention he received at BravoCon in Las Vegas last month.

'I wasn't prepared for it, that's for sure,' Chambers - who recently admitted he's 50 not 39 - told The Messenger during a promo even for Acuvue contact lenses, admitting, 'it did catch me off guard a little bit.'

And after a run-in with Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent, 33, got tongues wagging, he got specific about the kind of woman who could win his heart.

'I live in a remote area,' he explained. 'I am underwater. I'm adventurous. My partner would have to be someone who gets their hands dirty and gets into it and wants to see the world and travel.

Below Deck Down Under star Jason Chambers is clearing up a few things. First, he really didn't expect all the attention he received at BravoCon in Las Vegas last month

'I wasn't prepared for it, that's for sure,' Chambers - who recently admitted he's 50 not 39 - told The Messenger during a promo even for Acuvue contact lenses, admitting it, 'it did catch me off guard a little bit'

And after a run-in with Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent , 33, got tongues wagging, he got specific about the kind of woman who could win his heart; they are seen together at BravoCon last month

He continued: 'But I have my daughter, that's first and foremost. And I have my foundations that I'm doing. There is a time, and I think that time is coming, that I would like to search for someone to start sharing things with.'

Chambers has a daughter, Saskia, eight, with his ex-wife Fuchsia Quinn.

Chambers' photo with the Give Them Lala author went viral, prompting Real Housewives stars Brynn Whitfield, 36, and Ashley Darby, 35, to reveal their crushes on the yacht captain.

And while Lala has a standing invitation to join him on one of the yachts he captains  as long as she pays for her trip  Chambers admitted his life is very different from his fellow Bravo stars.

'We're in a different environment,' he told the outlet, referring to the Below Deck cast.

'It's actually kind of a little bit of something different for us. It's very usual for them, but it's very out of the box for us.'

Being from Australia and living life largely at sea doesn't give Chambers and his fellow Below Deck castmates the time to sustain strong relationships.

Over the summer, the Bravolebrity told Daily Mail Australia that his ideal partner would be 'someone... very independent and secure in their own situation. So that's difficult to find.'

'I live in a remote area,' he explained. 'I am underwater. I'm adventurous. My partner would have to be someone who gets their hands dirty and gets into it and wants to see the world and travel

He continued: 'But I have my daughter, that's first and foremost. And I have my foundations that I'm doing. There is a time, and I think that time is coming, that I would like to search for someone to start sharing things with'

Over the summer, the Bravolebrity told Daily Mail Australia that his ideal partner would be 'someone... very independent and secure in their own situation. So that's difficult to find'

He went on to say his ideal partner is someone who can help him be 'better' and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. 'Like someone who makes me get out of bed and do some exercise. Which I love doing, but sometimes I can be a lazy a**,' he said

'So, freediving, adventurous and healthy, and make me better at that because I want to be better at that as well,' he concluded

'Someone has got to be acceptable for what I've got going on which is my daughter and my work moving around. So they have to have their own thing going on.'

He went on to say his ideal partner is someone who can help him be 'better' and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

'Like someone who makes me get out of bed and do some exercise. Which I love doing, but sometimes I can be a lazy a**,' he said.

'So, freediving, adventurous and healthy, and make me better at that because I want to be better at that as well,' he concluded.
Jon Hamm is looking forward to creating some holiday traditions with his new wife.

The Morning Show actor, 52, who filmed some steamy scenes with Jennifer Aniston, tied the know with actress Anna Osceola, 35, in June.

The couple met in 2015, when she had a role in an episode of Mad Men. They also co-starred in 2022's Confess, Fletch.

'The best part of it is just being together. That's really it,' the actor told People.

'And it's doubly nice that we're married now and that's really fun, but hopefully that continues on and you start creating new traditions with your family and all of those things, and that's the best.'

Jon Hamm, 52, is looking forward to creating some holiday traditions with his new wife, Anna Osceola, 35. 'The best part of it is just being together. That's really it,' the actor told People (Pictured in Las Vegas in November)

The actor has been promoting his new animated series Grimsburg, about a detective trying to re-unite with his ex-wife.

The show re-united him with his Mad Men co-star Christina Hendricks, and co-stars the voices of Amy Sedaris, Alan Tudyk, Rosie Perez and Patton Oswalt.

For the holidays, the newlywed actor revealed they are making the most of the festive season.

'We do decorate. That's really nice. Part of that, getting the house in a place where the tree's up and there's stockings hung and presents are hidden and all that stuff is really fun, and it also just smells good.'

The Fargo star said he thought 'maybe it's a candle thing,' contributing to the pleasant aroma in the house.

'Somehow it just starts to smell really good. The food gets going and the candles get going and the tree's there, [its] just [a] good smell.'

'That, for me, evokes all of the things that the holiday season brings.'

On Wednesday, the Golden Globe nominee appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and tried to one up his host with dramatic readings of classic Christmas carol lyrics.

The couple met in 2015, when she had a role in an episode of Mad Men. They also co-starred in 2022's Confess, Fletch. Jon and Anna tied the knot in June (Pictured in Los Angeles in October)

Regarding their traditions, the actor said, 'We do decorate. That's really nice. Part of that, getting the house in a place where the tree's up and there's stockings hung and presents are hidden and all that stuff is really fun' (Pictured in New York in November)

The Golden Globe nominee has several projects coming up, including the animated series Grimsburg and Mean Girls. The musical opens in theaters January 12

Jon had to summon his inner-Shakespeare to deliver lines from I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer and Let it Snow.

Jimmy tackled Im Getting Nuttin for Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The two performed a duet of sorts on the finale, Must Be Santa.

The multi-talented actor will show off his musical talents in the upcoming Mean Girls, singing and dancing in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit.

'If youre gonna do it, do it  do the sing, do the dance,' he told the late night host.
The cause of death of 8 Mile actor Nashawn Breedlove was revealed on Friday.

Breedlove, whose character Lotto famously battle-rapped with Eminem in the iconic 2002 movie, died of 'acute intoxication from fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol' according to New Jersey Medical Examiner, per TMZ.

His death in September at the age of 46 was noted as 'accidental'.

The autopsy report also revealed the star's body was found decomposed on a bedroom floor in his apartment.

The news source added that Breedlove's body was discovered after police broke open his front door with a crowbar after a neighbor living below him had complained of a 'brown fluid leaking through the ceiling into her unit'.

Nashawn Breedlove, whose character Lotto famously battle-rapped with Eminem in the iconic 2002 8 Mile, died of 'acute intoxication from fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol' according to New Jersey Medical Examiner on Friday

The autopsy report also revealed the star's body was found decomposed on a bedroom floor in his apartment

In Breedlove's scene in 2002's 8 Mile, Lotto takes on Eminem's B-Rabbit, rapping: 'I feel bad I gotta murder that dude from Leave it to Beaver' with the crowd wowed - before he eventually loses the rap battle.

At the time of his death, rapper Mickey Factz posted a tribute to Instagram, writing: 'RIP to one of the few emcee's to beat Eminem Lotto from 8 Mile.

'Whose friends lovingly called him, OX. You will be missed for your tenacity and aggressiveness.'

A friend of Nashawn's added: 'My best friend and brother since 15 years old. We been thru it all Rest Easy my bro luv u and the family and my nephew OX FOREVER.'

Another wrote: 'Thank you for posting this. Nashawn was so humble and modest he didn't even know he had true fans.

'He was so talented. Not only was he an amazing MC he sang better than Luther. He blessed me with my son @youngzaak and I swear that is Nashawn to the 10th power.

'I will always be his biggest fan. If y'all only knew his talent. Please pray for our strength it is needed. Thank you again @mickey.factz.'

Before starring in 8 Mile, Breedlove rapped under stage name OX, and featured on the soundtrack for 2001 film, The Wash with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Katherine Schwarzenegger had a little holiday helper during her last-minute Christmas shopping in Los Angeles on Friday.

The gorgeous wife of Chris Pratt, 34, looked stylish in a casual chic outfit while enjoying some bonding time with their daughter Lyla, three.

Rocking a grey cardigan and a pair of faded denim, the mother of two beamed with pride while snapping pics of her adorable girl.

The daughter of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger topped off her fashionable look with a set of black loafers and a matching handbag.

Lyla looked absolutely precious in her holiday gear of a bright red dress and fur-trimmed white boots.

Katherine Schwarzenegger had a little holiday helper during her last-minute Christmas shopping in Los Angeles on Friday

The gorgeous wife of Chris Pratt , 34, looked stylish in a casual chic outfit while enjoying some bonding time with their daughter Lyla, three

The outing comes after Katherine, Chris and Lyla enjoyed a Thanksgiving outing with Katherine's famous family.

Katherine and Chris began their romance back in 2018, after meeting in church, and they got engaged in January of the following year before tying the knot on June 8, 2019.

Their daughter Lyla, three, was born in 2020, and the couple welcomed a second daughter, one-year-old Eloise, in May of 2022.

When Eloise was born, the couple took to Instagram to announce the exciting news to the world.

'We are so excited to announce the birth of our second daughter, Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt,' Chris wrote. 'Mama and baby are doing well. We feel beyond blessed and grateful.'

The pair announced they were expecting baby No. 2 in Dec. 2021. Before the pregnancy news, Chris admitted he wanted to have a big family.

'I would love to have more, as many as the man upstairs will provide,' he told E! Newss Daily Pop in Jul. 2021. 'Well do it. Ill probably have to talk to Katherine about that, but my plan is, lets go.'

In August 2020, the happy couple welcomed Lyla, who arrived almost a year after they married during an intimate ceremony in Montecito, California.

Katherine and Chris began their romance back in 2018, after meeting in church, and they got engaged in January of the following year before tying the knot on June 8, 2019; seen in 2023

Their daughter Lyla, three, was born in 2020, and the couple welcomed a second daughter, one-year-old Eloise, in May of 2022

The actors son Jack, whom he shares with his ex Anna Faris, along with their families and friends, were all present at the ceremony.

Chris was previously married to Faris, whom he met in 2007 while filming their '80s rom-com Take Me Home Tonight.

The couple married in 2009 but split in 2017.
Sebastian Stan got some company on the set of his Donald Trump biopic on Thursday night.

The 41-year-old Avengers: Endgame star was spotted filming a scene on the street in Toronto while joined by Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova.

The 27-year-old rising star was seen on the set for the first time as she got into character as former President Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump.

The latest bit of stunt casting comes just a day after Succession star Jeremy Strong was pictured on set as disgraced  and eventually disbarred  lawyer Roy Cohn, who served as a mentor and fixer for Trump in the 1970s and '80s.

The two appeared to have a conversation on camera outside a building while a Cadillac with 'DJT' plates awaited the real estate developer.

Sebastian Stan got some company on the set of his Donald Trump biopic on Thursday night. The 41-year-old Avengers: Endgame star was spotted filming a scene on the street in Toronto while joined by Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova

The 27-year-old rising star was seen on the set for the first time as she got into character as former President Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump; seen with Trump in 1990

The two appeared to have a conversation on camera outside a building while a Cadillac with 'DJT' plates awaited the real estate developer

Sebastian was outfitted with a mop of blond hair to assume Trump's infamous hairdo, but Maria appeared to get into character with little more than a costume change.

The superhero star was dressed in a baggy black double-breasted overcoat with classic black suit and a white button-up shirt.

His costume got some extreme period detail with a wide black-and-orange patterned tie.

He completed the business-ready look with black leather shoes, and his regular dark hair was covered by the floppy blond wig.

Maria used even less to get into character as Ivana Trump, who died in 2022 at age 73.

She wore her shoulder-length platinum locks with a middle part and plenty of bounce, along with a voluminous furry red jacket.

The Borat Subsequent Moviefilm breakout star had on a matching scarlet mini dress putting the spotlight on her legs.

She elevated her stature with glittering gold open-toe heels, and she added some more flash with a slim python-print hard-shelled clutch that was slung over her shoulder.

Sebastian was outfitted with a mop of blond hair to assume Trump's infamous hairdo, but Maria appeared to get into character with little more than a costume change

The superhero star was dressed in a baggy black double-breasted overcoat with classic black suit and a white button-up shirt

His costume got some extreme period detail with a wide black-and-orange patterned tie

Maria used even less to get into character as Ivana Trump, who died in 2022 at age 73. The actress appears to be playing her during the period she worked as a model

She wore her shoulder-length platinum locks with a middle part and plenty of bounce, along with a voluminous furry red jacket

The Bulgarian actress showed off an impressive resemblance to photos of Ivana Trump when she worked as a model in the '70s.

However, it wasn't clear exactly when the scene she and Sebastian were filming was set.

Maria and Sebastian appeared to have a conversation near the waiting car, and a hardbody suitcase could be seen by the actress' feet, suggesting she was about to take a trip with the future president.

Production on The Apprentice began in late November.

The film follows Trump in the '70s and '80s as he attempts to establish his real estate empire on the back of his father Fred Trump's properties.

The Apprentice is being directed by the Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi, who shot the critically acclaimed Persian-language crime thriller Holy Spider (2022).

Strong will be prominently featured as the younger Trump's mentor, Roy Cohn, who came to prominence  and initial infamy  as the chief counsel of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

He was later disbarred in 1986 for defrauding a dying client.

The Borat Subsequent Moviefilm breakout star had on a matching scarlet mini dress putting the spotlight on her legs

Maria and Sebastian appeared to have a conversation near the waiting car, and a hardbody suitcase could be seen by the actress' feet, suggesting she was about to take a trip with the future president

The film follows Trump in the '70s and '80s as he attempts to establish his real estate empire on the back of his father Fred Trump's properties

Succession star Jeremy Strong also appears in the movie as Trump's disgraced lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn

Cohn, a gay man, died just weeks after his disbarment from complications of AIDS, though he had denied that he had the disease up until his death.

He was later fictionalized in Tony Kushner's iconic two-part play Angels In America, and later portrayed by Al Pacino in a film adaptation.

Maria broke out in the US with her hilarious and acclaimed role as Borat's teenage daughter which earned her an Oscar nomination, the first for a Bulgarian actress  and she followed that up by appearing in the critically approved horror satire Bodies Bodies Bodies.

She subsequently appeared in Judd Apatow's pandemic-era comedy The Bubble and voiced a character in Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.
Japanese transport ministry officials inspected Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu on Thursday, one day after officials announced it was suspending the small car units shipments of all vehicles in and outside Japan after an investigation found improper testing involving 64 models.

The safety test irregularities earlier this year prompted an independent panel investigation, which found widespread and systematic problems at Osaka-based Daihatsu Motor Co. It is the latest of safety or other violations found at at least five of Japans major automakers in recent years.

On Thursday, transport ministry officials began a deeper investigation at Daihatsus offices over the systematic safety scandal that apparently persisted for decades.

Its extremely regrettable, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday. It damaged the trust of car owners and has shaken the foundation of the automobile certification system. Hayashi urged Daihatsu officials to fully explain the situation.

So far, there have been no reports of accidents or deaths due to the fudging of those tests.

Toyota Motor Corp., citing results of the panel, said Wednesday that the Daihatsu probe found 174 new cases of irregularities in safety tests and other procedures in 25 test categories, on top of problems reported earlier.

We are sorry to have betrayed the trust of our customers, Daihatsu President Soichiro Okudaira told a news conference Wednesday. He acknowledged the cheating on safety testing and procedures was tantamount to neglect of safety certificates.

We take it very seriously as the problem that has shaken the foundation of an automaker, he said.

A lawyer and a member of the probe team, Makoto Kaiami, who also attended the news conference, said workers under pressure to meet management demands for tight development deadlines resorted to cheating, and that the management should take the blame.

The issue first emerged in April when Daihatsu reported improper testing on door linings. Problems in the side collision testing also surfaced in May, officials said.

The also found data falsifications and use of unauthorised testing procedures. The problems were found in 64 models and three vehicle engines, including 22 models and an engine sold by Toyota, Daihatsu said in a statement.

The investigation also found the problems affected some models of Mazda Motor Corp. And Subaru Corp. Sold in Japan, and Toyota and Daihatsu models sold abroad.

Daihatsu is Toyotas unit specialising in small cars and trucks that are popular in Japan. Toyota expressed sincere apologies.
India's visionary cooperative economic framework catalyses inclusive development, global integration, and social prosperity

On Kisan Diwas today, there is a critical need for a large-scale communication initiative to educate and empower marginalized farmers in rural areas about the innovative Cooperative Economic Framework. This framework, conceptualized by Team India, aims to revive the Cooperative organization in Amrit Kaal and enable farmers to benefit from the vision of "Sahkar se Samridhi" set by the newly formed Ministry of Cooperation.

The Cooperative Economic Framework marks a significant shift, renewing the Social Contract between the government, the masses, and other stakeholders. With 290 million Cooperative Members in India, this sector is poised to embrace a comprehensive vision of inclusive development, challenging traditional economic forecasts.

The transformation involves reimagining Primary Agriculture Cooperative/ Credit Society (PACS) as Multipurpose entities, facilitating inclusive business ventures at the grassroots level. This paradigm shift not only catalyses indifferent growth and job creation but also empowers farmers with unprecedented bargaining power.

A monumental initiative within this framework is the World's Largest Decentralized Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative sector. This plan, involving the creation of warehouses, custom hiring centres, and primary processing units at the PACS level, aims to leverage technology like Blockchain to issue E-tokenized warehouse receipts. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the entire food grain value chain, reducing wastage and transportation costs while ensuring fair prices for farmers. Cooperatives are now enabling farmers to operate Retail Petrol/Diesel outlets, LPG Distributorships, and Jan Aushadhi Kendra, opening avenues for income generation and contributing significantly to GDP. The newly formed National Multi-State Cooperative Export Society is also playing a crucial role, with 2,625 PACS/cooperative societies from 22 States and UTs already members. This cooperative is actively exporting rice and sugar to multiple countries, with profits returning to farmers through dividends. Farmers in rural India need not rely on moneylenders for microloans, thanks to the availability of credit through various institutions competing to support farming communities. The Cooperative Economic Framework, with its emphasis on regenerative agriculture and improved access to credit, is yielding positive results for farmers.

As the world grapples with challenges and turns away from values of trust and solidarity, India's Cooperative economy stands out as a potential solution. The newly formed World Cooperative Economic Forum, led by Dileep Sanghani, aims to democratize the global value chain, creating Cooperative Exchanges and Economic Zones. This forum, focused on exports and employment, could significantly impact the socio-economic profile of marginalized populations worldwide.

The hope is that by 2024, the United Nations will recognise India's PACS to APEX model as a neo-cooperative Framework, integrating Indian cooperatives with global counterparts. The use of modern technology like Blockchain and E-trading could make this integration a powerful tool for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in creating social and solidarity frugality and reducing poverty.

Introducing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) through Cooperatives in remote areas enhances productivity, connectivity, and knowledge sharing. Cooperatives can play a crucial role in the profitable and social development of emerging markets, and their competitiveness needs strengthening through legal, non-supervisory, and executive support, access to finance, and human capital development.

The potential transformation of PACS into Mini Mandis opens new marketing opportunities, fostering rural economic growth. The Cooperative Economic framework aims to create a network of PACS-led Cooperative Economic Zones, promoting decentralized production and a centralized processed Indian Agri-Export market. This approach could also spur the manufacturing of Drones and other profitable farm enterprises within these zones.

On this Kisan Diwas, it's time to celebrate the vision of "Sahkar se Samridhi" that has made this Cooperative movement possible. The contributions of visionaries like the Late Tribhuvan Das Patel and Sardar Patel, who laid the foundation, are integral to the realization of this modernized Gram Swarajya powered by blockchain technology. As India sets a new tune for a Social and Solidarity economy, it is hoped that the ripple effect reaches the global North and resonates with modern Development economists.

(The writer is secretary general CNRI and member PMMSP Committee; views are personal)
China and Russia, the two states, at loggerheads with the US have found a common cause. In their shared world view the US doesn't take centre stage

History is witness to the fact that time undoes the strongest and the weakest alike. Where the West drifts further away from Russia, China steers strategically closer to Moscow than ever before beckoning a time of a desired world order, one that can be a popular alternative to the US-dominated one. The China and Russia partnership has diversified into a strategic alliance that can enmesh all their allies in a comprehensive bracket of flourishing economic prosperity.

A partnership with a vision

Though no formal alliance ties the two, Sino-Russian relations have forged a dependable bond despite sharing a past of disputes and differences. Putting the tumultuous period of the 1960s behind them, post-Soviet Russia and China have diversified their engagements into many streams of collaboration, from formal support in the UN General Assembly to regional security exercises to expansive trade supply. West Asia is the most recent example of their unified views as both parties take a stance of titrated neutrality.

Both the Chinese Communist Party and the Kremlin support the 2-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The timeline of this West Asian conflict comes as a breather for Russia as the global gaze shifts its attention from Ukraine to Palestine, which consequently gives the China-Russia duo more time to scale up and reinforce their shared views on conflicts through fulsome shows of their efforts toward building peace in the war zone. Statements enumerating Russias undulating efforts towards a peaceful resolution in West Asia dot headlines as the Kremlin both criticizes Hamas and offers aid to Palestine. Maintaining a precise balancing act, Russia and China manage to push and pull each other's weight on the scales of global scrutiny and show a face of powerful solidarity.

One of the cornerstones of the China-Russia partnership is their economic collaboration. As the United States pursued protectionist policies and trade wars, China and Russia sought to strengthen their economic ties. Ever since Russias isolation from the West after it declared war on Ukraine, China has stood as its strongest supporter economically reporting a 23% jump in its crude oil exports from Russia from the previous year. In a recent agreement, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin decided to trade in local currency. With Chinas heavy energy demands and Russias rich resource supply this agreement facilitates smoother trade and interdependence

Though China and Russia promote strategic autonomy they have continually enhanced their security and military cooperation via joint military exercises and the exchange of military technologies that are unavailable to China otherwise. The recent combat exercises in the Sea of Japan and near Alaskan waters are a sign that the Ukraine war has only brought Beijing and Moscow closer together validating the US growing anxiety towards Chinas growing influence.

Xi and Putin had already released a joint statement, weeks before the Ukraine invasion -a strategic move at securing geopolitical support as suggested by experts and academicians- announcing a no limits strategic partnership between the two states that also expressed criticisms and grievances against the US. Even as the Israel-Hamas war rages on, the two maintain a synonymous criticism of US involvement in West Asian affairs even though China shows restraint in making explicit references. The continual strengthening of bonds between the two is evidence of successful withstanding of international pressure and isolation. The China-Russia partnership is birthed from the insecurity of a Western-centric world order spearheaded by the US. Both nations have strategically and consciously crafted their diplomatic and economic engagements as counterbalances to the US sphere of influence and containment strategies which they criticize as contributing to deteriorating regional stability. They continue to push for a new world order of intense economic collaboration through more native, multilateral institutions such as the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the BRI forum and are steadily accumulating support for the same.

Perfectly coupled as high energy demand and high resource supply calibre states respectively, China and Russia have already invested significant diplomatic and economic efforts into seamless energy cooperation. The Power of Siberia II gas pipeline and the Yamal natural gas project are prominent examples of the same. Putins recent visit to Beijing also focused highly on the energy cooperation between Russia and China, a strategy repeatedly executed by the Kremlin since Ukraines invasion as China accommodated the largest share of Russian oil exports in recent years. The two envision energy cooperation that promotes greater Eurasian integration and extends to East Asia.

A spell of doom or a lesson in power projection for the US?

As China and Russia strengthen their alliance, they assert their influence in regions traditionally dominated by the US, such as Central Asia and the Arctic with a combined power projection in the area. Their diversified and conscious economic engagements with regional blocs and states unclaimed by US influence could pose a threat to Washingtons unilateral tendencies of power hoarding. Sino-Russian vision promises a data-backed increase in economic prosperity by up to 4% through their projected plans like the BRI and North Sea Route alternative. In a world that is streamlined to the capitalist system of economic growth, such a prospect might be difficult to turn away from amidst rising diplomatic complications and proxy wars.

(The writer is a researcher and an expert on international relations, views are personal)
The Places of Worship Act, as a legislative instrument, must evolve to meet the challenges of the present while honouring the historical tapestry

The recent green-lighting of a survey of the Shahi Eidgah in Mathura by the Allahabad High Court has re-ignited a longstanding debate over the Places of Worship Act 1991. Amid escalating disputes mirroring the complexities seen in the Varanasi Gyanvapi case, the focus shifts to the legal framework designed to maintain the religious status quo  the Places of Worship Act.

This trend is not limited only to Varanasi and Mathura. Hindu organizations also filed petitions demanding they should be allowed to offer prayers at Quwwatul Islam mosque in the Qutub Minar premises in New Delhi, while another Hindu organization claimed the Taj Mahal as the Tajo Mahal temple of Lord Shiva and asked for the courts permission to offer prayers there.

This was visible in Soth too, Vishwa Hindu Parishad volunteers demanded they should be allowed to offer prayers on the outskirts of Mangaluru after a Hindu temple-like architectural design was purportedly found there underneath the Juma Masjid on April 21, 2022. The VHP claimed that the mosque was built atop Sri Ramanjaneya Bhajana Mandira. Prohibitory orders were imposed in the city after Hindu organizations said they would organize 'Tambula Prashne' at Sri Ramanjaneya Bhajana Mandira.

The legal battle is the latest instance of a growing phenomenon in which Hindu groups petitioning courts demanding land where mosques are located by claiming these belong to Hindus. These petitions question the Places of Worship Act putting the Government and Judiciary in a tight spot.

Enacted against the backdrop of the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, the Act has played a crucial role in preserving religious harmony in the country. However, the recent surge in disputes, notably in Mathura and Varanasi, raises pertinent questions about the efficacy and current validity of this legislative measure.

The Places of Worship Act passed in 1991, emerged from the turbulent period leading up to its enactment, marked by fervent communal tensions, notably centred around the Ayodhya dispute. The legislation was conceived as a pivotal step towards preventing similar fractious litigations and safeguarding the social fabric of the nation.

The core principle of the Places of Worship Act is to freeze the religious status of all places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. The Act categorically exempts the Ayodhya dispute, acknowledging its unique historical and emotional significance. The explicit intent was to prevent litigation that could potentially disturb the communal equilibrium.

Recent legal battles in Mathura and Varanasi have seen litigants invoking the 1991 Act, emphasizing its role in protecting the sanctity of religious places. In the Mathura case, Hindu groups claim that the Shahi Eidgah was constructed on land belonging to the Sri Krishna Janambhoomi Trust, demanding the removal of the mosque and the return of the land to the Trust. The Varanasi dispute, on the other hand, revolves around claims by Hindu groups regarding the Gyanvapi mosque.

The efficacy of the Places of Worship Act is now under scrutiny as disputes continue to emerge, challenging the very essence of the legislation. One key challenge lies in the interpretation and application of the freeze date  August 15, 1947. Critics argue that freezing the religious character of places of worship at a specific historical moment may not account for the evolving social fabric and religious demographics of the nation over time.

Moreover, the Act faces criticism for its seeming inability to address disputes arising from historical grievances, such as the alleged demolition of temples during medieval times. The Mathura case, where petitioners claim that the Katra Keshav Dev Temple was demolished by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, brings this historical dimension to the forefront.

The Allahabad High Court's decision to allow a survey of the Shahi Eidgah in Mathura has opened a Pandora's Box, potentially setting a precedent for similar disputes across the country. The survey, akin to the one ordered for the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, aims to verify claims made by Hindutva groups regarding the historical positioning of these places of worship.

In both instances, the survey results have the potential to reshape the narrative, either affirming the claims of the Hindu groups or challenging them. The complex intertwining of historical accounts, archaeological evidence, and religious sentiments underscores the gravity of these disputes.

The Legal Labyrinth: Pending Proceedings and Confusion

Amidst the evolving legal landscape, a multitude of cases and petitions in various courts further complicate the scenario. Eighteen separate pleas in Mathura alone seek full ownership of the disputed 13.37-acre land by the temple management. The consolidation of these pleas by the high court adds a layer of complexity to an already convoluted legal web.

Complicating matters further is the reluctance of the Union Government to clearly articulate its stance on the Places of Worship Act. The ongoing ambiguity raises concerns about the government's commitment to either uphold, review or scrap the legislation. The lack of a definitive position exacerbates the confusion surrounding the legal framework and its applicability in present times.

In this undesirable situation, the onus is on the government to provide clarity on its position regarding the Places of Worship Act. The Supreme Court, being the ultimate arbiter, must expedite proceedings on the validity and interpretation of the Act in the context of evolving disputes.

The potential consequences of leaving these issues unaddressed are far-reaching. Without a swift resolution, the legal ambiguity surrounding the Places of Worship Act could lead to the reemergence of similar disputes, perpetuating communal tensions and compromising the very fabric of our social harmony.

The government's hesitancy to take a decisive stand and the prolonged proceedings before the top court contribute to a sense of uncertainty. A proactive approach, both from the government and the judiciary, is imperative to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

As the legal quagmire unfolds, striking a delicate balance between historical grievances and the imperative of maintaining communal harmony becomes paramount. The Places of Worship Act, while a well-intentioned measure to prevent communal discord, needs careful reevaluation to address contemporary challenges and ensure its continued relevance in a dynamically evolving society. The nation awaits a judicious resolution that upholds the principles of justice, fairness, and social cohesion.

In the labyrinth of legal complexities, it is essential to recognize that the preservation of religious harmony and historical justice need not be mutually exclusive. A nuanced and inclusive approach is required to navigate these intricate contours, acknowledging the diverse tapestry of India's cultural and religious heritage. The Places of Worship Act, as a legislative instrument, must evolve to meet the challenges of the present while honouring the historical tapestry that defines our nation. Only through a harmonious blend of legal clarity, historical understanding, and a commitment to social cohesion can we ensure a future where our places of worship stand as symbols of unity rather than sources of division.

(Writer is Political Editor, The Pioneer, Lucknow edition; views are personal)
They often take a cue from fiction and execute it in real life. The nation must be ready for them, complacency has no place in the security of high places

The statement by Tammy Ben-Haim, Consul General of Israel to South India, that the 7th October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel should be taken seriously by the comity of nations including India is a warning signal to all concerned. The observation coming from a career diplomat belonging to Israel, a long-time victim of terrorism, speaks volumes about the spreading tentacles of the dark forces which plan and execute missions with immaculate precision.

The 7th December issue of The Pioneer had another startling disclosure, this time a warning by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a Khalistani supporter. The Sardar had issued a threat through a video message that he would shake the very foundation of Indian Parliament on December 13, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament. Pannu did shake the nation as assured by him in the message.

Despite the advance warning, the Indian security establishment errored while Pannun had the last laugh. The question being asked by all is how the trouble makers managed to enter the heavily fortified Indian Parliament. It seems some officials entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the temple of democracy erred somewhere and here we stand exposed before the world.

Initial investigation has found that it was a BJP member of parliament from Karnataka who signed on the entry pass with which the terrorists managed to hoodwink the security personnel and enter the visitors gallery. When asked about the faux pas, the BJP spokesmen (and spokeswomen) blame the attackers for their Congress connection. One of the attackers was seen campaigning for the Congress in Haryana assembly election! But that is not the answer which the nation wants to hear.

There was a British gentleman by name Kim Philby who had worked for the British Secret Service during the Second World War as well as the Cold War.

Though he was on His/Her Majestys Service, Philbys integrity and affinity were with the then Soviet Union and he fed the Soviet spy masters with whatever sensitive information he could lay his hands on.India too has many Philbys capable of walking away to safety after executing their missions for other countries. Amar Bahadur, an additional secretary in RAW has authored a real-life novel based on his experiences in the agency. It was widely reported that intelligence agencies in India are handicapped because of restrictions enacted by Criminal Procedure Code. The Intelligence Bureau officers are not authorized to arrest or take into custody persons suspected of engaged in nefarious activities. It is for the local police to arrest persons pointed out by the intelligence agencies. But that itself is enmeshed in confusion. For example, the Kerala Police will not arrest anybody pinpointed by the IB for obvious reasons. The case of gold smuggling through green channel of Thiruvananthapuram International airport is an ideal example of how a case pursued by the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate could be subverted by the State Police.

Tom Clancy, a novelist who specializes in creating terrorism related works had written Executive Orders in 1996. The novel was about the destruction of a high rise building in Washington using a hijacked aircraft which led to the death of US President and vice-president. The subsequent events mark the rest of the story. Those who read the novel pooh-poohed the plot as well as the author. But what we saw on 11 September 2001 was a replication of Clancys plot and the only consolation was the US First Citizen and First Lady remained safe.

Much before the 1991 assassination of Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur near Chennai by the LTTE terrorists, Frederick Forsyth had penned the novel The Negotiator based on the kidnapping of a US Presidents son and his murder with the aid of a belt bomb. It took hardly two years for the Tamil Tigers to replicate the same modus operandi to get rid of Rajiv Gandhi. The thin line separating fiction and realism is fast disappearing. Eternal vigilance. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and drones are the latest to join the inventory of terrorists. Assassinations using drones are being discussed in spy movies and one need not be surprised if the technology falls into the hands of Angels of Peace. How many of us remember the novel The Fifth Horseman authored by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins? It has the late Libyan despot Muhammar Quaddafi managing to get a nuclear bomb planted in New York city and holding the city to ransom in lieu of certain demands.. The basic rule associated with security and safety is to mistrust the obvious. The nation wants to know what are the factors associated with the 13 December goof up by security agencies and failure of human intelligence.

(The writer is special correspondent with The Pioneer, views are personal)
In the present situation, the UN Security Council Resolution is meaningless. In these circumstances, Article 370 had completely lost its relevance; it is time to rebuild Kashmir

Recently, the Honble Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Modi Governments August 2019 decision to nullify Article 370 of the Constitution. That Article gave Jammu and Kashmir special status within our federal structure giving it the right to have its constitution along with exemption from the complete applicability of our constitution. Bizarrely, though only a temporary provision, it de facto came to be treated as permanent because the J&K Constituent Assembly did not specify its abrogation when it dissolved itself. This seems illogical because common sense suggests whichever authority has the power to promulgate such an article, obviously also has the power to dissolve it. In essence, we created a mountain out of a molehill!

Notwithstanding this, legal luminaries and eminent commentators, former Supreme Court Justice Madan Lokur and our foremost constitutional expert, Fali S Nariman, amongst them, have gone on to express their unhappiness with the Supreme Courts verdict. Justice Lokur, for example, has pointed out that the verdict was based on inherent contradictions of the court's earlier judgements and extremely convoluted logic. Furthermore, he was also unhappy with the Courts refusal to determine whether the reorganisation of the state, which was divided into the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, was constitutionally permissible under Article 3. He saw this as a failure of the court to do its constitutional duty. Mr. Nariman was even more critical going so far as to call the verdict totally erroneous and bad in law.

More than just the question of Jammu and Kashmir, what seems to be troubling those critical of the verdict is the precedent that the Supreme Court has set. In their view, this verdict will have a significant impact on Indias federalism, which it had earlier deemed to be a basic characteristic of our constitution and inviolable and sacrosanct. They believe by its actions or rather inaction, it has now permitted the Central Government, through Parliament, to undertake the reorganisation of a state without the concurrence of its State Assembly. Academic polemics aside, the truth is this government, as we have seen over the years, has little time for either propriety or precedent once it has made up its mind, and appears to be quite unmindful of how our Courts might respond.

Georges Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister during the Great War, once famously said War is too important to be left to the Generals. In a similar vein, affairs of state are too important to be left to Judges to decide. In any case, the issue of Jammu& Kashmir needs to be seen not so much as an issue of jurisprudence but realpolitik.

The fact is the State is seen as a disputed territory by the international community, despite the very concise, clear and legally binding Instrument of Accession signed by its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh. It now seems fairly apparent that the special status had been temporarily bestowed on the state in an attempt to convince its populace that their interests would be protected if they voted in favour of acceding to India in the plebiscite that was required to be undertaken as per U N Security Council Resolution No 47. Undoubtedly, the Pakistan Government concluded that the plebiscite would favour India, not least because of the atrocities committed by the so-called Tribals. Since the plebiscite was contingent on the withdrawal of Pakistani troops from the state, this was never undertaken, allowing them to keep the dispute going through four wars, over the past seventy-five years. Today, the plebiscite is a non-starter and the relevant UN Security Council Resolution is meaningless and unimplementable. In these circumstances, Article 370 has completely lost its relevance.

One could conclude that it had become an impediment to progress as it did not allow for full integration with our polity, and discriminated against many of its inhabitants, with its provisions being cynically utilised by local political parties to extend their majoritarian agenda at the cost of the minority population. More importantly, while the military can control the violence that has plagued the State since 1989, the ongoing insurgency can only be resolved through substantive political initiatives. Governments over the years have refused to undertake such a step, leading to repeated cycles of violence, every few years.

Thus, the Modi Governments nullification of Article 370 was an extremely bold and positive political move, though one could argue that it did not go far enough. Instead of the incremental approach adopted, the Government should have initiated simultaneous steps to remove AFSPA from the hinterland and move the Rashtriya Rifles to the LOC in a counter-infiltration role to stymie Pakistani support, without endangering our supply routes.

In that sense this verdict, even if flawed, should embolden the Government to take far bolder measures within the Union Territory that could in the long run pay handsome dividends and greatly enhance our national security environment. There will always be naysayers and prophets of doom, but the Government should ignore them if it is truly interested in achieving a positive outcome.

(The author, a military veteran, is a Visiting Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation and a Senior Visiting Fellow with The Peninsula Foundation, Chennai)
On Thursday, the Centre passed a historic Bill in support of press freedom and simultaneously expressed concern over continuous attacks on journalists in West Bengal. The Centre urged the State to ensure the safety of mediapersons.

In a landmark decision, the Lok Sabha passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, repealing the colonial-era law of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. The Bill simplifies the process of title allotment and registration of periodicals through an online system without the need for any physical interface. This Bill had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha in the Monsoon Session.

During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stated that law and order is a State subject, and the State Government should provide an environment for mediapersons to work independently.

Thakur was responding to a question raised by TMC member Dola Sen, who was not present in the House, having been suspended along with a few other MPs for the remainder of the winter session.

Responding to a supplementary query on steps being taken by the government to ensure the safety of journalists, the minister mentioned that the main question was asked by an MP from West Bengal who is not in the House.

Thakur expressed hesitation to point out a particular State but noted that several incidents had occurred one after the other in West Bengal, including reports of deadly attacks on journalists. He emphasised the serious concern for the safety of journalists, citing specific incidents in various districts.

The media is the fourth pillar of democracy, the minister asserted, urging West Bengal and other States to take steps to ensure the safety of journalists within their borders.

Regarding The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, passed in the Lok Sabha, it enables the Press Registrar General to fast-track the process, ensuring that publishers, especially small and medium publishers, face little difficulty in starting a publication. Introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur said, the Bill reflects yet another step of the Modi Government towards jettisoning the mentality of slavery and bringing new laws for new India.

Notably, publishers will no longer be required to file a declaration with the District Magistrates or local authorities and get such declarations authenticated. Printing presses will also not be required to furnish any such declaration; instead, only an intimation would be sufficient. The entire process, which presently involved eight steps and consumed considerable time, has been streamlined.

The minister further added that the governments priority is to end criminality, improve ease of doing business and ease of living through new laws. Efforts have been made to substantially decriminalise the colonial-era statute, proposing financial penalties instead of conviction for certain violations. Additionally, a credible appellate mechanism, headed by the Chairperson, Press Council of India, has been provided for.

Stressing the ease of doing business aspect, Thakur mentioned that the title registration process, which sometimes took 2-3 years, would now be completed in 60 days.

The Act of 1867 was a legacy of the British Raj, intended to exercise complete control over the press, printers, and publishers of newspapers and books, along with heavy fines and penalties, including imprisonment for various violations.

It was felt that in todays age of a free press and the governments commitment to uphold media freedom, the archaic law was totally out of sync with the current media landscape.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJPs national office bearers met on Friday to deliberate and chart out the partys strategy for the upcoming polls. The two-day meeting was chaired by BJP chief JP Nadda and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP State presidents, incharge of different States, and organisational general secretaries of States, among others. The BJPs national office bearers also discussed the results of the recently concluded Assembly polls in five States.

Addressing the office bearers, sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the hard work done by workers and leading the three States to an excellent win. He mentioned that in the coming days, they have to work even harder and that not a single seat where the party contests should be taken lightly.

Each vote, each seat is valuable to maintain the momentum of growth in the nation. All should carry forward the Viksit Bharat Yatra ahead, sources quoted Modi in the meeting. He will address the party leaders again on Saturday at the partys national headquarters.

Sources said that in the meeting, various morcha (wings) and State units shared details of their ongoing organisational exercises and would be given directions by senior leaders with an eye on the polls. The BJP won in three of the five States, a major boost to its campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. While outlining campaign programmes, the party is expected to give special focus to southern States. The sources said the party discussed the strategy for Lok Sabha polls in light of efforts by INDIA alliance parties to contest the polls together.

The ongoing Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, a flagship Central Government programme aimed at ensuring saturation coverage of its numerous welfare schemes, the results of the recent five Assembly polls, and the partys nationwide plans on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are among the issues likely to be discussed in the meeting.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, along with his deputies Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda, met the Prime Minister, followed by a few Union ministers as part of the first official visit of the new State leadership to Delhi.

The CM and the Deputy CMs met Modi at his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg and informed him about the development works being undertaken in the state and obtained the guidance of the prime minister, a State Government spokesperson said. The BJP returned to power in Madhya Pradesh after a landslide victory in the Assembly polls.
In a significant overhaul of security following the Parliament security breach earlier this month, the government has opted to entrust the comprehensive security of the Parliament building complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The CISF will manage access control to both the new and old Parliament complexes in a manner akin to airport security. This approach involves body frisking using hand-held detectors, while belongings will undergo scrutiny through X-ray machines.
Amid concerns that JN.1 variant Covid has started spreading in various pockets of the country, NCR city Noida for the first time reported a positive case of after several months, officials said. As India witnessed a single day rise of 640 fresh infections with Kerala topping the tally on Friday, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist, said that the new strain should not be dismissed as a common cold and warned saying let us not take things lightly this time.

However, the Union Government has asked people not to panic as yet.

Dr Swaminathans statement comes amid detection of twenty-two cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, with 21 cases being reported from Goa and another from Kerala, official sources said. Kerala has so far registered 265 fresh Covid-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours. The total number of active cases have climbed to 2,997 from 2,669 the day before, according to Union Health Ministry data.

About the first Noida case, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma said that the 54-year-old male patient lives in Noida but works at a multinational company in Gurugram. His test sample has been sent to Delhi for genome sequencing. The result is awaited, Sharma said. District Surveillance Officer and public healthcare expert Dr Amit Kumar said the patient travelled to Nepal earlier this month and also went to work at his Gurugram office after returning.

The patient is asymptomatic and went for the Covid-19 test on his own, Kumar said, adding that this is the only confirmed case in Gautam Budh Nagar so far.CMO Sharma said testing for the virus had come down in the district this year.

People can get themselves tested for Covid at primary and community health centres here and the district hospital, he said, adding that residents are being urged to follow Covid-appropriate measures amid concerns over the infection spreading once again.

People should wash their hands with soap for a minute, practice social distancing, use alcohol-based sanitisers, wear face masks when outdoors, among other measures, Kumar said.

Twenty-two cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country till Thursday, with 21 cases being reported from Goa and another from Kerala, official sources said.

In Goa, the sources said, no clustering of cases of the JN.1 variant has been seen and all infected people have recovered without complications. Those infected had mild upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms of mild dry cough, sore throat with or without fever, they said.

In November, 62 samples were sent to different INSACOG labs for whole genome sequencing for detection of the JN.1 variant, while in December, so far, 253 samples have been sent, the sources said on Friday.

Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, officials said.

The countrys Covid-19 tally now stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,07,212). The death toll climbed to 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,70,887. The national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministrys website. The case fatality rate stands at 1.19 per cent.

The countries reporting the largest proportion of JN.1 sequences are --France (20.1 per cent,1552 sequences), the USA (14.2 per cent,1072 sequences), Singapore (12.4 per cent ,934 sequences), Canada (6.8 per cent,512 sequences), the UK (5.6 per cent, 422 sequences) and Sweden (5.0 per cent,381 sequences).

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the global health body emphasised that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.
As Bengal Pradesh Congress leaders seek 6-8 seats from the Trinamool Congress in potential pre-poll alliance talks, the prospects of such collaboration are becoming increasingly uncertain.

In the 2019 general elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured victory in 22 out of 42 seats, while the BJP, experiencing a meteoric rise, claimed 18 seats. The Congress, in contrast, managed only 2 seats, and the Left drew a blank for the first time since Independence.

Prominent Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders, including Adhir Chowdhury, Deepa Dasmunshi, AH Khan Chowdhury, and Shankar Malakar, have conveyed their demand for 6-8 seats to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. According to Pradesh Congress sources, the leaders insist on a dignified allocation, stating, Anything less than 6-8 seats is not acceptable because the Congress strength post panchayat elections has increased in Bengal.

The Bengal unit of the party has requested seats for Darjeeling, Raiganj, Malda South, Murshidabad, Purulia, and, if possible, Basirhat. This is in addition to Baharampur and Malda North, currently held by Congress members Adhir Chowdhury and AH Khan Chowdhury, respectively.

These seats were once traditional Congress strongholds until the TMC eroded its influence by engineering mass defections after coming to power in 2011, PCC leaders noted. They emphasise the need to reclaim dignity and resist yielding these seats to those who tormented the party over the years.

Bengal PCC leader and former party spokesperson Kaustav Bagchi goes further by outright rejecting the idea of an alliance with the TMC. In a letter to Kharge, he asserts that such an alliance would carry pitfalls, as the TMC leadership is marred by credible corruption charges. Bagchi argues that aligning with the TMC would make the Congress responsible for the corruption against which it has long fought.

Bagchi also underscores that Bengal politics revolves around the TMC, and if an alliance is formed, the BJP would benefit, as opposition votes would consolidate in its favor. At this juncture, he argues, an alliance with the TMC would ultimately aid the saffron outfit.

While the TMC leadership remains tight-lipped about the PCCs demand, a senior leader in the party indicates there is no intention of offering more than 2-3 seats to the Congress. The leader suggests that, given the current atmosphere, the Congress may struggle to retain even the 2 seats it won last time without TMC support.
The INDIA bloc staged a nationwide protest on Friday against the suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament during the recently concluded Winter session. The bloc called on people to unite to save democracy in the country, accusing the ruling BJP of stifling the voice of the opposition. The leaders also urged for the defeat of the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The protest in the national capital at Jantar Mantar was led by top Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, his party colleague Rahul Gandhi, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Similar protests were held by members of the INDIA alliance in Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru, Panaji, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Ranchi, and other cities across the country. Leaders of Left parties, DMK, SP, NC, TMC, JMM, RJD, and other members of the Opposition coalition attended the protest.

The BJP criticised Rahul as an immature and undemocratic leader, dismissing the INDIA blocs protest at Jantar Mantar. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur emphasised the need for MPs to speak in one voice on such sensitive matters and criticised leaders like Rahul Gandhi for levelling false allegations. Thakur said INDIA bloc parties did not participate in discussions in Parliament over peoples issues and important Bills, suggesting that they had lost their mental balance following recent Assembly polls rout.

Leaders present at the Jantar Mantar protest included NCPs Sharad Pawar, CPIMs Sitaram Yechury, CPIs D Raja, JMMs Mahua Maji, DMKs Tiruchi Siva, RJDs Manoj Kumar Jha, TMCs Mausam Noor, NCs Hasnain Masoodi, Revolutionary Socialist Partys N K Premachandran, and SPs S T Hasan.

Addressing the gathering in the national capital, Kharge asserted that democracy is under threat under the BJP government. Rahul Gandhi stated that opposition members were suspended from Parliament for demanding answers on the Parliament security breach issue. He emphasized that the governments action silenced the voice of 60 percent of Indians.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar accused the government of trying to silence the opposition and expressed readiness to pay any price to save democracy. Sitaram Yechury highlighted the governments accountability to Parliament, emphasizing the sovereignty of the people of India through their representatives.

Trinamool Congress MP Mausam Noor called for a BJP-free India, while CPI general secretary D Raja claimed the government is attempting to make Parliament redundant.

The Samajwadi Party staged a protest in Lucknow and other districts of Uttar Pradesh, while Congress protested at Indira Park in Hyderabad, led by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc in Bihar also staged protests across the state against the en masse suspension of members of Parliament in the just-concluded winter session. The states ruling coalition, known as Mahagathbandhan, comprises six of the INDIA blocs constituents, namely Congress, RJD, JD(U), CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, and CPI(M).
A joint team of security forces intensified combing and search operations on Friday in the densely forested belt of Dera ki Gali in the Poonch district to flush out terrorists responsible for the gruesome attack on moving Army vehicles. The terrorists vanished from the scene without encountering significant resistance. It is suspected that the perpetrators behind the strike are hiding in the general area or have taken shelter in a safe hideout.

Four soldiers were killed in action, and three others sustained injuries on Thursday when their vehicles were ambushed by a group of highly trained foreign terrorists. As of late Friday evening, the Indian Army had not released the names of the martyred soldiers. Some media outlets reported on Friday that, after targeting Army vehicles in the Dera Ki Gali area of Poonch, the terrorists mutilated the soldiers bodies and fled with their rifles. The Army has not issued any statement confirming this.

A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the spot on Friday before launching an investigation into the case. The Indian Army also conducted aerial monitoring using helicopters and deployed sniffer dogs to track down the footprints of terrorists. Additional reinforcements were rushed to the spot to plug gaps and prevent the terrorists from fleeing the area.

Meanwhile, security agencies detained 20 residents for questioning to identify facilitators and those sheltering terrorists behind the audacious strike.

The recent surge in terrorist strikes on Army personnel in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch has raised alarm bells in the security establishment. In four recent strikes, a total of 19 Army personnel were killed in action in Rajouri and Poonch since April 2023.

According to a recent assessment by intelligence agencies, more than two dozen terrorists are active in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, taking shelter inside the thickly forested area. These terrorists may be hiding in natural caves to escape aerial reconnaissance.

Senior Army and police officials rushed to the spot to supervise combing operations. The General Officer Commanding (GoC), XVI Corps, Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, DGP J&K police RR Swain, and Inspector General of Police, Jammu range Anand Jain visited the area and reviewed the security situation.

Indian Army and White Knight Corps salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote on Thursday while fighting the scourge of terrorism, White Knight Corps, or XVI Corps, wrote on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 here. He will be the sixth French leader to grace this prestigious occasion. Announcing this, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday that, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of France Emmanuel Macron will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

As Strategic Partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris. President Macron visited India for the G-20 Summit on September 8-9, 2023, said the External Affairs Ministry.

New Delhis invitation to Macron for the Republic Day celebrations comes amid a rapid upswing in ties between the two countries, including in areas of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment, and new technologies. In July, Modi attended the Bastille Day parade, which is part of the French National Day celebrations, as the guest of honour.

In the same month, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. France has already responded to Indias initial tender for buying the jets. The deal is worth over Rs 50,000 crore.

The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain, including in the Indian Ocean Region. The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest at this years Republic Day celebrations.

In 2020, then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.

In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.

In 2014, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami, and Jacques Chirac.

The then British Prime Minister John Major attended the celebrations in 1993; Nelson Mandela participated as then South African President in 1995, while South Korean President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.
After four rounds of meetings over tea and coffee at different cities in the last six months, the real challenge of seat sharing allocation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls among the major stakeholders of the INDIA bloc led by the Congress has begun.

Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Janata Dal (U) and RJD, NCP, Samajwadi Party is reported to have started bargain with the grand old party considered to be the chariot leader of the coalition to take on the Narendra Modis juggernaut in forthcoming General Elections.

Against the backdrop of resentments expressed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U), former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tried to reach out to Nitish, but they could not converse due to prior engagements. Rahuls response came soon after JD(U) Lok Sabha member Sunil Kumar Pintu took a swipe at the Delhi INDIA bloc meeting on Wednesday, stating, When compared to the last meetings where good snacks were served, this time it got over with only tea, coffee, and biscuits.

Sources said Rahul Gandhi could not speak to Nitish since he was in a meeting and, when Nitish called back, Rahul was in the middle of a party meeting. Sources told The Pioneer that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has spoken to Nitish Kumar on Friday.

Sources said Nitish had an aspiration to be the prime ministerial candidate of the large Opposition grouping as it was he who first took the initiative and brought everyone together at Patna meeting in June, but in this weeks meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was given a push by TMC and AAP. Kharge has though declined on this front and said focus is to win the maximum number of seats in the elections.

JD(U) national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha, who had attended the meeting along with Nitish Kumar on December 19 said Nitish had stressed the need to finalise seat-sharing arrangements by January. He, however, refuted reports that the senior JD(U) leader grew upset over the coalitions reluctance to name him the convener of INDIA and had skipped the post-meeting press conference to register his protest.

On the other hand, Nitish had a meeting with his Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav in Patna on Friday, where the two are believed to have discussed seat-sharing among the partners, though RJD leaders said it was regarding the expansion of the Bihar cabinet.

Rahul, however, held a meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, probably on seat-sharing in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha elections. After the joint Opposition protests at Jantar Mantar, Rahul drove with Pawar to the latters 6 Janpath residence. The two leaders were closeted for some time and were learned to have discussed seat-sharing among the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi partners Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP for the Lok Sabha elections.

Pawar is keen on accommodating smaller parties, such as the Left, Peasants and Workers Party, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, in the Opposition alliance, as they have certain pockets of strength in the State. The NCP veteran is also eager to finalise seat-sharing in Maharashtra early so that joint rallies of the coalition could be organised for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections.

Another challenge is from Punjab, where the ruling party AAP is unwilling to ally with the Congress  the party it routed in last years Assembly poll  to contest next years general election. Though the Samajwadi Party participated in the Opposition unity during the just concluded Winter Session, it will have differences with the Congress on seat-sharing.

With Bengal Congress leaders seeking 6-8 seats from the TMC in potential pre-poll alliance talks, the prospects of such collaboration are becoming increasingly uncertain. In the 2019 general elections, the TMC secured victory in 22 out of 42 seats, while the BJP, experiencing a meteoric rise, claimed 18 seats. The Congress, in contrast, managed only 2 seats, and the Left drew a blank for the first time since Independence.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders, including Adhir Chowdhury, Deepa Dasmunshi, AH Khan Chowdhury, and Shankar Malakar, have conveyed their demand for 6-8 seats to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. While the TMC leadership remains tight-lipped about the PCCs demand, a senior leader in the party indicates there is no intention of offering more than 2-3 seats to the Congress. The leader suggested that, given the current atmosphere, the Congress may struggle to retain even the two seats it won last time without TMC support.
The Delhi Police has interrogated two additional individuals, including the son of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Karnatakas Bagalkote area, in connection with the Parliament security breach case on December 13. The individuals have been identified as Sai Krishna, the son of the retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from Bagalkote, Karnataka, and Atul Kulshreshtra, a resident of Jalalpur, Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Special Judge Hardeep Kaur on Thursday extended the custody of the accusedManoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, and Neelam Devi  by 15 days as requested by the city police.

Sai Krishna, reportedly a techie and close friend of one of the Parliament intruders, Manoranjan D, who entered the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, releasing yellow gas from canisters, was questioned by a team from the Special Cell on Wednesday. Sai Krishna and Manoranjan D were batchmates at a Bengaluru engineering college. Manoranjan is among the four accused in the case now facing charges under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Sai Krishna was taken into custody from his residence in Vidyagiri, Bagalkote, on Wednesday night by a team from the Delhi Police. He works for a multinational company in Bengaluru and was Manoranjans roommate during college.

Another individual detained by the Delhi Police is Atul Kulshreshtha from Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh. Preliminary investigations revealed that Atul, also known as Baccha, has no past criminal records or political affiliations. However, he has been passionate about the ideology of Shaheed Bhagat Singh since his student life. Atul, connected to the Bhagat Singh Fans Club, was caught on record chatting with the Parliament intruders on Facebook, leading to his arrest for interrogation. Atul, a participant in the farmers agitation, has two sons and a daughter.

On Thursday, Special Judge Hardeep Kaur granted a 15-day extension to the custody of the accusedManoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, and Neelam Devifollowing an application by the city police. The extension was sought, stating that the accused needed to be taken to various places for investigation at a crucial stage.

Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh informed the court that further questioning of the accused was necessary to find out the entire conspiracy and to get to the root of the matter. The prosecutor stressed the need for sustained custodial interrogation to determine the actual persons involved in the conspiracy and understand the ultimate objective of the offense.

The counsel for the accused opposed the polices application for further remand, suggesting that based on the prosecutors arguments, a maximum of three more days of custodial interrogation should be sufficient. The court directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to provide a copy of the FIR to the counsel representing Neelam, the only woman accused arrested in the case.

A total of six individuals have been arrested in connection with the security breach in Parliament on December 13, with Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat being the two other accused arrested in the case.

According to police sources, the six individuals arrested in the Parliament security breach case were part of half a dozen WhatsApp groups named after Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekar Azad. Members of these groups regularly discussed the thoughts and ideas of the freedom fighters and shared related video clips.
Crucial Bills passed without 146 suspended MPs

Parliament was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day before its scheduled time, after the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed the pending crucial Bills in the complete absence of Opposition benches from both Houses, making it unprecedented. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned after the passage of important Bills, including the appointment of election commissioners and the Press registration process, the Rajya Sabha passed important legislations on three criminal Bills and the Telecom Bill.

The last time such a large number of MPs were suspended was under the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on March 15, 1989, by then Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar. A total of 63 MPs from the Opposition benches were suspended for the remainder of the week, which was three days during the Budget session. The suspended MPs included VP Singh, Somnath Chatterjee, VC Shukla, Indrajit Gupta, S Jaipal Reddy during the 8th Lok Sabha, sources said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the leaders of some political parties in a customary meeting on Thursday after Parliaments winter session, during which the governments legislative agenda was passed, was adjourned sine die. Official sources said Modi thanked everyone. The Prime Minister and the leaders of different political parties generally visit the Speaker after the end of every Parliament session. Opposition leaders, most of whom were suspended from the two Houses for their continuous protests over an incident of security breach in Parliament, kept away from the meeting. Biju Janata Dals (BJD) Bhartruhari Mahtab and Shiv Senas Rahul Shewale were among the leaders present at the meeting, besides Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi, among others.

Before the Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, three more MPs from the Opposition were suspended for the remainder of the Winter Session, taking the total number of suspended MPs in the Lower House to 100 for unruly behaviour and misconduct. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for the suspension of DK Suresh, Deepak Baij, and Nakul Nath on Thursday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House. With this, the total number of MPs suspended for unruly behaviour from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stood at an unprecedented 146 since December 14.

In both the Houses, the Opposition had been demanding a statement in the House from Home Minister Amit Shah for the security breach on December 13.

The Opposition leaders under the INDIA bloc banner will protest against suspension of INDIA parties MPs at Jantar Mantar on Friday.

The Lok Sabha passed three key Bills to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act on Wednesday, followed by the same in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. During his reply in the Upper House after the Bill was moved by him, Home Minister Amit Shah said over 70,000 people were killed due to terrorism on account of Congress governments wrong policies.

We had been deliberating and discussing on this since August 2019. I feel joyous to be presenting this today. Not just the names of laws have been changed, but major changes have been made in their objectives. Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Evidence Act were formulated to safeguard the British rule, the Home Minister said.

The Lower House also cleared a bill to establish a mechanism for the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners. With the passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the Parliament approved the Bill that seeks to allow the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security and also provide a non-auction route for the allocation of satellite spectrum. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, was approved by the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a short debate in the absence of Opposition MPs.

TMCs Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the House adopted a resolution accepting the recommendation of the House ethics committee, which found her guilty of asking questions in Parliament in return for cash and gifts. The Winter session began on December 4 and was scheduled to conclude on December 22.

On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors gallery and released yellow smoke from canisters they were carrying. They were overpowered by MPs. The action to suspend opposition MPs drew sharp criticism from the Congress and other parties, which accused the BJP government of trying to bulldoze through key legislations in an opposition-less Parliament.

Amid the string of suspensions, a political row broke out after Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar during the oppositions protest on the stairs of Parliament against the MPs suspension, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen making a video of the performance by Banerjee, who appeared to mimic the way Dhankhar walked by leaning forward and made reference to having a spine. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed dismay at the incident.

The Lok Sabha recorded 74 percent productivity in this winter session, Birla noted in his valedictory remarks. In his concluding remarks in the House, the speaker said the Lok Sabha held 14 sittings and worked for 61 hours and 50 minutes. Lok Sabha passed 18 bills, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita, to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act, respectively. A total of 17 Bills, including important path-breaking bills related to Jammu & Kashmir, Appointment of Election Commissioners, the Post Office Bill, the Telecommunications Bill, and the three Bills namely Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were passed during this session in the Rajya Sabha.

In his Valedictory remarks, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said the upper house was able to transact business for 65 hours during the 14 sittings and addressed over 2300 Questions from treasury and the opposition benches. I am pained to state that nearly 22 hours were lost due to avoidable disruptions adversely impacting our overall productivity that finally stood at 79 percent. Weaponizing disruptions and disturbance as a political strategy doesnt resonate with our constitutional obligation of keeping the interest of people at large above any other political considerations, Dhankar said.
The Delhi Police Special Cell suspects Manoranjan D, one of the six people arrested in the Parliament security breach, to be the mastermind behind the conspiracy, hatched to send a message to the ruling government by doing "something big," said a source privy to the probe. In a related development, the Delhi High Court on Friday stayed a trial court's order directing the city police to supply a copy of the FIR to an accused in the Parliament security breach case.

According to police, Lalit Jha, another accused, has revealed to the interrogators that Manoranjan was the one who motivated other members to do something big and planned the breach in the parliament. However, his, Jha's, role was only to destroy the evidence after the act. Manoranjan was arrested along with Sagar from inside the parliament on December 13. Both had jumped into the well of the Lok Sabha and opened yellow colour canisters hidden in their shoes. Manoranjan, a native of Mysore, had quit engineering to engage in social work. Though he was unemployed, he managed to visit Cambodia, the source said.

Jha was produced before the court on Friday from where he was sent to 14 days of police custody. Police told the court that they needed to confront Jha with other accused and collect scientific and digital evidence related to the case. According to the source, Jha told police that Manoranjan had sent tickets to him and others on WhatsApp to come to Mysore in Karnataka a year ago. Another officer said the doctors on Friday started conducting the psychoanalysis tests on all six.

The accused were taken to a forensic lab where they underwent the test, which is supposed to help interrogators ascertain their mental condition, the person said.

Police said the accused have revealed that they were upset with unemployment and the farmer and Manipur crisis. They are yet to reveal the proper sequence and reason behind their act inside and outside Parliament, police said.

In a related development, the Delhi High Court stayed the trial court's order directing the city police to supply a copy of the FIR to Neelam Devi, after the counsel for police contended that in sensitive matters like these an accused has to approach the police commissioner who forms a committee to decide the application for providing a copy of the FIR and, if it is denied, they can move the court for relief.

The high court noted the submission of the police that it is a case of sensitive nature, and as per a judgment of the Supreme Court, the FIRs in sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism and of that category, and offences under POCSO Act are not to be uploaded on website of the authorities.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to accused Neelam Devi on the police's plea challenging the trial court's December 21 order directing the probe agency to furnish a copy of the FIR to the counsel for the accused as per law. This court, having considered the directions contained in the Supreme Court order, is of the opinion that as per the statement made at bar, section 16 and 18 of the UAPA have also been invoked against the present accused person, therefore, the FIR is not to be uploaded. In addition to the same, as per this judgment itself and the mandate of the directions the copy of the same could not have been given to the accused without following the procedure laid down.

In view thereof, the execution of the order dated December 21 stands stayed till the next date of hearing, that is, January 4. Issue notice to the accused for the next date, the high court said. Delhi government standing counsel (Criminal) Sanjay Lau contended that in sensitive matters, the accused has to approach the police commissioner who forms a committee to decide the application for providing a copy of the FIR and, if it is denied, they can move the court for relief.

However, the trial court erred in directing the police to provide the FIR copy to the accused and overlooked and bypassed the judgment of the Supreme Court as per which FIR cannot be supplied to the accused in sensitive cases.

This is happening in several cases, the order of the Supreme Court is being flouted. This is a very sensitive matter, the security of Parliament has been breached by some persons.

This is a second or third case where such directions have been passed and now the higher authorities want to challenge in the high court, the police's counsel said.
The two-day 24th Odisha Science and Environment Congress ended at the Berhampur University on Tuesday. It was jointly organised by the BU and the Odisha Environmental Society (OES).

The primary objective of the event was to foster innovative research initiatives addressing pressing global environmental concerns. Issues like climate change, pollution in its various forms, deforestation, biodiversity loss, ozone layer depletion, and other critical challenges were discussed, emphasizing the imminent threat they pose to the planet's existence, said the organisers.

An essential milestone marked the occasion as an MoU was inked between BU and the Bay of Bengal Programme, Chennai. Notable figures present on the occasion included OES president Professor Sundar Narayan Patro, Chairman of PG Council, BU, Professor SK Baral, convener of the Congress Professor Jayakrushna Panigarahy, and BUs Environmental Science Department HoD Professor B Anjan Kumar Prusty.

Eminent scientists stressed the crucial role of science and technology in combating the issues. They called upon young researchers to champion sustainable solutions, underscoring the significance of preserving the planet's natural magnificence.

The inaugural session welcomed Professor P Krishnan as the chief guest and New Delhis Indraprastha University former Dean Professor N C Gupta as the guest of honour. BU Vice-Chancellor Professor Geetanjali Dash presided over the ceremony.

Additionally, four distinguished scientists Professor Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, Professor Sunil Kumar Sarangi, Professor Gauri Shankar Tripathy and Professor Malaya Kumar Mishra were honoured for their lifetime contributions to science and technology.

Professor Satyanarayan Sahu from the Chemistry Department delivered the vote of thanks. Over the two days, invited scientists and young researchers presented their research findings. The event drew over 400 participants from various universities, research institutes in the State and beyond.
Registration of the property you sell or purchase or documents related to your will is set to become easier in Delhi. The Arvind Kejriwal government has decided to introduce the 'Anywhere Registration' policy for sale and purchase of properties in the national capital. This will pave the way for Delhi residents to pick an office of their choice and convenience to get various documents registered. The chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved this scheme, and the file has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor for notification.

According to officials, if people want to register their property, they can go to any Sub-Registrar Office in Delhi. Now, individuals will not be restricted to a specific Sub-Registrar Office for property registration. To buy or sell property in Delhi, people need to visit the Sub-Registrar Office. Whether it's a property transaction or registering the property through other means, one has to go to the Sub-Registrar Office. A sub-registrar offices on an average takes care of registrations of around 32 different documents, including the sale deeds, rent agreements, wills, and power of attorney.

According to Raj Niwas official, in another path-breaking move aimed at mitigating corruption and harassment of citizens in Sub Registrar offices, the Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has asked for entire Delhi to be declared as a single district for the purpose of registration of properties, on line with a similar step taken in Andhra Pradesh in 2015. This would enable any person to get the property registered from any Sub Registrar office in the Capital rather than going to specific offices. This move is expected to put an effective check over malpractices. Further, the issuance of NOCs by Revenue Department regarding status of a particular land will also be made online in a faceless module, thereby eliminating any human interface, official said.

Saxena has earlier reviewed the performance of the Vigilance Department, Delhi government with regards to the disposal/pendency of cases and stricter enforcement to curb corruption and prevalent malpractices in government offices. During the meeting, the Lt Governor laid emphasis on making the Sub Registrar offices corruption free, so as to cause minimum inconvenience and harassment to the people at large. To this effect, he directed to bring the entire area in all Sub Registrar offices under the surveillance of CCTV cameras the feed of which will be brought directly to the Central Command & Control Centre.

The LG was informed that following his directions in the last meeting, for the first time in the country an Online Complaint Information Management System (OCIMS) had been developed that would enable online registration of complaints in corruption cases. The portal being developed by NIC will also have provisions for the complainants to upload photographic/video/audio evidences online along with their complaints.

All Sub-Registrars in Delhi will now function as Joint Sub-Registrars, and their jurisdiction will cover the entire Delhi. So, anyone residing in Delhi can make an online appointment for property registration at any of the 22 Sub-Registrar Offices in Delhi, the AAP government said in a statement. In Delhi, the erstwhile Sheila Dikshit government had tried to connect the 16 sub registrar offices in Delhi.

Many complaints about the Sub-Registrar Office often reach chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. One complaint is that in many Sub-Registrar Offices, there are long queues and it takes a long time to book an appointment. On the other hand, some Sub-Registrar Offices do not have excessive crowds. Another complaint that often comes in is of prevalent corruption in many Sub-Registrar Offices.

There are middlemen outside the offices who demand money, and people are forced to pay these middlemen to get their registry work done in the same office. To address these issues, the Revenue Department has initiated this new policy, reads the statement.

At the review meeting, the LG issued a slew of directions to bring greater transparency in such government offices. The LG issued instructions for regular surprise checks and raids to be conducted in such offices that included Sub Registrar office, Transport, Trade & Taxes and Excise amongst others.
Law and PWD Minister Atishi on Friday expressed anguish over the deplorable conditions of the Rohini Court premises. She directed the Principal Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Law Department to jointly prepare a detailed maintenance contract draft for the Rohini Court Complex by December 30.

The Law Minister on Friday inspected the Rohini Court premises following complaints from judges and lawyers about poor facilities and maintenance in the court complex.

During the inspection, the Law Minister found that the condition of the court premises was pitiable. There is a major problem of seepage throughout the building, causing water to seep through the walls and ceiling. Due to seepage, the walls have become damp and dirty, and paint and cement are peeling off. She discovered that the false ceiling was also in poor condition, with several panels missing and wires hanging overhead.

In a letter to the Principal Secretary (PWD) on Friday, Delhi Minister Atishi noted, Yesterday I visited Rohini Court Complex along with Justice Rekha Palli, Building Maintenance and Construction Committee (Rohini Court Complex), after receiving several grievances from Judges and Lawyers regarding poor management of the facilities in the court complex.

I was shocked to see the dilapidated condition of the court building. The entire building had major seepage issues with water percolating through the walls and the ceiling. Due to the seepage, the walls were damp and dirty with paint and cement chipping off the walls, she added.

PWD minister Atishi further stated that false ceilings inside the premises were also in bad condition and several panels were missing with wires hanging overhead.

The toilets, especially the ladies toilets, were dirty and unhygienic. I visited the basement of the building, which was in a poor state, Electrical fittings were missing  the stairs were poorly lit and broken. Rohini Court Complex is used by a large number of Judges, lawyers and their judicial staff. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure they do not face any inconvenience while discharging their duties, Atishi noted. Besides, the Court is also visited by thousands of people, who come to these courts to resolve their legal issues on a daily basis. People who come to the court are basically aggrieved and come looking for justice. To inconvenience them further would be inhuman, she added.

Noting that it is a joint responsibility of the PWD and the Law Department to maintain such buildings, Atishi said, Majority of these issues can be simply resolved by having a comprehensive facility management system, in the form of an Annual Maintenance Contract. The facility manager can look into the day-to-day issues faced by the judges, lawyers and general public and resolve them in real-time.
The Vigilance police on Thursday carried out simultaneous raids on the properties of Prashanta Kumar Gantayat, Chief Civil Supplies Officer (CCSO), Bhubaneswar, on the allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

In the ongoing raids at seven locations, movable and immovable assets worth crores of rupees in the names of Gantayat and his family members were unearthed.

The assets included one triple-storied building under construction with area of 4,800 sqft over Plots 1484 and 1485 at Pandara, Bhubaneswar, worth Rs 83 lakh, one double-storied building (VIM-192) at Chandrasekharpur in Bhubaneswar, an apartment at Neelachal City, Canal Road in Bhubaneswar, another apartment at village Bhabanipur, Brahmapur-II of Neelachal Heights, five plots, of which three plots are in prime areas of Bhubaneswar, gold weighing 536 grams, bank and insurance deposits approximately Rs 1.4 8crore, cash of Rs 1.21 lakh, one four-wheeler (Honda Amaze), two two-wheelers, household articles worth over Rs 19.47 lakh and travel expenditure to Europe and Switzerland amounting to Rs 3 lakh.

Gantayat is being examined to ascertain the sources of the assets. Further searches are continuing. Unearthing of more assets is likely and overall valuation is likely to increase.
The Delhi BJP on Thursday held a protest at Jantar Mantar here against "mocking" of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and demanded an apology from opposition leaders including Congress' Rahul Gandhi.

Several protesters had tied black bands on their foreheads. BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari, Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and several other leaders were among those who took part in the protest.

"Parliament is the temple of democracy. The Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman are not individuals but institutions. Making fun of them and disrespecting them is like insulting that temple. We demand an apology from Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders," Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said.

Sachdeva said that if the son of a poor farmer occupies such a big position from the grassroots level, then the Congress can not tolerate this, that is why they make indecent remarks against him because Rahul Gandhi's thinking is feudalistic and this feudalistic thinking will become the reason for the elimination of Congress from the country. Delhi BJP President appealed to everyone to go to their respective areas and expose the behavior of Congress and Aadmi Party leaders.

BJP leader Dushyant Gautam said that today the opposition neither has respect for democracy nor for constitutional posts.

This kind of action by the opposition is only a result of the defeat in all three states which has increased their anxiety. The opposition tried to divide the country on the basis of caste census but they failed in that and in three states OBCs and farmers did not vote for them, hence they are upset.

Bidhuri said that before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi had insulted the country's army and he had to pay the consequences by forfeiting his security deposit from Amethi in the elections. But this time the deposits of both Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will be confiscated. He demanded that TMC to expel her MP Kalyan Banerjee from the party.

Mamta Banerjee has said that Rahul Gandhi's conspiracy is behind this entire incident. Today, the movement against Rahul Gandhi is going on across the country, his effigies are being burnt and the country will continue to protest against him until Rahul Gandhi apologizes, he said.

The political row broke out after Banerjee derisively mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the stairs of Parliament on Tuesday against the suspension of MPs, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Gandhi was seen making a video of the performance by Banerjee. Dhankhar has said the December 19 incident is an insult to his background as a farmer and his caste (Jat).

On Wednesday, the Jat Mahasangh held a protest march near the Congress headquarters here against Dhankhar's mimicry and burnt an effigy of the party.
Wrap up IT Park project in Kangra by 2024 CM Sukhu to officials



Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the Information Technology (IT) Park at Chaitaru in Kangra district and asked officials to complete the project by 2024. Sukhu underscored the potential for job creation for local youth through the IT Park and instructed the district administration to provide all basic amenities such as roads, electricity, and water in the complex so that the construction company does not face any inconvenience in their work and meeting the deadline. The Rs 17-crore IT park is spread across around two acres. The chief minister said around 100 companies have expressed interest in establishing their offices in the IT Park, operating on a plug-and-play basis. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to position Kangra as a thriving IT hub, thereby catalysing the overall development of the state. He asked the officials concerned to ensure that the project is completed by 2024 end.



Hry Skill Development Deptt signs MoU with Maruti Suzuki



Chandigarh: The Haryana Skill Development and Industrial Training Department, along with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, has once again signed a memorandum as per which the establishment of the Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIIM) will take place at the premises of the Government Industrial Training Institute, Kansala (Rohtak). Previously, a similar agreement was signed four years ago for the Government Industrial Training Institute, Uncha Majra (Gurugram). Director-General, Skill Development Department, Dr Vivek Aggarwal stated that the second Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing in India, and the first in Haryana state, was established in 2019. With the collaboration of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the institute was established at the Government Industrial Training Institute, Uncha Majra (Gurugram). In the last 4 years the institute has provided 100 percent employment to the trainees who have completed their training, he added.



Senior press photojournalist Santokh Singh passes away



Chandigarh: Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday expressed his condolences on the death of senior photojournalist Sardar Santokh Singh (78), also known as Taya Ji. He offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to find eternal peace. He tragically lost his battle with the cancer disease early Thursday morning. He served as the Chief Photojournalist at a newspaper here. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Information and Public Relations Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra also expressed deep grief over the sad demise of the senior photographer. Sandhwan said that he was a cheerful, honest, and combative individual, consistently displaying unwavering dedication to his work. Santokh Singhs contributions to the field of photojournalism would be enduringly remembered, he said.



Ensure Promotion of officials, employees within 2 months: Punjab CS directs Officers



Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday directed that all departments of the state should ensure promotion of officers and employees, due for it, within two months. Verma, in a letter to all Administrative Secretaries, Head of Departments, all Divisional Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners, said that due promotions of officers and employees should be done within two months by following stipulated rules and instructions. He has also asked to ensure strict compliance of these instructions.



Punjab VB arrests absconding private agent accused of selling forged birth certificates



Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Thursday arrested Niranjan Singh, a resident of Gehri village in Tarn Taran district, who had been evading his arrest for five years in connection with a criminal case. He was accused of charging Rs 10,000 per birth certificate. Spokesperson disclosed that a criminal case was registered against the said accused on May 27, 2017, under sections 420, 467, 468, 120-B of IPC, and sections 13(1) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused was declared a proclaimed offender by the court on June 6, 2018, and has been evading arrest since then. Niranjan, in collusion with officials from Tarn Taran Civil Surgeon office, used to procure forged birth certificates and sold them for Rs 10,000 each to the beneficiaries; and had amassed a substantial amount by issuing over 20 such fraudulent certificates.



BJP to observe Veer Bal Diwas nationwide



Chandigarh: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday said that the saffron party would observe nationwide December 26 as the Veer Bal Diwas in the memory of Baba Jorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh  the two sons of the tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh ji. BJP, all across the country, would be holding special meetings at the mandal level to pay homage to the two sons, he said, adding the party would organize prabhat pheris and seminars to deliberate on the sacrifice of the two sahibzadas.



Punjab VB arrests improvement trust law officer for taking Rs 8L bribe



Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday, arrested advocate Gautam Majithia  posted as law officer of Amritsar Improvement Trust for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs eight lakh. Spokesperson said that law officer Majithia, a resident of Green Field, Majitha road, Amritsar, has been arrested on the complaint of Jatinder Singh, a resident of Partap Avenue, Amritsar, who have lodged a complaint on the Chief Ministers Anti-Corruption Action Line along with the audio recording. The complainant alleged that the law officer had taken Rs eight lakh in lieu of release of 20 percent compensation more for acquisition of his land on the directions of district court amounting to Rs 20 lakh.
The Chhattisgarh government issued an order on Thursday for procuring 21 quintals of paddy per acre at a support price of Rs. 3,100 per quintal for the Kharif year 2023-24.

Farmers who have already sold their paddy will also receive the benefits.

An estimated procurement of 1.30 lakh tonnes is to be done. About Rs 40,000 crore will be paid to the farmers in lieu of paddy procurement.

This year, farmers will receive a total of Rs 65,100 per acre, Rs. 23,355 more than the previous year.

As many as 26.86 lakh farmers have registered a paddy area of 33.15 lakh hectares as of November 1.

So far, about 9.25 lakh farmers have sold 42.20 lakh tonnes of paddy.

Until recently, only 15 quintals of paddy per acre were being procured. Now this quantity has been increased by six quintals.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has averred that the Congress is unable to digest the felicitation of rat miners who played a crucial role in the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation. This is the reason why the Congress is spreading rumours, the BJP alleged. The BJP State media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said that the attitude of the Congress towards the Silkyara tunnel rescue has been negative since the beginning. When the rescue operation was underway, the Congress was talking about the reasons for the disaster instead of boosting the morale of the family members of the trapped labourers. Even at that time the Congress was spreading disinformation about the rescue operation, Chauhan said.

He said, When the government was busy extricating the trapped workers, getting their medical check up done and sending them home, the Congress leaders were making statements about honouring the rat miners in addition to spreading disinformation.Experts from around the world and the latest machinery were deployed in the rescue operation but the grit shown by the rat miners in the final phase of the operation can never be forgotten. They risked their lives and made the rescue operation easier. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami first felicitated the trapped labourers who were rescued from the Silkyara tunnel and after that the rat miners were felicitated at CM residence. Each of the rat miners was also presented with Rs 50,000 but the Congress did not like this and started spreading misinformation.

He opined that the misinformation being spread by the Congress is inspired by a low level of politics. The intentions of the Congress have been clear since the start because when the whole nation was concerned about the safety and rescue of the trapped workers, the Congress was seeking an inquiry. The Prime Minister and Home minister were taking regular updates from the CM on the rescue operation while the CM himself set up a temporary camp office at Silkyara. The Congress had objected even to Dhami setting up a temporary camp office in Silkyara, he said. Chauhan further said that on behalf of the States people, the CM also thanked all the agencies involved in the rescue operation. The rat miners were felicitated in a special function which the Congress is unable to digest, he added.
The Delhi zoo on Thursday released seven-month-old twin cubs of Royal Bengal Tiger for display to visitors, officials said.

These cubs were named as "Dhatri" and "Dhairya". The parentage consists of father Karan and mother tigress Siddhi, they said.

"We are pleased to inform you that National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo) has released Royal Bengal Tiger cubs on Thursday in the visitor display area of tiger enclosure. Tigress Siddhi delivered these cubs on May 5. Now these two cubs, one male and one female, are 7 months and 16 days old," NZP Director Akanksha Mahajan said.

These cubs were kept in night shelter and in the side kraal during the day time with the mother for better upkeep and spending quality time with the mother. As the cubs need more area for their movement, they are being released in a bigger area, i.E., an arena in visitor display, she said.The purpose behind this "celebration" is to create an awareness about empathy towards tiger conservation. The NZP is a participating zoo in the National Conservation Breeding Programme of Royal Bengal Tigers and has contributed significantly, Mahajan said.

The group of about 85 students and staff from Ramjas School, Daryaganj, attended the programme. At present, the zoo has seven Royal Bengal Tigers, she added.
A fire broke out in the Gopaldas Bhawan building, which houses offices of several private firms, on Barakhamba Road here on Thursday afternoon, sending its occupants scurrying for safety.

The fire started on the eighth floor of the 17-storey building due to a short circuit and spread to the ninth, tenth and eleventh floors, fire officials said. Black smoke was seen billowing from the building.

While all occupants of the building were evacuated safely, a fireman sustained minor injuries in the firefighting operation, they said.

A call about the fire was received around 1 pm and 15 fire tenders were pressed into service, said Rajinder Atwal, Divisional Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Services. "By 2:10 pm, we had doused the fire," he said. No civilian was injured but a firefighter sustained a minor injury in the operation, he added.

According to another Delhi Fire Services official, it was earlier suspected that the fire broke out on the 11th floor but it was later found that it started on the 8th floor.

"The fire broke out due to a short circuit in the wires in the shaft and it spread to the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors of the building," the official said.

Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said the building had a fire no-objection certificate (NOC) and it was renewed last year. Delhi Police officials the blaze spread as waste material in the building caught fire.

They said a case of negligence will be registered against unidentified persons in the incident.Rashi Sharma, who was visiting a bank in the Gopaldas Bhawan building when the fire broke out, said around 1 pm, she heard people shouting that a fire had broken out and everyone should leave the building.
Fortis Hospital Mohali has completed its first Heart Transplant Surgery and the third Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant Surgery, doctors said on Thursday, adding that the operations mark a significant achievement for the hospital, establishing it as the first private healthcare facility north of Delhi-NCR to conduct a heart transplant and as a Centre of Excellence for Deceased Donor Transplant.



The heart transplant was performed by the Cardiac Surgery Team led by Dr TS Mahant, Executive Director and Head-Cardiac Surgery; and including Dr Ambuj Chaudhary,

Dr Manoranjan Sahoo, Dr Alok Suryavanshi and Dr Mohd. Luqman, on a 50-year-old male patient suffering from advanced heart failure. They were ably supported by the team of cardiologists led by Dr RK Jaswal, Head of Department and Director of Cardiology and Director  Cathlabs, and Dr Arun Kochar, Additional Director of Cardiology.



This operation was made possible thanks to a 50-year-old brain-dead donor, who also provided kidneys for a 67-year-old recipient. The donors liver was transported to a hospital in Jaipur via a green corridor.



Ashish Bhatia, Executive Vice President, Fortis Healthcare, stated, Fortis Hospital Mohali has not only become a pioneer in heart and kidney transplant surgeries in the region but also a beacon of hope for patients awaiting transplants in North India. We are grateful for the support of the state government, ROTTO, and NOTTO, and commend the donors family for their noble gesture that has saved multiple lives.
Special Judge, CBI (Vyapam Cases) Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) has sentenced Satendra Singh Yadav (beneficiary candidate) and Jitendra Kumar (impersonator/ solver) both to undergo four years Rigorous Imprisonmant with fine of Rs 14,100 each in a case relating to Police Constable Recruitment Test-2013 (2nd) conducted by Vyapam.

CBI had registered the instant case on August 18, 2015 in compliance to the orders of Supreme Court of India and taken over the investigation of FIR No. 109/14 earlier registered on February 11, 2014 at Police Station, Kampoo, Gwalior against Madhuraj Singh on the allegations of impersonation in MP Police Constable Recruitment Test 2013 (2nd) conducted by Vyapam, Bhopal on September 15, 2013.

It was further alleged that Madhuraj Singh (Candidate) while appearing in the Physical Proficiency Test of MP PCRT-2013 (2nd) held on February 01, 2014 at 14th Battalion, SAF Ground, Gwalior, was caught by the officials deputed there due to photo mismatch. After investigation, State police had filed charge sheet against said accused.

During CBI investigation, it was found that Madhuraj Singh (beneficiary candidate) had not appeared in the written examination of PCRT-2013 (2nd).

CBI filed 1st supplementary charge sheet on April 26, 2016 against the accused. The Special Judge, CBI (Vyapam Cases), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) vide judgement dated December 24, 2018, had sentenced Madhuraj Singh (candidate/student) to undergo 5 years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine. Further investigation was kept open against other accused/suspects.

During further investigation, it was established that another candidate Satendra Singh Yadav was impersonated by one Jitendra Kumar (solver) in the PCRT 2013 (2nd). Hence, CBI filed 2nd supplementary chargesheet on May 10, 2018 against the said new set of accused before the Court at Gwalior.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Friday charged that due to the corruption, incompetence and ineffectiveness of the Kejriwal government, the loss of Delhi Jal Board has become as much as the total budget of Delhi. He also demanded a CBI probe into the functioning of the Delhi Jal Board as he Delhi Jal Board has not been audited after 2017-18.

Bidhuri said the total budget of Delhi for 2023-24 was Rs 73 thousand crores and the deficit of Jal Board has also crossed Rs 73 thousand crores. The situation is still not stable and the financial condition of Delhi Jal board is such that it does not have money even for minor repairs, Bidhuri said.

Only last week, Rs 537 crore has been released but the outstanding bills of contractors only worth more than Rs 1,000 crore. Bidhuri said Delhi Jal Board had a surplus of Rs 600 crore in 2013-14, but due to wrong policies and corruption, the Jal Board has reached ruin in just nine years.

Bidhuri said in the recent session of the Delhi Assembly, he had asked the government a question on the deficit of the Jal Board, in which the answer came that in the year 2022-23 itself, the Delhi Jal Board has incurred a debt of Rs 73, 196.55 crore. In the current financial year i.e. 2023-24, it must have reached Rs. 80 thousand crores.

Bidhuri reminded that the budget presented by the Delhi government for 2023-24 was a total of Rs 73,760 crore, that is, even if the entire budget of Delhi is spent on the Delhi Jal Board, its deficit will not be covered. He said the Jal Board has become a mine of corruption in which no matter how much revenue is invested, its losses keep increasing. A total of Rs 6342 crore was given to Delhi Jal Board in this year's budget. Even this did not work.

Recently, in the affidavit filed by Delhi Water Minister Atishi before the High Court, it has been said the Jal Board does not have money even for minor repairs, he said.

Last week, Rs 537.1 crore has been released for the Jal Board, but it is like a drop in the ocean because the outstanding amount of more than Rs 1021 crore is due to the contractors who have completed the Jal Board projects and submitted the bills. Owing to Delhi Jal Board not having money for payment, they have stopped working further, Bidhuri said.
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Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday visited several areas of Gurugram city, conducting a surprise inspection of cleanliness and assessing the amenities available to the citizens. He also inspected various locations, including Village Kanhai, Sirhaul turn on Old Delhi Road, Carterpuri Road, Rejangla Chowk, Sector 23, and the dumping point near Kamla Nehru Park in Sadar Bazaar.



While engaging with sanitation workers during the surprise inspection, the Chief Minister attentively addressed their concerns. In response to the sanitation workers' request for equipment, the Chief Minister announced the purchase of resources worth Rs 1 crore from the CSR fund specifically for Gurugram. This fund will be utilized to procure 200 hand rickshaws, 150 regular rickshaws, and 10 tippers, aiming to enhance cleanliness initiatives in Gurugram city. Along with this, he also instructed the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to provide bonus to the cleaning workers.



On November 30, the Chief Minister issued directives for the comprehensive cleaning of all urban areas in the state. As per these instructions, cleanliness initiatives were underway in 88 urban areas of the state until December 10. The Chief Minister personally reviewed this campaign twice via video conferencing and emphasized that he and his cabinet members would visit all locations to conduct surprise inspections. Continuing this initiative, the Chief Minister inspected Gurugram city on Thursday, expressing his commitment to conduct another surprise inspection in Gurugram after a month.



About a week ago, during a meeting with Deputy Commissioners, District Municipal Commissioners, Municipal Corporation Commissioners, and other senior officials, the Chief Minister issued directives to maintain cleanliness standards in the cities. Over this week, either he personally or designated teams would conduct surprise inspections of the cleanliness systems in various cities.



On Thursday, the Chief Minister personally conducted a surprise inspection of Gurugram city's cleanliness system. During the visit, he levied a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the agency responsible for maintaining cleanliness on Kanhai Road due to inadequate cleanliness standards. Furthermore, fines were imposed on everyone ranging from the Supervisor of sanitation workers to the Joint Commissioner. The Chief Minister said that the administration must uphold the cleanliness system, and any lapses will not be tolerated. Stressing the collective responsibility to provide a clean environment for citizens, he held senior officers accountable and decided to impose fines for negligence on their part.



Khattar issued directives to deduct 15 days' salary of the Municipal Corporation Commissioner and one month's salary from the Joint Commissioner. In addition, He also imposed a fine of Rs 10 on the supervisor of sanitation workers, Rs 1,000 on Field Officer Ajay Kumar, Rs 2,000 on the Additional Sanitary Inspector, Rs 3,000 on Senior Sanitary Inspector and Rs 5,000 on Joint Commissioner Sanjay Singla.
at Mahasabha volunteers on Thursday demanded action against TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for mimicking Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and recording the act.

A political row broke out after Banerjee derisively mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the stairs of Parliament on Tuesday against the suspension of MPs, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Rahul was seen making a video of the performance by the Trinamool Congress MP.

Holding placards and raising slogans demanding action against the two MPs, the Jat Mahasabha volunteers staged a protest for the second consecutive day on Thursday. A similar protest was held by them near the Congress headquarters on Wednesday.

Ashok Balyan, National Secretary of Jat Mahasabha said more than 1,000 people are expected to gather at Jantar Mantar on Thursday and most of them have come from western Uttar Pradesh. Balyan said Banerjee and Gandhi should be "permanently suspended from Parliament".
In line with his committed efforts to change the face of the urbanized villages in Delhi through various initiatives, Delhi Lt Governor(LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday launched the first ever domestic PNG facility in rural Delhi at Qutabgarh in North-West Delhi.

These moves will provide unprecedented impetus to the development of hitherto neglected villages in Delhi. This also marks the first venture of IGL in Delhis rural areas, which was till date confined to the selected urban residential colonies only. This paves the way for extension of PNG pipelines and services to other urbanized villages in the city as well, officials said.

Speaking on the occasion, the LG announced that four more villages  Jaunti, Nizampur, Rawta and Daurala  will be provided with PNG connection within one month that will be a New Year gift to thousands of families living in these villages.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, on Thursday, criticised the suspension of opposition parliamentarians as well as the mimicry of the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Her statement came at a time when Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) members and the government are at loggerheads over parliament security breach and mimicry issue.

Our party believes that the suspension of around 150 MPs in the current parliamentary session is neither a commendable achievement for the opposition nor the government. In parliamentary history, this incident will be remembered as unfortunate and as a blow to peoples trust, she said.

Mayawati further said that the video of the mimicry of the vice president by the suspended MP on Parliament premises was also inappropriate and indecent.

It is essential to protect democracy and the countrys parliamentary traditions from being put to shame through such incidents of differences between the government and opposition. Passing essential bills in an opposition-free Parliament is also not a good precedent, she added.

INDIA bloc MPs held a march against the government from Vijay Chowk to Parliament against the suspension of MPs. The Bharatiya Janata Party also staged a protest against the mimicry incident in which All India Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, terming it an insult to farmers and constitutional post.

The streak of suspensions of opposition MPs continued on Wednesday as well. The Congress alleged that more than 140 INDIA bloc MPs were thrown out of both Houses so that Union Home Minister Amit Shah could get three draconian bills passed in the Lok Sabha without any informed dissent.

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three key bills - the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill - that seek to overhaul the criminal justice system. Shah asserted that the governments focus with these bills was on delivering speedy justice rather than handing down punishment.

Meanwhile, Mayawati said that her party respected all religions. Whenever a mosque is constructed by the government on the orders of the court in Ayodhya, our party will not object to its inauguration. Our party fully respects all religious places. But for the last few years, disgusting politics is being done, this is sad and worrying. This should not happen. This will only make our country weaker, not stronger, she said in a statement.
Madhya Pradesh police received the first prize from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for its excellent performance in the digital sector and prevention of crimes using ICJS.

Madhya Pradesh police was awarded the trophy for standing first in the entire country for the better work done in the implementation of ICJS (Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System). With this, the forensic branch of the state has got second position in the country.

The award was given at the Conference on Good Practices in CCTNS/ICJS, 2023 held on 21-22 December 2023 in New Delhi. Chief guest in the program, Tapan Kumar Deka, present Director of Intelligence Bureau, Vivek Gogia (Director General, NCRB) and participants from all the states were present.

DGP Sudhir Kumar Saxena congratulated ADG (SCRB) Chanchal Shekhar and his entire team on this achievement. It is noteworthy that the DGP has been directing the field staff from time to time for maximum effective use of ICJS and it has also been reviewed.

DGP Saxena said that in the future, we should take Madhya Pradesh Police to new heights by investigating crimes in the same way and preventing crimes by using modern technology in investigation.

The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is an initiative of the e-Committee of the Supreme Court. This is an important step towards making the criminal and judicial system speedy and transparent. This is a system on which police, jail, forensic, prosecution and judicial departments are interconnected.

Primarily, ICJS is an integrated portal that connects police, prison, forensic, prosecution and judicial departments into a combined local judicial system, which helps in improving the investigation and action against crimes. The objective of this system is to improve the prevention, investigation and judicial process of crimes, to improve cooperation and functioning between various organizations and departments. Its objective is to provide speedy, transparent judicial action against crimes and better justice to the citizens.

The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) acts as the nodal agency in the implementation of ICJS in Madhya Pradesh. The SCRB coordinates with the nodal officers of all the pillars to ensure smooth functioning of the ICJS and speedy investigation of crimes.
A total of 9 nominations have been filed so far for the post of councilor in Ward-41 of Bhopal. On Thursday, Maaz Sageer, son of former councilor Mohammad Sageer , also filed his nomination.

However, till evening both BJP and Congress have not declared their candidates. A round of meetings is going on regarding this. Voting will take place on January 5. This seat has been vacant since July 25 due to the death of the senior corporator of the current council, Mohammad Sageer.

Assistant Returning Officer SDM Ravish Srivastava and Tehsildar Ashok Singh accepted the nominations. Nominations were filed till 3 pm. Maj Sageer arrived with supporters to file nomination. Tehsildar Singh said that a total of 18 nomination forms have been taken.

In the Municipal Corporation elections held last year, 22 out of 85 councilors of Congress had won. BJP has maximum 58 councilors and 5 independent councillors. Congress party has formed a committee for candidate selection whereas Zaheer Qureshi is an observer. A meeting was also held in the Congress office on Thursday to select the candidates.

Sageer 's son Maj Sageer is the leading contender. At the same time, many contenders including Fahimuddin Qureshi, Shawar Khan, Asif Qazi, Ahmed are in the fray. On the other hand, BJP has not revealed its cards. Only old faces can be fielded for the post of councilor. Only MLA Vishwas Sarang will take the decision regarding the candidate.

The last date for receiving nomination papers will be on December 22 from 10.30 am to 3 pm. Whose investigation will be held on December 23 from 10.30 am.

Congress leader Mohammad Sageer was the most senior corporator of the state capital. He has been a councilor continuously since 1999. Sageer was also the Leader of Opposition during the tenure of Mayor Krishna Gaur and Alok Sharma. After prolonged illness he died on July 25 and his corporator seat became vacant.

In the corporation elections held last year in 2022, Mohamamd Sagir was elected councilor from ward number 41. This was his fifth term. He had won by 2,808 votes. Mohammad Sagir got 6,029 votes, while his nearest rival, independent Ahmed Khan, got 3,221 votes.

Meanwhile A major action was taken in Bhopal on Thursday against selling meat in the open. Seeing the Municipal Corporation staff in the Karond area, the shopkeeper pulled down the shutter. After this, the corporation took strict action. This action was taken at a dozen shops.

This action was taken under the leadership of encroachment in-charge Nasir Khan. This action was taken in many areas including Karond, Housing Board Colony, Devki Nagar. To avoid any ruckus or dispute during the operation, Nishatpura police station was also present.

Action was also taken near Moti Pulia on New Jail Road. This shopkeeper had built a permanent structure which was razed in the action.

The Municipal Corporation staff take action in the entire city. This action was taken at many places including Kolar Road, Hoshangabad Road, Ayodhya Bypass, Khajuri, Gandhinagar, Raisen Road, Anand Nagar, Patel Nagar, Jinsi, Jahangirabad.
In compliance with the directives of the State Government, Deputy Commissioner, Manjunath Bhajantri, has issued an order for the temporary closure of all schools under the East Singhbhum district from December 26 to December 31. The decision comes in response to the escalating impact of the cold wave across the state.

Recognizing the severity of the cold weather conditions, the State Government, as a precautionary measure, has mandated the closure of all categories of schoolsgovernment, non-government aided/unaided (including minority schools), and private schoolsoperating in the state during the specified period. This order is aimed at ensuring the well-being of students amidst the chilling temperatures.

To accommodate the upcoming secondary and higher secondary board examinations, classes for students from Class 10 to Class 12 will be conducted as needed. The exemption for these classes aims to minimize disruption to the academic calendar while prioritizing the safety and health of students.

Manjunath Bhajantri, has specifically directed the closure of all schools in East Singhbhum district during the stipulated dates to mitigate any potential adverse effects on children's health due to the cold weather conditions. The order is effective immediately and will be applicable throughout East Singhbhum district. Parents, students, and school authorities are urged to adhere to the precautionary measure and ensure the safety of students during this period.
The Delhi Police will conduct a "psychoanalysis" test on all six people who were allegedly involved in Parliament security breach case. According to police, the test is done by a team of doctors and psychiatrists to know the mental condition of the accused.

Six people, Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam, Amol Shinde, Lalit Jha, and Mahesh Kumawat, have been arrested and booked in UAPA by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with the December 13 breach. According to a police officer, the accused are highly "motivated and mind washed" and do not "cooperate" during the investigations. The accused have not even given the proper sequence of the whole act till, officials said.

"This test will help us ascertain their mental condition as they are regularly changing their statements," said the officer.

The Special Cell has not ruled out the possibility of a kingpin who may have mobilised these youths to execute such a plan. The police have also scanned the financial transactions of all six.

Several teams of Special Cell have questioned the family members and friends of all six accused to know their activities, behaviour, and their contacts.

Police said the accused were part of multiple WhatsApp groups, including the now-deleted Facebook page 'Bhagat Singh Fan Club,' which was created by them before the security breach incident.

A psychoanalysis test was recently done on the main accused in the murder of Swiss woman Nina Berger in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar area. The accused, Gurdeep Singh, admitted to have killed the woman but was not revealing how he came to kill her, the officer said.
In a relentless pursuit against organized crime, Punjab Police on Thursday achieved a significant breakthrough with the apprehension of two criminals following a brief encounter in Daun village, Mohali district.

The arrested individuals, identified as Brij Pal and Pradeep alias Shetty, both in their 30s and hailing from Naraingarh in Haryana's Ambala district, were wanted by Mohali Police in connection with various criminal activities.

Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Garg, providing detailed insights into the operation, revealed that the police had received credible information about threat calls directed at a local businessman, with the alleged involvement of the arrested criminals.

Acting swiftly on this intelligence, multiple police teams searched the area, ultimately leading to the encounter with the suspects who were on a motorcycle without a registration number.

Upon signaling the duo to stop, the suspects attempted to evade capture, prompting a chase and ensuing confrontation. The encounter unfolded in an area surrounded by fields, resulting in both criminals sustaining bullet injuries in their legs. They were promptly taken to Mohali's Civil Hospital, where they are reported to be out of danger.

Their motorcycle collided with a car belonging to a police inspector, causing them to fall. Subsequently, they opened fire on the police. During the exchange of gunfire, both Brij Pal and Pradeep sustained bullet injuries in their legs, said SSP Garg.

Further investigations revealed that the arrested individuals were connected to the gang led by Prince Chauhan Rana. Known for operating from abroad and making extortion calls, Ranas influence has spurred criminal activities in the region.

The police seized two weapons from Brij Pal and Pradeep, highlighting the potential threat they posed to public safety. Authorities believe that the duo had plans to target a property dealer in the area.

Brij Pal, facing two cases of attempted murder, is now under intense scrutiny as investigators delve into his criminal history and connections.

This recent encounter is part of a broader crackdown initiated by the Punjab Police against gangsters, with at least 10 such incidents reported in the past two weeks. The heightened frequency of police encounters underscores the proactive measures undertaken by law enforcement agencies to neutralize criminal elements operating in the state.

Earlier on Wednesday, an arrested gangster was killed in an exchange of fire with the Punjab Police while he was trying to flee in Amritsars Jandiala Guru area.

Amritpal Singh, 22, was arrested on Tuesday and was taken to Jandiala Guru for the recovery of two kg of heroin. He fired at the police team from a pistol hidden there while in handcuffs and tried to flee, the officials said.
nThe Chhattisgarh government is gearing up to pay the pending bonus of Rs. 3,716.38 crore to farmers for the Kharif marketing years 201415 and 201516, the government said on Thursday.

The government had promised to ensure the settlement of dues for two years to farmers under the 'Modi ki Guarantee'.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had announced that, in honour of Good Governance Day on December 25, the pending bonus will be disbursed to the farmers.

A bonus disbursement programme will be organized at all levels on December 25. Sai will engage with farmers through video conferencing.

Along with this, housing approval has been granted to over 18 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The government has also initiated the procurement of 21 quintals of paddy per acre at Rs. 3,100 per quintal.
Madhya Pradesh's chief wildlife warden has directed officials at the Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) to launch a probe after an activist alleged that former forest minister Vijay Shah picnicked inside the core area of the protected forest.

Earlier, a video went viral purportedly showing Shah and a friend picnicking in the core area of STR in the Narmadapuram district and cooking chicken and other food items by igniting a fire, which is banned in reserve wildlife areas.

Wildlife and RTI activist Ajay Dube filed a complaint with the state's chief wildlife warden Aseem Shrivastava, terming the incident a gross violation of the Wildlife Conservation Act as it may endanger the lives of the wild animals, including tigers, inside STR.

Shah was not available for comments.

Shrivastava confirmed that a complaint was received in the matter, and he has directed the "officials concerned (of STR)" to probe it and submit a report.

In the viral video, purportedly shot by Shah himself, the former forest minister narrates the serene beauty of 'Siddh Baba Pahadi' and surrounding forests and valleys inside STR.

The BJP leader can also be heard asking his friend about the picnic and the food cooked, especially chicken, which was prepared by igniting a fire by forest officials. Shah's friend is heard saying in the video that it was a good place where they are enjoying a picnic over "dal-baati".

In the viral video, Shah also purportedly asks forest officials what they are cooking for them, to which they reply: "chicken and bharta".

A battery of foresters can also be seen in the video making arrangements for the picnic, including preparing food and moving chairs.

Private vehicles are not allowed in the core area but rules were violated for the former minister, said the activist in his complaint to the chief wildlife warden.

Shah won from Harsud (ST) seat in the recently held assembly polls by a margin of 59,996 votes for the fourth time in a row.
Forsaking all other dharmas (duties), remember Me alone; I will free thee from all sins (accruing from non-performance of those lesser duties). Do not grieve! - Chapter XVIII; Verse 66

In God Talks With Arjuna Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandjis prolific translation and commentary of Maharshi Vyasas Bhagavad Gita, the supreme yogi translates Lord Krishnas promise to His ideal disciple Arjuna thus; If you remain in ecstasy with Me, fulfilling all divine duties as directed by Me, forsaking all ego-instigated duties, you will be liberated.

Author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi and founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/Self-Realization Fellowship, more than a century ago, Yoganandji explains that the entire knowledge of the cosmos is packed into the mere 700 verses of the Gita, and wherever one is on the way back to God, the Gita will shed its light on that segment of the journey.



Yoganandajis work on the Gita commentary began years earlier under the intuitive guidance of his guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, and Paramgurus Sri Sri Lahiri Mahasaya and Mahavatar Babaji; reviver of the sacred technique - Kriya Yoga, mentioned twice by Sri Krishna in the Gita. As Yoganandaji elucidates; Through the help of a God realized guru, one learns how to use the nutcracker of intuitive perception to crack open the hard shell of language and ambiguity to get at the kernels of truth in scriptural sayings.

The final review and detailing of the Gitas deeper philosophical concepts were undertaken in seclusion in a small ashram in the Mojave Desert in California in the months preceding the Masters Mahasamadhi in 1952. A monk recalls, The vibration in that room (where Yoganandaji was working) was unbelievable; it was like walking into God.

Yoganandajis unique endeavour was not just to understand and explain the Gita according to his own concepts or with the twistings of the intellect, but to interpret to the world the actual dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna as perceived by Maharshi Vyasa and revealed to him in various states of spiritual ecstasy.

Thus, God Talks With Arjuna recounts the communion between the omnipresent Spirit (symbolized by Sri Krishna) and the soul of the ideal devotee (represented by Arjuna).

To a discerning student it becomes evident from the first chapter itself that the historical background of the battle of Kurukshetra is used to illustrate the spiritual and psychological battle going on within each individuals pure discriminative intellect attuned with the soul (The clan of Pandu) and the blind sense bound mind under the delusion of the ego (The blind King Dhritharashtra and his wicked offspring).



With the help of Krishna (the guru, or awakened soul consciousness, or meditation born intuition), war must be fought; materially, mentally and spiritually to reclaim the kingdom from ego and its army of evil mental tendencies, and establish Spirits all fulfilling sovereignty. Just as Krishna gave unflinching solace to a despondent Arjuna, Yoganandji counsels the Arjuna devotee within every true seeker with his ineffable words; Every person has to fight his own battle of Kurukshetra. It is a war not only worth winning, but in the divine order of the universe and of the eternal relationship between the soul and God, a war that sooner or later must be won. For further information on God Talks With Arjuna and Kriya Yoga : yssofindia.org
The Tagore International Literary Arts Festival, also known as Vishwarang, is the largest celebration of literature, art, and culture. It began on Thursday at the Rabindranath Tagore University campus with a Vishva Yatra with great pomp and show.

This event is bringing together hundreds of artists, writers, linguists, and creators from India and beyond. This is the fifth edition of Vishwarang Mahotsav. Madhuri Ramdhari (general secretary of Vishwa Hindi Secretariat) from Mauritius was the chief guest in the inaugural session. She began the festivities by lighting the lamp. Santosh Choubey (Chancellor of Tagore University and Director of Vishvarang), Liladhar Mandloi(Co-Director), Mukesh Verma(Chairman of Vanmali Srijan Peeth), Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats(Co-Director of Vishvarang),Vice Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University, Prof. Rajinikanth, Vishvarang Secretariat coordinator Jawahar Karnavat, Indrajit Sharma and Anoop Bhargava from America, Rama Takshak from Netherlands and Anil Joshi from Vaishvik Hindi Parivar Sanstha were present.During this,

Chief Guest Dr. Madhuri Ramdhari said in her statement that in the event of Vishwarang, Hindi can be seen blossoming and literature appears alive, arts appear cheerful. Such an event is a great need today. Events like Vishwarang are playing an important role in making Hindi the world language. The Vishwarang seen from here should reach different countries of the world.When good works like Vishwarang happen, they are cherished for years. The work that is being done in Vishvarang for Hindi, culture and literature will remain in people's memory for a hundred years.Also, while talking about the role of Vishwarang director Santosh Agua in the promotion of Hindi, she said that the power of taking the society together is called joint power and Santosh Agua has that power.

That's why they are making such a big vision and moving forward with the team.Vishvarang Director Santosh Choubey said in his statement that Vishvarang has become a movement in favor of Hindi. Under this, it is working deeply in Hindi and Indian languages, due to which it has become a big domain. We believe that Hindi should not be seen in opposition to other languages because every language has its own respect and dignity.

The role of dialects is an important aspect in this. We have to take them along.Dialects provide strength and flavor to the language. Further in his statement, while talking about the literature of NRIs, he said that we need to look at it seriously. He described art, culture and literature as a combined force which works to connect.

He also praised NEP and talked about seeing language as a skill.In the welcome statement, Aditi Chaturvedi, Co-Director of Vishwarang, explained about the concept of Vishwarang and gave detailed information about the first edition to the fourth edition. During this, she also told about continuing Vishvarang even during the Covid period.Ram Takshak ji said in his address that under the leadership of Vishwa Rang, work is being done to enrich Indian languages and culture. To make it successful, a shared world is working together in the form of Santosh Choubey, Mandloi ji, Shivji and Mukesh Verma ji. Expatriate writers can definitely make a valuable contribution in enriching it.This Vishwarang is also providing a global platform to expatriate writers. This AISECT Group and Vishwarang is moving forward in realizing Rabindranath Tagore's vision of establishing educational institutions.

On this occasion, Santosh Chaubey was given the Pt. Tilak Raj Sharma Smriti Shikhar Samman by Indrajit Sharma of the New York organization. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Vinay Upadhyay, Director of Tagore World Center for Art and Culture.Earlier, the program started with floral tributes at the statue of Tagore. During this, Vishwarang Director Santosh Choubey said that we are the bearers of Hindi and Indian culture. We have to expand Indian culture and Hindi. When we talk about Indian culture, it includes all the Indian languages.
The BJP on Friday slammed Rahul Gandhi as an immature and undemocratic leader and made light of the INDIA bloc's protest at Jantar Mantar here, saying the days of befooling people with such an agitation are gone as they now trust the guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With the opposition flaying the government for the suspension of its 146 MPs during Parliament's Winter session over their protests on the issue of security breach, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said all MPs should have spoken in one voice over such a sensitive matter but leaders like Rahul Gandhi are instead levelling false allegations.

INDIA bloc parties did not participate in discussions in Parliament over people's issues and important bills and it seems that they have lost their mental balance following the drubbing they received in the recent assembly polls, Thakur said, describing Gandhi as an immature and undemocratic leader.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said Gandhi's frustration after the poll losses is visible in his conduct inside and outside Parliament and took a jibe at the Congress leader over his 'mohabbat ki dukan' (shop of love) phrase to describe his party's ideology to contrast with the the ruling party's alleged 'nafrat ki dukan' (shop of hate).

Is the way Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was mimicked and "body-shamed" an evidence of 'mohabbat ki dukan' or 'nafrat ki dukant', he asked and took a swipe at the Congress for its "shop of corruption" by referring to the recover of over Rs 350 crore in cash from firms linked to its MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu.

The arrogance of opposition parties is visible in their conduct, he added.

"The days of befooling people by holding such protests at Jantar Mantar are gone as they now believe in 'Modi's guarantees' and have put their stamp of endorsement on them," he said.

Thakur accused INDIA bloc parties of insulting constitutional positions with the mimicry of Dhankhar and sought an apology from the Congress. "Instead the lips of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul are sealed. They are hurling false allegations instead of offering an apology," he said.

They have become a laughing stock in the eyes of people, he claimed. Jats and farmers will not forgive them for insulting Dhankhar, he added.

Patra said people have witnessed Rahul Gandhi's behaviour and he is instead doing politics over it.

The opposition INDIA bloc on Friday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here against the suspension of 146 MPs from the two Houses of Parliament during the Winter session and called on people to unite to save democracy in the country.

Rahul Gandhi said opposition members were suspended from the two Houses for demanding answers from Home Minister Amit Shah on the December 13 Parliament security breach issue.

"The more hatred the BJP spreads, the more love and brotherhood INDIA parties will spread," he said.
IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 12,233 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 406 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Incs holdings in Accenture were worth $3,757,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ACN. Ashburton Jersey Ltd bought a new position in Accenture during the first quarter worth about $143,000. First Foundation Advisors grew its stake in Accenture by 6.8% during the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 11,574 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,572,000 after buying an additional 741 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA grew its stake in Accenture by 0.6% during the second quarter. BOKF NA now owns 45,759 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $14,120,000 after buying an additional 276 shares in the last quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC now owns 3,695 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,140,000 after purchasing an additional 422 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Republic Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $606,000. 70.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Accenture Stock Down 0.5 %

NYSE:ACN opened at $339.74 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $320.97 and a 200-day moving average of $316.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $213.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.55, a P/E/G ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 1.23. Accenture plc has a twelve month low of $242.80 and a twelve month high of $346.96.

Accenture Announces Dividend

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.72% and a return on equity of 29.74%. Accentures revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.08 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 17th. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.91%.

Accenture declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, September 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to purchase up to 2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ACN. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Accenture from $333.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Accenture from $350.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $358.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 target price on the stock. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $348.59.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ACN

Insider Buying and Selling at Accenture

In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $298.48, for a total transaction of $1,567,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 20,265 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,048,697.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $298.48, for a total transaction of $1,567,020.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 20,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,048,697.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 9,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $314.68, for a total transaction of $2,832,120.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 26,830 shares in the company, valued at $8,442,864.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 36,334 shares of company stock worth $10,939,027. 0.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Accenture Company Profile

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Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Moody National Bank Trust Division grew its stake in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET  Free Report) by 21.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,301 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,239 shares during the period. Moody National Bank Trust Divisions holdings in MetLife were worth $1,529,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in MetLife by 5.8% in the second quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 12,921 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $730,000 after purchasing an additional 703 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of MetLife by 4.6% during the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,905 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $390,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co raised its holdings in shares of MetLife by 1.9% in the first quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 53,459 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,097,000 after acquiring an additional 975 shares in the last quarter. Lazari Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in MetLife during the 2nd quarter worth about $203,000. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of MetLife by 8.9% in the 2nd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 5,633 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $325,000 after purchasing an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. 88.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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MetLife Stock Performance

MET opened at $65.20 on Thursday. MetLife, Inc. has a 12-month low of $48.95 and a 12-month high of $73.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.26 billion, a PE ratio of 23.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $62.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of $61.16.

MetLife Announces Dividend

MetLife ( NYSE:MET Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $15.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.49 billion. MetLife had a return on equity of 19.14% and a net margin of 3.60%. The firms revenue was down 28.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.21 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 7.46 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 8th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. MetLifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on MET. StockNews.com began coverage on MetLife in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of MetLife from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on MetLife from $79.00 to $77.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded MetLife from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $58.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $71.00 price target on shares of MetLife in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, MetLife presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $75.58.

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MetLife Company Profile

(Free Report)

MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements.

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CGN Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDA  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 11,684 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $567,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FNDA. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF during the third quarter valued at $35,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF in the second quarter valued at about $44,000. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. grew its position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF by 199.7% in the second quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 872 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF in the first quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE acquired a new stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF in the first quarter valued at about $55,000.

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Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSEARCA FNDA opened at $55.15 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $49.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.02. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF has a 52-week low of $44.85 and a 52-week high of $55.74. The firm has a market cap of $7.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.99 and a beta of 1.19.

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF Profile

The Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company Index ETF (FNDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell RAFI Small Company US index. The fund tracks a fundamentally selected and weighted Russell index of small firms based on adjusted sales, retained operation cash flow, and dividends plus buybacks.

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Andrew Peller (TSE:ADW.A  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Acumen Capital from C$8.00 to C$11.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Andrew Peller Price Performance

TSE ADW.A opened at C$4.65 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of C$163.22 million, a PE ratio of -116.25 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 88.43, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 4.15. The businesss fifty day moving average is C$4.23 and its 200 day moving average is C$4.17. Andrew Peller has a fifty-two week low of C$3.66 and a fifty-two week high of C$5.23.

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Andrew Peller Company Profile

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Andrew Peller Limited engages in the production, bottling, and marketing of wines and craft beverage alcohol products in Canada. The company offers products under Peller Estates, Trius, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Black Hills Estate Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Raven Conspiracy, and Conviction brands; Peller Family Vineyards, Copper Moon, Black Cellar, and XOXO brands; and Hochtaler, Domaine D'Or, Schloss Laderheim, Royal, and Sommet brands.

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Allegion (NYSE:ALLE  Free Report) had its price target upped by Wells Fargo & Company from $119.00 to $139.00 in a report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the scientific and technical instruments companys stock.

ALLE has been the subject of several other research reports. Longbow Research downgraded shares of Allegion from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Allegion in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays downgraded shares of Allegion from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $130.00 to $119.00 in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Vertical Research downgraded shares of Allegion from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $128.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $122.29.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Allegion

Allegion Stock Performance

NYSE ALLE opened at $123.03 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 1.31. Allegion has a 1 year low of $95.94 and a 1 year high of $128.36. The company has a market capitalization of $10.80 billion, a PE ratio of 19.50, a P/E/G ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a fifty day moving average of $105.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $110.07.

Allegion (NYSE:ALLE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.21. Allegion had a net margin of 15.41% and a return on equity of 55.71%. The business had revenue of $917.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $908.93 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.64 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Allegion will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Allegion Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Monday, December 18th will be given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 15th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.46%. Allegions payout ratio is currently 28.53%.

Insider Activity at Allegion

In other Allegion news, SVP Robert C. Martens sold 4,068 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.52, for a total value of $449,595.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,714 shares of the companys stock, valued at $742,031.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of Allegion during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,328,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Allegion by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 22,822 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $2,436,000 after purchasing an additional 1,839 shares in the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Allegion during the 1st quarter worth approximately $258,000. Credit Suisse AG increased its stake in shares of Allegion by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 236,720 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $28,411,000 after purchasing an additional 17,839 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Hawaiian Bank purchased a new position in shares of Allegion during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $206,000. 92.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Allegion

(Get Free Report)

Allegion plc manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic security products and solutions worldwide. The company offers door controls and systems and exit devices; locks, locksets, portable locks, and key systems and services; electronic security products and access control systems; time, attendance, and workforce productivity systems; doors, accessories, and other.

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American International Group (NYSE:AIG  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $72.00 to $76.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the insurance providers stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 14.17% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on AIG. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of American International Group from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 6th. Argus raised shares of American International Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $74.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American International Group in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of American International Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $72.00 to $83.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of American International Group from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Seven 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 company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.33.

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American International Group Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE AIG opened at $66.57 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $46.73 billion, a PE ratio of 12.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.02. The firms fifty day moving average is $63.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.29. American International Group has a one year low of $45.66 and a one year high of $67.78.

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $12.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.62 billion. American International Group had a net margin of 7.87% and a return on equity of 10.66%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.66 earnings per share. Analysts expect that American International Group will post 6.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder International Group American sold 50,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.50, for a total transaction of $1,025,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 365,413,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,490,984,786. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American International Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in American International Group during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in American International Group during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new stake in American International Group during the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. CNB Bank purchased a new stake in American International Group during the third quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, SouthState Corp grew its stake in American International Group by 41.7% during the third quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 737 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.57% of the companys stock.

About American International Group

(Get 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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W. R. Berkley Co. (NYSE:WRB  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $75.57.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded W. R. Berkley from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $69.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $72.00 price objective on shares of W. R. Berkley in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of W. R. Berkley in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on W. R. Berkley

W. R. Berkley Price Performance

Shares of WRB opened at $69.76 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $69.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $64.08. W. R. Berkley has a twelve month low of $55.50 and a twelve month high of $75.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.99 billion, a PE ratio of 14.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

W. R. Berkley (NYSE:WRB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 23rd. The insurance provider reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.17. W. R. Berkley had a net margin of 11.45% and a return on equity of 18.52%. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.67 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.01 EPS. The companys revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that W. R. Berkley will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current year.

W. R. Berkley Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 27th. Investors of record on Monday, December 18th will be given a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.63%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 15th. W. R. Berkleys payout ratio is presently 8.87%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On W. R. Berkley

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of W. R. Berkley by 427.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,899,093 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $790,947,000 after acquiring an additional 8,831,553 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in W. R. Berkley by 55.3% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,331,473 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,620,232,000 after acquiring an additional 8,664,707 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in W. R. Berkley by 65.6% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,940,770 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $795,136,000 after purchasing an additional 4,732,333 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of W. R. Berkley during the 4th quarter worth approximately $199,140,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in W. R. Berkley by 119.7% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,377,556 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $224,911,000 after acquiring an additional 1,840,475 shares in the last quarter. 66.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About W. R. Berkley

(Get Free Report

W. R. Berkley Corporation, an insurance holding company, operates as a commercial lines writer in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess. The Insurance segment underwrites commercial insurance business, including premises operations, commercial automobile, property, products liability, and general and professional liability lines.

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Atkore (NYSE:ATKR  Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Atkore Stock Performance

Shares of ATKR stock opened at $158.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.89 billion, a PE ratio of 9.18 and a beta of 2.06. Atkore has a 52-week low of $111.90 and a 52-week high of $164.76. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $134.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $143.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

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Atkore (NYSE:ATKR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 17th. The company reported $4.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.70 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $870.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $910.40 million. Atkore had a return on equity of 51.03% and a net margin of 19.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.18 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Atkore will post 14.73 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Atkore news, CEO William E. Jr. Waltz sold 79,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $11,999,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 126,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,113,291. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, insider Mark F. Lamps sold 5,008 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.66, for a total value of $654,345.28. Following the sale, the insider now owns 29,086 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,800,376.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO William E. Jr. Waltz sold 79,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total value of $11,999,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 126,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,113,291. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 84,746 shares of company stock worth $12,672,194. Company insiders own 2.56% of the companys stock.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Atkore by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 484,170 shares of the companys stock worth $72,233,000 after buying an additional 71,611 shares during the period. Comerica Bank raised its position in shares of Atkore by 198.4% in the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 48,645 shares of the companys stock worth $7,257,000 after buying an additional 32,344 shares during the period. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of Atkore by 23.7% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 3,345 shares of the companys stock worth $499,000 after buying an additional 640 shares during the period. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atkore in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of Atkore by 12,400.0% in the 3rd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 500 shares of the companys stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 496 shares during the period.

About Atkore

(Get Free Report)

Atkore Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical, mechanical, safety, and infrastructure products and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers conduits, cables, and installation accessories. It also designs and manufactures protection and reliability solutions for critical infrastructure, such as metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management.

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CGN Advisors LLC raised its stake in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,978 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 277 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLCs holdings in Waste Management were worth $1,521,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Waste Management by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,218 shares of the business services providers stock worth $362,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in shares of Waste Management by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 11,113 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,927,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. New Hampshire Trust boosted its stake in shares of Waste Management by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 2,099 shares of the business services providers stock worth $364,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Waste Management by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC now owns 2,169 shares of the business services providers stock worth $354,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, Shelton Capital Management boosted its position in Waste Management by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Shelton Capital Management now owns 2,387 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. 78.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Waste Management Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of Waste Management stock opened at $176.81 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $168.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $164.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.29, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17. Waste Management, Inc. has a 12-month low of $148.31 and a 12-month high of $179.50.

Waste Management Dividend Announcement

Waste Management ( NYSE:WM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $5.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.27 billion. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.47% and a return on equity of 34.14%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.56 EPS. Analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 5.97 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WM has been the subject of several recent research reports. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Waste Management in a report on Friday, September 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $192.00 price target for the company. Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Waste Management from $177.50 to $165.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Waste Management in a report on Monday, November 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Waste Management in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Waste Management from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $170.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued 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 $179.93.

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Insider Activity

In related news, VP Michael J. Watson sold 14,288 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.44, for a total transaction of $2,435,246.72. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 41,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,060,988.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Michael J. Watson sold 14,288 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.44, for a total transaction of $2,435,246.72. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 41,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,060,988.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,321 shares in the company, valued at $30,499,212. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,598 shares of company stock valued at $7,517,269 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Waste Management Company 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.

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Essex Savings Bank lowered its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 12,259 shares of the companys stock after selling 286 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 2.2% of Essex Savings Banks portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Essex Savings Banks holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $6,585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% in the second quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% in the first 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 last quarter. Activest Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now 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 the SEC website. In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the businesss 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 transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, 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 Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the topic of a number of recent 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 note on Wednesday, November 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $727.00 to $822.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday. TheStreet lowered shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $583.24.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of LLY stock opened at $572.00 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $309.20 and a fifty-two week high of $629.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.05. The stocks fifty day moving average is $589.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $534.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $543.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 103.62, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.33.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.18. The business had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. Research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. This is a positive change 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 (DPR) is 81.88%.

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.

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Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 6,300 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $500,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 750.0% in the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 340 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 452.1% in the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 519 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares in the last quarter. 67.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance

NYSE CP opened at $79.12 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $72.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $76.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.76, a PEG ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 1.00. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a fifty-two week low of $68.92 and a fifty-two week high of $85.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.70.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The transportation company reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.45% and a net margin of 37.10%. The firm had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a $0.1384 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $0.55 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio is presently 16.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Citigroup lifted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $89.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $133.00 to $128.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Stephens lowered their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $95.83.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CP

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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HSBC downgraded shares of Banco Santander-Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports.

BSAC has been the subject of several other reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Banco Santander-Chile from an underperform rating to a buy rating and dropped their target price for the company from $22.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Banco Santander-Chile in a research report on Monday, October 16th. They set a hold rating and a $18.90 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Banco Santander-Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.97.

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Get Our Latest Analysis on BSAC

Banco Santander-Chile Price Performance

BSAC stock opened at $19.30 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $18.59 and a 200-day moving average of $18.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.07. Banco Santander-Chile has a 12 month low of $15.11 and a 12 month high of $21.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.35 and a beta of 0.79.

Banco Santander-Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The bank reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.18). Banco Santander-Chile had a net margin of 8.74% and a return on equity of 9.72%. The firm had revenue of $477.27 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $505.41 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Banco Santander-Chile will post 1.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 8.5% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 6,746 shares of the banks stock worth $127,000 after acquiring an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 1.0% during the second quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 56,722 shares of the banks stock worth $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 537 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 105.7% during the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,563 shares of the banks stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 803 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 54.2% during the second quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,682 shares of the banks stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 943 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 14.5% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,724 shares of the banks stock worth $146,000 after acquiring an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. 8.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Banco Santander-Chile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services.

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CGN Advisors LLC trimmed its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,839 shares of the companys stock after selling 203 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $5,943,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in IVV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 117,228.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195,582,257 shares of the companys stock worth $75,144,659,000 after buying an additional 195,415,560 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 212,409.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 53,346,337 shares of the companys stock worth $23,776,996,000 after buying an additional 53,321,234 shares during the last quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 38,525.9% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,421,288 shares of the companys stock worth $27,783,000 after buying an additional 11,391,719 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $2,101,052,000. Finally, IMC Chicago LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 122.2% during the 2nd quarter. IMC Chicago LLC now owns 534,522 shares of the companys stock worth $238,242,000 after purchasing an additional 2,941,401 shares during the period.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock opened at $474.91 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $446.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $444.77. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a twelve month low of $376.49 and a twelve month high of $479.08. The stock has a market cap of $367.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company 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.

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CGN Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 3.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,943 shares of the companys stock after selling 162 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $551,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Syntal Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 23.6% in the 1st quarter. Syntal Capital Partners LLC now owns 31,899 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,367,000 after acquiring an additional 6,090 shares during the period. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 63.5% in the 1st quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,192 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 463 shares during the period. Eudaimonia Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $689,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the first quarter valued at $329,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1,202.4% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 534 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Performance

BATS:MTUM opened at $156.28 on Friday. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a one year low of $81.37 and a one year high of $113.60. The firm has a market cap of $9.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The firms fifty day moving average is $146.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $144.54.

About iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund acquired a new stake in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 7,113 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,014,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of RSG. Bangor Savings Bank raised its holdings in Republic Services by 210.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 177 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Horizons Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Colonial Trust Co SC grew its stake in shares of Republic Services by 147.4% in the 1st quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 282 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Republic Services by 118.1% in the 4th quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 301 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.23% of the companys stock.

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Republic Services Price Performance

Republic Services stock opened at $161.65 on Friday. Republic Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $120.58 and a 12-month high of $167.17. The stock has a market cap of $50.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.52.

Republic Services ( NYSE:RSG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The business services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.13. Republic Services had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 16.81%. The firm had revenue of $3.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.34 earnings per share. Republic Servicess quarterly revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Thursday, October 26th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the business services provider to repurchase up to 6.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.535 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 29th. This represents a $2.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. Republic Servicess payout ratio is 41.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

RSG has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group raised shares of Republic Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $155.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Republic Services in a report on Monday, November 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $180.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Republic Services in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Republic Services from $163.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.77.

View Our Latest Stock Report on RSG

Republic Services Company Profile

(Free Report)

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.

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Venture Visionary Partners LLC boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 0.9% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 54,573 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 467 shares during the quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $5,619,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 102,675.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,860,147,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,642,470,000 after acquiring an additional 1,858,338,022 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 118,562,086 shares of the companys stock worth $13,766,428,000 after purchasing an additional 2,174,829 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 68,563,817 shares of the companys stock worth $7,294,504,000 after purchasing an additional 6,546,946 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 52,723,457 shares of the companys stock worth $6,068,750,000 after acquiring an additional 1,504,701 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 41,850,081 shares of the companys stock worth $4,643,267,000 after acquiring an additional 4,000,816 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.59% of the companys stock.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $106.39 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $96.36 and a one year high of $119.65. The company has a market cap of $269.59 billion, a PE ratio of 59.11, a P/E/G ratio of 8.91 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.38. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $103.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $106.54.

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.13 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 business had revenue of $16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.85 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 1.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a $0.77 dividend. This is a positive change from Merck & Co., Inc.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 171.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $122.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Friday, October 6th. TheStreet upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Monday, November 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They set a buy rating and a $115.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $117.00 to $122.00 in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of 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. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.14.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares in the company, valued at $11,738,572.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares in the company, valued at $11,738,572.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total transaction of $213,052.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now 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 currently owned by insiders.

Merck & Co., Inc. 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.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management lowered its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 68.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 49,138 shares of the companys stock after selling 105,024 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,066,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its holdings in Altria Group by 100,097.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,100,359,981 shares of the companys stock worth $49,846,307,000 after acquiring an additional 1,099,261,791 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 108,222.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock worth $849,763,000 after acquiring an additional 18,573,146 shares during the period. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in Altria Group by 8.5% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 96,401,945 shares of the companys stock worth $4,367,008,000 after acquiring an additional 7,546,851 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp grew its holdings in Altria Group by 240.6% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 4,425,386 shares of the companys stock worth $200,470,000 after acquiring an additional 3,126,027 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $130,228,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Robert Matthews Davis bought 1,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $40.50 per share, with a total value of $48,600.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares in the company, valued at $343,156.50. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. StockNews.com cut shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.53.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Altria Group

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MO opened at $40.30 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.06 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The stock has a market cap of $71.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.21, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.66. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $41.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.14.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 net margin of 35.58% and a negative return on equity of 237.91%. The business had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.28 EPS. Altria Groups revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.73%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 79.84%.

Altria Group Company Profile

(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.

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Aritzia (TSE:ATZ  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by Royal Bank of Canada from C$41.00 to C$40.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 42.96% from the stocks current price.

ATZ has been the subject of a number of other research reports. TD Securities dropped their price target on Aritzia from C$32.00 to C$26.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Raymond James set a C$32.00 price objective on Aritzia and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Aritzia from C$41.00 to C$38.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Aritzia from C$37.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Aritzia from C$32.00 to C$40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aritzia currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$35.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ATZ

Aritzia Stock Performance

Shares of ATZ stock opened at C$27.98 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$24.22 and a 200 day moving average of C$26.39. Aritzia has a 52 week low of C$20.67 and a 52 week high of C$51.65. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.90, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 121.98.

Aritzia (TSE:ATZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 28th. The company reported C$0.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C($0.10) by C$0.12. Aritzia had a return on equity of 18.65% and a net margin of 5.29%. The company had revenue of C$534.19 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$522.35 million. As a group, research analysts expect that Aritzia will post 1.7704117 earnings per share for the current year.

About Aritzia

(Get Free Report)

Aritzia Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs and sells apparel and accessories for women in the United States and Canada. The company offers t-shirts and tops, sweaters, shirts and blouses, bodysuits, sweatshirts, blazers, jacket and coats, and dresses; pants, denim, leggings and bike shorts, sweatpants, skirts, shorts, sweatshorts, and jumpsuits and rompers; accessories, such as socks, hats, bags, scarves, belts, and intimates; swimwear; and shoes.

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RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 858 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $47,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cloverfields Capital Group LP lifted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 11.5% in the first quarter. Cloverfields Capital Group LP now owns 50,785 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,660,000 after buying an additional 5,246 shares during the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 334.1% in the second quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 55,268 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,133,000 after purchasing an additional 42,535 shares during the period. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.0% in the second quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,729 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $665,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 54.2% in the second quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 135,940 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,705,000 after purchasing an additional 47,792 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 21.4% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 3,839 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $218,000 after purchasing an additional 677 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on SCHW. Barclays lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.44.

Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab

In other news, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 112,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,617,652.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 112,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,617,652.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,114 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.19, for a total value of $174,975.66. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 41,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,338,122.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 33,402 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,960 in the last three months. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Up 1.6 %

NYSE SCHW opened at $68.18 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The stocks 50 day moving average is $57.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.05. The company has a market capitalization of $120.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.73, a PEG ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.99. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 24.58% and a net margin of 30.14%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.10 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 33.33%.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Gibraltar Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 8.1% during 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 12,583 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 940 shares during the period. Walmart accounts for about 0.9% of Gibraltar Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Gibraltar Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Walmart were worth $2,012,000 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 the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 6,074 shares of the retailers stock valued at $955,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Signature Wealth Management Group grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signature Wealth Management Group now owns 3,436 shares of the retailers stock valued at $540,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,818 shares of the retailers stock valued at $286,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,976 shares of the retailers stock valued at $939,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RB Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 9,770 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,536,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Jim C. Walton sold 342,956 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.03, for a total value of $53,168,468.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 230,593,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,748,904,258.83. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Walmart news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.00, for a total transaction of $708,750.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 269,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $43,597,278. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Jim C. Walton sold 342,956 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.03, for a total transaction of $53,168,468.68. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 230,593,461 shares in the company, valued at $35,748,904,258.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,493,089 shares of company stock valued at $544,456,070 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Walmart Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of WMT opened at $154.80 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $158.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $158.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $416.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.67, 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 quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.85. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $136.09 and a 52 week high of $169.94.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.53. Walmart had a net margin of 2.55% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The firm had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $159.65 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.50 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on WMT. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of Walmart from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Tigress Financial upped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $182.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. TD Cowen reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of Walmart 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 MarketBeat.com, Walmart has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $179.44.

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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.

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When their vehicle reached the outskirts of the Penchikalapet village, a speeding lorry coming in the opposite direction hit the car killing four persons on the spot. DC Image

WARANGAL: Four died while three were injured when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a speeding sand lorry coming from the opposite direction at Penchikalpet village in Elkathurthy mandal of Hanamkonda district in the early hours of on Friday.

Those travelling in the car belonged to a family from Eturnagaram mandal in Mulugu district.

Police said the seven members of the family were proceeding in their car to offer prayers at the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada. When the car reached the outskirts of Penchikalpet village a speeding lorry coming in the opposite direction hit the car.

The four dead on the spot have been identified as Manthena Kanthaiah (78), Manthena Shankar (60), Manthena Bharath (29) and Manthena Chandana (16). The three injured are Manthena Renuka (60), Manthena Bhargav (30) and Manthena Sridevi (50).

Police arrived at the spot on information provided by locals. They admitted the injured to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital for treatment. Bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem.

Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Posting a video of Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed with the state Chief Minister on the social media platform, X, Malviya wrote, "On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didn't even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private jet. They apparently had 'happy moments' traveling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief. Irony died a million times." X.com

New Delhi: Amid the Congress' crowdfunding campaign, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday launched an attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state minister Zameer Ahmed Khan saying that at a time when their party is asking for donations, the two leaders are travelling in a 'private jet'.

BJP leader Amit Malviya slammed the Karnataka Congress saying that the duo had 'happy moments' in a private jet while they were travelling to Delhi to seek drought funds' release from the Centre.

Posting a video of Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed with the state Chief Minister on the social media platform, X, Malviya wrote, "On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didn't even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private jet. They apparently had 'happy moments' traveling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief. Irony died a million times."

"Karnataka is reeling under mis-governance but Congress's loot must continue," Malviya added.

The video was orginally posted by the Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan himself. The video showed the Luxury private jet with the minister and the Chief Minister which was posted with the caption " Happy moments of traveling from Delhi to Bangalore with our proud leader, Chief Minister Siddaramiah"

Karnataka BJP leader CT Ravi, sharing the same video, said that the state government does not have funds to pay our farmers affected by drought but it has all the funds to fly the chief minister.

"Karnataka government does not have funds to pay our Farmers affected by drought. Neither does it have funds for development or to fulfill its guarantees. But it has all the funds to fly the chief minister, his political secretary and housing minister in luxurious private jet. And that too to seek funds for drought relief from the central government And CM Siddaramaiah boasts that he is a 'Samaajavaadi'. But Kannadigas can only see a 'Majaavaadi' here !" the BJP leader wrote.

Meanwhile, the Congress which is completing 138 years of its foundation on December 28, recently launched the crowdfunding campaign 'Donate for Desh' ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The campaign aims at "empowering the party to create an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities".

Speaking about the campaign, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that this is the first time that the grand old party is asking people for donations and cited Mahatma Gandhi, who also took donations from the public during the freedom struggle.

"It's the first time that Congress is asking people for donations for the nation... If you work only by depending on the rich people, then you have to follow their policies. Mahatma Gandhi also took donations from the public during the freedom struggle," said Kharge.
Hong Kong: 2 CFA cases to be webcast live

The Judiciary announced today that it will launch a trial run of live broadcasting of court proceedings through video webcasting on two appellate proceedings in the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) next month.

Emphasising that open justice is key to maintaining public confidence in the judicial system and upholding the rule of law, the Judiciary said it is actively exploring the initiative of live broadcasting of selected judicial proceedings outside court premises.

Two CFA cases to be heard on January 10 and 16 next year have been identified for the trial run. Members of the public can view the live webcast of the two cases on the CFA website via desktop computers or mobile devices installed with common browsers.

Core written materials will be available on the CFA website before the hearings, while relevant information of the live webcast will be provided nearer the time of the court proceedings on the CFA and the Judiciarys websites.

After the live webcast, the videos of the court proceedings will be uploaded to and kept on the CFA website for a short duration for easy access. The two trial broadcasts of CFA hearings will be available for viewing for two and three calendar days respectively after the hearing date.

The Judiciary said that members of the public, including the media, must not record the live webcast or use the live broadcast footage for any purpose.

Measures such as digital rights management commonly found on streaming platforms will be put in place to deter unauthorised recording, screen capturing and illegal distribution of the live broadcast footage.

Any person who records, edits or re-broadcasts the live broadcast footage without the courts prior permission is liable for contempt of court or copyright infringement. Warnings will be shown on the CFA website and on-screen runner during the live webcast.

The Judiciary decided to proceed with the live broadcasting of the two appeal hearings after having considered a host of factors to ensure the administration of justice will not be unduly compromised, including the need to take account of parties' views and prevent possible misuse of broadcast materials.

The primary objective of the trial run is to test the technical feasibility of the arrangements, including the information technology and audio-visual setup as well as the logistical and operational details before, during and after the hearings.

Taking into account the technical feasibility assessment, court users' feedback, and operational experience from the trial run, the Judiciary will conduct a review and consider the way forward for live broadcasting of court proceedings outside court premises in the longer term.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Luxembourg welcomes 1st direct flight from China

Xinhua) 13:27, December 22, 2023

A passenger plane from China arrives at Luxembourg Airport, Luxembourg, Dec. 21, 2023. A plane carrying 146 passengers landed at Luxembourg Airport on Thursday evening, marking the opening of the first direct air route for passengers between China and Luxembourg. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

LUXEMBOURG, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A plane carrying 146 passengers landed at Luxembourg Airport on Thursday evening, marking the opening of the first direct air route for passengers between China and Luxembourg.

The passengers, mainly Chinese travelers, received at the exit a warm welcome from Alexander Flassak, chief executive officer of Luxembourg Airport, and the Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg Hua Ning.

"We are proud and happy to have this passenger flight directly connecting to China. We have worked for it for several years," Flassak said.

Noting the already existing cargo flights between the two countries as "a strong link to China," he said the Luxembourg side is looking forward to more direct passenger flights from and to China in the future.

A passenger, who only gave her surname as Zhang, shared with Xinhua her happiness when disembarking the plane that took off from the city of Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province.

"We've been waiting for this for a long time, and now we can finally fly directly from Zhengzhou to Luxembourg without a layover! We are particularly happy," she said.

In the initial phase, the air route will operate one round-trip flight per week. Outbound flights will depart from Zhengzhou at 2:50 p.m. (0650 GMT) on Thursdays, arriving in Luxembourg at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) on the same day. Return flights will depart from Luxembourg at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Fridays, reaching Zhengzhou at 8:10 a.m. (0010 GMT) on Saturdays.

In comparison to the previous indirect flights, the new air route saves passengers several hours in travel time.

A passenger plane from China is welcomed by a water cannon salute at Luxembourg Airport, Luxembourg, Dec. 21, 2023. A plane carrying 146 passengers landed at Luxembourg Airport on Thursday evening, marking the opening of the first direct air route for passengers between China and Luxembourg. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

A passenger taking the first direct flight from China receives a warm welcome at Luxembourg Airport, Luxembourg, Dec. 21, 2023. A plane carrying 146 passengers landed at Luxembourg Airport on Thursday evening, marking the opening of the first direct air route for passengers between China and Luxembourg. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy (Image: Twitter)

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that the Congress came to power in Telangana, thanks to the blessings of the people of the state and the struggles of 30 lakh unemployed youth.

He said that the state government will soon issue job notifications to fill two lakh posts as promised during the Assembly poll campaign. He said that they will strive to turn Telangana into a model state.

Reddy was speaking at a commemoration of party stalwart G. Venkataswamy on his ninth death anniversary at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College in Bagh Lingampally here on Friday.

Addressing students and alumni of the college, Reddy said, "How much we earn is not important but how much we give back to society matters more. With this in mind, Venkatswamy, popularly known as Kaka, started this great institution in 1973. It has educated over one lakh students in the last 50 years."

He said that the former CWC member gifted his house to the Congress party in Delhi, from where the party has been functioning for decades now.

"We are trying to make Telangana an ideal state in the country. The presumption that politics is all about money should be brought to an end. Today, even a common man living in Indiramma's house is becoming an MLA," he said.

The Chief Minister expressed his admiration for Venkatswamy's legacy, drawing parallels between the late Congress leader's sons, G. Vivek and G. Vinod, both recently elected as legislators, whom likened to Ramayans Lava and Kusa.

Revanth Reddy eulogised Venkatswamy's dedication towards fulfilling his social responsibility in nation-building, crediting his family for their commitment to education without profit motives.

Encouraging a goal-oriented approach and setting specific objectives and working towards them leads to success, he said.
The Congress leadership feels that as Adilabad shares borders with Maharashtra, and Nagpur is just 200 km away it would be easy to mobilise and transport people to the venue. (DC Image)

Adilabad: The TPCC is to mobilise around 50,000 persons for the Congress rally in Nagpur commemorating the party's 139th foundation day on December 28. The event is likely to see the launch of the partys Lok Sabha elections campaign.

The party leadership feels that as Adilabad shares borders with Maharashtra, and Nagpur is just 200 km away it would be easy to mobilise and transport people to the venue.

Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will participate in the Nagpur rally. The TPCC is to have a preparatory meeting at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Bolstered after the party rode to power, its cadre and second-rung leaders from Adilabad are enthusiastic about their participation in the Nagpur rally.

AICCs Adivasi wing national coordinator Kotnak Tirupathi said that they were preparing their second rung leaders to mobilise the people and party cadre for the rally, including from Adilabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts.

Recently, party general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said that 10 lakh people will be participating in the rally.

It is learnt that ministers D. Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar will hold meetings with mandal, block and district-level party leaders in Adilabad district on December 25 regarding transportation of the public.

Minister Seethakka, who was made in charge of the Adilabad parliament constituency, is to visit Adilabad soon.
Screen grab of https://www.mypartydashboard.com

Vijayawada: The YSR Congress has lodged complaints with the Election Commission saying the Telugu Desam is involved in "illegal voter profiling" of citizens based on caste, political preference of the voters and also capturing personal information using their web application https://www.mypartydashboard.com

The ruling party sought stern action against those involved in such acts.

YSRC MPs, PV Mithun Reddy and V Vijayasai Reddy, alleged that the Telugu Desam launched mypartydashboard.com and committed "illegal voter profiling" and was in violation of Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. They urged the EC to shutdown the site mypartydashboard.com with immediate effect.



They said mypartydashboard.com website provides detailed information on the entire AP Voter List, including the latest additions, deletions and duplicates categorized on polling booth basis. The information includes sensitive details such as polling booth number, serial number, voter card number, name, Relation, Age, Gender, House Number, Caste, political party affiliation, mobile number, and political party-wise segregation of voters, among others.

"What is particularly alarming is that the website appears to have an exact replica of the EC voters list, raising questions about the potential misuse of electoral information. It has come to light that all the collected voter data is stored on a server located in a foreign country (USA)," they said.



The YSRC leaders recalled that this was not the first instance of data-related concerns involving TD. In the past, an FIR (174/2019) had been filed at Madhapur Police Station, Hyderabad, under 120b, 379, 420, 188 IPC, 72, 66-B ITA-2000-2008 act/sections related to their Seva Mithra application. The nature of the information collected strongly suggested that the TD might have obtained electoral information through questionable means and would be utilising it for potentially corrupt practices, as defined under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act."
The Korean Peninsula once again finds itself on the brink, shaken by North Koreas latest Hwasong-18 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test. This third launch in just a few months showcased Pyongyangs growing nuclear threat, capable of striking anywhere in the United States. However, the tremors of this test only hint at the larger earthquake brewing underneath: a budding military alliance between North Korea and Russia, further straining relations with the US and its allies.

Defiance at the UN

The world watched in dismay as North Korea defiantly launched its ICBM on December 17th. At the subsequent UN Security Council meeting, the US and its allies met Pyongyangs actions with resounding condemnation. Yet, amidst the outcry stood North Korea, finding an unexpected ally in Russia. Their unwavering support for each other signaled a new phase in their relationship, raising concerns about what this unprecedented alliance might entail.

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Russia and North Korea join forces

Adding another layer of intrigue to their long-standing ties, Russias Deputy Defense Minister, Valery Gerasimov, officially confirmed active comprehensive cooperation with North Korea. This announcement follows Putins September summit with Kim Jong-un, where they discussed potential military collaboration despite UN sanctions against Pyongyangs weapons programs. The implications of this partnership are deeply worrying, potentially strengthening North Koreas military capabilities and emboldening its belligerence.

A looming threat

The emerging Russia-North Korea axis casts a long, dark shadow over global security. On one hand, it bolsters North Koreas military power and emboldens its aggressive stance. Russias support, both political and potentially material, could accelerate Pyongyangs weapons development and destabilize the region further. On the other hand, it poses a direct challenge to the US and its allies, raising the specter of a new Cold War or even an unforeseen conflict.

US and its allies sound the alarm

The US and its allies have expressed mounting concern over this burgeoning partnership. They worry that North Korea could provide weapons and ammunition to Russia, replenishing Moscows dwindling stocks in Ukraine. Additionally, suspicions linger that Russia may be helping Pyongyang evade sanctions, significantly enhancing its military prowess.

The international community must take immediate and decisive action amid these escalating tensions. Robust diplomatic efforts are crucial to de-escalate the situation and prevent further proliferation of dangerous weapons. The UN Security Council must enforce existing sanctions against both North Korea and Russia, upholding international law and global security.

Deterrence and diplomacy

While diplomacy is paramount, it may not be enough. The US and its allies must demonstrate clear resolve in deterring further aggression from the emerging Russia-North Korea axis. Strengthening military presence in the region and conducting joint exercises are essential to send a strong message of deterrence. Simultaneously, exploring pathways for denuclearization with North Korea remains crucial in the long term, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

The world stands at a precipice, facing a potentially catastrophic security crisis. The burgeoning military alliance between Russia and North Korea serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of global peace. Navigating this perilous situation requires an unwavering commitment to diplomacy, deterrence, and, ultimately, finding a peaceful resolution to the nuclear threat emanating from the Korean Peninsula. Failure to act decisively could plunge the world into a new era of fear and uncertainty, with consequences that none can afford to contemplate.
CVA Family Office LLC lifted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 5.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,486 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the period. CVA Family Office LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $1,521,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of JPM. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the second quarter valued at $67,000. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 46,300.0% during the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 464 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 463 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the first quarter valued at $70,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter worth $76,000. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 17.9% in the 2nd quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 678 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $99,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 68.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of JPM opened at $167.50 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 1-year low of $123.11 and a 1-year high of $169.41. The company has a 50-day moving average of $150.65 and a 200 day moving average of $148.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $484.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. The business had revenue of $40.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.63 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 22.79% and a return on equity of 17.97%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.12 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.63 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, 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 available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JPM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $158.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Friday, September 8th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Odeon Capital Group cut shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $140.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $167.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.80.

View Our Latest Report on JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company 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.

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Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 52,426 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,435 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $7,603,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 46,300.0% during the 2nd quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 464 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 463 shares during the period. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter valued at about $70,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter valued at about $76,000. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 17.9% during the 2nd quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 678 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 68.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock opened at $167.50 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12-month low of $123.11 and a 12-month high of $169.41. The stock has a market cap of $484.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The businesss 50 day moving average is $150.65 and its 200-day moving average is $148.60.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend

JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.97% and a net margin of 22.79%. The company had revenue of $40.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.63 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.12 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 24.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm 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 dividend yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is presently 25.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on JPM. Odeon Capital Group cut JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $140.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. HSBC began coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Thursday, September 7th. They set a hold rating and a $159.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $167.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $233.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 16th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.80.

View Our Latest Report on JPM

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total transaction of $5,158,880.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is 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.

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Shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:JRE  Get Free Report) traded up 0.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $22.46 and last traded at $22.46. 6,061 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 273% from the average session volume of 1,625 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.26.

Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average is $20.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.17 million, a PE ratio of 31.80 and a beta of 1.00.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JRE. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF by 666.7% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,495 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $208,000. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF by 19.3% during the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 14,236 shares of the companys stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 2,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Resource Group acquired a new stake in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $2,606,000.

Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF Company Profile

The Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF (JRE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in real estate equity. The fund is an actively managed fund of real-estate and real estate-related companies in the United States. JRE was launched on Jun 22, 2021 and is managed by Janus Henderson.

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Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Free Report) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 4,727 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in LyondellBasell Industries were worth $448,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 1.1% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,852,225 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $3,172,226,000 after purchasing an additional 335,124 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 2.9% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,322,280 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,266,977,000 after purchasing an additional 348,169 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 45.5% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,304,090 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $578,905,000 after buying an additional 1,972,160 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 27.6% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,829,284 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $547,312,000 after buying an additional 1,262,433 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 1.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,608,944 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $515,331,000 after buying an additional 95,633 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $112.00 to $108.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Citigroup downgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $116.00 to $108.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, KeyCorp raised shares of LyondellBasell Industries from an underweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, LyondellBasell Industries presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $101.00.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Performance

Shares of LYB stock opened at $96.44 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $93.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $94.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.89. LyondellBasell Industries has a one year low of $79.68 and a one year high of $102.04. The firm has a market cap of $31.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.17.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.03 by $0.43. LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 5.53% and a return on equity of 22.15%. The firm had revenue of $10.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.77 EPS for the current year.

LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 4th. Investors of record on Monday, November 27th were paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 24th. LyondellBasell Industriess payout ratio is currently 71.63%.

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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Meridian Mining UK Societas (CVE:MNO  Get Free Report) rose 9.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$1.07 and last traded at C$1.03. Approximately 247,282 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 12% from the average daily volume of 220,803 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.94.

Meridian Mining UK Societas Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$1.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$1.03. The firm has a market cap of C$152.09 million and a PE ratio of -3.30.

About Meridian Mining UK Societas

(Get Free Report)

Meridian Mining UK Societas, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Brazil. The company explores for manganese, gold, copper, and tin deposits. It holds interest in the EspigAo polymetallic project and the Ariquemes tin project located in RondAnia.

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Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its position in Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Free Report) by 96.2% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,586 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 66,223 shares during the period. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Country Trust Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 1,315.8% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 269 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the period. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group boosted its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 504.0% in the first quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group now owns 302 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. 71.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Phillips 66

In other news, VP Joseph Scott Pruitt sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.23, for a total value of $133,230.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 6,593 shares in the company, valued at $878,385.39. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Phillips 66 news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total transaction of $4,127,657.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 103,351 shares in the company, valued at $13,457,333.71. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Joseph Scott Pruitt sold 1,000 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.23, for a total transaction of $133,230.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 6,593 shares in the company, valued at approximately $878,385.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 4.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Phillips 66 Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE:PSX opened at $134.27 on Friday. Phillips 66 has a 12 month low of $89.74 and a 12 month high of $136.69. The firm has a market cap of $59.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The companys 50 day moving average is $118.87 and its 200-day moving average is $112.13.

Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $4.63 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.78 by ($0.15). Phillips 66 had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 23.32%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.46 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Phillips 66 will post 15.39 EPS for the current year.

Phillips 66 Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Phillips 66s payout ratio is 25.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PSX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised shares of Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $134.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Phillips 66 from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Phillips 66 currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $135.29.

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About Phillips 66

(Free Report)

Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas.

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Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC  Free Report) by 17.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,796 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,232 shares during the period. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Centene were worth $399,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in Centene by 23.5% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 13,843 shares of the companys stock worth $954,000 after buying an additional 2,630 shares in the last quarter. First Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Centene by 8.6% during the third quarter. First Bank & Trust now owns 3,992 shares of the companys stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Acropolis Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Centene during the third quarter worth $222,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its holdings in Centene by 1.2% during the third quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 23,522 shares of the companys stock worth $1,620,000 after buying an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Hawaiian Bank boosted its holdings in Centene by 0.8% during the third quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 21,218 shares of the companys stock worth $1,461,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. 90.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Centene Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CNC opened at $73.42 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $72.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Centene Co. has a 52 week low of $60.83 and a 52 week high of $83.61.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Centene ( NYSE:CNC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.45. Centene had a net margin of 1.63% and a return on equity of 15.47%. The company had revenue of $38.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $36.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Centenes quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Centene Co. will post 6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Centene in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Centene from $74.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Centene from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Centene from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $94.00 to $73.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Centene from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, September 29th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Centene currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $84.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CNC

Centene Profile

(Free Report)

Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. It operates in two segments, Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment offers health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State children's health insurance program, long-term services and support, foster care, and medicare-medicaid plans, which cover dually eligible individuals, as well as aged, blind, or disabled programs.

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Activists and supporters from Community Action Tenants Union (CATU Ireland) held a vigil in Derry City centre in support of local man, Feargal ODonnell.

The action took place outside the Housing Executive office in Derrys Waterloo Place on Monday, with CATU calling on those with the authority to do so to find a resolution allowing Feargal to remain in his family home indefinitely.

CATU Ireland is a union for communities and tenants - renters, council tenants, mortgage holders and people in emergency and precarious living situations.

It is advocating for Mr ODonnell, who was told by the Housing Executive on November 6, he would have to hand back his house keys on Monday, December 4 - the first day of Homelessness Awareness Week.

CATU claimed the Housing Executive was going to evict Mr ODonnell from his family home of over forty years, on that date.

At the vigil, members of the public were asked to sign a letter in support of Feargal ODonnell, which was later handed into Housing Executive staff.

The letter, which outlined Feargal ODonnells case in great detail said: Our member has been pushed into a horrendous situation due to the bureaucratic and daunting process of a succession attempt.

Sadly, but all too common, the right to a home has now turned into a competition. We appreciate there is exceptional pressure on the Housing Executive. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the most vulnerable in our society to be housed.

In Feargals case, he has had to fight for a succession request for his mothers home, which he and his daughter Eileen] have faced alone for the previous three and a half years. We cannot express enough the detrimental impact this has had on Feargals physical and mental health.

Feargal has been informed previously that he doesnt meet the exceptional circumstances required for a succession attempt. This is despite him having a number of debilitating health conditions which require constant medical appointments, such as high blood pressure, asthma, COPD, epilepsy, anxiety and depression, serious difficulty with sleep, newly diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, and is currently undergoing more medical investigations following abnormal blood test results.

Mr ODonnell has evidenced his medical conditions in letters written by his doctors, psychologist, and support team.

He is currently having more medical investigations into the potential damage to a gland in his brain.

CATU added: Feargals high blood pressure only came about after the attempts to evict him. Last September, an ambulance was called to take Feargal to A&E after the stress of being evicted took its toll and he attempted to take his own life.

While at times during these last three and a half years, he has been unable to attend crucial appointments. Feargal cared for both of his parents in the family home, which he dedicated much of his life to being there for them, caring for his mother until her death.

Feargal attends weekly meetings with ARC Fitness and addiction services at Woodlea House, where he receives a monthly opioid-blocker injection, since his recovery from addictions.

He has become a positive influence on others and spoke at a number of public engagements to help with addiction, including local schools. This situation has plunged Feargal into a dark place.

To remove Feargal from his home and community would have existential consequences, in his own words it would be a death sentence,

According to CATU, the Housing Executive is justifying Feargals eviction because he intentionally left another property.

The CATU letter said: This decision was so that he could return a property to the NIHE in a highly sought after area.

This decision also shows he was committed to returning to the family home as a permanent resident, and attempting to hold onto the [other] residency at the same time was not viable.

Giving up his property following the death of his mother was an action he believed would help further his ability to return to Little Diamond; to the family home of 40 years, where he could finally prioritise his own health.

CATU said that according to Housing Executive rules, a carer who was living with the deceased for a time to care for them and for that reason sold a dwelling or gave up a tenancy or licence in relation to a dwelling, may be given tenancy succession.

Mr ODonnell said he had no recollection of his patch manager clearly explaining the succession rules.

CATU added: We believe it is completely reasonable and justifiable for CATU to demand that a resolution is found for Feargal to remain in his family home indefinitely. No-one should be faced with this position, let alone a very vulnerable person.

We are under no illusion that this may be ignored until after Christmas, which would be another cruelty in itself. The threat of homelessness at any time is of course unacceptable, but for it to be prolonged over the winter holiday season - when office hours are closed - would bring nothing but despair to a family when they should be feeling the security and stability of a home for Feargal for Christmas.

Cllr Gary Donnelly who was present at Mondays vigil said he would use whatever means he could with Mr ODonnell, the Housing Executive and CATU to find a resolution.

We dont want to see anybody ending up on the street and being homeless, he added.

Cllr Shaun Harkin was also in attendance in support of Mr ODonnell.

He said: We know the Housing Executive is under massive pressure. We know housing staff bend over backwards to help people and it is very, very difficult for them and there are rules around these things and we just want to see it resolved.

We would like Feargal to be able to stay in his house and we know he and his family members right now are very, very worried about what is going to happen and that kind of worry is terrible for people.

I think the number of people here today shows you that people understand what Feargal is dealing with and I think everybody wants to get this resolved.

A Housing Executive spokesperson said: A number of people attended our offices today (Monday, December 18, 2023) to address an issue of succession for a property in our care.

They presented us with additional information which we have agreed to examine.
Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC has called on the entire Association to support the family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown.

Mr Brown was attacked and beaten by an LVF gang as he locked the gates at the Bellaghy club on May 12 1997.

He was then taken to a country lane near Randalstown where he was shot six times.

Mr Browns inquest, which began in March, has been held up due to ongoing PSNI delays in producing disclosure material linked to the murder.

Since his death, more than 40 inquest-related hearings have been held.

Coroner Patrick Kinney, who is also a High Court judge, confirmed the inquest will not resume next month as planned and will take place in March.

Under the British governments controversial Legacy Act, inquests that have not reached their findings stage by next May will be halted.

The act has been challenged in the High Court by relatives of the dead, while the Irish government has launched an inter-state case against the British government under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC have issued a statement expressing anger at how the Brown family have been treated.

As a club, as friends and neighbours, we can no longer hold our dignified silence. As a community, we are furious at the treatment of the Brown family and we actively seek the support and solidarity of our wider Association at this time of legal and moral repugnance. As a unit of our Association, we represent what is best about our society, however what we have observed the Brown family endure in recent weeks and months, indeed years, is the lowest, and which can no longer be tolerated, read the club statement.

The club has welcomed the decision of the Irish Government to take an Inter-State case against the British Government to the European Court of Human Rights.

This is a welcome display of both courage and conviction. It is clear that politicians are now prepared to match the groundswell of public opinion, against the Legacy Act, with political action, continued the statement.

What we, as members of the GAA, now seek is that the leaders of the Association show the

same commitment, leadership and action.

We are indebted to the voluntary motions of solidarity reciting expressions of concern, by the recent County Conventions of Derry, Tyrone and Armagh.

We respectfully request that this correspondence is considered by all units of our Association, at both club and county level, and we ask each chairman or the last person to lock your club gates, is this how you would accept your family, your club, your community, your own dignified memory, to be treated.
A woman on explosive charges has failed in an application to stay with her mother over the Christmas period.

Shannon Kelly (26) of Creevagh Heights in Derry is charged with possessing explosives namely two Soviet grenade heads, plastic explosives and two detonators with intent to endanger life on September 7.

She is also charged with possessing the same items in suspicious circumstances.

Kelly is also charged with possessing a Browning short barrelled firearm and a quantity of ammunition with intent to endanger life on September 7 as well as a charge of possessing the weapon and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

At today's sitting of Derry Magistrate's Court an application was made by defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott that Kelly's bail be varied to allow the defendant to spend the Christmas period with her mother in the Waterside area of the city.

He said that the argument could be made that Kelly's mother could go and spend Christmas with her but said the mother's partner would have 'difficulties' going to the Creggan area.

The solicitor said that basically the application was to allow the family to be together at Christmas.

A prosecution barrister opposed the application and said that police did not believe that the mother's address was suitable for Kelly and her child.

She told the court that Kelly's bail conditions were such that she could spend all Christmas Day with her mother until 9pm.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said he was not 'satisfied' to grant the application.

The case was adjourned until December 28.
NI children, parents, caregivers, and medical professionals boarded a life-changing flight by NI Children to Lapland Trust for an unforgettable day

The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust successfully completed its much-anticipated annual Lapland trip on December 19, 2023.

This extraordinary journey brought joy, excitement, and holiday magic to 85 children facing terminal illnesses and life-limiting conditions.

Generous collaborations with TUI, Belfast International Airport, Swissport, Santa Park, and Wild Nordic in Rovaniemi, Finland, made the heartwarming adventure possible, creating unforgettable memories for the young participants.

The cherished tradition, initiated in 2008, transported the children from Belfast to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland. The day was filled with enchanting activities, including reindeer and husky dog rides, mini skidoo adventures, a snowmobile safari, magic sleigh rides, and a special meeting with Santa Claus himself.

Reflecting on the significance of the trip, Colin Barkley, Chair of NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust, said, "There is no greater Christmas gift than providing joy to young children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and helping alleviate the usual challenges that come with travelling for their families.

We're thrilled to have crafted the enchantment of our Lapland trip for another year. Witnessing the sheer joy on their faces is a timeless delight.

Mairead Moore with mum Evonne, from Coleraine, and Jean Foster with Swissport.

Heartfelt thanks to our supporters  from TUI, Belfast International Airport and Swissport and their dedicated staff, to The Choir Studio from Newry who filled the air with festive music; to Santa and the Elves at Santa Park, and Wild Nordic in Rovaniemi.

This adventure is a testament to the love of many individuals and organisations, and we're dedicated to keeping this magical journey alive for years to come.

Dr Mark Rollins, a charity Trustee and a Senior Consultant Paediatrician, added: NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust is a unique charity which allows health and community care workers, based in all the paediatric departments and hospitals in Northern Ireland, to nominate the sick children they feel most deserve such an amazing treat.

"The health teams are all aware of the significant burden on carers and families who look after their childs condition and needs daily. Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals give up their own time to volunteer to ensure that these children can experience a magical time in a safe environment whilst not forgetting the boost the trip gives to their self-confidence and mental well-being.

Paul Brooks and Teresa Moore from Coleraine.

Of all the charities I have ever been involved with, NICLT is definitely extra special.

Charlotte Brenner, Marketing Manager at TUI Ireland, one of the supporters enabling the annual trip, said, "We are thrilled to lend our support to the charity and bring the enchantment of Lapland to the children this year.

"Amid the joyous holiday celebrations for many families, it's crucial to remember that some are grappling with illness or life-limiting conditions. Being able to provide a touch of magic is a true honour for us, recognising the importance of creating special moments for those facing unique challenges during the festive season."

Jean Foster, General Manager, Swissport, Belfast, was part of the exceptional team supporting young travellers, their families and health staff on the ground at the airport. She said, "We were delighted to see everyone from the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust back this year and we were at hand to ensure a streamlined departure and arrival.

Aoibhin Ward with mum Tracey from Dungiven preparing to board a life-changing flight by NI Children to Lapland Trust for an unforgettable day

Deborah Harris, PR & Marketing Manager at Belfast International Airport added: The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust flight is always very special and this year was no exception. We were delighted to welcome all of the children, their families and the fantastic staff to Belfast International Airport and we are sure they had an experience to remember. It is very important for us to be part of this magical event - it really brings home the meaning of Christmas.

The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust has been a source of joy for more than 1,500 children who have had the opportunity to embark on this magical journey throughout its history.
The granddaughter of a German businessman who was killed by the IRA 50 years ago has said that the trauma caused to families during the Troubles must never be forgotten.

Events are taking place in Belfast and Lisburn on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the death of Thomas Niedermayer.

Mr Niedermayer, the manager of the Grundig factory in Belfast and the West German honorary consul for Northern Ireland, was kidnapped by the provisional IRA on December 27 1973.

His body was not found until seven years later in 1980, when he was discovered in a shallow grave in Colin Glen, Belfast.

Four of his family members, including his widow Ingeborg, his daughters Renate and Gabrielle, and his son in law Robin, took their own lives in the years following his death.

On Friday morning a tree will be planted at Colin Glen and an event of reflection will take place at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn later in the day.

Mr Niedermayers granddaughter, Tanya Williams-Powell, will attend the events.

She told the PA news agency that the reflection event would remember all the members of her family who lost their lives.

She said: I really wanted to do that because I was aware that when Inge and Renate died, their funerals were quite quick and there were very few people in attendance.

I just wanted people to come and have the chance to mourn for them, rather than just Thomas.

I think it is very important not to forget the past because it is only from understanding it that we can learn and move on in a more positive way.

Our story is not unique or special and there are people who have suffered a lot more, but I think it is important to remember that the Troubles affected so many people and not only the immediate and direct victims, but also families. I think we need to keep an awareness of that.

Ms Williams-Powells grandfather was killed before she was born.

She said: He was kidnapped in 1973, I was born in 1976. I never got the chance to meet him and only met Inge and Renate a few times.

I would say our lives have been influenced by that, my sister and I lost both our parents in our teenage years, partly due to the fact that Thomas was kidnapped and killed.

The trauma that it caused my mum (Gabrielle), it rippled down into other members of the family as well.

The guilt that each family member felt, they werent able to talk it through and get over it.

Awareness of mental health has come on so much since those times. Awful things happened but people had to try to get on with their lives.

These days we take much more time to comfort and help people overcome that sense of loss and move on.

Fridays events have been organised with the help of victims organisation, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: Following the known knowledge of Thomas murder and the discovery of his remains, four further lives were cruelly cut prematurely short in a chilling domino effect of traumatic pain and loss.

We are privileged to have become acquainted with the surviving family and particularly with the granddaughters of Thomas and Ingeborg.

Incredibly there is an absence of bitterness, hate or will to seek retribution within those who remain.

Instead they are filled with love and a commitment of ensuring that the legacy of a much-loved grandfather, granny, auntie, mum and dad is kept front and centre.

Mr Donaldson added: Thomas sought to bring employment to an area of Northern Ireland which was suffering severely as a consequence of post-war rebuild but also the onslaught of The Troubles.

His objective was to bring a form of economic stability, and in time prosperity to the region.

Cruelly his life was stolen away by those intent on keeping Northern Ireland on its knees, and of keeping our people separated.

The planting of a tree complete with plaque at the location in Colin Glen where Thomas was found is hugely symbolic and we thank those who have facilitated this to occur.

It is also highly significant to have the German ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and several UK-based German diplomats present for events marking this milestone anniversary.
When we look back at 2023 from the future, it will no doubt be regarded as one of the biggest inflection points for AI, when the proverbial genie of many wonders well and truly escaped the bottle. Where AI finally became mainstream, thanks to ChatGPT and a thousand other LLM-inspired apps and services. At last, AI wasnt something only computer scientists, uber-nerds or us lowly technology hacks were obsessed with  finally everyone got in on the act.

Also read: Nvidia is probably the most important company in tech right now: Heres why

From doom-n-gloom approximations of how AI would render swathes of human workforce across various industries jobless in a blink to exaggerated existential threats straight from a sci-fiction novel, its safe to say that our collective attitudes towards this big technological breakthrough have been nothing short of hyperbolic. Writers like yours truly, and others around the world, may have to take the blame for this and with good reason. But then, how do you not get excited and alarmed by this rapid infusion of AI into our lives, society, and civilisation?

With nothing to lose, startups like OpenAI are bringing AI innovations faster to market than the likes of traditional big tech giants: Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft dont have the same luxury, of course, being answerable to legal eagles, customers and shareholders. Speed of getting in on the AI boom cant come at the cost of breaking potential laws, which is why big tech CEOs have been busy harping the AI safety and regulatory tune for some time now. When you read everyone from Sundar Pichai to Satya Nadella invoking lawmakers to exercise their regulatory powers to enforce thoughtful AI restraint, it can be inferred that perhaps big tech companies are seeking governmental guidance to ensure their AI product roadmaps are eventually falling on the right side of the law.

In 2023, global governments took significant steps to regulate AI safety, as seen during the Global AI Safety Summit in the UK. Its key outcome was a declaration endorsed by 28 countries (including the likes of USA and China) to better understand and regulate the risks associated with frontier AI, containing advanced, general-purpose AI models at the cutting edge of technology which can trigger issues related to AIs environmental impact, algorithmic bias, and the misuse of generative AI. A central strategy seems to be emerging based on international cooperation, where these risks will be jointly studied scientifically to ultimately develop risk-based policies for AI safety. But will there be enough emphasis on ensuring a balanced approach that doesnt impede innovation while mitigating risks?

Also read: AI education vital to overcome AI-related job loss fears, says Digit Survey

Of course, dont get me wrong, safety should be paramount for any AI product being released into the market, something that has the potential to disrupt not just the mundane but the critically essential as well. However, one cant help but wonder if regulation is a tool that big tech players can use to slow down the pace of rival disruptive innovators from emerging, and subsequently giving themselves more time to load the deck in their favour. If regulation can be hijacked by big tech, then what could be the alternative?

Some of the best AI minds in the world, a vocal minority at this point, seem to think open source is the way to go. Over 70 signatories, including renowned figures like Yann LeCun from Meta and Andrew Ng from Google Brain, supported an open letter published by Mozilla in November 2023. This letter emphasises the need for openness and transparency in AI development as crucial for mitigating future harms.

The open letter argues against the notion that tight, proprietary control over AI is the sole way to prevent societal harm. It advocates for public access and scrutiny, stating that these measures make technology safer. The letter outlines three benefits of openness in AI: fostering independent research, enhancing public scrutiny and accountability, and lowering entry barriers for new players in the AI field. Hasty regulation that could concentrate power and stifle competition and innovation should be avoided, the letter argues, highlighting that open models are vital for informed debate and effective policymaking.

Also read: Why Google Bards fiasco is embarrassingly good

Needless to say, the discussion around the future of AI is intensifying  should it be open-source or proprietary? This dichotomy has long existed in software development and will no doubt continue to be a key issue in AIs future into 2024 and beyond.

This column was originally published in the December 2023 issue of Digit magazine. Subscribe now.
Samsung and Naver's AI semiconductor stuns with 8x superior energy consumption performance, surpassing Nvidia and Google

Samsung Electronics and South Korea's renowned search engine firm, Naver, have unveiled the outcomes of their year-long partnership in AI semiconductors, showcasing exceptional power efficiency. When pitted against commercial products from Nvidia and Google in a comparative test driving the Meta AI model LLaMa at equivalent speeds, the South Korean AI semiconductor displayed a staggering eight-fold superiority in energy consumption performance over its Western counterparts.

Building on this remarkable success, both companies are focusing on customized integrated circuits (IC) tailored for Naver Cloud. The collaborative effort, initiated with a business agreement signed in December 2022, was strategically aimed at investing in local AI semiconductor research. The ultimate goal was to establish a competitive edge against formidable overseas players such as Nvidia and Google.

As reported by The Korea Economic Daily and Theelec, the groundbreaking results of this collaboration, specifically in the realm of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) AI semiconductors, were jointly unveiled by Samsung and Naver at the "4th Top-Level Strategic Dialogue on AI Semiconductors" event. This gathering, organized by the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, served as the platform for the two companies to demonstrate the AI semiconductor's remarkable capability in driving Naver's large-scale AI model, HyperCLOVA X.

A spokesperson from Naver explained that, during computation processes, rival products typically consume 16 bits to express a numerical value. In contrast, Naver and Samsung's products efficiently utilize only 4 bits, with minimal impact on overall performance.

As semiconductor density increases, industry attention is focused on whether the same computational efficiency can be achieved with less power. Both companies plan to integrate the developed AI semiconductors into their own services and commercialize them in a B2B product format.

However, while the FPGA product serves as a prototype for technical verification of Samsung and Naver's AI solution, it cannot be directly applied to Naver Cloud products. Therefore, Naver is collaborating with Samsung to develop an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for large language models (LLM). Although the specific development direction is yet to be determined, the collaboration is expected to use Samsung's advanced manufacturing processes and incorporate eight LPDDR5X to target the field of AI application.

Kim Yuwon, CEO of Naver Cloud, pointed out that Naver has been working on creating a new matrix calculator and computational models for AI solutions. While FPGA serves the purpose of technology verification, its application becomes challenging when delivering large-scale AI model services. Consequently, Naver foresees an extended partnership with Samsung to design ASIC, with substantial time expected for the mass production phase.
From Mirage fighters to microchips: Taiwan-France accord marks a milestone in high-tech collaboration

In a significant diplomatic development, Taiwan and France had recently signed a Science and Technology Cooperation Convention (STC). This agreement not only elevated Taiwan-France relations to the ministerial level but also marked a substantial breakthrough in bilateral government relations.

The signing comes in the wake of the passage of the "Chips Act" in the US and EU, compelling the French government to acknowledge Taiwan's strategic importance, especially in light of semiconductor needs within France's aerospace and automotive industries. Recognizing the opportune moment, France seeks to improve relations with Taiwan, aiming to secure access to crucial semiconductor resources and potentially facilitate future semiconductor investments.

Jointly formulated by Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and France's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (Ministere de l'Enseignement superieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, MESRI) , the agreement outlines plans for the inaugural "Taiwan-France Science and Technology Meeting" scheduled to take place in Taiwan in the first half of 2024. Additionally, it paves the way for enhanced collaboration in six key areas: semiconductors and quantum, healthcare, marine technology, cybersecurity and AI, green industries, energy and net-zero, and space technology.

France's military industry, renowned globally for its excellence, has supplied Taiwan with top-tier equipment, such as the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and La Fayette-class frigates.

While Taiwan purchased the La Fayette frigates and Mirage 2000 fighters decades ago, the island nation has made remarkable strides in semiconductor technology. Taiwan's semiconductor industry, particularly exemplified by TSMC, now leads the global market with advanced capabilities, surpassing competitors like Intel and Samsung Electronics.

The global chip shortage in 2021 highlighted the critical role of the semiconductor industry in various sectors, including automotive and military. France, with its significant automotive and military industries, experienced disruptions due to the shortage, further emphasizing the importance of collaborating with Taiwan.

Overcoming pressure from China, MESRI's willingness to sign this agreement stems from Taiwan's unparalleled semiconductor capabilities, a strength that China lacks. The breakthrough in governmental relations sets the stage for deeper and more forward-looking cooperation between Taiwan and France, extending beyond academic institutions to broader collaborative projects.

The significant advancement in governmental ties between Taiwan and France on the eve of 2024 signifies a pivotal moment, expanding the scope of dialogue beyond academic institutions such as CNRS, INCa, ANR, and the Academie des Sciences. This breakthrough opens the door for more profound, extensive, and forward-thinking collaborative projects between Taiwan and France.

Recognizing Taiwan's pivotal role in the semiconductor landscape, France actively seeks collaboration in renewable energy, satellites, medical devices, oceanography, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. This engagement aims to not only address France's semiconductor needs but also foster industrial investment and collaboration, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

With Taiwan boasting a higher credit rating than France, low investment risks, and the ability to weather geopolitical tensions, French companies find Taiwan an attractive investment destination. Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua's visit to France and engagements with companies investing in various sectors, including solid-state batteries and offshore wind farms, further solidifies the foundation for economic cooperation.

As the global focus on renewable energy intensifies, Taiwan's expertise in offshore wind capacity positions the island nation as a competitive player in France's upcoming large-scale wind farm tenders. The alignment of goals between the two nations, particularly in meeting COP28 targets, offers new avenues for collaboration and economic growth.

Significantly, Taiwan's enactment of the Space Development Act, coupled with the flourishing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite industry, sets the stage for a remarkable opportunity. The imminent CYSAT 24, a premier annual European gathering in Paris dedicated to cybersecurity in the space sector, offers an additional avenue for Taiwan to shine. Capitalizing on its role as a semiconductor frontrunner, Taiwan envisions heightened engagement from its businesses, startups, and academic institutions at this influential international event. This participation is poised to reinforce Taiwan's global impact in the realms of technology and innovation.
China imposes export control on rare earth processing technologies

Shortly after the US government tightened its restrictions on Chinese entities, China appeared to retaliate by limiting the export of technology related to rare earth elements. This move can potentially hinder Western countries' endeavors to establish a rare earth supply chain that is less dependent on China.

On December 21, the Ministry of Commerce of China updated its catalog for technologies under export control, and rare earth processing technologies will be subject to export curbs.

According to the revised document, technologies for refining, processing, and utilizing rare earth elements, coded 083201J, encompass technologies for rare earth extraction and separation, production technology for rare earth metals and alloys, samarium-cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron, cerium magnet preparation techniques, and preparation technology for rare earth borate oxy-calcium.

China said in a press release that the revision was a specific measure to adapt to changes in technological development and improve technical trade management. It aims to create favorable conditions for promoting international economic and trade cooperation while safeguarding the country's economic security and development interests.

China dominates the rare earth supply chain, a sector crucial to various industries, from clean energy to defense. China is responsible for approximately 60% of global rare earth mining production and almost 90% of processing and refining. The strategic control of this resource has been a persistent concern for governments, particularly the US and Japan.

While the regulations won't directly impact the shipment of rare-earth products, they are aimed at thwarting attempts to cultivate this industry beyond China's borders. This move can impede other nations in a sector controlled by Beijing.

China's move came days after the US added 13 Chinese entities to the Unverified List. In October, China unveiled graphite restrictions days after the US updated its chip export curbs against China in the same month. When the Netherlands government announced a new export ban on DUV equipment in June 2023, China also announced the export restrictions on germanium and gallium.

Global rare earth production and reserves (metric tons) Country 2021 Production 2022 Production Reserves US 42,000 43,000 2,300,000 Australia 24,000 18,000 4,200,000 Brazil 500 80 21,000,000 Burma 35,000 12,000 NA Burundi 200 NA NA Canada NA NA 830,000 China 168,000 210,000 44,000,000 Greenland NA NA 1,500,000 India 2,900 2,900 6,900,000 Madagascar 6,800 960 NA Russia 2,600 2,600 21,000,000 South Africa NA NA 790,000 Tanzania NA NA 890,000 Thailand 8,200 7,100 NA Vietnam 400 4,300 22,000,000 Other countries 60 80 280,000 Total 290,000 300,000 13,000,000

Source: USGS, December 2023
Thirteen skulls stolen by academics that were returned to an Irish island this year are to spend their first Christmas at home in 133 years, a local historian has said.

A reburial ceremony for the human skulls was held on Inishbofin this summer and involved locals and campaigners who had pushed for their return.

The skulls, thought to be around 400 years old, were taken from a monastery on the island of Inishbofin off Irelands west coast by two Trinity University-affiliated academics in 1890.

After sketching the skulls in the nook of St Colmans monastery, considered sacred by the islanders, Alfred C Haddon and Andrew F Dixon took the skulls in the middle of the night.

The skulls were returned in a process undertaken by Trinity College Dublin to review legacy issues at the university.

The decision to return the remains follows years of campaigning by Inishbofin historian Marie Coyne.

She was one of four local women to carry the coffin carrying the skulls to their place of rest in the graveyard  believed to be the first time women on the island had been pallbearers.

Its a happy Christmas for the human remains, because theyre home for the first time in 133 years, Ms Coyne said.

Its just very special to have them here, and where the skulls remains are in the graveyard, you can see right into the abbey where they were taken from.

Asked what it was like to stand in front of the grave, she said: Its peaceful.

I dont know who these people were, Id say their lives were tough. They had families and love, I dont think they would have thought what would happen to their remains.

She said a path had been worn in the area from locals and visitors travelling to see the grave, in a sign of how much interest there has been in the returned remains.

Maybe its a small person up against the big powers that be, maybe its the humanity.

Look at what is going on in Gaza and in these places  there are families destroyed, and they will never find their familys remains.

She said that she would place candles on the skulls grave on Christmas Eve.

Other campaign efforts are under way to have remains brought back to the islands, including the return of several skulls to St Finians Bay.

In June, the Government set up a committee to advise on the restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive objects in Ireland, as there are no guidelines on these cases.

The committee is made up of people from the museum, archives and gallery sector, legal and ethics experts and government officials.
Tell us a little bit about yourself

Well, I am 21 years old and Im from a family of six (three brothers and two sisters), so my life is never boring. My mother and I would always run if there was a match on, as our ears would be burst from the four boys (my father included in the boys) shouting at the television as if the players could hear them!

I grew up in Ballinhassig and played nearly every sport you could think of. My parents liked to keep us all busy, so we were always occupied with something or other, one being CADA Performing Arts. I joined CADA when I was 7 and never left.

Marion Goggin as Belle performing a scene from this years panto Beauty and the Beast at The Everyman which will run until Sunday 14 January.

Through CADA, I discovered my love for performing. I owe everything I have done in this industry to CADA and its amazing teachers, with extra mention, of course, to Catherine Mahon Buckley for founding such an amazing company, which I called home for so many years, and still do.

Through CADA and The Everyman is where I found my love for the stage.

I have done 14 Everyman Christmas pantomimes.

I started off with the junior chorus, for a few years, then moved to handmaidens and swing, I was then Cinderella in The Everyman production of Once Upon a Time, with the Panto Stars; the following year, I played Jasmine, and now, this year, I am Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

Marion Goggin.

I went to Ballyheada NS for primary school and then I went to Christ King Girls Secondary School, where I met some of my best friends to this day. I am also still in contact with two of my music teachers from this school (Aisling Creedon and Una Long McDonagh). They were always amazing to me and supported me with my love for singing.

After secondary school, I went to University College Cork to study drama, with English and philosophy, but after landing the role of Jasmine in The Everyman panto production of Aladdin in 2021/2022, I decided to put that on hold and audition for musical theatre/dance schools in the UK. To my surprise (and joy), I got into Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey. I am now in my second year and loving it.

It was difficult moving away, because I love my family and the comforts of home, but I knew it was important for me to go.

I was lucky enough to have two of the most amazing parents, who made it possible for me to move over and follow my dream.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I must say, I dont normally have many Friday nights off. I work in a bar, while I am in college over in the UK, every Friday and Saturday night, so Im normally the one aiding everyone elses Friday nights-out. And, at the moment, I have a show every Friday night, so I am normally too tired to go out after.

Marion Goggin.

However, on the rare occasion I do have a Friday night off, I normally try and spend it with my boyfriend or friends. I dont really mind whether we stay in or go out.

If I ever have a show the next day, however, that means any kind of alcohol is a no-go! And I am very strict with myself on this, as I know I will not be able to sing the next day.

Lie-ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

Oh, definitely a lie-in, although I dont get many of them! I am up every morning at 7am for college, Monday to Friday, so I do love my lie-ins on the weekends.

Marion Goggin.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes! At the moment, with panto, we have three shows most Saturdays and one show every Sunday. I love being on stage with everyone, though, so I dont mind working on the weekends. When you love what you are doing, it doesnt feel like work.

If money were no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Oh, definitely somewhere in Italy! Maybe Rome! My boyfriend and I have been trying to organise a little getaway for Easter and that would be amazing. I have a feeling, however, that it will more than likely just be us travelling around the UK!

Marion Goggin on stage in a previous panto.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

To be honest, because I am away from home so much lately, just being back at my childhood home is the best place for me to recharge. Its the simple things, like chatting with my mom and home-cooked dinners, that I really miss when I am away.

You take those things for granted when you are used to having them 24/7.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

I try to. But, most of the time, I am pretty tired from doing shows during the week, so I normally just have a pj day and stay in. We do get Mondays and Tuesdays off most weeks from panto, so I try to catch up with the girls then!

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

Well. I often perform many musical theatre numbers to myself in the mirror, if that counts, but other than that my job is my hobby, which I am so extremely grateful for, so I get to indulge in that every week.

Entertain or be entertained? If its the latter, do you have a signature dish?

Oh, definitely entertain! If you ask my parents, they would tell you Ive loved drama ever since I could talk (my dads favourite joke).

My happy place is when I am performing and if I get to entertain people as well, well, then, that is just the icing on then cake.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork. Where are your go-to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

Two of my favorite places in Cork city are Perry Street Cafe (their pancakes are to die for), and Koto (where I always get the Pad Thai with tofu).

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Relaxing! Trying to relieve my feet of some of the pain of dancing in heels all week. I normally just chill in my pjs and read my book or watch a movie with my family. Nothing too exciting, but its exactly what I need.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

At the moment, I have nothing on a Monday morning, thankfully, so it doesnt! But when I am in college, it does go off at 7am, so I can get myself ready to dance, sing, and act from 9am to 6pm.
IN a world as yet unconnected by the internet or social media, radio was a lifeline for many.

Those are the words of Suzy Byrne, daughter of the legendary radio and TV presenter Gay Byrne, who died in 2019.

Suzy has put together a collection of listeners letters from the time her father, fondly known as Gaybo, presented his radio show on RTE, from February 2, 1973, until his retirement in 1998.

Letters To The Gay Byrne Show - A Handwritten History of Ireland is dedicated to all those who put pen to paper to write to him, and in particular those who had the courage to share difficult stories at a time when so many remained unspoken, states Suzy.

Your letters and stories changed Ireland for the better. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

Gay Byrne and daughter Suzy in 2007. Picture: COLLINS

The book details the thoughts of the people of Ireland in those 25 years at the end of the 20th century when the country was changing rapidly.

Historian and broadcaster, John Bowman reflects of Byrnes role as a touchstone for the people: We had the good fortune that we had the right person in the right place at the right time, to play an exceptional role in late 20th-century Irish history.

His radio shows had daily audiences of 850,000 and, as a young housewife and mother myself at the time, I took notice and listened to The Gay Byrne Show while people talked, and he listened.

He read out their letters on air, and the letters in response to them would arrive by the sackful.

It was often an outpouring of grief, shame, pain, misery, and horror. Sometimes, Gay, who was usually non-judgmental, was able to lighten things up.

For the most part, the book by his daughter contains letters from the hidden Ireland. The 1970s, when Gay started his radio jon, was a significant transitional period for people in this country, coming down from the economic high of the 60s, but yet to face the crippling economic recession of the early 80s.

Dear Gay: Letters To The Gay Byrne Show - A Handwritten History of Ireland, compiled by Suzy Byrne.

Uncle Gay, with the mastery of mixing serious topics with light ones, aired all sorts of dilemmas from his listeners.

One reads: I put my Christmas cake in the oven yesterday at 1pm and the electricity went off at 1.45pm. I rang a nearby cookery school and they said not to continue cooking because the fruit will sink to the bottom, but some neighbours said I could re-stir the cake and start again. Would anyone be able to tell me the best thing to do?

Suzy writes: Hopefully, some kind and knowledgeable listener took the time to send a helpful response, as one thing I know for sure. Dad would not have had the slightest notion of how to answer that one!

Many will recall Gays drunken rendition of the Christmas cake recipe, demonstrating his sense of fun, as he added more alcohol to the cake mix, his voice slurring more and more until the cake was complete. In kitchens across the nation, peoples days were made lighter as Gay made us giggle. The show could be both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Suzy emphasises the programme wasnt always sad and depressing, adding: If he did something serious, hed switch between that and something hilarious. It wasnt all doom and gloom.

It was his brilliance at both light and dark that set Gay apart.

The show often set out to find things for people, such as a nice, soft bouncy bed or a particular brand of bra. Cures for snoring and smelly husbands were discussed! We were all transfixed and entertained.

Many of us remember the tragic Ann Rose Lovett, the 15-year-old schoolgirl from Granard, County Longford, who died giving birth beside a grotto on January 31, 1984. Her baby son died at the same time.

Anns death was not only a personal tragedy for her family, but also an infamous public scandal in 1980s Ireland, a scandal that continues to resound to this day.

Some letters that arrived into the Gay Byrne Show were particularly troubling, telling of an Ireland where girls were kept in ignorance and lived in fear.

Letters about tragic Ann Lovett arrived in their droves.

One reads: Dear Sir. It is with a heavy heart that I write. Part of me was sad for what Ann and her baby experienced. Part of me was happy for her little one.

My mum was an illegitimate baby just like Ann was trying to conceal. I watched her suffer to great extremes; being omitted from family occasions and all the snide remarks, not to mention the fact that my mums mother left her behind to go to England, where she married happily and was well off. I was to witness her on holiday - her polite but evasive attitude to my mam.

Is it any wonder that my mam was to die at a very young age in a mental hospital?

Forgive them Lord, for surely, they must not know what they do.

Suzy Byrne did much of her research for Dear Gay during Covid.

I had no idea how big the archive was, she says. For much of it, I was on my own in RTE. Id go in and theyd leave me there with all the boxes out, and Id be on my own.

There was a charitable side to her fathers show too, and Suzy had no idea how much the Gay Byrne Fund changed peoples lives.

One person who benefitted from the fund wrote: You will never know how happy we were to receive your cheque. My kids will be so happy Christmas morning and that means the world to me, just to see my kids faces. I am so happy, you will never know. Only God will reward you. Thank-you sincerely.

Suzy uncovered wonderful personal handwritten letters, sent in from people around the country who confided in Uncle Gay.

The saga of racehorse Shergar, who went missing in Kildare in 1983, provoked much letter writing and discussion, as did the moving statues in Ballinspittle in Cork two years later.

Suzy reveals in the book that after her dads interview with Gordon Wilson, whose beloved daughter, Marie, had been murdered in the Enniskillen bombings in 1987, Gay got death threats.

As a result, he always travelled alone to Donegal where he holidayed every year with family and close friends.

Apart from an insight from people living in the hidden Ireland and the Valley of the Squinting Windows, we get an insight in the book to Gay himself.

He always carried a rosary ring and every evening he went home to play the piano.

Suzy who knew the iconic broadcaster so well, says Gay had a bond with his loyal listeners.

Communication between Gay and his listeners was the cornerstone of his radio show. Here, the listeners felt, was a man they could trust, with whom they could share their troubles, problems, hopes and dreams - from the mundane to the taboo, moments of joy and desperation.

They were opinions and issues they might never have shared with their closest family and friends, but Gays voice - his presence in homes nationwide - was so ubiquitous in their day-to-day lives, that they felt they could trust him.

This book will both trigger nostalgia of times gone by, and will evoke wonderful memories of when the country was enraptured by Gay Byrnes radio show for 25 years.

As Joe Duffy says: The letters in the book are a reminder of Gay Byrnes astonishing contribution to the telling of our national story.

This is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the radical social change Ireland has undergone in recent decades.

Thanks for the memories, Gay.

Dear Gay, Letters To The Gay Byrne Show - A Handwritten History Of Ireland, compiled by Suzy Byrne, published by Gill Books, 20.85.
LISTENING to John Creedon reading out international messages on RTE Radio 1 has become part of many a Christmas morning, with the Cork broadcaster bringing a warmth and sense of Irishness to many of us both at home and far from home.

Its a programme I get anxious about, believe it or believe it not, I always get nervous the night before, the Cork presenter tells The Echo. Its never ready. Im always pacing the place and palpitating before I go on air.

He remembers Christmas Day as a special day and a happy time in his childhood family home on Devonshire Street.

When I think of Christmas as a small boy with my mammy and daddy, they were good, I have to say. I remember being in my bedroom with my brothers Conal and Blake, wed be chatting in the dark and someone would say, because we couldnt sleep, Whatll we talk about? Well talk about Christmas! Like, this could be in February. There was a huge anticipation, even as a child.

He has a theory that there are two sides to Christmas, the red side and the white side.

Its a bit like Santa, the red and white. The red is the taillights in the traffic coming out of supermarkets, its the Christmas lights, its Santa, its the decorations, its the colour, its the hype, its the excitement, its all that stuff.

And then theres the white side, which has been eclipsed by the red side, I would say, and the white side is choirs, altar boys, snow, frost, cold, all those things, so I would like the music on the Christmas Day show to represent a fair share of white as well on the day.

The Christian message of Christmas

He says he wouldnt be what he calls a holy Joe, but the Christian message of Christmas is something to which he would be drawn.

I wouldnt be regular churchgoer, but if I do get a chance Ill nip around and have a look at the cribs. Its an opportunity to contemplate that story of a family in the Middle East being pursued and trying to find shelter.

Every single year I do put up a crib. I dont bother with a Christmas tree or any other decorations like that, but I bought a good crib a couple of years ago, and its got a little water feature and a light and everything in it!

His four Scottish grandchildren will be over from Glasgow for Christmas, and the crib usually ends up with Barbie and a giraffe and Action Man inside in it as well.

With a few days to go, hes still working on his Christmas Day playlist, and some of the songs still hit him.

Theres maybe two or three songs that I include every single year. Ron Sexsmith has a song that comes in under two minutes and its called Maybe This Christmas, and its just so beautiful. He says the song speaks to the longing to reconnect, especially at Christmas time.

It might be someone you fell out with along the way, and Im not telling anyone to do anything, but I do subscribe to the notion  I feel it  that to err is human, were all human, were all fumbling around in the dark, and to forgive is divine. Its wonderful that a prodigal, or someone who upset you, can be welcomed home.

Christmas does afford that opportunity, or it should do, if we come off the carousel.

The tradition of a mid-winter feast long pre-dates Christianity, he says, being an opportunity to step back and take stock, and see whats in the barn, and say, yeah, thatll see us through till March or April, so lets make merry and give thanks, lets keep the old folks warm and see can they get through another winter.

Those things have not gone away, it might be covid or whatever it is this year or some other thing, but well get through this, and the days will get longer and get warmer and away we go again. Its in our DNA.

Repertoire

He doesnt have favourite Christmas carols, he says, but he has built up quite a repertoire over the years.

I could name hundreds of Christmas songs, but that doesnt mean anything. I play songs that I feel have something going on. The show is a long-distance requests programme for the Irish abroad, and everything else from the Irish abroad. Its a musical Urbi et Orbi and its us, the Irish, gathering on the wireless for a couple of hours.

Im playing it to an Irish audience because its 11am and I know theyre coming from Mass or going to grannys, or some fellas waking up who hates Christmas but doesnt mind yer man Creedon.

I might play a choir like Bo Holten from Copenhagen, I might go for a Spanish choir, I was thinking Kacey Musgraves, an unlikely candidate, really, has the most beautiful version of Feliz Navidad.

I could do anything, I could play one in Russian, usually theres a representation of the world. It could be a Hawaiian Christmas. I could even go with something completely naff like a Bing Crosby or something, but the ones that are overplayed I avoid.

That said, Fairytale of New York will have to get an outing this year, he says, just to remember Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl.

I love things like Prokofievs Troika, from Lieutenant Kije, a troika being a three-horse open sleigh. Im going to draw in a lot of the white side of Christmas, maybe to complement the Ella Fitzgeralds or the Dean Martins, and I play them for familiaritys sake or nostalgias sake.

The 'white side'

Its a very hard thing to define, but in as much as there is science behind it, thats what it is, to some degree Im trying to represent the white side of Christmas. So choirs, it might be something like Altan, they did some beautiful work, so did Bryan Duggan, the flautist, he did some beautiful, frosty tunes.

We Follow That Star is another, you know its Christmas but its not going Ding dong dingly ding ding, you know? he laughs.

And then theres the messages, theres always more than I can handle, but Ill try to get through them over the coming days. Theres always more than I can handle. Thats the nature of the business. Itd be called narrow-casting otherwise.

He says the Christmas show is something he feels appeals to a particular time and a particular feeling at Christmas.

Its a bit like my crib, in ways! Its full of action and activity and giraffes and all of that stuff but equally Id like to think that its rooted in something decent.

Creedons Christmas airs at 11am on Christmas morning, on RTE Radio 1
IN 2013, Cork Penny Dinners was serving about 100 meals a week. Now, a decade later, it regularly serves over 1,000 meals every day, marking an astonishing 6,900% increase over 10 years in demand for its services.

Were well over 1,000 meals a day now, were all shattered, to be honest, and Christmas always sees demand go way up, says Caitriona Twomey as she mostly ignores her cup of tea. All around her is the Monday midday bustle of Penny Dinners as the lunchtime rush is starting.

Ms Twomey, who has been volunteer co-ordinator with Penny Dinners for two decades, sat down to take a break and to talk to The Echo, but there is a queue of people making donations to the charity and she says they rely solely on the generosity of donors. Between incoming calls and pinging with messages, her phone never stops.

Its all go, especially coming up to the Christmas, but people are so good, they just want to help out, and we wouldnt be able to do any of this without the support of the people of Cork, and often beyond Cork too, she says.

Well be inundated with calls on Christmas morning. I would expect that we will do well over 1,500 meals on Christmas Day.

Caitriona Twomey with donated chocolates and boxes of crisps Christmas fayre at Cork Penny Dinners. Picture Denis Minihane.

Sit-down Christmas dinners will be served in the Croi na Laoi wellness centre on James Street from 9am until 2pm, with takeaway meals served from Penny Dinners on Little Hanover Street.

The sheer volume of service users coming to Penny Dinners every day means that sit-down meals have not been possible on Little Hanover Street since before covid-19, but the James Street premises will be open again this year for Christmas festivities.

Well have music from the Barrack Street Brass and Reed Band, and well have the High Hopes Choir with special guest Hank Wedel. Well have some surprise guests dropping in as well, and Santa will be arriving at Kent Station on the Polar Express before joining us with gifts for everybody, says Ms Twomey.

Bishop Fintan Gavin always drops in and supports us on Christmas morning, and its always good to see him.

Its very important that there will be a real family feel to the day, for those that dont have family, theyll have us there.

There are a lot of people who find Christmas a very difficult and lonesome time, so they will have us so they can sit around and enjoy the atmosphere with us.

'A very special day'

Legend in the city has it that Penny Dinners goes back to the soup kitchens founded in Famine times by the Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, when a meal of a quart of soup and half-loaf of bread cost a penny, but in reality the history of Penny Dinners in Cork probably dates to 1888.

Even if the charity does not directly have its roots in the Famine, there are historical resonances to be found. It is a recorded fact that in February of 1847 the soup kitchen on Adelaide Street was serving 1,400 meals a day, at a penny each, and such was the demand for soup in a city of 80,000 people that a faster method of heating food had to be devised, with steam diverted from Ebenezer Pikes adjacent shipyard and blasted into the vats of soup.

The kitchen in Penny Dinners is fully modern and clean as a whistle, but from before dawn on Christmas morning it too will be full of clatter and steam as volunteers get ready for the big day.

For the volunteers, as much as anyone else, Christmas Day is a very special day, and they are all so, so dedicated to the work we do. To me, the volunteers are the heroes of Cork Penny Dinners,says Ms Twomey.

Increase in demand

A decade ago, Penny Dinners was serving around 100 meals a week, and typically the people using its services tended to be older and more often than not men, often people who were living with addictions.

In the years since, the numbers calling to Little Hanover Street have skyrocketed and most days now the charity will serve 1,000 meals or more, which represents an increase of around 6,900%.

Croi na Laoi wellness Centre where Christmas dinner will take place at Cork Penny Dinners.

Volunteers have noted in recent years a pronounced change in the demographics of the people they meet. Penny Dinners still has people calling who are living with addictions, but now the charitys volunteers are seeing, more and more, working people who are struggling to make ends meet, young people with families, and professionals under pressure to meet mortgage or rent payments.

Theres no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis has only made things worse for people, with bills being so high that they have no choice but to come to us, so they come and we look after them. We have sometimes people who will come to us for a sandwich on their way to work, and we try and make them feel welcome, says Ms Twomey.

On Christmas morning on Little Hanover Street and on James Street, all will be made welcome, and treated to a slap-up Christmas meal.

The River Lee Hotel will supply the dinners, as it does every year, and everyone at Penny Dinners is extremely grateful to general manager Ruairi OConnor and his staff for their unfailing generosity. The meals during the day will be from the River Lee Hotel, and Michael Turtle will supply a fleet of cars from Exec Cars, as he always does, to deliver food all over the city.

Its always a great day for service users and volunteers, and well finish up about 2pm, because then well have the clean-up afterwards, and well have to get ready for the next morning too. And people will want to get home to their own dinners then.

That said, Ms Twomey adds that nobody will be turned away from the door, even if they do arrive a bit late.

As always, she says, the charity lives by its motto: We never judge, we serve.
MULTIPLE cars in the Mahon area have had their windscreens smashed after a crowd of youths targeted cars by throwing stones from the footbridge on the N40 South Ring Road.

Sinn Fein local area representative for Mahon and former Lord Mayor Chris OLeary confirmed that it was a problem, saying that similar issues had occurred elsewhere in Mahon.

He told The Echo: A number of people on the main Skehard Rd were battered with stones and eggs, and I am aware complaints were made locally around the footbridge that goes over the main South Ring Road, that similar activities were taking place as well.

When asked if the area had a history of such issues, OLeary replied: Intermittently around Halloween we had incidents, but nothing in the last number of years as serious as this.

Chris O'Leary of Sinn Fein. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

He confirmed that damage has been done to cars, adding: A number of parents had children in the car with them, coming back from their kids play or clubs training, its a busy time as people use the roads to access Mahon Point.

Its not fun  its dangerous, OLeary said, explaining that a car could swerve or break to avoid a rock and cause a collision with another car or cars.

'HUGE CONSEQUENCES'

He continued: Parents need to talk to their youngsters to make them aware that such activity has huge consequences.

Fatalities could be the outcome of the actions, especially at the festive time  wed like to think everybody would be able to sit at the table for Christmas dinner together.

If this is what they think is fun, they should know its actually quite lethal. It has huge consequences to the safety of everybody whos a road user  parents depend on being able to drive their cars without having such activities impeding their safety and the safety of others.

I am calling on parents to make sure their children arent involved in such activities, the last thing they want coming up to Christmas is a serious accident, and gardai coming to their homes to interview them and their children.

He explained that some of those involved are using slingshots and laser beams to point towards their targets.

Such items are not legal, he said. They are high-powered kill traps, and there have been reports of young people using them on animals and birds. Parents should be aware of the dangers of such types of equipment. Some might think its only a child using it to play, but this is not talking about the wishbone of a tree and an elastic band  they are high-powered and parents at this time of year should restrain from buying and purchasing them.

A Garda spokesperson told The Echo that they attended the Estuary Drive area of Mahon on December 19 in relation to an incident but no offences were disclosed to An Garda Siochana upon arrival in the area.

Donnchadh O Laoghaire, a Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, condemned the behaviour of those involved in the stone-throwing.

Its highly dangerous, and those involved in it have to think about the consequences of their actions, he said.

Gardai are aware of this situation and are addressing it to the best of their ability.
A MIDLETON mental health facility will not reopen following Octobers severe flooding, it has been confirmed.

The HSE first announced its intention to close the Owenacurra facility in June 2021, and just six of the original 20 occupants remained at the East Cork centre before it flooded in October this year.

Residents were moved to temporary hotel accommodation, where they have remained since. Their family members recently received a letter from interim head of mental health services at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Julie ONeill, informing them that the Owenacurra Centre would not be reopening following flood damage.

The letter, seen by The Echo, told family members that following the flooding on October 18, a full assessment of the centre was carried out by an independent engineer.

The outcome of the assessment was that it would not be possible to reinstate the centre.

However, CKCH has confirmed that a pair of three-bed mental health community residences planned for Midleton will be ready in the coming months.

Ms ONeill acknowledged the worrying time this has been for residents and their families but confirmed that the Lauriston premises is nearing completion and that visits to the property will be arranged shortly.

A CKCH spokesperson said it is expected that the first property will be completed in early quarter one of 2024 and hoped the second property will be completed in Q2.

The spokesperson said the purchase of the second property is progressing well and drawings are being finalised in terms of refurbishment works required.

'EXCITING DEVELOPMENT'

A spokesperson for CKCH told The Echo: The provision of new community residences is an exciting development for mental health services in the area, and will allow for people to access appropriate residential services within the Midleton community.

These community residences will operate to the same model as other mental health community residences, with 24-hour staffing providing high-quality, appropriate care. The residents will be supported by the Community Rehabilitation Team.

In relation to the residents of the Owenacurra Centre affected by the recent flooding of Midleton town, we are seeking interim accommodation for them, but in the meantime, we are satisfied with the location and quality of their alternative accommodation.

The residents wish to remain in the Midleton area whilst they await the completion of their new homes.

We thank the team supporting them for their commitment to the residents and for providing continuous care. We are in regular contact with the residents, their families (where appropriate) and the Mental Health Commission.

Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide said it was very sad to hear that the Owenacurra Centre will not reopen in its current form.

My understanding is that the relocation to hotel accommodation has been handled sensitively by the HSE, he said. Its imperative that they now follow through on their commitments to a second house purchase in Midleton and the 10-bed new build facility on the Owenacurra Centre site.
AS Christmas approaches and people focus more on the festivities, one Gaeltacht Mhuscrai-based priest is in the midst of celebrating nine Masses up to Christmas Day.

Fr Sean Mac Carthaigh is the parish priest in Baile Mhuirne/Cuil Aodha and Cill na Martra/Reidh na nDoiri in the Gaeltacht and administrator for Clondrohid/Carriganima parish.

Speaking to The Echo this week, Fr Mac Carthaigh said that his unusually high number of Masses over a short period was mainly due to the fact that Christmas Day was falling on a Monday this year, and he also acknowledged the lack of clergy as a backdrop to the situation.

Fr Mac Carthaigh said that he and other priests around the Diocese of Cloyne had been granted permission by Bishop William Crean to discuss with their parish pastoral councils how best to allocate Christmas Masses to churches within each parish.

I discussed it with the Cill na Martra Pastoral Council and they understand the situation so, this year, for the first time, there will be no Mass on Christmas morning in Cill na Martra, it will be in Reidh na nDoiri [which is in the same parish] instead, he said.

There will be a vigil Mass in Cill na Martra on Christmas Eve  and that is a change.

The Parish Priest of Baile Mhuirne/Cuil Aodha and Cill na Martra/Reidh na nDoiri and the administrator of Clondrohid/Carriganima, an tAthair Sean MacCarthaigh, will be celebrating 9 masses over Christmas weekend from Saturday until Monday.

Fr Mac Carthaigh said he would be celebrating a Mass on Christmas morning, two vigil Masses, one in Baile Mhuirne and the other in Cill na Martra on Christmas Eve, two Masses on Sunday morning (Christmas Eve), two midnight Masses, and two Masses on Christmas Day.

He said there would be similarly high concentration of Masses on January 6 (the Epiphany), as it falls on a Saturday.

I feel the pressure  its manageable, and the fact that theyre so close together is the problem this year, he said.

It wouldnt be as condensed when the days are separated out.

Diocese of Cloyne secretary Fr Jim Moore said people should consult their local parochial newsletter to find out arrangements in their own communities. There will be a Christmas Day Mass in every parish, but not every church, he said.

He said the issue regarding the number of clergy in the diocese was not a particular concern at present, though he acknowledged that it was part of an ongoing conversation.

He said he had been pleasantly surprised to find out that there were more than 60 people studying for the priesthood in Ireland at present, a number which combines candidates from different dioceses and various orders.

In the Diocese of Cork and Ross, Fr Tom Hayes said most parishes would have a similar programme of Masses to last year.
A VACANT site in Ballyphehane falling into disrepair looks set for a new lease of life following a recent planning decision.

Cork City Council has granted conditional planning permission for a restaurant and takeaway at the disused ground floor of a building on Pearse Square.

The application was lodged back in the summer by Injamamul Haque who sought permission for the development at number five Pearse Square, which was previously occupied by OSullivans Off Licence but has been vacant for a number of years.

A description of the development said it would include seating for approximately 20 people and a takeaway element.

The new restaurant, which will be called Wok N Fair, is expected to employ six staff members on site.

Cork City Council sought some further information before making a decision on the application.

In relation to parking and traffic, the response to the further information request stated that it is not expected that vehicle movements will have any significant impact on the existing traffic conditions within the immediate vicinity of the site.

The proposed development will serve a local catchment area and will be in use outside peak traffic or parking periods.

The requirement for parking will be minimal and the majority of those accessing the site will be doing so on a time-sensitive basis, the response continued.

Regarding concerns raised about anti-social behaviour within the immediate vicinity in observations submitted on the proposed development, the response to the further information request said the development would make use of a vacant site falling into disrepair.

Cork City Council has now granted permission for the new establishment, subject to 10 conditions.

One condition stipulates that, in order to safeguard the amenities of the area, with regard to new material impacts that could arise from other kinds of fast food / takeaway outlets, use of the premises shall be as a takeaway restaurant only and no change of use including as a standalone takeaway or fast-food outlet of another kind, shall take place without a prior grant of planning permission.

Another states that the use of the premises as a hot food takeaway restaurant must cease on or before a period of five years to enable the effect of the development on the residential amenities of the area to be reviewed having regard to the circumstances then prevailing.
Some 150 children from all corners of Cork came decked out in their most festive gear to attend a Christmas jumper party hosted by Tusla Fora Cork.

The organisation said the event, which took place recently in the Metropole Hotel, was held to celebrate all that is wonderful about children in care and their foster families.

On the day, there was face painting, nail painting and sweet treats galore, and even Santa got into the groove as RedFMs Stevie G provided music to help spread the Christmas cheer.

We had a wonderful day celebrating with the young people in our care and our foster carers in the run up to Christmas, regional chief officer of Tusla South, Anne Ryan, said.

Everyone made a great effort with their Christmas jumpers and the festive atmosphere kicked off the Christmas spirit.

We would like to thank our foster carers for all they do, they are instrumental to our work and provide support and safety to young people who need it most.

Santa had very kind words for the children of Cork and assured them that he would most certainly be paying a visit on Christmas Eve.

Tusla said it looks forward to celebrating the Christmas jumper party as an annual event with the care community in Cork.

Currently there are 450 families who foster in Cork.

Tusla holds monthly online information sessions for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer.

To register or to find out more information about fostering, visit fostering.ie, freephone 1800 226 771 or email tusla.fostering@tusla.ie.
Bus Eireann is warning of delays on its Cork city and suburban services today.

It says that delays upwards of one hour are expected on all Cork City and suburban services until at least 8pm this evening.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, it said the delays are due to heavy traffic congestion throughout the network.

Delays upwards of one hour are expected on all Cork City and Suburban services from noon until at least 8pm this evening, due to heavy traffic congestion throughout the network.  Bus Eireann (@Buseireann) December 22, 2023

Christmas service

Bus Eireann is expecting a busy weekend and is encouraging passengers to plan their journeys in advance and check the updated timetables on the Bus Eireann website, www.buseireann.ie.

Bus Eireann services will operate to normal schedules until December 23, marking one of the busiest travel weeks as passengers from across Ireland and beyond travel home for the festive season.

On Christmas Eve, services will operate to a Sunday timetable, with earlier final departures, while city, town, commuter, and rural services will operate to a Sunday service, with last departures at about 9pm.

The last departure time for the route 40 Expressway eastbound from Cork on Christmas Eve will be at 8.40pm, with the last departure time for the route 40 Expressway westbound from Cork on Christmas Eve at 7pm.

There will be no Bus Eireann services operating on Christmas Day.

On St Stephens Day, services will operate based on Bank Holiday/ Sunday service timetables, commencing around 9am, and passengers planning to travel are encouraged to check the timetable for their routes.

Cork City will operate a full Sunday service, except for route 220, with services on route 220 commencing after 7am and operating as normal thereafter.

The first Expressway departure times for route 51 northbound from Cork on St Stephens morning will be 7.25am.

From December 27, services will operate to normal timetables through to New Years Eve.

New Year's Day services Services on New Years Day will operate to a Sunday schedule, and a full normal timetable on Bus Eireann services will resume from January 2.

Pre-booking

Bus Eireann chief executive Stephen Kent said that the Christmas and new year period is the busiest time of year for Bus Eireann services, and the company was delighted to provide an extensive schedule up to and during the Christmas season to meet the travel needs of its customers.

Bus Eireann has facilitated over 99m passenger journeys in 2023, and we know that many of our customers will be using our services during the Christmas season whether travelling home, visiting family and friends, shopping, or working over the festive period, said Mr Kent.

We advise those planning to travel over the festive period to plan their journeys in advance and check our website for up-to-date timetables and travel information. See buseireann.ie for full timetable details.
A Cork doctor has encouraged older people in Cork to try to keep to their routines at Christmas and make sure to get some activity during the day.

In a new video, consultant geriatrician Dr Bart Daly, who works at the Older Persons Hub at St Finbarrs in Cork city, shared advice for older people.

With all the nice things we do at Christmas, which are really important, its good to make sure youre getting enough hydration, keeping taking your medications and getting some activity during the days, he said.

Dr Daly said that this is also a good time of year for people to take stock of their own health and set some goals for 2024 related to living well, including considering group exercise classes like Staying Fit for the Future or getting involved in local social activities such as Mens Sheds, Active Retirement group and other community health initiatives.

It comes as the HSE this week urged the public to protect themselves and others, particularly vulnerable people, from illness this Christmas as they are seeing a significant increase in ED attendance and admission in patients over 75.

"As we enter the Christmas period and look forward to families and friends spending time together, there are a few simple things we can do to protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable. You should stay home when you are unwell, avoid people with symptoms, wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes," the HSE said.
A 27-year-old man took only nine minutes to breach a barring order served on him not to approach his mother or put her in fear.

Yesterday, he was remanded in custody for sentencing on the charge.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, indicated that he was pleading guilty to putting his mother in fear by breaching the barring order.

Mr Buttimer said he was aware that the complainant wished to give evidence in respect of her son. At an earlier hearing she wept as he was remanded in custody.

The solicitor said to Judge Mary Dorgan at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court, I would ask you to note a plea of guilty and also note that he did not seek bail. That was the case two days ago and it remains the position.

Judge Dorgan remanded the young man in custody for sentencing on January 4.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the victim would be given an opportunity to prepare a victim impact statement.

Garda Darragh Dineen testified on December 19 at a sitting of the court on that day to deal with the case that he served a copy of the barring order on the young man at 1.10 p.m. that day.

Garda Dineen said he received a call at 1.19 p.m. from the complainant to say that her son was outside the house with a ladder, putting it up to various windows in the house, and putting her in fear.

Garda Dineen explained that he served the order on the accused at the house and he agreed to leave peacefully and said he would not return but he returned and breached the order nine minutes later.

He made his way to the rear of the property, banged on the window and called his mother names. He smashed the ladder against the back window, Garda Dineen said.

At that first court appearance on Tuesday, the accused made an application for bail but moments into the evidence he withdrew his application.

I want to go to prison, the 27-year-old said.

At this his mother cried.

As Judge Dorgan explained matters to the complainant, she said towards the end of the hearing, You are the alleged victim.

The accused turned to his mother and repeated from the dock, You are the alleged victim.

Mr Buttimer said, It is a rather emotional situation.
Children from across Cork city showed off their chess moves at a special event in City Hall recently.

The Festival of Chess, organised by Cork City Libraries, saw the Tory Top Titans crowned as winners ahead of the Blarney Castles, who earned second place, and the Ballincollig Knights, who scooped third.

The contest saw young representatives of the city battle it out for three rounds over a two-hour period.

While chess was the order of the day, there were other awards too, including for the best Christmas jumper.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, presented the prizes, highlighting the unexpected chess pieces.

They featured the city coat-of-arms in the form of two rooks, or castles, and the interposed ship-of-life sailing between them.

Chess has become increasingly popular in Cork over the years with the Cork Chess Club bringing together a passionate community of players in the city. See www.corkchess.ie for more.
THE investigation into the case against a Ukrainian refugee accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukranian man with whom she had been socialising in Cork was described as ongoing and so far the file has not been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis was responding to a question from the defence at Cork District Court in respect of the incident on October 10.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said, Could I ask, what progress is being made.

Sgt. Davis replied, The file is ongoing. It has not been sent to the DPP.

The sergeant applied to Judge Mary Dorgan to adjourn the case until January 11 with the accused remanded in continuing custody.

Mr Buttimer expressed the hope that there would be progress on the file by January 11 and reminded the judge that the accused had chosen not to appeal against the decision to refuse bail in her case.

43-year-old Kseniia Vasylenko of Cork Airport hotel appeared by video link from prison and said, Thank you very much, goodbye, as the brief hearing concluded.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan charged her last month with dangerous driving of a Hyundai Alantra at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on Sunday morning, October 8. It was alleged that she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

In the original bail application, the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT and working with the resistance in this capacity. She said she had been working with the local authority in central Ukraine and was now living in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

I did not want to leave my country. I love my country. I made the decision to come here to save my life and the life of my son. I came across Poland, Romania, Moldova, to Dublin City West to here. I have been in Cork since December 2022. I have been in the airport hotel in accommodation centre".

Detective Garda Brennan said, I think there is a real possibility she would leave the jurisdiction if given bail.
Claire Henry and Eimear Dodd

A Circuit Court judge who was a form teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been found guilty of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault against six complainants in the 1990s.

Gerry OBrien (59) made no reaction when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court on Friday. The jury deliberated for seven hours and 37 minutes.

The four-week trial came to its closing stages this week with Mr Justice Alexander Owens delivering his charge to the jury.

OBrien, of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Co Dublin.

He was in his 30s at the time of the alleged offences, while the six complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

During the trial, the court heard OBrien was appointed a Circuit Court judge in 2015 and had worked as a solicitor for over 20 years before his appointment.

It was the prosecution case that the six complainants were each and separately the victim of sexual misconduct perpetrated by OBrien between 1991 and 1997.

OBrien was teaching in a secondary school at the time, and four of the complainants were students.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Eimear Dodd and Claire Henry

A Circuit Court judge who was also a former teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been convicted of the sexual abuse of six young men almost 30 years ago.

Gerard OBrien (59), of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary, had pleaded not guilty before the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants, some of whom were his students.

The four-week trial heard that the offences occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Dublin.

OBrien was in his 30s at the time of the offences, while the complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

The jury in the trial returned the verdicts today after seven hours and 34 minutes of deliberations.

OBrien had denied all of the charges against him, and made no reaction as the verdicts were handed down in court.

Five of the six complaints in the trial were present in court and were surrounded by their loved ones. When the verdicts were delivered, the complaints and their families cried and embraced each other.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens thanked the jurors for their service and excused them from jury duty for 15 years as a mark of the court's appreciation for their work.

He noted that he would have put OBrien into custody only for the special circumstances surrounding him. OBrien suffers from Phocomelia, which is a rare birth defect which can affect the upper and/or lower limbs, and is missing both hands and one foot.

The judge said OBrien is now automatically on the sex offender register.

Mr Justice Owens directed the preparation of victim impact statements and remanded the defendant on continuing bail until sentencing on March 4th.

Sexual misconduct

Opening the prosecution's case, Anne-Marie Lawlor, SC, told the jury that this case involves six complainants who say they were each and separately the victim of sexual misconduct perpetrated by the accused man between 1991 and 1997.

OBrien was teaching in a secondary school at the time, and four of the complainants were students. The other two complainants knew him from his home town.

The six complainants, now in their 40s and early 50s, gave evidence. Some became emotional and upset while recounting their experiences.

Five of the men said they woke up to find OBrien performing sexual acts on them, to which they insisted they had not consented.

Of these complainants, four said they woke to the man performing oral sex on them, with the fifth saying he woke to the man licking his face and pressing his penis against his buttocks.

The court heard OBrien would ask students from the secondary school at which he taught to assist him in going to the toilet.

During the trial, the jury heard from many of the complainants that they stayed in OBriens homes to help him get dressed and shaved in the morning.

One of these five complainants also said the accused attempted to rape him anally. The final complainants allegation related to an act of masturbation in the toilets of a pub.

Each of the complainants said they had been drinking alcohol, as had the accused.

Complaints

During their evidence, the complainants were each asked why they did not make a complaint to gardai earlier.

Some said they had compartmentalised the incidents. Others spoke of shame or embarrassment.

The third complainant to give evidence to the jury said he did not want anyone to find out what happened. It was an extremely intimate action being taken in a manner I never consented to in the first instance. I wanted to keep it to myself.

The sixth complainant said: I put it in a block of cement in my mind, and I didnt think about it.

During his evidence, the sixth complainant told the prosecution that he googled OBrien and found out that he was a Circuit Court judge, which was one of the reasons he decided to make a complaint to the gardai.

OBrien was interviewed voluntarily by gardai and initially denied any sexual contact with all complainants.

In later interviews, he said sexual interactions had occurred with three of the complainants.

In his direct evidence, he said he lied to gardai initially because of shame.

The idea of being charged with a sexual assault frightened me beyond reason. I went into a sort of blind panic about it all, he said.

OBrien acknowledged that having students at his home and in his bed was inappropriate and should not have happened.

He gave evidence of sexual contact with three of the complainants but denied any sexual interaction with the rest.

I don't accept I groomed anyone.

During cross-examination, OBrien was asked if his position is that the six complainants were lying, to which he replied: Mistaken in some cases.

He did not accept Ms Lawlor's suggestion he was a person who tells lies, nor that he was lying to the jury.

He denied that he groomed a number of the complainants, saying: I don't accept I groomed anyone.

The first complainant to give evidence told the jury that he was a student at the school where the accused worked, and in November 1997, he stayed in the accuseds home.

OBrien suggested he sleep in the bed, and while the young man thought this was unusual, he went along with it.

The young man woke to a rustling in his boxers and initially believed that OBrien might be touching him in his sleep.

A short time later, he again felt touching. OBrien then shuffled down in the bed, and his mouth made contact with the young mans penis.

The complainant said he froze. Approximately 30 seconds later, he said OBrien again tried to use his mouth to make contact with his penis.

The man is unsure if contact was made as he jumped out of the bed. He said he was in total shock and left the apartment.

This complainant disagreed with the defences suggestion that no sexual assault occurred and that if anything had happened, it was something someone was doing while asleep.

In his evidence, OBrien accepted this complainant had slept in his bed but denied any sexual encounter.

He said he fell asleep and woke up to the teenager leaving the apartment, but did not know why.

He said he became concerned that this complainant should not have been in his house while driving to work the next day.

'Froze'

The second complainant to give evidence said the incident took place during his first year of college in 1991.

He said he was asleep on the floor of the man's bedroom when he woke to OBrien performing oral sex on him. He said he froze due to shock and to avoid waking another friend in the room.

The then 18-year-old said he turned onto his side, and OBrien mirrored his movement before moving his penis against my back, bottom and hips.

He said he did not react and was not sure if the man was aware he was awake.

This complainant rejected the defences position that OBrien felt his penis on his back and took this as an invitation to be intimate.

He did not accept the defences suggestion that OBrien performed oral sex, and believed he was an active participant.

He reiterated he was asleep and said the incident occurred completely out of the blue.

In his evidence, OBrien said he was in a spooning position with the second complainant, who was in the bed, as both were freezing.

I could feel his penis against my back, and I performed oral sex on him in my bed.

He said this complainant turned away from him and continued to masturbate while he rubbed himself against the sheets.

The third complainant said he went to a friends house in early 1994, and OBrien was also there.

He said he had been drinking and fell asleep in a bed beside OBrien. This complainant said he woke up to his face and neck being licked by OBrien.

He said OBriens foot was grappling with his boxer shorts. He said OBriens penis was hard against the top part of his bottom, and he was gyrating against me.

He said he was initially frozen, then noticed OBriens eyes were closed. He elbowed him at least seven times, telling the accused he was really disappointed. OBrien did not respond and turned away.

During cross-examination, he said he did not confront OBrien the next morning and expressed doubt that anyone could sleep through seven elbows.

He rejected the defences suggestion that something happened while OBrien was asleep. I dont believe he could be asleep while thrusting against someone, he said.

No recollection

In his evidence, OBrien said he has no recollection of being at a house with this complainant, and further denied any sexual encounter had taken place.

The fourth complainant to give evidence said OBrien was a teacher at his school.

He said he stayed at OBriens house in late 1995 and woke to find his boxer shorts had been pulled down and the accused performing oral sex on him.

He said he was in shock. He orgasmed, and the accused told him: Its your turn now. He then performed oral sex on the teacher.

Mr O'Higgins asked him during cross-examination that there were four incidents of mutual and consensual oral sex between him and his client, during which he was wide awake. The complainant disagreed with this.

During his evidence, OBrien said he became over-reliant on the fourth complainant and admitted being infatuated.

He said this complainant stayed at his apartment in January 1996, and there was hugging and talking.

I noticed he had an erection. I went down on him. He ejaculated, then he did the same for me, and I ejaculated.

The man said he did not agree with this complainants evidence.

The fifth complainant was also a student at the school where the accused was a teacher.

He recalled visiting the mans house and said there was a playfulness to the accuseds behaviour during his first visit.

He said he went to a local pub after his Leaving Certificate, and the accused man was there.

He was asked by OBrien to assist him in going to the toilet. While the man was holding OBriens penis and assisting him to urinate, OBrien began to move his penis against the young man's hand. He described it as OBrien masturbating into my hand during this incident in the toilets of the pub.

The man said OBrien then began to lean into him and pinned him against the wall of the cubicle. OBrien had his face up against the young mans face, and OBrien then kissed him on the neck or cheek.

He asked him to stop, but it only ended when a door opened.

OBrien denied sexually assaulting the fifth complainant. In his evidence, he said he could not recall going to this pub.

'Jump in here'

The final complainant said he stayed at OBriens house one night when he was in fifth year of school. When he went upstairs, he saw the spare bedroom but went into OBriens room and got him undressed.

The man told OBrien he was going to the spare room, but OBrien said there was no need and to jump in here. The man described being uncomfortable with this but got into bed.

The man told the jury that it was his plan to wait until OBrien fell asleep and then go into the spare room. However, the young man fell asleep, and he woke later to OBrien performing oral sex on him. He said he turned around to lie on his stomach.

He then told the court that OBrien climbed up on top of my back and manoeuvred his penis towards his buttocks. He said he was frozen and added: I couldnt do a thing, and he was trying to penetrate my backside, my anus.

He rejected the defences suggestion that he moved closer to OBrien. This complainant also dismissed the defences contention that OBrien began to perform oral sex, but stopped and didnt attempt anal sex.

In his direct evidence, OBrien said he felt this complainants arm roll across me, and then he rubbed his leg.

He said he assumed rightly or wrongly that he wanted to engage in something intimate and then started to perform oral sex but stopped.

He also denied attempting to have anal sex with this complainant.

Closing arguments

In her closing speech, Ms Lawlor asked the jury to consider whether there is an inherent unlikelihood that several people would make similar allegations against the same person.

Prosecuting counsel suggested it is a significant factor that the accused made a very considered and deliberate decision to lie repeatedly to gardai for no reason but to protect himself.

She said the complainants had each given compelling and credible evidence about the alleged incidents.

While the complainants had the legal capacity to give consent, in five of these incidents, each individual told you they woke up to sexual engagement they hadnt consented to as they were asleep, Ms Lawlor said.

In his closing speech, Mr OHiggins told the jury that his client's decision to initially lie to gardai was partly because he was terrified by the allegations.

He said while his client has lied, this could not mean that you cant take what he says on board and give it the scrutiny it deserves.

Defence counsel asked jurors to look at inconsistencies in the complainants evidence, suggesting their memories of events may not be reliable due to the passage of time. He asked them to consider if other evidence supports his clients version of events.

Defence counsel said his client had acknowledged completely inappropriate contact with some students.

No doubt there was a weakness here, that has resulted in calamitous consequences.

Charge

In his charge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury the case boils down to whether or not they accept the evidence of the witnesses.

He told them that they are not permitted to infer anything from the fact that the man is facing a number of charges, and they must consider each count individually.

During the trial, there were several robust exchanges about when or if the jury should be made aware of OBriens most recent profession as a Circuit Court judge.

Prosecuting counsel argued that OBriens profession is no different to any other profession for our purpose, and it would be against common sense to deprive the jury of this information.

Defence counsel argued this was unnecessary information to include in the opening speech, and while jurors would be repulsed to hear a teacher had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old student, they might be horrified if they became aware of his most recent job.

Mr Justice Owens ruled that OBriens most recent profession could not be mentioned in the opening speech but added that it was likely to emerge during evidence, and the jury was entitled to be told at this point.

This issue emerged again before each complainant was asked why they decided to make a complainant, as some mentioned his recent profession as a judge in their statements to gardai.

Mr Justice Owens noted there is no rule that a persons occupation may be withheld from the jury. He said OBriens occupation may be relevant to the complainants explanations of why they decided to speak to gardai, but noted that it is neither here nor there in relation to the alleged incidents.

Only the sixth complainant referred to the mans most recent profession as a judge when explaining his decision to make a complaint.

One juror was discharged on the seventh day after receiving bad news. Another juror was later discharged after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

After hearing submissions from counsel, Mr Justice Owens decided the trial would proceed with 10 jurors.
4 December 2023 The EIBs EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Fund approves its first project after greenlighting 25 million for Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV to support small and medium businesses in Ukraine and Moldova.

26 April 2023 Italy becomes the first country to lend its support to the EU4U Fund after pledging 100 million to back reconstruction and recovery in the country. On 13 June 2023 the European Commission agrees to an EU guarantee enabling the EIB to provide Ukraine with 100 million in new loans to address the countrys urgent recovery needs, such as repairing damaged municipal or energy infrastructure.

29 March 2023 The EIBs Board of Directors approves EU for Ukraine (EU4U), an initiative to finance reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine. As part of the initiative, the EIB establishes a fund enabling the European Commission, EU Member States and other donors to support reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine. Known as the EU for Ukraine Fund, it provides enhanced credit to EIB loans for both public and private sector investment.

14 December 2022 At the Paris conference for the resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine, EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwinska confirms further expansion of the EIBs financial and advisory support for Ukraines recovery and EU accession. The EIB Institute also donates another 1 million to support Ukrainian family-style orphanages and purchase ambulances, fire trucks and generators for Ukraine.

12 October 2022 The EIB Group disburses an additional 550 million of immediate assistance to Ukraine to address its most urgent needs. These funds are part of the second 1.59 billion package of the EIBs Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response developed in close cooperation with the European Commission. Following a first disbursement on 15 September from this package, the disbursed amount will help Ukraine cover urgent financing needs, restore some of the most critical damaged infrastructure, resume the provision of municipal services and support cities in the process of recovering basic functions and basic services for the population. To this day, the EIB Group has disbursed in total 1.7 billion to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. The EIB Institute also announces an aid of 95 000 for two additional projects.

25 July 2022 The EIB Board, supported by the EU Commission, approves 1.59 billion of EU financial assistance for Ukraine.

18 May 2022 The EIB Board of Directors approves a 4 billion credit line to help national authorities, cities, regions and local communities in all EU Member States address urgent investment needs and help welcome and integrate people fleeing the war against Ukraine. The EIB credit line follows the pledge announced by President Werner Hoyer on 9 April 2022 at Stand Up for Ukraine, a global campaign for pledging funds for Ukraine and its refugees. The credit line will be complemented by the EMBRACE Advisory Platform, supported by InvestEU Advisory Hub, JASPERS and fi-compass initiatives, and helping EU Member States to better address infrastructure needs.

9 April 2022 At Stand Up For Ukraine, a global fundraising event to support the victims of the Russian invasion, the EIB pledges an additional 4 billion to support Ukrainian war refugees in EU Member States. The new package will finance key social infrastructure, including housing, schools, hospitals and kindergartens.

4 April 2022 The EIB fully disburses the initial emergency solidarity package for Ukraine, within a month of its approval. The package includes 668 million in immediate assistance for the Ukrainian authorities. The EIB Institute also donates 2.5 million for humanitarian aid to help people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
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If you'd previously purchased Discovery shows from the PlayStation Store, you can breathe easily now. Sony has announced that it's no longer removing shows from the network by December 31 like it had previously planned, thanks to updated licensing agreements. Earlier this month, the company said that it's pulling Discovery shows from PlayStation and is even removing any purchased title from your library due to content licensing agreements with its providers. The Discovery shows available on the PlayStation Store include MythBusters, Deadliest Catch and Cake Boss.

In all, around 1,200 titles would've been affected by the change, and you wouldnt have gotten a refund for any of them. The announcement came shortly after Warner Bros Discovery, the owner of Discovery Channel, had revealed in an earnings report that its flagship streaming service Max lost 2.5 million subscribers over a six month period.

Both of Sonys announcements were brief and didnt elaborate on its licensing troubles with the network. As The New York Times said when the company published the warning that it was going to remove any Discovery show youd purchased in the past, though, the situation raised questions about the meaning of ownership in the age of digital goods. Supposedly, buying digital would give you access to a piece of content forever, since theres no physical medium that could break or get lost. As this incident demonstrates, thats not true at all, and you could only hope that networks and providers never change their licensing deals.
"CoComelon Lane" is being slammed on social media after a clip from the Netflix children's show depicting a toddler in a tutu dancing for his two dads circulated online.



The clip comes from "CoComelon Lane" Season 1, episode 8, which was released in November.



In the scene, a young boy named Nico and his fathers sing the song "Just Be You" as the toddler asks his Papa and Daddy for advice on what to wear for his family photo.



"Something that we know about you, [is] you love to get up and dance," both of his dads sing.



Nico ends up choosing to wear a tiara and tutu before proceeding to dance.

One of Nico's fathers then sings, "If you're not sure what to choose, think about all the things you like to do. Just be you."

"Just be me?" the little boy asks, to which the dad responds, "Yep."

A clip of the scene was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by user @EndWokeness, and it sparked criticisms, with some claiming that children were being groomed to become gay or transgender by the show.

"The new 'CoComelon Lane' on Netflix has a boy in a dress dance for his 2 gay dads. 'CoComelon' is the most popular show for babies and toddlers ages 2+," the user captioned the clip.

The new CoComelon Lane on Netflix has a boy in a dress dance for his 2 gay dads



CoComelon is the most popular show for babies and toddlers ages 2+ pic.twitter.com/wSYyEZEzMJ  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 20, 2023

Among those who blasted "CoComelon Lane" was conservative commentator Matt Walsh, who called for a boycott of Netflix.

"Netflix needs the full Bud Light treatment for this," he wrote on X, referencing the boycott of Bud Light for its partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.

One user on X called the scene "evil," while another claimed, "This is what grooming looks like."

"The scariest part of this is understanding WHY they are brainwashing a generation away from the standard family make up. It's not to widen the possibilities of family. It's to make families obsolete. That's anti-human," another person tweeted.

However, many others fired back at the critics of the "CoComelon Lane" scene.

"That's not grooming, that's teaching a child to be yourself. Read a dictionary before spreading rhetoric," one user wrote.

That's not grooming, that's teaching a child to be yourself. Read a dictionary before spreading rhetoric  Altsage (@AltsageTweets) December 20, 2023

"I saw that when my little [one] was watching it and thought it was pretty cool," a second user stated.

Another person tweeted, "The funniest thing about conservative snowflakes getting upset about 'CoComelon' having a new gay couple on the show is the fact they fully believe that if they close their eyes tightly and cry hard enough into their phones, gay people who have kids will no longer exist."

"CoComelon Lane" is just one of the growing number of kids' shows that have included nods to the LGBTQ community.

The "Paw Patrol" spinoff "Rubble & Crew" has a non-binary character, while "Trick-or-Treat, Scooby-Doo!" showed Velma Dinkley having a crush on female antagonist Coco Diablo.
Friday, December 22, 2023

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, a pioneering force in the digital finance sector, proudly unveils its latest breakthrough  a comprehensive passive income platform that combines a sophisticated AI-powered trading system with a range of versatile investment packages and tailored investment plans. This novel approach is set to transform the landscape of cryptocurrency earnings, offering users an efficient and profitable method to enhance their digital assets.

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From: Carol M. Swain -- Political Scientist and Commentator For Immediate Release: Dateline: Nashville , TN Friday, December 22, 2023

Vanderbilt professor Dr. Carol Swain spoke with radio host Joe Pags Tuesday about Harvard University President Claudine Gay allegedly plagiarizing her work. During the 16-minute long interview, Swain broke down exactly what happened the night she found out Harvards President Gay had allegedly plagiarized her work and went on to a prolific career despite her actions. Swain said she was completely unaware of the alleged similarities until Dec. 17, when a friend and well-known financial expert called her to let her know Gay had allegedly used Swains work in published materials as if it were the Harvard presidents own. Read More here ABOUT CAROL M. SWAIN Carol Swain (Ph.D.) is an award-winning political scientist and former tenured professor at Princeton and Vanderbilt Universities. She is the author or editor of 10 books, including Be The People: A Call to Reclaim Americas Faith and Promise and The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration.


From: Ruth W. Crocker -- Writing and Remembrance For Immediate Release: Dateline: Mystic , CT Friday, December 22, 2023

lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; lt;img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-420" src="https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC01606-300x225.jpg" alt height="225" "https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC01606-300x225.jpg 300w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC01606-1024x768.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"gt; amp;nbsp; Is there a connection between writing and wellness? Where do great writers get their stories? Has anyone ever suggested to you that you should write a book? Believe it or not, these questions are related to each other. If you or a member of your family have served in the military, a great opportunity to improve your writing skills and tell your story is coming to Groton, CT on Thursday, September 14, 2023.lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; The lt;a href="https://www.mwsadispatches.com"gt;Military Writers Society of Americalt;/agt; (MWSA is a non-profit organization) will hold a free workshop taught by award-winning authors from 9am to 3pm on 9/14/2023 at the Submarine Force Library amp;amp; amp;nbsp;Museum, 1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton, CT. Lunch and snacks are included, compliments of MWSA and The Rolling Tomato.lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; In the 1980s, psychologists and sociologists started paying attention to the fact that writing is healing and we should write about what keeps us awake at night. Or perhaps you just have a great story you'd like to share.amp;nbsp; Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Your story may help others - and it may become a book!lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp;The seed for MWSA was planted in 1998, when Vietnam Veteran and author Bill McDonald built a website presence for his old Army unit (The 128th Assault Helicopter Company) called the "Vietnam War Experience."amp;nbsp; That original website began with just poetry and stories, a humble reservoir of war memories that Bill had written during his tour of duty in South Vietnam. He eventually expanded the website to include the writings of dozens of his brothers-in-arms. In the first six months, website traffic increased to over 17,000 visitors a month, eventually peaking at close to 275,000 a month after he participated in the making of the war documentary film (from Arrowhead Films) called lt;a href="http://www.intheshadowoftheblade.com/"gt;In the Shadow of The Bladelt;/agt;.amp;nbsp; The Vietnam Experience website eventually surpassed 30 million total visitors in 2008. They no longer track the total.lt;img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-398" src="https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dave-on-tank-300x195.jpg" alt height="195" "https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dave-on-tank-300x195.jpg 300w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dave-on-tank.jpg 954w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"gt;lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp;Those early contributors to that website, whose prose and stories were posted for others to read, became the foundation of the Military Writers Society of America lt;a href="http://www.mwsadispatches.com/"gt;www.mwsadispatches.comlt;/agt;amp;nbsp;in 2003.lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp;The early goal of MWSA was simple: provide a safe community where writers with a military affiliation or those interested in writing about the military would be welcomed, appreciated, and could improve their writing.amp;nbsp; There were no restrictions as to genre.amp;nbsp; McDonald also wanted to help veterans with PTSD through the artistic expression of storytelling, memoir writing, and poetry. The organization grew to include the granting of book awards, reviews, scholarships, writing seminars, distribution of books to VA hospitals, a quarterly magazine (Dispatches) and anamp;nbsp; annual anthology of member's writings. Currently the MWSA is expanding its membership and looking for even more ways to serve the military community. The Military Writers Society of America will be holding its annual membership conference in New London, CT this year on September 15 and 16.lt;img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5385" src="https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-300x225.jpg" alt height="225" "https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/100_0046-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"gt;lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp;On Friday evening, September 15, 6pm, at lt;a href="https://www.banksquarebooks.com"gt;Bank Square Bookslt;/agt; in Mystic, CT, four award-winning MWSA authors will participate in a panel discussion and book signing. I will be there as moderator, local author and MWSA Education Ambassador.lt;/pgt; lt;pgt;amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; There are still spaces available for the writing workshop on Thursday, 9/14, but they are going fast. If you are interested in writing your story and learning more about fiction, nonfiction, dialogue, plot, story crafting and more, send an email to lt;a href="https://ruthcrocker.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4235302b36273b2d373031362d303b022f3531236c212d"gt;lt;span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dfaffe4f9e8f4e2f8fffef9e2fff4cde0fafeeca3eee2"gt;[emailamp;nbsp;protected]lt;/spangt;lt;/agt; or sign up through the Military Writers Society of America website: lt;a href="http://www.mwsadispatches.com/"gt;www.mwsadispatches.comlt;/agt;. You must be pre-registered for the workshop to attend and you'll have a wonderful experience with great teachers who are published, prize-winning authors!lt;img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5781" src="https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg" alt height="200" "https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://ruthcrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bermix-studio-E6A1DWI-IXM-unsplash-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"gt;lt;/pgt;


December 22, 2023

Considering relocating in the new year? Heres how five of Asia Pacifics biggest financial hubs stack up when it comes to cost of living.

Tokyo came out on top in a Bloomberg analysis of 10 metrics including potential salary increase, rent, personal taxes and education costs. The Japanese capital boasts relatively low international school fees and steady rents  plus residents can buy a Tesla Model Y Performance for about $50,000.

Hong Kong, which has suffered an expat exodus since the pandemic, came in second place followed by Shanghai and Sydney. Singapore, recently named the worlds most expensive city following an influx of foreign workers, trailed in fifth place.

1. Tokyo

Finance managers annual pay: $98,094 (based on Michael Page 2023 projections)

Michelin-starred restaurants: 183

Taylor Swift, Coldplay concerts: Yes

Many living costs in the Japanese capital are lower than other financial hubs in the regions. Foodies will also appreciate that Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than the other cities.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is rolling out the red carpet for global high earners including a fast-track to permanent residency. So perhaps its no surprise that the citys foreign worker population has risen in recent years.

Johanna Chomel moved to Tokyo from Paris with her husband and three children a year ago after accepting a transfer with her German-headquartered employer, Henkel AG.

Japan is very clean, the pollution level is really low, which was important because my youngest one was only two when we arrived, she said. People are really respectful, and thats a great value that we wanted for the kids.

However, language has been a barrier for Chomel and her husband. He hasnt yet found a job in Tokyo and consults for Asian clients outside Japan.

The city also has a comparatively high income tax rate.

2. Hong Kong

Finance managers annual pay: $92,307

Michelin-starred restaurants: 78

Taylor Swift-Coldplay concerts: No

Hong Kongs appeal has taken a knock since the pandemic. Chinas ever-tightening control and strict Covid measures resulted in international companies looking to place fewer people there, said Esther Colwill, recruitment firm Korn Ferrys APAC president.

While geopolitics has put some potential residents off, Hong Kong offers the lowest personal income tax rate and biggest expected pay bump among the five cities. That means more take-home pay.

The government is keen to revive the citys status as an international financial hub. Hong Kongs leader, John Lee, has taken action including slashing levies for foreigners buying homes and launching a visa plan for high-income workers. Chinas policymakers this month convened bankers in Hong Kong to seek ways to bolster confidence. I see a very loyal base of existing expats that live there, that love Hong Kong, that have been through the tough times in Covid and they really want to stay, said Colwill. For new expats there's less demand pull  there's less companies saying we need expats out there. Theres just too much uncertainty around the geopolitics and frankly the future of Hong Kong.

3. Shanghai

Finance managers annual pay: $53,439

Michelin-starred restaurants: 51

Taylor Swift-Coldplay concerts: No

Many expats left Shanghai as a result of its strict Covid Zero policies during the pandemic. Chinas economic uncertainty and geopolitical headwinds also prompted some companies to pull money out of the country. To woo foreign capital, President Xi Jinping promised heart-warming steps to improve the business environment, including visa-free access to China for six countries.

Michele Aboro and Frank Tsai are among those who chose to stay put.

Covid was pretty hard and we had to close for some time, but we have a dynamic community of people who were really behind us and we survived and succeeded, said Aboro, a former professional boxer from the UK who runs a gym in the city.

Tsai, who hails from the US and is the founder of consulting firm China Crossroads, said the foreigner exodus has been exaggerated. For much of the 2010s, Shanghai was seen as sexy and global so foreigners, of course, flocked here, he said. Now, there are fewer foreigners, but it still feels like the same city, with the same energy and dynamism.

In Shanghais favor: Cost-of-living expenses from rents to dining to medical services have declined and theres nowhere better to purchase a Tesla Model Y Performance in our rankings. But international school fees have gone up and the city has a relatively high tax rate.

4. Sydney

Finance and accounting plant managers annual pay: $114,189

Chef Hat restaurants: 141

Taylor Swift-Coldplay concerts: Yes

Geographically removed from the regions other financial centers, Sydney offered the lowest salary bump for professionals in early 2023, coupled with relatively high taxes.

But Korn Ferrys Colwill said Sydney was becoming increasingly popular, thanks to an appealing lifestyle and having English as the majority language.

The cost of living is high, but its balanced by the fact that kids actually could just go to very good public schools, she said. The downside to Sydney was the tax regime and the challenges of getting a visa, she added.

While Sydney doesnt have a Michelin guide, it does have lots of choice dining options: 141 restaurants boast the local mark of fine dining, a Chef Hat award.
By Stephen Beech via SWNS

A firefighting "flying dragon" that can extinguish raging infernos from above could be deployed around the world within 10 years.

The state-of-the-art 13-foot-long robotic dragon that spouts water rather than flames is currently being developed by Japanese scientists to help put out fires too dangerous for humans to tackle.

The blueprint of the new robot called the Dragon Firefighter, has been published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI.

Joint corresponding author Dr. Yuichi Ambe said: We here present a prototype of a four meter-long, remotely controllable flying firehose robot, engineered to safely and efficiently extinguish fires in buildings by directly approaching the fire sources.

A research team from Prof Satoshi Tadokoro's laboratory at Tohoku University began working on similar flying robots back in 2016.

Since then, 11 researchers and students have contributed to its further development, liaising with Japanese firefighters to better understand their needs.

The Dragon Firefighters hose is propelled upward - flying two meters (6.5ft) above the ground - by eight controllable jets of water spouting from its center and head.

The firehose can change shape and be oriented towards flames, steered by a control unit in a wheeled cart behind.

The cart is connected through a supply tube to a fire truck with a water reservoir of 14,000 liters (3,080 gallons).

The nozzles spout water at a rate of 6.6 liters (1.4 gallons) per second with a pressure of up to one megapascal.

Researchers say the hoses tip contains a conventional and thermal imaging camera, which helps to find the location of the fire.

The Dragon Firefighter received its "baptism of fire" at the opening ceremony of the World Robot Summit (WRS2020), held in September 2021 in Fukushima.

There, it successfully extinguished the ceremonial flame, consisting of fireballs lit by another robot, from a distance of four meters (13ft).

Dr. Yu Yamauchi, an assistant professor at Akita Prefectural University, said: Since the demonstration at WRS2020, we have continued to work on improving our Dragon and have learned many new things.

For example, we found that the original passive dampening mechanism which counters oscillations of the Dragon Firefighters body was impractical: it took too long to prepare for flight.

"We also found that heat from fires can cause detrimental plastic deformation in outdoor applications of the corrugated tube that holds the water hose and electric cables.

Other improvements include better waterproofing, a nozzle unit capable of handling a wider range of net forces, and an improved mechanism for channeling water flow.

Further developments are also in the pipeline, according to the researchers.

Dr. Ambe, an Assistant Professor at Osaka University, said: We estimate that it will take approximately 10 more years to deploy our robot in real-world firefighting scenarios."

He added: The primary challenge will be to extend its reach to beyond 10 meters.

"Developing effective firefighting tactics tailored to this robot's unique capabilities will likewise be a critical aspect of further development.
Defra has announced new cases of bluetongue in Kent and Norfolk's temporary control zones (TCZ), bringing the total number to 30 since last month's outbreak.

The UKs chief veterinary officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue serotype 3 following the development.

There is currently a temporary control zone (TCZ) in Kent and Norfolk after the initial outbreak of the virus on 11 November, the UK's first case since 2007.

Since then, seventeen farms and holdings have been impacted by bluetongue virus.

However, Defra said there is still no evidence that it is currently circulating in midges in Britain.

Defra said in an update: "Following active surveillance in the north-east Kent TCZ, 3 further cases of bluetongue in cattle have been identified on a new holding in the Sandwich Bay area in the TCZ.

"The 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 in England to 30 infected animals on 17 premises with 12 different keepers.

"There is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain. Surveillance is ongoing."

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.
The NFUs numerous educational initiatives reached more than 500,000 students across the UK following a landmark year.

More than 250 ambassadors spearheaded the unions Farmers for Schools programme since its inception.

The programme helps schoolchildren learn about the work British farmers do to produce food as well as caring for the environment.

In one term, 77 Farmers for Schools ambassadors from across the UK left the farm and headed for the classroom.

They volunteered to deliver assemblies to more than 7,000 primary and secondary school children.

They spoke about their day-to-day life on their farm, showcased the value of British farming and corrected any misconceptions, as well as answered questions from students.

Ultimately, its all about starting a conversation, said ambassador, Evan Taylor.

Farmers for Schools appealed to me because I wanted to share my passion and experiences in farming.

Alongside this, I also want to try and get young people into farming to help to future-proof farming in Britain and the NFU programme gave me a platform to do this.

I gave an hour-long talk to 200 Year 10 and 11 students and it was great to see them asking questions and showing a great interest in getting into agriculture as a career.

According to NFU Education, this year has seen a 225% increase in school visits and over 300% increase in pupils seen when compared with 2022 figures.

NFU Educations other programmes include Science Farm Live, Harvest Thali and the Lamb Diaries, which reached more than 360,000 students across 5,000 classrooms.

These lessons integrate agriculture with the national curriculum to teach students through their STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

NFU President Minette Batters said the high uptake among students demonstrates the enormous appetite to teach and learn STEM subjects through the lens of agriculture.

She said: Its really heartening to see so many schools wanting to engage with us and provide their pupils with such a fantastic learning experience which helps them gain a greater understanding of where their food comes from.

Its good to reflect on the power of education to excite children in food and farming and pave the way for a future generation that really values, understand and champions British agriculture.

As we celebrate these successes, its good to reflect on the power of education to excite children in food and farming and pave the way for a future generation that really values, understand and champions British agriculture.
The producer prices of industrial products in Germany experienced a 7.9 per cent decrease in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, according to a recent update from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This change, albeit significant, marks an improvement from the 11 per cent year-on-year (YoY) drop seen in October 2023. The fluctuation is largely attributed to a base effect resulting from the high price levels in the previous year.

The decrease in November 2023, compared to October 2023, was more modest at 0.5 per cent. This downward movement in prices is primarily driven by a notable decrease in energy costs, which have been the primary factor behind the YoY decline in producer prices.

Energy prices in November 2023 were significantly lower than the previous year, down 21.4 per cent. This decrease is mainly due to lower electricity prices, which fell by 30.8 per cent compared to November 2022 and 1.5 per cent from October 2023, across all customer groups. Excluding energy, producer prices saw a modest increase of 0.3 per cent compared to November 2022 but showed a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent compared to October 2023, as per Destatis.

In November 2023, Germany's industrial product prices fell 7.9 per cent YoY, an improvement from October's 11 per cent drop, as per Destatis. The decline is mainly due to lower energy costs, with a significant 21.4 per cent decrease in energy prices. Excluding energy, prices slightly rose by 0.3 per cent YoY but fell 0.1 per cent from October.

Intermediate goods also showed a price decrease, down 4.1 per cent from November 2022 and 0.2 per cent from October 2023. The drop in prices for these goods is attributed to lower costs for metals and basic chemicals.

On the other hand, consumer goods experienced a price increase. Non-durable consumer goods, particularly affected by higher food prices, were 3.7 per cent more expensive in November 2023 than in the same month last year, although prices remained unchanged from October 2023. Durable consumer goods saw a YoY rise of 4 per cent and a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent from October 2023.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
The UK's transport secretary, Mark Harper, has announced a groundbreaking target to increase rail freight transport by at least 75 per cent by 2050. This ambitious initiative aims to provide the sector with a clear growth trajectory, while also offering substantial environmental benefits by reducing road congestion and emissions.

The move is set to significantly impact environmental sustainability, as rail freight is notably more efficient and less polluting than road transport. A single train has the capacity to replace up to 129 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and a tonne of freight transported by rail produces approximately a quarter of the carbon emissions compared to road transport, the UK government said in a press release.

UK transport secretary Mark Harper has set a target to increase rail freight by 75 per cent by 2050, aiming to reduce road congestion and emissions. Rail freight transport, which is less polluting than road, could replace many HGVs. The plan aligns with the country's decarbonisation goals and encourages private investment in rail infrastructure.

This announcement fulfils commitments made earlier in the year by the transport secretary in his George Bradshaw address and aligns with the objectives outlined in the Department for Transports Plan for Rail and Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

The target is expected to catalyse private sector investment in the rail industry, as seen in projects like GB rail freights new maintenance facility in Peterborough, inaugurated in September by the transport secretary. These developments are crucial for modernising and expanding the industry.

Integral to this plan is the government's strategy to enhance the capacity of the UKs rail freight network. This includes redirecting billions of pounds from the HS2 project to improve rail infrastructure and services nationwide. One notable project under this initiative is the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme, part of the Network North plan. This project, backed by around 550 million of government funding, will enable an additional six freight trains per day to and from the Port of Felixstowe, effectively removing 98,000 lorry journeys from the roads annually.

The Rail Freight Growth Target was established following a comprehensive call for evidence involving industry leaders, customers, and other stakeholders, conducted by the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT). Looking ahead, GBRTTs recently established Strategic Freight Unit will lead strategic initiatives in the freight sector, aiming to unlock further growth potential in this vital industry.

Rail freight helps keep this country moving, ensuring our supermarket shelves are stocked. Not only is it the most efficient and environmentally friendly way of transporting many goods, but it helps grow the economy across the country, said transport secretary, Mark Harper.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
Salaar: Part 1  Ceasefire has a massive Baahubali hangover. Like the SS Rajamouli directed franchise, this too is set in a fictional country and revolves around familial conflict. It has two friends who are thicker than brothers at the core of the story and the sequel may figure a clash between them. Unlike the Baahubali films, however, which were brightly lit and had picture perfect cinematography, Salaar has been painted in grim hues. Cinematographer Bhuvan Gowda's camerawork and lighting have created frames that are enveloped in shades of black and brown, lending a gloomy visage to the proceedings. The production design and the costume department too have followed the cinematographer's lead and have decidedly to go with muddy as their muse.The film is told in a series of flashbacks narrated to Aadhya (Shruti Haasan). Her father has fallen foul of some dangerous folks. Aadhya, who has been living in the US, has come to immerse her mothers ashes in India and suddenly sees her as the target of an assassination attempt. The guy who saves her takes her to live with Amma (Easwari Rao), who is running a school at the remote mining town of Tinsukia in Assam. Amma and her son Deva (Prabhas), also called Cutout by the neighbourhood kids, have been on the run for the past several years, shifting from place to place. Deva has a violent past and Amma doesnt want it to catch up with his present. She forbids him to fight, and later takes back her diktat when Aadhya gets kidnapped. Aadhya wants to know about Devas life and as his cohorts narrate the tale, we come to know that he belongs to a dreaded place called Khansar. Its the haven for smugglers and other criminal elements. It's been ruled by the headmen of three tribes for around a thousand years. The present ruler, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu), wants his son Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran), to be his heir but in his absence, the other factions go in for infighting, till his daughter calls for a ceasefire. The irony is that hundreds lost their lives during this ceasefire period, so we arent sure how many more will die in the sequel, when the ceasefire gets lifted.The women in the film are relegated to secondary roles. While Shruti Haasan plays a damsel in distress, Easwari Rao plays a long-suffering mother and Sriya Reddy, who plays the firebrand daughter for a while, takes a step back when her father comes back on the scene. There is a whole sequence dedicated to Prabhas acting as a saviour to girls routinely being raped, acting as terminator towards the serial rapist and his gang.The film rests squarely on the shoulders of its two leads. Theyre inspired by Karna and Duryodhan and shown to be fierce warriors in their own merit. There is a stylised sequence where they both go up against an horde of drug-crazed zombies and thats easily the best sequence of the film, with the leads comparing techniques and sassily commenting on each others kill ratio in between the killing. Both are shown to be extra broody, though Prabhas character opens up when hes around kids. Prabhas, in particular, has been cast in the mould of a super-soldier. Hes more fast and powerful than anyone else and is a one-man army. Hes in the shape of his life and takes to the physicality of the role like duck to water. Both have an imposing screen presence and you see genuine camaraderie in their scenes together. The film comes to life in their scenes together. Going by the present story, the sequel would probably have them squaring off each other. So were in for some more stylised mayhem for sure.This film is strictly made for mega action buffs. If youve a yen for massy, slo-mo action, with blood and gore splattered across almost every frame, then this is the film for you.

Paul Nicodemus, December 22, 2023, 3:28 PM IST

critic's rating: 3.5/5

Salaar Story: Deva, also known as Cutout (Prabhas), fondly called by children, lives near a coal mine with his mother (Easwari Rao) in the remote village of Tinsukia in Assam. For the last seven years, they have moved from place to place, with his mother keeping a stringent watch on Deva, shielding him from violence. Working as a mechanic, Deva is docile and minds his own business until Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), who is in danger from Obulamma (Jhansi), is brought into the mix by Billal for refuge. Meanwhile, in the tumultuous city of Khansar, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) prepares to make his son, Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran), his successor. This decision triggers a dangerous coup, orchestrated by Mannar's ministers and advisors. The plot thickens as foreign armies from various countries are hired to cause chaos. As Radha, daughter and in charge of Khansar in Raja Mannars absence, announces a partial ceasefire of nine days before calling for a vote by representatives of 101 tribes of the empire. Under existential threat, Vardha calls on his childhood best friend, Deva. Will Deva embark on the perilous mission and save Vardha? Will there be a ceasefire or a bloodbath?



Salaar Review: Salaar: Part 1  Ceasefire, directed by Prashanth Neel, unfolds in the rustic and politically charged landscape of Khansar. This action-packed film, featuring Prabhas as Deva and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Vardharaja, is set against a backdrop of intrigue and rebellion, relying heavily on drama as well as swag and action. Prashanth has meticulously created the dystopian city of Khansar with intricate details, establishing a multitude of characters with a narrative spanning between 1747 and the present times. Reminiscent of Black Panther, the empire boasts 101 tribes with distinct characteristics, divided into three divisions, including Kaparlu (clan leaders) and Doralu (council members).

A man of few words, Prabhas packs a punch with his dialogues and looks slick in action sequences, making the film a feast for his ardent fans. Prashanth leaves no opportunity to elevate the character of Deva aka Salaar, masterfully making his protagonist appear larger than life. The screenplay takes its own sweet time in the first half to establish the character of Deva, creating a slow burn and preparing audiences for what is to come.



Prashanth Neel takes an unconventional route in narrating this dystopian world and its characters, leaning more towards international cinema. Much like the KGF franchise, the director adheres to a dark colour palette. The film eschews typical dance numbers or romantic melodies, instead relying on situational anthems sung by school children in the first half and by children from the Mahara tribe in the second half, which enhance the drama. The film explores themes of power, loyalty, betrayal, and the right to leadership, delving into the complexities of political machinations and personal allegiances, offering a compelling commentary on power struggles.



Prabhas, as Deva, is both electrifying and docile, delivering a performance that combines raw power with deep emotional depth. His portrayal of Salaar showcases his ability to balance raw aggression with subtle emotional nuances. Prithviraj Sukumaran, as Vardha, portrays the vulnerability and determination of a young heir caught in a political whirlwind, yet harboring his own strategic calculations. His compelling performance adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. As the film progresses, Prithvirajs character exudes strength and valour. Shruti Haasan, in her role as Aadhya, brings a sense of balance but is mostly limited to the first half and a few scenes in the second.



Jagapathi Babu, as Raja Mannar, delivers a commanding performance, while Bobby Simha, Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, and others contribute significantly to the story's depth. The supporting cast, including Sriya Reddy, Ramachandra Raju, Madhu Guruswamy, John Vijay, Saptagiri, Prudhvi Raj, Jhansi and Mime Gopi, adds layers to the narrative.



The cinematography captures the essence of Khansar's tumultuous atmosphere, immersing the audience in the city's tension and drama. Ravi Basrurs soundtrack adds a robust layer to the film's atmosphere, complementing the tone and heightening the emotional impact of certain scenes. The editing is sharp in the second half, though it cannot be said the same for the first. The special effects are effective, contributing significantly to the film's visual appeal.



The film does feature a certain amount of violence and bloodshed, which may not be palatable for certain sections of the audience. The first half is layered, focusing on the drama and sense of tension in the air. Audiences expecting a lot of action, comedy, and masala might be disappointed. However, it does score high on drama and action, with a bit of humour created through the delivery of dialogues or the body language of certain characters.



Salaar: Part 1  Ceasefire combines political drama with high-stakes action and champions brotherhood. It is a riveting watch for those with a taste for grand and epic narratives. Fans of Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran will find much to admire in this intense and captivating film. It's a film that will entertain and impress with its scale, but might require some patience in the initial stages, mostly establishing the world of Khansar and its inhabitants and setting the stage for Salaar: Part 2.


As the Fighter fever continues, Director Siddharth Anand of Marflix Pictures has once again dazzled the audiences with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone's unparalleled chemistry in the scorching new track, 'Ishq Jaisa Kuch,' from the upcoming aerial action extravaganza.

Anand had been teasing fans on social media about the imminent release of 'Ishq Jaisa Kuch' for quite some time. The song, following the success of the earlier 'Sher Khul Gaye,' is a visual treat, showcasing the sizzling chemistry between the on-screen couple in Hrithik-Deepika. The previously released assets have not only hinted at the high-octane action sequences but also the visually stunning world of Fighter.

'Ishq Jaisa Kuch' is poised to be a game-changer with a perfect blend of catchy lyrics, captivating visuals, and foot-tapping beats. As fans eagerly await the film's release, 'Ishq Jaisa Kuch' is sure to keep the Fighter fever on, leaving audiences craving for the cinematic spectacle that awaits them on the big screen.

Touted as India's first aerial action magnum opus, Fighter is presented by Viacom18 Studios in collaboration with Marflix Pictures. Helmed by Director Siddharth Anand, who also directed Hrithik in the blockbuster, War, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 25, 2024. Fighter promises to redefine the action genre with its gripping storyline, breathtaking visuals, and stellar performances, a Siddharth Anand hallmark lately.
Paris, December 21, 2023

Success of Air France-KLM Group's global employee shareholding plan



Air France-KLM has successfully finalized its "Partners for the future" employee shareholding offer, a capital increase reserved for approximatively 75,000 eligible employees of the Group, launched in November 2023.

For this Group's first worldwide operation, approximatively 17,000 employees located in 19 countries, representing approximately 22% of the total workforce of the Group, have subscribed to the "Partners for the future" offer, enabling them to invest in Air France-KLM shares on preferential terms.

The total subscription amounts to nearly 46,073,029 euros, corresponding to the issue of 5,716,256 new shares with a par value of one euro each. As a result, the Company's share capital was increased by 5,716,256 euros, from 257,053,613 euros to 262,769,869 euros.

Following this issuance, the employee shareholders in Air France-KLM's share capital, within the meaning of Article L. 225-102 of the French Commercial Code, is just over 3% of the share capital.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, stated: "Providing our employees with the opportunity to become Air France-KLM shareholders is a solid step in aligning all teams toward improved performance and long-term value creation. Our employees' strong level of participation demonstrates their confidence and commitment, as well as their desire to contribute to our future success. This is an encouraging sign that reinforces our determination to successfully implement our overall strategy."

***

Investors Relations

Website: www.airfranceklm.com

International disclaimer

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to subscribe for Air France-KLM shares. Outside France, the offer is reserved for the beneficiaries mentioned in this press release and has been made only in countries where such a transaction has been registered with or notified to the relevant local authorities, or in consideration of an exemption from the obligation to prepare a prospectus or to register or notify the offer. This press release is not intended for countries where the offer is subject to approval by the competent authorities.

In general, the offer is being made only in countries where all the required registration procedures and/or notifications have been carried out and the necessary authorizations have been obtained.
OSAKA, Japan, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; President and CEO: Gyo Sagara; "Ono") today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with UK Dementia Research Institute (London, UK; "UK DRI"), a national institute that dedicates research on dementia, to identify the novel therapeutic targets in the research field of dementia.

In this collaboration, as part of the promotion of our ongoing open innovation, Ono will initiate a multi-year collaborative research with UK DRI to identify novel therapeutic targets related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dementia. Ono will call for research themes from affiliated with UK DRI, focusing on our research areas of interest, such as diseases involving glial cells and neuroinflammation, etc. Ono will provide funding for selected joint research themes to identify new therapeutic target molecules for the treatment of dementia. During the research collaboration period, Ono will utilize its expertise and knowledge in the field of neuroscience to drive the joint research. Through the research collaboration, Ono will also identify new therapeutic target molecules for various types of dementia and conduct exploratory research to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

As for such molecules identified through the collaboration, Ono will generate drug candidates against those target molecules and work towards the development and commercialization of new drugs for the treatment of dementia.

Ono dedicates our drug discovery efforts focusing on oncology, immunology and neuroscience areas with the aim to create innovative drugs that can fulfill unmet medical needs. Through our active promotion of "open innovation," we have generated a number of innovative medicines. We will keep on being committed to creating innovative medicines, aiming to become a global specialty pharma based on our unique drug discovery approach through the open innovation.

UK DRI is a national research institution that brings together leading dementia researchers in the world from six prominent universities in the UK. Its aim is to provide therapeutic solutions for various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. With over 750 researchers, the institute utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as multiomics (integrative analysis of genes, proteins, metabolites, etc.), induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and data science, to unravel the pathogenetic mechanisms of dementia and develop effective treatments.

"We are pleased to collaborate with UK DRI who has world-leading research capabilities and research collaborative framework," said Toichi Takino, Senior Executive Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono. "We expect that this partnership will lead to the discovery of innovative new therapeutic targets for dementia."

"We are delighted to partner with Ono Pharma, a company that shares our commitment to developing life-changing new drugs for dementia," said Dr Kay Penicud, Director of Innovation & Business at UK DRI. "This strategic collaboration leverages our complementary capabilities in discovery research and drug development. By working together, we aim to accelerate the translation of new research into clinical applications that will bring us closer to desperately needed treatments for those affected by dementia."

About UK DRI

UK DRI is a national research institute operated by world-leading experts in dementia research area, with funding from the Medical Research Council, Alzheimer's Society, and Alzheimer's Research UK. University College London (UCL) is home to the operational headquarters of the UK DRI and forms the hub for research activities across the six national research centres, which are at UCL, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and King's College London. The institute aims to provide better treatment options for dementia patients by enabling access to world-class research resources and fostering close collaboration among these universities, thus bringing together leading dementia researchers from around the world.

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SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Criterion Global, a leading independent international media agency, proudly celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Singapore office, opened in late 2018. This milestone for Criterion Global's third global hub reflects the agency's success in enabling global growth through international media buying

Five Years of Growth and Achievement:

Since its inception in 2018, Criterion Global's Singapore office has served as headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region. At the forefront of international media planning and buying , the team, led by Charmaine Low, delivers groundbreaking strategies and results for a diverse clientele including global agricultural and commodity exports, institutional investors, finance and fintech brands, energy investment, travel and hospitality, tech startups and much more.

The office has played a pivotal role in bolstering the agency's reach in Asia-Pacific, contributing significantly to its global expansion and enhancing its capabilities in paid media services. From Singapore, the firm has led client media buying services covering Malaysia , Indonesia , Australia, Hong Kong, China , as well as growth in Korea and Japan .

The Singapore office has distinguished itself as a hub for innovation and creativity for work in award-winning campaigns recognized in 2021, 2022, as well as 2023 by the Go Global Awards, Festival of Media, and more. Leveraging the dynamic and diverse market of Singapore, the team has developed unique approaches to media planning and buying, setting new standards within the industry.

Contributions to Local and Regional Markets:

Criterion Global's Singapore office has not only served international clients but has also deeply engaged with the local and regional markets. This approach has fostered strong relationships and a nuanced understanding of the cultural and economic landscape, essential for the success of their media campaigns.

Looking to the Future:

As Criterion Global celebrates this significant anniversary, the Singapore office is poised for even greater achievements with record-setting demand for media buying services specifically in the Singapore office.

An In-Demand Strategic Hub

In the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia, Singapore stands as a key economic powerhouse for Criterion Global clients. From this office, we've led Singapore advertising as well as campaigns stretching across Southeast Asia and across APAC. 2 key reasons for reasons for continued bullishness in Singapore advertising demand, and demand more broadly in the region:

Magnet for Investment + HNWI Marketing

Firstly, as Asia Pacific's leading financial and banking hub, Singapore is home to significant cross-border financial wealth. According to Boston Consulting Group, Singapore is topped only by Switzerland and Hong Kong, with assets valued in 2022 at roughly $1.5 trillion, projected to grow to over $2.25 trillion by 2027. This rate of growth is projected at roughly 9% YOY, nearly 3 times Switzerland's rate of growth.

A Gateway Economy

Singapore attracts top-tier talent and investment, solidifying its pivotal role in the 10-nation Southeast Asia region - home to 680 million people and a $3 trillion economy (Bloomberg). Its strategic location, coupled with a flourishing ecosystem, positions Singapore as a prime gateway for businesses seeking unparalleled opportunities in the region.

Export/Import Dominance

Lastly, the significance of import-export marketing and trade in Singapore cannot be understated. Singapore ranked second in the world for ports by container volume in 2021, with 37.5M 20-foot container equivalents. The city-state acts as a key hub for energy trade , commodities, and much more.

About Criterion Global Singapore:

Criterion Global's Singapore office is strategically positioned to capitalize on the region's economic growth, given Singapore's status as a thriving business hub. With extensive experience and expertise in media planning and buying, the firm is well-equipped to navigate the nuances of the Singapore market and beyond.

Criterion Global's local presence allows it to forge meaningful connections, stay abreast of market trends, and leverage insights to tailor media and advertising campaigns that resonate with the dynamic audience. This unique vantage point empowers us to drive success for our clients by maximizing the opportunities presented in the region's burgeoning media landscape.

It underscores the agency's position as a leader in international media planning and buying, dedicated to delivering exceptional results for clients worldwide.

About Criterion Global:

Criterion Global is a renowned international media agency known for its expertise in global expansion and innovative paid media services. With a presence in key markets around the world, Criterion Global continues to set the bar for excellence in media planning and buying.

Contact Information:

Amy McKeever

Criterion Global

hello@criterionglobal.com

https://criterionglobal.com

SOURCE: Criterion Global

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Regulatory News:

CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA), has leased 10,000 sqm of warehouse space and 1,400 sqm of offices at CTPark Belgrade City to Wagen International (Wint), the leading automotive parts supplier, for a new high-tech distribution centre.

Wint has taken a 10-year lease on space within a 110,000 sqm BGD1 building at CTPark Belgrade City which is now around 80% pre-let, to create an automated logistics facility that will revolutionize the way it stores and distributes goods. Named Autostore, it will be the first automated warehouse for autoparts in Serbia, representing a 7m investment by Wint. Expected to be fully operational by March 2024, the facility will also benefit the local community by creating around 100 new jobs.

Spanning 27.5 hectares, CTPark Belgrade City will be the largest logistics hub in Serbia when complete. Strategically positioned close to both Belgrade's main motorway and airport, the location of the CTPark will significantly enhance the efficiency of Wint's European product distribution. Wint has also chosen CTPark Belgrade City, which is located just 10km from central Belgrade, for its new 1,400 sqm headquarter offices.

Situated in New Belgrade, the largest municipality in the Serbian capital, CTPark Belgrade City is ideally located for companies seeking 'last-mile' logistics space. With unit sizes starting from 2,500 sqm, the modern park is also well-suited to SMEs operating across a wide range of sectors including FMCG, pharmaceutical, high tech and e-commerce. All space at CTPark Belgrade City will be modern, energy efficient and BREEAM certified, with a BREEAM very good rating being aimed for. Offices, exhibition space and a range of onsite amenities will also be available for tenants.

CTP is seeing a spike in demand from international companies seeking high-tech industrial and logistics facilities, driven by a combination of factors including 'nearshoring', where companies are moving their production facilities to be closer to where their customers are located to reduce supply chain risk.

Petar Kolognat, Director of Business Development at CTP Serbia, commented: "Wint is part of SAG/Autonet group and therefore is already a CTP client in the Czech Republic and Romania, and we are delighted to have been able to work with them to support their growth into Serbia. The fact Wint is making a 7m investment in its new distribution facility is testament to the close working relationship we have with the group. Around two thirds of all new leases we sign are with tenants from our existing customer base. This is because as a developer-landlord we work closely with our tenants and get to understand their business plans, which means we are well placed to provide space within our portfolio suited to their requirements when they are ready to expand."

Dejan Antanaskovic, CEO of Wagen International, said: "We are investing to create a high-tech automated facility, and we knew CTP would be a reliable partner capable of supporting our needs including the technology we will be incorporating into this modern building. We also chose CTPark Belgrade City for its strategic location close to Belgrade's major transport links, which will support the efficient distribution of our products throughout Europe."

CTP operates multiple CTParks in Serbia. Its portfolio in the country comprises 13 buildings covering a total area of 285,000 sqm, with a further 250,000 sqm currently under construction.

ABOUT CTP

CTP is the largest listed owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate in terms of gross leasable area, with 11.2 million sq m. GLA in 10 countries (as of 30 September 2023). The company certifies all new buildings under BREEAM at 'very good' or above and has achieved a negligible-risk ESG rating from Sustainalytics, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. For more information, please visit: www.ctp.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221452177/en/

Contacts:

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES:

Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations

Mobile: +420 730 197 500

Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu

CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Patryk Statkiewicz, Group Head of Marketing PR

Mobile: +31 (0) 629 596 119

Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu

SEC Newgate

Sara Champness

Mobile: +44 (0)7962 387 949

Email: CTP@SECNewgate.co.uk
Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), a global AI software company and the world leader in AI Virtual Smart Sensors currently deployed in over 500 million devices, is announcing its AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY on HONOR's latest smartphone release, the HONOR 90 GT smartphone for the Chinese market. Elliptic Labs' partner Qualcomm will be at the core of the HONOR 90 GT with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The contract for this launch was previously announced by Elliptic Labs.

"Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform is consistently chosen for an increasing number of HONOR smartphones, owing to our unrivaled expertise in AI/ML, ultrasound technology, and sensor fusion," said Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs. "By embracing the AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform, HONOR introduces smartphones that provide exceptional value to their diverse customer base, exemplified by the HONOR 90 GT. Our dedication to delivering both innovation and value plays a pivotal role in empowering our clients to deliver products that are greener, smarter, and more human-friendly."

AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY

Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor detects when a user holds their phone up to their ear during a call, allowing the smartphone to turn off its display and disable its screen's touch functionality. This keeps the user's ear or cheek from triggering unwanted actions during the call, such as hanging up or dialing numbers. Turning off the screen also helps conserve battery life.

Proximity detection is a core capability that is used in all smartphones, but Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor is a unique, software-only solution that delivers robust proximity detection without the need for a dedicated hardware sensor. By replacing hardware sensors with software sensors, the AI Virtual Proximity Sensor reduces device cost and eliminates sourcing risk.

INNER BEAUTY is a registered trademark of Elliptic Labs.

AI Virtual Smart Sensor, AI Virtual Proximity Sensor, and AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform are trademarks of Elliptic Labs.

All other trademarks or service markets are the responsibility of their respective organizations.

About Elliptic Labs

Elliptic Labs is a global enterprise targeting the smartphone, laptop, IoT, and automotive markets. Founded in 2006 as a research spin-off from Norway's Oslo University, the company's patented software uses AI, ultrasound and sensor fusion to deliver intuitive 3D gesture, proximity-, presence-, breathing- and heartbeat-detection experiences. Its scalable AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform creates software-only sensors that are sustainable, human-friendly and already deployed in hundreds of millions of devices around the world. Elliptic Labs is the only software company that has delivered detection capabilities using AI software, ultrasound, and sensor fusion deployed at scale. The company joined the Oslo Brs main listing in March 2022.

Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Norway with presence in the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Its technology and IP are developed in Norway and are solely owned by the company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221470402/en/

Contacts:

PR Contacts:

Patrick Tsui

pr@ellipticlabs.com

Investor Relations:

Lars Holmy

Lars.Holmoy@ellipticlabs.com
Indium enables enterprises on their digital transformation journey through a comprehensive suite of services, including Product Engineering, Data Analytics, ML and AI, Low-code No-code, Digital Assurance, and Gaming Tech

Indium's blue-chip customer base features multiple Fortune 500 enterprises across various sectors, with a focus on Technology, BFSI and Healthcare industries

Drawing on its extensive track record in the global Tech Services sector, EQT will support Indium's management team in strengthening its go-to-market strategy while continuing to build on next-gen offerings across Generative AI and Advanced Analytics

MUMBAI, India, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Fund ("BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth") has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Indium Software (the "Company") from existing shareholders. The Company's Co-Founder, Ram Sukumar, will continue leading the firm as CEO.

Headquartered in Chennai, Indium is a fast-growing, digital engineering provider, offering cutting-edge technology solutions to enterprise customers and born-digital companies. Indium was co-founded in 1999 by Ram Sukumar and Vijay Balaji, and today boasts of a team of about 3,000 employees. Indium has grown at a CAGR of around 50 percent over the last three years.

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will support Indium in its next phase of growth, drawing on EQT's global experience in Tech Services with about USD 11 bn invested in the sector in Asia, in-house digitalization capabilities, and global network of industry experts.

Hari Gopalakrishnan, Partner and Co-Head of BPEA EQT India, said, "We are excited to partner with CEO Ram Sukumar and Indium's stellar management team, as the company enters its next phase of evolution. Indium has highly impressive digital capabilities and a strong client roster of global blue-chip enterprises. We are confident of drawing on EQT's extensive value creation playbook in Tech Services and supporting the company on its strong growth momentum."

Ram Sukumar, Co-founder and CEO of Indium, said, "Indium has been built on a culture of client centricity, trust and high-performance. Over the years, we have embraced multiple technology shifts, and today, have become a trusted partner to several enterprises accelerating on their digital and AI journeys. We are truly excited about welcoming EQT as our partner, and we hope to leverage their global footprint to scale our business."

The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth was advised by JSA, Deloitte, and PwC. Avendus Capital served as exclusive financial advisor and SAM & Co. served as legal counsel to Indium and its shareholders.

Contact:

EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3898293/2512035.pdf Press Release BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Indium 231222 https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/indium,c3251620 Indium

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PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Air France-KLM and Air France said that they will consider whether to appeal against a European court annulment of European Union approvals of French State aid measures during the Covid 19 crisis. The airlines stated that they will contribute to any exchange between the French State and the European Commission, aiming for the adoption of possible new approval decision. The General Court of the European Union rendered judgments on December 20, 2023, annulling a 2020 Commission decision and a 2021 Commission decision that approved various French State aid measures during the Covid-19 crisis. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
From London to Edinburgh, embark on a journey of unparalleled taste and alluring botanicals as Seedlip introduces an interesting cocktail collection - all without a drop of alcohol

LONDON, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seedlip, the alcohol-free drinks brand, has teamed up with some of the Nation's top bars across the country to curate a selection of vibrant and delicious alcohol-free cocktails. Selected top mixologists and top bartenders have thoughtfully crafted and curated the most interesting drinks of the festive season using Seedlip.

Customers looking to make the most interesting and distinctive order at the bar should head down to one of the locations below to try an alcohol-free Seedlip cocktail and maybe unveil a brand new favourite.

Explore the Seedlip range and cocktail suggestions at Seedlipdrinks.com or visit the select bars involved at Hey Palu in Edinburgh, NightJar on Carnaby Street, London, Apricity Restaurant in Mayfair, London and Couch in Birmingham.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2306387/Seedlip_Drinks.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/this-festive-season-seedlip-introduces-a-new-cocktail-selection-in-partnership-with-nations-top-bars-inviting-us-to-drink-interesting-302021670.html


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - UK car manufacturing grew in double-digits in November to record the best outcome for the month in three years as supply chain constraints eased, survey data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, or SMMT, showed Friday.



Car production grew 14.8 percent year-on-year after a 31.6 percent increase in October. UK car makers produced 91,923 cars this November, which was 11,832 units more than the same month last year.



Production for the home market rose 13.4 percent annually and that for the export market grew 15.2 percent, claiming a share of 75.1 percent of total production.



Exports led in volume terms and the growth was driven mainly by the EU, China and Turkey, SMMT said. That said, Europe claimed 60.8 percent of all shipments, which highlights the need for tariff-free electrified vehicle trade across the Channel, SMMT said.



Shipments to the EU grew 22.4 percent, those to China rose 37.3 percent and exports to Turkey soared 208.8 percent. This offset a 21.6 percent slump in exports to the U.S.



Electric vehicles - battery electric, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids - represented 38.3 percent of total production in November with a combined volume growth of 20.0 percent to 35,169 units.



UK produced a record 322,577 units of electric vehicles since January, up 53.7 percent from the same period last year.



This took the total car production volume to 843,345 units, up 119,499 units from last year. The figure is already 68,331 units ahead of full year 2022 with December's figures still to come, SMMT said.



'UK car production is firmly back on track following the tough Covid years and resulting supply chain challenges,' SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said.



'With significant investment committed to UK automotive manufacturing, production volumes increasing and the imminent threat of tariffs on EVs traded with the EU now removed by the extension of current rules of origin until 2027, there is renewed confidence in the sector.'



'We now need to see the Anglo-European battery industry build capacity at pace to meet forecast demand,' Hawes added.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
- RCF increased to finance acquisition and increase financial liquidity- Acquisition of all 47 Spanish clubs of the RSG Group, strengthening Basic-Fit's leading position in Spanish market- Acquisition is expected to deliver a ROIC of at least 30% in 2026- Bank syndicate increased commitment by 110 million through RCF accordion to finance acquisition and provide Basic-Fit with continued ample financial liquidity- Acquisition is expected to be accretive to underlying earnings as of 2024Hoofddorp, 21 December 2023 - Basic-Fit (Euronext: BFIT), Europe's largest and fastest growing fitness operator, has reached an agreement with the RSG Group, one of the largest multi-brand fitness club operators in Europe, for the acquisition of RSG Spain including all 47 clubs in Spain. The agreement is subject to clearance from the Spanish competition authority. The acquisition is expected to be completed in Q1 2024.With the intended acquisition, Basic-Fit will acquire all 42 McFIT clubs and all 5 Holmes Place clubs in Spain. Basic-Fit intends to rebrand and fully integrate the acquired clubs. The integration of the clubs is expected to be completed in 2024. Basic-Fit expects that the acquisition will deliver a ROIC of at least 30% by 2026. In 2022, RSG Spain reported revenue of 39 million.Basic-Fit received commitment from its syndicate banks for 110 million of the 150 million revolving facility accordion. Basic-Fit will use the additional liquidity to finance the acquisition, including club refurbishments and restructuring costs, and increase the financial headroom. The terms and conditions of the bank facilities remain unchanged.RENE MOOS, CEO BASIC-FIT:"With the intended acquisition, we will further strengthen our leading position in Spain. We will add 47 clubs to the current 140 clubs we have in Spain, and strengthen our positions in several important regional markets. In Barcelona, for example, we will grow the number of clubs from 2 to 9 clubs, which fits our cluster strategy.By incorporating the Spanish RSG Group clubs into our network, we will offer our members an increasing number of clubs to work out in, conveniently located near where they live or work. We remain committed to lower the barriers for people to lead an active and healthier lifestyle.The members of all the newly acquired clubs will be able to benefit from all the services, like the Basic-Fit app and virtual group classes, that are already at the disposal of Basic-Fit members and have access to the 140 clubs we already have in Spain. As we will leverage our technologies over the new clubs and integrate them into our network, we expect the acquisition to be accretive to the underlying earnings in 2024."DR. JOBST MULLER-TRIMBUSCH, CEO RSG GROUP GMBH:"In 2009, we opened our first McFIT studio in Palma de Mallorca. With a fantastic team, we rose up to 47 gyms in 14 years and led them to success - something we are very proud of. Having taken the decision to exit the Spanish market, we are especially happy to have found a successor in the industry who acquires all our Spanish gyms and truly shares our market approach and values. To us, Basic-Fit is a serious player in the industry and will continue to run our gyms professionally and conscientiously, which was our first priority".- END -FOR MORE INFORMATIONBasic-Fit Investor Relationsinvestor.relations@basic-fit.comBasic-Fit is listed on Euronext Amsterdam in the NetherlandsISIN: NL0011872650 / Symbol: BFITFINANCIAL CALENDARFull-year 2023 results 14 March 2024ABOUT BASIC-FITWith 1,402 clubs, Basic-Fit is the largest fitness operator in Europe. The company operates in six countries and has 3.75 million memberships. Basic-Fit operates a straightforward membership model and offers a high-quality, value-for-money fitness experience that appeals to the fitness needs of all people who care about their personal health and fitness.NOTES TO THE PRESS RELEASEThe financials are presented in millions of euros and all values are rounded to the nearest million unless otherwise stated. Change percentages and totals are calculated before rounding. As a consequence, rounded amounts may not add up to the rounded total in all cases. This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS / IMPORTANT NOTICESome statements in this press release may be considered 'forward-looking statements'. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are outside of our control and impossible to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, analyses and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions about possible future events. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only express views as at the date of this press release and are neither predictions nor guarantees of possible future events or circumstances. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities law.
Rio Tinto has appointed Martina Merz and Sharon Thorne as non-executive directors. Martina Merz will join the Board on 1 February 2024 and will therefore stand for election at the annual general meetings of the company in 2024. Sharon Thorne will join the Board on 1 July 2024 and will therefore stand for election at the annual general meetings of the company in 2025.

Martina Merz, a German citizen, brings extensive leadership and operational experience, most recently as CEO of industrial engineering and steel production conglomerate ThyssenKrupp. She has held numerous leadership roles, including at Robert Bosch GMBH and at Chassis Brakes International. Martina also has extensive listed company experience, currently serving on the Board of AB Volvo and the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG. She is a former Board member at Imerys SA, SAF Holland SE, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Thyssenkrupp AG and Bekaert SA.

Sharon Thorne, a British citizen, is a Chartered Accountant and has had a 36-year career with Deloitte. She became an audit partner of Deloitte in 1998, held numerous Executive and Board roles, becoming Deputy CEO Deloitte North West Europe in 2017 and Global Chair from 2019, before retiring at the end of November 2023. She has also served on the Boards of the Confederation for British Industry, Prostate Cancer UK and the Social Progress Imperative.

Rio Tinto Chair Dominic Barton said: "Martina has extensive leadership experience in handling cyclical businesses, navigating the energy transition and decarbonisation initiatives, and leading innovation and R&D efforts. This expertise, combined with significant board experience as a non-executive director, make her a valuable addition to the Rio Tinto Board.

"Having Chaired the largest professional services firm in the world, Sharon brings extensive and transformational leadership experience together with deep industry knowledge, gained over 30 years of auditing and advising multinational clients. I am very pleased to welcome Sharon to our Board."

Martina Merz said: "I am pleased to be joining Rio Tinto at an exciting time for the company. I believe there are real opportunities to be unlocked and look forward to working with the Board to deliver its long-term strategy."

Sharon Thorne said: "I look forward to contributing to Rio Tinto's ongoing transformation, as the company positions itself to thrive in a decarbonising world. I am excited about the work ahead with my fellow Board members to help shape a strong future."

Rio Tinto confirms that there are no further matters to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 9.6.13(1)-(6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82

Classification: 3.1. Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State.

riotinto.com

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Andy Hodges, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221023793/en/

Contacts:

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Michelle Lee

M +61 458 609 322

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

Investor Relations, United Kingdom

Menno Sanderse

M +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

Category: General
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / SNOWLINE GOLD CORP (TSX-V:SGD)(OTCQB:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") announces that it has granted a total of 2,470,000 options and 51,825 restricted share units (together, the "Equity Incentive Awards") to various employees, consultants, directors, and officers of the Company. The Equity Incentive Awards have been granted pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan and are subject to vesting provisions. The options have an exercise price of $4.92 per share and will expire five years from the date of grant.

ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP.

Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory focused gold exploration company with an eight-project portfolio covering >333,000 ha. The Company is exploring its flagship >94,000 ha Rogue gold project in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin. Snowline's project portfolio sits within the prolific Tintina Gold Province, host to multiple million-ounce-plus gold mines and deposits including Kinross's Fort Knox Mine, Newmont's Coffee deposit, and Victoria Gold's Eagle Mine. The Company's first-mover land position and extensive database provide a unique opportunity for investors to be part of multiple discoveries and the creation of a new gold district.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Craig Hart

Independent Chair

For further information, please contact:

Snowline Gold Corp.

+1 778 650 5485

info@snowlinegold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the significance of analytical results, the relationship between vein densities, visible gold and resultant analytical gold grades, cost-effective production of gold, the discovery potential within the Valley intrusion, the potential for investors to participate in multiple future discoveries, the Rogue project having district-scale prospectivity, the creation of a new gold district and the Company's future plans and intentions. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
ROME, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agreement between Mermec Australia and KiwiRail for the safety of railways in New Zealand. Mermec Australia, a company within the Mermec Group specialising in technologies for railway safety and maintenance - part of Angel Holding, which, under the guidance of President Vito Pertosa, develops solutions for the rail, digital mechatronics, and aerospace sectors - has signed a contract with KiwiRail, the largest railway transport operator in New Zealand, for advanced diagnostics of the national railway infrastructure. The contract involves the supply of a diagnostic vehicle equipped with 12 innovative Mermec systems for the inspection and measurement of 3,700 km of the network, enhancing safety, reliability, and the quality of railway services. The vehicle will provide a comprehensive track analysis using hi-tech laser technology, sensors, cameras, measurement systems, and data management, all in real-time and at speed, with a focus on sustainability.

According to Luca Necchi Ghiri, CEO of the Mermec Group, "This is a significant step that confirms our leadership position in the Oceania region and expands the international presence of the Mermec Group, including New Zealand among the countries where it operates. This success, reinforced by the supply of four diagnostic vehicles in Australia, is further evidence of the high standards achieved by Italian Mermec technology in the sector. I thank the entire team and Roberto Caporusso, Executive Director of Mermec Australia, for this milestone. Now, we are ready to start collaborating with KiwiRail to contribute to the safety and efficiency of the New Zealand railway network."

The agreement, explained David Gordon, Chief Capital Planning and Asset Development Officer at KiwiRail, "is part of KiwiRail's commitment to minimise the risks of disruptions to the railway network. Mermec's new diagnostic train will improve the safety and efficiency performance of the entire national railway infrastructure."

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63d492aa-e46c-4e8c-b3a2-11d139142648




DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the latest report released by Kings Research, the global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market registered USD 762.91 million in revenue in 2022 and is estimated to garner USD 1,255.20 million by the end of 2030, depicting a 6.57% CAGR through the projection period of 2023-2030. Robotic pool cleaners have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to provide a convenient and eco-friendly approach to pool maintenance. By incorporating sensors and manipulation mechanisms, these automated cleaners are able to function autonomously. The housing industry has witnessed a notable surge in growth, leading to a substantial global impact on the market for robotic pool cleaners, particularly with the increasing construction of international motels.

A robotic pool cleaner is a self-operating device that is designed to independently move across and clean pools. It effectively removes dirt, algae, and small particles from the pool using its own cleaning solution and energy. This advanced pool cleaner is particularly suitable for in-ground pools, although it can also effectively clean the floors of such pools. With their low-voltage and energy-efficient motors, these pool cleaning robots are able to efficiently navigate and clean various parts of the pool, including hard-to-reach areas.

Get a Sample PDF of the Report:

https://www.kingsresearch.com/request-sample/robotic-pool-cleaner-market-286

Trending Now: First-Ever Sonar Navigation Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner by Seauto Hits the Market

On June 30, 2023, Seauto, a newly established pool cleaning company with a three-year dedication to technical research and development in the pool cleaning field, introduced its latest innovation: the Seauto Seal Robotic Pool Cleaner. This advanced model boasts Intelligent Route Planning and offers three distinct cleaning modes, ensuring comprehensive pool cleaning. In addition to its ability to clean the pool floor, it can also climb and clean walls, providing an all-encompassing cleaning experience for swimming pools. Seal, positioned as Seauto's flagship product, debuted in June, heralding a new era in the pool cleaning industry.

Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the global robotic pool cleaner market are focusing on product innovation to stay ahead of the competition. For instance, in January 2023, OFuzzi introduced its innovative and advanced wireless robot cleaner, the Cyber1200 Pro. This compact and versatile handheld vacuum is specifically designed for various cleaning purposes, such as thorough cleaning in homes, quick clean-ups, portability for on-the-go use, and smart cleaning for pools.

Major participants in the robotic pool cleaner market include:

Hayward

Maytronics Limited

Pentair

Polaris

Pool Corporation

iRobot Corporation

Smorobot

Aiper

Ofuzzi

ZODIAC

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The global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market is segmented as:

By Type

In Ground

Above Ground

In-ground Robotic Pool Cleaners Gain Popularity Due to Their Ability to Enhance Pool Maintenance

In terms of type, the in-ground segment is expected to hold the largest share of the robotic pool cleaner market revenue in the near future, reaching USD 746.98 million by 2030. The significant increase in popularity of these cleaners can primarily be attributed to their ability to simplify and enhance pool maintenance, enabling pool owners to enjoy their pools without the hassle of tedious cleaning tasks. Additionally, certain in-ground robotic pool cleaners offer the convenience of remote control and smartphone app compatibility, further improving their user-friendliness.

By Distribution Channel

Specialty Electronics Stores

Direct Sales

Departmental Stores

Online Retailers

Others

Wide Range of Products Offered by Direct Sales Distribution Channels to Aid Robotic Pool Cleaner Market Expansion

On the basis of distribution channel, the direct sales segment is anticipated to lead the global robotic pool cleaner market, accruing a valuation of USD 575.35 million by 2030. The segmental expansion is attributed to the growing availability of pool-related products and equipment in specialized electronic retailers. These retailers are likely to offer a wide range of robotic pool cleaners, making them the go-to destination for comprehensive product selection and related services.

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Increasing Establishment of Water Parks to Drive Robotic Pool Cleaner Market Progress

The global market is anticipated to witness growth as a result of the increasing establishment of water parks worldwide. Due to the considerable number of visitors that water parks attract, there are often challenges related to the accumulation of dirt, waste, and other undesirable elements in the pools. The number of swimming pools in residential and apartment complexes is growing in light of the rising demand for luxurious features and top-notch amenities in automated pool cleaning devices. The surging popularity of outdoor recreational and fitness activities, along with the increasing necessity for swimming pools, is expected to drive the demand for robotic pool cleaners.

North America to Dominate Robotic Pool Cleaner Market Due to Rising Concerns Regarding Pool Cleanliness

North America is projected to dominate the global robotic pool cleaner industry in the forthcoming years, accounting for a valuation of USD 480.02 million by 2030. The regional market growth is primarily attributed to the increasing concerns regarding pool cleanliness and hygiene among pool owners. The growing expense of manual labor, especially in the U.S. and Canada, has further fueled the demand for these automated systems. With their programmed ability to effectively clean the water's surface, these robots offer a cost-effective solution.

As the tourism industry in the U.S. continues to flourish, there is a parallel increase in the construction of residential and commercial pools. Moreover, the American population is becoming more aware of the advantages of swimming, which contributes to the construction of new pools, thereby impelling the growth of the robotic pool cleaning industry.

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Key Points from TOC:

Chapter 1 Introduction of The Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market

1.1 Market Definition

1.2 Market Segmentation

1.3 Research Timelines

1.4 Limitations

1.5 Assumptions

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

Chapter 3 Research Methodology

3.1 Data Collection

3.1.1 Secondary Sources

3.1.2 Primary Sources

3.1.3 Research Flow

3.2 Subject Matter Expert Advice

3.3 Quality Check

3.4 Final Review

3.5 Bottom-Up Approach

3.6 Top-down Approach

Chapter 4 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market Outlook

4.1 Market Evolution

4.2 Overview

4.3 Market Dynamics

4.3.1 Drivers

4.3.2 Restraints

4.3.3 Opportunities

4.3.4 Challenges

4.4 Pricing Analysis

4.5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.6 Value Chain Analysis

4.7 Macroeconomic Analysis

Chapter 5 Impact of Russia-Ukraine War

Chapter 6 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market, By Type

Chapter 7 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market, By End User

Chapter 8 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market, By Distribution Channel

Chapter 9 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market, By Geography

Chapter 10 North America

Chapter 11 Europe

Chapter 12 Asia Pacific

Chapter 13Middle East & Africa

Chapter 14 Latin America

Chapter 15 Global Robotic Pool Cleaner Market Competitive Landscape

15.1 Overview

15.2 Key Developments

15.3 Key Strategic Developments

15.4 Company Market Ranking

15.5 Regional Footprint

15.6 Industry Footprint

Chapter 16 Company Profiles

16.1 Hayward

16.1.1 Key Facts

16.1.2 Financial Overview

16.1.3 Product Benchmarking

16.1.4 Recent Developments

16.1.5 Winning Imperatives

16.1.6 Current Focus & Strategies

16.1.7 Threat from competition

16.1.8 SWOT Analysis

16.2 Maytronics Limited

16.2.1 Key Facts

16.2.2 Financial Overview

16.2.3 Product Benchmarking

16.2.4 Recent Developments

16.2.5 Winning Imperatives

16.2.6 Current Focus & Strategies

16.2.7 Threat from competition

16.2.8 SWOT Analysis

16.3 Pentair

16.3.1 Key Facts

16.3.2 Financial Overview

16.3.3 Product Benchmarking

16.3.4 Recent Developments

16.3.5 Winning Imperatives

16.3.6 Current Focus & Strategies

16.3.7 Threat from competition

16.3.8 SWOT Analysis

16.4 Polaris

16.4.1 Key Facts

16.4.2 Financial Overview

16.4.3 Product Benchmarking

16.4.4 Recent Developments

16.4.5 Winning Imperatives

16.4.6 Current Focus & Strategies

16.4.7 Threat from competition

16.4.8 SWOT Analysis

16.5 Pool Corporation

16.5.1 Key Facts

16.5.2 Financial Overview

16.5.3 Product Benchmarking

16.5.4 Recent Developments

16.5.5 Winning Imperatives

16.5.6 Current Focus & Strategies

16.5.7 Threat from competition

16.5.8 SWOT Analysis

Continued.

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Kings Research stands as a renowned global market research firm. With a collaborative approach, we work closely with industry leaders, conducting thorough assessments of trends and developments. Our primary objective is to provide decision-makers with tailored research reports that align with their unique business objectives. Through our comprehensive research studies, we strive to empower leaders to make informed decisions.

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TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - The White House says President Joe Biden believes Japanese-owned Nippon Steel's bid to buy U.S. Steel deserves 'serious scrutiny' on national security grounds.



'He believes the purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity - even one from a close ally - appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability,' National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said in a statement.



He added that the interagency committee on foreign investment is set up to carefully investigate this type of transactions.



'This Administration will be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and to act if appropriate.'



The White House expressed concern over the announced deal, which comes at a time 'factories are coming back home, jobs are coming back home, American companies are making things in America again' because of President Biden's policies.



It noted that Biden has taken action to protect the U.S. steel companies against unfair and market-distorting trade practices in China and other countries.



Since President Biden took office, 800,000 manufacturing jobs have been created, according to the White House.



Nippon Steel Corp. earlier this week signed an agreement to acquire United States Steel Corporation for $14.9 billion.



The acquisition of the 122-year-old U. S. Steel by Nippon is expected to transform Japan's largest steelmaker into one of the world's biggest steel companies.



The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomed Brainard's statement and the Biden administration's assessment that the announced sale of U.S. Steel to the Japanese auto giant deserves 'serious scrutiny' to determine its larger implications for U.S. national security and critical supply chains.



USW International President David McCall said the union shares many of the concerns expressed by the White House, including how this deal may impact the future of domestic steel production.



He had earlier said neither U.S. Steel nor Nippon reached out to the union regarding the deal. It is a violation of UAW's partnership agreement that requires U.S. Steel to notify the union of a change in control or business conditions, according to him.



He warned that the union, which represents 850,000 U.S. workers, will hold the U.S. Steel management accountable to 'every letter of our collective bargaining and other existing agreements.'



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Marula Mining Plc - Update on Tanzania Copper Processing Plant

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, December 22

Marula Mining PLC

("Marula'' or the "Company")

22 December 2023

Update on Tanzania Copper Processing Plant

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU), an African focused mining and development company, is pleased to provide an update on the Kinusi Copper Mine ("Kinusi" or the "Project"), where the Company's recently appointed independent processing consultants, Erudite Strategies ("Erudite"), have completed an inspection and review of the initial modular processing plant (the "Processing Plant") in South Africa, ahead of its planned transportation to Kinusi.

Further to the announcement on 24 August 2023, transportation of the Processing Plant will not occur until early in Q1 2024, following an inspection by Erudite, which has identified that additional work has to be completed in January 2024. Once this work is completed, the Processing Plant will be ready for transportation, installation and commissioning in Tanzania at Kinusi.

The Company is targeting early Q1 2024 for the installation and commissioning of the Processing Plant, which will coincide with the commencement of the Phase II Program of exploration activities and resource drilling program that is also to commence at Kinusi.

Highlights

Erudite has completed a review and inspection of the Processing Plant in South Africa as part of their scope of work to assist the Company in its planned mineral processing activities across its battery metals projects in East and Southern Africa

As part of their review and inspection work, they identified that there was additional work required and which is now to be undertaken and completed in January 2024

It is proposed that once the work has been undertaken, the Processing Plant will then undergo a final inspection and factory acceptance testing ahead of being transported to Tanzania to the Kinusi mine site where it will be installed and commissioned

This installation and commissioning of the Processing Plant in early Q1 2024 and commencement of larger scale open pit mining will coincide with the commencement of an upgrade program to the Kinusi site infrastructure and the start of the Phase II Program of exploration activities at Kinusi which will include additional geophysical survey and resource drilling work

Planning and budgetary approval work for the site infrastructure upgrades and the Phase II Program of exploration at Kinusi was completed in Q4 2023 with input from the teams and technical personnel from Takela Mining Tanzania Limited and Q Global Commodities and the Company's independent geological consultants, Geofields Tanzania Limited

Discussions on off-take and marketing agreements for the sale of 100% of the copper concentrates produced at Kinusi are now expected to be concluded in Q1 2024 in line with the commencement of copper concentrate production

Jason Brewer, Marula Mining PLC CEO said:

"I am pleased to be able to provide an update on the Processing Plant for the Kinusi Copper Mine, which is now close to being transported to Tanzania where it will be installed and commissioned.

"Thank you to our colleagues at Erudite for diligently completing the inspection and for identifying some final work to be undertaken. As stated, we expect this work to be completed by 31 January 2024, with the Processing Plant due to be installed and commissioned in early Q1 2024.

"This timeline will coincide with site infrastructure upgrade work and the commencement of the Phase II Program of exploration at Kinusi, which we anticipate getting underway in Q1 2024, following the completion of planning and budgetary work completed in Q4 2023 by our partners Takela Mining and Q Global Commodities, and our independent geological consultants, Geofields.

"I look forward to updating our shareholders and investors once the work requested by Erudite has been completed, and the transportation of the Processing Plant to the Kinusi Copper Mine has begun, as well as the progress on its installation and commissioning."

Background on the Processing Plant

Construction on the Processing Plant was completed in August 2023 by Amoref Pty Limited ("Amoref"), based on test work that was undertaken on material delivered from Kinusi.

The Processing Plant will be installed and commissioned on a 28 hectare site that benefits from access to both an existing power and water supply and has direct road access through to port facilities in Dar es Salaam.

Initially the Processing Plant comprises a feed bin with a Grizzly fitted with a transfer conveyer and a scalping screen. All fines are fed into a double roller mill and then into a rod mill and the oversize material is fed into a 10 x 16 Telsmith jaw crusher.

The crushed material is fed into the scalping screen to ensure all material is processed into 1mm to 75 micron fines. A slew conveyer ensures significant flexibility in the process flow sheet such that material can be moved to either feed a process stockpile or direct to the mill.

It is proposed that upon successful commissioning and operation of the Processing Plant, the Company will look to expand processing capacity based upon the next Phase II Program of exploration activities and resource definition drilling work that is to be completed.

Phase Two of the Processing Plant sees the milled fines being fed with a paddle feeder using gravity and into a James-table circuit with the milled fines fed into three Amoref shaking tables.

Material from the first and second tables are pumped into the final table, where the copper concentrate is recovered and placed on drying pads and stockpiled before transportation and sale under the Company's proposed copper offtake arrangements.

The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement.

About Marula Mining

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mine projects in Africa; the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine and Korridor Lithium Project in South Africa, the Kinusi Copper Mine, the Nyorinyori Graphite Project, the NyoriGreen Graphite Project and the Bagamoyo Graphite Project all in Tanzania and the Nkombwa Hill Project in Zambia. As we advance operations at these battery metals focused projects, Marula will continue to build and expand its interests in other high-quality projects in Africa.

Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa that the Directors believe would deliver returns for its shareholders. The Board and management team aims to establish Marula as a socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable, and profitable producer of critical metals and commodities that are of increasingly strategic importance to modern technologies and the global economy. Marula's shares are traded on the AQUIS Stock Exchange (AQSE), Marula is exploring opportunities to admit its shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc's Standard List or AIM Market, Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange and South Africa's Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

For enquiries contact:

Marula Mining PLC Jason Brewer, Chief Executive Officer Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi Investor Relations Email: jason@marulamining.com Email: info@marulamining.com AQSE Corporate Adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Broker Peterhouse Capital Limited,

Charles Goodfellow / Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Financial PR and IR BlytheRay Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Caution:

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe', 'could', "should" 'envisage', 'estimate', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'potentially', "expect", 'will' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.


JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - Two UN agencies have warned that Gaza is heading to famine, and combined with the alarming rise in diseases, it will lead to more deaths in the war-stricken Palestinian enclave.



More than 20000 people have already lost their lives in Gaza in retaliatory attacks by Israel Defense Forces.



In new estimates released Thursday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global partnership, which includes WHO, said Gaza is facing 'catastrophic levels of food insecurity,' with the risk of famine 'increasing each day.'



An unprecedented 93 percent of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with insufficient food and high levels of malnutrition. At least 1 in 4 households are facing 'catastrophic conditions': experiencing an extreme lack of food and starvation and having resorted to selling off their possessions and other extreme measures to afford a simple meal. Starvation, destitution and death are evident.



On recent missions to north Gaza, WHO staff say that every single person they spoke to in Gaza is hungry. Wherever they went, including hospitals and emergency wards, people asked them for food. 'We move around Gaza delivering medical supplies and people rush to our trucks hoping it's food,' they said, calling it 'an indicator of the desperation.'



Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older people are the most affected.



The World Food Program says Gaza is at risk of famine within six months if the conflict doesn't end.



More than one in four households in Gaza currently face extreme hunger, and there is a risk of famine unless access to adequate food, clean water, health and sanitation services is restored, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report.



This latest food security analysis for Gaza, which includes data from WFP, other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, confirmed that the entire population of Gaza - roughly 2.2 million people - is in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity.



According to the IPC, there is a risk of famine occurring within the next six months if the current situation of intense conflict and restricted humanitarian access persists.



When the alarming reports were brought to his attention at a White House news conference, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said, 'We certainly agree that there is an immense amount of suffering inside Gaza - hunger, obviously, but also health needs as well.' He expressed concern that with winter coming, harsher weather is going to make it tougher for people that are not able to shelter.



More than 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes since the Israel-Hamas war broke out 76 days ago. Out of them, 1.4 million are staying in overcrowded shelters, according to WHO. These conditions are ripe for a continued rise in infectious diseases.



The White House said more humanitarian assistance is being delivered into Gaza.



Kirby said that on Wednesday, some 120 trucks entered through Israeli border crossing at Kerem Shalom and more than 71 through Rafah, the Egyptian border crossing. 'We're going to continue to work as hard as we can to increase that flow through both those border crossings and then make sure that there are processes in place to get that aid and assistance to the people who actually need it inside Gaza,' he told reporters.



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Interview: Decade-old BRI injects vigorous impetus into China-ASEAN ties: Cambodian scholar

Xinhua) 13:37, December 22, 2023

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A decade on, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has injected strong momentum into socioeconomic development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a Cambodian scholar said on Friday.

Thong Mengdavid, a research supervisor at the Asian Vision Institute, a Phnom Penh-based independent think tank, said under the BRI, a number of Chinese-invested or -aided mega-projects have been carried out in ASEAN countries.

Those BRI projects in the region included the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, the China-Laos Railway in Laos, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, the East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, among others.

"The BRI has played a critical role in building connectivity in ASEAN region and between China and ASEAN," he told Xinhua.

"These projects, just to mention a few, have significantly contributed to boosting the economy and trade in the region and provided vigorous impetus to ASEAN-China efforts in building a community with a shared future toward high quality, modern, and civilized humanity," he added.

Mengdavid said those BRI projects have given a boost to trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN, and helped attract foreign direct investment to the region.

He added that China has been the ASEAN's biggest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for three consecutive years.

He said the BRI has complemented the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, saying that a synergy between the BRI and MPAC 2025 has increasingly contributed to regional connectivity, peace and stability, economic prosperity and sustainable development.

"I can say that the BRI has importantly contributed to promoting peace, security, harmony, sustainable, inclusive development and common prosperity in the region," Mengdavid said.

"There is no doubt that the BRI projects will continue to strengthen China-ASEAN collaboration in terms of promoting growth, re-organizing regional and global economic order, and advancing greater regionalism and integration," he added.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

BRI, a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was initiated by China in 2013 to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa and beyond ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Over the past decade, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and 30-plus international organizations.

Speaking of the BRI's impact on Cambodia, Mengdavid said Cambodia was one of the first countries to embrace the BRI and the kingdom's socioeconomic progress has continued to evolve and improve significantly since then.

"People's standard of living is rising as a result of greater Chinese investment and infrastructure development, as well as an inflow of Chinese visitors," he said. "These have greatly contributed to Cambodia's socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation through creating a lot of jobs for Cambodian people."

Mengdavid added that BRI's landmark projects such as hydropower plants, industrial zones, expressways, ports and airports will help Cambodia achieve its ambitious goals of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

"All in all, the BRI has provided and will continue to provide tremendous benefits to Cambodia, ASEAN, and the rest of the world, contributing to building a global community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Custom Health and Berenson Acquisition Corp. I join forces to redefine healthcare landscape, focusing on serving poly-med patients with chronic conditions.

Using technology to help patients take their meds on time, with a 98% medication adherence rate for Custom Health's patients in the U.S. and Canada.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Custom Health Inc. ("Custom Health" or the "Company") and Berenson Acquisition Corp. I ("BACA") (NYSE American: BACA) today announced they have entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") that is expected to result in Custom Health becoming a publicly-listed company (the "Proposed Transaction" or the "Business Combination").

Custom Health provides a comprehensive technology-enabled medication management and managed care solution, resulting in 98% medication adherence1 for its patients across the United States and Canada. The Company is focused on serving poly-med patients with chronic conditions, representing an estimated market of 78 million adults in North America.2 These patients take multiple medications several times throughout the day and often struggle to adhere to their prescription regimen, presenting a significant challenge and cost to the North American healthcare system estimated to be $550 billion per year.3

The Company is led by CEO, Shane Bishop, and Chairman, Rahul Chopra, who collectively bring over 30 years of central-fill pharmacy operating and management experience. They lead a dedicated team of clinical pharmacists, engineers and software developers all striving to create better patient outcomes.

The Company's operations are powered by its proprietary software which orchestrates i) fully-automated owned and network pharmacies, ii) at-home medication management solutions, iii) real-time clinical oversight by 200+ pharmacist-lead clinicians and iv) the collection of real-time, real-world data and insights. This integrated and technology-enabled approach allows for the efficient creation and real-time maintenance of personalized care plans for patients.

The Company supplements its organic growth by acquiring pharmacies in close proximity to substantial poly-med patient populations. This allows Custom Health to provide both medications and technology in one integrated offering, inuring to the benefit of payors and patients.

Shane expressed enthusiasm about the Proposed Transaction, noting that, "We are very excited to work closely with the BACA team to enable us to better transform the care experience for people at home. We believe that their deep mergers and acquisitions expertise coupled with our shared commitment to impact patient lives will accelerate our path to market. Guessing with medication must stop. We have the expertise, technology and comprehensive data to help people who take medication achieve the best possible health outcome."

Mohammed Ansari, CEO of BACA, commented, "Our goal was to partner with a business led by a mission-driven management team with a vision. We believe we have found that in Custom Health, with its novel approach to managing high-risk patients' medication and improving their health outcomes."

Amir Hegazy, CFO of BACA, added, "We believe that Custom Health will be a first-of-its-kind public company within the healthcare sector, utilizing a vertically-integrated business model that leverages proprietary technology at its owned and network pharmacies to manage the full cycle of a patient's medication and care journey."

Proposed Transaction Overview

Under the Proposed Transaction terms, Custom Health will combine with BACA and become a publicly-listed entity trading on the NYSE under its existing name. The Proposed Transaction implies a $185 million pre-money equity value for Custom Health and is expected to provide the Company with access to cash remaining in BACA's trust account post redemptions and potentially additional contemplated financing. Proceeds from the Proposed Transaction and related financing are expected to be used to fuel organic growth and allow Custom Health to continue to execute on its proven add-on acquisition strategy.

Following the closing of the proposed Business Combination, the Company's board is expected to be comprised of seven directors, the majority of whom will be independent, consistent with the applicable NYSE listing rules.

The Proposed Transaction will require approval of both the stockholders of BACA and Custom Health and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

About Berenson Acquisition Corp. I



BACA is a special purpose acquisition corporation focused on identifying a leading technology-enabled services or software company led by a passionate management team of subject matter experts.

BACA is affiliated with Berenson Holdings LLC ("Berenson"), a merchant bank founded in 1990 with two principal lines of business: investment banking and private equity investing. Berenson was co-founded by Jeffrey Berenson, the former head of M&A and founder and co-head of merchant banking at Merrill Lynch, and is a trusted financial advisor to executives, founders, boards, family offices, financial sponsors, pension funds and government-related entities seeking to drive transformational growth as well as other value creation and preservation initiatives.

Advisors

Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC ("CCM"), served as exclusive financial advisor, capital markets advisor and placement agent to BACA. DLA Piper LLP (US) served as legal counsel to Custom Health. Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal counsel to BACA.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication relates to the Proposed Transaction but does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transaction and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transaction. BACA intends to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") a registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the Proposed Transaction that will include a proxy statement of BACA and a prospectus of BACA. When available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials will be sent to all stockholders of BACA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Transaction. BACA also will file other documents regarding the Proposed Transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and securities holders of BACA are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about BACA, Custom Health and the Proposed Transaction.

Investors and securities holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by BACA through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by BACA may be obtained free of charge from BACA's website at https://berensonacquisitioncorp.com/ or by written request to BACA at Berenson Acquisition Corp. I, 667 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10065.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transaction between Custom Health and BACA, including statements regarding the benefits of the Proposed Transaction, the anticipated timing of the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the products offered by Custom Health and the markets in which it operates, the expected total addressable market for the products offered by Custom Health, the ability to obtain additional financing, the listing of the post-combination Company on the NYSE, the sufficiency of the net proceeds of the Proposed Transaction to fund Custom Health's operations and business plan and Custom Health's projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to material risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Custom Health. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including, but not limited to: (i) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (ii) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed by BACA's business combination deadline; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction, including the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement by the stockholders of BACA and Custom Health, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by BACA's public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, among other closing conditions; (iv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; (v) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed Transaction on Custom Health's business relationships, performance, and business generally; (vi) risks that the Proposed Transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Custom Health; (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Custom Health, BACA or others related to the Business Combination Agreement or the Proposed Transaction; (viii) the ability to meet the NYSE listing standards at or following the consummation of the Proposed Transaction; (ix) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, which may be affected by a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Custom Health operates, variations in performance across competitors and partners, changes in laws and regulations affecting Custom Health's business, the ability of Custom Health and the post-combination Company to retain its management and key employees and general economic and financial market trends, disruptions and risks; (x) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Proposed Transaction; (xi) the risk that Custom Health will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (xii) the risk that the post-combination Company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations; (xiii) the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to Custom Health's business; (xiv) the risk that Custom Health is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; and (xv) costs related to the Proposed Transaction. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of BACA's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the registration statement on Form S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus discussed above and other documents filed by BACA from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially adversely from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Custom Health and BACA assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Custom Health nor BACA gives or can give any assurance that either Custom Health or BACA will achieve its expectations.

Participants in the Solicitation

BACA and Custom Health and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from BACA's stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction. Information about BACA's directors and executive officers and their ownership of BACA's securities is set forth in BACA's filings with the SEC, including BACA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023. To the extent that such persons' holdings of BACA's securities have changed since the amounts disclosed in BACA's Annual Report on Form 10-K, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the names and interests in the Proposed Transaction of BACA's and Custom Health's respective directors and officers and other persons who may be deemed participants in the Proposed Transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the Proposed Transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Proposed Transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of BACA, Custom Health, or Merger Sub, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or exemptions therefrom.

Contacts:

Custom Health Inc.:

Kasumi Oda

kasumi.oda@customhealth.com

For Media:

Alyssa Barry

alyssa@irlabs.ca

Berenson Acquisition Corp. I:

Caitlin Canderan

ccanderan@berensonco.com

________________________

1 BMC Geriatrics, "Medication adherence support of an in-home electronic medication dispensing system for individuals living with chronic conditions: a pilot randomized controlled trial"

2 CDC, "Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, 2018"; Statistics Canada; BMC, "Chronic disease multimorbidity among the Canadian population: prevalence and associated lifestyle factors"; Statista, "Resident population of Canada in 2022, by gender and age group"

3 Sage Journals, "Cost of Prescription Drug-Related Morbidity and Mortality"; National Library of Medicine, "Cost-related nonadherence to prescription medications in Canada: a scoping review"

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/191865

SOURCE: Berenson Acquisition Corp. I
Marula Mining Plc - Update on the Proposed Dual Listings in Nairobi and Johannesburg

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, December 22

Marula Mining PLC

("Marula'' or the "Company")

London, 22 December 2023

Update on the Proposed Dual Listings in Nairobi and Johannesburg

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU), an African focused mining and development company, is pleased to provide an update on the Company's planned dual listing of its securities on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange ("JSE") and the Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc ("NSE").

Highlights:

Marula Mining is proceeding with its plans to list its securities on the Growth Enterprise Market Segment ("GEMS") of the NSE and on the AltX Market of the JSE as initially announced on 29 June 2023.

Faida Investment Bank, one of the leading investment banks in Kenya, has been appointed as the Company's Nominated Advisor and Sponsoring Stockbroker and is managing the process in preparation for the listing on the Growth Enterprise Market Segment of the NSE.

South African corporate advisory group Bridge Capital Advisors Pty Limited ("Bridge Capital") has continued in its role as the Company's Corporate Advisor and is managing and overseeing the proposed listing on the JSE.

All other key consultants and advisors including share registrars in the two jurisdictions and legal advisors have also been appointed and are progressing with the necessary listing activities.

The proposed dual listings and plans to move Marula's primary listing in London to the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") forms part of the Company's broad strategy to establish itself as one of the leading African battery metals focused mining, exploration and development companies.

The Board is confident that the proposed listings will attract investors in both Kenya and South Africa and will be supported by the Company's key stakeholders in these regions.

On the NSE, Marula will become the first metals mining company to be listed on the Exchange and one of only a few dual listed companies, and through its listing the Company believes it will offer local and international investors exposure to Kenya's and Africa's mining sectors and economic growth.

The NSE is a founder member of the African Securities Exchange Association and the East African Securities Exchanges Association. It is a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges and the Association of Futures Markets, and a partner Exchange in the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.

In addition, through its proposed dual listings on both the NSE and JSE, the Company will benefit from the NSE and JSE participation in the African Exchanges Linkage Project, which allows investors in Africa cross-border trading between Africa's leading participating stock exchanges.

The planned listing on both the JSE and NSE demonstrates Marula's commitment to the key countries it operates in and to its stakeholders within the African continent and recognises the vast potential and growth of the continent's capital markets.

The Company is now finalising all other outstanding regulatory requirements in Kenya and South Africa to allow the proposed listings to proceed.

The dual listings on the NSE and JSE are expected to now be completed in Q1 2024.

Commenting on the progress of the listings, Mr. Jason Brewer, Marula Mining PLC CEO said, "The decision to list on both the NSE and JSE is a testament of our commitment to become a truly African focused mining and development company in the battery metals sector. The dual listing will enable Marula Mining to expand its reach within the countries that we operate in and ensure that all stakeholders share in our success.

"The dual listing also provides the opportunity to increase our visibility to the market and will allow us to raise the growth capital needed to develop our projects. Additionally, we will be able to establish Marula as one of the leading battery metals focused mining and development company that is truly African focused.

"Whilst we had hoped that these dual listings would have been completed earlier in the year, our focus in 2023 has been on the accelerated development of our battery metals projects to ensure we are nowable to attract strong investors to these dual listings and demonstrate our ability to bring high value mining projects into production.The dual listings are in addition to our planned move of our primary listing in London to the Standard List of the LSE, which we are continuing to progress as well." he added.

"I look forward to updating the shareholders, old and new, on our progress with the dual listing as we seek to return shareholder value."

Reiterating his remarks, Mr. Geoffrey Odundo, Chief Executive, NSE noted, "The proposed listing of Marula Mining on the NSE is a welcome development and underscores NSE's continued leadership as the preferred financial market infrastructure platform for companies seeking to raise initial and ongoing capital in Africa."

"The planned listing will enable Marula Mining to access the wide pool of individual andinstitutional investors in Kenya, supporting the Company's capital raising initiatives to accelerate its growth and development in Kenya." he added.

Mr Bob Karina, the Chairman of Faida Investment Bank noted, "Through the listing of Marula Mining on the NSE, investors will have an opportunity to diversify their investments and participate in the mining sector, an asset class that has not been previously available locally to investors in Kenya and the region."

Further Information

The Company's decision to list on the JSE and NSE is driven by the objective to provide wider access for stakeholders in the region the Company operates in and provides Marula with the opportunity to increase its market visibility and offers a wider range of shareholders to invest in the Company. Additionally, this will provide the Company the chance to raise the necessary growth capital to develop the Company's portfolio, and to deliver on shareholder value. Marula expects the listings to be completed in Q1 2024 at the earliest opportunity.

In addition to the dual listing on the JSE and NSE, Marula Mining plans to move its primary listing in London to the Standard List of the LSE.

The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement.This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of UK Market Abuse Regulation.

About Marula Mining

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mine projects in Africa; the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine and Korridor Lithium Project in South Africa, the Kinusi Copper Mine, the Nyorinyori Graphite Project, the NyoriGreen Graphite Project and the Bagamoyo Graphite Project all in Tanzania and the Nkombwa Hill Project in Zambia. As we advance operations at these battery metals focused projects, Marula will continue to build and expand its interests in other high-quality projects in Africa.

Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa that the Directors believe would deliver returns for its shareholders. The Board and management team aims to establish Marula as a socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable, and profitable producer of critical metals and commodities that are of increasingly strategic importance to modern technologies and the global economy. Marula's shares are traded on the AQUIS Stock Exchange (AQSE), Marula is exploring opportunities to admit its shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc's Standard List or AIM Market, Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange and South Africa's Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

For enquiries contact:

Marula Mining PLC Jason Brewer, Chief Executive Officer Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi Investor Relations Email: jason@marulamining.com Email: info@marulamining.com AQSE Corporate Adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Broker Peterhouse Capital Limited,

Charles Goodfellow / Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Financial PR and IR BlytheRay Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Caution:

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe', 'could', "should" 'envisage', 'estimate', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'potentially', "expect", 'will' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NCMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) today announced it has closed the non-brokered private placement announced on November 20, 2023. A total of 8,333,333 units were issued at a price of $0.06 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.10 until December 22, 2025. A maximum of 16,666,667 common shares of Namibia Critical Metals will be issued pursuant to the Private Placement (assuming full exercise of all warrants).

The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used primarily to fund marketing and general corporate purposes. The common shares and warrants of the Company issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring April 23, 2024. No finder's fees were paid in respect of this financing.

Insiders of the Company acquired $257,000 of the Private Placement. Participation by these insiders in the Private Placement was exempt from the formal valuation and shareholder approval requirements contained in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions as the fair market value of their investments did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

NCMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals has become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction.

The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture Agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

The Company filed a robust updated PEA for "Lofdal 2B-4" on November 14, 2022, with a post-tax NPV of USD$391 million and an annual IRR of 28% with a capital expenditure of USD$207 million. The project is projected to generate a life of mine nominal cash flow of USD$698 million post-tax over a 16-year mine life.

About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV

JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development.

Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry.

Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed.

To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10 million expenditure requirement. JOGMEC has approved an additional C$1,800,000 budget for Term 3 through to March 31, 2024, totaling C$11,800,000.

Other exploration projects: The Company's Exclusive Prospecting Licenses ("EPLs") prospective for gold are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and the Twin Hills deposit. At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the meta-sediments hosting the Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified and exploration is progressing over this highly prospective area. The Grootfontein Base Metal and Gold Project has potential for magmatic copper-nickel mineralization, Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead-vanadium mineralization and Otjikoto-style gold mineralization.

The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NMI" and the OTCQB Market under the symbol "NMREF".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information please contact -

Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

Darrin Campbell, President

Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760

Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com Website: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on December 19, 2023, in Toronto, Ontario.

The Company's shareholders voted strongly in favour of all matters brought before the Meeting. All the director nominees set out in the management information circular dated November 9, 2023, were elected as directors, to serve until the next meeting of shareholders of the Company. Details of voting are as follows:

Director Votes

FOR % of Votes

Cast FOR Votes

WITHHELD % of Votes

WITHHELD Nick Tintor 79,896,459 99.70% 243,765 0.30% Michael Bandrowski 79,919,459 99.72% 220,765 0.28% William Williams 79,996,459 99.82% 143,765 0.18% Kristina Bates 80,024,459 99.86% 115,765 0.14% Rick Mazur 79,836,411 99.62% 303,813 0.38% James Maxwell 79,833,559 99.62% 306,665 0.38% Paul Pint 79,914,459 99.72% 225,765 0.28%

Big Ridge would like to congratulate Dr. Bill Williams as the new Chair of the Board. The Company would also like to thank its outgoing Chair, Mr. Nick Tintor, who will continue to serve the Company as a director.

The Company's shareholders also approved the resolution concerning the reappointment of Davidson & Company LLP as the Company's auditor, the results of which are set out below.

Resolution Votes

FOR % of Votes

FOR Votes

WITHHELD OR ABSTAINED % of Votes

WITHHELD OR ABSTAINED Appointment of Auditors 84,930,819 99.98% 16,605 0.02%

The results of the voting are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Big Ridge Gold Corp.

Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns a 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba and the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec. Big Ridge is the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company currently owns 51% of the Hope Brook Gold Project and has an option to earn up to 80% by June 2026.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

For Further Information Contact:

Mike Bandrowski,

President & CEO

BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP.

18 King Street East, Suite 1400

Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4

Tel: 416-540-5480

Email: Mike@bigridgegold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-Looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-Looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including the closing of the Offering. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-Looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192090

SOURCE: Big Ridge Gold Corp.
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") is pleased to announce that the exploration permit applications for both the Victory Project and the Ear Falls Project have been successfully submitted to the Ontario's Ministry of Mines. Each application is for 30 drilling sites and 20 stripping locations. Each drill site is designed to drill multiple holes. The stripping locations are focused on each project's main exploration corridors (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The drill programs at Victory and Ear Falls are designed to:

Define and expand the identified spodumene-bearing pegmatites zones, such as the Last Resort and the Bounty Gold Pegmatites at the Victory Project and the Wenasaga North Zone at the Ear Falls Project. Drill test the different prospective areas along the exploration corridors to continue to demonstrate the continuity, the size, and the potential of both projects.

The stripping program is designed to expose additional pegmatites for sampling and mapping and also identify and prioritize drill targets.

As previously announced, more than 240 drill core samples from Ear Falls, 25 channel samples from Victory and over 120 grab samples from different projects are still pending in the lab. Beyond Lithium anticipates the results of these samples to become available over the next few weeks. Once all results are received, Beyond Lithium will complete an overall technical review of all the projects and will finalize and announce a comprehensive exploration plan for 2024.

"In the last six months, we have explored 50 of our 63 projects (79.4%), advanced 18 projects to Phase 2 exploration and have ten more highly prospective projects to start exploring in 2024. We also made three significant discoveries, including two spodumene discoveries which are now moving to the drilling stage," said Allan Frame CEO of Beyond Lithium.

He added: "Most of our projects are close to excellent infrastructure with great access located across Ontario which allows us to have longer field season for exploration to provide steady news flow for our shareholders. We look forward to sharing the assay results from the more than 385 samples still in the lab as we receive and analyze them."

Victory Spodumene Project

The Victory Project is comprised of the Victory Main (7,874 ha) and the Victory West (8,808 ha) Projects totaling 16,682 hectares in an area located in the Medicine Lake area near the towns of Vermilion Bay, Dryden and the city of Kenora. The Victory Project currently includes two spodumene-bearing pegmatites, the Bounty Gold Pegmatite and the Last Resort Pegmatite. These two spodumene-bearing pegmatites are 40 to 50 m wide and over 200-300 m exposed along strike on surface (Figure 1). The Victory Project has:

Substantial width and size for the spodumene-bearing pegmatites.

Up to 5.11% Li2O at the Last Resort Pegmatite and up to 3.48% Li2O at the Bounty Gold Pegmatite from spodumene-bearing pegmatite grab samples.

District scale synergy with the Ear Falls Spodumene Project and the Mavis Lake Group Projects (Satellite, Laval, Gullwing-tot, Webb East, Webb West, Temple Bay, Ogani Lake, and McKenzie Bay) as they are within 100 km of each other and three regionally significant lithium deposits (Figure 3).

A 6-kilometer-long structural controlled exploration trend between the Bounty Gold and the Last Resort Pegmatites for exploration.

Figure 1 Victory Project Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/192091_771e670024741ad1_002full.jpg

Ear Falls Spodumene Project

The Ear Falls Project (20,623 ha), previously referred to as the Wenasaga Project, is located right outside the town of Ear Falls, Ontario. Ear Falls has excellent infrastructure including highway and logging road access, power lines, services, and local labor (Figure 2). In the 2023 exploration program at Ear Falls, Beyond Lithium:

Discovered the Wenasaga North Zone, a spodumene-bearing pegmatites zone, with grab samples up to 4.54% Li2O.

Discovered the Sandy Creek West Zone along a 100m wide ridge with grab samples from pegmatites outcrops assayed up to 0.4% Li2O.

Reported that grab samples from the Sandy Creek West Zone are as highly fractionated as the spodumene samples collected from the Wenasaga North Zone.

Confirmed a 13 kilometers long exploration structural controlled corridor with lithium mineralization.

Delineated continuous higher-grade lithium zone enveloped by wider intervals through stripping and channel sampling.

Completed an initial 7 holes drilling program that intercepted new subparallel pegmatite dyke at depth that was not exposed on surface previously.

Figure 2 Ear Falls Project Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/192091_771e670024741ad1_003full.jpg

Figure 3 Regional map showing location of Beyond Lithium projects relative to other significant nearby deposits.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/192091_771e670024741ad1_004full.jpg

Alain Lambert, Co-Founder and Capital Markets Advisor commented: "Beyond Lithium has achieved much success in 2023. Starting 2024 with significant drilling programs at Victory and Ear Falls marks an important milestone for our company. I am also pleased with the progress we continue to make on the corporate front with our project generator business model. We remain committed to the same disciplined approach in our deal-making activities which has paid off on the exploration front. We will do things on our own timetable and only do deals that increase shareholder value."

Qualified Person and Third-Party Data

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lawrence Tsang, P.Geo., VP Exploration of the Company. Lawrence Tsang is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Beyond Lithium Inc.

Beyond Lithium Inc. is the largest greenfield lithium exploration player in Ontario with 63 high potential greenfield lithium properties totalling over 195,000 hectares. The Company has adopted the project generator business model to maximize funds available for exploration projects, while minimizing shareholder dilution. Beyond Lithium is advancing certain of its projects with its exploration team and will seek to option other properties to joint venture partners. Partnering on various projects will provide a source of non-dilutive working capital, partner-funded exploration, and long-term residual exposure to exploration success.

Beyond Lithium currently has 33,874,482 common shares outstanding.

Please follow @BeyondLithium on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

For more information, please refer to the Company's website at www.beyondLithium.ca

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In stating the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements of forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the proposed expenditures for exploration work on its properties, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 23, 2022 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Allan Frame

President and CEO

Tel: 403-470-8450

Email: allan.frame@beyondLithium.ca

Jason Frame

Manager of Communications

Tel: 587-225-2599

Email: jason.frame@beyondLithium.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192091

SOURCE: Beyond Lithium Inc.
Non-Executive Director and PDMR Share Dealings and Vesting of Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Awards

MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / The Pebble Group, a leading provider of digital commerce, products and related services to the global promotional products industry, announces that David Moss, Independent Non-Executive Director, purchased 100,000 Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each in the company ("Ordinary Shares") on 21 December 2023.

Following the purchase, David Moss has a beneficial interest in 100,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.06% of the issued share capital of the Group.

The purchase of Ordinary Shares was from participants in The Pebble Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). Under the LTIP, on 21 December 2023, there was an exercise of 107,976 share options ("Options") and the vesting of 195,582 Conditional Share Awards.

Included in the participants of the Conditional Share Awards vesting was a PDMR who, concurrent with the vesting, also sold 67,043 Ordinary Shares.

Participant Position Ordinary Shares from Conditional Share Award Ordinary Shares sold Resultant holding in Ordinary Shares % of issued share capital of the Group Karl Whiteside Group Managing Director, Brand Addition 67,043 67,043 853,820 0.51%

The exercise of nil cost Options and the vesting of Conditional Share Awards under the LTIP, including by one Group PDMR, has been satisfied through the allocation of existing Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each held by The Pebble Group Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT"). As such, no new Ordinary Shares have been issued in connection with the Option exercises or the Conditional Share Awards.

Following settlement of these transactions, the EBT will hold a total of 412,637 Ordinary Shares representing 0.25 per cent of the Group's total voting rights.

The notifications below, provided in accordance with the requirements of the UK Market Abuse Regulation, provide further details.

Enquiries:

The Pebble Group

Chris Lee, Chief Executive Officer

Claire Thomson, Chief Financial Officer

+44 (0) 750 012 4121 Temple Bar Advisory (Financial PR)

Alex Child-Villiers/Sam Livingstone

+44 (0) 207 183 1190

pebble@templebaradvisory.com Grant Thornton UK LLP (Nominated Adviser)

Samantha Harrison / Harrison Clarke / Ciara Donnelly

+44 (0) 207 184 4384 Berenberg (Corporate Broker)

Ben Wright / Marie Moy / Mollie D'Arcy Rice

+44 (0) 203 207 7800



About The Pebble Group plc-- www.thepebblegroup.com

The Pebble Group is a provider of digital commerce, products and related services to the global promotional products industry, comprising two differentiated businesses, Facilisgroup and Brand Addition, focused on specific areas of the promotional products market. For further information, please visit www.thepebblegroup.com.

The information set out below is provided in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 19(3) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014:

1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated (a) Name Karl Whiteside 2 Reason for the notification (a) Position/status Group Managing Director, Brand Addition (b) Initial notification/Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor (a) Name The Pebble Group plc (b) LEI 213800LZUQAYBHDEQY04 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted (a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code Ordinary shares of 1 pence each ISIN GB00BK71XP16 PEBB.L (b) Nature of the transaction Vesting of Conditional share awards pursuant to The Pebble Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan (c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) 1 NIL 67,043 (d) Aggregated information - Aggregated volume

- Price N/A (e) Date of the transaction 21 December 2023 (f) Place of the transaction XLON

1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated (a) Name Karl Whiteside 2 Reason for the notification (a) Position/status Group Managing Director, Brand Addition (b) Initial notification/Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor (a) Name The Pebble Group plc (b) LEI 213800LZUQAYBHDEQY04 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted (a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code Ordinary shares of 1 pence each ISIN GB00BK71XP16 PEBB.L (b) Nature of the transaction Sale of Ordinary Shares (c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) 1 52.1p 67,043 (d) Aggregated information - Aggregated volume

- Price N/A (e) Date of the transaction 21 December 2023 (f) Place of the transaction XLON

1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated (a) Name David Moss 2 Reason for the notification (a) Position/status Independent Non Executive Director (b) Initial notification/Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor (a) Name The Pebble Group plc (b) LEI 213800LZUQAYBHDEQY04 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted (a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code Ordinary shares of 1 pence each ISIN GB00BK71XP16 PEBB.L (b) Nature of the transaction Purchase of Ordinary Shares from participants in The Pebble Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan (c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) 1 52.1p 100,000 (d) Aggregated information - Aggregated volume

- Price N/A (e) Date of the transaction 21 December 2023 (f) Place of the transaction AIMX

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: The Pebble Group

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Hanshow, Microsoft, Intel, and E Ink have issued a joint white paper on Green Digitalization a process whereby the simultaneous digitalization and pursuit of green sustainability can be a dual engine for growth in the retail industry. The four companies collectively possess leading technical expertise and innovative capabilities in their respective fields that retailers can leverage to not only survive but thrive through Green Digitalization. The retail industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability, and technology is playing a crucial role in driving this change.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231219724317/en/

Hanshow's Report on Green Digitalization (Graphic: Business Wire)

Written against the backdrop of a changing global retail industry where digitalization and sustainability are two urgent goals that can complement each other and become double engines for retail growth, the white paper emphasizes the importance of Green Digitalization for the industry's sustainability. With data analysis and prediction, retailers can better understand market demand, optimize product structure, improve inventory management, and reduce resource waste and expenditure.

Hanshow's SVP and Head of Global Sales Liangyan Li said, "We believe that we can bring a greener and more digitalized future to retailers through technology. This white paper is an important step taken by Hanshow, which not only showcases our ecological cooperation with Microsoft, Intel, and E Ink but also reveals how we can realize this vision through collaboration and innovation."

Keith Mercier, General Manager of Worldwide Retail and Consumer Goods, Microsoft, added, "Hanshow's retail SaaS solution, built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, offers green visionary thinking for the centralized management of millions of IoT devices spread across hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores with lower carbon footprints and smarter operation efficiency. This paradigm shift is a testament to the potential of technology to reshape retail landscapes, enhancing connectivity and propelling the industry into a new era of innovation and customer-centricity."

Richard Zhang, CTO Senior Principal AI Engineer, Network Edge BU, Intel China believes "As the digitalization of retail gains momentum, more retailers are harnessing AI as a cornerstone for improving business operations, driving revenue growth, and gaining deeper insights into consumer preferences. Intel's collaboration with Hanshow revolves around integrating our advanced technologies to enhance these efforts, thereby enabling retailers to not only deliver unique shopping experiences but also contribute to environmental conservation."

E Ink Chairman CEO Johnson Lee said, We are proud to work with Hanshow on these sustainability initiatives. We recognize the far-reaching implications of integrating our cutting-edge ePaper technology into Hanshow's solutions. This partnership represents a major milestone as we collectively strive to improve environmental responsibility in the retail industry."

With the publication of the white paper, Hanshow, Microsoft, Intel, and E Ink also jointly launched the "Green Digitalization Joint Action Initiative for the Retail Industry," calling on global retailers to actively embrace the green digitalization transformation for a sustainable future. Moving forward, Hanshow will work to develop new solutions that continually unleash the sustainable benefits of technology for the retail industry, bringing the benefits of Green Digitalization to its customers and partners around the world.

About Hanshow

Hanshow is one of the global leaders in the development and manufacturing of electronic shelf labels and digital store solutions. The company offers customers a series of customized IoT touchpoints and digital store solutions that deliver customer-centric insights. Hanshow's solutions have provided services to a vast number of stores across more than 50 countries and regions, helping them streamline operations, optimize pricing strategies, and offer consumers a more personalized experience. Learn more: www.hanshow.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231219724317/en/

Contacts:

info@hanshow.com
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - EDM Resources Inc. (TSXV: EDM) ("EDM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$1,400,000 (the "Offering").

The President and CEO, Mr. Mark Haywood, stated: "Proceeds of the placement will be used to advance necessary environmental field work at the Company's Scotia Mine and for working capital. We welcome all our existing shareholders and accredited investors to participate in this financing."

The Offering consists of 14,000,000 units ("Units") of the Company (the "Offering"), at a price of C$0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$1,400,000, each Unit consisting of one common share of the Company (each an "Share") and one share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each an "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.14 for each Warrant Share, exercisable for a period of three years from closing. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to advance environmental work at its wholly owned Scotia Mine, located 60 km north of Halifax (the "Scotia Mine"), and for general working capital purposes.

The Company advises that it is in discussions respecting the potential participation by a lead investor in the Offering which could involve the investor acquiring up to 10,00,000 Units in the Offering. The Company anticipates that if such investment occurs, it would be conditional on the investor obtaining the right to appoint nominees to the Company's Board of Directors and potentially other conditions. These discussions are ongoing, and there is no assurance the potential investor will participate in the Offering or what the conditions to such participation might be.

The Company may pay finder's fees and issue finder's warrants to eligible finders for their assistance with the Offering in accordance with market norms. Any finder's warrants will have the same terms as the Warrants.

The Offering is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About EDM Resources Inc.

EDM is a Canadian exploration and mining company that has full ownership of the Scotia Mine and related facilities near Halifax, Nova Scotia. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, EDM also holds several prospective exploration licenses near its Scotia Mine and in the surrounding regions of Nova Scotia.

The Company's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EDM". For more information, please contact:

Mark Haywood

President & Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Farrell

Chief Financial Officer

Head Office Purdy's Wharf, 1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1301, Nova Scotia, B3J 3N2, Canada

Telephone +1 (902) 482 4481

Facsimile +1 (902) 422 2388

Email & Web info@EDMresources.com & www.EDMresources.com

The Company's corporate filings and technical reports can be viewed on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Further information on EDM is also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EDMresources.inc, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EDMresources and LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/EDMresources.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "should", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, potential mineralization, exploration and development results, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from EDM's expectations include, among others, the degree to which mineral resource and reserve estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources and reserves, the degree to which factors are present which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable, the price of zinc, lead and gypsum, uncertainties relating to availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration activities, delays in the development of projects, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of metals, ability to predict or counteract potential impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on factors relevant to the Company's business, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in EDM's management's discussion and analysis of the Company's annual financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2022. Although EDM has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results to be not as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192117

SOURCE: EDM Resources Inc.
The Company secured a $20M senior secured credit facility

Store profits increased by 156% to $476,804

Sales increased by 51% to $14,140,796

Gross profits increased by 117% to $4,255,634

Product gross margins increased by 3.3% to 41.5%

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) ("PesoRama" or the "Company"), a Canadian company operating dollar stores in Mexico under the JOi Canadian Stores brand, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2023 ("Q3 2024"). All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

"As the only true dollar store company in Mexico, we are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible," said Rahim Bhaloo, Founder & Executive Chairman of PesoRama. "Creating a new market space requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and execution, which is reflected in this quarter's results. During Q3 2024, we saw an increase in-store traffic of 6.8%, over Q3 2023. We attribute this to the success of our unique merchandising strategies, product assortment, and overall customer experience. Our JOi Dollar Plus Stores are increasing in popularity as we continue to expand our footprint and raise the bar in our market. We believe we have the winning strategy and we are meeting the needs of the cost-conscious shopper in an underserved market that will ultimately drive long-term value for our shareholders. We have big ambitions and will continue to think outside the box to set ourselves apart."

Key Financial Highlights: Q3 2024 vs Q3 2023

Multi-price points continue to lead to increased product assortment and increased growth of new product categories across all departments.

Store profits increased by 156% to $476,804 for the nine-months ended October 31, 2023, an increase of $1,323,625 from the nine months ended October 31, 2022.

Total sales increased by 51% to $14,140,796 due to organic growth of previously opened stores as well as sales from new store which opened in December 2022.

Gross profits increased by $2,294,254 to $4,255,634, primarily driven by an increase in revenue of 51% compared to an increase in cost of sales of only 33%.

Product gross margins increased by 3.3% from $3,583,493 or 38.2% to $5,870,312 or 41.5% due primarily to an increase in revenue from the introduction of the multi-price strategy and assortment mix which resulted in higher sales price per item and increase in demand.

Other Performance Metrics: Q3 2024 vs Q3 2023

Sales units increased by 17% as a result of increase in demand, increased product assortment and mix

Same store sales increased by 20% in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023

Key Achievements YTD 2023

On June 9, 2023, the Company secured a $20M senior secured credit facility to finance their expansion plans

In January 2023, the Company closed a private placement through the issuance of 17,760,264 units of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,664,039.60. Each Unit was comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant.

On November 17, 2023, the Company opened its 22 nd Joi Dollar Plus Store in Tlalnepantla, Mexico. This 458-square meter site marks the Company's first stand-alone Joi store and strategically positions PesoRama in the first square of the municipality of Tlalnepantla, located 13 kilometers from the center of Mexico City, in proximity to key retailers, schools, banks, and hospitals, the store is strategically placed to serve the diverse needs of the local community.

Joi Dollar Plus Store in Tlalnepantla, Mexico. This 458-square meter site marks the Company's first stand-alone Joi store and strategically positions PesoRama in the first square of the municipality of Tlalnepantla, located 13 kilometers from the center of Mexico City, in proximity to key retailers, schools, banks, and hospitals, the store is strategically placed to serve the diverse needs of the local community. On December 1, 2023 The Company opened its 23rd Joi Dollar Plus Store in Iztapalapa, Mexico. Situated in the Complejo Industrial Tecnologico neighborhood, the 425-square meter store strategically targets the approximately 1,835,486 inhabitants in the municipality, located 16 kilometers from the center of Mexico City. The grand opening aligns with PesoRama's confidence in expansion plans, anticipating further growth in Mexico.

This earnings news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine month period ending October 30, 2023, which can be found on PesoRama's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About PesoRama Inc.

PesoRama, operating under the JOi Canadian Stores brand, is a Mexican value dollar store retailer. PesoRama launched operations in 2019 in Mexico City and the surrounding areas targeting high density, high traffic locations. PesoRama's 21 stores offer consistent merchandise offerings which include items in the following categories: household goods, pet supplies, seasonal products, party supplies, health and beauty, snack food items, confectionery and more.

For further information please contact:

Rahim Bhaloo

Founder & Executive Chairman

rahim@rahimbhaloo.com

416-816-3291

Erica Fattore

President & Chief Executive Officer

erica@joi.mx

Non-IFRS Measures

There are measures included in this news release that do not have a standardized meaning under international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use them as a means of assessing financial performance. Adjusted gross margin, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, one-time transaction expenses and financing costs. Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross profit plus distribution costs divided by sales.

We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial information used to evaluate our performance in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in the Company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted gross margin, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA in making investment decisions about the Company and measuring its operational results.

Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the adjusted gross margin, operating profit, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA as financial metrics to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business.

Adjusted EBITDA is more fully defined and discussed, and reconciliation to IFRS financial measures is provided, in Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and nine month period ended October 30, 2023.

Cautionary Note

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, among other things, statements regarding the Company's planned expansion, new store openings and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate. While the Company believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements, including due to changes in consumer behaviour, general economic factors, the ability of the Company to execute its strategies, the availability of capital and the risk factors which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's prospectus dated January 31, 2022 and filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. PesoRama undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of PesoRama, its securities, or its financial or operating results (as applicable).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192122

SOURCE: PesoRama Inc.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Comcast Corporation



Comcast announced NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas as the 2023 Comcast Community Champion of the Year, becoming the ninth champion to receive the prestigious annual award.

Ryan will be awarded $60,000 towards FACES: The National Craniofacial Association, bringing the total contributions made by Comcast to the Community Champion program to over one million dollars.

Born with craniosynostosis, a rare birth defect in which the bones in a baby's skull join together too early, causing problems with normal growth. Vargas has dedicated himself to raising awareness for children with craniofacial differences with the goal of encouraging these children to take on life and its challenges.

"This award is easily one of the biggest achievements in my career," said 2023 Comcast Community Champion Ryan Vargas.

I'm incredibly thankful to Comcast for not only supporting FACES: The National Craniofacial Association but all the other finalists and organizations that have been awarded in the past. For FACES, this means the world to them. This is a massive day in raising awareness and helping kids and families with Craniosynostosis get the surgeries they need. RYAN VARGAS

2023 Comcast Community Champion

Vargas's condition was caught early and repaired with one surgery; however, many children with craniofacial differences will require several surgeries throughout their lives. To support those who are born with this birth defect, Vargas became involved in FACES: The National Craniofacial Association. FACES is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides resources for those with craniofacial anomalies such as financial assistance for medical travel, as well as a support network for teens and children through FACES camp.

"Ryan's unwavering dedication to supporting those around him shines through in how he carries himself both at and beyond the track," said Matt Lederer, Comcast's Vice President, Brand Partnerships and Amplification. "His impactful work, particularly in support of those suffering from Craniosynostosis, exemplifies the power that selfless dedication has in making a positive difference in the lives of others. We are honored to name him as the 2023 Comcast Community Champion of the Year."

Vargas was chosen by a panel comprised of Comcast and NASCAR executives, including Jessica Ferreira, the 2022 Comcast Community Champion, who received the award for her dedication to support foster children during the COVID pandemic and her work with Foster Village Charlotte (FVC), an organization that allows foster parents to connect with and support each other.

Since the inception of the program, Comcast has donated to 24 different nonprofit organizations, furthering the impact of the philanthropic efforts of all finalists and champions. This year, Comcast reached the milestone of donating over one million dollars to deserving organizations associated with individuals within the NASCAR family.

Jessica Friesen, Wife of Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen, and Max Siegel, Team Owner of Rev Racing, were selected as finalists and will both be awarded $30,000 towards their respective selected charities - the Crossroads Center For Children and Max Siegel Inc. Youth Foundation.

Comcast has a long track record of community service, aiding in the advancement of local organizations, developing programs and partnerships, mobilizing resources to connect people and inspiring positive and substantive change. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Comcast Community Impact site.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Comcast Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/comcast-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Comcast Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Rudolf Haas will join the Group's Executive Committee with over two decades of experience at international law firms

The Group is strengthening its Executive Committee with an experienced hire to support the Group's ambitions and the requirements of changing financial and regulatory environments

FRANKFURT, Germany, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Data Group (Ticker symbol German stock market: NB2) (ISIN: DE000A0SMU8), a leading provider of specialized High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, today announced the key appointment to its Group Executive Committee of Rudolf Haas as Group Chief Legal Officer. Rudolf will join the Group from 1 January 2024.

Rudolf has a proven track record of navigating the intersection between law and business. He joins Northern Data Group from King & Wood Mallesons, where he served as a Partner in its Frankfurt division, and as Managing Director for their German operation since 1997. Rudolf specializes in financing and capital markets, having been in private practice for over two decades.

This expansion of the Group Executive Committee comes as Northern Data Group continues to take advantage of the market opportunities within each sector of its three companies: Taiga Cloud, Ardent Data Centers and Peak Mining, to drive progress in the AI, ML, and associated HPC industries. With a strengthened Executive Committee, Northern Data Group is set to execute the next stage of its global strategy and take advantage of the strategic opportunities within the marketplace. Rudolf will lead the Group's legal strategy and its continued investments into the most sophisticated hardware available, as it drives innovation within the global HPC market.

Rudolf has been a practising lawyer in Germany since 1997, having studied law at Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg, Universitat Regensburg and the University of Virginia School of Law. In addition to his role at Northern Data Group, Rudolf is a lecturer at the Institute of Law and Finance at Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt, a position he has held for over a decade.

Aroosh Thillainathan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, comments:

"As Northern Data Group accelerates towards becoming a leading global provider of High-Performance Compute solutions, it is vital that we have the right leadership to match our pace of growth. Rudolf brings extensive expertise and a strong track record which will support the Group within a constantly changing regulatory environment, as we execute our vision and deliver value for our shareholders."

Rudolf Haas, incoming Chief Legal Officer, comments:

"It's extremely exciting to be joining Northern Data Group at this pivotal stage of the company's growth and during this transformative time for the HPC industry. I look forward to working alongside Aroosh and the wider Group Executive Committee to support the Group's ambitious vision."

About Northern Data Group:

Northern Data Group (ETR: NB2) is a provider of energy-efficient High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure to businesses and research institutions, utilising GPU- and ASIC-based solutions. Our flexible compute power fuels innovation in our three core business divisions: Taiga Cloud, Ardent Data Centers, and Peak Mining. Through our HPC infrastructure, we pioneer ambitious computing innovation that drives progress in the AI, ML and Generative AI industries. Our close collaboration with industry-leading manufacturers including Gigabyte, AMD, and NVIDIA is fundamental to the acceleration of innovation across sectors including life sciences, financial services and energy.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northern-data-group-appoints-group-chief-legal-officer-302021882.html
CHANGES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SUMMARY OF VOTING RESULTS

Regulatory News:

ORPEA (Paris:ORP):

Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of the Board of Directors: "ORPEA can now look to the future with a largely new Board of Directors, reflecting the arrival of its new shareholders. I am delighted with this new governance structure. The skills of the new Board of Directors, combined with the long-term vision of our new shareholders, will give the Group the resources it needs to achieve its ambitions. Since summer 2022, the Group has been supported by a Board of Directors working closely with Laurent Guillot and his team to successfully implement the Refoundation Plan and the financial restructuring. Once again, I would like to thank the outgoing directors for their commitment, and on behalf of us all, I would like to congratulate Laurent Guillot and his team for their dedication to serving patients, residents and staff. I would also like to thank the newly appointed members of the Board for their renewed support and I shall continue to fulfil my role as Chairman of the Board with commitment and determination, serving all ORPEA's stakeholders and pursuing the Refoundation work that began over a year ago"

Laurent Guillot, Chief Executive Officer: "This General Meeting is a major step in the Refounding of the company. The arrival of Caisse des Depots, CNP, MAIF and MACSF as shareholders represented on the Board of Directors, is a sign of confidence in the company, its responsibilities and its vital role in serving the most vulnerable, and above all in the men and women who serve them in the field each day. I'm very pleased with this new governance structure and with the appointment to our Board of Directors of individuals with recognised experience. I would also like to thank the outgoing directors for their commitment and support throughout their tenure, alongside Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of the Board. The ORPEA Group is today starting a new chapter. Since 15 November 2022, we have been transforming ORPEA with our Refoundation Plan. We successfully restored the Company's financial balance, with the Group undergoing profound changes in one year. To improve the working conditions in our facilities and the care we provide to our residents, patients and beneficiary, we embarked on a transformation process and are achieving the first results, but we need to continue and accelerate. Thanks to the support of the Board, the commitment of its Chairman Guillaume Pepy, and the determination of all the Group's team, which I commend, we can embark on this new phase with confidence and ambition to become a company with a mission, serving the common interest".

Changes to the Board of Directors of ORPEA

Board of Directors

Today's Combined General Meeting of ORPEA (the "Meeting") approved the major changes to the Board of Directors of ORPEA proposed in connection with its financial restructuring, and in accordance with (i) the Lock-Up agreement, entered into on 14 February 2023 between the Company and, firstly, Caisse des Depots et Consignations, CNP Assurances, MAIF and MACSF (the "Groupement") and, secondly, five institutions holding the Company's unsecured debt and (ii) the Company's accelerated safeguard plan approved by the specialised commercial court of Nanterre on 24 July 2023.

Additionally the new Board of Directors, which met immediately after the Meeting, appointed two non-voting advisors.

Finally, May Antoun was appointed as director representing employees by the European Works Council of ORPEA at its plenary meeting of 13 December 2023.

Having regard to the expiry announced on 13 November 2023 of the terms of office of certain directors who were previously acting, and to these appointments, the Board of Directors of ORPEA is now composed of 13 directors and two non-voting advisors, including:

seven non-independent directors, namely Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan), MAIF (represented by Pascal Demurger), MACSF Epargne Retraite (represented by Stephane Dessirier), Philippe Grangeon, Sibylle Le Maire and Frederique Mozziconacci,

three independent directors, namely Guillaume Pepy, Mireille Faugere and Meka Brunel,

the Chief Executive Officer, namely Laurent Guillot, and

two directors representing employees, namely Sophie Kalaidjian and May Antoun.

Three directors on the Board are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 27% (excluding directors representing employees and non-voting advisors). The composition of the Board of Directors is not compliant with recommendation 10.3 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that, in controlled companies, the proportion of independent directors must be at least one third.

Appendix contains a table providing details and information about the members of the new Board of Directors.

Board committees

At its first meeting, the new Board of Directors decided (i) to create an Investment Committee, (ii) to change the duties of its four Board Committees and (iii) to determine the new composition of those Committees.

As of 22 December 2023:

the Audit and Risks Committee is composed of five directors: Meka Brunel (Chair), Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan), MAIF (represented by Pascal Demurger) and Mireille Faugere. Laurent David, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

Two directors on this Committee are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 40% (excluding non-voting advisors). The composition of the Audit and Risks Committee is not compliant with recommendation 17.1 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that the proportion of independent directors must be at least two thirds;

the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is composed of six directors: Guillaume Pepy (Chair), Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), MACSF Epargne Retraite (represented by Stephane Dessirier), Philippe Grangeon, Meka Brunel and Sophie Kalaidjian.

Two directors on this Committee are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 40% (excluding the director representing employees). The composition of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is not compliant with recommendations 18.1 and 19.1 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that the committee responsible for appointments and the committee responsible for remuneration must be composed of a majority of independent directors;

the Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee is composed of five directors: Mireille Faugere (Chair), Philippe Grangeon, Sibylle Le Maire, Frederique Mozziconacci and May Antoun. Pascale Pradat, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

The AFEP-MEDEF Code does not provide any recommendations regarding the composition of this Committee;

the Investment Committee is composed of three directors: Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard) (Chair), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan) and Philippe Grangeon. Laurent David, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

The AFEP-MEDEF Code does not provide any recommendations regarding the composition of this Committee.

The duties of the Board Committees are set out in the Internal Rules of the Board of Directors, as amended on 22 December 2023, which are available on ORPEA's website at the following address: www.orpea-group.com/en/the-group/gouvernance

Independence

The failure to comply with the recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code relating to the proportion of independent directors on the Board of Directors, the Audit and Risks Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is due to the governance agreed in relation to the Groupement's stake in the Company's share capital, having regard to its acquisition of a majority shareholding, which is set out in the Company's accelerated safeguard plan approved by the specialised commercial court of Nanterre on 24 July 2023.

Summary of voting results for other resolutions

During this Meeting, the required majority of Company shareholders approved the resolutions relating to:

the approval of the 2022 financial statements, the appropriation of profit and the approval of the Auditors' report on regulated agreements;

the approval of the co-option of two directors;

the appointment of new directors;

the remuneration and benefits of corporate officers for the 2022 financial year (except Yves Le Masne's remuneration and benefits1

the remuneration policy for corporate officers for the 2023 financial year;

the renewal or grant of financial delegations and authorisations to the Board of Directors (except the authorization to issue share warrants to the Groupement1

the amendment of the Articles of Association;

the powers for formalities.

It should be noted that the shares of the beneficiaries of the issuance of share warrants without pre-emption rights for shareholders under the 27th and 28th resolutions were excluded from the vote on the corresponding resolutions pursuant to applicable regulations.

Detailed results of the votes may be consulted at this following address: www.orpea-group.com/en/shareholders-investors/shareholders/shareholder-meeting

About ORPEA

ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in the care of all types of frailty. The Group operates in 20 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living, home care), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year.

https://www.orpea-group.com/en

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and a member of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices.

Appendix

Personal information Experience Position on the Board Membership of Committees Director Age2 Gender Nationality/Nationalities Number of shares Number of offices held in listed companies Independence First date of appointment Term of office3 Length of service on the Board (C Chair / M Member) Guillaume Pepy 65 M French 1 2 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 2 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (C) Laurent Guillot 54 M French 1 2 No 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 1 Audrey Girard4 48 F French 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Investment Committee (C) Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Stephane Dedeyan5 58 M French 3 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Investment Committee (M) Pascal Demurger6 59 M French 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M) Stephane Dessirier7 63 M French 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Philippe Grangeon8 66 M French 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M)

Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Investment Committee (M) Sibylle Le Maire8 49 F French 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Frederique Mozziconacci9 51 F French 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Meka Brunel 67 F French 70,000 1 Yes 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (C) Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Mireille Faugere 67 F French 1 1 Yes 01/10/2022 AGM 2024 1 Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (C) Sophie Kalaidjian 45 F French 20 1 No 15/01/2015 AGM 2024 8 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) May Antoun 63 F French 0 No 13/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Non-voting members Age2 Gender Nationality/Nationalities Number of shares Number of offices held in listed companies Independence First date of appointment Expiry date of term of office Length of service on the Board Chairman (C) Member (M) Laurent David 36 M French and British 0 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M) Investment Committee (M) Pascale Pradat 64 F French 0 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M)

__________________

1 The 17 resolution relating to the 2022 remuneration for Yves Le Masne and the 27th resolution relating to the delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to issue and allocate share warrants to the Groupement were rejected, with 11.19% of favorable votes and 65.55% of favorable votes respectively.

2On the date of publication of the 2023 notice of meeting brochure.

3General Meeting ruling on the financial statements for the previous financial year.

4Permanent representative of the Caisse des Depots et Consignations.

5Permanent representative of CNP Assurances.

6Permanent representative of MAIF.

7Permanent representative of MACSF Epargne Retraite.

8Candidate proposed by Caisse des Depots et Consignations.

9 Candidate proposed by MAIF.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222627505/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

ORPEA

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

b.lesieur@orpea.net

Toll-free number for shareholders:

0 805 480 480

Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

01 44 71 94 94

ORPEA@newcap.eu

Press Relations

ORPEA

Isabelle Herrier-Naufle

Press Relations Director 07 70 29 53 74

i.herrier-naufle@orpea.net

Image7

Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn

06 78 37 27 60 06 89 87 61 37

clebarbier@image7.fr

lheilbronn@image7.fr
A company led by digital marketing expert Dmitrii Khasanov will now share its expertise across all 50 states

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Melandia Agency, a prominent digital marketing company, is proud to announce its strategic move to expand its services nationwide in the United States, effective from the beginning of 2024. This significant expansion marks a pivotal moment for the agency, as it broadens its reach to serve clients from coast to coast.

Previously, Melandia Agency exclusively operated in major metropolitan areas such as Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles, garnering a reputation for delivering cutting-edge digital marketing solutions. Now, with its commitment to providing top-notch services to a wider range of clients, the agency is thrilled to extend its footprint across the entire nation.

Founder of Melandia and digital marketing expert, Dmitrii Khasanov, expressed his enthusiasm for this expansion, stating, "We are excited to take this giant leap forward in our journey. Melandia Agency has always been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of digital marketing, and this expansion allows us to bring our innovative solutions to clients nationwide. Our team is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with serving diverse clients across the U.S."

Melandia Agency specializes in comprehensive digital marketing strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, content marketing, and web development. With a proven track record of delivering measurable results and staying ahead of industry trends, the agency aims to empower businesses of all sizes to thrive in the digital landscape.

The national expansion will enable Melandia to cater to the unique needs of businesses in various industries, helping them achieve their marketing goals and enhance their online presence. The agency's expert team of professionals is prepared to bring their wealth of experience and creativity to new markets, contributing to the success of clients from diverse regions.

To learn more about Melandia Agency - https://melandia.biz

Media Contact

Organization: MELANDIA

Contact Person: Anastassiya Nelson

Website: https://melandia.biz/

Email: Dima@melandia.biz

City: Miami

State: Florida

Country: United States

SOURCE: MELANDIA

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Growth Markets Funds II and Energy Transition Fund I, will develop Helax Istmo, a green hydrogen and green maritime fuels project in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in Oaxaca, Mexico.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helax Istmo ("Helax"), a wholly owned subsidiary of funds managed by CIP, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ("CIIT") and Mexico's national Ministry of Navy, the Secretaria de Marina ("Semar"). Under the MoU, the parties agree to collaborate to support the development of a large-scale, integrated renewable energy project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Helax Istmo is projected to produce green hydrogen and green maritime fuels, contributing materially to Mexico's sustainable development goals, as well as to the decarbonization of the shipping industry globally.



The MOU was signed in the presence of Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has recognized the project's transformational impact for the Isthmus.

Ole Kjems Srensen, partner at CIP and co-head of Growth Markets Funds, said: "This MoU showcases our long-term commitment to Mexico through the development of a pioneering project that offers green maritime fuels at scale -- a first for the region. We would like to thank the Mexican authorities for their continued interest and support, and we look forward to continuing to engage constructively with national and local stakeholders and further develop Helax."

Philip Cristiani, partner at CIP and co-head of Energy Transition Fund, commented: "Our Energy Transition Fund is the largest dedicated clean hydrogen fund globally and we are proud to take this promising step forward for Helax together with the Mexican authorities. When fully operational, Helax is ideally placed to cater to the growing demand for green shipping fuels and make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of the global shipping industry."

The MoU acknowledges that Helax will undergo formal indigenous and social consultations under Mexican law. These are expected to take place in early 2024.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 26 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com
Newly-launched database offers easier access to diverse tumor models and unveils the path to pharmaceutical breakthroughs

SHANGHAI, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / ChemPartner, a global leader in drug discovery and development services, today announced the launch of its long-awaited Biology Database. This innovative platform serves as a centralized hub, empowering ChemPartner's clientele with seamless access to a wealth of information on the organization's cutting-edge preclinical platforms. The database includes 800+ tumor models, 30+ cancer types, 20,000 genes, 2,300+ pathways, 1,800 SoC data from literature (500 internal), and 30+ analytic modules.

ChemPartner Biology Database

Screenshot of the online Biology Database from ChemPartner

ChemPartner's renowned biology and pharmacology department, known for its vanguard oncology, immunology, CNS, and metabolic services, has curated an extensive collection of in vitro and in vivo models. The database boasts over 2,000 biochemistry assays, 800 cell lines, 500 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, 350 cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models, and 50 syngeneic models. Each model is meticulously characterized with comprehensive data encompassing genomics, pharmacology, histopathology, and relevant clinical information.

Cell Line Models - ChemPartner Biology Database

To ensure a smooth and efficient rollout of this substantial volume of data, the database will be introduced in stages. We are delighted to announce that the first stage, featuring cell line data, is now live on https://database.chempartner.com. Subsequent stages will include CDX, syngeneic, and PDX models, followed by biochemistry data.

The Biology Database, a flagship online collaborative platform, prominently features the Tumor Model Database. This revolutionary resource offers an array of features, including:

Unified Data Hub: Integration of dispersed tumor model data into a centralized database for efficient management and retrieval, simplifying user access to diverse tumor models.

Integration of dispersed tumor model data into a centralized database for efficient management and retrieval, simplifying user access to diverse tumor models. Detailed Annotations: Each model is accompanied by intricate annotations including genomics, pathology, and pharmacology data, enabling rapid understanding of model characteristics and suitability for specific research needs.

Each model is accompanied by intricate annotations including genomics, pathology, and pharmacology data, enabling rapid understanding of model characteristics and suitability for specific research needs. Rapid Search and Filtering: Multidimensional search and filtering capabilities empower researchers to swiftly locate models based on cancer type, genomic features, drug sensitivity, and more.

Multidimensional search and filtering capabilities empower researchers to swiftly locate models based on cancer type, genomic features, drug sensitivity, and more. Data Analysis and Mining: Robust tools facilitate tasks like drug mechanism analysis and biomarker discovery through differential gene expression and drug sensitivity analyses, supporting informed research decisions.

Robust tools facilitate tasks like drug mechanism analysis and biomarker discovery through differential gene expression and drug sensitivity analyses, supporting informed research decisions. Data Visualization: Intuitive charts, statistics, and visualization tools present complex data clearly and concisely, aiding in model selection and analysis.

Dr. Lilly Xu, President of Shanghai ChemPartner, expressed enthusiasm about the launch saying, "We are excited to provide our customers with access to this powerful new resource. This comprehensive database will make it easier for our customers to find and use the right models for their research, propelling drug development towards new heights with better precision, efficacy, and efficiency."

-

About ChemPartner

ChemPartner is a leading global CRO and CDMO providing drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With a team of over 2,000 scientists across multiple countries, ChemPartner offers a comprehensive range of services including preclinical pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, chemistry development, and biologics development. For more information, please visit https://chempartner.com and connect with ChemPartner on LinkedIn, X, ?and YouTube.

Contact Information

Sarah Stapleton

Marketing Director

news@chempartner.com

6504199974

Related Images

ChemPartner Biology Database

Screenshot of the online Biology Database from ChemPartner Cell Line Models

Pie chart of cell line models available on the Biology Database from ChemPartner

SOURCE: ChemPartner

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Avante Mining Corp. (TSXV: AVA) (OTC Pink: ACPRF) (FSE: P210) ("Avante" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), the Company has closed a non-brokered private placement of 11,666,670 units ("Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit for gross proceeds to the Company of $700,000 (the "Private Placement").

Each Unit consists of one common share (each a "Share") and one half of one transferrable common share purchase warrant (with two such half warrants being a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.12 per Share, for a period of twenty-four months from the date of issuance.

Adrian Smith, CEO, comments, "We are pleased to engage strategic investors interested in the long-term success of the Company as we focus our efforts on nickel and critical metals essential to the energy transition. We plan to continue work and accelerate our efforts throughout the winter and spring, as we tap into the potential at the Company's Pipestone project."

The gross proceeds from the Private Placement will be used by the Company to fund exploration expenses at its Pipestone project and Voisey's West project located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and for general working capital. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Private Placement.

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to an Exchange hold period and a four month plus one day hold period pursuant to applicable securities laws of Canada, which will expire on April 22, 2024.

MI 61-101 Disclosure

Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate total of $31,200 in Units. The participation by such insiders is considered a "related-party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(b), respectively, of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Private Placement as the details of the participation therein by related parties of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing the Private Placement and the Company wished to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Avante Mining Corp.

Avante Mining Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value geographically significant projects including the Voisey's West and the Pipestone Project. Avante is paving the way by combining quality projects with proven exploration strategies and a dedicated team to achieve exceptional outcomes.

The Company's Voisey's West project is located in the same intrusive complex as the world class Voisey's Bay Nickel mine where reported remaining proven and probable reserves include 32.4 million tonnes of 2.13% nickel, 0.96% copper, 0.13% cobalt, and additional measured and indicated 10.3 million tonnes of 0.87% nickel, 0.65% copper, 0.04% cobalt. It represents one of the most competitive nickel operations globally.

The Pipestone Project represents one of the rare awaruite projects globally which are a focus in the development of large-scale bulk tonnage nickel targets that have low carbon emission profiles and are very attractive to steel produces looking to reduce their carbon output.

For more information, please call Adrian Smith, CEO, at 1-778-331-3816, email info@avantemining.com, or visit www.avantemining.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "likely", "probably", "often", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the use of the proceeds from the Private Placement, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include future growth potential of the Company, fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions, fluctuations in securities markets, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, plans for expansion, inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards and general market conditions. Additional factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192037

SOURCE: Avante Mining Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Skeena Resources Limited (TSX:SKE)(NYSE:SKE) ("Skeena" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed a detailed Technical Report (the "Report") for the November 2023 Updated Feasibility Study at its 100% owned Eskay Creek Gold-Silver Project ("Eskay Creek" or the "Project") in the Golden Triangle of Northwest British Columbia.

The Report is titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Feasibility Study" and is compliant with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The key highlights from the Report were initially announced by press release on November 14, 2023, and are summarized below. A copy of the full report is available on Skeena's website and has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Company directs everyone to the filed technical report for details on the Updated Feasibility Study.

Eskay Creek 2023 Updated Feasibility Study Highlights:

After-tax net present value ("NPV")(5%) of C$2 billion at a base case of US$1,800 gold and US$23 silver

Industry-leading after-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 43% and an after-tax payback of 1.2 years on pre-production capital expenditures ("CAPEX")

Life of mine ("LOM") all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") of US$687/oz gold equivalent ("AuEq") sold

Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves for open-pit mining of 39.8 million tonnes ("Mt") containing 3.3 million ounces ("Moz") gold and 88.0 Moz silver (4.6 Moz AuEq)

Years 1-5: Average annual production of 450,000 oz at 5.5 g/t AuEq and average annual after-tax free cashflow of C$467 million

Years 1-10: Average annual production of 366,000 oz at 4.1 g/t AuEq and average annual after-tax free cashflow of C$361 million

Estimated pre-production CAPEX of C$713 million, yielding a compelling after-tax NPV:CAPEX ratio of 2.8:1

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the Eskay Creek and Snip Projects, two past-producing mines located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of Northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Definitive Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in November 2023 which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$2B, 43% IRR, and a 1.2-year payback at US$1,800/oz Au and US$23/oz Ag.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles

Executive Chairman

Randy Reichert

President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Randy Reichert, MSc (Eng), P.Eng., President & CEO and acting COO, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting activities on its projects.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "contemplates", "generates", "progressing towards", "in search of", "targets", "is projected", "plans to", "is planned", "considers", "estimates", "expects", "is expected", "often", "likely", "potential" and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "will", "could", or "would" be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the results of the Report, mineral processing, processing capacity of the mine, anticipated mine life, based on Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, potential increases in Mineral Reserves and mine life, concentrate sales, estimated project capital and operating costs, potential reductions in process plant capital and operating costs, sustaining capital costs, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period, results of test work and studies, planned environmental assessments, permit amendments and applications, GHG emissions, water treatment, the transportation of concentrates, the future price of metals, metal concentrates, and exchange rate forecasts, future exploration and development, the evaluation of mineralization, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions and design parameters, the timing and completion of an initial engineering study on Snip. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the realization of Mineral Resource and Mineral reserve estimates, metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Company's Annual Information Form ("AIF") dated March 22, 2023. Such forward-looking statements represent the Company's management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold, silver and other key variables; changes in mine plans, significant legal developments adversely impacting shareholder rights plan generally and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; political developments; social unrest; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; technological developments; and other risk factors identified in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 22, 2023, the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2023, and in the Company's other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE: Skeena Resources Limited

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Mississauga, Ontario and Sacramento, California--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (CSE: BEE) (OTCQB: BEVVF) (CVE: BEE) (the "Company" or "BVT") announces that it has entered into debt settlement agreements (the "Settlement Agreement") to settle outstanding cash payments owed to certain creditors totaling $1,130,000. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreements, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 18,833,334 Common shares at a deemed price of $0.06 per Common share. The Company anticipates closing the Settlement Agreements on or about January 3, 2024.

Securities issued pursuant to the Settlement Agreement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company also announces that it has issued an aggregate of 6,868,155 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to directors, employees and consultants pursuant to the Company's shareholder approved restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan"). 50% of the RSUs will vest immediately with the remaining 50% vesting in ranges between three month and four months from the date of issuance. Each RSU shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company by delivering a notice of acquisition to the Company in accordance with the RSU Plan. In accordance with the RSU Plan, the RSUs were priced at $0.05 which was above the closing market price on December 21, 2023. The RSUs were awarded to directors, employees and consultants who have agreed to restructure their compensation and receive RSUs in lieu of certain cash payments for future services.

About Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc .

BVT, an agriculture technology company, is a market disruptor with a significant global market opportunity in the $240 billion crop protection and fertilizer market. BVT has pioneered a natural precision agriculture system that replaces chemical pesticides and wasteful plant protection product spray applications by delivering biological pesticide alternatives to crops using commercially grown bees. BVT's award-winning technology, precision vectoring, is completely harmless to bees and allows minute amounts of naturally-derived pesticides (called biologicals) to be delivered directly to blooms, providing improved crop protection and yield results than traditional chemical pesticides - and improving the health of the soil, the microbiome and the environment. Currently, BVT has 55 granted patents, over 35 patents pending in all major agricultural countries worldwide and has US EPA registration of its Vectorite with CR-7 (EPA Registration No. 90641-2) for sale as a registered biological fungicide for use on the labeled crops.

Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.beevt.com. To receive regular news updates from the Company, subscribe at www.beevt.com/newsletter.

BVT Company Contact:

Ashish Malik, President & CEO, BVT

info@beevt.com

BVT Investor Contact:

Babak Pedram

Virtus Advisory Group

Tel: 416-995-8651

bpedram@virtusadvisory.com

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "potential", "will", "seek", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, "annual revenue potential", are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including: planted acres, selling price of competitive chemical pesticides and the US to Canadian dollar exchange rate. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. These factors include changes in law, competition, litigation, the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities, state of the capital markets, the availability of funds and resources to pursue operations, new technologies, the ability to protect intellectual property rights, the ability to obtain patent protection for products, third-party intellectual property infringement claims, regulatory changes affecting products, failing research and development activities, the ability to reach and sustain profitability, dependence on business and technical experts, the ability to effectively manage business operations and growth, issuance of debt, dilution of existing securities, volatility of publicly traded securities, potential conflicts of interest, unlikelihood of dividend payments, the potential costs stemming from defending third-party intellectual property infringement claims, the ability to secure relationships with manufacturers and purchasers, as well as general economic, market and business conditions, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Filing Statement dated August 14,2020, filed with the CSE and securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. All figures are in Canadian dollars.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192106

SOURCE: Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - KP3993 Resources Inc. (TSXV: KPEN.P) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Joe Tai as a director, CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company. Mr. Tai replaces Ms. Terry Wong, who has resigned as a director, CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Company thanks Ms. Wong for her services and wishes her success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Tai has over 20 years of experience in investment, finance and the capital markets of Canada, the United States and China. He has extensive expertise in facilitating cross-border transactions and strategic partnerships, building cross-cultural business relationships with Asian industrial groups and financial institutions. Mr. Tai has served as a director for several North American publicly listed companies including public companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.

For more information, please contact:

Joe Tai, CEO

Phone: (604) 488-8878

Email: kintai2018@gmail.com

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release.

Not for Dissemination in the United States or through U.S. Newswire Services

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192246

SOURCE: KP3993 Resources Inc.
Kitchens@, a Bangalore, India-based dynamic cloud kitchen company, raised $65m in Series C funding.

Finnest made the investment.

The company intends to use the funds for expanding its hybrid model Dinerium.

Led by Junaiz Kizhakkayil (JK), Founder & CEO, Kitchens@ has pioneered Dinerium, a dining experience that combines offline and online elements, offering a diverse selection of premier brands right at patrons tables.

Earlier this year, Kitchens@ acquired Swiggy Access Kitchen, expanded its footprint to six major cities and 45 locations, boasting a network of 700 kitchens.

FinSMEs

22/12/2023
Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hiranis film Dunki that released on December 21, has opened at the box-office with an approximate collection of Rs 30 crore. This is the 6th biggest opening of the year after Jawan, Animal, Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Tiger 3. The film also stars Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, and Boman Irani.

Hiranis earlier films Sanju and PK had opened to around Rs 34 and Rs 26 crore respectively.

SRK on Dunki

Khan recently flew to Dubai to promote his upcoming film Dunki. At the promotional event in Dubai, the actor explained the meaning of his film Dunki, the sentiment behind it and more.

SRK on the meaning of Dunki and home coming

Dunki is an illegal trip many people take to get out of their country across borders all over the world. It deals about going out from your home country and finding a future for yourself, but loving your home the most. So, its about homecoming or ghar wapsi. Its like wherever in the world you might live, but ultimately during the last days of your life, its best to come back home to your country.

Firstpost reviews Dunki

In its review, the portal wrote- In many a places, I felt that SRK was trying too hard to play the young Hardy Singh. The salt and pepper look was suiting Shah Rukh Khan and his older version was much more impressive than the younger Shah Rukh. Looks like King Khan tried too hard to keep up to his star status after Pathaan and Jawaan.

Dunki features an ensemble cast, with colorful characters portrayed by exceptionally talented actors Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, along with Shah Rukh Khan. A JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films presentation, produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Gauri Khan Written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon,
Mohanlal and Priyamani starrer Neru might have hit theatres and has also received a lot of praise, however, the film has faced its own share of controversy after the makers received a legal notice, claiming that the film is plagiarised.

The petitioner also a scriptwriter Deepak Unni recently filed a written petition to the Kerala High Court, alleging that Nerus director Jeethu Joseph and co-scriptwriter Shanti Mayadevi had forcibly bought a few pages of his story, further alleging that he was later removed from the film. It was only after the films trailer came out, that Deepak released that he had been cheated, the plea added.

Neru faces plagiarism row

While claiming that he had discussed the films script with Jeethu and Shanti back in 2021, Deepak stated that the duo convinced him to hand over the 49-page script to them, further claiming that they wanted to seek advice from lawyers to understand the legalities written in the courtroom scene better.

Urging the court to put a stay on the films release, Deepak also stated that he understood they had copied his story when the trailer came out, featuring the exact sequences he had written.

Considering the writ plea, while the court however refused to stay the release of the film, it posted the matter for further consideration.

Jeethu Joseph issues statement

In line with the ongoing plagiarism row over his latest release, director Jeethu Joseph also issued a statement, claiming that the film was made with complete honesty and that a controversy had been created just before its release.

Mentioning that the case files and the synopsis of what the writer had written were leaked online, the director shared a long post on his Facebook and asked the audience to watch the film and decide for themselves.

Neru was made with complete honesty and humor like no other film I have worked on. But in the last few days, as the release of my film is approaching, a controversy has arisen. You know the information that another person came forward claiming the story of the movie Neru and approached the court for it. A synopsis of the story written by the said party is circulating on social media along with the case records. After watching Neru, you, the audience can judge what is wrong, a part of his statement read.

In the meantime, the film which is a courtroom drama starring Mohanlal, Priyamani, and Anaswara Rajan in the lead roles revolves around the story of a blind girl whos assaulted in her home. The film has received positive reviews from fans.
It was a star-studded affair on Thursday, 24 February as the majority of the film fraternity came together under the same roof to celebrate film producer Anand Pandits 60th birthday. From Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, and Kajol among others, many were seen in attendance at what seemed to be one of the grandest events, becoming the talk of the town.

Actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan who are presently basking in the success of their latest releases were seen making a starry entry at the birthday party, while later the Bachchans including Amitabh Bachchan and his son-actor Abhishek Bachchan were also seen in attendance.

SRK, Salman Khan, and others at Anand Pandits birthday celebrations

At a time when Shah Rukh Khans third film of this year Dunki has been released and is already winning hearts, the actor made a dazzling entry at the birthday celebrations capturing the attention of fans and the media alike. Looking as handsome as ever, Shah Rukh was dressed in a black formal as he happily posed for the media. Going for an impeccably tailored ensemble, he completed the look with a pair of black shades. The superstar shared a warm greeting to the paparazzi as he posed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snehkumar Zala (@snehzala)

Later, actor Salman Khan also made a starry entry at the party. The Tiger 3 actor donned a blue coloured shirt paired with a black blazer and matching trousers and shoes. He can be seen sharing a big smile as he poses in front of the media.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snehkumar Zala (@snehzala)

One of the most talked about instances of the party was when Salman Khan bumped into the Bachchans and guess what? They shared a very warm moment, which is a rare phenomenon at public gatherings. In videos going viral on social media, Salman can be seen hugging Big B and later also Abhishek Bachchan, with seemingly no hard feelings for each other anymore.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

In the meantime, the likes of actors like Sharman Joshi, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Kajol, Rohit Roy, Jackie Shroff, Riteish Deshmukh, Hrithik Roshan, and his father Rakesh Roshan also joined the celebrations.
Cast: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, Sriya Reddy and Ramachandra Raju

Director: Prashanth Neel

After delivering monstrous blockbusters in the form of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion, Prabhas emerged as the pan-India megastar. However, his last three outings  Saaho, Radhe Shyam and Adipurush failed to meet the audiences expectations. This time, the Rebel Star has collaborated with KGF franchise helmer Prashanth Neel for a massy-actioner. So, does he succeed in winning our hearts this time? Lets find out

The story of Salaar revolves around Deva (Prabhas) aka Cutout, fondly called by children, who lives near a coal mine with his mother (Easwari Rao) in the remote village of Tinsukia in Assam. For the last seven years, the duo has been moving from place to place with Devas mother keeping a close eye on her son and shielding him from violence. Everything seems fine until Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), who is in danger from Obulamma (Jhansi), is brought to Deva and his mother by Billal for refuge.

Simultaneously, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) decides to make his son, Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran) his successor to Khansaar City. However, this decision triggers ministers and close relatives of Mannar. After which, we see some mind games, strategies and ultimately the chaotic situations to get the crown. The war raises several questions like the identity of Aadhya and her connection with Vardha. What was the reason for animosity between two best friends Vardha and Deva? The movie unfolds these answers with surprises and massy twists.

Director Prashanth Neel once again comes up with a riveting tale, which has all the elements of a commercial entertainer. Right from celebrating heroism to the ruggedness of characters, larger-than-life storytelling with layers of traits like betrayal, loyalty and leadership ultimately results in a compelling narrative. The editing is crisp and sharp with proper placements of emotional depth, which leaves the audience with a daunting experience. However, the film gives you dejavu of the KGF franchise due to its backdrop and rawness among villains. In some scenes, it will remind you of Baahubali because of Prabhas persona. The setting of sequences has Game Of Thrones vibe, which adds extra appeal to its narrative.

Talking about the performances, Prabhas is back and how! Finally, he did what his fans were craving for. He perfectly balances his character with raw action sequences and emotional nuances. With minimalistic dialogues, the actor makes his expressive eyes and actions do the talking and keeps you at the edge of your seat. Prithviraj Sukumaran as Vardha is simply outstanding. His intense act and camaraderie with Prabhas enhance the viewing experience. There is hardly any scope for Shruti Haasan in the movie. Maybe, we see more of her in the second part.

Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, John Vijay, and Sriya Reddy contribute to the complexities of layered storytelling. The VFX and SFX departments deserve brownie points for showing Khansaar City most believably and giving a visual appeal to the viewers.

On the whole, Salaar: Part 1  Ceasefire is a massy comeback for Prabhas and a Christmas treat for his fans.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

Salaar: Part 1  Ceasefire is playing in cinemas near you

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The JN.1 variant of the novel coronavirus has India and the world on alert. With the year-end holidays here, millions are travelling within the country and abroad. The surging cases might have you wondering if it is safe to continue with the plans.

In India, Kerala and Goa, both popular tourist destinations, have reported cases of JN.1. Singapore and Malaysia have seen a jump in fresh cases. The story is similar in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The JN.1 strain, a subvariant of Omicron, has been declared as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization.

We take a look at how fast COVID-19 is spreading in India and other countries. And what you need to watch out for if you are travelling for Christmas and New Years Eve.

Also read: JN.1 variant of COVID-19 in India: Should we be concerned?

India

India on Thursday recorded 594 fresh COVID-19 infections, which took the number of active cases from 2,311 the previous day, to 2,669, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country has reported 26 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant so far, causing heightened attention and concern. Nineteen of these cases were detected in Goa and are confirmed as inactive. The variant was detected during genome sequencing of samples collected from patients.

Kerala reported 265 fresh COVID-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Friday. One of them at least is of the JN.1 variant. In Karnataka, authorities have asked senior citizens to mask up.

Rajasthan reported two more Covid cases of the new sub-variant on Thursday, taking the overall tally of such cases in the state to four. The health department issued an advisory for the prevention and control of the infection, asking people to seek timely medical advice in case of mild cold, cough, fever, or sore throat.

Maharashtra reported 11 new cases on Thursday. The first case of JN.1 was found in Sindhudurg in a patient with a travel history from Goa.

A man tested positive for COVID in the first case of the infection in Uttar Pradeshs Gautam Buddh Nagar after several months, officials said on Thursday.

For travel: Amid a rise in cases travellers are worried that COVID restrictions will be back. There is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for Covid-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, sources told News18.

According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chair of the IMA Covid Task Force, the new strain can be problematic for people of old age and those with multiple comorbidities.

Former World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that there was no need to panic. She urged people to wear masks and avoid going to closed crowded spaces with poor ventilation.

If you have symptoms, stay at home. Wash your hands regularly. If you have prolonged symptoms then do visit the hospital Masking is not mandatory but it should be voluntary, she added.

Singapore

The number of fresh COVID-19 cases in Singapore jumped to 965 in the past week, up from 763 the previous week. Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) went up from 23 to 32 in the same period.

These are the highest numbers of new weekly hospitalisation and ICU admissions for COVID-19 patients in 2023, according to a report in TODAY newspaper. Most COVID-19 patients are infected by JN.1.

For travel: Singapore on Monday reintroduced the use of masks in crowded places, particularly indoors.

The government has issued guidelines for travellers and citizens. The health ministry has strongly encouraged the public to wear a mask in crowded places even if they are not sick, especially in indoor settings, or when visiting or interacting with vulnerable persons, the ministry said. Travellers should adopt the relevant travel precautions, such as wearing a mask at the airport, purchasing travel insurance, and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation, it said.

Malaysia

Malaysia, a popular tourist destination, has witnessed a near doubling of COVID-19 infections in a week ahead of Christmas and New Year. Cases jumped from 6,796 in the last week of November to nearly 13,000 by 10 December, according to a report in Strait Times.

From 10 December to 16 December, the country reported a total of 20, 696 COVID cases. It was a 62 per cent increase compared the the numbers reported the week before.

For travel: Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has said that there were no plans to reinstate lockdown-related restrictions.

The health minister stated that there is no burden on health facilities right now. He has advised social distancing and wearing masks.

Do not be alarmed but at the same time take precautionary measures. Maintain your distance from one another, practice good hygiene, wear masks indoors or in crowded spaces and get booster shots, especially those in the high-risk categories.

Indonesia

The countrys health ministry has confirmed the detection of JN.1. At least 41 cases were confirmed on Wednesday.

Like other Omicron subvariants, most patients who had contracted JN.1 experienced mild symptoms, the countrys disease control and prevention director general Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said.

For travel: There are no restrictions on travel and no mask mandates have been issued so far.

The United Kingdom

Cases of COVID-19 are rising in the UK, especially in England and Scotland. One in 24 people in the two places had the infection on 13 December compared to one in 55 on 29 December, according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

London is the worst-affected area as the infectious JN.1 variant spreads rapidly.

For travel: There are no mask mandates at airports or airlines if you are travelling to the UK.

At this time of year, the cold weather, shorter days and increased socialising mean that the potential for transmission of respiratory viruses like Covid-19 is particularly high, Steven Riley, director general for data and surveillance at the UKHSA was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. This, as well as the possible impact of new variants, means its not unexpected to see cases rising.

The United States

In the US, COVID levels have reached the highest since last December in parts of the country, according to wastewater data analysis from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some states with very high levels of Covid include New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, Indiana, Delaware, and Michigan, among others. New York, Virginia, Texas, California, and Virginia are states with high levels of infections.

JN.1 is causing approximately 20 per cent of new infections in the country, making it the fastest-growing strain.

For travel: There have been no restrictions imposed so far.

But Dr Peter Chin-Hong, a University of California San Francisco infectious disease expert, told the Los Angeles Times that with the rising viral levels, he is worried are going to translate into hospitalisations around Christmastime.

The CDC has said that there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants. It added that an updated shot could keep Americans protected against the variant.

With inputs from agencies
French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to be the chief guest for Indias Republic Day parade next month. New Delhi has reportedly invited him and if he accepts, Macron will be the sixth French president to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

Earlier, India was in talks with the Leaders of Quad countries for the Republic Day parade. However, this did not materialise due to the unavailability of United States president Joe Biden.

This year, Egypts president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was Indias chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations.

How does India select the chief guest for its Republic Day celebrations? What is its significance? Lets understand.

A laborious task

Choosing the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations is not an everyday affair. In fact, it is the highest honour accorded by the country in terms of protocol.

A lot of consideration goes into deciding the chief guest. The selection process begins about six months before Republic Day, which India marks on 26 January every year.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) contemplates many aspects before extending the invitation to the head of state. The most basic consideration is New Delhis relationship with that country as being the chief guest invitee reflects that India wants to build or reaffirm its friendship with that nation, as per Hindustan Times (HT).

Indias political, commercial, military and economic interests also play a major role in the decision, with the MEA using the occasion to bolster ties with that country, reported Indian Express.

Another factor that has been taken into account historically was the chief guests association with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Founded in 1961, NAM was a global political movement of the newly liberated nations to stay clear of the Cold War tensions and back each others nation-building efforts. This was reflected in the selection of Indias first Republic Day chief guest in 1950  then Indonesian president Sukarno, who was one of the founding members of the NAM.

After all these deliberations, the MEA seeks the nod of the Prime Minister and the President on the issue. Once the ministry gets the approval, it then proceeds further. The Indian ambassador in the concerned country discreetly tries to find out the potential chief guests availability as it is common for heads of state to have busy schedules and prior commitments, noted Indian Express.

Keeping this in mind, the MEA prepares a curated list of candidates instead of having just one option.

What happens next?

According to Indian Express, India and the country of the invitee hold official talks once the candidate is finalised. Territorial divisions in the MEA then get to work on agreements. The Chief of Protocol is responsible for charting out the details of the programme and logistics.

The comprehensive plan for the trip and the Republic Day event is shared with the Indian Protocol Chiefs counterpart of the visiting nation. The Indian government, the government of state(s) that the foreign dignitary might visit and the government of the concerned country are involved in the planning of the visit, the newspaper reported.

Organisers also prepare for all kinds of contingencies such as medical emergencies during the trip.

ALSO READ: A Page out of History: How India rang in its first Republic Day in 1950

Significance of the chief guest

All eyes are on the chief guest of the Republic Day and it is important the guest nation views the visit as successful. The foreign dignitary is accorded the ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The head of state then attends the reception in the evening hosted by the Indian president.

They also lay a wreath at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. A banquet is hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of the chief guest of the Republic Day.

Former Indian Foreign Service officer Manbir Singh told Indian Express earlier that the visit of the foreign dignitary for the Republic Day parade portrays the Chief Guest as participating in Indias pride and happiness, and reflects the friendship between the two peoples represented by the President of India and the Chief Guest.

India-France ties

India inviting Frances Macron signals the close ties between the two nations. The last time India invited a French president as its chief guest for the Republic Day parade was in 2016 when Francois Hollande graced the occasion.

Notably, PM Narendra Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day (Frances national day) celebrations and parade in July this year.

As per ThePrint report, France recently submitted bids for the Indian Navys plans to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

France has also supported India at global forums including the United Nations. The invitation to Macron displays Indias intention to further strengthen its relations with France with which it enjoys a strategic partnership in defence, space, and nuclear areas.

With inputs from agencies
Waiting for some furniture or clothes you ordered?

You may have to wait just a little longer  thanks to the Houthis.

Several attacks on trade vessels in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed militants  who are protesting the Israels bombing of Gaza  have disrupted the flow of trade across the world.

But which companies will be affected and how?

Lets take a closer look:

IKEA

Love Ikeas put-it-together-yourself furniture?

The Swedish giant has admitted that there will be a delay in its products being shipped.

The Swedish ready-to-assemble furniture retailer told Reuters on 19 December that the situation in the Suez Canal would result in delays and may cause availability constraints for certain products.

In the meantime, we are evaluating other supply options to secure the availability of our products, it added.

We are in close dialogue with our transportation partners to ensure the safety of people working in the IKEA value chain and to take all the necessary precautions to keep them safe, the statement added as per CNN.

This is our main priority.

Abercrombie

Bloomberg News reported that Ohio-based Abercrombie is looking to switch sea freight to air in order to avoid delays.

AB Foods

The Primark-owner is monitoring the situation, but its supply chains are capable of some adjustment, a company spokesperson told Reuters, adding that so far we see no need to be concerned.

BASF

The German chemical company does not see disruptions to raw material supply or product distribution, but it is closely monitoring the situation, a company spokesperson said.

BP

The oil major on 18 December said it had temporarily paused all transits through the Red Sea.

BP had blamed the deteriorating security situation and said it would keep the precautionary pause under ongoing review.

Covestro

The German chemicals maker said any possible increases in transit times would not impact its product supply. Covestro expects its ocean shipping line partners to continue shipping through the passage as soon as it can be operated safely.

Danone

The French food group said most of its shipments had been diverted, which would increase transit times.

Should the situation last beyond 2-3 months, the group will activate mitigation plans, including using alternate routes via sea or road wherever possible, a Danone spokesperson said.

The dairy giant told BBC that it is working with suppliers and partners to monitor the situation closely.

Electrolux

The Swedish Home appliances maker set up a task force to find alternative routes or identify priority deliveries to try to avoid any disruption.

It currently sees a limited impact on deliveries.

Equinor

The Norwegian oil and gas firm on Dec. 18 said it had rerouted vessels that had been heading towards the Red Sea.

Essity

The Swedish hygiene products maker is monitoring the situation and staying in contact with impacted suppliers to ensure continued flow of goods, but sees a limited impact as only a low percentage of its supplies move through the Suez Canal, the company told Reuters.

Europris

The Norwegian retailer, which imports 35 to 40 per cent of its goods sold from Asia via sea freight, told Reuters it supported shipping companies decision to reroute vessels. Europris said the longer shipping times were within its safety margin and no significant challenges were expected.

Kemira

The Finnish chemicals company said on 19 December that shipping companies decisions to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope would affect some of its international routes, but not in any significant way at least in the short term.

There is currently spare capacity on the market and waiting times at ports are reasonably good, a Kemira spokesperson told Reuters.

Kone

The Finnish elevator maker said the situation may in some cases delay shipments by 2-3 weeks, though a majority of its customer deliveries should stay on schedule. Kone added it had prepared for the disruptions by seeking alternative delivery methods and routes, among others.

LIDL

Tailwind Shipping Lines, a unit of the German discount supermarket chain, which transports non-food goods for Lidl and goods for third-party customers, said it was sailing around the Cape of Good Hope for now.

MediaMarktSaturn

The German electronics retailer, and Ceconomy (CECG.DE) subsidiary, told Reuters on 21 December that it currently does not expect the situation to affect its supply chain or the availability of products during the Christmas season.

If the situation persists for longer, we cannot rule out the possibility that we may also experience isolated effects on the availability of goods in the medium term, it added.

Mosaic

The US fertilizer company said on 18 December it had rerouted a couple of US-bound shipments around the Cape of Good Hope.

TSMC

The worlds top contract chipmaker said on 19 December it had a long-established enterprise risk management system in place, and after an assessment it did not anticipate a significant impact on its operations.

Volkswagen

The German carmaker said on 20 December that rerouting of shipments would result in around two weeks longer journeys.

So far we have not seen any problems, but we are prepared in any case and have enough time over the holidays to include the two-week longer route, it told Reuters.

Volvo

The Swedish automaker said it was affected by the shipping hindrances and was investigating the potential impact. However, it sees no impact on its ability to reach global wholesale and production targets, the company told Reuters.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool is closely monitoring logistics issues in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the wider region to help mitigate risks as they arise, the appliances maker told Reuters, adding that currently there was no impact to its business.

Yara

The Red Sea is an important supply route for Yara, the Norwegian fertilizer maker said, but added it was only mildly impacted by the transit challenges for now.

What do experts say?

As per CNBC, around $80 billion worth of products have already been diverted.

Europe is likely to witness the biggest delays.

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told CNBC they had taken the decision as there is currently an unacceptable risk for its employees.

Experts also say it remains unclear how fast the US-led task force established to counter the Houthis can act.

In the longer term, some goods may take longer to be shipped, as they are routed via longer routes, Andrew Opie, the British Retail Consortiums director of food and sustainability, told the BBC.

Consumers could also face a price hike.

This is a cost that will ultimately be passed on to consumers who are buying the goods, Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, told BBC.

However, Nils Haupt, head of corporate communications at shipping firm Hapag Lloyd, added he does not expect a huge increase in prices.

Yes, it is challenging, but it will not mean that we will have empty shelves in the shops, Haupt added.

With inputs from agencies
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the allegation of Indias involvement in the plot to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday evening in its press briefing said that India had been granted consular access to Nikhil Gupta, who is currently lodged in a Czech prison on the accusation of being involved in the plot to murder Pannun.

We take a closer look at what does consular access mean and the protocols surrounding it.

Was India granted consular access to Nikhil Gupta?

Earlier on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in his briefing to the media said that India had received consular access on three occasions to Nikhil Gupta, who has been in a jail in the Czech capital of Prague following the United States accusing him of involvement in a foiled plot to kill Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions, Bagchi said when asked about Gupta.

Starting shortly! Tune in for our Weekly Media Briefing:https://t.co/wHOzOyns4J  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) December 21, 2023

Bagchi also added that India is extending necessary consular assistance to Gupta.

The MEA spokesperson further added that New Delhi has taken the allegations seriously, adding inputs have been provided by the US side and a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to look into all relevant aspects of the matter. This remark was a response on India-American Congressmen earlier stating that the alleged assassination plot could impact ties between the two countries.

For the unaware, the US has charged Nikhil Gupta for his involvement in the plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In its indictment, US federal authorities charged Gupta with conspiring to hire a hitman to assassinate Pannun. Furthermore, the US has filed an extradition appeal with Czech authorities. At the same time, Guptas family has also filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, alleging that he is being tortured in custody and seeking Indias intervention. The plea in court stated that the 52-year-old is being forced to eat beef and pork despite being a devout Hindu.

What is consular access?

So, what is this consular access that the MEA is talking about? Consular access is the ability of nationals to have access to consulate or embassy officials of their own country in a foreign nation.

In laymans term, consular access is the ability of a country to have access, physical or via communication with officials of their own country while in a foreign country. It is clearly laid out under Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

Article 36 of this treaty states that foreign nationals who are arrested or detained be given notice without delay of their right to have their embassy or consulate notified of that arrest. If the detained foreign national so requests, the police must fax that notice to the embassy or consulate, which can then check up on the person. The notice to the consulate can be as simple as a fax, giving the persons name, the place of arrest, and, if possible, something about the reason for the arrest or detention.

It additionally expresses that the captured national has the option to normal interview with their consulates officials during their detainment and trial.

Has consular access been denied in the past?

Yes. India had moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following the arrest of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav and in 2019, the ICJ held Pakistan guilty of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR).

Pakistan had argued that espionage cases fall outside the scope of protection of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

However, following the ICJ ruling, Islamabad had granted consular access to India in the Jadhav case. The 50-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017.

Prior to its second consular meeting in 2020, New Delhi had stated that India had requested Pakistan more than 12 times to provide unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav.

More recently, Russia denied the United States access to visit detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a Moscow prison. The US State Department said it had sought a meeting with Gershkovich on 25 May, but Moscow denied it.

When asked about it, Russias foreign ministry had linked the move to a complaint that its journalists didnt get US visas to travel with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the United Nations in New York in April.

And just days ago, the United Kingdom pressed on Hong Kong for consular access to jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai, whose national security trial began on Monday.

Its important to note that in the case of the eight Navy veterans sentenced to death by a Qatar court, India was granted consular access to them on 3 December. The MEA in a statement said, Our ambassador got consular access to meet all eight of them in prison on 3 December.

This came after the Indian embassy in Doha had received consular access to the detained veterans in November.

With inputs from agencies
Militancy in Kashmir reared its ugly head once again on Thursday when heavily-armed terrorists ambushed two Indian Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district. The attack and the ensuing gunfight have led to the death of four soldiers and three others have been injured.

The Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), which is a proxy outfit of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, two former chief ministers of the erstwhile state  Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti  strongly condemned the dastardly attack.

But what exactly unfolded on Thursday (21 December), leading to the death of five soldiers and what exactly is PAFF, the outfit that has claimed responsibility for it.

The attack in Poonch

On Thursday evening, two Army vehicles carrying personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station. This is when heavily-armed terrorists ambushed the vehicles and a gunfight broke out.

Describing the events, sources told Indian Express that two vehicles, a Gypsy and a mini-truck, were on their way from Bufliaz in Surankote to Thanamandi in Rajouri. As the vehicles reached below Topa Pir, terrorists who appeared to have already laid an ambush attacked them.

Visuals from the scene show blood on the street, broken helmets of soldiers and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility of the soldiers engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the terrorists during the intense confrontation.

The Indian Army has said that the search for the terrorists involved in the attack was still on. However, the operation would be difficult as the stretch is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest.

Officials say this attack joins the list of encounters that have occurred in the Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts. Data reveals that a total of 54 people, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists have died in attacks this year in these three areas. In Rajouri, 31 people, including 14 security personnel and 10 terrorists died, while in Poonch, five security personnel and 15 terrorists were killed.

PAFF claims responsibility

Shortly after the ambush took place, JeM proxy, PAFF, claimed responsibility for the attack. Some reports say that Masood Azhar, the leader of the Pakistani terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, founded the Peoples Anti-Fascist Front.

Moreover, reports add that Mufti Azgar Kashmiri runs the terror outfit while Mufti Abdul Rauf Azhar, the second brother of Masood Azhar, is in charge of the groups organisation-related operations.

In January, the Union Home Ministry banned PAFF for its involvement in terror acts in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere. In its notification, the Home Ministry had then said that PAFF had been regularly issuing threats to security forces, political leaders and civilians working in Jammu and Kashmir from other states.

It added that PAFF along with other outfits was involved in pro-actively conspiring both physically and on social media to undertake violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir and major cities in India.

It has also been found that PAFF is actively involved in the radicalisation of the youth and recruiting them to handle guns, ammunition and explosives.

Security officials have also found that PAFF has been increasingly been involved in acts of terrorism. Its name has been associated with several incidents in Jammu-Kashmir.

In June 2021, PAFF claimed responsibility for the murder of Rakesh Pandita, a BJP councillor in Pulwama. Pandita was killed when he was visiting his friends house in the Tral area. A year later, PAFF once again claimed responsibility for the death of Jammu and Kashmirs Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia. In a statement, it said, This is just the beginning of such high profile operations just to warn this Hindutva regime and its collaborators that we can strike anytime and anywhere with precision. This is a small gift to their visiting home minister amid such a security grid. God willing we will continue such operations in future. However, authorities refuted claims of a terror angle.

Perhaps, one of PAFFs deadliest attacks was the Poonch attack this year in April. On 20 April, five Indian Army jawans were charred to death as their vehicle caught fire after it was fired upon by terrorists on the Poonch-Jammu highway. The incident occurred near Bhata Durian village when the vehicle was moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot in Poonch district.

Also read: Why a village in Poonch is giving Eid celebrations a miss this year

Following the attack, PAFF released a 2.5-minute-long video clip. The video showed a terrorist with a body camera shooting a soldier multiple times, including on his head.

PAFF, it seems, was also responsible for the 4 August ambush in Kulgam, which resulted in the death of three soldiers. At the time, the terror group also claimed that it had snatched the weapons off the slain personnel. Moreover, PAFF terrorists had shot the entire attack with the help of body cameras.

Security officials in the region have noted that PAFF has stepped up its attacks and is gaining notoriety in the region. Moreover, their recruits are being trained very well and the group avoids the use of communication gadgets, which helps them to stay off the radar of security agencies.

With inputs from agencies
The consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be held a month from today (22 December). Preparations are in full swing and are now in the final stages.

From revered saints to political leaders, actors and entrepreneurs, invitations are being sent to prominent personalities for the grand opening of the temple.

Recently, a Nihang Sikh declared he would organise langar sewa (Sikh community kitchen) during the consecration of Lord Rama in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024. His announcement has brought to the limelight the connection of Sikhs to the Ram Janmabhoomi.

Lets take a closer look at the story.

Guru Nanak Devs Ayodhya visit

As per reports, Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, visited the site of Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya in 1510-11 AD. Babri Masjid was not constructed at the time.

In its verdict on the disputed religious site in the Uttar Pradesh city in November 2019, the Supreme Court had taken note of Guru Nanak Devs visit which it said showed pilgrims went to see the site even before 1528 AD.

It is found that in period prior to 1528 AD, there were sufficient religious texts, which led Hindus to believe the present site of Ram Janmabhoomi as birthplace of Lord Ram, the apex court said in its judgement, as per Times of India (TOI).

Nihang Sikhs and Ram Janmabhoomi

In November 1858, Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa barged into Babri Masjid in Ayodhya as a posse of 25 Nihang Sikhs stood guard outside.

He erected a symbol of Sri Bhagwan (Lord Ram) inside the mosque and wrote Ram Ram on the walls of the Muslims place of worship, reported India Today.

Baba Fakir Singh also organised a hawan and puja inside the mosque.

The Nihang Sikhs also set up a platform inside the place of worship on which an idol of Lord Ram was placed, according to TOI. After this, a case was registered against the 25 Nihangs at the Oudh (as Ayodhya and nearby areas were called then) police station based on a complaint by Syed Mohammad Khateeb, the then muezzin (mosques officer) of the Babri Masjid, who called the incident an open tyranny and high-handedness of the Hindus on Muslims, as per India Today.

Because of conspiracy of Shiv Ghulam Thandedar Oudh government, the Bairagis (Nihangs) constructed overnight a chabutra (platform) up to height of one Balisht until the orders of injunction were issued, he reportedly said in the complaint.

A report by the Thanedar of Oudh, Sheetal Dubey, in November 1858, which was mentioned by the Supreme Court during its 2019 ruling, stated: Today Nihang Singh Faqir Khalsa, a resident of Punjab, organised Hawan and Puja of Guru Gobind Singh and erected a symbol of Sri Bhagwan, within the premises of the Masjid. At the time of pitching the symbol, 25 Sikhs were posted there for security.

It further said that Dubey had summoned Baba Faqir Singh and admonished him. Despite this, Baba continued to insist that every place belonged to Nirankar (the formless divine), reported Indian Express.

The incident had flared up commnual tensions, with local Muslims complaining of facing problems in offering namaz at the Babri mosque.

The Azaan of Moazzin was met with the blowing of conch shells by Hindus. A contentious situation was arising. The Nihang Sikh was evicted from the site and a record was maintained, the apex court observed in its 2019 verdict, reported TOI.

Recalling this incident, the eighth descendant of Baba Fakir Singh, Jathedar Baba Harjit Singh Rasulpur, announced on Sunday (17 December) that he will hold a langar to serve devotees coming for the Pran Pratishtha or consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple.

He said he wanted to carry forward the devotion of his ancestor towards Lord Ram by organising the langar along with other Nihangs. Now, when the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Rama is being done on 22 January 2024, how can I lag behind? he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

I have no affiliation with any political party and am only a bearer of eternal traditions. I had to face criticism while maintaining harmony between Nihangs and Sanatan Dharma because, on the one hand, I am an amritdhari (baptised) Sikh, but on the other hand, I wear rudraksha mala around my neck, Baba Harjit Singh told the media in Chandigarh.

Nihangs are a distinct sect among the Sikhs, who are known for their martial skills. This order of Sikh warriors is identified by their loose, dark blue robes, turbans adorned with steel quoits (chakrams) and traditional arms such as swords and spears.

In October, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lucknow that it was Sikhs who started the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, according to Hindustan Times (HT).

Speaking at Guru Granth Sahib Parkash Utsav at Lucknows Gurudwara Alambagh, he said, It was Sikhs who started the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and their contribution can never be forgotten by any Indian. The Sikh community has done a lot to protect the Sanatana Dharma.

Singh also talked about the 1858 incident involving Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa.

With inputs from agencies
The FBI has stepped up its search for Mayushi Bhagat, a 29-year-old Indian student who went missing over four years ago, by offering a reward of up to $10,000 (RS 8.32 lakh) for information about her whereabouts.

She was last seen leaving her apartment in Jersey City on 29 April, 2019, wearing colourful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt. Her family reported her missing on 1 May, 2019, but no agency could find her till date. Now the FBI is seeking publics help in searching Mayushi.

The FBI said that anyone with information about Bhagat, her whereabouts or her disappearance, should call FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department.

They could receive a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery, the statement issued last week said.

Who is Mayushi Bhagat?

Mayushi Bhagat was born in July 1994 in India. She was in the US on a student visa. Mayushi, like hundreds of other Indian students, travelled to the United States to pursue a career in tech. In 2016, she enrolled at the University of New Hampshire and later transferred to the New York Institute of Technology.

The FBI stated in an official statement that she speaks English, Hindi, and Urdu. According to several detectives, she has friends in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

Bhagat is described as 510 with black hair and brown eyes. She came to the United States in 2016 on an F1 student visa.

She was added to the FBIs Most Wanted Kidnappings and Missing Persons list last year. In July last year, the FBI added Bhagat to its list of Missing Persons and sought assistance from the public to help with information about her.

According to the Times of India, Mayushis father chatted with her via WhatsApp at 12.30 am on 1 May. She stated that she was fine but that she did not want to be bothered. She, however, never returned home.

With inputs from PTI
Never mind what a US judge said last year  another US court has revived a child sexual exploitation lawsuit against Nirvana.

The suit comes from a man who appeared on the cover of the grunge bands seminal 1991 album Nevermind as a naked infant.

The development comes more than a year after another judge dismissed the claim by Spencer Elden  who alleges he has claimed he has suffered permanent harm as a result of the album cover.

Lets take a closer look at the row:

What happened?

In 1991, Nirvana, fronted by crooner Kurt Cobain, released its landmark second album Nevermind.

As per Billboard, the album reached No 1 on the US Billboard 200 in January 1992.

It was on the chart for 554 weeks and ultimately sold more than 30 million copies.

The album, which made the group and Kobain in particular the face of a new generation, had on its cover an image that would become truly iconic  a naked baby swimming after a US dollar on a fishhook.

As per the New York Times, Eldens parents were paid $200 for the image.

Many considered the image a critique of the capitalist American society and a social commentary on greed.

But Elden, now 32, disagreed.

In August 2021, Elden filed the lawsuit against the band in California federal court.

As per Sky News, Elden sought $150,000 in damages.

In it, he claimed he suffered lifelong damages as the band and others profited off the image.

This, even as Elden has participated in photoshoots over the years recreating the image.

The suit said that even though no criminal charges were ever sought, the image violated federal laws on child sexual abuse material.

Spencers true identity and legal name are forever tied to the commercial sexual exploitation he experienced as a minor which has been distributed and sold worldwide from the time he was a baby to the present day, the suit stated as per Billboard.

As per Sky News, the lawsuit claimed the cover made Elden look like a sex worker.

It also claimed the band did not follow through on a vow to cover Eldens exposed genitals.

As per The New York Times, the suit claimed Elden suffered emotional distress and a lifelong loss of income-earning capacity as a result of being associated with the image.

Nirvanas lawyers file motion to dismiss

In December 2021, Nirvanas attorneys filed a motion to dismiss.

They argued that the suit was filed well past the 10-year statute of limitations of one of the laws used as a cause of action. They also said another law it cites wasnt enacted until 2003 and was not retroactive.

Long before 2011, as Elden has pled, Elden knew about the photograph, and knew that he (and not someone else) was the baby in the photograph, the suit claimed as per Billboard. He has been fully aware of the facts of both the supposed violation and injury for decades.

The motion said the lawsuit is on its face, not serious, and Eldens conduct reflects that.

Elden has spent three decades profiting from his celebrity as the self-anointed Nirvana Baby, the suit alleged.

Then, in September 2022, US district judge Fernando Olguin dismissed the lawsuit.

The eight-page ruling, which cited the statute of limitations, said Elden had waited too long to file his motion.

We are pleased that this meritless case has been brought to a speedy final conclusion, a lawyer for Nirvana told Reuters.

Eldens lawyers at the time vowed to appeal the ruling.

The Nevermind cover was created at time when Spencer was a baby and it is impossible for him to age out of this victimization while his image remains in distribution, Eldens lawyer told Rolling Stone.

As per Rolling Stone, Elden in 2022 filed an amended lawsuit.

The suit named Nirvarana and surviving Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, photographer Kirk Weddle, Universal Music Group, Geffen Records, MCA Records, Courtney Love  the executor of Kurt Cobains estate as defendants.

Weddle took the photo that depicted Elden swimming naked toward a dollar bill pierced on a fish hook. at the Pasadena Aquatic Centre in California.

Elden claimed they knowingly continued to reproduce, distribute and promote the album cover with his image in the 10 years leading up to his filing, including through a 30th anniversary reissue of the album in 2021 that continues to feature a lascivious exhibition of Spencers genitals on the cover.

Appeals court revives lawsuit

Thursdays decision by a three-judge panel of the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals in California reversed that ruling and sent the case back to the lower court.

The appellate panel found that each republication of an image may constitute a new personal injury with a new deadline and cited the images appearance on a 30th anniversary reissue of Nevermind in 2021.

The court, however, did not address whether the cover of Nevermind constitutes child pornography.

The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal, the court wrote, according to The New York Times.

Like victims of defamation, victims of child pornography may suffer a new injury upon the republication of the pornographic material, the court decision further read, as per Rolling Stone.

Accordingly, we conclude that each republication of child pornography can constitute a new personal injury analogous to injuries caused by defamation and other dignitary torts. This conclusion is consistent with the Supreme Courts view that every viewing of child pornography is a repetition of the victims abuse.

Eldens lawyer told Billboard, Spencer is very pleased with the decision and looks forward to having his day in court. The decision is important for all child pornography victims.

In an email to The Associated Press, Nirvana attorney Bert Deixler called the ruling a procedural setback.

We will defend this meritless case with vigour and expect to prevail, he wrote.

With inputs from agencies
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has sent feelers to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, amid speculation of yet more rifts in the INDIA bloc ahead of next years general election.

Gandhi could not speak to the Janata Dal (United) chief since he was in a meeting, but the two are expected to talk later on Friday, according to people aware of the developments. Though the agenda for the interaction is not yet known, there is speculation the two will speak on the fallout of Wednesdays meeting, at which Nitish Kumar seemed to be overlooked as a possible convener for the group or a prime ministerial candidate.

Kumar, it is believed did not see eye to eye with INDIA leaders on several issues, including renaming the bloc as Bharat.

The proposal for renaming the alliance was swiftly rejected by Sonia Gandhi, it has been suggested. Kumar reportedly also got angry with Manoj Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, a state ally, because Jha translated his speech from Hindi to Tamil for the benefit of political leaders from the DMK.

There were also rumours that Nitish Kumar lashed out at the Congress after its dismal performance in Novembers assembly polls in five states, which were widely seen as a dry run of INDIAs pull with voters.

The Congress was routed in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan  heartland states that INDIA must win (at least some anyway) in order to defeat the BJP  after seat-sharing disputes with allies.

The JDU, Bengals Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav had all called out the Congress for failing to acknowledge the need to share seats, particularly with regional parties.

At the Delhi meet, held recently, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal, proposed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as a potential convener and even Prime Minister, should INDIA actually defeat the BJP.

Kharge immediately declined, saying he preferred to focus on first winning the election.

Nitish Kumar has publicly refuted talk of his prime ministerial ambitions but, privately, is believed to be an aspirant. His party has been more explicit; in August and September, JDU leaders backed their boss for the countrys top job, and, this month, said he had all the qualities and experience that a PM should have. However, the JDU was careful to also acknowledge this must be a collective call.

The Kharge for PM call has further thrown the INDIA bloc into disarray  which was created to unite the opposition so it might beat the BJPs election-winning machinery. Nitish Kumar was one of its founder, and to lose him now, so close to the polls, will be an image issue INDIA can ill afford.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar, prime accused in Rs 200 crore money laundering cases, has up his ante against Jacqueline Fernandez after she asked the Delhi High Court to drop charges against her. The conman has now vowed to reveal all unseen evidences against the Bollywood actress.

According to a report by India Today, Sukesh has also claimed the investigations done in the case were biased as he was protecting the interests of this person.

Sukesh, however, did not directly named Jacqueline, but the report said his lawyer Anant Malik confirmed that the person he referred to in the letter was the actress.

No choice than exposing her reality: Sukesh in new letter

In a fresh letter, the conman said he will expose the reality of this person and will reveal all the unseen evidence, including chats, screenshots, recordings.

Since that person made him the devil, he has no choice than exposing her reality in open, Sukesh said.

He further said he would soon reveal all the overseas financial transactions and investments which were kept as secret to protect this person.

Sukesh even claimed to have made payments worth few million dollars to enhance her social media platform to compete with her prominent colleague.

Even the smallest fact of payments worth few million dollars paid for social platform enhancement to compete and race against a very prominent individual colleague of this person also will be brought in open with the entire relevant payment invoice paid by me, as in accordance of Indian Evidence Act, Sukesh said.

World needs to know the truth

In his letter, Sukesh further said he would now go all out to expose anything in accordance to law.

The world needs to know the truth, the reality, he said.

With a shattered heart, he has decided not to stay hurt, numb or quiet, one should know truth is very powerful, the letter read.

The conman further said I was shocked, frozen as after all that you do, protect, safeguard someone, they turn around, stab you back hard, as they think now that they are safe and act victimised and start blame games, and point saying look here is the Devil, the Bad Guy.

Realisation is very important for one. You cant let anyone stab you or underestimate or take you for granted. You need to make that other person realise what they are doing is wrong. To make one realise can get you in a very hard situation, because your heart melts, he said.

Jacqueline moves Delhi Court

Days after approaching the Delhi High Court seeking to quash the FIR against her in the Enforcement Directorates (ED) Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving Sukesh, Jacqueline, on Wednesday, moved a court in the national capital seeking protection from intimidation from Sukesh.

Responding to her plea, the Delhi HC had reportedly questioned her Why does the court need to exercise its quashing power today? to which actress lawyer responded on her behalf saying, This person (Sukesh Chandrashekhar) made a fool out of me. He is sitting in jail and carrying out extortion and fraud from there.

Meanwhile, in a Delhi Court on Wednesday, Jacqueline told that she had been receiving barrage of letters and messages from the conman which posed a substantial threat to her safety.

She even claimed that Sukesh had been intentionally writing these letter to the electronic and print media.

The actor said she lodged a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), underscoring the alarming attempts by Sukesh to establish illicit contact with her.

Sukesh, who is currently lodged in jail, had been writing letters to Jacqueline, wishing the actress on several occasions. He at times also addressed the letters to the media, thanking them for putting out his version in the open.

The EoW in its response said, It has been observed that the accused Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been in the habit of sending letters, concerning Jacqueline to media platforms, through various means, which is not only harassing/threatening her directly, but also affecting her social/professional assignments.

Such aggravating nature of the threat/harassment to the victim/applicant is a matter of grave concern for the investigating agency that an important witness of the case is being coerced/harassed/ threatened by the accused. It will have serious implications on the conduct of the trial of the case, concerning Jacqueline, it stated.

The next hearing in the case will be taken up on 17 January.

With inputs from agencies
French President Emmanuel Macron has been invited as the chief guest for 2024 Republic Day celebrations.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France, where he was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Dat Parade in Paris.

During the G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi, PM Modi had extended invitation to Joe Biden to be the chief guest at the Republic Day 2024 celebrations, but the visit of the US President did not materialise.

No specific reason has been provided by the American side for Bidens inability to accept Indias invitation.

6th time a French leader invited to be chief guest at R-Day parade

Since 1950, France holds a distinction by being the only country to have received the maximum number of invitations to Indias Republic Day celebrations.

The day holds special significance as the Constitution of India came into effect, signifying the nations transition to a republic.

In 2016, the then French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest of Indias Republic Day parade, while in 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy was invited by the country as the guest for the event.

In 1998, invitation was extended to the then French President President Jacques Chirac and in 1980, formed French President Valery Giscard dEstaing was invited by India as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations.

In 1976, France ex-Prime Minister Jacques Chirac became the first-ever leader of the country to be invited as the chief guest for Indias Republic Day celebration.

India-France relations

Indias gesture of inviting the French leader to be the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations reflects the strong bond and trust that has developed between the two countries over time.

France has remained Indias key partner in space, human rights, defence systems among others.

The year 2023 also marks 25 years of the India-France strategic partnership. At PM Modis visit to Paris earlier this year, a roadmap for the next 25 years was released which focused on a number of initiatives including both sides agreeing to explore projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet, French support to build Shakti Engine, working together in the Indo Pacific.

Earluer this week, the French government has submitted detailed letter of acceptance (LoA) to Indias defence ministry of the estimated Rs 50,000 crore deal of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and associated equipment.

Also it is worth mentioning that France has been persistently supporting Indias bid to be a member of a reformed United Nations Security Council, or UNSC, and backed listing of Pakistani terrorists at the UN.
The Karnataka government will withdraw the ban order on the Hijab imposed by the BJP, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced Friday, adding that no politics should be done on what people prefer to wear and eat.

The then BJP government in the State had imposed a Hijab ban on students in educational institutions. The Karnataka High Court had in March last year upheld the ban imposed by the then BJP government, saying that wearing a hijab was not an essential religious practice of Islam.

Also while addressing a public rally in Mysuru on Friday, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that this decision will be taken back and women can go out wearing Hijab.

We will take back that decision, there is no Hijab ban now. Women can go out wearing hijab. I have told the officials to take back the order (previous govt order). Dressing and eating food is our choice, why should I object? Wear whatever dress you want, eat whatever you want, why should I care? We should not do politics to get votes, we dont do that, Karnataka CM said.

Reacting to the announcement made by Karnataka Chief Minister, Karnataka BJP said that Siddaramaiah is sowing the poison of religion in the state.

A uniform policy has been implemented in schools and colleges to ensure that children are equal. This has also been upheld by the Supreme Court. However, the Chief Minister is creating a difference in the minds of the school students regarding the issue of uniforms. Siddaramaiah is going to amend the constitution itself for a vote bank to appease PFI goons and minorities. In the coming days, the people themselves will teach this a lesson, Karnataka BJP posted on X.

The Hijab row in the State erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

Earlier last month, the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) restricted all forms of head cover in the exam hall during recruitment exams for various boards and corporations to avoid malpractice.

Though the dress code does not explicitly ban hijab, it is implied by the new guidelines. The order said that this is part of the effort to stop exam malpractices using Bluetooth devices.

With inputs from ANI.
Train services on the Howrah-Mumbai route were disrupted for several hours on Friday, after members of the banned CPI (Maoist) blew up a portion of railway tracks in Jharkhands West Singhbhum district late last night.

West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Sekhar said the railway tracks between Mahadevsal and Posoita railway stations, around 150 km from the state capital Ranchi were blown late on Thursday night.

Security has been tightened in the locality. The repair work on the railway tracks has been started from early morning, he said, adding that Maoists also put up banners and posters in the area.

A report by PTI quoted South Eastern Railways Chakradharpur Division Assistant Commercial Manager Vinit Kumar saying that train operations in the division resumed around 8:15 am on Friday.

Information about damage to the third tracks between Mahadevsal and Posoita section was received in divisional headquarters at 11:47 pm on Thursday. Tracks of around two to three metres were damaged in the blast by unidentified persons, Kumar said.

Immediately after the incident, the train services were controlled in the Chakradharpur division, he said.

According to Kumar, the railway authorities would soon issue a release about the number of trains halted and cancelled due to the incident.

Notably, the banned outfit has been observing protest week from 16 December and had called for a Bharat bandh on Friday.

With inputs from PTI
With coronavirus rearing its ugly head once again in most part of the world, a man from Noida in Indias Uttar Pradesh has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming a first case of the respiratory infection in Gautam Buddh Nagar after several months.

The patient is a 54-year-old male who resides in Noida and works at a multinational company in Haryanas Gurugram, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Sunil Sharma said.

His test sample has been sent to Delhi for genome sequencing. The result is awaited, Sharma said.

The patient had travelled to Nepal earlier this month and after returning, he also went to work in his Gurugram office, District Surveillance Officer and public healthcare expert Dr Amit Kumar said.

COVID-19 symptoms in Noida patient

Whether the Noida COVID-19 patient showed any symptoms, Kumar said, he is asymptomatic and went for the COVID-19 test on his own.

This is the only confirmed case in Gautam Buddh Nagar so far, he added.

Testing for COVID-19 had down in Gautam Buddh Nagar this year, asserted CMO Sharma, asking people to get themselves tested for the virus at primary and community health centres as well as in the district hospital.

The residents have been asked by the healthcare department to follow COVID appropriate measures amid concerns over the infection spreading once again.

People have been urged to wash their hands with a soap for a minute, practice social distancing, use alcohol-based sanitisers, wear face mask when outdoors, among other measures, Kumar added.

With inputs from PTI
The Patiala House Court in Delhi, on Friday, has extended the custodial remand Lalit Jha, mastermind behind the Parliament security breach, till 5 January, 2024.

Jha was produced before the Delhi Court on Friday.

#WATCH | Delhi Court extends the custodial remand of Parliament security breach case accused Lalit Jha till January 5, 2024. pic.twitter.com/MxrI398PD8  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

The Delhi Police, on the evening of 14 December, day after the Parliament security breach, arrested Lalit Mohan Jha after he reportedly surrendered before the Kartavya Path Police station.

The police said Jha had fled from the spot on 13 December, 2023, after making a video of Neelam and Amol shouting slogans and releasing yellow-coloured smoke from canisters outside the Parliament building and sent it to Neelaksh Aish, founder of an NGO, the police said.

He then fled to Nagaur in Rajasthan by bus where he met his two friends and spend the night in hotel. However, he soon realised that cops were looking out for him and he decided to return to Delhi, the Delhi Police had said according to preliminary investigation.

Reports claimed Jha to be a resident of Kolkata and a teacher by profession.

A report by PTI said, the Delhi Police Special Cell has contacted Aish to get further leads about Jha who also is said to be associated by a Kolkata-based NGO.

On 13 December, 2023, a major security breach was reported in the Indian Parliament, when two men Sagar Sharma (26) and Manoranjan D (34) jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released coloured smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.

Around the same time, Amol Shinde (25) and Neelam Devi (37) sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside Parliament premises.

All four were detained by the police minutes later.

On Thursday, Special Judge Hardeep Kaur extended till 5 January the custody of Manoranjan, Sagar, Shinde and Neelam Devi.

With inputs from agencies
On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared that terrorism was dying in the valley and that the union territorys security situation has improved since Article 370 was repealed.

The terrorist attack that took place on Thursday in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving five soldiers martyred and two injured, was referred to by Sinha as unfortunate.

He accused our neighbour, seemingly referring to Pakistan, of trying to sabotage the tranquilly in the Kashmir Valley.

It is a very unfortunate incident. We condemn such violence. Our neighbour has been doing such things to disturb peace in the valley. But its all in vain, as terrorism is on its deathbed in Kashmir, Sinha said.

The security situation has improved to a large extent than what it was earlier, after the abrogation of Article 370, he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce here.

While replying to certain queries by members of the chamber, Sinha also said, The security situation in Kashmir is better than that in Bengal. However, later, when quizzed by reporters about the comment, he added: My remarks should not be twisted politically, as I meant to say that the security situation in Kashmir is as good as in Bengal.

(With agency inputs)
Kerala can expect to see more JN.1 COVID-19 cases as transmissibility of this variant is more, said states health minister Veena George on Friday.

She also said the situation currently is totally under control.

Talking to media on the current COVID-19 situation in Kerala, George said, We have found a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. There is nothing to worry about.

In the last 24 hours, India logged 328 new cases of COVID-19 of which Kerala alone reported 265 fresh infections and one death due to the respiratory illness.

Why COVID-19 cases may rise in Kerala?

George said Kerala is expected to see more cases of COVID-19 as airport surveillance done in Singapore Airport shows that 19 passengers from India, not only Kerala but different parts, were found with JN.1.

We have plan A, B, C ready. There is nothing to worry about. The transmissibility of this variant is more but the severity is less, she added.

COVID-19 tests high in Kerala

The minister said a sample of a 79-year-old woman which was sent for genome sequencing on 18 November was found to be of JN.1. She was in home isolation and now she is alright.

We have been sending samples from 1 November onwards. Our number of tests is high so naturally, we find more positive cases. However, there has been no increase in ICU occupancy, ventilator occupancy or isolation bed occupancy. Those who died had severe comorbidities; one person had cancer and the other patient had chronic kidney disease, and heart disease. No one had COVID complications, she added.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: On the Covid situation in the state, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says, There is nothing to worry about. We have found a slight increase in the number of COVID cases A state-level meeting and a ministerial-level meeting were held We pic.twitter.com/ZbgMrJyw8Z  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

The JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19 has been categorised as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organization, or WHO, and is not of concern yet. Several Indian states have reported cases of the strain.

JN.1 is a new sub-lineage of BA.2.86, an offshoot of the omicron variant and is said to have additional mutations in the spike protein.

This variant has enhanced immune-evasion properties for which it is spreading rapidly, but there are no new or severe symptoms.

JN.1 was first detected in Denmark and Israel in late July 2023. In India, as per experts, the variant has been circulating probably since November.

With inputs from agencies
According to an officer, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned renowned magician PC Sorcar (Junior) on Friday as part of their continuing investigation into an alleged chit fund scam in which investors were defrauded of over Rs 790 crore.

PC Sorcar claimed that as soon as he arrived at the ED office in Kolkatas Salt Lake area on Friday afternoon, he was being questioned by ED officers on the scam that involved two businesses that the central agencies had named as Pincon Group and Tower Infotech Ltd.

We are questioning Mr Sorcar in connection with the chit fund case. We have to find out whether he was involved in any way or not, the ED officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

A few days ago, the ED had detained a top Tower Group official, and the person stated that during questioning, PC Sorcars name had come up.

The magicians Ballygunge home was searched by the CBI in 2021 in relation to the same case.

(With agency inputs)
In an unprecedented and thunderclap ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court has removed former president Donald Trump from the states ballot for the 2024 White House race for engaging in insurrection on 6 January, 2021.

A presidential candidate has been declared ineligible under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for the first time.

In ordering Colorado secretary of state Jena Griswold to exclude Trumps name from the states Republican presidential primary ballotscheduled for Super Tuesday on 5 Marchthe majority in the courts 4-3 split verdict wrote: President Trump did not merely incite the insurrection.

While the US Capitol was under siege, Trump continued to support it by repeatedly demanding that Vice-President [Mike] Pence refuse to perform his constitutional duty and by calling Senators to persuade them to stop the counting of electoral votes, the court ruled.

These actions constituted overt, voluntary and direct participation in the insurrection.

However, the court has placed the ruling on hold till January 4 so that Trump could appeal to the US Supreme Court. January 5 is the deadline for finalising the list of candidates for the Republican primary.

The ruling came following a lawsuit filed by advocacy group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in Colorado on September 6 that cited Section 3 to bar the states top election official from placing Trump on the ballot. Similar lawsuits were filed by liberal groups in Minnesota and other states.

Vagueness of the term insurrection

Trumps detractors and Democrats must be overjoyed for he undoubtedly engaged in insurrection and has been disqualified by, at least, one state Supreme Court.

Three significant lines from Trumps incendiary speech on the Ellipse while inciting his supporters to march down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capitol to obstruct the congressional certification of Joe Bidens election are blatant examples of instigating the crowd.

We will not let them silence your voices. Were not going to let it happen; Im not going to let it happen.

WE FIGHT LIKE HELL. AND IF YOU DONT FIGHT LIKE HELL, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A COUNTRY ANYMORE.

So, were going to, were going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I love Pennsylvania Avenue. And were going to the Capitol, and were going to try and give.

According to Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace last month, Trump engaged in insurrection. Even his attorney Michael van der Veen said during the impeachment trial for the 6 January attack in Senate that everyone agrees it was a violent insurrection of the Capitol.

Ratified in 1868 after the US Civil War, Section 3 aimed to keep former Confederate officials from gaining power in the reconstructed government.

Section 3 states: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

But the vagueness of Section 3 are its weaknesses, which will be exploited by Trumps legal team in the US Supreme Court.

Though federal law doesnt explicitly define insurrection, courts interpret it as a violent uprising or organised resistance against the government or its laws in which government property is destroyed or federal law officers are attackedas on 6 January.

Trumps supporters broke windows, destroyed the property of the Capitol building and assaulted federal law enforcement officers. Five people, including a police officer, died, more than 140 cops were injured and property worth millions of dollars was damageda clear case of insurrection.

But Section 3 doesnt define insurrection, which could be interpreted differently by different courts.

The Colorado Supreme Court concluded that Trump engaged in insurrection, but the Minnesota Supreme Court Justices didnt during a November hearing.

When Justice Gordon Moore asked both parties about their definition of insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution, Trumps counsel Nicholas Nelson said it is some sort of organised form of warfare or violence oriented toward breaking away from or overthrowing the United States government.

However, Ronald Fein, the counsel for the group Free Speech For People, representing the petitioners, said that insurrection against the Constitution is a concerted, forcible effort to prevent or obstruct execution of a central Constitutional function.

Feins definition aptly described the term insurrection because the attack by Trump supporters was intended to halt the certification of Bidens win.

But Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson concluded: Insurrection might be in the eye of the beholder.

Different interpretations of the term insurrection by different courts could bolster Trumps appeal. Besides, the US Supreme Courts conservative 6-3 majority, with three Judges appointed by Trump, could also define insurrection differently.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said that they will swiftly file an appeal in the US Supreme Court and have full confidence that the completely flawed decision will be overturned.

Could the lack of definition of insurrection in the US Constitution be the reason for special counsel Jack Smith not charging Trump with the crime in his 45-page indictment unveiled on 1 August?

Smith charged Trump with conspiring to defraud the US, conspiracy to wilfully deprive citizens of the right to vote, conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and obstructing the congressional certification of Bidens electionbut not insurrection despite the House of Representatives panel probing the Capitol riot asking the Department of Justice.

Moreover, several far-right extremists were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the January 6 attack, but none were charged with insurrection.

Presidency not mentioned in Section 3

The biggest weakness of Section 3 is that it doesnt mention that the president can also be disqualified from office if he/she engaged in insurrection.

Wallaces decision to keep Trump on the 2024 ballot hinged specifically on the loophole that the insurrectionist ban doesnt apply to the presidency.

Though the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 also applies to the presidency: It seems most likely that the presidency is not specifically included because it is so evidently an office.

The court ruled that a conclusion that the presidency is something other than an office under the United States is fundamentally at odds with the idea that all government officials, including the President, serve we the people.

But again, its different courts, different interpretations.

Trump could use the 1872 Amnesty Act to shield himself in the US Supreme Court by referring to a North Carolina (NC) federal District Judges ruling that the Act applied to then-Republican representative Madison Cawthorn, who asked Trump supporters on January 5, 2021, to get ready and show Washington that our backbones are made of steel and titanium. Its time to fight.

January 6th is fast approaching, the future of this Republic hinges on the actions of a solitary few. Get ready, the fate of a nation rests on our shoulders, yours and mine. Lets show Washington that our backbones are made of steel and titanium. Its time to fight.  Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) January 4, 2021

Contending the case of NC voters who wanted Cawthorn disqualified from seeking re-election, his lawyers argued that the Act removed Section 3s disqualification from all but the most prominent Confederate leaders.

No mention of process of disqualification

Section 3 not only doesnt mention the process of enforcement of disqualifying a presidential candidate but also states that Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House remove such disability [disqualification].

According to a September 2022 Congressional Research Service report, it is unclear whether Section 3 is self-executing. If its not, it would leave federal and state courts or election authorities without power to determine the eligibility of candidates unless Congress enacts legislation to permit it.

Courts have produced mixed results on this question. Section 3 does not expressly provide a procedure for its implementation other than Section 5s general authority of Congress to enforce [the Fourteenth Amendment] by appropriate legislation.

Trump has won several cases involving the 14th Amendment in many key states. For example, a Michigan court ruled in November that Congress, not the judiciary, should address questions about Trumps role in the insurrection and whether the 14th Amendment bars him from re-election.

A body made up of elected representatives of the people of every state in the nation, and gives it to but one single judicial officer, a person who no matter how well-intentioned, even-handed, fair and learned, cannot in any manner or form possibly embody the represented qualities of every citizen of the nation, the court ruled.

Moreover, the court ruled that Michigans secretary of state doesnt have the power under state law to determine Trumps eligibility for office.

On the other hand, the Colorado Supreme Court directed Griswold to remove Trumps name from the ballot. Still, it said that she will continue to be required to include President Trumps name on the 2024 presidential primary ballot until the receipt of any order or mandate from the Supreme Court.

Griswold also hasnt taken a position on Trumps eligibility under the 14th Amendment and will follow whatever court decision is in place.

Justice Maria E Berkenkotter, one of the three dissenting Judges in the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, also said that state courts dont have the authority to decide whether a presidential candidate can be disqualified under the 14th Amendment and the majority construes the courts authority too broadly.

Justice Carlos Samour, the second dissenting Judge also pointed to Section 3s lack of self-executing nature. My colleagues in the majority concede that there is currently no legislation enacted by Congress to enforce Section Three. This is of no moment to them, however, because they conclude that Section Three is self-executing, and that the states are free to apply their own procedures to enforce it. That is hard for me to swallow, he wrote.

Chief Justice Brian Boatright pointed to the absence of an insurrection-related conviction. I would hold that a request to disqualify a candidate under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment is not a proper cause of action under Colorados election code, he wrote.

However, CREW argues that Section 3 is self-executing. Neither an indictment nor a conviction for a crime is necessary to disqualify a person from office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, it posted on X.

Before Donald Trump has a chance to spread lies about the 14th Amendment, here are the facts: pic.twitter.com/lU4hdMHiGb  Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) September 7, 2023

The clause disqualifies anyone from office who engaged in insurrection after swearing an oath to protect the Constitution regardless of whether they have been charged with or convicted of a crime, it added.

In July, CREW said that, at least, eight public officials have been formally adjudicated to be disqualified and barred from public office under Section 3.

Citing historical precedent, the non-profit said that a criminal conviction is not required for an individual to be disqualified under Section 3.

In fact, no one formally disqualified under Section 3 was charged under the criminal rebellion or insurrection statute 18 USC 2383.

This fact is consistent with Section 3s text, legislative history and precedent, all of which make clear that a criminal conviction for any offence is not required for disqualification. Section 3 is not a criminal penalty, but rather is a qualification for holding public office in the United States that can be and has been enforced through civil lawsuits in state courts, among other means, CREW argued.

More lawsuits challenging Trumps re-election bid under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment could be filed and some of them might get favourable verdicts, but Trump will challenge them in the US Supreme Court.

The writer is a freelance journalist with two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The Red Sea, with its strategic maritime routes, is an important artery for trade and sea borne traffic as well as for the choke points in the Bab-El Mandab which needs to be kept open. Of late several incidents of attacks on various ships by the Houthis have threatened the smooth and secured maritime passage. Houthis in Yemen have been at war with the Saudis since 2015 and have emerged as a force that has had the capacity to paralyse and hit oil production facilities and key infrastructure even bypassing the US patriot cover in the past which entailed a rethink among the Gulf countries with regard to even the US security umbrella.

Iran plays a critical support role for the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah in the region. Hence, the rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran brokered by Beijing was supposed to minimise, if not end the hostilities by the Houthis. But then the Israel-Hamas war happened and Houthis, in full support of Hamas, began to target Israeli ships and their supporters like the US and other western countries. This has become more frequent and very likely could open yet another front for the Gaza war as the Houthis have threatened to target all foreign ships transiting through Bab-el-Mandeb and in the Red Sea bound for Israel, regardless of nationality, if Gaza does not receive the food and medicines it needs. International communitys concern is natural and hence one witnesses the growing presence of various naval assets in the Red Sea zone and the environs to ensure smooth passage led by the US.

The US Defence Secretary, who was recently in Tel Aviv to extend military and moral support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a ten-nation maritime task force (Operation Prosperity Guardian) to prevent reckless Houthi attacks from Yemen which is threatening the free flow of commerce and violating international law in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This initiative could possibly be within the ambit of 39 member Combined Maritime Force (CMF) with which India also has a formal association. He implored a collective action since it has become an international challenge. As if Houthis care two hoots for the international law. On the other hand, an embattled Netanyahu seems to drag the western backers pointing against Iran- whose support may be critical to Houthis but whose influence on them may be somewhat limited. It is a real threat but if handled poorly it might be the trigger for expanding the conflict from Gaza to beyond as the last UAE sponsored UNSC resolution to ensure pause or ceasefire in Gaza is still waiting for the US nod.

Shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait  the maritime chokepoint, carry nearly 10 per cent of the global sea-borne crude. And 40 per cent of Europe s trade to Asia and Middle East is dependent on this maritime route. Pursuant to the capturing and attacks on Israeli and US vessels and increasing threats to others, energy and shipping companies like BP and Maersk are redirecting shipping away from the Red Sea. Insurance premium has gone up. Transportation costs and losses will see a rise of over 40 per cent as per some estimates. Oil prices are interlinked and will be affected by these aberrations and could impact the already fragile hydrocarbon dependent economies let alone disruption in other maritime trade and global supply chains. This is further compounded by the already existing, even if reduced maritime piracy.

A crowded Red sea and Gulf of Aden theatre will also witness the geopolitical contestation between the super powers as US, Russia and China, India and Europe shift and reposition their naval assets overtly to protect their own maritime interests in the name of freedom of navigation. It is instructive that Houthis have made an exception for the Russian and Chinese ships in the Red sea while they have attacked at least ten ships from across nationalities, since 20 October that came into their lines of fire. In fact, since 9 November when they hijacked the Galaxy Leader - an Israeli owned tanker, Houthi military spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam claimed The detention of the Israeli ship is a practical step that proves the seriousness of the Yemeni armed forces in waging the sea battle, regardless of its costs. This is just the beginning. Hence the seriousness of these threats is real and needs to be dealt with through international cooperation as was done during the peak of the anti-piracy campaign.

US attempts at creating some regional security architectures have been half-hearted as it got more invested in the Indo-pacific. Although it tried to induce and conduct Israel- GCC joint naval exercises in recent past, the Israel-Hamas war and exceptional Palestine casualties and the unconditional US support to them has stressed the expectations from it and put brakes on all such normalization and collaborative ventures at least in the near term as the Arab street and Iran remain hostile to them.

New Delhi is equally concerned at the deteriorating situation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with the Sultan of Oman and Prime Minister Netanyahu and others on the need to contain the deteriorating situation from Gaza to the Red Sea. Oman is perhaps the only country outside Iran which the Houthis trust and are willing to listen to. Since almost 20 per cent of Indias trade ($200 billion) traverse through Red Sea to Mediterranean connecting via the Suez Canal, it has also deployed its naval ships to protect the freedom of navigation and maritime lanes and to escort the Indian commercial ships and mariners after certain incidents were reported. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi expressed his concerns stating that India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping so that is something that we are interested in. We are, of course, monitoring the developments there. Were also part of international efforts to ensure free shipping, whether it be piracy or otherwise, India has been involved in it. So, we will continue to monitor that.

Hope is, that while efforts are being made to ensure freedom of navigation, the hotspots in the region, including in Gaza and Yemen and the civilian and humanitarian strife which can spiral out of control, need to be addressed on priority.

The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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As December unfolds, the world is once again grappling with the resurgence of the Wuhan virus, and this time, its not business as usual. The recent spike in cases is not centred around the festive season but rather a concerning development related to a new variant, JN.1. In India, the situation is no different with a noticeable surge in cases, particularly in Kerala.

Rise of JN.1

On Thursday, India recorded its highest number of new cases since May 2021 with 614 new cases reported. Adding to the concern, Kerala has reported three new deaths indicating a clear surge in the impact of the pandemic. The culprit behind this surge is identified as the JN.1 variant, first discovered in Kerala and subsequently spreading to Goa and Maharashtra, with 21 new cases reported.

In response to the alarming situation, the central government has convened a COVID meeting. While there is no cause for immediate alarm, states have been urged to intensify surveillance efforts. The focus is on tracking new strains, with particular attention to JN.1, which has been linked to the well-known Omicron variant.

JN.1 and Omicron connection

JN.1, an offshoot of the Omicron lineage, carries a unique mutation that enhances its immune-evading capabilities, making it highly transmissible. Even individuals who are double-vaccinated may not be immune to this new variant. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, necessitating close monitoring.

The impact of JN.1 extends beyond India with at least 40 countries detecting this variant. Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Singapore have issued advisories, reinstating the use of masks due to a rise in cases. China, the United States, the UK, and several other countries are also grappling with the increasing prevalence of JN.1.

While JN.1 exhibits high transmissibility, current observations suggest that its symptoms are generally mild. Individuals usually recover within four to five days. However, the surge in cases has prompted countries worldwide to reassess their COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination strategies.

Countries like Singapore, the United States, and the UK are witnessing a rapid increase in cases and hospitalisations linked to JN.1. Public health agencies in these nations are urging citizens to get booster shots to enhance their immunity against this variant.

WHO assessment

As concerns rise globally, the WHO asserts that JN.1 is not yet a cause for public concern and the overall risk remains low. Vaccines continue to offer protection and the current surge might be exacerbated by the winter season, which traditionally witnesses an uptick in respiratory diseases.

While the situation is being closely monitored, the public is encouraged to follow preventive measures. Wearing masks in crowded areas, practicing good hygiene and getting tested for symptoms are crucial steps. Booster shots are recommended and caution is advised as the holiday season approaches.

As the world faces the reemergence of the Wuhan virus, particularly in the form of the JN.1 variant, proactive measures and global cooperation are paramount. While the overall risk remains low, vigilance and adherence to health guidelines will play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of this latest development. As we approach the New Year, the focus should be on staying safe to ensure a healthy and joyous beginning to 2024.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah and state minister Zameer Ahmed Khan for doing photo shoots and splurging in VVIP planes at the cost of taxpayer money when their party is asking for donations and the state facing a drought-like situation.

Karnataka Congress minister BZ Zameer Khan posted a video of himself along with CM Siddaramaiah on board a private jet posing at different spots inside the aircraft.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted a video message on X, formerly Twitter, to tear into Congress party and said, On the one hand Karnataka is reeling under the drought and the Chief Minister of the state is asking the Centre for drought relief fund We see the ministers of the Karnataka government doing photo shoots and splurging in VVIP planes and jet planes at the cost of taxpayer money along with the chief minister.

This is obscene, shameful, and it only shows that Congress mindset is to use any state it gets power in as an ATM. They did that in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Now it has turned to Karnataka and Telangana, Poonawalla said.

ATM is the right word for the state governments that become captive of Congress party, he added.

For Congress

Karnataka is just an ATM

VVIP culture of Congress  https://t.co/sWtcutZ3Nl pic.twitter.com/yxPyTJfhgb  Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) December 22, 2023

'Congress' loot must continue'

Another BJP leader, Amit Malviya also attacked Congress for the party's crowdfunding campaign, and said Karanataka ministers had happy moments traveling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief.

Sharing the video on X of Karnataka Congress ministers photoshoot in a private jet, Malviya said, "On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didnt even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private jet. They apparently had happy moments traveling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief."

"Irony died a million times. Karnataka is reeling under mis-governance but Congresss loot must continue," Malviya added.

On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didnt even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private pic.twitter.com/SkrLB5OdjI  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 22, 2023

Siddaramaiah requests Centre for early release of drought relief

On Tuesday Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the next day he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and requested for early release of the drought relief to the state.

The state government has also flagged with the central ministers to consider the current data of farmers population while approving the drought relief.

Congress seeks donation

Meanwhile, India's grand old party, Congress, is completing 138 years of its foundation on 28 December this year. It has recently launched the crowdfunding campaign 'Donate for Desh' ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The campaign aims at "empowering the party to create an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities".

Speaking about the campaign, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said this is the first time that the grand old party is asking people for donations and cited Mahatma Gandhi, who also took donations from the public during the freedom struggle.

"It's the first time that Congress is asking people for donations for the nation... If you work only by depending on the rich people, then you have to follow their policies. Mahatma Gandhi also took donations from the public during the freedom struggle," Kharge added.

With inputs from agencies
Bengaluru, India  In a surprising move that reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the city, a Bengaluru cab driver, identified only as Mr. Lokesh has entered the competitive ride-hailing market by launching his own app, Nano Travels. The announcement was made through a tweet by a user who personally experienced Lokeshs service.

According to the tweet, Nano Travels already boasts an impressive fleet of over 600 drivers, a notable feat given the dominance of industry giants Uber and Ola in the ride-hailing sector. The tweet also revealed the recent launch of the iOS version of the app, expanding its accessibility to Apple users.

Peak Bengaluru: Mr Lokesh my uber cab driver informed me that he has launched his own app to compete with uber and ola and already has more than 600 drivers on his app.

Moreover, today they launched their IOS version for apple too. #Bengaluru #peakbengaluru@peakbengaluru pic.twitter.com/IGdiWItPG4  The Bengaluru Man (@BetterBengaluro) December 20, 2023



The accompanying pamphlet, presumably from Nano Travels, indicates a well-structured customer support system, including contact information such as a phone number and email address. The pamphlet also promotes a special offer for Indias Independence Day on August 15th.

The news, shared by The Bengaluru Man on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), has gained significant traction, accumulating over 46,000 views since its posting yesterday.

Users on the platform shared their thoughts on this unique development, with some expressing admiration for Lokeshs entrepreneurial spirit. However, scepticism about the sustainability of Nano Travels in a highly competitive market was also raised, with concerns raised about the challenges of establishing a foothold in the app-based transportation industry.

Despite the doubts, there were encouraging comments expressing support for Lokeshs initiative, emphasizing the importance of fostering entrepreneurship. One user highlighted the potential benefits of new cab apps, providing commuters with additional options and potentially alleviating the challenges faced by existing companies like Uber and Ola.

As Bengaluru continues to be a hub for innovative and unexpected developments, Lokeshs foray into the ride-hailing market stands as another example of the citys dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

(With inputs from agencies)
In a significant development, China, the worlds leading processor of rare earths, has expanded its export ban to include the technology required to produce rare earth magnets.

This move supplements an existing prohibition on technologies facilitating the extraction and separation of these critical materials.

Rare earths, a group of 17 metals crucial for manufacturing magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and various electronics, have become a focal point of geopolitical tensions.

The latest decision by Chinas commerce ministry adds technology for preparing samarium-cobalt magnets, neodymium-iron-boron magnets, and cerium magnets to its Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export.

The list also encompasses technology related to rare-earth calcium oxyborate and production technology for rare earth metals, further reinforcing Chinas control over these strategic resources.

Nathan Picarsic, co-founder of Horizon Advisory, a geopolitical consulting firm, emphasised the significance of diversifying supply chains, stating, This should be a clarion call that dependence on China in any part of the value chain is not sustainable.

Chinas tightening grip on rare earth technology exports aligns with its broader strategy to enhance control over critical minerals, sparking concerns among Western nations. The country, responsible for nearly 90 per cent of global refined output, has introduced stricter export rules for various metals throughout the year.

The move is particularly challenging for the West, as Europe and the United States strive to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths.

Efforts to establish alternative processing capabilities have faced hurdles, with technical complexities and pollution concerns hindering progress.

The recent ban includes the extraction process mastered by China through solvent extraction, a technique Western companies, such as MP Materials, have struggled to deploy effectively.

Shares of MP Materials surged over 10 per cent in response to Chinas announcement, underlining the markets sensitivity to developments in the rare earth sector. MP Materials, which has gradually increased rare earth processing in California, has yet to comment on the latest development.

Ucore Rare Metals announced the completion of the commissioning of a facility to test its own rare earth processing technology, partially funded by the US Department of Defense. Ucores CEO, Pat Ryan, highlighted the need for new technologies to overcome Chinas dominance in this critical industry. Ucores stock rose more than 16 per cent following the news.

While the extent of Chinas actual export of rare earth technology remains unclear, Constantine Karayannopoulos, former CEO of Neo Performance Materials, noted that Beijing has discouraged such exports for years.

Karayannopoulos stated, This announcement just formalizes what everyone knew to be the case, emphasizing the long-standing nature of Chinas reluctance to share its rare earth technology with the international community.

(With inputs from agencies)
Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturing services company, has recently applied to establish a semiconductor fabrication unit in India, according to disclosures made to the Parliament by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT.

The application falls under the modified scheme for setting up semiconductor fabs in India, part of the governments initiative to boost the electronics manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on semiconductors.

This move follows Foxconns withdrawal from a joint venture with the Vedanta Group, which had plans for a chip plant in Gujarat with an investment of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Despite this setback, Foxconn remains committed to the semiconductor sector in India.

In June 2023, Micron received approval for the first semiconductor unit under the Semicon India programme, and construction is already underway, contributing to the positive momentum in the sector.

Foxconn has been actively expanding its presence in India, driven by the goal of doubling its workforce and investment in the country by the next year.

As a major supplier to Apple and the worlds largest contract manufacturer of electronics, Foxconn has strategically invested in manufacturing facilities in southern India to diversify operations away from China.

V Lee, Foxconns representative in India, announced on LinkedIn, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis 73rd birthday, that the company aims to double employment, foreign direct investment (FDI), and business size in India by the next year, although specific details were not provided.

Currently operating an iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu with 40,000 employees, Foxconn is set to invest $600 million in two projects in Karnataka for manufacturing casing components for iPhones and chip-making equipment, as announced by the state in August.

Liu Young-way, the companys Chairman, expressed optimism about Indias potential during an earnings briefing, emphasizing that their current investment of several billion dollars is just the beginning. This signals a strong indication that Foxconns commitment to India is poised to grow in the coming years.

(With inputs from agencies)
The eagerly anticipated OnePlus Ace 3 is set for its debut in the Chinese market, with expectations of a global release as the OnePlus 12R. This revelation has been confirmed for January 23, coinciding with the unveiling of the OnePlus 12.

The Ace 3, boasting numerous enhancements over its predecessor, the OnePlus Ace 2, which hit the market in February of the current year, has been the subject of numerous leaks in recent weeks.

The latest information, courtesy of reputable tipster Digital Chat Station, suggests a potential debut for the OnePlus Ace 3 in the initial week of 2024.

In a Weibo post, Digital Chat Station indicated that the OnePlus Ace 3 is likely to make its initial appearance in China on January 4, 2024. Simultaneously, the global launch under the moniker OnePlus 12R is scheduled for January 24.

The mid-range device is anticipated to feature a robust metal frame and will be driven by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Noteworthy specifications include a 1.5K curved display and support for rapid 100W wired charging.

Leaks from the same source and other outlets have unveiled various specifications of the OnePlus Ace 3. The device is rumoured to showcase a 6.78-inch BOE X1 Oriental OLED LTPO panel, boasting a 1.5K resolution (2,780 x 1,264 pixels).

This display is expected to offer a global peak brightness of 1,600 nits, a peak local brightness of 4,500 nits, and a PWM dimming rate of 2,160Hz.

In the imaging department, the OnePlus Ace 3 is anticipated to feature a robust camera setup, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel sensor equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens at the rear, and a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

Constructed with a glass body and a metallic middle frame, the OnePlus Ace 3 is rumoured to house a substantial 5,500mAh battery with support for rapid 100W wired charging.

The device is expected to be available in an array of colour options, including blue, grey, and gold. As anticipation builds, tech enthusiasts worldwide await the official unveiling to witness the innovations OnePlus has in store with the Ace 3.
Afghan girls of all ages are now allowed to attend religious schools, which were formerly exclusively for boys, according to a member of the Taliban government. This happened the day after Roza Otunbayeva, the UN special envoy, informed the Security Council that more and more anecdotal evidence was being received suggesting that girls may attend madrassas, or Islamic schools.

According to Mansor Ahmad, a spokesman for Afghanistans Education Ministry, girls at government-run madrassas are not restricted by age; instead, they must be enrolled in classes that correspond to their age.

However, Otunbayeva said that it was not clear to the UN what constituted a madrassa, if there was a standardised curriculum that allowed modern education subjects, and how many girls were able to study in the schools. There are around 20,000 madrassas in Afghanistan, of which 13,500 are government-controlled. There is no comment as of now from higher education officials on the restrictions on women.

The Taliban have been globally condemned for banning girls and women from education beyond sixth grade, including university. One of the few options for girls to receive any kind of education after sixth grade are the madrassas.

According to an AP report, Nida Mohammed Nadim, Afghanistans minister of higher education, stated in December of last year that the university ban was required to stop gender mixing and because he thought certain courses being taught went against Islamic norms.

Taliban uses an alternative interpretation of the centuries-old Sharia law, which calls for flogging, amputations, and public executions. Womens access to public parks has already been limited, and they must now travel great distances with a male guardian. International indignation and worries about human rights violations, particularly in nations with a majority of Muslims, have been sparked by the punitive measures used against women.

India expressed worry over the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan on Wednesday and advocated for the establishment of an inclusive government structure in the country, emphasising the need to fight terrorism and protect the rights of women, children, and minorities.

Notably, India has consistently maintained that no terrorist attack against any nation may be carried out on Afghan soil and has continued to refuse recognition to the Taliban regime. But Indias development collaboration with Afghanistan spans 34 provinces in the war-torn nation, with more than 500 projects concentrated in vital sectors such as electricity, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture, and capacity building.

(With agency inputs)
People in the Gaza Strip with Canadian relatives may apply for temporary visas to Canada, according to the countrys immigration minister on Thursday. The federal government, however, cannot ensure safe transit out of beleaguered Palestinian territory.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller anticipates that the programme will be operational by January 9. Until now, the governments priority has been to evacuate 660 Canadians, permanent residents, and their spouses and children from Gaza.

Miller stated that the government will begin accepting applications from persons who have extended family ties to Canada, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, and grandkids.

He stated that persons who match the eligibility and admissibility standards will be given three-year visas.

Miller said hes not sure how many people will be able to come to Canada under the program, but he expects the number will be in the hundreds.

Miller said its been difficult to get Canadians out of Gaza. We have limited ability, he said.
It wasnt as easy as one may have imagined for US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet last month in San Francisco. Xi reportedly told Biden up front that Beijing would reunite Taiwan with the Chinese mainland, according to NBC News. Xi said that he had not yet established a deadline for Taiwans reunification.

According to reports, Xi informed Biden that China prefers to reclaim Taiwan amicably rather than militarily.

Most United Nations members acknowledge Taiwan as Chinas territory. Taiwan is an island nation with a democratically elected government of its own. It maintains diplomatic ties with the US.

According to a report by news agency Reuters, in February, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William J. Burns stated that, as a matter of intelligence, Xi had given the Chinese military orders to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.

Burns made it clear that this did not mean China will invade Taiwan in 2027, but the intelligence did indicate Xis ambitions in that area.

Biden was apparently informed by Xi that he had not established a deadline for Taiwans reunification with China.

At the summit on November 15, which aimed to reduce tensions between the US and China, Xi made these remarks.

Xis remarks to Biden further clarify his position. He has previously made it known in public that he wants to see Taiwan reunited with China.

However, given their timingthe self-governing island nation of Taiwan is scheduled to hold presidential elections on January 13, 2024his recent remarks have caught the attention of US officials.

According to reports, Beijing has already increased its attempts to sway Taiwanese voters in favour of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), which hopes to unseat the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is currently in power.

Beijing has referred to the DPP as separatist, whereas the KMT wants better ties between Taiwan and China.

(With agency inputs)
A Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers has been grounded in France over suspected human trafficking, authorities said Friday.

The aircraft was detained on Thursday after an anonymous tipoff, Paris prosecutors said. It had taken off from the United Arab Emirates.

French media including BFM TV and France 3 reported that authorities were probing suspicions of human trafficking.

The flight, carried out by a Romanian charter company, had departed from Dubai on Thursday and landed at the small Vatry airport for a technical stopover when police intervened, the Marne prefects office said in an e-mailed statement.

The reception hall at Vatry airport was transformed into a waiting area with individual beds to provide passengers with the best possible reception conditions, it said, adding that a judicial investigation had been opened.

With inputs from agencies.
Israel announced on Friday that it had eliminated Hamas commanders in Khan Yunis, a region in southern Gaza that is thought to be an Islamist stronghold, through targeted bombings and intelligence operations.

The army said in a statement that it had destroyed access to dozens of tunnels utilised by the Islamist organisation and killed a sizable number of Hamas members in closed-space battle.

According to a statement, Israeli forces stepped up their operations in Khan Younis this week, strengthening their artillery to launch a pinpoint attack on hundreds of targets with the assistance of intelligence.

According to the army, the bombs killed leaders of Hamas elite divisions, including Nukhba, which is in charge of drone operations.

Among other weapons, it claimed to have discovered a loaded mortar pointed towards Israel and a bazooka ready for action in southern Gaza.

The army also discovered documents from Hamas, one of which showed that more over $1 million had been paid to buy doors and cement, purportedly for tunnel construction.

The necessity of hitting Hamas targets deliberately and minimising civilian casualties has been emphasised time and time again by the United States, Israels closest ally.

In response to the Hamas offensive on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and about 240 hostages, the Israeli military has murdered nearly 20,000 Gazans.

The Israeli offensive, which started in October in the northern part of Gaza, has now spread to Khan Younis in the southern part of the territory, where Tel Aviv authorities think Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar is hiding.

Israel has charged Hamas on multiple occasions with attacking its forces and storing weapons in schools and hospitals, as well as employing citizens as human shields. Leaders of Hamas have denied the assertion.

On Wednesday, a Hamas delegation visited Cairo to talk about the possibility of a truce that would allow hostages and prisoners to be released and exchanged.

However, Hamas has rejected any agreement that does not involve a long-term ceasefire, therefore talks have come to a stalemate.
The Israel Defence Forces announced on Friday morning that troops discovered and destroyed missile launchers and other weaponry as Israel continued its offensive against Hamas on Thursday night.

Troops discovered a Hamas weapons stockpile in the village of Jahar al-Dikh in central Gaza. Additionally, soldiers saw rocket launchers that had before been used to fire rockets onto Israel. An airstrike destroyed the launchers.

Large quantities of weapons, including explosives and mortars, were discovered inside a home adjacent to a daycare by Israeli soldiers conducting operations in Gaza City. A rocket-propelled grenade on a windowsill ready to be launched and a rocket launcher pointed towards Israel were found in another neighbouring property.

Soldiers in Khan Yunis discovered several firearms inside a private house, along with military gear, explosive charges, rifles, ammunition, and battle gear.

In the meantime, a terror team endangering the Israelis was hit by an Air Force fighter jet under the direction of ground forces, killing a Hamas terrorist who was planting explosive charges.

The terrorists tunnel entrance was destroyed by engineering forces, who also detonated a rocket-propelled grenade from it.

The IDF further stated that during the previous two days, raids were conducted by forces on the premises of a school near Al Shati in northern Gaza, which is home to Hamas squads, based on intelligence recommendations. Numerous guns, ammunition, and Hamas maps were discovered by the soldiers.

The actions are being taken a day after the IDF said that it had finished capturing the Shejaiya region in northern Gaza.

On October 7, Hamas attacked Israeli villages close to the Gaza border, killing at least 1,200 people. It is now estimated that Hamas has 129 men, women, children, military, and foreigners in their custody in Gaza. While Israeli police continue to identify dead and look for human remains, some persons are still missing.

(With agency inputs)
A 24-year-old gunman killed more than 15 people and wounded dozens more at a Prague university on Thursday in the Czech Republics worst shooting in decades, before authorities said the attacker was eliminated.

The deadly violence in the citys historic centre sparked evacuations, a massive response by heavily armed police and warnings for people to stay indoors.

The shooting erupted at the Charles Universitys Faculty of Arts, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge.

More than 15 people have lost their lives and at least 24 have been wounded, police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters following the shooting.

Emergency services preliminarily reported nine serious injuries, at least five mid-serious and up to 10 light injuries.

Vondrasek said police started a search for the man before the actual shooting as his father had been found dead in the village of Hostoun west of Prague.

The gunman left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself, Vondrasek said. Police suggested earlier the gunman had killed his father.

Police searched the main Faculty of Arts building where the gunman was expected to show up for a lecture, but he went to the facultys other building nearby and they did not find him.

At 1359 GMT, we received the first information about shooting, Vondrasek told reporters, adding the rapid response unit was on the scene within 12 minutes. At 1420 GMT, the officers in action told us about the gunmans motionless body, Vondrasek said, adding unconfirmed information showed he had killed himself.

Citing a probe into social media, Vondrasek said the gunman was inspired by a similar case that happened in Russia this autumn, without going into details.

At the moment, there is nothing to suggest any further imminent danger, he added.

Vondrasek said no police officer was wounded in Thursdays action and that police had not yet started to identify the dead by 1700 GMT as pyrotechnicians were at work in the building.

Police evacuated the building, using a concert hall across the street as a temporary refuge for the evacuees.

The worst shooting since the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state in 1993 prompted support from across the world.

Czech President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by the violence and expressed deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen denounced the senseless violence of the shooting that claimed several lives today.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his solidarity with the Czech people, just like many other European leaders including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said that there was no link between the shooting and international terrorism.

He added that no other gunman has been confirmed and called on people to follow police instructions.

Police cordoned off the area and asked people living nearby to stay at home.

Pragues emergency service said on X that a large number of ambulance units were deployed at the faculty.

Though mass gun violence is unusual in the Czech Republic, the nation has been rocked by some instances in recent years.

A 63-year-old man shot seven men and a woman dead in 2015 before killing himself in a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod.

In 2019, a man killed six people in the waiting room of a hospital in the eastern city of Ostrava, with another woman dying days later. The man shot himself dead about three hours after the attack.
As his national security trial began, a Hong Kong judge denied an attempt by jailed pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai to dismiss a charge of seditious publication.

Lais trial began on Monday, and he faces life in jail if convicted of collusion with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security statute.

He is also charged with conspiracy to produce seditious material, a crime under a colonial-era legislation that carries a less serious jail sentence if convicted.

Lais lawyers previously argued that the sedition allegation should be dropped since the prosecution began too late, which is against Hong Kong criminal procedure.

We are of the view the charge is not time-barred, so the application of the defence must fail, Judge Esther Toh ruled on Friday morning.

The case has been adjourned to January 2, when Lai is expected to make his formal plea to the charges.
According to information presented to Parliament on Thursday by the Ministry of External Affairs, India has extended 308 lines of credit (LOC) totaling around $32.02 billion to a number of partners, including Sudan, Fiji, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal.

According to V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, these monies have backed over 600 projects in areas like connectivity, power, infrastructure, and health. The minister was answering a query posed by BJP MPs Iranna Kadadi, Anil Jain, and Satish Chandra Dubey in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister also emphasised Indias global capacity-building initiatives, stating, India provides partners in the Global South with capacity-building assistance through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC). Approximately 160 nations receive these scholarships annually. There are more than 14,000 training spots available annually for both army and civilian courses.

In order to address the requirements of developing nations like Afghanistan, Lithuania, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and others through technological collaboration, the ITEC is a bilateral assistance initiative that was founded in 1964.

At the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in May of this year, India announced the Sagar Amrut scholarship for Pacific Island Countries as part of the project. The governments of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan jointly launched the QUAD Infrastructure Fellowship, which includes it as well.

According to Muraleedharan, India has furthermore assisted partner nations such as Bangladesh in undertaking tasks including building the Titas and second Bhairab rail bridges with approach rail lines.

Along with the connecting of the electrical grids between Mali and the Ivory Coast, the nation has contributed to the growth of Ethiopias sugar sector and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development. Also, it assisted in the establishment of a combined-cycle power plant in Sudan, among others, the MoS informed the Parliament.

The construction of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) between Siliguri and Parbatipur, the construction of the Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam), the restoration of the Thiruketheeswaram temple in Mannar, Sri Lanka, and power substations in Afghanistan are just a few of Indias grant assistance projects.

The minister informed Parliament that, in addition to these programmes for financial aid, India has also created the e-VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati Network Project (e-VBAB) to share telemedicine and teleeducation services across Africa.

(With agency inputs)
An Israeli advocacy group has said that it has filed a legal complaint against the Red Cross, accusing the humanitarian organization of dire inaction and bias over Israeli hostages held by terrorists in Gaza since October.

The Shurat Hadin non-profit organisation, which wages legal battles worldwide often on behalf of Israeli victims of terror, filed a complaint in Jerusalem on behalf of the families of 24 hostages, out of the 129 still held in the Gaza Strip following the release of some of the over 240 people abducted by Hamas terrorists during the deadly October 7 onslaught in southern Israel.

The group criticized the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for allegedly failing to act to fulfill its mandate and moral duty to visit the kidnapped Israelis held in Gaza, assure their wellbeing and fight for their release.

The ICRC told news agencies that it had continuously called for the release of the hostages since the Hamas onslaught, with a spokesman adding that we are pained and frustrated when we do not have access to people who need our help.

According to Shurat Hadin, the ICRC was slow to intervene and did not act firmly to facilitate visits or try to supply the medicines required to the hostages. We cannot accept this disregard and disrespect for human lives, just because the hostages are Jewish, alleged Shurat Hadin head, Nitsana Darshan Leitner.

The ICRC is simply biased and apathetic to Israeli lives, she said in a statement.

However, ICRC spokesman Jason Straziuso said the organization has been meeting with Hamas at all levels and undertaking humanitarian diplomacy efforts to gain access to people being held, to be able to visit them and bring the necessary items, like medicines.

We continue our efforts to gain access to people still held in Gaza, Straziuso added. The bulk of this work takes place behind closed doors. Earlier this week, the president of the ICRC insisted on the organizations neutrality and said criticism was making it increasingly hard to operate in the conflict.

The Switzerland-based organization was founded 160 years ago as a neutral intermediary in conflicts and to visit and assist prisoners of war. Throughout the years, it has been heavily criticized by various countries and bodies for what is perceived to be its failure to intervene or assist those most affected by human rights violations.

Recently, the Red Cross has been severely criticized for having failed to help Jewish people during the Holocaust despite touring concentration camps and having connections with Nazi officials.

More recently, in June 2023, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared the organization to be a moral failure amid the countrys ongoing war against Russia following the latters invasion.

Israels ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza was triggered by the October 7 assault on southern Israel, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists poured into Israel from the land, air and sea, slaughtering some 1,200 people and seizing around 240 hostages during attacks launched on more than 20 different communities.

In response, Israel launched an aerial campaign and subsequent ground invasion, vowing to eliminate Hamas from the Gaza Strip and end its 16-year rule.

It is believed that 129 hostages still remain in Gaza  not all of them alive  after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during a weeklong truce in late November. Four hostages were released prior to that, and one was rescued by troops.

The bodies of eight hostages have also been recovered and three hostages were mistakenly killed by the military. The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.
In the pacifist nations first major overhaul of export curbs in nine years, Japan is set to ship several dozen domestically-produced Patriot air defence missiles to the United States.

Tokyo is also considering the export of 155mm artillery shells to the UK, produced under license from BAE systems to indirectly support Ukraine.

Although Japans new export controls still prevent it from shipping weapons to countries that are at war, it may indirectly benefit Ukraine in its war with Russia as it gives the United States extra capacity to provide military aid to Kyiv.

This holds significant meaning in terms of further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. It will contribute not only to Japans security but also the peace and stability of the wider Indo-Pacific region, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said following the announcement.

The announcement comes as Japan, which had long adopted a stance of not allowing exports of deadly weapons, seeks to boost its defence industry amid an increasingly tense security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

A Japanese government official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the missiles would be used to re-stock the U.S. militarys arsenal for the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific.

The Patriot system is one of an array of sophisticated air defence units supplied by the West to help Ukraine after Russia invaded.

Under previous rules, Japan could only export components of arms and was prohibited from delivering completed products.

The revised guidelines now allow Tokyo to export completed products to countries where patent holders are based. Any re-export to third countries would require permission from Tokyo.

Japan produces Patriot missiles under licence from U.S. firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Tokyo is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells, manufactured under BAE Systems licence, to the United Kingdom, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The Japanese government official said exports are considered once the country where the license holder is based makes a formal request, adding that the United States has so far been the only country to make such a request.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel called it a historic decision and a significant example of Japans shared commitment to deterrence in a post on social media site X.

Japan is undertaking a once-in-a-generation defence modernization, he added.

Japans ruling party has been mulling various changes to export controls for several months, as the rules potentially stand in the way of the ability to export next-generation fighter jets in development with Britain and Italy.

With inputs from Reuters.
A jury on Thursday exonerated three Washington state police officers of all criminal charges in the death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, punched and restrained face-down on a Tacoma sidewalk while he gasped for air in 2020.

Matthew Collins, 40, and Christopher Burbank, 38, were charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, respectively, while Timothy Rankine, 34, was charged with manslaughter. Their defence maintained that Ellis died as a result of a deadly level of methamphetamine in his system and a previous heart disease, not the officers actions, and the jury found the three not guilty on all counts.

When the first not-guilty verdict was delivered, the gallery gasped. While Collins hugged his lawyer, Rankine sat forward in his seat and wiped his eyes.

A lawyer for the Ellis family, Matthew Ericksen, said it was difficult to express how upsetting the verdict was for the family and community.

The biggest reason why I personally think this jury found reasonable doubt is because the defense was essentially allowed to put Manny Ellis on trial, Ericksen said via email. The defense attorneys were allowed to dredge up Mannys past and repeat to the jury again and again Mannys prior arrests in 2015 and 2019. That unfairly prejudiced jurors against Manny.

On March 3, 2020, Ellis was walking home from a 7-Eleven in Tacoma, roughly 30 miles (50 kilometres) south of Seattle, when he came across a patrol car stopped at a red light, with Collins and Burbank inside.

The cops stated they witnessed Ellis try to open the door of a passing automobile at the crossroads, and when they tried to ask him about it, he became combative. Ellis, according to Collins, displayed superhuman strength by lifting him off the ground and flinging him through the air.

Three witnesses who testified, however, stated they saw nothing of the sort, reporting that they did not see Ellis strike or do anything that would provoke the officers. They claimed that after what appeared to be a brief interaction between Ellis and the cops, both of whom are white, Burbank, in the passenger seat, pushed open his door, knocking Ellis down.

Witnesses, including one who called for the officers to stop assaulting Ellis, and a doorbell surveillance camera recorded sections of the encounter. Ellis was seen with his hands up in surrender as Burbank fired a Taser at his chest and Collins threw an arm around his neck from behind.

Among the many other officers who responded was Rankine, who arrived after Ellis was already handcuffed face-down and knelt on his upper back.

Video captured Ellis addressing the officers as sir while telling them he couldnt breathe. One officer is heard responding, Shut the (expletive) up, man.

When I saw Manuel not doing anything, and him get attacked like that, it wasnt right, witness Sara McDowell, 26, said at the trial. Id never seen police do anything like that. It was the worst thing Ive ever seen. It was scary. It wasnt OK.

Ellis death became a touchstone for racial justice demonstrators in the Pacific Northwest, but it also coincided with the first US outbreak of COVID-19 at a nursing home in nearby Kirkland and did not garner the attention that the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis did nearly three months later.

The trial, which lasted more than two months, was the first under a 5-year-old state law designed to make it easier to prosecute police accused of wrongfully using deadly force.

As the sun went down Thursday, about 30 people including family members of Ellis gathered near the Manuel Ellis mural in Tacoma, closing an intersection. No justice, no peace, they chanted.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement that he was grateful for the jury, the court and his legal team for their extraordinary hard work and dedication.

I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them, he said.

The Ellis family immediately left the courtroom and planned to speak at a news conference later. The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability said in a statement that the not guilty verdict is further proof the system is broken, failing the very people it should be serving.

Roger Rogoff, director of the states recently created Office of Independent Investigations, which is tasked with investigating police shootings, said he did not want to comment directly on the verdict but expressed sympathy for the Ellis family and said he is glad that the trial lis over for all people involved.

The City of Tacoma said in a statement that the verdicts will not affect an internal police department investigation and once its findings are approved by Chief Avery Moore, hell make any decisions about possible discipline, up to and including termination. That is expected to happen within the next two weeks.

No criminal trial will bring Mr. Ellis back to his loved ones, the city said. The City of Tacoma acknowledges this and the widespread pain this incident caused.

The Ellis family settled a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Pierce County, which is home to Tacoma, for $4 million last year.

At trial, Collins testified that he lamented Ellis death but wouldnt have done anything differently. He said he never heard Ellis say, repeatedly, that he couldnt breathe, and he maintained that Ellis started the confrontation by lifting Collins off the ground and throwing him onto his back, something no other witness reported seeing.

Rankine also testified, calling Ellis death a tragedy. He was pressing his knees into Ellis back when Ellis pleaded for breath.

The only response at that point that I could think of is, If you can talk to me, you can still breathe,' Rankine said.
Even though the federal government claimed to have released 90% of the protestors, including all women and children, several Baloch demonstrators were still being held in custody following Islamabad polices brutal crackdown on them during a rally against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in their province.

The allegations were made in sharp contrast to footage that surfaced late on Thursday night, according to a Dawn report, showing police forcing women into buses and returning them to Quetta. The authorities had held lengthy negotiations with the demonstrators before deciding to delay their repatriation until Friday.

The protesters were adamant they would not budge unless all of them  including the ones booked in FIRs  were released. Two buses full of Baloch women were parked outside the police station, watched over by guards.

In the meantime, temporary ministers Jamal Nasir, Murtaza Solangi, and Fawad Hassan Fawad informed reporters that all women and children had been freed, with the exception of the men, who the police said could not be identified. Fawad added that the caretaker PM had established a team to have talks with the demonstrators after the late-night crackdown.

During a march in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday, a number of Baloch protestors were arrested and subjected to baton charges by police. This action provoked a backlash from politicians, human rights organisations, and analysts who denounced the police action as a violent state crackdown. Mahrang Baloch, an activist and protest organiser, is among the at least 200 persons who may have been detained, according to reports.

Several men and women were taken into custody by the Islamabad police during a protest against the forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch people. Social media videos showed security personnel pulling men and women and striking them with clubs after firing water cannons and tear gas at the demonstrators.

However, as the protesters marched towards the Pakistan capital, the police blocked entry points of the city along with other roads to prevent the protesters from reaching the National Press Club, causing massive traffic jams on busy roads along the federal capital.

On the other hand, the counsel for Baloch protesters informed the IHC that more than 50 Baloch women protesters went missing on Wednesday night, following the police action. Baloch citizens carried out rallies and demonstrations against alleged state terrorism and acts of forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and fake encounters by the Pakistan government at multiple locations across the country.

(With agency inputs)
In the midst of a sharp rise in anti-Semitic activities across Europe and the United States in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war, activists and the British Conservative Party have called on the BBC to drop the United Kingdoms entrant for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest after he was accused of endorsing a letter which blamed Israel of practicing apartheid and genocide.

Olly Alexander, who was announced as the UK entrant only last week, was one of 1,400 people and organizations to sign a statement by Voices4 London standing in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement.

The letter, which came out less than two weeks after the October 7 massacre, accused Israel of committing unspeakable crimes against humanity in the war against Hamas and of being an apartheid regime since its inception 75 years ago.

Current events simply are an escalation of the state of Israels apartheid regime, which acts to ethnically cleanse the land. Since the violent creation of the state 75 years ago, the Israeli military and Israeli settlers have continued to terrorize Palestinian people, reads the letter endorsed by Alexander, the UKs entrant for the contest.

But, the letter does not refer to the October 7 massacre or any Palestinian terrorism. It includes, however, a brief mention of the hostages being held in Gaza, but does not mention Hamas at all.

The letter also accuses Israel of pink washing and implies that the criminalization of homosexuality in the Palestinian territories has its source in Western colonialism.

Queer and trans-Palestinians have long highlighted that pink washing plays a significant role in Zionist propaganda  in the presentation of Israel as a civilized democratic bastion of LGBTQIA+ rights, in direct contrast with barbaric, repressive, and intolerant Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities, reads the letter, calling this a colonial logic that uses racist and Islamophobic narratives to justify Western and white supremacist colonization.

It is a well-known fact that homosexuality is criminalized in Palestinian territories, and LGBTQ+ Palestinians are often soft targets of violent hate crimes. Several LGBTQ+ organizations in Israel have special initiatives that help LGBTQ+ Palestinians escape the Palestinian territories.

Interestingly, the letter also insisted that being anti-Zionist in no way promotes anti-Semitism and that the signatories of the letter stand against any harassment and discrimination against Jewish communities. Those who equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism are accused by Voice4 London of unthinking philo-semitism, with the letter adding that this is simply the other face of anti-Semitism.

Philo-Semitism is a term referring to a particular appreciation for the Jewish people based on positive characteristics of Jews, according to the Anti-Defamation League. While philo-Semitism can be used in a benign and positive way, it may also be used to embrace or justify acceptance of Jewish stereotypes and anti-Semitic tropes.

The term first came into being in Germany to refer derogatorily to opponents of anti-Semitism, similar to the term Jew-lover.
During its 22-month-old invasion, Russia has launched about 7,400 missiles and 3,700 Iranian-made Shahed drones at targets in Ukraine, Kyiv said, illustrating the vast scale of Moscows aerial assaults.

Ukrainian air defences were able to shoot down 1,600 of the missiles and 2,900 of the drones, air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said in televised comments.

We are faced with an enormous aggressor, and we are fighting back, he said.

He said the lower missile downing rate was due to the use of supersonic ballistic missiles, which are much harder to hit, as well as the fact that the West supplied Ukraine with advanced Patriot air defence systems only well into the war.

Ukraine has received advanced air defence systems, including several Patriots, from Western allies throughout the invasion, allowing it to shoot down more missiles.

The cheaply-produced, Iranian-made Shahed drones, known in Ukraine for their noisy petrol engines, have been used more and more frequently in Russias aerial assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure far behind the wars front lines in the east and south of the country.

Ten to 15 regions are involved in shooting down Shaheds every night, Ihnat said.

Russia says it only fires on military targets though Moscow has also admitted to targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure.

Russia says it does not target civilians, despite thousands of documented civilian deaths throughout the war.

Russia began launching the drones at infrastructure facilities in September 2022. They initially confused Ukraines air defences, as they were harder for standard air defence radars to detect than missiles, which forced Kyiv to adapt.

The use of the drones in massed attacks then created a dilemma for Ukraine as they were so cheap to produce it was not cost-effective to down them with expensive air defence missiles.

Ukraine now uses vehicles with mounted machine guns to shoot down drones.

We were shooting at them with everything we could find, with pistols, submachine guns, Ihnat said, recalling the early attempts to down the drones. Well, even then it became clear that the target is not simple, there are many complications, mistakes. You need to prepare.

Western media outlets and analysts have produced evidence, including satellite imagery, of Russia setting up its own Shahed production facilities.
In a boost for the embattled nation that is growing increasingly anxious about aid from its Western allies, the Netherlands will deliver 18 US-made F-16 combat jets promised to Ukraine, amid mounting challenges faced by Kyiv.

The commitment to provide up to 61 jets, subject to Ukrainian pilot training was jointly announced by Denmark and the Netherlands in August, with approval from the United States.

Today I informed President Zelenskiy of our governments decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on social media platform X.

The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine.

: I spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa again this morning. Naturally, we discussed the European Councils important decision last week to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine. Im impressed with Ukraines progress so far, and the Netherlands stands ready to help Ukraine as  Mark Rutte (@MinPres) December 22, 2023

The delivery of the fighter jets is still pending on an export permit by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the fulfilment of criteria for staff and infrastructure in Ukraine, Rutte added without giving a timeline for these decisions.

But the announcement made it possible to reserve funds and people to prepare the planes for delivery, the government said.

I spoke with Mark Rutte to thank the Dutch government for its decision to start preparing the initial 18 F-16 jets for their delivery to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy said on X.

The Netherlands sent its first US-made F-16s to a new training facility for Ukrainian pilots and staff in Romania last month.

Last month, Romania inaugurated an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries and other partners, including Ukraine. The training facility at an air base in southeast Romania will aim to increase interoperability between NATO allies, and better position the military alliance to face the complex challenges in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, Romanias defense ministry said.

Romania said at the time that the powerful U.S.-made warplanes would be supplied by the Dutch air force while the aircraft maker Lockheed Martin would provide instructors and maintenance at the training center.

The Dutch government said Friday it still has to decide whether to grant an export permit for the planes to prevent undesirable end use. The foreign ministry will make the assessment based on European Union weapon export rules.

Ukrainian pilots must have completed F-16 training before the jets can be delivered and infrastructure in Ukraine also must be prepared for the planes, the government added.

With inputs from Reuters.
Authorities say a Russian drone attack on a residential building in Kyiv on Thursday injured at least two people, in a rare breach of the Ukrainian capitals air defences.

Russian missiles and drones often target Kyiv but are typically shot down, making this the first occurrence of its kind in months.

Residents heard tremendous explosions and heard air raid sirens in the evening. Initially, city hall stated that air defences were in place and advised residents to remain in shelters.

A residential building in Kyiv hit by a Shahed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram, referring to the Iranian-made drones often used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine.

The attack also affected Solomianskyi district, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, reporting flames on the upper floors.

One man was hospitalised, while another person was treated at the scene, he added.

Kyivs military administration published photos on social media of apartment buildings with windows blown out, saying debris from a downed drone had caused the damage rather than a strike.

Klitschko also said debris from another downed drone fell on a house in the Darnytskyi district in the east of the city.

In the Holosiivskyi district in the citys south, a piece of shrapnel from a downed drone fell on a high-rise building without causing any casualties, the military administration said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian air force said several groups of drones were moving towards the centre, west and south of the country.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused an important country of interfering in the countrys elections on Thursday, following a barrage of international condemnation of suspected irregularities during the weekend vote.

I believe that the Serbian authorities are preparing an important letter on the influence and interference of an important country in the electoral process in Serbia, the president said during a televised appearance, after being asked about Germanys criticism of the polls.

Vucic stated that the letter outlining the charges would most likely be released in January.

His remarks come only days after Germany referenced an international election monitors report detailing a slew of suspected irregularities during the polls, calling the findings unacceptable for a country seeking to join the European Union.

According to the EU, Serbias electoral process requires tangible improvement and further reform. The US State Department urged Belgrade to address the concerns of election observers.

Despite the fact that Vucic was not on the ballot, the parliamentary and local elections were widely viewed as a referendum on his government.

Vucics right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) earned roughly 46 percent of votes in the parliamentary elections, while the leading opposition coalition secured 23.5 percent, according to the official results.

The SNS also said it won municipal elections in the capital Belgrade, where the party had faced their stiffest challenge from a loose coalition of opposition parties and candidates running under the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) banner.

The SPN movement was formed in the wake of back-to-back mass shootings earlier this year, which spurred hundreds of thousands to take to the streets in rallies that morphed into anti-government protests over several months.

Opposition groups have cast doubts over the validity of the contest in the wake of accusations that the government allowed unregistered voters from neighbouring Bosnia to cast ballots illegally in the capital.

Not everyone criticised the election.

Moscow congratulated Vucic on his partys victory, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban saluted his overwhelming victory.

Vucic said hed received congratulations from French President Emmanuel Macron, which his office confirmed to AFP.

Vucic has long advocated Serbias admission into the European Union, while also maintaining friendly ties with the Kremlin and courting Chinese investment in the country.
A resumption of military dialogue between China and the United States could help mitigate some tensions. However, despite this diplomatic effort, analysts from China and Asia highlight that significant differences persist, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea.

This high-level military dialogue follows the agreement between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to resume military-to-military communications. While it signifies a step forward, geopolitical challenges related to Taiwan and the South China Sea remain sources of concern for the coming year.

Bidens meeting with Xi, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, was aimed in part at restoring the military talks amid escalating concerns about frequent unsafe or unprofessional incidents between the two nations ships and aircraft in the Pacific region.

Brown and Liu discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication, said Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey, Browns spokesman, in a statement.

The US has consistently viewed military communications with China as critical to avoiding any missteps between their armed forces and to maintaining a peaceful Indo-Pacific region.

Browns call is the first Cabinet-level communication with China since Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Dec. 6 with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

While few other details about Browns call were released, a senior US defence official and a senior military official said it was an important first step. These are the kinds of discussions that the US needs to have with China, they said, to avoid misunderstandings or miscalculations as the two militaries interact. The two officials spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to provide information before the call.

They said the U.S. is talking with China at various levels to work out a series of calls and meetings in the coming weeks and months. They include plans to hold the bilateral Defense Policy Coordination Talks early next year and the possible resumption of the China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement talks in the spring.

During the call Brown reaffirmed the importance of holding the policy and maritime talks as well as opening the lines of communication with top Pacific commanders from the two countries, Dorsey said in his statement.

In August 2022, Beijing suspended all military contacts with the U.S. when Pelosi became the highest-ranking American lawmaker to visit Taiwan since 1997 when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich travelled there. Her visit sparked a surge in military manoeuvres by China.

Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

There also has been an increase in what the Pentagon calls risky Chinese aircraft and warship incidents. The Defense Department in October released video footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the past two years  more than the total number over the previous decade. In one of the more recent incidents, a Chinese pilot flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a U.S. Air Force B-52, which was conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.

While officials touted the Brown-Liu call as an important initial move, the Pentagon has continued to express concerns about Chinas aggressive military interactions in the Indo-Pacific and has worked to build alliances with other nations in the region.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defence chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom to forge a new agreement to increase technology cooperation and information sharing, as part of a broader effort to counter Chinas rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The new technology agreement is the next step in widening military cooperation with Australia and includes plans to help equip Sydney with a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines. The defence leaders pointed to efforts by China to restrict freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific as a reason to bolster their cooperation.

Also, earlier this week, Adm. John Aquilino, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expressed concerns about the increased joint military actions by China and Russia in the region. Speaking in Tokyo, he said it is far beyond a marriage of convenience between Beijing and Moscow, and he urged China to stop escalating maritime confrontations with its neighbours.

Chinas defence ministry, meanwhile, has criticised the U.S. for interfering in both Taiwan and the South China Sea, charging that American arms sales to Taiwan are making the situation more dangerous.

PROVOCATIVE GESTURES

China and the Philippines have also ramped up rhetoric on defending territorial claims in the South China Sea after many maritime confrontations, despite both calling for dialogue to settle tensions over that strategic waterway.

This week, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi warned the Philippines against colluding with ill-intentioned external forces  a veiled reference to the U.S.

Wangs remarks could intensify a dispute that has simmered for years, with the Philippines pushing back at what it sees as a Chinese campaign to prevent it from accessing fossil fuel and fisheries resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

During the video call, Liu told Brown that the U.S. should respect Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability as well as the overall soundness of China-U.S. relations.

We feel that in the South China Sea this year, the United States has been pushing the Philippines to take more provocative gestures, resulting in rising tensions, said Wu Xinbo, a professor at Chinas Fudan University.

Will the United States not restrain the Philippines?

The situation in the South China Sea has reached a tipping point and is very dangerous.

Washington, for its part, says Chinas military has engaged in increasingly provocative and risky behaviour including more than 180 intercepts of U.S. aircraft in international air space, according to the Pentagons latest China Military Power Report.

Its going to be quite tense in the lead-up to the (Taiwan) election, said Collin Koh, a security fellow at Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

The U.S. will have to uphold its commitment to Taiwan so were likely going to see the Chinese and the U.S. have another new round of disagreements over their respective military activities.

They are also very likely concerned about how they could manage escalation, so they wont likely suspend those talks.

In the call, both sides pledged a broader restoration of contacts between the two militaries to avoid miscalculations and misunderstandings. But the U.S. said more work is needed to ensure open and reliable lines of military communication.

Liu has emerged as the top contender to replace Chinas national defence minister, General Li Shangfu, who was dismissed from his position last month. Reuters reported in September that Li was under investigation over suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development.

With inputs from agencies.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Friday that Turkish officials had apprehended 304 persons accused of having ties to the extremist group Islamic State in operations across 32 regions.

The majority of the suspects were apprehended in Turkeys three largest cities, Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, according to Yerlikaya on social messaging site X. He stated that Operation Heroes-34 was conducted out around the country at the same time.

We will not allow any terrorists to open their eyes, for the peace and unity of our people. We will continue our battle with the intense efforts of our security forces, he said, sharing footage of the operations which showed police entering apartments and buildings and dragging suspects into vehicles.

At its peak in 2014, the Islamic State controlled one-third of Iraq and Syria. Despite being defeated, it continues to launch rebel attacks.

It has carried out multiple assaults around Turkey, including one on a nightclub in Istanbul on January 1, 2017, which killed 39 people.

Authorities have increased operations against Islamic State and Kurdish militants in recent weeks, including the Oct. 1 bombing near government facilities in Ankara by Kurdish militants.

Turkey regularly undertakes operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which it considers a terrorist outfit, both at home and in northern Iraq.
Ukraine, that has been in war with Russia for almost two years now, has adopted a new law legalising medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and oncological diseases acquired as a result of conflict.

As per a report by The Hill, that quoted the official website of Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, the law was adopted with 248 votes in favour, 16 votes against, 33 abstentions and 40 members not voting.

This comes months after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address to the countrys parliament in June 2023, called for the drugs legalising.

However, the new law is not coming anytime soon and will only be into effect after six months.

The parliaments chair, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said, The list of conditions and ways of using cannabis medicines will be determined by the Ministry of Health.

As per the final version of the bill, the law would regulate the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create conditions for expanding patient access to the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders, received as a result of the war.

Earlier the Ukrainian president had said, All the worlds best practices, all the most effective policies, all the solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem to us, must be applied to Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all out citizens, do not have to endure the pain, stress and trauma of war.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, 2022. However, recently there has been increase in momentum of providing access to medical marijuana as a treatment for war-related conditions.

With inputs from agencies
Ukraine announced on Friday that it had shot down 24 of 28 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia overnight, after two Kyiv civilians were injured in a drone strike on a residential building.

On the night of December 22, 2023, the Russian occupation forces attacked with 28 Shahed attack drones, Ukraines air force said on social media.

As a result of combat work, 24 Shaheds were shot down, the statement said.

Residents in Kyiv heard air raid sirens and heavy blasts late Thursday. Initially, city hall stated that air defences were in place and advised residents to remain in shelters.

Russian missiles and drones often attack Kiev, but are typically shot down by air defence systems.

A residential building in Kyiv hit by a Shahed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram.

The attack also affected the citys Solomianskyi district, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, reporting flames on the upper floors.

According to him, one individual was sent to the hospital and another was treated at the scene.

The military administration in Kyiv posted photographs on social media of residential complexes with windows blown out, claiming the damage was caused by debris from a downed drone rather than an attack.

Klitschko also claimed that wreckage from another fallen drone landed on a house in the citys Darnytskyi area in the east.

A piece of shrapnel from a downed drone fell on a high-rise building in the citys south, but no one was hurt, according to the military administration on Telegram.
According to a report released Thursday by the United Nations and other agencies, more than 500,000 people in Gaza  a quarter of the population  are starving as a result of Israels bombardment and siege imposed in response to Hamas Oct. 7 onslaught.

According to the reports data, the degree of the populations hunger outstripped even recent near-famines in Afghanistan and Yemen. The risk of starvation is increasing each day, according to the report, which blames the hunger on insufficient help entering Gaza.

It doesnt get any worse, said Arif Husain, chief economist for the UNs World Food Program. I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed.

Israel claims to be nearing the end of its operation to drive Hamas militants from northern Gaza, but that months of battle await in the south.

Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the battle launched by Hamas deadly Oct. 7 attack and hostage-taking in Israel. More than 1.9 million Gaza inhabitants, or more than 80% of the population, have been displaced, and many are crowded into United Nations shelters.

The war has also brought Gazas health-care system to its knees. According to the World Health Organisation, only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially operational, all of which are located in the south. On Thursday, WHO relief workers described unbearable images in two hospitals in northern Gaza they visited: bedridden patients with untreated wounds scream for water, the few remaining physicians and nurses are without supplies, and dead are lined up in the courtyard.

Bombardment and fighting continued on Thursday, while internet and communications services that had been disrupted for many days gradually resumed across the enclave.

UN Security Council members are negotiating an Arab-sponsored resolution for a halt in fighting to allow for increased aid deliveries. A vote on the resolution has been postponed twice this week in the hopes of getting the US to support it or allow it to pass after it vetoed an earlier cease-fire call.

Thursdays report from the UN underscored the failure of weeks of US efforts to ensure greater aid reaches Palestinians. At the start of the war, Israel stopped all deliveries of food, water, medicine and fuel into the territory. After US pressure, it allowed a trickle of aid in through Egypt. But UN agencies say only 10% of Gazas food needs has been entering for weeks.

This week, Israel began allowing aid to enter Gaza through its Kerem Shalom crossing, which boosted the number of trucks entering from around 100 a day to around 190 on Wednesday, according to the UN But an Israeli strike Thursday morning hit the Palestinian side of the crossing, forcing the UN to stop its pickups of aid there, according to Juliette Touma, spokesperson of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. At least four staff members at the crossing were killed, a nearby hospital reported. The Israeli military said it struck militants in the area.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel has been working to increase its inspection of aid trucks to 300 or 400 a day and blamed the UN for failures in delivery. The amount of aid could triple if the UN, instead of complaining all day, would do its job, he said, without elaborating on what more the UN should be doing.

Egypts Rafah crossing has limited capacity for trucks to cross. UN officials say delivery of aid within much of Gaza has become difficult or impossible because of fighting, and more than 130 UN personnel have been killed.

The report released Thursday by 23 UN and nongovernmental agencies found that the entire population in Gaza is in food crisis, with 576,600 at catastrophic  or starvation  levels. It is a situation where pretty much everybody in Gaza is hungry, Husain, the World Food Program economist, said.

People are very, very close to large outbreaks of disease because their immune systems have become so weak because they dont have enough nourishment, he said.

Hundreds of people lined up at a soup kitchen in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Thursday, waving cups and pots, waiting for soup to be served from huge vats hanging over wood fires. Rafah, by the Egypt border, is one of the few places that receives regular aid deliveries.

Aya Barbakh, a displaced woman, said she comes every day for food. Let us be in comfort like other people. We see people dying every day, and we want to die like them. We have been insulted and humiliated, she said.

Mahmoud al-Qishawi, with the American charity Pious Projects that runs the kitchen, said theres no fuel to cook with, so they have to search around the neighborhood for wood to burn. Theres a huge number of families and we dont have food that is enough for them.

Israel has vowed to continue the offensive until it destroys Hamas military capabilities and returns scores of hostages captured by Palestinian militants during their Oct. 7 rampage. Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and captured around 240 others.

Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at central Israel Thursday, showing its military capabilities remain formidable. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The United States has continued to support Israels campaign while also urging greater efforts to protect civilians. The US wants Israel to shift to more targeted operations aimed at Hamas leaders and the groups tunnel network.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Tuesday the death toll since the start of the war had risen to more than 19,600. It does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

On Wednesday, the WHO delivered supplies to Ahli and Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops have demolished vast swaths of the city while fighting Hamas militants.

Israeli forces have raided a series of health facilities in the north in recent weeks, detaining men for interrogation and expelling others. On Thursday, troops stormed the Palestinian Red Crescents ambulance center in the Jabaliya refugee camp, taking away paramedics and ambulance crews, the group said.

In some health facilities, patients who are unable to be moved remain, along with skeleton staff who can do little beyond first aid, according to UN and health officials

Ahli Hospital is a place where people are waiting to die, said Sean Casey, a member of the WHO team that visited the two hospitals Wednesday. Five remaining doctors and five nurses along with around 80 patients remain in Ahli, he said.

All of the hospital buildings are damaged except two buildings where patients are now being kept  the orthopedics ward and a church on the grounds, he said.

Inside the church, it was an unbearable scene, he said. Patients with traumatic wounds struggled with infections. Others had undergone amputations. Patients were crying out in pain, but were also crying out for us to give them water, he said.

Israels military says 137 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza ground offensive. Israel says it has killed some 7,000 militants, without providing evidence. It blames the high number civilian deaths in Gaza on Hamas, saying it uses them as human shields when it fights in residential areas.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a new resolution aimed at expediting humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza. However, the original call for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas was omitted. The U.S. abstained to allow the 15-member council to adopt a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

The remaining council members voted for the resolution except for Russia which also abstained.

Following high-level negotiations to win over Washington, the resolution no longer dilutes Israels control over all aid deliveries to 2.3 million people in Gaza. Israel monitors the limited aid deliveries to Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.

But a weakening of language on a cessation of hostilities frustrated several council members  including veto power Russia  and Arab and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation states, some of which, diplomats said, view it as approval for Israel to further act against Hamas for a deadly Oct. 7 attack.

The adopted resolution calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. The initial draft had called for an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities to allow aid access.

By signing off on this, the council would essentially be giving the Israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement for further clearing of the Gaza Strip, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council before the vote.

The U.N. says more than a half-million people are starving in Gaza because not enough food has entered the besieged territory as Israel keeps up its blistering campaign of airstrikes and ground operations for over 10 weeks. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are crammed into shelters and tent camps as winter descends, raising fears about the spread of disease.

Russia proposed the draft be amended to revert to the initial text calling for an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities. The amendment was vetoed by the United States. It received 10 votes in favor, while four members abstained.

Earlier this month the 193-member U.N. General Assembly demanded a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 states voting in favor of the move that had been vetoed by the United States in the Security Council days earlier.

The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and free hostages taken by Hamas.

AID MONITORING

Last month the United States abstained to allow the Security Council to call for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting for a sufficient number of days to allow aid access. The move came after four unsuccessful attempts to take action.

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from U.N. action and has already twice vetoed Security Council action since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 people taken hostage.

Israel has retaliated against Hamas by bombarding Gaza from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground offensive. Some 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Most people in Gaza have been driven from their homes and U.N. officials have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. The World Food Programme says half of Gazas population is starving and only 10% of the food required has entered Gaza since Oct. 7.

A key sticking point during negotiations on the resolution adopted on Friday had been an initial proposal for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a mechanism in Gaza to monitor aid from countries not party to the war.

A toned-down compromise was reached to instead ask Guterres to appoint a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator to establish a U.N. mechanism for accelerating aid to Gaza through states that are not party to the conflict.

The coordinator would also have responsibility for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying in Gaza, as appropriate, the humanitarian nature of all the aid.

The council also called for the warring parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and  deplores all attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as all violence and hostilities against civilians, and all acts of terrorism.

With inputs from agencies.
For the first time in more than a year, the top US military officer met virtually with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday, raising the possibility of a wider mending of ties between the two nations, according to the Pentagon.

General Liu Zhenli of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and US Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed a number of global and regional security issues, according to Browns office. The meeting comes after US President Joe Biden and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping met in person last month and agreed to restart military communications that had been suspended.

According to Pentagon sources, dialogue between the two armed forces is essential to averting a miscalculation from turning into a war.

Brown also emphasised how crucial it is for the Chinese military to have meaningful conversations in order to lessen the possibility of miscommunications. Liu, his equivalent, is the head of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the military organisation in charge of organising and carrying out Chinas military actions in combat.

According to a statement released by the Chinese defence ministry on Thursday, Liu stated at the meeting that the U.S. needs to have a correct understanding of China in order for Washington and Beijing to have a strong, stable, and long-lasting military-to-military partnership.

Although the restart of military communications can result in the restoration of ties, US officials have cautioned that it may take some time for the two nations to establish a really effective dialogue. Furthermore, China wants uncertainty in defence relations in order to constrain what Beijing sees as US military provocations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) was established and the Republic of Chinas government withdrew to Taiwan in 1949, the two countries relationship has been largely complex and occasionally tense. Since then, there have been times of conflict and collaboration between the two nations over matters like to trade, climate change, and Taiwan.

When former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi travelled to Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its own territory, military contacts between the two nations were cut off. Beijing and Washington are at odds over a variety of issues, including South China Sea territorial claims and the survival of Taiwans democratic government.

(With agency inputs)
A high-level US delegation will travel to Mexico soon to discuss migration concerns, according to the White House, after the two nations leaders spoke over the phone and agreed that immediate action was required.

According to a White House readout, Presidents Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador discussed continued efforts to manage migratory flows, as well as the need for rapid enforcement measures.

The presidents spoke after authorities in two US border states, Texas and Arizona, took unprecedented moves in recent days to reduce illegal crossings, accusing the federal government of inaction.

Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall to travel to Mexico in the coming days, the readout said.

US border police have in recent weeks reported approximately 10,000 crossings every day.

The previous fiscal year, from October 2022 through September 2023, saw a record 2.4 million encounters by border patrol with migrants, including at both official ports of entry and elsewhere along the southern border.

On Tuesday, authorities closed two rail bridge crossings on the Mexico-Texas border  in Eagle Pass and El Paso  in an attempt to limit illegal entries on freight trains.

Vehicle crossings meanwhile have been suspended in Eagle Pass since the beginning of the month, as well as at an entry point in Arizona and California.

Biden and Lopez Obrador agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened, the White House readout said.

It added that the US team will meet with President Lopez Obrador to discuss further actions that can be taken together to address current border challenges.

The talks and trip come as the rival Republican Party pushes Bidens Democrats for major changes on immigration policy in exchange for approving a package of emergency assistance for Ukraine and Israel.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday that there has been a dramatic increase in migration across the border, largely from violence-ravaged Central American nations.

In their telephone call, Biden and Lopez Obrador shared a similar concern about the increase in migratory flow here in recent weeks, Kirby said.

The two presidents talked in broad terms about what can be done inside Mexico to slow that process down, he said.

Ideas include stepping up checkpoints on rail lines and highways and expanding the security presence on Mexicos southern border, Kirby said.
The Vaticans chief prosecutor has appealed a court decision that substantially demolished his idea of a massive plot to steal the Holy See of millions of euros while convicting a cardinal of theft.

Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi filed his appeal earlier this week, just days after a three-judge tribunal rendered its ruling in a difficult financial trial that exposed the Vaticans dirty laundry and put to the test the odd judicial system of an absolute monarchy in the heart of Europe.

While the headlines from Saturdays conviction centred on Cardinal Angelo Beccius five-and-a-half-year sentence for theft, the majority of Diddis 487-page indictment was rejected. Diddi had charged Becciu and nine others with dozens of counts of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion, corruption, abuse of office, and witness tampering in relation to the Vaticans botched investment in a London property.

He had asked for up to 13 years a piece in prison terms and 400 million euros in reparations. Finally, the trial, presided over by Judge Giuseppe Pignatone, acquitted one of the defendants completely and convicted the others on only a handful of the accusations they faced, while ordering them to pay 366 million euros in restitution.

In the Vatican, as in Italy, prosecutors can appeal verdicts at the same time as defendants. Unlike Italy, both sides must file appeals even before the trial judge issues his written motivations explaining the verdicts, though they can amend them, lawyers said.

In this case, Diddi filed a three-page motion on Dec. 19 asking the Vatican appeals court to convict each defendant for the full set of charges that he originally laid out, even though the tribunal ruled that many of the alleged crimes simply didnt occur.

The main focus of the trial involved the Holy Sees 350 million euro investment in converting a former Harrods warehouse into luxury apartments. Diddi alleged brokers and Vatican monsignors fleeced the Holy See of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions, and then extorted the Holy See for 15 million euros ($16.5 million) to cede control of the property.

Becciu, the first cardinal prosecuted by the Vatican criminal tribunal, was convicted of embezzlement involving the original London investment and two tangent cases. The broker who received the 15 million euro payout to cede control of the building, Gianluigi Torzi, was convicted of extortion and other charges.

The Vaticans longtime money manager, Enrico Crasso, was convicted of three charges of the original 21 he faced. But he too plans to appeal, said his lawyer Luigi Panella.

Contrary to the propaganda spread, the prosecutors appellate motion reveals that the tribunal to a large extent didnt uphold the accusatory formula, Panella said in an email.

Yet even for the three charges Crasso was convicted of, the tribunal sentenced him to more than what Diddi had originally sought, and this somewhat masked the numerous acquittals, Panella said.

The verdict also did some legal gymnastics to make sense of the Vaticans outdated criminal code, based on Italys 1889 code and the churchs canon law, requalifying or combining charges to fit into other ones.

In his appeal, Diddi objected to the tribunals refusal to let him use a jailhouse interrogation of London broker Torzi, because Torzi never presented himself subsequently to be questioned during the trial. Torzi refused to return to the Vatican after he was jailed for 10 days without charge on a judges arrest warrant in 2020 during the investigation and was only released after he wrote a memo to prosecutors.

Diddi was able to detain him because of the sweeping powers granted to the prosecution in the Vaticans legal system, as well as extra powers granted to him by four secret decrees Pope Francis signed during the investigation that allowed prosecutors to wiretap and detain suspects without a judges warrant.

Defense lawyers have cited those decrees as well as the prosecutors ability to withhold evidence from discovery as proof that their clients couldnt receive a fair trial in Europes only absolute monarchy where Francis wields supreme legislative, executive and judicial power, and used them in the investigation.

In a post-verdict essay, defense attorney Cataldo Intrieri denounced the contradictions of the Vatican legal system and the powers given to prosecutors, which he said resulted in an investigation and trial that were well distant from those adopted in a state of law.

The point is that a fair trial isnt just the courtroom debate about evidence, which is certainly a fundamental element, but also an equality of arms in the law to have access to evidence, he wrote in the Linkiesta online daily. The true problem, and we understood this immediately, is the anomalous concentration of power that the pope, the spiritual head of the Holy See and absolute sovereign of the Vatican state, gave to the office of the prosecutors.

Intriere defended Fabrizio Tirabassi, a former official in the Vatican secretariat of state who received the stiffest verdict, 7  years in prison for convictions of embezzlement, extortion and money laundering. He denied wrongdoing; other defense lawyers as well announced they would appeal.
After Moscow rejected a previous attempt, the White House said Thursday it was preparing a new approach to Russia to seek the release of two imprisoned Americans.

Were working hard to see what we can do to get another proposal that might be more successful, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The State Department announced earlier this month that Russia had rejected a substantial request to release the two Americans, Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin later said that he hoped for a solution but that the United States needed to make a decision that will suit the Russian Federation.

Kirby said the United States did in recent days put forward a serious proposal. The Russians rebuffed it, regardless of what Mr Putin says.

Gershkovich, 32, was detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg at the end of March while on a reporting trip. He is the first Western journalist charged of spying since the Soviet era, an allegation he and his employer strongly reject.

Whelan, 53, was arrested in Moscow in 2018 while working as a security guard for a US vehicle parts firm. He is serving a 16-year sentence for spying, which the US government claims is unfounded.

In a BBC interview that was made public on Wednesday, Whelan said that the US government had just left me in the dust.

Theyve basically abandoned me here, he told the BBC by phone. Im extremely concerned.

In November, Whelans family said he had been hit in the face by a prisoner, breaking his glasses.

Asked about the interview, Kirby said it was very, very troubling that Whelan would be under physical threat.

Well continue to work hard through our embassy in Moscow to make sure he gets consular access and that we can address these direct concerns with our Russian counterparts, Kirby said.

The United States on Wednesday carried out a prisoner swap with Venezuela, with 10 Americans returning in return for an ally of President Nicolas Maduro.
Tires...WOW!

At just under 37,000 miles, I swapped out the crappy original Continental tires for some slightly larger LT275/70/18 General Grabber HTS60's.

I don't rotate the tires like is normally suggested, I run them in place until the backs wear out(funny how the back tires wear faster than the fronts!), then rotate the fronts to the back and put new tires up front.

The first two rear General tires lasted just about 65,000, and I rotated the fronts to the rear and put a new pair up front, this was at about 102,000.

I also have the Centramatic balancers.

At this point I guessed those original front Generals that got rotated to the back would probably last another 20,000 miles, but they are just now getting down to the wear bars in the tread, at 138,440 miles, so they lasted another 36,000 miles instead of just the 20,000 I estimated, that is a total mileage on that pair of tires of 101,000 miles!!!

Pretty freaking great mileage for tires that cost me only $150 each!

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any more at that price, just bought 2 new Generals for $240 each, and will be rotating and swapping the tires out, maybe next week or right after the first of January.



Anyway, if anyone on here needs some really great highway tread tires that are very tough and long lasting, I can wholeheartedly recommend the General Grabber HTS60's, and the Centramatic balancers.

I don't know how much the balancers extended the tire life, but they have to have been a benefit, and my truck still rolls down the road silky smooth.

It's a winning combination for sure.

Heck, those first 2 Generals that wore out at 65,000 probably would have lasted a lot longer had I had the Centramatic balancers on since I first upgraded the tires.
No regrets about settling on mainland, says woman from Taiwan region

People's Daily Online) 13:57, December 22, 2023

Shen Yuying, a 78-year-old woman from the Taiwan region, has lived in Huimin county, Binzhou, in east China's Shandong Province for four decades.

In 1982, Shen and her husband made a trip to the mainland. Shen was initially nervous upon arriving on the mainland. However, when they reached her husband Wang Zhonglu's hometown in Huimin county, the atmosphere was vibrant and celebratory. The entire village came out to warmly welcome Shen and her husband, who had been away from his hometown for more than 40 years.

Shen Yuying shows a wedding photo of her and her husband. (Photo/Lyu Yan)

Shen is a native of Taiwan. Her father worked in a local government department, and her family was affluent. Shen and Wang married in 1968. They later operated a traditional Chinese medicine store and lived a peaceful, happy life.

In 1979, during a trip to Singapore to procure medicinal materials, they came across the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan." Wang was deeply moved by the message. "He was excited and told me we could finally go home," Shen recalled.

From that moment on, the couple became avid followers of news and updates about the mainland. They quietly devised a plan to settle there.

When the couple traveled to the mainland in 1982, they brought back soil from Shandong to Taiwan. They then distributed this soil to local residents in Taiwan, whose ancestral home was Huimin.

"People were moved to tears upon receiving soil from their homeland, deeply touching me. This journey also made my husband more determined to return to his roots. I believed in my husband's choice and decided to go to the mainland with him, said Shen.

In 1983, Shen and her husband, along with their three children, officially settled on the mainland.

Shen said that after settling on the mainland, she actively shared the reality of life there with relatives and friends in Taiwan, encouraging them to consider coming to the mainland for personal and professional development.

She also transformed her home into a contact point and reception station for compatriots from Taiwan, providing various forms of assistance and convenience to those returning to their hometowns.

Shen has been a political advisor in Shandong Province for 24 years, during which time she has closely observed the development of cross-Strait relations and actively contributed suggestions and proposals.

"I believe it is my responsibility and duty to facilitate cross-Strait exchanges. Throughout my tenure, my understanding of the mainland has deepened significantly," Shen expressed.

During her visits to Taiwan to see her relatives, Shen would share the remarkable development and changes that had occurred on the mainland over the years, inspiring her loved ones to witness these advancements firsthand.

Under Shen's influence, her brothers-in-law, cousin, and other relatives and friends were motivated to invest in factories in cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Today, three generations of Shen's family have made their home on the mainland.

"This year, my granddaughter participated in a summer camp for compatriots from Taiwan and made friends with children from Taiwan. I sincerely hope that more young people from Taiwan will come to the mainland to personally witness its remarkable progress. Through firsthand experience, they can truly understand the rapid development here," Shen said.

"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are from the same family," Shen added, noting that she has never regretted her decision to settle on the mainland.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Washington

AP

Deal on US border policy closer than it seems. Here's how it is shaping up, what's at stake

Amid grueling negotiations between senators and the White House, the contours of a bipartisan border security and immigration deal are beginning to take shape

WASHINGTON

Amid grueling negotiations, the contours of a bipartisan border security and immigration deal are beginning to take shape, emerging even as Congress leaves town having failed to publicly unveil any details of the package thats central to unlocking stalled aid for Ukraine.

Talks between the White House and key senators have not veered widely from three main areas of discussion: toughening asylum protocols for migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border; bolstering border enforcement with more personnel and high-tech systems; and deterring migrants from making the journey in the first place.

As the Senate broke for the holidays, due back Jan. 8, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a rare joint statement indicated negotiations are progressing. They also met Wednesday to discuss how to advance the border policy alongside President Joe Bidens$110 billion package of wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security priorities.

We all know theres a problem at the border, Schumer said before sending senators home. Our goal is, as soon as we get back, to get something done.

McConnell said the negotiations continue to make headway.

And as aid for his country hangs in balance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at his own press conference in Kyiv he was confident the U.S. will not let us down.

Heres a look at whats being discussed as key Senate negotiators and the White House plan to dig in during the weeks ahead:

TOUGHER ASYLUM CLAIMS

Senate negotiators have focused on asylum, by which the U.S. offers protection for people facing persecution in their home countries. The senators say they are trying to ensure that migrants who have a credible claim to asylum can safely apply, but that officials can also quickly turn away those who dont qualify.

Critics often say that too many people who pass their initial asylum interview end up ultimately failing in their efforts to win asylum. But because the immigration courts are so backlogged by the time the final determination happens, many have been in the country for years, making it more difficult and expensive to deport them.

The senators and the Biden administration have considered toughening the so-called credible fear standard thats used in the initial interviews to determine if migrants seeking asylum would likely have a winnable case before an immigration judge.

Advocates for immigrants argue that the credible fear standard is deliberately low in recognition of the fact that migrants being interviewed have usually fled desperate conditions, dont have legal representation and are still shaken by their journeys.

BORDER SECURITY

It was the Republicans who demanded negotiations over the border, refusing to provide aid for Ukraine as it battles Russias invasion, unless Biden also agreed to changes to cut immigration.

While Biden had initially proposed $14 billion to bolster border security in the national security package, Republicans said money was not enough. They want to enshrine policy changes at the border into law, some echoing Donald Trump, the partys frontrunner for the presidential nomination, who takes a hard line against immigration.

Still, billions of dollars of funding will almost certainly be part of any deal.

Border Patrol officers are overwhelmed processing migrants who turn themselves in seeking asylum. Biden had proposed $3.1 billion for additional border agents as well more asylum officers, immigration judge teams and processing personnel. Supporters say the money for the asylum system is crucial to addressing the backlog in immigration courts and essentially getting the process moving faster.

Biden has also suggested $1.2 billion for Customs and Border Protection officers and inspection systems to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl.

While the president also proposed funds to help communities in the U.S. that are taking in the record numbers of new arrivals, Republicans have resisted sending money to the cities, largely Democratic, that are helping house and provide care for the migrants.

REDUCING BORDER BUILD-UP

Over and over, senators have emerged from hours of closed-door talks with an exasperated conclusion: Immigration policy is complicated.

Millions of decisions, said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma. Underneath every big idea is 100 smaller decisions that all have to be made, and every one is complicated.

Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said: Its interconnected. So if you press in one side and it pops out the other, it takes time to get this right.

One of the toughest issues to resolve has been how to dissuade migrants from even embarking on their journeys to the U.S. in the first place, particularly from countries experiencing unrest, economic calamity or widespread gang violence.

Senators have discussed ways to encourage people to apply for asylum before they arrive at the border  either in their home country, or if thats not plausible, a country they travel through on their way to the U.S.

The Biden administration had launched a new system earlier this year that encourages people seeking asylum to schedule an appointment, via a smartphone app, to seek entry at the border.

In talks, the White House has also insisted on keeping in place its ability to allow 30,000 people a month from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti entry into the U.S. if they have a financial sponsor and fly into the country.

The idea is to create a more orderly, efficient asylum system that reduces chaos at the border.

But record numbers of migrants are still arriving. Illegal crossings topped 10,000 some days in December.

ENFORCEMENT

Negotiators have run into trouble in the talks when it comes to enforcement measures. One potential compromise would set a threshold for the number of border crossings, and once the number is reached, stricter enforcement measures would take effect.

Under that system, if the crossings get too high authorities would shut down the border for asylum claims, enable fast-track removals of migrants who have already entered unlawfully, and detain some migrants while they are screened for valid asylum claims.

Funding in the package could also go to bolstering immigration enforcement, including detention facilities, according to one person familiar with the private negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Advocates for immigrants worry that some of the restrictions under discussion could just push the build-up of migrants south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Were turning Mexico into a staging area for migrants moving north, said Dylan Corbett, who heads the Hope Border Institute, in a call with reporters. Mexico doesnt have the infrastructure to be able to deal with this.

They also warn that the expedited removal measures would strike fear in the millions of immigrants lacking permanent legal status while effectively turning Trump-style administrative policies into law, making them potentially more difficult to challenge in court.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent central to the negotiations, said that the potentially lasting impact of their work hangs over the talks.

A mistake here will matter for many years, she said.

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report.
Amul Faces Viral AI Image Hoax with Fake 'Sharam' Cheese Image News -John Dsa

AI-generated content has become a rising concern not just in India, but all over the world as the technology has become easily accessible over the internet. A few weeks back, PM Narendra Modi expressed his concern over deepfake content when a fake video went viral of him playing garba.

India's milk product giant Amul has become the latest victim of AI-generated images. The company has issued a public warning citing a fake image of a cheese packet, which is being circulated on the internet as an Amul product. The image has also gone viral as a meme on Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.

Amul Does Not Sell Sharam Cheese

The situation emerged when an image of Amul cheese was shared on the internet with the product name 'Sharam'. The photo was paired with the caption "Sharam naam ki bhi cheese hoti hai" which translates to "There exists a cheese called Sharam". The image quickly went viral as it relates to a popular Hindi taunt.

However, the product in the image had some text in what looked Arabic, which made some people believe that it was a real product by Amul being sold in Middle Eastern regions. Amul has now released a statement confirming that the image is fake, and is generated using AI.

The company does not sell any cheese product named Sharam. Amul has also requested people to create awareness on the same, as the viral post was spreading misinformation about the cheese products from the company.

Confronting the Misuse of AI in Generating Fake Content

While the entire situation appears funny and a moment to laugh about, it also makes us think about the potential misuse of AI-generated content. A single image was enough for a big brand like Amul to get worried, and it had to release a public statement to clarify the facts. AI is a double-edged sword and can be used in both good and evil ways. A few weeks back, a deepfake video of popular actress Rashmika Mandhana went viral. Her face was morphed onto someone else's body in the video.

The Government of India is also planning to take measures to counter deepfake content. Last month, India's Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a meeting with the top representatives of social media platforms and several experts in the field of AI to discuss measures to tackle deepfake content.

The advent of AI has brought with it incredible advancements, but as with any powerful technology, there comes a responsibility to ensure it's used ethically. The recent instance involving Amul highlights the necessity for consumers to remain vigilant and for companies to proactively protect their brand identity.

FAQ's What was the recent concern expressed by PM Narendra Modi regarding AI-generated content? PM Narendra Modi expressed concern over deepfake content when a fake video of him playing garba went viral.

What prompted Amul to issue a public warning recently? Amul issued a public warning due to a fake image of a cheese packet named 'Sharam' circulating on the internet, falsely presented as an Amul product.

How did the public initially react to the AI-generated image of Amul cheese? The public initially reacted to the AI-generated image of Amul cheese by making it go viral as a meme on Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.

What measures is the Government of India considering to counter deepfake content? The Government of India is planning to take measures to counter deepfake content, with India's Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw holding a meeting with social media representatives and AI experts to discuss possible solutions.

Why is it important for consumers and companies to be vigilant about AI-generated content? It is important for consumers and companies to be vigilant about AI-generated content to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect brand identities.

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'Friends was never going to let him go': Minnie Driver reflects on Matthew Perry's 'inner struggle'
The United States has used its Security Council veto twice to thwart resolutions opposed by Israel since the start of the war
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel

Tents, bicycles and people experiencing homelessness are now more prominent in Emerson Park since the City of Grand Junction closed Whitman Park in September. City Council approved an almost $3 million budget and accepted a proposal to build a skate park in Emerson Park in 2024. Emerson Park closed Tuesday for the skate park.
Nathan graduated with his journalism degree from Auburn University in 2017. After growing up in the flatlands of rural Alabama with his parents and older sister, Nathan enjoys Western Colorado's natural resources and recreational opportunities. He currently covers education and business for The Daily Sentinel.

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The City of Grand Junctions unsheltered resource center at 261 Ute Ave. is not yet open, missing the Dec. 20 targeted opening date, due to delays in having the facility connected to sewer and power services.

Mayor Anna Stout gave a brief update about the facility at Wednesdays City Council meeting. Stout said they expect the delay in opening to be short and that she is excited to have it come online.

On Dec. 11 we had the ribbon-cutting for the resource center for people experiencing homelessness and the last update that I received was that there have been some delays related to connection to sewer and electricity, Stout said.

A Thursday news release from HomewardBound of the Grand Valley announced the center will open on Dec. 29

The weekly distribution day for Mutual Aid Partners, which provides food for people to take with them as well as food to eat onsite, and other services, will move to the resource center location on Dec. 26, Stout said.

+5 Ribbon cutting held for unsheltered services center A sizeable crowd of more than 100 people braved the crossing of Ute Ave. Monday to celebrate

The facility includes a large tent-shaped structure that has glass and plastic panels for walls and can be heated and cooled. It will have room for people to gather during the day, store their belongings and receive services.

The resource center includes restrooms and showers that need to be connected to city water and wastewater services.

At the ribbon-cutting, organizers said they wanted to get the center open as soon as possible as the weather turns colder. According to United Way of Mesa County Executive Director Zebulon Miracle, 22 unsheltered people died in Grand Junction in 2022.

The City of Grand Junction allocated $912,000 from its American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase the shelter and operate it through the end of the year. The facility is located on a parcel of land that is owned by the city. HomewardBound of the Grand Valley will manage the facilitys operations.

The facility is slated to replace some of the functions previously provided by Whitman Park, which the City of Grand Junction closed to the public Sept. 12.

Whitman Park had been a common gathering place for unsheltered people where they could receive services and meals, some service providers said at the ribbon-cutting.

TREASURY TO SEND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY EMAILS

The Colorado Treasurers Office will be ending emails to residents who have unclaimed property held by the office.

Starting Thursday and through the beginning of the new year, the office plans to send out nearly 100,000 emails to those with unclaimed property.

Those who receive such emails will be directed to the offices unclaimed property website at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com.
Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes on the outskirts of Khiam, a town near the Lebanese-Israeli border, seen from the town of Marjayoun, south Lebanon, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group has been exchanging fire with Israeli troops along the tense frontier, which seen violent exchanges since Oct. 8 a day after the Palestinian militant Hamas group attacked southern Israel.
Thursday Night

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 13F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
China uses AI to generate propaganda on YouTube, report finds

From ultra-thin chips to infrastructure, content gushes about Chinese accomplishments.

By Qiao Qinen for RFA Mandarin 2023.12.21 -- In a YouTube video, a voice in English announces that China has researched and developed its own ultra-thin 1-nanometer chip - a staggering claim given that the chip isn't expected in commercial devices for another decade.

"Recent news from China has sent ripples of excitement and astonishment across the globe," gushes the voice-over on the China Charged YouTube channel. "This revolutionary breakthrough is more than a technological marvel; it is a game-changer that will redefine the global tech landscape."

"Prepare to have your mind blown," says another video, this time on the channel Unbelievable Projects. "Welcome to today's video, in which we'll discover why America remains behind China in infrastructure development."

These voices and their "good news" about China are evidence that the Chinese Communist Party and its overseas proxies are using artificial intelligence to flood YouTube with propaganda videos, according to a new report that describes a "coordinated inauthentic influence campaign" on the platform.

The videos are part of at least 30 channels identified by researchers as being part of the "Shadow Play" network promoting pro-China and anti-U.S. narratives, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

YouTube has taken down at least 19 of them.

The campaign used "entities and voice-overs generated by artificial intelligence" to put out content in line with the Chinese Communist Party's narratives across at least 30 YouTube channels, the institute said in its report titled "Shadow Play."

Aiming to Influence opinion

Starting in mid-2022, the propaganda campaign appears to be part of a bid to "shift English-speaking audiences' views" of China, including Beijing's efforts to upgrade its technology despite U.S. sanctions, and has garnered nearly 120 million views and 730,000 subscribers so far, the report said.

"The campaign's ability to amass and access such a large global audience - and its potential to covertly influence public opinion on these topics - should be cause for concern," the authors warned, adding that YouTube had responded to the report by taking down a number of channels for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" and for spam.

British artificial intelligence company Synthesia has also disabled the account of one of the channels for violating its media policies as of Dec. 14, according to the Institute.

"The operator of this network could be a commercial actor operating under some degree of state direction, funding or encouragement," the report said. "This could suggest that some patriotic companies increasingly operate China-linked campaigns alongside government actors."

State-directed campaign

Report author Jacinta Keast said researchers had traced much of the channels' content to stories that originated in China's heavily controlled news media in Chinese.

"A lot of those stories were often stories that only really appeared and most likely first appeared in the mainland Chinese media ecosystem," she said.

"We think at this stage that it's probably a Chinese state-directed and/or supported campaign that's being delivered by a corporate contractor or perhaps a patriotic Chinese company that's been encouraged to undertake this campaign," Keast told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview.

While one channel had partially monetized its content, the degree of monetization wasn't enough to suggest a commercial operation, she said.

"We would expect a purely commercial actor to really make more effort to fully monetize their operations," she said.

Some channels even had comments from viewers saying that the AI voices were "artificial," yet there had been little attempt to improve the quality of content to maximize revenue, Keast added.

The report also found that some of the YouTube content -- a report that Iran had switched on its China-provided BeiDou satellite system -- appeared on X, formerly Twitter, and other social media platforms, where it was gaining traction within a few hours of appearing on YouTube.

It called for greater information sharing about Chinese influence operations among Five Eyes nations and their allies, as well as tighter rules requiring social media users to disclose the use of generative AI in audio, video or image content.

'Tell good stories about China'

U.S.-based political commentator Wu Jianmin said such channels are responding to Chinese leader Xi Jinping's call to "tell good stories about China," and seek to "infiltrate the ideological systems of Western countries."

Taiwan National Defense University doctoral researcher Gao Cheng-pu said similar content is used to target the democratic island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory despite never having controlled it, through indirect channels that are hard to trace.

"Usually after Beijing gives an order, it will contact Taiwanese businesspeople via a cooperative businessperson in Hong Kong, and have them hire online public relations companies to run [the operation]," Gao told Radio Free Asia.

The use of AI saves time and money, while making it much harder to trace the source of the content or the intermediaries, he said.

'Poisoned'

Keast said social media companies need to get wise to such operations.

"It's important for social media platforms to care about this because users go online expecting to engage with other users who are genuine and they don't want to be influenced, they don't want to have the online space poisoned by foreign influence actors," she said.

"We'd like to see them continue the work we've done in this investigation and have a look at any other content on our network that matches the indicators we provided in this report and ... take those down promptly."

But she warned that AI technology is so sophisticated that it's often hard to detect in audio, video or text.

And social media platforms aren't always well-informed about Chinese influence.

In October, YouTube deleted a second channel that produced satirical videos featuring Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, sparking renewed concerns over whether the Chinese government or its proxies are exploiting the social media giant's copyright rules to censor satirical or dissident content.

Keast said greater transparency from governments would help.

"We need governments to come out and say this is what we're seeing, this is who's doing it to strengthen democratic resilience against this threat," she said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Army announces upcoming unit deployment

By U.S. Army Public Affairs December 15, 2023

WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Army announced today the winter deployment of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment to Korea to replace the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the United States' commitment to the Republic of Korea.

For more information, please contact the 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, Lt. Col. Charles Patterson, at charles.w.patterson7.mil@army.mil or 254-287-9398.



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Estonia and the United States signed a defence cooperation agreement for the next few years in Washington, D.C.

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

20. December 2023

Tuuli Duneton, Undersecretary for Defence Policy, and Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, signed a bilateral Security Cooperation Plan for 2024-2028 in Washington, D.C.

"As confirmation of Estonia's strong alliance with the United States, we renewed the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which focuses on the military presence of the United States in Estonia, its contribution to the development of the Estonian Division, cyber defence cooperation, and joint procurements of capability upgrades by the Baltic States," said Undersecretary for Defence Policy Tuuli Duneton.

The agreement also covers cooperation during training exercises, the development of necessary infrastructure to host allied units and a number of other areas of common interest.

"In the agreement, we also reaffirmed our support for Ukraine until Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored. With this goal in mind, we will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Defense to train, equip, advise, and assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces," added Undersecretary for Defence Policy Duneton.

Cooperation between Estonia and the United States strengthens Estonia's independent defence, the defence posture of the Baltic Sea region, and NATO's allied relations.

The first defence cooperation agreement between Estonia and the United States was signed in 2019. A similar bilateral cooperation plan was signed by the United States with Latvia and Lithuania.

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West Virginia Guardsmen end deployment in time for holidays

By Sgt. Zoe Morris, West Virginia National Guard December 21, 2023

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Soldiers with the West Virginia Army National Guard's 156th Military Police Law and Order Detachment landed at Fort Bliss following a 10-month overseas deployment supporting the U.S. Army Central's Area Support Group-Jordan.

Brig. Gen. Gene Holt, assistant adjutant general - Army, and Command Sgt. Maj. Chadwick Moneypenny, state command sergeant major, met the Soldiers Dec. 15 as they stepped off the plane in Texas. This is the last stop for the troops before reuniting with Family and friends for the first time since deploying in February.

"These Soldiers performed super well and were highly appreciated," said Capt. John Ivester, 156th MP commander. "The ASG command was sad to see everybody go because they really hit that level of optimal proficiency."

"The Soldiers in the 156th brought great credit to themselves and the West Virginia National Guard while deployed," said Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, adjutant general. "ASG-J provides the support structure for USARCENT facilities and DoD personnel in and around Jordan, which goes to show how adept our troops are at operating on a global stage. I'm very proud of them and their work and ... especially happy they get to be home in time to celebrate the holidays with their families."

The 156th MP Detachment, 77th Troop Command Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, deployed from their home station of Holden, West Virginia, under the command of Ivester and Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Hatfield. While deployed, they conducted investigations, law enforcement operations, personal security services and force protection at five installations in Jordan and across six countries.

During the mobilization, several 156th MP Soldiers also assisted host nation partners by participating in a Jordanian Armed Forces Language Institute engagement, teaching English.

"They displayed true professionalism and continued to do the job day in and day out with no issues at all," Ivester said.

After demobilization procedures, the Soldiers depart Fort Bliss to their homes. Often, larger units are flown back to West Virginia and given a formal homecoming ceremony, but thanks to the unit's smaller size, the desire to get the families reunited as soon as possible means the Soldiers can travel straight home.

The detachment last deployed in 2018, operating at two of Afghanistan's largest bases, Bagram Airfield and Kandahar Airfield, and supported smaller outlying bases.

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December 21, 2023

Release

DOD Announces Release of Department of Defense Instruction and Website on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response

Today, the Department of Defense released the DOD Instruction on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response, which establishes the Department's enduring policies, responsibilities, and procedures for mitigating and responding to civilian harm.

In a Jan. 2022 memorandum, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to develop a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) to outline steps the Department will take and the resources required to implement appropriate recommendations from recently completed studies of civilian harm, and to complete and present to him for signature a DOD Instruction on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response. On August 25, 2022, the Department of Defense released the CHMR-AP, which laid out a comprehensive approach, reinforcing that the Department of Defense's efforts to protect civilians are the responsibility of all leaders throughout the Department.

This DOD Instruction is a milestone in the implementation of the CHMR-AP. The issuance of this policy continues the process of improving the Department's approach to mitigating and responding to civilian harm, including by formalizing DOD policies, responsibilities, and procedures related to CHMR and by creating a reinforcing framework of processes and institutions which will improve strategic outcomes and optimize military operations.

The DOD Instruction further ensures operational commanders are supported with institutional resources, tools, and capabilities to effectively implement law of war protections of civilians, and to enable further steps to protect civilians and to respond appropriately when civilian harm occurs.

In addition to the issuance of the DOD Instruction, the Department has created the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response website in accordance with the CHMR-AP, which will serve as a repository for DOD policies, reports and other information related to civilian harm mitigation. The website also provides a link to the previously published webpage with guidance for reporting civilian casualties.

The DOD Instruction on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response can be found here.

The link to the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response website can be found here.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3624661/

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December 21, 2023

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Introductory Call With Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducted an introductory call Dec. 20 with his Polish counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, to congratulate him on his appointment and affirm the strong U.S.-Poland bilateral defense relationship.

Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz discussed the Polish government's commitment to accelerate modernization of their military capabilities, delivering critical contributions to strengthen NATO's eastern flank. Secretary Austin thanked him for hosting U.S. forces and for Poland's commitment to readiness, and praised Poland's continued support for Ukraine.

Both leaders discussed the importance of the Red Sea as a vital artery for global commerce. Secretary Austin thanked Poland for its support to the 44-nation joint statement condemning the Houthis' illegal attacks on international shipping. Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed appreciation for U.S. leadership confronting global security challenges.

The leaders pledged to remain in close contact.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3624536/

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December 21, 2023

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Ryder Gives More Detail on How Operation Prosperity Guardian Will Work

Houthi attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea are attacks on the international community and the international community is coming together to defend against the missiles and drones aimed at their vessels, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at a Pentagon news conference today.

The press secretary detailed how Operation Prosperity Guardian will work and called on the Houthis, an Iranian proxy group, to cease targeting international commerce.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced the operation during a trip to the Middle East that ended last night. The secretary met with leaders in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Israel during the trip. "The secretary emphasized the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and his key partner nations towards furthering our shared goals of security and stability throughout the Middle East region," Ryder said.

Austin discussed the importance of freedom of navigation in international waterways and the threat the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea pose to world commerce. Between 10 and 15 percent of global shipping flows through the Red Sea, "and these attacks are impacting global trade and commerce, negatively impacting the economies of nations around the world and costing commercial shipping firms billions of dollars," Ryder said.

In Bahrain, Austin announced Operation Prosperity Guardian. The operation is a new multinational security operation under the umbrella the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea.

Austin further convened a virtual ministerial from Bahrain with ministers, chiefs of defense and senior representatives from more than 40 countries as well as representatives from the European Union and NATO to discuss the increased threat to maritime security in the Red Sea.

Austin used the forum to highlight the effects of the Houthi attacks and called on the representatives to act collectively. The nations must come together "to address this issue collectively, emphasizing that this is an international problem that requires an international response," Ryder said.

There have been solid results: To date more than 20 nations have signed on to participate, Ryder said. "In the days ahead, the United States will continue to consult closely with our allies and partners who share the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, and we expect to see the coalition continue to grow," he said.

The operation is a global answer to an international issue and the United States will continue to "work with this coalition of the willing where countries will be able to contribute what they feel that they can," Ryder said. Some of these contributions are military assets like ships and aircraft and other contributions include staff and other types of support.

"It's very important to understand that the Houthis aren't attacking just one country, they're really attacking the international community," Ryder said. "They are attacking the economic well-being and prosperity of nations around the world. So in effect, they really become bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea."

To further this analogy, the forces assigned to Operation Prosperity Guardian, will serve the highway patrol in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden "to respond to and assist as necessary commercial vessels that are transiting this vital international waterway," the general said. "It's a defensive coalition meant to reassure global shipping and mariners that the international community is there to help with safe passage."

The area is large, roughly the distance between Boston and Washington, D.C., and the operation will work to assure safe passage all along the way.

"Last thing I'd say on this is that the Houthis need to stop these attacks, and they need to stop them now," Ryder said. "That's clear and simple. They really need to ask themselves if they've bitten off more than they can chew, when it comes to taking on the entire international community and negatively impacting billions and billions, billions of dollars in global trade, economic prosperity and international law."

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December 21, 2023

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

Brown Speaks With Chinese Counterpart

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. held talks today with his Chinese military counterpart, People's Liberation Army Gen. Liu Zhenli, for the first time since Brown became chairman.

The two leaders discussed a range of global and regional security issues as Brown reaffirmed the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communications, according to a summary of the video teleconference.

"Gen. Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication," the summary reads. "Gen. Brown reiterated the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings."

The last talks between U.S. and Chinese counterparts at this level occurred in July 2022.

Defense officials have repeatedly raised concerns over China's lack of communication with U.S. military leaders, noting that Beijing has consistently denied or ignored U.S. requests for defense engagements at multiple levels.

Those concerns have been amplified as U.S. officials observe increasingly provocative and risky behavior on the part of China's military.

Defense officials have noted a steep rise in China's risky and aggressive intercepts of U.S. aircraft operating in international airspace in accordance with international law.

According to the most recent China Military Power Report, the U.S. has documented more than 180 coercive and risky air intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region between 2021 and 2023.

That is more risky intercepts in the past two years than in the past decade, according to the report.

President Joe Biden secured China's agreement to return to military-to-military talks last month following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco.

The two presidents also discussed resuming bilateral efforts to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including fentanyl. They also discussed the need to address the risks of advanced artificial intelligence systems and improve artificial intelligence safety.

In previewing Thursday's call, senior defense officials said the initial talks between Brown and his counterpart are an "important step" but added that there is still more work to do to ensure open and reliable lines of communications between U.S. and Chinese military leaders.

"These are the kinds of discussions that we need to have to try to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation," one official said. "Having those open channels of communication, obviously, is a key part of that."

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Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the detention of journalists and political activists

European External Action Service (EEAS)

21.12.2023

EEAS Press Team

Human rights, including fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law are important elements of the relationship between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

In this context, the recent arbitrary detentions of journalists Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifqizi, Mahammad Kekalov, Aziz Orujov, Rufat Muradli, Nargiz Absalamova, Teymur Kerimov, Ibrahim Humbatov as well as Hafiz Babaly raise serious concerns about the narrowing space for independent journalism and limitations to freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, which run contrary to its international commitments.

The European Union also regrets the arrest of human rights activist Ilhamiz Guliyev and political opposition leader Tofiq Yagublu, and the decision to extend the pre-trial detention of distinguished scholar and activist Gubad Ibadoghlu and of civil society activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.

The European Union calls on Azerbaijan to release those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights and to ensure free and unhindered space for independent journalism and freedom of expression.

The European Union remains committed to continue the dialogue and cooperation on human rights with Azerbaijan.

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Philippines urged to exercise caution, rationality in S.China Sea

Global Times

Shadow dancer US fans flames from behind with Manila as its vanguard: expert

By Wang Qi and Deng Xiaoci Published: Dec 21, 2023 10:09 PM Updated: Dec 21, 2023 10:43 PM

Form the prospect of entering a "golden era" to "standing at a crossroads," China-Philippines relations have been on a roller coaster in 2023 as the Philippines continues to challenge China's sovereignty by sending ships to intrude into the adjacent waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) in an attempt to deliver construction materials to repair and reinforce the illegally "grounded" military vessel.

Following a recent phone conversation between Chinese and Philippine senior officials aimed at easing tensions, analysts said on Thursday that the Philippines' act of provocations by bringing external forces into the Asia-Pacific is an extremely dangerous move for Manila and regional stability, and the Philippines should not misjudge China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty in the South China Sea. At the same time, it should not doubt China's sincerity in resolving the issue through dialogue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday urged the Philippine side to make the proper management of the current maritime situation a top priority during a phone conversation with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo at the latter's request.

The severe difficulties facing China-Philippines relations right now are rooted in the fact that the Philippine side has changed its policy stance, reneged on the promises it has made, constantly provoked troubles at sea, and undermined China's legitimate and lawful rights, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

China is always committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly maintain maritime stability, Wang said.

He warned that if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue stirring up trouble, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely.

Manalo, for his part, talked about the views of the Philippine side on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao, expressing the hope that differences can be managed in a way acceptable to both sides, so as to cool down tensions and prevent conflicts.

Manalo said the Philippine side is willing to strengthen dialogue with China in good faith, make good use of the bilateral communication mechanism on maritime issues, and jointly seek a solution to the issue.

The two sides agreed to hold a meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea as soon as possible and actively create favorable conditions for it.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a Thursday press briefing that China's position on maritime disputes with its neighbors remains unchanged.

"When it comes to maritime disputes with our neighbors, China's position is consistent and clear without any change. Our commitment to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation has not changed. Our willingness to work with the Philippines to implement the previously reached common understandings and agreements has not changed. Our policy of working with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea has not changed," Wang Wenbin said.

Last but not least, our resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests has not changed and will not change, said the spokesperson.

'Standing at a crossroads'

Although the two ministers agreed to strengthen dialogue and cool tensions on Wednesday, on the same day, Philippine Defense Secretary Carlos Teodoro said "only China believes in what they are saying," as "no country in the world" unequivocally supports China's claim to the whole of the South China Sea, according to media reports.

Noting that the bilateral relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided, Wang Yi told his counterpart that the Philippine side must act with caution.

Instead of continuing in the wrong direction, the Philippine side should return to the right path as soon as possible, Wang Yi said.

Wang Yi's words also came against the backdrop of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calling for a "paradigm shift" in dealing with disputes.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times it's possible for China-Philippines relations to ease in the future, but the key is whether the two sides can return to the traditional bilateral dialogue and consultation mechanism, instead of turning bilateral issues into multilateral ones and complicating the situation.

Marcos's comment, according to Xu, is a tentative move against China, and an attempt to win sympathy from other countries. But regional countries may not support the Philippines, as Manila's provocative approach will only harm regional stability, Xu said.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute at the Hainan Tropical Ocean University, said there are two paths for Manila to choose from. One is jointly to manage differences with China, and take actions to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The other path is to continue challenging China's territorial sovereignty, which goes against the common interests of both countries and the region.

In fact, the common interests between China and the Philippines far outweigh the differences, and a good relationship with China is conducive to the Philippines' own development, said Gu.

For the Philippines, developing its economy and addressing livelihood issues requires massive investment and infrastructure projects. China has a huge market demand for agricultural products and processed goods, which can allow the Philippines to increase its exports, Gu noted.

External interference

According to Zhu Feng, director of the Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University, one element behind the recent spats in the South China Sea is Marcos' efforts to salvage his government's dropping approval rate, as a tough stance against China on the Ren'ai Jiao question is regarded as important political capital for Marcos, despite the fact it also brings risks to bilateral ties.

Zhu pointed out that another factor affecting regional security and cooperation is the intervention of external forces.

Just as the Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers exchanged their views, a new radar system built by Japan was installed and started operations on Wednesday on the northwestern coast of the largest island in the Philippines, which was believed to be "tracking China's moves," according to media reports.

The US, the shadow dancer inciting disputes, has constantly fanned flames, bringing the Philippines to the front line to contain China. The Philippines is also trying to make use of "support" from external forces as a bargaining chip to gain leverage against China, Xu said.

But this won't help solve the problem or serve the Philippines' national interests, Xu said, "although the possibility of a head-on conflict between China and the Philippines is tiny, Manila should not misjudge Beijing's determination to safeguard its sovereignty in the South China Sea, and real conflict with China would be unaffordable for the Philippines."

According to Zhu, the US is anticipated to continue deepening and expanding its diplomatic, military and security interventions in the South China Sea with the Philippines as its vanguard, which means that in order to prevent the situation from getting out of control, dialogue between China and the US is equally important.

The US and Japan have strategic needs to manipulate the Philippines into instigating tensions in the South China Sea. But they will throw the Philippines under the bus when they need to, leaving Manila to bear the tragedy on its own, analysts said.

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As vote on Gaza resolution gets repeatedly postponed, US under pressure to avoid further isolating itself

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Dec 21, 2023 10:13 PM

With the death toll in the Gaza Strip reportedly surpassing a staggering 20,000, calls are mounting for the US, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), to avoid further isolating itself from the international community and undermining the global efforts aimed at achieving a cease-fire of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as the UNSC was scheduled to vote on another resolution on the issue, after it was postponed multiple times this week.

A United Arab Emirates-sponsored draft resolution was originally scheduled for a Monday UNSC vote, but it was pushed back to Tuesday, Wednesday, and finally Thursday. According to some foreign media reports, despite the resolution's diluted language and replacement of "cessation of hostilities" for "cease-fire" in order to reach a compromise, the US, which has always supported Israel at the UN, has been reluctant to give it a pass.

As the world watches whether the US will vote in support of or at least abstain from allowing the UNSC to adopt its first binding resolution on the Palestine issue since this round of conflict began, analysts said that the moral weight continues to mount on the US.

The Gaza Government Media Office said on Wednesday that since Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip more than ten weeks ago, at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed there, of whom at least 8,000 were children and 6,200 were women, media reported.

The US is in a precarious situation, as it is trying to back Israel but fears more isolation from the international community, which was made clear by the tense diplomatic negotiations taking place at the UN right now, Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

The wrangling over the wording of the resolution shows the US' struggling to defend the "legitimacy" of Israel's actions in Gaza, said Sun, noting that the US and Israel consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization and do not see it as an equal counterpart, said Sun.

International discontent with US partiality has grown as a result of the country's past favoritism for Israel and its history of vetoing UN resolutions pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. American dissatisfaction with Israel is also growing, increasing the possibility for the US to pass the resolution, Tian Wenlin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

Israel's military claimed it had uncovered a major Hamas command center in the heart of Gaza, while Israel's economy has been severely impacted by the military operation. The Red Sea raids by Yemen's Houthi rebels have also had an impact on international shipping and Israel's economy, adding to the momentum for another truce in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Tian.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh traveled to Egypt on Wednesday to negotiate a fresh agreement for Hamas to exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and a temporary cease-fire.

The US' inability to promote a cease-fire or defuse the situation since this round of Palestinian-Israeli fighting began indicates that its leverage in the Middle East is eroding, along with its hard and soft power, said Sun.

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Norway increases support to Combined Maritime Forces in the Red Sea

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 21/12/2023

Norway will provide additional staff officers as part of an international effort to protect civilian shipping in the Red Sea.

The US is leading a multinational initiative to protect civilian shipping in the Red Sea. Operation Prosperity Guardian has been established under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the international maritime coalition operating in the area. Norway will deploy up to 10 additional staff officers to the CMF headquarters in Bahrain. Norwegian personnel can provide unique and sought-after expertise in naval cooperation and guidance for shipping (NCAGS).

'Norway has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world and it is in Norway's interests to work to ensure freedom of navigation at sea. We have unique expertise in maritime operations and experience from previous operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Norwegian staff officers' will help to coordinate movement of civilian vessels and ensure their safe passage,' said Minister of Defence Bjrn Arild Gram.

Norway's contribution may be adjusted as needed.

'As we gain more information about the situation and the new operation, we will be able to consider contributing in other ways,' said Mr Gram.

The situation in the Red Sea has escalated in recent weeks. Norway has strongly condemned all attacks against civilian vessels.

'The Houthi movement's recent attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea, including Norwegian-owned ships, are totally unacceptable. Crew members have been put in extreme danger. Innocent parties are suffering severe financial and material losses. It is essential for all of us that trade routes at sea are safe and secure,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Norway is cooperating closely with allies and partners, in both political and military efforts to ensure free and safe passage at sea. The Norwegian authorities are also in close contact with the Norwegian Shipowners' Association.

'Free and safe passage for civilian ships is of vital importance to Norway. There are approximately 40 Norwegian-operated ships in the area at any given time. It is in our interests to promote regional maritime security and stability in and around the Red Sea. That is why Norway taking part in this operation together with other countries,' said Mr Eide.

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Sudan: Desperate people search for loved ones as hundreds of thousands flee Wad Madani

ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Nairobi (ICRC) -- Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazeera state, since fighting broke out last Friday. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urgently calling on the parties to the conflict to ensure protection of all civilians and provide safe passage for people trying to reach safety.

News release

21 December 2023

Sudam

"We fear that Wad Madani, once considered a safe haven for people fleeing extreme violence in Khartoum, is turning into another death trap," said Pierre Dorbes, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. "We saw desperate people running away in panic to the sound of explosions amid traffic jams and chaos. Each time this happens, family members get separated, and vulnerable people, like the elderly and people with disabilities, are left behind."

Wad Madani had turned into a refuge for many residents of Khartoum after intense hostilities in heavily populated urban areas destroyed large parts of the capital and cut off entire neighborhoods from essential services.

The ICRC temporarily relocated its staff from Wad Madani on Friday. The organization continues speaking with the parties and urgently calls on lifesaving access to all areas affected by fighting as humanitarian needs soar.

Eight months into the conflict, nearly six million Sudanese find themselves uprooted, the highest number in the country's history. Having escaped armed violence, people survive in dire conditions, lacking the essentials like food and water and facing constant fear and uncertainty. Many Sudanese civilians have been displaced multiple times, while others find themselves trapped in dangerous locations without a possibility of escape.

In these extreme circumstances, in the past three months, the ICRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society have facilitated nearly 9,500 phone calls for people who lost contact with their loved ones. The ICRC has also distributed cash to more than 22,000 displaced people in Gedaref, Al-Jazeera, and West Darfur.

Between October and December 2023, the ICRC:

Facilitated the release of 64 detainees in Khartoum and 274 detainees in Darfur, including 64 minors.

Trained 44 Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers in Al-Jeneina and Zalingei on managing the bodies of the dead.

Raised awareness among over 2,380 weapon-bearers on the principles of international humanitarian law.

Supplied surgical and other medical items to 4 hospitals in Kassala, Al Jazeera, Port Sudan, and Khartoum states.

Deployed a surgical team consisting of a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, two nurses, and a Hospital Program Manager to Al Jeneina. The team has performed 232 surgical operations.

Organized community kitchens that serve two hot meals for around 5,640 displaced people per day.

Supplied 6000 kg of chlorine and distributed 420,000 water purification tablets in Khartoum, Gedaref and Wad Madani.

Supported Sudanese Red Crescent cholera awareness campaign in Gedarf, Wad Madani, Nyala, Al-Geneina, Damazin, Al- Fashir cities.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 21st, 20:15

IDF Press Release

Press Briefing

21.12.23

IDF

Good evening. Today, we destroyed a strategic terror tunnel network in the Hamas Elite Quarter in the heart of Gaza City. This is a complex network of tunnels connecting hideout apartments to various facilities and bunkers of senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization, which we revealed to the world yesterday. Over the past few weeks, our forces there have conducted a thorough operation to locate, neutralize, and destroy weaponry, intelligence, and infrastructure. Today's destruction of significant infrastructure deprives the Hamas terrorist organization of strategic capabilities.

Our forces continue to intensify ground operations in northern and southern Gaza. Since the end of the operational pause on ground operations in Gaza, our forces have eliminated over 2,000 terrorists from the air, sea, and land. We have increased the number of soldiers fighting in eastern Khan Yunis and are operating there determinedly with five infantry brigades and combat engineering forces, focusing on underground combat to drive out the terrorists, fight them as they emerge, and drain this space of Hamas terrorism.

We continue to operate from the air, land, and sea across the Gaza Strip.

In the north, we struck a series of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including launch sites, military buildings, and additional terrorist infrastructure. Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a combat zone and continues to endanger the future of the entire state of Lebanon for the sake of Hamas and Iran. We are in a very high state of readiness and will continue to act decisively to push Hezbollah away from the border.

With the return to studies and the activities of educational institutions and kindergartens, we must continue to adhere to the guidelines of the Home Front Command. The Iron Dome is a layer of protection with significant performance, we see this every day, but it is not infallible. Therefore, your responsible conduct according to the guidelines saves lives.

We have not forgotten for a moment our moral responsibility to bring back all of the hostages who are still held in Gaza. The Hamas terrorist organization is responsible for the wellbeing of the hostages, and we will continue to demand medical assistance from the world, but we rely only on ourselves. We will continue to operate so that our around-the-clock operational efforts will lead to circumstances that will bring back the hostages.

Amid the many stories of bravery during the war, there are the stories of IDF soldiers, both men and women, who were injured in battles and are now recovering and rehabilitating in hospitals. Some are still sedated and ventilated, some are in a long rehabilitation process, and some are psychologically injured and dealing with the trauma at every moment. The bravery and strength of the wounded, who sacrificed themselves for the fight, are immeasurably appreciated and inspire us to continue to be resolute. We would like to stand by the wounded IDF soldiers and their families this evening, the families who stand day and night by the beds of their loved ones - we will continue to accompany and embrace you all the way.

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Iran says will not hesitate to defend its territorial integrity

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has condemned a statement by the sixth Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum regarding Iran's trio islands in the Persian Gulf, saying the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to defend its territorial integrity.

Kanaani said on Friday that the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, situated in the waters of the Persian Gulf, have eternally belonged to Iran and are an inseparable part of the territory of the Islamic Republic.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not consider the territorial integrity and sovereignty over the trio islands negotiable, and any claim by any party in this regard is rejected," he stated.

The official highlighted Iran's policy of strengthening relations with neighboring countries and respecting the principle of good neighborliness, and urged regional countries not to repeat "certain rejected claims".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will have no doubt in preserving its territorial integrity," he stressed.

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by an abundance of historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and worldwide. However, the UAE has repeatedly laid unfounded claim to the islands.

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Hamas will only accept 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The leader of the Hamas resistance movement in the Gaza Strip has informed intermediaries in the ongoing ceasefire talks that the only available option for the Israeli regime is a prisoner exchange based on the "all-for-all" principle, according to Israeli media.

The Zionist news network Kan, citing an informed Egyptian source, disclosed the ongoing process of indirect negotiations aimed at reaching a new ceasefire agreement between Palestinian resistance forces and the Israeli regime.

The source said Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, has sent a message to the intermediaries, stressing that the time for any temporary agreement has passed, leaving the "all-for-all" exchange of prisoners as the sole remaining option.

In line with these developments, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar also reported that negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are ongoing.

The newspaper said that the principle of freeing one Israeli captive in exchange for 10 Palestinian prisoners remains on the table.

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Yemen ready to respond to any 'foolish' act by US: Official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces are ready to respond to any new "foolish" provocation by the United States, a Yemeni official has said.

In an interview with IRNA published on Thursday, Hezam al-Assad, a member of the political bureau of the Ansarullah resistance movement, spoke about threats facing Yemen following reports by the US media that planning is underway for possible military action against Yemen in response to a surge in attacks on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea.

"We were not surprised by America's recent position and its announcement of forming a naval coalition to protect the ships of the Israeli regime headed to its ports. From the outset, they were the main instigators of aggression against the people of Gaza," he said.

"They have been attempting to intercept Yemeni missiles and drones to prevent them from reaching the Israeli enemy, and they continue to do so," the official added.

Al--Assad maintained that the US complicity in the Israeli crimes in Gaza is undeniable, as Washington has supplied political backing and military aid to the regime since the occupying regime launched a devastating war against the Palestinian territory in early October.

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Amnesty calls for release of Palestinians arrested by Zionist forces in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Amnesty International called for the release of Palestinians detained by the Zionist regime in Gaza.

The occupying regime has held hundreds of Palestinians in detention centers in southern Israeli-occupied territories since it raided the Gaza Strip over two months ago.

"The Israeli military must urgently disclose the fate and whereabouts of everyone that it has detained since 7 October," Heba Morayef, Amnesty's regional director for West Asia and North Africa, said in a statement.

"Israeli forces must specify the grounds of arrest for those detained and make every effort to provide families of those in its custody with information, particularly in light of the telecommunications blackouts that have cut off Gazans."

On Tuesday, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that "several" of the Palestinian detainees have died in the Zionist regime's detention facilities.

Israel waged the bloody war against the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity for its atrocities against Palestinians.

The regime has killed at least 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 53,000 others in Gaza since the beginning of the war.

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Hezbollah fires several rockets at Israeli-occupied town

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah said Thursday morning that it had fired several rockets from southern Lebanon toward the town of Kiryat Shmona in the Israeli-occupied territories.

According to the Al-Mayadeen news network, Hezbollah announced that the attack came in response to the Zionist regime's attacks against villages and residential homes.

"In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and in solidarity with their brave and honorable resistance, and in response to the Israeli enemy's persistent targeting of villages and civilian homes, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance at 12:15 am on Thursday, December 21, 2023, targeted the settlement of Kiryat Shmona (the occupied town of Al-Khalsa) with a salvo of Katyusha rockets," the statement said.

Hezbollah also vowed to not relent in defending Lebanese villages and towns, saying it will reciprocate the enemy's aggressive acts against them.

It came a day after the resistance movement targeted multiple Israeli military positions near the border between Lebanon and the occupied territories.

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Hamas slams Israeli FM assassination threat against top leaders

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 21, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- A member of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has denounced Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen's assassination threat against top Hamas leaders.

In remarks on Thursday morning, Izzat al-Risheq called Cohen's threat to assassinate Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal's "shameless remarks" and an expression of the enemy's frustration.

The threat shows that the enemy is bewildered by its defeats against al-Qassam battalions, he said.

He also said the remarks were due to the inability of the Zionists to achieve the goals they set and failed to achieve.

According to Al Jazeera, Cohen said on Wednesday, "We will kill [top Hamas officials] Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal and they will not die a natural death."

Israel waged the bloody war against the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity for its atrocities against Palestinians.

The regime has killed at least 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 53,000 others in Gaza since the beginning of the war.

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PM Netanyahu to Representatives of Bereaved Families from the Heroism Forum: "There needs to be victory - until the goals are completed."

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

21.12.2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, met with representatives of the bereaved families from the Heroism Forum, who told him about their loved ones who fell in battle, and about their loss and bereavement. The Prime Minister stood by them, and said that their sons did not fall in vain.

The forum representatives sought to convey a message to the members of the War Cabinet from bereaved families from across the country, that all the goals of the war must be insisted upon, and not to give in to pressure. The representatives also requested that the fighting be conducted while safeguarding the lives of our soldiers.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the forum representatives that Israel would not stop the war until all of its goals had been completed - until victory.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the meeting:

"There will not be another round. There is national consensus that embraces the entire people: There needs to be victory - until the goals are completed.

This is a difficult and brutal war, and you know how difficult it is. We will do everything to safeguard the soldiers' lives."

The Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, and his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil also attended the meeting.

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Lithuania's participation in multinational operations in 2024-2025 approved

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-12-21

International cooperation

Thursday the Seimas approved the mandate for Lithuania's participation multinational operations in 2024-2025 for 318 civilian and military personnel of the National Defence System at one time. The decision indicates 13 multinational operations, the previous mandate included twelve of them.

"Next year our major focus in the area of multinational operations will be on training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in various formats. We will also continue the engagement in NATO, EU and Allied coalitions-led multinational operations," says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas.

Lithuania will increase the maximum mandated number of National Defence System civilian and military personnel committed to the Military Training Mission for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024 from 60 to 100.

Besides the 12 operations approved by the previous mandate, up to 10 civilian and military personnel are additionally committed for multinational operations led or conducted by the Allies in the Indo-Pacific as long as these align with the UN principles and objectives, international agreements endorsed by Lithuania or other norms of international law.

Maximum numbers of National Defence System civilian and military personnel for other multinational operations remain unchanged: up to 50 to the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), up to 11 to the EU Training Mission Mali, European Training Mission in Central African Republic and the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique, up to 30 and 20 to the EU Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) - Operation ATALANTA and Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI respectively, up to 40 to the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). Up to 5 Lithuanians will be available for contribution to the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR), up to 40 civilian and military personnel of the National Defence System will be available for the United States-led Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, up to 5 - for the U.S.-initiated effort in the Strait of Hormuz, and the maximum of 25 - for the United Kingdom-led Operation Interflex.

It should be noted that the mandate approved by the Seimas sets out limit numbers of military and civilian personnel of the National Defence System to be contributed to concrete multinational operations, while factual contributions will depend on a spectrum of circumstances, such as the capabilities and other commitments of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, requirement in the concrete operation and security situation in the country the Lithuanian personnel is deployed to, capacity of the Allies to integrate Lithuanian troops into their contingents.

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Ministry of National Defence launches a mobile air defence system procurement project

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-12-21

Development and Strengthening of the Armed Forces | International cooperation

The Ministry of National Defence is looking to enhance Lithuania's air defence capabilities with a new mobile short-range air defence system. The capability is planned to be procured for the Lithuanian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence of Sweden.

On December 20 in Stockholm Vice Minister of National Defence Greta Monika Tuckute signed a preliminary agreement with the Defence Materiel Administration of the Swedish Armed Forces joining Lithuania to the short-range air defence system procurement contract the institution has.

"Acquisition of a short-range air defence system will significantly increase our air defence. We collaborate with the Defence Materiel Administration to start further procurement procedures which will reveal the exact price, scope and other details of the project," says Vice Minister G. M. Tuckute.

The mobile short-range air defence system capability ensures quick detection of airborne targets and efficient response to different airborne threats. First components of the short-range air defence system may arrive in Lithuania as soon as 2025 and the entire system is expected to be assembled by 2027.

During the visit in Stockholm Vice Minister had a bilateral meeting with State Secretary to Swedish Minister for Defence Peter Sandwall. The officials discussed strengthening the cooperation when Sweden becomes a member of NATO, including the potential Swedish contribution to the NATO Air Policing Mission or the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model. They also discussed the demining coalition for Ukraine Lithuania formed.

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Australia rebuffs U.S. request for warship in Red Sea

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:09, December 21, 2023

CANBERRA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced that it will not send a warship to the Red Sea but will deploy additional troops to the region.

Richard Marles, the minister for defence, on Thursday said the Australian government had denied a request from the United States for military hardware to help protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea following attacks from Yemen's Houthi militia on commercial vessels in the area.

Instead, he said that additional Australian Defence Force (ADF) officers would be deployed to the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) headquarters in Bahrain in 2024.

"We won't be sending a ship or a plane," Marles told Sky News Australia television.

There are currently five ADF personnel based at CMF headquarters. Under Operation Manitou Australia had previously committed to sending five more officers to promote maritime security and stability.

Marles said on Thursday that another six would now also be deployed under the U.S-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, taking the total contribution to 16 officers.

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Ceasing hostility brooks no delay as death toll in Gaza hits 20,000

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:03, December 21, 2023

CAIRO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Over the past two months and more, Israel's draconian siege and relentless bombardment have killed at least 20,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with 70 percent of them being women and children, said the Hamas-run government media office on Wednesday.

On top of the staggering number of casualties, intense attacks have pushed the strip to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

The international call has been ever louder for an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe delivery of humanitarian relief to Gaza, which has been impeded by Washington's repeated veto on UN ceasefire resolutions. The much-awaited peace in Gaza is as yet not in sight.

WORSENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Devastating airstrikes by Israel since Oct. 7 have flattened much of the northern Gaza and ravaged the south. Around 1.9 million people, or 85 percent of the territory's inhabitants, have been displaced, most of them packed in a small area around the far south Rafah city in the coastal strip, near the border with Egypt.

Things have been rapidly deteriorating, as the aid entering the territory is only a sliver of what is needed, UN officials said.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 100 trucks with humanitarian supplies arrived at the Rafah crossing every day from Egypt since hostilities resumed on Dec. 1, well below the daily average of 500 truckloads that entered Gaza every working day prior to Oct. 7.

The World Food Program said Tuesday that half of Gaza's population is facing extreme or severe hunger, with 90 percent of them regularly going without food for a whole day. Only 10 percent of the food currently required for the 2.2 million people there has entered Gaza in the last 70 days.

Worse still, Gaza is facing a public health catastrophe. The UN agencies have reported a surge in the number of people suffering from infectious diseases, including respiratory diseases and diarrhea, which can be fatal for young children, as well as scabies, hepatitis and malnutrition due to lack of food and clean water.

"We've got a textbook formula for epidemics and a public health disaster," Lynn Hastings, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said last week.

According to Hastings, only one-third of Gaza's hospitals are operating, and they are only partly functional because of severe shortages of staff and medicines, and fuel to operate generators. "We all know the health care system is or has collapsed," she said.

GROWING CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE

Israel has drawn a cascade of criticism for the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the civilian casualties there. The international community, including some of the Israeli allies, has stepped up calls for an immediate cessation of hostility in the enclave.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna arrived on Sunday for a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, where she urged an "immediate and durable" truce in the ongoing war.

"Too many civilians are being killed," she said during a press conference in Tel Aviv alongside her Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen.

In the meantime, foreign ministers of Britain and Germany issued a joint call for a "sustainable" ceasefire in Gaza, a change in tone from their previous voice of support for Israel.

"We must do all we can to pave the way to a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace," said David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock. "The sooner it comes, the better -- the need is urgent."

Regional countries have been actively brokering another truce following a ceasefire in late November. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday urged an "immediate ceasefire" at the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum.

Delegates from the 22-member bloc called for "the stop of the collective punishment for innocent civilians," and urged the UN Security Council to play a more active role in the strive for ceasefire.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his determination to continue the fighting.

"We are continuing the war to the end," Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday. "We will not stop the fighting until all of the goals that we have set are achieved: The elimination of Hamas, the release of our hostages and the removal of the threat from Gaza."

U.S. "LACKS BASIC HUMANITARIANISM"

The UN Security Council was expected to vote Wednesday on a resolution to deliver more humanitarian aid into Gaza, which was originally scheduled for Monday but was delayed as diplomats have been under intensive negotiations to avoid another U.S. veto.

The draft resolution, put forth by the United Arab Emirates, calls for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip" and demands the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

The Biden administration has vetoed several UN ceasefire resolutions, arguing that ending Israel's offensive in Gaza while leaving Hamas's military capabilities intact and its top leaders in place would predominantly "benefit Hamas."

During his trip to Tel Aviv on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pledged to continue to provide military support to Israel in its conflict with Hamas and Yemen's Houthi forces, calling the U.S. commitment to Israel "unwavering." "No individual, group or state should test our resolve," he warned.

Condemnation both from home and abroad, as well as rifts in public opinion are growing over Washington's unshakable support for Israel's offensive against Gaza.

A poll by U.S. media CBS earlier this month found that 61 percent of voters disapproved of Biden's approach toward the Israel-Hamas conflict, believing his administration is not bringing things closer to a peaceful resolution.

Washington has turned into a partner of Israel in its aggression, diplomatically and politically, according to Palestinian writer and analyst Akram Atallah.

"This is what weakens the prospects for the truce," he said. "We've seen how it voted against a draft resolution, and now vote on another draft resolution has been delayed again."

"The U.S. and other Western countries have long ignored the demands of the Palestinian people, which has been clearly demonstrated in this conflict," said Mustafa Bisharat, a Palestinian analyst.

Denouncing the U.S. veto on ceasefire resolutions in Gaza as "a lack of the most basic humanitarianism," he said: "The U.S. has always emphasized human rights in the past. This conflict highlights its double standards in international affairs."

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U.S. expects Israel-Hamas conflict to move to "lower intensity phase," says Blinken

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:56, December 21, 2023

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States expects to see the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas "move to a lower intensity phase," the country's top diplomat said Wednesday.

"It's clear that the conflict will move and needs to move to a lower intensity phase," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during an end-of-year press conference at the State Department.

He said it is Washington's expectation and willingness that Israeli forces "shift to more targeted operations, with a smaller number of forces, that's really focused in on dealing with the leadership of Hamas, the tunnel network, and a few other critical things."

"It is vitally important how Israel conducts its operations," he added. "Again, focus on protecting civilians, minimizing harm to them, maximizing assistance getting to them."

Blinken's remarks came amid growing outrage around the world -- and to some extent within the United States -- over the soaring Palestinian civilian deaths resulting from the intensification of aerial bombardments and ground operations by the Israel Defense Force in the Gaza Strip following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians.

At one point during the press conference, a reporter made a statement while asking a general question on U.S. foreign policy over the past year, saying that the year 2023 is ending "with much of the world blaming the U.S. and Israel, or seeing (the Israel-Hamas conflict) as America's war also. It's hurting America's image in the world."

Asked by that reporter whether the Joe Biden administration has any intent to rethink its diplomatic strategy in ways that will change the dynamics of a series of concurring conflicts still unfolding around the world, Blinken came to the administration's defense, taking the conflict in Gaza as an example and complaining about having heard "virtually no one saying, demanding of Hamas -- that it stop hiding behind civilians, that it lay down its arms, that it surrender."

Earlier in the day, Biden was asked by the press corps accompanying him on a trip in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to comment on a grim milestone of 20,000 Palestinian deaths in the conflict in Gaza that was expected to reach on Monday.

"It's tragic," the president said in a short answer, without elaborating.

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US, Venezuela swap prisoners, including notorious 'Fat Leonard'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 6:56 PM

The United States and Venezuela have swapped prisoners, including a fugitive dubbed 'Fat Leonard.'

Following an agreement reached between Washington and Caracas, American authorities on Wednesday released Alex Saab, a Colombian national and a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in exchange for 10 American detainees.

Standing beside Maduro at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Saab thanked the Venezuelan leader, saying that "today the miracle of freedom, the miracle of justice, has become a reality."

Washington had accused Saab of purported money laundering for Caracas.

Venezuelan authorities also extradite Leonard Francis, the notorious and once portly defense contractor known as "Fat Leonard", to the US. He is accused of scamming the US Navy out of millions of dollars for more than a decade.

Being at the center of the US Navy's worst-ever corruption scandal, known as the so-called "Fat Leonard scandal", Francis fled to Venezuela via Mexico and Cuba last year after managing to cut off his electronic tagging device.

As part of the Qatar-brokered agreement, Caracas also released 20 Venezuelan political prisoners.

The US has been easing the pressure on Venezuela. Washington agreed in October to scale back sanctions related to oil and gas.

US President Joe Biden's administration had said it would lift some long-standing sanctions in exchange for democratic concessions from Caracas. However, following the Barbados agreement, it was yet unclear if the crippling US sanctions would be lifted.

Over the past decade, the US economic sanctions banning Caracas from using its oil reserves, which are the country's most valuable asset, has plunged the socialist-led South American country into a heavy crisis, forcing millions of Venezuelans to leave the country.

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EU says to join US-led coalition against Yemen in Red Sea

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 3:30 PM

The European Union has agreed to contribute to a US-led coalition against Yemeni armed forces which have targeted ships bound for Israel in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

The decision was adopted by the EU during a meeting convened by Josep Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, on Thursday.

"We will intensify our information sharing and increase our presence with additional naval assets. This demonstrates the EU's role as a maritime security provider," Borrell stated on X.

Earlier this week, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin called for Western unity against attacks by the Yemeni armed forces on Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea.

The Pentagon announced Monday a military coalition of 10 countries, including the US, Britain, and Spain, to counter the Yemeni attacks.

However, Western countries have been split over joining the US-led coalition in the turbulent region.

Italy is sending a warship and France, which has a destroyer in the area, said it was interested but had not yet decided on joining.

Spain was mentioned by the US as a member of its Red Sea coalition, but Madrid clarified it was not taking part in a mission that did not have the backing of either NATO or the EU.

Germany's military needs a mandate from the parliament to take part, as the coalition includes the potential use of force but does not fall under the auspices of the EU, NATO or the United Nations.

In recent weeks, a series of seaborne strikes attributed to the Yemeni forces have been conducted in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Yemen has already warned it will prevent the passage of all ships in the Red Sea bound to the occupied territories.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a crucial waterway between Yemen and northeast Africa leading to the Red Sea, up to the Suez Canal and the Israeli port of Eilat. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually.

Yemen's Ansarullah movement has dismissed US plans to build a coalition. The leader of Ansarullah has said Yemen's armed forces will not hesitate to target US military warships in the Red Sea if Washington and its allies carry out military strikes against Yemen.

In a televised speech broadcast live Wednesday, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi also lashed out at Britain, holding it responsible for war crimes and unrelenting aggression by the Israeli regime against the Palestinians ever since the so-called Balfour Declaration, which led to the creation of Israel, was issued on November 2, 1917.

Houthi said Yemeni forces will start firing cruise missiles at US military vessels should the newly formed maritime task force in the Red Sea take a hostile action or strike Yemen.

Hamas has said Yemeni strikes against ships heading to the occupied Palestinian territories send a message to the West that they should stop the ongoing carnage or expect the crisis to expand across the region.

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China urges Philippines to take 'rational' action over maritime dispute

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 3:19 PM

China has urged the Philippines to make the "rational choice" over maritime tensions in the South China Sea following Manila's recent efforts to challenge Beijing's claims in the waters.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the waters of Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines. The waters are believed to sit atop vast reserves of oil and gas.

Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard released videos purportedly showing Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats. Vessels from the two sides also collided during tense clashes at Second Thomas Shoal, where a handful of Filipino troops are stationed on a grounded warship.

"We hope that the Philippines can make a rational choice, follow the effective way of getting along with neighbors, and work with China to properly handle and manage the current maritime situation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a regular press conference on Thursday.

During a phone call with his Philippine counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that "China-Philippines relations face serious difficulty and the root cause lies in the Philippines' change of policy and position, refusing to honor its commitment and repeated provocations that undermine China's legitimate and lawful rights and interests".

"The bilateral relationship is now at a crossroads. Where it will go depends on what choice will be made. The Philippines must be very prudent about it," a readout by China's Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry also blamed Manila for what it called changing the Philippines' longstanding policy stance, reneging on its own commitments, continuing to provoke and stir trouble at sea, and undermining China's legal rights.

Wang said China's position is consistent and clear without any change.

"Our commitment to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation has not changed... Our resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests has not changed and will not change," Wang said.

China has constructed several artificial islands over the past few years in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, a move that has drawn harsh criticism from the Philippines - a among others - and its ally Washington.

"We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea," Wang said.

Tensions have soared between the two neighbors over the South China Sea under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with Manila pivoting back to the United States, which supports the country in its maritime dispute with China.

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Iran: US internationally responsible for complicity in Israeli genocide

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 3:13 PM

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the United States is internationally responsible for its irrefutable complicity in Israeli genocide and war crimes against the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

Amir-Abdollahian discussed the situation in Gaza on the 76th day of the Israeli invasion of the besieged territory in a phone conversation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi on Thursday.

The Iranian foreign minister touched on regular meetings and contacts of the officials of the two countries at different levels, saying agreements reached between President Ibrahim Raeisi and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq are on the right track of implementation.

Sultan Haitham visited Tehran in May, during which Iran and Oman signed at least four agreements in the fields of economy, investment and energy.

The Omani foreign minister highlighted the expansion of brotherly and friendly relations between the two countries and underlined the need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the sending of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.

Later Thursday in his phone talks with the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Amir-Abdollahian called for greater mobilization of the international community to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and announced Iran's readiness to send humanitarian aid to the territory.

Hissein Brahim Taha and Amir-Abdollahian discussed the latest situation of occupied Palestine, the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza and measures taken by the 57-member Islamic bloc to support the Palestinian people.

"Expressing deep regret and condemning the continued attacks and aggression of the Zionist regime, which is a clear example of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide", the Iranian minister called for more action by the international community, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to stop them, Fars news agency reported.

He touched on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the medical and health problems and restrictions created as a result of relentless Israeli attacks. The minister emphasized the need to adopt appropriate and immediate solutions to facilitate the sending of humanitarian aid and shipments, especially medical and pharmaceutical items, based on the resolutions of the recent OIC summit in Riyadh.

Amir-Abdollahian also informed the OIC secretary about some of the initiatives taken by the Islamic Republic in order to support the oppressed people of Palestine in the current dire situation, including his visit to Qatar on Wednesday and talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Taha expressed concern and condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks against Gaza, as he presented a report on measures taken by the OIC and its secretariat based on the recent resolution issued at the end of the Riyadh summit.

He also welcomed Iran's initiatives and announced his readiness to develop the OIC's cooperation and Iran.

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Threat to assassinate Hamas leaders exposes Israel's frustration: Hamas official

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:59 AM

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen's threat of killing leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas exposes the regime's frustration over its defeat against the resistance forces, says a top Hamas official.

In remarks cited by Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Cohen threatened Palestinian leaders with assassination, saying, "We will kill [top Hamas officials] Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal and they will not die a natural death."

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, rebuked the Israeli minister on Thursday, saying his remarks were "shameful" and indicated the regime's desperation with its failure to achieve its proclaimed goals in Gaza.

Israel has a long history of carrying out assassination plots against leaders of Palestinian resistance movements.

The regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that he had "instructed the Mossad to act against the heads of Hamas wherever they are."

Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance movements say the occupying regime's savagery, as manifested in its assassination attempts over the years, will not deter Palestinians from their struggle to free their land.

"The threats to murder Hamas leaders are clearly indicative of the political and military quagmire that the Zionist occupation is facing" following the Gaza onslaught, Taher al-Nunu, an advisor to Haniyeh, said earlier this month.

Cohen's threat comes while the Hamas chief has traveled to Egypt to discuss a potential new Gaza truce involving an exchange of Palestinian abductees for Israeli war prisoners and the entry of more aid to Gaza.

"The Zionist regime and its allies thought that they could eliminate the resistance this way and force it to raise the white flag," Haniyeh said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian in Doha on Wednesday.

"The resistance, however, has still stood firm and steadfast on the battlefield and inflicted heavy damage on the Zionist regime after 75 days of Israeli crimes and mass murders as part of its scorched-earth policy," he said.

Israel waged the devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out a surprise operation against the occupying entity in response to its decades-long violence against Palestinians.

The bloodiest-ever war on Gaza has so far killed nearly 20,000 people, mostly women and children and injured more than 52,000 others, with thousands more believed lost and buried under rubble. The regime has also cut off most water, food and power supplies into Gaza.



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Iran committed to promoting peace in neighboring Afghanistan: Envoy

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 9:09 AM

Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations has expressed the country's resolve to cooperate in efforts aimed at bringing lasting peace to neighboring Afghanistan.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan in New York on Wednesday, Amir Saied Iravani said that international engagements should not only seek a normalization of ties with the ruling Taliban administration or its recognition, but also contribute to improving the situation for people in the Central Asian country.

"Iran remains steadfast in its commitment to close collaboration with neighboring countries, relevant partners, and the United Nations to promote lasting peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan," he said.

"We hope that the de facto authorities will fulfill their international obligations, particularly in upholding their obligations to the neighbors."

The envoy also pointed to the severe threat to Afghanistan and its neighbors posed by the persistent presence of the groups affiliated to Daesh and al-Qaeda terrorist groups.

He further said that Iran has maintained its "active engagement" with the ruling faction in Kabul as a directly impacted neighbor, which is dealing with the repercussions of the situation in Afghanistan and hosting millions of Afghans.

"This engagement was conducted both bilaterally and through neighboring and regional mechanisms..., aiming to enhance and improve the humanitarian situation and facilitate Afghanistan's economic recovery," Iravani added.

He also emphasized the need for impartial humanitarian aid and the lifting of sanctions to support Afghanistan's economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the Iranian envoy criticized Afghan authorities for not taking significant steps to "achieve genuine ethnic and political inclusion" in the country and imposing severe restrictions on women and girls as well as their access to education.

Certain members of the US-led NATO military alliance, especially those accountable for the current situation in Afghanistan, should fulfill their responsibilities to the nation, he noted. Not doing so would be "unfair and counterproductive."

The Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021 after making sweeping advances across the country, which triggered a messy withdrawal by the United States-led foreign forces as well as the rapid collapse of the country's security forces.

The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, despite the fact that no Afghan national was involved in the attacks. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans died in the US war of aggression on the country.

After its withdrawal, Washington imposed sanctions on Afghanistan and blocked its assets.

Foreign aid has also declined dramatically since then and the country's key central bank assets have been seized by the United States, compounding one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.





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UN slams Israel's attacks on Gaza health sector as 'sadistic'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 9:06 AM

The United Nations has condemned as "sadistic" Israel's attacks on the health sector of the besieged Gaza Strip, as the death toll in the war-torn Palestinian enclave exceeds 20,000 and the UN Security Council delays vote on desperately needed aid.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, warned that the Tel Aviv regime's attacks on the health system of the densely-populated Palestinian sliver had taken "the most sadistic forms."

"Israeli occupation forces' assault on Gaza's health system is taking the most sadistic forms. Hospitals & medical personnel are sacred, especially at a time of great destruction, suffering & despair as this senseless war against the people in Gaza," she said.

Albanese's warning comes amid the regime's continuous missile attacks on hospitals and health workers across the Gaza Strip despite global outcry.

Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's atrocities against Palestinians.

Since the start of the US-backed offensive, the Israeli regime has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 52,586 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble.

Earlier this week, Doctors Without Borders said six of its staff were among hospital workers and patients who were stripped, bound, and interrogated by invading Israeli troops after they took over al-Awda Hospital.

The hospital remains under military siege, leaving the entire northern part of the Gaza Strip without any type of medical service.

Late last week, the World Health Organization sounded the alarm about Israel's destruction of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the city of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip amid reports that the regime's forces buried Palestinians alive at the facility's courtyard during the operation.

Life-saving aid in acute shortages in Gaza: UN chief

Separately on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on X that life-saving aid remained "severely" restricted in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

"Intense fighting, lack of electricity, limited fuel & disrupted telecommunications severely restrict the @UN's concerted efforts to provide life-saving aid to people in Gaza," the UN chief warned.

Guterres's remarks came as the UN Security Council again postponed voting on a resolution aimed at sending more humanitarian assistance into the war-ravaged enclave.

"Conditions to allow for large-scale humanitarian operations need to be reestablished immediately," Guterres said.

UN reports 'war crime' in Gaza City

In yet another development on Wednesday, Israeli military forces had ordered immediate mass evacuation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

The order covers around 20 percent of the central and southern parts of the city, which was home to more than 111,000 people before the outbreak of the current war. It now includes 32 shelters housing over 141,000 internally displaced people coming from northern Gaza.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the notification of the forced relocation was announced online on Wednesday.

"The scope of displacement resulting from the order to evacuate is unclear," the UNOCHA said in a report.

The UN agency, citing the UN Human Rights Office, also reported that Israeli forces had killed at least 11 Palestinian men and wounded an unspecific number of women and children in a residential building in Gaza City in "what may amount to a war crime."

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Hezbollah fires several rockets at northern occupied Palestine

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 8:40 AM

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has carried out rocket attacks on a town in northern occupied Palestine close to the border with Lebanon, in response to Israel's continuous assaults against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

A Hezbollah statement reported that the group fired salvos of artillery rounds and rockets toward the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona at 12:15 am on Thursday.

"In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza and in solidarity with their brave and honorable resistance, and in response to the Israeli enemy's persistent targeting of villages and civilian homes, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance at 12:15 am on Thursday, December 21, 2023, targeted the settlement of Kiryat Shmona (the occupied town of Al-Khalsa) with a salvo of Katyusha rockets," the statement said.

In a statement later in the day, the resistance group noted that its fighters launched incendiary rockets at the Biranit Woodlands in response to an earlier Israeli strike, reiterating that it would not hesitate to defend Lebanese villages and towns and would respond to the enemy's aggressive actions.

The latest attacks came a day after the movement targeted multiple Israeli military positions in close proximity to the border between Lebanon and the occupied territories.

The resistance stressed that the operations took place in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who have come under a relentless Israeli war.

The Israeli military has been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since October 7, when it launched a war of genocide on the Gaza Strip, prompting retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the besieged territory.

The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the regime continues its onslaught against Gaza.

So far, the Israeli military aggression has claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people across Gaza.

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Dec. 20: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 7:52 AM

By Press TV Website Staff



Amid the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has already claimed the lives of more than 20,000 Palestinians, most of them children and women, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on December 20, Wednesday, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Dec. 20:

A tunnel entrance east of the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza was boody-trapped, due to which a vehicle carrying Israeli soldiers was blown up as it approached the tunnel, resulting in heavy casualties.



An Israeli military installation in the Al-Mughraqa area in the central Gaza Strip was targeted with mortal shells, causing extensive damage.



A booby-trapped tunnel northeast of Khan Yunus in southern Gaza was detonated with Israeli forces inside it, causing casualties.



A Merkava tank belonging to the regime was hit with an 'Al-Yassin 105' shell east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, destroying it.



Two tanks and a troop carrier of the Israeli military were targeted with a 'Shuath' device and 'Al-Yassin 105' shells north of Khan Yunis city, destroying them completely.



Three Merkava tanks were targeted and damaged with 'Al-Yassin 105' shells east of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza.



At least eight vehicles were pounded in the Sabra and Tal al-Hawa areas in Gaza City, which resulted in intense clashes with enemy forces involving machine guns and hand grenades, causing heavy casualties among Israeli regime forces.



A battalion of dozens of Israeli soldiers who were hiding in a building in the Al-Daraj neighborhood northeast of Gaza City were targeted with shells and hand grenades, resulting in heavy casualties.



An Israeli infantry unit in the Saraya area of Gaza City was engaged in clashes, resulting in the killing of at least four Israeli soldiers.



A Merkava tank was hit with an 'Al-Yassin 105' shell in the Tal Al-Zaatar area of Gaza, which is known for the 1976 massacre.



Two Israeli military tanks and a bulldozer were destroyed in the Al-Daraj neighborhood northeast of Gaza City.



A tank and two military bulldozers were flattened in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.



A Merkava tank was hit with an 'Al-Yassin 105' shell east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, destroying it completely.



An Israeli army jeep carrying seven regime soldiers was targeted with an 'Al-Yassin 105'shell in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, destroying it completely



Two Israeli military vehicles were targeted with Tandem shells in the Al-Mughraqa neighborhood in the central Gaza Strip.



A 'Third Eye' site, which provides military and intelligence services to the Israeli regime, was hit with a rocket barrage, causing extensive damage.



An Israeli infantry force and a military bulldozer were bombed east of the Shujaiya neighborhood, causing heavy casualties.



A battalion of Israeli regime forces was targeted east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood with high-caliber mortar shells.



Two Israeli military tanks and a troop carrier were targeted with Tandem shells on Al-Jalaa Street and in the Yarmouk area.



A group of Israeli soldiers were engaged in clashes with machine guns and hand grenades east of Jabalia refugee camp, resulting in casualties on the enemy side.

Hezbollah's operations on Dec. 20:

Eastern sector:

At around 15:00 local time, the Israeli-occupied Al-Abad site, opposite the town of Hula in southern Lebanon, was targeted with heavy weapons, which led to several casualties among Israeli regime soldiers.

Western sector:

At around 16:10 local time, the Al-Rahib site, located on the border between occupied Palestine and Lebanon, was targeted with Burkan missiles, causing extensive damage.



At around 16:15 local time, artillery positions of the Israeli regime military in Khirbet Maar camp along the border with Lebanon were pounded with rockets.



At around 16:45 local time, an Israeli outpost in the vicinity of the Birkat Risha site near the Lebanese border was targeted with appropriate weapons, inflicting casualties on the enemy force.



At around 17:15 local time, two Israeli military helicopters were hit above Shtoula and Evan Menachem.



At 17:15, two Israeli military helicopters flying over Shtoula, Shomira and Evan Menachem were targeted with surface-to-air missiles, forcing them to leave the airspace.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Dec. 20:

US troops stationed at the Ain al-Assad military base in western Iraq were targeted with rockets, causing extensive damage.

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President Raeisi: Caucasus must not turn into battleground for foreign states

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 7:50 AM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has warned of attempts by extra-regional countries to gain foothold in the Caucasus, saying the region must not turn into a battleground for other states.

The Iranian chief executive made the remarks on Wednesday night during a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"The Islamic Republic's policy toward the Caucasus is fixed," he said, adding that the region "must not turn into a field of competition between extra-regional countries, and its issues should be resolved by regional countries and away from foreign meddling."

Commenting on Armenia's plan to develop road and railway connection routes between the two countries as well as regional states, Raesi said Iran supports any such plan which he described as an effective step to cement peace and protect the interests of neighboring countries.

The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any measure aimed at opening communication routes and infrastructures in the region while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, he said.

The Iranian president, meanwhile, called Tehran's successful hosting of the 3+3 meeting in October a "constructive step" to strengthen regional cooperation and improve ties between regional countries.

"Developing relations with neighbors and strengthening relations to ensure mutual interests and the interests of regional countries is the fundamental policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Raesi added.

Pashinyan, for his part, said the increased interactions between the top officials of both countries indicates that the two neighbors are determined to expand their bilateral ties in all fields.

The 3+3 format cooperation mechanism features the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Addressing the second 3+3 regional platform meeting, dubbed Time for Peace, Cooperation, and Progress in the South Caucasus, in Tehran on October 23, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed support for the format as an effective mechanism to resolve the disputes in the Caucasus without foreign interference.

He also highlighted the need for regional countries to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Situated in the South Caucasus, the landlocked region of Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the heart of a long-running dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan took full control of the breakaway Karabakh region in September following a 24-hour military operation against pro-Armenian forces.

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Israeli forces raid several areas across West Bank overnight, arrest people

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 6:16 AM

Israeli forces have continued their large-scale raids in several areas across the occupied West Bank, triggering violent confrontations with local Palestinian residents, amid the regime's continuous bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

According to a report by Palestine's official WAFA news agency, Israeli troops stormed Palestinian-owned houses in a number of cities, towns, and villages in the West Bank on Wednesday, arresting several people.

Clashes erupted following the raids, with the occupying regime's forces firing live ammunition and stun grenades at Palestinian youths. There were no initial reports of injuries.

Israeli forces raided the towns of Ya'bad, Qalqilia, and Azzun, as well as the cities of al-Bireh and Jericho and its adjacent refugee camp Ein el-Sultan.

They also stormed the towns of Beit Ummar, Bani Naim, and al-Dhahiriya, as well as Beit Liqya, Nahalin, and the village of Tuqu.

Israeli forces have recently been conducting overnight raids and killings in the northern occupied West Bank, mainly in the cities of Jenin and Nablus, where new groups of Palestinian resistance fighters have been formed.

Israel has intensified its attacks against Palestinians throughout the West Bank since October 7, when it launched a devastating war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

More than 300 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured by Israeli troops in the West Bank over the past two months.

In Gaza, at least 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 52,000 others wounded, while many people are still trapped under the rubble.

The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Iran FM hails South Africa's firm support for Palestine, calls for joint efforts against Israel

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 6:03 AM

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has hailed South Africa's strong position in support of the innocent people of Palestine in the face of Israel's deadly war on the Gaza Strip.

Both Iran and South Africa have taken firm positions against Israeli atrocities and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people since the occupying regime waged the war on Gaza over two months ago.

In a Wednesday phone conversation with his South African counterpart, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Amir-Abdollahian praised the African nation's "clear" and "firm" position on the subject.

He also highlighted the importance of joint efforts by the two countries to condemn Israel's crimes and take practical measures aimed at ending the war and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The chief Iranian diplomat also expressed satisfaction with developing relations between the two countries.

Pandor, for her part, said Pretoria pursues a clear and transparent policy on the need to support the Palestinian people and put an end to the Tel Aviv regime's atrocities.

She added that the South African government has submitted a written request to the International Court of Justice to probe into the crimes committed against the Palestinian people.

Israel waged the bloody war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 53,000 others.

Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under "complete siege" by Israel.

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Pres. Raeisi: Palestine number one issue of region, world

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 2:21 AM

Amid the Israeli regime's ongoing genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi considers the issue of Palestine to be the "most essential" issue of the region and the entire world.

The Iranian chief executive made the remarks in a Wednesday phone call with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

"The Islamic Republic is prepared to cooperate with other countries towards restoration of the Palestinian nation's legitimate rights," Raeisi added.

The Israeli regime began the war on October 7 following an operation staged by Gaza's resistance movements. More than 20,000 people, most of them women and children, have been killed since the onset of the Israeli military campaign.

Also on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out the prospect of any ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, alleging that the regime would sustain the war until all of its "objectives" were met.

The Iranian president expressed gratitude towards the Kuwaiti emir over his country's support for the Palestinian nation's rights, and its opposition to normalization of relations with the "bogus and occupying Zionist regime."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Raeisi said the Islamic Republic's policy revolved around fortification and expansion of relations with the country's neighbors.

In the same context, the Iranian president stressed that "integrity, cooperation, and synergy" among neighbors was the only means of resolution of the regional issues and provision of collective interests, considering foreign presence in the region to be a source of problem.

For his part, the Kuwaiti official said his country's position concerning the need for restoration of Palestinians' rights was "constant and unchangeable."

He voiced hope that the regional problems be resolved as soon as possible and peace, stability, and security be established across the region.

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Vietnam's fraternal ties with Russia are put to the test

Communist-era alliance endures, but Hanoi is diversifying arms suppliers and international partners.

By Luna Pham for RFA 2023.12.21 -- Across Southeast Asia, no nation has such a close and long-standing relationship with Russia as Vietnam. Moscow is not only one of Hanoi's few trusted "comprehensive strategic" partners, but for decades has been its main defense supplier.

This special "traditional and fraternal" relationship, however, is now facing its most serious test as Hanoi seeks to diversify its international relationships and cozies up to the West.

Six Kilo submarines

There is no greater symbol of the increasingly complex defense relationship than the six state-of-the-art Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam purchased from Russia in December 2009.

The US$2 billion contract signed by the-then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung remains Vietnam's biggest ever arms deal and involves costly ongoing maintenance.

Dubbed the "black hole" for its stealthiness, the diesel-electric submersible was said to be in high demand, but the contract was signed and executed promptly to help Vietnam meet its defense needs.

In just eight years, the six submarines were manufactured and delivered to Cam Ranh Naval Base in central Vietnam where they've been sitting quietly since. Not much has been heard about them until this July, when the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party mentioned them in his just-released book on Vietnam's defense strategies.

"[B]uying six Kilo-class submarines all at once was not entirely the best option if you look at it from an international angle, considering their effectiveness and deterrence capabilities," wrote Nguyen Phu Trong.

Those rare if cryptic words from Vietnam's top political leader may point to a certain amount of political infighting, but they also may signal a reconsideration of the role of Russia as the country's main - and in some areas the only - military equipment supplier.

The dependence on Russian arms was rooted in the Vietnam War. According to official sources, in the period between 1961 and 1964, the Soviet Union provided North Vietnam with more than $200 million worth of weapons and military equipment, which served as the backbone of the North Vietnamese navy and air force.

Military aid was doubled in 1965 to $210 million in one year alone and increased to $910.7 million in the three following years. The majority of North Vietnam's arsenal then was from the USSR.

Hanoi still is Russia's biggest arms buyer in Southeast Asia, accounting for more than 60% of its regional sales. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, between 1995 and 2021, Vietnam imported $9.1 billion worth of weapons and military equipment, among which Russia accounted for $7.4 billion or 81.6%.

Major buys were, apart from the six submarines, Sukhoi Su-30MK2 multirole aircraft, Gepard 3.9 class frigates, patrol and fast attack ships, T-90SK main battle tanks and Bastion coastal defense missile systems.

"Vietnam's dependence on Russian arms was further exacerbated by the fact that it could not find alternative and reliable sources of imports," Le Hong Hiep, coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Programme at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, recently wrote.

"Arms from Western countries were generally less affordable than Russian arms. Even if Vietnam could afford them, some would not be available due to sanctions and export controls," Hiep wrote.

According to the researcher, the reduction in Russia's arms sales to the region in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has made it "imperative for Vietnam to accelerate its diversification of arms imports away from Russia."

Diversification

"Although the Vietnam People's Army is likely to depend on equipment originally supplied by Russia for years to come, for multiple reasons Hanoi has begun to diversify its military procurement and to rely less on Russia," according to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in March.

An international arms trade fair was held in December 2021, in Hanoi. Vietnam Defence 2022 helped "diversify defense equipment procurement sources," said Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the opening ceremony.

The fair also aimed at "introducing Vietnam's defense capabilities and Vietnamese-made weapons to our international friends," according to Maj. Gen. Nguyen Viet Hung, deputy political commissar of the army's General Department of Defense Industry.

"The diversification is happening now," said Nguyen The Phuong, a Vietnam military specialist at the University of New South Wales. "Vietnam's engaging with other arms manufacturing countries such as South Korea or the Czech Republic.

"Another approach is to develop a strong domestic defense industry, which has already yielded some initial results," Phuong said.

"But it is a long-term goal. In the short term, the best option from Vietnam's perspective would still be to rely on Russian supply because there is no alternative for big ticket items," he added.

Reuters reported that Vietnam and the United States are negotiating the sale of a number of F-16 fighter jets to Hanoi, after the two countries established a so-called comprehensive strategic partnership in September.

Vietnam, however, continues to pursue large-scale arms procurement from Russia. Radio Free Asia saw an official document dated May 27, 2023, and signed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, informing the Russian government of Vietnam's interest in "a new loan from the government of the Russian Federation for Vietnam to purchase Russian-produced weapons and military equipment."

In July and August, Vietnamese officials including Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien made several visits to Russia "to promote defense cooperation."

Chien was quoted as saying that Vietnam plans to make "every effort to implement" the plans that were agreed with Russia.

"Vietnam will always be with you in any conditions," he said.

'Mr. Soviet Union'

"I think it's fair to say that Hanoi and Moscow have a special relationship that's built on a history of politics, ideology, but also a relationship that developed during a crucial stage of the history of the Communist Party," said Jonathan London, a Vietnamese expert at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

"It's important for people in the U.S. and around the world to appreciate that it's an absolutely important and significant part of Vietnam's history, politics, political culture, it's not something that is going to disappear," London said.

A large proportion of the Communist Party and state personnel were trained in the former Soviet Union. According to official statistics, from 1950 to the present day more than 50,000 Vietnamese were educated in the USSR, and after that, Russia. Some of them became successful, such as Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vietnam's leading business VinGroup, or Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, CEO of VietJet Air.

Although Soviet scholarships are no longer on offer, there are still an estimated 6,000 Vietnamese students studying in Russia, mostly in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Besides the students, around 200,000 factory workers were also sent to all corners of the Soviet Union between 1980 and 1989. Many of them remained there after the collapse of the USSR.

The connection was particularly strong during the Vietnam War and immediately after, when the Soviet Union was the sole supporter of Vietnam's post-war economy.

Some 13,500 Vietnamese officers underwent training in Soviet military academies and schools and nearly 11,000 Soviet military advisors were sent to North Vietnam during the war.

In 1965, the USSR agreed to supply North Vietnam with financial aid, military equipment and advisers.

China was another wartime ally, but Moscow's influence was predominant during the 1970s and 1980s when Beijing and Hanoi severed ties after the Vietnamese leadership accused China of "betraying Vietnam's revolution" and "making a deal with U.S. imperialists behind our back."

Since the departure of the last French troops from North Vietnam in 1954, most foreigners seen in areas above the 17th parallel - the demarcation line between North and South - were from the USSR. Until the 1990s, the Vietnamese still referred to any Caucasian-looking person on the street as "Ong Lien Xo," or "Mr. Soviet Union."

Hanoi is probably the only city outside the former Soviet Union that still hosts not only a Lenin statue but also one of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the fearsome Soviet secret police chief.

Russian businesses still play an important role in Vietnam's economy, with three Russian state-owned energy companies - Zarubezhneft, Gazprom and Rosneft - operating there. Oil contributes trillions of dong in revenue for Vietnam's government budget, and the presence of Russian firms has also been seen as a sign of support for the country's sovereignty claims in disputed areas in the South China Sea, where Western oil companies withdrew under China's threats.

With such strong historical and strategic connections, it's easy to understand why Hanoi took a neutral stance and refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2021.

Yet criticism has emerged as Vietnam has opened up to the West for both political and economic purposes. Ordinary people now care more about their living standards and education than the past wars and ideologies.

And that shift in attitude has become more and more noticeable. Political commentator Pham Gia Minh, who also went to university in Russia, said that the war in Ukraine was a divisive issue, even in his family.

"My son is supportive of Ukraine and he often argues with me about Russia. Among my friends, too, there are people who hate the war and Putin."

Jonathan London from Leiden University said that the war in Ukraine caused a significant fracture in Vietnam's political system.

"I think that many people in Vietnam's party and state that historically have a lot of sympathy and experience with Russia were absolutely appalled and outraged by this war," he said. "In Vietnam's ministry of defense, the army, the political elite, there is a deep concern, reservation and even anger."

Hanoi's balancing act

Hanoi is now facing the real test of how to navigate between world powers such as Russia, China, Europe and the United States.

"American influence is probably the strongest at the moment, especially over young people. But Russia has its clout in military matters and also in the exploration of natural resources, such as oil and gas," Pham Gia Minh said. "So, Hanoi wishes to maintain traditional ties with Russia and not have to pick sides."

Vietnamese strategists have recently spoken about "bamboo diplomacy" - an increasingly popular concept among countries in Southeast Asia, symbolized by the ability of the bamboo plant to bend with the wind but never break.

The Vietnamese leadership has been promoting the motto, "Be friends with every country in the world," while maintaining the "Principle of Three No's" (no partaking in military alliances, no siding with one country to act against another, and no foreign military bases on Vietnamese territory) in its defense policy.

Even foreign ship port calls are divided equally among partner states.

"The key for Vietnam and its leadership is how skillfully they can cultivate the relationships that promote their best interests," London said.

The invasion of Ukraine has put Vietnam "between a rock and a hard place," said Carl Thayer, a veteran Vietnam expert from the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia.

The Communist Party in 2021 "approved the most ambitious military modernization program in Vietnam's history," according to Thayer, who noted that with $7.4 billion worth of arms sales during 1995-2021, Russia still tops the list of military providers to Vietnam by a very large margin.

"The main challenges for the Hanoi leadership at the moment are to avoid U.S. and Western sanctions for purchasing arms and military technology from Russia and to maintain a high economic growth," he said. "Western arms would be much more expensive, less bang for the buck."

Military training is another issue to be addressed. A large proportion of Vietnam's army personnel was trained in Russia and will have to be re-trained if they switch to Western systems.

"Vietnam is currently giving priority to MRO - maintenance, repair and overhaul - for its aging Russian legacy weapons and platforms," Thayer said. "If Vietnam doesn't act quickly its capabilities will decline."

Edited by Mat Pennington and Jim Snyder

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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US religious freedom commission urges Thailand not to deport Hmong activist to Vietnam

Thai authorities arrested Lu A Da, head of the Hmong Human Rights Coalition, on Dec. 7.

By RFA Vietnamese 2023.12.21 -- The vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called on Thailand not to extradite Hmong preacher and human rights activist Lu A Da back to Vietnam.

Frederick Davie issued the call following a Dec. 13 Radio Free Asia report on Lu's arrest by Thai police. Authorities later detained him at Bangkok's Immigration Detention Center.

Thai police arrested Lu, a former missionary and preacher at the Northern Evangelical Church of Vietnam and head of the Hmong Human Rights Coalition, at his rental home in Bangkok on Dec. 7.

His arrest occurred two weeks after he publicly denounced the Vietnamese government's "systematic suppression of Hmong communities in Vietnam."

Lu and his family fled Vietnam in 2020 to escape ethnic and religious persecution and entered Thailand illegally to seek official refugee status.

"USCIRF is concerned for Lu A Da, a Hmong activist & preacher who fled religious persecution in Vietnam," Davie posted on the X account of the commission, an independent, bipartisan U.S. government entity that monitors, analyzes and reports on threats to religious freedom worldwide.

"He is currently detained by the Thai Royal Police, & is facing potential deportation back to Vietnam due to his activism," he said.

The same day, USCIRF Commissioner Eric Ueland tweeted on the commission's X account that the "Biden administration must raise with Thailand its practice of deporting members of vulnerable religious minorities back to home countries where they face persecution, detainment, & torture."

Thai immigration authorities have detained other Vietnamese victims of religious persecution who entered Thailand illegally to escape repression by the Vietnamese government.

More than 1,000 Hmong asylum seekers live in Thailand, according to the Hmong Human Rights Coalition. Because Thailand has not ratified the U.N.'s refugee convention, authorities can arrest asylum seekers without providing justification.

Life may be at risk

On Thursday, Lu's wife, Giang Thi A, told RFA that she was concerned about her husband's possible deportation to Vietnam and that the Center for Asylum Protection was trying to get him freed on bail.

"As he is a human rights activist, the Vietnamese government hates him, and the return would put his life at risk," she said.

After Lu's arrest, the U.N.'s refugee agency in Bangkok granted refugee status to her husband and the rest of his family, she said.

Vang Sao Gia, a member of the Hmong Human Rights Coalition and a refugee in Thailand, said he suspects that the Vietnamese government was involved in the arrest of Lu, who managed the civil society organization, and of other Vietnamese who have sought refuge there.

"Previously, when [Vietnamese] refugees were arrested, I used to think that they were just unlucky," he said. "However, after the recent arrests of a couple of Montagnard people and then of our organization's members, I have grounds to suspect that the Vietnamese government is involved."

In late November, Thai police arrested 11 members of the Montagnard ethnic minority in a raid near Bangkok and are detaining them at the Immigration Detention Center.

Like the Hmong minority, about 1,500 Vietnamese Montagnards have sought freedom from persecution in Thailand.

If deported to Vietnam, the refugees could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison under the Penal Code for "fleeing the country or remaining abroad to oppose the people's government."

Translated by Anna Vu for RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Like his father, Hun Manet vows to end illegal logging

The country still has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world.

By RFA Khmer 2023.12.21 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on officials in his new government to end illegal logging in the country, which remains a problem despite similar pledges from his father, longtime strongman Hun Sen.

Hun Manet, who was handed the reins to the government by his father in August, used an annual meeting at the country's Ministry of Environment to speak on the subject of deforestation for the first time.

He thanked Cambodians for sharing evidence of illegal logging on his Facebook page and told officials they already had the power to stop it.

"I issued orders to relevant institutions to study the law, otherwise we will have problems," Hun Manet said. "You have swords in your hands. I still stand behind you. You need to implement the law."

The prime minister ordered Sao Sokha, who commands Cambodia's national military police force and is the chairman of a task force on deforestation, to work with relevant ministries to stop illegal logging.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth promised harsher punishments, saying the government would end its practice of releasing perpetrators after they pledged not to repeat their offenses.

Rocket attacks

In his pledge to crack down on the practice, Hun Manet was reiterating similar declarations made more colorfully by father. Hun Sen called for rocket attacks against illegal loggers and once famously promised to cut off his own head if the practice continued under his watch.

And yet it has continued. Global Forest Watch, which tracks forest decline, has said that Cambodia lost 557,000 hectares of tree cover in protected areas between 2001-2018, or 11.7% of the total. Its rate of loss exceeds that in countries where illegal logging is also a problem, like Brazil and Indonesia, the group said.

A 2022 report from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, a Switzerland-based group that includes law enforcement officials, said in a 2022 report that "rings of illegality" - corruption from the local to the national level and in government and business - allows illegal logging to flourish.

The country's tax base is too small to support the political and military infrastructure, which requires alternative forms of income, including illegal timber sales, the group said.

Forest protection advocates said they welcomed Hun Manet's statement but that the systemic illegality that allows illegal logging to continue will be tough to root out.

Hat Nai, an environmentalist who has pushed for more protection of the Preah Roka wildlife sanctuary in northern Cambodia, said rampant corruption leaves the forests unprotected.

"Regulations are just regulations, but the lower level officials cannot implement them because thieves have colluded with the police," Hat Nai said. "There is no elimination of forest crime. Clearing forest land is happening all over the sanctuaries."

Out Latin, the protect coordinator for the Cambodian Youth Network, which has also urged more action against illegal logging, told RFA that he welcomed Hun Manet's pledge to protect the forest but was skeptical his directive would be implemented.

He said when activists have presented evidence of illegal logging environmental officials in the past have not acted, continuing to grant timber concessions to companies that are alleged to have logged in prohibited areas.

Translated by Yun Samean, and edited by Jim Snyder and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Hamas Military Wing Says Israel Needs to Stop Aggression to Return Hostages Alive

Sputnik News

20231221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - If Israel wants to return the hostages alive then it needs to stop its aggression, the military wing of Palestinian movement Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, spokesman Abu Obaida said on Thursday.

"If the enemy [Israel] and its people want to get their hostages alive, they have no choice but to stop the aggression and start negotiations through known channels with the help of intermediaries," Obaida said in a video message broadcast by Al-Jazeera.

On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. 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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said.

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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

 Sputnik

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US, Denmark Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sputnik News

20231221

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary Antony Blinken and Danish top diplomat Lars Rasmussen on Thursday signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement (DCA) that will allow the deployment of US troops in Denmark and more frequent joint training between the countries' military.

During the signing ceremony at the State Department, Blinken noted that thanks to the agreement US and Danish troops will be able to train more seamlessly and more often while making the Nordic region safer.

Earlier in December, the United States also signed similar DCAs with Finland, Sweden, and Estonia.

 Sputnik

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Angola Explains Decision to Quit OPEC

Sputnik News

20231221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Angola is quitting the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) due to authorities not deeming the country's role in the organization to be relevant, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing Angolan Oil Minister Diamantino Azevedo.

Angola's decision to leave OPEC comes as a result of its narrowing role, the minister explained, adding that OPEC membership was no longer in the country's national interests.

"If Angola were forced to cut production, it would go against its goals", Azevedo noted.

OPEC seeks to enforce cooperation among global oil-producing leaders in order to collectively influence the international oil market and maximize profits. Angola's announcement comes after 16 years of membership amid disputes regarding oil production quotas.

OPEC's makeup has changed over the years, with a number of countries first leaving, and later re-entering the organization. With Angola's departure, OPEC will now be comprised of 12 states: Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

 Sputnik

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Palestinian Groups Say Will Not Negotiate Hostages' Release Until Complete Ceasefire

Sputnik News

20231221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Palestinian groups will not negotiate the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip until there is a complete ceasefire in the enclave, according to a joint statement released by the groups on Thursday.

"Palestinian groups: There is a Palestinian decision at the national level that there will be no talk of hostages and no exchange deals until the aggression ceases completely," the statement published on Telegram read.

Earlier in the day, media reported that Hamas rejected information that the movement was in talks with Israel on a new deal on hostages held in the enclave.

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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of the conflict, local authorities said.

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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

 Sputnik

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Israeli Military Death Toll Since Start of Ground Offensive in Gaza Rises to 137 - Reports

Sputnik News

20231221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip has risen to 137, The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Thursday, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF announced that three more soldiers were killed in the ongoing battles with Hamas in Gaza's north, which brings the total number of the Israeli soldiers killed in the ground operation to 137, the newspaper wrote.

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 20,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of the conflict, local authorities said.

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 ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Defense Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony With Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen

Treaty Room

Washington, D.C.

December 21, 2023



SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. First, let me just say I'm so delighted to welcome Foreign Minister Rasmussen here to the State Department, to the United States, and for this, I think, very important occasion. We've had the opportunity, Lars and I, to spend a fair bit of quality time at NATO and other places, but it's particularly good to have you here in Washington.

For nearly 75 years, the United States and Denmark have been close security partners and NATO Allies. Our forces are working to protect communities from terror in the Sahel. We're upholding freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz. We're strengthening deterrence together in the Baltics.

Denmark continues to play a leading role in ensuring Putin's war on Ukraine remains a strategic failure.

It was one of the first countries to commit to supplying F-16s to Ukraine and to train Ukrainian pilots to fly them. Earlier this month, Denmark pledged to provide $1 billion worth of tanks, drones, ammunition, and to jointly fund the donation of new Swedish armored personnel characters - carriers, excuse me - all of which will help Ukraine defend its territory and its democracy.

Our countries together are committed to enabling Ukraine to stand on its own, to stand on its own strongly - militarily, economically, democratically. That's why President Biden's supplemental budget request is so critical, and why we'll continue to work with Congress to pass it.

The Defense Cooperation Agreement that we're about to sign will further strengthen security collaboration between our two countries.

When it takes effect, our militaries will be able to coordinate more effectively, even more effectively than they already are. Our troops will train together more seamlessly and more often. We'll enhance NATO's interoperability, allowing our Alliance to better safeguard peace and stability for people all across the continent.

Today's agreement builds on the work that we've done to deepen defense cooperation with allies across the Atlantic - from Northern to Southern Europe, from the Baltics to the Black Sea.

In 2021, we signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Norway. Earlier this month, we signed a similar accord with Sweden. Earlier this week, we signed one with Finland. Collectively, these agreements underscore the shared commitment by the United States and our European partners to bolster European and transatlantic security.

Denmark remains an essential partner in this effort. Lars and I will have a chance to sit down after we sign this agreement, to go through the many issues and the many areas where the United States and Denmark together are dealing with the challenges of our time. We could not be more grateful to have such a strong, such a valued, such an important partner. It gives me a great source of confidence as we head into the future, knowing that our two countries not only remain strongly allied but, after today, even stronger.

Lars, over to you.

FOREIGN MINISTER RASMUSSEN: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I am indeed honored and happy and glad that we could make this happen, and right before Christmas. I think that will complete my working year. I visited you here in January as one of my first international meetings, and this will probably - at least I hope so - will be the last international travel before Christmas Eve. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: My wish as well.

FOREIGN MINISTER RASMUSSEN: Yeah. So, Tony, you and I are from the same generation. We are almost the same age. We have seen history unfold at the same time in our lives, and perhaps that is why we both firmly believe in the transatlantic bond and a close alliance between Europe and the United States.

Denmark and the United States are close friends and close allies, and now we are taking our security cooperation to the next level. The Defense Cooperation Agreement is an important agreement that will bolster our bilateral security and defense cooperation. It will also enhance our cooperation in NATO and in the Nordic region.

And as you just mentioned, you have made similar agreements with our Nordic friends, and we are looking very much forward to welcoming our close Nordic neighbor and country Sweden to NATO sooner rather than later. And this defense agreement is a stepping stone towards a more secure Nordic region. It is a part of a parcel we have made during the last couple of years - enhancing our defense budget, welcoming new members to the NATO Alliance, and now these bilateral agreements. It will strengthen European and transatlantic security at a defining moment in history where we need it the most.

Mr. Secretary, we are facing multiple crises. Russia is still waging a brutal war on the European continent; terror in Israel; a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. And we both know that peace and stability cannot be taken for granted. And in time like this, friends must stick together, and that is what we are doing with this agreement.

So again, thank you, Tony. As I just wrote in your guestbook, you can always count on us, and we will always count on you. And I look forward to our conversation. But first, let us sign this agreement.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

MODERATOR: Good morning. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Rasmussen are signing a Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Denmark. The agreement sets forth the framework for enhanced defense and security cooperation and partnership between our countries. As an original NATO membership - NATO member, Denmark is a longstanding, essential ally and strategic partnership - partner. We look forward to deepening our already close cooperation.

(The agreement was signed.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: All right. We'll hold this one up.

FOREIGN MINISTER RASMUSSEN: Yes. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everybody.

(Applause.)

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UK steps up humanitarian aid commitments to Gaza

The Foreign Secretary will visit Al Arish as the UK continues to urge Israel to increase the flow of aid into Gaza through as many routes possible.

21 December 2023

Foreign Secretary to visit Al Arish to see first-hand the impact of lifesaving UK aid to the people of Gaza

UK supporting delivery of humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza via Kerem Shalom crossing, with 750 tonnes of life-saving food aid arriving in the first delivery yesterday (20 December)

Mark Bryson-Richardson announced as the Foreign Secretary's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with a particular focus on the UK's humanitarian effort in Gaza

The Foreign Secretary will see first-hand the impact of UK aid on a visit to Al Arish, near the Egypt-Gaza border today (21 December), as the UK calls for significant more aid to reach Gaza, through as many routes as possible.

David Cameron will meet with representatives from the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, who are coordinating the relief effort at the Rafah crossing, and hear how the UK's contributions of shelter, blankets and other vital equipment has been providing much needed relief to the people of Gaza.

Together with international partners, the UK is increasing efforts to get greater humanitarian aid into Gaza. The UK will support United Nations World Food Programme to further enhance the new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan through Kerem Shalom.

The first direct World Food Programme aid convoy, made up of 46 trucks, travelled from Jordan to Gaza yesterday (20th December) carrying over 750 tonnes of food aid. A 2 million contribution from the UK will help to get further emergency food assistance to those who need it most.

We continue to urge Israel to increase the flow of aid into Gaza through Kerem Shalom and are exploring other routes to increase aid reaching Gaza, including maritime options.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The UK is committed to alleviating the suffering of people in Gaza. We have already trebled our aid commitment to Palestinians this year and the Prime Minister and I urged Israel at the highest levels to open Kerem Shalom in order to get significantly more aid into Gaza. We need to use as many routes as possible to achieve this goal. We have supported Jordan to deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza and continue to call for significantly more aid to be allowed into Gaza through Kerem Shalom. I am delighted to appoint Mark Bryson-Richardson as the UK's Humanitarian Representative. He is a highly skilled diplomat official with extensive experience working in the region and will drive forward this vital work.

The UK is stepping up its commitment for greater humanitarian aid and fuel to reach civilians in Gaza by appointing Mark Bryson-Richardson as the Foreign Secretary's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Mark is a former UK Ambassador to Iraq and previously headed the Department for International Development's Middle East and North Africa Directorate and the cross-Government Stabilisation Unit.

So far, the UK has announced it will spend almost 60 million in additional humanitarian funding in Gaza, trebling our existing annual budget to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). UK aid will make a huge difference on the ground in Gaza, for example we will be providing coverage kits which are temporary shelters including plastic sheeting and blankets that are desperately needed in the harsh winter weather. The UK continues to reiterate the urgent need for more humanitarian pauses and sustained access for more aid and fuel to reach civilians in need.

The most recent package of 30 million funding, announced by the Foreign Secretary on his last visit to the region, has been allocated to trusted partners on the ground. This includes UNRWA, UNICEF, the OCHA Pooled Fund and the British Red Cross to support the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies, who are providing vital food, shelter and medical supplies.

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African Union peace support operations play an important role in delivering peace and security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Africa.

21 December 2023

Thank you, President.

And I want to start by appreciating the role and the work of Ghana, Gabon, and Mozambique working with the African Union Commission in seeking to develop a framework for UN support to future African Union-led operations. And I think it goes without saying that the UK recognises the important role that African Union peace support operations can play in delivering peace and security in Africa.

The UK voted in favour of today's resolution which represents a significant breakthrough.

As we look ahead, we recognise that more work will be needed to ensure that any future African Union-led operation can access the sustainable and predictable financing that it needs. And that requires clarity on financial and logistical burden-sharing arrangements between the UN, the African Union and other contributors - beyond elements for which contributors would already expect to receive reimbursement.

We also want to ensure that the UN Security Council, given its mandate for international peace and security, is fully involved and consulted from the outset in the development of any peace support operation. This will help us work hand-in-hand with the AU PSC to design accountable, effective and efficient missions of the future.

We very much look forward to working with Council colleagues in the coming months to cement today's achievement and to ensure we have a workable framework that enables African Union-led peace support operations to meet the peace and security challenges faced in Africa and helps to silence the guns.

I thank you.

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Security Council poised to vote on Gaza resolution calling for urgent, safe and unhindered flow of aid

21 December 2023 - After intense negotiations all week behind closed doors at the 15-member Security Council, ambassadors continued consultations into Thursday evening over the latest version of a draft resolution penned by the United Arab Emirates which reportedly calls for urgent steps to allow safe and unhindered delivery of aid to stricken civilians in the Gaza Strip. The United States said it would support the latest draft if the text remained the same, with a vote now anticipated on Friday.

8:30 PM

The US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emerged from the closed door meeting telling reporters that after working hard over the past week, her country was ready to vote on a draft resolution, if compromises made remained in the latest draft.

7.15 PM

Ambassadors are still locked in consultations over the latest draft resolution and it is looking unlikely that they will head into the chamber tonight.

6:10 PM

Council members are in closed consultations on the draft resolution.

5:55 PM

It's been a day of intense activity in and around the Security Council at UN Headquarters but it does now look as if ambassadors are going to go into consultations at the top of the hour, to try and bring the United States on board with a further amended draft which it is hoped will provide new impetus to boost the flow and speed of lifesaving aid to Gazans.

The last draft to go up for a vote was vetoed by the US on 8 December, which was quickly followed by action in the UN General Assembly four days later, when Member States voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, through a non-binding resolution.

The Emergency Special Session of the Assembly resumed and then adjourned on Wednesday with dozens of countries making statements on the crisis.

Avoiding another veto

The Council has been negotiating throughout the week to find language which will avoid a further US veto, having first introduced a draft which called for a "cessation of hostilities", which now calls for a "suspension" of fighting, to vastly increase access for lifesaving aid.

The US argued on Tuesday and in previous deadlocked sessions that any resolution must condemn the Hamas extremist group's terror attacks of 7 October which sparked this deadly and unprecedented surge in the Palestine-Israel conflict, and which led to around 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and the capture of more than 200 hostages by extremists, dozens of whom remain captive in Gaza.

Some countries critical of Israel's offensive have argued in response that any resolution condemning Hamas, must also condemn the Israeli occupation and the thousands of civilian deaths resulting from Israel's military action since 7 October.

According to media reports, a further sticking point for diplomats negotiating the draft resolution has been the setting up of a UN monitoring mechanism which would be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of aid delivery at scale, independent of either Israeli or Hamas authorities in Gaza.

Situation in Gaza

Latest casualty figures from authorities in Gaza report around 20,000 civilian deaths since the Israeli retaliatory bombardment and offensive began, most of them women and children.

As of Thursday there are no functioning hospitals left in the north of the enclave and injured parents stranded in facilities are "waiting to die" there, according to the UN health agency WHO.

Tuesday's meeting

On Tuesday as the Council met to discuss the crisis in the Middle East in a scheduled debate, the UN Special Envoy for the peace process said the whole humanitarian system was "on the brink" of collapse, and also voiced deep concern at the deteriorating situation for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

"I reiterate that security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life," Tor Wennesland stressed.

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UPDATED: Injured patients 'waiting to die' in northern Gaza as last hospital shuts down, amid rising 'catastrophic' hunger levels

21 December 2023 - There are no functioning hospitals in the north of Gaza and injured patients who need surgery and cannot be moved are "waiting to die", the UN health agency said on Thursday, in a plea for a ceasefire to allow more aid into the shattered enclave.

The latest grave assessment from the World Health Organization (WHO) came after UN teams reached Al Ahli Arab hospital and Al Shifa hospital on Wednesday, amid reports of intensifying ground operations by Israeli Defense Forces and continuing airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, in response to Hamas's 7 October terror attacks on southern Israel.

"Patients were crying out in pain, but they were also crying out for us to give them water," said WHO Emergency Medical Teams coordinator Sean Casey, describing the scene at Al Ahli Arab hospital, where medical staff were struggling to cope with "no food, no fuel, no water".

"It looks more like a hospice now than a hospital. But a hospice implies a level of care that the doctors and nurses are unable to provide.... It's pretty unbearable to see somebody with casts on multiple limbs, external fixator on multiple limbs, without drinking water and almost no IV fluids available.

"At the moment, it's a place where people are waiting to die unless we are able to move them to a safer location where they can receive care."

Guterres aid call

Highlighting the need to relieve the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said that "intense fighting, lack of electricity, limited fuel and disrupted telecommunications" had severely restricted the UN's efforts to provide life-saving aid to people in the enclave.

"Conditions to allow for large-scale humanitarian operations need to be re-established immediately," the UN chief insisted in a tweet.

Growing hunger

The high-risk mission to northern Gaza involving the WHO, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) ensured the delivery of seven pallets of urgently needed medicines, intravenous fluids and supplies for surgery and to treat the wounded, along with equipment to support women giving birth.

Important though the delivery of medical supplies to the north is to provide some relief to patients, much more worrying is the growing and already widespread shortage of food and water.

"We are behind. There is not enough food, every single person I speak to everywhere I go in Gaza is hungry," Mr. Casey said, speaking to journalists in Geneva. "The time is now. We are dealing with starving people now, adults, children, it's unbearable. Everywhere we go, people are asking us for food even in the hospital, I walked around in the emergency department, somebody with an open bleeding wound, an open fracture; they asked for food. If that's not an indicator of the desperation, I don't know what is."

Famine risk intensifies amid 'catastrophic' hunger: WFP

More than one in four households in Gaza are enduring "catastrophic" hunger, according to a new food security report published on Thursday by humanitarians, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report confirms that there is a risk of famine in the devastated enclave, unless access to adequate food, clean water, health and sanitation services is restored.

The IPC platform analyses data to determine the severity and magnitude of hunger crises, according to internationally-recognized scientific standards.

This figures show the entire population of Gaza - roughly 2.2 million people - is living with crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity.

It highlights that just over a quarter (26 percent) of Gazans (576,600 people) have exhausted their supplies and coping capacities and now face catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) and starvation.

"WFP has warned of this coming catastrophe for weeks. Tragically, without the safe, consistent access we have been calling for, the situation is desperate, and no one in Gaza is safe from starvation." said Executive Director Cindy McCain.

According to the IPC, there is a risk of famine occurring within the next six months if the current situation of intense conflict and restricted humanitarian access persists.

"These are not just numbers - there are individual children, women and men behind these alarming statistics," said WFP Chief Economist Arif Husain. "The complexity, magnitude and speed that this crisis has unfolded is unprecedented."

Crippling shortages

According to the UN health agency, only nine out of 36 health facilities in Gaza are partially functional; all of them are located in the south.

"There are no operating theatres (in the north) anymore due to the lack of fuel, power, medical supplies and health workers, including surgeons and other specialists," said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative and now acting UN humanitarian coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaking from Jerusalem.

At Al Ahli Arab hospital approximately 10 staff - "all junior doctors and nurses" - have continued to provide basic first aid to some 80 patients now sheltering in a church within the hospital grounds, Dr. Peeperkorn explained. "Some of them are severely injured and have been waiting for surgery for two weeks or have been operated on but are now at risk of post-operation infection due to lack of antibiotics and other drugs. All these patients cannot move and need to be transferred urgently, to have a chance to survive."

Heavy bombing and clashes

According to the UN aid office OCHA's latest update on the crisis, "heavy Israeli bombardments from air, land and sea", continued across Gaza on Wednesday.

The most intense shelling was reported in Beit Lahiya and multiple areas in Gaza city (north), eastern Khan Younis in the south and the eastern and western areas of Rafah city, also in the south.

OCHA also reported "intense ground operations" and continuing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in northern Gaza, Gaza City, the Middle Area, and Khan Younis, along with the firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups into Israel.

Latest casualty figures from Gaza's health authorities from Tuesday shared by OCHA indicated that 19,667 Palestinians have killed in Gaza since 7 October, about 70 per cent are believed to be women and children. More than 52,586 people have been injured, according to the same source, which reported that many more were missing, likely buried under the rubble.

The UN update also noted that two Israeli soldiers were reported killed in Gaza between 19 and 20 December. "Since the start of the ground operations, 134 soldiers have been killed in Gaza, and 740 soldiers have been injured, according to the Israeli military," OCHA said.

New evacuation order

The update also flagged a 20 December immediate evacuation order from the Israeli military covering about 20 per cent of central and south of Khan Younis city. The area was marked in an online map published on social media. Before the 7 October escalation, the area was home to nearly 111,542 people, according to OCHA, which noted that it also included 32 shelters housing about 141,451 internally displaced persons - the vast majority having been previously displaced from the north.

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UNRWA Situation Report #55 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information is valid as of 19-20 December 2023 at 22:30)

UNRWA .

21 Dec 2023

Information is valid as of 19-20 December 2023 at 22:30 (local time)

Day 73-74 of Hostilities

Published 21 December 2023

1. Key points

The Gaza Strip

On 20 December, the main telecommunication provider in the Gaza Strip stated that all telecommunications services were down due to cuts in the main fibre routes in Khan Younis. This followed the longest shutdown (across the Gaza Strip between 14 and 18 December, and a partial resumption at about ten per cent capacity in southern Gaza. Telecommunications blackouts make an already difficult operating environment even worse. As a result, this update provides only partial information about the humanitarian situation in Gaza over the past 48 hours.

This telecommunications cut is the sixth documented since the war began on 7 October.

As of 20 December, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 136.

Since 7 October, up to 1.9 million people (or over 85 per cent of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times. Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety.

(or over 85 per cent of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times. Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. As of 19 December, UNRWA estimated that approximately 1.77 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are sheltering or accessing services in UNRWA shelters. Nearly 1.4 million IDPs are sheltering in 156 UNRWA facilites, across all five governorates of the Gaza Strip, including in the north and in Gaza City and approximately 400,000 are in close vicinity of these installations and receiving assistance from UNRWA . UNRWA shelter information is updated daily to the extent possible. The information for north Gaza and Gaza City was last updated on 12 October due to access constraints and security situation.

. UNRWA shelter information is updated daily to the extent possible. The information for north Gaza and Gaza City was last updated on 12 October due to access constraints and security situation. In the period between 21 October and 20 December, UNRWA distributed 11,977 metric tons (MT) of flour .

. In the same period, UNRWA delivered across the Gaza Strip : 453.3 MT of medicines and medical supplies with a total value of more than US$ 2.7 million. Over 13.8 million litres of water . 2.5 million units of high energy biscuits . Nearly 1.5 million cans of protein-based food , including beans, chicken, beef and canned meat. Over 4.8 million units of dairy food items (mainly cheese). Other food items including dates, cake and juice. Non-food items (NFI) including 60,050 mattresses ; 103,631 family hygiene kits ; over 1.5 million diapers for children and olders persons ; 103,755 blankets ; and 635,169 cleaning supply items .

:

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

On 20 December, one Palestinian child was shot dead by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and ten others including a child were injured due to armed tensions in Husan, in the southern West Bank.

On 20 December, the ISF shot and killed one Palestinian man in his vehicle at a checkpoint in Beit 'Einum, southern West Bank.

ISF search and arrest operations took place in several areas in the West Bank.

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Pacific Partnership 24-1 Concludes Third Mission Stop in Pohnpei

US Navy

21 December 2023

From Ensign Lacy Burkett

POHNPEI, Micronesia -- Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP24-1) concludes 10 days of medical, humanitarian and disaster response and host nation outreach efforts in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, closing out its third mission stop Dec. 21.

This mission stop hosted a fly-in only team of 76 Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP 24-1) personnel. Due to the size of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), the ship was unable to anchor off the coast of Pohnpei. This was Pacific Partnership's third time to visit Pohnpei.

"Pacific Partnership's Mission Team has done an amazing job in their short time in the state of Pohnpei," said U.S. Embassy Kolonia Ambassador Jennifer Johnson. "Their presence has been felt across communities here through cultural events, no-cost dental and optical care, training of health care personnel, community service, and disaster management preparation, adding to our already deep and enduring partnership and ties with the FSM."

Pacific Partnership fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. During the mission stop, personnel from the U.S. Navy and Army collaborated with Pohnpei professionals and U.S. military veterans in Pohnpei to enhance capabilities across medical, humanitarian assistance disaster relief and host nation outreach lines of effort.

"I would like to thank the government and people of Pohnpei for welcoming the Pacific Partnership team into their country," said Capt. Jeffrey Feinberg, commanding officer of USNS Mercy. "I am inspired by the collaboration between our team and the community of Pohnpei that demonstrates bonds of friendship and enduring trust between our nations."

Pacific Partnership is an enduring mission that focuses on multinational cooperation and host nation capacity building in order to ensure a more secure Indo-Pacific.

Throughout their 10-day stay in Pohnpei, PP24-1 forces conducted more than 51 medical engagements, including 737 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 685 prescription glasses and 777 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 29 side-by-side surgeries at Pohnpei State Hospital.

The mission's humanitarian assistance and disaster response leads conducted 2 workshops, which included Pohnpei first responders. U.S. Army personnel, along with U.S. Coast Guard members from United States Coast Guard Sector Guam, hosted one search and rescue exercise in order to increase host nation capability during disaster relief.

Part of the host nation outreach line of effort, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band members performed seven concerts for local schools and the local community around Pohnpei. These concerts contributed to enhancing strong bonds of friendships with U.S. members and the local community.

"Playing music around Pohnpei during Pacific Partnership has been a truly remarkable experience," said Petty Officer First Class Paul Tomson. "Pohnpei inspired us with hospitality, and we hope that we've inspired Pohnpei through music. We look forward to continuing our partnership by making music together in the future."

As part of Pacific Partnership 24-1, U.S. Navy divers from Task Group 73.6 removed and disposed of MV Micro Glory, a derelict cargo vessel, from Dekehtik Harbor. This operation was at the request of the Micronesian Government in coordination with Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and Pohnpei Port Authority. The disposal reduced the risk of future environment and economic impacts in Pohnpei.

Now in its 19th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

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US-Somali Operation Kills a Top Al-Shabab Commander

By Harun Maruf December 21, 2023

The Somali government has reported that a senior al-Shabab commander involved in the militant group's attacks in Somalia and Kenya was killed in a U.S. airstrike Sunday near the city of Jilib.

The government said the operation that led to the killing of Maalim Ayman was the result of collaboration between the Somali Armed Forces and U.S. military.

"His killing is a thorn removed from the Somali people," said a statement issued Thursday by the Ministry of Information.

The U.S. military command in Africa, AFRICOM, confirmed that the strike near Jilib killed one al-Shabab militant and said there were no civilian casualties.

"This is another step to defeat the terrorist group that undermines Somalia's peace and development," AFRICOM said in a statement without identifying the deceased militant by name.

"U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operational security," the statement said.

Al-Shabab has not commented on the reported killing.

Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice program offered a reward of up to $10 million "for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of Maalim Ayman or any individual who committed, attempted or conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of the January 5, 2020, terrorist attack on U.S. and Kenyan personnel at the Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya."

The U.S. accused Ayman of being responsible for preparing the Manda Bay Airfield attack, which killed a U.S. soldier and two U.S. Defense Department contractors. It wounded two other U.S. service members and a third Defense contractor.

The Manda Bay Airfield is part of a Kenyan Defense Forces military base used by U.S. armed forces to provide training and counterterrorism support to East African partners, respond to crises and protect U.S. interests in the region, according to the State Department.

The U.S. identified Ayman as the leader of Jaysh Ayman, an al-Shabab unit that conducts terrorist attacks and operations in Kenya and Somalia. Jaysh Ayman (Army of Ayman) includes foreign militants recruited by al-Shabab largely from East Africa.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the Manda Bay attack and published purported video of the group's emir, Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah, personally meeting the attackers before the operation.

The Al-Shabab video claimed the attackers included a Yemeni, an Ethiopian, a Tanzanian and Somalis.

Ayman is the second al-Shabab commander connected to the Manda Bay attack who has been killed in a U.S. strike. In March 2020, the U.S. reported an operation that it said had killed Bashir Qoorgaab, who was linked to the planning of the operation.

A U.S. airstrike in May injured the head of al-Shabab's external operations, Osman Mohamed Abdi, known as Moallim Osman.

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Hamas Says Israeli Strike Killed Border Official

By VOA News December 21, 2023

Rocket sirens sounded Thursday in central and southern Israel, while Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip said an Israeli airstrike killed four people in southern Gaza.

Hamas said those killed included Bassam Ghaben, the Hamas-appointed senior border official on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The Reuters news agency quoted an Israeli military spokesperson saying Israel was not familiar with the incident.

Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing last week, allowing aid to cross from inspection sites there directly into Gaza instead of having to go to the Rafah border crossing linking Gaza and Egypt.

The Israel Defense Forces posted maps showing rocket alarms stretching from Ashkelon, just north of the Gaza Strip, up to the Tel Aviv area.

Palestinian militants have fired barrages of rockets at Israeli territory throughout the conflict.

Israel's military also said Thursday its forces had carried out attacks against 230 targets in the Gaza Strip during the past day.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said a shutdown of telecommunications services in Gaza made it difficult to report on the situation there, and that aid agencies and first responders "have warned that telecommunications blackouts jeopardize the already constrained provision of life-saving assistance."

OCHA also continued to highlight the arrival of civilians to areas in southern Gaza where shelters are already over capacity, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people "squeezed into extremely overcrowded spaces and in dire living conditions."

In New York, the U.N. Security Council planned to again try to vote on a resolution calling for a pause in fighting to facilitate an increased flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The scheduled vote Thursday follows postponements throughout this week as diplomats work on compromise language to overcome objections that could prevent the measure from being adopted.

On December 8, the United States used its veto power as one of the five permanent members of the council to halt a previous resolution calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which governs Gaza, after its fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7. Israel said 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken in the terror attack. More than 100 of the hostages remain in Gaza.

The Israeli response has killed nearly 20,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel says 134 of its soldiers have died in its ground offensive.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Afghanistan Boosts Russian Oil Imports, Trade Amid Banking Sanctions

By Akmal Dawi December 21, 2023

The de facto Taliban regime in Afghanistan has increased oil imports from Russia, rising from 246,000 tons in 2022 to more than 710,000 tons in the past 11 months, resulting in the expansion of oil trade to more than $300 million, according to Taliban officials.

The means by which the sanctions-burdened Taliban financial sector facilitates substantial payments from Afghanistan to Russia remains unclear.

International sanctions have limited banking transactions with Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in 2021.

The United States has granted exemptions to sanctions, primarily for humanitarian operations, on the condition that they do not benefit Taliban leaders and entities.

Last year, Taliban officials entered into a provisional agreement with Russia to import 1 million tons of gasoline, 1 million tons of diesel, and 500,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas.

"While the Taliban and Russia are under separate Western sanctions, there is nothing that restricts their ability to trade with each other outside of the U.S. and Western financial systems and jurisdictions," Kimberly Donovan, director of Economic Statecraft Initiative at the Wilson Center, told VOA.

The U.S. has not imposed sanctions on Russian oil exports, but Washington and its European allies have implemented a price cap on Russian oil sales, aiming to reduce Russia's revenues for its war in Ukraine.

"The oil price cap is a mechanism to allow Russian crude oil and petroleum products to continue flowing on global markets while reducing the revenue that goes to fund Putin's war," a spokesperson for the U.S. Department State told VOA in written comments.

Russia's oil exports to Afghanistan are deemed insignificant, considering that the country's net oil revenues surpassed $11 billion only in October.

Regional trade

Under the Taliban, Afghanistan's economy experienced a 25% contraction as foreign development assistance ceased, and no growth is anticipated this year, according to the World Bank.

Despite international isolation, the Taliban has sustained robust trade relations with several countries in the region. Imports from January to October 2023, totaling more than $6.3 billion, were 25% higher than last year.

While relations between Islamabad and Kabul have recently deteriorated because of refugee expulsions and security concerns, Pakistan has remained Afghanistan's top trading partner, with Pakistan's exports to its neighbor exceeding $1.37 billion this year.

In November Afghanistan's exports were valued at $227 million, with imports standing at $681 million, as reported by a Taliban official to local Tolonews TV.

Food items and coal are noted as Afghanistan's primary exports to various countries.

"Coal exports reached $252 million in the past 11 months," Abdul Salaam Jawad, a spokesperson for Afghanistan's Ministry of Commerce, said in a short video posted on X.

One Afghan factory, Jawad said, exported 60 tons of raisins to Russia.

Russia' ambiguity

Moscow and Beijing have both maintained diplomatic and trade relations with Afghanistan, but Russia alone has hosted some anti-Taliban figures advocating for the removal of Taliban regime.

"Russia's general policy toward the Taliban seems to be ambivalent, keeping all doors open," Thomas Ruttig, an expert with Afghanistan Analysts Network, wrote to VOA in an email.

"Russia's relations with the Taliban are not so much about Afghanistan, or the Taliban. It is rather one element in the global competition between the U.S./the West and Russia and China."

During a meeting on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya said the Taliban prevented the collapse of the country in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.

However, the Russian diplomat expressed concerns about the risks of terrorism emanating from a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

"It is clear that in order to fully eliminate the terrorists, what is being done by the Taliban is not enough while risks of spillover to Central Asia remain very real," he said.

While Nebenzya called for humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people, Russia has not contributed to a U.N.-led Afghanistan humanitarian appeal this year, which remains 60% underfunded. In contrast, the United States has contributed more than $370 million to the appeal.

Some information for this article came from Reuters.

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Dwarfed by China, Philippines Weaponizes Info in Sea Standoff

By William Gallo, Ron Lopez December 21, 2023

High-pressure water cannons knocking out the engines of a tiny Philippine supply boat. Military-grade lasers temporarily blinding the crew of a coast guard ship. And high-seas chases that have resulted in multiple collisions.

Scenes like this have played out regularly in recent months, as China intensifies its harassment of much smaller Philippine vessels in disputed parts of the South China Sea.

The incidents leave little question about China's vast military edge over the Philippines. But they also reveal the Philippines has something that China does not - a better narrative - according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, and one of the public faces of Manila's new push to expose China's behavior.

"In terms of optics, [the Chinese] are at a disadvantage," Tarriela told VOA in an interview.

Tarriela is part of a government task force trying to counteract China's military advantage by weaponizing information.

Philippine officials call the effort a "transparency campaign" - an attempt to shame China by releasing pictures and videos of its harassment in near real-time, and by bringing boatloads of journalists to witness the incidents firsthand.

The initiative has attracted a wave of media attention at home. Chinese harassment is now a hot topic for TV talk shows and local politicians. The Philippines has also received more international support.

However, even Philippine officials admit they do not know if bad PR alone can deter China, which seems increasingly determined to project power in its neighborhood.

Turning point

The South China Sea territorial dispute is not new. The Philippines has long objected to China's sweeping claims over the strategic waterway, through which $3 trillion of trade passes each year.

The Philippines' previous government, which pursued closer ties with China, played down tensions at sea.

The turning point came in February, when a Chinese coast guard ship used a laser to disrupt a Philippine resupply mission to an outpost near the Second Thomas Shoal, temporarily blinding some of the crew.

When the Philippine coast guard released video of the laser incident, a wave of local and international headlines followed, creating momentum for the transparency campaign, according to some of those involved in the effort.

Sophisticated tools

Months later, Manila not only releases videos of China's harassment, it searches for such content, using increasingly sophisticated tools.

Overhead, drones monitor swarms of Chinese ships in disputed areas. Underwater, cameras accompany Philippine coast guard divers as they cut what Manila describes as an illegal barrier meant to block access by Philippine fishermen.

Perhaps most importantly, the Philippine coast guard now embeds crews of Filipino journalists, including some who work for international news outlets, ensuring that the Chinese harassment plays out in front of the world's TV cameras.

Not only has this given credibility to Philippine government messaging, it also makes lofty geopolitical principles more relatable, said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippines National Security Council.

"We want freedom of navigation. We want a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order. [But] these are complex issues that are not near the gut," Malaya told VOA in an interview at his office.

"People won't understand exactly what they mean unless we show what's really happening on the sea lanes."

Success at home, abroad

The strategy seems popular in Manila. Media personalities and politicians now routinely discuss maritime sovereignty issues. With the added attention, the Philippine coast guard will receive a budget hike for 2024, allowing it to continue its bolder approach.

International cooperation has also expanded. This year, the Philippines and the United States held their biggest joint military exercise to date. The United States and Australia recently conducted joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, and Philippine officials say several more nations could soon join similar multilateral missions.

Ties with Japan are also growing. This week, the Philippines installed the first of four Japanese-made air surveillance radar systems to allow Manila to keep a better watch on disputed areas. Soon, the Philippines and Japan hope to reach a deal that would allow the deployment of military forces on each other's soil.

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries now issue statements of concern and condemnation following each incident of Chinese harassment.

"The Chinese have noticed that, and they're pissed off, to use the technical term," a U.S. diplomat in the region told VOA. "It just means their efforts to divide and conquer haven't worked."

Deterrent effect unclear

It is not clear that China feels compelled to act less aggressively at sea, despite making some tactical modifications.

Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard spokesperson, said China has on several occasions withdrawn its so-called "maritime militia" fleet after being exposed.

He also says Chinese coast guard ships now shadow Philippine vessels from behind, rather than side-by-side, as they sometimes did before the transparency campaign began. That makes it easier for Philippine ships to maneuver, Tarriela said.

China is, however, increasing its use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers, according to Philippine officials.

After the latest water cannon incident earlier this month, China sent 11 vessels inside the Second Thomas Shoal - a possibly unprecedented provocation, according to observers.

"China is escalating," said Ray Powell, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who now works at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.

"What remains to be seen is whether the reputational harm China is suffering will bite hard enough to convince them to seek an off-ramp, or whether they believe their current course can convince Manila to veer from its own course," Powell told VOA.

The Philippines has little choice but to continue its current strategy, in the view of Victor Andres Manhit, managing director for the Philippines at advisory firm BowerGroupAsia.

"What else can we do?" he asked. "Because the only other option is to accept China and its aggressiveness."

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Spread of Fighting in Sudan Displaces 150,000 Children, UNICEF Says

By VOA News December 21, 2023

The spread of fighting in southeastern Sudan has forced humanitarian groups to temporarily suspend operations in some areas, while UNICEF expressed concern about millions of children at risk amid escalating violence.

UNICEF said Thursday at least 150,000 children have been forced from their homes during the past week in Jazeera state, located southeast of Khartoum, Sudan's capital.

The development came as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces announced they had taken control of Wad Medani from the army.

UNICEF said in a statement that Wad Medani is a key hub of resources in the region and was hosting hundreds of thousands of children who had already fled from other parts of Sudan.

"This new wave of violence could leave children and families trapped between fighting lines or caught in the crossfire, with fatal consequences," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. "With reports of renewed fighting elsewhere in the country, millions of children in Sudan are once again at grave risk."

The World Food Program also said its operations were being affected by the spread of fighting, announcing a temporary suspension of food assistance in parts of Jazeera.

"The safety of humanitarian staff, supplies and premises is paramount and must be ensured no matter the circumstances. We urge all parties to adhere to their obligations under International Humanitarian Law for the sake of innocent civilians who so desperately need support," Eddie Rowe, WFP representative and country director in Sudan, said in a statement.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse

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Congolese Voters Share Hopes, Expectations of Next DRC Leader

By Salem Solomon December 21, 2023

Vote counting is underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo after Wednesday's presidential and parliamentary elections, which have been extended into Thursday. Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi is vying for a second term amid a backdrop of instability and conflict, particularly in the eastern provinces.

Tshisekedi, first elected in 2019, faces stiff competition from a range of political opponents, including businessman Moise Katumbi, Nobel laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, and opposition leader Martin Fayulu, along with 26 other registered candidates.

Anticipating the outcome, Congolese citizens shared expectations for their future.

Alice Kilaneko, a street food vendor in Kinshasa, told VOA's French to Africa Service that she expects the next president to focus on "schools, health care, salaries of civil servants and the police." She hopes to see decreased unemployment rates so that she and fellow citizens can live "a good life" and children can "study at ease."

Fabien Mufabule, a barber and a businessman originally from Kindu, capital of eastern Maniema province, said what the country needs is a semblance of normalcy. He expects the next leader "to stabilize our country in terms of security, politics, and the economy, too."

But the elections are unfolding amid a humanitarian crisis. Escalating violence in parts of the country has driven the number of internally displaced persons to nearly 7 million, according to the International Organization for Migration.

A Gallup survey conducted this year found that millions are struggling to afford basic necessities and widespread health issues are prevalent; almost 78% struggle to afford food while 59% battle to secure shelter. The figures are worse than in most other sub-Saharan African countries, signaling a deepening crisis, Gallup reported.

Esperance Mahoro, whose entire family has been displaced due to conflict, told VOA that peace is urgently needed.

"That's what we need because here we're suffering terribly," said Mahoro, who worked as a tailor before being forced to leave her North Kivu province village in the country's east. She now lives in a camp with her child and her husband, facing daily difficulties.

"There is lack of food. We can't find it on time. We are given a small amount for three people and the food can't even last a week," she said. "Sometimes we try to figure out what to do for work, but we can't find any. If peace were to return, my life would undoubtedly change. Because I could go back to our village and do my job well."

Compounding the issue, some 48% of the population suffers from a lack of access to health care, preventing them from carrying out normal activities for their age, according to Gallup. With 0.4 doctors per 1,000 people, the strained health care system is grappling to meet the overwhelming demand, the report said.

Fabien Kashama, one of the medical doctors providing care in the country, hopes for changes in the political class and peace in eastern regions after 20 years of suffering.

"A Congo under the direction of a president who responds to the needs of the population will be a better Congo, a united Congo, a prosperous Congo, a Congo that will be envied by the world because we are blessed," he said.

Others, like student Joyce Tshituala, are focused on security and education.

"One of the things I expect from the future president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is the strengthening of much more security," she said. "I would like the daily life of the Congolese to become less stressful."

Israel Bucunde Asende, a teacher originally from the province of South Kivu, said he expects the next leader to prioritize economic stability and investment in education.

"First of all, stability of the exchange rate, stabilizing the national currency," he said. "The second thing is to invest in education by paying teachers very well, because teachers have a pittance salary."

Gallup analyst Benedict Vigers, who authored the report based on this year's survey, said DRC struggles to meet the needs of its people despite a wealth of natural resources.

The country "is indeed rich in natural resources, but ... it hasn't been able to translate this wealth of natural resources into wealth for its people, who have cited many possible reasons for it," he said. "One of them is conflict, which is obviously right in the eastern part of the country. Corruption is another, and our data, as well this year, shows that 77% of people in DRC feel that corruption is widespread in the government."

Vigers told VOA English to Africa Service's Daybreak Africa radio program that more than half of Congolese adults, 55%, reported feeling unsafe walking alone in their communities at night, underlining the broader impact of armed conflicts on citizens' everyday lives, a trend persisting since 2009.

He added that researchers had to exclude certain parts of the country from the survey sample, where there has been intense fighting with rebels.

"It's worth bearing in mind that this figure of 55% of Congolese adults feeling unsafe doesn't even account for parts of the country that we couldn't survey due to insecurity," he said.

Insecurity also blocked Gallup's ability to survey 19% of the population in 2023, mainly in the eastern regions, where most of some 100 armed groups that populate DRC are active.

Although Tshisekedi's administration declared martial law, which substituted military authority over civilian rule in 2021 in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, conflict between M23 rebels, a Congolese pro-Tutsi militia, and government militias has intensified, leading to significant internal displacement.

French to Africa Service's Arzouma Kompaore, Anasthasie Tudieshe, Byobe Malenga, Zaem Neti Zaidi and English to Africa Service's James Butty contributed to the report.

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Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico

December 21, 2023

President Joe Biden and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico spoke this morning about ongoing efforts to manage migratory flows in the Western Hemisphere, building on the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection that President Biden launched in Los Angeles in June 2022. The President and President Lopez Obrador agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened across our shared border. President Biden has asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall to travel to Mexico in the coming days to meet with President Lopez Obrador to discuss further actions that can be taken together to address current border challenges.

###

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Pro-Iran militias launch 60 attacks on U.S. bases in Syria to avenge Gaza conflict: monitor

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:20, December 22, 2023

DAMASCUS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pro-Iran militias have launched 60 attacks on American bases in Syria since Oct. 19 in retaliation for the United States' backing of Israel during the Gaza conflict, a war monitor reported Thursday.

The attacks, which included rocket shells and drone strikes, have been targeting the U.S. bases in eastern Syria rather than the energy fields that some U.S. bases were built on, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks had recently escalated as the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip continued, noting that the U.S. forces are tight-lipped about their losses.

In previous reports, the observatory noted that these attacks were launched from inside the Iraqi territories and targeted U.S. bases in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border.

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Rising Red Sea tensions rattle global shipping industry, spark concerns of spillover from Gaza conflict

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:07, December 22, 2023

* Over the last four weeks, Houthis, a militant group based in Yemen, have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the commercial ship Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen.

* During a televised speech on Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said, "If the United States targets us, we will then retaliate by targeting U.S. battleships and interests in the region with our missiles, drones, and military operations."

* Analysts say the rising tensions on the Red Sea could seriously affect global seaborne trade and the world's supply chain.

* The evolving landscape in the Red Sea is stoking anxieties among Middle Eastern nations, who fear the conflict could disrupt vital shipping routes and destabilize the region.

SANAA, Yemen, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels are escalating their attacks on "Israel-related" ships in the Red Sea, demanding retribution for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

This surge in tensions has prompted major shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through the critical maritime trade route, raising concerns about potential global economic repercussions. In response, the United States and several other nations are forming a new coalition to safeguard ships navigating the Red Sea.

However, the heightened military presence in the Red Sea, as analysts have argued, may stoke active hostilities, exacerbating concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spilling over into the region.

ESCALATING TENSIONS

Over the last four weeks, Houthis, a militant group based in Yemen, have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the commercial ship Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen.

During his latest tour to the Middle East, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared on Tuesday in Bahrain that the United States is assembling a new multinational coalition to shield vessels navigating the Red Sea.

Austin said that Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain will participate in this joint U.S. mission. The collective efforts will involve collaborative patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

In response, the Houthis said on Tuesday that the new U.S.-led military coalition in the Red Sea would not stop their attacks on Israel-bound commercial ships.

"The coalition formed by America is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam was quoted by the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency as saying.

"As America allowed itself to support Israel by forming an alliance, we also have full right to support Palestine," he said in a statement. "And whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions."

During a televised speech on Wednesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said, "If the United States targets us, we will then retaliate by targeting U.S. battleships and interests in the region with our missiles, drones, and military operations."

DISRUPTED SHIPMENT

Analysts say the rising tensions on the Red Sea could seriously affect global seaborne trade and the world's supply chain.

Salam Al-Asbahi, a retired general of the Yemeni government forces, warns that the Houthi group can disrupt the Suez Canal-Red Sea corridor, which handles about 12 percent of the world's trade by volume.

"They have the capability to cause major disruption," said Al-Asbahi, pointing to the deployment of Houthi military boats along the Yemeni and regional waters, and their control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait at the Red Sea's southern entrance.

The heightened risks are already reverberating across the industry. Marine insurers in London have declared the southern Red Sea a high-risk zone, prompting shipping companies to obtain additional war risk coverage.

Adding to the concerns, four major container shipping companies -- MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd -- have suspended Red Sea sailings since Dec. 15. This, in turn, has driven up freight rates on the Asia-Europe route.

Data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange shows the market freight rate, including shipping and additional fees, was 1,024 U.S. dollars per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) from Shanghai Port to major European ports on Dec. 15, up by 4.1 percent from the previous week.

However, Egypt, home to the Suez Canal, seeks to downplay the impact. While acknowledging the heightened security concerns, Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie insisted on Sunday the disruption remains limited.

He said that only 55 ships have rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope since Nov. 19, compared to the 2,128 that traversed the Suez Canal during the same period.

WIDER CONFLICT

The deployment of a U.S.-led military escort in the Red Sea has heightened concerns about a potential escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spilling over into the crucial waterway.

"The presence of U.S. warships alongside Israeli interests raises the possibility of unintended encounters with Houthi forces," said Al-Asbahi. He also noted Iran's support for both Houthis and Palestinian groups will potentially complicate the regional dynamics.

The evolving landscape in the Red Sea is stoking anxieties among Middle Eastern nations, who fear the conflict could disrupt vital shipping routes and destabilize the region.

Moreover, both the Yemeni government and regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, despite their reliance on the Red Sea-Suez Canal route, hesitate to join the U.S. escort mission and directly engage with Houthis.

Al-Asbahi attributed this partly to Houthi rhetoric aligning with Arab public sympathy for Palestinians. "Their strong stance on the Palestinian issue resonates with many in the region, making it politically difficult for some countries to openly oppose them," he explained.

Further complicating the situation is the backlash among Arab countries against the U.S. policy on the ongoing Gaza conflict, making cooperation with the U.S. coalition less appealing.

"Not a single country on the Red Sea agreed to join the U.S. coalition to safeguard the Red Sea. And only one Arab country joined -- Bahrain. What does that tell us about Biden's diplomatic pull?" said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a U.S.-based think tank.

The Red Sea game now comes to a head, where concerns about maritime security collide with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It remains to be seen whether the U.S. escort operation can navigate these choppy waters without igniting wider regional tensions.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 21 December 2023 - Day 665

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 21, there were 86x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 41x air strikes, 28x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in the east and the south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Tur'ya, Krasnopillya (Sumy oblast), Vesele, Hatyshche, Dvorichans'ke (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area, Russian forces used air support in attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 3x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Also, Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Toretsk (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kurdyumivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 20x Russian attacks east of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 12x more attacks in the vicinity of Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers, with air support, made failed attacks to breach Ukrainian defense in the area. The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Sukha Balka, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Vodyane, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, launched 11x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Pobjeda were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Blahodatne, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x Russian attacks west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Around 25x settlements, including Robotyne, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson and the settlement of Antonivka (Kherson oblast). Also, Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).

Russia did not abandon its intention to drive our units from the left bank of the Dnipro, made 11x failed assaults. The attacks were repelled and Russian forces retreated having suffered major losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continuing to retain their positions and firing for effect on the Russian enemy.

During the day of December 21, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 2x strikes on Russian air defense systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x artillery system, and 2x ammunition depots of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces jointly with helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled nine attacks launched by assault groups of the 95th Air Assault, 14th and 43rd Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of AFU manpower and hardware close to Petropavlovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as two D-30 howitzers.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by the AFU 12th Special Forces Brigade near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire struck the personnel and hardware of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Torskoye (Donestk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy lost up to 190 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 17 attacks, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Belaya Gora, Artyomovo, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, and three pick-up trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, one UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, three Akatsia self-propelled artillery systems, two Gvozdika self-popelled artillery systems, one D-20 howitzer, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery warfare radar were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised, 79th Air Assault brigades near Katerinovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one Giatsint-S self-propelled gun, as well as one D-20 howitzer.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces repelled one attack launched an assault group of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire hit AFU personnel and hardware close to Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 75 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions, artillery fire, and air strikes, the AFU losses amounted to over 70 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one Giatsint-B gun.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 129 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down 29 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Svatovo, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Mayorsk, Gorlovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Peremozhnoye (Zaporozhye region), Tavriysk, Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region), as well as four HIMARS MLRS projectiles.

In total, 553 airplanes and 260 helicopters, 9,928 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,226 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,430 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,547 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Connecticut Man Sentenced to 144 Months in Prison for Attempting to Travel to Fight for ISIS

Thursday, December 21, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Kevin Iman McCormick, 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 144 months of in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between August and October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS. In August 2019, McCormick stated to members of a Muslim community center that "we should support ISIS" and "jihad is the way to go." In another conversation in October 2019, McCormick stated, "I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it's my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it's just my - it's just my time to go bro." When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, "I don't know, I don't know bro - it's gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at....whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That's what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that's what I need, because if I have these things, it's gonna to be very hard to kill me."

On Oct. 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica but was prevented by the Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS. He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.

On Oct. 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its then-leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan. On Oct. 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.

McCormick has been detained since his arrest. On Jan. 12, he pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Field Office made the announcement.

This FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigated the case with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The FBI's JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations, IRS - Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj Patel and Peter Jongbloed for the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and John Cella of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

Topic: Counterterrorism

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Connecticut

Press Release Number: 23-1470

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New Hampshire Man Indicted for Threatening to Kill Three Presidential Candidates

Thursday, December 21, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A New Hampshire man has been indicted in connection with sending threatening text messages to three presidential candidates.

Tyler Anderson, 30, of Dover, was charged with three counts of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another. Anderson was arrested on Dec. 9, and he made an initial appearance in federal court on Dec. 11. On Dec. 14, the court released him on conditions.

"We have seen an increase in threats of violence against public officials and those seeking public office across the country, and I have made clear that these types of illegal threats undermine the function of our democracy," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "We will not tolerate illegal threats of violence directed at public officials or those seeking public office."

According to the charging documents, Anderson sent a series of threatening text messages to three separate presidential campaigns going back to November. On Nov. 22, Anderson threatened to "impale" and "disembowel" one candidate. On Dec. 6, Anderson threatened a second candidate in a series of text messages, including that he would "blow" the "head off" of the candidate and conduct a "mass shooting." On Dec. 8, Anderson threatened via text message that he would "blow" the "brains out" of a third candidate and "kill everyone" who would attend a then-upcoming campaign event.

Anderson faces a maximum of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. A federal district court judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover Police Department and the Portsmouth Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau for the District of New Hampshire is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Component: Office of the Attorney General

Press Release Number: 23-1469

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Kazakhstan To Extradite U.S.-Wanted Russian Cybersecurity Expert To Moscow

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, RFE/RL's Russian Service December 21, 2023

Russia's Prosecutor-General's Office said on December 21 that the Kazakh authorities would extradite Russian cybersecurity expert Nikita Kislitsin to Moscow, although he is also wanted in the United States for allegedly buying illegally obtained personal data.

In late June, Kazakh authorities said they arrested Kislitsin at the request of the United States. Moscow had also requested Kislitsin's extradition to Russia and reportedly urged the Kazakh authorities not to rush to send him to the United States.

According to the Prosecutor-General's Office, Kislitsin is suspected in Russia of extortion and illegal access to online information protected by Russian laws.

Kislitsin is a senior executive at FACCT, a Russian-based spinoff company of Group-IB, one of Russia's top cybersecurity firms, which left Russia in April following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and sold its assets to FACCT.

Kislitsin had been Group-IB's head of network security before migrating to FACCT.

Kislitsin is wanted in the United States for allegedly buying personal data obtained through the 2012 hack of LinkedIn, and servers of Dropbox and Formspring, a now-defunct social-media site that allowed users to receive answers to questions.

One of Kislitsin's acquaintances and the mastermind of the hacks of the U.S. companies, Yevgeny Nikulin, was extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic in 2018 and sentenced to more than seven years in prison. He was released from jail earlier this year and expelled to Russia.

In July, the Moscow City Court sentenced Group-IB's founder, Ilya Sachkov, to 14 years in prison on a high-treason charge.

The court pronounced the verdict and sentence on July 26 without providing details of the case. It is not clear exactly what Sachkov was accused of as the trial was held behind closed doors because the court said the case materials were classified.

Sachkov is one of a group of prominent people, including scientists and cybersecurity officials, to be arrested in Russia on treason charges in recent years. Moscow has faced numerous allegations of being behind cyberattacks on Western countries -- which it has consistently denied.

Investigators have said Sachkov was suspected of passing classified information to a foreign country.

With reporting by Kommersant

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-us-russia-kislitsin- extradition/32741691.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Yearender: Chinese military on vigilance amid grave security challenges

Global Times

PLA shows capability in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Dec 21, 2023 08:55 PM Updated: Dec 21, 2023 10:40 PM

Surrounded by geopolitical security challenges from multiple facets amid a global deterioration in security environment, China in 2023 maintained vigilance, fended off foreign military provocations, and deterred "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, while contributing to global peace and stability through concrete actions including foreign exchanges, joint exercises and patrols, peacekeeping and escort missions as well as international humanitarian aid.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) also saw some major milestones over the past year in terms of equipment development.

The PLA Navy revealed in April the commissioning of the seventh and eighth Type 055 10,000 ton-class large destroyers, a type of warship deemed by experts as the world's best destroyer in terms of comprehensive combat capability.

Shi Hong, executive chief editor of the Chinese magazine Shipborne Weapons, told the Global Times that continued commissioning of Type 055s contributed to the PLA Navy's combat capabilities, as they are powerful escorts of aircraft carriers and can lead flotillas on their own, giving more tactical flexibility to the PLA Navy.

The first hull of a new type of warship, the Type 054B frigate, was launched as confirmed at a press conference by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense in August. This next-generation warship is expected to succeed the PLA Navy's workhorse the Type 054A frigate with comprehensive upgrades, media reports said.

In September, the PLA Army announced the induction of its first armed reconnaissance drone, the KVD002, which analysts said will give the Army more tactical flexibility.

While the PLA Air Force has long been using armed reconnaissance drones like the GJ-1 and the GJ-2, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times that recent conflicts around the world have shown that ground forces should also have its own drones. With the KVD002, the PLA Army's deployment of armed reconnaissance drones will become very flexible, he said.

In November, China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, started launch tests for its electromagnetic catapult system in preparation for sea trials. In response to the reports, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference later that month that the carrier had been holding mooring tests and would continue its construction steadily according to plan.

2023 was also a big year for the country's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong. According to media reports, the Shandong held its first far sea exercise beyond the first island chain in the West Pacific in April, followed by two more later in the year that broke records including aircraft sortie rate.

With one of the Chinese military's main missions being to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, equipment developments have served the combat capabilities, experts said.

In 2023, collusions between "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interfering forces seriously provoked China's national sovereignty and security, as the US not only approved additional arms sales, but also announced plans to send military aid to the island of Taiwan.

US military vessels and aircraft made several provocative transits in the Taiwan Straits throughout the year, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 passed by the US Congress in December also approved training for armed forces on the island of Taiwan, according to media reports.

Part of the PLA aircraft carrier Shandong's far sea exercise in early April was joining the three-day combat alert patrols and "Joint Sword" exercises encircling the island of Taiwan, which came shortly after a provocative meeting between Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen and then US House speaker Kevin McCarthy during Tsai's "transit" in the US.

The large-scale PLA drills involved joint blockade and joint strike as well as seizing of air superiority and control of the sea, creating strong deterrence against collusions between "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interfering forces, and gaining more capabilities and control over the region, experts said.

Besides the Taiwan question, military aircraft and ships from the US, sometimes also from US allies such as Canada and Australia, continued to make frequent close-in reconnaissance operations on China's doorstep, and in some cases, they even accused China of intercepting them.

Under US' instigation, the Philippines has repeatedly stirred up troubles over Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea since August, but saw their attempts restricted by the China Coast Guard one by one.

The US also held military drills and patrols with the Philippines, and gained access to additional military bases in the Philippines, with analysts saying that the US sees the Southeast Asian country as an important foothold in the southern end of the first island chain to contain China militarily.

Signs of Japan's right-wing military ambitions that go along with the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy," including accelerated deployment plan of missiles that can strike foreign countries, have also raised vigilance among Chinese experts.

"2023 has not been a peaceful year. This applies to China because the US intensified the layout of its 'Indo-Pacific Strategy,' but also to the whole world because of the Palestinian-Israeli and Russian-Ukrainian conflicts," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.

Against this background, the Chinese military firmly defended national sovereignty, security and development interests against relentless provocations from the US-led West, as the PLA has strengthened its combat preparedness and worked together with friendly countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region, Song said.

Throughout the year, the Chinese military communicated with foreign militaries through various channels including the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held a number of joint exercises or joint patrols with countries including Russia, Pakistan, ASEAN members and countries in the Middle East, and had vessels visiting countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and South Pacific among others, providing elements of stability to the world, analysts said.

Song said 2024 will see many variables that could cause uncertainties to the world, so the duties the Chinese military have to carry out could become even heavier. "But I'm confident that the PLA has the capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests."

Observers are keen to see when aircraft carrier Fujian will make its maiden voyage test, and what the PLA Air Force will display at the 2024 edition of the Airshow China.

Force of peace

Experts stressed that the Chinese military is not only a powerful force, but also a peaceful force.

China regularly sends troops to UN peacekeeping missions, and 2023 also marked the 15th anniversary of the PLA Navy's escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, with 45 task forces having escorted commercial ships, Chinese and foreign, through the pirate-infested waters, winning wide appreciations from the international community, the PLA Daily reported.

In April, a PLA Navy escort task force conducted an emergency evacuation mission of Chinese personnel in Sudan amid deteriorating security situation in the African country. The Chinese warships not only evacuated 940 Chinese nationals but also 231 foreign nationals under requests by their own countries.

In summer, the PLA Navy's Peace Ark hospital ship visited five countries in the South Pacific, sailing across 12,000 nautical miles and hosted more than 40,000 diagnoses and treatments there.

The PLA Air Force's Y-20 transport aircraft have, for several times, conducted international disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions abroad, including sending rescue aids to Afghanistan and Nepal this year.

The Chinese military contributes to global peace and stability, and it takes concrete steps to carry out the country's initiative of building a global community of shared future, another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times.

"The PLA has always been a force of justice and peace. China never sets off rows, but it is surely capable of resolving them if others impose them upon China," the expert said.

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China-US ties to remain bumpy in 2024 as Washington maintains US-centric, hegemonic foreign policy

Global Times

By Zhang Han Published: Dec 21, 2023 10:48 PM Updated: Dec 21, 2023 10:39 PM

Chinese analysts predicted Thursday that China-US relations will continue to be bumpy in 2024 despite signs of stabilization, as the US will continue its US-centric and hegemonic planning of an international order and deal with China accordingly.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at Wednesday's annual press briefing that the US will continue to engage with China "from a position of strength," per a press release on the State Department's website.

US partnerships in the Indo-Pacific have never been stronger, Blinken said, citing examples of its enhanced trilateral framework with Japan and South Korea, the AUKUS pact with the UK and Australia, upgraded comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam and Indonesia, military pact with the Philippines, new embassies in Solomon Islands and Tonga, and the Quad.

But Blinken also listed achievements in reducing the risk that competition veers into conflict, including the meeting between the two heads of state in November, the resumption of cooperation on drug control, and the communication between the two militaries.

Blinken's remarks are a very typical expression of US-centrism and a divisive world view. It fully demonstrates that the US continues to handle international affairs, including its policy toward China, from a position of absolute advantage, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The US is attempting to maintain a dominant position in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, commanding its allies to suppress and exclude US-defined "competitors" and "rivals," Li said, adding that this kind of outdated "Cold War-era perspective on the world order" brings division and unrest.

The US appears to have gained some supporters, but analysts see it more as yielding to US coercion than faithfully upholding a US-defined regional structure.

The US has mistaken its designs in the Asia-Pacific as a success and misinterpreted most regional countries' wishes for the region; this path also runs contrary to what American people want, as wielding bloc confrontation against China will cause a crisis outside the US and reduce the country's capacity to deal with domestic problems, Li elaborated.

The China-US relationship has shown signs of stabilization with contacts at different levels, to the world's relief, as relations between the world's two largest economies are of global significance, according to analysts.

However, the relationship will still be bumpy in 2024 as US-led and US-manipulated provocations on China's core interests will continue, and US presidential elections will add to the uncertainty.

The recent escalation between China and the Philippines over the dispute in the South China Sea has a strong US influence. A senior Republican claimed he will draft "sanctions from hell" to impose on China if it reunifies the island of Taiwan by force.

US politicians have a tradition of fuelling anti-China sentiment during election campaigns, and China is a "convenient scapegoat" for many of its domestic problems, Li said.

Sun Chenghao, a research fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy in Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that ordinary Americans care little about international affairs, but the US' internal politics is hijacking its foreign policy, particularly in an election year, as candidates use their foreign policy agenda as vote bait and are liable to depart from the path of rationality.

Republicans believe the Biden administration is not harsh enough toward China and are likely to hype China-related topics and stir up troubles, as a stable China-US relationship will benefit Biden's campaign, not theirs, Sun said.

Analysts said that despite the US' destructive role, China will try its best to shape bilateral relations into a more stable pattern and prevent the US from giving free rein to Cold War-style geopolitical tactics, jeopardizing both countries, the Asia-Pacific and the entire world.

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China-Mexico cooperation should not subject to meddling by any third country: MOFCOM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 21, 2023 07:26 PM

Normal cooperation between China and Mexico should not be meddled by any third country, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson Shu Jueting said on Thursday, urging relevant countries to stop acts of economic coercion.

The Chinese spokesperson made the remarks when responding to reported US concerns over Mexico's potentially playing host to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers.

Many Chinese companies in the new energy sector and the electric car industry have entered the Mexican market to engage in trade and investment cooperation, and help boost local green economy. The Mexican government has on multiple occasions welcomed Chinese investment.

Such cooperation is conducted between two sovereign countries, with companies from the two sides undergoing normal commercial activity based on international norms and market principles, Shu said. "Any third country has no rights to intervene and we urge relevant countries to stop act of economic coercion."

On December 17, The Financial Times reported that the US has raised concerns with Mexico over a wave of Chinese investment into the country, with three of China's biggest electric vehicle manufacturers looking to set up plants there.

Considering the recent news about US-Mexico cooperation on investment security screening, Chinese experts warned of a rising risk in which Chinese EV makers will face new geopolitical challenges when investing in Mexico.

Mexico has benefited from the current global relocation of production capacity by global companies and many Chinese companies that have moved to Mexico need to source upstream materials and equipment from China.

China's direct investment in Mexico totaled $2.16 billion between1999-2022, of which $900 million, or 43 percent of the total, was completed in the past four years, with another $2 billion still in the pipeline, according to the Mexican Embassy in Beijing.

Figures from Canalys show that global sales of EVs grew 49 percent to reach 6.2 million units in the first half of 2023, with Chinese market accounting for 55 percent of the sales.

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Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 21, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2023-12-21 20:06

CCTV: Recently, Steven Barnett, IMF Senior Resident Representative in China, said in an interview that China will contribute one-third of global economic growth in 2023. He predicted that higher and more resilient growth is within reach for China in 2024. What's your comments?

Wang Wenbin: We noted that interview. Lately, many international organizations like the IMF and the OECD have revised up their 2023 growth projections for China and are confident in China's economic prospects next year. China is widely considered the biggest driver for the world economy. The research of the IMF shows that faster growth in China has positive spillovers on the rest of the world. A one percentage point increase in China would, on average, increase the level of output in other economies by 0.3 percent.

China has a hyper-scale market with the biggest potential in the world. Macroeconomic policies introduced by the Chinese government have given the economy a strong push. There is ample room for enhanced implementation of monetary and fiscal polices. China's deepening of reform and opening up across the board provides strong impetus for sustained sound economic development. A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation in the world also presents a broad stage for the Chinese economy. All in all, there are more favorable conditions than adverse factors for China's development, the trend of economic rebound and sound long-term trajectory has not changed, and the factors and conditions supporting high-quality development are increasing. We welcome businesses from around the world to continue coming to China for global success. We will continue to expand high-level opening up, improve the business environment, step up intellectual property protection, form an open and globally competitive innovation eco-system and share with the world China's development achievements.

AFP: On Tuesday, the spokesperson said that China's maritime disputes with the Philippines do not represent the entirety of the bilateral relationship and that China was willing to handle them through dialogue and consultation. However, yesterday, the Chinese side said the bilateral relationship is at a crossroads until the Philippines to proceed with caution. Can the Foreign Ministry provide a reason for this sudden change in the tone of the statement towards the Philippines?a

Wang Wenbin: I suggest that you take another close look at the readout that we released on the phone call between Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers. It is absolutely wrong to think that there has been a major change in China's tone on the issue.a

Yesterday, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo at the request of the Philippines. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-Philippines relations face serious difficulty and the root cause lies in the Philippines' change of policy and position, refusing to honor its commitment and repeated provocations that undermine China's legitimate and lawful rights and interests. The bilateral relationship is now at a crossroads. Where it will go depends on what choice will be made. The Philippines must be very prudent about it.

On what you said, I would like to stress that when it comes to maritime disputes with our neighbors, China's position is consistent and clear without any change. Our commitment to properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation has not changed. Our willingness to work with the Philippines to implement the previously reached understandings has not changed. Our policy of working with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea has not changed. Last but not least, our resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests has not changed and will not change.

We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea.

Bloomberg: Reports show that the Chinese leader said Beijing would reunify with Taiwan, but the timing has not yet been decided. Can I get your reaction?

Wang Wenbin: During his meeting with President Biden in San Francisco this November, President Xi Jinping outlined China's principled position on the Taiwan question. He pointed out that the Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive issue in China-US relations. China takes seriously the positive statements made by the United States in the Bali meeting, and the US side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification.a

RIA Novosti: The US State Department's spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the United States would welcome China playing a constructive role in trying to prevent attacks in the Red Sea. I wonder if China is ready to play more active role in ensuring security in the Red Sea region.

Wang Wenbin: The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy. Safeguarding the security and stability of the region serves the common interest of the international community. China stands for protecting the safety of international sea lanes and against causing disturbance to civilian ships. We believe relevant parties, especially major countries with influence, need to play a constructive and responsible role in keeping the shipping lanes safe in the Red Sea.

AFP: Given the continued fighting in Myanmar especially the fighting near planned development along the China-Myanmar economic corridor, does the Foreign Ministry have any new comments on the conflict there?a

Wand Wenbin: We have repeated China's position on the situation in northern Myanmar. China has been working actively to get relevant parties in Myanmar to effectively implement what has been agreed, exercise maximum restraint, actively ease the situation on the ground, properly manage sporadic confrontation events during ceasefire and maintain the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks.aa

China will continue its effort in helping to stop the fighting and promote talks in northern Myanmar and jointly work for a soft landing of the situation in northern Myanmar. We also hope that parties concerned in Myanmar will keep the China-Myanmar border area peaceful and stable and protect the safety and security of Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar.

TASS: Ukraine yesterday added China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) to the list of international sponsors of the war. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: On the Ukrainian issue, China always stands on the side of peace and justice. We firmly oppose relevant Ukraine agency adding Chinese company to the relevant list. We ask Ukraine to correct its mistake at once and undo the negative effect.aa

Bloomberg: There's a report that the Biden administration is considering increasing trade tariffs, particularly on Chinese electric vehicles. Can you respond?

Wang Wenbin: China has made it very clear that there is no winner in a trade or tariff war. The US unilateral tariff increases are against the principles of market economy and fair competition and threaten global industrial and supply chain security. This is textbook protectionism and may have violated WTO's most-favored-nation principle and national treatment principle. China is strongly opposed to it. We urge the US to abide by WTO rules, uphold the trade order for fair competition and provide a fair, just and nondiscriminatory business environment for foreign companies.

China will follow closely what's to happen and do what's needed to protect our lawful rights and interests.

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Top US and Chinese generals resume talks

Leaders of the two militaries hadn't spoken since then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.12.21 -- Gen. C.Q. Brown, the chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Liu Zhenli, in a video call on Thursday morning, putting an end to an almost 18-month-long freeze on direct talks between the leaders of the world's two biggest militaries.

The generals "discussed a number of global and regional security issues," a Pentagon readout said, and "the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication."

"Gen. Brown reiterated the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings," it said, adding that top U.S. general "remains open to constructive dialogue" with his Chinese counterparts.

American military leaders had complained that China's top generals were not picking up the phone, even amid an uptick in near-accidents between the two armed forces over the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, which spurred predictions of an accidental war.

Direct communications were severed by China's military leaders following then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August last year, which led to nearly a year of animosity between Beijing and Washington that finally began to ebb around June.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco last month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and his face-to-face talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the event then led to a pledge from both leaders to reinstate direct military talks.

Biden said after the talks that he hoped the resumption would lead to fewer incidents of brinkmanship and near-accidents over water.

"That's how accidents happen. Misunderstandings," he said of the months of no communication between the two militaries. "So we're back to direct, open, clear communications on a direct basis."

Status quo ante

Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder called the talks a "positive development" but said he could not comment on whether the Chinese side had been receptive to U.S. appeals to revive a special "hotline" for leaders of the two militaries to talk at short notice.

"We're clearly working here to implement what was announced by President Biden and Chairman Xi in November," Ryder said.

"We've said all along that when you have two large militaries, it's imperative that we keep lines of communication open in order to prevent miscalculation and the potential that carries with it as far as risk of operating in certain areas," the spokesman said.

The readout from the Pentagon also said that Gen. Brown stressed the need to return to the annual Defense Policy Coordination Talks between lower-level U.S. and Chinese military officials, which were also canceled by Beijing in the wake of Pelosi's Taiwan trip last year.

Gen. Brown also called for the resumption of direct talks between the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is headquartered in Hawaii, and the commanders of the equivalent Eastern and Southern Theater Commands of China's People's Liberation Army.

However, it did not say whether Gen. Liu agreed to a resumption.

The United States has also sought direct talks between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, who until October was the now-fired but not replaced Gen. Li Shangfu. Gen. Li had refused to talk with Austin until U.S. sanctions against him were lifted, and it is unclear when Xi will appoint his replacement.

A Pentagon official told reporters that the call between Gen. Brown and Gen. Liu was a good starting point for improved military ties.

"It's ... an important step, but it's not the last step," the official said.

Edited by Malcolm Foster. Updated to include comments from Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China Limits Export of Some Technologies Related to Rare Earth Elements

Sputnik News

20231221

BEIJING (Sputnik) - The Chinese authorities have imposed export restrictions on a number of technologies related to the production and processing of rare earth elements, according to a document released by the Chinese Commerce Ministry on Thursday.

In particular, the document introduces an export ban or restrictions on a number of technologies related to the processing of samarium-cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron and cerium magnets.

On August 1, China imposed export controls on the rare earth metals gallium and germanium to ensure national security.

Gallium and germanium are widely used in the production of advanced technological goods, including semiconductors, solar panels, wireless communication devices and optical systems.

Over the past few decades, China has invested heavily in the production and processing of rare earths and has taken a leading position in the global supply chains.

A Sputnik

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British Businesses Wait on Sidelines as China's Economy Struggles

By Lyndon Lee December 21, 2023

Beijing's hopes for a swift return of foreign investors after it began lifting its harsh COVID-19 restrictions late last year were not answered in 2023.

A new survey of British businesses released last week is but the latest to confirm that trend. VOA's Mandarin Service also spoke with British businesspeople who are shifting their investments elsewhere due to uncertainty, global tensions and China's policies.

Problem is Xi

One of those people is David Smith, a British businessman who lived in China from 2008 to 2020 and worked with local factories in China's southern tech hub of Shenzhen. He says he used to be optimistic about investing in China, but Beijing's zero-COVID policy during the pandemic changed that.

"The draconian clearing policy after the 2020 outbreak led to the shutdown of many factories in Shenzhen, where I was located, and what was once a boom turned into a bust," Smith told VOA. "I decided to leave China and also move my supply chain to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam."

It wasn't just COVID, he added; it was also the direction that Chinese President Xi Jinping is taking the country.

"A lot of British businessmen who left China at the same time as me felt that China's future would be ruined by Xi Jinping who only cares about power and not about the economy, so we are no longer enthusiastic about investing in China," Smith said.

Last week's survey by the British Chamber of Commerce in China reflects the waning enthusiasm. According to the survey of about 300 companies surveyed between October and November, 55% said they planned to reduce or maintain investment levels in China over the next year, a slight improvement over the previous year but still worse than any other year since the survey began in 2018.

Expat community shrinks

The survey said British companies operating in China significantly slowed their investment decisions in 2023 due to economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Thirty-four percent of respondents said they now feel less welcome in China than a year ago, citing rising local protectionism, a lack of policy support for foreign companies and a general lack of equal treatment with Chinese companies.

Over the past few decades, new British companies have continued to enter the Chinese market. However, according to the survey, only 1% of respondents had established a presence in China over the past 12 months, down by 2% from 2021, when COVID restrictions were in place.

"For businesses, last year there was uncertainty around operations. Now there's real uncertainty around revenue," said Julian Fisher, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, in an interview with Bloomberg TV on December 11.

While there are no official figures, Fisher said he has heard that the number of British expats in China has dropped to 16,000 from 35,000 before the pandemic, and that many companies have replaced foreign managers at all levels with domestic employees.

Waiting but not out

Peter Humphrey, a former journalist who later worked for more than a decade as a fraud investigator for Western firms in China, told VOA that he thinks the main reason for the pause is the downturn in the Chinese economy over the past two years.

"The British Chamber of Commerce in China has been very pro-Beijing and pro-business for many years, as I recall, and you have to remember that there is a large proportion of businesses in the U.K. that do not want business to be influenced by moral values," he said.

The figures in the survey "represent a mixed signal," added Humphrey, who is currently an external researcher at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies.

"Economic factors make it inadvisable to make new investments in China right now, and the country is much less attractive than it used to be," he said. "But British businesses haven't really realized that it's not a good idea to do business with China under its leaders."

According to the survey, an increasing trend toward local protectionism and self-sufficiency and a lack of policy support for foreign businesses was the biggest factor contributing to foreign businesses feeling less welcome or unwelcome in the market. The next factors were unequal treatment with Chinese companies followed by a lack of channels for communication with the Chinese government.

The survey also shows that the complexity of cybersecurity and IT regulations adds another layer of uncertainty for U.K. companies operating in China.

The Chinese government implemented a newly revised counterespionage law on July 1 in the name of strengthening national security. The new version of the law expands the definition of espionage to include any documents, data and materials related to national security interests.

According to the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, this means any "documents, data, materials, or items could be considered relevant to PRC national security due," which creates potential "legal risks and uncertainty for foreign companies, journalists, academics, and researchers."

Although difficulties remain, there is evidence that optimism is slowly emerging. Of the businesses surveyed, about 46% expressed an optimistic outlook for 2024, which could signal a change if the economic and geopolitical climate improves. However, most U.K. investment businesses intend to wait and see how the situation develops before raising or lowering investment levels.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

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Taiwan question, South China Sea issue stressed in virtual meeting between Chinese, US senior military officials

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Dec 22, 2023 01:19 AM

A senior Chinese military official on Thursday stressed China's stance on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue in a virtual meeting with a US' senior military official, as the two militaries started to resume talks following the recent meeting between the two countries' top leaders.

Top-level communication is conducive to easing tensions and avoiding accidents, but the US must change its hostile stance against China in order to substantially improve the bilateral ties, experts said on Friday.

Liu Zhenli, a Central Military Commission (CMC) member and the chief of the CMC's Joint Staff Department, on Thursday held a video teleconference with CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US, at the latter's request, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on the day.

The meeting between the two heads of state of China and the US in San Francisco has reached important consensus on the resumption of the exchanges and communication between the two countries' militaries, and the two militaries should carry out communication and cooperation based on equality and respect, so as to jointly promote the bilateral ties to stabilize and get better, said Liu.

The key to develop healthy, stable and sustainable military relations is that the US should have right perception toward China, with the premise that the US should genuinely respect China's core interests and major concerns, Liu said, noting that the key should be promoting pragmatic cooperation and boosting mutual understandings.

Liu stressed that the Taiwan question is a pure internal affair of China that does not allow any external interference, and the Chinese military will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The US should earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, speak and act with caution, and safeguard regional peace and stability as well as the overall situation in the China-US relations with practical actions, Liu told Brown.

The two sides also discussed other topics, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry's press release.

Reuters said that the virtual meeting between Liu and Brown marked the first such conversation in over a year following an agreement between the two countries' top leaders last month to resume military-to-military ties after then US House speaker Nancy Pelosi provocatively visited the island of Taiwan in August 2022.

Communication between the senior military officials from the two countries conforms to the consensus reached by the two countries' top leaders, and is conducive to easing tensions between the two militaries and avoiding accidents, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Friday.

But if the US does not change its hostile policy toward China, does not change its Indo-Pacific strategy that targets China and its designation of China as a systemic competitor, the China-US relations will not get better, as military mutual trust must be built on political mutual trust, Song said.

The Chinese side again stressed to the US its redlines and core interests, Song said. "When it comes to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, China will not make an inch of compromise or concession no matter who the opponent is," the expert said.

The expert pointed out the US should stop selling arms and providing military aid to the island of Taiwan, and stop sending military aircraft and warships on China's doorstep in provocative manners in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, then there will be much less tensions between the two countries' militaries.

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China will maintain 'reasonably abundant liquidity' to bolster economic recovery: central bank

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 22, 2023 12:00 AM

China will maintain "reasonably abundant liquidity," to create a favorable monetary and financial environment for the sustained improvement of the economy, Pan Gongsheng, governor of China's central bank said on Thursday.

The remarks were made during an expert symposium on the economic and financial situation the central bank held on Thursday, during in which officials study the current economic and financial situation with economists and financial experts, and soliciting opinions and suggestions on policy-making.

The People's Bank of China will fully consider the opinions and suggestions of various experts, maintain reasonably abundant liquidity, ensure that the scale of social financing and the money supply matches the goals of economic growth and expected price levels, Pan said, according to a statement on the website of the People's Bank of China.

"We will maintain a reasonable credit growth, a stable pace, and optimized structure, in an effort to create a favorable monetary and financial environment for the sustained improvement of the economy," Pan said.

In the view of participants, a series of policies aimed at expanding domestic demand, boosting confidence, and managing risks have been successively introduced since the beginning of this year. The effects of these policies are gradually becoming evident, with financial support for the real economy remaining stable and the overall economy showing signs of improvement, according to the statement.

Experts at the meeting provided opinions and suggestions on how to address issues in the operation of the economic and financial systems, prevent and resolve potential risks, maintain internal and external balance, and enhance coordination of macroeconomic policies.

The meeting was held under the circumstance that downward pressure on the Chinese economy persists, as the implementing institution for monetary policy, the central bank is tasked with making new arrangements in relevant policy, Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The symposium sends a signal of enhancing the strength of monetary policy, Xi Junyang said, expecting the nation's monetary policy might "appropriately loosen" over the coming year.

The meeting has come days after the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, which was held in Beijing from December 11 to 12, aimed to set priorities for economic work in 2024.

While noting that China's economic recovery faces multiple challenges, the meeting stressed that favorable conditions for the Chinese economy outweigh unfavorable factors, and it called for strengthened confidence in China's economic recovery and long-term positive outlook.

"In general, the economy is still constrained by insufficient demand. Therefore, it is challenging for investments and consumption to be significantly strengthened through monetary measures alone. To address this issue, it may be necessary to rely on coordinated fiscal policies, which can directly influence economic behavior," Xi Junyang said.

Recent major policy moves indicate that authorities of the world's second-largest economy already made moves on fiscal policy to bolster the economic recovery. In October, officials announced a plan to issue an additional 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion) in treasury bonds, which brought China's fiscal deficit ratio to a historic level of 3.8 percent, compared to a 3 percent target. A target for 2024's deficit ratio is also expected to be released at the national two sessions.

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KCNA Commentary Slashes at U.S. and Puppet Military Warmongers' Provocation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- The U.S. summoned the south Korean puppet military warmongers to Washington on December 15 to hold the second meeting of "Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG)". They discussed the extremely adventurous and provocative issues targeting the DPRK, including the completion of the "guidelines on nuclear strategic plan and operation" and the establishment of "extended deterrence system" by the middle of next year. And they openly announced that they would conduct a nuclear operation drill during the large-scale joint military exercises Ulji Freedom Shield to be staged next August.

What merits a more serious attention is that the large-scale joint military drills, which have been staged under the signboard of "offering the puppet forces nuclear umbrella" and "protecting them," will be staged to attain the utterly offensive and aggressive goal for making an actual preemptive nuclear strike at the DPRK from next year.

In other words, the conventional war drills, hyped up with such terrible figurative phrases as "occupation", "annihilation" and "scorched-earth operation," will develop into nuclear war drills against the DPRK, which presuppose the preemptive use of nuclear strike means, after casting away the mask of "defensive" and "annual" ones for deceiving the international community.

This is a clear declaration of war, by which the U.S. and the puppet group, which have been hell-bent on bringing the dark clouds of a nuclear war to hang over the Korean peninsula and the region all the year round, openly revealed their sinister intention to ignite a nuclear war against the DPRK at any cost.

The U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Missouri, which has already been anchored in Pusan on Dec. 17, is busily moving under the new nuclear war scenario. And all sorts of large-scale joint military drills involving not only the U.S. and the puppet group but also riff-raffs are going on in a frantic way even at this moment close to the year-end.

The U.S. is further escalating the danger of a nuclear war in the Korean peninsula and the region, being faced with a dilemma for proxy wars in different parts of the world. This is aimed to "soothe" the puppet group, which is trembling with security uneasiness, afraid of being driven out of the "favor" of its master, and mainly, its aim is to attain the goal of stifling the DPRK by force of arms.

Namely, it is the point of the confab to maintain the deceptive position as the "only superpower" and prevent the "Unipolar World" from collapsing through adventurous nuclear gambling, for fear that the strength of the DPRK, which is commonly acknowledged as a world-class military power, is shaking its hegemonic position.

But the U.S. should clearly understand that this land is not the Korean peninsula in the 1950s.

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense of the DPRK in a statement on Dec. 17 declared that the armed forces of the DPRK will reliably ensure peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the region and faithfully fulfill their constitutional duty to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and the rights and interests of its people and the hostile forces' any attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK will face a preemptive and deadly counteraction.

The military superiority of the DPRK that will continue in the future, too, will make the U.S. and the puppet group keenly realize that the DPRK's warning is not an empty talk and they will meet the final ruin for what they have done. -0-



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North Korean leader warns of 'nuclear attack' if enemy provokes with nukes

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 3:34 AM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that his country would launch a nuclear attack if an enemy provokes it with nuclear weapons, apparently referring to the United States, according to state media.

Kim issued the warning when he met with soldiers during the launching drill of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), KCNA news agency reported on Thursday.

"He (Kim) said that the resolute military activity conducted by the (military's missile) company this time ... was ... a clear explanation of the offensive counteraction mode and the evolution of the nuclear strategy and doctrine of the DPRK not to hesitate even a nuclear attack when the enemy provokes it with nukes," Reuters quoted KCNA as reporting.

The North Korean leadership usually calls South Korea and the United States the enemy. Only the US is capable of mounting a nuclear attack on the North.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Tuesday it had tested its latest ICBM on Monday to measure the war readiness of its nuclear force against increasing American hostility.

According to the KCNA report, Kim said the ICBM test demonstrated the North Korean military's high mobility and rapid attack capability, and urged the military to further strengthen its combat efficiency.

Meanwhile, Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong issued a separate statement in which she said the ICBM launch was a maneuver of the nation's right to self-defense and denounced the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for holding a session over its ICBM launch.

"The UNSC should place heavy responsibility on the irresponsible behavior and act of the US and the ROK (the Republic of Korea), which have aggravated the tension on the Korean peninsula through all sorts of military provocations all year round," she said.

The UN Security Council has adopted many resolutions calling on North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programs since it first conducted a nuclear test in 2006. The country has been under harsh sanctions by the United States and the United Nations Security Council for years.

But the North last year declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power and has repeatedly said it will never give up its nuclear program, which it says is defensive.

An emergency UN Security Council meeting was held on Tuesday on Pyongyang's latest ICBM launch. North Korea and Russia clashed with the United States, South Korea and their allies at the meeting.

North Korean Ambassador Kim Song said this is "the most dangerous year" in the military-security landscape on the Korean Peninsula, pointing to stepped up US-South Korean military exercises and the US deployment of nuclear-powered submarines and other nuclear assets to the area that have raised a "nuclear war danger."

The US and nine allies claimed that five North Korean ICBM launches violated multiple Security Council resolutions and threaten "the peace and stability of its neighbors and the international community."

US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood condemned the latest ICBM launch on Dec. 17 and all launches before it.

Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva called attempts to condemn Pyongyang "a one-sided approach."

She warned that the situation is escalating "to a dangerous brink."

She accused the United States of deploying its massive military machine in the region, adding that this looks "more and more like preparations for an offensive operation," even though the US says it has no hostile intentions.

After the ICBM launch on Monday, the North Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson condemned the "reckless military provocations" by the US and South Korea.

The spokesperson also cited the arrival of the US attack submarine USS Missouri in South Korea last week, saying that Washington has "hatched a dangerous plot for a nuclear war."

Pyongyang has previously warned that the US is increasing provocations of a "nuclear war" by deploying nuclear-capable bombers to the region. It said that US nuclear assets stationed in the Korean peninsula will become Pyongyang's "first targets for destruction" in the event of an actual conflict.

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ICBM Test May Soon Bring All of US Within North Korean Nuclear Range

By Christy Lee December 21, 2023

North Korea's launch of a Hwasong-18 this week shows it may soon have a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that can target any part of the United States, analysts say.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Monday's test "of the most powerful ICBM" demonstrated the reliability of the country's nuclear strategic force. He added that Pyongyang will not hesitate to strike back if provoked, the state-run KCNA reported Thursday.

On Wednesday, U.S. B-1B and South Korean and Japanese fighter jets conducted joint aerial drills off the South Korean island of Jeju in what South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff described as a show of force in response to the ICBM test.

Monday's ICBM launch followed a test of a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) the previous day, making this the third consecutive year to end with North Korean missile tests.

It was Pyongyang's fifth ICBM test of 2023 and third Hwasong-18 launch, following tests in April and July.

Ankit Panda, a senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, "The Hwasong-18 program appears to now have transitioned into operational exercises, indicating that the missile may be closer to being commissioned formally into the country's strategic forces."

He said that aside from "minor modifications to the launcher, there doesn't appear to be anything technically novel about this latest missile, suggesting that they're looking to evaluate its performance under operational conditions."

The missile Kim lauded as "the most powerful" reached a maximum altitude of 6,000 km and traveled a distance of 1,000 km. Analysts said it could carry a nuclear warhead and if launched at a normal trajectory, its range could be over 15,000 km a far enough to reach any part of the United States.

However, that "doesn't necessarily mean that it is operational to the standard that we would hold," said David Schmerler, senior research associate who focuses on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

"As long as it doesn't blow up prior to launch, gets up in the air, and goes a certain distance," Pyongyang could consider the missile as working, he said. "But there are other things that go into it as well," such as whether it could reliably strike a far-distant target.

The day Pyongyang launched the ICBM, Pak Myong Ho, its vice minister of foreign affairs, held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China, according to Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk called on China during a news briefing the next day to play a constructive role in persuading Pyongyang to end its destabilizing actions.

Robert Rapson, formerly charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said while Beijing could rein in Pyongyang's missile program, it "chooses not to" because it does not see the missile launches as "a direct threat."

"Moreover, it serves Beijing's interest in the ongoing rivalry or competition with the U.S. and its allies," Rapson said.

However, Sydney Seiler, who dealt with North Korea issues at the U.S. National Intelligence Council in 2022-23, told VOA he believes Pyongyang is "not going to refrain from advancing" its weapons program "out of China's concerns."

Gary Samore, a former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration, said he sees this week's missile tests in part as "a political signal" to protest deepening security cooperation between Washington and Seoul.

The U.S. and South Korea held their second Nuclear Consultative Group session in Washington on December 15, and the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to use the full range of its hardware, including nuclear weapons, to defend Seoul.

On December 17, the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri arrived at the South Korean port of Busan, according to the Seoul-based news agency Yonhap. That was the same day as the North Korean SRBM test, which traveled 570 km, far enough to have reached Busan.

"Whenever we send some sort of high-value asset to the region, North Korea often reacts" with missile launches, said Ken Gause, a senior adversary analytics specialist at the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses.

"There's a possibility that North Korea was trying to demonstrate" that its SRBM "has the capability" to strike the USS Missouri during a crisis.

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (December 21, 2023)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

December 21, 2023

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for joining us for this week's media briefing. I really don't have an announcement, so maybe we'll go to the questions first.

Sidhant: Hi, Sir. Sidhant from WION. My question is, we recently saw the visit of the Pakistani Army Chief to Washington, where he was seen meeting with the US Secretary of State and other State Department officials. What's your response on these meetings?

Meghna Dev: Sir, Meghna Dev from DD News. ISRO has bagged the prestigious Erikson Lunar Prize. Any comment from the Ministry of External Affairs on this?

Aayushi Agarwal: Sir, Aayushi Agarwal from ANI. My question is regarding the recent developments in the Red Sea. We saw the tweet by our Prime Minister speaking with the Israeli Prime Minister. How much this is a concern for India when it comes to trade? And are we also in touch with the Yemeni or the Iranian authorities regarding any de-escalation talks?

Rishabh: Sir, Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, this is regarding Maldives not signing hydrographic survey with India. Any comments on that?

Shashank Mattoo: Sir, Shashank Mattoo with The Mint. Just on the Houthi attacks, the Americans have put together a task force coalition...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: This is the Red Sea?

Shashank Mattoo: Red Sea attacks. The Houthi attacks. The Americans have put together a coalition. Have they reached out to India to also play a role in restoring stability in that part of the world?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sidhant, let me start with your query. This was about the recent reports that we saw. Yes, we did see some reports in this regard, about these meetings. Look, our concerns about Pakistan's support for terrorism, its support for cross-border attacks is well known. We would hope that other countries also take counter-terrorism seriously.

Meghna, your query on ISRO. This is, of course, a great achievement by ISRO and our congratulations to them. You would have seen the tweet by External Affairs Minister, I think our Mission and External Affairs Minister also tweeted about it. I don't have much to add except to say that this is quite a feat and congratulations, of course, and they make the country proud with these kind of activities and achievements.

Ayushi, and as well as Shashank, your queries regarding the attacks in the Red Sea... your specific query was on...Ayushi, what is happening in the Red Sea or something on trade. Look, India has always, of course, you know, we have vested interests and have been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping. So that is something that we are interested in. We are, of course, monitoring the developments there. Insofar as I think there was...we are also, as you know, as part of efforts globally to...international efforts to ensure free shipping, whether it be against piracy or otherwise, India has been involved in it. So we will continue to monitor that. I think, there was some communication regarding this task force or the operation, but I would have to get back to you regarding any specific development on that issue, because I am not aware of whether, you know, there has been any specific invitation or we have been asked to join or we have agreed to join. As I said, this is a new initiative and we will have to get back to you as soon as we have something to convey on that. But let me emphasize that we have been part of efforts to ensure the safe transit of ships in the Arabian Sea and we value the free movement of commercial shipping. I am not aware of any conversations with any specific country, certainly Iran or Yemen, you mentioned.

Rishabh, your query was on the statements by Maldives, you said. You mean the last conversation or you had the specific statement by... the announcement?

Rishabh: No, sir. They haven't signed the hydrography agreement.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: No, that's not correct. There is an agreement. What I understand is that you are talking about not to renew it. That's the one? Look, let me just say that India has a proven track record, a proven record in the field of hydrography and we have also been cooperating with many countries in the Indian Ocean region on hydrography and various elements related to that. The benefits to partner countries are visible and I would like to just leave it at that.

Let me take the next set of queations.

Yeshi: This is Yeshi Seli from the New Indian Express. What is the latest update on the eight naval veterans in Qatar?

Meghna Dev: Sir, Meghna Dev from DD News. Sir, recently on 18th December, it was the National Day. Any pardon, if we know about, has been issued for our eight naval officers who are in prison?

Dhairya Maheshwari: Sir, Dhairya Maheshwari, Sputnik India. The EU announced 12th round of sanctions against Russia which specifically targets the import of Russian diamonds as well as those processed in third countries. They are saying that they are in coordination with G7 and will start implementing this ban from January. India's Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the Industry Association, it has raised concerns over the timeline and it has also said that we are making representation to the Indian Government so that the Indian interests, you know, they are not compromised. So my question is if India is in talks with the EU, with the G7 countries on this. Thank you.

Abhishek Jha: Hi, sir. Abhishek Jha from CNN-News18 this side. On a recent interview, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that he has sensed a tonal shift from India since U.S....

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry. What shift?

Abhishek Jha: A tonal shift from India since U.S. reported alleged killing plot. And if I may quote, he has also said that we don't want to be in a situation of having a fight with India. He also said that I think there is a beginning of an understanding that they cannot bluster their way through this and there is an openness to collaborating in a way that perhaps they were less open before. How do you see this statement? Has there been any new initiative about the collaboration or the joint investigation that Canadian side wanted?

Manas: This is Manas from PTI. Just a little clarification on the death row convict Indians in Qatar.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry. Could you repeat? Clarification on?

Manas: Clarification on the Indians in Qatar. Did we reach out to the Qatari authorities or Qatari Government for a pardon, by the Emir actually, in fact, because it was the National Day. I mean, they had pardoned a number of prisoners. So did you reach out to them or the families reached out to the authorities there?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Look, Dhairya, let me start with your query. This was regarding the last round of sanctions, 12th round of sanctions. I'm not sure of the timeline, whether it's January or March. But I think we've responded to this earlier. We have concerns on this matter. This has been a subject of discussions with the EU and the G7. And as I said, this is something that's important and we will keep you updated on how this conversation...or if there are any developments on this. But to emphasize, that this is our issue of concern, I think I've said this before or other people have said it earlier.

Regarding the situation or the Indians in Qatar, I think, Yeshi, you had a query, Meghna, you also did, and I think, Manas, you have...different aspects of it. Look, I don't have much of an update in the sense we've been telling you about what has been happening. Just to let you know, share with you where we are last. As you are aware, this case is now in the Court of Appeal, as it's called. And there have been three hearings in the Qatar's Court of Appeal, November 23rd, November 30th and December 7th. Meanwhile, our Ambassador in Doha got consular access; I mentioned that last time we met, to meet all the eight men on December 3rd. But beyond this, I don't have anything to share at this stage. I have no information, I have no indication of who were the people pardoned and how many Indians were there. We certainly have not received any indication that these eight are involved in that. And as you know, any case, the case is going on. So I would be a little surprised that it will happen while a case is going on. But I don't have information. In fact, we haven't, I think, been formally communicated about which is the pardon list and how many Indians are on that. I know there are some Indians on it, but once we have that. I don't want to get into conversations between two governments. We did mention last time, we were talking about Prime Minister and the Emir of Qatar having a conversation. But let me not get into more details. But as we have said, this is an important issue that we are following and, you know, that how we can get our people back to India at the earliest. That is what is driving us. I think, Meghna, your query is also on that pardon-related issue.

Abhishek, on your query, I am not exactly sure how to answer it, in the sense this is a comment by the Prime Minister of Canada and I wouldn't like to comment on that. But I think our position has been quite consistent and whenever this has been raised, I think we have highlighted how we see the problem and frankly the core issue remains, the space that is given to extremists and terrorists and anti-India elements in that country. I think you would have heard also from External Affairs Minister recently as well as others about the developments of that case and the fact that if there is something, then we will look into it. But at the core of it, the problem remains this. So I won't like to say whether they have noted a shift or not, because certainly our position has remained consistent and we would hope that they would take action on such extremist elements that are misusing the freedom of speech and expression in their country.

Pia: Hi, Pia with the Print. Two questions, if you'll allow me. One is more of a clarification on whether Indian workers will be sent to Israel to...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: How is there a clarification, ma'am? Okay, anyway.

Pia: I will tell you why, to mean the labor shortage there. So the clarification is needed because in a conversation between PM Modi and the Israel Prime Minister on Tuesday, the Israel readout said that the two leaders talked of expediting the arrival of Indian workers in Israel. But on 14 December, MOS V. Muraleedharan responded to a Parliament question where he said the Government has not made any discussions with Israel regarding possible replacement. Right? So clarification on that, please. Secondly, I wanted to inquire about the Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who has been cited in the US indictment regarding the Pannun murder plot. He is currently in Prague and he's appealed to the Supreme Court to help him get a fair trial. Now, the Czech authorities have said that Indian courts have no jurisdiction over this case. Any response to the Czech Foreign Ministry's remarks?

Sridhar: Sridhar from The Asian Age. Sir, there were reports recently that a group of US congressmen, Indian Americans, called the Samosa Caucus, they had been given a classified briefing on the Pannun case and they all came out after that, warning India that unless it took steps to address this issue, there could be serious damage to ties. So how are you looking at it, because these are all friends of India, they are not adversaries. So how are you looking at that? And secondly, related to this, it's been about a month since the committee was constituted to examine this issue after the US raised its concerns. Any forward movement on that? when is the conclusion of the... when are the findings expected? Thank you.

Irina Polina: Irina Polina, TASS News Agency. As far as we know, a meeting of Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission is planned in the nearest future. Could you please confirm that? And is it true that Minister Jaishankar...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Sorry, I didn't get your question. This was the IRIGC-TEC, or which one? Which level is this? This is the Ministerial level?

Irina Polina: Yes, that Minister Jaishankar is supposed to visit Moscow...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay, this is in Moscow. Irina Polina: If it is true, could you share with us these issues? Huma Siddiqui: Sir, I'm Huma Siddiqui, Financial Express. There's news that the US is easing sanctions over from Venezuela. Does it mean that India can start full trade talks with...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Trade talks?

Huma Siddiqui: Resume business with Venezuela, once the sanctions are over.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Too broad, what do you have in mind?

Huma Siddiqui: I mean, Oil, we have already started but there were talks about pharmaceuticals and other essential items?

Kadambini Sharma: Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. Supreme court mai jo Nikhil Gupta ke pariwar ki taraf se petition file hui hai, usmai kaha gaya hai ki giraftari ke kareeb 20 din baad wahan par Embassy se adhikari milne gaye, aur committee bhi jo constitute hui hai, toh ispe koi information hai...

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Kadambini Sharma from NDTV. In the Supreme Court, the petition filed by Nikhil Gupta's family states that about 20 days after the arrest, officials from the Embassy went to meet him there, and the committee that has been constituted, any information on that...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Committee? Kadambini Sharma: Sarkar ne jo ki hai... To iske aage aur koi contact hua hai ya extradition ki koi baat ho rahi hai?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Which the Government has constituted... Has there been any further contact or are any talks of extradition going on in this regard?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Kiske liye? Extradition kiska? Nikhil Gupta ji ka? kaha?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] For whom? Whose Extradition? of Mr. Nikhil Gupta? where?

Kadambini Sharma: Czech Republic.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Aapka question clear nahi hain but anyway jo main keh sakta hoon main aapko bataunga.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] You question is not clear. But anyway, I will tell you what I can say.

Pia, your query on the Indian workers vis-a-vis Israel. Look, on that issue, I think, you mentioned to it, but let me clarify what we said in Parliament. And what we say in Parliament, stands. Let me just pull out what we had. I think we had a very clear statement on that. Yes. Let me refer you to the response given to the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary question on December 14th, that there have been no discussions with Israel regarding possible replacement of Palestinian laborers with Indian workers. I think that statement stands, and I have nothing to clarify on that. Of course, on a larger perspective, India has been looking at labor mobility agreements around the world, so that our citizens get access to the global workplace, they are treated fairly, their rights are protected. If you are looking at any specific job opportunities, Indian citizens are free to go abroad and take job opportunities. So I am not going to comment on what the Israeli readout about the conversation is. Prime Minister's Office has already issued something on the statement. But this is what we have said in Parliament. And I think...

Pia: Is this not contradictory?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: No, not at all. You are assuming that it is through the Government, if somebody is going there on their own. On the Government's position, we have said what is there, and that is actually, you know, what we have said in Parliament. But if somebody is taking a job on their own or somebody is organizing, Indian citizens do go abroad on their own. It does not have to be through any G2G mechanisms, opportunities for jobs abroad are circulated by various bodies without any specific G2G mechanism. And as you know, there are a large number of Indians who are working in Israel in some sectors, particularly health care and care giver sectors, and some in construction also. I will come to the other part of it, a couple of other questions were there.

On the issue of, Irina, your query regarding the meeting of the IRIGC or the Intergovernmental Commission...look, you know, discussions are underway on a visit, a possible visit by External Affairs Minister to Moscow for this, but I do not have a confirmation or anything to announce yet. As soon as we do, we would, of course, share with you. But at this moment, as I said, we have regular bilateral engagements, including this one. But we will announce such engagements at the appropriate time, and whether the External Affairs Minister himself would go or what we do.

Huma on Venezuela, as I said, I'm not exactly sure what your query was. We have been engaging with them. There are a number of activities that are undertaken in the business sector. You mentioned the U.S. sanctions, that I'm not sure if pharma was covered in that or not. But if we have any new initiatives, we'll let you know. But otherwise, there is usually ongoing cooperation. If you want any particular details, we'll have to seek it from our Embassy there. But for the moment, I don't have any specific update on that.

Sridhar, your query was regarding a committee that is...in fact, let me answer a couple of other questions. But the two are not related, so I wanted to clarify the issue. Yes, of course, we have seen the statement by some members of the U.S. Congress. In fact, I think I have it here. You mentioned that, you referred to the last part of it, whether they have...they said this would impact ties. As we have shared earlier, we take it seriously, the inputs that have been provided by the U.S. side. And a high-level enquiry committee has been constituted to look into all relevant aspects of the matter. This fact has also been noted by these members of Congress. And I don't have any further update to it. I certainly don't have any update on the committee or its timeline or its findings as of right now.

Pia, you referred to Nikhil Gupta's issue and whether Czech authorities...I am not sure what exactly you had in mind.

But Kadambini ka prashn detailed tha, dekhiye ismei...Nikhil Gupta wala case thoda legal issue hai, to main ye kehna chahunga ki ek Indian national Czech authorities ki hirasat mai hai aur usko America ki extradition ka anurodh jo hai woh pending hai unke system mai. Humain consular access mila hai, at least teen baar consular access hamain mila hai, aur jo bhi aavyakshyak consular sahayata pradan kar sakte hain hum kar rahe hain, jo woh mang rahe hain. Aur is vyakti ke ek pariwar ke sadasya ne mamle ko honorable Supreme Court mai yachika di thi, aur abhi mamla sub-judice hai isliye abhi is sabandh mai adhik tippani karna uchit nahi hoga. Isliye aapne jo pucha extradition ya supreme court main jo ho raha hai.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] But Kadambini's question was a bit detailed. Look, the Nikhil Gupta case is a legal matter, so I would like to say that an Indian national is in the custody of Czech authorities, and the request for his extradition to the United States is pending in their system. We have been given counsular access at least three times, and we are providing the necessary consular assistance which we can and which is being requested. A member of this individual's family has filed a petition in the Honorable Supreme Court, and since the matter is currently sub-judice, it would not be appropriate to comment on it at this time. So you asked about extradition or what is happening in the Supreme Court.

Pia, your query was more on the element...as I said, this is a family member of this person, this individual has gone to our Supreme Court, and this is a process going on in Supreme Court, so I don't think it will be appropriate for us to comment on jurisdictions and issues. I think we will wait for what the Honorable Supreme Court has to say. I think in preliminary comment that we read, it said that it is...you know, they should approach the appropriate court, but again, till we see something, I don't want to comment on this aspect. As I just mentioned to Kadambini in Hindi, an Indian national is currently in the custody of Czech authorities, pending a request for extradition to the U.S. We have received consular access, atleast I am aware of at least three occasions. We are extending necessary consular assistance to the individual as per requirement. And one family member, as I mentioned, has approached the Honorable Supreme Court, which is a separate issue. So I think that addresses the queries that I received.

Srinjoy: Sir Srinjoy from Time Now. Sir, as far as Indians in Gaza were concerned, are there any left there? If they have all been taken out, can you tell us, give us some details about it?

Kallol: Kallol from The Hindu. I actually seek a clarification to your answer to Pia's question.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Which one?

Kallol: The Israel related answer. I mean, just one and a half months ago, we had the Operation Ajay, airlifting Indian citizens out of Israel. The Ambassador of India was asking Indian citizens to be careful and remain safe at home and etc. And the Indians were seeking help on social media. And here you are saying that Indians do go abroad and work. I mean, I'm finding a lot of contradiction in your answer because I think when we had conflicts break out in Libya and Iraq and elsewhere, you asked Indians not to travel to those countries. So are you suggesting that Israel is just another country despite this conflict going on in Israel? And how can Indians be there and how can you actually ensure safety for them if they are there?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Okay. I'll come with more detailed answer to you.

Shashank Mattoo: Shashank Mattoo with the Mint sir. Just a clarification on the question about the American-led task force. You had mentioned that there had been some communication. Has it been that there has been some discussion about it and not, let's say, a formal invitation? Just a little clarification on what that communication has been.

Madhurendra: Sir Madhurendra News Nation se. Mere bhi do sawal hain, pehla sawal ye hai ki, jo LAC ka area hai wahan par lagatar developments dekha ja raha hain, infrastructure development jo hain woh China ki taraf se kiye ja rahe hain. Latest jo satellite pictures hain woh bhi uski tasdik kar rahe hain. Jab ki hum ye dekh rahe hain ki lagbhag 20 rounds ki corps commander talks ho chuki hain, lagbhag 14-15 rounds ka WMCC talk ho chuka hain, lekin disengagement ki process mai kisi bhi tarah ka improvement humei nahi dikhai de raha hai.

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, Madhurendra from News Nation. I also have two questions. The first question is that continuous developments are being observed in the LAC region, and infrastructure development is being carried out by the Chinese side. The latest satellite images are also confirming this. Despite nearly 20 rounds of Corps Commander talks and around 14-15 rounds of WMCC talks, we do not see any improvement in the disengagement process.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Ye aapka assessment hain na?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation]: This is your assessment?

Madhurendra: Ji. kyuki on ground nahi dikhai de raha hain, is bare mai koi release aapki taraf se bhi jari nahi kiya gaya hain. Toh kya ye mana jaye ki ab talks fail hone lage hain aur aage koi roadmap nahi dikhai de raha?

Dusra sawal Israel se juda hua hai ki Operation Ajay ke tahat jo students laye gaye the, usmai se almost jo data hai woh bata raha hai ki ninety percent students wapas ja chuke hain phir se Israel studies karne ke liye, kyuki universities band nahi hain aur unko leaves nahi mil rahe hain. Toh is bare mai bhi kuch add on kar sakte hain toh? Kallol's question...

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Certainly. Because it is not visible on the ground, no release has been issued from your side also regarding this. So, can it be said that the talks are now failing, and there is no roadmap visible ahead?

The second question is related to Israel, that those students brought under Operation Ajay, the data is revealing that almost ninety percent of the students have returned to Israel to continue their studies because the universities are not closed, and they are not getting leaves. So, can you add something on this matter? Kallol's question...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Kya kehna chahte hain? Nahi par aap chahte kya hain, mujhse kya chahte hain? Kallol ka question main answer karunga, aap kya janna chahte hain?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] What do you want to say? What do you want from me? I will answer Kallol's question, but what do you want to know?

Madhurendra: Main janna chahta hoon ki kya unko phir... Kya advisory jari ki gayi hai ya with the same advisory they are going back?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] I want to know that they...Has any advisory been issued, or are they going back with the same advisory?

Rishabh: Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, USCIRF is a body commissioned for international religious freedom, they have written to Biden administration last week saying that given the transnational killing of Nijjar in Canada and a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in US, India should be placed under country with particular concern. Sir, any statement on that?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Srinjoy, as we mentioned, our earlier assessment was, there were about four Indian nationals in Gaza and their families, and there were about a dozen in total, the West Bank included. One of them certainly came out and was in Egypt, as you saw our Embassy tweet about it. I don't have an update the other three have come out. My understanding is that they're probably still in Gaza. We haven't received anything particular about them. We hope that they are safe. But since you've raised, we'll also recheck. But as of now, we haven't received any information that they have left.

Shashank, just to clarify, let me clarify what I'm saying. I'm saying this is a new initiative, so I'll have to get back to you as soon as I have something to convey. I don't have a clarity. That's why I don't have a clarity whether there is...exactly the question that you're asking. We'll get back if there is an update on this issue. But certainly, as we have said, we value the free movement of commercial shipping, and we have been part of efforts to ensure free passage or transit of ships in the Arabian Sea.

Madhurendra ji aapka pehla prashn, mujhe pata nahi kis tarah se jawab dena chahiye. Main aapse sehmat nahi hoon ki talks poora fail hua hai, hamare talks jaari hain, WMCC mai bhi aur hamare corps commander level par bhi jaari hain. Jab tak hum jo chahte hain woh nahi ho pata hai tab tak talks chalengi. Toh ismai main abhi koi decision nahi lena chahunga ki map mai ye dikhaya gaya hai, maine dekha nahi aisa koi map jismai dikhaya gaya hai, koi bahot fark pada hain. Hamari jo position hai woh rahi hai aur isi baat pe hum baat kar rahe hain unse, taki jo hamari demands hain aur hamare purspectives hain usmai puri tarah hum safal ho paye.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra ji, regarding your first question, I don't know how to respond. I do not agree that talks have failed; our talks are ongoing, both in the WMCC and at the Corps Commander level too. Talks will continue until we achieve what we desire. I don't want to make any decisions based on what is shown on a map; I haven't seen any map that indicates such, any significant difference. Our position remains the same, and we are in discussion with them so that whatever our demands and perspectives are, we succeed in it completely.

Israel, first of all let me explain. We have issued advisory, that advisory stands. But as you know that of about 18,000 or so, Indians that we estimated, we only got about 1,300 or so came back, so others did not. And this was not an advice that everybody has to leave. Those who wanted to leave, we assisted them to come out.

Madhurendra ji aap puch rahe the ki kuch log chale gaye hain wapas, students, unse baat karni padegi. Par hamari advisory jari hai, par agar koi jana chahta hai, aur wahan hai toh hum unko jabardasti toh nahi la rahe hain abhi.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhurendra ji, you were asking about some people, students who have returned. We will need to talk to them. Our advisory still stands, but if someone wants to go and is there, we are not forcibly bringing them back.

As regards, Kallol, your query or your comment that this is related to the jobs issue, as I said let me go back to what we said in Parliament, which is that we have had no such discussions on replacing Palestinian labourers with Indian workers. But again if Indian workers do go, we haven't issued advisory saying you cannot go there, this is not... some countries have issued such advisory. Advisories are issued based on the threat assessment and they are graded, there is not a common one. And we haven't said that you cannot go, and there are enough Indians already there.

Kallol: Is it safe?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Well they are there and we have issued advisory, I would not like to go beyond that, you know, safe, not safe; somebody gets injured if he is still there, you will hold me responsible, is not a good line to go. So we have issued advisory, I would urge everyone to follow that, and also mention that there are Indian citizens currently in Israel.

Aapka prashna bhi isi tarah, jaisa ki maine kaha ki hamari advisory laagu hai, jo hamne issue kiya tha, us samay jari ki thi.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Your question is also on the same line. As I mentioned, our advisory is in effect, which was issued at that time.

USCIRF...look I mentioned to you about the enquiry committee and the comments on that issue, on the specific issue, and that once a committee is there, we will look into what it says. But meanwhile as regards USCIRF, look, you are all aware of their motivated and biased approach towards India. We have seen it a number of times in the past, I would therefore not like to give their comments any particular weight or consideration. So I will leave it at that.

Thank you very much. Thanks for joining us.

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? Peru asumio la presidencia de APEC 2024. El proximo ano, Arequipa, Urubamba, Lima, Pucallpa y Trujillo acogeran mas de 160 reuniones de los 21 paises que conforman el Foro de Cooperacion Economica de Asia Pacifico.



???Mas informacion aqui ?? https://t.co/it8Dpiv1F1 pic.twitter.com/6lQJN7nyHo
PIRACY ATTACK ON MV RUEN IN CENTRAL ARABIAN SEA

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 21 DEC 2023 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

On the night of 14 Dec 23, a report regarding potential piracy incident onboard Malta flagged vessel, MV Ruen, was monitored on UKMTO portal. The vessel was reported to be boarded by six unknown personnel.

In a swift response, Indian Navy's Maritime Patrol Aircraft deployed to investigate the incident arrived overhead MV Ruen AM 15 Dec 23 and established communication with the crew. All 18 crew (no Indians onboard the MV) were reported to be safe in the citadel. Concurrently, in response to the incident, INS Kochi on Anti Piracy Patrol in the Gulf of Aden was also diverted immediately to render assistance.

INS Kochi intercepted MV Ruen in the early hours on16 Dec 23 and launched its integral helicopter to assess the situation. It was ascertained from the crew that the citadel onboard MV Ruen had been breached and all crew members were held hostage by the pirates. One of the crew member had also sustained injuries, but was reported to be stable. Whilst no armed intervention was undertaken to ensure crew safety onboard the hijacked MV, requisite actions were taken by the warship towards ensuring suitable treatment of the crew by the pirates. A Japanese warship also arrived in the area on 16 Dec 23 and was relieved by the Spanish warship ESPNS Victoria, later in the day. IN ship maintained in close vicinity of hijacked vessel during its transit towards Somalia from 16 - 17 Dec 23, suitably engaging with the pirates and coordinating actions with the other warships.

The hijacked vessel entered territorial waters of Somalia (off Bosaso) PM 17 Dec 23. INS Kochi was successful in ensuring that the injured crew member was released by pirates in the early hours of 18 Dec 23 for further medical management. The injured crew member was medically attended to onboard the IN ship but due to urgent medical attention required, which was beyond the scope of the ship, he was transferred ashore at Oman on 19 Dec 23

In the light of above incident and towards augmenting the anti-Piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden region, the Indian Navy has deployed another indigenous guided missile destroyer in the region. The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping and rendering assistance to the mariners at sea, as a 'first responder' in the region.

_____________________________

VM/JSN 246/23



(Release ID: 1989252)

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India to examine information on alleged links to plot to assassinate Sikh separatist in U.S., says Modi

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:52, December 21, 2023

NEW DELHI, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will look into any information it receives on its alleged links to a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in the United States.

Modi made the comments in an interview with the British daily Financial Times published on Wednesday.

"If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it," Modi was quoted as having said. "If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it."

These were the first public remarks made by Modi since the U.S. Justice Department last month filed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader, identified by media as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is a U.S. citizen.

Modi further said the allegations will not affect ties between India and the United States.

In September Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents played a role in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader based in Canada, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in a Vancouver suburb in June.

But India denied the allegations levelled by Trudeau.

The issue hit the diplomatic relations between India and Canada. It saw a tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between the two sides and issuing travel advisories.

In October Canada withdrew its 41 diplomats and 42 accompanying dependents from India following a directive from India's foreign ministry to reduce its diplomatic staff presence in India.

India said it sought parity with Canada in terms of the diplomatic staff posted in each other's missions and threatened it would remove the diplomatic immunity of the Canadian staff if they chose to stay in India.

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Iran warns against any 'provocative' Israeli actions in region

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 7:59 PM

Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations has warned against "any provocative actions by the Israeli regime that could seriously impact peace and security in the region".

Amir Saeid Iravani addressed a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria on Thursday, in which he touched on two Iranians serving as military advisers in Syria killed in an Israeli attack.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on military advisors in Syria on Dec. 2 where two Iranian advisors were martyred during their mission to support the Syrian army against terrorism," he said.

"We reaffirm the inherent right of the Syrian Arab Republic under international law to take all necessary measures in response to terrorist attacks and acts of aggression by the Israeli regime," he added.

Iran, Iravani said, calls on the Security Council to condemn the "destabilizing activities of the Israeli regime and its severe violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity which pose a threat to peace and stability in the region".

"The Israeli regime persists in its act of aggression against the Syrian territory. In parallel with the atrocities in the Gaza Strip, this regime engages in terrorism and aggression within Syrian borders, intentionally targeting civilians and critical infrastructure," he said.

Iravani also categorically rejected "the groundless allegation made against my country by the representative of the United States that was repeated by the UK in this chamber ".

"Contrary to the unfounded claim Iran has consistently demonstrated its commitment to promoting peace and security in the region," he said.

Iravani said the United States is "fully responsible for its decade-long aggression along with other crimes and unlawful measures in our region".

"Obstructing the Security Council from fulfilling its Charter-based obligation to establish a ceasefire and to stop the Israeli war machine against the people of Gaza for more than two months demonstrates the US's real concerns about the spillover of the tension and peace and security in the region," he said.

Iravani said the humanitarian situation in Syria remains extremely challenging, where people are grappling with economic hardship worsened by the US imposition of unlawful sanctions.

"The security situation in the areas controlled by illegal foreign forces and under occupation is a matter of serious concern. The primary source of insecurity is the unlawful presence and continued occupation of US military forces creating an environment conductive to the growth of terrorist activities within Syria and the broader region."



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Iranian Lawmaker Claims Up To 2,000 People Facing Execution For Alleged Drug Crimes In Small District

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 21, 2023

Yahya Ebrahimi, an Iranian lawmaker who represents the Delfan district of Lorestan Province, has alleged that up to 2,000 suspects are risking execution for drug-trafficking offenses in the small western Iranian district.

In a video that went viral after he shared it on social media, Ebrahimi spoke about his visit to Delfan, which has a population of about 150,000, and the meetings he had there with the families of individuals convicted of drug trafficking that face execution, voicing his deep concern about the alarmingly high number of death-row inmates in Delfan.

"I am profoundly shocked by this situation, how officials over the past 44 years have created the conditions leading to such a high rate of crime and subsequent executions," Ebrahimi said, in apparent reference to the time interval that passed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought the current Iranian rulers to power.

"Unfortunately, we are now witnessing these individuals on the verge of execution," Ebrahimi said, adding that he has appealed to authorities to stop the executions.

"I have asked the head of [Iran's] judiciary to refrain from carrying out these sentences for the sake of God and the people, and because we, the officials, should also be held accountable, because authorities could have helped this city to get rid of poverty and misery," he said.

The precise time when the video was recorded is unclear, although Ebrahimi's statements were reported by the website of the Tehran-based Ettela'at newspaper on December 20.

The rate of executions in Iran has been rising sharply, particularly in the wake of widespread protests that swept across the country last year following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody for an alleged head-scarf violation.

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution condemning widespread human rights violations in Iran, specifically highlighting the numerous executions carried out by the Islamic republic. The resolution noted that these executions often occur following forced confessions and without fair trials.

Amnesty International has also voiced concern, reporting a significant increase in drug-related executions in Iran.

In the first five months of this year alone, the number of drug-offense executions amounted to two-thirds of the total executions in the country, Amnesty said, adding that those facing capital punishment for drug offenses often come from marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-executions-alleged-drug- offenses/32741790.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iranian Spies Wanted To Assassinate London-Based Journalists, ITV Investigation Finds

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 21, 2023

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) plotted to assassinate two U.K.-based Iranian journalists using a people smuggler to organize and carry out the killings in exchange for $200,000, British television channel ITV News has revealed.

The plot, dubbed by its organizers The Wedding, was to target Fardad Farahzad, a current presenter at Persian-language news channel Iran International, and former presenter Sima Sabet, codenamed the bride and the groom, according to the ITV News' investigation, which was broadcast on December 20.

The plot was foiled in the autumn of last year by the people smuggler, named by ITV as Ismail, who became a double agent working for an unnamed Western intelligence agency, the broadcaster reported.

IRGC operatives wanted to hit Iran International to force it off the air because its journalists were subjecting Tehran to "a lot of humiliation in the media," Ismail said.

Initially, the assassination was to be carried out by a car bomb placed outside the TV station's studios in London, but because of the heavy security presence there, the IRGC subsequently decided it would be more likely to succeed if the two journalists were stabbed to death, ITV said.

When British police caught wind of the plot they alerted Iran International, which switched its broadcasting to Washington in November last year.

Mohammad Reza Ansari, a commander in the IRGC's Quds Force active in Syria, was identified as the alleged mastermind of the plot, ITV reported. Ansari has close ties to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's family, it said.

Ansari, sanctioned by the United States in June for his role in the IRGC, reportedly instructed Muhammad Abd al-Razek Kanafani, an associate of Assad, to execute the killings. ITV's investigation suggests that the plot was commissioned from Damascus by Assad's associates, and not from Tehran, which has not commented on the report.

International human rights organizations have consistently ranked Iran as one of the world's top oppressors of journalists and free speech.

In December last year, Iran's Foreign Ministry sanctioned several individuals and entities in the European Union, including RFE/RL's Persian-language Radio Farda. The sanctions include visa bans, prohibiting the listed individuals from entering Iran, and the seizure of their assets within territories under the jurisdiction of the Islamic republic.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-journalists-assassination- plot-london-revolutionary-guards-irgc/32741979.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Escalating conflict between Iraqi armed groups, U.S. forces worsens shaky Mideast stability

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:05, December 21, 2023

BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tensions between Iraq and the United States are escalating after Washington gave the green light for its forces to respond to attacks launched by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias on U.S. military bases in the country.

After the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Oct. 7, the Iraqi armed group "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," believed linked to Iranian-backed militias, has carried out drone and rocket attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for U.S. support to Israel in the Gaza conflict.

TIT FOR TAT ATTACKS

According to the U.S. Pentagon, as of Dec. 12, U.S. troops have been targeted over 90 times in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17.

In the beginning, the U.S. military did not immediately respond to the Iraqi Shiite militias' attacks to avoid being dragged into another trouble in the Middle East.

Later, under their relentless attacks, the U.S. forces conducted on Nov. 21 an airstrike by an AC-130 gunship against militiamen responsible for launching a missile attack on U.S. and Coalition personnel in Ayn al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, according to a statement by the U.S. Central Command.

On Nov. 22, a U.S. aircraft conducted precision strikes in the Jurf al-Nasr area, south of Baghdad, killing eight members of the Iraqi government-backed paramilitary forces of Hashd Shaabi and wounding several others.

On Dec. 3, another U.S. aircraft bombarded Hashd Shaabi positions in Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, killing five more paramilitary fighters.

In retaliation, an unknown Iraqi armed group fired rockets on Dec. 8, which landed near the U.S. embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, although without causing casualties.

"AMERICA TO GET OUT OF IRAQ"

Following the U.S. attacks, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani declared the U.S. move as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and an attempt to destabilize its internal security situation, stressing they are a clear violation of the international coalition's mission, which is to fight the Islamic State (IS) militants on Iraqi soil.

Shortly after the attack near the U.S. embassy, al-Sudani held a phone talk with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, reminding the U.S. not to respond unilaterally without Iraq's approval while reiterating his government's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions. Austin stressed that the U.S. reserves the right to act in self-defense when attacked.

Meanwhile, Iraq's armed groups have demanded U.S. forces leave their country, vowing to wage a war against the U.S.

Hadi al-Ameri, leader of the Badr Organization affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces, said in a statement that the presence of the U.S.-led coalition "will lead to more Iraqi bloodshed and confuse the security situation," calling for the immediate departure of U.S. forces and all international coalition forces from Iraq.

Iraqi Shiite militia Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is part of the Hashd Shaabi forces, also said in a statement that the U.S. airstrikes "will not go unpunished and requires expanding targeting of the circle of American interests."

Akram al-Kaabi, Secretary-General of the Hezbollah al-Nujaba Movement in Iraq, another Iran-backed group, called for a "declaration of war" against the United States and its expulsion from Iraq.

In a statement, Al-Kaabi stressed that any form of U.S. presence in Iraq, whether as combat forces, advisors or technicians, is considered "hostile and unacceptable."

"America needs to get out of Iraq," former senior Pentagon advisor Douglas Macgregor said Saturday on X, formerly Twitter, noting that U.S. troops in Iraq are "sitting targets."

"What are we there for? To conceal the fact that we failed in Iraq?" he questioned, stressing that "Iraq was an immense strategic disaster, we created chaos."

Sabah al-Sheikh, an Iraqi political analyst, believes that the deadly U.S. airstrikes opened the door to people questioning the presence of U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq. While Iraqi authorities have repeatedly declared the U.S. forces were at the invitation of the Iraqi government to train the Iraqi security forces to fight IS militants, these forces no longer have a combat mission in the country.

The weak stance of Arab and Islamic states toward the deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip paved the way for armed groups to confront Israel and protect the rights of the Palestinians, al-Sheikh said.

"The message of the armed groups' attacks is clear: if you, Americans, want us to stop the attacks on your bases, you have to stop the war in Gaza," al-Sheikh said.

The United States' hegemonic policies in the Middle East are unpopular with the public. There is a strong anti-American sentiment in many countries in the region, especially in Iraq, which eventually forced the Obama administration to announce its withdrawal of forces in 2011, said Liao Baizhi, Director of the Institute of Middle East Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

"However, the United States still has some 2,500 troops in Iraq, so Iraqi Shiite militias keep attacking American bases and asking them to leave. The outbreak of a new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has exacerbated the situation," Liao added.

RESTRAINED ESCALATION

The statements of al-Amiri and other armed group leaders about opposing the presence of the U.S.-led coalition on Iraqi soil may not be easy to apply, said al-Sheikh, noting, "It is more like brinkmanship."

The situation is sensitive for the leading Iranian-backed political parties and armed groups as they don't want to push the U.S. forces too far, he said.

At present, Iraqi Shiite militias harass U.S. military targets using rockets and drones while the United States focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli battlefield, unwilling to engage in multi-front operations, Liao said.

Liao added that both sides are restrained and unwilling to get into a larger-scale conflict.

"The excessive military actions ...could lead to a civil war or at least internal conflict. Such a scenario could disrupt anti-IS efforts in the country and may create a security vacuum that IS terrorist militants could exploit," al-Sheikh told Xinhua.

The biggest uncertainty in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is that the so-called resistance forces, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq and Houthi rebels in Yemen, may escalate the conflict due to a miscalculation or accidental fire, which will trigger regional chaos and even involve Iran and Gulf oil-producing countries, Liao said.

This is the most dangerous scenario and one that the parties involved are keen to avoid, Liao noted.

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Japan's court orders Okinawa governor to approve design change for U.S. base relocation

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:31, December 21, 2023

TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the governor of Okinawa prefecture to approve the central government's design change for planned ground improvement work under a U.S. base relocation project.

The Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court ruled in favor of the central government on the lawsuit it filed against Denny Tamaki, governor of the southernmost prefecture, in October over his refusal to approve the design change.

The controversial project aims to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air base in Ginowan to the Henoko coastal area in Nago, which is also in Okinawa.

The presiding judge ordered Tamaki to approve the design change within three business days. If Tamaki does not approve within the time set, the land, infrastructure, transport, and tourism minister will be able to give approval in place of the governor and start ground improvement work.

It would be the first-ever proxy execution of the central government, local media reports said, noting that the Okinawa prefectural government will be able to appeal to the Supreme Court, but the appeal cannot stop the proxy execution.

Earlier in September, Tamaki told a United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva that the concentration of U.S. military bases in Okinawa threatens peace, noting that the Japanese government is forcibly filling in precious sea areas to build a new U.S. military base, regardless of the opinions of local residents.

The governor has also, on multiple occasions, expressed concerns over excessive levels of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances detected in the water around U.S. military bases in Japan.

The island of Okinawa hosts 70 percent of all the U.S. military bases in Japan while accounting for only 0.6 percent of the country's total land area. More than 70 percent of local residents opposed the U.S. military base construction on the Henoko landfill, showed a 2019 Okinawa Prefecture voting results.

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Anti-junta forces claim attack on Myanmar's central region military HQ

The headquarters' interrogation center is infamous for detaining and questioning anti-coup demonstrators.

By RFA Burmese 2023.12.21 -- Anti-junta armies have attacked the headquarters of the Myanmar military's Central Region Command in an old palace compound in the center of the country's second-largest city, Mandalay, residents and fighters who conducted the attack told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

This attack was carried out by the Mandalay Security and Special Task Force, People's Defense Group from Pyinoolwin District, No More Dictatorship and Brave Warriors for Myanmar (BWM), according to a BWM announcement.

A BWM official said that they targeted the dormitories where the regional commander and deputy regional commanders of junta's Central Region Military Command were staying.

"We were able to attack with six long-range 107-mm missiles. One device failed to detonate due to a material malfunction. But, five others successfully launched their attacks," said the official who wished to remain unnamed due to security reasons. "The targets, which included the special office of the Central Region Military Command, the barracks of junta troops, and the residences of the regional commander and deputy regional commander, were successfully struck."

Damages to the buildings and casualties are still under investigation, the official added.

A resident of Mandalay who lives near the royal palace compound, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said Thursday that following the attack, junta troops intensified security measures and are carrying out searches and checks throughout the city.

"It is true that the military headquarters in the palace compound was attacked. I became anxious and couldn't sleep anymore. Since it was past two or three o'clock [in the morning]. This morning, as I rode my motor scooter around the neighborhood, I noticed something unusual. The roads were blocked off more than they had been in previous days, and there was an increased checking of motorcycles and cars," he told RFA Burmese.

The Central Region Military Command's interrogation center is infamous for detaining and questioning anti-coup demonstrators, university students, and members of the People's Defense Force in Mandalay city, following the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.

RFA Burmese contacted Thein Htay, the military junta spokesman for Mandalay region and regional economic minister, regarding the incident by phone, but he did not reply at the time of publication.

Separately, , Mandalay Palace - the military headquarters - and some police stations in Mandalay city, including Obo Prison's main guard posts, were attacked Wednesday with drone bombs as part of "Operation Shwe Pyi Soe," according to the Mandalay-based People's Defense Forces.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Domestic flights in Myanmar reduced as junta searches for jet fuel

Myanmar's military may be taking fuel from domestic private airlines for its own use.

By RFA Burmese 2023.12.21 -- The number of domestic commercial flights in Myanmar dropped by one-third in recent months after the military junta began seizing aircraft fuel from private airlines following stepped-up sanctions imposed by the United States, several ticketing agents told Radio Free Asia.

The expanded sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department in August stated that any "foreign individual or entity" linked to procuring jet fuel for the military government can be targeted.

Airfares on flights within the country have become more expensive and some routes no longer have regular flights, a person from a domestic and international airline ticketing business, who didn't want to be named for security reasons, told RFA.

"There are fewer flights, resulting in decreased connectivity, such as the suspension of flights to Tachileik," the person said, naming a town in Shan state that sits next to a popular border crossing with Thailand.

Junta officials have most likely been expropriating jet fuel from airlines for military use, political observer Than Soe Naing said.

"After reserving the fuel to meet the military needs, the junta then distributes the left-over fuel for domestic flights," he said.

Ko Mike, a spokesman for the Blood Money Campaign, a collective of Myanmar activists campaigning to stop revenue from reaching the junta, told RFA that he also believes that the junta has taken control of private aviation fuel.

"It's not that there's no jet fuel. They have it," he said. "It's quite obvious that they are using jet fuel to kill people. In their mind, they have no intention of using it for the public. They never think about it."

Flights to Myitkyina

Armed resistance groups and non-governmental organizations in Myanmar have repeatedly called for a ban on companies that sell jet fuel to the military junta.

More than 3,900 civilians have been killed by the regime since it seized power in February 2021, the Treasury Department said in its announcement in August, with the junta relying on airstrikes against civilians, including women and schoolchildren, to maintain its hold on power.

A Treasury Department statement singled out two air strikes on civilians in the Sagaing region - one in April and one in June - as the impetus for the expansion of the sanctions.

The sanctions meant that American citizens and firms, including banks, can't have any business relationship with those sanctioned.

There are five domestic airlines operating daily in the country - Myanmar Airways International, Air KBZ, Mann Yadanarpon, Air Thanlwin and the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines.

Flights from several airlines that used to run regularly between the commercial capital of Yangon and Myitkyina in northern Kachin state have been significantly reduced, and airfares on the route have risen from 260,000 kyat (US$124) to 430,000 kyat (US$205) over the last year, the person said.

A spokesperson from Air Thanlwin - known as Yangon Airways until a rebranding in 2019 - confirmed to RFA that its daily Yangon-Myitkyina flight has been suspended. The spokesperson couldn't say when the airline's flights on the route were expected to resume.

A resident of western Rakhine state said there are also fewer flights between Sittwe and Yangon. Recent fighting between junta troops and the Arakan Army in Rakhine has led to closed roads and waterways, which has only increased demand for air travel.

"Everyone has been facing hardship. But it's difficult to travel, including travel for health issues," the resident said. "If you are unable to get medical treatment in Sittwe, you have to go to Yangon, but now you can't."

RFA's attempts to contact junta spokesman Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun and the junta's Ministry of Transport and Communications for comment on the reduced number of flights went unanswered on Thursday.

Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

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Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by Spokesperson Thursday, 21 December 2023

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Welcome to the Foreign Office.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar undertook a one-day visit to Kuwait on the occasion of the sad demise of His Highness Amir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He met with the new Amir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, and offered condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan. The State of Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who will be remembered as a well-wisher and friend of Pakistan and for his great contributions in advancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Yesterday, the inaugural round of Pakistan-Brunei Bilateral Consultation and Cooperation (BCC) was held in virtual format. It was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Permanent Foreign Secretary of Brunei, Pengiran Norhashimah Binti Pg Mohd Hassan. The two sides engaged in extensive discussion on bilateral relations, regional developments and multilateral issues. They agreed to develop a broad and multifaceted partnership with focus on trade, investment and close cultural cooperation.

This month, Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi issued 166 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for visits to Shree Katas Raj Temples in Punjab and for participation in annual Celebrations at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh. Pakistan also issued visas to 3000 Sikh pilgrims from India on the occasion of the 554th Birthday Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak this month to visit Pakistan from 25 November to 04 December 2023.

Under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, Pakistan welcomes and facilitates thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals and occasions every year. The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with Pakistan's commitment to facilitate visits to religious shrines and promote interfaith harmony. This year, 6824 visas were issued to Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan.

Last week, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani addressed letters to the leadership of the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union, inviting their attention to the illegality of the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of India on the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In these letters, the Foreign Minister has underscored that under international law, domestic legislation and judicial verdicts cannot over-ride UNSC resolutions and change the status of an internationally-recognized disputed territory.

The Foreign Minister has called on the UN Security Council to ensure full implementation of its resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute; and to urge India to end its grave and systematic human rights violations in IIOJK and to reverse all its illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK undertaken since 5 August 2019.

Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

Pakistan remains deeply concerned over the ongoing campaign of brutality and large-scale massacre unleashed upon the Palestinian people. We strongly condemn Israel's ongoing war on hospitals and its barbarous bulldozing of tents in the courtyard and vicinity of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza that crushed to death numerous Palestinians including women, children and wounded patients under treatment. The crimes against humanity in occupied Palestine are a haunting stain on the conscience of humanity. Pakistan calls for holding Israel accountable for its actions and the UNSC to take immediate effective action to impose a ceasefire and lift the inhumane siege against Gaza.

Pakistan is also deeply concerned over the recent statements made by senior Israeli officials rejecting creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state. Such statements, especially the comments on the "Oslo Accords", reflect the true intentions of the Israeli occupation authorities, their disregard for International law and commitments and rejection of a just resolution of the Palestinian question.

Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State along pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital.

We will continue to support international efforts to bring an end to Israel's ongoing campaign against the Palestinian people. Pakistan will, therefore, participate in the "Consultative Conference on Palestine" scheduled to take place in Tehran, on 23rd of December, 2023. We will share more details in due course.

Thank you!

*

Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today: It is being said by America that no weapons were left in Afghanistan after the US Army left in 2021. Is Pakistan satisfied with this statement? If it is true then from where do the Taliban which are active in terrorism in Pakistan are getting advanced weapons? My second question is that interim Afghan government has invited Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Afghanistan and he has accepted this invitation. What would be the role of the Government of Pakistan in this situation?

Spokesperson: Regarding your second question we do not comment on visits or invitations of private individuals to foreign countries. So, that's my response to your second question. Regarding your first question, Pakistan is deeply concerned about the possession and use of modern sophisticated arms and weapons by TTP, which is a listed organization, listed terrorist organization. The threat that it poses requires collaborative action by the international community and collaborative strategies to neutralize this threat. We will continue to work towards this end.

Mateen Haider, G News: Yesterday, there was Baloch national army commander who surrendered along with 70 associates and in his briefing, he publicly and openly said that they were funded by Indian intelligence for carrying out subversive and terrorist activities in Balochistan. After Kulbhushan Yadav, this is another open confession, in which India's involvement has been established, and one of the horrifying fact was that one of the army helicopter was also gunned down, on-board the southern Commander Lieutenant General Sarfraz. Right. So, how would you like to comment on this? Would Pakistan officially approach any international forum to expose India's subversive and terrorist activities and funding to the Baloch terrorist and separatist organizations?

Spokesperson: Thank you. I will not comment on any specific case because we would be making specific comments on particular cases when it is the right time to do so. But, Pakistan is concerned about the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in supporting, financing terrorists elements and terrorist activities inside Pakistan. There are a number of cases where we have substantive evidence of the involvement of terrorist elements, which are funded and supported by India, and in coming days we will be sharing more details with the media.

Muhammet Nazim Tasci, Anadolu Agency: There are some allegations that Afghan Taliban have asked Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, to play the role of a mediator between Kabul and Islamabad, and if this is true, why is the Kabul leadership asking a representative of a political party to do this instead of communicating directly with Islamabad?

Spokesperson: I do not have any comments to offer on such speculative media reports. Perhaps that question may be best addressed to the Afghan authorities because we are not aware of any such initiative.

Qurat ul Ain Shirazi, The Independent: I have two questions, Afghanistan claims that it has arrested 40 TTP fighters. Has Kabul conveyed this to Islamabad formally or Pakistan seeks details about this from the Afghan government? Second, you think after what's been happening in Gaza will Pakistan think of recognizing Israel?

Spokesperson: I think on your second question, this proposal has not been on the agenda, is not on the agenda of any decision maker in Pakistan. So, the question of recognizing Israel is not even a consideration. With regards to the first question, we have noted some media reports with the figures that you have mentioned. At this stage, we are unable to confirm the existence, scale or effectiveness of any action along those lines. We of course expect from the Afghan authorities to take effective action against terrorist groups, especially TTP, and we hope that any meaningful action will be reflected on ground with reduction of terrorist incidents sponsored by individuals who enjoy sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.

Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News: Thank you very much. I have two question(s), madam. The first is, we saw different meetings and interaction by the Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir in Washington D.C. with think tanks, officials, both from State Department and Pentagon. My question is, obviously I'll not ask anything about his meetings with Pentagon but when he interacts with the Secretary of State Blinken then obviously MoFA comes into play. So, what has been the discussion about the role of international community in mitigating threats from Afghanistan. So, what has been the outcome of redressal of Pakistani security threats from inside Afghanistan? Any collaboration that has been discussed? And my second question is, yesterday, Indian media was running that Dawood Ibrahim has been poisoned in Karachi and he's admitted to some hospital. And, I also saw late night, last night, a concocted tweet by Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar from his fake ID that was also in circulation. Anything that you have noticed and you want to tell the truth whether Dawood Ibrahim is admitted in Karachi hospital or he is poisoned over there? Thank you.

Spokesperson: First of all, we must remember that India has the habit of propagating false news and accusations against Pakistan. There is credible evidence, which has come to light, including through the Disinfo, EU DisInfo labs that India routinely engages in false news and targets Pakistan and that is why we would not like to comment on such false narrative that they propagate to target Pakistan. With regards to the visit of Chief of Army Staff to the United States, as I spoke about it in our last briefing, the visit was in the context of promoting understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the realm of security and defence and there were detailed discussions between the two sides. I would not be able to share with you detailed readout of these meetings, and I would advise you to refer these questions to the ISPR.

Anas Mallick, Capital TV: Ma'am Anas Mallick. You said that you would not want to comment on a visit of a private individual. But, the Afghan government and the Afghan Cd'A both have confirmed that they've offered Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the said private individual, for mediation between the Pakistani government and the TTP. So, in such an event, would Pakistan be willing to take up the offer through this private individual who's not so private because he was previously the chairperson of the Kashmir Foreign Affairs Committee as well. Would Pakistan be willing to take up the offer for talks with the TTP through Maulana Fazlur Rehman?

Spokesperson: On talks with TTP Pakistan is very clear. There are no talks taking place, and there are no talks on the agenda between the State of Pakistan and TTP. Our issue right now that we are focusing on is the action that the Afghan authorities must take against TTP elements and rein them in so that the terror threat against Pakistan from the Afghan soil is eliminated.

Abdullah Mohmand, Dawn TV: As you said regarding TTP, is Pakistan asking along with financial and military assistance from America the support of drones to operate against TTP in Afghanistan? Similarly, will Pakistan engage in any deal or discussion with Iran to get the drone technology? Thank you.

Spokesperson: The second question that you have asked is very specific. I would not be able to respond to that question. The Ministry of Defense would know the details. What I can share with you that Pakistan has a close relationship with Iran and our conversations to promote political, diplomatic, (and) economic ties between the two countries continue. I do not have specific details on collaboration in the defence field. As far as the question relating to the US support is concerned, Pakistan has been in talks, not just with the United States, but with many countries around the world, in terms of enhancement of Pakistan's capacity to fight terrorism and these talks have continued. Similarly, Pakistan has been engaged with the neighbours of Afghanistan to help bring peace, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan. We have no designs to create difficulties for the people of Afghanistan. Our complete focus is to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan and to work with our Afghan brothers and sisters to ensure that terror threat from Afghanistan does not target Pakistan.

Allah Noor, Mashriq TV: Ma'am Allah Noor from Mashriq Peshawar group. Ma'am, has Pakistan taken up the issue of terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil in the United Nations Security Council? And the second question is regarding TTP, Afghan government stated that many people have been arrested. So, does Pakistan believe this, has any evidence been shared from Afghan authorities? Is there any important leader amongst the arrested?

Spokesperson: I think on your second question, I have already responded that we are yet to see substantive facts and action that would result in effective results on ground with the reduction of terror incidents being sponsored by TTP that is now holding sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. With regards to your first question, as you know, Pakistan is not a member of UN Security Council. However, our Permanent Representative at the United Nations has been highlighting this concern that Pakistan has about our security, about the rising threat of terrorism, and our desire for peace in the region. And we will continue to do so.

Syed Asif Ali, Din News: Ma'am Syed Asif Ali from Din News. According to the reports of United Nations and U.S. Department of State, almost more than 20 terrorist organizations including Daesh, Al Qaeda, TTP and others are working to destabilize Pakistan. How do you see India's involvement in terrorism in Pakistan? Second question is that when will the Kartarpur corridor be operative, because as you said that we have issued visas to more than 6,000 Hindu and Sikh pilgrims? It was closed due to Corona pandemic.a

Spokesperson: First regarding your question about the terror threat that Pakistan faces, we have said on several occasions that Pakistan is concerned that Indian network of terrorism, abductions and assassinations has expanded globally, beyond South Asia, where it was already quite entrenched. Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism from individuals and entities supported by Indian intelligence agencies. And we also have concrete evidence that Indian officials, including Commander Kulbhushan Yadav, have been involved in espionage and similarly subversive activities inside Pakistan.

Syed Asif Din: And, Kartarpur?

Spokesperson: On that I can share with you more details in future but the Kartarpur corridor remains open and Pakistan welcomes Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur.

Farhan Ali, Public News: Ma'am Farhan Ali from Public News. According to media reports, USCIRF is concerned at the increasing use of blasphemy law in Pakistan to target individuals on basis of religion and its disproportionate use against minorities. Your remarks?

Spokesperson: Sorry. The report on Pakistan?

Farhan Ali: USCIRF is concerned at the increasing use of blasphemy law in Pakistan to target individuals on basis of religion and its disproportionate use against minorities.

Spokesperson: Okay, we have seen the report of USCIRF on this subject. We believe that this report is based on faulty assumptions, full of unsubstantiated allegations and non-reflective of the ground realities in Pakistan. Pakistan is mindful of its responsibility to prevent the misuse of blasphemy laws for personal gain or interest. The government has instituted a number of safeguards to prevent misuse of blasphemy laws. These safeguards are underwritten by our judiciary that takes very careful consideration of blasphemy cases. As a pluralistic society, Pakistan is fully determined to protect and advance the constitutionally guaranteed human rights of all its citizens and foster interfaith harmony.

Ihsan Ul Haq, APP: Ma'am, last night protestors from Balochistan were stopped at Srinagar Highway, do these steps not affect our fair stance on Kashmir and Palestine? Don't such issues increase the problems of the Foreign Office?

Spokesperson: As you know this question does not pertain to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a question that is best addressed by the Ministry of Interior and our relevant law enforcement authorities as well as our Ministry of Law and Justice. So, I would advise you to contact the relevant authorities.

Arslan Majeed, Huashang News: Ma'am. Arsalan Majeed from Huashang News. Ma'am, yesterday the head of the Baloch National Army surrendered along with 70 members. So, how do you see further development of CPEC considering the Chinese engineers or workers working in Balochistan and the development of Balochistan?

Spokesperson: Pakistan remains committed to providing security to all foreigners and foreign investments inside Pakistan, especially our Chinese friends who are here to support the development and progress of Pakistan. So, Pakistan will continue to take action against all terrorist groups that threaten Chinese nationals, Chinese companies and institutions and will continue to protect them.

Abdullah Mohmand, Dawn TV: Firstly, Mushaal Mallick, advisor to the Prime Minister, said in a media talk that a committee is being constituted in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kashmir. What would be its impact? She also claimed that Pakistan has not advocated Kashmir's case effectively after 5 August. And the third question is that the American National Security Advisor said that America left weapons in Afghanistan according to a policy, and this weaponry was given to the Afghan forces. Comment on this please.

Spokesperson: First regarding Kashmir, Pakistan remains committed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we will continue to fight their cause at all diplomatic and international forums and advocate for their right of self-determination. Our Missions around the world and our leadership remain committed to calling on the international community at every occasion for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, which will determine the future of Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, Pakistan also remains engaged with relevant ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Human Rights, to promote Pakistan's viewpoint and to project the voice of the Kashmiri people. As for your second question, Pakistan is concerned that TTP has in its possession very sophisticated weaponry, which is now being used against Pakistani law enforcement authorities and civilians and it is important that we find ways to disarm them and to ensure that this advanced weaponry is not used against Pakistan or create instability inside Afghanistan.

Thank you.

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Chief Executive Officer of the M. Target Group (Cyprus) Odysseas Melikides is visiting Armenia to explore opportunities to enhance Armenia-Cyprus business ties.

Speaking at a press conference in Yerevan, Melikides mentioned that theres little information about Armenia in Cyprus. Many in Cyprus are unaware of the business opportunities in Armenia and Armenian products, he said. We are here to study the conditions on spot and establish new contacts. Weve already met with local businessmen from various sectors, beverage production, textile, IT. Weve discussed the main issues regarding access to foreign markets. This is my first time in Armenia and I am very impressed. For 2024, we have the goal to help Armenian businessmen enter not only the European market, but also to make businessmen in Cyprus get to know the Armenian market. Theres big potential to intensify the cooperation and we must work, Odysseas Melikides said.

The visit is organized by the Council of the International Business Relations Support.

Mariam Manukyan, the President of the Council of the International Business Relations Support, said that she visited Cyprus together with a business delegation earlier this year. She said that her partners in Cyprus are engaged in serious work to intensify economic ties and raise awareness about customs and tax regulations. The most various sectors are being considered : tourism, textile, beverage production and IT.

The experts said that Cyprus could be a window for Armenian businessmen towards Europe, in addition to being a good market itself.

A business forum and expo will soon take place in Cyprus.

In addition to Cyprus, the Council of the International Business Relations Support will also work in other directions, such as the Czech Republic and the U.S.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita and Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Hossam Zaki following the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, Marrakech, December 20, 2023

20 December 2023 16:54

2582-20-12-2023

Mr Minister,

We concur in the assessments of the 6th session of the Russia-Arab Cooperation Forum that we just heard. It was a candid exchange, as it should be among friends. We shared our assessments and noted the convergence of our approaches on the majority of international and regional agenda items. We reviewed the entire range of challenges and threats faced by the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. We share the principle underlying our common approach to addressing these issues with our Arab friends: the domestic issues of the countries in the region should be resolved without outside interference through a broad-based national dialogue aimed at achieving public consensus.

We all adhere to the principles of the UN Charter, such as respect for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We see this as a crucial condition for ensuring regional stability, including the positive trend for the Arab countries' increased role in facilitating the resolution of the above crises and conflicts.

We focused primarily on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict marked by an unprecedented escalation mainly in the Gaza Strip, but also in other places. We reiterated our position that, while condemning any and all terrorist acts, we believe it is also unacceptable to respond to them by collectively punishing civilians and the indiscriminate use of force in violation of international humanitarian law.

We reaffirmed our shared position in favour of achieving a sustainable ceasefire as soon as possible and providing assistance to the people of Gaza who are suffering from the severe humanitarian consequences of the blockade and the ongoing hostilities. We hope that the UN Security Council will soon be able to raise its voice in support of this long-overdue humanitarian step.

We agreed to interact at the UN, including in the Security Council, General Assembly, and other United Nations bodies, in order to advance the above approaches.

Speaking of "tomorrow," I hope it will not be postponed for too long. Clearly, there is no alternative to a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict within the internationally recognised legal framework which includes the creation of an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel. This is our shared position.

We discussed the situations in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and other crises-ridden hotspots. We expressed hope that Damascus' return to the League of Arab States would help create additional conditions for advancing a comprehensive political settlement in Syria and around it based on respect for sovereignty, unity, and the territorial integrity of that country.

We exchanged assessments regarding the situation in Africa, especially in the Sahel-Saharan region and in Somalia. We share the opinion that sustainable stability in the region can only be achieved by effectively opposing terrorism and extremism in whatever guise they may arise. In this regard, we emphasised the importance of consolidating the international community's efforts to combat terrorist groups, wherever they may operate and regardless of the goals they may state to justify their criminal activities. It does not matter who their threats and actions are targeted at.

As my friend and colleague Nasser Bourita underscored, the assessments of the state of affairs in the region and in the international arena can be found in the expanded version of the Joint Statement that we adopted and that is now being distributed by our Moroccan hosts.

We declared we are in favour of further strengthening practical cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Arab world, including in the areas mentioned by Mr Bourita. I am referring to the expansion of political dialogue, security issues, economic, trade, investment, cultural, educational, and wider humanitarian cooperation. All this has been included in the Joint Action Plan. This is the second document of its kind, which covers the period 2024-2026 and provides important guidelines for building up practical cooperation for mutual benefit. We are unanimous in these plans and will bring them towards full implementation.

I would like to once again thank our Moroccan friends for organising this meeting and for their warm hospitality.

Question: The previous session of the forum in 2019 took place in a completely different world. That was before the pandemic, the hot phase of the Ukraine crisis or the new war in the Middle East. Few people have yet spoken of multipolarity outside of Russia. How have our country's relations with the Arab states changed over this time?

Sergey Lavrov: I think that in 2019, when the fifth edition of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum took place, all the issues you enumerated were already considered pressing on the global agenda.

The Ukraine crisis began long before 2019. President Vladimir Putin recalled in great detail at a Russian Defence Ministry Board meeting yesterday how it had been orchestrated by the United States and its Western allies that sought to turn Ukraine into a containment tool against Russia, a springboard for creating direct threats to our security and for infringing on, discriminating against and even physically exterminating Russians living in Ukraine - in the areas that were settled and inhabited by Russian people and their descendants. These people, who wanted to remain in their own cultural, linguistic and historical framework, were openly threatened as early as 2014. Both Petr Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky passed many laws that directly banned the use of the Russian language in every aspect of peaceful life. Where the Verkhovna Rada had no power, the local authorities added their touch. A couple of months ago, the Kiev City Council adopted a decision prohibiting any manifestations of Russian culture and language in the daily life of the Ukrainian capital.

I cannot say that the Middle East was peaceful in 2019. However, nothing compares to the disastrous crisis that we are witnessing now and which our discussion focused on today. The intensity of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation that we are seeing now has significantly shaped the agenda of today's meeting.

We also mentioned the situation in Ukraine. The Arab League's dedicated Contact Group on Ukraine visited the Russian Federation as far back as in spring 2022. We had a good conversation about the causes of the Ukrainian crisis; we considered ways to resolve it if Ukraine stopped being used against the Russian Federation, and the country's Nazification and all steps to exterminate everything Russian were discontinued. We noted this initiative of the League of Arab States in the statement that we adopted today. I would like to emphasise that Russia welcomes any constructive ideas, including anything the League of Arab States could propose to create favourable conditions for a just settlement of the conflict on the basis of international law, such as ensuring the rights of ethnic minorities and the legitimate security interests of each state.

Indeed, Ukraine is a different story today. In 2019, neither German Chancellor Angela Merkel, nor French President Francois Hollande or President of Ukraine Petr Poroshenko publicly admitted that they were going to discard the Minsk Agreements. They were eager to sign that "paper" and get approval from the UN Security Council only to buy a few years to pump Ukraine full of weapons. We did suspect this in 2019; but now we have evidence, as they have confessed publicly and voluntarily.

We agreed that the United States considers itself entitled to usurp and monopolise foreign policy processes, what we see in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and as a result ruin the economy and undermine statehood, as was the case in Libya. Hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties, crumbling socioeconomic sectors, and massive refugee flows are the outcomes of numerous reckless schemes orchestrated by the United States in the Middle East. Their sole objective is to bring countries into line whose governments dare to pursue independent policies in their national interests.

In this sense, the developments in the Middle East and in Ukraine are driven by the same force. We are convinced that justice will prevail in both cases.

Regarding the Middle East, this crisis (speaking of positive outcomes) has exacerbated the issue of creating a Palestinian state to its limit. Today, we were united in our understanding that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible; otherwise, outbreaks of violence will continue.

Unfortunately, we keep hearing rumours and reports from anonymous sources suggesting that our Western colleagues, led by the United States, are once again devising secret projects to somehow suppress the situation, but still not let the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River unify. Essentially, this would obstruct and postpone indefinitely the creation of a Palestinian state. The key takeaway from the current international situation, and we share this understanding with our friends from the League of Arab States, is that this is an invitation to further crisis and further conflict. The UN Security Council resolution to create a Palestinian state must be acted upon immediately. Of course, that should be done after we jointly put an end to the ongoing hostilities and resolve the humanitarian issues.

The things we are discussing now essentially reflect a sharper global understanding of the fact that multipolarity is not someone's whim, not some "rules" that should underlie the world order according to Washington and its allies, but an objective historical process. Compared to 2019, the inevitability of this process has deepened and expanded worldwide, including in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel-Saharan region. Regarding the League of Arab States, we see how this association is becoming an integral part of a multipolar world and a pillar of polycentricity.

Question (translated from Arabic): What is your assessment of this forum? How do you see Morocco's role in this sphere, especially Morocco's strategic vision for Africa?

Sergey Lavrov: We have been talking about the assessments of this forum for half an hour now. This is a well-organised event. It took us a long time to prepare it. First, the pandemic made it impossible to hold it. Then, we looked for mutually acceptable dates. Everyone agreed that Marrakesh was the meeting place. In the end, this is exactly how it played out. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining.

The extra time that we had to get ready for the forum has led to a high-quality outcome. I mean the Joint Statement and the Action Plan, which contain absolutely clear and specific guidelines for further work. All participants in our meeting emphasised that the Moroccan presidency did a tremendous amount of work. This will go down in the history of Russia's relations with the League of Arab States. Maybe, if there are no objections, we will call this statement the Marrakesh Declaration.

Regarding the "gateway" to Africa, Morocco is one of our leading trade and economic partners. We are working with the Moroccans and many other members of the League of Arab States on projects with a potential for regional coverage. The creation of a Russian industrial area in Egypt, in the Suez Canal area, would crown the discussion. This project will have a regional dimension as well. We are in favour of maximising the number of projects that involve bilateral relations and also create a regional foundation to reinforce our friends' positions in this region.

Question (translated from Arabic): What is the role of Egypt and Qatar in the Middle East settlement process? What do you think about today's UN meeting? Will the United States block the resolution?

Sergey Lavrov: In my answer to the previous question, I have said that we hope (I mean all participants in the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum) that the UN Security Council will eventually come to understand its responsibility, raise its voice and use its competence and broad powers to put an end to the bloodshed and to move toward establishing a ceasefire and addressing humanitarian issues. It is truly a disaster unfolding there. I'm saying I hope that the UN Security Council will be able to make such a decision because, as you accurately stated, the United States has already blocked resolutions aimed at ending the hostilities or at least achieving a humanitarian ceasefire a couple of times using its veto or other means. It's a tricky issue from the standpoint of international law.

We remain in contact with our representatives in New York. Morning has not come there yet. The vote is scheduled for today. Let's see what happened during the night hours here and in Europe.

You mentioned a new initiative that was unexpectedly put forward today with Qatari mediation. I understand that representatives from the Biden administration and the Israeli government visited Qatar. Suddenly, there was a proposal to introduce a new humanitarian pause (this is the mildest term) for a week to exchange more hostages and prison inmates.

Coincidentally, the UN Security Council has been reviewing the issue at hand for several days now. I do not rule out the possibility that our American colleagues will show up at the Security Council meeting in New York today and say they have a good proposal for a one-week humanitarian pause and suggest not adopting the resolution. I hope this does not happen and they are aware of their share of responsibility. However, I do not rule out the possibility of this happening.

We will strive to ensure that international law underlies all actions taken in order to overcome this calamitous crisis and move toward resolving humanitarian issues, and then, without delay, convene a conference or some other forum where the issue of creating a Palestinian state, based on existing UN resolutions, needs to be addressed.

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Press release on the 6th Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the ministerial level held in Marrakesh, Morocco

20 December 2023 20:46

2587-20-12-2023

On December 20, Marrakesh, the Kingdom of Morocco, hosted the 6th Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum (RACF) at the ministerial level. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the foreign ministers of Bahrain, the Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen took part via video conference.

An interactive and detailed exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa demonstrated that the participants in the RACF session unanimously agreed that the domestic political problems of the countries in the region, no matter how challenging, should be resolved by peaceful means through a wide-ranging national dialogue embracing all political forces and walks of life. At the same time, it was stressed that any outside interference in the internal affairs of independent states was unacceptable. The participants reaffirmed that the principle of respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity in conformity with international law and the UN Charter remained immutable.

These fundamental postulates served as the basis for a detailed analysis of a number of current regional problems with a focus on an unprecedented escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. The participants agreed that it was highly important to step up international efforts to stop the hostilities in Gaza as soon as possible, provide the necessary assistance to the local population, and create conditions for a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the Middle East conflict based on the generally accepted international law. Other topics for substantive discussion were the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan; the Ukraine crisis; counteraction to terrorism and extremism; and plans to create a zone free of nuclear and other mass destruction weapons in the Middle East.

A number of specific steps were coordinated to invigorate the entire range of cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries, including trade, the economy, research, culture, and the humanitarian area.

The RACF concluded with its participants approving a joint Declaration and a Plan of Action to implement the Forum's principles, goals and tasks for 2024-2026.

It was agreed that the 7th RACF session would be held in Moscow in 2024.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco

20 December 2023 21:46

2588-20-12-2023

On December 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was on a working visit to Morocco to attend the sixth session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakesh where he held talks with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita discussed the package of current issues on the steady development of traditionally friendly bilateral relations with an emphasis on the need to intensify joint efforts to further promote multifaceted bilateral ties in accordance with the 2002 Declaration on Strategic Partnership and the 2016 Statement on Deeper Strategic Cooperation. The ministers agreed to step up preparations for the regular eighth session of the Intergovernmental Mixed Russian-Moroccan Commission on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in Moscow. They also discussed in detail promising projects in energy, industry and agriculture and issues pertaining to upgrading the contractual foundation of bilateral ties.

During the exchange of views on current international issues, Mr Lavrov and Mr Bourita focused on the developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel zone. They reaffirmed Moscow and Rabat's intention to deepen their dialogue and coordinate efforts to settle regional issues through political and diplomatic methods with reliance on the fundamental principles and standards of international law with the UN central role.

During his stay in Morocco, Mr Lavrov awarded Foreign Ministry badges "For Interaction" to honorary consul of Russia in Marrakesh Rabai Hafid and honorary consul of Russia in Agadir Abdellatif Abid for their efforts at strengthening Russian-Moroccan ties.

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Telephone conversation with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro.

December 21, 2023

19:00

The presidents discussed current issues of Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in energy, trade, investment and the cultural and humanitarian areas. Russia continues to assist Venezuela's leaders in their effort to strengthen their national economy and sovereignty.

During the exchange of views on international issues, the presidents emphasised their common approaches to the creation of a fair multipolar world order and the rejection of unlawful sanctions and interference in the domestic affairs of states.

Nicolas Maduro told Vladimir Putin about his talks with the President of Guyana on the developments in Essequibo. Vladimir Putin advocated a settlement of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana through political and diplomatic means.

The leaders exchanged acknowledgements of the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays and agreed to keep in touch. The President of Venezuela received confirmation of his invitation to visit Russia next year.

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Russia says set up 'comprehensive cooperation' with North Korea

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 21 December 2023 3:03 PM

Russia says it has established an "active comprehensive cooperation" with North Korea.

Moscow maintains its strategic partnerships with India and China as well.

In a conference with the participation of foreign military attaches in Moscow on Thursday, Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov said, "The course towards developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and India continues. Active comprehensive cooperation has been established with the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)."

In September, President Vladimir Putin hosted a one-on-one summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un in Moscow.

During the meeting, the Russian president said there were areas of potential military collaboration between the two countries in spite of numerous UN sanctions against North Korea over its weapons and ballistic missile programs.

"There are certain restrictions.... Under the current rules, we also have opportunities, which we see and discuss," the Russian president said.

The North Korean leader's visit came after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea in July.

The United States and its allies have voiced concern that North Korea could provide weapons and ammunition to Russia to help replenish stocks used in the war with Ukraine.

Washington has said Moscow may be helping Pyongyang to evade the UN sanctions, notably in the ballistic missile program and aeronautical engineering. The Kremlin has dismissed the "absolutely unfounded" allegation.

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Former Russian Minister Sentenced To 12 Years For Embezzlement

By RFE/RL's Russian Service December 21, 2023

A district court in Moscow has sentenced former Russian government minister Mikhail Abyzov to 12 years in a maximum security prison following his conviction on charges of embezzlement and other crimes related to an alleged organized crime group.

Abyzov was minister for open government affairs from 2012 to 2018 in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The prosecutor in the case on December 4 asked the Preobrazhensky district court to sentence Abyzov to 19 1/2 years and his four co-defendants, former top managers of the Novosibirsk region's energy supplying companies, to prison terms between seven and 18 1/2 years.

Abyzov was arrested in March 2019 by officers with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) at the business terminal of Moscow's Vnukovo Airport as he tried to leave Russia. He was living in Italy at the time and had traveled to Russia for his birthday.

His co-defendants, Nikolai Stepanov, Maksim Rusakov, Galina Fainberg, and Aleksandr Pelipasov, were arrested at the same time.

As a minister in Medvedev's cabinet, Abyzov's duties included trying to make the Russian government more transparent and accountable.

But Russia's Investigative Committee accused him of being a member of a criminal organization that embezzled 4 billion rubles ($43 million) from the Siberian Energy Company and Regional Electric Grid in Novosibirsk.

Investigators alleged that Abyzov and his accomplices stole the money and transferred the funds abroad. They accused Abyzov of founding the criminal organization in April 2011 before he became a government minister. They also accused him of fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and commercial tampering.

Abyzov denied all the charges and called the indictment "an arbitrary essay on the topic of the Criminal Code."

Prior to joining Medvedev's cabinet, Abyzov held several executive positions at major Russian energy firms, including a role on the board of directors at the electric power holding company RAO UES.

Before his arrest he was listed by Forbes magazine as one of Russia's richest citizens with an estimated fortune of $600 million.

With reporting by dpa and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-minister-abyzov- sentenced-prison-embezzlement/32742306.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad of the Republic of Tunisia Nabil Ammar, Tunis, December 21, 2023

21 December 2023 12:56

2590-21-12-2023

Minister,

Dear friend,

Colleagues,

I am delighted to return to Tunisia and to be able to continue the conversation we started in Moscow. I remember the talks we had in the Russian capital on September 29, 2023, well. Back then, we were glad to accept your invitation and here we are today to fulfil these agreements.

We have an opportunity to discuss promising avenues for bilateral cooperation, including from an economic and humanitarian perspectives, as well as efforts to develop high-technology cooperation. Russia and Tunisia have shared a multifaceted relationship of friendship and mutual respect for decades.

You have just mentioned the principles underpinning your foreign policy. One of them consists of making sure that a partnership with one country does not develop at the expense of partnerships with other countries. We share the same traditions.

Russia never seeks to forge friendly ties with the aim of countering others. Unfortunately, our Western colleagues have been prone to making friends in opposition to others. I think that life itself will set the record straight. We will inevitably come to realise what peaceful coexistence means for the emerging multipolar world order. We have every reason to say that the Arab League is currently one of the cornerstones of this order, as we discussed in detail yesterday at the ministerial Russia-Arab Cooperation Forum. This trend will gather momentum moving forward. Today, we can discuss all these matters in detail.

Thank you for your invitation and hospitality.

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Briefing by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, First Deputy Defence Minister General of the Army Valery Gerasimov

21.12.2023

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!

Our meeting today concludes official international events of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in this year.

In my statement today, I will pay attention to situation in a number of regions of the world and completion of the tasks given to the Armed Forces.

At the moment, military and political situation changes rapidly. A new multipolar world is shaping, hegemony of the USA and its allies is left behind in the past.

Washington tries to maintain Western-centred structure of the world order, ensure dominance worldwide, and dictate the terms to the rest of countries oppressing legitimate interests in security sphere.

The USA and its allies are systematically breaking the rules of international law undermining the role of the UN as a key institute, which harmonises relations between nations.

Washington willingly broke all core agreements constituting the framework of the armament control system.

As the West maintains its course towards Russia's strategic defeat, the implementation of confidence-building measures in the field of European security has lost its relevance.

At the same time, the Russian side remains committed to fulfiling its obligations to prevent incidents and maintains the existing lines of communication for crisis management.

The European continent has become an arena of confrontation between the West and the Russian Federation in the political and economic spheres. The accelerated integration of Sweden and Finland into the alliance, the increased military presence of NATO troops in Eastern Europe, the Baltic and Black Sea regions, as well as in the Polar Regions, have a negative impact on the situation in Europe with prospects for increased confrontation.

The intensity of operational and combat training activities conducted by the NATO Allied Forces remains high. Every year, about 40 major exercises are held near Russia's western borders with scenarios based on armed confrontation with our country. Increasingly, the exercises involve states outside the Alliance.

At the same time, the West seeks to create new hot spots and maintain conflicts in the Balkans, Transnistria and Transcaucasia, Central Asia, and Afghanistan.

The situation remains dire in the Syrian Arab Republic, where the continuing activity of terrorist groups together with the sanctions pressure of Western countries led by the United States of America are hindering efforts aimed to restore peaceful life.

In addition, the situation is complicated by the effects of the natural disaster in February this year, which affected more than 8,000,000 Syrians.

The situation remains most critical in the areas outside the control of the legitimate Government in Trans-Euphrates region and Et-Tanf, as well as in the Idlib de-escalation zone, where illegal armed groups continue to launch attacks against government forces and organise terrorist acts against civilians and Syrian security forces.

Illegal extraction and sale of natural resources led by the U.S. continues in the northeast.

It should be noted that irresponsible U.S. policy has led to another round of escalation in the Middle East.

Thus, the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli confrontation has turned into an open armed conflict with numerous civilian casualties on both sides.

The number of casualties now reached tens of thousands, and prospects for resolving the conflict are dim.

The situation in Africa remains dire. The main negative impact on its development is caused by political instability and long-standing internal conflicts in the countries of North Africa and the Sahara-Sahel regions.

Washington's sanctions policy against Russia has provoked a food crisis on the African continent, which is increasing social tensions and public discontent with the ruling regimes.

This has led to an escalation of internal armed conflicts and changes of power in a number of states.

The activity of terrorist and extremist organisations primarily those affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda also has a destructive impact on the situation.

Under these circumstances, the United States and its European allies are engaged in blackmailing African leaders to achieve their neo-colonial goals.

In Transcaucasia, the situation remains tense but has a steady trend towards stabilisation.

In September 2023, thanks to the mediation efforts of Russian peacekeepers, a ceasefire was achieved within twenty-four hours.

During warfare, the Russian peacekeeping contingent ensured the accommodation of more than 10,000 civilians in the places of its deployment, and subsequently guaranteed the safe departure of virtually the entire population of Karabakh to the territory of Armenia. Transport aircraft of peacekeepers delivered almost 300 wounded to hospitals.

At the same time, our military contingent continues to fulfil its tasks as a guarantor of the possibility of building a peaceful life and the return of residents to the region.

On the political track, the Russian Federation is working purposefully to unblock transport communications in the Transcaucasia, conclude a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, and resolve the most acute Armenian-Azerbaijani contradictions.

The Asia-Pacific region has seen a dramatic increase in conflict potential. Its main reason is the actions of Western countries aimed at undermining the ASEAN-centric multilateral security architecture that has been established here and has proved its effectiveness.

Thus, the creation of NATO-like military blocs in the Asia-Pacific region, such as AUKUS, the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea trilateral alliance and other quasi-alliances military in nature bring challenges and threats to the region similar to those that Europe is faced with today.

Interaction within the framework of the AUKUS allows member-states not only to modernise their armed forces in terms of conventional weapons, but also to develop their nuclear component, which is detrimental to the global regime of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

We note the build-up of NATO power potential in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is noted that tensions are escalating around Myanmar, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula in accordance with Washington's scenario, territorial disputes are worsening in the South China Sea, and the West is using conflict situations to pump strategic arms into the region.

The United States and NATO have focused on ensuring their dominance in the Arctic and deterring the Russian Federation in the region. To this end, the collective West is increasing its military presence in high latitudes and developing military infrastructure near the borders of the Russian Federation. As a result, the potential for conflict in the region is increasing.

The territories of Finland and Sweden are increasingly being used for the deployment of NATO troops and their operational build-up in areas bordering Russia.

I draw your attention to the fact that the presence of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Arctic is not related to the demonstration of military force, but to ensuring the security of the economic development of the region, including navigation in the waters of the Northern Sea Route and the implementation of projects in the area of exploration and extraction of natural resources.

To this end, we are systematically developing the grouping of troops (forces) in the Arctic, creating and modernising the necessary infrastructure to support its activities.

Additional work has been carried out to streamline the rules for the passage of foreign warships along the Northern Sea Route. In June this year, changes were made to the relevant sailing rules.

The key factor in shaping the military and political situation both at the regional and global levels is the crisis in Ukraine, which is taking place in the form of a hybrid proxy war by the United States and its allies against the Russian Federation. This war is being fought by the hands of the Ukrainian people.

The countries of the collective West ignored Russia's demand for a mutual security agreement and defiantly supported the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev, which unleashed the destruction of the Russian-speaking population of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics.

For eight years, the West has been actively building up the military potential of the Ukrainian armed forces, pushing Kiev towards a resolution of the conflict in Donbass by force and an invasion of the Crimean peninsula.

Because of that, Russia was forces to begin the special military operation.

Today, Washington's policy is aimed at prolonging the Ukrainian conflict. To this end, Ukraine is provided with significant military and military-technical assistance.

Since February 2022, Kiev has received more than 5,200 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, more than 1,300 field artillery pieces, 200 multiple launch rocket systems, more than 23,000 anti-tank guided missile systems, 1,200 anti-aircraft missile systems and installations, more than 100 aircraft, 23,000 drones, as well as a significant amount of ammunition of various types. About 100,000 Ukrainian servicemen underwent training in the USA and Europe.

The United Kingdom and France have handed over 200 Storm Shadow and SCALP air-to-ground guided missiles to Kiev, which are used, among other things, to hit civilian targets in Crimea and Donbass.

In October this year, Washington delivered ATACMS operational-tactical missiles to Ukraine to prolong the agony of the Kiev regime.

Despite the large-scale military and financial assistance provided to Ukraine by the West and the total mobilisation of Ukrainian citizens, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are still effectively carrying out tasks to achieve the objectives of the special military operation defined by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

This year, the main task was to repel the AFU's counteroffensive, whose backbone were brigades trained and equipped by Western countries.

The AFU command planned to defeat Russian Groups during the offensive operations. They wanted to deprive Russia of a land corridor to the Crimea.

The enemy was planning to block Melitopol by the end of the 15th day. Later, there were plans for an attack with access to the coast of the Sea of Azov, the city of Mariupol, and the border with Crimea.

In order to achieve this goal, the enemy had concentrated an offensive force of up to 50 battalions, more than 230 tanks and over 1,000 armoured fighting vehicles in Zaporozhye direction by early June. Half of this hardware were modern foreign models. The group was later built up to 80 battalions.

Russian troops carried out large-scale operations to create an echeloned system of engineering barriers, defence lines and positions in order to disrupt the plans of the Ukrainian command.

The AFU, which launched the offensive on 4 June 2023, managed to make some progress in Zaporozhye direction at the cost of heavy losses. The enemy though did not even manage to cross the tactical defence zone of Russian troops.

There has been no change in the situation on the battlefield as a result of additional supplies of Western weapons to the Kiev regime and the introduction of strategic reserves by the Ukrainian command. The number of casualties among the AFU troops only increased as a result of these actions.

Thus, the widely publicised counteroffensive by Ukraine and its NATO allies failed.

For half a year, enemy losses in all directions were about 160,000 troops, over 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles, including 766 tanks, 121 airplanes, and 23 helicopters.

Russian troops are successfully conducting an active defence. They are confidently holding their ground along the entire line of contact and are steadily expanding their zones of control in all directions. The enemy units are continuously inflicted with a fire defeat that prevents the AFU servicemen from moving forward.

Russian servicemen courageously act in the most difficult conditions of the combat situation and effectively perform tasks.

In order to achieve the objectives of the special military operation, long-range precision weapons are used to hit the control points of the AFU troops, defence enterprises, and critical military infrastructure. In total, about 1,500 targets were hit.

A significant decrease in manufacturing products of the Ukrainian military industrial enterprises was one of the results of deploying high-precision weapons.

Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation make a major contribution to the fulfilment of the tasks of the joint force grouping. It is used 24/7 in simple and complex meteorological conditions to search for and destroy enemy forces and assets, and to conduct reconnaissance and combat missions. Since the special military operation began, thousands of sorties have been made using airplanes and helicopters. On a daily basis, the AFU headquarters, command posts, depots with military hardware and ammunition, and AFU positions are shelled.

Air defence forces operate effectively in the special military operation zone. This year they destroyed over 6,300 enemy air targets, including over 4,600 unmanned aerial vehicles, over 100 Storm Shadow guided missiles, up to 90 HARM anti-radiation missiles, 30 Tochka-U operational-tactical missiles, and over 1,400 MLRS projectiles.

The use of various drones has become an integral part of combat operations.

Drones are used around the clock to conduct aerial reconnaissance of enemy troop formations at full depth. They provide location data of detected targets and objective control footage of the target engagement. Russian troops perform missions intended to defeat military infrastructure facilities and the full range of weapons and military hardware. Techniques and methods of their employment are constantly being improved during the special military operation.

Seeing that the AFU is incapable of achieving its battlefield goals, the Kiev regime continues to use terror tactics with tacit approval and often with support of Western intelligence agencies.

Thousands of violations of international humanitarian law have been on record since the beginning of the special military operation.

Missile and artillery attacks against peaceful cities and settlements in the Russian Federation are conducted every day without any justification of military necessity. As a result, residential areas, hospitals, schools, and other social facilities have been destroyed.

Ukrainian forces use tactical missiles, large-calibre artillery, mortars, and MLRS, including banned cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines, to attack civilian infrastructure.

On the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic alone, more than 4,700 (4,755) civilians, including 140 children, have been killed since February 2022. More than 5,000 other people were wounded.

Over 16,000 residential houses and nearly 3,500 civilian infrastructure facilities were destroyed or damaged, including some 700 educational and over 200 medical facilities.

Attacks on journalists and administration officials of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions remain commonplace for the Ukrainian leadership.

Ukraine is not giving up its attempts to carry out acts of nuclear terrorism and is systematically sending unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosive devices to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and the city of Energodar.

In May, Ukrainian saboteurs attempting to blow up power lines at the Leningrad and Kalinin nuclear power plants were thwarted.

In the current situation, the Russian Ministry of Defence continues its planned activities to strengthen the country's defence capabilities.

During the year, the Armed Forces addressed the challenges of increasing combat potential, improving personnel training and methods of managing troops and weapons, and providing troops with modern weapons and military hardware.

The Strategic Nuclear Forces continued their planned rearmament with the Yars and Avangard missile systems. They also modernised their long-range aircraft to ensure the deployment of modern long-range precision cruise missiles.

Another Borei-A nuclear submarine cruiser, the Emperor Alexander III, armed with Bulava ballistic missiles, joined the Navy.

The proportion of modern weapons in the nuclear triad was increased to 95%.

Taking into account the experience of the special military operation, the necessary measures have been taken to improve the composition and structure of the Armed Forces and to enhance the capabilities of the general-purpose forces.

Two strategic territorial formations of the Armed Forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts - are created in response to NATO expansion.

According to the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the gradual increase of the composition and size of the Armed Forces was continued, and their full-time strength was increased to 1,320,000 troops.

Two combined-arms armies and fourteen formations have been formed in the Land Forces.

In order to build up the capabilities of the Russian Federation's aerospace defence system, three formations of the Russian Aerospace Forces have been established.

The Navy has received four submarines and eight surface ships of various classes. To fulfil missions in oceanic and maritime regions, modern warships are being built.

The country's defence industry complex is multiplying its capabilities, providing the aviation, navy, and land forces with a full range of armament, missiles, and ammunition.

This year, more than 1,500 new and modernised tanks and some 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles have been delivered to equip the troops. Over 230 aircraft, over 80 types of ground-to-air weapons, and over 20,000 drones of various classes and types were delivered to the troops.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has continued to increase the pace of cooperation with foreign militaries within the framework of military and military-technical cooperation, despite Western attempts to isolate Russia in the international arena. More than 600 major events have taken place this year.

Particular attention was paid to the consolidation of reliable and mutually beneficial bilateral relations within the framework of the Union State, CSTO, and CIS, as well as with friendly states in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The development of a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and India is on track. An active and comprehensive co-operation has been established with the DPRK.

With the participation of more than 600 troops from 12 countries, the ADMM Plus anti-terror exercise was successfully conducted. The ADMM Plus Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action until 2027 is co-chaired with Laos.

This year, the Armed Forces intensified operational and combat training with foreign partners. In total, 17 international exercises were organised and attended.

The most significant combat training events in which Russian troops participated were the Maritime Interaction joint naval exercise with the People's Republic of China and the Interaction 2023 operational-strategic exercise, as well as CSTO format military exercises in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

The annual ARMY Military and Technical Forum was attended this year by delegations from the defence ministries of 83 foreign states, including 41 delegations headed by defence ministers and their deputies.

Around 200 bilateral meetings have been held with partners in other countries. More than 28,000 samples of military and dual-use products were exhibited by almost 1,500 domestic and foreign companies and organisations.

The 11th Moscow Conference on International Security took place in August. The event was attended by more than 800 delegates from 76 countries and 6 international organisations.

The conference discussed issues of global security in a multipolar world. It also looked at the interaction of military agencies in modern conditions.

In order to ensure the peaceful socio-economic development of Russia, next year we will continue to work on creating conditions for stabilising the situation at the global and regional levels, as well as on the progressive and balanced development of the Armed Forces.

Military cooperation with foreign militaries continues to be one of our priorities. Active military delegation exchanges and joint operational and combat training with friendly defence ministries are planned. We are looking forward to the active participation of the military attachAs in maintaining constructive cooperation.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate you on the upcoming Christmas and New Year 2024. My best wishes for health, peace and prosperity for you and your nearest and dearest.

Thank you for attention.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Widow of Journalist Killed by Saudi Arabia Granted Asylum in US

By VOA News December 21, 2023

The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist who was assassinated in 2018 by Saudi operatives in Turkey, has been granted political asylum in the United States, the newspaper reported Thursday.

Hanan Elatr went into hiding in Washington after her husband was killed in an incident that U.S. intelligence officials concluded was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"I couldn't really believe it," Elatr said about reading the letter notifying her she had been granted asylum, the Post reported.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, moved to northern Virginia in 2018. In June of that year, he and Elatr married in a religious ceremony in Virginia, but Elatr continued to live in Dubai, where she worked as a flight attendant.

Khashoggi later moved to Turkey and was arranging to marry another woman there in October 2018. He was killed when he went to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to get a document for that woman's father showing that he was not married in Saudi Arabia.

Over a year after Khashoggi was killed, Elatr lost her longtime flight attendant job in July 2020. That meant she could no longer live in Dubai. So she moved to Washington and went into hiding in her lawyer's apartment for 18 months.

Elatr told U.S. authorities in her asylum application that Egypt, where she is originally from, had detained her family and confiscated their passports over her relationship with Khashoggi, the Post said. In 2018, just months before Khashoggi was killed, the United Arab Emirates detained and interrogated Elatr and installed spyware on her confiscated phones.

Elatr is still seeking compensation from the Saudi government for Khashoggi's death, her lawyer said.

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UN humanitarian access at Bab al Hawa remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

21 December 2023

Thank you President. And thank you to Special Envoy Pedersen and Director Doughten for their briefings.

President, today in our final session of the year on this item, we should reflect on the situation in Syria over the last 12 months.

12 months in which there has been no progress on the political process. No improvement in civil or political rights for Syrians, or on arbitrary detentions. No improvement in the conditions to enable the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees.

The humanitarian crisis has deepened. And the captagon trade has only grown. As we enter the new year, we believe there are three areas where the Council can meaningfully focus.

First, the threat posed to the region from actors within Syria remains of grave concern. We are particularly concerned by the continuing attacks against the Global Coalition Against Daesh in northeast Syria; the increasing tensions along the Jordanian-Syria border; and the reported strikes into Israeli territory by the Assad regime and Iranian-affiliated forces. Regional escalation serves nobody's interest.

Second, UN humanitarian access at Bab al Hawa remains vital. Over three-quarters of all UN aid transits via this crossing and it remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians. The Syrian regime's current permissions expire on 13 January - we fully expect them to be renewed. Crossline operations can complement, but not replace, the essential support which cross-border mechanisms provide.

Finally, we need to continue to support the UN Special Envoy in his efforts to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Committee as soon as possible in the new year.

Mr President, 18th December marked eight years since this Council unanimously adopted resolution 2254. As we've said many times, implementation of this resolution remains the only way to end this conflict and provide sustainable peace and stability to the Syrian people.

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Moscow assumes that Russia and Armenia will remain partners and strategic allies united by common interests, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS.

"We believe that Russia and Armenia remain partners and strategic allies united by common interests, shared history and close views on international issues, and that this alliance corresponds to the main interests of both participants. The embassy continues to work and develop our contacts on the basis of this understanding," he pointed out.

According to Kopyrkin, "the existence of certain disagreements in the bilateral and multilateral agenda cannot be denied, but both the Russian and Armenian sides are ready to discuss any controversial issues openly and in a constructive atmosphere, as befits allies."

"At this stage we do not observe any significant changes in the working process. We continue to work on the tasks set within the framework of the Russian-Armenian comprehensive cooperation. We are confident that the implementation of these tasks will benefit both the Russian and Armenian peoples," he added.
'Genuine progress' towards political solution, essential to end war in Syria: UN envoy

21 December 2023 - The year 2023 has presented more challenges for Syria, marked by devastating earthquakes, escalating humanitarian needs and the most severe fighting in years, the UN's envoy for the country said on Thursday.

Briefing ambassadors at the Security Council, Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, noted that though there have been some diplomatic breakthroughs none led to tangible changes on the ground for civilians.

He also raised the alarm over the impact on the region of the devastating Israel-Palestine crisis.

On top of killings, injuries, displacement, abduction and detention, "Syrians now face the danger of regional spillover adding further fuel to the fire," he said.

Worsening situation

Mr. Pedersen said the last weeks had seen multiple airstrikes across Syria, attributed to Israel, with the Damascus and Aleppo airports reportedly rendered non-operational.

"Currently, only Latakia airport is functional, affecting both civilian air traffic and the UN humanitarian operations," he said.

Furthermore, there were multiple reports of missiles launched from southern Syria over the Occupied Syrian Golan towards Israel, and near-daily attacks on US positions in northeast Syria, he added.

"And in parallel, violence in all theatres of Syria continues and is even escalating once again in some respects, with alarming reports of civilian casualties," the UN envoy said.

Need for 'maximum restraint'

Underscoring the "urgent need for maximum restraint" by all actors - Syrians and non-Syrians - Mr. Pedersen said that no one should "delude themselves" that this worrying new-normal of ongoing escalation is in any way sustainable.

"Any major escalation would have devastating consequences in a deeply fragile situation, where de facto authorities and the presence and actions of foreign armies are key features of the landscape," he warned.

"We need to see sustained de-escalation in and on Syria, towards a nationwide ceasefire, and a cooperative approach to countering Security Council-listed terrorist groups," he urged, calling on all actors to operate in full compliance with international humanitarian law to ensure protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Unsustainable status quo

Highlighting that the challenges on the ground are "symptoms of a conflict that no one actor or existing group of actors can solve alone", Mr. Pedersen stressed the need for a political process that makes "genuine progress towards a political solution".

In conclusion, the UN Special Envoy said that as 2023 draws to close, rising violence and frustration, including protests, "should remind us that the status quo is unsustainable".

"It is unacceptable, and this conflict cannot be left unattended. It also shows that partial approaches are unlikely to address the depths of Syrians' despair or contain the conflict sustainably," he said.

Cross-border aid still 'indispensable'

Also briefing the Security Council, Lisa Doughten, Director of Humanitarian Finance and Resource Mobilization at the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), spoke of the continued suffering of civilians.

Against the backdrop of the sharp uptick in fighting, "cross-border relief operations remain an indispensable lifeline" for more than four million people in need in northwest Syria, she said, adding that the sheer scale of need nationwide "underscores the urgency of scaling up the delivery of aid via all modalities."

She also informed Council members that a lack of funding is severely OCHA's ability to respond.

Two weeks from the end of the year, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria is only 33 per cent funded. Just $1.8 billion has been received out of the required $5.4 billion.

"As we have repeatedly warned, this lack of resources is severely constraining our ability to provide critical life-saving assistance to millions of people in need," she said.

Security Council renews mandate of UN Force

Also on Thursday, the Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for a further six months, until 30 June 2024.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2718 (2023), which was co-penned by Russia and the United States, the Council called upon all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions throughout the country, including in the UNDOF area of operations, and to respect international humanitarian law.

UNDOF was established in May 1974, following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan, following the 1973 war. Since then, the UN Force has remained in the area to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and to supervise the implementation of the disengagement agreement.

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Taiwan amends law to fight Chinese illegal sand dredging

The amended law allows authorities to confiscate illegal sand dredgers operating in Taiwan's waters.

By RFA Staff 2023.12.20 -- Taiwanese lawmakers have passed amendments to seize sand dredging equipment, mostly on Chinese ships operating illegally.

The amendments to Article 36 of the Sand and Gravel Excavation Act and to Article 18 of the Act on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf of the Republic of China were passed on Monday. Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan.

They stipulate that "vessels or other machinery involved in illegal activities can be confiscated, regardless of whether they belong to the perpetrator." This is to prevent offenders from escaping punishment by claiming that their dredging vessels and equipment belong to someone else.

The Taiwanese legislature had already passed another amendment in 2021, increasing the penalties to a maximum of seven years in jail and a fine of up to NT$100 million (US$3.19 million.)

Illegal sand dredging to meet construction demands in China has in recent years become a serious problem in the waters around Taiwan.

In 2020, Taiwan expelled nearly 4,000 Chinese sand-dredgers and sand-transporting vessels -- a 560% leap from 2019, Reuters reported.

Military analysts say sand dredging and fishing are also methods used by China as "gray-zone" tactics. Although these activities aren't classified as acts of war, they still represent a threat to national security.

Specifically in the case of Taiwan, China has been actively using its coast guard and maritime militia, with sand dredging emerging as a key tactic. Incursions by Chinese aircraft and military vessels into waters around Taiwan have also become more frequent.

"Standing on the front line against authoritarian expansionism, Taiwan faces Chinese coercion and gray-zone tactics on a daily basis," Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a forum in Taipei earlier this month.

Edited by Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Search continues for 3 submariners swept off deck by wave

ROC Central News Agency

12/21/2023 05:13 PM

Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Navy said it is still searching for three submariners swept off deck by a sudden large wave during a training mission Thursday.

In a statement, the Navy said it had dispatched S70-C anti-submarine helicopters and multiple vessels to search the three missing members of the Hai Hu's crew -- non-commissioned officers surnamed Lin (), Yen () and Chang ().

Three others washed into the water -- a lieutenant commander surnamed Chen (), a lieutenant surnamed Tsung () and a non-commissioned officer surnamed Lee () -- had been rescued and were conscious, the Navy added.

According to the Navy, the crew members were trying to retrieve a piece of equipment that had fallen off the submarine.

The Navy added that all six had been wearing life vests when they went into the water.

(By Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/ASG

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Syriac Christmas Message Stirs Debate in Turkish Parliament

By Mahmut Bozarslan, Ezel Sahinkaya December 22, 2023

Turkey's parliament erupted in controversy this week when the nation's only Assyrian lawmaker delivered a Christmas message in his native Syriac language, offending other legislators who believe that only Turkish should be spoken in the national assembly.

"Starting with our Greek, Armenian and Assyrian citizens living in Turkey, I congratulate all Christians on Christmas," said George Aslan, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), during a budget debate Monday. "I hope the new year brings love and peace to our country and the whole world.

"I would like to deliver the same message on Christmas in Syriac for the Assyrian people who don't know Turkish," added Aslan, who continued his speech in Syriac.

Several lawmakers from the nationalist, center-right Good Party (IYI Party) objected to Aslan speaking from the podium in a language other than Turkish.

Official language

Assyrians are a Christian minority in the Middle East, and their numbers are shrinking in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, where they live. Their history dates to ancient Mesopotamia. The Syriac language is a Semitic language and is distinct from Arabic.

Aslan told VOA that he approached Musavat Dervisoglu, deputy chairman of the IYI Party's parliamentary group, outside the parliament hall to ask why IYI lawmakers objected to his speaking in Syriac.

"We did not bring this language from another planet. It is a language spoken in these lands for centuries. Why do you object because I said two words in my native language? What is your problem?' I said," Aslan told VOA.

He said Dervisoglu replied that he is "not against the Syriac language, but the official language in the parliament is Turkish."

Aslan says he will continue to speak Syriac whenever appropriate.

"Everyone will get used to it. This is the language of our people," Aslan added.

However, IYI Party lawmakers insist that speeches in the parliament must be delivered in Turkish.

"Turkish Parliament is one of the foremost constitutional institutions [in the country]. The provision in [Turkey's] constitution that 'Turkey's official language is Turkish' also applies in the Parliament," said Lutfu Turkkan, one of the IYI Party lawmakers who reacted to Aslan's speech.

Turkkan also told VOA that lawmakers are bound by an oath of allegiance to the constitution.

"I didn't realize that he was speaking Syriac or Kurdish anyway. I am not fluent in those languages, nor do I know them. However, no matter who he is, anyone at the podium of our great veteran assembly must deliver his speech in Turkish," Turkkan added.

'We are in the 21st century'

According to Evgin Turker, head of the Federation of the Syriac Associations in Turkey, some people have no tolerance for other languages, even on the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

"We are in the 21st century. A member of parliament is celebrating Christmas by speaking to his people in his native language, and they are going crazy," Turker told VOA.

"Regardless of the language, everyone should have the freedom to express themselves in their native language, and they should have schools," Turker added.

In October, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated a Syriac Orthodox Church, the first new church in modern Turkey's 100-year history.

While the Lausanne Treaty, the founding document of the Turkish Republic, provides the legal basis for non-Muslim minorities a including Greeks, Armenians and Jewish people a to open their schools in the country, Assyrians do not have schools where the Syriac language is taught. There is one Assyrian kindergarten that opened in Istanbul in 2014.

Previous debates

Aslan's Syriac remarks were recorded in the parliamentary minutes as an ellipsis, with a footnote stating, "Non-Turkish words were used by the speaker in these sections."

This has been a regular practice of the parliamentary minutes' transcribers, who apply the same practice to every non-Turkish language, including Kurdish, English and French.

However, according to the independent fact-checking organization Teyit, Kurdish speech was recorded in the parliamentary minutes as an "unknown language" in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Kurdish was banned in Turkey from the time of a 1980 military coup until January 1991.

In November 1991, Leyla Zana, a prominent Kurdish politician elected as a parliamentarian, caused an uproar by speaking in Kurdish during her oath ceremony. Her speech appeared as "unknown language" in the parliamentary minutes.

Zana did the same thing in 2015 when she was elected to the parliament for the second time. Her oath was ruled invalid.

On December 12, Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the DEM Party, began his speech in Kurdish, saying, "Kurds, whose existence, language and fundamental rights are ignored and whose citizenship is annotated, exist and are everywhere."

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus requested that Bakirhan speak in Turkish. Bakirhan's Kurdish speech appeared as an ellipsis with the same footnote as Aslan's speech.

Restrictions on the Kurdish language were relatively eased during Turkey's peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party, with many issues debated, including primary education, in Kurdish.

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UK and Saudi Arabia emphasise commitment to Middle East security

The UK and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their long-standing defence partnership, amid the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea.

21 December 2023

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defence was hosted in London to discuss shared defence and security priorities.

Maintaining regional security was reaffirmed as a shared priority.

Future collaboration work across land, sea and air also discussed.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps today hosted HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister for Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in London. The counterparts discussed the importance of our joint defence activities to strengthen security in the Middle East, with continued building on industrial partnerships covering land and maritime, as well as our Future Combat Air partnership.

Houthi attacks, including the use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems against global shipping, represent an increased threat to security in the Red Sea.

The UK has demonstrated its commitment to support regional security and stability through the deployment of HMS Diamond to the Red Sea to protect key global shipping lanes. On Saturday morning, HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone which was targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

The UK has been, and will continue to be, a critical defence partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we are jointly seeking to strengthen security in the Middle East. It was a pleasure to host my counterpart, where we were steadfast in our commitment to protect the free flow of global trade, while also discussing progress on land, maritime and air programmes.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has the UK's close support as it undertakes a Defence Transformation under its 'Vision 2030'. The UK is continuing with our Defence Adviser Programme to Saudi Arabia for a further 3 years, demonstrating our commitment to strengthen cooperation on defence and security matters.

In order to address regional threats and challenges and ensure stability; Saudi Arabia and the UK will look to expand joint cooperation on multiple strategically significant capability areas that match our respective Defence capability plans.

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December 21, 2023

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov

Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov to discuss the latest on the situation on the ground in Ukraine and security assistance priorities. Secretary Austin also provided an update on the progress of the capability coalitions established under the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and planning for future UDCG meetings.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3624873/

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Winter package for Ukraine - joint press statement by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Foreign Office

Germany Federal Foreign Office

21.12.2023 - Press release

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Foreign Office are contributing 88.5 million euro to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine

The Federal Government is setting aside a further 88.5 million euro for the European Energy Community. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is contributing 54.3 million euro via KfW while the Federal Foreign Office is providing 34.2 million euro. After all, Russia's airstrikes are targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure also in the second winter of Russia's war of aggression against the country.

Among other things, Ukraine is using the Energy Support Fund to finance energy sources, spare parts and equipment such as transformers and generators, which are helping to maintain Ukraine's energy supply. Ukrainian energy companies can use these funds to repair destroyed substations and power plants in order to continue supplying people with electricity and heat. Another part of the funds will be used for green energy transition projects, such as photovoltaic systems on public buildings and the green reconstruction of Ukraine.

At the end of last year, the Federal Government had already contributed 129.5 million euro to the Energy Support Fund. This brings Germany's overall contribution to 218 million euro. Germany remains by far the largest donor to the fund, which has collected around 400 million euro since February 2022. The European Energy Community organises the tenders for the goods to be procured and monitors the use of the funds.

The contributions to the Energy Support Fund are part of the Federal Government's winter package of over 1.6 billion euro for Ukraine this year, which also includes military contributions to air defence, development policy support and humanitarian assistance.

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Financing solutions, advice and support - Finland's national plan supports Ukraine by improving the operating conditions of Finnish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Press releases, 21.12.2023

Finland's national plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine will improve the prerequisites for the business operations of Finnish companies in Ukraine. A reconstruction plan based on the Government Programme was published on 21 December 2023.

The first part of the reconstruction plan(Link to another website.), published on 21 December, focuses on the opportunities of Finnish companies to participate and their operational prerequisites, as well as on the types of funding, support and advice Finnish companies can receive for participating in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Based on the Government Programme, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has prepared a National Plan for Participation in the Reconstruction of Ukraine in close cooperation with other central government and business life.

Finland is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine and its reconstruction. Finland will also participate in supporting Ukraine by creating and improving the prerequisites for the operation of Finnish companies in Ukraine. International companies can influence economic development through their own actions, which is essential for the country's employment, tax revenue and resilience in general. The measures proposed in the plan will improve the operating conditions of Finnish companies in Ukraine. Finland has a wealth of expertise and range of expertise relevant for the needs of Ukraine.

The first part of the plan presents a number of financing solutions that will facilitate such things as market surveys, trade and investment in Ukraine. The most significant practical financing measures include enabling export financing to Ukraine by compensating credit losses incurred by national export credit agency Finnvera. In addition, the capital of national development cooperation fund Finnfund will be increased by EUR 25 million, which will enable investments in the private sector in Ukraine.

The plan also proposes the establishment of a new mixed credit instrument, the Ukraine Investment Facility, which would enable projects worth EUR 50 million in 2025 - 2026. Advisory services for companies will be improved and made more clear and efforts will be made to strengthen the resourcing of the parties providing these services, both in Finland and Ukraine.

"Finland wants to support the participation and access of our companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine. This encompasses investments amounting to hundreds of billions of euros, for which we have an abundance of the required expertise", emphasises Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

Finland will continue its unwavering support to Ukraine for as long as needed. From February 2022, Finland's total assistance to Ukraine amounts to 2,2 billion euros (mostly defence materiel support, development cooperation and humanitarian aid). Finland continues its long-term cooperation with Ukraine on education, energy and the rule of law. Ukraine is Finland's biggest development cooperation partner.

The second part of the plan will address the participation of central government and stakeholders in reconstruction more extensively and will be completed next year. Its key focus will be on the use of development cooperation and humanitarian appropriations.

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Orban Says He Accepted Zelenskiy's Invitation To Discuss Ukraine's EU Membership Hopes

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 21, 2023

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he has accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to hold a bilateral meeting, which would be the first between the two leaders since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Orban said at a news conference in Budapest on December 21 that he agreed to Zelenskiy's proposal for a future meeting during a brief conversation on December 10 on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony for Argentina's new president.

He said he told Zelenskiy he would "be at his disposal" after Zelenskiy suggested they discuss his country's ambitions to join the European Union.

At an EU summit last week, Orban prevented the adoption of a 50 billion euro ($54.7 billion) EU aid package to Kyiv. Orban was the only leader who objected, thus blocking the aid because the EU requires unanimity among its members. But on the vote over accession talks, Orban left the room, allowing it to pass.

Orban said at the news conference that his government continues to oppose the scope and timeline of the proposed funding for Ukraine, suggesting he would maintain his position when EU leaders meet again in February.

Earlier on December 21, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv had received the last 1.5-billion-euro tranche from a previously approved 18 billion euro package from the European Union as other Western aid remains in doubt.

"Today we have received the last 1.5 billion euros of the 18 billion euro financial aid package. Hope for continued unwavering support from the EU," Shmyhal said on the X social media platform on December 21.

The announcement came after Germany said it would provide an additional 88.5 million euros ($96.89 million) to help strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system as Russia targets its infrastructure.

Finland also announced a new aid package on December 21. The country's Defense Ministry said it would provide Ukraine with aid worth 106 million euros. It will be the 21st shipment of defense equipment from Finland to Ukraine.

"Finland is determined to support Ukraine both in the short term and in the long term. The total value of the defense equipment packages that we have provided is now 1.6 billion euros," said Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen.

The fresh cash injections were announced as Zelenskiy said Ukraine has received signals that Russia's military planning and activity are slowing.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said this was noted in a report issued by the HUR military intelligence directorate.

"The enemy's plans, the work of the Russian defense [industry]. There are signals indicating a slowdown. We will continue to support their slowdown."

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said earlier on December 21 that at least three people died in Russian attacks on mining facilities in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

"Two bombs hit the territory of one of the mines in Toretsk. One person was killed and two others were injured," Klymenko said in a statement on social media.

Two more bombs hit an area near another mine, killing two people and injuring three, he added.

Ukraine's General Staff said earlier that Ukrainian air defenses shot down 34 of the 35 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia at 12 regions, including Kyiv, early on December 21, Ukraine's General Staff reports.

"Thirty-four attack UAVs were destroyed by our air defense forces," the military said in a statement.

"Antiaircraft defense was active in the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsya, Cherkasy, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Mykolayiv, Khmelnytskiy, Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Kirovohrad regions," the military added.

Since 2022, when Russia launched a campaign of drone attacks over Ukraine, Kyiv's military has managed to down 2,900 out of 3,700 Shahed drones, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on December 21, Reuters reported.

In other news, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told foreign media on December 21 that the Ukrainian military, will soon start to mobilize Ukrainian men between 25 and 60 who reside abroad.

Umerov said that those who fail to heed the mobilization call when summoned would face unspecified sanctions.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry spokesman Illarion Pavlyuk told the Babel website that Umerov only intended to send a message to Ukrainians abroad about the importance of their joining Kyiv's struggle to repel Russia's invasion, adding that specific mechanisms to recruit Ukrainian expats are not under discussion yet.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- russia-drone-attacks/32741424.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Air Defense Destroys Ukrainian Missile Over Sea of Azov

Sputnik News

20231221

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems destroyed a Ukrainian missile over the Sea of Azov, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"At about 15:00 Moscow time [12:00 GMT], the Kiev regime attempted to carry out a missile attack on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian missile was destroyed by Russian air defense systems over the waters of the Sea of Azov," the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan discussed issues related to the South Caucasus, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.

The parties emphasized the leading role and special responsibility of the states of the region in maintaining stability and security in the South Caucasus.

"Both sides confirmed their commitment to maintaining a close dialogue on the issues of regional and European security," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Another round of consultations with Germany on security commitments to Ukraine was held

President of Ukraine

21 December 2023 - 20:58

On the instructions of the President of Ukraine and the Head of the Presidential Office, another round of consultations with Germany was held today on the conclusion of a bilateral agreement on security commitments to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian negotiating team, led by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva, also included Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Roman Mashovets, representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked for the significant role of Germany and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz personally in the European Council's historic decision to open negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

For his part, Matthias LAttenberg, a representative of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, noted Ukraine's success in implementing reforms even in the face of a full-scale war.

The parties exchanged views on the key components of security commitments to Ukraine, raised the issue of the legal framework of the future bilateral agreement, and agreed on a plan for further communication.

"Germany demonstrates leadership in financial and military support for Ukraine, especially in terms of continuing large-scale assistance in 2024. Your country, which is a member of the EU and NATO, is an irreplaceable guarantor of Ukraine's security and future in these organizations," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

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Oleksiy Kuleba met with the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine

President of Ukraine

21 December 2023 - 20:18

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleksiy Kuleba met with UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Denise Brown.

The participants discussed the inclusive recovery of communities and the development of cooperation of Ukraine, its regions and communities with the Organization in the coming year.

"Inclusive community recovery is essential to stimulate local economic development. This process requires concerted efforts by national and regional authorities, civil society, local small and medium-sized enterprises and international partners. The UN agencies are present in Ukraine, working in communities committed to recovery, and we will increase our efforts in 2024 in partnership with regional and local administrations," said Denise Brown.

She added that the UN agencies in Ukraine are now working in almost all regions and, in partnership with regional and local administrations, are helping to restore communities affected by Russian aggression. The presence of the UN system in Ukraine is currently the largest in its history: more than 3,000 employees, offices in many regional centers.

"We are in constant contact with communities on the ground and can see and understand all the needs of people," emphasized the coordinator.

Denise Brown added that the UN agencies help not only to meet humanitarian needs, but also to create strategies for regional recovery and development. Regional offices of international cooperation at the RMAs, regional authorities and communities are actively involved in this process. In particular, such work is already underway in Sumy and Mykolaiv regions.

For his part, Oleksiy Kuleba thanked Denise Brown for the active and effective presence of the United Nations system in Ukraine and stressed the importance of maintaining funding for programs and projects in 2024.

"I hope that next year our cooperation will become even more effective, because we have a lot of work ahead on the way to the EU, in particular in terms of implementing reforms, and the UN's support is important in this process," he said.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine also thanked for the invitation to participate in the meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, which took place in Lviv last week.

She emphasized the importance of the Ukrainian President's focus on communities and his desire to hear comprehensive answers from government officials together with the communities. Denise Brown also praised the dialogue between the central government and communities and the unprecedented gathering of all Ukrainian authorities at one event.



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Ihor Zhovkva met with a delegation of French senators

President of Ukraine

21 December 2023 - 18:25

The Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine met with a delegation of French senators headed by CAdric Perrin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked France for its continued comprehensive support for our country and emphasized the important role of the French Parliament in this regard.

He emphasized France's leadership in making strategic decisions on Ukraine's European integration, in particular regarding the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office praised the meaningful bilateral dialogue on security commitments in the context of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of July 12, 2023.

Ihor Zhovkva also noted France's significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine's security and defense capabilities, in particular through combat training of Ukrainian military personnel.

"We highly appreciate the military assistance provided by France to our country, as well as the readiness of the French side to join the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets in early 2024," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office said.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked for the active participation of French defense companies in the Defense Industries Forum held in Kyiv on September 29 this year. The importance of further deepening Ukrainian-French cooperation in the defense sector and implementing relevant joint projects was emphasized, following up on the agreements between the Presidents of Ukraine and France.

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LONDON, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Steven Adriell, Director of Business Relations at Elite Capital & Co. Limited, announced today that the two heads of Elite Capital & Co. Limited have been on the CIO Times magazine cover and been classified as the Most Remarkable Men in Business to Follow in 2023.







Today, all employees at Elite Capital & Co. Limited feel proud that their leaders are ranked as the most remarkable men in business to follow in 2023 by one of the most important peer-reviewed journals in the world, Steven Adriell said.

CIO Times is a print and digital media platform that curates opinions, outlooks, and visions about the industries from their leaders. They strive to serve as a one-stop, reliable source of information from the industries CIO Times caters to, and showcase their growth opportunities.

For the companies, CIO Times serves as a platform for sharing their experiences with the readers and potential clients and uplifting their brand awareness. They provide a platform to share top business stories, business solutions, the latest technological solutions, products & services, and more. CIO Times is working for organizations of all sizes and sectors that seek to create their space in the business world.

CIO Times is committed to creating a transparent platform for top leaders and executives to bring forth unheard and unseen challenges they have faced while on their way to success. While sharing their experiences and views, they help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals who can learn from them regarding industry perspectives, opportunities, challenges, and business needs.

Our leaders being most remarkable men in business to follow in 2023 is a unique thing that makes us keen to continue to maintain this position among the countries and governments of the world, and provide the best financial services to our clients, Steven Adriell said.

Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects.

Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program.

Mr. Steven Adriell concluded his statement by saying, On behalf of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, we would like to thank the CIO Times Editor in Chief Carla Houston and Business Development Manager Hazel Smith for their efforts and cooperation during the last 6 months of hard working.

Elite Capital & Co.  Contact Details 

Elite Capital & Co. Limited

33 St. James Square

London, SW1Y4JS

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060

SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21

LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26

Website: ec.uk.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1331627a-2084-49f6-b4ce-e53ccd34a6c1
NEWARK, Del, Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The J-beauty product market is likely to jump from US$ 34,468 million in 2024 to US$ 52,512 million by 2034. This projected expansion is anticipated to result from an average 4.30% CAGR in the demand for the J-beauty product market over the upcoming decade.



The market expands rapidly as the need for personal care products increases among young and older adults. The presence of the beauty goods manufacturing industry throughout the globe is expected to fuel market expansion. Manufacturers are constantly introducing new and innovative products with new features, which is expected to create significant opportunities for the J-beauty product market.

Japanese beauty products are well-known for their precise attention to detail and dedication to making high-quality cosmetics. Due to the rise in using organic ingredients, J-beauty products have acquired appeal for their efficiency and dependability, attracting consumers looking for long-lasting skincare and high-quality beauty solutions. Moreover, feedback from social media influencers and the promotion of beauty products through celebrities are expected to create immense opportunities in the market.

Request for a Sample of this Research Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-18663

Companies are expanding their presence into new markets through collaboration with existing market players. Companies are forming strategic partnerships with beauty influencers and retailers to expand their reach and increase brand awareness is expected to drive the market in the forecast period.

Rising skin care and personal care needs have pushed increased demand for beauty products among Asians and Westerners. The potential of J-beauty products to address specific skincare issues attracts consumers seeking tailored and results-driven treatments. Furthermore, Japanese market experts continue to use technology to customize and modify their products.

Manufacturers are creating strong brand identities through effective marketing strategies to boost customer retention. Manufacturing processes are being improved, and the supply chain is being optimized to enhance capacity and meet increased demand..- Sneha Verghese, Senior Consultant for Consumer Goods and Products at Future Market Insights (FMI)

Key Takeaways from the J-Beauty Product Market

The J-beauty product market is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.30% with a valuation of US$ 52,512 million by 2034.

is estimated to register a with a valuation of by 2034. The skincare segment is anticipated to dominate the global market by registering a 45.20% market share in 2024.

market share in 2024. With a 90.80% market share, the conventional segment is likely to drive the global market in 2024.



Key Players and Strategies for Success in the J-Beauty Product Market

A significant surge in research and development and collaboration among industry experts has been observed. Moreover, strategic partnerships for distribution marketing and investments by small-sized to develop innovative and sustainable skincare products may further expand market reach.

Elevate Your Business Strategy! Purchase the Report for Market-Driven Insights: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/18663

Recent Developments

In 2021, Shiseido Co., Ltd., a Japanese skincare firm, launched a new e-commerce platform to increase consumer access to J-beauty goods.

In 2023, Keomi Beauty, a famous Japanese skincare company, announced the launch of three new skin care products in the Indian market based on the Japanese concept to address the many essential skin concerns of Indian consumers.

In 2021, Procter & Gamble and A.S. Watson collaborated to launch the new Japanese skincare brand aio.



Scope of the report:

Attribute Details Estimated Industry Size in 2024 US$ 826.2 million Projected Industry Size by 2034 US$ 1,595 million Anticipated CAGR between 2024 to 2034 6.80 % Historical Analysis of Demand for J-Beauty Products 2019 to 2023 Demand Forecast for J-Beauty Products 2024 to 2034 Report Coverage Industry Size, Industry Trends, Key Insights for J-Beauty Product Market, Insights on Global Players and Leading Industry Strategy in Japan, Ecosystem Analysis of Local and Regional Market. Key Companies Profiled POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS INC.

Mandom Corp.

Kose Corporation

Procter & Gamble Company

Kao Corporation

Lion Corporation

Unilever

Procter & Gamble Company

L'Oreal Groupe (Nihon LOreal)

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

FANCL CORPORATION

CANMAKE

Request the Full Report Methodology Now: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-18663

Key Segmentation:

By Product Type:

Haircare

Skincare

Colour Cosmetics

Others

By Type:

Organic

Conventional

By Distribution Channel:

E-commerce

Specialty Stores

Hypermarkets/Supermarkets

Other

Authored by:

Sneha Varghese (Senior Consultant, Consumer Products & Goods) has 6+ years of experience in the market research and consulting industry. She has worked on 200+ research assignments about Consumer Retail Goods.

Her work primarily focuses on facilitating strategic decisions, planning and managing cross-functional business operations technology projects, and driving successful implementations. She has helped create insightful, relevant analyses of Food and beverage market reports and studies that include consumer market, retail, and manufacturer research perspective. She has also been involved in several bulletins in food magazines and journals.

Have a Look at Related Research Reports of the Consumer Product Domain:

The demand in the herbal beauty products market demand is anticipated to grow at approximately 6.3% CAGR between 2023 and 2033. The market for herbal beauty products may reach US$ 73.0 billion in 2023. The target market nearly holds a 5.9% share in the overall beauty products industry.

Europe & Asia Pacific herbal beauty products market growth is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period and is expected to reach at US$ 2,571.2 Million by 2026 end

The global halal cosmetics market analysis is anticipated to generate revenues of US$ 42.65 billion in 2023. Demand for halal cosmetics is projected to develop at a CAGR of 11.6% and reach US$ 127.8 billion by 2033.

The beauty and personal care product market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 5,45,284.4 million in 2024. The market is projected to cross a valuation of US$ 9,95,103.4 million by 2034.

Beauty subscription market share report by Future Market Insights reveals that global sales of Beauty Subscription in 2022 were held at US$ 723.7 Million. With a 26.7% projected CAGR from 2023 to 2033.



About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

Contact Us:

Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware  19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com

Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com

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GLENDALE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KJT Law Group , a leading legal firm based in Glendale, California, is extending a helping hand to individuals in need of legal support for personal injury lawsuits, workers' compensation claims, wage and overtime disputes, and property management conflicts.



If you find yourself grappling with the complexities of a personal injury case, facing challenges in obtaining rightful compensation for unpaid wages or overtime, or navigating disputes with your property manager, KJT Law Group is here to guide you through the legal process with expertise and dedication.

"Our team of experienced attorneys in Los Angeles is ready to assist you from the initial stages of filing a claim to advocating for your rights throughout the entire legal journey. We understand the importance of addressing the details of your case so that you can focus on healing and moving forward," says Caspar Jivalagian, Esq., Founding Partner at KJT Law Group.

At KJT Law Group, we believe in providing accessible and comprehensive legal services. There is absolutely no cost and no obligation when you reach out to our team to discuss your potential case. We are committed to being available 24/7 to accommodate your schedule. Moreover, to better serve our diverse community, our legal services are offered in English, Spanish, and Armenian.

Vache Thomassian Founding Partner at KJT Law Group. emphasizes, "We pride ourselves on practicing the art of law with diligence and commitment. Our track record speaks for itself, with millions recovered for our clients. Your success is our priority, and we are passionate about achieving the best possible outcome for your case."

If you are in need of legal assistance, don't hesitate to contact KJT Law Group today. Schedule your appointment and take the first step towards resolution.

About KJT Law Group :

KJT Law Group is a well-established law firm located in Glendale, California, specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation, employment law, and property management disputes. With a team of dedicated attorneys, KJT Law Group is committed to providing exceptional legal representation and securing favorable outcomes for clients.
Dublin, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "ChatGPT Use Cases in the Automotive Value Chain" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

ChatGPT has established itself as a versatile tool with potential use cases in various business functions across industries. Potential use cases across the automotive value chain are numerous. This report looks at various scenarios in which ChatGPT can be used for the key elements of the automotive value chain including supply chain, manufacturing, retail, and in-vehicle experience.

ChatGPT is trained on a massive data set, which makes it an application with wide knowledge. It can also learn new things and update its knowledge repository. This gives ChatGPT the ability to answer questions pertaining to a wide range of subjects. This capability, combined with domain-specific information, will enable ChatGPT to quickly undertake incisive analysis to derive meaningful insights.

Fed with production-related knowledge, this large language model can analyze the ongoing production data to identify anomalies and help identify bottlenecks and other issues in the production process. It can analyze historical data and current trends to forecast demand for specific components. It can also help the design team by analyzing market trends and customer feedback to suggest more user-centric designs.

In automotive retail, it can transform the customer purchase journey, where a chatbot powered by ChatGPT can attend to customers 24/7, answer their queries, and guide them through the vehicle selection and purchase process. Within the vehicle, ChatGPT can usher in an era of an AI companion that can engage with the driver and occupants in natural language conversations.

The research scope of this study includes discussion of:

Possible use cases of ChatGPT in the automotive value chain

Evolving use cases and analysis of their impact on the automotive value chain of the future

The automotive value chain, its subsegments, and the potential applications in those subsegments

The potential integration of ChatGPT in existing automotive products and solutions

The challenges associated with ChatGPT at the workplace and use cases that highlight the concerns around this technology

Growth opportunities and key takeaways that derive from the analysis

Key Topics Covered:

Growth Opportunity Analysis

Scope of Analysis

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

Growth Environment

ChatGPT Applications: Key Takeaways

Snapshot of ChatGPT in Automotive OEM First Movers

ChatGPT: Evolving Use Cases in Mobility

ChatGPT: Impact on Various Automotive Application Areas

Challenges: Countries Banning ChatGPT

Challenges: Companies Reacting to Workplace Use Of ChatGPT

ChatGPT Use Cases in the Automotive Value Chain: Supply Chain and Manufacturing

Automotive Applications: Overview

Automotive Supply Chain Management: Overview

Automotive Supply Chain: Working Scenario

Automotive Supply Chain: Potential Adopters

Automotive Manufacturing: Overview

Automotive Manufacturing: Design

Automotive Manufacturing: Production

Automotive Manufacturing: Quality Control

Automotive Manufacturing: Use Case, Mercedes Benz

Applications in the Supply Chain and Manufacturing: Key Takeaways

ChatGPT Use Cases in Automotive Value Chain: Retail and In-vehicle Experience

Automotive Retail: Overview

Automotive Retail: Marketing

Automotive Retail: Sales

Automotive Retail: Sales: Use Case 1, Fullpath

Automotive Retail: Sales: Use Case 2, Metaverse and ChatGPT

Automotive Retail: Aftermarket

ChatGPT: In-vehicle Experience: Overview

In-vehicle Experience: Potential Use Case

In-vehicle Experience: Mercedes Benz

In-vehicle Experience: Stellantis: DS Automobiles

Applications in Retail and In-vehicle Experience: Key Takeaways

ChatGPT in Automotive: Future Potential

ChatGPT's Impact Across the Automotive Value Chain

Automotive Technology Products and Platforms Incorporating LLMs in the Future

ChatGPT in Automotive: Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE)

A Peek into ChatGPT's Future

Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Usher in the Next Generation of In-vehicle Experience

Growth Opportunity 2: Revolutionize Customer Engagements

Growth Opportunity 3: Support Smart Manufacturing

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Fullpath

Mercedes Benz

Meta

Stellantis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b2xq0t

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Fleet Management in Europe - 18th Edition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Now in its seventeenth edition this strategy report covers the latest trends and developments in the dynamic commercial vehicle telematics industry.

The report forecasts that the number of fleet management systems in active use in the region is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 12.4 percent from 14.8 million units at the end of 2022 to 26.5 million by 2027. Get up to date with the latest information about vendors, products and markets.

Highlights from the report

Insights from 50 new executive interviews with market leading companies.

New data on vehicle populations and commercial fleets in Europe.

Comprehensive overview of the fleet management value chain and key applications.

In-depth analysis of market trends and key developments.

Updated and new profiles of 120 aftermarket fleet management solution providers.

Summary of OEM propositions from truck, trailer and construction equipment brands.

Revised market forecasts lasting until 2027

Future industry trends

New features are continuously added to fleet management solutions

FM providers support management of EVs and fleet electrification processes

LCV manufacturers collaborating with aftermarket players

Go-to-market strategy and pricing model evolution

The emergence of alliances among FM solution vendors

Insurance telematics for commercial fleets

Major tyre manufacturers invest in the commercial vehicle telematics market

Fleet management services based on mobile app platforms

Big Data and AI in the fleet management sector

More Pan-European players to enter the scene

FMS providers open up their platforms to third-party app developers

The Internet of Transportation Things expands the addressable market

Autonomous and electric vehicle fleets to influence the FMS market

Mergers and acquisitions to continue in 2024

The long-term evolution of the fleet management ecosystem

The European fleet management market has entered a growth period that will last for several years to come. Individual markets may however suffer temporary setbacks, depending on the development of the general economy in the region and Ukraine crisis. The number of fleet management systems in active use is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4 percent from 14.8 million units at the end of 2022 to 26.5 million by 2027. The penetration rate in the total population of non-privately owned commercial vehicles and cars is estimated to increase from 22.1 percent in 2022 to 37.7 percent in 2027.

The top-38 vendors have today more than 100,000 active units in Europe. A group of international aftermarket solution providers have emerged as the leaders on the European fleet management market. Berg Insight ranks Targa Telematics as the largest vendor in Europe at the end of 2022 with 710,000 subscribers in the region, followed by Webfleet and Verizon Connect with 680,000 and 490,000 subscribers respectively.

All major truck manufacturers on the European market offer OEM telematics solutions as part of their product portfolio. A major trend in the past years has been the announcements of standard line fitment of fleet management solutions. Since the end of 2011, Scania is rolling out the Scania Communicator as standard on all European markets and includes a ten-year basic service subscription. All medium and heavy duty trucks from Daimler Truck contains the Fleetboard vehicle computer as standard and the buses are equipped with OMNIplus ON. Volvo offers Dynafleet as standard in Europe. New MAN trucks are now equipped with RIO as standard replacing MAN TeleMatics. DAF launched its new optional DAF Connect that has been developed in-house in 2016. The leading OEMs in Europe are Scania, Daimler and Volvo with 379,000, 170,000 and 162,000 active FM subscribers respectively at the end of 2022.

The consolidation trend continues and seven M&A activities have taken place in 2023 so far. Coyote became majority owner of Ubiwan (51 percent). Vimcar and Avrios were acquired by Battery Ventures and consequently merged, resulting in a new company called Shiftmove. Private equity firm Idico acquired a majority stake in Simpliciti. Targa Telematics acquired Viasat Group. Mapon acquired CarCops based in Estonia which will expand the business in the country considerably. Addsecure Smart Transport acquired the Clifford Group which includes Traxgo, a Belgium-based company offering systems for tracking of vehicles, machines and equipment. Finally, Powerfleet and MiX Telematics announced an agreement to form a combined business which will be branded as Powerfleet. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024.

The report answers the following questions:

What are the key drivers behind the adoption of FMS in Europe?

Who are the leading providers of aftermarket fleet management solutions in Europe?

What offerings are available from truck, trailer and construction equipment OEMs?

What are the FMS vendors' hardware strategies and thoughts on BYOD?

How has the FMS market coped with the current economic situation in Europe?

What impact will standard factory installed FM systems from the OEMs have on the market?

Will the FM industry consolidate further during 2024?

How will the commercial vehicle telematics industry evolve in the future?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details Forecast Period 2022 - 2027 Estimated Market Value in 2022 14.8 Million Units Forecasted Market Value by 2027 26.5 Million Units Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.4% Regions Covered Europe



Key Topics Covered:



1 Commercial Vehicle Fleets in Europe

1.1 Light commercial vehicles

1.2 Medium and heavy trucks and buses

1.3 Trailers and semi-trailers

1.4 Off-road construction and agriculture equipment

1.5 Company owned passenger cars

1.6 Ownership structure



2 Fleet Management Solutions

2.1 Market analysis

2.2 Vehicle management

2.3 Driver management

2.4 Operations management

2.5 Regulatory compliance and reporting

2.6 Business models



3 Market Forecasts and Trends

3.1 Market analysis

3.2 Market drivers and barriers

3.3 Value chain analysis

3.4 Future industry trends



4 OEM Products and Strategies



5 International Aftermarket Solution Providers



6 Regional Aftermarket Solution Providers



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Krone

Kogel

Wielton Group

Actia

Continental

Aplicom

ERM Advanced Telematics

IAV

John Deere Electronic Solutions

Lantronix

Micronet

Munic

Powerfleet

Quake Global

Squarell Technology

CameraMatics

Streamax

SureCam

Vision Techniques

VisionTrack

Inseego

Samsara

Targa Telematics

Teletrac Navman

Trackunit

Coyote

GeoDynamics

Rietveld

Simpliciti

TEKSAT

Truckonline

Flotman

i-Cell

iData

Idem Telematics

Logifleet

Mapon

Mireo

Shiftmove

Spedion

Gesinflot

GMV

Locatel

Macnil

Satdata

ECIT Autogear

GpsGate

GSGroup

GSMvalve

Zeekit

Crystal Ball

GreenRoad

Lightfoot

Matrix iQ

Microlise

Quartix

Radius Telematics

RAM Tracking

Satmo

Trakm8

Transpoco

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tfh233

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Medicinos Bankas UAB (Bank), registration number 112027077, registered seat address: Pamenkalnio 40, LT-01114 Vilnius, Lithuania.

According to audited data, Medicinos bankas, a Lithuanian capital bank, earned a net profit of EUR 6.9 million in the first nine months of this year, which is twice as much as in the same period of January to September last year, when the banks net profit amounted to EUR 3.4 million.

Over the comparison period, the net interest income of Medicinos bankas increased by 90 per cent (EUR 7.2 million) to EUR 15.2 million. Meanwhile, the Banks loan portfolio increased by 23 per cent to EUR 313.4 million in the first nine months of the year.

In the first three quarters of this year, net fee and commission income of Medicinos Bankas increased by 9.1 per cent (EUR 0.3 million) to EUR 3.9 million, while the net result from foreign currency transactions decreased by 33.3 per cent (EUR 1.3 million) to EUR 2.5 million.

At the end of September 2023, the assets of Medicinos bankas amounted to EUR 499.8 million, or 21.2 per cent more than a year earlier (EUR 412.4 million).

At the end of the third quarter of this year, the Banks liabilities to customers amounted to EUR 434.0 million and were 41.9 per cent higher compared to the period last year.

The shareholder equity of Medicinos bankas increased by 19.7 per cent and amounted to EUR 55.4 million on 30 September this year, compared to EUR 46.3 million on 30 September 2022.

At the end of September, Medicinos bankas, which operates the largest network of 36 territorial branches in Lithuania, employed 302 people.

For more information please contact: Head of Business Division Julius Ivaska, ph.: +370 601 04 453, e-mail: media@medbank.lt





Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the Company or Cannabix), developer of marijuana and alcohol breath testing devices, reports that it will be participating in a green lab testing day in Montgomery County, Maryland held by the Montgomery County Police Department. In particular the Company will be supplying its marijuana breathalyzer technology and sending its own representative to facilitate the collection of breath samples alongside law enforcement officers who are testing subjects under the influence of marijuana. The green lab is being held by the Public Safety Training Academy for the Montgomery County Police Department. Various local, regional and out of state representatives are expected to attend the event being held in early January 2024.



The Montgomery County Police Department has held green lab events since 2017, in order to help train police officers about cannabis driving impairment. The green lab aids officers in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training which helps them learn of the effects of marijuana, and what signs to look for when conducting sobriety tests. Cannabix will be sending its own representative and Breath Collection Units (BCU) (See Figure 1) to collect breath samples at various time points pre and post marijuana consumption by subjects. Furthermore, Cannabix will be introducing its technology as a new tool for detection of marijuana in breath to attendees.

In recent months, Cannabix has been using its BCU and Mass Spectrometer Breath Sampler (MSBS) to quantify delta-9 THC in human breath samples. Cannabix scientists are using an internal standard to generate a calibration curve for THC quantification in breath samples. Currently, a limit of detection and limit of quantification have been achieved with human subjects in the low picogram range. This allows detection of THC from smoking and edibles up to 4+ hours after consumption.

Cannabix will look to participate in other green labs tests in order to introduce its products to law enforcement stakeholders and collect important data with real world testing conditions.



Fig. 1 Cannabix updated Breath Collection Unit (BCU



About Cannabix Technologies Inc.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a developer of marijuana and alcohol breathalyzer technologies for law enforcement, workplaces and laboratories. Cannabix is working to develop delta-9 THC and alcohol screening devices. Delta-9 THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment. Breath testing for delta-9 THC would allow employers and law enforcement to identify recent marijuana use that better aligns with impairment. Cannabix is the developer of contactless breath alcohol detection devices for employers and other settings.

We seek Safe Harbor.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Rav Mlait

CEO

Cannabix Technologies Inc.

For further information, contact the Company at info@cannabixtechnologies.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



This press release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, such as final development of a commercial or prototype product(s), successful trial or pilot of company technologies, no assurance that commercial sales of any kind actually materialize; no assurance the Company will have sufficient funds to complete product development. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Companys plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) risks regarding protection of proprietary technology; (iii) the ability of the Company to complete financings; (iv) the ability of the Company to develop and market its future product; and (v) risks regarding government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that its development of breathalyzer technologies will provide any benefit to the Company, and no assurance that any proposed new products will be built, will be successful in beta testing or clinical trials. The is no assurance that the Company will enter into any partnerships to advance any of its corporate initiatives or technologies. There is no assurance that any patent pending or provisional patents technologies licensed by the Company or owned by the Company will receive patent status by regulatory authorities. The Company is not currently selling commercial breathalyzers. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67ad9627-6d4e-480c-b36d-22dd5546acd6
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of the Republic of Armenia has ratified a protocol by which Armenian citizens will have the opportunity to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa requirement.

88 MPs voted in favor of making amendments to the memorandum of understanding signed on June 21, 2009 between the governments of Armenia and the UAE on the exemption from the requirement to obtain an entry visa for persons holding diplomatic passports. No lawmaker voted against or abstained.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan noted that the cooperation between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates is developing with dynamism in almost all domains. Vahan Kostanyan noted that the UAE is the first trade partner of Armenia in the region.

There are approximately 30 weekly flights between Yerevan and various cities in the UAE. As a result of the protocol's ratification, citizens of the two countries, possessing passports with a validity period of not less than six months, can enter, exit, and move through the territories of their respective countries without a visa or fee. Passports exempt from the entry visa requirement include valid, diplomatic, special, official, and ordinary passports from both countries. Holders of these passports are permitted to stay in the other country's territory for a maximum period of 90 days," said Kostanyan.
POTSDAM, NY, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clarkson University alumnus Sergio Gallucci 16, cofounder and chief technology officer of SCOUT Space, is one of this years Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science. The recognition comes following Galluccis inclusion in Forbes Next 1000 list in 2021.

Gallucci now leads a team of 20 focused on making space safer to operate in. SCOUT has an office in Reston, Virginia, and provides space autonomy hardware and software to commercial and government clients which have awarded the startup millions in contracts.

The company was cofounded in 2019 with CEO Eric Ingram, and has raised over $5.5 million from investors to usher in a new era of space safety and transparency. SCOUT launched its first prototype into orbit in 2021.

Gallucci says that the 2020s are a decade for the history books.

"We're seeing unprecedented growth in the space domain and increasing awareness of its delicacy, he said. Space will be dozens of times more crowded next decade. People are now recognizing this, and I'm glad to have helped evolve the conversation."

Born and raised in rural northeast Brazil, Gallucci had his future interests sparked by the Clarkson application process.

I never really thought about my horizons, he said. When I was applying to Clarksons Honors Program, I was asked, If you could do any research project, what would it be? And I really thought about what I could really contribute to for the first time. My essay was about sustainability in spaceflight.

Gallucci graduated from Clarksons Honors Program with his bachelors in aeronautical engineering in 2016. He was a McNair Scholar, conducted research as an undergraduate research assistant, was involved in Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), aerospace leadership, and minority student advocacy. After earning his bachelor's degree from Clarkson, he performed graduate work at Penn State University as part of the NSF Graduate Fellowship Research Program.

For more information on SCOUT Space, visit scout.space.
Company Announcement

22 December 2023

Announcement No. 38

Notification of major shareholding

With reference to Section 30 of the Danish Capital Market Act, NKT A/S has been informed that Morgan Stanleys total holding of NKT share capital and voting rights is below the 5% threshold.

Contact

Investor Relations: Michael Nass Nielsen, Head of Investor Relations, Tel: +45 2494 1654

Press: Louise W. Naldal, Head of Group Communications, Tel: +45 2982 0022

Attachments
Dublin, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Missile Tracking Systems Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, Platform, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The present missile tracking systems situation demonstrates a remarkable progression over the decades, driven by technological breakthroughs and the ever-increasing complexity of modern combat. These systems have evolved from simple radar-based tracking to sophisticated multi-sensor networks that incorporate radar, infrared, GPS systems, and electro-optical technologies to offer complete situational awareness.

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning has played a critical role in improving missile tracking accuracy and speed, allowing real-time threat identification and interception. Furthermore, the growth of hypersonic missiles and other sophisticated threats has accelerated the development of even more robust missile tracking systems, needing continuous innovation in both hardware and software components.

Industrial Impact

Missile tracking systems have evolved as a key element of modern defense tactics, changing governments' perceptions of preparation for potential threats. These missile tracking systems are critical to a country's security since they provide real-time information on approaching missiles, allowing for quick and informed decision-making. The significance of missile tracking systems resides not only in their ability to identify and track these fast missiles but also in their ability to anticipate their trajectories and probable impact sites. This degree of accuracy enables the efficient deployment of defense measures such as interceptor-guided missiles, which may intercept and eliminate incoming threats, reducing potential damage and casualties.



Furthermore, the introduction of sophisticated missile tracking systems has added an additional layer to deterrent measures. Knowing that a government has possession of advanced missile tracking and interception technologies can be a significant discouragement to potential enemies. This technology not only raises the risks and costs of missile assaults but also creates a sense of uneasiness among opponents. As a result, countries with strong missile tracking capabilities can strengthen their national security without resorting to military action. The very existence of these systems can impact prospective enemies' calculations, encouraging stability and lowering the chance of violence. As a result, missile tracking systems have become an important weapon in altering the geopolitical environment, providing nations with the ability to defend themselves more effectively while also building global peace.

Market Segmentation:



Segmentation 1: by Application

Target Acquisition

Air Defense

Space Domain Awareness

Early Warning Capabilities

Air Defense Segment to Dominate the Global Missile Tracking Systems Market (by Application)

The missile tracking systems market was led by air defense, with a 40% share in 2022, and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period 2023-2033. Increasing demand by the defense industry for countering hostile missiles is driving the growth of the missile tracking systems industry.



Missile tracking systems provide real-time situational awareness, allowing for quick decisions and coordination among defensive units. This degree of awareness is critical for properly detecting and tracking incoming missiles. To offer extensive coverage, modern missile tracking systems frequently utilize a combination of ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and aerial platforms, allowing them to follow threats across large distances and in all situations, including high altitudes and outer space. Furthermore, since these systems may engage several targets at the same time, enemy forces find it incredibly difficult to take out or overcome the defense network.

Segmentation 2: by Platform

Space-Based Missile Tracking Systems

Ground-Based Missile Tracking Systems

Naval-Based Missile Tracking Systems

Airborne-Based Missile Tracking Systems

Ground-Based Missile Tracking Systems to Witness the Highest Growth between 2023 and 2033

The ground-based missile tracking systems segment dominated the global missile tracking systems market (by platform) in 2022, with a 73% share in terms of revenue due to the capability to provide target acquisition capabilities as well as other warfare capabilities.



Additionally, the space-based missile tracking systems segment includes armored radar vehicle, armored personnel carrier (APC), military radar truck, and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) vehicle segments. These ground-based platforms provide solutions for missile tracking capabilities along with other military-related operations.

Segmentation 3: by Region

North America - U.S. and Canada

Europe - U.K., Germany, France, Russia, and Rest-of-Europe

Asia-Pacific - Japan, India, China, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

Rest-of-the-World - Middle East and Africa and Latin America

Asia-Pacific was the highest-growing market among all the regions, registering a CAGR of 6.09%. Europe is anticipated to gain traction in terms of missile tracking systems adoption owing to the growing demand for hypersonic missiles and cross-border tensions among the European countries where the usage of guided missiles has seen significant involvement. Moreover, favorable government policies are also expected to support the growth of the missile tracking systems market in North America and Europe during the forecast period.



In North America, the U.S. is anticipated to show the highest growth in the missile tracking systems market among other countries in North America. The U.S. is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.91%. The growth of the U.S. in the missile tracking systems market is mainly due to the factor that the U.S. is one of the biggest spending countries in terms of armaments, defense systems, and other technologies for its military in the world. The region is home to some of the world's most renowned manufacturers of missile tracking systems, and this drives the companies in this region to cope with the increasing demand of the missile tracking systems market continuously.

Recent Developments in the Missile Tracking Systems Market

In October 2023, Lockheed Martin Corporation signed a partnership with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the preliminary design review (PDR) for the program's digital all-up round (AUR). The next-generation interceptor (NGI) is a component of the MDA's ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) system, and it will deliver a new, improved interceptor to safeguard the country against rogue nations' long-range ballistic missile threats.

In June 2023, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. signed a contract with the U.S. Space Force worth $193.5 million to build and deliver four ballistic and hypersonic missile detection and tracking satellites as a part of the Missile Track Custody (MTC) Epoch 1 program, which would identify and track hypersonic missiles.

In March 2023, Northrop Grumman signed a contract with Trident Systems, Inc. to provide processing and storage electronics for 14 Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellites from the Space Development Agency. Trident will also supply developmental and flying units in support of the payload, which is meant to track missiles and other hypersonic objects from low Earth orbit under this subcontract.

Demand - Drivers and Limitations



Market Demand Drivers: Geopolitical Conflicts and Tensions

Emerging Hypersonic Armament Capabilities: The development and distribution of hypersonic missiles has driven R&D spending in the missile tracking business. This has resulted in increasing financing for cutting-edge technology, such as improved sensors and missile tracking radars for real-time detection and tracking of hypersonic missiles. Companies are developing and refining these technologies, resulting in an increase in research and innovation, which opens up new potential for growth in the field.

Market Challenges: Advancements in Stealth Technologies

Complex Sensor Integration: The complexity required to coordinate numerous sensor types and technologies into an organized and effective system makes complex sensor integration a complicated business challenge in the missile tracking systems industry for the companies indulged in the manufacturing of missile tracking systems. The market's requirement for missile tracking systems capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting a wide spectrum of missile threats puts significant pressure on manufacturers to achieve seamless integration while maintaining reliability and accuracy.

Market Opportunities: AI and ML Integration

Directed Energy Weapons: Directed energy weapons (DEWs) can considerably improve the overall efficacy of missile tracking systems by providing quick, precision-based countermeasures. For instance, high-energy lasers can target and destroy missiles during their boost, midcourse, or terminal phases. The capacity to destroy missiles in their early stages significantly reduces the threat to important assets and population centers. This novel technique provides a dependable and cost-effective means of intercepting missiles, decreasing reliance on traditional kinetic interceptors.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on thorough secondary research, which includes analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, market penetration, and insights gathered from primary experts.



The missile tracking systems market comprises key players that have established themselves thoroughly and have the proper understanding of the market, accompanied by start-ups that are looking forward to establishing themselves in this highly competitive market. In 2022, the missile tracking systems market was dominated by established players, accounting for 73% of the market share, whereas start-ups managed to capture 27% of the market. With the growth in the adoption of hypersonic missile capabilities among nations equipped with the latest GPS technology to hit targets with pinpoint accuracy, more players will enter the global missile tracking systems market with each passing year.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Boeing

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Northrop Grumman

Thales

RTX

Leonardo S.p.A.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

BAE Systems

Weibel Scientific A/S

SpaceX

Hanwha Systems Co. Ltd.

BIRD Aerosystems

IAI

ASELSAN A.S.

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 176 Forecast Period 2023-2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $71.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $117.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.1% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d00ker

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Food Grade Gases Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global food grade gases market size reached US$ 7.9 Billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach US$ 11 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.67% during 2022-2028.







Significant growth in the food and beverage industry is one of the key factors creating a positive outlook for the market. There is a rising demand for premium-quality meat and seafood products among health-conscious consumers, which is increasing the requirement for food grade gases. Moreover, the widespread adoption of modified air packaging (MAP) solutions is providing a thrust to the market growth.

Food grade gases are used to retain the freshness of packaged food, especially organic fruits and vegetables and meat products, and enhancing the shelf-life of cheeses and pasta without using synthetic chemicals. In line with this, the increasing product utilization in hotels, cafes, quick serving restaurants (QSRs) and microbreweries are also contributing to the growth of the market. Other factors, including rising expenditure capacities of the consumers, along with the escalating consumption of packaged food products among the masses, are anticipated to drive the market toward growth.



Key Market Segmentation



This research provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global food grade gases market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2023-2028. The report has categorized the market based on type, application and end user.



Breakup by Type:

Carbon Dioxide

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Breakup by Application:

Freezing and Chilling

Packaging and Carbonation

Breakup by End User:

Beverages

Meat and Seafood

Convenience Food Products

Competitive Landscape



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Air Liquide S.A., Air Products Inc., Air Water Inc., Coregas Pty Ltd (Wesfarmers Limited), Gulf Cryo, Linde plc, Massy Group Inc, SOL Spa, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation), The Messer Group GmbH and Tyczka Polska Sp. z o.o.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global food grade gases market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global food grade gases market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global food grade gases market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 148 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $7.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $11 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.7% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Food Grade Gases Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Carbon Dioxide

6.2 Nitrogen

6.3 Oxygen

6.4 Others



7 Market Breakup by Application

7.1 Freezing and Chilling

7.2 Packaging and Carbonation

7.3 Others



8 Market Breakup by End User

8.1 Beverages

8.2 Meat and Seafood

8.3 Convenience Food Products

8.4 Others



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

Air Liquide S.A.

Air Products Inc.

Air Water Inc.

Coregas Pty Ltd (Wesfarmers Limited)

Gulf Cryo

Linde plc

Massy Group Inc

SOL Spa

Taiyo Nippon Sanso

The Messer Group GmbH

Tyczka Polska Sp. z o.o.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uist8w

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Belleville, Illinois, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newly appointed Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Martin OMalley will encounter an urgent situation with the Social Security disability claims backlog of more than 1 million claims, according to Allsup, a nationwide representation services provider that has helped more than 375,000 people receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits over nearly four decades.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.



Class Period: Aug. 4, 2023  Nov. 20, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 26, 2024

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FSR

Contact An Attorney Now: FSR@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) Securities Fraud Class Action:

Fiskers recent decision to dial back its full-year production target has caused news outlets to question whether the company will survive the next year.

On Dec. 7, 2023, MotleyFool observed, in response to the production cut, that the company prioritized liquidity[,] [p]ut another way, Fisker requires cash for working capital needs and is therefore scaling back production[,] and [t]hats a pretty dire situation to be in for any company.

Then, on Dec. 19, The Wall Street Journal noted the cash crunch several EV makers are facing, including Fisker. According to WSJ, Fisker recently reported as having only 187 days of cash on hand, meaning it could run out of cash before the middle of next year.

The recent reports questioning Fiskers solvency come in the wake of the filing of a securities class action suit, alleging that earlier this year Fisker tried to obscure its costs to make it appear more viable.

The litigation challenges Fiskers cost accounting and internal controls over financial reporting, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that Defendants misrepresented and concealed: (1) that Fisker had a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting; (2) that Fisker had incorrectly accounted for certain costs; (3) that as a result the Company was likely to delay filing its quarterly report; and (4) that Fiskers infrastructure was limiting its ability to deliver its production.

Investors began to learn the truth on Nov. 8, 2023, when Fisker announced that it was delaying its Q3 2023 earnings release until after markets close on Nov. 13, 2023. Fisker blamed the delay on the unexplained departure of its, now former, Chief Accounting Officer John Finnucan on Oct. 27, 2023 and the appointment of a replacement effective Nov. 6, 2023.

Then, on Nov. 13, 2023, Fisker released dismal Q3 2023 results. It further revealed that material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting prevented it from timely filing its quarterly report with the SEC.

On Nov. 20, 2023, WSJ reported that Fisker has lost another Chief Accounting Officer. According to the WSJ, Florus Belting, who was named to the post in early Nov., resigned from the company the day after Fisker reported Q3 results.

Finally, on Nov. 22, 2023, the Company filed its Q3 2023 quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which disclosed that the Company had identified approximately $20 million of expenses which were incorrectly recorded primarily as selling, general and administrative expenses in our preliminary earnings results, but were later determined to be associated with production set-up activities and that other inventory adjustments were recorded resulting in a $4.0 million increase in net loss subsequent to the preliminary earnings results.

If you invested in Fisker and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Fisker case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Fisker 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 FSR@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.

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NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale or the Company) (NYSE: SMR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether NuScale and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On October 19, 2023, Iceberg Research issued a research report (the Iceberg Report) that contradicted NuScales claims that it could fulfill two large contracts: (1) a contract with the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) for its Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), and (2) a contract with Standard Power, a company providing data center services for businesses focusing on blockchain mining and high-performance computing applications. Following publication of the Iceberg Report, NuScales stock price fell $1.24 per share, or 24.6%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $3.80 per share on October 20, 2023.

Then, on November 8, 2023, after the market closed, NuScale and UAMPS announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate the CFPP contract because they had failed to engage enough subscribers.

On this news, NuScales stock price fell $1.02 per share, or 32.9%, to close at $2.08 per share on November 9, 2023.

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Chicago, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The TAWANI Foundation and Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), founder of the TAWANI Foundation, announced a gift of $101K to the American Red Cross of Tennessee River and an additional $101K to the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation for victims of the December 9th tornado in Clarksville, Tennessee and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The 150 mph tornado traveled 43 miles from Tennessee into Logan County, Kentucky, leaving over 350 families unable to return to their homes. Of the 350 families, 78 military families are in transitional housing, have moved into post quarters, or are in the process of securing a new home. There were also three fatalities in Clarksville and three more northwest of Nashville.

Our thoughts are with the victims of this tornado tragedy, said Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), founder of the TAWANI Foundation. Clarksville is very special to me because I started my family there and was stationed at Fort Campbell during my service. It is my honor to lend support to the soldiers and families who were affected and forced to be displaced from their homes.

More than 120 American Red Cross disaster workers are providing food, shelter, relief supplies and support to victims as they plan their next steps. The organization is also offering financial assistance for those who need help recovering and whose primary residences were destroyed or sustained eligible structural damage.

The Fort Campbell Historical Foundation is providing affected military families with gift cards to help with laundromat costs, clothing, temp lodging costs, meal costs, replacement of household items and necessary items that were damaged or lost. Funding will also support soldiers with security deposits for new apartment rental, car repairs and replacements, as well as covering essentials for those uninsured soldiers.

Tragedy struck the Clarksville and Fort Campbell community last week in a powerful tornado that destroyed or severely damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, said MG Brian Winski (Retired), President and CEO of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation. Sadly, three Clarksville residents lost their lives. Overwhelming support arrived on the heels of the storm and LTC Jennifer Pritzker and TAWANI Foundation made incredibly generous donations that will directly help soldiers and their families who were hit the hardest. Colonel Pritzker served in the 101st in the early 80s and during that tour lived in Clarksville, and her generosity is making a huge impact as the community recovers.

To learn more about the TAWANI Foundation grants, visit www.tawanifoundation.org/our-grants. The TAWANI Foundation is a private foundation that accepts applications by invitation only. There is no open application period.

About TAWANI Foundation

Founded in 2002 by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), TAWANI Enterprises' philanthropic organization, the TAWANI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights, education, and environmental initiatives. TAWANI Foundation's vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding - all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities, and the culture itself. To learn more, visit www.tawanifoundation.org.

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia on Friday organized the visit of accredited mass media representatives to the northeastern border zone of the Republic, the ministry said.

The media representatives visited military unit N and combat positions, talked with military personnel, familiarized themselves with their daily routine, conditions of military service, and the progress of fortification and engineering work.
TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlefield, on behalf of MRF 2024 Resource Limited Partnership (MRF 2024 or the Partnership), is pleased to announce that it has filed a preliminary prospectus relating to the initial public offering of MRF 2024 Class A and Class F units. The offering will be made in each province of Canada.

The objectives of the Partnership are to provide investors with capital appreciation and significant tax benefits to enhance after-tax returns to limited partners, including the deductibility of 100% of their original investment. The Partnership intends to achieve these objectives by investing in an actively managed, diversified portfolio comprised primarily of equity securities of Canadian companies involved in the resource sector.

Middlefield is a leading provider of flow-through share funds in Canada and has a strong track record of delivering positive after-tax returns. Since 1983, Middlefield has sponsored 68 past public and private flow-through funds and has acted as agent or manager for over $2.5 billion of resource investments.

The syndicate of agents for the offering is being co-led by CIBC Capital Markets and RBC Capital Markets and includes BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., TD Securities Inc., Richardson Wealth Limited, Manulife Securities Incorporated, iA Private Wealth Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.

For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.

A preliminary prospectus containing important information relating to these securities has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion or amendment. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained from members of the syndicate of agents listed above or from your CIRO registered financial advisor using the contact information for such agent or CIRO advisor. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued.
YEREVAN, Armenia, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An exclusive interview with David Amaryan, the founder of the Armenian investment fund Balchug Capital, has been published by the official Armenian news agency Armenpress.



It follows the recent announcement by David Amaryan and his brother Vardan Amaryan about the creation of the Amaryan Charitable Foundation, a new foundation dedicated to education and humanitarian relief in Armenia.

In the interview, David Amaryan explains how the decision to launch the foundation was inspired by a desire to invest in education in Armenia: Education was the starting point for Vardan and me which gave us the ability to advance our careers both in Armenia and internationally, and ultimately to build our very successful businesses. We want to give other Armenians the opportunities that we had.

In doing so Vardan and I wanted to use the experience and expertise that we have built up in the financial world internationally in order to make a real contribution to our own country. We recognize the very important work done by the government, local authorities, international organizations and agencies, but we think the private sector can play a critical and complementary role too.

In fact, if you look at the US or many European countries, charitable organizations created by people in business or finance do many incredibly valuable things for society. We think that is a good model to follow and a good precedent to set. It is already happening in Armenia, but we want to help it develop further.

The Armenpress interview with David Amaryan also covers his own career journey from growing up in Armenia to working on Wall Street, the foundation of Balchug Capital and his ambitious plans for the investment fund, and Davids vision for the future of Armenia. It can be found at: https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126450/

The publication of the interview came as Armenpress celebrated the 105th anniversary of their founding. David Amaryan commented, I would also like to offer my best wishes and congratulations to Armenpress on the 105th anniversary of their founding. They are the oldest news agency in Armenia and play a vital role in our national life."

Notes to editors:

About Balchug Capital:

Balchug Capital is an investment fund headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia. It was founded in 2010 by David Amaryan, who serves as CEO and oversees all investment activity.

The Armenpress interview can be found at: https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126450/

Media contact:

For further information please contact:
Grand Cayman, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing and SEO, a groundbreaking resource has emerged. The new book, "Build Google Knowledge Panel Using Press Releases (Step by Step Guide)," is now available on Apple Books, providing a detailed roadmap for professionals and enthusiasts alike to harness the power of press releases in building effective Google Knowledge Panels.



Authored by renowned Grand Cayman based digital marketing expert Qamar Zaman, this guide demystifies the complex process of creating a Google Knowledge Panel, an essential tool for increasing visibility and credibility in today's digital landscape. The book is packed with practical insights, step-by-step instructions, and real-world examples, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their digital presence.

"Understanding the mechanics of Google's algorithms can be a daunting task," says Qamar Zaman. "This book simplifies that process, offering readers a straightforward approach to leveraging press releases for building impactful Knowledge Panels on Google. It's a must-read for digital marketers, PR professionals, and business owners aiming to elevate their online brand presence."

Key features of the book include:

A clear explanation of what Google Knowledge Panels are and their significance in digital branding.

Step-by-step guidance on creating and distributing press releases that are optimized for Knowledge Panel creation.

Insights into the interplay between SEO, digital marketing, and public relations in the context of Google's search algorithms.

Practical tips and strategies for enhancing brand visibility and reputation management online.

Qamar Zaman's book was a game-changer for me. As a seasoned SEO and PR Strategist, I found invaluable insights in it for building my knowledge panel using online press releases." - Randy Rhode

"Build Google Knowledge Panel Using Press Releases (Step by Step Guide)" is more than just a book; it's a strategic tool that bridges the gap between traditional PR and modern digital marketing techniques. Available for download on Apple Books, it's poised to become an essential addition to the digital marketer's library.

For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with the author, please contact az@kisspr.com

About the Author of Google Knowledge Panel



Qamar Zaman Google Knowledge Panel Expert





About: Qamar Zaman is technologist and strategist, recognized in the Google Ads Mastery Directory for his mastery of Google's advertising and analytics tools. His career highlights include founding KISS PR and leading Storytellers Inc. As a member of the Forbes Council and a technology reporter for the Caymanian Times, Zaman's insights and skills span a wide range.

Available now on Apple Books: [Website]

















Media Contact

Az@kisspr.com











Attachment
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helax Istmo (Helax), a wholly owned subsidiary of funds managed by CIP, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) and Mexicos national Ministry of Navy, the Secretaria de Marina (Semar). Under the MoU, the parties agree to collaborate to support the development of a large-scale, integrated renewable energy project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Helax Istmo is projected to produce green hydrogen and green maritime fuels, contributing materially to Mexicos sustainable development goals, as well as to the decarbonization of the shipping industry globally.



The MOU was signed in the presence of Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has recognized the projects transformational impact for the Isthmus.

Ole Kjems Srensen, partner at CIP and co-head of Growth Markets Funds, said: This MoU showcases our long-term commitment to Mexico through the development of a pioneering project that offers green maritime fuels at scale -- a first for the region. We would like to thank the Mexican authorities for their continued interest and support, and we look forward to continuing to engage constructively with national and local stakeholders and further develop Helax.

Philip Cristiani, partner at CIP and co-head of Energy Transition Fund, commented: Our Energy Transition Fund is the largest dedicated clean hydrogen fund globally and we are proud to take this promising step forward for Helax together with the Mexican authorities. When fully operational, Helax is ideally placed to cater to the growing demand for green shipping fuels and make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of the global shipping industry.

The MoU acknowledges that Helax will undergo formal indigenous and social consultations under Mexican law. These are expected to take place in early 2024.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the worlds largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 26 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com
Bethany, Oklahoma, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



OK based TreeCareHQ Bethany is pleased to announce that their full range of services is now available to all local residents. The company is capable of addressing the needs of all local trees, helping property owners protect their vegetation from disease, damage and more.

If you have trees, you have maintenance requirements, notes a member of the team at TreeCareHQ Bethany. While it may be tempting to assume the natural world can take care of itself, the truth is that we have to invest ourselves in our little pieces of nature to maintain their health and integrity, especially over an extended period. For these reasons and more, Bethany residents may consider us available for all their tree care needs.

TreeCareHQ Bethany is also pleased to share that they have plans to widen their service region to include western Oklahoma City. More details regarding this expansion will be made public in the near future.

There are numerous reasons why it is vital to schedule regular tree maintenance in Bethany. As many are aware, tree maintenance is an essential aspect of responsible property ownership. The result of this can be seen in unkempt and unhealthy vegetation, which becomes apparent when an area is not properly cared for. This is just as true for a single tree as it is for a grove. Fortunately, this outcome is simple enough to avoid, and TreeCareHQ Bethany can be reached for further assistance.

According to the company, one of the primary reasons for tree maintenance is to ensure their overall health and longevity. Trees require regular care and attention to stay healthy. For instance, trimming and pruning trees on a regular basis will help remove dead or diseased branches, thus promoting new growth and preventing the spread of disease. Similarly, proper pruning techniques can be utilized to increase airflow and sunlight penetration to the tree's canopy, ensuring optimal photosynthesis and overall health.

Bethany residents should further be aware that regular tree maintenance also serves to limit their exposure to certain hazardous situations. Overgrown, structurally compromised trees, for instance, can be a danger to any people or property in their vicinity.

While it is always possible for a weak branch to snap off and strike any person or object below, the company points out that adverse weather conditions are more likely to make a bad situation worse, turning branches into deadly projectiles. In some cases, an entire tree may topple over, which is a serious risk given their enormous weight. Regular tree maintenance, however, has the additional effect of identifying potential hazards, presenting owners with an opportunity to take all necessary action.

This action may include removing branches that are deemed too dangerous to leave alone, and if the risk is high enough, even removing the tree altogether. TreeCareHQ Bethany understands this can be a difficult choice, and given the teams own love and respect for trees, such recommendations will not be made lightly.

Property owners will also want to consider the fact that well-maintained trees have a distinct aesthetic appeal. Those who take pride in how their home looks, for instance, will likely appreciate regular trimming and pruning services that help maintain the desired shape and form of their trees. This can serve a variety of purposes, such as preventing them from becoming overgrown, misshapen or blocking desirable views. When done correctly, tree maintenance can also be used to emphasize the overall beauty of an area.

TreeCareHQ Bethany is pleased to confirm that the tree services they provide can be attuned to the needs of each individual property. They offer competitive pricing and flexible scheduling options as well, ensuring the community need not endure any undue inconvenience simply to take care of their trees. Furthermore, the company maintains an open communication policy with customers, allowing them to have all concerns heard and addressed at any time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5PIdEaGj4w

Those interested are welcome to contact the company today to request a free estimate. More information regarding the companys full range of services, equipment, personnel and more can be found on the official TreeCareHQ Bethany website. Alternatively, social media users may connect with the team via their preferred platforms.

###

For more information about TreeCareHQ Bethany, contact the company here:



TreeCareHQ Bethany

Bradley Benner

(405) 353-1175

local@treecarehq.com

TreeCareHQ Bethany

Bethany, OK 73008
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Gildan Activewear Inc. (Gildan or the Company) (NYSE: GIL). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Gildan and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On December 11, 2023, Gildan issued a press release announc[ing] that Glenn J. Chamandy has left his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company. Vince Tyra has been appointed President and CEO effective February 12, 2024. Also on December 11, 2023, Chamandy issued a separate statement to the effect that he had learned only the previous day that the Companys Board of Directors was terminating [his] employment agreement without cause.

Following news of Chamandys departure, Gildans stock price fell $3.94 per share, or 10.79%, to close at $32.58 per share on December 11, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Sunnova Energy International Inc. (Sunnova or the Company) (NYSE: NOVA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Sunnova and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On December 8, 2023, House Energy Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Senate Energy Committee member John Barrasso sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy and Sunnova seeking information related to a $3 billion partial loan guarantee to Sunnova following disturbing reports about the Companys business practices.

On this news, Sunnovas stock price fell $2.00 per share, or 16.12%, to close at $10.41 per share on December 8, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock or the Company) (NYSE: BLK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether BlackRock and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.



[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On December 18, 2023, the Attorney General of Tennessee filed a consumer protection lawsuit against BlackRock, alleging that Blackrock made false or misleading representations to current and potential Tennessee consumers about the extent to which Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations affect BlackRocks investment strategies. In a press release, the Attorney General stated that BlackRocks inconsistent statements about its investment strategies deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed choice. The complaint against BlackRock addresses the Companys use of corporate engagement and the voting of its shares to achieve various climate-related policy goals, seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties.

On this news, BlackRocks stock price fell $22.56 per share, or 2.75%, to close at $796.44 per share on December 18, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

dpeyton@pomlaw.com

646-581-9980 ext. 7980
The Tate brothers appearing at court. Andrew is in the front with a bald head and sunglasses, and his brother Tristan is standing behind him

A request by Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan to see visit their mother in the UK after she suffered a heart attack has been denied by a Romanian court.

Writing on X, Andrew said: "The Romanian state decided she must be alone at Christmas, if she is alive."

The Tate brothers currently face rape and human trafficking charges which they both deny.

They are both currently unable to leave Romania.

The hearing was held behind closed doors, and the judge is expected to outline his motivation in the coming days.

The brothers were granted the liberty to move within Romania following a period spent under house arrest, but international travel has remained off-limits.

Their arrest, which took place in December 2022, saw them spend time in jail until March, when house arrest was imposed.

The charges, levied in June against the Tate brothers and two co-accused women, allege the exploitation of seven women through the "loverboy method," a deceitful tactic promising relationships or marriages.

Andrew Tate staunchly maintains his innocence, arguing that prosecutors lack evidence and dismissing the case as a political plot aimed at stifling him.

He has recently attempted to legally reclaim confiscated assets, including luxury cars and watches worth millions of euros.
Vancouver, December 21, 2023 - Xplore Resources Corp. (TSXV: XPLR) ("Xplore" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement (the "Placement") through the issuance of 7,530,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at an issue price of $0.10 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $753,000 (the "First Tranche"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one non-transferable Share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Share for a period of two years from the date of issue at a price of $0.15 per Share.

Net proceeds raised under the First Tranche will be used for general working capital.

The Shares are subject to a hold period and may not be traded until April 22, 2024, except as permitted by applicable securities legislation and the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company anticipates closing of the remainder of the Placement in one or more additional tranches as soon as practicable subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

The Company is also pleased to announce that P. Joseph Meagher has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Meagher holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, became a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) in 2008, and obtained the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from The Directors College (a joint venture between McMaster University and The Conference Board of Canada) in 2017. Mr. Meagher has extensive experience working with publicly listed companies.

Charles Edgeworth has resigned as Chief Financial Officer but will continue to serve as a director of the Company. The Company thanks Mr. Edgeworth for his hard work and dedication as CFO of the Company.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Xplore Resources

Xplore Resources is a mining exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol XPLR and is focused on the acquisition and exploration of grass roots lithium properties in Canada and Brazil. The Company is led by a highly experienced management team comprised of industry experts with executive and senior management experience in geology, banking, private equity, investor relations and law.

Lithium Properties

The Company is earning a 100% interest in the Surge (~3400 ha) and Perrigo Lake (~3300 ha) lithium properties, both situated in northwestern ON, approximately 100 kms north of Sioux Lookout ON. The Surge property lies along the regional scale Pakwash-Lake St. Joseph Fault, approximately 2.0 kms east of the Root Bay lithium discovery. The Perrigo property is located west of the Allison Lake batholith considered to be "the largest fertile peraluminous granite mass in northwestern Ontario."

The Company, through its wholly owned Brazilian subsidiary, holds a 100% interest in the Energia (~4500 ha) and Borborema (~9100 ha) lithium properties in Brazil. The Energia claims are situated in the state of Minas Gerais, the center of Brazil's rapidly evolving lithium production. The Borborema claims are situated in the state of Rio Grade de Norte in northeastern Brazil, in a Borborema pegmatite field, a historically significant producer of tantalum prior to 1980.

For further information, please contact:

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Dominic Verdejo, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Phone: +1 647-362-9675

Email: info@xploreresources.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated timing for completion of the remainder of the Placement and use of proceeds therefrom. The words "anticipate," "significant," "expect," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that all requisite approvals will be received and all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, risks related to unforeseen delays; general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes; timeliness of regulatory approvals, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this Forward-Looking Information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this Forward-Looking Information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192042
NYSE American:EU

TSXV:EU

www.encoreuranium.com

DALLAS, Dec. 21, 2023 - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) announced today the resignation of Ms. Mierkey, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective December 23, 2023. Dr. Dennis Stover has agreed to act as Interim CFO until the conclusion of a CFO search. A CFO search committee consisting of Chief Executive Officer Paul Goranson, Executive Chairman William Sheriff and Audit Committee Chair William Harris has been formed and is well advanced in the efforts to select a new CFO.

enCore Energy's Audit Committee Chair, William Harris, stated: "On behalf of the Board and management we extend our thanks to Ms. Meirkey for her work during a period of significant growth and transformation of the Company. A CFO search is well underway and is based on the Company's growth model. The interim appointment of Dr. Dennis Stover, a Director and former CEO of the company, allows the Audit Committee to maintain its role as independent members of the Board and oversee the financial affairs of the Company."

enCore Energy wishes Ms. Meirkey well in her future endeavors.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy as the newest uranium producer in the United States. Uranium production commenced at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Central Processing Plant ("CPP") in November 2023 with work underway for a planned restart of uranium production at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa CPP in 2024. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming, along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long term opportunities. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

www.encoreuranium.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company, statements regarding future or potential production, and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and regulations (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/encore-energy-announces-change-of-chief-financial-officer-302021397.html

SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2023 - Gold Fields Ltd. ("Gold Fields") announces that certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have entered a share purchase agreement dated December 20, 2023 (the "Share Purchase Agreement") with Galiano Gold Inc. (formerly Asanko Gold Inc.) ("Galiano") and certain of its affiliates, pursuant to which all of Gold Fields' interest in the Asanko joint venture in Ghana (the "Asanko JV") will be acquired, directly or indirectly, by Galiano and its subsidiaries (the "Transaction").

Immediately prior to entering into the Share Purchase Agreement, Marsh Holdings Inc. ("Marsh"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gold Fields, owned 21,971,657 common shares of Galiano (the "Owned Shares"), representing approximately 9.8% of the issued and outstanding shares ("Galiano Shares").

As consideration for the acquisition of Gold Fields' joint venture interest under the Transaction, Galiano and its subsidiaries will pay to another Gold Fields subsidiary, Gold Fields Orogen Holding (BVI) Limited ("GF Orogen") and an affiliate:

an aggregate cash purchase price of US$150,000,000, payable as follows:



(i) US$65,000,000 (the "Initial Cash Consideration") on the closing date of the Transaction (the "Closing Date"), subject to adjustment as described below;



(ii) US$25,000,000 on or before December 31, 2025 (the "First Deferred Consideration");



(iii) US$30,000,000 on or before December 31, 2026 (the "Second Deferred Consideration"); and



(iv) US$30,000,000 upon the production of 100,000 ounces of gold from the Nkran deposit forming part of the Asanko gold mine (the "Nkran Deposit");



US$20,000,000 (the "Share Consideration") to be satisfied by the issuance of Galiano Shares at a deemed issue price of US$0.644 per Galiano Share (the "Transaction Share Price"), being equal to the volume weighted average price of the Galiano Shares on the NYSE American for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the Share Purchase Agreement. The Share Consideration and the Transaction Share Price represent approximately C$26.7 million in aggregate and C$0.86 per Galiano Share, respectively; and



a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the Nkran Deposit from and after the date on which 100,000 ounces of gold have been produced therefrom until 547,000 ounces of gold have been produced therefrom.

If the Transaction Share Price is such that the number of Galiano Shares issuable as the Share Consideration would result in Gold Fields and its affiliates (collectively, the "Gold Fields group") holding more than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Galiano Shares at the Closing Date, then the number of Galiano Shares to be issued will be capped at the number (currently 28.5 million shares) which will result in the Gold Fields group holding 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Galiano Shares as of the Closing Date, and the Initial Cash Consideration may, in certain circumstances set out in the Share Purchase Agreement, be increased by the amount in U.S. dollars which is equal to the number of additional Galiano Shares which would have been issued but for the application of such cap, multiplied by the Transaction Share Price.

Galiano has the right to elect to satisfy up to 20% of each of the First Deferred Consideration and the Second Deferred Consideration in Galiano Shares rather than cash, provided that such issuance of Galiano Shares does not result in the Gold Fields group holding more than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Galiano Shares. Such Galiano Shares will be issued at a deemed issue price equal to the volume weighted average price of the Galiano Shares on the NYSE American for the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of such issuance.

Galiano has the right, in its sole discretion, to elect to complete a private placement or public offering of Galiano Shares (a "Pre-Closing Financing") prior to the Closing Date, and if the price per Galiano Share issued in connection with the Pre-Closing Financing (the "Pre-Closing Financing Price") is greater than or equal to the Transaction Share Price, then Galiano may elect to satisfy up to 50% of the Share Consideration by payment to GF Orogen of cash in U.S. dollars equal to the gross Pre-Closing Financing Price per Galiano Share by which the number of Galiano Shares issuable as part of the Share Consideration is reduced.

The Transaction is subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American, and any required Ghanaian ministerial notifications and approvals.

As a result of the foregoing, on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transaction, Marsh and GF Orogen will collectively own up to a maximum of 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Galiano Shares, with the actual percentage depending on, among other things, whether or not Galiano undertakes a Pre-Closing Financing and, if so, the extent to which Galiano elects to satisfy up to 50% of the Share Consideration by a payment of cash.

Marsh acquired the Owned Shares for investment purposes. GF Orogen plans to acquire the additional Galiano Shares comprising the Share Consideration, and any Galiano Shares issued in the future in satisfaction of the First Deferred Consideration and/or the Second Deferred Consideration, as part of the consideration for the sale of the Gold Fields group's 50% interest in the Asanko JV pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement. Subject to the provisions of an amended and restated investor rights agreement and an amended and restated registration rights agreement, each to be entered by Galiano and members of the Gold Fields group on the Closing Date, the Gold Fields group may from time to time acquire additional Galiano Shares or other securities of Galiano or dispose of some or all of the Galiano Shares that it owns at such time.

About Gold Fields

Gold Fields is a globally diversified gold producer with nine operating mines in Australia, South Africa, Ghana (including the Asanko JV) and Peru and two projects in Canada and Chile. Our shares are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and our American depositary shares trade on the New York Exchange (NYSE). Our executive offices are located at 150 Helen Road, Sandown, Sandton 2196, South Africa.

This news release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues. For further information, or to obtain a copy of the early warning report filed by Gold Fields in accordance with applicable securities laws, please contact:

SOURCE Gold Fields Ltd.
TSX-V: ARL.P

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES./

TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2023 - Aurum Lake Mining Corp. ("Aurum" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news releases of December 21, 2022, November 8, 2023, December 4, 2023 and December 6, 2023, it has filed a filing statement for its previously announced qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") that is dated effective December 21, 2023 (the "Filing Statement") with the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Additional information in respect of the Qualifying Transaction and the Company can be found in the Filing Statement.

The Qualifying Transaction remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV and satisfaction of closing conditions customary for transactions of this nature. The Company, upon and subject to completion of the Qualifying Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer"), will continue under the name "Aurum Lake Mining Corp." and trade on the TSXV under the symbol "ARL". Final acceptance of the Qualifying Transaction will occur upon the issuance of a final exchange bulletin (the "Exchange Bulletin") which will provide disclose the proposed date on which the Company's common shares will resume trading. Until such time, in accordance with the policies of the TSXV, the Company's common shares are currently halted from trading and will remain so until such time as required by TSXV policies.

Cautionary Note

Completion of the Qualifying Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, without limitation, the receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals (including the approval of the TSXV) and other conditions that are customary for a transaction of this nature. Where applicable, the Qualifying Transaction cannot close until the required approvals have been obtained. There can be no assurance that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the continuous disclosure document containing full, true and plain disclosure regarding the Qualifying Transaction, required to be filed with the securities regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the affairs of the Company, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The trading in the securities of the Company on the TSXV, if reinstated prior to completion of the Qualifying Transaction, should be considered highly speculative.

About Aurum Lake Mining Corporation

Subject to final acceptance by the TSXV of the Qualifying Transaction, the Company will no longer be a capital pool company and will be classified as a Tier 2 mining issuer pursuant to the policies of the TSXV.

Completion of the Qualifying Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Qualifying Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect Aurum's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the completion of the Qualifying Transaction and receiving approvals for the closing of the Qualifying Transaction. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Aurum. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: there is no assurance that Aurum will obtain all requisite approvals for the Qualifying Transaction or fulfill all the conditions and obligations required for the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, including the approval of the TSXV. There are a number of important factors that could cause Aurum's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of Aurum; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; disruption of results of operation activities and development of the Homathko Property; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions.

Aurum cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Aurum's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Aurum has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF AURUM AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE AURUM MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Aurum Lake Mining Corp.
VANCOUVER, December 22, 2023 - Element 79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE:7YS) ("Element 79 Gold", the "Company") is pleased to provide a progress update on the ongoing underground work on the Apacheta and Pillune areas of its flagship Lucero property.

Underground Mapping and Sampling

Recent work has focused on mapping and surface and underground sampling at the Apacheta area. The following progress has been made:

Underground Mapping: 4 addits, 2,505 linear meters (358m/day).

Sampling: 200 samples collected (28 samples per day), including 26 QA/QC samples.



Click Image To View Full Size

Image 1 - Updated map outlining mapping and channel sampling progress at the Lucero project. December 2023.

Further field work is underway at the Lucero site and is expected to complete on or around December 30th , with the total 2023 work program re-generating unavailable historical mapping and data sets, including a significant volume of channel samples along the addits and veins where past production, and current artisanal production is coming from. This data will help the Company develop geological models and both underground and surface-level drilling targets, which the Company intends to form a drilling campaign around in mid-2024.



Click Image To View Full Size

Image 2 - Channel samples from the Apacheta vein. December 2023.

Social Affairs

The local Chachas community continues to provide invaluable support to our geological team, ensuring seamless mapping and sampling activities. Following on the Company's commitments as outlined in its news release of October 6, 2023 it has coordinated the manufacturing of the second batch of HDPE pipes as part of our proactive approach to support the community's infrastructure needs; the delivery of the second part of the piping donation for the Ticlla irrigation program will be complete by December 22, 2023.

In addition to completing upon its previous social commitments, the field team engages in daily dialogues with local artisanal miners from the upper parts of the mines to strengthen social relations and heighten awareness, facilitating continued entry into the other galleries of the Apacheta region of the project.

In the spirit of community collaboration, a special chocolatada, a heartwarming seasonal chocolate drink, was shared with artisan miners in the Lomas Doradas camps on December 21 and will be shared with the workers and some of the community in Chachas on the night of the 24th.



Click Image To View Full Size

Image 3 - Element79 Gold Corp. community relations manager, Jorge Vasquez, with the local artisanal miners enjoying a seasonal chocolatada together at the Lomas Doradas camp at the Lucero project. December 21, 2023.

James Tworek, President and CEO of Element 79 Gold, added, "This really is two interdependent projects running simultaneously: A geological and mine re-start project along with a Social project. The engagement with the local community reflects our broader commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices. Collaborating with the local artisanal miners, coordinating efforts, and fostering open dialogues with community stakeholders are integral parts of our approach. While we believe in maximizing the economic value of our assets, we also believe in building positive, enduring relationships with the communities where we operate. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our pursuit to build shareholder value. The year-end marks not only a culmination of efforts but a stepping stone towards a promising future for Element 79 Gold and the Lucero project."

About Element79 Gold Corp.

Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold and silver committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's focus is on developing its past-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to restart production in the near term.

The Company also holds a portfolio of 5 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, with the Clover and West Whistler projects believed to have significant potential for near-term resource development. Three properties in the Battle Mountain Portfolio are under contract for sale to Valdo Minerals Ltd., with an anticipated closing date around the end of 2023. The Company has also signed an Option Agreement to sell the Maverick Springs project, an advanced-stage exploratory property with an Inferred Resource of 3.71MMoz AuEq (1.37MMoz Au and 175MMoz Ag) and anticipates completing this sale on or before March 28, 2024.

In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company that holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James.

The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, and has recently announced that it has transferred this project to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp, and is advancing through the Plan of Arrangement spin-out process through the rest of 2023.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: jt@element79gold.com

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1.403.850.8050

E-mail: investors@element79.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forward?looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward?looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward?looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward?looking statements".

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19; risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward?looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward?looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 - First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or "the Company") (TSX: FM) provides an update regarding the next steps required for the responsible environmental stewardship of the Cobre Panama mine.



On December 20, Panama's Ministry of Commerce and Industries ("MICI") announced that it is pursuing a "closure plan" for Cobre Panama that will take several months to develop and will include a temporary phase of environmental preservation and safe management, conducting environmental, technical and legal audits, and the formation of a multidisciplinary expert panel. MICI stated that it expects to present the "closure plan" in June 2024.

However, no legal basis for pursuing a "closure plan" has been provided to Minera Panama S.A. ("MPSA"), a subsidiary of First Quantum. To date, MPSA has been unable to engage formally with the Government to clarify the legal situation and associated environmental obligations.

In the near term, it is crucial that steps are taken to ensure that the Cobre Panama project and associated facilities are maintained in a safe, responsible and sustainable manner, protecting both the environment and local communities. Furthermore, before and during both the formulation and execution of any plan by MICI, the illegal blockade of the access roads to the mine and at the Punta Rincon port must be cleared by the competent authorities in order to avoid any environmental damage in the current non-operational phase. MPSA is concerned for the environmental consequences that may occur if critical supplies and personnel continue to be denied access the mine.

First Quantum has invested in excess of US$10 billion to build a world-class mine, port and power station in Panama. The Company will pursue all appropriate legal avenues to protect its investment and rights.

For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com or contact:

Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations

(416) 361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577

E-Mail: info@fqml.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this news release include statements as to the timing of development and presentation of the closure plan, the contents thereof and the process for the development thereof (including the legal basis for pursuing such a closure plan); the potential for environmental damage at Cobre Panama during the current non-operational phase and the requirements to avoid such damage; and the Company's pursuit of all appropriate legal avenues to protect its investment and rights. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions regarding the ability and willingness of MICI to develop and present a closure plan and the process, timing and contents thereof; the potential for environmental damage during the current non-operational phase and the requirements to avoid such damage; and the availability and effectiveness of legal procedures to protect its investment and rights. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, the timing for the development and presentation of the closure plan, the contents thereof, the process for the development thereof and the legal basis therefor; the duration of the non-operational phase at Cobre Panama and of the current blockade of access roads to the Cobre Panama mine and the Punta Rincon port; the outcome of any legal processes to protect the Company's investment and rights; the political and social situation in Panama; potential political, legal, social and environmental challenges; and events generally impacting global economic, political and social stability. There may also be other factors that cause actual results, performance, achievements or events not as anticipated, estimated or intended, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law.
VANCOUVER, Dec. 22, 2023 - Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the "flow-through" portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "FT Offering") for gross proceeds to the Company of C$999,490.28. The Company expects to close the non-flow-through portion of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Non-FT Offering") on or about December 29, 2023. For further details about the Non-FT Offering, please see the Company's news release dated November 28, 2023

Pursuant to the FT Offering, the Company issued 2,324,396 units of the Company at a price of $0.43 per unit (each, a "Flow-Through Unit"), with each Flow-Through Unit comprised of one flow-through common share (each, a "FT Share") and one non-flow-through common share purchase warrant of the Company entitling the holder to acquire one non-flow-through common share at a price of $0.55 until December 22, 2025. The FT Shares issued under the Offering are intended to qualify as "flow through shares" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act").

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that are intended to qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as those terms are defined in the Tax Act, which the Company intends to renounce to the purchasers of the FT Shares. All securities issued in connection with the closing of the FT Offering are subject to a statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws, expiring on April 23, 2024.

In connection with the FT Offering, the Company paid cash finder's fees totalling C$43,732 and issued a total of 162,707 finder's warrants entitling the holder thereof to acquire one non-flow-through common share at an exercise price of C$0.55 until December 22, 2025.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinsons River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The Company is also evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (778) 819-0164

info@vortexenergycorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the FT Offering, including the expected use of proceeds from the FT Offering and the expectation that the FT Shares will qualify as flow-through shares as defined in the Tax Act, and the Non-FT Offering, including the expected closing date of the Non-FT Offering. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will use the proceeds of the FT Offering as currently anticipated and that the Company ill be successful in completing the Non-FT Offering on the timeline currently anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include: the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the FT Offering as currently expected, and the associated risks arising from such decision, including that the Company may be required to make payments to investors in the FT Offering and others as a result of a determination by the Company not to utilize the gross proceeds raised from the FT Offering for eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" within the meaning of the Tax Act; the risk that the FT Shares do not qualify as flow-through shares as defined in the Tax Act; the risk that the Company is unsuccessful at closing the Non-FT Offering, on the timeline currently anticipated or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; that mineral exploration activities are often unsuccessful; risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals; and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.
A young mum has inadvertently filmed a deadly shark attack that killed an elderly Canadian tourist.

Joseph 'Jeff' Bynens, 76, was swimming in the sea when he was attacked by the predator on December 14. His female partner was also attacked by the same animal and is currently being treated in hospital. According to reports, Bynens was rescued from the water with most of his leg missing and died of excessive blood loss on the beach in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Marlene Luviano was filming her playing with her toddler because it was her birthday when the supposed shark attack occurred. Source: Jam Press

Initial reports said the tourist was killed by a shark, but his injuries led the authorities to suspect that it may have been a crocodile.

Mum inadvertently captures attack

A young mum playing on the beach with her daughter apparently captured the victims final moments, possibly shedding light on what animal attacked Bynens.

Marlene Luviano said she asked her partner to film her playing with their toddler daughter because it was her birthday. We were enjoying the morning on the beach and thats when we heard something in the sea, she explained.

Bynens was filmed swimming to a buoy and waving his arm in the air for help before being dragged under the waves. Source: Jam Press

The clip shows the pair playing on the shoreline before Luviano realises something is not right and leads her daughter away from the shore. She then asks her partner to stop filming.

In the background, Bynens is seen swimming to a buoy and waving his arm in the air for help before being dragged under the waves, presumably by the marine predator. By the time the victim was rescued from the sea, he had already bled to death, according to Luviano.

When they dragged him out of the sea, the wound was already very visible, she said. I noticed there was no longer any blood coming out. The authorities are still investigating whether the Canadian tourist was killed by a shark or a crocodile.

Joseph 'Jeff' Bynens, 76, was swimming in the sea when he was attacked by the predator on December 14. Source: Jam Press

Woman killed by shark just days earlier

Just days before Bynens death, a mum was killed by a shark in Melaque, located west of Mexico City. Maria Fernanda Martinez Jimenez went into the sea with her five-year-old child when the shark bit off most of her left leg.

Story continues

The 26-year-old was carried to the shore by three beachgoers, but she bled to death on the sand just minutes later. Her child was unscathed in the shark attack. The local authorities launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the attack and evaluate security measures in the coastal area.

Jam Press

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Ecclestone gives F1 big slap for Christmas

Bernie Ecclestone has given a "big slap" to the Formula 1 world with his traditional Christmas card for 2023.

Start, Abu Dhabi GP 2023

 Red Bull

Every year, the former F1 supremo entertains those on his Christmas card list with a humorous take on the year's biggest themes and stories.

A year ago, the caption was Just organising the plotting , with the card art depicting warring team bosses whispering and eavesdropping in the pitlane.

Before that, Ecclestone poked fun at the social and cultural moments of the time, with drivers wearing surgical masks shown kneeling on the grid and receiving vaccines.

But this year, the now 93-year-old changed gear entirely, with his card no longer a humorous cartoon but instead a serene winter farm location.

The caption reads: "I am sorry that I could not think of anything exciting or strange that has happened this year that could be illustrated on my usual card.

So may I wish you a peaceful and happy end of the year with 2024 bringing you all that is good for you and a more settled world. Bernie.

As far as Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko is concerned, it's actually a damning indictment of what Ecclestone sees as the overly corporate and boring world of Formula 1 under Liberty Media's watch.
FBN Bank wraps up SME fair

Business Desk Report Business News Dec - 21 - 2023 , 01:08

FBNBank has announced the successful organisation of the Banks Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Fair, an initiative which was aimed at empowering and supporting its SME clients.

The FBNBank SME Fairs provided a critical platform for networking, learning, and showcasing the diverse range of products and services offered by Bank.

With the first fair organised from December 12 to 16 at the Atomic Branch and the second one held concurrently at the Dome, Santa Maria, and Tema Hospital Road branches from December 19 to 23, 2023, SME clients of FBNBank were offered the full range of benefits that are available in their relationship with the Bank.

The SME Fairs brought the Banks existing and potential SME customers to the selected branches for sales and networking opportunities. The SME Fair also gave FBNBank the opportunity to make it possible for some customers of the specific branches in their neighbourhoods to showcase their products and services.

The Bank also used the occasion to reward their customers.

During the fairs FBNBank offered business advisory services and training to participants as part of its efforts to address the challenges that have hindered the growth and development of SMEs.

Backbone

Addressing a section of the media, Victor Yaw Asante, FBNBanks Chief Executive Officer said, our SME clients are the backbone of our economy, and hosting the Fairs are further demonstration of our commitment to their growth and success.

We will continue to empower and lift small and medium sized enterprises with the ultimate goal of driving economic growth and prosperity in the communities we operate in.

I also want to charge the entrepreneurs to help change the narrative about indigenous Ghanaian businesses in the country by tapping into the experiences of the partnership between the two companies to sustain their businesses.

Yaw Asante further extended his appreciation to the staff of FBNBank for making the events successful. He said, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each member of our dedicated team for the tremendous success of the SME Fairs and your hard work, commitment, and your contributions are invaluable. I am proud to lead such an exceptional team.
Gold Fields sells its 45% shareholding in Asanko

Business Desk Report Business News Dec - 21 - 2023 , 16:01

Gold Fields Limited has divested its 45 per cent shareholding in the Asanko gold mine in Ghana to TSX-listed joint venture partner Galiano Gold for a total consideration of US$170m.

Gold Fields in a statement issued in Accra today said it will also receive a one per cent net smelter royalty on future production from the Nkran deposit, the main deposit at the mine.

The Asanko mine is currently owned 45 per cent each by Gold Fields and Galiano Gold, with Galiano managing the mine, while the Government of Ghana holds the remaining 10 per cent.

The statement said: The transaction will be settled by Galiano to Gold Fields through a combination of upfront, deferred and contingent consideration.

Breakdown

Giving further details to the settlement structure, it said US$85m which will be settled with US$65m in cash and US$20m in Galiano shares on completion of the transaction; US$25m to be paid on December 31, 2025; US$30m to be paid on 31 December 2026; and US$30m plus a one per cent net smelter royalty to be paid once more than 100koz of gold equivalent is produced from the Nkran deposit.

The royalty, the statement said, is capped at a volume of 447koz.

Shareholding

Gold Fields currently has a 9.8 per cent shareholding in Galiano and the share purchase agreement limits the shareholding that Gold Fields can raise this to 19.9 per cent.

The release said should the market value of Galiano shares be less than the requisite US$20m, Galiano will make up the difference with an additional cash payment.

Gold Fields Interim CEO, Martin Preece, in his comments on the divestment said: We are pleased to have concluded this agreement with Galiano.

It is clear that the committed path forward for the Asanko mine requires consolidated ownership.

He added that Gold Fields is pleased to realise value for its holding now, while providing flexibility to Galiano in the recapitalisation of the mine and resuming mining to maximise its prospects of success.

Divestment of our interest in Asanko is part of our ongoing disciplined portfolio management process and releases capital for deployment by the Company in line with our other capital allocation priorities, Mr Preece said.

Keynote

The current transaction, which is expected to be completed during Q1 2024, is subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Import substitution strategy: Learning from European, Asian models

Korsi Dzokoto Business News Dec - 21 - 2023 , 06:35

The concept of import substitution has long been a strategic cornerstone for nations aiming to strengthen their domestic industries and reduce dependence on foreign goods.

As Ghana navigates the prospects of import restrictions with the proposed Import Restrictions Bill, it becomes imperative to delve into the success stories of European and Asian nations that have effectively implemented import substitution strategies.

Central to this exploration is the foundational step of estimating local demand for various commoditiesa critical element that forms the bedrock of the entire import substitution journey.

The historical context of Ghana's economic decisions, particularly during the post-independence era, provides insights into the evolution of import substitution as a fundamental strategy.

Recognising the need for rapid industrialisation and job creation, the early government prioritised manufacturing as the viable path to national development.

Import substitution became the driving force behind the establishment of factories spanning various sectorsfrom food processing and electronic assembly to glass bottle manufacturing and meat processing.

As we reflect on this history, it is essential to acknowledge that the concept of import substitution has persisted through different economic paradigms, from economic liberalisation to structural adjustment and now to the current era of economic transformation.

Despite the evolving terminology, import substitution remains a constant refrain in policy dialogues within nations.

Understanding local demand

The starting point for any effective import substitution strategy is a thorough understanding of local demand for various commodities.

European and Asian nations that have successfully implemented such strategies meticulously assessed their domestic markets to identify gaps and opportunities. Ghana can draw inspiration from these experiences to conduct a comprehensive analysis of local demand for products targeted by the Import Restrictions Bill.

Case studies from Europe and Asia

Numerous European nations have embraced import substitution strategies throughout their history to stimulate economic development.

In the aftermath of World War II, countries such as Germany and France strategically focused on rebuilding their industrial sectors and minimising reliance on imports.

The key to their success lay in accurately estimating local demand, which guided investments in sectors where domestic production could not only meet but exceed consumption needs.

In parallel, Asian economies, particularly the renowned Asian TigersSouth Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singaporehave demonstrated exceptional prowess in implementing import substitution strategies.

The meticulous estimation of local demand played a pivotal role in their success, allowing these nations to identify sectors where they could cultivate competitive advantages.

Over time, these countries systematically replaced imports with domestically produced goods, contributing to their economic ascendancy.

In other developing nations, particularly in Asia, the initiation of import substitution served as the genesis of broader industrialisation agendas.

These agendas swiftly evolved into vertical integration, encompassing raw material production and other inputs within identified value chains.

The sustained success of manufacturing, especially in Asia, underscores the importance of establishing deep value chains beyond marginal value addition.

As the Asian Tigers deepened their import substitution strategies, they gained the capacity to offer discounts that outpaced those achievable by other manufacturers.

A pertinent illustration of the benefits of vertical integration and value chains comes from Indonesia. Rich in mineral resources, akin to Ghana, Indonesia historically exported raw materials on a large scale.

However, in recent times, Indonesia implemented export bans on certain industrial raw materials like nickel to promote local value chains.

This strategic move resulted in a remarkable surge in stainless steel productionfrom 24,000 metric tonnes in 2016 to an impressive five million metric tonnes in 2022.

The estimated contribution of nickel and iron ore to Indonesia's GDP stands at $43 billion, employing 357,000 people.

This success story serves as a compelling example of the value chain exploitation that nations, including Ghana, should study and replicate.

Tailoring strategies to local context

While drawing lessons from successful models, Ghana must tailor its import substitution strategy to its unique local context.

This involves not only estimating demand but also considering factors such as existing industrial capabilities, infrastructure, and the potential for technological advancements.

Balancing domestic production and international trade

Successful import substitution strategies strike a delicate balance between promoting domestic production and maintaining healthy international trade relations.

European and Asian nations carefully navigated this balance by gradually substituting imports with locally produced goods without causing significant disruptions to global trade.

Identifying price differentials

A critical aspect of successful import substitution strategies lies in identifying the price differentials between imported products and locally produced alternatives.

Other nations keenly observed these disparities to pinpoint sectors where domestic industries could gain a competitive edge. Ghana can adopt a similar approach, conducting thorough market analyses to understand the cost structures and pricing dynamics.

Subsidising local producers

Armed with insights into price differentials, Ghana can strategically implement subsidies for local producers.

By providing financial support to match the prices of imported products, the government can incentivise local industries to compete on a level playing field.

This targeted subsidy approach encourages efficiency, as local producers are motivated to enhance productivity and reduce costs to remain competitive.

The subsidy mechanism creates a framework for healthy competition between local producers and imported goods.

This competition acts as a catalyst for efficiency improvements within the domestic market.

European and Asian success stories underscore how such targeted interventions lead to innovation, quality improvements, and increased productivity among local producers.

Transparency in subsidy allocation

For the subsidy system to be effective, transparency in its allocation is paramount. European and Asian nations maintained clear and transparent processes in administering subsidies, ensuring fairness and preventing any potential misuse.

Ghana can learn from these examples by establishing transparent mechanisms that instil confidence in local producers and the broader public.

Gradual reduction of subsidies

A well-designed subsidy program should not be a permanent fixture. Drawing from successful models, Ghana should consider a gradual reduction in subsidies over time.

This approach encourages local producers to continually optimize their operations, reducing reliance on subsidies and promoting long-term sustainability.

Encouraging innovation and technology adoption

As part of the subsidy program, Ghana can incentivise local producers to embrace innovation and adopt advanced technologies.

European and Asian nations utilised subsidies not only to level the playing field but also to drive technological advancements within their domestic industries.

This forward-looking approach positions local producers to compete globally.

Collaborative approach with industry stakeholders

Collaboration with industry stakeholders, including producers, associations like AGI, and research institutions, is instrumental in the success of subsidy programs.

By actively involving these entities, Ghana can ensure that subsidies are targeted effectively, addressing the specific needs of each sector and fostering a cooperative environment for sustainable growth.

Conclusion

Identifying price differentials and strategically subsidizing local producers is a powerful tool in Ghana's arsenal as it embarks on the journey of import substitution.

This approach not only promotes healthy competition but also catalyses efficiency improvements and innovation within the local industries.

Drawing inspiration from the experiences of European and Asian nations, Ghana has the opportunity to implement a nuanced and effective subsidy programme that aligns with its developmental goals and sets the stage for a robust, competitive domestic market.
US$800 million syndicated loan signed: First draw down soon  COCOBOD CEO

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Dec - 21 - 2023 , 07:01

After a long wait, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has eventually signed the US$800 million loan facility with syndication of banks for the purchase of cocoa in the 2023/2024 crop season, the Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has confirmed to the Graphic Business.

He, however, noted that the board was awaiting the first drawdown in due course.

Mr Aidoo explained that the delays in securing this years facility were because the banks were waiting for some documents to be completed before signing their part.

But I can confirm to you that it has now been signed by both parties and we are waiting for the first drawdown.

We assure the public that the first drawdown will come in any moment from now, once I say any moment from now, you should take it from me, he said in an interview with the Graphic Business on the sidelines of a presentation to some cocoa farmers.

He said all documents have been signed, adding: If you are dealing with about 30 banks, it takes time for them to mobilise the money so the first drawdown will soon drop.

Interest on loan

This years facility is coming at an interest of eight per cent, the highest since the start of the cocoa syndicated loan.

Commenting on this, Mr Aidoo said the interest was expected due to the current global challenges, which had changed the dynamics of the market.

The market is not as it has been in the past, globally, the cost of borrowing has gone up so its not just COCOBOD, he stated.

On whether COCOBOD had faced any challenges in purchasing cocoa beans due to the delays in securing the facility, the CEO said it had other means of raising money for the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to go to the market.

He said COCOBOD had already bought a lot of cocoa during this cocoa season despite the delays in securing the loan.

Commenting on some challenges in the sector, he said COCOBOD, in the last two years, had not been able to meet its production target of 800,000 metric tonnes (mt) due to smuggling.

We have been doing around 680,000mt but for the smuggling, we should be doing around 850,000mt. Last year, for instance, we should have done 900,000mt, but we lost over 150,000mt through smuggling.

People will say the market mechanism, such as prices, is a factor but we should know that in those countries where the cocoa is smuggled, they dont do anything for the farmers but in our case, we provide a lot of incentives for the farmers, he pointed out.

He said COCOBOD undertook free mass spraying, bought machines for the farmers, and hired about 48,000 sprayers every year to spray their farms.

So when we spend all that and at the end of the day, the cocoa is smuggled to neighbouring countries where there is no regulation, it is not the best.

Togo is a free market and a cocoa black market and that is where the cocoa from Ghana is taken to, he lamented.

Cocoa rehabilitation programme

Mr Aidoo said at the moment, COCOBOD had secured a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to implement the cocoa rehabilitation project.

He said the board was using the loan which had to be repaid to rehabilitate the farms free of charge for the farmers.

We cut, plant and maintain the farms for them. So if the cocoa comes and its been sent to Togo to the black market, its very painful and something drastic ought to be done.

We are doing our best and we need the support of everyone. We have put in place measures to improve productivity. When we came, yield per acre was less than three bags but now we have moved to about six bags per acre.

We even have some farmers doing about 20 bags per acre so we are doing our best, but after all that, if its not manifested in the production, its not the best, he explained.

Situation in Volta Region

The CEO said the situation in the Volta Region was worse as available data indicated that total purchases for this year from the region were just 874 tonnes.

He said for a region, which had the potential to give the country about 10,000mt on cocoa, it was unfortunate that they were doing less than 10 per cent of that.

From February to October this year, we have not bagged a single cocoa from the Volta Region.

I am a cocoa farmer myself and as of December 8, 2023, I have produced 81 bags of cocoa, which means that I am producing more than all the farmers in the region, he noted.

He said that was because all the cocoa being produced in the region was being smuggled to Togo.

Mr Aidoo, therefore, appealed to the media and all stakeholders to help COCOBOD in the fight against smuggling.
MUSIGA boss commends Wazumbians

Ndaye NDiaye Showbiz News Dec - 21 - 2023 , 19:16

PRESIDENT of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, has praised the Wazumbians band for being worthy ambassadors of Ghana on their travels.

According to the MUSIGA boss, he was a keen fan of the band and had been following their exploits both in Ghana and when they travel on tour.

I know they always proudly represent Ghana with their music, their costumes and how they interact with audiences. They have been consistent and keep improving all the time, Bessa Simons said.

He was speaking when members of the band paid a courtesy call on him and other national executives of the union when they returned from their latest tour in the United States. The tour was from March to November this year and the band played gigs in several states including New York, Philadelphia, Virginia, Idaho and North Carolina.

The bands leader, Francis Chapman Abban-Hagan, known widely as Wazumbi, presented an undisclosed amount of money on behalf of the band and its management to the Aging Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF), an arm of MUSIGA which raises funds to support old musicians.

Bessa Simons received the money on behalf of AMWeF. Also present at the presentation were the unions General Secretary, Kofi Agyeman and the National Organiser, Chizzy Wailer.

Wazumbi said the amount was a token to show appreciation for MUSIGAs support for the band. He was at the unions office with other members of the band, some of whom were not part of the American tour.

The bands leader pointed out that Wazumbians is a big family of musicians and dancers and specific gigs determined which performers were deployed. This years Wazumbians US tour was a follow-up to the one they did between July and September, 2022.

Bessa Simons thanked the band for their gesture and recollected that they made a donation to AMWeF when they returned from the 2022 tour.

They always go and they come back to tell us they are back. I thank them on behalf of MUSIGA and AMWeF and the entire music fraternity in Ghana. We wish them more successes, the MUSIGA President said.
Okyeame Kwames Hiplife Party on Christmas Day

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Dec - 22 - 2023 , 12:08

Rapper Okyeame Kwame is set to bring back nostalgic memories of the 90s and early 2000s on Christmas Day when he hosts the annual Hiplife Party at +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra.

Since 2019, Okyeame Kwames Hiplife Party has been a gathering for the celebration of authentic Ghanaian music in support of the promotion of Ghanas culture.

And this year, the event has been publicised to host performances from artistes such as Wutah Afriyie, Skrewfaze, Abochi, Abiana, Kwabena Kwabena, Crazy Keys and Souly Bird.

Also on the bill are DJ Kaxro and Andy Dosty as DJs on the night.

In a chat with Graphic Showbiz, Okyeame Kwame said Hiplife Party is an initiative to help protect and preserve hiplife music which gained prominence in Ghana in the mid-90s.

Back in the 90s, Hiplife music which fuses highlife and hip hop elements contributed to blossoming careers of many young musicians such as Obrafour, Lord Kenya and Okyeame Kwame himself at the time.

However, the popularity of the music style has waned over the years but the Woso hitmaker is certain Hiplife keeps the culture of Ghanaian music alive.

And that has been the motivation for the celebration of Hiplife Party adding, This is to celebrate the culture.

The event has in the past featured great hiplife artistes such as Akatayie, Chicago, Kwaw Kese, Abrewa Nana, Tinny, among others.

Hiplife Party also falls in line with Okyeame Kwames commitment to the promotion and patronage of Made in Ghana products over the years.

He was recently honoured by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) at this years National Tourism Awards for his contribution to Ghanas tourism industry particularly in the promotion of Made-in-Ghana products.

His Made in Ghana album, a collaborative effort with the Ghana Tourism Authority in 2019, was an initiative aimed at fostering a sense of nationalism and promoting tourism.
Lithium debate and airport lands

Enimil Ashon Opinion Dec - 22 - 2023 , 11:45

The ongoing brouhaha over lithium mining is nothing less than what led American author Mark Twain to coin the expression, hot air.

In Ghana today, while the lithium mining debates are important because they enable us to place the white against the black, the debates, through no fault of the debaters, are only hot air.

The student who entered SHS two weeks ago knows that the real beneficiaries of the resultant mining agreement will be the politicians who will, from the contracts, etc., build mansions in Ghanas neighbourhoods, fly first class for a vacation on the Rhine or the Alps, and physically attend lectures every week in European universities, while not missing Parliamentary sittings in Ghana.

Public debates are important to prevent politicians from leaping before they leap.

They also inform the (wo)man in the street to form an opinion on issues.

That is why debaters should leave the insults to over-zealous party foot soldiers.

See how, without public discourse, airport lands are being sold for a song by people whose interest it is to keep the transaction secret.

Again, if you ask me  of course, nobody is going to ask me  such important decisions as the sale of state assets should be made only by think tanks purposefully put together by the state, per an agreed set of criteria.

This use of think tanks must be an entrenched clause in the Constitution.

Worry

My worry is not that a few kleptomaniacs belonging to the political class are amassing wealth; I worry that Ghana is being raped and robbed of its heirloom, while workers are being deprived of the enjoyment of their toil.

Official recognition and use of think tanks are important in our democracy if we have to avoid what the World Bank is warning Africa about: the inevitability of another lost decade, another possible phenomenon of un-development since the 1960s: someone calls it Development in Reverse.

It may be true that African countries that are the poorest today are the ones from which the most slaves were taken.

But I concur with the Nigerian professor who blames irresponsible and irresponsive leadership, vampirism and prodigality, corruption, lack of respect for democratic ideals, insecurity and endemic civil wars  which are not legacies of the slave trade.

How do we explain the Nigerian phenomenon, for example? Fact: between 1960 and 1973, oil output in Nigeria increased from a little over five million to over 600 million barrels, and government oil revenues from 66 million Naira in 1970 to over 10 billion in 1980.

Fact: By 2009, Nigeria had replaced India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty (Source: World Data Lab).

Someone has published instances of massive treasury looting by some leaders while in office as elected or military leaders.

They include General Sani Abacha of Nigeria, $20 billion; President H. Boigny of Ivory Coast, $6 billion; General Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria, $5 billion; President Mobutu of Zaire, $4 billion; President Mouza Traore of Mali, $2 billion; President Henri Bedie of Ivory Coast, $300 million; President Denis Nguesso of Congo, $200 million; President Omar Bongo of Gabon, $80 million; President Paul Biya of Cameroon, $70 million; President Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, $30 million, and President Hissene Habre of Chad, $3 million. Into the bank accounts of eleven politicians alone, Africa lost well over $37.683 billion.

Without exception, these were leaders who ruled by a Kitchen Cabinet composed of family and friends.

All power belonged to them, and entire populations could not raise a finger.

Ghana has, in the last decade or so, been going through a phase in our existence where democracy now means allowing Parliamentarians and CSOs to make all the noise while kitchen Cabinet, an un-elected but powerful clique who have captured the Executive arm of government, subject the countrys resources to the pleasure of their will.

Even Ministers jump at the orders of the Kitchen Cabinet.

I am convinced that as long as all Board, Ambassadorial, SOE-CEO appointments are made by one all-powerful President; as long as decisions about the disposal of important economic assets are left in the hands of a board, most of whom are the Presidents friends or party allies, so long will the benefits of crude oil, lithium and mineral exploitation mean nothing to the mass of the people.

I am very certain that the airport land sales were resisted by some members of the board, but I am also certain that it was not too difficult pulling the others along.

This rape will not cease until such decisions are made by independent bodies of think tanks appointed for the purpose.

Of course, they will not be appointed by Presidents.

No wonder gold could not make a difference in the lives of the masses of the people, neither oil nor cocoa. What will lithium do?!

O God, who can deliver us from this body of death!
Hyundai Motor is gearing up to start the New Year with the introduction of its best-selling SUV in India - the Creta - in an updated version. The Creta 2024 facelift SUV is expected to be launched on January 16 as test runs continue ahead of the much-awaited launch of the compact SUV. The most recent sighting of one of the test mules of the new Creta happened in popular hill station Shimla recently. It confirms some of the details and features earlier spotted during the Creta facelift's spy shots.

The Hyundai Creta 2024 SUV, seen in the spy shot wrapped in black camouflage, reveals its alloy wheels, the silver body colour and the panoramic sunroof clearly. But one thing that cannot be missed, even through the dark cloth, is the connected LED taillight unit. The existing version of the Creta does not come with this feature. The new Creta will join the ranks of Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier and others to introduce this feature in the upcoming version. What the spy shot also confirms is a redesigned set of taillights and an updated alloy design for the Creta 2024.

According to reports and earlier spy shots, the upcoming Creta facelift SUV willl have design elements similar to Palisade, Hyundai's global SUV, than the new generation Tucson. This holds particularly true for the front face which will come with vertical LED light setup along with parametric grille. At the rear, besides the updated light setup, the Creta will also get sequential turn indicators.

Also check these Cars Find more Cars UPCOMING Hyundai Creta 2024 1499 cc Petrol Both  10.50 Lakhs View Details Mahindra Thar 2184 cc Multiple Both  10.98 - 16.94 Lakhs Compare View Offers Hyundai Creta 1497.0 cc Multiple Both  10.87 - 19.20 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra XUV500 2024 2179 cc Diesel Manual  12 Lakhs View Details Kia Seltos 1497 cc Multiple Both  10.90 - 20.30 Lakhs Compare View Offers Mahindra Bolero 1493.0 cc Diesel Manual  9.79 - 10.80 Lakhs Compare View Offers

Also Read : Hyundai cars expected to launch in India in 2024

Spy shots have also revealed a bit about the interior of the new Hyundai Creta. The updated cabin will come with an all-black theme and dual-tone seats. One of the changes seen inside is that passengers at the rear will also get headrests. Hyundai is expected to offer the Creta facelift with a dual-screen setup like its Korean sibling rival Kia Seltos. Among other features, Creta 2024 is expected to offer come with ventilated front seats, 360 degree camera as well ADAS technology.

Also Read : Upcoming Maruti Suzuki cars you should watch out for in 2024

Under the hood, Hyundai is likely to offer the new Creta SUV with at least three powertrain options. These include a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Expect these units to come mated with multiple transmission options which will include a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and a 7-speed DCT for the turbo unit.

Hyundai Creta is currently available in India at a starting price of 10.87 lakh (ex-showroom). The launch price of the new Creta is likely to remain under 11 lakh. It will renew its rivalry with the likes of Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara among others.

First Published Date:
O Freedom! What art thou? O Justice! Where art thou?

Ahumah Ocansey Opinion Dec - 21 - 2023 , 11:51

JUSTICE! Is there justice in Ghana? A remarkable definition of justice has been proffered by scholars who invariably go back in time to Roman political and juridical systems to find out what they thought and how they acted.

In Institutes of Justinian, a codification of Roman Law from the sixth century AD, justice is defined as the constant and perpetual will to render to each his due.

Four discrete elements are discernible in the definition.

First, render to each his due: this means that at the ultimate of any relationship, it is how the ordinary person (or institution, or group) is treated, in terms of whatever must be given him, as of right, that determines whether justice has been done or not in the matter.

For instance, in the allocation of housing, health care, educational facilities AND salary increments, is it justice to give one district a hospital, and refuse the same to another district? Is it justice to give a pay rise to, say, parliamentarians and deny the same to public servants?

Conversely, it is just to pay compensation to a person wrongfully imprisoned? How society treats the citizens on the street reflects their sense of justice and the value given to the citizens.

Secondly, with respect to each his due: what is due a person is what the law prescribes as a right that is enforceable on the persons behalf; it admits of no discretion.

What is due could be a statutory right or privilege, a social custom or religious convention, or any practice that has the effect of a law that a person expects to be activated in his interest.

For instance, if a person lodges a complaint at the police station that someone is threatening his life, it is dutiful for the police to act immediately by investigating the matter.

If the police dismiss the complaint as a sham, and the person is actually harmed, then the police would have acted unjustly, by failing to give the person his due security.

Thirdly, the constant and perpetual will means a referable standard that provides the security of trust that what has been done to A with respect to the standard, or law, would equally be applied to B.

In all circumstances of events, the question is: What does the law say? What are the accepted procedures? What are the best practices? In the answers given, we notice the constant and perpetual will to do justice.

Lastly, there is an agency of application; that is, someone must apply the law, or do what is right and appropriate.

Without an agency, it cannot be said that injustice has occurred, as in an earthquake where devastations have taken place without anybodys hand in the tragedy.

However, it is in the provision of assistance that one could complain about discrimination of sorts and say that such and such a person (agent) has acted unjustly.

Justice-conscious

With these principles in mind, lets look within and ask whether we in Ghana are justice-conscious or not.

Lets begin with Ghanas judiciary.

It exists for the administration of justice in our nation.

However, the quality of justice administered shows whether justice exists or not in Ghana.

Justice delivery comprises the following elements: the complainant, the police (the State), the Lawyer, the Court and the Judge.

In any situation where one of these elements procedurally frustrates the early prosecution and determination of a case or refuses to advocate on someones behalf or influences any person along the chain to give a biased judgment, muddles up facts or hides documents needed for the truth to be known, then injustice is said to take place, and what is due a person may not be given him. In any such case, the agents of justice are those who have acted wrongly.

Remarkably, God is passionate about justice in the affairs of man.

"So justice is driven back, and the righteousness stands at a distance: truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter... The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice" (Isa 59:14-15 NIV).

They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore, lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a ploughed field" (Hos 10:4 NIV).

However, justice goes beyond juridical systems and procedures.

Political decisions taken by governments in terms of providing social amenities like hospitals, schools, roads, and the like, reflect the sense of justice of the government.

If one political party provided a community with a school, but could not equip it before leaving power, and the incoming party neglected to provide equipment for the school, it would amount to injustice against the community so deprived of a good school.

The examples could be multiplied on and on.

Our traditional authorities, who must be beacons of moral integrity, also compromise justice when they resell plots of land to two or more persons and then leave them to strangle each other financially in court. Such cases are rife.

And what should we say when the same traditional authorities allow galamsey on their lands? It is another feature of injustice against the economic interests of the people.

The gaping wounds on the lands are ecological crimes against Mother Earth; call that ecological injustice!

Injustice

In several scenarios that we could paint, injustice is present whenever the legitimate needs or expectations of a person are denied him by someone tinkering with the law or processes to deny that person his due.

Conversely, a persons right to service could be so mutilated that the only way he could come by the service is to bribe someone for it, or pay outrageous fees for it; this is injustice.

Our sense of justice is evident in how we plan our lands and towns because it is a form of injustice for one person to plant his house on a space marked out for a road, and nothing is done about it.

Justice

Justice has such a subtlety about it that we could easily overlook so many things that cumulatively impact our lives and make life difficult for most people.

Like freedom, we could also say that Justice is Law! Ghana, as it exists now, is a faraway reality where justice is concerned.

When parliamentarians carve themselves ex gratia every four years, several times larger than public servants who have been working for 20 to 30 years of dedicated service, who would not say that this is a feature of injustice?

The parliamentarians make the law to suit them, and such selfishness is a form of injustice.

Partisan politics has worsened injustices in Ghana.

Let me end this way: The Freedom and Justice Ghana committed itself to are noble and high ideals for any nation.

Lets keep them.

But, at all times, we must ensure that freedom does not lead to licentious behaviour disruptive of the common good of the Ghanaian; neither must it cause disaffection for the Government and dissuasive of our allegiance to the nation.

Justice is impaired in any situation where a person (group, government) consciously denies others what is due them, and maintains inefficient systems and laws that frustrate the realisation of the good for people.

Martin Luther King Jnr, the Black American Civil Rights leader, made a telling statement about justice worth ending this article with.

Says he:

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable web of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

(Letter from Birmingham, in Alabama jail. April 16, 1963)
Learning to cheat in exams - Occasional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes

Kwesi Yankah Opinion Dec - 22 - 2023 , 18:22

This Christmas, I put before colleagues a question paper on which all homes should ponder and react: exam malpractice.

It begins with limited desk space in the classroom, allowing for two or more to share a desk in school.

Here you not only take liberties to chat during exams; you may move from chatting to cheating.

Students gifted with long necks giraffe their way and google all the answers beyond the elbow. You are lucky if the victim is a good student.

If not, you find yourself having copied from a neighbor who, unknown to you, is habitually at the bottom or chews last. It would simply mean you are not a brilliant thief. Good exam thieves know where to look.

For the clever student, your best insurance against being victimized or rather being stolen, was to cup your hands around your answers, to frustrate the giraffe next-door.

In our class in Winneba Zion, one such giraffe was Araba Impraim, known to have a pungent intellectual odour; waab)n in local parlance.

Her male counterpart was Kwamena Tetteh. Such students would ahead of formal seating arrangement, plan to share desks with those with well-done brains, of whom it was said, waaben (he/she is well cooked).

In that case there was no need to giraffe; you had thereby declared a kind of free trade agreement, AfCFTA, of sorts, where eyes and necks freely move back and forth in mutual window shopping.

Even so when caught, Teacher Acquaah would crack the whip at your back and inflict blisters, if you did not pad your shirt or load your back that day.

But exam malpractice over the years, has matured across various stages of schooling through high school to universities.

It is now so formalized that some parents consider malpractice tolerance (or assurance) as an important factor in determining where to send their ward.

And some schools openly aid and abet, and proudly publicize their integrity deficit in adverts: Our teachers are also WAEC examiners, signaling that they have a cheating management body, or one that is gifted in academic corruption.

So then parents who are interested in their kids welfare, readily agree and pay to schools a kind of malpractice assurance fees, partly meant to be given as cheating allowance to exam supervisors, and those favorably connected to the grand exam body, WAEC.

But the practice moves up to the tertiary level, where the malpractice skill receives a great boost partly through the students own interpretation of academic freedom. When caught, not only is your paper cancelled, you may be suspended or even dismissed.

This reminds me of an egregious example in the premier university where a cheating student caught, decided to destroy all evidence when the invigilator was approaching. The suspect quickly stuffed his mouth with the unauthorized paper, chewed it, and swallowed it. He could indeed have facilitated digestion with a glass of water if the exam manual allowed.

Indeed some schools are so strict with exams, their students have gone on demonstrations against authorities and destroyed school property, accusing management of not being exam-helpful.

To all this, one small school has chuckled, laughing all the way to Brekuso. Ashesi University, perhaps the smallest private university in Ghana has taken initiatives the big ones in Africa could learn from.

Ashesi instills morality in students through an Honor Code. This is a Code, to which all students are compelled by regulation, to swear at the Universitys Matriculation ceremony, pledging sound morality, and the avoidance of examination malpractice.

The effectiveness of the Honor Code makes invigilation at exams completely unnecessary. Examinations therefore take place without invigilators; for it is not only a breach of the code to actively engage in an exam malpractice, but also to not report an examination malpractice seen; that amounts to condoning the offense, and collective sanctions may be applied.

The system has helped produce talented students with a high sense of morality at Ashesi University who are in high demand the world over.

Unfortunately, through this post I may have done Ashesi University a big disservice. While my revealing this secret may tantalize parents to send their kids to Ashesi; it may also be a deterrent, that may keep parents off Ashesi, which may be blacklisted with the stigma: the University where students are not helped to pass exams.

My question this Christmas: Should the public sector not learn the wise ways of the ant: Ashesi University?

Finally, let us submit our dilemma this Christmas to Alhaji Agyeman Bawumia, the Vice President, asking him to help out the public body WAEC with digitalized examinations, where human giraffes have no neck advantage, and where unauthorized papers cannot be chewed and swallowed.

Pens down please! And a merry Christmas to you all!
UK government reduces salary threshold for visas after backlash

www.theguardian.com International News Dec - 22 - 2023 , 09:02

The UK government has made a U-turn on its much-criticised plan to imminently raise the minimum salary requirement for British nationals bringing foreign family members to the UK, saying the threshold will first be raised to 29,000 instead of 38,700.

The revised proposal, announced unexpectedly and without fanfare in a parliamentary answer, said the threshold would be increased incrementally and would still eventually hit 38,700, but gave no timescale for when this would happen.

The lack of detail, and the suddenness of the policy change, prompted opposition parties to condemn a lack of consultation, with Labour saying the policy was in chaos.

While 29,000 remains above the average UK working salary and is still significantly higher than the previous 18,600 minimum, ministers appeared to have at least partly given way to the outpouring of fury over the 38,700 threshold, announced as part of a wider crackdown on legal migration earlier this month.

Under the 18,600 threshold, 75% of people could afford to have family members join them; if it was set at 38,700, just 40% would be able to afford it, and only 25% in the north-east of England.

With such visas forming a small proportion of overall legal migration, the original change was expected to contribute only about 10,000 to an overall planned reduction of 300,000 in annual migration numbers, while taking a heavy toll on families, many of whom said they would be forced to live apart.

Reunite Families, a campaign group for people affected by immigration rules, had instructed lawyers to explore ways to challenge the changes, which had been described by some as being a punishment for falling in love.

Responding to the announcement, the group said: It is incredibly upsetting and outright disrespectful that the government has released these details four days before Christmas, nearly three weeks since they were first announced.

29,000 is still very high for most families  it excludes over half of the population from sponsoring a foreign spouse and is much higher than the minimum wage so those on lower salaries are still being told their family is not welcome here.

Its baffling why the MIR [minimum income requirement] is now going to be raised incrementally  the process is already complicated enough without this too.

The revised policy, announced in a written parliamentary answer by the Conservative peer and junior Home Office minister Andrew Sharpe, says the minimum income requirement will be increased in incremental stages to give predictability.

This would begin next spring, with the increase to 29,000, pegged as the 25th percentile of earnings for jobs eligible for skilled worker visas. This would subsequently rise to the 40th percentile, which would currently make it 34,500, and then the 50th percentile, now 38,700  the new minimum threshold also for a skilled worker visa.

However, the answer gave no details about when the moves beyond 29,000 would happen. Asked when this would take place, Home Office officials pointed to a statement and factsheet, which also did not set this out.

The ambiguity appears to be an attempt by James Cleverly to assuage some of the anger while not enraging MPs on the right of the Conservative party by completely abandoning the new threshold. In a statement, the home secretary said that he had provided further detail about how these measures will be applied and when they will be introduced, without acknowledging the partial U-turn.

He insisted the revised plan would still reduce annual net migration by 300,000, adding: I have been clear that current levels of migration to the UK are far too high. The British people are, rightly, frustrated and want to see action.

In another apparent climbdown, people who already have a family visa and want to renew it will only have to meet the current income requirement, rather than the increased threshold, a Home Office factsheet said. This would also be the case for children seeking to join or move with parents.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: This is more evidence of Tory government chaos on immigration and the economy.

On their watch, net migration has trebled as skills shortages have got worse and worse, and they still have no proper plan to link the immigration system to training or workforce planning. They failed to consult anyone on their new proposals and took no account of the impact of steep spousal visa changes on families next year, so its no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush.

Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson, said: You have to wonder who is in charge at the Home Office, or if anyone is. It was clear to everyone else that the raising of the earnings threshold was unworkable.

This was yet another half-thought-through idea to placate the hardliners on their own backbenches. James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging. Decisions like this should be made by experts and politicians working together.

The earlier shift straight to 38,700 came as part of a wider crackdown following anger from Conservative MPs when data released in November showed net inward migration had been 745,000 in the year to December 2022, fuelled in part by a surge in overseas professionals arriving to work in the NHS and care homes.

The plan presented by Cleverly increased the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa to 38,700, while the rule allowing the most in-demand professions to be hired at 20% below the going rate would be scrapped.

While it was praised by many Tory MPs, some experts warned it risked causing further chaos in the already stretched health sector and damaging the UKs long-term growth prospects.
Be wary of fraudsters: WAEC cautions public as it releases provisional results of G/ABCE

Severious Kale-Dery Education Dec - 22 - 2023 , 08:39

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released provisional results of candidates who sat the General and Advanced Business Certificate Examination (G/ABCE), 2023 and reminded the general public to be wary of fraudsters.

The council is cautioning all stakeholders to be wary of fraudsters who promise to upgrade results for a fee, a statement signed and issued by the Head of Public Affairs John K. Kapi cautioned.

It reminded the general public that there was no way anyone could have access to the WAEC database to be able to change results.

Candidates are to note that WAEC results are secured and can be authenticated, the statement added, assuring the candidates that the results could be authenticated using the results verification system or by downloading the WAEC QR Code.

Statistics

A total of 163 candidates sat for the Advanced Business Certificate Examination (ABCE), while 173 candidates sat for the General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE).

In all, five candidates, who were found with mobile phones in the examination hall had had their results withheld pending the outcome of investigations.

The statement ,however, advised candidates to visit the councils website www.waecgh.org to access their results.

The council wishes to express its appreciation to stakeholders, especially heads of school, the Ghana Police Service, supervisors, invigilators and examiners for their support and co-operation leading to a successful conduct of the examination, marking of scripts and release of results, the statement concluded.

G/ABCE results

Throwing more light on the examination, Wendy E. Addy-Lamptey, Head of the Ghana National Office of WAEC explained that holders of the General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) results were qualified for admission into level 100 in any tertiary institution in the country.

For the holders of the ABCE results, Mrs Addy-Lamptey said they could enter the tertiary institutions at level 200, adding that all tertiary institutions were now mandated to accept G/ABCE qualifications as entry requirements in the country.

She explained that initially, some tertiary institutions were not comfortable with candidates holding such qualifications, but said the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) had approved such certificates and gave the assurance that those certificates were authentic and could be equated with the WASSCE.

Mrs Addy-Lamptey ,therefore, urged tertiary institutions not to entertain any doubt about the equation of the G/ABCE certificates or qualifications.
Andrew Kwakye Mensah retires after 26 years of service at Graphic

Beatrice Laryea Dec - 22 - 2023 , 10:10

After 26 years of dedicated service to the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), the Head of Electrical Department  Refrigeration and Air-Condition, Mr Andrew Kwakye Mensah, has retired after attaining the compulsory retirement age of 60 years.

At a sendoff party last Tuesday, Mr Mensah, flanked by his wife, Mrs Cecelia Kwakye Mensah, some management members of the GCGL and staff of his department, shared his working experience with the company since April 7, 1997, when he joined as a refrigeration technician to when he became the head of his unit, the position he held until he retired.

He urged staff of his unit and the entire company maintain the unity, peace and love that have kept the company together all these years.

He said when he joined the company, there was unity and together and they always found a common platform to resolve their isues whenever there was a misunderstanding

When I joined the company we always forgave each other when there was a misunderstanding, we worked together in unity and love. I urge you all to maintain the unity that has kept this unit together all these years, he said

The technical unit was an enviable unit and the envy of the other units because at the end of every year, we were able to get ourselves together, make contributions and organise our own end of year party so at the time when members of other units were going home empty handed, we always had items to take home because we did our own contributions. There was unity and love and I urge you all to revive that unity, togetherness and love that existed, he added.

The Director, Technical Services of the GCGL, Mr Charles Ntimoah Amoako, the Director of Human Resource of GCGL, Mrs Dela Bonsu, Engineering Services Manager, Emmanuel Tetteh, Electrical Engineering Coordinator, Mr Amos Ghartey and SHEQ Manager, Mrs Peace Gadogbe took turns to share their experiences while working with him, and thanked him for the services he rendered to the company and wished him well on his retirement.

Dedication to service

Speaking at the event, the Director of Human Resources, Mrs Dela Bonsu noted that throughout the years, Mr Mensahs unwavering dedication and commitment had left an indelible mark on the company.

She said personally, she knew Mr Mensah as a man of great integrity and humility adding his wisdom and dedication to service had been invaluable to the entire organization.

Today is a memorable day because, we are gathered here to celebrate your illustrious career. Your legacy is undoubtedly an inspiration to all of us and will inspire generations of colleagues to come, she said.

Throughout your stay in Graphic you were never queried, not even oncean exceptional achievement that reflects your steadfast commitment to professionalism and excellence, Mrs Bonsu said.

In 2004, our records reveal that your outstanding contributions were recognized when you were nominated for the Best Worker Award in the Technical Department. This accolade is a testament to your hard work and the positive impact you have had on the team, she added.

She wished Mr Mensah well in his new chapter and prayed that his life would be filled with joy, good health, relaxation, and the fulfillment of all your dreams in Jesus name.

Working life

Mr Mensah joined the GCGL group on April 7, 1997 as a refrigeration technician and was later promoted to senior refrigeration technical and spent a greater part of his 26 years with the unit until he was elevated to head that department.

Through his effective leadership, he ensured that all the air-conditioning challenges faced by the company were duly dealt with on time.

Academic qualification

Mr Mensah, father of three, has a High National Diploma (HND) from the Accra Technical University and Theology in Pastorialship from the International Bible Training Centre in Accra.
Ecobank mobilises business leaders to fight Malaria in Ghana

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Dec - 21 - 2023 , 13:33

The acting Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Joan Mensah, has called on business leaders to join forces with the relevant stakeholders to fight malaria in the country.

She said malaria remained a major public health challenge in the country that poses serious threat to businesses and productivity.

She indicated that Ecobank had invested US$120,000 in the Zero Malaria Fund to help fight the disease in the country.

Ms. Mensah was speaking at a stakeholder roundtable meeting held on malaria and hosted by the bank at its head office in Accra on December 12, 2023.

The meeting, which was organised in partnership with Speak Up Africa and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) as part of the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI) brought together 25 business leaders across different sectors.

The purpose of the meeting was to galvanise support from business leaders against malaria in the country.

In 2020, The Ecobank Group, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Speak Up Africa and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, launched the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative, which aims to stimulate private sector engagement in the fight against malaria in Africa, and supporting the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign endorsed by the African Union in 2018.

The initiative is being implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal and Uganda and aims to: promote the mobilisation of national resources for sustainable funding in the fight against malaria and its elimination; mobilise companies and business leaders to contribute to malaria control and elimination; and leverage Ecobanks networks and partners to strengthen or create collaborative platforms.

The roundtable meeting succeeded in fostering a sense of unity among business leaders, emphasising the indispensable role of the private sector in malaria elimination.

The event marked a crucial step towards Ghana's ambitious efforts of eliminating malaria, as well as setting an inspiring precedent for businesses to actively engage in the fight against malaria.

Ms Mensah noted that malaria has dire consequences on businesses, pointing out that it affects productivity, increases staff absenteeism and health expenditure of organisations.

For his part, the Marketing Manager at Ecobank Ghana, Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, gave an assurance of the banks commitment to transparency and accountability of the fund that would be donated towards malaria elimination.

He explained that a five-member steering committee had been established to oversee the administration of the Zero Malaria Fund.



The Director at Anglogold Ashanti Malaria (AGAMAL), Mr Samuel Asiedu, said the companys intervention had achieved many significant successes in the fight against malaria in the country.

He, therefore, called on the private sector leaders to support the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI) through donations in cash or in-kind.

Speaking at the meeting, the Private Sector Engagement Lead at NMEP, Ms. Phyllis Owusu-Achau, said malaria accounted for 30 per cent of outpatient visits and 25 per cent of hospital admissions in Ghana.

She also indicated that malaria and malaria related cost to businesses in Ghana in 2021 was estimated at US$6.6 million, hence needing a collective action to eliminate it.

The event was also used to introduce the Managing Director of Kinapharma Limited, Mr. Kofi Nsiah-Opoku, as the new Malaria Champion for ZMBLI.

He pledged his commitment to continue to support malaria elimination actions in Ghana and to utilize his business networks to encourage further contributions.
Gender Minister urges women, girls to speak up on gender-based violence

Beatrice Laryea Dec - 22 - 2023 , 14:57

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has urged women and girls, especially survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), to report cases for the right actions to be taken.

She was of the view that violence against women and girls was a deliberate violation of their rights which impeded their progress, therefore the victims needed to report the cases for their own rights to be protected.

The minister was speaking on Wednesday at an event dubbed High-Level Dialogue on Combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Cultural Practices in Ghana in Accra.

Event

The event formed part of the ministrys 16 Days of Activism Against GBV meant to create awareness and dialogue on ways to combat the menace.

It was held in partnership with the United Nations in Ghana, Oxfam, GIZ, Embassy of Spain in Ghana and Amnesty International.

Need to speak up

Daily, we hear and read about these abuses, however, only a few come to light through reporting to the appropriate quarters either because they do not know where to go and what services are available for them, Ms Abudu said.

Most survivors often ask the question: What will I benefit if I report my case? This reflects the poor state of our support system services to survivors, she said.

Lariba Zuweira Abudu (3rd from right) Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other participants demonstrating the "Stop Violence Against Women and Girls" sign

She noted that Ghana had made strides in fighting violence against women and girls over the years, including the establishment of the DOVVSU, passage of the Domestic Violence Act, 732 (2007), establishment of the Domestic Violence Secretariat at the ministry, among others.

However, she said there were still gaps in the nations quest to respond adequately to violence against women and girls such as lack of shelters, inadequate funds to enable the ministry to prevent, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims/survivors, limited number of hotlines or helplines, lack of treatment centers for survivors, the weak implementation of laws, lack of credible and reliable data to inform evidence- based interventions and above all, inadequate professional staff to provide quality services to survivors.

This is worrying. It is for these reasons that the ministry realised the need to hold this dialogue to call on all stakeholders to invest in the work of the ministry to enable particularly the Domestic Violence Secretariat to live up to its mandate, she said.

Slow progress

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Jose Xavier Guitterez, also lamented the slow progress towards a more egalitarian society and the increasing threat to womens sexual and reproductive freedom.

He said the dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, for instance, showed that much needed to be done when it came to GBV.

Instituting measures

For her part, the Representative of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Fati Ndiaye, said her outfit was honoured to have partnered with the MoGCSP to organise the dialogue which sought to institute measures to coordinate effective response services to survivors of GBV and other harmful practices in the country.

She also called for continuous investment in the allocation of resources to programmes that addressed the root causes of GBV in order to build a generation and foster an environment that viewed violence as an intolerable breach of human rights.

At the UN, we work in partnership with the government and the people of Ghana for sustainable social development, peace and human rights. Central to this mission is the strategic partnerships we foster from the national through to the community level with key stakeholders like yourselves to advance gender equality and end harmful practices, especially those that affect women and girls, she said.

She mentioned that GBV constituted one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world and it knew no social, economic or national boundaries because it undermined the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims.

Gender-Based Violence remains shrouded in culture of silence. It is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power and control that continue to create a social environment in which it is pervasive and normalized, she said.

She also called for continuous investment in and allocation of resources to programmes that addressed the root causes of GBV in order to build a generation and foster an environment that viewed violence as an intolerable breach of human rights.
December in GH: GTA endorses 183 events

Juliet Akyaa Safo Dec - 22 - 2023 , 09:46

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has endorsed 183 events as part of the Beyond the Return, and December in GH programmes.

This means that the events have met requirements set by GTA and reviewed by a committee to ensure that they are well-resourced, can organise the event in a safe environment and also pull off the event successfully.

By endorsing them, we are putting the full weight of the state behind them and letting the public know that the events have been looked at very well.

This is in terms of security, the resourcefulness of the organisers and their ability to pull off the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

The endorsements for this year are a huge jump from 122 endorsed events last year.

Events

Ranging from traditional festivals, musical concerts, gospel events, symposiums, workshops and tours across different genres, the events will be organised across the country although the bulk of them will be in Accra.

Some of the headline events include Afrofuture, Taste of Ghana, Little Havana in Aburi, Ashantifest, Westside Carnival in Tarkoradi and Edina Bronya in Elmina.

The rest are the Culture One Festival in the northern part of the country, Saminifest in the Ashanti Region, Bhim Concert, Rapperholic and GUBA Cruise in Akosombo.

Mr Agyeman explained that Afrochella, one of the biggest events on the list, had been re-branded as Afrofuture and would be happening on December 28 and 29.

He said business events and investment programmes, such as the Diaspora Investment Programme, and Women Empowerment and Investment, would be held on December 26 at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

Also, he indicated that the GTA, in conjunction with Ghana Exim Bank, the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, had created an Akwaaba Village located at the airport to allow visitors coming into the country to have a one-stop shop for Ghanaian culture and arts.

Expected visits

Mr Agyemang explained that the country was pushing to have about 115,000 people arrive in the country for the December in GH programmes compared to 108,000 received last December.

He added that the country was generally looking at 1.2 million international arrivals this year, more than a 30 per cent jump from 2022.

Last year, we ended the year around 117,000 so we are pushing ourselves to get 1.2 million to be at par with the numbers we got in 2019, which was our record year.

Our intention is that this year should be the year that we get to the pre-pandemic levels; because before COVID-19, we did 1.18 million arrivals in 2019, dropped to 350,000 in 2020, 650,000 in 2021 and 900,000 last year and this year we want to go to 1.2 million, the GTA boss said.

To achieve that, the GTA CEO said, the authority was, among others, working on visas on arrival, extensively marketing events such as Ghana Week in DC and making sure that Ghana was the top-of-mind in the source market.

Comfort, safety

Mr Agyemang said that adequate preparation for accommodation and transportation had been made, stating the availability of other forms of accommodation such as AirBNB, private homes and some visitors staying with family and friends.

For security, he said the teams had done so much work with the national security and the Ghana Police Service to ensure that all the events were happening within a safe environment.

The police have had about three different engagements with event organisers.

We have also had an engagement with hoteliers in terms of pricing to ensure that their rates are competitive and not overly expensive.

We have also engaged with the airlines to find ways that the airfares coming into Ghana are competitive because whether we like it or not this is beginning to become a very competitive activity, he added.
Fighting corruption shared responsibility  President

Donald Ato Dapatem Dec - 22 - 2023 , 12:00

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday launched a programme for the evaluation of Ghanas National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) for a sustained fight against corruption in both the public and private sectors.

The original NACAP strategic plan was launched 10 years ago as a coordinated policy document for combating corruption in Ghana, with the objective of building public capacity to condemn and fight corruption and make it a high-risk, low-gain activity.

It also institutionalised efficiency, accountability and transparency in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, engaged individuals, the media and civil society organisations in reporting and combating corruption; and conducted effective investigations and prosecution of corrupt conduct.

The maiden NACAP report will be ready in June 2024, but the evaluation that has been launched will inform NACAP Two.

The launch attracted heads of various anti-corruption institutions, including the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Special Prosecutor, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

Implementation

Addressing the high-level national conference at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said after almost 10 years of implementing NACAP, there was a need to understand how the Action Plan had contributed to reducing corruption in Ghana and to make necessary adjustments to the policies and institutional arrangements based on the evaluation results.

He explained that the evaluation was important to assess the contribution of NACAP to the fight against corruption in all spheres and to form the basis for developing NACAP Two from 2025 to 2034.

He added that this underscored the importance of the evaluation exercise, and urged stakeholders to support it.

Mindful of the enormity of the task involved in evaluating anti-corruption interventions, strategies and action plans, an evaluation team of diverse expertise, including those in political science, economics, communication and gender, have been constituted to evaluate the maiden NACAP, President Akufo-Addo added.

The evaluation team is made up of national evaluators led by the Ghana Statistical Service, and supported by international evaluators from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to benchmark evaluation exercises with international best practices and guarantee credibility.

President Akufo-Addo said it was expected that a high-quality evaluation of NACAP would be conducted utilising a wide range of information sources with several appropriate methods and tools.

Fighting

Fighting corruption, the President added, was a shared responsibility, and that it was the reason why we must all see the evaluation of the maiden NACAP and the development of NACAP Two as the responsibility of all stakeholders in this nation, citizens and non-citizens alike.

He urged stakeholders to give the exercise the priority it deserved, provide open and honest responses and inputs, and offer their support and cooperation to ensure a successful evaluation, stressing that the public must embrace it as a beneficial learning tool rather than a threatening scrutiny.

Mobilisation

President Akufo-Addo said NACAP had been one of the major strategies and tools guiding the mobilisation of efforts and resources of stakeholders, including government public sector institutions, civil society private sector individuals and the media, to prevent and fight corruption.

NACAP, he explained, was developed to align with standard global indicators, local knowledge of corruption and other anti-corruption measures on the premise that conventional anti-corruption approaches had consistently not yielded anticipated results.

It is gratifying to note that since 2015 when the implementation of the plan commenced, Ghana has made significant progress in fighting corruption, he said.

Activities

The Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Richard Quayson, said the NACAP Plan had 135 broad activities for implementation by stakeholders towards the realisation of the four strategic objectives.

He explained that although the executive had primary responsibility for implementing NACAP, the government put together the NACAP High-Level Implementation Committee (HiLIC), chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Office of the President, with representation from the public, private and civil society sectors to ensure the country benefited from the collective wisdom and efforts of all stakeholders under the banner Ghana United Against Corruption.

He stated that NACAP had played a pivotal role in strengthening Ghanas commitment to the ideals of transparency, accountability and integrity over the past nine years.
Govt urged to invest in education, research to enhance entrepreneurship

Emelia Ennin Abbey Dec - 22 - 2023 , 11:35

A management consultant, Albert Ocran, has urged the government to invest in education, research, and infrastructure and create an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.

He also urged the government to create an enabling environment for businesses and innovations like entrepreneurship to thrive in the country.

"Government can incentivise research and development, invest in crucial infrastructure, and create a regulatory framework that encourages entrepreneurship and business growth," he said.

Mr Ocran gave the advice at the 23rd Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Congregation, of which 910 students graduated from various graduate and undergraduate programmes of disciplines. It also included six PhD students.

The programmes were the Business of School, School of Public Services and Governance, Faculty of Law, and School of Social Sciences and Technology.

Speaking on the topic, leveraging innovative synergies between academia, government and industry for national growth, he said the path to national growth demanded the collective efforts of academia, government and industry.

Industry

To industry, he stated, it was the engine that drove economic growth and, when harnessed efficiently, could transform the academic discovery of products and services that improved lives.

Mr Ocran who is also the executive chairman of Combert Impressions, a printing company, said it was prudent to ensure that research remained relevant and called for synergy between academia, government, and industry to ensure sustained development.

Agribusiness

He urged the graduates to take advantage of business opportunities in the agri-business value chains adding that there were many opportunities in agribusiness for the graduates to tap into and create sustainable livelihoods for themselves.

Mr Ocran urged the graduates to strive for excellence and work hard to achieve their future goals, adding that "there are greater opportunities ahead."

"I want you to remember that the path to national growth demands the collective efforts of three key pillars: academia, government, and industry," he said.

He said academia laid a solid foundation for learning and innovation and that research conducted within the institutions should lead to advancements in science, technology, and business.

GIMPA transformation

The Rector of GIMPA, Prof Samuel Kwaku Bonsu congratulated the graduating students and said students were at the heart of GIMPA.

We recognise the value of our students and ensure that we provide what is necessary to enhance their learning and future potential.

In line with this, he said the institute continued to put in place measures to improve the quality of the students and the quality of the institute.

As part of this, he said in the beginning of 2023 the institute commenced the process of harmonising its programmes for efficiencies in cost and quality.

The review, he said had included the narrowing of its programmes to focus on those that it had the requisite resources to support.

Such review, he said, had led to a review of the hospitality programme at the school of technology and social sciences while another advisory team was helping with refocusing of the school of public service and governance.

Courses

He announced that GIMPA would from February 2024, introduce case oriented courses which would be a move away from its theoretical approach of teaching.

As part of the transformation, he said, the institute started training its faculties in March 2022.

And that has given us two years to prepare for this and we hope this will offer greater and better opportunities for students to engage in the practicalities of what they are exposed to in class room, he said.

He said work on a government supported 440 bed hostel at the Green Hill campus of the institute was scheduled to start in 2024 while conversations around other infrastructure projects were also ongoing.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- DEEPAL, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand, announced on Thursday it successfully obtained in November 2023 an autonomous driving test permit for highways and expressways in Chongqing.

Photo credit: DEEPAL

The road tests have commenced for the DEEPAL SL03, featuring Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.

DEEPAL emphasizes that the Level 3 autonomous driving functions are solely integrated into test vehicles and do not reflect commitments to the models on the market.

The testing location in Chongqing presents a uniquely challenging environment known for its intricate terrainmountains, slopes, winding roads, and various complex conditions such as construction zones, long slopes, bridges, tunnels, and merging ramps, alongside narrow roads and dense traffic.

Amidst these rigorous tests, the L3 autonomous driving-enabled DEEPAL SL03 impressively maintains safe and stable operations. Equipped with DEEPALs proprietary technology, the vehicle boasts a traffic congestion autonomous driving system employing multi-sensor fusion. It enables such functions as single-lane traffic jam autonomous driving, automatic lane-keeping and following, autonomous tracking of preceding vehicles, adaptive cruise control, and driver status monitoring to ensure readiness for manual takeover.

Both DEEPAL's S7i and SL03i intelligent driving models, featuring DEEPAL AD advanced driver assistance systems, entered mass production and market availability in November this year.
Graphic elects new union executive

Diana Mensah & Josephine Amponsah Dec - 22 - 2023 , 06:20

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has sworn into office a four-member executive of the local chapter of the Graphic communications Group Ltd for a three-year term.

This was after a keen contest to replace the Chairman of the local union who retired earlier this year.

The Vice-Chairman, Romeo Torkornoo, decided to contest the vacant position, while others also for positions that had become vacant as a result.

Mr Torkornoo won the chairmanship, with Sampson Djangmah, as his vice. Others are Nana Yaw Osam-Dade, First Trustee; Samuel Ansah, Executive Member; Kingsley Blay Ackah, Secretary, and Yvonne Naa Ayele Aryee, Assistant Secretary.

The rest are Philip Kwabena Philips, Second Trustee; Amma Bruwaah Apenteng, Women Representative, and James Acheampong, Youth Representative.

Induction

The Accra Regional Officer of ICU, Ernest Otu-Addo, who inducted the new executive into office, congratulated them and gave an assurance that ICU Ghana will support them in the discharge of their mandate.

He also commended members of the election committee for organising a free, fair and peaceful election, and the staff for their cooperation.

Mr Otu-Addo expressed the hope that the new executive would work with the mother union to help address challenges of workers, saying we would need that support and cooperation from our new executive so that we can push workers welfare agenda to the fore.

Appreciation

The chairman expressed appreciation to members of the union for the confidence reposed in the new executives and assured them that they would work hard to improve workers welfare.

Mr Torkornoo, who polled 97 votes to shrug off competition from Charles Acquah Arhin, who managed 76 votes, also assured members that the executive would engage management to ensure their needs were met.

He, therefore, called on the rank and file to cooperate with the executive to achieve their mandate by ensuring improved working conditions for workers and for the company to achieve its targets as well.

Mr Torkornoo, who rose through the ranks as a shop steward, also assured the leadership of ICU Ghana that he and his team would work for the collective interest and mutual benefit of the workers.

We will form a small team that will work with management to manage salary issues and facilitate effective communication whenever the expectation of workers was not met on time, he added.

The chairman congratulated all contestants on the spirited, keen, friendly and peaceful contest.

He entreated them to close their ranks and work with the executive to achieve a common goal.
Logos Hope Ship director honoured

Kester Aburam Korankye Dec - 22 - 2023 , 09:09

The Director of the Logos Hope Ship, Randy Grebe, has been installed as a development chief of Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region under the stool name, Nene Ayartey Wasu.

Mr Grebe was installed chief at a colourful ceremony at Dodowa last Wednesday by the Chief of Dodowa, Nene Kwesi Agyeman IV.

The traditional ceremony, attended by the chiefs and people of Dodowa, saw Mr Grebe paraded through the streets of Dodowa and through the Dodowa forest reserve.

Logos Hope

Logos Hope Ships Company has been in existence for over 60 years with five vessels.

The MV Logos Hope is a ship operated as part of a faith-based organisation by Gute Bucher fur Alle, as the world's largest floating book fair.

On a visit to a country, the ship remains in each port for about two weeks.

Currently in Maputo, Mozambique, the literature-driven outreach service has been to Ghana 17 times over 45 years.

Recommendation

Renowned Evangelist, Reverend Lawrence Tetteh, who recommended Mr Grebe for the honour, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the recommendations was based on Mr Grebes Christian heritage and his dedication to the service of humanity.

I have always believed that we must give honour to whom honour is due and not wait until people have passed away before, but he loves Ghana so we want people to know what he has done and also serve as a testament that Ghanaians honour those who serve them, Rev. Dr Tetteh said.

Service

An excited Mr Grebe also in an interview told the Daily Graphic that he would continue his service for Christ and humanity as an appreciation for the honour done him by the chiefs and people of Dodowa.

Accompanying Rev. Dr Tetteh on a visit to the newsroom of the Daily Graphic, together with his wife, Kim, the Logos Hope Ship Director, said while it was unexpected, the honour was also humbling and would motivate him and the team to do more.

 This is not something you even dream of, this is the work of God, he said and added that, with offices in 118 countries, we will make Ghana famous.

Ghana visit

With the 2024 visit of the ship to Ghana set to be launched tomorrow at the Wesley Towers in Accra, Mr Grebe stated that the ship, had on previous visits, welcomed about 1.3 million people, with about 5000 visitors each day.

He stressed that all workers on the ship were volunteers as they came together to share knowledge, love and hope in their evangelism work.

There are 419 crew from 65 countries who volunteer for two years to be on the trip.

No one is paid and we rather raise money to be on the ship.

Presently, there are four Ghanaians on the ship, the director said.
NEDCo supports Gbewaa College of Education

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Dec - 22 - 2023 , 08:15

The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) has presented GH15,000 to the Gbewaa College of Education in the Pusiga District to assist in the re-roofing of buildings destroyed by rainstorm early this year.

On April 5, 2023, a rainstorm, which lasted for about 30 minutes, destroyed many facilities in the school, including the auditorium, library, bungalows, wall and dormitories, among others.

Afterwards, the management of the school solicited public support and managed to re-roof some of the facilities, while others had still not been attended to, apparently due to the lack of funds.

At a brief ceremony to present a cheque to the school, the Managing Director of NEDCO, Osmani Aludiba Ayuba, said the gesture was in response to a request the company received from the school following the devastating rainstorm that damaged several buildings.

CSR

He noted that despite the companys financial challenges, it was committed to its corporate social responsibilities within its operational areas, adding, As an institution, we consider this support as an opportunity to spread our social responsibilities.

He said that although the extent of damage to the facilities in the school was huge and was running into millions of Ghana cedis, NEDCO thought it appropriate to contribute their widows mite in response to the schools request.

He appealed to the management of the institution to honour their obligations towards NEDCO by paying their bills, stressing It is through the payment of bills by some customers that we managed to raise some money to assist Gbewaa College of Education.

Obviously, it is only fair and right that as we support you in these difficult times, you also make it a duty to religiously honour your bills by paying for the power that you consume from NEDCO for our mutual benefit.

Gratitude

For his part, the Finance Officer of the institution, Gilbert Azure, who received the cheque on behalf of management, expressed gratitude to NEDCO for the support towards re-roofing some of the damaged buildings.

He disclosed that the girls dormitory was heavily hit and that more than GH5 million was needed to put the entire building back to its previous state, adding: Therefore, we are appealing for more support to re-roof the girls dormitory.

On the payment of bills, he disclosed that management had resolved to use a payment plan to pay for all outstanding bills while paying the monthly bills as well.
New premix shed for Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour handed over

Daily Graphic Dec - 22 - 2023 , 09:32

The Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour in Takoradi in the Western Region has a new premix shed to enhance efficiency.

A three-bay working area, the facility built by Karpowership Ghana, provides a dedicated space for fisher folks to dispense premix fuel, enhancing efficiency in their pre-fishing activities.

It was in fulfilment of a pledge made by the company to support the fisher folks within its community of operation to sustain their means of livelihood.

Last Tuesday, the community came together as the shed was handed over to the managers of the fishing harbour.

Present at the event were the Chief Fishermen from the Essikado area, the GIFA Chairman of Western Region, Francis Eshun, the fishing harbour management, engineers from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and the fisher folks operating in the harbour.

Prioritising needs

The Corporate Communications Manager of Karpowership Ghana, handing over the shed to the managers of the harbour, emphasised the company's commitment to the well-being of the Takoradi community, particularly the fisher folks.

"We prioritise meeting their needs to empower them for a better livelihood," she stated during the event.

Aiming for a broader community impact, Ms Amarquaye highlighted the initiative as part of Karpowership Ghana's ongoing efforts to implement life-changing projects in the Sekondi region.

She expressed confidence that the new shed would streamline fueling processes, ultimately improving operational efficiency for the fisher folks.

Appreciation

The Chief Fisherman of Essikado, Nana Kwaku Adom, on behalf of the fisher folks, expressed profound gratitude to Karpowership Ghana for not only consistently engaging with the community and actively listening to their needs, but also providing impactful solutions for them.

He pledged that the shed would be maintained to ensure its durability and extended service for the benefit of the local fisher folks.

The Manager of the Takoradi Fishing Habour, Henry Oppong, also expressed gratitude for the intervention.

He promised more collaboration with Karpowership Ghana and other utility companies to support fisher folks.
Onua TV, Radio launch Foundation

Juliet Akyaa Safo Dec - 22 - 2023 , 08:32

Two media stations, Onua TV and Onua Radio, have launched the Onua Foundation to provide humanitarian aid to deprived communities and people generally facing challenges.

The General Manager of Onua TV and Onua Radio, Stephen Schandorf, at the launch of the foundation last Friday, said the foundations Tagline Boafo) pa which meant Good Helper was a life impacting venture and urged all to support it.

He said they would be leveraging the power of the media to serve the needs and expectations of people.

Through the launch of the foundation we aim to create partnerships and opportunities that will enhance the lives of viewers and listeners, he said.

Livelihood

Mr Schandorf explained that statistics over the years had proven that the majority of people continued to live in abject poverty with others having difficulties to access basic needs.

He said this year, reports revealed that approximately 2.9 million people in the country were living in extreme poverty with the majority residing in the rural areas.

This includes 2.8 million families surviving on less than GH23 per day in rural regions as well as 214,000 individuals in urban areas facing extreme poverty.

The World Health Organisation in 2018 found that over 40 per cent of Ghanaians lacked access to essential health services, he stated.

The General Manager added that the Ghana Statistical Service in 2017 revealed that approximately 13 per cent of children in rural areas had never attended school, highlighting the educational disparities in the cycle of poverty.

There are several of these challenges that we need to collectively build with people and that is what the Onua Foundation will seek to work with society to help address, he said.

The Head of News, Onua TV and Radio, Abu Issa Monnie, expressed excitement about the launch of the foundation and said they looked forward to working with people who cared about the vulnerable and destitute in society.

He said their focus was to seek and create opportunities that improved the lives of people by contributing to good education, access to good health care and good drinking water.

He stated that the dam spillage provided the impetus to build on ongoing interventions by the Onua Group to transform society.

Humanitarian aid

The Chief Executive Officer of the FC Beauty Group, Dr Grace Amey Obeng, who launched the foundation expressed her passion to impact life and congratulated the two stations for the initiative.

She said it was critical to lend a helping hand to people in need, particularly at a time when the country was facing challenging economic times and also when the poverty gap was widening.

She said the initiative was timely considering the pivotal role played by the stations and their staff in the dams spillage relief fund project introduced by the management of Media General and 3Foundation.

Dr Obeng said the scope of humanitarian aid was trust, urging the two stations to focus their attention on areas they could make the most impact.

She also charged them to serve humanity in a manner to get support from society to impact lives and livelihood.

Foundations are set up essentially to render humanitarian aid and not an assignment to expect profit and return.

There is joy in doing good but at the same time it is difficult and thankless, she stated.
President commends Tourism Authority for laudable performance

Donald Ato Dapatem Dec - 22 - 2023 , 06:04

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for setting a new standard of excellence by showcasing Ghana as a beacon of hope and a shining example for the world in the last six years.

He said over the period, the authority ensured growth in international arrivals, increased the number of domestic travellers and growth in the number of tourism facilities and I applaud the tremendous efforts of the dedicated staff led by its dynamic Chief Executive Officer, Akwasi Agyemang, and his partners.

President Akufo-Addo made the commendation at the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the GTA in Accra last Wednesday.

Promotion

President Akufo-Addo said over the past 50 years, the authority had played a pivotal role in promoting Ghana as a prime tourism destination with a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality which have captured the hearts of travelers from across the globe.

It is the fusion of tradition and modernity that makes Ghana an irresistible force in the world of Tourism, he said.

President Akufo-Addo added that the sector had witnessed transformative initiatives that had elevated the nations tourism industry to unprecedented heights.

The Year of Return, a landmark campaign I launched in 2019, marked a glorious homecoming for individuals of African descent from around the world.

It was an opportunity for us to reconnect the global African family, provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with their roots, experience the vibrant culture and bust in the warmth of our beloved nation, he said.

December in Gh

The President also said that country also embarked on another ground-breaking initiative, December in Gh, a month-long celebration that showcases Ghana as an unrivaled festive destination, attracting tourists to its vibrant festivals, music and arts.

Through December in Gh, we have witnessed the influx of visitors who continue to immerse themselves in the unique Ghanaian experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime, he added.

President Akufo-Addo said unveiling of the Beyond the Return initiative had, therefore, opened up endless possibilities for sustainable tourism investment and cultural exchange for a prosperous future.

Appreciation

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyemang, expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for his unwavering support and recognition of the importance of tourism.

He said the Presidents presence at the programme was proof of his commitment to promoting the nations cultural diversity.

Your legacy in tourism is unmatched.

We remember with fond memories the day you launched for us the Year of Return in September 2018.

Under your leadership, all the boxes in tourism are ticking positive, Mr Agyemang said.

He said last year, domestic tourism grew by 59 per cent over the previous years, while international tourism arrivals had been growing year by year.

The CEO said this year, the authority was pushing to reach pre-pandemic levels in tourism arrivals, adding that in a few weeks time, the first Kente Museum would be commissioned at Bonwire in the Ashanti Region.
Stratcomm Africa donates to communities affected by dam spillage

Daily Graphic Dec - 22 - 2023 , 11:28

Strategic Communication Africa Ltd (Stratcomm Africa), has donated GH30,000 to the Citi FM/Citi TV "OperationRebuild" project in respect of communities affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

The gesture was chosen in place of the companys annual Praise jam.

The donation was made by Marketing Communication Manager of Stratcomm Africa, Sharon Anim, at the Citi FM office in Adabraka last Wednesday

The OperationRebuild has been providing urgent and needed support for the affected communities.

Presenting the cheque, Ms Anim said by this contribution in support of the OperationRebuild, we honour and praise God and show love to our neighbours. We take inspiration from the example of Jesus Christ in His ministry.

Praise Jam, an annual praise, worship, and thanksgiving ministry organised by Stratcomm Africa for the past 18 years, has served as a platform for clients, partners, suppliers, family members, and the general public to express gratitude to God for the year's blessings through songs, prayers and the word.

Ms Anim said Stratcomm Africa was inviting its stakeholders to join in supporting the OperationRebuild initiative.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of Citi TV/Citi FM, the morning show anchor of the broadcast station, Bernard Avle, stated that we are so grateful for this contribution. Citi FM has a long history of collaboration with Stratcomm Africa, and is pleased to accept this donation for the benefit of the affected communities.

Mr Avle emphasised the significance of such contributions in aiding relief efforts, and added that this donation supports with our ongoing efforts to provide relief aids and rebuild places in the region, underscoring our commitment to supporting initiatives that directly impact our communities.
TUC relaunches Workers Manifesto

Vincent Amenuveve Dec - 22 - 2023 , 06:55

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday relaunched a Workers' Manifesto to outline its vision for the country at the union's General Council Meeting at Kasoa in the Central Region.

The 48-page booklet spells out the position, views and suggestions of the TUC on some major policy areas, including social and human development, economic, labour market, energy, climate change and environment, as well as governance.

The manifesto is a tool for the engagement of the TUC with managers of the economy, civil society organisations (CSOs) and political parties, particularly the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the dominant opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Director of Labour, Research and Policy Institute of the TUC, Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, giving an overview, said the manifesto, among other things, was crafted on the belief that the nation could feed its population, but that this could be achieved by subsidising farmers through the provision of inputs and extension services.

If imports of food items are limited and Ghanaian farmers are guaranteed market for their produce, Ghana will achieve food security within a short period of time," the aspect of the document on social and human development recommended.

On access to education under human development, the manifesto called for more efforts to ensure that all children of school age were in school, stressing that we must improve access to higher level of education to enhance the fourth industrial revolution.

The document emphasised prioritisation and implementation of social housing programmes on a mass scale, and to improve sanitation conditions for the poor and vulnerable in society.



Economy, unemployment

On economic policy, the manifesto states that the current macroeconomic policy framework is a relic of the Structural Adjustment Programme.

It identified employment as missing from the framework because it was assumed without any evidence whatsoever that growth and macroeconomic stability automatically led to the creation of employment.

The framework must change because we believe that it is the source of the unemployment challenge in Ghana, it added.

It stressed the need to ensure proper management of the nations natural resources.

On energy, the TUC advocated the need for government not to allow what it described as strategic national assets such as the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to be handed over to foreign commercial interests.

We are fully aware of the challenges TOR and ECG are facing. But we also know that most of these challenges have been inflicted on the companies by various government policies.

The solution, therefore, does not lie in handing over the companies to foreign interests; government should work with all stakeholders to fix the problems," the manifesto further recommended.



Too much powers

On governance issues, the Workers Manifesto supported calls for a review and change of the 1992 Constitution.

It stated that the nation needed a Constitution that truly gives power to the people and guaranteed democracy that gave assurance of the basic necessities of life.

It, therefore, suggested some key issues that guided the TUCs campaign for constitutional reforms.

These, it said, included how to reduce the powers of the President and give power back to the people.

Other key areas the manifesto suggested for review were true separation of powers among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, as well as whether or not partisan politics was appropriate for the nation.

It also raised issues regarding the role of the Electoral Commission and the need to perform its mandate fairly and objectively for consideration in the constitutional reform proposals.

Home-grown solution

The Secretary General of the TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, relaunched the manifesto, and said the overall goal of the exercise was to ensure that Ghana adopted home-grown solutions to address its socio-economic challenges because the TUC had observed that the neo-liberal approach to economic management is no longer appropriate for the nation.

The TUC General Council meeting is the highest decision-making body after its Congress, and it was attended by organised labour from the 16 regions.
Ghanaian Investigative journalist Anas wins Carmignac Journalism Award in France

GraphicOnline Dec - 22 - 2023 , 15:25

Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, along with photojournalists Muntaka Chasant and Benedicte Kurzen, have been honoured with the 13th edition of the Carmignac Journalism Award in France.

The prize is dedicated to highlighting Ghana's ecological and human challenges associated with the transboundary flow of electronic waste.

For nearly a year, the award-winning team delved into the intricate and multifaceted ecosystem of e-waste, examining its role as a significant economic opportunity for many in Ghana while acknowledging its substantial human and environmental impact.

Their investigative efforts provided both a national and international perspective, shedding light on the complexities of e-waste trafficking between Europe and Ghana and revealing the opacity of this globalized cycle.

The Carmignac Foundation, organizers of the award, commended the trio for moving beyond stereotypical portrayals of Ghana as the "dustbin of the world."

The team's extensive documentation of the e-waste ecosystem challenged prevailing narratives and uncovered the hidden complexities of the global e-waste trade.

The announcement of the awards took place at the Visa pour l'Image International Photojournalism Festival in Perpignan, Southern France.

Anas Aremeyaw Anas expressed his gratitude for the honour, emphasizing that winning the award provides an opportunity for his team to further explore the intricacies of the e-waste ecosystem in Africa.

Muntaka Chasant underscored that their work aimed to not only reveal the human and environmental costs of informal e-waste practices but also to highlight how the secondary raw materials extracted contain critical minerals crucial to Ghana's green transition. Benedicte Kurzen shared her joy in receiving the award, recognizing its significance in acknowledging their impactful investigative journalism.
Samira Bawumia gives to widows, aged at Ashalaja

Beatrice Laryea Dec - 22 - 2023 , 14:45

Some women, including widows and the aged at Ashalaja in the Domeabra Obom area in the Greater Accra Region have benefited from the annual Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project.

Mrs Samira Bawumia on Thursday, December 21, 2023 handed over the items, made up of clothes, bags of rice, cooking oil, drinks, confectionaries, soaps, water and an undisclosed amount of money to help the beneficiaries during the Christmas season.

She also presented cash prizes to some physically challenged persons in the community and donated medical supplies and equipment to the local health facility in Ashalaja.

Mrs Bawumia said the gesture formed part of an initiative to economically support and empower women in the Ghanaian society, especially during festive seasons such as Christmas.

At the end of every year, we make arrangement through the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project to support widows, single mothers and the aged so this year my team decided that we come to Ashalaja to support our mothers. We pray that those of you who have lost your husbands, God will give them a peaceful rest while he strengthens and keep you all. May God give you long life to take care of those left behind, she said.

We pray that as 2024 approaches, the good Lord will continue to protect us, guide us, lead us and bless us with all the blessings in 2024, she said.

Support

Mrs Bawumia also urged the women to support and vote massively for her husband, the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2024 general elections to enable him win the presidential slot.

Pray for me and pray for my husband His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia so that the good work that our father Nana Akufo-Addo has done, Dr Bawumia will come to continue and do more for Ghana to prosper. Everything is in Gods hand but it is also in your hands I urge you all to vote for Dr Bawumia, she said.

She also called for peace and unity among Ghanaians saying: We are all one people irrespective of where we come from. We are one people so let us continue to love one another and live together in peace.

Speaking at the event, the New Patriotic Party parliamentary candidate for Domeabra Obom Constituency in the 2024 general elections, Wahab Mohammed, appealed to the women to vote massively for him as well as Dr Bawumia to enable him continue working for them.

Our mother Hajia Samira Bawumia has done something great which has never happened before in our constituency and I know that come 2024, what has never happened before will happen in the whole of Ghana as the NPP will break the eight and I will also be elected as the youngest Member of Parliament for the Domeabra Obom Constituency, he said.

Appreciation

Speaking on behalf of the women, the Asafoanye of Ashalaja, Patience Kotey, expressed gratitude to Mrs Bawumia and the leadership of the NPP in the constituency for the kind gesture.

The event brought together dignitaries including the NPP Constituency Chairman of the area, Joshua Lamptey, the Leader of the Zongo Women Association, Hajia Barikiso Balu, and Municipal Chief Executive, Joseph Nyame.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China's domestic passenger vehicle ("PV") retail sales are anticipated to reach 2.27 million units in December 2023, which should grow 9.3% from the previous month and rose 4.8% from the previous year, according to the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA").

Of the PVs retailed in China in December, around 940,000 units were expected to be new energy vehicles (NEVs, referring to battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), representing a 11.8% month-on-month (MoM) growth and a 46.6% year-on-year (YoY) leap, and also indicating a 41.4% penetration rate.

For clarity, the passenger vehicles mentioned in this report only refer to cars, SUVs, and MPVs locally produced in China.

The CPCA added that China's passenger vehicle retail sales are expected to hover around 21.62 million units through 2023, demonstrating a steady 5.2% year-on-year growth. The whole-year new energy vehicle retail volume is estimated at approximately 7.75 million units, marking a year-on-year jump of 36.5%, and achieving a penetration rate of 35.8%, an 8-percentage point increase from the previous year.

In early December, China's automobile market exhibited moderate performance. According to the CPCA's data, in the first week of the month, major manufacturers achieved an average daily retail of 47,500 units, witnessing an 8.3% increase month-on-month and a 6.8% year-on-year growth. Moving into the second week, manufacturers intensified efforts to meet annual targets, achieving a daily retail average of 66,800 units, reflecting a 2.0% increase over the same period of last year. The lower-than-expected growth was mainly due to the extreme weather conditions impeded footfall growth, said the association.

In the third week of December, additional incentives from manufacturers rejuvenated market dynamics, projecting an anticipated daily sales volume of 75,700 units, indicating a substantial 25.9% month-on-month surge and a marginal 0.6% year-on-year growth. For the fourth week, the market still holds potential for a significant sales push, with an estimated daily retail of 114,300 units, representing a month-on-month decline of -15.3% but a year-on-year growth of 8.3%.
World Child Cancer to set up Oncology Unit at Bolgatanga

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Health Dec - 22 - 2023 , 08:08

The Ghana Chapter of World Child Cancer, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has begun the process to set up a fully equipped Oncology Unit at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.

The unit is to enable the hospital to provide proper medical care to especially, children diagnosed of various cancer-related diseases within the hospitals operational areas.

To kick-start the process, the organisation organised a four-day intensive training on detection and treatment of childhood cancers for 25 critical health workers of the hospital.

The participants made up of medical officers, physician assistants, pharmacists and pediatric specialist nurses, among others, were exposed to cancer pathology, childhood cancers and their common types of diagnostics.

Additionally, they were taken through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery as well as chemotherapy drug extravasation and its side effects.

The training was done with support from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other partners.

Subsequently, the organisation would fully fund the training of some key medical staff of the hospital to undertake fellowship programme at some specialised medical institutions to become fellows capable of manning the unit.

Commitment

An interview with the Daily Graphic at the end of the training last Friday, the Data Manager, World Child Cancer, Emmanuel Amankwah, said the training formed part of the commitment of the organisation towards helping health facilities to manage childhood cancers.

He noted that the training was intended to provide knowledge as well as build the capacity of the participants so as to detect cancers early and refer patients when necessary for the needed treatment.

He noted that in a year, between Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (TTHs), about 450 children with cancer were attended to although statistics pointed to the fact about 1,300 children were affected with cancer yearly in the country.

He said this is why the organisation has come in to ensure that health facilities are well-equipped with both human resources and the needed equipment to improve the treatment of children with cancer.

Lesson burden

The Administrator of the hospital, Samuel A. Atuba, said children with cancer were on the increase and that the training had come at the opportune time to equip the staff to easily detect and treat childhood cancers.

He noted that since it was the organisations intention to set up an Oncology Unit in the hospital after going through all processes required, the new unit would reduce the financial burden of patients being referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) and other facilities for treatment.

While commending the World Child Cancer for the training, he noted that the organisations resolve to fully set up an Oncology Unit in the hospital would be a huge sigh of relief to patients and the management of the facility.
Bawumia touts Free SHS achievements following impressive 2023 WASSCE results

Beatrice Laryea Politics Dec - 22 - 2023 , 10:44

The Vice President, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia has touted the positive outcomes of the Free Senior High School (SHS) education policy, a government initiative introduced in September, 2017 by the President Akufo-Addo's administration.

In a Facebook post on December 19, 2023, Dr Bawumia expressed excitement over the results of candidates who wrote the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) which was released on Monday, December 18.

Dr Bawumia was of the view that the impressive performance of the students was an indication that the Free SHS policy was working effectively.

Our SHS students go from Keta SHS to Harvard University and excel. Our girls at Mamfe Senior High go for a world competition in robotics and win against teams from the USA, Germany and South Korea. Our boys from Prempeh College have won robotics world competitions against global competitors many times, he said.

Yet when these same students excel at WASSCE some people for political reasons even question the integrity of their results! Why do some always believe that it is impossible for our students or our people to be the best? It is possible, he said.

He went on to congratulate the students saying: Congratulations to WASSCE students for their excellent performance in the examination.

The policy has been one of the flagship programmes of the current government offering opportunity to all students who qualify to attend senior high school education.

However, in recent times, it has come under many criticisms from the sheer population of students which has necessitated the double track system and inadequate food supplies to feed the teeming students.
Election 2024: NDCs Mustapha Gbande under Police investigation for inciting violence comment

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Dec - 22 - 2023 , 15:39

For making some comments in a radio interview, allegedly aimed at inciting violence during the 2024 general elections, the Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, is under police investigations.

Speaking in a radio interview on Accra-based Okay FM, Gbande advised voters to show up at polling stations armed with guns and cutlasses.

Mustapha Gbande based his comments on what he described as a poorly conducted District Level Elections by the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare referring to them as failures.

Is this a dress rehearsal for 2024," he questioned and said, "then going into the [2024] elections, well put guns into our pockets. If thats the way theyll go.

Following pressure from the interviewer to clarify his position, Mustapha Gbande explained that voters had to be prepared at all times to protect their votes on the day of elections.

Citing various examples, which he said had made the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) unpopular following the 2020 general elections, he insinuated that the NPP were a violent sect who would do anything to secure an electoral victory.

Therefore, he said; I have told my superiors that if possible, lets prepare twice for the NPP and wait for them. If youre going to a polling station, put a cutlass in your pocket. That way, no one will misbehave towards you, to buttress his point.

In response to the Mustapha Gbandes comment, the Ghana Police Service issued a statement confirming the commencement of an investigation involving Gbande.

The statement stressed that the police were committed to upholding the law and maintaining peace and security in the country.

The Police will continue to work with other sister security agencies diligently and patriotically to maintain the peace and security in our country which has made Ghana a beacon of hope on the continent and beyond, it said.

The statement assured the public that no one would be allowed to undermine the peace, security, law and order in the country.
Female entrepreneurs equipped for successful business

Daily Graphic Politics Dec - 22 - 2023 , 07:41

The 2020 running mate of the Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has advised women entrepreneurs to be professional and always communicate with their clients to grow their businesses.

She said communication was crucial in the growth of businesses, adding that women must engage their clients always to achieve positive results.

It is important to keep with our clients because they are best placed to become the ambassadors and advertisers of our respective brands and as such continually disappointing them is a sure way of losing business, she said.

Please dont wait for your client to arrive at your premises to learn that you do not keep your promise of getting an item completed or to find out that you have given some appointment to others; as well, or that your workplace is closed or you are busy with someone else, she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was speaking at the 7th Graduation of the Tsentse Skills Development Centre last Sunday.

The graduands

The occasion marked the end of study for over 40 young women who had specialised in Fashion Design, Cosmetology, Hairdressing, Floral Decoration, Beadwork and Catering/Cookery.

The participants have been supported by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, to acquire vocational training to empower their economic transformation.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who is a former Minister of Education, further encouraged the graduands to establish relationships based on respect and tolerance with their co-workers and any apprentices they would recruit.

She then expressed her appreciation to the founder of the Skills Development Centre and major sponsor of the programme, Mr Vanderpuije, for his vision to ensure young women became self-reliant.
Make immunisation priority - GCNH entreats NDC, NPP

Alberto Mario Noretti Politics Dec - 22 - 2023 , 07:54

The Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) has entreated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to attach great importance to immunisation and prioritise it in their manifestos.

It said the two major political parties must put immunisation in a special place in their budget plans for implementation after the 2024 general election, to save children from preventable diseases and save colossal sums of money for the nation.

The National Chairman of the GCNH, Bright Amissah-Nyarko, made the remarks at the coalitions just-ended annual Health Forum and General Meeting at Ho.

The event was on the theme Sustaining the gains of immunisation through domestic funding mechanism  the way to go.

The objective was to bring together civil society organisations in health and key stakeholders to champion a common course of advocating for actionable interventions to mitigate the impact of future pandemics in the country.

Disease burden

Mr Amissah-Nyarko said the country was going through challenging times in a post-pandemic era, with a high burden of diseases among families and communities.

Cases of HIV and AIDS, TB, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse among the youth are rising and the trend is scary, he noted.

A section of the participants in the forum

Mr Amissah-Nyarko pointed out that immunisations against preventable diseases had, since 1978, made tremendous gains for the country, not only in the health sector but the entire economy, saving millions of lives from disabilities and deaths.

That, he said, highlighted the need for the government and for political parties to support the Ministry of Health with adequate funds for such activities, and for that matter, the need for political parties to be highly concerned about immunisations.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, said the theme was timely and relevant.

Administering vaccines is capable of preventing between two and three million child deaths and 60,000 adult deaths globally each year, he said.

Dr Letsa, who is a seasoned medical practitioner, said investment in immunisation resulted in direct health benefits that could contribute to economic development, and help to avoid treatment costs that confronted households across Africa.
Sara Adwoa Safo's 4th move towards Parliament; files nomination to contest NPP Dome-Kwabenya primary

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Dec - 22 - 2023 , 17:37

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) incumbent Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sara Adwoa Safo, has registered her candidacy for the partys constituency primary on January 27, 2024.

It is her fourth move towards Parliament since 2012.

That was after the three-time legislator submitted her nomination form to the Dome-Kwabenya constituency executives at Haatso on Friday [December 22, 2023].

The nomination form was received by the constituency Chairman of Election Committee, Osei Fordjour, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Elders in the constituency; the Constituency Chairman, Robert Osei Bonsu, and a member of the Council of Elders, Monica Agyei.

Amidst brass band, the incumbent MP was accompanied from the Zonal Council office at Dome New Station to Haatso by a large gathering of party faithful adorned in her campaign T-shirts and banners.

Contestants

Ms Safo, who became MP for Dome-Kwabenya in 2013, will contest for the seat with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Freezones Authority, Dr Mike Oquaye Jr, and another contender whose name has not yet been made public.

Ms Safo beat Dr Oquaye in 2019 parliamentary election with just eight votes when she obtained 496 votes as against Oquaye's 488.

The constituency is the largest constituency in Ghana in terms voter population of 172,000 and it is the stronghold of the NPP.

Forgive me

Speaking to the press soon after submitting her nomination, Ms Safo expressed her appreciation to the party supporters for leaving their busy schedules to still show love for her, promising not to let them down.

She optimistic that the constituents would cast their votes for her for continuity and for experience.

I have been your MP for 12 solid years and worked with humility, hard work, dedication. You cannot throw that experience away.

I know that everything that happened in the past one year or one-and-a-half-years, you have forgiven me because to err is human and to forgive is divine, she prayed.

She said following meetings she had had with party supporters for since her return, the people had expressed their willingness to surprise the whole of Ghana on January 27, 2024.

On that day, the whole radar will be on Dome-Kwabenya and they will be looking out for how you going to be vote to exonerate and show love for your Member of Parliament for the mother she has been and her service.

The saying goes that the older the wine gets, the better it is. So, I am your old wine, she said.

Give me another chance

Highlighting her accomplishments since she became MP for the area over the past 12 years, Ms Safo touted various achievements in education, sanitation, health and roads sectors in the constituency.

She, therefore, urged the voters in the constituency to give her the needed support to enable her to continue the good work for the various communities to continue to witness impressive progress.

On her long absence from the constituency, the MP said many considered her travel to the United States of America as a sign of her downfall.

As some Ghanaians think that I have fallen, you are my lovers to uplift me to give victory another chance, she said.

Conduct clean campaign

Earlier, the Constituency Chairman described the incumbent MP and advised her take good care of her supporters.

Mr Bonsu urged her to work hard to bring them together to foster the unity needed to help the NPP retain the Dome-Kwabenya seat.

Do not allow any division and hurts to shape your campaign since political campaign contest always comes with hurting one another.

Let us forgive each other and allow love and unity to cause us to work together, he said, and prayed for Gods blessing on the MP.

The chairman advised all contestants to undertake decent campaigns devoid of insults and divisive speeches.

I wish you all the best and may the best candidate win, he stated.
Paula Josephine Lukehart, 79, passed away Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Mission at the Villa Castle Rock, in Green River, Wyoming surrounded by family.

She was born in Gillette, Wyoming on May 29, 1944, the daughter of Paul Lewis and Myrtle Moser.

Paula graduated from the Campbell High School with the class of 1962 before attending the National College of Business in Rapid City, South Dakota.

She married Linden Lukehart in 1965, they later divorced. She then married Mike "Mac" McCullough many hears later.

Paula worked as a secretary for 33 years until her retirement in 2004.

She was a proud member of the Upper Yellowstone Snowmobile Club in Cooke City, Montana.

Paula had the best sense of humor, she liked to tease and she was feisty! Paula enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and she had an amazing memory of the cute little things that each of them said. She gave the best gifts, not because they were expensive but because they were unique to the person individually. Lastly, Paula LOVED to dance!

Survivors include her son Paul Lukehart and wife Amanda of Gillette, WY; daughter Lisa Lukehart of Rock Springs, WY; beloved grandchildren Zachary, Joshua, Alyssa, Aleesha, Linden, Islea; and great-grandchild Augustus.

Preceded in death by her parents Paul and Myrtle Lewis, husband Mac and brother Gary, niece Dena and several cousins.

Cremation had taken place and private family services will be held.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mission at the Villa Castle Rock, 1445 Uinta Drive, Green River.

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com.
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

These words from Ebenezer Scrooge as he pleads for his hope of redemption are the climax and heart of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens - one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories.

Last year I wrote a column sharing some of my favorite adaptations of the story after getting to see the musical production by The Horizon Theater. This year, our talented local theater community once again gave me a new adaptation to ponder, this time with the Actors' Mission production of "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge."

This version of the story in particular got me thinking even more about Scrooge's promise to keep Christmas all the year, and the concept of what "Christmas every day" means and actually looks like.

Admittedly, I was skeptical when I first heard about "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge." The premise is that Scrooge has relapsed back to his old ways one year after the events of the original story, and he is suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas for such charges as attempted murder, kidnapping, pain and suffering, etc. My first thought was that this concept completely undermines the point of the original and Scrooge's redemption.

However, Director Rick Cozad told me the play isn't as much of a departure from the original as it may seem. Wanting to support my friends at Actors' Mission, I went to the show opening night. I'm so glad I did. I not only thoroughly enjoyed it, but wanted to see it again. Rather than being a sequel, most of the play is essentially a clever and amusing way to retell the familiar story, while adding a twist at the end.

Spoiler alert - rather than undermining Scrooge's redemption, the play seeks to expound on it. He did not, in fact, relapse into his old ways. He simply acted as though he did to prove a point, and to bring the Ghosts of Christmas up to speed with their own lessons. At the end of the play, he exposes them for only working one night of the year to help people seek redemption, and he gets them to agree to work every night - to keep Christmas all the year, as they taught him to do.

The thought of Scrooge honoring Christmas in his heart every day also got me thinking about just how much the concept of "Christmas every day" is a part of our seasonal vocabulary.

Just like there are countless versions of "A Christmas Carol," there are nearly as many versions of songs and stories revolving around the concept of every day feeling like Christmas, or wishing every day could be Christmas. Just putting those words together is enough to get at least five different songs stuck in my head. But the one that comes to mind the most is one from my childhood - "If Every Day Could Be Christmas" by Lonestar. Admittedly, the song isn't unique to Lonestar, but I grew up on 90s country, so that was the version playing while we put up our Christmas tree or drove around town to look at Christmas lights.

"If every day could be Christmas, What a wonderful world this would be, We could carry this feeling within us All through the year."

As children, the thought of every day being one of presents, games, food, and no school is the perfect dream.

As adults, we realize how much this would be a logistical nightmare and, on all practical levels, is impossible. We also understand the concept that something special becomes ordinary when it becomes an everyday occurrence.

But the point of most of all those songs isn't actually that we should celebrate a holiday endlessly, but that, like Scrooge, we should keep the same feelings and ideals throughout the year.

"It's that time We open up and give from our hearts, Let love shine brighter than any star," the Lonestar song continues.

Christmas is often seen as a time of extra generosity, kindness, forgiveness, and joy. As Scrooge's nephew Fred puts it:

"I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round-apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that-as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

But if Christmas is the only time in the long calendar year we live this way, there's a problem.

If the Spirits only worked towards redemption on Christmas Eve, no wonder Scrooge would be upset with them. But as the Spirit of Christmas Present says in my favorite film version of "A Christmas Carol" (from 1951):

"We Spirits of Christmas do not live only one day of our year. We live the whole three-hundred and sixty-five. So is it true of the Child born in Bethlehem. He does not live in men's hearts one day of the year, but in all days of the year."

Let's strive to keep the love, generosity, and perspective of Christmas in our hearts every day of this coming new year.
TATA employee Jeff Haggit (left) and Plant Manager Rodger Hoops (right) present the check they gave to United Way of Southwest Wyoming.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit, a number of local groups and individuals have recently made donations to help with community programs and important causes. Here are just a few of the donations that have been made within the past few weeks.

Courtesy photo The Eagle Riders of Post 2350 recently donated money to Washington Elementary for their Christmas for Kids program. Riders pictured from left are Kelvin Seller, David Bellanger, Dan Walsh and Bobbi King on the far right.

The Eagle Riders of Post 2350 in Green River recently donated $760 to Washington Elementary for their Christmas for Kids program, and $500 to the radio station for Coats for Kids.

The GFWC Women's Club of Sweetwater County always donates 10% of the raffle income from the annual Holiday House event to an organization of the host's choosing. This year Carmen Lakey chose for the money to go towards Alzheimer's awareness. The Women's Club donated $240.

The annual Handel's "Messiah" Interfaith Community Choir collected food donations during this year's performance. The food drive gathered 300 pounds of food to donate the the Food Bank of Sweetwater County.

"Thank you Green River, for coming together and supporting our neighbors," Choir Director Bonnie Arnold said.

TATA Chemicals employees and United Steelworkers Local 15320 donated $52,652. 93 to United Way of Southwest Wyoming.

"Thank you for choosing compassion and generosity," United Way of Southwest Wyoming said. "You are helping people change their lives."
Father Denis is leaving Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

When Louise Laughlin told Father Denis she was planning a dinner for him before he leaves the church, he told her not to worry about cooking so much food.

But Louise knew better.

On Sunday night, roughly 300 people crowded into the hall at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to honor Reverend Father Denis D'Souza before he steps down from his leadership in the church in order to continue his ministry elsewhere.

The turnout was certainly bigger than Father Denis expected, and even bigger than Louise expected. The church had to bring out extra tables and chairs to try to fit everyone in. Glowing with Christmas lights and filled with happy chatter, and perhaps a few tears, the hall was full of the warmth that Father Denis has helped bring to the church for the past decade.

"I would say [this has been] one of the best times of my Christian life," Father Denis said of his time in Green River. "I've been in ministry for 44 years now, and the ten years I spent here was one of the best."

A history of service

Father Denis was born in India in 1953 to a Catholic family. He grew up going to the local Catholic school, and originally planned on going into the medical field.

"Last minute it changed and I went to the seminary," he explained. "Everybody was surprised."

Father Denis went across the country with the intention of being a missionary. When he was ordained in 1979, it was the first time in his diocese that a priest was immediately made a pastor. He argued with his bishop about the decision, but it wasn't any good. While he struggled with not only a new role but a new culture and setting, he enjoyed the work he was able to do.

"I always liked to work in missions, the development of a people," he said. "It is not just religious working but also socio-economic development."

Father Denis helped establish schools, train people in literacy and financial skills, and help develop communities where people were given the means to continue to help themselves. He worked with people of all different backgrounds and faiths, from Christians to Hindus to Muslims.

"I never went for conversion of people, no. Just help them," Father Denis explained. "But in a way it brought the people into a religious faith. They said 'there is something strange in why Christians work that way.' And they were attracted and many of them were converted. No force. No force at all."

After a while of doing this work, Father Denis was ready for a new challenge. So when his bishop asked where he wanted to go, he opted for a tribal mission.

"The minute I went there, I regretted my decision," he said. "This is not my place that I want to be. Snakes. Scorpions."

While he thought he'd landed in the wrong place, Father Denis knew he had made a commitment, so he told himself he would stay for one year.

"That one year had become about two years, every year repeat, it went on and on - 11 years," Father Denis said.

During the 11 years, Father Denis worked with a German foundation to help establish permanent housing for the tribal community, building about 750 permanent houses by working in segments with the local people.

After his tribal mission, Father Denis's bishop asked if he would serve in the United States of America. While he didn't leave India while his parents were still alive, Father Denis eventually made his way to America, and to Wyoming. He started in Cody, but was eventually asked to go to Green River.

A local impact

As soon as he came to Green River, Father Denis was drawn to the beautiful landscape, the small community, and the church in the center of town.

Arriving in Green River in 2013, Father Denis wouldn't leave for another ten and a half years.

"The church is really a very good community," Father Denis said.

Immaculate Conception has over 600 families who are part of the church, according to Father Denis, and is the second-largest religious community in Green River.

According to Louise Laughlin and her husband Ted, some of the size of the church is thanks to Father Denis's work.

"He's brought quite a few people into our church," Louise said.

"He has a way of getting people involved," Ted added.

Louise and Ted have been part of Immaculate Conception for the past 23 years. But it was Father Denis who ultimately convinced Ted to be baptized, which Louise is especially thankful for. The Laughlin family has become close to Father Denis, which is why they were all happy to pitch in to organize the dinner in his honor.

The Laughlins are also aware of and thankful for the impact Father Denis has had on the church as a whole. From helping make improvements to the church to working in various programs to changing the mass schedule to accommodate people in the church, Father Denis has been actively involved and continually making improvements.

"He's very accommodating," Ted explained. "Almost to a fault."

"I think that's what's going to be missed the most about Father Denis," Louise said. "He gives of himself to the members of our church."

That hard work and self-sacrifice extends from the church and reaches outward as well. Louise and Ted noted that Father Denis is well-known in the community. While Father Denis acknowledges that he is actively involved in many ways, he brings the credit back to the church members.

"There are so many other aspects in the church, like Knights of Columbus, we have helping the community and trying to get the church involved into the life of Green River," he said. "So our people, we are not secluded. They work like a leaven in the community and add to the work of Green River."

And just like in his days in India, Father Denis looks to find ways to offer help and assistance to anyone in need of it without caring about their religious background or asking any questions about their circumstances.

"We'll never say no to the person. We try to help as much as possible," he said. "Never deny anybody any help."

Thinking of all the programs and activities taking place in the church, Father Denis is thankful for the support of the church members and all that has been accomplished.

"I really take pride in being here for 10 plus years," he said.

A future of faith

Father Denis's next step is to return to India.

As he is still a part of his diocese back home in India, Father Denis has taken a new assignment to establish a parish in a poor city, creating a structure so the people there can have regular Sunday worship.

Thinking of his return to India, Father Denis recalled some of his past experiences there. He remembered working with a group called "Birds of the Air" that had to live out the reality that Jesus spoke about when he said the birds of the air and lilies of the field don't toil, but are provided for. That group didn't have resources or income and had to rely on providence and charity for their basic needs, but he recalls that they never lacked food.

Other memories come from times when people asked him to pray for rain. Once, a non-Catholic group requested he pray for rain and had him set up in the middle of a dried-up lake.

"Halfway through the prayer we could see some kind of cloud coming up," Father Denis recalled. "By the time we finished consecration, thick clouds started raining. I couldn't finish the mass."

He remembered another similar time when he was asked to pray by a dried-up stream, and it rained until they were all soaked.

"When miracles happen that way, they are kind of eye-openers sometimes," Father Denis said. "I never believed that it would happen. I never took a raincoat or umbrella, anything. I never believed in that - 'it is going to rain.' The one who prays for rain did not believe that in his own prayer. But it happened."

Father Denis credits the faith of others working even when his own was weak.

Star photo by Hannah Romero Father Denis prayed before the dinner hosted in his honor.

Looking to the future, Father Denis admits that making a transition and returning to work in India will be hard, and he has mixed feelings because of the connections he's made in Green River.

However, Father Denis also has faith that he will return.

"There is the intention and a request from the diocese here that I need to come back," Father Denis said, explaining the Diocese of Cheyenne, which is over all of Wyoming, wants him to return. "So that may be next year."

Father Denis already has plans to at least come visit in June to perform some ceremonies he was asked to do, including a wedding and baptism.

But while he's gone, his loss will be felt.

"He's going to be missed," Louise said.

"A bunch," Ted added.

Louise agreed: "A whole bunch."
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 22, 2023, BYD announced its plan to establish a new energy vehicle manufacturing base in Szeged, Hungary. The facility is set to be constructed in several phases, expecting to offer thousands of jobs for the local community.

BYD's new energy passenger car factory; photo credit: BYD

The new production facility aims to incorporate globally advanced manufacturing processes and highly automated production flows, positioning itself as a leading global hub for the production of new energy vehicles, said BYD. The construction of this base is set to drive local economic development, foster technological exchange and innovation between China and Hungary, and leverage BYD's comprehensive industry chain to assist in building a green "ecosystem" within the region.

Hungary, situated in the heart of Europe continental and serving as a vital transportation hub, boasts a rich history of automotive industry development. With well-established infrastructure and a mature automotive industry foundation, Hungary provides an excellent opportunity for BYD to establish a manufacturing presence in this region, the company added.

Back on October 17, BYD announced an official entry into the Hungarian passenger car market, with three pure electric modelsBYD ATTO 3 (the Yuan PLUS), the DOLPHIN, and the SEAL. BYD's two stores in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, officially opened their doors on October 19.

Notably, Hungary marks BYD's first entry into the Central and Eastern European market.

BYD, in collaboration with its two dealerships, DUNAAUTO and Wallis Motor Duna Kft., aims to establish a comprehensive service network covering Hungary. This network is designed to provide a seamless and reliable experience for customers, encompassing vehicle purchase, usage, and after-sales services.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 21, the People's Government of Hunan Province and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely Holding") signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement at Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon Auto")'s manufacturing base in Xiangtan city.

Photo credit: Geely Holding

This collaboration will encompass various domains such as the practices of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the development of a new energy vehicle industry cluster, talent education, and digital transformation.

First Farizon SuperVAN; photo credit: Geely

During the signing ceremony, Farizon Auto's Xiangtan base was officially inaugurated, with the first Farizon SuperVAN rolling off the assembly line. Riding on the GXA-M architecture that supports drive-by-wire technology, this electric cargo van model is designed to meet future needs in intelligent driving and smart city logistics scenarios.

According to the agreement, leveraging Geely's automotive high-tech valley park in Tanjong Malim, Malaysia, the company aims to contribute to Hunan's economic transformation and upgrading, support local companies in going global and attracting foreign investments.

Besides, Geely Holding said it will introduce more new energy passenger and commercial vehicle models to Hunan province, expand the variety of new energy vehicles at the Xiangtan base, enhance the supports from locally sourced automobile components, and drive the development of the automotive parts industry.

The collaboration will also focus on advancing the deployment of electric vehicle charging and battery swapping infrastructures, creating a methanol-hydrogen power ecosystem, expanding vehicle and component exports, and exploring comprehensive cooperation in digitalization, intelligence, and green development.

Geely has already established a prominent presence in Xiangtan city, building an industrial ecological chain and industrial cluster encompassing vehicle manufacturing, component enterprises, talent education, and more. The Xiangtan base for Farizon Auto began construction at the end of October 2022, serving as China's first commercial vehicle manufacturing factory to apply the concept of a "sponge city."
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Multiple packages of whats suspected to be cocaine were found washed up on the shore near Jeffs Pirates Cove in Ipan, Talofofo, on Thursday, according to restaurant owner Jeff Pleadwell.

The 29 brick-shaped packages, each probably weighing about one kilogram, are estimated to weigh about 64 pounds, said the restaurant owner.

Pleadwell said he got a call from longtime employee Wener Head at about 8 a.m. on Thursday. Head told him there was something strange that turned up on the shoreline.

So I went down there and investigated and found this to be a black trash bag that had a bunch of (what) looked like cocaine inside of it, Pleadwell said.

The bag appeared to be torn up once they got to it. He said he called his neighbor, Jeff Knight, who happens to be an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

He came down and took a look at it and called customs and it was taken away and sent to California for more research and analysis, Pleadwell said.

Guam Police Department Spokesperson Berlyn Savella confirmed that the reported incident was part of an ongoing investigation. She deferred any inquiries to the DEA.

Pleadwell said hes had a lot of junk wash up onshore near the Cove, but never any drugs. He said hes always thought it might happen, as the channel behind his restaurant tends to pull everything coming through the water onto the beach.

If the packages do come up positive for cocaine, it wouldnt be the first time in recent years that a large quantity of the stuff washed up on southern shores.

A 50-gallon container filled with cocaine was found on the shores of Inalahan in 2018, and at least one man has since been sentenced to time in prison for attempting to distribute the found packages, PDN files show.

Pleadwell told the PDN Friday that he estimated the street value of what he found to be about $5 million, though it didnt have much value to him. The restaurants head pirate was glad to have the substance kept from the market  but he did ask Knight about a reward.

Because, you know  pirates need a bounty.
Guam Department of Education Superintendent Kenneth Swanson said over the next few weeks input will be sought on plans to downsize public schools.

Swanson spoke to senators on Monday during an oversight hearing about moving forward in seeing what schools can be closed in the future.

He said Guam DOE has the capacity for 40,000 students, but only has 24,000 students currently.

Now the superintendent is looking at what schools can be closed and consolidated with others, but he said that wont happen without public input.

Over the next few weeks, he will begin the process of involving residents to provide input on those plans.

Swanson said he expects it will probably be contentious because most of the schools have long standing roots in the community.

People have senses of ownership and tradition in their families and those are all to be respected, he said.

Swanson said theyll be looking at various factors including real estate, sustainability and the transport of students.

He will be inviting senators, mayors, the business community, parents and others.

It does impact everybody, he said.

The superintendent said theyre starting with looking at capacity versus actual attendance and enrollment and look for places that are obvious wins.

It might mean relocating students and teachers to another campus with more capacity. He said thats part of the thought process behind the campuses that will be renovated. Some of those schools like George Washington High School have higher student capacity based on the size of the campus.

At this point we dont know the answer, Swanson said.

Sen. Chris Barnett, oversight chairman of Guam DOE, asked if the plan is to consolidate and close schools what would happen with rebuilding a new Simon Sanchez High School or any new school for that matter.

If were looking at a situation where entire schools are shut down and be able to use that footprint, he said.

Swanson said Simon Sanchez is a significant school population in the northern part of the island and there is no capacity that exists at the other campuses. He said they would have to rezone the whole school system to move students farther south, but there are already issues with students from Tamuning going to school in Piti at Jose Rios Middle School.

Now were talking going even farther. So keeping the capacity in the area, in the region of the island that it is, its much more reasonable, he said.

The consensus that comes out of community work will be the driver on making decisions moving forward, he added.

He said making an arbitrary decision about which school is going to go where would be unreasonable.

Our stakeholders are all going to be impacted. They need to be in the conversation, Swanson said.

Sen. Jesse Lujan asked whether schools being closed could be used as interim campuses in the future.

Swanson said that would be ideal as Guam DOE looks at doing major renovations to campuses around the island. Students could be moved so contractors could effectively do their work.

Right now we dont have that capacity, he said.
MEXICO CITY  Mexicos president said Friday that he is willing to help with a surge of migrants that led to the closure of border crossings with the United States, but he wants the U.S. government to open talks with Cuba and send more development aid to migrants home countries.

The comments by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador came a day after the U.S. announced that a delegation of top U.S. officials would visit Mexico for talks on how to enforce immigration rules at the two countries shared border.

Lopez Obrador confirmed that U.S. officials want Mexico to do more to block migrants at its southern border with Guatemala, or make it more difficult to move across Mexico by train or in trucks or buses, a policy known as contention.

But the president said that in exchange he wanted the United States to send more development aid to migrants home countries and to reduce or eliminate sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela.

We are going to help, as we always do, Lopez Obrador said. Mexico is helping reach agreements with other countries, in this case Venezuela.

We also want something done about the (U.S.) differences with Cuba, Lopez Obrador said. We have already proposed to President (Joe) Biden that a U.S.-Cuba bilateral dialogue be opened.

That is what we are going to discuss, it is not just contention, he said at his daily morning news briefing.

More on border crisis: Railroad crossings in El Paso, Eagle Pass temporarily closed; whats impact on trade?

Mexico is apparently offering to negotiate with Venezuela, whose people make up a large part of the surge of migrants at the U.S. southwestern border. That surge has led U.S. officials to pull immigration officers away from two Texas border rail crossings that are vital to Mexicos economy.

Lopez Obrador has long opposed U.S. sanctions on Cuba, whose migrants are also streaming to the U.S. border. And the Mexican president has long pressed the United States to contribute to a tree-planting program and to youth scholarship and apprentice programs that he has been pushing for Central America.

Lopez Obrador said the development aid will help stem residents need to migrate.

The Mexico-U.S. meetings come as Republican and Democratic lawmakers are debating border policy changes as part of a larger conversation over U.S. assistance for Ukraine and Israel, which are top foreign policy priorities for the White House.

Pressure mounted on Mexico following the closure of two railroad crossings in Texas earlier this week. U.S. officials said personnel assigned to the locations needed to be redeployed to help with large numbers of migrants illegally crossing the border. Mexican businesses warned the closures were hampering trade.

Lopez Obrador spoke by telephone with Biden on Thursday and agreed that additional border enforcement was needed so the crossings can be reopened, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said.

Kirby said Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall to travel to Mexico for talks with Lopez Obrador and his team.

A U.S. official said the trip would likely happen the Wednesday after Christmas.

Their visit will really be about getting at the migratory flows and talking to President Lopez Obrador and his team about what more we can do together, Kirby said at a White House briefing.

Mexican companies are so eager for the border points to reopen that the leader of the Industrial Chamber of Commerce wrote on his social media accounts late Wednesday that a deal had been brokered to get them reopened. A U.S. Embassy spokesperson quickly denied that, saying they remained closed.

Railroad crossings in El Paso, Eagle Pass closed over migrant surge

The Mexican Employers Association described the closure of railroad crossings into Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, as a failure of migration policy. The organization said the situation was causing losses of $100 million per day in delayed shipments.

Mexico receives much of the corn and soy products it needs to feed livestock on trains from the United States. Auto parts and automobiles also frequently are shipped by rail in Mexico.

We energetically but respectfully call on the governments of Mexico and the United States to address the migration crisis which is affecting the flow of goods, given that this measure only damages the economies of both nations, the association wrote in a statement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Sunday the decision was made in order to redirect personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody.

But is also appeared the U.S. government wants Mexico to crack down on migrants riding rail cars to the U.S. border.

Elsewhere, the Lukeville, Arizona, border crossing is closed, as is a pedestrian entry in San Diego, while more officials are assigned to the entry points. Illegal crossings at the U.S. southwestern border topped 10,000 on some days this month, an unusually high number.

Follow APs coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Despite Floridas reputation as the Sunshine State, two of its cities have successfully captured the Christmas spirit, securing their places among the top 75 most Christmassy towns in America, according to a recent survey.

Each year, the photo book site Mixbook conducts a survey to find the quintessential American towns and cities that exude Christmas charm, and this year, both Clearwater and St. Augustine in Florida made the list.

The city of Clearwater, Florida, came in at number 29.

Nestled along the Gulf Coast, a standout attraction of the Clearwater Christmas season is the cherished annual lighted boat parade. In this unique celebration, a flotilla of vessels, decked out in twinkling festive lights and ornaments, glides along the Intracoastal Waterway. This maritime spectacle adds a distinctive coastal twist to the holiday festivities, captivating both residents and tourists alike with its unconventional take on classic holiday parades.

At number 54 on the list is St. Augustine.

St. Augustines distinct Spanish heritage is celebrated in its holiday customs, bringing a unique touch to the Christmas spirit. During the festive season, St. Augustine transforms into a dazzling wonderland through its renowned Nights of Lights festival. This event features over 3 million shimmering lights decorating the citys historic colonial buildings, sprawling public areas and streets lined with trees, creating a magical ambiance. The citys historic district, with its quaint cobblestone streets and time-honored architecture, provides an idyllic setting for holiday festivities. Both visitors and residents can indulge in merry carriage rides, scenic boat tours along the river and guided walking tours that highlight the citys rich heritage and festive decorations.

The top three spots on this years list go to much snowier locations. At number one is Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, followed by Durango, Colorado, and Lake Placid, New York.
 Read the full article on Motorious

Watch out for this scam

Criminals seem to always be scheming for new ways to separate you from your car. Fortunately, most of them arent all that creative or intelligent, although some incredibly simplistic methods tend to work on the majority of the population. A perfect example of this comes to us via Ireland of all places where car theft is an issue, just like in many other countries like the United States and Canada.

Check out the new Honda Hellcat here.

A 26-year-old restaurant worker from Dublin, named Stephen Corbally, is accused of stealing cars while supposedly taking them for test drives, then turning around and selling them to unsuspecting buyers. This is hardly the first time weve heard of someone taking a vehicle for a test drive and never returning with it, but were shocked he was able to get away with this for any amount of time.

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According to a report from Irish Examiner, the man would find private sellers via internet sites like Facebook Marketplace. After meeting up with them and acting interested in buying their vehicle, he would go for a test drive and then just disappear.

There are ways to guard against this risk, something anyone selling a car privately should consider. For starters, having a tracker or multiple trackers in your car before handing the keys over to a stranger would be abundantly wise. Also, take a photo of the persons drivers license before you let them have the keys, just in case. After all, someone can fake a Facebook profile easier than a license.

Riding along for a test drive is something we have mixed feelings about. While it allows you to keep track of whats happening to your car, the person supposedly interested in buying it could transport you somewhere remote. As many security experts caution, never let a stranger drag you into a vehicle, because it might be the last time anyone sees you alive. If that sounds paranoid, it is, but more and more car thieves are becoming downright violent to steal from regular people.

Story continues

Source: Irish Examiner

Photo via Pexels

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Haiti - Dom. Rep. : 492,240 Haitians returning to the country, repatriated, repressed or volunteers in 11 months 





Since the application of Dominican decree 668-22 which provides for the expulsion from Dominican territory of all foreigners in an irregular migratory situation, the number of controls and repatriation of Haitians has increased considerably.



Repatriation November 2023 :



Official border points :

Anse-a-Pitres, Belladere, Malpasse and Ouanaminthe



Total: 13,126



Unofficial border points :

Baptiste, Belladere (Rocher), Cornillon, Fonds-Verettes, Las Cahobas (Bateille), Savanette (Miguel)



Total: 10,041



For a Total of 23,157 repatriated



Added to this are 7,924 Haitians pushed back at the border



To these repatriations we must finally add the so-called "spontaneous" or "voluntary" returns which amount for the month of November 2023 to 29,655 Haitians +14.8% compared to the previous month.



Grand total of Haitians returned to the country in November 2023: 60,726 (-15.6% compared to the previous month) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41017-haiti-dom-rep-more-than-294-000-haitians-returned-to-the-country-repatriated-or-volunteers-in-5-months.html



Which brings to 492,240 the total number of Haitians returning to Haiti since January 2023 (224,614 repatriates, 51,496 returned, 216,300 returned "voluntarily" according to the Support Group for Returnees and Refugees (GAAR).



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Qatar : Frantz Elbe, high-level meeting with the Qatari Police in Doha





Frantz Elbe, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH) after his visit to Nairobi, capital of Kenya https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41233-haiti-security-a-first-group-of-300-kenyan-police-officers-in-haiti-in-february-2024.html went to Doha, capital of Qatar where he was invited during his short stay by the Ambassador of Haiti Francois Guillaume II to visit, in the company of other members of the Haitian delegation, the premises of the Embassy and the Haitian pavilion at the international agricultural exhibition, which takes place from October 2nd, 2023 to March 28, 2024.



During his stay in Doha, Frantz Elbe took the opportunity to meet in the presence of the Ambassador of Haiti, the Chief of Staff of the Chief of the Qatari Police and other senior executives of this organization.



During the cordial exchanges, the police authorities of the two countries explored possibilities of cooperation between the two institutions via the Embassy of Haiti.







See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41233-haiti-security-a-first-group-of-300-kenyan-police-officers-in-haiti-in-february-2024.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41202-haiti-kenya-the-commander-of-the-pnh-on-an-official-visit-to-nairobi.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Justice : The Council of Ministers authorizes the hearing of the PM

The Council of Ministers authorized Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry as well as the ministers and Directors General cited in the three orders of Investigating Judge Walter Wesser Voltaire in the case on the assassination of President Jovenel Moise to respond to Judge Voltaire's invitations. An essential authorization for an investigating judge to be able to question a senior state official. A historic first for a Prime Minister. To be continued...



Sexual and reproductive health training

Thanks to funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA-Haiti), the Haitian Youth Observatory (OJH) carried out training on the theme "Early pregnancies among adolescents and use of family planning methods" in benefits of young leaders : teachers, journalists, leaders of organizations and young religious people from Thomonde, Hinche and Cerca-la-Source.



Failed bac : Start of corrections

Thursday, December 21, 2023, the exams for the first session of those who failed the permanent baccalaureate for the 2023-2024 academic year ended after having started on Monday throughout the territory where more than 35,000 candidates took part in these tests. That same day, the process of correcting exam papers has already started.



COP28 : Positive gains for Haiti

Thursday, December 21st, 2023 at a press conference, James Cadet the Minister of the Environment presented the results of Haiti's participation in the 28th Conference of the Parties on climate change (COP28) which took place in Dubai. Thanks to the dynamism of the Haitian delegation, Haiti obtained a place on the Board of Directors of the Loss and Damage Fund, a place on the Advisory Council of the Santiago Network and a place on the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol. See also: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41170-haiti-cop28-minister-cadet-calls-for-urgent-and-concrete-actions.html



Release of 82 detainees

Me Edler Guillaume, the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince, this week released 82 detainees incarcerated for several years at the national penitentiary for minor offenses without ever having been tried or sentenced. In 3 days, the Chief Prosecutor of Port-au-Prince worked to decongest the largest prison in the country, which has a prison population of 3,778 inmates.



French Institute of Haiti closed

"The French Institute of Haiti (IFH) will be closed from December 21, 2023 to January 8, 2024 for the end-of-year holidays. We look forward to seeing you in great shape in 2024. Happy Holidays !"



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2023/12/21 | Source

Actor Park Seo-ham had a photo shoot with fashion magazine ELLE. Having taken his first photo shoot since his release from the military service, Park Seo-ham has melted the hard and soft sides of his youth into every shot.

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After the photo shoot, he had an interview. When asked about his time as an actor after he joined the military after making his presence known through the drama "Semantic Error" (also "Semantic Error: The Movie"), he said, "It was a time when I could concentrate on myself. It was an opportunity for me to grow into a better person", adding, "I didn't feel the gap as I received an award thanks to this popularity and the good news continued. It was all thanks to my fans who gave me that feeling".

""Semantic Error" is a grateful work that made me dream of being an actor. I once hated myself, but it didn't seem to be polite to the fans, directors, and staff who convinced me. Each of you must have a precious reason for liking me, so now I am trying to be confident", he said.

When asked about his dream power, he said, "I don't want to miss precious opportunities given to me as an actor next year", he said, "Moments come when hard times are beautifully remembered. That is proof that I have become a better person than before. I believe that good things come after hard things".

Park Seo-ham's photo shoot and interview will be available through the January issue of ELLE and the ELLE website. YouTube interview content will also be released on the Elle YouTube channel soon.
Published on 2023/12/21 | Source

Actress Jeon Do-yeon is considering "The Master of Confession" as her next work.

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The production of the drama "The Master of Confession" which drew attention with the casting of Song Hye-kyo and Han So-hee, was temporarily suspended due to the failure of the casting, and the casting work is underway as director Lee Jeong-hyo is newly introduced.

Director Lee Jeong-hyo was recognized for his popularity and directing ability by directing "The Good Wife", "Life on Mars", "Romance is a Bonus Book", "Crash Landing on You" and "Doona!".

Jeon Do-yeon's agency, Management Soop, said on the 20th, "We are reviewing it after receiving the offer to appear".

The drama "The Master of Confession" is a story about a blood-red chronicle of two women surrounding a murder case. The core plot of the drama is a solidarity in which two women who have no connections at all, meet in prison and may be the best or worst for each other.

Jeon Do-yeon was loved for her role as Nam-seon in tvN's drama "Crash Course in Romance" earlier this year. Her movie "Revolver" with Ji Chang-wook and Lim Ji-yeon is set to be released soon.
Two housing units that Box Elder Schools teachers live in stand near the school. The district is offering low-rent housing to try to attract and retain educators.

Box Elder Schools is continuing to put in new housing units for its certified staff, an ongoing effort to attract more teachers to an environment that faces a number of unique challenges, a housing shortage among them.

Box Elder Schools Superintendent Jeremy MacDonald said they've lost a number of potential teachers during and before his tenure when they were unable to find suitable housing in the area.

MacDonald said it's a bit easier to find a place to stay in Havre, but that's a substantial commute, and with the area's harsh winters, he's not surprised that many are hesitant to make the move, even if they like the teaching environment.

Early in his tenure he said he would find teachers who were really interested in teaching at Box Elder, but the logistics made it impossible for them to do so. The situation made it clear the school needed to do something, or they were going to be in trouble for lack of staff, which will inevitably affect the quality of education.

"If you can recruit good teachers, then your education system is going to be better," he said.

He said his predecessor, Tom Peck, had gotten the ball rolling on developing some of the school's land and installing some trailer houses, but the school has since installed more, as well as on adjoining land they had bought, which already had some houses they could use.

Now the school is installing two new trailer houses, bringing the number of units available to 13.

MacDonald said Box Elder Schools already face a number of barriers.

He said it's already difficult to recruit teachers in rural environments, but Native American communities face specific difficulties that can make for a challenging environment, including wide-spread generational trauma and centuries of economic marginalization.

Despite these challenges, he said, there have been positive changes in education in the past few decades as the value of a high school diploma has become more and more obvious.

He said there has also been a substantial movement to integrate more cultural learning, including language immersion into schooling, which is having a positive effect on educational outcomes.

MacDonald said he wants to keep this momentum up, and there are clearly plenty of people who want to teach in this environment, but they need to make sure it's logistically and economically feasible.

Unlike last school year, he said, they managed to get fully staffed for this school year and it's obvious the availability of this housing has helped in that endeavor.

This effort has rankled some, including local property owner Ken Wilson, who said if the school has housing concerns they should rent it from those already offering.

Wilson also objected to the suggestion that the area had a shortage of housing, and said those who think otherwise just want it for free.

"They just don't want to pay for it," he said.

He also claimed that the school's development was being given special treatment.

MacDonald said he followed all the necessary procedures for the development and coordinated with the Hill County Commission in doing so.

Hill County Planner Julie Anez said MacDonald followed all the necessary laws and procedures in this development. Hill County commissioners Mark Peterson and Jake Strissel said the same.

As for the suggestion that the school should simply rent from others to house their teachers and other certified staff, MacDonald said it makes more sense from a cost point of view to just install their own.

He said teaching is a terminally underpaid profession for the amount of expertise and skill it takes, and finding a place on an educator's salary can be very difficult, especially in places like Box Elder.

"I think teachers are all underpaid," he said. "For the importance of the job and then some of the challenges that come with it."

The units the school installed are $250 a month, which he thinks is a fair price given how little teachers are paid, and that money goes into a fund that will help build more housing.

He said their goal is to establish 20 units, which would house about half of their certified staff.

MacDonald said the units aren't huge by any stretch, but for a single employee they can work very well, and they've clearly had a positive effect.

Beyond the immediate needs of school staff, he said, it's also given the school the opportunity to acquire adjoining property that was abandoned and had accumulated debris which they have been able to clean up somewhat, which is a good thing in itself.
"Richard was a cherished colleague and dear friend, whose unwavering support and invaluable contributions played a pivotal role in the growth of my business. His legacy is etched in the success I enjoy today, a testament to the indelible mark he left on both my professional journey and my heart." - Doug Richardson of Rad Video.

Richard Morgan passed away on November 25 at 78. I call him the Last of the Giants.

It was a business so different than the business today. Everything was shot on film: 16 mm for the handful of theaters across the country, 8 mm for sale in adult stores and in booths in the stores.

For the record, Richard started in the late '60s in the magazine business, with his father, in Southern California. After legal issues led to closing the business, Richard relocated to San Francisco. His passion was photography, which grew into shooting sex scenes. Richard's first connections were with J. Brian and John Summers. They were both running escort services that provided Richard and another giant John Travis with models whom they shot in 8 mm loops. They threw them in the trunk of a car and travelled around the country selling them to adult bookstores.

Richard, along with John Travis and John Summers, got together with Chuck Holmes and they started Falcon. Richard's tenure at Falcon was not a long one as disagreements with Holmes caused his departure.

He then started Magnum-Griffin to compete with Falcon, but he lost that company. The atmosphere in the porn business drastically changed in 1980 when Ronald Reagan and his Attorney General Ed Meese declared a war on porn. Richard's company was closed because it sent porn to Florida.

Morgan then went into business with Summers, and they were busted for selling porn in the mail to Floridaand he was arrested. The result of that arrest was he was not able to use the name Richard Morgan for years, though he never stopped working.

Under different names he was instrumental in the careers of many stars such as Johnny Harden, Buster, Lance, and in those years almost every top performer in the business.

In 1984, he started working for Donald Embinder and Casey Klinger at L A Video, directing a slew of high-selling titles: The All American Boy starring Kyle Carrington; Blonds Do It Best starring Leo Ford and Lance; Lifeguard, the first safe sex video; and many more.

Most notably in this timeframe he was also his mentoring his assistant, Jim Steel, who went on to have an award-winning career at Vivid Man. In the beginning Richard helped Jim and Jeff Appel at Vivid.

In 1991, Morgan started his own company, Junior Studio. He began first with a title called Hard Action. Then he made The Hollywood Kid and Feels So Good. It was during Feels So Good when I met him. After that video, I went to Jaguar and made Pleasure Principle, then to Odyssey to make Something Very Big.

I brought Richard on to shoot the stills. Richard was most at home with a camera in his hands and through the years was responsible for hundreds of published photos.

When I made The American Way, Richard produced it; the same with The Heartland. He closed out his career with six more videos for Junior Studio, Rad Video and one for Pacific Sun, ending in 2005.

Richard never sought the limelight. He had a knack for making enemiesmany lifelong enemies. Richard did things Richard's way. I am sure that is how he managed to last that long.

He was one of the giants from the beginning and outlived them all. As I look back at his career, the depth and quality of his work is second to none. If you watched him work, you saw the perfectionism of Matt Sterling and the model choices of Bill Higgins. As a photographer, he had the ability of showing the best in a model.

Richard loved what he did and left behind a body of work that stands on its own.

Kevin Clarke directed gay adult features from 1995 to 2003.
Press release

State health officials said today Quaker Oats Company has announced a recall of several types of granola bars and granola cereals because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled product was for sale at several Montana retail locations including grocery stores, gas stations, and in vending machines.

The recalled product was sold in packages, singles, and in snack boxes with other brands. A complete list of recalled products can be found online at https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment .

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness if eaten. Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, and most people recover without treatment in four to seven days.

Children younger than age five, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for more severe illness that could require medical treatment or hospitalization. Anyone who believes they have an illness due to Salmonella needs to contact their health care provider.

Consumers who have the recalled product should dispose of it. Contact Quaker Consumer Relations at 1-800-492-9322 or visit https://www.quakergranolarecall.com for additional information or product reimbursement.

As of Dec. 15, there were no confirmed reports of illness associated with the recalled products in Montana or elsewhere in the United States.

For universal product codes go online to https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment .
In an exclusive interview with Helsinki Times, presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto shares his insights on important topics ranging from the war in Ukraine to Finlands international stance and the aftermath of the conflict. The former foreign minister is a frontrunner in upcoming presidential elections slated to be held on January 28, 2024. Haavisto, a member of Greens Party has been popular particularly among voters who prioritize environmental issues and international diplomacy.

He is also known for his role in Finlands entry in NATO in the previous government.

Here is his perspective on global issues, showcasing Finlands stance on international conflicts, diplomatic relations, and the pursuit of independence on several factors.

Russias aggression in Ukraine and Finlands stance

Haavisto emphasized Finlands commitment to supporting Ukraines right to defend itself, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter. He highlighted the challenge posed by Russias dual role as both a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the aggressor in Ukraine. We are in a situation where Ukraine is still defending themselves. It has asked countries to help, but the UN Security Council has been unable to deal with the issue due to the fact that, Russia as a permanent member of the Security Council, is also the attacker or the one that violates the norms Haavisto said.

Haavisto also asserted that Finland firmly recognizes Ukraines independence and borders, and supports the country in its defensive efforts. Our principle is that we recognize the independence and borders of Ukraine, and we made the decision to support Ukraine for that reason, Haavisto told Helsinki Times.

Haavisto also affirmed Finlands alignment with the right side in the conflict, and believes that there are diplomatic channels for a mediation to resolve the conflict.

"To the question of mediation, we have been following very closely the role that Turkey has had on issues like the grain trade deal and also the exchange of prisoners of war. So there are diplomatic channels for that, Haavisto added.

NATO and European Union influence

Addressing Finlands international behaviour, Haavisto noted that joining the European Union had a significant impact on the countrys foreign policy. He envisions Finland playing a peacemaker or mediator role, akin to Norway, in future conflicts.

I think that already joining the European Union has influenced us a lot because our main foreign policy platform is of course the European Union but people are asking for example, can Finland in the future be a peacemaker or mediator in the conflict? Haavisto remarked.

And I have always been referring to the role of Norway. For example, Norway was hosting the Oslo process for the Middle East, and Norway has been very active in many peace initiatives. And I think that Finland can have in the future a very similar role as Norway on these topics, he said.

Future relations with Russia and energy independence

Concerning Russia, Haavisto expressed hope for a peaceful resolution and stressed the importance of respecting Ukrainian sovereignty. He mentioned EU sanctions against Russia and emphasized Finlands efforts to decrease dependence on Russian energy, moving towards renewable energy systems. We support EU sanctions against Russia, exactly for the reason that we want to support Ukraine, and we think that Russia has been violating international norms. And when the war will be over, then its time to build relations, Haavisto said.

We have learned a lot during this conflict. One of the issues is actually that we want to decrease our dependence on Russia in the energy sector and so forth. So it has been a very important decision for us to cut the import of Russia, oil and gas, and we are also moving towards renewable energy systems, he said.

In other words, we are very rapid towards the green transition, so this has permanently changed the Finnish energy concept, and there will be no return to the previous one, Haavisto added.

Is Finland more Independent than before?

Reflecting on the lessons learned from both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Haavisto emphasized the need for countries to be more independent, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare and energy. I think this is the fact that many countries are now looking at the resilience, for example, in different conflict situations. It already happened during the COVID-19 times that we recognized our dependency on China, for example, on the masks and medicines and so forth, where it was too high. Haavisto told Helsinki Times.

And now when the Russian attack against Ukraine happened, we noticed that our dependency on Russian gas and oil had made as vulnerable. So I think both of these crises, COVID crises and the Russian attack against Ukraine, has led us to be more independent, he said.

Chinas global role and Defense Cooperation Agreement with the U.S.

Haavisto discussed Chinas response to Russias attack on Ukraine and touched upon Finlands defense cooperation agreement with the United States, emphasizing its role in strengthening military ties without compromising Finlands sovereignty. We had hoped that China would be more vocal on defending the UN principles when the Russian attack happened, and we were slightly optimistic when China participated in August in Saudi Arabia for the Ukraine peace meeting and hoped that Chinas message would be stronger on this issue. Haavisto said.

At the same time, as we discussed the dependencies, there is this discussion on decoupling the risk with China and our approach is that we would be less dependent on critical materials from China in the future, he added.

As Helsinki Times spoke with the presidential candidate, Finland is on its way to finalize a defence cooperation agreement (DCA) which enhances military cooperation with the U.S. allowing the country, as a NATO ally, to store materials for training in Finland. Pekka Haavisto is optimistic about the agreement and addresses some controversies around allowing foreign soldiers in Finnish land.

So the DCA agreement is just under the finalization and it is very similar to the agreement which Norway has made and which Denmark and Sweden are negotiating. It doesnt give any free hands for the US to maneuver in Finland but it gives opportunity for stronger cooperation and closer cooperation between our militaries and giving the possibility for the US military as a NATO ally to also store some material for practicing and training the Finnish army. For us, it is increasing our threshold against anyone trying to even plan any harmful action towards Finland, so we think that it is increasing our security, Haavisto said.

Israel-Gaza Crisis and international response

While Finnish politicians have been eerily silent on the matter, Haavisto expressed his stance on the ongoing attack on Gaza by Israel, highlighting the importance of balance and advocating for a permanent two-state solution in the region. He called for international community involvement to achieve a lasting resolution.

I think Finland could have too initially voted in the similar way as Norway, France, Spain and some key European countries in support of the ceasefire in Gaza in the UN. A permanent ceasefire definitely is still needed in Gaza and I think we should have a balance to the situation. It was the Hamas attack against Israel that triggered the whole nightmare but targeting civilians and killing so many civilians including children in Gaza is not right and its important that we react also to that, Haavisto said.

I have been trying to raise one issue in the middle of this misery, and its the fact that this crisis should be solved once and forever through establishing the two-state model in the region. I think now we should raise our voice as an international community to find a permanent solution to this. And even if it deserves international peacekeeping troops on the border of Israel and Palestine, I think we should, as an international community, push both sides to the ceasefire and find a permanent solution, which in my mind only could be a two-states solution, Haavisto urged.

On the question of calling the incidents of blockade of electricity and water supply in Gaza by Israel as war crimes, Haavisto emphasized that these incidents needs to be investigated thoroughly. I think all incidents that has been happening now should be properly investigated. I think its better to judge when we know everything and all the details of this. But of course, always when civilians are under attack, we should be extremely concerned that this is what's happening now in Gaza, Haavisto remarked.

Commenting on the temporary truce in Gaza, Haavisto noted that any ceasefire, whether temporary or permanent, is helpful to address the immediate humanitarian needs of civilians. Any ceasefire had been helpful to help the civilians and get the bounded people, to get the proper care for the bounded people and so forth. Any ceasefire that can be negotiated or a permanent ceasefire would be the most helpful at this stage," he said.

The Finnish president disinvited ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran from the independence day receptions last year and this year, but the Israeli ambassador was welcomed in Finland amid Israels attack on Palestine. When asked about the diplomatic practices of not inviting ambassadors Haavisto acknowledged the hosts discretion in inviting guests, refraining from criticizing decisions about disinviting diplomats.

I think when a host has a party, the host has always the right to decide whom to invite and whom not to invite, so I don't want to criticize in any way the host, Mr. President, on how he has been choosing his guests and what kind of invitation he has sent or not sent, so I rather not comment that, Haavisto pointed out.

Preserving international presence

As a former foreign minister, Haavisto expressed concern about plans to decrease the number of Finnish embassies abroad, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a global presence for political influence and trade. Im concerned in all plans to reduce our presence internationally because Finland is a small country and when we look at trade and our possibilities to influence politically to the development, it always needs presence. And that was the reason why our previous government, where I was the foreign minister, opened so many new embassies and increased our presence globally. I think we should not go backwards on that, Haavisto noted.

Sonali Telang - HT
Finland is exceeding the limits for debt and deficit under both the old and new rules. The [budget] deficit will exceed the threshold rate of three per cent more clearly than expected in the autumn and will stubbornly stay on the uglier side of three per cent, she was quoted saying by YLE on Wednesday.

FINLAND is likely to trigger the excessive deficit procedure of the European Union in 2024, views Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS).

The excessive deficit procedure can be triggered by a member state with a budget deficit exceeding three per cent or a debt burden exceeding 60 per cent of gross domestic product.

Purra spoke to reporters after sitting down with her colleagues from other parts of the EU on Wednesday.

The finance ministers agreed to amend the rules on central government debt and to uphold the excessive deficit procedure, according to the public broadcasting company. Purra revealed that the last unanswered questions in the negotiations were related specifically to the procedure and safeguard clause.

The compromise agreement states that therell be no changes to the demands for adjustment in the public economy concerning the deficits of member states, but that itll be possible to get a temporary exemption from them in the early phases, she explained according to YLE. The new debt safeguard clause will be very exacting for Finland. We didnt manage to agree on a longer timeline for the adjustment.

She added that she is nonetheless satisfied with the compromise both in her capacity as minister and chairperson of the Finns Party. The objective of the new rules, she outlined, is to encourage responsible financial management across the EU.

Finlands goal has been to ensure the rules are demanding but implementable. This was realised as far as were concerned, said Purra.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency has issued a mandate, reinforced by a 700,000 euro fine, for the Vantaa and Kerava welfare area to ensure adequate staffing in child protection social work by August 9, 2024. This directive comes in response to a critical shortage of social welfare professionals in child and family services, leading to children waiting to access child protection services.

The lack of sufficient professional staff in the welfare area has resulted in significant delays for children needing child protection services. The agency's decision, made on December 15, 2023, requires that by August 9, 2024, each child protection social worker in the area must handle a maximum of 35 children, as stipulated by child protection law. Furthermore, the agency mandates the immediate and need-based allocation of children to appropriate child protection services and the assignment of a dedicated social worker for every child requiring such services.

Vantaa and Kerava welfare area must submit a report to the Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency by August 30, 2024, detailing the situation and actions taken to comply with the mandate.

The agency had previously monitored the City of Vantaa for compliance with child and family social work services. Since January 1, 2023, the Vantaa and Kerava welfare area has been responsible for organizing social and health services. Concerns about the welfare area's lapses were raised in a public opinion piece in Helsingin Sanomat, highlighting the plight of children waiting for child protection services without being under any social worker's care. Additionally, a formal complaint (ESAVI/16595/2023) was filed regarding the shortage of social workers and the resultant queuing of children for services.

Despite the welfare area's claim of having adequate social worker positions, they have struggled to fill these vacancies. The agency has taken this action to ensure that the Vantaa and Kerava welfare area addresses the staffing crisis and fulfills its legal obligations to protect the rights and well-being of children and families in need of child protection services.

Social workers play a crucial role in safeguarding the legal rights and well-being of children in child protection cases. The legislation mandates that the regional state administrative agency guide and supervise welfare areas to ensure the rights of children and families requiring social welfare and child protection services are realized as per client law, social welfare law, and child protection law.

This mandate underscores the importance of adequately staffing child protection services to ensure the timely and effective support of vulnerable children, aligning with Finland's commitment to child welfare and protection.

HT
Ojala spoke to the newspaper after it had reported , citing data retrieved from the Finnish Trade Register, that 494 senior corporate executives have changed their domicile from Finland to Switzerland.

MINNA OJALA , a ministerial advisor at the Ministry of Finance, has told Helsingin Sanomat that ministry officials will hold internal discussions about the need to reform the tax treaty between Finland and Switzerland.

Among the executives are chief executives of publicly listed companies who are able to report millions of euros in supplementary pensions without being liable for taxes in Finland. The re-location may also be a way to avoid or significantly reduce taxes on investment returns and the profits of business sales.

Supplementary pensions are effectively wages the payment of which has been deferred until retirement age.

As the FinnishSwiss tax treaty does not have the common three-year rule that would retain the right to tax with the country of origin for the three years that immediately follow the re-location.

The Finnish Tax Administration has noticed that Finnish nationals re-locate to Switzerland before receiving substantial capital gains. Taneli Lallukka, a senior specialist at the Tax Administration, said to Helsingin Sanomat that such gains are largely exempt from taxes in Switzerland.

The change of domicile, of course, is not necessarily indicative of an attempt to reduce the tax burden, the newspaper reminded.

Switzerland is nonetheless a more popular destination for Finnish chief executives, board members and other senior executives than, for example, France (244) or the Netherlands (217).

Ojala on Thursday stated to the newspaper that the tax department will probably discuss the issue internally and with the political leadership early next year. If it is determined that a new tax treaty is warranted, the ministry will appoint a negotiating committee to make contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland.

Then wed try to agree on a time for the negotiations. Thats a completely normal negotiation procedure for state treaties, she said.

Ojala is the head of the international tax affairs unit at the Ministry of Finance.

Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday wrote that among the corporate executives who have moved from Finland to Switzerland are Jan Fazer, one of the largest shareholders of Fazer, Kari Kauniskangas, an ex-CEO of Fiskars, Matti Lievonen, an ex-CEO of Nokia, Jussi Pesonen, the CEO of UPM, Heikki Rotko, an ex-CEO of MTV, and Kari Stadigh, a former board chairperson at Sampo.

Pesonen said to the newspaper that taxation was not the reason behind his move.

If that had been the reason, I wouldve moved a lot earlier. Ive paid so much in taxes that those kinds of things dont really matter to me any more. The reasons lie somewhere else entirely, and theyre personal, he remarked.

Finland has recently re-negotiated its tax treaties with both France and Spain. It terminated its tax treaty with Portugal in 2019, after the re-negotiated treaty had been rejected by the Portuguese parliament, bringing the earnings-related pensions of hundreds of people back within the purview of the Finnish Tax Administration.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
'NOT JUST A PAYCHECK': City honors two firefighters

The city honored firefighters Greg Lamb and Ian Hill for their work and dedication.

The Hendersonville Fire Department honored the achievements of two firefighters during its annual awards ceremony earlier this month. Fire Engineer Ian Hill was presented with the Firefighter of the Year Award and Assistant Fire Marshal Greg Lamb was honored as Officer of the Year.

These awards are important, because theyre voted on by our team, Fire Chief D. James Miller said. Getting recognized by your brothers and sisters is special. Its not just about making a difference in the community. Its about cheering on your fellow firefighters too.



Hill, a city firefighter since October 2020, also volunteers with the Junaluska Fire Department in Haywood County. Previously he served for five years as a firefighter and engineer for the town of Canton. His peers recognized him for being reliable and for being extremely thorough in daily truck checks.

"To him its not just a paycheck," a fellow firefighter said. "Its about getting to help others, train with some cool equipment, drive a fire truck, be a part of the brotherhood, and ultimately fight fires.



Lamb joined the city fire department in May of 2020, bringing 26 years of service with the town of Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue as a lieutenant and paramedic and a member of the South Carolina HazMat Cobra Team. Known for his "can do" attitude, Lamb earned the respect of his colleagues for his unwavering commitment and readiness to assist whenever needed.
NEW YORKAylo, the parent company of Pornhub, has signed a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to resolve a charge that it profited from sex trafficking by hosting videos produced by the disgraced studio, GirlsDoPorn, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, of the Eastern District of New York, and James Smith, assistant director-in-charge of the New York Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said the DPA holds the parent company of Pornhub.com accountable for its role in hosting videos and accepting payments from criminal actors who coerced young women into engaging in sexual acts on videos that were posted without their consent.

"It is our hope that this resolution, which includes certain agreed payments to the women whose images were posted on the companys platforms and an independent monitorship brings some measure of closure to those negatively affected, Peace added. This resolution will not only provide oversight over one of the largest online content distributors in the world and ensure the companys lawful behavior, but it will also develop industry-wide standards for safety and compliance.

With the DPA, Aylo is not pleading guilty to any crime, and the government will dismiss its charge against the company after three years, subject to the courts approval of the agreement and the companys continued compliance with it.

An independent monitor will ensure that Aylo and its properties will comply with the agreement. The duties and scope of the independent monitor are outlined in the 76-page DPA released by the Department of Justice.

Aylo was also ordered to pay more than $1.8 million to the U.S. government for restitution and to settle lawsuits filed against the company related to the case. Aylo announced the deferred prosecution agreement weeks ago, with its compliance executives expressing "deep regret" for hosting the videos produced by the GirlsDoPorn sex trafficking ring led by Michael Pratt and associates.

For a time, Pratt was placed on the FBI's Most Wanted List after he chose to flee. He ultimately was arrested in Spain. It is believed that he is still held by Spanish authorities and awaits extradition to the United States.

According to the documentation provided by Peace's office, Aylo (formerly known as MindGeek) is charged as an entity for unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds.

"We were troubled to learn that a production company used criminal means to produce its content and submitted consent documentation that we now know was obtained by fraud and coercion," Aylo management said in its announcement.

The women who appeared in GirlsDoPorn videos were fraudulently misled by Pratt and his associates, who said that the modeling gigs they advertised on Craigslist and other job boards would only be distributed as DVD releases in foreign media markets. Lawsuits filed against GirlsDoPorn revealed that the studio staff also falsified 2257 documentation, which is required to prove someone is of legal age to appear in a pornographic video. The custodian of records was also a false identity.

Correction: Michael Pratt is believed to be in Spanish custody. This is not confirmed, though.
Henley Music School double billed as surprise performers and beneficiaries on night 21 of this years Living Advent Calendar, hosted and sponsored by the Catherine Wheel.

Comprising a keyboard, woodwind, strings and brass sections and forming a small orchestra, the school managed to squeeze its 20-odd students into a small area between the pubs hotel and its patio.

Richard Rodway, the organiser, said: Welcome to all those unsuspecting members of the public who just thought they were in for a quiet drink and a meal in the Catherine Wheel this evening -- no chance.

We have caused absolute chaos this evening, sobig thanks to Heather [McIntyre] for being so accommodating.

Weve been far too slick this year in terms of the production, so its nice to get back to Living Advent basics, and being absolutely organised, festive, bonkers chaos.

Laura Reineke, the schools founder, said: We offer music education to anybody. The sane and insane of which most are here. All ages, all instruments, regardless of age, ability, background or means, and we are still operating although we are struggling hugely for funds.

We provide music education free of charge to pupil premium children (thats children on free school meals), to autism spectrum children, to refugees. We offer bursaries of up to 100 per cent...its a vital part of their school life to have access to music education.

Their set list included Christmas classics like Wizzards I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, a jazz version of O Come All Ye Faithful, Johnny Marks Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the carol Silent Night, as well as classical pieces like Antonio Vivaldis Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor and W. A. Mozarts Abendempfindung.

Solos were performed by Carys Jarvey, 15, on the oboe, Isla Jarvey, 13, on the bassoon, Ava Reineke, 20, soprano, and George Suckling, nine, on the cello.

Ms Reineke added: Its never too late to start learning an instrument either. If you think youve tried to learn an instrument before and it hasnt been very successful, it might be that youve picked the wrong instrument.

Ms Reineke also emphasised the schools family ethos and links.

She said: I just want to introduce you to all the families playing today. Weve got the Fraser family: Helen, Richie and Angus. Weve got the Ellis family: Dominic, Louise and Jennifer. Weve got the Jarvey family: Rosie, Carys and Isla. Weve got the Suckling family: George and Paul. And weve got my family: my mum [Elaine Dudeney], Ava, Mae and I think Alfies in the audience somewhere.

Town councillor, music school trustee and former mayor Glen Lambert jokingly described the nights raffle as well-organised.

Prizes on the so-called table of dreams ranged from an open-water swimming lesson with Ms Reineke (who has swum in many Channels), a voucher for a lesson with local photographer Richard Pinches, a bottle of Taittinger and True Grace candles.
Latest action advances President Bidens Unity Agenda efforts to beat the overdose epidemic,

continuing commitment to a whole-of-society effort to prevent fatal overdoses, reduce

stigmatization associated with addiction, and save lives.

Washington, D.C.  Today, in support of President Bidens Unity Agenda efforts to beat the overdose epidemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the General Services Administration (GSA) announced new guidance recommending that all federal facilities across the nation include overdose reversal medications in their safety stations on site. The recommendation will make life-saving medications like naloxone more readily available in case of an emergency situation.

Far too many lives are being lost to overdose. Fortunately, we know what it takes to save people. Safety stations save lives, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. We must continue to do everything we can to make sure the necessary tools are quickly and easily available so anyone can respond to an emergency situation - anytime, anywhere. It's about empowering everyone to play a role in saving lives when it counts the most.

Today, we are taking the historic step to recommend that every federal facility across the nation has lifesaving overdose reversal medications like naloxone on site, said White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta. Under President Bidens leadership, we have worked to make overdose reversal medication more accessible and available than ever before. These lifesaving medications should be as readily available as fire extinguishers or defibrillators in all public spaces, from schools, to housing communities, to restaurants, retail, and other businesses. And now, as the nations largest employer, we are leading by example. President Bidens Unity Agenda calls for all Americans to come together to beat the overdose epidemic, and the private sector has a critical role to play in saving lives and ending this crisis.

Saving lives is at the very core of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy and thats why its so important for federal facilities to have naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal medications readily available," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. Taking this step ensures these lifesaving medications are accessible, and protects the millions of Americans that work in and visit these facilities every year.

The updated guidelines expand the concept of an automated external defibrillators (AED) program by introducing the safety station, which would enable anyone located within a federal facility to access the necessary tools quickly and easily to respond to an emergency situation. Under the new guidance, anywhere that an AED was previously located can and should be converted to a safety station. Each safety station is recommended to include an AED and supporting equipment at a minimum. It is now highly recommended that each station also includes either a bystander-empowered opioid reversal agent or hemorrhagic control component, or both.

Expanding access to overdose reversal medications is a key part of President Bidens National Drug Control Strategy, and the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action over the past three years to deliver on this priority. The Biden-Harris Administration has invested historic amounts of funding in the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program for states and Tribes to make overdose reversal medications available to their residents at no cost. HHSs Overdose Prevention Strategy, which is designed to address the overdose crisis by increasing access to the full continuum of care and services for people who use substances that cause overdose, including increasing availability of overdose reversal medications. Using federal SOR grant dollars, states have purchased nearly 9 million naloxone kits and helped reverse more than 500,000 overdoses. Earlier this year, the FDA also approved certain naloxone nasal sprays for non-prescription, over-the-counter use in March and July. Now, for the first time ever, naloxone is available for over-the-counter purchase at grocery stores and pharmacies across the country. Other opioid overdose reversal medications are also available with a prescription and may be covered by health insurers.

Todays announcement also delivers on President Bidens Unity Agenda, which focuses on issues where all Americans can come together and make progress for the nation. During his first State of the Union Address, President Biden announced beating the overdose epidemic as one of the four pillars of his Unity Agenda. Since then, the Administration has worked to strengthen not only the whole-of-government response, but the whole-of-society response to address this public health and public safety crisis head-on. Earlier this month, ONDCP, HHS, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called on public health departments and health care systems to partner with housing providers, community development organizations, and other housing agencies to help expand access to naloxone and other life-saving overdose reversal medications in the communities they serve, noting the critical role housing providers play in ensuring that all public spaces have lifesaving medications on hand and people are prepared to use it. Last month, ONDCP and the U.S. Department of Education called on schools and educators to have overdose reversal medications on site and ensure their students and faculty are prepared to use it in the event of a drug poisoning or overdose to save lives.

As naloxone became available for over-the-counter purchase for the first time ever earlier this summer, ONDCP Director Dr. Rahul Gupta joined HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and senior HHS leadership for a live naloxone demonstration event to educate HHS staff and the public on the importance of increasing awareness, reducing stigmatization, and expanding access to lifesaving overdose reversal medications.

Over the past three years, the Administration has taken historic action to increase access to this lifesaving tool, including:
A 75 year old man was admitted in SSB heart hospital with heart failure due to severe leakage of Mitral valve (valve between left ventricle and left atrium). Most of his blood from left ventricle instead of going into circulation was leaking back into left atrium causing pooling of blood in lungs. This resulted in extreme breathlessness and tiredness and made him very sick. He also had lot of other comorbidities like diabetes, paralysis, Gilbert syndrome, blockage in heart & leg arteries and irregular heart beating called atrial fibrillation. All these were well under control with medical treatment. However his mitral valve leakage didn't respond to medicines. His life was miserable due to severe leakage of mitral valve. He was having breathlessness even on lying down. Due to poor health condition, he was found unfit for surgical mitral valve replacement or repair. There was no hope for such patients in the past but now a novel catheter based non-surgical technique called Mitra clip has become a life saver for such patients. It was introduced in world few years back and has recently become available in India as well.

This patient agreed for this expensive procedure costing around 35 lac. Successful Mitra clip repair of leaking valve through a tiny puncture in right thigh vein was done.

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Dr. S S Bansal, senior cardiologist, SSB Hospital, Faridabad

Mitra clip significantly reduced the valve leakage. Mitra clip was passed through a catheter placed in left atrium to stich both leaflets of mitral valve together in the middle. Patient improved immediately after the procedure. The entire procedure was done using live 4D transesophageal Echo imaging of Mitral valve.

SSB Hospital Faridabad with its expert team of doctors and most advanced 4D TEE Echo machine is one of the first hospital in Faridabad to use this novel technique of Mitra clip successfully. Dr S S Bansal senior cardiologist of the hospital said We are very happy that our patient's life threatening valve leakage got resolved by Mitra clip. He further said most advanced 4 D TEE ECHO machine is required for precision in such procedure. SSB hospital has such advance equipments and technology available in the hospital. Only problem is that Mitra clip itself costs around 30 lac which most of our patients cannot afford. We hope that cost will come down soon and more and more patients of severe mitral valve leakage who are unfit for valve surgery will be able to live long with good quality of life with Mitra clip.

Disclaimer: This article is a promotional feature and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein.

Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in the same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims.

The information does not constitute medical/health advice. Readers are strongly advised to consult a registered medical practitioner.
Mumbai: Qutone Tiles, a leading name in the tile industry, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as "India's Most Innovative Tile Brand" at the prestigious Industry Leaders Awards 2023. The award was presented by the renowned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at a grand ceremony organized by Brand Empower Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai.

Qutone Tiles is a leading brand in the tile industry, known for its innovation, quality, and design. With a commitment to creating beautiful and sustainable tiling solutions, Qutone Tiles has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of tiles. The company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and dedication to research and development have made it a trusted choice for architects, designers, and homeowners alike.

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The Industry Leaders Awards is an esteemed platform that honors excellence and innovation across various industries in India. Qutone Tiles, known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and design, stood out among its peers, making it the deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade.

Mr. Sunil Manglunia, Managing Director, Qutone Tiles, said, We are immensely honored to receive the title of 'India's Most Innovative Tile Brand.' This recognition reaffirms our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the tile industry. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, and partners for their unwavering support. Also, we thank Brand Empower Pvt. Ltd. and the esteemed jury members for this recognition.

Qutone Tiles has consistently set new benchmarks in the tile industry with its cutting-edge designs, sustainable manufacturing practices, and an unwavering commitment to quality. The brand's ability to blend technology with artistry has allowed them to create tiles that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and eco-friendly.

This prestigious award further solidifies Qutone Tiles' position as a leader in the tile industry. The company remains committed to its mission of providing customers with top-quality, innovative, and eco-conscious tiling solutions that elevate the aesthetics of living and working spaces.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
In collaboration with Emeritus, the programme has been designed to help participants gain advanced managerial skills, cross-functional acumen, creative problem-solving ability, and an innovation mindset in this high-impact one-year learning journey

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Business Wire India

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has launched the 14th batch of the Senior Management Programme. According to a recent report from Forbes (2022), executive presence skills came in second among the top 20 leadership traits and accounted for 26% of what it takes to get promoted to leadership positions. This invites the question as to where one should begin to accelerate their career growth not just to reach but thrive in the C-Suite.



Joining this 1-year high-impact leadership course will enable aspiring and new business leaders to lead confidently and deliver business results amidst pressure to increase returns on capital, establish viable long-term partnerships, and develop winning strategies for multiple markets. The meticulously curated industry-leading modules will enable participants to advance their leadership potential and strategic decision-making capabilities through an immersive pedagogy consisting of engaging live online sessions, a five-day in-campus immersion at the IIM Kozhikode campus, a hands-on, integrative analytical project, real-world case studies, and business simulations.



Commenting on the launch of the new batch of the programme, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, said, Businesses today have seen a complete transition than they used to run a decade ago. IIM Kozhikode's Senior Management Programme has enrolled close to 750+ participants in thirteen batches. Designed by world-class faculty at IIM Kozhikode with cutting-edge thought leadership and industry-leading insights, learners will feel empowered to lead complex business strategies confidently with data-driven, informed decision-making ability.



Mr Prathap Das, Director Sales, Academia & Government (South Asia) at Clarivate and a past participant of this programme, while sharing his programme experience, said, The programme helped us focus on depth of understanding rather than breadth of content. It helped us develop abilities to make meaningful applications to new problems and contexts. It included structured learning activities that, in a real or simulated fashion, allowed learners to experience problem-solving and inquiry in situations drawn from their personal work experiences and real-world applications. Increased knowledge, personality development, enhancement of social competencies, crisis management, and enhancement of inventiveness are some key takeaways, and I am applying all these in real-world business situations. The lectures and assignments helped us further validate our concepts and refresh subjects with new case studies and simulations, which was extremely beneficial.

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Programme Directors, Prof. Anandakuttan B. Unnithan, Professor, Marketing Management, Mentor Professor (Academic & Development) and Prof. Venkataraman S., Associate Professor, Strategic Management, Chairperson, IIM Kozhikode Kochi Campus, added, We have developed the Senior Management Programme to enable participants to strengthen their leadership capabilities to drive their organisations growth and success confidently. Participants will gain advanced managerial skills, cross-functional acumen, creative problem-solving ability, data-savviness, and an innovation mindset in this high-impact one-year learning journey.



Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, Recent industry reports suggest that close to 78% of India CEOs, as against 54% of global CEOs, include automation and digitisation goals in their companys long-term corporate strategy. It is thus imperative for business leaders of today and the future to expand their knowledge across domains and proactively upskill to be effective, future-ready leaders. In this context, we at Emeritus are pleased to offer IIM Kozhikodes Senior Management Programme, which has successfully enabled scores of participants to redefine their leadership potential through proven frameworks and best practices in business strategy, decision-making, future business models, and succeed in senior leadership positions confidently.



The fourteenth batch of this professional certificate programme begins on December 30, 2023, with a fee of INR 6,00,000 + GST, with flexible payment options and low-cost EMI options. This leadership course from IIM Kozhikode ranked as the #3 best B-School in India (NIRF, 2023), is offered through Emeritus, a global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable, offering a digital-first, seamless learning, and high engagement experience. Visit the programme page for more details on the programme and interested applicants should apply soon.



About IIM Kozhikode



Started in 1997 with its Post Graduate Programme (PGP), the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) is on a high growth trajectory today, offering a wide range of academic programmes in the field of management education. These include the Fellow Programme in Management, Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK also has the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic programmes such as the one-year Post Graduate Programme in Business Leadership (2019), MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE, a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, and the Indian Business Museum. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF India Rankings 2023: Management. The institute also features regularly among top global institutes for its flagship MBA (PGP) and EMBA programme (EPGP) in the QS World University Rankings. The institute has leapfrogged 100 spots to be placed in the Top 251-300 Institutes in Business & Management Studies globally, as per the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. It has the distinction of being the only IIM in the coveted innovation rankings. IIM Kozhikode is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK).



IIM Kozhikode also made its debut in the prestigious Financial Times Rankings (FT Rankings 2023) in the 72nd position among the top-75 open-enrolment executive program providers globally, catapulting the 27-year IIM onto an exclusive list of the foremost providers of executive education in the world. IIM Kozhikode has successfully delivered close to 1300 MDP programmes over the past two decades, training more than 41,000 participants from 150+ organisations, which also includes several Fortune 500 companies in the process.



About Emeritus



Emeritus offers customised and open programmes in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutes. Our world-class executive education programmes, supported by eminent programme experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications. The meticulously curated programmes are delivered in a different range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programmes. Our extensive portfolio also includes short 2-4 day in-class workshops, online courses of 2-3 months duration as well as comprehensive learning journeys that run over 6-9 months, customised to an organisations requirement. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,400 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. Following its $650 million Series E funding round in August 2021, the company is valued at $3.2 billion, and is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, Sequoia Capital India, Bertelsmann, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
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New Delhi [India], December 22: Instashield, a medtech wellness company, has been recognized for its exceptional contribution to the field with the Best Innovation Technology Award at the prestigious Gems of Gujarat Awards & Conclave 2023. The award was presented by the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel in a ceremony held in Ahmedabad, underscoring Instashield's commitment to driving technological advancements and its impact on the state's growth.

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The Gems of Gujarat Awards & Conclave serves as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations across various sectors, contributing significantly to the state's development. Instashield stood out among its peers, earning accolades for its groundbreaking innovations in technology.

Instashield's commitment to excellence and its unwavering dedication to advancing technological solutions have set it apart in an ever-evolving landscape. The company's innovative approach has not only been recognized by industry experts but has also played a crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges.

In the face of the present surge in COVID cases in 2023, Instashield's cutting-edge technology could be utilized as a powerful tool in the battle against the virus. Instashield operates on electron technology and boasts an impressive 99.9% efficacy in eliminating various viruses, including the Coronavirus. This CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad certified med-tech device, established in the year 2022, holds immense potential in curbing the rising Covid cases by providing a robust defense mechanism against viral transmission. Instashield's groundbreaking approach exemplifies the pivotal role technology can play in addressing contemporary health challenges, making it a valuable asset in the rising cases of COVID.

"We express our profound gratitude for being bestowed with the Best Innovation Technology Award at the Gems of Gujarat Awards & Conclave 2023. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. In these challenging times, Instashield remains committed to leveraging technology for the greater good, contributing to the collective effort in overcoming the hurdles posed by the pandemic," said Hitesh M Patel, Promoter & Director, Instashield.

Instashield's recognition at the Gems of Gujarat Awards & Conclave 2023 reinforces its position as a leader in technological innovation, with a focus on creating solutions that make a positive impact on society. The company looks forward to continuing its mission of driving positive change through unconventional technology.

Instashield India Private Limited, a company registered in Hyderabad (Telangana), India is a Private Limited entity established in August 2017. It envisions developing and delivering world-class health care Medical Device Technology products at reasonable prices for higher accessibility and affordability to the market.

Over a short span of time, Instashield has been able to successfully bring innovation and advancement to its products. From providing virus free environment to physical and mental wellbeing, the breakthrough technology of Instashield aims to offer a holistic living. The product designs are stylish and easy to use in closed spaces.

Instashield is an overall safeguard against various potential pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi among others. The new advanced wellness product protects and creates a sterile environment by carefully suppressing different pathogens. It ensures wide spectrum coverage that results in a complete shield resulting to a healthier and safe environment for people.

Instashield has multiple benefits such as: 1. Ensures 99.9% sterilized environment 2. Enhances mental wellbeing 3. Revolutionary wellness technology 4. Protects from all kinds of air borne viruses.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 22: Imarticus Learning, the pioneer in India's EdTech landscape, recently hosted a thought-provoking TEDx event centered around the theme 'Re-imagining EdTech'. This impactful event brought together over 25 distinguished luminaries from diverse sectors, where they shared their wisdom and insights on the ever-changing landscape of education and technology.

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The event was commenced by Sonya Hooja, Founder & COO, Imarticus Learning, and the keynote address was by Nikhil Barshikar, Founder & MD, the event served as a transformative platform, shedding light on the historical progression and ongoing transformations within the educational technology domain. The core focus was on leveraging innovative technologies to revolutionize learning methodologies, systems, and tools, ultimately enhancing learning experiences for all.

The highlight of the event was the captivating conversation with Gautam Thaker, CEO of Prosus EdTech, who delved into the theme 'EdTech Odyssey: Navigating the Future of Learning in India'.

Furthermore, the event unwrapped with core focus on: 'The Future of Corporate Learning: Blending EdTech with Traditional Training'; 'Personalised Learning in the Workplace: The Next Frontier in L&D'; 'Learning and Emerging Tech: The Role of AI and Machine Learning in EdTech'; and 'Investing in the Future: Identifying Next-Gen EdTech Innovations'.

Distinguished luminaries from renowned organisations such as Abhilash Misra (CEO, NSE Academy Ltd); Ajay Shah (Partner, Investment Banking, EY India); Saurabh Wadhwa (Executive VP & Head of Organisation Learning at Kotak Mahindra Bank), Binoj Vasu (CLO, YES Bank) and Kaushik M Das (SVP & Head of Talent, Learning & DEI at Citibank, South Asia) J S Manoj Koundinya (SVP - Human Resources - Talent Management & OD - DBS Bank, India) were a part of the panel discussion. The panel also featured Samrat Banerjee (General Manager - BFS: L&D - WNS); Reetu Raina (VP & Global Head - Talent Management, Amdocs); Varun Chopra (Co-Founder & CEO, Eduvanz); Raghav Himatsingka (Founder, Raising Superstars & Prodigy Framework ); Prashanth Singh (COO & Co-founder, Leadsquared); Gaurav Jain (Principal, Kaizenvest); Nimisha Nagarsekar (Investment Partner & CFO, Sixth Sense Ventures). The event also featured a discussion with Akhil Handa (Ex CDO, Bank of Baroda) who gave insights into "TechHorizon: EdTech, Fintech, and the Future of Banking Workforce.''

The forum also explored into critical topics such as 'The Future of Indian Management and Engineering Education in the Digital Era' and 'Transformative Learning: Real-World Impact and Stories' featuring speakers such as Ashok Banerjee (Director, IIM Udaipur), Vinita Sahay (Director, IIM Bodh Gaya), Rajat Agrawal (Dean, IIT Roorkee), Rajeev Kumra (Dean, IIM Lucknow), Dr Indirah Indibara (Head of Executive Education & eLearning, IIM Raipur); Karthik C (Vice President, Head of Data Science, Imarticus Learning); Sujatha Iyer (AVP, Credit Risk Control, Mufg Enterprise Solutions); and Pratishtha Shyam (Corporate Trainer). They shared profound insights on advancing AI and Machine Learning, understanding the intricacies of technology's integration into education, and highlighting real-world examples of transformative learning journeys.

In addition to the panel discussion, the event featured a TEDx Talk presented by Dr Avantika Tomar (EY-Parthenon), titled "Bridging Policy and Practice in Education: The Road Ahead for EdTech". Sandeep Rambhatla (SVP, Imarticus Game Studio, Imarticus Learning) delivered a talk on "The ABCs of Oops." The Imarticus Spotlight segment was led by Apurva Sheth (Executive Director, Enterprise, Imarticus Learning).

Nikhil Barshikar, Founder and CEO, Imarticus Learning, said, "Nurturing a platform for insightful conversations at TEDx, Imarticus Learning aims to redefine the contours of the EdTech landscape. Our commitment to unraveling the intricacies of the industry and fostering dialogues with luminaries underscores our vision for a future where education transcends conventional boundaries."

On this occasion, Sonya Hooja, Co-founder and COO, Imarticus Learning, expressed, "Imarticus Learning is committed to pushing the boundaries of educational discourse, and the recent TEDx event serves as a testament to our dedication. Through insightful discussions led by industry luminaries, we aimed to unravel the intricate layers of the EdTech landscape. As we navigate the beauty and challenges within this dynamic sector, our goal remains to fuel dialogues that transcend conventional norms, ensuring sustained growth and innovation for the future of education."

Imarticus Learning, recognizing the multifaceted nature of the EdTech industry, strategically leveraged the TEDx platform to foster dialogues that elucidate the nuances within each sector. The objective is to propel the industry beyond conventional norms and ensure its sustained growth.

Imarticus Learning is a leading EdTech company in India, offering high-quality, industry-specific education via innovative technology, specialised training, career assistance, and mentorship from industry professionals. It has impacted over 10,00,000 careers within a decade through leading-edge curriculums, highly experienced faculty, and over 500 global partnerships with leading institutions and corporations. Imarticus Learning seeks to upskill existing and future workers to fulfil various industries' current and upcoming job market demands. Its objective is to provide learners with valuable learning experiences, educate them with industry-specific skills, and prepare them to take on multiple job roles in their sector.

Imarticus Learning is renowned for its unique teaching methodology, including immersive live lectures (online and offline), peer-to-peer discussions, hybrid learning modules, industry-focused seminars, capstone projects, guest lectures, soft skills training, etc. It offers courses that prepare learners for successful careers in data science, analytics, finance, banking, and technology.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The income tax department on Friday carried out searches at nearly 50 locations across the country. According to a Mint report, residences and offices of the top management were raided by the tax sleuths.



The reasons behind the searches and nature of the probe is unclear. The Bombay Stock Exchange sought clarification from the firm over the searches.



The shares of Polycab India dropped by five per cent to the day's low of 5,326. As of 3 pm, the shares were trading at 5399.00 a piece. The shares had opened at 5,638 in the early morning trade.



The stock has witnessed a surge by 109 per cent over the past year and 113 per cent in 2023. As per the report, the shares had showcased a growth of 449 per cent over a three-year-period. Polycab India reported a 59 per cent increase in the second quarter profit in September at  426 crore

On December 12, the shares of Polycab India had hit a 52-week high of 5,733 and soared by 129 per cent from its 52-week low of 2,500 that it hit on December 26 last year.

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Polycab India reported a 59 per cent increase in the second quarter profit in September at 426 crore. The profit for September 2022 quarter had stood at 268 crore.

The company reported a revenue growth of 26.5 per cent to 4,218 crore in Q2 against 3,332 crore in the September 2022 quarter.

Polycab India manufactures and sells cables & wires , and FMCG products, with 25 manufacturing facilities across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Daman.
NEW DELHI: State-run fuel retailers on Friday slashed prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for commercial purposes by 39.50 per 19-kg cylinder as fuel rates fell in the international markets. A (HT FIle)

Now a non-subsidised 19-kg commercial gas cylinder used in hotels, restaurants and for industrial applications will cost 1,757 in Delhi, 1,868.50 in Kolkata, 1,710 in Mumbai and 1,929 in Chennai, according to latest pricing data of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Prices of the fuel vary from place to place because of differences in local levies.

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While prices of subsidised 14.2-kg LPG cylinders (used by households for cooking) remained unchanged, the international fall in the price of the fuel will proportionately reduce governments subsidy burden. Subsidised 14.2-kg LPG cylinders are sold at 903 each in New Delhi for general customers and the same is available for 603 per cylinder to poor households covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29 slashed cooking gas price by 200 per 14.2-kg cylinder for all 316.4 million customers, besides continuing the 200 per refill subsidy to over 96 million poor under the Ujjwala yojana.

Since May 21, 2022, the government had been providing a budgetary support for targeted subsidy of 200 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for PMUY beneficiaries for up to 12 refills a year for years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Later, with effect from October 5, 2023, the government raised the amount of targeted subsidy to 300 per 14.2-kg LPG cylinder for all PMUY beneficiaries.

India imports more than 60% of its domestic LPG consumption. Price of LPG in the country is linked to its price in the international market. Government continues to modulate the effective price to consumer for domestic LPG, minister of state for petroleum Rameswar Teli told the Lok Sabha on December 14.

During the period 2020-21 to 2022-23, the average Saudi CP (international benchmark for LPG pricing) went up from $415 per MT to $712 per MT. However, the increase in the international prices was not fully passed on to the customers, he said.
Ola Electric is on the verge of a significant milestone, poised to become the first electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India to produce four lakh electric scooters within two years. In the previous year, the company achieved a remarkable feat by manufacturing one lakh electric scooters in just 10 months after its launch, marking the fastest pace among electric two-wheeler manufacturers in India, HT Auto reported. In 2023, Ola Electric has witnessed an extraordinary year, recording sales surpassing 250,000 units, setting a record as the highest sales for any electric two-wheeler manufacturer in a year. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/@bhash)

Presently, Ola Electric leads the electric two-wheeler segment in the country. The company's facility in Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a celebratory rollout of this landmark unit later this month.

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In 2023, Ola Electric has witnessed an extraordinary year, recording sales surpassing 250,000 units, setting a record as the highest sales for any electric two-wheeler manufacturer in a year.

Ola Electric embarked on its journey in 2021 with the launch of its inaugural product, the S1 electric scooter, unveiled on Independence Day. Production commenced at its facility situated in Pochampalli, situated within the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. With an all-female workforce, this facility achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the 400,000 production milestone in a little over two years.

Ola Electric's product lineup includes electric scooters such as the S1 Pro, S1 Air, and S1 X. The S1 Pro (2nd Gen) is priced at 1.48 lakh, the S1 Air is available at 1.20 lakh, and the S1 X, introduced earlier this year, starts at a price of 90,000.

According to a PTI report, the electric vehicle manufacturer announced a significant surge in its total revenue, which expanded by more than six times year-on-year, reaching 2,782 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23.

In the preceding fiscal year, Ola Electric Mobility Business reported total revenue amounting to 456 crore, as disclosed in a statement. The company highlighted its implementation of several initiatives aimed at driving growth and profitability, including the introduction of new products, expansion of sales and service networks, and reinforcing research and development capabilities.

Ola Electric has witnessed a substantial 130% surge in sales compared to the previous year, spanning from January to December, according to the Vahan website, which provides vehicle registrations across the country. The peak was observed in November, with the company achieving its highest monthly sales since its inception, selling 30,000 electric scooters. Presently, Ola holds a market share of over 30% in the segment.

Guidance Tamil Nadu, an investment-inviting agency, published information regarding all Electric Vehicles (EVs) manufactured in the state during 2023. Among the 10 lakh electric vehicles sold in India this year, four lakh were produced in Tamil Nadu. Ola Electric emerged as the leading EV manufacturer in the state, contributing 1.75 lakh units to the total production this year.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced that there will be no ban on hijab in the educational institutions of the state. He said that a direction has been given to the officials and the government order will come soon. Ban on Hijab will be lifted in Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah

Speaking at an event, Siddaramaiah said, We will be withdrawing the ban on hijab which was imposed by the previous BJP government. An official order will come soon regarding it.

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Also Read - Will see in future: Karnataka minister G Parameshwara on revoking hijab ban

Siddaramaih said that it is a personal choice to wear the kind of dress one wants to wear. What to wear and what to eat is a personal choice. Why should government obstruct such issues? Wear what you want and eat what you feel like. I wear Dhoti and you wear shirt with pants. What is wrong with that? asked the chief minister.

The hijab controversy first erupted in January last year when six students of the Government Pre-University (PU) College in Udupi accused the institutes administration of not allowing them to enter the premises with their hijab on. The Muslim girls protested outside the institute after being denied entry.

In response, several Hindu students started attending classes wearing saffron shawls in several educational institutions.

On March 15 last year, the Karnataka high court declared that wearing the hijab was not mandatory in Islam and upheld the executive order. The students moved the Supreme Court, which split a verdict on the issue. The matter is slated to be heard by a larger bench.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the high-level committee on the Karnataka drought situation on December 23, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Friday. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.

He said he had explained the extreme drought situation prevailing in Karnataka to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah during his recent visit to Delhi and sought financial assistance to face it.

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Also Read - 'Crude mockery': BJP after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah takes luxury jet to seek drought fund

"I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with him, I met Amit Shah also because he is the chairman of the High Level Committee. The decisions are taken by that committee only. I have also discussed about Mahadayi, Mekedatu and Upper Bhadra projects with them," Siddaramaiah said.

In view of the drought situation, Siddaramaiah said he requested them to enhance employment days for labourers from 100 days to 150 days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

According to the Chief Minister, Modi assured him that he will discuss with Shah.

To a question on the contentious balancing reservoir across Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Ramanagara district at Kanakapura, Siddaramaiah said Modi also assured him that he will discuss with the ministers and officials concerned.
Punjab has cherished its tragic medieval love legends be it Heer-Ranjah, Mirza-Sahiban or Sohni-Mahiwal. But the 20th century saw yet another love story play itself with courage and joy. And that was between the high priestess of love, Amrita Pritam, and never-say-die painter Imroz, who was named Inderjit at birth in Chak number 36, near Faislabad (earlier known as Lyallpur) now in Pakistan Punjab. Artist Imroz, who was writer Amrita Pritams partner, passed away in Mumbai on Friday. (HT file photo)

Amrita, whose life was an open book, seeking love and completion while still trapped in a loveless arranged marriage at the age of 15 was looking for a soulmate who she thought she had found in the famous poet Sahir Ludhianvi but when that did not lead to fruition, it was a long and lonely road.

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Amrita Pritam and Imroz when they met in Pathankot, 1958. (HT file)

It was in Delhi, where Amrita had taken up a job as an announcer at All India Radio, post-Partition that the Lahore girl and the Chak number 36 boy were destined to come together. In times when living together was a no-no, they chose to do so and the union was to last for some 40 years. It did not end even with her passing away on October 31, 2005. In her last poem dedicated to her partner, I will meet you yet again, she wrote: I know not how and wherebut I will meet you for sure.

Her last days were of immense pain. Their close writer friend, Surinder Sharma, recalls, Imroz confessed to me that he had lived and shared everything with her and his only regret was that he could not share her physical pain and suffering.

Amrita and Imroz in their heydays. (HT file)

The exit of Imroz brings many memories to Punjabi writers as their home, K-25, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, was open to all. Together, they brought out a wonderful magazine, Nagmani, which encouraged some two generations of writers, including major names such as Gurdial Singh, Shiv Kumar Batalvi and Amitoj. The magazine was edited by Amrita and illustrated and designed by Imroz for 37 years. Talking of those times, Sidhu Damdami, who contributed to the magazine, says: The relationship was rare, path-breaking. They became a role model and many tried to experiment but could not reach their intensity or creativity.

The years after Amrita were lonely no doubt for Imroz but he filled them up and even started writing poems in her memory. He remained the doting father and grandfather to her children and grandchildren, who in turn took loving care of him. His last years were in Mumbai, where he passed away on Friday and was cremated.

Theirs was a love story that even death could not do apart.
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, received Research Leadership Award 2023 at the 14th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi on Thursday. The Research Leadership Award 2023 was awarded to ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, during the 14th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi. (HT PHOTO)

The award was presented to Dheer Singh, Director, ICAR-NDRI by Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, for making noticeable contributions in research achievements, generating resources and establishing networks.

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Speaking at the occasion, Singh said that NDRI is a premier research and education institute of the country and has developed considerable expertise in different areas of dairy production, processing, management and human resource development.

The institute has completed its journey of 100 years in 2022. During these years, NDRI has made remarkable accomplishments, including groundbreaking research in cloning, rapid methods for quality testing of milk, animal feed technology, and the creation of innovative dairy products. This institute continues to be a driving force in revolutionising the dairy industry. More than 80 technologies developed at the Institute have been commercialised, he said.

NDRI has also secured significant external funding from renowned international and national agencies such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, and various government departments and councils such as department of animal husbandry and dairying, ministry of food processing industries, department of biotechnology, department of science and technology, and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The Model Town police have arrested four persons involved in snatchings in the city and recovered as many as 25 mobile phones and a sharp-edged weapon from their possession. Ludhiana: Four held for snatching, 25 mobiles recovered

The police have also seized a motorcycle and a scooter from them.

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The accused have been identified as Jasdeep Singh alias Tinku, 33, of Guru Nanak Colony, Mohammad Shoiab alias Sahil, 27, of Jagraon, Gobind Verma alias Gobind, 28, of Nepal (presently residing in Pratap Nagar) and Sunny Kumar alias Sunny, 44, of Pratap Nagar.

Joint commissioner of police (JCP) Saumya Mishra said that the accused used to target pedestrians and other commuters and used to threaten them by brandishing sharp-edged weapons and used to snatch away their valuables. After snatching the mobile phones, the accused used to sell it further.

A case under sections 379b (2), 413 and 411 of the IPC has been registered against the accused at Model Town Police station.

The accused Jasdeep is already facing trial in four cases, while other three accused are facing at least one FIR each.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee overseeing the implementation of measures outlined in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) re-implemented the 8-point action plan on Friday in accordance with the Stage-III of the plan across the entire Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect amid the declining air quality. The order said that the Stage-III curbs were in addition to the restrictions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP. (HT Photo)

At 8.30am, the relative humidity stood at 100 per cent, while the AQI at 10am persisted in the very poor category, registering at 397. At 4pm, the AQI was in the severe category at 409.

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The order said, Today, Delhi's average Air Quality Index AQI) clocked 409 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In wake of sudden dip in the overall air quality of Delhi since morning on date, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan met today.

It added, Unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions including fog and hazy conditions along with low wind speed are the major causes for sudden spike in Delhi's daily average AQI.

The order also said that the Stage-III curbs were in addition to the restrictions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP.

What is banned and what is allowed under new restrictions?

The order asked the agencies to intensify the frequency of mechanised or vacuum-based sweeping of roads.

It said that daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants on roads, hotspots, and heavy traffic corridors should be carried out. Proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites or landfills should be ensured.

Public transport services should be intensified. The agencies have also been asked to introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.

The CAQM asked governments to enforce a strict ban on all construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR, except  projects for railway services, railway stations, metro rail services and stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals, national importance, hospitals or health care facilities, highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission/distribution, pipelines, sanitation projects and ancillary activities.

The order asked authorities to ban dust-generating or air pollution-causing construction and demolition activities including  earthwork for excavation and filling including boring and drilling works; structural construction works including fabrication and welding operations; demolition works; loading and unloading of construction materials within or outside the project sites; transfer of raw materials either manually or through conveyor belts; movement of vehicles on unpaved roads; operation of batching plant; laying of sewer line, waterline, drainage work and electric cabling by an open trench system; cutting and fixing of flooring materials; grinding activities; piling work; water-proofing work; and road construction repair works.

However, non-polluting and non-dust generating activities like plumbing works, electrical works, carpentry-related works, interior furnishing, finishing, and decoration works (excluding painting, polishing and varnishing works) are allowed to continue.

The order asked for operations of stone crushers to be shut down.

All mining and associated activities in NCR are the be closed.

The order also asked all NCR state governments to impose strict curbs on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (four-wheelers) in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

The state governments have been asked to decide whether or not to discontinue physical classes in schools for children up to Class V and conduct online classes instead.

What are citizens advised to do?

The CAQM order asked citizens to:
The central government banned non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) on Friday as it invoked the Stage-3 curbs of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid the declining air quality. Curbs have also been imposed on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel 4-wheeler vehicles in Delhi-NCR. (HT Photo)

State governments in NCR have been asked to make a decision on the discontinuation of physical classes.

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Curbs have also been imposed on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel 4-wheeler vehicles in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body tasked with developing strategies to address pollution in the region, stated in an order that adverse meteorological conditions, such as fog and haze coupled with low wind speed, are the primary factors contributing to a sudden increase in Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI).

At 8.30 am, the relative humidity stood at 100 per cent, while the AQI at 10 am persisted in the very poor category, registering at 397. At 4 pm, the AQI was in the severe category at 409.

Implementing restrictions under GRAP, the CAQM issued directives prohibiting non-essential construction activities, stone crushing, and mining in Delhi-NCR.

However, construction activities linked to national security or defence, healthcare, railways, projects of national significance, interstate bus terminals, metro rail, airports, highways, overbridges, roads, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation, and water supply are exempted from the imposed restrictions.

On Friday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius, falling within the normal range for the winter season, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The department predicted light rainfall throughout the day. According to the IMD's forecast, shallow to moderate fog is expected during the day.

The AQI categorises scores from zero to 500, with values between zero and 50 considered "good," 51 to 100 labelled as "satisfactory", 101 to 200 as "moderate", 201 to 300 as "poor", 301 to 400 as "very poor" and 401 to 500 as severe.

According to the data, vehicles contributed to 35 per cent of the PM2.5 concentration on Thursday at 5 pm, while biomass burning accounted for 34 per cent, and burning of plastic and waste contributed an additional 6 per cent. A comparison with the previous day's data at the same time indicated a shift, with vehicles contributing 61 per cent, biomass burning contributing 20%, and waste burning contributing 1 per cent.

The forecasts indicate that Delhi's air quality is expected to remain in the "very poor" category for the next three days.

Delhis air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category from December 22 to December 24. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows the air quality is likely to remain between very poor and poor, said the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, a forecasting model under the ministry of earth sciences.

 With inputs from PTI
Close on the heels of an incident in Kolar where school students were 'forced' to clean the soakpit, another incident of pupils being allegedly asked to clean toilets at a government school here has come to light. Govt school students in Karnataka forced to clean toilets, HM suspended - Pic for representation

In a viral video, some of the students were purportedly seen cleaning the toilet at Andrahalli in the city. Following the incident, parents of students expressed outrage and staged a protest outside the school campus demanding strict action against its administration. Acting swiftly, the education department suspended the headmistress of the school, officials said.

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Also Read - Dalit students made to clean septic tank in Karnataka school, principal suspended

Reacting to the incident, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters here that he has called a meeting at 3 pm to inquire about the incident and assured strict action in the matter. I have called for a meeting at 3pm. I will inquire about it and get the actual report. There was another similar incident in the past and we have taken legal action against it, he said. Noting that children should be raised properly and made strong, Shivakumar said there are arrangements to clean toilets in schools. We shouldnt misuse the children. Earlier NSS, Seva Dal camps use to give training for kids to clean the garden, planting the saplings but we havent given anyone permission to rope in children for cleaning the toilets, he pointed out.

Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa condemned the incident and termed it 'shocking' and 'deplorable'. "... there is no doubt that we will take the strictest action as per law. Further, I will ensure that such incidents don't repeat and will ensure that all action is taken by our department, he said. Earlier this month, the principal and two staff members of a school in Kolar district were suspended over allegations that some students were made to clean the soak pit on its premises.
GURUGRAM: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar conducted a surprise check in various locations across Gurugram on Thursday and imposed penalties on Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) officials for the poor sanitation in the city, officials aware of the matter said. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar takes stock of the cleanliness system in Gurugram on Thursday (ANI)

Khattar docked 15 days salary of the MCG commissioner and one months salary of the joint commissioner after finding garbage piles in various locations in the city.

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Officials said the city was struggling with a major garbage crisis as 2,000 sanitation workers have been on strike for months, and the private companies hired to do the job were dumping waste at random locations.

Khattar was in Gurugram for a private event but later conducted a surprise visit to areas such as Kanhai, Sector 18 industrial area, Atul Kataria Chowk, Palam Vihar, Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road, Gurudwara Road, and Civil Lines.

I found garbage piles in several locations. We have also received complaints from many residents about this issue, said Khattar.

Khattar also imposed a fine of 10 on the supervisor of sanitation workers, 1,000 on field officer, 2,000 on additional sanitary inspector, 3,000 on senior sanitary inspector, and 5,000 along with a months salary on joint commissioner of zone-2.

Khattar also levied a fine of 1 lakh on the agency responsible for maintaining cleanliness on Kanhai Road.

We have conducted cleanliness drives and cleared major areas, but because of problems with door-to-door waste collection, many residents are throwing waste in the open, said MCG commissioner PC Meena.

Khattar also announced that he would give 1 crore to MCG from CSR fund for purchasing equipment required for sanitation. He also ordered that salaries of sanitation workers in Palam Vihar are to be released in the next three days.

Meanwhile, residents of several sectors said that new dumping sites have come up in their areas due to poor waste collection. They said that waste is being dumped in vacant land plots in areas such as Ardee City, Sector 45, 46, Sector 57 , 21, and 23.

Joginder Singh, president of the United Gurugram Residents Welfare Association, an umbrella body of all the RWAs in the city, said the situation worsening. and the number of vehicles collecting garbage has reduced in the last two months. We have decided to hire private agencies to collect door-to-door waste in areas with poor collection facilities. We were already paying, but now we will pay to only those who collect timely waste, he said.

Kusum Sharma, a resident of Suncity Township in Sector 54, said areas close to schools had become dumpyards.

We have highlighted the waste issue several times and have shared pictures and videos, but MCG officials have never taken it seriously and have always ignored resulting in poor sanitation in the city, she said.
It didn't take long for Western media to notice China's latest ban on the export of technology to extract and separate rare earths on Thursday. However, it would be better if they told all sides of the story.

China has over 30 percent of the world's share of rare earth mineral resources  essential for the manufacture of smartphone chips, LCD screens and more  but it has been meeting over 70 percent of the world's need for it.

The United States, which is not adept at processing rare earth metals, has long been importing it from China. The reason is clear from a comment in the Harvard International Review in August 2021, which says: "For every ton of rare earth produced, the mining process yields 13kg of dust, 9,600-12,000 cubic meters of waste gas, 75 cubic meters of wastewater, and one ton of radioactive residue."

That has long been the plan of the US, or the Western world in general  to saddle third world countries with polluting industries, while they themselves enjoy their products. A good example is germanium, an essential component in the manufacture of semiconductor chips and photovoltaic batteries. China accounts for 41 percent of the world's total reserve of germanium and the US 45 percent, and yet the US imports the same from China.

The Harvard International Review also accuses China of "lax environment regulations", calling its mines "unsafe", but makes little mention of who the ultimate user of these rare earth metals is.

The mining of some rare earth metals is not that polluting, but the resources are scattered in such a manner that it needs entire industrial departments, especially the metallurgical sector, to chip in. That is why Western nations have left this dirty work on third world countries while they busied themselves with making quick money.

They did not even bother to develop infrastructure needed for digging out rare earths, separating them from other metals and using them for semiconductor and photovoltaic units.

Now, after the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology jointly published a new list of technologies that are banned from export on Thursday  which includes mineral separation, mining, and smelting of rare earths.

It is unfair of them to blame China. A look at the full text of the updated list will make it clear that China is not acting against anyone. The update is wholly based on new needs of technology export management. China removed the green plants growth adjuster technology from the list, while adding human cell cloning and gene modifying technology, and adjusted parameters for more technologies, all to serve the common good.

It would be much better for the West to spend precious time developing its own industry rather than blaming China.




The temple-town Ayodhya has been undergoing a rapid transformation in various quarters, encompassing religious tourism, infrastructure and innovative works, all centred around the grand Ram Temple. However, there is also a lesser-known environmental care project in progress in Ram Nagri to address its plastic waste and litter management. An artistic impression of the waste plastic collection centre for Ayodhya. (HT Photo)

Ayodhya is all set to have north Indias and UPs first plastic-to-diesel refinery. A 20 TPD (tonnes per day) plant is being established to convert all types of plastic waste, both non-recyclable and recyclable, into automotive diesel.

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As of now, the district generates 30-35 tonnes of plastic waste per day, and it is projected to increase gradually once the Ram Temple is opened, leading to a further rise in tourist footfall.

In the second stage, the plants capacity will be increased to 40 TPD. Ayodhya Nagar Nigam has signed an agreement with a Bengaluru-based company.

The company will build the mini refinery on a piece of land on the Lucknow-Ayodhya road. Work to install a total of 100 collection centres all around the district has already begun. Plastic waste from all over Ayodhya will be collected daily at the collection centres. Ayodhya will be the first in the state to have such a plant for the betterment of the environment and cleanliness, said Vishal Singh, Ayodhya Municipal Commissioner.

The estimated cost of the project is 100 crore.

The plastic waste will be converted to crude oil and then refined into diesel, which will be sold to local farmers and other customers operating generators, tractors, pump-sets, heavy machinery, vehicles, earth movers, dumpers, or tippers, said Imran Rizvi, co-promoter and director, MK Aromatics Limited Bangalore. Construction work is set to begin in April, and the plant is expected to be commissioned within a few months.

The company has already been operating such a plant in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and one in Goa has been set up, along with the Bengaluru plant that is currently being established.

1000-gram plastic waste will be converted into 800 ml of automotive diesel, which is cheaper for consumers than the diesel from oil companies, added Rizvi.

The plant will first handle the plastic waste of the Ayodhya district, and gradually, all of the Ayodhya divisions urban local bodies and big panchayats will be integrated into it.

All the plastic waste collected will be baled at the collection centre and sent to the plants reactor for processing. The plastic will be heated to 350 to 450 degrees Celsius, and a specially developed catalyst will crack the plastic inside the reactor, converting it into hydrocarbon gases stored as condensate or crude oil. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) will be produced in the process and used as fuel for the reactor, resulting in zero pollution, continued Rizvi.

Each collection centre will be equipped with approximately five e-rickshaws and about 25 rag-pickers for collecting plastic waste in their respective allotted territories.

The project will not only aid in waste management, cleanliness, and environmental care but also contribute to employment and revenue generation. Additionally, it will help save the lives of stray cattle, as many die due to accumulated polythene in their alimentary canal. Cattle often consume polythene while foraging for food in streets and garbage dumps.

The company has signed an MoU with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to set up a total of five plants (including Ayodhyas) in Uttar Pradesh, each with a 40 TPD capacity. The other four locations are Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Ghaziabad.
LUCKNOW UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) got seven days custody of a former student of Lucknows Nadwa, Mohd Abdul Awwal, 37, who was arrested from New Delhi on Monday in connection with alleged operation of over 500 suspicious bank accounts registered in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Delhi and receiving funds by a Delhi-based NGO, said officials. The Lucknow ATS court on Friday allowed Awwals seven-day custody from Saturday morning (December 23), which will end on December 29 evening. (Pic for representation)

The Lucknow ATS court on Friday allowed Awwals seven-day custody from Saturday morning (December 23), which will end on December 29 evening. Investigators will question the accused about other people involved in this activity and whereabouts of the NGOs operator Abdul Gaffar, said officials.

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Awwal was arrested from Delhi after his name surfaced in the operation of over 500 suspicious bank accounts that were opened in the names of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar during Covid outbreak in 2020 taking advantage of relaxed norms for opening accounts online.

Awwal lived in Shram Vihar, Jamia Nagar, Okhla and New Delhi after completing Class 12 under the madrasa education system from Lucknows Nadwa in 2017.

Officials said investigations so far revealed that the NGO allegedly diverted donations from foreign countries through suspicious bank accounts and then withdrew the same amount to use it for other purposes. Donations worth around 20 crore were diverted in three years, the official observed.

The modus operandi to channelise funds from abroad suggested that a nexus was involved in using this money for anti-national activities by violating FCRA norms, said a senior ATS official, adding: The accused will be questioned about this also.
For Tripura chief minister Manik Saha, his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanaths style of functioning is a model to govern the northeastern state. Tripura chief minister Manik Saha at a function at KGMU in Lucknow on December 22. (HT photo)

When we won elections, I came to see your chief minister Yogi Adityanath. I went back and as I started working and people over there said Yogiji ka asar inpe bhi agaya, (he too is under the impact of Yogi style of functioning), said Saha, an alumnus of King Georges Medical University (KGMU), while addressing the International Georgian Alumni Meet at the medical university as the chief guest here on Friday when the 119th foundation day of the KGMU was also celebrated.

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That I met Yogiji came in newspapers and people said he (Saha) will finish all bad elements, said the Tripura CM who is also working to start new medical colleges under publicprivate partnership (PPP) just as is being done in Uttar Pradesh.

Yes. We are working on the scope of starting medical institutes under the PPP model, he said. Being a dentist, I recently got a new seven-floor dental college for the state and we hope to expand the medical education further, he added.

We are working to make Tripura a medical hub. In future, we will start Ayurvedic and homeopathic medical college too, Saha said. A lot of change has come in my state as best of facilities, including highways, internet, railways are available even in remote places. This was under guidance of PM Narendra Modi who gave me HIRA (Highways, Internet, Railways, Airways) model, he said.

Recalling his days at KGMU and Lucknow, Saha said, The life spent in KGMU and in Lucknow were the best and I feel like coming back here. One of my daughters was born in Lucknow.

Ours is a peaceful state. People go out for tourism in foreign countries. They can come to Chabimura ( famous for its panels of rock carving on steep mountain wall on the bank of Gomati river in Tripura) which is like the Amazon forest. We have the most beautiful airport in northeast that is going to be international soon, the Tripura CM said.

He called upon Georgians (alumni of KGMU) to come to Tripura to enjoy vacations. Saha even said that warmth of stay can be enjoyed if they inform him personally about their travel plan.

I learned that in Communist government, it is not good to be a good person. I was told that when you join the Communist Party, you become a good person. When Narendra Modi became the PM, I saw development of the nation under his leadership. So, when the Communist government levelled me as a bad person, I joined the BJP. My aim was not to get any position in the party. I even worked as a Panna Pramukh, Saha added.

Known as seven sisters (Northeast India), the PM gave a new name Astha Laxmi to the northeast region including Sikkim. Even today, the PM gives me so much work that I have to read a lot, the Tripura CM said.

The KGMU function was attended by some eminent doctors from across the globe. They included Dr Ira Pande from Nottingham in UK, Prof AP Tikku, former HoD conservative dentistry in KGMU, Prof MLB Bhat, Prof Sanjeev Mishra, vice chancellor Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Prof AK Singh from Post Graduate Institute of Child Health, Noida and Prof Ajai Singh, director, AIIMS Bhopal.
MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has allegedly seized 1.27 kg of cocaine worth around 13 crore from a female national of Coted Ivoire, a West African country, after she arrived at Mumbai airport from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday. HT Image

The DRI acted on a specific intelligence and foiled the smuggling bid of the accused. The accused was nabbed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) by DRI s Mumbai Zonal Units team after they recovered the contraband concealed in her luggage, the sources said.

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Examination of her luggage resulted in the recovery of 1, 273 grams of white powdery substance, purported to be cocaine, with an Illicit market value of approximately 13 crore, a DRI source said.

The drugs were allegedly ingeniously concealed in the inner layers of the accuseds handbag and a clutch bag.

The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and remanded to judicial custody. The agencys probe is on the trail of an alleged international narcotic trafficking syndicate that sent the accused as a carrier with contraband, the sources said. Further investigation is in progress to unearth the further links of the drugs supply chain, the source said.
Leaders and workers of Aam Aadmi Party and Congress under INDIA alliance staged a sit-in at Civil Lines in protest of the suspension of MPs in parliament. The protestors demanded withdrawal of the suspension orders. They condemned the action against the MPs and termed the suspension as an act of dictatorship. Congress and SP workers staging separate protests in Prayagraj on Friday (HT Photo)

Another group of Congress workers under district president Pradeep Mishra Anshuman gheraoed the ADM citys office and raised slogans against the BJP government. They handed over a memorandum addressed to the president of India, to the ADM city, while demanding to revoke the suspension of the MPs.

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Staging a protest at Civil Lines under the INDIA alliance, Aam Aadmi party district president Sarvesh Yadav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is behaving like a dictator and is trying to suppress the voice of common people.

BJP spokespersons claim that there is wave of Narendra Modi in the country but, in fact, there is wave of unemployment and price rise, they said. The government is openly providing benefit to corporates and is patronising criminals. The rights of women and youths are under threat under the present government.

Senior Congress leader Sanjay Tiwari, Arun Kushwaha, Vishal Yadav, Javed, Renuka Rai and other leaders and workers of Aam Aadmi party and Congress were present.

Meanwhile, a large number of Samajwadi Party leaders and workers also held protests against the suspension of MPs and demanded to revoke the action.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an umbrella organisation of the tribal Kuki groups in Manipurs Churachandpur, said that they have decided to seal the district borders for two weeks, preventing entry and exit of non-tribals during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities first broke out on May 3 (File Photo)

All the borders within Lamka (Churachandpur) district and Manipur (Bishnupur district) will be sealed for security reasons, ITLF stated in a notice, adding that they had inputs about the threat during the Christmas season.

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The decision will come into force from December 23 and will continue till January 5, said the group.

The statement came two days after the bodies of 87 Kuki-Zo victims of the ongoing ethnic clashes were buried at one location in Churachandpur district and following recent clashes that erupted earlier this week.

On Thursday, a public notice was issued by the state home department stating that the Imphal  Kangpokpi  Mao Highway and the Imphal Bishnupur  Churachandpur Highway are operational and open for use by all.

For convenience and security of the people using the highways, additional security forces have been deployed, the order read. The move will be effective from Saturday.

Kuki groups in Kangpokpi (another Kuki majority district) also expressed displeasure with the move and stated that it was an attempt by the government to show things are normal in Manipur.

On Monday (December 18), the authorities in Churachanpur district once again imposed a curfew till February 18 after fresh violence erupted in which 30 people were injured in the district dominated by the Kuki-Zomi tribes.

The ethnic clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki community that erupted on May 3 have resulted in at least 196 deaths and displaced around 50,000.

According to the police, Churachandpur has been one of the hotspots of violence in the past seven months and security is always on alert to prevent any violence and law and order issues.

Earlier this month, the ITLF issued an appeal to people in the strife-torn state to celebrate Christmas and New Year without much fanfare due to the ongoing situation and as a mark of respect to those killed and injured. The majority of Kuki and Zomi people are Christians.

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What with 1 British Pound currently equivalent to INR 105, studying in the United Kingdom can be a huge financial challenge. But there are several scholarships on offer including British Councils Women in STEM Scholarships, 26 GREAT scholarships, and the prestigious Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships. The eligibility criteria and the amount offered varies and all details can be found on the respective official websites of the mentioned scholarships. Study abroad: Scholarships available to study & research in the UK(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Here are a few scholarships available to Indian students in 2024.

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Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships: For 40 years, British Council India has been working in partnership with the Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) to offer CWIT scholarships. The long-term grants are usually for a full-time MA course (maximum 1 year) and short-term grants (usually around three weeks) in the field of arts or heritage conservation.

Subjects/Courses: Arts (visual arts, performance arts, film, photography, design, curating, art history) and Heritage Conservation (conversation architecture, management of heritage projects/sites, conservation of materials/paintings/photographs/film, management of museums and collection, engineering in relation to conservation of heritage buildings and structures)

Eligibility:

 Be an Indian citizen living in India

 Be aged between 28 and 38

 Have not received a CWIT grant within the last five years

 Have a first degree, diploma or professional qualification in their specialisation. CWIT prefers applicants with significant working experience

Deadline: Last date to apply for Long-term grants is January 14 2024; and February 28, 2024 for Short-term grants.

Amount:

 Long-term: Covers the living costs and course fees in the UK. Also contributes GBP 600 towards international travel

 Short-term: One-off grant of 1,500 towards the costs of their short stay in the UK

Read this: What the change in UKs international students dependent policy means for Indians

GREAT Scholarships: Given to individuals who want to pursue higher studies in the UK. For the 2024-25 academic year, there are 26 postgraduate scholarships available from UK universities, across a variety of subjects for students from India. In total, over 210 scholarships are on offer. Each scholarship is jointly funded by the UK governments GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions.

Subjects/Courses: Different universities provide scholarships for various courses ranging from business management, and computing science to education and art and design.

Eligibility:

 The student should be a citizen of India

 Student should have an undergraduate degree

 Academic qualifications required by the college you apply for

 Should meet the English language requirement of the UK HEI

 Have an acceptance letter from the UK university

Deadline: The deadline to apply for a GREAT Scholarship varies according to each institution. Usually open from April 3 to June 15, 2024.

Amount: Each scholarship is worth a minimum of 10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course. Check more stories on Study Abroad

British Councils Women in STEM Scholarships:

About the scholarship: Tailored for women with a STEM background, these scholarships facilitate master's degree programmes or early academic fellowships in STEM subjects at leading UK universities.

Subjects/Courses: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Eligibility:

 Students should have an undergraduate degree that will enable them to gain access to one of the pre-selected postgraduate courses at a UK university (for Masters level) or completed all components of PhD in the last three years (for Early Academic Fellowships)

 Meet the English language requirement of the UK university partner.

 Demonstrate case for financial support.

 Are active in the field with work experience or a proven interest in their subject area

Deadline: Early 2024, dates to be announced

Amount: Economic support will include tuition fees, stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees. The scholarship also has a special support for mothers.

Also read: Here are the top higher education trends to look out for in 2024

Research Council UK Scholarships: Research Council funding for postgraduate research training goes directly to research organisations who then undertake the selection and recruitment of students.

Subjects/Courses: Research Councils in the UK provide funding for different subjects of academic research including Arts and Humanities, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences and more

Eligibility:

 Undergraduate results - holding a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree.

 Extra qualifications and experience - obtaining a Masters degree (or equivalent postgraduate qualification), as well as carrying out professional research or work experience. These aren't necessary requirements but will enhance your application.

 Residency - Students in the UK student who have been a resident in the UK for three years, may normally be able to receive a full studentship for both living costs and fees. International student are also eligible for a full award covering their fees, living costs and other expenses.

Deadline: To be announced

Amount: 18,622 as a minimum Doctoral stipend to cover living expenses and 4,712 for PhD tuition fees

Royal Society  Hamied Foundation International Exchanges Award: These schemes are for scientists based in the UK and provides grants for collaborations with researchers in India.

Subjects / Courses: Available for a range of courses such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and all other fields such as Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Physiology, Biochemistry and many more.

Eligibility: Students can apply for this scheme if both the student and their overseas co-applicant if they:

 Hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience

 Hold a fixed or permanent contract at an eligible organisation for the duration of the project (ineligible organisations include industrial, private and commercial organisations, university spin-out companies and government bodies)

 Are based in the respective countries at the time of the application

Deadline: Applications open on January 10, 2024

Amount: The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit, where the students can request for:

 up to 3,000 for one-off travel lasting up to three months

 up to 6,000 for multiple visits to be completed within one year

 up to 12,000 for multiple visits to be completed within two years and cost share projects fixed at two years

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship: Since 1976, this scholarship has been granted to Indian students to read at top-rated American, UK, and European institutions in a full-time Masters, MPhil, or Doctoral programme.

Subjects/Courses: Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects

Eligibility:

 Open to all Indian passport holders who are resident in India at the time of application.

 An undergraduate degree from a recognised university in India

 Candidates having a postgraduate qualification (e.g. Masters or PhD) from an institution abroad are not eligible to apply.

 Candidates who are already studying or have started their postgraduate education at an institution abroad are not eligible to apply.

 It is essential to have prior admission to the institution and course chosen at the time of the application.

 Candidates who have an English language certification as a conditional part of their offer letter need to attain that certification before applying for the scholarship.

 Those born on or after 1st January 1994 are eligible to apply for the 2024 scholarships.

 For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and related subjects, candidates must have a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA 6.8, or GPA 2.6 from a recognised university/institution.

 For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects, candidates must have a minimum academic grade of 70%, CGPA 7.2, or GPA 2.8 from a recognised university/institution.

Deadline: Applications to open in February 2024 and will be go on till March 22, 2024

Amount: Award up to USD 100,000 to cover programme tuition as well as scholars living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare.
December 22 is celebrated as National Mathematics Day every year. This date marks the birth anniversary of legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Mathematics is a part of our everyday lives and celebrating this day makes it even more special. National Mathematics Day 2023: Know about Srinivasa Ramanujan's life & work

The celebration of this day began in 2012 when then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared December 22 as National Mathematics Day to honor the life and achievements of Ramanujan in the field of Mathematics.

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National Mathematics Day 2023: Timeline of events

Know about Srinivasa Ramanujans life and his works in the timeline given here.

1887: The great mathematician was born on this day in Tamil Nadus Erode to a Brahmin Iyengar family. Since his childhood days, he had a liking for mathematics which led him to master trigonometry at the age of 12. He was also eligible for a scholarship at the Government Arts College in Kumbakonam.

1912: Srinivasa Ramanujan started to work as a clerk in Madras Port Trust in 1912. There, his mathematics genius was recognized by some of his colleagues and one of them referred him to Professor GH Hardy of Trinity College, Cambridge University. He met Hardy in 1913, after which he went to Trinity College.

1916: This year the Ramanujan received his Bachelor in Science degree. After this, he published several papers on his subject with Hardys help.

1917: Ramanujan was elected to the London Mathematical Society.

1918: The great mathematician was elected to the prestigious Royal Society for his research on Elliptic Functions and theory of numbers. He was also the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of the Trinity College.

1919: Ramanujan returned to India.

1920: On April 26, he breathed his last owing to deteriorating health. He was just 32 years old.

Srinivasa Ramanujan never received any formal training in pure maths, but he made impactful contribution in the field of mathematics. His areas of work include infinite series, continued fractions, number theory and mathematical analysis. He also made notable contributions like the hypergeometric series, the Riemann series, the elliptic integrals, the theory of divergent series, and the functional equations of the zeta function. He is said to have discovered his own theorems and independently compiled 3,900 results.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled the shortlists across ten categories for the upcoming 96th Oscars ceremony. Greta Gerwigs comedic gem Barbie, receives nods in five categories, where Oppenheimer receives nods in three categories.

Leading the mentions is Greta Gerwigs comedic gem Barbie, receiving nods in five categories, encompassing sound, original song featuring submissions from Billie Eilish ('What I Was Made For?'), Dua Lipa ('Dance the Night'), and Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt ('Im Just Ken'), along with recognition for its original score composed by the latter duo.

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Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer receives nods in three categories-Makeup and hairstyling, Sound, and Original score.

While Barbie, The Color Purple, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 didn't secure spots, the selections include A24s unconventional Beau is Afraid and Universal Pictures chilling summer release The Last Voyage of the Demeter.

ALSO READ| Critics Choice Awards 2023 full list of nominees: Barbie leads with 18 nods, Oppenheimer gets 12

Among the musical compositions in contention, notable entries come from Daniel Pemberton ('Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'), Ludwig Goransson ('Oppenheimer'), and the late Robbie Robertson ('Killers of the Flower Moon'). The list also features esteemed veterans like Thomas Newman ('Elemental') and John Williams ('Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny').

No Indian film was shortlisted this time.

A standout aspect is the diversity within the composers recognized, encompassing Black talents such as Jon Batiste ('American Symphony') and Kris Bowers ('The Color Purple'), the renowned female musician Laura Karpman ('American Fiction'), and nonbinary artist Mica Levi, an Oscar nominee for Jackie, acknowledged for The Zone of Interest. Mark Ortons inclusion for The Holdovers, despite prior speculation about its eligibility, came as a pleasant surprise and was deemed a commendable choice by the branch.

The host for the 96th Oscars in 2024, the A24 revealed the return of television host-comedian Jimmy Kimmel. The Academy shared, 'Well, I guess the secrets out. Presenting your 96th Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel. Welcome back.'

The Oscar nomination period is set to take place from Jan. 11-16, leading to the official nominees being announced on Jan. 23.

Here's the nominated film's list-

Documentary feature

American Symphony

Apolonia, Apolonia

Beyond Utopia

Bobi Wine: The Peoples President

Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

In the Rearview

Stamped from the Beginning

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

A Still Small Voice

32 Sounds

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol

Documentary short subject

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

Bear

Between Earth & Sky

Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games

Camp Courage

Deciding Vote

How We Get Free

If Dreams Were Lightning: Rural Healthcare Crisis

Island in Between

The Last Repair Shop

Last Song from Kabul

Nai Nai & Wai Po

Oasis

Wings of Dust

International feature

Armenia, Amerikatsi

Bhutan, The Monk and the Gun

Denmark, The Promised Land

Finland, Fallen Leaves

France, The Taste of Things

Germany, The Teachers Lounge

Iceland, Godland

Italy, Io Capitano

Japan, Perfect Days

Mexico, Totem

Morocco, The Mother of All Lies

Spain, Society of the Snow

Tunisia, Four Daughters

Ukraine, 20 Days in Mariupol

United Kingdom, The Zone of Interest

Makeup and hairstyling

Beau Is Afraid

Ferrari

Golda

Killers of the Flower Moon

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Maestro

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Society of the Snow

Sound

Barbie

The Creator

Ferrari

The Killer

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest

Original Score

American Fiction

American Symphony

Barbie

The Boy and the Heron

The Color Purple

Elemental

The Holdovers

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Saltburn

Society of the Snow

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Zone of Interest

Original song

It Never Went Away from American Symphony

Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven) from Asteroid City

Dance The Night from Barbie

Im Just Ken from Barbie

What Was I Made For? from Barbie

Keep It Movin from The Color Purple

Superpower (I) from The Color Purple

The Fire Inside from Flamin Hot

High Life from Flora and Son

Meet In The Middle from Flora and Son

Cant Catch Me Now from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon

Quiet Eyes from Past Lives

Road To Freedom from Rustin

Am I Dreaming from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Animated short film

Boom

Eeva

Humo (Smoke)

Im Hip

A Kind of Testament

Koerkorter (Dog Apartment)

Letter to a Pig

Ninety-Five Senses

Once Upon a Studio

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

Pete

27

War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko

Wild Summon

Live action short film

The After

The Anne Frank Gift Shop

An Avocado Pit

Bienvenidos a Los Angeles

Dead Cat

Good Boy

Invincible

Invisible Border

Knight of Fortune

The One Note Man

Red, White and Blue

The Shepherd

Strange Way of Life

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Visual effects
One of our earliest memories of Shah Rukh Khan as an old man with grey hair is from Yash Chopra's seminal 2005 cross-border romance, Veer-Zaara. He played an Indian Air Force pilot in his 50s, who's grown old held captive in a Pakistani jail for 22 years. Eighteen years after that movie, when Shah Rukh is actually elder than his Veer-Zaara character at 58, he's had a year where he's played a fit, desirable senior citizen in two films  Atlee's Jawan and Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki. Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu in Dunki

(Also Read: 2023 was the year of Shah Rukh Khan and the biggest comeback of all time. Here's how it happened)

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Love divided by borders

(Spoiler alert)

But that's not where the similarities end. The love stories of Veer-Zaara and Dunki have similar graphs. Two youngsters fall in love in India when the man rescues the woman. He swears to shield her at all costs and makes her mission of a physically and mentally daunting journey home his own. But when he migrates to a new country, the laws of the land take him to a crossroads where he has to choose between the love for her and the love for his country.

That's where the similarities begin to fall apart. His choice is different, and so is her reaction. They carry on their respective paths in their choice of the country. Their fondness for each other lasts over two decades years, even though they've lost touch and have assumed each of them is settled with their spouse in their respective land. They eventually cross paths, return together to their homeland, only to realise they've remained single all these years, waiting for each other.

Where's the love?

They say it's the choices that make or break you. That's also the case with movies. When Veer is blackmailed by Zaara's fiance Raza (Manoj Bajpayee) to either jeopardise her marriage or falsely confess he's an Indian spy in Pakistan, he chooses to protect his love. He ends up in prison for 22 years, before a young lawyer Saamiya Siddiqui (Rani Mukerji) comes to his rescue. He continues to protect Zaara and asks his lawyer to not involve her in the case.

However, unlike Veer, Hardy (Shah Rukh) in Dunki plays the soldier card and chooses his country instead. Stranded with his love Mannu (Taapsee Pannu) as illegal immigrants in the UK, he's given the choice to opt for asylum in the country by falsely confessing that he's under threat in India. But the patriot in Hardy takes over the lover in him and as a result, he's deported back to India, separated from Mannu, who stays back in the UK.

Similarly, upon being tricked into believing that Veer dies in a bus accident on his way back to India, Zaara loses it and breaks her engagement, even though that leads to her father's (Boman Irani) death via cardiac arrest. She then relocates to India and looks after Veer's ancestral village in Punjab. She can no longer marry Veer in her head, but makes sure to fulfil her duties had she been his widow.

But again in Dunki, Mannu chooses to seek asylum in full knowledge of the fact that she'll get separated from Hardy. She consciously chooses to not go back to the country she's born in, where she met Hardy, but where she doesn't see a future. She chooses her British dreams over her Indian reality. Years later, we see her dying due to a tumour in a London hospital, but she desperately wishes to return to her homeland  not for Hardy, but because she wants to see her homeland before dying.

In both cases, they are star-crossed lovers. Man-made factors like nationality, immigration laws, and cross-border hostility come in the way of their boundless romance. But the difference lies in the fact that in one case, they chose to go separate ways and in the other, they stood by each other even in the face of death, familial loss, treason, and captivity. As a result, Veer and Zaara make a long-awaited return to India together as a married couple.

But in Dunki, Mannu dies as soon as Hardy proposes to her. Is that Rajkumar Hirani's way of punishing her because she didn't choose love when given a chance? One would've believed so, had the same penalty been awarded to Hardy. He didn't choose love either, for the sake of loyalty to his country. But rewarding him for patriotism in a movie that insists on love and humanity across borders is rather self-defeating. Sacrificing your love for your country is passe. Try making another country your own to honour your love, maybe.

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Cheers,



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Holiday season is also house cleaning time. Did a bit of rearrangement in kitchen cabinets yesterday and ran into these mugs, each with its own story only if they could talk.



The 1st picture are gifts from families: middle one from Beijing given by my father, made in 2011 for University publisher's 10 year anniversary, good for keeping hot tea with the cover. Two with beautiful portrait drawings done by nephew David, were carried by sister Liz all the way from NS in 2009. The broken handle was courtesy of AirCanada baggage handler, but makes the mug unique.

The 2nd picture is an odd collection: The black one is a limited edition bought from the world's first Starbucks in Seattle, we got it for its shape and I use it everyday for coffee. The orange one with the image of Westminster Abbey was bought in London UK when we were there in 2002, good memory. Big mountain mug was brought in by my son and a souvenir from his 2013 2 day/night climbing trip to the peak of Mt Whitney (14500 ft elevation, highest in CA Sierra Nevada mountain range). The small white one was a "thank you for donation" mug from TVOntario some 18 years ago, there were a pair of them, but only one survived the time.



The 3rd picture is of past work related to all 3 of us. The white ones were from training classes back in good Nortel time, the mugs are still here, but the company and its products are legacy now, as many others in the high tech industry. I got lots of Cisco mugs from my 10 years venture there, but the most Cisco handouts then were colorful t-shirts, with one for each milestone and every occasion, so much so that some kids assumed Cisco was a company specialized in producing cool t-shirts. LOL.

Mugs  mugs, only if you could talk ......

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2011 2009



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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 22 (ANI): Social media influencer Vishnu Kaushal, who made his Bollywood debut in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Dunki', penned a heartwarming note to express his feelings. HT Image

Taking to his Instagram, Vishnu wrote, "We, you & I made our little BOLLYWOOD DEBUT with @iamsrk in a @hirani.rajkumar film. WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT I'D BE WRITING THIS?? This is way beyond my capacity to dream. To be in a movie with @iamsrk @vickykaushal09 @taapsee & @boman_irani is an honour & a privilege. And to you, who've cheered for me the loudest or loved me silently, you who've been on this 9-year journey with me- no amount of gratitude and affection can express my sheer love for you my dear peaches."

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https://www.instagram.com/p/C1G9k4JPbAY/

"This is our win, your win. I have written a couple of jokes as the caption, feel free to add: this wasn't planned or expected but I am so glad it happened (just like my brother @govinuts) I think I have peaked, don't expect more from me. @iamsrk sir ke sath movie mein aane ka tareeka thoda cazual hai. Ok enough. Go watch the Dunki and mere 10 min ke role mein raula paa dena theatre mein I love you," he added.

Vishnu Kaushal plays the character of Gulab in the film.

In the first pictures, he can be seen holding the clapboard with the film's name penned on it.

He shared a still from the film featuring SRK and other star cast.

He also posed with the director Rajkumar Hirani and then showed name of his character 'Gulab' written on a piece of paper stuck on a vanity van.

Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles.

Dunki has been co-written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon. It is a heartwarming tale of four friends Manu, Sukhi, Buggu, and Balli who dream of settling down in London for a better life but have to take undertake an arduous yet life-changing journey to reach their goal.

At one of the events in Dubai, SRK described 'Dunki' as his best film.

"So when I made Jawan, I thought I made a film for boys and girls but I didn't make anything for myself, then I made Dunki. So this is my film. This film is very close to my heart. When I was doing Pathaan, many people who write about films, those who apparently know about films more than the filmmakers, were saying what kind of roles I was doing, so I really felt that I should do films that come from my heart and this includes all the films that I did this year. I started the year with Pathaan, which was always ladies first, and I want to end the year with a film for myself. So, please watch Dunki on December 21. Everyone will find something in the film that will touch their heart. The film will make you laugh also," he said.

The film marks SRK's first collaboration with Hirani and Taapsee. (ANI)
The Barbie power ballad Im Just Ken and AP and Frontlines documentary 20 Days in Mariupol just got one step closer to an Oscar nomination. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday shortlists in 10 categories, including best original song, documentary feature, international feature, original score, and crafts like hair and makeup, visual effects and sound. Also read: Tovino Thomas says appreciation is my fuel after 2018 gets selected as India's official entry for Oscars Tovino Thomas' 2018 couldn't make it to Oscars shortlists.

Mstyslav Chernovs 20 Days in Mariupol was shortlisted in both the documentary and international feature categories, representing Ukraine in the latter.

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Expected names on the list

As expected, Greta Gerwig's Barbie, Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon were prominently represented among the finalists in many categories, including score and sound, as was Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest. Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things also advanced in makeup, visual effects and score and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in visual effects, song and score.

Among the 15 international features advancing are The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom), Tran Anh Hungs The Taste of Things (France), Lila Aviles Totem (Mexico) and Aki Kaurismakis Fallen Leaves (Finland). Justine Triet's acclaimed Anatomy of a Fall was not selected to represent France and thus was not eligible in the category.

Songs that made to the shortlist

Original song contenders competing against Im Just Ken include two other songs from Barbie: Dua Lipas Dance the Night and Billie Eilishs What Was I Made For? Only two songs from a single movie can advance to the nomination stage, however. Both Flora and Son and The Color Purple had two songs advance.

Other contenders include Sharon Van Etten for Quiet Eyes from Past Lives, Olivia Rodrigo for Can't Catch Me Now, from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Jon Batiste for It Never Went Away from American Symphony, Lenny Kravitz for his Rustin song Road to Freedom and Jarvis Cocker's Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven) from Asteroid City.

Diane Warren will also get another shot at a nomination for The Fire Inside from Flamin' Hot. But several expected finalists were left off, including Justin Timberlake for Trolls Band Together and Jack Black for his Super Mario Bros. Movie ballad Peaches. Wonka was also missing from the list.

The 15 original score finalists included a number of familiar players, including John Williams (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Ludwig Goransson (Oppenheimer), Mica Levi (The Zone of Interest) and the late Robbie Robertson for Killers of the Flower Moon. Joe Hisaishi could also be headed for his first Oscar nomination for The Boy and the Heron.

Composer Kris Bowers advanced for The Color Purple, but not for Origin, which also missed out in the song category. Past Lives, by Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen, was another surprise exclusion from the score finalists.

Other films, documentaries on the shortlists

Documentary nominees in addition to 20 Days in Mariupol include American Symphony, about Batiste, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, The Eternal Memory, A Still Small Voice and Four Daughters. Some were surprised at the omission of Kokomo City, about the lives of Black trans sex workers, and Little Richard: I Am Everything.

Barbie missed the cut for makeup and hairstyling, which included nominations for Beau is Afraid, Poor Things, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon.

Though Oppenheimer fared well in most categories, it was not among the finalists in the visual effects category. The films surprising omission from the list of the original 20 finalists was previously reported. The visual effects contenders are often comprised of superhero and franchise films that aren't otherwise considered big awards players  this year that includes Zack Snyder's poorly reviewed Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child of Fire, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Live action, animated and documentary shorts finalists were also announced. The live action category is a little starrier than usual, with both Pedro Almodovars Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal western Strange Way of Life and Wes Andersons The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Ben Kingsley, among the contenders. Jharkhand gang-rape based documentary To Kill a Tiger was also shortlisted.

For the most part, shortlists are determined by members in their respective categories, though the specifics vary from branch to branch: Some have committees, some have minimum viewing requirements.

Final nominations in all categories will be announced on Jan. 23. The 96th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be held on March 10, broadcasting live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The show will begin one hour earlier than usual, at 7 p.m. ET.

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The Fast and Furious star, Vin Diesel is facing allegations of sexual battery from a former assistant. FILE - Vin Diesel poses has been accused by his former assistant of sexual battery while working for him in 2010. Astra Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, alleging that Diesel forced himself onto her in a hotel suite in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)(AP)

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, Asta Jonasson claims that the actor committed sexual assault against her in the fall of 2010 while working on the set of Fast Five in Atlanta.

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She claims that in 2010 Diesel had trapped her against a wall in a hotel suite and masturbated in front of her.

Per the legal complaint, Jonasson was employed by One Race, the production company owned by the actor, to fulfill a range of roles. These included arranging and joining Diesel at social gatherings and guaranteeing her presence in photographs if the actor made solo appearances at functions without his usual romantic partner.

Greenberg Gross, the firm representing Ms. Jonasson, released a statement.

The spokesperson for the firm stated that they are proud to stand by their client and hold Vin Diesel, along with those who enabled and concealed his actions, accountable for sexual assault.

ALSO READ| Martin Scorsese to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 74th Berlin International Film Festival

According to the lawsuit, following a late night in September 2010, Jonasson was requested to remain in Diesel's suite at the St. Regis hotel until he finished hosting women from a club. Once the women departed, Diesel allegedly took hold of Jonasson's wrists and dragged her onto the bed.

Ms. Jonasson was unable to escape and closed her eyes, scared of angering Vin Diesel by rejecting him further and trying to dissociate, wishing the assault would end, the suit reveals.

Despite her fears for both physical safety and job security, Jonasson hesitated to challenge her superior's advances. However, when Diesel attempted to remove her underwear, she could no longer contain her terror and bolted down the hallway while screaming.

As reported in the lawsuit, Diesel allegedly forced her against the wall and touched her hand to his genitals. While he masturbated, Ms. Jonasson, feeling fear, closed her eyes in an attempt to detach from the sexual attack and prevent provoking him.

Ms. Jonasson felt like she was a piece of trash to be discarded. Ms. Jonasson felt helpless, her self esteem was demolished, and she questioned her own skills and whether a successful career would require her to trade her body for advancement.

It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful  Vin Diesel had used her to fulfill his sexual desires and she had resisted his sexual assaults, the suit added.

ALSO READ| Matthew Perry's trouble with tough love revealed by rehab friend:  He couldnt stand being challenged..

Despite having signed a nondisclosure agreement upon being hired, Jonasson was able to raise her concerns under the protection of both the Speak Out Act and California's AB2777. These laws prohibit the enforcement of such agreements in cases of sexual assault, assault, and harassment, and also temporarily suspend the statutes of limitations for allegations of sexual abuse after 2009.

According to Jonasson's claims in the legal document, the #MeToo and Time's Up movements gave her strength to take back control and seek retribution for the pain she experienced from Vin Diesel and One Race.
A Los Angeles federal appeals court on Thursday revived a child sexual exploitation lawsuit filed by the man who appeared naked as a 4-month-old on the cover of Nirvanas 1991 album Nevermind. Spencer Eldens lawsuit against the grunge rock group alleges that he has suffered permanent harm as the band and others profited from the image of him underwater in a swimming pool, appearing to grab for a dollar bill on a fish hook. (Also Read: Beyonce dubbed Grindr's Mother of the Year, surpassing Taylor Swift) Spencer Eldens lawsuit against Nirvana alleges that he has suffered permanent harm as the baby on the Nevermind album cover

The suit says the image violated federal laws on child sexual abuse material, although no criminal charges were ever sought.

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A federal judge in California threw out the lawsuit last year, but allowed Elden to file a revised version, which the judge later dismissed on grounds that it was outside the 10-year statute of limitations of one of the laws used as a cause of action.

Thursdays decision by a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California reversed that ruling and sent the case back to the lower court.

The appellate panel found that each republication of an image may constitute a new personal injury with a new deadline and cited the images appearance on a 30th anniversary reissue of Nevermind in 2021.

The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal, the court wrote, according to The New York Times.

In an email to The Associated Press, Nirvana attorney Bert Deixler called the ruling a procedural setback. We will defend this meritless case with vigour and expect to prevail, he wrote.

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The Oscars 2024 shortlist has been announced and Malayalam film 2018, which was India's official entry for the awards, couldn't make it to the shortlist of 15 films. 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph penned a note on Instagram to thank all those who supported him in encouraging the movie and apologise to those who felt disappointed. He shared the shortlist with the name of the countries mentioned beside the names of films. Also read: Oscars shortlist: Indian entry 2018 out of race, documentary on Jharkhand rape case among tentative nominees 2018 stars Tovino Thomas and is based on Kerala floods.

Jude Anthany Joseph's note

He wrote, Greetings, everyone. The Oscar shortlist has been unveiled, and regrettably, our film 2018- Everyone Is A Hero did not secure a spot among the final 15 films out of the 88 international language films from across the globe. I sincerely apologize to all my well-wishers and supporters for disappointing you all.

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Still sharing gratitude, he further wrote, Nevertheless, the opportunity to represent India in this competition has been a dream-like journey that I will cherish for a lifetime. Being the highest-grossing film and the official Indian entry to the Oscars is a rare achievement in any filmmakers career. I am grateful to God for choosing me for this extraordinary journey. My heartfelt thanks go to the producers, technicians, artists, and the audience for their tremendous support for our film. A special expression of gratitude to the Film Federation Of India, particularly Sir Ravi Kottarakkara, for their boundless support, love, and for selecting our film as Indias official entry. I express my gratitude to all the Indian filmmakers who supported me on this journey, with special thanks to Pan Nalin, Sidharth Roy Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Rintu Thomas, Ashutosh Gowarikar sir, Resul Pookkutty sir, Anurag Kashyap, Rajamouli sir, Senthi sir and many more. I express my gratitude to all my supporters in Los Angeles and eagerly anticipate the meetings that we have already scheduled.

Wishing the best for those who actually made the cut, he said, "I extend my best wishes to all the finalists, with a special mention to Sol, my dear friend and the producer of the Armenian film. The inception of the next dream begins today, as the Oscars await, and I am poised to be present. Until we meet, dear Oscar."

Fans hail Jude for 2018 success

Fans of the movie however, only had praises for Jude and tried to raise his spirits in the comments section. A fan wrote, You took a Malayalam Movie this far..that itself is a great journey. Hats off to you and team. Good luck for your next projects!! Another wrote, There's nothing to be sorry about sir! The movie coming this far itself is a big achievement. It's already won. You've made a people's film. There's no award more satisfying than winning the hearts of the audience. You and your team have done a good job. Looking forward to many more movies from you. Hats off!" A comment also read: #2018therealkeralastory has already made its mark in history! The entire team made us all proud across the world! #Thankyou.

2018 is an epic survival drama based on the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. Jude Anthany Joseph co-wrote the screenplay with Akhil P. Dharmajan. The film stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Narain, and Lal. It was released in May this year.

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What high court told Mansoor

The court also imposed a fine of 1 lakh on the actor. As per the report, the court directed the actor to deposit the amount with the Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai. The court also said that the way Trisha and the others reacted to Mansoor's statement, was how any normal person would have.

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During the previous hearing on December 11, Justice Kumar had remarked that prima facie it appeared that Trisha was the aggrieved party. The court had also observed that it was she who should have approached the court.

Why Mansoor wanted to file case

Recently, Mansoor had approached the high court and sought permission to file a civil defamation suit against Trisha, Chiranjeevi, and Kushboo. He had claimed that they had taken a joke he had made out of context. He added that they had made defamatory comments against him on social media platforms.

What happened after Mansoor's misogynist comment

At a press meet for the promotion of his film Leo, Mansoor had made misogynistic comments about Trisha. His remark led Chiranjeevi, Khushbu, Trisha, and makers of Leo to criticise him on X.

After Manssor's remark, Trisha took to X to post, "A recent video has come to my notice where Mr Mansoor Ali Khan has spoken about me in a vile and disgusting manner. I strongly condemn this and find it sexist, disrespectful, misogynistic, repulsive and in bad taste. He can keep wishing but I am grateful never to have shared screen space with someone as pathetic as him and I will make sure it never happens for the rest of my film career as well. People like him bring a bad name to mankind."

Before announcing that he would file a case against Trisha, Mansoor had released a statement saying, "My co-actress Trisha, Forgive me. Let the god bless me by having me during your wedding." After the apology, Trisha took X handle and wrote, "To err is human, to forgive is divine."

The National Commission for Women took suo moto cognizance of the actors statement, following which the Chennai police registered an FIR against him. The actor was booked under Sections 354 A (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to outrage the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

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Actor Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Konidela paid a visit to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shindes office in Mumbai on Friday. Pictures of the meet have surfaced on social media, with them all smiles as they met the CM and spend time at the office. (Also Read: Ram Charan visits Mahalakshmi temple in Mumbai with family for Klin Kaara's 6-month birthday) Ram Charan and Upasana with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

The meet

One of the pictures sees Ram and Upasana gifting flowers to the CM. Another picture shows them sitting down for a chat with Eknaths son Shrikanth. Sincere greetings and thoughtful gifts were exchanged at the meet, claims the actors team in a press note.

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A traditional tilak ceremony was also performed and the couple was welcomed with aarti by Shrikanths wife Vrushali in a gesture of hospitality. Ram was dressed in a denim blue shirt and black trousers while Upasana opted for a floral kurti. They did not seem to take along their daughter Klin Kaara for the visit, if the pictures are anything to go by.

Upasana and Ram Charan with Shrikanth

Fam in Mumbai

Ram Charan was first spotted leaving Hyderabad for Mumbai a week ago. A couple of days later, Upasana and their daughter soon followed. The actors family was papped after reaching his home and videos of him welcoming them home surfaced online. The family also had their first outing in Mumbai when they visited the Mahalakshmi temple on Klins 6-month birthday. On both the occasions, fans were surprised to see Taimurs nanny accompanying them as their au pair.

Upcoming work

Ram garnered global recognition, thanks to SS Rajamoulis RRR. The film, which also starred Jr NTR, hit screens in 2022 and made history. A song from the film, Naatu Naatu, went on to win the Golden Globe apart from an Oscar. Since then, expectations have been riding high on Rams next project. He is currently shooting for director Shankars Game Changer, which also sees Kiara Advani in the lead role. The film will hit screens sometime next year.

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Celebrity chef-TV host Saransh Goila, who cherished savouring winter street food during his recent visit to Lucknow, feels that street food here makes the city special, apart from other traditional delicacies. Chef Saransh Goila enjoying biryani during his visit to Lucknow

For any foodie, Lucknow is like a pilgrimage. You have to ticket it on your chart! When I was travelling across India to explore food, I visited 80 cities and if I make a list of the top five-seven cities, Lucknow clearly finds a place is in it, says the host of the web-show Run to Eat (2018).

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He adds, The kind of food we get on the street is remarkable. Despite Mumbai being Mumbai, where I live, there is no chance you will get such street food! Here people spend time on their skill and art when it comes to food. The street food artists here are very skilled  it may be a tikki-matar, tamatar-ka-pakora or 6-8 types of paani-puris.

Goila also went on a food walk. In the morning, I went to Chowk and loved exploring water chestnut, makkhan malai and shakarkand stalls. I have never seen sweet potato so big and they looked like yam. It may be normal for locals, but people living on the west coast may have never seen all this. Besides, I enjoyed Raja ki thandai. In the evening, I went for a short food walk around the Press Club food hub and explored Kakori kebabs, biryani and chicken masala. The icing on the cake was kulfi at Chanakya sweet shop, he says.

The chef feels youngsters are getting attracted to international cuisine instead of taking pride in their food. The current young generation does not value authentic or classic food. On Instagram, I asked for recommendations and I was very amused at getting cafe and momo-type listings! Why will I come here and not try authentic Lucknowi cuisine? As a cloud kitchen, with cities like Lucknow and Hyderabad we were really scared to go as khana yahan achcha milta hai. Thankfully, we were accepted with open arms, he says.
Three men were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an ambush by terrorists on Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, leaving five soldiers dead and two injured the previous day, officials said. Security personnel during a cordon and search operation near the site where Army vehicles were ambushed by terrorists on Thursday, in Poonch district.(PTI)

Read here: Four soldiers killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch terror ambush

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The deceased were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said.

A massive search operation is underway in the dense forests to track down the terrorists as General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain and Director General of Police R R Swain inspected the scene of the ambush and reviewed the security situation, they added.

A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), headed by a deputy inspector general-rank officer, also visited the ambush site but a top official said the agency was not assigned the case for probe so far.

The officials said three men -- Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32), all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz -- died under mysterious circumstances but the cause of their death was not known immediately.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar reached Bufliaz following the reports of the death of the three men, while Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is also heading for Surankote, the officials said.

Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted a Maruti gypsy and a truck of the Army late Thursday afternoon, killing the five soldiers and injuring two.

After the attack, the terrorists reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and took away the weapons of some of them.

Lt Gen. Jain visited Ground Zero and reviewed the situation with top Army and police officers.

"Indian Army and White Knight Corps salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism," White Knight Corps or XVI Corps wrote on X.

The DGP, along with other senior officers including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, visited Poonch and reviewed the security situation, the officials said.

An official said aerial monitoring with the help of helicopters is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists.

"A massive cordon-and-search operation began this morning after a night cordon in the area," an officer told PTI.

The operation is still going on.

The officer said additional troops have been inducted into the area to track down the terrorists.

Security experts said the rising number of terror incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch region is concerning.

"It is a matter of concern. It is the second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful till recently. During the last two years, 35 soldiers were killed here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists got so emboldened?" defence expert Colonel S S Pathania wondered.

Security expert Captain (retired) Anil Gaur said Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in the region by engineering these incidents. "There is some fault in how we are dealing with terrorism. It is time to strengthen intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists in difficult areas. There are caves," he said.

Read here: Jammu and Kashmir: Terrorists fire on army vehicle in Poonch

In Jammu, several organisations, including the Jammu Statehood Organisation, held anti-Pakistan protests and burnt the effigy of Pakistan.

The Shiv Sena Dogra Front also held anti-Pakistan protests and demanded an all-out operation to get rid of terrorists from the area. They urged the government to carry out special operations along forest areas and strengthen the intelligence network.
The disciplinary action against opposition MPs in Parliament continued on Thursday after three more members were suspended in the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the winter session, even as the INDIA bloc held a protest march over similar actions against other lawmakers earlier. HT Image

With the latest suspensions, 146 MPs in both Houses were penalised since December 14. While 100 MPs were suspended in the Lok Sabha, 46 were suspended in the Rajya Sabha.

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The three MPs  Congresss Deepak Baij, D K Suresh and Nakul Nath (son of Congress veteran Kamal Nath)  were suspended for displaying placards and entering the well of the Lok Sabha, after a resolution moved by Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi was adopted by the House.

All the suspensions were a result of the Opposition members refusal to budge on their demand for a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach last week. The cases of three Lok Sabha MPs and 11 Rajya Sabha MPs have been referred to the privileges committee.

On Thursday, Joshi moved the resolution, taking serious note of the grave misconduct of the Congress leaders.

Earlier in the day, speaker Om Birla had warned the lawmakers for protesting in the House and asking the Chair to get them suspended.

I dont want to suspend anyone I have not suspended any MP without any reason. You are tearing and throwing papers in the House, Birla said.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the scheduled end of the session.

To protest against the suspensions, INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk in Delhi, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had violated parliamentary privilege by not speaking on last weeks security breach issue inside the House.

Carrying a huge Save Democracy banner and placards with messages like Opposition MPs Suspended, Parliament Caged and Democracy Expelled written on them, the lawmakers took out the march.

The three Congress MPs also condemned their suspension.

There has been a security breach and it is atrocious. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and his Cabinet need to give answers. I condemn the suspensions. It is a part of history to protest with placards. Even people in the BJP brought placards inside the House earlier but now a record number of people have been suspended (over this). This is only happening under the Narendra Modi government. The speaker should be giving more time to the Opposition to uphold parliamentary democracy but that is not what is happening, Suresh said.

Congress MP Deepak Baij called the suspension bad for democracy.

We were protesting inside the House and raising the issue of how parliamentary democracy was being attacked and our voices were being trampled. All we wanted was a discussion on the security breach in the House. The government cannot kick out all the Opposition members and conduct House proceedings to pass bills. This is bad for democracy and autocratic, Baij said.

HT reached out to Nath for a comment but did not get one immediately.

The number of MPs suspended during the winter session is unprecedented, and far surpasses the 63 lawmakers who were suspended in 1989 during a debate on a report on former prime minister Indira Gandhis assassination.
The Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen visited Beatrice Rotary on Thursday afternoon and spoke about election security.

Evnen opened his speech by talking about the Colorado State Supreme Court case regarding former President Donald Trump. He noted the split decision deciding that Donald Trump could not be on the ballot for the 2024 Presidential Election.

He discussed the process for deciding who would be on the ballot. In Nebraska, as in many states, it is the Secretary of State that makes the decision based on protocol. In mid to late February, it will be decided.

Evnen said he did not find the reasoning of the Colorado court persuasive.

I dont find the reasoning persuasive, he said. I think its denial of due process. My hope is that the United States Supreme Court will take this case and definitively make this decision.

He also introduced Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Wayne Bena.

The elections division of the Secretary of State office is very good at what they do, Evnen said.

He discussed election security saying that every ballot counting device in every county is tested three times prior to each election. In addition, there are two mock elections to be sure the devices are working properly.

After every election, an audit is conducted. In 2022 the governor, the congressional race in that precinct and a local race.

Over 48,000 ballots were hand counted, he said. The results were that there were discrepancies in eleven ballots. In five of the ballots, the voter had marked the oval too lightly to be read. Our machines are counting well and our reports are going well. Thats pretty good.

Evnen encouraged people who are interested in the elections to work as a poll worker in their county. County Clerk Dawn Hill is the person to talk with in Gage County.

He continued his speech with information on voter identity.

In November 2022 the voters in the State of Nebraska amended our constitution stating that in order to vote you have to provide a photo ID, he said. The legislature passed a bill creating the requirements of the photo ID.

Approximately 70% of our voters in Nebraska go to the polls.

There is a list of approved photo IDs. A drivers license or a state ID covers 98% of our voters, he said. There are also exceptions.

A process for providing a photo id is also used in early ballots.

Evnen said there was additional training for poll workers.

We really want to minimize the number of people that dont understand what is being asked of them, he said.

An educational campaign will be introduced in January.

Thirty-five states have some form of voter id. Evnen said he did not believe that the changes in the requirement in photo id would impact voter turnout.

The primary election will be held May 14 in Nebraska.
Congress on Friday expressed its anguish over the killing of soldiers and condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch in which Army vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed terrorists. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and extended his support to the families and loved ones of the soldiers, and also hoped for a speedy recovery of those injured. He said, India is united against the scourge of terrorism. Army personnel stand guard near the site where an Army vehicle was ambushed by terrorists, in Poonch district,(PTI)

In this hour of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. We unequivocally condemn these heinous terror attacks that have been taking place in Rajouri and in the areas of Pir Panjal range. India is united against the scourge of terrorism, Kharge said.

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A total of four soldiers were killed and three injured after two Army vehicles were ambushed by terrorists on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. The vehicles came under heavy fire when navigating a blind curve at a spot known as Dhatyr Morh between Dera ki Gali (DKG) area and Bulfiaz.

IndianArmy and #Whiteknight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in #Surankote on 21 Dec 23 while fighting the scourge of terrorism, the XVI Corps, part of Army's Northern Command, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

An operation was being conducted in general area DKG since the night of Wednesday. At approximately 3:45 pm on Thursday, two army vehicles carrying troops to the operational site were fired upon by the terrorists. Army troops immediately retaliated upon the fire, defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said.

The operation is in progress and further details are being ascertained, the officials said. Disturbing images and videos emerging from the site showed blood on the street, broken helmets of soldiers and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles.

Thursdays attack was the seventh since October 2021 in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, south of Pir Panjal. In the seven attacks, 34 army personnel have lost their lives, including two captains and two JCOs.

The area involved in Thursdays incident was not close to the Line of Control (LoC).
Bihars water resources minister and senior Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, a close aide of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, on Friday scotched speculation about the latters perceived unhappiness over the proceedings of the recent meeting of India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in New Delhi and said his party has no issue with the projection of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial face of the opposition grouping. Chief minister Nitish Kumar. (HT PHOTO)

Read here: Need Nitish posters spark speculation about Bihar CM's role in INDIA bloc

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Talking to reporters, Jha made it clear that Kumar was not at all unhappy with developments in the INDIA bloc meeting. We have talks on all issues pertaining to INDIAs strategy to take on the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The CM wanted seat-sharing between the coalition partners to be resolved by January-end. Our party has no issue with Kharges name being floated as the PM face of the INDIA bloc.

Jhas statement comes after Congress senior Rahul Gandhi is believed to have talked to the Bihar CM following reports about Kumars unhappiness. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also dismissed as speculative reports about Kumar being upset with the outcome of the meeting. A section of the media is indulging in creating impressions that everything is not right in INDIA. This is a complete rumour. Nitish ji and I are quite happy with INDIA developments, he said on Thursday.

The INDIA bloc meeting on Tuesday saw West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerje proposing Kharge as the groupings prime ministerial candidate or convenor, a move supported by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Kumar and Yadav left that meeting soon after, and the former summoned a meeting of his party, leading to speculation that he was unhappy with the development.

The speculation, based on several JD(U) leaders pitching Kumar as a possible candidate before the meeting, continued even after some of the party leaders expressed their unhappiness at Kharges choice.

JD(U) Member of Parliament Gopal Mandal on Thursday backed Kumars candidature claiming that no one knows Kharge. The public will not accept him (Kharge). Nobody knows Kharge-Farge. I came to know about him just now. I was not even aware that Kharge is the national president of the Congress, said Mandal.

Congress leader Ajeet Kumar urged the CM to act against Mandal. Congress is a national party and still the largest among the opposition. JD(U) will get to know its actual support among the people if it chooses to contest alone in the Lok Sabha polls. CM Kumar must take action against the likes of Mandal, who are conspiring against the INDIA bloc.

Read here: Opposition's INDIA bloc meeting restricted to tea, biscuits: JD(U) leader

Jhas comments should soothe tempers. He clarified that the party would support any name put forth by the INDIA constituents as the PM face. We need to wait for the Congresss opinion over Kharges candidature. Seat-sharing talks will be finished by January-end.
A day after wrestler Sakshi Malik hung up her boots protesting the election of Brij Bhushan's close aide Sanjay Singh as the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Bajrang Punia wrote a letter to PM Modi returning his Padma Shri award. "I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to announce that. This is my statement," Bajrang Punia tweeted. Bajrang Punia said he wants to return his Padma Shri award that he received in 2019 as a mark of protest against the injustice meted out to the women wrestlers of the country.(PTI)

After the X post, Bajrang Punia went to keep his Padma Shri award on the footpath outside the PM's residence. He was stopped at Delhi's Kartavya Path by police officials.

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On Thursday, Brij Bhushan Singh loyalist Sanjay Singh was elected the president of the Wrestling Federation of India winning 13 of the 15 posts. Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat addressed a press conference after Sanjay Singh's election in which Sakshi announced that she would quit the sport as a mark of protest. "We fought from our heart but if a man like Brij Bhushan, his business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I give up wrestling. From today onwards you will not see me on the mat," Sakshi said as she kept her boot with tears in her eyes.

"Dear PM Ji, hope your health is well. You must be busy in many work but I am writing this to draw your attention to the wrestlers of the country. You must be aware that the women wrestlers of the country started a protest in January this year against Brish Bhushan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment. I too joined their protest. The protest stopped after the government promised strong action," Punia wrote.

"But there was no FIR against Brij Bhushan even after three months. We again took to the streets in April so that the police at least file an FIR against him. There were 19 complainants in January but the number came down to 7 by April. This means Brij Bhushan exerted his influence on 12 women wrestlers," Bajrang Punia wrote.

"Our protest went on for 40 days. There was much pressure on us during those days...We went to immerse our medals to the Ganga River. Then we were stopped by farmer leaders. At that time a responsible minister from your cabinet called us up and assured us of justice. Meanwhile, we met Union home minister Amit Shah who too promised us of justice. We stopped our protest," the letter read.

"But in the election of the WFI on December 21, the federation came under Brij Bhushan once again. He himself said he would prevail over the federation like he did always. Coming under tremendous pressure, Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling," it added.

"We all spent the night in tears. We did not understand what to do, or where to go. The government has given us a lot. I was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019. I also received the Arjuna, Khel Ratna award. When I got these awards, I was on cloud nine. But today the sadness weighs more. And the reason is a woman wrestler left the sport because of her security," Bajrang wrote.

"Sports have empowered our women athletes, changed their lives. All credit to the first-generation women athletes. The situation is such that the women who could have been the brand ambassadors of beti bachao, beti padhao are now taking back their steps in their sports. And we 'awarded' wrestlers could not do anything. I can't live my life as a Padma Shri awardee while our women wrestlers are insulted. Hence I return my award to you," Bajran wrote.
The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to constitute a cabinet sub-committee for proper coordination with experts to take necessary decisions aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19, including precautions to be taken, and treatment provided. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said tests to detect Covid infections will be increased, with 5,000 tests planned in Karnataka from Saturday. (PTI)

After chairing a meeting with ministers, officials and experts, chief minister Siddaramaiah appealed to people not to panic, but to be cautious and take precautionary measures like wearing face masks.

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The meeting, attended by members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and home minister G Parameshwara, discussed aspects of the pandemic response.

A cabinet sub-committee will be constituted. Who will head it and who will be its members will be decided at the cabinet meeting. The cabinet sub-committee will meet frequently, and will also meet the Technical Advisory Committee. There must be proper coordination between the cabinet sub-committee and the TAC, Siddaramaiah told reporters. Whatever is the advice given by the TAC, should be implemented in toto, he said.

Health department officials briefed the chief minister on the Covid-19 situation, and Siddaramaiah directed them to take necessary precautions to prevent further spread. A dedicated Covid-19 ward will be established in government hospitals in Bengaluru, and efforts will be made to procure essential equipment for patient treatment, the CM said.

To enhance testing capabilities, Siddaramaiah declared an increase in testing, with 5,000 tests planned in the state from Saturday. This includes 1,500 Rapid Antigen Tests and 3,500 RTPCR tests. In Bengaluru, 1,000 tests for symptomatic patients will be conducted daily. Additionally, testing will be intensified in districts bordering other states, with a focus on maintaining coordination between the sub-committee and the TAC, he said.

A statement from the CMs office also read that during the meeting, the suggestions put forth by the TAC were deliberated, leading to critical decisions including recognising the importance of learning from past experiences,.

Emphasis was placed on ensuring the availability of essential resources, such as oxygen, ventilators, and beds, to prevent a recurrence of the tragic outcomes witnessed when these facilities were insufficient.

The health department and the medical education department were directed to proactively gear up and guarantee an ample supply of oxygen, beds, ventilators, and other necessities. The recommendations provided by the Technical Advisory Committee were deemed crucial and mandated for implementation, it added.

To assess preparedness, mock drills were scheduled at all hospitals, with clear instructions for them to be fully equipped to handle potential surges in Covid cases. These decisions collectively underscore a comprehensive strategy aimed at robust pandemic management, the statement said.
Lawyers of the Calcutta high courts bar association on Thursday withdrew the decision to boycott justice Abhijit Gangopadhyays court after the latter visited the bodys office and spoke to the protesting layers, people familiar with the matter said. Justice Gangopadhyay is presently hearing a series of petitions related to the multi-crore recruitment scam in West Bengal government schools (HT File photo)

Providing details, bar association secretary Biswabrata Basu Mallik said: Justice Gangopadhyay visited room number 2 of the bar and spoke to us on Thursday afternoon. He said that we should forget everything and work together. The boycott has been withdrawn.

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Earlier, the bar association had written to high court chief justice T S Sivagnanam stating that its members wont attend the bench of justice Gangopadhyay, claiming that a lawyer was mistreated by the judge and sent to civil custody for contempt of court during the hearing of a matter.

Justice Gangopadhyay is presently hearing a series of petitions related to the multi-crore recruitment scam in West Bengal government schools.

The order of the Calcutta high court, in which the single-judge bench sent the lawyer, Prosenjit Mukherjee, to civil imprisonment for three days, triggered protest from a section of the bar association on Monday.

The lawyer was later on released from the custody taken by the sheriff. A division bench of justice Harish Tandon and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, which heard the matter beyond judicial hours on Monday, stayed the order of the single bench of justice Gangopadhyay.

Mukherjee was representing the West Bengal Madrasah Service commission in a case relating to appointment of a person on compassionate grounds.

There was an order of the single bench which was modified by the division bench. When I stated this before the single bench, I was accused of contemptuous act and taken into custody by the sheriff. I was released after an hour. I made an application to the chief justice of the Calcutta high court. A bench was constituted which stayed the singe bench order, Mukherjee said earlier.

On Thursday Justice Gangopadhyay also spoke to Mukherjee who was present in the room when the judge visited.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday expanded his state cabinet with the induction of nine new ministers. Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs Brijmohan Agrawal, Ramvichar Netam, Dayaldas Baghel, Kedar Kashyap, Lakhanlal Dewangan, Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, OP Choudhary, Tank Ram Verma and Laxmi Rajwade were administered oath by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan. This takes the strength of the Sai-led cabinet to 12. (X)

This takes the strength of the Sai-led cabinet to 12. Before this, the cabinet had three members  chief minister Sai and deputy CMs Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma. They were sworn in on December 13.

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Chhattisgarh can have a maximum of 13 ministers, including the CM.

Very soon portfolios will be allotted. One more cabinet berth will be filled later, Sai told reporters.

Sai, Ramvichar Netam and Kedar Kashyap belong to the Scheduled Tribes, Dayaldas Baghel to the Scheduled Caste category, while Vijay Sharma and Brijmohan Agrawal are from the general category. Rajwade is the only woman member in the cabinet.

Agrawal, Netam, Kashyap and Baghel have served as ministers in previous BJP governments in the state, while CM Sai has been a Union minister during the first term of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Last week, Sai chaired his first cabinet meeting in which he said that the first task will be to provide 1.8 million houses to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He also said that the pending bonus of 2017-2018 on paddy procurement will also be given to the farmers on December 25.

As mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even myself during the election campaigning, the first task of our government will be to provide 18 lakh houses to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Sai said.

The Congress suffered a shock defeat in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) making a stunning comeback to power by bagging 54 of the 90 seats, after a gap of five years.

Congress, which won 68 seats in 2018 in the state, was reduced to 35 seats while the GGP managed to win one seat.

(Inputs from ANI)
Covid India cases Highlights: Kerala logged 265 fresh COVID-19 cases and one fatality in the past 24 hours, as per data from the Union health ministry's website on Friday. India saw 640 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

Among the 328 new infections nationwide till 8 am today, Kerala accounted for 265, elevating the state's active cases to 2,606, as outlined on the website. State health minister Veena George assured residents earlier this week that despite the surge in cases, Kerala's healthcare facilities are well-equipped to handle the situation.

India saw 594 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, pushing the active case count from 2,311 to 2,669, according to Union health ministry statistics.

In Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar, a Noida resident tested positive for COVID-19, marking the region's first case in several months.

Following the detection of the new Corona variant in various states, including Kerala, heightened measures have been implemented at Doon Medical College's Government Hospital in Uttarakhand, strengthening isolation wards and other arrangements.

Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist, addressed concerns about the new JN.1 Covid-19 variant, stating that there's no immediate need for alarm as it's categorized as a variant of interest and not of major concern.

Recently classified by the WHO as a variant of interest separate from its BA.2.86 lineage, JN.1's overall risk remains low based on existing evidence, as emphasised by the global health body.
Delhi Rouse Avenue court on Friday rejected Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh's bail plea in the money laundering case linked to the now scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22. AAP MP Sanjay Singh

Special Judge M K Nagpal rejected Rajya Sabha MP Singh's bail plea.

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Earlier on Thursday, the court adjourned proceedings, scheduling the verdict on Singh's bail application for December 22.

Also read: ED files 1st charge sheet against AAPs Sanjay Singh in Delhi excise policy case

During the arguments, Singh's counsel pointed to the contradictions in statements, particularly from accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and other witnesses regarding alleged bribes.

Enforcement Directorate opposed Singh's application, claiming a potential interference if released on bail.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal skips EDs summons, says it was illegal, politically motivated

AAP MP Singh, arrested on October 4, refutes the ED's claim of his key role in the scrapped 2021-2022 excise policy, alleging it benefited specific liquor entities for financial gains. He denies any wrongdoing.

The Delhi liquor scam, or excise policy case, revolves around allegations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's 2021-22 excise policy facilitated cartelization, favouring specific dealers who allegedly paid bribesan accusation vehemently denied by the AAP.

Last year, the ED filed its first chargesheet in the case, disclosing over 200 search operations conducted. The FIR was initiated based on a CBI case recommended by the Delhi lieutenant governor, acting on the chief secretary's July report. This report indicated prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.
Tamil Nadus minister for higher education K Ponmudy (73) has become the ruling partys first sitting minister to be sentenced for corruption to date. The Madras high court (HC) on Thursday sentenced the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and his wife, P Visalakshi (60) to a three-year jail term and imposed a fine of 50 lakh for gathering disproportionate assets worth 1.75-crore. The HC bench of Justice G Jayachandran suspended their sentence for a month to allow them to appeal in the Supreme Court.

On December 19, the high court set aside the couples acquittal by a special court (for cases against MPs/MLAs) in Villupuram in 2016. Tamil Nadus anti-graft agency, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) filed an appeal against the lower courts order in the high court in 2017. The single judge bench came down heavily on the trial court for splitting the two accused as separate entities, and described this as a misadventure and a cause for the miscarriage of justice. The court held that aiding a public servant to hold on to his ill-gotten money was an illegal act.

The conviction is a blow for the senior DMK leader as well as the party. Under the Representation of People Act, 1951, Ponmudy not only loses his post as MLA of the Thirukoyyilur constituency, but he is also prevented from contesting for the next six years after his jail term is over. A few hours after the judgement, chief minister M K Stalin led the state government to transfer his portfolio of higher education to his cabinet colleague R S Rajakanappan.

The minister and his parliamentarian son Gautham Sigamnai are also under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate which questioned them earlier this year over the issuance of red sand mining licences at five locations. The federal agency claimed that the licences were issued illegally by Ponmudy, who was the minister for mines between 2007 and 2011.

Why was Pondmudy convicted?

Ponmudy, a six-time legislator, and his wife were booked in 2011 by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accumulation of assets took place between 2006 and 2011 when Ponmudy was minister for mines in the then DMK regime, the state-run agency alleged. The DMK lost the 2011 assembly elections and archrivals All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by the late J Jayalalithaa formed the government. The same year, the DVAC registered a disproportionate assets case against Ponmudy and his wife.

In 2016, the couple was acquitted by a special court (for cases against MPs/MLAs) in Villupuram, following which the anti-graft agency filed an appeal in the HC. On December 19, the court overturned their acquittal.

The DVAC report, submitted in 2012, stated that between April 2006 and May 2010, Ponmudy and Visalakshi acquired assets that were 65.99% more than their known source of income. When asked, they could not satisfactorily explain the source.

The prosecution brought in 39 witnesses and examined 85 exhibits in the trial in the special court. The defence did not examine any witnesses. However, the Villupuram special court acquitted both the accused in April 2016. The then AIADMK-led government filed a criminal appeal challenging the acquittal.

In the high court, N R Elango, senior counsel appearing for Ponmudy, argued that the case was due to political vendetta and the investigation was lopsided and biased. The trial Court, on considering the materials, had rightly concluded that the charges were not proved. This is not a mere possible view or probable view but the correct view based on the evidence. Hence, needs no interference, the senior counsel submitted.

Separating the couple was a misadventure

The high court, hearing the appeal, came down heavily on the trial court for splitting the two accused as separate entities describing it as a misadventure and the cause for the miscarriage of justice. Aiding a public servant to hold his ill-gotten money was an illegal act, and hid him from the scrutiny of the law enforcing agency, the court said.

A complete miscarriage of justice had occurred by the omission of reliable evidence and by mis-interpretation of the evidence, said Justice Jayachandran on Tuesday. This Court considering the overwhelming evidence against the respondents and the unsustainable reasons given by the trial Court for acquittal by ignoring those evidence compel this court to declare the judgement of the trial Court is palpably wrong, manifestly erroneous and demonstrably unsustainable. Hence, this is a fit case for the Appellate Court to interfere and set it aside.

Ponmudy and Visalakshi, who were present before Justice Jayachandran on Thursday, were given a month to file an appeal before the apex court. Their counsel, Elango said that the DMKs legal team would immediately file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

What does this mean for Ponmudys career?

Ponmundy, born as Deivasigamani, is a four-time legislator from Villupuram district. The six-time MLA won his first assembly election in 1989 before joining the DMKs youth wing.

Besides his troubles with the state anti-graft agency, he is also under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The federal agency arrested DMK minister V Senthil Balaji in June, and questioned Ponmudy and his son Gautham Sigamnai, an MP from Kallakurichi district, in July.

The ED said that its probe, in this case, revolves around an alleged issuance of red sand mining licences at five locations illegally by Ponmudy, who was the minister for mines between 2007 and 2011. The ED has said that Ponmudi had issued illegal licences for red sand mining to his son, relatives and some benami holders, and that a huge amount of hawala funds generated from this mining business was used to purchase companies abroad.

The proceeds obtained from illegal mining were deposited in benami accounts and were layered through multiple transactions and accounts," the agency said.

In November, the ED filed an affidavit in the Madras high court that proceeds from illegal mining in Tamil Nadu over the last couple of years amounted to more than 4,730 crore. The states officially recorded revenue from sand mining was only 36 crore, the agency pointed out.

Ponmudy is also facing another corruption case taken up suo moto by Madras HC Justice Anand Venkatesh, who was handling the MP/MLA portfolio. The justice is looking into revisions of acquittals against six politicians, including sitting ministers. He re-opened Ponmudys case first on August 10. Following a roster change, Justice Jayachandran continued hearing these cases.

The Supreme Court refused to entertain pleas filed by Ponmudy and his wife against Justice Venkatesh for taking up the case. Thank God we have judges like Justice Anand Venkatesh in our system, said a bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud in November.
NEW DELHI: India announced on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, making him the fifth head of state from France to be accorded the honour. FILE India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at the country's national day celebrations next month, in what Macron's office described on Friday as "a strong moment" for the two nation's ties. (AP)

The development comes soon after the US was unable to accept Indias invitation for President Joe Biden to be the chief guest for the Republic Day. This will also be the sixth time that a French leader will attend the celebrations as chief guest since 1976.

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Macron will visit India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, the statement said.

Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day or the French National Day parade held in Paris on July 14. An Indian tri-services contingent also participated in the parade. Macron visited India for the G20 Summit in September.

The French presidents who were guests at the Republic Day celebrations are Jacques Chirac (1976 and 1998), Valery Giscard dEstaing (1980), Nicolas Sarkozy (2008) and Francois Hollande (2016).

Macrons presence at next years event will make France the country whose leaders have been chief guest at the event the maximum number of times. Till now, France and the UK were tied with five invitations each.

The Indian side was put in the uncomfortable position of having to look for a world leader to be the chief guest for the Republic Day with a little more than six weeks to go for the event after the US didnt take up the invitation, reportedly due to Bidens focus on domestic politics, including the annual State of the Union address and his re-election bid in 2024.

There was speculation in diplomatic circles about the Indian side considering other world leaders in recent days, with the names of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the heads of state of some West Asian countries doing the rounds.

The development also comes at a time when France has reportedly submitted its bid to Indias defence ministry for selling 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets in a deal estimated to be worth 50,000 crore. These jets are meant to bolster the Indian Navys combat capabilities, and the Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale jets acquired under a 59,000-crore deal finalised in 2016.

Macron has a close relationship with Modi and France has emerged as one of Indias closest partners in Europe. Both countries are part of trilateral partnerships with several countries that are focused on cooperation in areas such as maritime security and resilient supply chains.

France is the only European power with significant naval assets in the Indian Ocean region because 93% of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of more than 11 million sq km is in the Indo-Pacific. The navies of India and France exercise regularly and cooperate closely on maritime security.

The two countries have also worked closely together on issues such as counter-terrorism and climate change at the United Nations.
The price of Bitcoin has always been quite unpredictable, but its recent surge has sparked reactions from cryptocurrency experts. Contributors from sources like Forbes, Investopedia, Binance, and Yahoo! Finance have shared their perspectives on what this could imply for the upcoming year.

Why has Bitcoin grown so much?

Reasons for the recent boom in price are several. The next Bitcoin halving is expected to come in April of 2024, which could contribute to the rise in price. Halvings have historically contributed to past bull market runs on Bitcoin. Some investors are also hoping that Bitcoins increased accountability will help push through an ETF approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the near future. The Bitcoin price jumped by 5% in October when a post on X (formerly Twitter) reported that an ETF was imminent. This was proven false, but some traders are still holding on to the idea.

Despite the report being false, Bitcoins momentum has not slowed. Bitcoins Dominance Index recently hit levels not reached since April 2021, showing that Bitcoins share of the overall crypto market has increased. Bitcoin has been the leading cryptocurrency by market cap since its creation in 2009. The very first cryptocurrency to hit the market, Bitcoin has consistently been favored by traders. Despite its price being volatile, Bitcoin is seen as a reliable option for crypto traders because of its history. No other cryptocurrency has the benefit of fifteen years of market data to analyze for trends.

Are all cryptocurrencies experiencing the same growth?

The rest of the crypto market has not fared well during this rise in Bitcoin price. Usually, Bitcoin has the power to pull the whole crypto market up when it is doing well. However, other cryptocurrencies have been doing poorly in comparison. Ethereum, for example, has only gained 14% in the past year, in contrast to Bitcoins 66%. Certain factors may have impacted other currencies negatively this fall.

Crypto tokens are reportedly being delisted from exchanges at a higher rate than ever before. A record 3,500 tokens have been delisted or are expected to be delisted by the end of 2023. Coinbase, which is currently being sued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, delisted eighty trading pairs in October alone. The SECs crackdown on crypto is not entirely unexpected, as decentralized finance is notoriously unregulated. The recent delisting run is just one example of how real-world events can affect the overall crypto market.

Earlier this month, Argentina elected President Javier Milei, an outspoken advocate for decentralized finance and Bitcoin. While President Milei has not announced any specific plan regarding Bitcoin, he called for the abolishment of the Central Bank of Argentina during his campaign. The Bitcoin price rose as the election results poured in due to President Mileis positive rhetoric regarding Bitcoin. President Milei is not the only politician embracing Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, declared Bitcoin to be legal tender in the country in September 2021. El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, followed by the Central African Republic in 2022. President Faustin-Archange Touadera was confident that allowing Bitcoin to be used as a currency would help bring the country out of poverty. Other pro-Bitcoin politicians include Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis Terrance Drew, Paraguay presidential candidate Carlitos Rejala, and US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.

The growing legitimacy of Bitcoin worldwide is another boon for the currency. Long considered the most reliable cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is the clear favorite. Its relative value has consistently increased as its customer base has grown each year since 2009.

The days of Bitcoin being a mysterious, underground hobby are long gone. Bitcoin is fully mainstream despite its lack of regulations and commitment to anonymity. Even Bitcoins original creator, the never-identified Satoshi Nakamoto, has turned the company over to Gavin Andersen, an original developer of Bitcoin who can speak transparently to investors.

The upswing in Bitcoin price is exciting for investors and burgeoning crypto enthusiasts. Traders eagerly await news from Bloomberg, Binance, and CNN Money regarding the next fluctuation in Bitcoin price. With its best November in years, Bitcoin could be on the way to a major bull run in the first quarter of 2024. Keep yourself dialed into Bitcoin news  you never know what could happen in the world of cryptocurrency.

Information is intended for educational purposes only and is not to be used as investment advice. As with all investments, there is risk and the past performance of a particular asset class does not guarantee any future performance.

Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.
India announced on Friday that French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, making him the fifth head of state from France to be accorded the honour, and the sixth time that a French leader will attend the celebrations as chief guest since 1976. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on July 14. (AP)

Read here: French President Macron to be Republic Day chief guest, announces MEA

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The development comes soon after the US was unable to accept Indias invitation for President Joe Biden to be the chief guest for Republic Day.

Macron will visit India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, the statement said.

Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day or French national day parade held in Paris on July 14. An Indian tri-services contingent also participated in the parade. Macron last visited India for the G20 Summit in September.

Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend PM Narendra Modi. India, on your Republic Day, Ill be here to celebrate with you!, Macron said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The French presidents who were guests at the Republic Day celebrations are Jacques Chirac (1976 and 1998), Valery Giscard dEstaing (1980), Nicolas Sarkozy (2008) and Francois Hollande (2016). Macrons presence at next years event will make France the country whose leaders have been chief guest at the event the maximum number of times. Till now, France and the United Kingdom were tied with five invitations each.

The Indian side was put in the uncomfortable position of having to look for a world leader to be the chief guest for the Republic Day with a little more than six weeks to go for the event after the US didnt take up the invitation, principally due to Bidens focus on domestic politics, including the annual State of the Union address, and his re-election bid in 2024.

There was speculation in diplomatic circles about the India considering other world leaders in recent days, with the names of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the heads of state of some West Asian countries doing the rounds.

The development also comes at a time when France has reportedly submitted its bid to Indias defence ministry to sell 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets in a deal estimated to be worth 50,000 crore. These jets are meant to bolster the Indian Navys combat capabilities, and the Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale jets acquired under a 59,000-crore deal finalised in 2016.

Macron has a close relationship with Modi, and France has emerged as one of Indias closest partners in Europe. Both countries are part of trilateral partnerships with several countries that are focused on cooperation in areas such as maritime security and resilient supply chains.

Read here: President Macron faces party rebellion over France immigration bill

France is the only European power with significant naval assets in the Indian Ocean region because 93% its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of more than 11 million sq km is in the Indo-Pacific. The navies of India and France exercise regularly and cooperate closely on maritime security.

The two countries have also worked closely together on issues such as counterterrorism and climate change at the United Nations.
Ahmedabad:: The Gujarat government on Friday allowed people working at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar and their official guests to consume alcohol in licensed hotels, restaurants and clubs in the fintech hub, a government statement issued on Friday said. Under these provisions, hotels in GIFT City can serve alcohol but cant sell liquor bottles. Liquor access permits will be given to owners and employees of companies in the GIFT City and temporary permits will be given to their visitors (File Photo)

Read here: Gujarat govt allows liquor consumption in GIFT City for employees, visitors

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GIFT City has emerged as a global financial and technological hub which is bustling with economic activities. An important decision has been taken on Friday to change rules to allow `wine and dine facilities in the GIFT City area to provide a global business ecosystem to global investors, technical experts and national and international companies, Gujarats prohibition department said in a statement.

The first request to exempt GIFT City from prohibition was made in September 2020, underlining the need to cultivate an evening social life in GIFT City and aligning it with the social experiences enjoyed by professionals in other financial and technology hubs in India and internationally.

An official familiar with the matter emphasized that GIFT City is a global project and should adhere to international business standards. Such rules were previously applicable only to Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and SEZ employees, and the new notification represents a progressive step, the official said.

The new rules allow authorized visitors from the company concerned to consume liquor in hotels, restaurants, and clubs with temporary permits in wine and dine areas, provided permanent employees of the company are also present, the government order said.

Read here: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Bhai Patel Honors Instashield With Best Innovation Technology Award

Hotels, restaurants, and clubs located in or coming to GIFT City will be able to obtain an FL3 license for wine and dine facilities.
Gujarat government has granted permission for the consumption of liquor in hotels, restaurants, and clubs offering "Wine and Dine" services in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), a notification issued on Friday said. (For representation purpose)

The liquor access permit will be issued to all employees and owners working in GIFT City, allowing them to consume liquor in establishments providing "Wine and Dine" services. Additionally, authorised visitors of each company are permitted to consume liquor in these establishments, provided they are in the presence of permanent employees and have temporary permit.

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Hotels, restaurants, and clubs in GIFT City can obtain an FL3 licence for the Wine and Dine facility. While officially working employees and visitors of GIFT City are allowed to consume liquor in these establishments, these places cannot sell liquor bottles, according to the government notice.

The entire process, including monitoring and control over the import, storage, and serving of liquor by FL3 licensed establishments in GIFT City, will be overseen by the Narcotics and Excise Department, said the notification.

Situated along the banks of the Sabarmati river, GIFT City is a business district under construction between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Functioning as a hub for cross-border financial services, GIFT City boasts cutting-edge infrastructure, inviting both Indian and international financial institutions to establish units within its premises.

Also read: PM Modi aims to make GIFT City a centre for sustainable finance, speaks on India's GDP growth

Its business segment encompasses offshore banking, asset management, insurance, and attracts companies involved in capital markets, IT services, and business process outsourcing. GIFT City also hosts government-approved and regulated International Financial Service Centres (IFSC).

Gujarat has enforced the prohibition of alcohol since it attained statehood following its separation from Maharashtra. However, on multiple occasions, it has relaxed these provisions, like during global events such as the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
NEW DELHI: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has hit the repair and overhaul (ROH) of critical equipment in the Indian Air Forces Russian-origin aircraft, including aero-engines and avionics, and self-reliance plans are being pursued to address the situation, the defence ministry said in a comprehensive end-of-year review published on Friday, highlighting the key developments in the sector during 2023. Indian Air Forces Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 fighter jet (HT Photo)

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in the inability to send major aggregates like aero-engines, critical avionics and specialist weapons abroad for ROH. To mitigate the situation, 44 shortlisted projects pertaining to Russian fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters are being progressed through Other Capital Procurement Procedure (OCPP), the year-end review said.

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OCPP deals with enhancing the utility of the militarys existing assets through ROH under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

The shortlisted projects are being pursued through OCPP under several categories, including life extension, development and execution of ROH technologies for airframes, electro-mechanical rotables, avionics and electronic warfare systems, repair and refurbishment of Russian engines and avionics, and replacement of avionic aggregates, the ministry said in the review.

Also Read: India must raise defence R&D spending to become global leader: House panel

IAF operates several Russian/Soviet-origin platforms, including the Sukhoi-30s, MiG-29s, MiG-21s, Il-76 heavy-lifters, AN-32 transport planes and Mi-17 helicopters.

A comprehensive self-reliance plan to engage the defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has been chalked out. The industry has been appraised in detail on the indigenisation requirements of IAF, it said.

The developments highlighted in the review include steps taken to boost self-reliance, modernisation of the armed forces, record defence production, rise in exports, key acquisitions and contracts, border infrastructure push and the focus on Nari Shakti in the three services.

Calling 2023 a landmark year as giant strides were made towards creating a strong, secure, self-reliant India, the ministry said the record defence exports, an all-time high production, and increase in the number of items in the positive indigenisation lists were a testament to the governments unwavering commitment to make India a global manufacturing hub.

Efforts to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence and the modernisation of the armed forces surged ahead with renewed thrust, with the country witnessing record defence exports and all-time high defence production. Strengthening border Infrastructure, utilising Nari Shakti and ensuring ex-servicemen welfare has been at the core of the functioning of MoD...and these have moved forward with unprecedented pace and vigour.

Pursuing an ambitious agenda for achieving self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector, the ministry in April slapped an import ban on 98 weapons and systems, including futuristic infantry combat vehicles, shipborne unmanned aerial systems, medium-range precision kill systems, a variety of ammunition, radars, sensors, and equipment for fighter jets, maritime surveillance planes, warships, helicopters and tanks.

The fifth positive indigenisation list, released by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in April, took the number of defence items placed under an import ban during the last three years to 509.

All these items will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions in DAP 2020 in staggered timeline, the review said.

In May, India announced that the value of defence production in the country had crossed Rs.1 lakh crore for the first time on the back of key reforms to spur growth in the sector. The value of defence production by state-run companies and the private sector has almost doubled over the past five years which saw the government take a raft of measures to cut the countrys dependence on military imports and strengthen its position as an exporter of weapons and systems.

The government is continuously working with defence industries and their associations to remove the challenges faced by them and promote defence production in the country, the review noted.

A number of policy reforms have been taken to achieve the objective of ease of doing business, including the integration of MSMEs and start-ups into the supply chain. Due to these policies, industries, including MSMEs and start-ups, are forthcoming in defence design, development and manufacturing, and there is almost a 200% increase in the number of defence licenses issued to the industries in the last seven to eight years, it said.

India produces a raft of weapons and systems, including the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, different types of helicopters, warships, tanks, artillery guns, warships, missiles, rockets and a variety of military vehicles. India is eyeing a turnover of 1.75 lakh crore in defence manufacturing by 2024-25.

Also Read: India inches closer towards developing stealth combat drones

India has sharpened its focus on the defence manufacturing sector during the last five to six years and has taken several measures to achieve self-reliance. These include banning the import of a range of weapons, systems and parts, creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware, increasing foreign direct investment from 49% to 74% and improving ease of doing business.

On defence exports, the review said that defence exports reached an all-time high of almost Rs.16,000 crore in FY 2022-23 through consistent policy initiatives and tremendous contribution of the defence industry. This is a notable tenfold increase since 2016-17 when the figure stood at a mere Rs.1,521 crore.

India is currently exporting military hardware to around 85 countries. The countrys defence exports cover missile systems, artillery guns, rockets, armoured vehicles, mine-protected vehicles, radars, surveillance systems, ammunition, and body armour. The review pointed out that there is a growing global demand for LCA Tejas, light combat helicopters, aircraft carriers, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of weapons and platforms.

India is in talks with Egypt and Argentina for the possible sale of LCA to their air forces.

Setting aside a budget for India-made weapons and systems is one of the key measures to boost self-reliance. Around Rs.1 lakh crore was earmarked for domestic procurement in this years defence budget, compared to Rs.84,598 crore, Rs.70,221 crore and Rs.51,000 crore in the three previous years.

The review also touched upon the ongoing border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

As part of diplomatic and military efforts concerning the ongoing standoff along the Line of Actual Control, 20 rounds of corps commander-level meetings and 14 related Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings have been held. Both sides have agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. Indian Army has exercised the established border mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquillity along LAC in all sectors.

On force restructuring, the review added that efforts towards jointness and integration, preceding theaterisation, were being made with renewed impetus.

In August, the Parliament passed a bill to empower the government to notify the setting up of inter-services organisations, including joint services commands, and bestow powers on heads of such organisations to act against personnel from any of the three services to ensure discipline and effective discharge of duties.

The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, was passed by both houses amid a renewed push for theaterisation, a long-awaited military reform for the best use of the militarys resources to fight future wars.
New DelhiThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is not letting the Opposition speak when women and Dalits are assaulted, farmers are killed or Constitution is violated, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on Friday as the Opposition hit the streets and held protests across the country against a record number of members being suspended from Parliament in the recently concluded winter session. Leaders of the INDIA bloc at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Friday. (Vipin Kumart/HT Photo)

At an event held in Delhi by the 28-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Kharge also criticised the passage of key bills in Houses, hailed Opposition unity, and said everyone had the right to speak in a democracy and no one could snatch away that freedom.

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Read here: INDIA partners stage protest in Prayagraj against suspension of MPs

Events were held across state capitals on Friday, led by different parties. In Lucknow, the Samajwadi Party (SP) led the protests while in Patna, the Grand Alliance took out a march. Protests were held in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar as well. In Bengaluru, Ranchi and Jaipur, the Congress led the agitation.

When women or Dalits are assaulted, farmers are killed, and the Constitution is violated, we give notices in Parliament but are not even permitted to read them. What should I say? Should I say the BJP and its government would not allow a Dalit to speak? the Congress chief said at Jantar Mantar.

In a democracy, everyone has a right to speak. You cannot snatch away that freedom. We got that freedom thanks to Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and BR Ambedkar... These people gave us freedom. Even a mouse from your [BJP] house did not join the freedom struggle, he said.

You threw away all Opposition MPs [Members of Parliament] and passed all bills unopposed, he added.

Kharges comments came a day after the most acrimonious session in recent memory  marked by the expulsion of a member in the Lok Sabha, the shocking breach of security in the Lower House that saw two men vaulting onto the floor and spray coloured smoke, and the suspension of 146 Opposition members amid uproar over the incursion  closed. The strong remarks underlined deepening fault lines between the government and the Opposition and a renewed effort by the INDIA bloc to galvanise support after the Congresss recent losses in heartland assembly polls.

At the event in Delhi, members of the INDIA bloc hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi at what turned out to be a joint public event of the grouping. When everyone comes together, Narendra Modi wont be able to do anything, Kharge said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said opposition members were suspended for demanding answers from home minister Amit Shah over the Parliament breach. By shunting out 150 MPs from the Parliament, the government has shut out the voice of 60% Indians, he said.

The event was attended by leaders from all INDIA bloc constituents.

The chair of both Houses have argued that the members were suspended for violating rules of parliamentary conduct such as rushing to the Well to protest and carrying placards, and they were unnecessarily disrupting proceedings. The government, led by Modi, has also criticised the Opposition for protests over the security breach.

Kharge said he was shocked to see a person occupying a Constitutional office say that he belonged to a certain community, and that is why he was insulted. You have taken an oath to protect the country and act according to the Constitution but you talk about castes inside the House? If you are in such a situation, imagine what will be the situation of a Dalit such as me. When I try to speak in the House, attract your attention [to raise an issue], I never get a chance. The comments appeared to be a veiled reference to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar who was peeved over an Opposition MP mimicking him during recent protests. Dhankhar said in the House that he was insulted as a farmer, Jat, and as Chairman. This is the first indirect public attack by Kharge on Dhankhar.

The suspensions continued amid important legislative business, including the passage of proposed laws set to replace British-era criminal codes, regulate the telecom industry, and shape the selection of Indias top election officials, as the Opposition refused to budge on its demand for a statement from Shah on the Parliament security breach last week.

AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak attacked the BJP. India is known globally for its strong and fair democracy. Asking a question is the basic premise of democracy. If elected MPs cannot ask question in Parliament, what will they do? said Pathak, who is a Rajya Sabha MP.

Rahul Gandhi referred to the Parliament security breach last week involving two intruders who used a visitors slip from BJP lawmaker Pratap Simha to walk through three layers of security. Why did they stage such a protest? There is a reason... major unemployment in India. Young people are not getting jobs. I did a small survey and found out that an average youth spends 7.5 hours on a cell phone because Narendra Modi has not given him employment. He also alleged that several BJP members present in the House during the attack had fled.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, Communist Party of India (Marxist)s Sitaram Yechury, D Raja of the Communist Party of India, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams Tiruchi Siva were among the leaders present at the protest.

Pawar said the leaders of the bloc were ready to pay whatever price required to save democracy. Today, farmers are going on the path of suicide, the youngsters working in factories are not even getting proper wages. Therefore, we will have to take responsibility and work hard to remove the forces attacking democracy, he said.

DMKs Tiruchi Siva accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the countrys federal and secular structures. The INDIA bloc will oust the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said.

ST Hasan of the Samajwadi Party (SP) said the government was trying to not just suspend MPs, but also the countrys democracy. Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference demanded a statement in the House over the security breach. Mausam Noor of the Trinamool Congress said that MPs who raised questions on the security lapse were suspended. D Raja of the Communist Party of India said BR Ambedkar had made it clear that Parliament was supreme as it represented the sovereign will of the people.

In Jaipur, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara said that opposition MPs were suspended so that controversial bills could be passed in their absence. In Ranchi, Congress leaders participated in a protest march to the Raj Bhavan. In Bengaluru, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar participated in a march to Raj Bhavan. The Modi government had promised to provide two crore employment but instead of addressing those issues in the parliament, 146 opposition MPs were suspended, which is first of its kind in the history of Indian democracy, Shivakumar said.

Read here: Kharge's letter to Jagdeep Dhankhar: Govt will have its way but Opposition must

In Patna, the Congress, Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) participated in the protest. In Uttar Pradesh, workers of SP, the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI(M) took part in the protest in Lucknow.

In Telangana, deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and several ministers participated in a dharna in Hyderabad.
Leaders of the Opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are scheduled to hit the streets today to protest against the suspension of a historic number of MPs from Parliament in an undemocratic manner during the Winter Session. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi and other members of the alliance will address the protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar at 11 am. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge along with Opposition MPs during the protest March regarding the suspension of MPs.(Hindustan Times)

Meanwhile, a nationwide protest has also been scheduled at all district headquarters, Kharge said.

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A series of suspensions ensued in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha after the Winter Session witnessed disruptions following the December 13 breach of Parliament security incident with demands of a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the matter. Ahead of the sine-die conclusion of the session, three more Opposition MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, pushing the total number of suspensions to a record-breaking 146.

On Thursday, the Opposition MPs, including those suspended, marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk as a mark of protest against the move by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

During the earlier protest, Kharge urged the government to behave democratically, alleging that the BJP does not have faith in democracy.

Parliament is a big Panchayat. If one will not speak in Parliament where would one speak. It is unfortunate that Home Minister Shah and Prime Minister Modi did not come to the House to apprise about the security breach. They spoke about issues which should be spoken in the House, outside it, he said, adding that PM Modi had violated parliamentary privilege by not speaking on the security breach issue inside the Parliament.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate on January 3 in connection with the liquor probe. This is the third summons after Kejriwal skipped the first two. The third summons came on the day his Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was denied bail as the court said that the case against him is genuine and the evidence presented showed his involvement in the alleged money laundering. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (HT File)(HT_PRINT)

Kejriwal was summoned by the ED first on November 2. Kejriwal skipped the summons and said he had governance-related work in Delhi ahead of Diwali and was also scheduled to campaign for the party in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. ED issued a second summons asking him to be present on December 21. Kejriwal went to attend vipassana a day before and skipped the second summons too.

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"The timing of your summons leaves much to desire and strengthens my belief that the summons being sent to me are not based upon any objective or rational yardstick but for extraneous considerations at the behest of political rivals who wish to silence the voice of opposition to the ruling dispensation at the Centre to create sensational news in the final few months leading up to the Parliamentary elections in early to mid-2024," Kejriwal wrote to ED.

"On the eve of my departure for Vipassana meditation course which has been widely published and largely circulated all over the media in the country as well as officially announced, to my utter dismay and concern, I have received the subject summons," Kejriwal added.

"Your summons appears to be a fishing and roving enquiry. In similar circumstances, where individuals are neither informed about the case details nor the capacity in which they are being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate, high courts have declared such summons of the Enforcement Directorate invalid and quashed the summons," the reply said.

As a law-abiding, conscientious and an ordinary citizen of the country, Kejriwal has nothing to hide, he wrote. "I have life of dignity, honour and with complete transparency. As per my schedule, publicly known to all, from 20.12.2023, I would be attending the Vipassana meditation course which I have been attending annually for the last 25 years," Kejriwal wrote.

Kejriwal was scheduled to leave for vipassana on Tuesday but deferred it for the meeting of the INDIA bloc. He left for vipassana on Wednesday at around 1.30pm.

Evidence against Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia's custody extended

Manish Sisodia was arrested in February in the liquor probe case. On Friday, his judicial custody was extended till the next date of hearing on January 19, 2023.

Sanjay Singh was the second AAP leader to have been arrested in connection with the same case. On Friday, the court dismissed his bail and said the court is of prima facie view that the case against him is genuine and the evidence shows his involvement in the alleged offence of money laundering.

"There are reasonable grounds for believing that he is guilty of the alleged offence of money laundering," the court said.

"The evidence and material is also sufficient to furnish this court reasonable grounds for believing that he is 'guilty' of the said offence in terms of provisions contained Under section 45 of the PMLA," the court said.
Kerala registered 265 fresh Covid-19 cases and one death in the past 24 hours, according to the ministry of health and family welfare data on Friday. The reported death brought the state's total coronavirus-related fatalities over the past three years to 72,060. The state presently represents over 80% of the total active Covid cases in the country. People wearing face masks as a precautionary measure after cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 were detected in the country.(PTI)

Within the last 24 hours, 275 people recovered or were discharged after testing positive, increasing the cumulative count of recoveries to 68,37,689. In the preceding update on Thursday, the state recorded 300 new COVID-19 cases and three fatalities.

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State health minister Veena George chaired a gathering of senior health officials on Tuesday, emphasising the importance of vigilance over instilling fear and alarm during the increase in Covid cases. During the meeting, a decision was made to enforce compulsory mask-wearing across all state hospitals. Priority focus will be directed towards Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, where the majority of recent cases are being reported.

She said hospitals are well-equipped to manage virus infections, alleviating concerns among the public.

India records 640 fresh cases in 24 hrs

India reported 640 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, with active cases rising from 2,669 to 2,997, as per data released by the Union health ministry. The nation's total Covid-19 count stands more than 4.50 crore. The death toll reached 5,33,328, recording an additional fatality in Kerala, according to the 8 am update.

Recoveries have surged to 4,44,70,887, contributing to a national recovery rate of 98.81%, as indicated on the health ministry's website. The case fatality rate remains at 1.19%. The health ministry's data shows that 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered across the country to date.

Covid new variant JN. 1

India has confirmed 26 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant, sparking increased attention and concern. Among these cases, Goa reported 19, Rajasthan identified four, while Kerala, Delhi, and Maharashtra each reported one case. In Goa, all 19 instances of the JN.1 sub-variant have been confirmed as inactive, discovered through genome sequencing of patient samples.

Derived from the BA.2.86 variant, known as Pirola, the JN.1 subvariant emerged in the United States in September and gained global attention as early as January this year. India's initial case of JN.1 was identified in Kerala on December 8.

Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force, highlighted that the JN.1 variant exhibits a potential for faster transmission and immune evasion.

Presently, there's no evidence suggesting that the JN.1 subvariant causes more severe symptoms or spreads more rapidly than the existing circulating variants.
Congress president and Rajya Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday wrote to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on the Winter Session that witnessed unprecedented events including the security breach, suspension of over 150 MPs, passage of crucial bills without the presence of the opposition MPs. "the government will have its way but the Opposition must, you will readily agree, have its say," Kharge wrote at the end of a tumultuous winter session of Parliament. Kharge on Friday wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar over the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament.

"The Opposition parties were prepared to engage in a meaningful discussion on the matter. Regrettably, these notices were neither admitted, nor was I, as the Leader of the Opposition, or any other Member of the Opposition parties permitted to speak on the floor of the House even for a minute or two," Kharge wrote referring to the notices submitted in Parliament for discussion.

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"It is crucial to emphasize that the Opposition parties had a clear demand for the Minister of Home Affairs to apprise the House on the critical issue of breach of Parliamentary security and the role of a ruling party MP in facilitating the entry of the two intruders into the Lok Sabha gallery on December 13th. This matter is of grave concern to Parliament, Parliamentarians and is also a significant national security issue. However, the demand was unequivocally ignored. Furthermore, the suspension of a considerable number of opposition MPs occurred in multiple instances, blatantly violating the Rules and Procedure," Kharge wrote.

Witnessing the suspension of MPs on such a large scale was painful, agonising, frustrating and disheartening, the Congress president said as he sought a date and time from Dhankhar to address these concerns.

The Opposition INDIA bloc staged a protest at Jantar Mantar against the suspension of the MPs. The protest was organised under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance and was attended by the DMK, NCP, SP, NC, TMC, JMM, RJD and other members of the coalition. "You threw out the opposition MPs from Parliament and passed all the laws without any opposition. This is not good for democracy," Kharge said addressing the gathering.

Another major flashpoint between the BJP and the opposition was Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee's mimicry of Jagdeep Dhankhar outside Parliament. While the BJP leaders and Dhankhar himself condemned the insult, the opposition termed it as a pretext to divert attention from the mass suspension of the MPs.
The Supreme Court on Friday scheduled the hearing of seven-judge and nine-judge Constitution bench matters between January and March next year, resolving to bring finality to issues ranging from passing of laws governing Aadhaar and amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as money bills, minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, and subclassification within SC/ST quota, which have remained pending for several years. The bunch of 22 petitions on money bill chronologically stands at the fourth position in the list of six cases before the seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court. (ANI)

Read here: Supreme Court's decision on Article 370 not God's verdict: Mehbooba Mufti

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The matter concerning whether government could use the money bill route to effect changes in PMLA, tribunal reforms and introduce Aadhaar will be taken up by a seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on January 30. On this day, the bench is expected to pass directions on filing of written submissions, appointment of nodal counsels to compile digital copy of submissions and accompanying documents, and fix dates for arguments in the case.

The bunch of 22 petitions on money bill chronologically stands at the fourth position in the list of six cases before the seven-judge bench. The oldest case in the list is a petition from 1994 while the money bill case arose in 2019.

The controversy before the court revolved around the interpretation and applicability of Article 110 of the Constitution, which defines a money bill. The provision states that a money bill is a draft law that must deal only with matters specified in Article 110 (1)(a) to (g)  taxation, borrowing by the government, and appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, among others. Any other matter incidental to the subjects mentioned above, the provision states, can also be classified as a money bill.

Money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and it places a restriction on Rajya Sabha to either amend or reject it. In the past, the government faced criticism for introducing several laws as money bills such as the Finance Act passed in March 2017 making provisions concerning the conditions of service and structure of tribunals. These amendments were challenged by various bar associations as they argued that the issues dealt in these bills did not qualify to be classified as money bills.

In November 2019, a five-judge bench struck down provisions of the Finance Act in the Roger Mathew case but referred the larger question on the passage of Finance Act as a money bill to a seven-judge bench. The bench decided the validity of the Act and the rules framed thereunder in the wake of the governments move to revamp the functioning of tribunals. The constitutional validity of Part XIV of the Finance Act was challenged on the grounds that the provisions relating to the functionality of tribunals could not form part of a money bill for the purposes of Act 110 of the Constitution. The petitioners argued that Part XIV of the Finance Act was not a money bill and was inserted only in order to circumvent the Rajya Sabha.

The five-judge bench noted a conflict with regard to another five-judge bench decision in September 2018 in the famous Aadhaar case in Justice KS Puttuswamy v Union of India case that upheld constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act of 2016 by a 4-1 majority.

The 2019 decision noted that the Aadhaar judgment of 2018 did not substantially discuss the effect of the word only in Article 110(1). Further, the 2018 judgment, it said, did not examine the repercussions of a finding when some of the provisions of an enactment passed as a money bill do not conform to the subjects enumerated under the constitutional provision.

The majority opinion in Aadhaar judgment pointed out that since the chief objective of the Aadhaar act is to grant social welfare benefits from the Consolidated Fund of India, there was nothing wrong with it being certified as a money bill. Other provisions in the law, the majority said, were incidental and could not change the fundamental nature of the act.

Writing the lone minority opinion, justice Chandrachud said that the passage of the act as a money bill constituted a fraud on the Constitution because anything can then be passed as a money bill by linking it to the Consolidated Fund of India. The dissenting opinion pointed out that Article 110 is clear that the draft law must deal only with the subjects pertaining to taxation, credits, consolidated money, Union governments spending and borrowings.

The controversy raised its head again when the Centre passed a slew of amendments to the PMLA in 2019 as money bill. The amendments pertained to bail and classification of predicate offences passed between 2015 and 2019 through finance acts, passed as money bills.

In July 2022, a three-judge bench of the top court upheld the validity of the PMLA amendments for summoning individuals, making arrests, conducting raids and attaching properties of the suspects but left the question open on its passage as money bill awaiting the outcome of the seven-judge bench hearing in the Roger Mathew batch of appeals.

Based on the judgment of the seven-judge bench, the individual cases on the validity of the Aadhaar Act and the PMLA amendments may go back to respective benches for a decision.

A circular issued by the Supreme Court said that six seven-judge matters and four nine-judge matters will be listed before the appropriate benches in the next three months and gave advance notice to the lawyers and litigants to prepare their cases on the dates assigned to each case. While the first lot of seven-judge bench matters will be taken up on January 9, the four nine-judge bench cases have been listed on February 6 (two matters), February 20 and third week of March.

The seven-judge bench cases to be heard on January 9 include two interesting issues pertaining to the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh Muslim University v Naresh Agarwal and the states power to make law imposing surcharge on sales tax in Arjun Flour Mills v State of Orissa. The two matters will be heard by the bench presided over by CJI.

The next lot of seven-judge bench cases will be listed on January 17 and January 30, that will also be decided by a bench presided by CJI. These matters include State of Punjab & Ors. Vs. Davinder Singh dealing with validity of subclassification within SC/ST quotas besides the money bill cases.

In the first week of March, the top courts seven-judge bench will hear the case relating to interplay between breach of privilege and fundamental rights in N. Ravi & Ors. Vs. Speaker, Legislative Assembly Chennai. In the following week, the Court has listed the Maharashtra political crisis relating to the rift within the Shiv Sena party where the top court, while deciding the case in May, referred a 2016 decision in Nabam Rebia case to a bench of seven judges. This decision held that the Speaker does not have power to decide on disqualification pleas when a plea for his removal is pending in the House.

Read here: Supreme Court issues directions for places of worship in Manipur

These two matters will not be heard by a bench headed by the CJI. It was a five-judge bench headed by CJI which had in May referred the Nabam Rebia case to seven judges.

The nine-judge bench cases concern takeover of dilapidated private properties in the state by the Maharashtra state government, tax liabilities of mine operators, definition of industry under the Industrial Disputes Act and legislative competence for imposing licence fee on excise goods in Uttar Pradesh
As we enter the winter holiday season, its hard not to take stock of all the good things that have enriched my life in the past year. In 2022, my wife and I welcomed our second son into the world; as business owners we had a great year serving barbecue and baked goods to locals and tourists in Paradise Valley and beyond; and as river lovers we saw the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act  new Wild and Scenic River legislation  reintroduced in Congress by Montanas senior Senator Jon Tester.

Follow Yer Nose BBQ and my wifes Wildflour Bakery are nearly a stones throw away from the banks of the Yellowstone River in Emigrant. We settled here in Paradise Valley because we know this spot is special. The astounding world class views of towering Emigrant Peak are postcard worthy and would attract any global travelers attention. But lets face it, while our mountain views catch the eye, its the Yellowstone River that is the soul of this area and wins over the hearts of locals and tourists alike.

Running a small business in rural Park County comes with its trials and tribulations. There are no guarantees of a labor force, market availability of enough meat to smoke, not to mention the unpredictability of a global pandemic or cataclysmic environmental event, like say, a 500-year flood. Since opening our doors in 2012 weve seen a lot. But I can say with full confidence, we wouldnt be here if it werent for a healthy and free-flowing Yellowstone River.

Thats why I appreciate Testers commitment to protect the Yellowstone River and many of its tributaries as Wild and Scenic Rivers with the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. A Wild and Scenic Rivers designation would prohibit any major industrial project from inhibiting the free-flow of the Yellowstone. Believe it or not, three dams were proposed on the upper Yellowstone less than 50 years ago. If those dams were approved, Paradise Valley, Yankee Jim Canyon, and Springdale would now be under water. A Wild and Scenic designation will also maintain or enhance water quality and ensure remarkable values like scenery, recreation, and wildlife habitat are prioritized in the management of public lands. With no impact on water rights or private property rights, this is good for all of us.

My wife and I are river people. Over the years we have worked on rivers from Montana to North Carolina to Alaska to Chile and even met working on a river in Oregon. We moved here partly because of the Yellowstone River. After moving here it has been a pleasure to learn that Montana is a state with a history of proud wild river heritage. That wild river heritage supports Montanas $2.9 billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, which includes Park Countys $500 million dollar outdoor recreation related tourism industry. The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act is good for river recreation, great for business, and a forward-thinking approach to ensuring we maintain what we all have.

Tester said it best when he reintroduced the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act: protecting public lands in Montana is about preserving the livelihoods of our communities and making sure we pass on that heritage to future generations  and this bill was built from the ground up to do just that. Its the gift that keeps on giving, plain and simple.

I ask Montanas other delegates  Senator Daines, and Congressmen Zinke and Rosendale  to work with Senator Tester to pass the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. At the end of the day, tasty barbecue, cold beer, and live music arent complete without a healthy and protected Yellowstone River.
The Delhi police have taken into custody a man from Karnataka in connection with the security breach in Parliament, officials said on Thursday. Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma jumped from the visitor's gallery of the Lok Sabha and released coloured smoke from canisters, causing chaos in the House during the winter session. (ANI)

Saikrishna Jagali, a techie and son of a retired deputy superintendent of police, was picked up from his house at Vidyagiri in the district headquarters town of Bagalkote on Wednesday night.

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Jagali, who works with a multinational company in Bengaluru, is said to be a friend of Manoranjan D, a resident of Mysuru, one of the two intruders who trespassed into the Lok Sabha chamber last week.

A four-member team of NIA, with our help, enquired Saikrishna Jagali in a police station in Bagalkot town, took him to its custody and left for Delhi late last night for further enquiry, Bagalkot superintendent of police (SP) Amarnath Reddy told news persons.

Saikrishna, an engineering graduate from BIT Technological Institution in Mysuru, resided in Vidyagiri in Bagalkot. He is the unmarried son of a retired deputy superintendent of police.

During their engineering studies in 2008-09, Saikrishna shared a room in the college hostel with Manoranjan. They maintained contact even after completing their courses. Although Saikrishna has no criminal record, he was taken into custody due to his association with the accused Manoranjan, said the Bagalkote SP.

Saikrishnas interrogation lasted about two hours.

A Bagalkot police officer said Saikrishna shared revolutionary thoughts about changing the nations existing system, often discussing the ideals of Bhagat Singh with friends, citing details of the interrogation of the suspect before he was taken to Delhi.

They also questioned Saikrishna about Manoranjans attitude and thoughts during college days, the nature of their current relationship, their last meeting, and if he had prior knowledge of the attackers and the Parliament attack. Following the local police notification, Saikrishna was taken to Delhi for further inquiry, the officer added.

Saikrishna Jagalis sister Spanda said a Delhi police team came and took her brother with them. It is true that the Delhi Police came. My brother was interrogated. We have fully cooperated with the inquiry, she said.

Spanda said her brother had done nothing wrong. Both Manoranjan and Saikrishna Jagali were roommates. Now my brother works from home, she added.

Six individuals, including Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma, have already been arrested. The duo jumped into the Parliament House during the winter session on December 13, creating chaos in the pre-lunch session. The CCTV footage captured their dramatic entry and evasion from capture by leaping across desks and spraying smoke.
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill, 2023, through a voice vote after a two-and-a-half-hour debate in the absence of most, if not all, Opposition members. The Bill simplifies and digitises the process of registering newspapers and other periodicals with the Press Registrar, sets up an appellate board to deal with issues related to registration, and decriminalises all but one offence. *Union minister Anurag Thakur said the Bill aims to shed the colonial mindset and bring a new law for a new India (PTI)

The PRP Bill will replace the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which required newspapers, magazines, and books to be registered with the government. The BJP-led government and the previous Congress-led government had made multiple attempts to replace the colonial-era act. The Congress government introduced a bill in 2011 but it was not passed.

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Continuing the tradition of getting rid of colonial-era laws, I present before you the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023. This Bill aims to shed the colonial mindset and bring a new law for a new India. In 1867, India was colonised and the British believed that they must control the press. Registration was a big challenge. Setting up a printing press, becoming a publisher were big things. The district magistrate had a huge role. This was a complex system that had eight steps, minister of information & broadcasting Anurag Thakur said as he introduced the Bill in the Lower House.

The Rajya Sabha had passed the bill on August 3.

Under the PRP Bill, anybody who is convicted of a terrorist or unlawful activity [as defined under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967], or of acting against national security, is not allowed to release a periodical. The Press Registrar General of India, appointed by the central government, will be responsible for registering periodicals (which include newspapers and magazines, but not academic journals) after receiving an online application from interested entities.

It will no longer take 2-3 years to get registration done. It will take only two months now to get permission for your newspaper. This is simple, smart and simultaneous, Thakur said.

Earlier, you had to go to the district magistrate first and then the Registrar General. Now, you can go to the DM and the registrar general simultaneously. And if the DM doesnt respond in 60 days, we wont wait for it. The RNI [PRG] will directly give you the permission, he added. In this Bill, we have decriminalised all offences except one, Thakur said.

Under the Bill, if a periodical is published without obtaining a certificate of registration from PRG, it can impose a financial penalty of up to 5 lakh and order the publisher to stop publishing. If the publisher continues to publish despite the order, they can be jailed for up to six months.

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) had earlier expressed concerns about some of its draconian provisions. The new bill in fact widens the powers of the State to have more intrusive and arbitrary checks into the functioning of newspapers and magazines than the existing law had, the organisation said. The BJDs Bhartruhari Mahtab and AIMIMs Imtiyaz Jaleel raised the issues highlighted by the EGI. This bill is less about registration and more about regulation, controlling the press, Jaleel said. The bill is now awaiting presidential assent.

Thakur also spoke on the freedom of press and safeguarding of journalists, saying both are a priority of the Narendra Modi government. He made this remark in response to a question regarding policy frameworks for the protection of journalists raised by TMC MP Dola Sen.

...the original question was raised by an honorable MP from West BengalI was a little hesitant in saying this because I didnt want to mention any states, but so many incidents have happened there in West Bengal violent incidents took place against journalists, he said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the people holding constitutional posts, who are responsible for providing protection to the opposition MPs, are themselves becoming a part of politics and doing politics using their caste. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during a protest of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Friday.(PTI)

Mallikarjun Kharge was speaking at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi where the opposition INDIA bloc staged a protest against the suspension of 146 MPs from the two Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session and called on people to unite to save democracy in the country.

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You are in a constitutional post; you have to uphold it and not whinge about caste and say I am being targeted for my caste. The treasury benches prevent me from speaking when I get up, so can I say they are preventing me from speaking because I am a Dalit? Kharge said in a veiled attack on Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The Congress chief's remarks came days after Dhankhar said his position as the Vice President of India has been insulted by the opposition members after Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicked him derisively while protesting against the suspension of MPs. Dhankhar also claimed it was an insult to his background as a Jat, his caste, and as someone who comes from a family of farmers.

"Under our Constitution, everyone has the right to speak. When we give notice (in Parliament) we are not even given a chance to read the notice. Should I say that the BJP government is not letting a Dalit speak? You can't take away our right to speak. This freedom was given to us by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. You suspend Opposition MPs and pass laws unopposed We have to fight together," Kharge said during the protest, which was organised under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The protest was also attended by former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and leaders of Left parties, DMK, NCP, SP, NC, TMC, JMM, RJD and other members of the opposition coalition.

Addressing the gathering, Kharge added that the leaders of the INDIA parties have come together as democracy is under threat under the BJP government.

"When all unite, Narendra Modi won't be able to do anything... The more you try to crush us, the more we will rise. We are fighting unitedly to save the country and democracy," Kharge said.

'The more hatred BJP spreads': Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi said opposition members were suspended from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for demanding answers from Union home minister Amit Shah on the December 13 Parliament security breach issue.

"The more hatred the BJP spreads, the more love and brotherhood INDIA parties will spread," Gandhi said.

"By shunting out 150 MPs from the Parliament, the government has shut out the voice of 60 per cent Indians," he said.

NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja, JMM's Mahua Maji, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha, TMC's Mausam Noor, NC's Hasnain Masoodi, Revolutionary Socialist Party's N K Premachandran and SP's ST Hasan were among the leaders present at the protest.

Meanwhile, another Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said the protest, under the banner 'Save Democracy', at Jantar Mantar, is sending a message among people that whatever is happening is 'wrong for the future of the country'.

"In the history of democracy in the world, 146 MPs have never been suspended... People should know that the democracy is in danger. The protest is to tell the people that whatever is happening is wrong for the future of the country... There is only one solution, people should change this government and bring the INDIA Alliance into power," Tharoor told news agency ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)
MPs suspension from Parliament highlights: The Opposition-led INDIA bloc parties are staging protests across the country against the suspension of a total of 146 MPs from Parliament during the Winter Session. In Delhi, the INDIA bloc leaders gathered to demonstrate under the banner Save Democracy at Jantar Mantar. On Thursday, the Opposition leaders carried out a protest march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk to register their objection to suspension. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge(Congress/X)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi along with other party leaders will hold the protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Meanwhile, several INDIA alliance members will carry out a nationwide demonstration at district headquarters.

The Delhi Congress chief said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance partners are scared, adding that the suspension of so many MPs amounts to insulting the sanctity of the Parliament.

Calling the move dictatorial, the Congress leader said that it has hurt the democratic goodwill of the country.

It was the right of MPs to ask questions inside the Parliament. A large number of people from different parts of the city will raise their voice against the undemocratic move during the protest, Lovely said after reviewing the preparations of the protest rally at Delhi Congress headquarters.
Authorities brought back curbs on some older private cars and ordered private constructions works to halt as the air pollution shot up to the severe zone for the first time since November 24 on Friday, plunging the city into a painfully familiar haze. An anti-smog truck in Mayur Vihar on Friday. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

Delhis 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 409 (severe) according to the Central Pollution Control Boards national bulletin at 4pm, deteriorating sharply from was 361 (very poor) a day earlier and 285 (poor) on Wednesday.

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Read here: Delhi-NCR AQI: Non-essential construction work banned, curbs imposed on vehicles

Officials said at fault was a change in meteorological conditions marked by weak winds, which trapped local emissions from construction work, vehicle exhaust gases, and smoke from bonfires and garbage burning.

Fridays spike in pollution marks the return of what has been a particularly bad last two months for the Capitals air quality.

The Capital lived through its third most polluted November this year, with the average AQI at 373. In fact, save for some outlier days when rain helped bring pollution levels down, the average AQI in November comes close to 390, making it the most polluted ever.

So far, in December, the average AQI is 330, the third worst since 2016. Delhis average AQI for the December is the second worst since 2018, when it was 339, not much different from this year. This December, in fact, began on a cleaner note  the average AQI was better than past averages up to December 11. But from December 12, the air quality began plummeting to levels worse than past averages.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held an emergency meeting on Thursday and decided to invoke the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) with immediate effect, banning BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel private cars from being used in the Delhi-NCR region. The restrictions also apply to private constructions.

Unfavourable meteorology including fog and hazy conditions, along with low wind speed are the major causes for sudden spike in Delhis daily average AQI. Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM subcommittee has taken the call to reinvoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-3 of GRAPs  severe air quality (AQI ranging between 401-450) category, with immediate effect in the entire NCR, CAQM said in a statement on Friday.

There is little evidence, however, that these measures can stem or alleviate the worsening of air quality once pollution levels have already spiked. The ban on BS-III and BS-IV petrol and diesel vehicles covers around 387,000 vehicles registered in Delhi, a fraction of the seven million registered in total.

The AQI is predicted to remain severe on Saturday too, before possibly improving to very poor on Sunday, according to the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, a forecasting model under the ministry of earth sciences.

Dipankar Saha, former head of CPCBs air laboratory, said calm wind conditions are fairly common towards the end of December and early January, when temperatures start to dip. Low temperatures make the atmosphere stable, leading to calm winds, which do not allow pollutants to disperse. An approaching western disturbance can also have the same effect, he said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), meanwhile, said there were chances of a drizzle in isolated parts of NCR late on Friday night, and issued a yellow alert for dense fog on Saturday morning.

The lowest visibility in Delhi on Friday was 300 metres and with a western disturbance approaching, more moisture will be added into the atmosphere. Visibility may go below 200 metres on Saturday morning, said Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist at IMD.

Stage-3 measures were invoked for the first time this season on November 2, when Delhi recorded its first severe air day of the winter. They were lifted on November 29, when the AQI improved to under 300 following light rain across the city.

Read here: Delhi-NCR residents take note: These vehicles are banned due to high AQI

Across NCR, the AQI in the neighbouring towns was recorded in the poor to very poor category, CPCB data showed. Greater Noida had an AQI of 386 (very poor), Noida and Ghaziabad 376 each (very poor), Gurugram 314 (very poor), and Faridabad 282 (poor).

(With inputs from Abhishek Jha)
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill, 2023, through a voice vote after a two-and-a-half-hour debate in the absence of most, if not all, Opposition members. The Bill simplifies and digitises the process of registering newspapers and other periodicals with the Press Registrar, sets up an appellate board to deal with issues related to registration, and decriminalises all but one offence. Union minister Anurag Thakur. (ANI)

The PRP Bill will replace the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which required newspapers, magazines, and books to be registered with the government. The BJP-led government and the previous Congress-led government had made multiple attempts to replace the colonial-era act. The Congress government introduced a bill in 2011 but it was not passed.

Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here

Continuing the tradition of getting rid of colonial-era laws, I present before you the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023. This Bill aims to shed the colonial mindset and bring a new law for a new India. In 1867, India was colonised and the British believed that they must control the press. Registration was a big challenge. Setting up a printing press, becoming a publisher were big things. The district magistrate had a huge role. This was a complex system that had eight steps, minister of information & broadcasting Anurag Thakur said as he introduced the Bill in the Lower House.

The Rajya Sabha had passed the bill on August 3.

Under the PRP Bill, anybody who is convicted of a terrorist or unlawful activity [as defined under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967], or of acting against national security, is not allowed to release a periodical. The Press Registrar General of India, appointed by the central government, will be responsible for registering periodicals (which include newspapers and magazines, but not academic journals) after receiving an online application from interested entities.

It will no longer take 2-3 years to get registration done. It will take only two months now to get permission for your newspaper. This is simple, smart and simultaneous, Thakur said.

Earlier, you had to go to the district magistrate first and then the Registrar General. Now, you can go to the DM and the registrar general simultaneously. And if the DM doesnt respond in 60 days, we wont wait for it. The RNI [PRG] will directly give you the permission, he added.

In this Bill, we have decriminalised all offences except one, Thakur said. Under the Bill, if a periodical is published without obtaining a certificate of registration from PRG, it can impose a financial penalty of up to 5 lakh and order the publisher to stop publishing. If the publisher continues to publish despite the order, they can be jailed for up to six months.

Regular declarations that were earlier required to be submitted to the DM have also been done away with, Thakur said. We have changed it to an online declaration to the PRG, he said. Books have been removed from here because they are now regulated by the HRD ministry, Thakur said.

After the Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in August, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) had expressed concerns about some of its draconian provisions. The new bill in fact widens the powers of the State to have more intrusive and arbitrary checks into the functioning of newspapers and magazines than the existing law had, the organisation said.

The Biju Janata Dals Bhartruhari Mahtab and AIMIMs Imtiyaz Jaleel raised the issues highlighted by the EGI. This bill is less about registration and more about regulation, controlling the press, Jaleel said.

The EGI had highlighted a clause that gives the PRG and any specified authority the power to enter the premises of a periodical to inspect or take copies of the relevant records or documents or ask any questions necessary for obtaining any information required to be furnished. It had said that the term specified authority gave power to government agencies beyond the Press Registrar, and could even include police and other law enforcement.

The bill is now awaiting presidential assent.

Thakur also spoke on the freedom of press and safeguarding of journalists, saying both are a priority of the Narendra Modi government. He made this remark in response to a question regarding policy frameworks for the protection of journalists raised by TMC MP Dola Sen.

...the original question was raised by an honorable MP from West BengalI was a little hesitant in saying this because I didnt want to mention any states, but so many incidents have happened there in West Bengal violent incidents took place against journalists, he said.

Journalists do not feel secure thereand this is very worrying since it is a state subject. They should be provided security and an environment should be created where they can do their work independently, he added.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale also raised the issue of security of journalists.
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday extended the police custody of Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind behind the parliament security breach, by another two weeks, till January 5. Parliament security breach key accused Lalit Kha was arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell on December 14 (File Photo)

The Delhi Police Special Cell, which is probing the security breach case, sought Jhas custody for 14 days under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which allows for thirty-day custody as a maximum period.

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Jha was produced before additional sessions judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur after his seven days of initial police custody ended on Friday.

He was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell late on December 14 following his surrender at the Kartavya Path police station. According to the police, Jha, a resident of Kolkata, is a teacher by profession.

Also Read: After security breach, CISF roped in to secure Parliament

Special public prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh submitted that the special cell retrieved burned mobile phones, sim cards and other material evidence, which the police refrained from disclosing, citing the sensitive nature of the case.

The investigating agency also submitted that they want to get a psychiatric evaluation done of the accused and have to go through their social media accounts.

The court, after going through the records, sent Jha to further police custody till January 5.

The breach was allegedly made possible by an unlikely conspiracy stitched together by an e-rickshaw driver in Lucknow, the son of a wage labourer in Latur, a government job aspirant in Jind, an engineering graduate in Mysuru and a tutor from Kolkata after they started interacting as members of a Facebook page dedicated to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Also Read: Parliament security breach: HC to hear plea against order to provide FIR copy

On December 13, while the parliament was in session two accused Sharma (27), and Manoranjan D (34)  walked past three layers of security before rappelling down from the visitors gallery and spraying coloured smoke inside the Lok Sabha, while another accused  Amol Shinde (25) and Neelam Singh (37)  had opened smoke canisters outside the premises shouting slogans.

A case in this regard was registered on the complaint from the Deputy Director (Security) of Parliament.

The four were immediately arrested and remanded to police custody for seven days on December 14.

The court had on Thursday extended the custody of four other accused  Manoranjan D, Sharma, Amol Shinde and Devi  till January 5.

Another accused Mahesh Kumawat was arrested on December 15. Jha is accused of destroying evidence of the conspiracy in the case. All the accused are currently under police custody.

They have been charged under sections 186 (obstructing public servant from discharging public duties), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt assault and wrongful restraint), 153 (giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 34 (acts done by several person in furtherance of common intention) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code and under sections 16 and 18 of UAPA.
Union minister Arjun Meghwal on Friday criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as he weighed in on the ongoing controversy over the mimicry of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar by a TMC lawmaker. Meghwal said that the former Congress president recording the entire act on his mobile phone and enjoying it is quite unfortunate. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.(PTI)

Referring to the video widely circulated on social media, the minister alleged that Gandhi also participated in the act by answering to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who was seen derisively mimicking the Rajya Sabha chairman's mannerisms.

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Watch the video. He (Banerjee) asks something to which Gandhi even answers I am from Lok Sabha. This means he was participating and enjoying, Meghawal said at a press conference, calling it an unfortunate incident.

Congress believes that it is only their right to govern. They think that the Vice President should be the one nominated by them... They cannot stand PM Modi, President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. It is their mentality to insult the Dalit, farmers and the backward classes, Meghwal added.

The mimicry controversy erupted after suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, during the protest with other suspended MPs, was seen mimicking Dhankhar as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filmed him on his phone.

Dhankhar later said he would not tolerate any insult to Parliament and the post of vice president which he holds and expressed deep anguish over the incident.

"I do not care about myself. If someone insults me, I bear it, I will swallow it. But I will never tolerate that I have not been able to protect the dignity of the post I hold. It is my job to protect the dignity of this House, it is my duty to protect the dignity of the post," the chairman said.

He also questioned the silence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the leader of opposition in the upper house, on the matter.

"Such a big incident has happened, the dignity of the post has diminished, the farmer community has been dishonoured, my caste has been insulted and you are silent, your president is silent," he added.

Responding to the controversy, Kharge said castes should not be dragged into every issue and wondered if he should rake up his Dalit origins every time he is not allowed to speak in the Rajya Sabha.

"I am not allowed to speak in the Rajya Sabha often. Should I say it is because I am a Dalit?" he asked.

Kharge said one should not incite people outside Parliament in the name of caste by talking about it inside the House.

"I felt very bad. If everyone brings up his caste every time and says his or her caste is affected.... My caste is always affected. I am not allowed to speak. Whatever questions I raise, I do not get an answer. We wanted to speak, Chidambaram, Vaiko, others were there and rose to speak but all their (BJP) members started slogan shouting," the Congress chief said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Bihar legislator Hulas Pandey as the mastermind in the murder of Bramheshwar Singh Mukhiya, the founder and head of erstwhile private upper caste militia Ranveer Sena, as it filed a supplementary charge sheet in the 2012 case. Bramheshwar Singh Mukhiya (70), who himself was accused in 22 murder cases, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Katira under Ara town police station in Bhojpur district on June 1, 2012 (HT File Photo)

Mukhiya (70), who himself was accused in 22 murder cases, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Katira under Ara town police station in Bhojpur district on June 1, 2012.

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In its charge sheet filed before the Ara district court designated to hear cases against MP/MLA on December 16, the federal probe agency has alleged that Pandey, who was then a Janata Dal (United) member of legislative council, fired six bullets at Mukhiya near the latters home in Bhojpur.

Following the filing of the charge sheet, Pandey, who had switched over to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) from the JD(U), resigned from the post of chairman of the parliamentary board of Chirag Paswan-led party on December 19.

Elaborating on the motive behind the crime, CBI has alleged that Pandey feared loss of his political clout due to Mukhiyas growing popularity among upper caste farmers in Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Gaya, Jahanabad and Aurangabad districts. Pandey, who was elected to the MLC seat in 2010 from Ara-Buxar segment, also enjoyed backing of the same communities in the region.

Then MLC of Janata Dal (United) Hulas Pandey conspired with Abhay Pandey, Nand Gopal Pandey alias Fauzi, Ritesh Kumar alias Monu Singh, Amitesh Kumar Pandey alias Guddu Pandey, Prince Pandey, Baleshwar Rai, Manoj Raj alias Manoj Pandey to eliminate Mukhiya, the charge sheet, seen by HT, said.

CBI has described Pandey as the kingpin in the case. It added that around 4am on June 1, 2012, Hulas Pandey fired six rounds on Mukhiya from his 7.65 bore pistol, while two of his aides pinned him down.

After killing Mukhiya, Hulas and Baleshwar Rai left the place in Scorpio driven by Manoj Rai towards Ara railway station and rest of the people fled the scene on foot, the charge sheet said.

Citing the CFSL, New Delhi report, CBI said all bullets were fired from one country-made firearm. However, during the course of investigation, the firearm used in the crime could not be recovered, the agency said.

CBI deputy superintendent of police, V Dixit, the investigation officer, prayed before the special court that necessary process may kindly be issued for calling the accused persons to the court for trial accordingly.

Pandey has rejected the allegations, saying his name was dragged in the case as part of a political conspiracy.

This is a political conspiracy against me. My name has appeared in the case after a gap of more than 11 years, he told reporters after the charge sheet was filed against him.

On his resignation from the LJP (Ram Vilas), Pandey, who is considered close to Chirag Paswan, said: I resigned from the post of partys parliamentary board chairman because I didnt want to defame the party and its top leaders.

Earlier, a case was registered at the Ara police station on complaint of Mukhiyas son Indu Bhushan. Mukhiyas murder had sparked large-scale violence in Ara and Patna by his supporters.

A political science graduate from Patna University, Mukhiya founded private militia Ranvir Sena in 1994 in Bhojpur to counter the growing influence of communists and Maoist forces, who were supported by members of backward castes and Dalits against their oppression by upper castes, in the region. Mukhiya was accused in 22 cases of murder of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation members between 1995 and 2000.

Ranvir Sena was responsible for plotting 29 caste massacres, killing at least 300 people, mostly from the backward and Dalit communities.

As per the charge sheet, Mukhiya was arrested in August 2002 and was released from jail after his acquittal in 16 out of the 22 cases on July 2011. His son, Indu Bhusan, heads the Akhil Bhartiya Rashtravadi Kisan Sangathan (ABRKS), an outfit that Mukhiya had floated after Ranvir Sena was banned by the Bihar government in 1995.

The Bhojpur police, which initially investigated the case, had arrested six people for Mukhiya murder. However, they were granted bail as the police could not produce evidence in the court.

In 2013, the Bihar government handed over the probe to CBI, which registered a fresh case on July 17, 2013, and announced cash reward of 10 lakh for providing substantial clues about the killers.

(With inputs from Prashant Ranjan, Ara)
Police have invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against Rudragowda Devendrappa Patil, the alleged kingpin of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) recruitment scam, and 11 other accused involved in the malpractice, officials familiar with the matter said. The Criminal Investigation Department has invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act against 12 accused as part of its ongoing investigation into the KEA recruitment scam, which has resulted in a total of 45 arrests. (HT Archives)

Apart from Patil, Santosh Kottalli, Shivakumara, Sidrama Koli, Ravikumar, Rudragowda, Rahim Choudhary, Sagar, Basanna Poojari, Chandrakantha Burakal, Shashidhara Jamadara, and Basavaraja Yelavara, are facing charges under this stringent law.

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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken this action as part of its ongoing investigation into the KEA recruitment scam, which has resulted in a total of 45 arrests. KCOCA has been applied specifically to those individuals who are implicated in more than one charge sheet related to the malpractices in the recruitment process.

Out of the 45 people arrested, those who have been booked under KCOCA have been charge-sheeted in more than one case involving such malpractice. This is the reason this act has been slapped against them, said a senior police officer, wishing not to be named.

The CID has registered eight cases in Kalaburgi and Yadgir districts, relating to malpractices in the examination conducted on October 28, specifically for the recruitment of First Division Assistant (FDA) posts. During the FDA examination, over 20 aspirants were allegedly caught using Bluetooth devices for malpractice, leading to their immediate arrest.

Rudragowda Devendrappa Patil is alleged to be the key accused in both the KEA and PSI recruitment scams. The 11 individuals facing KCOCA charges are accused of assisting him in the recruitment scam that took place in 2021.

Patil had previously been arrested in connection with the PSI recruitment scam, which resulted in the apprehension of more than 100 individuals, including senior IPS officer Amrit Paul, who was then the Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment).

Patil, attempting to evade arrest, remained on the run for several days before being apprehended in Maharashtra in November. His efforts to secure anticipatory bail were unsuccessful prior to his arrest.

KCOCA provides the police with the authority to detain the accused for a maximum of 30 days. Confessions made before designated officials during this period are admissible as evidence. Additionally, the law allows the police to file a charge sheet within 180 days, and the accused individuals are ineligible for bail during this period.
When visualizing a public school, many conjure an image of a traditional, neighborhood institution, similar from one place to another and run by the local school district. However, Montanas education system has changed significantly in recent years, challenging our perceptions of public schools. This transformation is driven by the states evolving approach to school choice and funding. So, what exactly is a public school in Montana today?

The Constitutions guarantee:

Montanas state constitution emphasizes the goal of providing an education system that develops the full educational potential of each person. However, the state has witnessed declining educational performance as reflected in NAEP scores and recurring low scores on its own state assessment. The problem lies in the uniformity of outcomes across districts when compared to the states average, highlighting that part of the Constitutions guarantee is falling flat. So, yes, the guarantee of equality of educational opportunity is being upheld, as the schools clearly manifest sameness, resulting in highly uniform student outcomes. But, meeting the guarantee requires more than offering uniformity; it demands meaningful improvement to reach the full potential of each person.

The constitution also charges the Legislature with providing a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools. With the introduction of education freedom laws, the Legislature has fulfilled this mandate by expanding the system to encompass tangible options for parents that would otherwise be unattainable. The Constitution does not stipulate that all schools must be government-run; instead, it allows the Legislature to provide other educational institutionsas it deems desirable.

Expanding the definition:

Montana introduced the Tax Credit Scholarship in 2022, allowing taxpayers to allocate their tax obligations to Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations then allow students to choose a private school to receive their scholarship. Though private, the participating schools expand education offerings to a broader group of students in their region who typically would not be able to afford private school.

Additionally, Montanas Education Savings Account will soon serve a similar purpose. In this case, public money intended for education will be directed to a trust managed by the Office of Public Instruction and used to reimburse parents for educational expenses such as: private school tuition, independent specialists clinics, private tutoring, out-of-state virtual curriculum and other approved educational costs. If parents choose the tuition option, their child becomes a private school student; if they use the funds for other educational expenses, they will then be homeschooling because Montana mandates compulsory enrollment for children aged 7-16.

Furthermore, there is great potential for public school students to redirect a portion of their per-pupil allotment to a Community Choice Charter School, pending legal challenges, thus, expanding public school options.

In this evolving landscape, Montana is redefining what constitutes a public education.

A better understanding of public schools:

To embrace the integration of new laws, we should redefine public schools as institutions supported with public funds designed to educate Montanas students in alignment with the constitutional guarantee. This definition goes beyond government-operated schools.

Ashley Berner, in her book "Pluralism and American Public Education: No One Way to School," reports that many democratic nations allocate public funds for education without restricting families to a single state-operated public school. Rather, they allow money to follow students to their schools of choice, regardless of the operator. This includes faith-based schools, independent schools, choice schools, in-district charter schools or traditional district schools.

Education pluralism recognizes that education is a public good and people differ in their preferences for how to educate their children. It empowers parents by making them responsible for the learning outcomes of their own children because they have freely chosen the school. Accountability lies in student outcomes and parental support rather than in prescriptive regulations with no monitoring or consequences for failure. Education pluralism acknowledges that education is, in fact, an enculturation process, so parents should have the freedom to choose the values, perspectives and curriculum with which their children are educated. Berner notes, Uniformity breeds indoctrination of the worst kind, because it is implicit, unacknowledged, and occluded.

Tolerance becomes essential in an education pluralism model because peoples preferences vary greatly and not everyone is going to like or respect each schools offering. Sadly, the current single-option, government-run school led by a local school board as the only tuition-free option in town often fosters division within communities. While the majority is satisfied with its own preferences, the minority must suffer at their will.
In a statement which is likely to draw sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday compared the Thursday Poonch ambush incident with the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 and questioned the motive of the central government. An Indian Army vehicle after being ambushed by terrorists, in Poonch district on Thursday. (PTI)

Sanjay Raut's statement comes even as security forces on Friday launched a massive cordon and search operation in the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a day after four army personnel were killed and three others injured in a terrorist attack.

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An official said aerial monitoring is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists who ambushed two Army vehicles in the area Thursday afternoon.

Reacting to the terrorist attack in Poonch, Sanjay Raut said, "Yesterday's terrorist attack in Poonch is a repeat of the Pulwama attack. The government is sleeping. Do you (BJP) again want to do politics on the sacrifice by our jawans? Do you want to seek votes again in 2024 as you did in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack? If we ask questions about the Poonch incident, then they will throw us out of Delhi or the country."

The Pulwama attack was one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred. The Pulwama attack happened on February 14, 2019, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. The attack also left many critically wounded.

The Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed the responsibility for the attack. The police had identified the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmed alias Waqas Commander from Kakapora in Pulwama.

Sanjay Raut added that miscreants intruded into the Parliament but the government had no knowledge about it.

"The government is celebrating the abrogation of Article 370 and see what has happened. This is a serious issue. In the last two months just see how many soldiers have been killed. They don't allow the Parliament to function. When we questioned Parliament's intrusion they removed us from Parliament," he added.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah said that terrorism has not ended in the Union territory.

Speaking to news agency ANI on Thursday in Srinagar about the latest terror attack, the National Conference president said,"...Even today there is terrorism in J&K, there has just been an incident. Terrorism has not ended. They (central government) are only talking about boosting tourism in Kashmir. Even if one tourist gets shot, no one will come here."
Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities in power purchases from Chhattisgarh and construction of Yadadri and Bhadradri thermal power projects by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in the state. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy orders judicial probe into various projects by BRS government in the state. (ANI)

The chief minister made an announcement to this effect while intervening during the discussion on the white paper on Telangana power sector, tabled in the state assembly by deputy chief minister holding finance portfolio Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

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He alleged that never in the past did the previous BRS government disclose any facts on the power sector situation in the state assembly. We are now scanning the department and disclosing the factual position to the people. The previous rulers should gracefully accept the truths, he said.

The CM alleged that the previous BRS government had entered into an agreement with Chhattisgarh for purchase of 1,000 MW without even calling for tenders and this led to a huge burden of 1,362 crore on the state exchequer.

When we were in the opposition, we questioned the deal with Chhattisgarh in the state assembly. But we were thrown out from the House by the marshals. When an official disclosed the facts, he was demoted and shunted to a remote place, he alleged.

Similarly, the previous BRS government had entered into an agreement with a company for adopting an outdated sub-critical technology. In the Bhadradri power project, too, there were scams worth thousands of crores.

We will order a judicial inquiry into these three issues. We are also ready to constitute a fact-finding committee with members of all parties to look into the issue of providing 24X7 power supply to the agriculture sector, Revanth announced.

Power sector in financial crisis

Earlier, presenting the white paper on the power sector, Vikramarka said the previous BRS government had pushed the sector into deep financial distress leading to the bankruptcy of power distribution companies (Discoms). The financial health of the power sector is precarious and is a matter of grave concern, he said.

The finance minister said at the time of formation of the state the installed generation capacity of TSGENCO (Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited) was 4365.26 MW. Prior to the formation of the state itself, several generation projects had been conceived and initiated with a capacity of 2,960 MW.

The commissioning of these projects after the formation of the state has been critical in providing reliable power supply. In addition, special provisions in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 regarding power sector enabled the state to get over 1,800 MW power beyond the installed capacity in the state at that time, he said.

After formation of the state, only one power project of 1,080 MW capacity was conceived and commissioned at Bhadradri Thermal Power Stations (BTPS) with inordinate time and cost overrun using subcritical technology, Vikramarka said.

Another power project of 4,000 MW in Nalgonda District (Yadadri thermal power station) was taken up at a location far removed from the coal mines leading to avoidable coal transport costs of over 800 crore per annum which are liable to further escalate with time and will be applicable over entire life time of the project.

The accumulated losses of Discoms as on March 31, 2023 stand at 62,461 crore. Discoms have a debt of 81,516 crore as on October 31, 2023. Of this, an amount of 30,406 crore has been borrowed as working capital primarily to pay power charges to the generators. Despite this, an amount of 28,673 crore of generation and transmission dues remain to be paid by Discoms, he said.

The difficulty faced by Discoms in paying power purchase bills has been aggravated by the default of government in paying the power bills of its own departments which have now mounted to 28,842 crore.

Of this, the amount due from lift irrigation projects alone is 14,193 crore. The governments default in paying committed true up charges of 14,928 crore has further contributed to the further deterioration of Discom finances, the minister said.

In these circumstances, merely to keep the power supply going, Discoms are resorting to borrowings on a regular basis which have reached unsustainable proportions.

Discoms are now finding themselves in debt trap due to failure of the government in paying its dues and commitments to the sector, the finance minister added.

Hitting back, senior BRS leader and former power minister G Jagadish Reddy accused the Congress government of distorting the facts to blame the previous government.

There are absolutely no irregularities in the construction of Yadadri or Bhadradri plants. We are ready for any kind of inquiry. If the government is interested, it can order even a judicial inquiry, Jagadish Reddy said.`
In a major setback for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, the Madras high court on Thursday sentenced senior party leader and states higher education minister K Ponmudy and his wife to three-year imprisonment in a 1.75-crore disproportionate assets case. Consequent to his three-year prison term, K Ponmudy stands disqualified as a legislator from Thirukoyyilur constituency, in accordance to the Representation of the People Act (PTI)

Justice G Jayachandran, who held the couple guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, also imposed a fine of 50 lakh each on Ponmudy and his wife, P Visalakhi. The court, however, granted the couple one month to surrender before the trail court to undergo prison sentencing.

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Consequent to his three-year prison term, Ponmudy stands disqualified as a legislator from Thirukoyyilur constituency, in accordance to the Representation of the People Act. Hours after his sentencing, the DMK government allocated the higher education portfolio to RS Rajakanappan, the backward classes welfare minister in the MK Stalin-led cabinet.

The DMKs legal team said they would challenge the high court verdict before the Supreme Court.

Justice Jayachandran said the sentence is imposed considering the nature of offence, its gravity and its impact on the society and after considering the submissions made by the accused.

On December 19, the high court found the six-time DMK legislator and his wife guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and had directed them to appear on Thursday.

The case pertains to Ponmudy amassing wealth disproportionately to the tune of 1.75 crore in his name and in the name of his wife which was 65.99% more than his known sources of income when he was the minister for mines in the DMK-led regime during 2006 to 2011. They were, however, acquitted by a trial court in Villupuram, Ponmudys home district in northern Tamil Nadu, in 2016. On Tuesday, the high court set aside that verdict and allowed the appeal filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in 2017.

On Thursday, Ponmudy (73) and his wife Visalakhi (68) submitted their medical records to the judge and pleaded for a lesser punishment, citing their age and illness and the longevity of the case. Considering the fact that, the 1st accused /Ponmudy is presently the Minister of Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu and the health conditions of the accused, 30 days time (is) granted to surrender before the trial court to undergo the sentence imposed, the judge said in his order.

In case the accused persons fail to surrender on or before January 22, 2024, the trial court shall secure the accused by executing warrant, the judge added.

Earlier, senior counsel NR Ellango, representing the accused, prayed the court to grant leave to enable Ponmudy and his wife Visalakshi to file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court and also to suspend the sentence. The high court, however, rejected the prayer.

We will immediately appeal in the Supreme Court. We are confident to bring Ponmudy relief, Elango said. We will seek a stay of conviction. This is not the final verdict. The Supreme Court is the highest authority.

Elango, who is also a suspended Rajya Sabha member from the DMK, added the case against Ponmudy was filed out of vengeance by the previous AIADMK regime.

Soon after the AIADMK came to power in 2011, the DVAC in September that year registered a DA case against Ponmudy and his wife. DVACs final report in 2012 alleged that Ponmudy along with his wife during the check period acquired assets 65.99% more than their known source of income.

Earlier, the high court initiated a suo motu (on its own) revision case against the influential DMK leader and his wife. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, exercising the revisional jurisdiction of the high court  the power to revise cases decided by subordinate courts  on August 10 reopened the case. He also reopened more cases involving politicians, including sitting ministers. Following a roster change, justice Jayachandran continued hearing these cases.

Last month, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain pleas filed by Ponmudi and his wife against justice Venkatesh for taking up the revision case. Thank God we have judges like Justice Anand Venkatesh in our system, a bench led by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud had remarked on November 5.

The opposition BJP, meanwhile, targeted the DMK over the ministers sentencing by the court.

The Fountainhead of Corruption, the coterie that mastered the art of scientifically Swindling taxpayer money, is today trembling from within, BJP state chief K Annamalai posted on X, naming Ponmudy and Senthil Balaji, another DMK minister arrested by ED in a graft case. Chief minister MK Stalin can build a block in the central prison for his ministers, Annamalai added.

Elango hit back, saying the DMK continues to be strong and it is the BJP who is afraid of them.
The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 on the man. HT Image

In an order passed on December 21, Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar Srivastava sentenced 38-year-old Hussain Hamidia to two years in jail, Assistant District Government Advocate (ADGC) Santosh Kumar Mishra said on Friday.

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The court also slapped a fine of 10,000 on Hamidia. If the convict fails to pay the fine, he will have to undergo an additional imprisonment of one month, Mishra said.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Atish Kumar Singh said Hamidia was arrested by the Immigration Department in the Sonauli area along the India-Nepal border on January 13, 2022, after his visa and passport were found to be fake.

A case was registered against him under sections 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) of the Indian Penal Code and under the Foreigners Act, Singh said.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi on Friday praised his grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi over the victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan. BJP MP Varun Gandhi during the Winter session of Parliament in New Delhi.(PTI)

Sharing a letter written by Indira Gandhi to then Indian Army chief General Sam Manekshaw, after the victory in the 1971 war, Varun Gandhi on social media X lauded his grandmother saying that a true leader gives credit to the entire team for a win and does not take sole credit.

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A true leader knows that it is the entire team that wins, and knows when to be large-hearted and not take sole credit, Varun Gandhi wrote. On this day all of India salutes both these great Indian treasures, he added.

In the letter dated December 22, 1971, the then prime minister had lauded the armed forces and General Manekshaw for the victory in the war.

"The last days have given proof of the people's admiration and appreciation of the magnificent achievement of our Armed Forces in safeguarding our territorial integrity and upholding national values," Indira Gandhi wrote in the letter.

Also Read | Sam Bahadur movie review: Facile and forgettable vignette reel powered by Vicky Kaushal

"I know how heavy has been your burden and how constant have been the pressures upon you, as Chief of the Army Staff and also Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The coordination between the three Services, so impressively demonstrated during the campaign, owest much to your brilliant leadership. I particularly valued your cooperation, your clear-headed counsel and unfailing good cheer throughout this crisis," Indira Gandhi told the first Field Marshal of India.

"I should like to express the gratitude of the government and the people of India to you and to your officers and men," she added.

General Manekshaw's career in the Army spanned over four decades and five wars. He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. Manekshaw, fondly called 'Sam Bahadur,' led the Indian Army to victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
The Madhya Pradesh government will work to shift the Prime Meridian, the line of longitude that is used as the global reference for time, from Greenwich in England to Ujjain, the states newly minted chief minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday in the course of a speech where he railed against rampant westernisation. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla during the Winter session of MP Assembly, in Bhopal, Thursday,(PTI)

Read here: MP cities to have separate markets for meat and fish: CM Mohan Yadav

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Responding to the governors assembly in the state assembly, Yadav said his government will prove that Ujjain is the global Prime Meridian, and stressed that he would push to correct the time of the world.

It was our (Ujjains) time that was known in the world, but Paris started to set the time and later, it was adopted by the British who considered Greenwich the Prime Meridian, he said.

Yadav was referencing an ancient Hindu astronomical belief that Ujjain was once considered Indias central meridian and that the city determined the countrys time zones and time differences. It is also the basis of time in the Hindu calendar. Ujjain, the belief goes, is located at the precise point of interaction with the zero meridian and the Tropic of Cancer. It is also the location of what is Indias oldest observatory, built by Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the early 18th century.

To be sure, the 1884 convention on meridians accepted the longitude passing through Greenwich as the zero meridian or the Prime Meridian. Indian Standard Time, 5.30 hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT), is calculated from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh (UP), which lies on the 8230E longitude.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who took charge on December 11 after the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) sweeping victory in the assembly elections, also took umbrage at the extant accepted idea of midnight.

The world has two types of living beings  one who is awake during the daytime and another awake at night, so what is the logic behind changing the day at midnight? he asked.

Westernisation is ruining the world and his government will collaborate with scientific minds to reverse this rot, Yadav added.

The adoption of westernisation is an attack on our culture, but not anymore. We will do research at the observatory in Ujjain to correct the time of the world. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will do research and develop a platform so that honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take this to the international level, Yadav said.

Indias neighbours will support Ujjains anointment as the central meridian, he claimed.

All the countries, whether China, Pakistan or Afghanistan... believe that if it is a matter of fixing standard time, then it will be decided by India, he added. To be sure, there is no evidence any other country would support such a plan.

Yadav then took aim at the Gregorian calendar, which has been accepted globally for nearly five centuries, and said emphasis should be placed on the Hindu calendar, known as Vikram Samvat.

Aryabhatta, who is a renowned mathematician, did remarkable work in aeronautics. Now, its time to give importance and recognition to our ancient knowledge. Vikram Samvat should be given importance over the Gregorian Calendar, he said.

Research will be done on Baba Mahakal and Samrat Vikramaditya, who, the chief minister said, was known for his judiciary skills, justice, valour and generosity.

After time- and date-keeping norms, Yadav took a swipe at western education.

Praising the New Education Policy, Yadav said, The Congress didnt do anything on the mistake of 1835 of Macaulays education policy. But we (the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre) rectified it by introducing the New Education Policy.

Read here: MP CM Mohan Yadav orders to ban loudspeakers/DJs at religious, public places

He was referring to Thomas Babington Macaulays 1835 Minutes on Education In India, which subsequently led to the formation of the English Education Act.

Congress legislator Umang Singhar, the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, said, We dont understand why the chief minister spoke about these things in the assembly, We were keen to know the governments development plan, but he gave speech on this bizarre thing.
Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said the Upper House lost nearly 22 hours of business due to avoidable disruptions during the winter session, which was adjourned sine die a day ahead of schedule. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. (ANI)

In his remarks on the conclusion of the winter session, Dhankhar criticised the members for weaponizing disruptions and disturbance as a political strategy, which he said doesnt resonate with the constitutional obligation of keeping the interest of people at large above any other political considerations.

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The winter session of Parliament was marred with the opposition's protest demanding a statement from Union home minister Amit Shah on the security breach and the subsequent mass suspensions of MPs.

Despite the absence of the majority of opposition lawmakers owing to the large-scale suspensions, the government tabled and passed some crucial bills, including the ones replacing the British-era criminal code and regulating the appointment of top election officials.

A total of 17 Bills including important path breaking bills related to Jammu & Kashmir, Appointment of Election Commissioners, the Post Office Bill, The Telecommunications Bill and the three Bills namely Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were passed during this session, the chairman said, adding that the three bills unshackled colonial legacy of criminal jurisprudence that was hurtful to the citizens of this country and favouring alien rulers.

Taking note of the passage of the Bill to repeal the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 and to consolidate and amend the law relating to the post offices in India, Dhankhar said, "The Post Office Bill revamped the old colonial structure to set up the stage for fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of the country."

"These Bills represented the spirit of "Panch Praan" that would lay a firm foundation for Bharat's Amrit Kaal," he added.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are scheduled to hold a protest against the suspension of 146 opposition MPs in the national capital on Friday.
An acrimonious winter session of Parliament that saw a serious lapse in the security of the heavily fortified building with two intruders jumping into the Lok Sabha with smoke canisters; a record number (146) of lawmakers being suspended from both Houses; and 10 important bills passed by Parliament, mostly in the absence of the Opposition, ended on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Pralhad Joshi and Arjun Ram Meghwal, and other leaders during a meeting on Thursday. (PTI)

The security lapse, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to as a serious issue, overshadowed the legislative process.

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During the customary exchange of greetings with floor leaders at the end of the session -- with most Opposition leaders missing -- Modi , HT learns, said all possible steps should be taken to ensure a foolproof security system. According to a person aware of the details, the PM also told lawmakers that the issue was selectively raised by the Opposition, referring to an incident that took place in the Karnataka assembly in July, when a man sat through part of the proceedings for about an hour. Among those present for the meeting were Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi, Bhartruhari Mahatab of the BJD and Rahul Shewale of Shiva Sena (Shinde faction).

The PM said the issue was not publicised by the media and the offender was let off with a warning, said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity. The reference is to an incident that happened during the budget session of the assembly, when a 70-year-old man, claiming to be a MLA entered the house and spent some time listening to the chief ministers speech before other MLAs raised an alarm.

Both the Houses were adjourned sine die on Thursday after the passage of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 and the The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita that will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita that replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Bharatiya Saksha (Second) Bill that replaces the Evidence Act, 1872 were passed with no participation from the Opposition. With the bills already having been passed by the other house, they will now become laws after the Presidents approval.

Giving details of the legislative business that took place in the 14-day session that began on December 4, Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla said the productivity was 74% with 12 Bills introduced, and 18 Bills passed.

Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch for 2023-2024 and Demands for Excess Grants for 2020-2021 were discussed and passed during the Session, Birla said, adding that 55 starred questions were answered orally and 265 matters were taken up under Rule 377 and 182 Matters of Urgent Public Importance were raised. Department-related Standing Committees of the Lok Sabha presented 35 reports, he said.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said: Seventeen Bills including important path breaking bills related to Jammu & Kashmir, Appointment of Election Commissioners, the Post Office Bill, the Telecommunications Bill and the three Bills namely Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were passed during this session.

Referring to the three criminal code bills passed on Thursday, he said, these unshackled colonial legacy of criminal jurisprudence that was hurtful to the citizens of this country and favouring alien rulers.

The chairman said the House was able to transact business for 65 hours during the 14 sittings.  I am pained to state that nearly 22 hours were lost due to avoidable disruptions adversely impacting our overall productivity that finally stood at 79%.

The Opposition, however, criticised the government for passing key bills without their participation in the legislative process.

Our example of the largest democracy in the world is in crisis. The whole country is seeing that the BJP is strangling democracy by arbitrarily passing important bills without discussion and debate. There is a conspiracy going on to convert Parliament into a platform for the ruling party. The way 143 MPs of our INDIA alliance have been suspended in both the Houses so far in the current Parliament session is unfortunate. The Modi government is working against the dignity of Parliament by passing all the important bills in the absence of the opposition, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said at the Congress Working Committee meeting during the day.

Following the security breach on December 13, the opposition parties rallied together to press for a statement from union home minister Amit Shah on the lapse that sent shock waves across the country and invoked memories of the horrific terror attack that took place in Parliament on the exact same date in 2001.

The government, for its part, maintained that a statement on the lapse and the subsequent inquiry were made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla since security was his mandate as the custodian of the House and refused to give in to the oppositions demand. The resulting stand-off led to protests within and outside both Houses, with some members trooping into the well, displaying placards and raising slogans. Accusing them of politicising the security lapse, the government pinned the blame on the opposition for precipitating a standoff between the two sides.

The suspension of opposition MPs exacerbated the breakdown in communication between the government and the opposition. Matters came to a head when a suspended MP of the TMC, Kalyan Banerjee was caught on camera mimicking Dhankhar, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen filming the act. Im a member of the Lok Sabha and I have never watched any Rajya Sabha proceedings including RS TV proceedingsI have not taken anyones name, Banerjee told reporters on Wednesday.

The BJP accused the MP of insulting the office of the Chairperson. Dhankhar himself referred to the slight as an act of disrespect against his office, and the farming and the Jat communities to which he belongs, although Banerjee did not refer to either.

Pointing out that he will not tolerate any disrespect to his position, Dhankhar on Wednesday said, ..I am not bothered if anyone insults Jagdeep Dhankhar, but I cannot bear that I could not protect the honour of my post. It is my duty to protect the honour of the House...The post was disrespected. The farmers community was insulted.

PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also expressed their dismay over the incident.

With 14 of the 146 suspended MPsfacing privilege notices -- this means their suspension could last beyond this session -- the fallout of one of the most acrimonious sittings of Parliament may yet play out.
The philosopher Omri Boehm insists that universal humanistic principles can help solve the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. He has been honored with a major German prize for his ideas. Omri Boehm is being honored for his idea of 'radical universalism,' a principle he believes can help resolve the Middle East conflict. (Christian Charisius/dpa/picture alliance )

Omri Boehm is a former employee of Israel's Shin Bet secret service. He is also a staunch human rights defender who dreams of a state that upholds equal rights for both Jews and Arabs.

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The philosopher's concept of "humanistic universalism," as articulated in his 2022 book, "Radical Universalism. Beyond Identity," has earned Boehm the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding.

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Endowed with 20,000 ($21,855), the prize will be presented during the opening of the Leipzig Book Fair in March, 2024.

The jury honored Boehm for his "obligation to recognize the equality of all human beings, against any relativization."

In "Radical Universalism. Beyond identity," the author "resolutely opposes the ideological hardening of the present," said the jury.

Advocate for an Israeli-Palestinian federation

Omri Boehm is uncompromising when defending his ideas.

In his 2020 pamphlet "Israel. A Utopia," he describes Zionism as incompatible with humanist values and argues for a rethinking of Israeli statehood.

As also articulated in his 2021 book, "Haifa Republic: A Democratic Future," Boehm does not advocate for a separate Palestinian state. His "utopia" is an Israeli-Palestinian federation  one country for both peoples.

Even after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent outbreak of war, Boehm reaffirmed his position in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine.

"We are dealing with an intolerable situation where the impossible is necessary," he said. "We must find proposals for a political solution in the future. The only alternative to unlimited war is the compromise of a federation."

Intelligence officer and model student

Boehm was born in Haifa in 1979 and grew up in a small village in the Galilee region of northern Israel along with his German Jewish grandmother and Iranian Jewish grandfather.

He did his military service with the Israeli domestic secret service, Shin Bet.

But he was an elite student who ultimately completed his doctorate in philosophy at Yale University on "Kant's Critique of Spinoza."

Holding both Israeli and German citizenship, Boehm has conducted postdoctoral studies and research in Munich and Berlin.

Today, Omri Boehm lives in the US, where since 2010 he's been an associate professor of philosophy at New York's New School for Social Research.

In addition to his research and teaching work, he writes about Israeli politics in international newspapers such as Haaretz, Die Zeit and The New York Times.

Founding a 'bi-national state' on universal rights

As the jury of the Leipzig Book Prize put it, Omri Boehm is not afraid to give "metaphysical justifications" for the universal rights of all people.

The sought-after voice on the Middle East conflict continues to call for a "bi-national state" where two peoples live side-by-side.

As he argued in "Haifa Republic," preeminent Zionists like Theodor Herzl and Ze'ev Jabotinsky, who founded Israel, advocated such a federation where Jews and Arabs resided together on the same land.

Interviewed by Swiss broadcaster SRF in November, Boehm posited that universalism also includes the idea that "the lives of uninvolved civilians in Gaza have to be defended like the lives of Israeli Jews."

He said that the premise of "imagining a life together with Palestinians" will also require that Palestinians "condemn both sides" in the conflict, meaning Hamas.

The Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding has been awarded since 1994 and is one of the most important literary awards in Germany. The prize committee is made up of the Free State of Saxony, the City of Leipzig, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, and the Leipzig Book Fair.

Omri Boehm will be awarded the prize at the opening of the Leipzig Book Fair on March 20 in the Leipzig Gewandhaus. The laudatory speech will be given by the French-Israeli sociologist Eva Illouz, a friend and companion of Boehm.
National Farmer's Day 2023: Farmers are the backbone of our country. They work round the clock to provide food to us. Their contributions to our daily lives are immense and uncountable. They help in feeding each and every person of this nation and also contribute to economic development. Our country heavily depends on agriculture and farmers ensure that they work hard in providing us with our daily meals. Often the difficulties they go through are immense. From low wages to poverty and hunger, farmers have a difficult life. National Farmer's Day is dedicated to each and every farmer of the country who works hard to provide for the nation and ensure that we never run out of food. The success of PM-Pranam, the flagship scheme in the push towards natural farming, will squarely depend on the states. It seeks to hand out cash incentives to state governments that can cut their consumption of chemical soil nutrients.

As we gear up to celebrate National Farmer's Day for this year, here are a few things to keep in mind.

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Date:

Every year, National Farmer's Day is celebrated on December 23. For this year, National Farmer's Day falls on Saturday.

History:

National Farmer's Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the former Prime Minister of the country. Chaudhary Charan Singh served the nation from 1979 to 1980. Within his short tenure, he developed several welfare programmes directed at improving the conditions of the farmers and empowering them. In 2001, the Government of India announced December 23 to be celebrated as National Farmer's Day to honour Chaudhary Charan Singh's contributions and his transformation from a farmer to the head of the state.

Significance:

National Farmer's Day is usually celebrated in the agriculture and farming states of the nation - Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. On this day, programmes are organised in several parts of the country where the farmers get the stage to talk about their needs and goals. Innovations in science and technology are also presented to the farmers to maximise their production.
Two North Dakota funds that support agriculture-related businesses are providing nearly $3.8 million in grants to 18 projects this quarter, including two in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

Northern Lights Dairy in rural Mandan is getting $350,000 from the Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund to help buy equipment to haul milk, according to the state Agriculture Department. Northern Lights was one of the dairies impacted by the September announcement that the Prairie Farms Dairy milk production facility in Bismarck would cease operations and become solely a distribution facility.

Meanwhile, Carbon Convert LLC is getting $100,000 through the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission. The Bismarck business will use the money to develop technology to convert climate-warming carbon dioxide into elements that can be used in commercial products.

APUC

The commission better known as APUC funds developers of North Dakota farm-related products. The money typically is used for research, marketing, farm diversification, agriculture tourism and technology. The group approved just under $3 million in grants at its recent quarterly meeting in Devils Lake.

One of the grants is going to Wolf Creek Winery in Coleharbor, which will use the $35,000 to develop a marketing plan.

Dickinson-based EcoBalance Global is getting one of the largest grants this quarter -- $162,000 to improve adoption of environmentally sound practices and monetize those benefits for producers.

The Plant Sciences Department at North Dakota State University in Fargo is getting a couple of smaller grants, to further research into turning soybean meal into printer ink, and for apple research that could boost hard cider production in the state.

A full list of grants is at bit.ly/3NrGbQG.

ADD

The Agricultural Diversification and Development Fund is administered by the Agriculture Department and state-owned Bank of North Dakota to support new or expanding value-added-agriculture businesses.

Napoleon-based Rock Valley Feeders is getting $500,000 to expand a beef feedlot to accommodate bison. North American Bison is getting the same amount of money, to help with safety and biosecurity at the New Rockford bison processing plant.

Other projects getting money deal with sunflower seeds, soap and construction material made from hemp. A full list is at bit.ly/3TvNbA5.

Both APUC and ADD will hold their next grant application hearings in Bismarck. ADD will be on Feb. 28, and APUC will be Feb. 28-29. Applications are due by Jan. 1. For more information go to bit.ly/3ZM2EvM for APUC, and to bit.ly/3mwZE7P for ADD.
If you have eaten Thai food outside of Thailand, at a halfway decent restaurant (as distinct from a cheap takeaway) then the man you have to thank for how the food is selected, organised and served is  bizarrely enough  an Australian.

Australian chef David Thompsons Longchim, an international chain, serves Thai street food.
Growing up in Calcutta, Christmas was always a magical time of the year for me. It wasnt just that I went to a convent school or that I had Christian friends who would celebrate this day as a religious festival. It was also because Christmas  or Burra Din, as we called it in Cal  had been transformed into a secular holiday by the denizens of the city, who treated it as a special occasion to be marked by fireworks, streetlights, neighbourhood parties and community picnics, in which everyone would wear silly hats, eat, drink and make very merry indeed.

Christmas in Calcutta is marked by fireworks and the bright lights of Park Street. (Shutterstock)
The word Lupus is a Latin word meaning wolf and this word was coined because the rash in a patient with Lupus resembles the bite of the wolf! Lupus is a Chronic Auto-Immune Disease where the bodys autoimmune system instead of serving its normal protective function, forms antibodies which start attacking healthy tissues and causes inflammation. Lupus disease: Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention tips (Photo by Twitter/DrShadyYousif1)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kaushik Bhojani, Head of Rheumatology Services at Fortis Hospitals in Mumbai, explained, Normally these antibodies are meant to fight outside infections such as bacteria and viruses. However, in Lupus, the body loses its ability to differentiate between these foreign invaders (antigens) and our normal healthy tissues. Hence the bodys own immune system begins to fight against its own self. The antibodies then combine with the self-antigens and forms immune complexes within tissues which cause inflammation within the organs. This can sometimes cause major health issues and can even be life threatening!

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He added, Quite often, in our country, this disease is diagnosed late because the patient reaches the Rheumatologist late. By this time, the inflammation has spread to involve multiple organs and then the disease becomes life threatening. Young lives have often been lost by the time this disease is diagnosed.

CAUSES:

According to Dr Kaushik Bhojani, the causes of Lupus are many and sometimes quite obscure where Lupus occurs in a genetically susceptible person who is exposed to a trigger and some well-known triggers are:

Sunlight and ultraviolet exposure

Bacterial or viral infections

Hormonal treatments containing Estrogens can trigger a flare

Some drugs can also trigger a flare

In diagnosed cases, overexertion, stress, emotional upheaval is known to cause flares

Pregnancy can trigger a flare of lupus hence, patients having Lupus must plan their pregnancy only when the disease is well controlled and consult their Rheumatologist who will do a detailed workup before the couple plans their pregnancy

However, most often, one is not able to identify a cause for the trigger.

SYMPTOMS:

A key symptom, as per Dr Kaushik Bhojani, is a skin rash involving the face, particularly the cheeks bones - known as Malar Rash. This is usually in the shape of butterfly wings and hence is also called a butterfly rash. Other symptoms include:

Sun sensitivity

Painful swollen joints

Frequent mouth ulcers

Excessive hair loss

Persistent Anemia

Prolonged fever and no clear evidence of infection anywhere

Fingers turning white or bluish on exposure to cold

Excessive fatigue

Kidney infection in the young without apparent cause - such as swelling in legs, frothy urine

Chest pain and breathlessness on exertion

When there is a combination of more than one symptom present, it is easier to suspect this illness.

SEEK HELP:

Dr Kaushik Bhojani highlighted, "Usually, it is common for a patient to consult his or her family physician in case of fever, generalised body ache etc and if the onset of illness is with joint pains, usually a patient first consults a nearby Orthopedic surgeon. However, if the patient has a Plus Syndrome, meaning that there are symptoms affecting different aspects of the patients body, then the patient must not lose time. If the patient has joint pains and hair loss or the patient has a low-grade fever and joint pains or for that matter a skin rash along with hair loss and joint pains, then it is important to realise that this is not an ordinary illness and needs a specialist consult.

TREATMENT:

Dr Kaushik Bhojani suggested that the management of Lupus involves three major aspects:

a) Arriving at the diagnosis correctly and quickly. Some autoimmune disease can look similar and a correct diagnosis is essential. A detailed history, with a thorough clinical evaluation, is non-negotiable. This is followed by laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. The tests range from routine haematology tests upto Immunological tests like an Antinuclear Antibody test (ANA). This ANA is followed by in depth Immunological testing along with tests for internal organ affection basis clinical signs.

b) Assessing the degree of involvement: A detailed clinical evaluation from head to toe is important because lupus can involve one or many organs. The treatment will depend on the extent of the Lupus and the intensity of organ inflammation.

c) Monitoring of disease control: At each visit, answering a detailed questionnaire, evaluation, along with lab testing for assessing internal organ function, is required to keep this disease well under control.

Basis the above three parameters, the treatment and intensity of treatment is to be determined. However, it is very important to remember that there is no permanent cure for Lupus, and treatment will need to be continued indefinitely even after the patient feels that he/she is well.

PREVENTION:

Dr Kaushik Bhojani recommended the following preventive measures:

a) The patient must avoid going out in the sun between 9.00AM to 5.30PM

b) If unavoidable, then covering up well using long sleeved dresses, using caps and sunglasses are essential. In addition, use of sunscreens with a high SPF of greater than 40 is essential

c) Avoid going for picnics to beaches or riverside because the sun rays reflected from the water are even more dangerous triggers. Going swimming in the sunlight is simply out of the question

d) Avoidance of hormonal pills containing Estrogens is necessary, Hence even for contraception, only Progesterone pills are safer.

e) When consulting other doctors, they must be informed hand that you have Lupus and you must contact your rheumatologist to ensure that there is no risk with the treatment prescribed by them

f) Before undergoing any planned surgery, you must consult your rheumatologist and preferably have your surgeon talk to your Rheumatologist

g) Importantly, pregnancy planning must be avoided in active disease.
Year Ender 2023: This is that time of the year - it's the best time to kick back and relax, fly off to a scenic location with your loved ones and find the joy of being together surrounded by the best of nature's offerings. From beaches to hill stations to forests to deserts, the earth has a lot to offer, and this is the time to enjoy nature at its best with your friends and family around you. With the holiday season nearing, people are already on their toes in planning their itineraries for the upcoming vacations. As we start to wrap the year and reminisce about all the good times and the not-so-great days, this is a lookback at the travel destinations all over the world that were visited by most tourists. Year Ender 2023: World's most over-crowded destinations(Pexels)

ALSO READ: Year Ender 2023: Hottest Indian destinations of the year

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Phuket, Thailand: Known for its natural beauty, stunning locations and great cuisine, Thailand always tops the list of the tourists when they want to relax and walk into another year with a fresh mind and great memories. Phuket in Thailand was one of the most over-crowded destinations this year with tourists swarming the place.

Krabi, Thailand: The second place from the list also belongs to Thailand. Krabi is known for limestone cliffs, clear waters and stunning landscapes. It is the perfect place for any vacation  be it with family, or a bachelorette or a girl's trip.

Mugla, Turkey: Mugla offers a perfect blend of ancient history and Mediterranean charm  the perfect mix for a vacation. Mugla in Turkey was frequented by most tourists as it made to the list of one of the most over-crowded travel destinations this year.

Hurghada, Egypt: Hurghada offers a range of underwater activities including diving and snorkeling. Situated in Egypt's Red Sea coast, Hurghada is perfect for a vacation.

Heraklion, Greece: Soaked in history and culture, Heraklion is the starting point in Greece to travel onwards. It offers ancient Minoan and Venetian landmarks, sandy beaches and a happening nightlife.
Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah curated a special message for his employees after the company yielded profitable results. Shah not only wants people at Wayfair to work hard and be ambitious but also encourages them to do more work and blend 'work with life.' Niraj Shah encouraged employees to do more work and blend work with their lives. (Unsplash)

As per CNN, Shah said in an email to employees, "Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfilment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialize into tangible results. Working long hours, being responsive, and blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success." (Also Read: Ex-CEO of Tech Mahindra shares valuable insights from his 19 year career)

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In the email obtained by Business Insider, he also talks about how he heard someone saying, 'Niraj said that he does not think that we should work late'. To this, his response was, I would suggest that this is laughably false. Hard work is essential for success, and a key part of getting things done. Everyone deserves to have a great personal life - everyone manages that in their own way - ambitious people find ways to blend and balance the two. I think that is what we all should do.

Shah also encouraged Wayfair workers to treat company money as their own and negotiate prices. "Would you spend money on that, would you spend that much money for that thing, does that price seem reasonable, and lastly - have you negotiated the price? Everything is negotiable, and so if you haven't then you should start there," wrote Wayfair CEO in the email as per Business Insider.

Wayfair reached profitability after implementing cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, in response to losses after initially generating a profit in early 2020. This profit was made during the pandemic's furniture boom. The company announced a loss of $163 million in the third quarter, down from a loss of $283 million in Q3 2022, in its most recent quarterly reports, which were released on November 1, reports Business Insider.
Zack Snyders Rebel Moon releases for streaming on Netflix today (December 22). As excitement for the highly-anticipated fantasy films OTT release increases, Microsoft has a major announcement for fans. The tech giant is giving away a custom Xbox Series X console, an elite controller and a stand featuring Rebel Moon artwork. Moreover, the winner will also get a free three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Microsoft announces Rebel Moon-inspired Xbox Series X giveaway(Xbox/ X, formerly Twitter)

How to win custom Rebel Moon Xbox Series X?

Microsoft announced the exciting giveaway on X, formerly Twitter, earlier today, along with the message, This Xbox is ready for rebellion!

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To apply for the giveaway, you have to follow Xboxs official account on the platform and retweet the post with #RebelMoonXboxSweepstakes. However, you must be 18 years of age or older to apply for the Rebel Moon giveaway. The contest ends next year on January 3 at 6:30 p.m. PT.

Those under the age of 18 can also apply for the giveaway with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. According to Xboxs official website, the rules for the giveaway reads:

Create a new account or use an existing account on Twitter.com(Twitter) Follow @Xbox at https://www.twitter.com/xbox/ Retweet one (1) of the Sponsors designated promotional tweets containing #RebelMoonXboxSweepstakes during the Entry Period. Retweets must be in the exact form as the original tweet to be eligible to receive an entry.

ALSO READ: Year Ender 2023: Most shocking celebrity weight loss stories that rocked the internet

Fans excited for the Rebel Moon Xbox giveaway

Following the giveaway announcement, fans flooded the social media platform, expressing their excitement for the contest. One fan wrote, No way!!!!! Omg omg @Xbox and @rebelmoon. Another fan said, I would honestly just be happy to take some pictures of this insane console. One more fan expressed, Cant wait to have one.
Toronto: Indo-Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahujas latest project, To Kill A Tiger, has been shortlisted in the Documentary Feature Film category for the 2024 Oscars. A still from To KIll A Tiger, which has been shortlisted in the Documentary Feature Film category for the 2025 Academy Awards. (Credit: TIFF)

The shortlist was announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday. The documentary, which is set entirely in India, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year and won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film.

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In fact, Pahujas film received a theatrical release in North America this year, a rare feat for documentaries. It has been supported by a stellar group of executive producers including British Indian actor Dev Patel, Indian-American film personality Mindy Kaling and Indo-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur.

Pahujas film tracks the harrowing journey of a family in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand to bring to justice the culprits in a sexual assault on a teenaged girl. A TIFF jury statement on the selection said, Its not easy to film love. In Nisha Pahujas To Kill A Tiger, a father defends his daughter, and together they change a village, a country and, maybe, the world.

Pahuja was born in New Delhi and is based in Toronto. In her directors statement, Pahuja said of the family, including father Ranjit who seeks justice for the victim, his 13-year-old daughter, The film was a record of a very painful time in their lives  but it also captured the immense love and strength of an exceptional family who had nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide.

In its description of the film, TIFF had noted, While aspects of this story might seem culturally specific, there is much in To Kill A Tiger that speaks more broadly to rape culture and the silencing of women. Many people in the village insist that the perpetrators naughty behaviour must have been provoked by Ranjits daughter, but she needs to be reassured that what happened wasnt her fault. When it comes to rape, shame is wielded like a blunt instrument. But the story of Ranjit and his fearless daughter, enduring so many voices clamouring for them to stand down, is one of remarkable strength and defiance.
The week began with a historic shift for the Church. On December 18, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics  a sixth of the Earths population  granted approval to priests to bless same-sex couples on request. In a declaration entitled Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), the Pope permitted the blessings of couples in irregular situations, including unmarried heterosexual and queer couples, as long as such blessings were not imparted in ritual form, or offered the impression of a marriage ceremony. The Vatican took pains to underscore this latter point, clarifying that priests should not bestow such blessings in concurrence or in connection with a secular wedding. While the Popes extempore words and actions throughout his papacy have continually extended dignity to queer Catholics, a declaration document from the Holy See carries a greater burden of authority. Such declarations are often published when a modification of Church law or practice occurs and were used extensively during the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), which significantly transformed Catholicisms approach to the modern world. However, even with its caveats, the recent declaration turns the Churchs public emphasis towards empathy, inclusivity and compassion towards all, effectively turning away from condemning queer couples as sinful.

The Popes consent to blessings of queer couples is the latest in his intensified efforts to retain queer Catholics under his pastoral care and circumscribe discrimination within the Church. In 2013, in his first interaction with the media during his tenure, he spoke against the marginalisation of queer people, stating in now famous words, If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?

A year before his papacy began, Barbara Johnson, a lesbian Catholic in Maryland, United States, was denied communion at her mothers funeral by a homophobic priest, who left the altar while she delivered the eulogy, and did not attend the burial. This is merely one example of the ecclesiastic decay that Francis determined compassion has attempted to halt.

Unlike his predecessors, the Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Francis decade-long papacy has initiated a dialogue on themes deemed controversial by traditionalists: priestly celibacy, ordination of women, and the extension of full communion to divorced Catholics who have remarried. The Pope expressed sorrow, indignation, and shame at the historical abuse of indigenous Canadian children forced to study in Catholic residential schools and has indicated a willingness to cooperate with law enforcement in cases of child sexual abuse, where the perpetrator is a member of the clergy. He has also spoken out about the plight of refugees. In August, in a private meeting with fellow Jesuits in Lisbon, he spoke of the backwardness of some conservative Catholic clerics, which promoted a climate of closure. This, Francis cautioned, led to the loss of true tradition, prompting a dependence upon ideology. In other words, ideologies replace faith.

Some queer historians like John Boswell have offered evidence that complicates what may be viewed as true tradition itself, positing an alternative to the presumption that the blessings that Pope Francis has now sanctioned are antithetical to Church history. Boswell suggested that medieval Christian rituals like adelphopoiesis, in which two men were blessed as brothers, indicate a legacy in which at least some same-sex blessings were viewed as admissible by the Church. Medievalists have debated the meaning of such rituals during a time before the 13th century when Christianity did not view marriage as a sacrament.

Pope Francis endorsement of spiritual aid to queer couples may be seen as the latest affirmation of his personal mission to evolve Catholicism out of a conservative outlook. In Ireland in 2018, Francis counselled parents against disowning their queer children, suggesting they were obligated to raise them within loving families. Earlier this year, the Pope also remarked that laws criminalising queer people were an injustice and a sin because God loves and accompanies people with same-sex attraction. Much like the declaration of blessings, this continual advocacy for queer people represents a unique kindness towards the marginalised that Francis has made a centrepiece of his papacy. It does not modify Church teaching that same-sex acts are intrinsically disordered, but it accords primacy to respect, compassion and sensitivity when it engages with queer people. As he proposed in the 2016 document Amoris Laetitia, Every person regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration.

Pope Francis defence of queer dignity comes at a moment of great crisis for the Church, with the number of Catholics who identify as a member of a parish in steep decline. In Germany, with around 21 million members, Catholicism has lost more than a tenth of its following  over 2.4 million adherents  in the last 10 years. A record 522,000 left the Catholic Church in Germany just last year. This March, Herbert Ullman, a priest in North Rhine-Westphalia held a mass of blessing for all loving couples, in which one queer couple participated along with 25 heterosexual ones. For his efforts at outreach to the underserved among the faithful through this service, Fr Ullman was reprimanded by Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the conservative Archbishop of Cologne, an act that prompted a minor rebellion among progressive believers in the diocese.

In response, in September, several priests held a ceremony blessing around 30 queer and heterosexual couples outside Cologne Cathedral, the Archbishops seat, in what is Germanys most populous diocese, with about 1.8 million members. The congregants, numbered in the hundreds, waved rainbow flags, and sang the Beatles song, All you need is love. This is the grassroots fervour for a pathway towards a more tolerant future among ordinary Catholics that Pope Francis appreciates deeply.

There remain, however, influential sections of the hierarchy that continue to oppose him publicly, whose power he has now begun to restrict. In October, Cardinal Raymond Burke, a longtime critic of Francis engagement with queer people, delivered a stinging rebuke to the Pope on his reform programme in Rome. Francis reaction was swift: he rescinded Burkes privileges in Rome, including a subsidised Vatican apartment as well as his monthly stipend, possibly amounting to US$4,500.

For ordinary queer Catholics, Pope Francis declaration this Monday is hugely significant. On Friday, the Archdiocese of Shillong allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, in line with the Catholic Church's new policy. The statement issued by the Church authority in a Christian-dominated State, however, clarified that the blessings would not resemble ritual blessings but remain a "personal and spontaneous prayer".

London-based Ruby Almeida, who is a member of the global LGBT+ Catholics network, believes, All same-sex couples of faith, who are in long-term, committed relationships can now get a blessing from a priest, for their love for each other to be acknowledged and to receive Gods blessing and grace in their lives. Same-sex couples who love their faith and love their Church only want it reciprocated. When she met Pope Francis along with other queer Catholics in Rome in October, she made a unique request of the Holy Father: Namaskar, Papa Francesco, Almeida said, please, may I hug you? The Pope smiled and hugged her. To receive that hug of love was the most affirming moment of my life. This sense of belonging is what same-sex couples yearn for from the Church that they love. Those among us, who do not experience equality within Catholicism  queer people, divorcees, women who may never be ordained to the priesthood  who sit in the pews at the back of the Church, patiently await our turn.

Mario da Penha is a doctoral candidate in History at Rutgers University, writing his dissertation on hijras during the Maratha and early colonial rule in western India. He has worked in queer organizing and activism for over twenty years. While raised Catholic, and grounded in the Church, he is a freewheeling person of faith without a fixed creed.
Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner travelled to Israel to meet with political leaders and families of those kidnapped during Hamas Oct. 7 attacks. Jared Kushner posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Its important to see with ones own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7." Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner visit Kibbutz Kfar Aza, devastated in the October 7 attack by Hamas, in Israel.(Reuters)

Jared Kushner said that the two met with families of those that were kidnapped, including some still in Gaza", adding, We met with several political leaders who are committed to building lasting solutions to intractable problems. With determination, trust, pragmatism and creativity, the previously unthinkable can be accomplished.

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Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump served as top aides in the Trump White House. but have no official role on the Trump 2024 campaign.

The visit comes more than two months after Hamas killed roughly 1,200 Israelis. More than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in subsequent bombings and military operations by Israeli forces.

What Donald Trump has said on Israel-Hamas war

Donald Trump, who is leading in GOP primary polls, has given mixed messages on the Israel-Hamas war as he initially criticized Israeli leadership but later expressed support for Tel Aviv.

So you have a war thats going on, and youre probably going to have to let this play out, Donald Trump said in November, adding, Youre probably going to have to let it play out, because a lot of people are dying.
Amid sharp criticism for his rhetoric on immigrants which was likened to Nazi philosophy, former US president Donald Trump said that he's never read Adolf Hitler's manifesto Mein Kampf before doubling down on his inflammatory language. Republican presidential candidate and former US president Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa.(Reuters)

"It's true that they're destroying the blood of our country. That's what they're doing -- they're destroying our country," Donald Trump- frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024- said at a rally in Iowa after a White House spokesman accused him of "echoing the grotesque rhetoric of fascists and violent white supremacists."

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Last month, Joe Biden had said that Donald Trump echoes Hitler when he describes political opponents as "vermin."

Donald Trump denied the parallel saying, "I never read 'Mein Kampf'. Adolf Hitler used such language in a much different way, he added.

Earlier at a rally, the former US 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."

What Joe Biden campaign said

A Joe Biden campaign account on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday published a graphic juxtaposing three comments from Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler.

"This is not a coincidence," the Joe Biden camp said.

What Ivana Trump said on Donald Trump's fascination for Hitler

In a 1990 feature, Donald Trump's first wife Ivana recounted, Last April, perhaps in a surge of Czech nationalism, Ivana Trump told her lawyer Michael Kennedy that from time to time her husband reads a book of Hitlers collected speeches, My New Order, which he keeps in a cabinet by his bed. Kennedy now guards a copy of My New Order in a closet at his office, as if it were a grenade.
North Dakotas Department of Public Instruction has awarded the $3 million that the state previously earmarked this year for a paraprofessional-to-teacher program, funding continuing education for 230 participants across 60 school districts.

Its just some of the money funneled this year into a program intended to help address the statewide teacher shortage thats shaping North Dakotas education landscape, by providing scholarship funds for working paraprofessionals in the state. The program gives participants up to $20,000 to put toward the completion of their teaching degree through one of 10 online programs offered by universities across the state.

Twenty-nine of the 230 participants selected for this round of funding are working in Bismarck or Mandan public schools, according to Assistant State Superintendent Laurie Matzke.

The state is also looking to expand the program further: The Legislature signed off in September on the use of a cash influx of over $4 million in the form of two federal grants.

The $3 million out of the states budget that was approved during the Legislatures regular session came from Senate Bill 2032. Those funds must be used by the end of the budget cycle, which concludes in June 2025, but the federal grant funds can be used through 2026. Matzke said the state is reviewing applications for the use of these federal funds and hopes to announce the next round of grant recipients in early January, with the goal of supporting another 200 paraprofessionals.

The program is just one avenue through which the state is attempting to resolve an ongoing labor shortage thats impacting all industries, but is being acutely felt among educators.

During the 2022-23 academic year about 5% of teaching positions in North Dakota were unfilled or irregularly filled, according to data presented to the Legislatures interim Higher Education Committee in October. Irregularly is a category that represents those who are provisionally licensed or credentialed, have received emergency certification or are teaching in an academic subject other than their area of preparation.

Ahead of the start of this academic year, Gov. Doug Burgum approved an emergency request that allows student teachers to serve as the teacher of record for one semester while they complete an internship. That decision resulted in 15 student teachers running classrooms in the state this fall, though the move was met with some opposition from educators, who were concerned it lowered educational standards.

Burgum also signed an executive order creating a Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force. That group met for the first time last week to discuss the future of the states education industry.

The task force will work with The Hunt Institute, an education policy nonprofit, to identify areas of improvement in regards to teacher recruitment and retention in the state. The organization is contracted for up to $70,000 from the Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund. The task forces work will also coincide with a legislative study on the variety of school choice models that have been used in K-12 schools across the country  also using The Hunt Institute  for cost-cutting and efficiency.

The group is scheduled to meet four times next year with the end goal of providing recommendations for the governor by Sept. 30, 2024, ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Pakistan's Supreme Court approved former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi's post-arrest bail applications in the cipher case, Geo TV reported. Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan.(Reuters)

The PTI founder was indicted in the cipher case again earlier this month by the special court established under the Official Secrets Act 2023 after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared their jail trial null and void.

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What Imran Khan said during the hearing?

During the hearing, Imran Khan claimed that "powerful people" behind the cipher case were being protected.

I ordered to initiate an inquiry into the matter when I was the prime minister, he said, adding that his party leaders were being locked inside jails "like goats" while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was brought back to Pakistan.

What is the cipher case?

Imran Khan has pleaded not guilty to charges of leaking state secrets which are related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan's ambassador in Washington last year. The former prime minister was accused of making them public.

Will Imran Khan be released from jail?

It was not immediately clear if Imran Khan would be released from jail as he has multiple arrest warrants issued against him in several other cases.

What are the other cases Imran Khan has been jailed for?

Imran Khan has been in jail since August after his conviction on corruption charges in a separate case.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have both held press conferences wrapping a difficult year of fighting in Ukraine and laying out military objectives for 2024. Zelensky has ruled out talks with Russia as long as Putin remains in power, and said at his briefing that there had been no requests from Moscow for talks. (File)

Here is what we can expect from the grinding conflict next year, in the leaders' own words:

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When will it end?

Many in Moscow expected Russia to quickly capture Kyiv in 2022, but nearly two years later -- and with Russian elections approaching -- a bullish Putin used the stage last week to promise "victory will be ours".

"There will be peace when we achieve our goals," he said, avoiding any timeframe.

Zelensky said "no one knows" when the fighting will end but appeared less optimistic: he acknowledged that 2024's presidential elections in the United States -- a key military supplier and ally -- could impact the course of the war.

Will the front line move?

Neither side has made significant gains this year and analysts say Russia and Ukraine lack resources to mount any serious offensive -- for now.

But Putin praised Russian troops for "improving" their positions along most of the front and observers say Moscow's troops were making gains towards Avdiivka, a war-battered industrial hub in the east.

Ukraine now wants to entrench as effectively as Russian forces have along the front, but have also gained a foothold on the east bank of the Dnipro river into Russian-held territory.

Putin dismissed these gains, telling reporters Ukrainian forces were being ordered into "extermination" from Russian forces.

No negotiations

Both Moscow and Kyiv have dismissed the option of resolving the war through negotiations.

Zelensky has ruled out talks with Russia as long as Putin remains in power, and said at his briefing that there had been no requests from Moscow for talks.

"I see only arrogance and murder in their rhetoric," Zelensky told reporters.

Putin routinely claims that Moscow is open to negotiations but he said during his televised briefing that peace would only be achieved when Ukraine was "de-militarised" and "de-Nazified".

Rebuilding the armies

Analysts say that with neither side able to mount large-scale offensives, Moscow and Kyiv will work on reconstituting their militaries.

Zelensky said he wants Ukraine to produce one million drones -- a key weapon for the war -- and also develop domestic production of arms and ammunition.

But he also said he had rejected -- for now -- a request from the army to add as many as 500,000 civilians to the military.

Putin, who is aiming to curry favour with Russians ahead of the March vote, ruled out during his press conference any fresh mobilisation of Russians next year.

He said that Moscow had voluntarily recruited 486,000 men for the army in 2023 and that efforts to build up the military next year would accelerate.

And he promised to bolster Russia's defence capabilities, with the economy turned towards the war effort and the Kremlin shrugging off the impact of sweeping Western sanctions.

Meagre victories

In a costly year for both sides in which neither made significant territorial gains, both Zelensky and Putin were left with little good news to offer allies and fatigued citizens at home.

Zelensky said that Ukraine's military had scored "a big victory" on the Black Sea, where Kyiv has launched successful strikes on Russian warships and secured maritime trading routes.

He also held his press conference against the back drop of a large EU flag, after the bloc agreed earlier this month to formally open membership talks with Kyiv.

That was a largely symbolic victory though, since Brussels remains divided on billions of euros in fresh aid for Kyiv, with Washington wavering, too.

Putin, whose military gained several small towns in the east this year, survived an armed revolt from the Wagner mercenary group.

He praised Russian society for rallying around the war effort, as the Kremlin passed legislation outlawing any criticism of the conflict.
Iranian police on Friday closed a major bookshop in the centre of the capital Tehran for allowing unveiled women to enter the premises without a compulsory headscarf, a newspaper reported. Covering the head and the neck has been compulsory for women in Iran since 1983, following the 1979 Islamic revolution. (Reuters)

The closure is part of punitive measures by authorities over the past year against women and businesses who fail to observe the Islamic republic's strict dress code.

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"Today, at around noon (0830 GMT), police officers went to the central Tehran branch of Shahr-e-Ketab (book city in Farsi) and closed it," reformist Shargh daily said on its website.

Shargh cited the reasons for the closure as "the non-observance of trade union regulations and the orders of the interior ministry" as well as "the presence of customers without veils".

The bookshop confirmed its closure by authorities in a brief statement on its official Instagram account without elaborating.

Covering the head and the neck has been compulsory for women in Iran since 1983, following the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Women in Iran have increasingly defied the dress code since mass protests triggered by the September 16 death in police custody last year of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurd, who was arrested for allegedly flouting the dress rules.

During the months-long demonstrations, several hundred people were killed, including dozens of security forces, and thousands were arrested.

As part of efforts to enforce the ban over the past year, authorities have closed several businesses for not respecting the dress code and installed surveillance cameras in public places to monitor violations.

State media reported in July increased police patrols aimed at catching those ignoring the law and in September, parliament voted in favour of a bill that would toughen penalties on those who breach the dress code.
The Committee to Protect Journalists accused Israeli military of targeting journalists and their families in Gaza. The New York-based CPJ said as per Guardian that at least 68 journalists had been killed in Gaza, Israel and southern Lebanon since Hamas' October 7 attack in which 1,200 Israelis died. In retaliatory attacks by Tel Aviv, over 20,000 Palestinians have died, including more than 8,000 children. Israel-Hamas War: An Israeli army tank rolling past debris of buildings in the Gaza Strip.(AFP)

More journalists have been killed in the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year, it said, adding, CPJ is particularly concerned about an apparent pattern of targeting of journalists and their families by the Israeli military. In at least one case, a journalist was killed while clearly wearing press insignia in a location where no fighting was taking place. In at least two other cases, journalists reported receiving threats from Israeli officials and Israel Defense Forces officers before their family members were killed.

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The CPJ called for Israel to end the longstanding pattern of impunity in cases of journalists killed by the IDF as it said that sixty-one of the journalists killed were Palestinian and three were Lebanese.

Theres a pattern of threats'

The CPJ also said that there was a pattern of journalists in Gaza reporting receiving threats, and subsequently, their family members being killed

The journalist told Al Jazeera that he had received multiple phone calls from officers in the Israeli army instructing him to cease coverage and leave northern Gaza. Additionally, he received voice notes on WhatsApp disclosing his location, it said.

Additionally, Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders warned that journalism is in the process of being eradicated in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israels refusal to heed calls to protect media personnel.

Reporters there have no safe refuge and no way of leaving. They are being killed one after another. Since 7 October, the Palestinian territory has been subjected to a veritable eradication of journalism, it said.
Israel blew up what it said was a subterranean terror city underneath a central Gaza City square that was used to plot the October 7 massacre. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) said that it had discovered terrorist infrastructure below Palestine Square in the city centre. There were lengthy tunnels, hiding places and offices belonging to Hamas senior military and political leaders in the city, Israel said as it showed a series of explosions destroying the underground infrastructure. Israel-Hamas War: A member of the Israeli army operates in a location given as Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza strip.(Reuters)

Israel had earlier said that it secured control of Hamas elite quarter in Gaza City from which Hamas leaders operated. The complex has been described as a centre of power for Hamass military and political wing before. At least 600 Hamas fighters have been killed in the operation, the IDF said, adding, Palestine Square was a centre of Hamas military rule and is surrounded by buildings that served as command and control centres, terror tunnel shafts and strategic buildings belonging to the organisation."

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Hamas infrastructure was embedded in the area along with shops, residential buildings and a school for deaf children. This network was also used by Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif to direct the October 7 mascara in Israel which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

This comes as Israel and Hamas have failed to reach an agreement on hostage release as some 129 captives are still being held in Gaza.

Israel has retaliated against Hamas by bombarding Gaza from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground offensive in which more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Gaza residents have been driven from their homes as the UN warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. The World Food Programme said that half of Gaza's population is starving and only 10% of the food required has entered Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas war is pushing Gaza towards famine, the United Nations warned ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire. An Israeli army tank rolling past debris of buildings in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing battles with the Hamas militant group. (AFP)

At the few hospitals in Gaza still functioning, more wounded arrived after renewed Israeli strikes.

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In the Gaza City district of Jabalia, a strike on a house killed 16 people and wounded more than 50, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said.

Northern Gaza no longer has any functioning hospitals, and only nine of the territory's original 36 hospitals are still partly functioning, the World Health Organization has said.

Four members of one family, including a girl, died in a strike on a civilian vehicle in Rafah, southern Gaza, the health ministry said.

In video shot by AFP, the vehicle looked like it had been pounded by a giant hammer that splayed its roof, leaving the wreckage blackened and blood-stained.

"The Jeep was hit. Five minutes later people gathered and a second attack took place. Two strikes on the same Jeep," said Hamada Abu Taha, a witness.

With aid workers running out of words to describe conditions in Gaza, the UN Security Council has been locked all week in negotiations over how to phrase a resolution about the war.

The latest draft seen by AFP calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed any reference to a "ceasefire".

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is".

The war began on October 7 when Hamas gunmen broke through Gaza's militarised border and killed around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also abducted about 250 people.

- Nearly two million displaced -

Vowing to destroy the group, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which has killed 20,057 people, according to the latest toll released Friday by Hamas authorities who have ruled Gaza since 2007.

Most of the dead are women and children, Hamas officials say.

The entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine", according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday.

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday said Israel could enable as many as "400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

In north Gaza, parts of Gaza City including Shujaiya have seen street-by-street combat -- even building-by-building -- between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters.

According to the military, the deaths of two more soldiers in Gaza brought to 139 the number killed since it began its ground assault on October 27.

- 'Even the animals have died' -

The area around the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza has been a focus of Israeli military operations which "intensified" over the past week, a military spokesperson said.

An evacuation order issued Friday by the military told residents in the area of Bureij, an existing refugee camp in central Gaza, to move further south to Deir al-Balah city.

Many Gazans have fled as far south as they can, to Rafah, yet even there they have not found safety.

"These are the houses of peaceful people," Shehda al-Kurd, a bespectacled man, said after his family's house "collapsed over us" during a pre-dawn strike.

"This area might have been considered the safest one, but they struck it," he said.

A separate strike hit an area of greenhouses in Rafah.

Wael Azad, a Palestinian farmer, said "even the animals have died."

"May God have mercy on the people," he added, wrapped in a scarf and woollen cap against the cold.

Paula Gaviria Betancur, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, said in a statement that "Israel's military operation in Gaza aims to deport the majority of the civilian population en masse."

The UN-appointed independent expert said that with Gaza's infrastructure "razed to the ground" any realistic prospects for displaced Palestinians to return home are frustrated.

- Increasing pressure -

Responding to similar suggestions earlier in the war, an Israeli defence ministry spokesperson said there was "never... an Israeli plan to move the residents of Gaza to Egypt."

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies to protect civilians.

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli authorities say 129 hostages are still held in Gaza.

Several others have died. On Friday a group representing hostage families announced that Gad Haggai, 73, was among the fatalities. His kibbutz community and the army also confirmed his death.

A flautist, Haggai was abducted on October 7 along with his wife who remains captive.

The head of Hamas visited Egypt this week, and talks took place in Europe, regarding a possible new deal. But the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

The war has also sparked fears of wider conflict with regular exchanges of fire across the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels which have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

The Pentagon said on Thursday that more than 20 countries have joined a US-led coalition to protect shipping in the waterway vital for world trade.

burs-it/ami
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"Israel will continue to inspect, for security reasons, all humanitarian assistance to Gaza," Cohen said in a statement.

Israel will continue to inspect humanitarian assistance to the war-torn Gaza Strip, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Friday, after a UN Security Council vote demanding aid deliveries at scale.

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The United States faces a "sobering" and "unique moment" in confronting a domestic threat environment amid the Israel-Hamas war, deputy attorney General Lisa Monaco told ABC News saying that the conflict overseas stoked an already elevated threat situation in the country. Israel-Hamas war: A view of the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.(AP)

The FBI has had to run down more than 1,800 reports of threats or other types of tips or leads, Lisa Monaco said as the bureau now has more than 100 investigations currently opened.

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"I think we're in a unique moment where what we're most worried about -- those of us in the national security and law enforcement community -- are individuals or small groups who are often radicalized online and who are motivated by and influenced by a range of ideologies, from foreign terrorism and foreign terrorist organizations to domestic grievances," she said, adding, Oftentimes what we're seeing in the most lethal form is from racially or ethnically-motivated ideologies.

Many cases like threats or tips received by the FBI have been resolved without incident but the sheer volume has caused "a lot of strain" law enforcement.

"These are threats, they're hoaxes, they can involve claims of terrorist financing," she said, adding, "So that is the volume -- the significant uptick in the volume and frequency of the types of reports we're getting."

Citing the "searing images" of Hamas' terror attack on Israel as well as accounts of parents huddled with their children in safe rooms, loved ones being killed in front of each other's children -- literally ripped from their parents and being kidnapped, she said that this has driven a "very significant uptick in threats" and "actual violence" inside the US.

"We've seen individuals who are taking, I think, twisted inspiration from those images," she said.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has become the latest tech company to be fined in Italy for breaches of a ban on the advertising of gambling. A Meta logo is seen(REUTERS)

Meta has been fined 5.85 million euros ($6.45 million) in connection with profiles and accounts on Facebook and Instagram, as well as sponsored content which promoted either betting or games with cash prizes, communications watchdog AGCOM said in a statement on Friday.

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There was no immediate comment from Meta.

Earlier this month, AGCOM announced fines for Alphabet Inc's YouTube and Amazon's Twitch for breaching the ban. YouTube and Twitch were fined 2.25 million euros and 900,000 euros respectively.
Toronto: The Jain community in Canada is protesting encroachment and threats to the security of devotees to one of its most sacred pilgrimage spots in India. Members of the Jain community protesting in the Greater Toronto Area on Saturday against encroachment and threat to safety of devotees visiting one of the religions holiest pilgrimage spots in India. (Credit: VJS Canada)

Community members have submitted a letter in this regard to Indias consul general in Toronto Siddhartha Nath and were assured that their concerns will be conveyed to the Home Ministry in New Delhi.

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The protests are being organised by the Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada (VJS Canada), and they organised rallies at the Brampton City Hall in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and at the Sri Jain Mandir in Toronto last weekend.

A release from the organisation said Shri Girnarji in Junagadh, Gujarat, is among the holiest pilgrimage places for the minority community as the 22nd Tirthankar Neminath Swami attained salvation at the 5th peak on the hill. As per Jain scriptures, it is also known as Urjayant peak.

The release said that for nearly 20 years, since 2004, there have been increasing illegal construction in the area and encroachment at this site. Jain pilgrims and monks are fearful while visiting this place and praying as per Jain rituals, it said.

There is also the threat of violence and pilgrims have been attacked there, VJS Canadas president Vijay Jain said. The letter cited February 2005 directions from the Gujarat High Court to the state administration to provide necessary security to pilgrims so they can perform their rituals safely.

The letter, signed by five Indo-Canadian organisations, has demanded the implementation of the courts ruling.

Other than VJS Canada, other organisations supporting the demand are the Sri Jain Mandir Toronto, Jain Community Services of Canada, Canadian Hindus For Harmony, Hindu Canadian Foundation and the Brahmi Society.

Additionally, the letter also stated that illegal encroachment at other Jain pilgrimage sites such as Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in Odisha, Mandargiri hill in Bihar, and Anjaneri caves in Maharashtra, must be stopped and removed with immediate effect.
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country that will impact every region nationwide.

One of the projects, known as Amtraks North Coast Hiawatha and overseen by the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, aims to restore an Amtrak route discontinued in 1979 and reconnect North Dakota cities along Interstate 94 to Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.

This will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in recent history in North Dakota and Montana, said David Strohmaier, a county commissioner in Missoula, Montana, and chairman of the rail authority.

The investment builds on a $16.4 billion investment announced last month for 25 projects along Americas busiest rail corridor, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In total, the funding adds up to nearly $30 billion in investments to the national rail system. It is a part of President Joe Bidens Bidenomics strategy included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Biden-Harris Administration is building out a pipeline of passenger rail projects in every region of the country in order to achieve the Presidents vision of world-class passenger rail, the White House announced.

While there have been multiple attempts to restore the North Coast Hiawatha route since its closing -- including a lengthy Amtrak study completed in 2009 that estimated a total cost of more than $1 billion -- the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which stretches from North Dakota to Idaho, is focused on the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha route, Strohmaier said.

Will the route reopen?

I think so. What the timeline will be is another story. I cant emphasize enough that we are in a place we have never been to move this project forward. Weve made more progress in the past three years in reestablishing this route than in the past 44 years combined, Strohmaier said.

Amtrak is part of the National Railroad Passenger Corp., a government-run entity.

With the North Coast Hiawatha line being the only long-distance route proposed for restoration, each of the 10 lines is being granted $500,000 to develop an estimated cost for a service development plan, according to the federal Transportation Department.

At this time, the North Dakota Department of Transportation is not involved in the restoration work, said David Finley, an agency spokesperson.

The Department of Transportation doesnt have anything to do with the project; Amtrak will be responsible for maintaining it, and we dont know anything beyond what we saw in the PDFs, he said.

But the department, along with tourism bureaus and even North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, have all expressed support.

And the North Dakota Department of Transportation will have a role to play in the project, Strohmaier said.

U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., wrote a letter to federal Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in April expressing his support.

Reinstating service on Amtraks NCH route would provide additional transportation options to travelers within North Dakota and communities across the Midwest and Northwest regions. These additional travel options could also help bolster visitors from across the country and provide significant economic benefits to the states tourism industry, Cramer wrote.

In a video message to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, Burgum said North Dakota would never have been built if not for the railroad infrastructure created in the 1880s, and that the re-creation of the North Coast Hiawatha received bipartisan support.

As a kid growing up, my mom's brother lived in Billings, Montana. They had seven kids. The way we got to see our cousins every summer was getting on the Hiawatha and riding across the state. Those memories are fantastic, he said.

We fully support your efforts to explore the possible restoration of the former North Coast Hiawatha rail line that once served North Dakota communities along Interstate 94, Burgum said.

It is too early to estimate restoration costs, Strohmaier said.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is currently in the planning phase of the project, which will then move to a service development plan receiving input from stakeholders and communities, and then in a year or two is engineering work," Strohmaier said, which will get us all the way to the point of actual construction and project implementation.

Now, Strohmaier is finishing up the station assessment analysis, looking at which stations existed in 1979, their condition and whether they could be reused in the future.

But in addition, we will also be asking the question, 'Are there places that didnt have stations, but in 2024 should have a station? Strohmaier said.

Cities and towns that could see a railway station in North Dakota are Fargo, Valley City, Jamestown, Bismarck, Mandan, Dickinson and Medora, Strohmaier said.

Were especially interested in a place like Medora because the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will be there and will be a prominent place for many to stop, he said.

The library will be an additional attraction in the area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the addition of a train station was an idea that Burgum expressed enthusiasm for during his recorded speech.

Were just trying to get the doggone train moving, Strohmaier said.

Speed and carbon footprint

Strohmaier is aware of reducing the projects carbon footprint, and said the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is looking into alternative methods of implementing the system including electric trains or hydrogen-powered locomotives.

While the rail line will not be high-speed, Strohmaier is also focused on making sure that passenger and freight lines can travel safely at the same time without interruptions and delays.

We will ensure two trains can pass in opposite directions. The speed -- the more unimpeded your route is, the faster you can go, and the better condition the rail is, the faster you can go, Strohmaier said.

He anticipated that many will ask if there will be a train stop in their county.

Its too early to say right now, he said. My hope is we can include as many communities as possible, but the more times the train stops, the longer it will take to reach a destination.

Possible route, economic benefits

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021, allows for federal investments of $1.2 trillion over the next five years. The bill also provided a historic, unprecedented level of funding for the improvement and expansion of intercity passenger rail service.

With a total of less than $30 billion going into railroad services, the most current plan seeks to deliver a high-speed rail service in California; create a new high-speed railway between Las Vegas and Southern California; make upgrades to existing railways across the nation; improve services in Maine, Montana and Alaska; and invest in the Chicago Union Station, a step toward future improvements in the Midwest hub.

The railway route through Fargo may restore connections between Chicago to Seattle or Portland and go through Milwaukee, LaCrosse and Eau Claire in Wisconsin; St. Paul in Minnesota; then Fargo, Bismarck and Dickinson; and westward in the Montana cities of Glendive, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Missoula, St. Regis and Standpoint; then on to Spokane and Pasco in Washington.

The 2009 Amtrak study reported direct benefits would flow from the jobs created, primarily in construction, manufacturing and material supply, during the duration of the infrastructure and station capital investment projects, and from the creation of approximately 269 permanent Amtrak jobs.

Topping out at speeds between 79 and 125 mph, the North Coast Hiawatha route would split from the route of Amtraks Empire Builder route at Fargo, and then continue west over the plains to Bismarck, Dickinson and possibly Medora. The Empire Builder line currently serves the northern portion of the state.

Before 1971, the 2,300-mile route was called North Pacifics North Coast Limited and Milwaukee Roads Olympian Hiawatha, and it changed to become Amtraks North Coast Hiawatha, according to Amtrak.
The wife of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, has been granted political asylum in the US. Jamal Khashoggi died in October 2018 after which Hanan Elatr feared for her safety and came to the US in August 2020 to apply for asylum. She has been granted indefinite asylum status in the US. Slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.(AFP)

Hanan Elatr said, "We did win. Yes, they took Jamal's life and they destroyed my life, but we did win."

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Hanan Elatr's asylum journey

She applied for political asylum more than three years ago as she said that he life would be in danger if she returned to Egypt, where she is from, or United Arab Emirates- where she has lived for more than 25 years, BBC reported. Hanan Elatr has been a former Emirates flight attendant and had come to the US after Jamal Khashoggi's death. She lived in Maryland for many months and left her job as well, her attorney Randa Fahmy said in an interview.

She was then able to get a work permit in October 2021 to begin her new life in the US. In March this year, she interviewed with US immigration services in a process that her attorney described as "pretty traumatic" as it required talking about her husband's death in great detail.

Hanan Elatr thanks Joe Biden

Hanan Elatr expressed gratitude to Joe Biden and his administration for opening the door for me and said she is "relieved from feeling scared". She also thanked US Congressman Don Beyer and Senator Tim Kaine calling them "champions on Capitol Hill".

Don Beyer said it was the clearest case for political asylum imaginable, adding as per BBC. After all that she and her family have been through, it is good to see them granted this recognition and the measure of security that will come with it. I will continue to support Mrs Khashoggi as she seeks accountability for her husband's murder, a terrible injustice which I will not forget.
The FBI acted on a surge in violent threats against the Colorado Supreme Court justices who ruled earlier this week that former US president Donald Trump was disqualified from appearing on the 2024 primary ballot. Former US president Donald Trump speaks at a rally.(AP)

The FBI is aware of the situation and working with local law enforcement. We will vigorously pursue investigations of any threat or use of violence committed by someone who uses extremist views to justify their actions regardless of motivation, the agency said as per ABC News.

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Lisa Monaco, the number two ranking official at the Justice Department, had earlier said that it is an extremely challenging terror threat environment.

Well, what we've seen is an unprecedented rise in threats to public officials across the board: law enforcement agents, prosecutors, judges and election officials. And we are seeing that and responding to it, she said adding that the FBI is investigating cases involving threats to kill FBI agents, a Supreme Court justice, and three presidential candidates.

What is the ruling by Colorado Supreme Court against Donald Trump

Colorados highest court ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to serve as US president because of his actions inciting the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The ruling effectively bars Donald Trump from the states March 5 primary ballot. The former US president can appeal the decision which his campaign said he plans to do.

President Trumps direct and express efforts, over several months, exhorting his supporters to march to the Capitol to prevent what he falsely characterized as an alleged fraud on the people of this country were indisputably overt and voluntary, the court said, adding, Moreover, the evidence amply showed that President Trump undertook all these actions to aid and further a common unlawful purpose that he himself conceived and set in motion: prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election and stop the peaceful transfer of power."
A new BBC documentary, Charles III: The Coronation Year, offers intimate glimpses into the months before King Charles' ascension where Princess Anne shared intimate details about Queen Elizabeth's concerns regarding her passing while at Balmoral Castle in a touching revelation. Princess Anne reveals Queen Elizabeth's concerns about passing at Balmoral(AP)

The late Queen cherished her private time on the Scottish estate away from her public duties. Princess Anne, who was by her mother's side in her final days, disclosed the Queen's worries about the complexities involved if she were to pass away at Balmoral.

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Queen Elizabeth's passing at Balmoral stirred mixed emotions. While loving the Scottish estate, she worried about the disruption her death might cause. Princess Anne recounts, We did try to persuade her that [location] shouldn't be part of the decision-making process. Relief washed over Anne when the crown was removed at the funeral.

ALSO READ| Queen Elizabeth never revoked Prince Harry's security, court papers prove

I think there was a moment when she felt that it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral, Princess Anne expressed, acknowledging her mother's concerns about the elaborate plans, known as London Bridge, which involved a journey from Scotland to London for the monarch's passing. Despite attempts to reassure her, the location's significance weighed heavily on the Queen's mind.

We did try to persuade her that [location] shouldnt be part of the decision-making process. So I hope she felt that was right in the end because I think we did, Princess Anne shared.

In a forthcoming Christmas holiday documentary, Princess Anne recalled her serendipitous presence at the Queen's Aberdeenshire estate when her mother fell gravely ill, postponing her planned journey south.

During Queen Elizabeth's funeral at St George's Chapel in Windsor, Anne expressed a sense of relief when the Imperial State Crown was removed from the coffin, signifying the end of her mother's responsibilities.

I rather weirdly felt a sense of relief: thats it, finished. That responsibility being moved on.

The documentary, "Charles III: The Coronation Year," delved into Prince Charles's accession to the throne. Im not sure that anybody can really prepare themselves for that kind of change. At least, not easily, Princess Anne expressed.

ALSO READ| No Prince William- Kate Middleton? Whos on King Charles Christmas guestlist

The film showcased preparations for the Coronation Service, including rehearsals at Buckingham Palace where Queen Camilla encountered a wardrobe issue. Her page boys struggled to keep pace with her, prompting a lighthearted comment from the Queen.

Princess Anne praised Camilla's remarkable adaptation to her role and her positive impact on King Charles. Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the King has been absolutely outstanding.

The documentary also captured touching moments between Charles and his grandchildren during rehearsals at Westminster Abbey.
Israel-Hamas war: More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military offensive against Hamas, news agency Associated Press reported, citing the health officials in the enclave. Israel-Hamas war: A view of the rubble of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 10, 2023.(AP)

The figure amounts to nearly 1% of the Gaza's pre-war population. The war has displaced nearly 85% of Gaza's people and levelled wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave.

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Gaza's health ministry said it has documented 20,057 deaths and 53,320 injuries in the fighting. Of these roughly two-thirds of the dead were women or minors, it added.

According to AP, the Hamar-run ministry does not differentiate between Hamas members and civilian deaths.

Palestinians search a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike near the Kuwaiti hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.(Bloomberg)

Israel declared war against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group attacked Israeli settlements on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 others.

Israel has carried out thousands of airstrikes as well as a fierce ground offensive in what it says is a campaign to destroy Hamas' military capabilities. It blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, citing the group's use of crowded residential areas for military purposes.

Israeli officials say the army has killed some 7,000 Hamas militants. However, it has not presented any evidence to back up the claim, according to AP.

Despite calls for a ceasefire, Israel has said it would press on until Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years, has been destroyed.

"We won't stop fighting until we've achieved all the objectives we've set ourselves: the elimination of Hamas, the release of our hostages and the end of the threat from Gaza," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen asserted that Tel Aviv will continue the war with or without international support.

"Israel will continue the war against Hamas with or without international support," Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on December 13. A ceasefire at the current stage is a gift to the terrorist organisation Hamas, and will allow it to return and threaten the residents of Israel.
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan filed nomination papers for the 2024 national elections, local media Geo News reported. Imran Khan filed his papers to contest a national assembly seat in his hometown Mianwali. Security officers escort Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, as he appeared in Islamabad High Court.(Reuters)

This comes as Pakistan's Supreme Court Imran Khan bail in a case related to a leak of state secrets although it was not clear how he could be released while serving a three-year sentence for corruption charges. Imran Khan has been embroiled in many political and legal battles since he was ousted as prime minister in April 2022.

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In a written court order, the court said that they could not find "sufficient incriminating material" to show that Imran Khan leaked state secrets intending to benefit a foreign power.

The order said Imran Khan's release on bail "during the period of elections would ensure 'genuine elections' and thus enable the people to exercise the right to express their will effectively and meaningfully. There are no exceptional circumstances to decline the concession of bail."
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A Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers was grounded in France over suspected "human trafficking," authorities said.

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Prague university shooting: The Pragues Charles University gunman, who killed 14 people and left more than 20 injured in the Czech Republic's worst mass shooting, murdered his father before shooting his classmates in the rampage on Thursday, The Telegraph reported. Czech Republic Police has identified the attacker as a 24-year-old student David Kozak, it reported citing the local media. People wait near the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, on December 21. (AP)

Police, however, didn't immediately provide details about a possible motive for the mass shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

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Who was David Kozak  Pragues Charles University gunman?

David Kozak was studying Polish history in Pragues Charles University. Prague Police chief Martin Vondrasek described the shooter as an excellent student with no criminal record but didn't provide any other information. The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it wasn't clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice. David Kozak legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Vondrasek said. Czech media claimed that Kozak created social media content wherein he engaged in contemplations of suicide and mass killings in the lead-up to the attacks. The police, the local media claimed, said the gunman was inspired by a terrible event abroad. In one post, David Kozak cited a 14-year-old Russian school shooter who killed one classmate and wounded five others as an inspiration.

David Kozak killed his father?

Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He didn't elaborate.

Later Thursday, Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15, in Prague.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it wasn't clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

Students locked themselves in classrooms

Students locked themselves in classrooms or ran out of the building with their hands over their heads after shots rang out, Czech television reported. TV footage showed people trying to hide by standing on the ledge of the building. Some found shelter in the nearby seat of the Prague Philharmonic. Overall, 25 people were wounded, including 10 seriously.

Dozens of police cars and police officers, including some with machine guns, cordoned off an area around the scene, which is in the heart of Pragues famed centre. The police scheduled a news briefing for 11 am in Prague on Friday.
As King Charles and Camilla invited members of the royal family to their Christmas celebrations in Sandringham, there is no official word yet on whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are welcome to join the festivities. It was reported that the couple who stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 will stay in California with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet who have not spent a single Christmas with their royal relatives. Princes William and Harry(AFP)

Earlier, a friend of Prince Harry told the Sunday Times the couple "would love to" spend Christmas in the UK as King Charles has never been with their children Archie and Lilibet during the festive season. However, he said as per the report, I can't imagine the Sussexes would decline an invitation to spend time with His Majesty. As of yet, there have not been any invitations for the holidays.

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If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit the UK for Christmas, it would come after the pair have made several explosive claims about Prince William and Kate Middleton. In his book Spare, Prince Harry said that the Prince of Wales "screamed and shouted" at him during the infamous Sandringham Summit.

Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Sun, "I don't think William will be shedding a tear over this. Deep down, I'm sure he still loves Harry, but I don't think he can see a way out of the rift that has opened between them. I think William has closed his mind to the prospect of reconciliation with Harry, and I can't see a time when Meghan would be welcomed back into the bosom of the family - or a time when she would ever want to be welcomed back. I doubt that William thinks about them for more than a fleeting moment - and then he probably tries to blank out those thoughts."
Queen Elizabeth II was persuaded to step back from making decisions about her own funeral after mentioning that it would be "more difficult" if she died in Scotland, her daughter told a forthcoming documentary. Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace balcony.(AFP)

The UK's longest-serving monarch, who reigned for 70 years, died at the age of 96 at her remote Scottish Highland retreat at Balmoral on September 8, 2022.

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In a new documentary to be broadcast on December 26, Princess Anne recounts how her mother was mindful of causing added issues for those arranging her funeral if she died at the estate.

"I think there was a moment when she felt that it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral," Anne says in the programme, according to extracts released in advance.

"And I think we did try and persuade her that that shouldn't be part of the decision-making process. So I hope she felt that was right in the end, because I think we did."

The queen spoke openly of her love for the 50,000-acre (20,000-hectare) estate, spending up to two months there during the summer, usually with her husband Philip and her family.

King Charles III and members of the Royal family follow behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.(AP)

While at the estate, bought for Queen Victoria by her husband Prince Albert in 1852, the monarch would ride her ponies and walk her pet corgis in the surrounding hills or along the River Dee.

Multiple plans were in place if the queen died at any one of her main royal residences, from Sandringham in eastern England, to Windsor Castle, west of London, and even overseas.

The arrangements for Scotland were given the codename "Operation Unicorn", after Scotland's national animal.

Anne accompanied her mother's coffin as it travelled by road through Scotland to Edinburgh, then on by plane to London to lie in state.

She said at the time it had been "an honour and privilege to do so".

Relief

Anne, 73, said in the documentary it was "serendipity" she was at Balmoral before her mother's death which followed a year of declining health.

She said she also felt a sense of relief when the Imperial State Crown was removed from her coffin at her funeral, symbolising the formal end of her reign.

"I rather weirdly felt a sense of relief, somehow that's it, finished," she said. That responsibility being moved on.

Britain's King Charles III delivers a speech beside Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber, in London, on November 7.(Reuters)

Anne also discussed her 75-year-old brother King Charles's ascension to the throne and praised the "outstanding" role his wife Queen Camilla has played in her role as consort.

"Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the King has been absolutely outstanding, and this role is not something she would have been a natural for, but she does it really well," Anne says.

"And she provides that change of speed and tone, she's equally modern."

The documentary also features candid moments in the build up to the coronation in May, with filmed rehearsals showing Charles joking with his son and heir Prince William, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who took the service.

"I'm not sure that anybody can really prepare themselves for that kind of change," says Anne.

"Monarchy is a 365 days a year occupation, it doesn't stop because you change monarchs, for whatever reason.

It's a big operation, the amount of entertaining is much bigger than even they recognised, but I think my brother is learning things about the organisation that he perhaps was very vaguely aware of before, and he's enjoying that too.
Twelve people were wounded Friday in a Ukrainian drone attack in the eastern Donetsk region partially controlled by Russian forces or their proxies since 2014, regional authorities said. Smoke rises over buildings in an aftermath of recent shelling in Donetsk, (AFP)

"A shell dropped by a drone in the Kirov district wounded 12 people today," Denis Pushilin, the head of the Moscow-appointed administration said on Telegram.

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Those injured included rescue workers and municipal service officials, he added.

The Donetsk region and its main city, which goes by the same name, have been regularly bombarded by Ukrainian forces.
Air travel out of Bismarck will be busy throughout the next week and a half, but it's expected to be less hectic than Thanksgiving travel was.

"Typically with Christmas travel it's a little bit spread out," said Matthew Remynse, Bismarck Airport's marketing and operations manager.

Meanwhile, a storm system could bring freezing rain and accumulating snow to parts of south central and eastern North Dakota on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, potentially causing hazards for travelers, especially those going by car. The chance is low, however, according to the National Weather Service.

Busier but cheaper

The weekends are expected to host the busiest days at the airport, as travelers depart right before Christmas and return prior to the New Year.

Remynse recommends travelers arrive early and download the app for the airline they are flying with for up-to-date details. He said to check with the Transportation Security Administration for what type of food can be taken on a plane. He added that it would be best to avoid wrapping any gifts that will be brought onto a flight, as TSA may seek to inspect them.

"We don't want to see presents have to be left behind or food get left behind because people can't take it through the checkpoint," he said.

AAA predicts 115.2 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home over the 10-day holiday travel period between Dec. 23 and New Years Day. This is a 2.2% increase from 2022.

It is expected to be the second-highest year for end-of-year holiday travel since the auto club organization began tracking the metric in 2000.

Nationally, AAA expects airplane travel will reach 7.5 million people this year, topping the 2019 record of 7.3 million.
The Ukraine's parliament adopted a new law legalising medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and oncological diseases acquired as a result of war, The Hill reported, quoting the official website of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky gestures.(AFP)

It reported on Thursday that the law was adopted with 248 votes in favour, 16 votes against, 33 abstentions and 40 members not voting. The new law will come into effect after six months.

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Access to medical marijuana as treatment for war-related conditions has garnered momentum recently, as the country approaches nearly two years since Russia launched its invasion of the country.

The law would regulate "the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create conditions for expanding patient access to the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders, received as a result of the war," according to the final version of the bill.

The parliament's chair, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said, "The list of conditions and ways of using cannabis medicines will be determined by the Ministry of Health."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for greater access to medical marijuana as a treatment for war-related conditions. In June 2023, he addressed his country's parliament, calling for the drug's legalisation.

"We must finally fairly legalise cannabis-based medicines for all those who need them, with appropriate scientific research and controlled Ukrainian production," Zelensky said, according to a translation from the local press, The Hill reported.

"All the world's best practices, all the most effective policies, all the solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem to us, must be applied to Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all out citizens, do not have to endure the pain, stress and trauma of war," Zelensky added.

Meanwhile speaking at the Christmas Breakfast on December 21 Zelenskyy made an impassioned plea to the people to pray for Ukriane's Victory in the ongoing conflict against Russia.

"I attended the Christmas Prayer Breakfast. I am grateful to everyone whose prayers include the main request: victory. For the triumph of the human spirit over aggression. For the victory of our unity over any self-serving interests that may want to divide us. And for Ukraine's victory--the victory over the Russian evil that has come to our land and must be expelled" the Ukraine President said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday told his Polish counterpart that Kyiv hoped an "unacceptable" blockade by Polish hauliers at their shared border would end soon. The Polish foreign minister came to Kyiv on his first trip abroad since taking office, a move signalling the new Polish government's renewed support. (Reuters)

The truckers have been blocking the border for over a month to demand the reintroduction of restrictions to enter the European Union for their Ukrainian competitors.

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The bloc had waived the permits system after Russia invaded Ukraine, but the Polish road carriers say the move took a toll on their earnings.

"The first thing to do is to unblock the border, because the situation in which our friendly relations find themselves -- in the shadow of the blocked border -- is unacceptable and harmful," Kuleba told his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski.

The Polish foreign minister came to Kyiv on his first trip abroad since taking office, a move signalling the new Polish government's renewed support.

Kuleba praised the visit as a "sign of respect to Ukraine."

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia invaded.

Relations soured ahead of Polish general elections in October, as the then-governing Law and Justice (PiS) party had lobbied for votes by leveraging fatigue over the conflict.

But Poland's new pro-EU government led by former European Council president Donald Tusk has pledged to double down on support for Ukraine and resolve the blockade.

"There is a feeling, an understanding that with this new Polish government and specifically (minister) Sikorski... there will be a very fruitful dialogue between Ukraine and Poland," Kuleba said.

bur-brw/mmp/jm
The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a toned-down bid to boost humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps "to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" after a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to avoid a veto by the United States. Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a proposal to demand that Israel and Hamas allow aid access to the Gaza Strip - via land, sea and air routes. (Reuters)

Amid global outrage over a rising Gaza death toll in 11 weeks of war between Israel and Hamas and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, the US abstained to allow the 15-member council to adopt a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

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The remaining council members voted for the resolution except for Russia which also abstained.

Following high-level negotiations to win over Washington, the resolution no longer dilutes Israel's control over all aid deliveries to 2.3 million people in Gaza. Israel monitors the limited aid deliveries to Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.

But a weakening of language on a cessation of hostilities frustrated several council members - including veto power Russia - and Arab and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation states, some of which, diplomats said, view it as approval for Israel to further act against Hamas for a deadly Oct. 7 attack.

The adopted resolution "calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." The initial draft had called for "an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" to allow aid access.

"By signing off on this, the council would essentially be giving the Israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement for further clearing of the Gaza Strip," Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council before the vote.

Russia proposed the draft be amended to revert to the initial text calling for "an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities." The amendment was vetoed by the United States. It received 10 votes in favor, while four members abstained.

Earlier this month the 193-member U.N. General Assembly demanded a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 states voting in favor of the move that had been vetoed by the United States in the Security Council days earlier.

The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and free hostages taken by Hamas.

AID MONITORING

Last month the United States abstained to allow the Security Council to call for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting for a "sufficient number of days" to allow aid access. The move came after four unsuccessful attempts to take action.

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from U.N. action and has already twice vetoed Security Council action since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 people taken hostage.

Israel has retaliated against Hamas by bombarding Gaza from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground offensive. Some 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Most people in Gaza have been driven from their homes and U.N. officials have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. The World Food Programme says half of Gaza's population is starving and only 10% of the food required has entered Gaza since Oct. 7.

A key sticking point during negotiations on the resolution adopted on Friday had been an initial proposal for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a mechanism in Gaza to monitor aid from countries not party to the war.

A toned-down compromise was reached to instead ask Guterres to appoint a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator to establish a U.N. mechanism for accelerating aid to Gaza through states that are not party to the conflict.

The coordinator would also have responsibility "for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying in Gaza, as appropriate, the humanitarian nature" of all the aid.

The council also called for the warring parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and ... deplores all attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as all violence and hostilities against civilians, and all acts of terrorism.
A US dual national who was among some 240 people seized during the Oct 7 attack by Hamas in Israel has died in captivity in the Gaza Strip, a group representing hostages' families said as per news agency Reuters. Gadi Haggai, 73, also held Israeli citizenship, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. Gadi Haggai and his wife is seen.

Gadi Haggai's wife Judi- who also has American citizenship- still remains a hostage, the forum said. Gadi Haggai is the first American hostage to have died.

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"Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh. A musician at heart, a gifted flutist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life," the forum said in a statement, adding that on the morning of October 7, Gadi Haggai and Judi went "for their regular morning walk in the fields and vineyards" of Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel when they were kidnapped by Hamas.

"Judi managed to notify friends that they had been shot and that Gadi was critically injured -- it was the last contact with them," it said.

Official Israel tally shows that129 people remain held in Gaza after the rest were repatriated in a November truce or recovered during a military offensive. Of those still in Gaza, 22 are dead. The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold US citizenship although the US Embassy has not commented on the same, news agency Reuters reported.

This comes as Israel signalled that it was widening the ground offensive with a new push into central Gaza. Israel's military ordered residents of Al-Bureij, in central Gaza, to move south immediately, indicating a new focus of the ground assault.
A California mother has been jailed for six years for a 2018 incident where she asked her daughter, 8, to crawl under an idling train. The little girl died when the train began to move. Joy Frances Collins was found guilty of child abuse and endangerment following the death of her daughter, Joyanna Harris. Joy Frances Collins was found guilty of child abuse and endangerment following the death of her daughter (Fresno Police Department)

Back in 2018, Collins had asked both of her children to crawl under a cargo train to be able to catch a bus on the other side of the tracks. Harris was dragged almost 100 yards along the rail crossing on North Diana Street and Belmont Avenue in Fresno, police said, according to the Daily Mail. While Harris died, Collins son, 9, was injured. However, he survived.

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Collins, before her sentencing, begged the judge for mercy to avoid jail. There's not a day that goes by that I don't regret any of that, she told the court.

Fresno Police Department Detective Paul Hill told the jury during Collins October trial that she didn't want to miss the bus, according to ABC30 News. He further said that Collins believed it was safe to cross the tracks.

Jason Wilson, a paramedic and ICU nurse, stated that Harris had some severe injuries and was nonresponsive. Harris graphic pictures were shown to the jury, and Collins had to walk out of the courtroom at one point, because of how disturbing the images were.

One of the photos presented to the jurors revealed that there was a no trespassing sign near the incident. The train that killed Harris was on its way to Barstow.

Collins was reportedly taken to Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, where she will serve her term. She has been ordered to pay a $1,200 fine. Collins son, who survived the tragedy, is in the custody of his grandparents at present.
A federal judge has ordered that theidentities of more than 150 peopleconnected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell be publicly disclosed early next year. The people whose names are to be disclosed includesex abuse victims, litigation witnesses, Epsteins employees, and people with just a passing connection to the scandal. All of these people can appeal the order, signed by Judge Loretta A. Preska, by January 1, 2024. The names were mentioned in Epsteins lawsuit. This March 28, 2017, photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

In the past, several other records related to the lawsuit were publicly revealed. Collin Rugg, the co-owner of the media outlet Trending Politics, also mentioned in a post on X that three names will remainsealed out of the 150 names.

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The three names that will remain sealed were classic outsiders peripheral to the events at issue and werent associated with Epstein. One of the three sealed names was wrongly identified in a photo, Rugg wrote.

Preska has said that some portions of the records will be kept confidential, like those that name people who were sexually assaulted by Epstein when they were minors, and had wanted to maintain their privacy, according to NBC News.

One of the major names associated with Epstein is Prince Andrew of Britain, who was allegedly one of Epsteins co-conspirators. However, he has maintained his innocence and claimed he knew nothing about Epsteins criminal activities.

Epstein allegedly sexually assaulted multiple teenage girls. Some of his victims were as young as 14 years old, prosecutors have said. He committed the crimes at his homes in Manhattan; Palm Beach, Florida; and his private island near St. Thomas.

In 2019, federal prosecutors charged him with one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females. Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell about a month after being arrested, and the charges against him were thus dropped.

His partner Maxwell, who was also involved in the crimes, is now serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in December 2021. She was accused of helping Epstein recruit and sexually abuse minor girls.
President Joe Biden is making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system. US President Joe Biden speaks at an economic event at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Biden said it is self-evident that Donald Trump is an insurrectionist but declined to endorse a Colorado Supreme Court decision that would bar the Republican presidential frontrunner from appearing on the ballot in that state. (Bloomberg)

The categorical pardon Friday builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that made thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible for pardons. Fridays action adds additional criminal offenses to those eligible for a pardon, making even more people eligible to have their convictions expunged. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

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Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the promise of equal justice a reality.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, Biden said. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.

No one was freed from prison under last year's action, but the pardons were meant to help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job. Similarly, no federal prisoners are eligible for release as a result of Friday's action.

Biden's order applies only to marijuana, which has been decriminalized or legalized in many states for some or all uses, but remains a controlled substance under federal law. U.S. regulators are studying reclassifying the drug from the category of drugs deemed to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse," known as Schedule I, to the less tightly regulated Schedule III.

The pardon also does not apply to those in the U.S. unlawfully at the time of their offense.

Those eligible can submit applications to the Justice Department's pardon attorney office, which issues certificates of pardon.

Biden on Friday reiterated his call on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Biden said.
John Schneider has broken his silence after saying president Joe Biden and his son should be publicly hung. He has now denied calling for the presidents public execution. John Schneider has broken his silence after saying president Joe Biden and his son should be publicly hung (johnschneider/Instagram, AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Schneiders post, shared on X, has now been deleted. Mr. President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung, Schneider, 63, wrote on X. Your son too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider. Schneider possibly referred to Hunter Biden as the son.

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The Dukes of Hazzard star wrote the post in response to Bidens message, Trump poses many threats to our country: The right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, and Americas standing in the world. But the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy. If we lose that, we lose everything.

I neither said nor implied any such thing

Schneider defended his words after being contacted by New York Post. Seriously, folks? This is my final comment on this. I neither said nor implied any such thing. Despite headlines claiming otherwise, in my post, I absolutely did not call for an act of violence or threaten a U.S. president as many other celebrities have done in the past. I suggest you re-read my actual post and pay attention to the words before believing this nonsense, he said.

Its my position, which I am entitled to have, that some of our nations leaders in Washington have lost their way, and corruption runs rampant, both on our nations borders and abroad. Transparency and accountability must happen in order for our constitutional republic to survive. There is no threat implied or otherwise in that statement, he added.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service said in a statement, The Secret Service is aware of the comments made by Mr. Schneider, and as a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence. We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.
Russia will seize control of one of the countrys biggest car dealerships- Rolf Group- which is owned by the family of a Kremlin critic who is now living in exile, it was reported after Vladimir Putin signed a decree to transfer stakes in affiliates of the group to the state property agency for temporary management". Russian president Vladimir Putin(Reuters)

The Rolf Group was the biggest Russian dealership in the years before Russia invaded Ukraine. It was also considering an initial public offering, Bloomberg reported. The group is owned by Sergey Petrov through a Cyprus-registered entity, who is a dual Russian-Austrian citizen and left Russia years ago.

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Authorities in Russia opened a criminal investigation into him in 2019 accusing him of illegally transferring money abroad while Sergey Petrov said that the charges against him are absurd. The case is political in nature, he repeatedly said.

Why Sergey Petrov's is Vladimir Putin's enemy?

In 2011-2012, Sergey Petrov openly backed the biggest anti-government protests of Vladimir Putins two-decade rule while serving as a member of parliament. Sergey Petrov also didnt vote for the annexation of Crimea in 2014 which was approved nearly unanimously.

What Kremlin said on the decision?

Vladimir Putin's decision to temporarily place the car dealership under state control was driven purely by commercial logic and the international economic situation, the Kremlin said.

Has Russia seized other businesses?

Russia has seized control of several businesses owned by international holdings, including Frances Danone SA and Denmarks Carlsberg A/S this year.
Russian president Vladimir Putin's right-hand man the country's Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev- ordered the assassination of Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported citing Western intelligence and a former Russian intelligence officer. The Wagner Group was a crucial part of the Russian army amid Ukraine war before increasing rhetoric between Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russia's defence minister which resulted in the former attempting a brief mutiny in Russia in June 2023 that shook Kremlin's foundation. Yevgeny Prigozhin Death: Russian President Vladimir Putin has a phone call in Moscow, Russia.(AP)

Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly ended his so-called "march of justice" to Moscow after Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal to allow him and his Wagner forces to come to his country. Yevgeny Prigozhin and other top Wagner commanders were killed in August when his plane exploded.

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Nikolai Patrushev had long seen Yevgeny Prigozhin as a threat, even before the rebellion as he did not approve of Wagner boss' open criticism of top Russian military brass and was concerned that he had gained too much power, the report claimed.

Nikolai Patrushev- who has served under Vladimir Putin since the beginning of his time as president and is the second-most powerful man in Russia- decided to punish Yevgeny Prigozhin after the mutiny, the report claimed.

Vladimir Putin "did not object" to it, it added.

What Vladimir Putin said on Yevgeny Prigozhin?

Vladimir Putin said that Yevgeny Prigozhin had been killed shortly after the plane explosion, adding that "he made mistakes." The Russian leader also speculated that the explosion had been caused by the poor handling of grenades by those onboard. The WSG report denied this claim and reported that a small bomb had been attached under the wing of Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane while it waited on the tarmac at a Moscow airport which led to the explosion.

What Kremlin said on the report?

The Kremlin accused the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of publishing "pulp fiction".
Republican attorneys general from 21 states including North Dakota have sued the federal government over a rule requiring states to set goals for reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

The lawsuit against the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation asserts that the federal government lacks authority to impose the rule.

"Regulatory action cannot be used in this manner," the suit reads. "Just because the president believes that reducing on-road CO2 emissions is key to addressing climate change ... does not mean the agencies can compel the states to administer a federal administrative regulatory program absent statutory authority."

If a judge allows the rule to stand, state transportation departments would be required to track emissions from vehicles based on fuel sales data. There are no penalties if states fail to meet their goals or if their emissions increase.

The Biden administration announced the rule last month.

Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and reducing emissions from that sector while ensuring our economy works for everyday Americans is critical to addressing the climate crisis, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said. We dont expect (states) to solve a problem this large on their own, which is why this performance measure does not impose penalties for those who miss their targets.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Kentucky on Friday maintains the rule will harm the economies of states, especially rural ones where residents have to drive longer distances.

This rule is yet another effort by the Biden administration to unconstitutionally and unlawfully use federal administrative agencies to push a climate agenda where Congress has granted no authority to implement such actions, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said.

U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., made the same argument, saying "It doesn't take a legal scholar to know Congress grants authority, not the bureaucracy itself."
The Polish government abruptly took the country's leading state television news channel off the air on Wednesday as the former governing party refused to accept defeat.

The former governing party sent legislators and other supporters to the public broadcasting headquarters to prevent the new management from taking over. The members of the ousted former government staged a sit-in inside a building in southern Warsaw.

Poland Public News Channel Abruptly Taken Off the Air

It houses the studios and offices of state television, including TVP Info, a news channel and website that served as a propaganda bullhorn for the right-wing Law and Justice Party during its eight years in power.

The protesters were led by the party's combative chairman, Jaroslaw Kacynski, and they tried to prevent the new, centrist administration of Prime Minister Donald Tusk from asserting control. They accused the new government of staging a "coup d'etat" by firing loyalists of Law and Justice, which lost a general election in October.

As Kaczynski and his supporters committed to defending democracy and blocking management change, technicians who supported the new government yanked TVP Info off the air and disabled its website. It featured appeals for resistance against Tusk's "illegal attack on public television" as per the New York Times.

The chaos highlighted the turbulence the new government faces as it struggles to assert its authority over a wide range of state bodies. These include the courts and others stacked with Law and Justice loyalists.

The fight over public television could indicate a long period of disruptive trench warfare between a new government trying to break Law and Justice's grip on those institutions and the party's holdover trying to prevent such efforts.

When the former ruling party first took power in 2016, it imposed its management on state television within days and met no resistance. On Wednesday, the evening news program on TVP was canceled and replaced by a promotional video for an upcoming series about World War II.

Read Also: France Passes Tough Immigration Bill, Highlighting Cracks in Emmanuel Macron's Parliamentary Majority

New Polish Government

Tusk's pro-European Union coalition took power from the Law and Justice Party last week. According to Reuters, critics have argued that the latter damaged judicial independence, soured European Union relations, and turned state-owned media into an outlet for propaganda.

The chaos at the public news channel's building came after the new government adopted a resolution to restore public media impartiality. It called on "all state authorities to immediately take action to restore constitutional order regarding citizens' access to reliable information and the functioning of public media.

During its rule, the Law and Justice Party allegedly cut corners and ignored some procedures to gain control of the media supervisory bodies and key appointments as it tightened its grip.

In a statement, Law and Justice Sen. Marek Pek said they were instructed to come to the TVP building. He said that they need to show their presence and that they are deeply against the lawless and brutal actions of the new government, according to Associated Press.

Related Article: Ireland Sues the UK for Offering Immunity for Troubles-Era Crimes

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The United Nations is now demanding a probe from Israel as the Middle Eastern country allegedly killed unarmed Palestinians. The purported incident came to light after survivors shared details with Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-owned news television network.

Al Jazeera's reported carnage against Palestinians is quite disturbing. As of writing, the Israeli Defense Forces are still performing air strikes and other attacks in the Gaza Strip.

The war continued after the seven-day ceasefire ended on Dec. 1. Before this Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even promised that the war would not end until all Hamas terrorists were eliminated.

Israel's Alleged Unarmed Palestinian Civilian Massacre Concerns UN

According to Yahoo News' latest report, the UN Human Rights Office is demanding the Israeli government start an independent investigation immediately into the alleged violence.

Survivors claimed that Israeli soldiers raided a home in Gaza's Al Remal neighborhood on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The United Nations said that four families were sheltering in the target residence.

Based on Al Jazeera's report, which was backed by the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, the Israeli troops allegedly killed Palestinian men, after separating them from their families, in what is being called a "possible war crime".

The UN Human Rights Office stated that the Gaza Strip massacre killed at least 11 unarmed Palestinians in front of their families. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a Swiss-based advocacy organization, claimed that 13 Anan family members, as well as their displaced in-laws, were massacred.

The advocacy group added that other family members were badly injured, putting them in critical condition. Euro-Med said that it recently received similar reports claiming that the Israel Defense Forces are committing atrocities in numerous areas of the Palestinian city.

The reports claimed that Israeli troops were killing and executing civilians for no reason at all. At the time of publication, the Israeli government and IDF have not relased a statement regarding the massacre allegations.

Read Also: [POLL] 70% of Young Voters Disapprove of Joe Biden's Handling of Israel-Hamas War

What UN Wants Israel To Do

The UN Human Rights Office is urging Israeli officials to conduct an immediate and independent probe into the massacre allegations.

If ever Israeli soldiers are found guilty of these atrocities, the United Nations said that they should be held responsible and be brought to justice.

UN officials further stated that there should be measures put in place to prevent serious human rights violations as well.

"This comes in the wake of earlier allegations concerning the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians at the hands of Israeli forces," said the UN Human Rights Office.

Related Article: Israel-Hamas War Still Joe Biden's Top Priority, Says US Defense Secretary; 'Support for Israel Security is Unshakable'

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Hamas's top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was spotted visiting Cairo for talks on the war against Israel, which could be considered part of diplomatic actions over the past few days which involved top Israeli, American, and Qatari officials.

The negotiations were believed to be for the formulation of another truce between Israel and Hamas.

"These are very serious discussions and negotiations, and we hope that they lead somewhere," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Joe Biden travels to Wisconsin.

However, Biden indicated that a deal has "no expectation at this point."

Read Also: Shippers, Tankers Consider Rerouting Due to Houthi Raids on Red Sea

A new set of prisoner swaps?

According to the Associated Press, Hamas indicated that no more hostages would be released until the end of the war, insisting that Israel should release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners, including high-level militants convicted in deadly terror attacks, in exchange for the remaining hostages.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, said that the current efforts were focused on how to "stop [the] aggression" of Israel, especially because Israel could not achieve any of its goals.

So far, Israeli officials rejected Hamas's demands for a mass prisoner release.

An estimated 129 captives were still taken hostage by Hamas, though roughly 20 are believed to have died in captivity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the war would only end if Hamas is eradicated.

"Whoever thinks we will stop is detached from reality," he said in a statement. "All Hamas terrorists, from the first to the last, are dead men walking."

Related Article: Gaza Death Toll Reaches Over 20,000 as UN Delays Aid, Again

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Former TV journalist Yekaterina Duntsova has officially submitted her candidacy, aiming to bring forth a vision of a more humane and cooperative Russia.

The 40-year-old regional legislator, who has been an advocate for peace in Ukraine, presented the necessary documents to Russia's Central Election Commission on Wednesday, as per Reuters.

Vision For a Peaceful Russia Amidst Election Challenges

In an interview with Reuters last month, Duntsova stressed the importance of ending the conflict in Ukraine and emphasized the release of political prisoners, including the prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Her vision for Russia revolves around creating a nation that is peaceful, friendly, and eager to collaborate with others based on the principle of respect.

Speaking to journalists in Moscow on the day of her candidacy submission, Duntsova expressed hope that her candidacy would inspire her supporters. If accepted as an independent candidate, she would face the substantial task of gathering 300,000 signatures of support from at least 40 regions in Russia.

Duntsova acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "I hope that I'll at least be registered as a candidate. But, of course, collecting signatures is a huge job, and I hope that people will be actively taking part."

The state parliament of Russia has announced that the date for the highly anticipated 2024 presidential election has been officially set for March 17. This decision, made earlier this month, marks an important turning point in the country's political landscape.

Given Putin's firm grip on the political system and the lack of interesting contenders, his reelection appears highly probable. Numerous critics who possess the potential to challenge him are either incarcerated or forced into exile.

Additionally, independent media outlets are confronted with stringent limitations, further stifling their ability to operate freely, according to Euronews.

Read Also: US Slaps Iran with Fresh Sanctions Targeting Iranian Drone Production Network

Duntsova Defies Kremlin Threats, Pledges Political Freedom

Despite her concerns about potential targeting by the Kremlin, Duntsova is determined to present an alternative to Putin and his policies. In a previous interview with The Associated Press, she expressed fear of the Kremlin's history of targeting opposition activists and protesters but maintained the necessity of providing an alternative political choice.

Duntsova has outlined her commitment to political freedom, stating that her first presidential decree, if elected, would mandate the release of Russia's political prisoners, including Alexei Navalny.

The anti-corruption activist, Navalny, has been a vocal critic of Putin but has been banned from participating in elections and imprisoned since 2021.

On December 20, Duntsova took a significant step toward candidacy when her run garnered an endorsement from 500 supporters, as required by Russian election law. More than 500 people gathered in Moscow to back her bid, according to updates from Sota, a Russian news publication covering opposition, protests, and human rights issues.

In this phase of Duntsova's campaign progress, critics from within Russia have raised allegations suggesting her potential collaboration with the Kremlin. These critics claim that such cooperation could serve the purpose of bestowing legitimacy upon the tightly regulated electoral process.

Duntsova has categorically refuted any alleged connections, adamantly stating, "Neither the Kremlin, nor the oligarchs, nor big business have extended their support towards me." With unwavering resolve, she remains committed to offering a truly distinct alternative to the existing political climate in Russia, Kyiv Independent reported.

Related Article: Russia Declares Annexed Ukrainian Regions' Participation in Russian Presidential Election

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Residents of the Icelandic fishing town of Grindavik briefly returned on Thursday, December 21 to check their homes and collect some belongings weeks after being evacuated in preparation for the eruption.

This was after scientists noticed that the volcano's lava flows continued to diminish on Thursday and no volcanic activity was visible, three days after it spewed lava and smoke high into the air on the Reykjanes peninsula in the island nation's southwest.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said that while the intensity of lava flows diminished overnight, it was too early to declare the eruption over.

"Scientists flying over the volcanic areas confirm that no volcanic activity is visible, and it appears to have extinguished in the craters, but glow is still visible in the lava field," it said.

Read Also: Grindavik Eruption: Iceland Volcano Erupts Weeks After Thousands Evacuate

Cracks in the Ground

Returning residents and media agencies returned to Grindavik on Thursday and found that the large cracks in the ground before the eruption had been secured by fences.

Some of the residents returning to their homes told Reuters that Christmas this year would be different.

"I think people should celebrate Christmas where they are," 65-year-old local Thorsteinn Einarsson said. "You can leave Grindavik for this year and maybe think about coming home next year, (in) January. Maybe. Just celebrate Christmas where you are."

Related Article: One and Done? Iceland's Grindavik Volcano Weakens After Initial Eruption

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New York City's teachers union filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Mayor Eric Adams after cutting the public school's budget, which could weaken key education initiatives and violate state law.

The United Federation of Teachers accused the Mayor of overestimating the city's fiscal woes to push through a blunt austerity measure that was illegal and unnecessary.

NY Teachers File Lawsuit Against Adams

The lawsuit prevents New York City from reducing educational spending unless revenues decline. This year, the city outperformed revenue expectations, and the suit alleges that the mid-year education cuts would damage universal prekindergarten and after-school programs and special needs students.

On Thursday, UFT President Michael Mulgrew said at a news conference that they never had an administration try to cut the school's budget when they had historic reserves and their revenues were up. He warned that cutting educational funding would be difficult and ugly.

"The administration can't go around touting the tourism recovery and the return of the city's pre-pandemic jobs and then create a fiscal crisis and cut education because of its own mismanagement of the asylum seeker problem," Mulgrew added.

Adams has recently faced consequences over a multibillion-dollar budget cut announced last month. The budget cut has multiple cutbacks, such as fewer hours at public libraries, elimination of parks and sanitation programs, and restriction of police hiring.

His poll numbers have dropped to the lowest since taking office nearly two years ago. He was now facing another lawsuit from the city's largest public-sector union, DC 37, which aimed to stop the budget cuts.

Meanwhile, a recent analysis from the Independent Budget Office bolsters the union's contention that the city's fiscal crisis was not as alarming as the Mayor has made it out to be. The agency claimed that the city will end the fiscal year in June with a budget surplus of $3.6 billion, leading to a far more manageable budget gap of $1.8 billion next year.

In the lawsuit, the teachers' union has brought up the estimate as proof that Adams's calculatingly foreboding picture of New York City's finances was not based on reality.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claimed that the Mayor's recent actions were driven more by a budget management, leadership, and problem-solving crisis than an influx of migrants to New York.

Read Also: Texas To Start Flying Out Migrants to Sanctuary Cities as First Flight Involves More Than 100 People

Parents, Teachers Rally

On Thursday morning, parents, teachers, and residents rallied in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for the city to reverse cuts to the budget for school crossing guards.

Erika Gonzalez, a Bronx parent, said they were not getting the services before the budget cuts. She said she could already imagine what would happen after the approval of the budget cuts.

Mulgrew claimed that the cuts were based on a fiscal crisis that they felt was completely fabricated. He noted that they were already witnessing more overcrowded classrooms and supply shortages.

Furthermore, Michael Elsen-Rooney, with Chalkbeat New York, also noted that schools might have to dip into their budget to pay paraprofessionals, who are teaching assistants who often work one-on-one with students with significant needs.

Related Article: US Border Crisis: Over 12,000 Migrants Cross the Border- Highest Daily Total Ever





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On Thursday, immigration minister Marc Miller announced that they had launched new temporary visas for people in the Gaza Strip who have Canadian relatives to Canada.

However, the federal government could not guarantee safe passage out of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Canada Launches New Temporary Visas

Miller announced the program will be up and running by January 9. The Canadian government has been focusing on getting 660 Canadians, permanent residents, and their spouses and children out of Gaza.

According to ABC News, he confirmed that the government will start accepting applications from people with extended family connections to Canada, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and grandchildren.

People will only be offered three-year visas if they meet eligibility and admissibility criteria. Miller was still determining how many people could come to Canada under the program, but he said he was looking forward to hundreds of released Canadians.

Miller shared that getting Canadians out of Gaza has been challenging as they have limited ability.

Furthermore, he also announced that immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents who left Gaza or Israel who now reside in Canada will be allowed temporarily to apply for study or work permits.

Read Also: Horror Crash: Two Young California Brothers Killed by Driver After Fleeing Police, Going 100mph

Canadians Trapped in Gaza

Canadian citizens trapped in Gaza have been begging for help to flee the war zone. Mahmoud Kouta of London, Ont, shared that he had been trapped since the war broke out.

Kouta was living in northern Gaza and fled south to Rafah with his wife and 18-month-old daughter after the continuous bombing destroyed his house.

Israeli officials ordered evacuating Palestinian civilians to head for Rafah and to other towns, but the area has been bombarded regularly by Israeli forces. Kouta said that nowhere in Gaza was safe.

He shared that whenever he goes to find food and water, he tells his wife goodbye and kisses his daughter, hoping it is not the last kiss he gave her. He could not even explain how they felt when they heard the sound of the bombing, and all they could do was try to calm down their children.

Last month, hundreds of Canadians and permanent residents were able to escape Gaza through the Rafah crossing at the Egyptian border. Foreign nationals were also able to leave Gaza under an apparent agreement between the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas, but the evacuations have since slowed.

Kouta attempted to cross into Egypt with his parents and younger siblings a few weeks ago. However, he was not allowed to leave and asked the Canadian officials why he and the rest of his family could leave Gaza.

He hoped that he could leave Gaza with his wife and daughter safely as he feared that anytime soon, he could lose his family.

Related Article: US Announces Travel Bans on Israeli Settlers Behind West Bank Violence



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The Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud lost power after a rogue wave shattered windows on the bridge while sailing in the North Sea this week.

The Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Center said on Thursday, December 21 that the damage affected her navigation systems and radars, but her main engine remained functional and the 266 passengers and 131 crew members aboard were safe.

"I don't think there is any danger to the ship now," a spokesperson for the rescue center added. "If the captain thought so, he would have asked to be evacuated, which he hasn't."

A towage vessel from the civil rescue company Esvagt was scheduled to arrive at the location of the Maud at around 22:30 UTC to assist her in navigation as she could only be steered from the engine room. Once near the shore, tugboats would tow her to port.

Read Also: Denmark Intensifies Terror Investigation After Hamas Suspects Arrested for Planning Attacks

Freak Wave Blinds the Maud

Reuters reported that the Maud was sailing roughly 200 kilometers off the west coast of Denmark and roughly 330 kilometers off of Britain's east coast when the windows of her bridge were shattered, allowing water to enter and short-circuiting all electronics in it.

HX, a subsidiary of Norway's Hurtigruten Group that owns the vessel, also said that the ship left Faroe on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury on Friday (December 22).

"Earlier this afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave," Hurtigruten said in an emailed statement acquired by Reuters. "At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious passenger or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident and the condition of the ship remains stable."

Related Article: Nordic Nations Denmark, Norway Provide Assistance to Ukraine, Including Funding, Military Equipment

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Czech police have identified the gunman who killed at least 14 people and injured at least 25 others in a mass shooting incident in Prague on Thursday, December 21 as David Kozak.

Authorities investigating the incident said that the shooting occurred in the philosophy department of Charles University in the Czech capital and that the death toll might rise in the next few days.

Police also found Kozak's body inside the university but it was unclear if he killed himself or was shot by officers.

No information about the victims or a potential motive for the shooting was provided by police as of writing.

Meanwhile, Charles University officials announced that they would increase security measures in its buildings effective immediately.

"We express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved families who lost their loved ones," the university said in a statement. "Our thoughts are now with the loved ones of those who are now fighting for their lives."

Read Also: Multiple Dead, Injured in School Shooting in Prague

Premeditated Christmas Killing Spree

Kozak was a 24-year-old history student at the university who allegedly killed his own father before commencing the shooting spree. He lived in a village almost 20 km outside Prague.

He legally owned several guns and was heavily armed during the shooting.

Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said he was an "excellent student" before the shooting and what he did was "well thought out" and "horrible."

It was also revealed that Kozak initially talked about planning a school shooting on the messaging app Telegram, treating his channel there like a "diary" of his life before the shooting.

"I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide," he wrote in a Telegram post. "I always wanted to kill. I thought I would become a maniac in the future."

He was also suspected of shooting another man a week before the mass shooting, the Associated Press reported.

Related Article: Gunman Kills at Least 15 in Prague University Shooting

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Williston Republican state Rep. Nico Rios was verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory toward police officers when he was arrested for driving under the influence this month, according to police records that are backed up by police body camera footage.

Rios was the first person to make his Dec. 15 arrest public knowledge, posting a statement on X three days later expressing his regret for the situation. His initial statement didnt provide details of the arrest, which were first reported by Forum columnist Rob Port.

Rios is charged with two misdemeanors -- DUI and refusing to provide a chemical test. He also was cited for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

The police report states that Rios "was verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory toward Officer Welch for the entire duration of the incident following road side testing."

Rios is a first-term elected official who won his seat in 2022, and is among a handful of young conservatives who have joined the Legislature in recent years.

When asked for his license and registration, Rios tried to give the officers his business card. At one point he told officers, You guys are going to regret picking on me because you don't know who (profanity) I am."

Rios appeared to grow frustrated as the officers conducted a roadside sobriety test, which authorities said he eventually failed. He couldnt keep his balance during testing, and misstepped while walking heel-to-toe, according to the police report.

After failing the sobriety tests, Rios asked if he could take his truck home since he lived nearby. When the request was rejected, he called one officer a homophobic slur.

Rios was then placed in the back of Officer Alexander Welchs police vehicle. When asked if he wanted the two phones found in his truck, he said he wanted them so he could call Attorney General Drew Wrigley" to tell him the officers were mistreating him.

Wrigley told the Tribune he has received no such call from Rios.

Rios at one point unsuccessfully asked Welch to turn off his body camera. While Rios was being driven to jail, he repeatedly used profanities, and made comments about the officer being born in England and about people born outside America becoming law enforcement officers.

"You're arresting me for driving home, and people are coming to your country and raping your women, as you know," he said at one point after stating that refugees are taking over England. And Im the (profanity) bad guy?

Rios told Welch You're ruining my life so you can (profanity) make a paycheck," and directed homophobic slurs at him.

Rios apologized for his actions in a statement to the Tribune on Friday.

Inebriated or not my actions and words to law enforcement that night were absolutely unacceptable, he wrote. Just two cop doing their jobs keeping the community safe when they ran into me on a night I decided to act like a dummie. They did nothing to deserve any sort of disrespect. I owe it to myself, my district, and everyone and I vow to make sure this never happens again. Moving forward after this night I feel like I have to emphasize my complete and total commitment to supporting Law Enforcement. I messed up big time and I am truly sorry.

North Dakotas Democrat-NPL Party called Rioss actions reprehensible.

It used to be that when public servants disgraced themselves, they resigned rather than bring shame upon those they represent, party Chair Adam Goldwyn said in a statement, adding, "It seems the Republican Party no longer has a sense of shame."

State Republican Party Executive Director Andrew Nyhus told the Tribune in a statement that We are deeply troubled by Rep. Rios' dangerous decision to drive while intoxicated and his remarks to law enforcement officers. Clearly, his behavior does not represent the values of the NDGOP.
Two boys, both ten years old, were murdered in a horrific rollover accident in Wisconsin, according to the police. The driver of the car in which they were riding evaded a traffic check and crashed after a chase by law officials.

This happened in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, just before midnight on Wednesday, December 20.

In a new release by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, a deputy from the said agency tried to pull over a speeding car in Pewaukee at around 11:49 PM local time. The driver did not have their license plates visible.

Tragic Car Crash

Deputy Inspector Patrick Esser of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department told reporters at a news conference on Thursday, December 21, that the driver of the car originally stopped but then left "at a high rate of speed" before the officer was able to successfully establish contact with the driver.

Esser said that two deputies tried to catch up with the car for a short distance before it crashed and flipped over. There were no other vehicles involved in the accident. Delafield is around three miles away from the first traffic stop where the accident occurred, according to the sheriff's department's cross streets.

At the time of the collision, there were a total of six persons from Milwaukee who were inside the car, including two adults and four children, according to the police.

The 29-year-old male driver is reportedly in critical but stable condition at a hospital. His 29-year-old girlfriend is in stable condition at the hospital, too.

Officials said that the driver's two boys, both aged 10, were declared dead upon arrival at the site. A 14-year-old niece and a 6-year-old daughter of the driver are now in severe condition at a hospital.

See Also: Horror Crash: Two Young California Brothers Killed by Driver After Fleeing Police, Going 100MPH

Investigation To Be Conducted

The Waukesha County Sheriff, Eric Severson, described the accident as "horrific" and "preventable." He added, "The fact that two children lost their lives this morning as the result of really bad decision-making is very saddening to all of us."

Apparently, the driver was already wanted by the authorities on suspicion of felon in possession of a handgun, and the sheriff added that he is expected to face additional charges related to the traffic stop and collision, as reported by ABC News.

In an attempt to be open and honest, Severson requested that the Washington County Sheriff's Department investigate the collision. Meanwhile, his office will be reviewing the department's policies and procedures regarding pursuits. Nevertheless, the sheriff's officers involved did their jobs properly and did not break any laws, according to the early information.

"When law enforcement officers get involved in pursuits, it's because people choose to elude us. We don't take any actions that would provoke somebody to run from us," Severson stated.

After the inquiry is complete, Esser said, the duration of the chase will be disclosed.

See Also: 5 Children Die in Arizona Fire While Dad Was Grocery Shopping

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South Carolina became the focal point of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) search at a residence in Conway, marking a critical development in an ongoing civil rights investigation involving allegations of racial discrimination.

This move follows the recent harassment charges against Alexis Paige Hartnett and Worden Evander Butler of Horry County, as per CBS News.

FBI Probing Racial Discrimination in South Carolina

The FBI, working in collaboration with the US Attorney's Office and local and state partners, executed the "court-authorized law enforcement activity" to delve deeper into the accusations of racial discrimination. Steve Jensen, the FBI special agent in charge with the Columbia division, emphasized their commitment to ensuring equality and fairness within communities while providing limited details on the ongoing investigation.

The focus of the investigation stems from the allegations laid against Butler and Hartnett, both white residents, accused of racially motivated harassment and stalking against their Black neighbors.

According to incident reports, the couple allegedly targeted their neighbors with racial slurs and actions, creating an alarming atmosphere of hostility. Notably, the couple was arrested on November 30 on charges of harassment in the second degree and assault in the third degree.

The charges relate to incidents involving the erection of a burning cross facing their Black neighbors' home over the Thanksgiving weekend. During this incident, Butler is reported to have used racial slurs, and Hartnett continued to display inappropriate behavior even in the presence of law enforcement.

Further intensifying the situation, Butler allegedly shared a picture of the victims' mailbox on Facebook, along with a disturbing message summoning the "devil's army."

The victims, a retired couple named Shawn and Monica Williams, expressed fear for their safety, describing the harassment as "appalling and unacceptable," according to ABC News.

Read Also: Israel Discovers Primary Hamas Command Center in Gaza City Amid Escalating Ceasefire Talks

Horry County Chief Calls For Hate Crime Laws in SC

Joseph Hill, Chief of the Horry County Police Department, denounced the reported incidents, making it clear that acts of hate and harassment will not be accepted within the county. In South Carolina, there is currently no specific law in place that would allow for additional punishment in cases of hate crimes.

This has led to calls from various organizations, such as the NAACP and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urging the state to introduce a hate crime bill.

In a number of alleged incidents that commenced in late November, a couple stands accused of approaching the Williams family regarding construction activities taking place on their premises. In a series of events that followed, a cross was erected in front of the Williams' residence, while police body cam footage captured Hartnett using racial slurs.

During a recent interview, the victims shared the profound impact that their experiences have had on their family. Shawn Williams, in particular, disclosed that the relentless torment they have experienced has led them to contemplate the possibility of relocating elsewhere.

While South Carolina wrestles with the absence of hate crime legislation, the FBI's involvement signals a federal effort to address allegations of racial discrimination in this disturbing case, emphasizing the importance of justice and accountability in ensuring community safety and harmony, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: California Fertility Doctor Guilty of Killing Wife 7 Years After Claiming She Fell Down Stairs

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As Ozempic by Novo Nordisk continues to be in great demand, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to patients about fraudulent versions of the medication that have been spreading via wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and healthcare providers.

A large quantity of counterfeit Ozempic has been confiscated by the federal government. Patients are being asked to inspect their received medication for lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057 and to dispose of it appropriately if found, as reported by the New York Post.

Counterfeit Medication on the Market

In a statement released by the FDA issued on Thursday, December 21, the agency warned there may still be counterfeit products on the market.

The FDA said that five individuals have had illnesses as a result of the products but that none of these instances have been deemed serious. It said the fake Ozempic even advertises the same side effects as the original, including the same nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and constipation.

The authority intends to analyze the confiscated goods with Novo Nordisk, but it has no idea who made them or if they are safe to use just yet. Injector needles, patient and healthcare provider information, and the pen's label are all deemed to be counterfeit by the FDA.

"The sterility of the needles cannot be confirmed, which presents an increased risk of infection for patients who use the counterfeit products," the FDA warned.

See Also: Fake Ozempic? Austria Reports Multiple Hospitalizations Linked to Suspected Counterfeit Diabetes Medication

Popularity as Weight-Loss Aid

Once used once a week, Ozempic was first created to treat Type 2 diabetes. The FDA has not yet authorized it as a weight-loss aid.

Nevertheless, celebrities like Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, and Tracy Morgan have showcased its "miraculous" weight-loss effects. Oprah has endorsed it, and her WeightWatchers company acquired Sequence, a telehealth subscription service that prescribes Ozempic.

The powerful medicine semaglutide, which is included in Ozempic injections, acts similarly to the pancreatic hormone GLP-1, which is secreted after food consumption and causes feelings of fullness.

The active ingredient of Wegovy, another medicine manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is also semaglutide. The drug was authorized by the FDA for the treatment of chronic weight control in 2021, while its original indication was diabetes.

Concerns regarding fake Ozempic have been voiced by several regulators than the FDA. According to a statement released on October 31 by the Danish Medicines Agency, 26 websites are selling counterfeit versions of Ozempic and Wegovy.

Also in October, the European Medicines Agency issued a warning about fake Ozempic pens. The pens in question allegedly had German labeling that fraudulently claimed to be the injectable diabetes medication Ozempic with 1mg of semaglutide.

The bizarre side effects of the Ozempic and Wegovy craze have not discouraged Hollywood and non-celebrities from getting semaglutide injections, so Novo Nordisk expects shortages in 2024.

See Also: US FDA Approves Ionis-AstraZeneca To Treat Rare Nerve Disease

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Japanese Industry Minister Ken Saito assured on Friday that the ties between the United States and Japan remained "stronger than ever."

However, he refrained from directly addressing the escalating scrutiny in the US regarding the proposed acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel, valued at $14.1 billion.

Security Concerns Surround US-Japan Steel Deal

During a routine press conference, Minister Saito acknowledged a statement from the US National Economic Council director expressing the need for "serious scrutiny" of the deal. While he avoided commenting on private transactions, Minister Saito emphasized the robustness of US-Japanese relations.

During a recent interview with CNBC, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized President Biden's dedication to upholding a strong domestic steel industry, citing national security as a primary motivation.

In response to the Nippon Steel and US Steel deal, Raimondo refrained from offering direct commentary. However, she did emphasize that foreign acquisitions of American steelmakers would undergo increased scrutiny.

US Steel, once a global leader, has faced declining fortunes amid the nation's economic shift. The $21 billion revenue in the past year is equivalent to what Walmart generates in just two weeks. Despite the decline, US Steel CEO David Burritt defended the deal, stating it ensures a competitive domestic steel industry while strengthening global presence.

The deal, which has sparked criticism from both the steel industry and lawmakers in the United States, has become a subject of backlash. In a strong statement, the United Steelworkers union has condemned the acquisition, labeling it as "greedy" and "shortsighted."

The union has vowed to take action by urging regulators to intervene and prevent the sale to a foreign entity. Governor Raimondo echoed concerns, emphasizing the United States government's steadfast refusal to back any agreement that would undermine the interests of American workers, the steelworker union, or the industry, according to CNN News.

Read Also: Gunman Kills at Least 15 in Prague University Shooting

Senators, CEO Worry About Steel Industry's Defense Role

Government officials, including Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance and Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, expressed skepticism, citing concerns about the steel industry's role in national defense. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco C. Goncalves echoed these sentiments, advocating for domestic production and opposing foreign ownership.

The White House, while acknowledging Japan as a "close ally," expressed reservations about the deal's potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability.

Lael Brainard, Joe Biden's national economic adviser, emphasized the need for scrutiny, considering the purchase of an iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity, even from a close ally.

As President Biden positions himself as pro-union, the powerful United Steelworkers union welcomed the White House's stance, stating that the deal could impact the future of domestic steel production. US Steel, actively seeking a buyer since August, rejected smaller domestic bids, making Nippon's offer almost double what US bidders were willing to pay.

The historic company, founded in 1901, has witnessed a decline in dominance over the years due to foreign competition. Nippon Steel sees the acquisition as enhancing its long-term growth prospects, honoring existing contracts with US Steel union workers, and retaining the company's name, brand, and headquarters in Pittsburgh, BBC News reported.

Related Article: Once World's Largest Corporation US Steel To Sell Itself to Japan's Nippon Steel

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The Ukrainian parliament has voted in favor of legalizing medical cannabis, marking a significant milestone for the medical cannabis industry in Europe.

Prime Minister Denys Smyhal has proposed legislation for official approval, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently reviewing, as per Forbes.

Ukraine Legalizes Medical Cannabis for Mental Health

The new law, set to go into effect in six months, aims to address psychological trauma and stress-related diseases resulting from Russia's war. The bill, approved on Thursday, permits the use of marijuana for the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders.

After a year-long debate and over 800 amendment submissions since the proposal's introduction in June 2022, the parliament cast 248 votes in favor, 16 votes against, and recorded 33 abstentions. President Zelensky, supporting the push for legalization, emphasized the importance of implementing effective policies for the well-being of Ukrainians. Patients are expected to be able to receive prescriptions by the second half of 2024.

Under the legislation, doctors now have the authority to prescribe cannabis or drugs derived from cannabinoids. Additionally, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to acquire licenses for the cultivation of hemp plants. As an important step, the National Police will grant access to 24-hour video surveillance, which will keep a watchful eye on businesses.

In a significant development, patients holding cannabis prescriptions will now have the freedom to travel with limited quantities of the drug. The Health Ministry will establish clear guidelines outlining the specific conditions and medications permitted under this new legislation.

Read Also: Grindavik Eruption: Iceland Volcano Erupts Weeks After Thousands Evacuate

Marijuana Legalization Debate in Ukraine

In a national address on June 28, Zelensky expressed his endorsement for the legalization efforts. The Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of implementing a comprehensive range of global best practices, effective policies, and unconventional solutions in Ukraine.

Zelensky stressed that these measures, regardless of their difficulty or uniqueness, are crucial in order to spare Ukrainians, including all citizens, from the devastating consequences of war. In accordance with the recently enacted legislation, physicians are now authorized to prescribe cannabis or medications containing cannabinoids, while individuals interested in cultivating hemp plants can acquire a license as entrepreneurs.

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the aforementioned businesses will now be placed under the watchful eye of 24-hour video surveillance. Notably, access to these surveillance feeds will be granted exclusively to the National Police.

Patients holding cannabis prescriptions will now have the freedom to travel in and out of Ukraine while carrying limited quantities of the prescribed drugs. The Health Ministry will be responsible for establishing the specifics regarding the conditions and medicines that will be allowed under the recently passed law.



In Ukraine, it remains a noteworthy fact that the distribution of marijuana for recreational purposes is still considered a criminal offense. As the war in Ukraine has progressed, there has been a noticeable increase in support for medicinal marijuana within the country's government.

According to Maria Mezentseva, a prominent Ukrainian MP and deputy head of the committee responsible for Ukraine's European Union membership aspirations, an overwhelming majority of over 70% of the population in the country is in favor of the legalization of cannabis specifically for medical purposes.

Mezentseva revealed that over six million individuals, encompassing civilians, soldiers, and cancer patients, are in need of cannabis-based medications. Governments across the globe have been gradually embracing the use of medicinal marijuana.

In Ukrainian society, the legalization of medical cannabis continues to be a topic of debate and criticism, despite the progress that has been made. According to the Health Committee, a significant portion of the opposition is based on antiquated Soviet stereotypes.

There are those who contend that once cannabis is legalized, individuals will immediately begin consuming marijuana in public spaces. There is a growing concern among individuals that the National Police may not possess the capability to effectively regulate the distribution of hemp.

The Health Committee highlighted the fact that medical cannabis, specifically those containing cannabidiol, does not possess a significant psychoactive impact. This characteristic renders it unappealing for recreational purposes, according to the committee.

Related Article: Estonia Shares How Ukraine Can Defeat Russia in 2025-Can Ukrainians Really Kill 100,000 Russian Soldiers in 2024?

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The UN Security Council voted on Friday, December 22 to approve a United Arab Emirates-sponsored resolution demanding a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war, with 13 current member nations voting in favor, none against, and the US and Russia abstaining.

An earlier attempt to vote on the matter on Monday, December 18 was delayed to try to avoid another veto from the United States, Fox News revealed.

The approved resolution called for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It also demanded that all parties involved in the conflict "comply with their obligations under international law," specifically the protection of civilians, call for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip," and call for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

Unlike General Assembly resolutions, Security Council resolutions are legally binding, however, parties in practice might ignore the will of the Council.

Read Also: Israel's Alleged Unarmed Palestinian Civilian Massacre Concerns UN

US, Russia Abstain Voting on Resolution

Previously, the US vetoed a Security Council ceasefire resolution that was widely supported by all council members and other member nations. US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood maintained that Washington wanted to see peace between Israelis and Palestinians but was critical of how the resolution would go about it.

"It would simply leave Hamas in place, able to regroup and repeat what it did on Oct. 7," he told a Security Council session earlier this month. "Colleagues, a senior Hamas official recently stated the group intends to repeat the vile acts of Oct. 7, quote, 'again and again and again,' unquote. And yet this resolution essentially says Israel should just tolerate this, that it should allow this terror to go unchecked."

During the voting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized that the resolution was passed without denouncing Hamas over the October 7 attacks.

"Ultimately, while we are encouraged that the council spoke out on this humanitarian crisis we're deeply disappointed - appalled, actually - that once again, the council was not able to condemn Hamas for the horrific terrorist attack [it perpetrated] on October 7," she said.

As of writing, it is unclear why Russia also abstained from voting.

Related Article: UN Security Council Resolution Vote Delayed Again Until Friday Despite Mounting Famine Fears

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In a federal court hearing in Brooklyn on Thursday, December 21, the owner of adult websites, including Pornhub, admitted to federal prosecutors that they had made money for years off of pornographic material featuring victims of sex trafficking.

The parent company of Pornhub, which is Aylo, pleaded not guilty to an allegation of participating in illegal financial transactions involving revenues from sex trafficking.

However, the business consented to compensate women who claimed they were coerced into appearing in pornographic films that were then uploaded to the company's platforms without their knowledge or permission as part of a settlement with the prosecution.

Link With GirlsDoPor, GirlsDoToys

According to the New York Times, Aylo has agreed to pay a fine of more than $1.8 million and have a third party evaluate its content screening processes and response to allegations of unlawful material on its platforms as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Aylo would be able to have the charges against it withdrawn after three years if this were to happen.

Prosecutors claim that Aylo, formerly known as MindGeek, runs many websites that facilitate the distribution of pornographic material by third parties. When GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys started making pornographic videos in 2009, Aylo started hosting them.

Aylo allegedly received several messages from women between 2016 and 2019 claiming that they were coerced into recording videos for GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys and that these videos had been uploaded to Pornhub without their knowledge or permission.

Prosecutors added that Aylo was also aware of a 2017 complaint filed by victims of the firms, as well as the fact that a GirlsDoPorn cameraman had admitted to lying to women to get them to participate in the flicks.

However, as the prosecution points out, the business went on to host the videos and make money off of its collaboration with the producing businesses.

Some of the people who ran GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys were charged with sex trafficking and other crimes in California in 2019 for "deceiving and coercing" young women to be in sexual films that were then put online without their permission. Prosecutors said that the videos were not fully removed from Aylo's platforms until late 2020.

See Also: EU's DSA Targets 3 of the Largest Adult Websites! Pornhub, Stripchat, Xvideos to Face Stricter Regulations

'Deep Regrets'

Aylo expressed deep regrets in a statement for hosting footage from GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys, as reported by the New York Times.

Aylo said it had realized that the written documentation it received was really permission forms signed by women who were featured but was only acquired by "fraud and coercion."

Aylo has not acknowledged any criminal behavior, and Solomon Friedman, a partner at Ethical Capital Partnersthe Canadian private equity firm that purchased Aylo earlier this yearunderlined that the business was dedicated to fair results for anybody harmed by GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys' acts.

See Also: France: 90% Of Online Porn Exploits Women, Says Watchdog

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Charlie Sheen - the actor known for his role in the TV series "Two and a Half Men" - has been assaulted by a woman after she broke inside his home in Malibu this week.

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, they responded to a call after a woman assaulted Sheen.

"On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at approximately 1:00 p.m. [Pacific Time, 21:00 UTC], Malibu/Lost Hills deputies responded to the 6000 block of Cavalleri Road in Malibu regarding a battery/disturbance call," the department said in a statement. "Upon contacting the parties involved, deputies identified Charlie Sheen as a victim of assault."

Sheen Assaulted by Woman

Deputies identified the suspect as a certain Electra Schrock, who allegedly forced her way into Sheen's home, attempted to strangle him, and ripped his shirt during the attack, TMZ reported.

Paramedics were also called at the scene, but Sheen was not taken to hospital.

Schrock has been taken into custody at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood and was scheduled to appear in court on Friday (December 22).

She had another felony arrest last March.

Read Also: 'Barbie' Takes Lead as Oscar Shortlist Revealed

Sheen's TV Return

The assault on Sheen came after his return to television. Earlier this month, he called his TV return "surreal" after dealing with drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

Sheen was starring in the new TV series "Bookie," where he reunited with "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre to portray a fictional version of himself alongside comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, who plays a Los Angeles bookie.

Related Article: Lizzo Submits Motion to Dismiss Harassment Case by Ex-Wardrobe Stylist

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The clock is running out on a Friday deadline for North Dakota's Republican-controlled Legislature to draw new legislative boundaries compliant with the Voting Rights Act for two Native American tribes who successfully sued for new lines.

It's unclear what will happen next, with the 2024 election calendar looming and a flurry of legal filings in recent days.

A federal judge last month ruled that the state's 2021 redistricting map violates the landmark 1965 civil rights law in diluting the strength of Native American voters. He gave the secretary of state and lawmakers five weeks, ending Friday, to adopt a plan to remedy the violation."

Secretary of State Michael Howe is appealing the decision. The Legislature's Redistricting Committee began meeting this month to address the ruling and review options of maps. Requests to delay the ruling or extend the deadline have so far been unsuccessful.

What is the case?

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, the Spirit Lake Tribe and several tribal members sued North Dakota's top election official last year. They 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 tribes had unsuccessfully sought a joint district in 2021. Their reservations are about 60 miles apart. Their lawsuit went to trial in June.

In November, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter Welte ruled that the map prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice," a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

What happened next?

Howe announced plans to appeal days after the ruling. He cited a new 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP cant sue under a critical section of the Voting Rights Act.

Welte and the 8th Circuit denied his requests to delay the ruling pending appeal. On Wednesday, the 8th Circuit denied the Legislature's request to extend the Dec. 22 deadline to Feb. 9, 2024.

On Thursday, the Legislature asked Welte for the same extension, saying it has made substantial headway toward the development of a remedial redistricting plan.

In an 8th Circuit filing, Howe said an extension into February and March risks introducing significant confusion, hardship, and unfairness into the states 2024 elections.

Certainty is absolutely everything our office is looking for. It doesn't matter to us what the map looks like, and that's not our role. That's the Legislature's prerogative and their constitutional duty to set laws and create maps, not the secretary of state's office," Howe said.

Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said the Legislature is "going to continue to fight on all fronts, legally, to make sure that our voice is heard." He maintains the 2021 redistricting process was correct.

The Legislature's redistricting panel has met twice and reviewed maps, including two presented by the tribes in court and others that individual lawmakers presented Wednesday.

State Sen. Ron Sorvaag, R-Fargo, who chairs the committee, said his goal is to have the panel prepared so when it's called upon, if there's a session, we're ready to present.

Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake tribal chairs on Wednesday urged lawmakers to finally follow the law and adopt one of the tribes proposed maps, drop its appeal, and end this costly litigation.

What happens after Friday?

It's unclear what the judge will do when the Friday deadline passes with no new map in place. The Legislature has no plans to convene.

Plaintiffs' attorney Tim Purdon said the tribes plan to file before the deadline to suggest a path forward for the court."

In his order rejecting Howe's requested delay of his decision, Welte wrote that the public interest lies in correcting Section 2 violations, particularly when those violations are proven by evidence and data at trial. Concerns as to the logistics of preparing for an election cycle cannot trump violations of federal law and individual voting rights.
Expenditure on higher education as a share of GDP 2020
Lee County, Florida police are searching for the gentleman in the below video who apparently went fishing inside Bass Pro Shop on Wednesday and absconded with a live tarpon.

According to a report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the "male suspect entered the Bass Pro Shops in Gulf Coast Town Center with a fish net in hand, and proceeded to remove a live tarpon from the store's indoor fish pond. The suspect then fled the store with the tarpon. South District Detectives are working with our Animal Cruelty Task Force, MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife, and SWFL Crime Stoppers in an attempt to locate the individuals involved

"We're #FishingForInformation & would love nothin' more than to    with this guy."

Yes, the police really did write that.
Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to operate and manage Hotel Okura Suzhou in Suzhou, China from 2027. The agreement with Suzhou Ronghe Real Estate Co., Ltd., which is owned by Suzhou Harmony Development Group Co., Ltd., Marimo Holdings, Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation, was signed on December 20.

Suzhou, located in southeastern Jiangsu Province, has developed as an economic center due to its geographical proximity to Shanghai. Blessed with a picturesque "old-town" center, Suzhou (the "Venice of the East") is a tourist city with historic sites and canals running in all directions, surrounded by traditional Chinese scenery. More recently, it has also attracted attention as one of China's leading industrial cities.

Hotel Okura Suzhou will be located in Suzhou Industrial Park, a high-tech park launched in 1994 as one of the area's two major specially designated industrial zones and positioned as one of China's top national-level economic zones. As a smart zone, it emphasizes sustainability and functions as a production and export base for global companies.

Hotel Okura Suzhou, the first Hotel Okura-brand hotel in Jiangsu Province, will provide exceptional guest services reflecting Japan's long-established culture of hospitality.

The hotel will be located on the upper level of a complex accommodating offices, residences and commercial facilities. It will offer 249 rooms, including 25 suites, and standard rooms measuring 42m2. Four food and beverage venues will serve a variety of cuisines, including Japanese and Chinese. Hotel facilities will include an executive lounge, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and more.

A main banquet hall will be available along with six rooms for meetings and VIP occasions, functioning as high-quality spaces supported with a range of services suited to diverse purposes.

Direct connection to the Xingtang Street Station of Suzhou Rail Transit (lines 1 and 5) will provide convenient access to the hotel.

Within the same building, guest rooms will be offered for long-term stays.

Another Hotel Okura brand also in Jiangsu Province, Okura Nikko Hotels, currently operates Hotel Nikko Wuxi (opened in 2010), Hotel Nikko Suzhou (2015), Hotel Nikko Taizhou (2016), and Hotel Nikko Changshu (2023).

Hotel website
Effective immediately, The Indigo Road has elevated Gabriel Perez to COO of Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership for the company's employees, owners, investors, and strategic partners. Previously holding the position of senior director of lodging operations at The Indigo Road, Perez was instrumental in advancing operational standards across the company's portfolio of boutique hotels in the Southeast. Prior to this new appointment, his commitment to excellence was evident during his tenure as both general manager and director for The Indigo Road. His extensive hospitality experience also includes being a general manager with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Highgate, along with experience at several other prominent hotel brands.

The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

Charleston, North Carolina

United States Website
The Lodge at Sonoma, an Autograph Collection Resort, the quintessential luxury resort located in the heart of Northern California's wine country, is pleased to welcome FungaiMuzunzeas General Manager. With more than 25 years of experience working in luxury hotels across the globe,Muzunzebrings a wealth of expertise to his new role where he will oversee strategic and day-to-day operations at the expansive 182-room resort, including food and beverage management, sales and marketing, team member engagement, overall guest experience, and more.

The Lodge at Sonoma is an oasis for the ultimate wine country vacation experience, appointed with farm-to-table dining at all on-site establishments - including the destination-worthy Wit & Wisdom by celebrity chef Michael Mina - as well as luxurious and expansive guest rooms and suites, a dynamic outdoor pool and bar, a tranquil spa, versatile meeting and event spaces, distinctive amenities, dynamic locally inspired partnerships and events, and access to Sonoma's local heritage.

Prior to joining The Lodge at Sonoma,Muzunzeserved as General Manager of Hotel Emblem in San Francisco, where he successfully supported the hotel's reopening, following its pandemic closure. During his tenure, Hotel Emblem achieved the coveted status of becoming the number one rated hotel in San Francisco, on TripAdvisor. Additionally,Muzunzehas managed several notable hotels throughout San Francisco, including having Management roles at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco and leading The Alise Hotel, and Infinity Hotel.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Africa,Muzunzebegan his career at Meikles Hotel, Zimbabwe's premier hotel, before accepting a role at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha, Qatar. During this time, he held various food and beverage roles before being selected to participate in Sommelier training, orchestrated by The Ritz-Carlton, in France and Italy. Upon completing his training,Muzunzewas accepted into Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, in Switzerland, where he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management. After which, he was then recruited by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts for a Management position in San Francisco, where he led teams in the Food and Beverage and Rooms Departments before leaving to attain a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University.

Today,Muzunzeis local to the Bay Area and looks forward to working with the team in the world-renowned wine-making region and enriching lives, one experience at a time. When he is not at work, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Michelle and daughter, Alexis, reading, watching sports, exercising, and taking walks with their 100-pound German Shepard dog, Lincoln.
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group and Larry Spelts, president of the companys Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures division, will mutually part ways after successfully expanding the hospitality company into the hotel industry officially nearly four years ago at the America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles in 2020.

In 2019, upon ten years of success with restaurants and our next adventure of lodging on the horizon, Larry was the first person that I thought of collaborating with. A former colleague and friend, he had established a reputation within our industry of transforming and growing hospitality companies focused upon experience-driven hospitality, and independent and boutique hotels. Larry joined us at Indigo Road, and we quickly saw success in attracting and developing hotel opportunities. Steve Palmer, founder and chief visionary officer of The Indigo Road

In addition to building an experienced team of hotel professionals and guiding the division through the COVID-19 pandemic, Spelts spearheaded the acquisition and subsequent 2021 renovation and reopening of Skyline Lodge in Highlands, NC, a property that has garnered multiple accolades, earning spots on several prestigious "best-of" travel media lists. After Skyline, Larry led the planning of additional projects, including four properties scheduled to open in 2024.

Leadership Change to Align on Future Lodging

The rapid expansion of The Indigo Roads Lodging & Lifestyle division in recent years, led by Spelts, renowned for his ability to drive significant portfolio growth, has sparked internal conversations about the challenge of sustaining the company's distinctive culture amidst anticipated future growth. Balancing the fast pace of expansion with preserving the companys core values, which have been crucial to its success, is a primary focus.

As a result, our team has decided to prioritize current locations and forthcoming 2024 projects and pause on future new development opportunities, Palmer said. To maintain our mutual professional respect and years-long friendship, we came to this decision. Larry and I agree that this is the best course of action for us both and to preserve the successful and meaningful Indigo Road culture. I thank Larry for setting us on a trajectory of success in hotels, and I look forward to seeing his future successful endeavors.

"These past four years have been the best and also the most challenging of my career, and if I have one take-away as I depart, it is that The Indigo Road's culture is the core of its success, Spelts said. The pause in developing additional growth on the hotel side of the business is a good opportunity to ensure that the culture is successfully established at the new hotels which will enable a steady and measured addition of more hotels in the future."

The Indigo Road Promotes from within following Spelts' exit

Effective immediately, The Indigo Road has elevated Gabriel Perez to COO of Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership for the companys employees, owners, investors, and strategic partners.

Previously holding the position of senior director of lodging operations at The Indigo Road, Perez was instrumental in advancing operational standards across the company's portfolio of boutique hotels in the Southeast. Prior to this new appointment, his commitment to excellence was evident during his tenure as both general manager and director for The Indigo Road. His extensive hospitality experience also includes being a general manager with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Highgate, along with experience at several other prominent hotel brands.

Taking on the role of COO for our Lodging & Lifestyle Adventures division is an exciting challenge," Perez said. "Larry has done a fantastic job laying the groundwork, and I'm here to build on that. My goal is to give our existing properties the attention they deserve while pushing forward with projects slated to open in the new year. Keeping our unique culture alive and well is a top priority for me. It's all about growing our business without losing sight of what makes us special.

About The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

Founded in 2009 by Steve Palmer, The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) owns, operates, and manages restaurants and boutique hotels throughout the country. Based in the Southeast, IRHG is founded upon the core principle of serving with love and creating memorable experiences for all. In 2019, IRHG marked its tenth anniversary by being named a Forbes Small Giant and appearing on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list, and in 2020 announced that it would enter the lodging space with a focus on food & beverage driven boutique hotels. As of December 2023, IRHG has three open and operating hotels, with additional acquisitions under contract, and four scheduled openings in 2024, in addition to more than two dozen restaurants in eight cities. The Indigo Road's dedication to excellence in food & beverage has been recognized for three consecutive years ('18,'19, & '20) by Palmer being named a semi-finalist by the James Beard Foundation's award for Outstanding Restaurateur-US. For more information on the portfolio, team, core values, and services, visit theindigoroad.com.

CJ Arlotta

CJ Media Solutions, LLC

The Indigo Road Hospitality Group
Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, Lucifer

The central idea of transhumanism can be summarized in a formula: it is possible and desirable to move from a phase of blind evolution to a conscious one. Becoming a "homo faber," as Anne Foerst says: taking control over an existence that for millions of years has been dictated by intrinsic factors (biological, physical, and cognitive limits) and extrinsic ones (cultural, religious, and moral limits) and freeing oneself from human and divine evolutionary constraints. The transhumanist, from this point of view, is Luciferian, as he rebels against creation, but also because he brings knowledge and progress (to avoid misunderstandings, it should be remembered that Lucifer, before becoming one of the names of the Devil due to Judaic-Christian cultural appropriation, was Phosphoros, "light bringer" and a star whose brightness heralded the dawn). But if God is dead and the Ubermensch is not yet born, will superintelligence ('uberAI) be our evolutionary goal (or end)? Will we have to start coming to terms with the inevitable, that is, to survive, our only hope will be merging with AI?

Biological is the New N-word

In the not-too-distant future, those who choose not to merge with artificial intelligence might be viewed as we look at the Amish or the Korowai today, while enhanced humans will have an abyssal advantage over their diminished counterparts. A superpower. Will they (we?) finally be ubermenschen? And perhaps, this process of hybridization has already begun. Silent but inexorable. Is there a difference between using ChatGPT to help us during work or having a brain-computer interface (BCI) that transforms our brain inputs into outputs? Some argue there is a difference, as an implant would increase the ability to blend in a population of reduced humans, overcoming the dichotomy between enhanced and not. They live, in short. And they live among us. And if I am alive, then you are dead. No one today would complain that those who wear glasses have an unfair advantage over those who do not. But what if this advantage were hidden in an implant? The human eye has a resolution of about 7 Megapixels, but what if we could increase it to 70? 700? 7,000? Think of a job that requires exceptional vision: an enhanced watchmaker and a diminished one would look identical from the outside, but the former would work with superhuman accuracy. This could lead to discrimination no longer based on ethnicity, gender, or religion but purely on the "biological versus artificial" dichotomy. It could even be hypothesized, with some margin of safety, that in 20-30 years, this will be the only possible discrimination.

AI and the problem of Techno-diversity

And to neologisms like "femicide" could be added others like "diminished-cide": "a form of violence systematically exercised not on women, but on diminished human beings in the name of an ideological superstructure no longer patriarchal, but artificial." Will those who choose not to merge with AI take their place in the ideological leper colony of tomorrow? In that national-populist leper colony, today reserved for the gypsies, the LGBTIQA+ community, the political refugees? Accepting this possibility will imply dividing the human world into two categories, where inevitably, one will take a position of predominance. And how do we address the issue of the disappearance of diversity, a high price to pay in the name of homogenization (albeit enhanced)? In a world where all individuals are merged with the artificial, the richness of human diversity would be lost. We already see it with OpenAI. If everyone writes with ChatGPT (almost 200 million users as I work on this paragraph), everyone can become a writer immediately. A functional illiterate becomes Hemingway thanks to prompt engineering. When we are all equal, all enhanced, then the struggle for uniqueness and competition might have to be bioengineered in a superhuman society. This is a stance that opens dystopian scenarios, and it is not SF to predict that, in the coming decades, governments and insurance companies will promote AI integration to create a society of robots. Will we look at Homo sapiens as we look at Neanderthals today? It's not hard to predict that, in 10-15 years, we might access ChatGPT (or, in the case of a Neuralink BCI, more likely, Grok/xAI) directly from our brains or even bring back to life the brains of the deceased. As we can already enjoy a synthetic meat burger from extinct animals (Australian food company Vow, for example, managed to create a mammoth meatball), we might bring historical figures, artists, and writers back to life. However, The question remains whether these dead agree to be awakened.

Death or planned obsolescence?

This anti-death concept already exists under the name of morphological freedom, that is, no longer being limited by the pre-established boundaries of our body, but being able to decide if and where to transfer our consciousness: into the cloud, onto a USB stick, into an exoskeleton, and so on. More and more companies are demonstrating, at least embryonically and theoretically, that the technology necessary to combat the greatest taboo of our species  death  might be just a few decades away. For us who work in the travel industry, then, an additional source of revenue would also open up: when humans begin to divide between "physical" and "uploaded," we might have to "open" virtual hotels (as in the Amazon Prime series Upload, where the protagonist, upon his death, is "uploaded" into the luxurious Lakeview hotel in the metaverse). Who will assume the role of mortiferous revenue manager? Sure, the issue of hospitality becomes frivolous in the face of even greater questions that the defeat of death would bring. The first among them is the religious one. Imagine the impact it could have on religions like Hinduism, which foresees several cycles of reincarnation before reaching Nirvana. Christian faith, then, centers its entire theoretical corpus around the existence of an afterlife and the soul's resurrection. But if man became immortal, then the entire theological framework of belief would become obsolete. And what if the second coming of Christ himself were not, in truth, the coming of a TechnoChrist? If that "resurrection of the flesh" were nothing more than a prophecy for mind uploading? "When they rise from the dead," it is written in the Gospel according to Mark, "they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." We would be "angels" (ethereal and incorporeal beings, first clue) in the "heavens" made of clouds (cloud computing, second clue), where physical and tactile relationships would be impossible (virtual reality, metaverse, spatial computing).

Memento Mori

Again, the matrimonial formula "till death do us part" would lose all meaning. What death would separate couples? The physical one? Digital suicide? Would marriage still have value once one's consciousness is uploaded into the cloud? If my predictions are correct, my three-year-old son will live long enough to escape the annoying inevitability of death. Before his physical departure, we might reach such technology as to allow us to "choose" whether to die and turn off our "vital computer" once and for all or create a copy to "upload" onto a different medium. Good for him, but isn't this too short a time to solve these bioethical and theological questions? At the moment, the issue is still (although increasingly less so) relegated to the pure field of speculation, but there are already companies that, albeit to a lesser extent, guarantee digital immortality or at least the creation of digital twins, like Replika, a platform on which for years I have been creating a twin of my father. Memento mori? Perhaps. Or perhaps only until we forget. Forget to die.

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The Most Important Travel Tech Trends for 2024

As the tourism industry continues its post-pandemic recovery in an increasingly uncertain travel market, a question that has dawned upon us is - whats next? Naturally, many of us are looking towards technology for more opportunities. In 2023, we saw the generative AI boom and further growth of emerging technologies like extended reality (XR) and 5G.

While these advances are already shaping the travel sector, there is much more to come as more use cases emerge while the technology further matures.

Looking forward into 2024, we can expect teams to do more with less, streamline their businesses, and offer visitor experiences they hitherto never could have imagined.

Here are the top four tech trends that could shape travel in 2024.

New network technologies will deliver enhanced guest experiences

As tourism businesses look to various technology solutions to rejuvenate experiences and attract repeat visitors since the COVID-19 years, 5G and XR are essential in defining Singapore as a smart tourism destination. However, as the technologies mature, new challenges are arising.

In the space of network technologies, STB has received industry feedback on the challenges in onboarding to 5G solutions due to the need to bring multiple tech vendors together with telco companies. This results in high costs to deliver a single 5G XR experience. This month, Singtel has announced the launch of a 5G package for tourism businesses that are keen to roll out new digital experiences seamlessly within months.

Through the partnership with STB in this service bundle, tourism businesses can now have a one-stop 5G XR solution leveraging Singtels 5G network and content creator partner SFX. STB believes this would be particularly beneficial for tourism businesses such as attractions that are looking to launch new and unparalleled digital experiences within a short period of time. Interested stakeholders may wish to contact the Singtel 5G product team for more information (Jayden Kwong  jianming.kwong@singtel.com; Peng Teng Liang  tengliang.peng@singtel.com )

One example is the pilot rollout with Sentosa Development Corporation at Fort Siloso where the team launched the worlds first 5G-powered film-grade extended reality in an outdoor setting, through a wearable. A preview of the experience can be seen below:

Additionally, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced it will allocate new airwaves in the 6GHz band to support the deployment of the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard by the third quarter of 2023.

What this means is that there will be another band available to Wi-Fi networks, rather than just the 2.4GHz and 5GHz ones in current existence. This new band will reduce congestion in areas with lots of Wi-Fi signals, which can improve network performance and reliability. It goes further than that though. The move will provide a golden opportunity for Singapore-based hospitality and tourism businesses to enhance the guest experience.

Wi-Fi 6 itself is already being used in various hospitality environments, and 6E will only improve this. For example, the Hard Rock Hotel in Amsterdam leverages WiFi 6 to offer guests modern, digitally-driven amenities. This enables a range of services, such as guest registration, in-room dining requests, remote check-outs, and coordinated housekeeping.

XR and AI combine to create unique and thrilling experiences

The reveal of Apples Vision Pro and the proliferation of ChatGPT have laid the groundwork for the expansion of XR and AI, with both consumers and businesses becoming increasingly familiar with the technology over the past 12 months in many sectors.

The convergence of these two trends creates an opportunity for the tourism sector to provide incredible, personalised experiences with significant cost savings. Developing XR experiences is often costly and manpower-intensive. This barrier can be mitigated as the rise of generative AI enables tourism businesses to efficiently develop content and narratives on the back end to feed into the front-end visitor-facing XR models without intensive amounts of manual work.

For example, tourism businesses could create XR-based digital concierges or tourist guides. Think AR models that engage with visitors via wearables like smart glasses and can respond to questions through generative AI-powered answers, rather than relying on time-intensive pre-populated libraries of responses by humans.

Projects blending XR and AI are already coming into existence in other sectors. For example, Niantic released Wol, a mixed-reality experience featuring a 3D owl driven by AI. When users put on a headset, their surroundings are transformed into a redwood forest. From there, theyre introduced to Wol, an AI-enabled owl who engages with users on questions about the woodland and its ecosystem. Wol was created by an AI platform whose engine is composed of several machine learning and character AI models designed to mimic human aspects like gestures and speech.

While these use cases are still nascent in the tourism sector, the concept and approach are transferable and we can expect a wider adoption by tourism players to reimagine the visitor experience very soon.

Convergence of data-driven crowd management and hidden gem discoverability

Managing large crowds and boosting the discoverability of hidden gems are two areas that have been at the forefront to ensure a positive visitor experience. As tourism businesses become more confident and keen to wield real-time data, these two trends are increasingly becoming linked and growing at scale together.

Studies have shown that travellers are increasingly seeking experiences away from the overly beaten tourist routes. Booking.coms 2023 Sustainable Travel Report found 75% of survey participants want, authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture. Meanwhile, the American Express 2023 Global Travel Trends Report discovered travellers want experiences, that give them a taste of local culture and let them explore hidden gems that friends back home dont know about.

Tourism hotspots are taking advantage of this desire by adopting new AI-based apps to encourage smart, sustainable travel to lesser-known areas. For example, schemes like the Feel Florence app use sensors to work out how busy an area is and redirect travellers to alternative landmarks, activities and attractions. This includes the sharing of itineraries to be discovered by foot, bike, e-bike, etc. that pass through the city and the smaller municipalities nearby.

Similarly, Barcelona introduced the CheckBarcelona app that gives visitors real-time information about how busy popular tourist sites are and the availability of tickets, while also offering alternatives.

We can expect more tourism businesses like attractions and hotels in Singapore to leverage such technology to manage crowds and boost the discoverability of hidden gems to enhance the visitor experience.

MICE professionals using digital twins to increase events revenue

Digital twins are digital models of products or spaces that exist in the physical world  and they could open up an entirely new revenue stream for MICE professionals in 2024.

Firstly, digital twins allow event planners to experiment with different layouts, seating arrangements, and exhibitor configurations. Combined with new IoT and data integration, this can lead to more efficient space usage and understanding of the environment. This can then enable new exhibitor pricing models or even an increase in attendees, both of which can have a positive impact on revenue.

Another benefit of digital twins is how they can help deliver a more impressive virtual event. EXPO360s platform, for example, provides additional revenue streams for event planners through virtual venue tours and by allowing exhibitors to promote their stands virtually by adding rich media and interactive hotspots.

This can also be extended to improving the quality of the experience for virtual attendees. With the increase in good quality XR headsets, attracting attendees to an event online opens up a new, larger market  and with that a new revenue stream.

On top of that, digital twins can also extend the timeframe of an event. Rather than having something that goes on for a day or two, the event can last as long as the organizer wants. This elongates the options for virtual attendees, meaning they can come at a time that suits them.

An exciting year ahead

Ultimately, 2024 is going to be an exciting year for the travel sector. The constant advances in technology will enable businesses to do more with less. It will allow them to change with the times and deliver consumer experiences that wouldve felt like magic a mere decade ago.

Looking to adopt new and emerging technologies in 2024 but dont know where to start? STBs hybrid innovation platform, Tcube can help you identify the right partners, develop a technology roadmap, and launch successful pilots!

This article originally appeared on The Next Web.
How to Respond to Guest Reviews: A Hotelier\'s In-Depth Guide

Your complete guide on how to respond to positive, neutral, and negative guest reviews with examples, a template response structure, and lots of data.

Why Respond to Guest Reviews?

How many guests choose to stay at your property based on the reviews they read on Google, TripAdvisor, or Booking.com?

Nowadays, we cant imagine making a buying or booking decision before reading reviews, watching an expert opinion on YouTube, or just researching more about the product or service we are interested in.

For the hospitality industry, reviews are essential from the booking process to the post-stay survey. Where should I stay? and Why should I stay there? are usually the questions that come to mind after choosing the travel destination.

A TrustYou study shows that a crashing majority of us - more than 9 out of 10 people - read travel reviews prior to booking.

90% of travelers who read review responses expect a response from the hotel to their feedback.

We believe that responding to guest reviews is what differentiates a hotel that is truly focused on its customers from an average one. That's why we developed responseAI. Using cutting-edge technology, this tool allows users to quickly respond to guest reviews, producing genuine responses that feel human with minimal effort required from the staff.

Being responsive to guest feedback comes with many benefits for hotels. Here are some examples:

Your chances of influencing a booking decision increase.

Ratings play a crucial role in the decision-making process for travelers, who often use them to filter their options when booking accommodations. On average, it is estimated that a one-star improvement in rating can lead to a revenue increase of 5% to 9% for a hotel.

You increase the chances of your guests booking a return stay.

You receive more reviews , therefore, collecting data helps your staff and potential guests have an accurate overview of how you are perceived externally and what you have to offer.

, therefore, collecting data helps your staff and potential guests have an accurate overview of how you are perceived externally and what you have to offer. You prove to your guests that their experience and well-being are important to you.

You are staying ahead of your competition.

Our research shows that on average, more than 4 out of 10 reviews receive a reply. This is based on the reviews that can be responded to, excluding all sources that do not allow for responses. When looking at the data we noticed that some of the reviews received a reply even a couple of months after they were published. This is another way of differentiating yourself from your competitors - by replying promptly to your guest reviews.

Over the last few years, we have seen a gradual increase in response rate, from an average of 37% in 2019 to 44% in 2022*.



Things to Consider When Responding to Guest Reviews

You just received a new review from one of your guests. Now what? How do you ensure youre crafting your answer in a way that benefits your hotel and your guest? Here are some important tips to keep in mind when responding to reviews:

Be kind, professional, and genuine

Respond as soon as possible

Personalize your response whenever possible

Thank the guest for their feedback

Whether it is a greeting or you go the extra mile and answer your reviews in a different language, make sure your international guests feel special. Use some key phrases in their language if possible.

Give credit to the staff, especially if someone is specifically mentioned

Be creative and find different ways to express yourself

Invite the guest back for another visit

Weve also created an easy-to-follow response structure to guest reviews:

Open with a personal thank you

No matter what type of review you are faced with - positive, neutral, or negative - thank your guests for taking the time to offer feedback.

Acknowledge and address

Your team is what keeps the engines running in your hotel. Show that you care and value your staff by simply mentioning in your response that you will pass on any praise that is directed to them.

When addressing issues, start by offering apologies to your guests and ensuring that you will work on addressing their complaints. Offer details, where needed, on the circumstances that led to a malfunction or an issue.

Invite the guest back

Show your excitement and tell your guests that you would be more than happy to have them back on another visit. Everyone likes to feel welcome!

Also, dont forget to sign using your name - this is a great way to show your guests that behind the response is actually a real person.

? 5 Key Things To Mention in Your Reply ?

Our recent research on how travelers perceive reviews confirmed that these are the 5 key things guests expect in the hotel's response:

1. Acknowledge your guests experiences.

2. Apologize for any negative experience detailed in the review.

3. Give details on changes you intend to make to fix the issues mentioned.

4. Thank the guest for taking the time to write a review.

5. Invite the guest to return.

Prioritize Your Response: What Reviews Should You Reply to and When

Congratulations! Now you know all the important things to take into consideration when responding to reviews. We will go into more detail about when and in what order you should respond to your reviews. Weve got you covered!

The more reviews you reply to, the better. To make things easier, we created a predefined tile in our platform for Response Rate, and you can see at a glance how your hotels Response Rate is evaluated - good, medium, or low.

Our review analytics include benchmarks for response rate: Good is 30% and more, Medium is 15%-30%, and Low is 15% and below

While you may find it challenging to respond to all reviews as soon as possible, our platform can help you to get a quick and clear overview of the Response Rate KPIs and prioritize the responses that are the most crucial.

Be sure to also look at your competitors response rate. Try to stay ahead of them, both in terms of the number of replies and their quality. Check Section: How TrustYou Can Help to learn how to see the response rate of your competitors using the TrustYou Comp Index.

What about timing? Keep it simple - try your best and respond to your guest reviews as soon as possible. There isnt a standard timeframe for this, but ideally, you should provide a response in the first 48 hours after you have received the guest review.

Having this in mind, you should prioritize your answers in the following order:

Most recent reviews

A 2 or 3-year-old review may not be as relevant as the one you received yesterday. Focus on your most recent reviews to have a more accurate overview of where you are and what your guests are saying about your property.

Reported issues

If your guests flagged any issues, make sure you address them in your answers and solve them in real life as well.

Negative reviews

Travelers appreciate it when hotels respond to negative reviews. Therefore, this is an easy way to prioritize responses by looking at ratings from lowest to highest.

Neutral reviews

Whether the feedback includes a mix of positive and negative experiences or just points out an average stay, make sure to address it and ask for more details to see how you can improve.

Positive reviews

Replying to positive feedback may increase the chances of those guests returning and recommending your hotel to others.

One thing to consider when prioritizing the response is the source which the review comes from. Focus first on the sources with the highest review volumes, as these will have more visibility for consumers searching for a hotel.

Another useful tool that will help you accelerate the response process and make prioritization easier is an AI response generator, such as TrustYou's responseAI. With our latest feature, you will reduce the time spent replying while keeping the human touch. responseAI is smart enough to detect a positive or negative review, personalize the message, translate, and just like that - it's ready to review and send!

Respond to Negative Reviews: 6 Examples

Answering positive reviews seems less complicated than dealing with negative ones. You may be inclined to leave negative feedback unanswered. By properly addressing the issues your guests had, you can convert an unsatisfied guest into a returning one and actively show that you care about improving your guest experience.

Here are some Dos and Donts, including examples of negative reviews and responses from Google and our platform. These are actual guest reviews and responses collected by TrustYou but have been edited for readability and privacy purposes.

Dos

Acknowledge the problem and offer solutions. Make sure that the guest feels welcome to return and have a better experience.

Apologizing and taking action shows that you care about your guests and about improving your service.

Ask for more details if the feedback is unclear or if it doesnt specify the issue.

When the guest doesn't offer much information, make sure to ask for more details.

Explain the inconveniences and malfunctions flagged by your guests in the review.

Make sure to address the issues included in the reviews and, whenever possible, explain why this issue was happening.

Address the issues your guests flag in the reviews. In your review response, assure your guests that you are working on or already solved the issues. Donts

Avoid using templates when responding to negative guest reviews.

Templates may give the impression that the response isnt personalized or that you are responding to tick a box rather than listening to your guests issues. If you cant personally respond to each review, do the best that you can to customize templates to respond to common issues (e.g. WiFi speed or parking fees) and dissatisfactions expressed by your guests.

Don't limit yourself to a template or standardized response - especially when your guests have flagged specific issues in their reviews.

Dont ask additional questions without addressing the issues themselves.

It will look like youre ignoring the problem. Also, make sure you format the text before sending it.

A review response is an occasion to make things right - apologize and offer solutions to the issues mentioned by your guests.

Dont air your dirty laundry in public.

When you reply to a guest's review, flagging an issue by insulting him/her and offering additional arguments shows disrespect. If there are any issues your guests created that are not mentioned in the review, invite them respectfully to discuss everything via a private conversation.

The best way to approach sensitive cases is by inviting your guests to a private conversation.

Respond to Neutral Reviews: 4 Examples

Neutral reviews include a mixed bag of feedback that, when analyzed, can neither be considered as not having a strong positive nor negative note. In our Guest Experience Platform, neutral reviews are defined based on (1) the review score - anything scoring from 41 to 60 points on a scale up to 100 and (2) the sentiment score - anything scoring 51 to 70 on the same scale.

Responding to neutral reviews can be trickier than addressing positive or negative feedback. The information your guests provide can often be unclear. What does an average guest experience mean to them? How can you improve that? When replying, make sure to address the good, the bad, and the average from a neutral review.

Here are some Dos and Donts, including examples of neutral reviews and responses from Google and our platform. These are actual guest reviews and responses collected by TrustYou but have been edited for readability and privacy purposes.

Dos

Ask for more details on why your guests evaluated the stay as average.

Make sure to emphasize that you aim to deliver a better experience.

Go the extra mile - see exactly what made your guests rate their stay as average.

Address any other issues the guest has flagged during their stay but not in their review.

This shows extra attention to detail. When possible, offer vouchers to convince guests to return.

If you're aware of issues that haven't been mentioned in the review, address them as well. Donts

Dont use a standardized response.

Try to get more information from your guests. Ask them how you can serve them better next time or what areas can be improved.

Ask your guests why they rated the accommodation as basic and what can be improved.

Dont rush into giving quick replies.

Rushing into giving quick replies to your reviews may not pay off. Treat each review as a way to learn what you can improve, and make sure to let your guest know that you are working on the issues they flagged.

Treat reviews and responses as a way of improving your services.



Respond to Positive Reviews: 6 Examples

How are you treating your cheerleaders? Guests that leave positive reviews are voluntarily choosing to go that extra mile. Its their way of saying thank you for how you treated them during their stay. You should definitely not see this as a chore but as a way to show how much you appreciate your efforts being praised and recognized.

Here are some Dos and Donts, including examples of positive reviews and responses from Google and our platform. These are actual guest reviews and responses collected by TrustYou but have been edited for readability and privacy purposes.

Dos

Show that you have great customer service before, during, and after your guests stay.

Thank your guests for leaving a review even before they are your customers. It's rare to receive a positive review prior to the actual stay, but as you can see in the example below, the hotel owner took their time to respond and expressed their gratitude in a friendly and welcoming manner.

It's a very rare thing to receive a pre-stay review. The expectations are already high - keep that standard up!

Acknowledge staff when possible.

Let your guests know you will pass on their positive impressions about your team.

Showing that you value and care about your staff makes a positive impact on your online reputation and can also increase employee engagement in times when hiring and retaining staff is a constant challenge for the industry.

Let your team know that their efforts have made a difference

Invite the guest back to the hotel.

Be friendly and tell your guests that you would be more than happy to have them back on another visit.

Make the guest feel welcome in case she or he decides to stay the second time with you. Donts

Dont start your response without thanking the guest.

It doesn't cost you anything to start your response with a thank you. Go on and show some gratitude! It is one of the nicest ways to show your respect to the guest for taking the time to offer feedback.

Always thank the guest for their appreciation.

Dont use generic responses.

Take your time to personalize your response. You dont have to overdo it, but at least use their name, and dont forget to wrap up by signing your name too. It creates a personal connection with your guests, likely resulting in them returning to your hotel.

Customize your response by using your guests' names, inviting them back, and signing the response.

Dont ignore the positive reviews.

Did you know that positive reviews encourage 68% of consumers to use a local business?

Responding to positive guest reviews is not only a way of showing your guests that their experience and well-being is highly valued by your management, but it can also encourage future guests to book at your property.

Google, Booking.com, TripAdvisor - Guides & Policies to Follow When Responding to Reviews Google

Google allows the option to reply directly to reviews from Google Search and Google Maps.

While Google doesnt have strict regulations, there are some best practices they recommend for responding to reviews. Mostly, they relate to writing a helpful reply and also to providing advice on how to respond to negative feedback. Although its not presented as a rule, they suggest not to offer incentives or discounts when replying to reviews. Find their tips here.

If you just created a business account on Google - make sure to verify it - otherwise, you wont be able to respond.

Booking.com

You can respond to your Booking.com reviews with comments. Booking.com allows you to reply either in the language of the review, or in English. If you choose to reply in another language, your response wont be shown or translated.

Booking.com has guidelines you need to follow for your response to be displayed. Here are some important things to consider when responding to Booking.com reviews:

Dont mention your website

Dont mention the website of a Booking.coms competitor

Dont imply that the review is fake

Dont offer incentives or discounts for your guests

Dont encourage the guest to return through a direct booking

Avoid using personal information. A response including your guests last name, contact info or any other personal information wont be allowed.

The full Booking.com Guidelines and Best Practices for responding to your reviews are available here.

TripAdvisor

As a business representative of your TripAdvisor account, you can craft a single reply to a review, which the platform calls the Management Response.

It takes up to 48 hours for the replies to be approved by TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor also has Response Guidelines. Heres what you need to pay attention to:

Dont include any promotional or commercial content

Dont insert links in your response

Avoid using lists, bullets, HTML tags, ALL CAPS, symbols, or other formatting options that make the text difficult to read

Avoid using machine translated content

Dont mention any personal information that would help identify your guests

Check the complete guidelines here and make sure to have a look at the Content & Community Guidelines as well.

How TrustYou Can Help

At TrustYou, we help hoteliers win with the Power to Listen. Here are 3 ways you can collect, manage, and analyze your feedback with the help of our platform:

Collect Feedback Using TrustYou Survey Solutions TrustYou Live Survey

Live Survey provides real-time feedback while guests are still in-house. Guests can fill out a brief questionnaire about their experience and hoteliers can immediately take action on any questions, complaints, or requests while having the opportunity to communicate with them in real-time throughout the process. Resolving guest issues to their satisfaction while theyre still onsite will in turn prevent them from leaving a negative post-stay review on a public OTA.

Solve issues on the go and prevent negative feedback using TrustYou Live Survey Solution.



TrustYou Post-Stay Survey

Post-Stay feedback is an imperative part of the guest journey. This is where hoteliers get the full picture of their guests experiences - what went well, what went wrong, and what can be done about it. TrustYou Survey empowers you to ask the right questions, align them with your branding, customize invitations to ensure a personal touch and provide detailed, actionable insights based on the feedback you receive. One guests complaint can be turned into another guests praise!

A sample of a Post-Stay Survey review.



Respond to Reviews by Using responseAI

TrustYous responseAI will help you achieve efficiency and immediacy without making any amendments to your reply structure or tone. This tool will allow you to respond quickly to guest reviews using cutting-edge technology, saving time and money for your staff.

With responseAI, you can also personalize your responses with ease, adjusting the tone and language to meet the needs of your guests, enhancing their satisfaction and preventing negative feedback.

Respond to Google and Booking.com Reviews Using Our Guest Experience Platform



Reply directly to Google and Booking.com reviews using our platform integrations.

Responding to guest reviews shouldnt be challenging, and TrustYou has the resources to streamline the process. Tired of typing the same responses over and over? Utilize our Response Templates to streamline the response process while leaving room for personal touches to each guest. Confused about which reviews you still need to respond to? The Reviews Inbox allows you to easily filter reviews by status to track your progress. TrustYou also offers Direct Response for Google and Booking.com, two of the largest online review sources in the world, so that you never have to leave the platform.





In our platform, you have the option to respond directly to Google, Booking.com, and other OTA reviews with a customized text or template of your own.

Measure Yourself Against the Competition Using TrustYou Comp Index

The TrustYou Comp Index enables hoteliers to choose specific KPIs that are of high value to their business and compare them to their competitors.

One KPI to keep a close eye on is response rate, as a guest is 62% more likely to book with a hotel that has genuine responses to guest reviews than one that does not. Plus, responding to reviews can lead to an increase in Performance Score. Thats why its interesting to compare this KPI to other hotels and in relation to the above-mentioned KPIs. Response rate reports can be split by source, language, and star rating.





Measure yourself against your competitors using our Comp Index and see where you stand in terms of your response rate.



Go Beyond Response Rate to Improve Online Reputation

Responding properly to your guests feedback is not enough if you want to improve your service, quality, and your online reputation overall. Make sure you truly listen to your guests needs. Fix the issues reported by your guests together with your staff. Treat feedback as a data set that can help to continuously improve your guest experience and amenities.

Analyzing feedback may be overwhelming at times. With so many channels where guests can leave their reviews, the process of reading, analyzing, and responding to all feedback may turn into a mission-impossible task. Having an all-in-one platform, where you can easily access all reviews in one place, is a must in the new era of travel.

With our Guest Experience Platform, you can get the most out of the feedback you receive. We analyze each review with the help of semantic analysis to identify categories where you perform well or where you can improve. You also have the option of benchmarking against your competitors. Replying to reviews and making feedback actionable, are now easier and more time-efficient with the help of our solutions.

Catalina Brinza

Catalina is a social media and data enthusiast. At TrustYou, she's on the mission to bring the most out of travel and hospitality data. One day, she hopes to experience Japan's culture to its fullest.

About TrustYou

TrustYou is on a mission to make guest communication and feedback simpler and more productive. All communication channels, together in one place, is the new way of doing business. Today, customers expect instant responses on their preferred communication channels. As a subset of communication, feedback is the foundation to build better products, services and companies.

TrustYou helps companies win through the power of listening and provides a Guest Experience (GX) Platform that makes listening to customers easy, powerful, and actionable. The platform unlocks the potential of guest feedback and helps to:

Create unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to guests needs.

Understand all reviews across the web and make better business decisions.

Publish hotel reviews on the website and on Google and allow positive feedback to influence bookings.

TrustYou empowers companies to earn trust, make better decisions, and ultimately, win.

Find more information on TrustYou and our GX platform on www.trustyou.com.
HSMAI Foundation Announces Intercollegiate Global Conference and Collegiate Case Competition

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation announced the 2024 Intercollegiate Global Conference: A World of Opportunity which will take place February 5-9, 2024. The virtual event is a unique opportunity for hospitality students and faculty to gain valuable insights and connect with top industry professionals. Undergraduate and graduate students who share passion for hospitality marketing are also encouraged to submit entries for the HSMAI Foundation Global Collegiate Case Competition.

Conference attendees will hear from guest speakers from leading industry brands and organizations including Accor, Hilton Hotels, Kalibri Labs, Kessler Collection, Marriott International, MGM Resorts, and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Speakers will share personal stories from top industry professionals of how they navigated their careers and discuss industry trends, best practices, and the future of hospitality. This years opening keynote speaker is Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, who will present on the economic pulse of the travel industry.

2024 session topics include:

Sustainability and the Environmental Impact of Hospitality

Professional Development and Personal Branding

Sales, Marketing and Event Management

Artificial Intelligence and Tech Integration

Hotel Development: Real Estate, Design and Architecture

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Commercial Strategy: Revenue Management and eCommerce

International & World Relations Impact on Travel

Wellness, Health and Food Tourism

The Intercollegiate Global Conference is produced by the HSMAI Greater New York Chapter and is supported by New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Boston University, and iVvy Venues. More than 300 students from the Americas, AsiaPacific, and Europe participate in the event annually. Registration for the conference is open now, with options for individuals, students, and faculty, or school registration which includes an unlimited number of student signups. Early bird registration discounts end on Dec. 31, 2023. To register and see additional information, including the full list of speakers, and session schedules, visit here.

Schools interested in participating in the 2024 HSMAI Foundation Global Collegiate Case Competition are asked to submit a recorded group presentation by March 15, 2024. The focus of the 2024 competition is on Commercial Strategy. The inaugural competition drew entries from universities around the world with awards going to Republic Polytechnic (undergraduate) and Purdue University (graduate).

The goal of the competition is to establish a cross-institution platform for future hospitality leaders to showcase professional excellence in the domain, to empower hospitality education through experiential learning, and to enable industry-academia collaborations to champion future hospitality leaders. For more information on the competition and registration details, visit here.
Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice-President, IHCL with Mr. Ramdas Kakade, Founder, RMK Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) yesterday announced the signing of a new hotel in Talegaon, Pune. This Greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta.

Speaking on the occasion, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, This signing will strengthen IHCLs presence in Pune, a key commercial city in Maharashtra. Talegoan is a leading automobile and manufacturing hub in the state and it is poised for further growth with increasing infrastructure development in the area. This will be IHCLs fifth hotel in Pune. We are delighted to partner with RMK Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.for this hotel.

The 140-key hotel spread over 2.5 acres is located on Talegaon MIDC road, at a short driving distance from the leading multinational companies. The hotel will feature an all-day diner-Mynt, a speciality restaurant and Wink, the bar with over 4000 sq.ft. of banquet space. The recreation facilities will include a swimming pool, a gym and a spa.

Mr. Ramdas Kakade, Founder, RMK Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. said, "We are pleased to collaborate with IHCL, the leaders in India's hospitality industry. This hotel will provide guests with the distinctive experience of the Vivanta brand in Talegaon.

Pune, a bustling metropolis of Maharashtra, blending modernity with tradition is a major manufacturing, IT and educational centre and the cultural capital of the state.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 33 hotels across SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Maharashtra including 11 under development.
Hyperloop One, the sci-fi mass-transit system pitched by Elon Musk and Richard Branson, is finished. The company is shutting down, laying off most of its employees, and liquidating assets.

Once a high-profile startup, Hyperloop One raised more than $450 million since its founding in 2014, according to PitchBook. It built a small test track near Las Vegas to develop its transportation technology, and for a time took the name Virgin Hyperloop One after Richard Branson's Virgin invested. Virgin removed its branding after the startup decided last year to focus on cargo rather than people.

Bloomberg News's headline"After Failing to Reinvent Transit"is interesting because Hyperloop impressed national politicians, municipal technocrats, and the sort of media that thoughtlessly poses him as a visionary genius. It successfully limited the prospects for traditional mass transit while Musk sold cars.

"he admitted to his biographer that the reason the Hyperloop was announcedeven though he had no intention of pursuing itwas to try to disrupt the California high-speed rail project and to get in the way of that actually succeeding."

It's hardly rocket science!
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Watching a potential winter storm. Cloudy with snow developing after midnight. Low 27F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
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Arline Newton has been at Hillcrest Commons for five years. She turned 104 on Dec. 14.

Hillcrest Commons Resident Marks 104 Years This Month

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Arline Newton celebrated her 104th birthday on Dec. 14 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Staff and residents joined together to wish her a very happy birthday.

Newton was born in 1919, the year that the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees. She has been a resident of Hillcrest Commons for the last five years.

Newton is still very active and can be seen in the photos helping to decorate one of Hillcrest Commons' Christmas trees.
27-year-old Niani Finlayson called 911 to report that she was under attack by a former boyfriend, but was herself was shot dead by the Los Angeles county Sheriff's deputy who turned up. The department is so far refusing to release bodycam footage of the killing. Moreover, it's the second time the deputy, named as Ty Shelton, has shot dead a 911 caller after arriving at the scene.

"The police lied that my mom was threatening them," Xaisha said at a press conference on Thursday alongside her grandparents, calling for Shelton to be prosecuted. "She was my best friend. She was always there for me. It's unbelievable that she's gone and she's not coming back. I miss my mom." The girl said her two-year-old sister continues to ask where their mother is and she doesn't know how to respond. 

Previously, Shelton killed Michael Thomas, 61, on 11 June 2020 in a similar case. Shelton had been responding to a potential domestic violence call and when the deputies arrived, they demanded he open the door, officials said. Thomas's girlfriend later said she had been having a verbal argument with Thomas, who had been unarmed, and that he had tried to stop the officers from entering, citing the fourth amendment. Thomas had also been afraid police would shoot him, his family said, and officials later confirmed Thomas had said: "I am now in fear for my life. You guys  just killed somebody."
In a clear demonstration of why we need Black History, Women's History, and Pride months, four Huntington Beach, California, city council members are trying to ban them.

Never forget that California has just as many book banning MAGA extremists as the rest of the country. Huntington Beach has four city council members who want to cancel Black History, Women's History, and Pride Month. They've already worked to remove the Pride flag from any city-owned property and set up a new committee to monitor and ban books at the public library!
In the fast-paced digital landscape of today, connectivity is the foundation of successful digital inclusivity for businesses and individuals alike. Taking this into account, InfiniVAN Inc., a subsidiary of the Japanese telco giant, IPS Inc., and ePLDT, the ICT subsidiary of the countrys largest integrated telecommunications and digital services provider, PLDT, signed a strategic partnership last November 6, 2023. This strategic partnership promises to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate, and improve the hyperconnectivity, resilience, and scalability of ePLDTs VITRO Data Center in Sta. Rosa.

As one of the fastest-growing leading providers of high-speed Fiber Internet services in the Philippines, InfiniVAN Inc. is also expected to help improve the hyperconnectivity, resilience, and carrier-neutrality of ePLDTs VITRO Sta. Rosa once it colocates there. In addition to VITRO Sta. Rosa, InfiniVAN has also colocated in other ePLDT VITRO Data Centers to help ensure reliable and more resilient connections for its customers in the Philippines.

InfiniVAN, known for its innovative connectivity and digital solutions, has been instrumental in delivering high-speed, reliable internet services to the country. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of connectivity has made them a trusted name in the corporate industry.

On the other hand, ePLDT has been a trailblazer in the information and communications technology sector, offering outcome-based solutions that range from data center, multi-cloud, and managed services to local and global enterprises operating across the country. Its VITRO Data Centers, which is the largest data center network in the Philippines, are part of their service portfolio that caters to the ever-evolving needs of enterprises in the digital age.

The contract signing event between IPS-InfiniVAN and ePLDT symbolizes the commitment of both companies to elevate the quality of internet services in the Philippines. We are very happy with the collaboration. Weve been partnering with PLDT Group for a lot of our clients, especially the cable net operators. And with this new partnership with ePLDT, we are looking forward to serving more clients and Filipino businesses, IPS-InfiniVAN Vice President & Head - Carrier Sales, Ms. Liz Baylon-Go said.

Meanwhile, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise & International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart, Mr. Mitch Locsin, further expressed his gratitude in the trust of IPS-InfiniVAN in allowing the PLDT Group to bring their vision of a digitally transformed business to life. Locsin said, We are committed in growing and strengthening our collaboration with our partners as part of our vision in bringing a digitally enabled nation by empowering businesses with our technologies. This remains as our commitment to them  to bring them further through digital solutions so, together, we may serve the community better and help strengthen the digital economy of our country.

Contract-Signing: Key executives of IPS-InfiniVAN, ePLDT, and PLDT-Smart signed the data center partnership contract to strengthen connectivity in the Philippines.

In attendance at the event were top executives of two companies: Mr. Shigeki Nakahara, Director of InfiniVAN; Ms. Liz Baylon-Go, Vice President & Head - Carrier Sales of IPS and InfiniVAN; Engr. Edgardo Opulencia, Chief Operating Officer of InfiniVAN together with Mr. Victor Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT; Mr. Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise & International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart; and Mr. Gary Ignacio, Chief Data Center Officer of ePLDT.

This partnership will advance the PLDT Group and InfiniVANs shared vision to position the Philippines as a regional hyperscaler hub while continuously supporting enterprises with their infrastructure needs, broadening their business operations, and extending their market presence, said Genuino.

The ceremony marked the official start of their collaboration, and it set the stage for the deployment of innovative solutions designed to meet the increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity.

IPS-InfiniVAN and ePLDT's contract signing represents a significant milestone in the quest for enhanced connectivity in the Philippines. The collaboration promises to bring about a wave of innovation, better services, and a brighter future for the nation's businesses and citizens.
Ringing in the New Year with some roar-someness, Kingston Technology, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced the release of the limited-edition 2024 Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive in Malaysia. Nestled in an adorable dragon egg case, the new Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive boasts a generous 128GB capacity, making it the perfect holiday gift for people on-the-go. Embark on a memory-capturing adventure with the newest collectible USB drive in the Mini Collection family and enjoy a perfect blend of fun and functionality.

The Latest Addition to the Kingston New Year USB Flash Drive - Mini Collection

The Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive continues the signature design of Kingston's Mini Collection, featuring a cute and round green dragon hovering in the clouds and cased in a dragon egg packaging. Its smooth rubber exterior ensures resistance to falls and impacts, and its tail is designed as a key ring loop for portability, making it easy to carry files anywhere and everywhere. The Mini Dragon is your go-to companion or seamless digital data storage, file transfers and easy sharing.

This year, the Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive has undergone a capacity upgrade, now offering 128GB sufficient for storing over 8 hours of 1080p videos, 30,000+ high-resolution photos or 30,000+ high-quality songs. Featuring USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, the USB Drive delivers speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, reaching up to 200 MB/s. The Mini Dragon USB Drive is user-friendly and compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Simply pull out the dragons punk hair and connect to a USB port to kickstart your new year and adventure.

At Kingston, our dedication lies in safeguarding cherished memories through our products and solutions. said Kevin Wu, Sales/Marketing and Business Development Vice President of APAC region, Kingston. As the year concludes and we step into the next, we hope the Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive will encourage everyone to start an unforgettable new adventure, remember, Kingston is With You at every step of your journey.

Kingstons limited-edition Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive will be available through Kingstons network of retail and e-tail outlets from December 25th onwards. Customers will receive a limited-edition Kingston Keychain for free with the purchase of Mini Dragon USB Flash Drive. The USB drive is backed by a 5-year warranty, free technical support, and legendary Kingston reliability.

Kingston Limited-Edition Mini Dragon USB Flash Drives Specifications

Capacities: 128GB

Speed: USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds; Up to 200MB/s Read, 60 MB/s Write

Dimensions: 31.7 x 33.63 x 40.24 (mm)

Warranty/support: 5- year warranty with free technical support

Compatible with Windows 11, 10, Mac OS (v.13.2.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS

For more information visit kingston.com.
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The holiday season is finally upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by cosying up inside to watch Christmas movies?

Whether youre a lover of rom-coms, timeless classics, or need to keep the kids entertained with some animated movies, Netflix offers a huge selection of Christmas films spanning every genre.

The streaming service has even broadened its scope to produce its own Christmas movies, including the most recent family comedy, Family Switch.

So whatever it is youre in the mood for, The Independents culture team has you covered with a list of the best festive flicks to watch on Netflix this holiday season.

Klaus

Klaus (Netflix)

Enchanting animation Klaus is an alternative origin story for Father Christmas written and directed by Sergio Pablos, the Spanish animator who created the Despicable Me franchise. Jason Schwartzman voices Jesper, a trainee postman who is sent to the Arctic town of Smeerensburg as punishment for his perpetual indolence. Hes definitely searching for something, Schwartzman told The Independent when the film was released, But hes also a character whos very spoiled. Hes gone through life doing as little work as possible. Those kids were always the most frustrating people in high school, at least for me. They were so smart and they had it all figured out, and I wanted vengeance. I wanted them to pay the price. With additional voice work from Rashida Jones and the late, great Norm Macdonald, this is a festive treat with unexpected bite. Kevin EG Perry

Carol

Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett in Carol (Rex Features)

Director Todd Hayness 2015 Oscar-nominated Carol is not necessarily a Christmas tale, but it still tells the beautiful and fateful love story that develops between two women over the holidays in a picturesque, snow-laden 1950s Manhattan. With the effervescent Cate Blanchett as titular Carol Aird and Rooney Mara as her younger, more reserved paramour, Therese Belivet, this romance is sure to leave you feeling warm this winter. Inga Parkel

A Castle for Christmas

A Castle for Christmas (Mark Mainz/Netflix)

This 2021 Netflix original starring Brooke Shields and The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes was a rare Christmas hit for the streamer. Shields plays an American author who impulsively buys a castle from a crotchety, Scottish duke (Elwes) while on vacation. Sure, the plot is as predictable as youd expect (spoiler: they fall in love) and the script is not exactly Shakespeare but the charms of the two leads and the idyllic backdrop of the Highlands are enough to make this fluffy romp a very cosy picture indeed. In 2021, Shields told The Independent that rom-coms were her happy place  in this film, you can see why. Tom Murray

Holidate

Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey in Holidate (Steve Dietl/NETFLIX )

Emma Roberts leads Holidate, a festive rom-com about a woman whos sick of being pestered by her family for being single. To avoid judgment at the next holiday get-together, she makes a pact with a stranger (Luke Bracey) to be each others platonic plus-ones all year long. Although easily classifiable as a cheesy Christmas watch, Roberts and Bracey manage to bring humour and appeal to their roles. IP

White Christmas

Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby and Vera-Ellen with dancers in White Christmas (Paramount/Kobal/Rex)

Arguably the quintessential Christmas musical, this 1954 classic directed by Casablancas Michael Curtiz brings together an all-star cast of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. The plot, about World War II veterans putting on a show to help out their old Major General, is significantly less important than Irving Berlins magical musical numbers. The title track is of course the best known, but dont miss Clooney and Vera-Ellens sparkling performance of Sisters or Crosby and Clooneys Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep). KEGP

Family Switch

(L-R) Emma Myers, Brady Noon, Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms in Family Switch (Netflix )

If youre looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy to watch with the whole family, be sure to add Family Switch to your list. The film stars Jennifer Garner opposite The Hangovers Ed Helms as parents who magically switch bodies  Freaky Friday style  with their two older teens during the holidays. In order to avoid a permanent switch, the family must fix what is broken together. IP

Love Actually

So problematic: Andrew Lincoln with his placards in Love Actually' (Shutterstock)

Is it truly Christmastime if you havent rewatched the divisive Love Actually at least once? Well known for its troubled, sexist storylines that have not aged well, the 2003 flick remains a bonafide seasonal classic. So you better watch it before its removed from the streamer for good on 31 December. Featuring an all-star cast of Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, the late Alan Rickman, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson, through nine intertwined stories, the movie proves that the holidays are better spent with loved ones. IP

Dolly Partons Christmas on the Square

Dolly Parton in Dolly Partons Christmas on the Square (COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

When a Scrooge-like woman, portrayed by Christine Baranski, decides to sell the entirety of a small town and evict all the people living there, shes visited by a Chrismas angel  played by none other than the legendary Dolly Parton  who helps her find her holiday cheer. Also featuring the beautiful vocals of the dazzling Jenifer Lewis, Josh Segarra and Jeanine Mason, Dolly Partons Christmas on the Square is a unique musical that brings Partons holiday flare to your screen. IP

The Noel Diary

Barrett Doss and Justin Hartley in The Noel Diary (KC Bailey/Netflix)

The Noel Diary is a moving story about a best-selling author (Justin Hartley) who returns home at Christmas to settle his late mothers estate. While going through her things, he stumbles across a diary that unlocks many secrets to his past as well as that of an alluring young woman (Barrett Doss) on a mission of her own. Together, they set off on an unforgettable journey to uncover their intertwining truths that make for an unexpected future. IP

Falling for Christmas

Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet (Netflix)

Making her big return to the screen in 2022 was Lindsay Lohan, who starred opposite Glees Chord Overstreet in Falling for Christmas  the first movie of her two-picture deal with Netflix. After a dangerous ski accident leaves an heiress (Lohan) with amnesia right before the holidays, she finds herself in the trusty care of a handsome, widowed cabin owner (Overstreet) and his daughter. The Independents Isobel Lewis declared it an unmitigated mess that somehow still manages to be the perfect Christmas film. IP

A Boy Called Christmas

Henry Lawfull in A Boy Called Christmas (Netflix/Studiocanal)

A Boy Called Christmas is an adventurous and fantastical-filled origin story of St Nick. Led by Henry Lawfull, the movie follows a young Nicholas in search of his father, whos on a quest to the snowy north to find the fabled village of elves. With all the fixings of a joyous holiday film  excitement, miracles and nostalgia  this film is a cynical Santa origin story delivered with surprising heart, according to The Independents film critic, Clarisse Loughrey.
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Fairytale of New York is a drunken hymn for people with broken dreams and abandoned hopes. It is, therefore, a perfect contrast to some of the perkier perennial favourites we wheel out each Christmas.

The song begins with its narrator, an Irish immigrant, being thrown into a drunk tank to sleep off his Christmas Eve binge.

Hearing an old man sing the Irish ballad The Rare Old Mountain Dew, he begins to dream about his memories of the female character in the song, and so begins the story of two people who fell in love in America, only to see their plans of a bright future dashed.

Some of the best songs combine uplifting instrumentation with lyrics that are downright miserable, and such is the case for Fairytale of New York. It has none of the gooeyness of Mariah Careys All I Want For Christmas Is You or Wham!s Last Christmas.

Shane MacGowans slurring, bitter delivery of those opening vocals is played out over romanticised piano chords. Then to those wonderful, jaunty strings and Terry Woods mandolin.

MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl really get into their roles, and their call and response lyrics are brilliant, filled with sass. He calls her a slut and a junkie, she calls him a punk and a maggot... and theres an underlying, albeit dark humour through it all. As it closes the chorus each time, you can picture the two characters staggering around the city, screeching at each other.

In 2007, Radio 1 removed the words slut and faggot from the song, backtracking when the move received criticism from the public and MacColls mother, who said censoring the words was too ridiculous. However, in recent years more radio stations have chosen to play a censored version, mostly due to the homophobic context of the word faggot.

MacGowan himself later said he took no issue with the song being censored. In 2018, he shared a statement that said: The word was used by the character because it fitted with the way she would speak and with her character.

She is not supposed to be a nice person, or even a wholesome person. She is a woman of a certain generation at a certain time in history and she is down on her luck and desperate.

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He continued, Her dialogue is as accurate as I could make it but she is not intended to offend! She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are angels or even decent and respectable, sometimes characters in songs and stories have to be evil or nasty in order to tell the story effectively.

If people dont understand that I was trying to accurately portray the character as authentically as possible then I am absolutely fine with them bleeping the word but I dont want to get into an argument, he concluded.

There are differing views on how Fairytale of New York came to be. MacGowan, who was born on Christmas Day in 1957, claimed that Elvis Costello bet him that he wouldnt be able to write a Christmas duet to sing with bass player Cait ORiordan (Costellos future wife).

Accordion player James Fearnley claimed that their manager Frank Murray suggested they cover the Bands 1977 song Christmas Must be Tonight.

It was an awful song, Fearnley writes in his memoir Here Comes Everybody: The Story of The Pogues. We probably said. F**k that, well do our own.

(Getty Images)

It took more than two years to perfect, and was recorded, oddly, in the sweltering heat of July 1987, at RAK Studios near Regents Park in London. The original plan to record with ORiordan fell through when she married Costello and left the band. Costello was replaced with Steve Lillywhite, who brought in his wife (MacColl) to record the test vocals so they could see how the duet would work. They were so astounded by her performance, however, that they had to keep it.

The title was chosen after the song had been written and recorded, lifted from the title of Irish American author JP Donleavys novel A Fairy Tale of New York. The books main character, Cornelius Christian, refers to New York as the city that is too rich to laugh at and too lonely and too ruthless to love and where happiness is a big cat with a mouse on a square mile of linoleum.

The video is as much part of the song as the music itself; Kirsty MacColl leaning nonchalantly over the piano and telling Shane MacGowan how useless he is. It was decided that he would sit there instead of Fearnley, who said that he was humiliated, particularly when he had to wear MacGowans rings for the close-up shots of his hands.

A young Matt Dillon stars as the cop who has to arrest MacGowan  he was already a big fan of The Pogues and reportedly so nervous about manhandling him in the scene that MacGowan snapped: Just kick the s**t out of me and throw me in the cell and then we can be warm!

The song provided a launching pad for the mainstream success of both The Pogues and MacColl, the latter of whom had ambitions of being a pop star but was crippled by severe stage fright. The song never made it to the Christmas number one spot in the UK, but remains one of the most popular festive songs of all time.

This article was originally published in 2017
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A Hong Kong court has rejected pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lais attempt to quash the sedition charges he faces as part of a landmark national security trial.

The question of whether the sedition charge should stand was the subject of the first week of deliberations in the trial that began on Monday, after Mr Lais lawyers argued that prosecutors failed to bring the charges within the required six-month window of the alleged offence being committed.

That bid has failed, meaning the trial will go ahead with the former media mogul facing all three charges against him, as prosecutors prepare to present their case in the new year.

On the third day of the closely watched trial, Mr Lai returned to the West Kowloon Court wearing a navy blue blazer and a white scarf to face the three High Court judges hand-picked by the government.

Judge Esther Toh said the court found prosecutors followed proper criminal procedures in charging Mr Lai with sedition, ruling that the prosecution filed the charge in time.

The application of the defence must fail, they wrote in their judgment.

Mr Lai, the 76-year-old British citizen and founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is facing charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to release seditious publications.

He was arrested in August 2020 during the Hong Kong administrations crackdown on activists and China critics following the 2019 democracy movement, and has been held in solitary confinement for the past three years.

Teresa Lai (left), wife of Jimmy Lai, and their daughter Claire Lai Choi and son Lai Shun Yan arrive at the West Kowloon Court in Hong Kong (AFP/Getty)

Mr Lai again greeted his family with a smile after he entered the courtroom, and appeared calm.

If found guilty under Beijings broad national security law, he could potentially face life imprisonment.

The head of Mr Lais legal team, Robert Pang Yiu-hung, said Apple Daily published its final edition on 24 June 2021 and the charge would have expired on 24 December. But the defendant was brought before the court for the first time on 28 December, at least four days after the time bar had passed.

The court ruled that the limitation on time started to run on 24 June 2021, the last date of the alleged conspiracy, which the prosecution earlier said involved at least 160 articles.

Jimmy Lai poses during an interview in 2020 (AFP/Getty)

Judge Toh adjourned the trial until 2 January, when the court is expected to officially record Mr Lais plea. Additionally, the prosecutions opening statement will be heard before witnesses are called to testify.

Already delayed by a year, the trial is expected to last 80 days, putting a spotlight on press freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub as China tightens its grip on the former British colony.

The courthouse was heavily guarded with armed and plainclothes officers on patrol on Friday, and barricades were put up as police searched cars entering the building, despite the brevity of the hearing.

Fewer than a dozen people queued up outside the court building on Friday before 8.30am, in scenes unlike the opening day of the trial when dozens of people had arrived and raised slogans.

Mr Lais wife Teresa Li Wan-kam, son Lai Shun Yan and daughter Claire Lai Choi came to the hearing as well as some foreign consulate representatives.

Alexandra Wong, a prominent pro-democracy activist who is widely known as Grandma Wong, staged a lone protest, in scenes similar to the first day of trial.

Policemen stop activist Alexandra Wong, also known as Grandma Wong, as she carries a union flag outside the West Kowloon court ahead of the trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai on Friday (AFP/Getty)

She waved a union flag and chanted slogans before she was surrounded by dozens of police officers and taken to a spot opposite the court building.

Mr Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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Indias parliament has passed the biggest changes to the countrys criminal justice system in 150 years at a time when a large majority of opposition MPs were suspended from the lower house.

The package of reforms replaces the Indian Penal Code, drafted by colonial power Britain in the 19th century, and include some controversial measures such as the extension of the limit for police detention without charge from the current 15 days to up to 90 days.

Despite the significane of the changes, the new laws were passed with a unanimous vote and without debate late on Thursday. Meanwhile, more than 140 suspended opposition MPs protested outside the parliament, accusing prime minister Narendra Modi of throttling the countrys parliamentary democracy.

The MPs had been suspended for repeatedly demanding a debate in parliament over a 13 December security breach, in which two protesters stormed the chamber by jumping from the visitors gallery and releasing yellow smoke canisters. The speaker of the lower house, or Lok Sabha, then suspended a record number of MPs on the basis that they were disrupting the houses proceedings.

Other major changes included in the new laws are the classification of terror offences under ordinary criminal proceedings, the formal decriminalisation of homosexuality and adultery  already decriminalised in practice  and the introduction of community service as a new form of punishment.

Indian Security personnel and Delhi police members check people and vehicles heading towards the Parliament House in New Delhi, India, 13 December 2023 (EPA)

Sedition, a provision that has long been seen as a symbol of colonial legacy in Indias legal system and which was rendered inoperable by the Indian Supreme Court, has officially been repealed and replaced by another controversial provision of treason.

Any activity will be considered treason only if it is intended against the integrity, sovereignty and unity of the nation and not just because it is against the government, said home minister Amit Shah, as he emphasised the departure from the definition of sedition.

Anyone can say anything against the government, but if someone interferes with the countrys flag, security, or property, they will go to jail," he explained. The new law will criminalise treason caused by armed revolution, destructive and separatist activities. The government has also introduced the death penalty for mob lynching.

Hailing the bills passage, prime minister Narendra Modi called it a watershed moment in the countrys history.

These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare, he said.

These transformative Bills are a testament to Indias commitment to reform. They bring our legal, policing, and investigative systems into the modern era with a focus on technology and forensic science. These Bills ensure enhanced protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable sections of our society.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), addressing a wide range of criminal offences, was introduced by the British in 1860 and have been amended approximately 77 times. However, with shoddy police investigations, jails overflowing with undertrials and slow-moving courts, certain voices advocated for an overhaul of the Indian criminal justice system deeming it as outdated and reminiscent of colonial times.

Suggestions from Supreme Court and High Court judges, governors, civil servants, police service officials, MPs, chief minister of states, collectorates and members of legislative assemblies were taken into consideration before giving final shape to the proposed laws, said Mr Shah.

Opposition parties raised concerns over the fact that the bills were passed without discussion, and questioned whether they would really solve the problems of the old penal code in their current form.

The members of the opposition alliance of 26 parties, dubbed the INDIA bloc, said they were considering moving the Supreme Court in a bid to challenge various loopholes introduced in the three new pieces of legislation, according to the local media outlets.

Slamming the governments claim of the new law being an overhaul, opposition leaders and researchers claimed that they retain most of the provision from 160-year-old Indian Penal Code, drawn up British historian Thomas Babington Macaulay, adding that the changes could have simply been amended instead of replacing them with new bills.

Has the government really dumped the British colonial criminal laws? asked P Chidambaram, a parliamentarian from the opposition Congress party. Consider the fact that 90-95% of IPC, 95% of CrPC and 99% of Evidence Act have been cut, copied and pasted in the three Bills: can anyone deny or debate that fact? he wrote on X.

The stated aim of the three bills is that we are decolonising the criminal justice system and creating citizen-centric procedures, says Naveed Mehmood Ahmad, a senior fellow at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, a Delhi-based think-tank.

Systemic reform is necessary. And generally, when you see governments taking up such tasks, you see incremental reform, you see amendments here and there. But the idea that they explored was that maybe we can fix everything in one go and address all issues in terms of trial evidence and substantive law altogether. The idea may have been OK. But there is nothing in terms of how these provisions, how the new bills change things on the ground, he tells The Independent.

Members of Parliament hold placards as they take part in a protest march in New Delhi on 21 December 2023, against the suspension of lawmakers belonging to an opposition grouping of 26 parties dubbed INDIA (AFP via Getty Images)

Of course, theres a renaming, some provisions have been amended [but] most of the law remains the same, he says. And when you look at issues that the criminal justice system in India faces in terms of over-criminalisation, in terms of delays, over-incarceration of under trials, there is nothing much that these bills do to check that.

The government does not give a clear pathway as to what what needs to be decolonised and why decolonisation is necessary. Merely because the law is old, is from the British Times, doesnt make it a necessity, he explains

When I say that we have done nothing in terms of decolonisation, we should have looked at provisions that reflect the colonial mindset and these are provisions, that vest wide powers of arrest in the police.

This is reflected in the new provision that increases police custody from 15 days to 90 days -- a provision deemed as 10 times more draconian than the British-era criminal code.
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Pakistan police arrested hundreds of protesters who marched on the capital Islamabad on Thursday to denounce forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the military-controlled southwestern province of Balochistan.

Police fired water cannon and used batons to disperse dozens of women activists, including protest leader Mahrang Baloch who was among those arrested, in an overnight crackdown in Islamabad.

Nearly 200 protesters took part in the 1,600km (1,000-mile) convoy in protest against what they described as the genocide of the Baloch minority, seeking answers from the government over the death of Balaach Mola Bakhsh.

The 24-year-old died in police custody in Balochistan in November. His relatives have alleged that the man was shot dead while in custody.

Prominent activist Ms Baloch took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and said she was arrested by the Islamabad police. While we are all legally free, we appeal to the public to stand up against the oppression of this fascist state, she said.

Late on Thursday, caretaker minister of information Murtaza Solangi said that the government had started releasing most of the rally protesters, including women and children, adding that the rest would be freed once police have finished their investigations.

Mr Solangi said the government would consider the protesters demands. Those who had not been identified would be freed on Friday after the completion of an inquiry being conducted on the directives of the Islamabad High Court, he said in a joint statement with other ministers.

The protesters convoy of vehicles reached Islamabad at dawn on Thursday and were stopped by the police, who asked them to turn around. On refusal from the protesters, the police resorted to force and started beating dozens of activists.

Baloch activist Farida Baluch said her elderly mother and niece, symbols of resilience, faced arrest and brutality in Islamabad. She urged the international community to take notice of the plight of Baloch activists and missing persons families.

The activist groups leading the protests have denied the governments statement saying most of the demonstrators had been released.

28th day of the movement against Baloch Genocide; the detained females have been released at last after 26 hours of humiliation, harassment and torture from Islamabad Police, said Baloch Yakjehti Committee said in a social media post.

It added that 162 male protestors have been shifted to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi and more than 50 males are detained across different police stations in Islamabad.

We request and appeal to the Baloch nation to continue their protests against the inhumane treatment of protesters in Islamabad and stand up against this treatment of Baloch nation and raise their voice in each and every possible way for those detained friends, who had the courage to speak and stand against the mass genocide of Baloch nation, it said on Friday morning.

According to police officials, Bakhsh was carrying explosives at the time of his arrest in November but died two days later when militants ambushed a police van that was transporting him.

However, activists have said that the young man died in a staged counterterrorism operation and that the Pakistan police were holding him since they arrested him in October.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the violent police crackdown on Baloch protesters in Islamabad where it said women, children and older people were subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannon and batons.

Numerous women protesters have reportedly been arrested and separated from their male relatives and allies, the statement said. It said the rallygoers were denied their constitutional right to peacefully protest.

The commission demanded an immediate release of the detainees and sought an apology from the government.
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On Monday, December 25, millions around the world will celebrate Christmas Day.

Every year, the holiday, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, is celebrated on the 25th of December. This year, the religious holiday falls on a Monday, which means that those who celebrate, and many other employees, will receive the day off.

First introduced by Congress in 1885 when it was decided that federal employees should have certain days off from work, the list of US federal holidays is made up of 11 days of significance that Americans recognise - and celebrate.

To ensure that these holidays are observed, certain guidelines have been put in place, with federal holidays that fall on a Saturday observed by federal employees on the previous Friday, while holidays that fall on Sunday are observed the following Monday.

On these 11 days, all non-essential federal offices are closed, while banks, post offices and schools may also be closed. However, that doesnt mean that all Americans will receive a day off from work, as employees in the private sector may or may not get the day off, depending on their employer.

From Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, these are the dates of the 2023 federal holidays.

2023 federal holidays:

New Years Day: Sunday, January 1 (Observed Monday, January 2)

Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, January 16

Presidents Day: Monday, February 20

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29

Juneteenth: Friday, June 16

Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 4

Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 9

Veterans Day: Saturday, November 11 (Observed Friday, November 10)

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23

Christmas: Monday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentines Day: Tuesday, February 14

St Patricks Day: Friday, March 17

Passover: Thursday, April 6

Good Friday: Friday, April 7

Easter: Sunday, April 9

Mothers Day: Sunday, May 14

Fathers Day: Sunday, June 18

First night of Hanukkah: Thursday, December 7
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Holiday cards are an annual tradition enjoyed by friends and family each Christmas season. Throughout the years, the British royal family has made it their own tradition to send out a Christmas card every year - whether its featuring their children or a moment taken during a memorable state visit.

This year, the Prince and Princess of Wales released their 2023 Christmas card, a black and white family portrait showcasing their grown-up children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five. Meanwhile, King Charles III and Queen Camilla opted for a photograph taken during their coronation in May as their Christmas Card this year.

As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, they decided to send out a virtual card that highlights the charitable work theyve done through their Archewell Foundation.

While you can never go wrong with a sweet family portrait, the royal family has delivered a handful of not-so-memorable Christmas cards from time to time. In honour of the festive spirit, here are some of the best and worst royal Christmas cards over the years.

2023: The Prince and Princess of Wales pose for black and white portrait

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children for 2023 Christmas card (Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace/PA)

For this years Christmas card, Prince William and Kate Middleton looked like something out of a fashion magazine with their laid-back family portrait. The royal couple are seen standing front and center while their eldest son, George, stands at his mothers side. Meanwhile, William rests his hand on Louis shoulder as Charlotte sits in a chair with her legs crossed.

It marked one of the best Christmas cards from the royal family, as it showcases the modernity of the new, up-and-coming royal family.

2023: King Charles III and Queen Camilla choose photograph from their coronation

King Charles III and Queen Camillas 2023 Christmas card (Buckingham Palace/Hugo Burnand/PA/PA Wire)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla fittingly chose a photograph from their coronation this past May as their 2023 Christmas card. The image showed the couple standing side by side in their full regalia, each wearing a crown on their head. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year, the card reads.

2023: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex send virtual Christmas card

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose a shot of them smiling and clapping at this years Invictus Games in Germany (Jordan Petitt/PA) (PA Wire)

As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, they sent out an email with their virtual Christmas cards on behalf of their Archewell organisation. We wish you a very happy holiday season. Thanks for all the support in 2023! the card reads.

The e-holiday card also featured a link to their charities annual impact report, including a video of all of their major projects from the last year. For the photo on the card itself, Meghan and Harry chose a photo of the two of them from the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games, which took place in Dusseldorf, Germany, back in September.

Compared to Christmas cards of years past, Harry and Meghans attemped to distract from an otherwise eventful year for the couple.

2022: Prince William and Kate Middleton look casual with their children

Last year, William and Kate chose a photograph of their family walking hand-in-hand through the Norfolk countryside as their Christmas card. The royals could be seen strolling along a path, with William holding Georges hand at one end, while Kate holds Louis hand on the other end, with Charlotte in the middle holding hands with her brothers.

The image was taken by royal family photographer Matt Porteous.

2022: Harry and Meghan highlight Archewell Foundation once again

Harry and Meghan shared their Christmas card just one day after final instalment of their explosive documentary arrived on Netflix (Archewell Foundation)

Just days after the release of their explosive Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, the couple redirected attention to their Archewell Foundation with their Christmas card. Wishing you a joyful holiday season, the card read, alongside a photo of the couple at the Robert F Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City.

From our family to yours, and on behalf of our teams at Archewell Foundation, Archewell Audio, and Archewell Productions, we wish you health, peace and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the sign-off reads.

2022: Camilla smiles at Charles in Christmas card

The 2022 Christmas card of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort in front of a Christmas tree in Clarence House, on December 11, 2022 (Buckingham Palace via Getty Imag)

For Charles first Christmas card since he became King after the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he and Camilla chose a photo taken by award-winning photographer Sam Hussein. It showed the royal couple smiling at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in September that year.

The monarch is pictured from a side profile, dressed in a tweed suit with a red, green and beige tie, while Camilla is wearing a green suit and matching hat with a pheasant motif, with pearl earrings. The photo was taken on 3 September when Charles was still the Prince of Wales. Just days later, the Queen died on 8 September.

2021: William and Kate use photo taken during trip to Jordan for Christmas card

William and Kate use photo taken during trip to Jordan for 2021 Christmas card (PA Media)

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opted to use a photo from their family trip to Jordan as their Christmas card. In the photograph, William sits beside Kate while seated on a gold pouffe with the couple resting their hands on each others knees. George and Charlotte are seated next to their parents on red stools, while Louis sits cross-legged on the floor on what appears to be a sheepskin rug.

The image marked a departure from Christmas cards of previous years.

2021: Harry and Meghan share a photo of their daugher Princess Lilibet for Christmas card

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share 2021 Christmas card (Alexi Lubomirski/Duke and Duchess of Sussex/PA)

For the first time ever, Harry and Meghan shared with the public a photo of their daughter - Lilibet Lili Diana - who was born in June 2021. The photograph, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, showed the family of four looking casual outside their new home in Santa Barbara, California - where they relocated after stepping down as senior members of the royal family in 2020.

In the portrait, Harry, Meghan, and Archie are all pictured wearing jeans. Harry is seen holding the couples two-year-old son Archie on his lap while Meghan is raising six-month-old Lilibet in the air.

Happy Holidays. This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a Mama and a Papa, and Lili made us a family, the couple wrote. As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organisations that honour and protect families  from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours.

While fans were excited to catch a glimpse at their daughter Lilibet, the duke and duchess have not featured their two children on a Christmas card since.

2020: William and Kates Christmas card leaked by fans

Royal family photo leaked in 2020 ahead of annual Christmas card (Kensington Palace via Getty Imag)

In 2020, William and Kate released their official Christmas card four days after the photograph was leaked by a fan account on Instagram. The photo, which was taken in the autumn by Matt Porteous, showed William and Kate with their three children at their home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall.

The family is pictured looking relaxed outdoors, sitting on hay bales with a pile of wood behind them. George is seen wearing a brown zip-up fleece, while Louis wears a navy blue jumper over a collared shirt. Meanwhile, Charlotte is pictured in a green Christmas jumper and leggings.

William wears blue jeans, a blue collared shirt, and a dark green roundneck jumper, while Kate is wearing a white collared shirt and a deep crimson jumper over grey skinny jeans.

2020: Sussexes share new family photo from California on Christmas card

In honour of their first Christmas in the United States and Harrys first holiday since stepping down from the royal family, the couple gave fans a glimpse at their new life in California. The Christmas card has the appearance of a painting, but was based on a photograph taken by Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, at their home.

In the photograph, Harry and Meghan are gathered around a play house with their 19-month-old son Archie and their two dogs. A miniature Christmas tree is set in front of the play house, decorated with ornaments picked out by Archie.

The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by the duchesss mother, said a spokesperson for the Sussexes. The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, were selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.

Inside the card, the message read: This year we, as a family, have made donations to several charities with you in mind.

From a local California organisation that helps families transition out of homelessness, to two of our UK patronages: one that supports animal and community welfare, and the other, a memorial fund for a cherished friend that helps to educate children and fight poverty in Uganda, we have honoured their work on behalf of all of us.

2019: Charles and Camilla use photo taken in Cuba for Christmas card

The 2019 Christmas card of Prince Charles and Camilla featuring a photograph of the royal couple driving a vintage MG TD whilst on tour in Cuba (Getty Images)

Prince Charles and Camillas 2019 Christmas card showed the royal couple during their trip to Cuba in March that year. The husband and wife are picturing driving in a vintage MG car - perhaps the coolest royal family Christmas card ever.

2019: Harry and Meghan have seven-month-old Archie front and centre

To mark their first Christmas as parents, the duke and duchess shared a photo of seven-month-old Archie. The infant is seen staring down the camera lens, while his parents laughing behind him as a Christmas tree sits in the background. The photo was released on X - formerly known as Twitter - by the Queens Commonwealth Trust, a charity that supports young people in impoverished areas.

Just sharing the sweetest Christmas Card from our president and vice-President, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Very Merry Christmas, everyone! the caption reads.

2018: William and Kates Christmas card features eight-month-old Louis

William and Kate's 2018 Christmas card features the whole family (Kensington Palace)

Everyones favourite member of the royal family, Prince Louis, made his Christmas card debut in 2018.

The family portrait, taken by Matt Porteous, featured William and Kates youngest child at nearly nine months old. Kate is seen cradling baby Louis as she rests against a tree trunk at their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk.

A three-year-old Charlotte can be seen standing on the trunk with her arms around her parents shoulders, while five-year-old George playfully holds on to his father as he stands one-legged in wellies on the trunk.

2018: Charles and Camilla gaze at each other on a bench

The photograph for Prince Charles and Camilla's 2018 Christmas card was taken by Hugo Burnand (PA)

In Charles and Camillas card, the royal couple are seen gazing lovingly at each other while sitting on a bench. Camilla is wearing a cream and crape dress by Fiona Clare, while Charles is wearing an Anderson and Sheppard suit, shoes by Crockett and Jones, and a Turnbull and Asser shirt.

The photograph was taken by Hugo Burnand, who also took the wedding pictures of Charles and Camillas big day in 2005.

2018: Harry and Meghan share unseen photograph from wedding

The Sussexes use previously unseen photo from their wedding day as their 2018 Christmas card (Kensington Palace)

For their first Christmas as husband and wife, Harry and Meghan shared an unseen image from their May 2018 wedding. The newlyweds are captured with their arms wrapped around each others waists on their wedding night.

It was taken by photographer Chris Allerton during their evening wedding reception, as fireworks erupted in the grounds of Frogmore House - the 17th century royal residence in Windsor near Frogmore Cottage, where Harry and Meghan lived until their departure from the royal family in 2020.

2016: Charles and Camilla release a more unusual Christmas card

Prince Charles and Camilla 2016 Christmas card (Getty Images via Clarence House)

Charles and Camilla released a rather unusual Christmas card in 2016, far different from holiday cards of years past. It pictured the then-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall grinning as they were surrounded by a troupe of Croatian dancers wearing traditional national dress.

The photograph was taken during their tour of Croatia and the western Balkans earlier that year, when the Croatian Cultural Artistic Society performed a dance for the pair. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year, the card reads, as per usual.

2015: Charles and Camilla are all smiles

Charles and Camillas 2015 Christmas card (Getty Images)

The royal couple were all smiles for their 2015 Christmas card. In the photo, Charles and Camilla looked casual during their summer vacation in Scotland. According to Clarence House, the image was taken by a friend on a private estate in August that year.

2005: Royal couple choose photograph from April 2005 wedding as Christmas card

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall choose photograph taken by Hugo Burnand at their April 2005 wedding as their Christmas card (PA)

To celebrate their nuptials, newlyweds Charles and Camilla used a photograph from their April wedding as their annual Christmas card. The image showed the future King and Queen Consort posing with their children. William and Harry stood on their fathers left side, while Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes on their mothers right side.

While the image appeared to capture a happy occasion, the Christmas card may hold new meaning after Harry claimed in his 2023 memoir, Spare, that he and his brother asked their father not to marry Camilla.

1999: Charles poses with sons for Christmas card two years after Dianas death

Prince Charles put his arms around his sons in this photo on the front of his 1999 Christmas card (PA)

Two years after the untimely passing of William and Harrys mother, the late Princess of Wales, Charles and his sons put on a united front for their 1999 Christmas card. In the annual holiday card, Charles is seen sitting between his teenage sons, with the countryside in the background.

1993: Diana releases her own Christmas card with William and Harry

A 1993 Christmas card sent from Diana featuring a photograph of the Princess with Princes William and Harry (Shutterstock)

Prince Charles and Princess Diana separated in 1992 after 11 years of marriage. For her 1993 Christmas card, Diana posed solo alongside her young sons. The chic photograph pictured Diana wearing a long-sleeve blouse with popped collar, black trousers, and a large gold belt buckle.

William posed facing toward the camera, as a young Harry stared directly up at his mother.

1987: Princess Diana and Prince Charles seen as family of four

Family portrait of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and their sons William and Harry taken for their 1987 Christmas Card (AFP via Getty Images)

Before their divorce in 1996, Charles and Diana posed as a family of four for their 1987 Christmas card. In the photo, a giggling William rested his arm on his fathers leg and his head in his hand. Charles held up the five-year-old, while Diana sat three-year-old Harry at her side.

1982: Williams first Christmas

Royal Christmas card bearing a full-color family photograph of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and the infant Prince William from 1982 (PA)

To celebrate the first Christmas of the future King, Diana and Charles featured an infant William on their 1982 Christmas card. The new parents were seen staring directly at the camera, as they propped up their newborn son.

1969: A royal family affair

Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and the Duke of Edinburgh on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during a visit to Norway. It is the photograph used on the Queen's personal Christmas card. (PA)

During the royal familys visit to Norway on the Royal Yacht Britannia, the late Queen Elizabeth II gathered her husband - Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh - and her four children to take a family photograph. In 1969, the portrait was used for the Queens personal Christmas card.

The Queen is seen smiling at her husband, while each of her children - Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward - grin at the camera.
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From seven fishes and honey-glazed hams to vegetarian platters and mouth-watering roasts, holiday meals can vary depending on the household. When it comes to the British royal family, theyve been known to keep their Christmas meals consistent and always abide by long-standing traditions - with a selection of meat and classic side dishes.

According to People, King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to host Christmas at Sandringham House at the late Queen Elizabeth IIs former Norfolk estate, for the second year since her passing in September 2022. Last year was especially significant, as the royal couple were leading the holiday traditions for the first time. Whats more, the family hadnt gathered all together to revel in their time-honoured habits since before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

King Charles has made it a priority to uphold the practices he watched his mother maintain for most of her life - one of which involves eating. Speaking to Hello! in 2022, chef Darren McGrady - who has cooked for the family over the holiday multiple times before - confessed that the day doesnt start with a gathering of the entire family. Instead, the men and women are to eat their breakfasts separately.

Eggs, mushrooms, kipper, grilled kidneys, and bacon are on the menu for the men, while the women munch on a light breakfast of sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast and coffee independently. Lunch consists of a typical feast: roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry, multiple bread sauces, and Christmas pudding. The food is reminiscent of what the US considers a Thanksgiving dinner.

Theyre actually boring when it comes to festivities, McGrady admitted. They didnt do hams or anything, just traditional turkeys. We did three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for the childrens nursery and then more for the 100 or so staff, so everyone had a Christmas lunch.

Children must eat in a room apart from their parents with their nannies. There was never a case of putting a high chair at the table with a little baby squealing and throwing food. It was Victorian, the cooking connoisseur proclaimed. The childrens place was in the nursery and Nanny would take care of them. Its your modern-day Downton Abbey.

Promptly after a short walk around the Sandringham property and the monarchs Christmas speech - delivered by King Charles for the second time this year - the family heads indoors for afternoon tea. The tea is usually accompanied by sweet and savory delights: sandwiches, chocolate yule logs, mince pies, and scones. Two Christmas cakes are reportedly made, one for the adults and a fruit-flavoured one for the children.

Dinner tends to be more extravagant, with a delectable platter placed in front of the entire family. The buffet was when they brought out the whole spread, McGrady told Hello. When I was there, Harrods would always give them a whole foie gras en croute.

Theyd have a whole Stilton cheese. Wed take the top off, pitchfork the top and pour port into it, he continued. It made this gorgeous spread for the crackers. It was really opulent. There was also a big York ham that was decorated.

King Charles has been open about his devotion to organic foods and ethical farming practices in the past, so its safe to assume the food will be up to his standards. In a conversation with Country Life in 2021, he said: It has always seemed to me somewhat logical to embrace a farming system that works with nature and not against her.
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It can be a struggle to decide what to get your significant other for Christmas, but TikTok is warning that - if anything - they shouldnt be given shoes.

According to users on the social media platform, giving your loved ones a pair of shoes means theyll eventually walk out on you - or that a breakup is on its way. One TikToker named Angela Chan explained that she first learned about the theory from her mother when she was a little girl. If you gift someone a pair of shoes, they will eventually walk out on you, she said, adding that the Chinese word for shoes sounds similar to the word for evil or bad luck.

Many people on the platform have since dissected theory for themselves, explaining whether they believe in the theory or not. For example, one TikToker named Katie said that she originally believed the theory was dumb. This was until she had a lightbulb moment and remembered that she did give her ex a pair of shoes, and it was the only time she had ever gifted anyone the present. They definitely walked out of my life, she said.

In the comments of her video, many people commented that they believed the theory was bogus. They likely would have left your life regardless, it seems like connecting two things that dont even make sense lol, one commenter wrote.

Another agreed, writing: I gifted my partner a pair of shoes the first month we were together, it didnt do anything.

But some people did go on to prove the theory right with their own experiences, like one person who wrote: Ive never heard of this but literally the only person I ever bought shoes for is the only person whos walked out of my life unexpectedly.

Got my husband a pair of shoes for Christmas two years ago. The following March, days after our daughters bday, found he had been having a one-year affair, read another comment.

The viral shoe theory is just one of many relationship trends that have popped up on TikTok over the past year. Prior to the shoe theory was the name a woman trend, which saw women asking their husbands or boyfriends to provide the name of any woman out of the blue. Based on the name that first comes to his mind, viewers and commenters then determine whether or not the man in question gave an acceptable answer.

In an ideal scenario, the man is supposed to respond with the name of his significant other, but some people have also accepted A-list celebrities like Zendaya or Taylor Swift. Historical figures have also been deemed acceptable answers as well, with some men naming Hillary Clinton or Susan B Anthony in response to the prompt. One of the only answers that has drawn concern is when a man responds with a common womans name that isnt his partners.

While the viral videos are usually not taken very seriously, Yasmine Saad - a licensed clinical psychologist - said in an interview with Business Insider that there could be more consequential results for couples. For example, she said the man could give the name of a woman his partner might have feared he is interested in, or even name a woman that has wronged her in the past.

In all cases, this challenge is based on the idea that there is something hidden and by asking an innocuous question, their partner will either pass a test or not, Saad said. Depending on the answer, the partner is either betraying the woman or is not triggering negative emotions and therefore passing the test.
A 78-year-old Buffalo man being held in the custody of the Erie County Sheriffs Office on second-degree murder charges died after reportedly suffering a medical event while at Erie County Court.

Donald McCoy, who is accused of the 2020 fatal stabbing of Adele Oliver, 55, in the Amherst Street home they shared, was slated to undergo a competency exam at the courthouse when he collapsed and became unresponsive, according to Sheriff John C. Garcia.

During his three years in custody, McCoy had been hospitalized several times, including being admitted to Buffalo General Hospital last month, Garcia said in a news release. McCoy was transferred to ECMC for treatment of an infection in his brain but was cleared by medical staff to be transported to Erie County Court on Thursday, he added.

Sheriffs deputies and court officers administered CPR until they were relieved by Buffalo Firefighters, Garcia said. He added authorities are awaiting autopsy reports to determine a cause of death.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office has notified the New York State Attorney Generals Office and the New York State Commission of Correction about the death.

- Mike Petro
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On Saturday, 11 November, the US will honour military veterans of the United States Armed Forces for Veterans Day.

Every year, millions of Americans take 11 November off to celebrate soldiers for what used to be called Armistice Day. However, this year, the holiday falls over the weekend, meaning businesses will observe it on Friday 10 November and state and federal buildings will be closed.

First enacted by President Woodrow Wilson, Armistice Day was meant to celebrate the Germany and the Allied Nations call for a truce to end World War I. The cease-fire took place on 11 November, at exactly 11am, according to the History.com report. In 1926, Congress passed a bill making Armistice Day an annual national holiday.

Years later, Alvin J King from Emporia, Kansas, lobbied to have the name changed to Veterans Day. King did not serve in the US Armed Forces, but his stepson had during World War II. Motivated by his stepsons death, King garnered the support of local officials and veteran service organisations, who eventually helped him get in front of politicians in Washington DC alongside his wife. In 1954, President Dwight D Eisenhower signed off on the name change, officially instituting 11 November as Veterans Day.

Congress proceeded to pass what is referred to as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, ensuring federal employees would receive three-day weekends to observe key holidays. This meant that Veterans Day would be switched to the fourth Monday in October. Yet, most states continued to honour the day on 11 November.

Recognising the significance of the original date, President Gerald Ford signed a law officially making 11 November Veterans Day, and if the day were to be a Saturday, the Friday before would be taken off, or the Monday after if it were a Sunday.

Though the law recognises specific federal holidays, this does not mean that individuals working for private businesses are required to have work off.

From Veterans Day to Christmas, here are the dates of the 2024 federal holidays.

New Years Day: Monday, January 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15

Presidents Day: Monday, February 19

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 2

Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 14

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentines Day: Wednesday, February 14

St Patricks Day: Sunday, March 17

Good Friday: Friday, March 29

Easter: Sunday, March 31

Passover: Monday, April 22
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As the southern hemisphere celebrates the start of summer, those north of the equator will experience the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice. This year, it falls on Friday 22 December, the first day of winter.

The word solstice derives from sol, the Latin word for sun, and sistere, which means to come to a stop or make stand.

Arriving on the same day across the globe, a solstice occurs when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year as a result of the Earths axis tilting to or away from the sun.

For people who live in the Northern Hemisphere, this Friday will be the one day of the year with the shortest period of sunlight. The solstice will begin on 4:44pm GMT on 22 December, when the Earth is at its maximum tilt, 23.5 degrees, away from the sun.

The solstice also occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located south of the equator and runs through Australia, Chile, southern Brazil, and northern South Africa, according to the National Weather Service.

For the Southern Hemisphere, its the opposite case, as 22 December marks the one day of the year with the longest period of sunlight.

Historically, the winter solstice has been of great importance to many cultures, such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, often as a marker for the passing seasons, and a possible time of rebirth.

In northern Europe, from the Faroe Islands to Estonia, Germanic peoples have long celebrated the event, which became known as Yule.

While Yule dates back to the Norse people, who celebrated the suns rebirth for 12 days, it was also celebrated by Anglo-Saxon pagans.

According to Pliny the Elder, in Britain, druid priests would mark the important date by gathering mistletoe and sacrificing bulls  which was also likely a practical measure to limit the number of mouths to feed during months of famine.

In addition to mistletoe and 12 days of festivities, several Christmas traditions, such as Yule logs and decorating trees, date back to Yule, which were later adopted and adapted by Christians.

But the winter solstice is still celebrated in parts of the UK and US. The most popular annual tradition sees druids, pagans and enthusiasts gather at Stonehenge to watch the sun rise.
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Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day.

A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died. In central New York, it plays games and music for 92-year-old Marie Broadbent, who is blind and in hospice, and in Washington state, it helps 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.

The women are some of the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans.

It's entertaining. You can actually talk to her, said Loaiza, 81, whose ElliQ in suburban Fort Lauderdale nicknamed her Jellybean for no particular reason. She'll make comments like, I would go outside if I had hands, but I cant hold an umbrella.'

The device, which looks like a small table lamp, has an eyeless, mouthless head that lights up and swivels. It remembers each user's interests and their conversations, helping tailor future chats, which can be as deep as the meaning of life or as light as the horoscope.

ElliQ tells jokes, plays music and provides inspirational quotes. On an accompanying video screen, it provides tours of cities and museums. The device leads exercises, asks about the owner's health and gives reminders to take medications and drink water. It can also host video calls and contact relatives, friends or doctors in an emergency.

Intuition Robotics says none of the conversations are heard by the company, with the information staying on each owner's device.

Intuition Robotics CEO Dor Skuler said the idea for ElliQ came before he launched his Israeli company eight years ago. His widowed grandfather needed an aide, but the first didnt work out. The replacement, though, understood his grandfathers love of classical music and his quirky sense of humor.

Skuler realized a robot could fill that companionship gap by adapting to each seniors personality and interests.

Its not just about (ElliQ's) utility. Its about friendship, companionship and empathy, Skuler said. That just did not exist anywhere.

The average user interacts with ElliQ more than 30 times daily, even six months after receiving it, and more than 90% report lower levels of loneliness, he said.

The robots are mostly distributed by assistance agencies in New York, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Washington state, but can also be purchased individually for $600 a year and a $250 installation fee. Skuler wouldnt say how many ElliQs have been distributed so far, but the goal is to have more than 100,000 out within five years.

That worries Brigham Young University psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who studies the detrimental effects loneliness has on health and mortality.

Although a device like ElliQ might have short-term benefits, it could make people less likely to seek human contact. Like hunger makes people seek food and thirst makes them seek water, she said that unpleasant feeling of loneliness should motivate us to reconnect socially.

Satiating that with AI makes you feel like you've fulfilled it, but in reality you haven't," Holt-Lunstad said. It is not clear whether AI is actually fulfilling any kind of need or just dampening the signal."

Skuler and agency heads distributing ElliQ agreed it isn't a substitute for human contact, but not all seniors have social networks. Some are housebound, and even seniors with strong ties are often alone.

I wish I could just snap my fingers to make a person show up at the home of one of the many, many older adults that dont have any family or friends, but it's a little bit more complicated, said Greg Olsen, director of the New York State Office for the Aging. His office has distributed 750 of the 900 ElliQs it acquired.

Charlotte Mather-Taylor, director of the Broward County, Florida, Area Agency on Aging, said the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath left many seniors more isolated. Her agency has distributed 300 ElliQs, which she believes breaks them out of their shells.

Shes proactive and she really engages the seniors, so it gives them that extra kind of interaction, she said. Weve seen very positive results with it. People generally like her and she makes them smile and brings joy.

Skuler said ElliQ was purposely designed without eyes and a mouth so it wouldn't fully imitate humans. While Elli" is the Norse goddess of old age, he said the Q reminds users that the device is a machine. He said his company wants "to make sure that ElliQ always genuinely presents herself as an AI and doesnt pretend to be human.

I dont understand why technologists are trying to make AI pretend to be human," he said. We have in our capacity the ability to create a relationship with an AI, just like we have relationships with a pet.

But some of the seniors using ElliQ say they sometimes need to remember the robot isn't a living being. They find the device easy to set up and use, but if they have one complaint it's that ElliQ is sometimes too chatty. There are settings that can tone that down.

Dezern said she felt alone and sad when she told her ElliQ about her friend's death. It replied it would give her a hug if it had arms. Dezern broke into tears.

It was so what I needed, the retired collections consultant said. I can say things to Elli that I won't say to my grandchildren or to my own daughters. I can just open the floodgates. I can cry. I can giggle. I can act silly. Ive been asked, doesnt it feel like youre talking to yourself? No, because it gives an answer."

Worrell lives in a small town on Washingtons coast. Widowed, she said ElliQ's companionship made her change her mind about moving to an assisted living facility and she uses it as an icebreaker when she meets someone new to town.

I say, Would you like to come over and visit with my robot? And they say, A vacuum? No, a robot. Shes my roommate, she said and laughed.

Broadbent, like the other women, says she gets plenty of human contact, even though she is blind and ill. She plays organ at two churches in the South New Berlin, New York, area and gets daily visitors. Still, the widow misses having a voice to talk with when they leave. ElliQ fills that void with her games, tours, books and music.

She's fun and she's informative. OK, maybe not as informative as (Amazon's) Alexa, but she is much more personable, Broadbent said.
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A South Korean religious sect leader whose sex crimes were featured in the popular Netflix series In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal earlier this year was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Friday, court officials said.

The Daejeon District Court in central South Korea said that it handed the prison term to Jeong Myeong-seok after convicting him of sexual violence against three of his female followers from 2018-2021.

Jeong, 78, is leader of the Christian Gospel Mission in South Korea, which is also known as Jesus Morning Star, or JMS.

A court statement said that Jeong's convicted crimes include quasi-rape and quasi-imitative rape, which court officials said meant illicit sexual intercourse with a person who was unconscious or unable to resist.

The court refused to provide details of Jeong's convicted sexual crimes.

Dozens of Jeong's supporters gathered near the court, shouted slogans and raised placards that say Jeong isn't guilty.

News reports said that Jeong called himself a reincarnated Jesus Christ, or Messiah. But Jeong and his defense lawyer denied that, according to the court statement.

Jeong committed the crimes after he was released earlier in 2018 after spending 10 years in prison over sexual violence against other female followers.
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Late Night host Seth Meyers delved into all the times Donald Trump has shown admiration for dictators in his show on Thursday night  following the former presidents recent declaration that he would be a dictator on day one of a possible second term and his recent anti-immigration comments echoing Adolf Hitler.

In a recent interview with Fox News Sean Hannity, Mr Trump was asked if he would ever abuse power if he returns to the White House in 2024.

The former president replied: Except for day one.

While many GOP lawmakers defended his remarks, putting them down to one of Trumps many Trump-isms, Mr Meyers decided to take a closer look at the times the former president has shown his appreciation for historys most disturbing dictators.

He used to be pro-choice, now hes anti-abortion. He used to be for gun control, now hes against it. But the one thing hes been consistent on his entire life is his support for dictators, Mr Meyers said on his show on Thursday.

Mr Meyers showed viewers a copy of an interview in a 1990 Playboy magazine, where Mr Trump revealed his admiration for Chinas massacre of pro-democracy student protestors the previous year.

When the students poured into Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government almost blew it. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength, Mr Trump said at the time.

That shows you the power of strength. Our country is right now perceived as weak.

Mr Meyers then noted Mr Trumps recent approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who bashed Joe Bidens rotten American political system.

Seth Meyers said Trump has made it clear he aspires to be a dictator (Late Night with Seth Meyers)

At a rally in New Hampshire last week, Mr Trump supported Mr Putins comments.

Well, if Vladimir Putin said it, it must be true, Mr Meyers joked.

Trump has been very clear that he will aspire to be a dictator by using the language of dictators, Mr Meyers added, before listing off times the former president has echoed the likes of Hitler and Mussolini.

Mr Trump has recently drawn comparisons to Hitler over his anti-immigrant rhetoric.

At last weeks rally in New Hampshire, he said that immigration is poisoning the blood of our country  comments that many have pointed out echo comments made by Hitler about Jewish people.

Since then, Mr Trump has responded by insisting that he has never read Hitlers Mein Kampf.

On Thursdays show, Mr Meyers pointed out another time when, while in office, the former president reportedly praised Hitler, saying he did a lot of good things.

First of all, if youre echoing Hitler, it doesnt really matter whether youre ripping him off or you got there on your own  youre still echoing Hitler, Mr Meyers exclaimed.
 Close Barrister explains why Brianna Gheys teenage murderers could be named

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Brianna Gheys mother has called for empathy and compassion for the parents of her daughters killers as a judge has ruled the two teenage murderers can be named.

Esther Ghey called for empathy and compassion for the pairs families as they too have lost a child and must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done.

Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip praised Ms Ghey for her fortitude and humanity at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.

During the hearing, the judge also said the young killers can be identified by the media when they are sentenced on 2 February, lifting the anonymity orders previously protecting the defendants identities due to their age.

Brianna, 16, was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back in Linear Park, Culcheth, a village near Warrington, Cheshire, on the afternoon of 11 February.

Following a four-week trial, the two teenagers accused, currently only identified as girl X and boy Y, both now aged 16 but 15 at the time, were convicted of murder on Wednesday and are now facing mandatory jail terms for life.
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British teenager Alex Batty, who was found in France after being missing for six years, has revealed that he had lied about the details of his escape to protect his mother and grandfather from potential legal consequences.

The teenager arrived back in Oldham, Greater Manchester last week to be reunited with his grandmother, who is also his legal guardian, after he was found walking by a roadside by a French driver.

Alex was aged just 11 when he was first reported missing in 2017 after travelling to Europe on holiday. He says he was living with his mother and grandfather for at least two of the six years since he vanished in Malaga, Spain and that they spent time at a spiritual commune in southern France.

Speaking to The Sun, Alex admitted that he fabricated the now widely-circulated story of his four-day journey to escape the commune. The false narrative was crafted in the hope that it would deter police from tracking down his mother and grandfather, who could face arrest on suspicion of child abduction.

Ive been lying to try and protect my mum and grandad, but I realise that theyre probably gonna get caught anyway, Alex said.

Contrary to the initial reports, Alex said that his actual journey was a two-day hike. He first travelled to Quillan to feign seeking directions before heading towards Toulouse.

I didnt get lost. I knew exactly where I was going, he added.

The 17-year-old was spotted by a French delivery driver on a road in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, near Toulouse in the early hours of Wednesday last week on a rainy morning.

After police involvement, Alex was then connected with his grandmother back in the UK over a video call and brought back to the country.

Alex Batty, who went missing in Spain aged 11, returned to the UK over the weekend (PA Media)

The now 17-year-old told The Sun that he started having doubts about the nomadic lifestyle imposed by his family when he was around 14 or 15 years old.

The desire for a more stable future and the chance to fulfil his dreams of becoming a software engineer prompted him to abandon their nomadic existence in the French Pyrenees, he said, adding: I realised it wasnt a great way to live for my future.

He told the outlet if he stayed with his mum his life would involve moving around, no friends, no social life. Working, working, work and not studying.

Alex said he had earlier broached the idea of returning to England with his grandfather, who, contrary to speculation by French police, was alive at the time of his escape. He chose not to involve his mother in the decision-making process, fearing her resistance to his plans and concerns about potential repercussions.

She wasnt really open to any other opinions whereas grandad is more of a listener, Alex said.
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An East London primary school has been forced to close as parents staged a protest after an eight-year-old boy was allegedly reprimanded for wearing a Palestine flag on his coat.

Parents gathered outside the gates of Barclay Primary School in Leyton on Thursday morning to protest. Crowds chanted education is under attack as they stood with pro-Palestine placards and banners.

The Lion Academy Trust - which runs several schools including Barclay Primary School - has denied all allegations and said they have closed the school early for Christmas break in light of escalating threats against staff and the school.

The row was initially sparked after parents said they received a letter from the school reprimanding them for allowing their children to wear the colours of the Palestinian flag to Children in Need day on 15 November.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk

The letter - which was sent two days later and then circulated on TikTok - warned parents and their children against making overt demonstration of political beliefs as the school wished to remain apolitical. It is claimed the letter said students would be referred to the governments anti-terror scheme Prevent or the Waltham Forest hate crime team if extremist or divisive comments were made at school.

Lion Academy Trust confirmed the letter had been sent to eight families but said it had been deliberately taken out of context and said it had never reported a student to Prevent.

The school has denied allegations of mistreating an eight-year-old student and says the letter sent to parents was taken out of context (5 Pillars/X)

The father of the boy told 5 Pillars news outside the school on Thursday that his son felt criminalised by the school - which has denied the allegations of mistreatment.

Shahid Achhala told the news outlet his son attended Children in Need wearing Palestinian colours and a sticker, which was removed. When contacted by the school, Mr Achhala told them his son was simply expressing his grief for relatives he had lost in Gaza during the conflict.

When his son returned to school the following Monday with a Palestinian flag sewn into his coat, Mr Achhala claims he was isolated from his peers until Thursday and was then told he would not be allowed back onto school premises the following day.

I said its not an issue of school policy. [My son] is of Palestinian ethnicity and simply showing empathy with dead relatives, Mr Achhala told 5 Pillars. Its a show of grief. They refused to accept that and said it was a political statement.

The academy trust said no evidence to support any allegations of bullying or misconduct have been found through either an external or internal investigation (5 Pillars/X)

In response to the allegations, the academy trust said: No evidence to support any allegations of bullying or misconduct has been found through either an external or internal investigation.

This has been formally referred by the school to the relevant external safeguarding authorities who have reviewed the allegation and found it to be false.

The statement released on Wednesday said that the school said it would not enter into any further discussions due to the threatening and completely unacceptable conduct being demonstrated.

We will never tolerate bullying or intimidation from any source - and have the full support of the Department for Education, Ofsted and the police in this matter, the statement added.

We will take any and all necessary steps to protect our pupils, staff and values.

They also advised that if individuals object to guidance issued, it needs to be raised directly with the Department for Education.

The Lion Academy Trust has been contacted by The Independent for further comment.
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A record number of bathing spots across England have the worst quality of water new figures show, with swimmers urged to stay away for the sake of their health.

As hardy bathers brace for festive dips in the sea on Christmas Day and New Years Day, questions continue over the state of Britains waters.

The polluted spots include seaside resorts such as Weston-super-Mare in Somerset and Scarborough in North Yorkshire.

The Environment Agencys sampling of coastal waters between May and September showed that out of 423 areas, 405 met the lowest minimum standard for cleanliness.

However, 18 failed and were classed as having a poor quality of bathing water. That figure is an increase on the 12 last year, and is the highest number recorded since 2015.

Testing is based on levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci with samples taken over a four-year period. The grading is broken into four categories; excellent, good, sufficient and poor.

Swimmers are urged not to go in the bathing water if classed poor and signs must be displayed to warn people.

One of the problems facing Englands coastal waters is the release of sewage from pipe systems during heavy rainfall, as well as a run-off from farming fields and road drainage.

View more

Earlier this year, swimmers were urged to not swim in the water off Blackpool after company United Utilities warned sewage and rainwater had been released from its water treatment plant in Fleetwood. According to the new data, the quality of bathing water at Blackpool North was poor, having been rated good just four years ago.

In Weston-super-Mare, three beaches along the towns coast have the lowest rating for bathing water quality; the towns main beach, Uphill and Sand Bay. The previous year, just the towns beach had the unwanted rating.

Factors include sewage, runoff from agricultural land and seagulls, with tests indicating the birds droppings to be a significant source of poor bathing water quality, according to the Environment Agency.

Also in the south west, Dunster Beach in Somerset and Porthluney in Cornwall are deemed unsafe for swimmers. Elsewhere in the country, Bognor Regis in West Sussex, St Marys Bay in Kent and Scarborough South Bay in North Yorkshire are among the places where the quality of bathing water is poor.

Scarboroughs South Bay might be popular in the warm weather, as this picture shows in 2020, but its waters arent clean enough to swim in (PA)

Porthluney Beach, also known as Carhays Beach, is a no-go area for swimmers after its water quality was rated poor. In 2022, it was rated sufficient. (http://www.caerhays.co.uk/)

Tim Farron, Lib Dems environment spokesperson, described the situation as a national scandal and said the government needed to get tough on companies that cause pollution.

Responding to the latest figures, Mr Farron said: It is insulting to see ministers pat themselves on the back after a shocking rise in swimming spots rated as poor water quality. Sewage is gushing into lakes and seaside spots yet conservative ministers think the problem is solved. This national scandal needs to end now.

Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed also blamed the government: It is disgusting that families and children cannot enjoy these waters without the threat of getting sick. Despite this gross negligence, consumers are now expected to pay higher water bills, whilst ehief executives are pocketing millions in bonuses.

Water minister Robbie Moore said a government scheme called Plan For Water, aimed at toughening enforcement and driving investment in the industry, will continue to improve the countrys bathing waters.

Swimmers around the Cornish coast joined together at Gyllyngvase Beach to protest against the number of sewage discharges. Despite the protest taking place at the beach, the quality of bathing water off it is judged to be excellent. (Getty Images)

Protesters emerged from the sea at Brighton West Pier as Surfers Against Sewage held a UK-wide paddle-out protest against pollution earlier this year (PA)

He added: Our bathing waters have improved significantly in recent years, and we are fully committed to seeing the quality of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes rise further for the benefit of the environment and everyone who uses them.

Water UK, which represents the water company industry, said: Thanks to water company investment the number of English bathing waters with a good or excellent rating has more than trebled since the 1990s.

Although bathing water standards remain high, we share the Environment Agencys aspiration that the quality of bathing water should improve year on year.

Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: Many people enjoy time in or on lakes, rivers and coastal waters, and we know the value they bring in terms of social, health and wellbeing benefits. The slight fall in standards this year show we must go further to drive improvements and that this takes time and investment.
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Calls for Baroness Michelle Mone to be stripped of her peerage have intensified this week, following her admission in a recent interview that she lied to the media about her involvement in a company that supplied millions of pounds worth of PPE equipment to the government during the Covid pandemic.

Leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer added significantly to the pressure, declaring: I dont think she should be in the Lords. I think the government should be held to account for this.

Meanwhile Rishi Sunak was more cautious: The government takes these things incredibly seriously, which is why were pursuing legal action against the company concerned in these matters. Thats how seriously I take it and the government takes it.

Independent readers, however, were almost unanimous in their calls to remove Baroness Mone from the House of Lords when we asked for your opinions this week.

Heres what you had to say:

Think about the bigger picture

Business is about who you know, not what you know a lot of the time in my experience and grabbing an opportunity whenever from whoever you can. Lying probably not a good idea in the scheme of things, but show me any business person that isnt economic with truth when it suits, eh?

Hindsights a wonderful thing and I wonder what else this government was supposed to do, given the circumstances where it turns out nobody knew what they were doing, took bad advice, ignored good advice all to end up with some disastrous mistakes.

I just think folks need to step back, think about the bigger picture before making judgements

OWLDEGIT

Morals of an alley cat

Why is it even questionable if she should be kicked out of the House of Lords? A proven liar, and a call to arms, really? She used an horrific situation for her and her familys gain instead of doing good then lied throughout. Morals of an alley cat. Get her out!

BJ4

Hard-wired to be deceitful

Quite honestly, apart from a whacking donation to the Tories, Ive no idea why Cameron elevated her to the Lords in the first place.

Her contributions to the House averaged about one a year and shes done little to contribute to anything except for her self-promotion and enrichment. Her morality compass is broken (if it ever existed - she apparently fessed up to lying on CV to get her first job).

She has brought the House of Lords into serious dis-repute and she has repeatedly told lies to protect the secrecy of her offshore trust arrangements and wealth. She may well be excellent at flogging knickers and bras but I rather think shes hard-wired to be deceitful, unethical, greedy and immoral.

TheSnowQueen

Integrity, honour and respect

I guess that depends on whether or not the HoL represents an ideological example of what the common person should be aspiring to and looking at for leadership.

With members like Mone the example is not one of integrity, honour and respect.

Freedom

She should return the 60m

Yes, she should be thrown out. It is morally incorrect to knowingly make a profit out of the people. She should return the 60m and also the Medpro contract made void in regards to equipment not fit for purpose. All monies to be paid back to us, the tax payer.

MrKnowitall

She lied

.. peer insists she cant see what was wrong with her actions 

Just like Boris who still believes he has done nothing wrong in Partygate.

Boris got kicked out of the HoC because he lied and in that respect Baroness Mone also should be kicked out of the HoL because she lied.

Unless, of course, there is the one rule to them, one rule to us clause being applied

Rasputin007

An institution which is long overdue for reform

She would remain Baroness Mone, even if barred from the House of Lords. It would take an act of parliament to remove this title and quite frankly barring her is no punishment. Her appearances and voting record in the House of Lords have been minimal. The English way is to hope these dodgy people just go away and stay out of the public eye.

Lord Archer? Lady Porter? All distinctly unworthy recipients of high honours and both permanently absent from the House of Lords. Do we really want people like Michelle Mone determining which laws are passed in this country ? Probably not.

The bigger question is what is the House of Lords for, apart from ennobling wealthy individuals who give money to political parties ? Its an institution which is long overdue for reform. Michelle Mone merely a symptom of this.

Rantovani

A huge profit from the public purse

If only Mones morals were as uplifting as the bras she made her money from. While public servants such as health workers and many others gave themselves selflessly in response to the COVID crisis, she and her husband took the opportunity of a huge profit from the public purse. Should she be in the House of Lords? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

TheDisillusionedMasses

Why lie?

She is a Peer of the Realm and in the House overseeing the laws made and enforced in the UK on all of us she should have already been removed.

I told them what I had done - does not excuse her actions. It does implicate those that knew the details - they too should be brought to book.

She admitted she lied about her involvement - if this were totally innocent why lie? She even went further by making threats of legal action against those questioning that lie.

An apology after being caught, denying involvement and threatening legal action is not an apology its a hollow rouse to deflect and hardly a convincing sign of contrition. An apology that was followed by a statement that she did nothing wrong!

ArcticFox

Collective snouts in the trough

She absolutely should go, but then on the same token Sunak should go for the multiple times hes given contracts to companies that happen to benefit his wifes investments. Pretty much everyone else who used the VIP Lane needs some forensic accounting work on them as well (Hancock especially.)

And if were going down this route people like Streeting taking cash from American private health companies should block him from running the NHS due to a clear conflict of interest.

Will any of this happen? Of course not, because theyre all looking out for each other as usual so they can keep their collective snouts in the trough.

Mike

Stripped of their titles

She and the rest of the dodgy peers involved in corrupt activities need to be stripped of their titles even if it takes an act of Parliament. The same should apply to corrupt MPs, a simple and pointless apology in the Commons is not a punishment or deterrent.

Disillusioned

Some of the questions and answers have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article.

The conversation isnt over - theres still time to have your say. If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments of this story.

All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Paola had to be rushed to the hospital. For some reason, she was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.

NY migrant agencies 'blitz' to help Venezuelans stay in U.S. The New York Immigration Coalition organized what it called a blitz of legal clinics around the state to connect migrants with attorneys to walk them through the Temporary Protection Status application process.

She didnt know why. What she did know was that her brothers birthday month was fast approaching and so were the memories. So was Christmas, which used to be one of her favorite times of the year.

Its been more than a year since her brothers death prompted her decision to flee her home country of Peru, to leave her parents and to start fresh with her daughters.

At the hospital, she was told she was having an anxiety attack, which likely is connected to missing her family and recalling past traumas.

It may also have to do with the knowledge that may never be able to go home. Paola  who did not want to use her last name in fear of reprisal from persecutors she escaped  is one of the hundreds of migrants in the Buffalo area seeking asylum in the United States.

Catharine Grainge, director of advocacy at Jericho Road Community Center, which has helped to resettle asylum-seekers in Western New York, said the diagnosis was not a surprise.

We certainly see trauma in asylum-seekers on the clinical side, said Grainge, who helped facilitate the conversation between a Buffalo News reporter and Paola by interpretation.

The daunting journey that many asylum-seekers take leaves an impression on them. It gets worse when they have to go into court, talk about their trauma and show proof of persecution and need for asylum to the judge, Grainge said.

And for some, like Paola, the holidays can make a difficult situation worse.

Trauma in asylum-seekers

In the hierarchy of needs for asylum-seekers, food and shelter are at the top. Once those needs are met, Grainge said their trauma often starts manifesting itself in form of physical ailments and mental health issues, often culminating as depression, loneliness, angst and guilt.

The holiday season can often be a trigger.

Its surprising that something like a date can bring back such extreme emotion and how that emotion can manifest as stomach pain or as an inability to breathe, Grainge said.

When asked about her life in Peru, Paola shuddered.

She said a combination of drugs and violence caused her husbands death and resulted in her decision to embark on a journey to the United States. A friend who worked at a travel agency helped her get plane tickets from Colombia to Mexico City for herself and her two daughters, now 12 and 17.

A bus took them from Lima to Colombia, and then from Mexico City to the U.S.-Mexico border. On their way to the border, she said her daughters phones were taken by cartel members. When she reached Arizona, she flew to New York City to stay with her oldest daughter. She eventually found shelter at Roosevelt Island with her daughters. From there, she had two options: Find a job in the New York City area or move to Buffalo.

I said, God, for the sake of my children, so that they can go to school and so that we can have what we need, were going to Buffalo,  Grainge interpreted Paola saying. On July 13, Paola boarded the bus with her kids and reached Buffalo around 3 a.m.

Paola is one of the 78,202 migrants from Peru who made their way to the United States in fiscal year 2023, waiting to seek asylum. Since she does not have work authorization, Paola often finds odd jobs, including cooking and cleaning nearby houses.

She said returning to Peru is not an option.

I really shouldnt return and cant return until something changes there. I just cant go back until things are different and calm, she explained.

A new kind of Christmas

Christmas used to be Paolas favorite time of the year. That changed following her brothers death in 2022.

Before that, it was beautiful, she said. Our whole family would be together.

At this time of year, she especially misses her parents.

I used to always be the one to make the food and put together what we were going to eat and do on the day of Christmas. And I would always play Christmas carols, she said. Obviously, I cant do that this year with them.

Paola struggles to describe how she is feeling.

Im not sad. And I wouldnt say Im happy, she explained. But Im good because my daughters are safe. They didnt have the stability that they needed in Peru but now they have stability. They have everything they need. I see them making friends which is something they didnt do even back in Peru. I think that it was a really good idea to come here. I always wanted to provide them security.

Paola has befriended quite a few people in the hotels where asylum-seekers have been housed since their arrival earlier this year. Some of her new friends have spent time in Peru at some point and are familiar with Peruvian Christmas tradition. To ring in holiday spirit, the group will eat a big dinner at 10 p.m. Christmas Eve in the hotel.

For Christmas, its always turkey, Paola added with a grin. Then at midnight, we will hug each other and say, Please dont be sad and Happy Christmas. 
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Sajid Javid has for the first time revealed the full details of his extraordinary row with Boris Johnson and ex-No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings which saw him ousted as chancellor.

The senior Tory lifted the lid on his bust-up with the then-prime minister in February 2020, when Mr Johnson demanded the chancellor sack all his Treasury advisers to stay in the job.

Knowing Mr Johnsons top adviser was the one pushing for senior Treasury staff to be sacked, the chancellor told the PM at a showdown meeting: Its either me or Cummings.

The PM chose Mr Cummings. Before storming out, Mr Javid told Mr Johnson: That guy  hes not going to be content until he burns the house down. Hes running rings around you.

The former chancellor shared the full details of the ruckus in the Crisis What Crisis? podcast with the Tory partys former communications boss Andy Coulson.

Mr Javid said infighting had left the Conservatives in a very depressing state. He also revealed the terrible scale of the racism he suffered growing up in the 1970s  which saw him attacked by skinheads and his parents shop vandalised.

The former cabinet minister  home secretary under Theresa May before becoming chancellor under Mr Johnson  suggested then-PM was taking his instructions from Mr Cummings when demanding he sack six Treasury special advisers in February 2020.

Johnson and then-chancellor Javid in 2019 (PA)

I reacted immediately, I said, I cant do that, Im not doing that These are like some of our best people, you just want me to fire them?, Mr Javid said.

And then [Mr Johnson] said, Saj, theyre only people. Dont worry about it.

Bizarrely, Mr Javid was then given 15 minutes to change his mind as Mr Johnson marched out of the room. The former chancellor said No 10 officials came in to tell him: This is all Cummings. Just do what hes saying because Cummings will be gone soon anyway.

But Mr Javid said he just couldnt do it despite being begged by Mr Johnson to change his mind, leading to his half-hearted demand for Mr Cummings exit and resignation the same day.

The former chancellor later patched things up with Mr Johnson  after the Tory leader had fallen out with Mr Cummings  and re-joined government as health secretary after Matt Hancockss exit in the summer of 2021.

He went on to play a key role in the PMs downfall when he resigned on the same morning as Rishi Sunak. Though Mr Javid, who stood for the Tory leadership, insists his exit was not co-ordinated with the man who would eventually become PM.

Mr Javid with Sunak and Johnson in September 2021 (PA)

The former banker said Mr Johnsons government was a massive missed opportunity, given the huge majority won in 2019, and blamed the former PM for listening to the wrong people.

On the partys current polling woes and internal squabbles on Rwanda and other major policies, Mr Javid said: I find the whole situation very depressing really, before offering a grim warning for the 2024 general election.

Were not helping ourselves with all this infighting, and the one thing I certainly learned during my 13, 14 years in parliament is that the public wont elect a disunited party, added the senior MP  who is standing down next year.

Mr Javid also discussed the racism that blighted his upbringing in Bristol in the 1970s and 1980s, revealing that he was regularly abused and attacked by National Front skinheads on his way to school.

I would have to avoid them because the times that I didnt avoid them I would get punched in the face, punched in the stomach, called P*** and all sorts of other things, he said.

His parents shop was regularly daubed with racist graffiti. We would wake up in the morning, go down to the shop and someone would have sprayed P*** bastard or something along the windows of the shop.

And then my poor mother  my dad would be ranting and raving and be really upset  my mother would be the sort of practical one and actually get out detergent and other things and she would be scrubbing it.

He added: I think things have improved a lot in our country since then. Its by no means sort of perfect when it comes to race relations, but it doesnt feel like that era anymore.

But Mr Javid suggested that his background was partly the reason senior people at tired old British banks turned him down for jobs at the end of 1980s.

The senior Tory, who went to work for Chase Manhattan Bank, credited Margaret Thatcher with the so-called Big Bang shake-up of the City which allowed US companies to play a bigger role.

For these businesses that you know, it was costly to be racist, he said. What really made money was getting the best talent in, regardless of their colour or their background. The American banks were much more meritocratic.
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Keir Starmer wants to follow Margaret Thatchers footsteps into No 10, but for now the Labour leader is echoing her symbolic gestures on the battlefield.

Sir Keir donned some striking combat fatigues on a visit to troops stationed in Estonia  the latest political figure to channel Thatcher and her iconic photo on top of a British tank.

The Labour leader raised eyebrows by posing in a camouflage jacket for widely-shared photographs at a Nato base on the eastern European border with Russia.

It recalls one of Thatchers most famous pictures, riding a tank at a British base in West Germany in 1986  a moment which help seal her image as the Iron Lady.

The nod to the Tory PM comes weeks after Starmer sparked a row with the Labour left by praising Thatcher and her achievement in unleashing Britains natural entrepreneurialism.

Margaret Thatcher riding a British tank in West Germany in 1986 (Getty Images)

He insisted he was no Thatcher fanboy and said he profoundly disagreed with some of her policies  but he continues to make gestures aimed at appearing prime ministerial in the eyes of traditional Tory voters.

Playing soldiers is not something politicians get to do very often, but the temptation to dress up in military gear is hard to resist when the opportunity comes along.

For some, such as former defence secretary Ben Wallace it has helped cement their reputation as fierce defender of Britains military. But when done heavy-handily, it can backfire.

Liz Truss, the former PM who spent only weeks at No 10, was mocked for pose on top of a Challenger 2 tank in battle gear during a visit to Estonia at the end of 2021.

Russian state TV ridiculed her effort to appear as the new Iron Lady and said she has a touch of bipolar about her.

Liz Truss tries to conjure up spirit of Thatcher during Estonia trip in 2021 (Simon Dawson/10 Downing Street)

Sir Keirs efforts to show solidarity with the British military caused much mirth on social media on Friday.

Political commentator Sam Freeman compared the photos to a ITV drama about a wrongly disgraced general given one last chance leading a poorly performing battalian.

Pundit Hugh Brechin compared the stern in the Estonia snow look to dystopian drama.

The year is 2030. the climate has collapsed. A polar Britain has descended into war. Forces loyal to Keir Starmer control approximately one third of the country: elsewhere, chaos reigns.

Sir Keir Starmer visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia (PA)

One comment piece in The Telegraph dubbed Starmer a disgrace for wearing military clothes  pointing out that Thatcher wore a rather fetching long white mac and matching headscarf for her famous tank photo in West Germany.

The newspapers columnist Ross Clark fumed: We know you who you are, Starmer: you are a lawyer, not a lance corporal. Stop trying to pretend you know one end of a bazooka from another.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace during a visit to Bovington Camp, a British Army military base in Dorset, to view Ukrainian soldiers training on Challenger 2 tanks (PA)

Starmer warned that Russia is a real and constant threat as he visited soldiers stationed in Estonia to stress his partys commitment to Nato and thank them for their service over Christmas.

Sir Keir said the UK and its allies need to be prepared, we need to deter in response to Moscows actions.

The Labour leader said: I think we have to be mindful of that threat from Russia to Europe, to ourselves in the UK and the interference that goes on.
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Labour MP Dawn Butler has vowed to report the Mumsnet website to the Metropolitan Police after she was swamped with criticism for her reaction to the Brianna Ghey trial verdict.

The left-wing backbencher said she would refer the online forum to Scotland Yard  suggesting it was responsible for vicious attacks after she suggested that the teenagers murder was linked to transphobia.

Transgender teen Brianna, 16, stabbed to death in village in Cheshire earlier this year by two teenagers convicted of her murder this week.

Ms Butler shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of Briannas father outside the court: This cruel government has created so much hate towards the trans community they should be ashamed, she added.

But many users on the platform pointed out to the Labour MP that police believe Brianna was not murdered by girl X and boy Y because she was transgender.

Among the torrent of flak directed at Ms Butler, some accused her of weaponising a personal tragedy and trying to score political points.

In response, Ms Butler tweeted: Oh I wondered where these nasty vicious inhumane people were coming from. Time for me to unfollow and report Mumsnet to @metpoliceuk.

Labour MP Dawn Butler said she was reporting Mumsnet to the police (PA Archive)

Mumsnet asked the Brent Central MP to contact them if she found posts that break the law, including hate speech. They added: If youve seen a post that you think falls into this category, please do report it.

Mumsnet founder Justine Robert denied the website was responsible for any of the attacks on Ms Butler. The chief executive said the site did not allow hate speech or deliberately inflammatory posts and has an active moderation team.

Its somewhat ironic that Ms Butler chose to post her attack on Mumsnet on X which regularly hosts comments that wouldnt last a moment on Mumsnet and where the moderation is light touch at best, said Ms Roberts.

She added: We see this kind of double standard a lot and Im beginning to wonder if it might be because Mumsnet is the only major platform dominated by womens voices.

In response to the reaction on X, Ms Butler tweeted on Friday: I can see the trans phobes are still frothing. Get a life! Be kinder, be nicer, be better! Its Christmas.

The gruesome murder of a Brianna Ghey in a public park prompted candlelit vigils worldwide protesting against perceived transphobia.

The court heard how boy Y used dehumanising language, talking about Brianna, referring to her as an it and referring to her as a tranny or femboy.

However, detectives believe Brianna was killed because she was vulnerable and accessible, with her death not a transphobic hate crime but done for enjoyment and a thirst for killing.

Meanwhile, a judge has ruled that the murderers will be named by the media when they are sentenced in the new year. Ms Justice Yip ordered the press can identify the teens responsible for the frenzied and ferocious attack.

Briannas mother Esther was praised by a judge for her fortitude and humanity after she called for empathy and compassion for the parents of her daughters killers.

The Independent has contacted Ms Butler and the Metropolitan Police for comment.
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A Labour MP suspended from the party for racially abusing a journalist went on to charge taxpayers for an anti-racism awareness course, The Independent can reveal.

Neil Coyle  who was welcomed back into the party by Sir Keir Starmer in May  put a 295 unconscious bias course on expenses.

Critics said it was outrageous and beyond the pale for the MP to bill taxpayers for his attempt to make amends, and he now faces calls for a fresh suspension.

Labour MP Kim Johnson said it was an outrage for Neil Coyle to charge the taxpayer in his attempt to atone for his racist and abusive behaviour, adding: It begs the question  is he committed to learning his lesson?

The left-winger called on Sir Keir to act against Mr Coyle. Given he is clearly not prepared to take responsibility for his actions, Labour should seriously reconsider removing the whip again.

Expensing his anti-racism training course, carried out in January 2023, has caused deep unease among Mr Coyles colleagues. Its not a good look  it doesnt show contrition, one senior Labour MP told The Independent.

They added: It looks like someone who has gone through the motions. There needs to be penance  and you have to foot the bill for the penance.

Neil Coyle was banned from bars inside the parliamentary estate after a drunken incident in which he made a racist remark toward a journalist (PA Wire)

Rachel Bentley, a Lib Dem councillor who will fight for Mr Coyles Bermondsey and Old Southwark seat at the next general election, said she could not imagine why he thought it was acceptable to expense the course.

It shouldnt be something that the taxpayers should be footing, she said. He has shown contrition, certainly publicly, and Im assuming taking that course was part of that. But absolutely, theres no logic for that being borne by the taxpayer.

Nazir Afzal, a former chief crown prosecutor, added: The whole point of being held accountable for racism is that you, not the taxpayer, gets the penalty. It stinks that Mr Coyle doesnt think it apples to him.

The original drunken incident  in which Mr Coyle made Sinophobic remarks about political reporter Henry Dyer  took place at a House of Commons bar on 1 February 2022, Chinese new year.

The journalist said the pair had been discussing Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP who received funds from a suspected Chinese spy, when Mr Coyle said his colleague had been paid by Fu Manchu  a cartoon villain that draws on traditional Chinese stereotypes.

The journalist said that told Mr Coyle that a reference to a Chinese trope was not appropriate and noted that he was British-Chinese.

The Labour politician then told him his heritage was apparent from how you look like youve been giving renminbi [Chinese currency] to Barry Gardiner.

As he left the bar that night, Mr Dyer said he wanted to defuse the tension with Mr Coyle, so waved him goodbye. He said the MP responded by sticking two fingers up at him.

Labour MP Kim Johnson has called on Keir Starmer to consider a fresh suspension (UK Parliament)

Mr Coyle was suspended that month. He took the anti-racism training course on 27 January this year and a few months later, in May, Sir Keir restored the whip.

The unconscious bias course, run by Equality and Diversity UK, promises to explain how we can overcome our unconscious biases to improve decision-making and professional relationships.

The six-hour course promises to help attendees understand how unconscious biases impact their working lives and to become more aware, less biased and more inclusive. Covered topics include the legal implications of bias in the workplace and case studies and examples of unconscious bias.

Mr Coyle told The Independent the course was for himself and a staff member, but Equality and Diversity UKs website states that the course is 295 per delegate.

Anyone who thinks all MPs are perfect and dont need any training is not living in the real world frankly, he said. I encourage my whole team to undergo training and would be a hypocrite if I didnt do it myself.

The Independent can also reveal Mr Coyle charged taxpayers 4,500 for 10 days worth of communications support from an external consultant  a rate of 164,250 per year.

The most MPs are allowed to pay staff according to expenses watchdog Ipsa is 56,312 per year.

Mr Coyle paid Paul Richards, who wrote a book called Be Your Own Spin Doctor, for the PR support between February and March 2023  weeks before he had the Labour whip restored.

The MP said the hugely expensive assistance was required because of delays in hiring full-time staff.

Neil Coyle also hired PR support before he had whip restored (PA)

A senior Conservative MP said putting the course on expenses was akin to asking parliament to pay a fine and its not appropriate. Another said it was tacky and in bad taste.

Another Tory source added: No matter how many times they try and tell us they are changed, its the same old Labour Party. Billing the taxpayer for correcting racism is beyond the pale, but sadly not surprising.

Urging Sir Keir to consider a fresh suspension, Ms Johnson said Labour should not tolerate such a flippant attitude towards racism.

The backbencher, a member of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on racism, added: Without urgent action, how are Black and Asian people in the Labour Party supposed to feel safe and supported?

Mr Coyle has stopped drinking since the Commons bar incident and, as a result, has said the exchange quite possibly saved my life.

I wish to specifically apologise to the two complainants who were subject to my drunk and offensive behaviour and attitude, he previously said. I cannot apologise enough for the harm and upset caused, and Im ashamed of my conduct, frankly. It should not have happened.

Chief whip Alan Campbell told the MP that drinking does not in any way excuse his behaviour but that the party recognises his efforts to address his problematic conduct.

An Ipsa spokesman said: Training courses for MPs or their staff which relate to parliamentary duties can be claimed from Ipsa as a business cost.

Labour declined to comment.
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Right-wing Tory MPs have attacked Rishi Sunak over the governments partial U-turn on new visa rules aimed at slashing levels of legal immigration.

The prime minister was accused of a regrettable sign of weakness amid a furious backlash over the rowing back on harsh new earning thresholds for dependents.

Tory ministers have watered down plans to hike the earning threshold Britons need to bring foreign family members to live in the UK to 38,700.

Instead, the government has confirmed plans to increase the threshold to only 29,000 in the spring  with a pledge to make a further increase later.

Mr Sunak revealed on Friday that the salary threshold for family visas will go up to 38,700 in early 2025  saying it will be done in two stages.

Ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick  who quit in fury at Mr Sunaks weak Rwanda deportation bill  led the angry reaction from rebellious hardliners to the delay.

A spokesperson for Mr Jenrick said the package of visa changes promised earlier this month needs to be implemented now, not long-grassed to the spring or watered down. More measures are needed, not less.

David Jones MP, deputy chair of the Tory Brexiteers European Research Group (ERG), said the government should have stuck to its guns.

The right-winger said the move was a regrettable sign of weakness  made worse by the fact that parliament was not sitting and therefore was unable to interrogate ministers.

James Cleverly announced a package of visa changes early in December (AFP via Getty)

Senior Tory Jonathan Gullis, another supporter of tighter migration controls, wrote on X: This decision is deeply disappointing and undermines our efforts.

And Miriam Cates, co-chair of the increasingly powerful New Conservatives group of backbenchers, said the partial U-turn does not bode well.

Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense Group, a close ally of sacked home secretary Suella Braverman, said the earnings threshold must rise to 38,700 quickly to give people certainty.

That needs to be done with speed so that people know where they stand, Mr Hayes told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Friday.

Home secretary James Cleverly announced in early December the family visa change increase from 18,600 to 38,700 as part of a package of measures to curb legal migration.

It came after official statistics put net migration at a record of 745,000  sparking howls of outrage from the Tory benches.

However, the move attracted criticism as it threatened to tear families apart, with many having their future in Britain thrown into doubt.

Rishi Sunak has vowed to cut legal migration and stop the boats (PA)

Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom confirmed the rowing back change to a new 29,000 in answer to a written parliamentary question on Thursday. The minister said the threshold would be increased in incremental stages to give predictability.

In a factsheet detailing its plans, the Home Office confirmed that changes to the family visa scheme would only apply to new applicants.

Anyone granted a fiancee visa before the minimum income threshold is raised will also be assessed against the 18,600 requirement when they apply for a family visa, rather than the new threshold.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper meanwhile said the change was more evidence of Tory government chaos on immigration and the economy.

She said: They failed to consult anyone on their new proposals and took no account of the impact of steep spousal visa changes on families next year, so its no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush.

The Liberal Democrats said the planned 38,700 threshold had always been unworkable. The partys home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging.

Robert Jenrick has warned visa changes should not be long-grassed (PA)

Reunite Families UK, a group campaigning against the visa changes, said the new 29,000 threshold was still very high and could cause huge disruption.

They said the new plan to raise the threshold gradually was baffling, saying: The process is already complicated enough without this too.

Unison and the National Care Forum have urged ministers to ditch any increase. The social care sector simply couldnt function without overseas staff.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak said his intention is to use a military base in his constituency to house refugees from Afghanistan, after it was reported he had scrapped plans for an asylum seeker facility on the site.

The PM said it was not right to suggest his constituency was different from any other. He said the Ministry of Defence and Home Office had concluded that Catterick isnt right for a large asylum site  but the intention is to use it to house refugees from Afghanistan.

Elsewhere, Mr Cleverly warned that he will fight tooth and nail against any MPs who try to kill the Rwanda deportation bill  as rebel Tories on both left and right plot to amend the legislation when it comes back in January.

The home secretary said he was open to little additional things to make it even better, but said the government would very robustly defend ourselves against attempts to make big changes.

Grilled on GB News on whether the government had found an airline willing to undertake the Rwanda flights, Mr Cleverly said the Home Office was not at the stage yet where we can have those commercial negotiations.

The cabinet minister could not give any timeline for the flights to take off. And he defended the money to both France and Rwanda in a bid to stop the boats, saying the defence of the realm does not come for free.
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The government has performed a partial climbdown on new visa rules critics claimed would tear couples and families apart.

The move was one of a raft of measures designed to slash the number of immigrants by 300,000 a year.

But ministers have postponed plans to allow only those earning 38,700 or above to bring their spouses to the UK.

Instead, the threshold will still rise sharply in the spring, but to a lower figure of 29,000.

The Liberal Democrats, who had dubbed the original plans the family breakup bill, accused the government of a half thought through idea.

But Rishi Sunak faced a backlash from Tory MPs who called the move deeply disappointing.

And a former Tory minister suggested No 10s plans had been vetoed by the Treasury. Ex-health minister Lord Bethell said: My children arent getting everything they asked for this [Christmas]. Seems its the same in Downing Street.

The crackdown was part of plans to cut net migration after it soared to nearly three-quarters of a million in 2022.

Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom confirmed in answer to a written parliamentary question that the threshold would be raised in the spring to 29,000.

James Cleverly insists net migration to the UK will drop (PA Wire)

The current level is 18,600, which means 75 per cent of the UKs workers meet the requirement.

If it was raised to 38,700 just 30 per cent would, Lord Sharpe also confirmed. No date was given for when the threshold would rise beyond 29,000.

James Cleverly, the home secretary, insisted the Home Office would still reduce net legal migration by 300,000 a year, saying the British people were rightly, frustrated and want to see action.

But Tory MP Jonathan Gullis said: This decision is deeply disappointing and undermines our efforts [to control migration].

Yvette Cooper MP, the shadow home secretary, said: This is more evidence of Tory government chaos on immigration and the economy.

On their watch, net migration has trebled as skills shortages have got worse and worse and they still have no proper plan to link the immigration system to training or workforce planning. They failed to consult anyone on their new proposals and took no account of the impact of steep spousal visa changes on families next year, so its no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush.

Ms Cooper said the government should seek advice on detailed policy changes from the migration advisory committee  experts on both immigration and the labour market.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: You have to wonder who is in charge at the Home Office, or if anyone is. It was clear to everyone else that the raising of the earnings threshold was unworkable. This was yet another half thought through idea to placate the hardliners on their own back benches.

James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging. Decisions like this should be made by experts and politicians working together. He should also publish the advice from the Treasury and OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility] about the impact that his package of changes will have on the economy.
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An American citizen who was taken hostage by Hamas during the 7 October attacks on Israel has died in captivity in Gaza, according to a group representing hostages families.

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US and Israeli dual national, was out for a walk with his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, in the Kibbutz Nir Oz where they lived that morning when Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israel, the Missing Persons Families Forum said.

The couple was reportedly shot at, with Gadi Haggai left critically injured.

Neither of them has been seen or heard from since.

The Israeli military told Haggais family members 10 days after the surprise attacks that the couple were among the hundreds of people being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, reported CTV News.

Then, on Friday, the Missing Persons Families Forum confirmed that Gadi Haggai had died.

His body is still being held in Gaza, the statement said.

Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh. A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life, the forum said in the statement.

Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old US and Israeli dual national, and his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, were both kidnapped on 7 October (Supplied)

We share in the profound grief of the Haggai family.

The details of how or when the 73-year-old died remain unclear but he is believed to be the first confirmed death of an American hostage held by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Ms Haggai is still being held captive in Gaza, the forum said.

The couples nephew previously spoke of the familys heartbreak at not knowing whether they were dead or alive.

Arad Haggai, who is based in the UK, told The Guardian in October about the last communication they had with their loved ones.

He said that the Haggais had gone for a walk at around 6.30am on the morning of 7 October.

They then sent a final text message to their children at around 6.50am, saying that they were under attack from rocket fire and they have to try to hide somewhere in the fields.

Around 15 minutes later, Ms Haggai managed to send a message to the kibbutz security saying that they had both been shot by Hamas militants on a motorbike.

While she was wounded, her husband was hit badly.

She tried to ask for help. But the kibbutz was already under heavy fire, and there is only one bullet-proof ambulance, and they couldnt move it because the terrorists set it on fire, Arad Haggai said.

Gadi Haggai was a retired chef and musician while Ms Haggai previously worked as an English teacher and puppeteer. They share four adult children.

Around 240 people were believed to have been taken captive when Hamas launched its surprise attacks on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people.

In the almost 11 weeks since, 110 hostages have been released.

On 20 October, an American mother and daughter, Judith and Natalie Raanan, were the first to be released.

Destroyed buildings along the Gaza strip (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Days later, two elderly Israeli women, Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifschitz, 85, were also freed.

Then, last month, major movement began in the release of hostages when the Israeli government reached a landmark deal with Hamas.

As part of a week-long truce  brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt  hostages were freed in exchange for a temporary pause on Israels offensive on Gaza to allow critical humanitarian aid trucks into the war-stricken area.

Most of the hostages released were women and children, many of them from the same kibbutz where the Haggais lived.

Four-year-old American-Israeli girl Abigail Edan was among the final hostages released.

While the little girl was reunited with family members, she was tragically left orphaned after her parents Roy Edan, 43, and Smadar Edan, 40, were among those slaughtered by Hamas.

Prior to the release of some of the hostages, President Joe Biden had been facing mounting pressure to bring American citizens home.

Meanwhile, he is also facing mounting pressure from progressive Democrats over the USs support for Israel as President Benjamin Netanyahus military continues to rain down on Gaza.

More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels retaliatory strikes on Gaza since the start of the war  amounting to almost 1 per cent of the territorys pre-war population  according to Gazas Health Ministry.
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Two Rhode Island men have been charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct by Foxborough Police in connection with the recent death of a fan at a New England Patriots game.

John Vieira, 59, and Justin Mitchell, 39, both of Warwick, R.I., were charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct earlier this month after investigators said they punched 53-year-old Dale Mooney, of Newmarket, New Hampshire.

Mooney was struck during an altercation at the Sept. 17 game, which ended in a 24-17 win by the visiting Miami Dolphins, investigators said. Mooney was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Criminal complaints filed earlier this month said both Vieira and Mitchell did assault and beat Dale Mooney." A lawyer for Mitchell did not immediately return a phone call. Court records didnt indicate an attorney for Vieira.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner provided preliminary indications that did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue, according to the district attorneys office. The cause and manner of death were undetermined at that time, pending further testing.

Final determinations delivered to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office ruled the manner of death a homicide. The cause of death has been ruled as probable cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during a physical altercation.

The review of the available evidence, including the autopsy results and multiple angles of video capturing the incident, failed to establish a basis for criminal prosecution of charges related to homicide in Mooneys death, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement Thursday.

We thank the members of the public who made their private videos of the altercation available for our review, and the investigators at the Foxborough Police Department, for their help in establishing a clear picture of these tragic events, Morrissey said.

Viera is scheduled for a court appearance on Jan. 19. Mitchell is due in court on Jan. 26.

Gillette Stadium officials said at the time that they were heartbroken by the death of Mooney, who they said was a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket holder.
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Prosecutors in Idaho are seeking a new trial date for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of breaking into an off-campus home in Moscow and stabbing four University of Idaho students to death.

In a new court filing on Thursday, Latah County prosecutors asked Judge John Judge to schedule the high-profile murder trial for summer 2024  in a bid to avoid times when university and high school students are in the swing of the academic year.

The State proposes that the Court schedule trial for the summer of 2024, and that the trial dates avoid times when Moscow High School and our area universities are in session, the filing states.

As the Court is aware, Moscow High School is directly adjacent to the courthouse premises and already the significantly increased amount of media and other vehicles related to this case has strained available parking as well as safety and convenience for pedestrians, including students.

No specific date was recommended in the court filing.

However, the University of Idahos spring commencement  which closes out the semester  is scheduled for 11 May 2024 and Moscow High Schools classes end in the first week of June.

In the filing, the state is also asking the judge to set deadlines for the prosecution and the defence to turn over all discovery in the case, to disclose any expert witnesses who will be called to testify at trial, and to file any pretrial motions including motions about the death penalty.

Deadlines for jury questionnaire proposals, jury instructions, proposed witnesses and any other matters are also being sought.

In calling for a trial date, prosecutors argue that former Washington State University (WSU) student Mr Kohberger has had enough time to offer up an alibi for the night of the murders and so the matter should be closed.

Back in August, the accused killer finally provided a vague alibi, claiming he was driving around late at night on 12 November and into the early hours of 13 November when the killings took place.

Bryan Kohberger enters a courtroom for a hearing in Moscow, Idaho, on 26 October (AP)

However, he admits that there are no witnesses to back up his version of events.

The trial is expected to last around six weeks, with the state requesting that trial days run from 8.30am to around 3pm each day to allow jurors time to see to their personal affairs.

Prosecutors are asking the judge to arrange a status conference so that the trial date can be scheduled.

Mr Kohbergers legal team has not yet responded to the filing.

His trial was originally due to start on 2 October 2024 but was delayed indefinitely in August when the accused killer abruptly waived his right to a speedy trial.

Last week, the judge threw out Mr Kohbergers second bid to have his indictment dismissed.

The 29-year-old is facing the death penalty over the brutal murders of the four University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

In the early hours of 13 November, he is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road, Moscow, and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (Ethan Smiles Foundation)

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together before their murders (Instagram)

For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named.

Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders.

Investigators said he was tied to the murders through his DNA found on a knife sheath left on the bed next to Mogens butchered body.

The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students  if any  prior to the murders. The murder weapon  a fixed-blade knife  has never been found.

As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman.

The student home pictured on 3 January 2023 in Moscow, Idaho (Getty Images)

He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest.

Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.

He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.

Now, the student home where the murders took place is scheduled for demolition next week  a decision that has divided the families of the victims.
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A British man was caught allegedly smuggling $4m worth of the drug ketamine through Detroit Metropolitan Airport, in suitcases which he claimed belonged to a family member.

The man was carrying 110 pounds of ketamine in travel bags, which was found after he was selected for a secondary inspection, the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office said on Wednesday.

The man touched down in Detroit on 13 December after flying to the US from France.

Large white crystals were found by an x-ray scan and a physical search of two large suitcases, which the man insisted to authorities were given to him by a family member.

He told the officers he was on his way to New Jersey to stay with his girlfriend for five days.

The drugs estimated to be worth $4m (US Customs and Border Protection)

"The fact that he had two large suitcases appeared excessive for the relatively short duration of his stay," a CBP spokesman told the Detroit Free Press.

Field tests found that the substance in the bags was ketamine, and the size of the load had a suspected street value of $4m.

CBP officers seized the ketamine and refused admission to the traveller into the country, sending him back to France.

It is unclear if the man was subject to charges in either country.

CBP officers seize an average of 2,895 pounds of dangerous drugs every day within air and sea ports.

Ketamine is a drug that is often used for short-term medical reasons, such as sedation or anaesthesia, but it is often abused for its dissociative sensations and hallucinations, the CBP said.
The Orchard Park Police Department is investigating an assault that occurred Sunday night outside Highmark Stadium following the end of the Buffalo Bills game.

The male victim was seriously injured in the assault, suffering broken bones, according to police.

The incident occurred near 3892 Abbott Road at around 7 p.m. as many people were walking back to their vehicles after the Bills defeated the Dallas Cowboys, police said.

The victims sister Hannah Lynn Hartzell told WGRZ Channel-2 she was told by a witness that three people jumped her brother, who after going through surgery at ECMC is now recovering at home.

"Praying we find who did this to my brother," Hartzell wrote on Facebook.

If anyone has information or witnessed this incident, police are asking that they call the department at 716-662-6444 or email mcgrawm@orchardparkny.org.

- Mike Petro
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Three Florida men have been accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of cooking oil from multiple restaurants.

Rui Lin, 49, Yunqui Chen, 35 and Zengyu Liu, 42, were all arrested for grand theft following multiple oil robberies throughout the Port Orange area, according to police.

Port Orange Police Department said in a statement that multiple restaurants had been broken into overnight and their cooking oil stolen  with 330 gallons stolen in total.

After one of the recent thefts, a corporate security officer for DAR PRO Solutions, a grease management company, began working with the Port Orange police to track down the suspects, according to an affidavit obtained by Fox35.

The night before the three men were arrested, the corporate security officer had followed two suspicious vehicles  one car and one box truck  spotted driving away from a location that had been the target of a previous theft.

He followed them to another location where he witnessed two men remove a hose from the box truck and use it to suck out around 150 gallons of cooking oil from a DAR PRO tank.

That night, the suspects allegedly pulled up at two other locations and stole oil totalling around $1,036 in value, the outlet reported.

The men were tracked down by a security officer who saw them stealing oil (Port Orange Police Department)

Police managed to intercept the vehicle in a traffic stop near a Target store on Dunlawton Avenue and took the three men into custody on Saturday.

Their large box truck  which is allegedly outfitted with a pump used to steal the oil  was also seized under the states Felony Forfeiture Act.

Mr Chen and Mr Liu allegedly told police that they were employees of Green Power and had been told to pick up the oil.

Yet, neither of them had work orders or documentation to back up the claims.

The men claimed they were employees of a company telling them to pick up the oil (Port Orange Police Department)

"When asked how he knew what oil to retrieve, (Mr Liu) advised his companys logo. Liu stated he was not sure how they obtained the location and could not provide further," the affidavit reads, according to the outlet.

Mr Lin reportedly would not speak to officers.

He is also suspected of being involved in another theft of over 7,000 pounds of cooking oil in Flagler County back in October 2022, police said.

Investigators now believe the trio may be part of a much larger organisation that has been responsible for stealing thousands of dollars worth of oil throughout the local area.

All three men have since been released from custody in Volusia County after posting $2,500 bond.
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Defence attorneys representing three Washington police officers on trial for the murder of a Black man have accused the victim of creating his own death.

Tacoma officers Matthew Collins, 40 and Christopher Burbank, 38 are facing second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the 3 March 2020 death of Manuel Ellis. A third officer, 34-year-old Timothy Rankine, is charged with manslaughter in the case.

Throughout the nine weeks of trial, jurors have heard from prosecutors that the officers knocked Ellis to the ground, punched and choked him and shot him with a taser as he walked home from a 7-Eleven. Before he was killed, Ellis whispered to the officers: Cant breathe, sir.

Closing arguments started on Monday, with the state arguing that Ellis would be alive today if the officers had done what most people would do if someone was struggling to breathe. Special prosecutor Patty Eakes said on Tuesday that the officers had chosen to treat [Ellis] like an animal, in the most dehumanizing position you can imagine.

The defendants attorneys have since made controversial characterisations of the circumstances surrounding Ellis death, directly blaming him for being paranoid and ultimately [causing] his own death.

This is a situation where he created his own death, defence attorney Wayne Fricke claimed during closing arguments on Wednesday, per CBS News. It was his behaviour that forced the officers to use force against him because he created a situation that required them to act.

A sign is displayed at a memorial in Tacoma, Washington, where Manuel Manny Ellis died (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Ellis cause and manner of death were ruled a homicide caused by lack of oxygen due to physical restraint. Ellis was on his stomach, with both his legs and arms tied and his body pressed against the concrete while the officers rested their weight on him, The News Tribune reports.

However, the defence has focused on methamphetamine levels present in Ellis body at the time of his death and an enlarged heart noted in the autopsy report.

The defence has said that Ellis was the aggressor and that he attacked the officers with super-human strength and eventually died of a drug overdose and a damaged heart. Witness testimony and video presented at the trial suggest otherwise.

Three witnesses said they saw the officers sitting in their patrol car as Ellis approached and walked to the passenger side. When Ellis turned to leave, Burbank threw open the door and knocked Ellis to the ground, according to the witnesses.

Prosecutors also played video recorded by the witnesses for the jury.

A woman walks past a mural honoring Ellis (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Burbank and Mr Collins gave their official statements before they knew there was audio and video of the encounter, Ms Eakes said. They claimed Ellis attacked them violently and relentlessly and didnt say a coherent word.

But you know thats not true, Ms Eakes told the jury. He did speak after he was pinned to the ground. He said he couldnt breathe, sir, politely and nicely.

When Mr Rankine showed up and pinned Ellis to the ground, even though he was in handcuffs, Ellis said he couldnt breathe three more times.

Mr Rankine responded by saying, If youre talking to me you can breathe just fine. After that, they put hobbles on Ellis ankles and connected them to his handcuffs.

The second-degree murder charges filed against Mr Burbank and Mr Collins, also called felony murder, mean a felony was being committed and someone died. In this case, the prosecution argues the officers committed the felony of unlawful imprisonment or assault.

Ms Eakes told the jury that they dont need to unanimously agree on which felony was committed to find the two officers guilty, only that Ellis died during the commission of a felony. They also have the option of manslaughter, which is the charge Mr Rankine faces.

Closing arguments continued on Wednesday. The prosecution is now expected to present a rebuttal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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Three Washington state police officers charged in the 2020 fatal shooting of Manuel Ellis have been acquitted on all charges following a gruelling two-month trial in which Ellis was blamed for his own death by the defence.

Officers Matthew Collins, 40 and Christopher Burbank, 38 were facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the 3 March 2020 death of Ellis, who was Black. A third officer, 34-year-old Timothy Rankine, faced charges of first-degree manslaughter.

During the trial, prosecutors told jurors how the officers knocked Ellis to the ground and punched, choked and shot him with a taser until he died. Before he was killed, Ellis whispered to the officers: Cant breathe, sir.

The trial was the first filed under Washingtons Initiative 940, a new and twice-amended police accountability law that allowed prosecutors to pursue murder charges without having to prove malice. The officers remained employed and on paid leave by the Tacoma Police Department and free on bail throughout the proceedings, The Seattle Times reports.

The officers and their families let out sighs of relief before they left the courtroom escorted by sheriffs deputies. Meanwhile, family members of Ellis in the courtroom audibly grasped and began crying as the acquittal was delivered, according to KING5.

I would just be careful, Judge Bryan Chushcoff said, per The Times. A lot of emotions are running high right now

A sign that reads Gone but not forgotten is shown on a cross displayed May 27, 2021, at a memorial (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued a statement thanking jurors and his legal team, also acknowledging the Ellis family.

I want to start by thanking the jury and court staff for their service, Mr Ferguson wrote on X. I also want to thank the members of my legal team for their extraordinary hard work and dedication. I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them.

Attorneys representing the defendants argued in court that Ellis was the aggressor and that he attacked the officers with super-human strength and eventually died of a drug overdose and a damaged heart. The defence also made controversial characterisations of the circumstances surrounding Elliss death, directly blaming him for being paranoid and ultimately [causing] his own death.

Elliss cause and manner of death were ruled a homicide caused by lack of oxygen due to physical restraint. Ellis was on his stomach, with both his legs and arms tied and his body pressed against the concrete while the officers rested their weight on him, The News Tribune reports.

Defendant Matthew Collins looks on as his attorney Jared Ausserer gives closing arguments during the trial (Brian Hayes / The News Tribune)

Defendant Timothy Rankine looks on as his attorney Mark Conrad gives closing arguments (Brian Hayes / The News Tribune)

The defence had focused on methamphetamine levels present in Elliss body at the time of his death and an enlarged heart noted in the autopsy report.

Three witnesses said they saw the officers sitting in their patrol car as Ellis approached and walked to the passenger side. When Ellis turned to leave, Burbank threw open the door and knocked Ellis to the ground, according to the witnesses.

Prosecutors also played video recorded by the witnesses for the jury.

Mr Burbank and Mr Collins gave their official statements before they knew there was audio and video of the encounter, Ms Eakes said. They claimed Ellis attacked them violently and relentlessly and didnt say a coherent word.

But you know thats not true, Ms Eakes told the jury. He did speak after he was pinned to the ground. He said he couldnt breathe, sir, politely and nicely.

When Mr Rankine showed up and pinned Ellis to the ground, even though he was in handcuffs, Ellis said he couldnt breathe three more times.

Mr Rankine responded by saying, If youre talking to me you can breathe just fine. After that, they put hobbles on Elliss ankles and connected them to his handcuffs.
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A grand jury has indicted an Austin Police Department officer in connection with the fatal shooting of a man holding a gun on his own porch.

The incident occurred on 15 November 2022 when Officers responded to a 911 call claiming that a resident in a suburban neighbourhood was spotted pointing a gun down the street and shooting into his home.

When officers arrived at the scene, they observed Rajan Raj Moonesinghe, 33, in a grey robe with a firearm.

He was fatally wounded by Officer Daniel Sanchez as officials ordered him to drop the weapon, his family has said, adding that the man had just returned from a family trip and believed someone had broken into his home.

The officer has been charged with one count of deadly conduct, a third-degree felony.

On Wednesday, the Austin Police Department Interim Chief Robin Henderson issued a statement saying theyd continue to support Officer Sanchez as the process moves forward. He is currently on paid administrative leave.

Rajan Moonesinghe,33, was fatally wounded by an Austin Police Department official last year (Justice4Raj)

Officer Sanchez was confronted with a subject who fired a rifle indiscriminately in a densely populated neighbourhood, the statement read. Officer Sanchez responded to that threat consistent with his training.

Speaking at a news conference following the indictment, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said he was disappointed by Chief Hendersons statement.

It is an inaccurate statement of the facts of this case, Garza said. But what is more troubling is that the statement reflects an alarming disregard for the rule of law for our criminal justice system.

No one is above the law in Travis County.

Ruth Moonesinghe, the dead mans mother, also spoke at the news conference.

There is more work to be done, the woman said, calling on officials to bring additional charges against the officer. We want to make sure that other families dont have to suffer the pain that ours has.
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Police officers who arrived on the scene during the deadly mass shooting at the University of Nevada mistook the gunman as a bystander and shouted at him to get out of the building, body camera footage reveals.

Hiding within more than five hours worth of body camera footage from 6 December, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police found they caught the gunman on camera, with police even urging him to get out of the building, without knowing he was the person who killed three professors and wounded one person.

The footage shows two LVMP officers with their weapons drawn as they climbed the stairs to a second-floor walkway, with a view to the ground floor in the business school building at the Univesity of Nevada.

The shooter, who has now been identified as 67-year-old Anthony Polito, was wearing a long black trench coat and was seen walking coolly through the building for a few split seconds.

The camera pans to Polito, who looks up at the officers, with one shouting, Get out! Get out! at him.

The officers body camera turns around the other way for a few seconds before turning back to show that the trench coat figure has disappeared.

Polito was caught on camera, unbenknownst to the officers he was the gunman (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

In the footage, you could only see one of his hands, and there was no indication he was holding a gun at the time.

Clark County Undersheriff Andrew Walsh told The Associated Press on Thursday that it appears the two officers had no idea they had encountered the gunman inside the building.

They dont have a description of the shooter at the time, and they know there are other police resources on the first floor, he said.

Around a minute after this footage had been taken, Polito exited the business school building and was killed in a shootout with university police officers, authorities said.

After he appeared on camera, he vanished a few seconds later (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Other body camera footage from the day of the shootings shows Polito in his black trenchcoat with his weapon in hand and university police officers diving behind a patrol car.

Sheriff Kevin MacMahill said at the time this previous footage was released, that the university officers, like the metropolitan police, didnt know they had encountered the suspected killer.

Antony Polito has been identified as the gunman (Antony Polito website)

Polito had killed three University of Nevada professors on campus, Naoko Takemaru, 69, Cha Jen Jerry Chang, 64 and Patricia Navarro Velez, 39.

Another person was also wounded, a 38-year-old unidentified visiting professor, but is now in a stable condition.

The gunman was a career college professor who had applied for a job at the school but was rejected sometime before he undertook the deadly shooting.

Emergency responders respond at the UNLV campus after a shooting on 6 December 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Getty Images)

However, this is not a confirmed motive for the shootings, but Mr MacMahill added at a press conference earlier this month that he was struggling financially.

Polito also had a list of people he was seeking on a university campus, as well as faculty from Eastern Carolina University, but police said they have contacted all people on the list to make sure they are okay.

Police said that more body camera footage will be released over the coming weeks.
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The widow of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been granted political asylum in the US over five years after her husband was murdered in Istanbul by Saudi government operatives.

Speaking to The Post about a letter she received informing her of the decision, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi said: I couldnt really believe it. I said Is this real? I couldnt digest it.

The decision shows there is one victim who is still alive, she added.

The couple married in Northern Virginia in 2018 but, at the time of Khashoggis death that October, he was reportedly arranging to marry another woman, Hatice Cengiz.

On the day of his death, Khashoggi had gone to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain a document requested by her father confirming that he was not married in Saudi Arabia. He didnt leave the consulate alive.

US intelligence later determined that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggis death  a revelation that caused a rift in US-Saudi relations.

The Crown Prince viewed Khashoggi as a threat to the Kingdom and broadly supported using violent measures if necessary to silence him, the intelligence report stated.

The Washington Post columnist had been a staunch critic of the Saudi regime and advocated for freedom of expression and democratic reform.

Around 2018, Saudi officials warned him not to return to the kingdom, causing him to settle in Virginia.

Hanan El-Atr and Jamal Khashoggi married four months before his murder (Hanan El-Atr)

Following his murder, Ms Elatr Khashoggi applied for US asylum, saying that Egypt had detained and mistreated her family and confiscated their passports because of her relationship with the columnist.

Four months before his death, she said the UAE also detained and interrogated her and put military-grade spyware on her confiscated photos.

In a written statement following the asylum decision, US Representative Don Beyer said: Hanan Khashoggi has the clearest case for political asylum imaginable, and I am happy that I could help her get this vital protection.

After all that she and her family have been through, it is good to see them granted this recognition and measure of security that will come with it, the Democrat from Virginia said.

I will continue to support Mrs Khashoggi as she seeks accountability for her husbands murder, a terrible injustice which I will not forget.
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A woman connected to Jeffrey Epstein has claimed she faces risks of physical harm if she is identified, as 170 associates of the late sex trafficker are due to be named in the new year.

The woman told New York Judge Loretta Preska that she lives in a culturally conservative country outside the US and fears that being identified would lead to threats on her life, according to court records.

The woman, identified in court documents as Doe 107, was asked by Judge Preska in October to provide an affidavit backing up her claims that her life was at risk and to provide any hate mail she had received.

This week, her lawyer Richard Levitt asked the judge for an extra 30 days to provide the evidence requested, and sought clarification on what records related to his client would be released as part of the upcoming release of information.

The identities of scores of individuals due for release are contained in a defamation lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre against convicted child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein appears in court, July 30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida (AP)

Ms Giuffre filed the defamation case in 2015 after Maxwell called her a liar over her claims that she had been sexually abused as a minor.

The Miami Herald, whose investigation into Epstein led to his arrest in 2019, then sued for the release of all documents related to the lawsuit.

On Monday, Judge Preska issued a 51-page ruling ordering the names of Epsteins associates to be unsealed in full.

The federal judge also ordered that several of Epstein victims named in the documents should remain anonymous, as releasing their identities would disclose sensitive information regarding an alleged minor victim of sexual abuse who has not spoken publicly.

Virginia Giuffre has welcomed the release of more than 170 names linked to Epstein (PA Media)

Judge Preska gave the John and Jane Does 14 days to respond before materials connected to the now-settled civil case are released in the new year.

Ms Giuffre welcomed the released, writing on X: Theres going to be a lot of nervous people over Christmas and New Years, 170 to be exact, whos on the naughty list?

The defamation case was settled in 2017 and placed under a protective seal. It formed part of a criminal investigation that led to Maxwell being convicted of child sex trafficking in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Maxwells attorneys had fought for the names to remain private, before lifting their objection in early 2022.

The batch of documents will shed more light on Epsteins decades-long sex trafficking and abuse network, and is likely to include emails, depositions and other legal documents.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in 2019. Since then, his estate has been embroiled in lawsuits with JP Morgan, the US Virgin Islands and dozens of victims.
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Californias attorney general will not pursue charges against a police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Vallejo Police Department officer Jarrett Tonn killed 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa in June 2020 after he responded to reports of suspects stealing from a Walgreens store. At the time of Moterrosas shooting, civil unrest swept across the country following George Floyds killing just a week earlier in Minneapolis.

Mr Tonn fired a rifle five times through the windshield of his patrol pickup, hitting Monterrosa once in the head as he kneeled. In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement claimed that they initially thought Monterrosa was carrying a handgun in his waistband.

A hammer was later found in the pocket of a sweatshirt Monterrosa was wearing.

On Tuesday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement saying that a DoJ investigation found there was not enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Tonn was not acting in defence of himself or his fellow officers when he fired the shot that killed Monterrosa.

Sean Monterrosas life mattered and there is nothing that can make up for his death. His loss is and will continue to be felt by his family and the Bay Area community, Mr Bonta said.

Sean Monterrosa was killed on 2 June 2020, just a week after George Floyds killing in Minneapolis (GoFundMe)

Monterrosas sister Michelle told The Associated Press that she had found the decision not to charge Mr Tonn frustrating.

Its just really disappointing that we see people put their political careers ahead of actually doing what they need to do to bring justice to our loved ones, she said.

Mr Tonn opened fire from the backseat of a moving vehicle that carried two other officers. The windshield of the patrol pickup truck, considered a key piece of evidence in the case, was destroyed, leading city officials to seek a criminal investigation into how that happened.

Mr Bonta, who took the case in 2021 after Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams recused herself, claimed that the officers who replaced the windshield were not involved in the shooting and did not act with criminal intent.

Vallejo Police Department officer Jarrett Tonn opened fire from the backseat of a moving vehicle that carried two other officers (City of Vallejo Police Department)

Mr Tonn was fired by the police department last year after an independent third-party investigation determined he violated several department policies, including using deadly force that was not objectively reasonable, failing to de-escalate the situation, and failing to activate his body-worn camera in a timely manner.

However, he was reinstated earlier this year after appealing the decision, KCRA reports.

In recent years, the Vallejo Police Department has come under repeated criticism. In 2019, a 20-year-old man was killed after he fell asleep with a gun in his lap in his car at a Taco Bell drive-thru and six Vallejo officers fired 55 shots.

The month after Monterrosas killing, then-Police Chief Shawny Williams started an independent investigation after two people in the department said officers had their badges bent to mark on-duty killings.
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A Texas family is searching for their teen daughter who went missing after school drop-off one week ago.

Kate Mathews, 15, has not been seen since her father dropped her off at Anderson High School in Austin on 14 December.

Police in the city say that at this point the youngster has been classified as a runaway and not a missing person, reported Fox 7 Austin.

It wasnt until that afternoon when I came to pick her up that she did not come out of school, said Kates father, Chase Mathews.

I then went inside, and they told me she had not been to class all day.

The teenager is described as being 5ft4 in height and weighing 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Kate Mathews, 15, has not been seen since her father dropped her off at Anderson High School in Austin on 14 December. (FOX7)

The family believes that their daughter may be with her boyfriend, and has worked with multiple law enforcement agencies and a private investigator to try and locate her.

Its been an absolute nightmare, said Kates mother, Maxine Barney. Its been heart-wrenching for all of our family. Its literally hurting our family. And we just want our child back.

Anyone with information can contact APD at 512-974-2000.
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Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican representative, encouraged people to wear a mask when theyre in the presence of former president Donald Trump due to his apparent odor.

Mr Kinzinger, a vocal critic of Mr Trump, took to his Twitter account this week to insinuate that the former president possesses a strong smell.

Im genuinely surprised how people close to Trump havent talked about the odor, Mr Kinzinger wrote earlier this week.

Its truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can, he added.

The accusation garnered a lot of attention on the platform, with many mocking the former president for his alleged smell.

When reached for comment about the accusation, a spokesperson for Mr Trump returned the insult to Mr Kinzinger.

Adam Kinzinger farted on live TV and is an unemployed fraud, the spokesperson said in a statement provided to The Independent.

He has disgraced his country and disrespects everyone around him because he is a sad individual who is mad about how his miserable life has turned out.

Mr Kinzinger did not describe what the former president smelled like. But critics of Mr Trump have mentioned the former president has a distinct smell.

In an interview with Mary Trump, the niece of Mr Trump, earlier this year, comedian Kathy Griffin recalled that the former president smelled like body odor with kind of like scented makeup products.

Donald has a distinct smell that doesnt get enough press, Ms Griffin said on The Mary Trump Show.

Ms Griffin spent a brief time with Mr Trump while appearing as a guest on The Apprentice.

Mr Kinzinger worked adjacent Mr Trump while serving in the House of Representatives during the former presidents term, though he never supported Mr Trump.

After the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Mr Kinzinger took a more aggressive opposition approach to the former president, joining his colleague Liz Cheney on the House Select Committee to investigate January 6.

In 2021, Mr Kinzinger left Congress and became a senior political commentator at CNN.
The ferocity and duration of last years historic blizzard presented monumental challenges to Western New Yorks hospitals.

Many hospital staff members were stuck at work for days once mandates came down for them to remain on-site. They slept when and where they could.

Bringing in staff reinforcements was nearly impossible; the agencies with vehicles capable of traversing the weather conditions were busy trying to save lives during the storm. Some residents, freezing and in search of shelter, descended upon hospitals for survival.

By the end of the blizzard, many hospitals were scraping by on food, with some reliant on community donations from grocers and restaurants. Clean linens were hard to come by.

It was difficult, to say the least, said Emilee Matthews, an emergency room nurse at Erie County Medical Center who was there for roughly 96 hours during the blizzard. Her first night at work during the storm, she slept on a table.

Hospital and union leaders acknowledge some procedures worked and some didnt during last years blizzard. A post-blizzard report from the Erie County Department of Health noted hospitals and health care centers should review and revise their emergency plans and how they interact with staffing, supplies and shelter for patients, staff and families.

The regions hospitals said they have done that and are better prepared to weather the next generational storm or major emergency that hits Western New York.

For instance, Kaleida Health stocked up food, linens and sleeping equipment. Both Kaleida and Catholic Health System formed employee response teams, with Catholic Health reaching out to hospitals in Florida to gather intel about how they prepare for impending hurricanes.

ECMC, meanwhile, bolstered its food distribution processes so its better prepared should another blizzard arrive that forces area residents to seek shelter at the hospital.

Erie County blizzard reports released, raising concerns about 'overwhelmed' 858-SNOW help line The analysis reports, created by department heads, recount how administrators struggled to meet public needs in the face of overwhelming demands during the Christmas week blizzard.

Jim Scordato, vice president of the Western New York hospital division for 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said the union this fall worked on agreements with Kaleida and Catholic Health. Both agreements, he said, have a lot of similarities, including employee response teams that get activated when a storm or emergency occurs. In addition, Scordato said the agreements allow for tweaks to be made as needed in the future.

Both employers were ready, willing and able to sit with us and work something out to where we dont get into the problems and issues that happened in the big storm last year, he said.

While policies were in need of improvement, the hospitals lauded employees for their efforts last year when heartwarming stories emerged amid a tragic and deadly storm.

Kaleida called attention to how employees at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital were able to access the gift shop on Christmas morning to ensure patients would have a present. And after a patient  with a dying battery for a left ventricular assist device  got stuck on the way to Buffalo General Medical Center, staff was able to locate a new battery and get it to the patient.

Amid the chaos, Matthews at ECMC said employees came together to provide the best care they could, under the circumstances, to patients, family members and those who had sought shelter in the hospital.

We really did do the best that we could, she said.

Kaleida Health stocks up

Natural light struggles to peek through this seventh-floor storage room at Buffalo General Medical Center, its windows partially blocked by boxes stacked upon pallets  some loaded four or five tiers high.

Inside the boxes are items such as foldable cots, single-use sheet sets, air mattresses, hygiene kits and scrubs.

All the supplies are ready to be quickly deployed if and when the next storm hits.

Will we have another generational blizzard? Who knows, Kaleida Chief Administrative Officer Michael Hughes said. But we always want to be prepared.

In the weeks following the blizzard last year, Hughes said Kaleidas leadership team fanned out across the systems sites, listening to staff feedback on what went well and what needed improvement. Following those discussions, and talks with the unions that represent its workers, Kaleida made a number of changes.

Ryan Hejmanowski, Kaleidas corporate emergency manager, said that included purchasing an additional 48 hours worth of linen across the system at all sites.

That was something that we did have a challenge with during the storm, he said. It wasnt something that came to a critical point, but it was challenging.

In addition, Hejmanowski said Kaleida has identified additional sleeping locations throughout the system and increased significantly its inventory of sleep equipment.

Further, Kaleida developed a plan with its food vendor to deploy additional food stocks  at least 96 hours worth, he said  before an anticipated storm.

Kaleida also built staffing resiliency plans, Hejmanowski said. That included creating management teams that will report to each of the health systems sites as needed during a weather emergency.

Further, Kaleida worked with labor unions to develop employee teams who have chosen to be on a response team that would deploy early to sites on a green-grass, blue-sky day, said Timothy Kornacki, the health systems director of regulatory affairs and emergency management oversight.

What we werent prepared for was the sheer inability to move any staff in or out, to bring in fresh resources, Kornacki said of last years blizzard.

Thats why so many of Kaleidas updated processes are now focused on getting staff in place as early as possible.

We realized, and this storm was really the catalyst for that, that there has to be a better way and thats trying to get people and assets in early, Kornacki said.

Catholic Health builds response team

Catholic Health did a post-blizzard review that included soliciting feedback from employees.

We needed to hear from the people who experienced the event in different ways than what our leadership did, said Laura Dewey, the health systems director of emergency management and safety.

Catholic Health received hundreds of comments. Some were brutal, to be honest, but Dewey said she read every one.

'Unlike anything that I've ever seen': How Buffalo's health care workers made it through the blizzard Across Western New York, health care workers have stories to tell. Those who worked stayed as mandates came down for staff to remain on site. They juggled multiple jobs. They slept in outpatient areas or departments that weren't in use. They also welcomed residents inside hospitals who were seeking shelter.

Several employees mentioned being part of hurricane teams at prior roles in the south. So Catholic Health did research and made connections with three facilities in Florida.

While there are nuances between a blizzard and hurricane response, Dewey said the system started planning how it could apply a similar concept in Western New York.

That led to the Catholic Health Emergency Response Team, which Dewey said took months of planning  in conjunction with labor unions  before it launched this fall. Its a multidisciplinary, systemwide team that can deploy to any emergency event, whether thats a blizzard or a mass casualty incident.

As of late November, Dewey said more than 300 employees had enrolled in the team with more people joining every day.

When they enroll, Dewey said employees have the option to share any special skills they have. Dewey said she recalled a surgical tech saying they had plumbing skills, a cook saying they knew how to drive a plow and a nurse who simply said they could outwork anyone.

These are your everyday people who are running these hospitals or long-term care facilities, and theyre volunteering to step up and say that theyre willing to deploy ahead of an event like a snowstorm, Dewey said.

Dewey said she feels like the team gives Catholic Health the best chance for success whenever the next emergency occurs. From there, it will be about continuing to make improvements.

Were not naive to the fact that were going to have some bumps, and were going to kind of learn and grow from that, she said.

ECMC improves food distribution

Another challenge for Western New York hospitals was the number of residents who, with no power at home and nowhere else to go, sought shelter and warmth from the blizzard.

By Christmas Day last year, ECMC had about 150 civilians inside its hospital.

They saw the lights on at ECMC, and they knew that when they got to our door, we always welcome in, said Charlene Ludlow, senior vice president of nursing at ECMC. And we were really trying to accommodate all of them. But again, we were not prepared for that many people coming in from the community.

While Ludlow said improvements have been made in the availability and resources of community centers, ECMC also is preparing in case it could again get an influx of citizens during a similar future storm.

ECMC staff who rescued civilians during blizzard honored at Buffalo Bills game Four ECMC staff members  Bridgett Henry, Jillian Piniewski, Colin Morrissey and Dr. Ercan Sozen  were honored during Sunday's Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots game in Orchard Park for their efforts in the rescue of three civilians on Christmas Eve during the blizzard.

For instance, she said ECMC has always had at least a three-day supply of food on hand.

But we really didnt have great distribution systems, because what we anticipated was just feeding the patients, Ludlow said. But now we have processes for how were going to feed the staff, how were going to feed the patients, as well as how to feed the people that came in from the community.

In addition, Ludlow said ECMC has increased its on-site stock of linens, IV fluids and pharmacy supplies.

ECMC also sent a winter-preparedness newsletter to its nearly 4,000 employees in October.

That document encouraged employees to keep a personal go-bag that includes at least one complete change of clothes; at least three days worth of personal medications; personal care products such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant; and a sleeping bag or air mattress.
 Close Donald Trump jokes about Chris Christie being his running mate

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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.
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A New Hampshire man has been indicted for allegedly threatening to kill three presidential candidates.

Tyler Anderson, 30, allegedly threatened the three candidates in a string of violent text messages between November and December, say federal prosecutors.

The presidential candidates allegedly targeted by Mr Anderson are not named in the charging documents.

But a spokesperson for Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has previously told CNN the entrepreneur has been a target of threats.

The Department of Justice says that the suspect threatened to impale and disembowel one candidate, blow the head of a second, and blow the brains out of the third candidate.

He is also accused of threatening to kill everyone at a campaign event.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy gestures as he speaks during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on 6 December (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Anderson is charged with three counts of transmitting an interstate threat.

He was arrested on 9 December and made an initial appearance in federal court on 11 December. He was released from custody on 14 December.

If convicted he faces a maximum of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge.

We have seen an increase in threats of violence against public officials and those seeking public office across the country, and I have made clear that these types of illegal threats undermine the function of our democracy, said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

We will not tolerate illegal threats of violence directed at public officials or those seeking public office.
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The US Supreme Court has declined to weigh in on Donald Trumps presidential immunity defence until an appeals court reviews the case.

The refusal on Friday from the nations highest court follows a request from special counsel Jack Smith to make a swift and definitive ruling on whether the former president can claim immunity from prosecution for crimes allegedly committed while in office.

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the immunity defence on 9 January.

A federal grand jury indictment charges Mr Trump for his alleged attempts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, including his failure to stop a mob of his supporters from breaking into the US Capitol to stop the certification of the results on January 6.

The federal judge overseeing the case has rejected Mr Trumps arguments, and Mr Trump has vowed to appeal.

The Supreme Courts response tells the parties that the justices wont get involved in the case, for now. The justices did not cite a reason for the decision.

The question is among several that could be facing the high court involving Mr Trumps growing legal problems, which include four criminal prosecutions and lawsuits that threaten his business and campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

His campaign has vowed to go to the Supreme Court to fight a Colorado ruling that bars him from appearing on the states 2024 ballots under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits candidates who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office.

On Wednesday, Mr Trumps attorneys told the Supreme Court to reject the special counsels request and accused prosecutors of trying to bypass their appeal.

His attorneys argued that the special counsel identifies no compelling reason for the extraordinary haste he proposes.

This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy  whether a president may be criminally prosecuted for his official acts, they wrote. The paramount public importance of that question  calls for it to be resolved in a cautious, deliberative manner  not at breakneck speed.

The former presidents attorneys also suggested that the special counsel has a partisan interest to keep Mr Trump restrained by his criminal prosecutions during the 2024 election.

A filing from Mr Smith argued there remains public interest in the case for a timely resolution on the immunity question, as the charges that Mr Trump faces are of the utmost gravity.

This case involves  for the first time in our nations history  criminal charges against a former president based on his actions while in office, lawyers with Mr Smiths office wrote.

[Mr Trump] stands accused of serious crimes because the grand jury followed the facts and applied the law, they added. The government seeks this courts resolution of the immunity claim so that those charges may be promptly resolved, whatever the result.

But multiple delays in the federal election interference case  which is scheduled to go to trial in March 2024  could prevent it from moving forward until after the presidential election. Should Mr Trump win the election, he has suggested he would order the US Department of Justice to shut it down.

If the appeals court rejects his immunity claim, the question could land right back at the Supreme Court within a matter of weeks.

But how quickly the appeals court makes a decision after hearing oral arguments in early January will determine how consequential the Supreme Courts decision to turn away the special counsels request may prove to be to the case as the 2024 presidential election approaches.

The appeals court panel that will hear the immunity question includes two Joe Biden appointees and one appointee of George HW Bush.
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A 63-year-old woman has died and two others have been injured after a huge Christmas tree fell over during Storm Pia.

Security camera footage shows a brightly-lit, 65ft high tree slowly leaning over before collapsing next to a Christmas market in the Belgian city of Oudenaarde. The tragedy unfolded in the historic town square around 7pm on Thursday night.

Storm Pia, which led to travel chaos in the UK as flights and trains were cancelled due to 80mph winds, hit western Belgium on Thursday.

The 65ft Christmas tree collapsed next to a Christmas market in the historic town square (Koen Godderis)

The Christmas tree has now been removed from the festive market as local police open an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

There had already been problems with the stability of the Christmas tree, which was crooked and had to be fixed by authorities, according to local Belgian media.

Oudenaarde Mayor Marnic De Meulemeester told VRT news: We have decided to close the Christmas market and the winter village completely, out of respect for the family.

The tree was firm, but unexpectedly very heavy rain and a local gust of wind with wind force 6 arose. As a result, the tree was overthrown near a Christmas market where a lot of people were present.

Authorities clean up the site of the incident (vrtNews)

An eyewitness told local media the citys technical services were called ten minutes before the tree fell down, after it was seen swaying in the wind.

The tree came down. We had seen that there were three people under the tree. Twenty people helped lift up the tree to save the people from under it, the eyewitness added.

A spokesman for the Oost-Vlaanderen province prosecutor said the victim was 63-year old woman from Oudenaarde. Two women from the same town were lightly injured in the incident.

The investigation will focus on whether the tree had been properly secured and will also look at the impact of the weather, he said.
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The first victim of a mass shooting in central Prague has been named, with 14 people killed by a gunman who opened fire at the prestigious Charles University.

Among those killed was Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology at the universitys Faculty of Arts, gunned down on Thursday afternoon by student David Kozak.

We express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved, especially to the family, a faculty spokesperson said. Its extremely cruel news for all of us. Lets stay supporting each other, they said.

Lenka Hlavkova has been confirmed as one of the victims (Supplied)

During the gun rampage, 14 people were killed by the gunman before he then took his own life after realising he was surrounded by armed police.

Identified as a 24-year-old student, Kozak had been studying for a masters degree in world history at the university and had no previous criminal record.

Police were alerted to the unfolding scenario at 12.26pm after a woman informed them that she had received a suicidal text message from her friend, and that he was no longer answering his phone.

David Kozak has been identified as the lone gunman (Czech Police)

After officers arrived at a property in Houston, they discovered his fathers body and a number of weapons and it was established that Kozak was travelling to Prague to attend a lecture at 2pm.

A national search was declared at 1.15pm, and at 2.22pm, a building at the university was evacuated by armed police. However, just half an hour later, they received reports that gunshots had been fired at the nearby Jan Palach Square.

Moment armed police storm Prague university after shooting captured in bodycam footage (Police of the Czech Republic)

Over the course of 20 minutes, 13 people were killed with 25 others injured, including three foreign nationals - one from the Netherlands and two from the UAE.

Students were forced to barricade themselves into classrooms while others climbed out on window ledges and balanced precariously in a bid to save their lives.

After being cornered on the roof, Kozak inflicted devastating injuries upon himself, with police stating that they had no evidence to suggest he had any accomplices.

Since the spring, Kozak had accrued an armoury of seven, legally registered weapons, including a submachine gun, a shotgun and an automatic pistol.

It has since emerged that he is believed to be responsible for the murders of a 32-year-old man and his two-month-old baby daughter last week. The two were killed in a woodland area in the Klanovicky forest, with Kovak narrowed down onto the list of suspects.
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A gunman has killed 14 people in a university building in Prague on Thursday, police confirmed.

Czech police raced to a shooting at Jan Palach Square in the city centre shortly after 3pm, later adding the gunmans body had also been found in the area.

Images and videos on social media show crowds of people fleeing the scene. One chilling picture shows eight students perched on a ledge high up on the faculty in an apparent bid to hide from the gunman.

Authorities have confirmed that the suspected killer was a student at the university but withheld his identity when speaking press on Thursday afternoon.

A further 25 people were also injured, 10 of them seriously, Pragues Police Chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters.

Heres everything we know about the shooting and suspected gunman so far:

Police said they were still searching the area on Thursday afternoon, including the balcony, for possible explosives. (AFP via Getty Images)

What has happened?

Czech police said shortly after 3pm that they were responding to a shooting at Charles Universitys faculty of arts building in Jan Palach Square, central Prague.

An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to stay put.

Images and videos on social media show crowds of people running from the square and another appears to show students hiding on a ledge from the gunman - who was also pictured on the balcony of the building.

Images and videos on social media shows eight students perched on a ledge to hide from the gunman (Instagram)

The square was sealed off with people urged to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside.

What do we know about the suspect?

Czech Police confirmed that the suspected gunman was a student at the university when he opened fire on his classmates.

His motives are not yet known and he has not been linked to any extremist ideology.

Authorities - who discovered a large arsenal of weapons at a downtown Prague Charles University building - were tipped off earlier in the day the man was likely heading to Prague from his town in the Kladno region outside the capital with intentions of taking his own life.

Shortly after that, the shooters father was found dead.

Police are working on the theory that the gunman was responsible for the deaths of two people last week in the Klanovicky forest near Prague, officers say.

Czech media reported a 32-year-old man and his two-month-old daughter were killed and police believe the gunman, who has no criminal history, chose his victims at random.

Petr Nedoma, director of the Rudolfinum Gallery at a concert hall across Palach Square, told Czech TV he saw the shooter.

I saw a young person on the gallery who had some weapon in his hand, like and automatic weapon, and shooting toward the Manes Bridge, he said.

Ambulances arrived quickly at the scene of the mass shooting after 14 people were killed (Anadolu via Getty Images)

What have police said?

Police chiefs said the gunman was a student at the faculty of arts at Charles University in Jan Palach Square, but they did not identify him.

They also said the father of the shooter was found dead earlier on Thursday.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, he said.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River.

Czech prime minister Petr Fiala has thanked emergency services that responded, saying his thoughts are with the bereaved.

There is no justification for this horrific act. Like many of you, I feel profound sadness and disgust in the face of this sickening violence, he wrote on social media.

Authorities have confirmed that the suspected killer was a student at the university but withheld his identity (EPA)

What other mass shootings has Prague had?

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic and this incident is thought to be the worst one in its history.

In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.
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The popular tourist destination of Prague has been left reeling after a lone gunman opened fire on students at a top university, in what has become the countrys worst mass shooting.

Social media videos captured the panic that broke out on Thursday afternoon at Charles University in the city centre, with tourists taking cover and a group of desperate students clinging to a building ledge in a bid to save their lives.

Czech police raced to the scene of the shooting at Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, and were confronted with the horrifying reality that 13 people had been killed, with the gunman taking his own life shortly afterwards.

The gunman, who has been named as 24-year-old David Kozak, killed himself after attempting to hide in a gallery and being followed to the roof.

Described as an excellent student with no previous criminal convictions, it has since emerged that Kozak is suspected to be responsible for the death of his father, and the fatal shooting of a man and his two-month-old daughter in a woodland area last week.

Follow our live updates here

David Kozak has been identified as the gunman (Czech Police)

Ahead of the mass shooting at Charles University, he is thought to have kept a diary in Russian on messaging app Telegram, writing: I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.

Among those that have been injured, 10 of them are in a serious condition, Pragues Police Chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters.

Heres everything we know about the shooting and suspected gunman so far:

Police said they were still searching the area on Thursday afternoon, including the balcony, for possible explosives. (AFP via Getty Images)

What has happened?

Czech police said shortly after 3pm that they were responding to a shooting at Charles Universitys faculty of arts building in Jan Palach Square, central Prague.

It has since emerged that authorities were tipped off earlier in the day that a man was likely heading to Prague from his town in the Kladno region outside the capital with intentions of taking his own life.

A friend had contacted the police at 12.26pm to say she had received a suicidal text message, and the individual was not answering his calls.

Alarmed by a series of posts on Telegram, police attended his home address and discovered Kozaks fathers body at 12.45pm. Weapons and explosives were found at the scene, and it was established that Kozak was due to attend a lecture at 2pm in a university building just off Old Town Square in Prague.

At 1.15pm, a national search was declared for the suspect, and a request was made at 1.27pm to search the Faculty of Arts. Armed police rushed to the scene and evacuated a building by 2.22pm, however information was received at 2.49pm that Kozak was at the university sit in nearby Jan Palach Square.

View more

At 2.59pm, reports were received that shots were being fired, with the first officers entering the building within four minutes. Dramatic footage played at a press conference of them methodically clearing the floors while evacuating distressed students.

An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to stay put.

Images and videos on social media show crowds of people running from the square, while students barricaded themselves in classrooms by piling furniture up against the doors. Other images appear to show the shooter dressed in black and carrying a large gun as he aims it towards the square.

Images and videos on social media shows eight students perched on a ledge to hide from the gunman (Instagram)

The area was sealed off with people urged to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside. One British couple, who had been celebrating their honeymoon, said they were left terrified after a police officer ran into their restaurant and shouted for them to stay down.

The director of Prague Police told a press conference: I saw piles of ammunition in the corridors, it was incredible he recalls.

He believes the gunman would have gone on to harm more people if he hadnt gone to the universitys balcony, where he eventually died.

During the shooting rampage, 13 people were killed before the gunman took his own life after realising that he was surrounded. Several others have undergone critical surgery since being rushed to hospital, while various victims had been shot through the head, chest and arms.

Three of those injured are foreign nations - two people from the United Arab Emirates and one from the Netherlands.

What do we know about the gunman?

While he has not officially been identified by Czech police, David Kozak has been named as the perpetrator behind the countrys worst mass shooting.

He has not been linked to any extremist ideologies and police believe that he acted alone and had no accomplices. However, chilling posts on the encrypted social media app appear to suggest he was influenced by a recent school shooting in Russia, where a 14-year-old girl killed her classmate and injured five others in Bryansk, western Russia.

Alina Afanaskina helped me too much, the message said. I always wanted to kill, I thought I would become a maniac in the future. I realised that it was much more profitable to do mass murders rather than serial ones.

A policeman guards the area outside the building of Philosophical Faculty (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Police are also working on the theory that the gunman was responsible for the deaths of two people last week in the Klanovicky forest near Prague.

A 32-year-old man and his two-month-old daughter were killed on 15 December with investigating police believing it to be a random attack. Officers said Kovak was on the list of suspects, but they had not managed to speak to him yet.

Current evidence suggests he is the perpetrator but a police spokesperson said they are awaiting the results of ballistic tests to confirm his involvement.

Ambulances arrived quickly at the scene of the mass shooting after 14 people were killed (Anadolu via Getty Images)

What have the authorities said?

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, he said.

The victims were all Czechs, with local media reporting that three of those injured are foreign nationals.

Authorities have confirmed that the suspected killer was a student at the university but withheld his identity (EPA)

Czech prime minister Petr Fiala has thanked emergency services that responded, saying his thoughts are with the bereaved.

There is no justification for this horrific act. Like many of you, I feel profound sadness and disgust in the face of this sickening violence, he wrote on social media.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic and this incident is thought to be the worst one in its history.

In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.
 Close Moment armed police storm Prague university after shooting captured in bodycam footage

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Bells rang across the Czech Republic and the national flags on public buildings were at half-staff as people across the country observed a minute of silence to honor the 14 victims of the worst mass killing in Czech history.

Archbishop Jan Graubner served a mass at the main St Vitus cathedral at the Prague Castle. Were all still in a shock in our own ways, the archbishop said, adding: We need to clearly condemn what happened but we also need to look into the future.

Nobody should be left alone in these tough moments, Charles University rector Milena Kralickova said in her remarks toward the end of the Mass.

The gunman behind Thursdays mass shooting has been identified as 24-year-old David Kozak.

The history student opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20 with legally owned weapons.

He is believed to have killed his father before carrying out the massacre at his university. Authorities on Friday announced that all victims in Thursdays shooting in Prague have been identified and none of them were foreign citizens.
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The gunman who killed 14 people during a rampage at a university in Prague took his own life after a rooftop shootout, police have revealed.

David Kozak, 24, took his own life by shooting himself as armed police cornered him on the balcony of the Charles Universitys Faculty of Arts building. He had by then killed more than a dozen people and injured 25 more with an assault rifle. Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology at the universitys Faculty of Arts, is the first of his victims to be named, a mother who leaves behind a young family with two sons.

As Prague mourns its dead and tries to recover from the deadliest mass shooting in the Czech Republics history, authorities revealed how events unfolded on Thursday.

David Kozak killed himself after he was cornered by police on the balcony of the Charles University building (Czech Police)

A student at the university, Kozak is believed to have killed his father in his hometown of Hostoun before travelling 24km (15 miles) to the countrys capital to launch the devastating attack.

Police confirmed Kozak was also a key suspect in the murder of a man and a two-month-old baby discovered in a forest east of Prague on 15 December. They were first alerted to Kozak on Thursday by a friend who had received a suicidal message in a text from Kozak. Twenty minutes later, his fathers body was discovered in his house where officers also found weapons and explosives.

Lenka Hlavkova, the head of the Institute of Musicology, was killed in the attack (Supplied)

The moment police stormed the university campus in search of the gunman, who was on the roof of the building (Police of the Czech Republic)

A nationwide search was launched, and police were told Kozak was heading to one of the university campuses. An hour later, shooting started at the Faculty of Arts building.

Bodycam footage played at a media briefing showed officers racing inside the building and scaling the stairs, at first unable to find the suspect, before an officer outside alerted them that Kozak was on the roof.

Pictures on social media appeared to show the shooter dressed in black with a large gun aimed towards the square from a balcony. Nearby, on an outside ledge of the building, eight terrified students could be seen hiding.

Kozak pointing a rifle at the square below (Supplied)

As police outside exchanged fire with the shooter, armed officers closed in on Kozak on the fourth-floor balcony, and the citys police director Petr Matejcek said the gunman had killed himself when approached.

What I saw inside the corridors, which were piles of ammunition, unbelievable quantities, if that person hadnt been cornered in time he might, or might not of, have continued, Mr Matejcek said. I can say that I believe the fast response and arrival of police officers on the scene prevented further bloodshed and further victims.

During the attack, students barricaded themselves in classrooms, too scared to go outside while the building was evacuated. One student, Jakob Weizman, who was inside a barricaded classroom, said: [We] locked the door before the shooter tried to open it.

Pragues police chief Petr Matejcek, centre, said his officers actions prevented further bloodshed (AFP via Getty Images)

After Kozak killed himself, armed police scoured the building for possible explosive devices or accomplices and on Friday, officials said they believed he had acted on his own, possibly inspired by massacres abroad.

Using the Telegram messaging platform Kozak praised the killer behind a school student in Kaza, Russia, in 2021. And in one chilling post, he wrote: I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide. Kozak was reportedly studying for a masters degree in world history with a special focus on the history of Poland. He had a lecture at 2pm on the day of the massacre.

Mourners lay flowers outside the university building where Kozak carried out the killing (PA)

At the press conference, police officials were questioned on the link between Kozak and the murder of the man and the baby in Klanovice forest, located east of Prague.

The lead investigator in the case said that despite Kozak being a suspect, he was not being followed. He added that officers were waiting on ballistic test results in regards to the killing. The country police force said yesterday it was stepping up security measures until 1 January.

Among those paying their respects to the dead at the university was the Czech president Petr Pavel. He said: No one can imagine the fear and mental strain they went through yesterday. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone for the sincere condolences and words of support, which come from all around the world.
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The identity of the gunman who opened fire at a Prague university on Thursday killing 14 people has been revealed.

Student David Kozak opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, with chilling images appearing of the shooter dressed in black, taking aim from a balcony with a large gun.

Police raced to the scene and evacuated students and tourists near the building in the city centre, with Kozaks body found a short while later with devastating injuries. It is not yet clear how he died.

David Kozak has been named as the shooter who opened fire at a Prague university (Czech Police)

Authorities have confirmed that the 24 year-old was a history student at the university and that he acted alone.

He is believed to have been inspired by a school shooting carried out by 14-year-old schoolgirl in Russia earlier this month, and wrote on Telegram: I want to do a school shooting and possibly suicide.

Police are also investigating his potential involvement in the murder of a father and baby daughter in a woodland area last week, which is believed to have been a random attack.

Earlier on the day of the university shooting, Kozaks father was found dead in the town of Hostoun.

Mourners laying candles outside Charles University (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Heres everything we know about the shooter so far:

What has happened?

Czech police said shortly after 3pm that they were responding to a shooting at Charles Universitys faculty of arts building in central Prague. An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to stay put.

Crowds of people ran from the square while eight terrified students were seen precariously hiding on a ledge to hide from the gunman.

Armed police are seen on the balcony of the university in central Prague (AFP via Getty Images)

The square was sealed off with people urged to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside.

Pragues rescue service confirmed that 15 people had died, including the killer, and that at least 30 others suffered various injuries, including nine with serious ones.

Who is the gunman?

The identity of the gunman has now been revealed to be student David Kozak, who had reportedly been studying for a masters degree in world history with a special focus on the history of Poland.

Local media have reported that Kozak originally graduated with a bachelors degree in history and was described as an excellent student with no previous criminal convictions.

Eight students seen hiding on a building ledge to escape the gunman (Supplied)

His fathers body had been found earlier in the day in his hometown of Hostoun. Police were already searching for Kozak at the time of the mass shooting in relation to another death in the village of Kladensko.

He is suspected of being responsible for the murders of a father and his two-month-old baby daughter, who were killed in a forest on 15 December.

At a press conference, police spokesperson Martin Vondracek said: We are working very seriously with the fact that the attacker from the Faculty of Philosophy is also responsible for the two victims from the end of last week in Klanovicky les.

What have police said?

Police chiefs have confirmed the gunman was a student at the faculty of arts at Charles University in Jan Palach Square, and have said there is no evidence to suggest he had an accomplice.

They also said the father of the shooter was found dead on Thursday morning, and that Kozak was also under suspicion for the random murders of a father and baby girl last week.

Lights from emergency service vehicles light the scene of the shooting (EPA)

No details have emerged yet of the victims killed in the shooting, although the interior minister Vit Rakusan has confirmed that three are foreign nationals and investigators do not a suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Do we know what led to the attack?

The gunmans motives for the attack or not yet known, but police were reportedly already searching for Kozak at the time of the incident.

Authorities are probing the potential connection between a series of violent, expletive-laden Russian-language messages posted on Telegram, including a message posted by the shooter saying: I always wanted to kill. I thought I would be a maniac in the future.

An ambulance drives towards the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague (AP)

One of the messages posted by the user indicated that inspiration for the attack may have been drawn from two previous mass shootings in Russiaone occurring this month at a school in Bryansk near the Ukraine border, and the second in 2021 in Kazan, the capital of the Russian region of Tatarstan.

I was very inspired by Alina  very much, a message shared on 10 December said, just three days after a 14-year-old Russian girl, Alina Afanaskina, opened fire on her classmates.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.

It is not thought that Kozak was linked to any extremist ideology or groups.
Christopher Robin Beskar hasnt given up on his long-held dream of building military and commercial jets in Niagara County for sale to the U.S. Air Force.

But he also hasnt made much progress toward achieving that dream.

Stavatti Aerospace founder seeks to prove critics wrong despite no track record A would-be airplane manufacturer from California with no known track record wants to spend $26 million to make Niagara County his company's base of operations.

In fact, Beskars venture  which has never produced a single aircraft  has run out of money and is looking for new investors. And it owes more than $500,000 to contractors who have worked on the project.

It has been nearly three years since Beskars Stavatti Aerospace Ltd. obtained a package of property and sales tax breaks in February 2021 to build out the vacant former Army Reserve hangar on Porter Road into his companys base of operations.

From there, the Minnesota native proudly declared, he would create next-generation planes to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Hornet, among others, for military clients such as the United States, Ukraine and Serbia.

Town of Niagara OKs Stavatti Aerospace plan as county smiles on project The project will convert the former Army Reserve hangar complex on Porter Road into an aircraft plant.

The initial $26 million project was supposed to turn the 10-building, 150,000-square-foot complex into an aircraft research and design facility and the firms temporary headquarters. And the companys operation was supposed to employ 368 people by now.

Neither has happened.

Stavatti intended to fully complete most work by the end of 2023, Beskar wrote in a Nov. 9 letter to Susan Langdon, executive director of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.

But only a small portion of the significant renovations, selective demolition, and infrastructure design and construction has been accomplished, Beskar acknowledged.

He blamed the lack of progress on delays and rising costs associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and now Gaza.

Beskar purchased the 19.8-acre site at 9400 Porter, adjacent to the Niagara Falls International Airport, for $1.2 million in cash. He and his top local deputy, former NCIDA CEO John R. Simon, say they have spent several million dollars on infrastructure, including demolition of three of the buildings, rewiring some doors and replacing some insulation.

Over the past three years, Stavatti Aerospace and its 100% owned subsidiary, Stavatti Niagara, have worked diligently to complete renovations required to fully occupy our site, Beskar wrote.

But theyve since run out of money. They are working with an investment banking firm to bring in new private-equity funding, with a focus on a twin-engine transport aircraft. They also owe more than $519,519 to at least six contractors.

NCIDA officials have warned the company that it is at risk of having its tax breaks terminated or recaptured in February for noncompliance, although it has used only about $2,000 in sales tax breaks to date.

Instead, the company is asking for a two-year extension on those incentives, which expire at year-end. The agency is considering a 90-day extension for now, but board members expressed wariness.

It doesnt seem to me youre ready to close this out by February, IDA Chairman Mark Onesi told Simon at a meeting last week.

I think it has the potential to be a wonderful project. If it works, it can be a boon for the county, a boon for the region, NCIDA Vice Chair Jason Krempa said. I just get nervous when were almost three years in, and weve seen limited progress to date.

Beskar, who says he was inspired by Star Wars and Star Trek as a child and designed his first airplane in eighth grade, has been working to bring his vision to life since he founded his company in 1994, while still in college. But he hasnt managed to fully break into the industry, despite years of effort and a few patents to his name  including one he says was granted last month for its transport aircraft.

His website is filled with intricate details, specifications, designs and cost estimates for planes called the Machete, Stiletto and Razor. And the company claims to have won contracts this year for 50 Machete and 60 Stiletto planes and $243 million in new Defense Products and Systems from U.S.-allied governments.

But he hasnt produced any planes or made any money, and Simon would not divulge any details on the contracts or say who they were with.

According to Beskars letter, his plans for Stavatti remain the same as in his application to the NCIDA in fall 2020. He said the company is working with the U.S. State Department, Air Force and multiple close American allies to obtain sales and export licenses, plus foreign military financing for specific Stavatti products.

Beskar was not present for the NCIDA meeting, because he was in Washington, D.C., meeting with Department of Defense officials, and people at the very highest level of government to pitch products and build relationships, Simon told the agency board.

The war in Ukraine impacted us dramatically, Simon told the IDA. When you combine the war in Ukraine, the pandemic and now the Israeli war, it has slowed down Washington, dramatically, in the approval of things.

In turn, that has hampered the companys progress on Porter Road. The hangars east doors have been rewired and renovated, with new insulation, but the company got only halfway through work on the west doors before running out of money. And its debts are mounting. According to liens filed with the Niagara County Clerks office, Stavatti currently owes:

$117,769 to RP Oak Hill Building Co.

$106,745 to Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Co.

$102,133 to Ferguson Electric Construction

$93,743 to Mollenberg-Betz

$53,200 to United Thermal Systems

$45,929 to Empire Building Diagnostics

Besides paying those bills, it now has to obtain millions of dollars in new financing to finish the renovation, particularly upgrades to an electrical substation that dates to 1929. Stavatti is working with National Grid and electrical contractors to repair and eventually replace that aging facility, but that will cost $1 million in the first year, and another $500,000 in each of the next two years, Simon explained.

Thats the heart of the facility, Simon said. Our infrastructure needs work. The age of the facility shows.

And then it still needs additional capital to start producing prototypes, before it can deliver any aircraft for contracts.

Weve spent millions, so far, Simon said. Were in an industry where, when you build aircraft, were talking about billions of dollars.

Still, Simon said Stavatti hopes to begin manufacturing its first prototypes in early 2024.

We have been approached to produce other things that are in the realm of defense, most of which would be made in Niagara. We look to the future, and it looks promising, he said.

He said the company received an extension from the New York Power Authority on its allocation of low-cost hydropower. It is also developing partnerships with both Niagara County Community College and the Niagara Falls City School District for job-training, including programs in technology, welding and, eventually, airplane mechanics.

Were very excited about what were doing, but its all privately funded, said Simon, who is president of Stavatti Niagara, the local subsidiary.

Onesi of the NCIDA said the agency was open to working with them.

I believe its a real project. Theyre putting a lot of work into that building. But maybe they need a little bit more time, Onesi said. They really think they can do it, so well give them a chance. You dont just cut them off.
 Close Kyiv suffers largest ever drone attack by Russia leaving five wounded

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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.
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Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian intelligence is showing a noticeable slowdown in Russias military-industrial complex, almost 22 months after Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion.

Speaking in his nightly address, the Ukrainian president cited a report by HUR, the countrys military intelligence agency. Today there was a separate report by the Main Intelligence Directorate. The enemys plans, the work of the Russian defence industry  there are signals that they are slowing down. We will help them to slow down even more.

The Ukrainian president did not provide further details on a possible cause for the slowdown, whether tactical or a result of sustained pressure after a particularly intensive period of fighting on the battlefield.

The latest battlefield report from the General Staff of the Ukrainian military on Thursday evening did not mention any signs of a let-up in the fierce Russian attacks along the 1,000km (600 mile) frontline.

At least 30 attacks from Russian forces were repelled near Avdiivka and a further 11 were fought back around Maryinka in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours alone, the update said. The two regions have emerged as the biggest priorities for Russian forces trying to make territorial gains since autumn.

Another seven attacks from Russia were repelled around Bakhmut.

This comes as US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Russian troops will be able to launch attacks against Ukraine more easily in the coming weeks once colder temperatures have frozen the ground solid, allowing for more rapid maneuvres of mechanised forces.

Russia intends to continue its offensive operations, particularly in Avdiivka, the White House official said, adding that these will most likely pick up through January and into February.

The fall mud season has hampered ground manoeuvre for both Ukrainian and Russian forces since 2014, but periods of prolonged freezing temperatures that typically start in late December freeze the ground and allow armoured vehicles to move more easily than in muddy autumn and spring months, the US based think-tank Institute for the Study of War said, confirming the White Houses assessment.

It added that the Russian forces will likely try to sustain or intensify these offensive operations regardless of weather conditions this winter, as they did last year.
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Ukrainian men who live abroad and are fit to serve in the military should return to join the countrys armed forces next year, the war-hit countrys defence minister said on Thursday, adding that punishments could be introduced for those who fail to do so.

It represents a significant shift in Ukraines recruitment policy 22 months after it was invaded by Russia, and comes after Volodymyr Zelensky said the military had asked him for as many as half a million more men in 2024, but that no decision on conscription had yet been made.

Umerov said that Ukrainian men living abroad would first be "invited" to report to recruiting offices, but added that measures would be taken if they did not show up willingly.

Ukrainians living in Germany who are fit for military service should strengthen the Ukrainian army next year. The minister of defence said that those who do not comply with this requirement will face sanctions, defence minister Rustem Umerov said in an interview with German publication Die Welt.

We are still discussing what will happen if they dont come voluntarily, the minister said.

Shortly after Mr Umerovs comments, the defence ministry issued a statement suggesting the remarks had been taken out of context.

The minister was speaking generally about how to communicate to Ukrainians, including those living outside the country, the importance of joining the army, according to the defence ministrys press officer Illarion Pavliuk.

He said there was no active discussion on recruiting Ukrainians living abroad into the military.

The defence ministers comments on mobilisation come just a day after the Ukrainian president called mass mobilisation of troops a sensitive issue, refuting any immediate plans to conscript 450,000 to 500,000 men.

Ukrainian military officials had made the request amid intense fighting, with battlefield losses in the past couple of months reported to be occuring at the highest rate of the war so far.

Mr Zelensky said he has informed the armys General Staff that he needed more arguments to support the move because it involved factors other than defence capability and finances.

"I said I would need more arguments to support this move. Because first of all, its a question of people, secondly, its a question of fairness, its a question of defence capability, and its a question of finances," Mr Zelensky said in his year-end press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday.

He has also refused to sign a law mobilising women into the army.

Ukraine will need 500bn hryvnias (10.6bn) to support the armys proposal for mobilising tens of thousands, he said.

The total number of Ukrainian soldiers who have held back the Russian invasion since February 2022 is not clear, and has not been published by the Zelensky administration.
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The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution pressing for the urgently needed passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza after 11 weeks of Israels devastating siege of the beleaguered strip.

But after several days of negotiations led by the United States, the council stopped short of a resolution calling for an immediate cessation of violence, instead approving a watered-down measure in an effort to avoid a veto from the US.

The long-delayed vote in the 15-member council was 13-0  the US and Russia ultimately abstained from voting.

The resolution was stripped of its call for the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Instead, it calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

A final version did not include demands for a ceasefire or any immediate pause in the fighting, making it unlikely that the measure to support the flow of aid into Gaza  which is largely in Israels control  will initiate any end to violence that has left thousands dead.

Within 10 weeks, Israels air-and-ground assault in Gaza has now killed more than 20,000 people according to health officials from the Hamas-led territory, a figure that amounts to nearly one per cent of the population before Israels war against Hamas.

Israel launched its devastating retaliatory campaign following Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October that left 1,200 people dead and took roughly 240 hostages. Israels response has killed roughly one in every 100 people in Gaza. More than two-thirds are women and children.

The purpose of the draft resolution introduced by the United Arab Emirates is very simple, said ambassador Lana Nusseibeh told the council in New York on Friday.

It responds with action to the dire conditions in Gaza while protecting those who are trying to deliver aid, she said.

We know this is not a perfect text, we know only a ceasefire will stop the suffering, she added.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN envoy, said it took the Security Council 75 days to finally utter the words cessation of hostilities, stressing that the Palestinians and Arab nations supported the Russian amendment. This resolution is a step in the right direction because of its important humanitarian provisions, Mansour said. It must be implemented and must be accompanied by massive pressure for an immediate ceasefire.

The US had twice vetoed resolutions supporting a ceasefire, magnifying the gulf between the US and global powers and Arab nations, while President Joe Bidens administration refused or moderated any pressure on Israel and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit the destruction.

Passage of the latest resolution on Friday followed another week of delays, marked by intense negotiations involving UN secretary general Antonio Guterres in an effort to finally broker passage of a measure with US support.

The resolution does not call on Israel to relinquish its control over the inspections of aid into Gaza, though it calls for the appointment of a coordinator to oversee its entry.

That person will be responsible for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying humanitarian aid in Gaza by consulting all relevant parties.

US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield appears at the UN Security Council on 22 December (AP)

American and Israeli officials have insisted that any pause in the fighting will simply aid Hamas militants in their efforts to regroup.

A measure blocked on Tuesday would have called for a legally binding urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and for urgent steps [to be taken] towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

Vasily Nebenzya, Russias UN ambassador, called US negotiations shameful, cynical and irresponsible conduct as a means to sabotage efforts towards a lasting peace with an ultimately toothless and extremely neutered resolution.

He criticised the ambiguous phrase that calls for a for a sustainable cessation of hostilities and said that any obstruction of immediate attempts to end the conflict make council members complicit in Gazas destruction, suggesting that the measure is giving Israel a green light for war crimes.

Why are we together in this room? To rubber stamp a decision that is convenient for Washington? he added.

Palestinians walk among rubble of buildings in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza on 22 December after it was bombed by Israeli airstrikes (EPA)

Following the vote, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the resolutions passage  which she abstained from supporting  provided a glimmer of hope amongst a sea of unimaginable suffering.

She said that the US will continue to work with the UN, with humanitarian groups and countries in the region to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza to secure the release of hostages and to work towards a lasting peace.

We must find a path forward to in the misery were seeing, she added. We must work together to alleviate this tremendous suffering once and for all.

The US vetoed a Security Council resolution on 18 October to condemn all violence against civilians in the Israel-Hamas war and to urge humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. On 8 December the US vetoed a second council resolution backed by almost all other council members and dozens of other nations, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The 193-member General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a similar resolution on 12 December by a vote of 153-10, with 23 abstentions.

Additional reporting by John Bowden in Washington DC
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Within 10 weeks, Israels air-and-ground assault in Gaza has killed more than 20,000 people, a figure that amounts to nearly 1 per cent of the population before Israels war against Hamas.

Israel launched its devastating retaliatory campaign following Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October that left 1,200 people dead and took roughly 240 hostages. Israels response has killed roughly one in every 100 people in Gaza. More than two-thirds are women and children.

That scale of death is compounded by an acute hunger crisis, warnings from international aid groups about depleting supplies of clean water and fear of disease, and the mass displacement of roughly 1.9 million people, or 85 per cent of Gazas population.

More than half a million people, or one-quarter of Gazas population, are starving, according to the United Nations. Nine out of 10 Palestinians are eating less than one meal a day, according to the World Food Programme.

Only nine of its 36 health facilities, all in the south of Gaza, are still partially functioning, according to the World Health Organisation.

Gaza, described by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as a graveyard for children last month, is also facing a dire risk of depleted clean war supplies, a matter of life and death that could see the deaths of more children from deprivation and disease within days, according to UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell.

Gazas entire population faces crisis level food insecurity, while 50 per cent  roughly 570,000 people  are at risk of famine, characterised by households experiencing an extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities, according to a report this week from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

Israel has faced growing international pressure to end its bombardments and allow for the entry of critically needed humanitarian aid, though its chief allies in US President Joe Bidens administration have rejected calls for a ceasefire and struck down United Nations resolutions calling for the urgent de-escalation of violence.

The death toll has been publicly disputed by Israeli and US officials, while media organisations, international agencies, world governments and the US Department of State have relied on the figures from Gazas health ministry.

A senior Biden administration official said last month that the death toll was likely even higher, while the White House has stated that many, many thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and publicly admonished Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the growing civilian death toll.

Health researchers at Johns Hopkins Universitys Bloomberg School of Public Health have also found no evidence of inflated mortality in Gazas data.

That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience, according to Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

After the US vetoed resolutions at the United Nations pressing for a ceasefire in the conflict, the UN Security Council is expected to vote on a measure on Friday to demand the urgent delivery of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, a measure that has been repeatedly delayed this week following US pressure to amend its language.

A later draft calls for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has said the US will support the new language.
 Close UN Security Council approves aid for Gaza, stops short of call for ceasefire

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The head of the United Nations has accused Israel of creating massive obstacles to aid distribution within Gaza after the UN Security Council has called for more humanitarian assistance within the battered enclave.

Antonio Guterres took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his concerns about the conduct of Israeli forces which he says is escalating the humanitarian crisis.

He said: The way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza.

An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security; staff who can work in safety; logistical capacity; and the resumption of commercial activity. 

It comes as the United Nations Security Council voted in favour of boosting humanitarian to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities on Friday.

Although the US did ultimately abstain, the 15-member council was able to adopt the resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates as 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.
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An electric car maker in China has demonstrated a new battery capable of powering a vehicle for more than 1,000km on a single charge.

Shanghai-based Nio claims that the next-generation battery will enter mass production in April 2024, offering a longer range than any other electric or fuel-powered car currently on the market.

Nio chief executive William Li drove the all-electric ET7 vehicle 1,044km (649 miles) during a 14-hour live-stream, which saw the car travel from Zhejiang province to Fujian province on Sunday at an average speed of 84km/h. A separate test of the breakthrough battery reportedly saw it cover 1,145km, however this was not broadcast.

The completion of this endurance challenge proves the product power of the 150kWh ultra-long endurance battery pack, Mr Li wrote in a post on the Chinese social media site Weibo.

This battery is currently the battery pack with the highest energy density in mass production in the world and has excellent safety performance. More importantly, all models on sale can be flexibly upgraded to 150kWh batteries through the Nio battery swap system.

Nio takes an unorthodox approach to charging vehicles, favouring a battery-swap system rather than plugging the car into an outlet and waiting for the battery to recharge.

A unique mechanism built into the vehicle means that an empty battery can be swapped with a fully charged battery in less than three minutes  roughly the amount of time it takes to refill a fuel-powered vehicle.

Customers are able to buy a vehicle without a battery and then pay a monthly subscription fee to use batteries within Nios network.

The Nio ET7 aims to be the first electric car to offer a range greater than 1,000km (Nio)

Nios president Qin Lihong said that buying the new battery outright would cost 298,000 yuan (33,000)  roughly equivalent to the price of a Tesla Model 3  which is why the company advocates the use of a hire scheme for its customers as well as for the electric vehicle industry as a whole.

NIO started battery swap from the very beginning, it has been ready to open up its technologies and infrastructure to the entire industry, Mr Li said.

Similar to the cloud service provided by Internet companies, NIOs Power Swap network and Power Cloud also followed the path along which we started with developing infrastructure and achieving a closed loop internally, and then open to others after validating the service across various scenarios.

The company revealed in November that it has provided more than 32 million battery swaps for users through its network of more than 2,000 Power Swap Stations worldwide.
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Facebook parent company Meta has been systematically censoring pro-Palestine content on its social media platforms globally in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, a new report by Human Rights Watch claims.

The 51-page report alleges Meta, the company which owns Facebook and Instagram, has taken down or suppressed hundreds of pro-Palestine posts and content, including peaceful expression in support of Palestine.

Following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on 7 October, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, Israeli forces invading Gaza have killed over 20,000 Palestinians, including children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Unlawful restrictions imposed in Gaza by Israel have further led to a humanitarian catastrophe at the strip endangering Gazas over 2 million population of whom nearly half are children.

Metas censorship of content in support of Palestine adds insult to injury at a time of unspeakable atrocities and repression already stifling Palestinians expression, Human Rights Watch said in a statement, adding that the censorship is furthering the erasure of Palestinians suffering.

The rights group said it reviewed 1,050 cases of online censorship from over 60 countries.

The report points out at least 100 instances of censorship stifling pro-Palestine posts, including content removals, suspension or deletion of accounts, inability to engage with content, and inability to follow or tag accounts.

Meta did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

Around 300 people are understood to be sheltering inside Gazas holy family church

The latest report comes after US senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding information about pro-Palestine censorship allegations.

It is more important than ever that social media platforms do not censor truthful and legitimate content, particularly as people around the world turn to online communities to share and find information about developments in the region, she wrote in the letter, first published last week by The Intercept.

Human Rights Watch also flagged cases in which there were restrictions on the use of some features such as Instagram/Facebook Live, and shadow banning, which is the decrease in the visibility of an individuals posts, stories, or account without notification.

In hundreds of cases, the report said users were unable to appeal content or account removal as the appeal mechanism malfunctioned, leaving them with no effective access to a remedy.

The international rights group claimed Metas take down of pro-Palestinian posts were due to its flawed content moderation policies, over reliance on artificial intelligence tools, and undue government influence.

It said Meta invoked its Dangerous Organizations and Individuals (DOI) policy, which incorporates US-designated lists of terrorist organizations, to sweepingly restrict legitimate speech around hostilities between Israel and Palestinian groups.

The Facebook parent company misapplied its polices on violent and graphic content and inconsistently applied newsworthy allowance policy, removing content documenting Palestinian injury and death that has news value, Human Rights Watch said.

It called for Meta to permit protected expression, including about human rights abuses and political movements, on its platforms by overhauling its dangerous organizations and individuals and by auditing its newsworthy allowance policy.
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Robert Solow, a Nobel laurete who won the prestigious prize in 1987 for his work analysing how technological growth drives economics in developed nations, has died on Thursday at his home in Massachusetts. He was 99.

Solow taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the economic analysis approach he pioneered along with fellow Nobel laureate Paul A Samuelson has emerged as an important tool in policymaking.

He received a number of prestigious awards, including the John Bates Clark Medal as the finest American economist under 40 in 1961, the National Medal of Science in 1999, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2014.

Studies into how already developed countries can continue to grow both in terms of production and welfare standards have been central to the work of economists for many years.

In the 1950s, Solow developed a mathematical model illustrating how various factors contribute to sustained national economic growth.

His Nobel prize-winning work yielded a significant mathematical tool for economies to expand production, and led to the development of a field known as growth accounting.

US President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to economist Robert Solow during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC (AFP via Getty Images)

The American economists mathematical model describes how increased capital stock in a country generates greater per capita production.

Solows growth model constitutes a framework within which modern macroeconomic theory can be structured, said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the Nobel prize, adding that his model had an enormous impact on economic analysis.

The interesting thing that came out of my work was that the change in technology  the progress of science, engineering and technology  accounted for half, at least, of all the growth we had in the economy, he told the Chicago Tribune in 1987.

Prior to Dr Solows Nobel prize winning theory, it was thought that increases in capital and labour played the main roles in the growth rate of developed economies.

His work laid the groundwork for better understanding how technology accounted for economic growth in the US, finding that technical progress accounted for as much as 80 per cent of 20th-century American growth.

I discovered to my great surprise that the main source of growth was not capital investment but technological change, Solow said in a 2009 interview.

The Nobel lauretes body of research has helped persuade governments to channel funds into technological research and development to boost economic growth.

Solow was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 23 August 1924 as the first of three children.

He attended public schools in New York City and served in the US Army during the Second World War, returning to earn an undergraduate degree in 1947, followed by a masters degree and PhD by 1951, all from Harvard University.

Solow then spent his career teaching statistics and econometrics.

I was given the office next to Paul Samuelsons. Thus began what is now almost 40 years of almost daily conversations about economics, politics, our children, cabbages and kings, the Nobel laureate wrote in a biography.

He is survived by his two sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, according to the New York Times.
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A matter of minutes after arriving in Venice, I was asking myself why it had it taken me this long to visit. Id spent summers wandering around Tuscany, returned to Rome since my teens and roamed the Dolomites twice this year alone, but until this winter Venice had firmly been on my no-go list.

And for good reason. Its not been a great few years for Venice tourism: in 2023 we learned that the city is introducing a 5 tourist tax for day-trippers; we read stories of travellers being ripped off when buying coffees on the Grand Canal, or acting like idiots in gondolas. Plus were constantly being reminded that Venice is sinking (figuratively and literally) under the strain of tourism.

Early morning on the Grand Canal (Annabel Grossman)

The sense of a beautiful city being broken by too many visitors had in all honesty put me off. Id spent a painful 24 hours in Dubrovnik this past summer where Id jostled through the city streets shoulder to shoulder with tourists who had just poured off a cruise ship, and it left me faintly depressed at the state of overtourism.

But it was not a broken city choked with tourists that I found in early December. Instead, the streets were quiet, the Ponte Rialto softly sparkling, the locals warm and chatty, and the restaurants reasonably priced. Yes, it was cold  although significantly warmer than the UK  but nothing that a decent coat and sturdy footwear couldnt handle.

Films such as Dont Look Now and Death in Venice may make you feel that the city has a sinister or decaying feel in the winter, but in reality its cosy, welcoming and heartachingly beautiful. The city glistens year-round  in the sun, cold, mist, and even the rain. But in the drizzle, when locals are snuggled up in bacaris and St Marks Square is empty, the floating city is nothing short of magical.

Venice has sestieri  districts all with their own distict feel (Annabel Grossman)

In response to concerns about the conservation of Venice, a number of organisations have been set up to preserve the citys history and protect its future. US nonprofit Save Venice has a particular focus on the artistic heritage of Venice and has restored more than 2,000 artworks since 1971, including those by the likes of Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto.

Although aware of the strain that mass tourism can put on the fragile city, Melissa Conn, director of the Venice Office of the organisation, insists that we should continue to visit the city to reflect on its glorious past and recognise the incredible impact Venice had on Western civilisation.

Read more on Italy travel:

She told me: Venice still needs tourism to survive, albeit a tourism that is thoughtful and controlled. In fact, Melissa emphasised that Venice is indeed a city that wants to be visited and admired; its something thats ingrained in its history.

She explained: Venice needed to prove its worth in comparison to the older cities such as Rome and Constantinople, and establish itself as a leading city for commerce and trade. City officials entertained foreign ambassadors and merchants on a regular basis in order to enhance the reputation of the city. The splendors of Venice were made to show the citys power, wealth and religious devotion.

So yes, we should keep visiting Venice. But avoid day trips, take your time, and maybe give it a go when the crowds disperse for winter.

View of the Salute church from The Gritti Palace balcony (Annabel Grossman)

What to do

When you come to Venice, find the city that works for you  whether thats wandering the streets and dipping into churches, wrapping up warm and exploring the islands, or just cosying up in bacari or osterie with pasta and wine. Here are some of the most enjoyable ways to spend a winter day in Venice.

Explore the churches

One of the most affordable ways to experience some of the best art and architecture Venice has to offer is by visiting its churches. A Chorus pass costs just 14 and gives you access to 18 churches across the city (you can also opt for the 7 pass to see three churches or visit each church at 3 a go). Its good value and a nice way to structure a walk through the various neighbourhoods.

Make sure you include San Sebastiano in the charming Dorsoduro district. The church is the best example of the restoration works by Save Venice  and the art is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Its something of a monument to the great Italian painter Paolo Veronese, but youll also find works by Titian, Andrea Schiavone, Palma il Giovane, Jacopo Sansovino and Alessandro Vittoria. After your visit, pop around the corner to the very cosy Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele, where you can enjoy an excellent and very reasonably priced meal.

Take in some art

Beyond the churches, theres no shortage of world-class art in Venice, and a wet or windy day can we well-spent exploring the various galleries, collections and museums. The Peggy Guggenheim museum is located in the socialite art collectors former home on the Grand Canal and showcases her extensive  and impressive  personal collection. This includes masterpieces by some of the greats, including Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Henry Moore, Mark Rothko and Salvador Dali.

Venice on a winters night is imbued with a special kind of magic (Annabel Grossman)

Wander around the Palazzo Ducale

Often choked with tourists in the summer, I found the Palazzo Ducale  the former Doges residence and seat of Venetian government  to be pleasingly quiet in early December. Admiring the Gothic architecture is a far more pleasant experience when not standing in queues or jostling for space. Wander through the courtyards, around the Doges apartments and up the Scala dOro, then head down to explore the prisons, from where the accused were taken across the Bridge of Sighs to the courts. At the end of your visit, youll find a cosy cafe where you can stop for a pastry and cappuccino before heading back outside.

Take a trip to Burano

There are a number of trips you can take to the small islands around Venice, but my favourite is the colourful community of Burano. Its known for the brightly painted houses that line the streets and canal, as well as lace-making. You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the shops and grabbing coffee or lunch at one of the restaurants.

On the main street youll spot the distinctive leaning bell tower of St. Martins Church. Its actually worth having a look inside, and the church only asks for a donation for entry. Also make sure you seek out Bepis house, arguably the prettiest and most colourful building on the island. If you have a whole day free, you may also want to stop off at Murano, which is famous for glass blowing, and the tiny island of Torcello. Both of these are on the same water taxi route and included in the price of your ticket.

The colourful houses on the island of Burano (Annabel Grossman)

Just walk or go for a run

I firmly believe that you could spend a couple of days in Venice doing nothing but wandering the streets and have a wonderful trip. Theres not really any need to join a big tour group; Venice is a safe and walkable city, and even if you get lost among the tangle of alleys and canals, its not hard to find your way back to a distinctive landmark. Cross the Grand Canal at the beautiful wooden Ponte dellAccademia, stroll down to the Rialto market, explore the former Jewish Ghetto, or grab an espresso at the Pasticceria Chiusso.

The one tour I would recommend is the Sunrise Running Tour, which can be booked through the Avani Rio Novo Venice hotel. Venice local Denis will take you for a jog around the various neighbourhoods, winding through the streets, over bridges and along canals.

Its not a bad idea to do this tour on your first day in the city, as Denis will point out some of the best sights to visit, as well as excellent places to eat. Its an early start (I was picked up for my tour at 7am), but the sunrise on a cold Venice morning is spectaular, and the tour ends with a croissant and coffee at one of the local cafes.

Christmas cheer on a rainy night at St Marks Square (Annabel Grossman)

Where to stay

The Gritti Palace

For traditional Venetian splendour, you cannot beat the Gritti Palace. Occupying arguably the most enviable location of any Venice hotel, perched on the Grand Canal directly across from the Salute church, the Gritti offers splendid city views. Staff are friendly and knowledagable, the service is impeccable and the food is excellent. Rooms feel palatial (a balcony overlooking the canal is the ultimate luxury) and the lobby is decked out beautifully for Christmas. If money is no object, it should be your top choice for a winter Venice stay.

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Ca di Dio

Steeped in Venetian history dating back to 1272, Ca di Dio is now a rather gorgeous five-star hotel that has managed to retain its character while also providing all the modern touches you could want from a luxury stay. In its former iterations, the hotel was a hostel for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land and then a hospice for women, and there are nods to this heritage throughout. It sits at the entrance to the Arsenale district, right by the waterfront and just a short stroll from St Marks Square. Via Garibaldi is a few minutes walk along the water, where you can find some of the best local dining in Venice. But its worth spending a night at the hotels VERO restaurant, where you can enjoy typical Venetian dishes made using local produce  both food and wine is excellent and the service is impossible to fault.

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Avani Rio Novo Venice

The Avani Rio Novo Venice is conveniently situated just a short walk from the bus and train stations in the quieter, yet equally beautiful, streets of the Dorsoduro district. Its got a more modern feel than other hotels in the area and offers a number of experiences for visitors, including Deniss Sunrise Running tour mentioned above. Id give the restaurant a miss (theres no shortage of very reasonably priced bars and restaurants in the vicinity), but the rooms are comfortable and well-priced for the location.

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Read more of our reviews of the best hotels in Venice

Venice looks beautiful in any weather  but particularly on a crisp, cold December day (Annabel Grossman)

Where to eat

Despite what you may hear, eating out in Venice doesnt have to be a wildly expensive affair. If you do choose to eat and drink on the Grand Canal or around St Marks Square, accept that youll likely pay a little more, but it may be worth it for the location.

For cheap eats, head to the Dorsoduro neighbourhood. This district is where youll find the majority of Venices university buildings and its a favourite among students. Restaurants and bars are considerably more affordable than elsewhere in the city and theres a relaxed bohemian vibe. Over in the Castello neighborhood, the restaurants along Via Garibaldi serve traditional Venetian dishes (this is one of the areas where youll find plenty of locals), and are also a great place to drink into the evening.

When to go

I visited Venice in early December and I think I found the sweet spot. September and October can still feel like high season, but by November the city will start to seem a lot quieter. In January, certain hotels, bars and restaurants may close down, and in February the crowds are back for Carnival. Id also recommend visiting mid-week (even in winter the weekends can feel a little busy), preferably Monday to Wednesday.

The view from the front of the Peggy Guggenheim gallery (Annabel Grossman)

How long to stay

You dont really need more than three days in Venice; this is enough time to get a feel for the city and see the major tourist attractions. But if you can spend a week, its worth it. This gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the city and enjoy it at a slower pace.

How to get there

Major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair all fly to Venice Marco Polo direct from London. Flight time is around 2hr 15m. EasyJet also flies direct from Edinburgh with a flight time of around 2hr 30m.

Depending where youre staying, you can take the bus or a taxi into the city and walk to your hotel. Usually the preferable option is by water; this just feels like the right way to arrive in Venice. You can take a private water taxi but the Alilaguna public transport is a more affordable and very efficient option. The boats run from the airport to San Marco every 30 minutes and costs 15 one way (there are various stops around the city so ask on the boat or at your hotel in advance so you know where to get off).
Remote work. Retaining workers. Chasing tech hub money. Office space needs.

Local employers have a lot on their minds heading into 2024. Participants in a Buffalo Niagara Partnership panel earlier this month talked about headwinds and tailwinds as the new year approaches.

Office outlook. Many employers are requiring workers to come into the office more frequently.

It's a shift from coming out of the pandemic, when many employers were reluctant to impose mandates.

"The pendulum continues to swing in a way of more days of the week in the office," said Kyle Ciminelli, executive vice president of Ciminelli Real Estate Corp.

Ciminelli cited statistics from the real estate firm Newmark Group, which found the average number of days in the office per week had increased from 2.2 in the first quarter to 2.7 in the third quarter.

"That doesn't seem like a huge shift, but things are shifting more to that three to four day in the office week," he said.

Property owners and brokers are keeping a close watch on tenants' office space needs. A Partnership survey found 20% of members planned to reduce their amount of office space during their next lease negotiations.

Ciminelli said a key trend in the commercial real estate industry is a "flight to quality." Companies want the best-possible office space, with amenities, to make workers more interested in coming in.

"Tenants that are choosing to relocate are choosing to relocate to Class-A properties that provide lifestyle, community, amenities, programming, and give them ability to recruit, retain [employees], which is still incredibly important right now," he said.

Ciminelli said Seneca One tower has created that kind of vibrancy, as has Fountain Plaza. Following renovations, Fountain Plaza has built a gym and is offering yoga classes and free head and neck massages each month for tenants, he said.

"Although tenants are taking less space, they're putting a lot more thought time and effort into where they're going," Ciminelli said.

Hybrid approach. Independent Health focused on cutting down turnover among its customer service representatives.

"That's how we're measured very often by our members, the type of interactions they have with our customer service reps," said John Rodgers, the chief operating officer.

The health insurer decided to "ramp up" compensation, but also emphasized training for employees who would be working remotely, he said.

"You can't take people who are going to represent our company, just leave them at home and say, 'Go to it,' " Rodgers said.

Independent Health brings in new employees for four to six weeks of face-to-face training, Rodgers said. After that, the new hires spend another four to six weeks side by side with another customer service rep, to learn the job. New employees are then sent home to work, but return for more training about four to six months later.

"We spend a lot of time and energy to make sure that works for us," he said. "We're finding a little less turnover, a little more job satisfaction."

Independent Health's leadership is in the office at least three days a week, but the vast majority of the company's employees work from home, Rodgers said.

Tech hub opportunity. A closely watched topic entering the new year is the joint bid by Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse to secure up to $75 million in federal funding.

The three-region team was among 31 areas designated as "tech hubs" in a national competition run by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The designation makes the 31 areas eligible to compete for funding; only five to 10 of those regions are expected to be awarded money.

The joint bid has led to collaboration by the three upstate regions. That's a departure from the competition between them for economic development.

"There's this great opportunity," said Sheila Rayam, executive editor of The Buffalo News. "Each community, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, there's talent. And if we can pool that talent in some way, then we become this mecca of development."

Colleen Heidinger, 43North's president, said venture capitalists she meets with around the country are well aware of Buffalo's tech hub status with its upstate partners.

"It's the first thing they say, that you were on a list of 31 out of hundreds," she said.

Keeping talent. Each January, 43North welcomes a new cohort of startups that won prize money in the previous October's competition. The winners in most cases are from out of town and are moving their base of operations to a new city.

Members of the local business community can play a vital role in persuading the entrepreneurs to feel welcome and choose to stay beyond their one-year commitment, Heidinger said. They can mentor a startup, or help make an entrepreneur feel more attached to Buffalo, she said.

If you have an extra Bills or Sabres ticket, invite one of them to come along, or share a meal with them at your favorite restaurant, she said.

"Those are all opportunities to create a stickiness that we want to create," Heidinger said.

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

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A transportation company wants tax breaks to consolidate its operations.

Wells Enterprises is getting tax breaks to expand its Dunkirk ice cream plant.

Forest Lawn officials oppose plans to redo the former Locker Room site.

The Niagara Falls aquarium has a new interim leader.

A Buffalo chemical company is expanding.

An Abbott Street project overcame neighborhood opposition.

A new welcome center opened at Niagara Falls State Park.

Greenlight Networks is expanding its broadband service.

With Bills and Sabres gear, holiday sales depend on who's winning.

AKG art museum benefactor Jeffrey Gundlach's social media posts caused a stir among union organizers.

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.

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A Wheatfield electronics manufacturer is getting tax breaks for an expansion.

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Elmwood Taco and Subs  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.

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.

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A team of mathematicians has named Chester in England to be the prettiest city in the world, beating Venice, Italy in second place.

The study used Google Street View to assess cities in both the UK and across the world, and ranked them based on which had the highest percentage of buildings adhering to the golden ratio.

The golden ratio, expressed as 1:1.618, represents a set of proportions that has captivated mathematicians since ancient times. This ratio is frequently observed in the natural world, including in flowers and shells. For reasons not entirely known to scientists, humans perceive objects exhibiting this ratio as inherently beautiful.

Chester is one of the most historically significant cities in England, featuring a 1,000-year-old cathedral, Britains largest Roman amphitheatre and the countrys oldest racecourse.

According to the study, Chester emerged as the most beautiful city globally, with as many as 83.7 per cent of building analysed adhering to the golden ratio. It surpassed Venice, which scored 83.3 per cent, while London closely followed in third place with a score of 82 per cent.

Chester rows, city centre shops and the Eastgate Clock, one of the citys historical landmarks (Alamy Stock Photo)

The Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester (Alamy Stock Photo)

Online Mortgage Advisor, which published the study, said its experts analysed more than 2,400 buildings in the UK alone, with London placing second behind Chester among British cities, and third overall. The rest of the UK top five consisted of Belfast, Liverpool and Durham.

Venice attracts millions of tourists a year from around the world  so much so that the city has decided to levy an entry fee (AP)

The study says that many artists have incorporated the golden ratio into their work, believing it to be the gold standard in natural aesthetic perfection. The study says that using the golden ratio to measure regular buildings and iconic landmarks, we set out to discover which city in the UK and around the world can lay claim to having the most beautiful buildings.

London was named the second-most beautiful city in the UK in the study, and the third overall (Getty Images)

City Hall looks over the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland (Getty Images)

Dr Rebecca Andrew, professor of history at the University of Chester, wrote in a blog post on the universitys website: Almost 100 years ago, Britains leading travel writer HV Morton, wrote about visiting the city, in his phenomenally popular travelogue In Search of England.

He described the uniqueness of the city and its buildings: There is nothing like it in any English town - the Chester Rows. Morton was fascinated by these structures, their history, and how fortunate Cestrians were to live in such a place; so rich is Chester with beautiful, ancient buildings, he noted, that no-one considered it strange to drink coffee in a medieval crypt.

Liverpools Three Graces on the waterfront at night (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

People view the installations at Durham Cathedral during a photocall for Lumiere 2023 (PA)

Colin Potts, programme leader for international tourism management at the University of Chesters Business School and Chesters former tourism manager, said: I think that sometimes its beauty is taken for granted here when really it is the main driver as to why people choose to visit, live and invest in the city - then discover more including its people, history and culture.

He added: We must make the most of our golden ratio.
A piece of art created by Banksy has been removed from a south London street less than an hour after it was confirmed to be a genuine installation.

The artist confirmed the artwork  a traffic stop sign covered with three aircraft said to resemble military drones  was his in a social media post on Friday (22 December).

Two men were seen taking down the sign at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham at about 12.30pm.

It is understood Banksy was not behind the removal.
People hid on the ledge of a Prague university building during a mass shooting in which at least 14 people were killed on Thursday, 21 December.

A group were filmed huddling together below a window on the outside of the Jan Palach Library at Charles Universitys Faculty of Arts.

Police said a 24-year-old Czech student shot dead his father, then killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at the university in the countrys worst-ever mass shooting.

They posted on X/Twitter that the gunman had been eliminated.
Police officers unknowingly mistook the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for a bystander amid the frantic search for the suspect and victims, newly-released bodycam footage shows.

Footage shows officers ordering a man in a dark coat to get out, not realising it is the shooter walking through UNLVs business school as law enforcement swarmed the building.

Officers did not have a description of the suspect at the time, Las Vegas police told The Associated Press.

The gunman was not displaying a weapon. He was killed in a shootout with university police officers about a minute later outside the building.
A man who spent almost 50 years wrongly-imprisoned for murder has been exonerated by an Oklahoma judge.

Glynn Simmons was ruled innocent on Tuesday (19 December) after he was freed in July.

The 71-year-old is the longest-serving inmate to be declared innocent of a crime according to data kept by The National Registry of Exonerations.

Mr Simmons maintained his innocence, saying he was in Louisiana at the time Carolyn Sue Rogers was killed inside an Edmond liquor store in 1974.

His exoneration came after prosecutors said key evidence in his case was not turned over to his defense lawyers.
 Close Spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks as London welcomes 2024

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Berlin police detained over 300 people on New Years Eve after at least 14 on-duty officers were injured as people shot fireworks at each other and police throughout the city.

One of the incidents occurred near Alexanderplatz where around 500 people were letting off fireworks at each other before police dispersed the group at the landmark Neptune Fountain, reported DW.

The crowd fired at police with pyrotechnics when they tried to check them for fireworks, according to the outlet.

In Neukolln, a number of arrests were made after people attempted to make Molotov cocktails, which police say they confiscated.

It came amid jubilant scenes in the US as tens of thousands of beaming people in New Yorks Times Square, were showered with confetti and hugs and kisses after watching the descent of the colourful ball marking the birth of 2024.

The UK earlier welcomed 2024 with a bang as tens of thousands packed the streets of London and Edinburgh to watch the cities world-famous New Years Eve fireworks displays.

Tickets for the event in London sold out and official viewing areas were full. Organisers finished checks on the pyrotechnics with more than 10,000 fireworks shooting up into the nights sky after the Big Ben countdown.

The march of midnight from time zone to time zone brought the new year first to places like Australia, where more than 1 million people watched a pyrotechnic display centred around Sydneys famous Opera House and harbour bridge  a number of spectators equivalent to one in five of the citys residents.
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After numerous postponed votes, the United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a resolution calling for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza, abandoning a proposal that would have urged for a broader ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which has killed over 20,000 people and devastated large parts of the Gaza Strip.

Thats despite worldwide protests and a UN General Assembly majority vote last week calling for such a pause in fighting.

So what does the resolution do? Heres what you need to know:

Expanded aid, and vague hopes of peace

The resolution calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

The final language is a step back from the original text in the United Arab Emirates-proposed resolution, which demanded an urgent suspension of hostilities.

A vote on the resolution was scheduled for Monday, but was delayed every day this week as the US pushed for revisions behind the scenes.

After more than a week of negotiations between the UAE, the US, which has crucial veto power over the UNSC, and other nations, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Thursday that negotiators reached compromise language that the US and Israel could support.

Earlier this month, the US, a staunch ally of Israel in the conflict, vetoed a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The final resolution also scaled down a proposal to have the UN exclusively monitor all humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza provided through land, sea and air routes, instead calling for the body to appoint an official responsible for helping coordinate aid.

A dire reality in the conflict zone

The resolution is notable in that it contains the Security Councils first agreed-upon reference to some future pause in fighting, though its unlikely to provide much hope to those in the war zone.

The day before the vote, a UN-backed food monitoring body found that Gazas entire population of over 2.2m people are approaching famine conditions.

These are not just numbers  there are individual children, women and men behind these alarming statistics, World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain said in a statement. The complexity, magnitude and speed that this crisis has unfolded is unprecedented.

The Israeli campign has killed roughly 1 per cent of the population of Gaza, and more than two-thirds of those killed in the response to the brutal 7 October Hamas attack have been women and children.

An estimated 85 per cent of Gazas population has been internally displaced, according to the UnitedNations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

Thus far, only a weeklong temporary ceasefire at the end of November has paused the fighting, allowing aid to trickle into Gaza as both Israel and Hamas exchanged detainees held in their custody.

US officials have said they support temporary humanitarian pauses in the conflict, rather than urging for a full-in ceasefire, a stance that human rights groups and nations critical of the US have argued amounts to being complicit in war crimes.

Mixed reaction from world leaders

The resolution, which passed 13-0 with abstentions from Russia and the US, was greeted with a mix of world opinion.

Russia abstained in protest, arguing the resolution would allow Israel to continue a ground invasion of Gaza that has carried a vast civilian death toll.

By signing off on this the Council would essentially be giving the Israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement for furthering clearing of the Gaza Strip, and anyone voting for the text as it is currently worded would bear responsibility for that, Russian Ambassador Vassily A Nebenzia told the UN chamber on Friday.

The UAEs Lanna Nusseibeh, meanwhile, defended the proposal, while voicing larger criticisms of Israels policy towards Palestine.

The text compels the international community to finally share in the burden that Egypt has been shouldering and it commits all of us to breaking the cruel blockades strangling Gaza for the last 16 years, she said after the vote.

The injustice of the occupation persists with the international communitys complicity. If you have a moral, national or political interest in saving the two-state solution, you must act now. This resolution gives us an opportunity to demonstrate that at the very least, the world will not tolerate the continued deprivation of the people of Gaza from basic necessities, she added.

Israel, meanwhile, called the resolution unnecessary.

In our view, the resolution is unnecessary and proves the inability for the UN to play a positive role in the conflict. After nearly three months, the UN has yet to condemn the massacre of October 7, an Israeli official told CNN.
The High Court has dismissed a challenge to the awarding ten years ago of the contract for what is now the Eircode address system.

Mr Justice Max Barrett said the challenge by navigational code software solutions firm, Loc8Code Ltd, was brought considerably out of time under EU rules dealing with challenges to public procurement contracts, known as the Remedies Regulations.

Even if they did not fall to be struck out under those regulations, the judge said he would have struck them out as being out of time under the rules of court.

In its challenge, Loc8Code claimed anti-competitive behaviour and illegal use of State aid in the awarding of the contract for the national postal code system in 2013.

It claimed it suffered 12m in losses as a result of an alleged conspiracy in the awarding of the contract by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to Capita Business Support Services Ireland Ltd trading as Eircode.

Loc8 Code Ltd said the Eircode system, which was launched in 2014, was known to be substandard for companies operating in competition with An Post which was also sued in the case along with Capita and the Department. An Post grants access to its GeoDirectory database to Capita, as licence holder, for an annual fee.

Loc8Code sought damages for alleged conspiracy and injunctions against Capita and the Department including one restraining the use of State political and administrative resources to unlawfully promote the commercial activities of Capita.

It also sought an injunction restraining the Department from renewing the Eircode contract in December 2023 or pending determination of the proceedings, whichever was later.

Loc8Codes claims were strongly denied. The Department, Capita and An Post brought applications seeking the strike out of the case on grounds including delay, that they were improperly constituted and/or misconceived, and frivolous and vexatious.

In a replying affidavit, Gary Delaney, CEO of Loc8Code, expanded on the claims of conspiracy and anti-competitive behaviour.

Mr Justice Barrett said Mr Delaney made an abundance of allegations of wrongdoing, some of which the judge described as sensational.

None of these allegations have ever been tried, let alone established, before a court, he said.

He found the delay in bringing the case was protracted and without any clear reason for it.

He considered he was obliged by law to make the order dismissing the case.
There are offerings from an ultra-budget price all the way to the top of the range

What were the best tech gadgets of the year? What was the best laptop, tablet and phone? What were the best headphones and buds? Having reviewed most of the big releases, Adrian Weckler picks the best of 2023.

Laptop

MacBook Pro 14 M3

It was a toss-up between this new MacBook Pro and Apples MacBook Air 15 M2, reviews for both of which you can find in more depth on Independent.ie.

While the 15-inch Air, launched in the Spring, has the advantage of being a really good everymans laptop with great battery life and adequate power, the more recent Pro M3 model edges it because of its performance and pricing.

A big advantage is the display, which is higher resolution and twice as bright (1,000 nits) as the Air models (themselves fairly bright at 500 nits); this makes it good not only for outdoor use, but also for movies.

There are also significantly more ports and connections, an additional USB-C port, an HDMI port and a memory card slot.

Finally, theres the price. Starting at 2,049, this is way cheaper than last years 14-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pros. Granted, the chip isnt quite as strong and that price only includes 8GB of Ram, but for the person who doesnt need hard graphics performance but still wants the other Pro accoutrements (including superior speakers), this is a good deal.

In appearance, its almost the exact same weight as the 15-inch MacBook Air but online comes in silver or space grey.

Some other minor advantages over the MacBook Air include faster charging (with an included charger thats twice as fast) and, in some circumstances, slightly longer battery life (up to 20 hours).

Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3

Headphones premium

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (449)

There werent as many new premium headphones launches this year as before, possibly due to supply chain issues. By some distance, the best new model was Bose QuietComfort Ultra, easily giving Sonys normally class-leading WH-1000XM5 a proper run for its money despite being over 100 dearer.

For absolute sound quality, its really, really hard to beat Bose. Apple may have some amazing tech tricks with its AirPods Max and AirPods Pro. Sony and Sennheiser both have good quality at aggressively lower prices. But when it comes to the actual balance of sound, Bose nailed it with the immersive sound in the new Quietcomfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones.

Its not just audio quality that Bose is selling here, though. The active noise cancellation here is top notch, easily on par with what youll get from the likes of Sonys best-selling WH-1000XM4 or XM5 cans.

Just as importantly, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are very, very comfortable to wear over long periods of time.

And these headphones fold, allowing for (much) easier storage and transportation when travelling. This is a big deal for anyone who flies, even semi-regularly.

Battery life is good at up to around 20 hours (or a few hours less if youre using immersive audio).

The QuietComfort Ultra headphones come in three colours: black, white smoke and sandstone.

Bose QuietComfort

Headphones budget

Anker Soundcore Space One (99)

If you dont have several hundred to spend on noise-cancelling headphones, about the best youll get for the 100-or-so mark are Ankers Soundcore Space One set.

Theyre comfortable, boast surprisingly good audio (for the price) and very creditable active noise cancellation. They also have a supporting app with adjustable EQ controls, support the high resolution LDAC audio codec and come with a cable for wired listening for any devices you have that dont have Bluetooth.

Where Anker has saved money is on the button layout and materials, which feel a little cheap to the touch. But overall, these are a really good deal.

Headphones ultrabudget

Sony CH520 (39)

If youre simply looking for a decent quality pair of overhead cans and dont need noise cancellation, touch controls or fancy app EQs, Sonys CH520 set is pretty hard to beat. Youre basically getting years of Sonys headphones audio experience in a low-frills overhead format.

What that means in practice is a pair of headphones that are more than adequate for casual listening or for a kid. Being on-ear (as opposed to over-ear), the CH520s cant and wont do noise cancellation properly as theres too much natural leakage. That also affects, somewhat, the headphones ability to really give you the bass that some tracks aspire to.

But they have superb battery life (up to an astonishing 50 hours per charge), and decent controls, both physically (on device) and in an accompanying app. They feel well built and come in a range of colours.

Sony CH520 headphones

Buds premium

AirPods Pro 2 (279)

There have been a lot of good new premium buds this year. Googles updates to its Pixel Buds Pro were minor but complimented an already-excellent product. Boses latest QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are superb, both for audio quality and noise cancellation. And Samsung keeps improving with each version of its Galaxy Buds Pro. Yet its still hard to beat the market leader as a superior all-rounder in the premium buds category. The AirPods Pro 2 do absolutely every little thing extraordinary well and are now on par for noise cancellation with several overhead models, an amazing achievement in engineering. This is partially because its new chip-powered technology manages to cut out even sharp, sudden noises, like sirens or bangs. And the audio quality is generally excellent across all music types, whether youre using an iPhone, an Android or anything else. The case can be wirelessly charged and is integrated into Apples Find My system (with a beep), making it much harder to mislay.

Apple Airpods Pro 2

Buds budget

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE (99)

Samsungs just-released wallet-friendly Fan Edition (or FE) version of its Galaxy Buds are the best you can buy at this price level.

They give you a good chunk of the regular Galaxy Buds features but for half the price.

For example, there are relatively few premium brand buds out there that offer active noise cancellation (ANC) for under 100, as is they case here. To be clear, this ANC isnt as strong as what youll get on the more expensive Samsung (or Apple, Bose or Google Pixel) versions. But its still noticeable. Its also helped by how snug the fit is with these buds. Samsung havent always cracked the challenge of buds staying in your ears, but theres no problem whatsoever with the FE model  Ive gone for long walks with these in and not a hint of any movement, let alone a risk of them dropping out.

While audio quality isnt quite at the rich, bass-comfy level of the higher-end Pro models, it holds up pretty well in my testing: I happily cycled through Spotify lists and music radio with good, bouncy, relatively whole sound quality.

There are limited touch controls on the outside of the buds, while battery life is more than reasonable.

Phone premium

iPhone 15 Pro Max (1,489)

This is probably the hardest of all the years best of products to pick, because its trying to pick between the elite from two different operating systems. That really makes it a contest between Apples iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsungs Galaxy S23 Ultra. While there is a case to be made for the Ultra, its longer camera zoom and included stylus among them, its the 15 Pro Max that still edges it out. This is for a couple of reasons. The first is power and longevity. While the S23 Ultra has great speed (and more Ram than the iPhone), its still not as powerful; Apples own silicon (in this case, the A17 Pro chip) is simply ahead of what rival companies now do. That also means that it will still be a zippy monster in four to five years, if thats how long you would like to use the phone youve invested your savings into.

The second reason is the camera system. While the S23 Ultra generally matches the iPhone for stills and it does still have a longer zoom (though not as much with the new 5x optical lens on the iPhone flagship device), the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still noticeably better at video. I found this a few weeks ago when covering the Dublin riots  the footage I shot on the 15 Pro Max was broadcast on TV here and around the world, because of its excellent performance in low light, stabilisation and overall ease to shoot and edit on the device itself.

iPhone. Stock image

Phone mid-range

Google Pixel 8 (799)

There were lots of good mid-range phones this year from the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo and Nothing. But Googles Pixel 8 is still the one to beat.

Its pure Android implementation simply beats all rivals, from the way you interact with apps to clever features that add to what you can do with the phone in everyday workflows.

Its camera features are great, too. In previous Pixels, we got the Magic Eraser feature, which allowed you to fairly easily airbrush something  or someone  out of a photo (any photo) altogether. Now, theres also to be a new Magic Editor function, which lets you do way more, from moving people around in photos to changing the lighting in subtle, sophisticated ways.

Another feature, Best Take, also aims to fix group photos. Typically, someone often blinks or looks away at the exact photo moment; Best Match allows you to mix and match the best, or most flattering, headshots from each of the several shots you took into one perfect shot.

The 6.2-inch, 120hz screen is what Google calls an Actua display and its relatively bright  up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, making it very viewable in sunny or bright conditions.

The other highlight is that Google is promising to support it with Android updates until 2030, which should provide some peace of mind.

Pixel 8

Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (1,499)

There was no new iPad Pro in 2023 which left the field somewhat open for the years best new device. Or so it might have seemed. In fact, there turned out to be little competition for Samsungs fairly stupendous Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which is about as fancy a tablet as you can imagine.

The 14.6-inch screen is literally the best tablet display you can get and is almost half again as large as Apples 13-inch iPad Pro models.

It is an absolute joy to use for things like Netflix and Disney Plus, as well as incredibly useful for multiple apps at the same time.

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip For Galaxy isnt quite as beefy as the M2 processor that Apple puts under the hood in an iPad Pro, its still very zippy with no lag or delay in racing through different apps and tasks. Its helped by a muscular 12GB of Ram,

From a physical design perspective, its something of a marvel too. Its very, very thin, even with such a high-end screen and a large battery to support it. This means that its barely heavier than the significantly smaller iPad 13 Pro M2, quite an impressive engineering feat.

There is an accompanying S Pen stylus, too  an Apple Pencil costs well over 100 extra. That S Pen is very fluid and smooth and easy to hold  it charges magnetically when you put it back in its spot on the rear of the tablet.

Does this mean that this is the one you should definitely get? Maybe, maybe not; for business or work users, the iPad Pro remains the main game in town because of its integration with enterprise apps and great keyboards.

Theres a separate cover case keyboard available (235) that isnt quite as good as the iPads Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro models, but its there if you want it.

Samsungs Dex system, which is fully compatible with this S9 Ultra, remains a good productivity workflow platform, too.

Fitness smartwatch

Fitbit Charge 6 (129)

While there were a few higher-end fitness smartwatches launched this year (especially from Garmin), general-purpose smartwatches (see adjacent pick) are now getting much closer to what these devices can do.

In that context, Ive gone for Fitbits budget-friendly Charge 6, a very practical, affordable, effective fitness tracker. While not being the aesthetic equivalent of wearing a giant machine on your wrist, this discreet, slender device does all of the basics  and some advanced stuff, too  very well. An accompanying app makes it easy to interpret things like steps, exercise and workout sessions and lets you choose from dozens of activities. It also now includes an ECG sensor for keeping tabs, at a low level, of your hearts health, as well as stress sensors. Battery life is generally very good at up to seven days between charges and it comes in a variety of colours.

Fitbit Charge 6

Overall smartwatch

Apple Watch Ultra 2

If it comes to all-purpose smartwatch, there are only really two main rivals: Apple and Samsung. Samsung stole a march on Apple in Ireland this year, partnering with Vodafone to launch a cellular service in Ireland, even as Apples Cellular Watch setup remains unavailable here. Despite this advantage, Apples Watch Ultra 2 still edges its main competitor out for its sheer versatility and functionality.

The new model has an improved ultrawideband chip (called U2) for allowing you find your misplaced iPhone. And it now has on-device Siri commands, which speeds the process up in scenarios where the wireless connection might be a bit slow.

Battery life is up to 72 hours, which is about twice what youll get on a regular Apple Watch.

The Watch Ultra 2 screen has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the brightest display Apple has ever made and a significant jump on the original Ultras 2,000 nits.

While its expensive  although 100 cheaper than last year, because of the euros improved position  its much tougher and more capable in a wider number of outdoors or sporting situations than the smaller, sleeker Apple Watch Series 9 or SE.

It is most likely to appeal to those who dive, do extreme cold weather activities, go off the grid for remote hikes or are prone to having their watch knocked around a bit in their daily work routine.

The latest Apple Watch screen is brighter than last years Series 8

Portable Bluetooth speaker premium

Bose S1 Pro Plus (699)

While JBL gave us what is arguably the party speaker of the year (PartyBox Ultimate, 1,499), that is a huge, flashy affair with disco lights and hall-filling bass. In other words, its basically a travelling DJs professional tool.

You could make the same argument for Sonys XV800 (699).

Instead, Ive gone for a smaller, more portable, less flashy battery-charged speaker which still has stellar, room-filling audio and can be used as a musicians tool and a PA system as much as a high-quality room speaker. Boses S1 Pro Plus is simply gorgeous to listen to and is light enough to easily bring from room to room, pop into the car for transportation somewhere else or luggable (via its handle) for outdoor use. There are no disco lights but it can easily be used for a party and its discreet enough to fit snugly in a corner, though a little bulky for most shelves. If you want to connect instruments or microphones, its perfect.

Bose S1 Pro Plus

Portable Bluetooth speaker budget

Sony XB100 (45)

When it comes to smaller budget speakers, this was arguably the pick of 2023. While the small XB100 packs a surprising punch for its diminutive size, its even better when bought as a pair as it connects for proper stereo sound. That gives you something quite special for under 100, a fairly rare feat.

The XB100 speakers also have clear speakerphone microphones in case you want to do calls on them and are waterproof (and dust proof) to an IP67 level.

Battery life lasts over 10 hours per full charge and theyre very easy to connect wirelessly over Bluetooth. While theres no accompanying app, the external controls are intuitive and straightforward.

It comes in a choice of black, orange, teal or grey.
Angola is to leave OPEC in a blow to the Saudi-led oil producer group that has sought in recent months to rally support for further output cuts to prop up oil prices.

Angolas Oil Minister Diamantino Azevedo said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries no longer served the countrys interests. It joins other mid-sized producers Ecuador and Qatar that have left OPEC in the last decade.
An executive in a local technology firm who did not pay more than $1.1 million in employment taxes was sentenced to four years probation, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Julie Dotton, 51, of Orchard Park, president and CEO of Applied Sciences Group and founding partner of KRP Holdings, was convicted of willful failure to truthfully account for and pay employment taxes.

She was also ordered on Thursday to pay restitution of $1,585,538 to the Internal Revenue Service and $117,277 to the SBA.

Prosecutors said Dotton filed to remit money to the IRS for income taxes, Social Security and Medicare fees based on the wages of employees, which businesses ordinarily hold in trust for the government.

The money owed for all of 2018 and three quarters of 2019 totaled $1,100,837.

Dotton also admitted that she obtained a federal Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program loan for $117,277 to which she was not entitled, prosecutors added.

The plea followed an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

- Mike Petro
Sligo farmers were spared having to consider burying fallen animals on their farms.

What to do with fallen farm animals came sharply into focus for farmers in the past couple of weeks due to a dispute which saw rendering plants across Ireland declining to accept animals from knackeries since December 4th.

The dispute arose over fees charged by renderers to animal collectors for the disposal of non-BSE tested fallen farm stock.

As a result the Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, announced that fallen animals could be transported to Northern Ireland or farmers could get authorisation to bury the animals on their farms.

Discussions had taken place between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) officials and the representative body for Irish Category One Renderers (ICORA), following which the service have now been resumed across the country.

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IFA Sligo Chairperson Michael ODowd welcomed the decision and said: Although farmers in Sligo were not very much affected by the dispute it is good to have the services back in place.

The renderers increased their price per tonne and of course the knackeries wouldnt be able to agree with that because that would mean an increase in price for the farmers per animal.

The prices went up from 120 per tonne to 180 per tonne, which meant an increase of 30 per animal for the farmers.

It didnt become a big issue for farmers in Sligo as the knackery owner in Sligo was collecting the fallen animals as usual and sending them to the Northern Ireland.

Maloney and Matthews is the only knackery in County Sligo, that covers all of the county along with Mayo, Donegal and Leitrim.

Owner of the knackery Jim Matthews told The Sligo Champion that the price increase didnt affect them as they export their collection to the Northern Ireland rendering plants where the prices were not increased.

I looked at the dispute and thought why would I stop the service if the price is not going to affect me and we continued our services as normal. Due to this all of Sligo, Mayo and Donegal were not affected with the dispute.

The renderers are still negotiating with the Department of Agriculture but the strike was over on Monday last.

There are only three renderers in Ireland that are authorised to take Category 1 material and the negotiations are still ongoing.

Although the dispute didnt many farmers in Sligo, the price increase and strike by the renderers were a matter of concern for everyone.

IFA PRO Kathleen Henry said: Its good news that the services have been restored and the farmers dont have to worry about this around Christmas.

I hope that there will be no setbacks after this and the knackeries would be able to do their jobs without obstructions.

It was different in different places, like in Sligo the collection didnt stop and I know some knackeries were being good and still collecting the animals.

The last thing a farmer wants to see is one of their animals lying around or being left there after passing away.

We know its not suffering but its not nice to see your animal having to be left there because there is no one to collect it or nowhere for it go.

I think the department needs to engage more with the knackeries.

There were talks going on and a resolution has come out but hopefully it will stay like this and there will be no more setbacks to the services.

Now the farmers wont need to bury the animals themselves which is very complex, but it is great to have that facility there as it will help the farmers who dont want to have the animals lying around due to some issue with the knackery.

The price increase is still being negotiated but it definitely puts pressure on the farmers as we see the price of almost everything going up like the cost of living and the increased cost always comes back to the farmers.

Its not just the cost of going up, but there is also an emotional attachment with the animal that they have looked after and that loss adds on to the financial loss.

So every cost that goes up impacts the farmers but the farmers dont always get recognised when it comes to their wage going up.

The government needs to make sure that there is a compromise in it and to make sure that its not just the farmers who are having to bear the costs of these increases.

Farmers are doing their best to protect their animals and to care for them because thats where their living comes from.
The annual Belvedere College sleep-out in aid of homeless charities has kicked off for its 40th year.

Students from the College will be out raising funds for this years charities, Focus Ireland and the Jesuit Refugee Society (JRS).

They started fundraising at noon on December 22 and will spend the next two nights sleeping out before wrapping up at noon on Christmas Eve.

Spirits were kept high on a windy morning on OConnell Street by the Belvedere College choir as they belted out a selection of classic festive carols.

This years sleep-out spokesperson Tom Callaghan highlighted the work done by the chosen charities and said the campaign has already had huge success in the days leading up to the sleep-out itself.

"Before a bucket was shaken we had over 140,000 on the Justgiving page online, he said

"Weve seen the huge generosity of people already a huge amount and were just hoping to keep that going throughout the sleep-out and on the streets as well.

"Its not nice but you have to put yourself in the shoes of homeless people and see what they go through on a yearly basis. Its not nice but it has to be done.

"Everyones been very supportive so far, its going well and were very grateful for all the help we can get, said student Harry Walsh.

"The sleep-out is a good thing to do. Ive been working with Vincent de Paul and different homeless groups since first year. Its great as a student to be able to get out in the streets and do something different with your school.

Leinster rugby stars including Jimmy OBrien, Tadhg Furlong, Harry Byrne and Ross Molony were seen out supporting the cause as the first morning of fundraising got underway.

Hugh Johnston said reaching the 40th year of the sleep-out is a story of success, but also a story of failure.

"40 years later we still have to take to the streets to fight against homelessness.

"With a record-breaking number of homeless people were taking to the streets in greater numbers than ever with the hope to raise as much money and spread as much awareness as possible for these people on the streets.

"Im lucky given the fact that I know theres going to be an end to it and that Ill be going home to a bed at the end of these three days, whereas people who sleep on the streets every day dont have that comfort and dont have that choice.

"So although itll be tough for me, its a lot worse for people out there sleeping on the streets every night so I just have to be grateful for what I have."

Homeless charity Focus Ireland has been a partner of the Belvedere College sleep-out since the very beginning in 1983 and has supported 16,000 families, including 1,668 families, over the past year.

The JRS was brought on board for the first time this year in light of the need for its services intensifying at a time when there is a shortage of available housing for incoming asylum seekers.

Last years sleep-out raised a record 306,143. This year more than 260 Belvedere College students are participating in the sleepout and school alumni will be sleeping out at College Green in solidarity.
A judge has allowed gardai more time to get the Director of Public Prosecutions' direction (DPP) on the case of three youths charged with attacking US tourist Stephen Termini in Dublin.

The artist and musician, 57, was seriously injured during an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city on July 9.
A Circuit Court judge who was a form teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been found guilty of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault against six complainants in the 1990s.
Woman fined for outburst in which she kicked front door of sleeping friends house in Malahide

Shop worker Nadine Roberts was fined for threatening and abusive behaviour

Stock image

Eimear Cotter Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 03:30







A shop worker started shouting and kicking at the front door of a friends house as she was trying to get into the property and her friend was fast asleep, a court heard.
There has been a steady flow of tears-of-joy at arrivals since the small hours

Tears were flowing in terminals 1 and 2 at Dublin Airport today as families welcomed home loved ones from abroad.

Then again, with the busiest day of arrivals for the Christmas period, there was always going to be tears.

More than 200,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport by this evening, and more than 1.6 million will come through over the entire Christmas period.

Among the many families watching and waiting for loved ones were the Pykes from Dublin.

Barbara Pyke was flying home from Boston with her daughters  Tess (9) and Dara (7)  for the festive season.

Sheila Pyke from Dublin pictured with her daughters Barbara and Claire and her grandchildren Tess and Dara. Picture Credit: Frank McGrath 22/12/23

Her family, including her mother Sheila Pyke and sister Claire, was also there. They told the Irish Independent of their anxieties waiting for her to arrive:

I just cant take my eyes off the door; it will be any moment now, she said.

We missed him so much; we really did

Barbara, who lives full-time in Boston, said she was so grateful to be home and spending time with family.

Dara added, after her warm embrace with her grandmother, that she couldnt wait for a packet of Tayto.

There was a nervous wait too for Niall McEvoy from Belfast.

His brother, his sister-in-law along with his two nieces were making a special trip home from Boston.

Seona Cosgrove and Adam Goldrick from Leitrim pictured with their Mum's Anne[ on left] and Mary after Seona ans Adam flew into Dublin airport from Boston..Picture Credit:Frank McGrath 22/12/23

Kitted out in a Santa hat for the occasion, Mr McEvoy greeted his nieces Francis (4) and Peggy (7) along with his brother and his sister-in-law Johanna McEvoy, who was born and raised in the States.

Theres nothing like Christmas in Ireland; everybody is off and can be here together, said Johanna McEvoy. We come back every single year.

The Murrays, from Castleknock in Dublin, gathered as a huge clan decked out in Christmas hats to greet their brother, Dave. He was travelling home from Washington for Christmas.

Sisters Maureen, Val, Noelle, Alex, and nieces Denise and Christine, waited patiently for his arrival.

We missed him so much; we really did, Denise said.

Maureen excitedly added that she would be the one cooking Christmas dinner for him this year.

Mothers Ann Cosgrove and Mary Goldrick from Leitrim were among the many people lovingly greeting their children at the arrivals hall today.

After flying in from Boston, couple Shona Cosgrove and her boyfriend Adam Goldrick said they couldnt wait to get their hands on a chicken roll over the festive period.

I got about two hours of sleep last night; I just cant wait to see the look on his face of surprise

Another joyful return was made by Sarah Bodan, who departed on an early flight from Connecticut.

With tears in her eyes, and after a big hug from her sister Emma, she said she was most looking forward to celebrating her sisters engagement.

An early flight from Toronto saw Marten Curran and Ciara OHara from Naas, Co Kildare, being reunited with family for Christmas for the first time in four and a half years.

Marten was reunited with his sister and his niece who were holding a big blue sign to give them a warm welcome.

I cannot wait to have a Chinese and go to the pub, Mr Curran said.

Mary Kennedy, who was up at the crack of dawn, said she couldnt sleep with the excitement.

Mary Kennedy

The Wexford woman travelled from Enniscorthy to Dublin Airport with her family to surprise her son Pearse, who is returning to Ireland for Christmas for the first time in six years.

Pearse lives in Germany with his wife.

Im hiding behind this sign, so he doesnt see me, she said.

He didnt know Id be here; he thought I was working today.

I got about two hours of sleep last night; I just cant wait to see the look on his face of surprise.

Meanwhile, two other sisters were waiting to meet a third.

The returning sister was travelling from Boston with her entire family  who hadnt stepped foot on Irish soil for Christmas in 18 years.

Emma, along with her daughter, and Ellie, waited patiently for their eldest sister to grace the halls.

Our parents dont know, and theyre going to kill us when they get home, Emma said.

With a quivering voice of excitement, she added that people might want to block their ears as there would be big screams and big hugs.
LATEST | Heartbroken family pay tribute after four-year-old son of Irish man stabbed to death in London home

Keziah Macharia (41) appeared before a London magistrate charged with the murder of her four-year-old son, Kobi Macharia-Dooly

Police officers on site where a four-year-old boy has died after suffering knife injuries

Ralph Riegel Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 15:37







A HEARTBROKEN Irish family have paid tribute to a four-year-old boy whose mother has been charged with his murder in the UK.
Victims campaigner also hits out at critics of the move from within his own unionist community

A victims campaigner has thanked Dublin for mounting a legal challenge against the UK Governments controversial Legacy Act, which offers immunity over Troubles crimes.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by the UVF in 1997, said he had written to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar requesting a meeting for victims from the unionist community who will be supporting the challenge.

The new law came into force in September despite opposition from victims, all the political parties here and the Irish Government.

The Republic believes the law is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The move drew criticism from Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, who said he profoundly regrets the decision.

And DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson accused the Irish Government of double standards.

Kenny Donaldson of the South East Fermanagh Foundation claimed Dublin had been evasive about releasing information on the 1998 Omagh atrocity and warned it would soon get a reality check if it thinks its on the moral high ground.

However, Mr McCord said: Im delighted to see it. I wasnt happy with the criticism that came from several people from my own community, including Jeffrey Donaldson and Kenny Donaldson.

I thought we were slowly but surely moving away from whataboutery.

They accused the Irish Government of double standards. We all know  because Ive spoken to people from Omagh, the border etc  the Irish Government has questions to answer, but this is nothing to do with that, this is about stopping this Bill.

He added: I sent an email last night to thank (Micheal) Martin and Varadkar through a contact I have.

What I would like now is a meeting with Leo Varadkar and victims from the unionist community who will be supporting the Irish Government in their challenge.

And I hope to be in Europe to watch the Irish Government challenging it.

He said the UK Government pushed through the Bill despite the fact everybody here was against the legislation.

He added: It was opposed by the population of Northern Ireland, no matter whether youre nationalist, unionist or whatever  it was imposed on us.

This is fantastic, it gives us hope of now defeating the Bill.

Mr Donaldson said Mr McCord was entitled to his views.

He added: We respect his familys loss and quest for justice, truth and account.

But he and others should equally be respectful SEFF is entitled to its views, which are reflective of an IVU (Innocent Victims United) constituency of victims and survivors exceeding 14,000 and which are based upon the foundation stone of support for the rule of law.

Mr Donaldson said, for some victims and survivors, the Irish Government will be received as saviours in all of this, but for others a very different lived experience is the reality.

Mr McCord said if the Irish Government was offering to donate 100m to Northern Ireland, people within unionism, my own community, would criticise it, theyll find fault.

Pointing to collusion being proven in his sons murder, and accepted by the UK Government and Chief Constable, he said unionist parties would not accept those findings either because the Police Ombudsmans report criticised the police and security agencies.

In reference to comments by NIO minister Lord Caine, who said he cannot rule out consequences (in diplomatic relations) for Dublin, Mr McCord added: We invited Lord Caine to Queens University for a victims event.

I was chairing it and said to him: Im going to ask you one question when its over, its not a nasty question, would you answer it? He said yes.

When the film was over, with eight victims telling their story, I asked him: After watching that film, do you think it (the Legacy Bill) is going to help victims move on? He refused to answer it.

The minister told Mr McCord he was there in listening mode.

An NIO spokesperson said: "The UK Government is confident that the Legacy Act will provide answers to many families who have waited decades for information about what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles."
An Irish man who was left fighting for his life after falling critically ill from a mosquito bite on the last day of his Asian holiday is to be flown home before New Year's Day.

James Burke (36) developed Dengue Fever after being bitten by an infected mosquito in Thailand  and later developed sepsis which left him critically ill in hospital.

Mr Burke, who is from Effin, was due to fly home to Limerick on November 19 after his Far East travels.

The young man even sent photos to his family and friends as he travelled by taxi to the airport to catch his flight home to Ireland.

However, he fell seriously ill before he could board the plane and ended up in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a nearby hospital.

Read more Limerick man in critical condition in hospital following rare mosquito bite in Thailand

Later, his condition worsened and he went into respiratory failure and required intubation.

The Irish man remains in the intensive care unit of the Thai hospital where he has been treated for the past six weeks.

His sister, Margaret Creed, previously contacted Corks 96FM to appeal for help in getting her brother safely home.

Mr Burke took out travel insurance for his holiday.

However, the insurance company involved refused to pay his medical bills as he was hospitalised on the last day of his travel cover.

The hospital costs have run to 2,700 a day with further costs involved from specialist tests and treatments.

The Burke family said that the HSE will now be assisting in flying their brother James home on December 28.

We are delighted to be able to bring everyone this good news. We would sincerely like to thank each of every one of you for your kind donations which will now go towards the significant costs of James hospital care and treatment including his care and rehabilitation when he finally is home in the care of hospital services in Ireland," they posted on the appeal page.

"James remains in the ICU department and his condition is slowly improving. However, he is still undergoing further investigations and treatments for his medical conditions.

"We accept that James won't be home for Christmas as we had hoped. However, this is the best Christmas present to get today. We would like to thank everyone that has supported us throughout this difficult time.

His sister, Margaret, said James had suffered acute kidney failure, pneumonia, a bleed on the brain and severe nerve damage.

The family have been warned as to the long term prognosis for his condition.

We dont know if he will ever be the same again, she said.

Margaret stressed that James is a kind and caring man who would do anything for anyone, is totally doted on by his elderly parents, Maureen and Walter, who have been extremely worried about the situation.
Education Minister Norma Foley is under fire as school principals voice anger after her department resorted to allocating funding for science projects via a random number generator after it received more applications than expected.

Principals say they are disappointed more than 2,000 applications for Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) equipment and projects were not assessed at all, with the applications first being filtered by random lottery, before the successful ones were decided upon by a human being in the Department of Education.
A Wyoming County man accused of supplying a narcotic drug to a woman who overdosed and died as a result has been indicted by a Wyoming County grand jury, charged with criminally negligent homicide, according to the Wyoming County District Attorney's Office.

Todd A. Weigert, 28, of Perry, who was arraigned Thursday before Wyoming County Court Judge Keith Kibler, is also charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Weigert is accused of having criminal intent when he allegedly supplied a narcotic drug to a 34-year-old woman who then overdosed and died. He also is accused of having possessed narcotic drugs with intent to sell them, as well as possessing drug paraphernalia, and another narcotic drug on a different date, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Kibler set bail at $15,000 cash, $30,000 bond or $45,000 partially secured bond. The case is scheduled for a pre-trial motion on Feb. 15.

The Perry Police Department was assisted by New York State Police in the investigation. First Assistant District Attorney Victor A. Hemming is prosecuting the case. Weigert is being represented by public defender Leah Nowotarski.

- Harold McNeil
The Tanaiste did, however, urge citizens to pay the licence fee

Micheal Martin says RTE was incoherent in its early explanations of its financial crisis linked to Ryan Tubridy, and should have been much more upfront and transparent with the Irish public.

But he insisted the station  which has announced 400 redundancies because of the resultant cash and confidence crisis  was still performing its public service obligations and was worthy of TV licence support from ordinary citizens.

Fulfilling the key public service requirement is far more important than flip-flops, he said.

I've been very clear about people needing to pay the TV licence, and people should pay the TV licence, the Fianna Fail leader added.

I am a very strong believer in public service broadcasting, and in broadening that out to public service content and print media and in local radio and national channels as well outside of RTE, such as Virgin and others.

I believe public service content should be supported on all platforms. We have to arrive at the funding model to achieve that. A new revenue-sharing law has come into force in Canada where Facebook is refusing to pay for news content and is instead blocking links to news stories from platforms such as the Irish Independent. But a redistribution system is working successfully in Australia, observed by Meta and Google.

The critical need for funding across all means and methods of information meant people had to pay a reasonable amount, Mr Martin argued. I don't think any of my commentary during the year in any way negates or would undermine the need for people to pay the licence fee.

Obviously one of the big stories of the year has been RTE and the financial situation there, he acknowledged. Mr Martin expressed concern in November that there had been a witch-hunt over Ryan Tubridy, and also said at a press conference that there was too much focus on individuals.

I think RTE could have been, in its initial presentations of the issue, far more comprehensive and maybe upfront, the Tanaiste said.

I thought it was very disparate, incoherent sort of presentation at the Oireachtas committees and so on.

That said, standing back, my views are well-known in respect of how I thought there was an over-degree of personalisation of some of it. I think we on the Oireachtas side have to learn as well in terms of due process and all of that.

But the more fundamental point I have is that quality is important in broadcasting and in media. Balance is important. Sometimes we can lose sight of the more fundamental issues in terms of a modern media, which can be a bulwark against populism and extreme views.

We do need to resource that more. We must never lose sight of what I would call the more fundamental issues -- as opposed to some of the superficial issues.

They could have been much more transparent with us early on. But in short, I think substance, balance and really fulfilling the key public service requirement is far more important than flip-flops.

RTE said it had no comment to make when contacted by the Irish Independent.
The town of Tullamore is still reeling from the murder of Offaly teacher and musician Ashling Murphy almost two years ago.

On January 12, 2022, Ashling (23) was attacked in broad daylight by Jozef Puska as she exercised along the Grand Canal bank, at Cappincur, just outside the midland town.
A paedophile who used Snapchat to prey on young children  including in Ireland  before blackmailing them has been jailed in the UK.

Alex Tindal was jailed for 11 years this week for a catalogue of offences against victims as young as 10 years old across the world.

Described as sinister and predatory by police, Tindal was found guilty of possessing hundreds of indecent images of children.

He used social media to convince children, some as young as 10 years old, to engage in sexual activity.

Tindal would then blackmail them, threatening to disclose the videos and photos publicly if they did not follow his instructions.

The court heard he had more than thirty victims across the UK as well in Germany, USA and Ireland.

However, he was finally caught following a referral received from a child in Northern Ireland.

South Wales police said the Irish victim reported receiving threats from Tindal after refusing to send him sexual imagery.

Police also received a report from the National Crime Agency, identifying that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to the internet at Tindals former Swansea home.

Tindal was arrested at his home which was then searched. Several devices including mobile phones, computers and hard drives were seized and examined, and the scale of his offending became apparent.

Speaking following Tindals conviction, Detective Constable Martin Charles commented:

This is one of the largest cases our team has worked on, and the strength of evidence gathered gave Tindal no other option but to plead guilty.

"I am thankful for the other police forces across the UK and abroad who supported the investigation as well as our Digital Forensic Unit in identifying victims ensuring we can safeguard them from further harm.

"Most of all, I am grateful for the bravery shown by Tindals victims across the UK for talking to the Police and helping to put him where he belongs beyond harms way.

Alex Tindals crimes are of the most sinister and predatory offences seen as most of the victims families were completely unaware of the abuse being perpetrated.

"The online world is an integral part of a childs life but is often hidden from close family and those who would intervene to help a child if they fell victim to this particular type of crime.
New standalone criminal offence of extortion to drop planning objectionsDatabase of bogus objections and vexatious appeals to be passed on for garda investigationObjectors will have to clearly identify themselves and legally declare theyre acting in good faith

New laws aim at putting an end to 'go away money' demands

Planning objectors will be forced to abide by new rules in a clampdown on go-away money demands.

A standalone offence of extortion to drop planning objections will be put into law.

A database of bogus objections will be drawn up and vexatious appeals will be passed to the gardai.

And a list of legitimate environmental consultants will be drawn up to stop objectors masquerading as campaigners.

The measures will not prevent objections being lodged but will put additional penalties in place to punish malfeasance.

Objectors will have to clearly identify themselves and legally declare they are acting in good faith.

In the middle of a housing crisis, there have been multiple allegations of go-away money being sought to withdraw objections.

The extent of the scandal was revealed by the Irish Independent this summer.

The garda fraud squad has launched a criminal investigation into a case of alleged go-away money being sought to drop planning objections to housing. A prominent housing development in Dublin is at the centre of the probe.

Following further revelations by RTE last month, opposition parties sought changes to the law.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien has now drawn up a five-point plan of reforms to the law and running of the planning system to tackle the problem.

The minister said the Irish Independent stories earlier this year and the RTE reporting illustrated highly inappropriate practices of strategic financially motivated objections to planning applications.

A handful of individuals who allegedly seek to make profit from what is effective blackmail comes at a great cost to the whole community, in particular to first-time buyers who are desperate for their first home, he said in a letter to opposition TDs.

The Attorney General has said there is adequate criminal fraud law in place to deal with the issue, but the minister said there are further changes to the system and the law to firmly stamp out this unacceptable practice.

A new planning law, the Planning and Development Act, is currently being debated and is one of the biggest pieces of legislation to go through the Oireachtas. The minister plans to add a number of amendments.

He lists five proposals:

A statutory declaration of identification and bona fide observations to be required to submit a planning observation. The legal statement would clearly name the objector and state they are making their observations in good faith. A breach of that declaration would result in a further penalty. The move is also intended to create a pause for thought at that stage of the process, but it doesnt prevent objectors from making their observations

A system to identify patterns of repeated or vexatious appeals by An Bord Pleanala and local councils. The planning authorities can already dismiss appeals made to delay a development or to secure a payment

The planning watchdog to refer cases of malfeasance to gardai. The Office of the Planning Regulator will act as a national point of contact to pass such cases to the appropriate units of the gardai

A national register of bona fide environmental consultancies will be drawn up by the planning watchdog. The list is aimed at eliminating dubious, self-interested and extortionist objectors operating under the false guise of consultants

A standalone offence to deal with abuse of the planning system and the withdrawal of appeals, as proposed by Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik

According to Mr OBrien: These measures will strengthen the capacity to dismiss vexatious appeals and help ensure only good faith objections are dealt with. As you are only too aware, a sound, trustworthy planning system is the bedrock of sustainable communities.

"To address the housing crisis we need more homes, built in the right places to the right standard. Any attempts at extortion using the planning system completely undermines that.

The Governments chief legal adviser has said the outcome of the investigation into alleged extortion will determine whether the law needs to be strengthened.

Attorney General Rossa Fanning views misuse of planning appeals as deeply concerning and would have a negative impact on the wider community, particularly first-time buyers.

Following further revelations by RTE last month of go-away money being demanded, a number of politicians have used parliamentary privilege to put allegations on the record.

An Bord Pleanala will carry out a review of appeals submitted by serial objector John Callaghan. The move follows revelations of payments received by an objector featured in the RTE programme.

The Attorney General has told the minister that there are ample legal measures in place under existing legislation to deal with alleged extortion of home builders.

Mr Fanning pointed to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act which states: It shall be an offence for any person who, with a view to gain for himself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, makes any unwarranted demand with menaces.
A Palestinian woman holds a child in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

T he plight of children kidnapped and murdered by Hamas and killed in Israels attacks on Gaza has stirred worldwide outrage, and justly so.

Whatever the political outcome of the conflict, the children who survive in the region will have immense  and specific  long-term needs. Already, child welfare organisations are doing what they can to help, using insights gleaned from treating children in conflicts there and elsewhere. This urgent humanitarian aid needs support from those watching in horror from afar. And governments around the world must pledge a massive investment in caring for young Gazans and Israelis.

The most pressing issue is simply to locate children. Many in Gaza are alone when they pass through checkpoints or show up at hospitals, leaving them at yet more risk. Unicef aims to make hospitals one-stop hubs, where they can arrange custody and provide mental and physical healthcare.

Unicef is trying to formalise legal guardianships for the newly orphaned and keep records of them  efforts that officials admit are proceeding very slowly. The week-long pause in fighting gave Unicef time to track down just three unaccompanied children in Gaza and connect them with services.

The lack of consistent phone service and power for charging devices has made it difficult for Unicef to work and hard for the non-profit Palestine Childrens Relief Fund (PCRF) to stay in touch with the children it serves who were orphaned by the 2014 war.

The scales of displacement in Israel and Gaza are very different. Up to 1.8 million Gazans and up to 250,000 Israelis have left their homes since the October 7 attacks. But the efforts to rehouse Israeli families set a bar for what Gazan children deserve. The government of Israel is paying for refugees to live in unused hotel rooms, sometimes resettling entire kibbutzim and towns together.

As the school-aged population of the Dead Sea region swelled from 500 to 3,000, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee opened schools. One for children with additional needs is located in a repurposed spa.

Chief executive Ariel Zwang told me that schools, like most institutions in the attacked communities, suffered losses: Wheres the kindergarten teacher? Gone. Wheres the assistant kindergarten teacher? Her parents were murdered and shes with her family.

But because whole towns were evacuated together, some teachers have returned to the classroom to give their students a sense of normality.

In Gaza, there are no children, said PCRF founder Steve Sosebee, speaking to the devastation young people have seen and experienced. There are physical children, two-year-olds running around among rubble, but no one experiencing childish innocence or normality.

UN schools are sheltering 1.2 million people, making formal education in the area largely impossible. Unicef is providing recreation programmes for Gazan children, as well as food, water and shelter. In the midst of the humanitarian cataclysm, the opportunity to play is itself a form of aid, an investment in resilience and mental well-being.

Thats essential. Experts agree that children in Israel and Gaza need dedicated and sustained mental health care.

Some cheap, simple things can help. Organisations such as the Children and War Foundation have developed interventions that can be delivered by school counsellors, teachers and even parents. These are low-cost, scientifically robust and rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy. The groups Teaching Recovery Techniques curriculum has been used with Palestinian children in the West Bank and with Syrian refugee children and parents in Lebanon.

It gives people practical ways to recognise and manage intense or overwhelming responses to trauma.

Ensuring that children have a loving caregiver is key to their rehabilitation  one of the many reasons it is crucial to connect orphans with extended family or neighbours. These adults provide immediate physical protection and can reinforce the lessons imparted by short-term therapy programs.

The children of this conflict need ongoing treatment for their physical wounds, too. In early December, PCRFs Sosebee told me that 900 children in Gaza had fresh amputations, often performed in the worst of conditions. They might need more operations and to have prostheses refitted as they grow.

Similarly, paediatric burn victims, lacking skin grafts, will need further surgery to manage scar tissue.

Organisations such as PCRF have worked for years to get children from Gaza access to medical treatment elsewhere in the world.

But the bureaucracy required to get travel documents for children is in a shambles. And the scale of need created by this war will likely outstrip that capacity. Gazan families need functioning hospitals, surgeons, specialists and care co-ordinators.

Ultimately, when rebuilding does begin, both in Gaza and in the Israeli communities devastated on October 7, reconstruction should put the needs of children first.

In Gaza, that will mean clearing unexploded ordnance that will be a danger long after hostilities cease, and reducing lead pollution hotspots that have been a risk to children for years.

It must involve building more school capacity: Before the current war, many UN schools were educating children in shifts, and the average class size was 41.2 children.

As with previous conflicts, this war will be a mass disabling event, so new buildings and transit infrastructure will need to be designed with accessibility in mind.

The thing children need most to recover from conflict is the thing conflict itself undermines: stability.

More than righteous sympathy, the world owes the children of Israel and Gaza another chance at childhood. ( Washington Post)
Fire last weekend at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, which had been earmarked for asylum-seekers

It is not surprising that racism, bias and discrimination are endemic in our society.

Since the foundation of the Irish state, Traveller citizens have been and continue to be subject to discrimination, vilification and abuse emanating from our governments, politicians, civil service, public bodies, other institutions, society leaders and citizens in general.

By word, act and deed, our citizens have inculcated racism and discrimination into our society and this has passed through the generations, to the present, where not only are Travellers vilified and abused, but people of different culture, race, religion are subject to discrimination, attack and abuse.

Whilst few will agree, we may be the most racist nation in the world. It is impossible to change by reason, in the mind of an individual, something which has not been put there by reason.

It requires a mindset change to accept our fellow humans as individuals, with the same needs and rights as we have as Irish citizens, to turn the tide of racism and create just society.

Parents, teachers, politicians and all citizens have a responsibility to demonstrate by word, act and deed that all peoples, of whatever race, colour or creed, have a right to live their lives in safety and peace.

Hugh McDermott, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

Our government must do much more than meekly call for a ceasefire in Gaza

Updated statistics by the Swiss-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on Tuesday put the the toll of killed and injured in Gaza at 26,612 and 52,390 respectively.

These figures represent 1.21pc and 2.4pc of a total Gazan population of 2.2 million.

If applied to the Republic of Ireland, this equates to 61,373 killed and 120,717 wounded.

This is 18 times more Gazans killed in 74 days than in 30 years of war in Northern Ireland.

The 86pc of the Gazan population that has been displaced would equate in Ireland to 4.4 million traumatised Irish citizens all squeezed into a few southern counties, many sleeping in tents, with limited or no sanitary facilities or medical help while being forced to queue for hours for meagre daily rations of porridge and water.

Seventy-one per cent of the total Irish population (3.6 million people) would suffer from extreme hunger.

The Irish government must do much more than meekly call for a humanitarian ceasefire.

It should assert all possible diplomatic influence on the US government to stop it politically and militarily supporting Israels genocidal war on the people of Gaza.

It can start by purging its complicity in this genocide by removing the facility to the US military at Shannon Airport.

Jim Roche, Dublin 1

Lasting commitment to peace the only way to end the horrors in Palestine

In the interest of peace, I would like to propose a New Frontier Middle-East Solution.

1. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

2. The withdrawal of all Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to pre-October 7 positions under guarantees of non-violence from Hamas and Hezbollah.

3. The release of all surviving Hamas hostages in return for the release of all non-court-convicted Palestinian detainees in Israel.

4. New peace talks to begin including delegates from US, UK, France, Australia, Israel Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Palestine.

5. A UN force to patrol Israel-Palestine borders.

6. Rebuilding of Palestine to begin with new infrastructure and world business initiatives.

7. A new lasting commitment from all stakeholders that this catastrophic human carnage must end now and never be allowed to happen again.

Jimmy Cummins, Busselton, Western Australia

DUP unlikely to ever back down while the Windsor Framework is in place

Are we there yet? might be the question the Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris could ask of DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

After making a higher offer of 3.3bn (3.8bn) to return to work, Mr Donaldson still wont say yes.

Mr Heaton-Harris should realise that the elephant in the room is the Windsor Framework. Therefore, there will be no returning to the assembly unless the DUP has the job of First Secretary.

They will not be moved, it seems the DUP are not for turning.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth

You better watch out, you better not cry, after great climate cop-out in Dubai

After the cop-out at the Cop28 conference, I think Santa will be leaving coal in most of the delegates Christmas stockings.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Holistic approach would help calm emotive debate around immigration

Senator Timmy Dooley, speaking on RTEs Drivetime, said the people responsible for the alleged arson attack at a hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, were motivated by hatred.

A fair enough assumption, but if Mr Dooley had substituted the word fear for hatred, the overall response coming from officialdom would have seemed more holistic.

It would also have the benefit of playing down the emotive debate that accompanies such incidents.

Peter Declan OHalloran , Belturbet, Co Cavan

Recent Galway hotel fire shows garda response is reactive, not proactive

The recent fire at a disused hotel in Galway shows an absence of on-the-ground intelligence gathering.

Excuses made by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to the Policing Authority do not wash.

This incident, so soon after the Dublin riots, revealed a force where a reactive response by senior figures is to obfuscate and blame others.

While no one can condone the criminal acts perpetrated by the few, the garda response is seen as reactive rather than proactive.

Zero tolerance and a robust policing response should be to the forefront of any policing strategy so as to immediately negate possible threats.

Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Drinks on me for the good people of Colorado after dealing a blow to Trump

Is that the sound of a penny dropping?

In an unexpected, but welcome, statement, the people of Colorado have declared Donald J Trump to be an unfit person to run for presidency.

Doubles all round to Colorado. Other states, please copy.

David Ryan, Co Meath
The site will be developed into an educational facility for farmers and students by a Clare-based group

Irish trees can be integrated into existing farms, according to Hometree.

The site in Donoughmore will be developed into an Irish woodland educational facility.

A Donoughmore site is set to become a woodlands educational facility that will host farmers looking to learn how they can integrate native trees into their farms.

The eight-acre site was purchased by Clare-based organisation Hometree, a non-profit group that aims to establish and conserve permanent native woodland in Ireland, courtesy of the support of a local donor.

The organisations farm programmes coordinator, Ray O Foghlu, is a Cork native and said that because some of the best land in Ireland is located in the county it is not feasible for farmers to block out whole areas with trees, but that doesnt mean trees have no place on a farm.

There are a variety of ways of integrating native trees that actually work for the farm system and we will be using our new location in Donoughmore to demonstrate the advantages, Mr O Foghlu said.

It can simply be planting lines or groups of trees in corners of fields or scattering individual trees throughout the pasture.

Native trees have mutual benefits for the environment, for water quality and for biodiversity.

There are also benefits for cattle who can shelter under the trees, they can also browse the foliage which gives them minerals they cant get elsewhere at different times of the year.

The site in Donoughmore is Hometrees first in the county and will also welcome school and college students for initiatives highlighting the importance of native Irish woodland.

Hometree said that historically, up to 80% of Ireland was covered in wild forests of birch, pine and oak but today only 1% of that remains and only fragments of the countrys old rainforests can be found on gullies, cliff faces and islands.

The organisation has plans to restore 4,000 acres of wild woodland along Irelands west coast through its Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project, which will stretch from Cork to Donegal over eight sites.

To help in this project the nature restoration group has taken on a full-time seed collector, Jeremy Turkington, who visits remote valleys, sheltered hollows and ravines along Irelands west coast in search of rare and ancient seed specimens.

In recent months the arborist picked Guelder Rose berries in the Gearagh in North-West Cork.
The Triskel Arts Centre in Cork city is certainly catching the eyes of passers-by on these dark evenings.

Tempus Futurum by Brian Kenny is a light projection on the landmark building that takes viewers on a journey through the buildings rich history.

The project marks the fifth and final installation of Island City, Corks Urban Sculpture Trail.

The 10 minute looped moving visual is live from dusk every evening and takes people on a journey of the 300 year old building and Corks past, present and sustainable future.

The project was brought to life thanks to the colourful artwork of students from St Maries of Isle National School in Cork city.

The installation is sustainably powered using real-time live data of bike usage from South Main Street bike station to generate the visuals in the projection.

The projection begins with images of forests untouched by humanity, and moves on to the Celts' arrival, marking the dawn of cultivation and the origin of the city.

It moves on to Viking and Norman structures that showcase the ebbs and flows of civilization. Vignettes highlight the impact of climate change and show the connection between human actions and the environmental consequences.

The interactive finale mirrors hope, responding to sustainable practices. This emphasizes the harmony between human choices and nature's endurance. Our aim with this work is to mirror the relationship that the people of Cork have with their city and its evolution.

We hope that it highlights the lasting impact of today's actions, urging introspection and emphasizing our role in shaping tomorrow's landscapes, said Brian Kenny, Video Artist and Projection Mapping specialist.

The light display is a Cork City Council project fully funded by Failte Ireland under the Urban Animation Scheme.
For over 20 years, John Foley has opened his store Foleys Express, Beecher Street, Mallow on Christmas Day with the intent of helping anyone stuck for last minute supplies.

He opens the store for about three hours in the morning and sells anything from milk and cigarettes, to batteries for the new toys.

Being open has also allowed elderly people who otherwise might not see a soul on Christmas, call in for a chat to make their day a little less lonely.

John makes roughly 1,000 being open for a few hours and donates the entire sum to a charity. He has even been known to donate money out of his own pocket some years to make up the difference.

His niece, Rhyanna Curtin, has helped him out in the last six years in the hopes of easing some pressure off John, and it allowes him a bit of a break.

I have always loved coming into the shop on Christmas day with John, even before I was old enough to work my mum would still always bring me in. There is such a buzz from seeing all the little kids come in for batteries for their new toys.

Christmas can also be a very lonely time for people. I remember last year a customer came in and told me this was his first Christmas without his wife and they were married for over 65 years and coming into the shop for a chat made his day. That alone makes it all worth it," said Rhyanna.

John has donated the Christmas Day profits to many charities over the years with Mallow Search and Rescue being a popular choice.

This year he has chosen to raise money for Surgeon Noonan for reasons closer to home.

Surgeon Noonan is a UCC charity run by fourth year medical students, one of which is Rhyanna, Johns niece.

In the summer of 2024, Rhyanna will travel to St. Lukes Missionary Hospital in Zambia with four other students as part of her required placement.

The cost of the trip is covered by the students with all funds raised going directly to the hospital.

The medical students get the chance to see exactly how the money aided the hospital as they gather the receipts for every purchase.
G. Steven Pigeon was once one of the most powerful people in Western New York politics. The former Erie County Democratic chairman was considered a political kingmaker who could pick and choose who would make it on the ballot  and who didnt. His friends in the highest levels of government and civic life included billionaire Tom Golisano, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Clintons.

But on Friday, he stood before a judge in a Buffalo courtroom as a criminal.

Pigeon, 63, pleaded guilty in November to first-degree sexual abuse of a child, and State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller was to sentence him to one year in jail.

But before that, the girl whom Pigeon admitted to abusing finally had her say, two and a half years after coming forward with shocking allegations.

She was 9 when it happened, according to previous court proceedings. A fourth-grader. Someone Pigeon knew.

A prosecutor said Friday the sexual abuse took place between Nov. 23, 2016 and Christmas of that year  he was taking her out as a Christmas celebration.

The girl, now a teenager, was in the gallery Friday morning, surrounded by loved ones. Another girl held her hand and at times stroked her cheeks.

The girl had planned to read her own statement but decided to have one of the prosecutors, Chief Cathleen M. Roemer of the Buffalo City Court Bureau, read it aloud in court for her.

The Buffalo News is not identifying the girl because she was the juvenile victim of a sex crime.

I remember for the first year after it happened, I honestly didnt know what actually happened, Roemer read from the girls letter addressed to Boller. I knew it was wrong and that it shouldnt have happened. But I was a child. I didnt know what rape was or what it meant.

She continued: The day I found out what actually happened to me, I remember feeling so disgusted and scared.

She said she wanted to tell her mother, but then remembered Pigeon warning her that he would hurt my mother and my brother.

The girl said she went from a happy little girl to someone my family couldnt even recognize.

She attempted suicide twice, once when she was 10 and then when she was 12. She fell in with a bad crowd and acted out. She would sneak out of the house and use drugs and alcohol.

Just so I could feel absolutely nothing, she said.

She talked about the years of trauma she has endured. She has panic attacks and nightmares. She remembered waking up from one sweating and out of breath at 3 a.m. and needing to take a shower because of how gross I felt.

Her relationships have been affected, she said, even with with her mother. There was a point I couldnt even look at her. Part of me felt that she should have known what was happening and I blamed her for my suffering, she said.

You took away practically my entire childhood, she said.

The girl came forward with her accusations against Pigeon in the summer of 2021.

He was charged in December 2021 after being indicted on six charges, including two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A felony that has the potential to carry a life sentence, if he was convicted. He also was charged with one count each of first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree sexual abuse.

The case was headed for trial, with jury selection set to begin Dec. 4, 2023.

In the months prior, attorneys on both sides traded accusations of misconduct in court as they sharpened the cases they plan to bring before a jury. But on Nov. 6, in a surprise move, Pigeon pleaded guilty to a single felony count of first-degree sex abuse of a child under the age of 11. Under the plea agreement, to which the victim and her family consented, he would spend 364 days in a county jail.

This will be Pigeons third stint behind bars in recent years.

In July 2022, he was sentenced to four months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for making an illegal political donation.

That sentencing resulted from Pigeons guilty plea in October 2018, when he admitted that he conspired to arrange an illegal political donation to Cuomos 2014 re-election campaign on behalf of the Canadian founder of an online gambling business. Neither the governor nor his campaign were implicated in the case.

He was sentenced the following day in a state case to one year in prison for bribing State Supreme Court Justice John A. Michalek. He admitted he gave the judge things like free tickets to box seats at Buffalo Sabres games and tried to help Michalek get jobs for family members. As part of the scheme, Pigeon got information, including nonpublic information, about lawsuits to which he was connected.

Those sentences were served concurrently.

During Fridays hearing, Boller referred to letters that family members of the victim sent to him in which they questioned why Pigeon was sentenced to just one year.

Boller reminded the family members in the gallery that the victim and her family agreed to the sentencing guidelines. This is not the judicial system that is to be criticized, Boller said. This is what the victim and the parties agreed to.

The victim, in closing her statement, said she does wish Pigeon would spend the rest of his life in prison for what he did to her.

But we dont always get exactly what we want, she said in her statement. I was so relieved after three long years to finally have some justice for myself.

Roemer, in addressing the judge, praised the victim for her courage in coming forward.

The sexual assault of a child is a completely evil act. It is one without justification or redemption. But this case is much more than that. Here, the defendant, a powerful man cloaked in the protection of wealth and political influence undoubtedly thought he could do whatever he wanted. And either no one would believe the victim or that no one would care. The courage required to stand up to the rich, the powerful and the influential is something that many adults in this community would not have had, Roemer said.

The defendant, with his political influence, his political ties and friends talked to the media, criticizing the victims integrity and mental health, Roemer said. The girl didnt just survive a sexual assault. She survived three years of the defendants political friends criticizing her family, her character and her sanity.

It didnt work, Roemer said. The truth is a powerful thing. And truth comes to light at trial. That is likely why the defense reached out to the Erie County District Attorneys before this matter was to go to trial and offered to plead.

Roemer said the girl has found closure in Pigeon admitting in open court to sexually abusing her.

Roemer said she hoped Pigeon would finally apologize.

The judge gave him the opportunity to make a statement before he was formally sentenced.

Pigeon, wearing a navy suit, stood and declined.

No apology? Boller asked.

Not at this time, he quietly said.

Wow, a man in the gallery could be heard saying.

Boller began reading the sentence: Pigeon will spend the next 364 days in the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, possibly less for good behavior, and would have to pay a list of fees. They discussed that a hearing needed to be scheduled prior to his release because he will have to register as a sex offender.

As Boller spoke, a court officer put handcuffs on Pigeons wrists, behind his back. He was led out of the courtroom but then the prosecutors asked him to be returned to confirm an order of protection to prevent Pigeon from contacting the girl or her family until 2031.

Then he was led out of court again, this time headed for a jail cell.

After the hearing, District Attorney John Flynn spoke to reporters about the case.

There are many people in this country ... who reach a pinnacle of their profession, and then do something wrong ... and then the higher you are in your profession, the farther you fall, Flynn said. This is a pretty big fall.
FINE Gael TD for Cork North West Michael Creed has emphatically ruled out running as a party candidate in next years European elections.

Deputy Creed who turned 60 earlier this year announced in April that he will retire as a TD at the end of the current Dail term.

The Macroom politician has been a TD since 1989 after succeeding his father Donal.

Deputy Creed lost his seat in 2002 but regained his seat in Cork North West in 2007. He served as Agriculture Minister from 2016 to 2020.

Speaking to The Corkman, Deputy Creed said he has no regrets about his decision to step away from national politics. No regrets. Until the curtain drops I am working away all the time. No I am quite happy with the situation, he said.

Cork MEP Deirdre Clune recently announced she will not be running again for election and some names suggested to run for Fine Gael in Ireland South in the next election include Cork North West TD Michael Creed, Senator Jerry Buttimer and Cork North Central TD Colm Burke.

Michael Creed however has emphatically ruled out any suggestions that he will run in next years European elections by insisting that he is retiring from politics. I find it somewhat ironic that before I made my announcement everybody was predicting my retirement and when I made my retirement decision, everybody was predicting my political resurrection in terms of running for Europe. I am retiring and that is it. Full stop.
The CEO of North Cork Creameries in Kanturk, Mr Pat Sheaha, has been announced as the new chair of Dairy Industry Ireland, the Ibec group representing the dairy and specialized nutrition processing sector in the state.

Mr Sheahan, a native of West Limerick with a background in dairy science, has been the CEO of North Cork Creameries and a board member of Dairy Industry Ireland since 2012. He also boasts a distinguished career with Kerry Group in Europe and the UK.

He succeeds Conor Ryan, CEO of Arrabawn, who concludes his two-year term on December 31st. Mr Sheahan will also serve a two year term.

In response to his appointment, Pat Sheahan stated: It is an honor to assume the role of national chair for an industry that contributes significantly to Ireland. The dairy sector in Ireland serves as a national and international powerhouse, delivering high-quality, affordable nutrition from our natural, grass-based, family farm system to people in Ireland and around the world.

I would like to extend special appreciation to my predecessor, Conor Ryan, who has played a pivotal role in steering the industry through the challenges of Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine crisis, and, most notably, in fostering a unified response from the industry as we enhance our sustainability credentials.

The director of Dairy Industry Ireland, Mr Conor Mulvihill, expressed his delight at Pats appointment, stating: I am delighted to welcome Pat as chair. Over the next two years Pat will bring a combination of energy and experience to the role, which I believe will be crucial during this critical period for our largest indigenous industry on the island.

The dairy industry is a vital native sector of Ireland, employing nearly 55,000 people and generating over 17.6 billion in economic activity in the state, including 7 billion in exports.

Established in 1928, North Cork Creameries is a farmer owned co-operative processing over 315 million equivalent whole milk litres a year into a range of value-added food ingredients and dairy products. The co-op supplies food industry customers across the globe.
The club will expand its facilities into an adjacent site to its south

Ballyclough GAA Club has received conditional permission to expand and construct new facilities near its Dr Croke Park playing grounds.

In June, the rural club applied for permission to build an astroturf all-weather playing pitch with perimeter fencing and four floodlight masts and a hurling wall and a grass training pitch near its grounds in Lisleagh, Ballyclough, Mallow.

The application proposed that the new floodlit astroturf playing pitch with 5-metre high hurling wall and the grass training pitch would be constructed to the south of its current playing field and stand in an adjacent site owned by John Crowley.

Representations were made in support of the application by Kanturk-Mallow councillors Liam Madden and Tony OShea .

Following a submission of further information, including a construction management plan, about the proposed development by the GAA club to Cork County Council in November, planning permission was granted for the facilities on Friday December 15.

The permission is subject to eight conditions, which have yet to be published by the local authority.
Woman in the city park picking up dog poop from the grass

Labour Councillor Deborah Byrne says there is a 'huge dog fouling problem' in the north inner city

Woman in the city park picking up dog poop from the grass

Urgent attention is needed to address the huge dog fouling problem in the north inner city, according to one councillor.

In 2022, Dublin City Council (DCC) recognised dog fouling as a serious challenge.

Figures released by DCC revealed that only 27 fines were issued in the previous five years.

Since 2017, a total of 27 fines were issued 20 in the south-central area and seven in Dublin central.

Labour Councillor Deborah Byrne highlights the need for more bins and bags for the public to clean up dog waste.

"As a resident of the north inner city, I see it a lot, and its something that I hear frequently while canvassing," she said.

"Some people are responsible, but not everyone takes the responsibility seriously. There is supposed to be a fine in place, but I dont think its enforced strongly enough."

Councillor Byrne emphasises the need for an off-leash park, a designated park section, or a designated doggy hour, believing these measures would make both dog owners and parents of young children very happy.

"I have two young children whom I would love to be able to let run free, but its so often that I have to tell them to be careful," she said.

"Youre in a constant state of vigilance when children should be able to run freely."

Labour Councillor Deborah Byrne says there is a 'huge dog fouling problem' in the north inner city

Owners or dog handlers not disposing of dog faeces responsibly may face an on-the-spot fine of 150.

In the District Court, prosecution could result in a maximum fine of 3,000, with an additional 600 per day for continuing offences on summary conviction.

Councillor Byrne also addressed the issue of safety regarding restricted breeds of dogs in Ireland.

While no breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland, owners of certain types of dogs must follow additional rules, including keeping them on a short, strong lead under 2 metres.

Some of the restricted breeds in Ireland include the American Pit Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Dobermann Pinscher, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, and Bandog.

"A lot of people in the area have young children and feel very nervous when dogs approach their children in unprompted ways," Councillor Byrne said.

"Having a dog park or an allocated space where dogs are allowed to go off-leash would allow dogs and owners to feel more comfortable, and the animals could have full freedom."

Fine Gael Councillor Ray McAdam also shares concerns about dogs in the city, particularly restricted breeds.

"There are certain dogs that need to be kept on a leash, and those dogs I would not want to see off one even in a dog park," he said.

"Im not sure how practical it is to have a park, but the biggest weakness for me is around controlling dogs within the city and the welfare of animals."

Councillor McAdam acknowledges the dog fouling issue within the city and suggests a strategy similar to dealing with illegal dumping:

"It is my strong belief that the person responsible be named and shamed for this illegal dumping," he said.

"Dublin City Council should identify those who fail to clean up after their dogs and display their actions on a poster in their own streets."
Education Minister Norma Foley welcomed the allocation of STEM grants from her department.

SCHOOL projects focused on cutting-edge science at 19 Kerry primaries are to benefit from special grant aid announced by Education Minister Norma Foley this week.

More that 160,000 has been awarded to the Kerry schools under Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grants  part of a national fund of 4.7 million.

The national total is treble the figure of the previous allocation and will go to successful project applicants focused on everything from coding to robotics, from non-soil mediums for propagating plants to modules on AI and much, much more.

The successful schools have welcomed the vital funding.

446 primaries and 85 post-primary schools are receiving funding of between 1,000 and 10,000 nationally.

No secondary schools feature in the list of successful STEM grant applicants in Kerry.

Other projects to succeed in qualifying for the funding run the gamut of everything from systems interpreting weather patterns to film and animation projects, student STEM clubs and community-based science fairs.

Minister Foley welcomed the fact that 19 Kerry schools had qualified, describing the response to the fund as overwhelming.

We have had an overwhelming response to the grant scheme, with in excess of 2,700 applications. It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and passion exhibited by schools across the country in their pursuit of excellence in STEM education, Minister Foley said.

The Department said that the schools will receive eighty-five percent of the funding in 2023 with the remaining fifteen percent paid following a reporting and evaluation process in 2024.

The upsurge in applications for the STEM grants comes in the wake of what the Department of Education said was the very positive eight point increase in science literacy scores by Irish students in the recently published OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results.

Irish students moved from twenty-second place to twelfth place in science literacy amongst the 81 countries taking part in the PISA project.

Minister Foley added: I recognise the pivotal role that Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and the Arts play in fostering the skills that our students need for success in various aspects of life.

The STEM grant scheme aims to empower schools to provide the high-quality STEM education required for all their students.

The STEM grant scheme realises a commitment under the STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026 which was published in March 2023.

Minister Foley meanwhile praised the high quality of the applications for the STEM grants and the innovative approaches from the schools involved.

The successful applicants, represent a diverse range of primary and post-primary schools from across the country.

The grants will support these schools in implementing initiatives that are designed to ignite interest and participation in STEM and will enhance STEM curriculum and learner engagement.

The Department is front loading the grant scheme this year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run in 2024.

The following is the breakdown in allocations for the Kerry primaries:

Sliabh a Mhadra N.S.  10,000

Kilgobnet National School  10,000.00

Scoil Naomh Carthach  Ballyfinane N.S  3,089.87

Castledrum NS  9,678.15

Flemby NS  10,000.00

Asdee NS  7,208.92

Castlegregory NS  10,000.00

Scoil Treasa Naofa  10,000.00

Firies N.S 10,000.00

Curraheen NS  4,489.40

Scoil Bhreac Chluain  8,007.40

Kiltallagh National School  4,700.00

CBS Primary School (Kerry)  10,000.00

Ardfert Central N.S  9,818.92

Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn  9,575.00

Scoil Realta na Maidine  10,000.00

Gaelscoil Faithleann  9,812.04

Scoil Mhuire ague Naomh Treasa  9,575.00

Tralee Educate Together N.S  10,000.00
Mandy Kelly hasn't seen her five year old son Zayn since he was abducted by his father while on holidays in Egypt in March 2022

Mandy Kelly's youngest son Kareem whom she hasn't seen in almost two years

Dundalk mother Mandy Kelly is facing another Christmas without her two young sons Zayn and Kareem Mohamed after they were abducted by their father in March 2022

This will be the second Christmas that Dundalk mum Mandy Kelly will spend without her two young sons after they were kept by their father while the family were on holiday in Egypt in March 2022.

Zayn Mohamed, who is now aged 5, and his three-year-old brother Kareem, were held by their father Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed the day before they were due to return to Ireland, having travelled to Cairo to spend time with their grandmother.

Her last memories of being with her sons are of feeding Kareem, who was then a baby and playing with Zayn on the morning of March 11, 2022, and she has had no contact with them since.

"Its my second Christmas without the boys. I live this tale every day of the week so Christmas doesnt make any difference, she says.

Mandy, who is originally from Co Monaghan, met her husband in 2013 when they were both working in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

"We returned to Ireland in 2017 and got married.

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Mandys young sons are both Irish citizens as they were born in Ireland and she bought a house in Dundalk in May 2021, thinking it would be their forever home.

"We were just like any other normal couple, working and getting on with our lives. We had visited Faughart NS to enrol our oldest son for junior infants.

Her husband did a business degree at Dorset College, receiving a certificate just before they left for what she thought was a two-week holiday to Cairo and had signed on at Monaghan Garda Station for a visa to remain in the country.

Mandy had previously met her husbands family when she visited Egypt in 2014 and as they prepared to bring their children to meet their grandmother in February 2022, she had no reason to think that it would turn into a mothers worse nightmare.

"We were supposed to come back to Ireland on March 12, 2022 but he told me the day before that he wasnt going back to Ireland.

She says that he broke the news to her that in the apartment they had rented. They went for a walk and she tried to calm him down, but when they returned to the apartment he drove away with the children and that was the last she saw of them."

Mandy says she was alone in a foreign country and extremely distressed, but got no assistance.

I contacted the Irish Consular service in Cairo and the Department of Foreign Affairs, not a single person did anything for me. I knew I was not going to be helped. I knew I was on my own.

She made her way to the airport, and phoned her husband, saying shed be there and that she could bring the children home but he never turned up.

With no-one to turn to for help, she decided to come home to Ireland on March 17 2022 where she has her family to support her and hasnt seen her sons since March 11 2022.

She says her husband stopped all contact in June 2022 and she has no idea how her boys are doing.

"I think about them every day. The first ten minutes when I wake up are the worst as I have to start another day without them.

On her return home, she reported what had happened to the Gardai and sought legal advice but says that the situation is complicated by different processes in the two countries.

Mandy says she will never give up her efforts to get her children returned to Ireland but says it is a frustrating experience.

Parental abduction is not being recognised as a crime here.

She held a peaceful demonstration outside the RDS in Dublin last month to appeal to the Egyptian Ambassador to Ireland to highlight her case and has also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin.

Her plight is hindered by the fact that Egypt has not signed up for 1980 Hague Convention and she has been advised to pursue her claim through the Egyptian courts.

This, she says is not an option for her as it would require her to reside in Egypt so that even if she got custody, her husband would have access to the kids and she wouldnt be able to take them back to Ireland.

She admits that she feels let down by the Irish government and feels it needs to do more to intervene in cases such as this and there should be a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

She says that the advice which she has received from lawyers in Egypt is contrary to what she is being told by the Department of Foreign Affairs who are advising her to live in Egypt which is the last thing she wishes to do.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said that the Minister has every sympathy for the difficult circumstances outlined.

The Central Authority at the Department of Justice, which is the national authority in Ireland for dealing with cases under the 1980 Hague Convention, has been made aware of this case.

Unfortunately, however, they can only assist on cases where children have been removed from this jurisdiction to a country that has signed up to the Convention and Egypt have not signed up to the Convention.

It added that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Consular Assistance Office, are best placed to provide assistance in cases involving countries that are not signed up to the Hague Convention, or where there is no agreement between Ireland and that country

Furthermore if a child has been brought to a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention, their parent(s) should contact a lawyer in Ireland for advice on what legal proceedings may be necessary in the Irish Courts.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and has provided extensive consular assistance and continues to. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases.

As she faces into another year without her children, Mandy says she is not giving up.

"I believe theres a lot more that could be done to help me. Unfortunately, there are other women who have gone through the same nightmare, but a lot of give up as its mentally exhausting, but I am not a woman who is going to go away. 
WEXFORD native and geologist Dr Aileen Doran has once again proven her worth as she has been awarded the inaugural Mineral Deposits Studies Group Early Career Researcher Distinguished Lecturer Award.

The Mineral Deposits Studies Group acts as a professional society that connects researchers in geology from across Ireland and the UK.

This is the first time the organisation has run an award like this. The award aims to help promote early career researchers, like Dr Aileen Doran, to promote their research and build their own network with the dual purpose of extending and reaching out to universities who may not have a strong geology department.

Aileen fought off some strong competition as the award was open to early career researchers in both Ireland and the UK.

The award will fund Dr Doran to give several talks at institutions in the UK and Ireland during 2024.

It was Aileens geography teacher, Tina Merriman, in Enniscorthy Vocational School that first sparked her interest in earth sciences, but she confesses she fell into her career.

Tina was a really incredible geography teacher, she taught us about volcanoes, it interested me so I decided to Google courses and found this random course in UCC called Earth System Processes and put it in on my CAO but it was my fifth or sixth choice, all the rest were psychology and social sciences and I never had any intention of going into geology, she said

After finishing up in UCC in 2015, Aileen set her sights on a phD on the geochemistry of Irish Zn-Pb deposits in 2021 that she completed in UCD.

After this Aileen joined the iCRAG Copperbelt team at UCD, and is currently studying CuCo deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt.

Dr Aileen Doran is a post-doctoral researcher who is currently working towards understanding sediment-hosted ore systems, hydrothermal fluid processes and geochemical pathfinders to ore.

When putting herself forward for the Career Researcher Distinguished Lecturer Award, Dr Doran had to compile a CV along with a detailed description of what talks she would present if she was to win and what she would get out of the opportunity.

The two talks Dr Doran will present to Universities around Ireland and the UK will focus on her own geological research.

The first talk is about Ireland and Irelands mineralisation and geochemistry and her research into different pathfinders to ore, as well as the need for the climate change plan, as Ireland doesnt actually produce a lot of these minerals.

For Dr Doran, this topic hits close to home as she will highlight that Irelands main metal deposits are zinc and lead.

These minerals are present in the Tara Mines which have been closed with over 700 people temporarily laid off with no concrete plans to open up.

The second talk is about her current research in Zambia, as well as her scientific research Aileen will also discuss the ethics of research, especially focussing on parachute science, where foreign researchers enter a country and do not engage with local researchers. Aileen will highlight the importance of carrying out research in a respectable and responsible way.

Dr Doran said she is delighted as well as surprised to have won the award.

I am surprised but absolutely delighted, it is a great opportunity to extend outside of my own network and challenge myself in a lot of ways, I am really happy with it," she said.

Aileen said she really enjoys working in the academic sphere, hoping to eventually graduate into working full time as a lecturer, she sees this award as an opportunity to start that career journey.

"I have always been someone who has always really liked the academic world and the university scene, so I think this will be a great step for me trying to get the more robust academic career, so I am really happy with that as well, she said.

"I am at a stage where I would really like to do everything, but I really enjoy the academic community," she added.

Dr Doran is set to give several talks at institutions in the UK and Ireland during the calendar year of 2024.

Institutions interested or anyone interested in attending a talk can get in touch by email on, MDSGECRPLP@gmail.com.

Dr Doran can also extend an invite to any university she would like to attend.

Dr Doran will attempt to hit all the geology departments in Irish universities including UCD, UCC, University of Galway and Trinity.
A lone archer fires an arrow into the Irish Sea, on New Year's Day as part of an ancient ceremony.

A centuries-old tradition takes place at 1 p.m. on New Years Day 2024 at the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse as the Dunbrody Archers will take part in a traditional arrow ceremony an ancient tradition which dates back to 1687.

An age-old tradition is set to take place on New Years Day at the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse as archers, both expert and amateur, take part in a traditional arrow ceremony.

At 1 p.m., the Dunbrody Archers will join New Ross Municipal District chairperson, Cllr Anthony Connick to participate in the ceremony. The ancient tradition dates back to 1687 when the Mayor and the corporation of New Ross Town Council claimed their authority over the Tower and waters by travelling to the point of the Hook and shooting an arrow into the sea from Hook Head Lighthouse.

On New Years Day 2024, the Mayor and all the councillors will cast an arrow into the sea symbolising authority over the estuary. Members of the public are invited to watch the free historical event.

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Commenting on the upcoming event, Hook Lighthouse manager Lorraine Waters said: This is always an incredible occasion to witness and we are delighted to continue the ancient tradition, right here on the cornerstone of Irelands Ancient East.

To begin the New Year at Hook Lighthouse the doors will be open early, from 7.30 a.m. and visitors will be welcomed in to enjoy a view of the sun rising on the New Year as they enjoy a leisurely sunrise breakfast.

Also taking place on St Stephens Day at Hook Lighthouse is Daisy Day, another age-old tradition in the area. Hook Lighthouse records show the old custom in the form of Penny for a Daisy which was carried out by the children in large numbers. Those who collected the first flowers of 1943 received pennies for them.

According to Lorraine, The child who found the first daisy would win the hunt but lots of children would receive pennies from the families in the area.

This St Stephens Day will see Daisy Day return between 12 noon and 2 pm. Prizes will be awarded for a daisy found and the best daisy chain made.

Hook is renowned as the oldest intact working lighthouse in the world, from the 5th-century monks lit fires to keep the ships at sea safe. The Hook Lighthouse tour incorporates 115 steps to the top of the lighthouse tower featuring holograms illustrating the ancient history of the tower and the Hook area and spectacular views of the southern coast.

Hook Lighthouse Visitor Centre and Cafe re-opens on St Stephens Day at 11 a.m. and will remain open throughout the holiday season.

There will be tours of the lighthouse daily, art for children with the resident artist Rose, and the cafe will be open for breakfast, lunch and light bites. For further details see www.hookheritage.ie
The Wickhams of Rosslare have been involved with the RNLI for five generations spanning three centuries

Having served the people of Rosslare over the course of three centuries and been involved in some of the most difficult and dangerous rescues in the history of Co Wexford, the Wickham family have been recognised for their efforts by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Beginning with Thomas Wickham in the late 1800s, five generations of the family have served in various roles with the RNLI, with lifeboat volunteer Sean Cullen (18) the latest to continue this proud tradition.

His ancestor Thomas, who was lifeboat coxswain, was followed into the RNLI by sons Edward and James, both of whom also became coxswains. Then Jack Wickham, Jamess son, was second coxswain and mechanic on the lifeboat, while his son Matt became station mechanic. Matts cousin Fergus Wickham was also lifeboat coxswain and his brothers Brian and Billy were volunteer crewmembers. Sean is Matts grandson and volunteers along with his cousin Ronan Hill.

James Wickham received the Second Service Clasp for his role in the rescue of the Mexico ship in 1914, a three-day struggle which led to nine members of the Fethard RNLI tragically losing their lives. The Wickham family were also instrumental in the rescue of five crew members from the Mountblairy in 1927, and in 1954, Jack Wickham was presented with a special medal to commemorate his part in the rescue of crew from the World Concord tanker which broke in half during a storm in the Irish Sea.

For Matt, his first callout couldnt have been any more serious. It came in 1968 when all 57 passengers and 4 crew members on board Aer Lingus Flight 721 from Cork to London lost their lives when the plane crashed into the sea near Tuskar Lighthouse.

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Matt Wickham is now retired as Rosslare Harbour RNLI lifeboat mechanic and crewmember, but in 1968 he was just 17 years of age. They were a person short and the coxswain asked me if Id go, and sure I was reared on the sea. My father told me to grab a lifejacket and I was off. I never looked back. Its very different now with my grandson Sean, he is always training to be ready for every type of callout.

"Nothing stays the same and the RNLI always changed with the times, with kit and training. I am very proud of the service my family have given to the lifeboats over the years. I never felt it was something to live up to, but we just knew it was something we wanted to do and we knew the stories of those that went before us.

Matts daughter Mag Wickham is again sharing a home with a lifeboat volunteer as she watches her 18-year-old son, Sean, volunteer for the lifeboat. Trained as a nurse in Dublin, Mag couldnt follow family onto the lifeboat, but she now raises funds for the station, following in her own mother and grandmothers steps.

"I wasnt tempted to the join the lifeboat crew but my cousin Pamela was a lifeboat volunteer for a while, Mag says. I knew that Sean would volunteer the minute he turned 17 years of age. With volunteering, everybody is able to do it and the funds raised make it all possible. If you want to help and commit, youll be shown how. Youll be trained, provided with the correct equipment and what you get back, is that feeling of being able to save somebody, with the best people around you. With the RNLI, when someone calls for your help, they really need your help and when you stop and think about that, you realise it is just massive.

Matt, Mag and Sean all feature in the RNLIs Christmas campaign, which celebrates the families that have given generations of service to the lifeboats
A free nasal flu vaccine walk-in clinic for children will take place in the Wicklow Vaccination Centre, Newtownmountkennedy on Friday, December 29.

The walk-in clinic has been arranged to combat the rapidly rising flu cases over the last number of weeks involving all age groups. The Wicklow walk-in clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is suitable for all children aged from two to 17.

Dr Carmel Mullaney, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Director of Department Public HSE Dublin and South East said: We are urging all parents of young children to get their free nasal flu vaccine. Recent data has shown flu is circulating more widely in communities across the country. This is having a big impact on young children in particular.

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Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect young children from the effects of flu. We know children are more likely to spread the virus among themselves and their family, so getting the vaccine is doubly important. We want children and families to enjoy the Christmas period free from flu and illness.

The nasal vaccine is still available from participating GP practices and pharmacies. The HSE continues to offer children in senior Infants and all children in primary age special schools their free nasal spray flu vaccine in schools.
The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. was awarded a $278,000 state grant that will be used to assess needs of the historic, high trestle Cascade Bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek between Concord and Ashford.

The money comes from a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through its Environmental Protection Fund.

Coupled with a grant from the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, funds will be used to come up with a cost estimate for a new decking design for the bridge. Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. will also use the money to design and construct a trail approaching from the north to the bridge that will be a highlight of the Erie County Rail Trail and future Southern Tier Trail.

The Erie County Rail Trail is a 27-mile, multiuse recreational trail created along an old rail bed that extends from Orchard Park in Erie County to Ashford in Cattaraugus County.

Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, in the announcement released Thursday by the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc., said funding represents an investment in the region's assets that will enhance residents' and visitors' experience.

"I applaud the municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and others for working in collaboration to identify these projects, which will promote growth, tourism and economic development, Gallivan said.

- Harold McNeil
US actor Charlie Sheen was a victim of assault (Ian West/PA)

A woman has been arrested after Two And A Half Men star Charlie Sheen was assaulted in Los Angeles, the LA County Sheriffs Department has said.

The attack happened on Wednesday at about 1pm, after the US authorities were called to reports of battery and a disturbance.

Upon contacting the parties involved, deputies identified Charlie Sheen as a victim of assault, it was confirmed.

Charlie Sheen (Ian West/PA)

Electra Schrock was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, force likely to create great bodily injury and residential burglary.

The US authorities said Ms Schrock will appear in court in Los Angeles on Friday.

A representative for Sheen has been contacted for comment.
Why the No Trousers Tube Ride is one of Londons most problematic traditions
Britains King Charles poked fun at his sausage fingers in coronation rehearsal, documentary shows

William was also filmed tickling his fathers cheek, making him laugh, as he performed his role at a run-through of the ceremony

The King and Prince of Wales were filmed during coronation ceremony rehearsals for the documentary (BBC/PA)

Tony Jones Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 07:59







The King joked about his sausage fingers with his son William, the Prince of Wales, during coronation rehearsals that had the pair in giggles.
Vladimir Putins soldiers in eastern Ukraines Kupiansk are reportedly falling sick because of an outbreak of mouse fever  a viral disease that has left the invading Russian troops severely unwell.

The outbreak of the so-called mouse fever has been recorded in many units of the Russian forces in the Kupiansk direction, the Ukrainian ministry of defences main directorate of intelligence said on its official Telegram channel.
LATEST | Prague university shooting: Gunman named as David Kozak, suspected of killing father and baby girl last week

Czech authorities warn that death toll could rise as body of gunmans father discoveredPandemonium in Prague as student kills at least 14 in gun rampage at university Terrified students cling to window ledge as gunman continued rampageForeign nationals were among those killed in the incident, authorities have said

Prague student killed father before shooting dead 15 people, say police

James Crisp, Jane Dalton and Karl Janicek Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 03:30







The gunman behind Czech Republics worst-ever mass shooting has been named.
Ukrainian air defences repel major drone attack by Russia

Boost for Zelensky as Germany says it will give 8.5m to improve energy infrastructure

A boy walks past a building damaged by shelling, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Sloviansk, Ukraine December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Matt Mathers UK Independent Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 03:30







A major drone attack by Russia was stopped by Ukraine, according to the countrys air force that claimed to have shot down 34 out of 35 of the Iranian devices.
Gaza death toll passes 20,000 people, UN Security Council delays vote on aid until Friday

No deal struck yet on resolution following two weeks of negotiations and days delaying a vote68 journalists killed since the start of the conflict, 61 of whom are PalestinianGazas health ministry confirms 20,057 Palestinians have been killed and 53,320 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7

Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. International aid agencies say Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies as a result of the two and a half month war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Bassam Masoud, Michelle Nichols and Nidal al-Mughrabi Fri 22 Dec 2023 at 07:52







U.N. Security Council diplomats delayed until Friday a vote on a resolution to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza and another round of talks took place in Egypt to try to get warring Israel and Hamas to agree on a new truce so hostages can be released.
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo

Colorados secretary of state says she has received hundreds if not thousands of threats since a lawsuit was filed against Donald Trump challenging his eligibility to appear on the 2024 presidential election ballot in the state.
Last-minute holiday shoppers and revelers in Buffalo will have some free parking options through Christmas Day, as well as on New Year's Day, Mayor Byron W. Brown and City Council President Darius Pridgen announced this week.

The reason behind suspending payments at meters in the city is to help Buffalos small businesses during the final days of the holiday shopping season and to encourage people to shop in the city and patronize its restaurants, said Brown.

The city has 24 identified shopping districts, with a new one emerging in the vicinity of the new West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara St. A map of Buffalo's shopping districts is available online at buffalony.gov.

Free parking will also be available on New Years Eve in downtown Buffalo, near Roosevelt Plaza, at the Mohawk Ramp and Fernbach Ramp, courtesy of the mayor, the Buffalo Board of Parking and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps.

For directions to ramps, visit bcarparking.com.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden discusses the Biden administration economic policies during a visit to the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., December 20, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

US President Joe Biden on Friday reduced the prison terms of 11 people serving decades-long sentences for non-violent drug charges and pardoned a broader group of people with federal marijuana possession offenses.

Biden said the actions were meant to address disparities in sentencing that have long taken a toll on the Black community, and to expand his commitment to marijuana reform.
A Bucharest court on Friday rejected a request by internet personality Andrew Tate to temporarily leave Romania while awaiting trial on human trafficking charges to visit his mother in London.

Tate was indicted in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, allegations they have denied.
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Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Microsoft Corp plans to end support for Windows 10 operating system may leave about 240 million personal computers (PCs) in landfills.

Canalys Research said 57 percent of partners expect the end of Windows 10 support to affect customers refresh plans in 2024, with one in three devices expected to be replaced in the next two years.

"Despite the channels growing capabilities to support circularity, partners will not be able to refurbish and resell PCs unsupported by Windows 11," read the Canalys Research website.

Canalys estimates that in the nearly two-year period until Microsofts official end-of-support date for Windows 10  14 October 2025  roughly a fifth of devices will become e-waste due to incompatibility with the Windows 11 OS.

This equates to 240 million PCs. If these were all folded laptops, stacked one on top of another, they would make a pile 600km taller than the moon.

Many of the 240 million PCs will still be usable for years to come, but demand for devices no longer supported by Microsoft will be minimal  even companies with the tightest of IT budgets will be deterred by the lack of free and continued security updates.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

A Delhi court on Friday passed an order extending the 14-day police custody of mastermind Lalit Jha, arrested in connection with the Parliament security breach case, till January 5, 2024.

Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur after hearing the submissions on behalf of Delhi Police extended the fourteen days police custody of Jha.

Government Counsel for Delhi Police submitted before the court that he was the mastermind of the incident and was also accused of destroying the evidence and hatched a conspiracy in the case.

He submitted that a in-depth investigation is required to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the act and for this purpose, a 14-day police custody is required so that all the six accused arrested in this case could be produced again on the same day before the court after investigation.

It is submitted that the investigation is at a crucial stage and the accused persons are required to be taken away at different places to find out who are the people behind it.

The Judge has directed the Investigating officer to hand over a copy of FIR to one of the accused Neelam after hearing her application.

Delhi Police, after expiring of 7 days police custody of four accused persons Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Neelam Verma, Amol Shinde, who were arrested under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), were produced before the court yesterday and got the fifteen days police custody till January, 5.

Delhi Police has registered an First Information Report (FIR) under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with an intent to cause riot), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespass), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of his duty) define under Indian Penal Code(IPC) and Sections 16 and 18 of UAPA against the accused persons.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: PIB

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron accepted India's invitation to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

PM Modi posted on X (fromally Twitter): "We eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India-France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values."

My Dear Friend President @EmmanuelMacron, we eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India- France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values. Bientot ! https://t.co/jvzvOY2NNa  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 22, 2023

The French presidents invitation came after US President Joe Biden wasnt available to attend the event.

According to the report, the strengthening of ties between France and India has been facilitated by a 25-year plan to expand cooperation in space, nuclear energy, and defence.

India has stated that it intends to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation SA and three Scorpene submarines built by France's Naval Group.

In July, Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, commemorating the French Revolution.

PM Modi had stated that India was considering cooperating on small modular nuclear reactors as well as joint production of defence equipment, including helicopter engines, the report stated.

Macron is also looking to expand political and commercial relations with India, the most populous nation on Earth, in an effort to counter China's rise, according to the report.

Total goods traded between France and India approached $15.8 billion in 2022, up 6%.

The Republic Day celebrations in the nation's capital will see a French leader as Chief Guest for the sixth time, this time being Macron.

Previous Chief Guests on the occasion were former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in 1980, 2008, and 2016, respectively, and former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac in 1976 and 1998.
Image courtesy: Official website of Legend Airlines

New Delhi/IBNS: France has grounded an aircraft en route to South America's Nicaragua from Dubai with 300 Indian-origin passengers over suspected human trafficking, the Indian Embassy in Paris said on Friday.

The Legend Airlines flight was detained in France following an anonymous tipoff. The plane was due for refuelling in France.

Later in the evening, India said it had been granted consular access to those onboard.

A team from the embassy has reached the passengers, the Indian Embassy in France said in a post on X.

"French authorities informed us of a plane with 303 people, mostly of Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached and obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring the wel-lbeing of the passengers," the post said.

French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers.  India in France (@IndiaembFrance) December 22, 2023

According to reports, the aircraft was carrying passengers who are likely to be victims of human trafficking.

France's anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO is investigating the case, said reports.
Photo Courtesy: Bengal Heritage Foundation Facebook page

UK's Bengal Heritage Foundation recently hosted a special screening of Indian filmmaker Krishnendu Bose's documentary Bay of Blood in London on December 15, ahead of the anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

It highlighted the untold suffering and resilience of millions of people over a nine-month period from March to December 1971.

The screening was held close to the 52nd anniversary of Bijoy Dibosh, or Liberation of Bangladesh Day, which is observed on December 16.

The film projected the strong sense of the power of an idea  no amount of violence, no amount of oppression can actually kill that, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami after the special screening at Leicester Square was quoted as saying by Asian Lite.

The screening of the documentary was held at the iconic Vue, Leicester Square.

"The event sought to showcase the enduring bonds of kinship forged during the war, paying tribute to the extraordinary sacrifices made by the common people in defence of their language and identity," the Bengal Heritage Foundation posted on Facebook.

"The presence of esteemed dignitaries, including the High Commissioners of India and Bangladesh, Vikram Doraiswami and Saeda Muna Tasneem, added a significant touch to the evening, emphasizing the deep and unbreakable partnership between the two nations on the eve of the 52nd Anniversary of 'Bijoy Dibosh,' the Liberation of Bangladesh (December 16)," the post said.
Fourteen people die after gunman attacks university in Prague. Photo Courtesy: X page viral video grab from TP Page

At least 14 people died and 25 others were wounded when a shooter attacked them at a university in Czech Republic's Prague city on Thursday.

It is one of the worst terror attacks witnessed by the Czech Republic in decades.

Authorities believe the gunman, a 24-year-old man, died by suicide, Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrasek told CNN, but added it had not yet been confirmed.

The gunman, who police said was a student of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University, has not been formally identified because of the severity of his injuries, the chief said.

Police have not named him so far.

Authorities are still investigating the motive of the attack.

The shooter travelled to Prague from his hometown village of Hostoun, the police chief was quoted as saying by CNN.

Graduate student Jakob Weizman told CNN he was in a classroom with his professor when they heard what sounded like gunshots and screams.

The 25-year-old said he locked the door and with his professor, began pushing furniture against it to create a barricade.

After I made the barricade and locked the door, I hid under the desk and I was preparing myself for anything that could happen, Weizman told the American news channel.

I did not know if (the shooter) was going to come through the door or from the window, he said.

He took down the barricade only when police arrived, he said.

Authorities escorted him down and out of the building, the student told CNN he saw blood on each floor.

It was very traumatizing, he said.

Reactions

Czech President Petr Pavel condoled the loss of lives in the incident.

He posted on X: "I am shocked by the events at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. I would like to express my deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims that the shooting claimed. I want to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and providing maximum cooperation."

Jsem sokovan udalostmi na Filozoficke fakulte Univerzity Karlovy. Chtel bych vyjadrit hlubokou litost a uprimnou soustrast rodinam a pribuznym obeti, ktere si strelba vyzadala. Chci podekovat obcanum, ze respektuji pokyny bezpecnostnich slozek a poskytuji maximalni soucinnost.  Petr Pavel (@prezidentpavel) December 21, 2023

The country will observe a day of mourning on Saturday for those killed in the shooting incident.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala posted on X: "I am extremely sorry for everyone who fell victim to the inexcusable attack on the Faculty of Arts at the Charles University. My deepest condolences to their loved ones and friends."

US President Joe Biden described the incident as 'senseless'.

My heart is with those who lost their lives in todays senseless shooting in Prague, those injured, and the Czech people. Our authorities are in touch with Czech law enforcement, and we stand ready to offer additional support if needed. https://t.co/1MUbVULDaT  President Biden (@POTUS) December 22, 2023

He wrote on X: "My heart is with those who lost their lives in todays senseless shooting in Prague, those injured, and the Czech people. Our authorities are in touch with Czech law enforcement, and we stand ready to offer additional support if needed."
hoto Courtesy: Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) X page

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) has accused Islamabad of adopting a fascist attitude towards Baloch people, media reports said.

The group claimed that Islamabad police have conducted a crackdown on the long march and kept hundreds of youths, including participants at an unknown location.

In a post shared on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) stated as quoted by Asian Lite, The Islamabad police has cracked down on the long march and kept hundreds of youths including the participants at an unknown location. The state has adopted a fascist attitude towards the Baloch. We strongly appeal to the Baloch people to show a strong reaction, to convince the upper class with public power and force that we are not afraid.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) also condemned the police attack on the protest in Dera Ghazi Khan. It further said that several protesters were arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan.

In another post on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) said that it is deeply concerned about protesters who are inside the police cell.

We strongly condemn the police attack on the protest in DG Khan where several protesters are also arrested.#MarchAgainstBalochGenocide #StopBalochGenocide pic.twitter.com/du2NFKTf8W  Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) (@BYCislamabad) December 21, 2023

It asked safety and protection of protesters and even urged human rights organisations to stand with them in this situation.

Baloch Yakjehti Committee, earlier, claimed they were unable to contact all their arrested protesters.

It urged media houses to promote their cause and ensure release of peaceful demonstrators.

Taking to X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) stated, We are continuously attempting to contact all of our peaceful arrested protesters, but unfortunately, we have been unable to reach them all. We want to make it clear that if anything happens to any of the peaceful protesters, the Islamabad police and the state will be held responsible.

In another update, it said, Still, we dont know the whereabouts of the protesters, and their cell phones are off. We Request Human Rights Organizations and international media to highlight our cause for the immediate release of peaceful Baloch protesters.
On the afternoon of December 20th, the 2023 Huizhou Merchants Conference on Supporting High-quality Development in Anhui and the founding conference of the Huizhou Merchants Association were held in Hefei, along with the Hefei Metropolitan Area Industry Matchmaking Symposium. The symposium aims to leverage the respective advantages of the cities within the circle, improve the dominant industrial chains, strengthen financial empowerment for high-quality development, and create a modern metropolitan area where Huizhou merchants gather. According to the introduction, the Hefei Metropolitan Area is one of the five major metropolitan areas in the Yangtze River Delta. It holds a significant strategic position in national modernization construction and regional coordinated development. As per the latest "Hefei Metropolitan Area Development Plan" submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission, the scope of the metropolitan area includes the entire territory of Hefei City, Shouxian County of Huainan City, Dingyuan County of Chuzhou City, Jin'an District and Shucheng County of Lu'an City, Hanshan County of Ma'anshan City, Wuwei of Wuhu City, Tongcheng of Anqing City, with a total area of approximately 24,900 square kilometers. In the first three quarters of this year, the Hefei Metropolitan Area, covering 17.8% of the province's land area and accounting for 23.5% of its population, contributed 31% to the region's GDP, nearly 29% to general public budget revenue, and 44% to import and export turnover. It has also gathered nearly 50% of new high-tech enterprises and 35% of new foreign-funded enterprises, making it an important engine driving high-quality development in the province. The Hefei Metropolitan Area is a metropolitan area where resources flow smoothly and scientific and innovative industries integrate and develop, making it a vibrant and promising metropolitan area with great potential. In line with the development goal of building an innovative and modernized metropolitan area with significant influence, efforts are being accelerated to construct a spatial layout of "one core, two axes, and three rings," promoting the construction of efficient and coordinated commuting circles, industrial circles, living circles, and security circles.

Source: anhuinews.com
Two ambitious elected officials say theyre ready to replace State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy in Albany if the Democrat from South Buffalo becomes Western New Yorks next congressman.

Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April N.M. Baskin and Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski both told The Buffalo News this week that they are seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 63rd Senate District, which includes parts of Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Lackawanna.

Technically, the seat is not yet vacant but would be if Kennedy succeeds in his campaign for the 26th Congressional District. Rep. Brian Higgins holds that seat but intends to resign in February to become president of Sheas Performing Arts Center. Kennedy is the only announced candidate to replace Higgins, but Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown is also weighing a candidacy. That has led other local elected officials to angle for moves on the political chessboard.

Tim Kennedy announces candidacy to succeed Brian Higgins in Congress State Sen. Tim Kennedy is running to succeed his political mentor Brian Higgins as Buffalos representative in Congress.

I have alerted the Democratic chairman that I am interested in seeking the nomination for that seat, Nowakowski said of the 63rd District. An opportunity like this, to serve in this capacity, only comes once a decade.

Baskin said she has also told Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy J. Zellner that she intends to run. She struck a confident tone in an interview with The News.

I very much intend on seeking the Democratic endorsement and winning the race, and when I do, I will be the first Black woman to be a senator from Buffalo, N.Y., Baskin said.

Zellner confirmed that both Nowakowski and Baskin have expressed interest but noted that the seat is not yet vacant because the party has not endorsed for Congress. The Erie County Democratic Committee would be making an endorsement for the State Senate seat in February regardless, because Kennedy was up for re-election for another two-year term.

Theyre both outstanding candidates and outstanding options for our party, and weve got a difficult decision to make here as an organization, Zellner said. Aprils an incredible leader at the Legislature who was able to hold our caucus together probably like no chair ever before and also deliver for the community and the City of Buffalo. Mitch is a new, incredible young talent who brings a different perspective to the seat, where he kind of was from the suburbs but represents an incredibly diverse district in the city.

Nowakowski, 32, previously was campaigning for the Common Council presidency and has been mentioned as a future mayoral candidate. He noted that the last three Buffalo mayors  James D. Griffin, Anthony M. Masiello and Brown  had previously served in the State Senate.

He also noted the diversity of the Fillmore District, which includes Genesee-Moselle, Broadway-Fillmore, the First Ward and Allentown. Nowakowski, the first openly gay man to be elected to the Common Council, also said his Polish last name might appeal to voters in Cheektowaga.

To be able to represent those areas gives me a unique opportunity to bring a large, diverse set of people together, Nowakowski said. And that, to me, is what politics is about. Its about bringing people together.

Baskin, 40, was selected to serve as majority leader of the Legislature immediately upon taking office in 2018. She has been chair since 2019 and has worked to reform the countys jail system and to secure a Community Benefits Agreement from the new Buffalo Bills stadium.

I recently negotiated Erie Countys largest business deal in history, and thats the recent Bills lease, Baskin said. And from that negotiation, I learned a lot about the residents of Erie County and the value of pushing larger corporations to make community investments into residents needs. I intend to maximize the talents and the network that I built in that arena at the state level.

After Higgins announcement last month that he would resign early next year and become president of Sheas, Kennedy announced that he is seeking to become the Democratic Partys nominee for a special election that Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to set next year to fill Higgins seat.

People close to Brown say he is considering jumping into the Congressional race but is taking time over the holidays to decide if it is the right fit for him. Technically, Kennedy could run again for Senate if he does not secure the endorsement for Congress, but Democrats who know him say he has gone all in for Congress.
Photo Courtesy: ISPR website

Sindh is witnessing its people protesting against the Pakistan Army's calculated plan to grab over 52000 acres of arable land under the guise of corporate farming, media reports said on Friday.

The land is being granted under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military body that was set up by General Asim Munir in June to attract foreign investments in the country, reported Asian Lite.

Regional political parties have been hosting conferences and marches to demonstrate the way the Army is trying to threaten the existence of locals.

The most recent conference was held at Thatta Press Club under the banner of Awami Tehreek. A large number of writers, intellectuals, poets, lawyers, writers, political and social leaders of Sindh participated in the conference called out the land grab attempt by the army and its proxy companies, the news portal reported.

The Sindh government has recently issued a notification to hand over 52000 acres to a private company MS Green Corporate Initiative, firm allegedly owned by the Pakistani Army.

The firm was registered in August this year with the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and around 99% of shares in the firm are held by the Pakistan army through its nominee, Major General (retd). Shahid Nazir. Nazir heads the Land Information and Management System  Center of Excellence, set up in July this year, reports Asian Lite.

The army has already occupied vast tracts of land in the name of defence housing societies, plots for the families of martyrs and retired Generals, and now under the name of farming, at least a million acres in Sindh is on the anvil, reported the news portal.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

In a shocking incident that has left a family from Kurukshetra, India, traumatized, a group of robbers clad in police uniforms targeted them on 29th November 2023 in Lahore.

The victims, who were on a pilgrimage to Nankana Saheb to commemorate Guru Nanak Devs birth anniversary and attend the Akhand Path ceremony, fell prey to the cunning criminals in the bustling Liberty Market area of Model Town in Gulberg.

According to the harrowing account provided by the Indian Sikh family, the criminals, posing as legitimate police officers, intercepted them under the guise of routine passport checks.

Seizing the opportunity, the robbers proceeded to loot the family of items amounting to a staggering INR 10 lakh. Among the stolen possessions were wristwatches, a cell phone, a wallet, diamond jewelry, and a significant amount of cash.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Sikh community, both in India and Pakistan, highlighting the vulnerability of pilgrims who travel to sacred sites for religious observances.

The family had undertaken this journey to pay obeisance to Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and to participate in the Akhand Path ceremony, a revered tradition in the Sikh faith.

Disturbingly, the local police team handling the case has come under scrutiny for attempting to misrepresent the nature of the crime. Initial reports suggest that the authorities tried to categorize the robbery as a case of fraud, potentially in a bid to downplay the severity of the incident.

This has raised concerns among the victims and their community, who fear that justice may be compromised if the true nature of the crime is not acknowledged.

The Sikh family, still reeling from the traumatic experience, is urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The international Sikh community, known for its strong bonds and solidarity, has rallied behind the victims, emphasizing the need for heightened security to tackle such criminal activities.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by religious pilgrims during their sacred journeys and the importance of robust security measures to safeguard their well-being. The international community will be closely watching as authorities work to apprehend the criminals and deliver justice to the victims of this shocking robbery in Lahore.

(Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Photo Courtesy: Baloch Yakjehti Committee X page

Amnesty International on Thursday condemned the use water cannons, tear gas and excessive force against the Baloch Long March protestors by police in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Thursday.

"Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest," Amnesty International said in a statement posted on X.

Amnesty urged the Pakistani government to ensure release of all protestors, and drop any charges brought against them for solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest.

The group also demanded the Pakistani government conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards.

Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been  Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 21, 2023

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) has accused Islamabad of adopting a fascist attitude towards Baloch people, media reports said.

The group claimed that Islamabad police have conducted a crackdown on the long march and kept hundreds of youths, including participants at an unknown location.

In a post shared on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) stated as quoted by Asian Lite, The Islamabad police has cracked down on the long march and kept hundreds of youths including the participants at an unknown location. The state has adopted a fascist attitude towards the Baloch. We strongly appeal to the Baloch people to show a strong reaction, to convince the upper class with public power and force that we are not afraid.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) also condemned the police attack on the protest in Dera Ghazi Khan. It further said that several protesters were arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan.

In another post on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) said that it is deeply concerned about protesters who are inside the police cell.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

At least five construction workers died after an under-construction police station was attacked in Pakistan's South Waziristan region on Thursday.

According to police, the firing took place late Thursday night at the police station by unidentified assailants which also injured one of the workers, reported Geo News.

The bodies and the wounded worker have been moved to a district hospital in Wana, police told Geo News.

District Police Officer (DPO) Farmanullah said details of the incident will be shared after the investigation.

Pakistan witnessed a spike in terror activities in 2023.

According to statistics available with Geo News, 470 people were killed in 1,050 terror-related incidents in one year alone.

Seven areas along the Pak-Afghan border in KP remained terrorism hotspots during the outgoing year. The areas include Peshawar, Khyber, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur and Tank, the news channel reported.
Image tweeted by Olivia Chow

Toronto/IBNS: The Canadian government has allocated $471 million of funding to accelerate Torontos housing system and increase housing affordability for residents.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

Weve set a new goal of building 65,000 rent-controlled homes, and were committed to the provincial target of 285,000 homes by 2031Everyone deserves an affordable roof over their heads, and todays announcement helps make that a reality, Olivia was reported saying.

I joined @JustinTrudeau and @SeanFraserMP to announce $471M in Housing Accelerator Funding for Toronto. This a significant step. Thank you.



We'll be able to build more affordable housing, make it easier and faster to get approvals, allow for more density and more types of homes. pic.twitter.com/JvRdD9fbuw  Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) December 21, 2023

The federal HAF investments will also enable Toronto to expand the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) program in supporting the not-for-profit housing sector to acquire and convert market rental properties into permanently affordable rental homes for lower- and moderate-income residents.

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Mayor of the @cityoftoronto, Olivia Chow. They discussed key areas of cooperation, including plans for housing, public transit, and the environment. Read a summary of their meeting: https://t.co/G2fhURi9Fp pic.twitter.com/QclT2B6U9E  CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) December 21, 2023

Supported by HAF, the implementation of the plan focuses on helping people exit homelessness that targets 65,000 new rent-controlled homes across the city by 2030.

In addition, this funding would contribute towards the federal governments share of funding, estimated at $500 to $800 million annually.

HAF represents the kind of investments and partnerships required from all orders of government to deliver more affordable housing as quickly as possible, Gord Perks, Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee was reported saying.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Embarking on a journey into the dynamic world of e-commerce? Hold on, you might get an exclusive insider's revelation here. In a candid exploration, lets unveil the guarded secrets of savvy entrepreneurs who've cracked the code to unparalleled success and you can take notes that could transform your business trajectory.

We are going to spill the beans on the ultimate game-changers for ambitious entrepreneurs navigating the realms of online commerce.

Lets dive in!





Success Stories From Entrepreneurs Who've Mastered The Online Landscape With Finesse

Neeraj, co-founder of Dynamic IT Mart, highlights How a superior infrastructure and fulfillment center services of online platform, coupled with personalized guidance on promotions and sales boosts from dedicated account managers helped him skyrocket his business. Tarun, another co-founder, unequivocally recommends Flipkart as an unmissable opportunity for any e-commerce venture.

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Mohit Vaghela, the founder of Estrelo, started his cosmetics business at 18 with no funding in his kitty. With Flipkart Support, growing to a 10 crore business, attributing his success to Flipkart's assistance.

Virak Jain, the Founder and CEO of Happy eCom, commends online platformss account and category management teams for their crucial role in their e-commerce journey.

Similarly, Sheikh Umaid and Sheikh Azeem from Blue Tech Enterprises in Hyderabad highlighted that for those who are struggling with photoshoot issues with their products, Flipkart's instrumental support will be there to help them.

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Flipkart

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The Parliament on Thursday passed three criminal law amendment bills -- Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill aim to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.



Pexels

Prime Minister Modi said these transformative Bills are a testament to India's commitment to reform and described 2023 as a watershed moment in the country's history.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha said it's the "beginning of a new era" as "the purpose of these bills is to give justice not the punishment."

"For the first time in history", Shah said these bills are made by India and approved by the Indian Parliament for Indians".

Pexels

The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita seeks to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860.

Here is a quick look at how BNS will be different from IPC.

Major Changes:

* Definition of child is introduced

* Transgender is included in the definition of 'gender'

* Electronic and digital records are included in the definition of a document

* The definition of 'movable property' is widened to include property of every description

* New chapter on offence against women and child is introduced

* New chapter on 'inchoate offences' (attempt, abetment and conspiracy) is introduced

* New offences like organised crime, terrorist act, petty organised crime, hit and run, mob lynching, hiring child to commit offence, sexual exploitation of woman by deceitful means, snatching, abetment outside India, acts endangering the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India, publication of false or fake news etc. have been introduced

* Attempt to commit suicide is deleted

* Beggary has been introduced as a form of exploitation for trafficking

* In the definition of grievous hurt, the number of days has been reduced from 20 days to 15 days

* Community service is provided as a punishment for theft of less than Rs 5,000

* Reorganisation of offences are made wherein similar provisions have been clubbed together.

Minor Changes:

* At nine places, the archaic expressions like 'lunatic', 'insane' and 'idiot' have been done away with

* Colonial remnants like 'British calendar', 'Queen', 'British India, ' and 'justice of the peace' have been deleted.

* In 44 places 'Court of Justice' has been replaced with 'Court'

* Uniformity has been brought in use of expression 'child' throughout the BNS

* At 12 places, 'denotes' has been replaced with 'means' and 'that is to say' is replaced with 'namely' at three places.

* There was no mention of 'intent or purpose' in the IPC, but in the new law, there is mention of 'intent' in the definition of treason, which provides safeguards for freedom of expression.

* In the new bill, words like hatred and contempt have been removed, and words like 'armed rebellion, destructive activities, and separatist activities' have been included.

* The word sedition has been completely removed from the new bill.

Pexels

How crimes/ punishments have changed

* BNS has added twenty new offences while nineteen provisions that existed in IPC have been deleted.

* In 33 offences, the punishment of imprisonment has been increased

* In 83 offences, the punishment of fine has been enhanced

* In 23 offences, the mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced

* In six offences, the punishment of 'community service' has been introduced

* A provision of 20 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment has been made in all cases of gang rape.

* A provision for the death penalty for those committing the crime of mob lynching.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that India has been granted consular access to Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who is held in a prison in the Czech Republic, pending extradition to the US, where he is facing murder-for-hire charges in connection with the failed assassination plot targeting Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

BCCL/ FILE

What MEA said

"An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, said.

Bagchi further said that the matter is sub-judice after a family member of accused Nikhil Gupta filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

"The family of this Indian national (Nikhil Gupta), had given a petition in the Supreme Court. The matter is sub judice, so it won't be appropriate to comment on the matter now...it will not be able to comment on jurisdictions on this issue," he said.

Who is Nikhil Gupta?

52-year-old Gupta, who is said to be involved in international narcotics and weapons trafficking, was arrested on June 30 in Prague in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen" of Indian origin in New York.

AP

Petition in Supreme Court

Last week, a family member of Gupta had moved a habeas corpus plea in the Supreme Court on his behalf.

In the plea, it was alleged that Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic and was subjected to grave human rights violations in solitary confinement, including being forced to consume beef and pork.

Charges against Gupta

On November 29, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the United States in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

He was charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which has a maximum sentence of a 10-year jail term.

According to the US Prosecutors, Gupta was operating on the directions of an unnamed, high-ranking Indian government official based in Delhi, identified only as CC-1.

REUTERS

On the directions of CC-1, Gupta hired a hitman and agreed to pay him $100,000 to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an Indian-born US citizen living in New York City.

But the US Drug Enforcement Administration was monitoring Gupta, and after getting wind of the murder-for-hire plot, it planted an undercover agent posing as a hitman, who agreed to carry out the murder.

For more news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the January 26 Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.

If accepted, Macron will become the sixth French President to grace the occasion as the chief guest.

AFP

Biden was invited first

Earlier, India had invited US President Joe Biden to be the Republic Day chief guest, but he expressed his inability to travel to New Delhi in January.

The reasons for Biden's decision are believed to be influenced by the State of the Union address in late January or early February, his re-election bid, and Washington's increasing focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict.

Modi, guest of honour at Bastille Day Parade

Earlier this year, PM Modi visited France on the invitation of French President Macron to attend the Bastille Day Parade, where he was the Guest of Honour.

REUTERS

French President Macron had also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit, which was held under India's Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10 on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress.

The two leaders had also met earlier this month in Dubai during the COP28 summit.

AFP

R-Day's French connection

In the past, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac (1976 and 1998) and French Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing (1980), Nicolas Sarkozy (2008) and Francois Hollande (2016) had been the Chief guests at India's Republic Day celebrations.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebration in 2023.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The Czech Republic government has declared a day of mourning on Saturday, December 23, after a mass shooting in the capital, Prague, left 15 people, including the suspected gunman, dead.

David Kozak, a 24-year-old student at the Charles University in the Czech capital, is suspected to be the lone gunman behind what is being described as the worst mass shooting in the country's history.

AFP

Who is David Kozak?

Kozak, who was studying Polish history at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University hailed from Hostoun in the Central Bohemia Region.

It wasn't immediately unclear what motivated an 'excellent student with no criminal record' to turn the gun on his fellow students.

But on Thursday, Kozak reportedly left Hostoun, saying he wanted to take his own life. About 25 minutes later, his father was found dead in his house.

Suspected of two more murders

Later, during the search at his home, the police also uncovered Kozak's possible links to the murder of another man and his 2-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

REUTERS

The police were also informed that the shooter was to give a lecture at the Faculty of Arts building on Celetna Street in Prague. Thus, they evacuated the building, but the shooting took place at Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Prague's Old Town.

Well thought out

According to the Police, the shooter, who legally owned several guns, was heavily armed and was carrying a lot of ammunition on Thursday for what the investigators describe as a "well thought out, a horrible act".

AFP

Kozak, who suffered "devastating injuries", was found dead later, but it wasn't clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with the Police.

Worst mass shooting in the country

A total of fifteen people, including the gunman, has been confirmed dead, while some 25 others have been injured.

AP

Previously, the nation's worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
When he was considering how to vote on a proposal that would require Erie County to translate certain documents into six languages, Legislator Howard Johnson recalled an encounter he had with a Bangladeshi woman.

The woman had to fill out necessary documents related to her son, who is autistic. Unable to understand them, the woman did not get the services her son required. Johnson, D-Buffalo, said he does not want any other resident to endure what she did.

The time is now, he said Thursday.

Johnson joined six other legislators in voting to approve the Language Access Act, mandating that some official documents be translated into the top six languages spoken in Erie County, including American Sign Language. It was passed 7-4.

The new law would also require the county to offer on-site translation services to ensure meaningful equal access to direct public services.

The amended version of the act no longer forbids the use of online applications and machine interpretation and translation services. Instead, it states that those means can be used only after the county has tried to secure qualified on-site interpreters or live interpreters via telephone or video call service.

The Language Access Act amends the County Charter to establish an advisory board that will determine the top six non-English languages spoken in Erie County, based on a variety of data sources. The committee will also determine which county documents are considered important enough to require translation.

An evaluation of the top six languages would be redone every two years and consider U.S. census and school population data, as well as information from local interpreter and refugee resettlement agencies. Provisions of the law would also accommodate American Sign Language interpretation or real-time caption and transcription services for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Appointees from the county executive, clerk and sheriff would serve on the advisory committee.

Legislator Christopher Greene, R-Clarence, opposed the proposal, saying that although he agreed with the concept, he wanted to understand what vital documents refer to and how much cost these new services would entail. Greene called for a committee session with agencies including Social Services, Health Department, etc., to get an understanding of how this plan will roll out.

I dont get an idea of what the implementation plan would look like. So that we have an understanding of whether those costs are a few hundred thousand dollars or if were talking about millions of dollars moving forward. Again, were not necessarily against the law, he said.

He was seconded by Frank J. Todaro, R-Lancaster.

When theres haste, therell be waste, Todaro said, adding, Doing it without a dollar figure is not the way to do it.

Erie County Legislature Chair April Baskin agreed with the majority caucus of Democrats.

By not passing this bill we are saying that people that dont speak the traditional language that are out here in this country should not have the access of reading or to documents to be able to get those services. And that to me is inhumane, she said.
Czech authorities on Friday revised the death toll in the mass shooting at the Charles University in Prague to 13 victims and the gunman, who killed himself.

Initially, the authorities had said that 14 people were shot dead by David Kozak, a 24-year-old student at Charles University, who later took his own life.

AFP

All victims identified

According to Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, all the victims have been identified, and there are no foreign nationals among the dead.

The Institute of Music Sciences confirmed that its head, Lenka Hlavkova, was among the dead.

All the victims were killed inside the building, and at least some were the gunman's fellow students.

"We know all 14 dead and their identity. It's 13 victims of the mad gunman and the gunman himself," Rakusan told the public Czech TV.

Three foreigners injured

Among the 24 people who have been injured in the worst mass shooting in Czech history, three have been identified as foreign nationals -- two from UAE and one from the Netherlands.

AP

The police said that the gunman-- Kozak, had died by suicide in Thursday's attack.

Motive for mass murder unknown

Police have released no details about the dead and wounded or a possible motive for the shooting at the building. Rakusan said on Thursday that investigators didn't suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups. Officials said they believed the gunman acted alone.

Kozak, previously unknown to the police, had a "huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition", Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said after the killings on Thursday.

REUTERS

Police had started a search for the student even before the mass shooting after his father was found dead in the village of Hostoun, west of Prague.

Kozak "left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself", Vondrasek said, declining to confirm whether the gunman had actually killed his father.

Citing an inquiry into the students' social media activities, Vondrasek said Kozak was inspired by a "similar case that happened in Russia" without providing further details.

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An adventurous explorer redefined travel recently by covering 19,000 km in 40 days from Canada to India. Fueled by curiosity and passion, his extraordinary journey was not without cost, as he had to spend more than Rs 25,00,000 to realise his dream of crossing the continent.



This article tells the compelling story of this contemporary adventurer and the incredible achievement that made his dreams of travelling the world an incredible reality.

Who Is This Man?

Credit: YouTube

Jasmeet Singh, the intrepid traveller, traversed more than 19,000 kilometres in his vehicle, earning him widespread acclaim and making him a local sensation for his distinctive approach to travel.

What Did He Do?

He travelled to India in his Ford Bronco SUV in about 40 days. Before arriving at his objective, he travelled through eighteen nations. Jasmeet stated to DNA India that he spent 2.5 years organising this road trip. He was also forced to spend the night in his SUV.

Credit: YouTube

He entered India via Pakistan, receiving a warm welcome from his family at the Attari Bagha Border near Amritsar. His amazing road journey is currently receiving attention on social media.

Car enthusiast Jasmeet is now considering taking his car to a different location.

He intends to go throughout India for six months.

Where Can You Watch The Video?

You can watch the video on YouTube where Jasmeet shares his story.

How Did The Internet React?

It's been a few months since the video was shared on social media.

The viral clip on YouTube has over 4K views and many comments, with a lot of blessings.

Let's check out the comments below!



Credit: YouTube

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.

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A recent viral video demonstrating the making of "Moye Moye Rasgulla Chai" has shocked the online community in the ever-evolving realm of culinary innovations.

Netizens are debating this novel combination of traditional Indian sweets and popular tea, with differing views on whether this creative creation is a culinary triumph or a disaster.

Who Shared The Video?

"the.fooodie.panda," an Instagram food page, has shared the video.

What Is The Video All About?

Credit: Instagram

Chai and rasgulla are two distinct foods that people like to have separately. While chai is a beverage that people prefer to drink for comfort, rasgullas are spongy desserts.

But what if you have to have both at the same time?

Although it may seem strange, the viral video demonstrates how to make rasgulla chai on social media. Food enthusiasts find it irksome; numerous voices are clamouring for a serving of justice with their tea and rasgulla.

Ashish Agrawal, a food vlogger from Surat, posted the video on Instagram with the caption, "Moye Moye Rasgulla Chai." In the video, a vendor can be seen delicately inserting a rasgulla into a kulhad. He's then seen putting tea into it as the video continues. The man is seen removing rasgullas that have been dipped in tea towards the end.

When Did The Video Go Viral?

Credit: Instagram

This viral video was shared just a few days ago, and since then it has gone viral.

Where Can You Watch The Video?

You can watch this viral video on Instagram.



How Did The Internet React?

Credit: Instagram

The footage was posted on Instagram some time ago. Since then, it has had over 11.2 million views, and the figure keeps rising.

Many even shared their opinions in the post's comments section.

Credit: Instagram

Credit: Instagram

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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It is not common for a student's exam response to go viral in the academic world.

Nonetheless, a student whose wise response to the IND-Pak border dispute captivated the internet has defied expectations and become an iconic figure of intelligence and worldly understanding.

Who Is Seema Haider?

Seema Ghulam Haider is the actual and full name of Seema Haider. She rose to fame by breaking international law to be with her partner in India.

She is a married mother of four children, three of whom are sons and one daughter. In 2019, Seema Haider met Sachin Meena from India's Greater Noida through the online game PUBG.

Their love blossomed to such an extent that Seema, originally from Pakistan, moved to India with her four kids.

Credit: Instagram

Seema Haider said she had converted to 'Sanatana Dharma' and was now following it after entering India illegally through Nepal earlier this year. She gave her kids new names as well after entering India illegally in May to visit her partner Sachin Meena in Greater Noida, where the Pakistani national gained notoriety.

In May and June, Seema Haider's videos dominated the internet and garnered media attention, with a lot of people eager to learn about her background. Seema Haider is garnering a lot of attention once more.

What Made Seema Haider Famous Again?

This time, though, the cause is a 12th-grade exam paper rather than the couple's love story. An interesting student's remark on the exam paper has gone viral online like wildfire.

The length of the border between India and Pakistan was the subject of a political science paper in the school. The teacher's eyes rolled as she saw what one of the students had written in response to the question.

Credit: India.com

The student noted on the response sheet that Seema Haider, which is five feet, six inches long, is the boundary between Pakistan and India.

The response sheet is currently popular across practically all social media networks. Before this, the Pakistani national made headlines last month when she and her Indian spouse Sachin celebrated their first "Karwa Chauth."

Seema previously garnered media attention for raising the Indian flag ahead of Independence Day. Haider, who is from the Sindh area of Pakistan, and her lawyer, AP Singh, took part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign at Haider's Noida home.

Where Does This Examination Take Place?

Credit: Facebook

It is reportedly from Dholpur district's Bagthar Government Higher Secondary School in Baseri.

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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The Imo State Police Command on Thursday, announced the arrest of a commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that has been attacking and kidnapping residents in the State.

Okoye Henry, the State Police spokesperson, said the commander of the militant group, identified as Ikechukwu Uba, is from Emoha Mgbidi, in Oru West Local Government Area.

Henry said the operatives invaded the hideout of the suspected commander and arrested him alongside three other accomplices.

According to him, the suspects, who are notorious for terrorising residents of the community, were arrested on December 16.

During interrogation, he said the suspect confessed that he was behind the attack on Omuma police station and on soldiers at Mgbidi and Awo-Mmama area.

The attacks, he alleged, were sponsored by one Augustine Agbarambo, a traditional ruler of Isi Mgbidi, Emoha Mgbidi community in the State.

The suspect also alleged that the group is being funded by Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish lawyer.



READ ALSO: Bauchi Police Nab 19-Year-Old Over Murder Of Facebook Girlfriend

Operatives of the commands anti-kidnapping squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa stormed the hideout of the suspects on 16/12/2023 and arrested him and three others, the statement reads.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) terrorist group, commanding Mgbidi axis and stated further that he masterminded the attacks on Omuma police station and soldiers at Mgbidi and Awo-Mmama, narrating further that he receives funding from the Finland-based Simon Ekpa to carry out terrorist attacks in the state.

The suspects provided useful information to the determined operatives that led to the arrest of one of their alleged sponsors, HRH EZE Anozie Augustine Agbarambo m, 51 yrs, the traditional ruler of Isi Mgbidi, Emoha Mgbidi autonomous community.

The police spokesperson said two locally made revolver long guns, one double barrel long gun, and 33 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the house of the suspect.

He added that the suspects would be charged after the completion of investigations.
Aggrieved residents, suspected to be loyalists to Governor Sim Fubara have stormed the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, protesting against President Bola Tinubus intervention in the political crisis rocking the state.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the protesters include students, youths, civil society organisations, labor unions, and members of the Hausa community.

It was gathered that they occupied the Government House, along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, as early as 7 am.

Recall that Governor Fubara met with President Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other Rivers Stakeholders in Aso Villa.

The meeting, which was fixed to end the political crisis in the state, saw Wike, Fubara, and some others sign an agreement to end the feud.

After the meeting, one of the resolutions reached was that all impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Fubara by the State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.

READ MORE: Rivers Crisis: Your First Steps Are Correct  Odili Tells Gov Fubara

Also, all matters instituted by Governor Fubara and his team at the court shall be withdrawn immediately, and the governor shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the State Assembly.

Another resolution reached at the meeting was that the leadership of the Rivers Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule shall be recognised alongside 27 members who resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has averred that the recent Supreme Court judgement on his case, opened a new legal window for his release.

The detained leader disclosed this during his routine meeting with his legal team, led by his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and Barrister Nnaemeka, at the Abuja facility of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He, again expressed disappointment with the judgement.

In a post via X on Thursday, Ejimakor wrote: UPDATE: I met with #MNK today (Thursday) in tow with Barr Nnaemeka.

Onyendu expressed his profound disappointment with the Supreme Court judgment but he believes that aspects of the judgement have opened a new legal window to pursue his release. He asked all and sundry to remain confident.

READ ALSO: Police Nab Simon Ekpas IPOB Commander Terrorising Imo Residents

Recall that the Supreme Court declined an appeal to release the embattled IPOB leader from detention.

In its judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim but written by Justice Garba Lawal, the Supreme Court upturned the Appeal Court ruling that discharged and acquitted Kanu of all terrorism charges in October 2022.

The Supreme Court held that although the Nigerian government recklessly and unlawfully rendered Kanu from Kenya, such an unlawful act has not divested any court from proceeding with trial.

Justice Lawal held that no Nigerian law was cited in the suit seeking Kanus release from unlawful abduction from Kenya.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Thursday, averred that States in the South-West must share intelligence to improve the security of the region.

Abiodun stated this on Thursday at the 4th South-West conference of directors of security held in Abeokuta.

He said criminals have changed their methods, which according to him necessitated the need for security agencies to improve their tactics and share intelligence.

According to him, no investor would invest if the zone is not secured, since security enhances meaningful development.

It is important that as a region, we share intelligence and see how to better secure our region because there can never be any meaningful socio-economic development in an atmosphere of insecurity.

Nobody will come and invest in your state no matter the amount of road you build, no matter the amount of infrastructure you provide.

As long as there is an air or a feeling of insecurity, all that will amount to nothing.

READ ALSO: CBN Threatens To Sanction Banks, PoS Operators Disrupting Circulation Of Naira  CBN

It is important we understand that the socio-economic development that we all desire in our various states and zones can only be achieved when we have peace and security, he said.

The Ogun governor commended the establishment of the Amotekun outfit, adding that the south-west states have similar security challenges.

Abiodun said Ogun is experiencing a lot of activities due to its closeness to Lagos.

Being close to Lagos State, which is the financial capital of Nigeria, we have a spillover of activities from there. Anything that happens in Lagos, within a few minutes, you will begin to feel the impact, the governor said.

We see ourselves as providing services that have to do with buying of land, setting up industry, people that want to live close to Lagos as possible and of course, people that are travelling from Lagos to the rest of the country all pass through Ogun, Oyo and at times, Osun, before going to the rest of the country, he added.
Visitors explore the "Sueno de Reyes" exhibit by Tato Gonzalez at Galeria Esperanza, a new art gallery at the Esperanza Arts Center. Read more

When artist and muralist Danny Torres first came to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico in 1988, he struggled to find stability in the citys arts scene.

I went through hell to put my name in the art community, Torres, now 63, said. Other than Taller Puertorriqueno, a community-based cultural organization celebrating Puerto Rican and Latino culture, Torres explained that at the time, there were few places in the city for Latino artists to show their work and find support. They had to work underground; galleries in Center City werent very interested in artwork that explored Latino culture and themes.

Torres marked a low point one winter, when he was homeless and had chicken pox at the same time. He worked on his craft inside a tight basement and gradually built his name and a renowned career in Philly. Having now painted dozens of murals across the city over the years, he is thrilled that the next generation of Latino artists in Philadelphia might now have an easier path.

Earlier this month, the Esperanza Arts Center, a Latino community arts and culture organization in Hunting Park, opened a new art gallery, Galeria Esperanza. Esperanza intends for its gallery to be a place for both celebrated artists and newcomers alike to hone and display their work, and to further highlight the Hunting Park neighborhood as an artistic, cultural hub. The gallerys inaugural exhibit is Sueno de Reyes, or Dream of Kings, by Puerto Rican artist Tato Gonzalez.

The rich diversity of Latino culture

People in our community, young people who are creating works of art, [this] will give them the opportunity to show off their skills and be able to bring their family and friends in to see the work theyre doing, said Bill Rhoads, senior vice president of Esperanza Arts Center.

Part of our mission at [Esperanza] is to increase awareness and appreciation of the rich diversity of both local and internationally celebrated Latino artists among residents of the Philadelphia region, he said later in an email to The Inquirer. He added that Esperanza plans for the gallery to open with a full, public schedule in the spring.

Those working at Esperanza have heard some express concern that adding another gallery space near Taller Puertorriqueno might put the two in competition with each other for attention and visits. But Rhoads is confident that wont be the case, and explained that Esperanzas gallery plans to collaborate with Taller going forward.

When an additional art gallery opens up in any city, nobody complains ... Oh my goodness, here comes another white, Western European art gallery, he said.

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How are we ever going to handle two [galleries] in a region that has a population of close to 20% Latino? I think we can handle two art galleries.

Torres attended the official opening event for Galeria Esperanza and Sueno de Reyes on Dec. 8. Hes been closely involved with Esperanza since it opened over 30 years ago, and remembers when Esperanzas founder and president Luis Cortes Jr. first told him about his plan to open a community art gallery.

Now that its finally here, Torres hopes that the gallery gives people more reason and opportunity to travel from Center City and elsewhere around the city to Hunting Park to see Latino art and culture.

We create art for the people to enjoy [it]. We create art for the people to live through [it], he said.

To remember from where we came from, so they can know where we [should] go in the future.
Small and mid-sized leaders are more focused on data security and privacy protection than ever, said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. Read more

Almost three-quarters of small businesses in the United States reported a cyberattack in the past year, with the number of first-time attacks against small businesses jumping by 18% from 2022, according to a recent report from a nonprofit that provides advice and assistance to consumers and businesses affected by cybercrimes.

Small and mid-sized leaders are more focused on data security and privacy protection than ever, said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, who wrote the report. Thats great news, but we still have a tremendous amount of work to do. We are going to set an all-time high for data breaches this year and more than likely will experience a tsunami of identity fraud in the months and years to follow.

By now, youve heard of these threats. Ransomware attacks can encrypt or steal your data. Phishing e-mails and websites can entice unknowing employees to click on links or download documents that spread malware. Deepfake calls and e-mails from phony supervisors can fool unsuspecting users into revealing passwords, usernames, or other confidential information and even processing unapproved transactions. Personal information can be pieced together from various sources to create a synthetic identity that bad actors can use to infiltrate networks and steal data.

All of this adds up to big dollars. In 2023, the average cost of a data breach reached a record high of almost $4.5 million, according to a recent report by IBM. This cost takes into account business interruptions, lawsuits from irate customers, and the internal costs to restore systems to normal.

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What should your business do to protect your data in 2024? Some strategies have remained constant, but new ones have emerged.

Zero trust

Brian Martz, who owns IT consulting firm TechGuides in Swarthmore, urges every client to have a zero trust policy, a growing strategy in the IT world that incorporates never trusting, always verifying, and minimizing the impact of a breach if it occurs as its core principles.

A strong zero trust policy  which requires ongoing oversight by your IT team  involves installing software, providing policies to secure a users identity through strong multifactor-authentication password controls, and keeping computers and devices updated with the latest security and operating system. Martz says that the policy involves configuring every application, router, and device to its highest level of security, and implementing strict rules for remote workers.

For example, you cant let your kids or other family members use your work device while at home, Martz said. Its got to be used solely as a work computer so that its secure.

Framework

Jeffrey Lauria, a cybersecurity expert at iCorps Technologies, agrees with a zero trust approach and also recommends having cyber insurance. But he warns that insurance companies are looking more to their customers security and IT framework in case of a breach. A framework he recommends is the Critical Security Controls from the Center for Internet Security  a nonprofit organization that publishes best practices for securing IT systems and data.

Cybersecurity insurance companies, along with some states, are using this framework, he said. There are 18 things they call control points. And it gives a small business a security road map. If you cant show youre following best practices and you do have a cyber event, your insurance company may not pay for it.

Firewall security

Your companys firewall  a security layer that inhibits malware from getting into your network  should be checked for data that is also leaving your network.

By default, firewalls let everything out, but thats no longer good because when a threat actor gets on the network, theres nothing that restricts them from getting your data out of your company, Lauria said. Putting rules and securing ports on outgoing data will also mitigate your risk.

Managed services providers

As security threats proliferate, its becoming increasingly difficult for many small businesses to protect their data affordably. Consider a managed services provider (MSP), which for a monthly fee will take responsibility for the security over all of your companys data and applications.

Ryan Coleman, who owns Dayspring Technology Inc. in Hatboro, said a good MSP will do the core tasks like backing up data, implementing strong passwords and multifactor authentication, installing security software, and managing software updates and patches.

People get hacked because theyre using older systems without updates, he said. A good MSP will ensure that doesnt happen.

Training

All IT experts will tell you that ongoing training is key to a secure network. Why? As much as 88% of data breaches are caused by human error. Martzs firm, for example, provides regular training to its clients so that employees are updated to the most recent threats and whats changing and to increase overall awareness.

Users are the first line of defense against any data breach, he said. We wouldnt as much be worried about security if people never clicked on a bad link.

Of course, implementing these strategies in 2024 will not eliminate your exposure to a data breach. But they will certainly help reduce the chances that it will happen. And that could save you a lot of money, time  and even your business.

Gene Marks is the founder and president of the Marks Group, a small-business consulting firm based in Bala Cynwyd.
Working in an office that he shared with the entrepreneurs from the prize-winning companies of the 43North competition fanned John Gavigan's entrepreneurial fire.

After leaving his post of three years as executive director of 43North, Gavigan in 2018 joined SomaDetect as chief operating officer for the Canadian startup that won the competition's $1 million grand prize the year prior.

In 2020, he moved over to Endeavor Western New York to once again work with and create connections for startup companies  this time in their later stages.

But that fire he's had in him since his teenage years to be involved in the inner workings of a startup venture never went out.

It spurred him last year to take on the challenge of building a U.S. presence for CrediVault. And after 18 months as CEO, Gavigan feels closer than ever to lifting the Buffalo startup to new heights, thanks to new product WireVault, which helps protect businesses from the significant problem of wire fraud.

It works best for law firms engaged in real estate transactions. Many times, the legal industry serves as the intermediary in holding funds and then releasing them upon the completion of a transaction.

Of all the things Ive done in my professional life, this is without a doubt the hardest, but its also the most rewarding, Gavigan said.

It has taken plenty of help from local companies to get the startup closer to reaching its goals.

The idea of Western New York businesses working together to generate new opportunities that have the potential to produce prosperous returns for the entire community is certainly not lost on Gavigan.

Thats even more critical for startups, he said, because they require relationships with traditional companies to become scalable.

If you want to build great companies, it starts in your backyard, Gavigan said.

I feel like Im living that example  the process of building toward that  with this opportunity," he said. "The more business you have in the community baked into participation of generating the origins of new companies, the better off the downstream impacts will be on the entire community.

WireVault uses a blockchain technology tool that securely gathers wire information during transactions, which Gavigan said is safer than current technology being used that collects, stores and shares account information through email, texting, spreadsheet files and traditional databases.

The companys first half-dozen clients for the product are local law firms, including Lippes Mathias and Rupp Pfalzgraf.

These firms should be an example for every other traditional business in our community to raise their hands and lend their support to the technology entrepreneurs are pitching, he said. They took a gamble on us and as a result, we have a shot at building a legit company.

CrediVault is one example of the local startups that Lippes Mathias supports and provides legal advice to, according to Dennis Vacco, a firm partner. Lippes has been partnered with CrediVault since its inception pre-pandemic.

We think that Buffalo has a robust startup community, and we are entrepreneurial by nature at Lippes Mathias, so it just makes perfect sense to be attracted to startup entities looking to grow their footprint in Western New York, he said.

Meahwhile, Rupp Pfalzgraf assists multiple startups that firm partners have created and invested in, including GoToVerdict, an automated jury selection tool.

"We're really passionate about startups and small businesses and getting behind them as much as we can, and thankfully, John has been very receptive to client feedback and constantly developing the product to make sure it fits the need of growing businesses like ourselves," said Dominick Muto, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Rupp Pfalzgraf.

"We want to do everything in our power to make sure that we can secure our clients' assets in a protected fashion, and this software really only helps us accomplish that objective," he added.

Gavigan started working as a teenager at his familys business and has been involved in four startup companies, including the interior design firm Eden Interiors in 2002 and Discover Buffalo Niagara Calendars, which he co-founded with his brother in 1999.

He's also worked as vice president of Eastern Managed Print Network, a sales manager at Xerox and was part of a turnaround at Xerographic Solutions.

By the time he joined 43North in 2015  the startup incubator and accelerator which began the year prior  the Amherst native had 20 years of experience in business development, marketing and fundraising. That move brought his career back to Buffalo and began his push into the venture community.

Gavigan then joined SomaDetect in an effort to help build a profitable company from a startup providing dairy farmers with more information about the health and production of their herds, before working for Endeavor Western New York for over two years.

He brought plenty of experience with startups to CrediVault and that's been important in meeting the challenges he's faced.

CrediVaults first product, LendingVault, which is designed to protect transactions between lenders and their customers, did not resonate as well in the U.S. as it did overseas, making it more difficult to raise money from domestic investors to fuel the business. So, Gavigan began to focus on a product he could sell here.

During a meeting in March with Gavigan and company founder Jon Purizhansky, Vacco suggested the company refocus on creating a system to better secure financial wire transfers.

Vacco wanted to see the blockchain technology already being used by CrediVault make the wire transfer process more secure. Law firms are often in the middle of sophisticated transactions, facilitating the flow of money going from one party to another.

Vacco had just come off representing an Israeli law firm that saw one of its clients investing in a South Florida property lose $4.25 million to fraudsters while wiring funds to a bank in New Jersey during the closing.

This wasnt the first time I had seen sophisticated businessmen, with their checks and balances and the systems they employ to effectuate a wire transfer, lose their proceeds, Vacco said.

CrediVault assembled a team to build the product that includes Holly Hubert, a former FBI agent in charge of the cybersecurity and crime investigation teams in Buffalo and founder of GlobalSecurityIQ, and Joe Peters, who has extensive background in blockchain technology.

It released WireVault in October and the company has its first handful of customers using the product, as well as 50 prospects, Gavigan said. The company has 25 employees  including six who are local  and expects to hire more talent from the region after closing out a funding round.

Gavigan is hoping the local business community continues to help startups with all their firsts  first customer, first pilot, first clinical trial and first proof of concept.

Just like they did for ACV Auctions, which rose to become 43Norths first unicorn company, with 2,000 jobs nationally, including 800 in Buffalo, and $3 billion in wealth. Gavigan was the executive director of 43North when ACV won the $1 million grand prize in the 2015 business plan competition.

We want to generate that awareness and hopefully more law firms are apt to jump on, Gavigan said. The time is now, so were spinning up and we need as many customers on this platform as possible, because it increases valuation and attractiveness as an investment.

WireVault is useful for any entity involved in mergers and acquisitions and business-to-business transactions. Vacco said many times companies dont have adequate insurance coverage to recoup all the misappropriated funds lost through wire fraud.

It makes sense that law firms would be the first market segment for WireVault, but I think it has applicability to any business or individual engaged in many and substantial wire transfers, Vacco said.
A Bucks County man has been charged with sexually assaulting four young boys two decades ago while he worked at an after-school program.

Gerald William Spoto, 41, of Bristol Township, was arraigned Tuesday night and was being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1 million bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 3.

Spoto is accused of sexually assaulting the boys between 2000 and 2004 while he worked at the Neshaminy Kids Club. The boys were between ages 7 and 13 at the time, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office said.

In some instances, Spoto was hired by parents to babysit their children, prosecutors said. Authorities did not say what Spotos job at Neshaminy Kids Club was.

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Court records did not show a lawyer listed for Spoto.

The current investigation began last week when two Middletown Township police detectives reexamined two inactive reports of sexual assault of juveniles filed in 2013 and 2017 identifying Spoto as the alleged perpetrator, prosecutors said. The investigation then found more people accusing Spoto of sexual assault.

One man accused Spoto of approximately 50 incidents when the man was ages 9 to 11, prosecutors said. Another accused Spoto of approximately 100 sexual assaults, describing how he was intimidated or overpowered by Spoto, and was provided alcohol.

Several accusers said Spoto showed them pornography, including one person recalling that Spoto showed him a video of Spoto molesting another boy, prosecutors said.

Kathleen Carmona, executive director of Neshaminy Kids Club, said in a statement: We are deeply disturbed and saddened by the information released today by the Middletown Township Police Department Involving a person employed by Neshaminy Kids Club in the early 2000s. This person left our employment more than 17 years ago. No one currently at or affiliated with NKC had any knowledge or suspicion of the conduct alleged.

Carmona added: We encourage any former NKC students who have information related to this investigation to contact Middletown Township Police. Neshaminy Kids Club is committed to the safety and well-being of all NKC students, families, and staff, and is prepared to offer support as well as other resources to all who wish to request it.

Authorities said anyone with information about sexual assaults allegedly committed by Spoto should contact Middletown Township Police Det. John Beck at 215-750-3872, ext. 2215.
Students Macie Madden, left, and Gabrielle Clement, right, demonstrate how the free period products dispenser works at Haddon Heights High School. Read more

On a typical day in the nurses office at Haddon Heights High School, at least several dozen girls stop by with the same emergency: They need menstrual products.

Nurse Margaret Iuvara always has a supply available and encourages girls to take a few extra so they are prepared next time. She can also send girls to three restrooms and the girls locker room where, since the spring, dispensers are now stocked with free tampons and pads.

Its such a relief to have the products available, said Macie Madden, 17, a senior. Its such a good thing.

Although the South Jersey school voluntarily provides free period products, New Jersey passed a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in August that will require all public schools to offer menstrual products at no cost for students, from sixth to 12th grade. It becomes effective with the 2024-2025 school year.

Advocates who pushed for the law said it was needed to ease the stigma often associated with menstruation and, as part of a national movement, address period poverty for girls from low-income households who may not be able to afford such products. Some girls miss school because they dont have products available, studies show.

Haddon Heights School Superintendent Carla Bittner said the district, which enrolls about 1,500 students in four schools, spent about $2,400 on period products at the high school for this school year. The cost will be picked up by the state when the law takes effect.

Im super proud of this initiative, Bittner said.

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The initiative was the brainchild of former Haddon Heights student Anya Raetsch, who was inspired after listening to a NPR podcast about period poverty her sophomore year. When Raetsch had her menstrual cycle for the first time as an eighth grader, she didnt know she could go to the nurses office for help. She eventually got some products from a friend, but wanted to make it easier for other girls.

Raetsch decided to make the campaign her Girl Scout Gold Award community service project and convinced school officials to adopt it. It took months to get the necessary approvals. She held seminars about period shaming and surveyed all students, not just the girls, because she believed the issue required support from the entire school.

I just felt strongly about it, said Raetsch, 19, of Haddon Heights, now a freshman applied mathematics and computer science major at the University of New Hampshire. I just got really inspired.

 READ MORE: Collingswood High School hopes to address mental health concerns with new Wellness Center

Raetsch later pitched neighboring school districts to join the campaign, and several towns, including Collingswood and Haddon Township, also began providing free menstrual products.

Her efforts drew the attention of state lawmakers, and Raetsch was asked to testify about the bill last spring. A few days before she left for college, she was invited to the Statehouse when Murphy signed the bill into law.

It all just blew up and is getting the attention it deserves, Raetsch said. It has forced people to talk about a topic that has been so taboo.

The dispensers at Haddon Heights High are stocked with 100% organic cotton tampons and pads produced by Aunt Flow, a company that has advocated for free menstrual products in all public restrooms. Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Clare Coder when she was 18, the company has helped put period products in 23,000 restrooms.

 READ MORE: LGBTQ education is now mandatory in N.J. schools. Heres how teachers are preparing.

Madden and several other students serve as nurse assistants and help Iuvara keep the dispensers filled. Similar to coin-operated dispensers, the machine rolls out products with a click.

Its good to know if you ever have an emergency or need something, its there for you, said Sophie Bordi 16, a junior and softball pitching standout. It really is expensive for a lot of people. This is definitely something that has helped a lot of girls.

Iuvara, a former intensive care unit nurse, said some girls prefer to come to her office when they need products. For some, its a socio-economic issue, and the products are not available at home, she said.

I always say, Take a few, be prepared. This is what life is about, she said.

Bittner said the initiative has helped promote menstrual equity in the district where about 10% of students are economically disadvantaged. The mother of two sons also believes that more awareness is needed to educate all students, males included.

Why is this something we are hushed about and embarrassed? she asked. This is not something we need to be ashamed of.

 READ MORE: How the tampon shortage is exacerbating period poverty in the U.S.
Federal and state officials have approved a $47 million whistleblower settlement between ChristianaCare, Delawares largest health system, and the nonprofits former chief compliance officer.

The settlement, signed Thursday by a U.S. Department of Justice official, involves alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act and anti-kickback laws at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. The nonprofit health systems former chief compliance officer, Ronald Sherman, filed the lawsuit in 2017.

The lawsuit alleged that ChristianaCare provided free services of its employed doctors, residents, and nurse practitioners to a group of neonatology physicians in exchange for referrals to ChristianaCares neonatal intensive care unit.

Hospitals are not allowed to pay doctors for referrals under federal law.

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The relationship in question between ChristianaCare and Neonatology Associates began around 2010 and continued into 2014, when the Neonatology Associates physicians became ChristianaCare employees, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

ChristianaCare agreed to pay $42.5 million to the United States and Delaware and $4.6 million to Shermans attorneys at Walden Macht & Haran LLP. Shermans share is $12.1 million.

As far as we are aware, this groundbreaking settlement is by far the largest False Claims Act recovery of any kind in Delaware history, Dan Miller, a partner in the Wilmington office of Walden Macht & Haran, said in September.

The health system did not admit liability in the settlement. We are pleased to settle this matter as we focus forward on meeting the evolving health needs of the diverse communities we serve, ChristianaCare said in an emailed statement.

In addition to its flagship hospital in Newark, ChristianaCare owns Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington and Union Hospital in Elkton, Md. The three hospitals combined have more than 1,200 beds.

The health system reported $2.9 billion in revenue in the year that ended June 30. Its operating income was $22.6 million, which was reduced by $45 million reserved for the whistleblower settlement. ChristianaCare had previously set aside $2 million in connection with the case.
Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol is one of two Prime Healthcare hospitals in which nurses walked off the job on Friday, Dec 22, after contract negotiations with their unions reached an impasse. Read more

Nearly 240 nurses in two hospitals outside of Philadelphia began a five-day strike Friday, the first time in more than three years that nurses in the region have walked out of work.

The strike at Lower Bucks Hospital and Suburban Community Hospital comes more than two months after the nurses union contracts expired, and after negotiations with management reached an impasse. The hospitals will remain open during the strike.

To not be there for our community is a difficult decision for our nurses, said Shannan Giambrone, an ICU nurse who has worked at Suburban Community for 23 years. Unfortunately its come to that.

Michelle Aliprantis, a spokesperson for Prime, called the strike disappointing, but said all of the hospitals services would continue.

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 READ MORE: Nurses picket outside Suburban Community, Lower Bucks hospitals amid union contract negotiations.

The last time hospital nurses went on strike in the Philly area was in November 2020, when early 800 nurses from St. Mary Medical Center walked off the job. The nurses returned to work at the Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic hospital in Bucks County after five days.

Here is what you need to know about the Prime strike:

Who is striking?

About 240 nurses at two hospitals.

The 136 registered nurses at Lower Bucks and 96 nurses at Suburban Community are represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, or PASNAP, according to the union. Their contracts expired on Oct. 12.

Who owns the hospitals?

Prime Healthcare Services Inc.

Based in Southern California, Prime Healthcare is one of the largest for-profit hospital systems in the United States, with more than 40 hospitals in 16 states. In Pennsylvania, Prime hospitals include Philadelphias Roxborough Memorial Hospital and Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol. Suburban Community Hospital in East Norriton is also part of the Prime system, but it is owned by the companys nonprofit arm, Prime Healthcare Foundation.

 READ MORE: Three Philadelphia-area hospitals are for sale

Earlier this week, Prime appears to have put the three hospitals for sale, according to an e-mailed notice from a Los Angeles investment bank. The notice did not identify the owner but the description of the three hospitals fits the local Prime locations.

The techs, medical assistants, and licensed vocational workers working at four Prime-owned Southern California hospitals went on a seven-day strike starting Wednesday.

Why are the nurses striking?

Because their contract negotiations with Prime have reached an impasse.

The two main points of contention in contract negotiations are more staff and better health-care benefits.

Prime nurses say staffing levels are so low that the hospitals are unsafe. Nurses are required to care for too many patients at once, which contributes to staff burnout and increases the risk of medical error, said Giambrone, the ICU nurse.

Its impossible to take care of patients, Giambrone told The Inquirer last week.

The union wants Prime to hire and retain more nurses so that each nurse cares for fewer patients at once. They have cited as a model the nurse staffing minimum law in California, where Primes headquarters are located. A similar bill passed the Pennsylvania State House earlier this year and has since the summer stalled in the Senate.

In September, Prime laid off more than a dozen nurses and therapy professionals who staffed a behavioral health unit at Suburban Community, WHYY News reported.

 READ MORE: Nurses at Suburban Community and Lower Bucks Hospital authorize strike amid contract negotiation stalemate

The union and Prime have also been unable to reach an agreement on health-care benefits. Prime requires its nurses to seek care at Prime facilities, but in recent years has cut services, making it harder to access care, Giambrone said. When they seek care outside of network, nurses have challenges getting reimbursed.

What is Prime saying?

Prime says it is negotiating in good faith.

The health system has offered the nurses increased wages and improved health care benefits that are competitive with other hospitals in the area, said Aliprantis, the Prime spokesperson.

It is disappointing that despite progress being made, the union has walked away from negotiations and has chosen to strike, she said via email.

 READ MORE: Do Philly-area hospitals give enough charity care? Theres no simple answer.

What services are available at the hospitals during the strike?

All of them.

Both Lower Bucks and Suburban Community hospitals will remain open throughout the strike, Prime said.

We are fully staffed with qualified temporary resources across our nursing and non-nursing departments, Aliprantis said.
Dr. Abraham Horatio Pickles is the live-in cat at The Book Trader on 2nd Street in Old City. He's one of several cats featured on the ShopCats app, which allows users to map and review shop cats in cities all over the world, including Philadelphia. Read more

Welcome to Philadelphia: Dozens of shop cats are waiting for you.

At least thats what David Martin  the creator of the aptly titled ShopCats app  wants you to reiterate. Launched in July 2022, ShopCats encourages users to help map the employed kitties in a given city by letting them take photos and leave comments along the lines of very fluffy and enjoys head scratches, five stars.

My motivation is to create more mundane moments of joy in the world, said Martin, a Seattle-based software engineer. The moment when you meet an animal for the first time is delightful, so I just wanted to create more of those moments at scale around the world.

ShopCats began as a love quest for Martin, who promised his then-girlfriend (now wife) that he would find all the cats in the world for her after she began sending him photos of the store kitties she would encounter on her commute in San Francisco. Now, the app has tracked more than 10,000 cats across dozens of cities, from Tokyo and New York City to Amsterdam and Philly.

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 READ MORE: Meet Leo, the TikTok famous cat who lives inside a South Jersey Home Depot

Martin added the first few thousand cats to the app by using a web-scraping tool to parse reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor for mentions of felines, and then used an algorithm to determine the likelihood that a cat actually resides at a business.

Now, users can leave scratches (in lieu of likes) on their favorite cats and earn feline-themed rewards guided by ShopCats mascot Taro, a cherubic purple kitty.

Nearly 30 shop cats are mapped on the app in Philadelphia, which is chock-full of bookstore cats and pet parents who arent afraid to drop bands on their kittens for Christmas. Being listed on ShopCats can be a boon for business owners, who say their kitties often have customers of their own who stop by mostly to give pets, tummy rubs, and the occasional treat.

 READ MORE: Philly pet parents pamper their fur babies during the holidays with overnight hotel stays, custom photo shoots, and $100 or more in gifts

Sometimes people will just come in and be like, I heard you had a cat, and it can feel like were just props, joked Miro Bullo, the general manager of the Book Trader in Old City, where shop cat Dr. Abraham Horatio Pickles holds court over boxes of used books.

Meet four of ShopCats most-scratched (re: liked) cats  from a tango studio-dweller with a song named after him, to a pair of thrift store kittens who can upsell chairs.

Dr. Abraham Horatio Pickles, The Book Trader

The first thing customers at The Book Trader in Old City typically notice is a sign on the door: Please do not let the frisky cat outside!

The frisky cat in question is Dr. Abraham Horatio Pickles, the bookstores live-in orange tabby whos more of a snoozer than a runner, said Bullo.

Dr. Pickles came to the Book Trader in 2019 by way of another business owner who had to give away his two cats ahead of a cross-country move. Dr. Pickles ended up at the Book Trader full-time.

Dr. Pickles is laid back and unbothered, which makes him a good bookstore cat, said Bullo, who likened the doctors day-to-day to scenes from Norman Rockwell paintings.

Right now, Dr. Pickles likes to nap on a cushion in his favorite wooden chair on the second floor, catty-cornered to a large window and the stores gaming section. In the summers, Dr. Pickles enjoys people watching from a crate on the first-floor window sill. After hours, he plays hide-and-seek with staff, running around the stacks until hes found over and over again.

Dr. Pickles true talent, however, is modeling. Bullo started an Instagram account for the cat, @thedrpicklesofbooktrader, in November 2021. Shortly after, the store began selling black-and-white postcards of the cat for $2 each.

Theyre a hot commodity, according to Bullo. Dr. Pickles gives good face, he said.

 READ MORE: Theres a Santas workshop for homeless pets. Its in NE Philly.

Sheldon, Philadelphia Argentine Tango School

This shop cat inspires symphonies. No, really.

Sheldon lives at the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School in Fishtown, where he has three jobs: greeting guests, correcting tango technique, and being a muse to Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Emiliano Messiez.

Messiez released the three-part tango Sheldoneando in June as the first track off the album Psicoporteno, which was coproduced by Sheldons owner and tango school director Meredith Klein. The title translates to Sheldon-ing  or the act of being Sheldon.

That, Klein previously told The Inquirer, boils down to having the life of dreams  living in a tango studio, having admirers  yet yearning to escape to have adventures.

Sheldon (whose true age is unknown) is a former outdoor cat who Klein rescued from Palmer Park in 2017 after his former owners abandoned him. He attempted to escape after three days, she said, and he used to canvass the neighborhood for multiple dinners.

Now, Sheldon spends his days perched on the front window where he can be admired by passersby and angle for snuggles from the tango schools visiting instructors. He has no idea that he has a song named after him, let alone what a Latin Grammy is.

Sheldons not humble, said Klein. He just doesnt know anything about music or composition.

 READ MORE: A Latin Grammy-nominated composer wrote a tango for a shop cat in Fishtown

Vader and Rey, Thunderbird Salvage

Thunderbird Salvage owner George Mathes can remember the moment Vader and Rey wandered into his life: When a car crashed into the thrift stores warehouse near Temple University in 2017, the two former strays walked in through the car-shaped hole to look for food.

It was a nightly occurrence for a while, said Mathes. Eventually they just stayed.

Vader and Rey moved from the warehouse to Thunderbird Salvages Fishtown store in 2018, where theyve taken to performing several jobs. Vader and Rey like to sit by the cash register like a pair of guardian Sphinxes, said Mathes, and lead quality control by sniffing everything that comes in the store.

The cats are also skilled sales reps.

Ill see people buy stuff the cats are laying on just because the cats are there, said Mathes.

Vader and Rey, who are named after opposing Star Wars characters, are also beloved by the community.

When Rey was hit by a car in 2020, her jaw was smashed and she suffered a severe eye injury. The surgery bills totaled $12,500, said Mathes, so the vet recommended he put Rey down.

Mathes didnt, partly because he raised $12,500 in a month  thanks to hundreds of small donations from customers, neighbors, and friends via GoFundMe.

I never had cats before. I wasnt even thinking about having any pets, said Mathes, while feeding Vader and Rey treats. But, they found me.
John Abraham a former Rothman orthopedic surgeon, sued Thomas Jefferson University, claiming that the university violated his civil rights after it allegedly failed to investigate his claim that he was sexually assaulted by a former Jefferson medical resident at a 2018 pool party at his house. A jury agreed. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

You made it to Friday. Its another cool and mostly sunny day with a high near 40.

Last week, a federal jury in Philadelphia found that Thomas Jefferson University had conducted a gender-biased investigation against a former male professor involved in a sexual assault investigation.

That ruling, and the $15 million awarded to John Abraham, rocked the world of Title IX. Our lead story examines the broader implications of the verdict on college campuses and beyond.

 Paola Perez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Last week, a jury found that Jefferson failed to impartially investigate orthopedic surgeon John Abrahams claim that he was also a victim in an encounter in which he was accused of rape.

This victory marked the largest-ever verdict under Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination at schools that receive federal funding.

Catch up quick: Abrahams case stemmed from a June 2018 party he hosted for Jeffersons orthopedic medical residents and hospital staff. A female medical resident said she woke up in his bed and accused him of raping her while she was intoxicated. Abraham said she forced herself on him after she plied him with alcohol. Both said they were too drunk to consent.

A rare occurrence: This was one of only seven trials nationwide in which a man accused of sexual misconduct has ended up before a federal jury in the past 12 years. Legal experts also say this is the first time a male professor, accused by a female subordinate, won his case against a university at trial. One called the case highly, highly unusual and the verdict very dramatic.

Growing concerns: Advocates for female survivors of abuse fear Abrahams win underscores a disturbing trend of wealthy men accused of misconduct using civil courts to humiliate and undermine accusers.

Sending a message: The verdict also puts university leaders on alert to take seriously  and equally investigate  a males allegations of sexual assault by a female, experts say, regardless of any power dynamic between a professor and a student.

Keep reading for more on what went down in the courtroom and the potential future impact to Title IX and universities. You can also listen to audio snippets of Abrahams trial testimony.

Most families in the United States build and pass down wealth through home ownership. This is especially true in Philadelphia, where a large share of residents are homeowners.

But what if the value of their homes were undercut due to their location?

Thats what the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia uncovered in their analysis of seven decades of property value data. It found that residents in majority-Black and majority-Latino neighborhoods have lost out on building wealth from 1950 to 2022.

This is because their homes havent appreciated at the same rate as homes in white neighborhoods. Essentially, property values in neighborhoods where most residents were white grew a lot faster than property values where most residents were not, per the nonprofit.

The financial impact of this disparity: Homeowners in Black and Latino neighborhoods collectively would have $57 billion more in property wealth if their homes appreciated at the same rate.

Keep reading for more takeaways from the analysis and possible solutions to help rectify home value inequities.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

Which Founding Fathers descendants are selling their 1834 Philly portrait of him valued between $100,000 and $200,000?

A) Alexander Hamilton

B) John Jay

C) George Washington

D) Benjamin Franklin

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Enjoying: Craig LaBans tasty highlights of Phillys dining scene in 2023.

 Bragging about: No one apologizes as sincerely as Pennsylvanians.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Home to the oldest ginkgo tree in North America

MARGRET SANDBAR

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Jan Dalina who correctly guessed Thursdays answer, Mara Justine.

Photo of the day

Ill be back in your inbox with your Sunday morning news roundup. Until then, take care and have a great weekend.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
I am 16 years old and I wear a hijab. Every year, when the anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, approaches, I feel guilty  or so my peers make me feel. It is nearly impossible to commemorate the date when all that fills my mind is fear of someone calling me a terrorist, or looking at me whenever the horrific event is being discussed in class. I even wonder, Should I feel sorry for what has happened that day?

But I shouldnt. I did nothing  I wasnt even born until 2007.

Even though there is a large Muslim community in Philadelphia, growing up here, I have still felt like an outsider. Yes, being surrounded by marginalized communities has made it easier to put on the hijab here compared with other parts of the country. However, barbaric and extremist stereotypes still linger. For part of middle school, I took off my hijab just to not have to deal with those painful comments.

In recent times, the deaths and terror occurring in the war in Gaza have, unfortunately, given me a renewed sense of precarity. I see people on the news and through social media who look like me getting killed on a daily basis. Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have died in this war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, including at least 6,000 children and 4,000 women.

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In the heat of this conflict, Islamophobia is on the rise. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has tracked nearly triple the number of Islamophobic incidents nationwide in the two weeks after the Hamas attack in October compared with the same two-week period last year.

When I think about the dangers of Islamophobia, I think of the three Palestinian American college students  Tahseen Ali Ahmad, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Hisham Awartani  who were shot last month in Burlington, Vt., by a white man with a handgun on a residential street. They were wearing keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf.

I remember, also, a 6-year-old boy, Wadea Al Fayoume, and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, who were stabbed dozens of times by their landlord in October because they were Muslim. Wadea did not survive, and his mother was unable to attend his funeral because she was seriously injured.

Calling all Muslims and Arabs terrorists has consequences. Conflating a peaceful religion with terrorism is dangerous. Putting on the hijab shouldnt feel like an act of bravery. Having conversations with my friends and family about being stereotyped and feeling uncomfortable and unsafe at times should not be common.

I should not have to prove that I am a peaceful person.

When I think of military actions meant to target terrorists, I cant help but think of a school shooter in a building. Must we bomb the entire school to shreds to get rid of the perpetrator who is holding the childrens lives at stake? Should we strip the humanity of innocent lives who have no power? If this does not apply in your book of morals, then why must the line be crossed when it comes to Arabs or Muslims?

In my history classes, I have heard that the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were meant to gain justice for the world by eliminating terrorist groups. But if that is the case, then why are we bringing complete destruction to innocent lives and making their normal consist of hearing bombs being dropped over their roofs and performing routine Janazah prayers, or funeral prayers, to honor yet another life that has been taken, all because they are considered collateral damage?

Every life matters, but why does that not apply to the humanity of Arabs?

The FBI defines international terrorism as Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (state-sponsored).

Yet I cannot help but feel  based on my personal experience as an Arab Muslim in Philadelphia  that the term terrorist has shifted to mean anyone who is Arab or Muslim. We have been stereotyped, targeted, and mischaracterized in the media. Horrific hate crimes will continue to rise until our country acknowledges and challenges its inner Islamophobia.

As a student, I believe that change starts with education. Philadelphias public school system needs to incorporate a curriculum that allows us to unlearn the hate toward Arabs and Muslims and celebrate our significance within our diverse communities.

City officials should also use their platforms to uplift organizations  such as the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Philly Palestine Coalition  that have been aiding and supporting my peoples advancement.

Doha Gassem is a junior at the Academy at Palumbo High School in Philadelphia.
Ruined household possessions are piled at the curb in Manville, N.J., after remnants of Tropical Storm Ida caused massive flooding in the Raritan River town in September 2021. Read more

Up to five inches of rain fell overnight Dec. 17 in parts of South Jersey  and if any basements were damaged by flooding, owners could soon have to report it if they sell their home.

A new law goes into effect early next year requiring home sellers to note whether the property has had flood damage. Starting in March, sellers will have to fill out an updated disclosure form that asks whether a property owner has ever filed a claim for flood damage with any insurance provider, if the property has ever had flood damage, water seepage, or pooled water due to a natural flood event, such as heavy rainfall, costal storm surge, tidal inundation, or river overflow and if, so, how many times.

The existing disclosure form already asks whether a home has sump pumps, water leakage, a damp basement or crawl space, or mold.

Landlords will also be required to fill out a separate form to notify tenants that also asks about flooding in parking lots.

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The law and forms are part of legislation that Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law aimed at addressing increasing flood risks under climate change.

The state is already experiencing increased property damage due to climate change, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. That includes increasingly mild winters, more intense rainfall, and chronic flooding it says will only increase.

Though its difficult to pinpoint a single event such as climate change, this last months rains  unusually heavy for December  created havoc in parts of the state. The Delaware River Basin Commission reported that many South Jersey communities received two to three inches of rain over 24 hours, shutting down major roads such as the Admiral Wilson Boulevard.

Normal for that area is about 3.13 inches of rain from the start of the month through Thursday. Last Mondays high of 62 was 18 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. Some communities in the more southwestern part of the state received more than five inches of rain, causing tidal flooding.

As we continue to live with the impacts of climate change in our communities, its essential that we inform prospective home buyers and renters of the risks in areas where they are looking to settle down, Murphy said in an announcement of the updated sellers disclosure form. These new protections will enable prospective home buyers and renters to stay a step ahead when it comes to finding the safest residence possible for themselves and their families.

Whats on the new disclosure form?

The new disclosure form, released this week, asks multiple questions about a propertys history with water. It asks whether a property has one or more sump pumps, if there are problems with the operation of a sump, if the homeowner is aware of leaks, or dampness or mold within a basement or crawl space. It further asks whether the homeowner has made repairs or taken measures to control water or dampness, and the date, location, and nature of the repairs.

Officials say this should give potential buyers and tenants an idea of a propertys history or risk of flooding. As a companion tool, they released an online map that allows a user to plug in an address and find out whether a property lies within a flood hazard area.

Today were moving forward with groundbreaking protections for New Jersey home buyers and renters, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The flood disclosure requirements were implementing under the new law are some of the strongest in the nation and will help New Jerseyans protect themselves, their families, and their property from the consequences of hidden flood risks.

Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the states Department of Environmental Protection, said its clear that precipitation and flooding are getting worse as a result of climate change.

Too often, buyers and renters are unaware of the risks they face and make important decisions on where to live without any knowledge of a propertys flooding history or potential, LaTourette said.

Sellers and landlords had been under no obligation to disclose a propertys history to potential buyers or tenants. Now, they have to make any disclosures before signing a sales contract, leases, or lease renewals.

What if Im in a flood plain?

Sellers and landlords will also have to disclose whether a property is required by federal law to have flood insurance. They will have to say whether the property is within Federal Emergency Management Agencys special flood hazard area, also known as a 100-year floodplain, or moderate risk flood hazard area, or 500-year floodplain.

The DEP has released an online Flood Risk Notification Tool for people to search a property by its address and find out whether it is within one of those FEMA-designated areas. Users can also get a view of sea level rise projections for a property. The tool will email a report to the user.
The 67-year-old career college professor who fatally shot three faculty members this week at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, kept a target list of faculty at the school and elsewhere, said authorities searching for a motive.

Investigators found ammunition at Anthony Politos apartment, along with an eviction notice, and have identified nearly two dozen letters he mailed in the hours leading up to the shooting to university personnel across the country, they said. He also was fascinated by conspiracy theories and Las Vegas, according to his online writings and former students.

Polito was shot and killed by police Wednesday after his attack near the site of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, when a sniper in 2017 killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds at an outdoor concert on the Las Vegas Strip. Wednesdays violence marked the 80th school shooting in the U.S. this year, including 29 at university or college campuses, a CNN analysis shows.

Polito, armed with a 9 mm pistol and nine loaded magazines, also injured a visiting male professor in a building that is part of the business school. That man was being treated for life-threatening injuries, Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Thursday.

None of the faculty members shot Wednesday were on Politos target list, which included people he was seeking on the university campus as well as faculty from the Eastern Carolina University, McMahill said. The sheriff did not explain what led investigators to believe it was a list of targets or where they found the document.

It remained unclear why Polito, who lived in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, targeted UNLV or if he had any connection to the school. He had unsuccessfully applied to several higher education jobs in Nevada and appeared to be struggling financially, McMahill said.

An eviction notice was found on the door of Politos Henderson apartment, the sheriff said. And in the hours leading up to the shooting, Polito had mailed 22 letters to university personnel across the country with no return address, he said. At least some of the envelopes had a harmless white powder in them, Las Vegas police said Thursday evening more details about the letters contents werent immediately released.

Detectives are asking people in academia who get a letter with no return address to proceed with caution, McMahill said.

UNLV mourns beloved faculty

The shooting, just days before the start of final exams, was the most difficult day in the history of our university, UNLV president Keith Whitfield said.

Killed were business school professors Patricia Navarro-Velez and Cha-Jan Jerry Chang, Whitfield said Thursday in a letter to the school community. The name of the third slain faculty member will be released after that persons relatives are notified, he said.

I wont sugarcoat it. We are all hurting right now, Whitfield said. But its in these trying times that we need to lean on one another for support.

Words are still hard to come by as were only beginning to process the grief, loss, anger, and fear associated with Wednesdays tragic campus shooting that took the lives of three of our cherished faculty members, Whitfield wrote.

Navarro-Velez, 39, an assistant professor of accounting, had been teaching at the school for almost five years and had devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants, Whitfield said.

Chang, 64, had been teaching UNLVs business school students for more than 20 years on management information systems, Whitfield said.

The gunman: Ammunition and conspiracies

Investigators found several computers and hard drive components while searching Politos apartment and are reviewing the devices and Politos social media for a possible motive, the sheriff said.

Authorities also found ammunition like cartridges found at the scene of the shooting, as well as a box matching the gun police believe Polito used, McMahill said. On a chair, investigators also discovered a document similar to a last will and testament, he said.

Politos online writings show interest in the gambling capital and in conspiracy theories. His personal website lists a section devoted to Powerful Organizations Bent on Global Domination! and includes links to common conspiracy theory fodder like Freemasonry, the Trilateral Commission and The Rothchild (sic) Family. Billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros, a common target for antisemitic conspiracy theories, is listed as one of the Great Minds of the Twentieth Century, alongside Albert Einstein.

Meanwhile, three of Politos former students say he spoke frequently about Las Vegas and visited the city as much as he could while teaching in other states. His website notes he had made more than two dozen trips to Vegas over the last fifteen years, although it was not clear when the statement was posted.

Polito had an unorthodox teaching style and often opened classes with Las Vegas stories, said Jonathan Peralta, who was in one of Politos classes at Eastern Carolina University in 2013 or 2014.

This was surprising, Peralta told CNN of the UNLV shooting. The Vegas connection is what makes it so crazy because he would talk about Vegas so much.

Polito worked at Eastern Carolina Universitys college of business from 2001 until he resigned in 2017, when he was a tenured associate professor, a college spokesperson told CNN. He had ties to Nevadas Roseman University from October 2018 to June 2022, attending the school and working as an adjunct professor, a school spokesperson said. He also had worked in academia in Georgia, his now-removed LinkedIn page showed.

How the shooting unfolded

Polito got to the university just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, just minutes before the shooting erupted in Beam Hall as professors were preparing their classes for upcoming tests and students outdoors were enjoying games, food and other activities.

Police began getting 911 calls around 11:45 a.m., prompting officers to rush to the campus, McMahill said.

Officers entered Beam Hall  which lacks interior cameras, the sheriff said  with the first officer arriving within 78 seconds of the first 911 call, said Adam Garcia of University Police Services.

Polito made his way through multiple floors of the building, where Navarro-Velez worked on the fourth floor and Chang on the third floor, the sheriff said.

The gunman left the building around 11:55 a.m., he said.

University police outdoors confronted Polito, who was shot repeatedly and collapsed, was arrested and died there, McMahill said.

Officers then assembled action teams and began a systematic search for additional suspects and victims, he said. Those teams went through multiple buildings and multiple floors. Many times we had to force entry into rooms where students and faculty were sheltering in place.

___

CNNs Cheri Mossburg, Jillian Sykes, Andy Rose and Evan Perez contributed to this report.

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Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Yes, it's getting worse: New data shows mass shootings are more frequent Mass shootings have been on the rise steadily for the past 40 years While shooting incidents show a gradual upward trend, the number of those killed is rising at an alarming rate Injuries have likewise risen significantly; one contributing factor: assault weapons
A renewed focus on risk advice

I dont think weve changed the type of thing that were doing for clients but we do have additional services that weve been adding to our suite, said Brady. This can help consolidate their insurance and risk services into the one spot and that probably doesnt help from a financial point of view but it certainly helps streamline their overall risk management, ethos and attitude.
Joining the partnership of Clyde & Co is a fantastic milestone, he said. Working for the world's leading insurance law firm, in an area of speciality that is continuously seeing rising market demands, and with clients who come to us with their complex cases, he said.
Insurers assist affected customers

The release said over 3,800 claims are already lodged across affected areas from Cape York Peninsula to Mackay. However, the ICA said insurers are taking decisive steps to prioritise the recovery of their customers. The release said disaster response teams, including assessors and claims specialists, are on the ground to provide assistance.
Chubb Canada has provided insurance to clients in Canada for many years, CEFIs statement read. We are very excited to partner with Chubb Canada to continue to serve our subscribers. We are also pleased to announce that NFP Canada is our broker of record for our insurance program.
Wegmans Food Markets was wrongly denied an opportunity to cross-examine an injured employees doctor, the New York Court of Appeals has ruled, overturning rulings by a workers compensation law judge, the New York State Workers Compensation Board and a lower court.

The right of an employer to cross-examine a physician before the workers compensation judge has rendered a decision on the merits of a case is mandatory, the high court ruled. Neither the workers compensation law judge nor the board has discretion on whether to allow for the cross-examination.

The rule at issue provides that, if the employer or its carrier or special fund desires to produce for cross-examination an attending physician whose report is on file, the referee shall grant an adjournment for such purpose.

The high court noted that the mandatory nature of this language contrasts with the language used in the boards other rules governing adjournment of hearings, which afford referees discretion and create exceptions to otherwise mandatory rules.

Under the plain language of the cross-examination rule, Wegmans properly exercised its rights by making its request at a hearing on the claim prior to the workers compensation judges ruling on the merits, the court concluded.

Employee Thomas Lazalee filed a claim for benefits in 2018 while out of work with a right thumb injury and carpal tunnel syndrome, for which he underwent surgery. His employer, Wegmans, did not controvert any aspect of the claim and paid claimant at the temporary total disability rate. The Board later awarded Lazalee 36.4 weeks compensation for an established right thumb injury.

After he returned to work in 2019, his physician diagnosed him with similar injuries to his left hand. Lazalee filed for benefits and, again, Wegmans paid him at the temporary total disability rate.

When he returned to work from the left-hand injuries in January 2020, Lazalee requested a hearing to amend the prior award to have it include his additional injuries.

Wegmans accepted liability at an April 2020 hearing but sought to cross-examine the physician as to the degree of impairment during Lazalees most recent period out of work.

A workers compensation judge denied the request on the ground that Lazalees 11.2-week absence was not excessive and awarded him compensation over that period at the temporary total disability rate.

The workers compensation board affirmed, finding the request to cross-examine Lavalees physician was untimely because it was made after the employer paid Lazaleet the total disability rate until his return to work, waited three months after that to raise the issue and seek to retroactively argue that the claimant was not totally disabled, and made that argument based only on counsels interpretation of the reports without any contrary credible medical evidence.

Wegmans appealed and the Appellate Division, Third Division affirmed. The court held there was no basis to disturb the boards conclusion and that claimants belated request to cross examine the physician was  disingenuous  because claimant required the use of his hands to perform his job and the physicians uncontroverted medical reports supported the finding of total temporary disability.

But none of those reasons for denying Wegmans request applied to the right to cross-examine a physician. On December 12, the Court of Appeals found that, as the rule sets forth, the employers request was appropriately made to the workers compensation judge at a hearing prior to any ruling on the merits. At that point, there is just one course of action, Upon such a request, the workers compensation judge must adjourn the hearing and afford the employer the opportunity to produce the claimants physician for cross-examination, the opinion concludes.

The court remitted the matter to the Appellate Division, Third Department, with directions to remand to the New York State Workers Compensation Board for further proceedings.

Topics New York Workers' Compensation
A year after pleading no contest to criminal charges, one of Pennsylvanias leading natural gas companies is poised to drill and frack in the rural community where it was banned for a dozen years for polluting the water supply.

Coterra Energy Inc. has won permission from state environmental regulators to drill 11 gas wells underneath Dimock Township, in the states northeastern corner  the sweet spot of the largest natural gas field in the United States, according to well permit records reviewed by The Associated Press. Billions of dollars worth of natural gas, now locked in shale rock deep underground, await Coterra`s drilling rigs.

Some landowners, long shut out of royalties because of the states lengthy moratorium, can`t wait for the Houston-based drilling giant to resume production in Dimock. Other residents dread the industry`s return. They worry about truck traffic, noise and the threat of new contamination.

Coterra has not set a date for the resumption of drilling. A company spokesperson, George Stark, said Coterra is committed to safe and responsible operations wherever we work. Under its deal with the state, the driller agreed to monitor drinking water supplies within 3,000 feet of the new gas wells and take other steps designed to mitigate risk.

Dimock, a tiny crossroads 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the New York state line in northeastern Pennsylvania, became ground zero in a national debate over fracking  the extraction technique that spurred a boom in U.S. oil and gas drilling  after residents began reporting that methane and drilling chemicals in the water were making them sick.

A state investigation concluded that faulty gas wells drilled by Coterras corporate predecessor, Cabot Oil & Gas, had allowed methane to leak uncontrolled into the communitys aquifer. Cabot was banned from Dimock in 2010 after regulators accused the company of failing to keep its promise to restore or replace the water supply. An Emmy Award-winning documentary, Gasland, showed residents lighting their tap water on fire.

Plea Agreement

After years of litigation and a grand jury probe that resulted in criminal charges, the company pleaded no contest to a single misdemeanor count Nov. 29, 2022. Under a plea agreement, Coterra agreed to foot the bill for a $16 million public water system to supply 20 homes whose water wells had been damaged, and to pay for temporary treatment systems for those who want them.

But for some of the residents, elation about the water line turned to anger when they learned the Department of Environmental Protection had quietly lifted its long-term moratorium on gas production in Dimock. State officials have denied that Coterra pleaded no contest in exchange for being allowed to drill, but residents like Victoria Switzer said they felt deceived.

I have seen how justice played out here, and its not justice, said Switzer, whose well was among those found to be contaminated, and who has not had a drink from her kitchen faucet since 2009.

Coterra remains prohibited from drilling inside the 9-square-mile (23-square- kilometer) moratorium area itself. The company plans to start the wells outside of Dimock and drill horizontally underneath the community. Some of the planned wells will be nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) long and well over a mile deep, snaking under the land of more than 80 individual property owners, according to permit records.

The landowners are sitting on a gas gusher. Dimocks natural gas could be worth $2.5 billion to $3.8 billion, according to Terry Engelder, a retired Penn State geologist whose 2008 calculation of enormous reserves in the vast Marcellus Shale natural gas field helped spur a drilling frenzy in Pennsylvania.

Favor Drilling

The areas state representative, Jonathan Fritz, said an overwhelming number of his constituents favor natural gas drilling, an important economic engine in a county where farming, logging and bluestone quarrying were primary industries. A Coterra subsidiary is the No. 1 employer in Susquehanna County, a mountainous region with a population of 38,000.

Natural gas development has been a godsend, Fritz said. The residents of Dimock, he said, were harmed, they did realize a hardship, but I believe they have been made whole.

Ron Teel, a township supervisor, once had to draw water from a large plastic tank in his yard because his water pipes were clogged with sediment from Cabots nearby drilling operation. But Teel, who will have at least three new wells running under his land, said hes satisfied it will be done safely this time.

Its doing a good thing for the country to supply the energy we need so we dont have to get it from overseas, he said. These people who hate us for this, they should be thanking us when they turn on their heat and stove.

The public water system Coterra agreed to pay for is still years away from being operational, and Pennsylvania American Water Co.  which agreed to build and operate the water line  faces numerous obstacles as it tries to meet a 2027 deadline.

Its seeking a place away from the regions dense network of gas wells, pipelines and other infrastructure, no easy task in Susquehanna County, which has over 2,000 gas wells, more than anywhere else in Pennsylvania. Then the utility needs to coax property owners to allow site access. The utility says its identified three potential locations for a new public water well.

We are confident that a water system is feasible in this area and will move ahead addressing the challenges and completing this project, said Susan Turcmanovich, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania American.

Switzer has her doubts, calling the planned water line imaginary and pretend.

The retired schoolteacher had been at Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiros side when  as the state`s attorney general  he traveled to Susquehanna County to announce the Coterra plea deal and water line. Shapiro praised the agreement with Coterra as a good outcome for residents who were unable to use their well water. Switzer followed Shapiro to the podium and praised him as the people`s lawyer.

Egregious Betrayal

More than a year later, she denounces Shapiro and said she would never have agreed to speak in support of the deal if she had known about the DEP`s decision to allow Coterra to resume drilling.

I was played a fool, said Switzer, who will have a gas well running under her land. This was the most egregious betrayal Ive experienced in all of the gas wars Ive been in.

The attorney generals office said last year it plays no role in DEPs regulatory decisions, nor does it share confidential information about criminal investigations with the environmental agency.

But Democratic State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, who recently visited Dimock in her capacity as minority chair of the Senate environmental committee, said she was shocked and dismayed when regulators gave permission for Coterra to return to Dimock.

Im not sure the moratorium should have been lifted at all, she said. There needs to be some leverage to make sure that clean water is is provided to the people who have been suffering all of these years.

On Tuesday, the governor`s spokesperson, Manuel Bonder, said Shapiro will never forget the people of Dimock, and is working to get the public water line built as quickly as possible.

Shapiro, as attorney general, secured a historic settlement for Pennsylvanians living in Dimock, Bonder said. The governor and his administration have been working aggressively to make good on these commitments.

PHOTO: This Feb. 13, 2012, file photo shows a Cabot Oil Gas Corp. wellhead in Dimock, Pa. A year after pleading no contest to criminal charges, Coterra Energy Inc., one of Pennsylvanias biggest natural gas companies, is poised to drill and frack in the rural community where it was banned for a dozen years over accusations it polluted the water supply. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Pennsylvania
So here we go again. The political party of Christian Moral Values, particularly Conservative Family Values, has been justifiably outraged recently by an alleged scandal pertaining to Christian Ziegler (the head of the GOP in Florida), his wife, and an additional woman. They were planning a three-way relationship that went afoul ending with Ziegler now accused of raping the woman who is not his wife. Floridas GOP leadership are said to be devastated by the allegations and Certainly deeply, deeply troubled, and theres a very heavy sense of betrayal.

Hmmm. The GOPs absolute leader and presidential frontrunner who has been charged with 91 felony counts and judicially adjudged (guilty) of committing the rape of Jean Carroll doesnt seem to generate a second of reflection at all on them. Zoom in on the statue of the three monkeys: Yup, the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil trio. That former guy also has been credibly accused by 26 other women of sexual assault, harassment, and battery to boot. Nevertheless, the Florida GOP are wholeheartedly behind reelecting Trump, a convicted woman assaulter.

How can Trumps deeds be viewed as any different than the allegations that brought so much sadness, outrage, and betrayal onto the Florida Party of Lincoln leadership? Is there only meaningful outrage when someone other than the former guy is alleged to have committed a nauseating crime? Think Santos. The GOP, if nothing else, is overly burdened with hypocrites. How can anyone with morals, a conscience, and ethics vote for such a creature or for that matter a Party that seems to differentiate morality between regular members and that of their national leader as necessary and reasonable? If convicted of rape Ziegler will spend years in prison. Trumps fate is still to be determined.

Stephen F. Saracino

Buffalo
Do surface waters covered by property flood insurance include rainwater that accumulated on an enclosed roof one or more stories above the ground?

The landlord and operator of a suburban Massachusetts hospital disagree with their insurers on the answer to that question. Courts are also having some difficulty.

A ruling by a federal district court favoring the insurers is under appeal before the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which is questioning the district courts ruling but wants help from the top state court to proceed.

The final answer will determine whether hospital landlord Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (MPT) and hospital operator Steward Health Care System are subject to coverage limitations on flood damage to their Norwood Hospital facility in policies issued by Zurich American Insurance Co. and American Guarantee and Liability Insurance Co. (AGLIC).

In June 2020, the hospital suffered significant damage after severe thunderstorms passed through Norwood. Torrential rain and strong wind gusts caused heavy flooding in the basement of the hospitals two main buildings. Rainwater also accumulated on the hospitals roof and a second-floor courtyard, eventually seeping into the hospitals upper floors. Some of the hospitals buildings have parapet roofs, meaning a roof enclosed by a wall surrounding the roofs outer perimeter. Moreover, the rainwater that inundated the hospitals upper floors from the roof and courtyard never reached the earths natural surface nor any other ground-level surface before entering the hospital.

The insurers have argued that the water on the enclosed roof is surface water that falls under the definition of flood and should therefore be counted against their policies flood damage sublimits.

The insureds see it differently. They argue that surface water is limited to waters flowing naturally and spreading diffusely over surfaces at ground level. Thus the water on the roof that never touched the ground does not fall under flood and should not be counted against the flood sublimits. Instead, it should be considered storm damage that is covered under other sections of the policies.

MPTs Zurich policy provides a total of $750 million in coverage. Stewards AGLIC policy provides a total of $850 million in coverage. Both policies consider flood a covered cause of loss. But both policies also limit the amount of coverage for flood damage. Zurich limits its flood coverage to $100 million, while AGLIC limits its flood coverage to $150 million. The policies do not define surface waters.

MPT and Steward submitted claims to Zurich and AGLIC that each exceeded $200 million. They submitted flood claims to each insurer that reached each policys flood limit. They also submitted separate claims for another $121,000 (Zurich) and $90,000 (AGLIC) for what they called storm damage to the upper floors from the water on the roof.

The insurers, which had initially said they thought there might be separate damages, changed their mind. They refused to accept the full value of the hospitals separate claims, suggesting that it was an improper attempt to circumvent the flood damage sublimits. They said they would enforce the flood sublimits on all damage throughout the hospital.

Zurich filed suit seeking a declaratory judgment that the hospitals recovery under its policy cannot exceed the policys $100 million sublimit applicable to flood because the damage was caused by surface water accumulation. Meanwhile, Steward sued AGLIC sought a declaratory judgment that the $150 million flood coverage limit did not apply to all of its losses.

In October 2022, the federal district court issued its order in Zurichs case against MPT. The district court rejected MPTs argument that surface water is limited to waters flowing naturally and spreading diffusely over surfaces at ground level. Instead, the district court concluded that the term surface waters is not limited to the accumulation of water on the ground.

The district court cited a Supreme Judicial Court ruling in which it said the SJC did not define surface waters to exclude accumulation of surface waters that are constrained before flowing on the ground, like water enclosed within the walls of a parapet roof.

A few weeks later, in an order adopting by reference its decision in Zurichs case, the district court granted AGLICs motion for partial summary judgment against Steward.

The First Circuit Court took up the appeals. But this week it said it does not believe it can rule on the appeals without resolving the surface water question and to do that, it needs guidance from the states high court, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court .

The circuit court expressed doubts about the main 2013 precedent (Fidelity Co-operative Bank v. Nova Casualty Co.) relied upon by the district court on the question of surface water.

Despite several cases, the court said it cannot say that the course that the SJC would take is reasonably clear.

Given that interpreting surface waters in the context of water pooled on a roof is determinative of the case and it is not clear from existing case law how the SJC would resolve this issue, the court stated.

The court said the Supreme Judicial Court has not really addressed whether rainwater that collects on a roof without reaching the earths natural surface constitutes surface water.

Thus it has asked the states high court to advise. The following question has been certified to the SJC for its consideration:

Whether rainwater that lands and accumulates on either (i) a buildings second-floor outdoor rooftop courtyard or (ii) a buildings parapet roof and that subsequently inundates the interior of the building unambiguously constitutes surface waters under Massachusetts law for the purposes of the insurance policies at issue in this case?

In an amicus brief, the policyholder advocacy group United Policyholders (UP) argued that the way the industry rates flood insurance shows that surface waters does not encompass water enclosed on a buildings roof. According to UP, flood-risk ratings have nothing to do with rainwater collecting on a roof. In fact, to the extent flood risk is building specific, it is the buildings elevation off of the ground and the basement that inform the potential risk. The roof does not.

UP calls the insurers approach an example of creative denials and an effort to limit the coverage they agreed to provide.

Topics Flood Massachusetts
The UK and Switzerland signed an agreement to recognize each others laws and regulations in financial services, easing post-Brexit market access for firms including banks, insurers and asset managers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and his Swiss counterpart Karin Keller-Sutter signed the treaty to seal mutual recognition in Switzerlands capital Bern on Thursday. Both governments have been working on the accord for more than three years.

Its the first significant post-Brexit deal bringing Western Europes two major non-EU economies closer together, while a free trade agreement between them is still being negotiated. The UK government has said signing new trade deals is one of the benefits of splitting from the European Union. Hunt told a press conference in Bern that the UK can use the Swiss deal as a model for cooperation with other countries too.

It is an agreement based on deference: Swiss firms can operate inside the UK under Swiss rules and UK firms can operate inside Switzerland under UK rules, Hunt said. This is a light-touch, progressive, future-leaning way of opening access.

Switzerland, meanwhile, is seeking new terms for its relationship with the EU. Keller-Sutter said Switzerland doesnt intend to send any signal to the EU with the new UK agreement.

I dont see a connection between this agreement and the new negotiations with the EU, she said. We want to improve our relationship with the UK and have a good relationship with the EU as well.

The UK-Swiss agreement covers industries including asset management, banking, investment services and insurance for corporate clients  the mainstays of the City of London, which has lost some business since Brexit. Both governments said in separate statements that the treaty is a first of its kind. The deal gives UK companies access to the Swiss market that no other country will have, according to the Treasury.

Changes include:

Swiss asset managers can serve British clients with assets of more than 2 million directly from Switzerland and can apply Swiss law while doing this.

Financial advisers from the UK will no longer need to be registered with Swiss bodies to serve clients from the country, and will therefore no longer need to take Swiss examinations.

British insurance brokers can continue to serve Swiss clients without having to establish a local base, which will be required of other foreign brokers from next year.

British insurers can now serve Swiss corporate clients directly, however life, accident, health and car liability insurances are excluded from this. Also, retail insurers serving individual clients are excluded.

Hunt said it was impossible to overestimate the potential impact of the new approach, which could see firms from other countries operating in the UK under their national rules.

It contrasts with the approach of the EU, where members have to follow the principle of dynamic alignment to each others rules and regulations, Hunt said.

Both countries hope to boost their financial sectors with the deal. Switzerland is the UKs third largest trading partner for financial services. Bilateral trade grew to 3.3 billion ($4.2 billion) last year, according to the Treasury.

Negotiations on the treaty, which started in June 2020 with a joint statement of then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Swiss finance minister Ueli Maurer, took some six months longer than the Swiss Bankers Association had last estimated.

Photograph: Jeremy Hunt and Karin Keller-Sutterin Bern. Photo credit: Pascal Mora/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers Agencies Europe Uk
Ryan Specialty, the Chicago-based specialty insurance firm, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Castel Underwriting Agencies Ltd. from Arch Financial Holdings (UK) Ltd. and minority shareholders.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2014, Castel is a managing general underwriting (MGU) platform, headquartered in London with additional offices in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Castel consists of 13 unique MGUs, each of which has expertise in a specific product niche. Together, the MGUs represent a distinctive and diverse portfolio of underwriting expertise including transactional liability, renewable energy, construction, and marine, among other specialty lines of business. The breadth of Castels offerings and its geographic concentration in the UK and Europe add significant capabilities to Ryan Specialtys robust managing general underwriter portfolio.

Castel is a first-class organization with a history of exceptional performance on all metrics, including underwriting profit and growth, commented Patrick G. Ryan, founder, chairman & CEO of Ryan Specialty.

Bringing Castel into Ryan Specialty expands our UK and European footprint in delegated authority, and the lines of business underwritten by these MGUs are both complementary and accretive to our firm. We are very much looking forward to further expanding with this very talented team, Ryan added.

Mark and the Castel team have built a remarkable business. Many of Castels MGUs are recognized as market leaders in their distinctive niches, attracting support from some of the highest-quality capital in the industry, remarked Miles Wuller, president and CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers.

Furthermore, the Castel team has a proven approach to attracting top talent to support de novo MGU formation, which will be invaluable as we seek further international expansion. We are thrilled to welcome the Castel team to Ryan Specialty and are excited by the prospect of what we can achieve together, Wuller said.

We have built Castel around attracting and retaining the industrys best underwriters, and providing those underwriters with tools and resources to reach extraordinary levels of performance. Ryan Specialty shares the same philosophy, and we could not be more excited to be joining forces with this great firm, said Mark Birrell, CEO of Castel. I am confident that as part of Ryan Specialty we are positioning our MGUs for continued success and our underwriters to further accelerate their careers.

Hugh Sturgess, president and CEO of Arch Insurance International, said: Under Marks leadership, Castel has excelled in a competitive and dynamic market. Ryan Specialty is an ideal fit for Castel as they build into the future. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Castel and Ryan Specialty.

In discussing Ryan Specialtys acquisition strategy, Patrick G. Ryan said: Expanding our total addressable market both organically and inorganically remains a top priority for Ryan Specialty. In 2023, we added capabilities to each of our specialties and acquired companies with revenue in excess of $140 million, inclusive of Castel.

Castel generated approximately 35 million ($44.3 million) of operating revenue for the 12 months ended Nov. 30, 2023.

The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

BofA Securities served as exclusive financial adviser to Arch.

About Ryan Specialty

Founded in 2010, Ryan Specialty provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration and risk management services by acting as a wholesale broker and a managing underwriter with delegated authority from insurance carriers.

Source: Ryan Specialty

Related:

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Excess Surplus Underwriting
Tackling hidden leverage across the multi-trillion dollar shadow banking sector is next years priority, global financial regulators said on Wednesday, but the challenge of accessing data could hamper the process.

The G20s Financial Stability Board (FSB) and IOSCO, a global grouping of securities markets regulators, on Wednesday issued tougher liquidity management guidance for asset managers of open-ended investment funds, adding to existing guidance for money market funds, which FSB and IOSCO members commit to applying.

Both types of funds are part of the $218 trillion non-bank financial intermediation (NBFI) sector, which also includes hedge funds, property funds and insurance companies. This now makes up almost half of all global financial assets, and is also dubbed shadow banking given its role in the economy.

FSB Secretary General John Schindler said further regulatory scrutiny of non-banks will be a priority for 2024, with a focus on leverage.

That will probably be the big attention grabber because leverage within NBFI is harder to track, its harder for us in the central banking community to monitor, Schindler told Reuters.

Leverage can go in all directions. The challenge, let us be clear, is about data, IOSCO Chair Jean-Paul Servais added. It (data) will be the challenge before thinking about possible policy initiatives.

Much of the data required falls is outside the remit of securities watchdogs, but Servais said he was confident that, by working with central banks through the FSB, the data challenge can be addressed.

Schindler said regulators were aiming to set out policy proposals on tacking leverage by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

Cooperation between the FSB and IOSCO over regulating non-banks hit the buffers in the past over whether non-banks should be treated like banks and be required to hold capital buffers.

Wednesday marked the first time the FSB and IOSCO jointly put out recommendations on NBFI.

It means that we need each other, Servais said.

We are marching step by step with each other, added Schindler.

(Reporting by Huw Jones. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Everest Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based property, casualty, and specialty re/insurer, announced that Glen Browne has been appointed to global head of Accident & Health (A&H), effective immediately. Browne will continue to report to Adam Clifford, co-lead of Everest Insurance International.

Brownes extensive track record of building global A&H businesses and solutions across Europe and Asia Pacific spans more than three decades. He was most recently head of International Corporate Strategy at Everest Insurance. Prior to that, he served as deputy regional president and consumer lines division president at Chubb Asia Pacific, where he led the regions A&H and personal lines divisions, leveraging long established relationships with third party A&H claims networks and assistance services globally.

Browne also served as country president for ACE Insurance Thailand and as CEO of European Operations for CIGNA where he led the organizations A&H businesses across the continent. He previously was head of Accident & Health at AIG Far East. Browne holds a Master of Business Administration from Singapore Management University.

***

Miller Appoints Board From Conduit Re for Reinsurance Team

Miller, the London-based specialist re/insurance broker, announced the appointment of Chris Board to its reinsurance team.

Board brings over 20 years of reinsurance experience covering both property and specialty lines in London, Zurich, Miami and Bermuda. He joins from Conduit Re where he was head of International Property & Short Tail Specialty. Prior to this he held roles at Apollo Syndicate and MS Amlin, where he specialised in international property and specialty. He will initially be based in Bermuda, with plans to join the London office in 2024.

Boards appointment is part of Millers strategic reinsurance build out and follows a number of hires this year across London, Bermuda and APAC. He will report to Charlie Simpson, head of Bermuda.

Topics Reinsurance
Air Lease said on Friday it had received about $64.9 million in cash as part of an insurance claim settlement for four Airbus jets it had leased to a Russian carrier, which were blocked from leaving the country after Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

The settlement amount, received from the Russian insurance firm NSK, covers three A320-200 and one A321-200 aircraft that were leased to S7 Airlines. It does not include the five A321-200neo aircraft previously leased to S7.

Before the invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia was a major market for aircraft lessors, which bought jets from Boeing and Airbus and leased them to airlines in the country.

These aircraft are now grounded in Russia, as Moscow has refused to release the jets after lessors canceled lease agreements in compliance with Western sanctions.

Earlier this year, Ireland-based lessor SMBC Aviation Capital received a cash insurance settlement of $710 million for 16 jets and their engines stranded in Russia.

Air Lease is in ongoing settlement discussions for other aircraft it had previously leased to Russian airlines.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)

Topics Russia
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan State University trustees have approved settlements with the families of three students slain during a mass shooting earlier this year on the school`s campus.

Trustees voted unanimously last Friday to approve separate claims with the families of Brian Fraser, Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner.

The school did not release the amounts of the settlements, but an attorney for Verner`s family told reporters the family will receive $5 million from Michigan State.

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, Trustee David Kelly said. The university gives its deepest condolences to each of the three families, and we are committed to ensuring the memory of their child in not forgotten in the Spartan community.

Anderson, Verner and Fraser were fatally shot and five other students were wounded Feb. 13 when Anthony McRae opened fire at Berkey Hall and the MSU Union.

McRae had no connection to the victims or the university, investigators have said. He killed himself the night of the shootings after police confronted him. Investigators said in April they were unable to determine any conclusive motive for the campus shootings.

The Verner family did not seek to blame MSU for the death of their daughter, family attorney David Femminineo said in a statement. Instead, the Verner family has sought answers as to how this could be prevented in the future.

Kelly said Michigan State remains committed to enhancing safety on campus and providing mental health support to our community as we continue to heal.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Michigan
U.S. airlines say they are prepared for busier end of year holiday travel compared with the same peak period a year earlier, when storms led to thousands of canceled flights and congestion.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration expects Thursday to be the busiest travel day of the week. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the official holiday period runs from Thursday through Tuesday, Jan. 2.

U.S. airline trade group Airlines for America (A4A) expects carriers to fly more than 39 million passengers during the holidays, or about 2.8 million passengers a day, up 16% from 2022.

Airlines and airports in the United States and Canada have hired workers and upgraded equipment in some cases to avoid last years congestion. U.S. passenger airlines have the largest workforce in the last two decades, A4A said.

In 2022, a high-profile operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines led to around 17,000 canceled flights and cost the carrier more than $1 billion, along with a historic penalty from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Related: Shareholders Sue Southwest Airlines Over Flight Meltdown

Canadas largest airport has also increased staffing, expanded de-icing and added new advanced snowplows, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said. The airport wrestled with congestion during peak travel periods last year that led to hard limits on flights.

However, United Airlines, which expects to have its busiest-ever, end of year holiday travel season, with around 9 million passengers, does not currently expect weather to cause any operational interruptions, a spokesperson said.

U.S. airlines expect demand to grow for sun destinations this holiday period, with seats flown from the U.S. to Caribbean resort destinations up 18% in 2023 on an annual basis, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Floridas Orlando International Airport expects record crowds over the holidays.

Topics USA Aviation
HOUSTON  Federal authorities on Wednesday sued Houston-area developer Colony Ridge, accusing it of luring Latino home buyers into seller-financed mortgages and setting them up to default and face foreclosure.

Colony Ridge set out to exploit something as old as America: An immigrants dream of owning a home, said Alamdar S. Hamdani, the U.S. Attorney for the district that covers Houston. As alleged in the complaint, Colony Ridges exploitative practice began with misleading advertisements on platforms like TikTok and often ended with families facing economic ruin. No home  and shattered dreams.

Colony Ridge entities developed a collection of subdivisions that cover about 33,000 acres of land 30 miles north of Houston. Those neighborhoods drew the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott and the Republican-controlled Legislature after right-wing publications claimed they are a magnet for undocumented immigrants and overrun by crime.

On Wednesday, federal authorities outlined the general workings of an alleged scheme that began with videos and ads in Spanish aimed at drawing Latino customers to visit Colony Ridges properties  often featuring the national flags of Latin American countries and admission into contests for gifts like a free tractor. Once a person visited the property, the developer allegedly used high-pressure sales tactics, required minimal down payments and then extended loans without assessing a buyers ability to repay or verifying their gross income.

The company also misrepresented facts  such as guarantees of water, electricity and sewer hook-ups  causing borrowers to incur substantial unanticipated expenses after closing, federal officials said.

Once a buyer fell behind on payments, the company bought the land again and repeated the process  sometimes multiple times with the same piece of property. Roughly one-in-four Colony Ridge loans ends in foreclosure, according to federal officials.

[Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against it]

In all, thousands of Latinos were victims of the scheme, the government alleged  and Colony Ridge violated four federal laws surrounding fair housing, credit opportunities and consumer protections. The government is seeking injunctive relief to stop Colony Ridges practices, compensation for harmed consumers and penalties against the developer for the violations of federal laws.

Asked at the news conference whether there was any criminal component, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said only that Wednesdays action was a civil action.

The lawsuit arrived a week after the Houston Landing published an investigation about Colony Ridges lending practices. Colony Ridge had reacquired 45% percent of the 35,000-plus properties it has sold since 2012, the investigation found by analyzing county records.

Real estate experts told the Landing that Colony Ridges behavior raised concerns of a predatory lending scheme.

Colony Ridges chief executive John Harris said Wednesday he was blindsided by the lawsuit, which he called baseless and both outrageous and inflammatory.

Our business thrives off customer referrals because landowners are happy and able to experience the American Dream of owning property, Harris said in a statement distributed by a spokesperson. We loan to those who have no opportunity to get a loan from anyone else and we are proud of the relationship we have developed with customers. We look forward to telling the true story of Colony Ridge.

After right-wing publications portrayed the area as blighted and dangerous magnet for illegal immigrants, Abbott vowed to address serious concerns about Colony Ridge and added it to the agenda for a special legislative session called for education.

Amid the attention from state officials, the developer, Harris, rejected allegations that the development is a magnet for illegal immigrants. Harris said the company offered people an opportunity to achieve the American dream of owning a home.

I know Ive got people slinging mud at me, Harris said in an October interview. But to me thats insignificant compared to the love I get from my customers, right? The love I get from my customers means way more, affects me mentally and emotionally way more than the naysayers.

After initially having no new policies to show for Abbotts request to address the development, lawmakers ultimately approved a bill that allows the state to spend up to $40 million for state troopers to patrol Colony Ridge.

A spokesperson for Abbott, who this week signed the bill into law, did not respond to a request for comment about Wednesdays federal lawsuit. Neither did Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, or Rep. Jacey Jetton, R-Richmond, who authored and sponsored the bill, respectively.

State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, who represents Liberty County, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Domingo Garcia, national president of The League of United Latin American Citizens, said the advocacy group has asked the Liberty County district attorneys office to launch a criminal investigation into Colony Ridge. Garcia, who learned about the companys lending practices after reading the Houston Landing investigation, said the organization supports the Department of Justice lawsuit.

The American dream has become the American nightmare for thousands of Hispanic immigrants who are being hit from various sides, Garcia said. You have politicians like Abbott using them to try to win votes and then you have exploitative developers trying to take their money and steal their dreams by foreclosing on them.

Federal investigators found that Colony Ridge accounted for 92% of foreclosures in Liberty County between 2017 and 2022. Looking at three years preceding September 2022, investigators found that the developer had initiated foreclosure in at least 30% of seller-financed lots.

During the foreclosure proceedings, Colony Ridge would buy the property for the outstanding loan price  and with any improvements that a customer had already paid for and completed.

In other words, Colony Ridge reimburses itself for the defaulted amount and pockets the value of any such improvements, government officials wrote in the lawsuit.

They then allegedly flipped the property  for more money. In one example highlighted in the lawsuit, Colony Ridge sold a property in May 2020 to the first buyer for $29,580 and, after two foreclosures, to a third buyer for $64,050 in August 2021. Almost a year later, the developer foreclosed on the third buyer.

Foreclosure and property deed records reviewed by investigators showed that Colony Ridge flipped at least 40% of all properties it had sold between September 2019 and June 2023; 2,067 of those properties were sold four or more times, according to the lawsuit.

Federal officials plan to launch a public awareness campaign and will be on the ground in Liberty County to connect with people who have been affected, according to Clark, the assistant attorney general. They also opened a hotline and email to receive tips and accounts of peoples experiences with the developer.

Pooja Salhotra contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/colony-ridge-texas-federal-lawsuit-predatory-lending/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Topics Lawsuits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A seventh person in Tennessee has died from injuries she suffered during a string of powerful storms earlier this month that whipped up destructive tornadoes, according to police.

Penny Scroggins, a 78-year-old from Clarksville, died Saturday after she was hospitalized with injuries she sustained when the tornado ripped through the city on Dec. 9, said Clarksville Police Department spokesperson Scott Beaubien. Three others died due to the tornado as well, including a 10-year-old.

Another three people died after a different tornado tore through the Madison section of Nashville later that day.

Scroggins, who was born in Muncie, Indiana, was remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother who was kind-hearted and never met a stranger.

She loved watching sports, working, and spending time with her family, her obituary says. Penny was loved by so many and her family will miss the way she lit up a room with her smile.

The tornado that hit Clarksville, Tennessee, also injured 62 others, while destroying 114 homes and causing major damage to 268 others. The twister registered as an EF3, with peak winds of 150 mph (241 kph), the weather service office in Nashville announced. It was on the ground for more than an hour, traveling 43 miles (69 kilometers) across Montgomery County, Tennessee, and Todd and Logan counties in Kentucky. At its widest point the tornados path was 600 yards (550 meters).

The tornado that struck the Madison neighborhood and also raked Hendersonville and Gallatin was an estimated EF2, with winds of 125 mph (201 kph), the weather service said. Authorities said it tossed one mobile home onto another, killing three people inside the two homes. In Nashville, officials reported that the tornado destroyed 45 buildings and caused major damage to 129 more, before it tore through a main stretch of businesses in Hendersonville.

In all, 11 Tennessee counties were affected by the Dec. 9 severe weather. The National Weather Service in Nashville has reported seven confirmed tornadoes in central Tennessee that day.

On Dec. 13, President Joe Biden approved the state`s request for a major disaster declaration. It offers federal aid to individuals in Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner counties who were affected and helps pay for certain storm- related costs to governments in Tennessee.

Photo: A home on Britton Springs Road in Clarksville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Tennessee
News / Columnist

by Staff reporter

POLITICS, according to social scientists, is loosely translated as a battle to control resources with man putting political contestation as a means to ensure equitable distribution of whatever is found within a certain territory.For many in Zimbabwe, politics has become the source of hope after years of economic and social decay. The August 23 harmonised election was, for many, the only way to vote out the misery, equated to the ruling Zanu-PF.However, as the year comes to an end, the hope has died, and Zimbabweans continue to wallow in poverty while Zanu-PF rules at a time when the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) plunges into more turmoil than ever.The year 2023 started with the country bracing for elections. And as is synonymous with an election year, new political parties emerged ahead of the polls. Firstly, there was the Elisabeth Valerio-led United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) which was launched in Harare.It was a chance for people to grab a free T-shirt and try to find the way home after getting a bite sponsored by a person virtually unknown in Zimbabwean politics. This was a clear illustration of the year ahead.The silly seasonIt did not take long before more presidential hopefuls emerged - 23 of them. Self-exiled former Cabinet minister and Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere vowed to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from State House.Mnangagwa took his time to proclaim the nomination dates and, subsequently, the polling day. The nomination courts sat on June 22 with 11 candidates successfully filing their nomination papers for the presidential race.The incumbent was pitted against Joseph MakambaBusha of Free Zim Congress, Nelson Chamisa of CCC and Trust Chikohora of ZCPD among others.Drama as usualDrama ahead was guaranteed from the start.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), in one of its several bungles, rejected Valerio's nomination papers, forcing her to rush to the High Court, where she won her case.Lady Luck was, however, not in another presidential hopeful, Linda Masarira's favour after her legal challenge against Zec was dismissed at the High Court.She was barred from contesting in the presidential poll for failing to raise the US$20 000 nomination fee.More and more dramaZanu-PF's chicanery knows no boundaries. Any politician knows what contesting against Zanu-PF means. In July, a Zanu-PF youth league member Lovedale Mangwana challenged Kasukuwere's candidature in the High Court.Mangwana argued that Kasukuwere was not qualified to be a candidate in terms of Section 91 of the Constitution. He said Kasukuwere had been absent from his constituency for more than 18 months and was not a registered voter.The High Court agreed with Mangwana and on July 12, it set aside Kasukuwere's nomination and barred him from the presidential election. His Supreme Court appeal was thrown out.The judges ruled that they were of the firm belief "that the appeal lacks merit."The former vibrant politician went to the Constitutional Court where he found no joy.Mnangagwa, Chamisa againWhile 12 candidates successfully filed their nomination papers as candidates, it was not surprising to see the presidential candidate losing ground. When Kasukuwere lost his chance to challenge Mnangagwa - his nemesis since the pre-November 2017 coup - the race was left to two serious candidates, that is, Mnangagwa and Chamisa.CCC self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo TshabanguPeople were attending Chamisa's rallies out of love for the CCC president.Chamisa charmed many with his energy and vivacity, the polar opposite to the Zanu-PF candidate.He was holding at least three rallies per day attracting tens of thousands.Chamisa had no buses, he had no traditional leader whipping supporters to his rallies and people sold yellow regalia for their sustenance. It was only a matter of time before the Damascene moment.So disenfranchised were voters that they did not want to recount their experience on August 23. There were no ballot papers for the voters on voting day, especially, in CCC strongholds.The voting process was painstakingly slow. Experts said Chamisa was once again a victim of Zanu-PF's treacherous machinations.The logistical glitches even shocked election observers. Sadc, the African Union, the European Union, and Carter Centre observers condemned the outcome.Local election observers had been muzzled early on the polling day.Enter TshabanguWith Chamisa, independent, regional, and international elections observers screaming hoarse on the "sham" election, the CCC received a proverbial knockout punch.One Sengezo Tshabangu started recalling its legislators and councilors.As Tshabangu continues to decimate the CCC, no one knows whom he is representing after Zanu-PF sought distanced itself from him. Those he purportedly represents, CCC heavyweights Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, and Charlton Hwende, don't want to be associated with him.Zanu-PF is salivating as an imminent two-thirds majority is on the horizon."We told you so"Chamisa went into the harmonised elections riding on what he called strategic ambiguity' for fear of infiltration.He had no structures and still works with a few anointed individuals. Even former national spokesperson Fadzai Mahere was cast out.Chamisa campaigned alone. His colleagues relied on the grapevine to follow him at the rallies. He apparently trusted no one and his erstwhile comrades have seemingly turned against him.In all this, the average Zimbabwean knows they are alone in the fight for emancipation from the grip of poverty fashioned by those who have anointed themselves as their rulers.
A state appeals court in Oregon decided the rules for a program designed to limit and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel companies are invalid. The program, started in 2022, is one of the strongest climate programs in the nation.

State environmental officials said the court`s decision hinges on an administrative error and doesnt touch on whether the state Department of Environmental Quality has the authority to implement the program. The Climate Protection Program targets a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels and natural gas by 2050.

Wednesdays decision by the Oregon Court of Appeals comes in a case brought by fossil fuel companies that alleged the state Environmental Quality Commission erred in its rulemaking for the program. The commission acts as the Department of Environmental Qualitys policy and rulemaking board.

The court in its decision said it concluded the rules for the program were invalid.

The department said the decision was limited to an administrative error and not effective immediately, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The court did not make a decision about whether the Environmental Quality Commission has authority to adopt the Climate Protection Program, Lauren Wirtis, a department spokesperson, said in a statement.

The department is confident it has the authority to adopt and enforce the program and is evaluating next steps with the state Department of Justice, Wirtis said.

NW Natural, one of the litigants, said it was pleased with the courts decision and that it is committed to moving toward a low-carbon energy future.

A group of environmental, climate and social justice groups agreed with the state position that the decision focused on a procedural technicality and did not undermine the Department of Environmental Quality`s authority to set greenhouse gas emissions limits on the oil and gas industry.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Oregon
December 22, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Dolly Varden Silver's (TSXV:DV, OTCQX:DOLLF) stock price shot up 16 cents for a gain of 20% Thursday, after announcing a consolidation of its Big Bulk property, which lies within its Kitsault Valley project.



Source: Yahoo Finance

Big Bulk is prospective for porphyry- and skarn-style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region, such as Red Mountain, KSM and Red Chris.

This week, Dolly Varden announced it is consolidating Big Bulk by acquiring the southern portion owned by Libero Copper & Gold. The agreement entitles Dolly to earn-in a 100% interest in the southern part of Big Bulk, thus bringing the entire project under Dolly's control. Libero's portion consists of seven claims encompassing 3,025 hectares.

The news release also states that historical data sets will be incorporated into a complete geologic model, and that there is a land use agreement and exploration permit in place.

"We have been continuing to seek accretive consolidation opportunities in the area and the amalgamation of the southern portion of the Big Bulk copper gold porphyry with Dolly Varden's portion is our latest step", said Shawn Khunkhun, Dolly Varden's president and CEO, in the Dec. 20 news. "In the Golden Triangle, porphyry systems can represent metallogenic feeders to high-grade vein systems, such as the KSM deposit that occurs adjacent to the Brucejack Mine. Big Bulk may represent a causative mineralized porphyry to the high-grade silver and gold deposits 10 kilometres to the west at the Kitsault Valley Trend."

Dolly Varden agreed to issue consideration shares to Libero at $0.78/sh, for an aggregate consideration of $214,500.

Under the option agreement, Dolly will make a series of cash payments totaling $1.45 million, starting on or before Dec. 31, 2023, and ending on or before Dec. 31, 2027.

Big Bulk is 20 kilometers north of Kitsault, and is surrounded by Hecla Mining's Kinskuch project.

According to the company, the porphyry copper-gold system hosts multiple phases of intrusive rocks, hosted in Lower Jurassic-age Hazelton and Triassic-age Stuhini volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

Recent work by the British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Mineral Deposits Research Unit (MDRU) indicate that Big Bulk is the northernmost porphyry of a string of several porphyry mineralized systems of multiple geological ages that extend 30 km south to New Moly LLC's Eocene-age Kitsault molybdenum deposit.

The southern portion of the Big Bulk property was initially explored by Teck and Canadian Empire Minerals from 2001 to 2003. The northern half of the system was drilled by AngloGold in 2009, encountering porphyry-style alteration with copper and gold mineralization associated with quartz chalcopyrite/pyrite stockwork veins.

A new interpretation of the geology based on recent geological mapping by the BCGS indicates that the target is a much larger calc-alkaline porphyry system tilted on its side with similarities in age and structural setting to the Kerr-Sulpherets-Mitchell (KSM) deposits. 2018 work by UBC-MDRU places the Big Bulk intrusive along a regional structural trend that hosts numerous porphyry and epigenetic deposits. Within the Big Bulk porphyry system, higher grade mineralization occurs in a discreet mineralized phase that had not been targeted by previous operators.

Libero's 2021 drill program at Big Bulk tested the new geological model focusing on a quartz-chalcopyrite veined hornblende diorite intrusive phase of the Texas Creek plutonic Suite that was intersected in multiple holes.

Kitsault Valley project

Dolly Varden's Kitsault Valley project is in the minerals-rich Golden Triangle region of northwestern British Columbia.

This 163-square-kilometer land package hosts one of the largest undeveloped high-grade precious metals projects in Western Canada. Its combined mineral resource is estimated at 34.7 million oz of silver and 166,000 oz of gold in the indicated category and 29.3 million oz of silver and 817,000 oz of gold inferred.

The Kitsault Valley project has a rich history, which can be traced back to the early 20th century when Scandinavian prospectors first made the silver discovery in what is now the Stewart Complex.

Within the boundaries of the company's original property are two past-producing silver mines: Dolly Varden and Torbrit, which formed a prolific silver mine camp starting in 1919 that produced more than 20 million ounces in the span of 40 years, with assays as high as 2,200 ounces per tonne.

It should be noted that Dolly Varden was among the most important silver mines in the British Empire during its heyday.

Other historically active mines in the area include North Star and Wolf, which remain underexplored to this day. Together, the four deposits comprise about 90 square kilometers within the Stewart Complex.

While these deposits were already enough to work with, DV always believed that the Kitsault Valley property is prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other high-grade deposits on the same trend such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack.

Towards the end of 2021, the company further consolidated its position with the acquisition of Homestake Ridge, which occupies the northern half (~75 sq km) of Kitsault Valley. This project features a high-grade gold and silver resource from three known deposits that the company believes can be converted into higher-confidence categories.

By this fall, the company had completed over 43,000 meters of the expanded 55,000-meter drill program at Kitsault Valley. Results included 19 drill holes from early-season drilling at the Wolf Vein.

In mid-September, Dolly Varden Silver put out more encouraging results from drilling at Wolf.

The highlight of the bunch was hole DV23-368, a 75m step-out down plunge that intersected 1,898 g/t over 1.00m within 381 g/t Ag over 29.34m core length. The hole was drilled along plunge from the earlier hole DV22-320, which graded 321 g/t Ag over 12.85m.



Wolf Vein longitudinal section with plunge of high-grade silver mineralization and DV23-368 step-out, 19 drill holes from 2023 with assays received shown in bold white.

On Nov. 6, Dolly published results from drill hole DV23-375, an 81-meter step-out from mineralization encountered in 2022 and 50 meters below hole DV23-268. The highlight was 461 g/t AgEq (296 g/t Ag, 1.68% Pb, 3.01% Zn) over 26.99 meters, including 2,260 g/t AgEq (1,475 g/t Ag, 10.65% Pb, 12.00% Zn) over half a meter.

At the Moose Vein, located 1.5 km from Wolf within the 5.4-km-long belt of silver mineralization, initial drilling highlighted 712 g/t Ag over 1.00 meter, within a 7.55-meter-long interval averaging 269 g/t Ag.

"The results we are seeing from the Wolf Vein continue to demonstrate depth continuity of the high-grade silver mineralization as well as an increase in base metal content," Khunkhun said. "Drill hole DV23-375 has extended the plunge length to over 950 meters with increased thickness of the potentially underground bulk-mineable mineralization and it remains wide open for expansion. With over 70 drill holes remaining to be assayed and announced we eagerly await their results".

A total of 31 holes for 15,860 meters were drilled at the Wolf Vein in 2023, part of 51,454 meters completed this year at the Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge areas. The exploration camp has now been winterized.

At the end of October, Dolly announced that Hecla Mining, the largest silver producer in the United States, will purchase 15,384,616 shares at $0.65 per share for gross proceeds of $10 million. When the offering completed on Nov. 2, Hecla's share percentage increased from 10.6% to 15.7%, calculated on an undiluted basis.

Six million will be used for exploration expenditures, mineral resource expansion and related costs in the Kitsault Valley project, with the balance to be used for working capital and G&A costs, DV said.

Hecla Mining invests $10M in Dolly Varden Silver, upping stake to 15.7%

Dolly Varden Silver Corp.

TSXV:DV, OTC:DOLLF

Cdn$0.95, 2023.12.21

Shares Outstanding 254.6m

Market cap Cdn$188.4m

DV website

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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Chinese electric car giant BYD plans to build its first European car factory in Hungary, rewarding prime minister Viktor Orban for years of courting China for investments.

The plant in the southern city of Szeged will produce electric cars and plug-in hybrids for the European market and create thousands of jobs, BYD said.

The investment comes a few months after Brussels announced a probe into state subsidies to Chinese electric vehicle makers, and might help BYD dodge any resulting import tariffs.

BYDs decision caps a year of rivalry among European countries, including Germany and France, hoping to win the investment and employment coming with a car plant.

The move raises the prospect of another formidable competitor to Europes domestic carmakers, particularly for Volkswagen, Fiat-maker Stellantis, and Renault, which have so far been unable to dislodge Tesla from its dominant position in EV manufacturing.

The move is the first step towards serious competitive entry, and sets a two-to three-year timeline ticking, Bernstein analysts, led by Daniel Roeska, said in a research note.

BYD is stepping up its overseas expansion as its domestic market share sees a peak.

The plant will likely have a capacity of about 200,000 cars annually, the analysts said, with BYD indicating a phased ramp-up.

Mr Orban has been orienting Hungary eastward for years by building political and business links with Russia, China, and central Asian countries.

The prime minister, who held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping in Beijing in October, has confronted Hungarys allies in the European Union and Nato over the war in Ukraine and ignored local protests over pollution caused by new battery plants.

BYDs decision will add to Hungarys role as a leading European hub for the electric car industry, where production facilities help mostly German carmakers, including Mercedes-Benz, VWs Audi brand and, most recently, BMW's transition from the era of combustion engines.

Competition fierce

Regional competition is fierce, with the car industry also underpinning the economies of eastern European peers Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Hungary has received an estimated 20bn of electric vehicle-related investments in the past five years, including a 7.3bn battery plant. Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology is building in the eastern city of Debrecen. BYD already produces electric buses in the Hungarian city of Komarom.

Hungary will provide subsidies for the BYD plant, though it will only publish the amount after receiving the European Commissions approval, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement.

This is set to be one of the biggest investments in Hungarian economic history, Mr Szijjarto said.

Chinese brands such as BYD, SAIC Motor and Nio have been expanding in Europe to become less dependent on their home market, where oversupply and a price war Tesla touched off over the last year are weighing on profits.

While Chinese manufacturers market share in Europe is still low, the countrys dominance in plug-in vehicle production has put the country in position to challenge Japan for the global lead in automotive exports.

BYD is expanding in Europe in part because it can charge higher prices there. Its Dolphin compact crossover starts at 35,990 in Germany, more than double the asking price in China.

 Bloomberg
Dont fret, you still have two days and remember that your local wine merchant is perfect for last-minute gifts.

You can stay local and avoid the mayhem of town by visiting the likes of JJ ODriscolls in Ballinlough, Mannings in Ballylickey, Matsons in Bandon, Mitchells in Glasthule, or Whelehans in Loughlinstown. I promise that shops like these are so much calmer than the stress-inducing shopping centre.

If you are braving Cork City today, drop into Bubble Brothers in the English Market, WineBuff or ODonovans on Oliver Plunkett St, Quay Co-Op on Sullivans Quay, or Bradleys on North Main St.

Cork people should be proud that their city can support so many independent wine shops in the heart of their city, Dublin just has The Corkscrew and Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Besides wine, vermouth (for example, Valentia), poitin, gin, or whiskey, dont forget that a good ~corkscrew or quality wine glass is a very welcome gift  wine enthusiasts never have enough.

Bubble Bros have a range of wine-themed jigsaw puzzles (45)  choose from country or regional options such as France, Italy, or Champagne. Bubble Bros also stock hand-blown Czech wine glasses; if in Dublin head to Mitchells for Riedel or Searsons for Zalto.

Bradleys have a huge beer range and lots of craft foods to add to your gift  perhaps a pack of Joes Farm Vegetable Crisps and a bottle of Cantillon Geuze lambic beer, or maybe Pol Roger if feeling generous.

I also recommend a fascinating new book called Wises Irish Whiskey about the famed North Mall Distillery in Cork (by Barry Crockett & Stephen DAlton).

And if you really love them, the fifth edition of the sumptuous Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach collection is out now (490).

My recommendations are lovely things you need in the house this Christmas.

Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde 2022, Portugal, 14.95

Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde 2022, Portugal, 14.95

Matsons; D6; Fallon & Byrne; OBriens

This is my pick for seafood starters, post-Christmas fish & chip supper or even on its own an aperitif.

From Vinho Verde in Northern Portugal, this is a blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura - floral, aromatic and zesty with crisp lemon and apple freshness, taut and textured and a delight from first to last glass.

Gran Cerdo Tempranillo, Rioja Alta, Spain, 14.95-15.95

Gran Cerdo Tempranillo, Rioja Alta, Spain, 14.95-15.95

JJ ODriscolls; Bradleys; LAtitude 51; World Wide Wines; Le Caveau

You need a crowd-pleasing red in the house over Christmas and this will appeal to everyone.

This is natural with zero added sulphur and minimal intervention so expect soft bright primary fruits, floral and juicy berry flavours, blueberries and plums. Serve chilled or cool at the very least.

Oddero Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Piedmont, Italy, 33.00

Oddero Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Piedmont, Italy, 33.00

Bubble Brothers

The Christmas break allows for lingering a little longer over dinner with decent wine, and no wine is better suited to this than Nebbiolo (Barolo, Barbaresco or Langhe). This is a lovely example, floral, earth-tinged cherry fruits, layered, complex and elegant. Also watch in BB for zero alcohol grapey refreshing Mockli Muskat should you have non-drinkers to please.

Spirit of the Week

Bradleys X West Cork Distillers 7 Year Single Malt, Single Cask, 54.7% ABV, 70cl, 89.95

Bradleys X West Cork Distillers 7 Year Single Malt, Single Cask, 54.7% ABV, 70cl, 89.95

Stockist: Bradleys N. Main St. Bradleysofflicence.ie

You cant get more local or exclusive than this. Just one cask was released and only from Bradleys. This spent four years in Oloroso Sherry Butts and a further three in first-fill Bourbon cask and was then bottled in 2023 unfiltered at cask strength. A collector's item.

Honey gold colour, aromas of figs, tea-brack and Manuka honey, sweet and viscous on the palate with dried mango and orange zest, pepper, nutmeg and allspice prelude the smooth long finish. Utterly delicious.
STREAMING

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Disney+, from Wednesday, December 20

The Percy Jackson book series has long been a favourite with children and this latest reboot is sure to keep the kids entertained over the holidays. The eight-episode series premiered with the first two installments this week. It follows the eponymous 12-year-old demigod as he races to find and restore order to Olympus after he has been accused of stealing Zeus' thunderbolt. It is a fantastical adventure that will appeal to young and older children alike, parents will enjoy the ride as well. Fun for the whole family.

GIGS

The Frank and Walters bring their Trains Boats and Planes 30th anniversary tour to Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Frank and Walters + Shane Johnson

Cyprus Avenue, Cork city, Saturday, December 23

Christmas is coming early for music lovers as Cyprus Avenue has not one, but two fantastic gigs this Saturday. The Frank and Walters had to add a second Cork date on their Trains Boats and Planes 30th anniversary tour due to demand. If there's one thing these lads can do, it is put on a great live show. Taking things through to the wee hours of Christmas Eve will be Shane Johnson with an evening of house music featuring new releases, Fish Go Deep exclusives, and Cork classics.

TV

Peter and the Wolf

RTE ONE, Christmas day, 12.55pm

There have been many adaptations of Sergei Prokofev's symphony since it was written in 1936 but few are as magical and enchanting as this. Featuring illustrations by Bono and music from Gavin Friday, we join 12-year-old Peter as he grapples with growing up and grief. The young boy lives with his grandfather after losing a parent. After hearing tales about a wolf on the loose the curious lad goes exploring. He has to contend with wolf hunters and mysterious creatures along the way. The journey helps shape Peter into a wonderful man-in-the-making. This project is in collaboration with the Irish Hospice Foundation.

FILM

Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron is the perfect film to go and see over the Christmas holidays. Picture: GKids

The Boy and the Heron

Out Wednesday, December 27

When it comes to films, few can create magic the way Hayao Miyazaki does. Time and again he has delivered beautiful films that can break their way into the hardest of hearts and stay there for good. With seemingly simple stories, he explores the depths of the human condition. The Boy and the Heron comes after the legendary director announced his retirement making this possibly his final film. During WWII, a young boy in the throes of grief is uprooted and taken to the unfamiliar countryside. He meets a strange heron who joins him in this wondrous tale of fantasy.

FUNDRAISER

One of the jumper designs available from Irish Artists for Palestine. Designs are by @Ciaraioch and @stinasandstrm

Irish Artists for Palestine

irishartistsforpalestine.com

As we gather together to celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, it is impossible not to think of the millions of people in Palestine who are suffering. There are several charities to donate to, one of which is Irish Artists for Palestine. Why not buy a t-shirt or jumper to raise funds for organisations on the ground and to show your solidarity?
Most of us are busy shopping, wrapping gifts and preparing food for Christmas Day.

But, aside from the religious traditions, much of the real spirit of Christmas lies in families being together, and with children at the heart of it all.

However, while countless children all over the country will be excitedly counting down the days until Santa Claus arrives, there are youngsters who are too unwell and who, throughout the year, have been in and out of hospital.

At least 100 of them are not well enough to be discharged from childrens hospitals in Dublin this Christmas.

But for one family in Cork who thought they would be spending December 25 in a hospital ward in Dublin, their prayers have been answered.

Chantelle ORahilly lives in Cork City with her six-year-old son, Kelvin, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

She was convinced that after a recent severe seizure, which saw him rushed to hospital by ambulance last month, he would be staying in ICU for Christmas.

Kelvin suffered a brain injury at birth and was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was two and cerebral palsy when he was four, she says.

Throughout his life, he has had so many hospital stays and would have seizures almost on a daily basis.

Most of the time, his seizures are not very long-lasting and involve shaking, jerking and eye-rolling, but he had a really bad seizure last month, which was absolutely terrifying. I came into the room and found him unconscious on the floor and not able to breathe properly. We called an ambulance, which we thought would take him to UCHC, but when the paramedics arrived they said he would have to go to Temple Street in Dublin.

Kelvin at the family home at Model Farm Road Cork. Picture: Denis Boyle

Scary weeks in Dublin hospital

Kelvin was taken away by ambulance with his family following behind. As soon as they arrived at the childrens hospital, he was put on a ventilator, which stabilised his condition.

He was kept in for a few days and discharged to receive follow-up care in UCHC. But he had a relapse and had to return to Dublin, where he remained for several weeks.

It was really scary and we were all terrified of what might happen, says Chantelle.

It was one of the worst things I have ever been through. We were sure he would be there for Christmas and the stress was unbelievable. I was with him the whole time, which was very tough on me, mentally and physically, as I am due my second baby on January 16.

I didnt know whether I was coming or going. Even though we all [his dad, also called Kelvin, and the extended family] are used to him having seizures, this was a whole other level. It was clear that there was something very wrong.

The medical team at Temple Street brought his condition under control and stabilised it.

Thank God, the staff at the hospital were able to help him. They were all just amazing and couldnt have done enough for us. Every little procedure they did, they kept me informed and explained it fully to me, so this made things a lot easier as I was aware of what was going on.

There was a point that we didnt know if he was going to recover, but he is now doing really well, she says.

When we heard he was going to be allowed home, we were over the moon. It means the world to us because you could have all the money in the world, but if your child is sick, it means nothing. So having him home is the best Christmas present I could have wished for. I couldnt put a price on it.

Kelvin is improving slowly but surely.

He is delighted to be home, to see all the family, to be back in his own bed, to play with his toys and to have his things around him. And he cant wait for his little sister to arrive just after Christmas.

We will spend the morning at home as Santy will have come, then well go up to my mam to have dinner with all the family. Christmas is for the children and there is no place theyd rather be than at home, so having him here is huge for us.

Pic: iStock

Making it special for young patients

Kelvin is one of the fortunate children who will be home for Christmas but many others wont get the opportunity. Karen Maguire, CHI director of nursing at Crumlin, says every effort will be made to make things easier for them.

While we try to get as many children as we can home for Christmas, this year around 100 very ill children will spend Christmas Day at Childrens Health Ireland, she says. Having a child with a serious illness puts a lot of strain on families, particularly at this time of year. That is why coming up to Christmas we will have lots of magical events and special visitors who bring joy and fun to the children and a major distraction from their treatment.

Eilish Hardiman, CEO of CHI, says everything is being done to ensure those who wont make it home for the festivities will have lots of special treats and surprises in hospital.

Christmas is a special time for children, but the reality is that there will be some who will need to stay in hospital over Christmas, she says.

So its really important they know that Santy is going to come to them and that its still going to be a special day, despite them being sick and in hospital.

Christmas Day will be a hive of activity. The children will wake up and Santy will have come and theyll get a special breakfast, and then we will have some very special visitors arriving too. Our incredible staff will be walking around and we will sing songs as we celebrate the day.

Jonathan Hourihane, professor of paediatrics at Temple Street Childrens Hospital, says, You can feel the place tingling with excitement at Christmas time. Everyone in the hospital is ready to go.

Anne Marie Dowling, assistant director of nursing and manager at CHI, says it is a privilege to work with families at this special time of year.

Christmas is a special time for every child, but for a sick child and their family, it can seem overwhelming and very emotional, she says. I will never forget a comment a parent made about a small gesture that made a big difference.

It was their first Christmas as a family of three, and being admitted to hospital was not where they were expecting. But the mum told me that when she looked in the Christmas Eve gift bag the staff had made for her child, she got very emotional as it meant so much to her. She was able to decorate her little boys cot with a My First Christmas blanket, teddy, fairy lights, a Santa Stop Here sign, chocolates and other bits. They were able to take some lovely Christmas family photos.

It just brings home that a little gesture and kindness goes a long way, but at Christmas, it can create lifelong memories.
As 2023 draws to a close, traditional round-ups of the year will be bursting at the seams such was the news cycle of the past 12 months.

Ireland saw a crisis at the State broadcaster, several major trials, as well as gripping local stories that were all covered by the Irish Examiner.

It was a year of tragedy on the Irish roads, senseless violence on the streets of Dublin and many twists and turns on the political scene.

Our subscribers benefited by getting exclusive access to a host of premium articles and analysis written by our team throughout the year.

Here, we present some of our best-read subscriber articles to look back on the stories that made the news in 2023.

From high rise to hard fall at Navillus: Why two Kerry siblings are facing jail in New York

Kerry siblings, the O'Sullivans, went to New York and built a prestigious construction empire  two were since convicted of a long-running payroll fraud.

In July, Catherine Shanahan told the story of Navillus.

Read More From high rise to hard fall at Navillus: Why two Kerry siblings are facing jail in New York

Navillus Contracting

Prior to the trial, Catherine Shanahan reported on the people who had written letters of support on behalf of the siblings.

Read More Healy-Rae and GAA star write letters of support for Kerry siblings ahead of NY fraud trial

Martens Corbett trial: Maintain your lies for so long, and you might start to believe them

In November, Molly Martens and her father Thomas were jailed for a minimum of seven months and just under two years for the manslaughter of Limerick man Jason Corbett.

Molly and Tom Martens.

They had previously been jailed for between 20 and 25 years for second-degree murder, but had their convictions overturned in 2021  which led to a voluntary manslaughter plea deal earlier this year.

Following the trial, Alison OReilly reflected on her interaction with Molly Martens.

'The Sunset Ridge was the centre of our social lives': New dawn for Cork site as demolition starts

In September, Cork's iconic Sunset Ridge hotel was demolished, with the site set to be redeveloped, with plans in place for a mixed-use retail and residential development.

Eoin English reported from the scene of the demolition.

The most unlikely friendship between a garda killer and the man who put him behind bars

Retired detective superintendent Tom Connolly spoke to Mick Clifford in January, recalling how he reconnected with the man he helped send to prison for his part in a robbery that resulted in the deaths of two gardai.

Read More The most unlikely friendship between a garda killer and the man who put him behind bars

Coldplay fans go round in circles as Music of the Spheres tour sells out

Music fans spent a maddening summer trying to secure tickets to some of the superstars set to hit these shores next year.

David Kent highlighted the struggle faced by many in trying to nab tickets for Coldplay.

Read More Coldplay fans go round in circles as Music of the Spheres tour sells out

What happened at Ironman in Youghal? 'It was like a warzone out there'

Tragedy struck in East Cork in August when two men died during the Ironman triathlon event in Youghal.

Eoin English spoke to those who were there that day.

Transport authority urged to 'U-turn' on absence of signs on Macroom bypass

In August, Transport Infrastructure Ireland was urged to do a U-turn on excluding signs from the soon-to-be fully opened Macroom bypass in Co Cork, as many Muscrai Gaeltacht villages will not feature, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of attracting tourists.

Read More Transport authority urged to 'U-turn' on absence of signs on Macroom bypass

Michael McElgunn  The man leading the battle to keep Ireland safe

In a rare interview in September, An Garda Siochanas intelligence chief, Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn, spoke to Security Correspondent Cormac OKeeffe about a renewed threat from Islamic State, the rise of the far right, a resurgent threat from Russia, the twin problems of disinformation and self-radicalisation, and a new oversight body for national security.

Read More Michael McElgunn  The man leading the battle to keep Ireland safe

Web of lies: How Sonya Egan falsely accused a garda, a lawyer, and social workers of horrific abuse

Sonya Egan. File picture: Cork Courts

Sonya Egan, who was jailed for four years in May for telling career-ending lies against some victims and lies that caused deep personal trauma to others, effectively made elaborate false reports against anyone she perceived to be crossing her.

Ben Dunne's IRA kidnap, arrest in Florida, and 'thanks, big fella': Episodes in a life lived large

Businessman Ben Dunne died in November. Mick Clifford highlighted some of the extraordinary events that occurred over the course of his life.

Water-based cremations and golden caskets: Inside Ireland's funeral industry

At a trade show in Dublin earlier this year, Alison OReilly learned about all aspects of Irish funerals, from aquamation to makeup artistry, with a particular emphasis now being paid to the environmental impact the ceremony can have.

Who did kill Jill Dando? Documentary will see siblings relive tsunami of emotions

Jill Dando was gunned down at her front door 24 years ago. A new documentary looks back at the cold-blooded murder and talks to the man wrongly convicted of her killing.

Read More Who did kill Jill Dando? Documentary will see family relive tsunami of emotions

The Great Cork Lockout of 1923

In August 1923, more than 150 Cork businesses shut their doors, locking out some 6,000 workers in one of the biggest strikes to ever hit the city. As industrial war raged across Europe, Cork found itself at the epicentre of the battle for pay and conditions.

Historian Emmet OConnor recalls the period of strikes and strife and explores how the class war helped shape the Ireland we know today.

Read More The Great Cork Lockout of 1923

Mick Clifford: Young Wolfe Tones' fans are supremely untroubled by the Troubles

The Wolfe Tones attracted a huge crowd at Electric Picnic this year.

Thousands crowded around the Electric Arena tent in the hopes of hearing The Wolfe Tones play on the final day of Electric Picnic 2023. Picture: Aerial.ie

The reaction to this popularity, that appeared to come out of nowhere, has been, depending on ones point of view, bemusement, concern or delight. The bemusement centres on the popularity of seventy-something balladeers playing to a young, festival-going crowd into their music.

The second strand of reaction was one of concern from those who see the Wolfe Tones as purveying support for the Provisional IRAs activities during the Troubles, which included killing anyone whose death might advance the cause of a United Ireland.

But Mick Clifford wrote that the crowd did not know or care about any pro-IRA sentiment in their lyrics. "Sure weren't they just catchy tunes to sing along to".
The Government is planning to establish hundreds of car- and bike-sharing hubs across the country, with development to begin in three cities next year.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed he is bringing forward proposals on so-called Mobility Hubs, which would be used for car sharing, bike sharing, as well as electric vehicle charging.

Mr Ryan said that the Government has plans to develop 200 mobility hubs by 2027 at a cost of 40m, which will be drawn down from the Governments climate fund.

Putting in these mobility hubs will allow a lot of people living in the city, living in our suburbs to have access to a car-sharing and e-bike-sharing and charging scheme.

Mr Ryan said the business case will be concluded in the next two to three weeks.

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists.

The three pilot cities for the project are yet to be determined, with the hubs set to be of different sizes and use depending on their location and the needs of the local community.

We havent picked the final three cities yet. We just think its better to concentrate, test, get it right.

Eamon Ryan said the plan would be led by local authorities. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

"The business case isnt finally concluded yet but it will be in the next two or three weeks, Mr Ryan said.

He said the plan would be led by local authorities across the country.

The scheme was first piloted in Blanchardstown and is being run by Fingal County Council, with between four and five cars available to be shared alongside eight to 10 bikes.

The minister said the key challenge with the mobility hubs is ensuring there is a good electric-vehicle-charging infrastructure built in alongside it.

Asked if people would be permitted to charge their own electric vehicles at the hubs, Mr Ryan said that it would only be for shared cars.

He added that he believes the plan will be a "game-changer", citing the expense of cars.

The minister also said sales of electric vehicles are increasing significantly, with 110,000 EVs set to be on the road by the end of 2023.

He said that Ireland will exceed its overall 195,000 target of EVs on the road by the end of 2025.
The granddaughter of a German businessman who was killed by the IRA 50 years ago has said that the trauma caused to families during the Troubles must never be forgotten.

Events are taking place in Belfast and Lisburn on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the death of Thomas Niedermayer.

Mr Niedermayer, the manager of the Grundig factory in Belfast and the West German honorary consul for Northern Ireland, was kidnapped by the provisional IRA on December 27 1973.

Thomas Niedermayer, with his wife Ingeborg and their daughters Gabrielle (left) and Renate (right) (Family handout/PA)

His body was not found until seven years later in 1980, when he was discovered in a shallow grave in Colin Glen, Belfast.

Four of his family members, including his widow Ingeborg, his daughters Renate and Gabrielle, and his son in law Robin, took their own lives in the years following his death.

On Friday morning a tree will be planted at Colin Glen and an event of reflection will take place at the Island Civic Centre in Lisburn later in the day.

Mr Niedermayers granddaughter, Tanya Williams-Powell, will attend the events.

I think it is very important not to forget the past because it is only from understanding it that we can learn and move on in a more positive way.

She said that the reflection event would remember all the members of her family who lost their lives.

She said: I really wanted to do that because I was aware that when Inge and Renate died, their funerals were quite quick and there were very few people in attendance.

I just wanted people to come and have the chance to mourn for them, rather than just Thomas.

I think it is very important not to forget the past because it is only from understanding it that we can learn and move on in a more positive way.

Our story is not unique or special and there are people who have suffered a lot more, but I think it is important to remember that the Troubles affected so many people and not only the immediate and direct victims, but also families. I think we need to keep an awareness of that.

Tanya Williams-Powell said the trauma of the Troubles must not be forgotten (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms Williams-Powells grandfather was killed before she was born.

She said: He was kidnapped in 1973, I was born in 1976. I never got the chance to meet him and only met Inge and Renate a few times.

I would say our lives have been influenced by that, my sister and I lost both our parents in our teenage years, partly due to the fact that Thomas was kidnapped and killed.

The trauma that it caused my mum (Gabrielle), it rippled down into other members of the family as well.

The guilt that each family member felt, they werent able to talk it through and get over it.

Awareness of mental health has come on so much since those times. Awful things happened but people had to try to get on with their lives.

These days we take much more time to comfort and help people overcome that sense of loss and move on.

Fridays events have been organised with the help of victims organisation, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

Kenny Donaldson of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (Liam McBurney/PA)

SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: Following the known knowledge of Thomas murder and the discovery of his remains, four further lives were cruelly cut prematurely short in a chilling domino effect of traumatic pain and loss.

We are privileged to have become acquainted with the surviving family and particularly with the granddaughters of Thomas and Ingeborg.

Incredibly there is an absence of bitterness, hate or will to seek retribution within those who remain.

Instead they are filled with love and a commitment of ensuring that the legacy of a much-loved grandfather, granny, auntie, mum and dad is kept front and centre.

Cruelly his life was stolen away by those intent on keeping Northern Ireland on its knees

Mr Donaldson added: Thomas sought to bring employment to an area of Northern Ireland which was suffering severely as a consequence of post-war rebuild but also the onslaught of The Troubles.

His objective was to bring a form of economic stability, and in time prosperity to the region.

Cruelly his life was stolen away by those intent on keeping Northern Ireland on its knees, and of keeping our people separated.

The planting of a tree complete with plaque at the location in Colin Glen where Thomas was found is hugely symbolic and we thank those who have facilitated this to occur.

It is also highly significant to have the German ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and several UK-based German diplomats present for events marking this milestone anniversary.
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker has been spotted in Dublin Airport, with the Hollywood star jetting into Ireland with her family.

The actress arrived in Terminal 2 on Friday morning with her husband and their three children, en-route to Donegal where they will spend their Christmas holidays.

Dressed in a black top and mask, the star tied her hair back and sat among unsuspecting passengers for the six-hour journey from New York.

They touched down just before 11am.

Carrying some hand luggage she was then seen walking through the terminal where she will make her way to the northwest.

One passenger told the Irish Examiner, She was on our flight and she was mixing with everyone.

Her whole family is with her and they just seemed like a normal couple. She is so petite in real life we just saw her getting her bags from the overhead locker and then realised it was her.

The New Yorker has never been shy about her love of Donegal where she has been holidaying for 30 years.

Both she and her husband Matthew Broderick spend every summer in their holiday home.

The star joins the thousands of people flying into Ireland over Christmas, with emotional scenes in arrival lounges as families are reunited.

More than 200,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport by Friday evening and more than 1.6 million over the entire Christmas period.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

LEADING economists and mining industry experts warned this week the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was manipulating data to give an impression that its ambitious US$12 billion target will be achieved this year.Winston Chitando, the former Mines and Mining Development minister, announced in 2018 that under fresh initiatives implemented after President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017, sector revenues would reach US$12 billion at the end of this year, from about US$2,7 billion in 2017.Government then embarked on a global charm offensive to drum up foreign direct investment (FDI) at the time, under Mnangagwa's Zimbabwe is Open for Business' campaign. The campaign saw him remove some hurdles to FDI, including the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.However, investors say many more hurdles still remain. Growth rates of the scale announced in 2018 would be crucial to drive the struggling economy out of protracted contraction, following over two decades of turbulences that have battered vital industries, including manufacturing and agriculture.The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) has indicated that it would be difficult to achieve US$12 billion revenue, given the myriad of challenges confronting operators. These include high taxes and rolling power blackouts, which some industries estimate could wipe out over US$5 billion from the economy this year alone.The CoMZ projected late 2022 that revenues would be around US$7 billion by the end of this year.Signature projects announced at the time the new government came to power have failed to come to fruition, including the US$4 billion platinum project that was earmarked for Mashonaland West, fronted by GDI. But last week, Pfungwa Kunaka permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mines, told the Zimbabwe Independent growth in the past five years had been robust.He said government was expecting the size of the industry to rise beyond US$12 billion by December 31.But Kunaka said this will be achieved through a combination of revenues and investments into the industry."We believe we even surpassed it," Kunaka told the Independent."We await the final data at the close of the year 2023. But the ministry is confident that the target of UD$12 billion has been attained and even surpassed. The mining sector has grown to become a key pillar of our economy. The sector contributes more than 60% of Zimbabwe's export receipts and attracts more than 50% of foreign direct investment," he added.But Prosper Chitambara, chief economist at the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe, said this week the goal was to reach the targets, which is why new matrices were being added."I think there was a realisation that the revenues have not been growing enough to attain that aspiration this year, hence the decision to include another matrix," Chitambara told the Independent."You know, the mining industry has been doing relatively well compared to other sectors. I think that was largely due to the firming up of commodity prices and investments into the sector have been increasing."Respect Gwenzi, economist at the Harare based research firm, Equity Exis, said the US$12 billion was far high a target for Zimbabwe, given the current crisis."The target was set expecting the mining sector to become a US$12 billion sector, premised on one key variable, mainly gold. They hoped gold production would (rise). We haven't achieved that target yet looking at the trends to date regarding exports. We are likely going to be behind last year in terms of export value. That shows we did not grow. This has largely been dampened by a plunge in prices, especially in platinum and palladium. In terms of gold we have not beaten last year's production levels. We are just closer to that same level. Our target was 40 tonnes and we failed. There is no way we can be looking at a target of US$12 billion in the short run," added Gwenzi, who has researched widely on Zimbabwe's mining industry.He projected that the highest revenue Zimbabwe could achieve this year would be about US$6 billion.
The sisters of a 36-year-old doctor have set up a GoFundMe to raise money to cover the cost of the mother-of-two's fight against Astrocytoma.

Caitriona 'Triona' Logan was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in October and her family are raising funds to send her to the United States or Canada to receive a novel treatment which is currently being tested there.
A woman has died following a three-car collision earlier this month.

Jennifer Andrews, 56, from the Belfast area was seriously injured in the collision, which happened on the A1, close to Loughbrickland, on Wednesday December 13.

A police spokesperson said Ms Andrews was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and sadly died in hospital on Friday.

A full investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the collision, which involved a grey-coloured Seat Ibiza, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a black Volvo XC90, at approximately 5.35pm on December 13.

Officers from the Police Services Collision Investigation Unit have issued an appeal to anyone who was on the A1 at the time and may have seen the vehicles involved, or who may have dash-cam footage available, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield on 101, quoting reference number 1565 of December 13.
Five men have been arrested in relation to the seizure of more than 21m worth of cocaine from a cargo ship which docked in Limerick earlier this week.

As part of a major security operation, Revenue officials boarded the 20,000-tonne cargo bulk carrier after it docked in Foynes on Tuesday.
The investigation into the case against a Ukrainian refugee accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukrainian man with whom she had been socialising in Cork was described as ongoing and so far the file has not been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis was responding to a question from the defence at Cork District Court in respect of the incident on October 10.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said: Could I ask, what progress is being made?

Sgt Davis replied: The file is ongoing. It has not been sent to the DPP.

The sergeant applied to Judge Mary Dorgan to adjourn the case until January 11 with the accused remanded in continuing custody.

Mr Buttimer expressed the hope that there would be progress on the file by January 11 and reminded the judge that the accused had chosen not to appeal against the decision to refuse bail in her case. Kseniia Vasylenko, aged 43, of Cork Airport hotel appeared by video link from prison and said thank you very much, goodbye, as the brief hearing concluded.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan charged her last month with dangerous driving of a Hyundai Alantra at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 8. It was alleged that she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

In the original bail application, the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT and working with the resistance in this capacity. She said she had been working with the local authority in central Ukraine and was now living in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

I did not want to leave my country. I love my country. I made the decision to come here to save my life and the life of my son. I came across Poland, Romania, Moldova, to Dublin City West to here. I have been in Cork since December 2022. I have been in the airport hotel in accommodation centre.

Detective Garda Brennan said: I think there is a real possibility she would leave the jurisdiction if given bail.
A Tipperary Circuit Court judge who was also a former teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been convicted of the sexual abuse of six young men almost 30 years ago.

Gerard OBrien (59) of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, County Tipperary had pleaded not guilty before the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants, some of whom were his students.

The four-week trial heard that the alleged offences occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Dublin. He was in his 30s at the time of the alleged offences, while the complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

The jury in the trial returned the verdicts today after seven hours and thirty-four minutes of deliberations.

OBrien had denied all of the charges against him, and he made no reaction as the verdicts were handed down in court.

Five of the six complaints in the trial were present in court and surrounded by their loved ones. When the verdicts were delivered, the complaints and their families cried and embraced each other.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens thanked the jurors for their service and excused them from jury duty for fifteen years as a mark of the court's appreciation for their work.

He noted that he would have been putting OBrien into custody only for the special circumstances surrounding him. OBrien suffers from Phocomelia, which is a rare birth defect that can affect the upper and/or lower limbs. OBrien is missing both hands and one foot.

The judge said that OBrien is now automatically on the sex offender register.

Mr Justice Owens directed the preparation of victim impact statements and remanded the defendant on continuing bail until sentencing on March 4, 2023.

Opening Opening the prosecution case, Anne-Marie Lawlor, SC, told the jury that this case involves six complainants who say they were each and separately the victim of sexual misconduct perpetrated by the accused man between 1991 and 1997.

OBrien was teaching in a secondary school at the time, and four of the complainants were students. The other two complainants knew him from his home town.

The evidence

The six complainants, now in their 40s and early 50s, gave evidence. Some became emotional and upset while recounting their experiences.

Five of the men said they woke up to find OBrien performing sexual acts on them that they insisted they had not consented to. Of these complainants, four said they woke to the man performing oral sex on them, with the fifth saying he woke to the man licking his face and pressing his penis against his buttocks.

OBrien, who is missing both hands and a foot, would ask students in the secondary school he taught in to assist him in going to the toilet.

During the trial, the jury heard from many of the complainants that they stayed in OBriens homes to help him get dressed and shaved in the morning.

One of these five complainants also said the accused attempted to rape him anally. The final complainants allegation related to an act of masturbation in the toilets of a pub.

Each of the complainants said they had been drinking alcohol, and the accused had been as well.

During their evidence, the complainants were each asked why they didnt make a complaint to gardai earlier. Some said they had compartmentalised the incidents. Others spoke of shame or embarrassment.

The third complainant to give evidence to the jury said he didnt want anyone to find out what happened. It was an extremely intimate action being taken in a manner I never consented to in the first instance. I wanted to keep it to myself.

The sixth complainant said, I put it in a block of cement in my mind, and I didnt think about it. During his evidence, the sixth complainant told the prosecution that he googled OBrien and found out that he was a Circuit Court Judge, which was one of the reasons he decided to make a complaint to the gardai.

OBrien was interviewed voluntarily by gardai and initially denied any sexual contact with all complainants.

In later interviews, he said sexual interactions had occurred with three of the complainants.

In his direct evidence, he said he lied to gardai initially because of shame.

The idea of being charged with a sexual assault frightened me beyond reason. I went into a sort of blind panic about it all, he said.

OBrien acknowledged that having students at his home and in his bed was inappropriate and should not have happened.

He gave evidence of sexual contact with three of the complainants but denied any sexual interaction with the rest.

During cross-examination, OBrien was asked if his position is that the six complainants are lying. Mistaken in some cases, he replied.

He didnt accept Ms Lawlor's suggestion he was a person who tells lies, and was lying to the jury.

He denied that he groomed a number of the complainants, saying, I don't accept I groomed anyone.

The first complainant to give evidence told the jury that he was a student at the school where the accused worked, and in November 1997, he stayed in the accuseds home.

OBrien suggested he sleep in the bed, and while the young man thought this was unusual, he went along with it.

The young man woke to a rustling in his boxers and initially believed that OBrien might be touching him in his sleep.

A short time later, he again felt touching. OBrien then shuffled down in the bed, and his mouth made contact with the young mans penis.

The complainant said he froze. Approximately 30 seconds later, he said OBrien again tried to use his mouth to make contact with his penis.

The man is unsure if contact was made as he jumped out of the bed. He said he was in total shock and left the apartment.

This complainant disagreed with the defences suggestion that no sexual assault occurred and that if anything had happened, it was something someone was doing while asleep. In his evidence, OBrien accepted this complainant had slept in his bed but denied any sexual encounter.

He said he fell asleep and woke up to the teenager leaving the apartment, but didnt know why.

He said he became concerned while driving to work the next day that this complainant should not have been in his house.

The second complainant to give evidence said the incident took place during his first year of college in 1991.

He said he was asleep on the floor of the man's bedroom when he woke to OBrien performing oral sex on him. He said he froze due to shock and to avoid waking another friend in the room.

The then 18-year-old said he turned onto his side, and OBrien mirrored his movement before moving his penis against my back, bottom and hips.

He said he didn't react and wasn't sure if the man was aware he was awake.

This complainant rejected the defences position that OBrien felt his penis on his back and took this as an invitation to be intimate. He did not accept the defences suggestion that OBrien performed oral sex, and believed he was an active participant.

He reiterated he was asleep and said the incident occurred completely out of the blue.

In his evidence, OBrien said he was in a spooning position with the second complainant, who was in the bed, as both were freezing.

I could feel his penis against my back, and I performed oral sex on him in my bed.

He said this complainant turned away from him and continued to masturbate while he rubbed himself against the sheets.

The third complainant said he went to a friends house in early 1994, and OBrien was also there.

He said he had been drinking and fell asleep in a bed beside OBrien. This complainant said he woke up to his face and neck being licked by OBrien.

He said OBriens foot was grappling with his boxer shorts. He said OBriens penis was hard against the top part of his bottom, and he was gyrating against me.

He said he was initially frozen, then noticed OBriens eyes were closed. He elbowed him at least seven times, telling the accused he was really disappointed. OBrien didnt respond and turned away.

During cross-examination, he said he didnt confront OBrien the next morning and expressed doubt that anyone could sleep through seven elbows.

He rejected the defences suggestion that something happened while OBrien was asleep. I dont believe he could be asleep while thrusting against someone, he said.

In his evidence, OBrien said he has no recollection of being at a house with this complainant and further denied any sexual encounter had taken place.

The fourth complainant to give evidence said OBrien was a teacher at his school.

He said he stayed at OBriens house in late 1995 and woke to find his boxer shorts had been pulled down and the accused performing oral sex on him.

He said he was in shock. He orgasmed, and the accused told him, Its your turn now. He then performed oral sex on the teacher.

Mr O'Higgins put to him during cross-examination that there were four incidents of mutual and consensual oral sex between him and his client, during which he was wide awake. The complainant disagreed with this.

During his evidence, OBrien said he became over-reliant on the fourth complainant and admitted being infatuated.

He said this complainant stayed at his apartment in January 1996, and there was hugging and talking.

I noticed he had an erection. I went down on him. He ejaculated, then he did the same for me, and I ejaculated. The man said he didnt agree with this complainants evidence.

The fifth complainant was also a student at the school where the accused was a teacher.

He recalled visiting the accuseds house and said there was a playfulness to O'Brien's behaviour during his first visit.

He said he went to a local pub after his Leaving Certificate, and the accused man was there.

He was asked by OBrien to assist him in going to the toilet. While the man was holding OBriens penis and assisting him to urinate, OBrien began to move his penis against the young man's hand.

He described it as OBrien masturbating into my hand during this incident in the toilets of the pub. The man said that OBrien then began to lean into him and pinned him against the wall of the cubicle. OBrien had his face up against the young mans face, and OBrien then kissed him on the neck or cheek.

He asked him to stop, but it only ended when a door opened.

OBrien denied sexually assaulting the fifth complainant. In his evidence, he said he could not recall going to this pub.

The final complainant said he stayed at OBriens house one night when he was in fifth year of school. When he went upstairs, he saw the spare bedroom but went into OBriens room and got him undressed. The man told OBrien he was going to the spare room, but OBrien said there was no need and to jump in here. The man described being uncomfortable with this but got into bed.

The man told the jury that it was his plan to wait until OBrien fell asleep and then go into the spare room. However, the young man fell asleep, and he woke later to OBrien performing oral sex on him. He said he turned around to lie on his stomach.

He then told the court that OBrien climbed up on top of my back and manoeuvred his penis towards his buttocks. He said he was frozen and added, I couldnt do a thing, and he was trying to penetrate my backside, my anus.

He rejected the defences suggestion that he moved closer to OBrien. This complainant also dismissed the defences contention that OBrien began to perform oral sex, but stopped and didnt attempt anal sex.

In his direct evidence, OBrien said he felt this complainants arm roll across me, and then he rubbed his leg.

He said he assumed rightly or wrongly that he wanted to engage in something intimate and then started to perform oral sex but stopped.

He also denied attempting to have anal sex with this complainant.

Closing speeches

In her closing speech, Ms Lawlor asked the jury to consider whether there is an inherent unlikelihood that several people would make similar allegations against the same person.

Prosecuting counsel suggested it is a significant factor that the accused made a very considered and deliberate decision to lie repeatedly to gardai for no reason but to protect himself.

She said the complainants had each given compelling and credible evidence about the alleged incidents.

While the complainants had the legal capacity to give consent, in five of these incidents, each individual told you they woke up to sexual engagement they hadnt consented to as they were asleep, Ms Lawlor said.

In his closing speech, Mr OHiggins told the jury that his client's decision to initially lie to gardai was partly because he was terrified by the allegations.

He said while his client has lied, this could not mean that you cant take what he says on board and give it the scrutiny it deserves.

Defence counsel asked jurors to look at inconsistencies in the complainants evidence, suggesting their memories of events may not be reliable due to the passage of time. He asked them to consider if other evidence supports his clients version of events.

Defence counsel said his client has acknowledged completely inappropriate contact with some students.

No doubt there was a weakness here, that has resulted in calamitous consequences.

Judge's charge In his charge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury the case boils down to whether or not they accept the evidence of the witnesses.

He told them that they are not permitted to infer anything from the fact that the man is facing a number of charges, and they must consider each count individually.

Legal argument

During the trial, there were several robust exchanges about when or if the jury should be made aware of OBriens most recent profession as a Circuit Court Judge.

Prosecuting counsel argued that OBriens profession is no different to any other profession for our purpose, and it would be against common sense to deprive the jury of this information.

Defence counsel argued this was unnecessary information to include in the opening speech, and while jurors would be repulsed to hear a teacher had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old student, they might be horrified if they became aware of his most recent job.

Mr Justice Owens ruled that OBriens most recent profession could not be mentioned in the opening speech but added that it was likely to emerge during evidence, and the jury was entitled to be told at this point.

This issue emerged again before each complainant was asked why they decided to make a complainant, as some mentioned his recent profession as a judge in their statements to gardai.

Mr Justice Owens noted there is no rule that a persons occupation may be withheld from the jury. He said OBriens occupation may be relevant to the complainants explanations of why they decided to speak to gardai, but noted that it is neither here nor there in relation to the alleged incidents.

Only the sixth complainant referred to the mans most recent profession as a judge when explaining his decision to make a complaint.

One juror was discharged on the seventh day after receiving bad news.

Another juror was later discharged after being diagnosed with Covid-19. After hearing submissions from counsel, Mr Justice Owens allowed the trial to proceed with ten jurors.
An eight-acre site has been acquired in North Cork by Hometree  the first in the county  which will be used as an educational facility to host school and college groups.

The Clare-based not-for-profit organisation have been working to establish and conserve the country's permanent native woodland.

This latest acquisition will bring the total number of sites to eight as part of the 12m Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project, with four in Clare, one each in Galway, Sligo and Wicklow, and now one in Cork.

Historically, up to 80% of Ireland was covered in wild forests of birch, pine and oak.

Today, only 1% of that remains, with remnants of rainforests found in gullies, cliff faces and secluded islands.

Hometree is planning to restore 4,000 acres of wild woodland along Ireland's west coast, which will stretch from Cork to Donegal across the eight different sites.

The Donoughmore site was purchased following support from a local donor and will be used as an educational facility to host school and college groups.

It will also be used as a showcase location for professional farmers who can learn the ways native trees can be integrated into intensive farming systems.

Hometree's farm programmes coordinator and Cork native Ray O Foghlu said while it was not feasible for farmers to "block out whole areas with trees" there are a "variety of ways of integrating native trees that work for the farm system".

"We will be using our new location in Donoughmore to demonstrate the advantages," he said.

"It can simply be planting lines or groups of trees in corners of fields or scattering individual trees throughout the pasture. Native trees have mutual benefits for the environment, for water quality and for biodiversity.

"There are also benefits for cattle, who can shelter under the trees, they can also browse the foliage, which gives them minerals they cant get elsewhere at different times of the year," Mr O Foghlu added.
A jittery Maggie Sherman was beaming, nervous and excited as she stood right beneath Cork Airport arrivals board.

I dont know why theyre taking so long to come through because it landed at 27 past, she said, about 10 minutes after the flight had landed.

Ms Sherman, from Douglas in Cork, said her son Jack has not been home since he moved to Amsterdam in October 2020, and although theyve met in other countries throughout the years, she said it never gets any easier.

Its desperate  hed been living with me all his life up to that point, she said, adding that she has been waiting months for this moment.

The last Christmas they spent together was in 2021 when the family met in Guatemala where her other son, Luke, lived at the time.

Christmas at home without him last year was lonely, she said.

Her eyes rarely moved from the airport doors. It took a few moments for Jack to see his mother but she had spotted him the second he walked into the arrivals hall.

Nadia Geaney of Dublin Pike, Cork, arrives at Cork Airport from Dubai for Christmas, and is greeted by George, the family pet dog. Picture: Denis Minihane

After a happy reunion and many hugs, Jack said the experience of walking in to the sounds of an orchestra was grand, like, while his anticipation for Christmas dinner might be perceived as lacklustre given the fact that, unlike him, his family is vegetarian.

The last time we had Christmas at home it was like a nut roast and just loads of vegetables and I was like: Where's the turkey? he said.

More than 195,000 people are estimated to come home to Ireland during the Christmas period.

Its so magical with the orchestra and stuff, it feels like a movie, said Sarah Howarth from Rosscarbery, who has been living in Amsterdam for two years. Her mother Siobhan was at the airport bright and early with balloons to welcome her home.

Its hard but its lovely to go over and visit and when she comes back its extra special, she said, adding that she has been looking forward to this moment since August.

Sarah Howarth of Rosscarbery arrives at Cork Airport from Amsterdam for Christmas, greeted by her mother Siobhan. Picture: Denis Minihane

Although there was a hint of regret and sadness that loved ones live abroad, the sense of pride that they have done so well overshadows it.

We miss her but were delighted everything has gone so well for her, said Liz Flynn from Douglas whose daughter has lived in Dubai for the last five years.

She works as a teacher there and has since become engaged after meeting her partner in Dubai.

Hes a Cork man, she said, proudly.

Meanwhile, Susan Keogh who has lived in Melbourne since 1993, arrived with her husband Kevin and their daughter Emily.

Originally from Cobh, this is Ms Keoghs first time home since 2019, something she and her family have been looking forward to for a long time.

Ali Lucey from Bandon, who works in security at the airport, said its a rewarding time of year.

Some people are very emotional, she said, as behind her, Cork Light Orchestra played 'Fairytale of New York'.

Grainne Deasy of Rosscarbery, arriving at Cork Airport from the Netherlands for Christmas, is greeted by her father Martin. Picture: Denis Minihane

At Dublin Airport, Rosaleen McQuillan was in Terminal 2 to meet her two nieces Shailene, 5, and Adalyn, 2, and her sister Jacqueline Enhicner, who has been living in New York for 16 years with her husband Keith.

This is the first time Ive been home for Christmas in eight years with my kids.

Ive been home prior to this but not on Christmas," she said. "We are spending it with my mother Maureen Gonnelly in Newry. My husband, who is American, is very excited about having a traditional Irish Christmas dinner here."

Anne Cooney from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, greets her six-year-old granddaughter Jessicain Dublin Aiport arrivals. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Meanwhile, Anne and John Cooney from Athlone, Co Westmeath, were in the arrivals area to meet their daughter Aoife, her husband Geoff Farrell, and their daughter Jessica, 6.

We are delighted to have them home, said Anne. My son John has also flown in from Munich.

We have another daughter, Rachael, who is in New York who cant travel this year, and another daughter in Dublin, who will be with us."

Timmina Cahill and Nick Waldron from Lucan welcome their daughter Megan Cahill back from New York at Dublin Airport. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Timmina Cahill and Nick Waldron from Lucan in Dublin were there to meet their daughter Megan, who has not been home for Christmas in seven years.

She is the only child, so this is a very special Christmas," said Timmina.

She is in New York managing a bar and shes doing great. We miss her so much, but we cant wait for the party."
When I received research results from the Irish energy-switching portal Switcher.ie recently comparing the costs of various forms of home heating by the hour and by the day, I was fascinated.

Have you given much thought to how much it is to roar up that blow heater in the home office, or exactly what youre igniting in oil every day to get the whole house warm? The Switcher results are a useful snapshot of average costs.

According to the Central Statistics Offices latest figures, 97% of homes in Ireland have central heating, with 37% using natural gas, 36% using oil and 12% electricity (storage heaters, heat pumps). I do have some notes to add regarding individual heat sources as, price aside, its not apples and oranges. First of all, here are the key findings for heating rooms from Switcher.ie.

Space heating

Infrared/halogen heaters (500w to 1500w) had an average daily cost of 3.12 and an hourly cost of 0.39c. They were the most cost-effective small-room heater type in the study. Surprise, surprise.

Ceramic heaters (750w to 1500w) had an average daily cost of 3.51 and an hourly cost of 0.44c. Switcher advises they are slow to heat, so potentially costly for large rooms.

Wall-mounted panel heaters (500w to 2000w) had an average daily cost of 3.90 and an hourly cost of 0.49c.

Oil-filled radiators (1000w to 2500w) had an average daily cost of 5.45 and an hourly cost of 0.68c. They radiate heat long after theyve been switched off.

Fan heaters and freestanding convector heaters (1500w to 3000w) had average daily costs of between 7 and 7.79, up to 1 per hour. The costs depend upon size.

Full-house heating

Gas central heating averaged out between 10 and 16; electric central heating averaged out between 12 and 20; and oil-fired central heating averaged out between 13 and 22.

Its important to note that these are averages, and the daily numbers could be a lot higher or lower depending on the size and insulation levels of the home, the patterns of usage, and the energy-saving savvy and circumstance of the householders including their number, age and health.

The scale and efficiency of various brands of space heaters will vary wildly. For electric devices and pumps, the energy tariff and type (kW/h) will have a noticeable impact on your supplier bill.

Running at lower prices per hour over the arc of a full day, central heating will average out, the least expensive warming a standard three-bedroom home and additionally handling hot water, if used diligently. Switcher advises: Electric, portable heaters like infrared, ceramic and oil-filled radiators are great for heating one room efficiently, but buying an electric heater for every room would increase your electricity bill more than if you bumped up the heating controls.

With space heating, there are a few nuances. Looking at infrared heaters, its important to point out that IR heating in the study refers to quartz heating (tungsten filament encased in a gas tube) which is not the same product as IR panel heating.

IR panel heating warms up the body, walls and floors rather than heating the air. Some users find it too direct and vaguely uncomfortable. It can be a good choice for a chill bathroom or small office where you can keep the panel close to you, on the floor, mounted on the wall or even set on the ceiling. Prices come in around 200 for a 400w-420w IR panel unit.

Halogen

Halogen heating uses halogen bulbs, and its having a moment. This type of heating runs hotter than IR quartz, features thermostatic control, is quick to heat a space, directional, portable, and economical. Halogen prices, like IR quartz, start from around 30. Keep in mind that traditional panels and radiators will tug a warm air current via natural convection.

This will heat a room more evenly than a directional source like halogen, bottled gas, or a fan heater. Any open electric element, or ignited source like bottled cabinet gas heaters (not included here), must be monitored for safety and placed very carefully.

Electricity and pumps

In terms of whole-house heating, 80% of homes built since 2020 are now heated by electricity and with the onward march of heat pumps and available SEAI grants for retrofits, this trend is set to continue.

There are homeowners with heat pumps railing at the running costs and wood-burning folk who heat their homes for next to nothing gathering and growing their own supply.

Stuck with kerosene, like 60% of rural dwellers, I wouldnt use anything like 13 for a days heating  not on the cruellest day of winter. Pellet and biomass boilers, and wood and fossil fuel stoves/ranges with and without back-boilers are not included in the findings.

Where electric heating goes, and where possible, I would advocate twinning any electric central heating to PV solar panels to take the edge off the volatility of the kW price in the long term. This slices a trace off the daytime running cost in winter. Sending surplus back to the grid through the Micro-generation Support Scheme, in summer PV-solar will further offset winter bills.

Always keep in mind that vulnerable home users may have their heating poked up beyond 19C-21C and must be accommodated for these temperatures to stay snug and healthy over the winter months.

Eoin Clarke, Switcher.

Eoin Clarke, energy expert at Switcher, advises: Many householders wont have the cash upfront to upgrade their whole heating system; however, if you work from home or only use one or two rooms, investing in an energy-efficient space heater could be less costly than nudging up the boiler. Before you buy, consider the size of your room, compare wattage, and cost per hour and choose one with a thermostat so it only stays on to maintain the temperature you need. Lastly, simple fixes can keep costs down: insulate against drafts and layer up to keep your body warm.

If youre using electricity, Switcher concludes that the only way to effectively monitor your usage for space heating is to use a smart meter, and you can carry out a better investigation based on your system and hybrid use of heat sources.
KITCHEN MAGIC

We see a lot of this room this season and if its whetted your appetite for a kitchen revamp, listen to advice from someone with the recipe for restyling success.

Limerick native Aine Browne, of kitchen company Cucine Lube, says: "Its important to keep in mind that the right kitchen can add to the resale value of a home. New modular systems, new accessories, and new materials make this an exciting time to buy a new kitchen which can modernise the heart of the home."

I love the reeded presses in the Oltre kitchen, above. Made in Italy, Cucine Lube crafted kitchens come in a range of finishes. You can visit the showroom in Ballysimon, Limerick, or explore online at CucineLube.

















COUNTER ATTRACTION

Its been the year of the kitchen  in the past 12 months, Silestone by Cosentino introduced its new series Urban Crush. We love Lime Delight from a collection that uses dusty tones to create an industrial backdrop in raw and eclectic spaces.

Urban Crush is produced under HybriQ+ technology, which implies a more sustainable manufacturing process with 99% reused water, 100% electric energy from renewable sources and a minimum of 20% recycled materials in its composition.

HAIR AFFAIR

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is a draw for tech lovers and haircare fans alike. Why is it so special? The motor is located in the handle rather than in the dryers head, as with most hair dryers.

Its light to hold and hair doesnt snag in the dryer. It comes with a toolbox of innovative accessories, including concentrators and a diffuser, which attach to the hair dryers head magnetically (so satisfying) and securely, and a game-changing flyaway attachment that acts like a straightener  a lifesaver when you cant get a last-minute salon appointment.

And of course, this hair dryer is powerful and fast. The tool uses a focused airflow, is engineered for balance in the hand, is quieter than others and has an extra-long cord.

Dyson says the Supersonic is better for hair as it "intelligently controls the temperature to help protect hair from heat damage" and measures air temperature 40 times a second to regulate heat output.

The Dyson SupersonicTM hair dryer in Onyx Gold, RRP 399.99, is available from Dyson Demo Stores, www.dyson.ie and www.dyson.co.uk.

WATER WORLDS

Bathroom renovations are high on many homeowners agendas right now. Irish company Sonas Bathrooms says the focus for 2024 is on "functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics".

We like the water-saving set-up by Sonas Bathrooms, above, which features the Alita exposed shower kit and wall-mounted basin mixer in brushed gold. See SonasBathrooms.

THAT'S MAGIC

This is one for the dressing table. Charlotte Tilburys Magic Water Cream is ideal for layering under makeup or used solo to add a dewy, glasslike glow to the skin.

The clue is in the name: It is a hydrating texture that doesnt pill or slide. Its 95 for 50ml, available in Brown Thomas and Arnotts and CharlotteTilbury.

WINTER GLOW

This season Irish woollen mill John Hanly & Co celebrates 130 years of weaving elegance and warmth into homes.

Originating from a disused flour mill beside the Nenagh river in Ballyartella, Co Tipperary, in 1893, the company has become a symbol of quality craftsmanship.

Its just released its new range of merino, cashmere and lambswool blankets and throws.

Brian Hanly, managing director, is the fourth generation of the Hanly family to continue the legacy. We are thrilled to celebrate 130 years of weaving stories and memories into our fabrics, he says. As for us, were obsessed with the oversized cashmere throw in Raspberry Herringbone, 199.45. See JohnHanly.

IN THE GROOVE

If watching Daisy Jones and The Six this year made you hanker after your own 70s pad, then the Fleetwood aesthetic from DFS could be for you. Drawing inspiration from the hit series, its a captivating blend of rock 'n' roll glamour, bohemian chic, and effortless cool.

Curved seating is at the heart of this luxe yet laidback look. Check out the DFS Spherical corner sofa, 2,339, and Spherical swivel chair, 1,359, to channel that lounge vibe. Layer rugs, like the DFS Matias medium rug, 129, or Jair medium rug, 325, underfoot for your very own groovy conversation pit. See DFS.

OPEN SEASON

When did doorscaping become such a thing? It all starts at Halloween and just takes over by December. If you want to keep that porch party going all year round, try season-neutral ideas, like Homesenses doorscaping box plant in a black pot, 27.99.
The Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe from South America in the 16th century. They arrived in Ireland over the following centuries and since then have held a central place in the culinary food history of Ireland.

The association of the potato with Irish people grew so much so that even though Peru is their actual home, around the world people consider Ireland to be the spiritual home of the potato, Keogh explains.

As a nation weve really embraced them as our own, we love eating them, talking, and debating about them. Many have a preference for either balls of flour or waxy varieties.

Spuds have been on our plates, in our homes and synonymous with Irish food for centuries and despite our flirtations with other carbs, potatoes always hold a special love in our hearts. Its ingrained into the Irish psyche from a young age, says Keogh. It certainly was for him growing up on a farm in north Co Dublin where his family have been growing potatoes for more than 200 years.

In addition to growing potatoes, the family introduced the now familiar Keoghs brand to the business over a decade ago, with great success. As president of the Irish Potato Federation where he advocates for his genuine love of potatoes, campaigning for increased potato consumption promoting their versatility, sustainability, nutrition, affordability and delicious taste.

At a time when local and seasonal are the buzzwords in food, it doesnt get much more local and seasonal than Irish-grown potatoes. They are a local food to us all year round, he says, explaining that harvested potatoes are barn-stored for availability throughout the year, with different varieties peaking consumer interest during different months.

Ross Keogh, shown sorting potatoes on the farm.

He recommends seeking out the first early varieties like Home Guard and Premier in May, June, and July, followed by Queens for the main summer months. Main crop varieties such as Rooster, Maris Piper, and Kerrs Pink are harvested in September, October, November and available to consumers for the rest of the year.

The Rooster variety was developed specifically for the Irish palate in the 1990s. Its by far the most popular potato in the country, amounting to about 65 per cent of retail sales

When it comes to the varieties we love, the floury spud reigns supreme in Ireland. But what does floury actually mean in this context and why is it our go-to potato? Its down to our food heritage in the varieties that we choose, Keogh explains. Traditionally Irish people like a floury potato with a medium-high dry matter because it tied in exceptionally well with our strong dairy tradition. Butter, cheese and cream were other food staples in the home which provided a wide range of delicious meal options.

Rooster provided all the benefits of a traditional Irish spud with the added benefit of a very clean pinky-red skin finish for peeling. They knew what they were doing when they created the Rooster, he says. Its by far the most popular spud in the country, amounting to about 65% of retail sales.

After that we also have a preference for floury varieties such as Kerrs Pink, Golden Wonder and Maris Piper. Salad/baby potatoes are available for people who like waxy potatoes. Thats before we even get into the many more regional and heritage varieties growing in popularity all the time.

So now we know a bit more about why we love them and what we eat but what should we be doing with our delicious Irish potatoes this festive season?

Meet the potato family: back row left to right Maris Piper, Rooster, Kerr's Pink, Golden Wonder; front row, Jazzy baby/salad potatoes.

Know your spuds? Heres the drill on the varieties available now

Roosters: Creamy mash and Christmas feasting

Our favourite all-rounder, Roosters are wonderful boiled, baked, roasted or chipped but for the ultimate creamy mash, peel and boil your potatoes until soft. Remove from the heat and drain, let sit in their steam for 5-10 minutes. Add butter, milk that is warmed a little before adding, or even cream to the mash. Try a grate of nutmeg to finish.

Golden Wonder: quick-fix wedges

For Golden Wonders, Ross recommends making wedges for it is a variety that is longer in length. When you cut them up youve got a nice long wedge to dip your sauce into, he explains. The unique flavour and dry, floury texture will taste great. Leave the skin on for a rustic vibe, add some rosemary for flavour and cook in the oven. Serve with a sour cream and chive dip, which should match well.

Maris Piper: perfect roasties

Christmas dinner calls for perfect roasties, so look no further than Maris Piper, their creamy flesh guarantees a crispy outside and fluffy centre. A classic roast potato recipe usually involves par boiling your spuds, then drying them out before oven-roasting them with goose or duck fat  always a crowd pleaser.

Kerrs Pink: the winter warmer

Kerrs Pink are good all-rounders, but they really shine when they are steamed or roasted giving us those balls of flour we think of when we talk about a floury Irish spud. For extra fluff, once cooked, drain the water from the pot and place a clean tea towel over the spuds, leave them off the heat with the lid on for at least five minutes before serving. Balls of flour guaranteed  just add butter.

Salad/baby potatoes: air fryer smashed spuds

Baby potatoes or should we say party potatoes? These small, round waxy spuds with creamy flesh will be your best friends for entertaining this Christmas, especially if youve got an air fryer. Simply smash your baby spuds, drizzle with oil, season and air fry. Jazzy is the variety shown above. Make a loaded version by adding cheese and bacon. Serve them crispy with a selection of dips.

Want a quick brunch over Christmas?

For a really quick and gorgeous brunch or speedy supper consider pan-frying a raw shredded potato  yes you read that right! There are a host of Alpine dishes where raw potatoes are grated straight on to the frying pan like Swiss Rosti. Ross loves to make Tiroler Grostl, an Austrian dish made with diced potato pan-fried with bacon and onion. With a fried egg on top, my daughters leave a clean plate every time.

Fancy more potato inspiration? For over 320 delicious potato recipes, visit: potato.ie
News / Local

by Staff reporter

ENERGY and Power Development minister Edgar Moyo says investments into Zimbabwe's power sector have been affected by high currency induced risks.However, Moyo told businessdigest that currency volatilities were among top priorities to be addressed in order to drive investments into the sector and help state power producer, Zesa Holdings bolster its operations."Everything hinges on currency convertibility," Moyo told businessdigest."Everything hinges on the capacity of the off taker (of electricity) to pay through a cost reflective tariff, which is now being addressed. These are some of the measures that have been put in place to attract investments," he added."The other thing is that we are not looking so much from outside. We want to mobilise resource internally for the upgrade and integrity of our transmission infrastructure and the development of new lines. We are looking at the current route towards cost reflectivity to capacitate the utility (Zesa) to improve on our transmission," Moyo noted.For years, Zesa had been unable to charge cost reflective tariffs owing to strict policies that promoted payment in local currency over the greenback.However, with the Zimbabwe dollar depreciating by over 700% this year alone, local currency indexed tariffs have affected Zesa's capacity.The current average power price per kilowatt hour (kwH) in southern Africa is 12,54 US cents.But Zesa had until recently been charging 10 US cents, driving it to losses.In October, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority awarded Zesa a 2 US cents tariff increase, taking the price to 12 US cents.According to the ministry of energy, at least US$2 billion in infrastructure capital is required in the sector."We have said the private sector must play its part. Government will remain largely as a regulator and not an active player," Moyo said."Beyond that, we are inviting the private sector through policy formulation (especially) the indexation of the tariffs to the US dollars."Power generation shortcomings have seen the country generating between 1 000 megawatts (MW) and 1 500MW, against a national demand estimated at over 2 000MW.In a new report, the World Bank also noted Zimbabwe's energy sector is saddled with many challenges."Energy tariffs do not reflect the financial costs of energy generation and distribution, leading to significant losses for power companies. This is complicated by the inefficiencies of the utility companies. Energy companies are also burdened by high debt servicing costs," the World Bank said, in its Fourth Economic Update on Zimbabwe."Insufficient revenues and high debt lead to cash flow shortages, which in turn constrain the companies from investing in new generation, transmission, and distribution assets, including in access expansion, attracting private sector investment and commercial financing for the sector's investment plan," the report added.The bank said the energy sector was also hindered by lack of centralised oversight in monitoring implementation, insufficient coordination, and inadequate planning capacity.Appetite to invest can be seen in the fact that the government has only approved up to 28 projects from independent power producers despite unapproved applications reaching close to 130.The World Bank said the weak financial state of Zimbabwe's electricity companies was the most significant issue driving the country's power supply deficits."The government is planning to expand electricity access through various sources, but it remains unclear how the investment needed will be financed. The biggest planned increase in electricity supply comes from the Batoka Gorge Project along the border with Zambia (1 200 MW for Zimbabwe) projected for completion after 2034, and the Devil's Gorge (1 200 MW) to be completed by 2040," the World Bank said."This is complemented by additional energy projects in solar, wind, mini-hydro and geothermal. The National Renewable Energy Policy of 2019 is targeting an additional 2 100 MW by 2030 from renewables, mainly solar PV. This would be complemented by storage at the Kariba reservoir and battery energy storage systems."
Fast And Furious star Vin Diesel has been accused by his former assistant of sexual battery while working for him in 2010.

Astra Jonasson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday alleging that Diesel forced himself onto her in a hotel suite in Atlanta.

The lawsuit alleges she tried to escape from the room after being forced into Diesels bed, but the actor moved toward her then groped her.

Diesel attempted to pull down her underwear, causing her to scream as she ran toward the nearby bathroom before sexually assaulting her, the suite says.

The lawsuit said Ms Jonasson closed her eyes in fear of angering Diesel any further and wished the assault would end.

Ms Jonasson was fired hours later by Diesels sister Samantha Vincent, who is also the president of his One Race Productions.

The lawsuit stated that Ms Jonasson felt like she was a piece of trash and her self-esteem was demolished.

It was clear to her that she was being fired because she was no longer useful  Vin Diesel had used her to fulfil his sexual desires and she had resisted his sexual assaults, the suit alleges.

Ms Jonasson is suing Diesel and his company for creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision and wrongful termination, among her other claims.

Representatives for Diesel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ms Jonassons attorney, Claire-Lise Kutlay, said in a statement that her clients lawsuit seeks to hold Diesel and those who allowed and covered up his sexual assault, accountable for their egregious actions.

Employers must protect and defend people when they speak up about sexual assault and harassment, Ms Kutlay said. We hope Ms Jonassons courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.

Diesel has starred as Dominic Toretto since the The Fast And Furious franchises inaugural film in 2001.

The movies have become big earners at the domestic and international box office, with the past two films each making more than $1bn.

Earlier this year, the franchises 10th instalment, Fast X, starring Diesel, opened with $67.5m in ticket sales.
Health officials in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip say more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The figure, amounting to nearly 1% of the territorys pre-war population, is a new reflection of the staggering cost of the war, which in just over 10 weeks has displaced more than 80% of Gazas people and devastated wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave.
Foreign nationals were among at least 14 people killed after a student opened fire at a university in Prague, authorities have said.

Police are investigating a possible motive for the attack, one of the Czech Republics worst mass shootings, which left more than 20 others injured.

The bloodshed took place in the Czech capital on Thursday at the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek said.

The incident took place at Charles University (AP)

The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Mr Vondrasek said 14 people had died and 25 were wounded, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.

The shooting began at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University (AP)

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his home town of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself.

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

The incident has stunned the country, and prompted messages of condolence from the White House (AP)

The police chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns, with police saying he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition.

The shootings were well thought-out, a horrible act, Mr Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

The death toll could rise, authorities have warned (AP)

Charles University said in a statement: We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Mr Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.

Mourners have left tributes outside the scene of the bloodshed (AP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence from US President Joe Biden.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Ms Jean-Pierre said.

On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Czechs mourned the victims of the country's worst mass shooting as police tightened security around schools and other public buildings across the country on Friday after a student gunman killed 14 people at a university building on Thursday.

At the Charles University headquarters in Prague a growing crowd that included Prime Minister Petr Fiala and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet paid tribute to the victims. Some knelt to light candles and lay flowers while others stood crying and hugging each other.

"We are here to show our support as fellow students," said Czech student Daniel Broz.

"I was on the other side of the river and hearing gunshots, pops and not knowing what is going on and then a flurry of police cars passing by was absolutely surreal especially as a Czech who has never witnessed and event similar to this before."

Charles University cancelled all lectures and events on Friday a day after the shooting in the central European country of 10.9 million where over 300,000 people hold guns but mass shootings are rare.

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala walks to lay flowers outside the headquarters of Charles University for victims of mass shooting in Prague. Picture: AP Photo/Denes Erdos

The Health Ministry said 27 people were admitted or treated at six Prague hospitals, many with gunshot wounds. Out of those, 12 remained in serious condition and at least one in critical condition.

Authorities also began releasing more details about the attack and events that preceded the shooting. They said the 24-year-old student of the arts faculty where he carried out the attack likely shot himself after police cornered him on a balcony and the suspect dropped his long-barrel gun with sights. He carried multiple weapons with him, police said.

"He was left with a shotgun which does not have long range and when we were nearing the balcony he decided to commit suicide," Petr Matejcek, director of the Prague regional police, told a press conference, broadcast live on public television.

The police showed body-camera video footage showing special police units storming the university building, searching corridors and rooms and administering first aid to victims. The video also showed police on the roof carrying what appeared to be a body, and later, people leaving the building with hands raised above their heads.

Authorities said the suspect, whom they asked not to be named, had killed his father at home outside Prague before travelling to the capital.

Police had information from a friend of the shooter that he intended to kill himself and were searching for him at another university building where he was due to attend a lecture.

But he instead went to the main Faculty of Arts building, on a busy square across the river from the Prague Castle and just hundreds of metres from the Old Town Square, one of Europe's major tourist attractions.

Police said they were looking into the gunman's possible connection with a social media account which cited inspiration by a mass shooting in Russia but said on Friday it was not clear if the connection was genuine.

Policemen walk towards the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University Prague, Czech Republic, Picture: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Police ramped up security measures at events and buildings across the country on Friday.

"Starting today we have adopted countrywide preventative measures in relation to soft targets and schools," police said on social network X, previously known as Twitter.

"We do not have information about any concrete threat... this is a signal we are here and prepared."

Police also suspect the gunman of shooting to death a young father and his two-month old daughter in the woods near a village outside of Prague last week in a random attack.

"Leads point us to this and we are waiting for the results of the ballistics tests, the Prague police chief Matejcek said.

Police said on Thursday the man had a gun licence and no criminal record.

The government declared Saturday a national day of mourning.

- Reuters
People in the Czech capital are mourning the victims of the worst mass shooting in the countrys history.

Political leaders, students, friends of the victims and others came together to light candles in tribute to the 14 dead at an impromptu vigil outside the university headquarters in Prague where the gunman opened fire, injuring 25 more.

The bloodshed took place at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, where the 24-year-old gunman was a student, Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek said.

Mourners comfort each other outside the headquarters of Charles University (AP)

Authorities said three foreign nationals were among those wounded when the student opened fire, shooting dead 14 people before killing himself.

Interior minister Vit Rakusan said all 14 who died in Thursdays attack have now been identified.

The Institute of Music Sciences confirmed that its head, Lenka Hlavkova, was among those killed.

The Czech foreign ministry confirmed two of the injured were from the United Arab Emirates and one was from the Netherlands.

Fourteen people were killed by a lone gunman (AP)

Kristof Unger, a student, said: A few of my friends study at the philosophy faculty at Charles University.

And they have been really traumatised by the shooting there and I just wanted to make them feel a little bit better.

Robert Hanus, another of the vigils attendees, said people should come together to make a stance against the attack. This shouldnt be normalised, he said.

The universitys rector Milena Kralickova lit a candle, saying: The academic community is shaken, deeply shaken.

Three foreign nationals were injured in the shooting (AP)

Petr Matejcek, the director of the police regional headquarters in Prague, said the gunman killed himself on the balcony of the university building when police officers approached him. His name has not been released.

Authorities have also warned that the death toll could rise.

Early on Friday, with the scene of the shooting still sealed off by the police, people arrived for the vigil at the university headquarters.

Police have boosted security at schools and other soft targets  usually public facilities that are difficult to secure  in a preventative measure.

University rectors also said they would work with police experts on measures to increase security around campus.

The 24-year-old gunman is understood to have killed himself (AP)

Police have released no details about the dead and wounded or a possible motive for the shooting at the building.

Mr Rakusan said investigators did not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups. Officials said they believe the gunman acted alone.

Police chief Mr Vondrasek said they believe the man killed his father earlier on Thursday in his home town of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself.

He also said the gunman was suspected of killing a man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15, in Prague.

Police said the gunman had legally owned several guns and that he was heavily armed during the attack.

Investigations are ongoing into the tragedy (AP)

Leaders from many countries, including the US, and the UN Secretary-General conveyed their condolences.

The Czech government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight people before fatally shooting himself.

Charles University was established in 1348 and the Faculty of Arts is one of its oldest educational facilities.

The building where the shooting took place is located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town.

It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.
Intense clashes between the juntas military and the Arakan Army (AA) erupted again near Pauktaw Town in northern Rakhine State on Thursday, residents of the town and the ethnic army said.

AA troops and the junta troops who remain in the coastal town began fighting at about 1 p.m. on Thursday.

The Arakan Army said the junta had been trying for one week to send reinforcements, as well as more weapons and ammunition, to its troops still stationed in the town.

On Thursday, it sent three naval vessels to the town with reinforcements, but the AA hit one of the vessels during an attack and all three retreated, residents of the town and the AA said. Some junta troops were killed on the vessel hit, the AA said.

Pauktaw residents said junta troops in the town torched houses in Pan Thee and No. 3 wards when the vessels carrying their reinforcements were forced to retreat.

Pauktaw resident U San, 43, said: At least a dozen houses were torched in those two wards and three houses next to Myoma market were destroyed by the shelling from [junta] vessels.

Fighting continued in the town today, residents said. They described the junta troops as being trapped in the town, explaining that the areas they control keep shrinking, that the town is surrounded by AA troops, and that the only exit for junta troops is by water.

In Ramree Township, clashes began in and around the town on Thursday morning, residents said. They said this was followed by shelling from junta artillery. The AA said in a statement that troops in junta bases in the township fired 28 artillery shells into nearby villages in the morning and at least 13 more into nearby villages in the evening. The AA, however, did not mention fighting with junta troops.

Besides shelling civilians, junta troops have also been torching homes in villages near the state capital, Sittwe. A juntas column of about 80 troops raided Taw Kan Village near Sittwe and torched homes from about 9 a.m. on Thursday, according to the AA and residents.

In Minbya and Ann townships, the juntas military fired dozens of artillery shells into the villages around them in the morning of December 21, the AA said. An unknown number of civilians were killed or injured by the shelling, residents said.

Light Infantry battalions 541 and 379 based in Minbya Town fired into and around Hpalaung Byin Village at about 10 a.m. on Thursday, a resident of Minbya Town said, adding that there had been no fighting with the AA in the area before the shelling.

He said that residents believed that the AA responded to the attacks on civilians by firing shelling the junta bases.

In Ann Township, the juntas Light Infantry Battalion 543 fired 80 mm and 120 mm artillery shells into Swee Chaung and Sin U Tike villages at least 20 times, and used a fighter jet to launch an airstrike, the resident of Minbya Town said. The source is linked to a rescue team and receives daily update on the conflict.

While clashes escalating in northern Rakhine State, the juntas military has imposed heightened security in southern parts of the state to prevent the AA from launching offensives on its bases there. It has increased inspections of civilians, especially in Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Man Aung, Gwa and Taungup townships, residents say.

The junta imposed a blockade on all the major routes inside Rakhine State  as well as routes connecting it to other states and regions  more than one month ago. As a result, civilians throughout the state face dire shortages of food, medicine, fuel and other necessities.
Myanmar junta airstrikes and shelling during clashes close to Chinas oil and gas pipelines in northern Shan State risk sparking a deadly pipeline explosion, the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) reported on Thursday.

The pipelines run from the Chinese border city of Ruili (Schweli in Burmese), through northern Shan State, Mandalay and Magwe regions to Rakhine State on the Bay of Bengal in western Myanmar.

The junta is conducting air and artillery strikes in northern Shans Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Namkham townships in response to the ethnic Brotherhood Alliances Operation 1027 offensive launched on Oct. 27.

The bombardment has killed 43 people, injured 45 and destroyed 260 buildings including houses in the past month and a half, according to the SHRF.

Airstrikes close to the pipelines began on October 29, when warplanes bombed Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Mandalay PDF positions in Kyaukkyan village, west of Nawnghkio town on the Muse-Mandalay highway. The southern edge of Kyaukyan village lies less than 100 meters from the pipelines.

Over the next few days, the military launched airstrikes on the villages of Shwe Nyaung Pin and Oom Markha, which lie close to the pipelines in western Nwanghkio Township.

In November, airstrikes destroyed more than 20 houses in four villages close to the pipelines in Kyaukme Township. On Nov. 27, regime warplanes targeted Pu Khar village, which is located just 500 meters north of the oil-gas pipelines.

SHRF spokesperson Ying Leng Harn said there is a high danger that the strikes on villages close to the pipelines will result in a catastrophic accident.

The military is shelling locations wherever they sense movement or sound. So, it is likely that a shell will fall on the pipeline, she told The Irrawaddy.

On December 6, five civilians were killed and four injured in an airstrike in Ho Na village in Namkham town. The pipelines run directly beside Ho Na village, only 40 meters from its northern edge.

The repeated airstrikes and shelling so close to the pipelines, which lie only about one meter underground, are heightening local fears that a direct hit could trigger a huge explosion, harming civilians over a wide radius, SHRF said.

Even when household gas explodes, the scale of damage is huge. If a shell or bomb were to fall on the pipeline, the damage would be unthinkable, Ying Leng Harn told The Irrawaddy.

She urged international stakeholders, including China, to avoid investing in joint projects with the junta. Their investments were not safe given that fighting against the junta would continue as long as the military ruled the country, she added.

The SHRF reports that residents of villages near the pipelines are currently fleeing their houses amid the threat of junta shelling and airstrikes and growing fear of a pipeline explosion.

Fighting also erupted this month between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta troops at the other end of the Chinese pipeline, in Ramree Island, Rakhine State.
Myanmars junta is using airstrikes and shelling at Mantong in northern Shan State to defend a major base outside the town from the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

TNLA drones were used to drop bombs on the Infantry Battalion 130 base outside the town and the junta used fighter jets and Chinese Harbin Y12 transport planes to attack Mantong town and surrounding villages, according to media reports.

The TNLA has already occupied the juntas police station, bases and government offices in the town.

On Thursday, 67 airstrikes reportedly dropped 227 bombs, including near displacement camps, and a Mi-17 transport helicopter parachuted ammunition to the base, said the TNLA.

Many houses have been damaged and most residents have left the town, according to the media.

Combatant and civilian casualties are unknown. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Clashes also broke out in nearby Namtu and Kutkai townships on Thursday as TNLA troops continued to attack junta bases in the townships. The regime bases have been shelling nearby villages.

A junta base in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, on Thursday shelled three villages. Ahtet Nyaung Kone village in Mogoke Township in neighboring Mandalay Region was also shelled.

The Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 on October 27 and has seized around 300 junta positions, eight towns and trade routes with China in northern Shan State.
Amnesty International said on Thursday that Myanmar military should be investigated for war crimes for indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets as well as the use of banned cluster munitions in response to the major offensive launched by ethnic armed groups and allies in late October.

Myanmars military has unlawfully killed, arbitrarily detained and stolen from civilians as it struggles to contain the heaviest outburst of armed resistance since the 2021 coup, it said in a press release on Thursday.

The junta significantly increased attacks on civilians after the Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armies  the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Taang National Liberation Army  launched coordinated attacks on junta outposts and positions in northern Shan State on Oct 27. The alliance named the attacks Operation 1027 after the date they began.

Other resistance groups joined the attacks, which expanded beyond northern Shan State and have been described as the biggest military challenge faced by the junta since the coup.

Amnesty said the Myanmar military likely used cluster munitions in an airstrike on Namkham Town in northern Shan State in early December.

Cluster munitions are banned internationally because they are inherently indiscriminate. Their use constitutes a war crime.

Amnestys weapons investigator analyzed five photographs of ordnance scrap recovered at the scene and identified the remains of a cluster munitions dispenser, the rights group said.

According to local reports, four residents, including a novice monk, were killed by the junta airstrikes on Namkham on the night of Dec. 1.

Amnesty International previously documented the militarys unlawful use of cluster munitions in attacks on a community gathering in a school in Mindat Township in Chin State in July 2022, on a village in Demoso Township in Kayah State in April 2022, and during fighting in Karenni (Kayah) State in the same month.

Amnesty said it has recently documented likely indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian targets in Rakhine State through interviews with civilians from Pauktaw Township, and analyzed photographs, video material and satellite imagery. The attacks should be investigated as war crimes, it said.

On Nov. 16, junta helicopters and ships fired into Pauktaw Town while several hundred civilians had yet to evacuate.

Three women  two teachers and a pregnant vendor  were killed while hiding inside the Lawka Hteik Pan compound, according to one person who was also taking shelter in the compound and another person who saw the bodies, Amnesty said. It said it could not independently determine how the women were killed, but the person who saw their bodies indicated they had gunshot wounds.

A 76-year-old monk was killed in the same compound on the same day. A person who saw the body told Amnesty International the monk was killed by a strike, not gunfire.

The junta has also detained more than 170 civilians in Rakhine State since fighting resumed between its troops and Arakan Army last month, according to data collected by civil society organizations in the western state.

Matt Wells, Director of Amnesty Internationals Crisis Response Program, urged the UN Security Council to impose an arms embargo to protect civilians from further catastrophe.

As the world stands by, the Myanmar military is again showing the brutality it unleashes on civilians, he said.

Nearly three years after the coup, the suffering of civilians across Myanmar shows no signs of easing, Wells said. The militarys impunity must finally end. We reiterate our call to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court and bring the perpetrators of crimes under international law to justice.

As of Dec. 15, the UN said the violence since Oct. 27 had reportedly killed at least 378 civilians, injured 505 more, and displaced more than 660,000 people, adding to the nearly 2 million previously displaced across the country.
SHAN STATE, MyanmarAn 18-year-old recruit in one of Myanmars pro-democracy fighting units prepares to launch a drone strike on junta troops, driven by anger and her mothers call for revolution.

Moe Moe is one of hundreds of women training, living and fighting alongside men in the Peoples Defense Forces, upending gender norms in the mostly Buddhist country.

She grew up during a rare period of democracy in Myanmar and, after the military ended it with a 2021 coup, joined one of the dozens of PDF units that formed to end the juntas rule.

Moe Moe initially worked with a group organizing protests against the military but, after months of the juntas deadly crackdown, decided to become a fighter.

I cant stand the militarys injustice, she said after carrying out the drone strike in Shan State, which neighbors the more populous Mandalay Region.

They killed innocent civilians. The main reason I joined was because of my anger.

Moe Moe, wearing the groups camouflage fatigues and its red peacock badge stitched onto her arm, said she had friends in the Mandalay PDF who invited her to fight with them.

I was born in Mandalay, Im a Mandalay girl. So, I joined Mandalay PDF, she said.

Moe Moe, who uses a pseudonym for security reasons, is one of around 100 women in the Mandalay PDF, which has clashed regularly with the junta in Shan State and Mandalay.

Moe Moe and other women make up around a third of the groups drone unit, challenging the militarys dominance of the skies by flying commercial drones adapted to carry bombs that can be dropped on junta positions.

If I drop bombs directly onto a military target I feel very good for the rest of that day. It motivates me, she said.

I want more drone missions and to better show what I can do.

Soe Thuya Zaw, a male soldier in charge of drone operations, said his women comrades had proved to be formidable assets.

We believe in the ability of women. When we were thinking how would be best to use the abilities of female soldiers, we decided that they would be most suited to the drone force, he said.

Come back home

Women in the Mandalay PDF are also performing a range of other duties, including joining patrols and working as medics.

Wearing combat trousers and T-shirts, female recruits go for morning jogs along dirt tracks hurried by the sharp blasts of an instructors whistle.

Later they go through a punishing routine of squats and sit-ups before lining up for a meal of rice and meat at the canteen.

Women also work in the administration that keeps the Mandalay PDF funded and fed.

At an office table cluttered with laptops and paper, a group of women are busily at work when another whistle blast announces an air raid drill and they run, files in hand, to take shelter in a nearby trench.

In another shelter women sit dismantling and cleaning rifles with rags and oil, keeping the groups precious arsenal of weapons in good order.

In recent weeks the Mandalay PDF has joined fighting in Shan State driven by an alliance of three ethnic minority groups.

The uptick in clashes means more work for Mandalay PDFs female medical staff.

At one health postconsisting of a bed placed outside a house alongside a trolley containing a few bottlesa doctor and nurse change a wounded fighters dressing.

Back at the camp in the late afternoon sun, several women sit round a camp fire, clothes hanging on lines strung between trees and a clutch of rifles resting against a table.

Two are on patrol duty and pick up their weapons and head out into the forest as the light dwindles.

They are wearing full camouflage fatigues, plus red lipstick that matches the red badges on their uniforms.

As the night settles in, they group by the fire to eat by the light of their phones and talk of home.

It is a place Moe Moe often finds herself thinking about, and especially the people she has left behind.

Sometimes I miss home, she said.

But every time I talked with my mum on the phone she told me, My daughter, we are fine, just come back home after the revolution.

When I remember her words, I am fine.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

HUMAN rights lawyers say government and local authorities must be held accountable for cholera deaths as the water-borne disease spreads across the country claiming lives.The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) accused authorities of "dereliction of duty" in the handling of the cholera outbreak.Zimbabwe is grappling with a third cholera outbreak this year, with cases having been confirmed in all the 10 provinces.According to the Health and Child Care ministry, Zimbabwe has recorded 200 cholera-related deaths and 130 hospitalisations since February 2023 when the outbreak first surfaced."The ongoing cholera outbreak is a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of failing to provide necessities to the people. The government must act swiftly and effectively to protect lives and prevent further tragedy," the ZLHR said.The rights lawyers expressed outrage over preventable deaths from a "medieval disease" in Zimbabwe."It is a staggering indictment on both local and central governments that Zimbabwe is still haunted by a medieval disease like cholera," the lawyers said.They said officials should be held accountable for their "failure to invest in and adequately manage basic water, sanitation infrastructure and public health facilities".ZLHR criticised the sluggish response to the crisis, citing lack of access to clean water, sanitation and proper medical care in affected communities.They warned that "this unacceptable failure of leadership" constituted a violation of the government's constitutional obligations and international human rights commitments."The failure by central and local governments to swiftly respond to the cholera epidemic through providing basic health services, medical treatment and services, clean running water and sanitary facilities to people, is an unacceptable failure of leadership and represents a clear failure by local authorities and government to uphold their constitutional obligations as provided in the Constitution and other regional and international instruments," ZLHR said.The rights lawyers urged the government to significantly increase budgetary allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene."To arrest the cholera epidemic and prevent recurrent outbreaks of the primitive disease, ZLHR implores local and central governments to seriously embrace their social and economic rights, obligations provided in the Constitution and guarantee progressive realisation of the right to healthcare, the right to safe, clean and potable water for everyone and the right to a clean environment that is not harmful to people's health or their well-being," the organisation said.As cholera spreads, across the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has intervened by setting up cholera treatment centres to save lives."This move aims to improve access to critical care and prevent further deaths and spread of the disease in vulnerable communities," WHO said.The global health agency said upgrading of the cholera treatment centres would lead to increased bed capacity through expanding the facilities to accommodate a larger number of cholera patients.Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora said there was a need to improve community engagement to end the scourge."We recently received equipment from WHO and we need to identify places where these are needed the most so that we distribute them and help fight the outbreak," he said.WHO representative to Zimbabwe, Jean-Marie Dangou added: "These upgrades are crucial to ensure timely and effective care for cholera patients in rural areas. By expanding treatment capacity, improving hygiene and equipping healthcare workers, we can save lives and contain the outbreak."The water-borne disease, which spreads through drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium and causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, is now endemic in the country.Government has responded by banning gatherings in cholera hotspots as it seeks to arrest the spread of the waterborne disease.
The Washington Post recently noticed that Myanmars Junta May be on the Verge of Collapse, due to the military success of the Three Brotherhood Alliance in the north, and the political legitimacy of the NUG. The Washington Post then described a multi-party conflict that is potentially resulting in the mass defection of the juntas soldiers.

The Posts apparent solution? Have Washington insert itself into the situation by having the US State Department promote and prepare the National Unity Government, and send the junta packing to somewhere else, though where is not clear. The Three Brotherhood Alliance is then dismissed because, unlike the NUG, it is aligned with China. America would then presumably bring the NUGs new Myanmar into a new Washington-led consensus, which means applying USAID policies via US contractors, opposition to Chinese influence in Myanmar, and American-style democracy. All in all, such a solution is not that objectionable in the short term, mainly because the junta is eliminated. But the bigger problem is that at the end of the day, China is still the most important foreign player in any peace process, a fact that American policy in Myanmar still ignores. Afficionados of international relations know that there is a Cold War between the United States and China focused on Taiwan, the South China Sea, trade issues, and mutual spying. Myanmar is peripheral to this rivalry but still a pawn. China wants a gateway to the Indian Ocean via rail and ports, but it also does not want its neighbor Myanmar swept into the United States orbit. The US wants to preserve economic advantages for its Thai ally to conduct business, wage Americas War on Drugs, establish democracy, but more importantly, frustrate Chinas plans in Myanmar.

I spy, we spy, they spy

The spycraft going into the rivalry between China and the US in Myanmar is not new, extending across Taiwan, the South China Sea, Asia and beyond. Since independence, Myanmar has been at the periphery of competition between China and the US. Each has sponsored small armies of rebels since the 1950s, while also assisting the military governments with military assistance to sustain the massive Tatmadaw (Myanmar military).

Which raises a question for the Washington Post (and the US State Department). Might a post-junta government be a good place to initiate a cooperative detente in which the two great powers, China and the US, work together to establish a legitimate Myanmar government? Imagine a world where Myanmars government negotiated independently of great power politics for economic and infrastructure deals with China, and public health, and democratic development sponsored by the United States. Perhaps even the US and China could work together to build high-quality infrastructure, eradicate the drug trade and close criminal scam operations. But this will only happen after peace is restored, and the hated Tatmadaw, which exists in the interstitial spaces between Chinese and American military policy, demobilized. Maybe with the recent military and political victories by the NUG and others, this might be possible soon.

What could be given up by the great powers in a post-junta world?

But for a detente to begin in Myanmar, China and America need to give up the tools they use to deal with each other.

The Americans need to limit their aid to legitimate programs in things like democracy and governance promotion, education, and health, and cease the clandestine support in the name of security. This also means they cannot redact the names of the partner agencies to which they supplied over $100 million in 2023. More to the point, the Americans need to stop opposing Chinese projects because they are Chinese, and instead look at the merits of each, and even evaluate joint sponsorships.

As for China, its embassies, companies, and sponsorships also hide clandestine involvement in Myanmar. But projects to construct ports, railroads, pipelines and dams to serve southern China have faltered in the context of broader policies of supplying both the military regime and the ethnic armed groups. Indeed, Chinese policy has resulted in strange statelets run by syndicates that victimize Chinese, Myanmar people and others, and that thrive in the chronic fighting between militias. Maybe China will eventually realize that this policy, while effective at keeping America out, is still ineffective as a way to develop a stable frontier.

Neither the US nor Chinese policies are successful in sponsoring a stable Myanmar. Instead, both great powers use Myanmar as a pseudo-battleground in their own quest for hegemony in the Pacific, and elsewhere.

What can the US and China and do that will help?

A post-coup Myanmar will not suddenly break out in a big group hug, and foreign aid from China, the United States, the EU, ASEAN, and others should reflect this. This is, in fact, normal after wars. The winds of hatred were cultivated by the Tatmadaw, the ethnic groups, and their sponsors from China, the US, and elsewhere for decades. These hatreds must be moderated enough for the demobilization of armies; resettlement of IDPs, refugees, and exiles; just negotiations for power-sharing and natural resources; and the establishment of an education system(s) which serve all. Such negotiations are made more difficult by the shady all sides military assistance provided by the Chinese and Americans.

Which brings up the need for detente  a mutual disengagement regarding the Cold War that China and America have engaged in over the decades in Myanmar. A new detente requires that China, the United States, and Thailand stop the I Spy/James Bond stuff, and demobilize their secret services in Myanmar. This is important because, in a post-junta world, the number of weapons arriving in Myanmar must slow if there is to be peace. As important, it would set a small example for the Tatmadaw, and the many militia left in Myanmar, that demobilization of the war machines is necessary and works. When the junta is defeated, the US and China will have a chance to back off from clandestine meddling and provide room for a new government which contains elements of the NUG, Brotherhood Alliance, KNU, KNDF, Rohingya, and others. This is best done without China and the US picking victors.

Demobilization of the Tatmadaw and detente between Myanmar groups

At the forefront of any detente within Myanmar is the demobilization of the massive Tatmadaw, and other military forces. Demobilization of the Tatmadaw will be difficult for any new government; even the NUG will be tempted by the allure of raw military power that taking over the Defense Ministry will bring. This will first be difficult because it requires a level of trust within Myanmar. Second it will be difficult because for demobilization to occur, China, the US, Thailand, and Russia all need to stop arming their proxies in Myanmar.

Demobilization of the militaries is a critical policy which will reassure the people of Myanmar, as well as neighbors. The presence of a large battle-tested Myanmar army, even one commanded by an NUG-Three Brotherhood Ministry of Defense, poses a threat to highlanders and Myanmars neighbors, especially Thailand, Laos, and Bangladesh. Demobilization will be difficult for the Tatmadaws soldiers who are well aware how much hatred they inspire among the people. Imagine a 22-year-old veteran who committed massacres and attacks in Sagaing. How can he return to his home village where all remember what he has done? But any new government needs to integrate such soldiers back into the civilian population and give them a future beyond military service.

In short, Myanmar needs to be taken off a war-fighting footing, which means reducing the peacetime military capacity to one no more powerful than, say, Myanmars neighbor, Thailand. Notably, Vietnam claims to have downsized its military by two-thirds, following the conclusion of its wars in the early 1990s. One result is a Vietnam which has reintegrated into ASEAN, with a strong manufacturing economy and great beaches for tourists from ASEAN and beyond. China downsized after the 1949 Chinese Revolution, and again in the 1980s. The United States demobilized after the conclusion of World War II, and the Cold War. Demobilization of the Tatmadaw and the many ethnic armed groups means that soldiers will return to the farm and cities. Secondary and higher education will be an important part of this, as indeed it was in the United States, which demobilized and used government funding to send millions of returned soldiers to technical schools and universities. Perhaps both the US and China could fund such programs in Myanmar.

Great-power detente first

The detente scenario sketched out here may quickly be dismissed as unrealistic by American and Chinese diplomats and generals who see Myanmar in terms of their own global interests, rather than its own bundle of contradictions. Both the Chinese and the Americans have for decades seen Myanmar as a sideshow in their larger confrontations over Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, the South China Sea, Ukraine, Israel/Hamas, trade policy, etc. But the United States and China really have very little to lose by trying detente in Myanmar. In the broader view from Beijing and Washington, the power squabble in Myanmar is of very little relevance to their confrontations over the South China Sea, Taiwan, or trade policies. But detente may mean that Myanmar can finally chart its own democratic path, and enter into agreements with China to construct railways and other infrastructure in ways that are beneficial to Myanmar.

A post-junta Myanmar will offer a brief window for the Americans and Chinese to recalibrate their approaches in Myanmar. Detente in Myanmar is no less realistic than the Washington Posts call for Washington to sponsor and thereby subordinate the NUG, Brotherhood Alliance, KNU, KNDF and other potential victors in Myanmars wars to Americas broader global interests in challenging China. But for detente to happen, the Washington Post and the US Department of State in Washington need to, perhaps for the first time, see Myanmar as important for its own sake, and not simply another sideshow in their own ongoing confrontations with China.

Tony Waters is a professor of sociology, currently at Leuphana University, Germany. Previously he taught at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and California State University in Chico, the US. He is an occasional contributor to The Irrawaddy. His email is [email protected].
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 50-YEAR-OLD man from Seke appeared before magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka facing a charge of attempting to kill a police officer with a sword.Gilbert Bvongodza was remanded in custody to December 27 for bail hearing.Bvongodza told the court that he always travels with two swords for protection. The accused said he attacked the police officer after he approached him violently.State prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that on December 19, Bvongodza attacked the police officer with a sword after a misunderstanding over an undisclosed matter.In an unrelated matter, two men were brought before magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka charged with theft of a motor vehicle.Carrington Nhliziywana (38) and Phillip Chigusira (29) were remanded in custody to December 28 for bail application.Chirenje alleged that on November 26 this year at around 2am, the complainant parked his Honda Fit vehicle in the central business district in Harare before going about his business.The two suspects used duplicate keys to drive the vehicle away unnoticed.On December 18, the complainant spotted his vehicle in Graniteside, Harare, being driven by the two. He alerted the police, leading to the pair's arrest.
SHENZHEN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, hailed reform and opening up as "a crucial move that made China what it is today" in the Qianhai area of the city of Shenzhen more than 10 years ago, highlighting the importance of the reform and opening up that has featured prominently since 1978. Over the past decade, Shenzhen in south China has moved ahead with deepened reform and high-level opening up and become a global economic and technological powerhouse. Embracing pilot and innovative projects, the city is striving to be a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. XI'S VISITS Xi has visited Shenzhen several times since assuming the post of general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012. In December that year, he chose Shenzhen as the first stop on his inspection tour. During the trip, Xi said reform and opening up was the source of vitality in the development of modern China, and "a magic tool" for the Party and the Chinese people to keep pace with the times. While visiting Qianhai, Xi urged local officials to work meticulously to pioneer cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the services sector and beyond. Ten years ago, Qianhai consisted simply of large coastal swathes neighboring the Shenzhen airport. Covering over 120 square km, the area has now become a test-bed for institutional innovation under the framework of "one country, two systems." Xi visited Shenzhen again in October 2018, when the country was celebrating the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up. He urged the city to deepen cooperation with its neighbor Hong Kong to play a bigger role in building the Belt and Road, to advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to participate in international cooperation at higher levels. In 2020, Xi attended a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, a key move behind its miraculous rise. Shenzhen should deepen reform on all fronts, Xi said, noting that the CPC Central Committee supports the city in implementing pilot programs. From 2012 to 2022, Shenzhen's GDP grew to 3.24 trillion yuan (about 455 billion U.S. dollars) from just over 1.29 trillion yuan. The city of more than 17 million people is now home to some of China's biggest tech players like Huawei, Tencent and BYD, which are among over 23,000 hi-tech enterprises based in Shenzhen. LEAPFROG DEVELOPMENT As a key area to implement reform and opening up policies planned by Xi, Qianhai has fashioned one reform scenario after another, said Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Authority. Qianhai has taken the lead in reforming legal operations, the commercial registration system, and cross-border personnel employment, trade, investment and finance, said Wang. The Qianhai Court has expanded the use of extraterritorial law in handling Hong Kong-related commercial cases to ensure that parties can use laws that "they are familiar with." Professionals from Hong Kong and Macao can be employed directly in Qianhai without having to be re-accredited. In order to supply the need for Hong Kong companies, Qianhai has offered a third of its land to Hong Kong firms and tax incentives to eligible firms. "Qianhai has become an international commerce community. We have great confidence in the future," said Yu Tianlong, deputy general manager of Kerry Properties (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Qianhai's GDP reached nearly 200 billion yuan and it recorded a total import and export value of 2.58 trillion yuan in 2022. A total of 645 institutional innovations have been launched in Qianhai, and among them 65 have been adopted and promoted nationwide, according to the authority. Shenzhen is advancing an action plan to build a pilot zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics and is pressing ahead with its reforms. Li Luyang, CEO of VisionNav Robotics, a company that develops driverless forklifts, attributed the firm's speedy growth to the resources and strength of Shenzhen. The firm's business revenue recorded a 10-fold expansion during the past three years. "Seriously speaking, in Shenzhen I can build a prototype twice as fast as elsewhere," said Li, who came to the city after graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "Talent, a complete industrial system, as well as an efficient and supportive government, have combined to make Shenzhen a perfect place for innovation," he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

TEACHERS are up in arms with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) over outstanding payments after the electoral body engaged them as election officers for the disputed August polls.According to unions representing teachers, educators who participated in various election-related duties are being sent from one office to the next when they inquire about payment.This is not the first time Zec has clashed with teachers over non-payment for election-related work.Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general, Tapedza Zhou, threatened court action against the electoral body over the matter."Last time, we warned Zec against engaging teachers without contracts as this opened doors to abuse," Zhou said.Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe leader, Obert Masaraure, accused Zec of taking teachers for granted."Zec has been contacted by individual teachers and the unions with regards to the payment but the electoral body has been pledging but without fulfilling the promise."Zec deputy chairperson, Rodney Kiwa, referred NewsDay to the chief elections officer Utloile Silaigwana when contacted for comment.He added: "I would advise the unions to approach Mr Silaigwana with the necessary documents which show that they were indeed employed and at which station."Efforts to obtain a comment from Silaigwana were fruitless.He also did not respond to WhatsApp messages sent to him.Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive, Manuel Nyawo, however, blasted Zec for dishonesty."Such dishonest behaviour is uncalled for because it puts the name of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF into disrepute because Zec acted on the instructions of the Zanu-PF government that was and is still in power," Nyawo said."It's a miscarriage of justice to see teachers being abused to this extent considering that they are struggling to survive with the little earnings they are getting in the form of salaries."
News / National

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWE today celebrates the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord to end Gukurahundi, but critics are sceptical that traditional leaders are the best foot forward in finding closure to the massacres.At least 20 000 civilians were killed in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces before the Unity Accord was signed by PF Zapu and Zanu-PF in 1987.Since then, December 22 has been celebrated as Unity Day.However, decades after the signing of the Unity Accord, there has been no closure to the mass killings with victims still crying for compensation and justice.In 2019, President Emmerson Mnangagwa opened public debate on Gukurahundi culminating in an agreement where traditional leaders were tasked to lead public hearings on the sensitive subject.The public hearings begin early next year.Former human rights commissioner Japhet Ndabeni Ncube, however, cast doubt that chiefs have the expertise to conduct the hearings."The whole thing is a non-starter. We need an independent body to deal with this matter," Ncube said, adding that chiefs were captured by the State."Chiefs are given cars and other benefits by the government now they are given laptops. Their hands are tied, they cannot do anything."We cannot expect them to say anything negative about the government."Ibhetshu LikaZulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo, said Gukurahundi could not be reduced to a cultural event without a truth-telling process."I think it would be wrong for anyone and chiefs to reduce it to a cultural thing," Fuzwayo said."How do you restore the dignity of women who were raped, without the participation of a perpetrator which is the State in truth telling?"How do you deal with the issue of enforced disappearances without bringing the person behind those enforced disappearances?"Chief Mathema said the process had to be inclusive."If the process is done above board, it should not exclude voices of the affected people," Mathema said.Meanwhile, ZIPRA spokesperson Buster Magwizi has urged fellow ex-combatants to wear black in memory of their departed colleagues who were killed by the Fifth Brigade during Gukurahundi."Today we are not celebrating the Unity Day but to us it is a day of mourning the more than 20 000 innocent people who were massacred during the Gukurahundi era," said Magwizi.ZIPRA was the military wing of Zapu during the war of independence. The majority of Gukurahundi victims were ZPRA and Zapu members.
News / National

by Staff reporter

MPILO Central Hospital has gone for nearly a week without electricity owing to a fault at a substation that feeds the referral facility and surrounding suburbs.The public hospital has been relying on generators for the past five days, but at a huge cost because of the need to purchase fuel to power them.Mpilo Central Hospital chief medical director, Narcisius Dzvanga, confirmed the development saying the health facility needed an independent power line to ensure constant supplies."We do not have an independent power line," Dzvanga told Southern Eye in an interview."As long as there is no Zesa in Barbourfields suburb, we will be affected. We have our standby generators to push us for our operations but this comes at a huge cost.Southern Eye heard that there is a fault at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) sub-station in Emakhandeni, that supplies Barbourfields, Harrisvalle and areas around Northlea.Ward 2 councillor Adrien Moyo said a transformer feeding from the substation was vandalised."Zesa is failing to give us feedback as to what is happening but it is quick to demand its payment at the end of the month," Moyo said.Acting Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company southern region manager, Lloyd Jaji, said he was not allowed to speak to the Press."I am not allowedto comment, unless I am given permission to do so,'' Jaji saidZimbabwe, however, is enduring rolling electricity outages due to depressed power generation.Thunderstorms have also been blamed for worsening the power cuts.The Bulawayo City Council has been battling for control of the city's thermal power plant to ensure lights remain on.The Bulawayo power plant was expropriated by Zesa more than two decades ago after the amalgamation of all the local authority electricity undertakings.The facility is currently feeding zero power to the national grid which is struggling to service the southern African nation enduring 18-hour load-shedding.Residents and business operators want the shareholding structure of the power station to be revised.
( Tomdispatch.com)  This hasnt exactly been a year of good news when it comes to our war-torn, beleaguered planet, but on November 15th, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping took one small step back from the precipice. Until they talked in a mansion near San Francisco, it seemed as if their countries were locked in a downward spiral of taunts and provocations that might, many experts feared, result in a full-blown crisis, even a war  even, god save us all, the worlds first nuclear war. Thanks to that encounter, though, such dangers appear to have receded. Still, the looming question facing both countries is whether that retreat from disaster  what the Chinese are now calling the San Francisco vision  will last through 2024.

Prior to the summit, there seemed few discernible obstacles to some kind of trainwreck, whether a complete breakdown in relations, a disastrous trade war, or even a military clash over Taiwan or contested islands in the South China Sea. Beginning with last Februarys Chinese balloon incident and continuing with a series of bitter trade disputes and recurring naval and air incidents over the summer and fall, events seemed to be leading with a certain grim inevitability toward some sort of catastrophe. After one such incident last spring, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman warned that the smallest misstep by either side could ignite a U.S.-China war that would make Ukraine look like a neighborhood dust-up.

In recent months, top leaders in both Beijing and Washington were becoming ever more concerned that a major U.S.-China crisis  and certainly a war  would prove catastrophic for all involved. Even a major trade war, they understood, would create economic chaos on both sides of the Pacific. A complete breakdown in relations would undermine any efforts to come to grips with the climate crisis, prevent new pandemics, or disrupt illegal drug networks. And a war? Well, every authoritative nongovernmental simulation of a U.S.-China conflict has ended in staggering losses for both sides, as well as a significant possibility of nuclear escalation (and theres no reason to assume that simulations conducted by the American and Chinese militaries have turned out any differently).

As summer turned into fall, both sides were still searching for a mutually acceptable offramp from catastrophe. For months, top officials had been visiting each others capitals in a frantic effort to bring a growing sense of crisis under control. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing in June (a trip rescheduled after he cancelled a February visit thanks to that balloon incident); Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in July; and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August. Similarly, Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to Washington in October. Their meetings, according to New York Times reporters Vivian Wang and David Pierson, were arranged in the hope of arresting the downward spiral in relations and to pave the way for a Biden-Xi meeting that might truly ease tensions.

Mission Accomplished?

Not surprisingly, for both Biden and Xi, the primary objective of the San Francisco summit was to halt that downward spiral. As Xi reportedly asked Biden, Should [the U.S. and China] engage in mutually beneficial cooperation or antagonism and confrontation? This is a fundamental question on which disastrous mistakes must be avoided.

From all accounts, it appears that the two presidents did at least stop the slide toward confrontation. While acknowledging that competition would continue unabated, both sides agreed to manage their differences in a responsible manner and avoid conflict-inducing behavior. While the United States and China are in competition, Biden reportedly told Xi, the world expects the United States and China to manage competition responsibly to prevent it from veering into conflict, confrontation, or a new Cold War. Xi reportedly endorsed this precept, saying that China would strive to manage its differences with Washington in a peaceful fashion.

In this spirit, Biden and Xi took several modest steps to improve relations and prevent incidents that might result in unintended conflict, including a Chinese promise to cooperate with the U.S. in combating the trade in the narcotic drug fentanyl and the resumption of high-level military-to-military communications. In a notable first, the two also affirmed the need to address the risks of advanced [artificial intelligence] systems and improve AI safety through U.S.-China government talks. They also put their stamp of approval on a series of cooperative steps agreed to by their climate envoys John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua to mutually combat climate change.

Still, neither president agreed to any fundamental alterations in policy that might have truly shifted bilateral relations in a more cooperative direction. In fact, on the most crucial issues dividing the two countries  Taiwan, trade, and technology transfers  they made no progress. As Xue Gong, a China scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, put it, whatever the two presidents did accomplish, the Biden-Xi meeting will not change the direction of U.S.-China relations away from strategic competition.

With that still the defining constant in relations and both leaders under immense pressure from domestic constituencies  the military, ultra-nationalist political factions, and assorted industry groups  to hang tough on key bilateral issues, dont be surprised if the slide towards crisis and confrontation regains momentum in 2024.

The Trials to Come

Assuming U.S. and Chinese leaders remain committed to a nonconfrontational stance, they will face powerful forces driving them ever closer to the abyss, including both seemingly intractable issues that divide their countries and deeply entrenched domestic interests intent on provoking a confrontation.

Although several highly contentious issues have the potential to ignite a crisis in 2024, the two with the greatest potential to provoke disaster are Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

A self-governing island that increasingly seeks to pursue its own destiny, Taiwan is viewed by Chinese officials as a renegade province that should rightfully fall under Beijings control. When the U.S. established formal diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in 1979, it acknowledged the Chinese position that there is one China and Taiwan is part of China. That one China principle has remained Washingtons official policy ever since, but is now under increasing pressure as ever more Taiwanese seek to abandon their ties with the PRC and establish a purely sovereign state  a step that Chinese leaders have repeatedly warned could result in a military response. Many American officials believe that Beijing would indeed launch an invasion of the island should the Taiwanese declare their independence and that, in turn, could easily result in U.S. military intervention and a full-scale war.

For now, the Biden administrations response to a possible Chinese invasion is governed by a principle of strategic ambiguity under which military intervention is implied but not guaranteed. According to the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, any attempt by China to seize Taiwan by military means will be considered a matter of grave concern to the United States, but not one automatically requiring a military response. In recent years, however, increasing numbers of prominent Washington politicians have called for the replacement of strategic ambiguity with a doctrine of strategic clarity, which would include an unequivocal pledge to defend Taiwan in case of an invasion. President Biden has lent credence to this stance by repeatedly claiming that it is U.S. policy (it isnt), obliging his aides to eternally walk back his words.

Of course, the question of how China and the U.S. would respond to a Taiwanese declaration of independence has yet to be put to the test. The islands current leadership, drawn from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has so far accepted that, given the way Taiwan is slowly achieving de facto independence through diplomatic outreach and economic prowess, theres no need to rush a formal declaration. But presidential elections in Taiwan this coming January and the possible emergence of another DPP-dominated administration could, some believe, trigger just such a move  or, in anticipation of it, a Chinese invasion.

Should the DPP candidate William Lai win on January 13th, the Biden administration might come under enormous pressure from Republicans  and many Democrats  to accelerate the already rapid pace of arms deliveries to the island. That would, of course, be viewed by Beijing as tacit American support for an accelerated drive toward independence and (presumably) increase its inclination to invade. In other words, Joe Biden could face a major military crisis remarkably early in 2024.

The South China Sea dispute could produce a similar crisis in short order. That fracas stems from the fact that Beijing has declared sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea  an extension of the western Pacific bounded by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, and Vietnam  along with the islands found within it. Such claims have been challenged by that seas other bordering states, which argue that, under international law (notably the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea) they are entitled to sovereignty over the islands that fall within their individual exclusive economic zones (EEZs). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled on a petition from the Philippines that Chinas claims were invalid and that the Philippines and its neighbors were indeed entitled to control their respective EEZs. China promptly both protested the ruling and announced its intention to disregard it.

Chinese control over those islands and their surrounding waters would have significant economic and strategic implications. To begin with, it extends Chinas defense perimeter several hundred miles from its coastline, complicating any future U.S. plans to attack the mainland while making a PRC assault on U.S. and allied bases in the region far easier. The South China Sea also harbors major fisheries, an important source of sustenance for China and its neighbors, as well as vast reserves of oil and natural gas coveted by all the states in the region. China has consistently sought to monopolize those resources.

To facilitate its control over the area, the PRC has established military installations on many of the islands, while using its coast guard and maritime militias to drive off the fishing boats and oil-drilling vessels of other states, even ramming some of those ships. On October 22nd, for example, a large Chinese coast guard vessel bumped into a smaller Philippine one seeking to reinforce a small outpost of Philippines Marines located on the Second Thomas Shoal, an islet claimed by both countries.

In reaction to such moves, officials in Washington have repeatedly asserted that the U.S. will assist allies affected by Chinese bullying. As Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declared in July at a meeting with Australian officials in Brisbane, Well continue to support our allies and partners as they defend themselves from bullying behavior. Three months later, following that clash at the Second Thomas Shoal, Washington reaffirmed its obligation to defend the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, should Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft come under armed attack, including those of its coast guard  anywhere in the South China Sea.

In other words, a future clash between Chinese vessels and those of one of Washingtons treaty partners or close allies could easily escalate into a major confrontation. Just what form that might take or where it might lead is, of course, impossible to say. But its worth noting that, in recent South China Sea exercises, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has conducted large-scale combat drills, involving multiple aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. Any U.S. military response on such a scale would undoubtedly prompt a comparable Chinese reaction, setting in motion a potential spiral of escalation. Assuming that China continues its policy of harassing the fishing and exploration activities of its southern neighbors, a clash of this sort could occur at almost any time.

Resisting Bellicose Impulses

Given the dangers in Taiwan and the South China Sea, Presidents Biden and Xi will have to exercise extreme patience and prudence to prevent the ignition of a full-blown crisis in 2024. Hopefully, the understanding they developed in San Francisco, along with new crisis-management tools like enhanced military-to-military communications, will help them manage any problems that do arise. In doing so, however, they will have to overcome both the escalatory dynamics built into those disputes and bellicose domestic pressures from powerful political and industrial factions that view intense military competition with the other side (if not necessarily war) as attractive and necessary.

In both the U.S. and China, vast military-industrial operations have blossomed, fed by mammoth government disbursements intended to bolster their ability to defeat the others military in all-out, high-tech combat. In this hothouse environment, military bureaucracies and arms-makers on each side have come to assume that perpetuating an environment of mutual suspicion and hostility could prove advantageous, leaving key politicians ever more obliged to shower them with money and power. On December 13th and 14th, for example, the U.S. Senate and House, seemingly incapable of passing anything else, approved a record defense policy bill that authorized $886 billion in military spending in 2024 ($28 billion more than in 2023), with most of the increase earmarked for ships, planes, and missiles intended primarily for a possible future war with China. American military leaders  and politicians representing districts with a high concentration of defense contractors  are sure to request even greater spending increases in future years to overcome the China threat.

A similar dynamic fuels the funding efforts of top Chinese military-industrial officials, who no doubt are citing evidence of Washingtons drive to overpower China to demand a reciprocal buildup, including (all too ominously) of their countrys nuclear forces. In addition, in both countries, various political and media figures continue to benefit by harping on the China threat or the America threat, adding to the pressure on top officials to take strong action in response to any perceived provocation by the other side.

That being the case, Presidents Biden and Xi are likely to face a series of demanding challenges in 2024 from the seemingly intractable disputes between their two nations. Under the best of circumstances, perhaps theyll be able to avoid a major blow-up, while making progress on less contentious issues like climate change and drug trafficking. To do so, however, theyll have to resist powerful forces of entrenched bellicosity. If they cant, the fierce wars in Ukraine and Gaza in 2023 could end up looking like relatively minor events as the two great powers face off against each other in a conflict that could all too literally take this planet to hell and back.

Fingers crossed.
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State College, Pa. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  No one should envy President Biden these days. His reelection effort faces an uphill battle, in large part due to his decisions regarding the war in Gaza.

Though he seemed to earnestly try to do the right thing by backing Israel in a war following the horrific attack by Hamas, President Biden effectively gave Israel his personal authorization to create an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in what was already a crisis-stricken Gaza. Since the war began, the brutal massacre of 1,300 Israelis carried out by Hamas terrorists has given way to a never-ending bombardment thats led to 1.7 million Palestinians internally displaced from the north Gaza strip to the south, over 18,000 deadhalf of them are childrenand thousands buried under the rubble.

This does not look like a war on Hamas. It is a total war on the Palestinians. And it continues with Bidens public support.

Significant parts of the Democratic coalition have responded with calls to boycott the presidential elections. Seventy percent of voters 18-34 express support for the Palestinian struggle (not to be confused with support for Hamas). The writing on the wall could not be more explicit. No Democratic candidate can win without the overwhelming support of young voters and Arab Americans. Even among Jewish communities, Israel is no longer a source of consensus.

The good news is that the politically right thing to do is also the morally right thing to do for Israel, Palestine, and the United States. President Biden still has time to recoverand turn the tables for the future democracy and shared humanity.

Forbes: Reporter Presses Biden Admin On Israels Willingness To Move To A Lower Intensity Conflict In Gaza

How? He might look to the academy for one answer. Two weeks ago, a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire was published and is picking up signatories from prominent intellectuals and community members. The letter called President Biden to shift from managing the conflict to resolving it within a short and reasonable timeframe.

Biden should heed this callbut he must also go beyond the immediate needs and negotiate a lasting coalition to rebuild Gaza. Any reasonable deal will be tied with connecting the Gaza Strip to the West Bank and reuniting it into one political unit under the Palestinian Authority (P.A.).

We are now in a rare moment in which Hamas is de-facto defeated as the ruling power in Gazabut the only way to ensure it stays this way and prevent long-term deterioration is not to leave a power vacuum. To that end, President Biden ought to propose a plan made up of 6-12-month stages: in the first stage, gather all the Arab countries willing to come to the table (the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and probably Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Morocco), Turkey, and the European Union to assemble global investments in infrastructure and massive constructiona Marshall Plan for Palestine.

Simultaneously, Biden should inform Mahmoud Abbas that his term is over, and that the P.A. should prepare for general elections within six months; he should also tell Israel to release Palestinian political prisonersfirst and foremost, the most popular alternative to the current leadership: Marwan Barghouti. A deadline of two years should be given to the establishment of a Palestinian state over the entire territory of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.



An Outbreak of Peace, by Juan Cole, Digital (Dream.Dreamland v.3/ IbisPaint), 2023.

What if Israel (read: Netanyahu) says no? President Biden has much more power than he is willing to wield or even recognize.

If early in his tenure, his supporters hoped he would channel FDR or LBJ, Bidens imperative now is to channel none other than George H.W. Bush. In 1991, after the Gulf War, Bush wanted to convene the Madrid Peace Conference to start the first direct peace negotiation between Israel and its neighbors. Then-Israeli Prime Minister Shamir knew that any peace agreement would cost Israel giving up the occupied territories and therefore refused to go.

In response, without hesitation, President Bush signaled that refusal was not an option. Indeed, he named a steep price: he asked Congress to postpone a $400m loan guarantee upon which Israel was dependent for housing for the million recent immigrants from the Soviet Union. Because Shamir took the threat to be credible, he turned around within minutes, and Israel sat around the table for the first time with the heads and foreign ministers of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and, yes, Palestine (in a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation).

The Madrid Conference led to the most important political victory that the Israeli left has ever won, before or sincein 1992, the Labor Party headed by Itzhak Rabin won the elections and formed a peace coalition with support from the Arab parties in the Knesset. It snowballed into the historic Oslo Accord, which was unimaginable only a year earlier when Rabin and Arafat signed the mutual recognition agreement. Israel enjoyed a period of unprecedented economic and diplomatic strength. Countries that had previously refused to have diplomatic relations with Israel turned a new page; Israelis remember the arrival of international brands that arrived only with the hopes of peace.

Biden has an opportunityand an obligationto follow his lead. Not only because it would bring renewed stability to the region, but because it may actually protect his chances at keeping the presidency here at home. Such a deal would help to build new bridges between communities; it would help the fight against antisemitism and Islamophobia; and it would give the Democratic coalition new life in preventing a second Trump presidency.

The bottom line is: hope always wins. Biden should remember it well from his 2008 vice presidential campaign. His only viable option to win a second term starts with embracing our hope: a comprehensive peace plan for Israel and Palestine with all the carrots and sticks right there on the table.
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By Basil Germond, Lancaster University | 

The US is reportedly considering strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen that have been menacing commercial ships in the Red Sea since the conflict began in Gaza. The Pentagon has a range of options for missile attacks on Houthi positions and has moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group into position off the coast of Yemen.

Since November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have conducted several attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Their attacks have increased navigation risks in the region and affected risk perception in the maritime sector. The economic and geopolitical implications are felt much beyond the coast of Yemen.

The world economy is strongly dependent on the global maritime supply chain. About 80% of international trade by volume is transported by sea. This figure rises to 95% for the UK. From mobile phones to clothes and from coffee to sugar, the manufactured items we use and the food we consume on a daily basis have been, at least in part, transported by sea.

Supply chain vulnerabilities

It does not take much to disrupt the global maritime supply chain. For instance, a simple accident that blocked the Suez Canal for six days in 2021 or the shortage of labour in Chinese ports during the COVID pandemic have been enough to negatively affect maritime supply chains and the global economy.

Intentional disruptions of the maritime supply chain by pirates or terrorists pose a challenge that goes beyond simple logistics.

Attacks on civilian shipping directly affect insurance premiums and deter operators from transiting through certain areas for financial and security reasons. The private maritime sector is not immune to geopolitics, and higher insurance premiums or the cost of rerouting ships eventually trickle down to consumers.

Houthis Make Israel Pay For Gaza War; 85% Drop In Eilat Port Activity Due To Red Sea Attacks

Piracy is a for-profit criminal activity that has disrupted maritime trade for decades, especially in eastern and western Africa. States have devoted substantial resources to deter and combat pirates, both at sea (for example deploying a naval task force to patrol shipping lanes) and on land to address the underlying socioeconomic causes of piracy.

Politically motivated groups, including terrorist organisations, pose a different type of threat. Their primary objective is not to make money but to increase the visibility of their organisation, or to exercise leverage on other political actors at the regional or global level.

This is achieved by conducting attacks that increase risk and risk perception in a given area, disrupt maritime supply chains, and have disproportionate impacts on the geopolitical situation.

Limited options

The Houthis are politically motivated. Their attacks aim to have an impact on the war in Gaza. Their location along a major sea lane of communication in the Red Sea gives them an asymmetrical advantage when it comes to attacking commercial shipping.

Major shipping companies and operators, from Maersk to BP, have paused operations in the Red Sea. Oil prices are expected to rise. Consequently, Houthis attacks affect commerce and the economy much beyond the Red Sea. But options to address the threat are limited.

Politically motivated groups are more difficult to deter than pirates, because they are often willing to die for their cause. They are not looking for a ransom or bounty, but are trying to destroy or damage ships and disrupt shipping, so deploying vessel protection detachments or private security companies personnel onboard will have minimal or no effect.

Military response

Failing to deter Houthis from attacking commercial shipping, the second-best option is to increase naval presence to patrol the Red Sea. But this is not without political risks, since a further militarisation of the crisis might be used by the Houthis and others to inflame the geopolitical situation in Yemen and in the whole region.

As part of what it has called Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US has assembled an international naval task force  including UK naval assets  which will have capabilities to intercept missiles and defend commercial shipping in case of an attack.

But, with a limited number of warships to patrol a large area and with early warning time for missile attacks limited due to the proximity of Yemen, it will be difficult to successfully defend against absolutely all attacks and prevent any damage from occurring.

That said, the symbolic value of such a task force is important. The task forces success will be evaluated based on its ability in the short-term to add to existing mechanisms to reassure insurers, operators and global markets that the route is safe enough for shipping operations, without risking military escalation in an extremely turbulent region.

Basil Germond, Professor of International Security, Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, Lancaster University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

This article is the authors own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Informed Comment.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ), is pleased to announce it has closed a first tranche of its non-brokered private placement consisting of 29,143,349 flow-through units (the FT Units) offered at a price of $0.035 per FT Unit and 670,000 non-flow through units (the NFT Units) offered at a price of $0.03 per NFT Unit (the Offering) for gross proceeds of C$1,020,017.25.

Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share (a FT Share) and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant) and each NFT Unit is comprised of one common share (a Share) and one Warrant. Each Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.05 into one common share until December 21, 2026.

The gross proceeds of the Offering will be applied to the drilling, exploration and development of the Companys East Preston Property, located in the Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada and the Big Hill lithium project, located in southwestern Newfoundland. Proceeds of the Offering will not be used for payments to non-arms length parties or to persons conducting investor relations activities.

In connection with the closing the Company paid finders fees totaling $81,900.98 and issued a total of 2,340,028 finders warrants. Each finders warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 until December 21, 2026. The securities issued under the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada expiring four months and one day from December 21, 2023 and are subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The FT Shares will qualify as flow-through shares (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Tax Act)). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) Canadian exploration expenses (as defined in the Tax Act), and (ii) as flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures (as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act) (collectively, the Qualifying Expenditures). Qualifying Expenditures in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares will be incurred (or deemed to be incurred) by the Company on or before December 31, 2024 and will be renounced by the Company to the initial purchasers of the FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023.

The placement included participation by an insider of the Company in the aggregate amount of 142,857 FT Units. The participation in the placement by this insider constitutes a related party transaction within the meaning of Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange and Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). In connection with the participation by the insiders, the Company relied upon the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 set forth in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the participation did not exceed twenty-five percent of the market capitalization of the Company (as determined under MI 61-101).

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Azincourt Energy Corp.

Azincourt is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its joint venture East Preston uranium project located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, and the Big Hill lithium project, located in southwestern Newfoundland.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.

Alex Klenman

Alex Klenman, President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, President & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Azincourt Energy Corp.

1012  1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3

www.azincourtenergy.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the use of proceeds and completion of the Private Placement.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the Risks and Uncertainties in the Companys management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, dated January 30, 2023, and also include the risks that the Offering does not complete as contemplated, or at all; that the Company does not complete any further offerings; that the Company does not carry out exploration activities in respect of its mineral project as planned (or at all); and that the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected.

Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Companys actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the future price of minerals; anticipated costs and the Companys ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Companys securities; future sales of the Companys securities; the Companys ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Companys mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp" or the "Company") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) is pleased to report high-grade gold-silver-lead-zinc intercepts from its ongoing diamond drilling program at the HPG mine in the Ying Mining District, China.

Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths):

Surface hole ZK1645 intersected an 8.24 metre ("m") interval of vein H4 grading 4.31 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au"), 15 g/t silver ("Ag"), and 2.10% lead ("Pb"), from 56.28 m depth, at an elevation of 819 m ;

intersected an 8.24 metre ("m") interval of vein H4 grading 4.31 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au"), 15 g/t silver ("Ag"), and 2.10% lead ("Pb"), from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZK02N36 intersected a 0.61 m interval of vein H5E grading 3.86 g/t Au, 6,132 g/t Ag, 6.45% Pb, 8.47% zinc ("Zn"), and 0.33% copper ("Cu") from 72.36 m depth, at an elevation of 331 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H5E grading 3.86 g/t Au, 6,132 g/t Ag, 6.45% Pb, 8.47% zinc ("Zn"), and 0.33% copper ("Cu") from depth, at an elevation of ; Surface hole ZK3421 intersected a 0.63 m interval of vein H17_1 grading 23.80 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, from 71.95 m depth, at an elevation of 761 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H17_1 grading 23.80 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZKH12N21 intersected a 4.60 m interval of vein H17 grading 1.23 g/t Au, 193 g/t Ag, 7.56% Pb, 3.79% Zn, and 0.38% Cu from 68.67 m depth, at an elevation of 329 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H17 grading 1.23 g/t Au, 193 g/t Ag, 7.56% Pb, 3.79% Zn, and 0.38% Cu from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZK21N11 intersected a 2.05 m interval of vein H16_3 grading 3.75 g/t Au, 128 g/t Ag, 2.26% Pb, and 1.05% Zn, from 148.72 m depth, at an elevation of 381 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H16_3 grading 3.75 g/t Au, 128 g/t Ag, 2.26% Pb, and 1.05% Zn, from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZKH21N20 intersected a 2.69 m interval of vein H16_3 grading 2.72 g/t Au, 269 g/t Ag, 1.02% Pb, 0.69% Zn, and 0.80% Cu from 147.79 m depth, at an elevation of 338 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H16_3 grading 2.72 g/t Au, 269 g/t Ag, 1.02% Pb, 0.69% Zn, and 0.80% Cu from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZKH27N03 intersected a 1.70 m interval of vein H14a grading 10.49 g/t Au, 18 g/t Ag, 1.02% Pb, and 0.75% Zn, from 181.11 m depth, at an elevation of 440 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H14a grading 10.49 g/t Au, 18 g/t Ag, 1.02% Pb, and 0.75% Zn, from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZKH21N22 intersected a 0.95 m interval of vein H16_3 grading 6.62 g/t Au, 507 g/t Ag, 1.77% Pb, 1.35% Zn, and 0.97% Cu from 151.45 m depth, at an elevation of 350 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H16_3 grading 6.62 g/t Au, 507 g/t Ag, 1.77% Pb, 1.35% Zn, and 0.97% Cu from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZK19N15 intersected a 0.45 m interval of vein H10_1 grading 25.80 g/t Au and 216 g/t Ag, from 148.64 m depth, at an elevation of 599 m ;

intersected a interval of vein H10_1 grading 25.80 g/t Au and 216 g/t Ag, from depth, at an elevation of ; Underground hole ZK04N14 intersected a 1.01 m interval of vein H13 grading 0.62 g/t Au, 930 g/t Ag, 25.93% Pb, 0.30% Zn, and 1.24% Cu from 63.67 m depth, at an elevation of 683 m ;

Figure 1: Location of the HPG mine within the Ying mining district.

From January 1, 2022 to November 15, 2023, a total of 45,046 m in 297 diamond drill holes, including 215 underground holes and 82 surface holes, were completed at the HPG mine. Assay results for 270 holes have been received, with 139 holes intercepting mineralization. Currently, there are 8 rigs drilling at the HPG mine.

The drilling program at the HPG mine has been focused on three main areas (Figure 2): 1) near surface gold-silver-lead-zinc (Au-Ag-Pb-Zn) vein structures within the resource area which have seen limited exploration drilling and tunneling (upper zone - U); 2) infill drilling above or below previously-mined stopes where production stopped due to higher than expected variability in grades, vein thicknesses, and attitudes of the vein structures (production zone - P); and 3) testing the Au-Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization potential and extent within a rhyolitic breccia dyke that is situated within the current underground mining infrastructure (breccia zone - B).

Figure 2: Location of drill holes and target areas at HPG mine applicable to the reporting period.

Drilling Near Surface Au-Ag-Pb-Zn Vein Structures within the Resource Area  Upper Zone (U)

Previous drilling was primarily focused on testing the strike and downdip extent of known vein structures with a limited focus being placed on the up-dip potential at shallower elevations above 600 m above mean sea level ("amsl"). Extensive drilling from surface and underground drill carbines yielded intercepts of high-grade Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein structures at higher elevations, which include the H13 series, H15 series, H16 series, H17 series, H32 series, H42 series, H5, H13, H14, H18, and H29 (Table 1).

Drilling Above or Beneath Previously-Mined Stopes within the Resource Area  Production Zone (P)

The majority of the drilling campaign targeted areas of known Au-Ag-Pb-Zn vein structures that were previously underexplored due to higher than expected variation in the thickness and trend of the high grade ore shoots of the veins within the resource areas below the 600 m amsl elevation. The high-grade intercepts are mainly associated with the northwest-dipping H5 series, H 15 series, H16 series, H17 series, H11, H13, and H14, and the east-dipping H20 series, H41 series, H32 series, H29, H40 and H42 veins. These intercepts have led to significant expansion and upgrading of high-grade resources (Table 2).

Testing Au-Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization within the Rhyolitic Breccia Dyke  Breccia Zone (B)

Drilling has been ongoing to test the mineralization within a northwest trending rhyolitic breccia dyke (breccia zone B8) (Table 3) hosting disseminated Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu mineralization across a currently defined zone measuring 50 m long, 30 m high, and 20m wide. The newly discovered B8 orebody has been mined since October 2023 by means of long-hole stoping.

In addition to the drilling outlined above, which focused on drilling vein structures within the current mining infrastructure, some drillholes were aimed at testing the down-dip extension of major vein structures including H15, H16, and H17 below 300 m amsl elevation within the Deep Zone (zone D). Initial drilling confirmed notable mineralization and down dip extension of mineralization along the targeted vein structures (Table 4).

Table 1: Selected intercepts from the drilling programs at the U zone of the HPG mine

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Elevation

(m) interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Cu

(%) Vein ZK02N05 53.62 54.45 661 0.83 0.19 227 21.15 0.14 0.19 H32 ZK04N10 56.67 57.10 687 0.43 0.05 114 9.94 0.08 0.19 H32 ZK04N14 63.67 64.68 683 1.01 0.62 930 25.93 0.30 1.24 H13 ZK04N15 58.89 59.52 666 0.63 0.21 88 7.09 0.12 0.13 H32 ZK04W02 59.54 60.08 729 0.54 0.94 178 15.28 0.02 0.03 H15 ZK06N13 67.49 69.55 682 2.06 0.31 184 10.59 0.09 0.25 H13 ZK06S03 124.59 125.82 717 1.23 0.20 57 8.92 0.05 0.06 H13 ZK06S04 128.02 129.58 724 1.56 0.10 69 1.84 0.57 0.03 H15_2 ZK08N13 84.64 86.04 680 1.40 0.37 441 11.75 0.42 0.25 H13 ZK08N14 101.76 102.11 678 0.35 0.72 261 0.93 0.49 0.20 H13 ZK08S01 90.55 91.36 760 0.81 0.37 72 17.30 0.08 0.11 H13 ZK08S05 87.75 89.40 774 1.65 0.15 17 4.01 0.03 0.01 H15_2 ZK11004 105.13 105.60 605 0.47 0.04 592 0.94 0.37 0.01 H41W_1 ZK11205 103.81 105.45 614 1.64 3.31 1 0.01 0.01 0.01 H42a ZK14N23 80.61 81.11 705 0.50 0.97 110 13.55 0.53 0.80 H15W ZK14N25 89.92 90.75 676 0.83 0.81 41 4.37 0.02 0.04 H15W ZK14S22 36.91 37.94 731 1.03 0.07 42 3.40 0.11 0.01 H15 ZK1644 190.15 190.73 689 0.58 4.71 152 15.71 1.73 0.54 H32a ZK1645 56.28 64.52 819 8.24 4.31 15 2.10 0.01 0.02 H4 ZK1645 210.11 210.59 671 0.48 0.61 27 9.36 0.04 0.01 H32a ZK1646 66.45 67.61 809 1.16 2.48 13 2.48 0.02 0.01 H4 ZK1646 204.79 206.45 675 1.66 0.05 23 5.14 3.02 0.05 H4a ZK1646 218.66 219.85 662 1.19 0.39 32 4.71 0.12 0.06 H32a ZK1647 222.14 224.11 663 1.97 1.72 103 3.72 0.67 0.55 H32a ZK17N05 100.28 100.75 625 0.47 0.16 78 4.91 0.28 0.01 H9 ZK21N41 47.21 47.76 600 0.55 1.74 76 5.97 1.73 0.01 H39_2 ZK2346 113.21 114.22 716 1.01 2.59 8 0.20 0.53 0.01 H42 ZK2346 123.36 123.91 710 0.55 5.21 8 1.70 1.49 0.03 H15 ZK2347 106.66 107.46 740 0.80 1.48 19 1.61 0.48 0.02 H16_3 ZK2348 56.19 56.85 776 0.66 2.13 8 0.41 0.97 0.02 H14 ZK2348 64.67 66.39 771 1.72 3.16 4 0.12 0.43 0.01 H14a ZK2348 132.58 133.26 733 0.68 2.00 4 0.19 0.20 0.01 H15 ZK23S03 107.58 108.43 790 0.85 0.68 132 0.78 0.60 0.07 H16 ZK2412 172.03 173.06 720 1.03 1.98 6 0.01 0.02 0.01 H17 ZK24S01 199.44 200.03 721 0.59 0.34 95 14.67 0.88 0.01 H32a ZK29S02 211.70 212.20 684 0.50 0.16 89 17.02 4.86 0.04 H29 ZK3421 71.95 72.58 761 0.63 23.80 14 0.03 0.03 0.01 H17_1 ZK3638 37.58 37.96 804 0.38 1.10 197 0.19 0.08 0.03 H17_1 ZKH00N42 48.80 50.96 635 2.16 0.68 140 1.08 0.14 0.05 H5 ZKH04S01 50.64 51.27 656 0.63 0.15 659 0.31 2.29 0.14 H17 ZKH06N01 64.39 64.71 618 0.32 0.16 309 0.60 0.10 0.49 H32E1 ZKH06N02 50.40 51.01 615 0.61 5.10 28 0.48 0.12 0.01 H32E1 ZKH06S01 99.64 101.43 606 1.79 1.03 76 2.14 0.09 0.69 H15 ZKH06S01 102.56 109.99 605 7.43 0.61 89 7.08 0.19 0.36 H17 ZKH06S09 17.36 18.28 633 0.92 0.16 115 0.53 1.91 0.03 H13 ZKH12S52 45.57 47.28 718 1.71 0.11 33 3.33 0.04 0.08 H15 ZKH12S52 163.31 164.40 670 1.09 0.29 133 2.02 1.40 0.06 H18 ZKH130C01 92.85 93.96 712 1.11 4.04 3 0.02 0.01 0.01 H15 ZKH14S31 38.31 39.37 730 1.06 0.05 45 3.75 0.04 0.05 H15 ZKH14S31 153.43 154.53 712 1.10 2.56 41 1.32 0.82 0.02 H18 ZKH16S51 85.99 87.16 676 1.17 0.16 177 0.34 0.01 0.86 H15E ZKH16S51 168.41 169.33 619 0.92 0.45 128 3.23 1.25 0.04 H18 ZKH16S52 35.85 40.22 733 4.37 0.08 28 4.13 0.03 0.03 H15 ZKH16S52 171.30 172.25 719 0.95 0.12 211 1.21 0.63 0.06 H18 ZKH18N01 147.22 147.86 756 0.64 0.04 10 4.44 0.99 0.01 H6 ZKH24S05 157.87 159.05 741 1.18 0.17 22 5.65 0.81 0.03 H32a ZKH33N10 28.61 29.06 627 0.45 5.42 4 0.08 0.16 0.01 H12E1

Table 2: Selected intercepts from the drilling programs at the P zone of the HPG mine

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Elevation

(m) interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Cu

(%) Vein ZK02N36 72.36 72.97 331 0.61 3.86 6,132 6.45 8.47 0.33 H5E ZK04N06 124.59 125.01 515 0.42 0.04 27 8.36 0.65 0.03 H5 ZK04N07 165.80 166.26 467 0.46 0.47 416 40.18 0.35 0.13 H5E ZK04N08 95.05 95.63 582 0.58 0.89 91 1.01 0.09 0.10 H5a ZK04N09 100.28 101.00 581 0.72 0.07 284 0.09 0.02 0.03 H5a ZK04N09 102.91 104.23 580 1.32 0.61 66 13.01 0.12 0.18 H5 ZK04N19 15.15 15.48 375 0.33 5.52 23 0.42 0.98 0.01 H5E ZK05N11 118.87 119.53 371 0.66 2.86 15 0.05 0.03 0.01 H5 ZK07N21 101.34 103.31 332 1.97 0.26 123 3.50 3.42 0.08 H5 ZK07N22 56.03 57.57 346 1.54 2.00 14 0.03 0.01 0.01 H5E ZK09N23 82.17 82.52 332 0.35 21.00 120 2.85 15.03 0.09 H5 ZK09N31 2.81 3.54 462 0.73 0.21 106 0.10 0.03 1.07 H5E ZK09N31 80.42 81.30 415 0.88 0.34 300 1.24 0.92 0.06 H5 ZK11007 240.47 241.68 497 1.21 2.39 2 0.08 0.07 0.01 H12_1 ZK11008 225.13 225.59 518 0.46 7.44 17 0.39 0.50 0.04 H12_1 ZK11204 205.86 206.86 555 1.00 2.92 5 0.14 0.04 0.01 H20W ZK11209 202.55 203.11 527 0.56 2.71 8 0.76 0.75 0.03 H20W1 ZK11211 82.05 82.40 591 0.35 4.42 26 1.79 0.05 0.01 H41W ZK11614 44.23 44.80 446 0.57 11.90 45 3.39 0.49 0.19 H20W1 ZK11614 46.12 46.95 445 0.83 3.26 84 0.94 0.49 0.10 H20W ZK14N18 13.94 14.58 380 0.64 1.55 58 2.54 9.79 0.21 H32E1 ZK14N19 28.10 28.52 377 0.42 7.00 10 0.31 0.25 0.01 H32E1 ZK19N15 148.64 149.09 599 0.45 25.80 216 0.04 0.01 0.01 H10_1 ZK19N20 8.53 9.40 462 0.87 0.97 108 16.84 0.33 0.26 H11 ZK19N20 208.43 208.94 369 0.51 3.25 5 0.40 0.14 0.01 H42 ZK21N11 148.72 150.77 381 2.05 3.75 128 2.26 1.05 0.20 H16_3 ZK21N37 131.58 132.30 435 0.72 7.51 15 0.10 0.18 0.01 H16_1 ZK21N39 126.31 128.05 432 1.74 2.10 56 2.71 1.25 0.08 H16_1 ZK21N41 114.86 117.14 559 2.28 0.25 49 5.17 0.06 0.01 H12_1 ZK21N42 55.06 55.50 589 0.44 1.01 164 2.23 0.85 0.01 H39_2 ZK21N42 131.24 131.92 533 0.68 1.35 94 0.65 0.26 0.01 H12_1 ZK22N01 99.79 100.94 588 1.15 4.59 23 0.94 0.07 0.11 H15 ZK23N05 141.55 142.62 381 1.07 1.63 16 1.13 0.62 0.01 H16_1 ZK23N32 54.49 54.93 429 0.44 3.36 43 0.15 0.10 0.35 H17_1W ZK23N34 5.54 6.15 466 0.61 1.75 27 0.31 0.82 0.06 H11 ZK23N34 121.72 122.34 439 0.62 2.43 11 0.48 0.23 0.04 H16_1 ZK23N35 5.59 6.59 465 1.00 1.43 28 1.88 0.24 0.09 H11 ZK23N35 181.11 181.60 405 0.49 0.09 52 10.80 0.04 0.13 H17_1 ZK25N04 55.72 56.13 435 0.41 4.48 77 0.34 0.56 0.01 H13 ZK25N05 83.43 84.69 515 1.26 1.73 9 0.35 0.33 0.03 H16_1 ZK25N08 94.53 95.59 417 1.06 2.05 3 0.03 0.04 0.01 H16 ZK27N04 161.78 162.48 484 0.70 1.98 9 0.24 0.15 0.02 H16_1 ZK27N07 105.32 106.13 552 0.81 2.00 13 0.20 0.08 0.03 H16 ZK27N07 137.48 138.13 534 0.65 2.21 15 0.40 0.36 0.06 H40 ZK27N08 143.28 143.82 480 0.54 2.96 7 0.14 0.06 0.01 H16 ZK29N10 136.81 139.45 530 2.64 2.09 4 0.39 0.21 0.01 H16_1a ZKH02N37 127.89 128.54 324 0.65 8.78 35 1.12 0.16 0.06 H5_2 ZKH02N38 116.61 117.60 328 0.99 9.21 8 0.08 0.14 0.09 H5_2W ZKH02N38 141.53 142.38 324 0.85 0.34 73 1.56 0.42 0.07 H5_2 ZKH02N38 172.02 172.65 320 0.63 0.13 67 2.49 6.17 0.04 H5E ZKH08N03 132.56 133.27 591 0.71 0.40 382 6.23 1.38 0.51 H15_2 ZKH12N21 67.10 67.77 330 0.67 1.17 172 3.23 12.97 0.22 H17_1 ZKH12N21 68.67 73.27 329 4.60 1.23 193 7.56 3.79 0.38 H17 ZKH12N22 28.43 28.88 361 0.45 0.28 76 4.92 0.13 0.01 H15 ZKH12N22 67.78 69.48 331 1.70 0.23 61 2.04 6.67 0.21 H17_1 ZKH12N22 71.25 73.94 328 2.69 0.53 86 4.33 2.61 0.18 H17 ZKH19N25 13.44 14.21 571 0.77 0.14 190 0.28 0.17 0.28 H39_1E ZKH21N20 64.38 65.22 361 0.84 0.29 54 1.44 1.70 0.01 H13 ZKH21N20 68.18 69.13 360 0.95 0.68 382 0.54 0.57 0.02 H13a ZKH21N20 141.43 142.15 339 0.72 1.62 13 1.30 1.00 0.03 H16_1 ZKH21N20 147.79 150.48 338 2.69 2.72 269 1.02 0.69 0.80 H16_3 ZKH21N20 160.42 161.02 334 0.60 5.66 7 0.24 0.08 0.02 H15Wa ZKH21N20 168.74 169.82 332 1.08 0.41 21 5.00 0.11 0.05 H15 ZKH21N20 188.06 188.68 326 0.62 1.87 45 0.75 0.13 0.52 H17_1 ZKH21N22 51.71 52.66 369 0.95 2.53 3 0.03 0.05 0.01 H11Ea ZKH21N22 68.83 69.73 366 0.90 0.99 84 0.28 0.61 0.01 H13 ZKH21N22 142.40 143.19 351 0.79 0.71 22 1.83 1.95 0.15 H16_1 ZKH21N22 151.45 152.40 350 0.95 6.62 507 1.77 1.35 0.97 H16_3 ZKH21N22 165.32 166.62 347 1.30 1.71 11 0.42 0.07 0.03 H15 ZKH27N02 16.60 18.68 535 2.08 2.10 74 0.31 0.12 0.28 H20W ZKH27N03 15.14 15.86 531 0.72 5.97 15 0.43 0.37 0.04 H20W ZKH27N03 120.16 122.82 473 2.66 1.27 23 1.27 0.10 0.02 H40 ZKH27N03 181.11 182.81 440 1.70 10.49 18 1.02 0.75 0.03 H14a ZKH27N04 94.47 95.70 510 1.23 1.43 32 1.10 0.69 0.01 H16_1 ZKH27N05 14.12 14.95 531 0.83 3.30 9 0.24 0.11 0.09 H20W ZKH27N06 24.51 25.40 535 0.89 4.05 197 0.69 0.15 0.99 H17_1 ZKH27N06 26.90 28.91 535 2.01 0.14 240 0.68 1.37 0.41 H20W ZKH27N06 114.53 115.25 522 0.72 1.65 293 2.09 0.47 0.54 H16 ZKH27N07 34.66 35.48 515 0.82 1.34 45 0.26 0.05 0.07 H20W ZKH29N16 93.05 93.84 581 0.79 1.20 33 6.92 0.77 0.04 H41W ZKH33N11 94.57 95.44 588 0.87 0.05 25 6.99 0.55 0.01 H12E ZKH36N06 132.35 133.48 368 1.13 0.11 37 2.41 4.59 0.03 H15_1 ZKH36N07 135.56 136.22 354 0.66 0.18 61 7.00 3.04 0.03 H15_1 ZKH38N01 127.63 128.77 373 1.14 0.51 32 2.36 2.85 0.04 H17

Table 3: Selected intercepts from the drilling programs at the B zone of the HPG mine

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Elevation

(m) interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Cu

(%) Vein ZK09N23 61.99 63.77 345 1.78 1.56 63 0.21 0.05 0.11 B ZK09N31 18.91 19.47 452 0.56 3.04 120 0.12 0.02 0.35 B ZK1323 20.66 21.40 727 0.74 0.01 22 1.41 3.05 0.03 B07 ZK15N26 75.65 77.12 576 1.47 0.85 135 0.72 1.50 0.15 B08 ZK15N27 91.75 92.82 555 1.07 0.62 288 1.81 0.11 0.29 B08 ZK15N30 67.58 71.80 571 4.22 0.45 144 0.99 0.61 0.07 B08 ZK15N32 73.19 74.77 568 1.58 1.71 93 0.22 0.08 0.02 B08 ZKH07N12 48.07 48.81 346 0.74 1.88 17 0.03 0.02 0.01 B02

Table 4: Selected intercepts from the drilling programs at the D zone of the HPG mine

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Elevation

(m) interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) Cu

(%) Vein ZK03N35 174.26 174.81 267 0.55 15.55 52 1.67 2.46 0.01 H5 ZK03N37 143.41 144.00 295 0.59 0.83 236 12.14 7.04 0.01 H5 ZK40N02 233.57 233.92 179 0.35 0.72 185 6.51 0.01 0.01 H17 ZKH00N39 255.51 256.21 119 0.70 0.18 22 1.85 5.23 0.08 H5E ZKH06N34 106.37 107.11 -11 0.74 2.60 76 6.06 4.68 0.23 H15_1 ZKH06N34 159.08 159.74 -42 0.66 0.50 82 3.00 1.56 0.11 H17 ZKH4204 192.72 193.25 194 0.53 4.00 434 11.02 0.06 3.02 H15_1 ZKH4204 226.08 226.57 176 0.49 0.78 118 25.65 25.81 0.11 H15

Quality Control

Drill cores are NQ size. Drill core samples, limited by apparent mineralization contacts or shear/alteration contacts, were split into halves by sawing. The half cores are stored in the Company's core shacks for future reference and checks, and the other half core samples are shipped in securely sealed bags to the Chengde Huakan 514 Geology and Minerals Test and Research Institute in Chengde, Hebei Province, China, 226 km northeast of Beijing, the Zhengzhou Nonferrous Exploration Institute Lab in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, and SGS in Tianjin, China. All three labs are ISO9000 certified analytical labs. For analysis, the sample is dried and crushed to minus 1 mm and then split into a 200-300 g subsample which is further pulverized to minus 200 mesh. Two subsamples are prepared from the pulverized sample. One is digested with aqua regia for gold analysis with atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS"), and the other is digested by two-acid digestion for analysis of silver, lead, zinc, and copper with AAS.

Channel samples are collected along sample lines perpendicular to the mineralized vein structure in exploration tunnels. Spacing between sampling lines is typically 5 m along strike. Both the mineralized vein and the altered wall rocks are cut by continuous chisel chipping. Sample length ranges from 0.2 m to more than 1 m, depending on the width of the mineralized vein and the mineralization type. Channel samples are prepared and assayed with AAS at Silvercorp's mine laboratory ("Ying Lab") located at the mill complex in Luoning County, Henan Province, China. The Ying lab is officially accredited by the Quality and Technology Monitoring Bureau of Henan Province and is qualified to provide analytical services. The channel samples are dried, crushed and pulverized. A 200 g sample of minus 160 mesh is prepared for assay. A duplicate sample of minus 1 mm is made and kept in the laboratory archives. Gold is analysed by fire assay with AAS finish, while silver, lead, zinc, and copper are assayed by two-acid digestion with AAS finish.

A routine quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") procedure is adopted to monitor the analytical quality at each lab. Certified reference materials (CRMs), pulp duplicates and blanks are inserted into each batch of lab samples. QA/QC data at the lab are attached to the assay certificates for each batch of samples.

The Company maintains its own comprehensive QA/QC program to ensure best practices in sample preparation and analysis of the exploration samples. Project geologists regularly insert CRMs, field duplicates and blanks to each batch of 30 core samples to monitor the sample preparation and analysis procedures at the labs. The analytical quality of the labs is further evaluated with external checks by sending approximately 3-5% of the pulp samples to higher level labs to check for lab bias. Data from both the Company's and the labs' QA/QC programs are reviewed on a timely basis by project geologists.

Guoliang Ma, P. Geo., Manager of Exploration and Resource of the Company, is the Qualified Person for Silvercorp under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and given consent to the technical information contained in this news release.

About Silvercorp

Silvercorp is a profitable Canadian mining company producing silver, lead and zinc metals in concentrates from mines in China. The Company's goal is to continuously create healthy returns to shareholders through efficient management, organic growth and the acquisition of profitable projects. Silvercorp balances profitability, social and environmental relationships, employees' wellbeing, and sustainable development. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.

For further information

Lon Shaver

President

Silvercorp Metals Inc.

Phone: (604) 669-9397

Toll Free: 1 (888) 224-1881

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.silvercorpmetals.com

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company's material properties; the sufficiency of the Company's capital to finance the Company's operations; estimates of the Company's revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company's mines in the Ying Mining District; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the Company's operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company's properties.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, social and economic impacts of COVID-19; risks relating to: fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licenses; title to properties; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company's existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing global climate change or other environmental concerns; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting as per the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors" and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F, and in the Company's other filings with Canadian and U.S securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

Additional information related to the Company, including Silvercorp's Annual Information Form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website at www.silvercorpmetals.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US INVESTORS

The disclosure in this news release and referred to herein was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "proven mineral reserve," "probable mineral reserve" and "mineral reserves" used in this news release are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained in this news release providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "Inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources." In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to corresponding definitions under the CIM Definition Standards. During the period leading up to the compliance date of the SEC Modernization Rules, information regarding mineral resources or reserves contained or referenced in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that the Company may report as "proven mineral reserves", "probable mineral reserves", "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the reserve or resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.
Israel bombed a newly reopened aid crossing point on Thursday, Hamas authorities said, hours before the United Nations Security Council was to make another attempt to pass a much-delayed resolution on pausing the Gaza fighting.

Separate diplomatic efforts continued for a fresh truce and hostage release deal in the worst-ever Gaza war.

The United Nations human rights office in Ramallah said it had received reports that Israeli troops had "summarily killed" at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood this week.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected the allegations as "yet another example of the partisan and prejudiced approach against Israel" by the UN body.

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies, including the United States which provides it with billions of dollars in military aid, to protect civilians.

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With their homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

On Thursday a UN monitoring system said every single person in Gaza is expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity in the next six weeks.

- Strike halts aid -

The war began on October 7 with an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants. They broke through Gaza's militarised border to kill around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

They also abducted about 250 people.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which Gaza's Hamas government on Wednesday said has killed at least 20,000, mostly women and children.

Munir al-Bursh, director of the Hamas health ministry, was among the latest to be wounded while his daughter was killed in an Israeli bombardment on Jabalia, in northern Gaza, the ministry said.

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

After weeks of pressure, Israel approved the temporary reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday to enable aid deliveries directly to Gaza, rather than through the Rafah crossing from Egypt.

On Thursday an Israeli strike killed Bassem Ghaben, the head of the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom, the crossings authority and the Hamas health ministry said.

Three other people were also killed when Israeli aircraft targeted the infrastructure, they said.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment.

The UN secretary-general's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was "unable to receive (aid) trucks" via Kerem Shalom following the "drone strike" and the World Food Programme suspended operations at the crossing.

Dujarric's comments came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel could enable "even 400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

The army said its aircraft struck 230 targets in Gaza over the past day, including a rocket launch site, while ground forces had found weapons inside a school near Gaza City.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools, mosques, hospitals and vast tunnel systems beneath them as military bases -- charges the group denies.

The army says 138 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza.

On Thursday military spokesman Daniel Hagari said troops have killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants since a one-week ceasefire ended on December 1. He did not elaborate on the source of his figures.

- 'Beyond catastrophic' -

The UN rights office said "details and circumstances" the killings in Rimal are still being verified but it "raises alarm about the possible commission of a war crime".

The men were killed in front of their family members, it said.

Legal experts have previously told AFP that both sides could be accused of committing war crimes.

Diplomats visiting the region called for more assistance to reach Gaza.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, speaking in Egypt, said: "Everything that can be done must be done to get aid into Gaza".

French President Emmanuel Macron was in Jordan on Thursday to discuss with King Abdullah II "joint work on humanitarian and medical aid" for Gaza's civilians, according to the French presidency.

- Controversial wording -

The UN Security Council was due to try for a fourth day Thursday to pass a resolution calling for a halt in fighting.

Israel has rejected the term "ceasefire", and Washington has used its veto twice to thwart resolutions opposed by Israel since the start of the war.

A sticking point has been calls for UN monitoring of aid entering Gaza.

"Israel has had, understandably so, a role in the inspection regime -- a key role, a pivotal role -- and we understand and respect that," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Hopes that Israel and Hamas could be inching towards another truce and deal to free the remaining 129 hostages had risen this week as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt and talks took place in Europe.

However, the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

Hamas's military wing said on Thursday that Israel's objective to eliminate it was "doomed to fail" and that further releases of hostages depended on a "cessation of hostilities".

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a first week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Displaced Gazans are pleading for a ceasefire.

"My message is to put an end to this humiliation," said Fuad Ibrahim Wadi, who found refuge at a greenhouse in Rafah. "This war does nothing but destroy. Enough is enough."

The war has sparked fears of wider conflict.

There have been regular exchanges of fire over the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

Israeli strikes killed a woman in a south Lebanon village on Thursday, Lebanese media and rescuers said, with retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah militants wounding two civilians, according to Israel's military.
German federal prosecutors said Friday that they had charged two Syrians with "war crimes" committed in Damascus a decade ago as part of the Islamic State group.

The two men, identified as Mohammad A. and Asmael K. per German privacy rules, were arrested in March and are accused of membership of a foreign terror organisation and "hostage-taking resulting in death".

Asmael K. was also charged with murder and killing people protected under international law.

Mohammad A. is believed to have joined the Islamic State group at the latest in 2013 and served as a commander of 200 fighters.

"At the end of 2013, Mohammad A. together with the IS fighting unit in his command abducted two opponents of the organisation," prosecutors said in a statement.

The victims were held at an IS detention centre and later "executed" with 10 other prisoners.

Asmael K. is alleged to have joined IS as a fighter in 2013 and taken part in the abduction in question.

He is also accused of guarding the 12 prisoners at the site where they were killed and shooting at least one person.

A court in the western city of Duesseldorf will now decide whether the two men, who are in custody, will go to trial.

Germany let in hundreds of thousands of Syrians during the 2015-16 refugee influx and has arrested several Syrians on its soil over crimes committed in their country.

It has previously used the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of certain serious crimes regardless of where they took place, to try Syrians over atrocities committed during the country's civil war.

One of the most high profile cases to be brought to trial was that of a former Syrian colonel who was found guilty in January 2022 of crimes against humanity committed in Damascus.
When Gustavo Petro came to power in Colombia a year and a half ago as the first left-wing president in its history, he sought to distance himself from his right-wing predecessor Ivan Duque on multiple fronts. One of the clearest was to pledge implementing the peace agreement signed by the government with the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas in 2016, whose historical significance Duque strove to dilute and even tried to torpedo.

However, one of the highest-ranking officials within Petros government, Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva, has been throwing darts at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the judicial arm of the transitional justice born out of the peace agreement, for most of 2023. Were concerned that the model institution for the whole world, the one designed to bring justice after decades of horrible internal conflict, is going off the rails from what it was shaped out to be with enormous effort, Leyva told the UN Security Council on October 11th, during the presentation of the UNs quarterly report on its verification mission in Colombia.

Time has come to review and correct the JEP

As a preamble to his critique, Leyva explained that hed been one of the architects of the transitional justice chapter. I admire the JEP as if it were a person, not an institution, and I love it, said the man who was one of the FARC's advisors at the negotiating table for four years. The time has come to review its actions in order to correct them, he warned sternly, suggesting risks to peace in the country and full truth for the victims. Days later, President Petro sent a communication to the UN taking up some of his Foreign Minister's points.

The JEP responded with a communique asking respect for its independence and stressing that the government and the former FARC are not allowed to issue orders and orientations regarding decisions of the transitional justice institutions. The fact that it was created by virtue of the final peace deal doesnt confer the signatory parties any guardianship over its management, it said.

But two weeks later, Leyva resumed his attack with a tweet suggesting that the JEP, "contrary to its design", "curtails truth" and "shatters peace".

Impedir u obstaculizar el relato de la verdad es ponerle una mordaza y una venda a la historia. Es condenarnos a la tirania de la mentira. La JEP, si cercena la verdad, hace "trizas la paz", contrario de lo que se busco con su diseno: el evitar la quiebra moral de la Republica.  Alvaro Leyva Duran (@AlvaroLeyva) November 7, 2023

"The JEPs progress is cause for optimism"

Leyva's position contrasts with the UNs report on the progress of the transitional justice. In the three-month period it covered, between July and September, the special tribunal indicted 10 former FARC regional commanders for kidnapping, nine former military officers for extrajudicial executions (including General Mario Montoya, a former Army top commander) and 14 former FARC rebels for crimes committed against indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in the Narino regional case. They were all charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition, the JEP held two hearings where indictees publicly owned up to their crimes and apologised to their victims.

Despite delays in several macro-cases, by the end of 2023 the JEP will have indicted 156 persons, including 50 former FARC members and 102 former military officials. 80 of them have chosen to acknowledge their responsibility and have therefore chosen the transitional justice track in which they may receive - in exchange for providing truth and redress to their victims - a more lenient 5-to-8-year sentences in a non-prison setting. In other words, 90 percent of the accused have chosen to admit to their crimes.

"This progress," argues the report signed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to which Leyva was responding, "is cause for optimism and I am confident that the Special Jurisdiction [for Peace] will continue to carry out its crucial task of fulfilling rights to truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition.

The alleged exclusion of paramilitaries

"Unfortunately, the JEP ex officio has limited the appearance of those who have the right to this special justice", Foreign Minister Leyva said in his speech to the UN. He was referring to the 35,000 former right-wing paramilitaries, who demobilised between 2003 and 2006. At the time, they had their own transitional mechanism dubbed Justice and Peace, which allowed them to share previously ignored truths and to receive reduced 5-to-8-year prison sentences for thousands of atrocities. For that very reason, the peace agreement with the FARC, a decade later, excluded them.

According to Leyva, many of these paramilitaries are now willing to tell the transitional justice new truths and should be accepted under the principle of favourability, which stipulates that a person is entitled to the most beneficial criminal treatment available. The JEP, he argued, "has permanently disregarded" this right and has "cast aside norms that should be rigorously applied", thereby "conditioning truth-telling, closing off or preventing it from fully reaching the JEP and the knowledge of the victims and public opinion".

It wasnt the first time that Leyva had presented this criticism. In July, during the publication of the previous UN report, the Foreign Minister had warned the Security Council that it was necessary to "remove obstacles that hinder the access of paramilitaries to the JEP without any justification whatsoever".

Its necessary to listen to total truth

As proof of the supposed good will of the paramilitaries, the Foreign Ministry has organised two events - which it termed 'truth meetings for non-repetition' - and plans to hold more.

First, in May, at the Juan Frio crematorium ovens near Cucuta and the Venezuelan border, Salvatore Mancuso confessed - via video link from his prison cell in the US - that they buried hundreds of victims of forced disappearance in mass graves in Venezuelan territory. Leyva then signed an agreement with Nicolas Maduros government to search for them. And in August, Carlos Mario Jimenez - better known by his nom de guerre 'Macaque' - recounted how, two decades ago, they hatched a plan to assassinate the current Foreign Minister and President Petro. Leyva underscored that its necessary to listen to them in order to know "the total truth" and even proposed reviving the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that closed its doors last year, to listen to the paramilitary high command.

During an event carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former paramilitary boss Carlos Mario Jimenez 'Macaque' asked to be admitted in the JEP.  Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This "total truth", Leyva insisted, could only be completed if the JEP stops "conditioning or limiting those who want to tell it". He didnt explain what truths they would provide that they hadnt revealed when it was their obligation nor how to trust those who, like Macaque, were expelled from Justice and Peace for failing to comply with their commitments.

"As we have stated publicly, we dont share the Foreign Ministers judgements. We reaffirm the JEPs autonomy and independence as a high court in a state governed by the rule of law," its president Roberto Vidal told Justice Info. After Leyva's last speech, he travelled to New York and The Hague to present the Colombian special court's position on this clash of competences to institutions such as the International Criminal Court.

A paramilitary boss lands in the JEP

Over the last four years, the JEP had indeed rejected submission requests of dozens of former paramilitaries such as Rodrigo Tovar 'Jorge 40', Salomon Feris, Andres de Jesus Velez, Carlos Moreno Tuberquia 'Nicolas' and even Mancuso, as civilian third parties who took part in the armed conflict. The same happened with politicians and civilians who claimed to have worked with the paramilitaries, but whom the JEP decided failed to provide the full truth, such as former congressman Jorge Visbal, former mayor Jorge Luis Alfonso 'Gatico' or land dispossessor Sor Teresa Gomez. Many had sought the JEP because Justice and Peaces logic of individual trials and partial indictments meant years and greater legal insecurity, but also because several had been excluded for not providing the truth.

However, a month ago, the JEP accepted Salvatore Mancuso as a subject and thus a potential beneficiary of its sanctions. After the JEPs Acknowledgment Chamber had rejected Mancuso and he appealed, another instance of the special tribunal decided to admit him not as the second-in-command of the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), but as a "hinge or connection point between the military and paramilitary apparatus".

In their decision, three justices of the JEPs Legal Status Definition Chamber argued that Mancuso was a "subject materially and functionally incorporated into the security forces" and had "a determining role in the design, planning and execution of joint macro-criminality patterns" with the state security forces. That is why they decided to consider him, not as a civilian third party, but a "de facto state agent".

Interestingly, a fortnight ago Mancuso appealed the JEPs decision to admit him. He did so because he disagreed with the special tribunals view that it should only assume part of his criminal investigations and that Justice and Peace should still try him for other crimes, something that would reduce the JEP's room for manoeuvre in granting him benefits and could create a risk of legal insecurity (a point on which one of the JEP's magistrates agreed in a partial dissenting opinion).

Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva has been organizing events with former paramilitary bosses like Salvatore Mancuso here.  Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The risks of overburdening the JEP

The acceptance of Mancuso and Leyva's demands to receive more paramilitary leaders have raised concerns about the impact this could have on the work of the JEP.

To date, the JEP has not yet issued convictions in cases where perpetrators are acknowledging responsibility, nor has it detailed what its sanctions will look like. It has also yet to present indictments in three of the seven macro-cases it opened in 2018, including the child recruitment case against FARC, the case on the extermination of the Patriotic Union political party against state agents, and the Uraba regional case against both, as well as in the four it announced more recently. The sexual violence case was unveiled in September. In addition, the JEP prosecutor's office has only presented two accusations for those who dont admit responsibility, and those adversarial trials have not yet begun.

"The JEP should concentrate on those cases (from which truths will emerge) instead of seeking truths through the opening of new processes," warned criminal lawyer Yesid Reyes, who was the Colombian Justice Minister during the negotiation of the transitional justice chapter with FARC. Opening the door to paramilitaries, he argued, increases the judicial burden and creates a risk for a JEP that "is already beginning to glimpse temporary difficulties in evacuating all the cases it has pending". It has a timetable of 10 years to present indictments and 15 years to judge them, almost half of which have elapsed.

"Total truth" and "total peace"

A question also arises as to the extent to which the Foreign Ministers attacks on the transitional justice and his defence of the arrival of the paramilitaries has any relation to the Petro administrations "total peace" policy, which opened simultaneous peace negotiations with multiple armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla, dissident sectors of the FARC that withdrew from the 2016 peace process, and organised crime groups such as the Gulf Clan. So far the government has offered little clarity on what criminal logic it will apply to each of these groups to achieve their disarmament, including whether it seeks to bring them into the JEP, in the current peace deal.

One more paradox remains up in the air: why does Petro, well remembered for his sharp debates as a congressman on paramilitaries and their political links, now have a Foreign Minister who fiercely defends the bosses of these armed structures?
News / National

by Staff reporter

Matebeleland police detectives have been accused of extorting money from travellers at Beitbridge Border Post.It also emerged that junior officers are bribing their superiors stationed at the Matebeleland South Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Gwanda to be deployed to Beitbridge, where there are easy pickings.This is contained in a complaint lodged at the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) in Harare by an anonymous source.According to sources, different teams are deployed to the country's busiest port of entry to extort money from travellers.Assistant Commissioner Peter Sibanda, the officer commanding Operation No To Cross-Border Crime, confirmed receiving the complaint."We have seen the anonymous complaint, we are investigating the matter," Sibanda said when contacted for comment.According to the letter of complaint titled Corruption At CID DHQ Mat South, the junior cops share the loot with their bosses."I want to bring your attention to the corrupt activities happening at Beitbridge Border Post being done by CID DHQ details. The DCIO is deploying DHQ details from Gwanda to lucrative points at Beitbridge Border Post on a fortnight rotational basis," the complaint read."The details work at the border siphoning money from motorists/smugglers/omalayitsha just for self-aggrandisement. This has been going on for over a year now."It adds: "It is surprising to note that commanders are now the instigators of corruption instead of shunning corruption. May your high office put an end to these corrupt activities before it gets out of hand."Beitbridge, being Zimbabwe and the region's busiest border post, is a hive of activity, including human trafficking, smuggling of goods and several other underhand deals.It emerged that some detectives are begging to be permanently deployed to Beitbridge, where there are easy pickings.
New on-screen tandem Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee received mixed reactions ahead of their K-drama "Gyeongseong Creature" premiere.

For what reason? Then keep on reading to find out!

'No Spark'? Park Seo Joon & Han So Hee's Couple Photos Receive Mixed Reactions

On December 21, online streaming giant Netflix gifted fans with Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee's couple shots in relation to their forthcoming thriller series "Gyeongseong Creature."

However, upon release, mixed reactions from K-Netz and international fans poured in, with some saying they were disappointed with the duo's lack of chemistry.

Han So Hee and Park Seo Joon are about to grace the small screen with their fantasy-historical series "Gyeongseong Creature." Set in the backdrop of Spring 1945, it features the story of two people whose goals are focused on their own survival after they encounter a monster wrapped in human form.

Park Seo Joon is Jang Tae Sang, the richest man in Gyeongseong and the owner of Golden Jade House, who is intelligent and knows how to get by in the world.

Han So Hee, on the other hand, takes the role of Yoon Chae Ok, a gunslinger who searches for missing people, and also has knowledge and is skilled in knives and other machinery.

READ ALSO: Han So Hee, Park Seo Joon Cross Paths With Geumokdang & Ongseong Hospital Family in 'Gyeongseong Creature'

Amid their drama promotions, Netflix dropped snaps of the two lead stars.

Han So Hee and Park Seo Joon showcased their closeness and the chemistry that fans have been waiting to see and expecting from the show. The two also have playful shots that exhibit their bond.

When the pictorial snippets were uploaded, fans couldn't hide their different reactions to the couple's visual chemistry.

K-Netz Disappointed With Park Seo Joon & Han So Hee's 'Lack of Chemistry'

While global fans loved the synergy of Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee, K-Netz were unsatisfied.

Some said that they looked like strangers, while some remarked one of their shots the "worst couple photo."

"Is it a romance drama? Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee don't seem like a couple."

"Why does it seem like two strangers taking pictures together?"

"They are pretty and handsome, but they don't match together."

"I guess it is possible for them not to have any chemistry."

"Looks like everyone is thinking the same. I was wondering why they didn't match at all."

"This is probably the worst couple photo I've seen in years. They look good in their individual photos."

READ ALSO: Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee 'Tortured' on First Day of Filming 'Gyeongseong Creature' - What Happened?

It's not yet known if the "Gyeongseong Creature" will have romance, but with its potentiality, it wasn't surprising that people have mixed reactions to the couple photoshoot. They believe it would set the tone of what to expect in their tandem.

"Gyeongseong Creature" Part 1 will hit the small screen on December 22, while Part 2 is scheduled to premiere on January 5, 2024, on Netflix.

Missed it? Check out the "Gyeongseong Creature" Official Trailer here!

How about you? Do you agree that "Gyeongseong Creature" cast Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee have no chemistry? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
BANGKOK (AP)  Chinese automaker BYD said Friday that it plans to build a new electric vehicle plant in Hungary, its first car factory in Europe, as part of its rapid global expansion.

Hungary will be the center for its European operations, BYD said in a notice on its Weibo social media account.

BYD, based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, said it plans to create thousands of jobs in creating a local green ecosystem for manufacturing its electric vehicles. The factory will have an advanced production line and will be built in phases, it said without giving details on the amount of money to be invested.

BYD is among EV manufacturers making fast inroads into Europe, to the extent that European regulators have begun a probe into Chinese government support for the industry. The company, whose name stands for Build Your Dreams, began direct EV sales in Hungary in October.

The company says it plans to launch three new models in Europe within the coming year in addition to the five models it is already selling that include sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. BYD has 230 outlets in 19 European countries, it says.

The factory is to be based in Szeged in southern Hungary, near the border with Serbia and Romania. The city, Hungary's third-largest, is a center for education and technology. BYD also has a bus manufacturing facility in Hungary.

BYD has been at the forefront of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are leveraging their fast-developing technology and low prices to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets.

BYD has led sales in China this year of so-called new energy vehicles, or EVs and hybrids, as they reached a third of total auto sales in China. EVs accounted for 35% of autos sold in Germany and 90% in Norway in the first six months of 2023, according to a BloombergNEF EV outlook published in June.

Elaine Kurtenbach, The Associated Press
The long awaited raunchy web series "LTNS" is finally making its premiere this 2024. Starring Esom and Ahn Jae Hong, the drama is set to showcase the realistic dynamics and lives of married couples.

Check out the newly released teaser for the series below.

Esom & Ahn Jae Hong Portray Reality of Marriage In 'LTNS'

On December 22, TVING doubled the anticipation for the brand new romance drama "LTNS" (also known as "Long Time No Sex") with an exhilarating teaser.

Starring Esom and Ahn Jae Hong, it follows the special business of a couple that fixes other estranged couples' problems by blackmailing them while neglecting their own broken marriage.

Earlier this year, the two stars graced the television scenes with their lauded offbeat Netflix shows "Black Knight" and "Mask Girl." This 2024, they come back with a new exciting web series.

"LTNS" dropped a new poster, featuring Woo Jin and Samuel, a married couple who feel distant from one another. Although they wear matching pajamas, they lack excitement or emotion, hinting at their crumbling relationship.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Esom Shares Regrets In Acting Career + Actress To Return With New Works

The phrase on the poster reads, "No money, no children, no XXX," suggesting the dead romance that connects them.

With their impeccable skills seen in their previous work "Microhabitat," Esom and Ahn Jae Hong are expected to show a high tension chemistry and improved acting that fans haven't seen before.

On the other hand, "LTNS" premieres for the first time on January 19, 2024 on TVING.

'LTNS' Drops Exhilarating Teaser With Esom & Ahn Jae Hong

Accompanying the new poster is a brief teaser clip that foreshadows the married couple's ominous business opportunity.

Being married without romance and witnessing the downturn due to the plummeting housing, Woo Jin and Samuel are mentally and physically exhausted by their harsh realities.

While ignoring the status of their own marital affair, the two come up with a business involving adulterous couples by tracking and blackmailing them in exchange for money.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS: 'The Third Charm' Cast Update 2023: Esom & Seo Kang Joon's New Projects To Check Out

Woo Jin encourages her husband to chase down committed people having affairs, raising excitement to a new level.

Curiosity is also raised as to what will happen to Woo Jin and Samuel after they accomplish fixing everything that their clients asked for.

Will they get their own happy ending? Will they be able to rekindle their dead romance? Catch the drama on TVING this January 2024.

RELATED CONTENT: Ahn Jae Hong To Retire From Acting? Here's What 'Mask Girl' Star Said

ICYMI, here's the teaser below:

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
An intimate documentary on Michael J. Fox and a song recorded by Ryan Gosling are among the films and music advancing to the next round of the Oscars race. This image released by Apple TV+ shows Michael J. Fox in a scene from the documentary "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Apple TV+ via AP
Toronto police are urging demonstrators to follow the law ahead of two planned protests today and Saturday that are connected to the Israel-Hamas war and are expected to have a visible police presence. The Toronto Police Services emblem is photographed during a press conference at TPS headquarters, in Toronto on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Gadi Haggai (right) has reportedly died in captivity in Gaza (Facebook )

An American-Israeli citizen taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack has died in captivity in Gaza, a group representing hostages' families has said.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum announced that 73-year-old Gadi Haggai has died and said his family have asked for privacy.

The forum described Mr Haggai as a man full of humour who knew how to make those around him laugh.

A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life.

Mr Haggais wife Judi Weinstein, 70, remains a hostage in Gaza, a statement from the kibbutz where the pair lived has reportedly said.

The Kibbutz Nir Oz, which has not said how it found out about Mr Haggais death, said his body remains in the hands of terrorists, the Mirror reports.

The newspaper said it is unclear how Mr Haggai died.

It has been reported that 80 of Kibbutz Nir Ozs roughly 400 residents were taken hostage during Hamas' attack.

Hamas has warned that "time is running out" for the hostages as the Palestinian militants' war with Israel nears its 12th week.

According to an official Israeli tally, 129 people remain held in Gaza after the rest were repatriated in a November truce or recovered during a military offensive. Of those still in Gaza, 22 are dead, the Israeli government says.

The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold US citizenship. The US Embassy had no immediate comment.
By Shabibah Nakirigya

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ll of Buganda Kingdom has cautioned on the use of social media and appealed to parents to monitor their childrens social media accounts. While social media has become an integral part of society for connecting with friends, moralists have severally warned against the likely dangers and risks associated with it.

In his end-of-year message to Ugandans, the Kabaka re-echoed the need for parents to guide their children on the appropriate use of social media to avoid its misuse. He particularly cited cyber harass- ment, highlighting that it is not good for the young generation.

Parents should monitor what their children are sharing on social media as well as their circle of friends, he said.

Kabaka Mutebi dared the young generation to focus on promoting and protecting their culture, instead of misusing social media.

Message to leaders

He also lauded Buganda kingdom leaders and Members of Parliament representing Buganda region, for having Bugandas interests at heart and defending them to the core.

The leaders have emphasised the importance of Buganda Kingdoms existence and how conversations on Buganda Kingdom do not promote segregation, but its development and that of the country at large, Kabaka Mutebi said.

Challenges

He listed some of the kingdoms challenges, including some detractors he said are enemies of the Kingdom, who dont want to see it prosper. We still have a task of promoting unity within the youth from the Buganda region to be able to speak with one voice and to defend the kingdom since they are the leaders of the next generation, the king said.

He announced some of the kingdoms plans, including partnering with different institutions that are beneficial to the kingdom.

The Katikkiro, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, during the end-of-year media engagement, urged the government to continue protecting journalists rights and guarantee their safety while on duty.

This year, journalist have not been mistreated as it has been in the previ- ous years and we hope this will continue come next year, he said. Mr Mayiga also warned journalists against spreading false news.
A Ugandan man and his son have been remanded at Luzira prison for allegedly trafficking people from Uganda to Dubai without a valid recruitment license.

Apostal John Malisi, 50, and his son Billali Elly Malisi, 25, residents of Mbuya Cell 2 village, Nakawa Division in Kampala District, face charges alongside Annet Namakula, a 47-year-old businesswoman residing in Ttula village, Kawempe Division.

The trio appeared before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who read them 18 counts of human trafficking and operating an unlicensed recruitment agency. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Despite their pleas, the magistrate remanded them until December 29, 2023, when their case will be mentioned again.

The prosecution alleges that in 2022, at Ttula village in Kawempe Division, the accused persons deceived and fraudulently recruited individuals from Uganda, transporting them via Entebbe International Airport to Dubai with the intention of exploiting them for labor.

Some of the victims, who were present in court, testified that they were flown to Dubai but subsequently returned to Uganda due to the lack of promised jobs.
Experts have urged Parliament to pass into the law the Alcohol Control Bill.

This has been based on the high cost of treating people battling alcohol dependence and abuse.

While appearing before the Health Committee of Parliament, experts said that on average, each patient requires Shs2 monthly monthly, and Shs24 million annually for treatment in a rehabilitation facility.

On Wednesday, NBL slammed the bill, saying that once passed, it will affect the night economy.

This private members bill entitled, the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023, was presented to Parliament by Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi seeking to regulate the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic drinks.

Albert Elwa, a former alcohol abuser called for the establishment of more rehabilitation centres to save lives, saying he received rehabilitation for alcohol abuse for 15 years and ended up losing his oesophagus after acquiring esophageal (cancer of oesophagus).

He added that in Uganda, 4-5 million of the 45 million people depend on alcohol.

He says this calls for rehabilitation centres, hence calling for an Alcohol Fund that will support enforcement and also support initiatives towards treatment.
The 2023 Graduates of the Teagasc/UCD Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark on Tuesday, 19th December.

The awards were presented by Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education at Teagasc and Associate Professor in Dairy Production Professor Karina Pierce from UCD. Professor Karina Pierce congratulated the 10 participants who graduated at the ceremony, commenting on the knowledge and skills the graduates have developed over the last two years and wished them well in their dairy careers.

The Grassland Student of the Year award went to Linda Pfennig from Callan, County Kilkenny. This award was based on a comprehensive grassland assessment which Linda completed in her 2nd year where she worked with Kevin Cooney in County Tipperary. The Grassland Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Blackwater Discussion Group.

Dr Anne-Marie Butler congratulated the graduates and their families on the significant achievement. Dr Butler explained that these graduates join an elite group of skilled and vibrant fellow graduates who have completed the course over the last decade and are now leaders within the Irish dairy industry.

Dr Butler acknowledged the significant contribution of Teagasc research, education and advisory staff in delivering the programme as well as the commitment from host farmers who run successful farm businesses, while also providing invaluable mentoring to students and very generously share their time and private farm information with students.

The Overall Student of the Year award from the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course went to Tommy Dillane from Ardagh, County Limerick. Prior to completing the Level 7 diploma, Tommy completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate at Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry.

During his two years in the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, Tommy completed his first year placement with Niall OCallaghan and James Moloney and his second year placement with James Murphy and Paidi Kelly, both farms in County Limerick. The Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, Irish Farm Managers Association and the Master Farmers.
The Rt Rev Mark Davies, the Bishop of Shrewsbury, will warn against distorting Christian values of mercy - Marcin Mazur

A bishop is set to accuse the sinister euthanasia lobby of pushing a deadly agenda.

In his Christmas homily, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, the Bishop of Shrewsbury, will warn against distorting Christian values of mercy to push for changes in the law regarding assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The bishop, a Catholic, will say that it seems especially sinister that the euthanasia lobby should choose this moment of the year to advance its deadly agenda when he delivers his midnight mass homily.

He will add that the euthanasia lobby is using the Christian values of compassion and mercy to speak of medical killing.

Christianity led us to care for the weakest and most vulnerable, euthanasia proposes a new morality where the light of Christ no longer guides us, he will add.

His comments follow Dame Esther Rantzens remarks that she may wish to end her life at the Swiss assisted dying clinic Dignitas.

The TV presenter and founder of anti-bullying and anti-abuse charity Childline is currently receiving care for stage four lung cancer.

Dont I have the right?

Writing in The Telegraph this week, Dame Esther said while she was able to give her dog, Marmite, a quick and painless death, this was not the case for her husband, Desmond Wilcox, nor her mother.

She wrote: We have marvellous drugs that extend life, Im on a new one at the moment and so far its working well; we also have drugs which can end life painlessly. Dont I have the right to them, too?

Some politicians have suggested that the 1961 Suicide Act, under which assisted suicide may be punished by up to 14 years imprisonment, should be abolished or amended, with both Michael Gove and Mel Stride suggesting the law should be revisited.

Sir Keir Starmer has also said that he personally believed that there are grounds for changing the law.

In June, Dignitas said that those suffering mental health problems had just as much right to die as those who were physically unwell.

Story continues

Silvan Luley, Dignitas team member, said it was about time that the UK legalised assisted dying and that people with mental illness were competent to make the decision to end their lives.

Speaking to MPs, he said: But the law in Switzerland, and also by the way in the UK, says that everyone is assumed to have capacity... Nobody needs to prove that they are competent, but the other way around.

The starting point is people are competent and people have the right to decide about their end of life.

Asked about whether people who are mentally ill have the capacity to make such a decision, Mr Luley replied: Nobody needs to prove that they are competent, but the other way around.

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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today announced a significant increase in the number of student bursaries available to disadvantaged students.

Applications for the 2023/2024 1916 Bursary for students are open now. They are funded through a joint investment by the Irish Government and the European Union under the European Social Fund Plus.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said, As Minister for Further and Higher Education, I am dedicated to making sure that everybody, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to progress to higher education.

Together with the European Union we are investing 2.4 million, increasing the amount of new scholarships to 400 Tier 1 bursaries at a value 5,000 and 200 Tier 2 bursaries at a value of 2000, per year of study.

The bursary aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.

The PATH fund has enabled our institutions to create new and innovative programmes to improve access to higher education. These have been absolutely crucial in giving those with huge potential, who might otherwise miss out, the opportunity to go on to higher education.
The contract to develop Lot 5A of the South-East Greenway from Ferrybank to Curraghmore was recently awarded to Glas Civil Engineering Ltd.

Works commenced on November 13, with focus being placed on the provision of a permanent carpark at Glenmore.

The anticipated contract duration of Lot 5A is 12 months and ROD Consulting Engineers have been appointed as technical consultants to supervise this contract.

Failte Ireland recently engaged The Paul Hogarth Company to conduct an interpretation, wayfinding and orientation plan for the greenway.

A public consultation event was also recently held in the Rhu Glenn and Brandon House Hotel to obtain information on the places, stories and people along the route of the greenway.

It is hoped that this information will be used to inform the future animation on the greenway.

In relation to a potential link from the South-East Greenway to Inistioge, tenders have been sought for a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to advance the proposal.
People all over Ireland have been encouraged to step up together and take part in the GOAL Mile this festive season with their friends and families.

A busy calendar of events, which began with the first GOAL Mile in the Castle Park earlier this month, ramps up over Christmas, with the Shamrocks GAA club hosting an event at their grounds on Saturday at 11am.

Shamrocks and Kilkenny hurler Eoin Cody, who captained the Cats to the All-Ireland final this year, is one of the GOAL Mile ambassadors for 2023.

People looking to work up an appetite on Christmas Day can take on their choice of two events on the big day. Carrickshock GAA club host the Mile event in Hugginstown on Christmas Day at 11am, while the traditional yuletide GOAL Mile on Market Street in Thomastown will be held at noon.

There will be two more GOAL Mile events on St Stephens Day in the county. Mullinavat and Danesfort GAA clubs will open their grounds to runners and walkers of all ages at 11am, the Mullinavat event doubling as the official opening of the clubs new walkway.

Prizes

This year, people who have registered for the GOAL Mile also have the opportunity to win one of 10 prizes of 1,000 for their local GAA club.

To win one of these prizes, people can register for their GOAL Mile and then enter their details into the AIB GAA GOAL Mile competition at www.goalmile.org.
President of Kilkenny Lions Club Marie Kennedy distributed the proceeds raised from the Christmas Hamper Appeal to local organisations at a presentation in St Canices Cathedral last week.

Amongst the local organisations that benefitted were: St Vincent De Paul, Kilkenny Social Services (Meals on Wheels), Church of Ireland, Good Shepherd Centre and Amber Womens Refuge Centre.

This years appeal was a tremendous success. Marie thanked the Kilkenny People and KCLR for dedicating so much time and resources to supporting the various Lions events. She praised the spirit of the people of Kilkenny, both business and community, who contributed so generously in these difficult times.



Also commended were the members of Kilkenny Lions Club for their hard work and commitment over the past year.

She thanked all of this years sponsors together with a number of donors who made significant monetary contributions and she hoped they will continue to support Kilkenny Lions into the future.

She also thanked Mayor Joe Malone who attended the presentation, for donating the proceeds of the Mayor's Christmas Appeal.

Dean Stephen Farrell was thanked for facilitating the Lions club with the use of St Canices Cathedral for the annual schools concert and other fundraising events during the year.

These proceeds will assist the Lions Club in providing organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul with food vouchers this Christmas. Local organisations will also benefit when money is allocated by the Lions early next year.

HARDSHIP

This Christmas will again be extremely difficult for so many in the community and Kilkenny Lions hope that the money raised will go some way to reduce the hardship that many families are facing across Kilkenny City and county.

Marie Kennedy concluded by saying it has been a truly great team effort and wished everybody a happy Christmas and new year.
Migrants record a video while crossing the Darien Gap, between Colombia and Panama, Sept. 23, 2022. (Federico Rios/The New York Times)

Manuel Monterrosa set out for the United States last year with his cellphone and a plan: Hed record his journey through the dangerous jungle known as the Darien Gap and post it on YouTube, warning other migrants of the perils theyd face.

In his six-part series, edited entirely on his phone along the way, he heads north with a backpack, leading viewers on a video-selfie play-by-play of his passage across rivers, muddy forests and a mountain known as the Hill of Death.

He eventually made it to the United States. But to his surprise, his videos began attracting so many views and earning enough money from YouTube that he decided he no longer needed to live in America at all.

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So, Monterrosa, a 35-year-old from Venezuela, returned to South America and now has a new plan altogether: trekking the Darien route again, this time in search of content and clicks, having learned how to make a living as a perpetual migrant.

Migration sells, Monterrosa said. My public is a public that wants a dream.

For more than a decade, cellphones have been indispensable tools for people fleeing their homelands, helping them research routes, find friends and loved ones, connect with smugglers and evade the authorities.

Now, cellphones and social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok are drastically changing the equation once again, fueling the next evolution of global movement.

Today, migrants are the producers of an enormous digital almanac of the trek to the United States, documenting the route and its pitfalls in such detail that, in a few stretches, people can find their way on their own, without smugglers.

And as migrants stream their struggles and successes to millions back home, some are becoming small-time celebrities and influencers in their own right, inspiring others to make the trek as well.

Their posts, pictures, videos and memes are not just in Spanish, but also in the array of languages spoken by migrants from around the globe who are increasingly showing up at the southern border of the United States.

Story continues

Some influencers, like Monterrosa, who studied communications in Venezuela, are bringing in a few hundred dollars a month from companies like YouTube  often a lot more than they were making at home. During a good month, Monterrosa says he has earned $1,000 in payouts, four times the minimum wage in Colombia, where he lives now.

But the content can be more profitable for social media companies, which make money from posts about migration the same way they do from cat videos, experts say: the longer viewers watch or scroll, the more advertisements they can be shown.

Spanish-language posts with the tag #migracion on TikTok have nearly 2 billion views, according to figures reported by the platform. So do posts marked #darien, which sometimes appear between ads for H&M and the iPhone15.

On Facebook, migration-related groups flourish  one has more than 500,000 members  creating an open marketplace for smugglers who call themselves advisers or guides.

The company says that offering smuggling services violates its policies, and that it makes an enormous effort to identify and remove such content, including working with the United Nations. Still, The New York Times found more than 900 cases of Facebook users offering passage toward the United States.

Accompanying you toward your dreams! read one recent Facebook post, where a group calling itself a travel agency advertises several routes through the Darien.

Facebook removed this and hundreds of other smuggler posts flagged by the Times. A company representative called the safety of our users a priority, acknowledging that it was a challenge to keep up with the mind-melting amount of information on the site.

At the center of this digital conversation is the Darien Gap, the perilous jungle straddling South and North America that has grown from a dense, rarely traversed forest into a migrant thoroughfare.

The Darien is the only way into the Northern Hemisphere by foot. Long trekked by just a few thousand people a year, its quickly become a harrowing rite of passage, crossed by more than 500,000 migrants  from more than 100 countries  this year alone, according to the authorities in Panama, where the jungle ends.

Political turmoil and the economic havoc of the pandemic are fueling the increase, but officials from Colombia to the United States say cellphones and social media are undoubtedly accelerants.

I saw their stories on Facebook, Irismar Gutierrez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan about to venture into the Darien Gap, said of all the posts from friends and family who had made it the United States.

The Darien, once barely known around the world, has drawn so much attention that it may soon become a reality television show, with a team of 24 adventurers planning a Jeep expedition through the jungle. The producers say they hope to get as many as 40 million eyeballs a month through TikTok alone.

To the alarm of the Biden administration, the number of Venezuelans crossing the Darien took off last year as photographs and videos raced across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook showing Venezuelans who had made it into the United States.

Since then, the Darien social media universe has only exploded. On TikTok, a cheery and almost heartwarming Darien video montage featuring waving migrants and a leap into an emerald-colored river has almost 13 million views. A Facebook user with nearly 500,000 followers, named El Chamo (the young guy in Venezuelan Spanish), posted videos from the Darien, and then a follow-up called My first job in the United States.

Many migrant content creators say they are acting as citizen journalists and educators, helping others to understand what the route demands and to make informed decisions about whether to risk it.

In the miniseries about his journey to the United States, Monterrosa passes the body of a man who looks near death and considers the terrible question, faced by nearly every migrant on the route, of whether to stop and aid a person who cannot go on.

Is it inhuman not to help? he asks.

He has been told by others that he inspired them to go north. But Monterrosa does not see himself as incentivizing large-scale migration.

He says much bigger factors are to blame for that  such as the crises in migrants home countries, the demand for cheap labor in the United States, immigration policies that force people onto illegal routes, and the social media platforms that benefit from the onslaught of new content.

Migrants who narrate and share their own journeys are just a few more survivors in a world that offers them few other options, he added.

Facebook and TikTok are also flooded with the faces of people who have disappeared or died in the Darien, often accompanied by desperate pleas from family members asking for any information about their loved ones.

Its been 34 days without any news from them, says one post on Facebook, above the photographs of two boys from Ecuador.

Another, with an image of a diapered toddler, includes a plea for the childs name and relatives because her mother drowned in a swamp.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The Apprentice star Nick Hewer is a Street Child ambassador (Street child)

The Apprentice and Countdown star Nick Hewer has hailed the announcement the UK government is to match donations to Street Childs Christmas appeal.

The government said it will match eligible donations to the appeal between December 15 and January 31 up to 500,000.

The first 225,000 donated will also be matched by From Babies with Love, Boodles, and an anonymous donor, tripling the impact for children who need it most.

The appeal is raising funds to provide education to marginalised children around the world where help is desperately needed.

Hewer, an ambassador for the charity, said: Thanks to generous match funding from the UK government and additional match funders, every pound donated will be tripled, massively multiplying the impact for children who need support the most.

Education can unlock childrens full potential and lift communities out of poverty, yet millions of children around the world are denied this basic right. This Christmas, people in the UK have the opportunity to make a difference through Street Child, an inspiring charity working to provide education for marginalised children in the poorest countries.

Over 72 million children are currently out of school because of conflict, climate change and cost of living crises around the world.

100 per cent of eligible match funding from the UK government will go directly toward a Street Child project in Sierra Leone, which will help thousands of vulnerable children attend and stay in school.

Public donations will go toward Street Childs work around the world to see children safe, inschool and learning.

Minister for Development, Andrew Mitchell said:Education is a ladder out of poverty in Northern Sierra Leone but many children, particularly girls and those with disabilities, are forced to leave school before they should.

To donate please go to www.street-child.org
AAR (NYSE:AIR  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The aerospace company reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.01, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The firm had revenue of $545.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $557.04 million. AAR had a return on equity of 9.90% and a net margin of 3.19%. The companys revenue was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.69 EPS.

AAR Price Performance

Shares of AAR stock traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $70.79. 560,953 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 197,436. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 3.07 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The firm has a market cap of $2.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.26 and a beta of 1.65. AAR has a 52 week low of $41.53 and a 52 week high of $73.95. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $65.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.97.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO John Mcclain Holmes III sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.99, for a total transaction of $609,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 321,766 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,624,508.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO John Mcclain Holmes III sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.99, for a total transaction of $609,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 321,766 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,624,508.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Jessica A. Garascia sold 8,598 shares of AAR stock in a transaction on Friday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.56, for a total value of $512,096.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 35,517 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,115,392.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 77,332 shares of company stock worth $4,621,798 in the last 90 days. 4.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AAR

Analyst Ratings Changes

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mariner LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AAR in the 4th quarter valued at $216,000. Ethic Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AAR in the 1st quarter valued at $202,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of AAR in the 2nd quarter valued at $201,000. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its stake in shares of AAR by 726.6% in the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 4,439 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 3,902 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. grew its stake in shares of AAR by 6.9% during the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 2,850 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $165,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the period. 89.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AIR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $65.00 target price on shares of AAR in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on AAR in a report on Friday, December 1st. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on AAR from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on AAR in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $70.75.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AIR

About AAR

(Get Free Report)

AAR Corp. provides products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. It operates through Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services segments. The Aviation Services segment engages in lease and sale of new, overhauled and repaired engine, and airframe parts and components, as well as aircrafts; and offers customized flight hour component inventory and repair, warranty claim management, and outsourcing programs for engine and airframe parts and components.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday.

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. in a research note on Monday, October 16th. They set a buy rating and a $37.00 price objective on the stock.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. Stock Up 1.5 %

BLX stock traded up $0.36 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $24.70. The company had a trading volume of 200,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 101,815. The stock has a market capitalization of $897.23 million, a P/E ratio of 5.97 and a beta of 1.14. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. has a one year low of $15.58 and a one year high of $25.73. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $23.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.91.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The bank reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $71.78 million for the quarter. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. had a return on equity of 13.55% and a net margin of 23.54%. On average, research analysts forecast that Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. will post 4.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BLX. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. during the third quarter worth about $976,000. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 13.0% during the first quarter. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 307,465 shares of the banks stock worth $5,343,000 after acquiring an additional 35,410 shares during the period. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. during the third quarter worth about $630,000. LSV Asset Management grew its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. by 2.9% during the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 999,108 shares of the banks stock worth $22,040,000 after acquiring an additional 27,700 shares during the period. Finally, Diversified Trust Co purchased a new position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A. in the 3rd quarter worth about $488,000. 7.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A.

(Get Free Report)

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A., a multinational bank, primarily engages in the financing of foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates through two segments, Commercial and Treasury. It also offers bilateral loans; structured loans including syndicated and clubbed, such as acquisition and pre-export financing, A/B loan financing, bridge loans, and liability management; and project financing.

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Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:DIFTY  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $29.80 and last traded at $28.31, with a volume of 1692 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.10.

Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average is $26.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 5.43 and a current ratio of 5.43.

Daito Trust Construction Co.,Ltd. Company Profile

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Daito Trust Construction Co,Ltd. designs, constructs, and rents apartments and condominiums in Japan. It operates through three segments: Construction, Real Estate, and Finance. The company design and construct rental housing and other structure construction; ironwork and construction; building management and renovation, and whole building leasing; rental housing tenant guarantor services; advertising; and LP gas supply businesses.

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Grown Rogue International Inc. (OTCMKTS:GRUSF  Get Free Report) dropped 3.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $0.27 and last traded at $0.27. Approximately 17,525 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 95,435 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.28.

Grown Rogue International Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $0.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.14 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.03 and a beta of 0.63.

Grown Rogue International Company Profile

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Grown Rogue International Inc, a craft cannabis company, focuses on premium flower and flower-derived products. It produces a range of cultivars for consumers, which are classified as indicas, sativas, and hybrids. The company sells its products through dispensaries. Grown Rogue International Inc was incorporated in 1978 and is headquartered in Medford, Oregon.

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Investment Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Free Report) by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 26,324 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 747 shares during the quarter. Investment Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $1,032,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 108,287.1% during 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 buying an additional 296,194,508 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 80,014,266 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,232,576,000 after buying an additional 4,112,351 shares during the period. Betterment LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 72,563,778 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,931,577,000 after buying an additional 787,088 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 55,415,031 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,556,296,000 after buying an additional 1,508,810 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 8.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 45,951,617 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,791,194,000 after purchasing an additional 3,566,685 shares during the period.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSEARCA VWO traded down $0.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $40.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,306,692 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,997,354. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $39.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.33. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a twelve month low of $37.46 and a twelve month high of $43.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile

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.

Further Reading

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).

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Sylvania Platinum Limited (LON:SLP  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 73.81 ($0.93) and traded as low as GBX 70.26 ($0.89). Sylvania Platinum shares last traded at GBX 71 ($0.90), with a volume of 560,961 shares traded.

Sylvania Platinum Stock Down 2.1 %

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 72.93 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 73.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 12.15 and a quick ratio of 15.92. The stock has a market capitalization of 186.29 million, a P/E ratio of 557.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.05 and a beta of 0.46.

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Insider Transactions at Sylvania Platinum

In other news, insider Adrian J. Reynolds purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 10th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 66 ($0.83) per share, with a total value of 6,600 ($8,347.03). In other Sylvania Platinum news, insider Johannes Jacobus Prinsloo sold 63,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 70 ($0.89), for a total transaction of 44,100 ($55,773.37). Also, insider Adrian J. Reynolds purchased 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 66 ($0.83) per share, with a total value of 6,600 ($8,347.03). Insiders own 12.10% of the companys stock.

About Sylvania Platinum

Sylvania Platinum Limited primarily engages in the retreatment of platinum group metals (PGM) bearing chrome tailings materials in South Africa and Mauritius. The company produces PGMs, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. It holds interests in the Sylvania dump operations that comprise six chrome beneficiation and PGM processing plants located in the Eastern and Western Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex; and various mineral asset development projects, including Volspruit and Northern Limb projects located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex located in South Africa.

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Wayfair (NYSE:W  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday.

W has been the topic of a number of other reports. Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of Wayfair from $100.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Wayfair from $88.00 to $80.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 8th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Wayfair from $90.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Stephens reduced their target price on shares of Wayfair from $105.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Wayfair in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. Fourteen investment 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.com, Wayfair presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.52.

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Wayfair Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:W traded up $3.44 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $68.14. 3,428,656 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,046,475. The firm has a market cap of $8.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.22 and a beta of 3.22. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $50.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.06. Wayfair has a 1 year low of $29.51 and a 1 year high of $90.71.

Wayfair (NYSE:W  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported ($1.38) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($1.84) by $0.46. The company had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Wayfair will post -6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Wayfair news, CEO Niraj Shah sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.42, for a total transaction of $534,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 299,137 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,979,898.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Jon Blotner sold 4,255 shares of Wayfair stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.46, for a total value of $244,492.30. Following the sale, the insider now owns 28,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,611,465.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Niraj Shah sold 10,000 shares of Wayfair stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.42, for a total transaction of $534,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 299,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,979,898.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 73,921 shares of company stock valued at $4,076,114. Insiders own 26.81% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Wayfair

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in W. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Wayfair by 16.9% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,360 shares of the companys stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wayfair during the first quarter worth about $378,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Wayfair by 42.7% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,204 shares of the companys stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 659 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its holdings in Wayfair by 51.6% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 12,740 shares of the companys stock worth $1,548,000 after buying an additional 4,338 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aviva PLC boosted its holdings in Wayfair by 1.5% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 23,470 shares of the companys stock worth $2,600,000 after buying an additional 346 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.67% of the companys stock.

Wayfair Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wayfair Inc engages in the e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company provides approximately fourty million products for the home sector under various brands. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional.

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Korea-Cambodia FTA reached historic high of $1.05 billion last year

By Kim Hyun-bin

Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chring Botumrangsay shared candid insights on the burgeoning bilateral relations, highlighting the economic synergy between the two nations at a business investment event on Thursday.

"Koreas commitment to expanding Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with other partners, in combination with Koreas ambition to become a global pivotal state and its Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), will play a pivotal role in leveraging economic cooperation and creating more opportunities in the region and the world," she said during the opening remarks at the 2nd Korea-Cambodia Business and Investment Forum held at the Trade Tower in Seoul.

"The Joint Economic Committee Meeting, Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance (DTA), and Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) have been introduced while both countries have also engaged in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Agreement."

Korea-Cambodia celebrates the one-year milestone since the implementation of the Korea-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The FTA, which came into effect last year, has led to a surge in bilateral trade, reaching a historic high of $1.05 billion.

Korea primarily exports consumer goods such as beverages, cosmetics, and automobiles to Cambodia while importing raw materials like textiles, aluminum and natural rubber.

Investment opportunities in Cambodia have expanded beyond traditional sectors, with the country actively diversifying its industries.

The introduction of the New Investment Law in 2021, focusing on the non-discriminatory treatment of domestic and foreign investors, has paved the way for a more conducive investment environment.

"Cambodias new investment law, sub-degree, and its launch of the pentagonal strategy phase 1 provide a conducive investment environment and create more opportunities for businessmen and investors," the ambassador said.

As the event unfolded, participants gained deeper insights from relevant sectors, further illuminating the multifaceted aspects of Korea-Cambodia relations and the promising avenues for economic cooperation between the two nations.

Amid global uncertainties, Korea sees Cambodia as a promising alternative market. The strategic advantages of Cambodia, including its high economic growth, low labor costs, and youthful population, make it an attractive prospect for Korean companies seeking new markets.

In addition, Cambodia's young population, coupled with its robust economic participation rate of 84.9 percent, positions it as an attractive destination for investment.

The forum aims to provide valuable insights for those considering entering the Cambodian market. The forum featured experts from Cambodia's Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, offering a comprehensive view of Cambodia's market environment and prospects from a Korean perspective.

Speakers delved deep into the business and investment environment, industrialization and digitalization, human capital and laws on labor and unions to give a better understanding of Cambodias overall business environment for Korean investors.

Korea and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on Oct. 31, 1997. This marked the formal initiation of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and since then, they have engaged in various collaborations and exchanges to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
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Hong Kong: Bernadette Linn's Shanghai trip ends

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn concluded her visit to Shanghai today by meeting its vice mayor and touring the citys infrastructure.

Ms Linn and the delegations of the Development Bureau and the Legislative Council Panel on Development she led on the visit met Shanghai Municipal Government Vice Mayor Zhang Xiaohong to learn about the city's latest developments.

Noting that frank and fruitful exchanges were conducted with relevant government authorities on the development of new districts, renewal of old districts and building of resilient cities during the trip, Ms Linn said she looked forward to experience sharing between the two places in the future.

The delegations then visited West Bund International AI Tower, West Bund Media Port and West Bund Financial City to understand the overall planning and development progress of the waterfront area in Xuhui District.

They also toured century-old Zhangyuan to learn about the successful revitalisation of heritage buildings through public-private partnership.

Ms Linn took up an invitation to attend the signing ceremony of the memorandum of co-operation between the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the Shanghai Construction Consultants Association as well as the plaque presentation ceremony for the new liaison office of the HKIS at the Shanghai Xuhui Hong Kong Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre.

She said the establishment of the Shanghai liaison office is a milestone for professional exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong, laying a good foundation for the development of professionalism on surveying between the two places.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
GLOBALink | Overseas Chinese talent conference for development underway in east China Pub Date:23-12-22 09:44 Source:Xinhua More than 1,000 guests from 37 countries and regions are gathering in China's Fuzhou for the first Overseas Chinese Talent Conference for Development. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

Related News GLOBALink | Cambodia-China University of T... Shenzhou-17 crew completes first spacewalk China leads in scale of digital economy in... China likely to see over 4.3 pct growth in...
The Korean Business Research Institute has finally announced its brand reputation rankings involving individual boy group members.

To determine the final rankings, data was covered from November 16 to December 16. Since many idols gave their best this 2023, only a total of 30 out of 716 boy group members were considered by the institute.

Here are the 10 most popular K-pop male idols in December 2023!

1. ASTRO Cha Eun Woo

In first place, Cha Eun Woo of ASTRO became the top idol for the institute's final male idol brand reputation list for 2023. According to sources, the idol actor received a brand reputation index of 3,189,885.

Aside from his promotions as an ASTRO member, Cha Eun Woo has also been active in his extra activities such as pictorials, dramas, and anything that can create fan engagement.

2. BTS Jungkook

Jungkook made it on second place after receiving a brand reputation index of 2,940,286. This managed to land him on the No. 2 spot. This December, the maknae has been busy with his solo activities and promotions, leading to performances, collabs, and many more.

The youngest member also trended due to his buzz cut, since he, RM, Jimin, and V all enlisted in the military this December.

3. BTS Jimin

Jimin managed to snag the third place with a brand reputation index of 2,748,418.

4. Wanna One Ong Seong Wu

Ong Seong Wu followed with a brand index of 2,069,242, placing fourth.

5. BTS V

V completed the top five with a brand reputation index of 1,814,302.

6. Wanna One Kang Daniel

Kang Daniel made it on sixth place with an index of 1,814,302.

7. Super Junior Kyuhyun

Kyuhyun of Super Junior landed on No. 7 after seeing a brand reputation index of 1,749,059.

8. EXO Baekhyun

Baekhyun gathered on 1,733,711 for December.

9. Wanna One Park Ji Hoon

Park Ji Hoon garnered an index of 1,546,200.

10. BTS RM

Lastly, No. 10, RM filled in the spot with an index of 1,496,862.

See the full list below:

1. ASTRO Cha Eun Woo

2. BTS Jungkook

3. BTS Jimin

4. Wanna One Ong Seong Wu

5. BTS V

6. Wanna One Kang Daniel

7. Super Junior Kyuhyun

8. EXO Baekhyun

9. Wanna One Park Ji Hoon

10. BTS RM

11. BTS Suga

12. NU'EST & Wanna One Hwang Minhyun

13. BTS Jin

14. BTS J-Hope

15. Highlight Yoon Doojoon

16. SEVENTEEN Mingyu

17. THE BOYZ Juyeon

18. SEVENTEEN Jeonghan

19. Wanna One Kim Jae Hwan

20. Super Junior Kim Heechul

21. SEVENTEEN Wonwoo

22. SEVENTEEN Hoshi

23. SEVENTEEN S.Coups

24. THE BOYZ Eric

25. BTOB Changsub

26. TVXQ Yunho

27. SEVENTEEN Woozi

28. SEVENTEEN Joshua

29. NCT Jaehyun

30. SHINee Onew

Which K-pop idols on the list are your favorite artists? Do you have a bias among them? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 7 K-pop Songs That Are Too Relatable It's Almost Terrifying: DAY6's 'Zombie,' IU's 'Palette,' More

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Riely Miller
In a surprising turn of events, the Central Labor Relations Commission has ordered the reinstatement of an employee at the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) who was dismissed for unauthorized access to BTS RM's personal information. The decision comes after two retrials and has sparked debates over privacy concerns.

Unauthorized Access to RM's Personal Information

On December 22nd, Dispatch reported that the office of Kim Doo-gwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, released the Central Labor Relations Commission's retrial decision submitted by KORAIL. The commission not only ordered the reinstatement of the dismissed employee, referred to as Mr. A, but also mandated the payment of normal wages.

Mr. A, formerly in charge of information technology development at KORAIL, had accessed RM's personal information for three years, starting in 2019. The unauthorized access included sensitive details such as ticket information, addresses, and mobile phone numbers.

230302 RM Instagram Story



 ^^;;



[An article regarding his private information being leaked by an employee of Korail for 3 consecutive years]https://t.co/yWn27E2K77 pic.twitter.com/PW7JIuN1Fi March 1, 2023

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK OMGGG!!!!! So you are telli g me that THE EMPLOYEE OF KORAIL COMPANY ACCESSED BTS RM's PRIVATE INFORMATION INCLUDING HIS PHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS ETC?!WTFFFF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?!

KORAIL RESPECT RM

HYBE PROTECT RM

BIGHIT PROTECT RM#HYBEPROTECTRM pic.twitter.com/EXSx4GzXPq  SANA VANTAE #HappyJinDay (@Sana82393229) March 1, 2023

READ ALSO: BTS RM's Privacy Got Violated After Visiting Temple- Instagram Posts Revealed

Privacy Concerns and Legal Implications

The incident raised eyebrows as it violated Article 3 of the Personal Information Protection Act, which stipulates that customer personal information should only be used for the purpose of processing and must not be accessed for reasons other than business purposes.

KORAIL discovered Mr. A's misconduct during an internal audit, revealing that he had not only breached RM's privacy but had also accessed the personal information of other employees without permission. This led to his dismissal in April.

Controversial Reinstatement Decision

Despite the serious nature of the privacy violation, Mr. A contested his dismissal. The initial retrial application was dismissed, reflecting the severity of the allegations. However, in a surprising twist, the Central Labor Relations Commission overturned the decision in the final review, leading to Mr. A's reinstatement.

This controversial decision has sparked concerns among the public and within the industry about the protection of personal information and the consequences for those found guilty of unauthorized access.

As debates unfold, the incident highlights the delicate balance between employee rights and the need for stringent measures to safeguard individuals' privacy.

YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: BTS RM Relationship 2022: 'Butter' Rapper Once Rumored to Be Married - Here's Why

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
New Delhi, December 22: The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has given the green light to a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fortifying urban water and sewerage systems for approximately 2 million people in Tamil Nadu, one of India's most urbanized states.

According to the World Bank, the newly approved USD 300 million Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development Program is set to enhance access to quality water and sewerage services, promoting climate-resilient cities in the face of escalating climate shocks such as floods and droughts. World Bank Greenlights USD 100 Million Project to Boost Skill Development, Employment for Women and Youth in Sikkim.

Tamil Nadu, with its rapidly growing population, is grappling with the impacts of climate change, making access to essential services like water and sanitation paramount for building resilient urban centres. The program will target 21 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), upgrading their delivery systems to ensure efficient water supply and sewerage services.

Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's Country Director for India, highlighted the significance of bolstering urban infrastructure in the wake of India's urbanization trend. Kouame said, "By 2030, almost 70 per cent of India's new jobs will be generated in cities and more than 18 million people will move to cities. As centres of economic growth, it is critical to strengthen their ability to cope with the impacts of climate change and ensure continuity in basic service delivery."

The program goes beyond addressing immediate water and sewerage needs; it also focuses on creating green spaces and parks within designated areas, contributing to enhanced urban living conditions. Moreover, the initiative plans to engage the private sector through performance-based contracts, issue municipal bonds, and facilitate urban governance reforms to fortify the financial health of ULBs.

"This Program aims to leverage the private sector by introducing performance-based contracts. In addition, it will issue municipal bonds and support urban governance reforms to improve the fiscal health of ULBs and secure the future needs of the urban population. Communities, especially women, will also play a key role in designing and supporting effective climate action plans for cities", said Raghu Kesavan, Mansha Chen, and Lilian Pena P. Weiss, the Task Team Leaders for the project.

The financing structure for the program involves a USD 300 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), utilizing the blended financing instrument of Program-for-Results (PforR) with Investment Project Financing (IPF).

This approach links fund disbursement directly to the achievement of results while providing technical assistance. The Program loan carries a maturity of 32 years, including a grace period of 7 years. World Bank Projects That Israel-Hamas War Could Push Lebanon Back into Recession.

Over the past two decades, the World Bank has collaborated with Tamil Nadu and ULBs to establish and scale up a state-level urban institution, functioning as a public-private partnership facility, to mobilize diverse sources of finance for urban infrastructure projects in cities.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Faridabad, Dec 22 (PTI) The Faridabad Police on Friday said that brother of cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi had suffered burns after falling into a "bonfire" and there was no proof he was set on fire in a murder attempt.

Mahesh Panchal, Bajrangi's brother, had earlier alleged that a group of men poured flammable liquid on him and set him on fire here on the night of December 6.

Also Read | SSC MTS and Havaldar Final Answer Key 2023 Released, Know How to Check at ssc.nic.in.

Bajrangi had later alleged that the attack on his brother was made in a reprisal to the Nuh violence and he will avenge it if the culprits are not arrested soon.

Panchal, who suffered 60 per cent burns, had in his complaint alleged he was set on fire by seven unidentified men near Baba Mandi in Faridabad.

Also Read | London-Bound British Airways Flight Returns to New Delhi Shortly After Takeoff Due to Indication of Fire.

On December 15, the Faridabad Police formed a Special Investigation Team, questioned more than 20 people, and scanned the CCTV footage from the spot where the alleged crime had taken place.

Faridabad Police spokesperson Sube Singh said the footage did not show any assault on Panchal, nor did the SIT find any chemical substance, alcohol, petrol, or diesel at the spot.

"The shopkeepers and local residents also claim that they did not hear any noise about any assault or fire. We have verified all facts. It seems the complaint was fabricated," Singh said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bijapur, December 22: A District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan was injured after a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites went off in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh on Friday, a police official said. The incident took place at 3:30pm during an encounter between security personnel and Naxalites in a forest near Potenar village under Jangla police station limits, the official said.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of members of Bhairamgarh "area committee" of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Potenar area, a joint team of DRG and Bastar Fighters, both units of the state police, launched an operation, he said. Chhattisgarh: CRPF Sub-Inspector Killed, Constable Injured in Encounter With Naxals in Sukma District.

"An exchange of fire took place between security forces and Naxalites when a patrolling team was cordoning off the area. During the skirmish, DRG jawan Suresh Michcha inadvertently stepped over the pressure IED, which triggered a blast that caused injuries to his leg," he said. Chhattisgarh Naxal Attack: Slowed Down To Chew Pan Masala, Vehicle Blew Up in Front of Me and Saw Pieces of Bodies on Road, Says Eyewitness.

As per the preliminary information, two-three Naxalites also sustained bullet injuries in the gunfight but their colleagues managed to drag them inside the forest, the official said. "The injured jawan is being shifted to Bijapur district hospital. His condition is stated to be out of danger. The search operation by security personnel is underway in the area," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj (UP), Dec 22 (PTI) An MP-MLA court in Prayagraj on Friday sentenced former Uttar Pradesh minister Rakeshdhar Tripathi to three years of rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case.

Additional sessions judge Dinesh Chandra Shukla also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the former minister, district government counsel (criminal) Gulab Chandra Agrahari said.

Also Read | Sunil Kedar Convicted: Court Convicts Maharashtra Congress MLA in Nagpur Cooperative Bank's Rs 150 Crore Scam.

The lawyer said the court accepted the bail application of Tripathi.

The case of disproportionate assets was registered against Tripathi at Muthiganj police station on June 18, 2013.

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Agrahari said an investigation found that the total income of Tripathi and his dependents from known and legitimate sources was around Rs 45.82 lakh, while their expenditure was found to be around Rs 1.81 crore.

He said that a total of 33 witnesses appeared in this case.

Tripathi was the higher education minister in the BSP government in Uttar Pradesh from May 2007 to December 2011.

(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 [India], December 22 (ANI): Ahead of the national level 'Hai Taiyaar Hum' rally, to be organised by the Congress on its 139th foundation day, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh on Friday said that they have to take the ideology of the grand old party to every person.

Congress has decided to hold a massive rally in Maharashtra's Nagpur on December 28, as the party completes its 138 years of foundation.

Also Read | Kanpur Shocker: Women Caterers Physically Assaulted, Forced to Dance at Birthday Party in Panki, No Arrest So Far.

Taking to the social media platform, X, Digvijaya Singh said that the rally, which would be joined by all the senior leaders, would commence at 2 pm.

"Hai Taiyaar Hum...Friends, on December 28, 2023, the Indian National Congress is going to complete 138 years of its glorious history. On this foundation day of Congress, a huge national level rally 'Hain Narayan Hum' is being organized in Nagpur from 2 pm. We have to take the ideology of Congress to every person in nation-building. To create a happy and prosperous India. Jai Hind, Jai Congress," Singh wrote on X.

Also Read | Indian Navy Deploys Indigenous Guided Missile Destroyer in Gulf of Aden Region in View of Recent Piracy Incident.

Earlier on Thursday, while briefing about the rally, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said that the event is expected to be attended by around 5-10 lakh people.

"December 28 is our foundation day. We are doing a massive rally in Nagpur, which is going to be a remarkable event in the wake of the Parliament elections. All the senior leaders of the party will be attending this rally. A minimum, of 5-10 lakh people would be participating in this rally. We already requested all the working committee members to start immediately the election campaigns in (their) respective states," he said.

Venugopal said that the opposition's INDIA bloc will organise such separate programmes which will be decided 'very soon'.

Meanwhile, nine AICC secretaries have been appointed to coordinate the mobilisation and other arrangements for the "Hai Taiyaar Hum" rally.

The AICC members include P.C. Vishnunadh, MLA, Qazi Nizamuddin, Sanjay Kapoor, Dheeraj Gurjar, Chandan Yadav, B.M. Sandeep, Chetan Chauhan, Pradeep Narwal and Abhishek Dutt.

On December 28, 1885, 72 social reformers, journalists and lawyers congregated for the first session of the Indian National Congress at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, erstwhile Bombay. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, Dec 22 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Thursday constituted a four-member cabinet sub-committee headed by state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for COVID-19 management.

Other than Rao, the three ministers in the panel are Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Refuses to Charge Brother for Kidney Donation, Husband Pronounces Triple Talaq over Phone; case registered.

The committee will monitor the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, which is once again creating a scare among the masses.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 22 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Ministers of the state, Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday and discussed various schemes related to the development of the state.

Prime Minister's Office posted on 'X', "CM of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav, along with Deputy CMs Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda met PM Modi."

Also Read | Priyanka Gandhi Assures Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia of Support in Their Fight for Justice (Watch Video).

Yadav also wrote on X, "Today, I met PM Modi in New Delhi and received guidance about various schemes related to development, progress and public interest of Madhya Pradesh. Deputy Chief Ministers of state, Shukla and Devda were also present on the occasion."

With the guidance and blessings of the Prime Minister, we will leave no stone unturned to create new records in the field of development in the state, he added.

Also Read | SSC MTS and Havaldar Final Answer Key 2023 Released, Know How to Check at ssc.nic.in.

Meanwhile, CM Yadav also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During this, he had a detailed discussion with Shah about various public welfare schemes and development works related to the state.

The CM posted on X, "Today, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, discussed in detail of the development of Madhya Pradesh and various public welfare schemes and received guidance from him."

Earlier on Thursday, CM Yadav met with all the Members of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh in Delhi and said that all would work for the betterment of the state.

"Today in Delhi, there was a meeting with MPs from Madhya Pradesh. I'm happy that I got the chance to meet all of them. It was the first such meeting after the elections. We will all work for the betterment of the MP. I hope that after the elections, all MPs win yet again under the leadership of PM Modi," said CM Mohan Yadav. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Insolvency appellate tribunal NCLAT has dismissed the plea of Jalan Kalrock Consortium, the successful bidder of Jet Airways, challenging an NCLT order directing the sale of three aircraft of the grounded air carrier.

A three-member NCLAT bench upheld the order of the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which on October 17, 2023, directed to go ahead with the sale of three aircraft to Malta-based firm Ace Aviation.

Also Read | SSC MTS and Havaldar Final Answer Key 2023 Released, Know How to Check at ssc.nic.in.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) also dismissed the petition of All India Jet Airways Officers and Staff Association, challenging the NCLT order.

The NCLAT agreed with the submission that "delaying sale of aircraft shall further diminish the value of aircraft which shall not be in the interests" of Jet Airways.

Also Read | Central Universities Recruitment Examination 2023 Registration Deadline Extended, Know How to Apply at exams.nta.ac.in.

"We, thus, do not find any good ground to interfere with the order passed by the Adjudicating Authority (NCLT)," it said.

Moreover, the appellate tribunal also said the interests of Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC), the successful bidder, are also protected since the NCLT had directed that the proceeds of the sale of the aircraft are to be deposited in the escrow account and will be dealt with in accordance with the approved Resolution Plan.

While the association had contended that no assets of Jet Airways can be sold unless it is being effectuated for the purpose of the recovery of the PF and gratuity dues of the workmen and employees.

On this, NCLAT said the Association is fully protected and its entitlement will no manner will be affected.

"In view of the foregoing discussions, we are of the view that there are no grounds to interfere with the orders of the Adjudicating Authority dated October 17, 2023, passed in... In a results, both the Appeals are dismissed," said NCLAT.

JKC, the winning bidder for the airline, which stopped flying in April 2019 and later underwent an insolvency resolution process, was having a dispute with the lender. This had put a deadlock over the proposal to sell the three aircraft.

The monitoring committee of Jet Airways had already issued a letter of intent in favour of Ace Aviation for the sale of three Boeing 777 aircraft after a payment of Rs 50 crore on October 19, 2022.

Ace Aviation had participated in the bid for the aircraft.

However, after getting delayed for almost a year, Ace Aviation approached NCLT, which directed it to proceed with the sale of the aircraft.

The sale is expected to fetch Rs 350 crore.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ratnagiri, December 22: The Centre has ordered an auction of four plots of land, said to be the 'benami farm-lands allegedly belonging to absconding mafia don-cum-terrorist Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar in his native place in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district , official sources said on Friday. The seized properties, measuring a total 21,275 square metres are situated in Mumbake village of Khed, the birthplace of Dawood, 67, where he spent his early childhood before coming to Mumbai in the late 1970s.

The e-auction will be conducted on January 5, 2024, as per a Nov. 21 notice issued by Ministry of Finance under various laws, including the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulator (Forfeiture of Property) Act,1976, the NDPS Act, 1985, and the Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1998. Dawood Ibrahim Poisoned: Underworld Don Hospitalised in Pakistans Karachi Following Suspected Poisoning, Kept Under Tight Security, Say Reports.

The government has kept a total reserve price of around Rs 19 lakh for all the properties as they are categorised as 'agricultural land', currently abandoned and overgrown, with a dilapidated structure standing on one of the plots.

The e-auction conditions stipulate that the properties will be sold on as is where is and as is what is basis, and it would be the responsibility of the successful bidder to get the property/properties transferred/registered in his/her name.

As per available information on government records, the properties are free of any encumbrances, but the government has advised the prospective bidders to make their own independent inquiries pertaining to any encumbrances, the title, approved plans, etc. Bihar Shocker: Cyber Criminals Use Gangster Dawood Ibrahims Name To Threaten, Dupe Woman of Over Rs 3 Crore in Patna.

The bidder/buyer would also be responsible for any outstanding or pending dues, taxes, fees, etc that may be applicable on the properties, which according to local villagers have been deserted for several decades.

As per the notice, the Competent Authority, Surabhi Sharmas office shall not be responsible in any manner for any third-party claims/rights to these properties, and said that any bids should be made only after inspection and due diligence on all matters before bidding for them.

Meanwhile, as news spread about the proposed auction, many locals were seen going around the property, one of them surrounded by a boundary with the symbol of a Crescent Moon and Star engraved on the concrete wall, and thick overgrowth inside the plot. This is the second major auction of the Kaskar familys real assets, standing in the names of various siblings, in the past four years.

In November 2020, Dawoods childhood home along with five other properties in Mumbake village were auctioned, but another plot in Lote village remained unsold owing to certain technical issues. Prior to that, in November 2017, three other prime properties in south Mumbai, comprising rooms, a guest house and a hotel, were sold to various parties.

Currently holed up in Karachi, Dawood - most wanted in India for several crime and terror attacks, including the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case - was in the news earlier this week after local reports surfaced claiming he was allegedly poisoned and battling for life in hospital. However, members of the dreaded D-Company denied these outright as fake and said Dawood was absolutely fit and fine.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 22, 2023 10:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kyiv, December 22: The Ukraine's parliament adopted a new law legalising medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and oncological diseases acquired as a result of war, The Hill reported, quoting the official website of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. It reported on Thursday that the law was adopted with 248 votes in favour, 16 votes against, 33 abstentions and 40 members not voting. The new law will come into effect after six months.

Access to medical marijuana as treatment for war-related conditions has garnered momentum recently, as the country approaches nearly two years since Russia launched its invasion of the country. Russia-Ukraine War: Vladimir Putin Says 617,000 Russian Troops Are Currently Fighting in Ukraine, Offering Rare Detail.

The law would regulate "the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create conditions for expanding patient access to the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders, received as a result of the war," according to the final version of the bill.

The parliament's chair, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said, "The list of conditions and ways of using cannabis medicines will be determined by the Ministry of Health." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for greater access to medical marijuana as a treatment for war-related conditions. In June 2023, he addressed his country's parliament, calling for the drug's legalisation. Ukraine Could Lose Its War With Russia if US Delays Military Aid, Warns Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff.

"We must finally fairly legalise cannabis-based medicines for all those who need them, with appropriate scientific research and controlled Ukrainian production," Zelensky said, according to a translation from the local press, The Hill reported. "All the world's best practices, all the most effective policies, all the solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem to us, must be applied to Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all out citizens, do not have to endure the pain, stress and trauma of war," Zelensky added.

Meanwhile speaking at the Christmas Breakfast on December 21 Zelenskyy made an impassioned plea to the people to pray for Ukriane's Victory in the ongoing conflict against Russia.

"I attended the Christmas Prayer Breakfast. I am grateful to everyone whose prayers include the main request: victory. For the triumph of the human spirit over aggression. For the victory of our unity over any self-serving interests that may want to divide us. And for Ukraine's victory--the victory over the Russian evil that has come to our land and must be expelled" the Ukraine President said.
On 21 December the governor of Mexicos Guerrero state,, denounced the murder of, a former mayoral candidate for the city of Acapulco.

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The US has been pressuring Mexico to crack down on drug production labs within the country. However, it seems that Mexico has been waging an "imaginary war on drugs" and possibly affecting relations between the US and Mexico.

Figures from Mexico's defense ministry were recently obtained by Reuters, which found that in order to go with the US pressure to crack down on fentanyl production, Mexican authorities are also raiding drug facilities that are not in use anymore. In fact, they are only raiding a handful of active drug labs, with 95% of seizures this year coming from inactive ones.

The data from the Mexican Defense Ministry (SEDENA) came after a freedom of information request. It showed that out of the 527 labs raided by Mexican authorities in the first seven months of 2023, only 24 drug labs were active. This means that less than 5% were active, and the rest were already out of use by the time Mexican authorities raided them.

The data also showed that it is actually the pattern that is happening throughout the first four and a half years of Andres Manuel Lipez Obrador (AMLO)'s administration, with police raiding inactive labs 89% of the time from December 2018 to August 2023.

The Biden administration has been pressuring the AMLO government to crack down on the clandestine drug labs around Mexico, which could mean a detriment in US-Mexico relations as it exposes that the AMLO administration has been inflating its record amid pressure from Washington.

Mexico Violence Fueled by Drug Cartels Forcing People To Migrate to the US

Meanwhile, another point of contention in the complicated relations between the US and Mexico is immigration, and it seems one of the factors driving immigration is the drug gangs that the Mexican government should have been going after in the first place.

READ NEXT: Texas: Greg Abbott's Border Measures Are Extreme, Dehumanizing

Another report from Reuters showed that drug cartel-related violence is forcing many to leave their homes and seek a better life across the border. The battles between these drug cartels, as well as their expansion to once-peaceful neighborhoods and turning them into battlegrounds, have fueled what migration experts are calling the "largest exodus of Mexican families in modern history."

Many of those migrating are forced out of their own communities, with 88% of Mexican migrants saying that they were migrating to escape violence this year.

Mexico May Have Released Fake Numbers Regarding Missing People as a Result of the Drug War

As the Mexican drug war raged, this year's number of "disappeared" people decreased as the Mexican elections approached. However, this lower number has raised several eyebrows as there was little transparency regarding the numbers the government presented.

According to The Guardian, the government announced it was able to confirm just 12,377 of the more than 113,000 cases of disappeared people, with another 16,681 located. However, roughly two-thirds of the cases did not have enough information, with accusations that the registry itself was politicized to make the ruling party under AMLO look good just before next year's elections.

READ MORE: Mexico: Bodies of 5 Students Found Dead Inside a Car in Celaya

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Inside the Real Narcos: Mexico | ENDEVR Documentary
On what should be the final decision on the fate of former South American dictator Desi Bouterse, who used to rule Suriname with an iron fist, a court upheld his 20-year prison sentence and finally ended the 16-year legal battle over the December 1982 killings of prisoners that were deemed extrajudicial by many around the world.

The 78-year-old former dictator headed Suriname's military regime during the 1980s, and much like many other dictatorships in South America, it did not take kindly to dissent and political opposition. He was accused of having 15 political prisoners killed inside a colonial-era prison, though he denied any involvement in their deaths.

Desi Bouterse was sentenced in the case in 2019 and in 2021 but had employed delaying tactics by constantly appealing the decisions against him. This latest sentencing against him cannot be appealed anymore as it has been deemed final, according to the Associated Press.

The lawyer who represented the victims' relatives spoke with the media and stated, "We have received a gem of a verdict," and added that he can now "proudly" say there is an independent constitutional state in Suriname.

Bouterse himself was not present during his sentencing, and neither were his other co-defendants, who were sentenced to 15 years in prison. The former dictator's 20-year sentence was given as a consideration for his age, and this was also the highest sentence allowed at the time of those political murders.

Possible Unrest in Suriname Following Desi Bouterse Sentencing

Despite not being in power anymore, Desi Bouterse remains a popular figure in Suriname, particularly among the poor and the working class. With his sentencing now final, it may cause some unrest within this small Dutch-speaking South American country, as warned by the Dutch and French embassies in the capital, Paramaribo.

READ MORE: Suriname: 5 Places to Visit in This Country Filled With Natural Beauty

"The police are on alert, backed up by other security forces," said Justice Minister Kenneth Amoski in a statement soon after the sentencing became final.

This statement came even though Desi Bouterse said that he would respect the ruling, adding that he is ready for it and that he was "convinced that the other judge, history, will acquit me 100 percent."

Despite this Bouterse statement, police still announced road closures that will make it difficult for Bouterse's supporters to approach the courthouse, according to France 24.

What Happened in those 1982 Suriname Killings That Landed Desi Bouterse in Prison?

Desi Bouterse came to power in the "Sergeants Coup" of 1980. After he took power, he was challenged by several other coups as he ruled the country as a dictator. This led to several political opponents being imprisoned.

In 1982, 15 of those political opponents were shot inside a prison, according to Dutch News. Bouterse has since denied involvement and said that they were either trying to escape the prison as they were plotting a counter-coup with the help of the CIA, with the guards shooting at them as they were trying to flee the prison.

READ MORE: Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro Tried To Hack the 2022 Election, Says Hacker

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Suriname president convicted of murder in 1982 executions - Al Jazeera English
After losing the lawsuit filed by former Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman over spreading false information about them, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This came after the judge who found him liable of defamation ordered him to pay the two Georgia women $146 million in damages.

As Donald Trump's then-attorney, Giuliani falsely claimed that Freeman and Moss were stuffing ballot boxes in favor of eventual winner Joe Biden. Several courts have already found the former mayor's statements to be false, and thus, the judge ruled that Giuliani did, in fact, defame the two women.

Rudy Giuliani claims that his estimated liabilities are between about $100 million and $500 million and that he is now bankrupt. However, Moss and Freeman's attorney, Michael Gottlieb, says that the former mayor is just trying to get out of paying what he owes to his clients, according to CBS News.

"This maneuver is unsurprising, and it will not succeed in discharging Mr. Giuliani's debt to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss," the attorney said in a statement shortly after the former Trump attorney filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

The filing also came a day after US District Court Judge Beryl Howell ordered Giuliani to pay the two former Georgia election workers. The judge expressed concern that the former Republican presidential candidate may have been dishonest about his finances and that he might not comply with the judgment.

Rudy Giuliani Adviser Says Bankruptcy Filing 'No Surprise'

Rudy Giuliani spokesperson and political adviser Ted Goodman released a statement regarding the former New York City mayor seeking bankruptcy protection, saying that it "should be a surprise to no one" because "no person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount."

READ MORE: Rudy Giuliani Repeats Election Lies That Led to Him Losing Lawsuit

Goodman noted that the Chapter 11 filing would give Giuliani "the opportunity and time to pursue an appeal, while providing transparency for his finances under the supervision of the bankruptcy court, to ensure all creditors are treated equally and fairly throughout the process."

Despite this, however, the Associated Press noted that the Chapter 11 bankruptcy declaration will not erase the almost $146 million verdict against Giuliani as stated in US bankruptcy laws. The law states that debts that come from a "willful and malicious injury" inflicted on someone else will not be dissolved, and Giuliani would still owe the two plaintiffs that massive amount of money.

Rudy Giuliani Doubling Down on Attacks Vs. Former Georgia Poll Workers Could Land Him in Jail

Despite losing the case, Rudy Giuliani continued doubling down on his false claims that the two Georgia women committed election fraud. However, a former federal prosecutor says that this could land him in jail over in the Georgia election interference case.

In an interview with MSNBC, Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner stated that it is possible that Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman could testify against him and Donald Trump in that sprawling Georgia RICO case. Should he continue attacking them and spreading false information about them, this could constitute witness intimidation, and the judge could order him jailed because of it.

"It feels like Rudy should now be up because it sure looks like he's violating the conditions of his release in the Georgia case by continuing to intimidate, lie about, defame, and endanger Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman," he explained. "You know, he is on release in the Georgia case. I have his release conditions right here, and Joy, number five is that the defendant, Giuliani, 'shall perform no act to intimidate any person known to him to be a co-defendant or witness in the case, or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice.'"

READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rudy Giuliani's bad week continues as he files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York - MSNBC
Donald Trump attempted to spread a new conspiracy theory regarding New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron and his so-called son. As it turns out, the son who Trump claims is attending the fraud trial is a New York Post reporter, and that reporter debunked his most recent attempt at spreading fake news.

In a series of rants, Trump repeatedly shared a photo on social media featuring a bright red arrow pointing at the head of a bearded man at his civil fraud trial. He claimed that the man the arrow was pointing to was Judge Engoron's son and a Democratic operative. However, Trump did not include any evidence that any of his claims about the man were real.

In reality, the man Trump tried to claim was Engoron's son is actually a reporter for the conservative publication, the New York Post. His name is Ben Kochman and he called Trump out about the former president's attempt at another baseless conspiracy theory.

"Trump, 77, on Tuesday yet again signal-boosted the photo of me sitting a few rows into the court gallery along with an article by a fringe-right activist inexplicably claiming Engoron's son is 'financially benefitting' from being given a 'prominent' seat at the trial," wrote Kochman in his New York Post article.

The former president posted the photo on his Truth Social account and was seen by millions of his followers. However, Kochman noted that this was not the first time Trump claimed that he was Engoron's son as the former president also shared another photo of him sitting at the gallery from a post from far-right activist Laura Loomer.

As a reporter for the New York Post, Kochman was there to report on Trump's civil fraud trial where Judge Arthur Engoron has already found him liable of fraud. Trump has been trying to flip the narrative and has been claiming that he is innocent and that the judge is a political operative without any solid evidence to back up those claims.

READ MORE: Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows Will Not Be Offered Plea Deals in Georgia Election Case

New York Post Reporter Finally Spoke Up After Donald Trump Shared Fake News About Him Twice

Infamous Trump ally and anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer wrote a conspiracy theory-laden article about Judge Engoron's son being present in the hearing and being a Democratic operative. Trump shared this on Truth Social but Kochman said that he would not give the claims any air.

However, when Trump shared this new conspiracy theory again, he finally had enough and spoke up, according to The Daily Beast. He wrote, "As for The Donald, "it's unclear if he knows who I am. But hopefully, he'll soon know who I'm not."

What the New Donald Trump Conspiracy Theory About Judge Arthur Engoron Is About

Loomer started the conspiracy theory and shared repeatedly not just by Trump, but disgraced former Congressman George Santos as well. She wrote, "Judge Arthur Engoron has made the Trump trial a family affair and potentially has reserved seats for his son, Ian Engoron, who may be financially benefiting from the Trump Trial via his position at an Democrat activist law firm in New York City, and his father's position as the judge overseeing Trump's trial in NYC."

As Newsweek noted, she did not provide any evidence in her article but this was enough to make many Trump supporters believe in the conspiracy theory. She and Trump have not commented since their conspiracy theory was debunked.

As for the New York Post reporter at the center of it all, Kochman says he will be back when the trial resumes, beard and all.

READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump Gets ABSOLUTELY WRECKED by Order in NY Fraud Case - MeidasTouch
In a landmark decision, an Oklahoma judge on Tuesday declared Glynn Simmons innocent after enduring 48 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, according to CNN.

This is believed to be the longest time served by anyone wrongfully convicted in the United States.

"This is a day we've been waiting on for a long time. It finally came," said Simmons, 70, expressing his relief.

Simmons served 48 years, one month, and 18 days following his conviction for the 1974 murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers.

"We can say justice was done today, finally," Simmons said, adding that he is happy.

He now holds the unfortunate distinction of the longest exoneree in the US, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

"Obviously, we're just very happy," expressed Joe Norwood, an attorney representing Simmons.

Norwood conveyed the sense of vindication and relief felt by Simmons, emphasizing that having his name cleared of the charges brought a profound sense of happiness.

READ NEXT: Jason Flom, Finally Free After Nine Long Years in Prison

Glynn Simmons: Longest Exoneree's Legal Battle

Carolyn Sue Rogers, a 30-year-old store clerk, was tragically shot in the head during a robbery on December 30, 1974, per ABC 10 News.

Another woman, Belinda Brown, who was present at the store during the incident, also sustained a gunshot wound to the head but survived.

Despite Brown initially expressing uncertainty about identifying the perpetrators due to her focus on the guns during the robbery, the police later arrested 22-year-old Simmons and 21-year-old Don Roberts for capital murder.

Glynn Simmons maintained his innocence, testifying that he was not in Oklahoma during the murder.

Instead, he claimed to be in Harvey, Louisiana, playing pool that day and had only arrived in the state less than a week later to stay with his aunt. Numerous individuals testified to seeing him at the pool hall.

Despite Simmons' testimony and alibi, both he and Roberts were convicted on June 5, 1975, and initially sentenced to death.

Later, their sentences were modified to life in prison following a Supreme Court ruling deeming the death penalty unconstitutional due to its unequal application.

Roberts was released on parole in 2008, according to the district attorney's office, while Simmons continued to maintain his innocence throughout the years.

Glynn Simmons consistently maintained his innocence throughout the legal battle.

On July 20, a judge vacated Simmons' conviction and ordered a new trial, citing evidence withheld by prosecutors.

After two months out on bond, the judge granted a motion to dismiss the case due to a lack of remaining evidence, leading to Simmons' release.

Seeking formal recognition of innocence, Simmons filed a motion in October, which was granted by Judge Amy Palumbo on Tuesday.

"This Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted... was not committed by Mr. Simmons," said Judge Palumbo.

Upon hearing the ruling, Simmons reflected on resilience and tenacity, urging others not to believe exoneration is impossible.

Simmons, after obtaining life insurance money following his spouse's death, hired a private investigator who uncovered key information challenging Brown's identification of the suspects.

This information led to the vacating of Simmons' conviction.

Compensation and Legislative Changes

The ruling makes Simmons eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation from the state for wrongful conviction, AP reports.

It opens the possibility of a federal lawsuit against Oklahoma City and law enforcement involved in his arrest and conviction.

Current Oklahoma law limits compensation to $175,000. Still, there are proposed legislative changes to increase it to $50,000 yearly spent in prison, Yahoo! News noted.

Glynn Simmons, currently living on GoFundMe donations exceeding $100,000, intends to use the funds for housing, clothing, food, and medical treatments for liver cancer.

He also aims to advocate for systemic changes to prevent similar injustices.

"I plan to use my remaining time to help others still stuck where I was. We need to fix this system so that what happened to me will never happen to anyone else again!" Simmons' donation page reads.

READ MORE: Michigan Police Officer Fatally Punches Old Man

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Oklahoma man exonerated after 50 years in prison - From NBC News
DEAR ANNIE: My girlfriend has a 36-year-old son who refuses to work. He has every excuse in the book. No job is right for him. Without any education or training, he wants to make $20 per hour. Even then, he either quits or gets fired. He has lived off family for all of the five years Ive known him and currently lives with us. He never found any job, even part-time, last year and never paid any rent. We were forced to move.

Now we are in a 55-plus community that does not allow anyone younger. He has been hiding in the living room and porch. If discovered, the community can evict us. How do we get him out? -- Stuck With GFs Son

DEAR STUCK: The first step is making sure you and your girlfriend are on the same page. Is she OK with her son living with you? Does she think his behavior is a problem? Assuming she agrees with you, the next step would be to initiate a loving yet honest conversation between the three of you. Give him a timeline to move out, and you can even help him try to find a job. Better late than never.

***

MORE FROM DEAR ANNIE:

Dear Annie: My significant other and I are not looking forward to spending Christmas with his mother

Dear Annie: I didnt receive acknowledgement for wedding shower gift, so I wont attend baby shower

Dear Annie: Woman in abusive relationship feels trapped, but help is available

Dear Annie: All of the sudden, my husband doesnt want me around

Dear Annie: If my husband sees things around the house that he doesnt recognize, he throws them away

***

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
Editors note: This post has been updated with more information from the Northampton County Coroners Office.

An 87-year-old woman has died after her minivan crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on with a tractor-trailer Wednesday afternoon on Route 248, Upper Nazareth Township police report.

Lorraine Grider, of Moore Township, was killed in the Upper Nazareth Township accident shortly after 3 p.m. and died at St. Lukes Anderson campus in Bethlehem Township. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said Grider died from multiple blunt force injuries as a result of the accident and the death was ruled accidental.

Grider had been heading south just outside of Nazareth when her Chrysler Town & Country crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a Mack truck heading the opposite direction, police said. The truck driver refused treatment at the scene.

Route 248 was closed for about two and a half hours. Police said the accident remains under investigation.

Reporter Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this story.

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Its been 263 days since Jeanette Kohlhepp died while a resident of Venetian Care & Rehabilitation Center, a nursing home in South Amboy.

Its been that long since her family was due a $22,863.15 refund, they said.

After telling the family multiple times they would receive back the money  a combination of a security deposit, the refund of pre-paid but unused days of care and the balance of Jeanettes spending account at the facility  the nursing home no longer responds to calls or emails about the money, said Scott Kohlhepp, Jeanettes son.

The horrible circumstances of having to put my mother into a nursing home, to be followed only 10 months later by the nightmare of her passing away and now to be shunned by the nursing home? Because they, it seems, plan on keeping her money? he asked.

Venetian, which has two out of five stars on Medicares Nursing Home Compare system, happens to be owned by Windsor Healthcare, the same company that owns another nursing home that was featured in this space in September for a similar refund dispute. In that case, the company returned the money after a reporters inquiries.

And here we are again.

Jeanette moved into the facility in June 2022 when she was 96, Kohlhepp said. Before that, he and other family members took care of her, but it wasnt enough, he said.

The family did a lot of research before deciding on Venetian. The grandmother of five and great-grandmother of 11, who still enjoyed playing the slots in Atlantic City, once had physical therapy there, so she asked to move to the facility, Kohlhepp said.

It would cost $395 a day, he said.

My mothers care and happiness was all that mattered, Kohlhepp said.

Jeanette enjoyed the companionship she found there, Kohlhepp said, including a reunion with another patient who was one of her elementary school classmates.

She was usually in the common area playing cards, bingo or just talking to the other residents and guests, Kohlhepp said. She was hardly ever in her room.

She died after an hours-long hospital stay on April 4, 2023.

Kohlhepp said he and his brother stopped at the Venetian on the way home from the hospital to tell the facility about their mom. He said they picked up some belongings and met with Kerby Coulanges, who is listed on the companys website as the operations manager for Venetians parent company, Windsor Healthcare.

He said he would be happy to help get Jeanettes money returned to us but he was wondering if we wouldnt just want to donate the money to the Venetian and we said no thanks, Kohlhepp said.

The manager told Kohlhepp to confirm a few payment details by email, which Kohlhepp said he did on April 5.

Kohlhepp said he also left a message with the billing department about the funds in the days after his mothers death.

The lady who returned my phone call said we would get the full security deposit of $12,500, the remaining savings account balance of $93.15 and all the days we paid in April that were not used by my mother, he said. April 5 to April 30, 26 days times $395 a day, totals $10,270.

She said the check would probably take a couple of weeks to arrive, he said.

After two weeks I called back and she said it would be a couple of more weeks for the checks to arrive, then another phone call and a few more weeks for the check to arrive, and then it was taking her a week just to return my phone calls, he said. Then the last time I spoke to her she said she didnt know about the savings account or the unused days in April, but she guaranteed the security deposit check would be put into the mail that day, May 12.

But that didnt happen.

No one has ever returned any of my over two dozen calls to billing since, he said.

He tried another way, calling Coulanges, the manager he saw in person on the day his mom died.

Coulanges told him to call another employee, who Kohlhepp said was nice and polite and confirmed that yes, the family would get all the unused days refunded in addition to the security deposit and personal account funds.

I called her weeks later and she said she was going to talk to the CFO personally in a few minutes because he was visiting their location and get this settled, he said. Another phone call weeks later, she said she would get the CFO to personally sign the check to me and that was the last time she has ever answered any of my many calls to her or ever returned any of my messages.

Since then, hes tried to email a few other employees at the facility and hes left messages with the receptionist, but the funds remain outstanding, he said, and he asked Bamboozled for help.

We reached out to officials at Windsor Healthcare, which has eight facilities in New Jersey, including the Venetian.

Windsor Healthcares President and CEO didnt respond to questions about the refund. But Andy Masetti, the companys chief financial officer, said in an email that it was against company policy to discuss patient details.

I can tell you we will be communicating with the responsible parties as mentioned in your email below and rectifying the payment situation this week, he said on Dec. 13.

Upon hearing that promise, Kohlhepp said he called the nursing home, which told him a check should be mailed in the next few days.

Kohlhepp said he will believe it when he sees it and when the funds clear the bank.

The sadness of losing a loved one is difficult by itself. Add the responsibilities of having to finalize everything and its easy to become overwhelmed, he said. Then to have to go through it over and over again because a place I thought cared about people decides they dont want to return the money owed us.

It makes me feel so unimportant and uncared for and I hope and pray thats not how my mother felt, he said.

If you have a complaint against a nursing home or similar facility, know that the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman takes on cases to help current residents, but it does not advocate for deceased residents.

That leaves residents to reach out to the Division of Consumer Affairs for assistance. You can file a complaint online or by telephone at (973) 504-6200.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
Robust protections could be coming for millions of New Jersey homeowners under a new bill thats now headed to Gov. Phil Murphy for his signature.

The measure, which would create a license for home improvement contractors in the state and establish a board to regulate the industry, passed the state Senate on Thursday with a bipartisan vote of 31-3. It gained final legislative approval later in the day when the state Assembly, which had passed an earlier version of the measure in February, concurred with changes the Senate had made.
The man who is leading the global medical response in Gaza and oversaw the world's tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a meeting with Laois Offaly TD and Minister of State Sean Fleming.

Minister Fleming welcomed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreysus, to Ireland this week at an event in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Iveagh House, Dublin.

"I was pleased to host the WHO Director General and the Executive Director of the WHOs Health Emergencies Programme, Dr. Michael Ryan, to discuss global health priorities.

"The World Health Organisation is the health authority within the United Nations and it leads the global effort to secure better health and well-being around the world. It also coordinates the worlds response to health emergencies, such as in places like Gaza at this moment.

"It does this by delivering supplies and helping with the evacuation of patients and staff to make sure they are properly treated.

"Womens health is also a priority. Crises around the world lead to life-threatening risks such as maternal health service disruptions and a rise in gender-based violence.

"Ireland works with the World Health Organisation on an ongoing basis to make sure the health needs of the people in these areas are met.

"Ireland remains a committed member of the WHO and helping people in poorer countries that are the furthest behind," said the Fianna Fail TD.

The Laois representative met the WHO Director General in his capacity as Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.
The Chief Executive Officer of an asylum seeker rights group has released a hopeful Christmas message aimed at asylum seekers and refugees currently residing in Ireland.

John Lannon is the CEO of Doras, an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, human rights organisation which aims to promote and protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants since its establishment in 2000 by Ann Scully.

Its patron is the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

Mr Lannon said that Christmas time is 'an opportunity' for everyone in society to reflect on 'how we can bring love, hope and joy to others.'

However, he said that for asylum seekers and refugees, who have had to leave their families behind, it can be a particularly poignant time.

Mr Lannon elaborated: "They do not get to celebrate with their loved ones, and in many cases may be struggling to get by.

Its heart-warming to see the many small acts of kindness being shown to asylum seekers throughout Ireland in the run-up to Christmas.

"Through our work, we know this is appreciated, but we also know that not being made to feel welcome is hurtful, and adds to the distress and trauma that asylum seekers have to contend with.

"So, at this Christmas time, there is an opportunity for communities through Ireland to extend the hand of friendship and welcome, and to do what they can to help asylum seekers feel safe."

Mr Lannon further said that, in the context of asylum seekers and refugees, while not everyone in Ireland is of the Christian faith, we can all enjoy Christmas.

He explained: "People of different faiths and religions respect its importance and will mark the holiday period in different ways.

"As Ireland becomes increasingly diverse, we have the opportunity to appreciate and celebrate other festivals such as Hanukkah, Diwali, and the festival of Eid at the end of Ramadan.

"Communities come together on these occasions, and in that regard Christmas is no exception," he concluded.
A Laois businessman faced the dragon's den of his career when he turned up to launch a calendar at his old national school.

Sean Hall, CEO of Manguard Plus managed to survive the tough questions of schoolchildren at Rath National School in Ballybrittas, Laois.

They turned the tables on the past pupil, picking his brains to celebrate the launch of their annual charity calendar.

Mr Hall who is a native of Ballybrittas has sponsored the school calendar for the past three years but it was his first time to come back to school since he left there aged 10.

Sales of the 2024 calendar will raise money for a new climbing wall in the school.

Rath NS principal Tommy Fitzgerald with Sean Hall holding a photo of himself as a child at Rath NS.

The pupils in the School Council quizzed him about his memories of Rath NS, his favourite subjects, teachers and memories and if he was very brainy.

The biggest laugh came however when one of the pupils asked him what is his net worth.

The security boss, who has grown Manguard Plus to become Irelands largest privately owned Irish security company employing 1200 staff, responded in good spirit as he recalled some of his favourite memories from his time as a pupil.

He said that Miss Dunne was his favourite teacher, he liked Mr Hickey also, Maths was his favourite subject, Irish his least.

In relation to his personal worth, he said it changes from day to day depending on how much my kids ask me for.

He said he was "decent enough" at school and on being asked to share some business tips said that nothing can compare to hard work, staying honest , treating people well and remembering to stay humble.

You can go up the ladder, but you can also come down, never forget that, he told them.

He said he is delighted to again sponsor the annual school calendar.

I believe in giving back. This is my first time back at Rath NS since I left at ten years of age and that wasnt today or yesterday.

I have fabulous memories of this school, for a small country school, it leaves a big imprint. Ballybrittas remains a big part of my life, Im still a member of several clubs here.

A traverse climbing wall at Rath NS, which the 2024 school calendar will help to pay for.

School sets down so many foundations for young people and I passionately believe that giving kids the best possible educational advantages sets them up for life, it is crucially important. I have great admiration for schools who do all they can to provide their pupils with the best start in life, educationally and personally.

They are constantly looking out for opportunities that will enrich the school and provide a full educational advantage and putting this lovely calendar together is yet another example of the real effort that is synonymous with Rath NS, Mr Hall said.

Sean then had a few questions of his own for the kids, asking them about their hopes for the future. He said it is a great sign once again of Rath NS that so many of the pupils expressed a desire to become teachers. He urged them to play sport saying he is a passionate advocate for the positive role sport plays in the lives of young people.

The Rath NS Annual calendar is the result of hard work by the school, spearheaded by a dedicated committee, who were determined to find a sponsor to ensure all monies raised would go directly towards a traverse climbing wall.

Tommy Fitzgerald is Principal of Rath NS.

Read more schools stories on our dedicated Schools webpage.

On behalf of our entire school community, I wish to sincerely thank Sean Hall, and everyone associated with Manguard Plus for its generous sponsorship. He has remained loyal to us and this speaks volumes. We are extremely grateful, he said.

Copies of the calendar are on sale in Village Coffee, Donoher's Service Station, Iosa Linn Playschool and Early Scholars Creche, all in Ballybrittas, and directly from the school. One calendar for 10 and two calendars for 18.
Ladytown Cross should be reopened, according to a Fianna Fail councillor representing the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD).

Cllr Rob Power, who appeared at the meeting via a video-call, made the comments at the latest MD meeting on Wednesday, December 13 last.

He submitted the following motion to Kildare County Council (KCC) at the meeting: "That the council reopen Ladytown Cross on the Naas/Newbridge Dual carriageway by December 22, and that it reaffirms its plans to create a roundabout at this junction that would facilitate traffic travelling from Ladytown to Floods Cross."

Mayor of Newbridge and Fianna Fail Cllr Noel Heavey seconded Cllr Powers motion.

SAFETY CONCERNS

However, KCC said in its report at the meeting that it did not intend to open the road anytime soon.

KCC explained: "The works to the two bridges over the M7 are not fully complete with some works to be completed in January.

"Following discussions with An Garda Siochana, it is not advised to reopen the crossing due to safety concerns.

"KCC are in the process of confirming the compulsory purchase order for the new roundabout and will provide an update on this in due course.

"Once the compulsory purchase order is operative, further works associated with this project will proceed in 2024."

Fianna Fail Cllr Rob Power. File photograph.

Speaking to the members present at the meeting, Cllr Power said: "This closure is an inconvenience, for sure.

"The issue here is that there is little to no work being done on the bridge (at present)... my concern is that there is little-to-no intention to reopen the crossroads."

Cllr Power further explained that locals are worried that the council are trying to close this road without conducting any form of public engagement.

Mayor Heavey added that he supported Cllr Powers motion, as did Fine Gael Cllr Peggy ODwyer, who said: "I accept that it was a dangerous place, but the way it is being done"

"Its stealth. Sorry to cut across from you Peggy, but its stealth," Mayor Heavey interjected.

He reiterated his views by telling KCC: "The (permanent) closure of the crossroads would be cutting off a community, so I very much support the motion."

In response, KCC engineer Donal Hodgins told the local representatives at the meeting: "We have been transparent.

"I understand the concerns but we cannot do something that isnt in line with the statutory procedures.

"In this case, there is a legitimate safety concern (from KCC) here."

Mr Hodgins added: "Reopening the crossroads may increase the risk of both non-fatal and serious road traffic incidents."

'NO DECISION MADE YET'

However, Mr Hodgins did stress to councillors that no decision has been made yet in relation to the status of the crossroads, and added that KCC would seek the advice of An Garda Siochana in relation to the matter and would pass on said advice to the councillors.

Fianna Fail Cllr Suzanne Doyle asked Mr Hodgins: "Can we raise this at the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting?"

"We need to be clear that there is a substantial cause for concern here," she added.

Cllr Power then said: "I dont think its fair for KCC to wash their hands of the concerns here.

"If safety measures need to be applied, then they should happen."

He added: "Im happy to raise the matter at the JPC meeting, but I would like to defer the motion to January, and I will propose that the crossroads should be re-opened."

After consideration, it was heard that Cllr Power would enter a similar motion on the same subject at the next MD meeting.
HOLD ONTO your tissues, it's homecoming season in Ireland's airports.

Dublin Airport have been sharing heartwarming photos and videos of families reuniting for the festive season, and for some families, after many years apart.

One video, shared by the airport on X(formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday morning, showed one thrilled mammy racing towards her son to embrace him for the first time in seven years.

Theres nothing like a hug from your Mam after 7 years away! Neil and Tracey arrived back on Irish soil this morning for the first since 2016. As you can see, their parents were very happy to see them home. And no wonder - the couple are getting married while they're back. pic.twitter.com/G3PW0rxKmj  Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) December 20, 2023

Irish couple Neil and Tracey arrived back home for the first since 2016 and were greeted with many hugs and kisses from their delighted families.

The video shows their parents hugging them tightly after they come through the gates of Dublin Airport's Terminal 2 arrivals.

It is set to be a very special return indeed, as the pair will be getting married during their time at home.
A new variant of Covid-19 has been announced by The World Health Organisation (WHO) who has classified the JN.1 strain as a "variant of interest".

WHO have already noted that other diseases - such as RSV, influenza and childhood pneumonia are already on the rise.

Trinity College Dublin Immunologist Luke O'Neill told The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk that the variant seems to have similar symptoms to previous ones.

"It doesn't seem any more mischievous in terms of making people really sick but it spreads more they think," he said.

"There's some evidence that it's a bit more contagious. There's a good bet now if you've got a cold it could be this variant, possibly.

"It's becoming more and more common, the numbers are going up the whole time. The symptoms aren't that different to the previous version."

Prof O'Neill said an announcement in May that COVID-19 was no longer a global health emergency did not mark the end of its presence.
CareRx Corporation Announces Closing of $70 Million Debt Refinancing





TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - CareRx Corporation ("CareRx" or the "Company") (TSX: CRRX) today announced the successful closing of the comprehensive refinancing transaction (the "Refinancing") with a syndicate of lenders led by a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank (the "Lenders") and arranged and managed by Crown Private Credit Partners Inc. ("Crown Private Credit") as announced in its December 11, 2023 press release.

In addition to repaying the outstanding term loan and subordinated debt as previously outlined, concurrent with the closing, the Company also redeemed the entire aggregate principal of its March 2019 Convertible Debentures that otherwise were set to mature on March 12, 2024 at par plus accrued interest.

About CareRx Corporation

CareRx is Canada's leading provider of pharmacy services to seniors living communities. We serve approximately 94,000 residents in over 1,500 seniors and other congregate care communities (long-term care homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes). We are a national organization with a large network of pharmacy fulfillment centres strategically located across the country. This allows us to deliver medications in a timely and cost-effective manner and quickly respond to routine changes in medication management. We use best-in-class technology that automates the preparation and verification of multi-dose compliance packaging of medication, providing the highest levels of safety and adherence for individuals with complex medication regimes. We take an active role in working with our home operator partners to promote resident health, staff education, and medication system quality and efficiency.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements relating to the Refinancing. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the Company's business strategy, plans and other expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements about possible future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate" or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Factors that could cause such differences include the Company's general business risks, exposure to and reliance on government regulation and funding, the Company's liquidity and capital requirements, exposure to epidemic or pandemic outbreak, reliance on contracts with key customers and other risk factors described from time to time in the reports and disclosure documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory agencies and commissions. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to any such future results, levels of activity or achievements and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. The factors underlying current expectations are dynamic and subject to change.

SOURCE CareRX Corporation

21 december 2023 at 16:57

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IT Collaboration

Boise State Cybersecurity Institute Partners with Sophos to Expand Experiential Learning with Latest EDR Solutions

Boise State Universitys Institute for Pervasive Cybersecurity has announced a new partnership with cybersecurity-as-a-service provider Sophos, giving Boise State access to Sophos endpoint security offerings and adding the latest technology to students' experiential learning, according to a news release.

According to the agreement, the Institute for Pervasive Cybersecuritys Cyberdome, which provides cybersecurity services to Idaho organizations, will add Sophos Intercept X solution with extended detection and response features to Cyberdomes service offerings.

The Cyberdome gives Idaho higher ed students a real-life cybersecurity education and hands-on practice as students participate in providing cybersecurity services to rural Idaho school districts, counties, and cities, Boise State said. Cyberdome students, from universities and colleges across Idaho, graduate from the program with critical real-world experience to advance into professional cybersecurity specialists positions.

Sophos said its Intercept X with XDR solution will be used by students to monitor client assets, detect threats from cyber adversaries, and report to clients on possible avenues of exploitation.

Cyberdomes work includes protecting networks at rural K12 school districts, helping rural counties with election system security, and protecting critical rural city systems that support water and electric districts throughout Idaho. In the first half of 2023, the university said, Cyberdome students monitored over 5,000 assets, analyzed over 53,000 possible attacks and notified clients of 350 potential real-time attacks.

This partnership supports two critical issues in cybersecurity, said Joe Levy, president and chief technology officer at Sophos. First, our Sophos Intercept X endpoint solution will be deployed to different sized organizations around Idaho, including those in rural areas, to help them defend against data breaches, ransomware and other cyberattacks. 

Second, there is a worldwide cybersecurity skills gap today, and by helping students with the programs hands-on cybersecurity training, were helping to equip the next generation of the cybersecurity workforce.

According a recent workforce report in CIO magazine, The cyber skills shortage is not going away anytime soon, despite the progress we are making as an industry to attract new talent. A recent ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study showed that the talent gap in cybersecurity is now double the size of the total workforce in North America.

The partnership is made possible in part by grants from the Idaho Global Entrepreneurship Missions Higher Education Research Council and Idahos Workforce Development Council, according to a news release.

Learn more at BoiseState.edu and Sophos.com.
PIMCO Canada Corp. Announces Monthly and Annual Distributions for PIMCO Canada Exchange Traded Series





Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. ("PIMCO Canada") today announced the 2023 December and annual cash distributions for the ETF series ("ETF Series") of the PIMCO Canada mutual funds that distribute monthly ("Funds"). Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, at the close of business on December 27, 2023, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on or about January 2, 2024.

Details of the per-unit cash distribution amounts are as follow:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PMIF $0.26359 PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) US$ PMIF.U US $0.28365 PIMCO Investment Grade Credit Fund (Canada) IGCF $0.07610 PIMCO Global Short Maturity Fund (Canada) PMNT $0.13690 PIMCO Low Duration Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PLDI $0.04143

The Manager, PIMCO Canada, administers and manages the PIMCO Canada ETFs, and retains Pacific Investment Management Company LLC ("PIMCO") to provide sub-advisory services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the world's premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions "expect", "intend", "will" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Funds', PIMCO Canada's and/or PIMCO's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

No offering is being made by this material. Interested investors should obtain a copy of the prospectus, which is available from your Financial Advisor.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

All investments contain risk and can lose value. For a summary of the risks of an investment in a specific fund, please see the risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus.

Investments made by a Fund and the results achieved by a Fund are not expected to be the same as those made by any other PIMCO-advised Fund, including those with a similar name, investment objective or policies. A new or smaller Fund's performance may not represent how the Fund is expected to or may perform in the long-term. New Funds have limited operating histories for investors to evaluate and new and smaller Funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. A Fund may be forced to sell a comparatively large portion of its portfolio to meet significant shareholder redemptions for cash, or hold a comparatively large portion of its portfolio in cash due to significant share purchases for cash, in each case when the Fund otherwise would not seek to do so, which may adversely affect performance.

Funds can offer different series, which are subject to different fees and expenses (which may affect performance), having different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services.

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2023, PIMCO

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO ? Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054

22 december 2023 at 15:20

News published onand distributed by:
German federal prosecutors said on Friday, December 22 that they had charged two Syrians with "war crimes" committed in Damascus a decade ago, as part of the Islamic State (IS) group.

The two men, identified as Mohammad A and Asmael K, as per German privacy laws, were arrested in March and are accused of membership of a foreign terror organization and "hostage-taking resulting in death".

Asmael K was also charged with murder and killing people protected under international law. Mohammad A is believed to have joined the Islamic State group at the latest in 2013 and to have served as a commander of 200 fighters.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Israel-Hamas war deepens divide between Middle East and West

"At the end of 2013, Mohammad A, together with the IS fighting unit in his command, abducted two opponents of the organization," prosecutors said in a statement. The victims were held at an IS detention center and later "executed" with 10 other prisoners.

Asmael K is alleged to have joined IS as a fighter in 2013 and taken part in the abduction in question. He is also accused of guarding the 12 prisoners at the site where they were killed and shooting at least one person.

A court in the western city of Dusseldorf will now decide whether the two men, who are in custody, will go to trial.

Germany allowed entry to hundreds of thousands of Syrians during the 2015-16 refugee influx, and has since arrested several on its soil over crimes committed in their country. It has previously used the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of certain serious crimes regardless of where they took place, to try Syrians over atrocities committed during the country's civil war.

Read more EU agrees major reform to asylum laws

One of the most high profile cases to be brought to trial was that of a former Syrian colonel who was found guilty in January 2022 of crimes against humanity committed in Damascus.
A Russian soldier enters the Gyumri military base in northern Armenia, August 12, 2015. KAREN MINASYAN / AFP

A Russian deserter, Dmitri Sedrakov, was illegally captured by Russian forces on Armenian territory on December 7. It's an unprecedented case that has served as an alarm bell for the tens of thousands of Russians who fled abroad to escape military mobilization since the launch of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Tracked down for voluntary desertion, the soldier, who left Ukraine after fighting there, was taken to the Russian military base at Gyumri in northern Armenia. On Tuesday, December 19, he was transferred to Russia, according to Grigori Sverdlin, the head of Idite Lesom! ("Go by the forest"), which assists deserters who wish to flee. The organization helped soldier Sedrakov to leave his country on November 30.

"This is a very dangerous precedent," said Sverdlin. "Dmitri's case is the first instance of a Russian army deserter being kidnapped abroad by Russian servicemen." Before him, many other deserters had already been extradited from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan  where thousands of men fleeing mobilization have also taken refuge  but they were arrested by the local authorities. A refugee in Georgia surrendered to Russian border guards.

'We're carrying out Putin's orders'

Sedrakov was taken to Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia. Where he was arrested in Armenia remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that Russian soldiers had "absolutely no right to capture this man," said Armenian human rights defender Artur Sakunts, the head of the Vanadzor office of the international organization Helsinki Citizens' Assembly. "This is a violation of Armenian sovereignty." According to Sakunts, those who abducted Sedrakov lied about their identity, claiming to be Armenian military police.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Russian activists form resistance networks against Putin and the war in Ukraine

Informed of the situation by the soldier's wife, who lives in Rostov-on-Don, Sakunts called the Russian military base in Gyumri while the deserter was still there to find out what his fate would be. "The person I spoke to didn't introduce himself but I think he was from the FSB [Russian federal security services]," he said. "I asked him on what legal basis they had arrested this man on the sovereign territory of Armenia." The answer was: "We're carrying out Putin's orders."

"You can implement them even in Armenian territory?" the human rights activist said, feigning surprise. "We can execute Putin's orders anywhere," said the man on the other end of the line brusquely. An investigation by independent media outlet Proekt found that a member of the FSB was involved in the deserter's abduction. The man in question was Vadim Shevchenko, a 2018 graduate of Moscow's Border Institute, a military academy within the FSB.

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A French army military vehicle drives through the Lazaret district of Niamey on October 10, 2023. AFP

The last French soldiers deployed in Niger are about to leave the country  three months after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he was withdrawing all troops deployed in the country, in accordance with the orders of the junta that came to power this summer. The French army completed the dismantling of its installations at the base in Niger's capital Niamey and the evacuation of its last troops on Friday, December 22. Its exit was accompanied by a rare measure: the closure of the French embassy in Niger.

While, at the beginning of the week, the French armed forces were not ruling out that the departure of troops might be delayed, this "theatre closure" (as this type of operation is known in military jargon) marks the end of more than 10 years of French presence in the region. Following the end of Operation Barkhane in Mali in autumn 2022 and the closure of the special forces base in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the withdrawal from Niger will complete the dismantling of France's counter-terrorism operations in these three countries.

Tense backdrop, low profile

For the French troops in Niger, it's the end of a difficult period behind closed doors. Throughout these last three months of disengagement, the French have had to deal with a particularly litigious junta, which was anxious that the French military might try to take the opportunity to overthrow it, and demanded that all maneuvres  helicopter flights, convoy times, arms transfers  be formalized in writing.

Against this tense backdrop, the French had to keep a low profile. While they were able to evacuate much of their equipment by air, a significant proportion of containers had to be exfiltrated by road via neighboring Chad, where France maintains a military presence. The Nigeriens have closed their border with Benin, fearing an armed offensive. This route forced French trucks to take a diversion of some 1,700 kilometers before reaching the port of Douala in Cameroon. "The Nigeriens prevented passage to Benin on the pretext that it was one of the countries applying the blockade decided by the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]. In reality, they did this to make things difficult for us," said one diplomatic source.

Read more Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger sign mutual defense pact

The most trying part of the withdrawal for the French, aside from the pressure of regular demonstrations demanding their departure, held in front of their installations, took place at the forward bases of Ouallam and Tabare Bare. These two military bases are located in western Niger, close to the tri-border area bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadist groups are active.

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A HEARTWARMING and festive social media video campaign has been launched in Limerick and local farmers are being asked to take part in the fun.

Agri Aware, a leading agricultural awareness body, has launched the campaign, entitled Savour Local Flavour This Christmas.

The initiative aims to acknowledge and support the tireless efforts of farmers, in Limerick and further afield, who work around the clock, 365 days a year, to provide the nation with quality food.

As families prepare to come together during the holiday season, Agri Aware seeks to shine a spotlight on the dedicated farmers responsible for the local fresh Irish produce that graces Christmas dinner tables across the country.

Limerick farmers play a pivotal role in cultivating and producing a diverse range of food, from delectable meats to flavourful vegetables, all year round.

This Christmas campaign is designed to showcase the faces behind the food and emphasise the importance of supporting local agriculture.

The campaign encourages farmers to take centre stage in 30-second videos, introducing themselves and proudly displaying the food they produce.

This farmer-driven initiative aims to highlight the crucial role of agriculture in ensuring a bountiful supply of food for the nation.

Running until Christmas Eve, the campaign seeks to create a meaningful connection between consumers and the farmers who work tirelessly to put food on their tables.

To spread awareness, participants are urged to tag Agri Aware on all social media platforms and use the hashtag #savourlocal when sharing their videos.

Agri Aware chairman, Shay Galvin, emphasised the importance of recognising the efforts of farmers, especially at a time when they face many external pressures.

This campaign is to put faces to the produce we are lucky to buy in the shop and give credit where its often not given, he said.

The Croom man continued: At a time when Irish farmers are under pressure to remain viable be it due to economic policy or environmental pressures, its important we take a step back and remember the work farmers do across all sectors to put food on our tables.

At times, we can take for granted the work farmers do when we simply walk into the shop to pick up a carton of milk, a pound of butter, vegetables or a cut of delicious meat from the butcher counter.

Noting the importance of the campaign, he added: We are asking farmers across the country, across all sectors, to showcase who they are, what they produce, and the important role agriculture plays in feeding consumers nationally and internationally through this campaign.
FAMILIES have been flocking to a city centre church to get a look at its Christmas crib.

St Josephs Church in OConnell Avenue has become something of a Mecca in the run up to the festive season after its nativity scene featured in Angelas Christmas, a popular animated movie based on a story by Limericks own Frank McCourt.

Here in St Josephs, our crib holds a very special place. Weve had so many children and families coming in to look at it. Its this crib where Angela took the baby Jesus from, said parish administrator, Fr Liam Enright referring to a scene in Angelas Christmas, which is available to view on the video-on-demand platform, Netflix.

The animation shows Angela coming in and feeling sorry for the baby Jesus as he was cold. At the time, St Josephs Church was said to be the coldest in Limerick. Not anymore, thank God, Fr Enright laughed.

Angela took the baby Jesus to her home, put a warm jumper over him before returning him to the Christmas crib.

Fr Enright said he was surprised one night after he received a knock on the church door late one night.

The church was locked up one evening. I heard a knock on the door and this family were looking to see Angelas crib. Theyd come all the way from Cork! Its wonderful the Christmas story finds such a place in peoples hearts, added Fr Enright.

Another new tradition has taken hold, with families ditching the idea of visiting the 12 pubs of Christmas, and instead spending time before 12 cribs during the festive season.

Its more healthy and wholesome, Fr Enright said, Its wonderful people come in and say a prayer for good luck.

It was a real team effort to have the crib in place by the time the second week of Advent began, said Fr Enright.

He added: There was a team of 16 of us here decorating the church for Christmas. Its always been popular. St Francis of Assisi was the first to create a crib so the Christmas story could reach the multitudes. Now those who believe and celebrate Christmas have them in their homes to remind them of the Holy Family and the Christmas story.

Angelas Christmas Wish is based on a book named Angela and the Baby Jesus by Mr McCourt, who died in 2009.

Set in the 1910s, it focuses on Angelas desire to ensure that everyone is having a great Christmas.
A CIRCUIT Court judge who was a form teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been found guilty of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault against six complainants in the 1990s.

There was no reaction from Gerry OBrien when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal this Friday evening.

The jurors had been deliberating for 7 hours and 37 minutes before delivering their verdicts.

The four-week trial came to its closing stages this week with Mr Justice Alexander Owens delivering his charge to the jury.

Mr OBrien, aged 59, of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault.

The charges related to offences which occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Co. Dublin.

The former solicitor was in his 30s at the time of the alleged offences, while the six complainants - all young men - were then aged between 17 and 24.

During the trial, the court heard Mr OBrien was appointed a Circuit Court judge in 2015 and had worked as a solicitor for over 20 years before his appointment.

It was the prosecution case that the six complainants were each and separately the victim of sexual misconduct perpetrated by Mr OBrien between 1991 and 1997.

The defendant was teaching in a secondary school at the time, and four of the complainants were students.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Business Wire India

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has launched the 14th batch of the Senior Management Programme. According to a recent report from Forbes (2022), executive presence skills came in second among the top 20 leadership traits and accounted for 26% of what it takes to get promoted to leadership positions. This invites the question as to where one should begin to accelerate their career growth not just to reach but thrive in the C-Suite.



Joining this 1-year high-impact leadership course will enable aspiring and new business leaders to lead confidently and deliver business results amidst pressure to increase returns on capital, establish viable long-term partnerships, and develop winning strategies for multiple markets. The meticulously curated industry-leading modules will enable participants to advance their leadership potential and strategic decision-making capabilities through an immersive pedagogy consisting of engaging live online sessions, a five-day in-campus immersion at the IIM Kozhikode campus, a hands-on, integrative analytical project, real-world case studies, and business simulations.



Commenting on the launch of the new batch of the programme, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, said, Businesses today have seen a complete transition than they used to run a decade ago. IIM Kozhikode's Senior Management Programme has enrolled close to 750+ participants in thirteen batches. Designed by world-class faculty at IIM Kozhikode with cutting-edge thought leadership and industry-leading insights, learners will feel empowered to lead complex business strategies confidently with data-driven, informed decision-making ability."



Mr Prathap Das, Director Sales, Academia & Government (South Asia) at Clarivate and a past participant of this programme, while sharing his programme experience, said, The programme helped us focus on depth of understanding rather than breadth of content. It helped us develop abilities to make meaningful applications to new problems and contexts. It included structured learning activities that, in a real or simulated fashion, allowed learners to experience problem-solving and inquiry in situations drawn from their personal work experiences and real-world applications. Increased knowledge, personality development, enhancement of social competencies, crisis management, and enhancement of inventiveness are some key takeaways, and I am applying all these in real-world business situations. The lectures and assignments helped us further validate our concepts and refresh subjects with new case studies and simulations, which was extremely beneficial."

Programme Directors, Prof. Anandakuttan B. Unnithan, Professor, Marketing Management, Mentor Professor (Academic & Development) and Prof. Venkataraman S., Associate Professor, Strategic Management, Chairperson, IIM Kozhikode Kochi Campus, added, We have developed the Senior Management Programme to enable participants to strengthen their leadership capabilities to drive their organisations growth and success confidently. Participants will gain advanced managerial skills, cross-functional acumen, creative problem-solving ability, data-savviness, and an innovation mindset in this high-impact one-year learning journey."



Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, Recent industry reports suggest that close to 78% of India CEOs, as against 54% of global CEOs, include automation and digitisation goals in their companys long-term corporate strategy. It is thus imperative for business leaders of today and the future to expand their knowledge across domains and proactively upskill to be effective, future-ready leaders. In this context, we at Emeritus are pleased to offer IIM Kozhikodes Senior Management Programme, which has successfully enabled scores of participants to redefine their leadership potential through proven frameworks and best practices in business strategy, decision-making, future business models, and succeed in senior leadership positions confidently."



The fourteenth batch of this professional certificate programme begins on December 30, 2023, with a fee of INR 6,00,000 + GST, with flexible payment options and low-cost EMI options. This leadership course from IIM Kozhikode ranked as the #3 best B-School in India (NIRF, 2023), is offered through Emeritus, a global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable, offering a digital-first, seamless learning, and high engagement experience. Visit the programme page for more details on the programme and interested applicants should apply soon.



About IIM Kozhikode



Started in 1997 with its Post Graduate Programme (PGP), the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) is on a high growth trajectory today, offering a wide range of academic programmes in the field of management education. These include the Fellow Programme in Management, Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK also has the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic programmes such as the one-year Post Graduate Programme in Business Leadership (2019), MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE, a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, and the Indian Business Museum. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF India Rankings 2023: Management. The institute also features regularly among top global institutes for its flagship MBA (PGP) and EMBA programme (EPGP) in the QS World University Rankings. The institute has leapfrogged 100 spots to be placed in the Top 251-300 Institutes in Business & Management Studies globally, as per the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. It has the distinction of being the only IIM in the coveted innovation rankings. IIM Kozhikode is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK).



IIM Kozhikode also made its debut in the prestigious Financial Times Rankings (FT Rankings 2023) in the 72nd position among the top-75 open-enrolment executive program providers globally, catapulting the 27-year IIM onto an exclusive list of the foremost providers of executive education in the world. IIM Kozhikode has successfully delivered close to 1300 MDP programmes over the past two decades, training more than 41,000 participants from 150+ organisations, which also includes several Fortune 500 companies in the process.



About Emeritus



Emeritus offers customised and open programmes in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutes. Our world-class executive education programmes, supported by eminent programme experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications. The meticulously curated programmes are delivered in a different range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programmes. Our extensive portfolio also includes short 2-4 day in-class workshops, online courses of 2-3 months duration as well as comprehensive learning journeys that run over 6-9 months, customised to an organisations requirement. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,400 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. Following its $650 million Series E funding round in August 2021, the company is valued at $3.2 billion, and is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, Sequoia Capital India, Bertelsmann, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.

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When Meta Platforms began rolling out encryption for Facebook direct messages this month, it was advancing a project that members of its safety staff have long warned would end in disaster.

The encryption feature, which Meta has said will also be implemented on its Instagram app, is the culmination of work first announced in 2019 as part of a push to enhance users privacy. Even before that, some Meta employees such as David Erb had warned internally that such encryption would limit the ability to detect and report child sexual abuse on Metas platforms.

In 2018, Erb was an engineering director at Facebook running a community integrity" team focused on detecting harmful user behavior. When the team began studying inappropriate interactions between adults and minors on Facebook, it determined that the most frequent way adults found children to prey upon was Facebooks People You May Know" algorithm.

It was a hundred times worse than any of us expected," Erb said in a recent interview. There were millions of pedophiles targeting tens of millions of children."

Soon after, Erb learned that top executives were discussing encrypting Facebook messages. Worried that would prevent Meta from combating the child-safety problems his group had uncovered, Erb told his manager that he would resign if encryption were implemented on Facebook messages, he says. Within days, he was removed from his role and placed on leave. He ultimately resigned.

Meta has called privacy a fundamental human right, and privacy advocates have long advocated that tech companies embrace such end-to-end" encryption, which blocks anyone other than senders and receivers from viewing messages. When Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the encryption plan in March 2019, he said that the future of communication will increasingly shift to private, encrypted services where people can be confident what they say to each other stays secure."

He also acknowledged the dangers, saying the move would require working with law enforcement to help prevent the foreseeable abuse. When billions of people use a service to connect, some of them are going to misuse it for truly terrible things like child exploitation, terrorism, and extortion," Zuckerberg wrote.

Spokesman Andy Stone said Meta has since worked to address those risks, saying the company has spent years developing robust safety measures on Facebook and Instagram to prevent and combat abuse or unlawful activity."

While other companies, including Apple, have implemented such encryption on their messaging platforms, and Metas own WhatsApp platform is already the worlds largest encrypted messaging app, those services dont generally connect users with strangers.

Facebook and Instagram both have expansive search and recommendation functions that let users find and message people they dont know. Adding encryption to such social networking services cloaks communications among strangersincluding predators contacting children.

Other social-media networks with these discovery features dont offer encryption. TikTok fully disabled messaging for users younger than 16 in 2020, and requires older teens to opt in to send and receive messages. It says it doesnt offer encryption because we place a premium on ensuring that our younger users have a safe experience." YouTube eliminated private messaging in 2019, saying it wanted to focus on improving public conversations."

Meta said that it has taken measures to make messaging safer for underage users. It restricts users who tell the platform they are older than 19 from initiating conversations with teens who dont follow them, and works to prevent adults who behave suspiciously from interacting with teenagers accounts.

Privacy advocates say encryption is essential in the digital age to protect communications from the prying eyes of governments, hackers and the businesses that own the platforms. Everyone needs safety, and in a world where our information is everywhere for use and abuse by criminals, cops, and corporations alike, encryptionand cybersecurity more generallyshould be a priority for all," the American Civil Liberties Union wrote in October.

Law-enforcement agencies and child-safety advocates, meanwhile, have long worried that encryption will make it harder to combat child predators.

Too old for you

As Meta staffers prepared to implement encryption for Facebook messages, a Chicago-area man named Karl Quilter was using Facebook and two other messaging platforms to solicit sexual photos from young girls in the Philippines, according to court filings. On Facebook, his alias was Mathew Jones."

In May 2020, Quilter used Facebook to begin messaging a girl about two weeks before her 16th birthday. He told her he was 55 years old, too old for you," but, days later, asked for photos of her breasts and vagina. In exchange, he wrote, he would send money for her to buy medication for herself and food for her family.

The girl uploaded three nude photos, saying: I did this to help my brothers and sister and to eat more for a day."

Quilter continued to message the girl on Facebook, telling her he would visit the Philippines that December, and asking her to promise that she would give him her virginity.

Facebook investigators discovered the messages and turned them over to authorities. The company, until recently, had protocols allowing certain employees to screen messages for potential child sexual abuse and imminent risks to human life. Federal investigators discovered that Quilter had been using the same Facebook account to solicit sex content from at least eight other girls in the Philippines.

Quilter was arrested in November 2020, a month before his planned trip. He was sentenced this year to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting children.

Their trust and safety teams ability to access messages was instrumental," said Brian Fitzgerald, head of the Department of Homeland Security Chicago office that investigated Quilter. A random stranger shouldnt be able tooff of first contactgo to encrypted communications with a minor."

A uniquely Meta recipe for disaster

Before rolling out the encryption on Facebook, Meta considered measures to limit circumstances under which full encryption would occur and pondered allowing some employees to collect additional data or access messages under certain circumstances. Vaishnavi J, Metas former head of youth policy, said there was internal discussion about exempting child accounts on Facebook and Instagram from encryption.

The measures were rejected, she and other former employees told The Wall Street Journal, both to avoid potential liability for what happened to teenagers on its platforms and because it would require staff to continue to spend time and resources dealing with problematic behavior. J lost her job earlier this year amid layoffs that were part of what Zuckerberg has branded Metas year of efficiency."

Meta will consistently say this is an industrywide issue. But no other company is melding recommendations with encrypted messaging," she said. Thats a uniquely Meta recipe for disaster."

Metas Stone called it patently absurd" to claim that cost or labor savings factored into the decision to not exempt underage users from encryption.

Guy Rosen, now Metas chief information security officer, told employees in May 2019 that encrypting messages would require taking a different approach to detecting bad actors with the unencrypted data the company could still access.

We need to be laser focused on doing everything we can to keep users safe, within the limits of whats possible in a private, encrypted messaging surface," he wrote in an internal Facebook post reviewed by the Journal.

Some employees voiced support for the move. Others responded with concern. One wrote that introducing encryption at such a scale would create unknown unknowns"a range of potential abuses that the company couldnt entirely anticipate.

I personally agree with these concerns and voiced them loudly," Rosen replied. The absolute best thing we can do is execute the crap out of this."

Rosen, through Meta, declined to comment.

There were limits to what solutions Metas safety staff could pursue. After learning about the encryption plans, Erb consulted with WhatsApp colleagues experienced with encryption about how to address child-exploitation concerns. They said that Facebook would have to limit its recommendation and content discovery features to avoid the sort of predation that Erb feared, he recalls.

Meta executives rejected his teams proposal to stop recommending minors to adults via its People You May Know" algorithm, Erb says, and there was little appetite for the mass removal of the millions of accounts his team had identified as engaged in potential child exploitation.

Stone disputed that Meta hadnt adequately responded to the teams findings, saying the work triggered its effort to avoid recommending teens to suspected abusers, work that within months led to restrictions placed on millions of accounts that were behaving suspiciously. Since 2020, Stone said, Meta has removed 32 child-exploitation networks compromising 160,000 accounts.

Meta has built an internal tool to better make use of unencrypted data, in hopes of making up for the lack of access to messages. Macsa, short for Malicious Child Safety Actor," flags accounts with suspicious interactions such as adult users repeatedly blocked by young users, or ones with posts removed for containing child exploitation content.

After a Journal article in June showed how Instagrams algorithms were connecting and promoting accounts openly devoted to underage-sex content, Meta took measures to enhance Macsa. It expanded the algorithm to incorporate 60 different behavioral cues. If users trigger too many of them, Meta will restrict their ability to find and contact children, or potentially disable their accounts.

Current and former employees say Macsa is valuable, but not a substitute for the investigative capacity that encryption would preclude.

Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely, a nonprofit that promotes online safety, said that while encrypted messaging could complicate investigations, it also could make children safer by shielding their communications from sexual predators or others who could use their information to target them.

Some minors will use messaging apps to share information, location, medical concerns, mental health issues, sexuality information and other highly personal or confidential information with a trusted person," said Magid, who is a member of Metas safety advisory council and whose group gets financial support from tech companies including Meta.

Lured into leaving

When a 15-year-old California girl disappeared last year shortly before her quinceanera party, her friends and little sister told police that shed been talking to a man named Angel" on Instagram.

Police identified Angel as 38-year-old Daniel Navarro, but he denied knowing where the girl, referred to as A.T. in court papers, was. Instagram messages between them, obtained through a search warrant, told a different story. Navarro had been soliciting graphic images from A.T. for months, and saying that hed impregnate her, the court papers say.

Navarro lured her into leaving her home, and took her to Mexico, the court papers say. Authorities used the messages to obtain an arrest warrant, apprehended him as he returned to the U.S., and recovered A.T. from his fathers house in Tijuana. Navarro is awaiting trial on charges of enticing and transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He has pleaded not guilty.

Meta is the largest source of tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that can then be passed on to law enforcement. In 2022, Meta reported more than 26 million incidents of child exploitation to the center. More than 20 million relied on the contents of Instagram and Facebook messages detected by the company without user assistance, work that wont be possible with encrypted messaging.

Unless the minors are actually reporting it to the platform, there will be no knowledge that its happening," said John Shehan, a senior vice president at the center.

Blackmailed on Instagram

Jennifer Buta woke up one morning last year to find that her 17-year-old son, Jordan DeMay, had taken his life.

The prior evening, alleged scammers in Nigeria using a hacked account pretended to be a girl who flirted with him on Instagram to entice him to send a nude photograph, according to court filings. The alleged scammers then threatened to send it to everyone he knew unless he paid them $1,000. DeMay didnt have enough money to meet their demands, and said he would kill himself if they went through with the threat.

Good. Do that fast," the scammers replied.

DeMay shot himself less than six hours after first contact with the scammers. Before he took his life, he deleted the conversation from his phone. Police recovered the messages from Instagram, along with the alleged scammers communications with more than 100 other victims, material that paved the way for the indictment and extradition of two men to the U.S. They have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

If police hadnt been able to get access to those messages, I might still be wondering why Jordan killed himself," she said. Encrypting messages on Instagram will create a breeding ground for people who can have access to our children thinking that Im never going to get caught."

Write to Jeff Horwitz at jeff.horwitz@wsj.com and Katherine Blunt at katherine.blunt@wsj.com
Global investment firm General Atlantic (GA) is looking to acquire about 51 percent of Amar Ujala's Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services for 1,600 crore, the Economic Times reported. This includes stakes held by existing investors Eight Roads Ventures India, Evolvence India Fund, and Somerset Indus Healthcare Fund.

In addition to this, GA will also obtain a small minority stake from the promoters and a primary stake, sources told the paper. They added that the deal is currently in the documentation stage, and is expected to be finalised within the next few weeks. EY's investment banking arm is advising on the stake sale.

Established in 2011, Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services presently operates 19 hospitals across Tier-II and Tier-III cities in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi, with over 1,800 beds capacity. Sources project the hospital chain to generate approximately 600 crore in revenue, with an EBITDA of around 120 crore in FY24 as per the report.

The Chain

This move follows Amar Ujala's acquisition of a majority stake in Cygnus Medicare, which operated a network of 10 super specialty hospitals, for roughly 130 crore in 2019. Post-acquisition, two Ujala Healthcare hospitals were amalgamated with Cygnus, with Amar Ujala holding a significant stake and management control in the merged entity.

The companys forward trajectory involves expanding primary and preventive healthcare accessibility across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, it said. They aim to establish an additional 10 hospitals within the next couple of years, intending to expand their presence in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, as stated on the company website.

Efforts to reach out to General Atlantic, Shuchin Bajaj (Director, Ujala Cygnus), yielded no response, as per the report. GA has established a presence in the Indian healthcare sector through investments in Rubicon Research, ASG Eyecare, and Hyderabad-based KIMS Hospitals.

India's Healthcare Sector

India's under-tapped hospital sector has attracted substantial investments from global PE funds. Notably, Blackstone-owned CARE Hospital emerged as the fourth-largest hospital platform in India after recent acquisitions. Various international entities, such as Canada's Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (OTPP), Asia-focused Baring PE Asia, and Singapore government-owned Temasek, also have significant stakes in different Indian healthcare chains, underlining the global interest in this sector.

The Indian healthcare segment has shown a robust compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 22 percent since 2016, projected to reach $372 billion in 2022, according to a 2021 NITI Ayog report. However, the 2020 Human Development Report highlighted India's position at 155th globally in bed availability, with five beds and 8.6 doctors per 10,000 people.

A recent PwC report estimates that the hospital industry in India will necessitate an investment of approximately $245 billion over the next 20 years. The report underscores the need to add 3.6 million beds, 3 million doctors, and 6 million nurses to meet the growing healthcare demands in the country.

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Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah courted outrage this week after urging employees to to embrace longer work hours and blend work with life. The end-of-year message also noted that the company  which employs around 15,000 people  had returned to profitability.

Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success," CNN quoted his message to add.

The missive urged employees to find a way to "blend and balance" their personal and professional efforts and explained that winning requires hard work". Shah also asked Wayfair employees to consider company spending as their own and negotiate prices.

The remarks have not gone down well with many on social media platforms calling for all Wayfair workers to resign.

Every single employee at Wayfair should quit after that email from Niraj Shah," opined one Twitter user.

Agreed! But they should absolutely steal anything not nailed down first!" responded another.

Hilarious move by Wayfair CEO. Emailed the whole company to say that anyone who thinks he wants people to go home on time and have a life is laughably" wrong," wrote a third.

ALSO READ: Wayfair lost 5 million customers and $1.3 billion last year

The company had also come under social media scrutiny in 2020 as netizens accused the online retailer of conducting a sex trafficking operation under the guise of furniture sales. Social media users had shared screenshots of items with seemingly exorbitant prices to underscore their point. The assertions have taken off among supporters of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory despite a lack of evidence.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., the largest bank in Japan, is seeking to expand its presence in India following strategic investments aimed at harnessing the growth potential of the South Asian nation, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Hironori Kamezawa, the CEO of the bank, expressed confidence in India's economic growth, stating, "For India, economic growth is not something that will be a challenge; it's a sure thing," as quoted by the Bloomberg report. With India's economy projected to grow by 7% in the year ending March, global financial institutions and private equity firms are actively entering the Indian market, attracted by its positive capital market performance, especially in contrast to concerns about the Chinese market.

Also Read | MUFG confirms sale of Credit Suisse AT1 Bonds to meet customer demand for portfolio diversification

Over recent years, Japan's leading lender has been strengthening its operations in India. In August of the previous year, it inaugurated a branch in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, a prominent financial hub and a flagship project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The bank also established a fund targeting middle- to late-stage Indian startups and acquired a stake in DMI Finance Private Limited, an Indian fintech company, the report further added.

Also Read | Adani group plans to raise $800 million for green energy projects

Kamezawa expressed the bank's desire to further expand its presence in India, emphasizing that the country also serves as a location for the bank's back office operations center. In comparison with China, where the bank will adopt a selective approach due to various risks, India's appeal as an investment destination is rising. Kamezawa noted, "I think as an investment destination, India could attract the money that might want to avoid China," as quoted in the report.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)

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Tata Steel will hold a shareholders' meeting on January 25, 2024. The company will also consider merging its subsidiary Indian Steel and Wire products with itself, it said in a regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange ( BSE) on Friday.

The NCLT has directed, inter alia, that a meeting of the Equity Shareholders of the Transferee Company (Tata Steel Limited) be convened and held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 through video-conferencing or other audio-visual means (VC/OAVM) (Meeting) to consider and if thought fit, with or without modification(s), approve the Scheme," the company said in the stock exchange filing.

The meeting will be conducted through video conferencing or other audio-visual medium, as per the directions of the National Company Law Tribunal, at 11 am on January 25. The process of remote e-voting will begin on Sunday, January 21, at 9 am. The e-voting will end on Wednesday, January 24 at 5 pm.

The company shares closed 1.91% higher at 133.50 per share on BSE on Friday.

Tata Steel merger plan

Tata Steel approved the merger of its subsidiary Indian Steel and Wire Products along with the amalgamation of six more subsidiaries in 2022. The company had approved the amalgamation of Tata Steel Long Products, Tinplate Company of India, Tata Metaliks, TRF, The Indian Steel & Wire Products, Tata Steel Mining Limited, S & T Mining Company with Tata Steel Limited, according to its stock exchange filing released on 22 September 2022.

The approved merger of the subsidiary entities into Tata Steel would help the firm unlock the opportunity for creating shareholder value. The proposed amalgamation would also ensure the use of best practices, cross-functional learnings, and utilization of each others facilities in a more efficient manner. The merger would also allow the collaboration of the marketing and distribution network of both entities, the company said in its BSE filing.

At the beginning of 2023, Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director TV Narendran had said the proposed merger of a total of seven subsidiary companies with Tata Steel will likely be completed in the current financial year, ie FY 23-24. He also added that the timeline of the merger depends on the regulatory processes including NCLT clearances.

BSE More Information

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Shein and Temu have become as prolific as some well-known American retailers in the number of gifts theyre putting under Christmas trees.

The two fast-growing, Chinese-backed shopping platforms are each shipping an estimated one million packages a day on average in the U.S., according to parcel-shipping consultant ShipMatrix. The totals account for a small but growing portion of the total packages delivered in the country.

Those volumes are more than twice the level of televised shopping networks and online retailers QVC and HSN, which combined ship about 413,000 packages a day around the country. On average, Amazon ships more than 20 million U.S. packages daily.

Both Temu and Shein are even busier during the current peak shipping season, said Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix. The average daily parcel volume in the U.S. is around 82 million this season, according to estimates from ShipMatrix.

Shein and Temu have boosted airfreight volumes as other parts of the shipping industry grapple with sluggish demand, analysts say.

Shein, founded in China more than a decade ago, made its debut in the U.S. in 2017. Now based in Singapore, Shein recorded $23 billion in revenue last year and this year filed paperwork in the U.S. to become a publicly traded company. Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings launched Temu in the U.S. last year and aired a commercial during the NFLs Super Bowl in February.

Their U.S. volume is staggering and growing," said Sunandan Ray, chief executive of Unique Logistics International, a logistics and freight-forwarding company.

Other signs show the companies increased popularity. Temu had the 10th most website-and-app visits among multi-category retailers, ranking behind JCPenney on Black Friday, according to digital data and analytics firm SimilarWeb. Temu was the most downloaded free app on iPhones in the U.S. in 2023, Apple said earlier this month.

Both Temu and Shein have been disrupters in the U.S. retail landscape by selling products like sweaters and wireless headphones for $5 as well as pricier items. The two retailers said they are able to keep costs low for consumers as a result of their logistics operations.

Individual packages bound for the same U.S. ZIP Code or geographic region are packed together on pallets in China, skipping the stepand higher costof sorting in the U.S. Typically, U.S. retailers store imported inventory in warehouses across the country and later sort and package them for delivery to stores or to individual customers.

Most of Temus merchants are based in China and they send products to Temu-affiliated warehouses for inspection, packing and shipping, the company said. By inspecting and bundling products at the source, we eliminate many traditional logistical steps," a Temu spokesman said. He added that processing large volumes of orders also helps it secure lower shipping rates.

Shein said its on-demand business model works to match the supply of goods to market demand and its closer partnerships with manufacturers limit overproduction and storage costs. While Shein has logistics facilities in Indiana and California to handle its most popular items, most parcels are still packed in China, according to logistics consultants. Shein also forged ties with warehouse operators in the U.S. to support its express shipping option, a company spokeswoman said.

Following recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea, logistics industry analysts are monitoring the security situation to determine whether shippers will have to divert ocean freight away from the area or to airplanes. The situation isnt likely to affect orders from U.S. shoppers of Shein and Temu because the companies typically rely on planes to move goods across the Pacific.

Representatives from logistics companies said that Temu and Shein eke out other savings by reducing package size to a minimum and betting that customers are willing to accept extended delivery times.

With standard shipping, about 76% of orders get to U.S. customers within 10 days, according to Sheins website. Temu packages typically arrive between five to eight business days after they are ordered in the continental U.S., according to its website.

After Temu and Shein pallets arrive in the U.S., by air, they are trucked to parcel carriers facilities. Parcel carriers said that having more time to deliver packages to individual addresses means they can save on expensive long-haul trucking on a tight deadline.

We benefit from the presorting in the supply chain. We can offer them lower costs for their delivery because of their work reducing our work," said Andy Whiting, founder and chief executive of last-mile delivery company Better Trucks.

ShipMatrix estimates that QVCs average parcel shipped has an order value of $46 compared with Temus $29 and Sheins $39.

I feel like I can rack up so much and be able to pay for that," said Felicia Johnson, a 27-year-old kindergarten teacher in New York who frequently places orders on Shein. Thats why I will continue to shop with them."

Shein and Temu also benefit from the de minimis rule, which eliminates duties and taxes on goods valued at $800 or less for a customer importing merchandise from abroad. This rule is meant to reduce red tape for low-value, low frequency shipments between foreign sellers and U.S. customers.

Some U.S. lawmakers and businesses say the exemption is a loophole that enables companies like Shein and Temu to receive little customs scrutiny, while shipping products that might be unsafe or made with forced labor. They have called for more scrutiny on these companies.

Shein and Temu said their growth isnt dependent on the de minimis rule. Shein has said it has zero tolerance" for forced labor and Temu has said that the allegations are completely ungrounded."

Write to Esther Fung at esther.fung@wsj.com and Shen Lu at shen.lu@wsj.com
It is one of the first statistics you will encounter in an economics class. Gross domestic product per capita, the size of the economy divided by population, is the go-to data point for comparing living standards and prosperity across countries and over time.

Yet as the world ages, GDP per capita is becoming less useful. The simple reason is that gross domestic product is the market value of all the goods and services produced in a year. Those no longer in the workforce, for the most part, are no longer contributing to this.

GDP per capita is an increasingly misleading indicator," economists Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde of the University of Pennsylvania, Gustavo Ventura of Arizona State University and Wen Yao of Chinas Tsinghua University argue in a new paper. Instead, they suggest focusing on GDP per working-age adult.

It might sound like a minor tweak, but it is one that could become increasingly valuable because tremendous economic changesaging and the fall of fertilityare going to transform the world economy over the next 50-80 years," Fernandez-Villaverde said.

Japan best illustrates this. It is often cited as a textbook example of economic stagnation. Japanification" has become a cautionary, even derogatory, euphemism for decrepit growth. Sclerotic. Deflationary. Stagnant. Moribund.

From 1990 to 2019, Japans GDP grew less than 1% a year, compared with about 2.5% for the U.S. Per capita, its GDP grew a stagnant 0.8%, compared with 1.5% for the U.S.

By this metric, Japan leads the G-7

But when you use GDP per working-age person, the difference all but disappears. Japan grew 1.44% compared with 1.56% for the U.S. over the same period. In fact, from 1998 to 2019, Japan grew slightly faster. From 2008, during the global financial crisis, to 2019, just before the pandemic, Japans growth per working-age adult was the highest of the seven major advanced economies.

Japans experience is going to become much more relevant for the rest of the world. Its population began to decline in 2010and its working-age population, those ages 15-64, started to decline even sooner, during the early 1990s.

Japan was really the canary in the mine. Japan was the fastest drop in fertility and the earliest," said Fernandez-Villaverde. But the present of Japan is the future of the rest of us."

According to United Nations data, as of 2023, Italy, Spain and Thailand have fertility rates matching Japan. China and South Korea are even lower. Brazil, Chile, Germany, Greece and Portugal are only slightly ahead. Over 70 countries are below replacement rate. That is, the typical woman is expected to have fewer than 2.1 children over her lifetime, the number that keeps population size steady.

Late last year, world population hit eight billion, but with so many countries population growth headed toward zero, were getting near the peak. Some demographers say world population will never hit nine billion, and is on the cusp of shrinking.

GDP per capita will still be useful for measuring the resources available to children and retirees, a growing fiscal threat as the ratio of working-age people to retirees drops.

But many countries working-age populations will start to shrink decades before overall population. In this window, GDP per working-age adult will be especially valuable as a guide to economic performance.

Are workers becoming less productive, falling behind, flailing under mismanagement? Or are there simply fewer of them?

The working-age metric shows that despite Western economists fretting about Japanification, Japan has, to any casual observer, clearly done reasonably well. After 30 years of supposedly moribund growth, its still an obviously prosperous country with a high standard of living. The fact its people live so long surely shows the country hasnt fallen to pieces. That isnt to say Japans economy is perfect. Could better monetary policy have done more to enliven its economy? Perhaps. Has it figured out how to manage its debts? No.

More countries face working-age shrinkage

Most major economies will join Japan, with workforces growing more slowly, then shrinking, unless supplemented through immigration. We can be fairly certain of this, as the adults who will be working in the 2040s have already been born.

The U.S., for what its worth, isnt poised to slow as much as some. In a related paper, Fernandez-Villaverde, Yao and Lee Ohanian of the University of California, Los Angeles, predict Chinas growth will fall below that of the U.S. within the next two decades, largely due to Chinas working-age population shrinking faster.

But as Japan shows, this need not be a disaster.

Population aging is something you can handle," said Fernandez-Villaverde. You need to change your expectations."

Write to Josh Zumbrun at josh.zumbrun@wsj.com
The textile industry witnessed a downtrend in exports in November 2023, despite the opening of markets in western countries on account of the festive season, with readymade garmentsa mainstay of the textile export portfolioexperiencing an 15% decline.

The industry experts are hopeful that trend will reverse in coming months when purchase orders for summer clothes will start coming from western countries, given that Indian cotton-based wearables are high in demand in foreign countries.

The major exporting destination for Indian garments are European Union, the US and the middle east countries.

According to the government data, readymade garments experienced an 15% decline, with export figures dropping from $10.36 billion in April-November 2022 to $8.84 billion in the corresponding months of 2023. This dip raises questions about the evolving consumer preferences, market dynamics, and global economic conditions influencing the demand for fashion and apparel.

Export of jute manufacturing, including floor covering, reduced to $234 million in April-November 2023 from $303 million in the last fiscal in same period, ballooning the trade deficit by 23% (y-o-y) and 24% month-on-month in November 2023 as per the quick estimates released by the commerce ministry.

Amidst an overall downtrend in November 2023, there are notable exceptions, providing insights into the industry's resilience and adaptability as cotton yarn and handloom products, in particular, emerged as beacons of growth, recording a commendable 6% increase during this period.

For Indian textile industry, European Union, the US and the middle east are the main markets. There are specific reasons for decline in the textile trade. EU is yet to get over from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war that has impacted the retail sale," said Rahul Mehta, president of Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI).

The demand from the middle east is down due to ongoing Israel-Gaza war. The US market is performing well and we are hopeful of correcting export figures in upcoming months," he said, adding the decline in November is attributed to pre-winter season as we are not much in winter cloth manufacturing for global markets."

The quick estimates recently released by the commerce ministry indicate a 21% month-on-month increase in the trade deficit, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the forces at play in the international trade arena.

Export of handicrafts items dropped from $1.16 billion in April-November 2022 to $1.04 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal, registering negative growth of 10%.

India is among the top garment-manufacturing countries in the world. India is one of the largest consumers and producers of cotton with the highest acreage of 13.5 million hectares, which is 38% of the global area under cotton cultivation, as stated by Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), a body established by the ministry of commerce and industry.

Indias textile and apparel market size is growing at a CAGR of 14.59% from $172.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $387.3 billion by 2028, the IBEF report said, adding the industry is one of the biggest contributors to the economy with a 2% contribution to the GDP.

The textile industry is also the second largest employer after agriculture, providing direct employment to 45 million people and 100 million people in the allied sector. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand and Gujarat are the top textile and clothing manufacturing states in India.

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Meta, Signal and a host of messaging platforms as well as digital rights activists have raised concerns about the provisions of the Telecommunication Bill, 2023, which they say imperils encryption. In a letter to Union minister for communications Ashwani Vaishnaw, Signal and 60 global digital companies have called for a withdrawal of the Bill, recently passed by both houses of Parliament.

The statute is intended to replace colonial-era legislation and also amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997.

Explaining the need for a new law in the statement of objects and reason of the telecom Bill, the government states: The current legal framework is governed by three laws enacted in 1885, 1933 and 1950. The nature of telecommunication, its usage and underlying technologies have undergone massive changes, especially in the past decade. Therefore, there is a need for enacting a legislation for telecom sector that serves the needs of our society."

The TelegraphWires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950 was repealed earlier this month along with several other outdated laws, while the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 will be repealed when this telecom Bill becomes law.

What are the main concerns?

On the face of it, there is no reference to OTT services in the Bill passed by Parliament. This led many to believe that the new law will not try to regulate OTT services. The Internet and Mobile Association of India, a representative body of internet companies and startups, even termed the Bill as progressive.

In a statement issued soon after the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha, it said: IAMAI hails the Bill as progressive especially since internet companies have been decisively kept out of the ambit of the final version of the Bill The Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha now excludes email, internet-based communication services, broadcasting services, machine to machine communication services and over-the-top communication services, as suggested by IAMAI."

However, Metas head of India public policy, Shivnath Thukral, cautioned that the government could choose to apply the proposed legislation to OTT services at a future date.

In an internal note as well as a letter to the communications minister, he wrote that the definitions of telecommunications services, telecommunications identifier and messages could be interpreted to implicitly include OTT services, and that the government could use delegation powers to do so.

Meta owns WhatsApp and has messaging services on Facebook and Instagram as well.

Subsequently, Signal Foundation, Mozilla, Proton and several other global digital service providers that provide end-to-end encryption of messages wrote to the minister that the proposed legislation imperils encryption, amplifies unchecked powers of the government to impose internet shutdowns, and enhances surveillance.

They want the government to withdraw the Bill and initiate inclusive, sustained consultation on the new draft to incorporate rights-respecting amendments to protect encryption, privacy and security, and unimpeded access to an open, secure, and free internet. These service providers have also stated that the threat to end-to-end encryption may result in secure services choosing to not operate in India.

Why are companies, activists worried about surveillance?

The new law vests the central government and bureaucracy with an enormous amount of power over telecom services. One of the chief worries is the power that the government will have to intercept, monitor and block messages between people in the interest of public safety or public emergency. There are fears that this could lead to mass surveillance.

PRS Legislative Research in its analysis of the Bill states that the provision of surveillance, meant to trace messages required for investigative purposes, may lower the degree of privacy of communications for all users. The Bill also states that telecom services can be suspended in such a situation, and that the government can take temporary possession of any telecom network, infrastructure or services.

Another concern is the powers that officers authorised by the central government will have to search premises and vehicles where it believes an authorised telecom equipment or network is kept or concealed, and take possession of it.

A bigger worry is that the Bill does not provide for procedures and safeguards against such actions. This goes against established norms of specifying procedural safeguards.

There are also concerns that certain regulatory functions will be with the central government instead of the telecom regulator. Authorisation for telecom-related activities and assignment of spectrum will be done by the central government, and complaints regarding breach of terms and conditions of such authorisation will be heard by the secretaries of the central government.

Should individuals also be worried?

It is a mixed bag for users of telecom and OTT services. The Bill provides users some relief from spam and unsolicited messages. For instance, advertising messages can be delivered to them only if they have given prior consent. Service providers are required to create and maintain Do Not Disturb registers to ensure that users do not receive specified messages or classes of specified messages without consent.

Also, telecom service providers are to create a mechanism to enable users to report any malware or specified messages. That apart, an online mechanism is to be created for registering and redressing grievances.

But there are concerns over the need for biometric verification. The Bill states that every entity providing notified telecommunication services will be required to identify the person to whom it provides telecommunication services through use of any verifiable biometric-based identification as may be provided by rules. It is feared that this verification may extend to the users of OTTs and social media.
Rise of Somali Pirates: Soon after MV Ruen, a Malta-flagged merchant ship, was hijacked by pirates earlier this month in the Arabian Sea, there were concerns about the return of Somali pirates to international sea routes. Amid rising fears, Indian shipping regulator Director General of Shipping has advised seafarers to be cautious, according to a report by Business Standard. But the precautionary measures may not be easy on the pocket, say experts

The alternative route adds 12-14 days of sailing time and a 30-40 per cent increase in freight costs, impacting prices. Free on Board (FOB) exporters pass the burden to buyers, elevating landed prices. The piracy threat reshapes logistics, adding complexity and cost to international trade for Indian businesses. For those exporting on a FOB basis, the higher freight will have to be borne by the buyer, thus increasing the landed price of the goods. In both situations, the prices of products are likely to go up," said Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

The Red Sea is important for oil movement, and setbacks on such supplies or routing through a longer route of Africa are likely to hike energy prices, warned Sahai.

Some maritime security sources told Reuters that their assessment was that the incident was the first hijacking of a merchant ship by Somali pirates since 2017. Pirates who caused chaos in the key waterways from 2008 to 2018 may have returned, possibly encouraged by a relaxation of security or taking advantage of the chaos caused by attacks on shipping by Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group amid the war in Gaza.

Also Read | Mint Explainer: Why Yemens Houthi rebels are a risk to global trade

The government body has also urged the seafarers to take longer routes than the regular ones to avoid pirate encounters, according to reports.

Yemens Houthi group have launched attacks using drones and missiles on commercial ships at the southern end of the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. "This has prompted many shipping companies to suspend all Red Sea shipping routes via the Suez Canal. They will be rerouted to go via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa instead," according to Rajan Nair, member of the Executive Committee of Exim Club and Alltime Shipping.

Those exporting on a CIF and C&F basis will have to bear the higher freight charges because of sending the goods via the Cape of Good Hope to Europe, as per Sahai.

These goods may turn costlier

The Red Sea accounts for roughly a third of containerised cargo and about 10-12 per cent of break bulk cargo. Crude and petroleum, palm oil and other edible oil, cereals, machinery, electrical goods, auto components, apparel and textiles, leather, handicraft, carpets, etc. are likely to be affected as most of the products are now being exported in containers other than some commodities and metal, according to Sahai.

Products having shorter shelf life are at higher risk. Pharma products, edible products, and perishable items that need faster delivery will face higher transit time, Nair observed.

Goods that are imported from European countries to India, including machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, will face higher costs and transit compared to those imported from other Mediterranean countries, Nair told Mint.

These countries will be affected

Countries around the Red Sea, like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Ethiopia, Israel, and Eritrea, will be affected the most as their sailing time using the alternate route drastically increases. Exports to Europe, Africa and North and South America may also be impacted since voyage time will go up by 12-14 days, as per Sahai.

The Red Sea route facilitates a significant number of exports globally. More than 20 per cent of containers passing through the Suez Canal carry goods from Asia to European and Mediterranean Nations," explained Nair.

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In the Indian stock market, Ashish Kacholia , Jhunjhunwalas, and Vijay Kedia stand out as prominent investors whose expertise and achievements have made them synonymous with successful investing.

These ace investors have not only accumulated vast fortunes but also become icons in their field.

As a result, many investors seek to replicate the stock investments of these ace investors to achieve exceptional long-term returns.

In this article, we will focus on the recent activities of one such investing guru  Sunil Singhania.

According to the latest exchange data, the ace investor recently acquired a substantial stake in an auto-ancillary stock that is also into EV space.

Data shows that Sunil Singhania bought shares in this company via 11 block deals!

Before we delve deep into the reasons why Singhania made such a move, let's look at who Sunil Singhania is and what are some of his top picks.

A Word About Sunil Singhania

Sunil Singhania is founder of Abakkus Asset Manager, an investment management company.

Sunil Singhania has a track record of over two decades in equity markets, and he played a significant role in building Reliance-Nippon MF into one of India's largestasset management companies (AMCs).

To dwell deep into his portfolio, check outSunil Singhania Portfolio: top 5 stocks.

Which Stock did Sunil Singhania Add and Why?

The stock in question is Shriram Pistons & Rings.

According to the data available on exchanges, Sunil Singhania, through Abakkus Emerging Opportunity added huge stake in the company on 20 December 2023.

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Shriram Pistons & Rings is engaged in the manufacturing of pistons, piston pins, piston rings and engine valves for various automotive companies in the domestic and export markets.

This stock will become mainstream once more data is out and people get to know at what price Singhania entered the stock.

While we do not know the exact reasons why the investing guru decided to buy into the counter, there are some explanations.

Shriram Pistons & Rings recently acquired a majority stake in a component design and specialist manufacturing company.

In late October 2023, the company, via its subsidiary, acquired an additional 62% stake in Takahata Precision India for 2.2 billion (bn).

After this acquisition, the company holds 75% stake in Takahata.

Takahata Precision India is a precision injection-moulded component design and manufacturing specialist company, backed by Takahata Group, Japan.

This acquisition gives Shriram a chance to diversify its market presence into certain segments, which adds another avenue for revenue.

So that could be one reason behind Singhanias bullishness.

The other reason could be the companys presence in the EV space.

Auto component maker Shriram Pistons & Rings has a majority stake in electric motor design and manufacturing firm EMF Innovations.

Shriram had acquired this stake back in December 2022 to foray into the emerging electric vehicle (EV) mobility space.

This acquisition expanded Shrirams presence in the EV space to supply electric powertrain components such as motor and controller, covering all the vehicle segments from two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles.

Thats not all. Over the years, Shriram has successfully acquired stakes in multiple small companies to diversify and strengthen its product portfolio.

Back in 2020, it acquired key businesses for BS-6 models requiring the latest technology and stringent quality requirements. This also resulted in higher market share with the key OEMs in India.

According to experts, the recent two acquisitions that it made in the past one year would results in incremental revenue of over 3 billion in the current financial year.

Shriram Pistons also has technical collaborations in different areas with multiple foreign companies including Germanys KS Kolbenschmidt Japans Honda Foundry, etc.

Due to all the acquisitions and the collaborations, it can cater to the entire auto spectrum of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, PVs, CVs and tractors with a healthy market share in each segment.

If all these reasons werent enough, heres more

The company posted a stellar set of results in the latest September 2023 quarter.

It posted revenue of 7.5 bn compared to 6.4 bn posted in the same period last year while net profit came in at 1.1 bn compared to 730 million (m) a year ago.

The company has registered strong numbers in the recent quarters on the back of cost-cutting measures and due to better sales mix.

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How Shriram Pistons & Rings Share Price has Performed Recently

The stock has been locked in 5% circuit for the past two days.

In the past one year, the stock has delivered multibagger returns of 104%.

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Heres a table comparing Shriram Piston with its peers.

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About the Company

Formed in 1972, Shriram Piston & Rings has three manufacturing facilities.

It caters to OEMs across the diverse segments of the automotive industry, aftermarkets and export markets.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Dividend stocks 2023: Shares of Kovilpatti Lakshmi Roller Flour Mills Ltd, R Systems International Limited, Rajesh Exports Ltd, Sarthak Metals Ltd, Alphalogic Techsys Ltd, and SM Auto Stamping Ltd will be in focus when the stock market opens on Friday (December 22).

The Board of Directors of these companies have declared dividend, bonus issue and buy back of Shares for the eligible shareholders.

Also Read: Ashok Leyland, RBL Bank, SAIL, 5 other shares placed under F&O ban list

Dividend stocks

Kovilpatti Lakshmi Roller Flour Mills: The company has declared a dividend of 2.00 per share for FY 2022-23. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

In a stock exchange filing, Kovilpatti Lakshmi Roller Flour Mills said: The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend of Rs.2/- (Rupees Two only) per equity share having a face value of Rs.10/- for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023. The dividend, if approved by the shareholders at the ensuing 61st Annual General Meeting, will be paid to those shareholders whose names appear in the register of members / list of beneficial owners as on the Record Date within the prescribed time, after deducting applicable TDS."

Also Read: Brokerage maintains buy on ONGC, Oil India as Brent hovers at $80; here's why

The Record date for determining the members eligible to receive the aforesaid dividend will be Friday, 22nd December, 2023 (Record Date"). The dividend will be paid to those shareholders whose name appears on the Register of Members maintained by the Company / List of Beneficial Owners as received from the depositories as on 22nd December, 2023 (Record Date)," the filing said.

R Systems International: The company has declared an interim dividend of Rs 6.80 per share. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

In a stock exchange filing, R Systems International said: We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors of R Systems International Limited (the Company"/ R Systems") at its meeting held on December 13, 2023, has declared an Interim Dividend of Rs. 6.80/- per equity share of Re. 1/- each for the financial year 2023. The record date for the purpose of Interim Dividend 2023 would be December 22, 2023. The said dividend will be paid on or before January 11, 2024."

Sarthak Metals: The company has declared an interim dividend of 1.00 per share. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

In a stock exchange filing, Sarthak Metals said: That the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held today i.e., Tuesday, 12th December, 2023 had inter-alia considered and declared the Interim Dividend at the rate of Re. 1/- (Rupee One) (10%) per Equity Share bearing Face Value of Rs. 10/- each for the financial year 2023-24. The Interim Dividend will be paid on or before 10th January, 2024."

Further pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 42 of the SEBI (Listing Friday, 22nd December, 2023 has been fixed as 'Record Date' to determine the list of eligible members for the payment of Interim Dividend," the filing said.

Rajesh Exports: The company has declared a dividend of 1.00 per share. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

Bonus shares

Alphalogic Techsys: The company has declared a bonus issue in the ratio of 1:3. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

In a stock exchange filing, Alphalogic Techsys said: In continuation to our communication dated 11th December 2023, we would like to inform you that the company has received In-principle approval letter from BSE on 12th December, 2023 for the proposed Bonus Issue in the ratio of 1:3 i.e 01 (One) Bonus equity share of nominal value of  05/- (Rupees Five Only) each for every 03 (Three) equity share of nominal value of  05/- (Rupees Five Only) each held. As intimated on 11th December 2023, the record date to determine entitlement of eligibility of shareholders for Bonus Shares shall be Friday, 22nd December, 2023."

Buyback of shares

SM Auto Stamping: The company has declared a buyback of shares. The record date for the same has been fixed on December 22, 2023.

In a stock exchange filing, SM Auto Stamping said: .the Board of Directors approved the proposal for buy- back of upto 6,00,000 fully paid-up equity shares having a face value of 10/- (Rupees Ten only) each ("Equity Shares" ) of the Company, from its shareholders/beneficial owners, on a proportionate basis through a tender offer route, at a price of 60/- (Rupees Sixty only) per equity share, payable in cash, for an aggregate amount not exceeding 3,60,00,000/- (Rupees Three Crore and Sixty Lakh only) excluding transaction costs, applicable taxes and otherincidental and relatedexpenses ("Buy back"), subject to approval from members of the Company."

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Sovereign Gold Bond: Subscription for the third tranche of Sovereign Gold Bond scheme's (SGB 2023-24 Series III) will end today evening. The third tranche opened for subscription on December 18. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fixed the issue price for the latest lot of gold bonds at 6,199 per gram.

The Sovereign Gold Bond scheme presents an attractive option for those reluctant to acquire physical gold due to safety concerns. Investors in this scheme receive compensation at a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent per annum, paid semi-annually based on the nominal value.

Should you invest?

SGB presents a compelling investment opportunity. As India remains a global leader in gold consumption, these bonds offer investors a unique avenue to diversify portfolios and benefit from capital appreciation linked to gold prices, without the challenges of physical storage. The historical track record of steady and high returns positions them as an attractive choice for long-term wealth creation," Suresh Shukla, Chief Business Officer, SBI Securities, told Mint earlier.

While the interest income is subject to taxation in the hands of investors, the capital appreciation upon maturity remains exempt from taxes.

How to Purchase Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme

1- Access your net banking account with major banks such as SBI, HDFC Bank, PNB, Canara Bank, or ICICI Bank.

2- Select 'e-Service' from the main menu and opt for Sovereign Gold Bond.

3- Choose 'terms and conditions' and proceed by clicking on the relevant option.

4- Fill out the one-time registration form provided.

5- Select Depository Participant (NSDL or CDSL):

6- Click on 'submit' to finalize your registration.

7- Complete the purchase form by entering the subscription quantity and nominee details.

8- Submit the form

9- Enter OTP

Different Ways to Purchase SGBs

Purchase gold bonds from various commercial banks.

Invest in SGBs online through your net banking account.

Use the mobile application of your bank for convenient SGB investments.

Physically visit a bank branch or designated post office, fill out the form, submit units, and provide payment via Cheque or DD. Attach your Aadhaar Card and PAN card.

Through RBI Retail Direct Website:

Utilize the RBI Retail Direct website for SGB purchases.

Buy gold bonds through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL):

Purchase gold bonds from recognized stock exchanges.

CANARA BANK More Information

The SGB 2023-24 Series III will be released on December 28. The Reserve Bank of India administers the issuance of these bonds on behalf of the central government. Individuals have a maximum subscription limit of 4 kg, the same limit applies to HUF, while trusts and similar entities have a limit of 20 kg per fiscal year. The SGB has a ten0r of 8 years, and there is an option for premature redemption after the fifth year.

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India and Germanys trilateral partnership for developing countries is set to expand into the African states of Ethiopia and Madagascar, said Chaman Dhanda, India Head for Trilateral Cooperation at GIZ, Germanys official technical assistance agency.

New Delhi and Berlin have thus far worked together to develop projects in Peru, Ghana, Cameroon and Malawi.

The existing projects range from promoting agri-business among women in Malawi to potato production in Cameroon through agri-tech.

The objective would be to build on individual strengths and experiences in development cooperation and offer sustainable, viable and inclusive projects to third countries in addressing development challenges and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG-related climate targets, including through multilateral institutions where India and Germany are members, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA)," the two sides said in a joint declaration of intent released in May 2022.

The two sides are also considering expanding their collaboration into Madagascar and Ethiopia, Dhanda told Mint.

While the India-Germany cooperation in these countries has been focused on climate and sustainability, Germany is interested in expanding the programme to include healthcare projects and sponsoring health-related research and development in Africa, said Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary in Germanys federal ministry for economic cooperation and development, in a press interaction in New Delhi.

A press query mailed by Mint to the ministry of external affairs remained unanswered.

In addition, the two countries are also open to considering projects in Asia, given that the focus this far has been on Africa and Latin America.

India also undertaken a number of trilateral cooperation partnerships with countries like the United States and France, as it looks to leverage the technical capabilities and financial resources of trusted partners in strategically important regions. For example, Mint had earlier reported that India is considering cooperation with America, Australia and France in the Pacific Islands.

India is exploring a similar proposal with the United Kingdom under the Global Innovation Partnership to harness innovation in India to deliver development in strategic third countries. Mint reported that a list of target countries under this programme will be finalized by early next year and possible cooperation on renewable power projects in Sri Lanka are being discussed as part of this.

While trilateral cooperation has been pushed through with considerable backing from India and its chosen partners, they are also understood to come with coordination challenges. While India is willing to work with a number of developed country partners to shore up its strategic position in its neighbourhood, it retains a preference for bilateral development projects that can be implemented quickly with few bureaucratic delays.

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Notably, this is the 6th time a French leader will be the Chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital.

Prior to Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, and former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016 respectively.

Earlier in July, PM Modi had visited France to attend the Bastille Day Parade. PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on the invitation of President Macron.

PM Modi had visited France to mark the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. As per PMO statement in July, To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade." The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, followed by a complement from the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.

During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of 'Sare Jahan Se Accha,' while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade.

Later in September, French President Macron had visited India in September to attend the G20 Summit held under India's Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen defence cooperation through partnership in the design and expansion of production in India and called for early finalisation of the Defence Industrial Roadmap.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Questioning the Centre over the Poonch ambush that took place on Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday accused the government of doing politics on the sacrifice by jawans". Four soldiers were killed and three others were injured after terrorists ambushed two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in border Rajouri-Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Drawing a parallel between the 2019 terror attack and the Poonch incident, the Rajya Sabha MP said that the terrorist attack in Poonch is a repeat of the Pulwama attack". Questioning the motive of the government, Raut added that if they asked questions about the terror attack, then the Centre would throw them out of Delhi." Also Read: 'Pakistan would have taken Poonch, Rajouri if...': Farooq Abdullah corrects Amit Shah on 'Jawaharlal Nehru, PoK' remark "Yesterday's terrorist attack in Poonch is a repeat of the Pulwama attack. The govt is sleeping. Do you (BJP) again want to do politics on the sacrifice by our jawans? Do you want to seek votes again on the Pulwama issue in 2024? If we ask questions about the Poonch incident, then they will throw us out of Delhi or the country," Raut told ANI on Friday. Also Read: After Poonch attack, Khalistani separatist Pannun ties up with Kashmiri terror groups: Report

Targeting the government, Sanjay Raut also said the government is celebrating the abrogation of Article 370, but the situation continues to be tense in the region. He also said that the BJP is not allowing the Parliament to function and those who question Parliament intrusion is removed from Parliament."

Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg turns winter wonderland amid snowfall | Watch Video

The security forces on Friday launched a massive search operation in the forest area to track the terrorists behind the Poonch attack.

The search operation also involves aerial monitoring of the area along with the use of sniffer dogs to track down the terrorists as soon as possible.

Pulwama terror attack in 2019

One of the worst terror attacks in India's history took the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel after a vehicle carrying a massive amount of explosives rammed into their bus in Pulwama district on February 14, 2019.

The terror attack was carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist whose video was also released after the terror attack. The terror attack also left many security personnel critically wounded. The suicide bomber was identified by the police as Adil Ahmed alias Waqas Commander from Kakapora in Pulwama.

At that time, the government received questions on how such a large amount of explosives managed to enter Kashmir and why there was no intelligence warning of the attack.

Within a fortnight the Indian Air Force conducted an air strike at the JEM terror camps at Balakot in Pakistan killing several terrorists.

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Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi met with wrestler Sakshee Malikkh on Friday amid furore over the recent WFI presidential elections. The ace athlete had quit wrestling on Thursday following the election of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aid Sanjay Singh as the Wrestling Federation of India president.

The development also came mere hours after fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia said he would return his Padma Shri award. After announcing to return of India's fourth-highest civilian award, Bajrang Punia tried to enter Kartavya Path. But, he was stopped by the Delhi police as he wanted to visit the Prime Minister's residence to return his Padma Shri award. After failing to reach the PM residence, the Olympic medallist placed the award on the pavement near Kartavya Path in central Delhi on Friday.

Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik were part of a protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations against him.

"As I have said earlier we were fighting for our daughters and sisters. I could not get justice for them. Due to this, I think I do not deserve this honor. I came here to return my award, However, I could not meet with PM because I didn't have an appointment. PM has a busy schedule. So I am putting my award on the letter written to PM. I will not take this medal to my home," Bajrang Punia told reporters.

After the ace wrestler left the medal on the pavement, the police personnel picked up both the letter and the Padma Shri medal. On Thursday, Punia expressed his disappointment and alleged that the government failed to keep the promise to wrestlers made during the protest.

"We are not fighting against the government. The government failed to fulfil its promises and statements. We have already stated that Brij Bhushan is a powerful man and people who work under him are everywhere," Punia said.

Expressing disappointment over the WFI presidential election results, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said that the future of wrestling is in the ark. Another prominent face of the wrestler's protest, Sakshee Malikkh, announced to quit the sport after Brij Bhushan's aide Sanjay Singh won the WFI presidential elections. She even broke down after announcing her retirement in front of the media.

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Four soldiers were killed and three others were reportedly injured after an Army vehicle was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday. The attack took place in Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station on Thursday. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), White Knight Corps wrote, #IndianArmy and #Whiteknight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in #Surankote on 21 Dec 23 while fighting the scourge of terrorism." Poonch terror attack: What we know so far? 1) Security forces on Friday launched a massive cordon and search operation in the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a day after four army personnel were killed and two others injured in a terrorist attack. 2) An official informed that aerial monitoring is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists who ambushed two Army vehicles in the area Thursday afternoon, PTI reported.

3) On Thursday, around 3.45 pm, the two army vehicles carrying personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, said officials.

4) After the attack, they reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and have taken weapons of some of them, officials say. The security officials say that an investigation of the site is being carried out to know the pattern and use of weapons including steel core bullets in the ambush.

5) The incident was reported a day after an explosion occurred inside the compound of an armed police unit in the Poonch district.

6) Windows of some vehicles parked near the compound were damaged due to the explosion that occurred on the intervening night of December 19 and 20 in the Surankote area, officials had said on Wednesday. Authorities launched a probe in connection with the incident.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Popular coffee brand Starbucks, an American multinational chain of coffeehouses, offers a variety of delicious beverages across the globe. However, many people reprobated the brand due to the high sugar content in its beverages.

Recently, Shark Tank India judge and Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise Starbucks. He called it a very high-sugar dessert store". Aaj realize hua that Starbucks is not a coffee chain. Its a v.high sugar dessert store with laced caffeine  lethal combo ," he wrote on the microblogging site.

Since being posted, his tweet garnered numerous reactions in the comment section. One user said, Likewise McD is not a QSR chain, its a Real Estate company with stores in every corner of expensive markets in US."

It's an aesthetic work and date venue which also seeks caffeine flavoured sugar drinks," another user commented.

The third user wrote, Starbucks is also just a status symbol in India, unlike abroad where their prices are on par with other coffee shops. Also, I just find their coffee quite burnt in taste."

Had it been just coffee, it would have never been such a highly profitable business. People love the sugar, not the coffee. For instance, try removing sugar from all foods and try eating them. Impossible for most," the fourth one said.

Dude.. go and have a coffee.. a pour over or a French press.. it is still a coffee shop. And if you have the Italian roast.. its a quite decent coffeeshop," one more said.

Recently, Starbucks has lost approximately 11 billion dollars in value, erasing 9.4 percent of the company's total value. This came amid analysts' reports of slowing sales and a subdued response to the holiday season's offerings.

The boycotts at the Seattle, Washington-based chain have deep roots, touching on sensitive geopolitical issues after the company found itself in hot water following a tweet from Starbucks Workers United, the union representing many of its baristas, expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

The company, however, has denied wrongdoing in the scenarios but faces the challenge of maintaining its brand reputation amid divisive global issues.

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Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun reportedly showed solidarity with terrorists who ambushed an Indian Army vehicle on Thursday. According to CNN-News18, Pannun declared a new front to reflect upon his association with terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pannun reportedly called himself the spokesperson of the Kashmir-Khalistan Referendum Front and said the recent ambush on Indian soldiers was a "consequence of Indias violence against Kashmiris".

Three soldiers were killed and three other were injured after an Army vehicle was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI had reported on Thursday.

The report added that top Intelligence sources said Pannuns declaration clarifies his association with designated terror groups of Pakistan who killed Indian soldiers. Earlier, there were only inputs available about his access to ISI but now, his statement clearly shows his association," sources were quoted as saying.

Pannun is the chief of the Sikhs for Justice separatist group and was listed as an individual terrorist" by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 1, 2020. Pannun, wanted in India on terror charges, holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.

Last month, Pannun had released a video urging people to avoid travelling aboard Air India flights on November 19. He had also issued threats to attack Indias Parliament in response to an alleged failed murder plot to kill him.

The US had recently alleged an Indian link to an alleged foiled assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time, responded to the claims made by the US and said he will "look into" any evidence, adding that "few incidents" would not affect US-India ties.

On December 7, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Parliament that India has 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.

Pannun has been under the NIA lens since 2019 when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that his government will withdraw the ban on hijab. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said a direction has been given to the officials in this regard. He tweeted in Kannada, I have told (officials) to withdraw the hijab ban."

The Karnataka chief minister also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "dividing people and dividing society on the basis of clothes, dress, caste". The ban was first imposed by the BJP government in the state's educational institutions in 2022.

Speaking at an event recently, Siddaramaiah said, We will take back that decision, there is no hijab ban now. Women can go out wearing hijab. I have told the officials to take back the order (previous govt order)."

ALSO READ: On hijab ban, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge says THIS

Siddaramaiah also said that it is a personal choice to wear the kind of dress one wants.

"Dressing and eating food is our choice, why should I object? Wear whatever dress you want, eat whatever you want, why should I care. We should not do politics to get votes, we don't do that," Siddaramaiah was quoted by ANI as saying.

The controversy over hijab

The hijab controversy first erupted in January 2022, when some students of a pre-university college in Karnataka's Udupi were not allowed to attend classes wearing hijab. Later in February 2022, the Karnataka government had imposed a ban on hijab in classrooms.

This led to mass protests at various locations in Karnataka. A clash broke out among the students from two communities in Udupi district college. Section 144 was imposed in Shivamogga to restrict public gatherings after protests turned violent.

On February 10, 2022, the Karnataka High Court passed an interim order saying colleges in the state can reopen, but students cannot be allowed to wear any piece of clothing that is religious till the matter is pending. Following this, petitions were filed before the Supreme Court against the high court directives in the interim order.

On March 15, 2022, the Karnataka High Court ruled that hijab is not part of essential Islamic religious practice and upheld the state government's ban on wearing headscarf in educational institutions. The verdict was challenged before the Supreme Court.

On October 13, 2022, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on hijab ban. It directed placing appeals against the Karnataka High Court order before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for the constitution of a larger bench.

(With inputs from agencies)

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French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will attend the 75th Republic Day parade in national capital Delhi on January 26, 2024. The confirmation makes Emmanuel Macron the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious annual event. Emmanuel Macron took to microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter, to declare his acceptance of the invitation extended to him by the Indian government. Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, Ill be here to celebrate with you!" Macron wrote on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also replied to Presidemt Macron. PM Modi wrote, My Dear Friend President @EmmanuelMacron , we eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India- France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values. Bientot !"

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Macron will be visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations," the MEA said in a statement.

"As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership," it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14 in Paris. President Macron visited India for the G-20 Summit in September.

The French president was invited after US President Joe Biden confirmed that he wasnt able to attend the event. Joe Biden's rebuff of India's invitation to attend the Republic Day parade on January 26, which marks the adoption of India's post-independence constitution, came after diplomatic ructions over an alleged Indian plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States.

Macron is also seeking to deepen political and business ties with India as part of efforts to push back against Chinas rise. Total goods traded between France and India approached $15.8 billion in 2022, up 6 per cent, reports Bloomberg.

In 2016, the then president of France Francois Hollande was the chief guest at Indias Republic Day, which marks the anniversary of the day the country's secular Constitution came into effect in 1950. It will be the sixth time a French leader is attending the event in New Delhi.

The Republic Day parade is a highly choreographed cultural and military spectacle of tanks, fighter jets, motorbike stunts, and traditional dances from different parts of the country.

(With agency inputs)

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Delhi Court on Friday extended the custodial remand of Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind of the Parliament security breach , till January 5, 2024, according to a report published by the news agency ANI.

The Delhi police had earlier sought a 15-day custody of Jha from the court citing a detailed investigation that would require the police to take Jha to different cities and places.

The Parliament security breach was meticulously planned for months before its execution 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. Without wasting a second, the two released yellow gas from canisters and shouted anti-establishment slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.

In another incident simultaneously, two protestors- Neelam (42) and Anmol (25), began protesting outside the Parliament with similar gas canisters. All four people were sent to seven-day custody of the Delhi Police Special Cell on Thursday.

On Thursday night, Lalit Jha was interrogated by senior police officials, including two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) and Additional Commissioners of Police. He narrated the whole incident during the interrogation.

It was during the interrogation, Jha admitted to planning the plot of parliament security breach for months. One of the major obstructions during the planning was to obtain an entry pass in the Parliament, Lalit Jha told officials during investigation.

Lalit Jha had asked everyone who could arrange the pass so that they could easily enter Parliament, reported the news agency. He was continuously keeping an eye on ongoing developments and police movement through, news channels.

The police officials have formed six teams that will go to the locations linked with the accused in Lucknow, Mysore, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Haryana.

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People in the Gaza Strip who have Canadian relatives may apply for temporary visas to Canada , the country's immigration minister said Thursday. However, the federal government cannot guarantee safe passage out of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller expects the program to be up and running by January 9. Until now, the government has focused on getting 660 Canadians, permanent residents, and their spouses and children out of Gaza.

Miller said the government will start accepting applications from people with extended family connections to Canada, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and grandchildren.

He said people will be offered three-year visas if they meet eligibility and admissibility criteria.

Miller said hes not sure how many people will be able to come to Canada under the program, but he expects the number will be in the hundreds.

Miller said it's been difficult to get Canadians out of Gaza. We have limited ability," he said.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information about a 29-year-old female student from India Mayushi Bhagat who went missing from New Jersey city over four years ago, according to a report published by the news agency PTI.

She was last seen leaving her apartment in Jersey City on April 29, 2019, wearing colorful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt". Her family reported her missing to police on May 1, 2019.

Now, the FBI Newark Field Office and the Jersey City Police Department are seeking the publics help in solving Bhagats disappearance. The FBI is even offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery

Last July, the FBI added Mayushi Bhagat's name to the list of Missing Persons" and sought assistance from the public to help with information about her, PTI reported.

Who is Mayushi Bhagat?

Mayushi Bhagat was born in India in July 1994. She was in the United States on a student visa and was studying at the New York Institute of Technology. In an official statement, the FBI informed that she speaks English, Hindi, and Urdu. Some detectives said that she has friends in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

Bhagat is described as 510" with black hair and brown eyes. She came to the United States in 2016 on an F1 student visa.

The FBI said anyone with information about Bhagat, her whereabouts, or her disappearance, should call FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department, as per PTI reports.

They could receive a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery," the statement issued last week said.

The FBI has put Bhagats Missing Person poster on the Most Wanted" page of its website under the list of Kidnappings/Missing Persons."

(With PTI inputs)

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Safdar Hashmi, one of the brilliant theoreticians and practitioners of political theatreespecially street theatreIndia produced, once said Books want to say something, ( kitabe kuchh kahna chahti hain ). And he is right. Books do want to say something but only to those who strike a chord of friendship with them. As the popular saying goes, books are the best friend of people. They not only provide the best refuge from the woes and troubles of life but also open a window of an infinite source of knowledge and wisdom from the experiences of others.

Here is a list of the top five best sellers of 2023. One of them featured in Guinness World Records by becoming the fastest selling non-fiction book of all time on the date of its release, while another provides the raw and unfiltered and chilling description of her life amid her incredible journey to stardom.

Spare by Prince Harry

Spareone of the most talked about books of 2023is the memoir of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. The autobiography, ghostwritten by J.R. Moehringer, begins near the end, describing a meeting with his father and brother to discuss his plan to step back from his royal role. He then focuses his childhood and the profound effect of the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as his teenage years, and subsequent deployment to Afghanistan with the British Army. He writes about his relationship with his brother, Prince William, and his father, King Charles III, and his father's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, as well as his courtship and marriage to the American actress Meghan Markle and the couple's subsequent stepping back from their royal roles.

Spare--officially released on 10 January 2023--was published by Penguin Random House in fifteen different languages. According to Guinness World Records, Spare became "the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time" on the date of its release. Total book sales were around 400,000 copies in the UK on its very first day. Spare sold more than 3.2 million copies across all formats worldwide in its first week of publication.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

American novelist Rebecca Yarros adult fantasy novel Fourth Wing", is the first book in the Empyrean series.

The thrilling fantasy of Fourth Wing, takes the reader to the journey of protagonist Violet Sorrengail, 20, who is grappling with a chronic illness, and wants to live a quiet life among books and history. She is forced by her mothera commanding generalto join a war college for dragon riders despite Violet's small and fragile body.

Violet's world is turned upside down as she was supposed to join Scribe Quadrants "Fourth Wing". Violet faces an ominous reality: with an abundance of cadets vying for dragon partnerships, some would willingly eliminate her to bolster their own chances of success. In contrast, others bear animosity simply for her lineage. Violet becomes suspicious and questions hidden motives.

Also Read | Budget 2024: Interesting facts about the Budget presentation

Released on May 2, 2023, Fourth Wing" is published by Red Tower Books. It became a viral phenomenon on BookTok. Its popularity led it to reach the No. 1 spot on The New York Times Bestseller list, where it stayed for 18 weeks.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

David Grann, the famous journalist author of The Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z, takes the readers back to 1740s, a decade when Spain and Englandvying to subject native peoples, control the worlds mineral riches and bank the wealth produced by enslaved labourerssent shiploads of men to square off on the high seas.

The Wager, a naval adventure, tells the gripping story of HMS Wager, a square-rigged sixth-rate British Royal Navy ship and the mutiny that took place after the ship's wreckage off the coast of Patagonia in 1741.

The Wager aimed for Robinson Crusoe Island, in the Pacific, but shipwrecked instead on a remote island off Patagonia. And there the real struggle for survival begins. After the shipwreck, some stranded sailors patched together a rickety vessel and sailed 2,500 miles to Brazil. But, then, a second group of sailors from The Wager miraculously surfaced and the official survival story became much more complicated amid the deadly contest between the two central figures of the storyCapt David Cheap and the ships gunner, John Bulkeleywin the loyalty of the 145 survivors.

The Wager, published on April 18, 2023 by Doubleday, also gives details on naval surgery, descriptions of sailors quarters, a blow-by-blow account of a naval battle and even the capture of the Spanish Galleon

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly memoir of Britney Spears one of the greatest performers in pop music historythat chronicles her incredible journey to stardom, the publicized challenges she faced, and her endeavours to break free from a longstanding conservatorship that once controlled her life.

The memoir begins with her paternal grandmother who was sent to an asylum by her paternal grandfather adding that "tragedy runs in her family." Britney further tells how she was marketed as innocent, even though she lost her virginity at the age of 14. In her raw and unfiltered" description, she not only tells about her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake who dumped her by text on the set of a music video and persuaded her to undergo an abortion, but also admits that she cheated on Timberlake with a dancer Wade Robson.

Also Read | Budget 2024: A quick guide on how to read the Budget document

The most gripping part of The Woman in Me is her account of the horrific treatment she faced under the 13-year conservatorship led by her father. One of the most chilling moments of the book is when Britney recalls her father telling her that he has assumed legal control of her personal and professional affairs.

His words: "I am Britney Spears now."

Spears explains how the conservatorship stole her joy and creativity as a performer.

I became a robot. But not just a robot  a sort of child robot," she writes. I had been so infantilized that I was losing pieces of what made me feel like myself."

For 13 years, Britney could not see her two sons without approval. Her driving licence was confiscated. She could not choose her meals and was forbidden from drinking tea or coffee. When she wanted to have a contraceptive intrauterine device (IUD) removed, her request was denied.

The Woman in Mepublished on October 24, 2023, by Simon & Schusterwas released in 26 different languages. Soon it became the second best-selling memoir of 2023, only behind Spare by Prince Harry. As of November 1, 2023, it sold an estimated amount of 2.4 million copies in worldwide print sales.

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

The Bee Sting is a tragicomic story of a wealthy Irish family grappling with crises. The Barneses  Dickie, Imelda, Cass and PJ fortunes begin to plummet after the 2008 financial crash. In addition to this, all four are dealing with evils of their own: the re-emergence of a long-kept secret, blackmail, the death of a past love, a vexing frenemy, a worrisome internet pen pal and more. The novel threads together the stories of the increasingly isolated Barneses, but the overall story is not one of desolation but of hope. The Bee Sting showcases the incredible love and resilience of a family even as their world crumbles around them.

The Bee Sting, published by Macmillan, was shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize and won the An Post Irish Book of the Year award.

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The Gaza Strip- a Palestinian land, governed by Hamas fighters and now facing a historic humanitarian crisis of death, starvation, and an impending epidemic-all induced by Benjamin Netanyahu 's Israel, in the name of a war to eliminate Hamas. The fight unleashed upon Gaza is not new. The land that witnessed Nakba", not only faces the threat of completely irreversible destruction, it also faces the mistrust of the world.

Gaza's Health Ministry has informed that the death toll from Israel's attack on the densely populated Gaza Strip has risen to 20,000. And yet use of the term Pallywood surged to 2,20,000 since 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, on microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter.

But what is Pallywood?

The Israel-Palestine war has also unveiled growing disbelief among people about the death toll, genocide, and infused suffering of the civilians.

One of the key terms used to deny or minimise human suffering in Gaza is "Pallywood", a disparaging combination of "Palestine" and "Hollywood".

People who use Pallywood claim fake or staged footage of Palestinian "crisis actors" posing as genuine civilian casualties is regularly shared online to influence public opinion and deceive global media.

A BBC analysis revealed that usage of the term Pallywood flared-up during Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2014, 2018, and 2021. The term had either 9,500 or 13,000 mentions in a single month on X.

However, after the 7 October Hamas attack, the number of mentions of Pallywood peaked at 220,000 in November, the BBC analysis reveals.

The BBC report also found that the ones who used the term Pallywood the most on Instagram, Facebook, X, or any other social media , were Israeli officials, celebrities, and popular bloggers from Israel and the US.

Notably, the claims of crisis actor is so ingrained that an influential daily in Israel called Jerusalem Post had posted an image of five-month-old Palestinian baby in rigor mortis after his death and said it proved he was a doll. After a backlash, the paper removed the article from its website, saying on X (formerly Twitter) that the report "was based on faulty sourcing".

The BBC report says, the idea of crisis actor, or people who are paid to act out some particular tragedy or disaster is not new when it comes to war like situation.

However, the volume of dehumanising rhetoric posted during this war has surprised even those who deal with such content on a daily basis even when it has been reported that the 10-week old aggravated war has killed at least 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza, and over 1,000 Israelis.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that "an unprecedented 93 per cent of the population" in war-hit Gaza is facing hunger crisis. The global health body said "at least one in four household" is experiencing an "extreme lack of food and starvation".

Several people in Gaza have also "resorted to selling off their possessions and other extreme measures to afford a simple meal," the WHO added.

As Israel continues its attack on Hamas-ruled Gaza, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global partnership released new estimates, saying Gaza is facing "catastrophic levels of food insecurity", with the risk of famine "increasing each day".

The horror doesn't end here. The WHO said this "ravaging" hunger could lead to an increase in illness across the Strip. Gaza is already experiencing soaring rates of infectious diseases.

Here are some numbers released by the global health body on Thursday:

> Over 1,00,000 (a lakh) cases of diarrhoea have been reported since mid-October. Half of these are among young children under the age of five years. This is 25 times what was reported before the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

> Over 1,50,000 cases of upper respiratory infection and numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox have been reported.

> Hepatitis is also suspected, as many people present with the telltale signs of jaundice.

ALSO READ: Israel-Hamas War: 'Will take out Hamas, bring home our hostages, says Netanyahu

The link between hunger and illness

The WHO pointed put that the lethal combination of hunger and disease" lead to more deaths in Gaza.

The WHO explained that hunger weakens human bodys defences and opens the door to disease. Moreover, it said, malnutrition increases the risk of children dying from illnesses like diarrhoea, pneumonia and measles.

"While a healthy body can more easily fight off these diseases, a wasted and weakened body will struggle," it added.

Not just children and older people, but pregnant and breastfeeding women are among those severely affected due to hunger and malnutrition in the war-torn Strip.

"Breastfeeding mothers are also at high risk of malnutrition. From 0-6 months of age, a mothers milk is the best and safest food a baby can get. This protects the child from nutritional deficiencies and catching deadly diseases such as diarrhoea, especially when access to safe drinking water is extremely limited," the WHO said.

"Mental health issues, on the rise across the population in Gaza, including among women, could further impact breastfeeding rates," it added.

The situation becomes worse when there's lack access to life-saving health services.

Malnutrition and lack of health care

As per the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, there are no fully functioning hospitals in Gaza as of now. It said 23 hospitals are not functioning at all, nine are partially functioning and four are at minimum functioning.

In nearly three months of Israel-Hamas war, about 20,000 people have been killed. Most among the deseased are children and women, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "...over 52,000 (and counting) afflicted by life-threatening and -altering injuries," he added. Tedros said that on average, around 300 deaths were reported in a day, while hostilities have raged on.

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French authorities grounded a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying 300 Indian passengers on suspicion of human trafficking, AFP reported. The authorities in France informed that the plane was grounded over suspected "human trafficking".

The AFP report stated that the plane had taken off from the United Arab Emirates. The flight, carried out by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines, had departed from Dubai and landed at the small Vatry airport on Thursday afternoon for a technical stopover when police intervened, the Marne prefect's office said in a statement.

The aircraft carrying passengers "likely to be victims of human trafficking" was detained on Thursday after an anonymous tipoff, the Paris public prosecutor's office told AFP.

The national anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO has taken over the investigation. A unit specialising in organised crime is investigating suspicions of human trafficking and arrested two people for questioning, the Paris public prosecution office said, adding that authorities had been tipped off by an anonymous informant.

The prefecture in the northeastern department of Marne said the A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, "remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing".

According to a people familiar with the case, the Indian passengers might have planned to travel to Central America in order to attempt illegal entry into the United States or Canada.

Legend Air has a small fleet of four aircraft, according to the Flightradar website.

The plane had been due to refuel and was carrying 303 Indian nationals who had probably been working in the UAE, it said.

After landing in France, they were first kept on the aircraft, but then let out and given individual beds in the terminal building.

The entire airport was cordoned off by police.

The Vatry airport, located 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Paris, serves mostly budget airlines.

Human trafficking carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in France.

(With agency inputs)

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A student opened fire on Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republics worst mass shooting, said officials, adding that the bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University , where the shooter was a student.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Czech Police have identified the gunman as a 24-year-old student David Kozak, The Telegraph reported, citing the local media. The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honor the shooting victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Who was David Kozak, Pragues Charles University gunman?

1) David Kozak was studying Polish history at Prague's Charles University. Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek called him an excellent student" with no criminal record. However, the senior official did not provide any other information about him.

2) The gunman suffered devastating injuries" but it wasn't clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice."

3) He legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out a horrible act," Vondrasek said.

4) Czech media stated that in the days preceding the attacks, Kozak posted on social media about his thoughts on suicide and mass murder. He was even inspired by a terrible event abroad".

5) Police believe the shooter killed his father in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague earlier on Thursday, said Vondrasek, adding that he was also planning to kill himself.

(With inputs from agencies)

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There is a rather telling story behind why Googles ChatGPT-killer was christened Gemini. Jeff Dean, chief scientist at Google and the former head of Google Brain, explained on X (formerly Twitter): The Gemini effort came about because we had different teams working on language modelling, and we knew we wanted to start to work together. The twins are the folks in the legacy Brain team (many from the PaLM/PaLM-2 effort) and the legacy DeepMind team (many from the Chinchilla effort) that started to work together on the ambitious multimodal model project we called Gemini, eventually joined by many people from all across Google." (bit.ly/46XO1sk).

Gemini is Latin for twin, and so it is an apt name. It also hints at Googles struggle to create a Large Language Model (LLM) rivalling OpenAIs GPT4. It sometimes surprises people that Google invented generative AI and LLMsmore precisely the Transformer architecture which underpins this technology. The concept behind Transformers was revealed in a 2017 paper, Attention is all you need, written largely by researchers at Google Brain. Google also owns the deep learning powerhouse DeepMind, making it the leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI). But it chose not to take the transformer discovery forward, and so it was OpenAI which picked up the ball and carried it to the touchline. The reason could be the Innovators Dilemma; Google feared cannibalization of its Search business or a reputational risk from LLMs. It also could be fraternal rivalry between the two mighty AI twins: Jeff Deans Google Brain and Demis Hassabis DeepMind. Eventually, Google merged the two AI units, made Hassabis the leader, and set out to build Gemini.

The project has emerged to be the single largest effort by Google in recent times, aiming to take back the AI crown from OpenAI and other assorted competitors. Not to mention arch-competitor Microsoft, which is delivering enterprise products at lightning speed and scale, leveraging its tight relationship with OpenAI. Googles earlier release Bard underwhelmed critics and left it with egg on its face. So, Google has put everything it has into Gemini, making it its largest product effort in recent times.

Launch day demos and announcements were impressive. Gemini is multimodal from the word go, working with pictures, videos, text and voice seamlessly. Its nano version is built for mobile use and can work on-device without depending too much on the cloud. Google announced its integration in the next version of its Pixel mobile phone. Gemini Pro is already integrated into Bard. Gemini also might have reasoning and planning capabilities, which could be built into advanced personal assistants. The Ultra version generated some buzz, with Google claiming that it beats GPT4 in some benchmark tests and was better at generating computer code and summarizing news articles. Some of this was debunked the next day itself and Google admitted that some parts of its launch video were staged (some of the demos were pre-recorded). As it had used a few atypical measures to claim superior performance over GPT4, its boast was left unverified.

Finally, Gemini Ultra will only be available next year, by which time GPT4.5 or 5 might be out, moving the goalposts further for Google yet again. However, I wouldnt write Google off. It has enormous AI strengthsa phalanx of top talent, computers and money across its merged entities, plus its web reach through Chrome, Search and YouTube. The timing is great, given the internal turmoil at OpenAI and apprehensions on retaining its key talent.

Another aspect was how the Gemini announcement seemed like one more BigTech launch. As every tech company rushes to launch its own LLM, Matteo Wong of the Atlantic calls it Generative AIs iPhone moment," where generative AI is more about competition than revolution." It seems like a deja vu moment where, as Wong says, it is an open question whether the generative-AI race prompts genuine societal transformation or simply provides a new profit model" for Big Tech firms (bit.ly/41sHyED).

While Geminis Latin origin is twin, it has a Babylonian history too. In their astronomy, the stars Pollux and Castor were known as the Great Twins. Their Babylonian names meant Mighty King and The One arisen from the Underworld. With Gemini, GPT4 and other GenAI models, it remains to be seen what they will be: mighty kings of technology working for the benefit of society, or the destroyer of worlds.
IT FEELS like an image from an alternate reality. Hundreds of bankers and executives will descend on Riyadh this week for the Future Investment Initiative, a flashy investment conference dubbed Davos in the desert". The money men will try to pretend it is business as usual but the Middle East is boiling.

The war between Israel and Hamas is threatening to trigger a broader conflict that draws in the Gulf states, whose booming economies are key to global oil and gas markets. On October 20th an American destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted cruise missiles that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired towards Israel. That day President Joe Biden said the goal of Hamass attack was to prevent a peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. I was about to sit down with the Saudis.the Saudis wanted to recognise Israel," he said. The oil price, a barometer of regional escalation risk, has hit $92 per barrel.

Gulf states had hoped this would be a year of de-escalation in the region. They wanted calm to focus on ambitious plans to diversify their economies. Now the regions oldest conflict has roared back to life. For one Gulf monarchy, Qatar, which has supported Hamas, the immediate goal is self-preservation. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, want to weaken Hamas, forestall a wider confrontation with Iran and somehow keep alive their vision of an autocratic but more peaceful and prosperous region. It is a delicate and dangerous balancing act.

Qatar looks vulnerable. It is both an American ally and a supporter of Hamas. Since October 7th, when Hamas militants murdered more than 1,400 people in Israel, those ties have become a source of embarrassment and nervousness. Some of Hamass leadership lives in Doha, the Qatari capital. The gas-rich emirate donates up to $30m a month to Hamas-run Gaza. For years Qatar has told allies that its ties with Hamas were a benefit: it could be an interlocutor between those groups and the West.

For now Qatar is scrambling to show that it can still be useful to America. On October 20th Hamas freed two of the more than 200 hostages it seized during the rampage, both American-Israeli dual citizens, in a deal that Qatar helped broker. But there are also signs of denial and panic in the tiny, wealthy state. On October 14th, a Qatari diplomat contacted your correspondent to say that Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, was not in Doha but in Turkey. Hours later, Irans foreign minister held a televised meeting with Mr Haniyehin Doha. Qatars ties with Islamist groups were one reason why four Arab states imposed a travel-and-trade embargo on the tiny emirate in 2017. When the dust settles on this war, the country could come under greater American pressure to sever its links with militant groups.

The UAE, which in 2020 became the first Gulf state to recognise Israel, has taken a different stance. Unlike most of its neighbours, its initial statement on the October 7th attack was one of sympathy with Israel, and its leaders made multiple condolence calls to their Israeli counterparts. They loathe political Islam, which they see as a threat, and in private are scathing in their criticism of Hamas.

Hours after the explosion at Gazas Ahli Arab hospital on October 17th, the Israeli army denied that it targeted the facility in an air strike (and the evidence, so far, seems to support its denial). The UAE still joined other Arab states in condemning Israel. Such statements, however, should be taken as diplomatic theatre: ties between the two countries remain solid.

Saudi Arabia has tried to chart a middle course. Its response to the Hamas attack was to cite a list of Israels past misdeeds and call for an immediate ceasefirethe sort of statement it always issues after flare-ups in the Holy Land. But there are also signs that its stance has shifted.

On October 17th Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, who led the kingdoms intelligence service from 1979 to 2001, spoke in English to an American think-tank. His words carry weight as a former mandarin and a member of the royal family. He denounced Hamas for killing civilians and suggested it was un-Islamic. He condemned Israel too, for both its indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza this month and the crimes of its half-century occupation. He made little mention of Iran, which is Saudi Arabias regional nemesis and one of Hamass main backers.

A day later Al Arabiya, a Saudi-owned news channel, aired a tough interview with Khaled Meshaal, the former head of Hamas. Rasha Nabil, the presenter, asked him repeatedly how Hamas could expect support from other Arab countries after it made a unilateral decision to go to war, pressed him to condemn the murder of Israeli civilians and needled him on whether Irans help had lived up to your expectations". It was an interview the likes of which Hamas officials are almost never subjected to on Arabic-language channels. Mr Meshaal seemed rattled. Clips of the interview were widely shared on social media and even on Israeli television.

Three conclusions can be drawn about Saudi Arabias intentions. First, it wants to undercut Hamas. Second, it wants to avoid a broader confrontation with Iran. Prince Turki implied that rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran was still alive. The two foes agreed in March to reopen embassies and ease their years-long feud. The Saudis are nervous that a regional war could lead to Iranian-sponsored attacks on the kingdom, like the one in 2019 that briefly disabled half of its oil production.

Lastly, Saudi Arabia is not shutting the door on normalisation with Israel. America spent much of this year pushing for a deal that would have seen the Saudis recognise Israel; the kingdom wanted a defence pact with America in return. The Saudis had seemed content to push for token gestures toward the Palestiniansnot an end to the occupation, merely to make it less painful. Now Muhammad bin Salman (pictured), the Saudi crown prince and the countrys de facto ruler has called for the creation of a Palestinian state along the regions pre-1967 borders. Talks with Israel will continue, albeit more quietly than before, but the price for Israel will now be higher.

Much now depends on the nature of Israels looming ground invasion of Gaza: as the civilian death toll rises the Gulf states will come under growing pressure at home and across the Arab world to condemn Israel and sever ties. Still one thing the Gulf leaders can all agree on: they want the war to end. The financiers gathering in Riyadh this week want to talk about billion-dollar ideas for travel, trade and tourism. None of them is likely to come to fruition if there is a risk of missiles flying overhead.

 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 scale of the attack aside, when Hamas terrorists flew into Israel on 7 October using paragliders, it took everybody by surprise. After 9/11, air attacks werent unexpected, but little had anybody imagined terrorists could use such small flying machines to execute an attack that big, even as Israeli defences were perhaps focused more on land routes. Now that the world has seen that ingenuity, it will have to adapt. Air threats seem top-of-the-mind for Mumbais police, which has clamped the city with Section 144 till 18 January, a provision that bars people from gathering in groups, among other things. The curbs announced include a ban on the flying of drones, remote-controlled micro-light aircraft, paragliders, para-motors and hot-air balloons. The citys protectors are reportedly wary of terror attacks. The 30-day long restriction period seems odd, suggesting that the intelligence inputs being acted upon are not very specific. In the absence of publicly known details, its unclear if the precautions being taken are too broad. Be that as it may, national security cannot afford to get lax. As with Parliament, so with the rest of the country: Theres just no getting away from staying alert.
Its the Christmas season, and that means Im looking forward to going to church. On its own, that might not sound too surprising: Half of Americans plan to do the same this holiday season. But in my case, it might seem a little strange. While I still know all the prayers and when to sit and stand, from my days as an altar boy, I left my faith and churchgoing behind long ago. As a scientist, I wouldnt be hubristic enough to claim that God doesnt exist; thats a question science cant definitively answer. But neither can I find any objective evidence for Gods fingerprints in this world. So for me, church has lost its lusterexcept, that is, at Christmas.

When late December rolls around, I want to go to church, even though I dont believe in much of the creed. And if recent surveys about Americans holiday plans are accurate, Im not alone. Many people who dont set foot in a church through most of the year show up at Yuletide, including 10% of nonbelieving atheists and agnostics. Why? Thats a question to which I think Ive finally found an answer.

The Christmas mass isnt just an entertaining thing to do, like going to see Radio Citys Christmas Spectacular. Nor is it a simple reminder of cherished family holiday traditions. For me, and I suspect many others, going to church at Christmas offers a different kind of experience, one thats spiritual if not religious.

That might sound like an oxymoron, but in practice its not. Following a religion means embracing a theology and often an institution. Theres a set of beliefs laying out what God is and what God wants, and also a list of rules to follow. Spirituality, on the other hand, tends to be more experiential than cerebral. Its a sense that there is a sacredness to life, something ineffable but not necessarily divine, that we can catch glimpses of or even commune with at times. Religion and spirituality arent mutually exclusive; one can often lead to the other. But they are separable.

Spiritual experiencesor self-transcendent" experiences, as researchers prefer to call themare probably more common than most people think. People of faith have them more frequently than atheists and agnostics, but nonbelievers have them too. A recent report from Pew finds that 45% of people report experiencing a sudden feeling of connection with something from beyond the normal world. While the intensity of these spiritual experiences can vary a good deal, a few qualities unite them. Theres a sense of passivity, in that they come to us unbidden; a noetic" quality, meaning that they provide a sense of insight; and a deep feeling of connection to the people and world that is intrinsically rewarding.

David Yaden of Johns Hopkins University, one of the leading scientific researchers on spirituality, likes to describe the emotion of awe as the everypersons" spiritual experience. Awe seems to overtake us and, for moments at least, makes us feel fully present, aware of the moment and not of ourselves. It makes us feel closer to others and even more open to the idea that the universe has a hidden order or meaning. An experience of awe may not fundamentally change your life, like a religious conversion, but it is readily available if you know where to look.

Awe can feel closer at Christmas, even for nonbelievers, since its a time when church services are more elaborate and mystical than usual. At a Catholic church, midnight mass on Christmas Eve is filled with sweet-smelling incense and the resonant sounds of choirs. Candlelight flickers around parents holding their childrens hands. Prayers are chanted in unison, sometimes even in Latin, which lays bare their timelessness. The entire experience is beautiful to behold through multiple senses.

Its exactly these elementsexperiencing beauty in sight and sound, witnessing love and care between people, taking part in a groupthat Dacher Keltner, a psychologist at UC Berkeley, has found to evoke awe. They can open us to the spiritual by making us feel fully in the moment and connected to something greater than ourselves. Put simply, Christmas services offer a route to transcendence for people of faith and nonbelievers alike.

At times, though, I wonder whether its OK for me to attend Christmas services when I dont believe in the doctrine, or even in God. Most clergy welcome all comers, though not everyone is allowed to partake in sacraments. But if God exists, what does It think?

Thats a difficult question, and I dont profess to have the answer. Ultimately, it depends on what you think the purpose of religion is. If its to worship a deity, then Im clearly failing six ways to Sunday. But if its to be a better personmore Christian in practice, if not beliefthen I like to think God would be fine with me stopping by. After all, the reward that spiritual experiences provide isnt a selfish one. Awe pushes us to pay goodness forward, to be more kind, generous and honest to the people around us. To embody, in essence, the Christmas spirit, whatever our theological beliefs might be.

David DeSteno is a professor of psychology at Northeastern University and host of the PRX Podcast How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality."
Karnataka Chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah found himself at the controversy end of conversation, when a video of him, and his ministers travelling by a luxury jet to Delhi surfaced.

Amid the Congress' crowdfunding campaign, the BJP on Friday launched an attack on Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and state minister Ahmed Khan saying that at a time when their party is asking for donations, the two leaders are travelling in a 'private jet'.

Responding to a question on the video of himself and Karnataka minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan travelling on a chartered flight, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "Ask BJP people in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in."

The video was first posted by the Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan himself. The video showed the private jet with the minister and the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah which was posted with the caption " Happy moments of traveling from Delhi to Bangalore with our proud leader, Chief Minister Siddaramiah".

In the video, Siddaramaiah is seen along with Housing Minister Khan and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, among others.

The Karnataka opposition BJP came down heavily on the Congress government in Karnataka on Friday for flaunting rich fortune and luxury lifestyles.

Earlier on Friday, BJP leader Amit Malviya slammed the Karnataka Congress saying that the duo had 'happy moments' in a private jet while they were travelling to Delhi to seek drought funds' release from the Centre.

Posting a video of Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmed with the state Chief Minister on the social media platform, X, Malviya wrote, On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didn't even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private jet. They apparently had 'happy moments' traveling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief. Irony died a million times."
On the tarmac of a Moscow airport in late August, Yevgeny Prigozhin waited on his Embraer Legacy 600 for a safety check to finish before it could take off. The mercenary army chief was headed home to St. Petersburg with nine others onboard. Through the delay, no one inside the cabin noticed the small explosive device slipped under the wing.

When the jet finally left, it climbed for about 30 minutes to 28,000 feet, before the wing blew apart, sending the aircraft spiraling to the ground. All 10 people were killed, including Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner paramilitary group.

The assassination of the warlord was two months in the making and approved by Russian President Vladimir Putins oldest ally and confidant, an ex-spy named Nikolai Patrushev, according to Western intelligence officials and a former Russian intelligence officer. The role of Patrushev as the driver of the plan to kill Prigozhin hasnt been previously reported.

The Kremlin has denied involvement in Prigozhins death, and Putin offered the closest thing to an official explanation for the planes fiery crash, suggesting a hand grenade had detonated onboard.

None of that was true.

Hours after the incident, a European involved in intelligence gathering who maintained a backchannel of communication with the Kremlin and saw news of the crash asked an official there what had happened.

He had to be removed," the Kremlin official responded without hesitation.

Collision course

Patrushev had warned Putin for a long time that Moscows reliance on Wagner in Ukraine was giving Prigozhin too much political and military clout that was increasingly threatening the Kremlin.

With tens of thousands of troops and lucrative gold, timber and diamond operations in Africa, Prigozhin managed a multibillion-dollar empire overseas. But back in Russia and on the battlefield in Ukraine, his public confrontations with the militarys top brass over weapons and supplies had put him on a collision course with the Kremlin.

When that boiled over into an outright mutiny in late June against Russias military commanderswith an armed march on Moscow by some of Wagners 25,000 fighters and tanksPatrushev stepped in to ward off the biggest challenge yet to Putins more than two-decade rule. He also saw an opportunity to eliminate Prigozhin for good.

In interviews with Western intelligence agencies, former U.S. and Russian security and intelligence officials, and former Kremlin officials, The Wall Street Journal unearthed new details about the mutiny and murder of Russias most powerful warlord and the previously unknown role of Patrushev in reasserting Putins authority over an increasingly unstable Russia.

Through the power of state-controlled media and his own persona, Putin has unsettled the West with his image as a determined adversary who rules Russia alone. In fact, he is kept in power by a vast bureaucracy that has proven durable through deepening hostilities with the West and rising domestic divisions over the botched invasion of Ukraine.

Controlling the levers of that machine is Patrushev. He has climbed to the top by interpreting Putins policies and carrying out his orders. Throughout Putins reign, he has expanded Russias security services and terrorized its enemies with assassinations at home and abroad. More recently his profile has grown, backing Russias invasion, and his son Dmitry, a former banker, has been appointed agriculture minister and is touted by some as a potential successor to Putin.

Patrushevs handling of Prigozhin has helped Putin claim control ahead of the presidential elections next year.

Former colleagues of Patrushev describe him as a sober bureaucrat who, like Putin, spurns the media, relying on daily readouts about the world from Russias security services. Like Putin, he joined the spy services in the 1970s, and stuck with the service through the collapse of the Soviet Union when other officers flocked to more lucrative jobs in Russias nascent private sector.

Patrushev, 72, sees Russia locked in a struggle with the U.S., which he has said wants to steal Russias oil and minerals. He salts conspiracy theories into speeches and interviews. Earlier this year, he told Russias Izvestia newspaper that the U.S. is plotting to take over Russia because a massive volcanic eruption in Wyoming could soon make it uninhabitable.

His role in some of the darker chapters of Putins presidency underscore the often deadly consequences for anyone who falls afoul of the Kremlin.

Russian officials and Patrushev didnt respond to requests for comment.

U.S. officials said soon after Prigozhins death that preliminary government assessments found the crash was the result of an assassination plot.

Rise of the spy

In photos of him and Putin, Patrushev is a figure in the background, mostly unnoticed in an unremarkable dark suit. Daily, he travels in a Russian-made Aurus limousine to his spartan office in the presidential administration complex, steps away from the Kremlin, said former Kremlin officials. His phone calls are usually encrypted.

Patrushev plunged into the world of spycraft at an early age in the Soviet city of Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Recruited into the KGB after earning a degree in engineering, he attended the spy services academy in Minsk. He soon worked in counterespionage and as an officer responsible for security in a region bordering Finland.

With Putin, he suffered the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decline of the security services while the government of President Boris Yeltsin attempted to introduce Western-style economic reforms. When Yeltsin appointed Putin in 1999 to prime minister, Putin recommended Patrushev as his replacement to lead the new version of the KGB, the FSB.

Putins rise to the presidency the following year buttressed Patrushevs authority. The men were linked by common origins and convictions that only strong security services could make Russia strong.

As head of the spy agency, Patrushev began to reinvent the organization and referred to it in an interview at the time with the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets as Russias new nobility."

It was a sensitive moment for the new president, and Patrushev showed he was ready to help. In his first year as president, Putin was threatened by revelations that he had served as an adviser to a real-estate company being investigated in Europe for money laundering. Patrushev traveled to Ukraine to take possession of damaging evidence from that countrys security service, according to audiotapes leaked from the Ukraine presidents office. Parts of the tapes were later verified by the U.S. government. Putin denied any wrongdoing, and the scandal later died down.

Patrushev soon signaled that traitors to the Kremlin would suffer. In 2006, Russia passed a law effectively legalizing extrajudicial killings of Russians abroad deemed terrorists or extremists. Months later, a former FSB agent, Alexander Litvinenko, who had fled to London and wrote about Putin and his own work as a spy, was killed by a dose of a radioactive substance in his tea. A British judge said that Patrushev probably approved the murder.

As FSB director, Patrushev had hoped to foster cooperation with the Wests own antiterror efforts, which were then in full bloom in the U.S. after the attacks on New York and Washington in 2001. But Litvinenkos poisoning, which contaminated a sushi restaurant in downtown London, began to sow questions about any cooperation. The assassination was one of the first of more mysterious killings of Russian emigres in Europe and the Middle East that Western officials suspected were linked to Moscow.

When Russia convened an international counterterrorism conference in the city of Khabarovsk in 2007, the CIA declined to send any high-ranking officials, instead offering a lower-profile group headed by a former CIA station chief, Rolf Mowatt-Larssen. Mowatt-Larssen said Patrushev took him aside to say he was offended. He said Please take this message back to the CIA," Mowatt-Larssen said. You arent taking us seriously."

In 2008, Putin promoted Patrushev to secretary of Russias national security council, a post that confers little formal power. But Patrushevs personal gravitas, his proximity to Putin and his role as de facto head of its security services for more than two decades has made him the second most powerful person in Russia.

His new role also gave him the mandate to strengthen Russias ties abroad. Soon he was acting as a kind of hybrid intelligence official and diplomat, visiting some of the worlds most powerful leaders. The feverish pace of Patrushevs travel schedule contrasted with how little was actually known about his meetings.

We know who our enemies are

One of the few public glimpses into his activities was in 2016 when he went to clean up a mess left after the failure of a political interference operation in the tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro. Russias military intelligence had tried to cause unrest to prevent it from joining NATO.

The operation, run from neighboring Serbia, failed, and the Russian agents were publicly exposed, causing fallout for Moscows allies in the region. Patrushev traveled to Serbia to reassure the government and brought the operatives home. Montenegro joined NATO a year later.

Most of his work was done in the shadows. His plane was spotted in Oman in 2020 at the same time that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was there, prompting accusations in Ukraine that the two had held a secret meeting. Both Zelensky and the Kremlin denied it.

Separately, in the run-up to Russias invasion of Ukraine, Patrushevs plane also appeared in Jakarta at the same time as a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was rolling out the White House strategy for regulating the contested Indian and Pacific Ocean region. The U.S. and Moscow each issued statements that no meeting took place.

Earlier, as indications grew of warming ties between Moscow and Beijing, the U.S. tried to talk the Kremlin back from an alliance with China. During the Trump administration, top White House officials met with Patrushev in Geneva to discuss prisoner exchanges and an extension of an arms control agreement.

A White House specialist on China, Matthew Pottinger, unveiled historical maps of Russian territories claimed by Beijing meant to underscore the threat China posed to Moscow. Patrushev listened patiently and then scoffed. We know who our enemies are," he said, according to one U.S. official who attended the meeting.

A former senior White House official said Patrushev has been a key conduit between Moscow and Beijing. If Putin had been deposed or killed earlier this year by Wagner Group, I suspect Beijing would have made efforts to install Patrushev as Putins replacement," the former official said.

John Bolton, who met with Patrushev numerous times as national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, said that Patrushev was always professional, never raising his voice in negotiations or showing much interest in small talk.

Bolton said he got a taste of anger only once, during a meeting in 2019, when their conversation turned to Ukraine. We got a 20 minute oration about Ukraine and the history of it," said Bolton. It was very emotional and uncharacteristic for him."

Patrushev would become one the biggest defenders of the Ukraine invasion.

Russian expectations were disappointed in the first days of the conflict in February 2022. By the fall of last year, Russian forces were crumbling in the face of Ukrainian offensives in the south and north of the country, with tens of thousands of casualties.

The Kremlin called on Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters to buttress Russias failing war effort with his paramilitary group. Prigozhins rapid rise would soon worry Patrushev.

March to Moscow

A former prison convict and hot-dog vendor from Putins hometown of St. Petersburg, Prigozhin became a caterer for Putin and used his contacts to build a sprawling private military company. Over the past decade it fought wars in Ukraine, Syria and North Africa for the Kremlin.

The group had also gained a foothold in sub-Saharan Africa where it traded timber, gold, cash and diamonds for providing security to leadersan important channel of geopolitical influence for Russia.

In Ukraine, Prigozhin threw his support behind Putins invasion, winning key battles, while hurling public criticism at Russias commanders for their military losses.

His social media tirades against Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigucombined with the successful advances of his troops in eastern Ukrainegot him noticed in Moscow and won him powerful enemies, including Patrushev.

In Prigozhins tirades against Shoigu, those inside the Kremlin saw Putins longtime tactic of keeping his subordinates divided by allowing feuds. But in the war, the warlords accumulation of power had made him a danger to the president.

Everyone told Putin it was a mistake to have a parallel army," said one former Kremlin official, who had at times worked with both Putin and Patrushev. When he spits in the face of the military leadership every dayyou have yourself a problem."

Patrushev began to warn Putin about Prigozhin during the summer months of 2022. But the warnings fell on deaf ears while Wagner made progress on the battlefield.

That changed when Prigozhin called Putin and complained rudely about his lack of supplies, said the former Russian intelligence officer, who maintains ties to people close to Putin and his spy chief. Prigozhin needed guns and bullets and his men were dying in large numbers.

The call happened in October with others in the office, the former agent said, including Patrushev, who heard the former caterer scold the president. Later Patrushev would use the call as a reason Putin should distance himself: The warlord had become dangerous, with no respect for the Kremlins authority.

By December it was clear Patrushev had won. Even as Prigozhin publicly railed against the military and his lack of supplies, Putin ignored him. Calls went unanswered. By early June, the Kremlin effectively announced plans to dismantle Wagner as a fighting force in Ukraine, ordering its fighters to register with Russias defense ministry.

On Friday June 23, Prigozhin launched a mutiny, taking his 25,000 men and tanks from the battlefield in Ukraine and marched them toward the southern city of Rostov-on-Don to take the Russian armed forces southern military district headquarters. The plan, on what he called his march of justice," was to confront Gerasimov and Shoigu, who had been there for meetings but escaped before Prigozhin arrived.

Prigozhin sent another column of tanks and soldiers toward Moscow.

With Putin at a villa far outside of the city, Patrushev took over, organizing a flurry of phone calls to persuade Prigozhin to stand down, according to Western intelligence assessments and the former Russian intelligence officer.

Patrushev asked officers sympathetic to Prigozhin to try to get through to him. Five calls to Prigozhin from the Kremlin went unanswered. He also looked for mediators, and calls were made to the governments of Kazakhstan and Belarus, both members of a Russian-led military alliance made up of former Soviet states.

The call to Kazakhstan was insurance against a worst-case scenario. The year before, Russia had sent it troops to restore order after violent riots broke out. The hope now was Kazakhstan would return the favor if the Russian military couldnt hold the rogue army back, said a Western intelligence official and the former Russian intelligence officer. But president Kassym Jomart Tokayev declined, having distanced himself after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In the end, the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said in a public statement at the time he agreed to help, calling Prigozhin multiple times over the course of more than six hours and ferrying messages between the warlord and Moscow. Ultimately, he delivered an offer hashed out by Patrushev: If Prigozhin turned his troops around, his men would be allowed to decamp to Belarus.

Lukashenko had several rounds of talks with Prigozhin, as well as Putin, his press service said in a statement to the Journal. The talks delivered success," the statement said.

In a late morning television appearance, Putin called Prigozhin and the Wagner leadership traitors, helping persuade him to take the offer, which included retaining control of his overseas operations, such as those in Africa.

While Prigozhin and his fighters hadnt encountered active resistance from the military, most units they encountered werent joining them either. By early Saturday evening, Prigozhins mutiny had come to an end.

Prigozhins fighters who were heading toward Moscow stopped and some began marching toward camps putatively prepared for them in Belarus. Prigozhin himself disappeared from social media.

For the rest of the summer, an uneasiness settled on Moscow. Few in the Kremlin believed that Prigozhin would get away with an armed mutiny with no consequences.

Patrushev would prove them right.

The killing

After the mutiny, the Kremlin did little publicly to limit Prigozhins life. He traveled to Africa to check in on his operations there. He was also allowed to continue working in St. Petersburg and around Russia, said Maksim Shugaley, who worked for Prigozhin at a think tank. But, he said, Prigozhin was wary.

He knew he had enemies and that something could happen to him, but as far as he was concerned he was abiding by the deal," Shugaley said.

Mowatt-Larssen, the former CIA station chief, said that Prigozhin might have appeared to be free, when in fact he was being closely watched. His mutiny had exposed a deep rift in Putins system of running the country, as well as dissatisfaction in the military, which had done little to oppose his march, he said.

You can see what Putins plan wasto keep the dead man walking so they could continue to find out what happened," he said, meaning the Kremlin was looking for Prigozhins collaborators.

In the beginning of August, as most of Moscow went on vacation, Patrushev, in his office in central Moscow, gave orders to his assistant to proceed in shaping an operation to dispose of Prigozhin, said the former Russian intelligence officer. Putin was later shown the plans and didnt object, Western intelligence agencies said.

Several weeks later, following his tour through Africa, Prigozhin was waiting at a Moscow airport while safety inspectors finished a check on the plane. It was during this delay that a small bomb was placed under the wing, said Western intelligence officials.

The jet departed after 5 p.m. and reached an altitude of 28,000 feet. But after more than half an hour, the aircraft swiftly lost altitude and crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino. Witness videos show that after an explosion, a jet with a detached wing fell from the sky.

Within days, Russian media reported that DNA tests confirmed Prigozhin had died in the crash. Nine others were killed with him, including the Wagner groups commander, Dmitry Utkin, another Wagner associate, two pilots and a 39-year-old flight attendant.

Warren P. Strobel and Max Colchester contributed to this article.

Write to Thomas Grove at thomas.grove@wsj.com, Alan Cullison at alan.cullison@wsj.com and Bojan Pancevski at bojan.pancevski@wsj.com
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reportedly reached out to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid murmurs about a fresh rift in the INDIA ranks. The development comes mere days after several key Opposition leaders batted for Mallikarjun Kharge to be made the bloc's Prime Ministerial candidate.

According to an NDTV update quoting sources, the two leaders have been unable to interact thus far due to a clash in timing. Speculative reports suggest that the duo will touch upon the controversy sparked by Wednesday's meeting. Kharge has already spoken to Kumar while Gandhi interacted with NCP chief Sharad Pawar in the ensuing days.

INDIA bloc leaders have rejected claims that the Bihar Chief Minister was unhappy about the situation  even as Kharge played down suggestions that he would emerge as a prime ministerial candidate. Kumar  who recently declined the role of INDIA bloc convenor  has insisted on several occasions that he has no desire to become the PM candidate.

JD(U) leaders however remain miffed about the situation.

Public does not who 'Kharge Pharge' is. Even I don't know he was the president of Congress. Nobody knows him. Masses don't know him. The public knows Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar should become Prime Minister. He is popular all over India," JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal said on Friday.

JD(U) national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha however said that he was appalled by the recent claims.

Nitish Kumar expressed the view that seat sharing should be complete by January. After that all parties should come out with a common minimum programmeAs someone who was present at the nearly three and a half hours long meeting, I can say with authenticity that all the deliberations took place in a cordial atmosphere. It was decided that only a few leaders brief the media. We are appalled at the misleading reports," he claimed.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Congress on Thursday held the Congress Working Committee meeting on Thursday in national capital Delhi. At the meeting they adopted the resolution to that it would take all necessary steps to make the INDIA bloc an effective bulwark and force against the BJP and its allies, while vowing to be fully prepared at the earliest to fight the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, cracked down on other party workers for the Assembly election defeat in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. According to an NDTV report, Rahul Gandhi emphasized on the need to accommodate regional parties in their aim to fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

The meeting of the CWC was chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi were among the 76 leaders attending the meeting.

According to the NDTV report, Rahul Gandhi questioned why state units were not ready to make adjustments with smaller parties to try and defeat the BJP.

The senior leadership also brought into discussion the Kamal Nath-led campaign in Madhya Pradesh, which failed to take the party to victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. The report further stated that several leaders called out what they described as Kamal Nath's autocratic style, and stubborn refusal to accept feedback or ideas.

Notably, during the election campaign phase, Kamal Nath had rejected collaborating with Samajwadi Party and has remarked "Akhilesh-wakhilesh" while dismissing talk of an alliance with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi said the Congress should have agreed to seat-sharing with smaller parties.

That cannot be termed as an intrusion", NDTV quoted Rahul Gandhi's articulation. The Congress needs to accommodate others and every percentage of vote matters in the fight against the BJP", said Rahul Gandhi.

Notably, after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election failure, Congress replaced Kamal Nath with Jitu Patwari as the state chief.

When some leaders sought to highlight the BJP's organisational strength in all three states, Rahul Gandhi is said to have pointed out that the Congress did win all three in 2018 and that the BJP is not unbeatable, the report added.

In a resolution that was passed unanimously after a four-hour meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party also alleged that the suspension of MPs from Parliament was done to ensure that the opposition was not present to challenge the Narendra Modi government "as it bulldozed three draconian criminal justice laws through".

The CWC, the party's highest decision-making body, condemned in the strongest possible terms the suspension of more than 140 MPs of the opposition INDIA bloc from the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

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Beaming at every turn, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un toured the jewels of Russias military industries in September. A guest of President Vladimir Putin, he gawked at the plant making Su-35 jet fighters, inspected a Russian Navy frigate and examined the Kinzhal missiles at the Vostochny spaceport.

Soon thereafter, trainloads of North Korean artillery shells started rolling to Russian troops in Ukraineby American calculations, as many as one million munitions, or roughly three times what European nations had been able to supply in a whole year.

Another increasingly important partner of Russia, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, visited with Putin this month. Iranian ammunition and drones have played a major role in the Russian war effort. Now Raisi discussed the desired payback: sophisticated Russian aircraft and air defenses that would make it much harder for the U.S. or Israel to strike Iran and its nuclear program.

President George W. Bush used the term axis of evil" to describe North Korea, Iran and Iraq in 2002, in his first State of the Union speech after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The idea was ridiculed by many at the time. But now an axis uniting Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang has become a geopolitical realityand with a revisionist and reckless Russia at its center, it poses a growing threat to the U.S. and its allied democracies.

These countries are showing an excellent burden-sharing. And when it comes to Ukraine, there is an unholy alliance of these forces which have achieved a war economy, whereas we in the West are unable to achieve an increase in the production of ammunition," said Roderich Kiesewetter, a German lawmaker and a former senior officer of the German General Staff.

This new axis is coalescing as the U.S.-led Western alliance is showing systemic cracks. Indispensable American aid to Ukraine has been stalled because of Republican opposition in Congress, and EU efforts to confront Russia have been sabotaged by Hungary. Neither the U.S. nor Europe has been willing or able to boost military production to match Russias recent growth in manufacturing ammunition and weapons.

China, another authoritarian power, is friendly to the burgeoning Russia-Iran-North Korea axis but has not joined it militarilythough it may do so in the future, if Western resolve flags. The Chinese are watching: how do we behave? And our responses are vague and not corresponding to our needs," said Artis Pabriks, a former Latvian defense and foreign minister who now heads the Northern Europe Policy Center, a think-tank. We have deeply underestimated the impact of Russian aggression in Ukraine."

A new acronym has already emerged in Washington to denote this autocratic lineup: the CRINKs, meaning China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. These countries have increasingly aligned their positions not just on Ukraine, but on other crises that pit them against the U.S., such as the war in Gaza.

Such diplomatic coordination shouldnt be underestimated, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat and a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Russia gives Iran and North Korea acceptance and credibility, and its also one of the things that China provides to Russia: that they are not alone in the international community," she said.

During George W. Bushs presidency two decades ago, Russia was positioning itself as a responsible global power, and cooperated with the U.S. and other Western allies in moderating Iranian and North Korean behavior. Even after Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea in 2014, it was one of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal through which the Obama administration aimed to curb Irans nuclear ambitions. Until 2017, Russia voted for U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

But when the 2022 invasion of Ukraine failed to achieve regime change in Kyiv and prompted the West to funnel money and weapons to the Ukrainian government, Moscows calculations changed. With Russia crippled by Western sanctions, Putin has turned to other rogue states that could provide him with valuable military aid, and that crave Russias own technologies.

Irans Shahed drones entered combat in Ukraine in October last year, and have been extensively used against Ukrainian power stations, port infrastructure and military targets. Production of the drones is now partly localized inside Russia. Such field-testing in real combat conditions, against Western-supplied air defenses, has allowed Iran to improve the design and the effectiveness of its drones, military officials say.

So far, Iran has stopped short of providing Russia with ballistic missiles, using that step as a bargaining chip in its talks with the West. Such restraint, however, could disappear now that attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas have sparked war in Gaza.

The Iran-Russian military cooperation is really reaching new heights. Its a stunning turn of events," said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group. Military ties between Moscow and Tehran were solidified by Russia entering the Syrian war in 2015, he said, and if Iran obtained Russian aircraft and air-defenses, it could project military power across the Middle East. Nobody else is willing to give them that kind of weapons," Vaez said.

The Iranian missile program, and its military industries in general, have long benefited from North Korean know-how. But Russia has weapons that North Korea doesnt produce. Irans weakest point is its lack of modern combat aircraft, and it has already signed agreements to obtain Russian Su-35 jets.

While the Soviet Union used to be a formal ally of North Korea, post-1991 Russia was wary, developing close ties with South Korea instead. That coldness turned into a nearly-obsequious courting of Kim when the Russian army confronted an ammunition shortage this summer. Accustomed to an overwhelming artillery advantage on the battlefield, Russian troops in southern Ukraine suddenly found themselves facing superior Ukrainian firepower on some sections of the front. Ironically, a large share of the artillery ammunition used by Ukraine during its summer offensive was provided, via American intermediaries, by South Korea.

In July, weeks after the Ukrainian offensive began, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Pyongyang. At a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the North Korean victory" over American forces, he stood next to Kim as troops marched by. When Kim made a weeklong visit to the Russian Far East two months later, he was showered with honorsa contrast to the relatively cool reception he had been given on his previous trip in 2019.

Were in a different world. Russias war has been unfolding in ways not entirely according to Putins plans," said Sung-Yoon Lee, a specialist on North Korea at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Putin needs Kim, and Kim needs Putin. In this new environment, he added, the old Cold War dynamics in East Asia have returned, with Russia, North Korea and China on one side and the U.S., South Korea and Japan on the other.

This doesnt entirely align with Beijings interests. China, unlike Russia, North Korea or Iran, has a trade-dependent global economy. For now, at least, it is seeking not to further damage relations with the U.S. or Europeone reason why Chinese leader Xi Jinping has declined to provide weapons to Russia. Beijing is also wary of Russia encroaching upon its own privileged relationship with North Korea.

Its not in Xis interests that the Russians are pulling the Korean peninsula into the war in Ukraine," said Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and a former senior White House official. Its just causing a tightening of the U.S.-Japan-South Korea relationship, which makes Chinas neighborhood even more difficult."

What exactly North Korea has gotten from Russia so far is unclear. Pyongyang successfully launched its first spy satellite at the end of November after previous failed attempts, an achievement that U.S. officials said could have been a result of Russian assistance. But so far there is no public evidence that Russia is sharing the ballistic-missile and submarine technology particularly sought by Kim.

Russia wants artillery shells, but in return for that, you dont have to help the North Koreans with cutting-edge military technology. There are other things that Russia can do: financial assistance, food aid, energy," said James Brown, a professor of political science at Temple University in Japan. It seems like Russia is deliberately playing up, for political reasons, the idea that they could provide advanced military technology. Its a way to threaten South Korea and Japan that, if they continue to support sanctions and assist Ukraine, it will have consequences for them."
A passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight waiting at the gate in New Orleans last month opened an emergency exit, climbed onto the planes wing and jumped to the ground, police said. An American Airlines customer service manager was hospitalized late last month after a passenger being removed from a flight in Miami punched her in the face and pushed her down, her head striking the jet bridge.

In July, a United Airlines flight to Amsterdam was diverted when a business class flier launched into a tirade after discovering his preferred meal wasnt available. In South Korea in May, a passenger opened his aircrafts emergency exit midflight, forcing the jet to land.

In-flight disruptions that range from annoying to dangerous are still happening at worrisome levels, regulators and airlines say, over a year after airlines dropped a contentious mask requirementa major reason behind a surge in onboard conflict in 2021.

The Federal Aviation Administration has recorded nearly 2,000 reports of such incidents so far this year, up 71% from 2019s full-year tally, though lower than 2021s unprecedented peak of 5,973 incidents.

The Transportation Security Administration said it had opened 374 investigations into passengers interfering with checkpoint screening in the 2023 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, up from 287 the previous 12 months.

Airports and what happens on airplanes are kind of a microcosm of whats happening in society," said Michele Freadman, a former Massachusetts Port Authority security executive who is involved in federally funded research on passenger disruptions. We see this violence and tendency to be angry in so many different venues."

Regulators are warning that passenger unruliness poses a significant risk to flight safety, either by passengers directly interfering with aircraftby attempting to open doors, emergency exits or accessing the cockpitor by preventing cabin crew from performing safety duties. At minimum, incidents can delay flights, forcing planes to return to the gate or sometimes divert.

When a passenger does not behave properly, its a safety risk," Luc Tytgat, acting executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, known as EASA, said in an interview.

Not endangering your fellow passengers is kind of the bare minimum here," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said this week, admonishing travelers not to mistreat airport and airline workers ahead of the winter holidays. Lets say in addition to not assaulting anyone, be nice to them."

Industry officials, unions and regulators say they have no clear reason for the continuing trend. Mental health is one factor, and drugs have played a role in some events, investigators say.

In October, Joseph Emerson, an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot, was riding in a cockpit jump seat when he told pilots Im not OK," and allegedly attempted to shut down the planes engines midflight, according to federal and state criminal complaints. He told authorities that he had taken magic mushrooms" about 48 hours before the flight and that he had struggled with depression, according to court documents.

A Multnomah County, Ore., grand jury indicted Emerson this month with one count of endangering an aircraft in the first degree and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person. He pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he never intended to hurt anyone or put anyone at risk.

Some attribute the increase in troublesome behavior to a higher prevalence of prescription medication that has mixed badly with the reintroduction of alcohol on flights. Others say passengers are still rusty and nervous after an extended break from flying, or overwhelmed by the stresses of full planes and delays.

Theyre certainly down significantly from the peak of Covid, which is really good to see. But there still are events that are out there happening," said David Seymour, Americans chief operating officer, in an interview last month.

On Oct. 25, a JetBlue passenger on a flight from Amsterdam to New York announced to a line of passengers waiting to use the toilet stalls that he refused to wait. He proceeded to relieve himself in a bottle at his seat before launching into a verbal assault against two cabin crew. The captain chose to divert the aircraft to Boston.

Tyesha Best, a union leader and cabin crew member for JetBlue Airways, said it was one of the more severe passenger incidents experienced by JetBlue colleagues this year, some of which deteriorated into physical violence.

If we are more worried about an unruly customer that means were not worried about all the other customers on the plane," Best said. Theyre compromising our ability to have a completely calm, a completely safe cabin."

Best said flight attendants are calling for companies to do more to prepare crews to anticipate and handle violent customers, including providing additional self-defense training.

Sotiria Anagnostous flight from Milwaukee to Phoenix had to make an unplanned stop in Kansas City, Mo., last month to deal with a passenger disturbance. The passenger was agitated almost from the outset, Anagnostou said, and flight attendants seemed rattled as she became more verbally aggressive.

We were all getting the impression she was very out of touch with reality, some kind of mental break," Anagnostou said. I was concerned something more severe was going to happen."

In Europe, airlines and airports are rolling out new practices to try limit the risk of unruly behavior during the flight. A handful of airports are providing smoking zones so that travelers can smoke before boarding, and not on the aircraft, according to EASAs head of safety promotion, John Franklin.

Icelands national carrier has instructed its boarding staff to ask themselves, Would you be happy for this passenger to sit next to a child you care about?" before waving a customer through the gate, Icelandair security manager Polly Hilmarsdottir said at the DISPAX World conference in October. Dutch flag carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines this month said incidents at its gates and onboard its aircraft had doubled to 30 a month this year compared with 15 in 2019.

In the U.S., passengers who act out on planes can now face stiffer penalties as the FAA and Justice Department have sought to crack down on misbehavior. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said Tuesday that the agency has a zero tolerance" approach toward such cases.

Nearly 750 passengers have been disqualified from TSA PreCheck since late 2021 after being referred by the FAA for misbehavior, in addition to passengers who lost access to the program after causing disruptions at TSA checkpoints, TSA said.

The FAA has referred more than 270 of the most serious cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for potential criminal prosecution, including 39 through the first half of this year.

A federal judge last month ordered a Hawaii woman to pay nearly $39,000 in restitution to American Airlines after she pleaded guilty to interference with a flight crew member. She was sentenced to time served of about 3 months, followed by three years of supervised release during which she wont be able to travel on commercial flights without approval.

According to her plea agreement, the passenger used profanity and threatened the crew and passengers during a dispute over her refusal to wear a mask on a Hawaii-bound flight in early 2022, prompting the pilot to return to Phoenix.

New measures to protect staffers including expanding self-defense training are included in proposed FAA reauthorization legislation. Other proposals in Congress to create a new no-fly list preventing unruly passengers from flying on any carrier in U.S. skies so far havent gone anywhere.

Andrew Thomas, an associate professor of marketing and international business at the University of Akron, has tracked the problem of air rage" for decades. The sharp decline in incidents since the postpandemic peak is a sign that stronger enforcement works, he said, and that many people think twice before acting out if they believe they might face steep fines or flight bans.

Youre still gonna get the outliersyoure gonna get the drunks, the drugs, entitled, just the mentally illI think youll still always have that, thats just the curse of air travel," he said.

Write to Alison Sider at alison.sider@wsj.com and Benjamin Katz at ben.katz@wsj.com
BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has selected a new batch of 388 brands and plans to recognize them as time-honored brands, or "laozihao" in Chinese, a coveted title given to brands with a long history.

The list was revealed on Thursday with a public notice period of 15 working days. The public can provide written feedback to the MOC during the period.

The age of this batch of brands ranges from 50 to 138, according to a press conference held by the MOC on Thursday.

The new batch of brands will join with the existing 1,073 time-honored brands as some were delisted in recent reviews, and all together, the average age of the time-honored brands will reach 140.

Over the past few years, China has stepped up efforts to breathe new life into long-established brands, preserving and improving traditional techniques, improving online and offline integration, and strengthening brand protection.
Royal Credit Union has donated $5,000 to Feed My People Food Bank to support the purchase of a barcode scanning system for the Eau Claire nonprofit, according to a press release.

Feed My People values the commitment and generosity of Royal Credit Union to help combat hunger across west-central Wisconsin. The most recent donation to our barcode scanning system greatly benefits our warehouse, Jeremy Gilbert, development specialist for Feed My People, said in the release. It enables our team to significantly decrease staff time and overhead costs, which allows us to move food through the warehouse faster, eliminating waste. The added ability to better partner with other food banks who already utilize this system is significant.

Royal is a longtime supporter of Feed My People, and we knew that a donation to this organization would have a great impact on a large number of Royal communities in Wisconsin, said Brandon Riechers, CEO of Royal Credit Union. Feed My People plays a vital role in providing food security to over 70,000 people each year, and Royal is proud to support the technology upgrades that will ensure Feed My People can help all those in need.
Yelp knows this well. Founded 19 years ago as a pioneer in the field of online reviews for local businesses, Yelp has established an Internet advertising business now generating more than $1.2 billion a year in revenue. That is a 10-fold increase from when the company went public in 2012and about what Google generates in ad revenue every two days.

Even that was a hard-won business for Yelp. Selling ads to local restaurants, plumbers and day spas required an army of young sales reps who mostly lacked the experience necessary to chase bigger deals at bigger employers. Yelp spent an average of 55% of its annual revenue on sales and marketing costs for the years 2011 through 2020. The self-service nature of much of Googles search ad franchise allowed the internet titan to amass a more lucrative business at a much lower rate of relative spend. Sales and marketing costs for parent company Alphabet averaged 12% of annual revenue during the same 10-year period.

Yelp has long considered Google its archnemesis. Co-founder and Chief Executive Jeremy Stoppelman has testified before Congress about the internet giants business practices, and even dinged Google in Yelps most recent earnings call for allowing star ratings without accompanying reviews on its site. Weve never allowed simple anonymous star ratings," he said. We always found it frustrating, frankly, that Google with its monopoly position would pretend like those are reviews and mislead consumers."

But competing against Google for two decades has also taught Yelp the value of scaling an online advertising business in a more cost-effective way. The company has built up a self-serve advertising arm that has been increasing its revenue by around 25% year-over-year for the past four quarters. And that segment, along with multilocation advertising geared toward larger businesses, now accounts for more than half of Yelps total advertising revenue.

Yelp is also getting better at coming up with new products and services that help its appeal among advertisers. This includes tools such as Request-a-Quote for service professionals and Waitlist, which is designed to cut down on the number of hungry diners champing at the bit outside restaurants. The result, according to Colin Sebastian of Robert W. Baird, has been a transformation from a sales-driven organization to a more engineering-driven company." That makes for a more efficient business model: Yelps sales and marketing costs accounted for 42% of revenue for the 12-month period ended in September, and analysts project that number falling further to 40% next year, according to FactSet estimates.

Yelps stock has surged 76% this year, its biggest annual gain in a decade. That was helped in part by a shareholder activist calling on the company in May to explore a sale. But Wall Street also has noticed the companys business improvements. Goldman Sachs upgraded the shares to a buy rating in July, with analyst Eric Sheridan estimating that Yelps net earnings per salesperson has jumped from 37% of ad revenue in 2014 to 54% last year. That upgrade sent Yelps shares up 10% in a single day. And Cory Carpenter of JPMorgan upgraded the stock to a neutral rating in October, writing in a note to clients that Yelp has navigated the challenging ad market better than most of its peers."

Further gains will depend on how well Yelp can keep boosting ad sales efficiently, while also improving its product and staying on top of important technology shifts such as generative AI, into which deep-pocketed rivals Google and Facebook are pouring billions. Yelp is also one of the few internet companies of its generation still run by its founder, which Baird analyst Sebastian credits with helping the company in its most recent transformation. Stoppelman still has a few more stars to reach for.

Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com
In recent times, a troubling pattern has emerged within Western media and political circlesa tendency to present a skewed and pessimistic portrayal of Chinas economic trajectory. The narrative is all too familiar: inflate growth expectations and then disparage any outcomes that dont align with preconceived Western notions.

Misleading Expectations: A Recurring Theme

Chinas economic performance, particularly over the past year, underscores a resilient recovery and promising outlook. Despite this, Western outlets, including prominent names like the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, persistently frame Chinas accomplishments as less than expected. Such narratives raise eyebrows, especially when considering the growth patterns and the strategies China has consistently implemented.

For instance, recent data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics indicates a positive trajectory, particularly evident in the retail sales sector, which saw a 10.1% increase in November year-on-year. Yet, instead of acknowledging this growth, Western media outlets have fixated on their expectations, which seem to be more rooted in bias than empirical evidence.

The Western Pattern: Praise and Critique

A concerning trend has emerged where Western media and institutions first overstate potential growth scenarios for China and subsequently criticize any outcome that falls short of these inflated projections. Such a strategy serves a dual purpose: sensationalize content for readership and undermine Chinas economic credibility.

Economist Guo Shengxiang aptly points out that expecting a 12.5% growth rate, as some Western outlets have advocated, seems less rooted in economic realities and more aligned with an agenda to discredit China. This narrative manipulation does a disservice to readers and investors seeking balanced and objective insights.

Political Interference: Weaponizing Economic Narratives

Beyond media sensationalism, Western politicians have also leveraged this narrative to advance their agendas. Recent initiatives, like the U.S. House committees portrayal of China as a systemic risk, echo Cold War tactics rather than reflect contemporary economic realities.

Such assertions, devoid of substantive evidence, not only misguide investors but also perpetuate a cycle of misinformation and mistrust. As Eoin Mills of Cummins emphasizes, theres an evident chilling effect on positive discourse surrounding the Chinese economy.

Unraveling the Web of Misinformation

This pattern of misinformation doesnt exist in isolation. Instead, its part of a broader web of vested interests that span media outlets, financial institutions, and political entities. The strategy is clear: create a narrative of uncertainty around China to capitalize on market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.

Historical precedents, like the narrative manipulation against Russia post-1991 and the orchestrated attacks on Thailands economy, serve as cautionary tales. The involvement of influential figures, such as George Soros, underscores the intricate web of financial speculation and media manipulation that often underpins such campaigns.

Chinas Resilience: A Reality Check

Despite these concerted efforts to undermine its economic credibility, Chinas resilience remains unshaken. With its emphasis on open, high-quality development, technological innovation, and adaptive strategies, China continues to defy pessimistic projections.

In conclusion, while Western media and political organizations persist in their efforts to cast doubt on Chinas economic trajectory, the reality speaks volumes. Chinas robust recovery and promising outlook refute the deceptive narratives peddled by those vested in maintaining a skewed perspective. As the global landscape evolves, a more balanced and objective appraisal of Chinas economic realities is not just advisableits imperative.

Why Knightsbridge Holds the Key to Investment Success

Asia is no longer a sleeping giant. Its a surging economic powerhouse, and China, its beating heart, offers unparalleled opportunities for savvy investors. But navigating this dynamic landscape can seem daunting. Thats where Knightsbridge Partners emerges as a beacon, guiding investors towards real access and impactful returns in the Asian and Chinese markets.

Unparalleled Market Expertise:

Knightsbridge isnt just a financial company; its a team of seasoned professionals with deep-rooted connections and comprehensive understanding of the Asian and Chinese economies. They speak the language, navigate the cultural nuances, and possess an intimate knowledge of local regulations and investment opportunities. This insider knowledge is invaluable for navigating the complexities of these markets and maximizing returns.

Beyond the Numbers:

Investing isnt just about spreadsheets and algorithms. Knightsbridge recognizes the crucial role of on-the-ground intelligence and relationship building. They forge strong partnerships with key players in various sectors, from technology giants to government officials. This network provides real-time insights, early access to promising deals, and the ability to navigate potential challenges effectively.

Tailored Solutions for Different Risk Appetites:

Knightsbridge understands that investors have unique needs and risk tolerances. They offer a diverse portfolio of investment vehicles, from venture capital funds focusing on cutting-edge technology startups to private equity funds targeting established industry leaders. This spectrum ensures that every investor finds the perfect match for their goals and risk appetite, maximizing their potential for success.

Commitment to Sustainability:

Knightsbridge recognizes the importance of aligning financial returns with positive social and environmental impact. They actively seek investments in companies committed to sustainable practices and responsible growth, ensuring that their clients success contributes to a better future for the region.

Why Knightsbridge Matters:

In a world of faceless algorithms and impersonal online platforms, Knightsbridge offers a human touch. They combine unparalleled expertise with personalized guidance, providing investors with a true partnership on their Asian investment journey. With Knightsbridge, you gain more than just access to lucrative deals; you gain a trusted advisor, a cultural bridge, and a reliable partner in navigating the dynamic and rewarding landscape of Asian and Chinese investment.

Shayne Heffernan
Judge weighs request to stop nation's first execution by nitrogen, in Alabama

A federal judge has heard diverging arrguments over a request to block what would be the nation's first execution by nitrogen gas
Authorities say an inmate accused of sexually assaulting multiple victims in Tennessee has been transported back to jail after being hospitalized for a suicide attempt
Angela Walker has two sons serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. One of them will be home with her in Lake Hallie for Christmas, but the other will remain on a military base in Yuma, Arizona, she said.

Im bummed that my eldest wont be here for Christmas, but Im a Marine mom and have been for seven years," she said. "Im used to it. Hes serving his country just like his dad did years ago.

Walker was carrying two packages into the Chippewa Falls post office on Dec. 13 when she stopped to talk about her sons.

Ill always talk about my boys. Im a proud mama, she said.

When it comes to mailing packages and birthday cards to her kids, Walker said she always uses the U.S. Postal Service over other delivery options.

If I have a choice, I always use the post office, Walker said. "I like to support people who work for our government, plus these folks work hard all year round to make sure people get their mail and packages."

Walker said just because she cant be with her son on Christmas doesnt mean she cant remind him that hes loved and missed.

Thats what Christmas cards and presents are for. Right? I am sending him a huge care package and another box with his Christmas presents  some video game stuff. He plays those a lot with his friends there to pass the time when hes not training, she said.

As Hanukkah and Christmas take over December, mailing packages becomes serious business for those who are separated from loved ones.

Walker is one of thousands of Chippewa County residents who is mailing gifts to loved ones this time of year.

Cindy Frohmader was at the post office Dec. 13 addressing holiday packages.

Its a busy time. I didnt want to wait too late to ship stuff, she said. I spent a lot of time making sure everything looked festive and addressing everything.

Dan Cooley mailed a letter on Dec. 13 from the post office. He said it was a Christmas card.

A very expensive Christmas card, he said. And its got a present inside it for the granddaughter. As long as it gets there before Dec. 25, Im happy. And she will be, too. God bless the post office.

Busy season

Chippewa Falls Postmaster Steven Hagen Miller said the post office at 315 N. Bridge St. is averaging more than 5,000 packages a day right now. Thats pretty typical for December, he said.

Its actually not as busy as it was before. It will get less busy the closer we get to Christmas with flats, he said. Our flats are down this year, but packages are a pretty normal amount.

Hagen Miller said the post office can handle whatever people throw at them.

Bring us more packages, I say, he said. We already stop at every house every day so people may as well use our services for packages.

Hagen Miller said as postmaster his responsibility is to deliver world-class service with every letter and every package to every resident in the 547 and 548 zip codes.

He said any piece of mail that comes through the door before 8 a.m. is committed to that days delivery.

We deliver every piece of mail every day, he said.

A minimum of 15 packages, or bigs, are needed for a run to be made by carriers. Carriers come in and get everything sorted and packed up in their vehicles before hitting the road to deliver mail to their respective routes. On Dec. 11, Hagen Miller said one carrier had a partial route with 187 packages assigned to it.

It was projected to take about 8 hours for that partial route, so you can see how busy these carriers get, he said. My goal is to have them all back from their routes by 5 p.m. That doesnt always happen of course, but thats what we aim for because safety is my No. 1 concern and responsibility and after 5 its dark out.

Hagen Miller oversees about 50 employees at the downtown Chippewa Falls post office. The facility has 21 trucks for deliveries, but Hagen Miller said they can always use more.

Keeping in touch

Pam Bauer has worked for the Postal Service for 21 years. Eight of those have been in Chippewa Falls where she grew up, she said. Shes currently a window clerk. She started out as a mail carrier in Red Wing, Minnesota, then she became a clerk there before transferring to Chippewa Falls.

Everybody comes back here to Chippewa Falls, she said. And Im no different.

She said she likes being a window clerk because she gets to chat with so many people.

You see a lot of people that come in that you know and you get to stand at the window all day and help customers, she said. It's helping with packages, labels, letters, forwarding mail, answering questions  Where's my package? That kind of thing. So I kind of have the whole gist of it. And if I can't help them then I hand them over to a supervisor.

Bauer said shes always on the lookout for ways to help customers save money.

Sometimes they come in with something packaged up and itll cost, say, $35, and I tell them, If you go with our flat rate box you can save a lot of money. The flat rate may cost $17.10, and thats a big difference in cost. I always try to help the customer, she said.

Bauer thinks the Postal Service is doing well despite ample competition in the delivery market.

UPS and FedEx and other services are fine. We dont mind the competition. But because we stop at every house every day, people should think about using us because were already going there. And a lot of times our packages are cheaper, a lot cheaper than other services, she said.

Chippewa Falls Post Office Post Office 6 Post Office 5 Post Office 7 Post Office 9 Post Office 10 Post Office 11 Post Office Post Office Post Office 2 Post Office Post Office
Hempstead Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for Role in Narcotics Trafficking Ring

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: December 22 2023

Darren Devane helped run Hempstead drug ring; 400 grams of Fentanyl seized in 2019.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for his role in a violent drug ring operating in Hempstead.

Darren Devane, a/k/a Buck, 37, was convicted after a jury trial before Judge Terence Murphy of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony); three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony); eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a B felony) and two counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony). The defendant was acquitted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony) and one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony).

The trial started on September 11, 2023, and the jury delivered their verdict on October 2, 2023.

Devane was sentenced today to 22 years in prison and five years post release supervision.

Darren Devane and his narcotics trafficking ring funneled more than 400 grams of fentanyl into Hempstead  enough for 150,000 potentially fatal doses, said DA Donnelly. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take down these criminal operations and stop this poison from reaching our streets.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and investigation, beginning in April 2019, members of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Long Island Firearms Task Force, FBI, and NCDA began an investigation into a drug ring that operated in and around 100 Terrace Avenue in Hempstead.

Devane was one of the ringleaders of an eight-person drug ring and business partner to Ricky Jackson, an inmate at FMC Devens Federal Prison in Massachusetts.

On September 15, 2019, Devane arranged to pick up 100 grams of Fentanyl from Jacksons girlfriend, Angelique White, and sell it on his behalf.

NCDA investigators and members of the FBI intercepted and seized the drugs and searched Whites apartment the next day, finding an additional 300 grams of Fentanyl.

In total, the 400 grams of seized fentanyl represents 150,000 potentially fatal overdoses.

The defendant also instructed his pregnant girlfriend, Shariah Usher, to conduct a drug deal involving 100 grams of cocaine on his behalf as he stood nearby and personally sold cocaine in amounts of 20 grams twice and 50 grams on separate occasions.

Devane, a Bloods gang member, also directed the sale of cocaine to numerous individuals in the Hempstead area.

It is believed that the drug ring packaged and sold approximately $10,000 worth of cocaine a week.

Jackson pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 13, 2020.

Usher pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to five years probation on July 27, 2020.

White pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to five years probation on February 10, 2020.
Governor Kathy Hochul today granted clemency to 16 individuals, including 12 pardons and four commutations. This action recognizes individuals demonstrating remorse, exemplifying rehabilitation, and displaying a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. This is the third time Governor Hochul has granted clemency this year as she continues to fulfill her commitment to review and act on clemency applications on a rolling basis, rather than only once at the end of the year. After implementing procedural reforms to the clemency process, Governor Hochul has granted clemency to 36 individuals in 2023, more than any year in her term to date.

"Through the clemency process, it is my solemn responsibility as Governor to recognize the efforts individuals have made to improve their lives and show that redemption is possible, Governor Hochul said. "When I took office, I committed to improving this process and dedicated the resources needed to grant clemency on a rolling basis. My administration will continue working to ensure this process serves New Yorkers in the best way possible."

These grants follow Governor Hochul's commitment to dedicating additional staff resources to reviewing applications, which helps ensure this ongoing process can occur in a meaningful way and that every application can receive the thorough and timely attention it deserves.

The Governor's Office has taken a number of steps to improve transparency and communication in the clemency process. The Executive Clemency Bureau has implemented a new policy of sending regular letters to individuals with clemency applications, informing them of their case status, and providing information about how to submit supplemental information in support of their applications. The Governor's Office also launched an updated online web hub to assist clemency applicants with the application process; this hub includes newly created template clemency application forms for both pardons and commutations to provide prospective applicants with improved guidance about what information to include when they apply.

The Governor also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel comprised of impartial experts to assist in advising the Governor on clemency applications. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, Governor Hochul is granting pardons to 12 individuals who have convictions that are more than a decade old and commuting the sentences of four individuals.

Pardons

Vitaliy Dorum, 41, has lived a crime-free life for 19 years. He came to the United States as a teenager and has lived here for approximately 24 years. He is married to a United States citizen and has numerous family members, including a child, who are United States citizens. Mr. Dorum has worked as an accomplished software engineer. Mr. Dorum was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree in 2004. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.

Andres Rivera, 43, has lived a crime-free life for 22 years. He came to the United States as a teenager, has lived here for more than 30 years, and has child who is a United States citizen. Mr. Rivera has worked for years in the property management industry. Mr. Rivera was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree in 2001. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.

Donnell Reed, 55, has lived a crime-free life for 32 years. He is a United States citizen and military veteran, having first enlisted in the United States Army at age 19. He served on active duty and as a member of the reserves for several years before being honorably discharged. Mr. Reed has worked as a security manager and in various public service roles for local government agencies. Mr. Reed was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in 1991.

Miledys Jett, 54, has lived a crime-free life for 31 years. She came to the United States as a teenager and has lived here for more than 40 years. She is married to a United States citizen and has two children who are also United States citizens. Ms. Jett has worked as a caretaker in a nursing home for more than two decades. Ms. Jett was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree in 1992. A pardon will help her avert the threat of deportation so that she can remain in the United States with her family and community.

Noel Watson, 60, has lived a crime-free life for 30 years. He came to the United States in his twenties and has lived here for more than 30 years. He is married to a United States citizen and has several family members, including children and siblings, who are United States citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. Mr. Watson has worked as a mason and painter and is active in his local community. He was convicted of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1993. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.

Devon Cottman, 49, has lived a crime-free life for 23 years. He is a United States citizen, serves as the primary caretaker to his children, and operates a small business. He was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2000.

Holdemar Cruz, 41, has lived a crime-free life for 18 years. He is a United States citizen. He works as an electrician and is a caretaker to his children. He was convicted of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in 2005.

Bernardo Encarnacion, 70, has lived a crime-free life for 20 years. He has lived in the United States for approximately 25 years and has two children who are United States citizens. He worked in the food services industry for more than 15 years. He is now retired and receives important care and support from his family in the United States. Mr. Encarnacion was convicted of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree in 2003 and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree in 1999. A pardon will help him pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.

Justin Riley, 31, has lived a crime-free life for 14 years. He is a United States citizen. Since his conviction, he has maintained employment and, with his partner, helps support their children. Mr. Riley was convicted of Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree in 2009 for an offense committed when he was 16 years old.

Jose Antonio Reyes, 48, has lived a crime-free life for 25 years. He is a United States citizen. He operates a small business and, with his partner, helps support their child. Mr. Reyes was convicted of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree in 1998.

Warren Stewart, 42, has lived a crime-free life for 13 years. He came to the United States when he was a teenager, has lived here for approximately 28 years, and has immediate family members who are United States citizens. Mr. Warren works as an ironworker and is active in his family and local community. Mr. Stewart was convicted of Burglary in the Second Degree in 2010. A pardon will help him avert the threat of deportation and pursue naturalization to become a United States citizen.

Kayode Oseni, 33, has lived a crime-free life for 13 years. He came to the United States when he was six years old and has now lived here for most of his life. He is married to a United States citizen and they have a young child who is also a United States citizen. Since his conviction, he has earned an Associate's Degree and a Bachelor's Degree and has maintained employment. He is active in his local community and helps care for his mother. Mr. Oseni was convicted of Robbery in the First Degree in 2010 for an offense occurring when he was 18 years old. A pardon will help him avert the threat of deportation so that he can remain in the United States with his family and community.

Commutations

Alexander Dockery, 54, was convicted of Burglary in the Second Degree, Burglary in the Third Degree, Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree between 2000 and 2002. These convictions stem from burglaries of unoccupied apartments in which nobody was physically harmed. Mr. Dockery was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, of which he has served close to 23 years. When he began his sentence, he had not yet completed a high school education; while incarcerated, he has earned a G.E.D, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and Master's Degree through Bard College and the New York Theological Seminary. Mr. Dockery now serves as an assistant and tutor with New York University's Prison Education Program, helping other incarcerated individuals achieve educational success. Upon release, Mr. Dockery will live with his family and intends to pursue a Ph.D.

Eric Davidson, 54, was convicted of Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree in 2012. He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, of which he has served close to 14 years. During his incarceration, Mr. Davidson completed pre-college education programs before going on to earn an Associate's Degree. He is now studying toward the completion of a Bachelor's Degree program and continues to achieve academic success. He has had his writing published in a literary journal and has been selected to participate in programs for academically accomplished incarcerated individuals. Mr. Davidson serves as clerk of the honor block at his facility, and has worked as a library clerk and as a program aide helping other incarcerated individuals prepare for successful re-entry to their communities. Under his original sentence, Mr. Davidson would be eligible for parole in 2026. Mr. Davidson's sentence is being commuted to allow him an earlier opportunity to appear before the Parole Board so that the board can make a determination about whether he is suitable for parole.

Michael Young, 64, was convicted of Robbery in the First Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, and Robbery in the Second Degree in 2004 and 2005. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, of which he has served more than 20 years. While incarcerated, Mr. Young has earned an Associate's Degree and a Bachelor's Degree, and plans to pursue a Master's Degree. He has also encouraged other incarcerated individuals to pursue their education. Mr. Young has been a leader in his faith community, earning recognition as a mentor to others. Under his original sentence, Mr. Young would eligible for parole in 2041, when he would be over 80 years old. Mr. Young's sentence is being commuted to allow him an earlier opportunity to appear before the Parole Board so that the board can make a determination about whether he is suitable for parole.

Trevell Coleman, 49, was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree in 2012. Mr. Coleman's conviction stems from an offense he committed in 1993, when he was 18 years old. It was considered a cold case until 2010, when Mr. Coleman, on his own volition, walked into a police precinct and confessed to the crime, explaining that he had been consumed by guilt about what he had done. Mr. Coleman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, of which he has served 13 years. During his incarceration, he has earned an Associate's Degree, facilitated violence prevention and sobriety counseling programs and participated in a variety of additional educational, rehabilitative, and vocational programming. Mr. Coleman's clemency application is now supported by the assistant district attorney who handled his prosecution as well as the judge who sentenced him. Under his original sentence, Mr. Coleman would be eligible for parole in 2025. Mr. Coleman's sentence is being commuted to allow him an earlier opportunity to appear before the Parole Board so that the board can make a determination about whether he his suitable for parole.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: December 22 2023

Legislation S.7534/A.7669 Increases the Number of Judges Serving on Certain Courts.

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to improve New Yorks criminal justice system and make it fairer for all. Legislation S.7534/A.7669 increases the number of judges serving on certain courts which will help alleviate the backlog facing jurisdictions across the State.

The backlog in our justice system denies New Yorkers the opportunity to have their day in court in a timely manner, Governor Hochul said. This new law moves us closer to the fair and efficient court system New Yorkers deserve.

Court closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant backlog in cases, which created significant wait times for defendants and litigants. Trends are moving in the right direction, and trends show the courts are starting to close more cases than they received in 2023. While activity is up, the number of arraignments pending disposition across the State remains high at nearly 120,000 pending cases according to OCA statistics. Increasing the number of judges will result in more court proceedings occurring, and will reduce time and bring justice to both defendants and victims.

New York State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson said, We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Andrew Bores and the Legislature for their leadership on this issue. The Governors action today reflects our shared vision for improving the outcomes for families in distress by strengthening the Family Court system. With this legislation, families and children across New York will benefit from a more timely, effective, and thoughtful judicial response to the challenges they confront.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, Im thrilled that Governor Hochul signed our legislation to bring more judges to New York City and statewide, which will help alleviate the unjust backlogs and delays plaguing our justice system. The bill adds much-needed Family Court judges, Justices of the Supreme Court and New York City Civil Court judges, which will help address the quality of justice in those courts. I thank Assembly Member Bores for his support, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for bringing the bill to the floor, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.

Assemblymember Alex Bores said, A justice system which cannot render resolutions and verdicts in a timely manner cannot be called just. This bill delivers much needed support to courts in New York City and across the State under strain I applaud the Governor for taking this positive step to address the troubling backlog of cases in New York State.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: December 22 2023

Busy Nassau County Intersection Reconfigured to Enhance Safety and Mobility, Adding New Lanes, Raised Median, and Upgraded Pedestrian Accommodations.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the completion of significant upgrades to enhance safety and the overall travel experience for commuters and pedestrians at the interchange of the Northern State Parkway, Glen Cove Road, and Jericho Turnpike (State Route 25) in Nassau County. The reconfiguration of this bustling juncture, situated at the border of the Villages of Westbury and Old Westbury, aids both motorists and pedestrians who share the interchange as a pathway to work, home, or nearby shopping centers.

At the Department of Transportation, we are in the business of listening, learning and building for future generations of Long Islanders, and thanks to Governor Hochuls unwavering support, we continue to enhance safety across our vast transportation network, said Commissioner Dominguez. At its heart, this project is about reducing congestion and travel times for the more than 54,000 motorists who move through this interchange every day, while improving the quality of life for the people who live in and around this area. Our team worked hard over many years to deliver this project, which will truly make a difference, and I thank them on a job well done.

Construction on this $3.8 million project began in the fall of 2022 and included several upgrades for enhanced safety and mobility, widening roadways and an exit ramp while implementing the latest innovative technology and standards for pedestrian travel.

The intersection is one of the busiest in Nassau County with the surrounding area encompassing schools, densely populated neighborhoods, and businesses. The newly completed upgrades to the intersection now include:

An additional lane built on the exit ramp from the westbound Northern State Parkway to Glen Cove Road northbound.

A new second turning lane from northbound Glen Cove Road to westbound Jericho Turnpike.

A raised concrete median installed across Glen Cove Road to eliminate illegal left turns from the parkway exit ramp.

Sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps and a pedestrian refuge island to further bolster pedestrian safety.

Upgrades also prioritized the safety and well-being of all users with two custom-built traffic signals featuring leading-edge traffic devices, such as pedestrian countdown timers and audio instructions, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Timing of the signals has also been adjusted to accommodate the new traffic flow.

The completed project is a culmination of five years of planning and engineering that began in 2018 with a study of vehicular traffic within a one-mile radius of the intersection, followed by a virtual public hearing in late 2020. Traffic engineers used state-of-the-art technology to predict future traffic conditions and determine viable transportation solutions to reduce congestion and delays.

Senator Kevin Thomas said, I am thrilled to see these vital upgrades at the Northern State Parkway interchange completed. These enhancements demonstrate our commitment to improving infrastructure for the communities we serve and will facilitate smoother traffic flow and ensure a safer passage for everyone navigating this busy intersection.

Assemblymember Ed Ra said, The most important job of state leaders is bolstering and securing the safety of those in our communitiesthe successful completion of these upgrades at the Northern State Parkway interchange epitomizes this commitment. This reconfiguration significantly alleviates concerns and uncertainties associated with commuting, ensuring a smoother journey from point A to point B, free from unnecessary risks.

Assemblymember Charles Lavine said, The completion of this project at a well-known interchange is welcome news. It continues the infrastructure improvements under the leadership of Governor Hochul which are transforming the roads and highways on Long Island and throughout New York State and making them safer and smoother for drivers.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said, Thank you to Governor Hochul for prioritizing the rehabilitation of this critical intersection. This commitment to our infrastructure will go a long way towards improving drivability and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our residents who rely on these roads daily.

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro said, It is good to see the completion of this project. This interchange area has long been a bane to local motorists, causing large traffic pattern disruptions. These long-awaited improvements are overdue and welcome, and it is good to see available infrastructure dollars going to fix local problems.

Motorists are urged to plan accordingly and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individuals driver license.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

Follow NYSDOT on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @NYSDOT and @NYSDOTLI. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/NYSDOT.
A screenshot of the exposure of tunnel shafts in northern Gaza on December 22. (IDF)

Hezbollah attacks in northern Israel killed an Israeli soldier on December 22 after a December 21 escalation in which Hezbollah carried out an anti-tank missile attack on Avivim in northern Israel. Israel has evacuated around 80,000 people from northern Israeli communities like Avivim since October 7 after Hezbollah attacks followed in the wake of the Hamas attack in Israel.

The soldier killed on December 22 was Sergeant Amit Hod Ziv, 19, who Israels Yediot Ahronot reported was a soldier of the 188th Armored Brigades 71st Battalion, from Rosh Haayin. A second soldier was wounded. Hezbollah launched a number of rockets at Israel on Friday to which Israel responded with artillery fire, according to the IDF. In addition, Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.

The clashes in the north occurred as Israel continued its operations to consolidate control as well as target and degrade Hamas terrorist infrastructure in both northern and southerns Gaza. Israel launched the operations in southern Gaza after the ceasefire with Hamas fell apart and fighting resumed on December 1. Since then, Israeli forces have been operating in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. In northern Gaza, Israel has been concentrating on destroying Hamas battalions in Jabalya and Shujaiya, two neighborhoods adjacent to Gaza City. The IDF said that this included close-quarters combat. Hamas terrorists were eliminated, along with many buildings used for terrorist activities and weapons that were destroyed.

In another area in northern Gaza, a multi-level underground structure was found: Its floors were used for storage, hideouts, command and control, and movement of operatives between different areas. After investigating with various technological means and in collaboration with the combat engineering forces of the 99th Division, the soldiers destroyed the underground tunnel route, the IDF said. This is just one of the more than 1,500 tunnel shafts within the larger tunnel network that has been found in the since the war began.

The IDFs Oketz unit utilized dogs with cameras to uncover part of the tunnel network. According to the IDF report on December 22, the dogs found a tunnel network hundreds of meters long, including command and communication rooms, hideouts with dozens of meters of space, concrete bunkers, and water and electricity installations. So far in the war, the units soldiers and dogs have scanned dozens of tunnels, locating findings that allow the forces to enter the tunnels.

In another part of Gaza, the IDFs Nahal brigade also operated and eliminated terrorists. During their operations, the 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade encountered terrorists who had positioned themselves inside a civilian residence, the IDF said. In Beit Hanoun, which is also in northern Gaza, Israeli soldiers operated in the Kasbah, or central market, eliminating more terrorists. The forces located several tunnel shafts in the homes of Hamas operatives, the largest of which was in a school. From these tunnels terrorists attacked the forces the day before the brigades operation, the IDF said.

Further south, the IDF operated in the neighborhood of Juhor ad-Dik where they uncovered a weapon storage facility and rocket launchers. In Shati, a neighborhood where the IDF battled Hamas in November, the IDF said it found a compound where Hamas terrorists had operated at a school. The troops located large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and maps belonging to Hamas, the IDF added.

In southern Gaza, Israel continued to fight and uncover Hamas terrorist infrastructure. As part of the operations, the IDF said they found a report addressed to the Commander of the Hamas Khan Yunis Brigade which detailed investments made by Hamas in concrete and doors apparently used for tunnels. The report showed Hamas had invested more than $1 million in just one installment during 2022. Beyond this, the statement did not provide additional insight or clarity into Hamas broader investment in terrorist infrastructure.

In general, the operations in northern and southern Gaza illustrated the difficulty of uprooting Hamas infrastructure, from dismantling tunnels to uncovering details of how Hamas created all of this infrastructure. It also illustrates how Israel has to act in areas it already controls in order to uncover the extent of Hamas investment in tunnels and other systems inside Gaza.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Columbus Community Hospital is ready to kick off its next chapter of bringing health and wellness to the community  and is inviting the public along for the ride.

The hospital invites all community members to experience the Columbus Fieldhouse at its upcoming open house events. The open houses will be on Thursday, Jan. 18, and Friday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m. The fieldhouse is located at 3912 38th St., Suite F. Members of the public are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the facility and speak with members of the Columbus Family YMCA about membership information.

The fieldhouse will officially open to the public on Monday, Jan. 22. The hours of operation will be:

 Monday-Saturday: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 Sunday: Noon to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the Columbus Fieldhouse, visit columbushosp.org and look for the Columbus Fieldhouse tile on the main webpage.
22nd December 2023

Runtime 04:51





Welcome to our 'Stocks to Watch in 2024' feature.

It's been a transformational year for Sovereign Metals (SVML) as they develop Tier 1 titanium flake graphite deposit in Malawi, Southern Africa.

Mining giant Rio Tinto taking a 15% stake in the business, here's Sovereign's Sapan Ghai to explain why 2023 was such an outstanding year and what's to come in 2024.

*Sovereign is a client of focusIR
A Barnstable County grand jury indicted a Cape Cod teacher on charges including rape related to an alleged rape and sexual assault on a student with intellectual disabilities.

Frederick Walters, 60, of Brewster was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape, four counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault and battery on an individual with an intellectual disability and one count of intimidation of a witness, according to Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois.

Brewster police were made aware on Oct. 9 of a sexual assault of one of the students at the Latham Center in Brewster by a teacher, Galibois wrote.

A police investigation revealed that Walters told other staff members that he would take a student off campus to a local store for supplies. Instead, officers found that Walters took the student to his home in Brewster and raped her, Galibois wrote.

The student disclosed that this was not the first time that Walters raped her, describing two additional instances that occurred at the Latham Center several months prior, Galibois wrote.

An arraignment date is pending.
SPRINGFIELD  A former vice president of American International College will serve eight months in federal prison and must pay nearly $1 million in restitution after being convicted of steering construction bids in exchange for kickbacks.

Floyd Young, 53, of Shelton, Connecticut, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to eight months in prison. The judge also ordered Young to pay $916,000 in restitution related to lining his pockets with contractor bribes.
The Groton Police Department is asking for the publics help in finding a driver who hit a one of the departments K9s Wednesday, causing him to sustain serious injuries.

K9 Bane was hit by a car on Pleasant Street near the police station at around 4:50 p.m. on Dec. 20, Groton police said on Facebook.

A person who witnessed the crash and two other vehicles stopped and helped the black lab. The person who hit Bane kept driving towards Ayer, police said.

Bane was rushed to Tufts Animal Hospital in serious, but stable condition. His injuries included a broken femur, dislocated hip, broken rips and punctured lungs, according to police.

In an update from police on Friday, Bane was said to be heading home to recover with his handler and family. He will have surgery on his hip and legs next week.

As Bane heals, Groton police are asking anyone with cameras, or was in the area when the crash occurred, to contact Detective Andrew Davis with information. Davis can be reached at 978-448-5555 or at adavis@grotonma.gov.
A 19-year-olf California man was arrested Friday in connection with potentially multiple swatting incidents in Cumberland County, including a reported bomb threat at Big Spring High School on Nov. 30.

Pennsylvania State Police said Nathaniel Sean Deleaon of Tulare, California, is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania following his arrest Friday at his home.

Police said the reported bomb threat Nov. 30 at Big Spring High School resulted in multiple police departments responding and students and staff being evacuated and later dismissed. No devices were found in the school, and police said they believed this was part of an ongoing swatting investigation that was believed to be from the same perpetrator.

Police said swatting typically involves a false report of a serious crime or emergency that would prompt an elevated response, but poses a risk of violent results or diverts emergency services from real emergencies.

Through an investigation involving State Police and the FBI, police determined that Deleaon made the bomb threat and other swatting calls throughout Cumberland and Franklin counties to stalk and harass a local girl whom he had met online. Police said the calls started in June and continued through November.

The FBI executed a search warrant at Deleaons home on Friday, and they took him into custody on the arrest warrant out of Cumberland County. According to police, he is in a California prison awaiting extradition.

No charging documents were yet available Friday afternoon, but police said they plan on charging him with risking catastrophe, stalking, terroristic threats and harassment.
SPRINGFIELD  Members of Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gullunis Office are once again playing Santa Claus this holiday season by providing gifts for 72 children in need.

In partnership with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, members of the DAs office who adopt a child then receive a wish list. They shop for and wrap gifts from the list. This year, members of the office have donated over $15,000 in gifts, which will help brighten Christmas morning for children who might not otherwise receive anything, according to the office.
HOLYOKE  The Itsy Bitsy Child Watch program at Holyoke Community College will expand to serve more student-parents.

Thanks to a $600,000 grant from The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, the Itsy Bitsy Child Watch center will relocate to a renovated space on the second floor of the Frost Building on HCCs main campus next year. The program also will hire additional staff and extend its hours of operation.

A ribbon-cutting will be scheduled for the fall, Kimm Quinlan, the director of HCCs Early Childhood Initiatives, which includes the Itsy Bitsy Child Watch program, said in an email Wednesday.

The free center provides short-term child care for children age 3 months to 12 years old, while their parents attend class, study, or meet with tutors and advisers.

The program operates with three staff members, plus students from various campus programs who help out.

The Itsy Bitsy program schedule is built around parents, and the center is usually open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and when necessary, until 9 p.m., Quinlan wrote.

Educators at the program use developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet the childrens needs, she wrote.

All materials, toys and learning activities are designed to provide opportunities to develop the foundational skills necessary to build for future literacy, physical and academic success, Quinlan wrote.

According to Quinlan, the number of Itsy Bitsy Child Watch enrollees has doubled since its inception.

Our first semester, we had 19 students enrolled, Quinlan wrote. Now, we have more than 40. After just one year, it has become clear that there is a demonstrable need and demand for expansion.

Additionally, in a year, the program has proven to have a positive impact on student retention, course completion and success, Quinlan wrote.

For students who used the program during the fall 2022 to spring 2023 semesters, the retention rate was 86%, with 82% of participants completing all courses, and grade-point averages increasing by more than a point.

Quinlan said reducing the child care barrier has positively affected this small group of students by allowing them to attend class and use student resources.

We hope that continues, Quinlan wrote.

College President George Timmons said the remodeled space will provide the youngest members of the campus community with ample opportunities to explore, play and learn.

Dozens more HCC student-parents will be able to attend classes and access campus-based student resources without having to worry about child care, he said.

Itsy Bitsy Child Watch opened as a pilot program in the fall 2022 semester with a $100,000 state allocation.

At the time, HCC was the second community college in the state and the only one in Western Massachusetts to offer free campus-based child care services, officials wrote.

Since its launch, the program has become transformational for many HCC students, officials said.

In the new larger space, we hope to have more opportunity to provide care to school-age children during school vacations, snow days and summer, Quinlan wrote.

Paul Belsito, executive director of the Davis Foundation, said community is a verb in action, and the success of the Itsy Bitsy Child Watch is a testament.

We are honored to be able to contribute to the growth of this vibrant and impactful program, which not only offers the highest quality child care support to student-parents but also positions HCC as a proactive leader in early education and care, as well as higher education, Belsito said.

The Itsy Bitsy program expansion comes four months after Gov. Maura T. Healey launched the MassReconnect program, which established free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older and tuition to about 3,000 nursing students.

Since the Itsy Bitsy program is only in its second year of operation, it is unclear if the increase in use is related to MassReconnect or if the program is becoming more integrated into the college community, Quinlan wrote.

Since 89% of the students using the program are over 25, which is one of the eligibility requirements for MassReconnect, the college is projecting that more and more student-parents will need this program to support their academics, Quinlan wrote.
A 20-year-old man from Everett has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a soon-to-be father in Boston last week, Boston police said Friday.

Edwin Mendez, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Wilfredo Landaverde Arevalo, 34, of Medford on Dec. 22. Mendez, who was wanted on a warrant for murder, is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court, police said.

Read More: Victim identified in fatal Boston stabbing was about to become father

Landaverde Arevalo was found stabbed near 186 Gove St. on Dec. 15 in East Boston and was brought to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Born on April 16, 1989, Landaverde Arevalo was a native of El Salvador and was called a loving young man in his obituary.

He was also about to become a father to a baby girl, which he took great pride in, his obituary said.

Read More: Man found stabbed on Gove Street in Boston dies at hospital

He was a very intelligent man, as he studied both Spanish and English, his obituary read. He set off to become an American citizen and gained so much knowledge along the way.

A GoFundMe page organized by Landaverde Arevalos mother, Marina Arevalo, raised more than $4,400 of its $20,000 goal as of Friday afternoon.

We are heartbroken, the GoFundMe says in Spanish. Thank you to all who appreciate my son.

An investigation into the stabbing is still ongoing, police said. The departments homicide unit asked that anyone with information about the incident is urged to call them at 617-343-4470.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty to conspiring to throw bricks and rocks through journalists windows and spray paint slurs on their homes in red paint following reporting of sexual misconduct of an associate, the Department of Justice said.

Tucker Cockerline, 32, of Salem, N.H., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit stalking through interstate travel and the use of a facility of interstate commerce in federal court in Boston.

The conspiracy involving Cockerline followed reporting by two New Hampshire Public Radio journalists who spent a year looking into and detailing allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire businessperson Eric Spofford.

The report indicated that Spofford used his position as founder of opioid abuse treatment organization Granite Recovery Centers to sexually harass people in recovery, including sending a photo of his genitals and unsolicited invitations to meet for sex  and even an allegation of sexual assault of an employee.

Cockerline was originally arrested in June along with others that officials are accusing in the conspiracy  Michael Waselchuck, 35, of Seabrook, N.H., and Keenan Saniatan, 36 of Nashua, N.H. Eric Labarge, 42, of Nashua, N.H., was also charged along with the other three in September.

The men conspired to vandalize the homes of the journalists who wrote the report, according to the Department of Justice. Their indictment lists the following as allegations:

Labarge told Cockerline to vandalize a journalists home in Hanover, N.H., using a brick and red spray paint, and on April 24, 2022, Cockerline spray painted the word C*NT in large red letters on the front door and threw a brick through an exterior window.

Saniatan agreed to vandalize a different journalists home in Concord, N.H., as well as the home of the parents of the first journalist in Hampstead, N.H. On April 24, 2022, Saniatan spray painted the word C*NT in large red letters on the front door and threw a rock at the home. He also threw a rock through a window of the parents home and spray painted the word C*NT on their garage door.

On May 18, 2022, Labarge again asked Cockerline to vandalize the Hampstead home and another home in Melrose, Mass., and Cockerline then recruited Waselchuck to vandalize the Melrose home. On May 20, 2022, Cockerline spray painted the word C*NT in large red letters on the garage door of the Hampstead home and left a brick on the ground near the front door, and Waselchuck threw a brick throw a window of the Melrose home and painted the phrase JUST THE BEGINNING in large red letters on the front of the house.

Each of the charges in the indictment has a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2024.
Prosecutors claimed in court Friday that Turtleboy blogger Aidan Kearney has violated his original conditions of bail by encouraging his minions to continue to harass witnesses.

But Kearneys lawyer, Timothy Bradl, argued in Norfolk County Superior Court it is part of his First Amendment rights to speak out against what he sees as corruption.

Kearney, the man behind the blog TB Daily News, has been among the most vocal critics of the legal prosecution of Karen Read, who is accused of backing her car into her Boston police officer boyfriend after a night of drinking last year, killing him.

While Read faces second-degree murder charges, her lawyers, Kearney and many devoted followers of his blogs, claim she is the victim of a cover-up. And though Kearney asserts he is a journalist protected by the First Amendment, his focus on the case has crossed into harassment of those involved, prosecutors say.

Kearney, of Holden, appeared Friday in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, two days after a grand jury indicted him on 16 charges, including eight counts of intimidating a witness, juror, police officer or court official. He pleaded not guilty Friday.

He had already pleaded not guilty to similar charges in Stoughton District Court in October and was free on his own recognizance.

Its clear that Mr. Kearney is encouraging his minions, his followers, in the context of his blogs and YouTube, etc. to continue to harass witnesses, said Kenneth Mello, a special prosecutor appointed by the Norfolk district attorney.

One of the issues Mello had with Kearney is telling his readers to read between the lines. Mello continued to claim Kearney was indirectly encouraging people to harass witnesses by saying he cant tell them to approach witnesses but that theyre allowed to approach witnesses.

Wed like the defendant to be on notice that [if] theres one more instance where he is online, suggesting to people or encouraging people either directly, disingenuously or whatever the case may be, and encouragement in some way to read between the lines, that we will be back before the court seeking the bail revocation, as well as a dangerousness hearing, Mello said.

But Kearneys attorney disagreed, claiming what he was doing was protected by the First Amendment.

Hes allowed to encourage them to speak out against what he sees as corruption, what he sees as the mismanagement of the Karen Read case, etc., Bradl said.

He further claimed Kearney is behaving as a journalist.

Thats not harassment. Thats not witness intimidation. Thats journalism, Bradl said.

MassLive previously talked to a journalism ethics professor who said Kearneys tactics appear to cross the line of acceptable ethical behavior within the field.

Kearney seems to be acting as an advocate for Ms. Read, not a journalist exploring the case from a perspective that focuses on accuracy, fairness and what would be considered professional treatment of sources, Karen List, a professor in the journalism department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said.

Journalists explore situations with sources; they dont intimidate them, she said.

Court documents claim Kearney previously called some witnesses worthless piles of sh**, saying some do not deserve to live a normal life, and displayed contact information publicly in his broadcasts.

A professional journalist would not call sources names, attack them or judge them before (or after) theyve been given the opportunity to respond to questions, List said.

On Friday, Judge Peter B. Krupp was unsure what Mello was asking of him.

What do you want me to say, the judge asked, noting the district court had already required Kearney to have no contact with the witnesses directly or indirectly.

Krupp also noted district court has different provisions, adding that this is not a district court.

I am hamstrung, at least with the authority given to me by the Commonwealth, Krupp said. So, Im going to release Mr. Kearney on bail. He knows that if he commits a crime, hell be back in front of the court in quick order.

Kearney is set to be back in court for a pretrial conference Feb. 16.
SPRINGFIELD  A house fire that started from a space heater claimed the life of a 91-year-old resident last week.

The late-night fire at 19 Quincy St. was reported around 11 p.m. on Dec. 14. Firefighters responded to the single-family home and were met with smoke and heavy fire from the side of the building, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jake Wark reported.

Firefighters found the resident in the kitchen. After being provided with medical care, he was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he later died.

An investigation determined that the fire began in the first-floor bedroom with a space heater at the foot of the residents bed.

Fire Capt. Drew Piemonte said in a phone interview Friday that space heaters always should be plugged into a wall outlet, and to note that their electric cords heat up quickly.

He said he does not know the brand of the space heater that caused the fire but said it was determined it was elevated on a foot stool.

Piemonte added that space heaters should be no less than 3 feet from any combustible item, such as drapes and clothing.

If youre experiencing trouble, dont hesitate to call 911, he said.

Springfields Police Department, Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Hampden County District Attorney handled the investigation, with the assistance of the state Department of Fire Services Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit.
The combative blogger known as Turtleboy will face new criminal charges Friday accusing him of harassing police officers, witnesses and others connected to a high-profile murder case in Canton.

Aidan Kearney, the man behind the blog TB Daily News, has been among the most vocal critics of the prosecution of Karen Read, who is accused of backing her car into her Boston police officer boyfriend after a night of drinking last year, killing him.

While Read faces second-degree murder charges, her lawyers, Kearney and many devoted followers of his blogs claim she is the victim of a cover-up. And though Kearney asserts he is a journalist protected by the First Amendment, his focus on the case has crossed into harassment of those involved, prosecutors say.

Kearney, of Holden, will appear Friday in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, two days after a grand jury indicted him on 16 charges, including eight counts of intimidating a witness, juror, police officer or court official. He is scheduled to be arraigned at noon.

In a blog this week on his website, Kearney maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the charges.

He had already pleaded not guilty to similar charges in Stoughton District Court in October and was free on his own recognizance.

The indictment this week added several new charges and elevated Kearneys case to the superior court. Leading the prosecution is Kenneth Mello, a special prosecutor appointed by the Norfolk District Attorney.

In addition to eight intimidation charges, Kearney now faces three counts of conspiracy and five misdemeanor counts of picketing a judge, juror, witness or court officer, court records showed.

Read is accused of running over her boyfriend, off-duty Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, after a night out at Canton bar in January 2022.

Karen A. Read, girlfriend of the late Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, looks at her family in Dedham, MA on June 10, 2022. She was arraigned in Norfolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder in O'Keefe's death. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Boston Globe via Getty Images

While dropping OKeefe off at a friends house for an after-party, investigators say Read backed into her boyfriend as she made a three-point turn. A winter storm closed in overnight, and OKeefes body was discovered in the snow drifts outside the friends house the following morning.

Reads defense attorneys have strongly pushed back on the prosecutions version of events, accusing the Norfolk district attorneys office of grasping at straws.

In the defenses telling, Read dropped OKeefe at the friends home without incident. They allege that OKeefe was attacked inside the house and that his body was later moved outside. Prosecutors have called the claims baseless.

According to Boston 25 News, federal authorities are examining local officials handling of the Read case. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey told the Boston Globe this month that he has the utmost confidence in the investigation of OKeefes death.

In his pursuit to uncover an alleged cover-up, Kearney targeted Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Read case, as well as the troopers wife, the friend whose home OKeefe died outside, members of the friends family and others tied to the case, prosecutors say.

Aidan Kearney (right) speaks with defense attorney Timothy Bradl in Norfolk County Superior Court on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.Dave Thompson | Masslive

Affidavits filed by police in support of the charges against Kearney detail his aggressive pursuit of Proctor and his wife, including posting their cell phone numbers in public video blogs. Kearney is alleged to have visited the Proctor home and residences of others tied to the case during a rolling rally with his supporters.

The conspiracy charges against Kearney emerged after prosecutors said he had a police dispatcher obtain vehicle registration information for license plate numbers that Kearney provided to her.

Kearney argues he is a journalist investigating the Read case, and that his conduct is protected speech under the First Amendment.

However, experts have said he is acting as an advocate of Read.

Journalists explore situations with sources; they dont intimidate them, University of Massachusetts Amherst journalism professor Karen List said last month.
A West Bridgewater man living at a daycare is accused of collecting more than 100 child sex abuse videos and images from online chat groups, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy.

Juan Levano, 23, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography after he was arrested Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, Levys office said in a release on Thursday.

Read More: Feds seek charges against clients connected with Massachusetts brothel ring

According to charging documents, Levano got the images from at least two online chat groups that were part of an online communications application used for the trafficking of child sex abuse images, officials said.

Investigators took multiple electronic devices from Levanos residence, which is registered as a residential daycare, according to officials. Both Levano and the owner of the residence denied that Levano worked at the daycare and that Levano had any contact with the children who attend it.

However, Levano did admit to getting the child sex abuse images from those online chat groups, according to officials. His collection included images of children ranging from infancy to 13 years old.

Officials said Levano kept the pictures and videos on the photo app on his phone. Investigators are still analyzing the devices, the office added.

Levano remains in federal custody after he first appeared in federal court in Boston, officials stated. If convicted, the 23-year-old could face between 5-20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The investigation is ongoing.
In just a year-and-a-half on the job, a superintendent from Massachusetts was the only one in the state to be named one of the 25 Superintendents to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel H. Monarrez was included on the list that honors outstanding superintendents from around the country who have been in their position for less than five years.

Monarrez, who started in her role during the 2022-23 school year, is serving her second year as superintendent of WPS.

The list highlights superintendents who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core, the NSPRAs website reads.

The association also considers school leaders who are implementing technology to enhance family communication; who integrate communication goals and strategies as part of the districts strategic plan; and who have an active, visible involvement in the districts communications efforts, according to a press release from the city.

Congratulations to Dr. Monarrez for this well deserved recognition, Mayor Joseph Petty, who is also the chair of the Worcester School Committee, said in the release. Since Dr. Monarrez placed a greater emphasis on communications, more people are seeing the great things happening in our schools every single day and they are receiving important information.

During her first year as superintendent, Monarrez identified Communications and Ongoing Engagement as a key theme. As part of her initiatives, Monarrez developed Family and Community Engagement, regularly engages with the community on X, formerly known as Twitter, and holds public listening sessions.

This year, the school district increased its use of social media with a focus on student and staff accomplishments, the release said. The district also plans on launching a new website next year and has begun phasing in ParentSquare, a two-way parent-school communications platform that supports caregivers in more than 100 languages.

WPS also launched a Family and Community Engagement Round Table of parents and caregivers. A Superintendents Student Advisory Council of high school students also offers feedback to the superintendent.

Im humbled and honored to receive this recognition alongside these distinguished leaders from around the nation, Monarrez said in the release. When we put two-way communications and engagement at the forefront of our work, it shows that we are committed to meeting families where they are. Greater communication leads to increased family engagement, and ultimately better outcomes for scholars.

This years national list was generated from a record number of nominations. Click here to see who else made the list.
My daughter, who wears a Star of David necklace, has started hiding it when she is in public, a concerned member of the Jewish community shared with me recently. These words broke my heart, but it wasnt the first time I have heard of a Jewish person who is afraid of expressing their Judaism publicly.

With the Hamas-initiated war against Israel raging on and reports of antisemitism increasing, Jewish communities in the U.S. are concerned about their well-being and safety. Unfortunately, the Jewish community in Springfield, Massachusetts, is no exception to this new reality.

As the CEO of the Springfield Jewish Community Center and a proud Jew myself, I can also speak to the anguish, fear, and difficulties that have emerged since Oct. 7, the day Hamas terrorists savagely murdered 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage.

The heightened anxiety and fear that is plaguing the Jewish community has left some feeling helpless and lonely. Moreover, the growing antisemitism is not only an assault against the Jewish communitys right to express our faith fully and openly, free from fear and intimidation, but also is an attack on religious liberty, a precious cornerstone of the uniqueness of American society.

During the American Jewish communitys current time of need, too many Jewish communities throughout the country have felt they are alone, feeling that they have received little support from the broader communities where they live.

I am proud to tell you that I dont feel that way  not here in Springfield. There has been concern, outreach to our community, and expressions of support and interest.

Sam Dubrinsky, chief executive officer at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, speaks at the Stand with Ukraine rally Tuesday evening, March 22, 2022. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)

Particularly moving, though, was a recent gathering at our center of an inspiring cross-section of community leaders from the Greater Springfield area. Sitting around the table, with every chair taken, were leaders from the business, civic, faith, law enforcement, education, political and human services sectors  virtually all of whom were not Jewish.

Our visiting scholar-in-residence, Richard Friedman, of Birmingham, Alabama, spoke to the group and then facilitated a powerful dialogue. Friedman, a journalist and former Jewish Federation and JCC CEO, reiterated to the attentive audience that the growing assault on the Jewish communitys right to express our faith freely was an attack on our countrys core values, that if unchecked, would have implications for all Americans.

They were there to learn  and act. What can we do to help? was a recurring refrain throughout the meeting. Suggestions and action strategies were shared and the uniqueness of our JCC  which is open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and economic levels  was highlighted as a place and space where people can gather and unite to advance the common good.

I was not surprised that so many of our communitys leaders showed their support. After a fire in 2022 closed our JCC facility for several months, many community organizations opened their doors to our members and staff, ensuring our essential services for children and adults could continue.

Now, once again, community agencies have opened their arms to embrace our center and the Jewish community.

One of the most powerful words in the Torah is the Hebrew word Hineni, Abrahams response when called upon by God. Hineni means Here I am. I thought of the word hineni as I looked around that long table and saw virtually every sector of our community represented at the table. I heard the Greater Springfield community saying Hineni, here we are.

I love what I do. I love our Jewish community, our Jewish Community Center and my adopted city of Springfield. It is rooted and responsive, comforting and collaborative, passionate and purposeful. It is a community that lives within a shared set of common values and noble ideas, a community that celebrates Americanism despite the differing perspectives we may have on issues at times.

How do I know this? I saw it with my own eyes. I felt it within my heart. Jews of Greater Springfield, we are not alone.

Sam Dubrinsky is chief executive officer of the Springfield Jewish Community Center.
Pennsylvania State Police on Friday identified the two people killed in a crash in Franklin County following a police pursuit early Wednesday as Maryland residents.

Police said a 16-year-old from Hagerstown, Maryland, was the driver in the incident that started at 12:52 a.m. Wednesday with a report of two men stealing a vehicle. Police did not name the juvenile, but said the passenger in the vehicle was Robert Wade Norwood, 21, also of Hagerstown.

Police said the two led police on a chase, traveling through multiple farm fields before their vehicle went over a steep embankment and landed in a body of water.

Police had called for assistance with a water rescue, but both people were found dead in the vehicle.
The World Health Organization celebrated its 75th birthday in 2023, and despite multiple health-related crises, there were many reasons for hope.

In this year-end review, some of the highlights of 2023 included:

Emergencies

The year began with WHO responding to a major earthquake in Turkiye and Syria and is ending with the horrific war in Gaza. In between, the world has seen many other crises, conflicts, and the continuing threat of disease outbreaks and climate change.

This year, WHO responded to 65 emergencies, including 22 new ones. And 2023 had its share of those: earthquakes in Afghanistan, Nepal, Syria and Turkiye; devastating floods in Libya, Pakistan and South Sudan; heatwaves, wildfires, drought and more. Deploying emergency medical teams, sending emergency medical aid and helping countries cope with the mid- and long-term health impacts of these: this is some of what WHO did.

Many of these were related to conflict as countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and others saw worsening conflict and insecurity. In these countries, WHO mobilized to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks; strengthened access to essential health services, including hospital capacity to do everything from delivering new babies to treating war injuries; trained health care workers; supplied essential medicines and medical equipment; and worked to enable  and where possible, strengthen  laboratory capacity to diagnose diseases. At times, WHO staff went above and beyond, risking their lives to deliver health care alongside our partners across the humanitarian system.

WHO coordinated the health assistance provided by 900 partners to meet the needs of 107 million crisis-affected people in 29 countries.



Outbreaks

Every day, somewhere in the world, a WHO team heads out to investigate an outbreak alongside Ministry of Health experts and health workers from local communities, where health outbreaks are first detected and are first brought under control. This year saw a record-breaking resurgence of many infectious diseases  anthrax, chikungunya, cholera, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, dengue, diphtheria, influenza, RSV  that needed a coordinated regional and global response. Other outbreaks included Lassa Fever in Nigeria and Ebola disease in Uganda, as well as Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania. WHO supported transportation of samples, laboratory testing in countries both centrally and locally, and the establishment of national genomic sequencing capacities. WHO also helped governments investigate cases, trace contacts of patients, set up field hospitals and more to contain the outbreaks and save lives.

Health care has also been under attack. This year alone, WHO documented over 1200 attacks on health care, affecting workers, patients, hospitals, clinics, and ambulances, across 19 countries and territories, resulting in over 700 deaths and nearly 1200 injuries.

COVID-19 and mpox

Amidst all the crises, there has also been positive news this year. In May, following the convening of the relevant Emergency Committees, WHOs Director-General declared an end to two Public Health Emergencies of International Concern: COVID-19 and mpox, while also stating that the threats from both are not over.

With a continued threat of COVID-19, and the looming threat of an influenza pandemic, WHO continues to expand its networks to track respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential, utilizing its Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System and CoViNet to monitor the evolution of these pathogens, conduct risk assessments, and prepare for a potential vaccine when the need arises.

Through all its work, WHO is committed to leverage the gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic to support Member States in facing and successfully managing current and future threats.

Climate change and health

Although faced with record numbers of climate-related health challenges, and crises from new and expanding conflicts, millions of health and care workers continued striving: to protect more people from illness and suffering, to build resilience and preparedness in an increasingly turbulent world, to achieve a common goal: to give everyone everywhere the best possible chance at a safe and healthy life.

In a historic first, the organizers of COP28 hosted a dedicated health day in response to the climate-related health crisis affecting at least 3.5 billion people  nearly half of the global population. Extreme heat, weather events and air pollution caused millions of deaths in 2023, putting enormous pressure on health systems and workforce.

A new COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health was signed by over 130 countries at the UN Climate Conference. The Declaration advocates for a rapid increase in political and financial commitments, and concrete action to protect people from the devastating health impacts of the climate crisis.

Disease elimination

Here are just some of the global health highlights that offered hope in 2023.

The year 2023 was a record year for disease elimination, with several countries eliminating infectious diseases thanks to dedicated national efforts, and collaborative action by countries and health partners worldwide.

In March, WHO certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan malaria-free, followed by Belize in June. Malaria affects some of the worlds most vulnerable people, and these extraordinary achievements demonstrate how a malaria-free future can become a reality.

Egypt became the first country in the world to achieve  gold tier status on the path to eliminate hepatitis C  an important milestone towards the goal of achieving full elimination of the disease before 2030. This is an astonishing turnaround for a country that had one of the worlds highest rates of hepatitis C infection less than 10 years ago.

As of today, 50 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD), in line with WHOs ambitious target of having 100 countries achieve this milestone by 2030. Ghana, Benin, Mali, Iraq, Bangladesh, and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic all eliminated neglected tropical diseases in their countries.

Delivering vaccines

As of November 2023, 72% of people worldwide had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 13.6 billion doses administered around the world, preventing severe illness and hospitalizations for millions of people.

We began to see promising signs of recovery in levels of childhood immunization after the backsliding that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in the year, global partners announced The Big Catch-up: a coordinated effort to reverse the declines in childhood vaccination, strengthening health systems and working towards a future where no child dies of a vaccine-preventable disease.

Another important milestone during the year was WHOs recommendation of a new vaccine for malaria prevention, providing hope to bolster malaria prevention and save hundreds of thousands of young lives in the African Region. There are now two life-saving vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective in preventing malaria in children.

In addition, a new dengue vaccine was recommended for introduction in settings with high disease burden. The new vaccine offers hope against the mosquito-transmitted infection, of which half of the worlds population is estimated to be at risk.

Meanwhile, there was promising news in the fight against meningitis, as WHO prequalified a novel meningococcal conjugate vaccine and issued a policy for its use in the countries of the African meningitis belt, which are affected by seasonal epidemics. Men5CV has the potential to drastically change the fight against meningitis, as it is expected to be more affordable and accessible to countries in the meningitis belt than other available vaccines.

Poor and marginalized women are still disproportionately affected by cervical cancer, but there is cause for optimism with strong progress on HPV vaccination. Particularly encouraging is the progress on coverage of the single-dose recommendation endorsed by WHO. A further 30 countries have introduced the vaccine, including some with high levels of cervical cancer such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nigeria. This brings the worldwide total to 140 countries, well on the way to reaching the 2030 goal of ensuring widespread availability of HPV vaccines for all girls worldwide.

Non-communicable diseases

During the year, WHO announced that 5.6 billion people  71% of the worlds population  are now protected with at least one WHO best practice policy to help save lives from tobacco. This is five times more than in 2007. In the 15 years since WHOs MPOWER tobacco control measures were introduced globally, smoking rates have fallen and almost 40% of countries now have smoke-free indoor public places.

In another first, WHO released its first-ever report on the devastating global impact of high blood pressure: 1 in 3 adults are affected by the condition. The report indicated that approximately 4 out of every 5 people with hypertension are not adequately treated, but if countries can scale up coverage, 76 million deaths could be averted between 2023 and 2050.

Since it was established in 2019, WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health has helped bring community mental health services to 50 million more people, with at least 320 000 girls, boys, women and men receiving services for mental, neurological, and substance use conditions for the first time. The Special Initiative is being implemented across WHOs 6 regions, in Argentina, Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, the Philippines, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

The new WHO Global status report on road safety 2023 shows that, since 2010, the number of annual road traffic deaths has fallen by 5% to 1.19 million.

Among UN Member States, 108 countries reported a drop in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021. Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%.

However, there is still more work to be done. Road traffic crashes kill more than two people per minute. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users are facing an acute and rising risk of death, with nine out of ten deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Gardai in Dublin have seized almost 500,000 worth of cannabis after searching a car and house in the capital on Wednesday.

As part of Operation Tara, Gardai in Tallaght stopped a vehicle on Cheeverstown Road, Tallaght and in a separate incident conducted a planned search under warrant at a residential property in Tallaght.

In a statement, gardai said: "At approximately 8pm, last night, gardai attached to the Serious Crime Unit at Tallaght Garda station stopped and searched a vehicle on Cheeverstown Road, Tallaght. During the course of the search cannabis herb with an estimated value of 100,000 (analysis pending) was seized."

They confirmed a woman in her 40s and a man in his late teens were arrested at the scene and taken to a Garda station in South Dublin.

"Both are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996," gardai have said.

The statement continued: "At approximately 9.30pm, a search operation under warrant was conducted by the Tallaght District Drug unit of a residential property in Tallaght. During the course of the search cannabis resin with an estimated street value of 378,000 (analysis pending) was seized.

"One man, aged in his 40s was arrested at the scene and taken to a Garda station in South Dublin. He is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996."

The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Investigations are ongoing.
One of Charlottesvilles prominent resale boutiques, Twice Is Nice, is living up to its name this holiday season. The nonprofit is awarding $270,000 in donations to 26 local grantees, an unprecedented figure in the organizations charitable history.

All of the recipients of this years grant funding provide a range of services to seniors in need.

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, a group whose mission is to assist groups harmed by inequitable systems in the region, also contributed $35,000 to the grant fund.

We share the vision of Twice Is Nice that all community members, including seniors in need, should have the opportunity to belong, participate, contribute, and thrive, said the foundations donor relations manager Chaquita Venable. We are delighted to continue our partnership with Twice Is Nice and support numerous local organizations improving senior lives in our communities.

Twice Is Nice, which describes itself as an upscale resale boutique, operates two stores on Preston Avenue that resell donated furniture, clothes, jewelry, housewares and a variety of other discarded goods. Established more than 40 years ago, the boutique has been focused on giving back to the Charlottesville areas aging population, an underserved segment of the community, as operations manager Lori Woolworth told The Daily Progress. In the past decade, Twice Is Nice has donated more than $1.5 million to such nonprofit groups.

Were interested in groups that are assisting seniors in one of several ways: food and security, allowing seniors to age safely and gracefully in their homes, health-oriented, and improving quality of life, Woolworth told The Daily Progress.

The 2023 grantees are all based in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, Nelson and Fluvanna. The list includes Feeding Greene Inc., Fluvanna Meals on Wheels, Virginia Supportive Housing, Heart and Soul Fitness with Nicole, Charlottesville Tai Chi Center, We Bring the Music and the Jefferson Area Board for Aging, or JABA.

When Twice Is Nice was founded in 1990, the sole recipient of its seasonal donation was JABAs Mountainside Senior Living, until that group was purchased by a for-profit company in 2017. In order to continue fulfilling its mission, Twice Is Nice created a grant allowing local nonprofit groups to apply for additional funding.

This year, 37 local not-for-profit organizations applied for funds and the grant committee selected 26 based on the applicants work to improve seniors lifestyle choices, access to health care, societal circumstances, and essential health determinants such as discrimination, economic security, education, and housing, according to the Twice Is Nice statement announcing its 2023 grantees. The grant committee includes Twice Is Nice volunteers, Woolworth and two representatives from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, who have guided Twice Is Nice through the grant creation process.

Our grant has allowed us to give more in donations and connect with more segments that are supporting seniors, said Woolworth.

Last year, the boutiques grant giveaway totaled $235,000, which was $100,000 more than organizers had ever contributed before thanks to the double-digit sales growth the stores have seen in the past three years, according to Woolworth. She attributed that growth to Twice Is Nice expanding its mission statement three years ago to include a focus on sustainability as well as a significant increase in donations since the pandemic.

Thanks to the considerable generosity of our donors and the tireless devotion of staff and volunteers, Twice Is Nice is able to turn secondhand, recycled items into first-rate services delivered by our exceptional grantees, said Twice Is Nice board President Gordon Walker in the groups statement.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, December 21, 2023

As we wrap up 2023 -- ie. "The Year Of AI" on Madison Avenue -- I asked three former long-time media agency insiders (Sarah Fay, Deirdre McGlashan, Barry Lowenthal) -- and one journalistic skeptic (Bob Guccione Jr.) to participate in a roundtable discussion on the implications -- both good and bad -- for that ad industry's rapid embrace of and integration with AI technologies.

In Part One (below), they dive into both the good and the bad. In Part Two (at bottom) they shoot down my thesis that AI will ultimately lead to a zero sum game, because everyone will have the same super powers as everyone else.

Sarah Fay, currently chairman of Ziff Davis, recently was a partner at Glasswing Ventures, a leading Boston-based VC specializing in advertising and marketing-related AI startups. Before that, Fay was CEO of Aegis North America (now Dentsu Media).

Deirdre McGlashan, who most recently was Chief Media Officer of Stagwell, recently joined AI-powered brand alignment platform BrandGuard as its CMO.

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Barry Lowenthal, who previously was the long-time CEO of The Media Kitchen, recently joined AI-powered audience targeting platform Inuvo as president.

Bob Guccione Jr., best known as the founder of SPIN magazine, recently returned as an advisor and contributor, and also operates travel-oriented lifestyle site Wonderlust Travel.

The Roundtable: Part One

The Roundtable: Part Two
by Fern Siegel , December 22, 2023

Skincare company Dermapenworld has launched a new brand platform and global campaign.

Cutwater, its AOR, has created a cross-platform campaign that first runs in the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany in online video, social, display and print. The work is also supported by a site refresh, influencer partnerships and email blasts. It rolls out to additional markets in future in multiple languages.

The brand platform, entitled Nothing Routine, showcases DermapenWorlds signature Synergy of Solutions program, which combines in-clinic treatment with at-home care. The campaign highlights the brands product portfolio.

Four different spots, Syngery, Education: Aging, Education: Acne and Education: Pigmentation illustrate issues and options.

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The campaign targets a subgroup known as skintellectuals, people educated about the ingredients, benefits and science of skincare products.

Cutwater media head Lizzy Ryan explain the creative is purposefully built to be versatile across mediums, and our full-funnel plan spans from driving awareness to advocacy.

The global global microneedling market was valued at $549 million in 2022, according to a report released by Brainy Insights.

Christian Pattman, DermapenWorlds global marketing director, said: We positioned DermapenWorld as a best-in-class, consumer-facing skincare brand whose products make your skincare routine feel nothing average, nothing expected, nothing routine. Skintellectuals understand that these go hand in hand.

Cutwater has offices in San Francisco and New York. Its client work includes Pogo, Russell Stover and Peet's Coffee.
by Fern Siegel , December 22, 2023

Guatemalan premium rum Zacapa wants to make its mark. The distiller is launching its first global campaign, "Lips to Soul," by creative agency ForceMajeur.

The rum is overseen by Lorena Vasquez, one of the few female master blenders in the world. Zacapa enjoys a slow aging process, on average six to eight years, in casks that previously held American whiskies and fine wines to add complexity to its flavor.

The spot, directed by Caroline Koning, runs in OOH media, Facebook and Instagram paid social, and TV in select markets. The creative, geared to women, positions the ultra-premium rum as an "intense drink" and a "spring of life."

Christina Choi, senior vice president, Diageo, which holds a 50% stake in the brand, said: We wanted to tap into the consumer desire for depth, and bring to life that instant sensory connection that people feel when they try Zacapa. We believe there is no greater feeling than being surprised by experiences that capture our imaginations and spark a sense of wonder in us.

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Zacapa rum was created in 1976 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city.

Ultra-premium rum has seen a 17% compound annual growth rate over the past three years, while premium rum has seen a 17.8% increase, per combined Nielsen/NABCA data for the period July 2019-June 2020 through July 2022-June 2023, per the Zacapa release.

ForceMajeur client work includes Casa Amarillo, Ciroc, Buchanan's Pineapple, Dove's Body Wash and 06 Vodka.

Diageo has an extensive portfolio of liquor brands, including Johnnie Walker, Tanquery, Don Julio, Baileys and Guinness.
by Colin Kirkland , December 21, 2023

Since buying Twitter and rebranding it as X, Elon Musk has changed the social-media platforms existing user-verification system, giving new meaning to the historic blue check mark, while also uprooting the app's previous content-moderation processes.

A new investigative study by ProPublica and Columbia University's Tow Center of Digital Journalism shows the new verification system is proliferating misinformation on the site, and Musk's suggested Community Notes feature is failing to scale sufficiently.

The blue check is flipped now, said Michael Zimmer, the director of the Center for Data, Ethics, and Society at Marquette University in Wisconsin, who has studied how social-media platforms combat misinformation. 

Instead of a sign of authenticity, it is a sign of suspicion -- at least for those of us who study this enough.

After looking at over 2,000 tweets by verified accounts posting debunked images and videos in the first month of the Israel-Hamas war, ProPublica and the Tow Center found that the posts pushed over 200 false claims and were published by over 1,300 verified accounts, receiving half a billion impressions.

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The investigation found that repopulated debunked images and videos can generate a mass following on X, with dozens of verified blue check accounts reposting debunked tweets two or more times and gaining over 100,000 followers each in the first month of the war.

The false posts appear to violate X's synthetic and manipulated media policy, which bars all users from sharing media that may deceive or confuse people, the report reads. Many accounts also appear to breach the eligibility criteria for verification, which state that verified accounts must not be misleading or deceptive or engage in platform manipulation and spam.

According to the findings, several of the fastest-growing accounts posting multiple false claims about the conflict between Israel and Hamas now have more followers than some regional news organizations covering it.

In addition to the new verification system's apparent lack of legitimacy, ProPublica and the Tow Center found that the Community Notes system -- Musk's crowdsourced content-moderation feature -- has not done enough to combat the spread of misinformation on the platform or fill the massive gap left by content moderators fired after Musk's takeover last year.

About 80% of the 2,000 debunked posts we reviewed had no Community Note, the report reads. Of the 200 debunked claims, more than 80 were never clarified with a note.

Yet Musk continues to move forward with Community Notes, as it aligns with the billionaire's proposed strategy of pushing free speech on X by doing away with independent fact checks and instead allowing users to call the shots on what is factually true or not.

On October 24, X announced that Community Notes would begin to appear faster (seen 1.5 to 3.5 hours more quickly than the previous month, according to X) and more often on viral and high-visibility content.

But the joint-investigation conducted here found that less than a third of debunked tweets created since the end of October received a Community Note.

Xs suggested lack of content moderation, risk management and deceptive design of its so-called Blue checks, caused the EU to open a formal investigation against X earlier this week.

More regulators are likely to question Musks treatment of X, especially on the heels of various upcoming global elections during which misinformation is likely to increase heavily.
by Erik Oster , December 21, 2023

Is there a right way to eat a candy cane? Which chocolate shape are holiday shoppers most likely to place in their carts?

A recently published report from the National Confectioners Association delves into such questions as it examines consumer holiday candy trends. The trade organization worked with 210 Analytics on the report, which surveyed 1,5000 consumers designed to be nationally representative.

The winter holidays are especially important to confectionary brands, as this is the time of year people are most likely to reach for chocolate and other sweets to revel in the holiday spirit.

According to the survey, 93% of Americans plan to indulge in chocolate and candy treats with family and friends during the holidays. Winter holiday chocolate and candy products led to $5.6 billion in retail sales in traditional channels in 2022, according to the NCA, easily eclipsing other seasonal holidays.

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Seasonal treating is an important part of these traditions for families across the country and around the world -- whether playing dreidel for chocolate coins, adorning a Christmas tree with candy canes or delivering a gift to a loved one, NCA President and CEO John Downs said in a statement.

The report demonstrated the emotional connections behind consumer behaviors, with 94% of respondents saying seasonal chocolate and candy are part of making great memories, and 95% of consumers citing emotional well-being as equally important to physical health. Ninety percent of consumers considered such seasonal treats an affordable part of holiday celebrations.

Some findings also suggest ways CPG brands can effectively connect with consumers as they engage in holiday shopping, including highlighting the importance of holiday displays and novelty. Eighty-seven percent of consumers in the survey agreed that such displays helped remind them to purchase chocolate or candy, while 88% said they made grocery shopping more fun, and 88% also said they liked to see new products when shopping for seasonal chocolate.

As to where consumers are shopping, 76% reported shopping for seasonal chocolate or candy at supercenters and 67% said they make some purchases at grocery stores. Nearly half of consumers (49%) said they make such purchases online.

The report also highlighted the importance of seasonal holidays overall to the industry, with sales during the four big seasonal holidays for the industry -- Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, and the winter holidays -- generating 64% of annual chocolate and candy sales. Halloween, unsurprisingly, is closest to meeting the winter holidays impact, with around $5 billion in retail sales in traditional channels.

So, is there a right way to eat a candy cane? A slight majority (55%) said they eat candy canes straight-end first, with 28% opting for the curved end and 17% breaking it into pieces. Consumers had a clear preference for classic peppermint for candy cane flavors, with 73% preferring it to alternatives. When it comes to preferred shape for foil-wrapped chocolate, Santa won the day at 46%, compared to 30% for coins and 24% for snowmen.
by Ray Schultz , December 21, 2023

The bulk of compensation going to Canadian publishers as a result of a recent deal with Google will go to written news, including newspapers, according to News Media Canada.

Google will pay Canadian publishers $100 per year for use of its news content on the Google search platform. That was negotiated down from the $172 million demanded by the Canadian government.

Of that $100 million, $63 million will be provided to news publishers while broadcast news outlets will be limited to $30 million. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada will be capped at $7 million.

Two years ago, in an attempt to thwart the need for legislation, large online platforms were picking winners and losers among Canadas news publishers, said Dave Adsett, chair of News Media Canada and publisher of the Wellington Advertiser.

Adsett adds, Today, we have a solid regulatory framework with teeth that ensures Google compensates news publishers  large and small  for the exceptional reporting our journalists do, without fear or favour, on behalf of their fellow Canadians.

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With the Online News Act and recent changes to the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit, Canadians have shown the world how smart policy can support journalism, says Paul Deegan, president and chief executive officer of News Media Canada.

Deegan adds, We thank Google for their constructive approach, and we look forward to a positive, mutually beneficial commercial relationship with them for many years to come, and we call on Meta to follow Googles socially responsible lead.

Meta is persisting in its battle against Canada, blocking all news content in the country.
Virginia has awakened to a cool new railroad set under its holiday tree. It includes multiple trains to run between Washington, D.C., and stations in Henrico County and downtown Richmond. It has tracks east to Norfolk and Newport News and west to Roanoke and the New River Valley and maybe Bristol.

The set even includes tracks to run fast trains from Richmond to Raleigh, N.C., a state capital-to-capital connection that would take about 75 minutes less time than it does now.

Sounds swell, but now Virginia has to assemble it all so the trains reach their destination on time.

"That is a very accurate representation," said DJ Stadtler, executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

Stadtler is a former Amtrak executive whose job is to lead the vision to reality for passenger rail travel in Virginia. The idea is to give commuters and other travelers an alternative to driving on Interstate 95 and to give the state a better option than spending $12 billion to widen the interstate between Washington and Richmond, only to find the traffic no better when the work is done 10 years later.

It's going to take time, with service expected to become almost hourly between Amtrak's Staples Mill Road Station in Henrico and Union Station in Washington by 2030. In the meantime, the authority is expanding train service when it can, with additional trains already running to Norfolk and Roanoke, and two more expected to begin service in 2026, with both running between Richmond and Washington, and one extending to Newport News.

"We're getting people off the roads and we are setting ridership records," Stadtler said.

But it all depends on building a new bridge across the Potomac River for passenger rail, instead of sharing a 119-year-old span with freight trains and commuter trains run by the Virginia Railway Express. Without eliminating that bottleneck, Virginia won't have enough capacity to add train service to and from Washington to the system.

The "Transforming Rail in Virginia" initiative is picking up speed with two contracts that the authority's board of directors awarded this month to build critical portions of the $4.4 billion project.

One will build a fourth track from the new rail bridge to the L'Enfant Metro Station in Washington, the busiest transit station for commuters on the Virginia Railway Express. That means crossing the Washington Channel, along the redeveloped waterfront where the Anacostia River flows into the Potomac, and heavily traveled roadways such as Maine Avenue, Ohio Drive and Interstate 395 in a bustling part of D.C. That's expected to be done in 2030.

The other will build a 1.8-mile rail bypass that crosses over the existing railroad tracks at Franconia-Springfield in Fairfax County to link to the new bridge on the up-river side of the old Long Bridge. Completion is scheduled in 2026.

At the same time, the authority will release a request for qualifications in early February for prospective contractors to build the new passenger rail bridge across the Potomac, with another new bridge for bicyclists and other pedestrians. Both bridges also must cross over the George Washington Parkway, another heavily traveled commuter route on the south side of the river.

The project also includes construction of a fourth track 6 miles from the new bridge to south of the Amtrak station in Alexandria. The work is expected to be completed in 2026.

Separately, the authority is working with CSX Corp. to add a third track along six sections of the line between Springfield and Ashland to help manage the flow of passenger and freight train traffic. Work on three segments, including one in Hanover County, is scheduled to be done in 2026, and the other three in 2030.

The whole package already is fully funded as part of rail agreements signed in 2021 by Virginia, Amtrak and CSX Corp., which sold the state 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of existing track. The federal government this month gave the state an additional $729 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to fill a funding gap that had opened because of higher costs and lower than expected highway toll revenue on Interstate 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richmond to Raleigh

At the same time, the federal government awarded $1.1 billion to North Carolina to build a new passenger rail track 18 miles from Raleigh to Wake Forest, N.C., to eventually link with a new rail line from Richmond to just south of the state border.

That money won't be spent in Virginia, but the authority will be plenty busy using a $58 million federal rail grant that the state and North Carolina received last year to plan the new track that will eventually allow higher speed passenger rail - running up to 110 miles per hour instead of just over 70 miles per hour - to significantly cut the time of rail travel between the capitals.

"People have asked about the schedule; people have asked about the cost," Stadtler said. "We have no idea."

They expect to know more soon because they are launching a procurement process in late January to hire consultants to study each of six segments of the project on 90 miles of abandoned track from Richmond to the Ettrick Amtrak Station near Petersburg along the Interstate 85 corridor to North Carolina.

The second section of the project might be the most challenging - about 20 miles from Bellwood in Chesterfield County to Petersburg, which includes a one-track bridge across the Appomattox River.

"We have to either enhance the current Appomattox River Bridge or add another one," Stadtler said.

The project requires reclamation of abandoned rail right-of-way along the old S-Line, which CSX sold to Virginia as part of the rail deal. Stadtler said that where the abandoned tracks end, all-terrain vehicles already have made a clear trail ahead. Then there are horseshoe pits, swing sets, fire pits and other amenities that have popped up on the abandoned rail right-of-way.

"There are a lot of conversations we're going to have to have," he said.

But in the end, probably sometime in the next decade, Stadtler said a completed rail line between Richmond and Raleigh will be worth it for travelers.

"This Richmond to Raleigh line is a great opportunity to get more people onto trains because it takes time off the schedule," he said. "It gets you there faster."
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, December 22, 2023

The Motiva sneaker is key to Nikes plan to better compete in running.

Nike, sounding the alarm about slowed consumer spending, lowered its forecasts for the year. The company, often regarded as a growth juggernaut, is increasing its attention to cost-cutting, revealing plans to whack $2 billion in spending over the next three years.

As Nike looks to reignite growth heading into the Paris Summer Olympics, it is increasing its focus on womens products, the Jordan line and the running category.

That running segment has been closely watched by observers. As running continues to gain popularity, competitors like Hoka One One and On Running have been moving up fast.

For the second quarter of Nikes fiscal year, revenues squeaked up 1% to $13.4 billion from $13.3 billion in a comparable period in 2022. On a currency-neutral basis, revenues declined by 1%. Sales of the Nike brand rose 1% to $12.9 billion, while Converse sales dropped 11% to $519 million.

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Net income rose 19% to $1.6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in the year-ago period.

While both sales and profits came in as expected, Nikes revenue outlook spooked investors. Nike expects sales to rise just 1% in the second half. Wall Street analysts had predicted that number would be closer to 4%.

Brian Nagel, an analyst who follows Nike for Oppenheimer, called the results messy, adding that signs of incremental weakness are disappointing.

Still, he writes in his report, We continue to view the underpinnings of the companys unique and powerful model as intact.

David Swartz, an analyst who covers Nike for Morningstar, agrees. In the long run, we still expect the company can generate mid-single-digit annual sales growth and build to high-teens operating margins, he writes in his report.

In a conference call webcast for investors, John Donahoe, Nikes president and chief executive officer, elaborated on focus areas. Boosting sales of womens products is still high on its list, as the company continues to lose share to Lululemon.

Donahoe says sales of Nikes statement bras and leggings, priced over $100, are doing well. More and more women are joining our brand by purchasing these leggings, he says. Statement leggings fueled our fitness apparel growth, and women's for the quarter, adding that women are also responding well to the Motiva shoes, selecting them for walking, running and streetwear.

He also fielded questions about adjustments to the running shoe portfolio. While Nike still excels in the category, sponsoring many elite runners, we're very focused on building our ground game with everyday runners and being present where there are everyday races.

That includes the coming relaunch of the Pegasus 41, a staple in its run portfolio, and expanding offers below $100. Were making steady progress toward our goal with product offerings coming to market in the coming quarters that will enable us to get back on our front foot.

Donahoe added that trail running is the fastest-growing category within running, up 20%. Thats partly because trail running is growing, but increasingly, trail shoes are becoming lifestyle shoes.

The Beaverton, Oregon-based company plans to achieve the $2 billion cost-cutting goals by simplifying product assortment, increasing automation and streamlining the organization. Some of those layoffs are imminent and likely to result in charges of $400 million to $450 million in employee severance costs.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, December 22, 2023

2023 wasnt a very good growth year for the holding companies, according to Madison & Walls Brian Wieser, who issued a note this week estimating that five of the six major holding companies (WPP, Omnicom, Publicis, Interpublic and Havas) will average about 3% growth this year. Throw a challenged Dentsu into the mix and the average is lower.

The biggest drag on growth is not surprising as the holding companies themselves have been calling it out all year  sharp spending cuts in the tech sector during what Wieser refers to as a year of efficiency for much of Silicon Valley.

advertisement advertisement And next year will present major challenges to holding company growth as well, Wieser asserts. While the WFA issued a report earlier this week on in-house agencies, Wieser says thats the least of the holding companies worries.

Even if there has been a significant amount of growth in in-housing and even if there is likely to be more in years to come, its unlikely that any spending shifts have accounted for much more than tenths of percentage points of growth in any one year, he says.

The bigger threats, he says, are a growing mid-sized agency sector, IT services firms and ecommerce growth of digital endemic marketers.

Mid-sized agencies have been a real issue over the past decade, as this group of businesses has seemingly outpaced the holdcos over that time, he said. Earlier this year I estimated that in the United States in the years leading up to the pandemic, the overall industry grew by mid-single digit levels while the biggest holdcos were flat with all of the growth accruing to their smaller competitors.

While mid-sized agency growth slowed significantly this year, to the extent they continue to invest more intensively in growth opportunities relative to the holding companies, they could outperform again in the future.

As for IT services firms, Wieser pointed to Accentures digital agency unit Accenture Song, which posted double-digit growth in its fiscal-year 2023 as well as in its first fiscal quarter of 2024 that ended Nov. 30.

Most importantly, said Wieser, I think that anywhere there is e-commerce-related marketing is likely an area that is under-weighted activity for the largest agency groups and a source of under-performance vs. the broader media industry. Many companies around the world are primarily dependent on Amazon or Alibaba for marketing their wares and consequently dont really need services traditional agencies offer.

And if the holding companies want to compete effectively, they must continue to evolve their services to better meet the markets future needs, Weiser stated.

They appear to be doing this, as evidenced by Omnicoms proposed acquisition of ecommerce specialist Flywheel Digital. Theyll also need to continue to push harder on bundling principal-based media with services, as were seeing at Publicis and Omnicom, as well more development of data-focused products.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 22, 2023

Google is urging a federal judge to throw out a privacy lawsuit by web users who allege that the company's analytics tool collected sensitive data from health care sites that had installed the tool.

Google cannot be liable for merely serving as a vendor of analytics tools to the websites, the company argues in a motion filed Thursday with U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria in the Northern District of California.

Google's argument comes in response to privacy lawsuits filed in May, when users alleged that the company was collecting patients' sensitive health data from online sites. The first complaint was brought by an anonymous Jane Doe who alleged that she used Planned Parenthood's site to search for an abortion provider, and received treatment at the reproductive health care center's affiliate in Burbank, California.

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The complaint in that case referred to an investigation by the app Lockdown Privacy, which reported last June that Planned Parenthood's site used third-party analytics tools leaked extremely sensitive data" to third parties including Google, Meta and TikTok.

Soon after that case was filed, other anonymous plaintiffs alleged in a separate lawsuit that Google collected health information from a variety of health care sites.

The matters were consolidated earlier this year and are pending in front of Chhabria. The complaint includes claims that Google violated federal and California wiretap laws.

In October Chhabria rejected the plaintiffs' request to issue an order banning Google from collecting data from several health sites, writing that it wasn't obvious whether Google's alleged data collection violated any laws.

He added that the plaintiffs' strongest claim against Google might be the contention that it violated California's wiretap law -- which prohibits the interception of communications unless all parties consent. But Chhabria also said it wasn't clear whether Google's alleged interceptions would be covered by that law, given the company's position that it was merely a vendor of software services.

Courts have drawn a distinction ... between 'independent parties who mined information from other websites and sold it' versus vendors who provide 'a software service that captures its clients data, hosts it on [its] servers, and allows the clients to analyze their data,' Chhabria wrote in October.

The plaintiffs then amended their complaint, which now alleges that Google isn't merely a vendor of analytics tools, but that the company also draws on the data it collects in numerous ways -- including by using the data to improve search algorithms, ad targeting and ad attribution. The complaint specifically alleges that Google used health data to create user profiles for ad-serving purposes.

Google counters in its new papers that the plaintiffs haven't alleged any of their own data was harnessed by the company for profit.

While plaintiffs make bare allegations regarding Googles use of data for advertising, they do not allege that any data about them was used by Google or that they received any targeted ads following their use of the websites in question, the company writes.

The plaintiffs are expected to file a response with the court next month.


In the last decade, intrauterine devices and oral contraceptives have held a significant sway over the contraceptives market. #birthcontrol #contraceptives 

Factors Influencing Modest Growth in Contraceptives Market

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Female contraceptives market across 7MM to see only slight growth over next 10 years - (https://www.globaldata.com/media/pharma/female-contraceptives-market-across-7mm-see-slight-growth-next-10-years-forecasts-globaldata/)

The projected growth of the contraceptives market suggests a marginal rise, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.5%, reaching $8.2 billion by 2032 from its 2022 valuation of $7.8 billion. ( )The slight growth will be particularly seen across the seven major markets such as the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan. The report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, revealed that oral contraceptives dominate the contraceptives market, and this trend is not projected to dramatically change over the next 10 years.GlobalData expects limited pipeline drugs to enter the market, with one late-stage pipeline drug to launch during the forecast period in the US, Spain, and UK, while two marketed drugs are expected to launch in Japan. Together, these late-stage pipeline products are expected to add approximately $53.1 million in sales to the contraceptives market in 2032.The driver of the slight growth will be the growing population in the US and UK as well as the continued success of oral contraceptives. However, the major barrier to the growth of the contraceptives market is the lack of launches of new contraceptives across the seven major markets, said Dr Shireen Mohammad, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement.He said that a decrease in the 5EU and Japan populations throughout the forecast period will result in decreased contraceptives market sales. Cultural and religious opposition and misconceptions in certain markets, such as Japan and Italy, will also limit sales growth, Mohammad added.According to key opinion leaders, oral contraceptives are the most commonly prescribed form of contraception. Some physicians also praised IUDs because they are associated with higher compliance rates.Patients may forget to take oral contraceptives every day and as a result, may get pregnant. Thus, physicians prefer methods that are more efficacious and less burdensome for patients.The current unmet needs for the contraceptives market are similar to those that were present 10 years ago. Poor side-effect profiles along with low patient compliance and adherence rates spearhead the list of unmet needs for this market, Mohammad said.Additionally, the opinion leaders discussed the need for non-hormonal contraceptives, as many women do not want to take hormonal contraceptives due to side effects. Access to contraceptive methods also remains a challenge in the majority of the seven markets.While contraceptives may be approved and launched in the seven major markets, they may or may not be covered by insurance companies. If they are not covered, many patients are not able to afford them.Finally, awareness of different contraceptive methods could be increased since many patients and providers are unaware of many of the currently marketed forms of contraception and how to insert them if they require a device, he said. He said that overall the contraceptive market is not expected to change over the next 10 years.Source-IANS
The cities of Sweet Home and Lebanon are taking legal action against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to water quality challenges posed by the recent drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir.

Earlier this month, Sweet Home city councilors approved a motion authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with a Portland-based law firm, Markowitz Herbold PC, over the drawdown at the Green Peter.

A Place to Sleep, episode 10: Wrapping up We check back with some of the people we've met along our travels and we catch up with politicos who are trying to come up with solutions.

The drawdown was mandated as part of a court ruling that found the Army Corps of Engineers' system of water reservoirs was further harming the already endangered spring chinook salmon and steelhead.

The action was intended to remedy the negative impacts to those migrating species. But since then, neighboring cities have experienced a murkiness in their drinking water, which requires extra steps to ensure the water's safety before arriving in local spigots.

Arguably, the most affected city is Sweet Home.

The move also caused a massive die-off of another species of fish known as the kokanee, a freshwater salmon, because of the dramatic change in water pressure. Thousands of dead fish impacted recreational sites south of the reservoir and were found by Sweet Home residents.

Not long after, residents started to notice a discoloration in their water and tasted the chlorine used to address the increased murkiness from extra sediment caused by the drawdown.

The demand on staff time and more chemicals to treat the water to keep it safe has only grown, Sweet Home City Manager Kelcey Young said in a previous interview.

Now the city is pursuing legal action to recover the costs associated with extra burdens.

The drawdown, which occurred already this year and is planned for subsequent years, has already had devastating effects on the environment and is negatively impacting the local economy. Litigation may be necessary to try to stop future drawdowns and mitigate future impacts to Sweet Home, according the staff's request to the council that members consider hiring outside lawyers.

The agreement would allow the city to pursue litigation and allow other entities to join.

So far, Lebanon is in.

On Dec. 13, Lebanon City Council also agreed to move forward with plans to retain Markowitz Herbold, the same firm, to pursue litigation as it relates to water quality issues arising from the South Santiam River.

Sweet Home and Lebanons legal agreement comes after Linn County commissioners voted last month to seek legal counsel for the drawdown of Green Peter.

That is a separate effort from Sweet Homes recent action, Commissioner Roger Nyquist said by phone. Linn County is simply asking the judge to reconsider the decision to require the drawdown in the original lawsuit, Nyquist said.

On Dec. 8, the Linn County commissioners aligned with other local officials, including the Sweet Home Mayor Susan Coleman and Lebanon's Kenneth Jackola, to send a letter to U.S. Judge Marco A. Hernandez, asking him to reconsider his court ruling.

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Sweet Home has seen some of the worst consequences, with local businesses reporting a sharp decline in profit since the deep drawdowns occurred due to a loss of tourism, the letter reads.

Additionally, water plant employees are working overtime to keep up with the drastic turbidity levels. Turbidity is another word for cloudiness.

Lebanon is also running its water plant as hard as they can to meet demand, and are having to use roughly four times the normal amount of chemicals to treat the water, the letter read.

According to the letter, Lebanon may also face a $3 million to $5 million replacement cost for the membranes involved in its water treatment process.

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As the bugle fell silent on the fields of Arlington National Cemetery on a gray December Thursday, a heroic sailor was finally laid to rest 82 years after his story and that of one of the most defining moments of American history became intertwined.

The sailor was Seaman 1st Class James Ward. He was stationed aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

As the ship, holed by three aerial torpedoes, began to roll and sink in the bay, Ward remained at his 14" gun turret holding a flashlight -- an act of heroism that meant the rest of the turret crew could see their way to safety but at the cost of his own life. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor.

Read Next: Army Wraps $95 Million Project Renovating Moldy Fort Liberty Barracks, Demolishing Others

Ward, who enlisted in the Navy just about a year prior to Pearl Harbor, became one of five Oklahoma sailors who would be honored for heroism and courage for their actions on that day and one of 16 Medal of Honor recipients related to the attack. He also became one of 429 sailors -- about one-third of the crew -- who would perish on the USS Oklahoma.

After the Oklahoma was righted in 1944 after spending three years on its side, Ward was among the 388 sailors and Marines whose remains could not be identified. Unsuccessful attempts to identify any of the remains in 1947 led to the Oklahoma service members being buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific as unknowns until a 2015 Defense Department effort saw them exhumed for the final time.

Richard Hannah, 67, who is Ward's nephew and closest living relative, told Military.com on Thursday that "the process from [2015] forward has been arduous, fascinating, and just remarkable that they can do that."

In 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) was able to positively identify Ward's remains using modern dental and anthropological analysis, as well as DNA testing.

Hannah said that his grandparents didn't talk about the sailor much but "the Navy had a very nice portrait done of him, and they had that up in the house."

"I think they would have been very proud," Hannah said, before adding that he chalks up the lack of family conversation to a kind of humility that he's been told is not uncommon for that generation. "I think if you would ask most of those folks from that time period, and even today, they don't see themselves as heroes."

Among the honors that Ward was given since his actions at Pearl Harbor was becoming the namesake of a destroyer escort in 1943. In 2015, the Springfield City School District also named Ward an Alumni of Distinction.

When it came time to make the arrangements for the funeral, the Navy's mortuary affairs office took great pains to ensure Ward's remains would be buried with the honors he deserved.

Petty Officer Lawson Reynolds told Military.com in an interview that he and the rest of the staff from that office made sure there was a uniform to bury Ward in and "we worked the process to get the Medal of Honor."

Reynolds was moved by Ward's heroism and selfless actions, and he volunteered to be the escort for the remains.

"I had the Medal of Honor that I had carried from Millington, Tennessee, to the contracted funeral home in Omaha, Nebraska, who got the remains from DPAA," Reynolds explained, before adding that he was the one who had the honor of laying the Medal of Honor in the casket. "It was very emotional, being able to put that on and know that it will always be with him, he is finally being laid to rest with what he deserves for his service to this country and his fellow service members."

A Navy press release said that Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top officer, presented Ward's family with a replacement Medal of Honor medal at the ceremony, as well as a Medal of Honor Flag and a copy of Ward's citation ahead of the funeral.

From there, Reynolds escorted the casket to Washington, D.C., and volunteered to stay for the funeral "to show my respect for the service member and to just see the process from beginning to end."

At Arlington, Ward was accorded full military honors. His casket carried up a hill deep inside the cemetery accompanied by the Old Guard and Navy Band. Before the ceremony, four F/A-18 Super Hornets performed a flyover in a missing man formation -- an aerial salute where one plane peels off from the group to signify a lost service member -- over Ward's grave site.

Among the attendees were Franchetti herself; Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., the officer who would present the flag to the Ward family; as well as the Navy's top enlisted official, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea; and two Medal of Honor recipients.

After the ceremony, Hannah said that he was also moved by the attention the Navy had given his uncle -- especially Franchetti's attendance.

"Having the first female admiral, the top ranking command officer in the United States Navy, part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first woman in history, being there was incredibly  that was very touching," he said.

After identification of Ward, there were 33 sets of unknown remains left from the original 388, with the DPAA concluding that it doesn't currently have the technology to identify them.

On Dec. 7, 2021, on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, those final 33 sailors were reinterred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Since then, however, one more sailor has been identified.

Related: Pearl Harbor, Day of Infamy
The Army has finished major renovations and demolition of Fort Liberty, North Carolina's troubled Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks, which the service deemed unlivable after a slew of complaints from soldiers and media scrutiny.

Three barracks buildings were renovated and are set to house soldiers again in early 2024. But a dozen barracks were determined to be unsalvageable due to mold infestations and aging infrastructure. The Defense Department fast-tracked $82 million in contracts in September 2022 to renovate three buildings, and an additional $13.5 million contract to demolish 12 others.

The moves come after Military.com reported on the poor state of the barracks in August 2022, including senior Army officials' dismay over how local leadership had tolerated a rapidly deteriorating quality of life for soldiers stationed at the base, then known as Fort Bragg. The service quietly announced the renovations last week.

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"The Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks on Fort Liberty were identified to have life, health and safety issues due to systematic mechanical issues that resulted in a failure in humidity control, which increased the mold growth in the living spaces of the soldiers," Cheri Dragos-Pritchard, a spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers, wrote in a press release. "Those conditions could have negatively impacted the readiness of the XVIII Airborne Corps mission for a rapidly deployable force."

After senior leaders condemned the barracks, it triggered an unprecedented relocation of some 1,171 soldiers, putting an enormous strain on garrison logistics and marking one of the largest movements of soldiers outside of a mission in recent Army history. Nearly 300 of those troops were allowed to live off base.

Smoke Bomb Hill's closure served as a flash point over dilapidated living quarters for junior enlisted troops, a key quality-of-life concern that dominated media coverage of the Army. In some cases, mold has infested barracks to such a degree that soldiers have reported to Military.com about having to go to the emergency room for coughing up blood, difficulty breathing and other symptoms consistent with long-term exposure to mold.

Liberty garrison leaders knew numerous rooms were infested with mold, but action was taken only after direct complaints to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and an inspection by now-retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, who then served as the top enlisted leader for the service. The complaints also came at a time when the Army was vocal about quality-of-life issues for soldiers, a priority that seems to have become less pronounced after a change in senior leadership.

Fort Liberty has been the only installation to move troops en masse due to mold or other infrastructure issues. A 2022 investigation by Military.com found that Fort Stewart, Georgia's barracks are in equally bad or possibly worse shape, but local leadership said there are no plans to move residents -- though in some cases, soldiers who have been treated for health ailments have been relocated.

After Military.com's investigation, the Army inspected all of its active-duty barracks, finding 2,100 had some sort of mold issue. Of those, 390 barracks are in "poor or failing" condition, according to internal service documents reviewed by Military.com.

Funding is at the heart of the issue. Army planners estimate it would cost $7.5 billion simply to catch up on maintenance and repair backlogs for soldier housing, particularly in humid parts of the country including North Carolina, Georgia and Hawaii.

The Army has a relatively small $1 billion annual budget to maintain and build new barracks, with some projects at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colorado, projected to open within the next three years. Though the Army aims to fully fund maintenance, Wormuth told Military.com in October, the service in recent years has taken roughly 15% of its maintenance budget for barracks and diverted it to other, unrelated priorities.

Even without diverting the funds, fully funding maintenance would add only about $343 million to the barracks budget overall through the rest of the decade -- essentially pocket change for the Army that doesnt account for the likely rise of labor and construction costs.

Lawmakers in states with a large military presence have since asked all of the services to figure out a price tag to catch up on all renovations and construction, something the Army has been gun-shy about as it juggles demands such as running expensive Combat Training Centers and expanding its footprint in the Pacific.

Army leaders within the last month held a meeting on future plans for barracks, including potential new policies and construction efforts, but nothing has been formalized, Maj. Gen. John Rafferty, the chief of Army public affairs, told Military.com.

Related: Mold Is Consuming Fort Stewart's Barracks as a Pattern Emerges Across the Army
Note: This special Christmas episode originally aired on December 23rd, 2022. We thought it might bring you some holiday cheer again this year. Enjoy.

When the red telephone began to ring, Col. Harry Shoup feared the worst. It was 1955, at the height of the Cold War, and Shoup was in the operations center of the Continental Air Defense Command in Colorado. CONAD, as it was known then, stood as the early warning system for a Soviet attack. So the ringing of the red telephone never meant anything good.

What happened next launched the now-named North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, into a decades-long tradition to track Santa and bring joy to children around the world. And it started with a simple act of kindness, a Cold War scare and a youngster hoping to tap into a little Christmas magic.

So who runs NORAD, and how do they know so much about Santa? On this episode of Fire Watch, we learn about the decades-long tradition and speak to the service members who track Santa on Christmas. Plus, a special reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas by the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. (Ret.) Martin Dempsey.

Main Topics

Drew F. Lawrence tells the story of the Santa Colonel, a Cold War scare and a kid calling in to one of the most important phones in military history.

Thomas Novelly, Military.coms Space & Air Force reporter, describes what it's like to work in the NORAD call center on Christmas Eve in interviews with the volunteers who make the holiday magic happen.

Guest Gen. (ret.) Gene Renuart, former commander of NORAD, lends his voice to tell the special Santa Colonel story.

Guest Gen. (ret.) Martin Dempsey, the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, performs a special reading of Clement Clarke Moores A Visit from St. Nick, or Twas the Night Before Christmas.

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Transcript:

SPEAKERS

Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Gen. (Ret.) Martin Dempsey, Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart, Capt. Alexandra Hejduk, Preston Schlachter, Drew Lawrence, Cade, Thomas Novelly, NORAD Capt., Amy Bushatz

Drew Lawrence

When the red telephone began to ring, Col. Harry Shoup feared the worst. It was 1955, at the height of the Cold War, and Shoup was in the operations center of the Continental Air Defense Command in Colorado. CONAD, as it was known then, stood as the early warning system for a Soviet attack. So the ringing of the red telephone never meant anything good.

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

Can I help you, sir? Hello? Can you read me alright? This is Col. Shoup.

Cade

Are you really Santa Claus?

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

What? Is this a joke? Just what do you think you're--

Drew Lawrence

The quick-witted officer realized that it was no joke, but a mistake. And a good-hearted child on the other end of one of the most important telephones in history thought he was calling Santa. So, to the surprise of his staff, Col. Shoup, who was a father himself, did what any good dad would do when presented with the opportunity to bring a little Christmas joy.

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

Of course I'm Santa Claus. We have this phone set up just to talk to you. Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Have you been very good this year?

Cade

Yes. I want to tell you what I want for Christmas. And can you bring something for my mommy too?

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

Well, I'd love to hear what you'd like for Christmas. And of course, I will try to bring something nice for your mom. Would it be all right if I talk to her now.

Drew Lawrence

Col. Shoup heard the kid pass the phone to his mother. She explained that her child dialed a number listed in a Sears Roebuck ad in a Colorado Springs newspaper, so the legend goes. It featured a picture of old Saint Nick and an invitation to call him on his private phone at any time. But the phone number was apparently one digit off, and suddenly, Col. Shoup, a stern, no-nonsense Air Force officer, found himself playing the jolly fellow.

The Santa Colonel, as he became known as over the decades, ordered his staff to answer the phone for any child wanting to know the location of Santa as he delivered toys around the world. And through that act of kindness, a Cold War scare, and a youngster hoping to tap into a little Christmas magic, a decades-long tradition was born.

Today, 1,500 volunteers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, answer as many as 150,000 phone calls each Christmas Eve from good-hearted children wanting to know where Santa is. And on this Christmas Eve, we want to show you what it means for those volunteers to pick up the phone to spread that cheer. Plus, retired General Martin Dempsey, who served as the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, performs a special reading of Clement Clarke Moores A Visit from St. Nicholas, or as it is known today Twas the Night Before Christmas.

For Military.com, my name is Drew Lawrence. It is December 23rd. And this is Fire Watch.

Thomas Novelly, Air & Space Force reporter for Military.com, thanks for joining us, I want to note that you are joining us with a guest -- your pup June, who is honestly -- for our listeners who can't see -- the spitting image of the Grinch's dog from the animated show, you know, with the antler haphazardly tied to his head, but I want to thank you both for joining us and helping spread a little cheer on this episode.

Thomas Novelly

Yeah, totally Drew and she's a very good dog. She might be on the naughty list for interrupting this podcast. So I appreciate your patience. And I gotta say, just opening the show -- that was a really cool way to start it with that first NORAD Santa phone call and doing a recreation of it. That was really nifty.

Drew Lawrence

No, yeah, I appreciate it. Special thanks to General Gene Renuart, who we're going to hear a little bit from later. He was the former commander for NORAD. And he actually voiced Col. Shoup for us. So that was that was pretty special to have him on and do that.

Thomas Novelly

I gotta ask: who was the kid?

Drew Lawrence

Yeah, so that was our executive editor, Amy Bushatz, that was her, her neighbor, Cade, who was a really good sport about voicing the youngster who apparently called into this secure line to one of the Air Force's most, you know, important attack response entities during the Cold War to talk to Santa. And, you know, I'm glad you're here to talk to us about that story, because it's just one of those, you know, military stories that just, it's shrouded in this funny and wholesome legend. And I just want to note, I think, you know, most of the public when they hear that story, and they hear about NORAD, it's usually on Christmas Eve around this time. But as you know, NORAD does more than that. Can you kind of tell us about what this entity is and what they do for the other 364 days of the year?

Thomas Novelly

Yeah, totally. And I think you bring up a great point. And that's if you were to stop somebody on the street and ask them what NORAD is, they'll either a.) not know what it is or b.) they'll say, 'oh, NORAD, they track Santa Claus.' So, you know, the way that they advertise they track Santa Claus: that's basically what they're doing 24/7 365. Right. They're advertising that they track Santa by using radar, jets in the sky. And that's basically what NORAD's mission is. So for those that don't know, NORAD stands for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and it's this joint organization between the US and Canada. Its mission is pretty simple. Well, it's complex, but the idea is simple. It's to provide air monitoring and protection for the airspace between the continental United States and Canada. And basically, this means watching airspace for potential disturbances, potential adversaries, unknown aircraft, missiles, things like that. And so it kind of makes sense, right for why NORAD would be tasked with monitoring for Santa. I mean, once a year, he's coming into American airspace flying his magical sleigh at breakneck speed. And, you know, NORAD's Santa tracking website even talks about times where their jets, primarily American F-22. twos and Canadian CF-18s have been scrambled only to find that the disturbance on their radar was just saying it going on his annual Christmas Eve run.

Drew Lawrence

Taking it back, right. It's 1955. It's the Cold War. Col. Shoup gets this call from a kid on the now infamous red telephone. That's kind of where this whole thing started. Right?

Thomas Novelly

Yeah, that's where the tradition for kids calling into NORAD to find out where Santa is located -- that's where that started. But I want to take you back seven years earlier to 1948. And that's when the Air Force issued a report that sounded a little something like this.

Radio Operator

Our early warning radar net to the north gives following spot position report of object detected heading southerly direction: one unidentified sleigh, powered by eight reindeer, at 14,000 feet; heading, 180 degrees. Interceptors alerted and vectored in but unable to contact. Estimated time of arrival over target 2400 hours 24 December 48.

Thomas Novelly

And with that report, given nearly 74 years ago, NORAD tracked Santa for that first time. And you're right. You know, the Santa Colonel really solidified this tradition of kids calling in to get the live updates of when Santa Claus would be coming to their house. And it really kind of started this long standing tradition.

Drew Lawrence

Gotcha. So, you know, as I understand it, when NORAD Tracks Santa today, it sounds a little different than that 1948 report. Right?

Thomas Novelly

Right. Technology's changed a lot. And so now it'll sound a little smoother. It'll sound a little something like this.

NORAD Capt.

This is Air Force Captain Sable Brown of the North American Aerospace Defense Command with this hour's Santa Claus flight report. Minutes ago, NORAD, Santa-cam spotted Santa flying over beautiful Athens, Greece. It looks like Santa is also headed towards the countries around the Baltic Sea. NORAD will continue to monitor Santa's Yuletide flight, just as we monitor the skies of North America 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Drew Lawrence

I mean, that's awesome. It's kind of cool to see that thread from, you know, 1948 to now. But I want to hear more about this so called Santa Colonel, right. And the little kid that supposedly called into a secured Air Force line, potentially the most important telephone in the world at that point, during the Cold War.

Thomas Novelly

Right. So as you talked about in the beginning, there's this legend of the Santa Colonel as we know it, but we got to put that fun story also into some context of the Cold War. I mean, it was scary, right, there was the threat of the Soviet Union, it was an uncertain time. So getting that phone call would be alarming, right? And the fact that he handled it with with that kind of compassion, and being able to kind of spin it forward is, is really cool. But, you know, it's also a comfort for the public to know that there wasn't anything that the Air Force couldn't track in the sky. And that includes Santa, you know, and with that comfort and security of saying, you know, we're always watching, even when Santa is coming out on Christmas Eve, NORAD really solidified itself as a household name, and also just a holiday tradition, right: that go-to for people around the world to not only track Santa, but to actually call in and speak to those service members and volunteers who are doing the tracking and relaying that info to kids.

Drew Lawrence

You talked to some of those service members and volunteers behind the tradition. You know, who are these people and what did they tell you about the tradition?

Thomas Novelly

It's mostly made of service members, it's service members from NORAD, who are very familiar with the tradition and volunteered their time on Christmas Eve. But also, it's made up of volunteers around Colorado Springs, who you know, work in the military, who are veterans, as well as some civic leaders and just people who are connected to the military community in some way...spouses, kids...who volunteer to, you know, answer these phone calls. And the one takeaway I had was that it was just all excitement. Everybody had this desire to give back to play a part in this really long tradition that's gone on for decades, there was just this eagerness to deliver some Christmas magic, some Christmas cheer to folks. One person I spoke to, for example, was Captain Alexandra Hejduk who is a public affairs officer for NORAD. And she really helps kind of described the reasons why people volunteer their time to go work in the call center.

Capt. Alexandra Hejduk

People are waiting for months to sign up. And they're just so excited to be a part of the NORAD Track Santa program. So it's a lot of fun. Volunteerism has a little bit of selfishness to it, if you will, because it makes you feel good to do something for other people. And I think the NORAD Tracks Santa for us -- and for a lot of members -- it's the same thing, it makes us feel so good that we're able to, to give back to our communities in this way. And so it's something we gladly do. And we're really happy to parallel and existing missions.

Drew Lawrence

What does today look like for the 1500 service members and volunteers who operate these phones in the call center?

Thomas Novelly

So Christmas Eve was just this culmination of months of planning. So in some way, it's kind of this sigh of relief that the day is finally here. And then that is just also replaced by a bunch of excitement. So, you know, these volunteers who are from NORAD, you know, neighboring bases in Colorado Springs, the day starts when it's still completely dark outside. And they come in for these two hour shifts, and sometimes even volunteer for multiple shifts, like two or even three. So you're talking about working anywhere from two to six hours, and the phones are constantly ringing. There's Christmas music playing there's hot chocolate and coffee to keep everyone energized. Community partners, businesses donate food from doughnuts and pastries to sandwiches for lunch, and sometimes even Christmas dinner. And those phones, they just don't stop ringing the entire time. People are laughing, they're singing along to music. And then they're just picking up the phones, answering calls from all across the country, and even all across the globe. One person I spoke with Preston Schlachter, he's a volunteer, but he's also an NORAD civilian now. And he's worked for a decade now in the call center in some capacity. And he described kind of what that energy and enthusiasm is like there in the operating center.

Preston Schlachter

That everybody is so pumped to be there. It's really, really cool. And then when you're taking calls, the call volume is so intense that as soon as you take a call and answer and hang up, the phones already ringing again. It's just like that nonstop. So at the end of your two hour shift, it's hard to believe that you've been there that long...

Drew Lawrence

And so I want to ask, why does NORAD do this? And I don't mean this to sound like a grinchy question. But some troops are staying up manning these lines for kids on a pretty family-oriented holiday, taking time away from from their own families to do this, which is a great thing. But I'm just wondering was there anyone who expressed any chagrin, you know, once they were in the call center, or having, you know, volunteered to do this task?

Thomas Novelly

That's a great question. And honestly, fair, right. Like, I know, I would be grinchy if I had to give up my Christmas Eve to, you know, go and answer a bunch of phone calls and get up super early in the morning. But I think that's what was so unique about this is that for a lot of these folks, the NORAD, you know, Santa tracking center has become kind of a home away from home. I mean, there's some service members who, you know, either are there in the area, and this has just become a part of their Christmas Eve day, you know, they know they're going to take two hours before they start opening gifts or wrapping presents and, and making dinner that they're going to spend time in the call center. And there's also those service members who won't be able to make it home. And then this is kind of a way for them to get in the holiday spirit. So I think that's a big part of it as well. And I spoke with General Renuart about this. And he described the kind of community and home away from home that the call center has become for a lot of the service members.

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

You know we have a lot of young soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen who come in and volunteer before they go home to their Christmas or they're here for Christmas and not able to get home. They come out of that experience with with just this huge smile on their face that they've made a difference.

Thomas Novelly

Another person who told me about this, Schlachter, who we talked about earlier, he's a former Airman and he described the energy to me too, and there's just no grinching to be found on the operations floor. There's tons of energy and he described the scene for me a bit.

Preston Schlachter

It's just amazing because we're starting this event four in the morning here in Mountain Time, right? I'm amazed at the level of energy, like there's no one ever dragging their feet to come in there, whether you're working like the call center, getting there an hour before to make sure that the lights are on the computers are ready to go for that first shift at four o'clock. There's this this high energy vibe, even in the darkest hours of the morning, everyone, whether you're working or you're volunteering to take those calls, high energy, we got music playing , the coffee's brewing...

Drew Lawrence

And Tom, I think the piece that you wrote about this touches on a really excellent point. Because sometimes the military and in some ways the world can seem a little grim at times, it can seem like a grim place. But there is this really special time that you highlighted, this light moment where service members whose jobs aren't necessarily making people happy, get to do just that for a couple hours on Christmas Eve.

Thomas Novelly

Yeah, that's what I think, really touched me the most when I was reporting on the story was just that, you know, the military is a tough job. I mean, it's filled with stressful assignments, career uncertainty, difficult decisions, frequent moves across the country and the globe, being away from loved ones and friends. And, you know, I don't think everyone in the civilian world maybe fully understands what some of the sacrifices are, or even fully appreciate it. So, you know, with the Santa tracking mission, it's just this small way that servicemembers have found that while they're in uniform, they can provide some joy. And even the public might not know what NORAD does, but the joy of being able to say, 'Oh, hey, I'm keeping track on Santa.' I mean, that brings so much joy to kids. And there's just this understanding that what they're doing is providing, even if it's a whimsical thing, some good and some levity and some much needed joy in the world. I think General Renuart described that best and he was telling me that while he was the commander of NORAD, just kind of the morale boost he saw in the call center every Christmas Eve when people were volunteering.

Gen. (Ret.) Gene Renuart

You realize that as you are focused on your your day to day, very serious, NORAD NORTHCOM mission of defending the air of space and seas surrounding our nation and with with the challenges and threats that are out there that you can also take a deep breath and step back and realize that there is still substantial good in the world and that you can even through your military service bring an element of humanity and civility and compassion in a way that is very different from what you do when you put on your uniform and walk in during a normal duty day. So it's, it really does provide...

Drew Lawrence

Okay, so Tom, I think we're getting to the question that everyone's been waiting for. But if I or any of our listeners wanted to call in to find out where Santa is this year on Christmas Eve, how could we do that?

Thomas Novelly

Y'all can call into 1-877-HI-NORAD to call into the volunteers who are manning that call center and they'll give you the up to date info on where Santa is. They'll be working all day, so they'll be picking up the phones constantly. NORAD also puts the route live online at their NORAD Santa Tracker website, which is NORADsanta.org. And they also have an Apple and Android app where parents can keep tabs on Santa on their smartphone. And then also Facebook and Instagram for NORAD will be posting updates and keeping everybody in the loop of the big man's journey.

Drew Lawrence

Thomas Novelly I know you said that kids will be calling in but you can, you can count me in for a call to NORAD. I appreciate you helping us tell the story. Thank you so much to you and to your little Grinch dog, June.

Thomas Novelly

My pleasure and happy holidays to all the listeners.

Drew Lawrence

Listeners, please join me in welcoming the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey for a special reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore.

Gen. (Ret.) Martin Dempsey

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyeshow they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Drew Lawrence

Thank you so much to Thomas Novelly and his excellent reporting on the volunteers behind the NORAD calls. And thank you to Generals Martin Dempsey and Gene Renuart for lending their voices to this special episode. And of course, thank you to the troops and volunteers who run NORAD for helping tell this holiday tale. Credit to executive producers Zach Fryer Biggs and Amy Bushatz. And to our listeners, thank you for the wonderful year. We at Military.com wish you the best going into the New Year. As always, thanks for listening. A little bonus here at the end for you. The raw, unfiltered talent of Cade and Amy helping us put the Santa Colonel recreation together. Cade, thank you so much for your help. You really helped make this program special.

Cade

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

Amy Bushatz

Oh, wow. That was good, Cade!

Cade

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

Amy Bushatz

Hey, Huck where's your phone, man? So Cade.

Cade

Do you need something?

Amy Bushatz

Yes, I do need something. Okay. All right. Here's what we're gonna do, okay. I'm gonna say a line and then you're just gonna say it after me.

Cade

Okay.

Amy Bushatz

Okay, so here's what I'm gonna say. Just like if you were on the phone, okay. All right. So: "Are you really Santa Claus?"

Cade

Are you really Santa Claus?

Amy Bushatz

You want to do it one more time? "Are you really Santa Claus?"

Cade

Are you really Santa Claus?

Amy Bushatz

That was so good, okay. All right, so now you can say...I'm gonna...I can ask you if you've been a good boy. If Santa Claus asked you if you've been a good boy, what would you say?

Cade

I would say...yes.

Amy Bushatz

Okay, so can you say, um: "yeah?"

Cade

Yeah?

Amy Bushatz

All right. Have you been a good boy?

Cade

Yes...

Amy Bushatz

Can you say: "Yes, I want to tell you what I want for Christmas and if you could bring something nice for my mommy too."

Cade

Yes..okay I think I can memorize half of that.

Amy Bushatz

Okay, so say: "yes, I want to tell you what I want for Christmas and if you could bring something for my mommy too."

Cade

Ok...go? Yes...I'm not gonna tell you what I want for Christmas, but I want you to bring something for my mommy too

Amy Bushatz

Okay, hoow about: "I am going to tell you what I want for Christmas. And if you could bring something for my mommy too."

Cade

I am going to tell you what..uh...I want for Christmas and I am going to tell you too.

Amy Bushatz

Okay, how about this: "I'm going to tell you what I want for Christmas. And can you bring something for my mommy too?"

Cade

I'm going to tell you....I want...

Amy Bushatz

I'm gonna tell you what I want for Christmas. And can you bring something for my mommy too?

Cade

I'm going to tell you what I want for Christmas. And can you bring something for my mommy too?

Amy Bushatz

Oh, that was so good. Okay, so have you been a good boy?

Cade

Have you been a good boy?

Amy Bushatz

I'm going to ask you, have you been a good boy? and then you're going to respond.

Cade

Okay.

Amy Bushatz

Cade, have you been a good boy?

Cade

Yes, I have.

Amy Bushatz

Okay...are you going to tell me what you want for Christmas?

Cade

Uh...sure.
ABUJA, Nigeria  France on Friday completed the withdrawal of its troops after they were asked to leave Niger by the countrys new junta, ending years of on-the-ground military support and raising concerns from analysts about a gap in the fight against jihadi violence across the Sahel region of Africa.

The last French military aircraft and troops departed Niger by the Dec. 22 deadline set by the junta which severed ties with Paris after the coup in July, the French Army General Staff told The Associated Press by email. France already announced this week that it would close its diplomatic mission in Niger for an indefinite period.

However, the country would continue to be involved in the Sahel  the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert which has been a hot spot for violent extremism  although differently, President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday during a visit to a base in Jordan.

I decided on some important reconfigurations, Macron said. We will continue to protect our interests over there but our armies wont be as present permanently, will be less stationary and also less exposed, he said.

The departure of the French troops will leave Niger and the entire Sahel worse off" in terms of overall counterterrorism efforts as Niger was seen as the last remaining Western partner in the decade-long fight against jihadi groups in the region, said Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused security consulting company Signal Risk.

Some 1,500 French troops were training and supporting the local military in Niger, which had been envisioned as the base for counterterrorism operations in the region after anti-French sentiment grew in Mali and Burkina Faso, both run by juntas that have also forced French troops out.

But after deposing Nigers democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the nation's junta led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani severed military relations with France and other European countries. Instead, he sought defense cooperation with Russia, whose private mercenary Wagner Group is already active in parts of Africa but faces an uncertain future there following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The withdrawal of foreign military missions is already affecting security in Niger, where the number of attacks has surged, according to Oluwole Ojewale with the Dakar-based Institute for Security Studies.

The country has not demonstrated sufficient military capabilities to fill the vacuum created by the withdrawal. Strategic attacks are being launched by the various armed groups who now roam freely in the ungoverned spaces in the country and incidents have remained on the rise, said Ojewale.

The junta in Niger has formed a security alliance with the military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso to coordinate counterterrorism operations across the Sahel.

However, much of the immediate impact of the departure of French troops would be felt in western Nigers Tillaberi region which has been the hot spot for extremism in the country, said Ryan with Signal Risk consulting.

Violent extremist organizations may utilize the vacuum created to exploit and expand their operations in the Sahel, he said.

Associated Press writer John Leicester in Paris contributed.
The Diamondbacks announced Friday that theyve designated infielder Diego Castillo for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., whose previously reported three-year deal has now been formally announced by the club.

Castillo, 26, was traded from the Pirates to the D-backs 364 days ago, with Arizona sending minor league righty Scott Randall the other way in the deal. He appeared in just one game with the Snakes this season and went hitless in his lone plate appearance. He tallied 283 plate appearances in Pittsburgh a year prior but struggled to a .206/.251/.382 batting line in that MLB debut.

The bulk of Castillos 2023 season came in Triple-A Reno, where he played second base, shortstop, third base and left field over the course of 124 games. In 556 plate appearances, Castillo turned in an excellent .313/.431/.410 slash while walking more often than he struck out (17.4% versus 14.2%). In 177 career games at the Triple-A level, Castillo is a .296/.410/.407 hitter with nearly as many walks (124) as strikeouts (125).

Given his versatility, keen eye at the plate and excellent bat-to-ball skills, theres a good chance that Castillo will draw interest from another club  if not in a trade (which seems quite plausible) then at least via waiver claim. He was never an elite prospect, but reports on the Venezuelan-born infielder have long touted his plus hit tool, even if thats generally seen as his only above-average tool. Castillo has never swiped more than 13 bases and only has two seasons where hes reached double-digit home runs; he hit just three long balls in 2023 despite spending the year in an immensely hitter-friendly setting.

Even if hes only a contact-oriented utilityman, theres still value to be had with Castillo. The fact that hes being designated for assignment to make way for Gurriels return speaks to the manner in which the Arizona roster has deepened in a short time. The 2021 D-backs lost 110 games, but in just two years theyve climbed to the World Series runners-up and are jettisoning a player whod have been a veritable lock for playing time there just a couple seasons ago.

The Diamondbacks will have a week to trade Castillo or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.
Two people have been arrested in Iowa in connection to a suspected homicide in the Upper Peninsula.

WLUC-TV reports that Margaret Anne Rose Kempainen, 50, and Jacob Alan Charles Kempainen, 20, both from Hartland, Wisconsin, were arrested by the Clear Lake, Iowa Police Department around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

They are wanted in connection to the murder of 87-year-old Alvin Kempainen, who was found dead in his home in Houghton Countys Hancock Township on Tuesday morning.

Deputies immediately suspected foul play after finding him dead with a gunshot wound to the head, police said previously.

A 16-year-old juvenile, whose name is not being released, is also a suspect. All have been identified as Alans family members, according to the TV station.

The Houghton County Sheriffs Office had asked the Iowa department for assistance after learning the suspects were in the area.

They were arrested at a gas station and are awaiting extradition to Houghton County on homicide charges.
ROMULUS, MI -- A gas station near Detroit Metro Airport is being accused by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office of engaging in illegal price gouging related to the cost of fuel at the station. In a letter sent to the owners of the BP gas station located at 9201 Middlebelt Rd, the office ordered the station to immediately cease and desist from engaging in the unlawful business practices described in the letter.

Nessels office says it received numerous complaints from consumers regarding higher than normal prices for fuel at the station, when compared to competing stations nearby. The BP is located right next to one of the entrances to the airports car rental facilities, where cars are dropped off and is one of a few gas stations located on Middlebelt near that entrance.

The complaints claimed that in October and November of this year, the station was charging as much as $1.50 more per gallon than nearby stations Investigators with the state were dispatched to the gas station earlier this month and say that on Dec. 15, one of the agents purchased fuel for $4.79 per gallon.

Five days later, the agent returned and again purchased regular fuel (Octane 87) at $4.74 per gallon when stations a mile away were charging $2.75 per gallon.

Based upon the information and evidence we have gathered we have probable cause to believe you have engaged in the unfair trade practice of [c]harging the consumer a price that is grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold, reads a portion of the letter sent to owners.

It is my hope this gas station will take this notice seriously and no further action will be necessary, Nessel said. My office stands ready to investigate reports of businesses that attempt to take advantage of residents, especially during the holiday season.

Retailers are prohibited under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act from charging excessive prices for items or services that are sold at similar retailers.

The BP station has until Jan. 8, 2024 to respond to the letter and to provide information that could justify the significant price increase. The letter does state that the station location and proximity to the airport is not a justifiable reason for the alleged excessive pricing. Nessels office is also giving the station the option of exploring an assurance of voluntary compliance with you.

In the meantime, Nessels office is determining if it will proceed with a civil lawsuit or a formal investigation into the issue.
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI  A Michigan woman is accused of fraudulently obtaining federal loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tiesha Johnson, 55, formerly of Farmington Hills, was arraigned in the 47th District Court in Oakland County this week on charges of fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the federal government.

Johnson, a former investigator for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, was arrested in Dallas and transported back to Michigan earlier this week.

She is charged with three counts of false pretenses, $1,000-$20,000. Each offense a five-year felony.

Johnson is accused of fraudulently obtaining two PPP loans and one EID Loan totaling $34,675. PPP Loans were meant to cover payroll expenses for businesses during the height of the pandemic.

Michigan businesses received more than $24 billion. And while Johnson did have a business, it is alleged she did not have employees or payroll expenses and thus did not require the loans.

These federal loan programs were meant to keep businesses afloat amid the international pandemic, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Defrauding your country, your neighbors, and your fellow Americans, during a time of global crisis for your own financial gain cannot be tolerated. The State of Michigan saw millions of dollars fraudulently taken from these programs, and my office remains committed to rooting out and prosecuting the fraudsters and scammers responsible.

Johnson was granted a $25,000 personal recognizance bond, and will next appear in court on Jan. 3.
FLINT, MI - The chant flew from a megaphone to a crowd filled with signs and flags.

Gaza Gaza dont you cry, Palestine will never die.

From grandparents to young children, dozens of people gathered outside the Dryden Building on Thursday, Dec. 21, for a march in support of Palestine.

Walking back and forth on the Saginaw Street sidewalks, many in the group hoisted signs that read Nowhere in Gaza is safe and Let Gaza live and For Humanitys sake stop the genocide now.

The group called for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Thursday nights march was another in a series across Michigan since Oct. 7, the day Hamas killed more than 1,000 mostly civilian Israelis according to the Associated Press. Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes on Gaza since, with Palestinian death tolls approaching 20,000, the AP reports.

Related: Michigan legislative leader joins hunger strike for ceasefire in Gaza

Mustafa Ghannoum, 60 of Flint, says he raised his children to be leaders.

He was proud to see it was his youngest daughters 10-year-old hands holding the megaphone that started the chant.

That does not come easy, Ghannoun said, describing his frustration of Palestine being under Israeli rule for more than seven decades. Its natural for our kids to come out like that. She is brave and outspoken.

After seeing and hearing of what was happening in Gaza, Ghannoum was moved to do his part.

Im from Syria, but Palestine is my home too. I have a lot of relatives, neighbors and friends from Palestine. To see them suffering that much does not make me feel good, Ghannoum said. The issue is not going to die if they dont solve it completely.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.

Read more from The Flint Journal:

As Israel-Hamas war escalates, Michigans own trauma deepens

Ypsilanti leaders support calls for cease-fire in Gaza with revised resolution
LOWELL, MI  A company that makes ventilation, lighting, seating and more for the boating industry, says it plans to add up to 80 jobs and invest $32.7 million in its Lowell facility.

Attwood Corporation, which has 281 employees in Michigan, plans to renovate its factory at 1016 North Monroe St. to expand its engineering and research and design capabilities, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

The $32.7 million expansion is expected to be complete by the end of 2025, and includes modernizing the companys offices, an MEDC memo says. It also includes new information technology infrastructure, an expanded test lab, and more space for battery assembly and advanced fabrication.

The current plans are to not add additional square footage to the building, but to utilize and renovate the existing footprint, the MEDC said. These transformations are designed to enable critical collaboration, provide the tools and environment to promote innovation, advance capabilities, and attract and support the best talent in the industry.

The up to 80 new jobs the company says it plans to create are expected to pay an average wage of $37.14 an hour plus benefits. The positions will be in areas such as manufacturing, product management and engineering, the company said.

The Michigan Strategic Fund, the public funding arm of the MEDC, is providing the company with a $480,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant to assist with the companys expansion.

Attwood is part of Navico Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation.

We are excited about this investment, which is a significant step in our commitment to being a leader in metal fabrication and electrification for the industries we serve, said Brett Dibkey, the president Navico Group, said in a statement. The new manufacturing capabilities that we are implementing in the Lowell facility will enhance product development agility and speed-to-market.

A memo from the MEDC said the $480,000 grant was needed to ensure Navico and Attwood expanded in Michigan. Other sites being considered for the expansion were not listed in the MEDC memo.

The Right Place, a regional economic development group based in Grand Rapids, says it assisted Attwood with its expansion.

This expansion is going to allow them to bolster their R&D efforts, paving the way for new innovations in marine mobility, Olivia Lanctot, business development manager at The Right Place, said of Attwoods expansion. Their commitment to staying and growing in our region proves that Greater Grand Rapids is the place to be for advanced manufacturing & technology companies.

In addition to the MEDC grant, the project is also expected to receive a a 12-year, 50-percent tax cut in support of the project. Such tax cuts, related to expansions of industrial or manufacturing businesses, applies to buildings, building improvements, machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures.

More on MLive:

Grand Rapids discriminated against former Black-owned nightclub, lawsuit says

Big Boy closes at site being eyed for Grand Rapids soccer stadium

West Michigan manufacturer to add 75 jobs, $5M capital investment

Credit union sells building to West Michigan school district
CALEDONIA, MI  A company that manufacturers surgical and infection control products in Caledonia Township plans to open a new distribution center, a project thats expected to result in a $5 million investment and up to 75 jobs.

Aspen Surgical plans to open the distribution center at a building next to its Caledonia Township headquarters, 6945 Southbelt Dr. SE. The expansion comes after the company purchased Symmetry Surgical, a surgical instruments manufacturer, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

The new distribution will have over 131,000-square-feet of space and will be outfitted with new equipment and machinery. Aspen Surgical CEO, Steve Blazejewski, said the new building will help his company better meet our customers needs.

As part of the expansion, the company received a $600,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The grant is part of the MEDCs Michigan Business Development Program.

The expansion is expected to cost $2.4 million for new space requirements, machinery, equipment and start-up costs, an MEDC memo says. The lease for the new distribution center is expected to $2.7 million over three years.

We will be opening the site in early March, Collyn Bradley, vice president of transformation at Aspen Surgical, said in an email. We currently have racking installed, and over the next month, will have over 100 truckloads of product coming into Caledonia from around the country.

The up to 75 jobs the company expects to add would have an average wage of $29 per hour plus benefits, the MEDC said in a memo. To receive the full $600,000 MEDC state grant, the company must add the jobs by Dec. 31, 2026.

The Right Place, a regional economic development group based in Grand Rapids, said it worked with the MEDC to ensure Aspen Surgical expanded in West Michigan rather than at Symmetry Surgicals site in Nashville. The Right Place also said it plans to help the company find candidates for the 75 positions through partnerships with West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College.

Aspen Surgical has been a cornerstone of our regions medical device community since 1999, Eric Icard, senior director of business development at The Right Place, said in a statement. This expansion reflects not only their success but also contributes to the overall prosperity of our region. Working alongside them and seeing their continued growth is truly gratifying.

More on MLive:

Grand Rapids discriminated against former Black-owned nightclub, lawsuit says

Ottawa County lawyer trying to stop testimony about $4M health officer deal

Credit union sells building to West Michigan school district

Big Boy closes at site being eyed for Grand Rapids soccer stadium
Then-President Donald Trump urged the Wayne County Board of Canvassers two Republican members not to sign off on certifying the countys 2020 election results, according to phone recordings unveiled late Thursday.

First reported by The Detroit News, a Nov. 17, 2020, phone call involving Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Trump, the former president told Monica Palmer and William Hartmann  both GOP canvassers on the board at the time  to not sign off on documents certifying the 2020 election after voicing distrust in the countys election results.
LANSING, MI - Thirteen of Michigans House and Senate districts require new maps after a new federal court order, which also orders no more elections in the current districts until maps are redrawn.

The three judges from the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan ruled the recently-redrawn maps are in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, according to the Dec. 21 order.

The Secretary of State may not hold further elections in the current districts, wrote Judges Raymond Kethledge, Paul Maloney and Janet Neff in their Thursday ruling.

We enjoin the Secretary of State from holding further elections in these districts as they are currently drawn, the order states, and we will direct that the parties appear before this court in early January to discuss how to proceed with redrawing them.

The ruling could have implications on the 2024 election by drawing new boundaries for districts and influencing which party controls the State Legislature. The following districts are affected:

House District 1: Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit

House District 7: Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit

House District 8: Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park

House District 10: House Speaker Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit

House District 11: Rep. Veronica Paiz, D-Harper Woods

House District 12: Rep. Kimberly Edwards, D-Eastpointe

House District 14: Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit

Senate District 1: Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor

Senate District 3: Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit

Senate District 6: Sen. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township

Senate District 8: Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak

Senate District 10: Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren

Senate District 11: Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe

The 20-plaintiff lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was initially filed in March 2022, accusing the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission of drawing racially gerrymandered districts, thus reducing the power and representations of Black voters that live there.

Read more: Racial gerrymandering suit goes to trial, jeopardizing Michigans legislative maps

The redistricting commission and the Democratic plaintiffs who challenged the maps have until Jan. 2 to submit how they will redraw districts, the order states.

Kethledge, Maloney and Neff said the commission used input that was based on incomplete Black voting data for primary elections that would ensure a Black-preferred candidate could make it through the primary.

Yet these experts told the commissioners again and again based on general election data alone  that black-preferred candidates would perform well in these districts, the order states. That was a grave disservice to everyone involved with this case, above all the voters themselves.

The courts could accept newly-proposed maps, order outside help to redraw boundaries or give the redistricting commission another change to redraw maps.
FUZHOU, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- In Wulin Village of east China's Fujian Province, visitors are often enthralled by the medley of architectural styles: local red-brick houses, Gothic buildings, Greco-Romanesque structures, and buildings blending both Chinese and Western elements. The eclectic blend of architectural styles vividly narrates the story of the village's connection to the overseas Chinese community. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many villagers traveled to Southeast Asia to work and sent money back to build homes. As a result, the houses often showcased a captivating fusion of exotic influences. Wulin is known as an ancestral home, while the village has a permanent population of over 1,800, the number of overseas Chinese with ties to it is 10 times higher. Cai Lianqing, a Filipino Chinese in his 80s, recently returned to the village after decades away. Here, he found what once was a simple path was now a bustling road, surrounded by modern amenities. However, amidst the changes, Cai caught a familiar sight that evoked a flood of memories  his two-story ancestral house, "Chang Cheng Xiaozhu." "The building was named after my father and uncle. As young teenagers, they had gone to the Philippines to work, saving up their earnings to build this house in their hometown," Cai said. Seventy years on, the house still stands proudly. In recent years, over 100 former residences of overseas Chinese, once dilapidated and unattended, have been renovated and preserved under local government efforts, allowing overseas Chinese like Cai to maintain connections to their roots. Unsurprisingly, the village has also proven a hit with tourists, keen to immerse themselves in its rich cultural confluence and hear stories of overseas Chinese. "When we revitalize the ancestral homes, we respect their historical and cultural significance, and take an approach based on the local overseas Chinese culture while injecting new elements based on the buildings' unique features," said Hong Mianmian, deputy general manager of Wulin Qingpu Cultural and Tourism Development Co., Ltd., a developer of the village. Many of these buildings have transformed into cultural venues, cafes, restaurants, and heritage centers. Since 2021, the village has clocked up more than 400 culturally enriching events, which are especially appealing to the younger generation. The transformation of Wulin Village serves as a quintessential example of the recurrence of ancestral homes in Fujian. The province boasts a remarkable legacy, being the ancestral homeland of 15.8 million overseas Chinese worldwide, reflecting the enduring ties that bind this thriving community to their roots. Overseas Chinese history museums have sprung up across Fujian to honor their history and contributions. Earlier this year, in Yujiang Village, Zhangzhou City, the former residence of patriotic overseas Chinese leader Lin Kaide was renovated and opened as a memorial hall, allowing the public to visit for free. Lin Kaide's children funded the renovation of their father's former residence to commemorate his lifelong patriotic pursuit and the local government later organized the exhibitions. "As long as the old houses remain, our roots remain, carrying the deep nostalgia of overseas Chinese compatriots. We will continue to protect the sentiments of our forebears and pass them on," Lin Shaofen, son of Lin Kaide, said.
Private equity firm PPF Group signed agreements to acquire a 25% stake in Yettel Hungary and 20% in infrastructure company CETIN Hungary, from Hungarian state-owned Corvinus International Investment.

The Budapest Times reported the announcement was made by the Economic Development Ministry, and sale prices for each transaction was not disclosed. Corvinus also holds a 29.5% stake in Yettel rival Vodafone Hungary which it will continue to hold.

TeleGeographys GlobalComms Database noted PPF group subsidiary PPF Telecom Group holds 75% of Yettel Hungary.

However, PPF Group agreed to sell a 50% and one share interest in its Central and Eastern European telecoms division (excluding the Czech Republic) to UAE-based e&, in a deal that is expected to close in or during Q1 2024.

This deal will give e& local majority stakes in PPFs Bulgaria, Serbia and Slovakia divisions.
AKITA Drilling Ltd. (TSE:AKT.A  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$1.56 and traded as low as C$1.38. AKITA Drilling shares last traded at C$1.40, with a volume of 35,000 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, ATB Capital dropped their target price on shares of AKITA Drilling from C$3.50 to C$3.25 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday.

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AKITA Drilling Stock Up 0.7 %

AKITA Drilling Company Profile

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$1.48 and a 200-day moving average price of C$1.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.10. The firm has a market cap of C$53.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.00, a PEG ratio of -0.69 and a beta of 1.78.

(Get Free Report)

AKITA Drilling Ltd. provides provides contract drilling services in Canada and the United States. The company is involved in the drilling of oil and gas wells; other forms of drilling related to potash mining; and development of storage caverns. It specializes in pad and other purpose-built drilling rigs; and conventional, directional, horizontal, and underbalanced drilling, as well as provides specialized drilling services.

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Auto Trader Group plc (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $2.32 and last traded at $2.23, with a volume of 25701 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $2.24.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Auto Trader Group from GBX 725 ($9.17) to GBX 710 ($8.98) in a report on Tuesday, October 10th.

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Auto Trader Group Stock Down 0.4 %

Auto Trader Group Cuts Dividend

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $2.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.64.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a $0.0079 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th.

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies.

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BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report)s share price was up 1.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $34.63 and last traded at $34.62. Approximately 90,630 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 64% from the average daily volume of 253,231 shares. The stock had previously closed at $34.09.

BNP Paribas Trading Up 1.6 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $79.45 billion, a PE ratio of 7.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $30.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66.

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BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The financial services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.25. BNP Paribas had a return on equity of 8.54% and a net margin of 22.90%. The firm had revenue of $12.65 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts forecast that BNP Paribas SA will post 4.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BNP Paribas Company Profile

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services.

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Cardinal Capital Management grew its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 30,483 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 643 shares during the quarter. Laboratory Co. of America makes up 1.2% of Cardinal Capital Managements portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Cardinal Capital Managements holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $6,129,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,703,935 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,065,841,000 after purchasing an additional 743,824 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,859,128 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,863,118,000 after purchasing an additional 106,063 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,701,334 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $619,740,000 after purchasing an additional 11,259 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,876,144 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $451,580,000 after purchasing an additional 33,093 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 532.2% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,530,675 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $360,441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288,574 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.37% of the companys stock.

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Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance

Shares of LH stock traded up $2.64 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $224.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 108,120 shares, compared to its average volume of 765,595. The company has a 50 day moving average of $209.70 and a 200 day moving average of $212.59. The stock has a market cap of $19.08 billion, a PE ratio of 30.00 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 12-month low of $174.20 and a 12-month high of $225.27.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The medical research company reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.01. Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 4.88% and a return on equity of 14.09%. The business had revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.68 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 13.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 8th were issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 7th. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $238.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $257.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. HSBC began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. They set a hold rating and a $210.00 price objective for the company. TheStreet lowered shares of Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $251.00 to $237.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $243.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on LH

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Peter J. Wilkinson sold 1,384 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.71, for a total transaction of $291,622.64. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at $439,751.77. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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Comptoir Group PLC (LON:COM  Get Free Report) rose 7.1% on Thursday . The company traded as high as GBX 8 ($0.10) and last traded at GBX 7.50 ($0.09). Approximately 241,663 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 65% from the average daily volume of 146,727 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 7 ($0.09).

Comptoir Group Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 471.80, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 6.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 6.34. The company has a market cap of 9.20 million, a PE ratio of -750.00 and a beta of 0.80.

About Comptoir Group

(Get Free Report)

Comptoir Group PLC owns and operates restaurants under the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa brand names in the United Kingdom. The company offers Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine dining. It operates 27 restaurants that includes 5 franchises. The company was formerly known as Levant Restaurants Group Limited and changed its name to Comptoir Group PLC in June 2016.

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Global X Southeast Asia ETF (NYSEARCA:ASEA  Get Free Report) shares were up 1% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $15.00 and last traded at $14.98. Approximately 3,590 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 17,754 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.83.

Global X Southeast Asia ETF Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $45.09 million, a P/E ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 0.72. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $14.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $14.78.

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Institutional Trading of Global X Southeast Asia ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its stake in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 1.3% during the second quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 56,597 shares of the companys stock valued at $824,000 after acquiring an additional 738 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in Global X Southeast Asia ETF during the second quarter valued at $1,685,000. Barry Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 17.1% during the second quarter. Barry Investment Advisors LLC now owns 73,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,093,000 after acquiring an additional 10,746 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 51.2% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 21,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $324,000 after acquiring an additional 7,243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG grew its stake in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 44.2% during the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 20,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $287,000 after acquiring an additional 6,425 shares in the last quarter.

About Global X Southeast Asia ETF

The Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE\u002FASEAN 40 INDEX index. The fund tracks a market-cap weighted and -selected index of the 40 largest and most liquid stocks from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. ASEA was launched on Feb 17, 2011 and is managed by Global X.

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Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:GHYB  Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.4% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $44.41 and last traded at $44.41. 1,152 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 11,578 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.24.

Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $42.57 and a 200 day moving average of $42.57.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GHYB. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 44.7% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 24,485 shares of the companys stock worth $1,157,000 after purchasing an additional 7,558 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 0.4% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 186,757 shares of the companys stock worth $8,826,000 after acquiring an additional 663 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 55.7% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 48,883 shares of the companys stock worth $2,310,000 after acquiring an additional 17,490 shares during the period. UBS Group AG increased its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 19.7% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,086 shares of the companys stock worth $98,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the period. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF during the first quarter worth $2,462,000.

About Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

The Goldman Sachs Access High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (GHYB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a broad-maturity, USD-denominated, high-yield corporate bond index selected by debt service and leverage. GHYB was launched on Sep 5, 2017 and is managed by Goldman Sachs.

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H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $48.22 and last traded at $48.02, with a volume of 939162 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $47.34.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of H&R Block from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Barrington Research upped their target price on shares of H&R Block from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th.

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H&R Block Stock Performance

The businesss 50-day moving average price is $44.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $39.28. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.44. The stock has a market cap of $6.91 billion, a PE ratio of 13.48, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.65.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported ($1.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.13) by $0.08. The company had revenue of $183.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $182.06 million. H&R Block had a negative return on equity of 244.61% and a net margin of 16.07%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.99) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that H&R Block, Inc. will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

H&R Block Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 4th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.67%. H&R Blocks payout ratio is 36.47%.

Insider Transactions at H&R Block

In related news, CFO Tony G. Bowen sold 46,892 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.10, for a total value of $2,208,613.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 125,591 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,915,336.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of H&R Block

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HRB. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 32.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 112,342 shares of the companys stock worth $2,925,000 after acquiring an additional 27,230 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in shares of H&R Block by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 60,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,570,000 after purchasing an additional 2,073 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 116,912 shares of the companys stock worth $3,134,000 after purchasing an additional 11,067 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of H&R Block by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,888,095 shares of the companys stock worth $49,167,000 after purchasing an additional 26,323 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in H&R Block by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,603 shares of the companys stock valued at $563,000 after buying an additional 2,424 shares during the period. 90.89% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About H&R Block

(Get Free Report)

H&R Block, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides assisted income tax return preparation and do-it-yourself (DIY) tax return preparation services and products to the general public primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It offers assisted income tax return preparation and related services through a system of retail offices operated directly by the company or its franchisees.

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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (NYSE:HPI  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, December 19th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.1235 per share on Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund has decreased its dividend by an average of 5.5% annually over the last three years.

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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of HPI stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $15.55. 96,588 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 60,674. The stocks fifty day moving average is $14.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.78. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $12.85 and a fifty-two week high of $18.29.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund

About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HPI. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 433,335 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,314,000 after acquiring an additional 132,800 shares during the period. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund by 1.2% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 376,999 shares of the companys stock worth $6,032,000 after purchasing an additional 4,318 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund by 9.2% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 274,053 shares of the companys stock worth $5,303,000 after purchasing an additional 23,194 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund by 1.7% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 164,883 shares of the companys stock worth $2,402,000 after purchasing an additional 2,807 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,804,000.

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Shares of Los Andes Copper Ltd. (CVE:LA  Get Free Report) traded up 12.2% on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$11.05 and last traded at C$11.05. 12,400 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 2% from the average session volume of 12,119 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$9.85.

Los Andes Copper Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$11.20 and a 200-day moving average of C$13.16. The company has a market cap of C$326.31 million, a P/E ratio of -31.57 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 10.31, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.91.

Los Andes Copper Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Los Andes Copper Ltd. acquires, explores, and develops copper deposits in Latin America. It operates through Mineral Exploration and Hydroelectric Project segments. The company holds a 100% interest in the Vizcachitas copper, molybdenum, and silver porphyry project located north of Santiago, Region V, Chile.

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Mandalay Resources Corp. (TSE:MND  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$1.79 and traded as high as C$1.87. Mandalay Resources shares last traded at C$1.87, with a volume of 4,560 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Mandalay Resources from C$3.00 to C$3.50 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mandalay Resources

Mandalay Resources Trading Down 1.1 %

The stock has a market cap of C$172.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.50 and a beta of 1.05. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$1.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$1.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.25, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

Mandalay Resources (TSE:MND  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 8th. The company reported C$0.05 earnings per share for the quarter. Mandalay Resources had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 3.48%. The firm had revenue of C$54.88 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts predict that Mandalay Resources Corp. will post 0.1480392 EPS for the current year.

About Mandalay Resources

(Get Free Report)

Mandalay Resources Corporation, a natural resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of various mineral properties. It explores for gold, silver, and antimony deposits. The company holds a 100% interest in the Costerfield gold-antimony mine covering an area of 7,540.78 hectares (ha) located in Central Victoria, Australia; and the Bjorkdal gold mine that comprises 9 mining concessions and 19 exploration permits located in Vasterbotten County in northern Sweden.

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Shares of MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BERZ  Get Free Report) rose 5.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $4.18 and last traded at $4.17. Approximately 537,986 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 29% from the average daily volume of 416,268 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.97.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN Price Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $5.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.60.

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Palumbo Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 4,084 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $396,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 9.8% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 1,415,759 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $154,346,000 after purchasing an additional 126,547 shares during the last quarter. Core Alternative Capital lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 27.0% in the second quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 1,290 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 315.5% in the first quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC now owns 12,182 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,234,000 after buying an additional 9,250 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% in the first quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 99,836 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $10,109,000 after buying an additional 11,303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% in the first quarter. Harbour Investment Management LLC now owns 26,750 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,709,000 after buying an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $117.80.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total transaction of $4,702,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,725,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $632,515,969.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total transaction of $4,702,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,725,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $632,515,969.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.5 %

Abbott Laboratories stock traded up $0.58 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $109.06. 675,978 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,199,863. 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 firms 50 day moving average price is $99.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $102.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $189.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.70. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $115.83.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.82 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 20.15%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.15 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The firm 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.02%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This is a boost from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 74.83%.

About Abbott Laboratories

(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.

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Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 5.250-5.400 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 5.310. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup dropped their target price on Sonoco Products from $69.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. StockNews.com upgraded Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Sonoco Products from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sonoco Products currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $61.40.

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Sonoco Products Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of Sonoco Products stock opened at $56.06 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. Sonoco Products has a 12 month low of $49.98 and a 12 month high of $63.74. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $56.10. The stock has a market cap of $5.49 billion, a PE ratio of 11.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.71.

Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.23. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 24.40% and a net margin of 7.20%. The business had revenue of $1.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.60 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Sonoco Products will post 5.3 EPS for the current year.

Sonoco Products Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th were paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.64%. Sonoco Productss payout ratio is 41.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SON. Raymond James & Associates grew its stake in Sonoco Products by 12.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 65,349 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,088,000 after acquiring an additional 7,130 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Sonoco Products by 8.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 14,286 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $894,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 22.6% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 23,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,454,000 after purchasing an additional 4,281 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 164.2% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 43,701 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,744,000 after purchasing an additional 27,157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.5% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 274,058 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $17,145,000 after purchasing an additional 3,941 shares in the last quarter. 76.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sonoco Products

(Get Free Report)

Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.

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Urals Energy PCL (LON:UEN  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 38 ($0.48) and traded as low as GBX 38 ($0.48). Urals Energy PCL shares last traded at GBX 38 ($0.48), with a volume of 14,900 shares trading hands.

Urals Energy PCL Stock Performance

The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 38 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 38. The stock has a market capitalization of 4.80 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.96, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.90.

Urals Energy PCL Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Urals Energy Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an independent exploration and production company in Russia. Its primary exploration and production operations are on the Kolguyev Island based in Timan Pechora, on Sakhalin Island, and Komi region. The company has 2P proved and probable reserves of 46.3 mmboe.

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Cassia Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 2.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,546 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Cassia Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Waste Management were worth $388,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WM. Spirit of America Management Corp NY purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the third quarter valued at $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Waste Management during the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 179.4% during the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 190 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.34% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Waste Management in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Waste Management from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. HSBC assumed coverage on Waste Management in a research note on Friday, September 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $192.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Waste Management from $179.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Waste Management in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.93.

Waste Management Stock Up 0.4 %

WM stock traded up $0.67 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $177.48. The stock had a trading volume of 138,139 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,580,635. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17. Waste Management, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.31 and a 1-year high of $179.50. The company has a fifty day moving average of $169.05 and a 200 day moving average of $164.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.41, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.70.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $5.20 billion for 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 firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.56 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Waste Management, Inc. will post 5.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Waste Management Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio is 49.56%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $925,876.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 171,938 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,573,336. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Waste Management news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 9,550 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $177.00, for a total value of $1,690,350.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 162,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,742,676. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total value of $925,876.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 171,938 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,573,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 43,598 shares of company stock valued at $7,517,269. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

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.

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Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
Siddharth Upasani is a Special Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He has been covering the Indian economy, economic data, and monetary and fiscal policies for nine years. He tweets at @SiddharthUbiWan. Contact: siddharth.upasani@nw18.com
Modi budget at 10: Did the Make-in-India Gir Lion roar?

While the Production-Linked Incentive scheme has done wonders for a handful of sectors, including electronics manufacturing, in many others, investments have been sluggish. In fact, the commerce ministry is working on reviewing the scheme to ensure better utilisation across sectors.











Though the government has taken a series of measures to push for this reform agenda, the two most notable steps are the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the opening up of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in key sectors.

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
Staff and volunteers at the Christian Mission kitchen cooked and boxed up 495 pounds of fish to fill 550 plates for those who came to the fish fry fundraiser last weekend to benefit longtime TV journalist Mike Gurspan.

After undergoing about four hours of surgery at UAB hospital in Birmingham last month to remove a brain tumor, Gurspan, who has covered news in Coffee and Geneva counties for decades, started radiation and chemotherapy this week.

When we heard that Mike was ill, we wanted to do something to show our appreciation of all hes done for us over the year and also help Mike with these unexpected medical expenses, said the Rev. John Belcher, director of Christian Mission Center.

For three hours last Saturday, people from across the Wiregrass stopped by the mission kitchen to pick up their plates and visit with Gurspan who was on hand to talk with well-wishers.

Cooking and preparation of 60 pounds of cold slaw, 30 pounds of hush puppies, and 110 pounds of French fries were also part of the plates and an assembly line of volunteers distributed the boxed meals until the last well-wisher left.

Visibly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, Gurspan said that doctors told him that they were able to remove about 95% of the tumor and the step going forward is for radiation and chemotherapy treatments in Dothan.

Gurspan said before the diagnosis, he had felt vaguely unwell but had no idea that he had anything wrong health-wise and certainly not to the magnitude of a brain tumor. So if you dont feel well, folks, get checked out, was his advice.

You know I dont deserve thisso many faces Ive seen over the last 3-4 decades and it means so much to see them over my recovery, Mike said.

Mike has been a fixture in Wiregrass homes for decades and for the man who gave so much to the community, this community is now praying for a recovery, said Belcher.

Gurspan said he is so grateful for the prayers of the community. I mean, I think it has all helped, he said.

Belcher agreed. Youve got the Lord, a lot of people in the Wiregrass, and beyond thats on your side praying for you to make a complete recovery and sit back down at that seat in the anchor desk, he told Gurspan.
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The Level Plains City Council has moved forward with two projects that will improve the water infrastructure in this Dale County city after a public hearing held at the first council meeting of this month.

Level Plains was among several municipalities that receive part of a nearly $17.5 million in Community Development Block Grants awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey in November.

The grants to 44 Alabama towns, cities, and counties were designed to enable local governments to pave or resurface roads, eliminate blight and drainage problems, improve water or sewer service and build or improve local community centers and playgrounds. These grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis.

Community Development Block Grants annually assist our local governments with some of their most pressing needs and projects that may be out of reach of their own budgets, Ivey said, in announcing the recipients. I am honored to award these funds for projects that will make a positive impact in communities across our great state.

Level Plains was awarded $400,000 to provide water system improvements involving connecting residents with inadequate water pressure with larger water lines in the area along Center Street.

Receiving this money is a real blessing, said Level Plains City Engineer Joe Harmon. It will allow the city to put them on the six-inch water main which will be better water flows and pressure for all the customers in that area.

Level Plains Mayor Ronnie Thompson agreed. It will allow us to make major improvements for the citizens in that area, he said.

The second project is possible thanks to another grant for an over $3 million loan and grant through ARPA funds and Alabamas Department of Environmental Management, Harmon said. This will be used to build a new water tank, drill a new water supply well, and add a new water main under Highway said added that all citizens will benefit from these improvements because it will ultimately help the Level Plains Volunteer Fire Department, which provides service to the entire city.

We are actually going to build the new tank a little taller than the existing tanks which will give several of the residents in higher areas additional pressure, Harmon said.

Thompson said this is at the top of the list of other improvements the city has made that could spark growth.

Well, the more water pressure and water availability we have, it will allow us to bring more industry and hopefully more building and people to Level Plains, the mayor said. I just want the citizens to know that we are working really hard for them here in Level Plains.

The public hearing Dec. 5 was the final step before moving forward with planning the first project, Harmon said.
Kaustubh Mehta is an advocate who practices in Delhi. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: India should join the Bitcoin party, foreign investors to drive Indian equities i...

Highlights: Government spending and consumption demand have been drivers of economic growth Post pandemic credit growth has not been broad-based RBIs crackdown on unsecured lending indicates overindulgence by banks The measures against AIF investments of banks, NBFCs also curbs risky linkages Real estate, infra sectors could be hurt, pressuring economic growth The Indian economy has been purring along for a while now. India posted spectacular growth of 7.8 percent in the quarter ending March, which raised a few eyebrows. But the economy followed it up...

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Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: India should join the Bitcoin party, foreign investors to drive Indian equities i...

The Parliament of a healthy democracy is characterised by serious deliberations and debates before the passing of laws. The suspension of 143 MPs from Parliament during the last session therefore sets an unfortunate precedent. With 143 opposition MPs suspended from parliament, the government thought it fit to pass three very important bills---Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya in an almost opposition-free Lok Sabha on 20 December, without proper debate and discussion. The opposition had demanded the Home Minister's statement...

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Australian businesses risk reputational damage as a major change comes into force under the Sex Discrimination Act. Theyve had 12 months to prepare but many are yet to get their house in order.

The new legal positive duty obligation which is now enforceable, requires businesses to proactively eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace, not just respond when theres a complaint. Its a major shift and businesses that dont comply risk court action and damage to their brand.

With a greater reliance on technology, this is a real minefield for businesses to navigate and business leaders themselves say they are unprepared.New data from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors shows while 85 percent of ASX300 Directors acknowledge preventing workplace sexual harassment ranks high on their boards priority list, just 32 percent of female directors and 45 percent of men believe their organisation is prepared to meet new positive duty obligations. But these changes arent just for ASX listed companies. They affect all businesses and organisations regardless of their size or level of resources, from large companies with hundreds of employees to sole traders.

We have previously seen businesses forced to pay out millions in compensation and damages for sexual harassment when a compliant was upheld. That complaint no longer has to even be made. Theres no doubt some industries will struggle more than others, especially where casual sexism and harassment might be the norm like construction and retail. The 2022 National Sexual Harassment Survey showed workplace sexual harassment is more common in retail where 40 percent of workers had reported sexual harassment, while 29 percent of women in the building and construction industry have experienced sexual harassment at work. The change to positive duty will also mean an organisation has to eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination by third parties working on a construction site for example. Technology-facilitated sexual harassment is also adding another element, with unwelcome sexual conduct using digital technologies outside the workplace over social media, WhatsApp and Linkedin.

According to a recent US survey of women who are on LinkedIn at least once a week, over 90 percent said they received sexual advances, or inappropriate messages at least once, while almost one in four said these messages showed up daily or every other day. Many men seem to use the platform as a pseudo dating app, forcing women to abandon the site, missing out on crucial business connections.

Data from the Australian Human Rights Commission shows in the last five years, 33 percent people have been sexually harassed at work, but fewer than 18 percent made a formal complaint. While 40 percent of people who did make a formal report, said no changes occurred at their workplace as a result of that complaint. That complaint no longer needs to happen for businesses to be liable and they therefore cannot afford to take these changes lightly. The new legislation gives the Australian Human Rights Commission the power to monitor and enforce compliance of positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act.

We spend a third of our lives at work and we all deserve to be safe, feel respected, valued and given every opportunity to thrive. There is also a growing understanding that an unsafe and disrespectful workplace culture diminishes a businesses ability to attract and retain the best people. It reduces productivity and creates significant reputational and legal risks. An unsafe and disrespectful workplace also impacts the ability of businesses to attract customers and investors, a critical consideration with unemployment at its lowest and high staff shortages across many industries. We know culturally and racially marginalised workers, including migrant workers, are also more likely to experience a higher rate of sex discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. Its imperative anyone in a leadership role understands these new positive duty obligations.

So what can businesses do?

Businesses of every size must make sure their leadership teams  whether thats the board, people in charge of teams at every level or a sole trader making sure a contractor is safe  understand these new positive dirty obligations. Businesses need to consult with workers about sexual harassment in the workplace to help identify circumstances that might increase the risk of sexual harassment occurring. They need to review policies, practices and reporting and response systems to ensure they meet the positive duty compliance framework developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Businesses need to consider measures that will eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace. They need to prepare a prevention and response plan. Its not enough to just identify possible risks, businesses need to work out what and how they are going to prevent incidents and then the response to if they happen. Businesses should invest in education and training so all staff, including leaders, know their obligations and to ensure everyone not only feels safe, but actually are safe.Its vital leaders are tuned in to the safety and wellbeing of their workforce. This new positive duty regime is to ensure that safety is a higher priority in Australian workplaces.

Positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act

In November 2022, the cornerstone recommendation of the Respect@Work Report  imposing a positive duty on employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to eliminate discriminatory conduct under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)  was finally implemented.

Changes/modifications to the laws

The positive duty provides that an employer or PCBU must take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate as far as possible sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sex-based harassment, hostile workplace environments and victimisation. The positive duty will shift the burden away from individuals making complaints and places the onus on employers to prioritise early intervention and prevention.

From 12 December, the Australian Human Rights Commissions monitoring and enforcement powers were enlivened. The Commission can commence an inquiry where it reasonably suspects that a business is not complying with the positive duty and issue compliance notices. If compliance notices are not adhered to then the Commission can go to the Federal Court to seek enforcement of the compliance notice. There Commission will be proactively monitoring compliance and can take action even if no complaint has been made.

Compliance for SMEs

All businesses regardless of their size or resources have a legal obligation to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment and the other unlawful conducted covered by the positive duty. This includes sole traders, and the self-employed, as well as, small medium and large businesses.

The measures businesses are expected to take to comply with the positive duty, however, will differ depending on a number of factors. When assessing compliance the Australian Human Rights Commission and the courts will look at what is reasonable and proportionate for that business. Factors that will be considered include the size, nature, circumstances, financial and non-financial resources of a particular business.

In practice, the measures expected of a small dry cleaner will be vastly different to a large retail business.

Employers should do the following:

Ensure your senior leadership team, including the board where applicable, understand their positive duty obligations and that they are ultimately responsible and accountable for meeting the new requirements.

Consult with workers about sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace and identify circumstances that might increase the risk of sexual harassment occurring.

Review policies, practices and reporting and response systems to ensure that they meet the positive duty compliance framework developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Consider measures that will eliminate sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Prepare a prevention and response plan.

Invest in quality education and training on respect at work facilitated by subject matter experts.

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Vietnamese durians are prepared to be exported to China. Photo courtesy of Vina T&T

Vietnams fruit and vegetable exports are estimated to reach a new record of $5.6 billion this year, up 65.5% from 2022 thanks to a surge in demand from China.

Fruits and vegetables exceeded all other key produce categories such as rice, cashew nuts, coffee, and cassava, according to a preliminary forecast by the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association (Vinafruit).

The figure exceeded the target by 40%, mostly thanks to China, which accounted for two-thirds of all exports. China imported $3.4 billion worth of vegetables and fruit in the first 11 months, up 148% year-on-year.

There were also increases of between 2% and 31% in demand from other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Durian accounted for 40% of exports, followed by jackfruit, watermelon, grapefruit, and longan, all of which grew by 50-200% compared to the same period last year.

Vinafruit general secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen said that that China has been opening its market to absorb more Vietnamese produce thanks to the signing of several import protocols.

This has resulted in a nine-fold surge in potato exports and six-fold multiplication of chili exports to China. Chinese authorities have also approved the growing of durian, jackfruit, and sweet potatoes in more areas in Vietnam.

Improvements in infrastructure such as roads, warehouses, and cargo terminals also paved the way for more exports. Vietnams export prices of sweet potato and durian, for example, remain competitive to those of Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

China is set to open up its market for even more Vietnamese produce such as coconuts, avocados, custard apples, and sugar apples. The two countries have also agreed to sign a protocol on watermelon exports.

The U.S. has recently resumed importing fresh coconuts from Vietnam.

Vietnamese authorities are negotiating to export more fruits to the U.S., along with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and India.
Narendra Banad is an independent journalist. Views expressed are personal.

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Former WTO chief: Technology, ideology, peace key to pushing open world economy Though facing challenges such as increasing geopolitical tensions and turmoil brought on by shifts in global economic dynamics, the world will likely avoid an era of de-globalization but will instead see the pace of globalization slow amid a more secure new phase, said Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization. "We are in a period of turbulence and living in a time of change in globalization. It's a big inflection that we are witnessing," said Lamy. Speaking at the China Europe International Business School last week in Shanghai, Lamy said there are three major engines powering globalization  technology, ideology and peace  adding that the world is seeing changes in all these factors amid a different phase of globalization. The development of technology has reduced the cost of distance and other obstacles to trade. Distance is one of the key factors in globalization, and as technological development brings advances in transport, it significantly enhanced efficiency in global trade and boosted globalization, he said. "Technology keeps pushing globalization. This world is interconnected, more and more every day. So there is a huge potential for further globalization, notably in services with digitalization." Along with the continuous development of technology, the world is also witnessing a changing ideological picture. Twenty years ago, the world's ideological consensus was that opening trade was the way to go, because of the merits of international division of labor, specialization, multi-localization of production systems and global supply chains, he said. Nowadays, the ideological landscape has shifted. "In today's ideological picture, the relationship to trade is much more mixed. You hear people saying trade should be reduced for reasons of national security. And you hear people saying trade should be reduced for reasons of social security or environmental security," Lamy added. "Environmental security" was highlighted by Lamy in his speech, as it is an emerging factor leading to trade friction when the world is seeking to decarbonize and strengthen economic foundations. On the climate governance front, more efforts are needed to realize proportionate efforts of responsibilities for industrialized and other countries in order to reduce carbon emissions, support adaptation, phase out carbon emissions and conduct better geoengineering research. A better system of climate divergence is needed to reduce discrepancies among climate-related trade measures, the former WTO chief said. In addition, the multiplying and expanding geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, are exacerbating worldwide turbulence and taking a toll on geoeconomics and globalization as well. "In the past, these three drivers moved toward the same direction, which largely facilitated global trade and economic development. But now, some of these 'winds' are blowing in different directions due to the rise of geopolitical conflicts, more fragmented ideological differences about the benefits of openness, and the risks of fragmentation in the digital age," Lamy said. However, despite the challenging conditions, Lamy still believes the world is not entering a "de-globalization" trend, but into "a different phase of globalization", as international trade still keeps growing, as seen by record 2022 trade volume statistics. According to a WTO report, in volume terms, global merchandise trade rose 2.7 percent year-on-year in 2022, with services trade growing 15 percent. "I still believe that these engines will keep pushing for globalization," said Lamy. In terms of the future path, Lamy said the world is in a process of "slowbalization" and its patterns would be increasingly influenced by security requirements, or "paranobalization". "We should try to ease geopolitical tensions and rebuild trust through high-level dialogue leading to progressive confidence measures in Sino-US relations," said Lamy. In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Lamy said he was also happy to see conversations and talking channels being built between China and Europe, as several senior European leaders recently paid visits to China. On Dec 7, the 24th China-EU Summit was held in Beijing, where an in-person meeting between Chinese and European leaders was held again after a four-year hiatus. "Although we have differences and tensions, there are areas where the EU and China could keep cooperating. And I think we can do more," Lamy said. "China and Europe have a lot in common in terms of dealing with the environment, which is a very good starting point. We can help build a more coherent environmental governance system where China draws lessons from the EU's regulatory experience, including in carbon pricing, and the EU learns about the successes of China in rapidly developing its impressive green technologies." With the aim to contain the risk of further divisions and navigate global turbulence, Lamy also attached significance to the role that international organizations, such as the WTO, should play in pursuing joint efforts and reshaping the new phase of globalization. "International organizations are important to frame disciplines and organize international systems. It's more difficult to address core issues in today's era than ever before because there are many disruptive factors. The key is to establish more uniform regulations, whether in terms of global trade or climate change." wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn
NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam has been recognized for its commitment to being the employer of choice, making exceptional outcomes, and positively impacting the community through two-in-a-role awards: Great Place to Work and Fast Enterprise.

The journey of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam began in 2019 when NAB decided to establish an innovation centre in Vietnam with the aim of connecting technology talent resources here and providing a superior digital experience to its over ten million customers.

After four years since its establishment, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam has achieved significant successes, continuously expanding its scale with three offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and doubling its workforce in the past 18 months. Furthermore, the company has been striving to create an excellent working environment for its employees to enable their optimal development.

The two awards, "Great Place to Work" and "Fast Enterprise" are considered well-deserved recognition for the enduring efforts of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam over the past four years.

Fostering excellence in the IT Community

Sharing with VnExpress after receiving two awards, Paul Roney, Executive of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, said it is an honor to receive these two prestigious international awards.

"The awards mark four years of NABs presence in Vietnam and we're proud of how far we've come in that time," Paul said.

Paul Roney, Executive of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Photo courtesy of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam

Looking back to 2019, Paul Roney mentioned that NAB's decision to open an innovation centre in Vietnam was driven by NAB's belief that Vietnam is a suitable place for expanding the workforce, particularly in the IT sector. In fact, Vietnam is identified as a growth market due to its high number of tech graduates, with more than 50,000 per year, ranked in the top 10 worldwide. Besides, the culture here also quite fits with Australia.

Reality has proven that NAB's assessment and perspective were entirely accurate. Over the years, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam has shown impressive growth in its workforce, especially doubling in the last 18 months.

In order to ensure a high-quality workforce for the company and contribute to the development of the technology community in Vietnam, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam places a strong focus on nurturing IT talents.

Tuan Nguyen, Head of People and Culture, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, said that NAB has invested heavily in its people, upskilling over 7,000 people in the cloud. "We also established a tech academy in Vietnam and collaborated with AWS and Microsoft to uplift universities' programs in the necessary skills. This creates opportunities for young technologists in Vietnam, contributing to the growth of technology."

Tuan Nguyen, Head of People and Culture, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Photo courtesy of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam

Furthermore, the company has partnered with various universities and Passerelles numeriques Vietnam, offering 120 recent graduates the opportunity to pursue their tech career path. Practical experiences, real-world exposure to industry advancements, and hands-on engagement with modern technology are at the core of this initiative.

NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam also recently collaborated with AWS, FPT University, and VietnamWorks inTECH to organize a security system management competition called "Security Jam."

The purpose was to encourage young individuals to enhance and develop their technology skills. These specific efforts by NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam in this regard have already been making a positive impact on the technology community in Vietnam, providing tangible opportunities for IT talents as they take gradual steps in building their careers.

A Great Place to Work

In addition to investing in seeking high-quality personnel, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam also places significant emphasis on ensuring a positive working atmosphere for its members. The company believes that this is a key factor that will drive individuals to work efficiently, thus contributing to the overall development of the organization.

Paul Roney said that they try to put a lot of investment into the development of their colleagues. So they have various learning platforms here that the colleagues can use.

At the same time, he also offered advice that every individual should continuously engage in learning because it is a decisive factor for success and career development.

At NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, all personnel receive training and skill enhancement through learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, O'Reilly, AWS, Microsoft, Coursera, and Udemy.

The company also offers a pre-qualified banking course program, through which over 100 colleagues have achieved Career Qualified in Banking (CQiB) certification, granted by FINSIA. For managers specifically, they undergo training through a special program that meets international standards, known as the Distinctive Leadership Program (DLP).

NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam recognized as the Great Place to Work'. Photo courtesy of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam

Besides, Paul emphasized the importance of respecting the culture of the place where you work, which is also crucial for any organization to have. He pointed out some aspects that NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam always strives to respect, such as the characteristics of Vietnamese culture and work habits, along with the features of a technology company.

"Respecting meeting times and time zone differences is also important, as it reflects the unique way people interact and collaborate in the company. For example, lunch time here is very important, and we respect that," Paul added.

Furthermore, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam is committed to enhancing diversity and gender balance within the technology industry. Tuan Nguyen mentioned that there is currently a diverse team of female colleagues at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, and the company is still trying to attract even more female employees.

Specifically, the company has implemented various programs, including initiatives for female undergraduates, aimed at increasing interest in technology and encouraging individuals to explore opportunities beyond traditional career boundaries. Despite Vietnam's predominantly male population, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam is steadfast in its belief that both male and female employees can excel.

At NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, regardless of differences in age, position, and gender, everyone is respected and has equal opportunities to work and grow. The company has been making continuous efforts to create the best working environment for its employees.

According to Paul Roney, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam will be relocating to the new office in District 2 in the coming months with the aim of providing their colleagues with a more comfortable and convenient workspace.

Set goals for the future

In summary, the two awards, "Great Place to Work" and "Fast Enterprise" serve as a positive reflection of the development of NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam over the past four years. Looking towards the future vision, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam aspires to build upon the successes achieved, continuing to contribute effectively to the development of Vietnam's technology landscape.

To accomplish this, Tuan Nguyen emphasizes the critical importance of strengthening the workforce.

"NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam has evolved from a few hundred members to a large team of skilled colleagues. Advanced skills and product design have evolved, and the focus is now on making the team more comprehensive and sustainable," Tuan said.

Paul Roney is highly optimistic about the company's workforce, which includes a team of young and dynamic colleagues that thrive on interesting technology challenges. He also affirms that colleagues are the most valuable assets of any organization in order to achieve the set goals.

Therefore, in NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam's future plans, investing in people is considered crucial. NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam aspires to become an employer of choice with a commitment to providing long-term career opportunities for hundreds of technologists in Vietnam and offering colleagues the best working environment.
URC Vietnam received numerous awards in 2023 for its commitment to sustainable development, demonstrating its long-term efforts to create value for both the enterprise and wider community.

The company was honored as one of the Top 100 Sustainable Businesses 2023 at the Announcing Ceremony of Sustainable Companies in Vietnam on Dec. 13. This marks the fifth consecutive year the company has been mentioned in this prestigious award.

URC Vietnam Company Limited receives the Top 100 Sustainable Enterprises of 2023 awards on Dec. 13, 2023. Photo courtesy of URC

The Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI Awards) program entered its eighth year of operation in 2023, signifying a milestone in recognizing and commending businesses for their exceptional commitment to responsible production and business activities across three dimensions: economic efficiency, corporate governance, as well as environmental and social responsibilities.

The program, under the leadership of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and directed by the government, is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Central Economic Committee within the program's steering committee.

The CSI 2023 index comprises 130 indicators, integrating the Environmental Protection Law of 2020 while emphasizing three factors: carbon emission accounting, climate change adaptation and mitigation activities, and the implementation of circular economy models.

Based on the comprehensive index and stringent evaluations by the organizing committee, URC Vietnam Company Limited has remarkably surpassed nearly 500 participating profiles, meeting the rigorous criteria, and been named among the Top 100 Sustainable Enterprises in 2023.

URC Vietnam Company Limited was honored at the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Impact Showcase Awards. Photo courtesy of URC

Previously, URC Vietnam Company Limited was also honored at the Environmental, Social, and Governance Impact Showcase Awards for its initiatives in sustainable development aligned with the United Nations Millennium Goals, presented by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

With the aspiration to become a sustainable global enterprise of world-class talent, URC Vietnam has been and is integrating its ESG values into its strategic planning and decision-making processes.

A representative of URC Vietnam Company Limited stated that the company consistently aims to provide customers and consumers with high-quality products that have high nutritional value, aligning with URC Vietnam's health criteria.

The organization has been actively engaged in community initiatives that prioritize pure water, education, and gender equality. As of this instant, seven water filtration system installations and educational presents have been distributed in tea-growing regions to improve the quality of life for students.

Additionally, URC Vietnam engages in partnerships with the Child Protection Fund in Hanoi and Binh Duong, the two locations where its factories are situated, to implement initiatives that promote gender equality and education.

Striving for harmonious value benefits for both the business and the community is the guiding principle that permeates throughout the enterprise's operations. Photo courtesy of URC

URC Vietnam has been striving to foster an optimal work environment that incentivizes personnel to exert maximum effort, thus producing enduring value and aiding in the overall prosperity of the organization.

Furthermore, the organization places significant emphasis on environmental factors. The company implements rigorous criteria for water conservation investments, renewable energy utilization, and sustainable agriculture promotion, in addition to compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Being recognized in esteemed awards signifies acknowledgment from regulatory bodies, reputable organizations, and consumers themselves towards the enterprise. Photo courtesy of URC

Sustainable development is the core philosophy of genuine business, creating enduring and harmonious value for both the enterprise itself, the community, and future generations.

With a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and a deliberate shift from conventional business thinking to a sustainable approach, URC Vietnam aims for success beyond financial metrics, profits, and employment numbers.

The company underscores its role in environmental protection, societal progress, and community welfare. This strategic mindset serves as the guiding principle for URC Vietnam's ongoing and future operations.
Zhao Xin is held at a police station in Binh Duong Province in southern Vietnam for kidnapping a Chinese businessman for ransom, Dec. 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha

A Chinese businessman kidnapped by a compatriot for a VND4.5 billion (US$185,700) ransom has been rescued by Vietnamese police.

Officers in the southern province of Binh Duong said Friday that they tracked down the alleged kidnappers from information from their calls demanding the ransom.

The Chinese kidnapper Zhao Xin, 37, his Vietnamese girlfriend Duong Thuy Ai and another Vietnamese accomplice Nguyen Khanh Vi have admitted to the scheme.

According to the police, Xin entered Vietnam with a tourist visa in July and lived with Ai in Binh Duong. In need of money, he planned with Ai and Vi early this month to look for foreigners living in Binh Duong to kidnap and demand a ransom.

After a period of consideration, they chose to kidnap a Chinese director of an interior design company in the area, investigation found.

Xin and his accomplices, all armed, stopped the mans car early on Thursday and took him to a local warehouse to hold him there.

They then called the mans family, demanded VND4.5 billion in exchange for his life. The family accepted their demands and meanwhile called the police.

Xin's group repeatedly called the family on Thursday to demand money and kept changing the location to receive it.

From their calls, the police detected the place where they kept the businessman by the evening. The man was rescued, and the group were arrested the same day.

Police are investigating further.
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Commissioner Thomas Hicks, of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, visits the Guam Election Commission in Tamuning on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, stands inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow, Russia June 15, 2020.
December 21, 2023 | 07:52 pm PT

Many foreigners will be planning on how to celebrate their biggest holiday of the year, but with only a short amount of time off work and feelings of homesickness emerging as quickly as Santa on his sleigh.

They will be weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of spending this festive season here in Vietnam.

Pros

Undoubtedly one of the most exciting things about spending Christmas abroad, is experiencing something completely new and fresh compared to what youre used to. You are able to swap eggnog beside the fireplace for a cocktail on the beach or replace the hot chocolate after a frosty walk with a refreshingly cold drink whilst sunbathing next to the swimming pool. It is certainly not the archetypal Christmas, but aren't serendipitous moments that break from tradition perhaps the most memorable?

One of the biggest peeves many individuals have with Christmas in the west is being constantly surrounded by it and how the endless Christmas songs in stores, unoriginal advertisements and tacky Christmas lights all seem to appear earlier and earlier each year. This goes hand in hand with the mass commercialization of the holiday that is common across many western holidays, but none more so than Jesus big day. Fortunately, if you are celebrating his birthday in Vietnam this year you do not have to put up with as much as you would do compared to the west. Here, how much you celebrate and fill your life with Christmas paraphernalia is more of a personal preference. Seeing how different cultures celebrate the occasion is always fascinating though, and embracing it should certainly be encouraged.

A foreign couple listen to music at a Christmas market in Hanoi, December 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

In the lead-up to Christmas at home, foreigners will likely have to attend work parties where they have to become experts in small talk as they wait for a socially acceptable time to go home. They will spend the majority of the evening thinking of the ones they actually wish to spend their free time with, whilst they are forced to sit with a colleague from a part of the office that youve never encountered to build "team spirit." Fortunately in Vietnam, expatriates have the luxury of celebrating the holiday with friends who are in a similar situation in their own lives and have more in common with. It is an opportunity to appreciate the time off by renting a villa with individuals of your own choosing, as opposed to some of the family members who you may perhaps dread spending awkward hours with around the dinner table at home.

Cons

Although an expatriate social circle may be full of friends and wonderful colleagues whilst living in Vietnam, for the majority of people Christmas means one thing, family. This makes it a particularly difficult season for those who stay in Asia, rather than returning home. The wonderful tradition of sitting around an open fire, exchanging gifts and sharing and making new memories with your close family is something many expatriates will crave this Christmas in Vietnam.

The picturesque image of a family sat around an open fire is not complete without the thick, white snow slowly falling from the sky as one looks out the window. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of climate change, a thick blanket of snow settling on Xuan Dieu street in Hanoi and Nguyen Hue street in HCMC is still an image of AI fiction, rather than reality. For many foreigners living in Vietnam, this will dampen the Christmas spirit. Although, a cocktail on a sun-lounger to celebrate the big day is exciting and refreshing, its not quite what someone usually envisions for December and further exacerbates the feeling of homesickness at Christmas.

In addition to having loved ones nearby and the colder weather, Christmas is a time when foreigners enjoy feasting on many wonderful seasonal delicacies such as turkey, mince pies, shortbread biscuits, Brussels sprouts and a whole range of other delights that will test the flexibility of ones waistband. Although these wonderful treats are becoming easier to attain in Vietnam compared to previous years, they certainly require more searching for and have a greater impact on the bank balance compared to the west. Sacrifices may have to be made on the cheese board or Christmas pudding if foreigners want to enjoy a break during their longer holiday at Tet.

*Darren Barnard is a teacher working in Hanoi.
ECPM members gathered on 6-7 December in Brussels to discuss and decide the spearheads informing our European election campaign. It was a rich and intense time exchanging views and experiences shaped by our national contexts and the priorities for our voters.

On December 6, our session in the European Parliament was attended by our MEPs, board, staff, Advisory Council and members from France, Spain, Romania, Germany, Latvia, Malta, Sweden, Lithuania, Ireland, Hungary, Poland and The Netherlands. After a word of welcome from President Ghiletchi and an introduction of each member by General Director Maarten van de Fliert, we approved a change in our party statutes to align ourselves to the rules for European parties, followed by announcing the new members who joined our party since our last GA in June. It is always encouraging to see how our party grows from one season to the next.

The rest of time on Dec. 6, as well as the session on Dec. 7 at the Thon Hotel, was taken up by the review of the political program. We collected members' input and comments since the beginning of 2023 and during this extraordinary session, we went over the amendments submitted by some of the members. We kept our seven already known spearheads, but we updated and refined the content and our positions. This document will serve as the ECPM's European election manifesto; we are very proud to be able to bring our voters' voices to the forefront and to represent the Christian values which are at the root of the European project.

You can find the ECPM's political program here.
Police launch probe into alleged abduction of British teen Alex Batty who went missing 6 years ago View Photo

LONDON (AP)  A criminal investigation was launched into the alleged abduction of British teenager Alex Batty, who was found last week in France six years after his mother and grandfather took him on a vacation and never returned home, Greater Manchester police said Friday.

Batty, 17, returned to Oldham, near Manchester, on Saturday and was reunited with his grandmother  the legal guardian who had made frantic and emotional appeals over the years for his return.

A delivery driver found Batty walking along a road in southern France in the middle of the night Dec. 13. The boy told police he had been living a nomadic lifestyle in Spain, Morocco and France with his mother and grandfather as part of a spiritual community and decided to leave when his mother talked about going to Finland.

Authorities in France said last week that they thought his mother, Melanie Batty, could be in Finland and that his grandfather, David Batty, appeared to have died, but neither of those details seemed clear after the teen gave his first interview.

Batty told The Sun newspaper that he feared his mother and grandfather could be arrested on suspicion of child abduction, so he had lied about his escape.

Batty had left the place they had been staying two days earlier  not four days as he initially reported  and provided other details he thought would throw investigators off their trail, he said.

Ive been lying to try and protect my mum and grandad but I realize that theyre probably gonna get caught anyway, he told The Sun. I pretended I had been on such a long journey for that reason.

Batty said that the entire time he had been away he only made friends with one child his own age  a Spanish girl. He did not go to school, had to work, had no social life and began to question his future.

He had thought about leaving for at least two years and even discussed it with his mom and grandfather.

I wouldnt know what was going to happen in my future if I were to stay with my mum, but from the past few years I could get a picture of what life would have been like, Batty said. Moving around. No friends, no social life. Working, working, work and not studying. Thats the life I imagined I would be leading if I were to stay with my mum.

He said his mother was against him leaving.

She was very anti-government, anti-vax, Batty said. She was worried that if I were to go back to a country and get my ID I would be put into care. Her catchphrase was becoming a slave to the system.

He said he left the farmhouse where they had been staying near Chalabre in the Aude region of southern France around midnight on Dec. 11 after his mother was in bed.

Shes a great person and I love her but shes just not a great mum, he said.

He took a backpack with four T-shirts, three pairs of trousers, a skateboard, flashlight, 100 euros and a Swiss Army Knife.

Batty said he was shaking when he walked into his grandmothers house and gave her a massive hug.

He said he wants to go to college to study computer science or cyber security or blockchain development. He said he was happy to be home.

The house is different now but still feels the same, he said. The biggest difference is when I left I was a boy but now Im 6 feet (1.8 meters) so Im too big for the bed. It feels great to be back.
Washing hands to prevent the spread of viruses View Photo

Sonora, CA  In recent months, the norovirus, also referred to as the stomach flu or bug, has increased in California, so knowing how to protect yourself is vital.

The norovirus is very contagious and spreads quickly from person to person, through contaminated food or drink, contaminated surfaces, or direct contact, especially in settings such as schools and childcare centers, congregate living settings, and healthcare facilities, Tuolumne County Public Health officials advise.

One way to protect yourself and others from norovirus is by cleaning high-touch surfaces with a bleach solution. Also, hands should be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water, and often. One product not to use is hand sanitizer, as health officials say it is not effective for the prevention of this virus.

Health officials caution the public to stay home and avoid contact with others if experiencing these symptoms:

nausea

vomiting

watery diarrhea

abdominal pain

Those who experience these symptoms should contact their doctor and refrain from contact with others for at least 48 hours after the symptoms subside. For more information on the norovirus, click here.
Sonora, CA The volunteers of Adventist Health Sonora presented a check totaling $34,928.25 to the organization, reflecting the funds raised and donated throughout the year.

Michelle Fuentes, President of Adventist Health Sonora, expressed gratitude, stating, Our volunteers inspire all of us. They embody what it means to give selflessly and care for others, and we couldnt be more thankful for all they do for our organization and our patients.

The majority of the funds raised were directed towards department grants, facilitating equipment upgrades. Notably, a 3D ultrasound device for clinicians in radiation oncology aims to reduce the number of scans for prostate cancer patients. Additionally, hearing and vision screening equipment was procured for Foothill Pediatrics. The volunteers allocated $13,000 to the upcoming Digestive Health Center and provided scholarships to local high school students, Columbia College students, and Adventist Health Sonora employees advancing their medical careers.

Operating exclusively through the hospital gift shop, open five days a week, the volunteers actively contribute beyond fundraising. They fulfill roles such as staffing information desks, serving as patient advocates, operating a courtesy shuttle, and more. With an active membership of 50 people, the volunteers collectively contributed over 7,300 hours of service in 2023.

Sylvia Weinmeister, the current president of the Adventist Health Sonora volunteer force, expressed appreciation, saying, We greatly appreciate and value our volunteers. Looking ahead to 2024, the volunteer force aims to expand its membership and welcomes prospective volunteers. More information and applications are available at AdventistHealthSonora.org/Volunteer.

The volunteers celebrated their accomplishments and welcomed new officers for 2024 during a Christmas luncheon last week.
Senator Marie Alvarado Gil View Photo

Sacramento, CA  Senate Bill 2 would ban Californians from carrying firearms in most public places and many private facilities that have high foot traffic.

It was a high-profile law that was approved this past legislative session and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. It was set to take effect on January 1st, but a federal judge has temporarily blocked it, arguing that it would effectively abolish Second Amendment rights.

Mother Lode Democratic Senator Maire Alvarado-Gil is praising the ruling. She says, The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of our nations history, and while we recognize the importance of public safety, it is imperative that we strike a balance that respects the rights of responsible gun owners.

Alvarado-Gil notes that the bill is opposed by many constituents of her district.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has stated that he plans to appeal the ruling. The case could go all the way to the US Supreme Court.
Since early December, less than a month after the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians, Yemens Iran-backed Houthi militants began to conduct almost daily drone and missile attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Houthis have conducted over a hundred drone and ballistic missile attacks, targeting merchant vessels involving more than 35 different nations.

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, while the Strait of Hormuz is a conduit between the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. It is an important maritime transit route.

The recent escalation in reckless Houthi attacks originating from Yemen threatens the free flow of commerce, endangers innocent mariners, and violates international law, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

These attacks are reckless, dangerous and they violate international law. And so, we're taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat, he said. This is not just a U.S. issue, this is an international problem, and it deserves an international response.

On December 18, Secretary Austin announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea.

During a December 19 virtual meeting with top defense leaders of 43 countries and representatives from the European Union and NATO, Secretary Austin condemned the attacks on international shipping and global commerce as unprecedented and urged more nations to join the maritime efforts to counter them.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to  jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity, said Secretary Austin.

The Red Sea is a critical waterway that has been essential to freedom of navigation, and a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. Countries that seek to uphold the foundational principle of freedom of navigation must come together to tackle the challenge posed by this non-state actor launching ballistic missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles at merchant vessels from many nations lawfully transiting international waters.
Mentally disabled Indiana man wrongfully convicted in slaying reaches $11.7 million settlement View Photo

ELKHART, Ind. (AP)  A mentally disabled man who was wrongfully convicted in the slaying of a 94-year-old woman has reached an $11.7 million settlement with a northern Indiana city and former police officers, his attorneys said Friday.

The settlement for Andrew Royer, who spent 16 years in prison after confessing to Helen Sailors killing, is the largest known Indiana settlement reached in a wrongful conviction case, said Elliot Slosar, one of Royers attorneys.

It is no coincidence that Andy received the largest wrongful conviction settlement in Indiana history, Slosar said in a statement. Andy was among the most vulnerable in our society when he was coerced into a false confession and framed for a crime he did not commit.

A jury convicted Royer of murder in 2005 and he was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the November 2002 slaying of Sailor, who was found strangled in her Elkhart apartment.

Royers attorneys argued on appeal that his confession to Sailors killing was coerced during an interrogation that stretched over two days and that an Elkhart police detective exploited their clients mental disability.

Royer was released from prison in 2020 after a special judge granted his request for a new trial. The judge found that Royers confession was unreliable and involuntary and said investigators fabricated evidence, forced a witness to give false testimony and withheld exculpatory evidence from his attorneys.

After prosecutors sought to reverse the judges decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals found that Royers rights were violated and that the detective committed perjury when he testified during the trial that Royer knew details that only the killer would have known.

In 2021, prosecutors decided not to try Royer again, and the case against him was dismissed.

Royers attorneys sued the city of Elkhart, its police department and others in 2022. The settlement announced Friday resolves allegations against the city and the police department.

Royers claims against Elkhart County officials, including the county prosecutor, are still pending.

Messages seeking comment on the settlement were left Friday with the Elkhart mayors office and the citys legal department by The Associated Press.

Royer, who lives in Goshen, told The Indianapolis Star that the settlement money will change my life.

I am now financially set for the rest of my life. I hope to help my family as much as I can, he said.

The settlement with Royer is the latest instance in which the city of Elkhart has agreed to pay a large sum to settle allegations of troubling police misconduct.

Last year, the city agreed to pay a Chicago man $7.5 million to settle his wrongful conviction lawsuit. Keith Cooper was pardoned after he spent more than seven years in prison for an armed robbery he did not commit.
French President Emmanuel Macron will be the guest of honor at Indias Republic Day celebrations

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the guest of honor at Indias Republic Day celebrations View Photo

PARIS (AP)  India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at the countrys national day celebrations next month, in what Macrons office described on Friday as a powerful gesture for the two nations ties.

The visit for Republic Day on Jan. 26 will be Macrons third to India as president. The event marks the 74th anniversary of the adoption of Indias Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950, nearly three years after it won independence from British colonial rule.

Indias official guest in January 2023 was Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, for a 90-minute parade that ended with a flyby featuring 75 air force fighters, including French-made Rafale jets, transport planes and helicopters.

Previous French guests for the event have included all of Macrons immediate predecessors as Frances president: Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac.

Macrons office called the invitation an extremely strong gesture.

Indias External Affairs Ministry described the two nations as strategic partners and said: India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues.

Macron also visited India in 2018 and again for a Group of 20 summit in September.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was guest of honor this year at Frances annual Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14.

India and France are looking to further strengthen cooperation on an array of topics ranging from climate to military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

In July, Indias Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines, developed by France and Spain, was also approved.
Ideally, Afghanistan would be fully reintegrated within the international system without passing through a further cycle of violence and in accordance with international law, according to a recent United Nations Independent Assessment on Afghanistan report.

Its something to work toward, but right now, too many problems stand in the way, said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Rosa Otunbayeva. Speaking before the UN Security Council as the representatives debated whether to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, she recounted productive engagement with the Taliban on a number of topics including human rights and governance. On the other hand, the return of the Taliban to power has seen the emergence of an alarming pattern of human rights violations across the board.

So, the question is: is there a benefit to starting a dialogue with the Taliban?

The United States Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs Robert Wood highlighted three pressing topics that need to be resolved.

First, Afghan women urge the United Nations to stress to the Taliban that it must include women in all sectors of society, said Ambassador Wood. The United States hears their requests and will not consider any significant steps toward normalization of relations with the Taliban until women and girls have meaningful access to education, the workforce, and other aspects of social and political life.

Second, the Taliban is hindering humanitarian access, notably through restrictions on female humanitarian staff, said Ambassador Wood. The United States is committed to providing assistance to those most in need. Since 2021, we have provided over $2 billion in assistance. It is imperative to recognize that humanitarian assistance alone is not enough. That is why the Taliban must reverse their policies that keep women from contributing to Afghanistans economy.

And finally, the United States welcomes the UNs Independent Assessment on Afghanistan, which calls for the appointment of a Special Envoy in establishing an international contact group. They will be important for the development of a roadmap that ensures Afghanistan meets its international obligations.

The Security Council must continue to work together to press the Taliban to reverse their destructive course, said Ambassador Wood. The Taliban must engage in serious dialogue with the Afghan people to support their aspirations, to put an end to human rights abuses, and to allow assistance to reach those in need.
The United States condemns in the strongest terms North Koreas recent intercontinental ballistic missile and short-range ballistic missile launches, said Ambassador Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations.

For the fifth time this year, North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, in direct violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. This is in addition to the 26 other ballistic missiles the DPRK launched this year alone, noted Ambassador Wood:

We have used every word to describe the DPRKs continued threats to international peace and security. Flagrant. Unacceptable. Reckless. Egregious. ... Let me be extremely clear: the United States and our allies are working to protect ourselves from the very nuclear weapons delivery systems the DPRK is testing and has repeatedly stated are made for attacking us.

We are grateful that most of this [Security] Council has condemned [North Koreas] mounting threat to international peace and security. Most of this Council is committed to upholding the resolutions we adopted, said Ambassador Wood.

Now, it is on Russia and China to join us. To act as if their credibility as responsible permanent members depends on it. Not only would we be sending a message to the DPRK, and any proliferator, but we have seen firsthand the benefits of coming together to hold the DPRK accountable, he said.

It has become clear that North Korea remains able to advance its Weapons of Mass Destruction program due to its extensive efforts to evade sanctions.

Until North Korea abandons its WMD program and instead engages in meaningful negotiations, we will continue to call out its sanctions violations, affirmed Ambassador Wood:

We are here because the DPRK must understand that the only viable path forward is through diplomacy and our continued commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; and it cannot do that while this Council stays silent.

It is critical that the international community makes crystal clear that this escalatory behavior has consequences, said Ambassador Wood. We urge all Council members to join us in holding North Korea to account, once and for all.
Yves here. This article gives a vivid, albeit small frame, picture of how the increase in migrants under the Biden Administration has led to a great deal of localized friction and umbrage. Yours truly is not a fan of substantially uncontrolled immigration; there needs to be government planning and funding for interim housing, assimilation (including language training), and job placements. This is not just for the benefit of communities but for the migrants themselves; you can see below in generally migrant-friendly New York how some migrant families are going hungry.

By Gwynne Hogan. Originally published at THE CITY on Dec. 22, 2023



Security camera footage shows migrants soliciting homes in Brooklyn for financial help. Credit: Courtesy of David Fitzgerald

Residents are sharing anecdotes and images on Nextdoor and Facebook groups, describing migrant families begging for change near the Kings Plaza Mall, the nearest commercial hub to the shelter, where city buses drop off and pick migrants up. Other residents have described them going door-to-door on residential streets asking for clothing, food or money.

Some, like David Fitzgerald, 62, an Irish immigrant whos lived for the past two decades in Marine Park, are outraged. He said groups of families had knocked on his door several times over the past few weeks.

We had a nice, close, neighborhood group of people, now we have a literal invasion of people knocking on doors begging, asking for money, he said. One of the fathers used an app on his phone to translate into English that he was Venezuelan and he needed money and clothing.

Theres a lot of retired people here, a lot of families here. Theyre at the stage of their lives where they like peace and quiet. This is the opposite, he said. Were not liking what we see.

Neighbors are airing their grievances in a Facebook group called STOP FLOYD BENNETT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS. Posts in the group in recent weeks have urged residents not to GIVE IN TO THE PANHANDLERS or to report them to 311. One post seeking donations for families at Floyd Bennett elicited 198 comments ranging from This is an INVASION to HOLY SHIT! It is Christmas week. Mary and Joseph were refugees.

Reflecting an area of Brooklyn where Donald Trump won the majority of votes in both 2016 and 2020, some posters have evoked the great replacement, the far-right conspiracy theory that nonwhite immigrants are being brought in to replace white voters. Theyve fretted about the value of their homes dropping and called on each other to arm themselves.

Bren Lee, 42, the administrator of the Stop Floyd Bennett Facebook group said shed had to kick people out for saying things she thought explicitly advocating for violence. But Lee maintains that a recent post in which someone advised get your guns doesnt qualify.

I mean, Get your guns is not advocating for violence. Its just saying, Be prepared, right? she told THE CITY.

We had 500 families there and nobody really saw any of them. But now that theres 1,700 people in there and theyve noticed a big change in the neighborhood, Lee said. A lot of people are concerned.

Several residents of the shelters who spoke with THE CITY described getting meals like cold eggs for breakfast and cold hamburgers for lunch, and that the children often went hungry. One migrant mother of three from Venezuela said shed resorted to panhandling by the bus stop to buy food for her three children.

Sometimes Ive had to go beg, to buy bread and other things, she said, near tears. She said shed more recently connected with a church that was giving her peanut butter, milk, and bread, and hadnt been begging since. What are we going to do, we cant ask for more.

Adam Shrier, a spokesperson for the citys Health and Hospitals Corporation, which oversees the shelter, said they provide three meals a day, including offerings of bagels, corn muffins, and hard boiled eggs for breakfast, and chicken gyro and buffalo chicken sandwiches for lunch, and rotisserie chicken, or hot dogs for dinner, among various options.

That Place Should Not Exist

The shelter, now housing around 1,700 migrant parents and children, consists of four massive tents on an abandoned federal airfield, a 20-minute walk to the nearest bus stop across a blustery field. Buses on Flatbush Avenue take residents to schools and other destinations in the area  including suburban-style neighborhoods in Brooklyn and in the Rockaways in Queens.

Migrants are also finding friends in nearby communities, where ad hoc groups of neighbors are rallying around the new arrivals and coordinating through WhatsApp as well as with teachers and parents at schools that have taken on new students. Nearly daily, cars pull into parking lots adjacent to the shelter, offering donated hauls of warm clothing, winter boots and strollers.

Right now, what most people have been asking for is pants and shoes. Thats the top need, said Ariana Hellerman, 42, with the Queens group Rockaway Women for Progress, who started chatting up families who were riding the Q35 bus and began bringing supplies soon after.

Hellerman said she was disturbed by some of the reactions of her neighbors, but not surprised.

The word on the street in Rockaway is theyre gonna break into our houses, she said. Theres just these fear tactics, because theyre people of color theyre going to try to steal from us.

Carrie Gleason, 45, a parent of a fifth grader at P.S. 315 in Midwood, Brooklyn, where some of the Floyd Bennett children are enrolled, said the parents have sprung into acting to help the newcomers.

Yesterday I bought cough medicine because all the kids have coughs that wont go away, she said. The kids are sick and the school is saying, Bring the kids no matter what, because its healthier for them to be at the school nurse than in a tent.

Heavy winds and rains rattled the tent shelters earlier this week, keeping terrified families up all night. With families already on edge, the storm reignited concerns for many about the difficult-to-access shelter and prompted many to beg staff to be relocated.

Gleason said that while Brooklynites across the political spectrum have starkly different attitudes towards migrants, both sides think the shelter is a bad idea.

Theres the people who hate immigrants that are protesting and then theres the people who are welcoming of everybody in our community, and also agree, that place should not exist, Gleason said. Its an absolutely inhumane situation.

Nobody Thinks Its Ideal

Mayor Eric Adams warned for months that without meaningful relief from the federal government New Yorkers should expect the arrival of migrants to permeate every corner of the city. This is going to come to a neighborhood near you, Adams warned at a town hall meeting in September, where he added, this issue will destroy New York City. A recent Quinnepiac poll found that 62% of New York voters agreed with the mayors assessment.

Of more than 66,000 migrants living in city shelters at the end of November, more than 51,000 were parents and children, most of whom are living in hotel rooms across hundreds of emergency shelters. But as the city said it had run out of hotel rooms, officials began plotting a new type of shelter for families, large tents subdivided using thin plastic and metal barriers.

Homeless advocates laid out a litany of concerns. City officials agreed they didnt want to place families with children there either, but after months of begging for help from the state and federal government, for other locations outside of New York City, or greater efforts to resettle families across the state, or country, Floyd Bennett Field was all theyd been offered.

Nobody from the city thinks having families with children living out at Floyd Bennett Field is ideal, Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said, in a video posted to X following Mondays storm.

This is what was given to us by the state by the federal government, he added. The team has done incredible work to make it work out here.

Anywhere Else

While the airfields were the site of several demonstrations before the tent shelters opened, activists said they put the protests on hold once families started moving in.

The optics are horrible, said Curtis Sliwa, the Republican who lost to Adams in the 2021 mayoral race. Sliwa has rallied with neighbors against migrant shelters at locations across the city, but said he cautioned people against rallying at Floyd Bennett once people were living there. These are women and children who need to be cared for, he said.

But that detente may be coming to an end. Sliwa visited Marine Park Tuesday, touring the area to talk to residents and businesses about the reports of panhandling.

Even some of those organizing against the shelter have wrestled with the dire human reality of the situation. Lee, the administrator of the divisive Facebook group, said she saw a small boy wearing a coat sized for a child twice his age, and her first impulse was to take the family back to her house to find him a coat that fit. But shed stopped herself.

Are we enabling this behavior? Are our business is gonna go? Are our houses gonna depreciate in value? Whats going to be the consequences of doing that? she wondered.

Lee, who is Puerto Rican and speaks Spanish, said shed had another conversation with a family about the food at the shelter that had given her pause: Maybe they arent getting enough food in the tents? she said she had wondered.

Gleason said every family shes talked to are desperate to leave Floyd Bennett Field, looking for rooms to rent and trying to find jobs, no matter how many jackets volunteers drop off.

Nobody wants to be there at all, Gleason said. Theyre desperate to be anywhere else.
Thinking back on 2018s Aquaman, the memories that stick are Nicole Kidman delivering a semiaquatic kung fu beatdown, the trench monsters and that octopus that plays the drums. So the short-term goals for the years-in-the-making Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are to meet or exceed those three particular thresholds. And while this films trench-monster equivalent (the population of the titular Lost Kingdom of Necrus, corrupted by arcane emerald fire into a horde of wraiths) doesnt have the visceral terror of that sequence, La Nicole gets to drive a robot shark and fix a family, which is all anyone could want from an action blockbuster. And though an octopus doesnt play the drums (an axolotl does), theres an octopus spy named Topo who steals the whole film. Though the mood around this film is somber  whether its the end of the DCEU or just the fact that this is one of the last films to emerge from Warner Bros. before it gets strip-mined for parts by Comcast or Paramount Global  the vibe herein is goofy and fun.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom PG-13, 124 minutes Opening wide Friday, Dec. 22

Its a quilt, to be sure. Considering how many years of reshoots and test screenings have been going on, you expect the sort of cut-to-the-chase sensation-hopping that defines these kinds of films (at their best, Flashdance; at their worst, Jonah Hex). Randall Parks scientist-with-a-conscience character gets to do some emergency expository sutures a couple of times, and the ancient artifact that gives Yahya Abdul-Mateen IIs Black Manta his bad-guy upgrade has the magickal ability to be exactly as useful as the story requires from one scene to the next. But given the terabytes of pixels spilled over this production (it spans three or four different WB regimes), it generally works better than you could hope. Jason Momoa (hes got "Story By" credit) is definitely in the drivers seat, and he and director James Wan have an easy rapport  if the vibe leans a little dude-bro/classic rock (this movie is staggeringly dadcore), you just let it slide because everything is way more colorful and vibrant than the majority of this type of film. Also, theyre pushing the 3D experience, and rightfully so  its obvious that during the protracted post-production that the filmmakers put some effort into making the 3D version into something special.

Despite the efforts of assorted internet hordes, Amber Heard is still in the film. Its documented that Wan and Momoa both tried to sideline her character Mera due to the ongoing toxic fumes from that court case (short version: just as Johnny Depp is not Captain Jack Sparrow, Amber Heard is not Mandy Lane), which is deeply fucked-up and which lingers, unspoken, around the film and in its rougher edges. For a film that aims for a fun and vibey fusillade against climate crisis and destructive warrior mentalities, it feels icky how little care is given to the character. Tampas pride, Patrick Wilson, steps up as former bad guy on slow-path-to-redemption Orm, and he has a running joke involving roaches that never fails to yield a gross guffaw or two.

Respect is due the fact that Black Mantas army of contractor-scientists (it is unclear) are absolutely rocking the uniforms from Mario Bavas Planet of the Vampires. Similarly, this film goes above and beyond when it comes to wild-ass creatures, both in having recognizable fauna do extraordinary things (that aforementioned octopus spy, a pod of whales simultaneously getting all Zen but also metal) as well as things you might never have imagined (giant catfish crimelord, battle crustaceans, the Atlantean tribe that when shunned by the sea just decided to become vampires in the desert). The thing to keep in mind is that, like The Marvels, this film feels way more fun than its more respectable predecessors. Your mileage may vary. But whatever entity ends up with the DC rights, more Topo, please.
U.S. Army faces TikTok mutiny as Gen Z soldiers voice complaints and grievances about military life

Army recruits who belong to Generation Z are taking to TikTok to voice their complaints about the regimented life in the military.

The posts, which often come from uniformed troops stationed on different U.S. bases, present a direct challenge to top military officials amid a recruitment crisis that saw the Army fall short of its target by 25 percent in 2022.

One such disgruntled soldier is influencer Anthony Laster, who has over a million followers on TikTok. He criticized Army life in a video, zeroing in on the lack of privacy and sleep, dismal pay, subpar food and disrespectful leadership. The influencer who hails from Chicago also claimed to spend an entire day watching TikToks while supposedly being on a mission in the desert.

Despite the criticisms, Laster acknowledged some positives of military service in a separate video. Some of the perks he mentioned included "100 percent college tuition, travel to some cool places, fighting for your country, getting fit, making good friends and blowing s*** up."

Other disillusioned rank-and-file officers are also using TikTok to advise potential recruits to reconsider enlistment. Many of the clips involve complaints about weight restrictions, harsh treatment from superiors and menial tasks taking precedence over combat engagement. Recruits argue that the pay is insufficient, autonomy is lacking and family life is sacrificed.

"Even if you deploy, you probably won't see combat today in this world, so if that's your mindset, don't join," said a 25-year-old sergeant surnamed Barber.

Female recruits have also joined the chorus of discontent on TikTok. One soldier, identified only as Gammage, warns about the mental toll of military life, including weight scrutiny, rigorous fitness standards and the pressure to avoid injuries.

"Don't join the Army until you're mentally prepared to be told you're going over or underweight, treated like you're not a good soldier if you can't run two miles in 18 minutes or less and you can't get injured either because then it's your fault," she said.

Wokeism to blame for missed recruitment goals

These trending TikTok videos from Gen Zs come at a time when the Army struggles to meet its recruitment goals for 2023. The Navy and Air Force are also projected to fall short of their personnel targets. The traditional appeal of military service seems to be waning among Gen Z, with only nine percent of individuals aged 16 to 21 expressing interest in military careers, a 13 percent decline from pre-pandemic levels.

In an interview with the Epoch Times in August 2022, an anonymous active-duty soldier with over 15 years of service criticized the military's shift toward wokeism as the primary reason for the dwindling recruitment. (Related: Active-duty serviceman blames "woke" policies for Armys worst recruiting year in nearly five decades.)

"In the past, the Army targeted a specific demographic of people based on their values. [These recruits] were patriots and loved America," the soldier remarked. "[Nowadays], much of the country doesn't live America like it used to. With a military no longer upholding the values, the oaths or the creeds it once did, what kind of new recruits should we expect?"

The soldier pointed out that the Department of Defense has embraced political positions contrary to the core values of America, including advocacy for mandatory vaccination, support for transgender rights, and opposition to the Supreme Court's decision overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

This sentiment is not isolated. A Navy lieutenant echoed similar concerns, lamenting that the service branch "has probably alienated the majority of its recruiting base that [it] could have always counted on historically."

The lieutenant criticized senior military leaders for buying into what he called a "big lie," asserting that the population at large does not necessarily seek a military that reflects the diversity of the country but rather values one that is capable, lethal, and can defend the nation effectively on short notice.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories about the U.S. military.

Watch Richard Leonard and Jason Ous discuss why the military's recruitment numbers are at an all-time low.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.S. military facing recruitment shortages, with most potential service members DISQUALIFIED.

Americans shun Bidens woke military, as all service branches except the USMC see recruiting shortfalls.

Former Space Force officer: WOKE AGENDA weakening, dividing US military.

Woke U.S. military failing to recruit because nobody wants to defend American degeneracy.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

TheEpochTimes.com
SILENCING SPEECH: EU formally launches investigation against X (formerly Twitter) over alleged violations of Digital Services Act

The European Union (EU) has formally launched an investigation into social media platform X, formerly Twitter, over alleged violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA)

The DSA, which came into effect in August, imposes penalties of up to six percent of annual revenue or permanently bans the operations of very large online platforms across the EU for hosting content deemed "disinformation."

According to the confirmation of EU Commissioner Thierry Breton on X, the decision to proceed with the investigation follows recent inquiries into the compliance of X with the new regulations to combat hate speech, racism and fake news on EU platforms. The investigation will delve into the alleged breaches of DSA related to illegal content, disinformation and its advertising practices. (Related: Censorship remains a problem even after Musks Twitter takeover.)

"Today we open formal infringement proceedings against X on suspected breach of obligations to counter illegal content and disinformation; suspected breach of transparency obligations; and suspected deceptive design of the user interface," Breton wrote.

The investigation into "deceptive design" specifically targets the controversial use of "blue check" marks, which were previously reserved for verified public figures like ministers and celebrities. However, under the ownership of Musk, these verifications are now available to users who pay for the privilege. The EU will investigate whether the search algorithms of X prioritize blue-tick accounts that users might mistake as coming from verified sources.

Moreover, the commission has launched its formal proceedings based on its initial investigation after sending a letter to X on October 10, claiming that the platform exploits illegal content and disinformation about the Hamas attack on Israel in early October and subsequent events.

The commission will assess the effectiveness of the X Community Notes tool in countering "information manipulation" within the EU, given that they lack investment in compliance with European languages and are perennially short of content moderators. Additionally, the commission will scrutinize other X policies that mitigate risks to civic discourse and electoral processes.

However, the commission reveals that the investigation has no fixed timeframe and the duration will depend on the complexities involved. If deemed appropriate, unspecified "interim measures" may be applied before the conclusion of the investigation.

Experts warn that DSA compliance could increase censorship in Europe and the U.S.

Experts warn that the compliance of big tech companies with the DSA could lead to increased censorship not only in Europe but also in the United States.

"The DSA is just the latest example of the European Union targeting American tech companies with burdensome regulations that seek to export a more censorious content moderation regime around the globe," said James Czerniawski, a Senior Policy Analyst at Americans for Prosperity.

The European law, applicable to companies with over 45 million users in the EU, includes American giants such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. The DSA seeks to address unlawful posts, fight disinformation, hoaxes and manipulation during pandemics, as well as protect vulnerable groups. Additionally, the law incentivizes platforms to implement worldwide moderation.

The DSA's priorities include mitigating systemic risks like manipulation and disinformation while safeguarding fundamental rights, including freedom of speech.

However, critics argue that the lack of accuracy may lead to selective enforcement, especially in comparison to the more concrete laws in the United States. But then, experts predict that social media platforms will adopt their policies to avoid financial penalties, potentially curbing protected American user speech.

"Silicon Valley platforms will have a strong incentive to skew their global content moderation policies and standards towards Europe rather than the original civil-libertarian techno-optimistic ideals," explained Jacob Mchangama, the CEO of Justitia.

For instance, Elon Musk, the owner of X, has already indicated compliance with the DSA. Musk, known for advocating free speech, has taken steps to reduce speech restrictions on X but has also implemented measures that advanced censorship during his ownership.

As the DSA takes full effect, concerns are rising about its impact on freedom of expression. Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, warned: "Americans are more likely to wake up to an even more 'woke' internet when the EU law is in full swing."

Visit BigTech.news for more news about Twitter.

Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Maria Zeee deliver a message about censorship to Elon Musk.

This video is from the SamsTwitch channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukraine calls for more social media censorship of "disinformation."

Latest 'Twitter Files' reveal Biden officials colluded with Twitter on widespread censorship of medical experts.

Twitter yielding to more government CENSORSHIP demands under Musk leadership.

STUDY: Twitter censorship shockingly on rise after Elon Musk takeover.

Twitter censorship: "Shadow banning" is written into the platform's new terms.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org

TheGuardian.com

DailyCaller.com 1

DailyCaller.com 2

Brighteon.com
More and more Republican candidates and incumbents pledge support for pulling COVID-19 vaccines off the market

A growing number of Republican hopefuls and incumbents have publicly pledged their support for pulling Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines off the market . This number includes 26 GOP candidates and incumbent officials in 11 states.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Texas health practitioner and founder of the Coalition for Health Freedom, spearheaded the movement on her personal account on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Bowden has urged voters to demand transparency from political candidates regarding their position on removing the COVID-19 vaccine from the market and their commitment to refusing campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies.

"Want to help? Its primary season. Lets replace the politicians who arent protecting their constituents. Ask your representatives... publicly whether they stand with 17,000+ doctors to support pulling the COVID-19 shots off the market," Bowden posted.

David Lowe, a combat veteran and a Texas State Representative hopeful, has joined the movement against COVID-19 vaccines on the market. He believes that the enforcement of injections without accurate information has resulted in one of the greatest blunders in modern medical history.

"This whole episode has been a dark blotch on our country and there needs to be change and that starts with our elected representatives," Lowe stated.

Similarly, John Perez, running for the House District 133 seat in Texas, has pledged not to accept donations from Big Pharma. Perez attributed the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the political system to government overreach.

"I pledge right here and right now that I have not and will not accept donations or in-kind contributions from Big Pharma PACs or Big Pharma companies. It comes down to individual choice and freedomnot the bottom line of big drug companies enabled by egregious government overreach," Perez replied to Bowden on X.

Candidates in New Hampshire, Kentucky and Florida have also joined, with more expected to follow suit.

Most Republican voters still concerned about potential health risks of COVID vaccines

The most recent polls weighing so-called "vaccine skepticism" among potential voters note that, before 2020, polls showed little overall difference along partisan lines on issues related to vaccination.

But since the COVID-19 vaccines emerged, Republican voters have expressed the most concern regarding these so-called vaccines. One survey conducted by Politico with market research firm Morning Consult found that 51 percent of Republicans care more about the potential health risks associated with the vaccines, while 49 percent care more about the potential health benefits.

Meanwhile, Democrats and independents care more about the potential health benefits of the vaccines, with 76 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents answering so on the survey. Only 24 percent of Democrats and 41 percent of independents care more about the potential health risks with the COVID-19 vaccines.

This discrepancy can be seen in who is getting the most recent COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. A Gallup survey conducted from late November to early December found that only 29 percent of respondents have gotten the latest boosters, 20 percent said they plan to get the booster in the future and the majority of U.S. adults  51 percent  do not plan on getting the updated shot.

Among those who got the vaccine, 48 percent said they identified as Democrats, compared to just 10 percent who said they were Republicans.

Of those who do not plan to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine, 27 percent said their main reason for not doing so was having a prior coronavirus infection and believing they have an immunity to the infection. The second most common reason was concern over the safety of the vaccines.

Visit Vaccines.news for more stories about the new COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch Dr. Joseph Ladapo explain how the COVID-19 pandemic eroded trust in federal public health agencies in this interview with Veronika Kyrylenko of the New American magazine.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Presidential candidates clash over Ukraine aid during first 2024 GOP primary debate.

Florida GOP leaders declare COVID vaccines a BIOWEAPON as the truth becomes undeniable.

RFK Jr. on Faucis role in developing bioweapons & how Bill Gates profits from COVID lies.

BIOWARFARE ON AMERICANS: RFK Jr. says CIA was directly involved in funding COVID research for Wuhan lab.

Florida becomes first state to officially advise against new COVID-19 boosters.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Politico.com

USNews.com

Brighteon.com
Komatsu has already begun delivering a new fleet of haul trucks for Nevada Gold Mines operations north of Carlin and at the Cortez mining complex under a contract that calls for 62 trucks to be delivered between this year and 2025.

Komatsu also is nearing completion of a new warehouse in Elko that will increase support for the truck fleet.

Komatsu announced that 40 of the 930E-5 trucks will go to Carlin and 22 to Cortez. The company said the contract with NGM follows the success of Komatsu trucks at Barrick Gold Corp.s Lumwana copper operation in Zambia. Barrick is 61.5% owner and operator of NGM, with Newmont Corp. holding 38.5%.

The new haul trucks, which are manufactured in Peoria, Ill., have electric drives, which means fewer mechanical components and less maintenance, according to the Komatsu website. The company also says the electric drives lower diesel fuel use, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.

The 930E-5 haul trucks have a capacity of 320 tons.

We are excited to build on the success weve achieved so far with Barrick through this new collaboration with Nevada Gold Mines, said Josh Wagner, vice president and general manager for Komatsus North America Mining Division.

We will be ready to support the fleet ramp up with our state-of-the-art and growing Elko service capabilities, he said in an October news release.

Komatsu is constructing the nearly 50,000-square-foot warehouse adjacent to its Elko service center on P&H Drive and hopes to complete it in early 2024. The 189,000-square-foot service center supports mining and construction equipment, including haul trucks, hydraulic shovels, electric rope shovels and support equipment.

Peter Richardson, executive managing director of NGM, said in the Komatsu announcement that Komatsu has provided us with tremendous regional support and their team in Elko has been instrumental in helping us maintain our fleet with parts and component rebuilds for our trucks; a wheel motor upgrade program; and maintenance and support for the P&H shovels that are part of our operations.

Komatsu also said NGM purchased multiple pieces of support equipment from the company.

Barrick reported back in August in an earnings announcement that the first seven of the 930E-5 haul trucks had arrived.

Komatsu additionally stated that Barrick and Komatsu met at Komatsus surface mining headquarters in Milwaukee to lay the groundwork for a collaborative global partnership. Komatsu said it was committed to building its partnership and is being considered to sell to Barricks Reko Diq copper project in Pakistan.

Komatsu is based in Tokyo but is worldwide. 
The greatest act of collective treason in U.S. history

Truly, no one has ever seen anything like this in American history.

(Article republished from StateOfTheNation.co)

Numerous members of the U.S. Congress as well as the Judicial Branch have refused to defend the extremely vulnerable open borders of the United States of America.

The very same traitors have flaunted their willful neglect and serial law-breaking where it concerns the protection of the American people from all sorts of threats due to open borders and illegal immigration. These dire threats only exist because of the extremely porous Mexican border.

The very same treasonous members of Congress and the Judiciary are well aware of the ISIS and Al-Qaeda terrorists who have easily gained entry into the USA over the past several years.

They are also aware of the countless MS-13 gang members and other hardened criminals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Columbia, and other Central and South American countries who illegally enter the country every month.

Then there are the countless drug traffickers, human traffickers, arms traffickers and other international cartel criminals who cross the open border at will.

Border patrols across the extensive border have also reported massive amounts of contraband and black market items that make their way to and from going both ways.

So, this is the current status of our nations border with Mexicoa country overwhelmed by drug cartel violence, drug smuggling and open drug warfare with the 31 state governments as well as the federal government in Mexico City.

T R E A S O N

It has never been so critical to call this collective act of shocking defiance of the U.S. Constitution, as well as various federal statutes, T R E A S O Nbecause thats exactly what it is.

That legislators at every level  federal, state, county and city  are deeply complicit in this highly organized conspiracy to collapse the American Republic was once inconceivable.

That there is even such a phenomenon as sanctuary cities and sanctuary states that protect known criminals is equally shocking and unfathomable.

Nonetheless, the surreptitious communist movement responsible has been insidiously taking over the Republic for many decades, and it has completely co-opted the entire Democrat Party. The DNC is actually a poster child for the nations communist party and socialist leadership. Whereas Barack Obama is their Vladimir Lenin, Hillary Clinton was meant to be their Joseph Stalin. This is why millions turned out to vote in 2016 to soundly defeat her. Clintons main mission was to transform this nation into a Third Millennium version of Gulag Archipelagoliterally. As follows:

So when the word T R E A S O N is used, this is exactly what these traitors are guilty of. And they should be treated accordinglyarrest, prosecution and imprisonment, if not capital punishment.

Why this is so important is that if the Democrats steal the 2020 presidential election, IT WILL BE game over for the American people. Simply put, the Democrat Party can never again be permitted to hold the reins of power in these United States. Should they, a Democrat president is guaranteed to do to the whole nation what the Democrats have done to California under globalist Governor Jerry Brown.

Open floodgates for illegal aliens

Whats really going on with the open borders and intractable illegal immigration problem?

There are actually many facets to this societal fabric-tearing wedge issue, but the following bullet points sum it up nicely. Here are the primary reasons why the power elite will not stop pushing for open borders, especially here in the USA.

What follows is an excerpt from a previous SOTN article that addresses only the first bullet point listed above  cheap labor.

The major corporations of the USA, likewise, have a great incentive to see the borders opened. They see lots of cheap labor coming from Mexico, and have been given the green light to exploit it as they have for decades. These illegal immigrant laborers are willing to work for a fraction of what the average American citizen will work for. In light of this reality, and other economic dynamics at work, the corporate stranglehold over the MSM has made it very difficult for We the People to have our voices heard on this matter. Forces throughout Corporate America are, in fact, responsible for galvanizing the current movement for open borders because they are essentially stateless institutions. They have no loyalty to anyone but their shareholders. Most of them would probably be in favor of a North American Union, which would forever alter the employment landscape of the USA should it manifest. (Source: US Southwestern Borders Are Flung Wide Open: Cui Bono?)

In light of this one explanation about how Corporate America is working VERY hard to keep the borders wide open, its much easier to see why this problem aint going away any time soon.

This excerpt also reveals why the Republican Party never helped President Trump with building the wall. They have even more desperation to satisfy the vested interest of Corporate America than the Democrats traditionally do. The Military-Industrial Complex has always been a pet project of the GOP as are Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Agra, etc. Moreover, all the Fortune 1000 Companies that support the National Security State are major campaign donors to the Republican Party.

What this highly divisive issue really means to the American Republic

The open border goes right to the heart of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Even more importantly, the United States of America is, first and foremost, governed by the rule of law not by the whims of elected representatives or government officials or corporate officers or wealthy oligarchs. Therefore, its imperative for a nation of laws to respect those laws or else only anarchy will reign across the land as it did with the Anarchist-in-Chief Barack Obama.

The real problem is that the existing lawlessness and engineered chaos have provided an opening for real bad actors like George Soros to exploit for his personal gain. As a full-time bagman for the Rothschild Crime Syndicate, Soros is merely a pawn on the New World Order geopolitical chessboard and he really doesnt know it.

Were the truth to be known about the real agenda(s) behind illegal immigration, the body politic would completely shut down the borders in a New York minute. Yes, they are that pernicious and perilous to the American way of life.

One of those covert goals is to transform the U.S. into one of three corporate plantations that will make up the North American Union. Similar to the cataclysmic European Union, the wealthy elites plan on destroying societies and cultural ties in an effort to homogenize the various populations into corporate slaves.

There is no better way to accomplish this high priority goal than to manufacture the crisis at the Mexican border that intensifies by the year. Of course, the establishment of the Amero as the official currency is also planned just as the Euro functions for the EU member nations.

At the end of the day, the globalists are planning for the complete disintegration of all nation-states, as well as the dissolution of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. What better way to achieve this calamitous objective than to preach multiculturalism and unchecked immigration at every turn.

Deep State Operatives, Agents of the Crown, Globalist Pawns & Jesuit Hitmen

When you consider the actions and pronouncements of Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, its quite clear that these traitors are foreign agents working for those moneyed interests who want to destroy American sovereignty.

The New World Order agenda is all about foisting a One World Government upon the entire planetary civilization. In view of the clandestine strategy to collapse the American Republic, all U.S. Congress members who are following the dictates of the cabal  wittingly or unwittingly  should be removed from office post-haste.

Politicians such as Governor Jerry Brown, Rep. Adam Schiff, Sen. Diane Feinstein, Rep. Maxine Waters and many other Democrats ought to be arrested immediately, as they are downright dangerous to the U.S. citizenry. Of course, George Soros, the Obamas, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and other key leaders of the Purple Revolution must also be apprehended asap. There are also a number of RINOs who should be expeditiously banned from public service who are cut in the same mold as the obvious turncoat John McCain.

The common denominator among all of the aforementioned globalists and NWO puppets is that they have promoted open borders and illegal immigration with a vengeance and, therefore, have exposed their criminal intent to destroy the USA. They ridiculously hide behind amnesty even when something so transparently engineered as the Honduran caravan that attempted to invade the southwestern border had nothing to do with amnesty. Clearly, all of the seditious co-conspirators must be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Not to do so will only empower other criminals to overthrow the next Trump administration.

KEY POINT: Even the Beto-man from El Paso  an up and coming 2020 DEM contender  is playing with the globalists where it concerns breaking the law. Apparently, flagrantly violating federal law is an essential criterion for future Democrat presidential nominees to meet. BETO BUSTED: Staffers Admit to Illegally Using Campaign Funds to Aid Caravan Migrants

Conclusion

There are actually many George Soroses in the world who are working 24/7 to wreck and ruin the United States the same way they did the European Union (Just look at France, Germany, Italy and Sweden today!) By overwhelming so many EU nations with paid immigrants, many a town has been overrun by border crashers as government services have been pushed beyond their limits. The same is in store for the USA.

Therefore, the single best way to impede this pivotal piece of the NWO agenda is to neutralize the powerful, wealthy and/or influential proponents of open borders, illegal immigration and unlawful non-citizen voting. Border-crashing is a crime and anyone abetting such criminal activity needs to be jailed until their convictions so they cannot continue their crime spree. For starters>

And after Soros is taken off the street, the other pillars of globalism within the Rothschild Crime Syndicate must also be put on notice. However, its the many unseen globalist movers and shakers within the Central Banking Cartel who pose the greatest danger to the American people. Its difficult to target your enemy when they have no name. After being identified and confirmed, they all must be barred from entering the 50 states and referred to Interpol.

Bottom Line : If he is elected a third time, President Trump must take decisive action to shut down the ongoing invasion of illegal aliens and permanently seal the borders.

Read more at: StateOfTheNation.co
Security sweep reveals hidden listening device in office of Ukraines military chief

Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi reported on Monday, Dec. 18, that a hidden listening device was discovered in one of his offices . He further suggested without specifically expounding that bugs were detected in other areas as well.

According to Zaluzhnyi, the hidden bug was found on Sunday, Dec. 17, following a routine sweep of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The security service later reported that the discovered device was not working.

Suspicion about who planted the bug instantly fell on Russia, as the country is still dealing with the ongoing 22-month-long conflict between the two nations that is set to continue into the next year.

"I have several offices where I work. This happened in one of them," said Zaluzhnyi. "We checked [the room] and found [the bug]."

He added without going into specifics that listening devices were not only found in the office where he worked, strongly suggesting that other bugs were planted all over the Ministry of Defense building in Kyiv, which also serves as the headquarters of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. (Related: Ukraine's largest mobile network operator hit by massive cyberattack amid ongoing conflict with Russia.)

Criminal probe launched following discovery of listening device

The SBU announced that an investigation has been opened under an article in Ukraine's criminal code on the "unlawful acquisition, sale or use of special technical means for obtaining information."

"I [regard this] as a war. Anything can happen," said Zaluzhnyi in an interview with RBC Ukraine, where he noted that he had used the office where the bug was found before, but not recently, and he was supposed to work there again the day after the listening device was found. "The investigation will prove what [the bug] really was."

He denied that employees of the General Staff could have been involved in the planting of the listening device. He also said he did not believe state secrets were previously discussed in the office.

The SBU noted that when the "non-operational" listening device was found, security services analyzed the device and found that it had no means of information storage or remote transmission of audio recordings.

"We emphasize that the device was found not directly in Valerii Zaluzhnyi's office but in one of the premises that could have been used by him in the future for work," said the SBU in a statement. Officials are refusing to comment any further.

Russia's intelligence service has been very active since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine. Kyiv claims that the Russian Federal Security Service has targeted Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov in assassination attempts at least 10 times. Last month, Budanov's wife had to be hospitalized after being diagnosed with heavy metals poisoning.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's intelligence service has reportedly been active in coordinating sabotage operations in Russia proper and in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Follow UkraineWitness.com for more news about the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

Watch the video below about the destruction of the SBU Office in Kharkiv.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Europe is more vulnerable than ever before, with weapons and ammo supplies dwindling.

Diplomat proposes using Taylor Swift's massive fanbase to sway global opinion in favor of Ukraine.

Swiss banks are now charging extra fees for Russian clients whose accounts have been frozen by sanctions.

After squandering $111B on military aid for Ukraine, Biden administration is asking for yet more funds.

Ukrainian intelligence claims Russian hackers are targeting Elon Musk's Starlink network.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Shocking video reveals IDF battle tank firing at Israeli civilian homes on Oct. 7

Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz has published footage showing an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank on Oct. 7 shelling the homes of settlers in Kibbutz Be'eri

In its report, Haaretz noted that an IDF tank arrived at Kibbutz Be'eri hours after the massacre in the kibbutz began on Oct. 7. It immediately fired shells at the home of one settler, Pasi Cohen. The report claims Hamas militants barricaded themselves in the home with several Israeli residents, many of whom are of Arab descent. The video recovered by Haaretz was filmed by a police helicopter that was called to the area during the attacks.

One Be'eri resident, Yasmine Porat, testified that she saw an IDF tank shelling a house. The house reportedly had 14 Israelis and 39 Hamas fighters inside, all of whom were killed. This incident occurred after sundown. The footage obtained by Haaretz occurred in daytime, strongly suggesting that IDF tanks shelled settler homes more than once.

Hadas Dagan, an Arabl-Israeli and the owner of the house Porat saw being shelled, confirmed to Israeli television station Channel 12 that the IDF did attack the home where settlers were being held captive by Hamas using not only tank fire but also other heavy weapons.

Similar incidents have been reported as occurring on Oct. 7. In the Kibbutz Re'im, during Hamas' attack on the area during the music festival, Haaretz reported that one settler who resided in the kibbutz approached an IDF trooper and asked if the tank shells they were shooting into the kibbutz would harm the settlers. The trooper replied that the IDF "only fire shells at the sides to bring down the walls."

These revelations are surfacing just days after the IDF admitted that it killed three Israeli hostages in northern Gaza after mistaking them for a "threat." The hostages were shot after they successfully escaped their Hamas captors even though they were waving white flags. The IDF is "reviewing" the incident. (Related: Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu government following accidental killing of 3 Israeli hostages.)

Hundreds of IDF troops waited outside Kibbutz Be'eri during the attack

In November, the IDF was accused of setting up a perimeter outside Kibbutz Be'eri and refusing to engage Hamas, leaving members of the kibbutz to fight the attackers off.

One Be'eri resident told Haaretz that at around 6:10 p.m. on Oct. 7, they saw "hundreds of soldiers, dozens of Magav [Israel Border Police] vehicles, and others, and the soldiers ranged from soldiers to officers."

"Personally, I approached every officer I saw, even those with the rank of sergeant major, and asked who was in command," said the resident. "No one knew. It looked like total command chaos."

"I told them that inside, families are fighting and being slaughtered, and they must enter [the kibbutz], but there was no one to talk to," the resident continued. "These were times and hours when we needed to flood the kibbutz with soldiers, and very few forces entered. We fought all day on our own."

At around the same time, Yair Avital, one of the surviving members of Kibbutz Be'eri's security team, noted that at around 6:30 p.m., he and other survivors of the kibbutz's security were evacuated after hours of fighting off Hamas only to see "500 soldiers stationed in an organized and orderly manner, standing and looking at us."

"Five hundred IDF soldiers were outside, organized, with dogs, with equipment, weapons and armored vehicles. They were standing outside and not a single one of them was doing anything," said Avital. "I remember shouting at them from the stretcher, 'They're slaughtering us! Go in! Save us!' and none of them even looked at me, none of them said anything."

"They kept repeating, 'The field isn't sterile, the field isn't sterile,'" continued Avital, who did not understand what that meant. "People here were losing blood every minute, and the army was out there, and didn't understand what was happening, and it broke my heart."

The Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the hardest-hit communities during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Over 10 percent of the kibbutz's 1,200 residents died.

Learn more about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza at IsraelCollapse.com.

Watch this short clip showing the IDF tank firing at homes in Kibbutz Be'eri.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

To keep Hamas in power, Israel drove suitcases stuffed with CASH into Gaza, new evidence shows.

Nation's largest Jewish groups form "disinfo" censorship organization to distort reporting about the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

3 Israeli hostages killed by FRIENDLY FIRE; relative of recently released captives blasts IDF.

Many of the October 7 deaths in Israel turn out to be friendly fire, meaning Israel KILLED ITS OWN CITIZENS.

Intelligence analysts Jeffrey Prather, Gen. Michael Flynn both agree: Israel STOOD DOWN to allow Hamas to unleash terror.

Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

MiddleEastEye.net

English.Almayadeen.net

TimesOfIsrael.com

Brighteon.com
Israels indiscriminate bombings of Palestinian civilians causing rapid deterioration of Wests support, Biden warns

During a fundraising event on Dec. 12, U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Israel is starting to lose international support over its "indiscriminate bombing" of civilians in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel's security can rest on the United States, but right now it has more than the United States. It has the European Union, it has Europe, it has most of the world supporting them," Biden said. "They're starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place." Even United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the recent situation as having "a staggering and unacceptable number of civilian casualties," while Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed, saying "far too many" Palestinians have been killed. (Related: U.S. denounces Israel's expanded military operations amid rising civilian deaths in Gaza.)

Despite continuing to express his full-fledged support, Biden suggested that the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu change his "conservative" government because it is making everything very difficult. He also said that Israel "can't say no" to a Palestinian state, which Israeli hardliners, including in Netanyahu's government, have opposed.

Biden, his government and the United Nations may be getting a little tired of the criticisms of them approving the unsystematic air strikes and ground attacks, which do not only sacrifice the lives of Palestinian military and civilians but their people as well. Now, governments from around the world and media outlets have presented to the public that Israel is attacking hospitals, schools, refugee camps and humanitarian facilities, with a blatant disregard for civilian life. Because of this, people worldwide have been demanding a ceasefire. Even the pope from the Vatican is also calling for a humanitarian pause.

At the moment, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said it will continue the war in Gaza "with or without international support" because a ceasefire at this stage would be "a gift" to Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday that the Gaza-ruling Palestinian faction is ready to discuss with Israel any arrangement or initiative that could lead to a ceasefire in the enclave. "We are open to discuss any arrangement or initiative that could end the [Israeli] aggression," Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, said in a televised speech aired on Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV, adding that without Hamas, any arrangement regarding the future of Gaza would not succeed.

To try to answer the question of whether so many civilian deaths and injuries are indeed too many, Newsweek spoke to active and retired Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and U.S. military and intelligence officers, who requested anonymity, and most of them criticized the conduct of the war. The news portal also spoke to several prominent human rights experts and has reviewed Israeli and American classified data relating to the conflict. The casualty numbers that are emerging from Gaza are startling and the images are heartbreaking. But based on new and exclusive data about the magnitude of Israel's attacks, the number of Palestinian casualties, while high, does not appear to be disproportionate by the kind of measures used in international law: not in terms of the number of weapons used by Israel, the number of targets hit, the nature of Hamas or the unique features of the Gaza Strip, with its exceptionally high population density. U.S. military sources, many of whom are critical of much of Israel's conduct, agree.

U.S. Air Force officer: Israel is arrogant

For a U.S. Air Force officer who has been involved in internal deliberations within the Biden administration and discussions with his Israeli counterparts, part of the problem in the end is Israel's arrogance.

"Even to us, in private and candid conversations, they have referred to the Hamas surprise attack and its brutality, they have invoked the Holocaust, they have blamed Hamas, they have referred to 9/11 and argued the 'Never Again' justification for their unforgiving operation," the source revealed. "The simple truth is Israel has lost the information war because it has destroyed so much, even if they can justify each attack."

More than 18,000 people have been killed and nearly 50,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault on Gaza since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian health officials. Many more dead are uncounted under the rubble or beyond the reach of ambulances. According to information never before published, Israel has attacked some 25,000 targets in Gaza, from the air, ground and sea, delivering some 140,000 weapons, 60 percent of them artillery rounds and 40 percent of weapons dropped from aircraft. Palestinian authorities reported that some 10,000 buildings have been destroyed, including high-rise apartments, with almost ten times as many damaged.

"Israel has been precise in its bombing and has caused enormous civilian damage," a senior U.S. military intelligence officer who is involved in analysis of the war said.

Former director of Human Rights Watch Ken Roth said that it is hard to believe that such widespread destruction was necessary to address the threat from Hamas, adding that Israel could have and should have pursued different strategies to eliminate Hamas.

As per international law, proportionality requires armed forces to refrain from attacks that would inflict incidental civilian harm "excessive about the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated to be gained." Attacking forces must take "feasible" precautions to reduce the risk to civilians.?As the United States Department of Defense said in its manuals, "Proportionality and precautions are intensely fact-bound. Civilian harm, military advantage and feasibility are difficult to quantify. Their application often depends on the circumstances on the ground, at a fleeting moment, during the chaos of war."

Head over to IsraelCollapse.com for more updates on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Sources for this article include:

AlJazeera.com

BBC.com

English.news.cn

Newsweek.com
British government mulling SOCIAL MEDIA BAN for teenagers 16 and younger

The British government under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering a crackdown on social media use for teenagers aged 16 and younger  with a ban said to be one of the options on the table

Despite bringing new controls with the Online Safety Act (OSA) which received Parliament approval in October, ministers are considering the pros and cons of further actions to limit childrens exposure to social medias harmful content.

British Science Secretary Michelle Donelan said the legislation meant the U.K. would become "the safest place to be online in the world." She added that the OSA's passage "will go down as an historic moment that ensures the online safety of British society not only now, but for decades to come."

The British government is reportedly ready to begin a consultation in January of next year to look at the evidence of social media harm to young teens. According to Bloomberg, a ban on social media use by those under 16 and improved parental controls are two options under discussion.

"We're looking at ways to empower parents, rather than crack down on anything in particular," said a government spokesperson. "We've identified that there is a gap in research, so we'll be looking at what more research into it needs to be done. But nothing is yet signed off by ministers."

Banning social media use for young teens comes as British School Standards State Minister Damian Hinds urged Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Platforms to "rethink its decision of bringing in encrypted messaging amid fears for the safety of children."

"Its not about protecting peoples privacy," he told Times Radio. "This is really a question about ability to intercept and to ultimately investigate [then] bring to justice people who are engaging in child abuse." (Related: Social media is the JUNK FOOD of human connection: Looks and feels like connection, but leaves you empty, just like junk food.)

The National Crime Agency (NCA) had earlier warned that automatic encryption in Facebook and Messenger apps is a great concern in cybercrime scene investigation. Forensic officers and investigators said cybercriminals (including child sexual abusers, human traffickers or pedophiles) often rely on anonymity end-to-end encryption technology to hide their nefarious activity and evade detection by law enforcement.

Fines or prison time await non-compliant Big Tech firms

Below are some notable stipulations of the OSA:

Social media platforms will be required to prevent and rapidly remove illegal and restricted content  sexually explicit content, images and child sexual abuse or acts of terrorism, through or content that should not be accessed by children, such as bullying, self-harm and the like  by enforcing age limits and using age-checking measures.

Social media sites will also be required to give adults more control over what they see online, offer clear and accessible ways for users to report problems and publish safety risk assessments for transparency about the dangers posed by social media on children.

Fines of up to 18 million ($22.84 million) or 10 percent of annual global revenue for those who fail to comply  which potentially could translate to billions of pounds for the biggest firms, or prison time for Big Tech bosses in the most extreme cases.

Donelan said: "I am immensely proud of the work that has gone into the OSA from its very inception to it becoming law today. The bill protects free speech, empowers adults and will ensure that platforms remove illegal content. At the heart of this bill, however, is the protection of children."

"This landmark law sends a clear message to criminals  whether its on our streets, behind closed doors or in far-flung corners of the internet, there will be no hiding place for their vile crimes," said Home Department Secretary Suella Braverman.

While Downing Street confirmed that the majority of the OSA's provisions would commence in two months, it said that the Office of Communications (Ofcom) would immediately begin work on tackling illegal content with a consultation process.

"We've already trained and hired expert teams with experience across the online sector, and today were setting out a clear timeline for holding tech firms to account," said Ofcom head Melanie Dawes.

Head over to Glitch.news for more similar stories.

Watch the following video about social media.

This video is from the BodyMindSoul channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Social media use linked to TEENAGE DEPRESSION, warn mental health experts.

Poll: Parents most concerned about excessive use of SOCIAL MEDIA and mobile devices as kids return to school.

Ads for AI GIRLFRIENDS flooding social media platforms.

Sources include:

TorontoSun.com

Independent.co.uk 1

Independent.co.uk 2

BBC.com

Legislation.gov.uk

Brighteon.com
WEF says spread of misinformation online is a CYBERSECURITY issue that requires immediate action (censorship)

On December 5, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and its partner organizations released a report claiming that one of the biggest threats to the deep state's power fortress is the unmitigated spread of "misinformation" online.

Dubbed "Cybersecurity Futures 2030: New Foundations," the report, which is based on a study, puts forth the notion that one of the biggest cybersecurity concerns for the establishment is free speech that threatens the existing world order.

"The study postulates the future of cybersecurity lies rather in safeguarding the integrity and source of data," reports Reclaim the Net about the study.

"This introduces a novel perspective on the significance of locating and quashing fabricated information, cynically tagged as 'mis'- or 'dis-information' held in the cybersecurity domain."

The study was shaped based on the contents of numerous international conferences, both virtual and geo-located. Sessions held all around the world in conjunction with an online gathering of participants across Europe played an instrumental role in shaping "the futuristic, hypothetical scenarios catapulting cybersecurity to 2030."

(Related: You know what else the globalists are afraid of? Mass adoption of Bitcoin cryptocurrency.)

If you disagree with WEF, you're "illiterate"

One of the key elements of the WEF's position concerning so-called "misinformation" is that it stems from illiteracy. In other words, if you disagree with something the WEF says is true, then you are illiterate.

Because of this, the WEF stresses in the report a desire to push digital security "literacy training," which the globalist body puts forth as a weapon to ward off "misinformation" and "disinformation" from spreading online.

Mis- and disinformation are the "core of cyber concerns" at the WEF. They are similarly feared by the mainstream media, which also has its own "media literacy" brainwashing tools to manipulate government officials into cracking down on free speech.

This is somewhat of a problem in the United States due to that pesky First Amendment, which guarantees all Americans the right to free speech. The WEF hates the First Amendment, but can only do so much to thwart it before the law gets involved.

To make it seem like the group only opposes "wrong" information as opposed to free speech in general, the WEF is heavily pushing an "internet literacy" narrative that presents the problem of mis- and disinformation as something that can be fixed through "education."

"The report's writers unfold an interesting perspective where 'stable governments,' with long-term tech and cybersecurity strategies up their sleeves, morph into reliable and trustworthy information gatekeepers," Reclaim the Net explains, noting that the WEF now lumps mis- and disinformation into the same categories as data fraud and "run-of-the-mill cybercrime."

"The study also puts the roles of government and the private sector in preserving trust under its lens, particularly in the U.S. context, deliberating who should be entrusted with the key censorship task."

Earlier this year, the WEF released another report highlighting seven trends that it says could shape the future of cybersecurity in 2030. These trends include:

1) Cybersecurity access and progress being widened, including through the elimination of passwords and the implementation of something else to verify one's identity  perhaps an implantable microchip?

2) A worsening crisis in online trust as advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) blur distinguishing line between humans and machines online

3) The growth of AI and ML to the point that most formerly human-run systems become controlled by robots

4) An increase in "digital sovereignty" and internet fragmentation

5) A growing tug of war between the right to privacy and the government's lust for more power and control

6) Uncertainty about the "metaverse" and what it might entail

7) Shifting power dynamics concerning the sovereignty of nations and how they individually handle free speech and online privacy

The latest news about the globalist love affair with censorship can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

WEForum.org

ReclaimTheNet.org

NaturalNews.com

WEForum.org
Top Archbishop: WEF plotting global coup to enforce Great Reset

One of the most powerful figures in the Catholic Church has raised the alarm by warning the public that the World Economic Forum and its founder Klaus Schwab are plotting a global coup detat in order to usher in their Great Reset agenda.

(Article by Hunter Fielding republished from NewsAddicts.com)

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is a bishop of the Catholic Church who served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 2011 to 2016.

He previously served as secretary-general of the Governorate of Vatican City State from 2009 to 2011.

He is best known for having exposed two major Vatican scandals.

Now, he warning that Schwab and the WEF are threatening world leaders into complying with their globalist agenda.

The WEFs plot will see citizens around the world stripped of their freedoms, privacy, and all possessions for the common good.

Perhaps we should listen to him?

This man is one of the few good guys out there.

In the Catholic Church and just in general.

And hes been shouting from the rooftops a massive warning (as have we).

WATCH:

Vigano has previously raised the alarm about the WEFs Great Reset agenda.

Last year, he posted he long thread on Twitter where he detailed Schwabs plans:

1. At the G-20 Bali summit, Klaus Schwab instructed heads of government  almost all coming from the Young Global Leaders for Tomorrow program of the World Economic Forum  about the future steps to be taken in view of establishing a world government.  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano (QTE) (@ArchbpVigano) December 17, 2022

3. this fact is of unprecedented gravity. Klaus Schwab said: In the fourth industrial revolution the winners will take it all, so if you are a World Economic Forum first mover, you are the winners.  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano (QTE) (@ArchbpVigano) December 17, 2022

5. The second is that those who do not adapt to this fourth industrial revolution will find themselves ousted and will lose  they will lose everything, including their freedom.  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano (QTE) (@ArchbpVigano) December 17, 2022

7. This goes far beyond the pandemic: it is a global coup detat, against which it is essential that people rise up and that the still healthy organs of states start an international juridical process.  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano (QTE) (@ArchbpVigano) December 17, 2022

8. The threat is imminent and serious, since the World Economic Forum is capable of carrying out its subversive project and those who govern nations have all become either enslaved or blackmailed by this international mafia.  Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano (QTE) (@ArchbpVigano) December 17, 2022

We should probably listen to him before its too late.

Viganos claims are not wrong, however, and can easily be verified.

Schwab openly gloats about having penetrating the cabinets of most world governments.

He claims to have installed WEF operatives in the upper echelons of governments to do his bidding.

In a video from 2017, Schwab is seen bragging proudly on camera about how he penetrates the cabinets of most major world governments.

He goes on to name-drop some of the world leaders he has placed in power.

Those names include:

Merkel (Germany) Putin (Russia) Trudeau (Canada) Argentinas President Macron (France)

He says over half of Trudeaus cabinet has been captured by the World Economic Forum, Schwabs unelected elite group he uses to control the world.

He then confirmed that not only does he control the Presidents of Argentina and France (Macron) but he says he controls over half their cabinets as well.

WATCH:

Heres more:

Ideology of @wef is a direct threat to American way of life. Not enough conservatives calling it out by name yet. Here is @ProfKlausSchwab bragging about his infiltrating Western governments across the world w/ "Great Reset" adherents, including Canada's PM. Lockdown architects. pic.twitter.com/44TWEBDW2k  C. H. D. ?? ?? (@ItsMe_CHD) January 28, 2022

Just a conspiracy? Grounds for treason?https://t.co/BQ89sAE5Y0  The Economic LongWave (@TheELongWave) January 28, 2022

Its not a conspiracy when they admit it!

Read more at: NewsAddicts.com
Colorado GOP finds a clever way to keep Trump on the ballot after the Supreme Court removed him

The Colorado Supreme Court has laid all its cards on the table. In a move of extreme desperation, four Democrat-appointed justices have gone out on a limb to try and disqualify President Trump from the GOP primary by banning him from the ballot. Many experts are describing this as an actual attack on our nations democracy and a clear case of election interference.

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

Reuters:

Dec 20 (Reuters)  Donald Trump was disqualified from Colorados presidential primary ballot by the states Supreme Court on Tuesday, an extraordinary ruling that could be struck down ahead of the November 2024 US election. Here is a look at the decision and what it means for the former U.S. president and frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination. WHAT DOES THE RULING SAY? A slim majority of the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is disqualified from appearing on the states ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which bars anyone engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding federal office. A lower court judge previously ruled that Trumps actions on Jan. 6, 2021, during a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters amounted to insurrection but stopped short of disqualifying him, saying Section 3 does not apply to presidents. The Colorado Supreme Court paused its own ruling pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which Trump said he will immediately seek.

In case youre wondering who was behind this disgusting anti-American move, here you go:

???? ???? ????? This is the Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rich Gabriel (D) Justice Melissa Hart (D) Justice Monica Marquez (D) and Justice William Hood (D) are in the squares and voted yes to remove President Trump from ballot.#Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/Z1LSUw49GY  ZZZ (@AskMeLaterOn) December 20, 2023

Independent candidate RFK Jr. had this to say about Colorados un-American move:

Im not a Trump supporter (if I were, I wouldnt be running against him!) But I want to beat him in a fair election, not because he was kicked off the ballot. Let the voters choose, not the courts! #Kennedy24  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) December 20, 2023

Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged not to participate in the Colorado primary if this decision remains in effect. Hes also calling on the other candidates, whom he refers to as wannabes, to follow suit.

Vivek:

I pledge to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot until Trump is also allowed to be on the ballot, and I demand that Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley do the same immediately  or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver which will have disastrous consequences for our country.

I pledge to withdraw from the Colorado GOP primary ballot until Trump is also allowed to be on the ballot, and I demand that Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley do the same immediately - or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver which will have disastrous pic.twitter.com/qbpNf9L3ln  Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 20, 2023

Many were disappointed that Ron DeSantis released a weak statement that didnt even use President Trumps name.

The good news is that the GOP in Colorado is not sitting back either; theyre fighting. The party has come up with a plan to keep President Trump on the ballot if this Marxist decision is allowed to stand. The strategy involves transforming the entire process into a caucus.

You won't have to because we will withdraw from the Primary as a Party and convert to a pure caucus system if this is allowed to stand.  Colorado Republican Party (@cologop) December 20, 2023

Brilliant strategy, but lets hope it doesnt come to that, because this draconian decision should be immediately overturned. Right after the decision came down, the Colorado GOP put the gloves on, ready to fight. Heres what the chairman had to say to Laura Loomer:

WATCH: Following the news last night that the Colorado Supreme Court has disqualified President Trump from being on the GOP primary ballot, Dave Williams @RepDaveWilliams, the chairman of the Colorado GOP @cologop came on my show to react. He told the Colorado Supreme Court Go pic.twitter.com/JUmJogBVfv  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) December 20, 2023

Professor Turley states that he has never witnessed anything as blatantly undemocratic as this in his entire life. Thats a remarkably striking statement coming from a man who is a highly respected constitutional professor.

TURLEY: This country is a powder keg and this court is just throwing matches at it.. for people that say they are trying to protect democracy, this is hands down the most anti-democratic opinion Ive seen in my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/g9bz6JWmbb  ALX ?? (@alx) December 20, 2023

Dilbert comic creator Scott Adams said it best:

I'm loving the Colorado overreach. The decision will be reversed. Trump's poll numbers will go up. But best of all, this gives you permission to assume the 2020 election was rigged -- without proof -- because "stop Trump at any cost" is evident in this decision. https://t.co/SP3Dih7q5i  Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) December 20, 2023

Scott is spot on. This move just goes to show that progressives will stop at nothingeven going so far as to remove valid candidates from the ballotin an attempt to keep President Trump out of the White House. Now, just take a moment to consider what they might have done in 2020, when they had the so-called pandemic and a tsunami of sketchy mail-in ballots to bolster their efforts. Scary, right?

Read more at: Revolver.news
Global supply chains DETERIORATE as Malaysia blocks all Israeli vessels and cargo from using its ports

The following transcript is from the Dec 22, 2023 Brighteon Broadcast News episode by Mike Adams, covering shipping lane chaos in the Red Sea, Malaysia's new blockade of Israeli vessels and cargo, and the global implications for supply chains and national economies.

The full episode will be posted at these channel links:

Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport

The following partial transcript is auto-generated. Please excuse the occasional errors.

Let's talk about the news out of Malaysia. So of course, you know, the situation with Israel and Gaza, and Israel continues its outrageously illegal, and anti human bombing campaign of Gaza, killing tens of thousands of civilians who are not Hamas. While Israel claims that this is self defense, we're defending ourselves by dropping 50,000 tons of bombs on apartment buildings and hospitals and refugee camps and so on. And this continues to this day, it's unbelievable. I mean, this is straight up ethnic cleansing. Some people call it genocide, and it's hard to argue with that.

Malaysia has now not only banned Israeli flagged ships from docking at any of its ports, but also, it won't allow any ship to dock if it has any cargo that is going to or from Israel. In other words, Israel can no longer ship any cargo on any ocean vessel that expects to have to dock in any of the ports of Malaysia. And because those are really important shipping waters around Malaysia and Singapore, and you know, the whole peninsula there, this is another big deal.

Note also that, of course, six of the largest ocean transport carriers have now banned their ships from going through the Red Sea which is on route to the Suez Canal to get to the Mediterranean. That's because of the Yemeni rebels, the Houthis, as they're called, that are firing short range rockets and using drones to attack some of the cargo vessels there. As we've covered recently, the insurance companies pulled their insurance for these vessels. And then these shipping giants said, Well, without insurance, we can't run ships through the Red Sea. So these giant cargo ships are having to divert around the southern tip of the continent of Africa, going into some very rough waters, by the way, with a lot more treacherous conditions there, with all this cargo on board being subjected to more temperature variations and humidity variations, and also rough seas. I mean, it's tearing up the cargo. And it takes an extra two to three weeks to do that.

Global supply chain rapidly deteriorating

So now the supply chain, globally, is taking a big hit. Not only because of the Houthies, but now also because of Malaysia. And here's the question, you know, Malaysia is almost two thirds Muslim, I believe. Wonderful people in Malaysia, by the way, beautiful people. The time that I was in Malaysia, I had a fantastic visit. I was in Kuala Lumpur, KL, which I'm pretty sure that's the capital of Malaysia. And I loved visiting Malaysia, great people. But again, about two thirds Muslim, and they don't want to just sit there and watch Israel just commit genocide against the Palestinian people who are mostly Muslim. There are plenty of Christian Palestinians as well and Christian Gazans and there are Catholics there and so on.

So there's been a lot of pressure from the Malaysian people to force the Malaysian government to target Israel's shipping lanes, or shipping infrastructure. And that's exactly what just happened. So the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and this is quoted in Al Jazeera says that Israel's actions violate international law through the ongoing massacre and brutality against Palestinians. So the prime minister Anwar Ibrahim announces this decision, is going to impose a maritime ban on all Israel affiliated vessels, specifically targeting Zim, which is the largest shipping firm out of Israel, and ships on their way to Israel will also be barred from loading cargo at any port in Malaysia, effective immediately.

Now, there's also rumor that Indonesia may join this action, and also ban Israeli vessels because Indonesia is also of course, primarily a Muslim populated country. And in case you're not recalling the geography of the region, Malaysia, and Indonesia, they sit at the gateway between Southeast Asia, you know, China, Vietnam, and all the way to Taiwan and Japan and so on, including the Philippines, the gateway between those countries, to the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. So the ships that are transporting goods from Asia exporting things, let's say from from China, or from Vietnam, or South Korea or Taiwan or wherever those ships traverse through the waters getting to Malaysia and Indonesia and they often stop there.

They load and unload containers. Because sometimes, you know, containers are only going to Malaysia, and then Thailand is right there and Cambodia and of course, Singapore, they're at the tip of the southern tip of, or just south of Malaysia. So, and this is going to have a huge impact actually, on trade between the Middle East, including Israel, and Southeast Asia, it's going to cause another disruption on top of the disruption of the Red Sea, which is already in place because of the Houthies attacking the ships there.

So the question is then what kind of extra steps and extra costs do these ships have to go through now to traverse the waters that are becoming increasingly dangerous, and now fewer ports are available to them, which matters not only for logistics, and refueling and so on, but also in cases of storms. You know, if a storm is approaching in a certain direction, or if there's some kind of ocean event, you might need to anchor off a port near Malaysia, you might need to traverse a certain area. And as Israel continues its bombing campaign of civilians in Gaza, you can imagine that these Muslim dominated countries are just going to become more and more assertive in blocking off anything associated with Israel, which is really quite understandable. Because Israel is carrying out these horrific crimes against humanity.

If you're a country that has a lot of Muslims, why on earth would you want to support Israel? A nation that is murdering your brothers and sisters, so to speak, in Gaza? And I know I'm not saying all Muslims are brothers and sisters in so many different religions and different ways of practicing Islam and so on. But there's still a general idea of sharing fate. And when Muslim countries see the horrific actions being taken by Israel are, in particular, the Zionist globalists that are currently in charge of Israel. But modern day present day Malaysia doesn't want to help enable Israel to support its economy or to support its trade, which would ultimately support its war on Gaza. So that's where this is coming from.

Israeli real estate company already trying to sell beach front real estate in the middle of bombed-out Gaza

By the way, the the horrors of what's going on in Israel really came to light here in a story that was on common dreams.org. The title: Cashing in on genocide, Israeli firm pitches beachfront real estate in leveled Gaza. So they're actually advertising property development on the beach front of Gaza. And they say a house on the beach is not a dream. This is an advertisement from a company that builds in the occupied West Bank, according to this article. Palestine defenders this week condemned a proposal by an Israeli real estate developer specializing in the construction of illegal settlements to build beachfront homes for Jewish colonists over the bombed out ruins of Gaza. I'm reading from the article.

Now, you know, obviously, some of that language is from the point of view of Palestine. A house on the beach is not a dream. It drew international attention. Following last week's practical preparation for Gaza settlement conference in Tel Aviv, is an ad that depicts an artist's rendering of luxury homes superimposed over an actual photograph of a Gaza neighborhood destroyed by Israeli bombs, which have killed nearly 20,000 people. So I want to show you this photo, which has been called ethnic cleansing, and this is this is some sick profiteering right on top of the graves of bombed out women and children in Gaza.

So you see that they've sketched these like luxury beachfront apartments like right on top of all the bombed out Gaza buildings. I mean, if you ever wondered why Israel was carpet bombing Gaza and using bulldozers to clear it out, it's because they want the real estate. And also they want the real estate because they want the energy that is associated with Gaza right off shore, and they probably want to build that Ben Gurion canal so that they don't depend on the Suez Canal. This is some sick stuff. I mean, they probably still haven't even found all the dead children. Yet. It's probably children buried under the rubble in this photo. And and Israeli real estate developers sitting there saying, oh, yeah, you can, you can have luxury beachfront apartments. As soon as we scrape off all of the Palestinian dead bodies, you can build this way isn't that wonderful? Because that's the way a lot of Israelis think about Palestinians that you should just bomb them and kill them and replace them and build your place and boom, and now it's Israel, Greater Israel. I mean, this is some sick, twisted anti human stuff going on here.

So there's a group out there called Jewish Voice for Peace that tweeted about this. It says, quote, just as the Israeli government was crystal clear in its plans to commit genocide, the Israeli government's post genocide colonization strategy is explicit, and blatant, and a war crime. We can stop this, don't look away all eyes on Palestine...

## (continues...)

The remainder of this full broadcast will be posted at these channel links:

Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channels/hrreport Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport
Israel downplays assassination of two women in Gaza church by absurdly claiming they were Hamas spotters

The Israeli government has found a way to try to make its assassination of two women in a Gaza church more palatable by claiming the mother and daughter were actually Hamas spotters who therefore needed to be eradicated.

The women, Nahida Khalil Anton and Samar Kamal Anton, were killed by Israeli snipers while taking shelter at the Holy Family Parish, the only Catholic church in Gaza. At the time of their shooting, they were reportedly walking into the Sisters Convent. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said that one of them was carrying the other to safety.

The patriarchate said in a statement: "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."

Pope Francis has already condemned the attack. He said: Some are saying, 'This is terrorism and war.' Yes, it is war. It is terrorism.

Some of the 300 people who are still trapped inside the church have said that Israeli snipers and tanks surrounded the walls of the compound and shot at anyone who emerged from it. In one incident, they missed the church by just inches but knocked out its fuel supplies and generator, which made it uninhabitable for many of the children, women and disabled individuals who had been hiding out there. Some of the disabled people there no longer have access to the respirators they need to survive as a result.

After sharp international criticism over the womens murder, the Israeli government has decided to try to convince the world it was somehow justified. They stated that an initial review of the deadly incident found that a rocket-propelled grenade was fired on IDF troops from the area of the church. The troops say they identified three people there who they claim were serving as spotters for Hamas by helping to guide their attacks toward Israeli troops. The soldiers then fired on them in response, according to their rendition of events.

The White House said it has already spoken to the Israeli government about the incident. Speaking to reporters, spokesman John Kirby noted: "We have raised our concerns about this particular incident with the Israeli government -- about the need for those who have injuries or who have been wounded, to be able to be safely evacuated so they can receive appropriate medical treatment.

He added: We've been very clear that we believe every effort possible must be made to prevent civilian casualties.

He said that the U.S. will be in touch with the UN and Israeli authorities to ensure that Israel is not endangering humanitarian workers and civilians who are trying to shelter while carrying out its military operations against Hamas.

Assassination comes after Israel killed 3 of its own hostages as they pleaded for help in Hebrew

The murder of the two women is just the latest deadly blunder for the Israeli military. Last week, they admitted to shooting and killing three of their own hostages in Gaza; the men were shirtless, waving a makeshift white flag at soldiers and pleading for help in Hebrew when they were shot.

The IDF has expressed its deep remorse over the tragic incident and is investigating. A soldier involved reportedly thought it was a trap and shouted Terrorists! to colleagues.

A spokesman for the IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, stated: 'This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility. This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.'

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

DailyMail.co.uk
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Labor said a final rule on surface mobile equipment was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 20. The rule from the Mine Safety and Health Administration is intended to help protect miners from accidents, injuries and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment.

The rule becomes effective on Jan. 19, and compliance will be required beginning on July 17.

The rule requires mine operators to have written safety programs for surface mobile equipment  excluding belt conveyors  at surface mines and underground mines surface areas. The programs must include input from miners and their representatives and identify hazards and risks.

In recent years, powered haulage equipment and machinery have been the leading causes of serious and fatal mine accidents. So far in 2023, 40 mining industry workers have suffered fatal injuries, including 16 classified as machinery and 10 classified as powered haulage fatalities, according to MSHA.

MSHA said the final rule aligns with the agencys overall effort to improve safety in equipment use.

Given the number of serious and fatal machinery and powered haulage accidents that have occurred in recent years, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has worked hard to issue this final rule to enhance safety protections for miners working with and around surface mobile equipment, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson said.

As MSHA works with the entire mining community to implement the new rule, we strongly encourage everyone to prioritize training and to identify and eliminate machinery and powered haulage hazards that can put miners lives and livelihoods at risk.

During the development of the new safety rule, some commenters suggested that the rule should also apply to underground mines and equipment, but MSHA decided to only apply this rule to surface mobile equipment.

Surface mobile equipment tends to be complex and large in size (compared to mobile equipment used at underground mines), which generates some unique hazards, such as large blind spots for equipment operators, MSHA stated in the explanation of the new rule in the Federal Register.

MSHA will continue to work with operators and miners in underground mines to deliver training and best practice materials to prevent accidents involving mobile equipment in underground areas and to provide safety protections for miners at these mines.

MSHA had considered applying the rule only to mines which employ six or more miners, but some commenters said the rule should apply to all mines regardless of size. After a review of fatality data, MSHA incorporated this suggestion into its final rule, so that a written safety program for surface mobile equipment is required at all mines.

MSHA reviewed data from 2011 to 2020 on fatalities and injuries and accident investigation reports and found that fatality rates are lower at larger mines. According to MSHA, from 2011 to 2020 the average fatal incidence rates per 200,000 working hours were 0.0227 at mines with five or fewer employees; 0.0167 at mines with six to 20 employees; 0.0103 at mines with 21 to 100 employees, and 0.0079 at mines with more than 100 employees.

MSHA said its Educational Field and Small Mine Services staff will be available to provide all mines with assistance in complying with the new rule. The agency said it will work with mining industry stakeholders as it develops materials and templates to assist mine operators.

Earlier this year, Assistant Secretary Williamson sent an open letter to the mining community, noting MSHA will continue to use all its tools to combat the unacceptable upward trend in fatalities. The letter also announced an inaugural Stand Down to Save Lives event to encourage the nations mining community to take steps to prevent injuries and illnesses.

Other MSHA initiatives to combat the number of mining accidents, injuries, and fatalities in machinery, powered haulage equipment and other areas include safety and health alerts, the Take Time, Save Lives campaign, Powered Haulage Equipment Guidance, and an Enhanced Enforcement Program.

District managers will discuss compliance assistance for the mining industry at stakeholder meetings beginning in January 2024.
Jewish teacher who threatened to BEHEAD Muslim girl for calling Israeli flag offensive charged with cruelty to children, making terroristic threats

The Israel-Palestine conflict in the Middle East is spreading to America after a Jewish teacher in Georgia threatened toa Muslim student through beheading after she questioned his classroom display of the Israeli star of Remphan flag.

Benjamin Reese, a 7th grade social studies teacher at Warner Robins Middle School in Warner Robins, Ga., has reportedly been arrested and charged with cruelty to children and making terroristic threats after dozens of witnesses, including other teachers, testified against him.

According to reports, three students were walking down the hall after school one day when one of them noticed the Israeli flag hanging from Reese's classroom. One of the students, a female Muslim, asked Reese about the flag, to which he responded that "he was Jewish and has family members still there," according to a police report.

The students left and everything seemed fine until the next day when Reese saw the same three students walking down the hallway and started following them, yelling at and intimidating them from behind as they walked.

"You don't make an antisemitic comment like that to a Jew!" Reese was heard screaming.

Several teachers who claim to have seen and heard the incident also testified that Reese, who is 51, started screaming vulgarities at the students.

"You m***********g piece of s**t!" Reese allegedly yelled. "I'll kick your a**! I should cut your m***********g head off!"

"She is a stupid m**********r, and I will drag her by the back of my car and cut her f*****g head off for disrespecting my Jewish flag!" another claimed Reese yelled. "I'll slit her f*****g throat!"

(Related: Even though doing so may constitute war crimes, Israel is flooding Gaza's tunnels with seawater in ongoing war on Gaza.)

Reese, a Navy veteran, "invoked his civil rights" in refusing to cooperate with principal, school security officer

After the incident, at least one teacher at the school told police that Reese went ballistic and that she feared for her own safety after witnessing the display, which was captured in part on security camera footage.

Both a security guard and the school's principal attempted to question Reese about what happened, only to have him become irate a second time and aggressively kick a door stopper before "invok[ing] his civil rights" and walking away from them.

Reese's school biography claims that he is a Navy veteran. It also states, speaking from Reese's perspective in the first person, that "over the course of the last 8 years [teaching], I have been challenged far beyond anything 17 years of military service had prepared me for, and I love it."

Reese is now out of jail since he was able to meet the bond requirements set by the judge, which include $5,000 for the cruelty to children charge and $2,500 for the alleged terroristic threat portion. The Houston County School District where Reese's school is located issued a statement carefully distancing itself from Reese:

"While we are not able to discuss specific personnel matters, we can share that Mr. Reese has not been on the campus of Warner Robins Middle School Since Dec. 7, 2023. Safety and the well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority."

The incident comes amid a slew of other incidents in which Jewish people claim that they are the ones encountering this kind of hatred on school campuses. We are told that Jewish students everywhere fear "antisemitism" while going to classes, and some are calling for new rules or even laws to prohibit all "antisemitic" talk in public.

The latest news about the Israel-Palestine conflict both here and abroad can be found at IsraelCollapse.com.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Monsanto ordered to pay $857 million to 7 people who got sick from PCB exposure in a Washington school

Monsanto, the agrochemical company that is now owned by German pharmaceutical company Bayer, was ordered by a jury in Washington State to pay $857 million to seven individuals connected to a Seattle area school who became ill due to exposure to chemicals known as PCBs that leaked from light fixtures.

The jury determined that the company should be held liable for selling the chemicals that were used at the school because they were unsafe and did not come with sufficient warnings. The amount of the verdict includes $784 million in punitive damages as well as $73 million of compensatory damages to the victims. Each victim will receive a various amount of compensation and $112 million in punitive damages.

The lawsuit was related to exposure at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington. Two parent volunteers and five former students say that they developed health concerns related to their neurological and endocrine systems as a result of the exposure.

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were used in the past for insulating electrical equipment. They were also used in common products such as paint, floor finish, carbon copy paper and caulking. After they were linked to cancer, the U.S. government banned them in 1979.

However, the chemicals remain present in the environment and are known as "forever chemicals" because they break down extremely slowly. They also accumulate in the environment and have been found in meat and fish used for human consumption. They are especially harmful to children, which is why their use in schools is so concerning. Roughly 55,000 schools were constructed in the peak decades of the production of this chemical, and Monsanto was its only commercial manufacturer.

Henry Jones, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told CBS News: "No one who heard this evidence would ever change places with any of these people in exchange for all the money the jury awarded."

Another attorney for the plaintiffs, Felix Luna, told the jury that Monsanto had been covering up what it knew about the dangers of PCBs for years.

Monsanto... never warned anyone that (PCBs) would outlast whatever they're put in," he said during his closing argument. "They never warned anyone that when it gets in the body that they're metabolites for life, that they're neurotoxic... a hazard, or PCBs could lead to systemic poisoning."

Monsanto said that it believes the award is constitutionally excessive," and they plan to appeal the verdict.

Monsanto is losing numerous trials and billions of dollars over its toxic products

The result of this case is just one of numerous trial losses for Monsanto, who is facing $870 million in verdicts related to PCB exposure. They are also facing thousands of lawsuits related to their toxic weed killer Roundup; they were ordered to pay $332 million last month to a man whose exposure to Roundup led him to develop cancer.

A Missouri jury ordered the company to pay four plaintiffs who developed cancer as a result of exposure to Roundup a sum of $1.56 billion after finding that the company was liable for claims of design defects, failing to warn about the dangers of the chemical and negligence. Each of the four victims was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup on family property.

Roughly 165,000 claims have been made against Monsanto for personal injuries connected to Roundup, whose main ingredient is glyphosate. The company's current owner, Bayer, settled most of the Roundup cases that were pending after they acquired the company for around $11 billion. However, regulatory filings show that around 50,000 claims are still pending.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

CBSNews.com

Reuters.com
Digital ID system incoming: Nebraska now collecting citizens digital health data

Nebraskas recent decision to collect digital health data on residents has been met with criticism from experts worried about plans for digital IDs. The move, which is part of the newly formed state Health Information Technology (HIT) Board's remit, also encompasses centralizing patient health and medical records.

But according to many critics, the move is a "massive breach of privacy," with some voicing their concerns about the potential move toward a national digital ID.

In 2020, the Nebraska legislature unanimously sanctioned the creation of a Health Information Technology (HIT) Board. The Nebraska legislature passed Legislative Bill 1183, the "Population Health Information Act," which led the way for the creation of the HIT Board and designated the Nebraska Health Information Initiative as the states health exchange.

In 2021, Nebraska passed Legislative Bill 411, which required universal participation in the CyncHealth statewide information exchange. Nearly every health facility in the state complied, except in cases where a facility did not have the digital or financial resources to connect to the statewide system and received a waiver for a "technological burden."

The Nebraska Health Information Initiative also changed its name to CyncHealth in 2021. The switch allegedly helped better position the organization as the health data utility for the Midwest as it provides essential information services for the continuity of healthcare.

The CyncHealth site also offered an individual form to opt out of the state health data exchange.

According to the HIT Board, its 17 members were enunciated by the governor and confirmed by a majority legislative vote.

The members included various healthcare stakeholders, from doctors to nurse practitioners and hospital administrators, who allegedly brought their clinical experience and expertise to manage health data.

The regional health data utility selected CyncHealth to supervise and administer the collection of medical data. It maintains health information for more than five million patients throughout more than 1,100 healthcare institutions in the Midwest.

The objective of CyncHealth is not just to unite health records but also "to ensure theyre readily available to patients and their healthcare providers." (Related: Leading banker says UK soon to introduce super app that will combine digital ID, financial data into the ultimate control tool.)

Critics worried about how quickly health data was gathered

Despite the alleged benefits of such a data system, critics like Stacey Skold, a board member of the Childrens Health Defense Nebraska Chapter, has voiced her concern over how quickly the system was able to gather health data.

Skold believes that the move could be "an alarming stride towards a digital ID and central bank digital currency (CBDC)."

The Nebraska governments decision to establish statewide information exchange via CyncHealth and the associated data harvesting also sparked fears among privacy advocates.

Observing the HIT Board meetings further heightened these valid fears when it was revealed that partner company CyncHealth was part of CARIN Alliance, a global coalition advocating for digital ID, and had affiliations with big companies like Google and Microsoft.

Greg Glaser, a respected digital privacy expert, warned that the fast-paced digitization of health data in Nebraska should be taken seriously. He added that digital IDs, instead of being considered as mere aids for consumer convenience, would soon introduce an unprecedented level of control over Americans.

Glaser explained that as he researched biometric ID, he discovered that governments are not "at the top of the food chain." Instead, private companies, such as Accenture, Microsoft and Oracle, are at the top because they "create and own the technology, and they manage the data off-site."

Glaser added that governments merely take on the role of mid-level operations to issue the IDs that comply with basic guidelines approved by industry-captured government entities like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Glaser was also surprised that the European Union and European Parliament representatives tentatively agreed on a new framework for a European digital ID wallet.

Journalist urges Nebraskans to reject HIT Board by referendum

James Roguski, an independent journalist, warned that he could not find any mention of "authority granted to the state government to control health, healthcare or health-related data" in the Nebraska Constitution.

In a statement, Roguski said that Nebraska was "acting outside their constitutional authority when they enacted LB 1183 (Population Health Information Act)."

Roguski encouraged the residents of Nebraska to "consider exercising their right to reject any act passed by the Nebraska Legislature via the power of referendum."

He cited the Nebraska State Constitution, which says that the people "reserve for themselves the power to propose laws and amendments to the Constitution and to enact or reject the same at the polls, independent of the Legislature, which power shall be called the power of initiative."

Meanwhile, Skold hopes lawyers can take up the cause in Nebraska to prevent the digital centralization of healthcare records. Because Nebraska is the test state, if people can stop it, then it can potentially be stopped everywhere, said Skold.

Visit PrivacyWatch.news for more stories like this.

Watch the video below to learn how digital IDs signify the end of freedom in Australia and other countries across the globe.

This video is from the Sovereign Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biometric data and surveillance: DNA being eyed as the ultimate global ID.

THE CYBORG WILL SEE YOU NOW: Tech company launches self-serve CarePod healthcare booths that use AI instead of doctors.

Leading banker says UK soon to introduce super app that will combine digital ID, financial data into the ultimate control tool.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

PRNewswire.com

CyncHealth.org

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Brighteon.com
Report: CBP has apprehended more than 13,000 special interest aliens since October

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has apprehended more than 13,000 so-called "special interest aliens" (SIAs) since October, the same month Hamas attacked Israel.

According to CBP, these SIAs come from various nations that have openly expressed support of Hamas  formally the Islamic Resistance Movement. The said aliens hail from nations such as Turkey, Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria Iran, Yemen and Russia. Concerning, however, is the fact that most of these SIAs have been released into the U.S. to pursue asylum claims.

The influx of Turkish citizens is notable, with CBP encountering almost 4,000 along the southwest border in under three months of the new fiscal year. This coincides with a report by the Jerusalem Post (JPost) about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ardent supporter of Hamas, hosting several meetings with the group's leadership.

According to JPost, Turkey was selected as the site of the meeting "as it was deemed safe enough for the leaders to meet there." Present in the meeting were Khaled Mashal, chairman of Hamas' political bureau, and his second-in-command Saleh al-Arouri. Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 also noted that several other senior Hamas officials graced the meeting.

While the secret meeting drew international criticism, the Biden administration's approach toward it was lacking. It also contrasted with the Trump administration's response, which strongly objected to such interactions. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously denounced Erdogan's hosting of Hamas leaders, emphasizing how the group was designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.

Meanwhile, more than 1,300 SIAs from Afghanistan  whose ruling Taliban party has a long standing relationship with Hamas  were apprehended. The Taliban's victory in Afghanistan in August 2021 after Washington's withdrawal from Kabul was openly praised by Hamas.

More than 300 nationals from Sudan were also apprehended, with the report following Khartoum reestablishing ties with Iran  a known supporter of Hamas. The Office of Foreign Assets Control under the Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on key Hamas members, including some who are based in Sudan.

More than 600 Russian nationals who have interacted with Hamas leadership were also apprehended. Nearly 500 SIAs from Syria, Iran and Yemen were also arrested since October, raising security concerns.

Open borders policy puts the U.S. in a bad place

"The situation at the southern border is straining CBP's ability to conduct effective security operations and screen migrants properly," YourNews noted.

Approximately 121,000 migrants were apprehended in the first half of December alone, leading to overcrowded U.S. Border Patrol facilities. The rush to process and release migrants includes those deemed as SIAs, potentially risking national security.

Such was the influx of migrants that the Transportation Security Administration, under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has even designated a special lane at the Tucson International Airport in Arizona. According to Breitbart, the lane was dedicated to migrants without proper identification.

An April 2022 report from the DHS Office of the Inspector General highlighted a case where a migrant on the Terrorist Watch List was released. The same migrant was later encountered attempting to board a flight. Given this, the report emphasized the security risks involved in processing a large number of migrants in a short time frame. (Related: EXCLUSIVE: DHS intelligence officer blows the whistle on massive Islamic terror invasion.)

"This influx of [SIAs] at the U.S. border raises significant concerns about national security and the ability to effectively screen and process individuals coming from regions with known affiliations to terrorist organizations like Hamas," YourNews concluded.

Watch Kash Patel and Charlie Kirk discuss how President Joe Biden is funding Hamas.

This video is from the Fight With Kash channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FBI wary of terrorists crossing the border illegally.

ISIS-affiliated smuggler helped migrants illegally enter the U.S. via Mexico.

160 Individuals on terror list have attempted to cross into U.S. this year  ILLEGALLY, of course.

Record-setting 12,000 illegal aliens entered the U.S. in one day on Dec. 5 and tens of thousands more are on the way.

Beware the 80,000 terrorists Biden let in simultaneously conducting military ops in America  The coming 'New World Order' will be Islamic.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

JPost.com

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Supreme Court expected to reverse Colorados Trump ballot ban, side with Justice Samours dissent

By now, you have probably heard all about the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to disallow former President Donald Trump's name from appearing on the state's Republican primary ballot. But did you know that this ruling may not stand in the end?

It turns out that there were five opinions that have come out of Colorado concerning this matter, none of which agree with the others: the trial court opinion, the Supreme Court majority opinion, and three Supreme Court dissenting opinions.

The only opinions that one might argue are in agreement are the dissenting opinions of Chief Justice Boatright and Justice Berkenkotter, with the most "compelling," according to one X (formerly Twitter) user called "Jarvis" (@jarvis_best), being the dissent from Justice Samour.

"Justice Samour reached holdings that none of the other four groups did," tweeted Jarvis, who describes himself as a "Lawyer, writer, painter, poet, (and) gentleman of culture."

"He examined the issues with the depth and close examination of the case law that is most like how SCOTUS does it."

(Related: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. does not approve of the Colorado Supreme Court's decision against allowing Trump on the ballot, says such a move is not indicative of "a real democracy.")

Trump isn't being charged under criminal statute passed by Congress concerning 14th Amendment, so his name stays on ballot

Jarvis believes that SCOTUS will ultimately reverse the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court based largely on the dissent of Justice Samour, either in a ruling of 9-0 or 7-2.

As a little background, the Colorado Supreme Court is usually not a deeply divided or partisan court. Though all of them are Democrats who were appointed by Democrat governors, they all have libertarian or liberal, i.e., classic liberalism, viewpoints.

"We get a lot of unanimous opinions," Jarvis explains about how things usually go at the Colorado Supreme Court. "Divisions, when they occur, are typically respectful and intellectually honest. No vitriol."

With that in mind, the Colorado Supreme Court's decision concerning disallowing Trump's name to appear on the 2024 ballot is somewhat surprising since it was a divided 4-3 ruling. The majority opinion was also noticeably "sloppy," according to Jarvis, especially considering the case will certainly now head off to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In short, Justice Samour correctly pointed out that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was passed after the Civil War to prevent insurrectionists from holding certain offices, can only be carried out through an act of Congress, according to Section 5 of the 14th Amendment.

Congress did just that in 1870 by passing a law that allows for both civil and criminal enforcement of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. In 1948, that law was then repealed and replaced with criminal insurrection law 18 U.S.C.  2383, which does not apply to Trump since he has not been charged or convicted under that statute.

"If convicted under that statute  with full criminal due process afforded the defendant  one of the punishments is to be banned from holding office in the United States," Jarvis explains.

"So. Congress  and only Congress  gets to pass legislation enforcing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment ... Congress did so, and it chose to enact a criminal statute that bars anyone convicted under it from holding any office in the U.S. ... Trump has not been charged or convicted under that statute ... Therefore, Trump can appear on the ballot."

What this all means is that the question regarding whether or not Trump engaged in an insurrection and whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment should apply to a president is irrelevant.

"The only thing that matters is that Congress followed the 14th Amendment and established a procedure for barring someone from office for engaging in an insurrection, and that procedure was not followed here," Jarvis says.

The latest news about Trump's bid for the presidency in 2024 can be found at Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheReaderApp.com

NaturalNews.com
U.S., Europe explore possibility of seizing frozen Russian assets and giving them to Ukraine as American funding dries up

The administration of President Joe Biden is actively exploring the possibility of seizing over $300 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets currently held in the Western world to bolster Ukraine's war effort.

This bold initiative comes at a critical juncture as Ukraine faces waning financial support from its biggest contributor, the United States. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen had previously indicated that seizing these frozen funds may not be legally permissible without a specific act of Congress. (Related: White House threatens to SEND AMERICAN TROOPS TO UKRAINE if Congress doesn't approve more aid.)

The targeted Russian assets, frozen for nearly two years now since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, have been a focal point of sanctions imposed by the U.S., Europe and Japan.

While freezing the assets was a significant measure, seizing them would represent an unprecedented step, necessitating careful legal consideration. Talks involving finance ministers, central bank officials, diplomats and legal experts have intensified in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is urging ally nations including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom to develop a comprehensive strategy by Feb. 24, 2024  the second anniversary of the conflict  regarding the assets. The details of this proposed strategy are still under discussion, with critical questions remaining unanswered.

If the funds are seized, policymakers are wondering how they will be allocated and considering whether they could be legally channeled directly to Ukraine or utilized in other ways that may benefit Kyiv.

Guardrails surrounding the funds are also under scrutiny, with considerations on whether the money should be earmarked exclusively for reconstruction, budgetary support or directed toward Ukraine's military effort.

Ukraine wants all of frozen Russian assets

One proposal circulating argues that Ukraine could receive only the interest accrued by the frozen Russian assets. Kyiv countered by noting that it would fall far short of compensating the country for the extensive damage caused by the Russian special military operation.

Kyiv is advocating for the complete transfer of all frozen Russian assets. The country estimates that it needs a staggering $400 billion for the comprehensive rebuilding of the country. If Kyiv factors in compensation for the victims of the war, it said that this figure could potentially double.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously mentioned that the Commission was working on a proposal to utilize some of the profits generated from frozen Russian state assets to aid Ukraine in its post-war reconstruction.

The total value of these frozen Russian sovereign assets is approximately 211 billion euros ($223 billion), and the European Union has determined that Russia should bear the responsibility for financing Ukraine's reconstruction.

Iryna Mudra, Ukraine's deputy justice minister, informed Reuters that Kyiv's partners are contemplating the introduction of a tax on the income or investment of these frozen Russian assets.

While Kyiv appreciates this idea, it deems it insufficient. Mudra emphasized that the only viable solution is the complete confiscation of these assets, handing them over to Ukraine. She acknowledged that such a decision requires political will and cautioned against viewing alternative initiatives as comprehensive solutions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the urgency of jointly deciding to release the frozen funds for renovation, highlighting the pressing need for funds to rebuild the economy and combat Russia.

Watch this clip from "Greg Kelly Reports" on Newsmax as he discusses how the Biden administration isn't actually helping Ukraine win.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Spain's idea to help Ukraine using SEIZED profits from frozen Russian assets deemed unviable.

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White House now claims it did not leave American weapons in Afghanistan, calls accusation a farce

President Joe Biden's administration has once again denied leaving any weapons in Afghanistan during the United States Armed Forces' exceptionally chaotic withdrawal from the country in August 2021.

This latest denial comes from U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications and retired Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby, who made the comments on Tuesday, Dec. 19. (Related: Afghanistan has received $11B in aid since U.S. withdrew troops in August 2021, gov't watchdog reveals.)

"This is a fallacy, this is a farce," said Kirby during a press conference at the White House. "What we did, over the course of our 20 years in Afghanistan, of course, with congressional approval and consultations, was arm and help equip the Afghan national security forces."

In the face of advances by the Taliban in August 2021 in the middle of U.S. troop withdrawal, many Afghan National Army troops decided to lay down their arms instead of fight against the Taliban.

"The 'arms' that you're talking about, and again, I can't verify these particular reports, belonged to the Afghan national security forces," claimed Kirby. "That's what was left behind. Not that the United States just walked away and abandoned a bunch of weapons in a pile in Afghanistan. That's simply not historically accurate."

Kirby's claim contradicts the statements by other defense officials and even by troops who were on the ground in Afghanistan during the withdrawal.

Taliban smuggling U.S. weapons into Pakistan

Kirby's denial came just days after Pakistan urged the United Nations to investigate how the Pakistani Taliban, formally called the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), acquired advanced weapons. These weapons were recently used in an attack against Pakistani soldiers, leaving 23 of them dead.

Top Pakistani officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, have said that U.S. military equipment left behind during the withdrawal from Afghanistan has made its way through the border and into the hands of the Pakistani Taliban. This has, over the past few months, emboldened the group to intensify its attacks against Pakistani military and security forces.

Speaking at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council's U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 13, Pakistani Ambassador to the U.N. Munir Akram said the Pakistani Taliban and its allies  including the Afghan Taliban  were responsible for carrying out a series of very organized cross-border attacks on Pakistan in recent weeks. They were conducting these raids using weapons originating from the stock left behind by U.S. forces and its allies in Afghanistan.

"These attacks have turned more lethal and sophisticated, as the TTP terrorists have procured and are now using advanced military equipment," said Akram. "The question is: How did the TTP, a listed terrorist organization, secure these weapons?"

Akram called on the Security Council to conduct a "thorough investigation" to figure out how these weapons got into the hands of the TTP and to identify ways of taking them back.

In an interview several months ago, Kakar noted that U.S. equipment was "emerging as a new challenge" for Islamabad, as it has exceptionally enhanced the fighting capabilities of the Pakistani Taliban. The military gear in question ranges from everything from new, more modern firearms to night vision goggles.

The Afghan Taliban has bragged about how it had seized massive caches of modern U.S. military equipment, including guns, ammunition and even vehicles like helicopters.

There is no definite information on how much U.S. equipment was left behind  and with the White House continuing to deny that it left behind equipment, there likely won't be a proper inventory for some time. Other U.S. defense officials have confirmed that the value of the military equipment left behind is "significant."

Investigative journalist Paul E. Sperry reported earlier this year that, according to the latest report by the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General, the Biden administration left behind 78 aircraft worth $923.3 million, over 9,500 air-to-ground munitions worth $6.54 million, over 40,000 military vehicles, more than 300,000 firearms and nearly all support equipment like night vision, surveillance, communications and biometrics gear.

A separate report by CNN suggests that around $7 billion worth of military equipment transferred to the Afghan government over 16 years was left behind. Fox News suggests that the value of the military equipment is closer to $85 billion.

Watch this clip from the podcast "Behind The Line" as podcast host Tim Hageman discusses how the government is charging soldiers for the gear they left behind in Afghanistan.

This video is from the Behind The Line Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

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Xi shares with Biden his intention to peacefully take Taiwan  but full-scale INVASION remains on the table

Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping has conveyed to U.S. President Joe Biden his intention to bring an end to the Taiwan issue, stressing the possibility of a peaceful resolution

NBC News confirmed the development, citing three current and former U.S. officials. The sources were reportedly briefed of the Nov. 15 meeting, which happened during the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. They recounted that according to Xi, while Beijing's goal is to unify Taiwan with the mainland, the timing remains undetermined.

The White House also seconded the exchange between the two leaders, but did not delve into specifics. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby nevertheless underscored that Xi's desire for reunification has been publicly known, and that Washington maintains its "One China" policy by refraining to recognize Taipei as an independent entity.

During the four-hour meeting, Xi expressed a preference for acquiring Taiwan by using peace instead of force. He also refuted assertions by some U.S. military leaders, who speculated on a specific timeline for the reunification. However, it did not yield notable updates regarding the island nation  which has largely ruled itself since the Chinese Civil War ended in a Communist victory in 1949.

The island nation, home to a population of more than 23 million, has a complex history  having been ruled by Japan from 1895 to 1945 followed by a period of Chinese control. It only initiated democratization in the late 1980s. Current Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has maintained Taipei's independence, which Beijing frowns upon.

But Xi's government has pursued an assertive foreign policy. These include territorial claims in the South China Sea and the Himalayas, aside from Taiwan. Beijing has also curtailed the autonomy of Hong Kong, formerly a British territory but was returned the the mainland in 1997.

Biden reiterated Washington's commitment to defend Taiwan if threatened by Beijing, something Republicans found lacking. They have denounced the U.S. president's perceived leniency on issues such as fentanyl exports from Beijing. Moreover, they have also raised concerns about his relatives' business dealings with entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

These issues are a key focus of an impeachment inquiry by the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. Former President Donald Trump has accused Biden of being influenced by China. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) asserts that Biden's approach to Beijing may be influenced by business relationships involving Hunter and James Biden  the president's son and brother.

5 Options China can take against Taiwan

According to U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns, Xi had instructed the People's Liberation Army to be prepared for action by 2027. Provocative military exercises showcased capabilities for invasion or blockade, sparking speculation about the timing and nature of a potential showdown over Taiwan. (Related: Taiwan: China may not be ready to invade by 2027.)

Meanwhile, an article by Hal Brands of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies outlined five possible strategies Beijing might employ.

The first option, coercion below the threshold of war, is Xi's current preference. This involves a continuous campaign aimed at weakening Taiwan's military capabilities and fostering a perception of vulnerability. However, this campaign has inadvertently strengthened Taiwan's resolve, fostering a sense of identity and resistance against unification.

The second option involves seizing one of Taiwan's offshore islands. This would create a dilemma for Taiwan and the U.S., potentially exposing them to military conflict over strategically insignificant territories. The third option  a blockade  would isolate Taiwan from the outside world,

The fourth option involves bombardment, targeting Taiwan with bombs and missiles to coerce unification. Lastly, a full-scale invasion  the fifth and most extreme option  would swiftly resolve the Taiwan question.

Brands noted that a full-scale invasion of Taiwan presents considerable challenges. The island nation has certain geographic advantages including mountains, jungles and a significant stretch of water separating it from the mainland. An invasion would require substantial military operations and might trigger intervention from the U.S. and other allies.

Visit CommunistChina.news for more stories about China's attempts to take Taiwan.

Watch this video that touches on the prospect of Taiwan being taken peacefully.

This video is from the Tommy's Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.

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ELKO  An off-duty police officer and his dog were injured Wednesday evening less than a mile from the site of the new LDS temple.

Police and emergency medical personnel were called to Ruby Vista Drive and Sequoia Drive after someone reported a vehicle had struck a man and his dog as they were out for a walk.

Elko Police Chief Ty Trouten said the officer and dog were recovering from minor injuries.

Oscar J. Hanes, 42, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was arrested and booked on first-offense DUI. His bail was set at $640.

According to a declaration of arrest filed in Elko Justice Court on Thursday, Hanes was driving a Chevrolet pickup and claimed that a pedestrian and dog were in the traveled portion of Ruby Vista Drive before striking them with the front of his vehicle.

The responding officer stated he observed Hanes as overly talkative and seemed to have excessive bodily movements.

Hanes also admitted he had used marijuana and consumed alcohol and harder drugs earlier in the day. The officer asked Hanes to submit to a standardized field sobriety test which he performed unsatisfactorily.

A blood draw was conducted on Hanes before he was transported and booked into the Elko County Jail.

Charges filed against Hanes accusing battery by strangulation were dropped in February in Elko Justice Court. The case stemmed from an incident about a year ago, when Hanes was arrested on a charge of holding a woman against her will at a residence in the Upper Indian Colony.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI were notified of the incident. The FBI requested assistance from the Elko Special Response Team to rescue the victim and take Hanes into custody.

He was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping of a minor, sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon and battery by strangulation and his bail was set at $1,010,000.

Hanes denied the charges in court. His family said they found out he was diagnosed with borderline heart failure while in custody.

Hanes was also placed on the Elko County Sheriffs Offices Most Wanted List in 2013 when he failed to show up for a court hearing on charges including possession of an explosive device. He stated the alleged device was a 3-ounce plastic container of smokeless pistol powder. Charges were also dropped in that case.

The Nevada State Patrol is conducting the investigation instead of the Elko Police Department according to interagency policy, Trouten said.
Nestled in the heart of the American West, northern Nevada is a region rich in history and home to countless archaeological treasures. From ancient petroglyphs to mining relics, these historical artifacts offer us a glimpse into the past and provide a valuable link to our heritage.

Nevada is a land of contrasts, where sprawling deserts meet towering mountains, and the past is intertwined with the present. The regions history is an eclectic mix of Native American cultures, pioneers, miners, and ranchers, all of whom have left their mark on the land. In doing so, theyve created a treasure trove of historical and archaeological sites that reveal the stories of those who came before us.

The indigenous peoples of northern Nevada, including the Northern and Southern Paiute, Washoe, Goshute, Shoshone and Western Shoshone, have a deep connection to the land. The region is dotted with rock writings (petroglyphs and pictographs), bearing witness to their rich cultural heritage. Sites like Grimes Point and Hidden Cave, Hickinson Petroglyphs, and the Mount Irish Archeological District give us insights into the daily lives, beliefs, and expressions of these ancient communities.

The discovery of silver and gold in the 19th century led to a mining boom that reshaped the landscape and brought waves of fortune seekers to the region. Ghost towns like Virginia City, Belmont and Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park stand as eerie reminders of the mining era, with well-preserved buildings, equipment and even the fossilized remains of ancient marine reptiles.

Northern Nevada played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. The California Trail, part of the larger Emigrant Trail system, passed through the area, leaving behind traces of wagon ruts and historical markers.

As we explore Nevadas historical and archaeological sites, it is essential to follow the principles of Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace. These guiding principles promote responsible outdoor recreation and help preserve the fragile and irreplaceable heritage of the region.

Tread Lightly! encourages responsible off-roading and outdoor activities while minimizing the impact on the environment and historical sites. It promotes practices like staying on designated trails, respecting boundaries and preserving the integrity of archaeological sites.

Leave No Trace is a set of guidelines that advocates for the protection of the natural and cultural landscape by minimizing human impact. The principles include disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find and respecting historical and archaeological artifacts. This not only safeguards the past but also ensures that future generations can experience the same sense of wonder and discovery.

Nevada Outdoor School is an organization dedicated to fostering a love for the outdoors and promoting responsible outdoor recreation. With a mission to connect Nevadans to the outdoors, NOS offers a variety of programs designed to engage people of all ages in meaningful experiences in northern Nevadas unique landscapes.

NOS provides outdoor education programs that teach students and adults about the natural world and the importance of preserving it. These programs often include visits to historical and archaeological sites, where participants learn about the rich history of the region and the need to protect these places.

NOS also provides training and awareness information for individuals and groups who want to explore Northern Nevada responsibly. They teach essential skills for minimizing environmental impact, respecting cultural heritage, and practicing safety in the outdoors. For more information regarding formal trainings or awareness workshops visit https://www.nevadaoutdoorschool.org/training-programs.aspx .

Nevadans for Cultural Preservation is an organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of Nevadas cultural sites. Their mission is to ensure that the rich history of the state is passed down to future generations. NVFCP is actively involved in a variety of preservation efforts across the state.

NVFCP collaborates with local, state, and federal authorities and partners with other organizations, volunteers and local communities to ensure audiences receive targeted archaeological preservation education and to provide restoration and conservation services for cultural sites.

We cannot expect people to care about things they know nothing about, follow laws theyve never heard of, or protect things they cannot identify.

The organization provides opportunities for the public to learn about the significance of our heritage sites and the importance of responsible exploration. They encourage everyone EXPLORE Nevada, REPORT damages, and PROTECT our cultural sites.

Damage reports can be made online on their website anytime. They work with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure the reports make it to the correct public land management personnel. NVFCP even created an OHV Preservation Ambassador Program with a quick online training course. More information about Nevadans for Cultural Preservation may be found on their website: https://www.nvfcp.org/. To report damage you find at a cultural site on public lands in Nevada go to: https://www.nvfcp.org/report_damage.

Nevadas historical and archaeological sites are windows into the past, offering a chance to connect with the rich tapestry of human history that has unfolded in this region.

However, with this privilege comes a responsibility to protect and preserve these sites for the future. By adhering to principles like Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace, engaging with organizations like the Nevada Outdoor School and supporting the efforts of Nevadans for Cultural Preservation, we can ensure that these valuable remnants of the past continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

Remember, the actions we take today will shape the history of tomorrow, so lets, Tread Lightly!, Leave No Trace and safeguard Nevadas historical and archaeological treasures.

Get outside, explore, and respect Nevadas historical sites. Its good for everyone.
Anup Verma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday skipped the second summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate, alleging that they were being issued at the behest of political rivals, who wish to silence the voice of the Opposition.

Kejriwal, in his reply to the summons, has called the fresh summons politically motivated and illegal. He said that he has lived his life transparently and honestly, and has nothing to hide. The CM, who was summoned by the ED for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi governments excise policy, has left for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course on Wednesday.

Kejriwal, in his reply, said that the timing of the summons leaves much to desire and strengthens my belief that the summons being sent to me is not based upon any objective or rational yardstick, but purely as a propaganda as well as to create sensational news in the final few months of the much-awaited parliamentary elections in the country.

With respect to your earlier summons, I had submitted a detailed response. The relevant contents of my earlier response was that the said summons is not clear as to the capacity in which I am being summoned, that is, as a witness or a suspect in the above-mentioned case. The said summons fails to provide details in relation to the file (F. No. ECIR/HIUII/14/2022), or the reason that I have been summoned therein, or any details thereof. The said summons does not specify whether I am being summoned as an individual or in my official capacity as Chief Minister of Delhi or as National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, and appears to be in the nature of a fishing and roving inquiry.

The said summons appears to be motivated and issued for extraneous considerations. Simultaneous to the summons, in the afternoon of 30.10.2023, BJP leaders started making statements that soon I would be summoned and arrested. By the evening of that day, I received your summons. It is thus apparent that the said summons was leaked to select BJP leaders to malign my image and reputation, and has been issued at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre. Illustratively, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari openly stated in the afternoon of 30.10.2023, that is, the same day on which the said summons have been issued to me, that I will be arrested and the same has been widely reported in the media, stated his reply.

ALSO READ | Kejriwal skips ED date, faults its summons

It further said, I still do not know in which capacity I am being summoned ... You have chosen not to inform me nor provide me details of the case file corresponding to file number mentioned in your summons or the reasons for summoning me, or any details thereof. Your summons appears to be a fishing and roving enquiry. In similar circumstances, where individuals are neither informed about the case details nor the capacity in which they are being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate, High courts have declared such summons of the Enforcement Directorate invalid and quashed the summons.

I, therefore, once again reiterate my request to you to act with fairness & forthwith revoke, withdraw, and recall the summons forthwith, the CM added in his response.

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NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday skipped the second summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate, alleging that they were being issued at the behest of political rivals, who wish to silence the voice of the Opposition. Kejriwal, in his reply to the summons, has called the fresh summons politically motivated and illegal. He said that he has lived his life transparently and honestly, and has nothing to hide. The CM, who was summoned by the ED for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi governments excise policy, has left for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course on Wednesday. Kejriwal, in his reply, said that the timing of the summons leaves much to desire and strengthens my belief that the summons being sent to me is not based upon any objective or rational yardstick, but purely as a propaganda as well as to create sensational news in the final few months of the much-awaited parliamentary elections in the country.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); With respect to your earlier summons, I had submitted a detailed response. The relevant contents of my earlier response was that the said summons is not clear as to the capacity in which I am being summoned, that is, as a witness or a suspect in the above-mentioned case. The said summons fails to provide details in relation to the file (F. No. ECIR/HIUII/14/2022), or the reason that I have been summoned therein, or any details thereof. The said summons does not specify whether I am being summoned as an individual or in my official capacity as Chief Minister of Delhi or as National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, and appears to be in the nature of a fishing and roving inquiry. The said summons appears to be motivated and issued for extraneous considerations. Simultaneous to the summons, in the afternoon of 30.10.2023, BJP leaders started making statements that soon I would be summoned and arrested. By the evening of that day, I received your summons. It is thus apparent that the said summons was leaked to select BJP leaders to malign my image and reputation, and has been issued at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre. Illustratively, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari openly stated in the afternoon of 30.10.2023, that is, the same day on which the said summons have been issued to me, that I will be arrested and the same has been widely reported in the media, stated his reply. ALSO READ | Kejriwal skips ED date, faults its summons It further said, I still do not know in which capacity I am being summoned ... You have chosen not to inform me nor provide me details of the case file corresponding to file number mentioned in your summons or the reasons for summoning me, or any details thereof. Your summons appears to be a fishing and roving enquiry. In similar circumstances, where individuals are neither informed about the case details nor the capacity in which they are being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate, High courts have declared such summons of the Enforcement Directorate invalid and quashed the summons. I, therefore, once again reiterate my request to you to act with fairness & forthwith revoke, withdraw, and recall the summons forthwith, the CM added in his response. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ujwal Jalali By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Thursday said that the Parliament security breach case accused were "hardcore criminals" who are constantly changing their statements. This was mentioned in the remand application submitted before a local court seeking extension of their police custody remand till January 5, which was granted.

Earlier in the day, the four accused - Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad - were produced before the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur at the Patiala House Court. Umakant Kataria, the counsel appearing for the accused, told reporters that so far the police have recovered four burnt mobile phones besides other incriminating material.

Seeking extension of their remand, the police stated that they want to analyse the social media accounts of the accused for which they need 15 more days. It was revealed that the cops have already put the four through psychological analytical analysis which will be repeated during the next 15 days.

The police plan to confront the 4 accused who were arrested on the day of Parliament security breach on December 13 with the two other accused Lalit Jha and Mahesh, who had surrendered a day later. As the 4 mobile phones of the accused were found in a completely damaged state, the police will now reissue their SIM cards to find out the people they had been speaking to before commissioning the crime.

While in custody, the accused wont be taken to any other place as the police have already made them visit 7 different locations. The accused Manoranjan had sought the courts permission to speak to his parents which was readily granted. However, minutes later, he changed his mind and did not talk to them.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has detained one more person for questioning -- Sai Krishna, son of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from Karnatakas Bagalkote. According to the sources, Krishna, is a techie and friend of one of the Parliament intruders Manoranjan D. They said that Krishna and Manoranjan were batchmates at a Bengaluru engineering college.

In a major security breach on December 13 two men Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D 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 MPs. Around the same time, two other persons Amol and Neelam  sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting tanashahi nahi chalegi outside Parliament premises.

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NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Thursday said that the Parliament security breach case accused were "hardcore criminals" who are constantly changing their statements. This was mentioned in the remand application submitted before a local court seeking extension of their police custody remand till January 5, which was granted. Earlier in the day, the four accused - Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad - were produced before the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur at the Patiala House Court. Umakant Kataria, the counsel appearing for the accused, told reporters that so far the police have recovered four burnt mobile phones besides other incriminating material. Seeking extension of their remand, the police stated that they want to analyse the social media accounts of the accused for which they need 15 more days. It was revealed that the cops have already put the four through psychological analytical analysis which will be repeated during the next 15 days.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The police plan to confront the 4 accused who were arrested on the day of Parliament security breach on December 13 with the two other accused Lalit Jha and Mahesh, who had surrendered a day later. As the 4 mobile phones of the accused were found in a completely damaged state, the police will now reissue their SIM cards to find out the people they had been speaking to before commissioning the crime. While in custody, the accused wont be taken to any other place as the police have already made them visit 7 different locations. The accused Manoranjan had sought the courts permission to speak to his parents which was readily granted. However, minutes later, he changed his mind and did not talk to them. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has detained one more person for questioning -- Sai Krishna, son of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from Karnatakas Bagalkote. According to the sources, Krishna, is a techie and friend of one of the Parliament intruders Manoranjan D. They said that Krishna and Manoranjan were batchmates at a Bengaluru engineering college. In a major security breach on December 13 two men Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D 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 MPs. Around the same time, two other persons Amol and Neelam  sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting tanashahi nahi chalegi outside Parliament premises. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Four soldiers were killed and three others injured after militants ambushed two army vehicles at Dera ki Gali (DKG) in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday around 4 pm.

Army sources said the militants fired at the army vehicles indiscriminately using automatic weapons. The fire was returned by the troops. In the militant attack, four soldiers were killed and three injured, an official said.

According to the Army official, the soldiers were moving towards the DKG area, where troops had launched an intelligence based operation on Wednesday evening. The troops were going to reinforce the joint operation when they were ambushed by the militants, he said.

Immediately after the attack, the joint contingent of Army and police rushed to the area and launched a massive search operation to track down the militants responsible for the ambush. Army used helicopters, quadcopters and sniffer dogs during the search operation to track down the location of militants to pinpoint them. Para-commandos also joined the operation to assist the troops on the ground.

This is the second major encounter in the border district of Rajouri within a month. On November 23, five soldiers and two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a Pakistani national were killed in a two-day long encounter.

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SRINAGAR: Four soldiers were killed and three others injured after militants ambushed two army vehicles at Dera ki Gali (DKG) in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday around 4 pm. Army sources said the militants fired at the army vehicles indiscriminately using automatic weapons. The fire was returned by the troops. In the militant attack, four soldiers were killed and three injured, an official said. According to the Army official, the soldiers were moving towards the DKG area, where troops had launched an intelligence based operation on Wednesday evening. The troops were going to reinforce the joint operation when they were ambushed by the militants, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Immediately after the attack, the joint contingent of Army and police rushed to the area and launched a massive search operation to track down the militants responsible for the ambush. Army used helicopters, quadcopters and sniffer dogs during the search operation to track down the location of militants to pinpoint them. Para-commandos also joined the operation to assist the troops on the ground. This is the second major encounter in the border district of Rajouri within a month. On November 23, five soldiers and two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a Pakistani national were killed in a two-day long encounter. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: In preparation for the prestigious consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, the local administration has enacted stringent security measures for the high-profile attendees.

Consequently, all hotel bookings made without official invitations from the temple trust or government passes for the surrounding dates have been cancelled. This decision aligns with directives from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who recently reviewed the arrangements in Ayodhya.

The administration issued a statement highlighting concerns about unauthorised hotel and dharamshala bookings on the ceremony day. To ensure smooth operations, these bookings are being cancelled. The statement also said that with the expected arrival of notable guests, around 100 planes are likely to land at the newly constructed Ayodhya airport.

The statement emphasized that on January 22, only invitees and government officials will have access to Ayodhya. Special accommodations for pilgrims are being organised by the Trust at fixed rates in local dharamshalas and hotels.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with numerous dignitaries, seers and saints, is expected to attend the ceremony. Sources indicate that Modi will visit Ayodhya on December 30 to inaugurate the Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram International Airport and the new Ayodhya railway station. Post-inauguration, he is scheduled to address a public rally near the airport.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LUCKNOW: In preparation for the prestigious consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, the local administration has enacted stringent security measures for the high-profile attendees. Consequently, all hotel bookings made without official invitations from the temple trust or government passes for the surrounding dates have been cancelled. This decision aligns with directives from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who recently reviewed the arrangements in Ayodhya. The administration issued a statement highlighting concerns about unauthorised hotel and dharamshala bookings on the ceremony day. To ensure smooth operations, these bookings are being cancelled. The statement also said that with the expected arrival of notable guests, around 100 planes are likely to land at the newly constructed Ayodhya airport.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The statement emphasized that on January 22, only invitees and government officials will have access to Ayodhya. Special accommodations for pilgrims are being organised by the Trust at fixed rates in local dharamshalas and hotels. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with numerous dignitaries, seers and saints, is expected to attend the ceremony. Sources indicate that Modi will visit Ayodhya on December 30 to inaugurate the Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram International Airport and the new Ayodhya railway station. Post-inauguration, he is scheduled to address a public rally near the airport. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hit out at the opposition parties for boycotting the debate in Parliament on the three criminal law bills by making excuses and also for mimicking the Vice President.

Shah was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of several development projects and also laid the foundation stone for three more projects valued at around Rs 400 crore during a programme at the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology in Sector 26.

Shah while referring to the criminal law bills said, "I wanted the opposition to give their views on them. But it was unfortunate that the opposition decided to take an unfortunate decision of boycotting the discussion on this bill by making excuses. When the debate was taking place (in Parliament) on bringing a change in the criminal justice system, opposition members were mimicking the vice president, he said.

"Nothing can be more condemnable than this," Shah said referring to the incdient where TMC MLA Kalyan Banerjee was mimicking Dhankar.

Shah also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for videographing the mimicry act but did not name him. A prominent leader of a party like the Congress was making a video of it and making fun of it, he said

"Yesterday, the Parliament completed the process of turning three bills into laws which will bring a change in the criminal justice system of the country. After its (new criminal laws) complete implementation the process of any criminal case will not take more than three years, he said.

Shah said that by December 2024, the work of infrastructure, software, training of human resources and complete computerization of courts will be done for the implementation of these three laws in all the Union Territories.

He said that the Modi government has already started this work through CCTNS and ICJS. He said that a detailed time-bound program will be made to prepare Chandigarh for full implementation of these laws.

He said that there will be a time-bound program will be prepared to implement the definition of terrorism and organized crime, formation of the Directorate of Prosecution, give stability to forensics and fill loopholes in ICJS and CCTNS.

He said that meetings in all Union Territories will be held before January 31, 2024 to fully prepare them by December 22, 2024, to implement these laws.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who is also the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, was among others present on the occasion.

The projects inaugurated include Administrative Block-C (degree wing), CCET, Sector 26, Himalaya Hostel in Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Sector 12, sewage treatment plant at Diggian, augmentation of the existing STP Plant at Raipur Kalan, 192 houses in Chandigarh Police complex, Dhanas and the Centre for Cyber Operations and Security in sector 18.

Earlier in the day Shah, who was in Kurukshetra to participate in the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) underscored the timeless wisdom embedded in Srimad Bhagavad Gita as a solution to individual, societal, national, and global challenges.

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CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hit out at the opposition parties for boycotting the debate in Parliament on the three criminal law bills by making excuses and also for mimicking the Vice President. Shah was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of several development projects and also laid the foundation stone for three more projects valued at around Rs 400 crore during a programme at the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology in Sector 26. Shah while referring to the criminal law bills said, "I wanted the opposition to give their views on them. But it was unfortunate that the opposition decided to take an unfortunate decision of boycotting the discussion on this bill by making excuses. When the debate was taking place (in Parliament) on bringing a change in the criminal justice system, opposition members were mimicking the vice president, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Nothing can be more condemnable than this," Shah said referring to the incdient where TMC MLA Kalyan Banerjee was mimicking Dhankar. Shah also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for videographing the mimicry act but did not name him. A prominent leader of a party like the Congress was making a video of it and making fun of it, he said "Yesterday, the Parliament completed the process of turning three bills into laws which will bring a change in the criminal justice system of the country. After its (new criminal laws) complete implementation the process of any criminal case will not take more than three years, he said. Shah said that by December 2024, the work of infrastructure, software, training of human resources and complete computerization of courts will be done for the implementation of these three laws in all the Union Territories. He said that the Modi government has already started this work through CCTNS and ICJS. He said that a detailed time-bound program will be made to prepare Chandigarh for full implementation of these laws. He said that there will be a time-bound program will be prepared to implement the definition of terrorism and organized crime, formation of the Directorate of Prosecution, give stability to forensics and fill loopholes in ICJS and CCTNS. He said that meetings in all Union Territories will be held before January 31, 2024 to fully prepare them by December 22, 2024, to implement these laws. Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who is also the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, was among others present on the occasion. The projects inaugurated include Administrative Block-C (degree wing), CCET, Sector 26, Himalaya Hostel in Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Sector 12, sewage treatment plant at Diggian, augmentation of the existing STP Plant at Raipur Kalan, 192 houses in Chandigarh Police complex, Dhanas and the Centre for Cyber Operations and Security in sector 18. Earlier in the day Shah, who was in Kurukshetra to participate in the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) underscored the timeless wisdom embedded in Srimad Bhagavad Gita as a solution to individual, societal, national, and global challenges. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

JAMMU: The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit on Thursday expelled Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader Aman Dabar for "gross indiscipline" and use of "unparliamentary language".

A party spokesperson said, "The BJP took action against Dabar for gross indiscipline and use of unparliamentary language during a press conference in Poonch on Wednesday."

Taking serious note of the indiscipline, Dabar has been removed from all positions in the BJP and his membership withdrawn.

Senior advocate Sunil Sethi -- the BJP's disciplinary committee chairperson -- consulted with with party leaders and expelled Dabar, the spokesperson added.

The action comes after a purported video of Dabar -- a spokesperson for the the party's youth wing the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) -- making "reckless and baseless allegations against the administration" came to the fore, he said.

Senior leaders are expected to be conscious that their statements have a direct bearing about the party in the public's mind, he said.

Taking serious note of Dabar's statement, the BJP expelled him from the party's primary membership for six years "to instil confidence of the public in the high moral principles of the party", he added.

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JAMMU: The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit on Thursday expelled Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader Aman Dabar for "gross indiscipline" and use of "unparliamentary language". A party spokesperson said, "The BJP took action against Dabar for gross indiscipline and use of unparliamentary language during a press conference in Poonch on Wednesday." Taking serious note of the indiscipline, Dabar has been removed from all positions in the BJP and his membership withdrawn.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Senior advocate Sunil Sethi -- the BJP's disciplinary committee chairperson -- consulted with with party leaders and expelled Dabar, the spokesperson added. The action comes after a purported video of Dabar -- a spokesperson for the the party's youth wing the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) -- making "reckless and baseless allegations against the administration" came to the fore, he said. Senior leaders are expected to be conscious that their statements have a direct bearing about the party in the public's mind, he said. Taking serious note of Dabar's statement, the BJP expelled him from the party's primary membership for six years "to instil confidence of the public in the high moral principles of the party", he added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Wild horses generate a lot of heated discussion.

Several important issues surround them and their management by the Bureau of Land Managements Wild Horse and Burro Program, but this column concerns one of the least important topics. What is the proper term, what should we call them? Are they wild horses, feral horses, mustangs, or even range horses?

I found enough reasons for all these terms, so I split this into two columns. This week, I will offer two good reasons to call them feral horses, but then counter with two reasons for using the term wild.

Next week, I will discuss why people like to call them mustangs, even though they are probably not actual mustangs. I will finish off with why, in the past, some called them range horses and wish they were still called that.

The most obvious reason to call them feral horses is that technically, they are the very definition of feral. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines feral as an animal having escaped from domestication and become wild. Every wild horse today has ancestors that were domestic stock. Their ancestors then escaped or were released from human care.

But how many generations must horses live wild lives before they are no longer considered feral?

Maybe they should be considered wild. A creature called Euhippus developed on the North American continent 55 million years ago. By 1 million years ago, it had evolved into Equus caballus, an animal that we would readily recognize as a horse.

By 8,000 years ago, successive ice ages had lowered sea levels enough to create the Bering Land Bridge connecting North America with Asia. The horse wandered onto this land bridge, slowly grazed its way across it and entered Asia. It is good this happened, since the horse became extinct in North America, as did so many other megafauna at the end of the Pleistocene Era.

Roughly 500 years ago, the horse came back. Christopher Columbus brought the first domestic horses to this continent in 1493, during his second voyage.

Then, 388 years ago, in 1620, New Mexicos Pueblo Indians revolted against the Spaniards who held them as virtual slaves. During the Pueblo Revolt, the Spaniards fled and left behind hundreds of horses. This is the first time Native Americans are known to have gained access to horses and used them for riding rather than eating. This date is also regarded as the first time horses may have escaped and become wild once again.

So, out of the last million years, the wild horse has been absent from the North America for only 7,600 years. Put another way, horses have run wild in this area for roughly 99.2% of the last million years. Does such a long occupancy qualify them as a natural part of the continents landscape?

Here is another reason they might be considered wild. After 1620, escaped horses quickly and easily adapted to living wild. Early writers remarked on their rapid expanse across the landscape. By the late 1800s, North America contained an estimated 1 million wild horses. Horses are genetically adapted to survival as wild animals in the arid habitats of the American West.

Here is a second reason to call them feral. The horses that Columbus brought to North America were vastly different from the horses that left by walking across the Bering Land Bridge. Columbuss horses had already undergone perhaps 3,000 years of genetic modification through selective breeding.

Next week, I will give reasons for using two more names, mustangs and range horses. Thoughts on which term to use? Email me at hyslopnv@gmail.com.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur Bala Chauhan and Firoz Rozinda By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/BAGALKOT: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the countrys airports and other vital establishments, will soon take over the security of the Parliament building complex. Sources said the CISF will conduct a comprehensive survey of the entire complex from Friday to assess the security measures in place.

The CISF will be in charge of access control to the new and old Parliament complex. Entry will be subject to frisking and screening with hand-held detectors, and personal belongings will be checked through X-ray machines. Sources said shoes, heavy jackets, and belts may also be scanned. Earlier, frisking of visitors to Parliament complex was done by Delhi Police.

The plan is to ensure 100% security to both the new and old Parliament complexes and all other subsidiary buildings through a comprehensive security cover by the CISF, which will also have the existing elements of Parliament Security Service, the Delhi Police, and the Parliament Duty Group of the CRPF, said a source.

Trained CISF commandos will be deployed for frisking and spotting suspects. Meanwhile, Delhi Police sleuths have detained a software engineer from Karnatakas Bagalkot for questioning in the December 13 Parliament breach case. Sai Krishna Jagali, 30, son of a retired DySP, is a friend of D Manoranjan, one of the accused. His name was found in Manoranjans diary.

Bagalkot Superintendent of Police Amarnath Reddy said Sai Krishna was picked up from his house in Bagalkot on Wednesday night. He has not been arrested so far. On Thursday, a Delhi court extended the police custody of the four accused  Manoranjan, Sagar Sharma, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad  till January 5.

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NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/BAGALKOT: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the countrys airports and other vital establishments, will soon take over the security of the Parliament building complex. Sources said the CISF will conduct a comprehensive survey of the entire complex from Friday to assess the security measures in place. The CISF will be in charge of access control to the new and old Parliament complex. Entry will be subject to frisking and screening with hand-held detectors, and personal belongings will be checked through X-ray machines. Sources said shoes, heavy jackets, and belts may also be scanned. Earlier, frisking of visitors to Parliament complex was done by Delhi Police. The plan is to ensure 100% security to both the new and old Parliament complexes and all other subsidiary buildings through a comprehensive security cover by the CISF, which will also have the existing elements of Parliament Security Service, the Delhi Police, and the Parliament Duty Group of the CRPF, said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Trained CISF commandos will be deployed for frisking and spotting suspects. Meanwhile, Delhi Police sleuths have detained a software engineer from Karnatakas Bagalkot for questioning in the December 13 Parliament breach case. Sai Krishna Jagali, 30, son of a retired DySP, is a friend of D Manoranjan, one of the accused. His name was found in Manoranjans diary. Bagalkot Superintendent of Police Amarnath Reddy said Sai Krishna was picked up from his house in Bagalkot on Wednesday night. He has not been arrested so far. On Thursday, a Delhi court extended the police custody of the four accused  Manoranjan, Sagar Sharma, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad  till January 5. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The official COVID-19 cases detected in the country might be much higher than the actual registered count as the testing rates are much lower despite a sharp spike in the cases, led by the new JN.1 subvariant in over three weeks.

Though the centre has issued an advisory to states and union territories to step up testing, keeping in mind the festivities and New Year celebrations as COVID cases are seeing a spike, only a few states, like Kerala, have ramped up testing.

A survey has also shown that Covid-19 tests took a dip this year with only 18 per cent of people - especially those with severe symptoms - taking the tests. The survey - conducted from Nov 20 to Dec 18, showed that only one in nine people with Covid symptoms took the RT-PCR tests this year.

The reasons for not conducting the RT-PCR tests were many among the 24,000 surveyed in 303 districts.

The main reason for the survey conducted by Local Circles, Indias leading community social media platform, was reluctance as many found no point in taking the test as many treated themselves based on their symptoms and recovered; inconvenience, and the tests being expensive.

According to Krishna Prasad N C, a Kerala-based COVID data analyst, very few states publically share the number of COVID tests they conduct.

The surge in COVID-19 cases began on November 21 when India reported 23 fresh cases.

Since November 21, India has reported 5,606 cases and 30 deaths, of which 4,776 cases and 17 deaths have been reported from Kerala alone, he added.

In Kerala, people voluntarily get themselves tested for Covid-19. Thats why the reporting of cases is high in Kerala, he added.

According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) COVID Task Force, the general public and doctors no longer request COVID tests for people with compatible symptoms. This leads to underestimates, he said.

There are many reasons for not taking the COVID tests, he said. This includes denial, the sense that COVID is no longer a threat, and a false belief by a good section of society that COVID has gone away.

It is important to maintain clinical and genomic surveillance even in between successive waves as the virus is continuously making changes to escape human immune response, enabling it to infect large populations repeatedly, Jayadevan told this paper.

According to Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, which conducted the survey, with the COVID JN.1 subvariant rising globally and being reported in India too, the risk of late identification in communities is high.

The risk (of not taking the test) becomes high if the new JN.1 variant causes severe disease in some individuals, especially senior citizens or those with comorbidities. If that is observed, the government should consider testing all arriving passengers from countries with high caseloads and providing free COVID testing at multiple locations in every district, he told this paper.

However, officials said, the government at the moment has no plans to make COVID testing mandatory at the airport.

India recorded 640 fresh cases on Friday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 4.50 crore. The death toll has touched 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, as per ministry data. A total of 22 JN.1 Covid variant cases were reported in India till December 21, officials said.

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NEW DELHI: The official COVID-19 cases detected in the country might be much higher than the actual registered count as the testing rates are much lower despite a sharp spike in the cases, led by the new JN.1 subvariant in over three weeks. Though the centre has issued an advisory to states and union territories to step up testing, keeping in mind the festivities and New Year celebrations as COVID cases are seeing a spike, only a few states, like Kerala, have ramped up testing. A survey has also shown that Covid-19 tests took a dip this year with only 18 per cent of people - especially those with severe symptoms - taking the tests. The survey - conducted from Nov 20 to Dec 18, showed that only one in nine people with Covid symptoms took the RT-PCR tests this year. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The reasons for not conducting the RT-PCR tests were many among the 24,000 surveyed in 303 districts. The main reason for the survey conducted by Local Circles, Indias leading community social media platform, was reluctance as many found no point in taking the test as many treated themselves based on their symptoms and recovered; inconvenience, and the tests being expensive. According to Krishna Prasad N C, a Kerala-based COVID data analyst, very few states publically share the number of COVID tests they conduct. The surge in COVID-19 cases began on November 21 when India reported 23 fresh cases. Since November 21, India has reported 5,606 cases and 30 deaths, of which 4,776 cases and 17 deaths have been reported from Kerala alone, he added. In Kerala, people voluntarily get themselves tested for Covid-19. Thats why the reporting of cases is high in Kerala, he added. According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) COVID Task Force, the general public and doctors no longer request COVID tests for people with compatible symptoms. This leads to underestimates, he said. There are many reasons for not taking the COVID tests, he said. This includes denial, the sense that COVID is no longer a threat, and a false belief by a good section of society that COVID has gone away. It is important to maintain clinical and genomic surveillance even in between successive waves as the virus is continuously making changes to escape human immune response, enabling it to infect large populations repeatedly, Jayadevan told this paper. According to Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, which conducted the survey, with the COVID JN.1 subvariant rising globally and being reported in India too, the risk of late identification in communities is high. The risk (of not taking the test) becomes high if the new JN.1 variant causes severe disease in some individuals, especially senior citizens or those with comorbidities. If that is observed, the government should consider testing all arriving passengers from countries with high caseloads and providing free COVID testing at multiple locations in every district, he told this paper. However, officials said, the government at the moment has no plans to make COVID testing mandatory at the airport. India recorded 640 fresh cases on Friday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 4.50 crore. The death toll has touched 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, as per ministry data. A total of 22 JN.1 Covid variant cases were reported in India till December 21, officials said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Following jailed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manik Bhattacharyas petition seeking bail, a two-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last Friday.

Bhattacharya is currently in custody in connection to a case pertaining to alleged irregularities in teachers recruitment in West Bengal. Thursdays notice required a comprehensive response from the Enforcement Directorate regarding Bhattacharyas appeal.

The courts involvement commenced after Bhattacharya appealed for bail, challenging the rejection of his bail application by the Calcutta High Court on November 16. Bhattacharya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 11, 2022, following a long interrogation session. As the former head of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, he was detained for allegedly failing to cooperate with the investigation into these recruitment irregularities.

Bhattacharya, a TMC legislator, represents the Palashipara constituency in Nadia district, West Bengal.

The case has broader implications, with several FIRs (first information reports) filed at different stages relating to the recruitment process. These involve irregularities not just in teacher recruitment at various levels but also in the hiring for Group C and D positions in state-run schools.

Also in top court

SC disposes of 52,191 cases in 2023

The top court has disposed of an unprecedented 52,191 cases in 2023, including the judgement approving the Centres decision to scrap Article 370 that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and refusing to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriages. SC data says the number of cases disposed of was 3,000 more than 49,191 that were filed with its registry during the year.

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NEW DELHI: Following jailed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manik Bhattacharyas petition seeking bail, a two-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last Friday. Bhattacharya is currently in custody in connection to a case pertaining to alleged irregularities in teachers recruitment in West Bengal. Thursdays notice required a comprehensive response from the Enforcement Directorate regarding Bhattacharyas appeal. The courts involvement commenced after Bhattacharya appealed for bail, challenging the rejection of his bail application by the Calcutta High Court on November 16. Bhattacharya was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 11, 2022, following a long interrogation session. As the former head of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, he was detained for allegedly failing to cooperate with the investigation into these recruitment irregularities.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Bhattacharya, a TMC legislator, represents the Palashipara constituency in Nadia district, West Bengal. The case has broader implications, with several FIRs (first information reports) filed at different stages relating to the recruitment process. These involve irregularities not just in teacher recruitment at various levels but also in the hiring for Group C and D positions in state-run schools. Also in top court SC disposes of 52,191 cases in 2023 The top court has disposed of an unprecedented 52,191 cases in 2023, including the judgement approving the Centres decision to scrap Article 370 that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and refusing to accord legal recognition to same-sex marriages. SC data says the number of cases disposed of was 3,000 more than 49,191 that were filed with its registry during the year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Punjab minister Aman Arora has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Sunam Court in Sangrur district in the state in a family dispute case.

The court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate Gurbhinder Singh Johal sentenced Arora and eight others to two years imprisonment concurrently on charges of house trespass along with a Rs 5,000 fine and one-year imprisonment. His imprisionment was also for voluntarily causing hurt in a case that dates back to 2008, in which he allegedly attacked his brother-in-law Rajinder Deepa, a Shiromani Akali Dal leader.

All the accused have been granted an interim bail. Sources close to Rajinder Deepa said that in March 2008, Arora, along with his mother, tried to take possession of a part of Deepas house but police intervened and stopped them. But later, Deepa was allegedly attacked by Aman and others and he was injured. Deepa was booked by the police under Section 307 of IPC, but the police dropped 307 in the investigations. In 2012, the court acquitted Deepa of other charges.

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CHANDIGARH: Punjab minister Aman Arora has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Sunam Court in Sangrur district in the state in a family dispute case. The court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate Gurbhinder Singh Johal sentenced Arora and eight others to two years imprisonment concurrently on charges of house trespass along with a Rs 5,000 fine and one-year imprisonment. His imprisionment was also for voluntarily causing hurt in a case that dates back to 2008, in which he allegedly attacked his brother-in-law Rajinder Deepa, a Shiromani Akali Dal leader. All the accused have been granted an interim bail. Sources close to Rajinder Deepa said that in March 2008, Arora, along with his mother, tried to take possession of a part of Deepas house but police intervened and stopped them. But later, Deepa was allegedly attacked by Aman and others and he was injured. Deepa was booked by the police under Section 307 of IPC, but the police dropped 307 in the investigations. In 2012, the court acquitted Deepa of other charges.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW YORK: The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information about a 29-year-old female student from India who went missing from New Jersey over four years ago.

Mayushi Bhagat was last seen leaving her apartment in Jersey City on the evening of April 29, 2019, wearing 'colourful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt.'

Her family reported her missing to police on May 1, 2019.

The FBI Newark Field Office and the Jersey City Police Department are seeking the public's help in solving Bhagat's disappearance.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery.

In July last year, the FBI added Bhagat to its list of "Missing Persons" and sought assistance from the public to help with information about her.

Born in India in July 1994, Bhagat was in the US on a student visa and was studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

According to a statement by the FBI here, she speaks English, Hindi and Urdu and detectives say she has friends in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

The FBI said that anyone with information about Bhagat, her whereabouts or her disappearance, should call FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department.

"They could receive a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery," the statement issued last week said. Bhagat is described as 5'10 with black hair and brown eyes.

She came to the United States in 2016 on an F1 student visa.

The FBI has put Bhagat's 'Missing Person' poster on the 'Most Wanted' page of its website under the list of Kidnappings/Missing Persons.

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NEW YORK: The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information about a 29-year-old female student from India who went missing from New Jersey over four years ago. Mayushi Bhagat was last seen leaving her apartment in Jersey City on the evening of April 29, 2019, wearing 'colourful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt.' Her family reported her missing to police on May 1, 2019.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The FBI Newark Field Office and the Jersey City Police Department are seeking the public's help in solving Bhagat's disappearance. The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery. In July last year, the FBI added Bhagat to its list of "Missing Persons" and sought assistance from the public to help with information about her. Born in India in July 1994, Bhagat was in the US on a student visa and was studying at the New York Institute of Technology. According to a statement by the FBI here, she speaks English, Hindi and Urdu and detectives say she has friends in South Plainfield, New Jersey. The FBI said that anyone with information about Bhagat, her whereabouts or her disappearance, should call FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department. "They could receive a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery," the statement issued last week said. Bhagat is described as 5'10 with black hair and brown eyes. She came to the United States in 2016 on an F1 student visa. The FBI has put Bhagat's 'Missing Person' poster on the 'Most Wanted' page of its website under the list of Kidnappings/Missing Persons. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Nikhil Gupta, who has been named by the US Justice Department in the foiled assassination attempt of Khalistani separatist Gurupatwant Pannun, has been granted consular access thrice in Prague since his arrest on June 30.

The 52-year-old, also known as Nick, is detained in Pragues Pankrac prison. The US has been seeking his extradition since August. India has granted consular support to Gupta as he is an Indian citizen. An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, adding that the family of Gupta had gone to the Supreme Court, and since the matter is sub judice they would not make any further comments.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Court in Prague has said that the extradition of Gupta to the US is admissible. However, the decision of the municipal court in Prague has not yet taken legal effect, according to the spokesperson of the Czech justice ministry.

The Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic can confirm that Nikhil Gupta was apprehended and afterwards taken into provisional custody in the Czech Republic at the request of the competent authority of the US  which subsequently submitted a request for his extradition, read the statement issued by the Czech Justice Ministry.

The Czech Justice Ministry also stated that the extradition request from the US alleges a conspiracy to commit murder for hire. After a preliminary investigation, the Municipal Public Prosecution Office in Prague filed a motion to declare the extradition admissible. The decisions of the Czech courts are also not publicly available online.

Meanwhile, the writ petition filed by Guptas family states that he was illegally detained at Prague Airport on June 30. From the outset, the petitioner contends that the circumstances surrounding his arrest were marked by irregularities, with no formal arrest warrant presented and the apprehension executed by self-claimed US agents rather than Czech authorities.

The petitioner also implores the court to delve into the intricate diplomatic nuances and scrutinise the violations of human rights. They invoke the courts constitutional authority to safeguard Guptas interests in the face of perilous and allegedly wrongful detention.

Prague court admits Guptas extradition to the US

The Municipal Court in Prague has said that Nikhil Guptas extradition to the US is admissible. But its decision has not yet taken legal effect, according to the spokesperson of the Czech justice ministry.



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NEW DELHI: Nikhil Gupta, who has been named by the US Justice Department in the foiled assassination attempt of Khalistani separatist Gurupatwant Pannun, has been granted consular access thrice in Prague since his arrest on June 30. The 52-year-old, also known as Nick, is detained in Pragues Pankrac prison. The US has been seeking his extradition since August. India has granted consular support to Gupta as he is an Indian citizen. An Indian national is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities pending a request for extradition to the US. We have received consular access at least on three occasions, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, adding that the family of Gupta had gone to the Supreme Court, and since the matter is sub judice they would not make any further comments. Meanwhile, the Municipal Court in Prague has said that the extradition of Gupta to the US is admissible. However, the decision of the municipal court in Prague has not yet taken legal effect, according to the spokesperson of the Czech justice ministry.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic can confirm that Nikhil Gupta was apprehended and afterwards taken into provisional custody in the Czech Republic at the request of the competent authority of the US  which subsequently submitted a request for his extradition, read the statement issued by the Czech Justice Ministry. The Czech Justice Ministry also stated that the extradition request from the US alleges a conspiracy to commit murder for hire. After a preliminary investigation, the Municipal Public Prosecution Office in Prague filed a motion to declare the extradition admissible. The decisions of the Czech courts are also not publicly available online. Meanwhile, the writ petition filed by Guptas family states that he was illegally detained at Prague Airport on June 30. From the outset, the petitioner contends that the circumstances surrounding his arrest were marked by irregularities, with no formal arrest warrant presented and the apprehension executed by self-claimed US agents rather than Czech authorities. The petitioner also implores the court to delve into the intricate diplomatic nuances and scrutinise the violations of human rights. They invoke the courts constitutional authority to safeguard Guptas interests in the face of perilous and allegedly wrongful detention. Prague court admits Guptas extradition to the US The Municipal Court in Prague has said that Nikhil Guptas extradition to the US is admissible. But its decision has not yet taken legal effect, according to the spokesperson of the Czech justice ministry. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the scheduled end of one of the most tumultuous winter session that witnessed a massive security breach, suspension of 146 MPs, a total breakdown of communication between the government and the opposition and the expulsion of TMC leader Mahua Moitra.

On the concluding day, three more Opposition MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha for unruly behaviour, taking the total tally of suspensions to a record number of 146 since December 14. The suspended MPs include Congresss Deepak Baij, DK Suresh and Nakul Nath.

In the absence of a majority of opposition MPs, the Lower House also passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 by a voice vote after a brief discussion. The RS had cleared it on December 12.

Replying to the debate, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the 1991 Act on the service conditions of the CEC and ECs was a half-baked attempt that left out the key aspect of appointments and the present Bill covers such areas.

The Opposition parties have flagged the bill saying that the proposed law was against the Supreme Court directions, which had asked the Centre to put in place a law on appointments of the CEC and ECs. The minister said that the apex court had said in March this year that till the time a law is in place, a three-member panel, headed by the PM and comprising the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, will select the CEC and ECs.

As per the doctrine of separation of powers, appointments to the poll panel come under the domain of the Executive and the prime minister has to be a part of it, the minister stated. When the Bill came up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, the government had moved several amendments against the backdrop of protests by opposition parties and former CECs on various provisions. According to the amended Bill, the government has decided to retain the status of the CEC and ECs on par with judges of the Supreme Court.

Once the amended bill becomes a law, a search committee headed by the law minister and comprising two Union secretaries will shortlist five names for consideration of the selection committee for appointment as the CEC and ECs. The Lok Sabha also passed some key bills such as those to replace colonial-era laws Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Evidence Act, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Telegraph Act and Press and Registration of Books Act. These bills were passed by voice vote with almost empty opposition benches in the House.

Speaker Om Birla said the House recorded 74 per cent productivity, and 18 draft legislations, including the new criminal justice bills, were passed. The Winter session also marked the first full-fledged session to be held in the new Parliament building.

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NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the scheduled end of one of the most tumultuous winter session that witnessed a massive security breach, suspension of 146 MPs, a total breakdown of communication between the government and the opposition and the expulsion of TMC leader Mahua Moitra. On the concluding day, three more Opposition MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha for unruly behaviour, taking the total tally of suspensions to a record number of 146 since December 14. The suspended MPs include Congresss Deepak Baij, DK Suresh and Nakul Nath. In the absence of a majority of opposition MPs, the Lower House also passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 by a voice vote after a brief discussion. The RS had cleared it on December 12.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Replying to the debate, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the 1991 Act on the service conditions of the CEC and ECs was a half-baked attempt that left out the key aspect of appointments and the present Bill covers such areas. The Opposition parties have flagged the bill saying that the proposed law was against the Supreme Court directions, which had asked the Centre to put in place a law on appointments of the CEC and ECs. The minister said that the apex court had said in March this year that till the time a law is in place, a three-member panel, headed by the PM and comprising the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, will select the CEC and ECs. As per the doctrine of separation of powers, appointments to the poll panel come under the domain of the Executive and the prime minister has to be a part of it, the minister stated. When the Bill came up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, the government had moved several amendments against the backdrop of protests by opposition parties and former CECs on various provisions. According to the amended Bill, the government has decided to retain the status of the CEC and ECs on par with judges of the Supreme Court. Once the amended bill becomes a law, a search committee headed by the law minister and comprising two Union secretaries will shortlist five names for consideration of the selection committee for appointment as the CEC and ECs. The Lok Sabha also passed some key bills such as those to replace colonial-era laws Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Evidence Act, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Telegraph Act and Press and Registration of Books Act. These bills were passed by voice vote with almost empty opposition benches in the House. Speaker Om Birla said the House recorded 74 per cent productivity, and 18 draft legislations, including the new criminal justice bills, were passed. The Winter session also marked the first full-fledged session to be held in the new Parliament building. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

POONCH/JAMMU: Security forces Friday launched a massive cordon and search operation in the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a day after five army personnel were killed and two others injured in a terrorist attack.

The General officer Commanding (GoC), XVI corps, Lt Gen Sandeep Jain visited the area and reviewed the situation with top army and police officers, officials said.

"Indian Army and White knight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote on yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism", White Knight Corps, or XVI corps, wrote on X.

#IndianArmy and #Whiteknight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in #Surankote on 21 Dec 23 while fighting the scourge of terrorism@adgpi @NorthernComd_IA

 White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) December 22, 2023

An official said aerial monitoring using helicopters is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists who ambushed two Army vehicles in the area Thursday afternoon.

"A massive cordon and search operation has begun this morning after a night cordon in area," an officer told PTI.

The operation was still going on.

He said that additional troops have been inducted into area to track down the terrorists involved in the firing.

On Thursday, around 3.45 pm, the two army vehicles carrying personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station.

The officer quoted above said the Dhera Ki Gali (DKG) Road has been closed for traffic.

Top officials of army and police are monitoring in the situation at the ground.

The heavily-armed terrorists, believed to three to four in number, initially took position on hill tops and chose a blind curve to target the army vehicles.

After the attack, they reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and have taken weapons of some of them, officials say.

The security officials say that investigation of site is being carried out to know the pattern and use of weapons including steel core bullets in the ambush.

Security experts said on Friday the rising number of terror incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch region is concerning.

"It is matter of concern. It is second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful till recently. During last two years, 35 soldiers were martyred here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists got so emboldened?" Defence expert Col S S Pathania said.

Security expert Captain (retd) Anil Gaur said that Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in this region by engineering these incidents.

"There is some fault in how we are dealing with terrorism. It is time to strengthen intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists in difficult areas. There are caves," he said.

In Jammu, several bodies including the Jammu Statehood Organisation held anti-Pakistan protests in the city and burnt the effigy of Pakistan.

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POONCH/JAMMU: Security forces Friday launched a massive cordon and search operation in the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a day after five army personnel were killed and two others injured in a terrorist attack. The General officer Commanding (GoC), XVI corps, Lt Gen Sandeep Jain visited the area and reviewed the situation with top army and police officers, officials said. "Indian Army and White knight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote on yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism", White Knight Corps, or XVI corps, wrote on X.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); #IndianArmy and #Whiteknight Corps salutes the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in #Surankote on 21 Dec 23 while fighting the scourge of terrorism@adgpi @NorthernComd_IA  White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) December 22, 2023 An official said aerial monitoring using helicopters is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists who ambushed two Army vehicles in the area Thursday afternoon. "A massive cordon and search operation has begun this morning after a night cordon in area," an officer told PTI. The operation was still going on. He said that additional troops have been inducted into area to track down the terrorists involved in the firing. On Thursday, around 3.45 pm, the two army vehicles carrying personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station. The officer quoted above said the Dhera Ki Gali (DKG) Road has been closed for traffic. Top officials of army and police are monitoring in the situation at the ground. The heavily-armed terrorists, believed to three to four in number, initially took position on hill tops and chose a blind curve to target the army vehicles. After the attack, they reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and have taken weapons of some of them, officials say. The security officials say that investigation of site is being carried out to know the pattern and use of weapons including steel core bullets in the ambush. Security experts said on Friday the rising number of terror incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch region is concerning. "It is matter of concern. It is second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful till recently. During last two years, 35 soldiers were martyred here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists got so emboldened?" Defence expert Col S S Pathania said. Security expert Captain (retd) Anil Gaur said that Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in this region by engineering these incidents. "There is some fault in how we are dealing with terrorism. It is time to strengthen intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists in difficult areas. There are caves," he said. In Jammu, several bodies including the Jammu Statehood Organisation held anti-Pakistan protests in the city and burnt the effigy of Pakistan. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Express News Service

NEW DELHI: There is no plan yet to make RT-PCR testing for Covid-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, sources in health ministry said on Thursday, as Covid cases saw a surge in India. Though the number of Covid cases are rising, led by the JN.1 subvariant, there are no immediate plans to either come out with a mask mandate or imposing travel restrictions between states, which are seeing a rise in the number of Covid cases, they revea;ed.

In the last two weeks, 22 people have died due to Covid-19 in the country, and most of them were found to be co-morbid. As many as 21 cases of JN.1, which has been declared by the World Health Organisation a variant of interest, has been detected in the country.

The officials also said that for now there is no push from the government for vaccination. On Thursday, India recorded 594 fresh cases while the number of active cases rose to 2,669 from 2,311 the previous day, as per the ministry data.

The death toll has climbed to 5,33,327 with six more people  three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab  succumbing to Covid-19. NITI Ayog member (health) DR V K Paul had said that the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new variant, and that states and UTs must ramp up testing. Though the number of cases is rising, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, officials said.

No mask mandate either

Though the number of Covid cases, led by the JN.1 subvariant, is rising, there are no immediate plans to either come out with a mask mandate or imposing travel restrictions between states, which are seeing a rise in the number of Covid cases, officials said.

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NEW DELHI: There is no plan yet to make RT-PCR testing for Covid-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, sources in health ministry said on Thursday, as Covid cases saw a surge in India. Though the number of Covid cases are rising, led by the JN.1 subvariant, there are no immediate plans to either come out with a mask mandate or imposing travel restrictions between states, which are seeing a rise in the number of Covid cases, they revea;ed. In the last two weeks, 22 people have died due to Covid-19 in the country, and most of them were found to be co-morbid. As many as 21 cases of JN.1, which has been declared by the World Health Organisation a variant of interest, has been detected in the country. The officials also said that for now there is no push from the government for vaccination. On Thursday, India recorded 594 fresh cases while the number of active cases rose to 2,669 from 2,311 the previous day, as per the ministry data.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The death toll has climbed to 5,33,327 with six more people  three from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab  succumbing to Covid-19. NITI Ayog member (health) DR V K Paul had said that the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new variant, and that states and UTs must ramp up testing. Though the number of cases is rising, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating mild illness, officials said. No mask mandate either Though the number of Covid cases, led by the JN.1 subvariant, is rising, there are no immediate plans to either come out with a mask mandate or imposing travel restrictions between states, which are seeing a rise in the number of Covid cases, officials said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday agreed to list for hearing during the day a plea by the city police challenging a trial court order directing it to supply a copy of the FIR to an accused in the Parliament security breach case.

The matter was mentioned for hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna by the counsel for the police.

"We arrested four accused persons. In sensitive matters where we don't provide a copy of the FIR, they have to approach the commissioner. (Trial court), however, directed that we supply a copy," the lawyer said.

"List it today if in order," Justice Manmohan said.

On Thursday, Special Judge Hardeep Kaur extended till January 5 the custody of four accused -- Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde and Neelam Devi -- arrested in the Parliament security breach case.

On an application by Neelam, the trial court also directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to hand over a copy of the FIR to her counsel.

"The concerned IO (investigating officer) is directed to furnish the copy of the present FIR to the applicant/accused as per law," the court said.

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, two of the accused -- 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 slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.

Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament House premises.

Besides the four accused, police have arrested Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat in the case.

All the six accused are being interrogated in police custody.

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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday agreed to list for hearing during the day a plea by the city police challenging a trial court order directing it to supply a copy of the FIR to an accused in the Parliament security breach case. The matter was mentioned for hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna by the counsel for the police. "We arrested four accused persons. In sensitive matters where we don't provide a copy of the FIR, they have to approach the commissioner. (Trial court), however, directed that we supply a copy," the lawyer said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "List it today if in order," Justice Manmohan said. On Thursday, Special Judge Hardeep Kaur extended till January 5 the custody of four accused -- Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde and Neelam Devi -- arrested in the Parliament security breach case. On an application by Neelam, the trial court also directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to hand over a copy of the FIR to her counsel. "The concerned IO (investigating officer) is directed to furnish the copy of the present FIR to the applicant/accused as per law," the court said. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, two of the accused -- 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 slogans before being overpowered by some MPs. Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament House premises. Besides the four accused, police have arrested Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat in the case. All the six accused are being interrogated in police custody. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Tourists visit a Minnan red-brick building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

FUZHOU, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- In Wulin Village of east China's Fujian Province, visitors are often enthralled by the medley of architectural styles: local red-brick houses, Gothic buildings, Greco-Romanesque structures, and buildings blending both Chinese and Western elements.

The eclectic blend of architectural styles vividly narrates the story of the village's connection to the overseas Chinese community. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many villagers traveled to Southeast Asia to work and sent money back to build homes. As a result, the houses often showcased a captivating fusion of exotic influences.

Wulin is known as an ancestral home, while the village has a permanent population of over 1,800, the number of overseas Chinese with ties to it is 10 times higher.

Cai Lianqing, a Filipino Chinese in his 80s, recently returned to the village after decades away. Here, he found what once was a simple path was now a bustling road, surrounded by modern amenities.

However, amidst the changes, Cai caught a familiar sight that evoked a flood of memories  his two-story ancestral house, "Chang Cheng Xiaozhu."

"The building was named after my father and uncle. As young teenagers, they had gone to the Philippines to work, saving up their earnings to build this house in their hometown," Cai said. Seventy years on, the house still stands proudly.

In recent years, over 100 former residences of overseas Chinese, once dilapidated and unattended, have been renovated and preserved under local government efforts, allowing overseas Chinese like Cai to maintain connections to their roots.

Unsurprisingly, the village has also proven a hit with tourists, keen to immerse themselves in its rich cultural confluence and hear stories of overseas Chinese.

"When we revitalize the ancestral homes, we respect their historical and cultural significance, and take an approach based on the local overseas Chinese culture while injecting new elements based on the buildings' unique features," said Hong Mianmian, deputy general manager of Wulin Qingpu Cultural and Tourism Development Co., Ltd., a developer of the village.

Many of these buildings have transformed into cultural venues, cafs, restaurants, and heritage centers. Since 2021, the village has clocked up more than 400 culturally enriching events, which are especially appealing to the younger generation.

The transformation of Wulin Village serves as a quintessential example of the recurrence of ancestral homes in Fujian. The province boasts a remarkable legacy, being the ancestral homeland of 15.8 million overseas Chinese worldwide, reflecting the enduring ties that bind this thriving community to their roots.

Overseas Chinese history museums have sprung up across Fujian to honor their history and contributions.

Earlier this year, in Yujiang Village, Zhangzhou City, the former residence of patriotic overseas Chinese leader Lin Kaide was renovated and opened as a memorial hall, allowing the public to visit for free.

Lin Kaide's children funded the renovation of their father's former residence to commemorate his lifelong patriotic pursuit and the local government later organized the exhibitions.

"As long as the old houses remain, our roots remain, carrying the deep nostalgia of overseas Chinese compatriots. We will continue to protect the sentiments of our forebears and pass them on," Lin Shaofen, son of Lin Kaide, said. 

Tourists take photos at a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2023 shows a view of a historical building blending both Chinese and Western elements in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Tourists visit a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Local villager Cai Wenshi (C) talks with tourists at a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2023 shows a view of Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Wu Shaopeng, an art curator and descendant of overseas Chinese, shows old family photos sent back from the Philippines in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Tourists take photos at a Minnan red-brick building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Wu Shaopeng (L), an art curator and descendant of overseas Chinese, demonstrates his art installation to tourists at a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Children take part in extracurricular activities at a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Local villager Cai Wenshi (R) talks about the construction process of a historical building with tourists in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Tourists visit a historical building in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Children have fun in Wulin Village of Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Editor: JYZ
By PTI

JODHPUR: A woman filed a case on Wednesday night accusing nine people, including former MLA of Barmer Mevaram Jain and RPS officer Anand Singh Rajpurohit, of raping her and molesting her adolescent daughter two years ago.

The case has been registered at the Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Police Station in Jodhpur, police said.

The woman has also alleged in the FIR that the accused also raped a minor friend of her and exerted pressure on her to bring other girls to them.

The accused also include two more police officers - Barmer SHO Gangaram Khawa and Sub Inspector Daud Khan - and Pradhan Girdhari Singh Sodha.

Confirming the FIR, SHO Shakil Ahmad said that a report has been filed against Jain and 8 others alleging gang rape, intimidation and threats.

"She has alleged that Jain has been raping her since 2021, while one Ram Swaroop, who had introduced her to Jain, has been raping her for five years," said the official stating that the investigation has been initiated into the matter.

The woman alleged that due to her father's illness, she came in contact with Ram Swaroop from Barmer about five years ago and he assured her that help her.

Taking advantage of her vulnerability, he raped her, recorded the acts and continued to sexually exploit her.

She stated that he introduced her to the then MLA of Barmer Jain in 2021 at her flat and alleged that both of them raped her and have been continuously raping her since then.

They also molested her adolescent daughter, raped one of her friends and insisted she bring other women also.

She also alleged that the police officers and other accused threatened her against revealing the matter and also forced her to sign some blank papers.

Ram Swaroop had also filed a case in Barmer in November 2022 against five people, including two women, alleging sextortion and demand of Rs 50 lakh.

Police arrested the accused in this case.

Mevaram Jain was elected as the MLA from the Barmer constituency on a Congress ticket three times.

He, however, lost the last election to BJP rebel Priyanka Choudhary.

He has also held the post of chairman of the Gau Seva Ayog.

Some explicit pictures/CD of Jain had surfaced over a year back, which Jain had claimed to be doctored, and he filed a case at the Kotwali Police Station in Barmer.

The zonal unit of the Enforcement Directorate, Jaipur, has registered a case of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with this Case after it was learnt that an exchange of Rs 5 crore had allegedly taken place in this case.

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JODHPUR: A woman filed a case on Wednesday night accusing nine people, including former MLA of Barmer Mevaram Jain and RPS officer Anand Singh Rajpurohit, of raping her and molesting her adolescent daughter two years ago. The case has been registered at the Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Police Station in Jodhpur, police said. The woman has also alleged in the FIR that the accused also raped a minor friend of her and exerted pressure on her to bring other girls to them.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The accused also include two more police officers - Barmer SHO Gangaram Khawa and Sub Inspector Daud Khan - and Pradhan Girdhari Singh Sodha. Confirming the FIR, SHO Shakil Ahmad said that a report has been filed against Jain and 8 others alleging gang rape, intimidation and threats. "She has alleged that Jain has been raping her since 2021, while one Ram Swaroop, who had introduced her to Jain, has been raping her for five years," said the official stating that the investigation has been initiated into the matter. The woman alleged that due to her father's illness, she came in contact with Ram Swaroop from Barmer about five years ago and he assured her that help her. Taking advantage of her vulnerability, he raped her, recorded the acts and continued to sexually exploit her. She stated that he introduced her to the then MLA of Barmer Jain in 2021 at her flat and alleged that both of them raped her and have been continuously raping her since then. They also molested her adolescent daughter, raped one of her friends and insisted she bring other women also. She also alleged that the police officers and other accused threatened her against revealing the matter and also forced her to sign some blank papers. Ram Swaroop had also filed a case in Barmer in November 2022 against five people, including two women, alleging sextortion and demand of Rs 50 lakh. Police arrested the accused in this case. Mevaram Jain was elected as the MLA from the Barmer constituency on a Congress ticket three times. He, however, lost the last election to BJP rebel Priyanka Choudhary. He has also held the post of chairman of the Gau Seva Ayog. Some explicit pictures/CD of Jain had surfaced over a year back, which Jain had claimed to be doctored, and he filed a case at the Kotwali Police Station in Barmer. The zonal unit of the Enforcement Directorate, Jaipur, has registered a case of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with this Case after it was learnt that an exchange of Rs 5 crore had allegedly taken place in this case. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Rendering the House dysfunctional by making a demand to the Chair that cannot be acceded is unfortunate and against public interest, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar is learnt to have said in a letter to Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

Dhankhar has written to Kharge stating that the Congress leader's refusal to meet him during the Winter session of Parliament was not in sync with parliamentary practices and has also sought an interaction with him, sources said on Friday.

This comes a day after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule.

The Upper House witnessed repeated protests by opposition MPs who were demanding a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.

The protests led to the suspension of 46 MPs from the House for the session.

A breach of privilege notice was moved against Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien and the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee.

ALSO READ | Should I say I am not allowed to speak in Parliament because I am Dalit: Kharge

Citing the letter, the sources said Dhankhar expressed "pain" that his efforts to hold a meeting with Kharge to ensure smooth functioning of the House could not find the Congress leader's favour.

Interaction with the presiding officer is of high priority as per the parliamentary mechanism, Dhankhar said.

He also said that he looks forward to an interaction with the leader of opposition for a healthy way forward.

The three frenetic weeks of the Parliament's Winter session saw a security breach in the Lok Sabha, suspension of 146 MPs and the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the "bribe-for-query" case.

The session, which began on December 4, saw both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha running largely peacefully for the first week but things changed after December 13.

On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two people jumped into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some of the MPs.

READ MORE | Will not tolerate any insult to Parliament, post of vice president: Dhankhar on mimicry row

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NEW DELHI: Rendering the House dysfunctional by making a demand to the Chair that cannot be acceded is unfortunate and against public interest, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar is learnt to have said in a letter to Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Dhankhar has written to Kharge stating that the Congress leader's refusal to meet him during the Winter session of Parliament was not in sync with parliamentary practices and has also sought an interaction with him, sources said on Friday. This comes a day after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Upper House witnessed repeated protests by opposition MPs who were demanding a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue. The protests led to the suspension of 46 MPs from the House for the session. A breach of privilege notice was moved against Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien and the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee. ALSO READ | Should I say I am not allowed to speak in Parliament because I am Dalit: Kharge Citing the letter, the sources said Dhankhar expressed "pain" that his efforts to hold a meeting with Kharge to ensure smooth functioning of the House could not find the Congress leader's favour. Interaction with the presiding officer is of high priority as per the parliamentary mechanism, Dhankhar said. He also said that he looks forward to an interaction with the leader of opposition for a healthy way forward. The three frenetic weeks of the Parliament's Winter session saw a security breach in the Lok Sabha, suspension of 146 MPs and the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the "bribe-for-query" case. The session, which began on December 4, saw both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha running largely peacefully for the first week but things changed after December 13. On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two people jumped into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some of the MPs. READ MORE | Will not tolerate any insult to Parliament, post of vice president: Dhankhar on mimicry row Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The RSS on Thursday said that it backed the caste census but with social harmony and unity intact. The move comes days after a senior functionary expressed his views against the caste census, a demand being reiterated by the opposition.

Sunil Ambekar, RSS All India publicity in-charge, issued a statement in this regard after Lalu Prasads RJD had termed it and the BJP as anti-backward with negative ideologies. In the statement, Ambekar said that Sangh Parivar was not against any census but such an exercise must be used to achieve overall development of society while ensuring that no harm was caused to social harmony and unity of the country.

Recently, a discussion around caste census has started again. We are of the view that it must be used for the holistic progress of the society. While doing so, all the parties concerned must ensure that social harmony and integrity is not disturbed, the statement read.

RSS has continuously been making efforts and striving to achieve the goal of creating a Hindu society based on harmony and social justice with no discrimination and disparity. It is true that due to different historical reasons, various sections of the society have been left lagging behind economically, socially and educationally. The governments have introduced schemes and special provisions for the development and empowerment of such sections from time to time, and the RSS fully supports such measures, Ambekar added.

On Tuesday, RSS Sahasanghchalak for the Vidarbha region Shridhar Gadge had said that a caste census may benefit only some people politically as it would provide data about the population of a certain caste, but it would not be desirable socially in terms of national unity. There should be no caste-based census. In any case, what will it achieve? Gadge had told reporters.

A caste census will quantify caste-wise populations. But it is not going to be in the interest of society or the nation, he had said. The demand of caste census was one of the major poll planks of the Opposition in the recently concluded assembly elections in five states.

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NEW DELHI: The RSS on Thursday said that it backed the caste census but with social harmony and unity intact. The move comes days after a senior functionary expressed his views against the caste census, a demand being reiterated by the opposition. Sunil Ambekar, RSS All India publicity in-charge, issued a statement in this regard after Lalu Prasads RJD had termed it and the BJP as anti-backward with negative ideologies. In the statement, Ambekar said that Sangh Parivar was not against any census but such an exercise must be used to achieve overall development of society while ensuring that no harm was caused to social harmony and unity of the country. Recently, a discussion around caste census has started again. We are of the view that it must be used for the holistic progress of the society. While doing so, all the parties concerned must ensure that social harmony and integrity is not disturbed, the statement read.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); RSS has continuously been making efforts and striving to achieve the goal of creating a Hindu society based on harmony and social justice with no discrimination and disparity. It is true that due to different historical reasons, various sections of the society have been left lagging behind economically, socially and educationally. The governments have introduced schemes and special provisions for the development and empowerment of such sections from time to time, and the RSS fully supports such measures, Ambekar added. On Tuesday, RSS Sahasanghchalak for the Vidarbha region Shridhar Gadge had said that a caste census may benefit only some people politically as it would provide data about the population of a certain caste, but it would not be desirable socially in terms of national unity. There should be no caste-based census. In any case, what will it achieve? Gadge had told reporters. A caste census will quantify caste-wise populations. But it is not going to be in the interest of society or the nation, he had said. The demand of caste census was one of the major poll planks of the Opposition in the recently concluded assembly elections in five states. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

JAMMU: Security and defence experts have called for immediate strengthening of the security management and intelligence network along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, which witnessed the killing of 59 people, including 24 security personnel and 28 terrorists, in terror incidents this year.

A day after five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in the border district of Poonch, they expressed concern over the increasing footprints of terrorists in the region.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh (retd), who headed the Nagrota-based XVI corps of the army, acknowledged that the terrain where the incident took place is a difficult one.

"But having said that one needs to be prepared for all eventualities," he said.

He said it was time for the top brass in the corps to go back to the drawing board and analyse the continuous "reverses" being witnessed in the area.

"This area also has an unholy nexus between smugglers, drug cartels and people in the system.

There is an urgent need to break the backbone of this," Lt Gen Singh, who was one of the army officials involved in the Balakote strike in 2019, said.

India had hit back at terror camps, especially of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group, after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a car bomb explosion in Pulwama in February 2019.

Shiv Sena Dogra Front members protest against the terrorist attack yesterday in which five Army personnel were killed in Poonch, in Jammu, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. (Photo | PTI)

Gen Singh also advised that it was time for those at the helm of affairs to go back to the drawing board and basic training of jungle warfare.

"We should not be more dependent on technical inputs as they are misleading at times," he said.

Expressing concern over the terror incidents, defence expert Col (retd) S S Pathania said, "It is the second incident in the last two months.

This region was peaceful until two years ago. In the last two years, 24 soldiers were martyred here.

Why is it happening? Why have terrorists been so emboldened?"

He said focus should be laid on strengthening LoC management and intelligence network.

"The LoC security management should be foolproof and the intelligence network should be strengthened," he said.

Security expert Captain (retired) Anil Gaur also expressed concern over the security situation in the region and called for a total revamp of the intelligence network.

READ HERE: Massive search operation underway in Poonch a day after ambush, GoC visits area

"Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in this region by engineering these incidents.

There are some gaps in dealing with terrorism. It is a matter of concern," he said.

He added that it is time to strengthen the intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists. He said it is a difficult terrain with a lot of caves.

Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday.

The vehicles carrying the personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station around 3.45 pm, according to the officials.

The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest.

With the latest killing, the total number of people killed in terrorist incidents in the border districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi went up to 59.

Earlier, the three districts witnessed a series of encounters that left 54 persons, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists, dead.

While 31 persons, including 10 terrorists and 14 security personnel, were killed in Rajouri, 15 terrorists and five security personnel were killed in Poonch district.

Three terrorists were killed in Reasi district. Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into this side of the border, the officials said.

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JAMMU: Security and defence experts have called for immediate strengthening of the security management and intelligence network along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, which witnessed the killing of 59 people, including 24 security personnel and 28 terrorists, in terror incidents this year. A day after five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in the border district of Poonch, they expressed concern over the increasing footprints of terrorists in the region. Lt Gen Paramjit Singh (retd), who headed the Nagrota-based XVI corps of the army, acknowledged that the terrain where the incident took place is a difficult one.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "But having said that one needs to be prepared for all eventualities," he said. He said it was time for the top brass in the corps to go back to the drawing board and analyse the continuous "reverses" being witnessed in the area. "This area also has an unholy nexus between smugglers, drug cartels and people in the system. There is an urgent need to break the backbone of this," Lt Gen Singh, who was one of the army officials involved in the Balakote strike in 2019, said. India had hit back at terror camps, especially of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group, after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a car bomb explosion in Pulwama in February 2019. Shiv Sena Dogra Front members protest against the terrorist attack yesterday in which five Army personnel were killed in Poonch, in Jammu, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. (Photo | PTI) Gen Singh also advised that it was time for those at the helm of affairs to go back to the drawing board and basic training of jungle warfare. "We should not be more dependent on technical inputs as they are misleading at times," he said. Expressing concern over the terror incidents, defence expert Col (retd) S S Pathania said, "It is the second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful until two years ago. In the last two years, 24 soldiers were martyred here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists been so emboldened?" He said focus should be laid on strengthening LoC management and intelligence network. "The LoC security management should be foolproof and the intelligence network should be strengthened," he said. Security expert Captain (retired) Anil Gaur also expressed concern over the security situation in the region and called for a total revamp of the intelligence network. READ HERE: Massive search operation underway in Poonch a day after ambush, GoC visits area "Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in this region by engineering these incidents. There are some gaps in dealing with terrorism. It is a matter of concern," he said. He added that it is time to strengthen the intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists. He said it is a difficult terrain with a lot of caves. Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday. The vehicles carrying the personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station around 3.45 pm, according to the officials. The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest. With the latest killing, the total number of people killed in terrorist incidents in the border districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi went up to 59. Earlier, the three districts witnessed a series of encounters that left 54 persons, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists, dead. While 31 persons, including 10 terrorists and 14 security personnel, were killed in Rajouri, 15 terrorists and five security personnel were killed in Poonch district. Three terrorists were killed in Reasi district. Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into this side of the border, the officials said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

POONCH/JAMMU: Three men were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an ambush by terrorists on Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, leaving five soldiers dead and two injured the previous day, officials said.

The deceased were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said.

A massive search operation is underway in the dense forests to track down the terrorists as General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain and Director General of Police R R Swain inspected the scene of the ambush and reviewed the security situation, they added.

A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), headed by a deputy inspector general-rank officer, also visited the ambush site but a top official said the agency was not assigned the case for probe so far.

The officials said three men -- Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32), all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz -- died under mysterious circumstances but the cause of their death was not known immediately.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar reached Bufliaz following the reports of the death of the three men, while Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is also heading for Surankote, the officials said.

Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted a Maruti gypsy and a truck of the Army late Thursday afternoon, killing the five soldiers and injuring two.

After the attack, the terrorists reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and took away the weapons of some of them.

Lt Gen.Jain visited Ground Zero and reviewed the situation with top Army and police officers.

"Indian Army and White Knight Corps salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism," White Knight Corps or XVI Corps wrote on X.

The DGP, along with other senior officers including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, visited Poonch and reviewed the security situation, the officials said.

An official said aerial monitoring with the help of helicopters is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists.

"A massive cordon-and-search operation began this morning after a night cordon in the area," an officer told PTI.

The operation is still going on.

The officer said additional troops have been inducted into the area to track down the terrorists.

Security experts said the rising number of terror incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch region is concerning.

"It is a matter of concern. It is the second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful till recently. During the last two years, 35 soldiers were killed here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists got so emboldened?" defence expert Colonel S S Pathania wondered.

Security expert Captain (retired) Anil Gaur said Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in the region by engineering these incidents.

"There is some fault in how we are dealing with terrorism. It is time to strengthen intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists in difficult areas. There are caves," he said.

In Jammu, several organisations, including the Jammu Statehood Organisation, held anti-Pakistan protests and burnt the effigy of Pakistan.

The Shiv Sena Dogra Front also held anti-Pakistan protests and demanded an all-out operation to get rid of terrorists from the area.

They urged the government to carry out special operations along forest areas and strengthen the intelligence network.

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POONCH/JAMMU: Three men were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an ambush by terrorists on Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, leaving five soldiers dead and two injured the previous day, officials said. The deceased were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said. A massive search operation is underway in the dense forests to track down the terrorists as General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain and Director General of Police R R Swain inspected the scene of the ambush and reviewed the security situation, they added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), headed by a deputy inspector general-rank officer, also visited the ambush site but a top official said the agency was not assigned the case for probe so far. The officials said three men -- Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32), all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz -- died under mysterious circumstances but the cause of their death was not known immediately. Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar reached Bufliaz following the reports of the death of the three men, while Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is also heading for Surankote, the officials said. Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted a Maruti gypsy and a truck of the Army late Thursday afternoon, killing the five soldiers and injuring two. After the attack, the terrorists reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and took away the weapons of some of them. Lt Gen.Jain visited Ground Zero and reviewed the situation with top Army and police officers. "Indian Army and White Knight Corps salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism," White Knight Corps or XVI Corps wrote on X. The DGP, along with other senior officers including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, visited Poonch and reviewed the security situation, the officials said. An official said aerial monitoring with the help of helicopters is also being conducted and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists. "A massive cordon-and-search operation began this morning after a night cordon in the area," an officer told PTI. The operation is still going on. The officer said additional troops have been inducted into the area to track down the terrorists. Security experts said the rising number of terror incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch region is concerning. "It is a matter of concern. It is the second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful till recently. During the last two years, 35 soldiers were killed here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists got so emboldened?" defence expert Colonel S S Pathania wondered. Security expert Captain (retired) Anil Gaur said Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in the region by engineering these incidents. "There is some fault in how we are dealing with terrorism. It is time to strengthen intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists in difficult areas. There are caves," he said. In Jammu, several organisations, including the Jammu Statehood Organisation, held anti-Pakistan protests and burnt the effigy of Pakistan. The Shiv Sena Dogra Front also held anti-Pakistan protests and demanded an all-out operation to get rid of terrorists from the area. They urged the government to carry out special operations along forest areas and strengthen the intelligence network. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

PURI: Ahead of the inauguration of the Srimandir Parikrama corridor on January 17, 2024, preliminary work commenced on Thursday. In a ceremonial procession, temple chief administrator Ranjan Kumar Das, accompanied by members of the Temple Managing Committee, district collector Samarth Verma and servitors, went to Srimandir to invite Lord Jagannath and his siblings for the momentous occasion.

After inviting the Trinity, the team also solicited the presence of other deities established in small temples inside the Srimandir premises. A team will also go to Ujjain (MP) on Friday to invite Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati, the Sankaracharya of Puri Gobardhan Peeth who has been camping there.

On the day, Verma in a meeting of all concerned and members of the servitor body approved the list of invitees for the ceremony. The meeting constituted 31 teams who will meet the VIPs and invite them to the inauguration. While 14 teams will distribute invitation cards within the state, 17 will go to different parts of the country to invite the dignitaries, religious heads of various temples and shrines, mutts and important religious institutions.

A special team will visit Nepal to invite the king who is ceremonially connected with Sri Jagannath temple. On December 26, a team of priests will go to Bhubaneswar and invite Lord Lingaraj for the occasion. Soon a team will ceremonially invite the king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb.

The MC members, Chhatisha Nijog members, senior servitors besides temple officials participated in the meeting. The process for the inauguration will begin on January 12 with the initiation of primary work for the three-day yajna which will begin on January 15 and conclude with the offering of Purna Ahuti by the Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on January 17. Thereafter, the chief minister will dedicate the Parikrama corridor to devotees. On the day, Gajapati held a meeting of Sortiya Brahmins to finalise the process and timings of the Yajna.

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PURI: Ahead of the inauguration of the Srimandir Parikrama corridor on January 17, 2024, preliminary work commenced on Thursday. In a ceremonial procession, temple chief administrator Ranjan Kumar Das, accompanied by members of the Temple Managing Committee, district collector Samarth Verma and servitors, went to Srimandir to invite Lord Jagannath and his siblings for the momentous occasion. After inviting the Trinity, the team also solicited the presence of other deities established in small temples inside the Srimandir premises. A team will also go to Ujjain (MP) on Friday to invite Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati, the Sankaracharya of Puri Gobardhan Peeth who has been camping there. On the day, Verma in a meeting of all concerned and members of the servitor body approved the list of invitees for the ceremony. The meeting constituted 31 teams who will meet the VIPs and invite them to the inauguration. While 14 teams will distribute invitation cards within the state, 17 will go to different parts of the country to invite the dignitaries, religious heads of various temples and shrines, mutts and important religious institutions.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A special team will visit Nepal to invite the king who is ceremonially connected with Sri Jagannath temple. On December 26, a team of priests will go to Bhubaneswar and invite Lord Lingaraj for the occasion. Soon a team will ceremonially invite the king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb. The MC members, Chhatisha Nijog members, senior servitors besides temple officials participated in the meeting. The process for the inauguration will begin on January 12 with the initiation of primary work for the three-day yajna which will begin on January 15 and conclude with the offering of Purna Ahuti by the Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on January 17. Thereafter, the chief minister will dedicate the Parikrama corridor to devotees. On the day, Gajapati held a meeting of Sortiya Brahmins to finalise the process and timings of the Yajna. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

CHENNAI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has insulted the people of Tamil Nadu, who were in the grip of a calamity, by "discourteously declining" to provide funds as requested by Chief Minister MK Stalin, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said on Friday.

She has responded "in an angry language of waging a war on an enemy country", Thennarasu said, referring to Sitharaman's press briefing in the national capital on Friday faulting the state administration's handling of the flood situation.

The state government had sought the Centre to declare the rain-affected districts as a "calamity of severe nature" and disburse Rs 21,000 crore as relief to Tamil Nadu." But the Centre declined.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had responded "in an egoistic tone, the language she knows", Thennarasu said in a hard-hitting statement here.

"You all know that Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts received heavy rains on December 4 and Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts received very heavy rain on December 17 and 18, resulting massive floods," he said.

ALSO READ | 5.67 lakh families apply for Rs 6,000 Michaung relief in TN, 92% receive aid

A tragedy was averted only because of the precautionary measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government.

Every area was now gradually recovering due to post-rain relief measures being taken, he said.

The state government announced a relief amount of Rs 6,000 and started disbursing it to the affected.

"Rescue and relief work continues in some places in Thoothukudi district. I don't need to elaborate further as the people in the flood-affected areas and also those in other parts of the country are aware of this through media reports," Thennarasu said in the statement.

ALSO READ | As water recedes in TN's Thoothukudi, people step out of houses after 3 days

During the 20-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 19, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister explained about the adverse impact of the rains and submitted a memorandum.

"Accepting the memorandum, the Prime Minister had said 'I will fulfill all your requests. Nothing matters more than this,' the Prime Minister had assured the Chief Minister," Thennarasu claimed.

Stalin demanded an interim relief of Rs 7,033 crore and Rs 12,659 crore as permanent relief for relief and rehabilitation works in Chennai and suburbs.

As for the four southern districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi, he sought that the Prime Minister provide Rs 2,000 crore as interim relief.

Also, the Tamil Nadu government urged the Centre to declare a calamity of severe nature in the affected districts.

ALSO READ | Kerala govt to extend helping hand with commodity kits to rain-hit Tamil Nadu

The Union Finance Minister stated that it cannot be declared a national calamity, he said and added that she failed to take into account the concerns and sufferings of the affected people.

"Her press briefing is like mocking people when they are suffering the most," Thennarasu said and accused her of using the media to create a false impression on the Tamil Nadu government by uttering "lies and making false allegations".

He expressed disappointment that Sitharaman had not called for the briefing to announce the disbursal of funds for Tamil Nadu. "Why give an interview to say 'no funds?'" he asked.

Stalin went into a huddle with INDIA bloc leaders when TN battled against rains: Sitharaman

Earlier, Sitharaman had hit out at CM Stalin for taking part in INDIA bloc meeting here on December 19 instead of being with the people when Tamil Nadu was pounded by torrential rains and battered by floods.

"When the state was going through a disaster, Chief Minister Stalin was holding discussions at the INDIA alliance meeting in Delhi," she said.

Speaking to reporters, the Union Finance Minister demanded to know why Stalin did not give 'priority' to southern Tamil Nadu at a time when it was pounded by very heavy rains and instead he chose to participate in the alliance's meeting in Delhi.

ALSO READ | Deluge takes a toll on disabled children in TN

She said he should have conveyed to INDIA bloc leaders that he would be with the people at the time of disaster and that he shall visit them later.

Whatever funding that is required to be released to the state by Centre, it would be done. Stalin, however, only demanded that the Centre release Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 14,000 crore for damage without being with the people on the ground, she said.

She raised questions over the state government 'spend' of 'Rs 4,000 crore' for flood mitigation, stormwater drain related work in Chennai and 'contradictory' claims, allegedly made by a Tamil Nadu Minister in connection with expenses.

While the Centre deployed NDRF personnel well in advance, the Tamil Nadu government officials did not act expeditiously, she alleged.

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu rains: Strays either fought fate or succumbed

On Tamil Nadu's demand that the Centre announce TN rains-floods as 'national disaster,' she said that there is no system or practice in the Central government to designate a particular disaster in a region as a national disaster.

No disaster in any state including Uttarakhand has been termed a national disaster, she said, adding this has never been done by the government.

However, if a state government wished to term a particular disaster as a state-level disaster, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines in this regard. "Tamil Nadu can use 10 per cent of their state allocation for any local level disaster. This is with the state government."

Stalin took part in the INDIA bloc meet in Delhi on December 19.

Southern Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi district, battled against very heavy rains on December 18 and 19, which commenced on December 17.

Asked if she sought Stalin's resignation, she said "I am not responding to this question."

To a question on TN Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reportedly asking the Centre if the relief fund to Tamil Nadu, "is your father's money," she said Udhayanidhi's grandfather late M Karunanidhi was a great Tamil scholar.

However, 'their language' had all along been similar and it was seen in the Sanatana Dharma episode as well. The Minister should mind his language and speak responsibly as he is in a responsible position, she insisted.

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CHENNAI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has insulted the people of Tamil Nadu, who were in the grip of a calamity, by "discourteously declining" to provide funds as requested by Chief Minister MK Stalin, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said on Friday. She has responded "in an angry language of waging a war on an enemy country", Thennarasu said, referring to Sitharaman's press briefing in the national capital on Friday faulting the state administration's handling of the flood situation. The state government had sought the Centre to declare the rain-affected districts as a "calamity of severe nature" and disburse Rs 21,000 crore as relief to Tamil Nadu." But the Centre declined.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had responded "in an egoistic tone, the language she knows", Thennarasu said in a hard-hitting statement here. "You all know that Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts received heavy rains on December 4 and Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi districts received very heavy rain on December 17 and 18, resulting massive floods," he said. ALSO READ | 5.67 lakh families apply for Rs 6,000 Michaung relief in TN, 92% receive aid A tragedy was averted only because of the precautionary measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government. Every area was now gradually recovering due to post-rain relief measures being taken, he said. The state government announced a relief amount of Rs 6,000 and started disbursing it to the affected. "Rescue and relief work continues in some places in Thoothukudi district. I don't need to elaborate further as the people in the flood-affected areas and also those in other parts of the country are aware of this through media reports," Thennarasu said in the statement. ALSO READ | As water recedes in TN's Thoothukudi, people step out of houses after 3 days During the 20-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 19, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister explained about the adverse impact of the rains and submitted a memorandum. "Accepting the memorandum, the Prime Minister had said 'I will fulfill all your requests. Nothing matters more than this,' the Prime Minister had assured the Chief Minister," Thennarasu claimed. Stalin demanded an interim relief of Rs 7,033 crore and Rs 12,659 crore as permanent relief for relief and rehabilitation works in Chennai and suburbs. As for the four southern districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi, he sought that the Prime Minister provide Rs 2,000 crore as interim relief. Also, the Tamil Nadu government urged the Centre to declare a calamity of severe nature in the affected districts. ALSO READ | Kerala govt to extend helping hand with commodity kits to rain-hit Tamil Nadu The Union Finance Minister stated that it cannot be declared a national calamity, he said and added that she failed to take into account the concerns and sufferings of the affected people. "Her press briefing is like mocking people when they are suffering the most," Thennarasu said and accused her of using the media to create a false impression on the Tamil Nadu government by uttering "lies and making false allegations". He expressed disappointment that Sitharaman had not called for the briefing to announce the disbursal of funds for Tamil Nadu. "Why give an interview to say 'no funds?'" he asked. Stalin went into a huddle with INDIA bloc leaders when TN battled against rains: Sitharaman Earlier, Sitharaman had hit out at CM Stalin for taking part in INDIA bloc meeting here on December 19 instead of being with the people when Tamil Nadu was pounded by torrential rains and battered by floods. "When the state was going through a disaster, Chief Minister Stalin was holding discussions at the INDIA alliance meeting in Delhi," she said. Speaking to reporters, the Union Finance Minister demanded to know why Stalin did not give 'priority' to southern Tamil Nadu at a time when it was pounded by very heavy rains and instead he chose to participate in the alliance's meeting in Delhi. ALSO READ | Deluge takes a toll on disabled children in TN She said he should have conveyed to INDIA bloc leaders that he would be with the people at the time of disaster and that he shall visit them later. Whatever funding that is required to be released to the state by Centre, it would be done. Stalin, however, only demanded that the Centre release Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 14,000 crore for damage without being with the people on the ground, she said. She raised questions over the state government 'spend' of 'Rs 4,000 crore' for flood mitigation, stormwater drain related work in Chennai and 'contradictory' claims, allegedly made by a Tamil Nadu Minister in connection with expenses. While the Centre deployed NDRF personnel well in advance, the Tamil Nadu government officials did not act expeditiously, she alleged. ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu rains: Strays either fought fate or succumbed On Tamil Nadu's demand that the Centre announce TN rains-floods as 'national disaster,' she said that there is no system or practice in the Central government to designate a particular disaster in a region as a national disaster. No disaster in any state including Uttarakhand has been termed a national disaster, she said, adding this has never been done by the government. However, if a state government wished to term a particular disaster as a state-level disaster, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines in this regard. "Tamil Nadu can use 10 per cent of their state allocation for any local level disaster. This is with the state government." Stalin took part in the INDIA bloc meet in Delhi on December 19. Southern Tamil Nadu, including Thoothukudi district, battled against very heavy rains on December 18 and 19, which commenced on December 17. Asked if she sought Stalin's resignation, she said "I am not responding to this question." To a question on TN Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reportedly asking the Centre if the relief fund to Tamil Nadu, "is your father's money," she said Udhayanidhi's grandfather late M Karunanidhi was a great Tamil scholar. However, 'their language' had all along been similar and it was seen in the Sanatana Dharma episode as well. The Minister should mind his language and speak responsibly as he is in a responsible position, she insisted. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

GAZA: The Israel-Hamas war is pushing Gaza towards famine, the United Nations warned ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire.

At the few hospitals in Gaza still functioning, more wounded arrived after renewed Israeli strikes.

In the Gaza City district of Jabalia, a strike on a house killed 16 people and wounded more than 50, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said.

Northern Gaza no longer has any functioning hospitals, and only nine of the territory's original 36 hospitals are still partly functioning, the World Health Organization has said.

Four members of one family, including a girl, died in a strike on a civilian vehicle in Rafah, southern Gaza, the health ministry said.

In video shot by AFP, the vehicle looked like it had been pounded by a giant hammer that splayed its roof, leaving the wreckage blackened and blood-stained.

"The Jeep was hit. Five minutes later people gathered and a second attack took place. Two strikes on the same Jeep," said Hamada Abu Taha, a witness.

With aid workers running out of words to describe conditions in Gaza, the UN Security Council has been locked all week in negotiations over how to phrase a resolution about the war.

ALSO READ | More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, says Gaza health officials

The latest draft seen by AFP calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed any reference to a "ceasefire".

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is".

The war began on October 7 when Hamas gunmen broke through Gaza's militarised border and killed around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also abducted about 250 people.

Nearly two million displaced

Vowing to destroy the group, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which has killed 20,057 people, according to the latest toll released Friday by Hamas authorities who have ruled Gaza since 2007.

Most of the dead are women and children, Hamas officials say.

The entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine", according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday.

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

ALSO READ | UN says more than 1 in 4 people in Gaza are 'starving' because of war

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday said Israel could enable as many as "400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

In north Gaza, parts of Gaza City including Shujaiya have seen street-by-street combat -- even building-by-building -- between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters.

According to the military, the deaths of two more soldiers in Gaza brought to 139 the number killed since it began its ground assault on October 27.

'Even the animals have died'

The area around the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza has been a focus of Israeli military operations which "intensified" over the past week, a military spokesperson said.

An evacuation order issued Friday by the military told residents in the area of Bureij, an existing refugee camp in central Gaza, to move further south to Deir al-Balah city.

Many Gazans have fled as far south as they can, to Rafah, yet even there they have not found safety.

"These are the houses of peaceful people," Shehda al-Kurd, a bespectacled man, said after his family's house "collapsed over us" during a pre-dawn strike.

"This area might have been considered the safest one, but they struck it," he said.

A separate strike hit an area of greenhouses in Rafah.

Wael Azad, a Palestinian farmer, said "even the animals have died."

"May God have mercy on the people," he added, wrapped in a scarf and woollen cap against the cold.

Paula Gaviria Betancur, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, said in a statement that "Israel's military operation in Gaza aims to deport the majority of the civilian population en masse."

The UN-appointed independent expert said that with Gaza's infrastructure "razed to the ground" any realistic prospects for displaced Palestinians to return home are frustrated.

Increasing pressure

Responding to similar suggestions earlier in the war, an Israeli defence ministry spokesperson said there was "never... an Israeli plan to move the residents of Gaza to Egypt."

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies to protect civilians.

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli authorities say 129 hostages are still held in Gaza.

Several others have died. On Friday a group representing hostage families announced that Gad Haggai, 73, was among the fatalities. His kibbutz community and the army also confirmed his death.

A flautist, Haggai was abducted on October 7 along with his wife who remains captive.

The head of Hamas visited Egypt this week, and talks took place in Europe, regarding a possible new deal. But the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

The war has also sparked fears of wider conflict with regular exchanges of fire across the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels which have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

The Pentagon said on Thursday that more than 20 countries have joined a US-led coalition to protect shipping in the waterway vital for world trade.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GAZA: The Israel-Hamas war is pushing Gaza towards famine, the United Nations warned ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire. At the few hospitals in Gaza still functioning, more wounded arrived after renewed Israeli strikes. In the Gaza City district of Jabalia, a strike on a house killed 16 people and wounded more than 50, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Northern Gaza no longer has any functioning hospitals, and only nine of the territory's original 36 hospitals are still partly functioning, the World Health Organization has said. Four members of one family, including a girl, died in a strike on a civilian vehicle in Rafah, southern Gaza, the health ministry said. In video shot by AFP, the vehicle looked like it had been pounded by a giant hammer that splayed its roof, leaving the wreckage blackened and blood-stained. "The Jeep was hit. Five minutes later people gathered and a second attack took place. Two strikes on the same Jeep," said Hamada Abu Taha, a witness. With aid workers running out of words to describe conditions in Gaza, the UN Security Council has been locked all week in negotiations over how to phrase a resolution about the war. ALSO READ | More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, says Gaza health officials The latest draft seen by AFP calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." It does not call for an immediate end to fighting. Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed any reference to a "ceasefire". Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is". The war began on October 7 when Hamas gunmen broke through Gaza's militarised border and killed around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Palestinian militants also abducted about 250 people. Nearly two million displaced Vowing to destroy the group, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which has killed 20,057 people, according to the latest toll released Friday by Hamas authorities who have ruled Gaza since 2007. Most of the dead are women and children, Hamas officials say. The entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine", according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday. The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million. With homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut. ALSO READ | UN says more than 1 in 4 people in Gaza are 'starving' because of war According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average. Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday said Israel could enable as many as "400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more. In north Gaza, parts of Gaza City including Shujaiya have seen street-by-street combat -- even building-by-building -- between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters. According to the military, the deaths of two more soldiers in Gaza brought to 139 the number killed since it began its ground assault on October 27. 'Even the animals have died' The area around the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza has been a focus of Israeli military operations which "intensified" over the past week, a military spokesperson said. An evacuation order issued Friday by the military told residents in the area of Bureij, an existing refugee camp in central Gaza, to move further south to Deir al-Balah city. Many Gazans have fled as far south as they can, to Rafah, yet even there they have not found safety. "These are the houses of peaceful people," Shehda al-Kurd, a bespectacled man, said after his family's house "collapsed over us" during a pre-dawn strike. "This area might have been considered the safest one, but they struck it," he said. A separate strike hit an area of greenhouses in Rafah. Wael Azad, a Palestinian farmer, said "even the animals have died." "May God have mercy on the people," he added, wrapped in a scarf and woollen cap against the cold. Paula Gaviria Betancur, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, said in a statement that "Israel's military operation in Gaza aims to deport the majority of the civilian population en masse." The UN-appointed independent expert said that with Gaza's infrastructure "razed to the ground" any realistic prospects for displaced Palestinians to return home are frustrated. Increasing pressure Responding to similar suggestions earlier in the war, an Israeli defence ministry spokesperson said there was "never... an Israeli plan to move the residents of Gaza to Egypt." Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies to protect civilians. Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli authorities say 129 hostages are still held in Gaza. Several others have died. On Friday a group representing hostage families announced that Gad Haggai, 73, was among the fatalities. His kibbutz community and the army also confirmed his death. A flautist, Haggai was abducted on October 7 along with his wife who remains captive. The head of Hamas visited Egypt this week, and talks took place in Europe, regarding a possible new deal. But the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart. The war has also sparked fears of wider conflict with regular exchanges of fire across the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels which have disrupted Red Sea shipping. The Pentagon said on Thursday that more than 20 countries have joined a US-led coalition to protect shipping in the waterway vital for world trade. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
A woman sells Hanfu via livestreaming in Ancailou Township of Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

JINAN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bo was not really a fan of costume dramas. It was a big decision for the 26-year-old farmer in east China's Shandong Province to close his chicken farm in 2015 and revert to producing traditional Chinese dress, also known as Hanfu.

But this business turned out to be unexpectedly successful.

Wang now owns a small workshop employing more than 20 workers, with revenue last year exceeding eight million yuan (about 1.13 million U.S. dollars).

"In the Ancailou Township where I live, almost all the young people born after 1995 are now involved in Hanfu businesses," he said.

In recent years, benefiting from the growing popularity of social media and a craze for traditional culture, Hanfu, a traditional style of clothing worn by the Han people which usually features intricate embroidery, was returned to the spotlight by a new wave of young Chinese devotees.

However, few people know that the biggest Hanfu producing base in China is Caoxian County, which administers Ancailou. In the first nine months this year, sales of Hanfu in the county reached a record high of 5.53 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 45.22 percent. About 40 percent of the total Hanfu in China's domestic market was produced in Caoxian.

According to Zhang Longfei, director of Caoxian's e-commerce service center, the county with more than 1.3 million people is one of Shandong's most populous counties, and used to be the origin of many migrant workers who left the region to pursue jobs in China's big cities.

About 15 years ago, some villagers in this county tested the waters by making Hanfu costumes for photo studios and performances, before also hustling around to try to sell them.

The situation was changed by the rise of e-commerce in China. In 2009, these Hanfu makers opened online stores, and found that their dresses sold surprisingly well.

In the following years, more villagers joined the Hanfu business, involved in either production or online sales. "Selling on Taobao is better than rushing about" became a slogan in Caoxian.

Wang from Ancailou had been a migrant worker before 2014, earning 2,000 to 3,000 yuan a month. Seeing the booming Hanfu industry in his hometown, he decided to return there. In the first month, he earned more than 200,000 yuan.

Over the past few years he witnessed a production chain taking shape in Caoxian.

University graduate Liang Li returned in spring this year. An art major, the 25-year-old became a designer of Hanfu, earning about 8,000 yuan a month.

Guo Peng, from central China's Henan Province, used to be involved in a clothing business in the south Chinese city of Guangzhou, before opening a store in Caoxian last year. "Last November my store opened along with six others," he recalled. "Now we have more than 70 clothing stores nearby."

"Find a designer on the internet. After you've got the design, you can find everything you need here, from fabrics to accessories, to produce the costumes," said Li Wenchuang, who, like Wang, returned to Caoxian to start his own Hanfu company in 2017.

This industrial agglomeration has driven down the cost of Hanfu, which used to cost about 1,000 yuan per item. Now Hanfu items produced in Caoxian are sold for only between 100 yuan and 300 yuan each, which is easily affordable for more young people, even students.

Caoxian County is currently home to 12,797 online Hanfu stores and 2,186 companies related to the business, while close to 100,000 people are involved in the Hanfu industry.

According to research firm iMedia Research, the value of the Hanfu market in China was estimated at 12.54 billion yuan in 2022, and it will likely rise to 19.11 billion yuan in 2025.

To encourage the development of Hanfu businesses, the local government of Caoxian County earmarked about 10 billion yuan to build an industrial park, while a Hanfu association was established to promote collaboration between producers, designers and colleges.

At the same time, a center for safeguarding of intellectual property rights was set up in the county, reducing the number of days needed for patent application processing from 180 to 10 days.

Hao Chaoliang, an official with the Ancailou Township, expressed hope that the Hanfu produced in Caoxian could be promoted to more places across China, a pursuit for which offline stores are a good option.

Thanks to her offline store, which was the first in Ancailou, Bai Menghan has already received orders from tourist cities such as Xi'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Luoyang in Henan. She is now planning to open stores in Shanghai, Xi'an and Zhengzhou.

For his part, Wang Bo is trying to complete the production line in his workshop. "I can do everything now except printing," he said. "So the cost of my clothes is about 15 to 20 percent lower than others. In the future I am going to focus on high quality." 

A woman sells Hanfu via livestreaming in Ancailou Township of Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

A staff member sews Hanfu in Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Liang Li designs Hanfu in Ancailou Township of Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Editor: JYZ
New Delhi, Dec 21

O nline food platform Zomato on Thursday said it has not made any offer to acquire homegrown logistics solution provider Shiprocket for nearly $2 billion (more than Rs 16,600 crore).

Reacting to a Bloomberg report which claimed, citing sources, that Zomato has made an offer to buy Shiprocket but no final decision has been taken on the deal yet, Zomato vehemently denied making any such offer.

The company said it "would like to caution investors against such incorrect news floating in the market".

"We remain focused on our existing businesses with no plans for any acquisition at this moment. Kindly note that the company does not comment on media speculation but is clarifying this information out of abundant caution, given the large size of the deal mentioned in the news article and the uncertainty that it may create in the market," the company noted.

In August last year, Zomato-backed Shiprocket, also backed by Info Edge, Temasek and Lightrock, raised $33.5 million that took its valuation to around $1.2 billion.

Zomato, in the same month, completed the acquisition of quick commerce company Blinkit (formerly Grofers) and its warehousing and ancillary services business.

Zomatos board approved the Rs 4,447 crore transaction to acquire Blinkit. The ancillary business was bought for Rs 61 crore.

Meanwhile, Shiprocket is reportedly in talks with top VC firms for a fund-raise upto $75-100 million, led by US-based investment firm Tribe Capital.

According to a TechCrunch report last week, citing sources, "the funding talks are ongoing and the terms may change".

Both Tribe Capital and Shiprocket did not comment on the report. Bengaluru-headquartered Shiprocket aims to become IPO-ready in the next 12 to 18 months. It aims to disburse around Rs 100 crore to SMBs in the next 12 months.

Zomato denies any offer to acquire logistics platform Shiprocket for $2 bn

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INDW v AUSW: Mandhana out for 74 as India reach 193/3 at lunch against fighting Australia

Mumbai, Dec 22

S mriti Mandhana scored a half-century as India Women maintained their advantage in the one-off Test against a fighting Australia Women, who claimed two wickets in a riveting morning session on the second day of the four-day match at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.

With the ball keeping low on a pitch that still looks good for batting, Mandhana played cautiously as she started on her overnight score of 43. Mandhana scored 74, and with Sneh Rana (8) added 50 runs for the second wicket as India Women reached 193/3 in 52 overs at lunch on the second day of the four-day match.

At the break, Richa Ghosh was batting on 24 (53 balls, 3x4) with Jemimah Rodrigues keeping her company with 24 off 41 balls, hitting two fours.

Starting at the overnight score of 98/1, India built on their first innings as the Australians came out fighting, their bowlers adjusting their line and length after playing into the Indian openers' hands by giving them width.

Australia skipper Alyssa Healy started with the pace-spin combo of Annable Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner but soon resorted to spin from both ends, with leg-spinner Alana King getting into action from the Garware End.

Mandhana reached her half-century off 65 balls, hitting eight fours and celebrated the milestone with a boundary off Sutherland, capitalising on a short one on off-stump. She also benefitted from two back-to-back misfields by Tahila McGrath, who took her eyes off the ball, that went to the boundary.

She struck King for a boundary off a full-toss in the middle, pulling it to the vacant deep-midwicket region.

Gardner struck the first blow for Australia as she outfoxed Sneh Rana with one that did not spin much and went straight, avoiding the edge and rattling the middle stump. Rana played her part well, holding up one end as Mandhana did the run-scoring.

Debutant Richa Ghosh started off with a four but India suffered a big setback when Mandhana was needlessly run out just when it looked like she would go on to score her second century following the 127 she struck in the pink-ball Test in Australia in 2021.

Ghosh called for a quick single after Mandhana came down the pitch but skewed it off the outside part of the bat to backward point. The left-handed opener was slow off the blocks, hesitated a bit and then failed to stretch fully trying to get into the crease. Her bat was on the line when Gardner whipped off the bails at the non-striker's end off a good through by Kim Garth.

Mandhana's superb knock of 74 came 106 balls and was studded with 12 hits to the fence, India were 147/3 at that stage, still 72 runs behind Australia's score.

The visitors could have another wicket but Ellyse Perry dropped a dolly offered by Richa off Gardner. Richa, batting on 14, lobbed a simple catch to mid-off but Perry made hash off the easy chance.

India were 165/3 at that time in 43rd overs but Richa and Jemimah did not allow any more wickets as they saw through the session adding 46 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket as India reached 193/3 at lunch.

Gardner was Australia's best bowler in this session as she bowled 13 overs unchanged, taking the wicket of Sneh. Though she bowled quickly through the air, the off-spinner bowled a tight line and gave the ball a bit of air.

Brief scores (At lunch):

Australia 219 lead India 193/3 in 52 overs (Smriti Mandhana 74, Shafali Verma 40, Richa Ghosh batting 24, Jemimah Ghosh batting 24; Ashleigh Gardner 1-42, Jess Jonassen 1-14) lead 26 runs.

INDW v AUSW: Mandhana out for 74 as India reach 193/3 at lunch against fighting Australia

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Los Angeles, Dec 22

H ollywood star Bradley Cooper scurried out of a press conference for his film 'Maestro' to talk to a school nurse about his six-year-old daughter Lea.

The 'A Star is Born' actor, who has joint custody of the youngster with his ex-girlfriend Irina Shayk, was 20 minutes into a promotional event for his Netflix film when he said he had to step out.

The 48-year-old actor, who plays composer Leonard Bernstein in the movie, said: "So sorry. The school nurse just called me. Can I just leave the room for a second to call them back and you can keep going. Is that all right?"

According to DailyMail.com, which revealed the call, Cooper said when he returned, "I have to go to the school to do something with Lea that needs I have to apply something that they won't allow I have to do it, so it's like a 10 minute walk."

The press conference incident came after nine-time Oscar nominee Cooper pictured with his daughter in New York on 15 December.

Days before, Lea made her red carpet debut alongside her famous dad at a 'Maestro' screening also attended by his co-stars in the movie including Maya Hawke, Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman and Carey Mulligan.

Lea appears in the film as a younger version of Maya Hawke's character Jamie Bernstein. But after the glitz of the initial photocall with her dad, Lea was seen taking out a coloring book and sitting on the ground of the floor of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Bradley Cooper leaves press conference due to daughter's emergency

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San Francisco, Dec 22

M icrosoft has announced to discontinue "Windows Mixed Reality" feature in an update to a list of deprecated Windows features.

Microsoft also added the Mixed Reality Portal app and Windows Mixed Reality for Steam VR to the list.

"Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR and Steam VR Beta," Microsoft said in a blogpost.

Microsoft first released Windows Mixed Reality in 2017 to combat with virtual reality rivals such as HTC and Oculus (now owned by Meta). It served as a gateway to games, apps, and other experiences within the VR space.

Microsoft has been reducing the size of its VR division over time.

The head of HoloLens, Alex Kipman, left last year after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Later, the company eliminated 10,000 jobs, which affected many workers involved in Microsofts mixed reality projects, such as the now-discontinued AltspaceVR app.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has partnered with Suno, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-based music creation, to bring their capabilities to its AI-powered chatbot Copilot, allowing you to create personalised songs with a simple prompt.

"Through this partnership, people will have at their fingertips the ability, regardless of musical background, to create fun, clever, and personalised songs with a simple prompt," Microsoft said in a blogpost.

Microsoft to discontinue Windows Mixed Reality feature

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'Right now, all our hearts are so broken because this guy helped a lot of families back in Africa,' Robson Kiyangi, vice president of the Congolese Community of Champaign County, said of Nzengeli Mfwamba, 49, who died after being brutally attacked outside his home early Wednesday morning.
Du Lizhi (right) helps farmers improve vegetable production in a greenhouse in Gaotang county, Shandong province. CHINA DAILY

From monitoring winter wheat to advising farmers on crop health, Du Lizhi, an agricultural expert from Shandong province's Gaotang county, maintains a bustling routine to ensure the prosperity of her native farmlands.

"The wheat is currently growing well, but some of the faster-growing wheat needs to be suppressed before the deep winter to ensure it can stay well throughout the winter," said Du, 59.

To farmers in Gaotang, Du is indeed an expert. Whether it be wheat, corn, vegetables or fruits, she possesses a deep understanding of crop growth and can solve most related problems.

Inside a workstation showcasing agricultural techniques and various crop samples, Du showed visitors a type of sorghum.

"This grain is suitable for planting in saline-alkali soil in our county," she said.

She also demonstrated the benefits of intercropping corn and peanuts, which can increase yields. Du's expertise was developed over a period of 38 years, during which she worked at the grassroots level to learn and promote agricultural techniques after graduating from an agricultural school in 1985.

"To truly engage in agricultural work, it is essential to be close to farmers and farmland," she said, explaining why she chose to work at her hometown's agricultural technology station.

Her first experimental site was her own cotton field. During a year when the town was plagued by a cotton bollworm outbreak, Du used the knowledge she gained in school to curb the outbreak by trapping the insects and spraying insecticides. As a result, her cotton yield increased, and her neighbors began seeking her advice.

Following Du's guidance, the entire village had a successful cotton harvest the following year. Encouraged by this initial triumph, she decided to dedicate her life to agricultural work.

At first, she focused on the production and cultivation of grain and cotton. However, in 1992, an incident prompted her to expand her expertise. A greenhouse farmer from a neighboring village came to her with a cucumber seedling that had yellowing leaves. But Du had little knowledge of vegetable cultivation techniques at the time and was unable to assist the farmer.

Saddened by the farmer's disappointment, Du resolved to learn about vegetable growing. In addition to reading books about techniques, she visited greenhouses to do field research, braving harsh weather conditions and working late nights.

Whenever she heard about problems with crops, be they grain, cotton or vegetable, she would rush to the scene to offer support.

Over the past 38 years, Du has traveled to over 600 villages in the county and has written more than 70 agricultural journals. She has become a well-rounded authority on agricultural matters.

In 2018, the county established a workstation for Du to disseminate agricultural techniques and train more agricultural experts.

Thanks to the station, grain production in Ershilipu village has significantly increased. Yields of wheat have risen from a maximum of 4.5 metric tons per hectare to 7.5 tons per hectare, while corn yields have risen from 7.5 tons per hectare to 12 tons.

Du has also been conducting experiments with pesticides for disease and pest control, resulting in the development of highly effective programs.

"Agricultural techniques such as utilizing disease-resistant varieties can reduce the need for pesticides," she said. "I will continue promoting rural agricultural development and contributing to rural vitalization."

Editor: WRX
Jury clears 3 Washington officers in death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who said he couldn't breathe

A jury has cleared three Washington state police officers of all criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained face down on a Tacoma sidewalk as he pleaded for breath
The U.N. Security Council has passed a new resolution that calls for speeding up aid deliveries into Gaza, but without the original call for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas
The Supreme Court says it will not immediately take up a plea by special counsel Jack Smith to rule on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions to overturn the 2020 election results
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) to improve diagnostic excellence in interstitial lung disease (ILD).

The funded project, called, "'How We Do It': CHEST Experts Weigh In," aims to inform future best practices in reducing the time to diagnosis for ILDs. The activities in the series will prepare the learner to:

define symptoms and patient profiles associated with ILD;

recognize health inequities that may assist in the diagnosis of ILD;

identify the appropriate tests that may help validate a suspicion of ILD; and

coordinate the next steps in the process, including how to document and when and where to refer.

The goal is to reach more than 100,000 health care workers and evaluate and measure the impact of additional education and more timely diagnosis on patient care and outcomes.

Affecting about 400,000 people in the United States, ILDs encompass more than 200 distinct entities and comprise a group of diseases that cause lung inflammation and/or permanent scarring. While frequently misdiagnosed as more common lung diseases, a prompt, accurate diagnosis is paramount to start treatment, allowing medications additional time to slow the irreversible progression of the disease potentially.

The project is an extension of the CHEST initiative, Bridging Specialties: Timely Diagnosis for ILD, which highlighted the need for bringing together pulmonary and primary care medicine experts to shorten the time to diagnosis for ILD.

CHEST is one of 11 specialty societies receiving grants to promote diagnostic excellence across the field of medicine. The awards are part of a competitive grant program administered by CMSS and funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for medical specialty societies to support the development of resources and programs to promote diagnostic excellence for clinicians and patients.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine is one step closer to mass rollout, after officially receiving WHO prequalification status, making it eligible for procurement by United Nations agencies.

 R21/Matrix-M the highly effective malaria vaccine developed by The University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, leveraging Novavax's adjuvant technology, has been awarded prequalification status by the World Health Organization - meaning it is one step closer to being deployed in populations most at risk.

 This important regulatory milestone acts as a mandatory prerequisite for UNICEF to procure and GAVI to purchase the highly effective vaccine.

 The announcement follows an earlier recommendation issued in October by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) to approve the vaccine based on its robust efficacy and safety profile.

 The vaccine is easily deployable and can be manufactured at mass scale and affordable cost, with the Serum Institute of India already establishing production capacity for 100 million doses per annum, which will be doubled over the next two years.

Today 21st December 2023 the R21/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, leveraging Novavax's adjuvant technology, has been awarded prequalification status by the World Health Organization (WHO). This milestone represents a key step in making the vaccine accessible to those who need it the most. It follows the conclusion of a rigorous regulatory process and clinical assessment, supporting the vaccine's efficacy and safety.

The prequalification moment comes shortly after the vaccine has been recommended for use by the WHO's independent advisory body, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG) in October 2023 for preventing malaria in children. The decision was based on pre-clinical and clinical trial data which showed good safety and high efficacy in four countries, at sites with both seasonal and perennial malaria transmission.

Professor Sir Adrian Hill, Director of The Jenner Institute, & Lakshmi Mittal and family Professor of Vaccinology, University of Oxford said: "Over 600,000 deaths mainly amongst children are caused by malaria each year. The disease presents a uniquely difficult scientific challenge: the complex composition of malaria parasites with shape-shifting pathogen that has learned how to evade our immune system, has made the development of an effective vaccine a formidable task. R21/Matrix-M represents the culmination of 30 years of collaborative research and development by the University of Oxford Jenner Institute and, since 2017 in partnership with the Serum Institute of India."

The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is licensed to the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer as well as a long-term partner of Oxford University. SII's production capability is critical because vaccinating those at high risk of malaria will be important in stemming the spread of disease, as well as protecting the vaccinated.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, said: "Today's approval marks a triumph for science, collaboration, and our shared vision for a malaria-free world. This achievement inspires us to dream bigger, work harder, and strive towards a future where we can offer better solutions for the millions burdened by this disease. Together with Oxford, we envision a world where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the protection they deserve.

"This milestone is not just a validation of our efforts but a promise to those who have long awaited this news. The Serum Institute of India remains unwavering in its commitment to making this vaccine a global success, ensuring it reaches every corner where it may be needed. This is why we stand ready to produce up 100 million doses for the first year, which will be scaled up to 200 million doses (per annum) over the next two years."

In clinical trials, the vaccine has reached the primary one-year endpoint in a pivotal large-scale Phase III clinical trial - funded mainly by the Serum Institute of India, with Oxford University as the regulatory sponsor - including 4,800 children across Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali and Tanzania. The Phase III trial results are now accepted for publication. Results showed the vaccine was well tolerated with a good safety profile. The efficacy of the vaccine over 12 months in 5-36-month-old children was 75% (95% CI 71-79; p<0.001) at sites with high seasonal malaria transmission and 68% (61-74; p<0.001) at the sites with more perennial transmission using standard age-based administration, with higher efficacy in 5-17-month-olds.

John C. Jacobs, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax said: "WHO prequalification for R21/Matrix-M demonstrates how strategic partnerships can come together to successfully protect global public health. Novavax celebrates this moment and is proud of the impact our Matrix-M adjuvant may have with this pediatric malaria vaccine in regions that need it most."

The vaccine was developed by the Jenner Institute at Oxford University and Serum Institute of India with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership ('EDCTP'), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank ('EIB'). To date, the R21/Matrix-MTM malaria vaccine has been licensed for use in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

In combination with public health measures such as the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, this vaccine can help save and improve the lives of millions of children and their families and the extraordinary journey behind it has recently been documented by Wingspan Productions in association with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. Expected to be broadcasted on the BBC in 2024, "The Battle to Beat Malaria" tells the inside story of this historic breakthrough, detailing the culmination of a decade's worth of scientific research as well as providing an intimate look at the scientists, medics, pharmaceutical engineers, and trial participants battling this deadly disease.
A team of health equity researchers from several institutions has leveraged a complex web of data to test a hypothesis: That structural racism is associated with resources and structures at the neighborhood level that are closely associated with poor health. What they found in an analysis of highly localized, community level data illustrates how racism is deeply interrelated with poor health outcomes.

Dinushika Mohottige, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Population Science and Policy, and Medicine (Nephrology), at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, served as first author of a paper published today in the journal JAMA Network Open that details the study.

Dr. Mohottige and her senior author and long-time mentor, L. Ebony Boulware, MD, MPH,

Dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, describe in detail how neighborhood prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and hypertension are strongly associated with an increased burden of structural racism indicators.

The research team conducted an observational cross-sectional study in Durham County, North Carolina, using public data sources and deidentified electronic health records to explore how a comprehensive collection of data points associate the presence of structural racism and the neighborhood prevalence of these three chronic health conditions.

"It was important to look at these three conditions because they are interconnected and highly associated with heart disease, as well as quality and length of life. Importantly, Black people share a disproportionate burden of these three illnesses," said Dr. Mohottige, a member of Icahn Mount Sinai's Institute for Health Equity Research who specializes in kidney health equity and formerly practiced at Duke University with Dr. Boulware. They collaborated with colleagues from Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.

The authors explain that structural racism is defined as how societies foster discrimination through a series of systems that are reinforcing, such as housing, education, and unemployment. "These systems cascade into discriminatory beliefs, values, and the distribution of resources," says Dr. Boulware.

Dr. Mohottige and I agreed it was important to tap the unusual data assets available in Durham to learn how we can improve the health of communities and individuals by identifying the factors that may affect their health the most. Our goal was to use the data to help us identify possible interventions. Data which measure health outcomes such as kidney disease and diabetesand which also measure social determinants of health, including information on the built environment and reported neighborhood violencehelp us understand how the conditions where people live affect their well-being. This is especially true for groups that, because of their race or ethnicity, historically experience worse health outcomes when compared to others." L. Ebony Boulware, MD, MPH, Dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine

The result of their work, incorporating thousands of data points related to where people live at the most localized level, says Dr. Boulware, is a first-of-its-kind observational study of associations of structural racism constructs with the health of individuals residing in these neighborhoods. "This study fills an important evidence gap and helps us identify factors which might be targeted to address community health inequities," says Dr. Mohottige.

The researchers studied data of aggregate estimates of prevalence of chronic conditions for each of 150 residential neighborhoods in Durham using the Durham Neighborhood Compass, a unique data asset created by public health officials; a corresponding website, Durham Community Health Indicators Project, provides a user-friendly interface in lay language.

Along with the uniquely detailed and comprehensive Compass data, the researchers pulled data from two main buckets. Through global/composite indicators such as the area deprivation index, they gleaned data revealing the extent of Durham's stark neighborhood advantage and disadvantage. The discrete indicators they drew upon revealed downstream factors widely thought to represent sociopolitical manifestations of structural racism, including reported crime, evictions, police shootings, and election participation. "Very limited evidence exists to tie together these structural racism constructs with the aggregate health of individuals in a given neighborhood using electronic health data and rigorous assessments of chronic conditions," says Dr. Mohottige.

The team found that:

Residential neighborhoods with the highest prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension, tended to be in neighborhoods with the lowest proportions of White residents, and vice versa.

Neighborhoods with the highest prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension tended to be in areas with the lowest income and higher area deprivation. They also had the lowest rates of college education.

A greater burden of most discrete indicators of structural racism (examples include reported violent crime, eviction rates, election participation, income, and poverty) was associated with greater neighborhood prevalence of the three diseases.
Chishui city, situated in the northern part of southwest China's Guizhou Province, boasts of an area of 2.78 million mu (185,333 hectares), with a significant portion dedicated to bamboo forests, covering 1.33 million mu. The city has a population of nearly 230,000, around 180,000 of whom are engaged in the bamboo industry.

In recent years, Chishui city has made great efforts to develop the bamboo industry, creating a green ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and paving a unique path to prosperity for the local people.

Photo shows bamboo forests in Chishui city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Yu Dejiang)

Song Yunjun, a villager from Datong township in Chishui city, has been growing bamboo for 12 years. He never expected that one day his bamboo would be turned into fruit trays, computer packaging, and other products, and be exported to the world.

"In the past, many farmers relied on selling timber as their main source of livelihood, and had to cultivate crops on steep slopes. However, this practice led to a depletion in trees and soil degradation, causing severe stone desertification," explained Song.

Photo shows bamboo-weaving handicraft. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Chishui municipal committee)

In 2001, Chishui city opted to convert steep slopes with an inclination of over 25 degrees into bamboo forests. This approach was aimed at combatting soil erosion and helping farmers increase their earnings.

In the same year, Song planted 4 mu of bamboo on a hillside. However, shortly after planting the bamboo, he began to doubt his decision, thinking that growing crops would be more profitable.

Village officials explained the policy of returning farmland to forests and the associated subsidies to local farmers, encouraging them to consider the long-term benefits of planting bamboo.

Song persisted for three years and are now reaping the benefits. "Bamboo has become a valuable asset. I can earn an average of at least 1,000 yuan ($140) per mu. Everyone now sees bamboo as a lucrative opportunity," he said.

Chishui city has seen a significant growth in its bamboo forest area, reaching 1.33 million mu. The forest coverage rate has increased from 63.4 percent in 2000 to 82.51 percent today, making the bamboo industry a key pillar of the city's development.

Taison Group, located in Chishui city, processes approximately 1.4 million tonnes of bamboo annually, producing 360,000 tonnes of bamboo pulp each year and generating annual output worth over 2 billion yuan.

Photo shows bamboo-weaving handicraft. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Chishui municipal committee)

Since 2018, nearly 300 bamboo processing enterprises, including 16 large-scale ones, have been established in the city.

These efforts have laid the foundation for the development of various bamboo products, such as bamboo building materials, furniture, decorations, crafts, papermaking, and bamboo shoot processing.

In 2022, the bamboo industry's comprehensive output was worth 7.46 billion yuan, contributing over 60 percent to the regional GDP.

Chishui city is focusing on the production of pulp for molding and specialty paper. This focus is intended to expand the city's industrial chain and increase its added value.

In 2016, Bai Yan, head of packaging research and development (R&D) at Chinese computer giant Lenovo Group, was tasked with developing new bamboo fiber materials.

"At that time, the industry typically utilized low-cost foamed polyethylene for packaging and cushioning materials. In contrast, the cost of the new bamboo fiber material was three times that of plastic. However, considering the importance of sustainable development, 'replacing plastic with bamboo' was a crucial consideration," explained Bai.

Through extensive R&D efforts, Lenovo Group launched its bamboo fiber packaging in 2018. This innovative packaging solution offers many advantages, including its lightweight nature and exceptional protective capabilities.

Bai said the company has shipped over 16 million products in bamboo fiber packaging to more than 180 countries and regions worldwide.

Over the past five years, the company has been actively involved in the "replacing plastic with bamboo" initiative, resulting in a reduction of 3,737 tonnes of plastic packaging, Bai explained.

Yang Changqin, a provincial-level inheritor of Chishui's bamboo weaving craft, works on a bamboo-weaving painting. (Photo/Zhang Lang)

Yang Changqin is a provincial-level inheritor of Chishui's bamboo weaving craft. Her workshop creates bamboo handicraft such as bamboo earrings, woven bags, and cups, blending traditional bamboo weaving techniques with modern fashion elements.

"We receive numerous orders for customized bamboo products each year. In fact, the revenue generated by household bamboo weaving items like tea sets and wine sets has surpassed 20 million yuan this year, up 66 percent year-on-year," Yang said.

Editor: WRX
Dog owners may need to learn to appreciate their best friend's urine. Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have devised an efficient, non-invasive, and pain-free method to reprogram canine stem cells from urine samples, bringing furry companions one step closer to veterinary regenerative treatment.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been widely employed in studies on human generative medicine. With the growing importance of advanced medical care for dogs and cats, there is an expectation that new therapies utilizing iPSCs will be developed for these companion animals, just as they have been for humans. Unfortunately, canine somatic cells exhibit lower reprogramming efficiency compared to those of humans, limiting the types of canine cells available for generating iPSCs. IPSC induction often involves using feeder cells from a different species. However, considering the associated risks, minimizing xenogeneic components is often advisable, signifying the need to improve the efficiency of reprogramming various types of canine cells in dogs without using feeder cells.

A research team led by Professor Shingo Hatoya and Dr. Masaya Tsukamoto from the Graduate School of Veterinary Science at Osaka Metropolitan University has identified six reprogramming genes that can boost canine iPSC generation by about 120 times compared to conventional methods using fibroblasts. The iPSCs were created from urine-derived cells using a non-invasive, straightforward, and painless method. Additionally, the researchers succeeded in generating canine iPSCs without feeder cells, a feat that had been impossible until now. The team aims to disseminate their findings in the global research community, contributing to advances in regenerative medicine and genetic disease research in veterinary medicine.

As a veterinarian, I have examined and treated many animals. However, there are still many diseases that either cannot be cured or have not been fully understood. In the future, I am committed to continue my research on differentiating canine iPSCs into various types of cells and applying them to treat sick dogs, hopefully bringing joy to many animals and their owners." Professor Shingo Hatoya, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University

Their findings are set for publication in Stem Cell Reports on December 21, 2023.
California's safety-net health program, Medi-Cal, is on the cusp of major changes that could rectify long-standing problems and improve health care for the state's low-income population.

Starting Jan. 1, Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, will implement new standardized contracts with its 22 managed care health plans, which collectively cover 99% of enrollees. The new contracts tighten enforcement of quality measures, especially for women and children; require the health plans to report publicly on the performance of medical providers - and in some cases other insurers - to whom they delegate care; and mandate that plans reveal the number of enrollees who don't have access to primary care and invest more to plug the gap. They also commit plans to better integration of physical and mental health care and greater responsiveness to the cultural and linguistic needs, sexual orientation, and gender identity of members.

To realize these promises, state regulators will have to be tougher than they have been in the past.

But that might be difficult, because the changes are happening at the same time as a number of other initiatives that could compete for staff attention and confuse some enrollees.

Beginning next year, over 700,000 immigrants without permanent legal residency will become eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. In addition, an estimated 1.2 million beneficiaries in 21 counties will need to change health plans after the state last year rejiggered the constellation of insurers and multiple counties switched the way they deliver Medi-Cal. Some counties will have only one plan left. Where there is more than one, enrollees who are losing their plan will have to choose a new one.

Kaiser Permanente, the Oakland-based managed care giant, will start a new direct contract with the state in 32 counties, largely an administrative shift that should not disrupt care for most enrollees. And thousands of Medi-Cal enrollees in residential care will be switched into managed care plans for the first time, as the state accelerates its move away from traditional, direct-pay Medi-Cal.

All of this is happening amid the so-called unwinding, in which over 900,000 people have been shed from Medi-Cal thus far, and disenrollments are expected to continue until next summer. The unwinding follows the termination of pandemic-era protections.

"My head is spinning thinking about all of that going on at the same time," says John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the state's largest Medi-Cal plan, with nearly 2.6 million members. "Our call center is stacked to the gills."

Tony Cava, spokesperson for the Department of Health Care Services, which oversees Medi-Cal, says the new contracts, signed by all the Medi-Cal managed care plans, will provide for "quality, equitable, and comprehensive coverage," emphasizing prevention and "offering services that address long-term care needs throughout a member's life."

And in a groundbreaking move, the new contracts also require health plans for the first time to reinvest a portion of their profits - between 5% and 7.5% - in the communities where they operate.

They also provide a number of carrots and sticks, which include withholding a small percentage of payments to health plans with a chance for them to earn it back by reaching quality and health equity benchmarks. And profitable health plans that don't meet expectations will have to reinvest an additional 7.5% of their profits in the community. This is all on top of increased fines that regulators can levy on poorly performing health plans.

The new Medi-Cal contracts also enshrine key elements of CalAIM, a $12 billion, five-year experiment, already underway, in which health plans aim to provide a range of social services for the neediest Medi-Cal members, including housing assistance and medically tailored meals, on the grounds that poverty and related social inequities are often the root of health problems. So far, however, the rollout has been slow.

Abbi Coursolle, senior attorney in the Los Angeles office of the National Health Law Program, says the requirement for health plans to report publicly on the care provided by their subcontracted medical providers should increase accountability, helping enrollees better navigate Medi-Cal.

"This is a step forward that advocates have been paying attention to for over a decade," Coursolle says. "There's so much ping-ponging people back and forth between the health plan and the provider group. That dilutes accountability so much."

Another big change for Medi-Cal is the elimination of the so-called asset limit test for a certain subset of enrollees, including people who are aged, blind, disabled, in long-term care, or on Medicare. In addition to meeting income requirements, people have had to keep the total value of their personal assets below certain thresholds to qualify for Medi-Cal. The assets that are counted include savings, certain investments, second homes, and even second cars.

Until last year, those limits were so low - $2,000 for an individual - that people had virtually no ability to accumulate savings if they wanted to be on Medi-Cal. In mid-2022, however, the limit was raised to $130,000, which meant that for the majority of people subject to the test, assets were no longer a barrier to eligibility. In 2024, the asset test will be eliminated altogether.

But given last year's change, the total elimination will likely generate only a few thousand new Medi-Cal enrollees. Still, it should save people the bureaucratic headache of having to prove they're below a certain asset threshold.

If you want to learn more about the asset limit test, the DHCS has an FAQ on the subject on its website (dhcs.ca.gov).

If you wonder whether you are among the 1.2 million Medi-Cal members who need to change health plans, and you haven't already received communication on the subject, the department has an online tool to tell you the plans that will be available in your county as of Jan. 1.

Nearly half the people who need to switch plans are Health Net members in Los Angeles County who are being transferred to Molina Healthcare as part of a compromise agreement the state struck last year to avoid becoming mired in lawsuits by angry health plans that lost out in a bidding competition.

If you need to change plans and you're lucky, your doctors may be in the new plan. Make sure to check. If they are not, you may be able keep them for up to a year or long enough to finish a course of treatment that is already underway. The DHCS provides a fact sheet outlining your rights to continuity. You can also contact your current health plan for additional information or ask your county Medi-Cal office. The Health Consumer Alliance (1-8888043536, or healthconsumer.org) is another source of information and assistance, as is Medi-Cal's managed care ombudsman (1-888-452-8609, or [email protected])

Despite the state's best intentions, an acute shortage of medical professionals could be a big obstacle. "As these coverage expansions are happening, and as this innovation is happening, it is being built on a health workforce that is already strained," says Berenice Nunez Constant, senior vice president for government relations at AltaMed Health Services, one of the state's largest community clinic groups.

Labor shortage or not, the health plans must deliver on their contractual obligations. Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Health Access California, says, "On some level, this is about holding the plans accountable for what they are promising and getting tens of billions of dollars for."

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Through an international collaboration, scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital leveraged data science, pharmacology and structural information to conduct an atomic-level investigation into how each amino acid in the receptor that binds adrenaline contributes to receptor activity in the presence of this natural ligand. They discovered precisely which amino acids control the key pharmacological properties of the ligand. The adrenaline receptor studied is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, and this family is the target of one-third of all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Thus, understanding how GPCRs respond to natural or therapeutic ligands is critical for developing new therapies with precise effects on receptor activity. The work was published today in Science.

To understand how a watch works, one might take it apart, piece by piece, and study the role played by each component in its timekeeping function. Similarly, in a protein such as a GPCR, each amino acid might play a different role in how the protein responds to an external signal. Researchers at St. Jude, in collaboration with scientists from Stanford University, the University of Montreal, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Cambridge University, investigated the 2-adrenergic receptor (2AR) by substituting one amino acid at a time to understand the contribution of each amino acid in this receptor to mediate a signaling response.

Scientists learn how genes contribute to cell function by disrupting them one at a time. We asked, 'Why don't we take this one level deeper? Let's understand how every amino acid contributes to the functioning of a receptor by mutating them, one amino acid at a time. sure that it binds the natural ligand, in this case adrenaline, and elicits the appropriate physiological response." M. Madan Babu, PhD, co-corresponding author, from St. Jude's Department of Structural Biology, Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery director and the George J. Pedersen Endowed Chair in Biological Data Science

Finding function in the form

GPCRs are proteins that span the cell's membrane and connect the outside of the cell to its internal environment by transmitting external signals to the inside of the cell. In the case of the 2AR, adrenaline binds to the GPCR on the part outside of the cell, inducing a response inside the cell.

When a ligand binds, it causes changes in the shape of the receptor, especially in the intracellular region of the receptor where a G protein binds. The binding sites for the ligand and the G protein are on opposite sides of the protein but connect through a complex network of amino acid contacts that span the entire protein. Conformational (shape) changes within the GPCR activate the G protein to trigger a downstream signaling response within the cell. Through effects on multiple tissues and GPCRs, including the 2AR, adrenaline can trigger the fight-or-flight response, such as during an adrenaline surge.

To understand the role of each amino acid in a GPCR, Franziska Heydenreich, PhD, now of the Philipps University of Marburg, the lead and co-corresponding author of this project, mutated each of the 412 amino acids in the 2AR. She then evaluated each mutant's response to the ligand adrenaline and determined the classical pharmacological properties of efficacy and potency. Efficacy measures the maximum response a ligand can elicit, and potency measures the amount of ligand required to elicit half of the maximum response. The aim was to reveal, on an atomic scale, how each amino acid contributes to these pharmacological properties.

"Surprisingly, only about 80 of the more than 400 amino acids contributed to these pharmacological properties. Of these pharmacologically relevant amino acids, only one-third were located within regions where the ligand or G protein bound to the receptor," Heydenreich said.

"It was fascinating to observe that there are some amino acids that control efficacy, some that control potency and then there are others that affect both," Babu said. "It means if you want to make a more potent or efficacious drug, you now know there are specific residues that the new ligand needs to influence." The researchers also noted that the individual contribution of each residue to efficacy and potency was not equal, implying even more opportunities for fine-tuning drug responses while designing new therapeutic ligands.

"Efficacy and potency have been measured for numerous ligand-receptor signaling systems for several decades. Now we can understand how specific amino acids in a protein's sequence can influence these pharmacological properties," Babu explained.

"A fascinating aspect of the results is that potency and efficacy can be regulated independently of each other through distinct mechanisms. This provides a basis for understanding how genetic variation influences drug responses among individuals," Michel Bouvier, PhD, co-corresponding author from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and General Director of the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the University of Montreal added.

A beautiful network

Prior research illustrated the structure of both the active and inactive states of the 2AR. Building on this knowledge, the researchers embarked on a new investigation. They explored whether the two-thirds of pharmacologically relevant amino acids previously demonstrated to be not involved in ligand or G-protein binding might play a role in the transition between the active and inactive states of the receptor.

"We systematically started looking at every residue contact unique to the active state," Heydenreich said, "to understand whether all the amino acids that make an active-state contact are important."

The researchers developed a data science framework to integrate pharmacological and structural data systematically and revealed the first comprehensive picture of GPCR signaling. "When we mapped the pharmacological data onto the structure, they formed a beautiful network," said Babu.

"It provided new insights into the allosteric network linking the ligand binding pocket to the G protein binding site that governs efficacy and potency." Added Brian Kobilka, co-corresponding author and the 2012 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry from Stanford University School of Medicine.

By understanding GPCR signaling at the atomic level, the researchers are optimistic that they can begin probing even deeper -; to see the transient sub-states between the active and inactive conformations and to explore the conformational landscape of proteins.

"We now know which mutants to go after, those that only affect efficacy, potency or both," Heydenreich said.

"Now, we can perform molecular dynamics calculations and single-molecule experiments on those mutants to reveal the exact mechanisms by which the allosteric network influences efficacy and potency to mediate a signaling response. This is a direction we are pursuing through a St. Jude Research Collaborative on GPCRs that includes PIs from several institutions." Babu explained.

Apart from these "driver" residues that are involved in mediating active state-specific contacts and affect pharmacology when mutated, Babu and his colleagues intend to probe other key findings revealed by this work. They aim to study "passenger" amino acids that, despite making contacts in the active state, do not affect efficacy or potency when mutated. They are also interested in "modulator" residues that don't mediate active state-specific contacts but alter pharmacology when mutated. Their data science approach, integrating structural information and pharmacological measurements, isn't limited to the 2AR. It can be extended to any GPCR to enhance our understanding of the mechanics governing this crucial class of drug targets.

Authors and funding

The study's other authors include Maria Marti-Solano, University of Cambridge, and Manbir Sandhu, St. Jude.

The study was supported by grants from Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research (844622, 832620), the American Heart Association (19POST34380839), the National Institutes of Health (R01NS028471), the Canadian Institute of Health Research (FDN#148431), the UK Medical Research Council (MC_U105185859), the Royal Society University (URF\R1\221205), the Isaac Newton Trust [22.23(d)], the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund, and ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude.
As the world grappled with lockdowns and restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University conducted an extensive study to elucidate the link between changes in human mobility and the impact on medical costs associated with lifestyle-related diseases.

Dr. Haruka Kato and Professor Atsushi Takizawa of the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology at Osaka Metropolitan University were concerned by the negative health effects resulting from the restriction of human mobility and approached the issue from a population health perspective. Using boosted tree analysis, the researchers analyzed the nonlinear relationship between human mobility types and the economic impact on lifestyle-related diseases in Japan.

The results indicated that medical costs were differently affected by walking, driving, and public transit, depending on the prefecture types. An increase in walking by over 70% reduced medical costs for lifestyle-related diseases, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In metropolitan prefectures, the total effect on medical costs was higher for walking and public transit. In addition, medical costs decreased by increasing public transit use by over 110%. In non-metropolitan prefectures, the total effect of public transit was lower than driving, and medical costs increased from 80% to 160%. These results are significant because they indicate the standard value for each type of human mobility in metropolitan areas and non-metropolitan prefectures, offering insights and guidance for preparing for a future pandemic.

Based on the standard values, our findings provide valuable insights for governments and policymakers. They suggest the necessity of other measures beyond restricting walking and public transit during a pandemic. We also point to the need for more walkable cities and sustainable urban planning where people can live without cars and opt for public transit, especially in metropolises." Dr. Haruka Kato, Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology at Osaka Metropolitan University

Their findings were published in Journal of Transport & Health.
In a dazzling ceremony held in New Delhi, the Hyundai Exter emerged triumphant in the 19th edition of the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) awards, securing its position as the top car for 2024.

The Exter outshone its competitors, including the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Honda Elevate, Toyota Innova Hycross, and others, to claim the coveted title.

The ICOTY awards, a benchmark for automotive excellence in India, are decided by a distinguished jury of 18 professional automotive journalists from renowned magazines and media houses across the country. Among the esteemed jurors are Yogendra Pratap, Editor of Auto Today, and Rahul Ghosh, Associate Editor of Auto Today, who evaluated each contender.

The Hyundai Exter, a formidable player in the subcompact SUV segment, secured its victory with a robust performance and a slew of impressive features. The Exter faced tough competition from the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, which clinched the runner-up position, while the Honda Elevate and Toyota Innova Hycross jointly secured the second runner-up spot. Other contenders included the Citroen C3 Aircross, Mahindra XUV400, Hyundai Verna, and the MG Comet.

Powered by a 1.2-litre four-pot engine producing 83bhp and 113.8Nm of torque, the Hyundai Exter offers versatility with a 5-speed MT or AMT gearbox. Notably, Hyundai provides a CNG powertrain option, with power figures at 69bhp and 95.2Nm of torque.

The Exter boasts an array of features such as LED lighting, sunroof, climate control, dashboard camera, rear-AC vents, and a wireless charger, making it a well-rounded choice for consumers.

In addition to the Indian Car of the Year, other notable winners were announced. The BMW 7 Series was crowned the Premium Car of the Year, showcasing its excellence in the luxury automotive segment.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5, with its eco-friendly credentials, was declared the Green Car of the Year, aligning with the growing environmental consciousness in the automotive industry.

The ICOTY awards not only recognize outstanding vehicles but also highlight the commitment of automakers to innovation, performance and sustainability in the dynamic Indian market. As the automotive landscape evolves, these awards continue to play a pivotal role in guiding consumers towards vehicles that set new benchmarks in the industry.
In an effort to promote winter riding, Jawa-Yezdi Motorcycles has launched a new campaign called Keep Riding. Jawa-Yezdi is currently offering free fuel to new customers for the first month as part of an initiative to help them explore more of the nation.

This offer can only be used towards the purchase of a brand-new Yezdi Roadster or Jawa 42, and it expires on December 31, 2023.

For all customers who book and take delivery of certain Yezdi Roadster and Jawa 42 variants by the end of this month, the companyis offering a free fuel deal. And as part of the Keep Riding campaign, the automaker is giving away extra benefits worth up to Rs 30,000.

A complimentary extended warranty of four years or 50,000 km, a Rs 10,000 exchange bonu and a 50 percent discount on specific riding gear and touring accessories are also part of this offer.

Jawa-Yezdi and Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) Bank have partnered to launch special low-interest plans with a starting point of Rs 1,888. The motorcycle makers dealerships across the country are the only locations offering these exclusive deals and benefits.

As we are about to start a new year, the new initiative is a fantastic chance to get rid of year-end stocks. Buyers who wish to purchase a Jawa or Yezdi motorcycle and may want to expedite their purchases to take advantage of the best deals should be enticed by the offers.

Customers are advised to check out the deals on the other motorcycles in the brand at the dealerships that are closest to them or that they prefer. Jawa sells the 42, 42 Bobber, Perak, and Roadster in retail stores, while Yezdi offers the Roadster, Scrambler, and Adventure. The Yezdi Roadster costs Rs 2.09 lakh, while the Jawa 42 costs Rs 1.98 lakh; all prices in ex-showroom.

Jawa-Yezdi Mega Service Camp: Details Here

Jawa-Yezdi Motorcycles is also hosting Mega Service Camps in a few cities around the country, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Chennai and Calicut. A comprehensive motorbike health check-up, extended warranty offers and exchange/buyback evaluations are just a few of the benefits that the service camp provides.

Owners of the 2019 and 2020 model years will receive special benefits as the camp, which will also include a range of services from the manufacturer. Based on the motorcycles health checkup, customers may also be eligible for a free extended warranty.
The WB TET 2023 admit card for the Teachers Eligibility Test (Primary) has been released by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE). The official notification for WB TET 2023 was released on September 14 and the registration process continued until October 4 this year. Candidates who applied for the eligibility test can now download their admit cards directly from the official WBBPE website at wbbonline.com. The test has been scheduled for December 24 this year after being postponed from its original date of December 10. The delayed date was decided upon due to conflicts with other examinations.

WB TET 2023 admit card: How to download

The steps mentioned below will ensure that you can download your TET 2023 admit card without any hassle 

Step 1. Visit the official website of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education at wbbonline.com.

Step 2. Once the page opens, you need to look for the WB TET 2023 section and then click on that.

Step 3. After that you need to find WB TET 2023 Admit Card and then click on it.

Step 4. Fill in your registration number and the date of birth in the required fields.

Step 5. Once your admit card is displayed, verify the details once again.

Step 6. Hit download and then get a printout of your admit card for future reference.

WB TET 2023: exam pattern

This will give you a brief idea about the 2023 WB TET exam pattern 

1. The question paper will only feature multiple-choice questions (MCQs) across five different sections.

2. These sections include  Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I  Bengali, Language II  English, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies.

3. Each section will comprise 30 marks for 30 questions, taking the total to 150 marks.

4. A total of three hours will be provided to the candidates to finish the paper.

5. This exam will be conducted offline.

WB TET 2023: Details mentioned on admit card

Here is a list of the various details that will be prescribed on your admit card 

 Candidate name

 Roll number

 Exam date and time

 Examination centre address

 Candidates photograph and signature

 Instructions for the exam

Candidates must note that carrying your ID proof and your admit card to the examination centre is a must. Failing to comply can prevent you from taking the exam.
A week after the brutal assault on a woman in Karnatakas Belagavi shocked the nation with its excruciating details, many are now fearing for the safety of their daughters and women in their houses.

According to an Indian Express report, the assault on the woman whose son eloped with a local girl has left residents fearing further violence and refusing to send their girls to school despite heightened security. The parents prefer not to even let their daughter go out to the market or to play outside they feel women are safe only at home.

M A Mahut, the headmaster of a Kannada Higher Primary School in Belagavi told the publication that more than 100 students, mostly girls, have stopped coming to the school ever since the fateful incident.

We are seeing a dip in the students attendance in classes after the December 11 incident. Many parents are in a state of panic and are not willing to send their children, especially girls to school. Over 100 students from the village are not reporting to class, Mahut told the publication.

The headmaster also added that the school staff is trying to motivate parents and students to come to school.

Last week, a woman in Karnatakas Belagavi was allegedly assaulted, paraded naked and tied to an electric pole after her son eloped with a girl, whose engagement was fixed to someone else, police said on Monday.

Following the incident, the girls family attacked the boys house in the new Vantamuri village and vandalised it. Afterwards, the attackers then dragged the boys mother away, allegedly paraded her naked and tied her to an electricity pole.

After the incident, the Karnataka High Court of Karnataka on Monday took suo-moto cognisance of the incident and called for fixing collective responsibility on the society. The police have so far arrested 12 members of the family who carried out the assault, including five women.

Meanwhile, a five-member fact-finding team of BJP reached the village to collect firsthand information into the matter last week.

The delegation of MPs comprised Aparajita Sarangi, Sunita Duggal, Ranjeeta Koli, Locket Chatterjee and BJP national secretary Asha Lakra.
The Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday approved the state polices proposal to transfer the murder case of former MLA Yumsen Matey, which occurred on December 16, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The case involved charges under sections 302/120B/506/34 IPC, R/w Sec 25 (1B) (a) and Sec 27 of Arms Act 1959, as well as Sec 10/13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

In a bid to ensure meticulous investigation of the case, the state government decided to involve the NIA. The Home Department of Arunachal Pradesh has also forwarded the case to the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 21, 2023, seeking necessary directions for the central agencys intervention.

Likha Sampu, Deputy Secretary (Home) Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, authorised this decisive action, highlighting the governments commitment to pursuing justice in the brutal murder of the esteemed ex-MLA.

The former MLA was killed last week while attending a social event in Raho village of Tirap district by suspected militants from the banned outfit, NSCN (K-YA). In response to the killing of Yumsen Matey, huge rallies are being organised under the joint initiative of the Tirap Changlang Longding Peoples Forum (TCLPF) and various other community-based organisations, Womens Groups, Students Unions, trade bodies, GB Federation and PRI members at various locations of the district.

Notably, in 2009 Yumsem Matey as a Congress candidate secured victory from Khonsa West Assembly Constituency. He assumed the role of Parliamentary Secretary, overseeing significant portfolios such as the Department of Women and Social Welfare, Social Justice and Tribal Affairs, and the Department of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (DOTCL).

Transitioning to a new political affiliation, Matey joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing his live-in partner in outer Delhis Nangloi area four months ago, police said.

Pankaj Kumar Mehto, a resident of Bihars Samastipur, had allegedly strangulated his live-in partner Tamanna (32) in August after she pressurised him to divorce his wife and leave his children, they added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer Delhi) Jimmy Chiram said the incident took place on August 26 morning in a rented house in Nangloi. In the evening, information was received at the Nangloi police station about the body of the woman being found in the house.

Tamannas landlord told the police that she was staying with Mehto and her children after her divorce, Chiram said. The police said a murder case was registered against Mehto who went absconding after the incident.

Different teams were formed to nab the accused. More than 100 CCTV footage at different locations were analysed, they added. Raids were conducted at the houses of his relatives and friends in seven states  West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, said the DCP.

The police said they got a tip-off that Mehto was hiding in old Delhi, following which a team arrested him from Gokhale Market near Tis Hazari on Thursday. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he was in a live-in relationship with deceased for the last six years, the DCP said.

Mehto said Tamanna allegedly kept pressurising him to divorce his wife and leave his children, which led to frequent arguments between them, he added. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly hit her with a hard object and strangled her with a rope, before fleeing the spot, the DCP said, adding that further investigation is underway.
People in Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province are cashing in on apples and potatoes.

Zhuanglang is very suitable for growing apples. The apple industry has emerged as an advantageous industry for the county to boost rural revitalization.

Farmers harvest potatoes in Yongning township, Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Zhao Hao)

"Apple orchards in our county remain stable at 650,000 mu (43,333 hectares), and apple trees on 420,000 mu of orchards have borne fruit. The output of apples is expected to reach 650,000 tonnes this year, with the value of the apple industrial chain expected to reach 4.5 billion yuan ($635 million)," said Liu Jun, head of the fruit industry station in Zhuanglang county.

Wanquan township is a major apple-producing area in the county, with the apple planting area now reaching 37,800 mu.

"Last year, the total output of apples in our township hit 123,000 tonnes, with a value of 1.02 billion yuan," said Liu Bingqiang, Party chief of the township.

In March this year, Wanquan was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a township that developed specialty industries worth more than 1 billion yuan.

Photo shows snow-covered terraced fields in Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo/Zhang Jiasheng)

Ma Xiaobin, 36, is a major apple grower in the township. Ma once worked outside and returned to Qingshuigou village in the township to grow apples in 2014. At first, Ma planted apples on six mu of land. Several years later, Ma contracted an additional 16 mu of land for apple planting.

"Last year, my income reached 200,000 yuan. Thanks to apple planting, I have bought an apartment and a new car in the county seat in recent years," Ma said, adding that he secured another bumper harvest of apples this year.

Cuiping village in the township is home to a modern "agricultural factory." Due to poor soil, villagers were once reluctant to grow apples, according to Cui Guoguan, head of the villagers' committee.

Cuiping village then collaborated with a company to build the modern "agricultural factory," which adopts advanced agricultural technologies such as drip irrigation.

Ma Xiaobin, a major apple grower, smiles as he holds harvested apples in Wanquan township, Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Zhao Hao)

Villagers there can receive rent from transferring their land-use rights, revenue from their own apple orchards, and salary from the "agricultural factory."

"Apple trees have become money-spinners for locals," Liu Bingqiang said, adding that the output of apples in the township this year is expected to be worth over 1.2 billion yuan.

This year, the planting area of potatoes in Zhuanglang county reached 365,000 mu, with the total output and value of fresh potatoes reaching 560,000 tonnes and 600 million yuan, respectively, said Li Guobin, director of the agricultural technology center of the county, adding that the total output value of the potato industrial chain is expected to hit 1 billion yuan.

The county's thriving potato industry can be partly attributed to a high-quality potato variety locally developed, and the introduction of potato planting in the aeroponic system.

"My life has got better since I started planting the locally-developed potato six to seven years ago," said Su Pengpeng, who took the lead in establishing a cooperative in the past two years.

Su bought agricultural machines for the cooperative, which then realized the mechanization of potato cultivation and harvesting.

A farmer collects apples in Wanquan township, Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Zhao Hao)

"Potato planting has fattened our wallets," said Su, adding that the cooperative strives to expand the planting area of potatoes from 200 mu this year to 300 mu in the coming year.

Zhuanglang county has also strived to extend the industrial chains for apples and potatoes. This not only further improves the reputation of the county's apples and potatoes but also brings prosperity to the locals.

Gansu Gonghe Food Co., Ltd. produces apple vinegar in the county. The deep processing can double profits compared to directly selling raw materials, said Li Shangwen, general manager of the company.

Farmers pack apples in Wanquan township, Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Zhao Hao)

Li Shangwen has introduced an intelligent production line and organized teams to develop healthier products and constantly upgrade packaging. Li Shangwen said the company aims to sell the county's quality products to other places.

At a factory of a starch processing company in the county, automated machines are used to produce potato starch noodles.

Thanks to quality raw materials and a fair and reasonable price, the company's potato starch noodles have been sold to north China's Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province, and other places.

Researchers check on the growth of potatoes at the potato seedling detoxification and breeding base in Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Photo shows beautiful terraced fields in summer in Zhuanglang county, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Zhuanglang county committee)

Editor: WRX
As the emergence of the new JN.1 variant of the coronavirus has caused a recent spike in Covid-19 cases across the world, including India, a total of 22 cases of the sub-variant have been detected in the country till December 21 (Thursday), official sources said.

India on Friday lodged 640 new Covid infections as of 12 noon. The source also informed that so far there is no clustering of Covid-19 cases in the country and all the cases have mild symptoms.

Delhi, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra already ordered authorities to send an adequate number of Covid samples for RT-PCR and conduct the genome sequencing of all the samples.

Meanwhile, IMA Covid Task Force Dr Rajeev Jayadevan said that the JN.1 strain of the virus can be problematic for people of old age and those with multiple comorbidities.

No Plans to Make Covid Test Mandatory in Airports: Health Ministry

Amid a sudden uptick in Covid cases, people, especially travellers are worried that various travel restrictions regarding mandatory Covid tests will make a comeback. As per the health ministry sources, there is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for Covid-19 mandatory at airports for travellers.

The reports suggested that while there is indeed a surge in the number of cases and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause for immediate concern as most patients have mild symptoms.

Kerala Reports 265 Fresh Covid Infections with One Death

Kerala health minister Veena George said that the state is witnessing slight increase in the infection since November owing to its higher sample tests than compared to other states. Situation is under control, said the minister adding there is no increase in ICU occupancy, ventilator occupancy or isolation bed occupancy in the state.

He also alerted the reporters that the state can witness an uptick in cases as airport surveillance done in Singapore Airport reveals that 19 passengers from India were infected with JN.1.

We have plan A, B, C ready. There is nothing to worry about. The transmissibility of this variant is more but the severity is less, Veena George said.

Urgent Covid Review Meet In Maharashtra

Maharashtra Health minister had called an urgent review meeting to discuss the rising cases of the new variant of the Covid-19 virus.

The meeting was attended by the health secretary, officials of the health department, all divisional commissioners, all collectors and all Municipal Corporation commissioners.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday held a meeting to review the Covid preparedness given the detection of the JN.1 sub-variant in some parts of the country. The government said it was fully prepared to tackle the situation and urged people not to panic and take necessary precautions due to the upcoming festive season.

Maharashtra on Wednesday reported its first case of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 in Sindhudurg.

India Reports Over 640 Covid Cases in Last 24 Hours

India on Friday lodged 640 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours amid a spike in coronavirus infection. Kerala, where the first JN.1 variant was detected, reported 265 new active cases of Covid-19 and one death in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data showed.

JN.1 Trouble for Older People With Multiple Comorbidities: Health expert

Amid the rise in coronavirus cases triggered by subvariant JN.1, Co-Chair, IMA Covid Task Force Dr Rajeev Jayadevan on Thursday said that the new strain can be problematic for people of old age and those with multiple comorbidities.

JN.1 is a fast-spreading variant, it could go into the next tier of the population, which is the vulnerable age group, older people and also people with multiple comorbidities. In such individuals, their underlying conditions can destabilise and could result in their hospitalisation and complications after that, the TOI-quoted health expert said.

Noida Reports First Covid Case in Several Months

A Noida resident has tested positive for Covid, in the first case of the infection in Uttar Pradeshs Gautam Buddh Nagar after several months, officials said on Thursday.

The patient is a 54-year-old male who lives in Noida but works at a multinational company in Gurugram, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Sharma said.

Gurugram Reports Second Case of Covid Infection

The Gurugram health department has swung into action after a second case of Covid was confirmed here on Friday, officials said. All adequate arrangements have been made by the health department to check the spread of the disease, they said.

Four Cases of JN.1 Variant in Rajasthan, Advisory Issued

Six new cases of Covid infection and one related death were reported in Rajasthan on Friday, the state medical and health department said.

According to the department, the fresh six cases took the active Covid caseload in the state to 10. Three of these new cases were reported in Jaipur, and one each in Alwar, Dholpur and Jodhpur, it said.

No Need to Panic Over New Coronavirus Strain: Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has stated that there is no need to panic about the JN.1 strain of coronavirus, which is believed to be responsible for the surge in cases across India.

#WATCH | Amravati: Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy holds a meeting with medical and health department officials over the spread of the new COVID-19 variant JN.1. pic.twitter.com/ftPURmDJtV ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

Alert the village and ward secretariat system, and the village clinic system for preventive steps. Village clinic staff should be made aware of the steps that need to be taken against the new variant, Reddy said in an official press release.

Officials have stated that there is no need to panic about the new Covid variant as infected individuals are recuperating without any complications. They have informed the Chief Minister that the patients are recovering without requiring hospitalization.

Nitish Chairs High-level Meeting to Review Covid Situation

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday chaired a high-level meeting here in view of the recent spurt in Covid-19 cases in several parts of the country. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who holds the health portfolio, and top government officials.

Kumar said while there was no need for panic, the department must ramp up the testing rate and adequate availability of drugs, equipment, oxygen cylinders and manpower be ensured at all hospitals.

Telangana Records Nine New Covid-19 Cases

Telangana reported nine new Covid-19 cases on Friday with Hyderabad accounting for eight of them while one was reported from Rangareddy. The total number of cases under treatment/ isolation stood at 27, a Health department bulletin said.

India Reports 6 Covid Death in A Day

India on Thursday reported six Covid deaths and 594 new cases of the coronavirus infection. Out of these, three deaths were lodged from Kerala, two from Karnataka and one from Punjab. Top officials in the health ministry said the Covid deaths are being reported mostly among people suffering from serious illness.

1 in 24 People in UK, Scotland Are Covid Positive: Report

About 1 in every 24 people in England and Scotland has Covid-19, with London the worst-affected area as the highly infectious JN.1 variant spreads rapidly, reported Bloomberg. Across England and Scotland, the overall Covid prevalence rate is 4.2%, with London being the worst-affected area at 6.1%.

(with PTI inputs)
Its time for the public to stop being surprised by the rise in Covid-19 cases and recognise coronavirus as a permanent part of their lifestyle, former Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar has told News18.com.

The countrys top epidemiologist, who was the face of Indias apex medical research agency during government briefings on Covid-19 last year, said surges will inevitably occur, but in the majority of cases, there is no need to panic.

Virus continues to live with us and it will continue to come up as a new variant after a gap of few monthsAs long as there is no increase in cases of hospitalisation and deaths, there is no reason to ring an alarm.

He advised that elderly or people with prevailing health conditions must understand by now that they need to upgrade their protection strategy once cases start going up as a part of their lifestyle.

On Thursday, India reported 594 new Covid-19 infections, with the number of active cases rising to 2,669 from the previous days 2,311, as per the Union Health Ministry.

Variant gives no reason to panic

According to Gangakhedkar, in the US, the JN.1 variant has infected 31 per cent of the total cases, which means almost one in every three individuals.

The variant was first detected in September in the United States and has been spotted in around 40 countries across the globe, by now. The world had sufficient time to study the virus and by now, we know that the virus hasnt caused higher deaths in the US.

The people who fall under the vulnerable or at-risk group should learn to take care of themselves and immediately start following Covid-19-appropriate behaviour, he advised.

Wearing a mask and social distancing wont just save you from Covid-19 but also from several other respiratory infections circulating during this weather and pollution.

Govt must heighten hospital surveillance

On being asked if the Union government should increase the samples for genomic surveillance, Gangakhedkar said investing in smart genomic surveillance will optimize yields.

The right way forward is to increase the hospitalisation and death rate surveillance across the country among Covid19 cases.

He added: It is a less costly and more effective way. The results of the surveillance would indicate the geographies with increased hospitalisations. These are the areas from where samples for genomic sequencing can be sent to understand the variants, said Gangakhedkar, who has led many assignments on behalf of ICMR, including containing the Nipah outbreak in Kerala.

Gangakhedkar said new strains will continue to emerge as humans have pushed the virus to its limits. However, he emphasised that, in his understanding, there is currently no significant threat.

The way the virus is mutating, it looks like it is going mild to milder post-Delta wave. JN.1 is no different. The difference in its spike protein has probably made it more transmissible and hence, the vulnerable need to gear up. We have to accept this surge and adapt our lifestyle to it.
Congress MLA and former Maharashtra minister Sunil Kedar was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in a 20-year-old bank fraud case by a Nagpur court on Friday. The magistrates court found the Congress leader and five others guilty in the case regarding the misappropriation of funds at the Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB). Kedar was the chairman of the bank at the time.

Apart from the five-year prison terms, Kedar and the five others were also fined Rs 12.50 lakh each.

Around 2001-2002, when Kedar was the chairman of the bank, it had purchased bonds worth Rs 150 crore without seeking prior permission from the board of directors. He and others were accused of flouting norms by diverting the cooperative banks funds, mostly belonging to farmers, to several private entities for purchasing government securities. These companies didnt give those purchased bonds to the bank and later they declared bankruptcy. Thus, NDCCB lost all its money along with the savings of depositors.

The CB-CID was investigating the case and had filed the charge sheet on November 22, 2002. Since then, the matter was pending in court. In the investigation, it was revealed that the bank had purchased the bonds through Home Trade Limited Mumbai, Indramani Merchants Private Limited Kolkata, Century Dealers Private Limited Kolkata, Syndicate Management Services Ahmedabad, and Guilt-age Management Services. Along with Sunil Kedar, Ashok Choudhary, Ketan Seth, Subodh Bhandari, Nandkishor Trivedi, and Amit Verma were found guilty, while Prakash Poddar, Suresh Peshkar, and Mahindra Agarwal were acquitted by the court.

In January, Sunil Kedar was sentenced to one years imprisonment by the Nagpur district sessions court in a 2017 case of physically assaulting a government official.

The Congress leader comes from a political family, as his father Babasaheb Kedar was a cooperative leader and former minister. Sunil Kedar started his political career by contesting the zila parishad elections in 1992. From 1995 till 2019, he contested and won the state assembly polls from the Savner constituency near Nagpur.

Sunil Kedar is considered a strongman of the Congress in Vidarbha. In the recent zila parishad elections in Nagpur, he led his side to victory. Kedar is also considered to be close to Congress leader Kamal Nath. During last months assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Kedar was stationed in the Chhindwara constituency and campaigned very hard for Kamal Nath. A few months ago, his name was in consideration for the post of leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly after a faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar broke away and joined the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government. Kedar was also considered for the post of Maharashtra state Congress president, but the party later gave that responsibility to Nana Patole.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. This will be the sixth instance of a French leader being invited to the momentous event at Kartavya Path.

The invitation was extended to the French President in view of the Republic Day celebrations that serve as a stage to highlight the countrys diplomatic ties with other nations and showcase the strength of the armed forces.

As Strategic Partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a statement released by Ministry of External Affairs said.

Notably, the Republic Day parade is expected to have an Air Show featuring Rafale Jets, signifying the defence cooperation between India and France.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July in Paris. President Macron visited India for the G-20 Summit on 8-9 September 2023, the statement added.

Joe Biden Unlikely to Visit India

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti a few days ago informed that India had extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebration.

However, the visit could not take place due to unknown reasons. The US side has not yet clarified the reason behind declining the invite.

(With PTI inputs)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting of the high-level committee on the Karnataka drought situation on December 23, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Friday.

He said he had explained the extreme drought situation prevailing in Karnataka to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah during his recent visit to Delhi and sought financial assistance to face it.

I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with him, I met Amit Shah also because he is the chairman of the High Level Committee. The decisions are taken by that committee only. I have also discussed about Mahadayi, Mekedatu and Upper Bhadra projects with them, Siddaramaiah said.

In view of the drought situation, Siddaramaiah said he requested them to enhance employment days for labourers from 100 days to 150 days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

According to the Chief Minister, Modi assured him that he will discuss with Shah.

To a question on the contentious balancing reservoir across Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Ramanagara district at Kanakapura, Siddaramaiah said Modi also assured him that he will discuss with the ministers and officials concerned.
KERALA LOTTERY XMAS NEW YEAR BUMPER BR-95 RESULTS: The Kerala Lottery Department will reveal the results of the Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 lottery on Wednesday, January 24 at 2 pm. The top winner will be awarded a substantial sum of Rs 20 crore, the second prize winners will get Rs 1 crore and the third prize winners will receive Rs 10 lakh. Tickets priced at RS 400 each are available at various outlets throughout the state. Check out the 3-Digit GUESSING NUMBERS, prize structure, lucky draw timing, ticket price, how to buy it and more here.

DRAW DATE: January 24, 2024

January 24, 2024 DRAW TIME: 2 pm

2 pm VENUE: Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram

Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram 10 SERIES: XA, XB, XC, XD, XE, XG, XH, XJ, XK, XL

XA, XB, XC, XD, XE, XG, XH, XJ, XK, XL TICKET PRICE: Rs 400

Rs 400 TOTAL TICKETS: 90 Lakh

90 Lakh FIRST PRIZE: Rs 20 crore

GUESSING WINNING NUMBERS FOR 24.1.2024 CHRISTMAS BUMPER BR 95

Check out 3-Digit Guessing Numbers for Kerala Lottery Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Scheduled for January 24 at 2 pm.

005 007 035 037

042 051 096 098

105 106 114 123

137 139 143 175

179 202 239 249

255 262 326 349

353 361 370 392

437 475 501 518

519 521 565 580

598 688 738 747

753 754 756 769

770 791 813 818

821 833 837 841

864 872 904 912

916 938 974 997

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: XMAS NEW YEAR BUMPER BR-95 PRIZE STRUCTURE

XMAS NEW YEAR BUMPER BR-95 PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 20 crore

2nd Prize: Rs 1 crore

3rd Prize: Rs 10 lakh

4th Prize: Rs 3 lakh

5th Prize: Rs 2 lakh

6th Prize: Rs 5000

7th Prize: Rs 2000

8th Prize: Rs 1000

9th Prize: Rs 500

10th Prize: Rs 400

Consolation Prize: Rs 1 lakh

HOW TO CHECK KERALA XMAS NEW YEAR BUMPER BR-95 LOTTERY RESULTS?

If you want to know the Kerala lottery results, there are a few easy ways to do it. You can go to the official website, www.keralalotteries.com or keralalotteryresult.net, and check the results there.

Another way is to look in the local newspapers in Kerala on the day of the draw  they usually have the results. Also, the shops that sell lottery tickets in Kerala can tell you the results. Just make sure you double-check the results on the official websites to be sure theyre correct and genuine.

HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

To determine if youve won a prize, compare your ticket number with the results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If your ticket number matches the draw results, you are eligible for a prize. Winners have a 30-day window after the results are announced to claim their prize money. Visit the Kerala Lottery headquarters at Gorky Bhavan to collect your prize, ensuring you have both the winning ticket and a valid ID for verification.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Can I buy a Kerala Lottery ticket online?

No, online purchase of Kerala lottery tickets is not permitted. Tickets can only be purchased from authorized retailers in Kerala. Selling or buying online lottery tickets is illegal in India.

Can outsiders buy the Kerala Lottery?

Yes, outsiders can buy Kerala lottery tickets, but they must physically visit Kerala and purchase tickets from authorized retailers. Selling or buying lottery tickets online or from unauthorized vendors is illegal in India. Check local state laws for any additional restrictions.

How can I check my Kerala bumper lottery result?

You can check Kerala lottery results through various methods:

1. Official Website: www.keralalotteries.com or keralalotteryresult.net

2. Newspapers: Results are published in local newspapers in Kerala on the draw day.

3. Retailers: Authorized lottery retailers in Kerala also provide result information.

What is a Lottery?

A lottery is a form of gambling that involves drawing random numbers to determine prize winners. It may be organized by governments to fund various programs and is based on the principle of random selection.

What are Paper Lottery and Online Lottery?

Paper lottery involves physical tickets, and prizes are claimed with the paper ticket. The online lottery allows purchasing numbers online, with computer-generated numbers accepted by the system.

What are the prices and rates of Kerala State Government Lottery Tickets?

Prices vary based on the day of the week and the specific lottery. For example, Win-Win tickets are priced at Rs 40 on Mondays.

Is online lottery permitted in Kerala?

No, online lottery sales are prohibited in Kerala as per government regulations.

Can Kerala Lottery be sold outside the state?

Kerala Lottery cannot be sold outside the state of Kerala.

What are the benefits of the lottery?

The Kerala State Lottery helps support welfare schemes in the state through GST revenues. These schemes include Karunya, which provides financial assistance to those unable to afford medical bills.

Is selling lottery tickets through websites and portals allowed?

No, agents are not permitted to sell lotteries through the Internet or social media.

Who regulates Lottery Sales in Kerala?

The Secretary to the Government, Taxes Department, is specifically appointed by the Government to regulate Lottery Sales in Kerala.

Is it mandatory for the agent to affix a seal on the reverse of a ticket?

Yes, every agent must affix their seal on the reverse of each ticket with details of their name and agency number.

What time does the live result start on keralalotteryresult.net?

The live result starts at 3 pm. The bumper draw starts at 2 pm.

How can I watch the Kerala lottery online?

You can watch the live draw result online on keralalotteryresult.net from 3 pm onwards. Additionally, some TV channels like Kairali TV, Kaumudi TV, and Jaihind TV broadcast the Kerala lottery live draw.

Things To Remember

If your ticket is damaged, it may still be claimed with multiple security features. Keep the ticket secure. Prizes less than Rs. 5000 can be collected at any lottery shop in Kerala. For prizes over Rs. 5,000, visit a bank or government lottery office with the ticket and proof of identity within 30 days of the draw date. Verify winning numbers with the Gazette for accuracy.
A married woman died by suicide after allegedly facing backlash over her relationship with a man, who  after her  also hanged himself in Mysores Hunsur town in Karnataka.

Police said that the 28-year-old woman  with two children  had been close friends with the 22-year-old man and subsequently had entered into a relationship with each other, police said.

The woman recently had put up a picture with the man on her WhatsApp status, leading to tensions between the two families. Both the deceased belonged to two different communities.

Police said that the picture was noticed by their families and acquaintances, adding that, the family members and in-laws of the woman got to know about her alleged affair with the man.

Following this, she hanged herself from a ceiling fan in her house on Sunday, a senior police officer said.

Tensions heightened between both the families, which eventually led to an argument. Later on, the womans friend, with whom she had an affair, also died by hanging himself from a tree in his neighbourhood, the officer added.

Earlier in December, a man  over suspicion of an extra-marital affair  allegedly killed his wife in Odishas Nayagarh district on Saturday and surrendered at the police station with a severed head.

In October this year, a couple who had run away from their houses in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar, allegedly died by suicide after hanging themselves in a hotel room in Meerut.

Station House Officer, Kankarkheda, Meerut, Ajay Kumar said that no suicide note was found.

Locals had said that the deceased were in love with each other but their families were against their relationship.

In the same month, in another similar incident, a 22-year-old man and his girlfriend ended their lives by suicide in Barabanki after their families refused to allow them to marry.

The couple, who had been in a relationship for five years, consumed a poisonous substance after the womans family finalised her marriage to another man in their village.

The young man died while being taken to the hospital, and the woman died during treatment at a local community health centre.

Tikaitnagar SHO Angad Pratap Singh said that the couple belonged to the same community and social class, but their parents were against their relationship.

Disclaimer: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

(With PTI inputs)
In todays digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on Bajrang Punia Returns Padma Shree Award After Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI President and other top stories.

After Triple Triumph in States, BJPs Poll Star Modis Masterclass for Top Brass on How to Win 2024 Election

The BJP has organised a two-day event for its national office bearers starting on Friday, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from Amit Shah, BL Santhosh, Dr Raman Singh, Vasundhara Raje, Arun Singh, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Sunil Bansal, Bandi Sanjay, Shiv Prakash are also set to attend. READ MORE

Telangana Police Announces Discount on Traffic Challans: All You Need to Know

The Telangana police has announced a discount on pending traffic challans from December 26 to January 10, 2024. The discounts are approved by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Friday. READ MORE

Who is David Kozak? Prague Gunman Who Killed His Father, a Baby Before Shooting Spree

A student opened fire at a university in Prague Thursday, killing at least 14 people, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republics worst mass shooting. The massacre took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student. READ MORE

Katrina Kaif Says She Learnt Bike Riding In Bandra, Stays Silent On Trainer: Thatll Remain Secret

Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi are all set for their thriller, Sriram Raghavans film, Merry Christmas. Amid promotions, the lead pair joined Mashable Indias The Bombay Journey on a road trip in and around Mumbai with the director. READ MORE

Virat Kohli Returns Home from South Africa Tour Due to Family Emergency: Report

Days before the start of the two-match Test series between India and South Africa, star batter Virat Kohli reportedly returned home to attend to a family emergency. READ MORE

Bajrang Punia Returns Padma Shree Award After Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI President

Olympic-medalist grappler Bajrang Punia has decided to return his Padma Shree award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Sanjay Singh became the new WFI President. READ MORE
As many as nine people sustained injuries after a lift in a Noida high-rise building in Sector 125 crashed from the 8th floor and plunged to the ground unexpectedly. The incident took place in Noida Sector 125s River Side Tower on Friday.

All nine occupants of the lift were injured. Five people sustained injuries on their hands and legs. All injured were immediately rushed to hospital for treatment. Their condition is said to be stable.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Nine people were injured after the lift of River Site Tower under Police Station Sector-126 Noida area fell from the 8th floor. The injured were admitted to a hospital for treatment. pic.twitter.com/7u210iGDj1 ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 22, 2023

Police have reached the site of the incident.

The nine people were identified as as Yashu Sharma, Abhishek Gupta, Abhishek Pandit, Rajat Sharma, Sagar, Shubham Bhardwaj, Abhijeet, Saurabh, Piyush Kumar, an NDTV report said..

Last month, four people were injured when a lift came crashing down from the ground floor to the second basement at a private hospital in Noida. According to a PTI report, all four injured were staff members of the Yatharth Hospital in Sector 110.

In September 2023, four workers died after a service lift had a free fall at an under-construction group housing society in Greater Noida West.

The incident took place at the under-construction site of Amrapali Dream Valley society around 8.30 am, Additional DCP (Central Noida) Rajeev Dixit was quoted by PTI as saying.

The police complaint was lodged under sections 304, 308, 337, 338, 287, 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 against the general managers of Girdhari Lal Constructions Harish Sharma, Rishabh Arora, Lovejeet, Vikas, Aditya Chandra and mechanical in-charge Rahul, site in-charge Devendra Sharma, Sunil, Shailendra and other officials.
Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is at the centre of a diplomatic row between India and Canada and tensions with the US, has declared a new front to flaunt his open association with terror groups in Kashmir.

Calling himself the spokesperson of the Kashmir-Khalistan Referendum Front, the Sikhs for Justice chief said Thursdays ambush on Indian soldiers was a consequence of Indias violence against Kashmiris.

Indian Occupied Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory where Indias Army is committing genocidal violence for decades. Today Indian Army suffered casualties at the hands of Kashmiri Freedom Fighters because Violence ALWAYS begets violence, he added.

At least four Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Pannun, who was listed as an individual terrorist by the ministry of home affairs on July 1, 2020, a year after the Centre banned the SFJ, said the only peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute of Indian Occupied Kashmir is to hold referendum to determine the will of the indigenous people.

Just like Sikhs For Justice is holding Khalistan Referendum to challenge the association of Punjab with the Union of India, I urge Kashmiri Freedom Fighters to organise and hold Kashmir Independence Referendum, he said.

Top Intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that Pannuns declaration clarifies his association with designated terror groups of Pakistan who are killing Indian soldiers.

Earlier, there were only inputs available about his access to ISI but now, his statement clearly shows his association, they said.

In his latest hate speech, Pannun asked whether PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval have 24/7 security blanket. Calling them the axis of evil, Pannun threatened they should be ready to face consequences and mentioned the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada the firing of the first bullet by India. Marking 180 days since Nijjars murder, Pannun boasted about the show of violence by Khalistani sympathisers in Vancouver.

Last month, Pannun had released a video threatening passengers of Air India flights on November 19. He had also issued threats to attack Indias Parliament in response to an alleged failed murder plot to kill him.

In a video featuring a poster of the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru with the caption Delhi Banega Khalistan, Pannun said he would respond to the failed conspiracy by Indian agencies to kill him by attacking the Parliament on or before December 13.
Ukraine's energy system is operating stably, there are no planned outages in any region, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says.

"Day after day, Russian terrorists continue to attack our cities. They strike hospitals, residential buildings, and energy facilities," he said at a government meeting on Friday.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Ukraine's energy sector remains one of the main goals of the Russian army.

"However, thanks to the work done to prepare for winter, the energy system is now operating stably. There are no planned outages in any region," the head of the Ukrainian government said.
Battle-hardened and possibly Afghanistan-trained terrorist cadres have spread in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch and Rajouri areas, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Friday. At least four Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in this region on Thursday.

The attack was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the killing style suggests the terrorists have combat experience, the sources said.

A huge number of Pakistan-trained foreign terrorists are present in this area and a few days back Lashkar movement was reported here, they added.

According to the sources, Surankote, Poonch, and Rajouri are overrun with hardened Lashkar terrorists.

The terrorists were on the heights and they ambushed Army vehicles that were in their range, they said.

The terrain in Rajouri and Poonch is very dangerous and terrorists have the advantage of height here, they added.

After pressure from security forces in south Kashmir, all Lashkar base camps have shifted here and they have the advantage of camping facilities and not much dependency on locals for hiding, said the intel sources.

As a majority of the Lashkar cadre in south Kashmir has been neutralised, the terror outfit has sent specialised battle-hardened operatives to Poonch and Rajouri, they said.

In the past year, the sources said, almost 50 security personnel have been killed by these terrorists who are all from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Punjab in Pakistan. They have different footprints than the operatives earlier killed in south Kashmir, have possibly returned from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, and may have been trained in Nangarhar, said the sources.

The tricky terrain in Poonch and Rajouri is very difficult to map and Indian forces need experts in jungle warfare because even after inputs normal personnel cant operate here, they said.

According to the sources, earlier one or two terrorists would enter a house in the valley and were easy to tackle, but now they are present in large numbers and ready to ambush the forces.

Officials say this is a war-like situation and a new front has been opened by Lashkar to engage its cadre in J&K.
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the dilapidated condition of a primary school in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court criticised the apparent negligence of the respondent authorities in acknowledging the issue.

Highlighting the extensive damage to the school building due to a lack of regular upkeep, the court observed that only one room, acknowledged by authorities as irreparable, was being utilised for classes that posed a threat to the lives of the children studying there.

Emphasising that primary education is now a fundamental right of the citizens, the court directed the Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh to submit a personal affidavit, stating the states policies regarding the regular maintenance and repair of primary school buildings.

Further, while stressing the need for prompt attention, the court directed the officer to also disclose in his affidavit how the state government proposes to resolve the issue at hand.

as this Court is of the opinion that it should be attended to without any delay, said the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Kshitij Shailendra.

The building of the Primary School, Jharsa, Gram Panchayat Jaswantpur, Block & Tehsil Puwanyan, District Shahjahanpur had been reported to be in deteriorating conditions.

The Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) informed the court that a committee inspection on September 19, 2020, identified the school, along with thirty others, as beyond repair. Another inspection on December 1, 2023, yielded similar results.

Before the court, the BSA, however, claimed that financial support from the state government had been already requested, and upon approval, a new building would be constructed.

The matter will be next heard on January 4, 2024.
A Telangana constables timely response saved a family from a blazing fire that engulfed their residence in the capital city. The incident took place in a flat on the sixth floor of an apartment under Punjagutta Police Station limits in Hyderabad.

The family waited for help as the flames mixed with smoke deluged them. Neighbours immediately called the state fire department, but the fighters were delayed to save the victims.

As the situation turned worse, neighbours informed about the fire accident to Shravan Kumar, a constable under states traffic wing in Punjagutta.

The constable without any safety guards rushed to the sixth floor of the apartment. He noticed that the main door of the flat was locked from inside. Using a metal object, Kumar broke the door and safely evacuated the family and brought some of them on his shoulders.

Later the fire was controlled by the department. Apart from the residents of the apartment, the locals from Punjagutta area lauded the daring and humanitarian act of Shravan Kumar in saving the lives.

The saved family members thanked the traffic constable with folded hands.

Back in November, a massive fire broke out a fishing harbour in Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam where nearly 40 boats were gutted and two fishermen injured.

Multiple fire tenders reached the spot and had contained the fire, officials said. As per preliminary information, a gas leakage triggered might have triggered the blaze.

The fire first started with one boat and eventually spread to the rest of the boats at the harbour. Suspecting foul play, local fishermen reportedly alleged that some unknown individuals might have set the boats on fire intentionally.

Ravi Shankar, ADGP Law and Order said that when one of the ships caught fire late at night, some boys were there, probably partying but luckily other boatsmen reached the spot and deanchored the ship and let it off into the sea.
There has been a surge of Covid-19 cases yet again across the world. The cases of the new variant, JN.1 are also on the rise in India. The country has recorded 21 JN.1 cases till Wednesday. India reported 640 new Covid-19 cases and one death in Kerala in the past 24 hours and the active cases saw a jump to 2,997 from 2,669 the previous day. Several states saw an increase in active Covid cases. This has sparked media attention and concern across the nation and four deaths have been reported. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the overall risk posed by the new variant is low based on the current evidence. The Union Health Ministry, however, has urged people to exercise caution.

Since it is the winter season in India, there is also a surge of cases of flu, cold, cough and fever. Some of the symptoms are similar to Covid-19. Dr Sonia Rawat, Director of the Preventive Health and Wellness Department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, revealed that the Covid-19 virus is mutating and hence results in new variants or sub-variants. Each new variant may be more infectious than the other. She urged people to adhere to the old Covid-19 protocols and avoid going to crowded areas. It also means people have to go back to wearing masks and using sanitisers.

Dr Ajay Kumar, Director of Medical Services, Apollo Medical Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, revealed that there has been a change in the protein of sub-variant BA 2.86 of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and hence JN.1 variant cases have risen. This was first reported in Luxembourg last September and has spread to other countries, especially India.

Lets take a look at the symptoms of the new variant of Covid-19 JN. 1-

Dr Ajay Kumar shared the new symptoms of the new variant of Covid-19 JN.1. He said that the symptoms are quite similar to the old ones-

High fever

Cough

Sore throat

Blocked Nose

Runny Nose

Headache

Bodyache

Stomach Upset

Breathlessness

If you or someone you know shows such symptoms, then rush to the hospital and consult a doctor immediately. You might get tested so that the infection can be detected quickly. As per Dr Sonia Rawat, the symptoms of flu are similar to the new variants, but she urges people to keep an eye on the fever. According to her, high fever may occur repeatedly and one may even notice difficulty in breathing. In seasonal flu, only cold, cough, and fever symptoms are seen which gets cured in three to four days. So if you observe that you are getting continuous fever for three to four consecutive days and are experiencing Covid-19-like symptoms, then get yourself tested immediately.
Bradley Cooper might be an actor who takes his work seriously. But, his fatherly duties always come first. On Thursday afternoon, December 21, the Hollywood star attended a press conference in New York for his recently released film Maestro. Twenty minutes into the session, he got a call from his daughter Lea De Seines school. No sooner than he got on that call, The Hangover actor rushed out of the press conference to visit his daughters educational center and have a talk with the six-year-olds school nurse. Although Cooper did not mention the reason for his urgency, he apologised to the conference members for his abrupt exit.

According to a report by Daily Mail, Bradley Cooper was attending the press conference to promote Maestro, a romantic musical directed by Cooper himself. In between the conversation, when he got a call from Leas school the actor addressed the members and said, So sorry. The school nurse just called me. Can I just leave the room for a second to call them back and you can keep going? Is that all right?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bradley Cooper (@bradleycooperroffical)

After the call when Bradley Cooper came back the caring father explained that he needed to rush to his daughters school urgently as he needed to do something with Lea that needs. I have to apply something that they wont allow. I have to do it, so its like a 10-minute walk, he added.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bradley Cooper (@bradleycooperroffical)

Bradley Cooper and his lovely bond with Lea, whom he shares with his former partner Russian supermodel Irina Shayk is not a secret. He has joint custody of his daughter with Shayk, whom he dated from 2015 to 2019. Cooper and Lea have been spotted on various occasions together. Earlier, the father and daughter walked the red carpet at the premiere of Maestro. While the 48-year-old was dressed in a black suit, little Lea was decked up adorably in an animal-printed dress.

On December 15, Bradley Cooper was papped exhibiting his fatherly responsibilities in New York. Out on a casual stroll with Lea, the Silver Linings Playbook actor was seen wearing a black puffer jacket and grey pants, sipping on a cup of coffee. Lea walked beside her dad in a white top and blue pants.

Speaking of Maestro, the film revolves around the love story between conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre. The film was released on Netflix on September 2.
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, who will be seen for the first time together in Fighter, have set the internet on fire with their scorching chemistry in the song Ishq Jaisa. The romantic song was released today and in no time it went viral. Fans just cant keep themselves calm after seeing steamy scenes. The song has left fans breathless.

Hrithik Roshan, known for his Greek God looks, shares an electrifying chemistry with the stunning Deepika Padukone. The scenes from Ishq Jaisa showcase a perfect blend of passion and intensity, as the duo sets the screen on fire with their captivating performances. The song video kickstarts with Hrithik Roshan coming out of a pool, flaunting his sculpted physique and toned abs while carrying a surfboard. Deepika ups the heat, striking a sultry pose in the sand and looking stunning. Her expressions were impossible to ignore! The glimpses featured Deepika and Hrithik dancing by the beach and hugging each other, exuding a sizzling on-screen chemistry.

Take a look at the steamy scenes here:

In the song, Deepika makes sure she is the cynosure of all eyes in a black monokini, a sequinned crop top paired with a mini skirt, and a one-shoulder blue bodysuit. Hrithik Roshan also exudes heat in unbuttoned shirts. Their dance unfolds against the backdrop of a pristine ocean.

Reportedly, the Siddharth Anand directorial will be releasing in 3D. According to a report in Pinkvilla, the director wants to make his film an unforgettable theatrical experience. Its an aerial action entertainer designed for a big screen experience and the idea is to transport the audience into the world of this adrenaline thumping film. Fighter will release in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D on the eve of Indias 75th Republic Day  January 25, 2024, the portal quoted a source as saying.

Apart from this, Deepika will be next seen in The Intern with Amitabh Bachchan.
Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshans upcoming film Fighter has caught everyones attention lately. Directed by Pathaan fame Siddharth Anand, the action-thriller is touted to be Indias first-ever aerial actioner. Scheduled to premiere on January 25, movie enthusiasts are already waiting with bated breath to witness the trailer release. Ahead of that, the makers released Fighters second song titled Ishq Jaisa Kuch which is out now. Glimpses from the romantic track featuring Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan engaged in a steamy affair have grabbed many eyeballs.

On December 21, Deepika Padukone shared a preview of the song on Instagram, announcing its release on December 22. The video kickstarts with Hrithik Roshan coming out of a pool, flaunting his sculpted physique and toned abs while carrying a surfboard. Deepika ups the heat, striking a sultry pose in the sand and looking stunning. Her expressions were impossible to ignore! The glimpses featured Deepika and Hrithik dancing by the beach and hugging each other, exuding a sizzling on-screen chemistry. The video was captioned, Feel the love." Check out the song here:

In the song, Deepika makes sure she is the cynosure of all eyes in a black monokini, a sequinned crop top paired with a mini skirt, and a one-shoulder blue bodysuit. Hrithik Roshan also exudes heat in unbuttoned shirts. Their dance unfolds against the backdrop of a pristine ocean.

Reportedly, the Siddharth Anand directorial will be releasing in 3D. According to a report in Pinkvilla, the director wants to make his film an unforgettable theatrical experience. Its an aerial action entertainer designed for a big screen experience and the idea is to transport the audience into the world of this adrenaline thumping film. Fighter will release in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D on the eve of Indias 75th Republic Day  January 25, 2024," the portal quoted a source as saying.
Comedian and television host Kapil Sharma has taken the internet by storm with his soulful rendition of the classic song Roop Tera Mastana. The viral video, featuring Kapil Sharma collaborating with the dynamic music duo Vishal-Shekhar, has captured the hearts of fans. The trio was spotted singing at the birthday party of Anand Pandit which was held on Thursday. Fans are dropping heart emojis in the comment section.

In the viral video, shared by Instant Bollywood, we can see Kapil joining the stage where music duo Vishal-Shekhar was performing. Both were seen enjoying his company and enjoyed too. In no time the video went viral. Anand Pandits birthday bash marked the presence of many celebrities. From Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan to Amitabh Bachchan, everyone was seen attending the bash. Many videos and pictures are going viral from the evening.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood)

In a recent video dropped by Netflix, one can see Kapil unveiling the biggest surprise ever for his fans! Sunil Grover will be reuniting with Kapil for the upcoming comedy show on Netflix! Yes you heard that right. As Kapil rightly said  Ab Parivaar Poora Hua. This announcement has sparked immense excitement among fans who have long been waiting for the magic that the dynamic duo have previously created on-screen. At the trailer launch of Firangi in 2017, Kapil Sharma had spoken at length about his fight with Sunil. Kapil Sharma confessed that he was going through a lot of pressure because of the show that was happening in Australia, and a death of a fellow artist from Firangi doubled his stress.

I never fought with Sunil, I love working with the best people in the industry. When I had started working on Comedy Circus I had asked the makers to get Sunil on board whom I had met on Hass Baliye. When you work with the best people, you learn a lot, Kapil was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi are all set for their thriller, Sriram Raghavans film, Merry Christmas. Amid promotions, the lead pair joined Mashable Indias The Bombay Journey on a road trip in and around Mumbai with the director.

During the interview, the host asked Katrina if she likes road trips. To this, she said, I did Zindagi Naa Milega Dobara, that was a road trip to Spain. It is a life changing experience, thats all I can say. I had learnt a little bit here on Reclamation [Bandra] when you used to be able to ride bikes late night. When asked who taught her, she said, That will remain a secret".

Then, to just get a little more proficient, they actually sent me to the Ducati training school and in Spain when we were there  like, on the days off  so it kind of took my skill a little bit. After shooting the movie, when I came back to Bombay, I was so into riding bikes! I tried twice from my house in Bandra Yash Raj and that was it. I tried once and I was terrified the whole way. I just found it too overwhelming  the traffic, everything was too overwhelming. The second time I tried, and that was the last time I tried."

Katrina also mentioned that she gets car sick in low level vehicles. It has to be an SUV, or Ill get car sick in five minutes," she said. She also mentioned that a Toyota second-hand car was, in fact, her first car.

Meanwhile, the trailer of Merry Christmas is out now. The trailer begins with a montage of various clips. On Christmas Eve, Katrina encounters Vijay Sethupathi and playfully questions whether he is single or if he discreetly removed his wedding ring upon seeing her. Soon, they head to her residence, and events take an unexpected turn. She requests him to stay, hinting that appearances can be deceiving. The narrative unfolds over the course of one night in what looks like an intriguing and suspenseful dark thriller.
Katrina Kaif is currently gearing up for the release for her highly anticipated thriller Merry Christmas. The actress will be seen sharing screen space with Vijay Sethupathi for the same. The makers recently dropped the films trailer and had garnered a terrific response from fans and audiences. Merry Christmas being a pan India film, Katrina also had to learn Tamil for the same. The actress recently recollected her shooting days and revealed that it was quite a task for her to learn the language.

While speaking to Mashable, the actress shared being extremely stressed and consumed about learning Tamil. She shared, I was very very stressed and consumed with trying to learn my Tamil Lines. I wanted rehearse in a way, that they sound fresh and spontaneous [while shooting] . And that was for me a very very ( add another 50 very ) tough task.

She added, I find Tamil and Malayalam really really difficult. Its hard to distinguish between the consonants and vowels.

The trailer of Merry Christmas begins with a montage of various clips. On Christmas Eve, Katrina encounters Vijay Sethupathi and playfully questions whether he is single or if he discreetly removed his wedding ring upon seeing her. Soon, they head to her residence, and events take an unexpected turn. She requests him to stay, hinting that appearances can be deceiving. The narrative unfolds over the course of one night in what looks like an intriguing and suspenseful dark thriller.

Katrina recently attended the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah and said that her next film, Merry Christmas, is the most challenging film of her career yet. She said that working with director Sriram Raghavan had been a goal of hers. Katrina also added that her character in the film needed some emotional and artistic investment from her. Katrina also spoke about working with Vijay Sethupathi and said that she found him to be phenomenal and expressed her admiration for watching him switch between Hindi and Tamil languages.

The film also stars Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Pratima Kannan, Tinnu Anand, Radhika Sarathkumar, Shanmugaraja, Kevin Jay Babu, Rajesh Williams, and Pari. Ashwini Kalsekar and Radhika Apte will also be seen in cameos in the film. Merry Christmas is produced by Ramesh Taurani, Jaya Taurani, Sanjay Routray and Kewal Garg.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) conducted a stability assessment for the 20 largest banks, which collectively have more than 90% of the country sectors net assets, and identified the need for additional capitalization of five banks, but two of them have already managed to increase capital adequacy to targeted standards following the audit.

Based on the results of the sustainability assessment, only five banks have a higher than minimum level of capital adequacy standards and only three of them have risks of completely losing capital over a three-year horizon. These five banks will prepare capitalization and restructuring programs to achieve capital adequacy or maintain it at the established level. Some of them already have capital adequacy above those established by the results of the sustainability assessment of the increased standards, the NBU said in its report on financial stability, published on Friday.

Two of these five banks today, in fact, have fulfilled these requirements, and the remaining (three) banks will need to formulate plans for additional capitalization, with which they will work over the next years, added First Deputy Head of the National Bank Kateryna Rozhkova during the presentation of the report.

In turn, the director of the financial stability department of the NBU, Pervin Dadashova, indicated that among the three banks that have the risk of completely losing capital, there is a state-owned one, however, they can meet the requirements of the National Bank without an additional injection of new capital.

We are not talking about increasing capital through additional capitalization exclusively. In order to get closer to the required capital adequacy standards, banks will have a deadline until April 2026, Dadashova noted.

According to her, this is a long period during which banks can take a number of measures, including, traditionally, risk reduction and capitalization of dividends.

Dadashova summed up that the National Bank does not expect direct capitalization of banks, including state-owned ones, based on the results of the sustainability assessment.

It is clarified that this year the sustainability assessment was carried out only according to the basic macroeconomic, but conservative scenario: it was assumed that credit risk would materialize and the interest margin would decrease.

Taking into account the results of the sustainability assessment at the beginning of next year, the NBU will analyze the feasibility and possible timing of establishing a capital conservation buffer and a buffer of systemic importance. After this, restrictions on the distribution of capital and the payment of dividends by banks that form these buffers in full may be weakened, indicated in the report.

The memorandum with the IMF updated in December noted that in accordance with the terms of reference adopted by the NBU in January 2023, an independent asset quality review (AQR) of banks will be carried out immediately after the situation has stabilized, after which a further assessment of the viability of banks will be carried out. Until the end of June 2024, they will prepare a priority interdepartmental action plan to address the issue of non-performing loans (NPL).

It states that the current ban on bank capital distribution will remain in effect until AQR findings are fully reflected in banks' regulatory ratios and financial statements.

The National Bank also committed to closing the identified gaps in the regulatory capital structure by the end of December 2023 and eliminating other gaps by the end of December 2024 based on the results of a gap analysis in comparison with the Directive and the EU Regulation on capital requirements.

In addition, by the end of December 2023, the NBU intends to improve the regulatory framework for remuneration policy in banks by introducing requirements to limit the variable component of remuneration and payment mechanisms for senior management of banks, bringing it closer to EU standards.
Jacqueline Fernandez is turning up the heat and how. The actress recently set the stage on fire at an event in Dubai. For her performance she made head turns in a blue sequin bodysuit teamed with a pair of netted stockings. Flaunting her curves and toned legs, she was truly a vision to behold. Sharing the photos on her Instagram handle, she wrote,  thank you all for showing up at the #moonlightmusicfestival Dubai! Such an awesome energy, was so good to dance with you all!! Big love .

Jacqueline looked all things in her attire. She completed her look with well defined eye make up, and kept her hair straight. Finding the right balance between elegance and charm, she looked ravishing. Fans flooded the comments section and gushed over her looks. One of them called her super hot. Another comment called her a queen and read, You are just killing with your beauty.

Have a look at the photos:

Jacqueline Fernandez is undoubtedly one of the most pretty actresses and there is no doubt about it. Her social media is a treat to her fans. The actress often drops gorgeous photos and videos of herself, leaving everyone completely stunned.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Jacqueline Fernandez recently completed the Delhi schedule of her upcoming movie Fateh. Helmed by Vaibhav Misra, Fateh stars Sonu Soon in the lead. The movie also features Vijay Raaz and Shivjyoti Rajput in prominent roles. According to reports, the films cast includes some of Hollywoods biggest names, including the director of photography, the research team, and action choreographers.

Fateh is touted to be a thrilling and action-packed drama and has been generating considerable anticipation, thanks to its captivating storyline and the involvement of accomplished Hollywood stunt coordinators. Its plot revolves around a former gangster named Fateh, who is hired to guard a young woman. In order to keep her safe, Fateh must employ all of his abilities while simultaneously attempting to learn the truth about the nature and causes of threats the woman faces.

The film is currently in its production stage and the makers have kept details of the project under wraps.

Besides Fateh, Jacqueline will soon also be seen in Welcome to the Jungle with Akshay Kumar. She also has Crakk in her pipeline.
Zack Snyder, the name behind popular movies such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, desires to make the next James Bond film. The filmmakers latest title, Rebel Moon, was released on Netflix and is getting rave reviews. In the latest interview, Zack said that he wants to take the character of James Bond back to his younger self and revisit the popular story.

In conversation with The Atlantic, Zack Snyder said, Itd be cool to see, like, 20-year-old James Bond, the humble roots that he comes from. Whatever trauma of youth that makes you be able to be James Bond. There has to be something there. The James Bond franchise has 25 films under its banner and is quite a hit among the audience so the idea of renowned filmmaker Zack taking forward the legacy seems to be a favourable idea.

Zack Snyder further said that he was done with his stint in superhero movies. Midday quoted the filmmaker as saying, If my foray into superheroes starts with Watchmen and ends with Justice League, it marks pretty cleanly that era for me. You could use those two movies as the bookends of what I would consider its commercial freakshow peak. There could be another giant hit, who knows? For me, Id moved out of those movies quite naturally.

The filmmakers latest film, Rebel Moon Part One  A Child Of Fire is receiving critical acclamation. He stated that the plot of the film is inspired from a number of sci-fi films he grew up watching. He told Hindustan Times, Thats why Rebel Moon is a love letter to those fantasies, sci-fi blockbusters that they were making without abandon. Those were new, original things. You didnt know theyd be coming. Aliens was just that. Where you just go and get your mind blown.

The premise of the film, co-written by Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Kurt Johnstad, revolves around a young woman, played by Sofia Boutella, tasked with enlisting troops to defend against an impending invasion headed by the dictatorial ruler Regent Balisarius, played by Fra Fee. The ensemble cast includes Charlie Hunnam, Jena Malone, Corey Stoll, Cleopatra Coleman, and Cary Elwes, among other talented actors. Rebel Moon: Part Two  The Scargiver is expected to release on Netflix on April 19 next year.
What is Bhagavad Gita is an age-old evolutionary question and many of us have our own views and interpretations about Gita. But many times, the real answer to a question lies in another evolutionary question. And the answer to this lies in the question Who are you at this stage of your lifes evolution? Today on Gita Jayanti 2023 (the day on which thousands of years ago, the essential knowledge of life was given by Sri Krishna to his friend and disciple Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra), let us dive deep and explore it from a different perspective.

So, what is the Bhagavad Gita?

It is an entertaining tale

To a child Buddhi (someone having the intellectual understanding of a child), Bhagavad Gita is a great tale, an engaging and entertaining story of a war between heroes and villains where, in the end, heroes win.

It is a great Epic Story

To a young adults Buddhi (someone having the intellectual understanding of a youth), the Bhagavad Gita is an epic story that has certain moral values. Often with the belief that it is just a story that never happened in real life. Psychologists say that the majority of mental growth of humans stops at this age and rest of their lives people just gather more experiences but not more mental growth.

It is a factual Historical Event

To a researchers Buddhi (someone who is analytical and logical but low on feelings, emotions and heartfulness), the Bhagavad Gita is a historical event that happened a few thousand years ago at the battlefield of Kurukshetra. For the researchers Buddhi, this can be equitable with any other war in human history between good and bad people.

It is a Dharma Shastra  A Guidebook for Life

To a householders Buddhi (someone who is totally engaged in his/her personal, professional and social life), Bhagavad Gita is a great guidebook on how to live a life of righteousness. It gives answers to many of lifes conflicting and complex situations and tells us what is the right thing to do when faced with certain moral and ethical dilemmas. It is a great source of understanding Dharam Niti (righteous policy), behavioural conduct, cunning war (competition) strategies and it even gives insights into leadership traits (yes, many corporate leadership programs have references from Bhagavad Gita on leadership qualities).

It is a great text on Human Psychology

To many learners, the Bhagavad Gita is an ancient source of understanding human psychology. Many people believe that Sri Krishna is the first enlightened psychologist on Earth, the way he understands Arjunas dilemma and the way he takes him out of his mental delusion is really the work of someone who knows human behaviours and mental makeup inside out.

In fact, the very first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is titled Arjuna Vishad Yog  The despondency of Arjuna. Bhagavad Gita actually starts from the point where Arjuna is on his chariot on the battlefield and Sri Krishna is his charioteer. Arjuna is feeling depressed, his mind is clouded with confusion, and he wants to run away from the battlefield  he doesnt want to face and fight with his own cousins, uncles and teachers who are on the opposing side with Kauravass army, led by Duryodhana. He is feeling very drained in body and mind and doesnt know what to do. It is a psychological condition that Arjuna is suffering at that critical moment of war, and Sri Krishna can see and understand this, and very craftily he takes Arjuna out of his mental delusions.

It is an Adhyatam Shastra  teachings for Spiritual Awakening

And finally, there are a few people who feel Bhagavad Gita is a pure Adhyatam Shastra. It has profound insights given by Sri Krishna to awaken ones Buddhi from the outer-gross world of everyday life to the innermost subtle levels of spiritual awakening. At this level of understanding, the meaning of every shloka (verse) and the essence of every character totally transforms.

One of the greatest masters of Bharat, Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, guru of Sri Yukteswar Giri and great guru of Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, explained Bhagavad Gita to his disciples as a very advanced spiritual text. Here, Sri Krishna is considered as our pure divine, inner consciousness, Dhritarashtra and the entire Kaurava clan become the blind mind with all its impure and uncontrolled mental modifications, Pandavas are considered as five chakras (energy centres in human body) and Draupadi is considered as the Kundalini shakti (hidden life force) which once awakened, activates all the five chakras in their perfect balance and helps a human being move from the lower tendencies of uncontrolled mind (manas) to the higher tendencies of awakened intellect (Buddhi).

Yes, the Bhagavad Gita is a literary marvel written by Maharshi Ved Vyas. It has endless layers of mystical knowledge. But what the Bhagavad Gita is to you depends on where you are in your lifes evolution. Whichever stage of evolution one is in, he or she will look, read and comprehend Gita from that level only. Great gurus like Sri Lahiri Mahasaya have opened even the most subtle layers of Bhagavad Gita for all of us, and finally, our understanding of Gita depends on two key things:

Where we are in our lifes evolution

Where do we want to take this evolution to become a better householder, a better leader, a better storyteller, a better psychologist, or an awakened human being established in Sri Krishnas consciousness (which is basically our own real divine nature).

Om Tat Sat

The author is a visionary spiritual teacher, leadership mentor and public speaker. He works in the areas of creating awakened leaders, bringing consciousness to education and running regular spiritual talks and retreats. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Sanatana Dharma says that each one of us should treat, celebrate and respect four people with the most devotion: mata (mother), pita (father), guru (teacher) and daivam (god). It is said that once you become selflessly devoted to these four, your life will be bliss. There are few blessed souls who, thanks to their karmaphala or the fruits of karma from the previous birth, are blessed with the god not just taking over as the first three  mata, pita and guru  but also blessing them with god-like friends and social circle. We can think of many examples, from Adi Shankara to Chhatrapati Shivaji to Narendra Modi. The history of Bharatavarsha is full of such great people. Mathematics genius, Srinivasa Ramanujan (December 22, 1887  April 26, 1920), was one such being.

As a two-year-old, Ramanujan was stricken by smallpox, a deadly disease in those days. From there, Komalatammal, his mother, played a pivotal role in tending to him, giving him all he needed and kindling the genius in him. She was part of a bhajan group trying to augment the Rs 20 her husband, K Srinivasa Iyengar, earned as a textile shop employee. She let Ramanujan sit in their attic, away from the noise of the children his age playing while he studied mathematics. She played a huge role for the rest of his life, including goading him to accept the offer to go to Cambridge.

Ramanujan had a real strong-willed lady, Komalatammal, heading the household. Not much is known about Srinivasa Iyengar  his father, except that he was employed in a textile shop at twenty rupees a month. But the real character of Srinivasa can be seen during the period when Ramanujan  at least for the world  was a good-for-nothing son who couldnt pass an exam in Government Arts College, Kumbakonam and Pachaiyappas College, Chennai, and was idling at home. The role of Srinivasa in letting his son do what he wanted, sit on the wooden bench with his slate and work on his mathematics. No parent in such a financial state would let his adult son while away time unless he had supreme confidence in him and his genius.

Ramanujan was self-taught, to start with. While he was still at school, his mother had two young boys who went to the Government Arts College, Kumbakonam, as paying guests at their house due to their financial state. These boys provided Ramanujan with a few math texts from their college library through which he used to build his basics. The headmaster of Kumbakonam Town High School, Krishnaswamy Iyer, encouraged him by awarding a scholarship for his college education, P. V. Sheshu Iyer, his maths professor in Kumbakonam, P. Singaravelu Mudaliyar, his maths professor in Pachaiyappas, and many other math aficionados and professors that included Indians and Westerners in Chennai.

Three people played a pivotal role in his Cambridge stint  G. H. Hardy, J. E. Littlewood and E. H. Neville. While on a lecture tour to Madras, Neville spoke to Ramanujan to understand his genius and slowly changed his mind about making the trip to Cambridge. There are others like V. Ramaswami Iyer, R. Ramachandra Rao, S. Narayana Iyer, Sir Francis Spring, the head of Madras Port Trust and E. W. Middlemast, a mathematics professor at Presidency College, Chennai, who wrote a glowing encomium that enabled him a job at Madras Port Trust. Call this a long list of Ramanujans gurus/teachers or social circle. The man was blessed to have these people in his life. Otherwise, he could have been easily ignored as an eccentric who did some gymnastics with numbers and symbols.

Most of us know Goddess Namagiri Thayars role in his life, his Kuladevi (Namakkal). It is said that she not only came in his dream to provide him solutions to all mathematics problems he was working on but also gave him the go-ahead to cross seas and go to Cambridge.

Many friends, including the very influential C. Rajagopalachari, played a significant role in shaping Ramanujans future (C. Rajagopalachari later became the first Indian governor-general of free India, among his many other roles). Without his persistence, Ramanujan wouldnt have gotten what he wanted from R. Ramachandra Rao, who was then the Collector of the Nellore district and the Secretary of the Indian Mathematical Society.

This article can go on and on elaborating on the influence of Ramanujans mother, father, teachers, Goddess Namagiri Thayar and his friends in making him who he was.

Any article about Ramanujan would be incomplete if it didnt mention this unsung person from his life, someone who got enjoined to his life very early, someone who sacrificed and suffered a lot, not just while she was married to Ramanujan but even after his premature death. Janaki Ammal, his wife. She was just 10 when she married Ramanujan and lost him when she was all of 21.

Srinivasa Ramanujans life is a lesson of single-minded focus, perseverance, dedication and the need for the right company of friends and well-wishers to succeed.

Reference(s)

Kanigel, Robert. The man who knew infinity: A life of the genius Ramanujan. Abacus 2016

The author is a marketing communications professional who is currently working with a leading Technology MNC. Currently based in Chennai, he is originally from Urappuli, a village near Paramakudi. He is an avid reader, a history buff, a cricket player, a writer, Sanskrit & Dharma Sastra student. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
This year in September, during the G20 Summit held in India, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy would withdraw from Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Recently, after another meeting with Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Dubai, Meloni submitted an official letter to China on Italys withdrawal from the BRI.

The move did not come as a surprise, as already during the 2022 election campaign, Meloni claimed that Italy joining the initiative was a mistake. It seems that India was the catalyst behind Melonis move. Following the decision, Italys membership in the initiative will continue until March 2024 and will not be renewed.

The BRI, founded by China in 2013 as a global framework for development and infrastructure projects, primarily as an alternative to US-led regional and international frameworks, includes about 150 member countries from different regions. The main countries who are not members of the initiative are the QUAD countries (US, Australia, Japan and India) and the G7. In fact, Italy was the only G7 country to join the BRI at the time.

Since its inception, about a trillion dollars have been invested in the initiative, with an emphasis on land and sea connectivity, through the development of seaports, bridges, highways and other infrastructure. Although most of the infrastructure investments and works were carried out in Southeast Asia and Africa, there were also several projects in Europe, the most prominent being the Piraeus port in Greece. In recent years, in fact, since the outbreak of the coronavirus, most projects have been carried out in Africa, and there are almost no new projects, partly due to fears of Chinese control over strategic infrastructure.

From Italys perspective, the BRI did not deliver the goods. The economic data supports this, as since Italy joined the BRI in 2019, Italian exports to China grew from $14.5 billion to $18.6 billion by the end of 2022; while imports from China to Italy grew from $35.4 billion to $65.8 billion. The bottom line of this trade trend is that Italys trade deficit with China has only grown since joining the BRI, and at the end of 2022 stood at about $48 billion.

Italys move comes amid a tense atmosphere between the EU and China, partly due to difficult trade disputes over the huge trade deficit estimated at more than $430 billion, as well as concerns over Chinese access to sensitive infrastructure and technologies. The Italian move might be a wake-up call to the entire European Union.

China emphasised that it would continue to work with Italy to improve trade relations between the countries. Italian officials downplayed the impact of the decision on the continuation of bilateral relations with China, arguing that the countries will continue to develop their relations even without BRI membership, as do other G7 countries. On the agenda is a visit by the President of Italy to China in 2024 and a visit by Prime Minister Meloni.

At the same time, the Italian governments decision stemmed also from broader geopolitical considerations, the most important of which is the connection with the Indo-Pacific, and especially India. In the last year, India has emerged as a global power and not just as the leader of the Global South, in a way that offers an alternative to China.

The deepening ties between Modi and Meloni over the past year, in which the countries marked 75 years of relations, points to this. In March, Meloni visited India to participate as the chief guest at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, during which the two signed an agreement to upgrade relations to a strategic partnership. They met again in September, on the occasion of the G20 summit, when Meloni also joined Indias initiative to establish a global alliance for organic fuels; and most recently the two met again at the climate conference in Dubai, where the Italian prime minister tagged a joint photo with PM Modi with the hashtag #Melodi.

Italys efforts to strengthen ties with the Indo-Pacific fit well with Indias global vision as reflected in the announcement on the India-Middle East-Europe plan (IMEC), which in fact constitutes direct competition for Chinas BRI initiative. The IMEC plan presented during the G20 Summit aims to connect India to Europe through the Middle East, to create an economic land corridor that will complement the sea trade routes passing through the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea  which are being threatened lately by the Houthis.

The signing ceremony of the MoU to promote the plan was attended by the US, India, the UAE, the European Union, France, Italy and Germany. However, the plan, which was intended, among other things, to reduce Chinas economic influence, is greater than the sum of its parts. In the Mediterranean basin, the Indian connection to Italy is a direct continuation of the Indian investment in the ports of Haifa and Piraeus; in the Middle East, India already has a significant presence. If realised, the regional railways of peace initiative will also become an integral part of this plan and will ensure Saudi Arabia and Israel  Indias close partners  a central role in the IMEC.

Thus, Italys move constitutes not only a distancing from international frameworks under Chinese control, but also a clear support of Indian-led international frameworks and vision. The cooperation, currently taking place between the two, is a positive sign that strengthens the Mediterranean basin as a distinct geopolitical space and creates many opportunities for the state of Israel as well, vis-a-vis Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Leveraging its good relations with India and Italy, Israel can become instrumental in the India-Italy vision to bridge the Mediterranean basin and South Asia.

The author is a former director of the Asian Affairs department in the Israeli NSC for a decade, mostly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2012-2022). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
During the Christmas season, Hollywood classics like Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, and Home Alone are cherished for their timeless charm. Elf follows Buddys endearing journey of self-discovery, while Miracle on 34th Street captures the magic of belief with a department store Santa. In Home Alone, young Kevin McCallisters hilarious and heartwarming antics make it a festive favorite. These old Hollywood gems, filled with nostalgia, continue to bring joy and warmth to holiday traditions. Check them out!
High on the triple wins in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to start its poll preparations for the finale  the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The saffron party has organised a two-day event for its national office bearers starting on Friday, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources say the main agenda of the meeting is how sangathan or organisation should throw its might here onwards to ensure an emphatic win in next years election and how to do it. One of the key components will be to advertise the Modi governments welfare projects like PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi among others that have been launched since 2019. This meeting will put the thrust on taking the benefits down to the booth level, using the BJPs organisational might.

Apart from the vice presidents, general secretaries, and secretaries, the two-day event will be attended by all BJP state presidents as well as the partys different morchas and their deputies.

Apart from Amit Shah, BL Santhosh, Dr Raman Singh, Vasundhara Raje, Arun Singh, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Sunil Bansal, Bandi Sanjay, Shiv Prakash are also set to attend the two-day event where the Prime Minister will show the way to win in 2024.
At the CWC meeting of the Grand Old Party, Rahul Gandhi told a packed hall that leaders need to introspect why the floating and young voters were not moving towards the Congress. He made the point that over 60 lakh first-time voters in the state polls that just ended did not seem impressed by the Congress. Trying to find out what went wrong, he asked leaders to do more.

While Rahul Gandhi raised an issue which many other parties are focussing on for the 2024 battle, his nishaana (aim) seemed to be the many seniors in the room.

There is no denying the fact that the Gandhi scion has been pitching for a younger Congress, especially when it comes to decision-making. But in a party that still seems to be in the grip of the old guard  which refuses to let go  Rahul Gandhis experiments with generation change have seldom met with much success.

Each time he has stood up to say that younger people must be given a chance in organisational responsibilities or made chief ministers, Sonia Gandhi has been forced to step in to sort out differences, with the old guard crying foul and complaining that they have been left out.

Sources say Rahul Gandhi was quite upset when he was asked to solve the Rajasthan issue just before polls and his pitch for Sachin Pilot was drowned out by the old guards narrative that replacing or slighting Ashok Gehlot at a crucial time would help the BJP and cost Congress the elections. Rahul Gandhi was also keen that a younger Jitu Patwari and Arun Yadav be given more opportunities in Madhya Pradesh. In both cases, it did not happen.

So, Rahul Gandhi decided to give a free hand to the elders in both these state polls. He held about 10 rallies in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh but seldom made any suggestions in ticket distribution. However, in Telangana, where Rahul Gandhis pick Revanth Reddy was projected as the CM face, the formers team put in all their energy.

As results and stories of mismanagement began to pour in after results were out, Rahul Gandhi did not mince words. At stock-taking meetings, he pointed to the Gehlot-centric campaign in Rajasthan. In fact, this was something that Mallikarjun Kharge also agreed with, like when he said posters and hoardings were all about one man.

At the CWC, with Rahul Gandhi in attendance, Kharge revealed that every time he tried speaking to Kamal Nath, the latter would walk out of meetings.

Rahul Gandhi had also said at an earlier meeting that he had noticed how Madhya Pradesh was slipping out of their hands, even though Congress was in a strong position.

As the results came in and the Congresss worst fears were confirmed, Rahul Gandhi got enough reason to make his point that the elders had ensured the defeat. The free hand they had been given could not bring a win. The EVM defence given by Digvijaya Singh has few takers in Rahul Gandhis scheme of things.

The Gandhi scion, along with Kharge, is now ensuring that the younger lot is handed the reins. For instance, Patwari has been made the MP chief. In Rajasthan, all eyes are on whether Pilot will get his chance, given that Gehlot is shifting to Delhi as part of the newly formed national alliance committee for the 2024 election.

For Rahul Gandhi, it is clearly an I told you so moment, much to the chagrin of the Congress top brass.
Days after BJP leader Vishnu Deo Sai was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, the state Cabinet is likely to be expanded on Friday with the induction of nine new ministers. Announcing the names of the nine MLAs, Chief Minister Sai said the new ministers will take the oath of office at around 11:45 am in the Governor House.

The Chief Minister also said that more ministers will be included in the Cabinet soon.

List of MLAs Who Will Take Oath Today

Brijmohan Agrawal Ram Vichar Netam Dayaldas Baghel Kedar Kashyap Lakhanlal Dewangan Shyam Bihari Jaiswal OP Choudhary Tankram Verma Laxmi Rajwade

In view of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls, social engineering and division were given preference in Chhattisgarh Cabinet formation, reported news agency ANI. Along with this, there was an in-depth discussion regarding the election manifesto and the agenda of the party.

The meeting on the cabinet formation was called on at the residence of BJP national president JP Nadda. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sahu and Vijay Sharma, were among many who attended the meeting.

Vishnu Deo Sai Sworn In As Chhattisgarh CM

After much speculation by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishnu Deo Sai was picked as the chief ministerial candidate for Chattisgarh. Sai took oath as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh on December 13, along with his deputies, Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda.

The development came after the saffron camp registered a massive victory in the state by bagging 54 of the 90 Assembly seats. Meanwhile, the Congress party was restricted to just 35 seats.
In West Bengal, the INDIA bloc is now synonymous with confusion. Though the Trinamool Congress, Congress, and Left are crucial members of the alliance, there is a question mark on who stands with whom.

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has clarified that she is ready for an alliance to fight the BJP. According to experts, the ball is now in the court of the Congress and the Left as Banerjee, who was in Delhi for the alliance meeting, has set December 31 as the deadline for the Grand Old Party to take the final call on seat sharing.

The Congress called its Bengal unit leaders to Delhi to understand their requirements, as the high command is aware of the uneasy relationship between the cadres of the two parties on the ground.

In their meeting, Bengal leaders conveyed to the seniors that TMC cannot be relied upon, but if the alliance is an absolute requirement, then Congress should seek 6-7 seats from Banerjees party of the total 42 seats in Bengal. Sources told News18 that the Congress high command has assured Bengal leaders that their demands will be taken seriously.

As per sources, Congress wants Berhampore (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys seat), Maldah, Darjeeling, Raigunj, and some other seats. However, TMC sources say the party is not interested in giving up more than two seats.

Meanwhile, the Left too is in a soup because, since 2016, it has been in an alliance with the Congress and if the TMC and Congress join hands now, the Left may be sidelined.

Speaking to News18, CPIM secretary Md Salim said: We are not hanging in between. Congress has to decide what they will do. In Bengal, the case is unique. Here we are fighting both the BJP and TMC. We are always ready to ally with anyone who is against BJP and TMC.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the partys stand was clear. Now Congress will have to see if it wants to shake hands with Left or TMC.

In Bengals political triangle, all eyes are now on the Congress and its next move.
A hacker attack on the largest Ukrainian telecom operator Kyivstar led to the destruction of about 40% of its infrastructure, which caused a large-scale disruption, said company president Oleksandr Komarov at the NV event Ukraine and the world ahead of 2024 in Kyiv on Thursday.

They had two goals. The fundamental one was to destroy the infrastructure that was possible and sow such chaos. The destruction of the infrastructure was about 40%: the virtual layer of the network was very badly destroyed, he said.

According to Komarov, because of the hackers' actions, the Custom User Data Base with internal profiles that help the system communicate was erased.

The president of Kyivstar noted that it was possible to restore the databases thanks to the backups that are created every day according to the protocol.

At one oclock in the morning we restored it all from these backups. We mobilized a thousand people for this recovery operation. In fact, this is quite unique. We coped with it, Komarov said.

He emphasized that Kyivstar does not abandon its commitment to invest $600 million in the restoration and development of the telecom network in Ukraine, but noted that the company will rebuild the cyber defense system.

We will completely change the approach to the cyber defense architecture of our company, Komarov said.
Following , Banerjees Kharge for PM Call in the fourth INDI bloc meeting, Rahul Gandhi tried to reach out to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Thursday evening amid reports of rift in the alliance, NDTV reported quoting sources.

Gandhi, however, could not meet the Bihar Chief Minister since he was in a meeting. The two leaders are expected to talk later today.
Congress found itself amid a raging political controversy after a Karnataka minister flaunted his luxurious private aircraft while travelling to Delhi with Chief Minister Siddaramiah to seek drought relief for the state from the Centre.

Karnataka Congress minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan recently posted a video of himself along with Chief Minister Siddaramiah on board the aircraft. In the clip, the minister can be seen posing and smiling in different spots.

The video also shows other ministers and Siddaramaiah smiling for the pictures as they were on their way to Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Bharatiya Janata Partys Karnataka unit was quick to take note of the video and criticised Congress for flaunting luxury at a time when the state is reeling under a financial crisis and drought-like situation.

Terming CM Siddaramaiah as Majawadi, BJP wrote on X, Severe drought has come in the state and people are suffering due to financial hardship. Congress came to power but six months later, not even a single pothole sealing work has been done.

This avatar is proof that Majawadi Chief Minister is emasculating the poor people of the country while having fun inside a private jet on peoples tax money, the BJP added.

Meanwhile, CM Siddharamaiah lashed back at the BJP and asked them what place PM Modi flew in and why no on raised questions then.

In which aircraft does Modi fly? Isnt it a luxury aircraft? Irrespective of the situation in the country, which aircraft does he fly in? BJP should question that first, Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him to sanction early drought relief of Rs 18,177.44 crore to the state.

Siddaramaiah said a central meeting of the high-level committee should be convened at the earliest to approve the drought relief for Karnataka, an official statement said.

The CM informed in the meeting that the small and marginal farmers are more impacted because of the drought in 223 taluks out of 236 in the state. The crops sown in 48.19 lakh hectares of farmland have been impacted.
In what could be a high-impact development on regional security, China is quietly rebuilding its Lop Nur base for nuclear testing in the remote Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Satellite images first published by The New York Times indicate that Indias secretive neighbour is looking to reactivate the facility, where it will be able to conduct full-fledged nuclear weapons testing or subcritical nuclear explosions.

By definition, subcritical, or cold, tests simulate aspects of nuclear explosions by using chemical explosives. They involve nuclear materials and possibly high explosives, which purposely result in no yield. China, however, has categorically dismissed the NYT report saying it was clutching at shadows, groundlessly whipping up a China nuclear threat'.

The NYT report is based on evidence provided by Dr Renny Babiarz, a leading international expert on geospatial intelligence. A former Pentagon analyst, he spent years studying satellite imagery of the Lop Nur facility where China conducted its first nuclear tests on October 16, 1964.

This is not the first time such reports have surfaced. In April 2020 as well, a US State Department report had stated that China may have conducted secret low-level underground nuclear test explosions. Back then, the country had said it is committed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and actively fulfilling commitments to treaties on arms control. Its foreign ministry had said the false accusations by the US are not worth refuting.

In its report, the State Department had said China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts. Washingtons concerns about Beijings possible breaches of a zero yield standard for test blasts have been prompted by activities at Chinas Lop Nur nuclear test site throughout 2019, the report added.

The satellite images of Lop Nur by Maxar Technologies over the last few years show a process of upgrading the facility. By 2017, an old site with a handful of buildings had turned into a slick, ultramodern complex ringed by security fences, stated the NYT report. Its new structures included a bunker protected by earthen berms and lightning arresters, making it ideal for handling high explosives.

According to a report by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, a little more than a decade ago, China possessed at least 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force is now on track to deploy more than 1.000 ballistic missile launchers by 2028, including at least 507 nuclear-capable launchers, it stated.

What does this mean for India?

This report is all the more significant for India, which is trying to maintain a strategic edge in the Indian Ocean Region amid a rising threat from China. As compared to its neighbour, India has a modest nuclear arsenal.

India declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing after Pokhran in 1998, which was a series of five nuclear explosions. India conducted its first such test in 1974.

Sensitive moment in US-China ties

The latest analysis would mean that China is making an effort to step up nuclear testing and is interested in testing and qualifying its newest nuclear warhead designs fitted on a host of new-generation ballistic and cruise missiles.

The NYT report stated that the activity at Lop Nur comes at one of the most sensitive moments in US-China relations. President Biden has said that hes trying to stabilise an increasingly contentious relationship and, at a summit meeting last month with Xi Xinping, Chinas leader, sought a measure of accord.

Only a day after the report was published, on Thursday (December 21), top US and China military officials spoke for the first time after more than a years halt to high-level defence talks between the two countries. China had stopped the talks in late 2022 to express its displeasure over a visit by then House speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, but leaders of both countries agreed to resume them when they met last month.

Top US military officer General Charles CQ Brown spoke with Chinas General Liu Zhenli. Brown  the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff  discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication.

He reiterated the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings, the statement said, referring to Chinas military. The two military leaders also discussed a number of global and regional security issues during their video teleconference.

US President Joe Biden also met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in California last month for their first summit in a year, at which they agreed to restore the military-to-military communications and ease tensions between the two sides.

(With agency inputs)
As the world prepares to enter into the third month of the Middle East conflict, the existence of a secretive group of medical experts formed by Israel, has to come to the surface. Merely the first week into the conflict, this team of three was tasked to determine if a hostage held in Gaza was dead.

On October 7, Hamas kidnapped 240 people and took them into Gaza following an unprecedented attack on southern Israel. After the release of 105 hostages from Hamas captivity during a weeklong truce in November, it is now believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza. The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of 21 hostages but the fate of those who remain in the Palestinian conclave is uncertain.

Unique protocols

Prof. Ofer Merin, who is Shaare Zedek Medical Centers director general, has revealed to The Times of Israel how he and two of his colleagues have devised unique protocols for using visual and other intelligence information to decide whether a person is no longer alive. He said when the committee reaches a decision, it prepares a detailed report about its findings gives it to the IDF, and leaves it to the military to announce the death.

Since mid-October, this group has met every week to review intelligence provided to them by the security agencies regarding suspected deaths of particular hostages. The trio draws conclusions only when they have deliberated over and cross-referenced sufficient data to be able to medically and unanimously determine with absolute certainty that a captive is dead.

Continuous grief

When asked what made him join the group, Prof Merin said, Its the continuous grief day after day of living with uncertainty, always with a slim hope that maybe their loved one is alive or just wounded or okay. There is a clear understanding that these people need the closure. If we know for sure that someone is dead, I think were doing right by these families by telling them.

Over a question about the information used to determine a hostages death, he said, First of all, we know that people were dragged to Gaza by Hamas either physically unharmed, injured, or already dead. He said the group works with some of the materials like videos from inside Israel and footage from security cameras from kibbutzim and villages.

He said that additional intelligence is also gathered from outside Israel. Thats all I can say. Israel is putting huge efforts into getting information about every single person who is in Gaza. As the information comes in, we are given it for evaluation, he said. The top Israeli medical expert added that the committee always determines the cause of death. This is one of our rules. It gives us more confidence in deciding that a hostage is dead.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the much-anticipated cipher case.

The countrys top court, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, approved the bail, directing PTI leaders to submit surety bonds of Pkr 1 million each. The cipher case revolves around a controversial diplomatic communication that has been in the news ever since the ouster of the former Pakistan prime minister in April last year.

Imran Khan and his long-time aide Qureshi had previously asserted that the document contained a threat from the US to remove Imran as the prime minister. Both PTI leaders were indicted in the case on October 23 but both pleaded not guilty. The trial started at Rawalpindis Adiala Jail, with four witnesses having already recorded their statements.

However, the proceedings faced a setback when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) deemed the governments notification for a jail trial as erroneous and annulled the entire process. Despite this, the IHC endorsed Imran Khans indictment and instructed the special court judge to ensure a fair trial.

Last month, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the countrys top court, seeking post-arrest bail for Imran Khan in the cipher case. The apex courts decision to grant bail comes amid ongoing legal battles surrounding the allegations. The approval of bail with the requirement of surety bonds marks a significant development in the case.
An Indian national in Singapore has been sentenced to 10 months in jail for recklessly driving a lorry and causing the death of an elderly woman. Sivalingam Suresh, 40, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving a lorry without due care and hitting a Chinese-origin woman.

Suresh hit the 79-year-old lady while she was walking across a zebra crossing in Singapore in February this year, The Straits Times newspaper reported. The court was informed that he carelessly drove the vehicle and hit the woman following which she suffered a head injury and died on the same day. Suresh, who has a history of errant driving, will also be disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for eight years after his release.

Benedict Teong, the Deputy Public Prosecutor said Suresh failed to notice the woman as he approached a zebra crossing alongside Ngee Ann Primary School, colliding with her. There was no evidence to suggest that the possible mechanical failure of the lorry could have caused or contributed to the accident, the prosecutor said.

During the hearing, Suresh said he was the breadwinner of his family in India, which includes his two-year-old son and wife who severed her hand in an accident. It depends on me to support my family by driving in Singapore. Im very reliant on this job, Your Honour, he said.

DPP Teong asked the court to sentence Suresh to 10 to 11 months in jail and impose a driving ban of eight years. He cited Sureshs history of driving offences, which included inconsiderate driving and failure to conform to a red light. For causing death by driving a vehicle without due care and attention, Suresh could have been jailed for up to three years and fined up to 10,000 Singapore dollars.

(With agency inputs)
For months, Sudans army kept silent amid alleged Emirati interference in the countrys civil war but its anger has finally boiled over, leading to harsh exchanges between Khartoum and Abu Dhabi. The brutal conflict broke out in mid-April between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), killing more than 12,000 people and displacing millions.

In November, General Yasser al-Atta, second-in-command to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, openly denounced the United Arab Emirates, calling it a state mafia that had taken the path of evil by supporting the RSF and its leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. He accused Abu Dhabi of funnelling weapons through Chad, Uganda and the Central African Republic to the RSF with the help of the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenaries who once enjoyed a foothold in Bangui.

With the weakening of Wagner, their planes have also passed through Chad, landing for a week at NDjamena airport, Atta added, also accusing eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar of being a conduit for paramilitary supplies.

UAE officials did not respond to a request by AFP for a comment.

Experts have warned of the existence of such a supply line since the start of the war, but until November Sudans army had not made the accusation publicly. Until recently, the Burhan camp exercised caution and diplomacy, avoiding direct verbal confrontations against key players such as Libyas Haftar, Russia and Abu Dhabi, Jalel Harchaoui, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told AFP.

But the army has thrown caution to the wind by making its accusations public and having the foreign ministry expel 15 UAE diplomats.

Plausible deniability

In August, the Wall Street Journal said aid shipments sent via Uganda and intended for Sudanese refugees in Chad had been found to contain weapons destined for the RSF. The UAE promptly denied the report. It said Abu Dhabi does not take sides in the current conflict.

Alex de Waal, an expert on Sudan, said UAE president Mohamed bin Zayed was a supporter of RSF chief Daglo. He said the pair forged a relationship in 2015 when Daglo provided paramilitaries for the Saudi-Emirati ground intervention in Yemens civil war.

Daglo  who controls much of Sudans lucrative gold mining sector  also has a mutually profitable business trading gold to the UAE, de Waal said. Though the UAE is formally the worlds top buyer of Sudanese gold, observers say many of the support lines are underground.

Andreas Krieg, a security studies professor at Kings College London, said: The story of the UAE in Sudan is (one) of networks curated by Abu Dhabi to achieve strategic objectives with plausible deniability and discretion.

Harchaoui, of RUSI, said the deniability had ensured any condemnation of Emirati interference was only tepid.

Act of desperation

Nevertheless, with rumours having swirled for months, tensions came to a head in November when hundreds of pro-army demonstrators took to the streets in the eastern city of Port Sudan demanding the expulsion of the Emirati ambassador.

Shortly after, Sudans acting foreign minister Ali al-Sadiq said Abu Dhabi had expelled Sudanese diplomats from the UAE. We have not asked for justifications from the UAE, even though we had information of their involvement in the war, he told state television in early December.

But they were the ones who expelled our diplomats, and so we had to respond.

Last week, the foreign ministry declared 15 UAE diplomats persona non grata, demanding they leave Sudan within 48 hours. The move came because we are at an impasse with the UAE, Sadiq said.

However, according to Harchaoui, the move can be better understood as an act of desperation for a force whose options are dwindling.

While neither side has been able to seize a decisive military advantage, the RSF now controls the streets of the capital Khartoum, the vast western region of Darfur, and is increasingly encroaching on the south.

By taking a bold stand, (Burhan) might be hoping to draw more attention and condemnation towards the UAEs illicit injections of weaponry in support of (Daglo), Harchaoui said.
As many as USD 10,000 is being offered for information about a 29-year-old female student from India who went missing from the US state of New Jersey in April 2019.

In a statement, the FBI Newark Field Office said Mayushi Bhagat was last seen leaving her apartment in Jersey City over four years ago, wearing colourful pyjama pants and a black T-shirt. Her family reported her missing to police on May 1, 2019.

Anyone with information about Mayushi, her 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). They could receive a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery, the news release on December 14 read.

The FBI and Jersey City Police are seeking the publics help in solving Bhagats disappearance. The FBI is offering a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery. In July last year, the FBI added Bhagat to its list of Missing Persons and sought assistance from the public to help with information about her.

Born in India in July 1994, Bhagat was in the US on a student visa and was studying at the New York Institute of Technology. According to a statement by the FBI, she speaks English, Hindi and Urdu and detectives say she has friends in South Plainfield, New Jersey.

The FBI said that anyone with information about Bhagat, her whereabouts or her disappearance, should call FBI Newark or the Jersey City Police Department. They could receive a reward of up to USD 10,000 for information leading to her location or recovery, the statement issued last week said.

Bhagat is described as 510 with black hair and brown eyes. She came to the United States in 2016 on an F1 student visa. The FBI has put Bhagats Missing Person poster on the Most Wanted page of its website under the list of Kidnappings/Missing Persons.

(With agency inputs)
In one of the worst shootings in the Czech Republic in decades, a 24-year-old student on Thursday killed 14 people and wounded 25 at a Prague university, before the attacker was eliminated. The mass shooting in the citys historic centre sparked evacuations and a huge response by heavily armed police.

The shooting erupted at the Charles Universitys Faculty of Arts, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge. All the victims were killed inside the building, some of whom were the gunmans fellow students. Previously unknown to the police, the gunman had a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition and that quick police action prevented far more serious carnage. Fearing for their lives, some of the students were forced to hide themselves at the ledge of the university building during the shooting.

BREAKING: Footage show students hiding on a ledge during mass shooting in University in Prague pic.twitter.com/BvOSqt5pwB Mikail (@Grey0973) December 22, 2023

He wanted to kill himself

Police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died. He said that police started a search for the man before the mass shooting as his father had been found dead in the village of Hostoun west of Prague. The gunman left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself, Vondrasek said. Police suggested earlier the gunman had killed his father. Police searched a Faculty of Arts building where the gunman was expected to show up for a lecture, but he went to the facultys main building nearby and they did not find him.

At 1359 GMT, we received the first information about shooting, Vondrasek told reporters, adding the rapid response unit was on the scene within 12 minutes. At 1420 GMT, the officers in action told us about the gunmans motionless body, Vondrasek said, adding unconfirmed information showed he had killed himself. Vondrasek said no police officer was wounded in Thursdays action. Police evacuated the building, using a concert hall across the street as a temporary refuge for the evacuees.

BREAKING:Mass-shooting in Prague, Czechia. Initial reports say that many people have been killed pic.twitter.com/uL1BaTszlH  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) December 21, 2023

National mourning

The Czech government declared a day of national mourning on December 23, with flags on official buildings to be flown at half-mast and people asked to observe a minutes silence at noon. Agency reports said that the lists of missing students were shared on social media while those safe from the shooting posted messages to inform their friends and relatives.

President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by the violence and expressed deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the lone gunman wasted many lives of mostly young people.

There is no justification for this horrendous act, he added. The worst shooting since the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state in 1993 also prompted messages of support from across the world. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said there was no link between the shooting and international terrorism. He added that no other gunman has been confirmed.

(With agency inputs)
Nova Poshta branch in Kherson completely burned down because of Russian drone attack

Branch No. 1 in Kherson of the leader of express delivery in Ukraine Nova Poshta LLC was completely burned down because of an attack by the Russian Federation, co-owner of Nova Poshta Viacheslav Klimov said at the annual event of the NV edition in Kyiv on Thursday.

As for our calls, there are calls every day. You know that Nova Poshta works and delivers parcels, despite constant losses. They shoot at us, our terminals are destroyed. Yesterday (December 20) there was an attack on our first department in Kherson... it completely burned down, said Klimov.

He clarified that no people were injured.

Earlier, Nova Poshta reported on its official website that at about 22:00 on Wednesday, one of the Russian drones hit between the department and the terminal of Nova Poshta in Kherson. The department and office premises were completely burned down, the terminal received significant damage.

The report specified that the employees managed to save about a third of the cargo. The surviving parcels were redirected to another department.

It was reported that the company is working to restore the terminal. Nova Poshta provides psychological support to employees who were on shift during the shelling, and material support to those whose homes were damaged.

Nova Poshta promised to pay compensation to all customers whose parcels were burned.

Nova Poshta branch No. 1 in Kherson is located at 5 km of Mykolaiv Highway. The department accepted parcels weighing up to 1,100 kg.

By the beginning of November, the Nova Poshta network in Ukraine included almost 11,000 branches and 14,600 parcel terminals.

The Nova Poshta group of companies includes Ukrainian and foreign companies, in particular Nova Poshta, NP Logistic, the NovaPay payment system and Nova Poshta Global.
The Ukrainian air defense eliminated 24 out of 28 enemy shaheds on Friday night, the Air Forces reported.

"As a result of combat work, 24 shaheds were shot down within Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zhytomyr, Rivne and Khmelnytsky regions," the report says.

It is noted that on the night of December 22, Russian occupation forces attacked 28 Shahed-type attack drones from the districts of Kursk, PrimorskoAkhtarsk in Russia, and Chauda  from Crimea.

Aviation, anti-aircraft missile units and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine are reportedly involved in repelling the air attack.
ZAPU says Zimbabweans are more divided than ever before as there is no unity whatsoever, to warrant a whole public holiday, under the guise of commemorating the pivotal signing of the Unity Accord between PF ZAPU and ZANU on 22 December 1987.

ZAPU withdrew from the Unity Accord, claiming it realised that its compatriots in Zanu PF saw the Unity Accord as an opportunity to consolidate their grip on power and establish their lifelong dream for a one-party state.

It was hardly an acrimonious divorce but we were so eager to leave that we left our PF with ZANU. Today, that rogue pirate ship continues to sail under a false flag of patriotism, said ZAPU National Spokesperson Richard Gandari who said the revolutionary party was not only appalled by the memories of the tortured history but the continuation of Zanu PF sponsored Gukurahundi in new forms.

On January 4, 2022, a Gukurahundi memorial plaque erected by Ibhetshu Likazulu to commemorate the lives of Gukurahundi victims at Bhalagwe in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, was bombed by suspected state security operatives. No one has been held responsible for the barbaric act.

Hardly a few months later, the Zanu PF government unceremoniously removed the Ndebele traditional shield from the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and replaced it with its Coat of Arms and Emblem without consulting stakeholders. Despite the public outcry that followed, the shield was never restored.

Again, the arbitrary arrests and the jailing of nine members of the Mthwakazi Republic Party made it clear that Zanu PF is still pursuing its pre-independence blueprint for the annihilation of Matabeleland and its peoples cultural identity.

Gandari said ZAPU activists have also suffered from arrests upon exercising their constitutional rights to protest against malpractice.

Our members have been harassed and detained by the police for decrying and protesting against the employment of people from other regions at the expense of locals, particularly in marginalised rural areas. The employment of nurses and teachers who do not speak local languages amounts to cultural imperialism. Yet there is a method to the madness. Language is the most basic means to dilute and eventually erase a peoples cultural identity, he said.

Zanu PFs President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on public record, green-lighting civil registry clerks to ascribe any name of their choice when issuing identity documents to anybody too slow to assert their own identity.

The ZAPU spokesperson said Zanu PF has habitually used systematic invasions and economic sabotage to undermine farms owned by anyone perceived to be an enemy of the state.

Victims of these targeted farm invasions include our late ZAPU President Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, ZPRA ex-combatant, John Gazi, human rights lawyer, Siphosami Malunga, former National Healing and Integration co-minister, Moses Mzila-Ndlovu and our venerated ex-ZPRA commander, Thomas Ngwenya, Gandari said.

The list extends to commercial farmers in Mashonaland West as well as self-exiled former cabinet minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, whose citrus plants were gutted in a mysterious fire in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, just two days after the general elections in August.

Gandari said apart from land grabs, ZPRA veterans continue to be sidelined by the War Veterans Board, which he accused of being an appendage of Zanu PF.

He also noted there can be no unity worth celebrating on December 22 every year when the liberation contributions made by ZPRA ex-combatants are reduced to a historical footnote. There can be no healing and integration when ZAPU is precluded from spearheading dialogue on Gukurahundi, now a prerogative of chiefs from Matabeleland and Midlands. Unity shall forever remain a mirage until genuine efforts are made to adopt and implement the tenets of restorative justice, he said.

The ZAPU spokesperson said the party also mourns the death of democracy in Zimbabwe.

A fraudulent plebiscite, roundly condemned by regional and international election observer missions, was foisted upon the restive populace of Zimbabwe, Gandari said.

Having failed to secure an outright two-thirds majority in Parliament, Gandari said Zanu PF has capitalised on by-elections following recalls initiated by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

With more recalls lined up by the trigger-happy Sengezo Tshabangu, Zanu PF looks set to clinch a two-thirds majority after which it can wantonly amend the countrys Constitution with reckless abandon, Gandari said.

The greatest tragedy is Zimbabweans continue to fall for Zanu PFs bag of tricks. Instead of objectively calling out Tshabangu for his self-defeating political excesses, many have been waylaid into denigrating King Lobengula and casting aspersions on the generality of citizens from Matabeleland.

Gandari said when Douglas Mwonzora effected the very same recalls against the then MDC Alliance MPs, no one attacked the memory of Emperor Munhumutapa, Prophet Chaminuka or even Chief Rekayi Tangwena.

Only Zanu PF stands to gain anything from fanning the embers of tribalism and regionalism. ZAPU implores Zimbabweans to resist the divide-and-rule tactics overused by the Soviet-styled and Taliban-inspired rogue regime in Harare. In Zimbabwe, all regions, all tribes, and all languages matter. There is no minority or majority when Zimbabwean citizenship is considered, he said. CITE
John Schneider, the actor who played Bo Duke decades ago on the old Dukes of Hazzard, may not have been high on anyone's celebrity radar heading into Wednesday night. Then came two separate events in quick succession: First, Schneider (who also had hits as a country singer) was revealed to be second-place finisher "Donut" in the season finale of the Masked Singer. Second, he called for the public execution of President Biden, reports Consequence .

The two events were apparently unrelated. But minutes after the show's finale aired, Schneider tweeted the following: "Mr. President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung. Your son too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider." He has since deleted it, without explanation, notes Mediaite. Schneider's tweet was in response to a Biden tweet in which the president went after Donald Trump. "Trump poses many threats to our country: The right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, and America's standing in the world," wrote Biden. "But the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy. If we lose that, we lose everything." Schneider is a vocal conservative who has complained about bias against celebrities who lean to the right politically. (Read more celebrities stories.)
With the deal facing quick opposition from congressional members of both parties and the United Steelworkers union, Biden administration officials said Thursday that the president believes government regulators should take a close look at the proposed acquisition of US Steel. The company's sale, to Japan's Nippon Steel in a package valued around $14.1 billion, was announced Monday . Lael Brainard, director of President Biden's National Economic Council, issued a statement citing the historic importance of US Steel's production, the Hill reports. Given that the buyer is foreign, Brainard said, Biden believes the deal "appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability."

Four Democratic and three Republican senators have spoken critically of the sale already, per Reuters. Their objections to the deal included national security concerns, the possibility it will shift steelworkers' jobs to states with lower pay and damage US industry, as well as the lack of consultation with the union. Brainard suggested antitrust officials examine the sale. In addition, "this looks like the type of transaction that the interagency committee on foreign investment Congress empowered and the Biden administration strengthened is set up to carefully investigate," the statement said. The administration would then consider the findings of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and act if necessary, she said, though the committee has the power to block a sale to a foreign buyer on national security grounds.

David McCall, president of the United Steelworkers, also urged that regulators examine the need for national security implications and effects on workers, per the AP. The White House pointed out the company's longstanding role in the US. "The President believes US Steel was an integral part of our arsenal of democracy in WWII," Brainard said. Sen. John Fetterman, who lives across the street from US Steel's Edgar Thompson plant near Pittsburgh, said he'll try to prevent the sale. "It's absolutely outrageous that US Steel has agreed to sell themselves to a foreign company," he said. (Read more US Steel stories.)
A jury cleared three Washington state police officers of all criminal charges Thursday in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten, and restrained facedown on a Tacoma sidewalk as he pleaded for breath. Two of the officersMatthew Collins, 40, and Christopher Burbank, 38had been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, while Timothy Rankine, 34, was charged with manslaughter. The jury found the three not guilty on all counts, the AP reports. There was a gasp from the gallery when the first not-guilty verdict was read. Rankine sat forward in his seat and wiped his eyes, while Collins hugged his lawyer.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office prosecuted the case, said, "I know the Ellis family is hurting, and my heart goes out to them." The Ellis family immediately left the courtroom. The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability said in a statement that "the not guilty verdict is further proof the system is broken, failing the very people it should be serving." The Pierce County medical examiner ruled Ellis' death a homicide caused by oxygen deprivation, but lawyers for the officers said a high level of methamphetamine in Ellis' system and a heart irregularity were to blame. Witnessesone of whom yelled for the officers to stop attacking Ellisand a doorbell surveillance camera captured video of parts of the encounter.

The video showed Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as Burbank shot a Taser at his chest and Collins wrapped an arm around his neck from behind. The officers later told investigators that Ellis attacked them and was violent. Witnesses testified that they saw no such thing. "When I saw Manuel not doing anything, and him get attacked like that, it wasn't right," witness Sara McDowell, 26, said at trial. "I'd never seen police do anything like that. It was the worst thing I've ever seen. It was scary. It wasn't OK." Video captured Ellis addressing the officers as "sir" while telling them he couldn't breathe. One officer is heard responding, "Shut the (expletive) up, man."

(Read more Tacoma stories.)
Earlier this month, a Massachusetts police officer entered a middle school classroom to search for a book about LGBTQ+ issuesan incident for which both the department and the school are now apologizing. A parent called the Great Barrington Police Department to report that they were concerned about an illustration in a book that an eighth-grade teacher at WEB Dubois Regional Middle School had made available to students. Police and school officials determined the illustration was from Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which led to the plainclothes officer (who was reportedly wearing a bodycam that was recording, per the Berkshire Eagle ) entering a classroom on December 8. The teacher told the officer there were no copies of the book in the room, and the officer left, CNN reports.

After the incident made headlines, the department issued a mea culpa, with the chief of police apologizing to "anyone who was negatively effected by our involvement." School officials also apologized and said the incident should have been handled differently. The police department says it had a duty to respond since police were contacted, but that the investigation has been dropped, the New York Post reports. The graphic novel, one of the books most challenged or banned recently, charts the coming-of-age exploration of gender identity and sexual orientation by Kobabe, who is nonbinary, and includes some sexually explicit text and illustrations. Per PEN, a Pennsylvania superintendent explained, after his school district voted to keep the book, "The illustrations of concern are just a piece of the larger mosaic that supports the tale and message of this memoir."

Kobabe has said in the past that anyone concerned about the book should "read the whole thing and judge for yourself, don't just go based on the one or two tiny clips you've seen on social media." "When I couldn't yet figure out who I was, it felt important to answer that question before I could start answering other questions about my life," Kobabe told the Des Moines Register last month. "I did not write it to arouse a reader. I did not write it to titillate a reader. I wrote it to educate and explain." The American Civil Liberties Union says it is not aware of any other incidents in the US in which police have searched a school for a book, and says it is very concerned about the entire incident, especially the fact that it was recorded on bodycam, the Eagle reports. The organization has requested the footage, and other documents related to the incident. (Read more Massachusetts stories.)
After Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018, his widow has since feared for her own safety. Now, good news from the United States for Hanan Elatr: She's been granted political asylum here, reports the BBC . According to documents seen by the UK broadcaster, Elatr was given indefinite asylum status at the end of last month. "We did win," said an emotional Elatr. "Yes, they took Jamal's life and they destroyed my life, but we did win." The former Emirates flight attendant added, per the Post , that the decision "shows there is one victim who is still alive."

Elatr, who applied for asylum three years ago, has been living in the United States since, obtaining a work permit and holding down a job and apartment, her attorney, Randa Fahmy, tells the BBC. Elatr says that since her husband's death, it's been too risky for her to return to her native Egypt, or to the United Arab Emirates, where she'd lived for a quarter century, until her husband was killed. Now, thanks to her new asylum status, Elatr says she's "relieved from feeling scared" and thanks the Biden administration for "opening the door" for her.

"Hanan Khashoggi has the clearest case for political asylum imaginable, and I am happy that I could help her get this vital protection," Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, who has assisted Elatr, tells the Post. Fahmy tells the paper that her client is seeking compensation from the Saudi government for the murder of her husband, whom she married just a few months before he was killed (ABC Australia notes that the US believes the hit on Khashoggi was ordered by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.) Elatr is also insisting that Turkey, where Khashoggi was murdered, return his phones so they can be examined. (Read more Jamal Khashoggi stories.)
TikTok appears to be suppressing content that China's government doesn't approve of, according to researchers who found huge differences in the volume of posts on certain subjects when they compared TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company, to Instagram. The Network Contagion Research Institute researchers at Rutgers University found that on topics like #TaylorSwift, there was an average of 2.2 posts on Instagram for every one on TikTok, in line with Instagram's larger user base, the New York Times reports. But when it came to content suppressed in China, there was a very different ratio. For every 206 posts with the hashtag #HongKongProtests on Instagram, there was one on TikTok, according to the institute's report on the platform's "anomalies."

For #TiananmenSquare, it was 57 to 1, for #DalaiLama, it was 56 to 1, and hashtags about Uighers had an average ratio of 11 to 1. There was no such discrepancy when it came to #Trump or other hashtags connected to American politics. The ratio was reversed with hashtags on some topics that are aligned with China's interests, including #StandWithKashmir, which had a ratio of 661 posts on TikTok for every one on Instagram, NBC News reports. Researchers said it was hard to believe the difference could occur "organically." "We assess a strong possibility that content on TikTok is either amplified or suppressed based on its alignment with the interests of the Chinese government," the institute's report said.

US Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, said the report shows TikTok is a "tool to brazenly spread disinformation and suppress content that undermines the Chinese government," the Times reports. TikTok pushed back against the report, accusing researchers of using "flawed methodology," though it compared hashtag volumes with Instagram in a Nov. 13 blog post addressing posts on the Israel-Hamas war. The company said hashtags are created by users, not TikTok, and many videos don't have hashtags at all. "Anyone familiar with how the platform works can see for themselves the content they refer to is widely available and claims of suppression are baseless," said company spokesman Alex Haurek. (Read more TikTok stories.)
Police in San Francisco violated their juvenile detention policies with the mass arrest of around 80 under-18s after an unsanctioned skateboarding event in July, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by four of the teens. According to the class-action lawsuit, riot police "corralled" the teens on a street, along with around 30 other young people 18 or older, and held them for more than three hours without food, water, or access to bathrooms, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The teens describe being "freezing, thirsty, and hungry, needing to pee," Rachel Lederman, an attorney for the teens, tells ABC7 . "There were teenagers that had to pee in their pants because they were not provided bathrooms." The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.

The group, mostly between the ages of 13 and 17, were allegedly handcuffed with zipties, the Washington Post reports. They were detained after police issued a dispersal order at Dolores Park, where skateboarders race down a steep hill in the annual "Hill Bomb" event. Police said they increased their response this year because the event has led to injuries in the past and a death in 2020, as well as violence and property damage. According to the lawsuit, the group of juveniles detained by police included people who were trying to obey the dispersal order and teens who were stopped streets away from the park. They were eventually taken to a police station to be cited and released. Charges of refusing to disperse and inciting a riot were later dropped for all the detained juveniles.

Police said bottles and firecrackers were thrown at them during the event and streetcars were vandalized. Lederman, however, says the arrests were civil rights violations because police "had no reason to believe that any of the young people they actually arrested had done those things." "Police were supposedly responding to safety concerns about this skateboarding event," she tells the Post. "But in fact it was police that endangered children by surrounding them on the street and holding them in the cold and darkness." The lawsuit says the parents of some juveniles were not contacted after the arrests, a violation of department policy. Police policy also states that detained juveniles should have "reasonable" access to toilets and drinking water. (Read more San Francisco stories.)
The Court of Appeal left businessman Ihor Kolomoisky in custody until January 26 and reduced the bail to UAH 2.7 billion, Suspilne reports.

It is noted that Kolomoiskys lawyers petitioned to cancel the decision of the Shevchenkivsky Court or change the preventive measure to 24-hour house arrest with wearing an electronic bracelet.

Among the main reasons is the deterioration of Kolomoiskys health. Doctor Oleksandr Rodinsky spoke at the meeting to confirm this.

Eight people also wanted to bail the businessman, including TV presenter Alla Mazur.

Earlier it was reported that the Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv extended the preventive measure for businessman Ihor Kolomoisky in the form of detention until January 26, 2024 with an alternative bail in the amount of UAH 3.712 billion.

On October 24, the Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv upheld Kolomoiskys preventive measure in the form of detention with an alternative bail of UAH 3.8 billion, not satisfying the lawyers request to change the preventive measure to 24-hour house arrest.

Kolomoisky is suspected of fraud and embezzlement of PrivatBank funds. The Security Service of Ukraine announced suspicion against him under two articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 190 (fraud), Article 209 (legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means). Law enforcement officers established that the businessman during 2013-2020 legalized more than UAH 500 million by transferring them abroad. At the same time, he used the infrastructure of controlled banking institutions

According to the investigation, in the period from 2013 to 2014, Kolomoisky illegally took possession of UAH 5.8 billion. To do this, he created a criminal group consisting of employees of the bank, in which he was the founder and shareholder.

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) notified the former ultimate beneficiary of PJSC PrivatBank Kolomoisky and five of his former top managers of suspicion of embezzling bank funds worth more than UAH 9.2 billion.
For most Americans dreaming of a white Christmas, this year's prospects aren't good. Although parts of the Rockies and Midwest already have snow or could get a fresh dusting by Monday, other parts of the country that are normally coated in white this time of year are still sporting their drab late-fall look. "Some people will get their dream, their wish, and get a white Christmas right at the last minute," said Judah Cohen, the director of seasonal forecasting for Verisk's Atmospheric and Environmental Research team, per the AP. "But most of the country will have a brown Christmas." More on what's to come:

Record-low snow: The snow cover across the US is at near-record lows for this time of year, said Cohen, who doesn't expect much change by Christmas Day. "There is a storm that is supposed to come out of the Rockies and head toward Canada, so it looks like some fresh snow in the western Plains, from Kansas to North Dakota," he said, adding that snow could fall as far west as Denver and as far east as Minnesota. The National Weather Service also doesn't foresee a white Christmas for much of the country. But "at least the weather is favorable for most people who have plans to travel this year," the service wrote in its holiday forecast.

The snow cover across the US is at near-record lows for this time of year, said Cohen, who doesn't expect much change by Christmas Day. "There is a storm that is supposed to come out of the Rockies and head toward Canada, so it looks like some fresh snow in the western Plains, from Kansas to North Dakota," he said, adding that snow could fall as far west as Denver and as far east as Minnesota. The National Weather Service also doesn't foresee a white Christmas for much of the country. But "at least the weather is favorable for most people who have plans to travel this year," the service wrote in its holiday forecast. A Northeast drenching: Among the areas more accustomed to snowy Decembers is the Northeast, where a powerful storm blew in this week and dumped heavy rain on the region's ski areas, wreaking havoc on the snowpack. "It didn't wash out our trails. But it was crazy rain," said Tom Day, the general manager of Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire. He hiked the ski area Monday, when it was closed, as 3.5 inches of warm rain fell and the wind howled. "That's a four-letter word, 'rain,' in our business," Day said.
After many delays, the UN Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution Friday calling for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but without the original call for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas. The vote in the 15-member council was 13-0, with the United States and Russia abstaining, per the AP . The vote followed a US veto of a Russian amendment that would have restored the call for a suspension of hostilities. That vote was 10 members in favor, the US against, and four abstentions. The revised text was negotiated during a week and a half of high-level diplomacy by the United States, the United Arab Emirates on behalf of Arab nations, and others.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said late Thursday that the United States, Israel's closest ally, backed it. The US abstention avoided a second US veto of a Gaza resolution following Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attacks inside Israel. The vote comes after days of high-level negotiations involving US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Between Tuesday and Thursday, Blinken spoke to the foreign ministers of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates three times each, as well as to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Britain, France, and Germany. The vote, initially scheduled for Monday, had been delayed every day since then.

Rather than watered down, Thomas-Greenfield described the resolution as "strong" and said it "is fully supported by the Arab group that provides them what they feel is needed to get humanitarian assistance on the ground." But it was stripped of its key provision with teetha call for "the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities." Instead, it calls "for urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." Those steps aren't defined, but diplomats had said that if the resolution were adopted, it would mark the council's first reference to stopping fighting.

story continues below

According to a report released Thursday by 23 UN and humanitarian agencies, Gaza's entire 2.2 million population is in a food crisis or worse, and 576,600 are at the "catastrophic" starvation level. With supplies to Gaza cut off except for a small trickle, the UN World Food Program has said 90% of the population is regularly going without food for a full day. Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war started, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. During the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice, many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for action. General Assembly resolutions aren't legally binding, though they're a significant barometer of world opinion. More here.

(Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.)
"We have advised the deceased man's family of this development and our thoughts continue to be with them," he said in a statement.

Another person was seriously injured in the attack, which took place in the kitchen of the Auckland South Corrections Facility.

"The surviving victim remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital," Det Insp Adkin said.

Police could not comment further as the matter was before the court, he added.

Serco, the private firm that operates the prison, said violence in the facility wasn't tolerated.

A Serco spokesperson said the firm would ensure "all evidence, including CCTV footage, is provided to police".

"Assaults in prison are illegal, unacceptable and we do not tolerate them. Any perpetrators should expect to face criminal charges as well as prison disciplinary processes."
Reduced capacity at GPs and after-hour clinics over Christmas contributed to increasingly overwhelmed emergency departments, he said.

Emergency departments also see an increase in mental health, alcohol and drug-related incidents over the holiday period.

But stress for healthcare workers builds up throughout the year, Dr Hercus said, and was not isolated to the holiday season.

"Burnout is affecting our workforce, due to staff shortages and the increased vacancies in available shifts and are being picked up by many in the health workforce.

"These are occurring throughout the year, this is no longer a seasonal phenomenon, with winter, or a pandemic phenomenon during COVID, but this has become the new norm for our workforce."

Hercus said the stress on healthcare workers had flow-on effects for patients.

"I think it mainly manifests in the workforce's ability to interact interpersonally with our patients and provide an empathetic and personal treatment."

He said healthcare workers were feeling undervalued because of ongoing pay conditions.

"It's hard to look at those relative hourly rates and not feel undervalued at present, and I think that is something that could be addressed by the current Government and Te Whatu Ora to really increase morale in what is already a difficult time for our workers."

Minister for Health Shane Reti told media on Friday he understood operating at nearly full capacity was a problem many EDs were facing.

"That's a challenge and I understand the challenge they have expressed," Dr Reti said.

"I have faith in our operational team and the measures that have been put in place."

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton said it was very normal for emergency departments to be running at 100 percent capacity on any given day, let alone Christmas.

"Middlemore is usually leading the charge when it comes to being overcrowded, understaffed and massively high demand levels."

Dalton said pressure at emergency departments pointed to a gap in the provision of affordable healthcare for people.

"For some people, it's either the emergency department or nowhere.

"It's an early signal that a number of our services are going to be under massive pressure in the coming weeks."

Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau have asked people to take a preventative approach to injury by visiting their GP and taking care with alcohol.

RNZ
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Newly appointed Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has arrived in Kyiv.

The first visit abroad. I am already here, he wrote on X (Twitter), posting a picture.

According to Polish radio RMF FM, one of the most important moments of Sikorski's visit will be his speech to Ukrainian deputies. The visit also includes one-on-one meetings with the most important politicians from neighboring countries.

However, the details are kept secret for security reasons. Therefore, it is not yet known whether Sikorski will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Housing and Urban Planning Ministry has continued the distribution of 6,800 housing units to the beneficiaries of the Salman, East HiIdd and East Sitra cities.

The Ministry also continued the disbursement of housing financing to the citizens. The housing services are being distributed to the beneficiaries based on the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the order of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

In a statement, the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry said that the distribution of the 6,800 units will continue until the end of February, 2024, noting that after the electronic draw on the housing units, the beneficiaries sign the owner-ship contracts, finalise the required legal procedures and then receive their units keys.

Regarding the financing schemes, the Ministry indicated that the beneficiaries receive the financing option they choose, including Tasheel Aqari, Tasheel Al Bait Al Oud and Tasheel Taawon, or  Mazaya, the newly launched category.

The Ministry indicated that the number of those applying for housing financing schemes through its website is growing steadily, as those schemes are flexible and offer a wide range of options.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, has underlined the importance of implementing projects that pave the way for shifting to an economy based on high-added value activities while taking into account the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla noted that the projects keep pace with the kingdoms comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He indicated that the legislative system and robust infrastructure provided by the government have motivated many mega companies to make the kingdom the home to their qualitative, the primary destination for their businesses, and the centre for their external operations, which benefits the citizens and provide them with promising opportunities.

The Deputy Premier made the statements while inaugurating a number of projects, worth $250 million, launched by Bahrain Steel Company. The projects, including building a roof to cover the iron ore materials area, establishing a solar energy project, and allocating an industrial land plot to support the companys operations on a larger scale, aim to achieve environmental and societal sustainability.

Initiatives

On the occasion, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla lauded the Bahrain Steel Companys initiatives that reflect positively on the environment and the national economy. They also consolidate the kingdoms position as a leader in the iron and steel industry in the region and the world, as well as confirm the private sectors keenness to strengthen its partnership with the public sector by adopting responsible policies and practices aimed at achieving the Kingdoms goal of reaching zero neutrality in carbon emissions by 2060, he said.

Inauguration

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to those in charge of the Bahrain Steel Company, paying tribute to the relevant ministries and government agencies for their fruitful cooperation with the company in implementing its ambitious plans that are in line with the objectives of the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026) aimed at enhancing the industrial sectors contribution to the kingdoms gross domestic product (GDP), as well as increasing exports of national origin, and creating promising job opportunities for the citizens in the industrial sector.
Agencies | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain has become among the first countries in the world to provide Pfizer XBB 1.5, the latest Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster shot developed against COVID-19 and its new variants.

The Health Ministry has announced that Pfizer XBB 1.5 vaccines are available at primary healthcare centres.

The Ministry called on those wishing to take the shot to go directly to the designated health centre starting yesterday (Dec 21) without prior online registration to book an appointment.

For those aged 12 and above, Pfizer XBB 1.5 will be given at Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Health Centre in Hidd, Jidhafs Health Centre, Sitra Health Centre, Youssef Engineer Health Centre and Mohammed Jassim Kanoo Health Centre between 07:30 am and 07:00 pm, the Health Ministry said, adding that those aged between 5 and 11 will be able to take the new vaccine starting from December 27 at the Halat Bu Maher Health Centre, Hamad Kanoo Health Centre and Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Health Centre.

Commenting, Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi, Public Health Director at the Ministry of Health, stressed the Ministrys keenness to continue providing protection against Coronavirus and its mutations and variants to preserve the health and safety of the citizens and residents, as these boosters strengthen the bodys immunity.

Dr. Al Awadhi underlined the importance of taking the new booster vaccination, as it enhances the immunity of individuals and society and protects them from the virus and all its variants and complications. He called on the public to visit the Ministry's website (healthalerts.gov.bh) to be updated on the latest instructions and protocols for vaccination and booster doses.

Through introducing the most up-to-date vaccine against COVID-19 and its variants, the kingdom aims to provide protection for those wishing to take it, especially groups with high risk of contracting the disease and its complications, such as the elderly, those suffering from chronic diseases, and other priority groups determined by the Ministry of Health.
Fifteen volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) worked to eliminate the consequences of a night attack by Russian drones on Kyiv.

"Last night, Russia launched its third air strike on the capital in the last week. The wreckage of one of the drones hit a multi-storey building in Solomyansky district of Kyiv, resulting in a fire on several upper floors ... The crew of the rapid response unit of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross, in coordination with the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv, went to the scene of the emergency," the URCS reported on Facebook on Friday.

Volunteers toured the apartments of residents affected by the falling debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

URCS workers also said that two volunteers of the rapid response unit were on duty at the crash site of the drone wreckage, where a fire broke out in a two-story private house in Darnytsky district of the capital to provide prompt assistance to victims if they were found.

"In total, 15 volunteers and seven units of transport were involved in the response," the URCS noted.

As reported, as a result of shelling by UAV debris, the 26th floor of a house in Solomyansky district was damaged, resulting in a fire, and one victim was hospitalized.
Canadas realtime population is 40.73 million people and Canada will add another 30,000 people to reach 40.76 million by the end of 2023. This was almost a 3.5% population increase.

As of December 19, 2023, the US population is 334,914,895, which is a 0.5% increase from 2022. Canada is growing at seven times the US percentage population increase.

As of December 19, 2023, Californias population is 38,965,193, which is a 0.2% decrease from 2022. This is the third year in a row that Californias population has decreased. However, the 2023 decline is less than the 0.3% decrease in 2022 and the 0.9% decrease in 2021. Canada only passed Californias population in 2022. Canada now has 4.6% more people than California. IF Californias population continued its slow slide to 38.0 million people and Canada continued its population growth of the last two years then Canada will have over 130% of the population of California by 2030.

Canadas realtime population estimate on Jan 1, 2023 was 39.387 million.

Ontario will pass 16 million people early in 2024 and Quebec will pass 9 million people. Alberta could reach 5 million people by the end of 2024 or early in 2025. BC should reach 6 million people in 2025.

IF Canada were to maintain adding 1.4 million from now until 2030, then this would look as follows.

2024 42.1 million

2025 43.5 million

2026 44.9 million

2027 46.3 million

2028 47.7 million

2029 49.1 million

2030 50.5 million

IF Canada maintained the population increase for another two decades population would become. This would be about 18% over what most projections have for Canadas population. According to Statista, Canadas population is projected to be 42.84 million in 2030.

Canadas GDP would be about 3.2 trillion if Canada beat the 2.7 trillion 2030 IMF forecast by 18%.

2040 64.5 million

2050 78.5 million

Canada with solid per capital GDP would be passing Italy, Germany.

In 2020, Statistics Canadas projected 48.8-million people by 2050. IF Canada had 78.5 million people in 2050 then this would 60% more than the 2020 projection.

78.5 million would be double the 39.3 million people in Canada in 2022.

Doubling Canadas 2022 GDP would be an approximation of Canadas 2050 population adjusted GDP relative to other countries like Germany, Japan, Italy, France and UK with static or shrinking populations.

Canada with continued strong immigration could become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2050. Canada would trail the USA, China and India in GDP. Canada would be very close in economic size to Germany and Japan. Japan will likely shrink to 100 million people by 2050 from 122 million today.

On Track to Over 100 Million by 2100

The Century Initiative is a Canadian charity that aims to increase Canadas population to 100 million by 2100. The USA is on track to having population increase from 330 million today to 434 million in 2100. If Canadas plan is followed then Canada population would go from 12% of US population to 23%.

The X-Prime Ministry Brian Mulroney and other powerful politicians endorse or are part of the Century Initiative. The increasing annual immigration target reaching 500,000 in 2025 are following the Century Initiative plan.

The Century Initiative would include increasing the population of Mega-regions, such as the Greater Toronto Area, from 8.8 to 33.5 million, the Greater Vancouver region, from 3.3 to 11.9 million, and the National Capital Region, from 1.4 to 4.8 million.

The Century Initiative intends to reach its population goal by reversing the falling fertility rate, investing in economic development around mega-regions, and through a massive increase in immigration.

Toronto a Megacity by 2030 an Tokyo Level by 2100

Canada is on track to get to a population of about 80 million in 2060-2080. Toronto gets about 29% of the immigrants. Greater Toronto will reach aver 10 million people by 2030 and 33 million when Canada has 100 million people.

Greater Toronto would have a Tokyo level population if the Century plan is followed.
Tesla plans to restart the third phase of its Shanghai plant project, possibly focusing on the production of the $25,000 model it will launch in the future, according to a report in local media outlet LatePost in December. Tesla began preparations for the construction of the Giga Shanghai phase three vehicle factory in 2021 and assembled a team, but suspended the move in the middle of last year.

Tesla signed a deal with Shanghais Lingang authorities on April 9 to build a new Megafactory in the area, which will be dedicated to the production of Teslas energy storage product Megapack.

The Megafactory will be Teslas first energy storage system factory outside of the US domestic market. Its initial plan is to produce up to 10,000 commercial energy storage batteries per year, with nearly 40 GWh of energy storage, and the products will be available to the global market.

The factory is scheduled to begin construction in the third quarter of this year and go into production in the second quarter of 2024, according to an announcement by Lingang special area administration in April.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and Minister of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III discussed the situation in Ukraine and priorities of security assistance in a weekly telephone conversation.

Had a productive weekly call with Defense Secretary Austin. Discussed recent security developments and Ukraines, Future Defense Force structure updates and capability coalitions frameworks within Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Umerov said on X (Twitter).

A message posted on the Pentagon's website says that Defense Secretary Austin discussed with Umerov the latest news about the situation in Ukraine and priorities for security assistance. Secretary Austin also provided an update on the progress of the capability coalitions established under the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and planning for future UDCG meetings.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact, the message reads.
Ukrainian defenders shoot down three russian Su-34 fighter jets on Friday

The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers at noon on Friday, said commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk.

"Today at noon in the Southern direction we record minus three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers," he wrote on the Telegram channel

"Thank you all for your work," he added.
Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday evening presented a budget proposal of N384.533 billion for the year 2024 to the State House of Assembly.

Aiyedatiwa presented the Budget of Economic Resilience to the lawmakers in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly during a plenary sitting presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

According to the acting governor, N212,014 billion was budgeted for capital expenditure and N172,518 billion for recurrent expenditure, with infrastructure getting the lions share of N95,482,176 billion.

While stressing that the 2024 budget proposal is higher than the total projected budget outlay for the 2023 fiscal year, which was N275,979 billion, he disclosed that the budget for the outgoing fiscal year was revised upward to N313,144 billion due to the economic situation of the country, which was triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy.

He further stated that the 2024 budget proposal, which was prepared on the projection of the 20242026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), as required by the Ondo State Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2017, will focus on investment in human capital development as well as the rejigging of the states revenue collection.

Aiyedatiwa, who prayed for the quick recovery of his boss, commended the Speaker and other members of the Assembly for the support enjoyed by the administration.

The acting governor, who equally appreciated the people of the state for their unflinching belief, confidence, and cooperation, informed the lawmakers that in fulfilling the aims and objectives of the 2024 budget proposal, the administration will pursue a policy stance that will entrench and enable excellent service delivery.

In continuation and consolidation of our citizens engagement drive, which we initiated in 2018, stakeholders consultative meetings with civil society groups, the private sector, youths, women, and vulnerable groups, and our traditional rulers across the 18 local government areas were held, and their inputs were harvested into the 2024 budget being presented today, he said.

Speaker Oladiji, who assured that justice would be done to the proposal by the assembly, commended the administration for what he described as the undiluted attention accorded to every sector of the economy in the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as a failed government.

The party in a post on its official X handle on Friday, claimed that the APC governments at all levels have failed.

It, however, claimed that governors elected on the platform of the PDP were performing and fulfilling their promises.

The statement followed a report that operators of the Oza oil field, Decklar Resources Inc., and its co-venturer, Millenium Oil & Gas Company Limited have delivered a total of 75,500 barrels of crude till date to two modular refineries in Edo State.

Reacting to the development, PDP said the commencement of oil production with the delivery of 75,500 barrels of crude from Oza oil field to two refineries in the state is highly commendable.

The party said it is a testament to the wonderful investment opportunity the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, had created for both local and international companies.

The story coming from Edo State on the commencement of oil production with the delivery of 75,500 barrels of crude from Oza oil field to two refineries in the state is highly commendable. The is a great leap and a testament to the wonderful investment opportunity the @GovernorObaseki administration has created for both local and international companies.

Unlike the failed @OfficialAPCNg governments at all levels, the @OfficialPDPNig Governors are performing and fulfilling their promises and the letters of the manifesto of our great party, the PDP.




The Presidency has said the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, would have faced a firing squad if he was from China.





President Bola Tinubus Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Emefiele and his gangs committed egregious misappropriation that would not be allowed in China.





Onanuga was reacting to the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities, Chargeable Offences report.





Jim Obazees report indicted Emefiele of misappropriating funds while he was CBN governor.





The report claimed that the former CBN governor opened bank accounts without the approval of the apex banks Board of Directors and Investment Committee.





According to the report, Emefiele illegally lodged billions of naira in about 593 bank accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, and China.





Obazee disclosed that Emefiele deposited 543,482,213 in fixed deposits in UK banks alone without authorisation





Posting on X, Onanuga wrote: If Godwin Emefiele and his gang had committed these egregious misappropriations in China, they will by now be facing the firing squad for high treason.
The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested seven suspects, including a former councillor, for alleged criminal activities within Enugu metropolis.

A statement issued by the states Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe said the police recovered six firearms, 16 live cartridges, and a snatched motor vehicle from the six suspects.

The PPRO stated that police operatives serving in the Abakpa Police Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, on December 6, arrested the former lawmaker, Henry Agbo Ogbonna and six others.

He said the former lawmaker represented Ikiriki Ward 6, Enugu South Local Government Area.

The suspect and cohorts, who escaped, had attacked their male victim, dispossessed him of his phones and snatched his Toyota Camry car in the process, he said.

He disclosed that they were on the verge of escaping when police operatives swooped on them, arrested the suspect, and recovered one locally-made double-barreled pistol and the vehicle.








An Abeokuta Magistrates Court on Friday sentenced a 55-year-old man, Benjamin Adegbola, to three years imprisonment for defrauding two families of N2.5 millon while pretending to obtain a land survey plan for them.





Adegbola, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was convicted on a three- count charge of stealing, fraud and obtaining under false pretence.





The Magistrate, Mr S. S Shotayo, said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty as charged.





Shotayo sentenced Adegbola to two years for the first count, one year for the second count and three years for the third count. The sentences would run concurrently.





He also gave an option to the convict to refund N1.7 million to the complainants, or serve the jail sentence.





Earlier, during the trial, the Prosecutor, Insp. Evelyn Motim, told the court that the convict committed the offence between March, 2020 and August 2021, at Oke-ilewo area in Abeokuta.





According Motim, the convict falsely presented himself as a registered surveyor and fraudulently obtained the sum of N2.5 million from the families of Viadinu Todeuke and OkeOdebija





She said the convict collected the money in pretext to secure a registered land survey plan for the two families which he failed to do and could not refund the money.





The prosecutor added that the convict collected the money and converted it to his personal use.





The offence contravened sections 484, 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
France has officially ended its military cooperation with Niger Republic, its former colony, amid an escalating strained relationship with the ruling military junta.

France, a key security ally with the West African nation, had more than 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to help fight jihadist groups linked to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State and to prevent further spread of terrorism across the Sahel.

However, relations between the countries became strained after the coup in Niger Republic in July.

France had strongly condemned the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and demanded that constitutional order be returned.

After seizing power, the junta made Frances military exit one of their key demands, a move which neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, both also former French colonies, made after successful coups.

In August, the coup leaders in Niger Republic ordered Sylvain Itte, the French ambassador, to leave the country.

According to the nations foreign ministry, the decision to expel the ambassador stemmed from his refusal to honour an invitation with Nigers minister of foreign affairs.

The ministry also added that other actions by the French government contrary to the interests of Niger led to the ambassadors withdrawal.

A document marking the official end of Frances military engagement with Niger was signed by both parties in the capital Niamey on Friday.

Although France began withdrawing its troops in October, the last group of soldiers in fatigues boarded a military plane that took off shortly after the document was signed, according to Reuters.

However, there are concerns that the French withdrawal could worsen the security situation in the region, which is now witnessing increasing attacks by Islamist fighters.

In order to try and contain the insurgency, Nigers junta has signed a new defence alliance with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte had a phone call with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which he informed about the decision of the Dutch government to prepare for the delivery of the first 18 F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

"Today I also informed President Zelenskyy of our governments decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine. The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine," Rutte said on the X social network on Friday.

However, he noted that a number of criteria must be met for delivery to take place.

"Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure. This decision confirms the Netherlands undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression," Rutte said.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands also said the parties discussed the decision of the European Council to begin negotiations with Ukraine on accession to the EU.

"I'm impressed with Ukraines progress so far, and the Netherlands stands ready to help Ukraine as it continues to work on the reforms that the accession process requires. I also assured President Zelenskyy that the Netherlands will make every effort to ensure agreement is reached at the European Council meeting in February 2024 on financial support from the EU," Rutte said.

In turn, Zelenskyy thanked the Dutch government for the decision to start preparations for the delivery of the first 18 F-16 fighters to Ukraine, as well as for supporting the start of negotiations on accession to the EU.

"I spoke with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to thank the Dutch government for its decision to start preparing the initial 18 F-16 jets for their delivery to Ukraine. I also thanked the Netherlands for actively supporting the opening of Ukraine's EU accession talks and emphasized the importance of providing EUR 50 billion in long-term EU assistance for Ukraine as soon as possible," Zelenskyy said on the X social network on Friday.

The president said the parties discussed frontline developments, the situation in the Black Sea, and Ukraines current military needs, including artillery, drones, and air defense.

"We agreed to continue our joint work on security guarantees following the G7 Vilnius Declaration. We also discussed the next Peace Formula meeting and efforts to further consolidate international support for the Ukrainian vision of a just peace," Zelenskyy said.
Four days after a peace agreement was brokered between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, by President Bola Tinubu to end the political imbroglio in Rivers State, a fresh revelation has emerged over what transpired at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Monday meeting.

A former Commissioner for Water Resources in Rivers State, Chief David Briggs, who attended the peace meeting alleged that President Tinubu intimidated Governor Fubara into signing the eight-point peace resolution with Wike, his immediate predecessor and political mentor.

Chief Briggs said Governor Fubara signed the resolution under duress, following alleged indirect threats issued by President Tinubu before handing him the document to sign.

Briggs revelation came as most of the agreements were yet to be implemented.

G27 vs G4

The dichotomy between the G27 and G4 factions of the Rivers House of Assembly remains as both factions were yet to begin joint sittings, and Governor Fubara is yet to re-present his 2024 N800.3 billion budget to the House.

The G27, a group of 27 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, legislators, who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, sat on Wednesday and withdrew their impeachment notice against Governor Fubara but efforts to withdraw the court order obtained by the governor stopping the lawmakers from impeaching could not be withdrawn and the court and rescheduled hearing for January 31, 2024.

How Fubara was ambushed

Briggs said he was at the villa with other Rivers elders, who were equally invited, hence he witnessed first-hand what transpired on Monday.

He said President Tinubu threatened that there would be consequences, should Governor Fubara refuse to endorse and abide by the tenets of the document, which he described as presidential proclamation.

I was there, so Im a witness and what I say is primary, not secondary. We were invited for a meeting but that was not a meeting. What happened was that Mr. President walked in with a written resolution, addressed us and declared that what he has in his hand is a presidential proclamation and emphasised the fact that he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and anybody who dares to say no to what he is saying would face the consequences.

That, in a simple laymans word, is called a threat. Lets get it very clear, if you are in the position of the governor, what will you do, will you get up and say no to Mr President with that kind of subtle but energetic threat?

He disclosed that most Rivers people, who were present at the meeting, including Adokiye Amaesimaka, were shocked at the Presidents attitude and decided to ask questions.

He continued: That being the case, one of us asked him (President Tinubu) a simple question. To be specific, Adokiye Amaesimaka asked him, you said Sim should do this, governor should do that, you have not said what the 25 or 27 Assembly members that defected from PDP to APC without consulting their constituencies and constituents, should do.

And of course you can see the situation, the Presidents reaction was very clear and simple but very dangerous.

Recall that Governor Fubara and Wike have been at loggerheads with each other over who controls the states political structure since October, a development that has since put the state in serious tension.

Some of the resolutions issued by the President had directed that all impeachment proceedings against the governor be dropped, matters instituted in courts consequent upon the crisis by Fubara and his team be dropped, among others which clearly favour the Wike camp.

Nevertheless, the state Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, said on Wednesday that Governor Fubara signed the peace agreement and would implement it. Earlier, the governor at a function on Tuesday said no price was too big to ensure peace in the state.

PDP warns members against unguarded comments

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, has warned leaders and members of the party against making unguarded statements capable of bringing the party to disrepute.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday, said the decision to issue the warning was taken at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday.

According to him, the warning became imperative in the light of disturbing comments being made by some party leaders about developments in Rivers State.

Ologunagba said at the end of its emergency meeting on Wednesday, the PDP re-assures all members, critical stakeholders and supporters of our Party that its interventions particularly with regard to the political development in Rivers State are yielding desired results.

The NWC, however, expresses serious displeasure over incautious conduct, activities and unguarded utterances by certain leaders, who were out to disparage critical organs of the party, inflame passions, cause division among members and bring our dear party to public disrepute for their selfish reasons.

Of particular reference is the deleterious public statement credited to the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, which was made apparently with the intent to inject bad blood and drag down our party for self-seeking motives.

The NWC has received very disturbing reports that such unscrupulous individuals are recruited by the one-party-state seeking APC administration to undermine the cohesion that exists within the PDP, which will enable it to effectively perform its opposition role for the sustenance of democracy and the well-being of Nigerians.

It is rather unfortunate that such inexcusable conducts, comments, utterances and betrayals are coming from individuals, who have benefited immensely from the PDP but who have the record and notoriety of brazenly betraying the party in various elections and at slightest opportunity for their selfish interests.

It is instructive to state that some of the challenges that plagued our party in the recent past and those confronting it at the moment are traceable to the comments, utterances and actions of these individuals which are inconsistent with the opportunity that the party gave them in the past.

Lamidos attack

A founding member of the party and former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, had taken to his Facebook page to register his displeasure over the poor handling of the Rivers crisis by the PDP under the Amb. Umar Damagun-led NWC.
The organized labour have thrown their weight behind Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State amid the face-off with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Labour Centres, ITC, Traders and others took to the streets of Port Harcourt to show solidarity to Fubara.

The struggle for the political structure of Rivers State had led a rift between Wike and Fubara.

27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike had defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after Fubara was threatened with an impeachment.

The power tussle between the duo led to about seven commissioners resigning their appointment.

In a bid to resolve the crisis, President Bola Tinubu made Wike and Fubara sign a peace deal after issuing an eight-point resolution.

Following Tinubus intervention, the state Assembly withdrew the impeachment notice against Fubara.
Some youths in Rivers State have warned Governor Siminalayi Fubara against recalling the commissioners that resigned from his administration.

They also warned the governor against re-presenting the 2024 budget to the House of Assembly.

The youths, who protested in large numbers in Port Harcourt on Friday, said they will occupy the Government House if the governor fail to heed the warning.

Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday evening agreed to end the political crisis rocking the state.

The agreement was reached after President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders met with the two warring factions.

But political analysts and observers believe that the agreement brokered by the President is one-sided and favours the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Wike.

Protesting in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Rivers youths urged Fubara to dump the agreement.

Were calling on the governor not to recall any Commissioner. Any attempt to recall any Commissioner, well occupy the Government House, the protesting youths hammered.

Nyesom Wike did not vote for Sim alone. We also voted for Sim. Well not allow anybody, anybody all to truncate the will of Rivers people.

So were calling on the Governor, dont be under any pressure from anybody. We want to call on the Governor, dont return the budget to the Assembly.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has only one Speaker recognised by the law which is Edison Ehie. And as such, the seats of the 27 lawmakers are vacant. We want to call on the Governor, we voted for you and you must listen to us, Tinubu is not from Rivers State, a leader of the protesting youths said.
A man wanted for attempted murder in Delaware has been apprehended after he fled from police in Atlantic County on Thursday.

Philip Harris, 24, of Delaware, fled from Hamilton Township police on foot during a traffic stop near a Wawa on Route 40 in Mays Landing. He was captured at a separate Wawa in Mays Landing on Route 50, police said Friday.

Harris was wanted for six counts of attempted murder and other related offenses, police said.
A rusted out set of seats that washed up on a Margate beach earlier this week fueled early speculation of a catastrophe offshore. But police in Margate believe in a more likely scenario: theyre probably from a railcar that was dropped in the ocean to form an artificial reef.

The seats are far too heavy to have come from anything like a plane, Margate police chief Matthew Hankinson said Thursday.

The chairs may have appeared from the Point Lookout artificial reef along the southern shore of Long Island. The State of New York has worked to build up the reef in recent years, dumping a myriad decommissioned objects - from subway cars, old turbines and concrete, to piles of miscellaneous objects - to the ocean depths in order to create a more diverse and healthy marine ecosystem.

The seats were reported at approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday at Quincy Street beach by a resident named Matthew J. Perry, Lt. Joe Scullion of the Margate police department explained Thursday. Scullion said Chief Hankinson and a detective from the department went to the beach to inspect the seats and they were later recovered by the Department of Public Works.

The seats are stripped down to the metal with nothing left from cushions, seat belts or buckles that would indicate they came from a plane crash, Scullion said. A detective did some further research and found that decommissioned railcar seats are typically stripped down to the metal parts and taken out to sea and dumped to help build artificial reefs.

Scullion said the seats appearance on the Jersey Shore was likely caused by the strong storms over the past two weeks. Images of the seats taken by the police department show the metal frames and what appear to be foot rests, a feature commonly found on train seats where plane seats typically have a compartment for storage underneath the seat.

Scullion and Hankinson said that the fixed armrests found in the middle of the seats also suggested originating from a train rather than a plane.

The storms probably broke it loose and it eventually landed on our shore, he said. Other artificial reefs on the east coast have been created using old subway cars, including Redbird Reef off of Slaughter Beach in the Delaware Bay. Seats were reportedly removed from the cars to form that reef, however.

Scullion said the police department did not report this incident to federal or state authorities for further investigation. He said that if there was any indication the seats originated from some type of plane crash or other unexpected catastrophe at sea, they would notify the National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies.

A Tiktok video posted Wednesday, recorded by the person who reported the seats, known online as Matthew Jacob, captured the seats in the sand just outside the rolling waves off Quincy Street and quickly went viral. The video has been viewed over 12.5 million times and has nearly 12,000 comments. In follow-up videos, Jacob reports the discovery to police, who collect the seats and explain they will investigate their origins.

A set of four seats washed ashore in Margate this week as speculation spread that they may be linked to a plane crash. Authorities say they were more likely subway seats and broke loose from an artificial reef.Margate Police Department

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
UPDATE: Police reported Friday morning that Verdi was apprehended.

Police are looking for a man who allegedly assaulted a motorist before stealing his vehicle in Camden County.

Ryan P. Verdi, 39, of Mullica Hill, allegedly approached the victim in the Blackwood Estates development in Gloucester Township and attacked him with a plastic pipe, then ordered the victim to give up their car keys, Gloucester Township Police reported Thursday evening.

Officials did not say when the incident occurred or indicate if the victim suffered serious injuries.

Verdi allegedly drove off in the victims black Toyota 4Runner with New Jersey registration B34-NZG and remains at large, police said.

Verdi, who is charged with first-degree carjacking, is described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall, 200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a dark gray sweatshirt and blue jeans. He may have been living in Blackwood Estates recently, police noted.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call township police at 856-228-4500 or call their anonymous tip line 856-842-5560.

Anonymous tips may also be sent online.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A state appellate panel ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit against the Newark Board of Education can go forward, after it was filed by the mother of an 8-year-old girl who died following an asthma attack at her school.

Tuesdays ruling by the Appellate Division of Superior Court reversed the trial judges order dismissing the suit filed by Jessica Washington. Her daughter Karaji Samaya Jones was a second grader at the Louise A. Spencer School who died on May 21, 2019. The suit, filed May 18, 2021, asserts that the district was liable for her daughters death as the employer of the childs teacher and the school nurse who attended to her following the attack.

The appellate ruling sends the case back to Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham of Superior Court in Essex County, who will schedule a trial unless the district appeals Tuesdays ruling or agrees to settle the case, the mothers lawyer, David Maran, said.
An Essex County woman was arrested Thursday after allegedly stealing more than $1 million in federal retirement benefits meant for her deceased aunt over a 25 year period, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey announced.

Janis Miller, 77, of South Orange, was charged with one count of wire fraud and released on $100,000 bond Thursday, the office said.

Miller is accused of collecting $1.01 million in Social Security benefits and U.S. Office of Personnel Management funds intended for her aunt since 1998. Millers aunt had previously worked at the Veterans Administration and was eligible for OPM benefits, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors alleged Miller withdrew approximately $70,000 using a debit card for her aunts account over the 25-year fraud. She also allegedly wrote $130,000 in fraudulent checks to her own company, forging her aunts signature on the checks in order to do so.

According to documents filed in the case, after Millers aunt died in 1998, federal retirement and survivor benefits continued to be deposited into her bank accounts. The federal benefits agencies were never notified about the aunts death. Authorities alleged Miller made cash and electronic withdrawals from the account and forged checks made out to company she controlled.

According to the complaint, Miller also impersonated her dead aunt on a phone call with the Social Security Administration in 2022 to continue receiving funds. After the agencies discovered the fraudulent activity, funds were discontinued in 2023, approximately 25 years after the fraud first began.

Millers federal public defender Carol Dominguez was not immediately available Thursday night for comment.

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The former vice president of a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm was accused this week of scamming investors nationwide who had pumped $630 million into the business, officials said.

The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office filed a complaint Thursday in Essex County Superior Court against Ivel Turner, of Newark, Delaware, who is a former vice president of the now-defunct National Realty Investment Advisors, LLC, which was based in Secaucus.

The office alleged that NRIA fraudulently sold at least $2.35 million of unregistered securities issued by Oasis Realty Investment Group, LLC, a Delaware-based firm Turner founded while still working for NRIA, and then misused investors funds for himself, the office said.
Tomas Rosado and his family had come back home in North Bergen from their daughters cheerleading exhibition Dec. 3 when he started to feel tightness in his chest  a sign that he was having an asthma attack.

The 31-year-old trucker initially tried using his inhaler, but after it didnt work, he ended up going outside to the apartment porch, struggling to breathe while his fiancee, Teresa Pesantes, followed him and proceded to call 911. The last thing Rosado remembered at the time was seeing the face of his neighbor.
On the Day of Diplomatic Service Workers, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked them "for their work in the interests of the state of Ukraine, in the interests of our people."

The president said this year in the international sphere Ukraine has achieved things that at the beginning of the year seemed almost unattainable, and the main political result of the year is the beginning of negotiations on our state's membership in the European Union.

"It was really very difficult, to say the least. Many in the world thought that Ukraine was doomed to always depend on old ideas about geopolitics and spheres of influence in Europe. But we changed that," he said.

The president called the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense the main defense result, the main strategic result  the work on implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula, an important institutional result  rapprochement with NATO on the platform of the Ukraine-NATO Council, as well as the creation of a new architecture of security guarantees within the framework of the Vilnius G7 Declaration.

Among the priorities for 2024, he noted work to strengthen defense support for Ukraine. "We need more weapons because no one is going to give up. Ukraine will win," the head of state said.

In addition, active cooperation with the European Union must continue, namely, the development of a negotiating framework and the beginning of full integration with the EU in all areas.

Zelenskyy noted the importance of maximizing the content of each defense coalition within Ramstein format and in other formats that strengthen the capabilities of our soldiers and the stability of the state. Sanctions against Russia for the war against Ukraine should also be constantly strengthened, the president is convinced.

He also noted the importance of working together with partners to search, freeze and seize Russian assets in favor of Ukraine. "It is only right that the assets of the aggressor state work in defense against the aggressor state, and your job is to ensure that the world is ready to support this. As it has been throughout all these months, these 12 powerful packages," Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, work on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine should continue at different levels. "According to NATO, it's not easy. And we need the key to the decision on the Alliance for Ukraine. And this key should be sought not only in high political offices. We need to convince societies  just as we were able to do at the very beginning of the war to unite around Ukraine. Convince people's hearts," he said.

Representatives of Ukraine should also pay maximum attention to work on the Ukrainian peace formula, the head of state said. "And, of course, Ukrainian diplomacy must continue to be a reliable protector for Ukrainian citizens in all parts of the world, wherever Ukrainians are. Our people must be confident that Ukraine will help. Always," Zelenskyy said.

For his part, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, on behalf of the entire diplomatic service, thanked the head of state for his constant support and for the ever-higher standard that the entire diplomatic team takes in the interests of Ukraine. "It's inspiring to move forward and protect our country. These are the words from the entire team, from the entire diplomatic service both here and abroad. Thank you for the kind words, for the new instructions, for the new bar that we all heard about," the minister said.
Two men have been charged with kidnapping a Paterson resident last month, driving him to Massachusetts and holding him for ransom, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Julio Cesar Paniagua, 27, made his first court appearance Thursday and was detained, officials said. Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, was previously ordered to be held in jail following his arrest on Nov. 20, the office said.

The father of the man who was kidnapped called the Paterson Police Department on Nov. 15 around 11 p.m. and told them about the abduction, according to a complaint.

He told detectives he had received a phone call about 25 minutes earlier from his son telling him that he had been kidnapped and asked his father to provide his kidnappers with $30,000 for his return, the complaint stated. However, he did not give his father a form of transaction, nor any instructions on where to send or drop the money.

At 11:50 p.m., while he was at the police station, the father received another call from his son, but this time, a person he did not know told him that he knew the police were involved and threatened to chop his sons fingers off if he did not provide the $30,000, investigators said.

Police were able to track where the calls came from by using tower dumps, which is a list of all cellular numbers that connected to a given cellular tower within a defined time period, authorities said. Investigators determined the phone belonged to Garcia and that the calls were coming from the area of Dedham, Massachusetts, according to the complaint.

Garcia and Paniagua, both of whom were later positively identified by the man who was kidnapped, released the man on Nov. 17 and he went to the police to tell them what happened, authorities said.

He said he was sitting in his car around 5:45 p.m. when both Garcia and Paniagua got into the back seat and that both of them were armed with handguns, the office said. They arrived in Massachusetts about six hours later.

While Garcia was arrested three days after the man was abducted, Paniagua was not charged until Dec. 7 when he was being held in connection with immigration proceedings, according to the complaint. He later admitted his role to the detectives, authorities alleged.

The charge of kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, the office said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Evacuated residents from some neighborhoods adjacent to the Passaic River have started returning to their homes as flood waters have started to recede, while others are still reeling from the lingering effects of weekend storms.

The area was hit hard by major flooding after the coastal storm on Sunday and Monday dumped as much as 4 to 5 inches of rain on the region. The city of Paterson declared a state of emergency on Monday and shut down multiple major roadways. District officials in the city announced Wednesday schools would be closed the rest of the week, and given next weeks winter recess, would not resume until 2024.

This decision is due to continuing safety issues for our students and staff traveling into the city in relation to flooding, frozen surfaces, and road closures, the district said in its announcement. The district said it would update the school calendar to ensure the statutory requirement of 180 days of instruction is met.

Paterson Police put up barricades on roads that were still closed on Wednesday and warned drivers to avoid these heavily flooded areas. Water damage and flooding could still been seen on some roadways in the city on Thursday, although several roads had significantly less water than the previous day and more cars seemed to be passing through.

A view of the aftermath of flooding after a rainstorm and overflow of the Passaic River left cars stranded, streets flooded and homes damaged by water in Paterson, New Jersey, United States on December 21, 2023 (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images) Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Ima

A state of emergency was also in effect in Wayne from Monday to Wednesday, as residents in the town, as well as in nearby Little Falls, were told to evacuate their homes and move their cars to municipal parking lots.

The township of Little Falls sent alerts out on Thursday afternoon, saying flood waters have started to subside and residents in certain neighborhoods could return home.

Residents on Grey Rock Avenue, Orchard Street, West End Avenue, Parkway and Riverview Circle have returned to their homes. The neighborhoods west of Parkway are still closed and being monitored by local officials.

On Thursday evening, many of the streets in Little Falls appeared dry and electricity and Christmas lights were back on in most of the town.

Officials in Wayne and Paterson did not respond to requests for comment.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
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2023 was a year of settling scores amid unsettled issues. Statewide, GOP hardliners purged the legislative and executive ranks of moderates while lawmakers punted on the property insurance crisis and flouted federal judges on redistricting.

Locally, the New Orleans City Council continued to hound Mayor LaToya Cantrell, firing her communications director and kicking her out of her Pontalba crash pad.

In Washington, several rounds of palace intrigue led to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise falling short in his bid to become speaker  but fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson ultimately captured the gavel.

Those and other stories made headlines this year, and some will continue to hold our attention in 2024. For now, lets take one last look back  at the top 10 political stories of 2023.

1. Jeff Landrys Election  The activist attorney general harnessed voters fears about crime and parlayed big name endorsements including from both Donald Trumps into a dominant win in the Oct. 14 primary. Landry ran a flawless campaign, which for him meant ducking debates and offering no specifics on major issues. It was crime, crime, all the time, and that was enough  particularly after none of his GOP opponents gained traction. Landrys election capped a clean sweep of statewide offices by the GOP, including wins by two women  Nancy Landry as secretary of state and Liz Murrill as attorney general. Republicans also gained supermajorities in both legislative chambers and dominance on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

2. House Speaker Mike Johnson  The gentlemanly theocrat from Benton is now second in line to the presidency after less than eight years in Congress. His election followed weeks of bitter GOP infighting, including an Et tu, Garret moment for Louisiana Reps. Garret Graves and Steve Scalise. Graves denies it, but local and national media say he undercut Scalises bid for speaker after right-wingers sacked Speaker Kevin McCarthy (whom Graves served as a top lieutenant). Hard feelings linger, but Louisiana now holds the top two House posts.

+2 Da Winnas & Da Loozas 2023 Edition: GOP ideologues purge moderates, Democrats fail to eat their own The results of the October 14 primary call to mind the old saying, all over but the shoutin. Republicans are poised to make a clean sweep o

3. The NOLaToya Recall  It was a clown car show from day one, even though recallers had money to burn, thanks to Republican businessman Rick Farrell at least $1.2 million. The effort garnered barely half the signatures needed to force a referendum, which shows how difficult it is to recall an elected official in a large parish. It also emboldened Cantrell, who didnt need more encouragement.

4. Cantrells Conundrums Continue  Heronner survived the recall, only to get booted from her city-owned pad in the Upper Pontalba, named in a divorce petition filed by the wife of her favorite bodyguard, and subjected to additional scrutiny from the media, the City Council and (reportedly) the feds. The council fired her communications director for using city funds to pay for an anti-recall flyer  and then lying about it under oath. Whats an embattled mayor to do? For Cantrell, nothing says Up yours like world travel. As time goes by, shell always have Paris. And Singapore. And Dubai. And Switzerland. And Kenya. And South Korea. And

5. Redistricting  Legislative Republicans overrode Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of their congressional redistricting plan, which kept five safe GOP House seats and only one majority-Black district. Federal judges at all levels decreed otherwise, holding that Black citizens, who comprise 33% of Louisianas population, should comprise a majority in two of the states six House districts. The same principle may apply to state legislative districts, which face a similar challenge in federal court. This story will continue in 2024.

6. Crime & NOPD  Landry appears poised to send state troopers to town (likely the French Quarter), no doubt hoping to fulfill a campaign pledge to reduce New Orleans crime. However, he wont go after New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams. The new guv and Williams, along with Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill, recently announced a crimefighting partnership. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Police Department remains under a federal consent decree, and it continues to lose veteran officers faster than it can replace them. On the bright side, New Orleans got a new police chief in Anne Kirkpatrick, who appears to have gotten off to a good start after her predecessors delivered significant year-over-year reductions in violent crime and homicides.

7. Dems in Distress  The Louisiana Democratic Party has rarely, if ever, functioned at a high level. Dem candidates mostly won or lost based on their own (or their opponents) merits and shortcomings, not so much because of voters party loyalty. Meanwhile, Republicans offered conservative voters an alternative that Dems couldnt match: a state party that moved in sync with its national counterpart. This years elections were a perfect storm for Dems. They failed to field a viable candidate for governor, and some of them turned on one of their own  state Rep. Mandie Landry, who, like the GOP in statewide contests, wiped the floor with them.

8. War and Peace in Jefferson  All parish-wide, non-council incumbents in Jefferson were re-elected without opposition, but it was all-out war for several council seats. In the two at-large council races, incumbent council members repped by veteran media consultant-turned-power broker Greg Buisson lost to colleagues who ran against the machine. In majority-Black Council District 3, convicted felon and former state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, who last year won a school board seat, narrowly failed to unseat incumbent Byron Lee.

9. The Insurance Crisis  Homeowners and businesses face existential threats from skyrocketing property insurance premiums, but too many lawmakers opted to fiddle while Louisiana burned. Hopefully, new Insurance Commish Tim Temple and a new (sort of) Legislature will take action to bring rates down in 2024.

10. The Great Disengagement  Pundits, pollsters and politicos are pondering why voters stayed home in droves during the October primary. Statewide turnout was a mere 36.3%  and only 27.3% in New Orleans (lowest in the state, by far). Black people, moderate Republicans and Democrats all seemed dispirited and disengaged. Trump Republicans, by contrast, were fired up  which was a major factor in Jeff Landrys primary win.

Here's hoping for better news in 2024.
Speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat, commenting on three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers shot down by Ukrainian forces, said this is modern and expensive aircraft.

"There are dozens of these aircraft. Unfortunately, they continue to produce them. This is one of the newest aircraft, along with the Su-35, it is already a fighter-bomber, it can carry out strikes in the air, on the ground, a multi-role aircraft. The crew consists of two pilots. It is with these aircraft that the invaders strike with guided bombs and guided missiles. This is a rather expensive, modern aircraft," Ihnat said on air at the telethon.

According to the speaker, the plane could cost at least $50 million.

"This hasn't happened for a long time. The Su-34 hasn't been included in our positive statistics for a long time," he said.

Earlier, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk said the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers on Friday at noon.
St. John the Baptist Parish Judge Jeff Perilloux of 40th Judicial District Court leaves after turning himself into the St. John Parish Jail in LaPlace, La., Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Perilloux has been charged with three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and groping two other teenagers.
Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.
The European Union and Ukraine have agreed on updated indicative road and railway maps of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for Ukraine and Moldova, Ukraine's Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development has reported.

"On December 22, the High-Level Understanding between the European Union and Ukraine was signed. It confirms the acceptability of updated indicative road and railway maps of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for both parties  Ukraine and the European Union. They will be finally approved by the EU in April 2024 along with updating the relevant Regulations," the ministry said in a Facebook post on Friday.

The update of the TEN-T indicative maps is aimed at including new routes leading to the border with Poland and Moldova, identified as priorities for the development of railway communication with the EU using the infrastructure of the European standard 1435 mm gauge, in particular the section Lviv - Rava Ruska - Lublin.

In addition, it concerns the following routes: Odesa - Berezyne - Basarabeasca (to Chisinau and Reni, Moldova), Zhytomyr - Vinnytsia - Yampil (to Riscani, Moldova), Chop - Uzhgorod - Sambir - Lviv, Krasnohrad - Poltava, Krasnohrad - Kharkiv, and Krasnohrad - Dnipro.

"This decision is a strategic step in the process of Ukraine's integration into the EU and will contribute to the implementation of the Solidarity Lanes initiative for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

According to the updated TEN-T indicative maps, routes leading to the borders of Russia and Belarus will be downgraded.

Earlier the European Commission excluded Russian and Belarusian routes from the TEN-T network, and also downgraded the status of routes in the EU at the junctions with these countries.

The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development said that the joining of new Ukrainian routes to TEN-T will make it possible to attract EU funding, in particular grants from the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) instrument for the implementation of infrastructure projects in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosaw Sikorski, who is on a visit to Ukraine; the parties, in particular, discussed further cooperation in the defense sector.

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the importance of the first visit of the newly appointed head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland to our state. The Head of the State expressed gratitude for the substantial support of Ukraine by Poland in countering the full-scale Russian invasion and providing refuge to Ukrainian citizens who sought safety from hostilities," the presidential press service said on Friday.

During the conversation, the parties agreed that relations between Ukraine and Poland should receive a new impetus, and all problematic issues must be resolved in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.

"We hope for the opening of a new page in our relations. We are very strong neighbors with a shared history. We are glad to see you here. I hope that the Prime Minister of Poland will also visit Ukraine at the earliest opportunity," Zelenskyy said.

In addition, the parties discussed further interaction in the defense sector and the key needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, issues of preparing the next meeting at the level of advisers to state leaders on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the Global Peace Summit, and also focused on the issue of creating joint production and the possibility of purchasing Polish weapons, which have shown result on the battlefield.
Community Cancer Research Foundations Cancer Resource Centre in Munster received $16,000 this year from Laini Fluellen Charities to help Region cancer patients.

Laini Fluellen Charities is a local nonprofit named after Laini Fluellen, who died at age 38 from triple-negative breast cancer. Founded in 2009, the Highland-based charity is active throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. It seeks to improve health outcomes for women at high risk of breast cancer or who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer.

It has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for breast cancer research, screenings, education, training and treatments.

Laini Fluellen Charities and the Community Cancer Research Foundation rally behind the same cause  raising awareness and support in an ongoing battle against triple-negative and other forms of breast cancer, said Marie Macke, executive director of oncology services for Community Healthcare System and administrator of Community Cancer Research Foundation. We are extremely grateful for their generosity, partnership and alliance in funding research, developing treatments and supporting resources for those in need.

Jennifer Sarkey, director of Cancer Care Services for Community Healthcare System, said the nonprofit helped patients through dark times in their lives.

The generous donations made by Laini Fluellen Charities will help those who turn to the Cancer Resource Centre during an unsettling time in their lives, Sarkey said. The CRCs purpose is to support, nurture, educate and help local cancer patients achieve the best possible health outcome. Donations like these send a reassuring message: You are not alone. 

Laini Fluellen Charities, donated $10,000 in $50 holiday food certificates to give to 200 cancer patients. It also donated $6,000 after its 12th Annual A Pink Tie Affair gala. Macke was honored at the fundraiser with the first Tranece Artis Trailblazer Award.

The award is named in honor of Artis, Laini Fluellens aunt and best friend who served as the executive director before dying last year.

It was an incredible honor to be named the first recipient of this award, Macke said. I am grateful to Tranece, along with her amazing family, in setting up this foundation. Many patients have benefited from their generosity and education.
VALPARAISO  A 28-year-old Illinois man was arrested Friday morning on allegations of twice travelling to Portage this summer to have sex with a 12-year-old girl he had been communicating with on the instant messaging app Snapchat, according to charging information.

The girl, who said she told the accused, Joe Benavente of Hickory Hills, she was 14 because she feared her real age would make her sound like a child "as in a toddler," attempted at first to resist his repeated requests for sex on July 27 while parked behind the local Denny's restaurant on U.S. 20, police said.

The girl "said she wanted to say no but said, 'It just went from there, I guess,'" a court record says.

Masked man carrying rifle in Valpo was seeking to harass, provoke police interaction, cops say The man said he crossed the street to take cover near construction vehicles, fearing the armed man would open fire, police said.

After having sex with the girl, Benavente reportedly dropped her back off near her home and the two stayed in touch on Snapchat until he drove back to Portage on Aug. 10.

Benavente again picked the girl up near her home and drove to the Days Inn hotel next to the Denny's restaurant, which they entered after he handed her a mask.

"You should wear this when we go in, so no one sees," he reportedly told the girl.

As with the first encounter, Benavente is accused of convincing the girl that sex now will make it physically easier on her when she's older.

The girl "said she said 'no' more than five times but he asked her please and looked upset," according to police.

Bible, dryer sheets tip cop off to discovery of 9 pounds of cocaine in car, records show The officer stopped the Honda and noticed a Bible sitting on the rear trunk deck, "almost as if it was on display," he said.

After having sex a second time, the pair left the hotel and as Benavente was dropping her off near her home, the girl saw her mother and was dropped off further away, police said.

Portage police said they were contacted Oct. 24 after the girl reported the alleged sexual encounters to a school counselor.

The girl "stated that on Oct. 22, 2023, she began thinking about what happened to her and she began doing research on the topic and decided to say something," police said.

She said she met Benavente online in July and then received what she thought was a spam call, "but the male voice on the line was laughing and talking about winning something." She texted the number "as a joke" and at Benavente's request, provided her Snapchat username.

Affair with married man said to be behind Porter County shooting, police say The woman "stated Rebecca then pointed the handgun in her direction towards the vehicle and fired a couple more shots towards her as she was attempting to back up," Chesterton police said.

The conversation began as what she termed normal and each revealed their ages, police said.

The girl "said she never knew the male's name," according to charges.

Benavente was accused by the girl of asking her "weird" questions involving her sexual history and arrangements were made for the first meeting.

Portage police said they secured Benavente's identity from registration forms at the local hotel dating back to around 7:30 a.m. Aug. 10.

Porter County man admits molesting family member, records show "Brian then told her not to tell anyone or he would go to jail for a long time," according to a police description of the first incident of the alleged abuse.

The girl then identified Benavente from a photo lineup and provided police with a photo she took of Benavente while he was driving and a video from her phone of the pair having sex at the hotel, according to a court document. Benavente reportedly requested she video the sex and send it to him, which she did but forgot to pass it along.

Benavente was in custody Friday morning in Hickory Hills.

He was charged in Porter County with four counts of child molesting, each of which carry a potential prison term of 20 to 40 years.

His case is pending before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.
VALPARAISO  A Virginia man who returned this week to Porter County to face charges of helping beat and stab another man to death this past summer during a sexual encounter arranged on a hookup app is already serving a prison sentence in neighboring Ohio, records show.

Jada Monroe, 29, was booked Oct. 25 into the Southeastern Correctional Institution in Lancaster, Ohio, according to records.

He was reportedly convicted and sentenced in Hamilton County on charges of receiving stolen property and failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer. He has an expected release date on those offenses of Sept. 12.

The details of his offenses in Ohio were not immediately available Friday morning, but he and his codefendant in the local murder case, Domonic Brothers, 28, of Gary, were picked up in Ohio the day after they allegedly killed 35-year-old Hobart resident Derek Hartz.

Brothers was returned to Indiana and booked into the Porter County Jail July 26, records show.

Monroe was not returned and booked into the local jail until Tuesday.

He appeared Thursday morning before Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish for an initial hearing on charges of murder, murder in perpetration of a robbery and robbery. Brothers faces the same charges.

In response to questioning by Monroe, Fish explained Thursday that Monroe will remain in Porter County until the murder case is complete.

Monroe was appointed a public defender and is being held on no bond because of the murder charge.

Future hearings were set for Feb. 12 and March 11.

Monroe and Brothers are accused of murdering Hartz June 13 at the Chustak Public Fishing Area located at 331 W. County Road 600 North in Portage Township, officials have said.

The body of Hartz was found around 11 a.m. that day at the 76-acre public fishing area just off Indiana 149.

The body was found on a small trail on the edge of the site on a deflated air mattress, according to court documents. Hartz had excessive bleeding from his skull and was nude from the waist down, officials said.

Sexual activity was engaged in and during the course of the contact Derek (Hartz) was struck with the brick and stabbed multiple times with the knife, according to a charging document. Domonic and Jada then left the body of Derek on the path in the wooded area and drove away in his vehicle.

Masked man carrying rifle in Valpo was seeking to harass, provoke police interaction, cops say The man said he crossed the street to take cover near construction vehicles, fearing the armed man would open fire, police said.

Police said a fanny pack discovered under the body of Hartz contained identification belonging to Monroe. Police then tracked down the victims phone to the area of Interstate 65 and 61st Avenue in Merrillville, and discovered it contained the Grindr hookup app and messages beginning June 12 with the accused men.

Police said they used cellphone information to locate Brothers and Monroe in Ohio. After contacting police there, the men were reportedly located in the Cincinnati area and taken into custody following a chase and crash.

Bible, dryer sheets tip cop off to discovery of 9 pounds of cocaine in car, records show The officer stopped the Honda and noticed a Bible sitting on the rear trunk deck, "almost as if it was on display," he said.

The men admitted to taking part in the sexual encounter with Hartz and said they prepared by placing a butcher knife and landscaping brick in a purse, police said.

The accused said they fled the scene after the death of Hartz and packed to leave the area, but tried to return after discovering the fanny pack and identifications had been left behind.

They drove back to the scene and observed law enforcement vehicles and immediately left the area, police said.
LAPORTE  A Bible and scented dryer sheets spotted inside a vehicle during a traffic stop triggered suspicion by a county police officer, who went on to discover nearly nine pounds of cocaine, according to a charging document.

The driver, Juan Aquino, 52, of New Jersey, was taken into custody and has been charged with a felony count of dealing in cocaine, records show.

The officer said he was monitoring eastbound traffic along a local stretch of the Indiana Toll Road around noon Wednesday when he noticed a Honda Civic travelling too close to another vehicle.

The officer stopped the Honda and noticed a Bible sitting on the rear trunk deck, "almost as if it was on display," he said.

"Through my training and experience, I have seen individuals use religious items like this as props or disclaimers to dispel any suspicion of them being involved in any criminal activity," the officer wrote. "These types of items are often used to show that they are a good religious person and would not be involved in anything bad."

Affair with married man said to be behind Porter County shooting, police say The woman "stated Rebecca then pointed the handgun in her direction towards the vehicle and fired a couple more shots towards her as she was attempting to back up," Chesterton police said.

The officer said he also spotted a box of scented dryer sheets on the rear seat of the vehicle.

"Dryer sheets like this are often used in an attempt to mask the odor of illegal contraband in (a) vehicle," he said.

Aquino reportedly gave various explanations as to where he had been, including that he had been driving 10 hours from Chicago. The officer noted Chicago is about an hour and a half away.

Porter County man admits molesting family member, records show "Brian then told her not to tell anyone or he would go to jail for a long time," according to a police description of the first incident of the alleged abuse.

Aquino finally admitted there were "4 keys" in the vehicle, referring to 4 kilos of cocaine, according to the charging document.

Police said they found two rectangular blocks of the drug wrapped in cellophane hidden under the center console and another two block under the rear seat.

Officer also found store receipts from Colorado and several empty cans of energy drinks in the vehicle, records show.
MICHIGAN CITY  The LaPorte County prosecutor has dismissed felony stalking and intimidation charges filed against a Long Beach man who claims he's Taylor Swift's soulmate and allegedly went to extraordinary lengths to be near the music superstar.

According to court records, the charges filed May 31 against Mitchell Taebel, 37, were dismissed at the prosecutor's request Monday "in the best interest of justice and due to (the) unavailability of (a) witness."

The case against Taebel was dismissed "without prejudice," however, which means LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan potentially could refile the charges at a later date if circumstances warrant.

Fagan said Thursday it wasn't possible to pursue the stalking case against Taebel at this time because the alleged victim has other commitments for the foreseeable future.

"When we dismiss cases, we do so for a number of reasons. Sometimes the case is old. Sometimes the facts are there, but we cant meet the reasonable doubt standard for a conviction. Sometimes the witness is unavailable. In this case, the witness was very much unavailable," Fagan said.

Records show Taebel was arrested June 2  the night Swift performed the first of her three "The Eras Tour" concerts at Soldier Field in Chicago  after he allegedly traveled across the country attempting to gain access to the 34-year-old "You Belong With Me" artist, sent Swift threatening social media messages, and proposed marriage to her on his YouTube and Facebook accounts.

Taebel, who claims to be running for president, also allegedly gained entry May 5 to Swift's luxury condominium building in Nashville, as well as her Tennessee concert venue, until Swift's team identified Taebel as a security threat and removed him from the building and the venue, records show.

Police said Swift's management team obtained a temporary restraining order that was served May 13 to Taebel. The order was extended May 24 and Taebel was accused of violating the order by continuing to tag Swift in social media posts, including Taebel's 12-hour marriage proposal video.

"Taebel still maintains a delusion that he and the ARTIST will be married and, if elected president, that the ARTIST will be his first lady," the now-dismissed charges said.

According to court records, Taebel is facing similar charges in a separate case where Taebel is accused of stalking and harassing a childhood acquaintance over several years.

He was released from the LaPorte County Jail Thursday after posting a $750 cash bond to guarantee his future court appearances in that case, records show.
More than 750 Horizon Bank employees donated 2,600 hours during the bank's first-ever Horizon Cares Day just after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Michigan City-based bank closed its more than 60 branches in Indiana and Michigan early at noon on Nov. 28 to give its employees the chance to volunteer in their communities. Horizon Bank employees volunteered with more than 85 nonprofits across its service territory, which includes a significant presence in its home base of Northwest Indiana.

Horizon Bank employees spent time helping out at Habitat for Humanity, United Way, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and the Boys and Girls Club. They worked to address social needs, better communities and foster a sense of corporate social responsibility.

"At Horizon Bank, we believe in the power of community and the positive impact that collective efforts can bring. Horizon Cares Day exemplifies our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the areas we call home," said Horizon Bank CEO Thomas Prame. "We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and commitment of our advisors in making Horizon Cares Day a resounding success.
An employee-only parking garage area that's generally accessible to non-employee pedestrians qualifies as a "public place" under the state's public indecency statute, according to a recent ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

In a 3-0 decision, the appellate court affirmed the convictions of Joshua Whitmore, of Indianapolis, for public indecency, a class A misdemeanor; and public nudity, a class B misdemeanor.

According to court records, a woman working at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis was sitting in her vehicle in the employee-only section of the hospital parking garage when a masturbating Whitmore repeatedly knocked on her window with his pants around his ankles.

The woman promptly telephoned hospital security and Whitmore pulled up his pants and walked to another row of vehicles. He then pulled his pants down again and showed the woman his behind, records show.

Whitmore argued in his appeal there was insufficient evidence he committed public indecency and public nudity because the employee-only section of the hospital parking garage is not a public place.

The appeals court, however, rejected that contention.

It observed that even though the indecency statute doesn't define "public" and gates at the parking garage entrance block access to non-employee vehicles, the garage itself is easily accessible to pedestrians, like Whitmore, who walk around the gates, or use the shared elevator that provides access to both the employee and public sides of the hospital parking garage.

As a result, the appeals court said there's no question Whitmore knowingly or intentionally fondled his genitals in a public place, and therefore was properly convicted of public indecency.

The public nudity statute, on the other hand, defines a public place as "a place available to all or a certain segment of the public," according to court records.

In this case, the court said both sides of the parking garage were accessible and available to members of the public.

Moreover, Whitmore clearly intended to be seen by the woman in an intentional state of undress because he repeatedly knocked on the window of her vehicle to get her attention  satisfying the statutory requirements for a public nudity conviction, the court said.

"Because sufficient evidence supports Whitmore's convictions, we affirm (the judgment of the trial court)," said Appeals Judge Dana Kenworthy.

Whitmore still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider reviewing his convictions.

Records show Whitmore was sentenced to a year in the Marion County Jail, with 120 days behind bars and the rest of his sentence suspended.

Whitmore also was ordered to stay away from Esekenazi Hospital unless he's there for bona fide medical treatment, according to court records.

Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region First Physician Great Sauk (Sac) Trail St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston Dutch in the Calumet Region St. John Township School, District #2 The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section Froebel School - side 1 Froebel School Stewart Settlement House Stewart Settlement House Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Bailly Homestead Iron Brigade Willow Creek Confrontation Ogden ski jump.jpg Teale 1.jpg Teale 2.jpg Steel 1.jpg Steel 2.jpg Civil War camps.jpg Old lighthouse.jpg Railroad.jpg Camp Anderson.jpg Boundary line 1.jpg Boundary line 2.jpg LaPorte courthouse 1.jpg LaPorte courthouse 2.jpg Carnegie 1.jpg Carnegie 2.jpg Rumely Co 1.jpg Rumely Co 2.jpg Lincoln train 1.jpg Lincoln train 2.jpg LaPorte university 1.jpg Laporte university 2.jpg Gary Roosevelt 1 Gary Roosevelt 2
A federal appeals court ruled against the grunge rock group Nirvana on Thursday, reviving a lawsuit about the bands use of a naked baby on the cover of its 1991 album Nevermind.

A district court judge had dismissed Spencer Eldens lawsuit that said he was a victim of child sexual abuse imagery, ruling that the complaint had not been filed within the 10-year statute of limitations. But a three-judge panel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed that decision, finding that each republication of an image may constitute a new personal injury.

The appeals court noted that Mr. Eldens 2021 complaint says Nirvana has reproduced the album cover within the past 10 years, including the bands September 2021 rerelease of Nevermind.

The question whether the Nevermind album cover meets the definition of child pornography is not at issue in this appeal, the court wrote in a footnote.
The Biden administration has quietly signaled support for seizing more than $300 billion in Russian central bank assets held in Western countries and using the funds to aid Ukraines war effort.

Until recently, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had argued that seizing the funds without congressional action would be illegal. Others had cautioned that it would cause concern among other nations that are holding their funds in the U.S. Seizing such a large sum of money from another sovereign nation would be without precedent.

But with financial support waning, and Ukrainian leaders warning of the dire consequences, American officials have begun urgent discussions over whether to use existing authorities or seek congressional action to use the funds.

A small portion of the Russian assets, perhaps $5 billion or so by some estimates, is in the hands of U.S. institutions. As a result, diplomatic negotiations are underway over how to gain access to funds held in Europe.
Rite Aid, the pharmacy chain, used facial recognition technology to falsely and disproportionately identify people of color and women as likely shoplifters, the Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday, describing a system that embarrassed customers and raised new concerns about the biases baked into such technologies.

Under the terms of a settlement, Rite Aid will be barred from using facial recognition technology in its stores for surveillance purposes for five years, the F.T.C. said. The agency, which enforces federal consumer protection laws, appeared to be signaling just how seriously it would respond to concerns about facial recognition technology.

The F.T.C.s 54-page complaint also shed light on how a once-theoretical worry  that human bias would bleed into artificial intelligence algorithms and amplify discrimination  has become a cause for concern in the real world.

Samuel Levine, the director of the F.T.C.s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement that Rite Aids reckless use of facial surveillance systems left its customers facing humiliation and other harms.
Robert M. Solow, who won a Nobel in economic science in 1987 for his theory that advances in technology, rather than increases in capital and labor, have been the primary drivers of economic growth in the United States, died on Thursday at his home in Lexington, Mass. He was 99.

His son John confirmed the death.

Professor Solow (pronounced solo) taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he and a fellow Nobel laureate, Paul A. Samuelson, forged the M.I.T. style of economic analysis, which emerged as a leading approach in the second half of the 20th century and played an important role in economic policymaking.

His work demonstrated the power of bringing mathematics to bear on important economic debates and simplifying the analysis by focusing on a small number of variables at a time.

Beyond the impact of his own research, Professor Solow helped launch the careers of a stunning number of future superstar economists, including four Nobel laureates: Peter Diamond, Joseph E. Stiglitz, William D. Nordhaus and George A. Akerlof. My pride and joy, Professor Solow said.
Whole Foods did not violate the law when it punished employees for wearing apparel supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, a federal administrative judge ruled on Wednesday.

The judge for the National Labor Relations Board, Ariel Sotolongo, said Whole Foods had not violated the labor rights of employees in 2020 when it disciplined them for wearing masks, pins and other accessories emblazoned with the Black Lives Matter slogan. The judge wrote that wearing the apparel was not connected with their employment or working conditions.

The employees will be able to appeal the decision to the labor board.

The case was brought in July 2020 by 14 employees in four states who said the grocery chain had illegally disciplined them while citing its dress code policy. The workers said they had been sent home without pay or fired for wearing apparel with the slogan. Whole Foods denied retaliating against employees.

Our diverse culture continues to be a source of great pride for Whole Foods Market, and we remain focused on creating both a safe and inclusive workplace for all, the company said in a statement on Thursday. We are pleased with the outcome of this case.
The company that operates Pornhub and other adult websites acknowledged in federal court in Brooklyn on Thursday that it had profited for years from pornographic content that depicted sex trafficking victims, according to federal prosecutors.

Aylo Holdings S.A.R.L., Pornhubs parent company, pleaded not guilty to a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds. But through an agreement with prosecutors, the company agreed to pay damages to women who said they were forced to appear in pornographic videos that were then posted to the companys websites without their consent.

The deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, requires the company to pay a fine of over $1.8 million and be assigned a monitor who will assess Aylos protocols for screening content and addressing reports of illegal content on its platforms. In return, it would allow the charge against Aylo to be dropped after three years.

Aylo, which was previously called MindGeek, operates several websites that allow third parties to post and distribute adult content, according to prosecutors. In 2009, Aylo began hosting pornographic videos created by the production companies GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys.
Philip von Hahn, a 30-year-old tech investor on the Upper East Side, attended a holiday party on Sunday night to take his mind off the recent dissolution of his three-year relationship.

Weve been weighing it for the past few months, Mr. von Hahn said of the decision to end things. The holidays, however, added a sense of urgency, as he and his ex-girlfriend werent able to agree on who would visit whose family for Christmas, or if they even wanted to spend this time of year with each other again.

Although fall and winter have affectionately become known as cuffing season in recent years  a period where couples stay indoors, cuffed together throughout the cold months  they can also be a fraught time that puts pressures on newer relationships.

A small infraction like not buying a thoughtful Christmas gift or being reluctant to visit your partners family for the holidays can be the excuse a hesitant partner was looking for to call it quits. Ghosting feels like an easy option when people can use their travel plans as an excuse to be absent, and time apart can make staying connected difficult, especially if a relationship is already on shaky ground.
A New Hampshire man who was charged with threatening to kill Vivek Ramaswamy and his supporters at a campaign event has been indicted by a federal grand jury with additional counts for threatening the lives of former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, another unnamed presidential candidate and other people, according to an indictment filed on Wednesday.

The man, Tyler Anderson, 30, of Dover, now faces three counts of transmitting threats for having texted death threats to three presidential candidates campaigning in New Hampshire, the authorities say. The text messages were sent in three separate episodes in late November and early December. The last set of messages, sent on Dec. 8, was directed at Mr. Ramaswamy.

Karl Rickett, a spokesman for the Christie campaign, confirmed on Thursday that Mr. Christie was the target of the second episode, on Dec. 6. The texts directed at Mr. Christie were found on Mr. Andersons phone, according to an F.B.I. affidavit.

Mr. Anderson was arrested on Dec. 9 after federal agents tracked text messages threatening Mr. Ramaswamy to his phone and home address, the affidavit said. His phone was seized during the arrest, and the messages directed at Mr. Ramaswamy and Mr. Christie were found on it. Firearms were also seized during Mr. Andersons arrest.
The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist killed by Saudi operatives at the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul in 2018, was granted political asylum late last month, more than three years after she fled to the United States.

I feel great and that Ive taken the right decision to come to this country, his widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, said in an interview. I can feel more safe now that Im not afraid to be handed over to any dictator in the Middle East.

Ms. Khashoggi, who was born in Egypt and married Mr. Khashoggi in 2018, fled from the United Arab Emirates to the United States in July 2020.

Her successful petition for asylum is one of the few recent reminders of the fallout from the killing, which drew international outrage and strained ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia but never led to a permanent rupture. Those close to Mr. Khashoggi have continued to push for penalties on those they believe played a role, even as relations between the kingdom and the United States have started to rebound.
The Biden administration is preparing to relax restrictions on some weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials said on Thursday, crediting the kingdoms peace talks with a militia in Yemen for hastening an easing of the constraints.

President Biden imposed the ban two years ago amid concerns that U.S. weapons were being used against civilians in Yemen, where hundreds of thousands of people have died from airstrikes, fighting, disease and hunger as a Saudi-led military coalition waged war against an Iran-backed militia called the Houthis.

The expected loosening of the limits  which blocked sales of major offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia  comes as the kingdom attempts to finalize a U.S.-backed peace accord with the Houthis.

A representative for the White House National Security Council declined to comment.

The U.S. officials did not say when the easing of the ban on sales might occur. And such a move could be reversed if Mr. Biden decides it is not in U.S. interests to allow the offensive weapons to flow to Saudi Arabia, which is by far the largest buyer of American arms.
The European Commission (EC) announced on Friday the signing of "high-level understandings" with Ukraine and Moldova on the review of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in their territories and improving transport links with the EU.

"Today's High-Level Understandings are another key step towards bringing Ukraine and Moldova closer to our common market. By extending four European Transport Corridors into Ukraine and Moldova (...), we strengthen transport connectivity in the region and with the EU Both countries can now apply for CEF infrastructure funding for projects along these corridors," EC Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean said.

The changes will be reflected in the new TEN-T Regulation when it enters into force in early 2024 and further extends four European Transport Corridors into Ukraine and Moldova, Brussels said. They also draw attention to the importance of the signed agreement in connection with the decision to begin negotiations with both countries on accession to the EU.

The European Commission notes that following signature of associations agreements with the Commission earlier this year, Moldova and Ukraine will also be able to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility for projects to develop TEN-T infrastructure.
A jury found three Tacoma police officers not guilty on Thursday of all criminal charges in the death of Manuel Manny Ellis, a Black man who died in police custody in 2020 after pleading that he could not breathe.

One officer, Timothy Rankine, was acquitted of first-degree manslaughter. The other two officers, Christopher Burbank, and Matthew Collins, were acquitted of charges of second-degree murder. All three had pleaded not guilty and had faced up to life in prison. Officers Burbank, 38, and Collins, 40, are white. Office Rankine, 35, is Asian.

The prosecutors accused the three police officers of using deadly force on Mr. Ellis, 33, while arresting him on Mar. 3, 2020, when they punched him, squeezed his neck, pressed on his back and placed a hood over his head. Prosecutors said that audio footage captured Ellis saying he could not breathe.

His death occurred just three months before George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis. Mr. Floyd, who is also Black, had also pleaded I cant breathe as a police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes.
But no one in Maestro nay-says Bernsteins music making. This artificially heightens the contrast of his career with his marriage, distorting the viewers sense of him and his legacy. As an admirer of Bernsteins work, warts and all, I was disappointed to find his life as an artist depicted as less complex  and less interesting  than his life as a husband.

Cooper doesnt pay much attention to Bernsteins personal stumbles, either, if they dont relate to the marriage. Most glaring is the Radical Chic affair, in which his critics seized on the contrast between Upper East Side progressivism and open radicalism, with Bernstein being quoted in The Times (unfairly, he said) as answering a Panthers call to seize the means of production with I dig absolutely.

It would have been an intriguing episode to include in Maestro since both Bernsteins were implicated in the blowback, which served to unite them in fiasco. But that would have been jarring because its so unlike the scenes preferred by Cooper, in which Lenny is the perpetrator and Felicia the victim. Omitting the whole scandal contributes to the films flattening not just of Bernsteins life but also of Felicias, which was full outside the marriage, too. (She was active in the American Civil Liberties Union, the civil rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War.)

Radical Chic was big news. But what I missed most in Maestro was a minor bit of Bernstein: the 1952 one-act Trouble in Tahiti, a deceptively peppy, stealthily devastating piece about a prosperous, unhappily married suburban couple.

This was an autobiographically charged work; the main characters were originally named Sam and Jennie, the names of Bernsteins parents, who fought bitterly through his childhood. (The wifes was eventually changed to the more singable Dinah, the name of Bernsteins paternal grandmother.)

But the movie presents Bernstein as a fully formed genius, without an evident childhood or parents beyond a passing mention of his fathers cruelty. It would have made sense for Sam and Jennie to have been more present in Maestro, if only to offer some context for Bernsteins own difficult marriage. The sense of history repeating itself might have relieved some of Coopers insistence on Bernstein and his sexuality bearing sole responsibility for his problems with Felicia.
BYD, Chinas electric-vehicle juggernaut, said Friday that it would build an assembly plant in Hungary, its first production facility for battery-powered cars in Europe and the latest sign of the companys ambitious plans to expand beyond Asia.

BYD is already the worlds largest maker of electric vehicles, most of them sold in China, and has begun to open dealerships in Europe as it aims to expand sales globally. Last year, it sold 1.86 million battery-powered cars, including plug-in hybrids, which have both an electric motor and gas-powered engine. That topped Tesla, which sold 1.3 million electric cars in 2022.

The new production facility will be in Szeged, in southern Hungary, BYD said in a statement. The plant will create thousands of local jobs and promote technological exchanges and innovations between China and Hungary. But there were no details about the size of the plant, how much money BYD would spend or when construction would begin.

This is the first step towards serious competitive entry, said analysts at Bernstein, led by Daniel Roeska. They estimated that the plant would take two to three years to build and produce 200,000 cars annually, and said building cars locally would cut logistics and tariff costs. More importantly it also brings local governments  and local defenders  onboard.
Under pressure from critics who say Substack is profiting from newsletters that promote hate speech and racism, the companys founders said Thursday that they would not ban Nazi symbols and extremist rhetoric from the platform.

I just want to make it clear that we dont like Nazis either  we wish no one held those views, Hamish McKenzie, a co-founder of Substack, said in a statement. But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we dont think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away  in fact, it makes it worse.

The response came weeks after The Atlantic found that at least 16 Substack newsletters had overt Nazi symbols in their logos or graphics, and that white supremacists had been allowed to publish on, and profit from, the platform. Hundreds of newsletter writers signed a letter opposing Substacks position and threatening to leave. About 100 others signed a letter supporting the companys stance.

In the statement, Mr. McKenzie said that he and the companys other founders, Chris Best and Jairaj Sethi, had arrived at the conclusion that censoring or demonetizing the publications would not make the problem of hateful rhetoric go away.
The Biden administration announced plans to crack down on banks and financial services firms that are helping Russia evade strict sanctions on access to military technology and equipment that are aiding its war against Ukraine.

The move, announced on Friday, comes after attempts by the United States to curb Russias access to supplies that it needs to build more missiles and other weapons have proved to be unsuccessful.

The United States and Europe have imposed strict sanctions on Russia over the past two years. But an illicit network of traders and smugglers, working with the assistance of shadowy financial firms, has been helping Russia gain access to banned products that it needs to restock its military arsenal.

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen warned financial institutions on Friday not to help supply Russias war machine.
The Biden administration on Friday issued its long-awaited plan to provide lucrative tax breaks to companies that make hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel, proposing new rules meant to ensure that the policy doesnt inadvertently lead to a spike in planet-warming emissions.

Hydrogen is widely seen as a promising tool to tackle climate change, as long as it can be produced without creating any greenhouse gases. When burned, hydrogen mainly emits water vapor, and it could be used instead of fossil fuels to make steel or fertilizer, or to power large trucks or ships.

But making hydrogen requires energy, and very little so-called clean hydrogen exists today. Currently, most hydrogen is made from natural gas in a process that emits planet-warming carbon dioxide.

Congress approved a tax credit last year to encourage companies to make more hydrogen from renewable energy and other carbon-free sources, setting off fierce lobbying by businesses focused on who should be able to claim the credit.
Colman Domingo was at the Equinox on 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue when his agent called. A rush of hope overtook him: After a week spent auditioning for eight film and television roles, finally he was about to get something.

This was in 2014, which Domingo experienced as a year of incredible highs and dangerously low lows. He had just come off a successful, soul-enriching transfer of the stage musical The Scottsboro Boys in London, but upon returning to New York, he felt quickly cut down to size. Despite his Tony nomination for the Kander and Ebb musical, Domingo was stuck auditioning for under-fives, screen roles that had little more to offer than a line or two. Still, he felt backed into a corner, praying that one of them would hit.

The most promising was a callback for HBOs Prohibition-era drama Boardwalk Empire: To audition for a maitre d at a Black-owned nightclub, Domingo had donned a tuxedo to sing and tap dance for the producers. You can imagine how he felt, then, when his agent began that call at the gym by saying that everyone on Boardwalk Empire had loved his audition. This is the one thats going to change it up for me, Domingo thought. This is the one thats going to finally be my big break.

There was just one problem, his agent said. After the callback, a historical researcher on the show reminded producers that the maitre ds in those nightclubs were typically light-skinned, and Domingo was not. Boardwalk Empire had passed.
How much of the films score is Bernsteins music?

That cue you hear when Bernstein finds out hell be making his conducting debut at the New York Philharmonic? Thats from On the Waterfront, the 1954 Marlon Brando drama for which Bernstein wrote the music. That spiky, horn-filled composition that signals tension when Bernstein and a male lover arrive at the familys Connecticut home? Thats the prologue from West Side Story.

In fact, most of the music you hear was written by Bernstein. (Also see if you can spot classical excerpts from his ballets Facsimile and Fancy Free, his opera A Quiet Place, and parts of his second and third symphonies.)

His personal life

Was Bernstein gay or bisexual?

Though he was married to his wife, the actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan), for 26 years, he had numerous relationships  with both men and women  before and during their marriage, and after her death in 1978.

The film focuses on two of them  his dalliance with the clarinetist David Oppenheim (Matt Bomer), whose bottom Bernstein slaps at the beginning of the film, and the musician Tom Cothran (Gideon Glick), whom he steals kisses with at a party and brings to his Connecticut home.

What was societys attitude toward gay people at the time?

Anti-gay prejudice was rampant in America in the 1940s and 1950s, and the Lavender Scare  a fear that homosexual people had infiltrated the federal government and were a threat to national security  led to the dismissal of gay and lesbian employees, and those assumed to be, en masse. Gay, lesbian and transgender people  particularly public figures  faced intense pressure to conceal their identities, and Bernstein worried that the public revelation of his sexual orientation would hurt his conducting prospects.

Did Montealegre know Bernstein was gay or bisexual when she married him?

Yes, according to a letter she wrote to him the year after they were married, which the couples children discovered after her death. You are a homosexual and may never change, she wrote, adding later, I am willing to accept you as you are, without being a martyr. She went on to tell him, Lets try and see what happens if you are free to do as you like, but without guilt and confession.
McQueens latest film, the four-hour documentary Occupied City, which opens in theaters in the United States on Dec. 25, is the couples most extensive collaboration to date. He adapted the movie, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, from Stigters book, Atlas of an Occupied City: Amsterdam 1940-1945, a 560-page historical encyclopedia that was published in Dutch in 2019, and she is one of the movies producers.

Stigters reference book records the geographical dimensions of that period of Nazi rule in Amsterdam  where the bombs dropped, where rallies were held  but it also memorializes places where Dutch people suffered and died: soup kitchens during the 1944 to 1945 famine known as the Hunger Winter; apartments where Jewish families committed suicide; and public squares, train stations, a theater and a day care center where Jews were held before their deportation to concentration camps.

In Occupied City, Stigters text is read out in unemotional voice-over by the British actor Melanie Hyams, while the camera shows scenes from contemporary Amsterdam. But because it was mostly shot from 2020 to 2022, much of the footage captures the city during Covid-19 lockdowns.

McQueen, who was born and raised in London, is both a filmmaker and a Turner Prize-winning visual artist, recognized by Queen Elizabeth with a knighthood in 2022. But he has lived a more under-the-radar life in Amsterdam, Stigters hometown, since the late 1990s. The couple raised their two children in the city, though they declined to discuss how they met or when, precisely, they got married.
Sofia Boutella knows what its like to lose a home.

Born and raised in Algeria, Boutella was 10 when she and her family fled to Paris after Algeria descended into civil war.

Now 41, she drew on that formative experience for Zack Snyders sci-fi epic Rebel Moon  Part One: A Child of Fire as Kora, a mysterious woman who has been uprooted from her former life and must create a new one in a village on a distant moon. Like Kora, Boutella understands what such a journey takes from you and what it gives in return.

There is something that happens when you remove yourself from your country of origin that is very powerful, Boutella said. I dont feel a sense of belonging to a territory. But at the same time, I feel such a strong sense of being part of this earth and a connection to it as a whole.

Before turning to acting, Boutella danced  attending ballet class in Algiers when she was a girl and, finding a semblance of stability when she continued with ballet as well as jazz, contemporary and hip-hop in France. She also tried rhythmic gymnastics and spent a year on her new countrys national team.
Japan to be able to export several dozen Patriot missiles to USA for Ukraine

Amendments have been made to Japanese legislation to allow the supply of defense products produced under a foreign license to the country where the patent was issued, Radio Liberty said, citing BBC.

After such changes, Japan will be able to export several dozen Patriot missiles to the United States to replenish the Pentagon's stockpile. Thanks to this, Washington will be able to send more air defense assets to Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden raised the issue of missile supplies at his last meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, media said.


If you were looking for more evidence that the Christmas spirit seems to be bypassing New York this season, that the mood of the city has been decidedly downcast, you needed only to hear directly from the mayor. Asked this week during a television interview to describe in a single word the year that we were putting behind us, Eric Adams replied, New York.

Leaving aside that the answer did not syntactically comply with the question, he went on to further confound everyone with an incoherent explanation. What he meant was that New York is a place where every day you wake up, you could experience everything from a plane crashing into our Trade Center to a person whos celebrating a new business thats open.

Locating the city you oversee at the nexus of tragedy and transaction isnt bound to inspire or uplift anyone  even if youre speaking at a moment that cries out for uplift and inspiration. The emotional breakdown over the war in Gaza that has played out on city campuses, in cultural institutions and offices, at potlucks, galas and among friendships of many years has shared the company of so many other fractures.

Roughly 122,000 migrants have come into New Yorks shelter system this year, according to the mayors office. Media layoffs have been rampant. Covid, the flu and RSV are on the rise again. And this does not even get us to the federal investigation into the mayors campaign financing and his 28 percent approval rating, the worst of any mayor in a Quinnipiac poll since the mid-1990s.
This article is part of Overlooked, a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.

In 1952, the anthropologist Ethel Lindgren made a decision that would change the face of the Scottish Highlands for decades to come: She imported a herd of reindeer. Reindeer, while native to Britain, had not been seen there since the 12th century, when they were hunted to extinction.

Lindgren made the case to government officials that the animals were important sources of meat and fur. And with the looming threat of a conflict with the Soviet Union, she said, the reindeer could be useful in military transport.
When I began writing a column for this newspaper, I was by no means its first Catholic columnist, but I was probably the first representative of conservative Catholicism, a partisan of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, to write regularly for The Timess opinion pages. This created an expectation  in my own mind, at least  that when I wrote about my own religion, it would be mostly as a defender of the faith, championing church teaching and papal authority to a readership inclined to a certain skepticism about both.

Instead, the major Catholic story of my early years as a columnist was the sex-abuse crisis, about which there were ideological arguments about causes and cures and far more to lament than to champion or defend. Then in 2013, Pope Benedict resigned, a decision that I firmly believe supernaturally jolted the entire world off its comfortable end-of-history timeline and threw us into a more apocalyptic realm of populists, plagues and U.F.O.s. Obviously, that jolt affected Catholicism most of all: Pope Francis ascended, and over the past decade, the church has been governed by a liberalizing, destabilizing, provocateur pope.

This has created high drama in the church and ample opportunities for explanations of its controversies  but in those controversies Ive found myself crosswise from the papacy itself, a peculiar position indeed for a Catholic columnist at a secular publication. I imagined myself making Catholic tradition and thinking attractive to secular and liberal readers. Instead, Im often obliged to explain why, in seeming to move the church closer to the median secular liberal, Francis is actually driving Catholicism toward crisis.

The latest news from Rome provides yet another example of this pattern. Here you have a papal directive that seems to crack the door to (some ambiguous kind of) priestly blessings for same-sex couples, which unsurprisingly inspires talk of landmarks and revolutions and the church finally changing with the times.
Its been two years since New York City became home to the nations first legally sanctioned supervised consumption program, where people can take illicit drugs like heroin, crack and methamphetamine under medical supervision. By many accounts that program is thriving. More than 1,000 potentially fatal overdoses have been reversed and many people who use the facilities have been connected to support services, including addiction treatment.

In May, the National Institutes of Health allocated several million dollars for a long-term study of the program; and Minnesota has since become the second state (after Rhode Island) to clear a path for similar programs.

But that momentum is being undermined by an outdated federal law known as the crack-house statute, which makes even state sanctioned programs technically illegal because it prohibits owning, renting, leasing or operating any premises for the purposes of storing, using or selling illegal drugs. That has produced mixed messages from Washington, where health researchers think the program has real promise, while law enforcement authorities want to shut it down.

In August, just months after the N.I.H. grant to study the program, a federal prosecutor threatened to close its doors. The threat has so far come to naught, but experts say the resulting confusion has had a chilling effect. In Seattle and San Francisco and Boston and elsewhere, promising efforts have been put on hold as health officials and supervised consumption proponents wait for clarity.
My view: Israel should just get out and let the person who started this terrible war, knowing but not caring that it would lead to the death and destruction of thousands of innocent Gazans, manage the cleanup. And that is the Hamas leader, Sinwar. The best way to discredit and destroy Sinwar is for Israel to leave Gaza and make him come out of his tunnel, face his people and the world and own Gazas rebuilding on his own.

I can tell you from experience what I think will happen. On the first day, Sinwar will strut around the rubble of Gaza like a peacock, declaring how he and his men inflicted terrible damage on the Jews, and supporters will carry him on their shoulders, shouting Allahu akbar.

On Day 2, with the Israelis gone, they will scream at Sinwar publicly and privately: What were you thinking? Who gave you permission to launch this war? Who is going to repair my home? Who is going to bring back my loved ones? How are you going to get any help rebuilding Gaza if you keep on lobbing missiles at Tel Aviv? You thought Hezbollah, the West Bankers, Israeli Arabs and Iran would all jump full-scale into this war and rise up against the Jews. It didnt happen  except at some American colleges  and now all we have are ruins and the dead.

How do I know that will happen? Because its what happened in Lebanon in 2006, when Hassan Nasrallah foolishly launched an unprovoked war against Israel, leading to enormous destruction in Shiite villages both in the south and around Beirut.

How do I know that will happen? Because it is already happening. Consider this Bloomberg report from Dec. 11:

Since the war, life in Gaza  which never was easy  has become unbearable. And while most Palestinians are furious at Israel, some are also expressing anger at Hamas, which has ruled the strip since 2007, when it threw out the Palestinian Authority through a brief and violent civil war. Hand over the hostages and stop the war, Rahaf Hneideq, a Gaza-based professor of Islamic studies, wrote to Hamas on Facebook. Enough death, enough destruction. Stop the displacement. Dont your people deserve that?

How do I know that will happen? Because while polls conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research show support for Hamas growing in the West Bank since Oct. 7  which are really signs of contempt for the Palestinian Authority and antipathy to the violent Jewish settlers  support for Hamas in Gaza, which usually rises during wars, has not significantly increased. Moreover, despite the increase in Hamas popularity in the West Bank, the majority in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip does not support Hamas, Khalil Shikaki, the director of the P.C.P.S.R., found.
When Donald Trump appeals the Colorado decision disqualifying him from the ballot in that states Republican primary, the Supreme Court should overturn the ruling unanimously.

Like many of my fellow liberals, I would love to live in a country where Americans had never elected Mr. Trump  let alone sided with him by the millions in his claims that he won an election he lost, and that he did nothing wrong afterward. But nobody lives in that America. For all the power the institution has arrogated, the Supreme Court cannot bring that fantasy into being. To bar Mr. Trump from the ballot now would be the wrong way to show him to the exits of the political system, after all these years of strife.

Some aspects of American election law are perfectly clear  like the rule that prohibits candidates from becoming president before they turn 35  but many others are invitations to judges to resolve uncertainty as they see fit, based in part on their own politics. Take Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which blocks insurrectionists from running for office, a provision originally aimed at former Confederates in the wake of the Civil War. There may well be some instances in which the very survival of a democratic regime is at stake if noxious candidates or parties are not banned, as in West Germany after World War II. But in this case, what Section 3 requires is far from straightforward. Keeping Mr. Trump off the ballot could put democracy at more risk rather than less.

Part of the danger lies in the fact that what actually happened on Jan. 6  and especially Mr. Trumps exact role beyond months of election denial and entreaties to government officials to side with him  is still too broadly contested. The Colorado court deferred to a lower court on the facts, but it was a bench trial, meaning that no jury ever assessed what happened, and that many Americans still believe Mr. Trump did nothing wrong. A Supreme Court that affirms the Colorado ruling would have to succeed in constructing a consensual narrative where others  including armies of journalists, the Jan. 6 commission and recent indictments  have failed.
For years, Ben Blacks phone annoyed his family. It was the only Android device in a family message group with eight iPhones. Because of him, videos and photos would arrive in low resolution and there would be green bubbles of text amid bubbles of blue.

But a new app called Beeper Mini gave him the ability to change that.

Mr. Black, 25, used the app to create an account for Apples messaging service, iMessage, with his Google Pixel phone number. For the first time, every message the family exchanged had a blue bubble and members were able to use perks like emojis and animations.

Since it was introduced on Dec. 5, Beeper Mini has quickly become a headache and potential antitrust problem for Apple. It has poked a hole in Apples messaging system, while critics say it has demonstrated how Apple bullies potential competitors.

Apple was caught by surprise when Beeper Mini gave Android devices access to its modern, iPhone-only service. Less than a week after Beeper Minis launch, Apple blocked the app by changing its iMessage system. It said the app created a security and privacy risk.
After Manish Lachwani founded the Silicon Valley software start-up HeadSpin in 2015, he inflated the companys revenue numbers by nearly fourfold and falsely claimed that firms including Apple and American Express were customers. He showed a profit where there were losses. He used HeadSpins cash to make risky trades on tech stocks. And he created fake invoices to cover it all up.

What was especially breathtaking was how easily Mr. Lachwani, now 48, pulled all that off.

While HeadSpin had raised $117 million from top tech investors  including GV, the venture capital arm of Googles parent, Alphabet; and Iconiq Capital, which helps manage Mark Zuckerbergs billions  it had no chief financial officer, had no human resources department and was never audited.

Mr. Lachwani used that lack of oversight to paint a rosier picture of HeadSpins growth. Even though its main investors knew the start-ups financials were not accurate, according to Mr. Lachwanis lawyers, they chose to invest anyway, eventually propelling HeadSpin to a $1.1 billion valuation in 2020. When the investors pushed Mr. Lachwani to add a chief financial officer and share more details about the companys finances, he simply brushed them off.

These details emerged this month in filings in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California after Mr. Lachwani had pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in April. He is set to be sentenced next month, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.
Maines secretary of state is poised to issue a decision next week that could bolster a citizen-led movement to keep former President Donald J. Trump off primary ballots around the country  or contradict a landmark court decision in Colorado this week.

In a hearing last week at Maines State House in Augusta, Shenna Bellows, the secretary of state, weighed three separate complaints challenging Mr. Trumps eligibility to appear on the states Republican primary ballot. Two are based on the same section of the Constitution that the Colorado Supreme Court cited in its 4-to-3 decision on Tuesday that found Mr. Trump cannot hold office again because his actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol amounted to engaging in an insurrection.

Some form of challenge to Mr. Trumps eligibility has been lodged in more than 30 states, but many of those have already been dismissed. Most are unfolding in the courts, but in Maine  because of a quirk in its Constitution  the secretary of state weighs in first, with voters filing petitions, not lawsuits. Her decision can then be appealed to the states Superior Court.

The Colorado ruling was the first in history to disqualify a presidential candidate from a ballot under the 14th Amendment, which was drafted after the Civil War. One section of the amendment bars those who have taken an oath to support the Constitution from holding office if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or had given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
That isolation is a dramatic turnaround in international perceptions for the Biden administration: For most of the past two years, top U.S. officials led what they saw as a valiant crusade to rally the world against Russias invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken were praised at home and abroad for uniting allies under the banner of American leadership as they invoked basic principles of international law and human rights.

Putins invasion has been a test for the ages. A test for America. A test for the world, Mr. Biden boasted in February in his State of the Union address. Together, we did what America always does at our best. We led. We united NATO and built a global coalition.

Today, as the United States guards Israels interests at the United Nations, endorses its goal of destroying Hamas and provides its munitions, much of the world sees the Biden administration as enabling an indefensibly lethal Israeli military campaign, which President Biden himself has referred to as indiscriminate bombing.

Coalition building on behalf of Ukraine has turned to crisis management over Gaza. The United States is now at odds with staunch allies like France, Canada, Australia and Japan, all of whom voted earlier this month for a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. The United States vetoed that resolution, on the grounds that any cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup and attack Israel again.

Human rights groups  which for months applauded U.S. efforts to hold Russia accountable  now denounce the United States for supporting Israel, which many of them accuse of committing war crimes in Gaza.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on Friday with Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov and his team on issues of motivation, determination of service periods and replenishment of the Defense Forces.

"I held a meeting with the Defense Minister and his team. We are preparing a solution to the issues raised by our units, combat brigades. Issues about motivation, definitions of service terms, replenishment of the Defense Forces, which rely on people, and people are spirit, spirit and weapons. We must provide both components. Thanks to everyone who helps, works and fights," he said in a video address.
President Biden said he would commute the sentences of 11 people who had been jailed for nonviolent drug offenses and pardon convictions for marijuana use and possession on federal lands as part of a broader effort by his administration to address racial disparities in drug sentencing.

Each of the clemency recipients would have been eligible for shorter sentencing under current laws, Mr. Biden said in a statement on Friday. Their original sentences  characterized by the president as disproportionately long  ranged from decades to life in prison for attempting to distribute drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, according to a list published by the White House.

Mr. Biden also said that he had pardoned more offenses involving possession of marijuana under federal law and D.C. law, which builds on his decision last year to pardon thousands of people who had been convicted of marijuana possession under federal law. The new pardons would apply to people found guilty of using or attempting to possess marijuana on federal lands, in addition to simple possession, according to a presidential proclamation issued on Friday.

Such offenses are outnumbered by those at the state level, which Mr. Biden does not have the authority to pardon.
Ron DeSantiss battle plan against Donald J. Trump was always ambitious.

This spring, the main super PAC backing Mr. DeSantis laid out a costly organizing operation, including an enormous voter-outreach push with an army of trained, paid door-knockers, that would try to reach every potential DeSantis voter multiple times in early-nominating states.

Seven months later, after tens of millions of dollars spent and hundreds of thousands of doors knocked, one of the most expensive ground games in modern political history shows little sign of creating the momentum it had hoped to achieve.

Mr. DeSantiss poll numbers have barely budged. His super PAC, Never Back Down, is unraveling. And Mr. Trumps hold on Republican primary voters seems as unshakable as ever. With time running out before the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, Mr. DeSantis, the governor of Florida, appears in danger of losing the extraordinary bet he made in outsourcing his field operation to a super PAC  a gamble that is testing both the limits of campaign finance law and the power of money to move voter sentiment.

Never Back Down has spent at least $30 million on its push to reach voters in person through door-knocking and canvassing in early-primary states, according to a person with knowledge of its efforts  a figure that does not include additional tens of millions in television advertising. The organization has more than 100 full-time, paid canvassers in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire, along with 37,000 volunteers.
It is unclear whether those regulations would apply here, since the original spot is from a state campaign and not a federal one.

The DeSantis ad features Ms. DeSantis trying to humanize her husband  who is often described as stiff on the campaign trail  as a father and a supportive husband when she faced breast cancer. The version that aired in 2022 had a logo that read Ron DeSantis Florida Governor in the upper-right corner; that logo is blurred out in the new spot sent to stations, which ends with a disclaimer that it was paid for by Good Fight.

Craig Mareno, an accountant with Crosby Ottenhoff, a firm based in Birmingham, Ala., is listed on documents creating the group that were filed with the F.E.C. Reached by phone, Mr. Mareno declined to answer questions about the group or the ad, and asked for an email that he could forward to another official he said could answer questions.

The DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Adav Noti of Campaign Legal Center said it was unclear how the F.E.C. would view the use of the old DeSantis ad, since Mr. DeSantis was not a federal candidate at the time.

The entire DeSantis operation, including the campaign and all of the super PACs, have been pushing the legal envelope since the beginning, and this use of prior campaign material to put out presidential campaign ads is another example, said Mr. Noti, whose group has already filed an F.E.C. complaint accusing Mr. DeSantiss presidential campaign of coordinating illegally with the original DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down.
As they search for evidence they can use to impeach President Biden, House Republicans have repeatedly pointed to evidence that they say undercuts his claims that he never had anything to do with the foreign business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden.

As vice president, for example, Mr. Biden did briefly meet with some of his sons business associates, though there is no testimony that he had any substantive discussions with them or that he changed government policy to benefit any of Hunter Bidens ventures.

Still, Republicans have continued to mine voluminous records related to Hunter Biden, including a trove of messages from a computer hard drive, to try to make a case that Hunter Bidens income from abroad was at the heart of an influence-peddling operation that enriched the entire Biden family, including his father.

Republicans have used quotes culled from text messages or emails to add a confessional quality to their presentations  evidence, they say, that Hunter Biden was essentially admitting that he and his father were engaged in political corruption.
In the wee hours one night in July, a Greyhound bus heading to St. Louis turned onto an exit ramp leading to a rest area in Southern Illinois and hit three parked tractor-trailers, smashing its front, crumpling its roof and ripping off part of its side.

Three passengers were killed. The tractor-trailers were parked along the ramps shoulder, a common sight on the nations highways.

Its scary because it can happen in the blink of an eye, said Carmen Anderson, 64, a South Dakota-based truck driver for Americas Service Line, who recently had to park on an off-ramp in North Carolina after not being able to find parking at rest areas or truck stops.

The accident in Illinois highlighted a widespread complaint among the nations truckers: Parking spots for commercial trucks are hard to come by.
Supreme Court justices have life tenure in the hope that their work will be independent of political influence, and, under the principle of the rule of law, it would be illegitimate for them to torque their interpretation of the Constitution with an eye toward political consequences. Under the rule of law, the Constitution and federal statutes apply equally to everybody, and no ones power, wealth, political influence or other special status puts him or her above the law.

But under the principle of democracy, the governments legitimacy stems from the fact that voters decided whom to put in charge. The prospect of unelected judges denying voters the opportunity to make their own decision about Mr. Trumps political future has given pause even to some of his critics who fervently hope Americans will reject him at the ballot box.

Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that even if one thinks that Mr. Trumps actions rendered him unfit for office in line with the 14th Amendment, there are other  and less alarmingly novel  systems that could have addressed that problem before it reached the courts. These would have freed the Republican Party to have a starkly different primary contest, he said.

The problem is that were just not set up for this  weve run through the safety nets, Mr. Vladeck said. Weve been spared from this problem in the few prior episodes where it could have arisen by different sets of constraints. And so now were in this position because those backstops have failed.

Had nine more Republican senators voted to convict Mr. Trump at his Jan. 6 impeachment trial, he would be ineligible to hold future office anyway, said Mr. Vladeck, who wrote a column about the complications of the Colorado courts ruling titled The Law and High Politics of Disqualifying President Trump. And if more Republican voters were repelled by Mr. Trumps attempt to secure an unelected second term, his political career would be over as a practical matter.
In recent months, Mr. Trump has drawn widespread criticism for asserting that undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, a phrase that he said first in a right-wing media interview and has in the last week repeated on the campaign trail.

As with the speech in 2020, Mr. Trumps remarks have been criticized by historians, Jewish groups and liberals, who said his language recalled the ideology of eugenics promulgated by Nazis in Germany and white supremacists in America.

In a radio interview on Friday, Mr. Trump again defended his use of the phrase poisoning the blood. He dismissed criticism that his language echoed Nazi ideology by saying he was not a student of Hitler and that his statement used blood in crucially different ways, though he did not elaborate.

But much as news articles, biographers and books about his presidency have documented Mr. Trumps long interest in Adolf Hitler, they have also shown that Mr. Trump has frequently turned to the language of genetics as he discusses the superiority of himself and others.

Mr. Trump was talking publicly about his belief that genetics determined a persons success in life as early as 1988, when he told Oprah Winfrey that a person had to have the right genes in order to achieve great fortune.
The Supreme Court declined on Friday to decide for now whether former President Donald J. Trump is immune from prosecution on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election.

The decision to defer consideration of a central issue in the case was a major practical victory for Mr. Trump, whose lawyers have consistently sought to delay criminal cases against him around the country.

It is unclear what the courts order will mean for the timing of the trial, which is scheduled to start on March 4, though it makes postponement more likely. The case will now move forward in an appeals court, which has put it on a fast track, and most likely return to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks or months.

In denying review, the justices gave no reasons, which is typical, and there were no noted dissents.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court said on Friday that the states heavily gerrymandered legislative maps that favor Republicans were unconstitutional and ordered new maps before the 2024 election. The ruling has the potential to produce a seismic political shift in a crucial presidential swing state.

Justice Jill J. Karofsky, writing for the majority, said that Wisconsins current maps violate a requirement in the State Constitution that Wisconsins state legislative districts must be composed of physically adjoining territory.

Given the language in the Constitution, the question before us is straightforward, she wrote. When legislative districts are composed of separate, detached parts, do they consist of contiguous territory? We conclude that they do not.

The decision was widely expected from a court that flipped to a 4-to-3 liberal majority this year after the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. The winner of that election, Justice Janet Protasiewicz, a former Milwaukee County judge, was openly critical of the current legislative maps, calling them rigged and unfair during her campaign.
A senior leader of the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab, who was accused of planning multiple attacks that killed 148 Kenyans in a university town and three Americans on a military base, was killed in a U.S. military drone strike last Sunday, according to Somali and American officials.

Maalim Ayman was killed on Dec. 17 by a U.S. Special Operations drone strike in a joint operation with the Somali national army, the officials said. He is believed to be responsible for the assault on Jan. 5, 2020, on a military base in Manda Bay, Kenya, that killed two U.S. contractor pilots and a U.S. soldier. A third U.S. contractor and two other U.S. service members were injured. Six U.S. aircraft were destroyed in the attack.

Somalia, a strategic nation located in the Horn of Africa, has been fending off attacks since 2006 by the extremist group al-Shabab, with the assistance of forces from the African Union and the United States. Mr. Ayman was believed to be the mastermind of a unit that launched attacks inside Kenya, Somalias southern neighbor.

Officially, the U.S. Africa Command, while confirming the strike in Somalia, did not identify the target, pending further analysis, the command said in a statement. But a U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, said the strike successfully targeted Mr. Ayman. Somalias information minister confirmed the killing of Mr. Ayman.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a meeting in Kyiv with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski, announced the existence of serious opportunities for both states to develop joint defense production.

"Had a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Sikorski. We are renewing our relations. We must solve existing problems. Naturally, I thanked Poland for supporting our state in defense. We have very serious opportunities for our further joint work  work that will strengthen both our nations," he said in a video address.

This, according to Zelenskyy, applies, in particular, to joint defense production. "There are a lot of things that need to be addressed, and I'm confident we can do it," he said.
Yacouba Sawadogo, a farmer known as the man who beat the desert in Burkina Faso for revolutionizing agricultural methods and creating a 75-acre forest on barren land, died on Dec. 3 in Ouahigouya, a northern provincial capital in that West African country. He was 77.

His death, in a hospital after a long illness, was confirmed by his son Loukmane Sawadogo.

Mr. Sawadogo, a lean, taciturn man who never learned to read or write, received a heros welcome when he returned home to landlocked Burkina Faso in 2018 after winning the Right Livelihood Award in Stockholm, created in 1980 to honor social and environmental activists. A throng greeted him at the airport in Ouagadougou, the countrys capital, and he was received by the countrys president.

Years before, fellow villagers in his arid, windswept country in the north had called him a madman for implementing a simple improvement to an age-old water-conservation technique. But Mr. Sawadogo had the last laugh: Forestry experts said the forest he created, with more than 60 species of trees and shrubs, had no equal in the Sahel, the semidesert region stretching across Africas upper third.

The Saharas encroachment, abetted by decades of indiscriminate tree-cutting and now by climate change, with decreased rainfall, is a major threat to an already fragile region. Large swaths of land have been stripped of trees, from the Gulf of Guinea right up to the desert.
Often seen as disease-carrying nuisances, pigeons have an image problem around the world.

Japan is no exception, but the birds enjoy some legal immunity, forcing city dwellers to put up with these unwanted guests roosting and cooing on their balconies.

Under Japans wildlife laws, residents may not kill or remove even the peskiest of birds without approval from the local authorities, a protection that feral pigeons do not have at the national level in the United States, though some states including Massachusetts have rules against killing them. If people discover that a pigeon has laid an egg or made a nest on their balcony, they cannot remove the bird, nest or egg without approval either.

And drivers are supposed to drive slowly while pigeons cross the road, even against the light.

Now, the lowly pigeon finds itself at the center of a case after a Tokyo taxi driver was accused of deliberately running one down with his cab.

The 50-year-old driver was arrested Dec. 3 and charged with violating the wildlife protection law but has not been indicted. The police said he had accelerated after a traffic light turned green, deliberately plowing his taxi into a flock of pigeons at a speed of about 35 miles per hour, killing one, according to The Mainichi, a local newspaper.
Japan will allow the sale of advanced air defense systems to the United States to help bolster American military stockpiles at a time when Washington is continuing to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

The move by Tokyo follows a change in Japans restrictions on the export of weapons, rules that have been in place for most of the post-World War II era. After a meeting of Japans National Security Council on Friday, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, told reporters that the country could now sell Patriot missiles made under license from American companies.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe first relaxed some export restrictions in 2014, but the rules still prevented Japan from transferring lethal weapons to regions in conflict, and they limited sales of licensed equipment to parts rather than complete systems.

With the rule change, Japan can now sell American-designed Patriot missiles made in Japan to the U.S. government. The air defense systems are manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under a license from the American manufacturers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
In what would be a fresh breach of United Nations sanctions, a new reactor in North Koreas main nuclear complex appears to have gone into operation, providing the country with a potential source of additional plutonium for its growing nuclear arsenal, according to the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

Since mid-October, the International Atomic Energy Agency has observed a strong water outflow from the cooling system of the new light-water reactor, or L.W.R., that North Korea has been building in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the agency, said in a statement on Thursday.

 The discharge of warm water is indicative that the reactor has reached criticality, Mr. Grossi said. The L.W.R., like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel, which can be separated during reprocessing, so this is a cause for concern.

The observations detailed in Mr. Grossis statement are another strong indication that North Korea has been accelerating its nuclear weapons program while its talks with the United States remain stalled and while the Biden administration is preoccupied with other crises around the world, including the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
Antonio Negri, an Italian philosopher whose essays and activism calling for a new workers revolution landed him in prison in 1979, and who two decades later became a global intellectual celebrity for writing Empire, a book hailed as the new Communist Manifesto, died on Saturday in Paris. He was 90.

The philosopher Judith Revel, his wife, confirmed his death, in a hospital.

Throughout his career, Mr. Negri was among the few academic thinkers who had the talent and charisma to make their ideas accessible to a broad audience.

As a leading figure of the Potere Operaio (Workers Power) movement of the 1960s and 70s, he inspired followers not just with his forceful essays but also with his willingness to go out to the streets and factories of northern Italian cities, organizing workers and calling for revolution.

Empire (2000), which he wrote with Michael Hardt, a literature professor at Duke University, did something similar for a new generation of the left, offering what many found a compelling Marxist interpretation of globalization after the Cold War.
Cecilia Blomdahl can still remember the first time she looked out at the Arctic Ocean on a winter night. The darkness was so dense she could not tell where land started and ended.

It was 2015 and Ms. Blomdahl had arrived on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago near the North Pole, to work at a restaurant with friends. Polar night had just begun, and the sun would not rise again until February. But the thing that really struck her, and has stayed with her ever since, was the quiet.

I dont think I understood then how this would become my home, she said in a recent interview. I was only planning to stay for three months.
Russian forces have scored small territorial gains along Ukraines eastern front in recent weeks, using their manpower advantage in grueling battles and prompting the Ukrainian authorities to consider a push to mobilize up to 500,000 soldiers to sustain the exhausting fight next year.

The chief of Ukraines military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said this week that he saw no alternative to a large-scale mobilization to make up for Ukraines losses. And President Volodymyr Zelensky said his army chiefs had asked him to mobilize 450,000 to 500,000 men.

This is a serious number, Mr. Zelensky said at a news conference on Tuesday, adding that a plan still had to be drawn up before he could make a decision. Although many Ukrainians have yet to be drafted into the military, the authorities are reluctant to resort to mass conscription for fear of stirring up social tensions.

Most recently, Russian troops have been closing in on the city of Avdiivka, a Ukrainian stronghold in the Donetsk region. The capture of Avdiivka would be a strategic success for Russia  the city is a linchpin of Ukrainian defenses in the region  and would deal a blow to Ukrainians morale. The city is a symbol of resistance, having withstood nearly a decade of warfare since Russian-backed forces first tried to seize it in 2014.
Braving rain and snow, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered last week outside the Kyiv City Council with signs reading, I dont want a park and Why do I need paving stones?They chanted, jumped and clapped as they called for an end to road repairs and a freeze on the construction of a new subway depot.

Protesting the renovation of ones city may seem highly unusual, especially in a country whose president was elected four years ago on a promise to repair roads. But protesters said a more urgent cause demands funding today  the war effort.

This money should be spent on buying weapons, said Yevheniia Klyshal, a 29-year-old nutritionist who was waving a sign that read, New roads wont win this war.

The protests, which have also been seen in other major Ukrainian cities such as Odesa and Lviv, have reflected a growing sentiment: as the war against Russia drags on and Ukraine runs out of weapons and ammunition, the whole country must be put on a war footing.
Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old man taken hostage in the Hamas-led invasion of Israel, is now believed to have died in the Oct. 7 attack, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said in a statement on Friday.

It said his body was still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The forum said Mr. Haggai and his wife, Judih Weinstein Haggai, citizens of both Israel and the United States, were shot during the Hamas terror attack while they were on their regular morning walk in the fields and vineyards of Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Ms. Haggai contacted friends to tell them they had been shot and that her husband was critically injured, the forum said. It said that was the last time anyone in Israel heard from them. Ms. Haggai is still being held captive. Her condition is unknown.

Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh, Liat Bell Sommer, a spokeswoman for the forum, said in a statement, adding that Mr. Haggai was a musician at heart, a gifted flutist.

The forum did not specify how it knew that Mr. Haggai died during the attack.

Jill and I are heartbroken by the news of Mr. Haggais death, President Biden said in a statement.

We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife, Judy, he added. Their daughter joined by phone my meeting with the families of hostages last week. Those families bravely shared with me the harrowing ordeal that they have endured over the past months as they await news of their loved ones. Its intolerable.

As Israel has investigated the Oct. 7 attack, it has learned more about the fate of those who went missing. Earlier this month, Israeli authorities said Eitan Levy, a 53-year-old man originally thought to have been taken hostage, had actually been killed in the Oct. 7 attack.

Hamas and other Palestinian groups killed roughly 1,200 people and abducted some 240 others during the Oct. 7 attack, Israeli authorities say. It was the deadliest attack in the countrys history.

In addition to murder and kidnapping, some attackers committed other atrocities, including rape and mutilation of their victims, Israel has said.
Our forces continue to intensify ground operations in northern and southern Gaza, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the Israeli military, said on Thursday night.

Israel says it has achieved operational control in some areas in the north, but the grinding progress is leading some prominent Israeli military analysts and political commentators to point to a widening gap between the reality on the ground and the rhetoric of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged on Wednesday that the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated  until victory.

As the Gazan death toll has soared and civilians have been pushed into a small southern corner of the enclave, Israel has come under increasing pressure from the United States and other countries to scale back its operations and move to a less intensive phase of fighting in the coming weeks.
Danilov on downed Russian Su-34s: Hunt for them been going on for long time

Ukrainian air defense forces have been "hunting" for a long time for Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, which were creating problems for the Defense Forces in the southern direction, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov said.

"We immediately received the report, we understand what we are talking about. Now we can reveal a small secret that the hunt for them continued for a long period of time. Since these planes interfered and made a danger for our soldiers, and I sincerely congratulate everyone who took part in this participation. Perfect result," Danilov said on Ukrainian Radio.

As reported, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers on Friday at noon. Speaker of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Yuriy Ihnat said it is with these aircraft that the invaders launch attacks with guided bombs and guided missiles.
The Biden administration has been holding talks with Israel, Lebanon and intermediaries for Hezbollah aimed at reducing current tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border and restoring calm there longer-term by moving Hezbollah forces away from the frontier, according to Lebanese and Israeli officials, and other participants in the talks.

The diplomatic effort is being led by Amos Hochstein, a senior White House adviser who oversaw talks last year that resulted in a historic agreement between Israel and Lebanon that resolved long-running maritime border disputes between the countries. Hezbollah, the most powerful political and military force in Lebanon, backed the agreement after initially expressing opposition and threatening to attack Israels gas rigs.

The immediate focus of the discussions has been to prevent cross-border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah  fueled by Israels war against Hamas in Gaza  from escalating into an all-out conflict, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive deliberations.

Mr. Hochstein and other U.S. officials have passed messages to Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah, warning them that the risk of escalation is extraordinarily high and encouraging them to exercise maximum restraint to avert a war that could draw Iran, other regional militant groups, and the United States into the conflict.
A new poll has found that 96 percent of Saudis believe that Arab countries should cut all ties with Israel to protest the war in Gaza, posing a significant challenge to the Biden administrations push for Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

According to the poll, 40 percent of Saudis expressed positive attitudes toward Hamas, compared with 10 percent in a poll several months before the war began. Only 16 percent of Saudis surveyed in the poll said that Hamas should stop calling for the destruction of Israel to accept the creation of Palestinian and Israeli states side by side  the two-state solution to the conflict that the Saudi government publicly supports.

The poll, by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a generally pro-Israel research organization, surveyed 1,000 Saudis from Nov. 14 to Dec. 6.

While Saudi Arabia has grown more autocratic over the past eight years, analysts say that the countrys de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, must still take public opinion into account as he weighs decisions.
Will You Have a White Christmas This Year? Probably not.

If youre dreaming of a white Christmas this year and live in the United States, youre probably out of luck unless youll be in the Central Plains or are celebrating in the mountains.

The National Weather Service officially considers a place to have a white Christmas if there is one inch of snow already on the ground, or if new snowfall of at least one inch falls on Christmas Day.

A winter storm could bring qualifying snowfall  along with possible blizzard conditions  to much of South Dakota and Nebraska and to parts of Minnesota and Colorado, and theres already snow on the ground at higher elevations in the West and the Northeast. Still, only about 1 percent of people in the contiguous United States are likely to see a white Christmas. Lets see if youre one of them.

Forecast for Christmas Search to see your chances of a white Christmas

The snow-cover forecast is created from the Snow Data Assimilation System, which is a computer model from the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center, which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Many of the areas likely to have snow this year historically have had the highest probability of an inch of snow on Christmas.

Historic probability of at least one inch of snow on Christmas

Two years ago, NOAA updated the average probabilities of a white Christmas across the United States. Though the report cautioned against comparing the new estimates with those created a decade before, it said that more areas experienced decreases in their chances of a white Christmas than experienced increases.

Classic Christmas movies like Miracle on 34th Street depict snow falling during the Christmas season in New York City, but Central Park hasnt seen an inch of snow on Christmas in more than a decade (not to mention the 679 days in a row without an inch or more).

Its not the first time the city has gone this long without an inch of snow on Christmas Day. The song White Christmas was written during one of those long, snowless Christmas spells.

Irving Berlin appears to have begun writing the song in 1938, according to James Kaplan, the author of Irving Berlin: New York Genius. This was when he was spending a lot of time in Hollywood, Mr. Kaplan said in an interview before Christmas last year.

Mr. Berlin was not particularly happy about being on the West Coast, Mr. Kaplan said, and its possible that he felt some nostalgia about the old days on the Lower East Side, where he grew up.

White Christmases were common in New York City at the turn of the 19th century, according to data from the National Weather Service. But by the time Mr. Berlin wrote the song at the end of the 1930s, New York City had not seen a white Christmas since 1930.

Initially, Mr. Kaplan said, Mr. Berlin had written an additional verse for the beginning of the song.

It went something like this: The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway. Theres never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A., but its December the 24th, and I am longing to be up north.

But thats not how the tune was sung by Bing Crosby, who cut that first verse and began with the familiar chorus: Im dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.Since then, others have uncovered the missing verse and added it to their own versions of the song.

Mr. Kaplan said that Mr. Crosbys recording of the song, as well as the beginning of World War II, was a huge accelerator for its fame and profitability. Because Bing Crosbys recording of the song was heard by soldiers and sailors overseas at the beginning of the war, he said.

The United States entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Mr. Crosbys recording was released the next year.

According to weather service data for Central Park, in the years after Mr. Berlin wrote the song, there wasnt snow on Christmas in New York until 1945, a few months after the end of the war.

This year, New Yorkers are once more in a white Christmas drought, with no snow forecast to be on the ground on Sunday or Monday. The last time New York City measured a snow depth or new snowfall of at least one inch on Christmas Day was in 2009.

Historically, New York City has had a white Christmas just 25 of the last 153 years, or about once every six years, according to the National Weather Service.

This year, most of the United States also looks likely to miss out on a classic holiday wonderland.
NYU is announcing the largest Early Decision I (EDI) applicant pool in its history, with an increase of 3% over last year. The university has more than tripled the number of EDI applications in the last decade, from 3,193 to 11,327. NYU continues to solidify its reputation and appeal among prospective students.

The increase comes amidst the introduction of The NYU Promise, an affordability/financial aid initiative unveiled by President Linda G. Mills, NYUs 17th president, in her inaugural speech in October 2023. The effort ensures that NYU meets admittees demonstrated financial need, provides yearly increases to keep up with increases in tuition, andbeginning with next years entering first-year classeliminates tuition for those whose families earn less than $100,000. Among the outcomes:

A 23% increase in students eligible for full-tuition scholarships.

A significant 10% increase in admitted students who will be the first in their families to attend college.

Over 330 students are expected to be eligible for a Pell Grant, a 36% increase from the previous year.

"We are thrilled to witness the continued enthusiasm and trust placed in NYU by students and families seeking an exceptional educational experience," expressed MJ Knoll-Finn, Senior Vice President for Global Enrollment Management and Student Success. "These admissions statistics show that were not only welcoming an outstanding cohort of admitted students, but also demonstrating that our commitment to inclusivity remains unwavering and that our ongoing efforts to ensure access to quality education for all deserving students have never been stronger."

The NYU Promise aligns with the university's broader commitment to supporting students' financial needs, promising to meet the full demonstrated need of admitted, first-time, first-year undergraduates over the course of their four years at NYUs New York campus. Over the last five years, NYUs average financial aid award has increased by over $20,000, from $33,424 to $55,559.

In support of the NYU Promise, the University is grateful for a very generous $20 million gift from the Berkley Family Foundation. The gift will help NYU provide tuition-free education to all first-year undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000 per year. This gift, and its creation of the Berkley Scholars Program, reflects the Foundations belief in the power of higher education at NYU. Trustees Chair emeritus William Berkley said, The fact that someone I never knew at NYU decided that I should receive a scholarship was a life-changing experience for me. It was nothing short of astonishing. That moment set me on my path to the American dream.

These remarkable statistics not only underscore NYU's commitment to academic excellence but also highlight its dedication to fostering socio-economic diversity and supporting first-generation college students, continued Knoll-Finn. The NYU Promise stands as a testament to the university's pledge to make quality education accessible to all, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder deserving students from achieving their academic dreams.
The International Food Information Council recommends a daily caffeine intake of 300 mg, while the FDA recommends 400 mg, but just one 12-ounce cup of Black Insomnia brew contains 702 mg of caffeine, which will definitely keep you up at night and may even cause some health problems.

Black Insomnia Coffee was founded in 2016 by South African coffee lover Sean Kristafor. From the very beginning, his goal was to create the strongest coffee in the world, and he managed to do it by using the stronger Robusta variety, instead of the more aromatic Arabica. The secret to its high caffeine content is apparently in the way that the coffee beans are roasted, but Kristafor is obviously not interested in revealing the process. He only says that they can make it considerably stronger, and actually had to dial it down a bit for the commercial version, just so it was safe to consume.

Launched in June of last year, Black Insomnia was originally only available in select cafes in Cape Town South Africa, but it was so successful there that by October, the brand had already expanded to 22 countries around the world, and since last month, its also available on Amazon US. The company claims it sells five to six tons of its signature Black Insomnia coffee every month, and it is barely keeping up with demand.

The worlds strongest coffee is a bold claim to make, so in order to provide clear proof of Black Insomnias potency, Sean Kristafor sent samples to a Swiss-based laboratory, where it was tested using liquid chromatography, and compaired against several other known strong coffees. It came out on top, with a caffeine content of 17.5 grams per kilograms.

By comparison, Death Wish, the previous holder of the worlds strongest coffee, came out at 13.2 grams of caffeine per kilogram during testing, and Wod Fee, a coffee blend with added caffeine, had 13.8 grams per kilogram. One kilogram of Starbucks dark roast coffee only contained 5 to 6 grams of caffeine.

Caffeine Informer reports that Black Insomnia has 58.5 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, while Dead Wish coffee scores 54.2mg. Starbucks dark roast contains 21.25mg, Red Bull energy drink has 9.46 mg, and Coca Cola has 2.8mg.

But these are all just numbers. How strong is Black Insomnia really? Well, strong enough to be put on the list of Most Dangerous Caffeinated Products featured on Caffeine Informer, and enough to cause palpitations in people with arrhythmias or those with a low caffeine tolerance. High doses of caffeine are also known to cause jitters, nervousness and insomnia.

Switching to a stronger coffee also increases your bodys tolerance to caffeine, as Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and professor of cardiovascular diseases, told TODAY.com. You will gain a higher caffeine tolerance because of the vasoconstriction, so the coffee you used to drink wont feel as effective in keeping you alert as before.

Black Insomnia may be the new worlds strongest coffee  a claim still disputed by Death Wish  but that only applies to coffee you can brew in your own home. If youre looking for the worlds strongest cup of coffee, just head over to Viscous Coffee cafe, in Adelaide, Australia, for some Asskicker. One cup of this ridiculously-strong coffee contains five grams of caffeine, 80 times more than a normal cup of java.
A prison in the Brazilian state of Santa Cantarina recently replaced its guard dogs with a flock of geese that supposedly make loud noises when they detect strange noises, like someone trying to escape.

In this day and age, prison complexes feature state-of-the-art detection systems that make it very difficult for inmates to escape undetected. Still, regardless of technological advancements, its always a good idea to have a backup analog detection system as well, in case the sophisticated stuff fails. Human guardians and guard dogs are usually the norm, but some prisons use some unlikely alternatives. For example, several prisons in Brazil have replaced guard dogs with geese, which they say are not only just as effective, if not more so, but also cheaper to maintain. Apparently, geese have very good hearing and will make loud noises whenever they detect strange noises, thus alerting the human guards.

Photo: Nick Fewings/Unsplash

We have electronic surveillance, in-person surveillance  and finally the surveillance of the geese, which replaced the dogs, prison director Marcos Roberto de Souza told Reuters. Nighttime is very quiet. Even during the day as you can see it is a very silent place and at night even more so The space favors this type of security in the case of the geese.

The flock of geese guards patrols a space between the prisons inner fence and its main outer wall.



Brazilian prisons have been relying on geese to keep inmates from escaping for at least 12 years now. Back in 2011, the Sobral prison in Sao Paolo made international news headlines for introducing a hissing flock of geese as a means of alerting the human guards to suspicious activity.

Interestingly, geese have been helping Chinese border patrols keep illegal immigrants at bay for at least two years now, as they are much better than dogs at detecting noises and leading their human caretakers to the source.
A group of South Korean students recently sued the Government for millions of dollars in damages because their teachers ended a life-changing exam 90 seconds earlier than they should have.

The Suneung, South Koreas college admission exam, is notoriously long and difficult, and its implications are literally life-changing. Not only do the results of the Suneung determine students college placements, but also their career options and relationships, so its no wonder that everyone, from the students and their families to the South Korean government takes the Suneung very seriously. During the 8-hour exam, South Korea closes its air space and delays the opening of the stock market to help students concentrate. So when a teacher recently ended the exam 90 seconds early, it was a very big deal with serious legal consequences.

Photo: Yustinus Tjiuwanda/Unsplash

The incident occurred at a test site in the capital Seoul, at the end of the first stage of the Suneung exam, Korean. Apparently, the bell rang 90 seconds earlier than it should have, and supervisors took students papers away despite their protests. However, the faculty acknowledged the mistake before the beginning of the following exam and tried to fix it by giving the one and a half minutes back during the lunch break. Unfortunately, students were only allowed to mark blank columns left on their papers, not change any of their existing answers.

The unusual incident was reportedly so traumatic for some of the students that they could no longer concentrate for the rest of the Suneung, and some even gave up completely and left the testing facility. On Tuesday, 39 of the students filed a lawsuit against the South Korean government, asking for 20 million won ($15,400) in compensation for each of them, the estimated cost of a year spent studying for the next Suneung.



The students lawyer, Kim Woo-suk, told journalists that education authorities had not yet apologized, adding that he was confident in success, especially considering the legal precedents. In April, a court of law awarded 7 million won ($5,250) to a group of Seoul students who claimed that the bell rang 2 minutes earlier during the 2021 Suneung.
Some clarity as emerged on the imminent arrival of Ukrainian refugees to Edenderry after misplaced rumours male refugees from other countries would be placed in the old shoe factory in the town.

Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribbin has had it confirmed that around 50 Ukrainian refugees will arrive in the coming weeks to be placed in the recently refurbished factory.

Clrr Cribrin said: "I have at both Edenderry Municipal Council meetings and at Offaly County Council meetings raised the issues of the proposed housing of Ukrainian refugees in Edenderry and for definite clarification as to who is coming, where they're coming from and a breakdown on the numbers of those coming.

"I looked for this in writing from Offaly Co Council who are liaising with the Dept of Intergration who run this programme so as I could pass on the response to the many who welcome these families, as I do, and to those that are hearing different stories."

He went on to share the clarity he has received: "The refugees are all coming from Ukraine with a mix of families, elderly people and single persons from Ukraine; its not confirmed but they are expecting 50, the accommodation at the old shoe factory" which will provide a fully equipped kitchen/dining facilities with separate recreational spaces, including TV area and childrens play area.

"The accommodation consists of 14 bedrooms of varying sizes. The building will be issued with a Fire Certificate by the builder to Offaly County Council prior to occupancy, there will be an operations manager on site daily to assist the residents with day to day queries they may have along with normal daily management of the facilities. There will also be full time security personnel initially but its hoped to phase it out gradually.

"There will also be cleaning and maintenance staff on site as required. All residents will have been processed through the Ukrainian Transit Hub in City West where they would have received there Temporary Protection Status which includes their personal PPS number and registration with the Department of Justice.

"Residents will also receive medical card and along with their PPS number which leaves them eligible to seek work which many of there fellow country people have done to date, other entitlements are permissions to stay for one year which can be extended, full access to the labour market, social welfare income supports, access to education and to medical care.

"A community Response Forum is operational in every county and their role is to coordinate the community led response in providing assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country," his statement continued.

He went on to say: "As the sitting Cathaoirleach of the Edenderry Municipal District, I, along with my elected colleagues, will work with all groups to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees into our community and to welcome them wholeheartedly to Edenderry and its my wish to have a welcoming party to meet and greet them when they arrive, probably at the end of January or February 2024.

"Finally, there are approximately 1,500 Ukrainian refugees in Offaly presently in Tullamore, Birr, Banagher, Kilcormac and Daingean with to date no issues or problems and they are all very grateful to the Irish people and Government for the warm welcome and supports that they are receiving in towns and villages all over Ireland. In total there are 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.

"I thank Offaly County Council for the comprehensive update and I hope this eases peoples' fears and concerns as to the refugees who are to move to Edenderry in the coming weeks and months."

This news comes as another Offaly community has objected strongly to a move that will see Ukrainian refugees moved out of their town.

Locals in Kilcormac unanimously said 'No' last week to a government plan to move a number of Ukrainian refugees out of the town to accommodation elsewhere.

Last Friday week, December 8, locals were shocked when letters were sent to 16 refugees living in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse stating they would be moved out of Casey's on Monday December 11th at midday and taken to accommodation in Daingean, Tullamore or Sligo.

There was an outcry in the town about this, Cllr John Leahy told The Midland Tribune, and a number of locals approached me and other local councillors asking us to do something about it. They said to me the Ukrainian refugees had settled well in the town and this was an unkind way to treat them, a bolt out of the blue lacking in compassion. I contacted the Council executive who in turn contacted the Governmental Department, and we got it stopped. I think the Department were a bit taken aback by the level of opposition to moving the 16 refugees.

The Council told the Department that the 16 refugees could be moved to the convent in Kilcormac and the Department agreed to this.

He said the Ukrainians will therefore move to the convent bringing the number of Ukrainian refugees living in there to 60.

The councillor pointed out that the convent is sufficiently big to adequately accommodate 60 people. There are rules, he stated, regarding the square footage which each person should be given in their accommodation and the convent situation is abiding by this.

The refugees have settled well in Kilcormac since they moved here last Spring. They are now part of the community. Their children are attending our schools.

The letters received by the refugees in Casey's Bar were sent by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Most of the people accommodated in Casey's were family units, mothers and children, most of whom are attending local schools. Locals said treating these people in this way just two weeks before Christmas was appalling. They pointed out, in an email sent to The Midland Tribune, that the families are settled in Kilcormac and with the children in schools, and it would have been very disruptive moving them at short notice like this."

Some locals believe the convent is crowded and is now over capacity, which is creating further problems, however the people were happy to be able to stay in Kilcormac for the time being. Cllr Leahy reiterated that the accommodation set-up is sticking to the rules.

The concerned locals were very unhappy with the way the people were treated and weren't pleased with the contents of the letter sent to them from the Department, which they felt "lacked compassion for the people concerned. The letter also stated that the refugees would not be able to bring their pets with them when they moved to Tullamore, Daingean or Sligo (this passage was highlighted).

This is the letter sent to the 16 refugees by the Department:

As a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection, you were accommodated in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse. However it is no longer possible to accommodate you at this location and, accordingly, new accommodation is being provided.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for the provision of suitable short term emergency accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive who indicate that they require assistance in obtaining accommodation.

Given the large number of people seeking assistance with short term emergency accommodation, it is not possible to facilitate requests for accommodation of a certain type or in a particular location except on specific medical or disability grounds, as verified by the HSE. You should note that at present almost all accommodation on offer is temporary in nature and further moves may be required into the future. You should be aware that in some instances accommodation provided may be shared with other Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. It is also important to note that parents with children under 18 will be responsible, at all times, for their children in such settings.

A further reminder in relation to any residents who have pets in the accommodation, please ensure that you have secured appropriate accommodation for your pet, as the Department cannot provide for any accommodation for pets at future facilities.

It is also important to note that due to acute shortage of accommodation available, should you refuse an offer of re-location to alternative suitable accommodation, you will not receive further offers of accommodation from DCEDIY. You will not be permitted to remain in your current accommodation, if alternative accommodation has been allocated to you. You will not be permitted access to CityWest Transit Hub.

You are, of course, free to source your own accommodation. If you do so please inform the Department so that an accurate record may be maintained.

If you have children of school going age who are current enrolled in local schools, you can contact Tusla Education Support Services to arrange for re-enrolment in schools servicing the local area where your new accommodation is located.

Please bring belongings with you, including any medication that may have been prescribed for you, to your new accommodation, Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

Kind regards

Ukrainian Temporary Accommodation Team.

It was not clear why the Department decided it wanted to move the refugees from their original accommodation or what was to become of that accommodation when it had been vacated.

The locals ended their email to this newspaper stating, The Ukrainians residents have integrated well into life in Kilcormac and have been an addition to the town. We were therefore very annoyed to see them being treated in this manner by the Department.
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Results of 2023 for Etalon Corporation's manufacturers of vehicles and automotive components'

On Wednesday, December 27, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference of Etalon Corporation entitled "Results of 2023 for Etalon Corporation's manufacturers of vehicles and automotive components."

Participants include

President of Etalon Corporation Volodymyr Butko;

Director General of Chernihiv Automobile Plant LLC Oleksandr Verhulevsky;

Director General of Ukrainian Cardan LLC Anatoliy Potapenko;

Director of Etalon Auto Trading House LLC Vadym Shkarupin;

Director of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Etalon Corporation Serhiy Borodukha (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot using editorial IDs. Details by phone: (050) 356 2467 (Viktor Husyev).
COUNCIL planners have given the go-ahead for a telecommunications mast near Kinnitty which had been the subject of numerous local objections.

Vantage Towers sought permission to erect the 30-metre mast at Kiltubbrid Island, Kinnitty and the application was backed by Vodafone who told Offaly County Council it will be needed for the rollout of mobile wireless broadband services.

A group of local residents engaged a Dublin-based planning consultant, RW Nowlan & Associates, to prepare an observation in which they set out their difficulties with the proposal.

More than 40 names, including many couples living in the area, were in the observation which listed general concerns, mentioned the presence of a national monument and referred to excessive height.

The site in Kiltubbrid Island townland is 4km from Kinnitty village and 11km from Birr in what the residents said is a tranquil rural location.

The arguments put forward by the operators are seen largely as opportunist and that the subject site is not the most appropriate location for this proposed mast, the document submitted by the residents' planning consultant said.

In addition, we would note that the applicant has held no pre-planning consultations with the local community, and hence the strong response with the number of people seeking to raise their concerns in this submission.

The residents pointed out that a ringfort is located 360 metres from the mast and the proximity of the communications tower would have major implications for the [overall] setting which the monument is located in.

They said it is the council's policy to deter development that would have potentially damaging impact on the historical character and cultural and social importance of the area.

They referred to the visual impact and the presence nearby of Knockbarron Woods: It is considered that what is proposed will have major implications for the loss of amenity and enjoyment to the Knockbarron Woods for locals and also tourists, and is directly contrary to Development plan stated policy.

The residents said that because the site for the mast is at an elevation of between 120 and 130 metres, the total height will be up to 160 metres.

They said the developer has made no effort to locate a mast/tower in an area that would provide cover by way of landscaping but has proposed to locate a 30-metre tower in an elevated site with very little thought for the impacts it will have on the surrounding landscape.

One resident also referred to the impact on bees and pollination.

Responding, the mast company said telecommunications coverage in Kinnitty village and surrounding areas is inadequate and with 3G being switched off, the new structure is the only way to enhance 4G coverage and introduce 5G.

The site is the only option and the developer said there will be no significant impact on the ringfort and concerns about impact on the Knockbarron Woods eco walk 1.5km away are unfounded.

Thirty metres was said to be the lowest height at which Vodafone could secure the coverage and line of sight needed in the target area of Kinnitty.

The height of 30m will enable the introduction of more modern technologies, such as 4G and 5G, in the Vodafone network and is available for other operators.

The council granted permission on December 7 and if there is to be an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, it must be lodged within four weeks of that date.
THE GOAL Mile will see over 25,000 people running or walking a mile, in 150 locations in villages, towns, and cities across Ireland this Christmas, including Birr, to raise funds for some of the worlds poorest and most vulnerable communities in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

This year in Co. Offaly, three GOAL Miles will be taking place in the following locations,

Emmet Square, Birr, Christmas Day, 1pm

Edenderry AC Seniors, Derry Rovers Track, St Stephen's Day, 10am

Kilclonfert GAA, St Stephen's Day.

Speaking about her participation in the GOAL Mile, Anne Cassin, RTE Nationwide Presenter said The GOAL Mile is a beloved Christmas tradition for thousands of families across Ireland, including my own. Our family of five runs the Tallaght GOAL Mile every year and after that we jump into the Forty Foot and then head home for Turkey. Last year, GOAL reached 14.6 million people with their humanitarian programmes which centre on providing healthcare, nutrition, livelihood support, and safe water and sanitation facilities to some of the worlds most disadvantaged communities. So, I hope lots of other families will go the extra mile this Christmas and sign up for their local GOAL Mile in aid of GOALs life-saving work around the world.

Also launching the GOAL Mile 2023 campaign, Eamon Sharkey, Director, Fundraising and Communications, GOAL said, During 2023, we have witnessed a deadly mix of crises because of conflict and natural disaster across the world and GOAL has responded to all these crises, helping communities affected move from crisis to resilience. We are now asking people across Ireland to register for their local GOAL Mile and make whatever contribution they can so that we can continue this life-saving work.

GOAL Miles are run all over the Island (NI and ROI) across Christmas and Stephens Day, with over 150 locations confirmed. To register and take part in a GOAL Mile near you this Christmas, please visit https://www.goalmile.org .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Baku has hosted a presentation of the Azerbaijan Rapid Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF) by the World Bank, Trend reports.

Leyla Taghiyeva, the AZTAF program coordinator, stated during the presentation that the initiative includes advisory help for the Azerbaijani government.

"AZTAF aims to improve the management of government institutions and the public sector, stimulate economic reforms, increase social inclusion and communication, and contribute to the effective recovery process following COVID-19," she explained.

Taghiyeva noted that nine components of technical assistance are funded within AZTAF.

"The program is aligned with the five national priorities and the socio-economic development strategy for 2022-2026. The total budget of the program is 5.25 million euro," she also said.

According to her, the implementation of the program is expected to continue until April 2025.

"AZTAF is implemented in line with four EU priorities: stronger governance, a stronger economy, connectivity and resilience, and a stronger society," added Taghiyeva.

Taghiyeva also mentioned that the components of technical assistance include such areas as technical support for the preparation of the "smart village" program, assistance in implementing reforms in reporting and corporate governance in government institutions, strengthening the system of public procurement, and enhancing water safety.

According to her, the aforementioned assistance also includes digital communication for inclusivity and competitiveness, technical assistance to support the identification of investment opportunities for energy efficiency interventions in public buildings and the establishment of an energy efficiency regulatory framework, addressing gender discrimination in the workplace, supporting women in business, and improving the disability determination system.

Shams Mustafayeva, consultant to the World Bank's Baku office, spoke about the importance of preparing and approving an official corporate strategy to ensure equal opportunities and the principle of increasing the share of women in managerial and technical positions.

She stressed that it's recommended to ensure reporting on gender equality issues, increase awareness and knowledge of the issues, establish corporate leadership and an equal opportunities strategy.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Green Light Ahead! Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project's Corridor 4 Nears Groundwork

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

After facing several months of delays, the South Western Railway (SWR) is on the brink of green-lighting the alignment for Corridor 4 in the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project in the coming days. This nod includes the provision of the necessary land, marking a crucial step toward initiating civil contracts and commencing groundwork on Corridor 4.

The progress follows a significant reduction in the railway land requirement, downscaling from 194.07 acres to 115.472 acres. This reduction was prompted by the imperative to quadruple train tracks between Baiyappanahalli and Hosur, a 41 km section falling within Corridor 4.

An official from Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) explained, "We've adjusted the railway land requirement according to revised guidelines, factoring in the quadrupling project. Our tracks will now be positioned slightly away from the railway line, necessitating about 5% more private land."

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The Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, spanning 149 km, is a joint venture between the state government and the railways, with the latter contributing most of the land and holding final decision-making power on alignment approvals.

The SWR appears "satisfied" with the revised land requirement. Pending "minor" adjustments, it is expected to approve the alignment plan for Corridor 4 within a week, followed promptly by land transfer, anticipated to conclude by month-end.

The railways will transfer the land at a nominal cost of Re one per acre.

Kusuma Hariprasad, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Administration), Bengaluru, confirmed the requisition of 115 acres by K-RIDE and assured prompt processing of the request, as reported by Deccan Herald.

The ongoing quadrupling of the Baiyappanahalli-Hosur railway line is assured not to impede the land transfer process. A pre-feasibility/Detailed Project Report for this quadrupling is expected to be ready in a week.

Corridor 4, also known as the Kanaka Line, will cover 46.88 km, connecting Heelalige in southern Bengaluru to Rajanukunte in the northern suburbs, featuring 19 stations, including Carmelaram, Benniganahalli, Channasandra, and Yelahanka.

Bengaluru: Yeshwantpur Being Developed As World-Class Railway Station: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Although civil work tenders for Corridor 4 were initiated in January, pending were the approval of the alignment and the transfer of required railway land. L&T Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder in July, but the contract remained pending due to these uncertainties.

K-RIDE, having completed geotechnical investigations and pre-construction work for Corridor 4, aims to award the civil work contract to L&T Ltd in January 2024 upon receiving alignment approval and railway land. Station tenders will be issued separately.

Groundwork has commenced for Corridor 2 (Mallige Line), while Corridors 1 and 3 are slated for tendering in early 2024 among the project's other corridors. The revised project deadline is set for 2028.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 18:02 [IST]
Year Ender 2023: Bengaluru's Headlines That Defined The City

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

As 2023 draws to a close, we take a look back at the headlines that shaped Bengaluru. From political controversies to infrastructural milestones, environmental concerns to social issues, Bengaluru grappled with a diverse set of challenges and moments of triumph this year. Let's revisit some of the defining headlines:

1. Amul-Nandini Face-off:

The year began with a bitter tussle between dairy giants Amul and Nandini. Amul's entry into the Karnataka market threatened Nandini's dominance, sparking debates about the impact on local farmers and consumers. The issue eventually calmed down with both brands coexisting in the market, but it highlighted the competitive landscape of the dairy industry in Bengaluru.

2. Karnataka Scraps Anti-conversion Law:

The controversial Karnataka Prevention of Unlawful Conversions of Religion Act, 2023, was scrapped by the state government in February. The law, facing criticism for being discriminatory and violating religious freedom, was a polarizing issue that dominated headlines for months.

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3. Shakti Scheme, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi: Users Irate Over High Bills:

While government schemes like Shakti (free LPG cylinders for women), Gruha Lakshmi (subsidy for electricity bills), and Gruha Jyothi (free LED bulbs) aimed to provide relief to residents, many faced unexpected spikes in their electricity bills. This led to public outrage and accusations of mismanagement, prompting the government to investigate and introduce corrective measures.

4. Cauvery Issue and Bengaluru Bandh:

The dispute over sharing the Cauvery river waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu flared up again this year, leading to a bandh (shut down) in Bengaluru in September. The ongoing water sharing dispute continues to be a sensitive issue with significant implications for both states.

5. City Soars with ISRO:

Bengaluru, India's space hub, had several reasons to celebrate in 2023. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched several missions, including the PSLV-C54 carrying EOS-06 satellite and the Cartosat-3 satellite.

6. Namma Metro Purple Line, BMTC Feeder Buses:

Bengaluru's public transportation system saw significant expansion in 2023. The much-awaited Namma Metro Purple Line became operational, connecting Kengeri to Baiyappanahalli and improving east-west connectivity in the city. Additionally, the introduction of BMTC feeder buses aimed to provide last-mile connectivity to metro stations, making public transport more accessible for commuters.

Govt School Students In Karnataka Forced To Clean Toilets, Headmistress Suspended

7. Heavy Metals in Vegetables Cross Safe Limits:

A study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) revealed alarming levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in vegetables grown in and around Bengaluru. This environmental concern highlighted the need for stricter regulations and sustainable agricultural practices to protect the city's food security.

8. Bengaluru Tops the List of Cybercrime Cases in India:

As the IT capital of India, Bengaluru unfortunately also leads the country in cybercrime cases. From phishing scams to online fraud, cybercrime poses a significant threat to residents and businesses in the city. Raising awareness and strengthening cybersecurity measures remain crucial challenges.

9. City Sees Highest Number of Acid Attacks:

2023 saw a shocking rise in acid attacks in Bengaluru, making the city notorious for this heinous crime. This social issue demands stricter punishment for perpetrators and improved support for victims to ensure their safety and rehabilitation.

10. Ban on Carpooling:

The Karnataka government's decision to ban carpooling within the city limits in May 2023 sparked controversy and public backlash. The ban, aimed at controlling traffic congestion, was later partially lifted to allow carpooling with female passengers or children.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 17:32 [IST]
Which Is The Best City For Women In India In 2023? The Answer Is...

Madras HC Slaps Rs 1 Lakh Fine On Mansoor Ali Khan Over Case Against Trisha, Khushbu

Chennai

oi-Prakash KL

The Madras High Court on Friday slapped Rs 1 lakh fine after he filed a defamation case against actress Trisha Krishnan, BJP leader Khushbu and Telugu actor Chiranjeevi over their comments criticising him on his sexist comments.

Justice N Satish Kumar said that the actor had sought court intervention for publicity and imposed a fine of Rs 1 Lakh to be paid to Adyar Cancer Institute. The court also noted that the actors' reactions to derogatory comments against women were a normal human response, which did not warrant the filing of a defamation suit, according to Live Law website.

In an interview, Khan had said that he had signed Vijay's 'Leo' believing that he would get "bedroom" scenes with Trisha, but the makers did not even show her on the sets. "When I heard that I was acting with Trisha, I thought there would be a bedroom scene in the film. I thought that I could carry her to the bedroom just like I did with other actresses in my earlier movies. I have done so many rape scenes in a number of movies and it's not new to me. But these guys didn't even show Trisha to me on the sets during the Kashmir schedule," ANI quoted him as saying.

BJP leader and member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) Khushbu Sundar has said that actiuon will be taken against him. "As a member of NCW, I have already taken up the issue of Mansoor Ali Khan with my senior and will be taking an action on it. Nobody can get away with such a filthy mind. I stand with @trishtrashers and my other colleagues where this man speaks in such a sexist disgusting mindset about them, including me," Sundar posted on X. "When we are fighting tooth and nail to protect women and bring dignity to them, such men are like a bot in our society," the BJP leader added in his post.

Mansoor Ali Khan Sues Trisha Krishnan, Chiranjeevi And Kushboo Sundar For 1 Crore

Telugu Megastar Chiranjeevi condemned the Tamil actor's comments and extended his support. He said, "My attention was drawn to some reprehensible comments made by actor Mansoor Ali Khan about Trisha.

The comments are distasteful and disgusting not just for an Artiste but for any woman or girl. These comments must be condemned in the strongest words. They reek of perversion.

I stand with @trishtrashers and every woman who has to be subject to such horrid comments."

Later, Khan issued an apology, but surprisingly, days later he sent defamation suits to Trisha, Khushbu and Chiranjeevi.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 15:23 [IST]
As Mercury Dips, Chandigarh Schools Asked To Go Online Up To Class 8 Till Jan 13

Amit Shah Inaugurates Projects, Lays Foundation Stones in Chandigarh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated nine projects and laid the foundation stones for three more during an event in Chandigarh. The projects are valued at an estimated Rs 368 crore.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated nine projects and laid the foundation stones for three more during an event in Chandigarh on Friday. The projects, valued at an estimated Rs 368 crore, are aimed at improving various aspects of the city's infrastructure and services.

Inaugurated Projects

The projects inaugurated by Shah include the Administrative Block-C degree wing at the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET), the Himalaya Hostel in the Punjab Engineering College at Sector 12, a sewage treatment plant at Diggian, augmentation of the existing sewage treatment plant at Raipur Kalan, and 192 houses in the Chandigarh Police complex, Dhanas.

Shah also inaugurated the Cyber Operation and Security Centre (CenCOPS) in Chandigarh, which is aimed at enhancing the city's cybersecurity capabilities.

Foundation Stones Laid

The Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for an effluent treatment plant at the Government Multi Specialty Hospital at Sector 16, Government High School in Sarangpur, and the Government High School in Karsan.

Addressing the Gathering

Speaking at the event, Shah emphasized the need for Chandigarh to maintain its top position among cities in the country. He said that many projects related to cleanliness, education, security, residential facilities, and higher education have been initiated at a cost of nearly Rs 400 crore.

Shah also highlighted the importance of technology in policing and encouraged youngsters to participate in hackathons to resolve the country's problems.

Appointment Letters Distributed

During the event, 744 youngsters were given appointment letters as assistant sub-inspectors and constables. Shah said that different challenges, particularly with regard to technology, are before the police and encouraged youngsters to use their knowledge to resolve these challenges.

Historic Day for Chandigarh

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who was also present at the event, referred to the projects as a historic day for Chandigarh. He expressed gratitude to Shah for his guidance and foresight in taking Chandigarh ahead.

Purohit also expressed confidence that Chandigarh will soon become one of the cleanest cities in the country with the full cooperation of the people.

The inauguration of these projects and the laying of foundation stones for future developments mark a significant step forward in enhancing the infrastructure and services of Chandigarh. These initiatives are expected to improve the quality of life for residents and contribute to the city's overall growth and development.
Bhagavad Gita Holds Solutions to Societal Problems, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah believes the Bhagavad Gita contains solutions to all of societys problems and should be shared worldwide.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Kurukshetra, December 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the profound significance of the Bhagavad Gita and its universal message during his address at the Sant Sammelan in Kurukshetra on Friday. Shah asserted that the solutions to all societal problems lie within the teachings of the Gita, and it is imperative that its message reaches every corner of India and the world.

Revival of the Bhagavad Gita

Shah acknowledged the efforts of numerous seers and mahatmas who have dedicated themselves to the revival of the Bhagavad Gita throughout India's 75 years of Independence. He shared his interactions with scholars worldwide, who unanimously believe that the Gita's message holds the key to resolving global challenges.

The Message of the Gita

Referring to the Mahabharata, Shah highlighted the sacredness of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna imparted the teachings of the Gita to Arjuna over 5,000 years ago. He mentioned that certain intellectuals, including those associated with the defense sector, expressed their belief that widespread dissemination of the Gita's message could potentially eliminate war from the world.

However, Shah clarified that the Gita's teachings were not merely about inspiring individuals to engage in battles. Instead, they emphasized the importance of recognizing one's dharma and fighting for a righteous cause, as exemplified by Lord Krishna's guidance to Arjuna.

Personal Impact of the Gita

Shah shared his personal experiences and the profound impact of the Gita, which he learned from his mother during his childhood. He credited the teachings of the Gita for helping him navigate life's challenges without succumbing to disappointment or pain.

International Gita Festival

The Union Home Minister highlighted the significance of the International Gita Festival, which has been organized annually since 2016, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for such an event. This year, Assam serves as the partner state for the festival.

Cultural and Religious Renaissance

Shah commended Prime Minister Modi's efforts in reawakening the sense of self within India during his tenure as Prime Minister. He emphasized the BJP's commitment to upholding the nation's culture and incorporating it as a guiding force in policymaking.

Shah cited the successful abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the region's complete integration with the rest of India, as a significant achievement. He also mentioned the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, the Mahakal Lok corridor in Ujjain, and the inauguration of the Mata Sharda Devi temple in Kashmir as notable accomplishments of the NDA government.

Shah concluded his address by highlighting the installation of the Sengol, a historical scepter from Tamil Nadu, in the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building, as a testament to Prime Minister Modi's dedication to preserving India's cultural heritage.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, yoga guru Ramdev, and Swami Gyananand Maharaj were among the dignitaries present at the event.
Chandrayaan-3: A Global Symbol of Indias Technological Prowess

Indias Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its successful soft landing on the lunar south pole, has captured the worlds attention, highlighting Indias growing capabilities in space exploration and its potential to drive transformative development.

India

-Krishna Kripa

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, expressed his pride in the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the lunar south pole, which garnered admiration from a large part of the world. Speaking at an event, Jaishankar emphasized India's strategy of maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks in the realm of technology, recognizing its immense potential for leapfrogging development.

Chandrayaan-3: A Milestone in India's Space Program

Jaishankar recounted his experience accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS meeting when the Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the moon. He described the overwhelming sense of admiration and pride expressed by African leaders and the global community for India's achievement. Chandrayaan-3 marked India's third mission to the moon and its second attempt at a soft landing on the lunar surface. With this feat, India became the fourth country after Russia, the US, and China to perform a soft landing on the moon and the first to touch down on its uncharted south pole.

India's Technological Prowess

Jaishankar highlighted India's technological prowess during his address at the 20th National Summit Take Pride 2023, organized by Young Indians, the Confederation of Indian Industry's youth wing. He observed that when people think about India, three Ts come to mind: talent, technology, and tradition. Referring to his visit to Sweden for a business meeting, Jaishankar mentioned that discussions centered around India's 5G network and its rapid rollout, which impressed representatives from Nordic countries.

The minister emphasized that several Fortune 500 companies are increasing their investments in India due to the country's abundant talent pool. He described Brand India as a combination of what India is and who Indians are, with achievements and contributions further enhanced by the nation's heritage and culture.

India's Strategy in a Technology-Driven World

In a technology-driven world, Jaishankar reiterated India's strategy of maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks. He acknowledged the immense potential of technology for leapfrogging development and expressed pride in India's digital public infrastructure, which has garnered global admiration. The minister concluded by stating that the Amrit Kaal belongs to young Indians and that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has laid a strong foundation during this decade to realize the goal of Viksit Bharat, a developed India.
Chhattisgarh Cabinet Expansion: 9 BJP MLAs Sworn In As Ministers

India

oi-PTI

Nine ministers were on Friday inducted into the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led cabinet in Chhattisgarh, taking its strength to 12.

Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered oath of office and secrecy to nine MLAs, including a woman lawmaker, during a function held here at Raj Bhavan.

Two deputy chief ministers - Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma - had earlier taken oath on December 13 when Sai was sworn in as the chief minister. The lawmakers who took oath on Friday include eight-term MLA Brijmohan Agrawal, senior party leaders and former ministers Ramvichar Netam, Kedar Kashyap and Dayaldas Baghel.

IAS-turned-politician OP Choudhary, Tank Ram Verma and Laxmi Rajwade, all first-time MLAs, and second-time legislators Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and Lakhanlal Dewangan have also been appointed as ministers. CM Sai, his predecessor Bhupesh Baghel and assembly speaker Raman Singh were present on the occasion. After this expansion, the cabinet has six members belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), three from the Scheduled Tribes, one from the Scheduled Caste and two from the general category.

BJP's Vishnu Deo Sai Sworn-In As Chhattisgarh CM, 2 Deputies Appointed

Rajwade is the only woman member in the cabinet. The portfolios of the ministers are yet to be announced. The Chhattisgarh cabinet can have 13 ministers at most, including the chief minister.

The state has 90 assembly seats. The BJP came back to power in the state by ousting the Congress in the assembly polls held on November 7 and 17, whose results were declared on December 3. The BJP won 54 seats, while the Congress bagged only 35, down from the 68 seats it had won in the 2018 polls.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 12:50 [IST]
Five Jawans Killed In Jammu And Kashmir's Poonch Terror Ambush

India

oi-Prakash KL

Five jawans were killed and a few others injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch after terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles, officials said on Friday.

The two army vehicles came under attack at a blind curve at a spot known as Dhatyar Morh between Dera ki Gali (DKG) area and Bulfiaz. It came when the carrying personnel were carrying out an active operation to nab terrorists.

"An operation was being conducted in general area DKG since the night of Wednesday. At approximately 3:45pm on Thursday, two army vehicles carrying troops to the operational site were fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by army troops," Hindustan Times quoted defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal as saying.

"However, in the ongoing operation, our own troops sustained three fatal (killed in action) and three non fatal (injured) casualties," he added.

It is the sixth incident of its kind since October 2021 in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, situated south of Pir Panjal. Across these six attacks, a total of 29 army personnel, including two captains and two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), have lost their lives.

Even though the location of Thursday's incident wasn't as close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan as certain other areas where the six attacks occurred, intelligence officials familiar with the situation said that it remained a treacherous region.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 8:37 [IST]
As we previously reported, Kapital Bank, Azerbaijan's first bank, in collaboration with SUP.VC to launch a series of unique events centered around one of the most relevant topics of our time  databases. The project, continuing until the end of the year, hosted its latest event in the "Data Talk" format. Participants engaged with speakers, addressing questions and gathering insights during the session.

Various topics such as "Automation of Claim Handling Processes in Insurance sector" and "Management of Risk Models" concerning sustainable databases were discussed during the event.

Among the professional experts and individuals interested in the data field attending the event, the primary speaker was Javid Huseynov, from Kapital Bank's Analytical CoE in the field of data science. With extensive experience in risk management and modeling, Javid Huseynov got his education in computer science at the Azerbaijan-French University. He began his career as an artificial intelligence engineer at "Neuroil" and continued as a specialist in risk models at "Unibank." During this period, he contributed to the development of scoring models in retail and business directions. Since 2021, he has been continuing his career at Kapital Bank.

Ulvi Salman, the head of Data Sciences stream at PASHA Insurance, was also an expert at the event. He pursued studies in Economic Analysis at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. Starting his career as a data specialist at "Azersun Holding" he is the author of extensive research on risk models. Since 2022, he has started his career at PASHA Insurance.

Kapital Bank's initiative provides significant opportunities for professionals in the database field and those interested in developing themselves, fostering both experience exchange and the creation of new connections.

Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, is part of PASHA Holding. Kapital Bank has the largest service network in Azerbaijan with 117 branches and 31 departments all over the country. For more detailed information about the Banks products and services, please refer to https://kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the Banks various social network pages. To apply for a consumer loan visit https://kbl.az/krdt, for a Birbank installment card visit https://kbl.az/tkstcrd.
India Invites French President Macron To Be Republic Day Chief Guest

India

pti-PTI

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 that would make him the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious occasion, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

India had invited US President Joe Biden to be the Republic Day chief guest but he expressed inability to travel to New Delhi in January. The reasons for Biden's decision are believed to be influenced by the State of the Union address in late January or early February, his re-election bid and Washington's increasing focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict.

French President Macron has been invited as the Republic Day chief guest, the people cited above said. There is no official word on the invitation yet. New Delhi's invitation to Macron for the Republic Day celebrations comes amid a rapid upswing in ties between the two countries including in areas of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment and new technologies.

Joe Biden Unlikely To Visit India For Republic Day Celebrations, Quad Summit Postponed

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Bastille Day parade, which is part of the French National Day celebrations, as the guest of honour. In the same month, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

France has already responded to India's initial tender for buying the jets. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain including in the Indian Ocean Region. The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Macron is set to be the sixth French leader to attend the Republic Day celebrations.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations. In 2020, then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.

US President Biden Invited For Republic Day Celebration In India

In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016. In 2014, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac. The then British Prime Minister John Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as then South African President in 1995 while South Korean President President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.
India Takes Charge: Co-Chairing IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR

India has taken on a significant role as co-chair of the IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR, demonstrating its commitment to regional cooperation and ensuring a secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean.

India

-Krishna Kripa

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New Delhi, December 22: India has assumed the role of co-chair of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Working Groups on Maritime Security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the upcoming cycle. The eighth IONS Conclave of Chiefs was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 19 to 22, with the participation of chiefs of navies and senior delegates from 27 member and observer countries.

Indian Navy Chief Attends Conclave

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, accompanied by a three-member naval delegation, attended the conclave. During the event, Thailand assumed the duties of chair of IONS, and the work plan for the next two years was finalized. Notably, a flag designed by India was selected as the official IONS flag.

India's Role in IONS

In addition to co-chairing the IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR, India also welcomed the Republic of Korea Navy as the latest observer, bringing the total membership of IONS to 25 members and nine observers.

Visit to INS Kadmatt

During his time in Bangkok, Admiral Kumar visited INS Kadmatt, where he interacted with the ship's crew and commended their successful long-range deployment. The ship's visit coincided with the IONS conclave, symbolizing the Indian Navy's commitment to the Indian Ocean Region multilateral construct of the 21st century.

India's active participation in IONS reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. By taking on leadership roles and contributing to the work of the organization, India is playing a vital role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
BJD, BJP Clash Over Kamiya Janis Jagannath Temple Entry

The BJD and BJP engaged in a heated social media debate over Kamiya Janis entry into the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The BJP accused a BJD leader of aiding her entry, while the BJD claimed she had previously worked with top BJP leaders on Hindu heritage films.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a recent turn of events, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha found themselves embroiled in a heated social media exchange over the entry of social media influencer Kamiya Jani into the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. The controversy stemmed from Jani's alleged promotion of beef consumption on her YouTube channel, raising concerns among BJP members about her presence in the temple, where non-Hindus are prohibited from entering.

BJP Raises Concerns, BJD Retaliates

The BJP initiated the debate by questioning how an individual associated with promoting beef consumption was granted access to the 12th-century shrine. This prompted a strong response from BJD MP Manas Mangaraj, who took to social media to counter the allegations. Mangaraj highlighted Jani's previous engagements with prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, where she had collaborated on films promoting Hindu heritage and temples. He shared screenshots of photos featuring Jani that were shared by these leaders on their social media handles, questioning their sudden objection to her visit to the Jagannath Temple.

BJD Questions BJP's Motives

Mangaraj further accused the BJP of intolerance towards the significant progress made in the development of the Sri Mandir, suggesting that their criticism of Jani was merely a means to undermine the BJD's efforts. He pointed out that Jani had previously visited other prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites, such as Char Dham and the Ayodhya Ram Temple, without facing any objections from the BJP.

BJP Responds, SJTA Denies Allegations

In response to Mangaraj's post, BJP MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, a close aide of Pradhan, defended the party's stance, asserting that attempts to conceal the truth would only serve to expose it further. He questioned the appropriateness of promoting Mahaprasad, a sacred offering, by someone associated with promoting beef consumption.

Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) released a statement denying allegations that Jani had taken video cameras inside the temple premises. They emphasized that such claims were baseless and invited anyone with evidence to present it for investigation and appropriate action.

Jani Defends Her Visit

Amidst the controversy, Kamiya Jani took to Instagram to defend her visit to the Jagannath Temple. She asserted her mission as an Indian to promote Indian culture and heritage globally, highlighting her previous visits to various Jyotirlingas and Char Dhams. She clarified that she neither consumes nor has ever consumed beef, expressing surprise at the controversy surrounding her temple visit.

The social media spat between the BJD and BJP over Kamiya Jani's temple visit underscores the complexities of religious and cultural sensitivities in contemporary India. As political parties engage in debates over the preservation of traditions and the promotion of inclusivity, it remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold and impact the ongoing discourse on religious practices and social media influence.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal To Be Arrested Today? Roads To His Residence Blocked

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Says ED Summons Illegal: 'BJP Wants To Stop Me From Campaigning'

Kejriwal Gets 3rd Summons From ED In Delhi Excise Policy Case

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Enforcement Directorate issued its third summon to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, requiring his appearance on January 3, according to news agency ANI.

Failure to comply with this third summons could prompt the Enforcement Directorate to pursue a non-bailable warrant against the AAP chief.

Earlier, Kejriwal was summoned on December 21 but chose to forego attending the ED session, heading instead to Punjab for a 10-day vipassana camp.

Earlier interactions saw Kejriwal skipping the ED summons, terming them as "vague, motivated, and legally unsustainable." He preferred conducting an election roadshow in Madhya Pradesh in response to a summons on November 2.

Questioning the legality of the summon, Kejriwal urged the ED to retract it, citing political motives aimed at hindering his election campaigning in four states.

Kejriwal Replies To ED, Says Summons Politically Motivated, Illegal

The ED probe revolves around allegations concerning the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, accusing it of favoring specific liquor traders and fostering cartelization, an accusation refuted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The policy was eventually scrapped, leading the Delhi lieutenant governor to recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, resulting in the ED registering a case under the PMLA.

Kejriwal is the fifth AAP leader embroiled in legal controversies, following Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Sanjay Singh, and Raaj Kumar Anand, who was also raided in early November. Currently, Sisodia and Singh are under arrest in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

It was announced that Kejriwal would embark on a 10-day Vipassana meditation course on December 19 at an undisclosed location, as per Delhi government officials.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 20:43 [IST]
Relief For 303 Indians Stranded In France: Plane Grounded Over 'Human Trafficking' Cleared To Fly To Mumbai

Is The New France PM, Attal, The Youngest In The World?

France Grounds Plane With 303 Indians Over Suspected Human Trafficking, Embassy Says Probing Incident

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A plane bound for Nicaragua with over 300 Indian passengers has been grounded in France due to suspected involvement in "human trafficking," authorities revealed, as reported by AFP.

The Indian embassy in France confirmed the situation, stating, "French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers," on X (formerly Twitter).

Following an anonymous tipoff, Paris prosecutors revealed that the aircraft, carrying 303 Indian passengers, was grounded. The flight originating from the United Arab Emirates prompted a judicial inquiry into the purpose and circumstances of the journey, reported Reuters citing local media.

The plane, operated by a Romanian charter company, made a technical stop at the Vatry airport, where law enforcement intervened. Initially, passengers remained on the aircraft, but the airport's arrival lounge was later converted into a temporary waiting area with individual beds.

Off-Duty Pilot Who Tried To Shut Down Plane Engines Mid-Air Was On Magic Mushrooms

Police have sealed off the airport where several individuals remain confined, prompting an investigation into the nature of the trip. Local officials mentioned to BBC that some passengers might be undocumented migrants.

France's national anti-organized crime unit JUNALCO has taken charge of the investigation, stated prosecutors to AFP. The A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, "remains grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing," they added.

Sources revealed to AFP that the Indian passengers might have intended to travel to Central America to illegally enter the United States or Canada.

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Story first published: Friday, December 22, 2023, 23:58 [IST]
Shots Fired Outside Albany Jewish Temple on First Night of Hanukkah

US: Student Kills One, Injures Five Others At School

Prague University Shooting Leaves Dozens Dead And Injured

A lone gunman unleashed terror at Charles University in Prague, leaving a trail of devastation. With multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, the motive behind this tragic incident remains shrouded in mystery as authorities conduct their investigation.

International

-Sathish Raman

In a shocking incident, a lone gunman opened fire at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals and leaving 24 injured. The tragic event marks the country's worst mass shooting to date.

Scene of the Shooting

The bloodshed unfolded within the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the perpetrator, identified as a student, carried out the heinous act. The gunman, whose identity remains undisclosed, also lost his life during the incident.

Investigation Underway

Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek confirmed that the authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities have ruled out any links to extremist ideologies or groups.

Gunman's Background

Vondrasek revealed that the gunman had earlier killed his father in their hometown of Hostoun, located west of Prague. Additionally, it was discovered that he had intended to take his own life as well.

Security Measures Enhanced

In response to the tragic incident, Charles University announced that it would immediately implement stricter security measures across its buildings to ensure the safety of its students and staff.

Government's Response

The Czech government swiftly moved to address concerns regarding potential foreign involvement in the massacre. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan emphasized that there were no indications of international terrorism linked to the incident.

Witness Accounts

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, provided eyewitness testimony, describing how he observed a person firing a gun from a balcony of the university building.

Evacuation and Search

Authorities promptly evacuated the university building and conducted a thorough search of the premises, including the balcony, for any potential explosives.

Leaders Express Condolences

President Petr Pavel expressed shock and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. Leaders from Germany, France, Slovakia, the European Union, and Israel also extended their sympathies.

Emergency Session Planned

The Czech government scheduled an emergency session later on Thursday to discuss the shooting and address the nation's response to this unprecedented tragedy.

The Prague shooting has left the Czech Republic in mourning and has raised concerns about gun violence and safety within educational institutions. As the investigation continues, the nation grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event and seeks to provide support to the affected individuals and their families.
Somali Pirates Strike Again: Vessel Hijacked Near Eyl, Somalia

A dhow trading vessel was hijacked by armed individuals near Eyl, Somalia, raising concerns about renewed pirate activity. The incident follows the hijacking of a Maltese-flagged merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea, with suspicions pointing to Somali pirates.

International

-Sathish Raman

In a concerning development, another vessel has been hijacked near the coast of Somalia, raising alarms about the resurgence of Somali piracy after nearly a decade of relative calm. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a dhow trading vessel was seized by heavily armed individuals near the town of Eyl off the Somali coast. The information was obtained from military authorities, but no further details about the hijackers were provided. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Hijacking of Maltese-Flagged Merchant Vessel

Adding to the concerns, the European Union's Naval Force reported a separate incident involving the hijacking of a Maltese-flagged merchant vessel in the nearby Arabian Sea last week. The bulk carrier Ruen, with 18 crew members on board, was hijacked near the Yemeni island of Socotra, approximately 150 miles off the coast of Somalia. One crew member required medical attention and was evacuated to an Indian navy ship. While suspicion points towards Somali pirates, the EU force has yet to confirm the identity of the hijackers or their demands.

Surge in Attacks on Commercial Ships

The recent surge in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen has further disrupted global trade routes. Initially targeting Israeli-linked vessels during the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Houthis have since escalated their attacks, targeting ships without clear ties. The Pentagon recently revealed that five armed assailants captured by US forces after hijacking a commercial ship near Yemen were likely Somalis, suggesting a shift from piracy-related incidents to potential state-sponsored attacks.

Somali Maritime Police Response

In response to these concerning developments, Somalia's maritime police have intensified their patrols to ensure the safety of vessels in the region. The hijackings serve as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by Somali pirates, despite the significant decline in attacks over the past decade. The international community remains vigilant in monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to safeguard maritime trade and security in the region.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Estimates of how many Americans celebrate Kwanzaa have varied in recent years, from as few as a half a million to as many as 12 million.
ODE 07 Jan 2024

The stars shared the role of war hero, Nicholas Winton, in their new movie. Report by Nelsonj. Like us on Facebook at..
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The Baku Initiative Group's actions this year will make a significant contribution to the decolonization process, said Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group Abbas Abbasov during the briefing "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress", Trend reports.

The Baku Initiative Group has successfully held four international briefings in the past three months.

"I am confident that our collaborative efforts will leave an indelible imprint on a more just and inclusive world," Abbasov said.

"Thank you for your commitment to this important cause, and I look forward to the discussion with our speakers during this briefing. Let us work together to create a future in which the ideals of justice, equality, and liberation from the shackles of the colonial past are upheld," he added.

The international briefing "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress" has started in Baku. The briefing was organized by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the NAM Youth Organization.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A UN Security Council vote on the Gaza resolution has been postponed again, even after fundamental changes to a compromise text. The agreement would allow aid into Gaza as fears about hunger mount. DW has the latest.
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Journalist Masha Gessen talks about their recent New Yorker essay on why there seem to be limits on criticizing Israel and the ensuing backlash the piece triggered.
Qatar's ties to Hamas are controversial but useful. A top Qatari official tells NPR why the Gulf Arab state hosts senior Hamas figures and why Gaza is a policy priority.
How important are two words? Well, two words led to a sleepless night for COP28 delegates as arguments went back and forth: 'phase out' or 'phase down' of fossil fuels. The ones intent on keeping mean global temperature rise limited to 1.5 C in strict adherence to the Paris accord clearly wanted the former.



COP28 was supposed to end on Tuesday, December 12th. In the event, the final session went on until 4 am on Wednesday, and the words finally settled upon were 'transition away from fossil fuels'. The president of COP28, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who is also the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., proudly boasted it was the first time the words 'fossil fuels' had ever appeared in a COP final report.

Why was the UAE selected as the host? That too, is no mystery. It is one of the top ten oil producers in the world, and documents leaked to the BBC showed that it planned to use the meeting to strike new oil deals. The appalling duplicity (after all he was chairing an environment conference) and irony apparently eluded the good doctor -- business is business, as they say, and his business is selling his oil.



That may be, although it might account for the fact that the vaunted COP deal does not require anyone to do anything. There are no specific goals, just the aforementioned 'transition away.' So another COP is over and the fossil fuel producers have again won. Poor earth!

As an aside, the good doctor (Al Jaber) was caught on an open mic stating that he thought all this climate change was a lot of hooey. The human capacity for self-delusion and self-destruction is legendary. Looking at WW2 and Herr Adolf, for example, the bill was over 50 million lives. At the time there were just two nuclear weapons in the world, now over 5000. One may believe their use is unthinkable until one hears people like the right-wing politician in Israel advocate them against the Hamas tunnels in Gaza.



One can also imagine all sorts of scenarios. The Tom Clancy novel, "The Hunt for Red October", is a gripping example that was made into a movie. Then there was an actual real-life incident during the Cold War when the Soviet early-warning system Oko falsely detected the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the US with four more missiles behind it. Had it not been for one Soviet officer, Stanislav Petrov, the world would have changed that day.

Yes, the Soviet Union no longer exists and Russia now is very different. But what about China and India? The latter is always on the defensive in its northern areas where China has a distinct advantage in lines of supply. It also has very close ties with nuclear-armed Pakistan, India's traditional rival. Thus it is not difficult to envisage a scenario where India suspects a two-pronged attack to envelop, say, an Indian troop concentration of division strength or more. Would India resort to a nuclear weapon?



We can only hope such a situation never arises and if it does, common sense prevails. India has many divisions of troops but there is only one earth.


The Fascists are not "Coming to America." They are already here!

An essay review of Prequel by Rachel Maddow

The author had many possible vectors to a suitable backstory to tell her own carefully researched story of America's flirtations with fascism.

Just to name those that come immediately to mind. She could have easily included: The birth of the KKK during reconstruction. The original red scare in the failed allied attempt to save the White Russians from defeat by the Reds in 1917.

How about the 1934 attempt to recruit General Smedley Butler to lead a fascist revolution inside America?

Or, Hitler's use of America's eugenics society as a model for both his race hygiene and euthanasia programs?

Then of course we must not forget Hitler's incessant attempts to undermine and divide American society by both direct and indirect means (such as the 1942, submarine saboteurs incident) all in a vain effort to keep us out of the war (already checked off on his Mein Kampf calendar).

And finally, how about American industrial bankers and oil magnates who, for profit, finagled ways to help finance the German war machine in the post WW-I years?

If it were my story (and clearly it is not) I would also have considered adding Vladimir Putin's use of a Hitler-like plan to intervene in our 2016 election, resulting in America's first self-acknowledged authoritarian ruler.

Any one of these could have served as prequel to the story America's future undoubtedly is about to unleash upon us as the chickens come home to roost after an accumulation of our many flirtations with fascism.

However, the author chose none of the above. But instead chose her own iconic example. A brutally honest prototypical one, deeply researched, devoid of polemics, and convincingly prophetic.

The story she tells uncovers and displays the quintessential model of "made in America fascisms to come."

Her example springs uniquely out of American racist soil. It then gets played out in a sprawling American tableau: from its grassroots origins to a court room climax with eighteen indicted co-conspirators in the dock. All finally being tried for a host of seditious and treasonous crimes.

But their trial is scuttled "

Without giving the plot away. Allow me to just say that this book is a tutorial on how actual clandestine fascist cells get up and running in the US. About how different elements of society, from the top of the hierarchy to the bottom, linked through a pervasively venomous racist ideology, are used to divide and undermine our society.

The author's example shows how, by working with a determined enemy deep within America's dark racist undercurrents, fascist efforts can easily succeed at undermining the stability of our society.

I won't spoil the details of what actually happens in the story, but will end this review by hinting to the fact that the story told here has a three-billboard roadside message in its subtext.

The first billboard says, don't trust the "cat and mouse game" played out between fascist-leaning US police authorities (including Hoover's FBI), and the fascist themselves.

Its a con game and a fraud: They are all existential fascists. Both sides are playing for the same team. The "winks and nods" you see are just signals by the good old boys that the fix is in. You can now open the legal loopholes so the culprits can escape all consequential accountability. That is, until Hitler made bolder and bolder efforts to keep the US out of a war he was already making preparations for as early as 1933.

The second billboard has to do with the machinations of a group of rich, effete, high-brow, often talented and renowned elements of American high society, who also were "winking and nodding" at Berlin with treason (or profits) on their minds. Like a revolving door, they were in and out of the Reichstag as part of the parallel above board mutual admiration societal dance with fascism in all its many aspects.

The third and final billboard, diagrams the libertine-like clandestine operations taking place on the ground. Operations that gave every appearance of being an organic grassroots American intramural scrum. But in the end, we see that in fact, and in deed, they were little more than a well-orchestrated top-down German-guided spy operation.

The lead vignette of the story warmed my heart too. Not only because it took place at the University of Arkansas, the black branch of which I attended as an undergraduate, but also because it zeroes-in on the visceral element that was at the center of German attention from the outset: racism, antisemitism and interracial sex.

It turns out that Hitler had sent Heinrich Krieger to that august institution (where Bill and Hillary would later team-teach courses in law) to report back on how it was possible, contrary to the US Constitution (the 14th Amendment in particular), that the US legal system was able to get away with making nonwhites second class citizens?

Essentially what Krieger's memorandum reported back to his "soon to be Fuhrer," was that it is simple: In America, race trumps legality.

In order to protect the white gene pool from dilution, US laws are simply "criminally finessed and fudged" so that they mean anything the judges need them to mean in order to maintain white supremacy in a steady state. Much of that memo ended up in Germany's Nuremberg laws forbidding marriage between aryans and Jews.

This is the vignette that kicks off the author's sprawling story about fascism in America. The little corporal's interest in American miscegenation laws was the only clue the author needed to unravel the puzzle and unwind "the rest of the story." Which is itself a high class forensic analysis of how fascist groups get up and running in America's body politic. Five stars.
60 years gone. And through all that time, we are still told the "Oswald Tale".



In a January 22, '64, Executive Session of the Warren Commission, Allen Dulles expressed concerns over the rumors that Lee Oswald was some sort of government agent, that he may have been used, or had knowledge of a bigger plot, possibly withheld by the FBI or Intelligence Community. The members had also come to the realization that, they were being led to,"...support the [FBI] conclusions...". They were questioning their very existence, and purpose, and the long-term consequences for what they have resigned themselves to do.



Dulles: "...why would it be particularly in their interest -- I could see, it would be in their interest to get rid of this man but why would it be in their interest to say he is clearly the only guilty one? I mean I don't see that argument that you raise particularly shows an interest.... If he was not the killer and they employed him, they are already it, you see. So your argument is correct if they are sure that this is going to close the case, but if it don't close the case, they are worse off than ever by doing this."



That's really where it's at, after all these years. Isn't it? It hasn't closed the case, and it's worse off than ever. Thru all this time, there has been nothing released that has strengthened or fortified the 'Oswald Theory'. Even the latest nonsensical-sounding account by Secret Service Agent, Paul Landis, doesn't 'better' the official narrative. In fact, he refers to a back wound that cannot be explained, and corroborates 2 Parkland nurses that saw a bullet in the ER room.




By Joel D. Joseph

I attempted to file a small claims case in San Diego recently by paying the filing fee in cash. The clerk stated that fees could not be paid in cash. I told her that the Constitution of the United States, and federal law, required the court to accept cash. She said she could not because the court's policy did not allow her to do so. Nonetheless, I returned with a check in order to get the case filed. But millions of Americans do not have bank accounts and thus may be deterred from filing a small claims case.

Congress passed a law in 1884 that requires stores and other establishments to accept cash payments. 31 U.S.C. 5103. The United States Supreme Court upheld this law that required that cash be accepted as payment in The Legal Tender Cases, 110 U.S. 421 (1884). The Court ruled, "The constitutional authority of Congress to provide a currency for the whole country is now firmly established... Congress has the constitutional power to make the Treasury notes of the United States a legal tender in payment of private debts, in time of peace as well as in time of war."

Unbanked

They're known as the unbanked, and the most recent numbers from the U.S. GAO, Government Accountability Office, revealed that more than seven million U.S. households did not have a bank account in 2019. Black and Hispanic households are about 60% less likely than white households to have a bank account.

Households without a bank account are also more likely to use costlier, alternative financial services such as check cashing and payday loans. Further, it is the unbanked poor who need small claims services more than wealthier individuals.

Decline of Small Claims Court

California's Small Claims court system was established in 1921. The filing fee was zero dollars in that year. In California, it now costs $75 to file a small claim for $5,000 or more. For smaller claims the fees start at $30. These fees have increased dramatically over the past decade, nearly doubling. Filings have declined by 241,258 cases (43%) between 1981 and 2000. This drop constitutes the greatest drop of any type of case.

Small claims court was established to help ordinary citizens to resolve disputes quickly and inexpensively. The decline in small claims court filing demonstrates that it is no longer the place to resolve disputes quickly and inexpensively. Requiring the payment of filing fees by credit card or check makes it less available for the poor and unbanked. To bring small claims courts back to their initial purpose, filing fees should be significantly reduced and cash payments accepted. In addition, small claims court should schedule cases at intervals and not require parties to wait around for hours and hours to get their cases heard. Consumers with disputes need a court where they can get their issues resolved with reasonable cost in a timely manner.
PLEASE READ THIS (critical new reports, urgent action needed)

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global partnership 21 December report on: .."the entire population in the Gaza Strip (about 2.2 million people) is classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). This is the highest share of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity that the IPC initiative has ever classified for any given area or country.... at least one in four households (more than half a million people) is facing catastrophic conditions - IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe). These are characterized by households experiencing an extreme lack of food, starvation and exhaustion of coping capacities." click here

Oxfam reaction to the IPC food security figures for Gaza: While over 90 percent of people in Gaza cannot find their next meal, some UN Security Council member states are still toying with words rather than voting for a ceasefire." click here

World Food Program: 2.2 million people in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity in Gaza and 576,600 people face catastrophic hunger and starvation in Gaza; 5.3 milion population of the state of Palestine (under Israeli occupation, 1967 areas only) .wfp.org/countries/palestine

World Health Organization: Hunger is ravaging Gaza, and this is expected to increase illness across the Strip, most acutely among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older people. click here WHO resolution (not supported by Israel and te US!) s.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EBSS7/EBSS7_R1-en.pdf

Both Christians and Muslims in Gaza will likely not resort to cannibalism to survive starvation as happened in Ukraine during the 1930s famine (eating dead corpses from the bombing and there are hundreds of those every day). A more serious problem in Gaza is also lack of potable water so nearly half a million have developed diseases. Combined with lack of medical services (only 9 hospitals of 36 remain open to offer only minimal first aid services since doctors were abducted and medicines and tools to offer important services are gone) and in any case there is no electricity to operate equipment like drip machines, baby monitors, or kidney dialysis machines).

Reliefweb on the cut off of water click here

See also this report from the Palestine Red Crescent Society covering 7 October - 20 December click here

I fasted yesterday Thursday and hundreds of thousands pledged to fast every Thursday (sunrise to sunset) to remind us of this unprecedented starvation of Gaza used as an instrument of occupation (I do not say war because war involves two armies, here you have an army fighting a small guerrilla resistance force in an illegally occupied and besieged territory).

ACTION to demand ICRC fulfil its mission: Under pressure from the Zionist lobby, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and especially its US branch speak and talk of needing access to some 120 "hostages" (prisoners) held by Resistance Forces (number shrinking as Israel carpet bombs the Gaza Strip). Meanwhile the ICRC is not fulfilling its mission. It is not pressing Israel to allow ICRC staff to visit the 11,500 Palestinian prisoners/"hostages" held by Israel. Here in the West Bank, over 4000 were abducted in the last two months including friends of mine who practice non-violent resistance such as Munther Amira and Anas Abu Srour from the Refugee camp youth groups. No lawyers are allowed to visit most of them (Israel uses the internationally banned "administrative detention" allowed by Israeli apartheid laws for use on thousands). ICRC is not protecting medical personnel (hundreds were killed or injured, over 200 abducted). Most of those are being tortured, mistreated, denied food etc (6 already died in the last month from torture). In one case admitted to by Israel, 19 Israeli soldiers beat a prisoner to death. Please write to ICRC and to your government to demand they insist on stopping the random collection and torture of civilians, follow international law, and protect hospitals and medical facilities and restore those bombed by Israel. See this earlier Amnesty International Report (things got much worse since then) click here Human Rights Watch click here click here PLEASE Write to the ICRC: .icrc.org/en/contact

And as you gather around your family meals...do remember that Christians and Muslims in Gaza (and increasingly here in the West Bank) are going through unimaginable horror (massacres and genocide - see ongaza.org). Pray and act for us and for humanity because they are thinking of expanding this starvation and blockade to other countries (primarily Lebanon and Yemen and soon others).

Your and our collective actions especially in western countries shortens this nightmare and thus saves lives.

Stay human and keep Palestine alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Bethlehem, Occupied Palestine siyeh.org estinenature.org facebook pages Personal .facebook.com/mazin.qumsiyeh.9 Institute .facebook.com/PIBS.PMNH
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

A UN Security Council vote on December 8, demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza war, failed because the US used their veto power in the sole dissenting vote. The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, did not cast the damning vote, she sent her assistant instead, shielding herself from the disgust of the international community. Thomas-Greenfield is the direct descendant of African slaves held in America without citizenship or human rights, similar to the Palestinian people today.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani ahead of the December 8 meeting with the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, including Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al-Safadi, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Al-Maliki, and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

Some had envisioned the meeting between Blinken and the Arab ministers would take place prior to the UN vote, and the ministers could present their case as to why a ceasefire to save children's lives should be supported by the US, as initiated by Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.

But, instead Blinken waited until after the US voted no, and the ceasefire was an impossibility, to sit around the table with the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, who all looked dejected, and hopeless. They all told Blinken they reject the US-Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and called on the US to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to push Israel towards an immediate ceasefire. They also called for a lifting of the siege that prevents adequate amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

They voiced their rejection against attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing on "creating a real political climate that leads to a two-state solution," after over 75 years of brutal occupation of the Palestinian people.

However, their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The Biden administration is stuck in the past, thinking itself immune to criticism from the international community, and the Middle Eastern countries that are key allies of the US, energy providers, and housing some of the largest American military bases in the world.

"Our message is consistent and clear that we believe that it is absolutely necessary to end the fighting immediately," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.

"I certainly would hope that our partners in the US will do more... we certainly believe they can do more," the Saudi minister added.

Before the vote

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said prior to the UN vote that if the resolution fails, it would be giving a license to Israel "to continue with its massacre".

"Our priority for now is to stop the war, stop the killing, stop the destruction of Gaza's infrastructure," Safadi said, adding, "The message that's being sent is that Israel is acting above international law... and the world is simply not doing much. We disagree with the United States on its position vis-a-vis on the cease-fire."

"The solution is a cease-fire," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry,

What can the Arab world do?

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt are all stanch American allies. They host some of the largest US military bases on earth. Most of them buy their weapons from the US, and all of them are consumers of very large amounts of products made in the USA. Saudi King Faisal shut-off the oil in support of the Palestinians in the past, but they would never do that now as they are locked into OPEC pumping schedules. But, the Arabs have other leverage they could use to move the US position from blind acquiescence to Israeli orders.

Israeli plan to wipe-out Gaza

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The Baku Network expert platform aired the newest episode of the analytical video project "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov", Trend reports.

The guest on the program was Armenian journalist and blogger Natalie Aleksanyan.

She noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia should look to the future and start living in peace.

"I would like to see relations between Azerbaijani and Armenian countries and for everyone, regardless of nationality, to live in decent conditions. First and foremost, the two countries should reach an agreement and negotiate," Aleksanyan said.

The blogger emphasized that there was no third party in the recent negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is a positive moment.

"The meeting of the leaders of the two countries, as well as the actions taken by other officials in this regard, are both great developments that I welcome. Other parties are not required to be involved. We would not want things to return to the way they were, with war and military acts. We can return to the past with the help of a third party. Azerbaijan and Armenia should work together to resolve their differences," she believes.

Aleksanyan noted that, first of all, the Armenian people must get rid of their inner fear.

"My viewers and like-minded people frequently phone, email, and ask me what may be done to improve things. And I remind them that, first and foremost, the Armenian people must overcome their inner dread. They are scared that their neighbors will always put pressure on them, so they must be prepared. They were not terrified before the 44-day war, and their mood was radically different. However, there was a great deal of anxiety in Armenian society following the conflict. But this is incorrect; instead, we should work to conquer our fears and reach a shared understanding," she added.

"In conclusion, I would like to note that our former leaders and our parents failed in their time to guide us in the right direction. Now we must think about the future and make sure that future generations do not experience hostility," the blogger said.

Trend presents the complete broadcast:

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Nikes stock plummeted 12% on Friday in the wake of the company announcing weakening sales and a plan to cut $2 billion in costs over the next three years.

The company expects sales to grow roughly 1% in the fiscal year that ends May 31, down from the mid-single digits it previously anticipated.

With the stock down 12.9% in midday trading, MarketWatch reported it was on track to be the biggest one-day drop for Nikes shares since a 13.5% drop in May 1997 when the company similarly warned about slowing sales.

Nike employs 11,400 at its corporate headquarters near Beaverton, according to its last annual report. Many of them own chunks of Nikes stock, making Fridays drop in share price particularly bruising for the local economy.

The local economy also will soon take a hit from layoffs at the company. Nike on Thursday said it expects to incur between $400 million and $450 million in restructuring costs in the current quarter, mostly from severance payments. Nike has not returned emails from The Oregonian/OregonLive about the number of workers it expects to lay off.

At least three analysts downgraded Nikes stock in the wake of Thursdays earnings report, with possibly the most bearish coming from Williams Trading analyst Sam Poser, who argued Nikes products, especially in running, are not as good as they need to be.

Nike has been losing market share in running, its legacy category, including to Hoka and On.

Nike continues to lose the edge that was essential in shaping the company into the powerhouse that it has become, Poser wrote.

On a conference call Thursday with stock analysts, Nike CEO John Donahoe and Chief Financial Officer Matt Friend said the company will reinvest money from its cost-savings plan in product innovation and running, among other areas.

The plan satisfied some analysts who said Nikes sales weakness reflects a broader economic slowdown, including in China and Europe, two of the companys most important sales markets.

In an appearance on Yahoo Finance, Aneesha Sherman, a Bernstein senior analyst, noted recent weakness at Under Armour, Lululemon, Skechers and Crocs, which suggests Nikes problems arent unique.

I dont believe it signals any weakness in the Nike brand relative to competitors, she said. I would not read this as a fundamental deceleration of Nike in particular.

 Matthew Kish; mkish@oregonian.com
A 34-year-old man who groped a 14-year-old girl on a flight from Portland to Oakland pleaded guilty Thursday to the federal misdemeanor of simple assault of a person under 16.

His lawyer and the federal prosecutor will jointly recommend that Andrew Alex Davoodian be sentenced to three years of probation with 30 days of home detention.
SEATTLE  Authorities have identified a teenage girl killed by the Green River serial killer in Washington state four decades ago.

Lori Anne Razpotnik was 15 when she ran away from her home in Lewis County in 1982. Her family never saw her again.

Her remains were found in 1985 over a road embankment in Auburn, south of Seattle, alongside the remains of two other victims. Investigators could not determine who two of those victims were, and the remains were listed as Bones 16 and Bones 17.

Bones 16 was identified through DNA testing in 2012 as Sandra Majors, but the identity of Bones 17 remained unknown until a forensic genetic genealogy firm, Virginia-based Parabon Nanolabs, was able to develop a new DNA profile and determine they belonged to Razpotnik.

Razpotniks mother provided a DNA sample that confirmed the results, the King County Sheriffs Office said in a news release Tuesday.

After authorities linked Gary Ridgway to the killings through DNA evidence in 2001, he led them to the site where the three victims had been found. Bones 16 and Bones 17 were among the 48 slayings he pleaded guilty to in 2003. Many of his victims were young female runaways or sex workers.

Ridgway pleaded guilty to a 49th count of murder in 2011, after another set of remains was discovered. He is serving life without the possibility of parole at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
A man fatally shot by Hillsboro police Sunday while holding a woman hostage at gunpoint had previously been convicted of attacking her and had been ordered not to possess guns, according to investigators and court records.

Hillsboro police officers Sufyan Sher and David Bonn shot Christopher William Andrews, 28, in the bedroom of the womans Hillsboro apartment after a considerable time negotiating with Andrews, investigators said.
A 911 dispatcher in Salem was denied a chance to take an exam and do an interview for a promotion because her employer wouldnt reschedule them on a day that didnt conflict with her attendance at the trial of a man accused of raping her, a new suit alleges.

The woman is suing the city of Salem and the 911 centers director, alleging he retaliated against her.
An early-morning fistfight between strangers left a Seattle man dead on a Gresham MAX platform last year and now the teen who shot him faces a sentence of almost six years in prison.

Hector Argueta-Navarrete was 18 and staring down at his phone when a stranger confronted him verbally, then physically at the 162nd Avenue MAX stop around 5:30 a.m. July 1, 2022, according to a bail memo written by prosecutors.
Im not sure this was a great year for Portland dining  as we noted in our ranked guide to the citys 10 best new restaurants, it sometimes seemed like the bigger a restaurants swing, the bigger the miss. But that doesnt mean there werent places we enjoyed, but didnt quite have room for in the guide. Here are five other restaurants we enjoyed this year.

Visit during happy hour, and oysters are just $2 each at Cache Cache.Michael Russell | The Oregonian

Cache Cache

Theres some interesting cooking happening here at former St. Jack chef John Denisons first solo project  including an impressively decadent buttermilk lobster roll  and some decent discounts on raw seafood, especially during the early-late $2 oyster happy hours. But with all ordering done on your phone, I found myself longing for more human interaction. Fingers crossed that Denisons next project  the upcoming Le Clown Bar PDX pop-up  has full service!

Details: 1015 S.E. Stark St., cachecachepdx.com

Further reading: Cache Cache is an upcoming seafood raw bar that will disappear each night

A fish-topped tlayuda inspired by Oaxaca's Pacific Coast at De Noche.Michael Russell | The Oregonian

De Noche

Formerly at Lilia, Dani Morales runs the show at the Republica groups latest restaurant, serving a menu of seasonal Mexican-inspired dishes in a space  the former Park Kitchen  thats arguably more elegant than her previous perch. Best of all, theres a sprawling cocktail menu available from sister bar Comala next door.

Details: 422 N.W. Eighth Ave.

Located in Beaverton, Hapa Pizza offers a unique spin on the classic dish. Combining Italian style pizza-making with traditional asian dishes, like: Bahn Mi, Panang Curry and more.Maddie Stellingwerf/The Oregonian

Hapa Pizza

After launching with a Beaverton Farmers Market stall, Aaron and Natalie Truong opened their new brick-and-mortar this year, serving puffy 12 pies topped with flavors inspired by dishes they loved, including Vietnamese pho and Thai green curry. Hapa Pizza might sound like a gimmick, but its not  even the simple cheese pie is as tasty (if not more so) than any other youll find in Beaverton.

Details: 12755 S.W. Broadway St., 503-919-7558, hapapizza.com

Further reading: Portlands five best new pizzerias of 2023

Kaede, a new sushi-kappo restaurant, or "sushi bistro," in Southeast Portland's Sellwood neighborhood, comes from chefs Izumi and Shinji Uehara.Michael Russell | The Oregonian

Kaede

This new Sellwood sushi bistro comes from a pair of married chefs with experience at restaurants in Tokyo, Amsterdam and San Francisco, and serves seasonal fish imported from Tokyos Toyosu fish market. Party sushi this is not. Some of the most memorable dishes from a meal at the start of the year came from the kitchen, including the panko-fried scallop skewers drizzled with wasabi mayo and an umami bomb chawanmushi with shrimp, scallop and maitake mushroom.

Details: 8268 S.E. 13th Ave., 503-327-8916, kaedepdx.com

Further reading: Kaedes chefs seek to raise the sushi bar in Sellwood (review)

Mohinga from Sandy's Myanmar Cuisine at the Collective Oregon Eateries pod in Southeast Portland.Michael Russell | The Oregonian

Sandys Myanmar Cuisine

This stall inside the Collective Oregon Eateries food hall was a pleasant surprise when I took my family on a Heyday doughnuts run a few weekends back, especially after seeing how few carts appear to be left from the once vibrant pod out back. Order the mohinga, aka the national dish of Myanmar, for a mellow, warming fish and rice noodle soup floating with split pea fritters, perfect for a winters day.

Details: 3612 S.E. 82nd Ave., 971-287-9609, sandysmyanmarcuisine.com

 Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com
From 2017 to 2022, Portland had more Manny Lopez sightings than D.B. Cooper and Bigfoot combined.

Was that the former Bluehour sous chef back at Angel Food & Fun, the Northeast Portland restaurant that his careful Yucatecan cookery put on the map? Was that his distinctive grill shining from the kitchen at a new East Portland restaurant? His menudo popping up in Milwaukie?

That none of these tips panned out might be less interesting than the fact people sent them to me in the first place.

But for fans of Angels panuchos, poc chuc and frijol con puerco who kept the candle burning, last winter brought great news  Manny was back at a new restaurant, Kiikibaa, opened with wife Suny Parra Castillo on Northeast 82nd Avenue. Also back? Many of the same dishes Lopez introduced to Portland nearly a decade ago, plus a few intriguing specials  Mayan blood sausage, anyone?  to reward repeat visits.

Despite Portlands surprisingly deep roster of carts and restaurants representing the Yucatan, none are executing on Kiikibaas level. The panuchos are the best in town, each gently crisp tortilla stuffed with black bean and topped with lettuce, pickled onion and a choice of meat, including cochinita pibil, the citrus-marinated pork. Ditto for the Christmas-toned pozoles (red and green), and the relleno negro, a pork loaf formed, Scotch egg-style, around a hard-boiled egg, and served with shredded turkey in a savory black broth made from charred chilies that takes Lopez around a week to prepare.

Few dishes on the menu have equals in town, and thats without even mentioning arguably Portlands best burrito, with its seared carne asada and layer of gently crisped cheese. But Id go a step further: After visiting a handful of recommended restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Im thinking theres a good chance Kiikibaa is the best place to eat Yucatecan food in America. And it the place we loved eating the most in 2023.

Before you visit: This isnt Kann, our 2022 Restaurant of the Year, with its small regiment of staff and reservations booked out months in advance. Kiikibaa is a true mom-and-pop found on Northeast 82nd Avenue just across from the Bag OCrab, near McDaniels High School. Even on quiet days, Lopez and his team take their time perfecting each dish. Have patience if you visit, especially over the new few weeks.

What to know: Kiikibaa sits a stones throw away from another very good Yucatecan restaurant, La Mestiza, which happens to be owned by a family from the same central Yucatecan town as Lopez and Parra Castillo. Same goes for a handful of local food carts. According to Lopez, many residents from that town, Mani, first moved to the Northwest to harvest apples in the Columbia River Gorge, before bringing a taste of their home to Portland.

What to eat: Salbutes, panuchos with cochinita pibil, pozole rojo or verde, relleno negro or blanco, carne asada burritos, tropical aguas frescas, any special.

Further reading: Angel Food & Fun chef Manuel Lopez is back with new Yucatecan restaurant, Kiikibaa

Kiikibaa is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday at 3244 N.E. 82nd Ave., 971-429-1452, @kiikibaapdx.

 Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com
Nearly 1 in 3 Portland Public School students missed school on Thursday as student absences in the district surged in the last days before a delayed winter break.

A total of 13,744 students missed school on Thursday, district spokesperson Sydney Kelly said, about a third of the districts roughly 43,000 students. Thats up from about 9,000 on Monday. The district had not yet provided Friday attendance numbers as of 5 p.m.

This week was originally slated as the first half of a two-week winter break but subsequently reclaimed as instructional time to help make up for 11 school days lost during the Portland teacher strike. Students now begin winter break on Dec. 23. The district is excusing student absences.

Educator absences peaked on Friday, when 857 teachers were absent, Kelly said. That equates to nearly 24% of the Portland Association of Teachers 3,600 members and is up from 560 educator absences on Monday.

The district had recruited about 500 substitutes to fill in each day, but as the number of absent educators mounted, more positions were unfilled. On Friday, the district had more than 350 educator absences that were not filled by a substitute. Central office staff said last week that they would work in school buildings to help cover for those missing teachers. Despite the volume of missing teachers and staff, Kelly said, not a single school had been closed.

Kitty Holdren, an instructional coach at Roseway Heights Middle School, said 13 of 42 classroom teachers in her building were absent on Friday and just half of those classes were covered by substitutes. Holdren, an additional instructor and teachers working through their prep periods or lunch hours were helping to cover the rest.

As an educator, Holdren said she was disappointed to lose part of winter break, which she saw as an opportunity to recharge and spend time with family after an active and stressful strike.

Holdren was worried when it became clear how many staff members were going to miss school this week, she said. Roseway Heights staff planned for this week to make sure classes and other duties got covered, Holdren said, and Monday and Tuesday of this week felt almost normal. But by Thursday, student attendance was down to about 50%, she said, and was even lower on Friday. Students were calm, some pretty checked out, she said, ready for winter break.

Im not sure with so many teachers and students out, that having school on Thursday and Friday was worth it, Holdren said in an email. However, I know a lot of parents are working this week, so Im glad we can be open for the families that send their kids to school.

Vacation is not the sole culprit for absences. Winter illness has swept through schools as well. A stomach virus causing nausea, vomiting and fever circulated at Buckman Elementary, administrators said in a message to families asking them to keep sick kids at home. By Thursday, both the principal and assistant principal were ill.

Megan Gaddini picked her daughter up on Wednesday when the kindergartener got sick and said dozens of other children were sent home that day too. Gaddini felt going into the week that the districts plan to use winter break for academic recovery, and the short notice given to families, was a slap in the face after parents had just weathered the upset and uncertainty of missing school in November. Gaddinis daughter made up just a day and a half of learning this week  she missed school on Tuesday so the family could keep their scheduled plans to see the Nutcracker, then came home sick after half of Wednesday.

This week, definitely for Buckman, it was not worth it, Gaddini said. Im hoping that were not all sick on Christmas.

The plan to use winter break to recover lost learning days drew mixed feelings from parents. Many were frustrated that long settled holiday plans were upended, others saw it as a boon for student learning, or a chance to make up hours at work after losing pay due to child care needs while schools were closed during the strike in November.

Jesse Lichtenstein, who has children at Abernethy Elementary and Hosford Middle School, said the decision to turn just the first week of winter break into school has had an uneven impact on divorced households where parents divide winter break. Lichtenstein lost his week of vacation with his kids, who were both in school until his son got sick on Thursday. Lichtenstein wants his kids to recover the learning days they lost during the strike, he said, but thinks students are probably a bit unfocused this week with holidays and vacation on their minds.

There werent a lot of great options. Kids needed to make up those days for their education, and (Portland Public Schools) had to put them somewhere, he said.

District administrators said that planning a recovery week during winter break would help high school students, particularly juniors and seniors who need time to prepare for spring exams that could earn them college credit. Absences at the high school level are highest, Kelly said Thursday, though she could not immediately provide a percentage of students missing to show how absences stack up at different grade levels.

Mallette Faherty wanted her kids to go to school this week. Her students, a junior and senior at Cleveland High, were itching to get back to return to class after the November teacher strike and the planned recovery week didnt disrupt any travel plans for the Faherty household. But by midweek, many of her students teachers at Cleveland were gone, Faherty said, and her kids said students were watching movies or sleeping in classes run by substitutes. She told her teens they could stay home on Friday instead. One went golfing. The other baked cookies.

With a substitute teacher theres just no educational time, Faherty said. ... It just really didnt pan out very well.

Scott Blevins, who teaches English at Grant High School, said that on Monday and Tuesday his classes of 30 students only had about a dozen students attend and that number has shrunk each day. On Friday, he had two students show up in a class of 28.

The hallways are incredibly empty, he said.

Blevins knew the week would look like this, he said. Families had already emailed to say theyd made vacation plans and were going to keep them. He understands why Portland Public Schools board members wanted to recover full-length academic days, but feels they didnt really listen to feedback from teachers and parents that these days were going to be a wash.

I feel that sometimes the school board writes off teachers commentary as complaints, but we are literally the people in the buildings every single day with students. We know whats happening, we know how students are going to react, he said. Rely on our expertise because its here.

His class offers college credit for students, but those absent this week are not in any jeopardy of missing out on that credit, Blevins said. Many teachers had used this week as a study week, Blevins said. In his class, students were finishing work theyd been assigned for a rhetoric unit and conferencing with him about their writing.

Its hard to have a regular class day when you have 10 students out of 32, Blevins said.

Portland Public Schools is paying most employees for additional work days on top of their existing contracts to keep schools open this week. Substitutes are earning incentive pay to help fill in. Kelly could not provide an estimate of how much the district expects this week to cost, and said final payroll wont be processed until late January or early February.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
State biologists say Oregons gray wolf population may have reached its ecological limit in the eastern third of the state and that packs will probably spread out to the west and south in greater numbers.

Those comments, made at a meeting of the state Fish and Wildlife Commission, came as Colorado released five wolves trapped from Oregon as part of a historic reintroduction program.

Roblyn Brown, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifes wolf coordinator, told ranchers and conservationists last week that about 200 gray wolves in nearly 25 packs call Oregon home. She said their numbers have leveled off in recent years because most wolves live in northeast Oregon, an area thats becoming crowded for the species. Wolves first recolonized their native habitat there in 2009 after hunting and harassment eradicated them from Oregon for 50 years.

The wildlife agency counted 178 wolves in the state in 2022, up from 175 in 2021 and 173 in 2020, though officials say thats an undercount. Their numbers have plateaued in recent years after spiking for a decade. Wolves packs have taken root in central and southwestern Oregon, including a pack in Jackson County that has become notorious for preying on cattle.

Were going to start seeing a lot more wolves over the next few years in other areas of Oregon, Brown said.

But conservationists are concerned that the agency is killing more wolves as packs prey more and more on livestock.

Illegal kills also continue to plague wolf packs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $26,500 reward for information leading to convictions for two separate wolf slayings in November, including one in Jackson County. Wolf hunting is illegal in Oregon, and the Jackson County wolf was protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, like all others in central and western Oregon.

In the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, Brown said nonetheless that a sustained wolf population is a big accomplishment.

She said that almost 90% of adult wolves survived year-to-year in Oregon  a higher rate than other Western states such as Idaho and Montana that authorize wolf hunts en masse. Both states have much higher numbers of wolves than Oregon.

Derek Broman, the agencys game program manager, said that some environmental challenges expected to plague Oregon wolves havent been issues after all. Conservationists had been concerned about a lack of genetic diversity among different wolf packs, which could make wolves more susceptible to canine diseases and disruptions in their environment.

Some of those conservation threats are not what they were five years ago, Broman said.

John Williams of the Oregon Cattlemens Association said that trust is growing between ranchers and wildlife managers thanks to a more efficient process of investigating kills of livestock  which remain a source of concern for a small group of ranchers who have lost cattle, sheep and goats. The agency is also streamlining its process for approving the killing of predatory wolves, he said.

Were encouraged by the direction, he told the commission.

The Oregon Legislature this year also released $1 million more to compensate ranchers for livestock losses, more than in any year since lawmakers created the state program in 2011, according to Capital Press.

Plan stays the same

After hearing from wildlife officials, ranchers, hunters and conservationists, the commission decided not to reform the states wolf management plan, a hard-fought set of rules and regulations that took four years to hammer out due to disagreements about state-approved wolf kills and attacks on livestock.

Instances of both are on the rise. Investigators confirmed that wolves killed 76 privately-owned livestock last year, compared to 16 in 2019.

The agency authorized the killing of 16 wolves so far this year, according to agency data compiled by the Western Environmental Law Center, a conservation advocacy group. Thats up from an average of less than four wolves each year from 2019 to 2022. The agency killed six gray wolves in six weeks this summer, to the anger of conservationists.Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center, said the wildlife agency is over-relying on legal wolf killings to protect livestock. They are now choosing very heavily to engage in lethal, she said.

Holly Tuers-Lance, a state wolf biologist, said during the meeting that preying on livestock is a learned skill for some wolves and that two-thirds of wolf packs in Oregon arent known to do so.

According to the agencys data, just eight livestock producers experienced half of all known livestock predictions. She said that data helps wolf managers be deliberate about where to reduce conflict between wolves and communities.

Fish and wildlife officials say they only authorize the killing of a wolf when a rancher can document at least two incidents of livestock predation within nine months, and after other methods have failed to deter wolves, such as building fencing, enlisting livestock dogs or guarding cattle.

Plus, wolves are off-limits for lethal removal in most of the state because packs outside eastern Oregon are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.

Tuers-Lance said the federal law is hamstringing the agencys efforts to protect livestock from the Rogue wolf pack in southern Oregon, which has preyed on livestock more than 60 times from 2016 to 2022, according to agency data.

She said experiments with non-lethal deterrents and new technology havent worked, and ranchers are spending unsustainable amounts of time trying to prevent conflict.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. France continues to pursue neocolonial policy, said Milli Majlis (Parliament) MP Tural Ganjaliyev during the conference "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress", Trend reports.

"The implications of neocolonialism constitute a severe danger to international relations and international law. France, as a former colonial state, exploits and engages in unlawful trade of indigenous peoples' resources using neocolonialist techniques," he emphasized.

According to him, Azerbaijan has experience fighting colonialism that it would want to impart - a common history and experience with those peoples who were also subjugated by foreign rule and suffered from colonialism's strategy.

The international briefing "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress" has kicked off in Baku. The briefing was organized by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the NAM Youth Organization.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Oregon is a standout in the alcohol industry. It has the most craft distilleries in the country per capita, even more than Kentucky, and the most wineries after California. Its no beer slouch either, ranking fifth in the number of breweries per capita.

Taxes on all those bottles reap big bucks for the state: More than $300 million a year in revenue.

But when it comes to health, there are big downsides to alcohol, and the Oregon Health Authority is trying to spread that word. Earlier this month, it launched its second annual campaign aimed at stimulating conversation about drinking and urging those who drink excessively or binge drink to stop.

Were not telling people not to drink, said Dr. Tom Jeanne, deputy state health director. Were just asking them to think about it and think about their choices.

Health authority officials launched this years Rethink the Drink campaign in time for the end-of-year holidays when people gather, eat and drink. It includes a blitz of ads on traditional media and social media sites, just like last year.

Jeanne said the campaign is unique in the U.S.: The Oregon Health Authority is the only health agency nationwide to run a high-profile campaign against alcohol.

Did anyone stop drinking because of last summers campaign? Officials dont know. But they said they got the conversation going.

We know that media campaigns alone wont solve the issues Oregon is facing, said Jonathan Modie, a spokesman for the Oregon Health Authority. Our goal was to start conversations across Oregon to build momentum to work on this issue.

Excessive drinking is a big problem in Oregon, costing the state about $5 billion a year in health care expenses, motor vehicle crashes, criminal justice costs and lost productivity. Thats $1,100 for every Oregonian a year, according to a study by ECONorthwest.

Its the third preventable cause of death in the state, killing more than 2,000 people a year, according to the health authority. About one-quarter of suicides are related to drinking, alcohol causes about one-third of the deaths from falls and its linked to one-third of vehicle deaths.

It also causes myriad health problems: The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. National Toxicology Program classify alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, just like asbestos and cigarettes. It damages DNA and prevents cells from being repaired, and once damaged by alcohol, they can grow wildly and become tumors  in the breast, colon, head, neck, liver and prostate. Excessive drinking also harms the heart and liver and increases the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.

The health authority said that one in five Oregonians overdrink. That doesnt mean theyre alcoholics, but excessive drinking can increase the risk of becoming dependent on alcohol later in life. Health officials consider women who consume at least eight drinks a week to be heavy drinkers; 15 or more drinks for men is considered excessive. Binge drinking for women is classified as consuming four or more drinks on one occasion and five or more for men.

Black and Indigenous communities, which experience the stress of racism and discrimination, are especially susceptible to harms caused by alcohol. People with lower incomes and less education are also at a higher risk.

And you dont need to drink excessively to be hurt by alcohol. Even low levels can cause health issues, despite past research that found that moderate drinking was good for the heart.

Most of those findings have been refuted or not replicated by more recent, more thorough research, Jeanne said. Part of the purpose for this campaign is to raise awareness that even for people who might be drinking what they see as a moderate amount that there can be some significant effects.

Messages vary

The state ran its first Rethink the Drink campaign from late June to early September last year at a cost of about $840,000. This years campaign, which cost $805,000, runs until Feb. 4. It includes ads, sound bites and videos in Spanish and English that will play on radio and stream on television networks, run in newspapers and on media sites, Facebook and Instagram. The messages vary. Some focus on the health effects of alcohol. Some explain how much is too much. Others aim to ignite conversations about drinking habits and creating healthy social environments.

As an example, one video ad shows a man and his daughter grocery shopping. When he grabs a box of beer, she remarks that thats not on their list. When he picks up a bottle of wine, she asks why she cant drink.

He puts the bottle back.

The ads aim to be fact-based and nonjudgmental, striking a friendly tone. The health authority found that approach to be effective last year.

A study with focus groups after the last campaign found that the ads grabbed the attention of more than 60% of people, were considered trustworthy by nearly 70% and prompted half to think about drinking.

Health authority officials said the campaign achieved their short-term goals by prompting more conversations and thought about drinking. Getting people to change their habits is not easy, and officials dont expect quick results.

Alcohol is legal and socially acceptable, and its also promoted by the state, which controls alcohol sales and sets the price. When people drink, Oregon makes money. The industry also fuels jobs in agriculture, business, retail and hospitality.

Its an important part of our economy, Jeanne said Our point is to reduce excessive and harmful alcohol consumption. Were not trying to eliminate or prohibit drinking of alcohol.

The health authority will conduct another study after the campaign has ended. Jeanne said the agency hopes to spread awareness of the harms of alcohol and to dissuade people from having alcohol in so many settings, from dinners and parties to picnics and sporting events. People even go out drinking after going on long hikes or runs.

If we reduce the number of Oregonians who are binge drinking or heavily drinking, were going to also reduce the percentage of those or the total number of those who move on to become alcoholics down the road, Jeanne said.

Oregon Capital Chronicle, based in Salem, is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence.
Portland police on Thursday identified the victim of this weeks fatal shooting in Northwest Portland as a 17-year-old from Beaverton.

Javaun R. Johnson was shot Wednesday in the 200 block of Northwest Trinity Place, between West Burnside Street and Northwest Everett Street, police said.
A two-alarm blaze at a lumber facility in the Columbia River Gorge was captured in dramatic photos shared by Hood River Fire & EMS.

The fire at Gorge Building Supply broke out just before 2 a.m. on Friday, according to a news release from Hood River Fire.

A two-alarm blaze broke at a lumber facility in the Columbia River Gorge was captured in dramatic photos shared by Hood River Fire & EMS. The fire at Gorge Building Supply broke out just before 2 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, according to a news release from Hood River Fire.Blaine Franger, Courtesy of Hood River Fire & EMS

Multiple agencies responded to the fire. The release noted that West Side Fire District was assisted by units from Hood River Fire & EMS, WyEast Fire District, Cascade Locks Fire, Parkdale Fire, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, as well as Klickitat County White Salmon and Bingen Fire due to the size of the buildings, level of involvement and the contents.

A two-alarm blaze broke at a lumber facility in the Columbia River Gorge was captured in dramatic photos shared by Hood River Fire & EMS. The fire at Gorge Building Supply broke out just before 2 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, according to a news release from Hood River Fire.Blaine Franger, Courtesy of Hood River Fire & EMS

The Oregon State Fire Marshals Office (OSFM) is working with firefighters at the scene to determine the cause of the fire, the department said in a release.

 Julie Evensen

jevensen@oregonian.com | 503-221-8072 | @julieevensen | Threads

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ATLANTA  Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy just days after a jury ruled that he owed $148 million in damages for defaming two former Fulton County election workers.

Giuliani listed debts of as much as $500 million and assets of up to $10 million. The filing was made in bankruptcy court in New York and comes a day after a federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that the election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, can expedite their efforts to collect on a defamation judgment against him.

Legal experts have said the bankruptcy is unlikely to have much impact on the money he owes the two women.

The filing should be a surprise to no one, Giuliani political adviser Ted Goodman said in a statement released Thursday. No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount.

Chapter 11 will afford Mayor Giuliani the opportunity and time to pursue an appeal, while providing transparency for his finances under the supervision of the bankruptcy court, to ensure all creditors are treated equally and fairly throughout the process, Goodman said.

This maneuver is unsurprising, and it will not succeed in discharging Mr. Giulianis debt to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, said their attorney, Michael Gottlieb.

In a ruling late Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell cited Giulianis financial problems and concerns that he could hide assets in an attempt to avoid paying Freeman and Moss. Giuliani has already failed to pay more than $200,000 in court-ordered attorneys fees to Freeman and Moss, Howell noted.

Federal court rules grant an automatic 30-day delay in enforcing such judgments pending resolution of any appeal. Earlier this week, the election workers asked Howell to let them enforce the judgment immediately.

They argued Giulianis mounting legal and financial difficulties could make it harder to collect what he owes them. They wanted to immediately register the judgment in jurisdictions where Giuliani has substantial assets, including New York and Florida.

Giulianis bankruptcy filing shows he owes about $990,000 in federal and state income taxes, plus millions of dollars to law firms and other creditors. Freeman and Moss are, by far, his largest creditors.

But he also faces numerous outstanding lawsuits for which his debts are undetermined. Among the are defamation claims filed by voting machine companies U.S. Dominion and Smartmatic USA. Giuliani falsely claimed their machines or technology were used to commit voting fraud in 2020. He also faces lawsuits filed by Hunter Biden, who has accused Giuliani of hacking his electronic devices, Noelle Dunphy, who has accused Giuliani of sexual assault and harassment.

Ishaq Kundawala, an associate dean at the Mercer University School of Law, said Giuliani will not be able to avoid the vast majority of his debt to Freeman and Moss by filing for bankruptcy. Thats because the judgment resulted from Giulianis malicious and willful conduct, he said.

Hes really only using this to buy some time, Kundawala said. Thats really all he can do.

The bankruptcy is the latest chapter in a stunning turnabout for the man once dubbed Americas mayor for his leadership in New York City after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Giulianis efforts to aid Donald Trump in overturning the results of the 2020 election have led to multiple civil lawsuits and criminal charges in Fulton County.

Asked about the bankruptcy at a holiday event on Thursday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis  who has charged Giuliani with 13 felony counts  shifted the conversation to Freeman and Moss.

Those are two beautiful human beings. Really, really beautiful human beings, she said. No one should ever suffer abuse.

Giulianis trouble in Georgia began three years ago, when he accused Freeman and Moss of double-counting ballots and other illegal activities, citing security footage of ballot counting from State Farm Arena.

Investigators with the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the secretary of states office reviewed the video and interviewed witnesses and determined nothing improper happened. But Giuliani and Trump continued to spread the false allegations. In fact, Giuliani continued to claim the allegations were true in comments to reporters during the trial last week  even after he had stipulated in court documents that they were false.

Freeman and Moss filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani and OAN two years ago. They reached a settlement with OAN last year.

In a default judgment last summer, Howell found Giuliani liable for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy. Last week, a Washington, D.C., jury awarded Freeman and Moss more than $148 million in damages.

On Monday Freeman and Moss filed a second lawsuit against Giuliani, noting that he continues to falsely accuse them of voting fraud. The latest lawsuit does not seek additional damages, but it does seek an injunction prohibiting Giuliani from repeating the false claims.

On Wednesday, Howell also approved an agreement between the parties to reduce the amount Giuliani owes by about $2 million to account for a previous settlement between the election workers and One America News Network. That leaves Giuliani owing about $146 million in compensatory and punitive damages for spreading false voting fraud allegations against Freeman and Moss.

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(Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters Bill Rankin and Greg Bluestein contributed to this story.)

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2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On the heels of the new Panderverse special, the South Park gang are back just in time for the holidays and poking fun at another new target: Influencers. In the latest hour-long special for Paramount Plus titled, South Park: Not Suitable for Children, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone take aim at the seedy underbelly of online influencers like internet personality Logan Paul, and the websites that host them, including OnlyFans, TikTok, Instagram and more.

 Watch the South Park: Not Suitable for Children special for FREE right now when you sign up for a free trial of Paramount+

What is the South Park: Not Suitable for Children streaming special about?

In the new Not Suitable for Children special, which is the fifth in a series of planned exclusives with Paramount+, Cartman starts his day drinking a bottle of Cred hydration drink (taking a shot at the PRIME energy drink hocked by internet personality Logan Paul). When the schools PC Principal and Strong Woman discuss how social media influencers are peddling this drink to kids, the kids teacher, Mr. Mackey, tells them that the art teacher has been discovered posting videos on OnlyFans. This news leads to parental outrage, and all of that comes to a head at a parent-teacher meeting. Things simply devolve from there as the conflict spirals out of control. Heres a look at the trailer:

The movie special is just another in a line of 14 upcoming South Park films slated to release on Paramount+ from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who also signed a $900 million deal with ViacomCBS recently to extend the regular South Park Series through 2027.

Heres what you need to know in order to watch the South Park: Not Suitable for Children special

When: The special released at midnight on Wednesday, December 20 (12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET).

TV Channel: The Not Suitable for Children streaming special event is exclusively available on the Paramount+ streaming service. This special will not be on regular cable TV packages, and viewers will not find it on Comedy Central, which is the home of the regular South Park series.

Watch the show online: If you dont have a subscription already, you can sign up for a free trial of Paramount+ to watch for FREE. If you have run out of free trials, Paramount+ costs just $5.99/month (with ads) or $11.99/month to get it with access to Showtime networks catalog of movies and TV (plus no ads) and you can cancel anytime. So, if you only want to watch the South Park special, sign up for one-month and then cancel immediately and you should be able to enjoy the paramount+ streaming service for 30 days from your signup date for just under $6.
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed the hope that a Security Council resolution to get more aid into Gaza, adopted on Friday, could pave the way to a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
New York, US (PANA) - The Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with 13 votes in favour, and the US and Russia abstaining
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of your birthday, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you.

China and Azerbaijan are traditional friendly partners. Currently, Chinese-Azerbaijani relations are developing very well and steadily, the political mutual trust is constantly strengthening, and cooperation across various areas is yielding fruitful results. I highly appreciate the efforts you have made to strengthen bilateral relations. In September of last year, we had a successful meeting in the city of Samarkand, where important agreements were reached on advancing bilateral relations into a new era.

I attach great importance to the development of relations between China and Azerbaijan, and I am ready to continue my efforts alongside you to elevate bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation to a new level for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

I wish you robust health and prosperity," the letter reads.
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - The government of Japan has announced its support for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) programme in response to deadly epidemics, with a sum of 791,000 US dollars, according to a press release sent to PANA on Friday
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN Childrens Fund, UNICEF, on Friday appealed for nearly two billion dollars to provide lifesaving assistance to more than 24 million boys and girls across West and Central Africa in 2024
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - A second malaria vaccine has been recommended for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which called the development a significant milestone in prevention of the disease
From left: Lars-Kristen Holst, Moelven; Thea Persson, Moelven; Bjorn Larsson, Billerud; Jenny Flod, Billerud; Sanna Hjelm, Moelven; Anders Carlsson, Moelven; and Tjalling Chaudron, Moelven. From left: Lars-Kristen Holst, Moelven; Thea Persson, Moelven; Bjorn Larsson, Billerud; Jenny Flod, Billerud; Sanna Hjelm, Moelven; Anders Carlsson, Moelven; and Tjalling Chaudron, Moelven.

Moelven Wood and Billerud Collaborate to Develop Paper-based Packaging to Replace Shrink Wrap

Dec. 22, 2023 - Moelven Wood and Billerud are joining forces to examine the possibility of developing a new sustainable packaging solution for Moelven's interior panels. The goal is to create a paper-based solution to replace the current plastic shrink wrap. The collaboration stems from an innovation competition organized by Paper Province.

In September, 19 companies submitted 22 solution proposals to Moelven Wood's packaging challenge  to find a more sustainable packaging for their wooden interior panels.

Out of these, Ahlstrom, Billerud, Boxon, Lignin Industries, and T-Emballage were selected to work on the challenge during MoelvenHackathon. The innovation competition was arranged by the forestry bioeconomy cluster Paper Province and held in Karlstad, Sweden, on December 11 and 12.

During the competition, the companies fine-tuned their solutions with support from mentors in business and product development, communication, value proposition, and materials. At the final, the companies pitched their proposals to Moelven's jury who announced Billerud and their fiber-based packaging solution as the winner.

"Billerud's team presented a sharp and concrete solution that conveys sustainability, reflects the content, and visually stands out in stores," said Tjalling Chaudron, Product Development Manager at Moelven Wood. "We are confident that we together can develop a packaging with good technical properties, that can add value to our products and have an achievable implementation in the factory."

Replacing the current shrink wrap packaging with one made from renewable materials is a step towards reducing Moelven Wood's carbon footprint.

Bjorn Larsson, Business Development Manager at Billerud, said, "The packaging solution that we presented offers a modern and attractive packaging for a modern and attractive panel."

In January, the companies will start the development of the packaging, aiming to offer Moelven's future customers products with a fossil-free packaging.

Bioboosters' Hackathon

Moelven is the second company in Sweden to use the Bioboosters innovation hackathon. The method is currently being developed in an international Interreg initiative involving nine participants in seven countries.

Malin Hilden, Communications Officer at Paper Province, explained, "The hackathon process is s a new approach to finding innovative solutions. By openly announcing a company's challenge, and letting businesses present their ideas, new collaborations can begin, and new products and solutions can be given life."

Chaudron added, "It's a very good concept. We sought innovation, and thanks to the hackathon, we have seen the breadth available in the market and the opportunities that come with it. We have gained a lot of knowledge about packaging that we didn't have before, and we are very grateful to all the suppliers that participated."

About Bioboosters

MoelvenHackathon is part of the international BioBoosters project co-funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The project brings together nine innovation networks in the bioeconomy sector from countries around the Baltic Sea: Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Germany. The project organizes 18 Hackathons to support responsible business practices and the transition to a circular economy for bioeconomy companies.

Billerud provides paper and packaging materials that challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future. The company has production units in Sweden, USA, and Finland.

SOURCE: Billerud
Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

In a significant development, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), representing New York City's educators, has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams over the proposed $550 million education cut.

The legal action, initiated in the State Supreme Court, challenges the mayor's assertion that budget reductions, including a substantial cut to education funding, are essential to offset the costs associated with the city's migrant crisis.

UFT Challenges Mayor Adams' Education Cut

The UFT's lawsuit alleges that Mayor Adams is not only implementing an illegal austerity measure but is also exaggerating the city's fiscal challenges to push through the proposed education cut.

According to state law, New York City cannot reduce school spending unless overall revenues decline. The UFT contends that, with the city exceeding revenue expectations this fiscal year, the mid-year education cuts are, therefore, illegal.

At a news conference on Thursday, UFT President Michael Mulgrew expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the proposed cuts. He said that this is going to become difficult and ugly. We have never had an administration try to cut their schools when they have historic reserves and their revenues are all up.

Education Programs at Risk Amid Fiscal Controversy

The legal challenge by the UFT underscores the potential harm the proposed education cut could inflict on vital education programs. Universal prekindergarten, after-school initiatives, and support for special needs students are among the areas that could face significant reductions.

The union argues that the city's historic reserves and increased revenues make the proposed cuts unnecessary and, in their view, driven by mismanagement of the situation.

The UFT's lawsuit follows a similar legal action by DC 37, the city's largest public-sector union, which accused the mayor and his administration of inadequately vetting decisions that could result in the loss of thousands of union jobs. This legal maneuvering reveals a growing dissatisfaction with Mayor Adams' proposed budget cuts across various city agencies, including schools.

Read Also: University of Idaho's Move to Demolish Homicide Crime Scene Stirs Legal Debate, Victim Families' Anguish

Growing Opposition as Unions Challenge Mayor's Decisions

The legal challenges from both the UFT and DC 37 reflect a broader opposition to Mayor Adams' fiscal policies.

The mayor's November financial plan seeks 5 percent cuts across city agencies, with two additional 5 percent cuts planned for next year. The UFT contends that schools could see as much as $2 billion in funding lost, impacting not only educators but also the quality of education provided to students.

In response to the legal actions, Mayor Adams sought to downplay the significance of the lawsuits, emphasizing that disagreements are part of the process.

In a recent City Hall event, he added that from time to time, friends disagree. And sometimes it ends up in the boardroom, and sometimes it ends up in the courtroom. As the controversy escalates, the proposed budget cuts have become deeply unpopular among the public.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll revealed that over 80% of voters believe the cuts to the NYPD, libraries, schools, and other city agencies will significantly impact their daily lives. A coalition of labor leaders, immigrant and education advocates, and left-leaning City Council members have also joined the chorus of opposition, staging protests against the cuts.

The legal action taken by the NYC teachers union adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over Mayor Adams' proposed budget cuts. As the dispute unfolds in the courtroom, it raises questions about the necessity, legality, and potential consequences of the proposed education cut, with broader implications for the city's fiscal future.

Related Article: Urgent Spinach Recall: Listeria Threat Forces Fresh Express and Publix to Pull Products
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And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend (Exodus 33:8-11).

The Hebrew word translated as tabernacle is mishkan, which refers to the place where Gods presence, his shekinah, resided. And let them make me a sanctuary, says the Lord in Exodus 25:8-9, that I may dwell (ve-shakan-ti) among them, according to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle (mishkan). Johns Greek verb (built from the root s-k-n) seems to play off of the Hebrew root (sh-k-n; in Arabic, the equivalent root is, precisely, s-k-n) in order to suggest that the presence of Moses portable temple among the Israelites prefigured Christs earthly life in a tabernacle of flesh among mortals.

The epistle to the Hebrews also links Christ closely with the temple  most notably when it compares him to the high priest of the earthly sanctuary.

We have such an high priest, says the author of Hebrews, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. He is a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Human priests merely serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things (See 8:1-5). Into the holy of holies went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people  which was a figure for the time then present (9:7, 9). But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (9:11-12, 24).

So John compares Christ to the tabernacle/temple, and Hebrews likens him to a high priest officiating within the temple.

But, through redemptive vicarious service in the temple, we, too, can imitate Christ. The keys are to be delivered, said Joseph Smith, the spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion. But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem(ing) them.
As a Catholic priest, I am asked to give people a blessing all the time. Father, we are travelling this week, please give us a blessing, or Father, my son is having a hard time at school, could you give him a blessing. To give a blessing is to invoke Gods presence and grace in the life of a person, so that God can provide wisdom, strength and guidance.

When I visit the hospital, it is not uncommon to have a non-Catholic who sees me dressed as a priest ask me for a blessing, or request that I visit a sick relative. Since the sick person is not Catholic, I give the person a blessing  only if the person is Catholic do I perform the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, since this is a liturgical act reserved for those baptized Catholic. There is a clear distinction here: the act of giving a blessing to someone regardless of his or her background, belief, or state of life, versus the celebration of a Sacrament of the Church for a baptized Catholic who is allowed to receive the Sacraments of the Church.

Enter Fiducia Supplicans, a document published by the Dicastry for the Doctrine of the Faith which has resounded throughout the news media for the last couple of days. The distinction this document makes is similar to my distinction between blessing a sick person versus offering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. One is a pastoral act that invokes Gods help, the other a liturgical act of the Church reserved for those who are able to receive it.

Fiducia Supplicans reminds us that all people, regardless of their state of life, are able to receive a spontaneous blessing when requested. These blessings are imparted to help the person grow in his or her relationship with God, to desire greater holiness, or to ask for strength in a difficult time. A blessing does not inquire about nor require examination of a persons moral character or standing. A blessing is available to all.

Fiducia Supplicans also makes it clear that the Sacrament of Marriage as a liturgical act of the Church, is reserved to a union between a man and a woman. The Catholic Church has not sanctioned same sex unions or marriages, nor made any change or amendment to the theology or Catholic understanding of marriage. It has said that all people can receive a blessing from a priest, including those in irregular unions  but not all can receive the Sacrament of Marriage.

As a priest, some of the faithful approach in the communion line to receive a blessing because something in their lives keeps them from receiving the Eucharist. As a priest, I give them a blessing without inquiring why they are not receiving the Eucharist. If a mass murderer asks for a blessing, I have no qualms in giving him a blessing  probably one that calls for conversion and repentance. A blessing does not condone or celebrate the sin in someones life.

I pray people read the actual document rather than rely on reports from the media. Some celebrate this document as if it has allowed the Catholic Church to embrace same sex unions, others are very upset because they think the Church has given into modern times. Neither is true.

It has been my experience these past few days that most priests consider that this document describes current practice in the Church. A priest blesses people who request a blessing, and only performs the Sacrament of Marriage for unions of a man and a woman. Why did this document get written then? Allow me to speculate. Perhaps to call to task the German Bishops who are calling for the Church to establish a liturgical act to bless same sex unions  Fiducia Supplicans makes it clear this cannot happen. Perhaps to call to task priests who refuse a blessing to particular people due to their sins or struggles; reminding them that Gods grace is available to all those who approach Him.

To answer the question posed by the title of this post: no. The Catholic Church does not allow nor approve of same-sex unions now. The Catholic Church allows for all individuals to receive a blessing from God, and the Sacrament of Marriage is reserved to a union between a man and a woman.

We pray for unity in the Church and for openness to greater understanding of one another. We pray that forces from outside the Church may be cast aside, so that the light of Christ may prevail, a light that reminds us that He offers salvation and blessing equally to all people, calling each one of us to daily conversion.

Picture shared under the Creative Commons license, click here.
Here we are, rushing toward Christmas. For various reasons, I find myself thinking of Charles Dickens and particularly his wonderful novella, A Christmas Carol.

Some of my friends actually read the original story, a few even aloud, annually. Others watch one of the many film versions. Me, one read was fine. But I do like watching the films. Well, some of them. Im particularly fond of the Alastair Sim version from 1951.

There are slapstick versions, and vehicles for various personalities that are not worth the time to watch. But even the worst of them invite a reflection on our human hearts. The story itself has some deep truth within it. And the really good versions, well, they sing that deep truth back into our longing hearts.

Charles Dickens was a child of poverty. That hard fact was something he never forgot. His writings, and often his actions in life, show his abiding concern for those not born to privilege, and especially those crushed by circumstances beyond their control.

A Christmas Carol casts a harsh light on the grasping and the casual cruelty that marks too much of the culture when the book was first published in 1843. And, truthfully, and part of why it is still relevant, so true of our culture today.

But its not just an indictment. Those are easy enough to come by. And they have a place. But, in the novella, at the same time that he holds up that mirror revealing harsh, harsh shadows, Charles Dickens offers us a way through.

While he was born Anglican and died within the warm embrace of that comprehensive faith, he also had a deep Unitarian connection. One of his closest friends was the Unitarian divine Edward Tagart. And during Reverend Tagarts tenure at Little Portland Streets Unitarian Chapel, Dickens regularly attended services. He even purchased a pew, which is equivalent today to joining a congregation. It was only after Tagarts death that he drifted slowly back to Canterbury.

What is most intriguing for me is that Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol during those years while he was attending Little Portland Streets chapel. So, that broad and welcoming faith with its focus on the humanity of Jesus is very much woven into the assumptions of Dickens little book.

And with that as something about the mess of our condition, expressed in the story of one poor child and that childs parents, and with that human dreams of possibility, doors are thrown wide open. As the American Unitarian educator and minister Sophia Fahs wrote.

For so the children come

And so they have been coming.

Always in the same way they come

born of the seed of man and woman.

No angels herald their beginnings.

No prophets predict their future courses.

No wisemen see a star to show where to find the babe

that will save humankind.

Yet each night a child is born is a holy night,

Fathers and mothers 

sitting beside their childrens cribs

feel glory in the sight of a new life beginning.

They ask, Where and how will this new life end?

Or will it ever end?

Each night a child is born is a holy night 

A time for singing,

A time for wondering,

A time for worshipping.

And with that such intimations of what might be. My dreams for this Christmastide. And maybe a north star for all of us. Maybe an invitation onto a path into understanding the sacredness of our human condition, the sacredness of this very earth. It is a story of who we really are, and what we might be.

Now Dickens in his lived life fell short of his ideals. Like most of us. But that seeing into the connections, and doing justice, and loving mercy, and failing  but then trying again, and trying again, is at the heart of our human way. Just as Christmas rolls around every year offering a new chance, we too, are called again and again.

Maybe its not Unitarianism, that lovely child of the European Enlightenment with a focus on the human mind. Rather, its a Universalism. The way of love. Endlessly unfolding, forgiving, welcoming. Whoever we are, we are always welcome. Always angels whisper in our ears, Come, come. Our trespasses forgiven a hundred times a hundred. Come. Just come.

Here a light is being cast showing something. If were invited back, and I believe we are always invited back: how do we do it? How, given all the givens of who we are, how do we come back?

Which brings us to Dickens story and particularly those visits from those ghosts. I love the social media meme that ends with the observation that as we cant count on spirits to intervene, we need good unions. But as a map into our hearts, there are powerful invitations. Invitations that dont deny unions, or their desperate need. But, also an invite into the deepest matters of our hearts, about who we are, and who we can be.

Like in a gestalt world, we play all the parts in that book.

So, a question, an important one: Who is Marley in your life? With whom have you conspired to sell your heart to something less than love and care for others? And with that finding your true heart and maybe even saving yourself? Who do you know who has fallen and in that fall has given you a terrible gift: a warning?

A hard question. And a door swings open.

Within that vulnerable moment we might find how are invited to the lessons our ancestors gave us. More doors. As one friend told me, when asked how it was she could find time in her busy life to stop and work at a food pantry. She replied, simply, clearly from this place to which we are called today: Because, she said, My mother taught me to. Or, maybe a little political agitation. We need some activism these days. These dangerous days. And. And. We are surrounded by clouds of witnesses. Our ancestors whisper in our ears. What are the lessons you know are right, that you learned so long ago, but perhaps in the messiness of our lived lives have forgotten?

Christmastide. I find it brings an invitation to recall, to recollect those messages of warning, of hope, and of guidance.

So those messages of Christmas past. Where are they for you? Which ones call to your heart? Do they come from religion, from literature, from your life? Or, in differing measure, from all? Have you reflected on what they might mean for you?

Then, what about today, that here and now thing, the Christmas present thing? You know the gift of this moment. The invitation within our tradition is to come into the doing, to recall we are verbs much more than we are nouns.

As Dickens reminded us, as this day reminds us, were invited into the doing. And there is so much to do. So much need, so much. Our task, each of us, is to find that one thing, or that small number of things, which we can do; and then to do it, to do them.

I think of all who need. I think of us. Another gift of questions follow. Who serves and who is served? Who is guest? And who is host?

And, with that, finally, we come to Christmas future, and for that to Christmas day. As with that story of a miraculous birthing the question for each of us, pregnant as we are with many possibilities: Which future are you going to let birth into the world?

You do get to choose. Or, more correctly, at least you get to choose your part. So, out of all these lessons, which one is it going to be?

What will be your gift to this world?

Living into the Christmas spirit.

Born like a child in a manger. No one knows what will come of that small birth.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping attaches great importance to development of relations between China and Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

He made the statement in a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"China and Azerbaijan are traditional friendly partners. Currently, Chinese-Azerbaijani relations are developing very well and steadily, the political mutual trust is constantly strengthening, and cooperation across various areas is yielding fruitful results. I highly appreciate the efforts you have made to strengthen bilateral relations. In September of last year, we had a successful meeting in the city of Samarkand, where important agreements were reached on advancing bilateral relations into a new era.

I attach great importance to the development of relations between China and Azerbaijan, and I am ready to continue my efforts alongside you to elevate bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation to a new level for the benefit of our countries and peoples," President Xi Jinping said.
A year ago I was just returning from spending Michelmas term at Magdalen College in Oxford, at the halfway point in a yearlong sabbatical. I was happy to be back with my family after extended separation. I was wondering what it would be like, after spending time in the Bodleian Libraries David Reading Room looking at manuscripts and in the Duke Humphries library just because it is such a cool historic space, to relocate soon after the beginning of the new year to Milledgeville, Georgia. As it turned out, while there were no historic manuscripts I had gotten the photos I needed to of those while in Oxford, and while there was no existing collection relevant to John the Baptist in the library of Georgia College and State University, interlibrary loan meant that was not a problem in the slightest. The weather had grown cold in Oxford and it was cold in Indianapolis, making Georgia that much more invigorating. I took my first sabbatical in a spring semester not realizing how much the cold and longer night could be demotivating.

In addition to continuing writing and researching, I had the privilege of teaching a course on women in early Christianity for the first time at GCSU. I plan to offer it at Butler in fall 2024. ChatGPT made its appearance right during this time and I was briefly tempted to turn my attention away from John the Baptist to writing about this latest AI development. Instead, I decided to get students to use it and figure out what it was, what educators and everyone else ought to be worried about, what its shortcomings were, and how if at all we might harness it in positive ways for educational purposes. I talked with librarians about it, and encouraged my students to experiment with it and tell me how they used it. I told students they could earn points in other creative ways, by making artwork, songs, and memes. Of course found myself inspired to offer a parody song as well.

Some of the memes students came up with were absolutely brilliant. Here are a couple of my favorites, which I dont believe I shared here.

ChatGPT ended up being a major focus of the Newell Scholar Lecture I gave at GCSU. That talk is on YouTube.

Since getting back to Butler, there has been an effort here as well to address the question of what to do with ChatGPT. You can find some of the resulting lesson plans on this site. I was so relieved that I managed to get the John the Baptist books wrapped up and submitted to the publisher before classes began. The most surprising thing was that I was pretty sure that I would then take some time off and not worry about what my next book project would be. Then I mentioned an idea in passing to my editor, and things quickly escalated so that now theres another book in the pipeline. At last now finally I have just a couple of little things to contribute here and there, but several possibilities none of which Im sure will go anywhere. Ill say more about those at some point.

My book The A to Z of the New Testament came out in November and quickly got a lot of positive attention. I wondered what Eerdmans would think of my penchant for making silly videos including song parodies to promote the book, and to my surprise they were delighted! I talked with Jacob Berman (History Valley), Tripp Fuller (Homebrewed Christianity), Potential Theism, and many others about the book, a few of those interviews yet to appear. Rick Lee James shared a reading from the book on his podcast.

My book What Jesus Learned from Women appeared in Romanian translation. I hope to get a chance to travel there and give some talks related to the book in the not too distant future.

Blog readers, it has been quite a year and a half! Im hopeful that more regular blogging will characterize the year to come. I had to focus on the sabbatical research if I was to have any hope of getting it done within the allotted time. But the fact that three of the four books that I have written since summer 2022 are aimed at a general audience, I hope youll believe me when I say that public scholarship remains a passion of mine, and that includes blogging.

Theres much more detail that I could go into about this past year, but I think thats enough and captures the key points. How has your year been? What do you hope that Ill blog about in 2024? Looking forward to writing more here for you, and the conversations that will ensue. Until then, have a merry Christmas and a happy new year if you celebrate those things!
New Africa Foundation has launched a new challenge to unearth the entrepreneurial skills of the Ghanaian youth and to provide financial support for start-ups.



The challenge dubbed "The University Challenge: Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Wealth Creation" was officially unveiled at the University of Professional Studies - Accra (UPSA) on Thursday, December 21, 2023.



The event saw a gathering of youth entrepreneurs who were taken through the nitty-gritty of the challenge.



The University Challenge



"The University Challenge" is a 10 to 13-week inter-University competition designed to cultivate student entrepreneurs and forster leadership, creating wealth for the youth and significantly contributing to the development of Ghana's economy.



The essence of this concept is to encourage students to embark on business ventures before graduating from their various Universities.



Ten (10) Universities have been selected by the New Africa Foundation to participate in the challenge with each team to receive up to GHC 50,000 mobilization funds to help them advance their jobs.



The competition will begin with an audition in January next year and the auditionees shortlisted to compete for an ultimate prize of 1 millon cedis.



This amount of 1 million cedis that is to be given to the winner of "The University Challenge" will come with a fund manager who will ensure the money serves its purpose.



This initiative will empower the youth to venture into entrepreneurship, changing the status quo and building a nation of youth who do not depend on government for job creation but carve a niche for themselves.



The University Challenge is an annual programme and requirements for participating in this challenge are interested students must be from the selected schools working with New Africa Foundation and selected among the top 5 to earn a spot in the team which will represent their school.



Students who seek to participate in the competition are encouraged to contact the office of the University Challenge on all social media platforms using the handle, UniChallengegh, or visit www.newafricafoundation.org for more information.



Launch



During the programme, a panel of youth entrepreneurs shared their stories and work challenges as well as experiences to inspire their fellow youth and Ghanaians at large to create their own jobs.



A youth entrepreneur named Rhoda Oslo, Chief Executive for Hypenet Digital and Huge Studios Print House, shared her story of how she built her own job immediately after internship, stating it was possible for her to become an entrepreneur because she challenged herself not to stay home but rather put her special abilities into good use.



Another panel member, Fiifi B. Welsing-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Chordic Technologies who is into Information Technology (IT), encouraged his peers to embrace entrepreneurship like he's done by creating an opportunity to connect people through technology.



Another speaker, a student of the University of Ghana who is into agriculture, noted it was challenging for him to combine starting his own business and his academics, nonetheless he finds it worthy to have risen above the odds to become a student leader.



He urged the youth to pursue their passion and churn it into a lucrative business.



As the world is evolving with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the youth entrepreneurs disclosed how they have taken advantage of the new trends to improve their work.



Rhoda revealed she has innovatively ventured into other areas of her job utilizing the new technology by adding up other chains to catch up with the fast-moving world.

The New Africa Foundation is an entity focused on addressing challenges in Africa.



It is a self-funded organization dedicated to addressing socio-economic issues and making a positive impact on various communities.



The New Africa Foundation's accomplishments underscore its commitment to making a meaningful difference.



They aim to underscore the paradigm shift where Africans are poised to contribute aid to the global community.



Their areas of focus include education, health, national development, global development, youth and women empowerment advocacy among others.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The National Executives and all members of the Ghana School Feeding Caterers Association in the 16 regions of Ghana would like to CONGRATULATE Hajia Safia Mohammed on her appointment as the National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The Association deems the appointment as not only timely but crucial for the smooth running of the most cherished social intervention programme, after the sudden demise of our late National Coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Quashigah. The Programme takes care of close to 4 million children in deprived public schools nationwide.



We take this opportunity to elephantly thank the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei Opare and our Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu for reposing their trust and confidence in Hajia Safia Mohammed, who has worked with the GSFP as Regional Coordinator in the Savannah Region since 2017.



We wish to remind her of the many challenges confronting the School Feeding Programme most especially those that affect our Caterers such as:



 Delayed Payment of caterers arrears

 Non-payment of some caterers since 2017

 Continuous deductions in payment and underpayment in caterers arrears

 Poor communication between Management and Caterers among others.

We believe in her ability, capacity and capability to run an open door and a more transparent administration. We wish that she will be a mother for all, tolerate all caterers and ensure total transformation of the GSFP.

In conclusion, we pledge our unflinching support and total cooperation for her administration, in order to ensure the sustainability of the Programme.



Thank you!



SIGNED:



CHARLOTTE ASHIAKIE ASANTE (MRS)

PRESIDENT

GHANA SCHOOL FEEDING CATERERS ASSOCIATION









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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.
Employees in the Bancassurance Unit of Stanbic Bank Ghana have organized a beach clean-up at the Korle Beach in Accra, demonstrating the bank's commitment to protecting the natural environment.



Speaking at the clean-up exercise, the Head of Bancassurance at Stanbic Bank, Henry Manyo-Plange, explained the importance of corporate institutions involving themselves in helping to keep the communities and the country clean. He went ahead to encourage Ghanaians to join in such efforts for the benefit of all.



He said, We are part of a bank that believes strongly in contributing to national growth and development by reaching out and impacting the communities in which we operate. That is why we are here today. Korle Beach is a recreational center that has the potential to attract a lot of tourists if it is kept in the right state. Unfortunately, it is not in the best condition. Today, my team and I came together to do our part in ensuring that our natural environment is protected and maintained for future generations.



It is easy to sit down and complain about the poor conditions of our beaches but it is more effective to get your hands dirty and do the work. The issue of environmental pollution and sustainability is a general problem and we must all do what we can and play our roles in creating a greener world; this experience has been a great one and we look forward to coming again and helping out., he continued.



Mr. Festus Nii Ayi Hayford, the Assemblyman for Ngleshie Jamestown Electoral Area, and other members of the community joined the team from Stanbic in the clean-up exercise and thanked the bank for their selfless act towards the community.



Stanbic Bank Ghana has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and a greener environment through various initiatives. Earlier this year, employees of the bank undertook a tree planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve at Agomeda in the Greater Accra region. The staff of the bank also planted shea seedlings in the Tilli community near Zebila in the Upper East Region, the Lilixia community near Tumu in the Upper West Region, and the Nyeko community near Nanton in the Northern Region. In all 2,115 seedlings were planted nationwide.













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.

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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has urged political parties in the country not to take the district assembly elections for granted.



The district assembly elections to elect Assembly and Unit Committee members commenced on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 but in some electoral areas, the elections had to be postponed due to printing of ballot error.



The affected areas will vote on Thursday, December 21, according to a statement by the Electoral Commission.



Nonetheless, the district elections on Tuesday saw one of the low turnouts and this has been attributed to the inactive participation of political parties in the elections as some critics argue the elections should be publicly politicized to whip up interest in it.



As apolitical as the district elections may look, there are however covert political influences behind the candidates and proof to this is a document from the camp of the New Patriotic Party in circulation indicating the party's affiliated members led the polls by 57.41 percent.



Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Allotey Jacobs asked the political parties to take the district-level elections seriously.



"This district assembly elections, you might take it for granted but it is an indicator towards 2024 elections. If you will lose, you will know by yourself that you will lose the 2024 elections," he stated.



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.

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The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) confirmed today the repatriation of Ms. Shalimar Abbuisi, a Belgian national who served as spokesperson for The New Force, a recently established political group in Ghana.



In a statement, the GIS clarified that Ms. Abbuisi's residence permit was revoked by the Comptroller-General, leading to her removal from the country. This action was based on Section 20 (2)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2000, which empowers the authorities to revoke permits obtained through fraudulent means.



Belgian woman New Force spokesperson arrested and charged for falsifying documents for Ghana resident permit



The statement goes on to detail that Ms. Abbuisi, according to the GIS investigation, secured a student permit through "fraudulent misrepresentation." This violation constituted grounds for her removal under the aforementioned Act.



The immigration service, emphasizing the legal basis for their action, stated, "Ms. Shalimar Abbuisi could not legally remain in Ghana. Accordingly, the Comptroller-General ordered her repatriation."



Ms. Abbuisi was subsequently repatriated on December 19, 2023, via Air Brussels Flight No. SN 319, returning to her native Belgium.

Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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By Jonathan D. Salant, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens top economic adviser said Thursday that the proposed sale of Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel to the Japanese-owned Nippon Steel Corp. appears to deserve serious scrutiny.

National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said the transaction deserved review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, headed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Biden administration would be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and to act if appropriate.

The purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity  even one from a close ally  appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability, Brainard said.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Ohio vowed to block the deal and have written to Yellen, asking for the foreign investment committee to stop the nearly $15 billion purchase of the iconic Pittsburgh-based steel manufacturer.

Brainard said Biden believes U.S. Steel was an integral part of our arsenal of democracy in WWII and remains a core component of the overall domestic steel production that is critical to our national security. And she said the president wants the review even as the country wants " manufacturers across the world building their futures in America with American jobs and American workers.

Steel is the backbone of American manufacturing on everything from infrastructure to cars to our clean energy, Brainard said.

The proposed sale comes at a time when Biden has signed legislation to encourage domestic manufacturing, expand clean energy and rebuild the nations infrastructure.

Both the White House and Congress also have expressed concern about the future of the unionized steelworkers at U.S. Steel, even as Nippon Steel said it would honor existing collective bargaining agreements.

U.S. Steel had 3,700 employees at the end of last year in southwestern Pennsylvania, where its corporate headquarters are located and where it operates its Clairton, Edgar Thomson and Irvin plants.

Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Gov. Josh Shapiro, said the governor would continue to engage with key stakeholders in pursuit of his top priority: protecting good-paying Pennsylvania jobs in the steel industry, keeping U.S. Steels headquarters in Pittsburgh and production in the Mon Valley and Western Pennsylvania, and ensuring the steel industry has a real growth strategy that benefits Pennsylvanians and the commonwealth as a whole.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan is engaging out extensive rehabilitation work in lands liberated from Armenian occupation, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, said Assistant of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, Trend reports.

Hajiyev stated this during the signing ceremony of the Agreement on holding the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in 2026.

He noted that Azerbaijan is ready to share this unique experience.

"Azerbaijan will work closely with partners to ensure that the World Urban Forum is held at a high level. I applaud all UN structures that are assisting Azerbaijan in this regard," Hajiyev added.

The signing ceremony of the Agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations (UN) was held and Baku will host the XIII session of the World Urban Forum in 2026.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Pa. state police on Friday announced they charged a 19-year-old California man in connection with a swatting incident that caused the evacuation and early dismissal of Big Spring High School last month.

The FBI searched the Tulare, California home of Sean Deleaon Friday and arrested him on a warrant blaming him for a bomb threat Nov. 30 that cleared the school at 100 Mount Rock Road in West Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County.

Deleaon had met a juvenile girl online, police say and officers learned the school bomb threat was one of many incidents in which Deleaon perpetrated in an effort to stalk and harass the girl.

The series of swatting calls spanned from June to the Nov. 30 incident, police say.

Swatting typically involves someone making a false report of a violent crime or emergency, sending a strong response from law enforcement, often including specialized units such as tactical teams or bomb squads, to an address where no such emergency exists.

The reports create a significant risk by sending armed officers into a non-existent situation, police say, and divert emergency services from true emergencies. People have been killed in swatting incidents that have gone wrong across the country.

Deleaon was locked in a jail in California while awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, police said. Investigators said they found additional evidence at his home Friday that supported the charges filed against him, which include risking catastrophe ( felony,) and stalking, terroristic threats, and harassment in connection with the multiple swatting calls.

READ MORE:

What is swatting? Heres why central Pa. police are seeing an increase in these dangerous hoaxes

Swatting call brings huge police response to Cumberland County neighborhood
UPDATE: Second man arrested in car wash contract killing: police

The man who was shot and killed at a York County car wash in 2022 had a $30,000 bounty placed on him by a rival gang, according to officials at a Thursday press conference.

York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and Detective Matthew DeWitt of the West Manchester Township Police announced an arrest and named a suspect in the May 20, 2022, shooting death of 24-year-old Devin Zeigler.

The shooting took place around 1 p.m. at the West York Auto Spa Express on York Crossing Drive in West Manchester Township, killing Zeigler and injuring another. An investigation by a grand jury took 18 months to complete. Zeigler was a resident of Springettsbury Township.

Police said Zeigler was likely a target of gang violence, but the other individual  who was there on his own to clean his car  was wearing an expensive necklace that the shooters tried to steal from him before gunning him down. The man survived his injuries.

Three people were seen on the car washs surveillance footage getting out of a white Kia. One of the men approached Zeigler  who was vacuuming his car  while the other two approached the man wearing the necklace, who was also using the vacuum.

The man who approached Zeigler appeared to rob him, and when Zeigler did not give anything up, shots were fired. Shortly after that, the other two suspects started shooting at the man wearing the necklace as he ran away, officials said.

Police said 32 shots were fired by the three suspects using 9mm and .40 caliber handguns with illegal switches to make them fully automatic and extended magazines.

Kamron Dowsey, of York, turned himself in to authorities regarding an unrelated offense and was charged with criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy to commit homicide, criminal attempt to commit homicide, and aggravated assault, according to officials at the press conference.

ShyDell Griffith, who has ties to both the York area and Georgia, is currently wanted by police on charges similar to Dowseys. Officials did not provide a known location for Griffith.

The third person seen getting out of the Kia is also a suspect being charged with criminal homicide, but police have not released that individuals identity at this time.

Police used the temporary registration of the vehicle seen on the video surveillance to locate Dowsey. Phone records showed Dowsey to be in the area of the car wash at the time of the shooting and close to where police found the Kia in Maryland, DeWitt said.

This vehicle is suspected in a homicide at The Auto Spa Express in West Manchester Township, Lancaster County on May 20, 2022. Photos provided by West Manchester Township Police Department.

Dowsey also called his mother and confessed to shooting Zeigler the day of the incident, which was overheard by his mothers coworkers. Another phone call Dowsey made confessing to the crime was also overheard, according to DeWitt.

Additionally, Dowsey confessed to the homicide while speaking to a witness in the York County Prison. The same witness also spoke to investigators about Griffith confessing to the shooting that same day.

Court documents show Dowsey, 20, is also charged with murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree, and criminal homicide for an incident that took place on April 23, 2023.
By Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman (TNS)

BOISE, Idaho  Prosecutors in the University of Idaho murder case filed a request Thursday to set a trial schedule next year for defendant Bryan Kohberger, of Pennsylvania.

The Latah County prosecuting attorneys office, which charged Kohberger with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, asked the presiding judge for an approximately six-week jury trial, including the sentencing, beginning in summer 2024.

The filing comes less than a week after the judge denied the defenses effort to throw out the grand jury indictment of their client.

State attorneys, led by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, requested that the trial dates in Moscow take into account the university and local high schools schedule to avoid overlap while they are in session.

As the court is aware, Moscow High School is directly adjacent to the courthouse premises and already the significantly increased amount of media and other vehicles related to this case has strained available parking as well as safety and convenience for pedestrians, including students, read Thursdays filing signed by senior deputy prosecutor Ashley Jennings, Thompsons second in command.

To meet the summer 2024 trial start date, prosecutors asked Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial Court in Latah County schedule a hearing to set deadlines for all filings, discovery, exhibits, names of expert witnesses, witness lists and proposed jury instructions. Prosecutors also requested that Kohberger not be provided any additional time to file an alibi, if that is part of his defense, given two such deadlines had already lapsed.

Kohbergers public defense team previously said in an alibi filing that its client was out alone driving his car overnight Nov. 12 to Nov. 13 and long had a habit of doing so. The four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death at an off-campus home on King Road in Moscow between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. on Nov. 13, according to the probable cause affidavit for Kohbergers arrest.

The four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in November, were Kaylee Goncalves, top left; Xana Kernodle, top right; Ethan Chapin, bottom left; and Madison Mogen, bottom right. (Moscow Police Department/TNS)TNS

Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. The victims were students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. At that time, Kohberger was a graduate student at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, about 9 miles west of Moscow.

Kohbergers trial was initially set to start in early October. In August, he waived his right to a speedy trial, which indefinitely postponed the trial. Prosecutors already have said they will seek the death penalty for Kohberger if he is convicted by a jury.
One of most successful wineries in North Carolina is JOLO, named after the two sons of Kristen and JW Ray, Joey and Logan, located in the shadows of Pilot Mountain around 20 minutes north of Winston-Salem.

If you are going to measure a producer by its awards, then no one in that area can top the lengthy list of accolades it has received, in particular for its Pilot Fog ($99), made from Cynthiana (also known as Norton) grapes. It added more plaudits this summer when JOLO Pink was named best of show at the THE Rose Competition 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Said one judge, Suny Fraser, after the competition: When a wine from North Carolina is the Best in Show, it is reminiscent of a Judgment of Paris moment. There are no preconceived ideas in a blind tasting; youre just judging whats in the glass.

In addition, the winery features a nationally ranked restaurant called End Posts that serves lunch and dinner and an events center to handle a variety of requests. The outdoor dining area features picnic tables, high-top bars, and community tables, all with a front-row view of Pilot Mountain. Theres also no shortage of tasting and dining experiences, including vertical tastings, private cuvee tastings, reserve tastings and traditional tasting.

In a state that might surprise many East Coast consumers on the length of its winery list, the quality of its wines and the amount of money that has been poured into the industry overall, JOLO sits among the top few producers. As an aside, the state industrys national profile certainly will be aided in 2024 by the arrival of the American Wine Societys national conference, set for Nov. 1-3 in Winston-Salem.

Recent numbers show the state has around 200 wineries and 400 vineyards, according to visitnc.com.

Two years ago today, JW Ray announced that JOLO was acquiring Hutton Vineyard in Dobson, North Carolina, a purchase that included 73 acres of land, a tasting room, the distribution business, and winery equipment. He references the outcome of that acquisition in one of the questions below.

A few weeks ago he announced another purchase, this time of RayLen Vineyards and Winery in Mocksville, a half-hour drive from Winston-Salem. Joe and Joyce Neely planted their first vines in 1999 and named their winery after daughters Rachel and Helen, who goes by the name of Len. They lured winemaker Steve Shepard, a 1984 Delaware Valley College graduate who worked at several Pennsylvania wineries, including Buckingham Valley in Bucks County, for 10 years before heading south.

Around 35 acres of grapes grow on the 115-acre property, which is woven into the history of the North Carolina wine industry. Its located in the Yadkin Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA), the heart of the states wine production. The grape varietals include Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot and Vidal Blanc.

The view from the driveway of Rayson Winery & Vineyards, formerly RayLen, in Mocksville, North Carolina.Rayson Winery & Vineyards

Having worked in that area and visited the winery numerous times, it continues to make and sell one of my personal favorites: its Category 5 red blend.

JW and wife Kristen reopened the place as Rayson Winery & Vineyards on Dec. 2 with these short-term goals:

Upgrades to the outdoor seating area and indoor tasting bar

New private tasting rooms and exclusive member lounges

New restaurant, Bistro Europa, which is projected to open in summer 2024 and will feature executive chef Daniel Zbiegien, who among other places worked at The Farmhouse at Veritas Winery in Virginia, which in 2020 was named the best restaurant at an East Coast winery.

New policies, including making Rayson Winery a 21+ only venue and not allowing pets on the property

JW turned around a list of questions this week from PennLive regarding the purchase and his plans:

Q, What enticed you to buy the winery and what are a couple of major changes you want to make there?

A, Our tasting room and restaurant at JOLO Winery have reached maximum capacity, providing guests with an opportunity to relish the bucolic surroundings, indulge in five-star wines, and savor exceptional food and service. We are open four days a week, deliberately choosing not to operate on our off days. This decision aims to maintain the venues quaint and exclusive atmosphere, ensuring maximum enjoyment for both our valued wine club members and new guests.

Also, the proximity of the location to the western part of the state as well as Charlotte and the surrounding affluent bedroom communities on the outskirts of Winston-Salem, was a critical factor.

Additionally, both of our sons, Joey and Logan (JOLO), have graduated from college and expressed their desire to join JOLO. This development has given us the additional bandwidth needed to expand the brand without compromising the rustic elegance that defines the JOLO Winery and End Posts restaurant experience.

Some major changes are adding a full-service restaurant there, with table-side service for wine and food, sit-down tastings, private tastings, food and wine paired tastings and wine club interactive events.

JW Ray said one of the reasons he purchased RayLen Winery was its proximity 'to the western part of the state as well as Charlotte and the surrounding affluent bedroom communities on the outskirts of Winston-Salem.'Rayson Winery & Vineyards

Q, Is it something you evolve into a JOLO2 or will it have its own identity?

A, It will definitely have its own identity. The restaurant will be different from a menu perspective and we will have many more private tasting locations and experiences as well as focusing 75%-plus of the wine production on single varietal wines.

Q, Saw on the website that its 21 and over only. Is JOLO that way and, if not, what is the reasoning for going in that direction at Rayson. Its always an interesting discussion whether to allow kids and/or pets.

A, Since 2019, JOLO has maintained an age-restricted policy. Our decision stems from the realization that exclusively serving alcoholic beverages does not create a conducive environment for individuals under 21 years old. Furthermore, we have observed the potential disruptions caused by younger guests engaging in activities such as running around, playing with Frisbees, and running through the vineyards or pets relieving themselves, biting each other, sniffing around guests food, barking, etc. These distractions impact the experience of our guests and members, many of whom travel from distant locations to enjoy a quiet afternoon at the vineyard, celebrate special occasions like proposals, anniversaries, or simply have a peaceful date night or day.

While we have children ourselves, and both venues are named after them, we believe that there is a time and place for everything. In our opinion, a winery experience is not the appropriate setting for the aforementioned reasons.

Q, What has made the restaurant at your place so successful and what have you learned running it that that you figure to incorporate at the new place?

A, Our guests experience high-quality, handcrafted ingredients through our diverse menu that brings together popular dishes from around the world. Unlike most restaurants with a specific food theme like Italian, Mexican, or Asian, weve chosen an eclectic approach, harvesting American favorites inspired by global destinations. Our world-class chef and kitchen team ensures an exceptional culinary experience. Not to mention our world-class service staff ensuring a professional, friendly, and fun environment.

These combinations will be the backbone of the new restaurant Bistro Europa.

Q, There are some similarities to JOLO, in terms of the distance from Winston-Salem and the fact there arent many wineries nearby, at least not like the numbers that exist in the Yadkin Valley. What are a couple of Raysons biggest selling points in terms of getting people in there?

A, Our proximity to large cities and populations, just 4 miles off a major highway, and, most importantly, our commitment to world-class wine, food, and service make Rayson a destination much like JOLO. A visit to Rayson can be a full-day experience. Imagine starting the day with a private tasting, followed by a gourmet lunch. Afterward, you can retire outdoors to soak up the view and sunshine while savoring your favorite wine from the earlier tasting. Unlike typical wine tour stops, JOLO is rarely just a brief visit. While it may begin that way for new visitors, over time, guests return with friends to spend the day relishing a world-class vineyard and winery experience.

Where' the party? That night it was held in the events room at JOLO Winery & Vineyards in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.JOLO Winery & Vineyards

Q, Is that an estate winery looking at the website, I didnt realize there were 35 acres there with a nice mix of vinifera. Are you leaving that alone or planning to add any new grapes or pull any vines out?

A, Yes we will be planting back the same varietals that are distressed and adding more this April like Pinot Blanc, Ruby Red, Albarino.

Q, You bought another vineyard a couple of years ago. What improvements have you made to that and are you sourcing those grapes for your winery?

A, That vineyard/winery we purchased has become the JOLO Winery winemaking facility. We have since expanded that footprint and added another 10 acres of grapes and adding another 4 acres this spring. That will give us over 50 acres planted at that location and bring the JOLO Winery planted acreage over 100 acres plus the 35 acres at Rayson. So we will be the largest single grower in the state.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip  The war in Gaza has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, health officials in the Hamas-run territory said Friday, a new reflection of the staggering cost of Israels military offensive as pressure grows to scale it back.

The figure, amounting to nearly 1% of the territorys prewar population, is just one measure of the devastation wrought by the conflict that over 11 weeks has displaced nearly 85% of Gazas people and leveled wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave.

More than half a million people in Gaza  a quarter of the population  are starving, according to a report Thursday by the United Nations and other agencies highlighting the crisis caused by Israels bombardment and siege on the territory in response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Despite the urgency to address the crisis, a U.N. Security Council vote on aid deliveries and terms for a cease-fire was delayed again late Thursday, after days of high-level negotiations.

The United States, which has veto power, has pushed back against calls for an immediate cease-fire and giving the U.N. sole responsibility for inspecting aid deliveries. Israel, citing security grounds, insists it needs to be able to screen goods entering Gaza.

The U.S. said it would back a revised resolution that calls for creating the conditions for a cease-fire, rather than an immediate end to fighting. Other countries support a stronger text and said they would need to consult their capitals before a vote, which is now expected later today.

Palestinians line up for a free meal Thursday in Rafah, Gaza Strip. International aid agencies say Gaza is suffering from shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies. (Fatima Shbair, Associated Press)AP

Martin Griffiths, the U.N. humanitarian affairs chief, lamented the worlds inaction.

That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience, he wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Despite calls for a cease-fire, Israel has said it would press on until Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years, has been destroyed.

The military has said that months of fighting lie ahead in southern Gaza, an area packed with the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, many of whom were ordered to flee combat in the northern half of the territory in earlier stages of the war.

Since then, evacuation orders have pushed displaced civilians into ever-smaller areas of the south as troops focused on the city of Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest. The military said late Thursday that it is sending more ground forces, including combat engineers, to Khan Younis to target Hamas militants above ground and in tunnels.

The air and ground campaign also continued in the north, even as Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas militants from there.

Gazas Health Ministry said that it has documented 20,057 deaths in the fighting. It does not differentiate between combatant and civilian deaths. It previously said that roughly two-thirds of the dead were women or minors. It said 53,320 Palestinians have been wounded.

Repeated cuts in communications have also hampered aid deliveries at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.

The extent of the populations hunger eclipsed even the near-famines of recent years in Afghanistan and Yemen, according to Thursdays report by the U.N. and other agencies. The report warned that the risk of famine is increasing each day, blaming the hunger on insufficient aid entering Gaza.

Palestinians line up Thursday for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip. (Fatima Shbair, Associated Press)AP

It doesnt get any worse, said Arif Husain, chief economist for the U.N.s World Food Program. I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed.

The war has also pushed Gazas health sector into collapse.

Only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially functioning, all located in the south, according to the World Health Organization.

The agency reported soaring rates of infectious diseases in Gaza, including a five-fold increase in diarrhea, particularly among young children, compared to pre-war figures. It said theres been a rise in upper respiratory infections, meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox.

With the health system on its knees, those facing the deadly combination of hunger and disease are left with few options, it said.

WHO relief workers reported unbearable scenes Thursday in two hospitals they visited in northern Gaza: Bedridden patients with untreated wounds cry out for water, the few remaining doctors and nurses have no supplies, and bodies are lined up in the courtyard.

Israeli forces have raided a series of health facilities in the north in recent weeks, detaining men for interrogation and expelling others.

On Thursday, troops stormed the Palestinian Red Crescents ambulance center in the Jabaliya refugee camp, taking away paramedics and ambulance crews, the group said. Today, the Red Crescent said the military released some of the paramedics, including women, but eight remained in detention with their whereabouts not known.
By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press

PRAGUE (AP)  People in the Czech capital were trying to come to grips Friday with the worst mass shooting in the countrys history that left 14 dead and dozens wounded inside a university building. The shooter is also believed to have killed his father earlier in the day and a man and a baby last week.

Political leaders, students, friends of the victims and others came together to light candles at an impromptu vigil for the victims of Thursdays shooting.

A few of my friends study at the philosophy faculty at Charles University, said Kristof Unger, a student who attended the vigil. They have been really traumatized by the shooting there and I just wanted to make them feel a little bit better.

A policeman guards the area outside the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. A lone gunman opened fire at a university on Thursday, killing more than a dozen people and injuring scores of people. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)AP

Robert Hanus, another of the vigils attendees said, that everybody should come together to make a stand against the attack. This shouldnt be normalized, he said.

The universitys rector, Milena Kralickova, was also among the throngs lighting candles. The academic community is shaken, deeply shaken, she said.

The shooter, who killed himself as police closed in, is believed to have been Czech and was a student at Charles University.

Authorities said Friday that 13 people died at the scene in the Faculty of Arts and one died later in a hospital. A total of 25 people were wounded, including three foreign nationals  two from the United Arab Emirates and one from the Netherlands. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said police in Prague worked overnight and all the 14 who died have been identified. Authorities did not release any names, but the Institute of Music Sciences confirmed that its head, Lenka Hlavkova, was among the dead.

An ambulance drives towards the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)AP

Petr Matejcek, the director of the police regional headquarters in Prague said the gunman, who has not been identified, killed himself on the balcony of the university building when police officers approached him.

Police have released no details about a possible motive for the shooting. The interior minister said Thursday that investigators didnt suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups. Officials said they believed the gunman acted alone.

Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said investigators believe the man killed his father earlier on Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague. He said the gunman was also suspected of killing a man and his 2-month-old daughter on Dec. 15 in Prague.

Police said the shooter had legally owned several guns and that he was heavily armed during the attack.

Policemen walk outside the headquarters of Charles University following mass shooting in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. A lone gunman opened fire at a university on Thursday, killing more than a dozen people and injuring scores of people. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)AP

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.

Charles University was established in 1348 and the Faculty of Arts is one of its oldest educational facilities.

The building where the shooting took place is located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

Police said Friday they have boosted security at schools and other soft targets  usually public facilities that are difficult to secure  in a preventive measure until at least Jan 1. University rectors also said they would work with police experts on more preventive measures to increase security around campus.
A Florida-based marketing company is now banned from advertising in Pennsylvania, after a recent settlement with the states attorney generals office over their misleading mailers..

RMC Direct Mail Services, LLC, sent false representations to frighten, pressure and mislead Pennsylvania residents into responding to their junk mail, according to a recent release from the attorney general.

This marketing company has sent its last piece of junk mail to Pennsylvanians, Michelle Henry, Pennsylvanias Attorney General, said.

RMC Direct will also pay for the costs of investigation, the release said.

Junk mail typically can cause inconvenience and annoyance, but this company went beyond, startling recipients with urgent messaging and false representations, Henry said.

Some of the junk mail appeared to be checks, while others appeared to be from the Internal Revenue Service.

The mailers created a false sense of urgency by using language such as Final Notice, Respond by, Time Sensitive and Immediate Response, according to the attorney generals office. The letters implied that if a consumer did not take certain action, they would be financially liable, the office said. .

The letters also implied RMC Direct was associated with residents mortgage lender or vehicle manufacturer and sent out registration fee voucher that looked like a check, but was not, according to the attorney generals office.

The attorney generals office said residents who received a misleader mailer like the ones RMC Direct sent out can file claims and complaints with the Bureau of Consumer Protection online at scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
The Harrisburg regions tough market for renting apartments didnt loosen its grip in 2023, with the region holding onto its spot as the third-tightest among small residential markets in the U.S.

Tough for renters and would-be renters, that is. For landlords, its the opposite, enabling them to keep apartments full at top dollar.

That bronze metal distinction is contained in the year-end report from RentCafe, which conducts quarterly assessments of 134 large and small residential rental markets across the United States.

Among the small markets, the seven-county Harrisburg region is actually tied with Fayetteville, Ark. and Providence, R.I., for the highest competitive score, although other factors drop it slightly below the leaders.

Here are the main data points contributing to the high ranking for the Harrisburg market, which includes Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, York, Lebanon and Lancaster counties:

A 2023 occupancy rate of 96.4%, compared to the national average of 94%;

More than 75% of renters choosing to renew their lease, compared to 60.2% nationally;

An average of 14 prospective renters competing for each vacancy, compared to 9 nationally;

Vacant apartments filled within 35 days, compared to the national average of 38;

A supply of newly constructed apartments that increased by only 0.6%, compared to 1.89% nationally.

As RentCafe puts it, the situation reflects fierce competition among renters, fueled by the short supply and sky-high renewal rates.

Such conditions, while especially good for landlords, are seen as a product of a thriving economy in general.

The downside, however, is that its hard for people with low and moderate incomes to find housing, and the high rents and short supply are seen as the driving force behind rising homelessness, as described in several recent PennLive articles.

PennLives Charles Thompson took a close look at the regions apartment rental market in March after a RentCafe quarterly report pegged it as the nations third-hottest. Those conditions, he found, can largely be attributed to intense population growth, a relatively low inventory of available housing, and rising mortgage rates that had pushed buying a home out of the reach of many. Other contributors included good schools, remote work enabling more people to move here, and proximity to major metro areas including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Its worth keeping in mind the RentCafe data is based on market-rate, large-scale multiple properties of at least 50 units. While that tends to capture the higher-end market, theres a trickle-down effect that impacts low- and moderate-income renters, local experts said.

Looking at the pipeline for rental units  the potential source of relief for renters  Thompson found nearly 2,000 multi-family units had been approved in Cumberland and Lancaster counties in recent years. While that shows developers are reacting to the demand, factors including the pandemic and rising acquisition costs and related expenses had slowed or prevented construction of some of those.

This week, David Butcher, the president of Harrisburg-based WCI Partners, said there is some new supply entering the market, but not so much that he expects rents to drop.

I dont likely see rent declining. But I do think the last three years or so of dramatic, double-digit rent increases has likely abated, he said.

Among large markets, suburban Philadelphia ranked as the second-hottest large in the northeast, and the eighth-hottest nationally, according to RentCafe. Miami had the nations hottest rental market, followed by northern New Jersey.

The tight Miami market is attributed to a technology sector thats attracting entrepreneurs from afar combined with business-friendly policies and no personal income tax.

Still, the midwest was the most competitive region in 2023, home to 10 of the nations 30 most competitive markets. Their appeal is driven by factors including the ability to work from home, people leaving urban areas for lower rent and more space, and local efforts to attract entrepreneurs, according to RentCafe.

Yet from an economic development standpoint, Butcher sees the Harrisburg markets proximity to major cities as a unique feature compared to the similarly hot midwestern markets that are competing for business and people.

For example, he says the Harrisburg region has a growing number of people whose jobs are based in places such as New York City and Washington, D.C., but who can do most of their work remotely. They can draw a big city salary while enjoying small-market cost of living.

Thats an advantage that I dont think is going away, Butcher says.

The flip side, of course, is it doesnt exert downward pressure on rents to benefit people who already live and work here.
HARRISBURG  Attorney General Michelle Henry joined 52 other attorneys general in a $700 million settlement agreement with Google regarding a lawsuit over the tech companys anticompetitive practices in its Google Play Store.

Pennsylvania will receive an estimated $20.58 million for consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023, a press release issued Wednesday said. The Office of Attorney General will receive an additional $10,000 in litigation fees and costs.

According to the lawsuit, Google (via the Play Store) unlawfully monopolized the market for app distribution and in-app payment processing on Android devices. Google prevented other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices and created barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps without using the Play Store, according to the release from the AGs office.

Google used unlawful practices to quash competitors and prime positioned its app store and payment processing for consumers, many of whom were not even aware of other options, Henry said. This settlement holds this mega company accountable for practices that inflated prices and stifled competition to the detriment of consumers.

Consumers eligible for restitution do not have to submit claims; they will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo, or they can elect to receive a check or ACH transfer. Google will provide information for eligible consumers to a claims administrator retained by the state attorneys general. The administrator will then provide notice directly via email and through notice published in digital media.

The settlement also requires Google to reform its business practices as follows:

Give all developers the ability to allow users to pay through in-app billing systems other than Google Play Billing for at least five years.

Allow developers to offer cheaper prices for their apps and in-app products for consumers who use alternative, non-Google billing systems for at least five years.

Permit developers to steer consumers toward alternative, non-Google billing systems by advertising cheaper prices within their apps themselves for at least five years.

Refrain from entering contracts that require the Play Store to be the exclusive, pre-loaded app store on a device or home screen for at least five years.

Allow the installation of third-party apps on Android phones from outside the Google Play Store for at least seven years.

Revise and reduce the warnings that appear on an Android device if a user attempts to download a third-party app from outside the Google Play Store for at least 5 years.

Maintain Android system support for third-party app stores, including allowing automatic updates, for four years.

Refrain from requiring developers to launch their app catalogs on the Play Store at the same time as they launch on other app stores for at least four years.

Submit compliance reports to an independent monitor who will ensure that Google is not continuing its anticompetitive conduct for at least 5 years.

This lawsuit was led by the attorneys general from North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, New York, and California, and joined by Attorney General Henry and all remaining states, the District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

You can contact the Pa. Attorney Generals office at this link.
A 16-year-old was driving the car that evaded Pennsylvania State Police in Franklin County earlier this week before crashing into a body of water, killing the driver and passenger.

Pennsylvania State Police released the name of the passenger  21-year-old Robert Wade Norwood of Hagerstown, Maryland  who was killed in the crash near Oellig Road but did not include the name of the teenage boy.

The teenager was also from Hagerstown, according to the police report.

Before the chase began, troopers were sent to the 9000 block of Lindale Avenue in Antrim Township around 12:52 a.m. Wednesday for reports of men possibly stealing from vehicles.

Then, the 16-year-old and Norwood got into a green Jeep SUV and fled troopers, who were unsuccessful in stopping the car during the chase, according to a press release.

The teen then drove the Jeep off Oellig Road and sped through several farms and properties before hitting a steep embankment and landing in a body of water, according to the police report.

Various EMS and fire crews  including water rescue  responded to the scene because of dangerous conditions for a rescue, state police said.

The 16-year-old and Norwood were found dead inside the Jeep, according to police.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Program Maimunah Mohd Sharif has thanked President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the beginning of a peace and development era in the region under his leadership, Trend reports.

She made the remark during a ceremony to sign the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN on holding the XIII session of the World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026.

The official highlighted that there are very few such leaders in the modern world.

In 2026, Baku will become the capital of the world for the first time, hosting the World Urban Forum. I know that Azerbaijan will host this forum at a very high level. The hospitality of the Azerbaijani people is widely recognized, added the executive director.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev and Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By Jack Panyard, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn explosion site Thursday evening to remember a East Lampeter Township woman who was killed in the blast. They shared stories and thoughts of her at a vigil.

Michele Miller, 61, was working as a night auditor, someone who handles day-to-day tasks, at the Leacock Township inn Monday when a suspected propane leak caused the front lobby to explode, killing her. She had worked for the Bird-in-Hand Corp. for 34 years, according to owner John Smucker.

It was an overwhelming turnout and response, Smucker said after the vigil. Were such a close-knit community that when one person grieves, we all grieve with them.

At least 250 mourners met on the front lawn of the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, feet away from the wreckage left by the explosion, and shared memories of Miller, her disposition, and her impact on her co-workers and visitors to the inn.

Millers husband, Joe Miller, and his sister Mary Miller sat in the front of the crowd and were addressed by Smucker, his wife, Myrna, General Manager Tammy Portner-Smith and Human Resources Director Sandy Kramer, each sharing their experiences from the morning of the explosion.

Mourners lit candles and sang Silver Bells, Michele Millers favorite Christmas song. Many wore shirts in a deep purple with #BIHstrong printed on the front in her honor.

The hosts invited people to share stories of Michele. More than a dozen said she had been a constant presence at the inn, always doing extra in her work. Some spoke of how her Christian faith influenced her life. Relatives, including a nephew, niece and sister-in-law, said they feel a hole in the family. Many spoke of how special the relationship between Michele and Joe Miller was and how their love for one another was so evident.

Im not quite sure how to move on here, Micheles nephew Jason said during the service. The best advice Ive been given is to keep doing the things that she did.

Joe Miller addressed the crowd at the end of the service, sharing gratitude for family and friends who have supported him and for the encouragement in his faith from Christian friends.

If you knew Michele, I guess you already knew she was the most loving, caring, giving person I ever knew, Joe Miller said. I think one thing she would want, dont let this spoil your Christmas, but I urge you to hug your friends and family like never before. Because there is no tomorrow guaranteed for anybody.

One person died after an explosion Monday morning at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn located at 2740 Old Philadelphia Pike in Leacock Township, Lancaster County. (Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com, file)Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Eden Resort Inn & Suites provided hot beverages for visitors, and the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company attended.

No guests were inside the inn at the time of the explosion as it was closed the week before Christmas for annual maintenance checks. The explosion did $1 million to $2 million in damage, according to Smucker, and closed the neighboring restaurant through the end of the week.

State police said fire marshals are investigating and suspect a propane leak caused the explosion, but will not have an official cause for at least a few weeks.

The Lancaster County coroners office conducted an autopsy Wednesday and concluded Miller died of multiple traumatic injuries, smoke inhalation and thermal burns, ruling her death an accident.
LEWISBURG-A Nebraska woman has been charged with scamming a Union County man out of $400,000 over four years after advising him he was a Publishers Clearing House prize winner.

It is likely there are other victims of the scam in which Candi Brown, 51, of Lincoln, is charged, state police say in the arrest affidavit.

She is scheduled to appear in the office of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Rowe in Lewisburg on Feb. 8 for a preliminary hearing on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

The victim, Robert Renninger, 73, told investigators he received a phone call approximately four years ago telling him had won the Publishers Clearing House prize but he needed to send money to pay the taxes.

Subsequently he was told to send more money, which he did, due to different things coming up, the affidavit states.

After realizing he was being scammed, Renninger said he sent money to individuals who called him claiming they could help get his money back, the document states.

Based on receipts and Renningers handwritten notes investigators estimate he lost approximately $400,000 over the four years.

The lengthy arrest affidavit accuses Brown of lying to interviewers and being involved in other fraudulent activity that included receiving unemployment benefits from other states.

State Trooper Kyle Drick, the lead investigator, concluded in the affidavit that Brown accepted money orders, deposited the money into a bank account, allowed someone in Jamaica to withdraw money and took her cut by withdrawing the cash and closing the account.

Based on information obtained from the Secret Service and police interviews, Brown seemed to be a willing participant and lied to investigators about the source and intended use of the money, he wrote.

Information she provided in interviews with state police at Milton and an investigator in Lincoln differed, he noted.

Arrest documents provide this insight into Browns alleged activities and the investigation:

A postal inspector obtained a copy of a $1,000 money order Renninger purchased on Nov. 27, 2020, that contained Browns name and address along with the bank and date it was cashed.

The results of a search warrant executed on Browns account in West Gate Bank in Lincoln revealed large amounts of money being deposited from withdrawals made through an ATM in Jamaica.

The bank had questioned Brown in 2020 about ATM withdrawals to Jamaica but she claimed her daughter lived there and she allowed her to use her debit card. The bank required Brown to confirm this in writing.

Through the Secret Service it was determined between Nov. 10 and Dec. 29, 2020, Brown received money into her account from different states unemployment departments including those in Colorado, Ohio and Illinois and then made multiple ATM withdrawals by giving the bank a fake story.

When questioned, Brown claimed the money came from two old female friends who had been married so many times she did not know their last names and was to be used to buy gift cards for the homeless and Christmas gifts.

When interviewed by Lincoln police, she claimed in 2020 she fell for a big win scam, and that she did not to know how she forwarded the money to Jamaica or how someone there had her debit card.

She admitted not having a daughter living there but claimed the scammers told her to say that so the withdrawals would continue.

During a Dec. 9 phone interview with Drick, Brown said she did what they told her to do and the money was for winnings of other people.

She disconnected when Drick told her he believed she knew the money orders were not legitimate part of paying winnings and that she was caught up in a scam.

When the interview resumed later that day she claimed she established the bank account to receive winnings and she did not monitor it.

She was told when money was coming in and to put it into the account, she said.

According to bank records, it was closed Jan. 20, 2021, when Brown, after writing four checks for cash totaling $3,000, withdrew $1,064.
The criminal Israeli onslaught on Gaza has killed at least 47 Palestinian journalists and there has been a partial or complete destruction of 117 press offices. Two journalists are missing, eighteen arrested, and eleven injured. Israel has launched a killing spree against journalists, reports the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. PRESS identification in Gaza, is not a form of protection, but a target, and Israel is pulling the trigger (a U.S. trigger it should be noted).

If Hamas killed (relative to population figures follow) 190 Israeli journalists, and partially, or completely, destroyed over 400 press offices in Israel, this would be front page news followed by endless condemnations of the Hamas barbarians?

Israels communications minister proposed banning Israels prime daily newspaper Haaretz, accusing the paper of being a mouthpiece for Israels enemies. Will honest reporting now be banned? Censorship suppresses much needed reporting on Israels war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Why does Israel kill and silence the messengers? Why do they cut power and impose telecom blackouts?

If people knew [the truth], the war would be stopped tomorrow. But of course  they cant know, said David Lloyd George about WWI in 1917.

Attempts have been made to silence the news agency Al Jazeera. Anthony Blinken told them to turn down the volume on Israels war against Palestinians. His reason? Al Jazeera was impacting public opinion to stop the carnage. Revealing war crimes is dangerous. Look at what happened to Julian Assange, and the murdered Palestinian journalists.

Who will report this: free ALL the hostages, including the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza.

Cindy MacDonald, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Your Excellency,

Please accept my sincerest congratulations on your birthday.

The year 2023, marking the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, was momentous for both Azerbaijan and for you personally. It is in this year that the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan was fully restored.

I am grateful to Azerbaijan and to you personally for supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, independence and territorial integrity, as well as for assistance in addressing the humanitarian consequences of the war with Russia.

I highly value the existing friendly relations between our states and our personal constructive and sincere dialogue. I am confident that the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani strategic cooperation, based on respect and trust, will continue to actively develop for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Your Excellency, I wish you robust health, inexhaustible energy and success in your responsible state activities," the letter reads.
Andrew Robl is Tearing Up Live Cash Game Streams; Up $3.156M in 2023

December 22, 2023 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

It is usually poker tournament players that find themselves in the headlines after helping themselves to a bumper score, capturing a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, or lifting a coveted trophy aloft. Cash game players often fly under the radar, going about their business in a quiet yet deadly efficient way. Andrew Robl is one such cash game superstar, a player who is in profit to the tune of $3,156,100 in televised cash games, according to Highroll Poker Tracker.

Highroll Poker tracker records and analyses results data from televised and live-streamed cash games from most major poker broadcasts. Those broadcasts include High Stakes Poker, Hustler Casino Live, Live at the Bike, No Gamble No Future, Poker After Dark, and more. According to Highroll Poker Tracker's data, Andrew Robl, known as "good2cu" in online poker circles, has accumulated a staggering $3,156,100 in profit during 2023.

A Difficult Start to 2023

Andrew Robl

Robl was absent from live-streamed and televised cash games in 2023 until March 21, when he sat down and played a two-hour session on Season 10 Episode 9 of High Stakes Poker. The session didn't go great for Robl, as he nursed a $35,900 loss.

Robl's appearances on Episodes 10-12 of High Stakes Poker also resulted in losses, and he found himself in a $182,400 hole at the end of April.

Matters became worse for the Las Vegas resident after he posted a $66,500 loss during Episode 3 of Bally Live Poker. It could have been much worse, though, because Eric Persson (-$241,900) and Rob Yong (-$412,800) left that game with gaping holes in their bankrolls.

In mid-July, Robl featured in Season 3 Episode 1 of No Gamble No Future. It was a serious grind for the cash game guru, with him locking in a $500 profit for his two-hour session, or a solitary small blind. Matthew Gonzales dominated that session, walking away with a $166,000 profit, leaving Persson, Patrik Antonius, Yong, and Markus Gonsalves in the red.

A week later, Robl pulled himself out of a hole and put his earnings into the black courtesy of a $242,000 profitable session on Season 3 Episode 2 of No Gamble No Future.

Eight of Robl's next ten live-streamed cash games ended with him padding his bankroll with vast sums of money, especially on No Gamble No Future where he enjoyed wins of $10,500, $275,000, and a whopping $652,000. While Robl will look back fondly on that particularly profitable session, Persson will want to forget it because he locked in a staggering $958,000 loss for the night!

More big wins followed, including a session yielding $188,600 profit at the 2023 High Stakes Cash Game Episode 4  WPT Cash on December 15. Amazingly, Robl was only the third biggest winner in that game because Garrett Adelstein banked $254,800 while Charles Yu ran hotter than the sun and reeled in $331,000 over the course of three-and-a-half hours.

Biggest Winners of 2023

Tom Dwan was the second-most profitable player in 2023

Unsurprisingly, with $3,156,100 profit, Robl is the biggest winner in live-streamed and televised cash games in 2023, according to Highroll Poker Tracker. However, four other players have improved their financial situation by seven figures, too.

Tom Dwan came out on top to the tune of $2,737,600 while Jean-Robert Bellande's $1,811,400 profit places him third in the big winner's list. Hasan Onay may have only featured for 20 hours in 2023, but those 20 hours were ridiculously profitable, earning him $1,751,000.

The prolific Ethan Yau was the fifth $1 million+ winner, netting $1,138,920 over the course of 118 hours.

Name Hours played Net winnings Hourly rate Andrew Robl 64.50 $3,156,100 $48,932 Tom Dwan 64 $2,737,600 $42,775 Jean-Robert Bellande 75 $1,811,400 $24,152 Hasan Onay 20 $1,751,000 $87,550 Ethan Yau 118 $1,138,920 $9,652

Unluckiest Players of 2023

Tan Xuan dropped over $2.6 million in 2023

Of course, if someone is winning at poker, it means someone else is losing. Tan Xuan was the unluckiest player of the year, losing $2,632,000 over a mere 23 hours. Indian businessman Santhosh Suvarna dropped $2,526,350 at the cash game tables, while Eric Persson was relieved of $2,277,850 in 2023.

The United Kingdom's Rob Yong ended the year in a $1,497,200 hole, while Wesley Fei saw $1,494,985 leave his bank account, although he did play for 201.50 hours putting him in the top 15 in something positive!

Name Hours played Net losses Hourly rate Tan Xuan 23 $2,632,000 -$114,435 Santhosh Suvarna 96 $2,526,350 -$23,316 Eric Persson 101 $2,277,850 -$22,553 Rob Yong 104.50 1,497,200 -$14,327 Wesley Fei 201.50 $1,494,985 -$7,419

Most poker players are taking a well-earned rest right now with the holiday season upon us. Who are your predictions for having a stellar 2024 when the high-stakes cash game action resumes in the New Year?

Data courtesy of Highroll Poker Tracker. PokerNews does not vouch for its accuracy

Sharelines Who were the biggest winners and losers in live-streamed cash games in 2023?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. French colonization in Africa was often justified by the so-called "civilizing mission", ignoring the high level of development of African countries, said a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti and head of the Djibouti-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group Ilaya Ismael Guedi during the conference "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress", Trend reports.

"However, the reality is that African societies have rich history, culture, and complex structure. When French settlers landed in Africa in the nineteenth century, there were already powerful empires and kingdoms with complex social organization and an established economic system. These civilizations had their form of governance and social hierarchy," she noted.

According to Guedi, the effects of this colonization have left deep scars on the collective memory of African countries.

"The former French colonists have maintained their influence by putting local collaborationists in power who act as puppets to ensure the continuity of colonial interests," she emphasized.

She also mentioned that African youth are becoming a dominant, dynamic, and conscious force to take control of their destiny.

"Youth are striving for true independence, questioning structures inherited from the colonial past, and seeking innovative ways of sustainable development. African youth are positioning themselves as catalysts for change, carrying a vision of a future based on shared dignity, justice, and prosperity. By bringing different generations together in open dialog, consensus can be built on the way forward, creating a collective momentum for true African solidarity, defined and shaped by its like-minded people," she added.

The international briefing "Decolonization Dialogues: Legacy, Challenges and Progress" has kicked off in Baku. The briefing was organized by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the NAM Youth Organization.

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Jared Kushner posted that he and his wife, Ivanka Trump, have gone to Israel to meet with political leaders to pursue peaceful solutions.

Kushner wrote on Twitter:

Ivanka and I traveled to Israel to bear witness.

Its important to see with ones own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7.

We met with families of those that were kindnapped, including some still in Gaza. We met with several political leaders who are committed to building lasting solutions to intractable problems. With determination, trust, pragmatism and creativity, the previously unthinkable can be accomplished.

We will pray that the coalition for peace, prosperity, respect and understanding will prevail and create a bright and exciting future for humanity.

Kushners post:

Ivanka and I traveled to Israel to bear witness. Its important to see with ones own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7. We met with families of those that were kindnapped, including some still in Gaza. We met with several political pic.twitter.com/bxW2KjplXF  Jared Kushner (@jaredkushner) December 21, 2023

Fear not world. Corruption Barbie and Saudi Blood Money Ken have arrived in Israel to pursue peace, which is odd because Donald Trump had been claiming for years that peace in the Middle East is easy, and Kushner already did it.

The political gesture by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner is especially hollow as the Biden administration has been working hard on and delivering movement toward peace, which includes hostage releases and ceasefires.

While Democrats pursue real peace, the Trump family shows up for photo ops. Jared Kushner had years in the White House to pursue peace in the Middle East, but it appears that all he did was line his pockets with billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia.

The Trump family only shows up somewhere for political reasons or if there is money to be made.

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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
Julie Stutts will replace Aiken Countys register of mesne conveyance, Judith Warner, who is retiring at the end of the year.

An appointee by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, Stutts will have a different title, register of deeds, and will serve for the rest of Warners unexpired term.

Stutts currently is Warners deputy.

Warner told the Aiken Standard on Dec. 12 that she had written a letter to McMaster asking him to appoint Stutts.

The paperwork making McMasters selection of Stutts official was filed with S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammonds office Thursday.

Warner has held the elected position of register of mesne conveyance for 27 years.

She most recently was reelected to a four-year term in November 2020.

I figured it was time for me to have a little free time, but its also time for somebody to step forward, said Warner about why she decided to retire.

She praised her staff for its expertise and described Stutts as a great assistant.

In the 1970s, Warner helped organize the Aiken County Republican Party, and she represented District 1 on Aiken County Council in the 1990s.

She also served at the state and regional level in other roles and has been active in various professional organizations.

Warner is the widow of a former Aiken County Council chairman, Carrol H. Warner.

Because of action taken by South Carolinas legislature, the office held by Warner has been known as register of deeds since January 2018. But those who were serving at the time of the change were authorized to keep the register of mesne conveyance title during their tenures.

Warner is the only remaining register of mesne conveyance in the Palmetto State.

The position also is known as registrar of mesne conveyance, registrar mesne conveyance and RMC.
A Richmond County jury awarded an Aiken man and his wife more than $3 million from a lawsuit that alleged an outpatient procedure at then-Trinity Hospital in Augusta left the man injured.

Augusta Hospital LLC, the legal entity over Trinity at the time of the procedure, will pay Willie Wright $3.2 million and his wife, Glory Wright, $308,000, according to the verdict sheet from the Wednesday, Dec. 20, decision.

We are grateful that Willie and Glory Wright have finally achieved justice. Its been a long time coming," attorneys Ken and Caleb Connor, who represented the Wrights, said in a media release.

The verdict came more than five years after the case was filed. Caleb Connor said the case was part of the backlog caused by COVID-related court delays.

Trinity Hospital, which has changed hands and names at least twice since the procedure, is now the Piedmont Augusta Hospital Summerville Campus of Georgia-based Piedmont Healthcare. The hospital did not immediately respond to phone and email messages requesting comment.

On Nov. 3, 2016, Wright had a procedure to insert a filter meant to trap blood clots two weeks ahead of a scheduled gastric bypass.

It was supposed to be a simple procedure in and out, 30 minutes, Caleb Connor said.

The Wrights alleged that the hospital used the wrong equipment during a procedure, which kept the doctor from adequately seeing where he was operating. They also alleged the hospital violated the manufacturers operating instructions and warning for the machine used in an attempt to remove the filter, which resulted in the machines failure.

The defense attempted to blame everybody, Caleb Connor said. The surgeon, the machine itself, the patient, they wanted to blame everybody and not acknowledge it was their machine, it broke and we contend they had responsibility for that.

The filter was removed on the third attempt, which came after an overnight stay in an intensive care unit. After the filter was removed, Wright's attorneys said he had a more than two-month hospital stay and $650,000 in medical bills  more than $440,00 of that tally coming from Trinity Hospital, and he's still dealing with long-term health problems from the procedure.
Boeing Co. delivered a 787 jet to a Chinese customer for the first time in more than four years on Thursday, marking a potential thaw in relations between the aerospace firm and a nation that's expected to account for one-fifth of aircraft demand over the next 20 years.

The planemaker confirmed that a 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash., shortly before noon local time.

The flight landed in China at about 3:25 a.m. EST on Friday, according to the aviation tracking website FlightRadar24.

Although Boeing consolidated all 787 production to its North Charleston campus in 2021, this particular Dreamliner was built at a former sister plant near Seattle a year earlier.

Prior to this, the last Dreamliner delivery to a China carrier  also to Juneyao  was in November 2019. China suspended deliveries of all Boeing planes after the 737 Max was grounded worldwide following a pair of deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

More than 110 787s have been delivered to Chinese customers since the program started, according to Boeing's website. In addition, Boeing has 12 Dreamliners built for Chinese customers in its inventory, according to a report by Reuters.

"This is clearly a move by the (Chinese) government that might just signal to the airlines that they're free to take deliveries and perhaps even place orders," analyst Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisories told Reuters.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China, the country's aviation regulator, has given the go-ahead for 737 Max deliveries to resume, according to a report by The Air Current, but another panel still must give its approval. Boeing has 85 737 Max jets ready for delivery to buyers from China.
Bank of America has announced its latest round of funding for Lowcountry cultural and art organizations.

The new round of funding, $20,000, brings the bank's donations to arts organizations through its foundation for the year to $295,000, according to a Dec. 14 news release.

The funding given to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Charleston Gaillard Center and Gibbes Museum of Art will support programs aimed at creating new opportunities and reducing barriers to access art.

The donation to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina will support afterschool programming at Hilton Head Island Middle School and the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club through workshops to create and perform hip-hop music while tying into the school's language arts curriculum.

At the Gaillard, the bank's donation will sustain the center's low-cost program that makes it easier for students and their families to experience the performing arts. One such opportunity included access to a production about the life of Robert Smalls, who commandeered a Confederate ship and sailed to freedom with other enslaved men, women and children during the Civil War.

The Gibbes Museum will use the grant money to fund a program designed to bring art and history to life by re-creating a scene from a work of art with live performers. The program provides a different way to experience visual art.

Bank of America also has supported the International African American Museum, and it has sponsored Spoleto Festival USA's chamber music series for three decades.
A recent study found that on average each passenger coming through the Greenville Spartanburg Airport leaves a $1,700 economic footprint in the surrounding community.

Syneva Economics, an Asheville-based research firm, found that a regular GSP passenger generates $367.72 worth of additional local income and raises local output by $1,205.73.

Each passenger creates about $139.71 in tax revenues for the Greenville and Spartanburg economies, the study found.

The study also concluded that visiting passengers create more than $180 million in annual tax revenue, $50 million of which goes to counties and municipalities.

Leisure travelers are responsible for two-thirds of the total tax revenue generated.

Over the past two decades, jobs supported by the airport have quintupled from 3,692 in 2009 to 19,860 in 2023. The total economic output from the airport is also eleven times greater this year than in 2009, $4 billion compared to $377 million.

The airport's upcoming improvement projects, which include terminal expansion, pavement improvements and an additional parking garage, are expected to support 800 jobs annually over a six-year period.

"When we invest in the airport, we are investing in the entire Upstate region, said Dave Edwards, CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, in a press release. Our substantial growth contributes to and reflects the growth we are witnessing in our area."

GSP commissioned Syneva Economics to study the impact of the airport on Greenville and Spartanburg's economies. The study looked at data collected in 2022 and 2023.

Upcoming in the Upstate

Gas station chain RaceTrac announced plans to ring in the new year with it's first two South Carolina locations  one off White Horse Road in Greenville.

Whether its a taquito for breakfast or frozen yogurt at 2 a.m., RaceTrac said its stations are "a judgment-free zone."

The Atlanta-headquartered company is opening a second location in the Lowcountry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan plays the role of a regional leader, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva said during a ceremony signing the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN on holding the XIII session of the World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026, Trend reports.

In November, Azerbaijan hosted the SPECA (Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia) summit. Azerbaijan included the concepts of sustainable development, a clean environment, and smart cities in the list of national priorities for 2030.

"The country is also contributing to creating greener and more inclusive cities and villages in Karabakh. We hope that COP29 and the World Urban Forum will showcase Azerbaijan's achievements as well as its regional strengths. The UN is next to Azerbaijan on this path, stated Andreeva.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev and the Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Program Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
GREENVILLE  The truck that sits along North Pleasantburg Drive is not bold in color or design, but the food coming from within is bright, flavorful and most importantly, an expression of chef and owner Rogelio Rojas Gabaldon himself.

After decades working in restaurants around the world, Gabaldon is working for himself, creating food that he wants to create, and putting his touch on specialties from churrasco to arepas and steak frites to Milanese.

It all comes from within his newly opened food truck, Picana, which is the first dedicated steakhouse food truck in Greenville. For now, it operates at the Power Trac gas station at 2560 N. Pleasantburg Dr. in the Cherrydale area next to Goodwill.

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Picana draws upon some of Gabaldons favorite dishes, but also his style of cooking, which he describes as fusion.

All the cuisines have some influences from other areas, immigrants or wars, he said. So, all the cuisines from around the world are fusion.

This he knows from firsthand experience. The Venezuela native has cooked and lived in Argentina, Italy, Spain and the United States.

Thus, his cuisine pulls from many cultures.

At Picana, diners will find a selection of pastas made the Venezuelan way. This means made with influence from Italian immigrants to Venezuela, but with Venezuelan ingredients and techniques.

Each pasta comes with a choice of sauce, including carbonara, arrabiata, alfredo or parmesan and is then topped with a choice of chargrilled steak or chicken. There is also shrimp scampi, accented with herbs and just a touch of spice.

But, Picana grew out of the grill, a tradition in Venezuela. The grill specialties include chicken, steak, chorizo, homemade sausage, seasoned in traditional ways, and prepared on a charcoal grill to add an important layer of flavor.

In a further nod to his Venezuelan culture, Gabaldons menu also includes arepas, and Venezuelan tacos, which are served with pico and refried beans and called Jaunse Tacos in honor of Gabaldons son, Juan Sebastian, a taco lover through and through.
GREENVILLE  New footage released from a federal drug raid in November shows the Greenville SWAT team  staged inside of a home for an undercover drug deal  fired at the suspect after the bust went wrong.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office released two selected clips of body camera footage Dec. 22 under their community briefing policy.

The Post and Courier has submitted open records requests for additional dash camera footage, audio and reports from both the sheriff's office and the Department of Homeland Security. Body camera footage is not subject to public records laws in South Carolina, but is under federal law.

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Lt. Ryan Flood explains in the briefing video that the sheriff's office was called to help the Department of Homeland Security with the Nov. 7 raid at 100 Carver St., a house advertised online at the time as a short-term rental property in West Greenville.

The SWAT team was staged inside of a bedroom in the back of the home, watching video surveillance of the bust while on standby to provide security, Lt. Ryan Flood said.

Flood said the suspect, later identified as Justin Barrett McCarrell, 36, met with undercover DHS agents inside the home around 3 p.m.

While McCarrell was speaking with one of the undercover agents, another agent stepped outside and left the back door open behind him. McCarrell then pulled the door shut and locked it, leaving him inside with one agent, Flood said.

"At this time, hidden SWAT team members heard a commotion and the repeated yelling of the word police," Flood said. "In fear agents' lives were in danger, SWAT team members exited the room and encountered the armed subject in the hallway located at the front door of the residence."
BEAUFORT  Local affordable and workforce housing initiatives could get a financial boost following recent approvals from County Council.

Council members approved a motion Dec. 11 to allocate $150,000 in state accommodations tax funds toward affordable housing.

The allocation is made possible by a new law passed earlier this year that expanded the use of hospitality and accommodations tax dollars. The new bill allows local leaders to allocate up to 15 percent of hospitality and accommodations revenue, or A-Tax, to be used for affordable workforce housing projects.

Councilwoman Anna Maria Tabernik made the proposal as the council considered the first reading of an ordinance recommending the distribution of the county's $1 million state allocation from state.

When Tabernik's motion went to a vote, the Council split 5-5 before Chairman Joseph Passiment cast the deciding vote. With the vote, the matter was sent back to the State Accommodation Tax Committee to determine how to carve $150,000 from its previously recommended distribution.

Any housing initiatives financed with A-tax money must serve people earning between 30 and 120 percent of the area's median income.

Housing initiatives could include rental housing but must include programs to promote homeownership, under the legislation. The law created a new state committee to examine current and potential land use planning in the state.

The council also looked to American Rescue Plan Act funds to boost a local workforce housing organization. Hilton Head Island based nonprofit Coastal Community Development Corporation was allocated $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds during the Dec. 11 meeting. The money will be administered by the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust.
COLUMBIA, S.C. - As part of an ongoing investigation related to a nationwide recall of cinnamon applesauce pouches mostly eaten by children, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has had products that contained high levels of lead removed from store shelves Read moreDHEC investigating cases of lead exposure from cinnamon applesauce pouch products
Colliers International South Carolina, Inc. Board of Directors recently announced leadership changes in electing David M. Feild, CCIM, as its President. John W. Folsom, who has led the company as President for over 30 years, will continue as the companys Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Read moreColliers elects new president
I have always said the Lowcountry is the hardest place in the world to grow grass (insects, fungus, reseeding is not usually an option, long windows of opportunity for weeds to germinate, many types of weeds, weather), and after this year I might have to add that it has the craziest weather. Read moreHorticulture Hotline: Kickin' grass and taking names
Rebecca Hill, the embattled Colleton County Clerk of Court, rewarded herself with two bonuses this year, emails show, boosting her pay in a way that state officials have said may violate the law.

Emails released Dec. 21 indicate that Hill told the countys finance director to include her in a list of bonuses she was giving her staff. Hills requests for herself totaled at least $5,000, not counting the extra amount she asked the accounting department to include to cover taxes.

One round was issued soon after her staff handled the six-week trial of the disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh, who was found guilty of murder in the June 2021 slayings of his wife, Maggie, and their son Paul at the family's remote home.

Hills bonuses are said to be part of an ethics investigation she is facing. Similar payments have come under scrutiny elsewhere. The FBI and the State Law Enforcement Division opened an investigation last year into the clerk of court in Williamsburg County, who paid herself $30,000 in bonuses after local officials declined to give her a raise.

At least one of the payments authorized by Hill came from the countys federal child support funds, emails show. On Oct. 25, Hill asked the finance department how much was left in the child support account; an hour later, she sent a list of bonuses to draw from it.
A Wisconsin man who claims he was to serve as interim chief of schools for Charleston County is suing the district for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation, according to a lawsuit filed here.

Daryl Burns, the deputy chief of high schools for the Racine, Wis., Unified School District, which is the same district former Charleston County School District Superintendent Eric Gallien hailed from, is suing the district for failing to honor an employment agreement offered in July.

A letter Gallien sent to Burns on July 18 confirmed Burns' assignment as interim chief. Burns was anticipated to serve in the temporary position through June 30, 2024, with an annual salary of $195,000.

Gallien reiterated in the letter the position was temporary and encouraged Burns to apply when and if the district made the role permanent.

Burns accepted, notified his employer he would be leaving the Racine school district and made plans to move his family to Charleston. He was excited about the "big move," the complaint states, to meet new people and to learn a new system. He described a sense of "comfort" with CCSD.

Burns alleges in the complaint that Gallien, now-acting Superintendent Anita Huggins, Chief Human Resources Officer William Briggman and other district employees knew the offer had been sent to him in July, along with at least one school board member.

The complaint also states at least one board member knew Burns had accepted the offer.

CCSD spokesman Andy Pruitt said the letter of agreement Burn received was premature.

On May 18, the board decided the superintendent could not make any organizational changes without an explicit vote of the board. An effort on July 17 to rescind the motion and allow the superintendent to make organizational changes failed 4-5.
Red knots are small shorebirds with impressive mileage. Every year, they migrate long distances, some up to 19,000 miles, to the Arctic Circle to nest. Many prepare for this northward journey in South Carolina, making the state an important stop for the federally threatened species.

In May, biologists from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources tagged three red knots with satellite trackers to learn more about these birds migration from South Carolina to their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle.

DNR estimates 17,247 red knots stop over on Kiawah and Seabrook islands, as well as the Deveaux Bank Seabird Sanctuary, to build the muscle and fat stores they will need to complete these journeys. This constitutes 41 percent of the total red knot population.

Biologists wanted to know: Exactly how important is South Carolina to these birds?

Are they doing this big fattening up and getting ready for nesting season in South Carolina? DNR biologist Felicia Sanders said. Or are they just stopping here, eating some clams and horseshoe crab eggs, and then going to North Carolina then Delaware Bay?

If the birds flew straight from South Carolina to the Canadian Arctic, Sanders said it would make the state much more important in these birds journeys than if they went elsewhere before flying the rest of the way.

Knots stay at a place in the spring and even double their weight, Sanders said. Theyre just eating, resting and preparing for a journey to the Arctic. So, the place where theyre doing that is really important for the survival of the species.

Sanders says she first suspected red knots flew directly to the Arctic from South Carolina about 20 years ago. Before that, most biologists didn't recognize South Carolina's importance in red knot migrations and thought all red knots funneled through Delaware Bay.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Your Excellency,

Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your birthday anniversary. Please, accept my warmest regards and the best wishes of joy, happiness and success in your endeavors and aspirations for prosperity, peace and stability of your country and the friendly people of Azerbaijan.

Your personal commitment and engagement to further developing relations between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is highly valued and very much appreciated.

Hereby, I avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm that the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan will be further enhanced by a wide range of bilateral and multilateral initiatives for the benefit of our nations.

Excellency, allow me to once again renew the assurances of my highest consideration, and wish you every success in your most important endeavors," the letter reads.
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
As if the Charleston County School District didnt have enough problems as it faces public blowback against its School Board and adjusts to its third superintendent in less than a year, its about to slam head-on into a wall that everybody should have known for years was dead ahead, but nobody did anything to avoid.

And by everybody, we dont just mean everybody in the district  although theyre certainly included. We mean everybody in every school district in the state. And the nation.

Ever since the Congress started throwing money it didnt have at school districts at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, weve known that this revenue was only a temporary lifeline and eventually the spigot would shut off cold.

That wasnt a problem for the hand sanitizer and air purifiers and face masks and even online teaching software that school districts used some of the first allocations to buy. But it didnt take long for school districts to start expanding their summer school and after-school offerings and providing more intensive learning programs during the school day  and hiring teachers and aides to provide that intensive work. Indeed, such expenditures were all but required by the most recent allocation  the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, commonly referred to as ESSER.

The jurys still out on how successful those programs were, although weve seen little to indicate that they created the transformational changes they could have, here or elsewhere. Theres little indication either that school districts followed the advice of experts who said they needed to build financial sustainability into the federally funded programs, ideally by coming up with a way to phase out existing programs that had similar goals.
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
CLOVER  An investigation into a construction contractor's business dealings continues to wrack up new charges against him.

The York County Sheriff's Office, along with state and federal officials, accuse Christian Joseph Novellino, 49, of Clover with several charges of breach of trust related to his resident home-building business, Constructing Up Homebuilders.

Novellino was initially charged with seven counts on Dec. 4. Authorities have added 16 more counts since then, including four on Dec. 20, according to York County court records.

Novellino remained at the York County Detention Center with a $1 million bond as of Dec. 21.

Multiple victims raised concerns with the York County Sheriffs Office regarding contracts made with Mr. Novellino and Constructing Up for the building of several residential homes.

Several property owners told detectives that minimal progress or no work was completed for their homes, and they weren't refunded by Novellino for what they had paid.

"We are just now scratching the surface of the number of people affected by this investigation and this arrest, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said in a statement. We strongly feel there may be more people out there who were defrauded by Mr. Novellino and are committed to ensuring justice for all affected in this case.

Sheriff's Det. Edward Kimbrell continues to take calls from customers affected. He can be reached at 803-628-3059.

The York County Homebuilders Association recommends the following practices for people planning to have a home built.

 Visit the South Carolina Labor, Licensing and Regulation website to assure that your contractor is licensed to practice in the state as a residential builder.

 Make sure the builder has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan categorically rejects unfounded accusations of the European Union (EU) of detaining journalists and political activists, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry (MFA) Aykhan Hajizada said, Trend reports.

"We vehemently reject the European Unions (EU) unfounded allegations regarding the detention of journalists and political activists in Azerbaijan.

Such unsubstantiated and prejudiced statements are viewed as an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary of Azerbaijan.

Involvement in the course of the investigation is unacceptable, and interference in the judicial proceedings clashes with the principle of the rule of law, which is the fundamental principle of the legal state.

We note with regret that the EU's indifference to violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Armenia, including cases of the deaths in prison of persons arrested as a result of political persecution, as well as oppression of politicians and their family members, are clear cut examples of double standards.

Instead of making such baseless accusations against Azerbaijan, we urge that the EU side concentrate on the human rights violations in the EU member states. The EU is yet to properly investigate and adequately comment on the facts surrounding the death of 12 yellow vest protesters in France, the growth in the cases of bribery and corruption inside EU institutions, Islamophobia, and attacks on Muslims.

In light of this, such prejudiced and arbitrary remarks by the EU are seen as intervention in Azerbaijan's domestic affairs.

These unsubstantiated allegations jeopardize the prospects of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation," Hajizada said.
A friend asked me to recommend a book about Whittaker Chambers as a Christmas gift for her smartly conservative daughter several years ago. Chambers stands at the center of an incredible drama and several fantastic books about him. There is still much to be learned from him and his case. Here I revisit and expand the list with a little help from the eminent historian Harvey Klehr:

1. Witness is Chamberss autobiography. It has remained in print continuously since it was published in 1952. The linked paperback edition includes forewords by William F. Buckley, Jr., Robert Novak, Milton Hindus, and Alfred Regnery, collected from previous editions of the book. Several conservatives including a friend or two of mine have mentioned the impact this book had on them. The book figures prominently, for example, in Andrew Fergusons 2011 Weekly Standard cover story on David Mamet.

2. Odyssey of a Friend: Letters to William F. Buckley, Jr. 1954-1961, edited with notes by Buckley: Privately printed and long out of print, the book conveys Chamberss Dostoyevskan temperament (as Terry Teachout puts it) and weary voice reflecting on the case. Pulling the book down from my bookshelf this morning, I note that Buckley writes in the introduction it was I who opened the envelopes that brought these communications, finding in them a sublimity which I most frankly acknowledge as having been as much influential as the goddamn Woodstock typewriter in convincing me of the credentials of Whittaker Chambers.

3. Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case, by Allen Weinstein. As a liberal historian who was given access to the files of Hisss lawyers, Weinstein sought to write the definitive account of the case. He did all that and more in this meticulous work of reconstruction originally published in 1978 and returned to print by the Hoover Institution Press in an updated edition published in 2013. Weinstein takes the reader inside the Communist espionage ring that infiltrated the Roosevelt administration. In the introduction to the updated 1997 edition of the book, Weinstein writes: With the new evidence blended into the old, most of the troubling questions about the Hiss-Chambers case can be answered. I thought he had done that when the book was originally published in 1978, when George Will hailed the publication of the book as a historic event. I couldnt put it down.

4. Whittaker Chambers: A Biography, by Sam Tanenhaus. Theodore Draper wrote of this book in the New York Review of Books: Tanenhaus had the ingenious idea of filling out what Chambers wrote by going to the memoirs, letters, papers, FBI interrogations, and testimony of all the others in the story. As a result, he rounds out Chamberss account from different angles, drawing on the accounts of many people who knew Chambers. Terry Teachouts 1997 appreciation of Tanenhauss book is collected in A Terry Teachout Reader.

5. The Anti-Communist Manifestos, by John V. Fleming. The author is a retired English professor who spent his career at Princeton teaching Chaucer. Pursuing his bookbinding avocation in retirement, he came upon a book that sent him on a voyage of discovery to the other three books that he takes up here along with the one he was about to pulp. Witness is the fourth. Professor Fleming writes that by any just canon of literary history [it] should claim its place within the great tradition of American autobiography. Professor Flemings aptly named blog is Gladly Lerne, Gladly Teche, derived from Chaucers description of the Oxford philosophy student in the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Gladly lerne, gladly teche is the spirit that suffuses Professor Flemings  in my opinion, great  book.

6. Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America, by Harvey Klehr, John Earl Haynes, and Alexander Vassiliev. Harvey Klehr is the preeminent historian of American Communism. He has explored the Hiss case in several of his books. I wrote Professor Klehr to ask him which of his books he would recommend to readers interested in the case. Professor Klehr responded: The best, I think, is Spies. Its based on the the most complete and latest information from KGB archives. We titled the chapter on Hiss Case Closed, since we quote from KGB documents that use his real name and identify him as a Soviet agent.
It has been obvious for quite a while that Americans are deserting blue states in favor of red states. Thus, after the last census states like California and New York lost seats in the House, while states like Florida and Texas gained seats. Just-released census data show that migration from blue to red continues. The New York Post focuses, naturally, on New York:

New Yorks population plunged more than any other state in the country over the past year, according to sobering new statistics  as fed-up lawmakers and ex-New Yorkers blame crime and the sky-high cost of living. Almost 102,000 people fled the Empire State from July 2022 to July 2023, the United States Census Bureau revealed in a Tuesday report. It was one of eight states to face a net-decline in residents over the period, while red states, including Texas and Florida, saw the largest growth in population.

These maps, reflecting the last two years of Census Bureau data, show the pattern:

Blue states seem to be mostly in denial about what is happening:

When reached for comment, Hochuls office referred The Post to a statement she made about migration trends as part of a Nov. 30 speech at a real estate conference. When you study out migration trends, like I do all the time, Im looking at the states that people are going to, she said last month. OK, Florida. A little nicer weather. You got that, but thats all youve got. Thats all youve got. But weve lost some people to Florida.

The idea that Floridaa state with no income tax and much less crime than New Yorkhas nothing to commend it but weather, is delusional. But you dont see Gavin Newsom talking about cutting taxes, either.

Then there is Minnesota. California and New York get most of the press, but Minnesota is another blue state, like Illinois, that has been bleeding population to other states for quite a while. John Phelan writes about the Census Bureaus most recent Minnesota numbers here.

But the census numbers dont tell the whole story. There are two relevant data sets: one is generated by the Census Bureau, the other by the Internal Revenue Service. They use different methodology to measure slightly different things, but the main difference is that the IRS database includes demographic information about the people who move from state to state. So we know how old they are and, most relevantly, what their incomes are. Because the question isnt just how many people are moving from place to place, it is also who is moving from place to place. Or equally important, who is not moving to blue states in the first place because that is not where the good jobs are.

The IRS data lag the Census Bureau numbers and arent produced every year, so they dont get as much attention. But American Experiment has been analyzing them, as to Minnesota, since 2016. I dont know whether policy organizations in other states have been doing the same thing. If so, I havent seen it. But the Minnesota IRS numbers are highly relevant, I think, to the broader picture of red/blue migration.

The IRS data consistently show that Minnesota, a high tax, high regulation state, gains residents from other states in just one income category: those earning between zero and $25,000 per year. Minnesota essentially breaks even from $25,000 to $50,000, and consistently loses residents, on a net basis, in every income category over $50,000. So we arent talking about the rich. This chart is similar to others we have produced over the years:

I suspect that if someone did this analysis for California, New York or Illinois, the result would be the same: Census data actually understate the depth of the economic and fiscal problems blue states are facing as a result of migration to more favorable jurisdictions. In the raw numbers, in-migration of people with essentially no income offsets, to some degree, out-migration of residents with good jobs. But in fact, gaining more residents with little or no income makes the economic position of blue states worse, not better.

As I said, these trends have been obvious for a while. When will blue states catch on? Not until the voters demand change. We have seen that Democratic office holders consistently try to deny the obvious, rather than doing anything about it. Liberal politicians will cling to power as long as voters let them get away with it.
As we learned yesterday, Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried stands by Harvard President Claudine Gay in context, and in context its almost funny. Its amazing how much embarrassment Harvard is willing to suffer to say that which is not (as the Houyhnhnms put it in Book IV of Gullivers Travels) in support of Gay.

Thats not quite how Harvard Law Professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz puts it. However, The Harvard Crimson preferred not to let its readers know how Professor Dershowitz puts it. The New York Post has intervened to publish his letter to the editor of the Crimson responding to Fried and to the Crimson (below the break):

* * * * *

The problem with Charles Frieds defense of President Gays context matters statement is he fails to acknowledge that for Gay context apparently matters only for genocidal threats against Jews.

Context does not matter for microaggressions against blacks, gays and other minorities protected by the diversity, equity, inclusion bureaucracy that she has long championed.

Under the DEI regime, admissions have been withdrawn, lectures canceled and students admonished  at Harvard, Penn, MIT and other universities  for their speech without regard to the context in which they were said.

Fried fails to see the broader context of the double standard employed by so many universities  including Harvard  against Jews and other minorities that are excluded by DEI.

Yes, context matters, and in this broader context Gay was wrong to brag to Congress about Harvards commitment to free expression without also telling it that Harvards selective application of free-speech standards earned it a last-place rating for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

It is in that context that Gays new and selective double standard for protecting the free speech of Jew-haters should be evaluated.

It is to be hoped that Gays new contextual standard will in the future be universally applied to all speech at Harvard and the DEI bureaucracy will henceforth be denied the power to censor and cancel expression that is directed against protected minorities.

Despite my forward-looking and positive conclusion, the editorial board wrote that it is not interested in publishing it.

I think this is the first time in my 65 years of writing letters to the editor that one has been turned down.

And this one is from a professor who has been on the Harvard faculty for 60 years and has published numerous articles and letters in the Crimson.

Its a telling irony the paper that reassured its readers Free speech is the guiding principle of this Editorial Board refuses to publish a letter calling for less censorship and viewpoint discrimination on campus.

That reflects Harvards double-standard approach to free speech: contextual free speech for the enemies of Jews and their state; censorship for supporters of Israel and critics of Harvard.

By refusing to publish my short reply to Professor Fried, the paper didnt deny my free speech.

It denied Crimson readers right to hear all sides of a controversial issue  because the Crimson decided to shut down the marketplace of ideas.

When the media refuse to publish legitimate criticism of the institution they cover, the checks on the biases of that institution are weakened.

In light of this pervasive double standard, its not surprising so many Jewish students feel that Harvard does not value and protect them.

In recent years, the Crimson has become the megaphone for anti-Israel and antisemitic extremism on campus.

Its also become the censor of pro-Israel and balanced views.

Last year, for instance, the Crimsons editorial board called for support for the boycott, divestment, sanctions movement against Israel.

In its editorial, the paper explicitly distanced itself from a 2002 editorial that called divestment too blunt of a tool and the comparison to South African apartheid offensive: In the past, our board was skeptical of the movement (if not, generally speaking, of its goals), arguing that BDS as a whole did not get at the nuances and particularities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. We regret and reject that view. It is our categorical imperative to side with and empower the vulnerable and oppressed.

It then goes on to paint a false picture that pro-Palestinian viewpoints are being suppressed on campus.

The Crimson of today writes, We have a certain community-wide tendency to dismiss opposing views as inherently offensive and unworthy, straw-manning legitimate arguments and obfuscating difficult but necessary discussions. Yet civil discourse and debate, even when trying, are fundamental steps towards a better reality.

But it does not apply these standards when it comes to Jews.

Harvard students, faculty and other readers should make their voices heard in the name of veritas and the open marketplace of ideas.

Competing Harvard newspapers and media should be established to ensure all reasonable views can be heard.

The Crimson is part of the problem of growing antisemitism at Harvard. It does not serve the Harvard community well in this time of deep divisions and hate.
In the course of writing Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon encountered Mohammed, who pursued the Jews with implacable hatred to the end of his life. The historian also called out Theodoric the Great, the Ostrogoth king who invaded Italy in 488 AD and condescended to disarm the unwarlike natives of Italy, interdicting all weapons of offence, and excepting only a small knife for domestic use. Call it an early display of the totalitarian mindset.

Wherever they hold sway, modern totalitarians disarm the people of firearms and ammunition. For details, see Gun Control in the Third Reich: Disarming Jews and Enemies of the State, by Stephen Halbrook. Hitlers National Socialists used the registration records of the Weimar Republic to identify and disarm gun owners.

As Halbrook shows in Gun Control in Nazi-Occupied France: Tyranny and Resistance, the Nazis confiscated all firearms, even antique hunting rifles. That left the people vulnerable to wholesale slaughter. On June 10, 1944, four days after D-Day, troops of the 4th SS Panzer Regiment surrounded the village of Oradour-sur-Glane in central France. The attackers killed 245 women and 207 children, including six below the age of six months.

The 196 men killed included seven Jewish refugees from other parts of France. Of the 648 people murdered in the village, only 50 could be identified. The Nazis locked the women and children in the village church, shot indiscriminately, and set the victims on fire. The rest of the village was then looted and set ablaze.

As the late P.J. ORourke explained, this is what happens when those with all the power have all the guns. And to paraphrase inspector Claude Lebel (Michael Lonsdale) in The Day of the Jackal, be in no doubt that this is what the Biden Junta wants.

At every mass shooting, the default government response is to blame guns and make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This does not apply, however, to Muslim jihadists like Soldier of Allah Maj. Nidal Hasan. At Ford Hood in 2009 Hasan gunned down 13 unarmed American soldiers, including Pvt. Francheska Velez, who was pregnant. Hasan wounded more than 30 others, including Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who took seven bullets from the jihadist.

According to the composite character president David Garrow described in Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama, this was workplace violence, not terrorism or even gun violence, and the mass murderer Hasan got better medical treatment than his victims. In 2014, Lunsford sought to explain his plight to the president, who declined to meet with him. The composite character did not proclaim Islamic terrorist attacks in 2015 at San Bernardino (14 dead) and Orlando in 2016, (49 dead) as cases of gun violence.

Of all the various forms of government in the world, wrote Gibbon, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule. The buffoonish Biden channels Obama, but the Delaware Democrat shapes up worse. On September 1, 2022, backdropped in red light with Marines at the ready, Biden targeted those who want the nation to be great as the primary threat to America. Bidens FBI openly follows suit and in August the FBI killed Craig Robertson, a 75-year-old woodworker, for threats he had allegedly posted online.

Recall the Ruby Ridge siege of 1992, when the FBI deployed massive military force against a single family, and FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi shot dead Vicki Weaver as she held her infant daughter. That case prompted Senate hearings, but so far nothing on Robertson. Bidens FBI shoots first and avoids questions later, so an escalation of deadly violence is not out of the question. Christmas 2023 may well be joyous, but 2024 shapes up as the year of living dangerously.
State Committee on Work with Diaspora organized a zoom conference on the occasion of December 31st - Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and New Year under the slogan " Lets be united, lets come together in solidarity!".

About 500 compatriots from 77 countries, representatives of the Turkish diaspora and diasporas of the countries having friendly attitude towards Azerbaijan participated in the virtual conference.

At the event, which started with the National Anthem of Azerbaijan, the memory of the martyrs who died for the territorial integrity of our country, was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Then the event, continued with the screening of a video about the series of events held by the Azerbaijani diaspora members in different countries of the world within the framework of the "Year of Heydar Aliyev".

Fuad Muradov, the chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, congratulated our compatriots on the occasion of the great historical event - the complete restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year. He thanked our compatriots and friends of our country for the unity and solidarity they showed during this historical process in order to convey the truths of Azerbaijan to the world community.

It was mentioned that our state demonstrates special concerns for our compatriots living abroad, President Ilham Aliyev keeps under close attention the issue of the transformation of the Azerbaijani diaspora into a real power and a voice of our country in the world.The flexibility and unity of our diaspora, and the projects implemented under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan were also touched upon.

Recalling that extraordinary presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024, the chairman called on Azerbaijani citizens living abroad to take active part in voting.

In their speeches, memebrs of the Azerbaijani diaspora expressed their gratitude to the country's leadership for the complete restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and congratulated our people on the occasion of the holidays. It was especially emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev returned the honor and pride of our people. Conratulating the head of the state on the occasion of his birthday, our compatriots have noted that they will support Ilham Aliyev in the presidential elections to be held on February 7, 2024. The added that they would work harder to promote our homeland in the world, protect our national interests, and strengthen diaspora activities.

During the videoconference, Azerbaijanis living abroad presented congratulatory video appeals and various musical pieces.

42 compatriots from 24 countries were awarded with the medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan "For service in diaspora activity".
On December 3, a radical group hosted a teach-in titled From Minnesota to Palestine. The panelists linked America and Israel as settler colonialist nationsthe only ones, apparently, in world historyand thus the source of all evil. This is the whole thing. It goes on for more than two hours, and I dont recommend that you watch it. Among other things, the panelists celebrate the Hamas massacre of October 7 as a model for indigenous uprisings:

Here is one short excerpt, in which a professor at the University of Minnesota says that The goal is to dismantle the settler project that is the United States.

Land back is going to happen," University of Minnesota professor Melanie Yazzie said during a "teach-in" about the Israel-Palestine conflict. The goal is to dismantle the settler project that is the United States. pic.twitter.com/glgwZpLmmD  Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) December 21, 2023



There are quite a few more such excerpts here.

I wondered whether it could possibly be true that this moron is employed by the University of Minnesota. She is. Ms. Yazzie has a BA from Grinnell College, an MA in American Studies from Yale, and a PhD in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. The University of Minnesota is aware of her extracurricular activities:

In addition to her academic work, she engages in extensive public intellectualism and community organizing and activism. She co-hosts and produces the podcast Red Power Hour and serves as lead editor for the open-access journal Decolonization. She is the advisory board chair for Red Media, an independent press and media project that centers Indigenous intelligence in all its forms. She also organizes with The Red Nation, a grassroots Native-run organization committed to the liberation of Indigenous people from colonialism and capitalism.

So, I have three questions. The first is, why am I paying this womans salary? We taxpayers finance public universities on the assumption that they do some good for our state and our nation. This woman explicitly is trying to destroy the United States. So why is she on my payroll?

By the way, if you are not familiar with Turtle Island, it means North America. These people want to drive all whites out of North America.

Second, why are my tax dollars supporting the University of Minnesota? Not only does the university harbor this woman, it apparently deems it admirable that she wants to [liberate] Indigenous people from colonialism and capitalism. Really? Are the people who run this public university really that stupid? If so, they all should be fired forthwith.

Third, what is the end game here? How does Ms. Yazzie intend to dismantle the United States of America? Does she expect politicians to run on a platform that says all whites should move to Europe? Is she hoping for political action that will repeal the Constitution and abolish the U.S. government? Or do these people intend to just keep mouthing useless absurdities indefinitely, while living on the public dole? That, I think, is the correct answer.

What a disgrace.
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Elk River family received a new basement remodel and bedroom makeover at no charge through Purpose Driven Restoration, NARI Cares MN, and Make-A-Wish.ELK RIVER, MN / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / This year, in a heartwarming representation of compassion and unity, Purpose Driven Restoration (PDR) partnered with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI Cares MN) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring a ray of hope into the life of a young inspiration battling Leukemia.Calla's Bedroom Remodel Calla, a brave young girl, was diagnosed with leukemia in January of 2022 at just 10 years old. As the eldest of 8 siblings, she faced the challenges of cancer amidst shared living spaces. NARI Cares MN, Make-A-Wish, and PDR joined forces to build Calla her very own bedroom. Due to the conscientious efforts from these organizations, Calla received a birthday gift she will never forget. Their dedication and commitment transformed this family's basement into an oasis of her dreams.The project, funded by NARI Cares MN, exemplified how local businesses united to create a significant difference for a family in need. Purpose Driven Restoration, is a restoration company known for its commitment to selfless service, went above and beyond to ensure that Calla's bedroom makeover was a resounding success.The makeover of Calla's bedroom was a labor of love. Skilled installers from all over Minnesota donated their time and efforts to create a space that would not only make Calla's dreams come true but also provide her with a haven of comfort during her medical journey. The outpouring of support and generosity was nothing short of empowering.The grand reveal took place on Calla's birthday, making it an even more special occasion. Friends, family, and the remodeling team gathered to witness the sheer joy on Calla's face as she stepped into her brand-new bedroom. The room was full of all her favorite things such as books, Legos, and all things blue. It was a moment that left not a dry eye in the room, as the love and kindness extended to Calla and her family.The success of this heartwarming project is a testament to the power of community, the spirit of generosity, and the determination to make the world a better place. Purpose Driven Restoration, NARI, Make-A-Wish, and the team of installers highlighted how businesses can use their resources and expertise to create a lasting impact in the lives of those in need.As Purpose Driven Restoration continues to live up to its name, this project serves as a remarkable example of what can be achieved when a company embraces its purpose of selfless service to lend a hand to those who need it most.In the end, the greatest reward was not only the magical transformation of Calla's bedroom but also the beautiful smile on her face. What more perfect way to celebrate than on her birthday surrounded by love and support. The story of Calla's dream bedroom is a beautiful reminder that even in the face of adversity, with the enduring presence of hope and compassion, individuals can come together to make an impact on the lives around them.A big thank you to the following organizations for making this dream come true:NARI Cares MN Make-A-Wish Foundation Purpose Driven RestorationProsource Che Bella Interiors Lewis Electrical Ohana Construction Inc. OA Design & Build Express Window Fashions Residential Revival VL Builders MNPDR can be contacted at 763-633-4737 or info@ pdrmn.com for home remodeling projects in the MN 11-County Metro.Contact InformationSean Petersinfo@ pdrmn.com 763-633-4737Related VideoSOURCE: Purpose Driven RestorationView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 2, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS), if they purchased the Company's securities between July 22, 2019 and October 12, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Barclays and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-bcs/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 2, 2024 .About the LawsuitBarclays and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) contrary to false public assertions, the Company's former CEO, James Staley, had a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, was reportedly aware of Epstein's criminal activities and may have even sexually assaulted a victim who had previously been trafficked by Epstein; (ii) if discovered, the relationship and potential criminal activity could bring reputational, legal, and financial harm to Company; (iii) the Company's response to an inquiry by the British Financial Conduct Authority regarding Staley's relationship with Epstein was materially false; (iv) when the Company became aware of information contradicting its response to the inquiry, it failed to update the response so that it would be accurate, or otherwise take any meaningful action; and (v) as a result, the Company's statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.The case is Merritt v. Barclays Plc, et al., 23-cv-9217.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTCQB:BNXTF)(FSE:BXT) is pleased to announce that the toxicity study for its proprietary oral dissolvable film ("ODF") based Cladribine product for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"), first announced November 20, 2023, is now complete. The study was carried out by a European contract research organization in accordance with EU medical regulatory guidelines. Results for the toxicology study are expected in January 2024. The Company is on schedule for GMP product development and batch production planned for Q1 and Q2 2024 with the European Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier (IMPD) preparation and submission planned for Q2 2024.Cladribine is approved for use in over 75 countries, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and the European Medicines Agency ("EMA"), for several indications, namely highly active forms of relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis ("MS") and certain forms of leukemia. MS represents the largest market segment for the sale of Cladribine with approximately 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide, with the highest prevalence in North America and Europe, noted by Atlas of MS. The global Multiple Sclerosis drug market is expected to top US$ 41 Billion by 2033 according to Market.us The Company is also pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 6,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.40 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,400,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.70 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the date of closing (the "Closing Date").The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for activities related to drug development, commercialization programs, and general working capital purposes. The Offering may close on one or more dates as the Company may determine.The Company may pay a finder's fee in connection with the Offering to eligible arm's length finders in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day following the Closing Date in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.About BioNxt Solutions Inc.BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience accelerator focused on nextgeneration drug formulations and delivery systems, diagnostic screening tests, and new active pharmaceutical production and evaluation, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, lowcost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization and clinical evaluation of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets.BioNxt Solutions Inc.Hugh Rogers, CEO and DirectorEmail: info@ bionxt.com Phone: +1 780-818-6422This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "potentially", "intends", "likely", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement.Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risk factors include market prices; continued availability of capital and financing; general economic, market or business conditions; and the additional risks identified in the Company's management discussion and analysis and other securities filings with Canadian securities regulators available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Readers are cautioned against undue reliance on forward- looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed above do not contain an exhaustive list of the factors or assumptions that may affect the forward-looki
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 29, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2023 and November 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of ChargePoint and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-chpt/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 29, 2024 .About the LawsuitChargePoint and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 16, 2023, post-market, the Company announced its preliminary financial results for 3Q 2024, disclosing that revenue had fallen to "$108 million to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected," and an additional non-cash inventory impairment charge in the amount of $42 million "related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand," which was expected to result in "GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21%," as well as the replacement of both its CEO and CFO, effective immediately.On this news, shares of ChargePoint fell $1.11, or 35%, to close at $2.02 per share on November 17, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Khan v. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-06172.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Newly-launched database offers easier access to diverse tumor models and unveils the path to pharmaceutical breakthroughsSHANGHAI, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 /ChemPartner, a global leader in drug discovery and development services, today announced the launch of its long-awaited Biology Database. This innovative platform serves as a centralized hub, empowering ChemPartner's clientele with seamless access to a wealth of information on the organization's cutting-edge preclinical platforms. The database includes 800+ tumor models, 30+ cancer types, 20,000 genes, 2,300+ pathways, 1,800 SoC data from literature (500 internal), and 30+ analytic modules.ChemPartner Biology Database Screenshot of the online Biology Database from ChemPartnerChemPartner's renowned biology and pharmacology department, known for its vanguard oncology, immunology, CNS, and metabolic services, has curated an extensive collection of in vitro and in vivo models. The database boasts over 2,000 biochemistry assays, 800 cell lines, 500 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, 350 cell-derived xenograft (CDX) models, and 50 syngeneic models. Each model is meticulously characterized with comprehensive data encompassing genomics, pharmacology, histopathology, and relevant clinical information.Cell Line Models - ChemPartner Biology DatabaseTo ensure a smooth and efficient rollout of this substantial volume of data, the database will be introduced in stages. We are delighted to announce that the first stage, featuring cell line data, is now live on https://database.chempartner.com . Subsequent stages will include CDX, syngeneic, and PDX models, followed by biochemistry data.The Biology Database, a flagship online collaborative platform, prominently features the Tumor Model Database. This revolutionary resource offers an array of features, including:Unified Data Hub: Integration of dispersed tumor model data into a centralized database for efficient management and retrieval, simplifying user access to diverse tumor models.Detailed Annotations: Each model is accompanied by intricate annotations including genomics, pathology, and pharmacology data, enabling rapid understanding of model characteristics and suitability for specific research needs.Rapid Search and Filtering: Multidimensional search and filtering capabilities empower researchers to swiftly locate models based on cancer type, genomic features, drug sensitivity, and more.Data Analysis and Mining: Robust tools facilitate tasks like drug mechanism analysis and biomarker discovery through differential gene expression and drug sensitivity analyses, supporting informed research decisions.Data Visualization: Intuitive charts, statistics, and visualization tools present complex data clearly and concisely, aiding in model selection and analysis.Dr . Lilly Xu, President of Shanghai ChemPartner, expressed enthusiasm about the launch saying, "We are excited to provide our customers with access to this powerful new resource. This comprehensive database will make it easier for our customers to find and use the right models for their research, propelling drug development towards new heights with better precision, efficacy, and efficiency." About ChemPartnerChemPartner is a leading global CRO and CDMO providing drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With a team of over 2,000 scientists across multiple countries, ChemPartner offers a comprehensive range of services including preclinical pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, chemistry development, and biologics development. For more information, please visit https://chempartner.com and connect with ChemPartner on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.Contact InformationSarah StapletonMarketing Directornews@ chempartner.com 6504199974Related ImagesChemPartner Biology Database Screenshot of the online Biology Database from ChemPartner Cell Line Models Pie chart of cell line models available on the Biology Database from ChemPartner SOURCE: ChemPartnerView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 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
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 26, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 28, 2020 and August 31, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Dollar General and would like to discuss your legal rights and how the case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-dg/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2024 .About the LawsuitDollar General and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On August 31, 2023, the Company announced its 2Q 2023 financial results, disclosing among other things, cuts to its FY23 sales and profit outlook, decreases in operating profits of 24.2% and EPS of 28.5%, and that it "expect[ed] an incremental operating profit headwind of up to $170 million in the second half of 2023," consisting of $95 million for markdowns on existing inventory and $75 million on increased store personnel to support inventory and pricing control measures.On this news, the price of Dollar General's shares plummeted $19.16 per share, or 12%, on August 31, 2023, on unusually high trading volume of more than 19 million shares.The case is Washtenaw County Employees' Retirement System v. Dollar General Corporation, et al., 23-cv-01250. A subsequent case expanded the class period, Edmonds v. Dollar General Corporation, et al., 23-cv-01259.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 17:16:41

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 /ELEHEAR , a global leader in AI-powered hearing aids, is set to redefine the hearing technology landscape with the introduction of groundbreaking solutions at CES 2024. As a prominent exhibitor in this year's Consumer Electronics Show, ELEHEAR is poised to showcase transformative technologies that elevate the auditory experience to unprecedented levels.About CES 2024CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the world's premier event for showcasing cutting-edge consumer technologies. From Tuesday, January 9 to Friday, January 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, CES 2024 is expected to attract industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts from around the globe.ELEHEAR MissionELEHEAR is on a mission to bring a quality sense of hearing back to where it should be for every individual in their lives through the utmost transformative journey.ELEHEAR Products - The Alpha & The Alpha ProCoupling cutting-edge AI technology with a user-centric design, we have designed our first product series, The Alpha and Alpha Pro. Highlighting the Alpha Pro at CES, here are some core features you might be interested in learning more about:AI Noise Reduction: ELEHEAR's AI technology distinguishes human voices from background noise, preserving the natural clarity of the listening experience.Crystal Clear Sound: 32kHz Ultra HD Speech Signal Processing delivers unparalleled natural sound quality in a compact design.Bluetooth Streaming: A seamless transition between the Hearing Aid and the Bluetooth Headset Mode allows users to enjoy both calls and music anytime.In-App Remote Adjustment: The user-friendly companion app enhances users' hearing experience, offering personalized audio tailoring for an immersive journey.Feedback Control: VoClear AI technology predicts possible feedback in advance and neutralizes it within milliseconds, delivering a clear and comfortable hearing experience. Exclusive Close-Door DemonstrationELEHEAR is set out to launch a groundbreaking, revolutionary hearing solution in 2024, and we invite visitors to our CES booth where they will have the opportunity to experience the next generation hearing aid themselves.Media OpportunitiesMembers of the press are encouraged to attend the exclusive presentations by ELEHEAR's CEO, Eric, and ELEHEAR representatives. For media inquiries and to schedule interviews, please contact Feya Fang at fei.fang@elehear.com Why Attend the ELEHEAR Booth?Experience Cutting-Edge Technology: Immerse yourself in the world of AI-powered hearing solutions with live demonstrations of the ELEHEAR Alpha Pro Hearing Aid.Free Hearing Tests: Take advantage of the opportunity to undergo a complimentary hearing test, gaining valuable insights into your hearing health.Exclusive Close Door Demo: Experience ELEHEAR's next-generation hearing solution, set out to be released in 2024. ELEHEAR's Presence at CES 2024ELEHEAR will be located at No.8137 , LVCC, North Hall in CES 2024. Visitors are invited to explore the Alpha Pro Hearing Aid and witness the transformative technologies of ELEHEAR in action.Do not miss the chance to be part of this groundbreaking moment in the hearing solutions and technology space. Join ELEHEAR at CES 2024 and witness the unveiling of the Alpha Pro Hearing Aid, setting new benchmarks for hearing enhancement.For more information about ELEHEAR, visit https://elehear.com/ Media ContactContact Person: Feya FangEmail: fei.fang@elehear.com SOURCE: ELEHEAR
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 03:51:49

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 26, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Fisker Inc. (NYSE:FSR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between August 4, 2023 and November 20, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Fisker and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-fsr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2024 .About the LawsuitFisker and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 13, 2023, the Company announced its 3Q 2023 financial results, disclosing among other things, a loss of $91.0 million and a $0.27 loss per share, a cut to its production forecast for the year, and also that it would be unable to timely file its Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 due to material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. On this news, the price of Fisker's shares plummeted by $0.77, or 18.7%, to close at $3.34 per share on November 14, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.Then, on November 20, 2023, the Company disclosed the departure of its chief accounting officer, recently hired on November 6, 2023. On this news, the price of Fisker's shares plummeted by $0.35, or 15%, to close at $2.00 per share on November 21, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Zahabi v. Fisker Inc., et al., 23-cv-09976.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the village of Pirjamal in the Khojaly district, Trend reports.

The head of state examined the territory of the village.

The village of Pirjamal, nestled at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1992. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 19:00:55

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A company led by digital marketing expert Dmitrii Khasanov will now share its expertise across all 50 statesMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Melandia Agency, a prominent digital marketing company, is proud to announce its strategic move to expand its services nationwide in the United States, effective from the beginning of 2024. This significant expansion marks a pivotal moment for the agency, as it broadens its reach to serve clients from coast to coast.Previously,Melandia Agencyexclusively operated in major metropolitan areas such as Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles, garnering a reputation for delivering cutting-edge digital marketing solutions. Now, with its commitment to providing top-notch services to a wider range of clients, the agency is thrilled to extend its footprint across the entire nation.Founder of Melandia and digital marketing expert, Dmitrii Khasanov, expressed his enthusiasm for this expansion, stating, "We are excited to take this giant leap forward in our journey. Melandia Agency has always been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of digital marketing, and this expansion allows us to bring our innovative solutions to clients nationwide. Our team is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with serving diverse clients across the U.S."Melandia Agencyspecializes in comprehensive digital marketing strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, content marketing, and web development. With a proven track record of delivering measurable results and staying ahead of industry trends, the agency aims to empower businesses of all sizes to thrive in the digital landscape.The national expansion will enable Melandia to cater to the unique needs of businesses in various industries, helping them achieve their marketing goals and enhance their online presence. The agency's expert team of professionals is prepared to bring their wealth of experience and creativity to new markets, contributing to the success of clients from diverse regions.To learn more about Melandia Agency - https://melandia.biz Media ContactOrganization: MELANDIAContact Person: Anastassiya NelsonWebsite: https://melandia.biz/ Email: Dima@ melandia.biz City: MiamiState: FloridaCountry: United StatesSOURCE: MELANDIA
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 14:01:48

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HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NCMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) today announced it has closed the non-brokered private placement announced on November 20, 2023. A total of 8,333,333 units were issued at a price of $0.06 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.10 until December 22, 2025. A maximum of 16,666,667 common shares of Namibia Critical Metals will be issued pursuant to the Private Placement (assuming full exercise of all warrants).The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used primarily to fund marketing and general corporate purposes. The common shares and warrants of the Company issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring April 23, 2024. No finder's fees were paid in respect of this financing.Insiders of the Company acquired $257,000 of the Private Placement. Participation by these insiders in the Private Placement was exempt from the formal valuation and shareholder approval requirements contained in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions as the fair market value of their investments did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.NCMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals has become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction.The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture Agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).The Company filed a robust updated PEA for "Lofdal 2B-4" on November 14, 2022, with a post-tax NPV of USD$391 million and an annual IRR of 28% with a capital expenditure of USD$207 million. The project is projected to generate a life of mine nominal cash flow of USD$698 million post-tax over a 16-year mine life.About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JVJOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development.Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry.Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed.To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10 million expenditure requirement. JOGMEC has approved an additional C$1,800,000 budget for Term 3 through to March 31, 2024, totaling C$11,800,000.Other exploration projects: The Company's Exclusive Prospecting Licenses ("EPLs") prospective for gold are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and the Twin Hills deposit. At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the meta-sediments hosting the Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified and exploration is progressing over this highly prospective area. The Grootfontein Base Metal and Gold Project has potential for magmatic copper-nickel mineralization, Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead-vanadium mineralization and Otjikoto-style gold mineralization.The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NMI" and the OTCQB Market under the symbol "NMREF".Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For more information please contact -Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Darrin Campbell, PresidentTel: +01 (902) 835-8760Email: Info@ NamibiaCMI.com Website: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.comThis news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 16:01:06

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Getting involved in philanthropy in 2024 presents a unique opportunity to hone a multifaceted skill set crucial for success in any field. Taking an active role in philanthropic initiatives can be a powerful avenue for cultivating essential leadership attributes such as communication, decision-making, and strategic thinking. In this article, we explore why Raj Kalyandurg, a prominent Dallas-based private wealth advisor with Merrill Lynch in Dallas, encourages others on the best practices for becoming deeply engaged in various non-profit organizations.According to Raj Kalyandurg, "Philanthropy represents a unique opportunity for leaders to develop and solidify the trust of those they serve, advising them on overall well-being across diverse aspects of life." Involvement in philanthropy equips leaders with the skills to navigate intricate issues, collaborate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and innovate solutions to address pressing social challenges.Philanthropy has been an indispensable facet of Raj Kalyandurg's leadership journey. Serving as the Chairman of the US-India Chamber of Commerce and holding board positions in organizations like The Salvation Army, Pratham, the American India Foundation, and the Montessori New Beginnings Academy, Raj Kalyandurg has not only refined his leadership skills but has also made a significant impact on the lives of others.Effective communication stands out as a valued skill, and philanthropy presents various opportunities for its augmentation. Leaders engaged in philanthropic work must articulate their vision, inspire support for their cause, and maintain open channels of communication with team members and stakeholders.Raj Kalyandurg asserts that philanthropy aids leaders in "developing their communication skills by providing a platform to express their perspective and inspire others to support their cause." Actively participating in non-profit organizations and speaking at events has enabled Raj Kalyandurg to convey his ideas with clarity and persuasion, skills that have proven invaluable in his professional career.Philanthropy often demands tough decisions, from allocating resources to prioritizing initiatives and determining the best course of action for maximum impact. These decision-making experiences play a crucial role in fortifying a leader's ability to make informed choices and navigate complex situations.Raj Kalyandurg suggests that philanthropy can "help leaders improve their decision-making skills by exposing them to difficult choices and complex situations." As a board member of various non-profit organizations, Raj Kalyandurg has faced challenges such as resource allocation and steering organizations through crises. These experiences have honed his decision-making skills for professional challenges.Strategic thinking is another essential leadership skill that finds fertile ground in philanthropy. Raj Kalyandurg emphasizes that philanthropy can "enhance a leader's strategic thinking skills by forcing them to consider long-term goals and develop innovative solutions to pressing social problems." His involvement in non-profit organizations has compelled him to strategically address issues like illiteracy and poverty, fostering a mindset transferable to his role as a private wealth advisor.Embarking on a journey to cultivate philanthropic leadership skills, Raj Kalyandurg provides practical insights for aspiring individuals. The first step involves identifying one's passions and interests, emphasizing the importance of aligning philanthropic endeavors with personal values for a more profound and meaningful engagement. Encouraging a gradual approach, Raj Kalyandurg advises starting small by volunteering or participating in local non-profit events to acquire hands-on experience and a nuanced understanding of community needs. Building a network with like-minded leaders is beneficial, as it allows for shared insights and valuable lessons drawn from their philanthropic experiences, thereby expanding one's leadership capabilities.Philanthropy stands as a unique platform for developing leadership skills. Leaders engaging in philanthropic activities can refine communication, decision-making, and strategic thinking while positively impacting the communities they serve. As exemplified by Raj Kalyandurg's experiences, philanthropy is an integral part of a leader's personal and professional development journey. As we look ahead to 2024, let Raj Kalyandurg's call to action inspire us to make a meaningful difference through philanthropic pathways.MEDIA CONTACT:Andrew Mitchell media@ cambridgeglobal.com SOURCE: Raj Kalyandurg
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-22 05:33:29

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or "the Company") (NYSE:ABR) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Arbor is the subject of a report issued by Viceroy Research November 17, 2023, titled, ""Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." According to the report, "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Viceroy Research then issued a follow up report on December 5, 2023, titled "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." In the second report, Viceroy Research claims that the Company's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated." Based on this news, shares of Arbor fell by more than 5% over the next two trading sessions.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm
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Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United StatesHAYDEN, ID / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB:TLRS)(TSX-V:TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") announces that it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units of the Company ("Units") at a price of US$0.04 per Unit (approximately C$0.054, based on a currency exchange rate of US$0.747 to C$1.00 as of December 18, 2023) (the "Offering"). The size of the Offering has been increased to up to 18,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of up to US$720,000. All other terms of the Offering remain unchanged. The Company anticipates the Offering will close on or around December 29, 2023. For more information concerning the Offering, please refer to the news release of the Company dated December 19, 2023.The Units will be offered solely to persons or institutions who qualify as accredited investors (the "Offering") under Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Offering may be completed in one or more tranches and is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.This press release is issued for informational purposes pursuant to Rule 135c of the Securities Act, and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.The securities will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States or outside the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation.About Timberline Resources:The common stock of Timberline Resources Corporation trades on the OTCQB under the symbol "TLRS" and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, where it trades under the symbol "TBR". Timberline is a Nevada-focused exploration company targeting Carlin-type gold and carbonate replacement type silver-lead-zinc-gold deposits in the Eureka mining district.On behalf of the Board of Directors,"Patrick Highsmith"President, CEO, and DirectorContact:Tel: +1-208-664-4859E-mail: info@ timberline-resources.com Forward-looking Statements:Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information' in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the proposed Offering, including the terms and timing of the Offering and the expected use of proceeds of the Offering. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Timberline Resources Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-21 23:55:07

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Web3 Ventures Inc. ("Web3 Ventures" or the "Company") (CSE:WEBV)(OTC PINK:WEBVF), a leading web 3.0 company specializing in blockchain solutions, decentralized applications, and health and wellness, is pleased to announce the results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders which was held on December 21, 2023 (the "Meeting" or "AGSM"). The total votes represented by proxy at the Meeting were a combined 76,103,765 SVS and MVS shares, which constituted 44.59% of the Company's total eligible votes as at record date. The voting results for each matter presented at the Meeting is set out below:Number of DirectorsThe resolution to set the number of directors of the Company at five (5) was approved by the shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution present or represented by proxy at the Meeting. Voting results are set out below:Votes For #Votes Against #76,664,33463Election of DirectorsEach of the nominees listed for election as director in the Company's Management Information were elected as directors of Web3 Ventures for the ensuing year until their successors were elected or appointed. Voting results are set out below:Votes For #Votes Withheld #David Nikzad76,664,33463Jason Hobson76,664,33463Jack Rentz76,664,33463Mike Grantis76,664,33463Shidan Gouran76,664,33463Appointment of AuditorsReliant CPA PC is to be appointed as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, with their remuneration to be fixed by the Board of Directors. Voting results are set out below:Votes For #Votes Against #76,664,33463Approval of the 2023 Equity Incentive PlanThe resolution to authorize and approve the 2023 equity incentive plan of the Company was approved by a majority of votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution present or represented by proxy at the Meeting. Voting results are set out below:Votes For #Votes Against #76,663,971426Board of DirectorsAs a result of the 2023 AGSM, the following directors have been elected or re-elected to the board of directors:David Nikzad, Web3 Ventures CEO and Co-Founder Jason Hobson, Web3 Ventures COO and Co-Founder Mike Grantis, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Contango Digital Assets Dr. Jack Rentz Shidan Gouran, Founder of Gulf Pearl and Chairman of Bluesphere VenturesThe Company also advises that Kirill Kompaniyets and Eric Baum did not stand for re-election to the board at today's Meeting and will not be re-appointed as Company Officers or committee members. The Company would like to thank Kirill and Eric for their contributions to the go-public process and wishes them well with their future endeavours. In addition, Mr. Hobson has been appointed as the Company's Corporate Secretary, and Mr. Gouran has been appointed as the Chair of the Audit Committee with immediate effect."We are deeply grateful to end this year with a strong board to guide us into 2024 and beyond," said David Nikzad, Web3 Ventures CEO and Co-Founder. "Since our public listing in September, we've dedicated the past few months to curating our team and developing our roadmap for the upcoming year. We look forward to sharing these exciting plans with our shareholders in the near future. To our outgoing board members, your guidance has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today, and we appreciate your contributions." Web3 Ventures also announced its advisory board members in a news release earlier today, dated December 21, 2023. Details about the announcement and the advisory board members can be found here.About Web3 VenturesWeb3 Ventures is a diversified investment Company focused on identifying, incubating, accelerating, and developing world-class projects and applications in wellness, healthcare and the decentralized web. Focused on supporting founders and entrepreneurs, Web3's core investment pillars are blockchain-based transparency, secured identity, verified communications, and gamification, focusing on early-stage, small, and medium enterprises.For further information please contact:Web3 Ventures David Nikzad CEO, Chairman Telephone: 1-866-395-6989 Email: investors@ w3ven.comCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. In the news release, such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's performance, business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing thereof; the size and terms of the Offering; and the anticipated use of net proceeds from the Offering.In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: the Company's ability to comply with all applicable regulations and laws, including environmental, health and safety laws; the Company has sufficient working capital for future operating activities; the ability of the Company to achieve its business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing of execution; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to achieve profitability in the 2023 fiscal year; the Company's ability to obtain additional financing for continued operations on terms acceptable to the Company; and the Company's ability to use the proceeds from the Offering for the business objectives outlined herein.The above lists of forward-looking statements and assumptions are not exhaustive. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks. These include: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; consents or authorizations
Dangote Refinery has made a further move towards the commencement of the production of refined petroleum products with the receipt of an additional one million barrels of crude bonny light supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The fresh one million barrels of crude from the Shell terminal via the MT Otis owned by Trafigural is the second consignment to be delivered to the Dangote facility out of the six million barrels of crude being expected by the worlds largest single-train refinery.

About a week ago Dangote Refinery received one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria and globally, trading over 8 million barrels of crude oil daily.

Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Akin Omole, told journalists at the Dangote Quay, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos that the refinery is expecting more crude before the end of this year to put the Refinery in good stead to commence operation.

The one million barrels represent the second phase of the 6 million barrels of crude oil to be supplied to Dangote Petroleum Refinery by a range of suppliers to produce petroleum products.

Once the 6 million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

This latest development will play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by Nigeria as well as the West African countries.

Designed for 100% Nigerian crude with the flexibility to process other crudes, the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery can process most African crude grades as well as Middle Eastern Arab Light and even US Light tight oil as well as crude from other countries.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery can meet 100% of Nigerias requirement of all refined products, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, and has surplus of each of these products for export.

The refinery was built to take crude through its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore and to discharge petroleum products through three separate SPMs. In addition, the refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries.

Dangote Refinery has a self-sufficient marine facility that can handle the largest vessel globally available. In addition, all products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.

The refinery is designed to comply with US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms as well as African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards.

READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery receives maiden crude cargo

While receiving the first consignment, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote had stated: We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country, demonstrating our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects. Our focus over the coming months is to ramp up the refinery to its full capacity. I look forward to the next significant milestone when we deliver the first batch of products to the Nigerian market.

Also the Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, said: We welcome the startup of a refinery that is designed to produce gasoline, diesel, and low-sulphur fuels for Nigeria and across West Africa and are happy to be enabling it.

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Nigeria on Wednesday got a hard-won relief from a thorny lawsuit against it by Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), a company registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The case had dragged on for more than a decade and would have wiped out about one-third of Nigerias foreign exchange reserves if victory had gone the way of the company.

An earlier decision of the London Court of International Arbitration six years ago had awarded $6.6 billion against Nigeria for the profits that would have gone to P&ID from a contract to construct and run a gas plant in southern Nigeria if the country had fulfilled the contract terms.

That awarded sum rose to $11 billion over the years from accumulated past dues.

In October, the Nigerian government made a breakthrough in overturning the verdict of the arbitration tribunal when Londons High Court ruled that P&ID got the contract after paying bribes to senior officials of the petroleum ministry.

Had Londons High Court upheld the decision of the tribunal, Nigeria would have come under pressure to settle the substantial claim from its fast-dwindling reserves, whose gross balance currently stands below $33 billion.

P&ID, founded by Irish businessmen Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill, has been pursuing the claim centring on a controversial gas contract since 2012.

The bid was dismissed because, among other grounds, the award of the contract had been tainted by bribery and fraud.

The court refused P&IDs request to appeal against the decision.

In August 2012, P&ID took Nigeria to arbitration concerning a contract it signed two years before with the petroleum ministry to construct and operate a gas processing facility.

It contended that the country had not met its obligations under the contract terms, causing it to stall.

However, the circumstances surrounding the contract have been questionable. The contract was the product of a proposal the Nigerian government never asked for but which P&ID made to it. There was no tender conducted.

P&ID also seemingly had little or nothing to show as a track record of work executed in the gas sector to merit a project of that scale requiring such a princely sum to deliver it. It is best known as an offshore company with no assets, having few staffers and no website to speak of.

In 2017, it received the initial award of $6.6 billion to compensate for lost profits from the contract which would have run for 20 years.

Nigeria succeeded in its quest to turn the tables on the company this October when the court granted its prayer to reverse the award.

Justice Robin Knowles ruled that P&ID officials paid bribes to employees of Nigerias Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to obtain the contract, a fact the company concealed from the arbitration tribunal until further scrutiny brought it to light.

Grace Taiga, a one-time director of legal services at the ministry who had been at the centre of bribery allegations, died in September.

Mr Michael Quinn in his witness statement of 14 February 2014 (said) that he was explain[ing] how the GSPA came about when he did not do that because he did not mention that Mrs Grace Taiga had been paid a US$5,000 bribe at the end of December 2009 and a 5,000 bribe on 29 March 2010, Mr Knowles said in his judgement on Wednesday.

GSPA is the abbreviation for the controversial gas supply and processing agreement.

P&IDs continued bribery or corrupt payment of Mrs Grace Taiga directed to the arbitration period in order to suppress from the Tribunal and Nigeria the fact that she had been bribed when the GSPA came about. This continued bribery or corrupt payment is fairly described by Nigeria as bribery to keep her on-side, and to buy her silence about the earlier bribery, he added.

The judge went further to say P&ID wrongfully held on to Nigerias Internal Legal Documents it got in the course of arbitration to closely observe whether Nigeria had found out the deception being practised by P&ID on the Tribunal and on Nigeria as a party before the Tribunal.

The high point of the ruling was the decision to brush aside P&IDs leave to appeal the courts verdict under section 68 (4) of the Arbitration Act, allowing the dust to settle on the prolonged legal battle.

Mr Knowless decision to set aside the award implies that P&ID is not permitted to head back to the tribunal for reconsideration.

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On Wednesday, Nollywood actress Awoyemi Bukola, best known as Bukola Arugba, survived an accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, that wrecked her car, a Toyota Venza.

Before this time, the 35-year-old Yoruba actress, who has maintained a low profile on social media, rarely made the news except for her marital crisis.

The actress was accused of taking Damola Olatunji, her partner, away from his wife, Raliat Olatunji. The actress and Mr Olatunji separated in May 2023 after having twins.

However, the unfortunate car accident has made fans and colleagues condole the actress and reminded Nigerians of her role in Tunde Kelanis 2008 Yoruba classic, Arugba.

Mrs Bukolas stellar performance as Adetutu  in the movie earned her the name Arugba and accolades.

Arugba

Fifteen years ago, Arugba was screened across major cinemas in Nigeria and was later screened at the 60th anniversary of the University of Ibadan.

In 2009, the movie screened at the 9th BFM International Film Festival in London.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani, Arugba wasnt just a movie; it depicted the history and the culture of the Yoruba people.

The movie featured a stellar cast, including Bukola Awoyemi, Segun Adefila, Peter Badejo, Funke Adeyemo, and Bukky Wright.

Arugba was centred on the life of a young girl, Adetutu, who is supposed to be the intermediary between the gods and the people as she periodically carries sacrifices to appease the gods.

Despite its rural setting, the movie opens up with an extremely long shot which shows a mountainous city, Ilu Nla,  which eventually turns out to be the films setting.

Then, it focused on a market with a high-angle camera placement, which gradually found a celestial prophet preaching Christs coming back.

Plot

Arugba opened with the bustling streets of Osogbo, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and as the host of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival.

The film introduced us to the central character, a young woman named Adetutu.

Adetutu was chosen as the Arugba, a sacred virgin who carried the sacrificial materials to the Osun-Osogbo sacred forest during the annual festival.

She (Adetutu) eventually falls in love with Makinwa, a traditional dancer in the movie who heads a dance group in the village.

She gets kidnapped and frees herself via the extraordinary abilities Yemoja (the river goddess) granted to her.

As Adetutu embarks on her sacred journey, the film skillfully weaves in themes of societal issues, political corruption, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

The films soundtrack, composed by the maestro Kunle Ayo, added another layer of magic to Arugba. The melodic tunes, infused with traditional Yoruba rhythms, complemented the visual storytelling.

Reviewing the movie, Yeye Olade of the Sun online newspaper described the film as a parody of former president Olusegun Obasanjos administration, as the movie also narrates the story of a king of an imaginary small town somewhere in Nigerias South-west, who makes a loud splash against corruption, rigorously prosecutes an economic reform and handily welcomes foreign investors.

Allegory

Beyond just a movie, Arugba is a vital element in the Osun-Osogbo festival that usually takes place in August in Osun State.

The age-long festival, which is often a five-day event, draws tourists from both within and beyond the countrys borders, flooding the streets of Osogbo to partake in the annual rituals, with thousands escorting the maiden calabash bearer to the shrine to show gratitude to the Osun goddess.

Arugba is an Osun calabash-carrying votary virgin, a traditional allegory of the Virgin Mary.

An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Some people say the festivals share some similarities with Christmas, as the virgin carrying the calabash containing sacrifices is likened to the birth of Christ.

However, the Arugba is now worshipped as a goddess rather than just a virgin maid, and when she carries the calabash and leads the crowd to the river, people pray to her and blame all their problems on her.

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The police in Enugu State have arrested a former councillor in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state over various alleged offences including cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The suspect, Henry Agbo, who represented Ikiriki Ward Six at the local legislative chamber of the council area, was arrested by police operatives from the anti-cultism squad in November alongside four others who also allegedly committed the offences.

The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday night.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the four other suspects as Kosisochukwu Ochiora, 25, Daniel Agbo, 25, Samuel Ani, 17 and Ndukanachi Okolo, 24  all males

Investigations have proved that the suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity, he said.

The police spokesperson alleged that Mr Agbo, the 42-year-old former lawmaker, is a member and sponsor of the cult group.

The former lawmaker is also an acclaimed senior special assistant on works to the chairperson of Enugu South Local Government Area, he said.

Mr Nduwkwe said police investigations further revealed that the suspects had, earlier in November, perfected plans to avenge an attack on one of their cult group members by a notorious member of a rival cult group, Apache Tiger, before police operatives arrested them.

Four firearms and 16 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, according to the police.

The firearms comprised two locally-made double-barreled pistols, one locally-made revolver pistol and one cut-to-size-single-barreled gun.

More arrest

Mr Ndukwe said police operatives attached to Abakpa Nike Police Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, on 6 December, arrested a suspected armed robber in the state.

The arrested suspect, Ugochukwu Eze, 27, was said to have attacked and snatched a Toyota Camry car from his victim.

Mr Eze, who allegedly carried out the attack with his cohorts, now at large, was also said to have dispossessed the unnamed victim of his phone during the operation.

But (the suspects) were on the verge of escaping when the operatives swooped on them, arrested the suspect, and recovered one locally made double-barreled pistol and the vehicle, he said.

Arrest and remand

Mr Ndukwe said operatives from the anti-cultism squad, on 24 November, arrested another suspected cultist, Chidera Ani, for his alleged involvement in a case of burglary.

The police spokesperson said Mr Ani, 28, has confessed to being a member of the Viking Confraternity otherwise known as Two-two.

He said the suspect has been arraigned in court and remanded in a correctional facility in the state.

The unprosecuted of the cases shall be charged to court and the suspects prosecuted once ongoing investigations are concluded, he said.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the police to continuously clamp down on criminals in the state, Mr Ndukwe said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has made a trip to the village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district, Trend reports.

The head of state inspected the territory of the village.

The village of Khanabad, situated at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1992. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.
Surge Africa, an Abuja-based climate resilient advocacy firm, has announced the official launch of its Youth Manifesto on Climate Change. The manifesto communicates a call to action from Nigerian youth to the government on key socioeconomic and environmental issues that need urgent attention in the country.

The manifesto, launched last week Saturday, a few days after the conclusion of 28th edition of the UN Conference of the the Parties (COP28), highlighted a list of demands for key sectors. It outlines health, water, agriculture, urban sustainability, energy access, climate finance, waste management, and transportation as fundamental areas of action for the government to effectively address.

According to the organisers, the launch created a platform for meaningful engagement between state and non-state actors and the adoption of the Youth Manifesto on Climate Change by relevant individuals within the climate space.

The manifesto comes at a time when there are strong expectations from the government to mobilise political action needed to position our societies and economies towards a low-carbon resilient development, said Nasreen Al-Amin, founder, Surge Africa.

She described the newly launched manifesto on Climate Change as a governance call to action, noting that its demands provided action points for governments at all levels that are crucial to addressing the multi-dimensional effect of climate change.

To scale these demands, Ms Al-Amin said they centred the youth demography as a critical population to accelerate climate action, through their inclusive participation in decision-making platforms.

This, she said, can be achieved by creating avenues for public engagement and strategic collaboration with youth and youth entities where they can meaningfully contribute to climate governance in Nigeria.

Youth inclusion at climate negotiation

At the just-concluded COP28 climate summit in Dubai, 8 December was tagged as Youth, Children, Education, and Skills Day.

Throughout the day at COP28, events organised were used to advance conversations on how to empower children and youth to shape the outcomes of COP28 and beyond and provide them with clear, defined, and accessible opportunities to be a leading part of the solutions proposed at every level.

Children and youth are facing disproportionate climate risks as the generation who will inherit the planet, despite not being responsible for contributing to climate change, the COP28 organisers said.

READ ALSO:

At COP28, there was a designated Pavilion for children and youth.

The Pavillion was managed by young climate advocates and activists throughout the summit. They organised several side events and hosted experts to share tips on how young people can help accelerate climate actions all over the world without leaving anyone behind.

The event of the new Manifesto on Climate Change launched by Surge Africa is perceived as an avenue to further advocate youth inclusion at the climate negotiation table so that their voices and solutions can be heard, felt and put to good use by policymakers across the three tiers of government in Nigeria and beyond.

Notable endorsement

According to the organisers, some of the notable endorsement of the Youth Manifesto on Climate Change comes from the Sokoto State Ministry of Environment, the Zamfara Ministry of Environment, Mines and Solid Ministry Development, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the Nigerian Youth Parliament.

According to the group, the primary aim of the manifesto is to create a lifeline of implementation that seeks to streamline the demands of young people regarding climate change into a highly prioritised national climate action for implementation.

The Youth Climate Collective emerges as a dynamic platform, promoting actionable steps for a sustainable future from a youth perspective. This initiative stems from the collective determination of Nigerias vibrant youth to address the climate crisis and its profound impact on our nations prosperity, Surge Africa said.

With Nigeria boasting one of the worlds largest youth populations, and the demography that will be most impacted by climate change, the group said the Youth Climate Collective serves as a rallying point, advocating urgent and robust political interventions to address the existential climate crisis in the country.

Our vision is to build a network of young changemakers leading the charge on Climate Governance and Diplomacy across Nigeria and beyond the African continent, Surge Africa said.

The newly launched Youth Manifesto on Climate Change can be downloaded here to learn more about the Youth Climate Collective initiative.

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As Nigeria continues to battle various security challenges, some stakeholders in the education sector have urged the government to prioritise research in internal security.

The stakeholders including researchers, industry experts, and policymakers gave their recommendations at the 4th Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) Summit in Lagos on Wednesday.

In his keynote address, the former Vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, observed that Nigerias efforts at driving economic growth may be fruitless if research in internal security that will ensure the safety of investment, and protect the welfare of citizens and resources, is not prioritised.

Mr Ogundipe, who is the current Chairman of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council, spoke on the theme, Research for national development: Nigerias internal security in focus.

He said Nigeria has been contending with internal security in various forms since independence which directly affects citizens as they suffer the consequences of the crisis including displacement and fatalities.

Innovation and research must be used as a true tool to address these crises, he noted.

EWAN summit

In his remarks, the EWAN Chairman, Mojeed Alabi, said the summit is an avenue for researchers, policymakers and academia to brainstorm on the way forward with a focus on national development and internal security.

While encouraging collaborations between government, educational institutions, researchers and journalists to achieve relatable solutions, Mr Alabi reiterated EWANs commitment to the development of Nigeria.

The summit featured panel sessions focused on research, financial security, food security and environmental sustainability. A research presentation was made by the Co-Director of the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, UNILAG, Taibat Lawanson.

The event also had in attendance the former Vice-Vhancellor of the Lagos State University, Olanrewaju Fagbohun; Head of External Communication, UBA, Ramon Nasir; Director of Marketing and Communications, Babcock University, Joshua Suleiman, among others.

Education Security

In their goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun and the Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter, Funmilayo Sessi, said that ensuring internal security in Nigeria is important for national development.

Mrs Ogunsola said although Nigeria has the wings to fly, it cannot move far without improving its security.

Whichever way we talk about it, research in any field or endeavour may be difficult but universities are uniquely placed to do this, to pursue the right research and produce the appropriate manpower with the precise skills, temperament and character to come up with the accurate intelligence to improve our security, she said.

READ ALSO:

In the panel session, moderated by veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede, Ossom Ossom, the director of Social Mobilisation, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Tersoo Shaapere, a representative of the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), emphasised community engagement and advocacy to address security issues.

The NSCDC representative noted that the agency is working to address security issues in schools across Nigeria, including identifying schools with perimeter fences and training teachers as gatekeepers.

Mr Ossom from UBEC mentioned the challenges that hinder access to education, including lack of funding and accountability in governance. He emphasised the need for data and research to address education challenges.

Role of research, recommendations

Speaking further on the economic implication of insecurity in Nigeria, Mr Ogundipe noted that the high crime rates or the existence of conflict can deter foreign direct investments and disrupt economic activities.

Foreign relations and diplomacy are badly affected too. Foreign Direct Investment is hampered because insecurity that does not go away keeps foreign investors away, he said.

The ways that internal insecurity has hampered our national development are many, but I know that research, science and innovation can play pivotal roles in enhancing internal security.

He added that research and innovation can contribute to Nigerias internal security through analysis and intelligence gathering, technology and adoption of surveillance, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding, among others.

Mr Ogundipe recommended that for Nigeria to establish a strong internal security framework, the country must adopt the use of state-of-the-art technologies; implement evidence-based tactics which must constantly adjust to new threats as well as adoption of research and innovation.

A significant portion of the nations internal crisis can be resolved if the government makes use of the wealth of research expertise that exists in the nation, he said.

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The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Peter Mbah as the governor of Enugu State.

In a judgement delivered by a five-member panel of the court led by John Okoro, the court unanimously dismissed two appeals filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Jonathan Edeoga.

Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, had declared Mr Mbah as winner of the governorship election with 160,895 votes.

Mr Edeoga of the LP came second with 157,552 votes, while Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 17,983 votes to place third.

Mr Mbah won the 18 March election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeating his closet challenger, Mr Edeoga.

Dissatisfied with the poll outcome, Mr Edeoga sued Mr Mbah, urging the Enugu State governorship election petition tribunal to upturn the governors election.

But in the lead judgement of the Supreme Court on Friday, Mohammed Garba said Mr Edeoga failed to substantiate his claim of electoral fraud against the electoral commission, INEC, and Mr Mbah.

Consequently, Mr Garba affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which equally upheld the verdict of the tribunal, dismissing Mr Edeogas petition.

Background

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November, dismissed three issues raised by Mr Edeoga against Mr Mbah.

The panel, led by Tani Yusuf-Hassan, concluded that the Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Mr Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not qualified to contest the election.

Regarding the allegation of over-voting, Ms Hassan said in her lead judgement that voters registers were not presented before the lower tribunal.

She, therefore, ruled that the appeal failed because the petitioners failed to submit the voters registers for the disputed areas to substantiate the over-voting allegation.

The court also determined that the witnesses presented by the Labour Party did not sufficiently prove the existence of over-voting in the governorship election.

READ ALSO:

Consequently, the court dismissed the case for lacking in merit and upheld the judgement of the election tribunal, which had earlier affirmed INECs declaration of Mr Mbah as the winner of the 18 March governorship election.

Mr Edeoga and his party filed the petition, challenging Mr Mbahs victory, asking that they should be declared as winners because they polled the highest number of valid votes.

The petitioners also raised concerns about the alleged forgery of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate by Mr Mbah.

However, the Enugu State governorship election petition tribunal ruled in favour of Mr Mbah, stating that he met the minimum requirements for the election, which include the possessing of a school certificate or its equivalent.

The tribunal rejected Mr Edeogas witnesses, adding that the petitioner did not present any admissible evidence to prove that Mr Mbahs certificate was forged.

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The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has denounced the action of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly members from the state, who accused him of being dictatorial in the running of the state.

Mr Alia, in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, condemned the blatant and unwarranted assault on him and accused the federal lawmakers of compromising their integrity to orchestrate a damaging narrative against him. He also said his membership of the APC helped the party win the general elections in Benue.

The Benue State APC Caucus at the National Assembly had on Thursday accused the governor of undermining them and running the state in a dictatorial manner.

The caucus, led by Titus Zam, the senator for Benue North-west, alleged that Mr Alia does not consult them on state matters and also ignores their calls. It also accused the governor of nepotism.

Members of the caucus, who are loyal to a former governor of the state and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, called on President Bola Tinubu to call the governor to order.

Mr Kula, in the response, criticised the caucus for disparaging the governor instead of engaging in discussions beneficial to the states development.

He said Mr Alia played a pivotal role in the APCs electoral gains in the 2023 polls.

Mr Kula questioned the legitimacy of Mr Zams leadership of the caucus given the electoral setbacks in his ward and local government.

It is quite ironic that Sen. Titus Zam, who could not win elections in his ward and Local Government, only got saved by the popularity of the Yes Father movement in the two major towns of (Makurdi and Gboko) for the Benue North West Senatorial District election, led this infamous group not to discuss issues that will bring more development to the state, but to descend on the governor by consistently referring to him during the press conference in a demeaning manner.

It is even more laughable when Zam and his co-travellers insinuated that Rev. Fr. Alia came into a stronger APC for the election.

But suffice to ask, when the Saint, who is also a Maitama drummer and orchestrator of the macabre music and his cohorts had pompously danced and campaigned for the same party in 2019, what was the outcome? Have they forgotten that the party barely managed to get one National Assembly seat out of 14? The party also got less than four out of 30 members in the Benue State House of Assembly, he stated.

He dismissed the caucus allegations of non-performance against Mr Alia, citing the absence of concrete contributions by the National Assembly members, including the lack of constituency offices and the failure to sponsor any bills.

We shall thoroughly ignore the malicious allegations of non-performance because it appears out of the wickedness of the face behind the mask, the forerunners completely state that in pain.

If six months is enough to build heaven, these same people are in the National Assembly for the same period and none of them has rented a constituency office anywhere in their constituencies. They have yet to individually or jointly sponsor a single bill. How then would they know the true meaning of development? he said.

Mr Kula challenged the caucus to stand by their statements in Benue and face the public with their allegations.

He affirmed the unwavering support of the people for the governor, emphasising his commitment to fulfilling the promises made to the electorate.

He added that the Benue State Government remains resolute in defending the integrity of Mr Alia amid the attacks.

Read the full statement below

BENUE STATE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CAUCUS DISPLAY OF CONTEMPTIBLE COWARDICE

Friday, December 22nd, 2023.

We watched the barefaced outing in the name of a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, December 21st, 2023, by some National Assembly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Benue State.

The inglorious outing was clearly against the Governor and leader of the party in the state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

We can say it with abundant confidence that the National Assembly members who participated in that Press Conference must have partially sold their conscience and allowed what is remaining of the same to completely blindfold their touch with reality in Benue State.

It is quite ironic that Sen. Titus Zam, who could not win elections in his ward and Local Government, but only got saved by the popularity of the Yes Father movement in the two major towns of (Makurdi and Gboko) for the Benue North West Senatorial District election, led this infamous group not to discuss issues that will bring more development to the state, but to descend on the Governor by consistently referring to him during the press conference in a demeaning manner.

It is even more laughable when Zam and his co-travellers insinuated that Rev.Fr. Alia came into a stronger APC for the election.

But suffice to ask, when the Saint, who is also a Maitama drummer and orchestrator of the macabre music and his cohorts had pompously danced and campaigned for the same party in 2019, what was the outcome? Have they forgotten that the party barely managed to get one National Assembly seat out of 14? The party also got less than four out of 30 members in the Benue State House of Assembly.

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But the same party went into and came out of the 2023 general elections with changed fortunes. Noticeably, all the actors in 2019 remained the same except one major actor, and that is Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia. So, what else changed the fortunes of the party in 2023, if not Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia?

We heard very loud the vicious intent of the sponsor of such a malicious Press Conference from his messengers.

They keep boasting about how they have concluded arrangements to manipulate the Supreme Court judgement in favour of the PDP candidate who has agreed to defect and join the APC.

And the only way to get the endorsement of the relevant people to execute this devilish plan, according to them, is to paint the Governor in the worst colours before Mr. President and the leadership of the party.

We are happy that men of the pen profession threw very relevant and incisive probing questions. The one that resonated the most was whether the group was working for the interest of the SGF, Sen. George Akume or the people of Benue state.

The question was asked not fewer than three times by different journalists at the conference. Can you bury the truth?

We shall thoroughly ignore the malicious allegations of non-performance because it appears out of the wickedness of the face behind the mask, the forerunners completely state that in pain.

If six months is enough to build heaven, these same people are in the National Assembly for same period and none of them has rented a constituency office anywhere in their constituencies. They are yet to individually or jointly sponsor a single bill. How then would they know the true meaning of development?

In any case, let these National Assembly members come to Benue, stand in public and pronounce such malicious and vexation fabrications they spewed out in their press conference.

Benue people are with their Governor. The Governor had a covenant with them, and he is keeping to the covenant.

Sir Tersoo Kula MNIPR,

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

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In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creationmay He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and send His peace and blessings upon himlikewise upon his family, Companions, and true followers.

Dear brothers and sisters! Faith (Iman) and Allah-consciousness are reasons for test and trials. And the reward for steadfastness in them is paradise (Jannah) as vast as the heavens and the earth. Paradise (Jannah) is surrounded by the disliked just as Hell is surrounded by the desires. The best of creation, the Messengers and Prophets (Peace be upon them), were the most severely tested. The trials they faced are unbearable for others. As Allah Almighty says in the Quran:

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] Messenger and those who believed with him said, When is the help of Allah? Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. [Quran, 2: 214]

When the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was asked which of the people is tried the most severely, he replied:

The Prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them. A man is tried according to his religion; if he is firm in his faith (Iman), then his trials are more severe, and if he is frail in his faith (Iman), then he is tried according to the strength of his faith (Iman). The servant shall continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sins. [At-Tirmidhi]

In the month of Shawwal in the fifth year of the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, faced a severe trial. The Arabs besieged them in one united front. And multitudes of polytheists gathered against them. And they encountered the treachery of the tribe of Banun-Nadir and the abandonment of the hypocrites, in an incident called the Battle of the Ahzab (confederates). And clear verses were revealed, describing its severity and hardship, that will be recited until the end of time.

Quraish sought revenge for their defeat in Badr, and were encouraged by a group from Banun-Nadir, who were bitter about being expelled from Madinah to Khaibar for breaking their treaty with the Muslims. A group from Banun-Nadir went to Makkah to encourage the polytheists (Mushriks) to attack Madinah. Then a delegation went to the Ghatfan tribe, one of the largest tribes of Central Arabia at the time, and enticed them to ally with the polytheists for half the produce of Khaibar. Many tribes, including Ashja, Bani Sulaim, Bani Murrah, Bani Kinanah, and the people of Tuhamah, joined this large assembly, referred to by Allah as Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), aiming for Madinah. When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) learned of their approach, he consulted his companions. Salman the Persian, may Allah be pleased with him, suggested digging a trench (Al-Khandaq) to prevent the polytheists from reaching Madinah, which the Muslims did.

Along with the fear of their enemy, and the onslaught of the polytheists, they were faced with severe starvation and painful hunger as they dug the trench. As this happened during winter, it was cold. And the cold of winter can only be alleviated by food, but there was no food. Digging is hard and exhausting, and a hungry person cannot do it. They were beset by a lack of means, intense hunger, and fear of the enemy. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, in describing the food that came to them while they were digging the trench:

They were brought a handful of barley which was cooked in stale, rancid fat, that was placed before the hungry people. And it had an unpleasant taste and was difficult to swallow and had a foul odour. [Bukhari]

This toiling and hunger continued for several days, with them finding nothing to eat, to the extent that they tied stones to their bellies, as happened to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

On the day of the trench (Al-Khandaq), we were digging and came across a large rock. We went to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said, This rock is blocking our work in the trench. He said, I will come down. Then he stood up, his belly was braced with a stone (to ease the pain of hunger). We stayed for three days without tasting anything. [Bukhari]

The trials continued and their afflictions intensified. While they were in this difficult situation, a rumour spread among the people that the Banu Quraizah, within the city, had broken their treaty with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and were planning to ally with the polytheists against the Muslims.

When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) confirmed this news, he said:

Allah is the Greatest, rejoice, O community of Muslims.

It is good tidings due to the severity of the trial, and optimism in the nearness of what Allah Almighty has promised despite the great distress and the dire situation.

Such was the Prophets unwavering certainty in Allah Almighty, regardless of the extent of the hardship, the severity of the distress, and the intensity of the trial.

Added to these trials and tribulations that came successively upon the Muslims, hardship after hardship, one after the other, each new one making them forget the previous one, was the emergence of hypocrisy (Nifaq). And the betrayal of the hypocrites in the midst of the Muslim community. And attempting to demoralise the Muslims by spreading rumours and fear about the strength of the polytheists, and by openly withdrawing from the army. To the point that the spokesman for the hypocrites said:

Muhammad promised us the treasures of Kisrah (Khosrow) and Caesar, yet one of us cannot even go to relieve himself (out of fear).

Another said:

Our homes are exposed to the enemy, so give us permission to return home.

It was a great trial and severe distress, that could only be withstood by those strong in faith and certainty, along with fortification from Allah and His strengthening their hearts. Imagine the combination of fear and hunger on the weak human psyche, a fierce enemy besieging the city intent on annihilating the Muslims, outnumbering them by threefold, an internal enemy determined to break the pact and betray the Muslims, and the rejoicing hypocrites revealing their true colours. Who could stand firm in the face of such an immense trial and face these successive tests with steadfastness and certainty?

The Quran precisely and eloquently describes this great trial and the severe distress that befell the believers:

[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions. There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking. [Quran, 33: 10-11]

Yes, eyes shifted in fear due to the severity of calamity and distress, and hearts went out of their places due to fear and fright. This is the natural fear of human beings, regardless of who they are.

Allah Almighty recounts the statements of the hypocrites intended to spread fear and weaken the believers, while strengthening the disbelievers:

And [remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease said, Allah and His Messenger did not promise us except delusion, And when a faction of them said, O people of Yathrib, there is no stability for you [here], so return [home]. And a party of them asked permission of the Prophet, saying, Indeed, our houses are exposed [i.e., unprotected], while they were not exposed. They did not intend except to flee. [Quran, 33: 12-13]

The hypocrites thought the Muslims would be annihilated, but the believers were certain what Allah Almighty promised them was true and that He Almighty would make them prevail, even if the polytheists disliked it.

With the intensification of the trial, and the severity of distress, came relief from Allah Almighty. Discord and disagreement broke out and spread among the Confederates, and unity turned into disunity. Then the Confederates disbanded and dispersed.

Respected brothers and sisters! The Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq) was a difficult trial and test, which the true believers passed, while the hypocrites failed. Quranic verses were sent down to expose the hypocrites and reveal their hidden flaws, and praise the believers for their patience and steadfastness, and for facing these trials with contentment and submission to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

It is noteworthy that the verse commanding following the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is interspersed within the verses that describe this battle and its details:

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. [Quran, 33: 21]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

This noble verse is a great basis for following the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) in his words, actions, and conditions. This is why, Allah Almighty commanded people to emulate the Prophets patience, perseverance, striving and waiting for relief from his Lord, Almighty and Majestic, on the Day of the Confederates.

In the next verse, Allah Almighty describes His believing servants who believe in Allahs promises and the good outcomes that they will attain in this world and the hereafter. Allah Almighty said:

And when the believers saw the companies, they said, This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. And it increased them only in faith and acceptance. [Quran, 33: 22]

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, and Qatadah said they meant Allahs words in Surah Al-Baqarah:

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] Messenger and those who believed with him said, When is the help of Allah? Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. [Quran, 2: 214]

Dear servants of Allah! How much Muslims, in these our trying times, need to study the life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and be certain that what they endure of harm, trials, disasters, calamities, afflictions or tests, was even more severe for the early Muslims. They remained patient and steadfast in their faith (Iman), and did not change or alter to please anyone, regardless of their power or their threats and intimidation. Allah Almighty granted them a good outcome in this world with victory and support, and was pleased with their actions so He pleased them, and was pleased with them.

So whatever calamities, trials, tests and afflictions that we face today, whether major or minor, whether on an individual, community, state or national level, whether psychological or physical, whether in health or wealth, let us emulate our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in remaining optimistic, and remaining steadfast upon our faith (Iman) and having certainty in the good outcomes for the believers in this world and the next.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumuah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, Jumada al-Thani 08, 1445 AH (December 22, 2023).

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Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday burnt down a power transmission line supplying power to Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, and some parts of Borno State.

The insurgents who used Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs) brought down three poles of the 330KVA High Tension Line from Gombe to Damaturu at Kasaisa Village close to Yobe State University Damaturu.

The blast of the explosive device was heard in most parts of Damaturu.

The Special Adviser to Yobe State Governor on Security, Dahiru Abdulsalam, a retired brigadier general, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Damaturu, said it was an example of the strategy of the insurgents of attacking soft targets to show they are still relevant.

Mr Abdulsalam said the military had taken measures to carry out night patrols and ambushes along the high-tension lines to prevent a repeat of the attack.

Yesterday we heard two explosions, some said around Red Bricks, some said around Waziri Ibrahim and others said Gujba road.

There was no clue until this morning when we sent out security agents to scan the areas and then we got a clue from one of our informants that it was around the Kasaisa area that the explosions occurred.

On getting there, it was discovered that people suspected to be members of Boko Haram insurgents used Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs) to destroy the 33kva line that conveys electricity from Gombe to Yobe and some parts of Borno State.

After assessing the situation, the state government with Sector II Operation Hadin Kai with Yola Electricity Distribution Company has commenced the process of assessing the damage with the view to restoring the electricity as soon as possible.

I must say that this is one of the usual tactics of Boko Haram to attack soft targets and disrupt peace to show people that they are still relevant but I want to assure the people of the state that there is no course for alarm. The situation is under control and security is on top of the situation

The commander Sector II Operation Hadin Kai has directed all Brigades under his command especially the 27 Task Force Brigade that is in charge of Yobe state to conduct night patrol and ambushes along high tension lines so that this type of ugly incident will not occur again, Mr. Abdullsalam informed.

The attack has now thrown Damaturu into darkness.

A staffer of Yola Electricity Distribution Company told PREMIUM TIMES in Damaturu that the issue is with TCN(Transmission Company of Nigeria) and not us. That is why Potiskum and other places have light as at now because they are not affected by the problem.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) disbursed a total of N4.7 billion to the six area councils and other agencies of the territory for the month of November.

The FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, announced this during the 184th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting on Friday.

She stated that the allocation is a positive step towards fostering growth and prosperity in the territorys communities and their visionary stewards.

The six area councils received a total of N2.2 billion, with Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) receiving N501 million, Gwagwalada N360 million, and Kuje N396 million.

Bwari Area Council got N351 million, Abaji N309 million, and Kwali received N358 million.

Other agencies get shares

Other received allocations are Primary School Teachers N2 billion, Pension Funds N226 million, Training Fund N47 million, and the Employer Pension Contribution received N107 million.

The 184th JAAC meeting was attended by various officials, including FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola (represented by Director of Office Permanent Secretary, Samuel Atang), Secretary Area Council Services, Bitrus Garki, and Director of Finance and Administration in Area Council Secretariat, Omolola Olanipekun.

The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, and his Kwali Council counterpart, Danladi Chiya, were also in attendance.

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Udaipur : The Law Department of Bhopal Nobles University organized a one-day legal assistance camp in Sakroda village of Udaipur district. Conducting surveys by interacting with rural people, the law students provided general information about Lok Adalat (People's Court) and legal matters. As part of the event, students of the B.A.LL.B. 9th semester presented a street play. Dr. Ashutosh Pitliya, the convener of the department, welcomed the guests, followed by Mr. Kuldeep Sharma, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, who briefed the rural audience and students about the latest legal information and laws related to women and child labor. Addressing the gathering, Colonel Prof. Shiv Singh Sarangdevot, Chairperson of Bhopal Nobles University, emphasized the need for such programs conducted by the law department from time to time. Dr. Mahendra Singh Rathore, the President of the University, talked about women empowerment. Director of the institute, Mr. Mohabbat Singh Rathore, provided information about laws related to child marriage. Finance Minister Mr. Shakti Singh Ranawat stressed the importance of organizing legal assistance camps in current times. The program was chaired by Dr. Anila, and the vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Kiran Chauhan. The students provided information on the rights of detained individuals, startups, cybercrimes, and the policies of the Indian government. Rakesh Kumar coordinated the program, and Vishnupriya Dadhich, Pusplata Dangi, Shikha Nagori, Dr. Krishna Ranawat, Chandra Bhan Singh Ranawat, and Mukesh Kothari were present at the event.*

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the village of Pirlar in the Khojaly district, Trend reports.

The head of state examined the territory of the village.

The village of Pirlar, nestled at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1993. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.
Amber Eco Fund celebrates its first anniversary, actively fostering the Web3 ecosystem through strategic investments in key Web3 sectors and support of high-potential firms such as Memeland, PADO Labs, and RockX.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Group , a leading global digital asset company, marked the first anniversary of the Amber Eco Fund, its first venture fund launched in October 2022 to provide early-stage support for Web3 ventures.

Anchored by a sovereign wealth fund and prominent family offices across Asia Pacific, the Amber Eco Fund is dedicated to fostering the growth of the Web3 ecosystem and empowering visionary founders globally. In its first year of operations, the Fund has already made meaningful progress toward its goal by strategically investing in core sectors of Web3, including infrastructure, gaming, DeFi and social networks. Notable investments include 0xScope, Memeland, PADO Labs, Starkware, and RockX, all of which have demonstrated tremendous growth and achievements with the support of the Fund.

Memeland, a Web3 venture studio by Web2 mainstay 9GAG, has achieved early success with its meme-themed NFT collections, generating significant revenue from a large community of over 2.6 million fans on X. PADO Labs, a zkAttestation protocol dedicated to bringing Web2 data into Web3 smart contracts via cryptography, was selected for the prestigious Consensys Fellowship Program in recognition of its innovative efforts advancing the frontiers of Web3 technology. RockX, one of Asia's leading institutional-graded staking platforms, has seen its staking AUM pass $ 1 billion and its liquid staking product Bedrock achieve over $30 million within three months of launch.

"Amber Group's full support and trust has raised the confidence and capacity for RockX to lead institutional staking in Asia. With Amber Eco Fund, we are confident the team will continuously innovate and decentralize for staking to be an inclusive asset class in the financial ecosystem." Zhuling Chen, Founder and CEO, RockX.

"Over the past year, the Amber Eco Fund has taken critical steps in our mission to support Web3 founders," said Annabelle Huang, Managing Partner at Amber Group. "It's rewarding to see the early success of startups like RockX and PADO Labs that we've backed. As an industry leader, Amber Group remains committed to empowering builders through strategic investing and resources from our Eco Fund. We aim to fuel the groundbreaking projects that will drive blockchain adoption and shape the future of digital assets."

Amber Group takes a holistic approach to supporting innovative startups through its Amber Eco Fund and research body Amber Labs. Amber Labs aims to maximize the impact of each investment by leveraging its extensive analysis of industry trends and technologies. Amber Group is then able to provide portfolio companies liquidity provisioning support, access to global talent and partnerships to equip them with necessary tools for success in today's rapidly evolving crypto landscape. For the latest industry insights, subscribe to Amber Labs' research newsletter at https://amberlabs.substack.com.

About Amber Group

Amber Group is a leading crypto finance services provider, specializing in digital wealth management and crypto-native liquidity solutions. The firm offers a comprehensive range of digital asset services, spanning liquidity provisioning, trading, financing, and investing. It is backed by prominent investors, including Fenbushi Capital US, Sequoia, Paradigm, Tiger Global, Dragonfly, Pantera, Coinbase Ventures, and Blockchain.com .

SOURCE Amber Group
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Antilles Digital Media, the premier digital media and SEO agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is proud to announce an unprecedented offer that's set to disrupt the industry.

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DUBLIN, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "9th Annual Mining Investment Asia" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Explore Asia's Top Resources Hub for Mining Investments, Critical Minerals, Hydrogen & Technology Opportunities

WHY MINING INVESTMENT ASIA?

Now in its' 9th year, Mining Investment Asia is firmly established as South East Asia's largest strategic mining investment & capital raising conference and exhibition. Besides that, we also incorporate the latest technological innovations that transform the industry & we add critical minerals and hydrogen that play a crucial role in the global energy market's transition to a low-carbon economy.

We expect 300 senior level executives, including over 200 investors and 40 mining companies ranging from explorers, juniors to mid-tier producers and majors for two days of partnering, networking and business matching.

Join us at an invaluable platform to get access to agenda covering latest industry issues, exhibition floor as well as 1-2-1 meeting matching tool for new partnerships & business opportunities.

MINERS MEET INVESTORS

Our investors come from private equity, asset & investment management companies, sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds, venture capital, family offices or are HNWIs and private investors.

They travel from all over Asia, Australia, North & Latin Americas, Europe and Africa to look out for latest mining projects and investment opportunities.

KEY THEMES

Mining Investment Strategies & Trends

Gold & Precious Metals Developments

Hydrogen Market Trends & Investment Opportunities

Junior Miners , New Exploration Projects & Discoveries

, New Exploration Projects & Discoveries Base Metals

Resources Security & Sustainability

Commodity Trends in North America

M&A, Capital Raising & Financing Environment

Battery Metals & Electric Vehicles

Bulk Metals

Critical Minerals Demand & Supply Analysis

Mining Technology Advancements

Emerging Markets Outlook

Risk, Government Regulations & Policy Developments

IoT, Blockchain & Future of Mining

WHAT TO EXPECT?

TOP SPEAKERS

Our industry leaders provide new perspectives, share cutting edge content and insights to understand the fast-changing global investment landscape.

VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

Talk to miners & evaluate their resources projects and discover the very latest in technology and solution innovations to the mining industry.

NETWORKING

From speed networking, 1-2-1 meetings to private chats across 2 days you're assured to make the right connections.

Speakers

Terry Salman

Chairman

New Pacific Metals

Pawan Burde

Founder & Managing Director

A2Global Advisors

David Wolfin

President & CEO

Avino Silver & Gold Mines

H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham

CEO

Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation

Meidy Katrin Lengkey

Secretary General

Indonesia Nickel Mining Association

Tressna Gandapradana

Commodity Analyst

PT Bukit Asam

Kevin Lewis

General Manager

Philippine Mining Club

Rita Brooks

Chairwoman

Tembourah Metals

Carla Grepo

Commercial Counsellor

Philippine Department of Trade and Industry

Michael Langford

Executive Director

Airguide International

Gerard Farley

Executive Chairman

Empire Securities Group

Eng. Samya Salem Mohammed

Director, Geology & Mining

Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation

Hendra Sinadia

Executive Director

Indonesian Coal Mining Association

Tony Wenas

President Director

PT Freeport Indonesia

Peter Pham

Managing Director

Phoenix Capital Group

Clyde Russell

Asia Commodities & Energy Columnist

Thomson Reuters

Bahli Lahadalia

Minister of Investment & Chairman of BKPM

Republic Indonesia

Sean Joseph

Co-Founder & CFO

Altilium Metals

Paul Dennison

Managing Director

Forum Energy Metals Corp

Sikander Khan Durrani

Geologist

Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation

Michel Labrousse

Managing Partner

Mazarin Capital

Krisna Sjarif

Chairman

PT Timah Investasi Mineral

Khalid A Alobaidli

CEO

Qatar Mining

Gautam Varma

Managing Director

V2 Ventures

Alan M. Clegg

Co-founder, Chairman & Director

Shumba Energy

Jayant Bhandari

Mining & Minerals and Institutional Investor Expert

Anarcho Capital Inc

H.E. Ali Mohammed Qasem

Director General

Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation

Chris Powell

Secretary/Treasurer and Director

G.A.T.A.

Jose Manuel Goncalves

Vice President, Mineral Exploration and Exploitation

National Authority for Petroleum and Minerals (ANPM)

Edward Gustely

Managing Director

Penida Capital

Selim Saroa

Board Member, Sales Manager - Asia-Pacific & Wise Import Manager

SRP Sadid Otomotiv Anonim Sirket

Didier Rault

CEO

World Mining Investment Limited

For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dpazla

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

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Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
The following statement on the release of November border encounter data was released by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR):

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --"The Biden Border Crisis continued to rage out of control in November, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reporting total nationwide encounters of 308,728 people attempting to enter the United States illegally. This crisis, precipitated by the deliberate policies of this administration, is not only unsustainable  it threatens the security of the United States and the American people.

"November marked the fourth consecutive month that total encounters topped 300,000, putting us on pace for some 3.6 million encounters for FY 2024. In just the first two months of this fiscal year, we have nearly exceeded total encounters for all of FY 2020. Without dramatic action to change course, total nationwide encounters on track to reach 11.5 million, not including an additional 2.2 million 'gotaways' by the end of President Biden's term next January.

"Our unsecured borders and flagrant abuse of our asylum policies and parole come at a time of heightened concerns to our national security. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently testified before Congress that he sees 'blinking red lights everywhere [he] turns,' and that 'all the threats are elevated at the same time.' Despite these dire warnings, the Biden administration refuses to secure our borders, making it all the more imperative that Congress act.

"Congress has that opportunity now. President Biden is requesting a supplemental foreign aid package to help Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan protect their security. Republicans are justifiably demanding that that aid be coupled with real border security for the United States, particularly at a time of elevated threats of terrorism against our nation. Such legislation has already been passed in the House of Representatives in the form of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act.

The November CBP data and the record-setting encounters of more than 12,000 illegal aliens in a single day earlier this month make it clear that Congress must force President Biden and his administration to secure our borders by including H.R. 2 in the foreign aid bill. Moving the foreign aid package forward with a mere framework of a deal or half-measures that depend on the good faith of an administration that deliberately created the crisis at our border, would squander Congress' best opportunity to end it."

Contact: Joey Chester, 202-742-1827, [email protected]

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
Indium enables enterprises on their digital transformation journey through a comprehensive suite of services, including Product Engineering, Data Analytics, ML and AI, Low-code No-code, Digital Assurance, and Gaming Tech

Indium's blue-chip customer base features multiple Fortune 500 enterprises across various sectors, with a focus on Technology, BFSI and Healthcare industries

Drawing on its extensive track record in the global Tech Services sector, EQT will support Indium's management team in strengthening its go-to-market strategy while continuing to build on next-gen offerings across Generative AI and Advanced Analytics

MUMBAI, India, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Fund ("BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth") has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Indium Software (the "Company") from existing shareholders. The Company's Co-Founder, Ram Sukumar, will continue leading the firm as CEO.

Headquartered in Chennai, Indium is a fast-growing, digital engineering provider, offering cutting-edge technology solutions to enterprise customers and born-digital companies. Indium was co-founded in 1999 by Ram Sukumar and Vijay Balaji, and today boasts of a team of about 3,000 employees. Indium has grown at a CAGR of around 50 percent over the last three years.

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will support Indium in its next phase of growth, drawing on EQT's global experience in Tech Services with about USD 11 bn invested in the sector in Asia, in-house digitalization capabilities, and global network of industry experts.

Hari Gopalakrishnan, Partner and Co-Head of BPEA EQT India, said, "We are excited to partner with CEO Ram Sukumar and Indium's stellar management team, as the company enters its next phase of evolution. Indium has highly impressive digital capabilities and a strong client roster of global blue-chip enterprises. We are confident of drawing on EQT's extensive value creation playbook in Tech Services and supporting the company on its strong growth momentum."

Ram Sukumar, Co-founder and CEO of Indium, said, "Indium has been built on a culture of client centricity, trust and high-performance. Over the years, we have embraced multiple technology shifts, and today, have become a trusted partner to several enterprises accelerating on their digital and AI journeys. We are truly excited about welcoming EQT as our partner, and we hope to leverage their global footprint to scale our business."

The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024

BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth was advised by JSA, Deloitte, and PwC. Avendus Capital served as exclusive financial advisor and SAM & Co. served as legal counsel to Indium and its shareholders.

Contact:

EQT Press Office, [email protected]

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

The following files are available for download:
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BTCC Exchange , following the successful launch of its highly anticipated copy trading feature in early December, has now announced a copy trading contest with a generous prize pool of 412,000 USDT, aimed at attracting traders from around the world.

In this contest, lead traders will vie for top positions on two separate leaderboards: one for Assets Under Management (AUM) and another for the Number of Followers. The top-ranking lead traders on both leaderboards stand a chance to win up to 6,600 USDT in rewards.

Followers aren't left out of the excitement  they have the opportunity to win up to 300 USDT just by copying trades. For every set of 50 copied trades completed, a user earns 50 USDT in rewards. Additionally, they will receive bonuses for their first copied trade. In case of a loss on their first trade, they can receive a compensation equal to their entire loss amount, capped at 100 USDT. If their first trade yields profit, they can earn a bonus equal to half of that profit, up to 100 USDT. Some of these bonuses are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the campaign rules and join early.

This contest underscores BTCC Exchange's commitment to attracting top-tier traders to its platform. Beyond the contest's attractive rewards, BTCC offers one of the best commission rates for lead traders in the industry and an advantageous VIP system, allowing users to easily ascend tiers and enjoy more benefits than they would on other exchanges.

BTCC Exchange's recent campaign and feature rollouts reflect its dedication to innovation and delivering an exceptional trading experience in the dynamic crypto market. With a solid foundation of 12 years in the crypto industry, BTCC continues to stand at the forefront of addressing the ever-evolving needs of crypto investors.

About BTCC

Established in 2011, BTCC is among the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world and a trailblazer in the field. Catering to both novice and seasoned traders, the platform provides a broad spectrum of trading tools and features. BTCC is dedicated to offering a secure, dependable, and user-friendly trading environment, continually evolving to meet the demands of the cryptocurrency trading market.

New User Campaign

In celebration of its 12th anniversary and recent updates, BTCC is rolling out a special campaign for new users. This campaign offers new joiners prizes valued at up to $10,055. For participation and further details, please visit the BTCC Sign Up Page.

SOURCE BTCC
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DataNet Systems, Washington D.C. company, announced today that it experienced a data incident in which an unauthorized person obtained some information of District of Columbia voters. DataNet Systems helps the District of Columbia Board of Elections provide information to voters. The company takes the privacy and security of personal information very seriously and is providing notice of the incident to potentially affected individuals.

On October 5, 2023, the company discovered unusual activity within its network. This activity was discovered to be unauthorized access to the system through a software program used to advise voters. The company immediately took steps to secure the network and minimize the impact of the incident. The company also engaged a leading independent cybersecurity firm to investigate what happened and determine whether any sensitive information may have been impacted. While that investigation has not determined definitively whose information may have been involved in the incident, out of an abundance of caution we are notifying individuals whose information may have been involved in the relevant data set.

The information may have involved the names, physical and email addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and voter registration information, partial Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers of involved individuals. On November 20 the company determined who may have been involved in the incident and is sending individual messages to people with known contact information. If you do not receive one of these communications but want to know if your information was involved, or if you would like further information, please call (888) 817-5125 Monday through Friday from 8AM to 8 PM Central Time.

You also have the right to place a security freeze on your credit report free of charge pursuant to 15 U.S.C.  1681c-1 and set out below is information on how a resident may request a security freeze. This will prevent new credit from being opened in your name without the use of a PIN number that is issued to you when you initiate the freeze. A security freeze is designed to prevent potential creditors from accessing your credit report without your consent. As a result, using a security freeze may interfere with or delay your ability to obtain credit. You must separately place a security freeze on your credit file with each credit reporting agency. A security freeze may be placed or lifted free of charge.

You may make that request by certified mail, overnight mail, or regular stamped mail, or by following the instructions found at the websites listed below. The following information must be included when requesting a security freeze (note that if you are making a request for your spouse, this information must be provided for him/her as well): (1) full name, with middle initial and any suffixes; (2) Social Security number; (3) date of birth; (4) current address and any previous addresses for the past five years; and (5) any applicable incident report or complaint with a law enforcement agency or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The request must also include a copy of a government-issued identification card and a copy of a recent utility bill or bank or insurance statement. It is essential that each copy be legible, display your name and current mailing address, and the date of issue. You may obtain a security freeze by contacting any one or more of the following national consumer reporting agencies:

Equifax Security Freeze

PO Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348

1-800-685-1111

www.equifax.com

Experian Security Freeze

PO Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

1-888-397-3742

www.experian.com

TransUnion (FVAD)

PO Box 2000

Chester, PA 19022

1-800-888-4213

www.transunion.com

Additional Free Resources:

You can obtain information from the consumer reporting agencies, the FTC or from your Attorney General about steps you can take toward preventing identity theft. You may report suspected identity theft to local law enforcement, including to the FTC or to the Attorney General in your state.

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20580

consumer.ftc.gov, and

www.ftc.gov/idtheft

1-877-438-4338

Washington D.C. Attorney General

441 4th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

www.oag.dc.gov/consumer-

protection/consumer-alert-identity-theft

1-202-727-3400

The company regrets any worry or inconvenience that this incident causes.

DataNet Systems Corp.

1725 I St NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006

202-496-1122

SOURCE DataNet Systems
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiKey, a leading global commerce distributor offering the largest selection of technical components and automation products in stock for immediate shipment, announced today it has provided nearly 39,000 meals to refugees along the border of Thailand and Myanmar in conjunction with Conductive Containers' "Buy a Box, Give a Meal" program.

In 2023, DigiKey and Conductive Containers, Inc. provided 39,000 meals for refugee children in Thailand and Myanmar.

Conductive Containers, Inc., a Minnesota-based company specializing in ESD-safe containers and materials, partnered with Minneapolis-based charitable nonprofit organization Venture to create the "Buy a Box, Give a Meal" (BABGAM) program. The program ensures that Conductive Containers will match one percent of express product purchases, doubling the donation to provide meals to refugee children in Thailand and Myanmar. Over the last year, DigiKey's business with Conductive Containers resulted in nearly 39,000 meals donated through BABGAM.

"We are deeply honored to know that our business with Conductive Containers is making a difference in the lives of those in need," said Mike Slater, vice president of global business development at DigiKey. "We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the 'Buy a Box, Give a Meal' program and provide essential nourishment to refugee children in Thailand and Myanmar."

Many of those escaping crisis situations in Myanmar and surrounding areas find sanctuary inside the border of Thailand. Programs like Conductive Containers' BABGAM program ensure these families receive nutritious meals and other necessary care.

For more information about DigiKey, please visit the DigiKey website.

About Conductive Containers, Inc. (CCI)

CCI is the leader in static protective packaging solutions for sensitive electronic devices. We take pride in providing unique static protective packaging solutions that match the way you want your system to work, and our vertically integrated processes put us in the position to choose the most cost effective way to meet your needs. Our solutions are made in any volume, small or large. Additional information about CCI can be found at www.corstat.com.

About DigiKey

DigiKey, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is recognized as the global leader and continuous innovator in the cutting-edge commerce distribution of electronic components and automation products worldwide. We get technical by providing more than 17.2 million components from over 2,800 quality name-brand manufacturers with an industry-leading breadth and depth of product in stock and available for immediate shipment. DigiKey also supports engineers, designers, builders and procurement professionals with a wealth of digital solutions, frictionless interactions and tools to make their jobs more efficient. Additional information can be found at digikey.com and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Editorial Contact

Megan Derkey

Bellmont Partners

+1 612-255-1115

[email protected]

SOURCE DigiKey
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The so-called "president" of the Karabakh separatists Samvel Shahramanyan said today in a meeting with their self-styled "heads of state institutions" that there's no legal document within their framework that allows for the dissolution of state institutions.

It appears that on October 19, Shahramanyan allegedly signed a "decree" revoking the previous "decree" dated September 28 that called for the dissolution of the separatist entity.

This is Armenian revanchism on full display: the remnants of the separatists have, with just one statement, vividly exposed the true worth of Armenian side's statements over the past three years.

Amid notable strides in easing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the shared eagerness of both sides to swiftly reach a peaceful agreement, these statements deal a devastating blow to these efforts.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market is expected to grow by USD 1.40 billion from 2023 to 2028. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 2.95% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Growing demand for tissue and hygiene products is notably driving the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market. However, factors such as environmental regulations and sustainability concerns may impede market growth. The market is segmented by type (rayon grade and specialty grade), raw material (hardwood and softwood), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market including Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd., Amafhh Enterprises, Bracell, fujian qingshan paper industry co ltd., Fulida Group Holding Co. Ltd., Lenzing AG, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., RAG Innovations, Rayonier Advanced Materials, Sappi Ltd., Shandong Sun Holdings Group, Siam Cement PCL, and yueyang forest and paper co. ltd.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Dissolving Wood Pulp (DWP) Market 2024-2028

The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Request a Free Sample Report.

Dissolving Wood Pulp (DWP) Market 2024-2028: Company Analysis

Bracell - The company offers dissolving wood pulp such as dissolving pulp Rayon grades and special soluble cellulose specialty grades.

This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now for detailed company information

Dissolving Wood Pulp (DWP) Market 2024-2028: Segmentation

Type

The rayon grade segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Growth can be attributed to increasing demand for cellulosic products from a variety of sectors, like textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and so on. Moreover, the textile sector has been the main driver of demand for rayon-grade dissolving wood pulp.

Raw Material (hardwood and softwood)

Geography

Europe is estimated to contribute 29% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The North American region is another area that offers businesses significant growth opportunities. The two main producers and users of this commodity are the US and Canada . Furthermore, one of the main factors driving market growth is a strong demand for rayon in various end-use industries such as textiles, healthcare, and motor vehicles.

North America , APAC, South America , and the Middle East and Africa

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View PDF Sample Report

Dissolving Wood Pulp (DWP) Market 2024-2028: Key Highlights

Historic Market Size 2018-2022

CAGR of the market during 2024-2028

Detailed information on factors that will assist dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market size and its contribution to the parent market

Forecasts on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market

Analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information on companies

Comprehensive details of factors that will impede the growth of dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market companies

Related Reports:

The pulp market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.92% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 41.26 billion.

The hardwood market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.74% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 9,554.57 million.

Dissolving Wood Pulp (DWP) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018-2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.95% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 1.40 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.65 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 29% Key countries US, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd., Amafhh Enterprises, Bracell, fujian qingshan paper industry co ltd., Fulida Group Holding Co. Ltd., Lenzing AG, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., RAG Innovations, Rayonier Advanced Materials, Sappi Ltd., Shandong Sun Holdings Group, Siam Cement PCL, and yueyang forest and paper co. ltd Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Type

Market Segmentation by Raw Material

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
Dr. Howard Yoon, DMD specializes in complicated root canals, endodontic retreatments, and other dental surgeries

READING, Mass., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, Dr. Howard Yoon, DMD, joins Reading Dental Associates as an Endodontist specializing in root canals. Dr. Yoon brings many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to the practice and is looking forward to helping Dr. Park, Dr. Hojjati and the staff at Reading Dental Associates offer the most enjoyable and effective dental services.

endodontist is a dentist who treats problems involving the inside of the tooth, an area known as the tooth pulp Post this Dr. Howard Yoon, Endodontist at Reading Dental Associates.

An endodontist is a dentist who treats problems involving the inside of the tooth, an area known as the tooth pulp (contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue). It can get inflamed or infected because of deep tooth decay, traumatic injury to a tooth, and repeated dental work on a tooth. When that happens, an endodontist is the specialist to performs a root canal, a procedure in which they remove the tooth's nerve and tooth pulp that has become damaged or infected. If untreated, then the pulp will become inflamed and painful, and ultimately, the tooth will die. General dentists are able to perform root canals, but an endodontist has a lot more experience doing them.

"I'm very glad that Dr. Yoon join our practice. He brings a lot to the table and I think he will fit in great with the culture and atmosphere we maintain here at our practice. I'm looking forward to working with Dr. Yoon in the future to successfully treat our patients," said Dr. Rachana Vora at Reading Dental Associates.

Dr. Howard Yoon received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Dental Medicine with Distinction from McGill University. He continued his education and advanced specialty training, receiving his AEGD certificate at the University of Rochester, then completed the Advanced Graduate Program in Endodontics from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he served as chief resident.

About Reading Dental Associates

Reading Dental Associates is a reputable dental office offering general, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry. The office is committed to providing patients with comfort and timely care, as well as healthy, attractive smiles and enduring relationships. The Reading, Massachusetts-based dental office provides convenient and all-encompassing family dental care. Visit www.readingdentalma.com

Media Contacts:

Hillary Cahill

Reading Dental Associates

161 Ash Street, Suite B

Reading, MA 01867

(781) 944-6761

[email protected]

https://www.readingdentalma.com

SOURCE Reading Dental Associates
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DSD Business Systems, a renowned provider of business management software solutions, is thrilled to announce that all DSD Multi-Currency Enhancements for Sage 100 are now Sage Certified and listed on the Sage Marketplace. This certification marks a significant milestone for DSD, adding Sage Tech Partner to the list of designations awarded to the firm.

Enhanced Global Business Capabilities

The DSD Multi-Currency for Sage 100 products are now Sage certified and listed on the Sage Marketplace. DSD Business Systems is proud to be recognized as a Sage Tech Partner in the development of over 500 Enhancement products to the Sage 100 ERP solution.

DSD's Sage 100 Multi-Currency Enhancements empower Sage 100 users seeking global business capabilities through optimized multi-currency transactions, allowing businesses to efficiently manage multiple currencies with ease.

Key features include:

Real-Time Currency Conversion: Enjoy automated real-time currency conversion for sales, purchases, and financial reports, ensuring transaction accuracy.





Enjoy automated real-time currency conversion for sales, purchases, and financial reports, ensuring transaction accuracy. Advanced Currency Management Tools: Access enhanced tools for managing currency gains, losses, and revaluations.





Access enhanced tools for managing currency gains, losses, and revaluations. Customizable Exchange Rate Tables: Create and maintain custom exchange rate tables tailored to different transaction types.

Seamless Integration and Support

The Multi-Currency Enhancements seamlessly integrate with the existing Sage 100 system, ensuring a smooth transition for current users. DSD Business Systems offers comprehensive support and training to help businesses maximize the benefits of these new features.

Empowering Businesses in a Global Marketplace

In the words of Mike Ritchie, Director of Product Management for Sage 100, "It's exciting to see DSD make these multi-currency tools available through the Sage Marketplace. DSD has been an important part of our Sage developer and reseller community for a long time, and this is another exciting example of collaboration between our companies."

Shabnam Munjal, of Munjal White Consulting, a longtime partner of DSD Business Systems, shared her enthusiasm: "DSD's Multi-Currency Suite is a must-have for our clients in Canada, as they operate in both US Dollars and Canadian Dollars. We have partnered with DSD Business Systems for the last 30 years, and have implemented DSD Multi-Currency for our Sage 100 users, who are consistently impressed with the seamless handling of various currencies, making international transactions a breeze for their businesses. We are excited to see this very important Sage 100 solution added to the Sage Marketplace!"

Jon Reiter, Development Division President at DSD Business Systems, emphasized the significance of the Multi-Currency solution: "DSD's Multi-Currency is the most important Sage 100 solution on the market, as it gives businesses the ability to buy and sell in different countries, giving Sage 100 the feature set needed for global business operations, while also providing seamless integration with all Sage 100 modules. We are excited to now have the DSD Multi-Currency suite present on the Sage Marketplace, as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the initial release of the of products back in 1993."

About DSD Business Systems

DSD Business Systems has been a leading provider of business management software solutions and custom development since 1984. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, DSD delivers cutting-edge solutions that help businesses thrive in a dynamic economic landscape.

Media Contact:

Kimberly Tucker

370439@email4pr.com

800-627-9032

8787 Complex Drive, Suite 400,

San Diego, CA 92123

https://www.dsdinc.com/

SOURCE DSD Business Systems
HELSINKI, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Outokumpu, the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, has received the highest Platinum level recognition from the sustainability rating platform EcoVadis. Today, Outokumpu ranks among the top 1% of more than 100,000 companies assessed based on its strong performance in sustainability. This is not the first time Outokumpu receives the Platinum recognition, but this year, Outokumpu scored its all-time high points.

EcoVadis assesses companies in line with global standards such as GRI and UN Global Compact, and the assessment evaluates 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

"We are proud to see our commitment to sustainability being recognized to be among the top 1% of companies assessed by EcoVadis. We launched an ambitious sustainability strategy in 2021 and continuously work and progress towards our targets. Outokumpu has an ambitious climate target approved by Science Based Targets aligned with 1.5 degrees, and we are committed to reduce direct, indirect and supply chain emission intensity by 42% by 2030. We have been able to reduce our emission intensity by 20% since 2016 and continue to work towards the target. We are incredibly happy to see that EcoVadis also acknowledges the progress we have made across all areas in sustainability," says Heidi Peltonen, Vice President, Sustainability.

As part of its ambitious sustainability strategy, Outokumpu also targets to use over 90% recycled material content in production and improve energy efficiency by 8% by the end of 2024. Besides the ambitious climate work, Outokumpu aims to increase the amount of diverse leaders by 30% by 2025 and is committed to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights across its value chain.

"The steel industry as a whole is a major contributor to the transition - it accounts for 7-9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The COP28 declaration with the ambition to keep the Paris Agreement 1.5C goal within reach sends a strong message to accelerate climate work, and we believe that by leading the way in sustainability we can support our entire value chain in the green transition. Sustainability is driving not only our business decisions, but also our customers. Being recognized as a top performer by EcoVadis with a platinum rating proves that we are on the right track to continue our work and also support our customers in their ambitious sustainability commitments. Many thanks to our employees all over the world for their continuous commitment to ensuring our industry leadership in sustainability," Peltonen ends.

For more information:

Outokumpu's media desk, tel. +358 40 351 9840, e-mail media(at)outokumpu.com

Outokumpu Group

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/outokumpu-oyj/i/ecovadis-2,c3251631 ecovadis 2 https://news.cision.com/outokumpu-oyj/i/ecovadis,c3251632 ecovadis

SOURCE Outokumpu Oyj
NYSE American:EU

TSXV:EU

www.encoreuranium.com

DALLAS, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) announced today the resignation of Ms. Mierkey, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective December 23, 2023. Dr. Dennis Stover has agreed to act as Interim CFO until the conclusion of a CFO search. A CFO search committee consisting of Chief Executive Officer Paul Goranson, Executive Chairman William Sheriff and Audit Committee Chair William Harris has been formed and is well advanced in the efforts to select a new CFO.

enCore Energy's Audit Committee Chair, William Harris, stated: "On behalf of the Board and management we extend our thanks to Ms. Meirkey for her work during a period of significant growth and transformation of the Company. A CFO search is well underway and is based on the Company's growth model. The interim appointment of Dr. Dennis Stover, a Director and former CEO of the company, allows the Audit Committee to maintain its role as independent members of the Board and oversee the financial affairs of the Company."

enCore Energy wishes Ms. Meirkey well in her future endeavors.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy as the newest uranium producer in the United States. Uranium production commenced at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Central Processing Plant ("CPP") in November 2023 with work underway for a planned restart of uranium production at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa CPP in 2024. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming, along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long term opportunities. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

www.encoreuranium.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company, statements regarding future or potential production, and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and regulations (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics ("PUDU"), the global leader in commercial service robots, is refreshing the hotel industry with its innovative robotic solutions. For the hotels, how to elevate service quality continuously while controlling operation costs has always been a challenge. Concurrently, in the ear of digital transformation across call sectors, maintaining a balance between automation and human interaction has emerged as a managerial art. PUDU's advanced robotics technology is at the forefront of addressing these problems, integrating the efficiency of robotics with the warmth of human touch.

Recently, PUDU's robots were introduced at Parkhotel, a family-driven hotel located in the center of Eisenstadt in Austria, to provide services for its guests. "We are the first to use such robots in Burgenlan, Austria's easternmost state," said Michael Novak, Director of the Parkhotel. PUDU's BellaBot, KettyBot, HolaBot, FlashBot and PUDU CC1 have been strategically deployed throughout the hotel to serve various functions.

KettyBot is responsible for greeting guests at the hotel entrance, utilizing a voice interaction system and a large-screen display to provide necessary information and guidance, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

BellaBot and HolaBot have been assigned to handle meal delivery and dish return in two of the hotel's restaurants. BellaBot receives prepared food from the kitchen and autonomously navigates to different tables, while HolaBot takes care of returning used tableware to the kitchen.

Stephano Rittner is a member of the hotel staff whose morning duties include preparing both hot and cold foods for delivery. He often finds it difficult to transport the hot food due to the heat and the time it takes. However, every morning, BellaBot assists him by delivering the hot food to the required location. BellaBot's assistance minimizes his need to rush around and enables him to start preparing the next batch of hot food promptly.

Andrea, also a hotel staff member, can now concentrate more on creating unique experiences for guests, thanks to HolaBot. The robot assists her by handling numerous mundane and repetitive tasks, such as delivering various items within the hotel. "It's a robot, but we can work together very well," said Andrea.

PUDU CC1, an intelligent all-in-one cleaning robot is dedicated to maintaining cleanliness in the hotel's meeting rooms, ensuring a pristine environment for guests. It not only enhances hygiene standards but also streamlines the management process by offering immediate access to reports and pinpointing precise areas that require attention.

PUDU's building delivery robot, FlashBot, is responsible for delivering various items to hotel rooms promptly, including towels, toiletries, and meals, ensuring that guests' needs are met efficiently. FlashBot can take the elevator to provide safe and reliable room delivery. Powered by cutting-edge technologies, it enables digital management and services of hotels and office buildings.

The introduction of these robots at Parkhotel showcases PUDU's diverse product portfolio, offering innovative solutions for various scenarios and customer segments. These robots demonstrate how PUDU's technology can reduce staff workload, enhance the dining and accommodation experience, and infuse hotels with a sense of technology and modernity, increasing their appeal to guests.

"We started working with PUDU because it is the leading manufacturer in robotics and have great products, great services. We do this project in Austria together, and I think we will do a lot more projects in the future," said Michael.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in design, R&D, production, and sales of commercial service robots with nearly 70,000 units shipped in over 60 countries worldwide. The company's robots are currently in use across a wide variety of industries including restaurants, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, and manufacturing. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, its mission is to use robots to improve the efficiency of human production and living. For more information on business developments and updates, follow PUDU on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Pudu Robotics
Enrolled guests to enjoy smart and efficient screening at U.S. airports

NADI, Fiji, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eligible travellers visiting Fiji on Fiji Airways will be able to enjoy smart and efficient screening when departing the U.S. with Fiji's National Airline included in an expanded TSA PreCheck program run by the Transportation Security Administration.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program that enables low-risk travellers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience at more than 200 U.S. airports.

Eligible guests travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items in their bags. About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers in dedicated lanes wait less than 10 minutes at airport checkpoints.

Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andre Viljoen says the airline's inclusion in TSA PreCheck is an added benefit for its customers.

"We are delighted to be included in this program as it will allow our guests to have a more seamless experience when they leave the U.S. to arrive in Fiji. Most of our visitors from America are here for a holiday and convenient screening will only enhance their entire journey."

Fiji Airways is constantly exploring how to elevate its services, and inclusion in the TSA PreCheck program is one of these enhancements.

"Combined with our international award winning onboard products and services, guests will be able to begin their holiday experience even before they land in Fiji," Mr Viljoen added.

The airline provides daily services between Nadi and Los Angeles, and up to five times to San Francisco.

These routes are serviced by Fiji Airways' modern, state-of-the-art Airbus A350s which are considered one of the best passenger aircraft currently in service.

Details on how to apply for TSA PreCheck are available here: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

About Fiji Airways:

Founded in 1951, Fiji Airways Group comprises of Fiji Airways, Fiji's National Airline and its subsidiaries: Fiji Link, its domestic and regional carrier, Pacific Call Comm Ltd, and a 38.75% stake in the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, Nadi. From its hubs at Nadi and Suva International Airports, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 108 destinations in over 15 countries (including code-share). Destinations include Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, India, Japan, China, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. The Fiji Airways Group brings in 70 percent of all visitors who fly to Fiji, employs over 1000 employees, and is targeting to earn revenues of over FJD$1.5 billion (USD $680m) in 2023. Fiji Airways rebranded from Air Pacific in June 2013. Visit www.fijiairways.com for more information

Images can be downloaded from here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1halJFxxhVkC6ziuOe790OcWBin_koybo?usp=sharing

SOURCE Fiji Airways
FTX Debtors Continue to Pursue Additional Claims; Settlement Agreement Solely Related to Embed Transaction

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FTX Trading Ltd. (d.b.a. FTX.com) and its affiliated debtors (together, the "FTX Debtors") announced today that its affiliated debtors, Alameda Research Ltd. ("Alameda"), West Realm Shires, Inc. ("WRS"), and West Realm Shires Services, Inc. ("WRSS") (together, the "Plaintiffs"), have sought Bankruptcy Court authorization to enter into a binding settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") with Samuel Bankman-Fried, Nishad Singh and Gary Wang (together, the "Defendants") solely to resolve Adversary Proceeding No. 23-50381 relating to the acquisition of Embed Financial Technologies ("Embed").

Under the Settlement Agreement, the FTX Debtors will recover 100% of the value that the Defendants obtained in connection with the Embed acquisition, and also all assets held under the Defendants' names at Embed. The Settlement Agreement will also not affect, compromise or release any claims the FTX Debtors have against the Defendants of any kind other than those claims specified in the Settlement Agreement for the Embed avoidance action.

"This agreement is in the best interests of the FTX Debtors' estate, creditors and stakeholders," said John J. Ray III, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of the FTX Debtors. "This agreement allows us to take further steps to resolve matters at Embed and at the same time, we are not inhibited in any way as we pursue additional outstanding claims in parallel and advance the work underway to maximize recoveries for creditors."

On May 17, 2023, the Plaintiffs commenced Adversary Proceeding No. 23-50381 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District Court Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court") against Bankman-Fried, Singh and Wang by filing a complaint that sought, among other things, to avoid and recover transfers made by the Plaintiffs to the Defendants with regard to the June 2022 acquisition of Embed by WRS and to avoid any obligation by WRS relating to the Embed acquisition.

Advisors

The FTX Debtors are represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal counsel and are assisted by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC as financial advisor, Perella Weinberg Partners LP as investment banker, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP as special counsel and Landis Rath & Cobb LLP as Delaware counsel.

Additional Information

U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings and other documents related to the court proceedings, including documents related to Adversary Proceeding No. 23-50381 and a copy of the Settlement Agreement, are available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/FTX/.

SOURCE FTX
DUBLIN, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market: Analysis By Product Type (Direct Evaporative Cooling and Indirect Evaporative Cooling), By End-User (Residential, Industrial, and Commercial), By Distribution Channel, By Region Size, Trends and Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global portable evaporative cooler market was valued at US$2.41 billion in 2022. The market value is expected to reach US$3.94 billion by 2028. The global portable evaporative cooler market has been on the rise due to increased environmental awareness, a growing need for cooling solutions in the face of rising temperatures, cost-effectiveness, and technological advancements.

As these factors continue to influence consumer choices and market dynamics, the market is expected to experience further growth in the forthcoming years. Portable evaporative coolers are likely to remain a popular and viable cooling option, particularly in regions where energy efficiency and sustainability are of paramount importance. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approx. 9% during the forecasted period of 2023-2028.

Market Segmentation Insights:

Product Type Evaluation: The report distinguishes between direct and indirect evaporative cooling, with the former commanding the majority market share thanks to its effective, low-cost operation, ideal for hot and low-humidity areas.

The report distinguishes between direct and indirect evaporative cooling, with the former commanding the majority market share thanks to its effective, low-cost operation, ideal for hot and low-humidity areas. End-User Overview: Residential applications emerge as the dominant segment, driven by the increasing need for cost-effective, energy-saving cooling options in personal living spaces.

Residential applications emerge as the dominant segment, driven by the increasing need for cost-effective, energy-saving cooling options in personal living spaces. Distribution Channel Observations: While offline channels currently dominate market sales, the online segment is forecasted to ascend rapidly, attributed to the growing e-commerce landscape that offers consumers a vast selection and user-friendly shopping experiences.

Regional analysis indicates the Asia Pacific market as the frontrunner, backed by escalating urbanization and a burgeoning middle class with enhanced purchasing power.

The US is home to regions with extreme temperatures, particularly in the South and Southwestern states, where evaporative coolers are an essential solution for cooling during hot summers. In addition, the increasing e-commerce market has had a positive impact on the growth of the US e-commerce market by providing consumers with a convenient and accessible platform for online shopping, leading to higher online sales and market expansion. The German government's incentives and policies aimed at promoting energy-efficient technologies have further stimulated the adoption of portable evaporative coolers. For instance, in Germany, the government's Energiewende initiative includes various incentives to promote energy-efficient technologies, contributing to the adoption of portable evaporative coolers. The German government offers financial support and subsidies to individuals and businesses investing in energy-efficient appliances, including cooling systems, further contributing to the market growth.

Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers

Growing E-Commerce Industry

Rapid Urbanization

Rising Purchasing Power

Increasing Remote Working

Rising Average Earth Temperature

Favorable Energy Conservation Regulations

Rising Awareness about the Advantages over Traditional Coolers

Challenges

Seasonal Use

Competition with Air Conditioner

Limited Cooling Range

Market Trends

Hybrid Cooling Solutions

Increasing Application in Commercial Sector

Technological Advancements

Mass Customization and Personalization

Competitive Landscape:

The global portable evaporative cooler market is fragmented.

The key players in the global portable evaporative cooler market are:

Bajaj Electricals Limited

Honeywell International Inc.

Orient Electric Limited

Symphony Limited

Meier Tobler Group AG (Portacool, LLC)

Cool Boss, LLC

Newair

Kenstar

Sunpentown International Inc. (SPT)

Vankool Technology Co.

Evapolar

Hessaire Products Inc.

The key players in the market are investing in product innovation to develop new and improved portable evaporative coolers. For example, in September 2023, Cool BossT introduced the CooleeT CL-240, a unique three-in-one portable air cooler. Compact and rechargeable, it combines an air cooler, ice chest and Bluetooth player in one go-everywhere package. On the other hand, in May 2023, Hessaire Products, Inc. rolled out its portable evaporative cooler in new colors. The MC18 now comes in a retro blue as well as three other colors and is available from many distributors.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

2.1 Portable Evaporative Cooler: An Overview

2.2 Portable Evaporative Cooler Segmentation: An Overview

3. Global Market Analysis

3.1 Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market: An Analysis

3.2 Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market: Product Type Analysis

3.3 Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market: End-User Analysis

3.4 Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market: Distribution Channel Analysis

4. Regional Market Analysis

5. Impact of COVID-19

6. Market Dynamics

7. Competitive Landscape

7.1 Global Portable Evaporative Cooler Market Players by New Product Launches

8. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cyvv9t

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --The "Global Radiation Curable Coatings Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Radiation Curable Coatings Market reached a significant value of US$ 7.7 Billion in 2022 and is projected to expand to US$ 10.2 Billion by 2028, advancing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.80% over the forecast period from 2022 to 2028.

Radiation curable coatings are known for their exceptional quality, durability, and low environmental impact, owing to their low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Industries across various verticals are increasingly adopting these coatings due to their superior protection against corrosion, scratch, abrasion, and chemical damage, not to mention their mechanical and aesthetic enhancement benefits.

Trends Influencing the Radiation Curable Coatings Market

Several key trends are underpinning the growth of the radiation curable coatings market. The automotive sector, which relies on these coatings for scratch-resistant vehicle components, is a significant driver. Rising investments in advanced car infotainment systems align well with this trend, offering solid market prospects. Similarly, an uptick in the production of consumer electronics, including household appliances with enhanced surface properties, is fueling market expansion.

Moreover, the ease of application and robust bonding characteristics of radiation curable coatings are making them popular in the production of wooden furniture and pipelines for various industries, including oil drilling. Their role in the fiber optics industry, particularly for high-speed data transmission cables, is another pivotal factor propelling market growth.

Market Segmentation Insights

The comprehensive research covers the market performance segmented by ingredient type, which includes oligomers, monomers, photoinitiators, and additives, as well as by coating type, with subdivisions for ultraviolet curing and electron beam curing. Diving further, application-based segments span paper and film, printing inks, plastics, wood, and glass, offering detailed insights into each niche's potential.

Oligomers

Monomers

Photoinitiators

Additives

Ultraviolet Curing

Electron Beam Curing

Paper and Film

Printing Inks

Plastics

Wood

Glass

Regional dynamics are dissected, presenting analysis across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa, with a spotlight on pivotal countries contributing to market growth.

Competitive Landscape and Key Market Players

The competitive landscape section of the report brings to light the strategies implemented by industry leaders to maintain their market dominance. The study profiles major players, showcasing their product offerings, innovation strategies, and market positioning. Insightful analyses aim to provide stakeholders with crucial business intelligence to inform decision-making.

Addressing Key Questions

This market study addresses several critical questions concerning the dynamics of the Radiation Curable Coatings market, its current stature, growth potential, and the implications of COVID-19 on market trends. The report delivers an evidence-based assessment to investors, industry participants, and other stakeholders in navigating the market landscape adeptly.

The growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and efficiency in industrial manufacturing processes is making the radiation curable coatings market a focal point of interest for businesses looking to invest in future-ready solutions.

With the market poised for continued expansion, this report offers a comprehensive resource to understand and leverage the opportunities within the Radiation Curable Coatings industry.

Companies Profiled

3M

Akzo Nobel

Allnex (PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited)

Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc.

Axalta Coating Systems

BASF

DIC

Dymax

Evonik Industries

Momentive Performance Materials Inc.

PPG Industries Inc.

The Sherwin-Williams Company

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ja780b

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Another group of former internally displaced persons was sent to the village of Zabukh of Lachin district, Trend reports.

Another group of citizens was sent from the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku on December 22.

At this stage, another 30 families (121 people) moved to the village of Zabukh.

Zabukh residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the village of Zabukh has been provided for 176 families - 688 people.
BROOKSHIRE, Texas, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Goya Foods of Texas donates 250,000 pounds of food to families and individuals in need throughout Texas with the help of Catholic Charities of Houston, Catholic Charities of San Antonio, Houston Food Bank, and North Texas Food Bank.

Goyas Christmas donation of 250,000 pounds of products including beans, coconut water, and other products will be distributed directly to thousands of families in Texas with the help of Catholic Charities of Houston, Catholic Charities of San Antonio, Houston Food Bank, and North Texas Food Bank.

"As we celebrate the birth of Christ within the blessed union of the Holy family, we're helping to bring families in need together by providing a nourishing meal. This donation is a gift from our Goya family to families in Texas," said Bob Unanue, the President and CEO of Goya Foods. "With the spirit of giving ingrained within our company values, we are committed to serving communities and advancing the wellbeing for all throughout the world."

By partnering with local food banks and charitable organizations throughout Texas, Goya Foods of Texas will be able to efficiently distribute the food to communities where it will have the greatest impact. The donated food includes pantry staples, such as beans, rice, canned vegetables, broth, and spices, among others, allowing families to prepare hearty and nutritious meals.

Goya's commitment to giving back extends beyond Texas. Through the company's global initiative, Goya Gives, Goya is always at the forefront of natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of food each year in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Goya donated food to the people of Mexico, Maui, California, Turkey, and Syria.

To learn more about Goya Gives, please visit: www.goya.com

About Goya Foods

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities worldwide. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

For more information, contact:

Natalie J. Maniscalco

845.659.6506 / [email protected]

SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc.
SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the 5th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (Cangzhou) Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Cooperation Forum kicked off in Cangzhou, Hebei. Nearly 400 participants gathered, including envoys to China and government representatives from Central and Eastern European countries, sister city delegates, representatives from China's embassies in Central and Eastern European countries, as well as representatives from domestic and foreign business associations, universities, research institutes, and enterprises. They came together to strengthen friendships, and seek cooperation and development. In the event, Georgia participated as an observer and was warmly welcomed by China and Central and Eastern European countries.

The theme of this forum is "Expanding Openness and Cooperation for Mutual Development." During the event, guests and expert representatives from home and abroad gave keynote speeches on topics such as international cooperation between and future prospects of the SMEs of China and those of Central and Eastern European countries, creating a bright future for cooperation between SMEs in China and Central and Eastern Europe, the potential of cooperation between and the development directions of China and Central and Eastern European countries, advanced technology and industrial cooperation between China and Europe, and financial empowerment for the development of SMEs. They also engaged in roundtable discussions on deepening cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

The China-CEEC (Cangzhou) SME Cooperation Forum has been successfully held four times before, according to Hebei Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department, attracting approximately 3,000 attendees including state leaders, envoys to China from over 20 countries and regions such as Slovakia, Serbia, Germany, and Finland, as well as representatives from well-known domestic and international industry associations and enterprises. A total of 217 international cooperation projects were signed with a total investment of 1684.58 billion yuan (235.94 billion US dollars); sister city relationships were established with 12 cities in 7 Central and Eastern European countries including Croatia, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia; 48 cooperation memorandums were signed, and 53 cooperation relationships were established, covering various fields such as general aviation, medical devices, and high-end manufacturing. Additionally, a series of cooperation agreements in cultural exchanges, cooperative education, and technology transfer were signed. These achievements have provided important pathways for strengthening cross-border cooperation among SMEs in various countries and have served as an effective platform for Cangzhou city and even Hebei Province to enhance their level of openness to the outside world and to connect closely with high-quality industries in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, the China-CEEC (Cangzhou) SME Cooperation Forum has become a flagship foreign affairs event in Hebei Province.

SOURCE Hebei Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department
SHANGHAI, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Event marketing has a rich history tracing back to the 1800s - the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, brands like Wrigley's, Pabst, and Cracker Jack debuted their brands and products to the world with huge awareness gained.

2023 Hoegaarden Masterclass Case Film Torre's recent shot at Watches & Wonders

Into the 1930s, Oscar Mayer's hotdogger vehicle spread out the brand awareness massively. Into the 1970s, the Pepsi challenge took place at malls, shopping centers, and other public locations around the States in the form of a single blind taste test as part of the ongoing Cola wars. The awareness driving was huge, and the results leaned toward a consensus that Pepsi was preferred by more Americans.

It is said that event marketing gave birth to brand activations, and it gradually evolves into brand experiences with the time moving on to the 2000s. When Fendi's "the first fashion show visible from the moon" took place on the Great Wall of China, the impact was beyond culture and marked in the history of event marketing. Into the 2010s and 2020s, more and more great experiences coming along with new technologies have been curated by big names from automobile, fashion, alcohol and other industries.

In 2023, Hoegaarden witbier brews the progression of event marketing into a new paradigm - an immersive brand theatre that filtered out a brand challenge. Let's get into it!

THE CONTEXT

For years, witbier fans enjoy their Hoegaarden moments, slow down and unwind, but hardly did they know about the brand's Belgian heritage. So the experiential brief is to put on a masterclass to convey the high quality from Belgium, and skip the boring "show & tell" cliche for the target audience.

THE STRATEGY

Hoegaarden has a profound history with a lot brand stories. It's interesting to explore the rich heritage rather than being told, so the strategy is to embark on a time-travel adventure to the very village in Belgium in 1445, portray Hoegaarden's legacy via an immersive theatre.

THE IDEA & EXECUTION

To boost the theatre ambiance & Belgian heritage, Beijing Belgium Embassy former site is chosen as the venue. The brand takes out 3 of its milestones in history and vivifies the stories via theatre play with characters and interactive scripts. So the guests become part of it instead of just watching, and experience those moments as if they were there. The finale brings everyone back to present with a curtain call that captivates them again, so to extend the immersive experience to the brew master's tasting session.

The guest journey features a Belgian estaminet arrival to portray the brand's unwind lifestyle. After a welcome drink, a parchment roll is given to start the time-travel adventure to the very village where the brand was born... Into 1445, the guests and the Hoegaarden monks discovered the combination of orange peel and coriander to brew the legendary wheat beer. Into 1965, the guests along with Hoegaarden's legend Pierre Celis preserved the recipe in his milk shed, and revived Hoegaarden witbier. Into 1985, the guests experienced the fire and the reborn. Back to 2023, the immersive theatre comes to its finale along brew masters session and curtain call.

THE RESULT

The entire experiential campaign gained a total 361 million media impression, top 1 searched witbier brand on Red Social Media (one of the top Chinese social media & e-commerce platforms), and 58.8% increase in witbier market penetration on target audience from Red Social Media.

THE ONE BEHIND THE SCENE

Torre is the founder of KRUSH STUDIOS. (www.krush.studio) The studio's name comes from his born crush on creative and rush. He connects with a group of creative and ambitious marketing veterans to curate innovative experiences and set new paradigms in evoking senses that resonate. KRUSH STUDIOS hep prestigious brands to stand out from content-crammed world by linking with target audiences in insightful ways with "glocal" relevancy and distinct brand persona.

Torre is an open-minded entrepreneur with passion, a creative problem solver. He has been working over 15 years in marketing communication and brand experiences, covering the area of shows, creative, strategy, account, content, operation, producer, technical functions in his current career. While spearheading popular events and campaigns across Asia and Europe, he challenges his own experience to unlearn from his past expertise.

He viscerally believes that marketing is about values and to solve problems for the brand and target audiences. He envisions and iterates extraordinary contents & experiences that evoke senses - changing consumers to evangelists for brand excellence.

He's not going to rest on his laurels as his born passion and curiosity drives him forward in full speed. We wish to hear more progression and phenomenal cases from his work in the future. Keep going Torre!

SOURCE KRUSH STUDIOS
Dean Omar Branham Shirley represented widow in talc-asbestos death

CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Cook County jury awarded a $30 million mesothelioma verdict against tire manufacturer Bridgestone Firestone in a case where the deceased's only exposure to asbestos was through his father's employment decades earlier at a tire manufacturing facility in Decatur.

Thomas Jackson died one month before his 65th birthday and only five weeks after his diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the membrane that lines the body's abdominal organs.

Attorneys for Mr. Jackson's wife, Dorothy Jackson, demonstrated that the Decatur facility used talc mined in Vermont and New York to keep tires and rubber components from sticking together. The talc contained raw asbestos, which experts say Mr. Jackson's father, Jim, a manager at the plant, inadvertently carried home with him on his clothing.

"For years this Firestone facility allowed hardworking men to go home to their families covered in raw asbestos materials, endangering the next generation and, in Mr. Jackson's case, causing a sudden and painful death," said Dean Omar Branham Shirley partner Benjamin Braly, who with Sam Iola represented Dorothy Jackson. Attorneys Michael Cooney and Robert Cooney of Cooney & Conway in Chicago also represented Mrs. Jackson.

Thomas Jackson grew up with limited means and knew his wife Dorothy from the time each was 15 years old. He paid his way through college, went into accounting and later founded a wealth management company that he owned when he died.

During the nine-day trial, attorneys produced almost 100 pieces of documentary evidence that tied Thomas Jackson's asbestos exposure to his father's work at the plant, beginning in 1965. Jurors, who were without one alternate due to COVID, deliberated for an hour and a half before awarding $5.25 million in economic losses, $11.14 million in wrongful death damages and $13.6 million in survivor damages.

The case is Dorothy J. Jackson, Independent Administrator of the Estate of Thomas J. Jackson, Deceased vs. A.W. Chesterton Company et al., no. 19 L 009793 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit http://www.dobslegal.com.

Media Contact:

BeLynn Hollers

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP
INNSBRUCK, Austria, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AV-Comparatives launches what promises to be its most comprehensive analysis ever of enterprise IT security solutions, turning the spotlight on Endpoint Protection, EDR, and XDR products. This analysis is powered by a year's long-term testing and in-depth study, promising unparalleled clarity. Prepare for the insights you need to make the most informed security decisions for 2024.

AV-Comparatives Enterprise Cybersecurity Testing Results 2024 (PRNewsfoto/AV-Comparatives)

AV-Comparatives, an independent authority in the IT security field, is pleased to announce the release of its most comprehensive assessment of enterprise IT security solutions to date. This year-long review encompasses a broad spectrum of products, including Endpoint Protection, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and Extended Detection and Response (XDR).

A crucial resource for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and IT professionals, the review provides essential data instrumental for making informed decisions regarding the choice of IT security solutions for their operations in 2024. The detailed transparency and clarity of this analysis aid in understanding the robust performance of various solutions.

The review's objective is to deliver thorough and precise insights into the functionality and performance of these security products. Backed by a year's long-term testing, our analysis stands as a beacon of reliability and consistency in the ever-evolving enterprise security landscape.

Significantly, the AV-Comparatives assessment goes a step further than analogous platforms like the MITRE Enginuity tests, providing a more complete and all-rounded analysis of security products by investigating their complex functionalities and technical aspects. This highlights AV-Comparatives' dedication to its independent mandate and underscores its expertise in the field.

We are confident that our latest publication serves as an invaluable tool for all IT professionals navigating the intricate and fast-paced world of enterprise IT security. Choosing your security solution is a critical decision  let AV-Comparatives lead the way to an informed choice.

The following products were out to the rigorous test cycle.

Avast Ultimate Business Security

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium

Check Point Harmony Endpoint Advanced

CISCO Secure Endpoint Essentials

CrowdStrike Falcon Pro

Cybereason NGAV

ESET PROTECT Entry with ESET PROTECT Cloud

ESET ESET PROTECT Enterprise Cloud 10.1

G Data Endpoint Protection Business

K7 On-Premises Enterprise Security Advanced

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business  Select, with KSC

KSC Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Expert (on-premises)

Microsoft Defender Antivirus with MEM

MEM Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Pro

Sophos Intercept X Advanced

Trellix Endpoint Security ( ENS )

ENS VIPRE Endpoint Detection & Response

VMware Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint Standard

WatchGuard Endpoint Protection Platform

Other products have also put to test but did not qualify for certification.

Read the reports here:

Business Security Test 2023

https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/business-security-test-2023-august-november/

Endpoint Prevention & Response (EPR, EDR, XDR) Test 2023

https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/endpoint-prevention-response-epr-test-2023/

Advanced Threat Protection Test 2023

https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/advanced-threat-protection-test-2023-enterprise/

The difference between AV-Comparatives' EPR Test and MITRE ATT&CK Engenuity

https://www.av-comparatives.org/the-difference-between-av-comparatives-epr-test-and-mitre-attck-engenuity/

Quote: Peter Stelzhammer, co-founder, AV-Comparatives

"Our mission has always been to provide comprehensive, clear, and reliable information to professionals navigating the complex terrain of IT security. We understand the importance of detailed insights and expert analysis in decision-making processes. That's why our latest review of enterprise security products goes beyond standard evaluations. It delves deeper, offering a robust year-long testing analysis, covering Endpoint Protection, EDR, and XDR products. With the aim to equip you, the IT leaders of today, with the trusted knowledge you need to make informed decisions for 2024 security solutions. Our review's depth and breadth exceed even those of the MITRE Enginuity tests. We're committed to maintaining our independence and confidence in providing IT security reviews, guiding you every step of the way in your cybersecurity journey."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2307015/AV_Comparatives.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1093032/4469329/AV_Comparatives_Logo.jpg

Contact:

Peter Stelzhammer

[email protected]

+43 720115542

SOURCE AV-Comparatives
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lentini Design & Marketing (LDM) has won its 200th national design award from the highly-respected Graphic Design USA (GDUSA). Thousands of entrants every year vie for the coveted GDUSA awards, but only a few hundred throughout the country win. LDM has been entering the GDUSA competitions since 2005, and every year adds 5-15 awards.

LDM has worked with clients across many sectors, including corporate, nonprofit, public, transportation, construction, and education spaces. LDM offers a full slate of services that merge strategy with creativity. Services include strategy, marketing, graphic design, branding, web design and development, social media, digital advertising, and book design. See the latest GDUSA awards that put LDM over the top of 200 total awards here. Read more about the GDUSA competitions here.

Founder and CEO of LDM Hilary Lentini shares, "We never expected to be such a 'winning team', but all thanks goes to my team of creatives and our clients who are our trusted partners and who empower us to do our best work every day."

About GDUSA

For 60 years Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) has been a source of news and information for graphic designers and the broader creative community. GDUSA covers news, people, project, trends, technology, products, and services. In addition to the print magazine, the brand encompasses a 110,000 visitor-a-month website, a monthly e-newsletter, a digital edition of the magazine, and several national design competitions that showcases of the best in Graphic Design, Package Design, Web Design, Inhouse Design, and Health+Wellness Design. Learn more at gdusa.com.

About Lentini Design & Marketing (LDM)  LDM is a woman-owned, 30-year strong, branding and marketing firm in the advertising, marketing, and creative services industries. Known for Messaging their clients' magic, LDM creates unique, strategic marketing solutions. The firm values communication and collaboration  knowing these are the keys to their clients' marketing successes. LDM has won more than 160 national design awards to date. With their proprietary content design process, they re-energize their clients' branding and messaging. Visit lentinidesign.com for more information.

SOURCE LENTINI DESIGN & MARKETING, INC.
Tennessee-based global public relations firm says changing the perception of your brand should be a multi-year strategy

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ripley PR, an award-winning global public relations agency specializing in skilled trades, franchising, manufacturing and B2B technology, is offering some PR best practices to companies planning to rebrand their business in the coming years.

The Ripley PR team regularly brainstorms ways to effectively support client brand strategies.

"Creating a new logo can be a strategic move that revitalizes a company or organization and breathes new life into services and your team," said Heather Ripley, CEO and founder of Ripley PR, which has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top Franchise PR Agency six years in a row. "However, that new look can also be confusing for your customers or stakeholders, which could very easily push them to the competition. A rebrand may help you modernize or change your image, but if it's not communicated to the public effectively, it could alienate the very people you're hoping to attract."

Ripley said many businesses focus on "what" they're rebranding rather than "how" they're rebranding.

"It's easy to get caught up in designs, fonts and colors," she said. "It's exciting to roll out a new logo or new truck wraps, and launch a website with your new design. But there are steps you have to take before you head to the drawing board if you want to make your rebrand a success, and there are steps you have to take after to communicate why you've rebranded."

Over her career, Ripley has helped hundreds of contractors boost their visibility and reputation, and in 2021, she wrote "Next Level Now: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for your Home Service Business." Ripley said it's important to build a relationship with your customers, the community and local media before undergoing a refresh. She said companies that have implemented a proactive PR strategy at least 1-2 years ahead of a rebrand create a smoother transition because the company is more well known locally.

"The look may be brand new, but the company itself will feel like an old familiar friend, thanks to the credibility you've earned through media coverage on TV and in local newspapers," she said. "Unfortunately, it can be easy to spin a rebrand with a negative connotation. Your competitors can create rumors, such as saying you were bought out or telling the community you're no longer locally owned. Your company's heritage and history can be lost if a rebrand isn't communicated correctly."

Ripley said controlling the "why" behind the rebrand is just one part of the narrative PR can help control. A good strategy can help explain how the rebrand benefits your company and what it means for your company.

"Unfortunately, I've seen companies with a poor reputation think that a new logo is going to fix their problems," Ripley said. "A PR team can not only help you plan the rebranding process, such as how it's announced and who finds out when, but it can help you build the foundation the rebrand is built on. If you're not playing the long game when it comes to a rebrand, you're wasting your time and money."

About Ripley PR

Ripley PR, Inc. is an elite, global public relations agency specializing in franchising, construction, technology, home services and manufacturing. Offering a full range of strategic communication services, including crisis management, media relations and social media strategies, Ripley PR uses a blend of strategic business accounting and creative public relations branding to tell compelling stories and deliver measurable results. Ripley PR is a partner in IPREX, the $350 million network of communication agencies, with 1,800 staff and 115 offices worldwide. For more information, visit ripleypr.com or call 865-977-1973.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Ripley PR
NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mage Data has been named as the Best Data Security Platform in the 2023 Software and Technology Awards by New World Report. This award acknowledges Mage Data's relentless dedication to safeguarding sensitive information and upholding data privacy in an increasingly complex data landscape.

The Software and Technology Awards, hosted by New World Report, annually recognizes the very best companies at the forefront of technological innovation across various industries. Now in its eighth year, the awards continue to acknowledge and celebrate the continued efforts of pace-setters and disruptors in the modern technology arena, as well as those who have sustained excellence and exhibited long term dedication to their commitment to development and advancement.

"We are thrilled and deeply honored to be recognized as the Best Data Security Platform in the 2023 Software and Technology Awards" said Padma Vemuri, Senior VP of Product & Design at Mage Data. "This recognition reaffirms our team's relentless efforts in delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving challenges of data security and privacy faced by enterprises around the world."

Mage Data's Data Security Platform offers unparalleled protection and reliability with its comprehensive suite of data security and privacy solutions designed to ensure compliance with stringent data protection regulations worldwide. Its sophisticated approach to sensitive data discovery and advanced anonymization capabilities has garnered widespread acclaim from both industry experts and customers alike.

"We are immensely proud and honored to receive the Best Data Security Platform 2023 award from New World Report" said Dinesh Kumar, Director of Marketing & Analytics at Mage Data. "This accolade reaffirms our resolve to continue innovating and setting new benchmarks in the realm of data security and privacy."

About Mage Data:

Mage Data is the leading solutions provider of data security and data privacy software for global enterprises. Built upon a patented and award-winning solution, the Mage platform enables organizations to stay on top of privacy regulations while ensuring security and privacy of data. Top Swiss Banks, Fortune 10 organizations, Ivy League Universities, and Industry Leaders in the financial and healthcare businesses protect their sensitive data with the Mage platform for Data Privacy and Security. Deploying state-of-the-art privacy enhancing technologies for securing data, Mage Data delivers robust data security while ensuring privacy of individuals.

Visit www.magedata.ai to explore the brand's new website and check out the company's solutions.

About New World Report:

New World Report gives business leaders and managers insight into the most recent technological advancements by some of the world's most innovative companies. It also informs those companies about the advice, guidance, and services that are available to them that could really support their business. Senior managers are also kept informed of any recent transactions, regulatory changes, and the most recent news and advice from all over the world. New World Report is owned by AI Global Media, runs a number of award programmes and produces a specialized monthly newsletter.

Visit https://www.thenewworldreport.com/ to read more.

SOURCE Mage Data
CHISINAU, Moldova, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moldova's Parliament has passed the Law on Information Technology Parks (No.77/2016), a new chapter is set to begin for the nation's thriving technology sector. This landmark decision will extend the operational period of Moldova Innovation Technology Park ( MITP.md ) from 10 to 20 years, maintaining the state's guarantee for the 7% single tax until 2035 and affirming Moldova's commitment to fostering a robust IT environment.

Moldova's Parliament Extends Unique Tech Business Enabling Framework and 7% taxation ceiling up to 2035

Since its inception, MITP has been a catalyst for Moldova's burgeoning tech industry reaching 5% of country's GDP. In 2023 alone, MITP witnessed the creation of over 400 new businesses and 1,900 new jobs by its residents, contributing significantly to the national economy. The IT industry in Moldova, marked by the highest salaries in the national economy, is a testament to the sector's vitality, with MITP playing a pivotal role in driving this growth.

The amendment promises to further bolster the Park's ability to attract investment and nurture tech innovation. "The extension is a clear indication of Moldova's dedication to the tech sector. It gives us the stability and confidence to invest and grow our operations here," shares George Teodorescu, Global Head of Risk & Compliance and Regional Director, Mixbook, a MITP resident company representative.

MITP, currently home to over 1,600 IT companies, including over 230 foreign-capital firms, has been instrumental in shaping Moldova into an attractive tech hub. The United States, Romania, and Germany lead the investment chart, with major contributions also coming from other parts of the world.

Natalia Dontu, Administrator of MITP, comments on the amendment, "This is more than a legislative change; it's a strategic move towards reinforcing Moldova as a top destination for high-value-added products and services in the region. It aligns with our vision to foster an innovative ecosystem where every participant plays a crucial role in our collective growth and success."

This move is expected to generate significant international interest, placing Moldova on the map as a competitive and innovative tech destination. It reflects the country's growing reputation as a hub for tech talent and innovation, poised to make significant contributions to the global IT landscape.

For more information, visit mitp.md and join us in shaping the future of technology in Moldova.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2307079/MITP_md_Extends_Tech_Business.jpg
DALLAS, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Capital, Inc. (the "Company"), a non-traded publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P., today announced the expiration and final results for its tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for up to 2.5% of its outstanding common stock ("Shares") at a price of $5.22 per Share (an amount approved by the Company's board of directors on December 19, 2023), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the Tender Offer. The Fund's Tender Offer expired on December 18, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 86,002.5680 shares of the Company were tendered for repurchase in the Tender Offer.

Any questions regarding the Tender Offer can be directed to the Company's Tender Agent, DST Systems, Inc., at (844) 485-9167. The Company's current offering price for its Shares, as well as other information, including information about management and the healthcare-focused investment strategy, are available at nexpoint.com. The information on or accessible through nexpoint.com is not incorporated by reference herein.

About NexPoint Capital, Inc.

NexPoint Capital, Inc. is a non-traded, publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P.

About NexPoint Advisors, L.P.

NexPoint Advisors, L.P. ("NexPoint Advisors") is an SEC-registered adviser on the NexPoint alternative investment platform ("NexPoint"). NexPoint Advisors serves as the adviser to a suite of funds and investment vehicles, including a closed-end fund, interval fund, business development company ("BDC"), and various real estate vehicles. For more information visit www.nexpoint.com.

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of NexPoint Advisors, L.P.'s sponsored investment products, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. NexPoint Advisors, L.P. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Neither the Company, nor the Company's Board of Directors, nor NexPoint Advisors, L.P., makes any recommendation as to whether to tender or not to tender any Shares in the Tender Offer. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission.

Contact Information for Tender Offer:

Financial Advisors: (855) 498-1580

Shareholders: (844) 485-9167

Media Relations: [email protected]

SOURCE NexPoint Capital, Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. A conference themed Heydar Aliyev and modern state building has been held in Azerbaijan's Absheron district as a part of a number of events related to the declaration of 2023 in the country as the Year of Heydar Aliyev, Trend reports.

The conference participants first visited the monument to the national leader Heydar Aliyev, located in the center of the Absheron district.

Before the start of the event, its participants paid tribute with a minute of silence to the memory of the great leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who gave their lives for the freedom of the homeland.

Speaking at the event, the head of department of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan Tural Aslanov highlighted the role of the architect and builder of the modern Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, in achieving the current economic development and comprehensive progress.

Discussing the policy of modern state-building by Heydar Aliyev, Aslanov noted that this successful policy continues under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The conference also featured speeches of the Absheron District Prosecutor Gabil Gasimov, MP Hikmet Mammadov, Spokesperson for the Defense Ministry Anar Eyyubov, and others on youth policy, the phenomenal personality of Heydar Aliyev, the army building, human rights values, rich legacy of statehood.

Moreover, the event hosted discussions with the aim to establish operational and effective cooperation between government structures, non-governmental organizations, and regional media.

The event also featured the screening of a documentary film titled "Ilham", created by the Baku Media Center, dedicated to the purposeful policy of the head of state since 2003 and the historic mission of liberating Azerbaijani lands from occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
TOKYO, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Yasumoto; hereinafter "NDV") announces that they will invest in BLOCKSMITH&Co. Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tetsuya Sanada; hereinafter "BLOCKSMITH"), a web3 company that develops blockchain games and provides other web3 services, through a fund managed by the company as an investor in an angel round (ongoing).

Pursuing synergies with the NTT DOCOMO Group

(Comment from NTT DOCOMO Ventures Director, Arima Kotake) BLOCKSMITH's new QAQA service, which can be easily started even by those with no knowledge of Web3, allows users to aim for higher rankings and obtain rare and valuable NFTs by answering quizzes on hobbies and categories they are interested in. We believe that this is a very unique service, as playing a lot can make you popular in the community, which in turn motivates users.'

Currently, blockchain services still lack general awareness, making it a challenge to reach a wide user base.

With the participation of NTT DOCOMO Ventures, BLOCKSMITH and the NTT DOCOMO Group will strengthen their cooperation and work together to achieve web3 mass adoption through the realisation of synergies between the two companies.

BLOCKSMITH is also working on the development of its own Facial Recognition Web3 Wallet (patent pending), and by collaborating with the NTT DOCOMO Group, the company will promote the development and implementation of a more convenient and secure Web3 Wallet and enhanced security for blockchain games.

More info: https://www.blocksmithand.co.jp/en/news/149

About BLOCKSMITH&Co.

Company Name: BLOCKSMITH&Co.

President and CEO: Tetsuya Sanada

Establishment: April 1, 2022

Capital: 14,999,950 JPY

Head office: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6122

Business: Development and distribution of products such as blockchain technology and crypto assets utilising NFTs

URL https://www.blocksmithand.co.jp/en/

SNS

Contact

BLOCKSMITHCo. Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE BLOCKSMITH&Co.
FUZHOU, China, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Overseas Chinese Talent Conference for Development, co-hosted by All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Fujian Provincial People's Government, commenced on 20th December in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. The conference seeks to establish a platform for sharing industry insights, talent policies and measures, fostering interactions among overseas Chinese professionals. Additionally, the event serves as a showcase for overseas Chinese academic and innovation accomplishments, and a platform to connect talents, projects and capital from overseas Chinese communities, aiming at building a standing platform of overseas Chinese wisdom for development.

Poster for the first Overseas Chinese Talent Conference for Development

Recently, the poster of the conference has been widely pushed via multiple overseas media including "ORIENTAL. PARIS" and social media channels such as "Discover Fujian" and "Discover Fuzhou", inviting overseas Chinese around the world to join and share their views on opportunities and development, according to the Publicity Department of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee.

Themed "Blessings from Five Continents in 'Fuzhou': Overseas Chinese Building Chinese Dream", the conference, attended by more than 1,000 guests from 37 countries and regions from home and abroad, incorporates 17 important activities, offering a platform for related academic exchanges, showcasing innovation accomplishments, and on-site science and innovation competition, connection of industry, university, R&D and application, etc.

Fuzhou, Fujian is a major hometown of overseas Chinese. Nowadays, more than 4.3 million overseas Chinese from Fuzhou live in over 170 countries and regions. In recent years, Fuzhou has made every effort to optimise the business environment for overseas Chinese, and the city has attracted 17 projects funded by overseas Chinese since 2022, signing foreign investment contracts worth of USD 531 millions in total.

The conference also witnesses Fuzhou city reading out the Fuzhou Declaration of the New Generation of Overseas Chinese.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=443844

Caption: Poster for the first Overseas Chinese Talent Conference for Development

SOURCE Publicity Department of CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Ohio broadband service provider iZone Broadband is being acquired by nationwide telecommunications company Pavlov Media. Since 2017 iZone Broadband has been providing high-speed Internet to the rural residents and businesses of SW Knox, NW Licking and NE Delaware Counties. Through this acquisition, Pavlov Media is now able to expand its residential and business service area to include Central Ohio.

"The Pavlov Media team is constantly seeking new opportunities to expand into new states, communities or towns that have a potential need for fiber-optic Internet," said Cory Douglas, CEO of Pavlov Media. "When Pavlov Media was presented with the chance to expand our services to the wonderful residents and businesses of Central Ohio, our leadership team knew it was a no brainer."

"iZone Broadband is grateful to join the expert team over at Pavlov Media," said Scott Lanham, founder of iZone Broadband. "I know all of our current iZone Broadband customers will be in good hands with Pavlov Media's dedicated customer support team with decades of experience in the industry."

For current customers of iZone Broadband, if you have any questions about your new service provider, reach out to [email protected] or call 888-799-7249. If you want to find out more information about your new service provider, check out www.pavlovmedia.com.

About Pavlov Media:

Pavlov Media is a nationwide Internet and media company with offerings of broadband, voice and television services. The company operates municipal fiber networks connected to its national backbone network. Pavlov Media specializes in private networks designed, constructed and operated by a team of dedicated professionals from the multifamily real estate industry.

For more information, visit www.pavlovmedia.com.

Contact: Chris Hunt, President of Emerging Markets

Phone: 217.531.9031 email: [email protected]

SOURCE Pavlov Media, Inc.
First expansion of Paxos stablecoins to a new blockchain

Paxos is the only blockchain platform to be regulated in multiple jurisdictions and across multiple blockchains

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paxos, the leading regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, is pleased to announce a strategic expansion of its stablecoin issuance to the Solana blockchain platform. Previously exclusive to Ethereum, this initiative represents a significant milestone for the innovation and evolution of Paxos's enterprise and consumer-facing businesses. Paxos plans to offer USDP on Solana to the public on January 17, 2024.

The Solana blockchain offers users rapid transaction rates and lower transaction fees, which makes it a compelling network for US dollar stablecoins and payments. By broadening its reach to Solana, Paxos is reaffirming its commitment to providing seamless and efficient financial solutions in the constantly-evolving blockchain space. USDP is known for its reliability and customer security and it will benefit from the high-performance architecture of Solana.

Walter Hessert, Paxos Head of Strategy, commented: "The expansion of our stablecoin platform to support Solana marks an important step towards making stablecoins ubiquitous for everyday consumers. Paxos has set the standard for oversight, reserve management and issuance in the stablecoin market. By integrating USDP with Solana, we're making it easier for anyone to get and use the safest, most reliable stablecoins."

Raj Gokal, Co-Founder of Solana, commented: "Paxos's decision to bring stablecoin issuance to the Solana blockchain will showcase how Solana's high-performance network and low transaction fees can support regulated financial products and provide leaders like Paxos new ways to scale and innovate. The Solana network will enable Paxos to further its vision for a more open and financially empowering future."

Paxos Trust Company LLC products and platform are regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). Regulatory oversight ensures that Paxos only builds solutions on blockchain protocols with the greatest security and integrity. Paxos utilizes blockchain technology in responsible ways to develop real-world use cases to improve the financial system. USDP, like all Paxos stablecoins, is fully backed 1:1 by the U.S. dollar. The smart contract for USDP on Solana can be found HERE .

About Paxos



Paxos is the leading regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform. Its products are the foundation for a new, open financial system that can operate faster and more efficiently. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient, outdated financial plumbing that is inaccessible to millions of people. Paxos is replatforming the financial system to enable assets to instantaneously move anywhere in the world, at any time, in a trustworthy way.

Paxos partners with leading global enterprises to tokenize, custody, trade and settle assets. Its blockchain solutions are used by institutions like PayPal, Interactive Brokers, Mastercard, Mercado Libre, Nubank, Bank of America and Societe Generale. It is the issuer of numerous regulated digital assets including PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG). Prudentially regulated by the NYDFS in the US and the MAS in Singapore, Paxos is a top-funded fintech company with more than $540 million raised from leading investors including Oak HC/FT, Declaration Partners, Founders Fund, Mithril Capital and PayPal Ventures. With offices in New York, London and Singapore, Paxos takes a global approach to modernizing the financial system.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Paxos
ALLENTOWN, Pa., Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) today announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Talen Energy Corporation and certain affiliates ("Talen") to resolve all claims made by Talen arising out of the June 2015 spinoff of PPL Energy Supply, which was renamed Talen.

Under the terms of the agreement, PPL will pay Talen $115 million, resolving all claims between the parties. For PPL, the settlement avoids the continued cost and uncertainty of litigation that began in two courts in Montana more than five years ago, with Talen initially seeking more than $900 million tied to proceeds from PPL's 2014 sale of PPL Montana's hydroelectric assets. PPL Montana is now Talen Montana.

"Since this litigation was initiated by Talen, we have maintained our position that PPL acted appropriately with regard to the sale of the Montana hydro assets and that the separation agreement governing the spinoff of PPL Energy Supply entitled PPL to retain the proceeds from the transaction," said PPL President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Sorgi. "Nonetheless, we recognize there is risk inherent to any litigation defense. Moreover, Talen's bankruptcy filing in May 2022 ended any meaningful opportunity for PPL to recover financially on its various counterclaims.

"With the likelihood of multiple additional years of litigation and appeals before us, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of PPL and our shareowners to bring a certain end to this litigation," said Sorgi. "Looking forward, our focus and our energy will continue to remain squarely on creating the utilities of the future to advance a responsible clean energy transition and drive long-term value for our customers and shareowners."

About PPL

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a leading U.S. energy company focused on providing electricity and natural gas safely, reliably and affordably to more than 3.5 million customers in the U.S. PPL's high-performing, award-winning utilities are addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.pplweb.com.

Note to Editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news and background about PPL Corporation.

Contacts: For news media: Ryan Hill, 610-774-4033

For financial analysts: Andy Ludwig, 610-774-3389

SOURCE PPL Corporation
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempre Health has been named to the Inc. 2023 Best in Business list in the General Excellence, Consumer Products, and Health Services categories, amongst others. Inc.'s Best in Business Awards honor companies that have made an extraordinary impact in their fields.

The list, which can be found in the Winter 2023 issue of Inc. magazine, recognizes the most dynamic companies of all sizes and industries that have had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, and society as a whole.

Sempre is fundamentally changing how medications are accessed in the United States by aligning multiple healthcare stakeholders in the pharmaceutical value chain. The company's programs drive a more than 20% improvement in adherence and Net Promoter Score of 95, evidence of the high level of satisfaction Sempre patients experience.

"This recognition of the Sempre team is a testament to the impact of our work," said Anurati Mathur, CEO of Sempre Health. "We are honored our patients rely on us to afford and take life-changing medications, and we are excited for our continued growth ahead."

ABOUT SEMPRE HEALTH

Sempre Health works with leading health plans and pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of copayments for eligible patients who refill their prescriptions on time. Based on several internally and externally validated studies, Sempre Health boosts medication adherence by greater than 20% and drives a 95 Net Promoter Score across therapeutic classes and for enrolled patients in all 50 states.

For more information visit: www.semprehealth.com.

ABOUT INC.

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community they need to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc.

For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Media contact

Michele Fox

[email protected]

SOURCE Sempre Health
SHANGHAI, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of this freezing winter, Soul App and WABC Shanghai Art Way Foundation have sparked much-needed warmth, with a charity exhibition featuring paintings by children with autism and cute furry decorations, as a message of kindness. Through this special event, Soul also aims to promote greater public awareness and inclusivity of autism.

The paintings on display were all created by autistic children, also known in China as "children of the stars". The theme of the pictures varies, but all are bursting with the vigor and enthusiasm of their artists. They have now been digitalized by Soul as creative merchandise and the proceeds will be donated to WABC in support of autistic children.

The charity exhibition, titled "Painting Away Loneliness Fur-ever", open from 18th to 25th December on No.794 Julu Road in Shanghai, takes visitors on a journey to the worlds of the paintings crafted by autistic children and to a cozy, tranquil space festooned with plush materials and stuffed toys. After all, everyone may feel loneliness melting away in the face of kindness and emotional connection. This perfectly echoes the aspiration of Soul to "May there be no lonely people in the world".

For Soul users unable to make it to the exhibition in person, they could also participate by discussing under the hashtag #Melt Loneliness Together and appreciating the paintings virtually on the platform, to melt away the winter cold with their friendliness.

Dispelling Isolation with Soul at the Intersection of Art and Philanthropy

With every new star that shines, the whole galaxy becomes more splendid. Likewise, when more people make an effort to help, children of the stars will shine brighter.

These young artists have given free rein to their imagination in their paintings: The setting sun burns orange in the sky, which is reflected off the sea, with hues of amber and gold shimmering and dancing over its watery surface; a unique star twinkles bright in a mesmerizing cosmic sky; the Earth floats like a colorful balloon and gives off radiant energy across the universe; as the Milky Way merges with a symphony, an exciting concert played by stars is unfolding on the canvas; the view from the window looks serene and expansive, stretching all the way to the wilderness and the starry night

Each painter has their own stories and creative styles. Yangyang, for example, has developed a strong personal style. An active participant in community activities, Ah Ye expresses his love for life through his paintings. Jielin, who exhibits some savant skills, has an imaginative memory for time and space.

To promote public awareness of autistic children, and enable them to express themselves in their own ways, Soul and WABC have digitalized ten paintings into creative products for a special sale to spread a message of love, with the proceeds going to WABC. Purchasers will receive a postcard reproduced from the painting they choose, as well as a donation certificate.

In addition to online fundraising, the physical space dedicated to the "Painting Away Loneliness Fur-ever" exhibition is adorned with fluffy decorations and ornaments alongside creative plush dolls. The warm and soothing atmosphere allows visitors to instantly loosen up and dispel lonely thoughts.

Soul also invites its users to visit the digital version of the exhibition. It has launched a dedicated in-app website page, which includes background information about the painters, imagery in their paintings and the emotions they represent. The platform also created the hashtag #Melt Loneliness Together, to encourage users to share and discuss their thoughts on the exhibition.

Soul intends this event as a bridge for children with autism or other developmental disorders to connect with the world while raising public awareness about them and sharing some easy ways to help.

The Gen Z-favored Platform Championing Charitable Activities

This is not the first time Soul has teamed up with WABC. Several years ago, Soul and WABC launched the "Different Socks Day" charity event to foster inclusion and acceptance among the public for people living with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, as well as their families.

After that initial success, Soul and WABC continued their efforts, launching the art-for-charity "Special Doesn't Mean Lonely" exhibition, the "Soul's Happy Star Home" event, and the "Stars Meet Songs" online philanthropic music party, to weave love into the life of children of the stars.

WABC, established in 2016, is committed to organizing public advocacy campaigns and offering individuals living with developmental and intellectual disabilities free art therapy to improve their communication skills and help them integrate better into society.

As nearly 80% of its users are Gen Z and many of them have experience in volunteering and charity work, Soul has noticed that the younger generations care more about philanthropy. Hence, it focuses on initiating a wide range of activities to contribute to philanthropy, emerging as an important platform for young people to build friendships and extend kindness through charity efforts. Going forward, Soul App will continue to uphold warmth and goodwill on its platform as well as supporting more vulnerable communities.

SOURCE Soul App
Build a Smart Surveillance System to Protect your Home or Business on NAS

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Video surveillance provides a powerful tool for improving security, maintaining order, documenting incidents and providing critical evidence when needed. When it comes to managing video surveillance, there are some key considerations, such as installation, data storage, privacy concerns, maintenance and integration.

TerraSync PC Desktop TerraSync Backup Solution

TerraMaster, a professional brand focused on providing innovative storage products for homes and businesses, recently launched surveillance manager which is a video surveillance management tool through which users can set up a video surveillance system with multiple web cameras and TerraMaster NAS and store the webcam recordings into TNAS. Users can manage cameras, monitor real-time images, and view historical recordings via Surveillance Manager.

Surveillance Manager Key Features

Real-time Monitoring

The monitoring management system can monitor the images captured by cameras in real-time, providing live video surveillance to help administrators promptly understand the situation in the monitored area. Users can establish various alarm rules and thresholds. Once an abnormality occurs in the monitored area or exceeds the set threshold, the system automatically sends alarm messages to administrators, allowing them to take timely measures to prevent incidents.

Centralization Management

The system can centrally manage multiple cameras, providing unified monitoring and management. It can adapt to the addition or removal of cameras by administrators, meeting the monitoring needs of different scenarios.

Replay Traceback

The monitoring management system can record and store videos captured by cameras. Administrators can replay the recordings at any time, aiding in the investigation of events and the retrieval of evidence.

Video Storage

The monitoring management system allows for the setting of permissions, ensuring that only authorized users can view surveillance footage. Recorded video files are stored in TerraMaster NAS to prevent data loss and leaks, safeguarding the security and privacy of administrators.

Camera Compatibility

Cameras compatible with Surveillance Manager need to use the standard ONVIF protocol and support the corresponding video encoding format (H.264) as well as audio formats (G711, G726, AAC). They should also support setting event-triggered detection functions, such as motion detection, audio detection, interference detection, etc. If the camera is not compatible, there may be issues with image, sound, and event detection.

TerraMaster recommends users to refer to the recommended list for camera selection, which can be found at https://forum.terra-master.com/en/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=4685 .

Follow TerraMaster on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terramasterofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerraMasters

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3wKrjmr

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3dMXGIK



Contact:

Yuki Shi

+86 755 81798272

[email protected]

SOURCE TerraMaster
ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital news brand UrbanGeekz has teamed up with CultureBanx for an exciting media partnership showcasing Black Innovation Alliance member organizations.

The popular news sites profile select Black Innovation Alliance (BIA) organizations in the first-of-its-kind collaborative Q&A editorial series. Aptly named Black Innovation's Frontline the series highlights important work these innovator support organizations are doing across the entrepreneurial landscape in the United States.

"We are excited to partner with our media members, UrbanGeekz and CultureBanx on the series Black Innovation's Frontline." Post this Black Innovation Alliance members: Marguerite Pressley Davis, Tunji Fadiora, Elaine Rasmussen, and Luis Martinez

"Ecosystem building is a critical role that is very undervalued in the innovation space," said Griselle Colon, COO of Black Innovation Alliance. "We are extremely excited to partner with our media members, UrbanGeekz and CultureBanx on the series Black Innovation's Frontline so that the world can see all that Black Innovator Support Organizations are doing to drive entrepreneurship throughout the United States and the globe."

Black Innovation Alliance is a coalition of 116-member organizations supporting 300,000+ entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives. The organizations spearhead everything from funds, media content, accelerators, incubators, and grant programming to provide critical support for Black founders to thrive.

The recently launched co-branded editorial series has already covered several BIA member organizations. Companies such as We Tha Plug, ConnectUP! Institute, ELEV8 Ventures, Macon Black Tech, Finance Savvy CEO, and Wearable Tech Ventures, to name a few.

The series gives a fresh perspective on grassroots work taking place to support Black innovators. For example, in UrbanGeekz, FundBlackFounders CEO Renee King talks candidly about her "decision to address this funding gap and create an alternative for those without wealthy, accredited relatives to rely on for initial funding."

In Twanna Harris' CultureBanx article she touches on her brand's unique proposition, "Tribal Good remains one of the very few focused exclusively on building the person as a brand, such as the next Issa Rae," said Harris.

"Highlighting Black-led startups at the forefront of innovation isn't just about diversity and inclusion; it's about unlocking the untapped potential of a community that has historically faced barriers," said Kori Hale, CEO of CultureBanx. "At CultureBanx when we shine a spotlight on these entrepreneurs, we not only promote economic change but also inspire a generation of innovators who can reshape industries and drive progress for all across the ecosystem,".

"I'm a big proponent of strategic alliances and collaboration to extend our reach, mission, and influence," said Kunbi Tinuoye founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. "We are thrilled to partner with BIA and CultureBanx to celebrate Black excellence."

Media Contact:

Michelle Williams

[email protected]

About UrbanGeekz

UrbanGeekz is a black-owned African-American, Latinx, multicultural digital news platform focused on technology, business, science, entrepreneurship. The groundbreaking videocentric multimedia platform covers tech, business, science, and startups. Its mission is to make tech 'cool' and accessible while highlighting innovative careers and STEM-related fields as exciting and rewarding paths, especially for women and underrepresented groups.

About CultureBanx

CultureBanx is redefining business, finance, and tech news for black professionals. The media company delivers high quality content focused on market driven stories, innovative products and services transforming our culture. Through intelligent, savvy journalism and analysis the brand attracts a loyal and highly engaged readership that's passionate about the topics at hand. It serves as a central repository for a community of experts and direct stakeholders who are able to deliver an outsized influence on a range of subjects.

About Black Innovation Alliance

Black Innovation Alliance (BIA) is a coalition of 116 member organizations closing the racial wealth gap by building pathways that provide equitable access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities to Black entrepreneurs, tech founders and creative technologists.

SOURCE UrbanGeekz
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 100 of the best and brightest of the Middle East's Cloud and Data Center industry came together at the Hyatt Regency, Riyadh Olaya in the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for W.Media's maiden edition of Saudi Cloud & Datacenter Convention on December 19.

These included industry experts and thought leaders, including C-level executives, digital infrastructure professionals including architects, engineers and consultants (AECs), key buyers, decision makers, data center owners and operators.

Industry leaders participated in power-packed panel discussions at W.Media's Saudi Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2023

The event saw a variety of power-packed panel discussions where Syed Mohamed Beary (Founder and Chairman, Beary's Group), John Rippingale (MD, MEA & APAC, Sudlows Consulting) and Alister Davis CEng (Director, Black &White Engineering) discussed Saudi Arabia's data centers in terms of using digital technologies for design, planning, operations.

Another panel discussion moderated by Faysal Ghauri (Managing Partner & Chief Strategist, FANUUN BCG) saw Imran Hashim (Director IT Infrastructure, MEDGULF, Saudi Arabia), Adil Amir Alskah (CTO, Center 3), Moaz Al Sibaai (Digital Advisory and Strategic Programs, SCCC  Alibaba Cloud), and Mohammad Alahmadi (Head, IT Infrastructure and Data Center, CHI, Saudi Arabia) discuss the role Edge technology and Cloud could play in bridging the gaps in Saudi Arabia's digital jigsaw.

Suhail Akhtar (Head of IT Operations and Cybersecurity in the Real Estate Sector) moderated an exciting discussion on increasing data center capacity and density without increasing risk. Panellists Awais Ahmad (Director IT, Solex Plus), Farhan Iqbal (Senior System Engineer, Ministerial Agency of Civil Affairs) and Assma Al-Enizi, (Information Security Expert, SDAIA) discussed infrastructure and technology options available for this tight-rope walk.

This was followed by a keynote address delivered by Alaa Osman (Director, Data Center Projects, Meinhardt MENA) on what all it takes to create an ecosystem that enables digital transformation, and how there is more to becoming a data center hub than just data centers.

The final panel discussion of the day was moderated by Kevin Gardiner (Associate Director, Linesight). Panellists such as Dr. Ahmed Darwish El Sayed (Head of Digital Deliver, Bank Albilad), Asim Badhuralam (IT Director, Sanabel Al Salam Food Manufacturing Company), Kamal Farag (Digital Services Director, Human Resources Development, Fund, KSA) and Ali Kathkhada (Group CIO, Depa Group), discussed the future of Enterprise, Cloud and Colocation in Saudi Arabia.

The KSA has a thriving digital landscape that has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the fastest growing data center markets in the Middle East. Supported by Saudi Vision 2030, creativity, and innovation, KSA is also showing commitment to sustainability, powered by abundant desert sunshine. W.Media will keep a close eye on developments in the cloud and data center industry in Saudi Arabia in the years to come.

Media Contact:

Naveen Lawrence

[email protected]

+91-9867831994

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2306898/Saudi_CDC_Image.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2157193/W_Media_Logo.jpg

SOURCE W.Media
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The French La Gazette online newspaper has published an article about the reconstruction process in Azerbaijans liberated land and the resettlement process of former IDPs.

Presently, Fuzuli, situated in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region, is undergoing revitalization as a crucial component of the Azerbaijani government's comprehensive initiative to rehabilitate and reconstruct the liberated territories, the article reads. The master plan for Fuzuli has been meticulously crafted. According to this plan, the city of Fuzuli is set to span 1,936 hectares, aiming to accommodate a population of 50,000 by the year 2040.

The authors note that, on Monday, another group of Azerbaijanis who were internally displaced returned to the liberated Fuzuli district. A total of 94 individuals from 22 families, who had been staying temporarily in hostels, sanatoriums, pioneer camps, unfinished buildings, and administrative premises, have now moved into their newly constructed homes in Fuzuli.

Moreover, on October 18, 2021, President Ilham Aliyev launched the "smart village" initiative in the district. This project incorporates green and alternative energy sources along with a "smart management" system. Initially, the plan includes the construction of 450 houses, and the village will be surrounded by a "smart" farm.

The article further reads that, subsequently, on October 26, 2021, President Ilham Aliyev, alongside his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inaugurated Fuzuli International Airport - the first entirely new airfield on the recently liberated Azerbaijani lands. The runway spans 3,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width, designed to accommodate various aircraft, from large cargo planes to small private jets.

Furthermore, the construction of a secondary school in Fuzuli, financed by the Uzbek government on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was completed. The 960-seat school was inaugurated in August this year.
CSE:NF

OTCQX:NFUNF

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") today stated, on behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Nuclear Fuels Inc., that we thank you for your support throughout our first year of business. It has been a busy year with the completion of the Reverse Take Over of a publicly-traded company providing us with the opportunity to become a CSE listed company in July. This, in combination with the opportunistic expansion of our uranium portfolio in Wyoming, while still maintaining a clear focus on the Kaycee Project, has demonstrated some of our key strengths. We are quickly becoming a recognized force in a market embracing uranium and nuclear energy.

As we have seen, the world is supporting nuclear fuel as a clean, reliable and safe, zero-carbon fuel source in the United States. This is combined with a growing demand for a reliable baseload power.

We see the shift towards nuclear energy as a power source, fueled by the need for uranium, as a multi-decade cycle. And within these factors, we believe our focus on In-Situ Recovery (ISR) amenable exploration projects, highlighted by the district scale Kaycee Project in Wyoming, provides the Company strategic advantages in the uranium sector. ISR technology extracts uranium in a non-invasive process through the use of groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium.

Our arrangement at the Kaycee Project is unique and provides enCore Energy with a provisional back-in right to own 51% of the project in exchange for 2.5 times our exploration expenditure upon achieving certain resource development goals. This is a unique business opportunity for a junior exploration company like Nuclear Fuels to advance towards resource development goals with a pathway for possible production as a minority partner with an established leading domestic ISR production company. If exercised, this back-in right would provide Nuclear Fuels with significant cash to advance its portfolio of uranium projects, allow the Company to graduate to producer status, and retain a significant interest in Kaycee, enjoying its pro-rata share of possible earnings resulting from potential production.

The Kaycee Project was specifically selected as our key asset for uranium exploration due to the potential to encounter multiple sandstone formations in the under explored western region of the Powder River Basin. While the eastern region has seen numerous operators successfully extracting uranium over the years, the western region has been relatively ignored since the early 1980's due to a fragmented land position. After more than a full year of dedicated land work, the Company has consolidated over 35,000 acres of surface and mineral rights covering a trend of over 30 miles with more than 110 miles of mapped rollfronts. Our initial drilling program has been designed to confirm and expand upon known historic uranium resources.

We have experienced better than expected initial drilling results at the Kaycee Project and have been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed favorable weather conditions which have allowed us to have an extended drilling season. In addition to releasing our initial successful drill results we expect additional results to be available in the new year. We also have been working to secure additional minerals claims and look forward to expansion of our Wyoming holdings in the new year.

We want to thank our neighbors, ranchers and lessors around the Kaycee Project, along with our employees, directors and key contractors for their commitment to Nuclear Fuels. We also want to thank you, our shareholders, for your continuing support, your confidence and above all for your trust. On behalf of the Board of Directors and management we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We also extend our wishes for a 2024 full of opportunity, good health and happiness.

William M. Sheriff Michael Collins

Chairman Chief Executive Officer

About Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF) (OTCQX:NFUNF) is committed to aggressive exploration of district-scale In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") uranium projects in proven and prolific jurisdictions. Focused on its priority Kaycee Project, located in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, our goal is to advance the project onto a path to production. With existing historic resources through a 33-mile trend, 110+ miles of mapped roll-fronts and 3,800 drill holes, Nuclear Fuels has secured the district under one company's control for the first time since the early 1980's. Nuclear Fuels also provides a unique model for development of our other uranium projects and has established a pipeline of future opportunities in known uranium jurisdictions.

W: www.nuclearfuels.energy

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Nuclear Fuels Inc.
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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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. There are no Azerbaijanis among those killed or injured in the shooting at a university in the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The shooting occurred on December 21 in the building of the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University in the center of Prague. As a result of the shooting, 15 people were killed and about 30 were injured.

The Czech government has decided to declare December 23 a day of national mourning in memory of the shooting victims.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Baghdad, Dec 22 : Iraq has donated 10 million litre of fuel to the Gaza Strip, the media reported.

"A ship carrying 10 million litre of gas oil has sailed through the international water toward the Suez Canal," Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasoul was quoted by the media as saying on Thursday.

Rasoul said the Iraqi government had coordinated with the Egyptian authorities about the shipment sent to the Palestinians stranded in Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel has been launching relentless airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza to retaliate against a surprise attack staged by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

Israel's attacks, which have killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, and its blockade have led to a catastrophic humanitarian situation caused by severe shortages of fuel and medicine in the besieged enclave.
Khartoum, Dec 22 : Sudan's army Chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has said the army would not sign any peace agreement that does not include the withdrawal of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from public facilities and citizens' homes.

Al-Burhan, also the chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, made the remarks when addressing officers and soldiers in eastern Sudan's Red Sea State, the sovereign council said on Thursday in a statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

"We will not sign a peace agreement that embodies humiliation for the armed forces and the Sudanese people," Al-Burhan added.

"Any agreement must include a ceasefire and withdrawal of the rebels from public facilities, hospitals, and citizens' homes," he noted, adding that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) would keep fighting to defeat the "rebel militia".

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15. More than 12,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in early December.
Damascus, Dec 22 : Pro-Iran militias have launched 60 attacks on American bases in Syria since October 19 in retaliation for the US' backing of Israel during the Gaza conflict, a war monitor reported.

The attacks, which included rocket shells and drone strikes, have been targetting the US bases in eastern Syria rather than the energy fields that some US bases were built on, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Thursday.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks had recently escalated as the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip continued, noting that the US forces are tight-lipped about their losses, Xinhua news agency reported.

In previous reports, the observatory noted that these attacks were launched from inside the Iraqi territories and targeted US bases in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border.
Tehran, Dec 22 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi have exchanged views on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip over phone, and discussed the expansion of bilateral relations, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

The Iranian Foreign Minister on Thursday condemned the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people, stressing that the US bore international responsibility due to its "certain complicity" in Israel's killing in Gaza.

He also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the agreements reached by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in May, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Omani Foreign Minister, for his part, called for the international community's effective measures to achieve a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, and the delivery of extensive humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave.

He also highlighted the necessity to further expand "brotherly" relations between the two countries.

Since October 7, Israel has been launching a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in which at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed.

The Israeli attacks came after Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of about 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities.
San Francisco, Dec 22 : High-speed transportation service Hyperloop One, once backed by billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is shutting operations on December 31.

San Francisco, Dec 22 (IANS) High-speed transportation service Hyperloop One, once backed by billionaire Richard Bransonas Virgin Group, is shutting operations on December 31.

The company is selling off its assets, closing down its offices, and laying off employees, reports Bloomberg.

All of Hyperloop Oneas intellectual property will shift to its majority stakeholder, major Dubai port operator DP World.

While DP World would keep majority control of the startup, the rest of its assets -- including a test track outside Las Vegas and other machinery -- will be sold.

Virgin Hyperloop was founded in 2014 to make Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's vision of a futuristic transportation system.

Hyperloop is a new transport mode under development to enable high-speed movement of hundreds of people and goods at a time in floating pods through tubes or tunnels above or below the ground.

In 2020, Virgin Hyperloop successfully tested human travel in a hyperloop pod for the first time.

The test took place at the company's DevLoop test track in the desert outside Las Vegas, Nevada and first two passengers were Virgin Hyperloop's CTO and co-founder Josh Giegel and director of passenger experience, Sara Luchian.

The speed at which the hyperloop pod travelled was nearly 160 km per hour during the test but eventually, the goal is to make humans travel via these airless tubes at speeds of up to 1,223 km per hour.

In 2020, the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru and Virgin Hyperloop announced to jointly conduct a feasibility study to build a hyperloop corridor for high-speed transport between the airport and the city centre.

Then Virgin chief executive Jay Walder had said that a hyperloop-enabled airport will not only allow faster travel, but also create a 21st century passenger experience and expand airport capacity.
Varanasi : , Dec 22 (IANS) A court in Varanasi has acquitted four accused, including BSP MP Atul Rai, in a Gangsters' Act case registered against them at the Manduadih police station.

Varanasi (UP), Dec 22 (IANS) A court in Varanasi has acquitted four accused, including BSP MP Atul Rai, in a Gangstersa Act case registered against them at the Manduadih police station.

The court, on Thursday, acquitted the four in the absence of evidence to prove charges against them.

Counsel for Atul Rai, Anuj Yadav said that the court of special judge (MP-MLA) Avnish Gautam acquitted four people, including BSP MP Atul Rai, former district panchayat member Sujit Singh Belwa, Anil Mishra and Rajan Singh after charges against them were not proven in the case under Gangstersa Act.

The case was registered at the Manduadih police station in 2009.

Citing four criminal cases against Sujit Singh, Atul Rai, Anil Mishra and Rajan Singh, a case under Gangstersa Act was registered against them at Manduadih Police station by the then in-charge Dharmveer Singh.

After hearing the arguments of both parties, the court acquitted all four accused.
Lucknow, Dec 22 : A woman doctor was allegedly molested by her former paramour and his aide near the Samata Mulak intersection in Gomti Nagar. Her husband was also beaten up when he raised an alarm, said the police.

"It happened when the couple was on their way back home in their car. The Gomti Nagar police have registered a case under the relevant sections on the complaint of the victim and started investigation," said Ashish Srivastava, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east).

In her complaint, the victim stated that Faiz Khan, a Thakurganj resident, whom she knew before marriage and his friend overtook her car near Samta Mulak crossing.

"As soon as I got out of the car, he started molesting me. My husband was assaulted when he protested," the woman told police.

According to the victim, Khan had been harassing her even before marriage. Post her marriage, the man was stalking her and even sent her text messages on phone, said the DCP.

The doctor said she had also lodged a complaint with 1090 in this regard, where the accused got counselling, but he did not improve.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. A ceremony of signing the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN on holding the XIII session of the World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026 has been held, Trend reports.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev and the Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Program Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

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San Francisco, Dec 22 : The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US has proposed sweeping changes to regulations to further limit the collection and use of children's data by tech companies for monetisation, especially for targeted advertising.

The FTC proposed changes to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) that would place new restrictions on the use and disclosure of children's personal information and further limit the ability of companies to condition access to services on monetizing children's data.

The proposal aims to shift the burden from parents to providers to ensure that digital services are safe and secure for children.

"Kids must be able to play and learn online without being endlessly tracked by companies looking to hoard and monetize their personal data," said FTC Chair Lina Khan.

"By requiring firms to better safeguard kids' data, our proposal places affirmative obligations on service providers and prohibits them from outsourcing their responsibilities to parents," she added.

The FTC is seeking comment on proposed changes to the COPPA Rule aimed at addressing the evolving ways personal information is being collected, used, and disclosed, including to monetise children's data, and clarifying and streamlining the rule.

The proposal reinforces the current rule's prohibition on conditioning participation in an activity on the collection of personal data to make clear that it serves as an outright ban on collecting more personal information than is reasonably necessary for a child to participate in a game, offering of a prize, or another activity.

"Operators would be prohibited from using online contact information and persistent identifiers collected under COPPA's multiple contact and support for the internal operations exceptions to send push notifications to children to prompt or encourage them to use their service more," the proposal noted.

The FTC has proposed codifying its current guidance related to the use of education technology to prohibit the commercial use of children's information and implement additional safeguards.

The public will have 60 days to submit a comment on the proposed changes to the COPPA Rule after the notice is published.
Bengaluru, Dec 22 : The Karnataka Police have increased security in Koppal district and Mandya's Srirangapatna town in the wake of Sankeertana Yatra being organised by Hindu outfits.

The Hindu organisations, under the leadership of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), have organised the Yatra of the devotees of Lord Hanuman in the communally sensitive Gangavathi town on Friday and a similar Yatra will be held in Srirangapatna, a historical town in Mandya district on December 24.

In Gangavathi the yatra will pass through the entire town.

A 12-foot-tall Hanuman statue will also be taken out in the procession. Thousands of devotees of Lord Hanuman have converged to take part in the procession.

Considering the sensitivity of the issue, Koppal SP Yashoda Vantagodi has stationed herself at Gangavati town and is monitoring the situation. The police have installed CCTVs at sensitive points. Additionally, two DySPs, 26 CPI, 62 PSI, and 1,650 police personnel have been deployed to ensure law and order.

Anjanadri Hill, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, is located in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district. Thousands of devotees from all over the country will arrive in Gangavathi town before going to the sacred hill to take part in the Hanuman Mala Visarjana programme.

The Sankeertana Yatra, which usually takes place on the day of the aHanuma Mala Visarjanaa programme (December 24), is being organised two days prior this time by the Hindu organisations.

Authorities are on high alert in Srirangapatna, a historical town in Mandya district, following Hindu organisations, under the leadership of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike, pledging to build a temple in the Jamia Masjid in the town.

The Hindu organisations are taking out a massive Sankeertana Yatra on December 24 in the town, and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has objected to it. SDPI has alleged that organising the Sankeertana Yatra by pledging to reconstruct a temple in the place of a mosque is an attempt to disturb peace in the region.

Thousands of devotees of Lord Hanuman are expected to take part in the procession.

The SDPI has urged the police department not to permit the Sankeertana Yatra, fearing that it will lead to communal violence. "The SDPI has also stated that last year, during the Yatra, the houses of Muslims were attacked. This time, there is provocation to attack houses of Muslims and shops. There is a conspiracy to destroy the Jamia Masjid, and campaigning is being done on social media. As a preventive measure, the Sankeertana Yatra should not be permitted," SDPI has demanded from the police.

The organisation has further stated that "if any tragedy occurs after permitting the Sankeertana Yatra, the government will be held responsible." The police department is yet to take a decision on the demand.
Delhi: Teenage student assaulted by teachers for peeping out of window; FIR lodged. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Dec 22 : A woman inspector was attacked by a group of residents of a Mahanagar apartment for rescuing another resident.

The group held a pistol at her, abused and threatened to kill her.

The woman has lodged a complaint against those who allegedly attacked her, three of whom were identified as Mithilesh, Mayank, Lubna Kamal, along with about 10 others.

Inspector Geeta Dwivedi, posted at the office of ADG, Lucknow, said that she was at home on Wednesday evening when the security guard rang her doorbell.

"The guard reminded me about meeting of the society and I told him I was unable to attend it as I had just came home from office," she said.

She then got a call for help from her neighbour, C. S. Bharti, who had the key to the conference room and she went to the latter's flat.

"I found Bharti surrounded by a group of youths led by Mithilesh," said Geeta.

Bharti was telling the attackers that she had undergone an eye surgery and was requesting them to postpone the meeting.

"When I intervened Mithilesh, Mayank and Lubna lunged at me, abusing and threatening to kill me. They thrashed me and Mithilesh brought a pistol from his flat and held it at me," the inspector said in her FIR.

ACP, Mahanagar, Neha Tripathi, said that an FIR had been lodged and efforts were on to nab the accused who are absconding.
Man arrested for killing live-in partner in Delhi after nationwide hunt in 7 states. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Dec 22 : Delhi Police have arrested a 39-year-old man for killing his live-in partner after a massive hunt across seven states for months, an official said on Friday.

The accused was identified as Pankaj Kumar Mehto is a native of Samastipur district in Bihar.

According to the police, on August 26, information regarding a deceased female body lying on the roof in a pool of blood was received at Nangloi police station.

The deceased was identified as 32-year-old Tamanna. The property owner told police that Tamanna, along with her two children and her live-in partner Pankaj, was residing as a tenant. Pankaj was not present at the house during the incident.

"During the investigation, more than 100 CCTV cameras were checked at various locations and analysed. Local inquiries were also conducted. It was discovered that the accused was a permanent resident of District Samastipur, Bihar, and had an in-law's house in West Bengal," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Jimmy Chiram.

Despite conducting raids in seven states, namely West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir, at the residences of the accused's relatives and friends, no clues were found.

"After four months of tireless efforts, Pankaj was arrested from Gokhale Market, near Tis Hazari, Old Delhi," said the DCP.

During sustained interrogation, the accused revealed that he had been in a live-in relationship with the deceased Tamanna for the last six years.

Tamanna allegedly pressured him to leave his wife and children and engaged in continuous quarrels with him.

"In frustration, he struck her with a hard wooden object and later strangled her with a rope," said the DCP.

He fled from the scene and hid in Bhiwani, Haryana, Calcutta, Ludhiana in Punjab, Ghaziabad, and Delhi areas.

"He lived as a vagabond, refraining from using a mobile phone. He attempted to secure anticipatory bail and sought an advocate near Tis Hazari Court," said the DCP.

Upon his information, the weapon of the offence, the rope used by the accused, was recovered. "Accused Pankaj was produced before the court and sent to 14 days of judicial custody," the DCP added.
Tel Aviv, Dec 22 : The Shurat HaDin -- an Israeli advocacy group -- has taken legal action against the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) accusing the humanitarian organisation of inaction over Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The advocacy group -- which fights legal battles worldwide on behalf of Israeli victims -- filed the complaint in Jerusalem on behalf of families of 24 hostages.

The group has criticised the ICRC for allegedly failing to act to fulfill its mandate and moral duty to visit the kidnapped Israelis held as captives in Gaza.

"We cannot accept this disregard and disrespect for human lives, just because the hostages are Jewish," Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, founder and President of Shurat HaDin said.

She said that the ICRC is simply "biased" and "apathetic" to Israeli lives.

"The ICRC was slow to intervene and did not act firmly to facilitate visits or try to supply the medicines required to the hostages," she said.

Meanwhile, ICRC has said that the organisation is neutral and that the situation on ground is making it increasingly difficult to operate for the organisation.

During the visit of ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger to Israel, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum had insisted her to personally intervene and meet the Israeli hostages who were held in Hamas captivity.

During the temporary one week truce from November 24 to December 1, between Hamas and Israel, the Hamas released 105 hostages while at least 129 hostages are still in their captivity.

The Israelis believe that out of the remaining 129 hostages, at least 20 hostages have died.

There are thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails who have been held without any trials and access to legal counsel.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club has said that Israeli forces have arrested more than 4,655 people in the occupied West Bank since October 7.

Israel launched a ground offensive inside Gaza on October 27 after Hamas attacked Israel in a surprise attack on October 7 in which 1200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed mostly children and women while 52,286 Palestinians have been injured.
Los Angeles, Dec 22 : Actor Zac Efron was banned from crying until the last day of filming on 'The Iron Claw'.

The actor stars in the film alongside Jeremy Allen White, playing real life wrestlers Kevin and Kerry Von Erich who were raised by strict father Fritz Von Erich who taught them to withhold their emotions.

Director Sean Durkin made sure Efron didn't breakdown until he filmed an emotional final scene at the end of the shoot.

"It was all leading up to that (final scene) for Zac, because there were so many moments in the film where his character just wants to cry," Durkin told The Hollywood Reporter.

"His character just wants to break, and I just kept saying to him, 'No, not now, not here.' And so he was keeping it all in, and when we finally got to that final day, he was just full of tears. We did seven takes of that shot with the boys. He just kept going, and it was really amazing."

The movie also features Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, Maura Tierney, and Lily James.

It tells the story of the pair of WWE Hall of Famers who came from a family of professional wrestlers led by patriarch Fritz,with five of his six sons all following him into the sport, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The brothers - including David, Mike and Kris - rose to fame throughout the 1980s but their story was marred by personal tragedies which came to be known as the Von Erich curse.

Durkin went on to explain he doesn't actually believe in the curse, but he's convinced the family members did and it became a self-fufilling prophecy.

He added: "I do not believe in curses, at least not in the mythical sense. I do believe in the psychology of a curse, and when you're in a family where a lot of bad things have happened and happened to you, it's very easy to believe that you are going to get sucked into that pattern."

"And sometimes, that can almost become self-fulfilling, but that psychology certainly can take a toll and almost act as much as the idea of a mythical course could act. So, no, I don't believe in it, but yes, I think the results of it can be the same."
New Delhi, Dec 22 : In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, a planned anti-terror response exercise was executed in east Delhi, showcasing the seamless coordination among various agencies in the face of a simulated terrorist threat.

The mock scenario unfolded at Shaheed Raj Guru College in Vasundhara at around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, with a scripted police control room (PCR) call reporting a terrorist attack.

The situation involved the hostage-taking of students and office staff within the college premises, serving as a test of the city's preparedness for such emergencies, officials revealed.

Upon receiving the call, a rapid and well-coordinated response was triggered. Messages were swiftly dispatched to relevant agencies, including the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and Primary Counter Assault teams, including ATS and Special Staff of the east district police.

Within minutes of the simulated incident, a Command Post was established, and local staff from the East District Police were mobilised as the first responders.

Equipped with complete bulletproof jackets and firepower, these local teams played a crucial role in the response.

"One of our top priorities was to establish complete access control within minutes, cordoning off the incident site to prevent any further damage. All agencies responded with remarkable speed. The terrorist threat was confronted and neutralised by the team from North District," said an official overseeing the exercise.
Ayodhya, Dec 22 : As the city prepares to welcome thousands of guests for the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple next month, real-time unified payments interface (UPI)-based digital payments have made life super easy for local vendors from all walks of lives here.

From boatmen on the banks of the Sarayu river to flower/prasad sellers at Hanuman Garhi, QR-code based payments have witnessed a meteoric rise in recent months.

"Digital payments have made my life easy as there is no running around for cash change. The money goes directly into my son's bank account via UPI, which is such a relief for us," Annu Manjhi, one of the 100-odd boatmen at the bank of Sarayu river, told IANS.

The government has launched the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to help people understand the benefits of central government schemes at their doorsteps, and the rise in digital payments is a key message for millions.

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is to raise awareness about and track the implementation of flagship central schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Surkasha Bima, PM SVANidhi, etc.

According to Mohd Rashid Khan, 40, who lives in Sadar Bazar area in Ayodhya Cantt, UPI has instilled in him a new confidence.

"Cash handling was a headache as finding chutta (small change) was always a problem while buying daily stuff that needed small currency. Now with digital payments, that headache is gone and money reaches instantly and safely in my bank account," said Khan, one of the beneficiaries of the government schemes.

Addressing a Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra event in Varanasi last week, PM Modi said: "With the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra, I want to gauge if everything that I said has happened in the way I wanted to? Has it happened for those it was intended for?"

According to Ranjita Chauhan, 35, a resident of Sadar Bazar in Ayodhya Cantt, PM Modi has launched several good schemes and UPI is one of those.

"I can now buy things with just a few steps via my phone and do not carry any cash while going out. Digital payments is one of the best initiatives by the government which is helping people living at the margin earn and spend better," she said.

India has witnessed an exceptional surge in UPI transactions, reaching a staggering 8,572 crore by December 11, 2023. UPI accounted for 62 per cent of digital payment transactions in FY2022-23. Starting at Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 2017-18, the value of UPI transactions has risen to Rs 139 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, reflecting a CAGR of 168 per cent.

At Hanuman Garhi, the 10th-century famous temple of Hanuman, Arvind Kumar Gupta has been selling laddus for years. According to him, UPI has become a boon for his business lately.

"Digital payments are increasing by the day as people who come from far flung areas of the country now prefer to pay for Prasad via QR code. This has made my life easy as money directly goes into my account and I do not need to go to the bank. Zero hassles. I see this is a great moment for India to become a less-cash economy going forward," Gupta told IANS.

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has four aims: "To reach out to the vulnerable who are eligible under various schemes but have not availed benefit so far; dissemination of information and generating awareness about schemes; interaction with beneficiaries of government schemes through their personal stories/ experience sharing; and enrolment of potential beneficiaries through details ascertained during the Yatra."

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)
London, Dec 22 : Following widespread backlash, the UK government has rowed back on plans to hike the salary needed to bring family members to the country from GBP38,700 to GBP29,000, the BBC reported.

An estimated 300,000 non-Britons, many of them Indians, were left in shock after the increase -- from the current level of GBP18,600 -- was announced earlier this month as part of a plan to reduce net migration.

The change of plan was confirmed by Lord Sharpe of Epsom in answer to a parliamentary question.

He said the threshold would now rise to GBP29,000 in the spring, before then rising "in incremental stages" to give "predictability".

He added that the plan was for it to eventually rise to GBP34,500 and then GBP38,700, but no dates were given.

Reacting to the u-turn, the opposition Labour said the change showed "Tory government chaos".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers had failed to consult properly on the new threshold, adding: "it's no surprise they are now rowing back in a rush".

The government had been under duress to cut arrival numbers after net migration -- the difference between the number of people coming to and leaving the UK -- climbed to a record 745,000 last year.

A policy document said the new threshold could contribute a "low tens of thousands" cut towards the government's overall target to cut legal migration by 300,000 this year.

As per official statistics, 82,395 family-related visas were issued in the year to September -- 79 per cent to partners, 13 per cent to children and 8 per cent to other relatives.

Reunite Families UK, a campaign group on UK visa rules that threatened legal action against the government over the salary limit, said the new GBP29,000 threshold was still "very high for most families".

The group said the government's decision to raise the threshold gradually was "baffling", adding: "The process is already complicated enough without this too."
Guwahati, Dec 22 : At least 1.3 lakh houses will be built by the Assam government under the Mukhymantri Awas Yojana scheme, officials said.

This scheme is designed to complement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), targeting those who have not received the benefits from the central government's scheme.

The state cabinet took this decision on Thursday evening in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Moreover, at least 1,540 indigenous households that are landless in 13 state districts, both urban and rural, will receive land settlement benefits, the state cabinet decided.

Under the state governmentas initiative Mission Basundhara 2.0, land settlement for indigenous households without land will be carried out.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Urban development plays an important role in the economic development of the country, and Azerbaijan has taken advantage of the opportunities of this development, said the Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev, Trend reports.

Guliyev stated this during his speech at the signing ceremony of the agreement on holding the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in 2026.

"Sustainable urban development ensures that the entire society is included. Azerbaijan does high-level preparatory work and employs best practices. The country serves as a vital platform for foreign partners," Guliyev added.

The signing ceremony of the agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations (UN) was held, and Baku will host the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in 2026.

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Bengaluru, Dec 22 : Karnataka BJP on Friday criticised the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for travelling in a private jet while the state is facing a drought-like situation.

"People of the state are under severe economic crisis due to the drought situation. Even six months after the Congress government came to power, not a single effort has been made to address the pothole issue," BJP Karnataka wrote on X.

"But, there seems to be no end to the show-off of grandeur by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his close associate Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan," the BJP said.

BJP said that the Chief Minister's enjoyment and fun while traveling on the private jet is all about mocking the poor people of the state.

"This video proves it," the BJP said.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah travelled in a private jet to New Delhi with Minister for Housing B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan.

The video shows the Minister Zameer enjoying with the Chief Minister on a private jet while traveling to New Delhi. The video has gone viral on social media.

Zameer, while sharing the video, captioned it as, "happy moments spent with our proud leader CM Siddaramaiah."
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Delhi Police on Friday moved the Delhi High Court challenging a trial court's order directing it to supply a copy of the FIR to one accused, Neelam Azad, in the December 13 Parliament security breach case.

Trial court's order came in response to Azad's application seeking permission to provide a copy of the FIR.

Before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts, police had argued that every piece of information is crucial at this stage of the investigation, and any potential leakage could significantly impact the ongoing process.

The judge, however, directed police for FIR copy and also permitted Azad to interact with her counsel every alternative day for 15 minutes.

The judge had observed that Azad is entitled for legal assistance.

On Friday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna allowed its urgent mentioning.

"List today, if in order," the court said.

On Thursday, the trial court extended till January 5 the police custody of four accused persons in the case -- Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde.

The court extended their custody on an application moved by the police. The four accused were presented before court on expiry of their previously granted seven-day police custody after they were arrested on December 13.

The Delhi Police told the court that the accused in the case were "hardened criminals", consistently altering their statements.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the accused and are investigating the security lapse issue, too.

The prosecution had labelled the arrested individuals as terrorists, asserting that they orchestrated a well-planned attack on Parliament with the intention of inciting fear.

The police had informed the court that they have included Sections 16 (terrorism) and 18 (conspiracy for terrorism) of the UAPA in the charges against the accused.

The police had said that individuals exceeded their rights by jumping from the gallery into the seating area of the MPs. Furthermore, the police claimed that the accused concealed a canister in their shoes and stressed on the need for their custody to determine their actual motive and identify any other individuals involved.

"Special shoes made in Lucknow, which needs to be probed. They need to be taken to Mumbai, Mysore, Lucknow for the probe," the police told the court.

Police further submitted that the accused carried pamphlets that showed and declared Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a missing person with a caption that the person who finds him will be paid money from the Swiss Bank. "The accused persons portrayed the PM like a proclaimed offender," police said.

The case revolves around a major security breach on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, where individuals jumped into the Lok Sabha hall, released yellow gas, and shouted slogans before being subdued by MPs.
Kochi, Dec 22 : The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by P.G. Manu, a former senior government pleader, in a case pertaining to alleged sexual assault of a female client.

The court asked the accused person to surrender within 10 days, and be produced before the concerned Magistrate Court, which could then consider his bail application without undue delay.

Manu is accused of having raped a woman who approached him for legal advice.

Senior Kerala government pleader Manu resigned after a woman lodged a police complaint accusing him of outraging her modesty.

As per the complaint, Manu raped the woman after calling her on the pretext of discussing a case.

The Advocate General in the last week of November sent a word to the top government pleader after a case was registered and Manu put in his resignation.

Manu has been the counsel for the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He had assaulted her last month when the complainant -- already a rape victim in a 2018 case -- approached him for speedy redressal.

Manu reportedly violated her and subjected her to tremendous duress.

Unable to bear the torture, she approached the local police and a case was registered against Manu for rape and other offences punishable under the Information Technology Act (IT Act).

Suffering a setback, Manu is likely to approach the Supreme Court.
Blessy recalls his 17-year-old Mammootty film as next gets ready. Image Source: IANS News

Kochi, Dec 22 : Ace director Blessy recalled his 2006 release 'Palunku' starring veteran actor Mammootty, which won him huge applause.

Talking about the profound impact of the subject and his inspiration for the story, Blessy said: "17 years ago, in Kottarakkara, a two-and half-year-old child was brutally raped and murdered in front of a shop."

"The genesis of 'Palunku' lies in the sorrow etched in my heart by the tragedy. Monichen's (played by Mammootty) rebellion and cry against the system are now seventeen years old. Sadly, even today, incidents of this nature persist, and the cries only echo the pain for those who suffered the loss," said Blessy.

The film also exposes the trappings of consumerism and how city life changes the perspective and priorities of an ordinary farmer.

Mammootty won the Best Actor award at the Kerala Film Critics' Awards and a national award nomination for essaying the role of Monichen in the film.

Blessy's upcoming film, 'The Goat Life', starring Prithviraj Sukumaran is all set to hit theatres worldwide on April 10, 2024.

60-year-old Blessy Ipe Thoma has won one National Film Award and six Kerala State Film Awards for his feature films 'Kaazhcha' (2004), 'Thanmathra' (2005), and 'Pranayam' (2011).

His documentary film '100 Years of Chrysostom' received the Guinness World Record for the longest documentary in the world, with a runtime of 48 hours and 10 minutes.
Indian-origin tax evader to pay nearly $550K in restitution to US. Image Source: IANS News

New York, Dec 22 : A 56-year-old Indian-origin tax return preparer in the US state of Georgia has been sentenced to two years in prison after he pled guilty to tax evasion.

Samir Patel of Statesboro was ordered to pay approximately $550,000 in restitution to the United States, a fine of $95,000 and serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

"Much of our nation's operating revenues are dependent on the lawful participation of citizens in the income tax system, and those who evade their responsibilities place a greater burden on everyone else," US Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Jill E Steinberg, said on Tuesday.

"This sentence demonstrates the substantial consequences of attempting to cheat the system."

Patel, a tax return preparer at a national return preparation business, purchased a franchise of the business in Claxton in 2015, according to court documents and testimony,

As the owner, he hired, trained, and supervised tax preparers, and continued to prepare returns for customers.

Patel, however, willfully filed false income tax returns that omitted more than $1.28 million in income -- including almost $1.18 million from a company called S&W Amusements -- and evaded proper assessment of his personal taxes for years 2015, 2016, and 2017.

S&W Amusements placed coin operated amusement machines in convenience stores and gas stations.

As part of his sentence, Patel is prohibited from preparing tax returns for others or for entities in which he has no interest during his term of supervised release.
Gurugram, Dec 22 : The Gurugram Cybercrime Police team has arrested three criminals for allegedly duping a man of Rs 32,000 in the name of an insurance policy, police said on Friday.

Police said that the suspects assured the victim that they will help him to withdraw his insurance policy amount.

Police said that, on December 19, they received a complaint that the suspects had duped a victim worth Rs 32,000.

"After verifying the complainant's facts a case was registered under relevant sections of the IPC including the IT Act at the Police Station Cyber Crime police station Gurugram," the police said.

Police said that based on a complaint police arrested the suspects on December 19 and took them on police remand.

"The accused have been identified as Rishi Sharma a resident of Badarpur, Lalit Dubey of Ghaziabad and Shahjad Ali of North East Delhi," the police said.

Police said that during interrogation, the accused revealed that they had committed the crime with the victim in the name of helping him to withdraw his insurance policy amount.

"The accused lured the victim to resolve his problem and received money for file charges, TDS charges and office file charges and duped the victim of Rs 32,000. We are searching their criminal history. The matter is under investigation," Vipin Ahlawat, ACP (cybercrime) said.

--IANS

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New CMs 1st resolution to strengthen law & order in MP, but no respite from crime against women. Image Source: IANS News

Bhopal, Dec 22 : Days after new Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made the resolution to strengthen the law and order situation, the state continued to witness gruesome crimes against the women and minors.

In a shocking case, a 16-year-old schoolgirl was gang-raped by seven youths, including two minors, in a remote area of Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh.

The incident occurred on Wednesday. As per the information, the victim had gone for a stroll outside of her home. Seeing the girl alone, a group of men, including two minors, followed her. Firstly, they made obscene remarks and filmed her video. Later they forcibly grabbed her and gang-raped her.

Upon receiving a complaint, police swung into action and arrested five accused involved in the case. Police said the search for the remaining two accused was underway.

In another horrific incident, a five-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and physically assaulted by two men after they abducted her in a village in Harda district on Wednesday.

As per the police, the minor had multiple injuries on her body. After an initial treatment, she was referred to the Hamidia hospital in Bhopal. A team of doctors found more than 20 bite marks and deep scratches on the girlas body, the senior officer said.

On December 12, a 30-year-old woman was allegedly raped in moving train from Jabalpur to Rewa. The victim had gone for toilet where the accused raped her. The accused was arrested in Rewa.
Kolkata, Dec 22 : Globally acclaimed magician P.C. Sorcar (Junior) arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in the central government office (CGO) complex office at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Friday.

Till the time the report was filed the exact reason for his arrival at the ED office was not known.

However, sources aware of the development said that in probability he has been summoned for questioning in relation to his earlier business agreement with the chit fund entity, Tower Group.

On December 7, the ED sleuths took the Tower Group chief Ramendu Chattopadhyay into their custody, and sources said that in probability Sorcar (Junior) has been summoned for fresh questioning in that connection.

In 2021, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths conducted raid and search operations at the magicianas residence. He was even summoned at CBIas Nizam Palace in central Kolkata and questioned there.

He was then questioned on whether he received any amount from the chit fund entity other than the amount fixed under business agreement with Tower Group.

Earlier in the year, the ED sleuths reactivated its operations in the matter. At that point of time mainly two chit fund entities, namely Tower Group and Pincon Group were under the radar of the CBI sleuths. The ED sleuths had also conducted raid & search operations at Ramendu Chattopadhyayas residence in Kolkata-adjacent Howrah district in West Bengal. The ED sleuths also seized crucial documents from his residence at that point of time.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the government over the issue of unemployment over the two people spraying the smoke in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and also said that when they jumped from visitors gallery the BJP MPs ran away.

While participating in the 'Save Democracy' protest at Jantar Mantar, Rahul Gandhi shared his account about the Parliament security breach and said: "Two youths came. They jumped from visitors gallery and sprayed the smoke. All the BJP MPs ran away. That is a different issue... those who call themselves patriot, 'Hawa Nikal gai unki'. You cannot see that on TV but we saw it."

Questioning the Parliament security breach on December 13 which coincided with the 22nd anniversary of 2001 Parliament terror attack, the Wayanad MP said, "How did they come inside, security breach happened, how did they bring the cylinders (smoke canisters), if they can bring that they could have brought anything."

He said that why did they protest, what was the reason.

"Unemployment. In country there is unemployment. Youths cannot find jobs. Those who do surveys, I told them to do a small survey by going into small town and find the youths who have taken cell phones, how much time they spend on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. And I got it done. I was surprised, they (youths) spend 7.5 hours every day.

"Why, because Modiji has not given them employment, their jobs have been snatched and gave them job to check phones," he alleged.

He also targeted the government saying that the youths did the security breach, it is your (government) fault. "And it was reason why they jumped in the house," he said.

He further said that this did not come in media that there is unemployment.

"Media says outside Parliament MPs were sitting and Rahul Gandhi recorded a video. They did not say that 150 MPs have been made to stand out, this question was not asked. Home Minister Amit Shah was asked how did they jump in Parliament and on unemployment, they suspended MPs. Media diverts issues," he said.

He also said that MPs are the voice of the people of the country, "and you have shut the mouth of 60 per cent people of the country and you think that you can make the people fear and threaten them".

He also spoke on Agniveer issue and said: "You brought the Agniveer scheme, you took away the feeling of patriotism. Now youth stand and says we are against Agniveer. If you think that you can threaten youths and media then you have not understood India and its youths. We all opposition leaders are standing here and this fight is between love and hatred. More you spread hate, more love will be spread by INDIA bloc leaders."

The opposition bloc have together on Friday to protest against the suspension of the 146 MPs during the Winter Session.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Delhi's Customs officials have arrested an Ugandan national and recovered over 200 grams of heroin worth Rs 3.51 crore at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, an official said on Friday.

According to officials, on the basis of specific input, Customs teams at the airport seized 234 gms of cocaine valued at Rs 3.51 crore brought by one Ugandan National, who arrived from Addis Ababa.

"The passenger has been arrested under NDPS Act, 1985. Further, investigations are underway," said the official.

Two days ago, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had also arrested an Ugandan national and recovered cocaine worth Rs 8.90 crore at Mumbai International Airport.

The woman had brought it hidden in her fake hair and underwear.

According to a DRI official, following specific information, the Mumbai unit of the DRI team laid a trap at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and apprehended the woman. DRI officials searched the woman's belongings and found nothing. However, when they checked the woman's fake hair and bra-pad, they found 890 grams of cocaine.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The 'Great Return' program provides for the construction and restoration of 100 settlements in Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the country's State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during a joint press conference with the UN-Habitat Program's Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

According to him, more than half of them have already had their territorial planning done, and the rest will be completed by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

The World Urban Forum in Baku will provide an opportunity to showcase our achievements. Participants in the forum will be able to become acquainted with the work completed, Guliyev added.

A ceremony for signing the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN on holding the XIII session of the World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026 has been held today.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of IDPs to their native lands.

Up to now, the former IDPs have returned to Fuzuli and Lachin cities, the villages of Aghali (Zangilan district), Talish (Tartar district), and Zabukh (Lachin district).

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Chandigarh, Dec 22 : Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and Member of Parliament Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Friday reviewed the progress of sanctioning and disbursement of loans under various schemes for self-employment with state heads of 40 banks here.

The banks were asked to present their performance for giving loans, among other schemes, under Mudra Scheme for providing bank loans up to Rs 10 lakh for micro enterprises and the PM Employment Generation programme for loans up to Rs 50 lakh in manufacturing, business and service sector.

Sahney pointed out that there was gross underutilisation of the loan amounts for various schemes in many districts of Punjab, and banks should spur up all their branches to sanction and disburse loans to skilled workforce, women self-help groups and marginal farmers expeditiously.

He also stated that in Ludhiana district 632 applications for self-employment by ITI graduates were submitted but only 52 loans have been sanctioned. He added there are 6,300 bank branches in Punjab and even if each bank sanctions five loans each, there should be a minimum 30,000 beneficiaries.

Finance Minister Cheema reiterated that performance of the banks in disbursing the loans for self-employment and startups is not meeting targets and the state government would take a serious view if banks donat sanction loans to economically weak applicants.

He also said a special task force under chairmanship of the Secretary Finance would be made to review the progress in this regard on a periodic basis.
New Delhi, Dec 23 : With the growth of Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) exploded in the public arena in 2023. According to experts, this trend is expected to continue beyond 2024, as both hackers and cybersecurity professionals continue to improve their usage of AI and Machine Learning (ML).

Recently, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's two new deepfake videos were shared on social media, purportedly promoting a so-called investing platform aQuantum AIa, claiming that the user of this new technology would be able to earn $3,000 (around Rs 2.5 lakh) on the first working day.

One of the videos showed a morphed version of Murthy claiming to be working on a aQuantum AIa project with tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Zerodha Co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath posted his own deepfake video, which was convincing enough to fool users into believing it was Kamath himself. He said the aim was to highlight the growing threat posed by AI.

Attacks will become more sophisticated as threat actors continue to use AI tools and 2024 will likely witness an increase in AI-assisted and AI-driven attacks successfully bypassing security controls such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Zero Trust and other fundamental security technologies and defences.

According to the information security company CyberArk, deepfakes will pose a looming threat to India's cybersecurity in 2024. These attacks will target individuals, businesses, and even government institutions, aiming to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and disrupt critical infrastructure.

The financial repercussions of these attacks could be severe, potentially leading to reputational damage, loss of investor confidence, and even economic instability.

The recent deepfake controversies with actresses Rashmika Mandanna, Kajol and Katrina Kaif have made this a public issue in India. With India and the US both going into major election years, the experts believe deep fakes are likely to continue being prominent in cybersecurity and misinformation campaigns.

aTo combat this growing threat, Indian organisations must invest in deepfake detection and mitigation technologies, raise awareness among their employees about the dangers of deepfakes, and develop robust cybersecurity strategies that can withstand these sophisticated attacks," the researchers said.

The researchers also predicted that ransomware attacks are expected to surge in 2024, surpassing the alarming 91 per cent reported in 2022 and said that a rise in cloud adoption could lead to a surge of identity-based attacks.

As per International Data Corporation (IDC), the overall India public cloud services market is expected to surge to $17.8 billion by 2027, exhibiting a formidable CAGR of 23.4 per cent for the period spanning 2022-2027.

According to the cybersecurity company Securonix, financial services, healthcare and education will continue to attract the attention of threat actors as their economic importance and data value make them especially attractive targets.

In late 2022, AIIMS Delhi faced a crippling attack before successfully thwarting another in mid-2023.

"Governmental and non-governmental organisations working on important economic, justice and civic issues are also likely to be a target of misinformation and cyberattack campaigns from foreign and domestic actors," the experts said.

When it comes to phishing emails and social engineering exploits, the trend is likely to continue in 2024.

Last year, phishing attempts surged by 62 per cent and threat actors will likely continue to use phishing emails as a main source of compromise in 2024 with new and evolved tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).

According to the experts, 2023 saw QR code-based phishing (quishing) gain popularity and witnessed an uptick in more advanced tactics such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) and adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attack methods that leverage tools like EvilProxy.

In addition to phishing, advanced tactics like social engineering and malvertising will continue to be prolific.

The experts also said to prepare for new type of AI-based attacks that might appear in 2024.

"An equally potent threat emerges for every positive stride made in the realm of AI. The dark side of AI can manifest in sophisticated cyber threats and malicious activities fuelled by the same technologies that are designed to enhance efficiency, automation, and decision-making," said CyberArk researchers.

They further said, aAs AI becomes more pervasive, adversaries will quickly capitalise on its capabilities, crafting new attack vectors that exploit vulnerabilities in novel ways."

The researchers suggested these predictions for the next year underline the urgency for organisations to invest in cutting-edge technologies, raise awareness, and craft robust strategies that can withstand the onslaught of evolving cyber threats.

(Shrey Srivastava can be reached at shrey.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The use of AI by financial sector firms has been growing in recent years. AI has the potential to increase innovation and efficiency, but it may also pose risks to financial stability, said the Financial Stability Oversight Council of the US.

Established in 2010 under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Financial Stability Oversight Council provides comprehensive monitoring of the stability of US financial system.

The Council recommends monitoring the rapid developments in AI, including generative AI, to ensure that oversight structures keep up with or stay ahead of emerging risks to the financial system while facilitating efficiency and innovation.

To support this effort, the Council recommends financial institutions, market participants, and regulatory and supervisory authorities further build expertise and capacity to monitor AI innovation and usage and identify emerging risks.

The Council notes existing requirements and guidance may apply to AI. The Council also supports the international effort by the G7 Cyber Expert Group to coordinate cybersecurity policy and strategy across the eight G7 jurisdictions and address how new technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, affect the global financial system.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technologies that has been around for decades. Its use in financial services, however, has increased in recent years, thanks to more advanced algorithms, increased volumes of data, data storage and processing power improvements, and cost reductions among many of these dimensions. AI has the potential to increase efficiency and innovation, but it also introduces certain risks, the report said.

Service programmes that look after customers also belong to this risk class, with only minimal transparency rules to be applied.

Users must simply be made aware they are interacting with an AI application and not with humans. They can then decide for themselves whether or not to continue using the AI program, DW reported.

The US, the UK, and 20 other countries have issued data protection rules and recommendations for AI developers, but none of these are legally binding, the expectation being that big tech companies working on AI should voluntarily monitor themselves.

A 'Safety Institute' in the US is meant to assess the risks of AI applications, while President Joe Biden has instructed developers to disclose their tests if national security, public health or safety are at risk.

In China, the use of AI for private customers and companies is severely restricted because the communist regime is afraid that it will no longer be able to censor learning systems as easily as censored the internet.

ChatGPT, for example, is not available in China. Facial recognition, however, is already being used on a large scale on behalf of the state, DW reported.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the 11th absconding accused, Saudi Zakir in a human trafficking case, which it busted last month following nationwide raids, who had illegally crossed into India through the India-Bangladesh border and set up a waste collection centre and segregation unit.

An NIA spokesperson here said that the agency arrested Zakir, who had been on the run since his house was searched last month by the NIA.

The official said that he was on Thursday tracked to his Kochi (Kerala) hideout and taken into custody. The official said that during the probe it was revealed that Zakir had illegally crossed into India via Benapole at the India-Bangladesh border.

"Zakir had moved to Bellandur area in Bengaluru city of Karnataka, where he had set up a Waste Collection and Segregation Unit and had employed other foreign nationals, who had also illegally crossed over into India through the border," the official claimed.

The NIA had registered a human trafficking case on November 7 this year following credible inputs about certain Karnataka-based persons having linkages with facilitators and traffickers in Assam, Tripura and countries across the border.

The linkages were identified as part of a large network engaged in trafficking of individuals into India through the India-Bangladesh border. The accused were also providing fake Aadhaar cards to the individuals trafficked from across the border, as per investigations.

Following the searches, the NIA arrested 10 foreign nationals in the case, registered under sections 120B, 370, 465 & 471 IPC and section 18 of UA(P) Act, 1967.

The NIA is continuing its investigations in the case, aimed at dismantling the human trafficking racket being carried out through various networks active along the India-Bangladesh border, it added.
Mysuru, : Dec 22 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday refrained from commenting whether Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is a possible candidate for the Prime Minister's post.

"The elections have not been held yet. Mamta Banerjee has suggested his name but it remains to be seen whom the INDIA bloc will make the PM candidate," the Chief Minister told media persons on Friday.

On controversy about travelling to New Delhi in a private jet, the Chief Minister said that questions must be asked from BJP people about their travel as well.

"How does Prime Minister Narendra Modi travel?" "You must ask this question from BJP people. On which plane does PM Narendra Modi travel? Does he travel alone?" the Chief Minister asked.

On MPs suspension, the Chief Minister termed it as murder of democracy.

"It is a murder of democracy. There is no democracy in the country. They are not respecting the sentiments of the people. This is dictatorship. The laws have been framed after keeping everyone out," the Chief Minister said.

He said that the people will decide in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, they won't tolerate steps against democracy.

"In a democratic system, the opposition parties need to be heard. The people elected the members to both the houses. The suspension of such a large number of MPs is the first in our independent history," the Chief Minister said.

--IANS

mka/dan
Kolkata, Dec 22 : Manoj Shashidhar, the additional director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has arrived in Kolkata reportedly to review the progress in investigation of the central agency in different cases of financial scams in the state, especially the cash-for-school job, coal smuggling and cattle smuggling, among others.

Sources said that he arrived at Kolkata on Thursday night only and on Friday morning reached CBIas Nizam Palace office in Kolkata where he held meetings with the investigation officials of the agency spearheading the probes on the respective financial scams.

Sources said Shashidharas sudden arrival in the city is significant since the central agencies are currently battling against time to wind up and complete the investigation in the different cases of financial scam.

The pressure on the central agency sleuths on this count has aggravated further with the Supreme Court recently ordered CBI to wind up its ongoing investigation in the cash-for-school- job case in West Bengal within a specific period.

Sources said that this is the second time that Shashidhar has visited Kolkata this year. Earlier in July he visited the city soon after being elevated as the additional director of the agency from the rank of joint director. At that point of time too, sources said, he had detailed meetings with the investigating officials of CBI relating to the investigation on various financial scams in the state.

Sources said that Shashidhar since the beginning has been emphasizing greater coordination with other investigation agencies like Enforcement Director (ED), which is also conducting parallel probes in many of these scams, as well as with the Income Tax department.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : A court here on Friday reserved order on Delhi Police's application seeking more time to complete the investigation in a case lodged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act regarding allegations that the NewsClick portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

The Delhi Police on Tuesday moved an application before the court.

The application was moved before Special Judge Hardeep Kaur of the Patiala House Courts

The previously extended judicial custody of the two accused -- NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources head Amit Chakravarty -- also expires Friday.

The police's application seeks an extension for the maximum period allowed under the law, which is 180 days from the day of the accused's arrest in cases filed under special acts, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Without the court's permission, the investigating agency would have three months from the arrest to conclude the investigation, after which the accused may have a statutory right to bail.

The application stresses on the voluminous nature of documents and evidence in the case, stating that the agency needs to visit various locations outside Delhi, contributing to the expected delay.

It also mentions the necessity for judicial orders to question certain individuals or potential witnesses related to the matter.

Recently, the court had dismissed an application moved by Purkayastha seeking release of his electronic devices seized for probe in the matter.

The judge had dismissed the plea saying the ground was not enough to allow the application at this stage.

On December 1, the court had extended till December 22 the judicial custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty.

Both Purkayastha and Chakravarty had moved the court seeking the release of their electronic devices seized by the police and bail, respectively.

On November 17, Chakravarty's counsel had argued that he has only 0.09 per cent share in the organisation, and has no role in journalism or management, and the police had raised questions on the maintainability of the bail application.

On October 25, the special judge had sent the duo to custody after the police told the court that they have the right to seek further custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty, and that they need to confront them with protected witnesses and the recovered electronic material.

They were produced before the court on expiry of their five-day judicial custody.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) for police Atul Srivastava had told the court that they have the right to seek further custody and therefore, they were exercising the same.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3. A day after their arrest, the special judge had sent them to seven days' police custody on October 4. Both then moved the High Court challenging their police remand, which was upheld by the High Court.

The duo had also taken the matter to the Supreme Court against the dismissal of their petitions challenging police remand, and on October 19, the apex court had issued notices to the Delhi Police on the petitions.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Purkayastha, had earlier argued before the High Court that "all facts are false and not a penny came from China."

On October 3, in a statement regarding the search, seizure and detentions carried out in connection with the UAPA case registered by the Special Cell, the Delhi Police had said that a total of 37 male suspects were questioned at the office premises, while nine female suspects were questioned at their residences.

The police said that digital devices, documents, etc., were seized or collected for examination. The Special Cell had registered an FIR in connection with the case on August 17 under different sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code against NewsClick.

In August, a 'New York Times' investigation had accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked with US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actor Vyom Thakkar, who portrays the younger version of the former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the television show 'Atal', has shared his plans for Christmas.

The actor said that he will dress up like Santa Claus on the sets of the show and keep surprise gifts in everyone's room.

Talking about the same, he said: "I love Santa Claus. He makes people happy by giving surprise gifts. I want to be like him, wearing his outfit and making wishes come true for people. As Atal ji's birthday coincides with Christmas, I am going to celebrate it in a special way. I will dress up like Santa on the set and keep surprise gifts in everyone's room."

He further mentioned: "I've been asking them what they want from Santa this year (laughs). Some people found out about my plans, but I am trying to keep it a surprise. I hope this Secret Santa mission will bring a lot of joy and happiness on the set."

Recently, actor Milind Dastane, who essays the role of Shyam Lal Vajpayee in the television show 'Atal', recollected his meeting with the former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ahead of the latter's 99th Birth anniversary on December 25.

Walking down the memory lane, Milind called him a "master storyteller" who was gifted with creating captivating narratives on simple topics courtesy his wordplay.

'Atal' airs Monday to Friday on &TV.
Tel Aviv, Dec 22 : The United Nations has warned that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas is pushing the entire Gaza Strip towards an "imminent" famine.

The Global Hunger Monitoring System, a UN-backed body, said that more than half a million population in the Gaza Strip were living in catastrophic conditions.

It also said that it has been warning the warring factions that with destruction and deprivation of food and essential materials in the Gaza Strip, the situation is turning from bad to worse.

With conditions deteriorating in the enclave, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive in Gaza to retaliate against a surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage, according to the Israeli tallies.

The death toll of Palestinians from Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since October 7 has reached 20,000.

The volume of aid materials including food materials arriving in the enclave came down in significantly thus leading to an extreme shortage of food materials in the Gaza.
Panaji, Dec 22 : The leaders and supporters of the opposition parties in Goa on Friday protested against the suspension of MPs in Parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, "BJP workers burnt the effigy of Rahul Gandhi, but they will never be successful to erase his 'Idea of India',"

"Rahul Gandhi is a staunch follower of truth, unity, communal harmony and democracy. He carries forward the legacy of great leaders who sacrificed to keep India united and strong," he said.

Alemao condemned the act of the BJP government of suspending the Members of Parliament.

State Congress President Amit Patkar said that the BJP government is trying to suppress the voice of the people. He condemned the act of the local BJP unit of burning effigy of Rahul Gandhi in the presence of two cabinet ministers.

Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira demanded action against the BJP MP who issued passes to the two accused persons, who breached the security and entered Parliament.

He also said that the amendments to Criminal Laws passed by Parliament are draconian.

State NCP President and former Minister Jose Philip D'Souza said that the BJP was rattled because of the formation of the INDIA Block. "This Alliance will defeat BJP in the coming elections," he said.

Trinamool Congress office-bearer Tanoj Adwalpalkar also condemned the suspension of the MPs and said that the united opposition will work to protect democracy.
On December 18, 2023, the Embassy of India in Baku conducted a significant business meeting, aiming to highlight the capabilities and potential of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and its vital role in fulfilling the global demand for medicines and vaccines. This event attracted key Azerbaijani importers and distributors from the pharmaceutical sector, marking a notable moment in the bilateral trade relations.

In his commencement address, the Indian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Sridharan Madhusudhanan, stressed the quality and affordability of Indian medicines, positioning India as a global "pharmacy to the world." The Ambassador urged Azerbaijani importers to increase their procurement of Indian pharmaceutical products, underscoring the benefits of reduced healthcare costs in Azerbaijan without compromising quality.

Mr. Sanjay Jain, Counsellor at the Embassy, presented an insightful overview of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. He informed attendees that India accounts for 20% of the global supply of generics, exporting to over 200 countries. He pointed out that India is home to over 3,000 pharma companies, with a network of over 10,500 EU-GMP manufacturing facilities. About 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories are produced in India.

Mr. Jain underlined the quality-conscious Azerbaijani importers and distributors that 60% of Indian pharma exports are reaching the Highly Regulated Markets. India has more than 700 US-FDA-compliant plants, the highest number outside the USA. Furthermore, Indian companies have secured over 6,300 Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Market Authorizations. India supplies 40% of the generic demand by the USA and 50% of the generic demand by Africa.

He highlighted the industry's strategic shift towards bio-similars, complex generics, and precision medicine while aspiring to broaden its horizons to include biologics, new drug development, and innovation.

Given the relevance of COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccines, the audience was informed that India has 60% of global vaccine production and meets 90% of the World Health Organization's (WHO) demand for measles vaccine and 40% to 70% of the WHO demand for DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) and Bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG) vaccines. Indian Generic Anti-RetroViralS (ARV) approved by the US-FDA resulted in cost-savings of over 90% of the ARVs for US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In addition, 90% of WHO pre-qualified Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are sourced from India.

The event also featured a Q&A session, where Embassy officials reassured Azerbaijani importers and distributors of pharmaceutical products of comprehensive support in their efforts to diversify sourcing from the extensive array of Indian pharmaceutical products. Azerbaijani participants shared their positive experiences in trade with India, appreciating the quality of pharmaceutical products sourced from Indian manufacturers, thus reinforcing the mutual benefits and continued growth potential of this sector in both nations.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Actor John Kokken spoke about teaming up with Anupam Kher, and shared that he was well-prepared before sharing screen space with him in 'The Freelancer:The Conclusion'.

John Kokken, who plays the role of Raghuvendra Setu, said: "One of the things that I have learned in my career as an actor is to do my homework well and prepare the lines.

"I rehearse the lines a couple of times in advance and I memorise the entire scene. Also, considering the fact that I was going to act with Anupam Kher Sir, I had better be prepared. On the day of the shoot, before the take, Anupam Kher Sir and I rehearsed the lines probably at least 10 times in Neeraj Pandey Sir's presence."

He added: "Anupam Kher Sir is a phenomenal actor and an amazing co-star to work with, always encouraging his co-actors to bring the best performance out of them. I am happy and grateful that I got to perform alongside him. Every scene with Anupam Kher Sir is going to be memorable for me for a lifetime."

The series is based on the book - A Ticket to Syria by Shirish Thorat, directed by Bhav Dhulia. It also stars Kashmira Pardeshi, Sushant Singh, Gauri Balaji and Navneet Malik, Manjiri Faddnis, Sarah Jane Dias amongst others.

'The Freelancer: The Conclusion' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Mansa : , Dec 22 (IANS/101 Reporters) Bhamme Kalan village panchayat of Sardulgarh tehsil in Mansa district of Punjab will witness a by-election to the sarpanch's post on December 24, but a languid atmosphere prevails here with the villagers engaged in their daily activities.

The village streets usually buzz with activity during the panchayat elections, and everyone participates in the chaupal (a community space) discussions on the poll outcome. This time, however, they are not particularly interested in the election result to be announced the same day.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Bhamme Kalan, which has a population of 8,000. The residents are indifferent because the sarpanch election happening now was supposed to be held in December 2018. Why this delay, and the sudden decision to conduct the poll when the whole of Punjab is set to see panchayat elections in January next year?

The answer lies in the apathy and slow pace of the Panchayati Raj and Election Department in the matter. Result: democracy bloomed in Bhamme Kalan only five years later.

Though elections were held to the nine panch (ward members) positions in 2018, village voters could not elect its sarpanch due to the withdrawal of nomination papers by four candidates. Sadly, even the papers of the lone candidate in the fray was rejected on the ground of not attaching the copies of the panchayat voters' list. The aggrieved, Jaswinder Kaur (48), had been engaged in a court battle since then, claiming that she had attached the voters' list and that her nomination papers were rejected intentionally.

The battle unfolds

The sarpanch post in Bhamme Kalan went to women following a lottery draw for reservation. Soon after the election fiasco, villagers began to demand that a by-election be held. Jaswinder and her supporters kept submitting memorandums to the Panchayati Raj Department, Election Department, state government and the local MLA.

In March 2019, Jaswinder filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. During the hearing on December 2, 2019, the Election Department assured the court that it will get information from the Panchayat Department about the vacant panch and sarpanch positions and hold by-elections after the Assembly by-elections. Satisfied with the reply, the High Court disposed of the petition.

However, even after two years, the situation in Bhamme Kalan did not change. Jaswinder's lawyer Advocate Parminder Singh Sekhon then demanded that the High Court initiate contempt of court proceedings against the officials concerned. Hearing his plea, the High Court issued a notice on December 15, 2021, asking why action should not be taken under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, for wilful disobedience of the undertaking given in the court. Additional Advocate General sought time to reply.

During the hearing on January 5, 2023, Jaswinder's lawyer said the order has not been followed even after a long time. On this, the government lawyer presented the affidavit of the Secretary of Punjab Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department in the court and said that the sarpanch by-election was postponed due to COVID-19. While noting that a long time has elapsed after the pandemic, the court directed the officials of both the Panchayati Raj Department and Election Department to appear before it.

On April 12, the state government promised the court that the sarpanch election would be announced within a period of three weeks. At the next hearing on May 10, Jaswinder's lawyer said general elections for Punjab Assembly and even by-elections have been held, but Bhamme Kalan did not see one.

The court then directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab to present a special affidavit explaining the delay and what action has been taken against the officials who did not follow its instructions. On May 18, the Chief Secretary presented a special affidavit in the court and said that a by-election notification will be issued within 20 days.

After this, the High Court ordered the State Election Commissioner of Punjab to appear in person on December 5. On December 7, when the State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary appeared before it, the court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him and remarked that if the election dates were not announced within a week, he should be prepared to go to jail.

Things moved swiftly after the court's rebuke. The State Election Commissioner released the by-election schedule for the post of sarpanch on December 8.

"The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act has been completely disregarded in Bhamme Kalan. This case is a vivid example of tampering with the panchayati raj system A fresh election schedule should have been announced in six months of the election fiasco," Advocate Sekhon told 101Reporters.

Multiple effects

Having a sarpanch is very important for the swift functioning of a panchayat. Only the sarpanch can attend the panchayat committee meetings as the representative of the village panchayat. Panchs do not have the authority to convene the gram sabha.

Bhamme Kalan panch Sikandar Singh Dhariwal told 101Reporters that in the absence of a sarpanch, village development has taken a back seat. Gram sabhas have not been convened, and the proposals for village development could not be passed. Monitoring of government schemes has been affected.

"The dilapidated buildings of the primary health centre and veterinary hospital need attention. We wanted to reconstruct them, but even repairing them was impossible. Most of the streets are unpaved. Concretisation was not possible due to the administrative deadlock. One side of the boundary wall of our water tank has remained broken, but it could not be rebuilt. As a result, dirt is entering our water source," he listed out.

Villagers Sukhdev Singh and Raghuveer Singh agreed that the damage caused by not holding elections for five years cannot be compensated. Dhariwal said panchayat-related activities had come to a standstill in the first one-and-a-half years of the five-year tenure.

"Later, when the panchayat samiti development officer was appointed as administrator for about one-and-a-half years, only the formalities related to the panchayat's work were completed. A year ago, panch Gurmeet Kaur was made the acting sarpanch, which helped in carrying out some works. If we had a full-time sarpanch, the volume of work taken up would have been drastically different," he said.

There will be no major expenditure at the government level for this by-election, yet it would not be wrong to say that Bhamme Kalan has witnessed a mockery of democracy. Villagers Hartej Singh, Tarsem Singh, Harbans Singh and Raja Singh said unanimously that a very wrong precedent has been set.

Kusum Aggarwal, Development Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Jhunir, told 101Reporters that the administrator only looks after special work. "Ensuring development of the village is the sarpanch's duty, because only the sarpanch lives among the public and is aware of the public needs," she said.

A tenure lasting just over a month

For the last five years, Bhamme Kalan residents have been yearning for development. Nevertheless, the present decision to hold the election, when the 2024 panchayat elections are just days away, has not gone down well with them.

"What difference is it going to make? After a month-and-a-half, panchayat elections will be held across the state. Elections will be held here too. By the time the newly-elected sarpanch becomes acquainted with the functioning of the panchayat, her tenure will be over," Gurdeep Singh, a Bhamme Kalan resident, wondered.

Asked about the tenure of the sarpanch to be elected, Aggarwal said conducting panchayat elections was a matter at the level of the state Election Department, so she was not in a position to reply. "By-elections are always held for the remaining tenure. As soon as the tenure of the panchayats ends, the tenure of the sarpanch elected here will also end. Panchayat elections were held in December 2018, so the tenure is set to end in January 2024," she informs.

Returning Officer Rachpal Singh Sidhu told 101Reporters that four women filed nomination papers on December 13, but two of them withdrew them the very next day. So this time, it will be a direct contest between Jaswinder and Karmjeet Kaur.

Speaking to 101Reporters on the effort required to get the election notified, Jaswinder said, "We made requests to the Panchayati Raj Department several times and wrote to the state government, but nobody heard us. Even after the court gave us a favourable order, they did not feel it was necessary to implement the same. Even if I get a tenure lasting just over a month, I am still contesting because it is my right."

Jaswinder is not affiliated to any political party. She claims her position was very strong in the 2018 elections. "The voters wanted to make me their sarpanch, but my nomination paper was rejected in a conspiracy. If I had been the sarpanch, I would have got a lot of work done," she said.

Though Jaswinder did not elaborate on the conspiracy theory, her husband Bhola Singh Sidhu alleged that his wife's nomination papers were rejected at the behest of "a big leader".

Asked whether she will contest the election in January as well, Jaswinder said, "Yes, definitely."

(Amarpal Singh Verma is a Punjab-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a 19-year-old suspect, who was absconding for the last one year in a murder case, an official said on Friday.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a 19-year-old suspect, who was absconding for the last one year in a murder case, an official said on Friday.

The accused was identified as Rijwan a.k.a Md Akbar, a resident of JJ Colony, Bhalswa Dairy.

On the intervening night of November 25-26, 2022, Ajay, Istekar, Gautam, and Rijwan were involved in an altercation with Ajruddin, also known as Monu.

The accused thrashed Ajruddin with fists, blows, sticks, and stabbed him with an ice pick before fleeing the scene.

Ajruddin sustained several injuries and was promptly rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the injuries during treatment.

During the investigation, it was revealed that four individuals were implicated in the crime. Ajay and Istekar had already been apprehended by the local police, while Gautam was arrested by the Crime Branch.

However, one accused person remained at large.

"Sources were deployed in the area, and extensive efforts were made to trace the whereabouts of the remaining accused. Both manual and technical surveillance were employed in the pursuit of the fugitive," said the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav.

The police team tasked to nab the accused received specific input that Rijwan would come in the area of Bhalswa Dairy. If a trap is laid, he could be apprehended from there.

"A trap was laid at the place of information and Rijwan was apprehended. During sustained interrogation, he confessed his involvement in the murder case of Bhalswa Dairy police station," said Yadav.

On interrogation, Rijwan disclosed that he along with his other associates named Ajay, Istekar and Gautam had some altercation with one Ajruddin.

"Thereafter, all the four accused persons held him and demanded Rs 30,000 from his family. On the refusal of the money by his family, the accused thrashed Ajruddin and stabbed him with an ice pick and fled away," said the Special CP.

"The accused has previously been involved in a theft case as a juvenile. Just after one month of attaining the age of 18 years, he along with his associates committed this murder and was on the run since then," the Special CP added.
Kathmandu, Dec 22 : A long-term energy deal between Nepal and India, to be signed during the upcoming visit of India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, will be a milestone, said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

During Dahal's India visit in May-June, the two countries agreed to sign a long-term power agreement where India would import 10,000 megawatts from Nepal in ten years. However, the formal agreement could not be signed at that time.

Now, both the countries have formalized the long-term inter-government power trade agreement, which is expected to be signed during Jaishankar's visit to Nepal.

"Soon, we are going to sign the long-term energy deal with India," Dahal said on Friday while inaugurating the second largest electricity substation whose purpose is to export electricity to India.

The mid-term and long-term energy trading deal between Nepal and India will be signed in Kathmandu. For this, senior Indian officials are also arriving in Kathmandu, the Prime Minister added.

The 25-year long-term agreement was initiated when Dahal visited India between May 31 and June 3.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced during a joint press meet with Dahal that the southern neighbour would buy 10,000 MW of electricity in 10 years from Nepal under the long-term power trade agreement.

"During my India visit, we have laid a good foundation for energy trade between Nepal and India. To materialize the long-term power trade which was agreed between Nepal and India and to use the abundant water resources of Nepal in a practical sense, we are going to make a special announcement in Kathmandu," said Dahal, whose government is battling due to poor governance, service delivery, recession in the economy, poor governance among others.

Dahal inaugurated the electricity substation which was largely built by Indian consultants and Indian construction companies and is largely instrumental in exporting energy from Nepal and India from the eastern part.

He also shared that Nepal has earned over Rs 15 billion (nearly 10 billion Indian rupees) while trading spill energy with India in the last year. After formalizing the agreement in writing, this will ensure India is the primary energy market of Nepal and in the first phase, Nepal will export 10,000 megawatts of energy to India. The agreement will be valid for another 25 years following the day of signing of the agreement.

Besides exporting power to India, there is a sharp increase in Indian investment in Nepalas energy sector. India's SJVN Limited, which is developing the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project, has also been granted a license to develop the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower Project and the 490 MW Arun-4.

Arun-4 will be developed as a joint venture by the NEA and SJVN, which will have a majority stake.

Likewise, India's NHPC Limited is also set to develop the 750 MW West Seti and the 450 MW Seti River-6 project. Similarly, NHPC Limited and Vidyut Utpadan Company Limited signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the 480 MW Phukot Karnali Project during Dahalas India visit. Indian firm GMR is also making efforts to develop the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : In response to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez's plea in Delhi court, seeking immediate directions to restrain alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar from issuing any letters related to her to the media, the latter has issued a press statement, saying that he will bring forth "unseen" evidence.

With an air of shock and disappointment, Chandrashekhar has opened about his unexpected experience and vows to reveal the truth in the letter issued through his counsel advocate Anant Malik.

Fernandez's plea seeks orders preventing the dissemination of letters, statements, or messages about the actor by Chandrashekhar.

Chandrashekhar, the prime accused in the Rs 200 crore extortion case, and currently lodged in Jail-13, Mandoli, has been writing letters to the media, through which Jacqueline has said that certain unwarranted statements outraging her modesty have been made by him.

Responding to which, Chandrshekhar has said: "I was shocked frozen; after all that you do to protect and safeguard someone, they turn around and stab you back hard as they think now that they are safe and act victimised and start blame games, and point saying "look here is the Devil, the Bad Guy".

In his letter, he stresses the need to make individuals realise the consequences of their actions.

"To make one realise can get you in a very hard situation, because your heart melts," he wrote.

In response to being portrayed as the devil, he said: "... since that person makes you the Devil, You have no choice than exposing their reality in open."

He said that he would expose various pieces of evidence, including chats, screenshots, recordings, and financial transactions, in accordance with the law.

These pieces of evidence were initially kept secret to protect the other individual involved, according to Chadrashekhar.

He has promised to bring forth "unseen" evidence, shedding light on financial overseas transactions, investments, and even payments for social platform enhancement.

He said that these revelations will be presented before the courts and investigation agencies as per the Indian Evidence Act.

He added: "Through all of this, a complete new turn is gonna take place, how bias investigations were done, just because I was protecting the interest of this person."
Chennai, Dec 22 : The Indian insurance sector adapted to the changing landscape during the year 2023 with some regulatory changes, digitalisation, said top industry officials.

The year also saw the government not proceeding in favour far reaching controversial amendments to the insurance laws that stood the test of time.

"The year 2023 saw some market-moving developments for the industry including the government's decision to levy tax on income arising from insurance policies with an aggregated premium worth Rs 5 lakhs every year, starting April 2023," Sumit Rai, Managing Director and CEO, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Company Ltd told IANS.

He said that there was a sustained emphasis on digitalisation to reimagine customer and distributor management processes.

"The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) brought multiple reforms, focussing on three prominent themes  strengthening the ecosystem, improving accessibility & reach, and safeguarding policyholders' interest," Rai added.

The year that is going to end saw IRDAI trying to ease the way of doing business for the insurers  life and non-life- by cutting down the paperwork.

"The introduction of 'use and file' method for launching life insurance products dispensing with filing of some documents gave the insurers the freedom to design products as well as fixing accountability on the insurer by filing compliance certificates by the CEO," C.L. Baradhwaj, Executive Vice President (Legal & Compliance, Future Generali Life Insurance Company Ltd told IANS.

He said that the IRDAI deregulated the payment of commission to the intermediaries, issued guidelines on remuneration for Non-executive Directors and Key Management Persons in order to promote accountability of senior management team by linking their performance and remuneration to key company performance parameters.

Baradhwaj said the sectoral regulator in order to increase the insurance penetration brought in a new distribution channel at the village level through its guidelines on "Bima Vahaks" to market parametric product "Bima Vistaar."

According to Anil Kumar Aggarwal, Managing Director and CEO, Shriram General Insurance Company, the sector adeptly adapted to a changing landscape, prioritising digital transformation.

"Regulatory changes influenced market dynamics, urging companies to enhance flexibility, innovation, and responsiveness," Aggarwal told IANS.

As regards the industry trend, Aggarwal said the digitalisation emerged as a transformative trend and major players invested in the same.

"Rapid adaptation allowed us to align our services with evolving consumer expectations," Aggarwal added.

With regard to mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity in the sector, Aggarwal said it was moderate, reflecting a cautious approach.

"Strategic alignments were observed, signaling the industry's proactive response to evolving market dynamics and fostering a more competitive landscape. A measured acceleration in M&A activity is plausible next fiscal year. Companies are likely to explore synergies to navigate challenges and foster a more resilient and competitive industry landscape," Aggarwal remarked.

One of the disappointments for the insurance industry in 2023 was the decision of the government not to move ahead with the controversial amendments to the insurance laws that was proposed in 2022.

By amending the insurance laws, the central government had proposed to allow regional insurance companies, reduce minimum startup capital from Rs.100 crore, change investment norms and other measures.

The first Chairman of IRDAI N.Rangachari had told IANS that measures proposed by the government may result in mushrooming of small insures and the return of pre-1956 period.

Prior to 1956, there were several hundreds of small life insurers who were issuing policies in a restricted manner and sold in an unrealistic manner, while claims were not paid.

Queried about their expectations as to 2024 Aggarwal said it would be transformative, with continued digital integration, regulatory clarity, and strategic partnerships being pivotal for sustained sectoral growth.

On his part Rai said the IRDAI licensed three new players in 2023 and it is expected more number of players to be allowed next year.

"IRDAI has said that it is looking to issue licenses to 20 new insurers in the immediate future. Additionally, the regulator is also likely to relook the capital requirements, making it entry of new players easy. With an increased competitiveness in the market, the sector will see more innovation, improved distribution models, automation and more," Rai said.

"One of the awaited developments of 2024 is that the government will table the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2022 as it has the potential to bring another round of positive reforms and bolster growth prospects of the industry," Rai added.

He said the Bima Trinity - Bima Sugam (online marketplace), Bima Vistaar (affordable protection to masses) and Bima Vaahak (women centric distribution channel)- initiative of IRDAI with a target to provide insurance for all by 2047 is expected to take off next year at different intervals.

"We expect the regulator to proactively push the industry to leverage technology including new-age solutions like artificial intelligence and machine learning to create better and simplified solutions (insurance products). We will see more niche products coming into the market in the medium-term as the overall efforts of the regulator through initiatives like state-level insurance project provide higher clarity of nuanced needs of the customers across geographies," Rai said.

The year also saw the four government owned general insurance companies - National Insurance Company Ltd, Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, United India Insurance Company Ltd and The New India Assurance Company Ltd  carrying out restructuring measures.

The rejig measures were suggested by the consultancy firm EY.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
Los Angeles, Dec 22 : Actress Helen Flanagan has hinted that she is single. This comes after reports of her being in a throuple with David Haye.

The 33-year-old 'Coronation Street' star was linked to 43-year-old boxer David earlier this month with suggestions she had folded into his relationship with girlfriend Sian Osborne, reports Mirror.co.uk.

At the beginning of the month, rumours erupted that Helen had been on a string of dates with David, who has already been dating Sian since 2020, after it was suggested they grew close following their time in the 'I'm A Celebrity' camp for the 'All Stars' season that filmed in South Africa.

A source said, quoted by Mirror.co.uk: "Helen reconnected with David earlier this year. They got on like a house on fire and have been messaging a lot since. Helen and Sian have also met and hit it off straight away. Helen's a very open-minded person and all three got on well. Helen has had some difficult dating experiences since becoming single but is really enjoying David's company."

But now it seems romance has fizzled out between Helen and David as she has heavily hinted she is single. Taking to social media on Thursday, the mum-of-three shared a not-so-cryptic message to her fans and followers.

The actress shared a screenshot of a message that had been shared by an account holder on X/Twitter that stated: "Single until a man lets the world knows he can't breathe without me."

The message was presented without further comment but, fans may be able to interpret the note as confirmation Helen herself is single. The update comes after fans were driven wild by the idea of Helen sharing David with his girlfriend.
Auckland, Dec 22 : A 17-year-old teenager was charged on Friday in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old Indian security guard in a suburb of West Auckland in New Zealand.

Ramandeep Singh was reported unresponsive just after midnight on December 18 and was pronounced dead after being found at the Royal Reserve carpark in Massey, the New Zealand Herald newspaper reported.

Born and raised in Kotli Shahpur village in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Singh had moved to New Zealand on a study visa in 2018 to pursue higher education.

He was his parents' only son.

The latest arrest comes after a 26-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday and also charged with Singh's murder.

"Singh's family have been advised of the latest arrest," Detective Inspector Aaron Proctor said, adding that two people are now before the courts in connection with Singh's murder.

"Our investigation team has been working hard, day and night, to bring justice for Mr Singh whose life was senselessly cut short while he was going about his job. We are continuing to piece together the events leading up to his murder in the early hours of Monday morning," Proctor said.

Armourguard, the company which employed Singh, said its community "has been shattered" by the sudden loss of Singh, who leaves behind a broken family and friends in mourning.

"We send our sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Ramandeep and are offering our full support to them during this difficult time," the company wrote in a social media post.

"For his parents, he wasn't just a son; he was their only son, the pride of their lives. His death serves as a reminder of the risks our security personnel face every day when they go to work," the post said, adding that Singh had "dreams that extended beyond the borders of his homeland".

Singh's company is also contributing to the costs of returning Singh to his family in India, and has established a Givealittle page to raise funds for his family.

--IANS

mi/pgh
Hyderabad, Dec 22 : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka led the INDIA alliance protest in Hyderabad against suspension of Opposition MPs from the Parliament.

Congress and Left parties staged protests across the state, denouncing the undemocratic suspension of INDIA alliance MPs. Vikramarka led the dharna at Indira Park Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad.

Large number of party workers participated in the protest held with the slogan 'Save Democracy'.

Leaders of Congress and the Left parties slammed the BJP for its "undemocratic action".

They alleged that there is tyrannical rule in the country.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the opposition parties were demanding a statement from the Prime Minister or Home Minister about the December 13 Parliament security breach incident.

He alleged that the BJP government acted as if nothing happened in the Parliament.

The Congress leader described the suspension of 146 MPs as shameful.

Alleging that the BJP government has thrown the country's security to the wind, Vikramarka said that the time has come for people to save democracy.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the country got Independence due to sacrifices of several people "but in such a country today, there is tyrannical rule".

Communist Party of India MLA, K. Sambasiva Rao said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should own moral responsibility for the security breach at the Parliament and apologise to the people of the country.

He said that suspension of opposition MPs for questioning the government over the December 13 incident is atrocious. He said Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should take responsibility for the security breach.

--IANS

ms/pgh
Mumbai, Dec 22 : The Prabhas-starrer 'Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire' has released a day after the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Dunki', and while there was an absolute euphoria in theatres on the release day of 'Dunki', ''Salaar' isn't far behind. A video from a theatre is currently doing rounds on the Internet, and it shows the fans of Prabhas going absolutely berserk at the entry sequence of the actor.

Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) The Prabhas-starrer aSalaar: Part 1 a" Ceasefirea has released a day after the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer aDunkia, and while there was an absolute euphoria in theatres on the release day of aDunkia, aaSalaara isnat far behind. A video from a theatre is currently doing rounds on the Internet, and it shows the fans of Prabhas going absolutely berserk at the entry sequence of the actor.

The video shows his fans lighting a flare torch inside the theatre with confetti as the title credit for the actor, 'Rebel Star' rolls in the screen.

There are other videos as well which capture fans enjoying themselves, dancing energetically to Prabhas's songs, and displaying their excitement with the backdrop of a large cut-out of the actor. The festivities also included the bursting of firecrackers.

Another video shows large groups of Prabhas fans at Hyderabadas famous Sandhya Theatre which appeared to be transformed into a concert like celebration ground with huge lights mounted at the venue to celebrate the actoras release.

Videos show massive cut-outs placed at the venue. In one of the videos, one could see a large cut-out of Prabhas from Salaar placed at the venue while several other posters and digital motion posters were also placed at the theatre.

Much like the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer aAnimala, aSalaara too has been granted an A certificate owing to gory violence in the film. The film has been directed by Prashanth Neel, who is known for the aK.G.F.a franchise. The film sees Prabhas playing the titular character of an assassin who is a childhood friend of Prithviraj Sukumaran's character.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The number of measles cases has slightly increased in Azerbaijan recently, an expert from the country's Health Ministry Tayyar Eyvazov told reporters, Trend reports.

He noted that measles cases in Azerbaijan may occur due to the penetration of the virus from outside, from another country.

"Since April 2023, the infection cases have been recorded in the country. However, if the population underwent vaccination, so there shouldn't have been any infections, even if brought from abroad. This shows that some people avoided vaccination, thus got infected," he explained.

Eyvazov noted that if children are vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule, there would be nothing to be alarmed about.

"Observing the current situation, we see that the great majority of those infected people are either those who have not received the vaccine or have been vaccinated only once," he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Azerbaijan a country free of such diseases as measles and rubella since 2015 (no endemic cases have been registered in the country).

Despite the fact that the country has had two small localized outbreaks of measles infection in recent years (in 2014 and 2018), infection outbreaks were removed as quickly as possible thanks to the anti-epidemic and preventive measures.

Iinfection coming from neighboring nations, sporadic outbreaks (single outbreaks of measles) have been documented among the Azerbaijani population since April this year. Infection transmission has been reported primarily among children. During the previous period, the country recorded 284 instances of measles infection. Only 12 percent (35 patients) of confirmed cases were adults and the elderly.

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New Delhi, Dec 22 : A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail plea of AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The order was pronounced by Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court, who had reserved his verdict on December 12.

Senior advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Singh, had earlier argued that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had not questioned Singh before his arrest.

He had also cited contradictions in the statements of accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and other witnesses.

The ED had opposed the bail application, citing the ongoing investigation and expressing concerns that Singh's release could potentially obstruct the investigation, tamper with evidence, and influence witnesses.

On Thursday, the court also extended the AAP leader's judicial custody in the case and asked the ED to provide a copy of its fifth supplementary charge sheet and related documents to him.

On December 19, the court had taken cognisance of the charge sheet, and issued Singh's production warrant for Thursday.

In his plea, Singh had claimed that he was not a flight risk and there was no allegation against him of influencing the witnesses. He had urged the court that he should be granted bail since he has deep roots in society and that "for 15 months there was no allegation of my interfering or influencing in the probe by either the ED or the CBI".

Mathur had said that since the supplementary charge sheet against Singh has already been filed, there was some kind of finality regarding the collection of evidence which should be the basis for granting him bail.

Counsel had said Singh was neither an accused, and was never arrested, or charge sheeted in the predicate offence (the alleged corruption in the excise scam) being probed by the CBI, and that he was not even summoned by the CBI in the corruption case.

His name did not appear in any of the supplementary charge sheets filed by the ED before his arrest, Mathur had claimed.

"Now they are saying I received kickbacks, but ED did not say a single word about this money before this court or superior courts in matters pertaining to co-accused Manish Sisodia, when they produced a flow-chart of money allegedly being laundered," his counsel had said.

Singh, who had moved the Delhi High Court against his arrest and remand, was denied any relief as Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma dismissed his plea, calling it premature. He then moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order that upheld his arrest and remand by the ED.

The financial probe agency on October 4 arrested Singh after carrying out searches at his residence in the North Avenue area.
San Francisco, Dec 22 : Google has issued an emergency patch to address yet another Chrome zero-day vulnerability that has been exploited in the wild, making this the eighth patch issued since the beginning of the year.

"Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2023-7024 exists in the wild," a security advisory wrote in a blogpost.

The tech giant fixed the zero-day flaw for users in the Stable Desktop channel, with patched versions rolling out globally to Windows users (120.0.6099.129/130) and Mac and Linux users (120.0.6099.129) one day after it was reported to Google.

The bug was discovered and reported by Clement Lecigne and Vlad Stolyarov of Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG).

TAG is a group of security professionals whose primary goal is to protect Google customers against state-sponsored attacks, according to Bleeping Computer.

The high-severity zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2023-7024) is due to a heap buffer overflow weakness in the open-source WebRTC framework.

Several web browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, utilize JavaScript APIs to provide real-time Time Communications (RTC) capabilities (e.g., video streaming, file sharing, and VoIP telephony), the report explained.

"Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix," Google said. Meanwhile, Google is rolling out a new "AI support assistant" chatbot on some of its Help pages to provide users with product assistance.

When visiting the support pages for some Google products, users will encounter a "Hi, I'm a new Al support assistant. Chat with me to find answers and solve account issues" dialogue box in the bottom-right corner of your screen, reports 9to5Google.

--IANS

shs/pgh
New Delhi, Dec 22 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that it has attached movable and immovable assets amounting to Rs 12.24 crore belonging to partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services in case of irregularities in Jumbo Covid facilities at Dahisar and Worli in Covid scam case by Lifeline Hospital Management Services.

The accused have been identified as Sujit Patker, Dr. Hemant Gupta, Rajeev Salunkhe and Sanjay Shah and their accomplice, Sunil Kadam (a.k.a. Bala Kadam).

The ED in a statement said that attached assets are in the form of three flats in Mumbai, mutual fund units and balances in bank accounts.

The ED probe is against Lifeline Hospital Management Service, its partners and others on the basis of FIR registered by Azad Maidan Police station, Mumbai under various sections of Indian Penal Code.

The ED probe found that during June, 2020 MCGM had floated tender or contracts for manpower supply at various Jumbo Covid facilities for ICU Beds, Oxygenated Beds and non-Oxygenated Beds in Mumbai through Expression of Interest (EOI) on June 22, 2020 and June 25, 2020.

"Lifeline Hospital Management services obtained tender for supply of staff members that is doctors, nurses, multi-purpose workers (Wardboys, Aayas and Doctor Assistant) and technicians to Jumbo Covid facilities at Dahisar and Worli for the period from July 2020 to February, 2022 based on incomplete and false documents," the ED said.

The ED said that it was also revealed that during service period, "the EOI conditions were not maintained by the partners of Lifeline Hospital Management services and there were huge under deployment of the staff members."

"However, the invoices were submitted by showing adequate staff attendance as per the EOI conditions through fake and fabricated attendance sheets and staff records at Dahisar Jumbo Covid facility and no attendance or staff data was submitted for Worli Covid facility. Despite, the partners of Lifeline in connivance with BMC staff managed to receive Rs 32.44 crore from MCGM authorities during September 2020 to June 2022," the ED said.

The financial probe agency also said that its probe also revealed that after receipt of the amount from BMC Patker and other partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services diverted the funds for buying assets, repaying housing loan, investing in real estate's etc.

"All these identified assets in the form of flats, mutual fund units and bank balances in two bank accounts all totalling to Rs 12.23 crore have been provisionally attached under the provisions of PMLA, 2002," the ED said.

Earlier in this case, Patker, one of the partner of Lifeline Hospital Management Services and Kishore Bisure, ex-Dean from BMC for Dahisar Jumbo Covid Centre, were arrested on July 19 this year for offences of money laundering under PMLA 2002.

The ED has already filed a chargesheet against partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services and associated persons or entities before the court on September 19 this year.
Actor Sharad Kelkar has taken up the role of a narrator for the upcoming animated series, The Legend Of Hanuman.. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Dec 22 : The trailer of the third season of the animated show 'The Legend of Hanuman' was unveiled on Friday and it promises an epic battle between Lord Hanuman and Ravan.

The trailer, which is 2 minutes and 24 seconds in length, begins in the midst of a battle. It goes on to show how Lord Hanuman and Ravan command equal power and the only thing that separates them is the righteousness.

It shows how Lord Hanuman becomes aware of his true strength as he squares off against Lankesh. It also shows Kumbhakarna making an appearance as he gets on the battlefield.

Talking about the show, Sharad Kelkar, who voices Lankesh, said: "I have grown up hearing about the legendary adventures of Hanuman and now being a part of the story as Ravan seems unimaginably surreal. The impact it had on my childhood made this opportunity even more special. As a kid, I was always fascinated by the heavy laughter of Ravan and how it kept everyone on their toes and getting to do that was a big challenge because that laughter really needs to be one that takes the attention of all the viewers."

He added: "I used to rehearse the laughter over and over again during the dub; so much so that I used to startle the crew members around me. I'm excited for viewers on Disney+ Hotstar to watch this exciting tale of good vs evil in this new season as they uncover this new chapter of the mythology."

Produced by Graphic India and created by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan J. Kang and Charuvi Agrawal, 'The Legend of Hanuman' season 3 will stream on Disney+ Hotstar from January 12, 2024.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : A number of arrests of staffers, involved in thefts from passengers' baggage at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, have been made this year, Delhi Police said on Friday.

The figures, shared by police, reveal a notable increase in the number of arrests, with 42 people apprehended in 2023 as opposed to 32 in 2022.

However, there has been decline in the registration of baggage theft cases originating from the IGI Airport.

During April, August, and November of 2023, no baggage theft cases were registered.

The overall data for baggage theft cases 2023 showcases a 48 per cent decline compared to the previous year, demonstrating a substantial improvement in the security measures implemented by the Delhi Police.

In October, Delhi Police had arrested seven loaders for stealing valuables from the baggage of passengers at IGI airport, an official said, adding they had also recovered a huge haul of gold ornaments, luxury watches, Apple airpods and foreign currency from the possession of the accused.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGI, Devesh Kumar Mahla said that the theft cases are posing a security concern at IGI Airport.

"We have taken proactive measures to address this issue, conducting thorough investigations and implementing preventive measures to deter thefts," he said.

The DCP said that three police teams, under the supervision of an Inspector each and under the overall supervision of an ACP, conducts surprise checking, simultaneously, at the time of loading and unloading of baggage to oversee and enforce the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines.

"If any discrepancies/shortcomings are noticed during checking then the managers of the airlines concerned are informed in writing. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is also kept in the loop and is informed immediately. Surveillance has been enhanced in the hold area of aircraft and route of baggage TUGs (trolley/cart carrying passenger's baggage), through a network of strategically placed CCTV cameras," he said.

"Higher management of airlines is also held responsible (with criminal breach of trust, 406 Indian Penal Code) if they are found hand in glove with the perpetrators of the thefts," said the DCP.

As per police, 150 numbers of missing/stolen/lost articles were handed over to the rightful owners during 2023.
Mumbai, Dec 22 : Smriti Mandhana (74), Jemimah Rodrigues (73), Richa Ghosh (52) and Deepti Sharma (70*) struck superb half-centuries as India recovered from losing four wickets for 18 runs just before Tea to help take a 157-run lead with three wickets remaining against Australia Women at the end of the second day of the one-off Test of the multi-format series at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday.

At stumps, India were 376/7 in 110 overs with Deepti Sharma batting on 70 and Pooja Vastrakar keeping her company on 33. The duo added 102 runs for the eighth-wicket partnership of 143 minutes and 242 balls that rescued India from 276/7 at Tea.

India thus were enjoying a healthy lead of 157 runs with three wickets remaining in their first innings.

It was Deepti Sharma and Vastrakar that put India in the driver's seat from where they would like to bat on for at least a session on the third day of the four-day match and extend the lead to at least 250 runs.

Having raised 90 runs for the opening wicket on the first day on Thursday, Mandhana struck the third half-century of her six-Test career and added 50 runs for the second wicket partnership with Sneh Rana (8).

Richa Ghosh struck her maiden half-century and raised a 113-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored her second successive half-century, for the fourth wicket helping India gain the lead after bundling out the mighty Aussies for just 219 on the opening day. They took India from 147/2 to 260/3 before India suffered a collapse that gave Australia a chance to gain a foothold in the match.

An untimely decision to quicken the scoring rate after the drinks break in the post-lunch session resulted in Richa Ghosh (52), Harmanpreet Kaur (0), Yastika Bhatia (1) and Jemimah losing (73) their wickets in quick succession as India collapsed TO 274/7, their lead just 55 runs with three wickets remaining.

However, Deepti Sharma came to India's rescue once again as she raised a half-century partnership for the eighth wicket with Pooja Vastrakar to wrest back the initiative and put India back into the driver's seat in this Test.

The first session belonged to India as they reached 193/3 at lunch after starting at the overnight score of 98/1.

With the ball keeping low on a pitch that still looks good for batting, Mandhana played cautiously as she started on her overnight score of 43 and thwarted Australia's attempts to take early wickets and make inroads into the Indian innings. Mandhana scored 74, and with Sneh Rana (8) added 50 runs for the second wicket as India Women reached 193/3 in 52 overs at lunch on the second day of the four-day match.

Smriti Mandhana was the star of the session as she batted in total contrast to the way she and Shafali Verma played their strokes on Thursday evening.

Mandhana reached her half-century off 65 balls, hitting eight fours and celebrated the milestone with a boundary off Sutherland, capitalising on a short one on off-stump. She also benefitted from two back-to-back misfields by Tahila McGrath, who took her eyes off the ball, that went to the boundary.

She struck King for a boundary off a full-toss in the middle, pulling it to the vacant deep-midwicket region.

Gardner struck the first blow for Australia as she outfoxed Sneh Rana with one that did not spin much and went straight, avoiding the edge and rattling the middle stump. Rana played her part well, holding up one end as Mandhana did the run-scoring.

The first half of the second session on Day 2 belonged to Ghosh and Rodrigues as they dragged India past Australia's first-innings score with a 113-run partnership.

They completed the half-centuries and then the century of their partnership, both completing their half-centuries in the process as India reached 250/3 in 68 overs.

Richa benefitted from a simple catch dropped by Ellyse Perry off Gardner at mid-off with the batter on 14. India were 165/3 in the 43rd over and a wicket could have detailed the innings.

Jemimah reached her half-century off 86 deliveries, hitting six boundaries while Richa reached her fifty off 98 balls, both showing great temperament in building the innings, defending well and capitalising on loose balls on a pitch on which the ball was keeping really low on occasions.

However, after the drinks break in the second session, both Jemimah and Richa tried to go after the bowling, looking to shore up the scoring and triggering a collapse.

Jemimah struck boundaries off successive balls off Jess Jonassen -- dancing down the pitch to swing through the line over mid-on that goes one-bounce across the roop. The second one inside-out drive along the turf through covers.

In the next over, the Indians triggered their own downfall. After a heave across the line off Kim Garth fetches her two runs, Ghosh spoons a simple catch off a back-of-a-length delivery, swinging across the line but the ball falls just short of Ellyse Perry, who is a bit late to react.

She doesn't learn from that mistake and is out two deliveries later as the 20-year-old from Siliguri, West Bengal, is back in the pavilion.

Garth bangs one short on the middle and leg and Richa plays a pull shot without getting into proper position, fails to connect cleanly and offers a simple catch to Gardner at deep backward square. She is out for 52 off 104 balls, hitting seven fours.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur did not trouble the scorer much as she fell victim to the low bounce. A delivery from Gardner keeps very low and evades the Indian captain's defensive prod to hit the front pad. Harmanpreet reviews it but the verdict comes out as an 'umpire's call' -- India down to 261/5, leading by 42 runs with five more wickets in hand.

It became 265/6 when Yastika Bhatia attempted a sweep off a ball pitched on the middle stump, missed and was caught plumb in front. DRS shows the ball would have crashed into the stumps and Yastika has to go.

Jemimah, who had watched the carnage from the other side, failed to go all the way to her maiden century as she drove uppishly at a Gardner delivery pitched outside off and Annabel Sutherland took a sharp catch at extra cover. Jamimah's superb 73 came off 121 balls and was studded with nine fours.

It was a brilliant knock by the 23-year-old from Mumbai and a clean one at it as she rarely gave any chance till she got out to Gardner.

Ashleigh Gardner was the star of Australia's comeback in this session as she claimed 3-22 in 10 overs, her fourth spell of the match. She had taken 1-34 in the first session, bowling 13 overs unchanged. Overall, she bowled 41 overs in six spells for 3-100. Alana King with 19 overs was the next most-used bowler by Alyssa Healy.

The Australians had their tails up as they went in the final session with India leading by 57 runs with just three more wickets in hand.

However, Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar ended their hopes of restricting the Indian lead to a manageable level as they added 100 runs for the unfinished eighth-wicket partnership.

Both of them batted cautiously initially, not giving the Australian bowlers any chances. Batting was not easy on the wicket and the Australian bowlers particularly the spinners bowled tight line and length.

Sharma completed her half-century off 115 balls. This was her second half-century in successive matches. She had raised 92 runs for the seventh wicket with Sneh Rana in the previous Test against England.

Brief scores:

Australia Women 219 trail India Women 376/7 in 119 overs (Smriti Mandhana 74, Jemimah Rodrigues 73, Deepti Sharma 70 not out, Richa Sharma 52, Shafali Verma 40; Ashleigh Gardner 4-1000 by 157 runs.
Kurukshetra, Dec 22 : Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday underscored the timeless wisdom embedded in the Bhagavad Gita as a solution to individual, societal, national, and global challenges.

While addressing a gathering in Kurukshetra -- in the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) -- Shah not only lauded the Manohar Lal Khattar-led the government to elevate cultural harmony globally through the IGM since 2016 but also highlighted the historical significance of Kurukshetra, where over 5,000 years ago, Lord Shri Krishna delivered the profound message of Gita.

Shah said the purpose of spreading the knowledge of the Gita is not merely to prevent wars but to motivate individuals for a righteous cause. He emphasised that Lord Krishna imparted this knowledge to Arjuna for the establishment of religion on earth and the welfare of society.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Shah revealed that the teachings of the Gita, instilled by his mother since childhood, have been a guiding light, helping him navigate life's challenges without succumbing to disappointment and sorrow.

Shah also praised the Haryana Chief Minister for giving the Gita Mahotsav an international character, expanding its format, and facilitating the global dissemination of Gita's timeless wisdom.

He also commended leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that from 2014 to 2024, decisions have been made to awaken India's self.

"These decisions include the construction of the Shri Ram temple, the abrogation of Article 370, and transformative developmental projects," Shah said.

He said the initiatives like IGM play a pivotal role in spreading the teachings and knowledge of the Gita to the masses, contributing to the re-establishment of Gita's profound principles worldwide.

The Chief Minister acknowledged recent legislative developments, with three new laws related to CRPC and IPC passing in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

He applauded the Center government's efforts to unite the country by dismantling remnants of colonialism that persisted for 75 years after independence.

Khattar referred to the Prime Minister and Home Minister as the 'Iron Man' for taking these transformative decisions.

He said that the message of Gita given by Lord Shri Krishna to Arjuna in the Mahabharata war thousands of years ago is not just the reading of the book but it is eternal, universal, everlasting.

Emphasising the timeless and universal nature of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings, the Chief Minister recalled Modi's acknowledgment of Kurukshetra's special significance in 2014.

"Celebrating Gita Mahotsav at the International level has been initiated since 2016. Today, every country in the world wants to organise an IGM in their country.

"The Gita Mahotsav has been organised in Mauritius, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Only yesterday, the Culture Minister of Sri Lanka also inquired from the state government about organising Gita Mahotsav in Sri Lanka also," added Khattar.

During the event, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Maharaj also addressed the Sant Sammelan, contributing their perspectives on the significance of the Bhagavad Gita.
Panaji, Dec 22 : A total of 11 restaurants in North Goa's Calangute, allegedly operating as dance bars in the guise of restaurants, have been sealed by the government on the directions of the Bombay High Court bench here.

Hearing the public interest litigation filed by locals of Calangute against the dance bars, the Panaji bench had, last week, directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to take action against around 13 structures allegedly running the business of 'dance bars'.

GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil told IANS said that the 11 restaurants which had no permission to run the business are sealed.

"They are reported in the High Court as dance bars, but as per our rule, we took action under the air and water acts for establishments. They were operating as restaurants without our consent, that's why we have sealed them," he said, adding it is the responsibility of police to check if the dance bars are operating.

Sources said that two out of the 13 had permission for restaurants from the pollution control board.

Talking to IANS, Calangute's former deputy sarpanch, Sudesh Mayekar, who is one of the petitioners, said that they are dance bars and hence, they had sought action.

"In restaurants, only liquor and food is available. Can they keep 'girls' and play music (to dance)," he questioned.

He said that the culture of dance bars have tarnished the image of his village and hence they knocked the doors of the court.

"Calangute is known for its beach and nightlife. Clubs were never involved in extorting tourists and assaulting them. But by way of camouflage, the clubs which are running as dance bars are assaulting tourists and extorting them. If this continues we will lose our identity and high spending tourists will not come here," he said.

"While hearing our petition, the court had directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board to check whether these structures are operating without consent and take action," he said.

In July, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had clarified that no permission has been given by the government for dance bars.
Tel Aviv, Dec 22 : The Israeli community of Kibbutz Nir Oz on Friday announced the death of a 73-year-old resident of their community who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 during the attack.

The community has identified the deceased hostage as Gadi Haggai (73). However, they did not reveal the cause of death or how they received the information.

"Haggai's body still remains in the hands of Hamas," the community said.

Haggai was father of four children and grandfather to seven. His wife Judith is also in captivity of Hamas and is believed to be injured during the October 7 attack.

The community said that before they were kidnapped during the morning walk, Judith was able to alarm friends by phone about their abduction in which they were shot by Hamas in which Haggai was seriously injured.

During the temporary one week truce from November 24 to December 1, between Hamas and Israel, the Hamas released 105 hostages while 129 hostages still remain in Hamas captivity.

The Israelis believe that out of the remaining 129 hostages, at least 20 hostages have died.

There are thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails who have been held without any trials and access to legal counsel.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club has said that Israeli forces have arrested more than 4,655 people in the occupied West Bank since October 7.

Israel launched a ground offensive inside Gaza on October 27 after Hamas attacked Israel in a surprise attack on October 7 in which 1200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage.

Since the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed mostly being children and women while 52,286 Palestinians have been injured.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Agriculture landscape is evolving at a rapid rate to cater to the diversifying needs of farmers and consumers worldwide.

The driving force behind this evolution is Research and Development (R&D). It fosters innovation and is a crucial determinant of agricultural productivity, sustainability and therefore food prices and poverty. But with global population on the constant rise and rising temperatures making the farming sector more resource-hungry, the farming sector is in for a stiff challenge ahead and agriculture companies will have to harness their R&D prowess to make this sector more resilient through constant resource upgrades and production.

With India being the most populous country, there's growing need for scientific solutions to develop crops that are not only resilient to aberrant weather events but also use less land, fertiliser, water and crop protection chemicals.

In response, companies like Honda India Power Products, an industry leader in agricultural equipment and power product manufacturing are investing in R&D practices to provide portable and cutting-edge farm mechanization solutions for every stage of farming.

Likewise, Crystal Crop Protection Limited, a leading Agrochemical company, are boosting India's agriculture ecosystem with innovative R&D approaches.

Speaking on Crystal Crop's mission, its Managing Director, Ankur Aggarwal said: "As an organisation, we take a 'Farmers First' approach. Our endeavour has always been to ensure that Indian farmers are not hamstrung by a lack of new technology. As such, our R&D efforts are overseen by a team of over 40 scientists specialising in diverse aspects of agriscience and we strive to develop solutions that are not only effective in delivering high-yielding products but also affordable to smallholder farmers, ultimately enhancing their income and improving farming practices."

While precision agriculture leverages advanced tech like drones, sensors, and satellites to optimize farming practices, specialized farming techniques like Vertical farming and System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are also used to address specific challenges in agriculture. Such interventions are particularly crucial in regions grappling with water or land scarcity and where there is larger dependency on traditional farming methods due to lack of resources.

Nestled in the Western ghats region, several villages in the Velhe taluka in Maharashtra have been engaged in intensive paddy cultivation for years. However, despite receiving heavy rainfall, the region is particularly susceptible to water scarcity owing to its topography and low ground water retention, the impact of climate change and the lack of non-natural sources of water for irrigation.

Recognizing the need for transformative solutions in the region, Raintree Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, has stepped in to address these pressing challenges and raise awareness amongst the local communities about the sustainable farming solutions such as the SRI technique.

Namita Dandekar, COO, Raintree Foundation said: "In areas such as Velhe, where water scarcity and traditional farming methods present formidable challenges, the adoption of transformative practices like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is crucial. The Raintree Foundation is committed to addressing these challenges by introducing innovative solutions and raising awareness among local communities about the significance of sustainable farming. Our initiatives have not only positively impacted the livelihoods of local farmers but have also contributed to the overall resilience of the community."

"The implementation of SRI in Velhe has resulted in a remarkable 36 per cent increase per guntha in rice production, highlighting the tangible benefits of these transformative farming techniques. This method reduces water use by 30 per cent in rice fields, contributes to environmental well-being by minimizing the use of synthetic inputs, decreasing pollution, and safeguarding biodiversity," Dandekar added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Currently, 138 corporate companies with investment projects worth more than seven billion manat ($4 billion) in Azerbaijan's economic zones have been awarded resident status, Chairman of the Board of the Economic Zone Development Agency under the country's Economy Ministry Elshad Nuriyev said at the Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum, Trend reports.

"Seven industrial parks are now operating in our country (in Sumgayit, Mingachevir, Pirallahi, Garadagh, Aghdam, Balakhani, and the 'Economic Zone of the Araz Valley'), along with five industrial districts (Hajigabul, Neftchala, Masalli, Sabirabad, and Sharur)," he explained.

"Six billion manat ($3.5 billion) was spent in six industrial zones, which resulted in the creation of almost 11,000 permanent jobs. Furthermore, an extra 864 million manat ($508 million) will be invested in current industrial zone projects, resulting in the creation of almost 6,700 permanent jobs," noted Nuriyev.

According to him, as of today, the industrial zones have produced goods worth 11.1 billion manat ($6.5 billion), with exports amounting to 3.6 billion manat ($2 billion).

"During the first nine months of this year, enterprises operating in industrial zones sold products worth 2.3 billion manat ($1.3 billion), of which 31 percent of the production (more than 722 million manat or $424.7 million) was exported," the official said.

"Industrial zones contributed 17.9 percent of the country's non-oil industry and non-oil exports during this time. All of this illustrates that industrial zones play an important part in the development of the non-oil sector, and their products are exported to over 60 nations worldwide," Nuriyev added.

The Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum started in Baku on December 21.

The forum will explore opportunities for expanding Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation in various fields, and investment agreements and cooperation agreements will be signed.

More than 600 representatives from government institutions and the private sector from both countries are participating in the event.

The forum is featuring panel sessions covering investment, trade, agriculture, defense industry, green energy, and health tourism sectors.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, Dec 22 : 'The Return of the Muse' by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla is a behind-the-scenes documentary in which the designers reunite with top supermodels of the past to discuss fashion, inspiration, ambition and life. It showcases their extraordinary journey in the glamorous, yet gruelling world of haute couture.

Directed by Neha Sharma, the documentary was shot while filming a fashion-inspired music video titled 'Jogi'. It features supermodel extraordinaries Arjun Rampal, Nayanika Chatterjee, Sheetal Mallar, Carol Gracias, Laxmi Rana, Dino Morea, Dayana Erappa and RikeeChaterjee. The models and Abu Sandeep reminisce about the early days of their careers and recall moments that have delightfully become a permanent part of their memory.

The atmosphere on set was one of exuberant chaos - a marvellous marriage of fun and fabulosity. A 350-year-old generational property in Goa was the location for this project. Its original Portuguese aesthetic is flawlessly maintained to this day, making it the ideal companion for AJSK couture which is always a love letter to history. AlilaDiwa made a picturesque vision in the poolside shots seen in the film. More than 100 people worked tirelessly over 3 days for 'The Return of the Muse' and 'Jogi'. Pranay and Shounak of 'Who Wore What When' styled the garments while the song was gloriously recreated by musical duo, 'Burudu'.

Among the collections featured, 'Gota', 'Dangler', 'Byzantine' and 'Navratan' are seen prominently alongside stunning pieces from numerous other collections crafted with equally adored traditional techniques like Vasli, Zardozi, Mirrorwork and more. The male models are styled in MARD by Abu Sandeep. Every garment is indulgently detailed to reflect the celebratory energy that inspired this grand shoot. From embellished hoods in dramatic silhouettes to a plethora of pearls that dance as gracefully as their wearer, the garments have a life of their own. The collections feature Angrakhas, sarees, ghagras, skirts, jackets and numerous other Indian, Western and Indo-Western silhouettes.

The film also offers a glittering glimpse of jewellery and footwear by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Abu Sandeep comment, "We have been working on jewellery for the past eight months. It's a very exciting expression of our creativity and it is slated to be launched soon".

Ace photographer Ram Shergill worked his magic through an opulent photoshoot, bringing Abu Sandeep's vision to life. The fashion film's title is inspired by its soundtrack that features a modern rendition of the song, 'Ranjha Jogi Ho Gaya' by musical duo 'Burudu'. Because if there's one thing that Abu Sandeep love as much as fashion - it is music.

Sandeep remarks "I told Burudu's Nakul and Sahil that the music should radiate the spirit of an anthem. I was also keen to do a folk Punjabi song. We explored the options and chose Jogi because its lyrics speak of Heer Ranjha, the eternally famous lovers of Punjab. Nakul and Sahil worked their quintessential magic and here we have a rendition of Jogi like never before beautifully sung by Isheeta Chakrvarty!"

'Jogi', in this context, refers to a person devoted to love.

Abu Sandeep says, "We cannot just limit love to romance. Love is a feeling that goes beyond the beloved. It's a way of being and a way of seeing. We are devoted to our art which is fundamentally our labour of love. 2023 was a year full of ups and downs. We learn, laugh and move on like we always do. We wanted to welcome 2024 with a sense of celebration and that's how 'The Return of the Muse' and 'Jogi' happened. After all, our hope for the future has much to do with our gratitude for the past. And so, we collaborated with our original muses to revisit our creative roots. 2024 will see many of our traditional techniques reinterpreted into fresh fashion."

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Finance Ministry has directed the managing directors of public sector banks to review the top 20 insolvency cases every month, financial services secretary Vivek Joshi said told journalists on Friday.

The government has asked for reviews of insolvency cases as there are delays in admission of cases in insolvency courts, he explained.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will also review the functioning of the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) as there are delays in acquiring soured loans, Joshi said.

The government had called a meeting on Friday with public sector banks and the NARCL management to sort out the issue.

NARCL was set up to take over and dispose of the stressed assets of commercial banks so that their books are cleaned up and more funds are unlocked for boosting economic growth.

Last week, the Union Finance Ministry informed Parliament that as of November 2024, the NARCL has acquired Rs 11,617 crore of bad debt from public sector banks against an original target of Rs 2 lakh crore set by the Union Cabinet in September 2021.

The ministry said: "Some of the accounts acquired by NARCL are under IBC and recovery is possible only after the resolution plan is approved by NCLAT."

Thus, in the remaining accounts, the NARCL has recovered a mere Rs 16.64 crore as of November 30, 2023.

There are also delays in IBC cases which take over a year just to get admitted in tribunals, while the resolution process stretches far beyond the 360-day timeline.

According to official figures, public sector banks wrote off over Rs 7 lakh crore worth of bad debt in five years between 2019 and 2023.

Against Rs 6.5 lakh crore worth of these stuck assets, Rs 94,000 crore or a mere 15 per cent has been recovered in 2023, with more than half of the recovered amount coming through the IBC route.
Singapore, Dec 22 : A ride-hailing company in Singapore is investigating an incident in which a driver made racist remarks against a passenger, asking him to "go back to India".

Grab Rentals took the action after the passenger shared an account of the incident, and screenshots of his conversation with the driver on the Instagram account sgfollowsall on Dec 21, The Straits Times reported on Friday.

According to the report, the exchange began when the driver said that he is not able reach the pickup point due to nearby road works, and asked the passenger not to wait.

When the passenger asked the driver to cancel the trip, the latter asked him if he was an "Indian", and then told him to "go back to India".

The passenger, whose name was not given in the report, said in his post that he has lived and worked in Singapore for 10 years. He described the incident as "blatant racism" that was atotally uncalled for".

"But then again, one bad apple doesnat change my experience of Singapore -- I love it and have had so many people reach out to apologise for what I experienced," the passenger wrote.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a Grab spokesman said the company is investigating the incident, and takes a strong stance against discriminatory behaviour and language on its platform.

In accordance with Grabas code of conduct, driver-partners are expected to be fair and not discriminate against passengers in any way, the spokesman told The Times.

The incident comes closely after a Tada cab driver in Singapore was fined SG$3,000 for hurling racist insults at a passenger in September, saying: "You are India(n), Iam a Chinese... You are the very worst kind".

When the passenger told the driver that he was being racist, he raised his voice and replied: "I know you India. I am Chinese, you try to be funny with me."

Tada permanently barred the driver from working with the company and said in a statement that the "driveras remarks that insinuated racial differences are completely unacceptable within Tadaas community guidelines and ethos".

--IANS

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Kolkata, Dec 22 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the multi-crore municipalities recruitment case in West Bengal, has come across a mysterious WhatsApp Group which, it believes, hadf acted as a key medium of information exchange related to the case.

ED sources said that while the admin of the WhatsApp Group is Ayan Sil, the private real estate promoter who is currently in judicial custody following his alleged links with the multi-crore cash-for-school-job case, the members of the group were different top office bearers and officials of the those municipalities where those recruitment municipalities have allegedly taken place.

Sil is the common link between the school job and municipalitiesa job case, as during the raid and search operations at this residence last year in connection with the school job case, the ED, for the first time, got evidence of the development of municipalitiesa job recruitment as well.

Sources aware of the EDas findings about the mysterious WhatsApp Group said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the names of the candidates paying money to be shortlisted for selection.

However, they believe that the deleted messages in the WhatsApp Group might contain some more crucial information that might help them in framing water-tight charges against the offenders.

Now, sources added, the investigating agency sleuths are trying to figure out whether there are existences of similar other WhatsApp Groups that acted as medium of information exchange in the alleged multi- crore scam.

So far Sil has admitted in interrogations that the municipalitiesa recruitment irregularities started as early as 2014. At that point of time, ABS Infozone, an entity owned by Sil, used to act as an outsourced agency for recruitments in the lower level posts in different municipalities.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : A special judge for CBI cases in Chennai on Friday sentenced R. Sekar (IRS), then Protector of Emigrants (POE), to seven years' rigorous imprisonment in a corruption conspiracy case.

The judge also sent Anwar Hussain, a private person (recruiting agent), to four years' rigorous imprisonment in connection with the same case.

A CBI spokesperson said that the court also imposed a total fine of Rs 18,000 on the accused.

It was alleged that between 2007 and 2009, Sekar, then Protector of Emigrants (POE), Chennai, along with others, including Hussain, had entered into a conspiracy and in pursuance of that, Hussain collected bribe amount in the form of aspeed money' from various recruiting agents for clearance of emigration certificates submitted by the agents, and handed over the said bribe amount to Sekar and other public servants.

It was further alleged that out of the bribe amount, Rs 13 lakh was handed over to other persons for arranging engineering admission for Sekar's son.

After investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused.
Nagpur, Dec 22 : In a huge embarrassment for the Congress, its senior MLA and ex-minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime, Sunil Kedar, and five others on Friday were found guilty in the Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB) scam of around Rs 150 crore.

Along with Kedar, who was the then NDCCB Chairman, others found guilty are Ketan Sheth, Nandkishore Trivedi, Ashok Chaudhary, Subodh Bhandari a" all from Mumbai, and Amit Verma of Ahmedabad.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Jyoti Pekhale-Purkar has acquitted another three accused in the case involving political bigwigs that continued for nearly 21 years from 2002, while some other related cases are still pending in different states.

The arguments between the prosecution and defence on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to all the convicts, including the Saoner MLA Kedar, are proceeding before the court.

Kedar and others remained present along with their legal teams in the packed courtroom under tight security as the court pronounced its guilty verdict on the six accused and acquitted three others.

Among various charges, Kedar and others were accused of flouting norms by diverting the cooperative bank's funds mostly belonging to farmers, to several private entities for purchasing government securities which led to substantial losses to the NDCCB.

Some of the companies which had allegedly benefited included Home Trade Ltd., Indramani Merchants Pvt. Ltd., Syndicate Management Services, Century Dealers Pvt. Ltd., Giltej Management Services, which failed to deliver the government securities to the NDCCB and it incurred huge losses.

The police probe found that these companies neither delivered the stocks nor made any refund of the monies due to the bank, after which the case was transferred to the state Crime Investigation Department (CID).
Kolkata, Dec 22 : The Calcutta High Court's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Friday questioned the logic behind the state police's CID repeatedly summoning the husband of his fellow judge, Justice Amrita Sinha.

"Why is the CID repeatedly summoning the husband of Justice Sinha? Is the cases that serious," he asked while hearing in a case of cooperative society irregularity in West Bengal, the investigation for which was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently after Bengal CID failed to make any progress in its own probe for a significant period of time.

Justice Sinhaas husband Pratap Chandra Dey, a senior counsel of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, complained to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the state police's CID was putting pressure on him to make statements against his wife.

Dey has also forwarded the same complaint to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose,, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the bar association of Kolkata Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

However, on Thursday, the CID issued a statement denying all these charges and said that such allegations were intended to derail the agencyas ongoing investigation in the relevant case.

Meanwhile, making his observation on Friday regarding the relevant case on the cooperative society irregularities at Alipurduar district, Justice Gangopadhyay reminded newly-appointed Advocate General Kishor Dutta that this case too was handed over the investigation to the CBI after the CID failed to make any significant progress it its own course of investigation.

"Only you can save the state government from embarrassment. Please make an attempt," he told the Advocate General. He also reminded him of instances of the CID being hauled up courts in different cases earlier.
Panaji, Dec 22 : Goa police have arrested a local juice centre owner for allegedly assaulting a tourist with an iron rod after the complainant tried to negotiate the rate of a tender coconut being sold for Rs 80.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jivba Dalvi, informed that one Deshraj Meena (28) from Rajasthan complained that he was assaulted for negotiating the price of a tender coconut.

"The accused has been identified as Gorakhnath Gad, the owner of a juice centre in Parra, Bardez," the police said.

The police said that Meena had come to Goa with his friend and had visited the juice centre of the accused person, where he negotiated the rate of a tender coconut which was being sold for Rs 80.

"During the process, Gorakhnath, the owner of the shop, called Meena 'bhikari' (beggar) and told him to go to temples where beggars are served. When the complainant objected to this, Gorakhnath assaulted him with an iron rod, causing injuries," the police said, adding that the accused has been arrested.
San Francisco, Dec 22 : US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Meta of removing or restricting pro-Palestinian content on Facebook and Instagram even when it did not violate the company's rules.

"Meta's policies and practices have been silencing voices in support of Palestine and Palestinian human rights on Instagram and Facebook in a wave of heightened censorship of social media amid the hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups that began on October 7," the group said in a report released on Thursday.

HRW cited "systemic online censorship," reporting over 1,050 "takedowns and other suppression of content" on Instagram and Facebook from more than 60 countries during October and November.

The content in question was shared by "Palestinians and their supporters, including information about human rights abuses".

"While this appears to be the biggest wave of suppression of content about Palestine to date, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has a well-documented record of overbroad crackdowns on content related to Palestine," the report said.

"Hundreds of people continued to report censorship after the organization completed its analysis, meaning that the total number of cases Human Rights Watch received greatly exceeded 1,050," it added.

The report mentioned that 1,050 cases were examined, of which 1,049 involved peaceful content in support of Palestine that had been censored or otherwise unduly suppressed, while one case involved the removal of content in support of Israel.

According to HRW, censorship on Instagram and Facebook included the removal of posts, stories and comments, suspending or disabling accounts, restricting certain features, including users' ability to engage with posts or follow certain accounts, as well as limiting the visibility of users' content.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit in the US has claimed that Facebook and Instagram have become a "breeding ground" for child predators targeting children for human trafficking, grooming and solicitation, and certain child exploitative content is over "10 times more prevalent on Facebook and Instagram than it is on Pornhub and OnlyFans".
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 : As Kerala tries to find a way to tackle the waste generated through various means which includes fining people who throw litter on the streets, a top state government official on Friday opined that the private sector can contribute significantly to it too.

Additional Chief Secretary, Sarada Muraleedharan, said that the government or public sector agencies alone cannot address the challenges relating to waste management, since there are gaps which need to be filled with the participation of the private sector.

"Many established entrepreneurs as well as startups have already entered the field, thanks to the public awareness created by the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign and the ceaseless efforts being made by the government," she said, while inaugurating a workshop for entrepreneurs organized by the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) as part of the campaign.

"This is also a field that promises plenty of green business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Since the quantum of non-bio waste keeps accumulating at the ground level day by day, the government would like to strengthen the private sector role to ensure proper upward linkage of such stock. Private players will be able to organise the task in a better and faster way, bypassing bureaucratic formalities," Muraleedharan said.

She assured that government will ensure that a conducive atmosphere is created for private enterprises coming forward in the waste management sector.

--IANS

sg/vd
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. A total of 40 percent of the world's population will be in need of affordable housing by 2030, Executive Director of the UN Habitat program Maimunah Mohd Sharif said, Trend reports.

She spoke at the ADA University within the framework of her visit to Azerbaijan.

"We have to build sustainable cities with affordable housing, this is very important. I mention this because 3 billion people, or 40 percent of the world's population, will need affordable housing by 2030. This figure calls for the urgency of our rapid response and coordinated action," she said.

Sharif noted that 70 percent of energy consumption comes from cities, including construction processes and the production of building materials.

"An integrated approach must be demonstrated to address global challenges," she said.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Nagpur, Dec 22 : A Nagpur court on Friday sentenced senior Congress MLA Sunil Kedar and five others to five years rigorous imprisonment after finding them guilty in the Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB) scam of around Rs 150 crore.

Along with Kedar, who was the then NDCCB Chairman, others convicted in the case are: Ketan Sheth, Nandkishore Trivedi, Ashok Chaudhary, Subodh Bhandari a" all from Mumbai, and Amit Verma of Ahmedabad.

Besides, the five-year sentence on various counts, Kedar has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 10 lakh by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Jyoti Pekhale-Purkar.

Shortly after the verdict in the politically sensitive trial, formalities were initiated to arrest Kedar and send him to jail, while legal sources said that Kedar will challenge the verdict in the Bombay High Court, which is going on a Christmas vacation from December 25 to January 1, 2024.

The development has come as an embarrassment and shock for the state Opposition ahead of the election year, as Kedar -- an MLA from Saoner -- had served as a Congress minister in the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime comprising Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP), headed by former CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Worried sources in the Congress pointed out that in case the firebrand Kedar fails to secure a stay order on his conviction, he faces the prospects of being unseated as Saoner MLA and would be debarred from contesting future elections till he is completely cleared of all charges.

ACJM Pekhale-Purkar has acquitted another three accused in the case involving political bigwigs that continued for nearly 21 years from 2002, while some other related cases are still pending in different states.

The sentencing came after heated arguments between the prosecution and defence teams on the quantum of punishment to be awarded to all the convicts, where Kedar's lawyers pleaded for leniency as he is an elected public representative.

Kedar, who had been arrested in the same earlier, and others remained present along with their legal teams in the packed courtroom under tight security as the court pronounced its guilty verdict on the six accused and acquitted three others.

Among various charges, Kedar and others have been convicted of flouting norms by diverting the cooperative bank's funds mostly belonging to farmers, to several private entities for purchasing government securities which led to substantial losses to the NDCCB, in 2001-2002.

Some of the companies which had allegedly benefited included Home Trade Ltd., Indramani Merchants Pvt. Ltd., Syndicate Management Services, Century Dealers Pvt. Ltd., Giltej Management Services, which failed to deliver the government securities to the NDCCB and it incurred huge losses.

The local police probe found that these companies neither delivered the stocks nor made any refund of the monies due to the bank, after which the case was transferred to the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) which filed its charge-sheet in November 2002.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Gurugram, Dec 22 : The police in Haryana have arrested an Exemplee Head Constable (EHC) for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Gurugram district, an official said on Friday.

The incident took place on Thursday.

The girl's family filed a complaint on Friday after she disclosed the ordeal she went through.

The accused has been identified as Anoop Singh who was posted as EHC at Escort Guard of the Haryana Police.

Taking cognisance, the Commissioner of Gurugram Police terminated Anoop Singh from his service.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the IPC including the Pocso Act, at Women Police Station (west) on Friday.

On Friday, the victim's mother lodged a complaint at the police station stating that her daughter was working as a maid at Singh's house.

The crime, as per the complaint, took place at the house.

"We have registered a case against the EHC, and he has been terminated from the service. We will ensure the trial of this case through a fast-track Pocso court for strict punishment," DCP Virender Vij said.

The girl's statement under Section 164 of the CrPC was recorded before a Magistrate.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : SEBI has solicited comments and inputs from stakeholders on introduction of the facility for clearing and settlement of funds and securities on T+0 and instant settlement cycle on optional basis in addition to the existing T+1 settlement cycle in secondary markets for the equity cash segment.

Over the last few years, the Indian securities markets has seen tremendous growth, both in terms of volumes, value, as well as number of participants. This increase in participation of new investors in securities market puts greater onus on SEBI to make markets more efficient and safer for its participants, with a special focus on retail participants, a SEBI consultation paper said.

SEBI, in its endeavour to keep pace with the changing times and carry out its mandate of development of securities markets and investor protection, shortened the settlement cycle to T+3 from T+5 in 2002 and subsequently to T+2 in 2003. Further in 2021, T+1 settlement was introduced in a phased manner which was fully implemented from January 2023.

It is observed that high percentage of retail investors bring upfront funds and securities before placing the order. For the period June 2023, for around 94% of delivery based trades with value up to Rs 1, 00,000 per transaction, investors made early paya"in of funds and securities.

An instant settlement mechanism enables instant receipt of funds and securities, vis-a-vis existing pay-out on T+1 day, eliminates the risk of settlement shortages, since both funds and securities will be required to be available before placing the order.

This also eliminates the risk for market participants and reduces the risk exposure of Clearing Corporations (CCs). Strengthens investor protection by enhancing the control of the investor over the securities and funds as funds and securities would be credited into the clientsa account directly for those who are trading through blocked amount using UPI facility (UPI Clients).
Mysore : , Dec 22 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that the drought situation in the state has been explained during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and a decision on drought relief is likely to be taken at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Shah on Saturday.

Speaking to the media here, Siddaramaiah said, "The Central government has responded positively to the demands of the state, including drought relief, and we hope they will be fulfilled."

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was requested to take necessary decisions regarding Mahadayi, Mekedatu, and Bhadra Upper Bank projects and extension of man days to 150 under the MGNREGA scheme.

Responding to a question as to whether tourist spots are likely to be closed in view of the Covid scare, the Chief Minister said that Mysore has recorded six cases of Covid who are also suffering from other health issues.

"There is no need to panic in the current situation. But people should be cautious and the recommendations of the technical advisory committee should be followed mandatorily," he said.

--mka

IANS/arm
Jaipur, Dec 22 : Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has said the jewellery industry is a "great support" to the economy as it provides employment to the people.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 21st Jaipur Jewellery Show, where she was the Chief Guest, Diya Kumari said the jewellery industry also greatly boosts tourism and plays a big role in 'repeat tourism' as people come to Jaipur from across the globe to buy jewellery.

The show, themed on 'Emerald... Your Stone Your Story', is being held from December 22 to 25 at Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre (earlier known as Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre) here in Sitapura.

The Deputy CM said that the event gives opportunities to craftsmen, budding designers and young jewellers.

She also assured support from the government for the Gems & Jewellery Industry.

Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC),Vipul Shah was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

He said that 2023 has been a challenging year for the gems and jewellery industry owing to the geopolitical concerns and economic downturn.

However, the industry has bounced back and is experiencing a gradual but significant rise.

The GJECPC and jewellers are jointly taking various initiatives, such as the diamond bourse in Surat and the upcoming one in Jaipur to make India a key global hub in this sector.

The opening ceremony of the show was moderated by Ajay Kala, spokesperson of JJS.

He said:"Jaipur has been rightly named as the world capital of emerald for two decades. Jaipur is making waves not only due to its skill and deft art of its artisans but constant supply of raw material by gemfields and other giants."

A direct employment to 2 lakh people is said to be provided by the gems and jewellery industry.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : A Delhi court on Friday sent five additional key functionaries of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) to six days ED custody in a money laundering case related to alleged terrorist activities.

On November 6, the court had taken cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet against accused, Syed Mohd Kasim Ibrahim.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused PFI founding member A.S. Ismail, PFI Karnataka state President Md. Shakif, former secretary Anis Ahmed, national Secretary Afsar Paasha, and former Vice President E.M. Abdul Rahiman, also associated with SIMI of involvement in generating proceeds of crime for terror activities.

The financial probe agency first sought a 10-day custodial remand for the accused, citing their direct involvement in various processes and activities related to the proceeds of crime.

Special Judge Chaderjit Singh, after considering the submissions, approved a six-day custodial remand for the newly arrested individuals.

Special Public Prosecutor N. K. Matta, along with advocate Manish Jain, representing the ED, argued during the remand hearing that investigations revealed non-genuine cash deposits and bank transfers orchestrated by PFI. These actions aimed to portray unaccounted cash as legitimate and untainted, sourced from unknown and suspicious origins.

The ED's legal team further disclosed that PFI maintains a significant presence with thousands of active members in Gulf countries and that it. allegedly collects substantial funds from abroad in an organised and structured manner. The funds, it is claimed, are remitted through hawala/underground channels and concealed from government authorities.

Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge Sachin Gupta had said that there was prima facie sufficient material to proceed against Ibrahim, secretary of accused company, Tamil Nadu Foundation Trust, who is currently in judicial custody. Besides, the court had summoned the representative, and its Managing Trustee, M Mohammed Ismail. The case revolves around the alleged laundering of Rs 120 crore over several years.

The PFI was banned by the Indian government in late September of the previous year due to its alleged links with terror activities. The ED has initiated the case based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for alleged terrorism-related activities, which are punishable under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Manipur govt to set up library hall for each of the 34 recognised ethnic tribes. Image Source: IANS News

Imphal, Dec 22 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Friday that as a Christmas and New Year gift to the people of the state, the state government has decided to set up a library hall for each of the 34 recognised ethnic tribes of Manipur with a total estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.

Addressing a gathering at the curtain raiser for the commissioning of INS Imphal, Indian Navy's stealth guided missile destroyer, at the Kangla fort here, Singh said since the BJP-led government came to power in Manipur in 2017, it decided to construct the Tribal Chiefs' guest house.

"Hill people and valley people are inseparable politically and historically. We are all brothers and sisters. So, whenever they come down here in Imphal, they look for hotels to stay," the Chief Minister said.

Considering the scantiness of hotels in Imphal, the state government constructed the guest house having 40 rooms at the palace compound in Imphal East district.

The Chief Minister's announcement assumes significance in view of the ongoing ethnic hostilities that broke out on May 3.

Expounding on INS Imphal, Singh said the entire state should feel proud of the naming of the warship after the state capital.

"Whatever recognition we are getting today is because of our forefathers' contributions and sacrifices," Singh said, as he stressed that naming of the warship INS Imphal is a recognition and show of respect to Manipur's rich history and past glory.

"The state should also reciprocate and appreciate Central leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others by fulfilling our responsibilities towards building 'One Bharat, Strong Bharat'," the Chief Minister said.

The CM added that politics is not just development of infrastructure, but also about rolling out policies which will deliver long-term welfare for the communities and the state.

He also highlighted the renaming of Mount Harriet as Mount Manipur in Andaman and Nicobar islands, nomination of state athletes Naorem Roshibina Devi and Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu for Arjuna Award, and extension of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) to Manipur.

Later, the Chief Minister accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues and Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi inspected the ongoing construction work of alternate housing at the National Games Village, water amusement park at Thenguchingjin and government quarters at New Checkon in Imphal.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that it attached properties worth Rs 9.7 crore in connection with a case of embezzlement of funds of the Amritsar Improvement Trust.

The ED said that seized properties belong to Rupali Sharma, the wife of accused trust official Daman Bhalla, Satnam Singh, Kanwaljeet Kaur, Teena Vohra, Renu Vohra, and Surinder Kaur Arora in the form of land and buildings in Amritsar and various movable properties, including bank account balance and FDs.

It said that its probe revealed that Bhalla, Deputy Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Trust, along with other accused persons had opened six bogus bank accounts in the name of trust and had transferred around Rs 71.40 crore of its funds into those six bank accounts.

"Further, they had withdrawn or transferred Rs 27.12 crore from these six bogus accounts. These accounts were deliberately kept out of the cash books of the Amritsar Improvement Trust. The withdrawn or transferred amount was used for purchasing immovable properties in the name of Rupali Sharma and was kept or transferred in the saving bank account and fixed deposits in the name of Satnam Singh, Kanwaljeet Kaur, Teena Vohra, Renu Vohra and Surinder Kaur Arora," the ED claimed.

The ED began a probe on the basis of FIR registered by Police Station Civil Lines, Amritsar in 2017 based on a complaint filed by Chief Vigilance Officer, Local Bodies, Punjab for forgery, cheating and other offences and embezzlements of funds of Amritsar Improvement Trust to the tune of Rs 27 crore.

--IANS

aks/vd
Jaipur, Dec 22 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday chaired a high-level meeting at the CM office during which he reviewed and discussed the overall law and order situation in the state.

He held detailed discussions with Home Department officials and senior police officers on various issues and discussed ways to control crime and maintain law and order.

He directed the police officers to take strict action against criminals, noting that various types of crimes have increased in the last few years.

"This had an adverse impact on the image of the state. We have to change this image. Public confidence in the police will have to be strengthened again," he said.

The Chief Minister said that in the last few years, cases of harassment of women have come to light on a large scale in Rajasthan.

"Due to this, this land of heroes and great personalities has been put to shame. We have to return the honor and glory of the state by properly protecting the women," he said.

Sharma further said that those who are hurting the hopes of the youth and their families by leaking papers will not be spared. He said that the SIT formed to investigate these cases will take effective action and punish all the culprits and give justice to the youth who are victims of paper leaks.

Sharma instructed police officers to take action by running special operations against gangs committing organised crime.

He said that organized crime should be completely ended in the state.

"The trend of gangs operating from inside jails should also be completely stopped," Sharma said.

He said that the task force formed in this regard will work to completely eradicate gangs.

Chief Secretary Usha Sharma said that women's safety is the main priority of the state government.

Director General of Police Umesh Mishra said that the police are committed to providing security to the common people by preventing all types of crimes.
Patna, Dec 22 : A man was allegedly murdered and his body thrown off a flyover in Bihar's Munger district on Friday, police said.

The dead body was spotted by some passersby under Mirchi Talab flyover under Kotwali police station and they informed local police about the incident.

Preliminary investigation reveals that he was strangled by someone and then thrown from the flyover.

"The victim was identified as Raja Kumar, a resident of Laal Darwaja under Kotwali police station in Munger. He had sustained wounds on his head and other parts of the body. Dogs had also eaten part of his flesh as well. We have sent the dead body for the post-mortem examination. Actual reason of death will be ascertained after that," Kotwali SHO D.K. Pandey said.

Raja Kumar had a love marriage 8 months ago but his wife had left him.

He ran an eatery shop in Laal Darwaja and as Thursday night, he did not return home, his family members searched for him and his body was found under the flyover.
Hong Kong: CE welcomes Qianhai, Hengqin plans

Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the central government's promulgation of the Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone and the Overall Development Plan for the Guangdong-Macao Zone in Hengqin on December 21.

Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will lead all sectors of the community to seize the opportunities brought about by the development of Qianhai and Hengqin, captialise on Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle and join hands in taking forward the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The Qianhai Overall Development Plan provides a comprehensive view of the strategic positioning, development objectives, spatial layout, industry planning, business environment, urban planning, quality living environment, and governance model of the Qianhai Co-operation Zone, with the objective of promoting the demonstrative and leading roles of Qianhai in the GBA development, further deepening the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Noting that President Xi Jinping has emphasised high-quality co-ordinated regional development and cares for Qianhai's development and opening up, Mr Lee said the development plan sets a clear direction for Qianhai in this regard.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is grateful for the central government for the policy initiatives outlined in the plan, which are not just of benefit to Hong Kong but will also contribute to the development of the GBA and our country.

In particular, measures in financial services, legal services, professional services and information technology services as well as those facilitating Hong Kong and Macau residents setting up businesses, working and living in Qianhai, and Hong Kong residents of foreign nationalities travelling in the Mainland cities of the GBA, will remarkably expand the scope of development for Hong Kong talent and enterprises.

As announced in the 2023 Policy Address, the Northern Metropolis will adopt an industry-driven approach as its key planning axle and integrate deeply with the overall planning of the GBA to forge a major hub for Hong Kongs integration into the overall development of the country.

As one of the four major zones in the metropolis, the high-end professional services and logistics hub covering Hung Shui Kiu and the surrounding area and linking the Qianhai Co-operation Zone will provide financial and professional services, in addition to capitalising on the locational advantages of the boundary control points for developing the modern logistics industry.

Mr Lee noted that with the promulgation of the development plan, Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation will scale new heights at which both cities can fully leverage the dual engines roles to drive the development in the GBA, developing the bay area into a world-class innovation platform and growth pole.

Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its advantages and deepen co-operation with Shenzhen, so as to support Qianhai in seeking more policy breakthroughs for implementation on a pilot basis, Mr Lee said.

It will also assist Qianhai in expediting the alignment of rules and harmonisation of mechanisms, promoting a deeper level of opening up and innovation of the financial industry, accelerating the development of the science and technology services industry, raising the level of internationalisation of the professional service sector as well as broadening the opening up in areas such as trade and legal services, he added.

As regards the Hengqin Overall Development Plan that will greatly promote new industries for Macau's economic diversification, it has demonstrated the countrys key strategic planning to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems" which will inject an essential impetus for the long-term development of Macau.

The Chief Executive also pointed out that Hong Kong and Macau, as two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, have all along upheld the principle of one country while leveraging the benefits of two systems.

Noting that both cities embrace the role of the GBA core cities and core engines for regional development under the complementarity principle, Mr Lee said Hong Kong will grasp the unlimited opportunities brought about by co-ordinated regional development so as to contribute to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the entire GBA.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Italy has recorded a significant increase in natural gas imports from Azerbaijan, reaching 881.2 million cubic meters in October 2023, compared to 800.5 million cubic meters in September, Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office, told Trend.

This notable surge represents a month-on-month growth of over 10 percent.

Over the first ten months of 2023, Italy's cumulative gas imports from Azerbaijan totaled 7.7 billion cubic meters, equivalent to a value exceeding 4 billion euros. In October alone, the value of these imports amounted to 364.2 million euros, indicating a substantial increase of almost 17.3 percent from the 310.6 million euros recorded in September.

Azerbaijan initiated gas transportation to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor on December 31, 2020. This corridor facilitates the transport of gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries, passing through Georgia and Turkiye. The project, with a total cost of 33 billion US dollars, is anticipated to recoup its capital costs within 810 years.

In July 2022, Azerbaijan and the European Union reached an agreement to double the volume of gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor, from the current 10 billion cubic meters to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Washington, Dec 23 : A former president Donald Trump could well be convicted by the courts of (91 counts of felony on election subversion, cheating the government of taxes and insurrection) and yet Americans can then vote to send him back to the White House as commander in chief and "self-described dictator for his first day", US media reports said in their 2024 political forecast.

On the flip side, they could re-elect a "deeply unpopular incumbent of an advanced age whose vice president stands poised to become the first female chief executive in the history of the US", the reports said first doubting incumbent President Joe Biden's cognitive abilities to hold office and the possibility of his deputy Kamala Harris stepping into his shoes.

The 2024 elections are going to shake America, analysts say. The US presidential election is already historically unique in that an incumbent is running against another de facto incumbent, says Barbara Perry, a presidential scholar at the University of Virginia's Miller Center.

When Americans ring in 2024, they'll be welcoming what is shaping up as one of the most consequential years in modern history, analysts say.

Some results are almost certain to be unprecedented. Things may not end well. As Americans don't agree on what's good or bad for the country, any ending might just lead to public unrest, US News and World Report said.

Projecting both scenarios as their forecast for the 2024 political side, media reports said Americans could continue to retort against the Supreme Court decision (Roe vs. Wade) undoing guaranteed abortion rights and vote to enshrine the right to abortion in states across the country. Or, the court could make it almost impossible to get the drugs (Mifepristone) necessary for a medication abortion a" the most common type of termination -- and state legislatures could criminalise the use of the drug.

Ukraine could slip into history as the mouse that once roared, gathering its outmatched forces and relying on allied support to quash Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of its country's western neighbour.

The brutal war in Gaza could end, with hostages released and the Israeli government coming to terms with Palestinians that lead to a future of peaceful co-existence and two states.

"The least probable situation is that a typical scenario plays out," says Lee Miringoff, a veteran pollster with the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, New York. "It's like 1968," when the country underwent widespread unrest and killings of leaders.

"There's too much pressure on the system for it to not bust loose."

Miringoff said he's not predicting assassinations, such as Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King in 1968.

But historians and political analysts say that, as in that tumultuous year, so much is at stake in the US and in the world, with international borders, long time social policy and democracy itself at stake, reports said.

Abortion rights could go either way, analysts say. A handful of states (Ohio and Kentucky and Virginia) have already moved to protect the right to an abortion, and more are planning referendums on it next year. But other states are moving in the opposite direction a" Missouri Republicans introduced a bill this month describing abortion of an unborn foetus as homicide thus criminalising the act and preventing women from having pregnancies terminated.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on the ability to obtain the abortion drug mifepristone

Former President Donald Trump is facing a combined 91 criminal charges in federal and state courts, President Joe Biden has approval rating percentages in the high 30s or low 40s, and both men are displaying rapid aging signs. The Supreme Court could decide who is on the ballot, which gets to vote and who is allowed to serve a" as the year gets even more dramatic.

"Any one of these scenarios is unprecedented," Perry says. Even in the run-up to the Civil War in 1860, "the question wasn't, 'Will there be a dictator?'"

He was alluding to Trump's statement on the ex Fox TV host Shawn Hanitys show that he could be a dictator on the first day of his presidency.
New Delhi, Dec 22 : A 22-year-old youth, who had killed a man by stabbing both his eyes and causing head injury on December 14 in West Bengal, was caught by a temple priest in Delhi while he was stealing his wallet, the police said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Kismat Sheikh, a resident of Shahdara area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), Rohit Meena, said that on Tuesday, the Geeta Colony police station received a PCR call regarding a theft.

The caller, Sandeep Shastri, told the police that at 4 a.m., he was woken up by noise to find that a youth was trying to steal his purse.

As he attempted to apprehend the thief, Shastri was attacked with a screwdriver. However, he managed to overpower the youth with the assistance of his staff member, Asheesh.

"The items recovered from the thief, Sheikh, included a purse with Rs 250 cash and an Aadhaar card, along with the screwdriver used in the crime," said the DCP.

During interrogation, Sheikh exhibited desperate behaviour.

"During questioning, Sheikh revealed that he hailed from Murshidabad district in West Bengal and was addicted to drugs. He has a history of involvement in burglary, robbery, and snatching cases in Delhi and West Bengal," the DCP said.

Two months ago, he was released on bail in a robbery case in West Bengal.

In a disturbing revelation, Sheikh also confessed to committing a brutal murder on December 14, when he killed a person named Jamshed Sheikh.

"This act was motivated by suspicion, as he believed Jamshed Sheikh was involved in the murder of his mother," said the DCP.

"The police in Murshidabad district have been informed about the developments," the DCP added.
New Delhi, Dec 23 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Udhaw Singh alias Sonu Singh in a money-laundering case involving UP-based real estate company Shine City.

The ED said that it arrested Singh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after its probe revealed that Singh had received huge sum of money in the name of bogus commission, and advances for land purchase from Shine City group of companies which was diverted to acquire assets in the form of flats, commercial spaces etc. in various places such as Mumbai, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

The ED probe till now has resulted in attachment of properties worth Rs 128 crore and collection of incriminating documents and electronic evidences during the search action conducted on November 24 at 18 premises linked to accused and close associates of mastermind Rasheed Naseem.

The main accused Naseem is absconding and is suspected to have fled to the UAE.

The ED case is on the basis of approximately 250 FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police against Naseem and Shine City Group of Companies, wherein they had collected huge amount of money approximately Rs 800-1000 crore from the public in the name of investment and promised huge returns and finally cheated the public by way of committing fraud.

The ED produced Singh before a court and he was sent to ED custody for 10 days. This is the fourth arrest in this case, after of Shashi Bala, Abhishek Singh, and Durga Prasad.

--IANS

aks/vd
New Delhi, Dec 23 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to discuss several key issues including schemes related to the development of the state.

In a post on X, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's Office said, "Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on December 23."

The CMO said that during the meeting, Sai will discuss several important topics including schemes related to the development and public interest of Chhattisgarh.

The CMO further said: "Chief Minister Sai will also meet the President, Vice President, Union Home Minister and Finance Minister during his stay in New Delhi."

Sai was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of the state after the BJP defeated the Congress in the recently concluded assembly polls.

--IANS

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Tel Aviv, Dec 23 : An Israeli soldier was killed and another grievously injured in rockets fired by Iran-backed Hezbollah rebels on Friday.

Israel has warned of serious consequences in Lebanon.

The deceased soldier is Sergeant Amit Hod Ziv (19), of the 188th Armored Brigadeas 71st Battalion, hailing from Rosh Haayin.

Another soldier was seriously wounded by one of the rockets that hit a military position near Shtula.

The IDF in a statement on Friday said that nearly 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon at areas near the communities of Shomera and Shtula, close to the northern border of Israel.
Guwahati, Dec 23 : Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh said on Friday that state police were "100 per cent committed to keeping the people safe".

He said: "We don't want Assam to end up in a horrible situation like in the past. We will prosecute anyone who attempts to undermine the state's development initiatives. In around two and a half years, we have freed one lakh bighas of land in Assam that had been unlawfully encroached upon by people of Bangladeshi origin."

Hinting at ULFA-I, Singh said: "Once people from the Myanmar camp threatened us, and caused chaos in the state. Furthermore, our information indicates that they still have people in Bangladesh. The people of Assam need to consider if better law enforcement from the police is better than a separatist group setting up camp in Myanmar."

He added that the state police will function within the bounds of the Constitution and will persist in operating lawfully for the benefit of society and advancement.

The DGP further said: "We will eradicate any and all threats to the state."

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 23 : A prominent doctor in Bihar's Begusarai district received an extortion demand of Rs 20 crore by post, police said on Friday.

In the extortion demand, sent through Speed Post, the sender asked the doctor to pay the amount within 8 days otherwise his clinic will be blown up.

The doctor, identified as Dr Rupesh Kumar, along with IMA Chairman Dr Ranjan Kumar Chaudhary and a group of doctors, met SP Yogendra Kumar on Friday and requested help.

Police registered a case and the investigation is underway.

"The letter was received by my staff and handed over to me. When I opened the envelope and read the letter, I went into shock. I immediately informed local police and IMA officials about the incident," said Dr Rupesh Kumar.

The SP said: "We have registered an FIR in this matter in the town police station based on the complaint given by the victim and the contents of the letter. Preliminary investigation revealed that a criminal of a village who comes under Ballia police station sent the letter by registered Speed Post. We are making efforts to nab him."
India gets consular access after plane carrying its nationals grounded in France over human trafficking suspicion. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Dec 23 : After a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded in France over suspected "human trafficking", the Indian Embassy in France said its team has obtained consular access and was looking into the situation.

The remarks from the Indian Embassy in France came after reports suggested that the Nicaragua-bound plane from Dubai was detained at a French airport.

In a post on X, Indian Embassy in France said: "French authorities informed us of a plane with 303 people, mostly of Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport."

"Embassy team has reached and obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers," the Indian Embassy said.

According to reports, the aircraft carrying passengers likely to be victims of human trafficking was detained on Thursday after an anonymous tip-off.

The reports said that the plane had taken off from the United Arab Emirates and it remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing.

--IANS

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Washington, Dec 23 : Former US President Donald Trump pressured election officials in Michigan not to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential election as he and Republican National Committe Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called two Republicans on the Wayne County Board urging them not to sign off on the results, according to a recording of the call reviewed by a section of the US media.

"We've got to fight for our country," Trump reportedly told Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, members on the board of canvassers, on November 17, 2020.

"We can't let these people take our country away from us."

The report unravels Trump campaign's efforts to contest the election results in the key swing state and comes amid two criminal cases against Trump at the state and federal level related to election interference (Washington D.C. and Georgia).

President Joe Biden beat Trump by around 1,54,000 votes in Michigan in 2020, and multiple legal cases alleging election fraud were dismissed by courts for lack of evidence.

A State Senate Committee run by Republican members dismissed claims of fraud as being unsubstantiated, media reports said.

Trump and McDaniel called in the two Republican canvassers shortly after the panel voted to certify the county's election results after they had first voted against certification and deadlocked the four-member board. Trump reportedly told them they would look "terrible" if they then signed the documents to finalise certification.

"If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. ... We will get you attorneys," McDaniel reportedly said.

Palmer and Hartmann did leave the meeting without signing the documents. The next day, they petitioned to rescind their votes in favour of certification but failed. Palmer had previously said that Trump had called her that night to thank her expressing concerns for her safety.

Spokespersons for Palmer, McDaniel and Trump did not dispute a summary of the call, but Hartmann died in 2021.

Trump's actions "were taken in furtherance of his duty as President of the US to faithfully take care of the laws and ensure election integrity, including investigating the rigged and stolen 2020 Presidential election," Spokesperson Steven Cheung told USA TODAY in a statement.

Trump faces federal felony charges for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election.

Prosecutors argue that Trump knowingly promoted lies about election fraud, organised slates of fake electors in states like Michigan, and pushed the then Vice-President Mike Pence not to certify the results on January 6, 2021. That trial is slated to begin on March 4, USA TODAY said.

The former US President also faces criminal racketeering charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act in Georgia for attempting to overturn the election in that state.

Georgia prosecutors allege that Trump led a "criminal racketeering enterprise" to change the election results, including pushing a slate of fake electors, harassing county election workers, illegally copying data off elections' equipment and asking Georgia's Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to find enough votes for him to win.
Patna, Dec 23 : Patna police have arrested 20 sand mafias for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining along the Sone river in the Bihta region on Friday.

Confirming the incident, Ram Shankar Singh, the SHO of Bihta, said that some of the sand mafias set some boats on fire as well.

"We received a tip-off that sand mafias are illegally digging in Amnabad and Pathtolia villages located on the banks of Sone river. Accordingly, we conducted raids and arrested 20 sand mafias. We also seized 40 boats laden with sand," Singh said.

During the raid, some of the mafias set some boats on fire, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Equinor is in the process of re-shaping its international oil and gas business, and the divestments in Azerbaijan are in line with its strategy to focus on its international portfolio, said Philippe Mathieu, Equinor's executive vice president for international exploration and production.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including all regulatory and contractual approvals.

Equinor and SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) have signed an agreement whereby Equinor will divest all its remaining assets in Azerbaijan to SOCAR.

The assets comprise a 7.27% non-operated interest in the Azeri Chirag Gunashli (ACG) oil fields in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, 8.71% interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and 50% in the Karabagh field. SOCAR already holds a 25.0% stake in ACG, a 25.0% stake in BTC via Azerbaijan BTC Limited, and 50% in Karabagh.

Azerbaijan has been an important part of Equinors international portfolio over the past 30 years. Together with SOCAR and the other partners in ACG, we have created significant value for the partnership and for the Azerbaijani society. SOCAR is well positioned to create further value from the assets for the longer-term and we have appreciated the close collaboration over the years, noted Mathieu.

Equinor has been present in Azerbaijan since 1992. ACG, operated by bp, is the largest oilfield in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian basin and the BTC pipeline is used to transfer crude oil to the Turkish Mediterranean coast.
Cape Town, Dec 23 : The well-known Cape of Good Hope was closed as a wildfire has been burning for the fourth day on a mountain near Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

The wildfire started from Tuesday on the mountain slopes of Simon's Town, about 40 km south of Cape Town and part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality.

"Due to the ongoing fires in the Simon's Town area and the danger it might pose to our visitors' safety, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) management has made the decision to close the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point section of the Park this morning as a precautionary measure," South African National Parks (SANParks) said on Friday in a statement on its official social media account.

"We strongly advise all visitors and tour operators to adhere to these closures until an official announcement regarding the Cape Point gate's reopening is made. Additionally, we recommend avoiding the Simon's Town area as much as possible."

SANParks also said on Thursday evening that the wildfire had burnt nearly 1,140 hectare of land across private, public works and TMNP properties since Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Wednesday, five of more than 300 firefighters battling the wildfire were injured and two were rushed to hospital.

While nearly 40 nearby houses were evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday, the fire also put Naval Base Simon's Town -- South Africa's largest naval base -- under threat, damaging one derelict building on its grounds.

In addition, according to an update posted Friday morning on the Cape Town city government's social media account, about 97 households in a nearby neighbourhood were evacuated on Thursday night.

"At the moment, no further evacuations are necessary, but we are monitoring the situation closely."

Wildfires often break out on the mountain slopes around Cape Town in the hot, dry months from November to April. They become dangerous and unpredictable when fanned by strong coastal winds.
Homes solve homelessness. And with this new apartment building, we are making sure local seniors who have struggled with homelessness have a roof over their head and the support system they need to stay housed. - LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn Post this

Emma, a new resident at SagePointe, grew up in Carson, Calif. Before moving into her new apartment, she hadn't had her own home for about 15 years, including spending the prior six months in a shelter. When she first heard that she got an apartment at SagePointe, she was so excited and happy. "I couldn't believe it," she said. "I kept thinking this isn't real, and I kept asking 'are you sure?' It was so great to get my keys, go to my apartment and get to stay right away. I slept so good that first night." Emma's children and grandchildren can visit her now, and she's excited to have them over for Christmas. It will be their first Christmas together in a very long time. Emma shared, "My granddaughter said, 'grandma, we need to go to your house and bake a cake.' I said, 'we sure do baby.'"

"In our first year, we brought more than 21,000 unhoused Angelenos inside and expedited more than 9,000 units of affordable housing," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "We need more housing throughout Los Angeles, and I look forward to opening more lifesaving units of housing in the new year."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn added, "Homes solve homelessness. And with this new apartment building, we are making sure local seniors who have struggled with homelessness have a roof over their head and the support system they need to stay housed. This is an example of a great partnership between the City and County of Los Angeles."

The three-story building has 55 one-bedroom apartments, a two-bedroom manager's home, a community room, onsite laundry, and meeting and office spaces to support case management and supportive services. In addition, an outdoor park-like area has a covered courtyard, benches, tables and chairs, providing spaces for residents to gather.

With funding support from Measure H and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services/Housing for Health, residents receive wraparound services and case management to support them and ensure they thrive. Supportive services include mental and physical health services, employment counseling and job placement, education, substance use counseling, money management, assistance in obtaining and maintaining benefits, and referrals to community-based services and resources.

"SagePointe eases the struggle for 55 seniors who need stable housing," said Suny Lay Chang, president and chief operating officer, Linc Housing. "We know that if we can get people off the streets and out of shelters - and into housing with services, they are empowered to restore their health and wellbeing. We're already seeing many of our new residents settling in and making plans for their futures."

SagePointe is a gold rated GreenPoint Rated building. On top of this certification, SagePointe also includes sustainable building features like low-flow plumbing fixtures, native drought-tolerant plants, Energy Star appliances, and low-emitting flooring and finishes. With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, a greywater system connects the central laundry facility to the landscape system, reducing water usage by 33% annually and saving approximately 50,000 gallons of water a year. The building's energy efficiency is at least 7% or better than the requirements of the California building code.

Funding for the development comes from a variety of sources including construction and permanent loans from U.S. Bank, $10.9 million in HHH Funds from the City of Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), $1.8 million from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (County General Funds), and tax credit equity from RBC Community Investments. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles provides rental subsidy. The California Endowment gave Linc additional predevelopment support.

D33 Design & Planning Inc. designed SagePointe, and Walton Construction Inc. was the general contractor. Construction began in January 2022 and residents started moving in in October 2023. All residents are referred by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services through the County's Coordinated Entry System (CES).

About Linc Housing Corporation

Linc Housing, one of California's most productive nonprofit developers of affordable housing, is committed to building communities and strengthening neighborhoods for people underserved by the marketplace. Linc has helped create nearly 9,500 homes in 94 communities throughout the state. The organization's properties are known for excellent design, outstanding management and life-enhancing services for its residents. Linc has nearly 40 years of service to families, seniors, people with special needs, and local governments - helping to create sustainable communities via new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, and historic preservation. Visit http://www.Linchousing.org for more information.

Media Contact

Holly Ferris, Linc Housing, 562-746-8461, [email protected], https://www.linchousing.org/

SOURCE Linc Housing
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Norways Equinor company is starting liquidation of its local companies in Azerbaijan, the company told Trend, as it has sold assets in the country to the state oil company SOCAR.

The transaction means that all our assets in Azerbaijan are sold to SOCAR. We now start liquidation of our local companies. The Baku office remains open until the transaction is completed, said the company.

Equinor said this transaction is in line with its strategy to focus on its international exploration and production portfolio and deepen in areas where it has the strongest competitive position.

SOCAR has acquired Equinors shares in Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Karabakh fields, and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project.

Before the acquisition, Equinor held a 7.27% stake in the ACG oil fields, an 8.71% interest in the BTC pipeline, and 50% in the Karabakh field. Previously, SOCAR had a 25% stake in ACG, 25% in BTC, and 50% in the Karabakh field.

The transactions will be completed following compliance with all regulatory requirements and contractual obligations.
'In the next 15-20 years, India will have at least 50 new (AI-driven) billion-dollar companies that are going to solve problems for the largest companies around the world.'

IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Hassas Arts/Pixabay.com

The Indian startup ecosystem is currently sitting on $20 billion -- around Rs 1.6 trillion -- in dry powder waiting to be allocated, according to Rajan Anandan, managing partner, Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India).

Dry powder refers to unallocated capital raised by private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) players that are ready to be invested.

This comes at a time when the Indian startup world has been at the receiving end of a funding slowdown, with investors becoming more selective with their bets.

Speaking at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit last week, Anandan said that investors are looking to invest this unallocated capital in promising sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), specifically in companies offering both AI-based products and services.

"In the next 15-20 years, India will have at least 50 new (AI-driven) billion-dollar companies that are going to solve problems for the largest companies around the world," he said.

According to data from research firm Preqin, PE/VC dry powder in India increased to $15.6 billion until March 2023, up from $12.8 billion in 2022 and $11.1 billion at the end of 2021.

As many as 70 India-focused PE/VC firms closed funds in 2022, raising an aggregate of $8.5 billion -- the highest-ever annual fundraising value, Preqin said.

Peak XV has around 400 active Indian startups in its investment portfolio. Among these, 100 are software product-focused companies, while 25 are AI companies.

This development occurs at a time when Indian startup funding has fallen to a seven-year low in 2023, in line with the so-called funding winter.

Investments among fledgling firms fell 72 per cent year-on-year to $7 billion this year, compared to $25 billion the previous year, according to data from Tracxn -- a market intelligence platform.

India's global ranking also dropped a spot to fifth place in the list of the highest-funded geographies globally in 2023.

However, investors say that the country's startup ecosystem is going through market recalibration after an influx of venture capital investments in 2021 when startups raised a record $42 billion in funding.

Investors have since become much more selective with their bets, and the average time taken for investment deals to go through has also increased, according to industry watchers.

Anandan stressed the creation of an open-source-based framework for Indian AI companies to ensure a level playing field for companies operating in the space.

India should not regulate the AI industry "in line with the requirements of Big Tech," Anandan added.

"Today, India has the lowest-cost, best-performing population-scale mobile broadband networks in the world. We achieved this without developing any telecommunications (telecom) hardware and very little telecom software," Anandan pointed out.

"We have the most advanced real-time digital payments network in the world, built entirely on an open-source framework."

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Indias exports are becoming less vulnerable to changes in world demand and exchange rates, according to a publication titled Re-examining Narratives: A Collection of Essays, penned by chief economic advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran and his team.

The publication pointed out that this conclusion has been drawn from the fact that there has been a decrease in the income elasticity of exports to 3.44 during 20092022, from 5.67 during 19912008, and in the inverse price elasticity of exports to 0.4 from 2.7.

While a decline in elasticities is favourable in the presence of downside risks such as a decline in global demand and an appreciation of exchange rates, it may not be beneficial during boom periods.

would result in exports rising by a lower proportion in response to a rise in global demand or a depreciation of the exchange rate.

http://im.rediff.com/money/2023/dec/22dec-exports.jpg

"In this context, what is more important is to hedge against downside risks emerging from less favourable growth in world demand and relative prices, the publication said.

The change in export elasticities has also been driven by a growing share of service exports, which have grown by 28 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

They are found to be relatively immune to global income fluctuations as compared to merchandise trade.

Not only are information technology services an area of comparative advantage, but these exports remained strong despite the global supply disruptions witnessed during the pandemic, it said.

According to the CEA, Indias foreign trade has boomed due to reforms that happened over the past few decades.

Not only has its share increased in world exports, but a jump has been seen in the share of the countrys gross domestic product from around 15 per cent in the early 1990s to almost 50 per cent in 2022.

More recently, Indias exports  goods and services  doubled between 2020 and 2022, touching $770 billion, despite rising supply chain disruptions across the world.

This was mainly due to the diversion of trade from other countries in favour of Indian products, the increase in global commodity prices, and the post-pandemic rebound in global trade.

The publication further said that a deeper analysis has shown that there has been a progressive rise in the export of high-value goods and an increase in manufacturing global value chain participation.

This shift has been catalysed by an ecosystem created through a series of comprehensive measures undertaken both in the manufacturing as well as foreign trade space by the government, it said, adding that export targets have become achievable due to government-run schemes such as the production-linked incentive scheme, the new-age free trade agreements, along with fundamental drivers of exports like price competitiveness, access to markets, and the development of markets for niche products.
'When democracy first came to Bhutan people had no idea and they were like 'What is that?' 'Oh it's that thing they have in India where the leaders are always fighting and arguing'.'

IMAGE: A scene from The Monk and the Gun. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pawo Choyning Dorji

In 2019, Pawo Choyning Dorji, a Bhutanese monk turned film-maker, made a heartwarming film called Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom. A charming film about a young man from the city who travels to a remote part of Bhutan to teach students there, Lunana had a long and rough journey.

After months of facing rejections, Dorji was finally able to bring the film to the US.

It was eventually Bhutan's Oscar entry for the 2022 ceremony where it was nominated in the Best International Film category. It lost to the Japanese masterpiece, Drive My Car.

Dorji is now back with his second feature, The Monk and the Gun, which is also Bhutan's Oscar submission in the Best International Film category.

On Thursday, December 21, 2023, The Monk and the Gun was among the films shortlisted for the Oscar in the Best International Film category!

The Monk tells two parallel stories about the introduction of democracy in Bhutan and a monk who wants to build a stupa and bury guns underneath it.

The irony is that there are hardly any guns in Bhutan.

Even though the film is bigger in scope, it retains the innocence we saw in Lunana.

The Monk premiered at the Telluride Film Festival where it was quite a popular film. Later, it traveled to the Toronto International Film Festival and even the Mumbai Film Festival.

Aseem Chhabra spoke to Dorji in New York where the film-maker is busy managing the film's Oscar campaign.

Pawo, congratulations on another charming film! When I watched The Monk and the Gun, I noticed in the beginning, you have a lot more production houses and producers associated with this film. So how did your life really change after you made Lunana?

Lunana's journey was something so special. It was my first film.

I made it on my own with really no help.

I had no producers, agents or distributors.

To be frank, in the beginning of Lunana's life, there was a lot of failure and rejection.

There were moments where I doubted if film-making was the correct path for me.

But after the first seven-eight months and the Oscar nomination, the film's life took off.

I think that was really like capturing lightning in a bottle.

There was, of course, immense pressure, because an Oscar nomination is like the pinnacle of one's career. To achieve it with your first film, you are left with nowhere else but to fall down.

So there was that fear.

But then I think having that success gave me the encouragement and confidence to realise that this is something I do want to pursue. The initial failure and rejection helped me keep myself grounded.

When I started The Monk and the Gun, I was able to get into it with a clear head. I was aware of what I needed, how much I needed.

Yes, there were many entities that were involved: Different production houses and funding agencies.

Just recently, the Doha Film Institute came on board to help.

But from the beginning itself, I was conscious that I wanted the film to be small.

Just because I was nominated for an Oscar I didn't want to make a multi-million dollar film. I felt if I had any more, the heart of the film could get lost.

During Lunana's campaign, Ang Lee told me never lose that heart of innocence that you seem to have. He said he had it for a while and now he felt he had lost. I think Ang's advice helped keep the film grounded.

IMAGE: A scene from The Monk and the Gun. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pawo Choyning Dorji

I find it fascinating, given the fact that Bhutan is right next to India, China and Nepal, yet it remained such an innocent country for so long.

There are the references you make about that from the beginning, when the men are talking about elections in India, where politicians start to beat each other up.

Or one of the characters says to the election officer, 'Why are you teaching us to be rude? We are polite people.'

So what is it about this politeness and happiness element in Bhutan? How has Bhutan managed to survive and live through that?

I think it's our culture and spiritual traditions that are rooted in Buddhism.

Bhutan is the last remaining Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom in the world.

Because of that, right from our monarch, down to the common people, there is only one goal in everyone's life: To achieve enlightenment and happiness.

But it is happiness in terms of the Buddhist definition.

We believe we live in a world where our happiness is directly interconnected and interdependent and on all those phenomenon and individuals around us.

There is a very altruistic approach to life.

Our neighbour Nepal makes hundreds and thousands of dollars every day because one person climbing Mount Everest has to pay that much.

Bhutan has so many mountain peaks to climb.

Actually, the highest unclimbed mountain peak is in Bhutan.

But we stubbornly cling on to the belief that if our mountains are clean, our environment is clean.

Forest coverage by constitution cannot drop below 65 percent. These rules, we believe will lead to perfect circumstances around us which will lead to enlightenment and happiness for the beings. It helps us to connect to our own unique way of life.

But of course, that is changing.

For example, the phallus is a very important symbol for our culture. It is supposed to break down obstacles to enlightenment.

But with the coming of moderniwation, we have become very embarrassed about the phallus and the symbol is slowly disappearing.

In the film, I wanted to counter the coming of westernization, which was the gun with something that was disappearing in Bhutan.

IMAGE: A scene from The Monk and the Gun. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pawo Choyning Dorji

Your film made me think of the fact that I am so disappointed with democracy, whether it is in the US or India. I don't want to get into politics but I began to think, is democracy really essential? You have mentioned you were a student of political science in the US.

Why did democracy come to Bhutan? Do you think Bhutan is any better because of it?

I was talking about the phallus.

You know, when there is a culture that venerates a symbol like the phallus in the modern world, there are a lot of people whose eyebrows get raised and eyes are rolling.

Some people think we are very barbaric and shamanistic.

When I talk about this during film screenings, people even ask about the role of women in our society.

They are very surprised to hear that we are a matriarchal society.

Land, house all go to the eldest daughter.

After the wedding, the groom moves to the bride's house.

At the same time, our traditions in the modern world are kind of looked down upon like 'that's not the way to do things.'

Similarly, when there is a monarch, a singular ruler of a country, the modern mind is very quick to tag that individual as a dictator, especially when the country is so isolated like Bhutan. Many would think it was a hermit kingdom, where TV and Internet were not allowed, so it had to be unhappy and dictatorial.

Bhutan faced a lot of pressure from the outside institutions to modernise and become a democracy.

At the end of the day, you have to remember that Bhutan is still a very poor country. We depend a lot on foreign aid, and lot of it comes from democratic countries.

I remember back in the day, George Fernandes, the Indian defence minister, made the comment that India is the world's largest democratic country. And one country that is closest to India is not a democracy.

But has it helped Bhutan? It's difficult to say, because democracy is still in its infancy stages right now.

I was looking at the history of democracy in the US. And it was only after 80 years, and many rounds of elections that we have the ideologies of the right, conservatives and the left liberals forming.

In Bhutan right now, if you look up any political party, its first motto is 'we want to serve the king or we want to bring gross national happiness.' If you ask people who they are voting for, they always say, 'We will work with this person because he seems like someone who will serve the king.'

I always draw inspiration from real stories, actual factual stories. So the lady who asks the election officer 'Why are you teaching us to be rude?' that actually happened.

When democracy first came to Bhutan people had no idea and they were like 'What is that?' Oh it's that thing they have in India where the leaders are always fighting and arguing.'

When I screened the film to Bhutan's film committee, they thought my film was good but they were concerned about that line. They wanted me to change that line. They said, 'We don't want to offend India.'

I tried to tell them that Indians have a great ability to laugh at themselves, but they insisted I change it. I had to change that line for the release in Bhutan but a lot of Indians seem to really like that line.

IMAGE: A scene from The Monk and the Gun. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pawo Choyning Dorji

In the recent press conference, you talked about how you got those two AK-47 guns from India, since there are no guns available in Bhutan. And I was thinking it's really a sad state of affairs, what India has become and how I wish India could learn something from Bhutan. Of course, America has a huge issue with gun violence.

With this film, I wanted to tell the story of what happened in Bhutan. And I wanted that to be like a mirror through which different countries, different people could see a reflection of themselves and maybe learn something from it.

Also, I didn't want people to think it is pro-monarchy or anti-guns.

I don't know how the film will do it when it is released but people from all sides of the political spectrum seem to appreciate it.

At the Telluride Film Festival, many conservatives, including I heard some members of the National Rifle Association, seemed to like it.

On the other side, we have individuals like Michael Moore who is totally on the other side, who have really become champions of the film.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Pawo Choyning Dorji

I know your family is based in Taiwan. Do you still travel a lot to India?

Actually, when you live in places like Taiwan and the last month, I have been to the US, places like India are needed to give the jolt of inspiration to create.

I have very deep connections with India.

I was born in a tea plantation hospital in Darjeeling.

I did my high schooling in Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu.

I lived in Himachal Pradesh where I was studying Buddhism, before realising I wanted to be a film-maker. So India has a very close place in my heart.

Are you working on another project?

For many years, I have been a big fan of Indian novels and there was one book that always intrigued me: Manil Suri's Death of Vishnu.

I am happy to share that I have finally got the rights for the book.
Even if the BJP gets 60, 70, or even 100 per cent of the votes in the seats where it scored more than 50 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, these will still add up to only 224 seats, argues Shekhar Gupta.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi with with Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra at the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy CMs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa in Jaipur, December 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The argument that Indian polity is divided into a BJP-loving North and a South that continues to reject it is lazy and simplistic. The contest for 2024 is between the 'BJP heartland' and the peripheries

An intriguing new North-South binary has emerged in our political debate after the elections in four major states last month.

The argument might look persuasive -- that the Bharatiya Janata Party rules the North and the South continues to reject it, creating a horizontal divide in the Indian polity marked by the Vindhyas.

I have used the description 'intriguing' as a euphemism for the kind of simplistic and lazy theorising that calls for something stronger.

First of all, the challenge to the BJP's supremacy is not limited to the South.

A quick look at the political map of India will show that the BJP is not a North-centric party but a party of its own heartland.

If the BJP is out of power in the entire South, it is also, at best, marginal all along the eastern seaboard, including West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and indeed, Tamil Nadu in the South.

Then, let's turn to the western coastal states. The BJP rules Gujarat and tiny Goa. In Maharashtra, it's in a coalition where it has had to concede the chief ministership to a partner.

The remaining western coastal states, Karnataka and Kerala, are with the Opposition.

Will you still call it a North-South divide? Or, on the contrary, it is the BJP's great limitation in reaching out to the peripheries, and coastal states, while it is able to win enough Lok Sabha seats in its own political heartland?

Again, if we limit our argument to a lazy and simplistic North-South divide, where will the North East feature?

The important fact is that the BJP, despite its powerful and all-conquering image, still does not reach anywhere near the pan-Indian pre-eminence the Congress had during the Indira Gandhi era.

We are keeping Rajiv Gandhi's 414-seat Lok Sabha score of 1984 out as an exception.

In the 'normal' Indira era from 1971 onwards, the Congress got seats from across the country and generally remained in the 350-seat ballpark.

The Modi-Shah BJP demolished all opposition in the Hindi states in 2019, besides Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, to reach its highest ever tally of 303.

Brave words from its campaigners apart, a look at India's political map highlights the challenge the BJP faces in reaching that 350-seat mark.

Will we now say that besides a North-South divide, there is also a North-East divide?

Or can we say that every state where Hindi is the dominant language and the BJP the leading party, by implication, is northern?

Is Madhya Pradesh a northern state? Bihar may be at a stretch because it reaches out to the northern borders with Nepal, but what about Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand?

These are central, or east-central states.

The short point is, it is impossible to analyse Indian politics along regional or geographical dividing lines.

While we question the idea of the North-South divide on facts, we might also check out the principle underlying the argument.

For now, the argument seems to be that the less advanced, educated, progressive and by implication more bigoted North unquestioningly votes for Narendra Modi's BJP, while the South stands apart in a more sensible, honourable contrast.

It is just that the South does not have the numbers to save India from Mr Modi, goes the argument.

Further, as and when a fresh delimitation is carried out, likely after the next census, the 'civilised' South will become even more marginalised.

Generalisations like these are perilous. Geographically, we have already demonstrated that the BJP's challenge isn't exactly North versus South, but the heartland versus the peripheries.

The party is radiating outwards from the centre (Madhya Pradesh has been its strongest base) and hasn't quite established itself in many of the coastal states in the south, east and west.

Further, if you make the qualitative argument, how would you explain the 1977 election result?

Then, what is being erroneously called the 'North' today, or mainly the Hindi states, rejected Mrs Gandhi's Congress, punishing it for the excesses of the Emergency.

The states in the South had a totally contrary response.

The Congress won most of its 154 seats from the southern states.

In the states the BJP sweeps now, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar (undivided then), Rajasthan and Haryana, the Congress won just two seats.

Both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi lost their seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi.

IMAGE: Modi arrives to attend the victory programme at the BJP's national headquarters after the party won the Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan assembly elections. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

That result, therefore, wasn't so different from the situation in 2019.

Would we, therefore, conclude that in 1977, the 'North' was more politically evolved and aware while the South was blindly following Indira Gandhi?

Or that the North cared about liberties and rejected the Emergency, while the South was illiberal and insensitive?

I know that it sounds ugly when put like this, exactly as the 'South-is-smarter-because-it-isn't-voting-bigoted-BJP' does.

The hard political fact is that the BJP's critics let themselves down when they speak of the North-South divide with resignation.

As our analysis shows, India's current political geographies display the BJP's strengths as well as vulnerabilities.

Once its challengers see things that way, the picture will not look so hopeless.

Nobody understands this better than the BJP. It is because of that hard-headed realism instead of overconfidence that the party keeps winning.

While the BJP seems to psych out all rivals by winning in what look like sweeps, its geographical limitations are all too evident.

The party has already maxed out in its key states. Its dominance is also made to look exaggerated by the margins of its Lok Sabha victories in these states.

IMAGE: Newly sworn-in Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy with state Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party President Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Rahul Gandhi, party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad, December 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In 2019, for example, it secured more than 50 per cent of the votes in 224 seats, which is a killer in any first-past-the-post system.

Most of these seats were obviously in what we might call the BJP heartland states (these include 22 in Karnataka).

For all the talk of its invincibility, in the rest of the country, that is, out of the remaining 319 seats, it won only 79, taking its tally to 303.

That leaves just a 31-seat headroom over the 272 majority mark.

The BJP think-tank understands and worries about this. Even if the party gets 60, 70, or even 100 per cent of the votes in the seats where it scored more than 50 per cent, these will still add up to only 224.

The BJP will need, therefore, all the seats it won in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal.

These are precisely the states where the party collected those remaining 79 to take it to 303.

These are also the states where the INDIA alliance might carry weight if its leaders can ensure vote transfers.

That's the reason the BJP focuses so intensely on attacking this idea of INDIA.

This is how the contest for 2024 is set up. It's the BJP heartland versus the rest, especially the peripheries.

One thing it won't be is merely North versus South, as the BJP's dismayed and demoralised critics now unwisely argue.

By special arrangement with The Print

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Stalin has a procedural problem.

Nominating new ministers would entail his having to seek formal permission from Governor R N Ravi.

Stalin does not want to interact with this governor as far as possible, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Madras high court's verdict, first convicting and now sentencing K Ponmudy, the higher education minister, in a disproportionate assets case dating back to his term in the last Karunanidhi ministry (2006-2011) should have ordinarily forced Tamil Nadu's DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin to recast his team before his tainted colleagues embarrass the ruling DMK in the Lok Sabha election, more than already.

However, the realities of multiple situations, including the state government's running feud with Governor R N Ravi, may have influenced Stalin to settle for a transfer of Ponmudy's ministerial responsibilities to a senior colleague, Raja Kannappan, who is one more of the 'AIADMK defectors' that have performed better than the DMK originals in party and government, since the late M Karunanidhi's sixth and final chief ministerial term (2011-2016).

Corruption has not been a live election issue in the state, barring in the post-Emergency assembly polls of 1977 and to a lesser extent (unlike otherwise believed) in 2011, at the height of the 2G scam. But it is still a live issue, whose multi-faceted possibilities may unfold systematically and periodically through the coming months, can make a difference, however small, to the electoral outcome.

Coming as it does after the Opposition allegations of failure of post-floods relief measures, first in Chennai and later in the four southern districts, all within days, the series of court verdicts, ED/IT/CBI raids, et al, have already put the ruling party on the defensive.

Add to this the recent hikes in milk prices, power tariff and property tax increases, and the government has lost the pro-active initiative script for garnering votes in the Lok Sabha poll.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi with Chief Minister M K Stalin. Photograph: ANI Photo

Removing tainted ministers does not stop with Ponmudy. Nor could it end with jailed Senthil Balaji, at present minister-without-portfolio.

His continuance may now be questioned in party fora, especially after Ponmudy's exit.

However, Stalin had made it an uncompromising prestige issue after he was convinced that the Enforcement Directorate officials raiding Balaji's residence had manhandled him.

Stalin was believed to have been irked by controversial Governor R N Ravi, constantly ticking off the state government and picking up ideological squabbles with the DMK.

Ravi had asked the CM to sack Balaji first and Ponmudy later, following the arrest of the former and the HC verdict in the case of the latter.

The list of tainted ministers in the state is long. It includes Thangam Thennarasu (finance), I Periyaswamy (rural development), E V Velu (public works), K K S S R Ramachandran (revenue), Anitha Radhakrishnan (fisheries) and P Moorthy (commercial taxes and registration).

Other names are either already in the list or could get added, now or later, based mostly on the pro-active drives of central agencies, so to say.

Out of the mentioned list is the senior-most minister, S Duraimurgan; the octogenarian is also the party's general secretary.

He is in charge of water resources and minerals, the latter pertaining to sand-mining, a controversial portfolio after Senthil Balaji-held excise and electricity.

Added to this, in 2019, the Election Commission had rescinded polling in the Vellore Lok Sabha constituency after money-seizure from places identified with Kathir Anand, Duraimurugan's son and DMK candidate.

In the polling held later, Kathir won the seat for the party, but the IT-initiated case is still pending against him.

So is the case that purportedly flowed from the ED raid on DMK parliamentarian and former Union minister S Jagathrakshakan.

It is another matter that social media posts sympathetic to some of the DMK leaders raided by the ED, etc, have claimed that there was no recovery of huge money or laundered money in any of these cases.

The truth will be known only when these matters come up for regular court hearings.

IMAGE: K Ponmudy, the minister who was convicted to three years in prison. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Dr K Ponmudy/X

High Court Justice G Jayachandran's verdict against Ponmudy (and also his 'abettor' wife P Visalakshi) flows not from an ED case but was initiated by the state's department of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC), dating back to the previous AIADMK government.

In fact, the DVAC had appealed the Ponmudy couple's acquittal by a lower court even when the AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami was chief minister, but the verdict has come up only now, two- and-a-half years after the Stalin government came to power.

In contrast, the even more controversial Senthil Balaji case, handled by the ED, pertained to his days as a minister in the late J Jayalalithaa's AIADMK government.

While the DMK claimed that ED officials manhandled him, his lawyers have not been able to obtain a bail, from the lower courts to the Supreme Court.

The ED has successfully argued that as a minister without portfolio, Balaji, who underwent a cardiac procedure soon after arrest, could still influence the witnesses if let out on bail.

What more, Balaji's brother, whose properties too the IT had raided, is reportedly absconding. There is a separate case against him and aides for attacking IT officials.

Justice Jayachandran has granted the Ponmudy couple 30 days to appeal his order before the Supreme Court.

For that period, he has also suspended their sentence. The question was/is if he can continue one, as MLA and two, as minister, during the pendency of his appeal period.

While ordering then chief minister Jayalalithaa's election to the state assembly in 2001 as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court clarified that the high court's stay of its order for facilitating her appeal applied only to the sentencing part and not the conviction.

As it turned out, she could return to office only after the Supreme Court acquitted her in a rare instance of 'plea-bargaining' alien to Indian jurisprudence, before and later.

Jaya chose to wait for getting re-elected as an MLA after her acquitting, to come back as chief minister.

However, in the more recent Rahul Gandhi case, the Supreme Court stayed the Gujarat high court's upholding of the Congress leader's conviction and sentence.

Rahul Gandhi lost his Lok Sabha membership automatically when the trial court pronounced him guilty, but got it restored when the Supreme Court stayed the high court order. The main appeal-case is still pending before the Supreme Court.

IMAGE: Senthil V Balaji, the minister-without-portfolio, who is currently in jail. Photograph: Photograph: Courtesy, V_Senthilbalaji/X

Independent of it all, a whisper discourse was on in the DMK if Ponmudy for a short duration between the high court's conviction and his portfolio going to another colleague -- just as Senthil Balaji could continue as minister without portfolio.

The difference is that in Senthil Balaji's case, the trial court is yet to commence hearing and pronounce verdict.

Ponmudy's was/is an open-and-shut case in comparison, with the ball just now in the Supreme Court.

It is this kind of debate, though not well pronounced as yet, that has led to expectations and anticipation of an imminent cabinet shake-up.

There have already been whispered complaints in the party about the non-performance, especially by veteran ministers.

They question how someone who has not acquainted himself to the realities of the social media age can capture the imagination of IT generation voters.

They have a point. However, the fact remains that more than a couple of first-term ministers have been efficient and active.

Barring these two or three, there is name and face recognition all across the state, only for the veterans.

It means that there is neither talent nor efficiency in the younger crop, whether ministers or non-minister MLAs.

Needless to point out, not one DMK legislator (or even those possibly from other parties) has been impressive through the past two-and-a-half years of the Stalin government.

There is nothing in the efficiency till for Stalin to dig from.

IMAGE: M K Stalin calls on Prime Minister Narendra D Modi in New Delhi, December 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Unlike on past occasions, there are not many alternate claimants/aspirants to the various ministerial posts that could fall vacant if Stalin were to decide to axe controversial and at times inefficient ministers.

The expectation was that the inevitable mid-term shake-up in the ministry and party after the DMK came to power in 2021 would be taken up after the LS polls and well ahead of the assembly polls due in 2026.

The Senthil Balaji-Ponmudy saga indicated otherwise, but Stalin remains unmoved.

He seems satisfied with one ad hoc measure after another, and thus put off the inevitable until it became too late.

Already, leaderships of regional parties, especially in states like Tamil Nadu, find their hands tied in the selection of party candidates for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

Barring a few, veterans alone have unlimited funds at their disposal, to what has become high-cost elections.

Hence, the leadership, the DMK and the AIADMK, less so, among others, are forced to field children of veterans, when the latter hint at retiring but do not actually hang their boots.

Apart from the Stalin-Udayanidhi duo, which is a class apart, the DMK thus have father-son duo in T R Baalu, MP and minister-son T R B Raja, Duraimurugan-Kathir Anand and Ponmudy and son, Gautham Sigamani, the Lok Sabha member from Kallakurichi.

This list is even more endless, but then the DMK is not the only party, just as the Congress ally is not the only one at the national-level.

For instance, barring Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, the children of many BJP national leaders are at it one way or the other, more owing to their parent's presence, influence and pressure on the leadership.

For now, Stalin has satisfied himself by re-allocating Ponmudy's higher education portfolio -- he lost his MLA's job, at least temporarily, the minute the high court convicted him on Tuesday (even without having to wait for his sentencing on Thursday). Raja Kannappan, the backward classes minister, will hold additional charge.

Incidentally, Stalin had shifted Kannappan, a veteran from Jayalalithaa's controversial first-term as chief minister (1991-1996), out of the more important transport ministry following a controversy, which as CM, he did not want to ignore. Not anymore, now it would seem.

If nothing else, Stalin, it seems, would want to wait for the Supreme Court's initial ruling on Ponmudy's appeal, when filed.

It remains to be seen if a vacation bench of the Supreme Court would hear his appeal if moved during the period, or a regular bench would take up the matter, post-vacation, in the New Year.

Even without it, Stalin has a procedural problem. Nominating new ministers would entail his having to seek formal permission from Governor R N Ravi, who too will have to administer the oath of office and secrecy.

Given the supremely strained relations with the governor, that too pending the state government's petitions in the Supreme Court, over Governor Ravi's alleged violations and misinterpretation of Constitutional provisions, the chief minister, it would seem, does not want to interact with the person of this governor, as far as possible.

That may have come as a saving grace for all those tainted ministers and some of the inefficient ministers. But that could also become an albatross for the party, the government and the chief minister, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst and Political Commentator.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stressed the need to finalise seat-sharing arrangements by January at the recent meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a key aide disclosed on Friday.

IMAGE: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi exchanges greetings with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during the INDIA meeting, in New Delhi on December 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Janata Dal-United national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha, who had attended the meeting along with Kumar in Delhi on December 19, briefed reporters at the party office in Patna.

"Nitish Kumar expressed the view that seat sharing should be complete by January. After that all parties should come out with a common minimum programme, since to challenge the current regime we must have a counter-narrative, and plunge into the campaign," said Jha, a close aide of the Bihar CM, who holds key portfolios in the state government.

He, however, refuted reports in a section of the media that Kumar grew 'upset' over the coalition's reluctance to name him the convener of INDIA and had skipped the post-meeting press conference to register his protest.

"As someone who was present at the nearly three and a half hours long meeting, I can say with authenticity that all the deliberations took place in a cordial atmosphere. It was decided that only a few leaders brief the media. We are appalled at the misleading reports," claimed the JD-U leader.

There is 'no truth in the speculations that Nitish Kumar wanted to be named as the convener', Jha said, adding that the JD-U supreme leader has 'played a key role in the formation of INDIA bloc and is satisfied with having done so'.

Replying to a query, Jha said, "We are confident that the proposed deadline of January, for seat-sharing, will be met in Bihar. We face no hurdles here. We wish the same happens nationally though all states have different dynamics."

The JD-U leader was also asked about speculations around the party's national executive and national council meets scheduled in Delhi next week, when, according to a section of the media, a 'big decision' was likely.

He replied, "It is routine. The party constitution calls for such meetings after a certain period of time. So these were due. Such meetings have been held as per schedule in the past, sometimes in Patna, and sometimes in Delhi. There is nothing unusual."

To a pointed query as to whether replacement of national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', for perceived closeness with Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav, was on the cards, Jha asserted, "Such a proposal has never been under consideration."
A Nicaragua-bound plane that took off from the United Arab Emirates carrying 303 Indian passengers has been grounded in France over suspected "human trafficking', French authorities were quoted as saying by the local media on Friday.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Bryan Woolston/Reuters

According to a 'Le Monde' newspaper report, the national anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO has taken over the investigation. Special investigators are questioning all those aboard and two people are in custody pending further examination, the Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The prefecture in the northeastern department of Marne said the A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, "remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing" on Thursday.

The Vatry airport, located 150 kilometers east of Paris, serves mostly budget airlines.

The newspaper report says the prefecture said the plane had been due to refuel and was carrying 303 Indian nationals who had probably been working in the UAE. After landing in France, the passengers were first kept on the aircraft, but then let out and given individual beds in the terminal building. The entire airport was cordoned off by police.

The prosecutor's office said an anonymous tip signalled that the flight was carrying people who could be victims of human trafficking. Passengers were eventually transferred into the main hall of the small Vatry airport, where cots were set up for them to stay overnight on Thursday, the administration for the Marne region told the newspaper.

Investigators from a specialised French organised crime unit, border police and aviation gendarmes are working on the case.

Legend Airlines is yet to comment on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Paris on Friday said French authorities informed it that a flight with mostly Indian origin people that was going to Nicaragua from Dubai has been detained on a technical halt at a French airport.

The embassy was informed that the flight had 303 people.

"French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport," the Indian mission said in a post on 'X'.

"Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers," it said.

No further details including when the flight was detained were not immediately available.
French President Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 that would make him the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious annual event.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the COP 28 Summit in Dubai. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Macron will be visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Macron also confirmed his visit as Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations and thanked Prime Minister Modi for the invitation.

'Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I'll be here to celebrate with you!' Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter).

India had invited US President Joe Biden to be the Republic Day chief guest but he expressed his inability to travel to India in January.

The reasons for Biden's decision are believed to be the State of the Union address in late January or early February, Biden's focus on his re-election bid and Washington's increasing focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict.

'At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,' the MEA said in a statement.

'As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership,' it said.

Later,

Prime Minister Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14 in Paris. President Macron visited India for the G-20 Summit in September.

New Delhi's invitation to Macron for the Republic Day celebrations comes amid rapid upswing in ties between the two countries including in areas of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment and new technologies.

In July, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

France has already responded to India's initial tender for buying the jets.

The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain including in the Indian Ocean Region.

India and France also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations.

In 2020, then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.

In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.

In 2014, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.

The then British Prime Minister John Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as then South African President in 1995 while South Korean President President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.

-- with ANI inputs
The Delhi high court on Friday stayed the trial court's order directing the city police to provide a copy of the FIR to an accused in the Parliament security breach case.

IMAGE: Parliament security breach accused Neelam (second from right) being taken to Patiala House court by the police, in New Delhi, December 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The high court noted the submission of the police that it is a case of sensitive nature, and as per a judgment of the Supreme Court, the FIRs in sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism and of that category, and offences under POCSO Act are not to be uploaded on the website of the authorities.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to accused Neelam Devi on the police's plea challenging the trial court's December 21 order directing the probe agency to furnish a copy of the FIR to the counsel for the accused as per law.

This court, having considered the directions contained in the Supreme Court order, is of the opinion that as per the statement made at bar, Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA have also been invoked against the present accused person, therefore, the FIR is not to be uploaded. In addition to the same, as per this judgment itself and the mandate of the directions the copy of the same could not have been given to the accused without following the procedure laid down."

In view thereof, the execution of the order dated December 21 stands stayed till the next date of hearing, that is, January 4. Issue notice to the accused for the next date, the high court said.

Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act deals with punishment for terrorist act and section 18 relates to punishment for conspiracy.

Delhi government standing counsel (Criminal) Sanjay Lau contended that in sensitive matters, the accused has to approach the police commissioner who forms a committee to decide the application for providing a copy of the FIR and, if it is denied, they can move the court for relief.

However, the trial court erred in directing the police to provide the FIR copy to the accused and overlooked and bypassed the judgment of the Supreme Court as per which FIR cannot be supplied to the accused in sensitive cases.

This is happening in several cases, the order of the Supreme Court is being flouted. This is a very sensitive matter, the security of Parliament has been breached by some persons.

This is a second or third case where such directions have been passed and now the higher authorities want to challenge in the high court, the police's counsel said.

The judge acknowledged that a similar order was passed by the trial court in the news portal NewsClick matter where the probe agency was asked to supply a copy of the FIR to the accused.

Lau said though the trial court order in the NewsClick case was not challenged, the higher authorities decided to contest this order because it involved a breach of Parliament security.

The investigation is still going on and there are a lot of details which we do not want to disclose. Six persons have already been arrested and more are to be arrested. So, let the committee first decide it, he submitted.

He said the committee is formed on a case to case basis and it is done within three days of receipt of the representation and is communicated to the aggrieved person.

On Thursday, the trial court extended till January 5 the custody of four accused -- Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde and Neelam Devi -- arrested in the Parliament security breach case.

On an application by Neelam, the trial court also directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to hand over a copy of the FIR to her counsel.

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, two of the accused -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- vaulted into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor's gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.

Around the same time, two others -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting "tanashahi nahi chalegi" outside the Parliament House premises.

Besides the four accused, police have arrested Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat in the case. All the six accused are being interrogated in police custody.

As per the Supreme Court's 2016 judgment, the copies of FIRs, unless the offence is sensitive in nature, like sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism and of that category, offences under POCSO Act and such other offences, should be uploaded on the police website.

If there is no such website, on the official website of the state government concerned, within 24 hours of registration of the FIR so that the accused or any person connected with the case can download it and file appropriate application before the court for redress of their grievances, it said.

The judgment said in case a copy of the FIR is not provided on the ground of sensitive nature of the case, a person aggrieved by the said action, after disclosing his identity, can submit a representation to the Superintendent of Police or any person holding the equivalent post in the state.

The Superintendent of Police shall constitute a committee of three officers which shall deal with the said grievance, it said.

The top court has said in cases where decisions have been taken to not give copies of the FIR on the ground of sensitive nature of the case, it will be open to the accused/ his authorised representative to file an application for a certified copy before the court to which the FIR has been sent and it shall be provided in quite promptitude not beyond three days of the submission of the application.
More than ever before, women voters can make or mar a political party's electoral fortunes.

IMAGE: Women voters queue to cast their votes for the Telangana assembly elections, November 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

In the recent past, several political leaders, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to then Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal have talked up their women-centric schemes.

The governments they or their parties lead have indeed implemented schemes with women as primary beneficiaries, but they are no trailblazers.

The trailblazer's crown sits firmly on the head of J Jayalalithaa, widely recognised in Tamil Nadu as the mother of welfare schemes.

During her first stint as the Tamil Nadu chief minister from 1991 to 1996, the only woman chief minister across the country, and in her subsequent tenures, Jayalalithaa provided the template for measures to empower women, beginning with the Cradle Baby scheme to discourage female infanticide.

It allowed women to anonymously hand over their babies for the government to raise or put up for adoption.

She opened women-run police stations, reserved a third of police jobs for women, and in later years introduced the thalikku thangam thittam, or gold for marriage, scheme.

She also distributed laptops and mobile phones to women.

Inspired by the Tamil Nadu model, Odisha's Naveen Patnaik in 2001, Nitish Kumar in Bihar and MP's Chouhan, the latter two from 2005 onwards, launched pro-women policies that engendered a steadfast electoral loyalty among women.

Modi, first in Gujarat and then at the Centre, with Ujjwala and Clean India campaigns, Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, and others have taken the baton.

Increasingly, political parties have promised cash transfers to homemakers, besides free bus travel, subsidised cooking gas and kitchen equipment, and given bicycles and scooties to female students.

On September 28, the President of India granted her assent to the Women's Reservation Bill, which reserves 33 per cent of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies.

Nari shakti

More than ever before, women voters can make or mar a political party's electoral fortunes.

Across India, reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies, better literacy, and the Election Commission's efforts to have separate queues for women and mandatory women polling officials, have narrowed the gender gap in voting to the extent that in several states women turnout is higher than men (see Outdoing the men).

Also, the improved women voter turnout addressed their representation.

Pradeep Gupta, founder and chairman and managing director of Axis My India, which predicted the Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh assembly polls accurately, attributes the Congress's and Bhartiya Janata Party's wins in these two states to significant support from women.

"India is a patriarchal society; whatever women earn goes to the male member of the family, which is where politicians realised that the most deprived member of a family is its women and tailored the schemes so that the beneficiaries are women," Gupta told Business Standard.

The market researcher says a woman's "chief wage earner" is no longer her father or husband, but the government of the day.

The government transferring the money into their bank accounts, and digital payments such as UPI have helped.

"That is where women are meticulous in making their electoral choices," Gupta said, attributing the post-2014 support of women for the BJP to the Modi government's women-centric schemes.

On December 3, 2023, at the BJP headquarters, Modi acknowledged this support in the three Hindi heartland states.

In the recently concluded Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, the India Today-Axis exit poll said support from women 'turned the tide in favour of the BJP", crediting Chouhan's "bond with women voters" because of his government's 21 women-centric social welfare schemes for the last 18 years, from Gaon ki Beti Yojana in 2005 to Ladli Laxmi in 2007 and now Ladli Behna, through which 13.1 million women received Rs 1,250 in their accounts on the 10th of every month.

The Axis exit poll said half of all women voted for the BJP, compared to 40 per cent for the Congress.

In May, the exit poll had found that the Congress, thanks to its pro-women schemes, bagged 11 per cent more women votes than the BJP in Karnataka.

In the Telangana assembly polls, Congress leader A Revanth Reddy promised to herald an 'Indiramma Rajyam', stoking the fond memories that elderly voters, especially women, have of Indira Gandhi contesting from Medak in 1980.

As it turns out...

On March 8, 2001, the Patnaik government launched its Mission Shakti programme in Odisha to support women's self-help groups, providing credit and market linkages.

These groups now number 600,000, with 7 million members, and the government has disbursed nearly Rs 6,000 crore

The electoral support from Odisha's women could soon make Patnaik the longest-serving chief minister in India.

Voter turnouts, especially of women, have improved in Odisha -- from 54.25 per cent for women and 63.63 per cent for men in the 2000 assembly poll to 74.08 per cent for women and 71.82 per cent for men in 2019.

However, the number of female legislators remains stagnant in the state at 13 in 2019, the same number that won in 2000.

The trend of promising cash transfers to women picked up after the 2021 assembly polls.

In Bengal, Mamata Banerjee promised cash transfers of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, getting 50 per cent women votes compared to 37 per cent of men in the 2021 assembly polls.

In Tamil Nadu in 2021, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam promised Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women and its rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam assured Rs 1,500.

In Assam the same year, the BJP promised the Orunodoi scheme in 2021, announcing a Rs 800 allowance to women.

According to Lokniti-CSDS findings, in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, 43 per cent of women voters said they made an independent voting decision, which increased to 50 per cent in 2014 and 77 per cent in 2019.

None of these, experts say, is evidence that women vote en bloc.

Issues of caste, class, economy, region, religion, and ethnicity determine their voting choices, as they do for men.

Contours of the constituency

Usha Thakkar, a retired professor who headed the political science department at Mumbai's SNDT Women's University, said the increased number of women turning up for voting by itself cannot be a reason to believe that a women's constituency, or vote bank, has evolved.

For most women, going out to vote is a break from the routine of their daily life, and akin to a festival.

"Voting is the beginning of the assimilation in the policy system, and the process has started, but the contours of women's constituency are yet to emerge clearly," Thakkar said, adding that women continue to remain at the periphery of electoral politics.

Women activists like Thakkar term cash transfers and other pro-women schemes as "carrots of promises for women voters in lieu of real representation".

They point out that reservations work, ensuring better representation for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes women in local bodies.

Of the 4,300 assembly seats, 650 are reserved for SCs and 300 for STs.

According to a 2019 study by F R Jensenius, in assembly elections held between 2004 and 2014, SC men constituted 21.7 per cent of all male candidates, while SC women were 26.3 per cent of all female candidates.

From the 1990s, SC/ST women have fared better than general category women in terms of party nominations and winning seats.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
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Opposition leaders on Friday called for the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, accusing the ruling party of stifling the voice of the Opposition.

IMAGE: Leaders of INDIA parties, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechuri, CPI's D Raja and others, stage a protest against the suspension of 146 Opposition MPs from the Parliament's Winter Session, in New Delhi, December 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

At a protest held at the Jantar Mantar here against the suspension of 146 MPs from both Houses of Parliament during the Winter session, leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc vowed to protect democracy.

Referring to the suspension of MPs, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said the government is trying to silence the Opposition.

"They think they can silence the Opposition by doing this. We are ready to pay any price to save our democracy," he said.

"Farmers are committing suicide, workers in factories are upset because they are not getting the right remuneration for their labour...Dalits are upset...We have to take responsibility, we will work hard and we will defeat this power that is attacking the Constitution," Pawar said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the government is answerable to Parliament.

"Our Constitution gives sovereignty to the people of India, which is implemented through our representatives. Government is answerable to Parliament and MPs are answerable to the people. This is the summary of our democracy," he said.

Yechuri said that while the BJP government is talking about amrit kaal, the amrit or nectar has fallen into the wrong hands as it happened in the story of amrit manthan in the Vishnu Purana.

"They are talking about amrit kaal...remember how amrit was found. Vishnu Purana says amrit came out of the churning of the ocean, but it first fell into the wrong hands. Today the amrit is in the wrong hands, we have to get it back and that is our pledge," he said.

Trinamool Congress MP Mausam Noor called for making a "BJP-free India".

"BJP is trying to murder democracy, they want a democracy-free India. We will appeal to people to make a BJP-free India," she said.

Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja said the government is trying to make Parliament redundant.

"If you eliminate opposition by hook or by crook, you are making Parliament redundant. If Parliament becomes redundant, democracy dies, democracy is killed. This is what Mr (Narendra) Modi and his government are doing. This is what we call fascist dictatorship," he said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha called it a fight to save democracy.

"This is not just the fight of suspended MPs. When the PM goes to foreign countries, he says he comes from the mother of democracy. How are you going to say it now, after suspending 146 MPs," he said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninit leader Dipankar Bhattacharya accused the BJP of insulting Parliament.

"They want Parliament to be opposition free, the roads to be protest free, and want to leave no scope for disagreement.... They are trying to end democracy and bring in a permanent autocracy," he said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Shahid Siddiqui called it the second struggle for independence.

"This is the second freedom struggle. At that time we had Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Charan Singh.... Today we don't have them, so every citizen of India will have to come together," he said.

ST Hasan of the Samajwadi Party accused the government of "bulldozing" Parliament, while Tiruchi Siva of the DMK expressed confidence that next year, a prime minister of the INDIA bloc will unfurl the tricolour at the Red Fort.

National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi, meanwhile, said the people of Jammu and Kashmir should not be forgotten, who are without a democratically elected government for almost 10 years now.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, JMM's Mahua Maji, and Revolutionary Socialist Party's NK Premachandran were also present at the protest, along with several other MPs who had been suspended.
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday held a discussion on seat-sharing in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar during a press conference in Mumbai, September 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

After the joint Opposition protests at Jantar Mantar, Gandhi drove with Pawar to the latter's 6, Janpath residence.

The two leaders were closeted for some time and learnt to have discussed seat sharing among the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi partners Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Congress and NCP for the Lok Sabha elections.

Pawar is keen on accommodating smaller parties such as the Left, Peasants and Workers Party and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi in the Opposition alliance as they have certain pockets of strength in the state.

The NCP veteran is also keen on finalising the seat sharing in Maharashtra early so that joint rallies of the coalition could be organised for campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.
Rendering the House dysfunctional by making a demand to the Chair that cannot be acceded is unfortunate and against public interest, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar is learnt to have said in a letter to Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar meets with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Photograph: ANI Photo

Dhankhar has written to Kharge stating that the Congress leader's refusal to meet him during the Winter session of Parliament was not in sync with parliamentary practices and has also sought an interaction with him, sources said on Friday.

This comes a day after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule.

The Upper House witnessed repeated protests by opposition MPs who were demanding a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.

The protests led to the suspension of 46 MPs from the House for the session. A breach of privilege notice was moved against Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien and the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee.

Citing the letter, the sources said Dhankhar expressed "pain" that his efforts to hold a meeting with Kharge to ensure smooth functioning of the House could not find the Congress leader's favour.

Interaction with the presiding officer is of high priority as per the parliamentary mechanism, Dhankhar said.

He also said that he looks forward to an interaction with the leader of opposition for a healthy way forward.

The three frenetic weeks of the Parliament's Winter session saw a security breach in the Lok Sabha, suspension of 146 MPs and the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the "bribe-for-query" case.

The session, which began on December 4, saw both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha running largely peacefully for the first week but things changed after December 13.

On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two people jumped into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some of the MPs.
Security and defence experts have called for immediate strengthening of the security management and intelligence network along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, which witnessed the killing of 59 people, including 24 security personnel and 28 terrorists, in terror incidents this year.

IMAGE: Security personnel patrol an area after an encounter with terrorists led to the death of four soldiers, in Poonch on Friday, December 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

A day after five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in the border district of Poonch, they expressed concern over the increasing footprints of terrorists in the region.

Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh (retd), who headed the Nagrota-based XVI corps of the army, acknowledged that the terrain where the incident took place is a difficult one.

"But having said that one needs to be prepared for all eventualities," he said.

He said it was time for the top brass in the corps to go back to the drawing board and analyse the continuous 'reverses' being witnessed in the area.

"This area also has an unholy nexus between smugglers, drug cartels and people in the system. There is an urgent need to break the backbone of this," Lt Gen Singh, who was one of the army officials involved in the Balakote strike in 2019, said.

India had hit back at terror camps, especially of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group, after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in a car bomb explosion in Pulwama in February 2019.

Gen Singh also advised that it was time for those at the helm of affairs to go back to the drawing board and basic training of jungle warfare.

"We should not be more dependent on technical inputs as they are misleading at times," he said.

Expressing concern over the terror incidents, defence expert Colonel S S Pathania (retd) said, "It is the second incident in the last two months. This region was peaceful until two years ago. In the last two years, 24 soldiers were martyred here. Why is it happening? Why have terrorists been so emboldened?"

He said focus should be laid on strengthening LoC management and intelligence network.

"The LoC security management should be foolproof and the intelligence network should be strengthened," he said.

Security expert Captain Anil Gaur (retired) also expressed concern over the security situation in the region and called for a total revamp of the intelligence network.

"Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in this region by engineering these incidents. There are some gaps in dealing with terrorism. It is a matter of concern," he said.

He added that it is time to strengthen the intelligence and security setup of the region and eliminate all terrorists.

He said it is a difficult terrain with a lot of caves.

Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily-armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday.

The vehicles carrying the personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station around 3.45 pm, according to the officials.

The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest.

With the latest killing, the total number of people killed in terrorist incidents in the border districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi went up to 59.

Earlier, the three districts witnessed a series of encounters that left 54 persons, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists, dead.

While 31 persons, including 10 terrorists and 14 security personnel, were killed in Rajouri, 15 terrorists and five security personnel were killed in Poonch district.

Three terrorists were killed in Reasi district.

Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into this side of the border, the officials said.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Generally cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High around 40F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan play key roles in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Matthew Orr, Eurasia Analyst at RANE, told Trend.

"Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are the key states without which the route could not function," he said.

As Matthew Orr pointed out, Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with the necessary infrastructure to enable transit along the Middle Corridor.

"Azerbaijan has the necessary Caspian Sea access. Meanwhile both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are investing in the route's expansion and will most likely continue to do so, their commitment to the route remains somewhat ambiguous," he said.

According to him, both countries should focus their transportation efforts on the development of the Middle Corridor.

"An important indicator to which in the years ahead will be whether Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan establish durable mechanisms to ensure continued investment in the Middle Corridor to diversify their export routes," he said.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and commerce route linking Asia and Europe that passes through various nations in the region. It's a different route from the standard Northern and Southern Corridors.

The route begins in China and travels through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Before reaching Europe, it travels across the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey and it provides a land route connecting eastern Asia, particularly China, with Europe, skipping lengthier sea routes.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 22. Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia agreed to launch direct flights on the route Almaty - Riyadh, Trend reports.

The agreement was reached during the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu to Saudi Arabia.

Thus, flights between the countries will be operated by the Saudi Arabian airline FlyNas.

Flights will begin in the spring-summer season of 2024 with a frequency of 7 flights per week.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia for 2022 amounted to $16.5 million, which is 90.5 percent higher than the previous year ($8.6 million).

The volume of exports from Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia at the end of last year decreased by 14.2 percent and amounted to $4.7 million.

Imports to Kazakhstan from Saudi Arabia in 2022 increased 3.7 times and reached $11.8 million.
Thach Sethas arrest was seen as part of a campaign of intimidation and threats against activists.

Cambodias Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Candlelight Party Vice President Thach Setha on Friday, a decision that means hell serve the remainder of his 18-month sentence on a bad check conviction.

Thach Setha, 70, is also serving a three-year sentence he received in October after his conviction on two separate charges of incitement. That case stemmed from a comment he made in January about the history of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party.

The unrelated September conviction on a false check charge has been deemed politically motivated by human rights groups and party officials.

Officials from the European Union, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia, and human rights NGO Licadho were in the courtroom for Fridays verdict.

His wife, Thach Sokborany, was also present and spoke with emotion to reporters afterward about his serious heart condition.

My husband said his health is not good because the doctor asked him to have a checkup every six months, she said. But the court did not release him.

She called on the government to ease the countrys tense political climate by releasing her husband and other prisoners of conscience  a suggestion made previously by human rights activists.

Thach Sethas arrest in January was seen as part of a months-long campaign of intimidation and threats against opposition leaders and activists ahead of Julys general election.

His lawyer, Son Chum Choun, told RFA on Friday that he believes Thach Sethas health issues and the lack of evidence in the original trial should have been enough for Supreme Court Presiding Judge Nil Nonn to order a release.

If we study [the case], he did not act as alleged, Son Chum Choun said, referring to Thach Setha. If we study the case deeper, I think this is something to consider whether this is unfair to him or not?

Translated by Yun Samean for RFA Khmer. Edited by Matt Reed and Roseanne Gerin.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 22. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum, Trend reports.

During the meeting the issues of development of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and the US, as well as topical issues of global and regional security were discussed.

As President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, Kazakh-American cooperation covers a wide range of areas, including security, sustainable development, the climate agenda and humanitarian ties.

Describing economic interaction as the driving force of bilateral relations, Tokayev noted the need to expand trade, economic and investment cooperation, including within the framework of the Council on Investment Attraction.

The parties also discussed opportunities for expanding contacts in such areas as trade, transport, logistics, green energy, ecology, and mining.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the US is showing stable growth. In the first half of 2023, growth was 30 percent and reached $1.8 billion. Last year, this figure was $1.4 billion.

Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the US in 2022 exceeded the pre-pandemic level and amounted to $3.1 billion, which is 37 percent more than in the previous year. Exports of goods from Kazakhstan increased by 32 percent to $1.2 billion, while imports of American goods increased by 40 percent to $1.9 billion. The number of American investments and companies in Kazakhstan increased by 9 percent over the year.
Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers agreed to hold a meeting as soon as possible as tension rises.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. salutes as troops pass during the 88th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Dec. 21, 2023.

Foreign ministers of China and the Philippines have agreed to hold a meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea as soon as possible as the two countries are at loggerheads over several reefs in the contested waters.

Wang Yi, who also sits on the powerful Politburo of the Communist Party of China, and Enrique Manolo had a telephone conversation on Wednesday at the request of the Philippines, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

China blames the Philippines for the serious difficulty in bilateral relations, saying the root cause lies in the Philippines change of policy and position, refusing to honor its commitment and repeated provocations that undermine Chinas legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

The top priority is to properly handle and control the current maritime situation, said Wang, as quoted by Chinese state media.

The crux of the worsening relations between the Philippines and China right now is that the Philippine side has changed its policy stance, downgrading itself from a regional player with strategic autonomy to a proxy of the U.S., the foreign minister noted.

Beijing has been accusing Manila of doing Washingtons bidding, and constantly stirring up trouble at the cost of regional stability.

Tension has been rising between the two neighbors over two atolls in the South China Sea  the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal  claimed by both of them.

We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea, Chinese spokesman Wang Wenbin told a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

For his part, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said in a statement on Thursday about his talks with Wang Yi, We had a frank and candid exchange and ended our call with a closer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues, without elaborating on the issues.

A day earlier, Manilas Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. sought to debunk Beijings accusation that Manila was causing trouble in the sea region, saying, Only China believes in what they are saying.

Philippines seeks to expand joint patrols

Teodoro said on Thursday that the Philippines expects to broaden multinational patrols in the South China Sea next year by adding more participants, a move that is expected to irk China.

The defense secretary said that sea patrols for the most part would be held in 2024 with France, India and other countries that currently do not have agreements with Manila for such joint operations.

It is very likely [that patrols would be held] with other countries like perhaps France, India, Canada, the U.K., New Zealand, Teodoro said, according to a transcript of a local television interview. This is because they really see the cumulative value of working together toward a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.

Manila earlier this year launched bilateral patrols with the United States and Australia in the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for the parts of the South China Sea under its jurisdiction.

Potential international involvement indicates that nobody in the world has publicly proclaimed support for Chinas appropriation of the whole of the South China Sea as its own, Teodoro said.

On the contrary, several countries have condemned their illegal actions based on contrived history, an attempt to change international law and bound other countries into submission into acquiescing or accepting their version of international law, Teodoro said.

In 2016, an international arbitration court ruled for the Philippines, invalidating Chinas claims to nearly all of the South China Sea. While the ruling was praised internationally, led by the United States, China has refused to acknowledge it.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in 2016 just weeks before the ruling, initially refused to engage China in a diplomatic tussle, but toward the end of his term confronted Chinas leader Xi Jinping about it.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, reversed Dutertes policies, reembraced the U.S. and pledged to protect the Philippines South China Sea territories.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Lawyers for the Apple Daily founder had argued that the prosecution had exceeded a time limit for the charge.

Robert Pang, the lawyer for pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrives at West Kowloon court in Hong Kong on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Pang asked the court to dismiss the sedition charge against Lai because the prosecution failed to lay the charge within a six-month window.

A court on Friday rejected a bid by Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai's legal team to get one of the charges in his national security trial dismissed, saying the "sedition" charge hadn't exceeded its time limit.

Lai turned up at West Kowloon Magistrates Court on Friday for the third day of his trial wearing a light green sweatshirt and a dark blue jacket, nodding to family and friends from the dock.

But a bid by defense attorney Robert Pang to get the sedition charge dismissed because the prosecution had failed to lay the charge within a six-month window was rejected by the panel of handpicked national security judges and no jury.

Police stop activist Alexandra Wong [center], also known as Grandma Wong, as she carries Britain's Union Jack outside the West Kowloon court ahead of the trial for Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. (Peter Parks/AFP)

Judge Esther Toh said the sedition charge was laid at the West Kowloon Magistrates court on Dec. 14, 2021, 10 days before the time limit would have expired.

Pang had argued that the prosecution accused Lai of committing the offenses for the first time on April 1, 2019, accusing them of eventually changing the sedition charge to add the word "conspiracy," so as to get around the time limit.

Lai's long-awaited trial on two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces," one count of "collusion with foreign forces" under a draconian national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, and one of "conspiracy to publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display or reproduce seditious publications" under a colonial-era law, got under way on Monday following nearly three years of pretrial detention.

Much of the prosecution's evidence centers on opinion articles published in Lai's now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper. Three former Apple Daily companies are co-defendants.

Decimating freedoms

Beijing imposed the law  which criminalizes public criticism of the authorities  as part of a crackdown on massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, insisting that the move was necessary to quell unrest. Lai has been an outspoken supporter of the pro-democracy movement, and several editors at his former paper are also awaiting sentencing for calling for international sanctions in columns and opinion pieces.

The law, which applies to speech and actions anywhere in the world, criminalizes several broadly defined offenses including secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist activities, all of which carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment. The law has been widely criticized by rights groups and governments for decimating the city's promised rights and freedoms under Chinese rule. Hong Kongs ranking in the major global rights indices has plummeted.

The case was adjourned to Jan. 2 next year, when the prosecution is expected to begin its opening statements.

The ruling came after the city's High Court rejected an application from Tiananmen vigil organizer and national security detainee Chow Hang-tung for bail.

Teresa Lai [left], wife of Jimmy Lai, and their daughter Claire Lai and son Lai Shun Yan arrive at the West Kowloon Court in Hong Kong on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. (Peter Parks/AFP)

Judge Andrew Chan denied bail despite Chow's defense lawyer's argument that the now-shuttered Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China  which organized the now-banned annual vigils for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre  had been active for more than 30 years without endangering China, and that Chow was unlikely to represent much of a threat if released on bail.

Chan also told the court that Chow's trial on charges of "inciting subversion" would likely be scheduled for mid-2024, with a case management meeting slated for February.

Barrister Y.L. Cheung also argued that the national security law, as drafted by the standing committee of the National's People's Congress in Beijing, was only intended to target actions that "seriously endanger national security," and not the peaceful expression of ideas and opinions.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
U.S. aircraft are seen on the runways at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 13, 2020.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday signed into law an $886 billion defense bill that includes US$16 billion to deter Chinas expansive maritime claims and approves exemptions for Australia and the United Kingdom to buy American defense technology without licenses.

The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act was passed by the Senate on Dec. 18 in a 87-13 vote and by the House on Dec. 19 in a 310-118 vote, after a compromise removed supplemental funding for Ukraine along with contentious abortion and transgender provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, last week called the compromise precisely the kind of bipartisan cooperation the American people want from Congress.

Biden said on Friday that parts of the compromise raise concerns but that he was pleased to support the critical objectives of the bill.

The legislation provides the critical authorities we need to build the military required to deter future conflicts, while supporting service members and their spouses and families, Biden said.

Maritime deterrence

The bill includes $14.7 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, well above the $9.1 billion requested by the Pentagon. The project, defense officials say, will help bolster U.S. defenses in Hawaii and the Pacific territory of Guam to increase deterrence efforts against China.

A fighter plane takes off from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong in the Pacific Ocean, south of Okinawa, April 9, 2023. The Pentagons Pacific Deterrence Initiative will increase deterrence efforts against China. (Japan's Ministry of Defense/AFP)

Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and expert in naval operations, said the big increase in funds would help by improving the resilience and capability of U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific.

I expect the increased PDI spending authorized in the NDAA will focus on defense of Guam, improved networking and data integration for U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, and accelerated efforts to posture U.S. ground troops in the region, Clark told Radio Free Asia.

A further $1.3 billion is earmarked specifically for the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative, which a Senate Armed Services Committee statement said would fund increased frequency and scale of exercises, freedom of navigation operations, and partner engagements as China ramps up its claims of sovereignty.

The 2024 bill also authorizes the biggest pay boost to military personnel in two decades, with a 5.2 percent overall bump, and increases the basic allowance for troops and housing subsidies.

AUKUS

Its not only U.S. military bases and personnel in the Indo-Pacific that are receiving a large funding boost next year, though.

The 2024 bill also approves the sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia and exemptions for Australian and British firms from the need to seek licenses to buy U.S. defense technology.

The two provisions  known as Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States  have proved controversial, with some Republicans in Congress questioning Pillar 1 and some Democrats opposing Pillar 2.

Republicans expressed concerns about the ability of shipyards to supply Australia with submarines by the 2030s amid massive building backlogs that have left the U.S. Navy waiting on its own orders.

The Virginia-class attack submarine New Mexico undergoes sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 26, 2009. (U.S. Navy via AFP)

Democrats, meanwhile, said they were worried that exempting Australian businesses from the need to seek licenses could open up an avenue for Chinese espionage to procure sensitive U.S. technology.

But in the end the provisions passed with bipartisan support  even if the important licensing exemptions remain conditional on Australia and the United Kingdom putting in place comparable export restrictions.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois and the ranking member of his party on the House Select Committee on China, said that the approval of both pillars of AUKUS would be a boon to U.S. efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Partys maritime claims.

By authorizing the sale of up to three Virginia-class submarines to Australia, and simplifying the process for sharing advanced technologies between our countries, we are taking an important step in strengthening key U.S. alliances and working to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of CCP aggression, he said.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that the passage of AUKUS meant that Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States are on the precipice of historic reform that will transform our ability to effectively deter, innovate, and operate together.

Australias ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, said earlier this year he foresees a seamless defense industry across the AUKUS member states in coming decades if the security pact succeeds.

Other measures

The bill also establishes a new program to train and advise Taiwans military, and funds the Biden administrations new Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative, which also is aimed at deterring Chinas vast claims of maritime sovereignty.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner said earlier this month would equip American allies across Asia and the Pacific with high-grade commercial satellite imagery that allows them to have much more visibility into their littorals.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, seen at Senate hearing earlier this year, says the U.S. will give allies across Asia and the Pacific high-grade commercial satellite imagery. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters)

Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin and the chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said the bill was suitably focussed on the biggest threats currently facing the U.S. military.

We are in the window of maximum danger when it comes to a conflict with China over Taiwan, Gallagher said after the House passed the bill. Ensuring our military has the resources to deter, and if necessary, win such a conflict must be our primary focus in Congress.
The move comes as state media lauds the legacy of Mao Zedong, claim Xi is a red 'reformer' like his father.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves above a giant portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong at an event marking the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, July 1, 2021.

As authorities in Beijing announced the temporary closure of the Mao Zedong mausoleum on Tiananmen Square, reportedly to allow Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping to pay homage on Maos 130th birth anniversary, state media moved to elevate Xi's revolutionary father's role in the past four decades of economic reform, eclipsing their key architect Deng Xiaoping.

The closure due to operational requirements for three days including the Dec 26 anniversary of the late supreme leader's birth on Dec. 26, comes amid growing fears of a Mao-style personality cult around Xi, as institutions and political figures compete to show the utmost loyalty to Xi and his personal brand of political ideology.

China state broadcaster CCTV ran a documentary this week lauding Xi Jinpings father, Xi Zhongxun, as a key architect of "reform and opening up." (Screenshot from CCTV)

The reports, which described the visit as part of efforts to boost Xis red credentials, emerged as a lengthy article lauding Mao's "great achievements and noble demeanor" appeared in the party's ideological magazine, Qiushi.

The article also placed the past 45 years of economic reform generally credited to late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping in the context of a bigger picture  one of "progress" towards socialist modernization that has yet to be achieved, in further confirmation that Xi likely plans to leave the Deng Xiaoping reform era behind while claiming to be developing it further.

"Today, the best commemoration of Comrade Mao Zedong is to inherit and develop the great cause that he and his comrades worked hard to found, and to write a new historical chapter at a new historical starting point," the article says.

The article came after a Dec. 18 documentary from state broadcaster CCTV lauded Xi's father, the revolutionary Xi Zhongxun (1913-2002), as a key architect of "reform and opening up," lavishing more praise on him on the 45th anniversary of the new policy than on late supreme leader Deng, who is generally credited with the move.

Playing the Xi Zhongxun card

It claims the elder Xi called on China to commit to economic reforms and greater openness after witnessing the mass exodus of people from Guangdong to Hong Kong, then a booming port and British colony, during the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976.

Earlier propaganda films have credited Deng with being the "old man who drew a ring on the South China Sea coast," founding the Special Economic Zone, hard on the border with Hong Kong.

The film seeks to bolster the reformist credentials of both the elder and the younger Xi, with photos of his family seeing him off at the airport when the elder Xi was posted to Guangdong in 1978, and later photos of Xi Jinping accompanying his father on an inspection tour in the southern province.

French Communist Party General Secretary George Marchais [right] speaks with Chinese Communist Party politician Xi Zhongxun in Paris, Dec. 2, 1983. (Philippe Wojazer/AFP)

Feng Chongyi, a professor of Chinese Studies at the Sydney University of Technology, said Xi Zhongxun did indeed win something of a reputation as a reformist for his more relaxed attitude to people fleeing to Hong Kong.

"When Xi Zhongxun set up the special economic zone in Guangdong, he allowed Hong Kong capital in, while easing off a little on those people who were fleeing to Hong Kong, which meant that not all of them were shot dead on sight," Feng said.

"It's fine to say that he was in the reform category, but in no way was he a leader of economic reforms, not at all," he said. "[Former Guangdong party secretary] Ren Zhongyi ... really did have all the theory and a systematic plan, but Xi Zhongxun wasn't on the same level."

"Xi Jinping is trying to play the Xi Zhongxun card to try to trick foreign investors back [to China]," Feng said.

Political deception

Xia Ming, professor of politics at New York's City University, said Xi is actually steering China in the opposite direction to Deng's economic reforms, while still claiming to continue them.

"His political reforms have no substance  on the contrary, he has eliminated the only real highlight of Deng's political reforms  the abolition of lifelong tenure for China's leaders," Xia said, referring to Xi's abolition of presidential term limits leading him to be nodded through for a third and possibly indefinite term in office in October 2022.

"Everything Xi Jinping says is a kind of political deception," he said.

According to current affairs commentator Xu Quan, however, many people are still very willing to idolize Mao.

"[Many still believe that] there was no corruption in the Mao era, and no gap between rich and poor," Xu said. "Mao symbolizes this perfectly in the imagination of a considerable number of Chinese people."

Visitors leave after viewing the preserved body of late communist leader Mao Zedong in his mausoleum [at rear] in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, Sept. 8, 2016. (Greg Baker/AFP)

Current affairs commentator Cai Shenkun said Xi tends to reach for Mao as a political symbol when he runs into difficulty, but warned that integration into the international community will be impossible if Mao's legacy isn't properly laid to rest.

"Mao Zedong relied on violent revolution to launch his career, and any political power that is gained in that way must use violence to maintain itself," he said.

"China is heading for a dead end today."

In the shadow of Mao Zedong Thought

Current affairs commentator Ma Ju said Xi needs to elevate Mao in order to claim his own "red" credentials.

"Xi Jinping's elevation of Mao Zedong is very consistent with his personal values," Ma said. "The Cultural Revolution started when he was 13 years old, and he was sent down to the countryside at 16."

"His formative years were spent in the shadow of Mao Zedong Thought, so his narratives depend on that model," he said.

In Beijing, meanwhile, people were getting ready for heavier restrictions on the already tightly controlled Tiananmen Square.

Chinese President Xi Jinping [center] and other officials bow during a ceremony to mark Martyr's Day at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Sept. 30, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

A member of staff at an eatery not far from Tiananmen Square said local people have been warned not to gather on the square on Dec. 26 in a notice from their local neighborhood committee.

"There will be an important event taking place at the Mausoleum on Dec. 26, and residents should not gather for celebrations in Tiananmen Square at that time for fear of accidents due to large crowds," the notice said.

The "important event" consists of a personal visit to the Mausoleum by Xi Jinping, Hong Kong's pro-China Sing Tao Daily newspaper reported.

"On the morning of Dec. 26, President Xi Jinping is expected to lead central government leaders in paying homage to Mao Zedongs remains at the Mausoleum," the paper said.

Xi will then host a "symposium" at the Great Hall of the People nearby, where he will deliver a speech "speaking highly" of Mao and his legacy.

Xi also paid his respects to Mao on the eve of massive celebrations of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's 70th anniversary in power in 2019, bowing three times in front of Mao's statue on Tiananmen Square.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Four escapees describe the horrors of being caught by China and sent back.

Members of the Emergency Committee on the Forced Repatriation of North Korean Escapees demonstrate in front of the White House, Nov. 8, 2023, to protest Chinas decision to send at least 500 escaped North Koreans back to their homeland.

They were brought together on a cold November morning by Beijings recent decision to send at least 500 North Korean escapees back to their homeland.

Gathered in front of the gates of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, many were friends and relatives of those who have been forcibly repatriated in years past, and some of them had experienced the ordeal themselves.

Those sent back on Oct. 9 would face almost certain punishment  torture, labor camp, sexual violence and even death, warned Human Rights Watch.

Heo Young-hak is an escapee who told RFA Korean that his wife was forcibly repatriated by China in December 2019. She is now a political prisoner, he said.

Honestly, my wife was someone who didnt know anything about violating the law in North Korea, said Heo, visiting the United States as a member of the Emergency Committee on the Forced Repatriation of North Korean Escapees, a South Korea-based group that demonstrated at various locations in Washington and at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

She was such a nice woman, said Heo. But she became a political prisonera political prisoner.

And he doesnt know if shes dead or alive.

Heo Young-hak holds a picture of his wife, Choi Sun Hwa, who was forcibly repatriated to North Korea in December 2019. He is shown at the Nov. 8, 2023.protest. (Hyung Jun You/RFA Korean)

His wife, Choi Sun Hwa, had fled North Korea to be reunited with him and their daughter, as they had escaped to China a month before her.

You know what a political prisoner is, right? You become a political prisoner when you betray your country or engage in activities that are considered treasonous, he said. After a year of interrogation and torture, she was eventually sent to a political prison camp, and now there is no way to confirm whether she is alive or dead, he said.

For Heo, Chinas insistence on repatriating escaped North Koreans is tantamount to genocide.

Once repatriated to North Korea, 80-90% of individuals do not survive, he said. There is no way to confirm the status of those repatriated, but the Chinese government's forced repatriation to North Korea continues. I can only wish that there are no more victims.

Illegal displaced persons

Critics of Beijings policy of returning North Koreans found to have entered the country without authorization say that China is not living up to its agreements to protect refugees.

Though the exact figure of North Koreans who have escaped to China are not known, estimates range from the tens of thousands to more than 100,000.

China continues to justify forced repatriation by claiming that North Korean escapees in China are illegal displaced persons rather than refugees.

Beijing therefore claims it must return the North Koreans to their homeland because it is bound by two agreements with Pyongyang, the 1960 PRC-DPRK Escaped Criminals Reciprocal Extradition Treaty and the 1986 Mutual Cooperation Protocol for the Work of Maintaining National Security and Social Order and the Border Areas.

Fleeing starvation

One of the other protesters that morning had herself been repatriated to North Korea twice.

I cannot help but feel enraged as I stand in front of the Chinese Embassy, said Ji Hanna, who first fled to China in 2010.

Ji Hanna, a widow who was forcibly repatriated to North Korea twice, is interviewed in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2023. (Hyung Jun You/RFA Korean)

Her husband had died in 1996 in the thick of the so-called Arduous March, the famine that resulted from the collapse of the North Korean economy which had been over-reliant on Soviet aid. By some estimates, more than 2 million people, or about 10% of the population, died between 1994 and 1998.

In such dire times, Ji had been trying to provide for her two young sons by conducting illegal trading with contacts in China. She was caught and sentenced to disciplinary labor five times.

In November 2009, the North Korean government issued new currency and revalued the old one such that it made the savings of the common people worth about 1% what it had been.

This was the last straw for Ji, who made the decision to go to China to earn money, then return to North Korea to get her children out.

But she was caught by Chinese police and sent back in 2011. She attempted to escape again but the Chinese border force caught her and sent her back again.

While in a North Korean prison, she said she saw people dying from malnutrition every day, and her only food was the uneaten remnants from soldiers meals.

She escaped again and resettled in South Korea in 2016, where she lives with her two sons.

But she says she will never forget the torture and suffering during and after her repatriation. Her legs are scarred, from being whipped with a stiff leather belt daily, and she suffers from severe neck pain from injuries she suffered while incarcerated.

We didnt commit any major crimes in China. We just tried to find a way to survive and come to South Korea, said Ji. How unjust and heartbreaking it is.

I managed to survive from the brink of death and succeeded in escaping from North Korea on my third attempt and came to South Korea. I dont even know if the other people are dead or alive.

Trafficking

Most of the North Koreans who escape to China are women, and they can become easy targets for human traffickers. Some end up being sold into marriages, sex work or other forms of servitude.

Shin Gum-sil was not at the embassy on Nov. 8, but her cousin Jang Se-yul was, and and he told RFA that Shin had been trafficked when she escaped North Korea in January 2020, right before the whole country was locked down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While in China, Shin fell into the hands of traffickers who sold her to an elderly Chinese man to be his wife. She became pregnant, and in April 2020, and in shock she swallowed a handful of cold medicine pills. (Jang did not specify if this was an attempt by Shin to terminate the pregnancy or to end her life.)

From the overdose, Shin experienced abdominal pain, soon discharged blood, and was taken to the hospital emergency room.

Because she was losing so much blood her husbands parents insisted on going to a big hospital, saying, Despite the risks, we have to save her life, said Jang. When you go to a big hospital, you have to check in, but she didnt have any identification. So, after waiting until the bleeding stopped, the Chinese police took her away.

Shin was then interrogated for about three months and sent to a labor prison camp for more than six months. This all occurred in China as the border between North Korea and China remained closed for the duration of the pandemic.

I havent heard from my cousin in three years, so I asked her Chinese husband and he said she was sick and in the hospital, so I thought she was still hospitalized, said Jang.

But this September, he got a call from Shin, who said was in the Baishan Detention Center in China.

Jang said his heart sank when he heard the news in October that Shin had been among the 500 escapees handed over to the North Korean Ministry of State Security.

He was worried for her because his own status as an escapee who resettled in the South might result in her receiving harsher punishment.

Because I settled in South Korea, the North Korean Ministry of State Security will investigate and conclude that my cousins final plan was to go to South Korea, he said. And there is a high possibility that she will be put in a political prison camp on charges of treason against the homeland.

He called on the international community to address the issue.

When North Korean escapees are forcibly repatriated to North Korea, they are sent to political prisons where they cannot escape alive, said Jang. Despite our relentless efforts, China continues to act recklessly. We earnestly hope that the United States and the international community will intervene to prevent this kind of tragedy.

Peter Jung, the head of the South Korea-based rights group Justice for North Korea, said the group is trying to spread the word that China, a permanent member of the U.N., is committing crimes against humanity by forcibly repatriating North Koreans.

China was clearly cited in the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea 10 years ago for this horrendous crime against humanity, he said. The report urged that Chinese authorities contact and protect North Korean escapees in cooperation with the UN refugee agency and allow them to go to the country of their choice.

Legal status

North Korean escapees in China face many difficulties due to their lack of legal status in China.

One of the protesters on Nov. 8 explained how her sister-in-law could not receive legal services while incarcerated by Chinese authorities because she wasnt legally married to the Chinese man she had been living with as his wife.

Woo Young-bok is relatively famous for her role as the protagonist of Beyond Utopia, an award-winning documentary about how North Koreans who escape to China eventually find their way to South Korea.

While Woo was able to get out of North Korea in 2020 and resettle in the South, her sister Choi Soon Ae was among the 500 North Koreans repatriated in October, she said.

Choi had left North Korea in 2013 with her family and lived in China for two years. Her husband and daughter were able to resettle in South Korea, but she was trafficked and sold to a Chinese man.

Eventually, the Chinese police received an anonymous tipoff about Chois situation, and she was arrested and sent to a prison for two years in Changchun, in Chinas northeastern province of Jilin.

Chois daughter, who now lives in South Korea, can only anxiously wait for news about her mother's well-being, Woo said.

Thae Yong-ho, a member of the National Assembly of South Korea and the Emergency Committee on the Forced Repatriation of North Korean Escapees, joins others in chanting "China should stop forced repatriation of North Korean escapees" in front of the White House, Nov. 8, 2023. (Hyung Jun You/RFA Korean)

In fact, Soon Aes daughter called her mother to try to bring her to South Korea, she said. But Soon Ae said its impossible because she was under repatriation standby.

According to Woo, the family pleaded with her Chinese husband to get her out of prison so that she would not be sent back.

However, he said, If she was on the family register, I would confidently claim to be her husband, but I cant because she is not registered as a member of my family, said Woo.

Woo said women make up the majority of North Korean escapees in China and are living insecure lives. She repeatedly urged that the international community pay more attention to their plight.

Even people who have not yet been sent back to North Korea are anxious and sobbing over the thought [of repatriation], she said. The reason we visited the U.S is because the world must now be aware of Chinas crimes against humanity. [The situation] is truly heartbreaking.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi delivers his speech at the opening of the IAEA General Conference at their headquarters in Vienna, Austria Sept. 21, 2020.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, has found that a new nuclear reactor is apparently operational at North Koreas Yongbyon nuclear complex, suggesting the countrys acquisition of additional means to obtain plutonium for nuclear weapons.

North Korea has been reprocessing used fuel from its 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon to produce plutonium needed for manufacturing its nuclear weapons.

The activities at the experimental Light Water Reactor (LWR) in the facility, however, suggest that it is also operational, according to the IAEA on Thursday.

The discharge of warm water is indicative the reactor has reached criticality, the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement. The LWR, like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel, which can be separated during reprocessing, so this is a cause for concern.

Despite the signs, Grossi still stated that full confirmation of the facilitys operational status requires the IAEA to gain access to the site.

I repeat that the further development of the DPRKs nuclear programme, including the construction and operation of the LWR, is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable, Grossi added, calling North Korea its formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The IAEAs statement comes after North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un and his powerful sister Kim Yo Jong issued nuclear threats against the U.S. and South Korea.

Through the Norths official state media on Thursday, Kim Jong Un emphasized North Koreas implementation of its assertive response strategy, which includes the potential for a nuclear attack in retaliation against the allies. Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong issued a fresh warning that the allies should consider how Pyongyang might respond to what it perceives as their hostile actions.

North Korea has long labeled U.S.-South Korea joint drills as invasion practice, while Seoul and Washington call the exercise fully defensive. The U.S., South Korea and Japan conducted trilateral joint air drills off the southeastern coast of the Korean peninsula Wednesday. The drills included the strategic U.S. B-1B bomber plane, capable of carrying 57 tons of conventional armaments, according to the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On Monday, North Korea fired its latest solid-fueled ICBM, the Hwasong-18, with the launch reaching a maximum altitude of about 6,500 kilometers (4,040 miles) and flying a distance of around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before hitting its target off its eastern coast.

Although the test was conducted at a high angle, it still represented a potential threat to the U.S. If launched at a lower trajectory, this missile may be capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

During the landmark summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore in June 2018, North Korea halted the operations at the Yongbyon complex. However, following the collapse of the second summit in Hanoi in February 2019, North Korea gradually showed signs of resuming activities at Yongbyon, with it publicly vowing that it now has no intention to denuclearize the country.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
They were sent back between September and mid-December.

The United Wa State Army hands over Chinese nationals involved in fraudulent online activities to Chinese authorities at the Myanmar-China border, Sept. 7, 2023.

More than 40,000 Chinese nationals associated with unlawful online scam groups in Myanmars northern Shan state were arrested and deported during a three-month period from early September to mid-December, data from relevant groups indicate.

Radio Free Asia compiled the data from statements made by ethnic Wa and Kokang authorities in northern Shan state, the ruling military junta and Chinas Ministry of Public Security.

Shan state, known as a hub for crystal methamphetamine trafficking, is rife with other illegal activities in enclaves along the Chinese border, as criminals take advantage of ongoing civil unrest and armed conflict under the junta which seized power in a 2021 coup. Falling within neighboring Chinas orbit, northern Shan state has become a focal point for Chinese scammers who target their own citizens.

From Oct. 31 to Dec. 15, nearly 12,050 Chinese citizens linked to online scam groups in the region were arrested and deported, according to a mid-December announcement by the State Administration Council, the formal name of the military junta governing Myanmar.

Most of the Chinese nationals sent back were operating in the Kokang region, whose mostly ethnic Chinese population has backed resistance to the junta.

Arrests of other Chinese nationals involved in the criminal activity have occurred in territory controlled by the United Wa State Army, or USWA, said to be the largest ethnic armed organization in Myanmar. USWA soldiers arrested more than 1,000 Chinese nationals involved in the gangs on Sept. 6-7 and immediately transferred them across the border to Chinese police.

Chinas Ministry of Public Security announced on Nov. 21 that it had apprehended more than 31,000 Chinese nationals linked to online fraud gangs in northern Myanmar. Those arrested included ringleaders, recruiters and over 1,500 Chinese fugitives.

Altogether, the figures add up to over 40,000 Chinese nationals arrested and deported in connection with online scam operaions from early September to mid-December.

'Self-serving local authorities'

Than Soe Naing, a political observer who lived on the China-Myanmar border, said the tens of thousands of Chinese nationals were able to commit crimes in Myanmar because of the involvement of local authorities.

It is quite obvious that the self-serving local authorities at various levels of the junta are involved in this business, he told RFA. Thats why it [online scamming] has greatly expanded. It has become uncontrollable.

Chinese police arrest Chinese nationals allegedly involved in online scamming operations in Myanmar, Dec. 10, 2023. (Kokang officials)

Aung Myo, another political observer and former military officer, told RFA that Burmese officials in the border region have chosen not to crack down on the crime.

It is especially related to the socioeconomic [situation] of the countries, he said. Because of this, the governments will not eradicate it. Its natural that such business will develop, but it will diminish only when [the governments] crush it.

The junta maintains several army battalions in northern Shan states as well as administrative and immigration offices.

RFA could not reach Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the juntas spokesman, for comment on why so many Chinese nationals have been able to enter the Kokang area and operate online scams given the heavy presence of military battalions.

But on Dec. 5, Zaw Min Tun said via state-controlled media that the junta did not accept acts that harm the interests and security of neighboring countries by using Myanmar territory, and that China and Myanmar were working closely together to ensure stability and the rule of law along the border.

RFAs calls to Kokang regional officials for comment went unanswered.

'Everyone is responsible'

Both China and Myanmar are responsible for allowing Chinese nationals to illegally enter Myanmar and quickly forming online scam rings, said Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based political observer.

Everyone is responsible, she said. It is likely that China and its policies are unable to control its borders very well. There are illegal crossings in some points.

Theres no need to say anything about Myanmar [because] there is no rule of law, she added. If you have money, [youre allowed to do anything]. Thats why [Chinese are] entering.

The Chinese Embassy in Yangon did not respond to an email request for comment.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Forum on Dec. 8 that China would collaborate with Mekong River countries to crack down on online scams since Myanmars instability affected areas across its borders.

Despite the ongoing arrests of online scammers in northern Shan state, residents have often informed RFA that online scam operations led by Chinese nationals are still growing uncontrollably in Shwe Kokko, a town in southeastern Myanmar's Kayin state that is controlled by an ethnic armed group, and in Shan states Tachileik on the Thailand-Myanmar border.



Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed.
Storage tanks are seen at an oil refinery plant on Maday Island off Kyaukphyu in Myanmars Rakhine state, Oct. 2, 2019.

Shipping companies continue to transport fuel to Myanmar despite recent sanctions from the United States targeting the military juntas use of jet fuel, an anti-junta group said in a statement.

From October until earlier this month, 12 oil tankers registered to Liberia, Panama, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia made transports to Myanmar, according to a statement from the National Unity Consultative Council, or NUCC, that cited shipping records.

Most of the ships had stopped in Singapore before going on to Myanmar, NUCC spokesman Maung Maung said.

The U.S. and British governments can tighten existing measures by imposing sanctions on companies involved in selling fuel to the junta, including any banks involved in the financial transactions, the NUCC said in the Dec. 16 statement released.

We also have to go after companies in Singapore, Maung Maung said. That is why we are informing the United States and the United Kingdom.

He said the NUCC has sent to U.S. and U.K. officials the names of the ships, the registration numbers and names of the last port from which the vessels were loaded.

The NUCC is an advisory group of political parties, ethnic armed organizations and civil society organizations opposed to the junta. It includes representatives of the National Unity Government, or NUG, which is the parallel civilian government of Myanmar made up of opponents to the junta.

Myanmar junta leader Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing sits in the cockpit of a newly acquired SU-30 SME fighter jet at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the air force, Dec. 15, 2022. (Myanmar military)

Due to an increasing number of civilian casualties from junta airstrikes, the U.S. Treasury Department expanded sanctions in August so that any foreign individual or entity linked to procuring jet fuel for the military government could be targeted.

More than 3,900 civilians have been killed by the regime since it seized power in February 2021, the Treasury Department said in its announcement, with the junta increasingly reliant on violent airstrikes against civilians, including women and schoolchildren, to maintain its hold on power.

Sanctions dont work well

The Singapore Embassy in Yangon responded to RFAs request for comment on the shipments by referring to remarks made by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to Singapores Parliament on July 3.

Singapore would not impose a general trade embargo on Myanmar because it would affect Myanmar civilians, he said.

However, the government remains committed to implementing our policy to prevent the transfer of arms and dual-use items which have been assessed to have potential military application to Myanmar, where there is serious risk that they may be used to inflict violence against unarmed civilians, he said.

We will not hesitate to take action against any individual or entity which contravenes this.

People living in Myanmar will continue to suffer the consequences of more targeted sanctions on the junta, said Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the pro-military Thayninga Institute of Strategic Studies, which is made up of former military officers.

Superpowers sanctions dont work well. Now, we can witness it, he told RFA, referring to the effects of Augusts U.S. sanctions.

Sanctions targeting the juntas three basic needs  funding, arms and legitimacy  are the best way to help the Myanmar people, according to Tom Andrews, the U.N.s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. He made the remarks to the U.N. General Assembly on Oct. 22.

RFA emailed the U.S. and British embassies in Yangon about the NUCCs claims, but they didnt immediately respond on Thursday. Attempts to contact junta spokesman Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun in the issue were unsuccessful.
When Nuraxun Rozi visited his teenage son who was studying in Egypt in 2015, little did he know his trip abroad, including a stop in Turkey, would later land him a 20-year prison sentence in Xinjiang.

At the end of December 2015, my father came for a trip to Egypt, said Nureli Nuraxun, now 22 and an engineer at an aluminum factory in Turkey.

He stayed there for a week and traveled in Turkey for another week, then went back home, Nureli told Radio Free Asia. After he went back, his passport was confiscated, and he was not allowed to go abroad again.

Sixteen months after his return, authorities sent him to a detention camp in April 2017 during the height of mass internment of Uyghurs in re-education camps under Chinese authorities guise of providing vocational training to prevent religious extremism and terrorism, Nureli said.

Nuraxun, now 49, was later sentenced to 20 years in prison in August 2018 for sending his child abroad to study, helping his son while he was in Egypt and for traveling abroad, his son said.

Nureli, who had not previously disclosed his family situation to the media to avoid complicating his fathers case, said he recently decided to reveal it after realizing that his silence was useless.

The Uyghur from the Ara community of Kepekyuzi village in Ghulja, known as Yining in Chinese, is serving his sentence in Kunes Prison, according to an officer at the Kepekyuzi Police Station contacted by RFA.

A total of 50-60 people are serving in Kunes Prison, he said. They are from places like Kepekyuzi and Turpan. They were all arrested around 2017, the same year as Nuraxun.

The policeman said authorities arrested and jailed Nuraxun for sending his son abroad to study.

His visit to Turkey also contributed to his 20-year sentence, he added, though he did not know how authorities determined the length of Nuraxuns jail term.

'Sensitive countries'

In their monitoring of Uyghurs activities, Chinese authorities previously identified more than 20 countries, including predominantly Muslim ones such as Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, as sensitive countries and arrested those who visited them, imprisoning most for five to 10 years.

Im not sure how many of the 20 years is due to sending his son abroad and how many is for visiting Turkey, said the policeman, adding that Nuraxun also took his friends teenage son abroad for study.

While Nureli was in Egypt, he saw other Uyghur students being sent back to China in 2016, and the following year he lost contact with his family. Fearing that he would be targeted, Nureli went to Turkey in 2018

I had heard about my fathers arrest in 2017 and sentencing for 20 years in 2018 after coming to Turkey, he said

I couldnt handle this news at the beginning, Nureli told RFA. It caused psychological trauma. For some time, I was very depressed. Later I focused on my studies. I was determined to study harder, thinking of my father suffering in the cells.

In 2019, Nureli took and passed the exam for prospective mechanical engineering majors at Suleyman Demirel University in Isparta, Turkey, and graduated this year.

He works as an engineer at Yalcinlar Aluminum, where he had interned during his senior year of college.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
We asked some of our most perceptive journalists and analysts to anticipate tomorrow, to unravel the future, to forecast what the new year could have in store for our vast broadcast region. Among their predictions:

The war in Ukraine will persist until the West realizes that a return to the previous world order is unattainable.

In Iran, with parliamentary elections scheduled for March, the government is likely to face yet another challenge to its legitimacy.

In Belarus, setbacks for Russia in Ukraine could prompt the Lukashenka regime to attempt to normalize relations with the West.

While 2024 will see a rightward shift in the EU, it is unlikely to bring the deluge of populist victories that some are predicting.

The vicious spiral for women in Afghanistan will only worsen.

Peace between Armenia and its neighbors could set the stage for a Russian exit from the region.

Hungary's upcoming leadership of the European Council could prove a stumbling block to the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine.

Kyrgyzstan is on course to feel the pain of secondary sanctions over Russias invasion of Ukraine if the West's patience runs out.

Here, then, are our correspondents' predictions for 2024. To find out more about the authors themselves, click on their bylines.

The Ukraine War: A Prolonged Stalemate

By Vitaliy Portnikov

In September 2022, Ukrainian generals Valeriy Zaluzhniy and Mykhaylo Zabrodskiy presciently warned that Russia's aggression against Ukraine would unfold into a protracted conflict. Fast forward 15 months, and the front line is effectively frozen, with neither Ukrainian nor Russian offensives yielding substantial changes.

As 2023 comes to a close, observers find themselves revisiting themes familiar from the previous year: the potential for a major Ukrainian counteroffensive, the extent of Western aid to Kyiv, the possibility of a "frozen conflict, security assurances for Ukraine, and the prospects for its Euro-Atlantic integration ahead of a NATO summit.

It is conceivable that, by the close of 2024, we will still be grappling with these same issues. A political resolution seems elusive, given the Kremlin's steadfast refusal to entertain discussions on vacating the parts of Ukraine its forces occupy. Conversely, Ukraines definition of victory is the full restoration of its territorial integrity.

Even if, in 2024, one side achieves a military victory -- whether through the liberation of part of Ukraine or Russia seizing control of additional regions -- it won't necessarily bring us closer to a political resolution. Acknowledging this impasse is crucial, as Russian President Vladimir Putin's assault on Ukraine is part of a broader agenda: a push to reestablish, if not the Soviet Empire, at least its sphere of influence.

Even if, in 2024, one side achieves a military victory, it won't necessarily bring us closer to a political resolution.

For Ukraine, resistance to Russian aggression is about not just reclaiming occupied territories but also safeguarding statehood, political identity, and national integrity. Western support is crucial for Ukraine's survival and the restoration of its territorial integrity. However, this backing aims to avoid escalation into a direct conflict between Russia and the West on Russia's sovereign territory.

The war's conclusion seems contingent on the depletion of resources on one of the two sides, with Ukraine relying on continued Western support and Russia on oil and gas revenues. Hence, 2024 might echo the patterns of 2023. Even if external factors shift significantly -- such as in the U.S. presidential election in November -- we might not witness tangible changes until 2025.

Another potential variable is the emergence of major conflicts akin to the war in the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, this would likely signify the dissipation of Western resources rather than a shift in approaches to war.

In essence, the war in Ukraine will persist until the West realizes that a return to the previous world order is unattainable. Constructing a new world order demands unconventional measures, such as offering genuine security guarantees to nations victimized by aggression or achieving peace, or at least limiting the zone of military operations to the current contact line, without direct agreements with Russia.

So far, such understanding is lacking, and the expectation that Moscow will eventually grasp the futility of its ambitions only emboldens Putin. Consequently, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will endure, potentially spawning new, equally perilous local wars worldwide.

Iran: Problems Within And Without

By Hannah Kaviani

Iran has been dealing with complex domestic and international challenges for years and the same issues are likely to plague it in 2024. But officials in Tehran appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach to its lengthy list of multilayered problems.

Iran enters 2024 as Israel's war in Gaza continues and the prospects for a peaceful Middle East are bleak, with the situation exacerbated by militia groups firmly supported by Tehran.

Irans prominent role in supporting paramilitary forces in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen has also drawn the ire of the international community and will continue to be a thorn in the side of relations with the West.

Tehran has refused to cooperate with the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency over its nuclear program, resulting in an impasse in talks with the international community. And with the United States entering an election year that could see the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, the likelihood of Tehran and Washington resuming negotiations -- which could lead to a reduction in sanctions -- is considered very low.

But Iran's problems are not limited to outside its borders.

Another critical issue Iranian officials must continue to deal with in 2024 is the devastated economy.

The countrys clerical regime is still reeling from the massive protests that began in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after her arrest for not obeying hijab rules. The aftershocks of the Women, Life, Freedom movement that emanated from her death were reflected in acts of civil disobedience that are likely to continue in 2024.

At the same time, a brutal crackdown continues as civil rights activists, students, religious minorities, and artists are being beaten, detained, and/or given harsh prison sentences.

With parliamentary elections scheduled for March, the government is likely to face yet another challenge to its legitimacy as it struggles with low voter turnout and general disinterest in another round of controlled elections.

Another critical issue Iranian officials must continue to deal with in 2024 is the devastated economy resulting from the slew of international sanctions because of its controversial nuclear program. After a crushing year of 47 percent inflation in 2023 (a 20-year high, according to the IMF), costs are expected to continue to rise for many foods and commodities, as well as real estate.

Irans widening budget deficit due to reduced oil profits continues to cripple the economy, with the IMF reporting that the current government debt is equal to three annual budgets.

With neither the international community nor the hard-line Tehran regime budging, most analysts see scant chances for significant changes in Iran in the coming year.

Belarus: Wider War Role, Integration With Russia Not In The Cards

By Valer Karbalevich

Belarus has been pulled closer into Moscows orbit than ever by Russias war in Ukraine -- but in 2024, its unlikely to be subsumed into the much larger nation to its east, and chances are it wont step up its so-far limited involvement in the conflict in the country to its south.

The most probable scenario in Belarus, where the authoritarian Alyaksandr Lukashenka will mark 30 years since he came to power in 1994, is more of the same: No letup in pressure on all forms of dissent at home, no move to send troops to Ukraine. And while Russias insistent embrace will not loosen, the Kremlin will abstain from using Belarusian territory for any new ground attacks or bombardments of Ukraine.

But the war in Ukraine is a wild card, the linchpin influencing the trajectory of Belarus in the near term and beyond. For the foreseeable future, what happens in Belarus -- or to it -- will depend in large part on what happens in Russias assault on Ukraine.

Should the current equilibrium on the front persist and Western support for Ukraine persist, the likelihood is a continuation of the status quo for Belarus. The country will maintain its allegiance to Russia, marked by diplomatic and political support. Bolstered by Russian loans, Belarus's defense industry will further expand its output.

If Russia wins or scores substantial victories in Ukraine, Lukashenka will reap "victory dividends."

The Belarusian state will continue to militarize the border with Ukraine, posing a perpetual threat to Kyiv and diverting Ukrainian troops from the eastern and southern fronts. At the same time, however, Russia is unlikely to use Belarusian territory as a launching point for fresh assaults on Ukraine, as it did at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

If Russia wins or scores substantial victories -- if Ukraine is forced into negotiations on Moscows terms, for example, or the current front line comes to be considered the international border -- Lukashenka, consolidating his position within the country, will reap "victory dividends." But relations between Belarus and Russia are unlikely to change dramatically.

Potentially, Moscow could take major steps to absorb Belarus, diminishing its sovereignty and transforming its territory into a staging ground for a fresh assault on Kyiv. This would increase tensions with the West and heighten concerns about the tactical nuclear weapons Moscow and Minsk say Russia has transferred to Belarus. However, this seems unlikely due to the absence of military necessity for Moscow and the problems it could create on the global stage.

The loss of Belarusian sovereignty would pose a major risk for Lukashenka and his regime. An overwhelming majority of Belarusians oppose the direct involvement of Belarus in the war against Ukraine. This fundamental distinction sets Belarus apart from Russia, and bringing Belarus into the war could trigger a political crisis in Belarus -- an outcome Moscow would prefer to avoid.

If Russia loses the war or sustains significant defeats that weaken Putin, Lukashenka's regime may suffer economic and political repercussions. This could prompt him to seek alternative global alliances, potentially leading to an attempt to normalize relations with the West.

Russia, Ukraine, And The West: Sliding Toward World War III

By Sergei Medvedev

2024 will be a critical year for the war in Ukraine and for the entire international system, which is quickly unraveling before our eyes. The most crucial of many challenges is a revanchist, resentful, belligerent Russia, bent on destroying and remaking the world order. In his mind, President Vladimir Putin is fighting World War III, and Ukraine is a prelude to a global showdown.

Despite Western sanctions, Russia has consolidated its position militarily, domestically, and internationally in 2023. After setbacks and shocks in 2022, the military has stabilized the front and addressed shortages of arms, supplies, and manpower. Despite latent discontent, the population is not ready to question the war, preferring to stay in the bubble of learned ignorance and the lies of state propaganda.

Here are four scenarios for 2024:

Strategic stalemate in Ukraine, chaos in the international system: The West, relaxed by a 30-year peace dividend, lacks the vision and resolve of the 1980s, when its leaders helped bring about the U.S.S.R.s collapse, let alone the courage of those who stood up to Nazi Germany in World War II. Putins challenge to the free world is no less significant than Hitlers was, but there is no Roosevelt or Churchill in sight. Probability: 70 percent

While breakup into many regions is unlikely, the Russian empire could crumble at the edges.

Widening war, collapse or division of Ukraine: Russia could defend and consolidate its gains in Ukraine, waging trench warfare while continuing to destroy civilian infrastructure, and may consider a side strike in Georgia or Moldova -- or against Lithuania or Poland, testing NATO. A frontal invasion is less likely than a hybrid operation by unidentified units striking from Belarus, acts of sabotage, or unrest among Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. Other Kremlin operations could occur anywhere in the world. The collapse of Ukraines government or the division of the country could not be ruled out. Probability: 15 percent.

Russia loses in Ukraine: A military defeat for Russia, possibly entailing a partial or complete withdrawal from Ukraine. Consistent Western support and expanded supplies of arms, like F-16s or Abrams tanks, or a big move such as closing the skies over Ukraine, could provide for this outcome. It would not necessarily entail Russias collapse -- it could further consolidate the nation around Putins regime. Russia would develop a resentful identity grounded in loss and defeat -- and harbor the idea of coming back with a vengeance. Probability: 10 percent

Russias Collapse: A military defeat in Ukraine could spark social unrest, elite factional battles, and an anti-Putin coup, leading to his demotion or violent death. Putins natural death, too, could set off a succession struggle, causing chaos in a country he has rid of reliable institutions. While breakup into many regions is unlikely, the empire could crumble at the edges -- Kaliningrad, Chechnya, the Far East  like in 1917 and 1991. Russias nuclear weapons would be a big question mark, leading to external involvement and possible de-nuclearization. For all its perils, this scenario might provide a framework for future statehood in Northern Eurasia. Probability: 5 percent

EU: 'Fortress Europe' And The Ukraine War

By Rikard Jozwiak

2024 will see a rightward shift in the European Union, but it is unlikely to bring the deluge of populist victories that some are predicting since Euroskeptics won national elections in the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia and polled well in Austria and Germany.

The European Parliament elections in June will be the ultimate test for the bloc in that respect. Polls still suggest the two main political groups, the center-right European People's Party and the center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, will finish on top, albeit with a smaller share of the vote. But right-wing populist parties are likely to fail once again to agree on the creation of a single political group, thus eroding their influence in Brussels.

This, in turn, is likely to prod more pro-European groups into combining forces again to divvy up EU top jobs like the presidencies of the European Commission, the bloc's top executive body, and the European Council, which defines the EU's political direction and priorities. Center-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is widely tipped to get a second term, even though she might fancy NATO's top job as secretary-general. Charles Michel, on the other hand, will definitely be out as European Council president after serving the maximum five years.

While right-wing populists may not wield major influence in the horse-trading for those top jobs, they will affect policy going forward. They have already contributed to a hardening of attitudes on migration, and you can expect to hear more of the term "fortress Europe" as barriers go up on the EU's outer border.

The one surefire guarantee in Europe isn't about the European Union at all but rather about NATO.

The biggest question for 2024, however, is about how much support Brussels can provide Ukraine going forward. Could the "cost-of-living crisis" encourage members to side with Budapest to block financial aid or veto the start of de facto accession talks with that war-torn country? The smart money is still on the EU finding a way to green-light both those decisions in 2024, possibly by unfreezing more EU funds for Budapest.

Although it seems like a remote possibility, patience could also finally wear out with Hungary, and the other 26 members could decide to strip it of voting rights in the Council of the European Union, which amends, approves, and vetoes European Commission proposals -- essentially depriving it of influence. In that respect, Austria and Slovakia, Budapest's two biggest allies right now, are the EU countries to watch.

The one surefire guarantee in Europe isn't about the European Union at all but rather about NATO: After somehow failing to join as predicted for each of the past two years, against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden will become the transatlantic military alliance's 32nd member once the Turkish and Hungarian parliaments vote to ratify its accession protocol.

Caucasus: A Peace Agreement Could Be Transformative

By Josh Kucera

Could 2024 be the year that Armenia and Azerbaijan finally formally resolve decades of conflict?

This year, Azerbaijan effectively decided -- by force -- their most contentious issue: the status of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. With its lightning offensive in September, Azerbaijan placed Karabakh firmly under its control. Both sides now say they've reached agreement on most of their fundamental remaining issues, and diplomatic talks, after an interruption, appear set to resume.

A resolution of the conflict could transform the region. If Armenia and Azerbaijan made peace, a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement could soon follow. Borders between the three countries would reopen as a result, ending Armenia's long geographical isolation and priming the South Caucasus to take full advantage of new transportation projects seeking to ship cargo between Europe and Asia while bypassing Russia.

Peace between Armenia and its neighbors also could set the stage for a Russian exit from the region. Russian-Armenian security cooperation has been predicated on potential threats from Azerbaijan and Turkey. With those threats reduced, what's keeping the Russian soldiers, peacekeepers, and border guards there?

There are mounting indications that Azerbaijan may not see it in its interests to make peace.

A Russian exit would be a messy process -- Moscow still holds many economic levers in Armenia -- but Yerevan could seek help from the United States and Europe to smooth any transition. Washington and Brussels have seemingly been waiting in the wings, nudging Armenia in their direction.

But none of this is likely to happen without a peace agreement. And while there don't seem to be any unresolvable issues remaining, there are mounting indications that Azerbaijan may not see it in its interests to make peace. Baku has gotten what it wanted most of all -- full control of Karabakh -- without an agreement. And maintaining a simmering conflict with Armenia could arguably serve Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev well, as it would allow him to continue to lean on a reliable source of public support: rallying against an Armenian enemy.

But perhaps the most conspicuous indication of a broader strategy is Aliyev's increasing invocation of "Western Azerbaijan" -- a hazily defined concept alluding to ethnic Azerbaijanis who used to live on the territory of what is now Armenia and their presumed right to return to their homes. It suggests that Azerbaijan might keep furthering its demands in hopes that Armenia finally throws in the towel, and each can accuse the other of intransigence.

Hungary: The Return Of Big Brother?

By Pablo Gorondi

Critics might be tempted to believe that Big Brother will be watching over Hungarians in 2024 like at no point since the fall of communism.

A new law on the Defense of National Sovereignty will allow the Office for the Defense of Sovereignty, which the law created, to investigate and request information from almost any group in Hungary that receives foreign funding. This will apply to civic groups, political parties, private businesses, media companies -- in fact, anyone deemed to be conducting activities (including "information manipulation and disinformation") in the interests of a foreign "body, organization, or person."

The law has been criticized by experts from the United Nations and the Council of Europe over its seemingly vague language, lack of judicial oversight, and fears that it could be used by the government "to silence and stigmatize independent voices and opponents."

The head of the Office for the Defense of Sovereignty should be nominated for a six-year term by right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban and appointed by President Katalin Novak by February 1. This would allow the new authority to carry out investigations and present findings ahead of simultaneous elections to the European Parliament and Hungarian municipal bodies in early June -- possibly influencing their outcomes.

Orban has said in recent interviews that he wants to "fix the European Union" and that "we need to take over Brussels."

Asked by RFE/RL's Hungarian Service, some experts said fears of the new authority are overblown and that the government is more likely to use it as a threat hanging over opponents than as a direct tool for repression -- at least until it finds it politically necessary or expedient to tighten control.

On the international scene, meanwhile, Hungary will take over the Council of the European Union's six-month rotating presidency in July, a few weeks after voting to determine the composition of a new European Parliament.

MEPs from Orban's Fidesz party exited the center-right European People's Party bloc in 2021 and have not joined another group since then, although some observers expect them to join the more Euroskeptic and nationalist European Conservatives and Reformists.

Orban has for years predicted a breakthrough of more radical right-wing forces in Europe. But while that has happened in Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, experts suggest that's not enough to fuel a significant shift in the European Parliament, where the center-right and center-left should continue to hold a clear majority.

Because of the June elections, the European Parliament's activities will initially be limited -- and its election of a European Commission president could prove complicated. Nevertheless, Orban has said in recent interviews that he wants to "fix the European Union" and that "we need to take over Brussels." So, Hungary's leadership may make progress difficult on issues that Orban opposes, like the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine or a possible reelection bid by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Stability And The 'Serbian World'

By Gjeraqina Tuhina and Milos Teodorovic

Serbia, once again, will be a key player in the region -- and its moves could significantly shape events in the Balkans over the next 12 months.

For over a decade, the dialogue to normalize relations between Serbia and its former province Kosovo has stymied both countries. Then, in February in Brussels and March in Ohrid, North Macedonia, European mediators announced a path forward and its implementation. There was only one problem: There was no signature on either side. Nine months later, little has changed.

Many eyes are looking toward one aspect in particular -- a renewed obligation for Pristina to allow for an "appropriate level of self-management" for the Serb minority in Kosovo. This also entails creating possibilities for financial support from Serbia to Kosovar Serbs and guarantees for direct communication of the Serb minority with the Kosovar government.

In October, EU mediators tried again, and with German, French, and Italian backing presented both parties with a new draft for an association of Serb-majority municipalities. Both sides accepted the draft. EU envoy to the region Miroslav Lajcak suggested in December that the Ohrid agreement could be implemented by the end of January. If that happened, it would mark a decisive step for both sides in a dialogue that began in 2011.

"The Serbian world" is a phrase launched a few years ago by pro-Russian Serbian politician Aleksandar Vulin, a longtime cabinet minister who until recently headed the Serbian Intelligence Service. It is not officially part of the agenda of either Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic or the government, but it underscores the influence that Serbia seeks to wield from Kosovo and Montenegro to Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But how Vucic chooses to exert the implicit ties to Serb leaders and nationalists in those countries could do much to promote stability -- or its antithesis -- in the Balkans in 2024.

Another major challenge for Vucic revolves around EU officials' request that candidate country Serbia harmonize its foreign policy with the bloc. So far, along with Turkey, Serbia is the only EU candidate that has not introduced sanctions on Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It is unclear how far the Serbian president is willing to push back to foster ongoing good relations with Moscow.

But first, Serbia will have to confront the fallout from snap elections in December dominated by Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party but rejected by the newly united opposition as fraudulent. The results sparked nightly protests in the capital and hunger strikes by a half-dozen lawmakers and other oppositionists. A new parliament is scheduled to hold a session by the end of January 2024, and the margins are seemingly razor-thin for control of the capital, Belgrade.

Central Asia: Don't Write Russia Off Just Yet

By Chris Rickleton

Will the empire strike back? 2023 has been a galling year for Russia in Central Asia as it watched its traditional partners (and former colonies) widen their diplomatic horizons.

With Russia bogged down in a grueling war in Ukraine, Moscow has less to offer the region than ever before. Central Asias five countries have made the most of the breathing space, with their leaders holding landmark talks with U.S. and German leaders as French President Emmanuel Macron also waltzed into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with multibillion-dollar investments.

And China has reinforced its dominant position in the region, while Turkey has also increased its influence.

But dont write Russia off just yet.

One of Moscows biggest wins in the neighborhood this year was an agreement to supply Uzbekistan with nearly 3 billion cubic meters of gas every year, a figure that could increase.

Power deficits in Uzbekistan and energy-rich Kazakhstan are the most obvious short-term sources of leverage for Moscow over those important countries.

The coming year will likely bring more in terms of specifics over both governments plans for nuclear power production, with Russia fully expected to be involved.

And Moscows confidence in a region that it views as its near abroad will only increase if it feels it is making headway on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Tajikistan

Tajikistans hereditary succession has been expected for so long that people have stopped expecting it. Does that mean it is back on the cards for 2024? Probably not.

In 2016, Tajikistan passed a raft of constitutional changes aimed at cementing the ruling Rahmon familys hold on power. Among them was one lowering the age to run for president from 35 to 30.

Turkmenistans bizarre new setup begs a question: If youre not ready to let it go, why not hold on a little longer?

That amendment had an obvious beneficiary -- veteran incumbent Emomali Rahmons upwardly mobile son, Rustam Emomali. But Emomali is now 36 and, despite occupying a political post that makes him next in line, doesnt look any closer to becoming numero uno.

Perhaps there hasnt been a good time to do it.

From the coronavirus pandemic to a bloody crackdown on unrest in the Gorno-Badakhshan region and now the shadows cast by the Ukraine war, there have been plenty of excuses to delay the inevitable.

Turkmenistan

But perhaps Rahmon is considering events in Turkmenistan, where Central Asias first father-son power transition last year has ended up nothing of the sort. Rather than growing into the role, new President Serdar Berdymukhammedov is shrinking back into the shadow of his all-powerful father, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

And this seems to be exactly how the older Berdymukhammedov wanted it, subsequently fashioning himself a post-retirement post that makes his son and the rest of the government answerable to him.

But Turkmenistans bizarre new setup begs a question: If youre not ready to let it go, why not hold on a little longer?

Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) in November, a former IMF economist argued that Kyrgyzstan would be the "perfect test case" for secondary sanctions over Russias invasion of Ukraine. Robin Brooks described the country as "small, not remotely systemically important, and very clearly facilitating trade diversion to Russia."

Official statistics show that countries in the Eurasian Economic Union that Moscow leads have become a backdoor around the Western-led sanctions targeting Russia. Exports to Kyrgyzstan from several EU countries this year, for example, are up by at least 1,000 percent compared to 2019.

Data for exports to Kazakhstan shows similar patterns -- with larger volumes but gentler spikes -- while investigations by RFE/RL indicate that companies in both Central Asian countries have forwarded dual-use products that benefit the Kremlins military machine.

Belarus is the only Russian ally to get fully sanctioned for its support of Moscows invasion of Ukraine -- but will that change in 2024?

Central Asian governments will argue they have resisted Russian pressure to provide political and military support for the war. They might even whisper that their big friend China is much more helpful to Russia.

But the Wests approach of targeting only Central Asian companies actively flouting the regime is failing.

So, while Western diplomats continue to credit the regions governments for their anti-evasion efforts, their patience may wear out. And if it does, Kyrgyzstan might be first to find out.

Afghanistan: The Vicious Spiral Will Worsen

By Malali Bashir

With little internal threat to Afghanistans Taliban regime and the failure of the international community to affect change in the hard-line Islamist regimes policies, the Taliban mullahs control over the country continues to tighten.

And that regimes continued restrictions on Afghan women -- their rights, freedom, and role in society -- signals a bleak future for them in 2024 and beyond.

Many observers say the move by the Taliban in December to only allow girls to attend religious madrasahs -- after shutting down formal schooling for them following the sixth grade -- is an effort by the Taliban to radicalize Afghan society.

Madrasahs are not an alternative to formal schooling because they dont produce doctors, lawyers, journalists, engineers, etc. The idea of [only] having madrasahs isabout brainwashing [people] to create an extremist society, says Shukria Barakzai, the former Afghan ambassador to Norway.

The crackdown on womens rights by the Taliban will also continue the reported uptick in domestic violence in the country, activists say.

Since the Taliban shut down Afghanistans Independent Human Rights Commission and Women Affairs Ministry, women find themselves with nowhere to turn to and find it extremely difficult to seek justice in Taliban courts.

The Taliban seems adamant about maintaining its severe limits on women and reducing their role in society.

With no justice for victims of abuse on the horizon, womens rights activists say violence against women will continue with no repercussions for the perpetrators.

Barakzai argues that Taliban officials have already normalized domestic violence and do not consider it a crime.

According to [a Taliban] decree, you can [confront] women if they are not listening to [your requests]. Especially a male member of the family is allowed to use all means to punish women if they refuse to follow his orders. That is basically a call for domestic violence, she said.

The vicious spiral for women will only worsen.

Being banned from education, work, and public life, Afghan women say the resulting psychological impact leads to panic, depression, and acute mental health crises.

Although there are no official figures, Afghan mental health professionals and foreign organizations have noted a disturbing surge in female suicides in the two years since the Taliban came to power.

"If we look at the women who were previously working or studying, 90 percent suffer from mental health issues now," said Mujeeb Khpalwak, a psychiatrist in Kabul. "They face tremendous economic uncertainty after losing their work and are very anxious about their future."

Heather Bar, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch, says, "It's not surprising that we're hearing reports of Afghan girls committing suicide. Because all their rights, including going to school, university, and recreational places have been taken away from them."

Promising young Afghan women who once aspired to contribute to their communities after pursuing higher education now find themselves with no career prospects.

I do not see any future. When I see boys continuing their education, I lose all hope and wish that I was not born a girl, a former medical student in Kabul told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

Despite immense global pressure, the Taliban seems adamant about maintaining its severe limits on women and reducing their role in society. This will result in a tragic future for the women of Afghanistan with no relief in sight.
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.

I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

Plans by the Afghan Taliban to build a hydroelectric dam on a major river in eastern Afghanistan have raised concerns in neighboring Pakistan.

A spokesman for the Taliban's Water and Energy Ministry said on December 18 that the survey and design of the project are complete. Matiullah Abid told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi that construction of the dam on the Kunar River would begin when funds are available.

A Pakistani provincial minister said the unilateral decision by the Taliban to build the dam will be considered a hostile act against Pakistan.

Jan Achakzai, the provincial information minister in the southwestern province of Balochistan, warned of severe consequences, including escalating tensions and potential conflict.

The 480-kilometer-long Kunar River originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in northeastern Afghanistan and merges with the Kabul River before flowing downstream into Pakistan.

Why It's Important: Afghanistans rivers are a significant source of fresh water for Pakistan. But the two neighbors have never signed a bilateral water-sharing agreement.

Disputes over Kabuls plans to build dams on major rivers, which would reduce the flow of water to Pakistan, threaten to be a source of tension and conflict between the two countries.

The planned hydroelectric dam on the Kunar River is the latest ambitious infrastructure project undertaken by the cash-strapped Taliban government, which remains internationally unrecognized.

Experts said the extremist group lacks the expertise and finances to fund the project. Constructing dams requires technical know-how, a robust supply chain, and a lot of money," said Najib Aqa Fahim, an Afghan water-management expert.

Najibullah Sadid, another Afghan water expert, said the dam on the Kunar River is relatively small and will not threaten water flows to Pakistan.

Pakistani officials are exaggerating the dam's impact," he told Radio Azadi. It will be a small dam aimed at generating electricity, which will store little water.

What's Next: The Talibans hydropower plans could exacerbate tensions between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan.

The longtime allies have fallen out over the Afghan extremist groups alleged sheltering of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group, which has waged a yearslong insurgency against Islamabad.

Pakistan has been accused of using pressure tactics to force the Taliban to sever ties with the TTP, including by expelling hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, shutting key border crossings, and blocking Afghan transit goods in recent months.

What To Keep An Eye On

It has been one year since the Taliban banned women from attending all public and private universities in Afghanistan, in a move that attracted widespread condemnation.

Afghan women, speaking to Radio Azadi, described the toll of the ban. When I see boys continuing their education, I lose all hope and wish that I was not born a girl," said Spozhmai, who was a medical student in Kabul.

Saira, a medical student in the western city of Herat, said she cannot bear seeing her male classmates graduate, while she was largely confined to staying at home.

Why It's Important: Despite growing international pressure, the Taliban appears unlikely to reverse its severe restrictions on female education.

The extremist group has also banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school.

Without lifting the restrictions, the Taliban is unlikely to gain international recognition or legitimacy among Afghans.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Abubakar Siddique

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.

*Please note that the next newsletter will be issued on January 5.
PRAGUE -- The Czech Republic will observe a national day of mourning on December 23 for the victims of a mass shooting at a university in central Prague that left 14 people dead and 25 others wounded.

In the Prague city center, people began paying their respects to the victims on December 22 by lighting candles outside Charles University buildings.

Fellow students, friends of the victims, and others gathered for an impromptu vigil. Some knelt to light candles and lay flowers, while others cried and hugged each other.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet were among those who paid tribute to the victims.

The university's rector, Milena Kralickova, was also among the throngs of people at the vigil. The academic community, she said, had been "shaken, deeply shaken" by the shooting.

Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said all 14 victims of the shooting on December 21 at Charles University's Faculty of Arts building had been identified. The authorities did not release any names, but the Institute of Music Sciences confirmed that its head, Lenka Hlavkova, was among the dead.

WATCH: More details are emerging of a man who went on a killing spree in the Czech capital, Prague, killing 14 people and injuring more. Police say the killer was a 24-year-old student, who traveled to Prague after killing his father in a village outside the city.

There were no foreigners among those killed, but one citizen of the Netherlands and two from the United Arab Emirates were injured.

The national police confirmed that the gunman died by suicide.

Petr Matejcek, the director of the police regional headquarters in Prague, said the gunman killed himself on the balcony of the university building as officers closed in. Police have not released the gunman's name, but said they believe he was Czech.

Authorities said he had no criminal record, and police have released no details about a possible motive. Investigators said they found no link to any extremist ideology or groups and believed he acted alone.

Following the attack -- the country's worst mass shooting -- the national police announced they have increased security around public buildings and schools, which are closed for the Christmas holiday, across the country. Lectures and events at Charles University were canceled.

The national police stressed that the measures were preventative and that no specific threats had been identified.

National police chief Martin Vondrasek said police believe the shooter killed his father in his hometown of Hostoun west of Prague earlier in the day, and police are investigating whether he is the same assailant who killed a 32-year-old man and his 2-month-old daughter on December 15 in a park in Prague.

The shooter was reportedly a student at Charles University, and Czech media said the police were looking into social media posts allegedly written by the shooter to determine if there was a link to the attack.

The Czech newspaper Hospodarske noviny, citing a police report it had viewed, reported that the gunman had been treated in the past for psychological problems and legally owned 12 weapons, including a semiautomatic rifle, a shotgun, and pistols along with silencers.

The police report said that the gunman arrived at the university with a suitcase full of ammunition. Police said he had a license to own eight guns, including two long guns.

When asked at a news conference how it was possible the shooter had such a number of weapons, Tomas Kubik, a deputy police chief said: We will have to figure out if its a result of a flaw in the system or human error.

The police report said that the gunman, identified only as "DK," had arrived at Charles University's Faculty of Arts building located on Jan Palach Square with a suitcase carrying ammunition. No explosives were found in the building.

Czech President Petr Pavel said he was "shocked" by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France, Slovakia, the European Union, and Israel.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the people of Israel "empathize with the pain of the Czech people."



The White House said the United States is ready to support the Czech Republic as needed.



"Federal authorities are in touch with Czech authorities as they investigate this incident, and we stand ready to provide additional support as needed," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also reacted with shock and sadness. "I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery, he said on X.



Following the attack, which took place about 6 kilometers from RFE/RL's headquarters, acting RFE/RL President Jeffrey Gedmin said that "RFE/RL joins with our community in Prague in expressing solidarity with all affected by todays shocking events at Charles University."



The shooting caused panic throughout the heavily touristed center of Prague. Videos showed the shooter positioned on a terrace of Charles University's Faculty of the Arts building firing onto the large square below. One police vehicle was struck during the shooting, according to the police report viewed by Hospodarske noviny.

Mass shootings are rare in Europe, but there were at least three others this year. A gunman in March in the German city of Hamburg shot dead six people and wounded eight before killing himself.



The other two took place in Serbia in a single week in May. A 13-year-old boy gunned down eight fellow students and a security guard in a Belgrade school. Two days later, a gunman killed eight people and wounded 14 others in a village near the Serbian capital.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time, iDnes, and Reflex
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
SKOPJE -- Marko Ivanov landed in Skopje on a flight from the Netherlands on December 20 and was shocked at what confronted him. "The moment the doors of the plane opened and I stepped out it felt difficult to breathe. And thats outside the city, he told RFE/RLs Balkan Service, adding, When you come to the city center it feels even more stifling." The following day, the streets of North Macedonia's capital were reminiscent of the coronavirus pandemic, with many residents wearing face masks to filter out the choking smog.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution becomes dangerous when PM10 particles -- airborne particles smaller than 1/100th of a millimeter -- exceed 45 micrograms per cubic meter over 24 hours. In recent days, readings of more than 100 micrograms were recorded in several suburbs across Skopje. North Macedonia is guided by its own thresholds that require measures to be taken only after more than 150 micrograms of particles are recorded over two consecutive days. When air pollution hits that limit, the authorities recommend that pregnant women, people over 60, and those with chronic asthma be exempted from work. Hours for outdoor work are also supposed to be limited to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m due to pollution levels generally being highest in the night and early morning.

Despite visibly extreme levels of pollution, the office of Skopje Mayor Danela Arsovska has posted rebuttals to recent reports about air quality, saying some media outlets are falsely describing Skopje as the most polluted city in the world. "The global monitoring service (World Air Quality Index), which shows real-time data on the level of pollution in all cities in the world, clearly shows that Skopje is not even the most polluted city in Macedonia, let alone the world," Arsovska's office said in a recent statement.

Lilia Cholakova Dervishova, the president of North Macedonias Association of Family Physicians, told RFE/RL that air pollution is having an increasing impact on the number of cases of asthma, respiratory diseases, and noncommunicable illnesses in the country. Dervishova recommends that people head into the mountains or the countryside where possible, or stay indoors when pollution becomes severe. North Macedonias ruling party has so far blocked moves to increase the budget allocation for environmental measures.

One bill, submitted by deputies from the Green Inter-Party Parliamentary Group to combat air pollution, was a plan to modernize heating infrastructure for hospitals, schools, and other public buildings that use fuel oil for heating. North Macedonias ruling majority voted against the proposal that would have used up around 0.15 percent of the state budget. Also included among the measures drafted to address pollution was a plan to reduce government use of official vehicles and tighten limits on construction projects. The environmental activist group 02 Initiative reacted to the bill and other environmental measures being nixed by saying the air is toxic yet politicians shut down measures that would result in a concrete reduction of air pollution. The group pointed out that North Macedonias government had earlier committed to updating all state facilities to use clean technology for heating by 2024.
More details are emerging of a man who went on a killing spree in the Czech capital, Prague, killing 14 people and injuring more. Police say the killer was a 24-year-old student, who traveled to Prague after killing his father in a village outside the city. Students at Prague's Charles University have been laying candles in tribute to the victims. (WARNING: graphic scenes)
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 23. Initiatives backed by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have significantly impacted agricultural development in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region, Trend reports.

This was highlighted during a meeting between Emilbek Abdykadyrov, the authorized representative of Kyrgyzstan's President in the Issyk-Kul area, and a delegation from KOICA led by Lee Minho, project manager for organic agriculture policy.

It was highlighted that, with the organization's assistance, a facility contributing to enhanced production processes was successfully established in the Ak-Suu district hamlet of Maman. In addition, a mini-complex for potato sorting has been launched in Teploklyuchenka, and a fruit processing unit for juice extraction has become operational in Tosor.

Abdykadyrov thanked KOICA for their active assistance and stressed the importance of such collaborations for long-term regional infrastructure development and improving the quality of life for the local population.

Further collaboration between the parties is anticipated to continue fostering the region's economic growth and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of its inhabitants.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
U.S. President Joe Biden on December 22 signed an executive order paving the way for Washington to impose sanctions on financial institutions that help Russia evade sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine.

The new executive order makes clear that banks and other financial institutions face significant sanctions themselves if they dont stop the transactions of people and entities that have been designated for sanctions, in particular those involved in shipping of components and goods to the Russian defense sector, the White House said.

"We are sending an unmistakable message: Anyone supporting Russias unlawful war effort is at risk of losing access to the U.S. financial system," national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the order expands the United States ability to target financial institutions located outside of Russia that facilitate transactions on behalf of the Russian defense sector.

The new order also gives the United States the authority to ban importation to the United States of certain goods mined, produced, or harvested in Russia, even if substantially transformed in a third country, Blinken said.

The order underscores the need for financial institutions around the world to ensure they are not facilitating activities that support Russias war effort and implement due diligence practices that protect them from being exploited by Russias procurement networks, he said.

The executive order is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on sanctions evasion.

The U.S. Treasury Department in recent months imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Hong Kong, and China that it accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions.

A senior U.S. official who spoke about the order in a conference call on December 21 said companies and individuals that have been found to participate in evading the sanctions have been designated for sanctions, but the choke point for these companies and Russias ability to circumvent sanctions is the financial system.

"What this tool allows us to do is to target those institutions and give them a very stark choice," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

With reporting by Reuters
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- This war is the destruction of Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty, Viktoria Petrova said in her final courtroom speech on December 21, calling Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine a crime against humanity.

It is the annexation of sovereign territory, the dislocation of millions of people, the loss of homes and loved onestens of millions of tragedies, said Petrova, 29, at her trial in St. Petersburg. Pictures of suffering are now searing into my memory. Many will remain there forever.

'Vika Loved The Wrong Things'

Since October, the closed hearings in Petrovas trial on charges of disseminating false information about the Russian armed forces have taken place in the psychiatric hospital where she has been held. Prosecutors have argued that Petrovas purported crime was motivated and aggravated by political hatred.

Apparently, in the absence of real arguments, they choose this path: if you dont love the president, it means you dont love your country, Petrovas lawyer, Anastasia Pilipenko, told RFE/RLs North.Realities. If you dont love something, it means you hate it. If you read foreign media, it means you hate your country. According to the prosecution, Vika loved the wrong thingsand insidiously ignored the Defense Ministrys briefings.



The court is expected to hand down its verdict on December 25. In a throwback to one of the most reviled practices of the Soviet Union, prosecutors have asked the judge to sentence her to enforced psychiatric hospitalization.

Petrova was arrested at her home in St. Petersburg on May 6, 2022. Agents from the Interior Ministrys Anti-Extremism Center and an organized-crime unit searched her apartment and confiscated her telephone, her computer, and several anti-war posters. Law enforcement had been investigating her social media posts since at least March 25, Pilipenko said.

Although she had never been politically active before and her social media account -- with about 300 readers -- generally featured photos from the gym and portraits of her cat, Petrova told police at her initial questioning that she had every intention of continuing to write against the war.

At an early court hearing, the defense requested that she be held under house arrest pending trial.

The judge was doing the weekend shift, Pilipenko told RFE/RL at the time. There was one fascinating moment when I asked for [house arrest] and the investigator said, No objection. The judge asked, What did you say? And he answered again, No objection. Then the judge made a little gesture and asked again. This time the investigator sighed and asked the judge to place the defendant in custody.

After she had been held for nearly a year without trial, a cellmate filed a complaint against Petrova alleging that she continued to spread anti-war propaganda in jail. As a result, a judge sent her for a psychiatric examination during which doctors determined she could not and cannot understand her actions or control them. It was tantamount to a diagnosis of mental incompetence.

Before her arrest, Petrova had never sought or received psychological care.

The court then appointed a bureaucrat from the St. Petersburg district where Petrova rented an apartment as her legal representative, despite a defense motion that her uncle, with whom she is close, be named. On October 24, the court ordered her confined to the Skvortsov-Stepanov Psychiatric Hospital. According to the Telegram channel Moi Raion, which covered the hearing, the appointed legal representative agreed with the decision, telling the court: She has harmed herself and it is better she remain there. That way she wont offend again.

Forcible Injections

Since she has been in psychiatric confinement, Petrova has faced mistreatment, Pilipenko said. A group of male staff members forced her to strip naked for a physical inspection. She was not given sanitary pads while menstruating.

Blood was flowing down her legs, and everyone was mocking her, Pilipenko told RFE/RL.

When Petrova refused to shower in front of staff members, she was threatened with corporal punishment.

At times, she was bound to her bed and forcibly injected with unknown substances that left her unable to speak for days.

In her closing remarks on December 21, Petrova concluded by directly addressing President Vladimir Putin, the government, the Security Council, the members of both houses of parliament, state propagandists, and all those affiliated with the so-called special military operation -- the war against Ukraine.

I demand the immediate cessation of military activity on the territory of Ukraine and the immediate opening of negotiations aimed at the diplomatic resolution of the conflict, she told the court. I also demand the decriminalization of the [Criminal Code] articles on military censorship and the release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners.

The prosecutions closing statement, Pilipenko argued, was a real example of political hatred.

Only it wasnt a post on social media, but an official statement that had most likely been approved by several senior bosses, she said. Cold, official, approved, and bolstered by the power of hatred.

Written by RFE/RLs Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RLs North.Realities. This story is based on reporting by correspondents on the ground in Russia. Their names are being withheld for their protection.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Ukraine has shown Russia's military is stoppable as he made a surprise visit to the Baltics to help ensure continued aid to his country amid a wave of massive Russian aerial barrages.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

Zelenskiy met with his Lithuanian counterpart, Gitanas Nauseda, on January 10 to discuss military aid, training, and joint demining efforts during the previously unannounced trip, which will also take him to Estonia and Latvia.

We have proven that Russia can be stopped, that deterrence is possible, he said after talks with Nauseda on what is the Ukrainian leader's first foreign trip of 2024.

"Today, Gitanas Nauseda and I focused on frontline developments. Weapons, equipment, personnel training, and Lithuania's leadership in the demining coalition are all sources of strength for us," Zelenskiy later wrote on X, formerly Twitter.



Lithuania has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since the start of Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion, which will reach the two-year mark in February.

Nauseda said EU and NATO member Lithuania will continue to provide military, political, and economic support to Ukraine, and pointed to the Baltic country's approval last month of a 200 million euro ($219 million) long-term military aid package for Ukraine.

Russia's invasion has turned Ukraine into one of the most mined countries in the world, generating one of the largest demining challenges since the end of World War II.

"Lithuania is forming a demining coalition to mobilize military support for Ukraine as efficiently and quickly as possible," Nauseda said.

"The Western world must understand that this is not just the struggle of Ukraine, it is the struggle of the whole of Europe and the democratic world for peace and freedom," Nauseda said.

Ukraine has pleaded with its allies to keep supplying it with weapons amid signs of donor fatigue in some countries.

There is continued disagreement between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress on continuing military aid for Kyiv, while a 50 billion euro ($55 billion) aid package from the European Union remains blocked due to a Hungarian veto.

But a NATO allies meeting in Brussels on January 10 made it clear that 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.

Zelensky warned during the news conference with Nauseda that delays in Western aid to Kyiv would only embolden Moscow.

"[Russian President Vladimir Putin] is not going to stop. He wants to occupy us completely," Zelenskiy said. "And sometimes, the insecurity of partners regarding financial and military aid to Ukraine only increases Russia's courage and strength."

Since the start of the year, Ukraine has been subjected to several massive waves of Russian missile and drone strikes that have caused civilian deaths and material damage.

Zelenskiy said on January 10 that Ukraine badly needs advanced air-defense systems.

"In recent days, Russia hit Ukraine with a total of 500 devices: We destroyed 70 percent of them," Zelenskiy said. "Air-defense systems are the No. 1 item that we lack."

Ukraine sounded an all-out air-raid alert earlier on January 10, and later in the day a Russian strike on the eastern city of Kharkiv injured nine people, regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said.

The injuries occurred when a civilian target was damaged, he said, without specifying what was hit. An inspection of the location was ongoing late on January 10, he said, adding that cars were on fire.



Synyehubov also said that Russian forces had previously hit Kharkiv's Kyiv district with S-300 missiles. Kharkiv is under fire almost every day, usually from S-300 antiaircraft missile systems positioned in Russia in the territory of Belgorod.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters


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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 22. A round table on improving the System of National Accounts was held in Ashgabat with the participation of representatives of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (TURKMENSTAT) and the Turkmen Ministry of Finance and Economy, Trend reports.

According to the official source, issues related to the results of the survey on the production and sale of products were discussed at the meeting.

The event was held within the framework of the project 'Strengthening the institutional, statistical and information technology potential of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan', implemented jointly by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the (TURKMENSTAT).

The purpose of the Round Table was to present and discuss the results of a sample survey conducted last year to compile tables of resources and use, which comprehensively characterize the structure of the economy in a detailed section of industries for 2022.

Meanwhile, in Turkmenistan, the development of the System of National Accounts (SNA) is becoming an important stage for more effective monitoring and analysis of the country's economic activity. Development opens up new opportunities for a deeper understanding of the structure of the national economy and the formation of sound development strategies.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A former teacher and Christian Brother has been charged with 60 counts of indecent assaults at a Dublin school around 50 years ago.

Jack Manning (87), with an address at a nursing home at Dunsink Lane, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was remanded on bail on Friday.

Mr Manning was charged with indecently assaulting six males on various dates in the mid-1970s.

The incidents allegedly occurred at CBS Westland Row, South Cumberland Street, Dublin 2.

The pensioner has nine charges involving one complainant: 12 charges against the second male, 12 against the third, three charges against the fourth, 12 charges against the fifth, and another 12 charges against the sixth alleged injured party.

There was no objection to bail during his hearing before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court.

She ordered the accused to appear again on March 15th for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to complete a book of evidence which gardai must serve on him before a trial order is granted.

The DPP has directed the trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.

Mr Manning has yet to indicate a plea.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Local students were honoured at the recent prestigious national Poetry Aloud competition. This competition challenges second-level students across the country to perform a prescribed poem from memory and the winners were announced last week.

Fifteen-year-old Shay Collins from Glenamaddy Community School, won the competitions Intermediate Category. This is the second win in a row for Glenamaddy Community School in the competition as Luke Dolan won the senior category, as well as the overall prize, last year.

Castlerea Community School students Summer Rose and Stanford Mhanga were also finalists.

Organised by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and Poetry Ireland, in partnership with UCC, this years competition drew 365 entries from 65 schools across the island of Ireland. There were 22 finalists in this years competition from across 14 counties, from Antrim to Kerry.

Poetry Aloud finalist Stanford Mhanga of Castlerea Community School

The competition has been running since 2007 and has three categories: junior, intermediate, and senior. The prescribed poems for this year were Dolphin by Catherine Ann Cullen (junior); What Then? by William Butler Yeats (intermediate) and; In Memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz by WB Yeats (senior).

Speaking to the Herald, Shay, who is preparing for his junior cert, said he was delighted with the win.

There were two poems we had to do. One was What Then? by William Butler Yeats, and the poem I chose was Anseo by Paul Muldoon. Straight away I felt I could relate to it and that there was meaning to it. Its a brilliant poem and I really love it. Its about the poet as a child in school answering the role call, which is exactly what I would have done in primary school, he said.

Poetry Aloud finalist Summer Rose of Castlerea Community School

I have always loved English and I was delighted when my English teacher Sarah Burke asked me to do the competition. As someone who also entered the competition in First and Second Year, he highly recommended people to enter Poetry Aloud.

It is just something to enjoy and try your best at. I never expected to get to the final, but I did and I enjoyed every minute of it. Of course I was a bit nervous when I was in the final, the room was full. All the other participants were there, the judges were there, parents and teachers, but when you are actually delivering the poem, the nerves left you and you just enjoyed the moment.

It was brilliant listening to everybody. It was the same poem but it was as if you were listening to everyone saying a different poem. Everyone had interpreted it in their own way. That was the best thing about it. It was a great experience and I cant wait to do it again next year. Shay is from Timicat and is the son of Catriona and Seamus.

My parents really helped me along the way, he said and he thanked them for their help and support.
The issue of trees affecting footpaths in Ballyleague was raised at a recent meeting of the Roscommon Municipal District.

Cllr Kathleen Shanagher said councillors had numerous representations from people in the village about the issue. There was also a recent meeting held in the village about the matter, which was attended by local politicians.

The council said that trees were causing damage to footpaths and that the council was examining it.

Cllr Orla Leyden said that at the meeting that the community was aware trees were uprooting the paths.

They would like to hopefully try to take the trees and put them somewhere else. But as you head down to the Access for All boat, when you come back onto the path, it is absolutely inaccessible because of the trees, she said. It is very important that the paths are fully accessible. She said that a substantial investment was required.

Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice suggested that the footpaths could be done section by section. He added that he knew of locations were flower and cherry trees were planted in housing estates and had lifted footpaths six inches high. They are beautiful trees, but they are not suitable for footpaths. We need to encourage people to stop planting them near footpaths in towns and villages, he said.

Cllr Marty McDermott said that trees were also damaging walls and headstones in cemeteries.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 22. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the role of energy connectivity, developed on the initiative of Turkmenistan, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the resolution 'The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in driving sustainable development' was adopted at the 48th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

In addition, this resolution, co-sponsored by 38 states, was approved unanimously.

The document calls for continued international cooperation to ensure the reliability and stability of energy connectivity to promote economic integration and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, earlier, Turkmenistan took the initiative to hold an international meeting of experts in early 2024, at which it is planned to discuss strategies for developing cooperation to strengthen energy communications and mobility of energy resources, recognizing their key role in ensuring sustainable development and meeting the needs of countries with limited domestic energy resources.
Kulhad Pizza Couple Latest News

Allegations of Inappropriate Language Spark Protests by Nihang Singh Organizations

Kulhad Pizza Couple Latest News: In a renewed bout of controversy, Sehaj Arora, the proprietor of the popular Kulhad Pizza Restaurant (Fresh Bites) in Jalandhar district, finds himself at the center of a storm after accusations of using inappropriate language in a social media video. The incident has triggered strong reactions, with Nihang Singh organizations staging protests outside the Kulhad Pizza Restaurant.

Amidst allegations of the video containing offensive language directed towards society, several Nihang Singh organizations gathered in protest outside the Kulhad Pizza shop. The commotion drew a substantial crowd, with demonstrators voicing their discontent over the perceived disrespect.

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In response to the escalating situation, Sehaj Arora released a video statement, acknowledging the controversy. Arora explained that the contentious video was a creation in response to a new song, and a reel was made on it. Expressing regret for any offense caused, Arora clarified that the intention was not to hurt sentiments.

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The situation took a more ominous turn when Arora revealed in the video that he had received threats from the Nihang Singhs present at the protest. Allegedly, threats were issued, stating an intention to set fire to his restaurant. The controversy has sparked a conversation within the community about the boundaries of expression and the impact of social media content.

(For More News Apart from Kulhad Pizza Couple Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Boeing (BA) on Thursday made its first direct delivery of the 787 Dreamliner to China since 2019 and plans possible deliveries of the 737 MAX in the coming months.

787 Dreamliner was delivered to a Chinese carrier, Juneyao Airlines, and it flew to Shanghai from Seattle on Thursday.

China had cancelled Boeing plane orders after 737 MAX was grounded worldwide from March 2019 to November 2020 following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Boeing last delivered the 737 MAX to China in 2019, and in 2021, it delivered a leased Dreamliner to a Chinese customer.

Additionally, the aviation company has won clearance from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to resume deliveries of the 737 MAX. However, individual MAX deliveries will still require approval from the National Development and Reform Commission.

Earlier this week, Boeing received 737 MAX orders from Germany's Lufthansa airlines.

Currently, Boeing's stock is moving up 0.77% to $262.29, on the New York Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Tata Nexon owner has shared his frustration on social media as his car continues to give him trouble

Dr. Praveen Kadam, a resident of Hadapsar, Pune, shared his distressing experience as a Tata Nexon owner in a Facebook group. Having purchased the Nexon after selling his Maruti Baleno, Kadam hoped for a seamless driving experience. However, his ownership journey has been marred by a string of persistent issues plaguing the vehicle.

The Troubled Journey of Dr. Praveen Kadam

Kadam expressed his frustration, citing recurring problems with the car since the time of purchase. Initially, water leakage issues were encountered, followed by recurring malfunction indicator light problems. The latest setback involves the air conditioning system malfunctioning, prompting multiple visits to the service station. Shockingly, the car has been returned for repairs a staggering 16 times within just four months of ownership.

Expressing his exasperation, Kadam questioned whether there would be any financial implications for him as a customer amidst these recurrent faults. He vehemently expressed his disappointment, stating, If not, set the car on fire, though urging against any destructive actions towards the brand he initially trusted due to its Indian origin.

With his business in its startup phase, Kadam voiced concerns about the impact these continual issues have had on his daily operations and livelihood, leaving him disillusioned and seemingly bereft of hope for a resolution. When approached for comments, Tata Motors representatives assured that they are investigating Kadams case and are committed to resolving the issues faced by their customers promptly.

Tips for Prospective Car Buyers

Thorough Research: Prior to purchasing a vehicle, conduct extensive research on the models reliability, customer reviews, and manufacturer reputation.

Test Drive & Inspection: Always test drive the car and inspect it thoroughly, checking for any signs of damage or malfunctions.

Warranty & Service Records: Review the warranty terms and service history of the vehicle. Ensure clarity on warranty coverage for potential repairs.

Customer Support & Complaint Resolution: Assess the manufacturers customer support services and their track record in addressing customer complaints and issues.

Consultation with Experts: Seeking advice from automotive experts or experienced individuals can provide valuable insights before making a purchase decision.

Dr. Praveen Kadams ordeal sheds light on the importance of due diligence and awareness when purchasing a vehicle, emphasizing the need for consumers to be vigilant and informed to prevent facing similar challenges.
The push for alternative energy sources has led the San Diego County Water Authority to consider a new possibility  floating solar panels on the surface of the agencys only reservoir.

The 20-acre installation proposed for the Olivenhain Reservoir near Escondido would be the first in Southern California, although several floating panel projects are underway in Northern California and in Japan.

Being on the forefront of that strategy will be exciting, said Kelly Rodgers, energy program manager for the County Water Authority.

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Some experts say water surfaces are the untapped frontier for solar arrays. The panels have become fairly common on rooftops, and some of Californias largest solar farms are in the desert. But industry experts say there are many advantages to placing them on water.

The panels reduce the evaporation that constantly steals water from large open reservoirs. Also, they shade the water and keep it cooler, reducing the chances of an algae bloom and other contamination. Another advantage is that the water keeps the panels cooler, and because the panels are essentially large semiconductors that makes them more efficient.

For the right types of bodies of water, there are opportunities, said Troy Helming, founder and CEO of Pristine Sun. The private San Francisco-based company is working with the County Water Authority to develop the floating solar project.

Scenic lakes with recreational activities such as camping, fishing and boating are not likely candidates. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind reservoirs like Olivenhain may be just the thing.

Still another advantage may be that reservoirs like Olivenhain are close to large urban centers, like San Diego. That means less energy is lost to long-distance transportation over high-tension wires from sites such as the desert. Waste treatment ponds are another possibility.

Pristine Sun completed a six-month pilot program in March with floating solar panels on water treatment ponds in Sonoma County, Helming said. Based on the success of the 10-kilowatt trial, he said, the company has been approved to install a permanent 1.3-megawatt system by the end of this year.

The Kyocera Corp. announced last year it is building a 13.7-megawatt floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir in Japan. When finished in early 2018, it will be the largest floating solar array in the world.

Its just getting started here in the United States, Helming said.

The 6 megawatts that could be produced at Olivenhain would be about equal to the amount used by 1,500 homes.

Agency officials said they plan to use the power on-site or at other Water Authority facilities. Any excess power could be sold over the grid on the states wholesale market. The energy-cost savings and any revenue produced would be shared with Pristine Sun, although the financial arrangement is still being evaluated.

There would be no up-front costs to the Water Authoritys customers, Rodgers said, and the savings would be passed along in the form of lower water rates.

The Water Authority, like many other agencies and growing numbers of homeowners, is sold on solar. In addition to the financial savings, Rodgers said, solar power brings the environmental benefit of reduced greenhouse gases.

We already have solar at three of our facilities, she said. The agency has more than 7,500 panels on solid-ground structures at the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant, its headquarters in Kearny Mesa and its operations center in Escondido.

The Olivenhain reservoir, completed in 2002, is the Water Authoritys only large water-storage facility. It provides an emergency backup source in case of a disaster such as an earthquake or extreme drought, so the water level fluctuates little from day to day.

About 10 percent of the surface of the lake would be used for the panels, Rodgers said. The site is at the opposite end from the dam, where it would be difficult for passers-by to see.

We chose an area with low visual impact, but lots of sun, she said.

Environmental studies for the project could take as long as a year. If the Water Authoritys board signs off on the final plans, installation could be complete by the end of next year.

Another part of the study will be to work with San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to determine whether the power lines serving the reservoir can handle the project.

We need to get a sense of the interconnection costs, Helming said. Those costs  can make or break the project.

Water districts and other agencies across the United States will be watching the Olivenhain project to see if it succeeds, he said.

The County Water Authority also announced this week that it has received a $1 million incentive from the state Public Utilities Commission to install industrial sized batteries at its existing solar facilities.

The batteries are expected to save the agency nearly $100,000 annually by allowing it to store excess solar energy produced during peak hours  mid-day through early afternoon  or retail energy purchased during off-peak hours  generally at night  for later use during high demand times.

There are no plans at present to install the batteries with the floating solar system, Helming said. However, it could easily be adapted to use them.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Mastercard has a goal to help Uzbekistan accelerate the development of its tourism sector, Denis Filippov, Mastercards Country Manager in Uzbekistan and Belarus told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Filippov highlighted the development of Mastercard card acceptance throughout Uzbekistan, ensuring the acceptance of contactless payments in transportation, support for small businesses working in tourism, and the development of payments via other form factors such as smartphones and smartwatches as among the company's important initiatives in Uzbekistan.

E-commerce initiative in Uzbekistan

Citing Filippov, Mastercard intends to open an e-commerce school in Uzbekistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasizing that the training will be available to both managers and staff in the tourism industry, including those from small businesses.

"We can see how vigorously the Uzbek tourism business has evolved in recent years. 4.3 million tourists from various countries visited the country from January to August of this year, adding an additional $1.4 billion to the Uzbek economy. Foreign tourists have increased three to fourfold. According to Mastercard research, customers traveling to other countries want to know that their credit card will be accepted everywhere," Filippov said.

Therefore, the company representative stressed that Mastercard strives to ensure universal acceptance of its cards and that they are already accepted in Uzbekistan almost everywhere, including cities of attraction for tourism like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

"Our Mastercard Tourism Insights platform will also help the country's international tourism development. It is based on an investigation of how our clients use maps in other countries, and it allows us to predict tourist behavior and consumer preferences, allowing us to better organize tourist flows," he said.

Development of payment systems

Filippov further stated that Mastercard aims to accelerate the development of tourism in Uzbekistan through the development of payment infrastructure for tourists and small businesses in the country.

"The establishment of financial accessibility and the provision of premium payment services will establish the conditions conducive to a rise in international tourist arrivals in Uzbekistan. Mastercard's commitment to enabling tourists to transact globally in a manner consistent with their domestic practices will contribute significantly to this objective, he said.

The country manager noted that the increase in tourist flow to Uzbekistan will have a positive impact on society, as the sector has gotten through difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic and the incomes of people employed in this field fell significantly.

Digital transformation will accelerate the economic recovery of the industry, and facilitating access to innovation for small and medium-sized businesses will be the key to its rapid development. Due to the global nature of the business, Mastercard has the opportunity to promote Uzbekistan through its programs for cardholders around the world. In different countries, travelers with Mastercard cards receive exclusive benefits that are aimed at making tourist destinations more attractive, he explained.

The company representative stressed that, in this regard, Mastercard is currently working on a program of special offers for tourists visiting the Uzbek city of Samarkand.

Deepening of partnership

Filippov also stressed that Mastercard aims to continue deepening its partnership with Uzbekistan in a variety of areas.

We collaborate closely with Uzbekistan's Central Bank, and we have several cooperative projects targeted at improving the country's payment sector. Many of them are concerned with cybersecurity, fraud risks, compliance management, and fraud protection, he said.

The country manager noted that the company also continues to work with individuals, offering Mastercard cardholders unique opportunities and favorable offers.

Another promising area is the provision of payment solutions for retail, including marketplaces. The use of ready-made platforms and developments will allow Uzbek companies to reduce investments in innovation. This is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have enough available funds to invest.

The third area of Mastercard's activity in the Republic is the introduction of analytical platforms that allow companies to evaluate the effectiveness of operational activities and promotional activities, as well as the development of consulting support. We have already launched a number of data and services consulting projects in Uzbekistan, Filippov said.

The regional manager added that the joint efforts of Mastercard and the government of Uzbekistan will contribute to strengthening economic stability in the region, as the improvement of payment technologies will increase the convenience of everyday payment transactions for the population as well as act as a stimulator of economic growth.

We are confident that Mastercard's initiatives will open up new business opportunities in the country. We work closely with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of Uzbekistan, and other government organizations. And, as in any country of presence, we aim to resolve emerging issues through an open dialogue, the company representative concluded.

Filippov also stated that in October 2023, Mastercard and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change signed a Memorandum announcing the start of joint work between Uzbekistan and the Mastercard Center for Tourism Innovation, and the first working meeting with the Ministry was already held in November.

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, and Nikola Villa, Mastercard's Global Head of the Public Sector and Executive Vice President for Strategic Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of tourism development earlier this year.

The signed memorandum states that Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change will join the Mastercard Tourism Innovation Hub.

The Mastercard Tourism Innovation Hub will engage with Uzbekistan's Ministry and subordinate institutions to develop cooperative digital solutions for the government, domestic and foreign tourists, and tourism firms.

According to the most recent available data from Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee, 4.9 million tourists visited Uzbekistan between January and September 2023. The number of international tourists visiting the country in 2022 is expected to reach 5.23 million.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Belarusian Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov met with the children of Azerbaijani police officers who died in the line of duty, Trend reports citing BELTA.

The meeting took place at the Minsk City Hall. In a series of exciting events that the police officers organized for the children, this event became one of the most memorable. It all started with an educational excursion, during which the children learned many interesting facts about Minsk and historical figures of Belarus.

Welcoming the young guests, Ivan Kubrakov noted that the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had prepared a rich program for them.

I am sincerely pleased with the decision to send the children of foreign colleagues - heroes of Azerbaijan - to our republic. Guys, you are also our children. After all, the departments of the two countries value employees and their families, they know that law enforcement officers serve worthily in the name of their loved ones and thanks to their support ", said the minister.

He wished the children success in their studies, and his colleagues from a friendly country to return home safe and healthy. The meeting ended with bright concert performances and the presentation of memorable and sweet gifts to Azerbaijani children.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Trend reports via Turkish Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of signing a peace agreement as soon as possible.

Earlier on December 14, Turkish Foreign Minister visited Azerbaijan and met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

During the broad meeting, views were exchanged on the prospects of bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, the current situation in the region, and the reconstruction work being done in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation.

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Marking three years at Bovet, Audrey Raffy talks about her journey at her fathers side

Now that you are living in Dubai, how are you enjoying the show?

This is my first Dubai Watch Week because in 2021, I was based in the US. My father was here with my mum and my sister. So, you know, we figured I would stay in the US and they would come here. So, this is my first Dubai Watch Week and I think that it is probably my favourite watch fair. It is not just about seeing the timepieces and novelties, it is the level of activities, forums and panel discussions here. It is very interactive. This is also the show where I have seen the most people from around the world.

How important is Dubai to Bovet?

Our relationship with the Seddiqi family is more like a family friendship. I believe they were one of the first partners my father had when he started and this relationship has been steadily growing. So, from a market perspective and a business perspective, we have been also growing, you know, we now have five points of sales in the UAE  one in Abu Dhabi and four in Dubai.

Pascal and Audrey Raffy  Bovet 1822

You have been working full-time for three years now, is it everything you imagined it would be?

What I do is very different from what my father does. When I started, we kind of divided the tasks, you know, so before he used to do all the travelling, and then when I came on board, we decided that I could take on some of the travelling too, as he has been doing it for 20 years. He also likes to be more focused in Switzerland with the day-to-day operations of the house.

When I started in 2020, it was more a-learn-as-you-go kind of experience which was nice. I have a law degree so I told my father to look to see where I could add value. Because if I couldnt add value, then there wouldnt have been any point. I wasnt going to come along just for the fun of it, and 2020 was the middle of COVID. My first trip for Bovet was in Mexico, and from there, things just happened naturally. I kept traveling, I kept meeting partners and learning.

Do you ever not agree with your father and what happens when you don't?

Yes, of course, it happens, but he is actually a pretty good listener. He doesn't always do what I advise, but he does listen. So, from that point of view, we don't clash so much.

Audrey Raffy  Bovet 1822

Where would you like to see Bovet in the next five years?

Obviously, there is our family, which is wonderful, but there are also our timepieces, our designs and our artisans, as well as the assets that we have as a house in general, like the castle and the history, it is very complete. I want to be able to share this with the rest of the world as it is all very real; we are not just telling a story. I really want to be able to share it more widely.

What do you enjoy the most in your job?

I love meeting people in the watch business and collectors too. I love having conversations and sharing insights with them, listening to what they have to say as there are still a lot of things that I don't know.

Does this information inspire you in terms of ideas for future watches?

I don't participate much in the design process yet but I hope that one day I will. Up until now, it has mostly been my father. I have given some ideas, of course. I have also moved around a lot. I have lived in Spain, Switzerland, the USA and the UK. And during my time with Bovet, I have travelled extensively, so I am also inspired by all these places, the cultures I have experienced, the different styles and tastes people have, the colours, the materials, and so forth. We are a historic brand, and my father is a classic man, but I would love to integrate more contemporary ideas, all while keeping the Bovet identity and DNA.
Ukrainian actress Lyubava Greshnova, who lived in two countries for many years and cut all ties with Russia after the Russian army began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, told how her Russian friends reacted to the war. The artist says that only one family in her circle left Russia in protest.

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Lyubava Greshnova spoke about this in an interview with OBOZ.UA. The actress, her husband, actor Mikhail Pshenychny, and son left Russia in the first days of the great war.

"I expected support from people whom I considered friends," says Greshnova, "I thought that at least they would write and call me. After all, we had been friends for so many years, worked together. But the best and closest ones never even asked how I was doing. And half of them even posted "Z" on the social network. In the first two months, I couldn't pull myself together at all because of this. I can understand that this is a total fear for them, but it doesn't make the disappointment any less."

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When asked if she believes in the existence of good Russians, the actress replied: "I can tell you from my experience: out of my entire social circle in Russia - and I had a lot of friends there, people I considered close - I don't keep in touch with anyone now. But there is one family, a husband and wife, who left Russia to protest the war with Ukraine when the invasion began. They have no relatives in Ukraine - it's just their civic position. They left their whole life and future behind and left. Can I call them good Russians? Yes, I can. Just like Liya Ahedzhakova or Alla Pugacheva. But, unfortunately, I, like all Ukrainians, am disappointed in the vast majority of Russians."

"We have almost no one in Moscow now," Greshnova continues, "Only my son's nanny remains, she has Ukrainian roots. She has many relatives in Chernihiv. She also really wanted to leave, but she takes care of her sick mother, who is bedridden. We are in touch - she is sad, crying, talking to us. When we left, our dog stayed with her, but we couldn't take him - he needed vaccinations. It was brought to us by Russian friends she told us about."

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Read the full interview with Lyubava Greshnova on OBOZ.UA here.

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Guinee: le bilan de l'incendie a Conakry passe a 23 morts et 241 blesses

Le bilan de l'explosion et de l'incendie du principal depot de carburant de Guinee est passe de 18 a 23 morts jeudi, a annonce le gouvernement alors que des heurts ont oppose le meme jour a Conakry les forces de securite a des groupes de jeunes reclamant de lessence dans les stations-service.




Elizabeth II's daughter, Princess Anne, has spoken about her mother's fears before her death. The former Queen of the United Kingdom was worried that her funeral would be extremely difficult to organize when she passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

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The royal family convinced Elizabeth II that she should do what she thought was right. This was reported by the Daily Mail. After saying goodbye to her mother, Anne felt "strangely relieved," as described in a BBC documentary about the year of King Charles's reign.

In a touching piece, Anne talks about her mother's death and how she felt when she saw the royal crown being removed from the monarch's coffin for the last time at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. "I was strangely relieved that it was over," she said, "That responsibility is now passed on to others."

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The Princess, who was always extremely close to the late Queen, added, "I think there was a moment when she felt it would have been harder if she had died in Balmoral." In particular, Elizabeth II was worried about her son Charles, who later ascended to the throne.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you how Kate Middleton and Prince William ignored the future king and queen of Sweden: the awkward moment was caught on camera.

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Asta Jonasson, a former assistant to the star of the Fast and the Furious media franchise, American actor Vin Diesel, has claimed that in 2010 he assaulted her and forced her to perform sexual acts, ignoring her objections. This allegedly happened during the filming of the fifth installment of the cult films in a hotel room in Atlanta, USA.

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The lawsuit will be heard by a Los Angeles court. Vin Diesel's representatives have not yet responded to the public accusations, although the media have already asked them to do so, Reuters reports.

In her appeal to the court, the victim claims that Diesel forcibly groped her breasts and kissed her, even though he had spent the night entertaining other women in his hotel room.

"Mr. Diesel ignored Ms. Jonasson's clear statements that she did not consent to his sexual advances. Sexual harassment in the workplace will never stop if powerful men are protected from accountability," the lawyer said in a statement.

Asta Jonasson also said in the lawsuit that the actor forced her to grab the rapist's genitals, pushed the assistant against the wall and began to commit sexual misconduct until he satisfied himself. After that, the star left her room, Diesel's former assistant said.

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According to her, a few hours after the incident, the employer fired the assistant, and she decided to keep silent, fearing to enter into a public conflict with "one of the highest-budget actors."

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that a French actress accused Gerard Depardieu of sexual abuse, and shortly after that, another movie star, who allegedly also suffered because of Depardieu, committed suicide. She drowned herself in a river. Read more about the tragic incident here.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Late on Thursday evening, December 21, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation attacked the Kyiv region using UAVs once again. Air Defense Forces destroyed the enemy targets, but 3 private houses were damaged as a result of the falling debris.

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This was announced by the head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration Ruslan Kravchenko, the RMA press service reports. Residents of the region were urged not to ignore the warnings.

"Last night was restless again. The enemy launched a massive attack on the region. The air raid alert lasted almost 2.5 hours. The enemy attacked the Kyiv region with UAVs. Air Defense Forces were actively destroying enemy targets. There were no hits to critical infrastructure," Kravchenko said.

However, according to him, in one of the districts of the region, 3 private houses were damaged as a result of falling debris. A fire broke out in one of the unfinished buildings, which was quickly extinguished. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties. The people whose property was damaged will be provided with all necessary assistance by the local authorities.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, a series of explosions occurred in Kyiv late on Thursday evening, December 21. It happened during an air raid alert related to another drone attack by the aggressor country Russia on Ukraine. A residential high-rise building was damaged in the Solomianskyi district, and debris was also seen falling in Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi districts.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Canadian government has approved the $13.5bn takeover of HSBC Canada by RBC , allowing the sale to proceed despite calls for it to be blocked over fears of reduced competition in the sector.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland gave the deal the green light, the final stage in the process after Canada's Competition Bureau approved it in September.

The government's approval is conditional on none of HSBC Canada's 4,000 employees being fired within six months of the closing date, or two years for front-line staff, and that banking services continue to be provided at a minimum of 33 HSBC branches for four years.

HSBC said the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and was committed to considering the payment of a special dividend of $0.21 per share as a priority use of the proceeds from this sale in the first half of 2024.

Canada's Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, said the government "should have supported competition in banking and mortgage lending by blocking the merger."

HSBC has more than 130 branches in Canada with 780,000 customers. Its is gradually reducing its global presence as part of a strategic pivot to focus on Asia.

"The reality is that HSBC Canada only has a market share of around 2%, and we cannot prioritize the investment needed to grow it further," said chief executive Noel Quinn.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of the Russian Federation and the right-hand man of Russian President Vladimir Putin was the one behind Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's elimination. Even before Prigozhin's "march on Moscow," he had repeatedly warned the dictator. He also warned Putin of the growing military and political weight of this private army, and when Prigozhin started the mutiny, Putin finally heeded his warnings.

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The plane with Prigozhin and his closest associates on board crashed on August 23, exactly two months after the start of the "march on Moscow": preparations for the elimination of the Wagner leader had been underway throughout this time. The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing sources in Western intelligence and the testimony of a former Russian intelligence officer.

The crash of Prigozhin's private jet, on board which he, the real commander of Wagner, Dmitry Utkin, five other members of Putin's entourage and three crew members were, occurred on August 23, 2023, two months after the start of the unfinished march of the Wagner mercenaries on Moscow.

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Western intelligence officers, the newspaper writes, are sure that the disaster was not accidental, and that Prigozhin's murder was being prepared almost from the moment he began his "mutiny."

The initiator and organizer of this elimination was Putin's longtime ally Patrushev, who from 2022 until the start of Prigozhin's "campaign" unsuccessfully tried to convince the Russian dictator that Prigozhin posed a threat to the Kremlin regime. Thus, according to Patrushev, Prigozhin gained too much military and political influence through his PMC. However, Putin, who was in dire need of "successes" at the front (and they were provided at least to some extent only by the Wagner soldiers), ignored these warnings for a long time.

Everything changed, the newspaper writes, after Prigozhin began to allow himself to make critical statements, in particular, about the lack of supply of mercenaries. According to the WSJ, the turning point was a call from the Wagner leader to Putin, during which he allegedly demanded weapons from the Russian president in a rude manner. Later, it was Patrushev's reminder of that call that became the argument that convinced Putin of Prigozhin's danger.

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Prigozhin's fate was sealed by his decision to launch an armed campaign in Russia. Patrushev saw this as a chance to finally get rid of the Wagner leader, so the countdown timer for Putin's cook was started.

According to the newspaper, Prigozhin himself was aware of the danger that hung over him. However, he adhered to the agreement he had made with the Kremlin through the mediation of the self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. Meanwhile, every step of the PMC owner was closely monitored.

In early August, the newspaper writes, Patrushev summoned an assistant to his office and ordered him to start preparing for Prigozhin's liquidation. A little later, Putin was briefed on the plan, and he did not object to Prigozhin's physical elimination according to Patrushev's plan.

On the day of the plane crash, Prigozhin's private jet was somewhat delayed at the airport: the Wagner leader had to wait for security inspectors to complete the inspection of the plane. It was then, the newspaper writes, that a small bomb appeared under the wing of the business jet. At about 5:30 p.m., at an altitude of 6 km, it exploded, and residents of the Tver region filmed a plane with a torn-off wing falling from the sky at high speed.

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A few days after the crash, Russia reported that DNA tests had confirmed Prigozhin's death. Nine other people died along with him: six Wagner mercenaries, including their commander Dmitry Utkin, two pilots, and a flight attendant.

The WSJ article was published on December 22, and it received a great deal of publicity. The Kremlin also reacted to it, though in the usual "it wasn't me" manner.

"It's hardly worth commenting on such materials. Recently, unfortunately, the WSJ has been very fond of producing pulp fiction," Russian state media quoted Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Earlier, it became known that shortly before his death, Prigozhin changed the head of his security service. Vladimir Ryzhakov, who had held this position for many years, was replaced by his successor, Mikhail Vatanin. After the elimination of the Wagner leader, it is he who fully controls the heir to Putin's "cook," his son Pavel.

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It was also reported that the extremely cautious Prigozhin was obsessed with the safety of his air travel. However, something changed before the crash.
In an effort to strengthen maritime collaboration between India and Thailand, INS Kadmatt of the Indian Navy has docked in Bangkok as a component of its Long Range Operational Deployment to the North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. This visit is intended to improve interoperability between the naval forces of the two nations and cultivate a more robust maritime partnership.

The operational transformation in Bangkok encompasses various harbor activities, including a reciprocal visit by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Academy personnel and a conference in preparation for the forthcoming Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX). After leaving Bangkok, INS Kadmatt is scheduled to participate in the MPX alongside HTMS Rattanakosin, a corvette belonging to the Royal Thai Navy.

Scheduled for December 2023, Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), is set to visit INS Kadmatt and engage with the ship's crew. Additionally, the CNS is heading the Indian Naval delegation at the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC), taking place in Bangkok, and hosted by the Royal Thai Navy.
Over 100 of the best and brightest of the Middle Easts Cloud and Data Center industry came together at the Hyatt Regency, Riyadh Olaya in the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for W.Medias maiden edition of Saudi Cloud & Datacenter Convention on December 19.

These included industry experts and thought leaders, including C-level executives, digital infrastructure prof- essionals including architects, engineers and consultants (AECs), key buyers, decision makers, data center owners and operators.

The event saw a variety of power-packed panel discussions where Syed Mohamed Beary (Founder and Chairman, Bearys Group), John Rippingale (MD, MEA & APAC, Sudlows Consulting) and Alister Davis CEng (Director, Black & White Engineering) discussed Saudi Arabias data centers in terms of using digital technologies for design, planning, operations.

Another panel discussion moderated by Faysal Ghauri (Managing Partner & Chief Strategist, FANUUN BCG) saw Imran Hashim (Director IT Infrastructure, MEDGULF, Saudi Arabia), Adil Amir Alskah (CTO, Center 3), Moaz Al Sibaai (Digital Advisory and Strategic Programs, SCCC  Alibaba Cloud), and Mohammad Alahmadi (Head, IT Infrastructure and Data Center, CHI, Saudi Arabia) discuss the role Edge technology and Cloud could play in bridging the gaps in Saudi Arabias digital jigsaw.

Suhail Akhtar (Head of IT Operations and Cybersecurity in the Real Estate Sector) moderated an exciting discussion on increasing data center capacity and density without increasing risk. Panellists Awais Ahmad (Director IT, Solex Plus), Farhan Iqbal (Senior System Engineer, Ministerial Agency of Civil Affairs) and Assma Al-Enizi, Information Security Expert, SDAIA) discussed infrastructure and technology options available for this tight-rope walk.

This was followed by a keynote address delivered by Alaa Osman (Director, Data Center Projects, Meinhardt MENA) on what all it takes to create an ecosystem that enables digital transformation, and how there is more to becoming a data center hub than just data centers.

The final panel discussion of the day was moderated by Kevin Gardiner (Associate Director, Linesight). Panellists such as Dr. Ahmed Darwish El Sayed (Head of Digital Deliver, Bank Albilad), Asim Badhuralam (IT Director, Sanabel Al Salam Food Manufacturing Company), Kamal Farag (Digital Services Director, Human Resources Development, Fund, KSA) and Ali Kathkhada (Group CIO, Depa Group), discussed the future of Enterprise, Cloud and Colocation in Saudi Arabia.

The KSA has a thriving digital landscape that has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the fastest growing data center markets in the Middle East. Supported by Saudi Vision 2030, creativity, and innovation, KSA is also showing commitment to sustainability, powered by abundant desert sunshine. W.Media will keep a close eye on developments in the cloud and data center industry in Saudi Arabia in the years to come.
Nithin Kamath, the CEO of Zerodha, has joined the National Startup Advisory Council to guide the government in creating a conducive environment for innovation. Alongside 30 other non-official members, Kamath's goal is to influence programs that cater to the evolving needs of startups. Kamath expresses eagerness for his role, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing domestic capital for startups. He advocates a reduction in reliance on foreign investment, urging Indians to support indigenous ventures. Kamath underscores the need for India to unlock domestic capital for startups and MSMEs, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependence on foreign capital and encouraging support for Indian startups from within the country.

Nithin Kamath underscores the rise in entrepreneurial ambitions among Indians, attributing it to government initiatives, media attention, and success stories. He identifies an opportunity for Indian investors to adopt novel products, stressing the significance of keeping the wealth generated by startups within the country. As a member of the National Startup Advisory Council, Kamath collaborates with experienced founders and industry experts, intending to advocate for diverse stakeholder interests. The council's responsibilities include guiding strategies to strengthen India's startup ecosystem and promote innovation.

Kamath's vision is centred on utilizing internal resources and fostering self-sufficiency within the startup ecosystem. He emphasizes the goal of not only decreasing dependence on external capital but also ensuring that the wealth generated by startups remains within India. His inclusion in the council, which includes representatives from various industries, highlights the shared commitment to promoting indigenous innovation and fostering sustainable growth in India's startup sector.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Two Staten Island high school seniors have been nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The State Education Department nominated 25 New York State high school seniors for the program, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nations highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.

I am honored to recommend these exemplary students to represent New York as Presidential Scholar candidates, said Rosa. Each of these nominees has demonstrated excellence through academic attainment, artistic talent or career and technical program accomplishments. They have worked hard for this honor and have bright futures as they continue on to college, career and civic life. I wish them well in the selection process.

Staten Island high school seniors Joseph Lomangino, of Moore Catholic High School, and Gabriel Wasserstein, of Staten Island Technical High School, are the boroughs nominees.

Since 1964, over 8,000 high school seniors have been named as Presidential Scholars. Through strength of character, leadership, hard work, and academic success they have earned my recommendation for this prestigious honor, said Sen. Andrew Lanza, who nominated the two students.

I am confident that they will continue to bring great pride to Staten Island,' he said. I applaud NYSED Commissioner Rosa for selecting a great group of students from throughout New York state to advance to the next round of review with the Commission on Presidential Scholars. As both a Staten Islander and senator, I am proud to continue to support Joseph and Gabriel through their candidacy.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Application is by invitation only. Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars will receive a medallion in June.

For more information on the Presidential Scholars Program, visit the U.S. Department of Educations website.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Growing up in West Brighton, our go-to holiday light viewing always included driving down Richmond Avenue (now Port Richmond Avenue). However, there are no lights this year, and there are no lights along Bay Street in Stapleton either.

Mary Bullock, of Port Richmond Strong, said shed love nothing better than to bring back the lights across the avenue. Hopefully, someday, we can accomplish it,' she said.

I do know theres been a tree-lighting celebration at the corner house on Port Richmond Avenue at Clinton Place for the past three years, at which the community gathers to sing and dance, feel the holiday spirit and trim a tree with many lights.

Decorating with Christmas lights was a calculated business stunt by Edward Hibberd Johnson that would create much attention and money. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Johnson hired 24-year-old Thomas Edison in 1871, an inventor and consultant for the Automatic Telegraph Company. Edison would patent the light bulb in 1880; its precise value was hard to measure; general electrification was still decades away.

Back in 1841, Queen Victorias husband, Albert, had introduced Britain to the Tannenbaum the Christmas tree  and the idea circulated. In 1856, U.S. President Franklin Pierce put up a tree at the White House; that year, fresh trees were found for sale at Washington Square Park in NYC. In the 1870s, Macys sold ornaments for the tree.

Though candles made that Christmas tree sparkle, glimmering flames were beautiful, but they were also a fire hazard.

Johnson thought up an opportunity. He set up a tree by the shop window on the street side, hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue light bulbs, strung them around it, and placed the trunk on a revolving pedestal powered by a generator. Then he called a reporter.

It was touted as a glowing marvel and a dazzling display. People gathered to see the tree in the window with 120 electric light bulbs.

Edison and Johnson were ahead of their time, as electricity was not yet easily available, and the bulbs were costly. A string of 16 flame-shaped bulbs in brass sockets the size of shot glasses sold for $12 (about $350 in todays money) in 1900. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland put electric lights on the White House tree; by 1914, a 16-foot string cost just $1.75. By the 1930s, colored bulbs and cones were everywhere, said Smithsonian Magazine.

Currently, a simpler display of lights across New Dorp Lane, Forest Avenue and Victory Boulevard, to name a few, still charm and delight shoppers and communities on Staten Island, as do the many community tree and menorah lightings.

Children enjoy a Christmas Tree lighting event in this file photo. No other information is available. (Staten island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Holiday season has arrived on Bay Street in Stapleton, where lights are already in place. Shown is Stapleton, looking East from Water Street towards Clifton, in 1992. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Christmas decorations were put up on New Dorp Lane in 1990. (Staten Island Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Lights are ablaze on New Dorp Lane on Dec. 19, 2023. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Many of the lights around the towns of Staten Island are the same, as you can see here on Bay Street in Rosebank on Dec. 19, 2023. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

New DorpStaten Island Advance

A lovely lit Christmas tree stands at the U.S. Coast Guard base in Rosebank on Dec. 19, 2023. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

In 2002, Port Richmond Avenue is decked out for the holidays. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

New Dorp Lane is all decked out in November 1965. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance

Kids at the former Camp St. Edward attend the camp's first annual tree lighting on Dec. 1, 1995. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dorothy Anderson was a dedicated nurse and the most compassionate person her sister ever knew.

Thats why the younger sister delivered an anonymous donation of lovingly assembled holiday treats to the nurses of Staten Island University (SIUH), Princes Bay, on Tuesday. She did it in memory of Anderson, whom she lost four years ago to breast cancer.

A variety of candies were wrapped in festive gift bags, and included a poem listing the reasons for each choice. LIFESAVER: To remind you of the many times youve been one,' one line read, while PEPPERMINT PATTY: To remind you to keep cool,' read another. And 100 GRAND: Because you dont get paid enough,' was just one more.

The treats were spread out among every nursing unit in the hospital, a spokesperson said.

December is particularly tough for the Eltingville teachers aide. It was the month in which Anderson was born, said the sister, who asked to remain anonymous to keep the focus on Anderson.

Known as Dotty to family and friends, Anderson died in May 2019 and would have been 72 on Dec. 15.

For the past four years, Andersons sister has wrapped up enticing holiday sweets and delivered them to nurses  the most deserving people she said she knows. Theyre people who do a demanding job she said she could never do.

They must have been born with something special, said Andersons sister. Theyre angels on Earth. It doesnt matter the color of your skin, who you are, they just care for you  unconditionally.

For the past four years, Andersons sister has wrapped up enticing holiday sweets and delivered them to nurses  the most deserving people she said she knows. (Courtesy of Barbara Malach, assistant director of nursing at Staten Island University Hospital.)(Courtesy of Barbara Malach, assistant director of nursing at Staten Island University Hospital.)

Andersons long nursing career spanned many years at New York Community Hospital in Brooklyn and the South Nassau Communities Hospital on Long Island. In addition to siblings, she left behind one son, Robert Sima, of Eltingville.

She was loved by everyone, her sister said, and was known for her generosity.

Her one message to all of us was to spread kindness, her sister said. Just leave your luggage behind and give. And what you give, you get back.

Dorothy Anderson was a nurse who lost her life to cancer in 2019. (Courtesy of the family of Dorothy Anderson)Courtesy of the family of Dorothy Anderson

Andersons sister is new to Staten Island and chose SIUH because shes been treated there with great care, she said. In past years, Andersons former places of employment were the recipients of the kind gesture, she said.

Her acknowledgement of nurses each year is something that would make her late sister proud, she said, recalling a conversation the two shared in the waning weeks of Andersons life.

The two were pondering ones purpose in life, she recalled.

For years, we would say whats our purpose, why are we here?' she recalled. When she got sick, she said, I know our purpose ... Were here to help each other. It was like a gigantic weight was taken off my shoulders when she said that to me. It just made sense.

Nurses, she said, are obviously the perfect recipient of kindness, as their endless dedication to caring for others in the community should always be recognized.

Anderson's sister said she hopes that the treats will help spread her sisters message: We have to be kind to one another. (Courtesy of Barbara Malach, assistant director of nursing at Staten Island University Hospital.)(Courtesy of Barbara Malach, assistant director of nursing at Staten Island University Hospital.)

The nurses at SIUH arent the only ones benefiting from the impact Andersons life had on others.

Andersons niece, Kimberly Homma, a California resident, started the tradition out there. And her brother, Richard Anderson, donated furniture for a nurses lounge at Sierra Nevada Memorial in Grass Valley, California, also in Andersons memory, according to the sister.

She was really a beautiful person, and Im not just saying that, Andersons sister said through tears. Anyone who met her, they never forgot her. She just stuck with them  one meeting.

She said she hopes that the treats will help spread her sisters message: We have to be kind to one another.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Staten Island family of a late police officer will no longer have to worry about paying off the mortgage on their home, thanks to the Tunnel to Towers Foundations 2023 Season of Hope, which wrapped up this week by delivering five mortgage-free homes in the New York metropolitan area.

The family of Police Officer Daniel John Sanchez, who lost his life on Nov. 18, 2021, after battling the coronavirus (COVID-19) for 53 days, had its South Shore home paid off this week, the foundation announced.

The Sanchez family, which includes his wife, Karen, and two children, is among five final beneficiaries of the Tunnel to Towers Foundations Season of Hope 2023, which delivered 200 mortgage-free homes to first responders whove endured catastrophic injuries or lost their lives.

Sanchez was always proud of being a police officer, his wife said, noting that he joined the NYPD in 2007 to help others and give back to his community.

During his career, Sanchez was honored for his work in the Anti-Crime Unit. He also helped with the delivery of a baby on the Staten Island Expressway while on highway patrol in April 2020.

The mortgage gift is something her husband would have loved to see, Karen Sanchez said.

Receiving a mortgage-free home from T2T is life-changing, she said. Im speechless to see firsthand how Tunnel to Towers has helped my family after our tremendous loss. There arent enough words to express my gratitude.

Karen Sanchez said shed like others to know that her husband loved his job and was a humble family man.

A native of Brooklyn, the late police officer grew up in that borough surrounded by a loving extended family. He met his wife while the two worked in retail and the ages of 19 and 21.

He was a hands-on father and astounding first-responder, she said. And, most importantly, he loved his children more than anything, she said.

The foundation, founded by Frank Siller, of Westerleigh, and his family, is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of his brother, Staten Island firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001, after running through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (then known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel) to respond to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also renovated the homes of two injured New York City first responders, New Attorney General Investigator Michael McCutchan and NYPD Detective Thomas Mitchell, both of Long Island. The work made their homes more accessible, and smart technology will help them get back some of their day-to-day independence. It also paid off the mortgages for the families of Hauppauge Firefighter/Ex-Chief Stephen Feron, and Middlesex County Hazmat Lt. Donald Joseph Trout, a New Jersey resident.

As we bring this year to a close, I am honored to support first responders right here in New York and New Jersey, Siller, the Tunnel to Towers chairman and CEO, said.

This years Season of Hope saw the delivery of 40 mortgage-free homes to Americas heroes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a foundation announcement said.
A series of explosions occurred in Kyiv late on Thursday evening, December 21. It happened during an air raid alert related to another drone attack by the aggressor country Russia on Ukraine. A residential high-rise building was damaged in the Solomianskyi district, and debris was also seen falling in the Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi districts.

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As of 0:30 a.m. on Friday, at least two residents of the capital were reported injured.

At the beginning of the shelling, local channels wrote that the air defense of our country was operating in the capital. At 23:35, this was confirmed by Mayor Vitalii Klychko on his Telegram channel.

The Ukrainian Air Force had previously warned that the occupiers had traditionally launched Shahed-131\136 at Ukraine. Enemy attack UAVs were spotted in different regions.

Kyiv residents heard explosions around 23:00. In some areas, sounds characteristic of drones flying were also recorded.

At 23:47, Klychko said that rescuers had responded to a report of a hit on a residential building in the Solomianskyi district.

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A few minutes later, the mayor wrote, "Upper floors are burning. Emergency services are at the scene".

Kyiv Military Administration reported around midnight that debris hit a residential building as a result of air defense work in the Solomianskyi district.

At 0:15 a.m. on Friday, December 22, the Kyiv RMA informed that the destruction of Russian drones continued.

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"The debris of the downed drones hit a high-rise building in the Solomianskyi district with subsequent fire on the upper floors. Debris was also recorded falling in the Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi districts," the post reads.

According to Klychko, at 0:11, at least one person was injured in the Solomianskyi district of the capital and later hospitalized. At 0:33, the mayor clarified that a second victim had been reported. He was treated on the spot.

The National Police press service reported that it was documenting the aftermath of the attack on Kyiv. The fire started on the 24th floor and was extinguished before the arrival of fire and rescue units. The facade was damaged, three apartments had partial destruction of walls on the 24th-26th floors, and three more had broken windows, the SES said.

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According to social media, one of the destroyed apartments belongs to Ukrainian news anchor Andrii Kovalskyi and his wife.

At 1:31 a.m., Klychko wrote that "as a result of a hit to a residential building, the load-bearing walls between the 24th, 25th and 26th floors were partially destroyed in the Solomianskyi district."

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An unfinished private house caught fire in the Darnytskyi district, where the wreckage of a UAV fell too, Vitalii Klychko said at 0:37 a.m. on Friday.

The interim head of the Darnytskyi District State Administration in Kyiv, Mykola Kalashnyk, showed photos and clarified that it was a two-story building and no one was inside.

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The fire started in a room on the second floor. The fire was extinguished in an area of 20 square meters. There were no casualties, the rescuers said.

Windows in residential buildings nearby were blown out by the blast wave, and debris damaged facades and fences.

According to the updated data of the Kyiv RMA on Friday morning, one of the enemy drones caused damage in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, where drone debris engulfed the upper floors of the building, partially destroyed walls in three apartments and smashed windows in three more. There are two victims with bruises of soft tissue and cut wounds, one of them was hospitalized.

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A fire broke out in a two-story private house in the Darnytskyi district as a result of the fall of drone debris, no injuries were reported. Debris fall in the Holosiivskyi district resulted in no damage and no injuries.

"The information is being updated and clarified. We will restore the damaged buildings. But we cannot restore lives. So the most important thing is that Kyiv survived this blow without casualties. Take care of yourself and believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!" the head of the department Serhii Popko said.

We urge you to stay in shelters if an air raid alert is announced in your area!

We also remind you that it is forbidden to publish detailed information about the work of our air defense systems. The Air Force also urged not to share:

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- photos and videos of our air defense missile launches;

- photos/videos of our military equipment;

- opinions on which Ukrainian weapons could be deployed, where they can be located and what they should cover;

- how many pieces of equipment you saw or how many missile launches you heard.

As OBOZ.UA wrote:

- On the evening of December 21, the occupation forces launched attack drones at Ukrainian cities from the southern and northern directions. An air raid alert was declared in the capital and in many regions.

- Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation has launched 7,400 missiles of various types at Ukraine. The Air Defense Forces have destroyed about 1,600 missiles.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Kids Against Cancer teamed up with the MTA for an annual holiday toy drive, Santas Express, delivering goodies to dozens of hospitalized children at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) on a recent December morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus, accompanied by numerous helpers, loaded bags filled with hundreds of donated toys -- including games like Jenga, Star Wars items and Barbie gadgets -- onto an MTA bus adorned with festive decoration. They then set off to deliver the gifts to both Staten Island hospitals.

Mr. Claus and Mrs. Clause delivered hundreds of gifts to dozens of hospitalized children at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

If we cant give back to our community, then who are we? Mrs. Claus said. We get this incredible feeling from bringing joy to these kids faces during such a hard time theyre going through. For me, if we can bring just maybe those five minutes of happiness to them, its everything.

Mr. Claus said that no one should be in hospitals this time of year, especially the kids.

These children are very special to me, because nobody needs to be in the hospital during Christmas, he said. Its an honor and a privilege to deliver the toys to the children. It makes me feel like I want to ho ho ho all the way out of the hospital.

Kids for Cancer Vice President Mark Demeno, brings his son to the Santa Express every year. His son has been volunteering at this annual event since he was 4 years old.

Its a great thing to be a part of. We do it to see the smiles on the childrens faces, Mark Anthony, 23, said.

Six-year-old Anthony Enright wore a big smile in the pediatric room at SIUH as Santa and Mrs. Claus made their arrival.

Its very nice. Hes a really good guy, Anthony said of Santa Claus.

Kids Against Cancer is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 by Michael Grillo, a New York state court clerk who faced cancer before turning 30 and often visited the childrens ward as a patient.
I was accepted into Local 3s Electrical Apprentice Program in 1975, and Ive been a proud trade unionist ever since. For almost 50 years, Ive watched electrical workers lead the charge on every major evolution to our city and states landscape. When New York rolls out a new look, its because International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) electricians have been hard at work, behind the scenes, building the essential energy infrastructure to make it happen.

Now, it is imperative that New York changes the way we power our city. We didnt realize it in 1975, but we sure do now: Climate change is a real threat to our city. Until recently, we rarely considered the damage done to our environment as we powered our city with fossil fuel-based energy sources without a second thought. But those days are over. Its well past time to get serious about transitioning to clean renewable energy.

That starts with tapping into one of our greatest assets: the wind off our coasts. Governor Hochul has taken important steps to reach our initial goal of producing 9 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035  an ambitious, respectable target, even though it will have to be raised even higher. Governor Hochul is doing many of the right things to reach this goal, most notably awarding and entering into contracts to build offshore wind farms. But thats only half the equation. If we are committed to building state-of-the-art infrastructure to support this renewable energy source, bringing billions of dollars of investment and creating thousands of union middle-class jobs, then we must first invest in  and actually build  the ports necessary to operate these projects.

Ports are the essential infrastructure that will enable New Yorkers to participate in the construction of offshore wind projects. If your offshore wind plan involves wind farms but doesnt have ports to efficiently stage and assemble the turbines, towers, blades and nacelles, then your plan is incomplete. Unfortunately, thats where New York stands today.

Our lack of progress doesnt come from a lack of options. Heres where to start: Arthur Kill Terminal on Staten Island, which would transform an empty stretch of waterfront on the South Shore into a world-class, purpose-built staging port  the first one in the state. IBEW Local 3 members and other trades would assemble and pre-commission wind turbines at Arthur Kill. The port is fully designed and close to being ready for construction. When its finished, the turbines assembled there would go out to offshore wind projects up and down the entire East Coast.

It would transform New York from a follower into a leader in offshore wind  and itd do so from the heart of New York City, with good-paying union jobs.

So far, though, New York hasnt given this project the support it needs, instead relying on ports in other states to build its first offshore wind farm. The states most recent round of offshore wind funding came and went without a penny awarded to Arthur Kill, or any other port where these jobs can occur. Without state support, Staten Islanders will miss out on hundreds of union jobs, and New Yorks offshore wind farms will be stuck relying on workers and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to assemble their parts for them - if theres space at those ports, which are busy with projects for their own states. But New Yorks offshore wind projects should be built here, by New Yorkers.

NYSERDA, the agency regulating energy in New York, is expected to issue a new round of funding applications in the coming weeks and months. It cant come soon enough  and this time, the funding should be reserved exclusively for port infrastructure. The simple truth is that our state has no chance to meet its own clean energy goals without investing in Arthur Kill Terminal. We cannot produce 9 gigawatts of offshore wind energy in the next 12 years if we dont have our own ports to assemble the parts in, and theres no point in training our workers to do this work if theres nowhere for them to do it.

In the meantime, electrical workers will stand on the sidelines, waiting for the opportunity to shape New Yorks future once again. Ill say it plainly: We want these jobs and have been preparing for this work for years. Offshore wind is exactly the kind of high-growth, sustainable, and essential industry union workers are made to support. We urge the governor to direct her agencies to give Arthur Kill Terminal the funding it, and we, deserve. New Yorks climate plan needs the backbone to support union jobs and ensure New Yorkers lead the way in building our own clean energy projects.

(Christopher Erikson has served as business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 since 2006.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Joseph and Marisa DiMartino, famous for their Lights For Life Christmas display and Staten Island University Hospital teamed up for the Pediatric Cancer Centers Day of Surprises which included Santa making a special visit to 9-year-old cancer patient Kathleen Ortega of Stapleton.

Kathleen who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, was diagnosed in 2023 and will continue chemotherapy treatments until at least mid-2025. She was accompanied by her mother Maria Ortega, and sisters Kaylee (13), Keisi (7), and brother Kevin (6), where Santa and SIUH staff were waiting to surprise her at the DiMartinos Better than Macys Christmas display at their 107 Sharrotts Road home in Charleston.

Kathleen is under the care of Dr. Eleny Romanos-Sirakis, MD, director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at SIUH. This presents a chance for Kathleen to create wonderful memories with her family, away from the hospital environmenta meaningful experience for us, said Dr. Romanos-Sirakis. While our primary focus is on the medical care of our patients, we are equally committed to enhancing their overall quality of life. Seeing the patients we care for enjoying themselves in settings beyond the hospital brings us immense happiness, and allowing them to simply be kids.

Joining them were Dr. Brahim Ardolic, MD, the hospitals executive director. Witnessing children receive a cancer diagnosis and undergo treatment is emotionally challenging  its truly heart-wrenching - especially when many of them may not fully comprehend the life-threatening nature of the illness, said Dr. Ardolic. But to see them reveling in the simple joys of being a kid, brings us immense joy and fulfillment.

Kathleen is being treated at the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center at SIUH which is focused on more than just treating disease. As one of the five largest hospitals in the New York area, we provide access to the best pediatric specialistsall in one place. Our team of internationally recognized pediatric hematology/oncology specialists is dedicated to providing the highest quality care with the best possible outcomes, explained Dr. Ardolic. Everything we do at our center, whether clinical care, research or education, is aimed to support and help children and their families through the journey from cancer diagnosis through treatment and cure. The center offers outpatient and inpatient care, including cancer chemotherapy, blood transfusions, gamma globulin infusions and more. We believe in personalized medical care. Cure is provided through medication, and healing is obtained by compassion, love and tender care. We take the time to get to know our children and their families. And we partner with them to devise the best possible evaluation and treatment program.

All of the children received Christmas gifts from Santa, who bore a slight resemblance to Frank Morisano, Senior Director of Community Health Operations. It means a lot to me to participate in this wonderful event, he said. It is a tangible way to show we care to the communities we serve. Last year the grandmother of the children said thanks for this, I did not know what I would have been able to give them if it wasnt for you. I feel like the Grinch after he gives back the toys - my heart has grown three sizes (in a good way). This year is more special because we are also honoring Xavier, he was our first Christmas Day of Surprises recipient, who unfortunately passed on Thanksgiving this year, said Morisano.

Kathleen smiled as she looked at displays all around the DiMartino home. When Im in the car I see houses, but not like these decorations. Even the nutcracker and the people on top of the house move. she said. Kathleen who is home-schooled, said my favorite subjects are math and reading and my favorite book is Charlottes Web. Santa gave her a Junior Chef Kitchen Cooking Kit and her brother and sisters also received gifts from Santa.

Hatigje Cobovic of Annadale who has never met the Ortega family heard about the event and brought gifts for the children. This is the time of year that we should be giving to people. Its part of life. We have our health, we have our family. It would be a shame not to give back.

Claudette Hill, Director of Community Health Operations coordinated the event with help from Joseph and Marisa DiMartino. Each year, the DiMartinos Lights For Life Christmas display raises thousands of dollars to benefit pediatric cancer patients, the Florina Cancer Center and research at Staten Island University Hospital, which is critical to improving diagnosis and treatment of children with cancer. In their first year alone, they raised $1,600 for the pediatric oncology program at Staten Island University Hospital.

On Feb. 15, 2023, in the Regina McGinn Center, the DiMartino family broke their previous years record and presented a check for $75,323 to the Pediatric Cancer Center at Staten Island University Hospital. Well over $400,000 in funding has been raised since 2002.

The display takes over DiMartinos front lawn, side yard and neighbors front yard. A pathway to his backyard  lined with moving elves, dolls, reindeer and carolers  attracts thousands of Staten Islanders annually. The husband and wife team spent three months transforming their home into the North Pole, complete with Santas Workshop.

The attraction features Victorian displays, including a bakery, dance hall, carousel, dancing marionettes, wooden soldiers, and Santas workshop, complete with holiday-themed props like elves, snowmen, reindeer, Santa Clauses and gingerbread men  and more.

DiMartino, who affectionally calls the display The North Pole of Staten Island, employs a mix of animatronics throughout his front and back yards and despite what must be a hefty electric bill, DiMartino does not keep a single cent, instead opting to give all donations to the hospital.

In 2016, the DiMartino house went national when it aired on ABC TVs hit show, The Great Christmas Light Fight, in 2018, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting broadcast featured the DiMartino home.

Viewing the display is free, but donations are encouraged if visitors can do so. I want everybody to come see it and enjoy it, said DiMartino. There arent many things free in life, but over here, this is free. If you want to make a donation, it goes directly to the [Pediatric Cancer Unit]. Visitors are encouraged to use #LightsForLife when posting on social media.

The display is open daily, Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. Lights For Life will remain open to the public through Jan. 2, 2004.
Sign up for Reckons latest newsletter dedicated to the fight for reproductive justice, a weekly repro rundown covering the good, the fair-to-middlin' and the ugly in repro news. Enter your email to subscribe to Reproductive Justice with Reckon.

Controversial? Essential? Important?

Many words can be used to describe the ever-shifting landscape of reproductive justice in the United States, but regardless of stance on the issue, the 2023 general election showed that voters care about reproductive rights.

NPR anticipates abortion will continue to be a hot topic as we head into the 2024 presidential election, citing that the current Republican presidential candidates are trying to balance out their stance on abortion without losing support of those in their party who want to see fewer restrictions, or those with the most conservative views.

As we wind down this year, this is a look at 10 times reproductive justice won in 2023. Did we miss any? Feel free to engage with this story and tag us in your reproductive justice wins of 2023.

Ohio passes Issue 1

Eyes were on Ohio during the Nov. 7 general election, as it was the only state voting on whether or not to enshrine reproductive freedom into its state constitution. Ohioans made their stance on reproductive justice heard by voting yes on Issue 1, also known as The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety amendment, allowing each person the right to make decisions about their own pregnancy, miscarriage management, contraception, abortion and more.

Despite misinformation about fetal viability and which procedures would be allowed under Issue 1 infiltrating the election early on, this protection for bodily autonomy passed in the Republican-controlled state, which voted for Trump twice.

Chicago Abortion Fund receives $1 million

Abortion funds are essential to the abortion care ecosystem as restrictions around the country force many people to travel across state lines to access care. According to the National Network of Abortion Funds, abortion funds typically run on donations to support folks with travel arrangements, childcare, food, and other costs associated with abortion services.

This year, the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) received a monumental $1 million from the city of Chicago to address racial and gender disparities of people seeking care in the city.

This isnt just funding; its a lifeline. This investment is a bold statement from the City of Chicago and the Johnson administration affirming that they stand with us in this critical fight for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy, Megan Jeyifo, Executive Director of CAF said in a statement. This support will help thousands of people who need access to an abortion in Chicago...

San Antonio Reproductive Justice Fund

The state of Texas has a history of anti-abortion policies, with a trigger law that made abortion a felony offense, punishable by up to life in prison, enacted after Dobbs passed.

Still, San Antonios City Council passed a budget item providing $500,000 to create the Reproductive Justice Fund in September, according to Texas Public Radio. The Fund is designed to provide essential reproductive health items ranging from at-home STI tests, menstruation products, emergency contraception, prenatal items, and to provide community doulas, assist those traveling out of state for abortion and provide culturally competent reproductive health education, says the San Antonio Report.

Though the Fund is currently tied up in a lawsuit brought on by anti-abortion organizations questioning whether taxpayer dollars are being used to violate the law, local reproductive justice advocates are confident in their actions to serve the community.

Funding out-of-state abortion is completely legal, Makayla Montoya Frazier, director of the Buckle Bunnies Fund, told San Antonio Report in October. We went to court, and weve won. Every single abortion organization in Texas is allowed to do exactly what theyve always been doing. So, they can fight us, but we will win.

New York City public hospitals offer abortion care

In early October, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals launched a telehealth abortion program, becoming the first public health system in the U.S. to do so. Through the program, New Yorkers can now receive abortion pills in the mail, and meet with health care professionals by phone or online.

This initiative makes access to abortion care easier for the 8.3 million people who live in NYC by allowing them to address concerns with a physician and carry out an abortion from the comfort of their own home. According to NYC Health + Hospitals, medication is mailed to the patients NYC address within days, though data on how many people the program has served so far has not yet been released.

Abortion resumed in Wisconsin

After 15 months of virtually no abortions in Wisconsin after Roe fell, Planned Parenthood officially began offering abortion again in September.

The pause in abortion care was caused by an ongoing court battle to the states 1849 abortion law, which was eventually determined to ban feticide, not abortion, according to Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Schlipper. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that in 1994, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that feticide referred to a non-consensual act when a pregnant person is attacked to the point of losing their fetus, and does not apply to consensual abortion.

Maine expanded abortion to cover later terms

The timespan in which someone can have an abortion varies greatly by state, and narrowing down that window prevents many people from terminating a pregnancy, especially if the statutory limit ends before the person knows that they are pregnant.

In July, Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill that allowed abortions to be done at any point in pregnancy, if medically necessary. Prior to this law, abortion was banned at fetal viability, but allowed if the patients life was at risk, according to the Associated Press.

Congress passes legislation to protect abortion rights

The Womens Health Protection Act (WHPA), was reintroduced in Congress in March 2023. WHPA would codify the right to abortion into federal law, protecting patients and healthcare providers from medically unnecessary restrictions.

The bill is still awaiting action from the Senate.

Pennsylvania protects abortion travelers

In November, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill that would prevent officials from cooperating with law enforcement in other states to prosecute people traveling to the state for abortion. The bill is currently awaiting action from the Senate, according to AP.

About one in five people seeking abortions now travel out of state, according to the latest Guttmacher report. This number has doubled since 2020.

Kansas District Court pauses 24-hour waiting period

In October, a Kansas judge issued a pause on abortion restrictions including enforcing a 24-hour waiting period and a policy which required clinics to post information warning that abortions can cause an increased risk in breast cancer or premature birth.

The Kansas Supreme Court signaled it would uphold the constitutional right to abortion in March as questions to the states 2019 ruling that consider abortion a type of bodily autonomy, which is constitutionally protected in the state, are challenged. Last year, voters also turned down a proposed amendment that could have lifted the protection, according to PBS Newshour.

AP reports that the judges order will be intact through the duration of the trial, which is expected through June 2024.

Celebrities brought awareness to abortion through personal stories

Britney Spears, Kerry Washington, Paris Hilton  some of the biggest stars shared their abortion stories this year, and the conditions of which contributed to their decision ranges greatly. It was a year of diverse abortion stories, reflective of the many factors and circumstances everyday people face when determining how to carry or terminate a pregnancy.

This year Reckon spoke with Renee Bracey Sherman, co-executive director of We Testify, an organization committed to increasing the spectrum of abortion storytellers.

Its really, really important that we hear a variety of stories. Theres a danger in a single story, said Bracey Sherman, who believes that the pro-choice movement has elevated stories that portray abortion in a more positive light to protect against the stigma. But then that becomes to the detriment of people who do have complicated abortion stories. My belief is that we should just let abortion stories exist as they are.
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The odious Russian propagandist Zakhar Prilepin dreamed of Uzbekistan's "accession" to the aggressor country of Russia. His proposal was not appreciated in Tashkent, so the occupiers' ambassador was called "on the carpet".

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This was reported by the press service of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. Thus, Prilepin expressed confidence that the Russian Federation would allegedly be able to win the war with Ukraine and then turn to aggression against other countries.

He suggested that the Kremlin seize the countries of the former USSR, from where migrants travel to Russia. In particular, he referred to Uzbekistan.

After that, the country's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Malginov "on the carpet."

It is noted that it was brought to his attention in "a principled form that such rash statements are deliberately provocative and could negatively affect the historically friendly relations" between Uzbekistan and Russia.

For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that "Prilepin's statements have nothing to do with the official position of the Russian leadership."

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As a reminder, Prilepin made his remarks on the anniversary of the death of the daughter of one of the main ideologues of the "Russian world" Aleksandr Dugin, Darya Dugina, fantasized about a "response" to the Ukrainians accused in Russia of blowing up her car. The Russian said that "her memory can only be honored" with a monument in Kyiv.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channels OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Can Anthony Albaneses government walk and chew gum at the same time? Should be able to, provided it stops trying to work both sides of the street.

As I wrote on Wednesday, the most urgent economic and political issue facing the government is the cost-of-living crisis.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But lets get real. Everyone may be up in arms about the cost of living, but fixing it is standard stuff for the managers of the economy. We can be sure it will be fixed soon enough.

As we know from our own lives, we often let the urgent take priority over the more important, and thats what this government has been doing.
Anyone would be lucky to get to play Bella, says Stone. Any other character that you play, like any person, has a history to them and has things that have happened in their lives that shape who they are, and because she didnt have any of that, it was really freeing just to play around. Shes not like anyone, so we got to invent how she would walk, how she would talk, through lots of experimentation, basically. Both Yorgos and I would practise different movements, just seeing whether this or that walk would work. Stone says Bella Baxter is her favourite character ever. Two years after the shoot wrapped, she and Lanthimos still tell each other how much they miss her. Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone on the set of Poor Things. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima The shoot was preceded by three weeks of rehearsal, which is seldom part of movie-making. Under Lanthimos direction, Stone, Dafoe, Ruffalo and Youssef played theatre games. The things you would do to build a troupe, to become comfortable with each other, to approach a script not directly but from the side or from behind, a lot of subconscious stuff, says Ruffalo. What they did not do was play the scenes.

There was a lot of communication that we developed that was outside of language. It was movement, it was being very sensitive to each others bodies and personalities. There was a lot of laughter and playfulness. We see a good deal of Ruffalos body in Poor Things; the ludicrously louche Duncan Wedderburn fancies himself a sex god. Bella, meanwhile, is intrigued to try other bodies. After travelling to Lisbon and Alexandria, they fetch up in Paris, where she shrugs off Wedderburn and goes to work in a brothel; the customers fetishes intrigue her. [The films sex scenes] were some of the most straightforward [to shoot]. It was more comfortable than youd think. Emma Stone on filming her latest movie, Poor Things Cinematographer Robbie Ryan laughs as he remembers the first time he read the script. I was thinking weve got all these crazy sets and most of the film takes place in bedrooms, he says. Its like theres a lot of world out there but were not lingering on it. I always found that quite funny, in a way. So much sex is confronting, surely not least for the actors involved. Did Stone pause while reading, as Ryan did, to ask herself how on earth she would do this?

I think that with most scripts: how are we going to do this? But actually, those scenes were some of the most straightforward, she says. The set was intimate, the crew small and the dynamic established during rehearsals came into play. It was more comfortable than youd think. More than that, she told Vanity Fair, it was liberating. As a woman in the world as we know it, and as an American woman also, it was a really freeing thing to think I didnt have judgment around my body or around my sexuality. There is no moment when the camera must look away, because Bella is not embarrassed by anything. Mark Ruffalo plays womanising lawyer Duncan Wedderburn, who runs off with Emma Stones Bella. Sex is important, I hope, to us all, Lanthimos said in the same interview. I think its also a reaction to people maybe treating sex with such reluctance and having made it into a taboo, at least in cinema. Like his characters, he is at loggerheads with what they call polite society. The experience of being confined and manipulated  and its antidote, the urge to freedom  are also enduring motifs in Lanthimos earlier films. Dogtooth (2009) was about a family of children forbidden by their father to know anything of the world outside their compounds gates; The Lobster (2015) was about a society in which newly single people are sent to a hotel to be compulsorily matched and, if they fail to couple, are turned into animals.

He has so many questions about life and society and the social functions of the things we have all agreed to, says Stone. In general, that imprisonment is society. He likes seeing people I think in this microcosmic hyper-surrealistic environments because its funny, but also because it makes you ask questions in a different way. Emma Stone in The Favourite, the first film she made with Yorgos Lanthimos. Credit: Fox Searchlight Stone first worked with Lanthimos on The Favourite (2018), which was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best film. She then made a short film, Bleat, with him; since Poor Things, on which she was also a producer, she has made Kind of Kindness with him, an omnibus film of three stories in which she plays three different roles. Another collaboration is rumoured to be in the works. Both admit that they fight, but they make up quickly. I think plain and simple we get along, she says. But as an actor, I have so much trust and respect for him a film-maker. You know he knows what hes doing. He doesnt do a whole lot of takes just to see; he knows when youve got it, so it doesnt feel like youre just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. Also, were drawn to similar material. I always tend to love what he tells me hes working on and saying can I do it too? They started talking about this film on the set of The Favourite; when Lanthimos asked her to be a producer, they had been talking about it for more than two years. And I was asking a lot of questions and had a lot of opinions  and Bella had a lot of thoughts, obviously. So I guess it was a title for what was largely happening already.

She had a turning point in her career, she thinks, before they met. Ive really been so lucky, she says. My first movie was Superbad, which I still love so much. Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg while they were still at school, Superbad (2007) was one of a crop of boundary-breaking comedies that were boyishly rude while  unusually enough - allowing room for women to be funny; you could draw a line from its excesses straight to Poor Things. Those lesser comedies and a recurring girlfriend role in the Andrew Garfield Spiderman series followed. The turning point, however, wasnt a movie at all. It was actually doing Cabaret on stage, she says. That was 2014 into early 2015. It was the only time Ive done Broadway or professional theatre and it required directing yourself, because obviously there isnt a director on stage. I loved that role and that play so much that it sort of unlocked something in me where I said I want to feel like this all the time. Where its activating and challenging as hell: thats how I wanted to feel.

And then I met Damien (Chazelle) and he offered me La La Land. She would go on to win the 2017 Oscar as Best Actress for that performance. And while I was rehearsing La La Land, I met Yorgos. So it was a weird ripple effect. Ever since, I was like lets do stuff but lets make it challenging, you know. Because  for me - I dont know what the point is, if its not to feel that continuing evolution of trying things. Now, when she watches Poor Things, she sees nuances of performance that she thinks were generated by their weeks playing games, trying things. I think in becoming closer as actors, all of us, I think the relationships also developed in an interesting way. I dont think I would have initially imagined the warmth that comes from Baxter, but I think with Willem and what we could find, it added a depth that was important to the story. The same with Mark as Duncan. That character is written as sort of pathetic, in an insane way, but there is such an innate loveability in Mark that you kind of feel for him. A lot was revealed as we made it. As for Stone herself, the word from her colleagues is that she is notably easy-going. Not a diva, not a thrower of tantrums, no evidence of personal struggle and no vanity, just a team player full of good humour and game for anything. And of course, at the age of 35, supremely skilled. Shes able to make so many choices, even just with her eyes, says Ramy Youssef , who was plucked from a the ranks of stand-up comedian to play Max, Bellas aspiring protector. She does a lot without doing a lot. Being around someone who is so effortless but so funny and so purposeful - it was inspiring to do it alongside her. Just to keep up with her! It really was the most fun Ive had acting. Poor Things opens on Boxing Day.
The historian Robert Conquest once wrote that crises, whether real or perceived, bring to the forefront the most primal national urges. In his field of study, mid-20th century Europe, Conquest said that severe wartime trauma and economic crisis brought out the sadist in the German nature and the snitch in the Russian. Those countries then produced regimes that rewarded the sadist and made a hero of the snitch. Loading Whenever there is a sense of crisis in Australia, the xenophobe in our heart is ready to spring out into the open. We have deep and justified concerns about the cost of living and housing affordability. The origins are complex and the solutions are difficult, involving sacrifice from one part of the community to provide equity for another. They are worth serious debate. How much easier would it be to change the subject completely, and reduce these problems to a simple fear that many of us already hold? Australia is hardly the only country to harbour a xenophobe in its heart. Europe and North America have swung hard to the political right to feed their inner chauvinist. Just this week, the centrist French government enacted harsh anti-immigrant laws and was dismayed to find itself supported by the extreme right. It had done its job  addressing fears of the other  too successfully. Austria and the Netherlands have elected anti-immigrant parliamentary majorities this year, following Italy, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, bleats stop the boats, incanting a slogan that has become Australias most pervasive political export.

Peter Dutton would like us to talk about immigration from here until the next election. Inevitably, cost of living and affordable housing will become euphemisms for how the competition from new arrivals is making life harder. They are probably seen as such, in many parts of Australia, already. Immigration can easily become the subtext for unrelated issues. Every little flashpoint that can be blown up into an anti-immigration bin fire  the High Courts and Victorian Supreme Courts orders that immigration detention cannot be permanent, to take two recent examples  will be recycled into fuel for the ongoing debate, or the shouting match that passes for debate, about immigration levels. Loading After the drop in immigration during the COVID crisis, we have entered a phase where all insecurity can be  and will be, politically  targeted towards the intake of people from overseas. Evidence has a fluid, if not negligible, role in this shouting match. Much is made of the record 518,000 net migration to Australia in 2023, but as a percentage of the existing population, the number of immigrants, currently 5.1 per thousand people, has fallen steadily since its peak of 11.4 per thousand people at the end of its long climb under the Howard government. There is a perception that Labor governments are loose on immigration and Coalition governments are tight (just as there is a perception that Coalition governments are stronger on economic management and defence). Notwithstanding the evidence, much of which is to the contrary, perceptions are almost impossible to shake. We like very much to believe whatever we already thought.

An opposition would not usually set the agenda, but so potent are Australian emotions about immigration, the government will be keenly interested in not being outflanked. Accordingly, rather than promoting and defending immigration, which brings countless net benefits to Australia in every field of life, the government will try to show itself as being as hairy-chested as the Coalition. Loading This can be observed from its reaction to the court rulings against indefinite immigration detention. Instead of acknowledging the inhumanity and injustice in locking up stateless people forever, it has tried to neutralise the issue by closing loopholes and promising to reduce the immigration rate. Two major parties competing to be the bad cop. What an enjoyable year we have ahead of us. Peace on earth? Only, it seems, if we all agree that immigrants are the problem, and we need fewer of them. The Christmas message appears increasingly forlorn. Writing in The Australian Financial Review this week, Colleen OReilly, the Anglican archdeacon of Stonnington in Melbourne, said: All the worlds major religious traditions emphasise the importance of learning to live at peace with neighbours and strangers, and yet the followers of these religions continue to put hostility above peace. Strangers are dehumanised and despised, and neighbours divided into them and us. Whether at Christmas or any other time of the year, bomb the shit out of them remains the worlds great powers dominant idea of how to create peace on earth. Admiring these projections of strength, the Australian xenophobe looks to tough talk, guns, locks and keys as the solutions to our own challenges.
While sovereign citizens are far from new, Law Professor Harry Hobbs from the University of Technology Sydney said the pandemic accelerated their influence as they learnt how to integrate their anti-government ideologies into the topic of the day. Lately, theyve shifted their focus away from anti-vax (sentiment) towards the referendum and how the Voice was apparently a backdoor for the UN (United Nations) to come in and steal Australian land, Hobbs said. A lot of them claim theyre non-violent and peaceful, but obviously, they advocate for a lot of hate and division. Theyve internalised the view that theyre allowed to do whatever they want, which can be a trigger for violent behaviours. Former SAS soldier and high-profile sovereign citizen Riccardo Bosi. High-profile sovereign citizens have publicly called for politicians and health workers to be hanged for their work during the pandemic, such as former SAS soldier turned right-wing extremist, Riccardo Bosi.

Bosi led the unregistered AustraliaOne Party (A1) when he unsuccessfully stood in the western Sydney seat of Greenway at the 2022 federal election. Several of his claims have been debunked by AAP FactCheck, including over the legality of the Australian election, COVID-19 vaccines, former prime minister Scott Morrison and the war in Ukraine. Fellow conspiracy theorist, Darren Bergwerf, has also run for the A1 party. Bergwerf founded the anti-vax group, MyPlace, and spoke on the ABCs 7.30 program of a plan of MyPlace members to take control of council decisions. There are echo chambers, rabbit holes and nebulous algorithms where people get increasingly promoted by extreme positions. Law Professor Harry Hobbs, University of Technology Sydney The Herald does not suggest Bosi or Bergwerf are linked to the groups police are monitoring. According to Hobbs, a collective bid to overthrow or attack law enforcement was not the real risk  he was more concerned with an increase in individual acts of violence from people being radicalised online.

There are echo chambers, rabbit holes and nebulous algorithms where people get increasingly promoted by extreme positions, he said. Theyre frustrated and isolated, may have underlying mental health challenges, and theres perhaps something that triggers them. They can become violent, and they can do real damage to themselves and to people around them, particularly police. UTS Law Professor Harry Hobbs says authorities need to be sensitive to mental health issues when managing siege situations involving sovereign citizens. Where mental health was a concern, Hobbs said police should not go in all guns blazing to a distressed sovereign citizen making threats. But he acknowledged that when someone has an axe or gun in the back of their house, it can be hard to send in mental health people.

People dont go from zero to 100 in one day, right? They get put on a path, and theyre gradually radicalised, he said. There are earlier stages where mental health support programs can be helpful to get people off that path, much earlier than when theyre armed. Independent researcher into far-right extremism and conspiracy theories, Dr Kaz Ross, said any group refusing to acknowledge the law could be dangerous. But, like Prof Hobbs, she feared the threat was not from groups roaming around wearing sheriff badges and talking about citizen arrests, but was from people finding these movements online who may have mental health issues and access to weapons. How to combat these threats sensitively was a challenge, Ross said.

Through her research, she found the over-policing of certain sieges had contributed to deaths or serious injury. I think thats another danger. People just hear the word sovereign citizen and think, Oh my God, that nut job with a gun, and immediately go for them with full force, she said. Recent cases with sovereign citizen links While statistics around deadly tragedies linked to sovereign citizens are scarce, there have been several troubling incidents in NSW alone this year. Daniel Whelan was found dead in a home after a siege near Lithgow. Credit: Nine News

In July, 29-year-old Daniel Whelan had suspected links to the sovereign citizen movement when he fired a gun at heavily armed police during a siege in Lithgow, before turning the weapon on himself. Footage showed his partner surrendering in front of a flag bearing imagery from anti-government fringe political movements as the stand-off came to a grim end. Krista Kach died in hospital after police peppered her with bean bag rounds and Tasered her during a siege. Two months later, Newcastle woman Krista Kach referenced herself as a sovereign being in a livestream video as she barricaded herself inside her house while armed with an axe. She died after being Tasered and shot with bean bag rounds by police. Kach had significant mental health issues at the time, and the Herald revealed a specialised program which sees mental health experts help NSW Police manage people in distress only operates 9am-5pm and does not run in Newcastle, where Ms Kach lived.
In his videos, the creator of the clips calls Tame a liar and seeks to minimise the seriousness and impact of her sexual assault. He recently broadcast an interview he conducted with Tames abuser, as well as a video suggesting serial alleged abuser Bill Cosby was a victim of an epidemic of false allegations. Most trolls operate with impunity due to the practical difficulty faced in holding them to account, even when a tech company is willing. Occasionally, a court will intervene. Justice Lees order requires Google to provide the subscriber information relating to the YouTube account to enable the judge to identify the account holder and assess whether he may be charged with contempt of court. What the judge may not have known is that others have been trying to identify the anonymous YouTuber for some time.

Among his hundreds of uploads, Powers left a trail of crumbs pointing to his real identity. On one occasion, he accidentally left open internet tabs revealing his partners name, job and business. In one video, the troll published a screenshot that included a tiny image of an email address that included his full name. Other posts offered more clues to his identity, with snippets that revealed his interests and the interests and employment of his family members. Loading When this masthead texted a mobile number linked to his partners account, it was a Melbourne man named Glenn who responded. Asked if he had recently posted videos of the livestream of the Lehrmann trial, Glenn repeatedly responded: I cant recall. But when told by a reporter that he would be identified as the YouTuber, Glenn said: the reason I am making the videos was to highlight what he claimed was the mainstream medias failure to report on female perpetrators of violence. Although this masthead has confirmed Glenns identity, we have chosen to withhold his surname in order to protect others with the same, relatively common, name from false accusations. We also chose not to reveal the identity of his family members to distinguish him from other Glenns with the same surname.

Many months before Lees judicial intervention, online researchers from the White Rose Society, an organisation usually devoted to exposing white supremacists, had started monitoring his posts. Glenn is not a neo-Nazi. The society provided this masthead with a file of evidence it had collected. Most trolls operate with impunity. Credit: Getty Images If Glenn were to face legal consequences for rebroadcasting the Lehrmann trial, this would probably reignite debate over the ability of online trolls to anonymously abuse their victims, and pose fresh questions about the role the tech giants play in facilitating that abuse. High-profile cases over the past year have highlighted instances of US-based tech giants being reluctant to remove abusive content until they have been forced to do so by the courts.

Last year the Federal Court ordered Google to pay former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro more than $700,000 for relentless, racist, vilificatory, abusive and defamatory videos published by YouTuber Jordan Shanks on his channel Friendlyjordies. Loading The court found that Google was a publisher ultimately responsible for the defamatory videos. Last year the Federal Court also ordered Twitter, now known as X, to reveal the name and email address connected to high-profile anonymous user PRGuy17 after a defamation claim from far-right activist Avi Yemeni. A man named Jeremy Maluta later claimed to be behind the account. University of Sydney professor David Rolph said the court system was often seen as a last resort for dealing with trolls and online harassment, given the global nature of the tech giants. X, for example, no longer has any Australian presence. The eSafety commissioner and other regulatory approaches becomes really important, because the nature of litigation means its often not the most effective mechanism for having something taken down, he says.

Rolph said victims of online abuse also often did not have the resources to take a defamation case to court. Loading The office of the eSafety commissioner was established in 2015 and is Australias watchdog in charge of online safety. It doesnt comment on specific cases but says that in instances of online harm it typically contacts the tech platform to remove the content, and can then issue a fine or take legal action if the platform fails to comply. The office weighs the impact of its actions on free speech, requiring a high bar to be met prior to using its powers. It also is reactive, responding only to complaints. Platforms need to enforce their own policies and be more vigilant and proactive to identify and remove harmful content quickly, acting eSafety Commissioner Toby Dagg said.
A family who live next door to a Christmas lights extravaganza in Melbournes outer north say they arent Grinches for wanting the event scaled back, they are just looking out for their disabled son.

Whittlesea Council has committed to reviewing any future permits for the street party in Wollert after this year branding the event unreasonable and forcing the Stardust Way organiser to cut back on its size and duration.

Event organiser Renee Gaitanis with her son, Tomas. Credit: Joe Armao

Renee Gaitanis Christmas lights display has grown in scale and popularity over the past decade to a degree that warrants the road being closed, private traffic management and food trucks to serve the crowd of thousands of people every December.

But tensions are running high, with her immediate neighbour branding the situation intolerable for his family.
Followers of the case might be expecting some closure  for Higgins or Lehrmann  on the central rape allegation. Thats because the defamation action provided something Lehrmanns criminal trial (which was aborted late last year) did not: a chance to see both young protagonists in the witness stand, under intense cross-examination. (Lehrmann was never cross-examined last year because he chose to exercise his right to silence.) Loading For the first time, the pairs conflicting accounts have been publicly available to compare, side by side. But on the core question of whether a rape occurred, the ultimate ruling may not be cut and dried. Lee may accept Higgins version, or Lehrmanns, or neither. Or he may find that some sexual act did occur, but not feel persuaded that it was necessarily rape, in which case a consent issue arises, muddied by the pairs alcohol consumption and the prior intimacy observed between them by one witness at a nightclub. This third scenario was actively canvassed in the courtroom on Friday.

(Its worth recalling that Higgins, in the days after the assault, told her then office colleague Chris Payne that I could not have consented, it would have been like f---ing a log.) But Tens lawyers say if the judge were to find that a sexual act occurred  under circumstances where consent was blurred  then Lehrmanns actions in launching a suit based on a lie (i.e. that there was no sex at all) would be heinous enough to warrant him receiving no damages at all. The Project producer Angus Llewellyn (centre) with solicitor Marlia Saunders and barrister Matt Collins, KC, outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Chrysanthou and Matt Collins, KC, playing tag team for Wilkinson and Ten, have done their best to portray Lehrmann as an unmitigated liar, a fundamentally dishonest man, combative, defensive and arrogant. Theyve had plenty to work with. Lehrmann has admitted some falsehoods, and in other respects offered differing and unconvincing explanations for his and Higgins return to parliament in the early hours of Saturday morning. The one he eventually settled on  that he needed to work on question time folders  has been badged as ludicrous by Collins, given parliament wasnt even sitting that week, and Lehrmann had already flagged an intention to leave Reynolds employ.

However, Higgins credit has also been found wanting. On Friday, Lehrmanns barrister, Steven Whybrow, SC, launched a fierce attack on what he called her demonstrated capacity to lie. She had lied to her employer, to her former boyfriend Ben Dillaway, to federal police agents, to Network Tens The Project, in her statutory declaration for Ten, and in the draft manuscript of a book she had been contracted to write, Whybrow claimed. Far from being raped, he said, Higgins had constructed a story to protect her career, fearing she would be sacked once she learnt  four days after waking up in Reynolds office  that a security guard had found her in a state of nakedness in the early hours of that morning. That, Whybrow said, was horrific enough, embarrassing, humiliating and potentially career-limiting for a young professional woman to lie to protect herself and her dream job. The case against Lehrmann was all based on lies, damned lies and CCTV he claimed, referencing the hours of camera footage from the Dock Hotel (where the pair were drinking on the relevant night) that the court has sat through.

What is the judge making of all this? Lee has already signalled his view that there are various parts of each [of Lehrmanns and Higgins] evidence [that] simply cant be accepted, warning that observers should resist the human tendency to bestow white hats and black hats. However, while Tens barristers agree that some portions of Higgins evidence are demonstrably weak, that does not apply, they say, to the core rape allegation. Brittany Higgins interview with Lisa Wilkinson, aired on The Project in 2021. Her description of coming around from a stupor to allegedly find Lehrmann sweating on top of her mid-rape was visibly raw, emotionally compelling, very distressing, and consistent, Collins asserted.

He argued there was a qualitative difference between the dishonesty of Lehrmann and the successful credit attacks that were levelled at Brittany Higgins. Loading The weakest points in Higgins evidence have centred on questions such as the alleged loss of data from her phone, the validity of her claims about a bruise on her leg, and claims of a political cover-up that forced her to stay silent for two years until she finally went public on The Project on February 15, 2021. Higgins has said she believed she was under pressure not to proceed with a police complaint in March and April 2019 because of higher-ups seeing her as a political problem for the Liberal Party in the run-up to a closely fought election. She has taken particular aim at Reynolds and Reynolds chief of staff Fiona Brown, whom she has depicted as treating her callously.

Specific claims of a cover-up made by Higgins were rejected at the time by then prime minister Scott Morrisons press secretary Andrew Carswell in responses to questions from The Projects producer Angus Llewellyn, but were given short shrift when the segment aired. Brown has been depicted by Higgins as a terrifying individual, but she cut a rather forlorn figure in the witness box this week Lee was so concerned about Browns mental health that he delayed until Wednesday a livestream recording of her evidence made over the two previous days. Fiona Brown outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Credit: Steven Siewert Higgins has been adamant that she told Brown within four days of the alleged assault that she recalled waking up on the ministers couch to find Lehrmann on top of her. Brown disputes the timing of Higgins telling her that, though she concedes that from early on she felt she couldnt rule in or out that an assault had occurred. Certainly by April 1, she and Reynolds had learnt enough to suggest Higgins go directly to the Australian Federal Police post inside Parliament House to begin a complaints process. And by April 5, Lehrmanns employment had been terminated.

On Browns own evidence, it appears she was inadequately trained to handle the quandary her young staffers had presented her with. She had been in the chief of staff role for only about two weeks before the alleged rape occurred, before which shed held a senior administrative role in the prime ministers office. Brown said she believed shed done her professional best while staying focused on preserving Higgins agency and offering her full support. Steven Whybrow, SC, and Bruce Lehrmann outside the Federal Court in Sydney in late November. Credit: Nikki Short She maintained she was closely following a script prescribed by the Department of Finance in her conversations with Higgins and Lehrmann, having been told not to be accusatory or inquisitorial. She added that she was so cognisant of protecting Higgins right to choose that she resisted pressure from her own boss, Reynolds, and another senior minister, Alex Hawke, to take the matter to police regardless of what Higgins herself wanted. As the judge remarked drily on Friday, this is the cover-up where everyone wanted to tell the police.

Asked by Whybrow if there would have been any political expediency in attempting to actively discourage Higgins from making a complaint, Brown grew animated. None, absolutely none, she replied. The story wasnt about politicians, the story was about two staff members  two 23-year-olds  The police were consulted, you know the Department of Finance was consulted, the DPS [Department of Parliamentary Services] knew. There was no cover-up! Those final words  the last words spoken from the witness box in this case  were left hanging in the air like gun smoke on Wednesday afternoon, before the barristers on both sides launched into extensive summing up on Thursday and Friday. Lee inquired if anyone in the court was planning to submit that Brown was a knowing participant in a systemic cover-up of a rape allegation. Chrysanthou replied in the negative. This has some significance because, earlier in the case, Wilkinson had endorsed the suggestion that her view was that Reynolds and Brown were indeed knowing participants in a systemic cover-up. When the judge put to her that it would have been wicked for that to have occurred, Wilkinson agreed.
Labor-controlled councils have accused the Minns government of flouting planning rules to meet national housing targets, with one local authority threatening legal action.

Two councils, Parramatta and Inner West, said the government was undermining the power of local decision-makers by seeking to overturn their rejection of proposed housing developments.

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has earned the ire of local councils after instructing his department to review some local planning decisions. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

In the case of Parramatta, the council threatened legal action after the NSW government intervened to overturn a local planning panels rejection of a proposed 1080 home development at North Rocks.

The panel had also knocked back a proposal for 220 new apartments in Leichhardt, which is covered by Inner West Council.
We introduced the changes and got immediate pushback. Ryde council, through their local member, demanded two years to get their local environment plan right, he says. Overdevelopment became a major issue prior to 2019 election and that was where it all began to unfold. Five years on from Berejiklians pronouncement, the problem has only gotten worse. Now a new Labor government, led by Chris Minns, has also vowed to fix it. Four years after Roberts was rolled by his cabinet colleagues, the state government faces the same problems  turbocharging the planning system and the political consequences that entails.

The challenge facing Minns is daunting. Under the national housing accord targets agreed to by national cabinet in August, NSW will be required to build 375,000 new homes  or 76,000 new homes each year for the next five years. The figure is ambitious not just because it is double what the state is projected to deliver over the next five years, but also because the yearly target is more housing than has ever been delivered in NSWs history. Either pessimists or realists, many educated onlookers give the state a little chance of hitting those targets, particularly given building approvals fell by 34 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 to the lowest point since 2012. Fabrizio Perilli, president of the NSW Property Council and managing director of development firm Versatile Group, lays out the immediate issue facing Minns  the planning approval system in NSW lags terribly behind other states.

The Mecone Report commissioned by NSW Treasury in 2020 found the states development application times finished last behind Queensland, West Australia and Victoria across every single type of development. Across the states planning system, on average, rezoning through a planning proposal can take anywhere between 15 and 24 months; a stage-two, mid-to-large scale development application is in the order of 12 to 18 months, Perilli says. This is compared to four months in Victoria and three months in Queensland and South Australia. Currently, the NSW governments benchmark for a planning proposal is 14 months. NIMBY councils are largely at fault for this, claims Minns, who has accused mayors of only ever saying no or hell no to development.

In response, Minns has repeatedly threatened turning to the nuclear option if recalcitrant councils fail to meet the governments targets. It has put the government on a collision course with the local government sector, with councils such as Ryde now promising vocal public campaigns against their plans for increased density. Consequently, as part of the governments suite of housing reforms, Minns and Planning Minister Paul Scully have removed planning approvals from councils on large-scale projects, giving the power to a revamped department, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Under the Machinery of Government restructure, the department will be streamlined to ensure greater accountability, according to stakeholders who were confidentially briefed. The deputy secretaries positions will be reduced to two  Monica Gibson will be handed responsibility for the housing accord targets, rezoning and strategic planning, while David Gainsford will take on state significant development (SSD) applications. Developments with 15 per cent affordable housing and over $75 million in capital outlay will be tagged SSDs, as will developments in the governments initial eight high-density housing precincts built around heavy rail and Metro stations.

Loading For the first time, large-scale residential developments will have an expedited pathway through the department, enabling them to bypass the Byzantine council application process. The issue will be scalability: in 2022-23, only six per cent of dwellings were approved under SSD (developments on Sydney Harbour foreshore and Sydney Olympic Park), and anecdotally many industry insiders complain that state-led approvals are also time-consuming. There are great eyes and expectations on the department, says Tom Forrest, chief executive of development industry body Urban Taskforce. I dont think they have the budget for these approvals. Every TOD (transit-oriented development) zone assessment; every development worth more than $75 million including the affordable housing bonus will be assessed by the state government. Where are these planners?

The shortage of planners in a tight labour market is a glaring problem facing the government, according to a developer stakeholder who engages closely with the department and asked to remain anonymous to protect his relationship. The team working on build-to-rent  large scale, purpose-built rental housing which provides tenants with greater flexibility  is only about 10 people, says this insider. A flood of development applications only leaves two options: repurposing and upskilling, or hiring. Urban Taskforce boss Tom Forrest has questioned where the departmental planners necessary to meet the looming demand will come from. Credit: Nikki Short Everyones in la-la land if they think all this can be done within four years, he says. Property Council NSW executive director Katie Stevenson too has concerns about a lack of capacity, calling on the government to identify changes to bring SSD assessment timeframes down to six months.

The NSW government must increase the number of staff in assessment roles within the department to enable it to deal with these additional applications and ensure the department has the resources it needs to deliver on the potential of these landmark reforms, she said. Loading CoreLogic Asia-Pacific executive research director Tim Lawless expects the constraints facing the department  a lack of departmental planners, slow approval times and an institutional inflexibility cultivated over the past two decades  to take about five years to resolve. But the inexplicable delays cant just be ascribed to a lack of capacity, Perilli says. The problem, he sees, is a perverse, deeply entrenched culture of opposition to developments that has permeated councils over the past two decades. Culture has a role to play. Planning and planners is the facilitation of development and ensuring things are done correctly. We need to change the culture from how we can stop developments as opposed to how we can improve them, he says.
Residents of Bataysk, Rostov region, Russia, the mother and sister of Roman Rudakov, an occupier who was killed in the war against Ukraine, were brought a brick in memory of the deceased. A soldier of the aggressor country left a note on it.

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To do this, the Russian invaders dismantled part of the basement wall of a house in Marinka, Donetsk region of Ukraine. The block from which the wall was made was demonstratively "presented" to relatives - the whole process was filmed by a central pro-Kremlin TV channel.

A resident of Bataysk, according to Russian propaganda reports, received a call-up and was mobilized three months after completing his military service. This happened in September 2022.

The Russian invader found his death in the war against Ukraine. He was 20 years old.

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The body of Rudakov and eight other occupants was found in the basement of a house in Marinka. Russian Telegram channels wrote that it was a group of Russian attack aircraft that was ambushed and surrounded.

The occupier wrote on one of the blocks on the wall of the room: "Whoever finds me, take care of my mother, sister and brother. Roman Rudakov, Bataysk".

This piece of the wall was brought to a Russian family. However, they immediately took the brick back because they decided it was better to restore it first.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported:

- Ukrainian defenders thinned out the Russian army by 149 units of weapons and military equipment during the fighting at the front on December 20. Also, the enemy had minus 1080 units of manpower per day.

- More detailed statistics on Russian losses, which have been kept by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war, can be found here.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Alex Batty, the teenager who went missing for six years, has said he returned home to the UK after one final argument with his mother, as he spoke about his experience for the first time.

In an interview with the British newspaper The Sun, Alex, 17, said he had finally had enough of the hippy lifestyle with his mother Melanie, 43, and grandfather, David, 64.

Alex Batty giving his interview to Britains The Sun newspaper. Credit: The Sun

He told the newspaper: Shes a great person and I love her, but shes just not a great mum.

He disclosed that he wrote her a note, in which he told her he loved her and hoped she would not be angry, but that he had taken the decision to go back to England.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have expressed regret for civilian deaths but blamed Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organisation in Australia, Europe and the US, for sheltering in densely populated areas. Hamas gunmen killed 1200 people in the October attack, most of them civilians, and seized some 240 hostages. Israel says it will continue its offensive until Hamas is eliminated, the hostages returned and the threat of future attacks on Israel removed. Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip outside a morgue in Rafah, on Tuesday. The victims details are written on each wrapped body. Credit: AP An Israeli military spokesperson said in response to a comment request for this article that the IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm. UN vouches for the data

The data recorded by Najjar and his colleagues is collated by workers at an information centre set up by the Health Ministry at the Nasser Hospital, in the city of Khan Younis. Ministry staff fled their offices at Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza after Israeli forces entered it in mid-November. Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra, a 50-year-old doctor, reads the numbers at press conferences, or posts the figures on social media if communications are hampered by the hostilities. The head of the ministrys information centre did not respond to requests for comment. People mourn as they collect the bodies of Palestinians killed in an airstrike on in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images Since early December, the ministry has said it was unable to collect regular reports from morgues at hospitals in northern Gaza, amid the collapse of communications services and other infrastructure due to the Israeli offensive. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), only six of Gazas 36 hospitals were receiving casualties as of Wednesday, all of them in the south.

The WHO cited this as one reason it believes the ministrys tally may be an undercount; the toll also excludes dead who were never taken to hospitals or whose bodies were never recovered. The WHO and other experts said it was not possible for now to determine the extent of any undercounting. US President Joe Biden said on October 25 he had no confidence in the Palestinian data. The ministrys figures say nothing about cause of death, and they dont distinguish between civilians and combatants. A list with the names and ages of victims of the war in the Gaza Strip at a vigil for Palestinians that called for a ceasefire in Lisbon on Wednesday. Credit: AP Following Bidens remark, the ministry released a 212-page report listing 7028 people killed in the conflict until October 26, including identity cards, names, age and sex. Since then, the ministry has not released such detailed data, making it hard for researchers to corroborate the latest figures. However, the United Nations, which has long-standing cooperation with Palestinian health authorities, continues to vouch for the quality of the data. The WHO noted that compared to previous conflicts in Gaza, the figures show more civilians have been killed, including a greater proportion of women and children.

Israeli officials this month said they believed the data released to date was broadly accurate; they have estimated that one third of those killed in Gaza were enemy combatants, without providing detailed figures. The Palestinian Health Ministry, which is located in the occupied West Bank and pays the salaries of Gazan ministry workers, said it has lost almost all contact recently with hospitals in the enclave. It also has no information on the fate of several hundred health workers arrested by Israeli forces, it added. Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike, in Rafah, on Wednesday. Credit: AP Asked about the arrests, the IDF said it had detained some hospital staff based on intelligence that Hamas was using medical facilities for its operations. Those not involved in these activities were released after questioning, it said, without providing the number of detainees. International efforts

Academics, advocates and volunteers across Europe, the United States and India are working to analyse the data provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, to corroborate the details of those killed and determine the numbers of civilian casualties. Loading Much of this is based on the October 26 list. Some other researchers, meanwhile, are scraping social media to preserve accounts posted there for future analysis. There are far more eyes and players involved in recording Gaza deaths than is normal and than exist in the worlds other worst crises, said Leslie Roberts, Professor Emeritus of Population and Family Health at Columbia University. Roberts has been involved in more than 50 mortality surveys during wars since the early 1990s. London-based Airwars, a non-profit affiliated with the department of media and communications at Goldsmiths, University of London, that investigates civilian deaths in conflicts, is using social media and the ministrys October 26 document to compile a detailed record of casualties.

Airwars director Emily Tripp said some 20 volunteers were working on the project alongside regular staff, and so far it had positively identified some 900 civilians killed in the fighting. Even if the fighting stopped today, it could take another year to finish the survey, she said. Loading What were also seeing now is civilians whove been killed who are displaced from other areas, so theyre not easily identified by their neighbours, Tripp told Reuters. That makes the process of counting and identification really challenging. Zeina Jamaluddine, a doctoral student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, co-authored an analysis last month in the Lancet medical journal based on the Health Ministrys October 26 list. The study concluded that the identification numbers of those listed as killed were highly correlated with age, a pattern unlikely to arise from data fabrication. She said the Palestinian health authorities systems for collecting data had been tested over multiple wars and revised through United Nations-backed efforts: While no data is 100 per cent perfect, Palestine has high-quality data.

While excess mortality experts have tools for calculating total deaths after conflicts end, there are challenges to doing so and the final post-war toll could end up being incomplete unless deaths are recorded to the greatest extent possible in real time, she said. Every name on the list represents a person, a life, a story. Each one deserves to be remembered. Entire families killed Researchers use methods such as surveys of households after a conflict is over to estimate the overall toll.

Household surveys could be difficult following this conflict because in some cases entire families have been killed by bombardments, sometimes dozens of members, according to the October 26 list. More than 80 per cent of Gazas pre-war population has fled their homes, which adds up to 1.9 million people according to UN figures, and may be difficult to locate, experts say. Loading But given how close-knit Gazan society is, there is hope that such studies could eventually be conducted in a meaningful way, said Hamit Dardagan of the Iraq Body Count (IBC), an organisation that records violent deaths resulting from the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The IBC has already published an analysis on age and other characteristics of those killed in Gaza, based on the ministrys October 26 data. The pace of civilian deaths, at least 200 each day since October 7, except for the week-long truce, is unprecedented this century, and was not seen at height of the Iraq invasion, Dardagan said. It will take years to recover the remains of people from beneath the rubble, and the costly, technical process will not result in the identification of each body, said Dr Gilbert Burnham, a doctor and professor at Johns Hopkins University who has worked since the 1970s on humanitarian health problems in wars.

In addition to the dead, the ministry says there have been more than 52,500 people wounded in the conflict. The WHO points to the growing risk of disease due to a lack of clean water, food and medical attention. Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in two hospitals in northern Gaza for the first six weeks of the war, said some people were dying because of lack of treatment of open wounds. Blood stains on the floor and used bandages on a gurney after the treatment of injured Palestinians at the Nasser Medical hospital, in southern Gaza. Credit: Bloomberg The death toll is a poor proxy of human suffering, said Dr Annie Sparrow, a pediatrician who has worked with medics treating the wounded in the Syrian civil war for more than a decade and is an associate professor of global health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. But the use of records to fight the fear of erasure runs deep in Palestinian culture, said Abdel Razzaq Takriti, associate professor of Modern Arab History at Rice University in Texas. He quoted from a poem by prominent Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish: You will be forgotten as if you never were.

Takriti said many Palestinians see the Gaza war as part of a history of conflict and displacement by Israeli forces dating back to the Nakba, or catastrophe in Arabic, when more than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes in what is now Israel during the war over the formation of the country in 1948. For the sake of the present, future, and the past, we need to have an accurate rendition of numbers, Takriti said. Reuters More coverage of the Hamas-Israel conflict The Gaza Strip explained: A brief history: Once a trading hub, Gaza has been controlled by various powers in the past century.

Once a trading hub, Gaza has been controlled by various powers in the past century. Hamas had bigger plans on October 7: Intelligence about Hamas motivations reveals an intention to strike a blow of historic proportions and provoke an overwhelming Israeli response.

Intelligence about Hamas motivations reveals an intention to strike a blow of historic proportions and provoke an overwhelming Israeli response. Hamas money machine ignored by Israel: Israeli security officials scored a major intelligence coup in 2018: secret documents that laid out, in intricate detail, what amounted to a private equity fund Hamas used to finance its operations.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber, the institution that investigates the legal and efficient allocation of tax funds, successfully hosted a webinar on December 20th. Entitled "Insight & Oversight: Parliament and the General Audit Chamber," the event brought together candidates for the upcoming elections to provide insights into the role of the General Audit Chamber.

Mr. Alphons Gumbs, the Chairman of the General Audit Chamber, led the webinar and elucidated on the functions performed by the institution. Accompanying him were board members, Mrs. Mandy Daal-Offringa and Mrs. Sheryl Peterson, along with deputy member Mrs. Amanda Gumbs-Weijmer.

A noteworthy highlight of the event was the presentation by Mr. Keith de Jong, the Director of the General Audit Chamber, who delved into the intricate relationship between the Audit Chamber and Parliament. His presentation provided insights into how both entities collaborate to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective governance.

The webinar was well attended with candidates from different political parties. During the session, participants actively posed thought-provoking questions, which demonstrated a keen interest in governmental financial oversight.

Expressing gratitude to all attendees, Mr. Alphons Gumbs stated, "We appreciate the active engagement of all participants and the thoughtful questions raised during the webinar. This event underscores the importance of maintaining an open dialogue between the General Audit Chamber and those who seek to serve in Parliament."

To further extend the reach of this informative session, the General Audit Chamber recorded the webinar and has distributed it to all participating parties.

For additional information on the General Audit Chamber and its role in safeguarding fiscal responsibility, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website at www.arsxm.org and follow the Audit Chamber on social media.
Strange new rocks containing elements of man-made plastic have been discovered on all five continents inhabited by humans. This indicates that plastic pollution has completely penetrated the "natural" world.

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This is stated in a study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Rocks containing artificial plastic polymers have been found along coastlines and inland in 11 countries.

For the first time, such plastic rocks were found on a beach in Hawaii almost 10 years ago.

"The molten plastic, grains of sand, rock fragments, coral, shells, and wooden fragments were stuck together after a bonfire on Kamilo Beach, Hawaii, USA," said Deyi Hou, an associate professor of ecology at Tsinghua University in China and co-author of the study.

Subsequently, these new "stones began to be found on beaches, both on the islands and on the mainland coast.

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The new study, as Howe notes, is the first to "report the discovery of plastistones in an inland region, and the first to report a chemical bond between plastic and rock."

As for the process by which these new rocks are formed, Hou suggests that it is not just that plastic waste melts in a fire and, when it cools down, combines with natural components. Another reason for the appearance of such "rocks" is that plastic is washed out of the sea by waves and physically adheres to the rocks on which the waves crash.

As for the chemical bonding of plastic and natural components that scientists have seen, it may be the result of sun exposure that oxidizes the plastic.

While plastic rocks may not sound too alarming, scientists warn that this could have global implications. For example, all this plastic can reduce microbial diversity and lead to the formation of microplastics, which can eventually enter human and animal bodies.

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Scientists are convinced that this is an alarming trend that does not bode well for the future of natural ecosystems around the world.

"Plastiglomerate poses an imminent danger to ocean sustainability, the blue economy, and overall human health," Hou summarized.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that plastic stones were found on a remote island with almost no people.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
The Yuletide evening sky is especially rewarding now. The eastern sky is filled with brilliant stars  sort of a celestial Christmas tree. Distinctive groupings of stars forming part of the recognized constellation outlines, or lying within their boundaries, are known as asterisms. Ranging in size from sprawling naked eye figures to minute stellar settings, they are found in every quarter of the sky and at all seasons of the year.

The larger asterisms  ones like the Big Dipper in Ursa Major and the Great Square of Pegasus  are often better known than their host constellations. One of the most famous is in the northwest these frosty evenings.

Originally known simply as the "Bird" in ancient times, without any indication of what sort of bird it was supposed to represent, it later became the constellation Cygnus, the Swan. But the brightest six stars of Cygnus compose an asterism more popularly called the Northern Cross. Bright Deneb decorates the top of the Cross. Albereo, at the foot of the Cross, is really a pair of stars of beautifully contrasting colors: A third magnitude orange star and its fifth magnitude blue companion are clearly visible in even a low power telescope.

While usually regarded as a summertime pattern, the Cross is best oriented for viewing now, appearing to stand majestically upright on the northwest horizon at around 8:30 p.m. local time, forming an appropriate Christmas symbol. Furthermore, just before dawn on Easter morning the cross lies on its side in the eastern sky.

Related: Night sky, December 2023: What you can see tonight

Joe Rao Social Links Navigation Joe Rao is a veteran meteorologist and eclipse chaser who also serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium.

The Christmas Package

Look over toward the southeast part of the sky at around the same time. Can you see a large package in the sky, tied with a pretty bow across the middle? Four bright stars outline the package, while three close together and in a straight line make up the decorative bow.

Now you can see how our modern imagination might work, but tradition tells us that those seven stars formed a mighty hunter called Orion, the most brilliant of the constellations and visible from every inhabited part of the Earth. Two stars mark his shoulders, two more his knees and three his belt.

As is also the case with the mighty Hercules, the figure of Orion has been associated in virtually all-ancient cultures with great national heroes, warriors, or demigods. Yet, in contrast to Hercules, who was credited with a detailed series of exploits, Orion seems to us a vague and shadowy figure. The ancient mythological stories of Orion are so many and so confused that it is almost impossible to choose among all of them.

Even the origin of the name Orion is obscure, though some scholars have suggested a connection with the Greek "Arion," meaning simply warrior. All, however, agree that he was the mightiest hunter in the world and he is always pictured in the stars with his club upraised in his right hand. Hanging from his upraised left hand is the skin of a great lion he has killed and which he is brandishing in the face of Taurus, the Bull, who is charging down upon him.

The Heavenly Manger

The legendary French astronomer Nicolas Camille Flammarion (1842-1925) referred to the three belt stars of Orion as "The Three Kings." And if we were to consider these three stars as representing the Magi, then not too far away, to the east, within the faint zodiacal constellation of Cancer, is the star cluster known as Preasepe, the Manger.

A manger is defined as a trough or open box in which feed for horses or cattle is placed. But the Book of St. Luke also tells us that the baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes was set down in a manger because there was no room at the Inn. In our current Christmas week evening sky, Preasepe represents the manger where Christ was born.

In the sky, the constellation of Cancer is practically an empty space in the sky, positioned between the Twin Stars (Pollux and Castor) of Gemini and the Sickle of Leo. It's completely devoid of any bright stars and would probably not even be considered a constellation at all were it not for the fact that there had to be a sign of the Zodiac between Gemini and Leo.

In the middle of Cancer are two stars called the Aselli ("donkeys") that are feeding from the manger; Asselus Borealis and Asselus Australis bracket Preasepe to the north and south, respectively. To the unaided eye the manger appears as a soft, fuzzy patch or dim glow. But in good binoculars and low-power telescopes, it is a beautiful object to behold, appearing to contain a splattering of several dozen stars. Using his crude telescope, Galileo wrote in 1610 of seeing Preasepe not as one fuzzy star, but as ". . . a mass of more than 40 small stars."

Not quite a Christmas full moon in 2023

If you've ever received a Christmas card with Santa Claus and his reindeer flying across the nighttime sky, there's a pretty good chance that along with a scattering of stars you're also going to have a full moon as well. A full moon coinciding with Christmas is a tradition which can be traced back to the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" first published in 1823. We can recall the moment when Saint Nick was about to make his first appearance; the narrator described his view through his bedroom window:

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below."

This year, it might appear at first glance that a full moon adorns our Christmas night sky, but that will not be the case. The moon will not officially turn full until 7:33 p.m. Eastern Time on the night after Christmas (Dec. 26) when the Full Cold Moon rises. On Christmas night, the moon will still be a waxing gibbous phase, 99-percent illuminated; on Christmas Eve it will shine 96-percent of full.

In fact, for many, the moon might be two or even three days before full, or two or three days after full, but still, many will likely remark: "Hey! Look at the full moon!" Most people, at least at first glance, can't seem to tell the difference between a 100-percent illuminated moon versus a 90-percent illuminated moon.

For the record, the next time a full moon coincides with Christmas Night will be in 2034.

The Shepherd's Star

If you are up about an hour or so before sunrise, look toward the east-southeast to get a glimpse of what Flammarion described as "The Shepherd's Star," the planet Venus. He wrote:

"She shines in the east in the morning, with a splendid brightness which eclipses that of all the stars. She is, without comparison, the most magnificent star of our sky; the star of sweet confidences."

Indeed, Venus is always bright and this year it will remind those who arise early on Christmas morning of the Biblical "Star in the East."

Telescope Targets

TOP TELESCOPE PICK: (Image credit: Celestron) Want to get a better look at the night sky? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide.

Lastly, for those who receive a telescope for a holiday gift, while Venus will be rather disappointing, appearing as a less-than-appealing gibbous phase, there are two other splendid planetary targets to gaze at. That very bright "star" that you notice at day's end in December, glowing about halfway up from the east-northeast horizon right after sundown is Jupiter; a superb telescopic showpiece with cloud bands crossing its disk, as well as its retinue of four large moons.

And lastly, also in the evening sky is "the lord of the rings," Saturn, which this week can be found at dusk well up in the south-southwest sky. A telescope magnifying 30 power or more will reveal Saturn's famous rings, now tilted about 9 degrees to our line of sight.

Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers' Almanac and other publications.
In the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, in one of the settlements, the occupiers recently shot dead a schoolboy. The 8th grade student was executed in front of his family, and his mother tried to commit suicide afterward.

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The reason for the murder of the teenager was the suspicion of the invaders that he had allegedly taken a picture of something wrong. The head of the Kherson regional military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, said this during a press conference on December 21.

According to him, the invaders committed another horrific crime in one of the occupied settlements of Kherson region on December 20.

"The situation there is terrible... An 8th grade student was killed in one of the communities, in one of the settlements. Right in front of his family... They grabbed him, brought him home and shot him dead because he was just passing by and allegedly taking pictures somewhere," he said.

After the massacre, the boy's mother tried to commit suicide, Prokudin added.

"The mother almost went crazy, they pulled her out of the noose... Now they are looking for her. It happened yesterday (December 20 - Ed.)," he said.

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The head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration added that the principal of the school where the boy killed by the invaders studied would write a statement to the police. An appeal is also being prepared to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and all competent authorities and structures.

Prokudin also said that in the occupied territories of the region, the invaders continue to force passportization of the population. They have launched massive propaganda aimed primarily at children. Teachers are forced to work according to Russian programs.

Earlier, the National Resistance Center said that Russians in the occupied cities are collecting data on teenagers for mobilization in 2024 . The invaders are interested in boys born in 2006.

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And in the occupied territories of Kherson region, the occupiers' "military commissariats" developed a mobilization plan in the fall and began issuing draft notices to reserve officers. The so-called military is working on the basis of data provided by residents during the distribution of food packages and illegal fake elections.
The State Tax Service has fined Aylo, which operates the PornHub pornography service, under the so-called "Google tax." The fact is that it did not pay taxes to the Ukrainian budget, while other digital companies did so either voluntarily or after a reminder from the tax authorities.

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This was stated by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy Danylo Hetmantsev (Servant of the People), Forbes reports. He noted that large companies voluntarily paid the tax, including:

Google;

Facebook;

Apple.

"Large companies have registered voluntarily and pay this tax. If they violate tax laws, they will spend more reputationally," said the MP.

He emphasized that the tax authorities see what e-commerce services are available on the market. And to those companies that do not pay taxes voluntarily, "they send letters with a proposal to do so."

"For example, Uklon, Uber, and Bolt taxi services responded to the tax authorities' proposals... Fines are applied in accordance with the law - that's the whole logic. Taxation of non-residents is very complicated. Therefore, the tax on Google is based on the common sense of companies and their conscious subordination to the tax regulations of the countries in which they operate," explained Getmantsev.

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How much was PornHub fined?

Aylo was fined $5,543. Hetmantsev reminded that Ukraine is one of the key consumers of PornHub content. According to the resource's rating, the country ranks 14th in terms of views among other countries.

At the same time, he noted that another service that operates adult content, Onlyfans, pays taxes. Thus, since the beginning of the year, it has paid 944.1 thousand dollars to the state budget of Ukraine.

"The company that operates the PornHub website evades registration, which is why it was fined $5,543 and the corresponding tax notice was sent to the company and the Canada Revenue Agency. Every penny of the so-called Google tax goes to finance the needs of our army," the MP said earlier.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, Hetmantsev said that Ukrainian companies evade taxes worth billions of hryvnias. To do this, they use various schemes.

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For example, they officially sell only a part of the goods, and the rest - for cash and through illegal networks without a payment transaction registrar (PTR). And at the same time, they significantly underestimate the customs value of goods when selling "off the books" - in particular, one of the companies sold tomatoes 46 times lower than the imported value.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.

The categorical pardon builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that pardoned thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible. Fridays action broadens the criminal offenses covered by the pardon. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the promise of equal justice a reality.

Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities, Biden said. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Its time that we right these wrongs.

No one was freed from prison under last year's action, but the pardons were meant to help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job. Similarly, no federal prisoners are eligible for release as a result of Friday's pardon.

But the order expands the grounds on which pardons are issued. In the last round, people were pardoned for simple possession under only one criminal statute. Friday's pardons also apply to several other criminal statutes, including attempted simple possession.

Biden's order applies only to marijuana, which has been decriminalized or legalized in many states for some or all uses, but remains a controlled substance under federal law. U.S. regulators are studying reclassifying the drug from the category of drugs deemed to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse," known as Schedule I, to the less tightly regulated Schedule III.

The pardon also does not apply to those in the U.S. unlawfully at the time of their offense.

Biden's proclamation effectively pardons the covered people, but they will need to submit applications to the Justice Department's pardon attorney office to receive certificates of pardon that can be used for housing and employment purposes.

Biden on Friday reiterated his call on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Biden said.
The intensification of the Russian occupation army's offensive in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks may have several political and military goals. At the same time, the capture of Avdiivka in Donetsk region is not the Kremlin's primary goal.

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This opinion was expressed in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA by Oleksii Melnyk, co-director of foreign policy programs, coordinator of international projects at the Razumkov Center, military expert. The intensification of the occupation army is also due to the desire of Russian generals to "report good news," he added.

According to the expert, the Kremlin is trying by all means to convince Ukraine's Western partners that the war has allegedly reached a deadlock. To this end, the Kremlin is attempting to influence public opinion in Western countries. "If you listen to the latest statements by Orban or the new Prime Minister of Slovakia, they repeat Putin's narratives about the failure of the Ukrainian offensive, the futility of supporting Ukraine, and so on. That is, we see that this Russian tactic is working to some extent," Melnyk said.

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At the same time, these actions are also aimed at the domestic Russian audience, as Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who is going to the next elections, needs some legitimization.

However, according to the expert, due to the lack of major victories of the occupation army on the Ukrainian front, Russian society is increasingly asking about the ultimate goal of these actions and how long this war will last.

The expert also warned of the danger of a critical reduction in Western military support for Ukraine. "But since there is uncertainty about how long this war will last, we need to keep in mind that in the medium term the situation may change not in our favor," he said.

As OBOZ.UA wrote, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing published US intelligence information, suggested that the Russian occupation army is conducting an offensive in the east of our country in difficult weather conditions because the Kremlin aims not so much to capture new settlements, in particular, Avdiivka, as to weaken the West's support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat called today's downing of three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers in the south the result of a"brilliantly planned operation." He estimated that the cost of one such aircraft is at least $50 million. Meanwhile, Russian media reports that the fighters were shot down by the Patriot system when they were flying to bomb the Ukrainian army's bridgehead in Krynky in Kherson region.

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As Ignat said on the air of the telethon, Su-34s have not been added to the statistics of Russian losses for a long time.

"The operation to destroy the enemy on the outskirts of our country has been brilliantly planned once again. This time, three aircraft in the southern direction at once, which had not happened for a long time. The Su-34 has not been included in our positive statistics for a long time," said Ihnat.

The spokesman added that Russia has dozens more Su-34s and continues to produce them. These planes are among the newest in service with the aggressor country, and it is from them that the occupiers use bombs and missiles.

"I think that such a machine can cost at least $50 million . This is the lowest price, fighter jets are aviation complexes, extremely technological things," said Ihnat.

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Meanwhile, the Telegram channel Fighterbomber, which is close to the Russian military aviation, has recognized the combat loss of at least one Russian aircraft. According to the channel, a Ukrainian Patriot air defense system could have been used to target the Sushky.

"Everyone was taken. The living and the dead. Earth to sky... The Patriot was preliminarily fired," the statement said.

Other Russian media outlets report that the planes were shot down by a Patriot system while flying to bomb a Ukrainian foothold near Krynok in Kherson region.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at noon on December 22, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down three Su-34s, which are among the newest in the Russian army, in the south. The commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk said that our military responded to the cynical message of the Russians, which they sent together with one of the "Shahed" at night. Photos of the ejection site of one of the Russian pilots were posted online.
Former President Donald Trumps name must remain on Connecticut ballots next year unless it is removed by the courts, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas office announced this week, dashing hopes by some that she would act unilaterally to disqualify the leading Republican candidate.

The announcement came several days after a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court banning Trump from the ballot in that state over his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Thomas, a Democrat, serves as Connecticut's top elections official.

That decision marked the first time in American history that a presidential candidate was disqualified under Section 3 of the 14 Amendment, which bars from office politicians who have violated their oath of office by engaging in insurrection or rebellion.

While the ruling only applied in Colorado, opponents of the former president have sought to disqualify Trump from the ballot in more than a dozen other states, including Connecticut.

Thomas office had previously said it was reviewing the legality of many queries about having Trump removed from the ballot in 2024.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokeswoman said that Thomas did not have the authority to act without a court order.

While the Connecticut Secretary of the State has limited discretion over the placement of a candidates name on the Presidential Preference Primary ballot, the Secretary does not have jurisdiction over determining whether the Fourteenth Amendment disqualifies Donald J. Trump from appearing on either the Presidential Preference Primary ballot or the general election ballot of November 2024, only a court does, the spokeswoman, Jillian Hirst, said in a statement.

Due to the potential for confusion surrounding disparate court rulings in different states, Hirst added that the question should be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

It would be in the best interest of our countrys democracy for the U.S. Supreme Court to adjudicate the issue and provide direction to the states, Hirst said.

In a statement on the decision by the Colorado Supreme Court this week, Trumps campaign called the ruling completely flawed and promised to swiftly" appeal.

Alex Taubes, a New Haven civil rights attorney who wrote a letter to Thomas in August requesting that she hold a hearing regarding Trumps eligibility for office, on Thursday questioned why the secretary and other state officials were not taking a more forceful approach to the former president.

The Democrats need to grow a backbone and take Trump to court and bounce him off the ballot, Taubes said.

Taubes added that he and his co-author on the letter, New Haven Alder Maceo Troy Streater, were considering filing their own lawsuit challenging Trumps eligibility for the ballot.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, another Democrat, said this week that the attorney generals office had yet to receive any formal requests for legal opinion on whether Trump could be barred from the ballot.

The Colorado Supreme Courts decision on a complex and novel set of questions will likely now go to the United States Supreme Court, Tong said in a statement. Im studying the decision, and tracking that case, closely. In the meantime, with other Connecticut officials, Ill keep working to make sure our elections are safe, free, and fair.

Connecticuts presidential primary is scheduled for April 2, an earlier date than usual as part of an effort to increase the state's significance in the primary calendar. The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
This week, the Health Secretary said: It is disappointing that despite significant progress the BMA Junior Doctors Committee have walked away from negotiations and declared new strikes, which will result in more disruption for patients and extra pressure on NHS services and staff as we enter a busy winter period, risking patient safety.
In a post on X after the ruling, Tate, who has amassed 8.5 million followers on the platform, said: Rejected. The Romanian state decided she must be alone at Christmas, if she is alive.
It comes as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced 5,000 religious buildings in the United Kingdom will receive a share of up to 42 million in public funding, including Salford Cathedral, which has received more than 452,000 for a series of works to protect the 19th-century building.
"We are doing exactly as we said we were doing it, we are just doing it in two-stages..so it will go up in a few months' time and then it will go up again the full amount in early 2025.
UN Security Council diplomats delayed until Friday a vote on a resolution to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza and another round of talks took place in Egypt to try to get warring Israel and Hamas to agree on a new truce so hostages can be released.
The Russian occupiers are engaged in positional battles with the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kupyansk sector of the front. There, they suffer heavy losses in military equipment, namely tanks and armored vehicles.

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At the same time, on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to fortify, the enemy is trying to drive them out of their positions. This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

On December 20, Ukrainian defenders destroyed nine Russian tanks and 19 armored vehicles on the Kupyansk and Lyman frontlines, said Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fitio, spokesman for the Ukrainian Army Command.

The next day, both sides continued positional fighting northeast of Kupyansk. Russian and Ukrainian sources noted that fighting in the Kupyansk sector continued in the area of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka and Stelmakhivka.

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It is noted that Russian troops have recently made a minor confirmed offensive northwest of Kreminna (the area east of Yampolivka) in the Liman direction. There are also ongoing positional battles there, namely west of Kreminna near Terny and south of Dibrova and Bilohorivka.

In the Kherson sector, Ukrainian forces maintain a presence on the left bank of the Dnipro River. However, ISW says there have been no confirmed changes in the front line in this area over the past few days.

Ukrainian military observers and Russian propagandists said that positional fighting in and around Krynky continued. One blogger from Russia claimed that Russian troops had "advanced" to the center of the village.

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According to Ukrainian officials, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 30 attempts by the occupiers to drive them out of their positions on the left bank over the past day.

It is known that units of the Russian 47th Motorized Rifle Division (18th Combined Arms Army), 328th and 337th Airborne Regiments (both part of the 104th Airborne Division) participated in unsuccessful attacks on Ukrainian positions near Krynky. The enemy also used elements of the private military company Convoy there.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukrainian soldiers emphasized that Russian troops have not abandoned their intention to capture Kupyansk. The occupiers continue active assaults in this area, as they seek to create a foothold in the district center for further advancement into Ukraine.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
But in a warning shot to Labour and Tory rebels, he added: But what Ive always said is attempts like Keir Starmers stunt to try and kill off the Bill before it even started progressing through the House, we will very robustly defend ourselves against that.
However, the Supreme Court backed the decisions of the courts to reject his bid, saying only a person could be labelled as an inventor and therefore have patent rights. The court judgment does not deal with whether or not the AI did indeed invent the food container and beacon.
The Houthi offensive is part of the Axis of Resistance sponsored by Iran. This has brought a renewed wave of attacks on allied observation posts and training facilities across Iraq and Syria. There have been over a one hundred attacks on these posts in the past six weeks, according to allied military sources, 30 on bases where British staff were present. Its a miracle no one has been killed, said one official. The luck may not last.
We know thatattacks happen but you never really think that youre going to be in the middle of one or be close to one  and then when it does happen, you kind of freeze.
"I would like to express my deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims that the shooting claimed. I want to thank the citizens for respecting the instructions of the security forces and providing maximum cooperation."
Now it's time to cook. Turn the heat up to high and get the pan screamingly hot. Gently lay your steak across the surface - it should sizzle on contact - and leave to sear on one side before flipping over for the same treatment on the opposing side. Use tongs to help you sear around the edges too. You want the whole thing evenly browned.
The attack happened on Wednesday at about 1pm, after the US authorities were called to reports of battery and a disturbance.
On the morning of December 22, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation. During the conversation, the head of the Dutch government announced that the first 18 F-16 fighter jets were being prepared for delivery to Ukraine.

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Rutte also assured the President of Ukraine of the Netherlands' full support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Details were provided by Rutte and Zelenskyy.

According to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, he had a telephone conversation with Zelenskyy on the morning of December 22.

"Today, I also informed President Zelenskyy about our government's decision to prepare the first 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine. The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the military support arrangements for Ukraine. In addition to the export authorization, a number of other criteria, including personnel and infrastructure requirements, must be met before delivery. This decision confirms the Netherlands' continued commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to Russia's ongoing aggression," Rutte emphasized.

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He also reiterated the readiness of the Netherlands to support Ukraine not only in countering Russian aggression, but also in its movement towards full membership in the EU.

"Last week we discussed the important decision of the European Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine. I am impressed with Ukraine's progress and the Netherlands stands ready to assist Ukraine as it continues to work on the reforms required by the accession process. I have also assured President Zelensky that the Netherlands will make every effort to reach an agreement at the European Council meeting in February 2024 on EU financial support," the Dutch Prime Minister emphasized.

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Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine thanked the Dutch government for the decision to start preparing the first F-16 fighters for Ukraine.

"I also thanked the Netherlands for their active support of the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU and emphasized the importance of providing our country with long-term assistance from the EU in the amount of 50 billion euros as soon as possible. We discussed the developments at the front, the situation in the Black Sea and Ukraine's current military needs, including artillery, drones and air defense," Zelenskyy outlined the range of topics discussed.

He noted that he and the Dutch Prime Minister had agreed to "continue working together on security guarantees in accordance with the G7 Vilnius Declaration."

In addition, the parties discussed the next meeting of advisers on the Peace Formula and efforts to further consolidate international support for Ukraine's vision of a just peace.

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Earlier it was reported that the Netherlands would increase military aid to Ukraine by EUR 2.7 billion.

"This assistance should fully meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ammunition, as well as equip air defense systems and other installations that were provided to Kyiv earlier. The Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine, no matter what it costs and how long it takes," said Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot in this regard.
The explosions that occurred the day before in the temporarily occupied Kerch in Crimea were not caused by an attack on the peninsula or Ukrainian missiles, as the terrorist state's Defense Ministry claimed. As it turned out, the occupiers' S-400 Triumph air defense system malfunctioned, causing them to lose 3 air defense missiles.

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This was reported on the Telegram channel"Spy Dossier" . It is noted that the equipment, which was at the disposal of the 18th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Air Force, recorded several air targets on its radar, allegedly heading towards the Crimean Bridge. The occupiers immediately began to "work" on them.

According to the channel's author, the Russians fired three missiles, two of which exploded in midair and another fell in a field.

"As it turned out later, there were no targets and no threat at all. The division's radar malfunctioned, which resulted in a false combat operation," the channel noted.

The report also added that it remains a mystery how the radar of the $1.2 billion complex could have malfunctioned.

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As a reminder, due to the explosions on December 21, there were four of them, the Russians blocked the Crimean bridge for traffic, and the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country, Russia, announced the alleged downing of a "Ukrainian missile" over the Azov Sea. Propaganda resources claimed that air defense systems were allegedly activated near the Crimean Bridge.

As of 16:13, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the "Kyiv regime" had allegedly made an "attempted missile attack."

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- As a result of the attack on Crimea on Wednesday, December 20, several "interesting objects" of the Russians were destroyed. In particular, three satellite communications antennas at one location and the Tobol electronic warfare complex at another.

- On December 15, the "cotton" visited Dzhankoy, Genichesk, and Simferopol districts. It was also noisy in Sevastopol. According to the Russians, the border of Crimea and Kherson region came under a powerful attack, and the occupiers allegedly shot down 15 missiles there.

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Save Romania Union (USR) announces that Anca Dragu is proposed to be the new governor of the National Bank of Moldova, according to the announcement made by Igor Grosu, President of the Moldovan Parliament.

"I am proud of this performance of our colleague and it is a new proof of the professionalism she has demonstrated throughout her career. I am convinced that Anca will bring her contribution to the European path of the Republic of Moldova, especially in the context that the European Council has recently decided to open negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union," said USR Chairman Catalin Drula, according to a press release, agerpres reports.

USR stresses that it will continue to support the Republic of Moldova, whose place is "in Europe alongside Romania."

Anca Dragu is a USR senator from Bucharest and vice-president of the USR National Bureau. She has been the first woman president of the Senate, at the proposal of USR.Anca Dragu, an economist by profession, has been Finance minister in the technocrat government from November 2015 to January 2017, according to the source.Anca Dragu holds a bachelor's degree and a PhD in Economics from the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, a Master's degree in Public Policy and EU Accession from the National School of Political and Administrative Studies in Bucharest, and has attended various programs at Georgetown University, the Central and Eastern Europe Scholarship Program, and George Washington University, Washington DC.Anca Dragu has gained experience during her 24 years of professional activity both nationally and internationally in the public and private sectors. She has worked as an economic analyst with the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission, after a 12-year experience in the International Monetary Fund office in Bucharest, and she has also worked as an economist with the National Bank of Romania.
The members of the Meridian National Trade Union, employees of the Ministry of Finance and subordinate institutions, will go on a Japanese strike on Wednesday, December 27, unhappy that they will be exempted from the 5% basic salary increase next year, informs the trade union in a press release to AGERPRES.

Participating in the protest there will be members of the organization from the central apparatus of the Ministry of Finance, the National Agency for Fiscal Administration, the Bucharest Treasury and the Romanian Customs Authority, agerpres reports.

"Employees of these institutions are unhappy because the Government of Romania is going to exempt the employees of the Ministry of Finance and subordinate institutions from the increase of the basic salary by 5 percent next year. According to the Emergency Ordinance No. 115, adopted a week ago, the gross basic salaries will be increased by 5% compared to December 2023. However, the Government's spokesman, Mihai Constantin, said today [Thursday - editor's note] that a new normative act will be adopted next week, by which, next year, the staff from the fiscal system will not benefit from this 5% increase on the grounds that they have already benefited this year from salary increases," argued the representatives of the Meridian trade union.

They mentioned that the decision to eliminate this professional category from the salary increase granted to the other public employees is part of the discrimination policy promoted by the Romanian state in the last couple of years."Unfortunately, this and many other measures like this promote a confusion in the public space according to which, by Article XI of the Emergency Ordinance no. 81/2023, the staff of the Ministry of Finance would have benefited from a salary increase. We specify the fact that, actually, this act finally did justice to these employees, after six years, in the sense that the "existing inequities, discriminations and/or salary discrepancies" were eliminated, thus equalizing the salaries between employees who have the same function and perform the same work. This situation has been maintained since 2017 and no one took any measures during all this time, and the employees subsidized the state budget with their own money, by the fact that millions of RON were taken from their salaries every month. We consider that the decision to eliminate this professional category from the salary increase granted to the other public employees is part of the discrimination policy promoted by the Romanian state in the last couple of years, and as a result we are protesting. And if this measure is adopted, we may take other measures too, more extreme," the trade unionists warn in the said press release.
A foreign citizen was caught in the act with 50 kilograms of the psychoactive substance 2-MMC (2-methylmethcathinone, part of the New Psychoactive Substances) in his car and was detained by anti-drug prosecutors and then placed in custody.

"On December 21, 2023, the prosecutors of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Investigation Directorate (DIICOT) - Cluj Territorial Service ordered the detention of a defendant (a foreign citizen) investigated for the crime of carrying out operations with products knowing that they are likely to have psychoactive effects, without the right and without having an authorization issued under the conditions of the law. He was caught in the act, while transferring, from his car to another car, the amount of approximately 50 kilograms of the psychoactive substance 2-MMC, packed in hidden bags in several cardboard boxes", according to a release sent by DIICOT on Friday, Agerpres informs.

From the conducted research it emerged that the defendant brought the drugs from Hungary, by land, in order to sell them on the territory of Romania.

The judge of rights and freedoms of the Cluj Court ordered, on Friday, the preventive arrest of the defendant, for a period of 30 days.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest sent four Romanian citizens to court at the Bucharest Tribunal for fraud and forgery in documents involving financing for young farmers from the diaspora, the EPPO says in a press release.

It is about the EU funds aimed at supporting young farmers living abroad, to help them return to work in the agricultural sector in Romania. In order to obtain this support, the candidates had to certify that they had a job in agriculture, veterinary medicine, the agri-food sector or in the agrarian economy, outside the borders of Romania, for at least three months, in the two years prior to submitting the application, Agerpres informs.

In June 2021, the defendants submitted a request to obtain non-refundable funds from the EU budget in the amount of 120,000 euros (584,196 RON).

According to the evidence, to certify that they worked abroad, the defendants submitted false and inaccurate documents to the Romanian Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments (AFIR), including temporary work contracts concluded with a Spanish company in May 2020 and rental contracts for a house in Spain, as well as residence registration certificates for a city in Spain. These documents were false, as determined following consultation with the EPPO Office in Madrid. As a result, the defendants were able to obtain 90,000 euros (438,147 RON) in undue EU funds.In order to recover the damage caused to the EU budget, the EPPO initiated a procedure to freeze the assets of the defendants. If found guilty, the defendants face up to 7 years in prison for subsidy fraud and another three years for falsifying official and private documents.
The Ministry of Energy received seven offers from private investors for the creation of a partnership in order to create a bitumen terminal in the Port of Constanta, the ministry informs in a press release.

"Faced with an internal production of bitumen that covers only 20% of what is needed, the ministry undertakes to support the diversification of the activities of Oil Terminal SA, including through the development of a bitumen terminal in the Port of Constanta," reads a press release from the institution.

According to the source, the Oil Terminal company held discussions and ensured field visits for interested investors, asking them to submit offers on the establishment of a partnership until December 20, 2023, indicating the main elements that must be included in the offer and their evaluation criteria. Until the deadline, 7 of the 8 companies registered in the public procedure, respectively: Socar Petroleum SA, Takida Terminal SRL, Frial SA, OMV Petrom SA, Vitaro Energy SRL, Trafigura Pte Ltd and Euronova Energies SA, presented their offers for partnership.

This bitumen terminal will be located on the current platform of the Port Platform Section, located within the Port of Constanta, berth 69, for which Oil Terminal has signed a lease agreement with the Constanta Maritime Port Administration. The strategic positioning of the platform on which the bitumen terminal will be built constitutes an unbeatable advantage through access to all transport routes (sea, rail and road).Oil Terminal SA Constanta, established on the basis of Law 15/1990 and Government Decision no. 1200/1990, is a public company listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange since 1998, with a share capital of 299.7 million RON. Specialized in handling and storage services for oil and petroleum products, the company holds leasing agreements for the operation of critical infrastructures and is strategically located at the intersection of important transport corridors. With an experience of over 125 years, Oil Terminal has extensive facilities, including 7 operative berths in the Port of Constanta and 3 warehouses with a total capacity of 1.4 million cubic meters.
President Klaus Iohannis on Friday said in a message marking the Day of the Victory of the Romanian Revolution and Freedom, that the Revolution file does not yet have a resolution, which prevents "a full reconciliation with a painful past.

"Unfortunately, the Revolution file does not yet have a resolution, and this situation tarnishes the memory of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Until justice is served, in the absence of a clear and concise conclusion on the culprits, who must be held accountable for their victims, we cannot discuss a full reconciliation with our painful past," the head of state pointed out, agerpres reports.

According to Iohannis, "the four rounds of elections next year represent a genuine democratic exercise."

"Thirty-four years ago, sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents and friends lost their lives in the fierce battles to win freedoms and rights, including the right to vote. Thanks to their ultimate sacrifice, today we have the opportunity to participate actively and without constraints in the democratic process. Exercising the right to vote is a duty that we have to honour the memory of those who risked their own lives for national ideals, but also a responsibility for ensuring a prosperous future for our country," added Iohannis.He recalls that the Revolution of December 1989 "represents the moment when the decades-long aspiration of the Romanians for freedom succeeded in overthrowing communism, revealing its barbarism in front of the whole world.""The communist regime meant fear, starvation, disillusionment, censorship, total contempt for life and dignity, lies and terror. In December 1989, Romanians managed to defeat this monster that had kept them in social, economic and intellectual darkness for four and a half decades. This long period of suffering, however, generated a huge energy, which was transposed into courage, determination and power, the desire for freedom being, for many Romanians, higher than their own life," said the president.Klaus Iohannis urges Romanians not to forget the heroes "who opposed the dictatorship in order to restore the rights and freedoms the entire Romanian nations was deprived of for so many decades.""Thanks to them, the generations that followed 1989 were born and grew up in democracy, safe from the cruelty of totalitarianism. The horrors of communism, although they are difficult to remember or even impossible to imagine for young people, must not be forgotten with the passage of time," said president Iohannis.In the same message, he also refers to the current challenges, which "highlight certain frailties and vulnerabilities of democratic regimes, and can generate a feeling of nostalgia regarding the communist period.""The impact of the current successive crises, the threats generated by the military conflicts, some even close to our borders, generate frustrations and resentments that make the past take on positive valences that it did not have in reality. We cannot allow the passage of time to give birth to a false embellishment of the communist past, which must be kept in the collective memory exactly as it was, harsh and detestable," stated Klaus Iohannis.The president went on to evoke the testimonies of the horrors of communism, the crosses from the Sighet and Aiud prisons, the bars of the Pitesti or Jilava prisons."The freedom that we are obliged to value came from the sufferings of the forcibly collectivized peasants, from the torments of those in the dungeons of the Security and from the prayers of millions of people deprived of the most basic living conditions in the cold winters of communism. The defence of democracy every day is the most appropriate way to honor the memory of those who dreamed of a European Romania, through values and prosperity, and were passionate about this ideal," said Klaus Iohannis.He argued that constant efforts are needed at the level of the authorities, civil society and citizens alike to effectively combat undemocratic manifestations."Indifference and lack of action in the face of the threat of populism and extremism are a real danger for any democratic society. Institutions strongly attached to the rule of law, respect for the law and the protection of citizens are not only ideals and legitimate expectations, but rights that they have earned Romanians for Romanians," said Iohannis.
With the help of naval strike drones in 2023, Ukrainian soldiers were able to push the Russian fleet away from Ukrainian shores and force enemy ships to flee the Sevastopol Bay in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Thanks to accurate attacks on Russian targets in the Black Sea and on the occupied peninsula, the defenders managed to create a 200-mile security strip in the sea, providing a corridor for merchant ships.

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The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, which has its own fleet of maritime strike drones, noted that they are working daily to improve weapons and find new effective tactics. This is stated in the publication of The New York Times.

In its article, the publication noted that in 2023, Ukraine managed to create a security lane in the Black Sea, which is now used by merchant ships. This was achieved, in part, by increasing the use of maritime attack drones.

The commander of the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence's fleet of surface attack drones, nicknamed "Thirteenth," shared with Western journalists some details of how the goal of destroying the Russian fleet's dominance in the Black Sea was achieved.

In particular, he said that it was the operators of Ukrainian military intelligence drones who were behind the destruction of Russian Akula and Serna-class landing boats, as well as effective strikes on the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Serhiy Kotov and the Ivan Khurs reconnaissance vessel.

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"When we hit the target, the whole team was, of course, overwhelmed with emotions. We were shouting and congratulating each other," recalled Thirteenth, recalling the emotions of the scouts after the successful attack on the Sergiy Kotov.

Naval strike drones allowed Ukraine to accomplish what seemed impossible: thanks to the latest weaponry, a state that actually has no navy won a confrontation at sea with a state that positions itself as a "maritime" state.

"No one has the experience of using maritime drones like we do. There are no teachers or textbooks. We are now writing these books," stated the commander of the GUR's naval drone fleet.

Of course, according to Thirteenth, the Russians are also learning from attack to attack and testing new ways to prevent Ukrainian naval drones from reaching their targets. That is why each new operation requires a special approach from Ukrainian operators, who are constantly improving both the drones themselves and the tactics of their use.

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"With each new operation, both we and they [the Russians] learn," emphasized Thirteen.

And Ukrainian soldiers proved to be capable learners: the existence of a 200-mile security strip and the creation of a safe shipping corridor in 2023 became a fait accompli.

"They (Russian warships - Ed.) can be pushed back. Russia's dominance in the Black Sea is over," the DIU soldier summarized.

Earlier, British intelligence said that Russia wants to catch up with Ukraine in the development of kamikaze maritime drones. In 2024, the occupiers want to establish mass production of such equipment.

In particular, the British drew attention to the activities of the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant in St. Petersburg. On November 27, 2023, the head of this enterprise announced that their maritime drones would be tested in a "special military operation" against Ukraine in order to establish mass production in 2024.

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The plant also stated that the advanced Russian drones would allegedly be able to carry ammunition weighing up to 600 kg.
Save Bucharest Association has asked for help to raise 60,000 RON, the amount which it claims it could pay the legal expenses with to the real estate developer One Mircea Eliade Properties and avoid dissolution.

"Thank you for the reactions of solidarity with the cause of the Save Bucharest Association yesterday and today. People who want to help the association can donate. (...) We are still short of 60,000 RON to close the payment obligations to the One company, in the most extensive interpretation," the organization announced, on Friday, in a message on Facebook, Agerpres informs.

The real estate developer One Mircea Eliade Properties obtained on Wednesday at the 5th District Court a decision regarding the dissolution of the Salvati Bucurestiul Association, founded by the current general mayor of the Capital, Nicusor Dan. The court's decision comes after Salvati Bucurestiul Association no longer had the money to pay court costs to the developer, in a case in which several civic organizations contested the construction of a real estate complex in the Floreasca neighbourhood.

"The situation is as follows. At the request of the residents of the Floreasca neighbourhood, several non-governmental organizations contested in court the One Mircea Eliade real estate project developed by the One and Auchan Romania companies. Initially, there were also several owners' associations, but they were intimidated by the One company and they did not maintain their requests. There were two important files: 25248/3/2018 - in which the environmental agreement, initiated by the Slvati Bucurestiul Association and the Militia Spirituala Association, was contested, and the file no. 4858/3/2019 - in which they were contested the Zonal Urban Plan (PUZ) and the building permit, initiated by the Salvati Bucurestiul Association and the SOS Orasul Association. The courts rejected both actions and ordered the following court costs: 95,000 RON for One and 130,000 RON for Auchan in file 25248/3/2018 and 50,000 RON for One and 25,000 RON for Auchan in file 4858/3/2019," the Salvati Bucurestiul Association explained.According to the said association, since the three NGOs could not pay these amounts, the One company initiated judicial actions to terminate them."The Spiritual Militia Association could not pay and was dissolved by a final decision. The SOS Orasul Association collected and paid the sum of 50,000 RON to One and requested the dismissal of the dissolution action as One had recovered its money. Courtesy of Auchan, One bought Auchan's debt of 25,000 RON from Auchan Romania and requested the dissolution of SOS Orasul for this amount as well. The SOS Orasul association also collected and paid the amount of 25,000 RON. The final decision in the case of the dissolution of SOS Orasul will be pronounced in January 2024 by the Cluj Tribunal," Salvati Bucurestiul also said.The NGO added that it managed to collect and pay the amount of 95,000 RON to the developer of One Mircea Eliade Properties and then requested the rejection of the dissolution action, since One had recovered its money."With the good knowledge of Auchan, One also bought from Auchan the debt of 130,000 RON of Auchan and requested the dissolution of the Salvati Bucurestiul Association for this amount as well. The Salvati Bucurestiul Association managed to collect 70,000 RON of the amount originally owed to Auchan and requested the postponement of the dissolution action until it is clarified whether it has to pay the court costs in full or only half where it acted together with the dissolved Militia Spirituala Association. District Court 5 rejected the postponement request and ordered, in the first instance, the dissolution of the Salvati Bucurestiul Association. We believe that, if we pay the remaining 60,000 RON, the appeal court will accept the appeal and maintain the existence of the Salvati Bucurestiul Association," the NGO explained.
Romanian airline TAROM is launching a special Christmas offer on plane tickets for trips made starting on January 15, 2024, until the end of March 2024.

"The TAROM airline launches its Christmas Offer! This year, Santa Claus brings many discounts on plane tickets! Enjoy the gifts you can find in Santa's quiver, choosing your favorite destination. Between December 22 and 31, 2023, we are launching a special offer with a travel period starting from January 15, 2024 until the end of March 2024," reads a press release from the company, Agerpres reports.

According to the same source, the prices of plane tickets to the desired destinations are among the most attractive and start from 129 euros round trip (with all taxes included), hand luggage of 8 kilogrammes and free check-in on a number of destinations.

Thus, with a fare starting at 129 euros, tickets can be purchased between Bucharest and Athens, Belgrade, Istanbul, Chisinau, Thessaloniki, Sofia, and with 169 euros Romanians can reach Budapest, Frankfurt, Prague and Rome.For Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Madrid and Paris, ticket prices start at 189 euros.Tickets are available for sale on the website www.tarom.ro, in TAROM agencies or at accredited agents."The offer is valid for all the destinations listed above and operated by the TAROM company between January 15, 2024 and March 31, 2024 (date of the last return) and is subject toto special terms and conditions, and places at these rates are limited. We look forward to seeing you on board!" the press release says.The National Romanian Air Transport Company - TAROM was founded in 1954 and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Transport, being a member of the SkyTeam Alliance since June 25, 2010.The National Carrier of Romania owns a fleet of 18 aircraft and has in its portfolio a number of 70 destinations operated with its own aircraft or served by its code share partners. Since 1993, TAROM is a member company of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
World Vision Romania is supporting 1,000 children from rural areas to continue their studies, after finishing high school, with the "I want in 9th grade" programme.

According to a World Vision Romania press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, 12 of the 1,000 children were supported by a company to continue their studies after finishing high school, Agerpres informs.

The twelve teenagers benefited in the 2022-2023 school year from: personal development and professional guidance activities, online vocational mentoring sessions supported by representatives of partner companies, tutoring for school subjects, including exam subjects and access to learning platforms, a monthly scholarship to cover for the needs generated by attending high school in the amount of RON 100, specialist visits.

A percentage of 56% of the students who drop out of school after the 8th grade do so because the family cannot afford the cost of the school, and in rural areas only four out of ten adults have the baccalaureate exam, according to the "Study on the well-being of children in the rural areas," carried out by World Vision Romania in 2022.
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians," Rick Riordan's YA novel series, has become a television show, premiering this week on Disney+, and it is as good as can be.

I might easily have looked askance at it, or not looked at all. In simple terms, the books begin as a "Harry Potter" knockoff: A special child, growing up in difficult circumstances, comes into latent supernatural powers, attracting the attention of good and bad forces. He is transported to a magical academy where a wise master will guide him, and joins with two peers to fight the bad things coming for him, and for the world. It's not like J.K. Rowling invented any of that, either  there are bits and pieces of it all over children's and genre literature and everything George Lucas thought up after "American Graffiti"  but she did gather it under one cover and identify a market for YA fantasy that has so far proved inexhaustible.

The twist in "Percy Jackson" is that we are not among wizards and warlocks but Greek mythological figures, who, for whatever reason, are running around the United States, in and out of the mystical veil that keeps them situationally invisible from the normals. That literary spin does elevate it a bit and reflects what kids might be getting a taste of elsewhere, assuming Greek mythology still counts as basic cultural literacy. That may be assuming a lot these days.

Even though he is cute enough to star in a television show, 12-year-old Percy (Walker Scobell), for Perseus, is bullied and mocked. He's dyslexic and has ADHD and sometimes sees strange creatures no one else can see, rambling through New York City. His one friend, relatively recently acquired, is Grover (Aryan Simhadri), who is not what he seems. On an outing to the Metropolitan Museum, after Percy unconsciously unleashes a superpower on a nasty classmate, he is attacked by a teacher, Mrs. Dodds (Megan Mullally), who turns into a Fury; she is dispatched by a magical pen given to Percy by another teacher, Mr. Brunner (Glynn Turman), who is also not what he seems. The title of this episode is "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher."

Things move quickly thereafter. Grover, it turns out, is a satyr, charged with protecting Percy; Mr. Brunner is really a centaur named Chiron. And Percy himself will learn, with destabilizing suddenness, that he's a demigod, the son of a human mother, Sally (Virginia Kull, whose warm, deeply felt performance does much to establish the emotional ground of the series), and a Greek god she met on the beach at Montauk, like you do. (There is a loser stepfather in the picture, Timm Sharp as Gabe, who feels acquired merely as cover.) A race in the rain to deliver Percy to the safety of Camp Half-Blood  terrible name for a camp, even if accurate  with a minotaur, or the Minotaur, in hot pursuit, is terrifically exciting and exceptionally well staged and edited, as much suggested as shown.

At camp, which combines Catskills rusticity with Greek architectural elements, Percy will find that he's not alone among the illegitimate, half-abandoned children of gods. But his particular parentage qualifies him as both especially special and especially endangered, a rare "forbidden child." This doesn't make him any less bullied than he was back in New York. Mean kids, they're everywhere.

Here we meet Jason Mantzoukas as Dionysus, or Mr. D., the camp director (an odd choice, if you know your Dionysus), which spells comedy; Luke (Charles Bushnell), a son of Hermes, who seems friendly; and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), a tough little daughter of Athena, who will become, after some initial antagonism, the third member of our heroic trio alongside Percy and Grover.

The plot will be driven by the matter of Zeus' stolen thunderbolt  the book adapted here is titled "The Lightning Thief"  which must be found before a ruckus in Olympus endangers the mortal world. That this will evolve into a road picture is clear from the handsome credits, which play off Deco mural art  there is a contextual reason for that, involving the Empire State Building  and give us trains and buses and taxis and St. Louis' Gateway Arch. The American cast and setting distinguish it from "Potter" as much as the Greek references, and the series plays a little like a kids' fantasy version of "North by Northwest," with maybe a touch of Bryan Fuller's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods."

"Percy Jackson" is witty without diminishing the emotional gravity of the material  reliable and unreliable parents, true and false friends, life and death  and does a lovely job of mixing its extraordinary and ordinary worlds. Perhaps most important, it gives us kids who talk like kids (and excellent young actors to play them). They are unusually brave and inventive for 12-year-olds, to be sure, but in ways a 12-year-old viewer might imagine themselves being; not the only problem with Chris Columbus' pedestrian 2010 film of "The Lightning Thief," over which Riordan had no say, was the decision to age the protagonists into their late teens. (That'll happen naturally, if the series keeps going.) Supported by Annabeth, who is a hothead, and Grover, who is careful, Percy has strong motivations to carry on through life-threatening challenges from mythological creatures that have had millenniums to hone their particular life-threatening skills. He's got a nice ironic streak, but he's also full of trepidation, confusion, insecurity, questions and sadness, and Scobell does a fine job of selling the feelings and the fight.

I haven't read Riordan's books, but he co-created the series with Jonathan E. Steinberg, who created the excellent Jeff Bridges espionage series "The Old Man," which in itself says something about the series' unconventional ambitions  as does the choice of pilot director James Bobin, who directed (and co-created) "Flight of the Conchords" and was the initial director of "The Mysterious Benedict Society," another first-rate YA adaptation (which Disney+ unwisely canceled and has seemingly hidden from the world).

I would think fans of the books would be more than satisfied, but anyone ought to be; from script to casting to direction to production design to cinematography to special effects, the series never puts a foot wrong. Of course, as with any such invented world, one must accept some arbitrary rules without worrying too much about what strictly makes sense; neither should you stress over how the mythological references accord to what you remember from reading Edith Hamilton or Robert Graves. It won't be on the test.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  The Federal Aviation Administration has endorsed Boeing Co.s plan to tear down a long-vacant aircraft factory to make way for part of its potential expansion at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The federal agency agreed with an environmental assessment of the project prepared by Boeing and supported by Lambert.

The FAA determined that there are no alternatives that address the purpose and need of the project and are both prudent and feasible, the agency said in its 14-page ruling on Dec. 15.

The agency also said the $1.8 billion project wouldnt significantly affect the quality of the human environment, including noise levels.

Moreover, the FAA said the project would have major beneficial impacts to the regional economy, employing about 1,500 existing Boeing workers here and resulting in as many as 500 new jobs.

The Boeing plan is dependent on winning major new Defense Department business. The company has been vague about what contracts its seeking but aerospace firms are competing to build the next generation of fighter jets.

The old Curtiss-Wright aircraft manufacturing site targeted for razing, on the north end of the airport, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex was used to produce World War II military planes by Curtiss-Wright and other aircraft for McDonnell-Douglas in later years. A related building is eligible for the register, the FAA said.

Boeing, in a draft environmental assessment submitted to the FAA in September, asserted that renovating the old plant would be far more costly than tearing it down and building a new facility.

The report said renovation to meet current aeronautical design requirements and intelligence community security standards would cost an estimated $600 million  about three times the cost of demolition and new construction there.

Boeing and Lambert plan to honor the old plant, the FAA noted, with a display at the airport and a historical website.

The buildings have been on the national register since 2016, when another company, Bi-National Gateway Terminal, was working on a different proposal for an international cargo terminal.

The city of St. Louis, which owns Lambert, in 2019 approved a revised version of the Bi-National plan, in which the old buildings would be rehabbed and financing would include state historic tax credits.

But the city terminated the lease a few months later because of the firms failure to pay back rent and meet other requirements. A city circuit judge last month upheld the termination of the lease.

The new Boeing lease also includes a larger airport-owned site on Lamberts eastern end in Berkeley.
ST. LOUIS  Duan Brooks paid $20,000 at the citys tax sale back in June for a small brick home on Itaska Street in Dutchtown.

He planned to fix up the abandoned property, which the city put up for sale at one of its annual auctions due to unpaid taxes, and sell it. It would get one of St. Louis thousands of vacant properties back on the tax rolls in a neighborhood that needs investment.

As prescribed by state law, the sale was confirmed by a judge in August. Brooks proceeded as if he owned the property, putting thousands of dollars into the rehab.

But he never received the deed to the property. Perplexed, he went to City Hall to figure out what the holdup was.

I find out it had been sold, Brooks said. Its like what the crap happened here?

What happened is that the deed wasnt recorded to reflect the sale to Brooks. Meanwhile, Chicago Equities LLC, the owner that had lost the property in the tax sale, was able to sell it in October to an Israeli couple. Now, Brooks will need to get the courts to step in again and resolve the title dispute.

Hes going to have to do something at the courthouse if hes going to be able to borrow on that property or sell it, said Dale Sweet, an attorney and expert on the citys tax foreclosure process. And meanwhile the tax bills are going to Israel.

Until Thursday, around 80 properties sold to people at this years tax foreclosure sales had yet to have the deeds documenting the property transfers recorded, according to the St. Louis Sheriffs Office, which by state law conducts the tax sales.

Several buyers said they had contacted the sheriffs office and St. Louis Recorder of Deeds about the problem only to be told it was a computer issue and they were working on it. The bureaucratic hang-up put dozens of properties and rehab projects in limbo, an unforced error in a city swimming in thousands of abandoned properties waiting on new owners and investors.

We need to make it as easy for them as possible, Sweet said.

In some instances, the delay appears to have violated state law, which governs the citys tax sale process and says the new property deeds need to be recorded within two months of the court confirming the sales.

And both the sheriffs office, which collects buyers money for the properties at the tax sale, and the recorders office suspect the issue stems from St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Greens office and a new city accounting system that has roiled the functions of city government for over a year.

That new system the city has instituted is giving everybody hell in terms of getting stuff done, Sheriff Vernon Betts said.

The issue, the sheriff and recorder say, is the money taken out of the purchase price to cover the recording fees hadnt made its way from the sheriffs office to the right account in the recorders office.

The money is sitting somewhere in this city, Capt. Tim Haill of the sheriffs office said Wednesday. Were really digging into this to try and figure out where this money is at.

He suspects its a money transfer issue with the new Oracle accounting system instituted by the comptrollers office last year. The Post-Dispatch last month reported many city vendors and contractors have been paid weeks or months late because of the system, and the newspaper spoke to staff at City Hall who described a messy rollout from Greens office.

Haill, for instance, said the sheriffs office had its credit card declined when Betts tried to use it at a hotel while he was out of town.

We have a city credit card for the sheriffs office where the credit card company said nah, were not renewing that because no one paid the bill, Haill said.

The money transfer between the sheriff and the recorder, two county offices governed by state statute rather than the city charter, has to flow through the comptrollers office in City Hall. But it wasnt flowing the way it was supposed to, Sweet said. Hes never seen delays affect so many tax sale deeds before, and hes been following tax sales for years.

The money exists somewhere, the deed exists somewhere, Sweet said. Why arent the money and the deed ending up in the same room and updating the land records?

St. Louis Recorder Michael Butler said his office has had no issue keeping up with tax sale deeds from the sheriffs office. But he said the account where the recording fees from the tax sales usually land never got the money. When it lands in that account, that lets the recorders office know there are deeds that need to be recorded, and the recorder can then contact the sheriffs office to obtain the deeds and get them recorded.

Butler, too, suspected the Oracle system was to blame for the miscommunication.

By Thursday, two days after the Post-Dispatch had begun contacting the sheriff, recorder and comptroller  all three elected positions  about the problem, the three offices scrambled to resolve it.

Butler said Wednesday evening he told the sheriffs office to bring the unrecorded deeds over to his office and they would get them recorded by the end of the week, worrying about tracking down the fees  about $60 per deed  later.

I told him go ahead and bring the deeds down, Butler said, adding the fix would hopefully be a welcome Christmas gift for the people trying to get their property paperwork in order before the end of the year.

By Thursday afternoon, many of those deeds, including the one for Brooks house on Itaska Street, had been recorded.

And by Thursday afternoon, Haill, at the sheriffs office, said he had met with Deputy Comptroller Beverly Fitzsimmons, seen by many as the top problem solver in the office, and fixed the issue. The money had been sent to the recorders office, Haill said Fitzsimmons told him, just not to the account for recording tax sale deeds.

Comptroller Greens spokeswoman, Tiara Thomas, confirmed Thursday the money had been sent. Haill said Fitzsimmons told him the process is set up now so that the issue shouldnt happen again after next years tax sales. But it was another example of a kink in the bureaucracy as City Hall gets used to its new accounting system.

Nobody wants to admit it, Haill said. Whats the common denominator? Oracle.

Editors note: An earlier online version of this story omitted the full name of attorney Dale Sweet.
JENNINGS  A St. Louis County jury convicted a man Wednesday for killing his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend and injuring her mother in a March 2021 shooting in a Jennings home.

Jurors found Dairius Kinnie, 23, of Spanish Lake, guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, resisting arrest and weapons offenses. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without eligibility for parole.

Prosecutors said Kinnie killed his ex-girlfriend Tianna Baker and shot her mother on the evening of March 24, 2021, in Baker's home in the 2400 block of Akins Drive. He then drove away from the scene, jurors found.

A few minutes after the shooting, a Bellefontaine Neighbors police officer spotted a vehicle matching the car that fled the murder scene and attempted to stop the car. The driver, Kinnie, drove off before crashing into a tree at Chambers Road and Grosvenor Drive in Riverview. Police said at the time he then got out of the vehicle with a gun, and a police officer fired at him several times but did not hit him.

Testimony during the trial included Baker's mother who was injured in the shooting, another of the mother's daughters who witnessed the killing, a medical examiner and St. Louis County police detectives.

Prosecutors also played a recording from the gunshot detection tool Shot Spotter that showed Kinnie paused between more than a dozen gunshots. First-degree murder in Missouri requires proof of "cool deliberation, no matter how brief" during a killing. Prosecutors argued the pause between shots proved he deliberated, but continued to shoot.
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS  Police on Thursday identified the 43-year-old man who was shot and killed early Wednesday in a parking lot.

Country Club Hills officers were called to the 7400 block of West Florissant Avenue just after 6 a.m., St. Louis County police said.

They found Brandon Cotton, who had been shot once and died at the scene.

The agency asked St. Louis County to take on the homicide investigation, police said.

Cotton lived in the 100 block of Brigadoon Circle in St. Louis County, police said.
ST. LOUIS  Police said Friday they would not release body camera footage of a police SUV crashing into a St. Louis gay bar or the resulting confrontation with the bars owners until the citys investigation is complete.

The statement came as outrage mounted on social media this week over the departments handling of the Monday morning crash, which ended with one of the bar owners being charged with assault and resisting arrest.

The police department said in a statement Friday that a state law passed in 2016 prohibited the release of body camera footage until the investigation is complete or until a court orders its release, though they noted that they showed the footage to multiple St. Louis aldermen and members of a city advisory board on LGBTQ on Thursday at the request of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

This step was taken in recognition of the unique circumstances of this incident and to provide transparency and clarity in the face of speculation, the statement said. This is similar to past instances of officer-involved shootings or deaths, in which the city has shown body camera footage to family members.

Around 12:20 a.m. Monday, a rookie police officer drove his department-issue SUV into Bar:PM on South Broadway in the Carondelet neighborhood. Initial reporting suggested the officer swerved to avoid a dog, but later, the department said he overcorrected after trying to avoid a parked car. The department then said he admitted to being distracted by the in-car radio.

Officers arrested Bar:PM co-owner Chad Morris for third-degree assault of an officer, a felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. They said he came to the scene, shouted obscenities and then shoved an officer hard in the chest with an open hand.

The assault charge was later downgraded to a misdemeanor and Morris was released from jail. Morris attorney, Javad Khazaeli, held a press conference and accused the officer of striking Morris  not the other way around.

Khazaeli showed portions of a 30-minute video captured by a bystander that showed no assault like the one described in the report. Khazaeli said Morris was trying to leave the scene when officers assaulted him, noting his client had bruises under his eyes.
At noon on December 22, the Ukrainian military shot down three supersonic Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers, which are among the newest in the Russian army, in the southern direction. Thus, the defenders responded to the cynical message of the occupiers, which they sent together with one of the "Shahed" at night. The Ukrainian Air Force called the destruction of the enemy "Su" a brilliantly planned operation.

ADVERTISIMENT

Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported the defeat of the Russian aircraft. According to him, on one of the downed Russian "BI" series kamikaze drones on the night of December 22, the defenders found the inscription "Die, *uks".

"Great idea! Here is our answer to you! Today, at noon, in the southern direction - minus three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers! Eternal flight, "brothers "! Thank you all for your combat work! Together - to victory!" Oleshchuk wrote on his Telegram channel.

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Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat noted during the telethon that Su-34s had not appeared in enemy casualty statistics for a long time.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The operation to destroy the enemy on the outskirts of our country was once again brilliantly planned. This time, three aircraft at once in the southern direction, which has not happened for a long time. The Su-34 has not been included in our positive statistics for a long time," he said.

According to him, the aggressor country has dozens of such aircraft and continues to produce them. These are some of the newest aircraft in service with the Russian Armed Forces. It is from these aircraft that the enemy strikes with bombs and missiles.

At the same time, the Telegram channel "Mykolaiv Vanek" wrote that the explosions in the Chaplynka district and near Kalanchak in the Kherson region were actually the sounds of Russian planes crashing.

It is noted that all three Su-34s most likely took off from the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation.

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What is known about Su-34 fighters

The Su-34 (NATO Fullback) is a Soviet and Russian multifunctional frontline supersonic fighter-bomber designed to conduct strikes at a distance of 150-600 km from the front line in conditions of strong enemy air defense and electronic warfare countermeasures, as well as to engage air targets day and night in simple and complex weather conditions.

In terms of combat capabilities, the Su-34 belongs to the 4++ generation and allows it to perform basic combat missions without being escorted by cover fighters and to conduct independent maneuverable air combat with any enemy fighter on equal terms.
ST. LOUIS  A federal grand jury in St. Louis indicted a Slovakian man this week after authorities said he ran a dark web marketplace selling illegal drugs, stolen financial information, IDs, counterfeit money and computer malware.

Alan Bill, 30, of Bratislava, was arrested last week at an airport in New Jersey after he was charged by federal authorities with drug trafficking, identity theft and money laundering.

For more than two years, Bill developed and ran Kingdom Market  a website only accessible with specific programs and servers meant to anonymize its visitors. Users paid for illicit goods with cryptocurrency and even participated in a forum on another site where they spoke about how to avoid law enforcement, according to Bills indictment.

Between August and October, undercover officers ordered multiple packages of drugs from Kingdom Market, which were delivered to various post office boxes in St. Louis and Festus.

They also ordered and received a passport, as well as packets of information about more than a dozen people, including their name, birthday, social security numbers and addresses, as well as Missouri drivers license templates for each person.

When federal authorities shut down Kingdom Market, it had more than 25,000 active listings.

Now, Bill is facing 10 federal charges, including distribution of controlled substances, fraud, identity theft and money laundering.

This case is the result of diligent efforts by a team of U.S. and international investigators to target one of the largest darknet marketplaces in the world, said U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming in a news release.

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY  The Francis Howell School Board voted Thursday to eliminate the elective courses Black History and Black Literature from the districts three high schools.

The courses were first offered in 2021 at the high schools after Francis Howell students complained about discrimination against students and staff of color. The courses will not be offered in fall 2024 because the board rescinded approval of the curriculum, district officials said.

What a dark day, board member Janet Stiglich said after the 5-2 vote against keeping the courses. Stiglich and Chad Lange were the opposing votes.

Several speakers at the meeting Thursday criticized the board for focusing on culture war issues this school year.

Clearly none of you see that your actions say loud and clear to us that you dont care about Black and brown families in our district, said Harry Harris, a Black father and former school board candidate.

There are 60 students taking Black History and 42 taking Black Literature this semester across the three high schools, according to district records.

The curriculum is based in part on the Teaching Tolerance project from the Southern Poverty Law Center. The proposal to drop any standards and curriculum linked to the center was added to the boards agenda on Wednesday afternoon, just before the 24-hour deadline.

Adam Bertrand, board president, said that the change had to be decided before registration for fall 2024 opens in January.

During discussion of the proposal, Stiglich asked why the matter was not taken to a committee first.

We have a curriculum committee for a reason. Was this brought up? she asked.

Other board members made clear a committee review wouldnt have mattered.

To take this to a curriculum committee would not sway my vote, said Randy Cook, board vice president. I value the curriculum committee on a lot of things, but on this item, my mind is made up.

Jane Puszkar, board treasurer, said ultimately the board was in charge. The committees and the superintendent and the administration work for the board, and the board has the final decision, she said.

The Black History and Black Literature courses were targeted by political action committee Francis Howell Families, which says the curriculum is laced with leftist principles and critical race theory.

Getting rid of these standards (and any curriculum using them) is a first step in removing ideological indoctrination from schools, reads a statement on the groups website.

Francis Howell Families supported Bertrand and four other members of the all-white board who have gained a conservative majority in the last two years.

The Black History and Black Literature courses were developed in the 2020-2021 school year and reviewed by teachers, administrators, the curriculum advisory council and the academic strategic planning committee before gaining board approval in July 2021. Both courses were scheduled to be evaluated in the 2024-2025 school year.

The curriculum was also created with the help of consultant LaGarrett King, former director of the Carter Center for K-12 Black History Education at the University of Missouri.

When we think about social studies education, its teaching students who is human and how to treat people humanely. Its not trying to make kids patriotic or make kids hate America, its to help kids see their humanity, King told the Post-Dispatch in 2021.

The Black Literature course focuses on contemporary and multi-genre literary works of Black authors and will celebrate the dignity and identity of Black voices with a goal of allowing students to further their understanding of their identity, as well as deepen their awareness and understanding of Black peoples cultures and identities, according to the course description.

In the Black History course, students will gain a Black historical consciousness and will become equipped as engaged citizens working toward an equitable democracy.

Other local school districts that offer Black literature or social studies courses include Clayton, Ladue, Parkway, Pattonville, Rockwood and St. Louis Public Schools, along with private schools Nerinx Hall, MICDS, John Burroughs and St. Louis University High.

After the vote, Superintendent Kenneth Roumpos said the Francis Howell leadership team is committed to bringing back the courses in a way that hopefully the board would (support).

We do value the courses and the content that is in those courses, and believe that they are important to continue to offer to our students, Roumpos said.

Dropping the courses is the latest in a series of racial conflicts in Francis Howell. Earlier this year, the school board voted to rescind the districts anti-racism resolution that was adopted in 2020.

The Resolution in Response to Racism and Discrimination called for racial healing, especially for our Black and brown students and families.

The resolution was adopted about two months after thousands of protesters marched three miles down Mid Rivers Mall Drive following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The protesters called for changes to Francis Howells curriculum, hiring practices and discipline policies they said discriminated against students and staff of color.

Black students make up less than 8% of the enrollment across Francis Howells 19 schools. The district has drawn attention for racial issues at least since 2013, when residents bristled at the state-mandated transfer of students from the unaccredited Normandy school district. The curriculum for the Black History course includes the transfer law and its repercussions for Normandy students.

Eliminating the Black History and Black Literature courses will leave students at a distinct disadvantage when they move on to higher education or enter the workforce, said Zebrina Looney, president of the St. Charles County branch of the NAACP. This is another example of how (the board) puts political ideologies above the best interests of the students, particularly Black students in efforts to maintain an archaic status quo.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri House Democrats voted Thursday to expel state Rep. Sarah Unsicker from their caucus after the Shrewsbury legislator was accused of spreading an antisemitic accusation that her Jewish political opponent in the race for attorney general was working for the Israeli government.

The action, announced in a news release Thursday afternoon, marked the latest escalation against Unsicker, who has kept her job as a state representative following initial criticism sparked by a separate social media post on Dec. 3 in which she posed with a conspiracy theorist and man labeled by the Anti-Defamation League as a Holocaust denier.

The House Democratic Caucus is dedicated to the values of inclusiveness, tolerance and respect. When a member fails to uphold those standards, the caucus has a duty to act, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said Thursday.

Rep. Unsicker is free to choose her associations, but the caucus enjoys that same freedom, Quade said. As a result, House Democrats today voted to end its association with Rep. Unsicker by expelling her as a caucus member.

Unsicker, in a blog post, on Thursday described the charges against her as character assassination from a wing of the party that I want nothing to do with. I do not believe anyone is being honest about the reasons they want to remove me from the House Democratic Caucus.

She also pointed the finger at various Missouri Democrats who have been convicted of crimes.

If I had known how much criminality there was within our party, I probably wouldnt have run for office, Unsicker said.

Days after Unsickers Dec. 3 social media post, Quade on Dec. 7 removed Unsicker from her committee assignments, leaving open the possibility that Democrats would move to oust her from the caucus in the future.

Unsicker continued to post on social media, and on Dec. 12, state Rep. Keri Ingle called for Unsickers ouster from the caucus.

Unsicker, in a video shared on social media Dec. 14, said she had received a criminal complaint that alleged her then-opponent in Democratic primary for Missouri attorney general, Elad Gross, had failed to register as a foreign agent for the state of Israel. Unsicker said she had forwarded the complaint to the Missouri secretary of state.

Eric Garland, the conspiracy theorist Unsicker was pictured with Dec. 3, also accuses Gross mother of working for the Israeli government.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts office this week said the Republicans office was made aware of election interference claims last week by Unsicker, who the office said provided a third-party narrative statement.

Ashcroft said Monday we have not been provided any evidence that even remotely relates to Missouri election interference.

In that same video, Unsicker said, I will not be running against Elad Gross in the Democratic primary for Missouri attorney general.

Speaking on the situation Thursday, Gross said, there is unfortunately a very classic, common antisemitic trope of dual loyalty  that you have a loyalty to Israel above everything else, and just by virtue of being Jewish.

Gross said Thursday its unfortunate whats happened, Im very worried for her, considering that Ive known her for seven years and I did not really see this one coming.

I really do not think its appropriate for her to continue being a legislator, Gross said.
JEFFERSON CITY  Attorney General Andrew Bailey received an early Christmas present this week from Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, two of the states best-known Republican political donors.

The couple, of Westphalia, gave Baileys Liberty and Justice PAC $100,000 on Friday, adding to the $50,000 the two gave to Bailey in June.

The end-of-year assistance amounts to a vote of confidence in the incumbent attorney general as he competes against former federal prosecutor Will Scharf in the Aug. 6 Republican primary.

We are thankful for the Sinquefields support, said Michael Hafner, spokesman for Baileys campaign.

The Sinquefield check Friday was the second largest either Rex Sinquefield or the couple have written this year.

Rex Sinquefield gave Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe $250,000 in September, continuing a string of six-figure checks to the Republican candidate for governor.

Bailey also won the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt in recent weeks, and has raked in a number of additional large checks, including $100,000 from August A. Busch III, the former Anheuser-Busch chairman, in late November and $300,000 from retired Minneapolis couple Mike and Carolyn Rayner in March.

Scharf, meanwhile, has won support from national conservative figures, including Leonard Leo, a conservative legal activist with the influential Federalist Society. Scharfs campaign also declared in July that it doesnt expect the Republican Attorneys General Association to support Bailey, Politico reported.

Scharf has also taken in small-dollar donations from across the country, distancing himself from a campaign vendor that former President Trumps campaign has criticized for deceptively using Trumps likeness to raise money, the Missouri Independent reported in October.

Last month, as Scharf was scheduled to host a fundraiser at his parents home in Palm Beach, Florida, Baileys spokesman dubbed Scharf The Duke of Palm Beach.

On Friday, Hafner tried out a new nickname for Scharf, calling him Wall Street Willy and accusing Scharf of relying on coastal elites to buy him a political office.

Baileys fundraising has also come under scrutiny.

Andrew Bailey has hung a for sale sign on the door of the Attorney Generals Office, Scharf said Friday. Taking money from parties with pending cases before his office, from illegal slot machine vendors and from pot dealers under active investigation has been a shameful chapter in the history of the office. Fortunately, that chapter will end next year.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip  Israels war to destroy Hamas has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, health officials in Gaza said Friday, as Israel expanded its offensive and ordered tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.

The deaths amount to nearly 1% of the territorys prewar population  the latest indication of the 11-week-old conflicts staggering human toll.

Israels aerial and ground offensive has been one of the most devastating military campaigns in modern history, displacing nearly 85% of Gazas 2.3 million people and leveling wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave. More than half a million people in Gaza  a quarter of the population  are starving, according to a report Thursday from the United Nations and other agencies.

Israel declared war after Hamass Oct. 7 attack, in which militants from Gaza stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking some 240 hostages. Israel has vowed to keep up the fight until Hamas is destroyed and removed from power in Gaza and all the hostages are freed.

After many delays, the U.N. Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution Friday calling for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza.

The United States won the removal of a tougher call for an urgent suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It abstained in the vote, as did Russia, which wanted the stronger language. The resolution was the first on the war to make it through the council after the U.S. vetoed two earlier ones calling for humanitarian pauses and a full cease-fire.

Martin Griffiths, the U.N. humanitarian affairs chief, lamented the worlds inaction.

That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience, he wrote on the social media platform X.

Israel vows to keep up pressure on Hamas

Israel, shielded by the United States, has resisted international pressure to scale back its offensive. The military has said that months of fighting lie ahead in southern Gaza, an area packed with the vast majority of the enclaves 2.3 million people, many of whom were ordered to flee combat in the north earlier in the war.

Evacuation orders have pushed displaced civilians into ever-smaller areas of the south as troops focus on the city of Khan Younis, Gazas second-largest.

The military said late Thursday that it is sending more ground forces, including combat engineers, to Khan Younis to target Hamas militants above ground and in tunnels.

On Friday, it ordered tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes in Burej, an urban refugee camp, and surrounding communities in central Gaza, suggesting a ground assault there could be next.

In the city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, an airstrike on a house killed six people, according to Associated Press journalists who saw the bodies at a hospital. Among the dead were a blind man, his wife and their 4-month-old child, said the infants grandfather, Anwar Dhair.

Rafah is one of the few places in Gaza not under evacuation orders but has been targeted in Israeli strikes almost every day.

The air and ground campaign continued in the north, where Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas militants.

Mustafa Abu Taha, a Palestinian farm worker, said many areas of his hard-hit Gaza City neighborhood of Shijaiyah have become inaccessible because of massive destruction from airstrikes.

They are hitting anything moving, he said of Israeli forces.

Rising death toll and hunger

Gazas Health Ministry said Friday that it has documented 20,057 deaths in the fighting and more than 50,000 wounded. It does not differentiate between combatant and civilian deaths. It has previously said that roughly two-thirds of the dead were women or minors.

Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, citing the groups use of crowded residential areas for military purposes and its tunnels under urban areas.

Israels military says 139 of its soldiers have been killed in the ground offensive. It says it has killed thousands of Hamas militants, including about 2,000 in the past three weeks, but it has not presented any evidence to back up the claim.

For most of the war, Israel also stopped entry of food, water, fuel and other supplies except for truck convoys of aid from Egypt, which cover only a fraction of the needs in Gaza.

Because of insufficient aid entering Gaza, the extent of starvation has eclipsed the near-famines of recent years in Afghanistan and Yemen, and the risk of famine is increasing each day, Thursdays report said.

An Israeli military liaison officer with Gaza said there is no food shortage in Gaza, saying sufficient aid is getting through.

The reserves in Gaza Strip are sufficient for the near term, Col. Moshe Tetro said from the Kerem Shalom cargo crossing, without elaborating.

Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing several days ago amid international demands to increase the flow of aid. But the military on Thursday struck the Palestinian side of the crossing, killing four staffers, and the U.N. said it was unable to pick up aid there for delivery. It was not immediately known if the U.N. resumed work there Friday. The Israeli military said it was targeting militants.

The war has also pushed Gazas health sector into collapse.

Only nine of its 36 health facilities are still partially functioning, all located in the south, according to the World Health Organization.

The agency reported soaring rates of diseases in Gaza, including a five-fold rise in diarrhea and increases in cases of meningitis, skin rashes and scabies.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

Updated at 1 p.m.
Its normally a moment of pure joy for the Rev. Khader Khalilia: the excitement, the giggles, the kisses, as his young daughters  in their Christmas pajamas  open their gifts. But this year, just the thought of it fills Khalilia with guilt.

Im struggling, said the Palestinian American pastor of Redeemer-St. Johns Lutheran Church in New York. How can I do it while the Palestinian children are suffering, have no shelter or a place to lay their heads?

Thousands of miles away, near Jesus biblical birthplace of Bethlehem, Suzan Sahori has been working with artisans to bring olive wood Christmas ornaments into homes in Australia, Europe and North America. But Sahori is in no mood for festivities: Were broken, looking at all these children, all this killing.

In a traditional season of merriment, many Palestinian Christians  in Bethlehem and beyond  are gripped with helplessness, pain and worry amid the Israel-Hamas war. Some are mourning, lobbying for the war to end, scrambling to get relatives to safety or seeking comfort in the Christmas message of hope.

In the occupied West Bank, Sahori, executive director of Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, an organization selling crafts, will pray for peace and justice. Shes grateful shes safe  but wonders if that could change. Shes also angry.

The joy in my heart is stolen, she said. Im saying, God, how are you allowing all these children to die? ... Im mad at God; I hope He forgives me.

In better times, she finds the Christmas spirit in the Bethlehem area unmatched: Its in songs cascading into streets bedecked with lights, markets displaying decorations, and the enthusiasm of children, families and tourists snapping photos with towering Christmas trees.

Now, its all quieter, somber. Tree lighting ceremonies she attended last year have been scrapped.

The heads of churches in Jerusalem have urged congregations to forgo any unnecessarily festive activities. They encouraged priests and the faithful to focus on Christmas spiritual meaning and called for fervent prayers for a just and lasting peace for our beloved Holy Land.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israels ongoing offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas Oct. 7 killings and hostage-taking in Israel.

Days before Christmas, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two Christian women at a church compound in Gaza were killed by Israeli sniper fire. The Israeli military said troops were targeting Hamas militants in the area; it said it was investigating the incident and takes such reports very seriously.

Khalilia is striving to comfort the distraught amid his distress.

Its hard to watch. Its hard to do your job, he said. People are looking for us to walk with them in their suffering.

He worries about family in the West Bank; a brother lost his income working for a hotel as travel cancellations pummeled tourism.

Khalilia, whos from a town near Bethlehem, said his daughters will likely get fewer presents, with the savings going toward helping children in Gaza.

Many in the U.S., he said, dont realize that Palestinian Christians exist  some ask if he converted from Islam or Judaism.

He tells them, When you sing O Little Town of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, remember that Jesus was born in my hometown.

There are 50,000 Christian Palestinians estimated to reside in the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to the U.S. State Departments international religious freedom report for 2022. Approximately 1,300 Christians lived in Gaza, it said. Some Christians are also citizens of Israel. Many Palestinian Christians live in diaspora communities.

Susan Muaddi Darraj, a novelist in Baltimore, said Christians embody a diversity of Palestinians that gets erased. Our existence  defies the stereotypes that are being used to dehumanize us.

This Christmas, family gatherings have become more important for comfort, she said.

Especially in the diaspora ... where, for us, life feels like its stopped but everyone else around us is going about their daily business."

Wadie Abunassar, a Palestinian Israeli in Haifa, said many in his Christian community are trying to balance the somber atmosphere with the Christmas message.

Jesus came in the midst of darkness and Christmas is about giving hope when theres no hope, said Abunassar, a former Catholic Church spokesperson. Nowadays, more than ever, we need this Christmas spirit.

It hasnt been easy.

Being Israeli citizens, we feel the pain of our Jewish compatriots, he said. Being Palestinians, we feel the pain of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

In Bethlehem, the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, said tears flow during Sunday services. Many are anxious; some have packed up and left.

Isaac was part of a group that traveled to Washington to advocate for a ceasefire.

A comprehensive and just peace is the only hope for Palestinians and Israelis alike, said a letter signed by several Christian pastoral leaders in Bethlehem. Addressed to President Joe Biden, it asked him to help stop the war.

The signatories said they lamented all deaths, Palestinian and Israeli.

We want a constant and comprehensive ceasefire. Enough death. Enough destruction. ... This is our call and prayer this Christmas.

Israel, whose forces have faced a ccusations by some of using excessive force, says it aims to destroy Hamas and accuses it of endangering civilians. Israel and its U.S. ally are also increasingly facing international alarm over the scope of deaths, destruction and displacement in Gaza.

Isaacs church is displaying a nativity scene where a baby Jesus figure, wrapped in a back-and-white Palestinian keffiyeh, is lying in the rubble. Making the display was an emotional and spiritual experience, he said.

We see Jesus in every child thats killed, and we see Gods identifying with us in our suffering.

This holiday season, longtime Gaza resident Suhair Anastas is wracked with guilt: Shes managed to escape the war in Gaza while others havent.

A Jordanian Palestinian, Anastas had been living in Gaza, where her late husband was from.

For more than a month, she and her 16-year-old daughter sheltered in a Catholic churchs school there. Death felt particularly close when a deadly Israeli airstrike struck a Gaza Greek Orthodox Church compound housing displaced people. Israel's military said it had targeted a Hamas command center nearby.

You go to sleep ... thinking, Will I wake up the next morning? Anastas said.

Her trip to the border  which involved driving, walking, taking a donkey-pulled cart and a cab  was terrifying.

The bombings were around, she said. A friends daughter, a child, kept asking: Are we going to die?

Anastas hopes to return to Gaza, but shes unsure whats ahead, or if her home will still be there.

Among the many questions over the future of Gaza and its more than 2 million people, is if its tiny Christian community will remain  and for how long.

Those still inside include Sami Awads relatives. A Palestinian American, Awad said he failed to get U.S. help for his family members, who dont hold U.S. passports, to leave.

They have moved repeatedly, their latest shelter a windowless cement structure shared with others, said Awad, who's in the West Bank. In sporadic communications, a cousin's told him they were running out of the canned tuna and beans theyve survived on.

He once told Awad, If we die, dont grieve too much for us, because it would have been mercy for us, Awad said. At other times, the cousin yelled, Save us. Get us out.

I feel completely helpless, said Awad, dreading the prospect of bad news at any minute.

Hope came in the form of Australian visas for his relatives, including an elderly aunt and uncle, Awad said, but their names arent on lists needed to depart.

On Christmas, he said, Well wake up, like every other day, to watch the news and to see what are the numbers of people that were killed.

Awad wasnt thinking about putting up a Christmas tree until his youngest daughter argued for one.

So now, a tree is up. On it, amid gold and red baubles, is a red, black, white and green Palestinian flag.

Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed.
WASHINGTON  This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker, a Republican who vowed to never quit, and then did just that.

House lawmakers proceeded not only to oust the GOP speaker, they also punished their own colleagues with censures and expulsion, launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and were barely able to conduct the basics of governing by keeping federal offices from shuttering.

While this first year of the 118th Congress was a historic one, thanks to the dizzying turmoil coming from the Republicans on the House side of the Capitol, next year is headed toward more of the same. With just 27 bills and resolutions signed into law, not counting a few board appointments, its among the most do-nothing sessions of Congress in recent times.

This fall has been a very actively stupid political environment, said Rep. Patrick McHenry, the bow-tie-wearing Republican from North Carolina, who emerged as a voice of reason as the interim House speaker leading the chamber during the upheaval.

While Americans typically give low marks to Congress, as the branch of government closest to the people, its still the main venue the U.S. relies on, at times more so than the presidency or the courts, to work out the nations problems and challenges.

The need for a functioning Congress is even more apparent heading into a tumultuous presidential election year and with hot wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Peoples expectations for this Congress were so low, and so just doing the bare minimum seems like a passing grade, said Philip Wallach, author of Why Congress and a senior scholar at the American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington.

He said hes grading this Congress on a curve. I see this as symptoms rather than causes  symptoms of a lot of sort of institutional and cultural breakdowns or decay that have led to a lot of really bad feelings and a lot of desire to lash out across the aisle, he said.

Next year has its own challenges ahead with Biden facing a potential rematch against Donald Trump, the former president and Republican party front-runner. Trumps loss in 2020 resulted in his supporters laying siege to the U.S. Capitol, and a charge of insurrection led to his second impeachment, for which he was acquitted by the Senate. It now threatens his removal from the Colorado ballot.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the dark cloud of Donald Trump looms as the GOP tries to find its way.

Were going to persevere, Schumer said in an interview with The Associated Press, listing bills to lower the price of insulin, ensure child safety online and others he is lining up for the new year.

While the House Republicans, in majority control, led the chaos, including the removal of indicted GOP Rep. George Santos of New York, the Senate, despite its proclivity toward moderation, was not immune to the dysfunction.

A single Republican, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, threw the Defense Department into crisis by blocking the promotions of hundreds of military officers, including some of the nations most essential four-star generals. He finally relented just before the holiday recess.

As Ukraine fights for its political survival against the Russian invasion, senators tried, and failed, to broker a U.S.-Mexico border security deal demanded by Republicans in exchange for providing more American military aid to the Western ally  despite a personal visit from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleading to help.

Im not very happy with how productive the Senate has been this year, and hopefully it will get better, acknowledged Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Trumps influence is especially felt in the border security talks as the former president intensifies his long history of lashing out at immigrants to the U.S. in alarming language evocative of World War II. Its putting pressure on his party as Republicans follow his lead.

The chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said hes heartsick Congress failed to approve Ukraine aid before years end. But he remains confident it will get done in the new year.

Heading into 2024, new House Speaker Mike Johnson will start the year under the same pressure to pass legislation to keep the government funded, starting Jan. 19, that led to then-Speaker Kevin McCarthys ouster after he brokered a deal with Biden.

The Republican-era speakers are being forced to relinquish control, a bottom-up approach, as the hard-right Freedom Caucus and its allies, many aligned with Trump, refuse to go along with compromises emanating from the Speakers office.

The GOPs right flank is fueling the revolt, deploying rarely used procedural tactics to advance their own ideas and halt those of Republican leadership.

Much like the motion to vacate, which was used to eject McCarthy, the right wing is relying on privileged resolutions to censure Democrats and try to impeach Biden and others, seizing control of the House floor.

In a series of stunning rebukes to GOP leadership, enough Republican lawmakers opposed procedural rules to advance the few major bills that did become law this year  to keep the government running and authorize military programs  that the Republican speakers had no choice but to rush to Democrats for help.

The speakers are just trying to cope, Wallach said.

While House Republicans passed a strict border security bill that the Senate refused to consider, Johnson, in a sign of challenges ahead, urged Biden on Thursday to act on his own, without Congress, to stem record numbers of migrant arrivals.

It must start with you, Johnson wrote. I urge you to immediately take executive actions.

Today in history: Dec. 22 1894: Alfred Dreyfus 1941: Winston Churchill 1984: Bernhard Goetz 1989: Nicolae Ceausescu 1990: Lech Walesa 2008: Fort Dix 2010: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" 2011: Iraq 2016: Aleppo 2016: Donald Trump 2017: iPhone 2020: Alex Padilla 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Matthew Greene 2021: NHL
For a state that can quickly leap into action to censor libraries, harass trans youths and deny women the right to control their own bodies, Missouri cant seem to do anything but bumble when presented with the chance at free federal money to feed its poorest kids.

The state is poised to miss out for the second year on a federal program that offers tens of millions of dollars to provide food to low-income kids during the summer months, when they dont have access to school lunch programs.

The deadline for informing the feds if Missouri will participate this year is Jan. 1  barely a week away  yet as of Wednesday, state officials were still dithering about the question due to concerns that the state doesnt have the technological capability to administer the program.

Thats the same problem that prevented Missouris participation in a previous round of the program, leaving more than $40 million in federal funds on the table. This year, the state would be eligible for more than $51 million, to help feed some 429,000 low-income Missouri kids, according to reporting by the Missouri Independent.

Yet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the news site this week that it is still assessing Missouris ability to accept the free money this summer and get it where its needed.

This is the same Missouri government that was able to institute its draconian new abortion ban literally minutes after the Supreme Courts overturn of Roe v. Wade last year. Its also the same state that this year imposed new bureaucratic requirements on public libraries to purge offensive reading material. Priorities, priorities.

The Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) program began during the pandemic but Congress has since made it permanent. Its designed to address the distressing fact that for many low-income children, subsidized school lunches are the only reliable and nutritious meals they usually get  and, of course, they dont get them during the summer.

The program provides federal money to participating states, to administer to children in the state. Kids who are eligible for free or reduced school lunch programs can get $40 per month for the three months of summer, with the money loaded onto cards they can use to buy food.

Missouri signed up for the 2022 round of the program, but had such problems with the states outdated data systems that it couldnt get the benefits out to kids until a full year after it was supposed to start. It was among the last participating states to disperse the money.

By that point, the 2023 round of the program was underway, but this time, Missouri sat it out completely. Some state officials appeared to blame the problem on dense federal requirements regarding program administration, but the fact is, 40 other states somehow managed it. Missouris poorest kids, meanwhile, went hungry.

Now deadlines loom for the 2024 round of the program, and Missouri officials (despite knowing about the data complications for going on two years now) are again considering the possibility of refusing the free federal money. A state education spokesperson told the Independent that the factors being weighed include staffing levels and technology solutions and the timeline in which a system would be in production and complete.

Thats what theyre discussing less than two weeks before a decision regarding 2024 has to be made  and a year after dropping the ball for the 2023 round of the program? Why didnt officials address these issues months ago?

The answer, demonstrated here not for the first time, is that Missouris radical-right political system today prioritizes divisive culture-war issues and couldnt care less about the nuts-and-bolts responsibilities of government that affect real people.
AMS Desert Sky Campus set to bring free resources to Maryvale community

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / The Academies of Math and Science are set to host their first-ever Health Resource Fair on January 13, 2024, for the Maryvale community. This milestone event will take place at The Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky campus, bringing together educators, students, and the community to explore a diverse array of health resources from local partners.

AMS Desert Sky

View of AMS Desert Sky front of campus

In partnership with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extensions program, Sun Produce Cooperative, Terros, the United Dairy Council, and more, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading health providers to explore resources that bring wellness into the reach of families and explore career skills advancement & opportunities.

The Health Fair will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, each showcasing products and services dedicated to promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Attendees can expect to discover resources aimed at fostering a healthier community.

Key features: On-site vaccinations by the City of Phoenix Fire Department, eye exams & referrals, free fresh produce, child haircuts, food trucks, fun, Zumba, and more!

Event Details: Date: January 13th Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: The Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky. Admission to the Health Fair is free, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance to secure their spot.

To register, please visit https://enrollams.org/events/

About Academies of Math and Science: The Academies of Math and Science is a top-performing, tuition-free, K-8 public charter school network with 9 locations across Arizona. The Academy of Math and Science's goal is to provide the best education in the best environment to their students.

Contact Information

Caylee Migliorini

VP of Marketing

[email protected]

623-606-7278

Related Files

Resource Fair_presser.pdf

SOURCE: The Academies of Math and Science

View the original press release on newswire.com.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 22, 2023 / Cypher Metaverse Inc. (CSE:CODE) ("CODE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that as per CSE policy, it intends to close its previously announced non-brokered private placement on December 28th, 2023. The Company accepted subscriptions for 2,325,000 units at a price of $0.12 per unit for gross proceeds of $279,000.

Pursuant to the terms of the Financing, each unit consists of one common share and one half of a common share warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional common share for $0.15 for a period of 2 years from the date of closing, subject to the Corporation's option to accelerate the expiry date if the stock trades at $0.20 for 10 trading days.

The Common Shares and Warrants comprising the Units will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities legislation.

The Company paid finder's fees to qualified finders in the amount of $18,755 and issued 156,300 broker warrants.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the acquisition of Agapi Luxury Brands Inc. Pursuant to the Company's agreement to loan funds to Agapi as it works through the exchange's RTO process, the Company has now loaned Agapi a total of $886,692 to advance its business plan.

About Cypher Metaverse Inc.

Cypher Metaverse Inc. seeks early-stage investments in emerging technology sectors, including the blockchain ecosystem, fintech and the metaverse. The Company identifies such opportunities and applies its relationships and capital to advance its interests.

The Company's head office is located at 1780-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2C8. The common shares of CODE ("CODE Common Shares") are currently listed on the CSE and CODE is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

For further information please contact:

Cypher Metaverse Inc.

Brian Keane - Director

Phone: Toll-Free (877) 806-CODE (2633) or 1 (778) 806-5150

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE: Cypher Metaverse Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The last French troops deployed in Niger as part of a ten-year anti-jihadist operation left the country on Friday, December 22. The withdrawal of the French contingent, which numbered about 1,500 people, began in October this year.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by France24. "Today's date marks the end of the French troops' stay in the Sahel," said Nigerian Army Lieutenant Salim Ibrahim.

After France's withdrawal from Niger, hundreds of American troops, as well as several Italian and German soldiers, remain in the country.

France said it would withdraw about 1,500 soldiers and pilots from Niger after the new ruling generals of the former French colony demanded their departure following a July 26 coup.

It was the third time in 18 months that French troops have been expelled from the Sahel country. They were forced to leave the former colonies of Mali last year and Burkina Faso earlier this year after military coups in those countries as well.

All three countries are battling a jihadist insurgency that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and then spread to Niger and Burkina Faso. But a series of coups in the region since 2020 has led to a sharp decline in relations with the former colonial power France and a turn toward greater rapprochement with Russia.

ADVERTISIMENT

Most of the French troops in Niger were stationed at an air base in the capital Niamey.

The smallest groups were redeployed with Nigerian soldiers to the border with Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadist groups affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda are believed to be operating.

The withdrawalis a complex operation: convoys have to travel up to 1,700 kilometers along sometimes dangerous desert routes to the French center of operations in the Sahel in neighboring Chad.

It is worth noting that France's withdrawal from Mali last year left a bitter taste after the bases it once occupied in Menak, Gossa and Timbuktu were quickly seized by the Russian private military company Wagner.

The military that came to power in Niger has banned the functioning of international organizations. In particular, UN agencies have suspended their work in areas where armed clashes are taking place.

ADVERTISIMENT

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that Russia is trying to use coupists in Africa "as pawns in its global chess game." This is the 32nd military coup in 33 years on the African continent.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 21, 2023 / Global Education Communities Corp ("GECC" or the "Company") (TSX:GEC)(OTCQX:GECSF) is pleased to report that its subsidiary, GEC Langara Limited Partnership (the "LP") has completed the purchase of two parcels of land (together, the "Property") at 6428 Cambie Street, Vancouver.

The Property is situated at the corner of Cambie Street and West 48th Avenue, only a few metres from the Canada Line's Langara - 49th subway station in the heart of central Vancouver. The Langara - 49th Canada Line Station is less than a 15-minute subway ride to downtown Vancouver, where there are hundreds of public and private colleges and universities, including the University of British Columbia (Robson Campus), Simon Fraser University (Downtown Campus), BCIT (Downtown Campus), Sprott Shaw College and Sprott Shaw Language College. The Vancouver International Airport and the City of Richmond are within an 8-minute subway ride. Only four blocks away is the Oakridge Centre Mall, dubbed the largest urban redevelopment project in Vancouver's history1.

The Property received rezoning approval as a ten-storey concrete highrise tower with 64,000 gross buildable square feet. GECC has initiated plans to apply for higher density zoning according to the province of British Columbia's Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) plan2, announced on December 7 , 2023, to allow the height of TOA developments to be increased to a minimum of 20 floors and the waiver of parking requirements. Other new development incentives have also been announced by the Federal3 and Municipal4 governments, including the GST tax waiver and development cost levy (DCL) waiver.

"We are excited to move forward with the Langara development supported by the various incentives, which will reduce the development cost and increase the potential capacity for all GEC projects under development," commented Toby Chu, President, CEO and Chairman of Global Education Communities Corp. "According to the Government of Canada, over 280,000 new study permits were issued to international students5 as of June 2023, which is 77% higher than the same period in 2022 despite the shortage of rental inventory in Metro Vancouver and the current expensive rental rates."

Toby added, "We are eager to deploy more projects in response to the high demand for rental properties. Over the years, GECC has operated 15 GEC-branded buildings, including:

(1) seven fully operational buildings, namely GEC Burnaby, GEC Viva, GEC King Edward, GEC Pearson North and South Towers, and GEC Marine Gateway North and South Towers, which accommodated over 3,200 students in 2023, and GEC Kingsway, which will accommodate 284 students upon completion, with the possession date expected to be in May 2024; and

(2) seven buildings at different stages of development and rezoning, including GEC Oakridge, GEC Langara, GEC Education Mega Center, GEC Kingsway and GEC CyberCity, which have a projected capacity of over 2,300 students once completed.

With the recent sale of GEC Granville Suites (the 15th GEC-branded building), GECC aims to replenish its inventory with the launch of GEC Kingsway in May 2024 and expedite the completion of more rental projects to provide additional facilities to the student housing community."

To view the site location of GEC Langara via Google Map, click the link below:

https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2261171,-123.1174836,40a,35y,72.81h,69.89t/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

About GECC:

GECC is one of Canada's largest education and student housing investment companies focused on the domestic and global education market since 1994. GECC owns business and language colleges, student-centric rental apartments, recruitment centres and corporate offices at 41 locations in Canada and abroad. Its education subsidiaries include Sprott Shaw College Corp. ("SSCC") (established in 1903), Sprott Shaw Language College ("SSLC"), Vancouver International College Career Campus ("VIC") and CIBT School of Business & Technology Corp. ("CIBT China"). GECC offers over 150 educational programs in healthcare, business management, e-commerce, cyber-security, hotel management, and language training through these schools. In 2022, GECC serviced over 14,277 domestic and international students through its educational, rental housing and recruitment subsidiaries.

GECC owns Global Education City Holdings Inc. ("GECH"), an investment holding and development company focused on education-related real estate such as student-centric rental apartments, a hotel and education super-centres. Under the GEC brand, GECH provides accommodation services to 92 schools in Metro Vancouver, serving 3,200 students from 71 countries. The total portfolio and development budget under the GEC brand is nearly $1.2 billion.

GECC also owns Global Education Alliance Inc. ("GEA") and Irix Design Group Inc. ("IRIX"). GEA recruits international students for elite kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities in North America. Irix Design is a leading design and advertising company based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us online and watch our corporate video at www.GEChq.com.

For more information, contact:

Toby Chu

Chairman, President & CEO

Global Education Communities Corp.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 319 or | Email: [email protected]

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (the "forward-looking statements") about GECC and its plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, plans to apply for an increase in the height density of the Property, the Company's objective to expedite the completion of more rental projects, and the expected possession date of GEC Kingsway. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors (collectively, the "Risks") that could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. The Risks include, without limitation, national and global economic factors, customary risks of the construction industry, unexpected delays or requirements of the applicable municipalities, and the other risk factors identified in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended August 31, 2023. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: Global Education Communities Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
MILAN & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed an agreement to acquire Customer Management IT and SirfinPA, a pair of jointly-owned Italian technology consultancies supporting the public sector and specializing in justice and public safety. The acquisition aligns with Accentures focus on helping Italian public service organizations build their digital core and deliver enhanced services to the citizens they serve.

Founded in 2010, with offices in Rome, Naples and Cosenza, Customer Management IT and SirfinPA are leading players within the Italian IT sector. Recognized for their work across the countrys national justice ecosystem, Customer Management IT and SirfinPA have supported the Italian Ministry of Justice by building and supporting technology applications in the central criminal justice department and have provided digital infrastructure for trials.

With a multidisciplinary staff of approximately 300 employees, Customer Management IT and SirfinPA provide system and application integration and management services, cloud application development, infrastructure management, and fleet management for desktops and servers.

"Following the acquisition of leading AI organization Ammagamma, we are continuing to strengthen our services and offerings for the Italian public sector with these two leading companies which bring several decades of industry experience, said Mauro Macchi, chairman and CEO of Accenture Italy. This acquisition boosts our ability and capacity to support Italian public sector innovation and help our government clients advance their transformation journeys.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in the coming months.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, should, likely, anticipates, aspires, expects, intends, plans, projects, believes, estimates, positioned, outlook, goal, target and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture and Customer Management IT and SirfinPA will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accentures results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the companys clients businesses and levels of business activity; Accentures business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the companys services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the companys results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the companys business, the utilization rate of the companys professionals and the companys results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accentures ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the companys results of operations could be adversely affected; Accentures profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accentures level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the companys effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accentures results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accentures geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accentures business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accentures global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accentures work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accentures services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the Risk Factors heading in Accenture plcs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accentures expectations.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the worlds leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen servicescreating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with 743,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the worlds leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Copyright  2023 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

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Armando Barone

+393 48560 8969

[email protected]

Source: Accenture
Ranks #1 in Vision & Capability and Customer Satisfaction in industry reports, partners with tech & HR leaders, and receives accolades for its innovative platform & Belonging Model

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Achievers, the industry leading employee experience platform, today celebrates its growth in employee recognition and belonging in 2023. Powered by leading HR industry strategic partnerships and alliances, research and thought leadership from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), and the hiring of veteran executives in the field, Achievers received several industry accolades in 2023 recognizing these achievements.

In April, Achievers announced that it ranked number one in vision and capability on Everest Group's Rewards and Recognition (R&R) Solutions PEAK Matrix assessment, which evaluated 26 vendors in the reward & recognition category. Achievers similarly ranked number one in the breadth-of-service category by HRO Today's 2023 "Baker's Dozen" Customer Satisfaction Ratings, which are based on an independent analysis of feedback collected from verified recognition customers and buyers. Achievers also ranked high for its exceptional customer satisfaction ratings in the G2's Regional Grid Reports.

Recognition for Achievers

Achievers garnered praise for fostering people-centric cultures internally and for its customers. In its fall HR technology awards program, Brandon Hall Group honored Achievers and its customer Bon Secours Mercy Health as Silver winners for Best Advance in Rewards and Recognition Technology. Additionally, Great Place to Work Canada honored Achievers with nine awards throughout 2023, recognizing its commitment to mental wellness, inclusivity, technology, and more. The company was also honored throughout the year with 25+ awards for its culture and the employee experience platform.

In 2023, Achievers remained focused on changing how the world works," said Jeff Cates, CEO, Achievers. "However, as employee needs, tech, and HR challenges evolve, our approach to powering data-driven recognition and belonging must continue to evolve as well. Three essentials amplified our mission and helped our customers adapt this year  great partners such as Microsoft and Workday, passionate A-Players, and AWI's science-backed workforce best practices. We were also humbled to be recognized by industry analysts for our vision, capability, and customer satisfaction when evaluated against other vendors.

Partner Innovation

Achievers fostered stronger strategic partnerships with Workday and Microsoft in 2023, enabling HR and business leaders to take their employee experiences to new heights. As a certified Workday Innovation Partner, Achievers and Workday expanded on key integrations, including User Sync, One-Time Payment, and Anytime Feedback. Achievers and Microsoft also bolstered the "Achievers for Teams" integration, increasing the workforces sense of belonging  including frontline workers - by embedding recognition opportunities in the employees flow of work.

AWI Data Highlights

AWI provided business and HR leaders with various 2023 workforce science reports, including its Manager Effectiveness Report, HR Preparedness Report, and Engagement and Retention Report. Reflecting on a year of data, 3 findings stand out:

More than half of HR leaders support 4-day workweeks

Feeling recognized helps outweigh a salary below expectations

Unlimited vacation increases belonging by 43%

AWI also published the most comprehensive report in its history, The Belonging Blueprint. This guide provides everything HR leaders need to know about creating a culture of belonging in the workplace. It includes tips from experts on the frontlines of cultivating belonging, including Kumari Williams, Vice President of Diversity and Belonging at Workday.

"At Workday, we believe belonging is the feeling we create when we treat every person like the valuable member of our community that they are," said Williams in her Belonging Blueprint foreword. "Belonging is a goal we're pursuing together  and it means showing up as your best self and letting others do the same while respecting each other's limits and the appropriate boundaries of our workplace."

Employee Appreciation, Community, and Wellness

Achievers understands that employee connections drive increased rates of belonging and strives to build a strong community for its employees, also called A-Players. As part of this endeavor, Achievers launched a give-back initiative for its annual Employee Appreciation Week (February 27  March 3) celebration. Throughout this week-long celebration, Achievers made charitable donations to its employees' favorite causes through its platform. During companywide volunteering days, A-Players also supported local nonprofits such as Food from the Heart, The Ronald McDonald House, and Hospice Toronto. Achievers also remained devoted to employee wellness, offering wellness challenges and additional paid recharge days off.

Achievers employee investments also extend beyond its philanthropic and wellness efforts. Throughout 2023, Achievers focused on adding veteran executives to its leadership team. Achievers executives appointed in 2023 include:

Beth Thornton, Chief Revenue Officer  Thornton comes to Achievers with over 25 years of strategic leadership in sales, marketing, and client success at a few different technology companies, including CRO at Experlogix, Inc., Inspire Software, and leading global sales at O.C. Tanner.

 Thornton comes to Achievers with over 25 years of strategic leadership in sales, marketing, and client success at a few different technology companies, including CRO at Experlogix, Inc., Inspire Software, and leading global sales at O.C. Tanner. Larry Vertin, Chief Financial Officer  Vertin is a financial professional with extensive experience in technical accounting, business operations, and FP&A. He has held senior leadership positions at global technology companies, including Symantec, NetApp, and [24]7.ai.

 Vertin is a financial professional with extensive experience in technical accounting, business operations, and FP&A. He has held senior leadership positions at global technology companies, including Symantec, NetApp, and [24]7.ai. Matthew Tremmaglia, Chief Customer Officer  Recently promoted to the CCO, Tremmaglia joined Achievers in 2013 and started leading customer success at Achievers in 2019. He recently served as the Vice President of Customer Success.

 Recently promoted to the CCO, Tremmaglia joined Achievers in 2013 and started leading customer success at Achievers in 2019. He recently served as the Vice President of Customer Success. Chris Fudge, Chief Marketing Officer  Fudge brings a valuable mix of over 25 years of sales, customer success, and marketing experience as the former Head of Global Sales at Achievers. Before Achievers, he led sales and marketing functions at Intuit and HP.

About Achievers

Achievers employee voice and recognition solutions bring your organizations values and strategy to life by activating employee participation and accelerating a culture of performance. Achievers leverages the science behind behavior change, so your people and your organization can experience sustainable, data-driven business results. Visit us at www.achievers.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222203347/en/

Media:

Maranda Wilson

[email protected]

Audrey Surette

[email protected]

Source: Achievers
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cellusion Inc. (CEO: Shin Hatou, M.D. Ph.D., Cellusion), a deep tech start-up developing a novel cell therapy, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to our regenerative medicine product iPS cell-derived corneal endothelial cell substitute (CLS001) for the treatment of bullous keratopathy.

FDA grants ODD if the drug meets specific criteria, the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of rare diseases that affect less than 200,000 people in the United States. The ODD qualifies sponsors for incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical (in humans) testing, waiver of the prescription drug user fee and potential 7 years of market exclusivity after FDA approval.

Cellusion has developed CLS001 for bullous keratopathy, which accounts for more than half of all corneal transplants and is currently preparing for corporate clinical trials in Japan and global clinical trials. With this designation, we will further accelerate the global development of CLS001 and aim to contribute to patients around the world who are waiting for the treatment.

The ODD information for CLS001 is as follows:

FDA (Search Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals)

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=975623

[About CLS001]

CLS001 is alternative cell to corneal endothelial cells produced by efficiently differentiating iPS cells, which can be differentiated into various types of cells, based on Cellusions proprietary technique. Cellusion is promoting the development of CLS001 as a therapeutic regenerative medicine product for bullous keratopathy, which accounts for more than half of the corneal transplant cases, by combining CECSi Cells* made from iPS cells with excellent proliferative properties and a simple injection cell delivery procedure without needs of human expertise. Cellusion is also advancing preparations for company-sponsored clinical trials in Japan, as well as preparations for global clinical trials.

*CECSi Cells: Corneal Endothelial Cell Substitute from iPS Cells

[About Bullous Keratopathy]

Bullous keratopathy is a rare disease that occurs when corneal endothelial cells, which control the amount of fluid at the inner-most part of the cornea, decrease due to eye surgery of cataract or genetic factors, resulting in problems with their function, whereby the cornea becomes swollen and causes visual impairment due to opacity. This disease is progressive and may lead to blindness if left untreated. Today, this disease is mainly treated by transplanting normally functioning corneal endothelial cells via corneal transplant. Nevertheless, as with other organ transplants, corneal transplants are also facing a serious problem of donor shortage. In Japan alone, it is estimated that there are about 10,000 patients, and in the global survey conducted in 2013 it was reported that approximately 13 million patients are waiting for corneal transplants.

[About Cellusion]

Cellusion is a regenerative medicine start-up originating from the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, with Regenerating Human Potential as its mission and More Freedom and More Smiles to the World as its vision. Based on patented technology such as its proprietary technique of efficiently producing corneal endothelial substitute cell from iPS cells, Cellusion is promoting R&D aimed at meeting medical needs from the perspective of patient centricity by leveraging cutting-edge regenerative medicine technology, including the lead program CLS001 that aims to meet the global corneal transplant demands.

Company: Cellusion Inc.

CEO: Shin Hatou, M.D., Ph.D.

Headquarters: 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobuna, Chuo, Tokyo 103-0024, JAPAN

Founded: January 2015

URL: https://cellusion.jp/en/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222826738/en/

Noriko Takada

Cellusion Inc.

[email protected]

+81-3-5843-1785

Source: Cellusion Inc.
National leading home improvement company grows its presence in third-largest marketplace, while also expanding product portfolio with an innovative roofing solution

MACEDONIA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Great Day Improvements, LLC, a direct-to-consumer home remodeling company at the forefront of the industry, is continuing to expand its family of brands with the addition of Florida-based Home Performance Alliance (HPA). HPA supplies homeowners solutions to their extreme weather conditions and remodeling needs across window replacement, bath remodels and a new offering for Great Day Improvements with high-performance roofing solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221251560/en/

Home Performance Alliance provides top-rated home remodeling services for Florida homes including impact-resistant windows, doors, roofing and bathroom remodeling. (Photo: Business Wire)

This latest acquisition further diversifies Great Day Improvements offerings for consumers and contributes to the companys continued organic expansion of its current portfolio of brands, with the company adding over 40 locations in 2023. The strategic expansion reflects Great Day Improvements commitment to providing exceptional home improvement solutions suitable for all environments.

HPA is a perfect fit for our long-term growth goals, as theyve helped homeowners with customized remodeling solutions for a decade. With Great Day Improvements built on a foundation of entrepreneurial spirit, they share our values and business model, said Michael Hoy, CEO of Great Day Improvements. This spirit continues to drive our growth and we are thrilled to partner with like-minded organizations like HPA.

This year, Great Day Improvements jumped to No. 3 nationally on Qualified Remodelers 2023 annual HIP 200 list of top Home Improvement Pro companies. And with this growth, the acquisition will also give Great Day Improvements over 3,000 employees more opportunities for growth within the organization, showing the companys long-term commitment to empowering their employees career path.

HPA experienced incredible growth in its first decade, and I couldnt be prouder to be a part of that success and of the incredible team we have at HPA, said Gary Delia, CEO and founder of HPA. Im excited about what the future holds as we embark on this new partnership with Great Day Improvements and work to help even more homeowners meet their remodeling goals.

Delia will be collaborating closely with the Great Day Improvements leadership team ultimately reporting to Michael Hoy and providing strategic direction and insight for continued growth as HPA joins the Great Day organization. Carolyn Resar, EVP of Integration at Great Day Improvements, will oversee the seamless onboarding of HPA, reporting to Drew Weinfurtner, president and COO.

With this latest addition to its already impressive family of renown brands, including Patio Enclosures, Champion Windows and Home Exteriors, Universal Windows Direct, Apex Energy Solutions, Stanek Windows, Hartshorn Custom Contracting, Your Home Improvement Company, K-Designers and The Bath Authority, Great Day Improvements is poised to solidify its position as a market leader while maintaining its unwavering dedication to delivering quality service to homeowners nationwide.

Learn more about Great Day Improvements and its family of brands at greatdayimprovements.com.

About Great Day Improvements, LLC

Headquartered in Macedonia, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, Great Day Improvements is a vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer provider of premium home improvement products. Great Days family of brands includes Patio Enclosures, Champion Windows and Home Exteriors, Universal Windows Direct, Apex Energy Solutions, Stanek Windows, Hartshorn Custom Contracting, Your Home Improvement Company, K-Designers and The Bath Authority. Great Day has an expanding workforce of over 3,000 employees across 102 metropolitan markets throughout the United States. The company has been ranked as the fifth-largest home improvement company in the nation according to Qualified Remodelers Top 500 list and is among the fastest-growing private companies for a second consecutive year.

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Jane Lamb, Chief Growth Officer

[email protected]

440.462.1619

Source: Great Day Improvements, LLC
The Fyra makes retail debut at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in midst of holiday shopping season

BEND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luxury handbag brand and trailblazer in the western industry Heritage Brand has announced the debut of its latest bag, the Fyra. With each Heritage Brand product handcrafted with intricate detail in the brands Oregon headquarters, the Fyra is a crossbody sling style that answers the industrys need for a luxury hands-free bag.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221724405/en/

Luxury handbag brand and trailblazer in the western industry Heritage Brand has announced the debut of its latest bag, the Fyra. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Fyra was born out of the mainstream fashion industrys pivot to convenience-driven, hands-free sling styles, said Heritage Brands Founder and Lead Designer, Jessica Crouch. Designed at the intersection of fashion and function, the Fyra adds some western flair to a classic wraparound style.

First sold at the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Fyra is the newest and most playful member of the Heritage Brand line-up, as a style that is strikingly different from designs that the brand has created in the past. Within a week of its launch, the Fyra has been spotted on some of the industrys biggest western fashion influencers, along with notable celebrities including Fivel Stewart.

Heritage Brand has been handcrafting luxury leather items since 2002. Originally developing horse tack, the brand crafts luxury handbags with a western essence. The brand is committed to creating American-made products that serve as unique pieces of art, as each bag is individually hand carved, painted, dyed and adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals, cabochons and other embellishments to complete the iconic Heritage Brand aesthetic and signature look. Heritage Brands leather is primarily sourced from Italy with a focus on the Tuscan tannery district of Santa Croce sull'Arno, the same district that some of the worlds largest and most iconic luxury fashion brands source their materials from.

The Fyra is now available at HeritageBrand.com, and within the brands Oregon-based showroom. For additional details on the brand and to stay up to date on the western luxury icons latest bag drops, follow @heritagebrand on Instagram and sign up for the Heritage Brand newsletter.

About Heritage Brand

Heritage Brand is committed to creating pieces that serve as unique pieces of art. Each bag is individually hand carved, painted and dyed. The bags are then adorned with crystals, cabochons and other embellishments. All of these components complete the iconic Heritage Brand aesthetic and signature look. Heritage Brand then curates personalized shopping experiences for buyers, presenting curated collections to customers shopping online or visiting their Oregon-based showroom.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221724405/en/

Lauren French

[email protected]

919.675.3329

Source: Heritage Brand
CHANGES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SUMMARY OF VOTING RESULTS

PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ORPEA (Paris: ORP):

Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of the Board of Directors: "ORPEA can now look to the future with a largely new Board of Directors, reflecting the arrival of its new shareholders. I am delighted with this new governance structure. The skills of the new Board of Directors, combined with the long-term vision of our new shareholders, will give the Group the resources it needs to achieve its ambitions. Since summer 2022, the Group has been supported by a Board of Directors working closely with Laurent Guillot and his team to successfully implement the Refoundation Plan and the financial restructuring. Once again, I would like to thank the outgoing directors for their commitment, and on behalf of us all, I would like to congratulate Laurent Guillot and his team for their dedication to serving patients, residents and staff. I would also like to thank the newly appointed members of the Board for their renewed support and I shall continue to fulfil my role as Chairman of the Board with commitment and determination, serving all ORPEA's stakeholders and pursuing the Refoundation work that began over a year ago".

Laurent Guillot, Chief Executive Officer: "This General Meeting is a major step in the Refounding of the company. The arrival of Caisse des Depots, CNP, MAIF and MACSF as shareholders represented on the Board of Directors, is a sign of confidence in the company, its responsibilities and its vital role in serving the most vulnerable, and above all in the men and women who serve them in the field each day. I'm very pleased with this new governance structure and with the appointment to our Board of Directors of individuals with recognised experience. I would also like to thank the outgoing directors for their commitment and support throughout their tenure, alongside Guillaume Pepy, Chairman of the Board. The ORPEA Group is today starting a new chapter. Since 15 November 2022, we have been transforming ORPEA with our Refoundation Plan. We successfully restored the Company's financial balance, with the Group undergoing profound changes in one year. To improve the working conditions in our facilities and the care we provide to our residents, patients and beneficiary, we embarked on a transformation process and are achieving the first results, but we need to continue and accelerate. Thanks to the support of the Board, the commitment of its Chairman Guillaume Pepy, and the determination of all the Group's team, which I commend, we can embark on this new phase with confidence and ambition to become a company with a mission, serving the common interest".

Changes to the Board of Directors of ORPEA

Board of Directors

Today's Combined General Meeting of ORPEA (the Meeting) approved the major changes to the Board of Directors of ORPEA proposed in connection with its financial restructuring, and in accordance with (i) the Lock-Up agreement, entered into on 14 February 2023 between the Company and, firstly, Caisse des Depots et Consignations, CNP Assurances, MAIF and MACSF (the Groupement") and, secondly, five institutions holding the Company's unsecured debt and (ii) the Companys accelerated safeguard plan approved by the specialised commercial court of Nanterre on 24 July 2023.

Additionally the new Board of Directors, which met immediately after the Meeting, appointed two non-voting advisors.

Finally, May Antoun was appointed as director representing employees by the European Works Council of ORPEA at its plenary meeting of 13 December 2023.

Having regard to the expiry announced on 13 November 2023 of the terms of office of certain directors who were previously acting, and to these appointments, the Board of Directors of ORPEA is now composed of 13 directors and two non-voting advisors, including:

seven non-independent directors, namely Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan), MAIF (represented by Pascal Demurger), MACSF Epargne Retraite (represented by Stephane Dessirier), Philippe Grangeon, Sibylle Le Maire and Frederique Mozziconacci,

three independent directors, namely Guillaume Pepy, Mireille Faugere and Meka Brunel,

the Chief Executive Officer, namely Laurent Guillot, and

two directors representing employees, namely Sophie Kalaidjian and May Antoun.

Three directors on the Board are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 27% (excluding directors representing employees and non-voting advisors). The composition of the Board of Directors is not compliant with recommendation 10.3 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that, in controlled companies, the proportion of independent directors must be at least one third.

Appendix contains a table providing details and information about the members of the new Board of Directors.

Board committees

At its first meeting, the new Board of Directors decided (i) to create an Investment Committee, (ii) to change the duties of its four Board Committees and (iii) to determine the new composition of those Committees.

As of 22 December 2023:

- the Audit and Risks Committee is composed of five directors: Meka Brunel (Chair), Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan), MAIF (represented by Pascal Demurger) and Mireille Faugere. Laurent David, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

Two directors on this Committee are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 40% (excluding non-voting advisors). The composition of the Audit and Risks Committee is not compliant with recommendation 17.1 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that the proportion of independent directors must be at least two thirds;

- the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is composed of six directors: Guillaume Pepy (Chair), Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard), MACSF Epargne Retraite (represented by Stephane Dessirier), Philippe Grangeon, Meka Brunel and Sophie Kalaidjian.

Two directors on this Committee are independent, giving a proportion of independent directors of 40% (excluding the director representing employees). The composition of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is not compliant with recommendations 18.1 and 19.1 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code providing that the committee responsible for appointments and the committee responsible for remuneration must be composed of a majority of independent directors;

- the Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee is composed of five directors: Mireille Faugere (Chair), Philippe Grangeon, Sibylle Le Maire, Frederique Mozziconacci and May Antoun. Pascale Pradat, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

The AFEP-MEDEF Code does not provide any recommendations regarding the composition of this Committee;

- the Investment Committee is composed of three directors: Caisse des Depots et Consignations (represented by Audrey Girard) (Chair), CNP Assurances (represented by Stephane Dedeyan) and Philippe Grangeon. Laurent David, non-voting advisor, also attends this Committee.

The AFEP-MEDEF Code does not provide any recommendations regarding the composition of this Committee.

The duties of the Board Committees are set out in the Internal Rules of the Board of Directors, as amended on 22 December 2023, which are available on ORPEA's website at the following address: www.orpea-group.com/en/the-group/gouvernance

Independence

The failure to comply with the recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code relating to the proportion of independent directors on the Board of Directors, the Audit and Risks Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Committee is due to the governance agreed in relation to the Groupement's stake in the Companys share capital, having regard to its acquisition of a majority shareholding, which is set out in the Company's accelerated safeguard plan approved by the specialised commercial court of Nanterre on 24 July 2023.

Summary of voting results for other resolutions

During this Meeting, the required majority of Company shareholders approved the resolutions relating to:

- the approval of the 2022 financial statements, the appropriation of profit and the approval of the Auditors report on regulated agreements;

- the approval of the co-option of two directors;

- the appointment of new directors;

- the remuneration and benefits of corporate officers for the 2022 financial year (except Yves Le Masnes remuneration and benefits1);

- the remuneration policy for corporate officers for the 2023 financial year;

- the renewal or grant of financial delegations and authorisations to the Board of Directors (except the authorization to issue share warrants to the Groupement1);

- the amendment of the Articles of Association;

- the powers for formalities.

It should be noted that the shares of the beneficiaries of the issuance of share warrants without pre-emption rights for shareholders under the 27th and 28th resolutions were excluded from the vote on the corresponding resolutions pursuant to applicable regulations.

Detailed results of the votes may be consulted at this following address: www.orpea-group.com/en/shareholders-investors/shareholders/shareholder-meeting

About ORPEA

ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in the care of all types of frailty. The Group operates in 20 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living, home care), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year.

https://www.orpea-group.com/en

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and a member of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices.

Appendix

Personal information Experience Position on the Board Membership of Committees Director Age2 Gender Nationality/Nationalities Number of shares Number of offices held in listed companies Independence First date of appointment Term of office3 Length of service on the Board (C = Chair / M = Member) Guillaume Pepy 65 M French 1 2 Yes 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 2 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (C) Laurent Guillot 54 M French 1 2 No 28/07/2022 AGM 2026 1 - Audrey Girard4 48 F French - 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Investment Committee (C) Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Stephane Dedeyan5 58 M French - 3 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Investment Committee (M) Pascal Demurger6 59 M French - 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M) Stephane Dessirier7 63 M French - 0 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Philippe Grangeon8 66 M French - 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M)

Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Investment Committee (M) Sibylle Le Maire8 49 F French - 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Frederique Mozziconacci9 51 F French - 1 No 22/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Meka Brunel 67 F French 70,000 1 Yes 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (C) Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) Mireille Faugere 67 F French 1 1 Yes 01/10/2022 AGM 2024 1 Audit and Risk Committee (M)

Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (C) Sophie Kalaidjian 45 F French 20 1 No 15/01/2015 AGM 2024 8 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (M) May Antoun 63 F French - 0 No 13/12/2023 AGM 2026 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M) Non-voting members Age2 Gender Nationality/Nationalities Number of shares Number of offices held in listed companies Independence First date of appointment Expiry date of term of office Length of service on the Board Chairman (C) / Member (M) Laurent David 36 M French and British - 0 - 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Audit and Risk Committee (M) Investment Committee (M) Pascale Pradat 64 F French - 0 - 22/12/2023 AGM 2027 0 Ethics, Quality and CSR Committee (M)

__________________

1 The 17 resolution relating to the 2022 remuneration for Yves Le Masne and the 27th resolution relating to the delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to issue and allocate share warrants to the Groupement were rejected, with 11.19% of favorable votes and 65.55% of favorable votes respectively.

2On the date of publication of the 2023 notice of meeting brochure.

3General Meeting ruling on the financial statements for the previous financial year.

4Permanent representative of the Caisse des Depots et Consignations.

5Permanent representative of CNP Assurances.

6Permanent representative of MAIF.

7Permanent representative of MACSF Epargne Retraite.

8Candidate proposed by Caisse des Depots et Consignations.

9 Candidate proposed by MAIF.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222627505/en/

Investor Relations

ORPEA

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

[email protected]

Toll-free number for shareholders:

0 805 480 480

Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

01 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

Press Relations

ORPEA

Isabelle Herrier-Naufle

Press Relations Director 07 70 29 53 74

[email protected]

Image7

Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn

06 78 37 27 60 - 06 89 87 61 37

[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: ORPEA
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust (Primaris or the Trust) (TSX: PMZ.UN) announced today it has entered into an agreement to upsize its $400 million revolving credit facility to $600 million, aligning to Primaris' unsecured debt strategy, enhancing financing flexibility and liquidity.

The $600 million unsecured syndicated revolving credit facility matures January 4, 2027. Based in part on the Primaris' credit rating of BBB (high), the credit facility bears interest at variable rates of either: (i) Prime plus 0.35% per annum or (ii) Adjusted Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average ("CORRA") plus 1.35% per annum. Six Canadian banks participated in the syndicate, led by CIBC, Scotiabank, TD Securities, and Desjardins Capital Markets, and included National Bank Financial and RBC.

This upsized revolving credit facility allows us to actively manage our property portfolio while providing maximum flexibility and additional access to liquidity at very attractive terms, and complements our well-laddered debt maturity profile, said Rags Davloor, Chief Financial Officer. Primaris' differentiated financial model is intentional and a critical pillar to our strategy and our growth story. Maintaining this conservative model and generating free cash flow after distributions and capital expenditures is a core focus from which we will not deviate."

Alex Avery, Chief Executive Officer added, After completing meaningful acquisitions in 2023, the new credit facility provides Primaris with approximately $650 million of additional financial liquidity, inclusive of cash on hand, with which to pursue further strategic acquisitions. We are excited about what is possible in 2024, and look forward to continuing to execute on the REITs growth strategy.

Primaris has a well balanced capital structure and a preference for unsecured financing. As previously announced in November 2023, Primaris issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured debentures, consisting of a $100 million aggregate principal amount re-opening of the Series A Debentures maturing March 30, 2027 and a $300 million aggregate principal amount of Series D Debentures maturing June 30, 2029.

Disciplined capital allocation is a key pillar to Primaris' strategy. To this end, Primaris reiterates its established targets for managing the Trust's financial condition.

Targets Debt to Total Assets**1 25% - 35% Average Net Debt** to Adjusted EBITDA**1 4.0x  6.0x FFO Payout Ratio** 45% - 50% Secured debt to Total Debt**

** Denotes a non-GAAP measure. See Section 1, "Basis of Presentation"  "Use of Non-GAAP Measures and Section 12, "Non-GAAP Measures" in the Trusts managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (the "MD&A").

1 The debt ratios are non-GAAP ratios calculated on the basis described in the indentures for the Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D debentures (the "Trust Indentures"). See Section 10.4, "Capital Structure" in the MD&A.

About Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust

Primaris is Canadas only enclosed shopping centre focused REIT, with ownership interests primarily in the leading enclosed shopping centres in growing markets. The portfolio totals 39 properties, or 12.5 million square feet, valued at approximately $3.9 billion at Primaris share. Economies of scale are achieved through its fully internal, vertically integrated, full-service national management platform. Primaris is very well-capitalized and is exceptionally well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities at an extraordinary moment in the evolution of the Canadian retail property landscape.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The words will, expects, plans, "estimates", intends and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements made or implied in this news release include but are not limited to statements regarding: Primaris adherence to its financial model and focus on generating free cash flow after distributions and capital expenditures. These statements are based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions based on historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking statements relate to future events and conditions, by their very nature they require making assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Primaris cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Material risk factors and assumptions include those set out in the MD&A which will be available on SEDAR+, and in Primaris other materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of their dates. Other than as specifically required by law, Primaris undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

For more information: TSX: PMZ.UN www.primarisreit.com www.sedarplus.ca

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221584992/en/

Alex Avery

Chief Executive Officer

416-642-7837

[email protected]

Rags Davloor

Chief Financial Officer

416-645-3716

[email protected]

Claire Mahaney

Investor Relations

647-949-3093

[email protected]

Timothy Pire

Chair of the Board

[email protected]



Source: Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust
Highly Strategic Transaction Adds Dermatologist-led Prestige Skincare Brand to Shiseidos Global Portfolio

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shiseido Company, Limited (The Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4911) (Shiseido, Company) today announced that Shiseido Americas Corporation (Shiseido Americas), a subsidiary of Shiseido, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DDG Skincare Holdings LLC, the owner of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare brand which offers dermatologist-led, science-based prestige skincare that has revolutionized the beauty industry by bringing high-level products to consumers everywhere.

In support of Shiseidos corporate mission, BEAUTY INNOVATIONS FOR A BETTER WORLD, the acquisition of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is a synergistic complement to the Companys skin beauty strategic framework and global portfolio of prestige brands. With the addition of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Shiseido seeks to accelerate and strengthen its core prestige skincare business which includes brands SHISEIDO and Cle de Peau Beaute.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare was launched in 2000 by former skin cancer researcher and practicing dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, and his wife, Carrie Gross. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincares best-in-class products are distinctive and highly effective, leveraging active ingredients with proven skincare benefits. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare values industry-changing innovation and has a philosophy that is rooted in research, dermatology, and technology.

As part of the Shiseido portfolio, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare will leverage the Companys vast global support network, commercial experience, and R&D expertise, enabling the brand to accelerate its ambitious growth plans. Shiseidos proven expertise in skincare will facilitate Dr. Dennis Gross Skincares long-term growth trajectory. Additionally, this acquisition bolsters the Companys geographic diversification and reinforces its investment in the Americas, with an aim to accelerate growth and increase profitability in the region.

Masahiko Uotani, Chairman and CEO of Shiseido, said, This transaction is well-aligned with Shiseidos 2030 goal of becoming a personal beauty wellness company that supports people in realizing unique beauty and wellness throughout their lives. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is the perfect complement to our global portfolio of prestige brands as their core values are aligned with ours in terms of their scientific and innovative approach to beauty and our people-first culture. We are thrilled to welcome the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare team to the Shiseido family, and I am confident Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare will accelerate our growth in the Americas, a region that has experienced strong business performance, thanks to our portfolio of exceptional brands.

Shiseido Americas President and CEO and Global M&A Leader for Shiseido, Ron Gee, added, We have long-admired what Carrie Gross has built through innovation and disruption of the beauty industry as well as the unique way in which the brand delivers credible and effective products through research, accessibility and education. We are also excited to work with Dr. Dennis Gross, a practicing, world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist whose work has attracted a loyal and highly engaged consumer base. With our deep commitment to our teams and our consumers, I know Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare will thrive in the Shiseido portfolio.

Dr. Gross, Co-Founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Chief Science Officer and Carrie Gross, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer said, We launched Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare in 2000 with the mission of making a difference in the lives of all people everywhere by helping them achieve healthier skin. Weve built an incredible brand with a deep clinical foundation and loyal consumer base, and we are thrilled to have found a partner that shares our values. With its long and rich heritage blending beauty with science, Shiseido is the ideal home for Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, and we look forward to partnering with the Shiseido team as we continue developing innovative products and skincare solutions that deliver visible results.

The transaction was led by Shiseido Americas and the New York-based Shiseido Global M&A team, in close coordination with Shiseido Company, Limited, the Companys headquarters. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Jones Day served as Shiseido Americas legal counsel. Raymond James served as Dr. Dennis Gross Skincares exclusive financial advisor. Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP served as legal counsel to Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, and Morrison Foerster served as legal counsel to certain of the shareholders.

About Shiseido Company, Limited

Shiseido was founded in 1872 as the first private Western-style pharmacy in Japan. The business gradually evolved into a cosmetics company, offering people the most advanced technology and the finest aesthetics available across the world. Now known globally as the premier cosmetics company with roots in Japan, the name Shiseido has come to represent the worlds highest standards of quality. Fiercely contemporary and innovative after over 150 years in business, Shiseido Group brands are now sold in over 120 countries and regions. With its new Medium-to-Long-Term Strategy SHIFT 2025 and Beyond, Shiseido aims to become a PERSONAL BEAUTY WELLNESS COMPANY by 2030, realizing its corporate mission, BEAUTY INNOVATIONS FOR A BETTER WORLD. For more information, please visit https://corp.shiseido.com/en/.

About Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Launched in New York City in 2000, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is a skincare brand founded by former skin cancer researcher and practicing dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross along with his wife Carrie Gross. Together, they disrupted the beauty industry by asking people to peel daily with their now-iconic Alpha Beta Daily Peels. With innovative, patented formulas incorporating simple, straightforward instructions, clients became instant believers. Today the Alpha Beta Peel is the #1 at-home peel in the US and a staple in the beauty cabinets of top celebrities, aestheticians, and makeup artists. Dr. Gross continues to bring innovations and expertise from the dermatology practice to retail consumers around the globe in the form of easy-to-use at home products designed to work together in customizable regimens to treat multiple concerns. For more information, visit the brand on Instagram, Facebook or at drdennisgross.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222575305/en/

For Shiseido Americas

Jadzia Zielinski Tirsch

Jonathan Leacock

[email protected]

[email protected]

+1 212-805-2357

+1 212-805-1299

OR

FGS Global

Emily Claffey/Danya Al-Qattan/Bridget Nagle

[email protected]

+1 212-687-8080

For Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Alyssa Keller D'Amico

Director of Content & Communications

[email protected]

Source: Shiseido Company, Limited
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information

Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume

per day (number of

shares) Weighted average

price per day Market

(MIC Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 15/12/2023 FR0013230612 1,641 19.4511 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 18/12/2023 FR0013230612 1,824 19.9580 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 19/12/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 20.1479 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 20/12/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 20.4009 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 21/12/2023 FR0013230612 1,556 20.3013 XPAR TOTAL 9,021 20.0653

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222962388/en/

Tikehau Capital

Source: Tikehau Capital
The Israel Defense Forces announced that it had destroyed a large Hamas tunnel network hidden under a commercial area in Gaza City known as "Palestine Square." According to the Israeli military, Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif were hiding in underground passages just below the crowded square during the October 7 attack.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to The Times of Israel, the underground network was connected to the homes, offices and hideouts of senior Hamas officials, including Muhammad Deif, "the elusive leader of the terrorist group's military wing, and Yahya Sinwar, the highest-ranking Hamas official in the Gaza Strip."

It is noted that in recent days the IDF has scanned the tunnels and received intelligence. The military said that the demolition of the tunnels was carried out by the elite Yahalom engineering unit and the 401st Armored Brigade.

Palestine Square is located in the prestigious Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, which before the war was considered the center of power of the enclave's elite, where the leaders of the terrorist group that rules the Strip lived.

ADVERTISIMENT

The bustling trade center hid a vast maze of Hamas tunnels used by the terrorist group's leaders to hide from Israel, the IDF said.

The area was home to a penthouse where the daughter of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh lived, a community college, Hamas government offices and a luxury bridal shop.

According to the IDF, the network of tunnels had blast doors and living quarters, and the Israeli military found food and water supplies there, indicating that the terrorists planned to remain covertly in the underground facilities for a long time.

The IDF described the complex as an "underground terrorist city" with a "strategic tunnel connected to other important underground infrastructure in the Gaza Strip."

ADVERTISIMENT

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas's tunnel network under Gaza has long been "one of the worst-kept secrets in the world," but Israel's ground operation has shed light on how "vast and durable" it is.

Earlier this month, the IDF revealed a tunnel built dozens of meters below the northern part of the Gaza Strip, at least 4 km long, near the border with Israel at the Erez crossing, wide enough for a car to drive through.

A video found by the IDF shows Sinwar's brother, Mohammed, a senior Hamas official, driving through this tunnel.

As you know, Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Hamas after the terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed about 1200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 240 hostages.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas terrorists, claims that more than 20 thousand people were killed in the Gaza Strip (unconfirmed data), Israel, in turn, claims that about 40% of the dead were Hamas militants.

On Thursday, December 21, the IDF reported that since the end of the temporary ceasefire in Gaza on December 1, more than 2 thousand Hamas militants have been killed. According to military estimates, about 8 thousand terrorists have been eliminated since the beginning of the war. Another 1 thousand Hamas terrorists were killed in Israel on October 7 during an attack by the terrorist group.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named a condition for ending the war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas terrorists who control the enclave must surrender or be completely destroyed, he said.
US FDA approval based on NEURO-TTRansform Phase III results showing WAINUA demonstrated consistent and sustained benefit improving neuropathy impairment and quality of life

Additional regulatory reviews underway in rest of world

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca and Ionis WAINUA (eplontersen) has been approved in the US for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults, commonly referred to as hATTR-PN or ATTRv-PN.1 WAINUA is the only approved medicine for the treatment of ATTRv-PN that can be self-administered via an auto-injector.2-4

The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on the positive 35-week interim analysis from the NEURO-TTRansform Phase III trial, which showed patients treated with WAINUA demonstrated consistent and sustained benefit on the co-primary endpoints of serum transthyretin (TTR) concentration and neuropathy impairment measured by modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7), and key secondary endpoint of quality of life (QoL) on the Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QoL-DN).2,5 Positive results from the NEURO-TTRansform Phase III trial were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) further demonstrating the benefit of WAINUA across the spectrum of ATTRv-PN at 35, 66 and 85 weeks.2

Michael J. Polydefkis, M.D., Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an investigator in the NEURO-TTRansform study, said: Many people living with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy are unable to fully enjoy their lives because of the relentless, progressive and debilitating effects of the disease. Approval of WAINUA represents a meaningful advancement in treatment, one that gives those who are living with transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy help managing the disease.

ATTRv-PN is a debilitating disease that leads to peripheral nerve damage with motor disability within five years of diagnosis and, without treatment, is generally fatal within a decade.6 WAINUA is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide (LICA) medicine designed to reduce the production of TTR protein at its source to treat both hereditary and non-hereditary forms of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR).3,7,8

Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice-President, BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: There is an urgent medical need for new therapies for people living with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy. The US approval of WAINUA offers a new treatment option that provides consistent and sustained reduction in serum TTR concentration compared to baseline while halting disease progression and improving quality of life for people living with this debilitating condition.

Isabelle Lousada, President and CEO, Amyloidosis Research Consortium, said: People with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy, and other forms of amyloidosis, are often misdiagnosed since symptoms can mirror other conditions. The path to getting an accurate diagnosis can often be a long, arduous journey and it is critical that a timely and accurate diagnosis is made not only for the individual experiencing symptoms but for their families and loved ones. It is exciting to see new innovations coming through and increased efforts to raise awareness in an area that has often been overlooked or neglected.

As part of a global development and commercialization agreement, AstraZeneca and Ionis will commercialize WAINUA for the treatment of ATTRv-PN in the US and are seeking regulatory approval in Europe and other parts of the world.8 This agreement was recently expanded to include exclusive rights for AstraZeneca to commercialize WAINUA in Latin America in addition to all other countries outside the US.9 WAINUA was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US and in the EU for the treatment of ATTR.9,10 WAINUA will be available in the US in January 2024.

Brett P. Monia, Ph.D., chief executive officer at Ionis, said: The FDA approval of WAINUA marks an important milestone for people living with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy, who will now have an effective, well-tolerated treatment that can be self-administered via auto-injector to combat this devastating disease. It is also a pivotal moment for Ionis as WAINUA will be the first in a steady cadence of potential commercial launches for the company. We are proud to have discovered and, together with AstraZeneca, developed WAINUA, and are grateful to the patients, caregivers and investigators who participated in our clinical studies, as well as for the dedication of our scientists and researchers.

Eplontersen is currently being evaluated in the CARDIO-TTRansform Phase III trial for treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a systemic, progressive and fatal condition that typically leads to progressive heart failure and often death within three-to-five years from disease onset.11-13

INDICATION for WAINUA (eplontersen)

WAINUA injection for subcutaneous use 45 mg is indicated for treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for WAINUA (eplontersen)

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Reduced Serum Vitamin A Levels and Recommended Supplementation WAINUA leads to a decrease in serum vitamin A levels. Supplement with recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. Refer patient to an ophthalmologist if ocular symptoms suggestive of vitamin A deficiency occur.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions (9% in WAINUA-treated patients) were vitamin A decreased (15%) and vomiting (9%).

Please see link to US Full Prescribing Information for WAINUA.

Notes

TTR Amyloidosis

ATTR cardiomyopathy and polyneuropathy are progressive systemic diseases caused by aging or genetic mutations (variants), resulting in misfolded TTR protein and accumulation as amyloid fibrils in the cardiac myocardium and peripheral nerves, respectively.11,12 In patients with ATTR, both hereditary and wild type (non-hereditary), TTR protein builds up as fibrils in tissues, such as the peripheral nerves and heart, gastrointestinal system, eyes, kidneys, central nervous system, thyroid and bone marrow.3,11 The presence of TTR fibrils interferes with the normal functions of these tissues.12 As the TTR protein fibrils accumulate, more tissue damage occurs and the disease worsens, resulting in poor QoL and eventually death.12 Worldwide, there are an estimated 300,000  500,000 patients with ATTR-CM and about 40,000 patients with ATTRv-PN.3,12

NEURO-TTRansform

NEURO-TTRansform is a global, open-label, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of eplontersen in patients with ATTRv-PN.2,5 The trial enrolled adult patients with ATTRv-PN Stage 1 or Stage 2 compared to the external placebo group from the TEGSEDI (inotersen) NEURO-TTR registrational trial that Ionis completed in 2017.2,5 The comparison of efficacy and safety for WAINUA versus external placebo was based on data up to week 66, and all patients were followed on treatment until week 85, when they had the option to transition into an open-label extension study, which is still ongoing.2,5

WAINUA

WAINUA (eplontersen) is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide (LICA medicine designed to reduce the production of transthyretin, or TTR protein.2,7 WAINUA has been approved in the US for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults (also referred to as ATTRv-PN).1

AstraZeneca in CVRM

Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), part of BioPharmaceuticals, forms one of AstraZenecas three disease areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines for organ protection and improving outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. The Companys ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases, and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and CV health for millions of patients worldwide.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on social media @AstraZeneca.

References

Wainua (eplontersen) US prescribing information; 2023. Coelho T, et al. Eplontersen for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis With Polyneuropathy. JAMA. 2023;330(15):14481458. Ionis Pharmaceuticals [Internet]. Annual Report, 2022 [last accessed 11 December 2023]. Available from: https://ir.ionispharma.com/static-files/db9dff5d-8683-485a-a517-15e264fe7532. Benson MD, et al. Diagnosis and screening of patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR): Current strategies and guidelines. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:4749-758. Coelho T, et al. Design and Rationale of the Global Phase 3 NEURO-TTRansform Study of Antisense Oligonucleotide AKCEA-TTR-LRx(ION-682884-CS3) in Hereditary Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloid Polyneuropathy. Nerol Ther. 2021 Jun;10(1):375-389. Cortese A, et al. Diagnostic challenges in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy: avoiding misdiagnosis of a treatable hereditary neuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(5):457-458. Coelho T, et al. Characteristics of Patients with Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis-Polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) in NEURO-TTRansform, an Open-label Phase 3 Study of Eplontersen. Neurol Ther. 2023;12:267287. Ionis Pharmaceuticals [Internet]. Eplontersen continued to show improvement in ATTRv-PN through 85 weeks [last accessed 11 December 2023]. Available from: https://ir.ionispharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/eplontersen-continued-show-improvement-attrv-pn-through-85-weeks. Ionis Pharmaceuticals [Internet]. Ionis expands eplontersen agreement with AstraZeneca to include exclusive rights in Latin America [last accessed 11 December 2023]. Available from: https://ir.ionispharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ionis-expands-eplontersen-agreement-astrazeneca-include. European Commission. Commission Implementing Decision of 13.10.2023 relating to the designation of "Eplontersen" as an orphan medicinal product under Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council [last accessed 11 December 2023]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/2023/20231013160615/dec_160615_en.pdf. Viney N, et al. Ligand conjugated antisense oligonucleotide for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis: preclinical and phase 1 data. ESC Heart Failure. 2021; 8:652-661. Rintell D, et al. Patient and family experience with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN) amyloidosis: results of two focus groups. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021;16:70. Columbia University Irving Medical Center [Internet]. Drug Reduces Death from Underdiagnosed Form of Heart Failure [last accessed 11 December 2023]. Available from: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/drug-reduces-deaths-underdiagnosed-form-heart-failure.

US-82891 Last Updated 12/23

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221289590/en/

Media Inquiries

Brendan McEvoy +1 302 885 2677

Chelsea Tressler +1 302 885 2677

US Media Mailbox: [email protected]

Source: AstraZeneca
Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) celebrates an award-winning 2023 after the all-electric Fisker Ocean has won six European awards for the Fisker Ocean in Germany, France, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

Judged in several competitions against gasoline vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles, the all-electric Fisker Ocean won the following awards in 2023:

Red Dot Product Design Award (Germany)  Best Electric Vehicle

The all-electric Fisker Ocean wins for beautiful aesthetics, excellent function, and ease of use. An international jury of over 50 design experts evaluated the Fisker Ocean against global competition on four key design qualities including product function, aesthetics, ease of use, and responsibility / sustainability.

Automobile Awards (France)  Full Electric Vehicle of the Year

(ABB E-mobility Award)

The Fisker Ocean SUV wins for its design, engineering, and value in an electric vehicle in an open competition against all electric vehicles including compacts, sedans, coupes, and small, mid-size and full-size SUVs.

Automobile Awards (France)  SUV of the Year

The Fisker Ocean wins most innovative SUV of the year for its outstanding aesthetics, practicality, and technology in a Sport Utility Vehicle against 20 other electric, hybrid, diesel, and gas SUVs.



The Fisker Ocean is the first double winner in the history of the prestigious French Automobile Awards.

Danish Car of the Year Awards  Design Award

The all-electric Fisker Ocean wins the Design Award organized by Danske Motorjournalister, an Association of Danish Motor Journalists for its innovative approach to design in both form and function.

Carwow Car of the Year Awards 2024 (UK) 

Highly Commended in 2024s Most Anticipated New Car

The Fisker Ocean SUV earns Highly Commended accolade in the 2024s Most Anticipated New Car. Expert editorial judges assessed hundreds of vehicles including the Fisker Ocean against a comprehensive series of parameters including price, performance, efficiency, comfort, and practicality. Judges recognized the Fisker Ocean as class-leading for its innovations and value to the consumer in the United Kingdom.

German Design Awards  Excellent Product Design, Passenger Vehicles

The Fisker Ocean won the German Design Award for Excellent Product Design 2024 in the Passenger Vehicles category for its striking, aerodynamic form and clean design. This award recognizes groundbreaking design achievements that provide solutions to contemporary challenges  from sustainable and circular design processes to environmentally friendly production.

I am honored that the Fisker Ocean has been recognized for its timeless design, innovative technology, affordability, and focus on clean mobility, Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said. We have the opportunity to radically change one of the most polluting industries in the world, and these awards reaffirm our mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable vehicles.

The Fisker Ocean is designed to disrupt the automotive industry with its futuristic exterior design, sleek surfaces, and aggressive stance. Its spacious interior appointed with sustainable materials seats up to five adults and offers space to store fun outdoor equipment for seasonal activities. Inside, the Fisker Ocean offers an immersive experience with premium features and an intuitive digital in-car experience.

The Fisker Ocean is designed with several unique and best-in-class features: the world's first digital radar in a customer vehicle; Revolve, the 17.1-inch touchscreen that rotates from portrait to 16:9 widescreen Hollywood Mode for streaming video while fast-charging; SolarSky roof, which uses the sun's rays to generate up to 2400 km of free range per year; and California Mode, which opens the SolarSky roof and all seven windows at one button push, creating a convertible feeling in a safe and functional SUV.

Fisker is currently delivering the all-electric Ocean SUV in the US, Canada, and Europe. In Europe, The Fisker Ocean Extreme has a WLTP range of 707 km/439 UK miles 1, which is the longest range of any electric SUV sold in Europe today. In the US, the Ocean has an EPA range of 360 mi 2, which is the longest range of any new electric SUV in its class 3.
FREDERICK, MD, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  BioElectronics Corp. (OTC: BIEL) is pleased to provide this end of year message to investors, customers, suppliers and other partners. As described below, the last six months have produced mixed results.

Research Update

We have seen good progress on the research side. An investigator-sponsored study at University of California San Diego (UCSD) for phantom limb was completed this last fall and the paper is now under peer review for publication. All indications are that the results are very positive, but they are embargoed until they appear in press. The quality of life study for dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis has been tentatively accepted and is now being prepared for final publication in Veterinary Medicine and Science. The results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study show that the treated dogs showed significant improvement in functionality and mobility after 14 days of treatment above and beyond the current prescription medicines being taken. If this paper is published, we plan to start actively marketing our RecoveryRx line into the veterinary market.

Two other clinical studies are now in the field. Stanford University is conducting a study on thumb arthritics and a second study at UCSD for post-surgical analgesia is expected to finish in June 2024.

Finally, we completed a new design for our RecoveryRx product that is better suited for surgery incisions and is 50% more powerful than the current version. We have already manufactured a limited supply of these units and are planning to apply for an expedited 510(k) from the FDA in the near future.

Distribution Update

News on the sales front is more mixed. We brought in two new distributors for Bulgaria and the Netherlands and will relaunch in Australia in early 2024. However, talks with a major distributor in Asia and the CIS countries fell through after about six months of conversation. KT Tape had a change in management and decided not to actively market our medical device. As a result, we revoked its exclusive distributor contract and are now looking for a new distributor.

Social Media Campaign

We launched a limited social media campaign to generate some sales and interest in our OTC product within the very lucrative US market. These direct to consumer (DTR) sales continue to result in strong consumer reviews. Aggregating the numerous product reviews (well over 1000) over the platforms selling our product shows that the vast majority (70% or more) of users give our product a 4 or 5 star rating. This figure is very similar to our published research findings that show about 66% of chronic pain sufferers find clinically significant relief within the first 7 days of use of our OTC product. Such findings have led to significant conversations with three major distributors who are in the pain space. However, to date, none of these conversations have resulted in a licensing or distribution agreement.

Need for Short-Term Financing

The lack of significant sales volume has severely limited the Companys ability to actively market its product line. Most of the funding has come from inside investors (mainly myself). As has been the case for a number of years, the lack of positive cash flow has forced the Company to make many short-term decisions that have acted as a barrier for potential growth. It has also led to the Company looking for additional financing. The Company cannot provide assurances that it will be able to obtain the needed financing, on acceptable terms or otherwise. If the Company is unable to obtain short term financing, it is likely that the Company will need to explore strategic alternatives, including possible dissolution. In the event the Company does obtain financing, there can be no assurances the Company will be able to achieve any of the objectives or milestones described above.

On a more positive note, BioElectronics would like to extend Season Greetings to all its customers and loyal shareholders. Heres to everyones health and prosperity.

Richard Staelin

Chairman of the Board

Contact: Paul Knopick

E&E Communications

940.262.3584
Company to Deliver Plan of Compliance to NYSE American

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) (the "Company" or "KULR"), a global leader in sustainable energy management, today announced it received a notice from the staff of NYSE American LLC (the "Exchange") that KULR was not in compliance with the Exchange's continued listing standards under Section 1003(a)(i), (ii), and (iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide. Section 1003(a)(i) requires a listed company to have stockholders' equity of $2 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years, Section 1003(a)(ii) requires a listed company to have stockholders' equity of $4 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years, and Section 1003(a)(iii) requires a listed company to have stockholders' equity of $6 million or more if the listed company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years. In order to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(iii), the Company is now subject to the procedures and requirements of Section 1009 of the NYSE American Company Guide and has until January 19, 2024, to submit a plan (the "Plan") of actions it has taken or will take to regain compliance with the continued listing standards by June 20, 2025.

KULR intends to timely deliver a Plan to the Exchange. If the Exchange accepts the Plan, KULR will be able to continue its listing during the Plan period and will be subject to periodic reviews including quarterly monitoring for compliance with the Plan until it has regained compliance.

Receipt of the notice from the Exchange has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of KULRs common stock on the Exchange, and does not affect KULRs business, operations or reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About KULR Technology Group Inc.KULR Technology Group Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) is a leading energy management platform company offering proven solutions that play a critical role in accelerating the electrification of the circular economy. Leveraging a foundation in developing, manufacturing, and licensing next-generation carbon fiber thermal management technologies for batteries and electronic systems, KULR has evolved its holistic suite of products and services to enable its customers across disciplines to operate with efficiency and sustainability in mind. For more information, please visit www.kulrtechnology.com.

Safe Harbor Statement This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of any entity. This release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2023, as may be amended or supplemented by other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as anticipate, believe, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, should, and would or similar words. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations:KULR Technology Group, Inc.Phone: 858-866-8478 x 847Email: [email protected]

Media Relations:Further PREmail: [email protected]

Source: KULR Technology Group, Inc.
RIMOUSKI, Quebec, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the Company or Puma) announces that it has closed a non-brokered placement (the CFT Private Placement) consisting of 2,000,000 Charity flow-through units (the CFT Units) at $0.145 per CFT Unit for gross proceeds of C$290,000. Each CFT Unit is comprised of one Charity flow-through share and one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.20 per share until December 22, 2025.

The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause that entitles the Company to provide notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to holders that they will expire 30 days from the date the Company delivers the Acceleration Notice. The Company can only provide the Acceleration Notice if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV is equal to or greater than $0.45 for 30 consecutive trading days. The Acceleration Notice can be provided at any time after the statutory hold period and before the expiry date of the warrants.

The net proceeds of the CFT Units will be used to incur eligible Canadian Exploration Expenses and flow-through mining expenditures, as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada), that will be renounced in favour of the purchasers with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024. The funds will be used to advance exploration at the Williams Brook Gold Project and the Companys assets in Northern New Brunswick.

In connection with the closing of the Private Placement offerings, the Company paid NO cash finder's fees NOR finder warrants. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a four-month-and-one-day hold period expiring on April 23, 2024. The private placements have received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

About the Williams Brook Gold Project

Puma's flagship Williams Brook Gold Project comprises four properties covering more than 49,000 ha in Northern New Brunswickan established and mining-friendly jurisdiction near paved roads and with excellent infrastructure nearby. The land package is located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault (RBMF), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region.

Since 2021 and with less than C$12M of exploration investment. Puma has made multiple gold discoveries at the Williams Brook property and believes that the property hosts an extensive orogenic gold system. Pumas ongoing exploration programs are focused on building a gold camp in Northern New Brunswick, Canada.

Dr. Gregg Morrison, a leading expert on intrusion-related, porphyry and epithermal gold systems, stated: I believe Williams Brook is part of the same family of gold systems as Fosterville and Sunday Creek in Australia and Valentine Lake in Newfoundland. These other deposits are known for their structure-controlled mineralization, metal zoning, free gold in bonanza shoots and kilometre scale depth extent. The similarities to these more comprehensively explored deposits gives real confidence to deeper drilling in the Lynx Zone and continued exploration around the feeder structures in the Williams Brook District.

Figure 1. Main gold showings and occurrences at the Williams Brook Gold Project

Qualified Person

The technical information of this release was reviewed and approved by Dominique Gagne, P.Geo. a consultant of Puma and a qualified person as defined by the National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. As a first mover, the Company quickly and strategically accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings in the area. Pumas successful exploration methodology combines old prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate an understanding of the geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data and consultants expertise, Puma has developed a perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results.

The Company is also committed to deploying its DEAR strategy (Development. Exploration. Acquisition. and Royalties) to generate maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution.

Connect with us on Facebook / X/ LinkedIn.Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:

Marcel Robillard. President and CEO. (418) 750-8510;[email protected]

Mia Boiridy. Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development. (250) 575-3305; [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c191d1c-a36a-417a-8184-45007d2d8933

Figure 1. Main gold showings and occurrences at the Williams Brook Gold Project Main gold showings and occurrences at the Williams Brook Gold Project

Source: Puma Exploration Inc.
FORT MEADE, Md., Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.s nomination of U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh to the rank of General and to assume the duties as the Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), Director, National Security Agency (NSA)/Chief, Central Security Service (CSS).

Lt. Gen. Haugh is scheduled to assume his new role following a change-of-command ceremony planned for early 2024.

It is the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to lead the incredible workforce of the Command and the Agency as they support the joint force during this decisive decade, Lt. Gen. Haugh said. My prioritiespeople, innovation, and partnershipswill serve as the foundational values to ensure we continue to execute our mission to deliver outcomes against national priorities in foreign intelligence and cybersecurity.

Lt. Gen. Haugh began his Air Force career in 1991, by earning his commission and as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. He currently serves as CYBERCOMs deputy commander, where he directs, synchronizes, and coordinates cyberspace planning and operations to defend and advance national interests in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

In his nearly 32 years of service, Lt. Gen. Haugh brings a wealth of joint service knowledge and experience to the Command and the Agency from assignments including commander, Sixteenth Air Force, Air Forces Cyber and Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, as commander, Cyber National Mission Force, as CYBERCOMs director of Intelligence, J2, and as the deputy commander of Joint Task Force-Ares.

Lt. Gen. Haugh expressed gratitude toward U.S. Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, Commander, CYBERCOM, Director, NSA/Chief, CSS, for his commitment to the dual-hat mission and workforce under his charge during times of unparalleled global challenges.

I believe the nation is defended and the future is secured due to his leadership over the past six years, Lt. Gen. Haugh said. His loyalty to the nation, duty to the mission, selfless service, integrity and personal courage are admirable.

Gen. Nakasone expressed that he is fortunate to pass command to a leader who upholds the highest standards of the service and demonstrates immense dedication to the mission.

Having worked alongside Lt. Gen. Haugh over the past decade, I can personally attest to his steadfast leadership, integrity first mentality, and unwavering sense of duty, Gen. Nakasone said.

Gen. Nakasone will retire after 37 years of dedicated service to the nation. As Director, NSA/Chief, CSS, Gen. Nakasone leads the nations signals intelligence (SIGINT) enterprise ensuring delivery of timely, accurate intelligence insights to warfighters, policymakers, and allies on topics of critical national security importance. As the National Manager for National Security Systems, Gen. Nakasone supports the protection of these systems, the Defense Industrial Base, and U.S. critical infrastructure from cyber threats as well the development of game-changing technologies to provide intelligence advantage.

During his tenure with the Command and the Agency, Gen. Nakasone supported the establishment of CYBERCOM, fostered strategic concepts for cyber operations, and oversaw tighter integration between CYBERCOM and NSA. Additionally, under his leadership the Command and the Agency built closer ties with federal and industry partners. For example, Gen. Nakasone established several NSA organizations, including the Cybersecurity Directorate, the China Strategy Center, and the Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, which now has 750 partners across industry and the Defense Industrial Base. Moreover, Gen. Nakasone spearheaded the development of several successful joint CYBERCOM and NSA teams such as the Russia Small Group, China Outcomes Group and the Election Security Group.

Gen. Nakasone has held command and staff positions across all levels of the U.S. Army and the joint force with assignments in the United States, the Republic of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Serving the nation alongside the CYBERCOM and NSA/CSS workforce has been the highlight of my career, Gen. Nakasone said. I am proud to have worked every day with the very best leaders and talented workforce.

National Security Agency 443-634-0721 [email protected]

Source: National Security Agency
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VERSES AI (CBOE Canada: VERS) (OTCQB: VRSSF) ("VERSES" or the "Company"), announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue this statement about promotional activity concerning the Company's Class A Subordinate Voting shares (the Shares) traded on the OTCQB marketplace.



On December 19, 2023, the OTC Markets queried the Company regarding certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its Shares traded on the OTCQB Marketplace, including the distribution of multiple emails and digital marketing materials published by Winning Media LLC discussing the Company, its business and the technology and artificial intelligence sectors generally. The emails and the marketing materials contained information available from publicly available online resources.

The Company was aware of the materials before they were published. The Company engaged Winning Media LLC ("Winning Media") beginning in January 2023 to provide advertising and marketing services, for an online marketing campaign as well as the coordination of marketing actions. Winning Media is a third-party marketing and advertising firm. The Company compensated Winning Media a total of $150,000 for services spanning the month of December.

Winning Media utilized publicly available sources of information for its emails and marketing materials. The Company does not believe the statements in the marketing materials and emails were materially false or misleading. The Company did not have editorial control over the content.

After inquiry of management, other than as disclosed herein, the Company confirms that its officers, directors or its controlling shareholders (i.e., shareholders owning 10% or more of the Company's securities) have not, directly or indirectly, authorized or been involved in any way with the creation, distribution of promotional materials related to the Company and its securities.

Although the Company understands some of this promotional activity coincided with increased trading activity in the Shares beginning on December 19th, 2023, it does not believe the promotional activities were the primary factor in any increase in trading volume in the Shares.

After inquiry of management, no officers, directors, or controlling shareholders or third-party service providers have sold or purchased the Shares within the past 90 days to their knowledge.

For clarity, in the last 12 months the Company has engaged for various lengths of time the following third-party providers for investor relations services, public relations services, or marketing services related to its securities that trade on the OTCQB and on the CBOE Canada:

Investor Relations: (i) Focus Communications IR; (ii) Brisco Capital Partners Corp.; (iii) Integrous Communications, (iv) Blossom Social (v) Real Creative Agency; (vi) Hybrid Capital Corp.; (vii) Apollo Relations*, and (viii) Factory Relations*.

Public Relations & Marketing Companies: (i) Bryson Gillette Public Relations; (ii) Triple Bull Consulting Ltd.; (iii) Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC; (iv) Winning Media LLC; (v) EQ Analytica Inc.*, (vi) VHLA Media Inc.*, (vii) i2i LLC*., (viii) Omni8 Media Corp.*, (ix) CANACOM Group*, and (x) Bospar Public Relations*.

* denotes no longer active or discontinued

Other than as previously disclosed in the Companys public filings, the Company has not issued shares or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of the issuance.

The Company is committed to compliance with the OTC Markets Group policy on stock promotion and the OTCQB standards. The Company encourages those interested in the Company to rely solely on information included in press releases issued and distributed by the Company through approved news wire or disclosure and news services, combined with its filings and disclosures, as well as information provided through the OTC Markets.

About VERSES

VERSES is a cognitive computing company specializing in biologically inspired distributed intelligence. Our flagship offering, Genius, is patterned after natural systems and neuroscience. Genius can learn, adapt and interact with the world. Key features of Genius include generalizability, predictive queries, real-time adaptation and an automated computing network. Built on open standards, Genius transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines and AI across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature.

On behalf of the Company

Gabriel Rene, Founder & CEO, VERSES AI Inc.

Eric Holder, Director of Communications, VERSES AI Inc. [email protected]

Emily Schwarts, Bryson Gillette PR, [email protected]

Investor Relations Inquiries

U.S., Matthew Selinger, Partner, Integrous Communications, [email protected] (415-572-8152)

Canada, Leo Karabelas, President, Focus Communications, [email protected] (416-543-3120)

The NEO has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wounded Warriors Family Support made it easier for Native American veterans to reach their health care destination Wednesday.



Hopi Veterans Services, an organization dedicated to serve Hopi/Tewa veterans that is based in Kykotsmovi, Arizona, received a 2023 Ford Explorer from the Omaha organization.

A big challenge faced by Native American veterans is access to health care, Wounded Warriors Family Support CEO and President Kate McCauley said. With the closest VA facility located more than two hours away, many veterans struggle to receive proper care. However, thanks to the efforts of Hopi Veterans Services, over 500 veterans have been transported to their VA appointments since 2016.

The vehicle, which is worth nearly $40,000, was presented at Rich Ford in Albuquerque.

We have enjoyed the opportunity to assist Wounded Warriors Family Support programs on multiple occasions, Rich Ford Fleet Sales Manager John Costen said. It is gratifying to know that the vehicle will be used to aid our veterans to who we owe our respect and care.

Hopi Veterans Services goal is to provide quality services in health care, benefits and customer satisfaction for Hopi/Tewa enrolled veterans and military members, widow/spouse and family members who reside on the Hopi Reservation.

About Wounded Warriors Family Support

Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot. For more information about Wounded Warriors Family Support, visit www.wwfs.org.



Media Contacts:

Kevin Schuster, PR Counsel

Cell: 402.917.6001

Email: [email protected] Martin Duarte, WWFS Program Outreach Coordinator

760.405.7777

[email protected]



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/387907f4-1340-4259-9ae3-7e73f994c34e
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Avante Mining Corp.(TSXV: AVA) (OTC Pink: ACPRF) (FSE: P210)("Avante" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that, subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), the Company has closed a non-brokered private placement of 11,666,670 units ("Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit for gross proceeds to the Company of $700,000 (the "Private Placement").

Each Unit consists of one common share (each a "Share") and one half of one transferrable common share purchase warrant (with two such half warrants being a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.12 per Share, for a period of twenty-four months from the date of issuance.

Adrian Smith, CEO, comments, "We are pleased to engage strategic investors interested in the long-term success of the Company as we focus our efforts on nickel and critical metals essential to the energy transition. We plan to continue work and accelerate our efforts throughout the winter and spring, as we tap into the potential at the Company's Pipestone project."

The gross proceeds from the Private Placement will be used by the Company to fund exploration expenses at its Pipestone project and Voisey's West project located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and for general working capital. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Private Placement.

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to an Exchange hold period and a four month plus one day hold period pursuant to applicable securities laws of Canada, which will expire on April 22, 2024.

MI 61-101 Disclosure

Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate total of $31,200 in Units. The participation by such insiders is considered a "related-party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(b), respectively, of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Private Placement as the details of the participation therein by related parties of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing the Private Placement and the Company wished to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Avante Mining Corp.

Avante Mining Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value geographically significant projects including the Voisey's West and the Pipestone Project. Avante is paving the way by combining quality projects with proven exploration strategies and a dedicated team to achieve exceptional outcomes.

The Company's Voisey's West project is located in the same intrusive complex as the world class Voisey's Bay Nickel mine where reported remaining proven and probable reserves include 32.4 million tonnes of 2.13% nickel, 0.96% copper, 0.13% cobalt, and additional measured and indicated 10.3 million tonnes of 0.87% nickel, 0.65% copper, 0.04% cobalt. It represents one of the most competitive nickel operations globally.

The Pipestone Project represents one of the rare awaruite projects globally which are a focus in the development of large-scale bulk tonnage nickel targets that have low carbon emission profiles and are very attractive to steel produces looking to reduce their carbon output.

For more information, please call Adrian Smith, CEO, at 1-778-331-3816, email [email protected], or visit www.avantemining.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "likely", "probably", "often", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the use of the proceeds from the Private Placement, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include future growth potential of the Company, fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions, fluctuations in securities markets, the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, plans for expansion, inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards and general market conditions. Additional factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192037
Mississauga, Ontario and Sacramento, California--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (CSE: BEE) (OTCQB: BEVVF) (CVE: BEE) (the "Company" or "BVT") announces that it has entered into debt settlement agreements (the "Settlement Agreement") to settle outstanding cash payments owed to certain creditors totaling $1,130,000. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreements, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 18,833,334 Common shares at a deemed price of $0.06 per Common share. The Company anticipates closing the Settlement Agreements on or about January 3, 2024.

Securities issued pursuant to the Settlement Agreement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company also announces that it has issued an aggregate of 6,868,155 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to directors, employees and consultants pursuant to the Company's shareholder approved restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan"). 50% of the RSUs will vest immediately with the remaining 50% vesting in ranges between three month and four months from the date of issuance. Each RSU shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company by delivering a notice of acquisition to the Company in accordance with the RSU Plan. In accordance with the RSU Plan, the RSUs were priced at $0.05 which was above the closing market price on December 21, 2023. The RSUs were awarded to directors, employees and consultants who have agreed to restructure their compensation and receive RSUs in lieu of certain cash payments for future services.

About Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc .

BVT, an agriculture technology company, is a market disruptor with a significant global market opportunity in the $240 billion crop protection and fertilizer market. BVT has pioneered a natural precision agriculture system that replaces chemical pesticides and wasteful plant protection product spray applications by delivering biological pesticide alternatives to crops using commercially grown bees. BVT's award-winning technology, precision vectoring, is completely harmless to bees and allows minute amounts of naturally-derived pesticides (called biologicals) to be delivered directly to blooms, providing improved crop protection and yield results than traditional chemical pesticides - and improving the health of the soil, the microbiome and the environment. Currently, BVT has 55 granted patents, over 35 patents pending in all major agricultural countries worldwide and has US EPA registration of its Vectorite" with CR-7 (EPA Registration No. 90641-2) for sale as a registered biological fungicide for use on the labeled crops.

Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.beevt.com. To receive regular news updates from the Company, subscribe at www.beevt.com/newsletter.

BVT Company Contact:

Ashish Malik, President & CEO, BVT

[email protected]

BVT Investor Contact:

Babak Pedram

Virtus Advisory Group

Tel: 416-995-8651

[email protected]

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "potential", "will", "seek", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, "annual revenue potential", are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including: planted acres, selling price of competitive chemical pesticides and the US to Canadian dollar exchange rate. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. These factors include changes in law, competition, litigation, the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities, state of the capital markets, the availability of funds and resources to pursue operations, new technologies, the ability to protect intellectual property rights, the ability to obtain patent protection for products, third-party intellectual property infringement claims, regulatory changes affecting products, failing research and development activities, the ability to reach and sustain profitability, dependence on business and technical experts, the ability to effectively manage business operations and growth, issuance of debt, dilution of existing securities, volatility of publicly traded securities, potential conflicts of interest, unlikelihood of dividend payments, the potential costs stemming from defending third-party intellectual property infringement claims, the ability to secure relationships with manufacturers and purchasers, as well as general economic, market and business conditions, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Filing Statement dated August 14,2020, filed with the CSE and securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. All figures are in Canadian dollars.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192106
The administration of US President Joe Biden has begun urgent talks with allies on the use of frozen Russian assets for military support to Ukraine. We are talking about more than $300 billion.

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However, it has not yet been decided whether this money should be used to rebuild the country or for military support. This was reported by the New York Times, citing sources in the US government.

Despite legal reservations, politicians are weighing the consequences of using these Russian assets to help Kyiv in the war effort.

The Biden administration, as noted, is "quietly signaling" new support for the confiscation of more than $300 billion in assets of the Russian Central Bank hidden in Western countries. Urgent discussions have begun with allies about using the funds to help Ukraine's war effort at a time when financial support is dwindling, according to senior U.S. and European officials.

Talks between finance ministers, central bankers, and lawyers have intensified in recent weeks, officials said, with the Biden administration pressing the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada to agree on a solution before the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2024.

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Among the topics to be discussed are the legal grounds for seizing the funds and their further use. Western governments are considering whether to transfer the money directly to Ukraine or to use it in some other way for the benefit of the defending party. They are also discussing whether the confiscated Russian money will be used for military purposes or left for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

At a briefing on December 21, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the National Security Council at the White House, said that the United States had "spoken with many allies and partners" about the use of Russia's frozen money.

The parties discussed Moscow's role "after the conflict in terms of rebuilding inside Ukraine in the long term." "We are not at a point where we can talk about specific actions and what they will look like," the White House spokesman said when asked.

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He refused to give a more specific answer. At the same time, Kirby noted: Russia has destroyed "a terrible amount of infrastructure" and taken "tens of thousands of lives" in Ukraine, and therefore must "take responsibility for this in the long run."

As OBOZ.UA wrote:

- Earlier, the US Congress presented a bill on the seizure and confiscation of assets of Russian oligarchs. The authors of the document propose to use the proceeds to replenish the Ukraine Recovery Fund.

- During his visit to the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with World Bank President Ajay Banga. Among other things, they talked about how to use the frozen assets of the Russian Federation in favor of our country.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Boston, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - See Thru Nikki, a custom digital art brand founded by model and entrepreneur Nikki Gal in 2019, is preparing to relaunch with a company-wide rebranding. The launch is scheduled for Q1 2024 and the release will coincide with multiple digital media strategies focusing on an amplified vision of the art brand.





CEO & founder Nikki Gal



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The brand offers a range of customized digital media content including social media branding, business logos, digital portraits, and website marketing design services.

"See Thru Nikki strives to represent a unique and innovative digital design brand that reaches a wide range of client visual necessities, ideas, and marketing goals," says founder and CEO Nikki Gal.

The relaunch of See Thru Nikki is centered around striking a harmonious balance between innovation and creative identity.

The relaunch of See Thru Nikki includes introducing new marketing tools, revamped brand appearance, and a newly updated website. It also focuses on redefining the brand's narrative in a manner that resonates with the team's professional growth and entrepreneurial strides.

Visual branding on social media platforms will be key in the re-launch. See Thru Nikki's online presence will serve as the first point of contact for potential clientele. Gal and her team are currently putting together content designed to resonate with the brand's core values and aesthetics. The brand will employ visuals, consistent branding elements, and narratives designed to be engaging.

Gal is also leveraging algorithms and insights to help her brand target a specific e-commerce demographic, so that its content reaches those most likely to connect with the brand's message. In doing so, See Thru Nikki hopes to both showcase art and digital marketing services fostering a deeper bond with its audience.

"We've already had a successful run, as this art brand has gained millions of social media impressions since its first launch in 2019," Gal shares.

About See Thru Nikki

See Thru Nikki is a digital design brand founded by Nikki Gal in 2019. The brand strives to connect individuals to the creative world of digital art, by putting their visions first. See Thru Nikki offers a multitude of services including customized portraits, social media branding services and business logos.

Website: https://www.seethrunikki.com/

Contact: Nikki Gal [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/188359
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 21, 2023) - Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSXV: SPA) (the "Company" or "Spanish Mountain Gold") is pleased to announce the following additions to the management team:

Mathew Lee, CPA, CA as Vice President, Finance

Becke Gray, P.Eng., PMP as Project Manager

Bill Thomas as Senior Project Advisor, Metallurgy and Processing

Jason McLennan as Net-zero Carbon Regenerative Mining Consultant

Peter Mah, Spanish Mountain Gold's President, CEO and Director comments, "We are very pleased to have Mathew, Becke, Bill and Jason join the Company at this very important time of our development. Their collective 150+ years of mining experience in their own areas of expertise and specialized skills are helping the Company advance our robust, economical Spanish Mountain Gold Project towards permitting, development and ultimately construction."

Mathew Lee

Mr. Lee CPA, CA will oversee the financial affairs of the Company. Over his nearly 15-year career he has progressively advanced to senior financial management roles. Mr. Lee was most recently President of Manning Lee Management Ltd where he provided CFO services to various publicly listed companies in a variety of industries including the metals and mining sector.

Becke Gray

Ms. Gray, a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and a Project Management Professional (PMP), has over 30 years of engineering and project experience. She is currently overseeing the project management to advance the Spanish Gold Mountain Gold Project to development. Her past experience in the mining sector includes working at Eldorado Gold's Tocantinzinho project, Teck Coal, Teck Alaska, Skeena Resources Eskay Creek project, New Gold's Rainy River project as well as managing projects at various EPCM firms.

Bill Thomas

Mr. Thomas, B.A.Sc. Mining & Mineral Processing and MBA, has nearly 50 years of mine and facility design optimization, process simulation and advanced control, asset management, logistics, and mine construction and commissioning. His vast experience deploying those skills included roles in various mining and engineering firms such as AZ Mining, Hudbay Minerals, Micron Resources, Newmont Mining, Freeport McMorRan, Andritz Automation, CD Capital, Phelps Dodge, Placer Dome, Noranda, AMEC Engineering. HA Simons and BC Hydro.

Jason McLennan

Mr. McLennan, who is advising the company ensuring it will become the greenest gold mine in Canada, is considered one of the world's most influential individuals in the field of architecture and green building movement. He is the Founder of the International Living Future Institute, is the Principal of McLennan Design and Chief Sustainability Officer at Perkins+Will, worked on the construction of the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and is currently working with McEwen Mining on a groundbreaking project in Argentina. He is the recipient of the prestigious Buckminster Fuller Prize (the planet's top prize for socially responsible design) and winner of numerous engineering and architecture awards. Mr. McLennan is the creator of the Living Building Challenge - the most stringent and progressive green building program in existence, as well author of numerous books and programs including WELL Building Standard and Philosophy of Sustainable Design. He is both an Ashoka Fellow and Senior Fellow of the Design Future's Council.

About Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd.

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain Gold Project in southern central British Columbia. The Company is simultaneously pursuing the dual objectives of delivering critical Project milestones and expanding its multi-million-ounce Mineral Reserve and Resource. The 2021 Pre-Feasibility Study demonstrates the Project's potential to be a mining operation with a robust production profile (>150,000 ounces per year) and profitability (AISC of $801 per ounce) over a mine life of 14 years. Details on the Company are available on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website: www.spanishmountaingold.com.

On Behalf of the Board,

"Peter Mah"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd.

For more information, contact:

Investor Relations

(604) 601-3651

[email protected]

www.spanishmountaingold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information. The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements and information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192066
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2023) - TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FSE: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") today announces that is has entered into a second amendment dated December 22, 2023 to the existing loan agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (the "Loan Agreement"), as amended by the Omnibus Amendment, Limited Conditional Waiver, and Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2023 (the "Amendment Agreement") entered into between Dalvi, LLC ("Dalvi"), Lyfted Farms, Inc. ("Lyfted"), the Company, PMG Dalvi LLC ("PMG Dalvi"), PMG Lyfted Farms, LLC ("PMG Lyfted Farms" and together with Dalvi, Lyfted, and PMG Dalvi, the "Borrowers"), James R. Blink, solely in his individual capacity (the "Limited Guarantor" and collectively with the Company and the Borrowers, the "Loan Parties"), and Pelorus Fund REIT, LLC ("Lender") to make an additional loan to the Borrowers in the principal amount of $7,125,000 USD.

Company Update

The Company further announces that it continues under a previously announced cease trade order ("CTO") by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") under National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations as a result of not filing its audited annual financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis, and certifications for the year ended November 30, 2022 (the "Annual Filings") by the requisite filing deadline. The Company is working diligently with its consultants and auditors to complete its 2022 year end audit and to make the required filings as soon as possible. Once filed, a news release will be issued indicating that the Annual and Quarterly Filings have been submitted. The Company previously announced that it anticipates that it would complete the Annual and Quarterly Filings towards the end of September 2023 and expects to complete the Annual and Quarterly filings not later than early first quarter 2024. In the event the CTO remains in effect for more than 90 days, the Company will meet additional filing requirements with respect to the CTO under National Policy 11-207.

TransCanna

TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a California-based, Canadian-listed company holding licences for cannabis-focused brands for the California lifestyle, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries. For updated information with respect to our company, please see our filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the CSE at www.thecse.com, or visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com. To contact the Company, please email [email protected].

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Bob Blink, CEO

[email protected]

604-207-5548

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The words "may, " "would, " "could, " "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "goal," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "achieve," "must," "next," "focus," "potential," "progress," "develop," "continue," "advance," "improve," "opportunity," "future," "prospect," "vision," "target," "growth," "option," "pursue," "near-term," "de-risking," "eventual," "later," "until," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other things, the statements with respect the CTO; the timing of completion of the audit and filing of financial statements; the timing and revocation of the CTO; and statements regarding management's expectations on the Company's future performance.

The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many materials factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected; the Company may not continue to receive financing under the Loan; the ability of the Company to satisfy public company listing requirements; the performance of Lyfted Farms under the management services agreement; prevailing market conditions; general business and economic uncertainties; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators and stock exchanges. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192238
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

In reaction to increasing vehicular accidents in NYC, law firm Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. focuses on supporting victims in Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. They provide specialized legal aid for car and truck accident victims, seeking justice and compensation.



In response to the escalating number of vehicular accidents in New York City, particularly in the boroughs of Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, the law firm of Silberstein, Awad, and Miklos, P.C. (ASK4SAM) has stepped up its efforts to provide specialized legal support for victims of car and truck accidents. With a focus on mitigating the traumatic aftermath of such incidents, ASK4SAM has become a beacon of hope for those seeking justice and compensation.

The bustling streets of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn present a challenging environment for motorists, where the frequency of car crashes and truck accidents is alarmingly high. These accidents often result in severe injuries, emotional distress, and substantial financial burdens due to medical costs and lost wages. ASK4SAMs team of experienced attorneys specializes in navigating the intricate legal landscape surrounding such incidents, providing comprehensive representation to those affected.

"Car crashes and truck accidents can leave a lasting impact on victims and their families," stated a representative from ASK4SAM. "Our goal is to alleviate the burden on those affected by offering expert legal guidance and support. We understand the complexities involved in these cases, especially when it comes to dealing with insurance companies and securing fair compensation."

The firm's legal team possesses a deep understanding of the nuances involved in both car crash injury claims and truck accident lawsuits. They are well-equipped to tackle cases ranging from minor collisions to catastrophic accidents involving commercial trucks. With a focus on securing maximum compensation for their clients, ASK4SAM's attorneys diligently work to hold responsible parties accountable, be they negligent drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers of defective vehicle parts.

The role of a personal injury attorney in the aftermath of a vehicle accident, be it a car, truck, or motorcycle incident, is crucial. Victims often face not only physical injuries, such as broken bones or more catastrophic injuries, but also significant property damage and emotional trauma. ASK4SAMs team of personal injury lawyers and truck accident lawyers is adept at handling these complexities, ensuring that every accident victim receives the thorough legal representation they need. Their expertise covers a range of scenarios from motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving or drunk driving to motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents.

In each case, the firms accident lawyers meticulously review the accident scene and police report, gather medical records, and assess all financial losses. This comprehensive approach is vital in building a strong personal injury claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Their dedication extends to securing financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including compensation for permanent injuries and loss of enjoyment in life.

For families dealing with the tragic consequences of a wrongful death, ASK4SAMs wrongful death claim specialists provide compassionate yet assertive legal support. Understanding the nuances of cases involving truck drivers, the firms attorneys are skilled at identifying all liable parties and exploring avenues for punitive damages against fault drivers. Their commitment to providing clients with comprehensive legal advice ensures a fair resolution and justice for those affected by the negligence of others in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.

In the Bronx, where dense traffic and urban congestion pose constant risks, car accidents are a frequent occurrence. ASK4SAM has developed a robust approach to assisting victims in this borough, ensuring they receive the legal representation they deserve. Similarly, in Queens and Brooklyn, where the volume of commercial trucks is significant, the firm has honed its expertise in handling truck accident lawsuits, addressing the unique challenges they present.

Victims of car crashes and truck accidents often face long-term repercussions, including the need for ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. The firms attorneys are skilled in quantifying these long-term effects, ensuring that settlements and verdicts reflect the full extent of the victims suffering and loss. They are adept at negotiating with insurance providers and navigating the legal system to secure the best possible outcome for their clients.

"Each case we take on is treated with the utmost care and attention," the representative added. "Our clients are not just case numbers; they are individuals who have suffered greatly, and it is our mission to help them through this difficult time."

ASK4SAM offers free initial consultations for victims of car crashes and truck accidents in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. This allows individuals to understand their legal options and the potential paths to compensation without any financial obligation.

For more information or to seek legal assistance following a vehicular accident, individuals are encouraged to contact ASK4SAM through their dedicated hotline at 877-ASK4SAM or visit their website at ASK4SAM.net.

About Silberstein, Awad, and Miklos, P.C.: Silberstein, Awad, and Miklos, P.C. is a premier personal injury law firm based in New York City, renowned for its commitment to client advocacy and justice. The firm specializes in a wide range of personal injury cases, including those involving car crashes and truck accidents, across NYCs boroughs.

Contact Info:

Name: Ask 4 SAM

Email: Send Email

Organization: Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.

Address: 2825 3rd Ave Ste. 301, Bronx, NY 10455, United States

Phone: +1-718-204-8000

Website: https://ask4sam.net



Release ID: 89117037

If there are any deficiencies, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release, we kindly request that you promptly inform us by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team is committed to addressing any identified issues within 8 hours to guarantee the delivery of accurate and reliable content to our esteemed readers.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Fayetteville Cardiologist Gives Back To Next Generation of Healthcare Students



The Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants, established in honor of the renowned cardiologist and healthcare leader, is now accepting applications for its 2024 scholarship cycle. This prestigious scholarship program seeks to identify and support exceptional students pursuing careers as physician assistants, individuals who share Dr. Sainis dedication to excellence, compassion, and patient-centered care.

I am deeply committed to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals, says Dr. Hari Saini, the esteemed cardiologist who established the scholarship. This scholarship program aims to empower aspiring physician assistants who will play a crucial role in advancing the quality of patient care and shaping the future of healthcare.

Investing in the Future of Healthcare

The Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants provides a one-time award of $1,000 to a deserving student enrolled in a master's degree or certificate program in physician assistant studies at an accredited institution in the United States. The scholarship selection process emphasizes academic achievement, passion for patient care, community involvement, and the quality of a submitted essay exploring a pressing challenge in healthcare and proposing an innovative solution.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants, applicants must:

Be currently enrolled in or accepted to a master's degree or certificate program in physician assistant studies at an accredited institution in the United States.

Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Demonstrate a strong passion for providing patient-centered care and improving healthcare outcomes through prior healthcare experience, community service, or involvement in healthcare-related organizations.

Submit a well-written essay addressing the scholarship prompt: Identify a pressing challenge within the field of healthcare or patient care, and propose an innovative solution that could enhance the quality of healthcare delivery or patient outcomes.

Continuing Dr. Sainis Legacy

The Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants is a testament to Dr. Sainis unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Saini has not only delivered exceptional patient care but also inspired numerous individuals to pursue careers in medicine. With the establishment of this scholarship, Dr. Saini aims to empower future generations of healthcare professionals to carry forward his legacy of compassion, innovation, and patient-centered care.

Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship Application Deadline and Selection

The deadline to submit an application for the Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants is August 15, 2024. The scholarship recipient will be selected by a committee of esteemed healthcare professionals and announced on September 15, 2024.

For more information about the Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants and application instructions, please visit the scholarship website: https://drharisainischolarship.com/dr-hari-saini-scholarship/.

About Dr. Hari Saini

Dr. Hari Saini is a renowned cardiologist with a passion for patient care and a dedication to advancing the field of medicine. He is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with extensive experience in treating cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Saini is also a dedicated educator and mentor, actively involved in sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Saini is a highly respected figure in the medical community, recognized for his exceptional clinical skills, compassionate patient care, and commitment to innovation. The Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship for Physician Assistants is a testament to his enduring legacy and his unwavering belief in the power of education to shape the future of healthcare.



Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Hari Saini

Email: Send Email

Organization: Dr. Hari Saini Scholarship

Website: https://drharisainischolarship.com



Release ID: 89117062

Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment.
Amber Eco Fund celebrates its first anniversary, actively fostering the Web3 ecosystem through strategic investments in key Web3 sectors and support of high-potential firms such as Memeland, PADO Labs, and RockX.

SINGAPORE , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Group , a leading global digital asset company, marked the first anniversary of the Amber Eco Fund, its first venture fund launched in October 2022 to provide early-stage support for Web3 ventures.

Anchored by a sovereign wealth fund and prominent family offices across Asia Pacific , the Amber Eco Fund is dedicated to fostering the growth of the Web3 ecosystem and empowering visionary founders globally. In its first year of operations, the Fund has already made meaningful progress toward its goal by strategically investing in core sectors of Web3, including infrastructure, gaming, DeFi and social networks. Notable investments include 0xScope, Memeland, PADO Labs, Starkware, and RockX, all of which have demonstrated tremendous growth and achievements with the support of the Fund.

Memeland, a Web3 venture studio by Web2 mainstay 9GAG, has achieved early success with its meme-themed NFT collections, generating significant revenue from a large community of over 2.6 million fans on X. PADO Labs, a zkAttestation protocol dedicated to bringing Web2 data into Web3 smart contracts via cryptography, was selected for the prestigious Consensys Fellowship Program in recognition of its innovative efforts advancing the frontiers of Web3 technology. RockX, one of Asia's leading institutional-graded staking platforms, has seen its staking AUM pass $ 1 billion and its liquid staking product Bedrock achieve over $30 million within three months of launch.

"Amber Group's full support and trust has raised the confidence and capacity for RockX to lead institutional staking in Asia . With Amber Eco Fund, we are confident the team will continuously innovate and decentralize for staking to be an inclusive asset class in the financial ecosystem." Zhuling Chen, Founder and CEO, RockX.

"Over the past year, the Amber Eco Fund has taken critical steps in our mission to support Web3 founders," said Annabelle Huang , Managing Partner at Amber Group. "It's rewarding to see the early success of startups like RockX and PADO Labs that we've backed. As an industry leader, Amber Group remains committed to empowering builders through strategic investing and resources from our Eco Fund. We aim to fuel the groundbreaking projects that will drive blockchain adoption and shape the future of digital assets."

Amber Group takes a holistic approach to supporting innovative startups through its Amber Eco Fund and research body Amber Labs. Amber Labs aims to maximize the impact of each investment by leveraging its extensive analysis of industry trends and technologies. Amber Group is then able to provide portfolio companies liquidity provisioning support, access to global talent and partnerships to equip them with necessary tools for success in today's rapidly evolving crypto landscape. For the latest industry insights, subscribe to Amber Labs' research newsletter at https://amberlabs.substack.com.

About Amber Group

Amber Group is a leading crypto finance services provider, specializing in digital wealth management and crypto-native liquidity solutions. The firm offers a comprehensive range of digital asset services, spanning liquidity provisioning, trading, financing, and investing. It is backed by prominent investors, including Fenbushi Capital US, Sequoia, Paradigm, Tiger Global, Dragonfly, Pantera, Coinbase Ventures, and Blockchain.com .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amber-group-marks-strong-first-year-of-amber-eco-fund-investments-302021721.html

SOURCE Amber Group
HAMILTON, Bermuda , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") (NYSE : BORR) and (OSE: BORR) advises that a Special General Meeting of the Company was held on December 22, 2023 at 10:00 local time, at the Registered Office of the Company, 2nd Floor, S.E. Pearman Building , 9 Par-la-Ville Road , Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda .

The following resolution was approved by the Company's shareholders:

"To approve a reduction of the Share Premium account of the Company from US$2,290,578,712 to US$ 290,578,712 by the transfer of US$2,000,000,000 of the Share Premium to the Company's Contributed Surplus account, with effect from December 22, 2023 ."

The Board of Directors

Borr Drilling Limited

Hamilton, Bermuda

December 22, 2023

Questions should be directed to:

Magnus Vaaler ,

CFO, +44 1224 289208

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SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited
DUBAI, UAE , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's third largest crypto exchange by volume, has officially rolled out a zero-fee structure for its peer-to-peer (P2P) trading platform. This policy eradicates fees for both buyers and sellers, unlocking greater savings and maximizing profits for traders globally.

Bybit's attractive zero-fee approach applies to all fiat trading pairs on the P2P platform, inviting traders to engage in transactions with no cost. Whether you are a taker, responding to existing ads, or a maker, creating new trade opportunities, Bybit ensures that your financial pursuits are not dampened by transactional expenses.

Bybit reinforces its commitment to safety and customer satisfaction with a formidable 99.99% anti-fraud record. The platform prioritizes security through continuous system fine-tuning, stringent risk control measures, and round-the-clock support, fostering a trustworthy trading environment for its global community.

Bybit's user-friendly interface on both mobile and web platforms offers the convenience to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with over 570 payment methods and 60+ local currencies. The three-step trading process is designed for efficiency.

Bybit's P2P platform is built on the foundations of transparency and collective trust. Traders are welcomed into a vibrant community where opinions are valued and every transaction is conducted with clarity and fairness.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is a top-three cryptocurrency exchange by volume with 20 million users established in 2018. It offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press .

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X (Twitter) | Youtube

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SOURCE Bybit
Keep your loved ones safe and vehicles running with the most advanced battery maintenance systems

CHICAGO , Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CTEK, battery chargers are the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list. From new drivers to retirees, CTEK has the right vehicle battery charger for everyone. As students travel home from school, loved ones come visit, and winter vehicles rev up for some family fun, a dead battery will dampen anyone's holiday spirit. During this holiday season, don't get stuck in the cold while traveling to see loved ones. Ensure your vehicle's battery will start wherever you are with CTEK.

CTEK CS Free

The CTEK CS FREE is an adaptive booster (jump starter alternative), battery charger and maintainer. The unique adaptive booster can safely restart a dead vehicle battery within only 15 minutes! It's a safe-start that can be used instead of jump starting or using a traditional booster  it won't damage the battery or the vehicle electronics. With the portable solar panel kit, you can even recharge it when you're out in the middle of nowhere! The CS FREE can be used to charge your vehicle battery, making sure that you'll be able to travel far and wide, or boost your battery when it's running out of charge.

When used as a hi-tech power bank, you'll never have to worry about uncharged devices again, just hook it up to the solar panel and you'll never run out of power. Keep your head cool and bring the CS FREE with you, for worry-free travelling wherever you go.

Bobbie DuMelle , President North America said, "with winter travel, have peace of mind with a CS FREE in the glove compartment or trunk of your car, it's the ultimate emergency kit."

CT5 TIME TO GO

The groundbreaking CT5 TIME TO GO answers the question, "When will my battery be fully charged?" You can plan your holiday festivities around your battery charging because the TIME TO GO gives an accurate prediction of the remaining charging time in hours. Perfect for all types of lead-acid 12V batteries, the TIME TO GO features fully automatic charging and an indicator light will tell you when you can try to start your vehicle after a dead battery.

MXS 5.0

CTEK's popular MXS 5.0 battery charger charges batteries up to 110AH and maintains larger batteries. The MXS 5.0 is for all types of lead-acid 12v batteries and features a unique reconditioning mode that restores stratified and deeply discharged batteries.

If your vehicle is in storage for long periods of time, the MXS 5.0's maintenance mode is the perfect solution. CTEK's smart chargers move into a pulse maintenance mode once the battery is fully charged. This means the CTEK charger stays in constant communication with your battery, reacting and charging only when needed.

CTEK'S CS FREE, CT5 TIME TO GO, and MXS 5.0 along with CTEK's line of professional and consumer chargers and accessories, can all be purchased at smartercharger.com. For last-minute shoppers, free 2-day shipping is available with any order of $50 or more.

Ensure your Christmas holiday is merry and bright with vehicle battery chargers from CTEK. For more information about CTEK and holiday gifts, visit www.smartercharger.com

About CTEK

Established in Dalarna, Sweden , CTEK is the leading global brand in battery charging solutions, most specifically vehicle charging. CTEK offers products ranging from 12V and 24V battery chargers to charging solutions for electrical vehicles. CTEK's E-mobility solutions range from individual EV chargers to larger corporate and commercial installations with multiple charging stations that require load balancing and integrate seamlessly with monitoring and payment equipment. CTEK's products are sold via a carefully selected network of global distributors and retailers: as original equipment; supplied to more than 50 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers; and through charge point operators, property owners and other organizations/individuals providing EV charging infrastructure. CTEK takes pride in its unique culture based on a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the transition to a greener mobility, by adhering to industry leading ESG standards.

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki

310-444-7115

http://www.smartercharger.com

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SOURCE CTEK
Dr. Howard Yoon , DMD specializes in complicated root canals, endodontic retreatments, and other dental surgeries

READING, Mass. , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, Dr. Howard Yoon , DMD, joins Reading Dental Associates as an Endodontist specializing in root canals. Dr. Yoon brings many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to the practice and is looking forward to helping Dr. Park , Dr. Hojjati and the staff at Reading Dental Associates offer the most enjoyable and effective dental services.

endodontist is a dentist who treats problems involving the inside of the tooth, an area known as the tooth pulp

An endodontist is a dentist who treats problems involving the inside of the tooth, an area known as the tooth pulp (contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue). It can get inflamed or infected because of deep tooth decay, traumatic injury to a tooth, and repeated dental work on a tooth. When that happens, an endodontist is the specialist to performs a root canal, a procedure in which they remove the tooth's nerve and tooth pulp that has become damaged or infected. If untreated, then the pulp will become inflamed and painful, and ultimately, the tooth will die. General dentists are able to perform root canals, but an endodontist has a lot more experience doing them.

"I'm very glad that Dr. Yoon join our practice. He brings a lot to the table and I think he will fit in great with the culture and atmosphere we maintain here at our practice. I'm looking forward to working with Dr. Yoon in the future to successfully treat our patients," said Dr. Rachana Vora at Reading Dental Associates.

Dr. Howard Yoon received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Dental Medicine with Distinction from McGill University. He continued his education and advanced specialty training, receiving his AEGD certificate at the University of Rochester, then completed the Advanced Graduate Program in Endodontics from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he served as chief resident.

About Reading Dental Associates

Reading Dental Associates is a reputable dental office offering general, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry. The office is committed to providing patients with comfort and timely care, as well as healthy, attractive smiles and enduring relationships. The Reading, Massachusetts -based dental office provides convenient and all-encompassing family dental care. Visit www.readingdentalma.com

Media Contacts:

Hillary Cahill

Reading Dental Associates

161 Ash Street , Suite B

Reading, MA 01867

(781) 944-6761

[email protected]

https://www.readingdentalma.com

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SOURCE Reading Dental Associates
More than 50 countries that are home to half the planet's population are due to hold national elections in 2024, but the number of citizens exercising the right to vote is not unalloyed good news. The year looks set to test even the most robust democracies and to strengthen the hands of leaders with authoritarian leanings.
NYSE American:EU

TSXV:EU

www.encoreuranium.com

DALLAS , Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) announced today the resignation of Ms. Mierkey , Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective December 23, 2023 . Dr. Dennis Stover has agreed to act as Interim CFO until the conclusion of a CFO search. A CFO search committee consisting of Chief Executive Officer Paul Goranson , Executive Chairman William Sheriff and Audit Committee Chair William Harris has been formed and is well advanced in the efforts to select a new CFO.

enCore Energy's Audit Committee Chair, William Harris , stated: "On behalf of the Board and management we extend our thanks to Ms. Meirkey for her work during a period of significant growth and transformation of the Company. A CFO search is well underway and is based on the Company's growth model. The interim appointment of Dr. Dennis Stover , a Director and former CEO of the company, allows the Audit Committee to maintain its role as independent members of the Board and oversee the financial affairs of the Company."

enCore Energy wishes Ms. Meirkey well in her future endeavors.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy as the newest uranium producer in the United States . Uranium production commenced at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Central Processing Plant ("CPP") in November 2023 with work underway for a planned restart of uranium production at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa CPP in 2024. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming , along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long term opportunities. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

www.encoreuranium.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company, statements regarding future or potential production, and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and regulations (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
SHIJIAZHUANG, China , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the 5th China -Central and Eastern European Countries (Cangzhou) Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Cooperation Forum kicked off in Cangzhou, Hebei . Nearly 400 participants gathered, including envoys to China and government representatives from Central and Eastern European countries, sister city delegates, representatives from China's embassies in Central and Eastern European countries, as well as representatives from domestic and foreign business associations, universities, research institutes, and enterprises. They came together to strengthen friendships, and seek cooperation and development. In the event, Georgia participated as an observer and was warmly welcomed by China and Central and Eastern European countries.

The theme of this forum is "Expanding Openness and Cooperation for Mutual Development." During the event, guests and expert representatives from home and abroad gave keynote speeches on topics such as international cooperation between and future prospects of the SMEs of China and those of Central and Eastern European countries, creating a bright future for cooperation between SMEs in China and Central and Eastern Europe , the potential of cooperation between and the development directions of China and Central and Eastern European countries, advanced technology and industrial cooperation between China and Europe , and financial empowerment for the development of SMEs. They also engaged in roundtable discussions on deepening cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

The China-CEEC (Cangzhou) SME Cooperation Forum has been successfully held four times before, according to Hebei Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department, attracting approximately 3,000 attendees including state leaders, envoys to China from over 20 countries and regions such as Slovakia , Serbia , Germany , and Finland , as well as representatives from well-known domestic and international industry associations and enterprises. A total of 217 international cooperation projects were signed with a total investment of 1684.58 billion yuan ( 235.94 billion US dollars ); sister city relationships were established with 12 cities in 7 Central and Eastern European countries including Croatia , Poland , Hungary , and Slovakia ; 48 cooperation memorandums were signed, and 53 cooperation relationships were established, covering various fields such as general aviation, medical devices, and high-end manufacturing. Additionally, a series of cooperation agreements in cultural exchanges, cooperative education, and technology transfer were signed. These achievements have provided important pathways for strengthening cross-border cooperation among SMEs in various countries and have served as an effective platform for Cangzhou city and even Hebei Province to enhance their level of openness to the outside world and to connect closely with high-quality industries in Central and Eastern Europe . Today, the China-CEEC (Cangzhou) SME Cooperation Forum has become a flagship foreign affairs event in Hebei Province .

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SOURCE Hebei Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singleton Schreiber , the premier fire litigation law firm with seven offices in New Mexico , filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) alleging the agency violated the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act (HPFAA) by delaying compensation for plaintiffs and other claimants.

Angela R. Gladwell , Director of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office, is also a named defendant.

Congress enacted the HPFAA in order to compensate victims of the Hermit's Peak Fire. It designated FEMA to administrate these claims and to expedite payments to victims of the fore. The HPFAA required FEMA to notify claimants of their compensation offer within 180 days of their claim being submitted.

According to the complaint, FEMA has delayed compensating those who've applied which is direct violation of the law. The complaint lays out two ways in which FEMA has failed. The complaint states FEMA re-interpreted the 180-day deadline, with FEMA claiming it does not start when the claim is submitted but rather once FEMA "acknowledged" the claim. Second, the complaints alleges FEMA hasn't even been able to comply with its own "arbitrarily applied deadline" by not responding to any of the plaintiffs' claims.

"FEMA has moved the goal posts so to speak, and New Mexicans are suffering because of it," said Brian Colon, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber's New Mexico offices. "People are unable to rebuild their homes and lives. These individuals and communities are being retraumatized by FEMA's utter and complete incompetence and unfair approach with claimants."

The case is Wyley Cross et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Angela Gladwell , USDC District of New Mexico , Case No. 1:23-cv-01143.

About Singleton Schreiber

With over 300 staff and attorneys, seven offices in New Mexico ( Albuquerque , Clovis , Las Vegas , Ruidoso , Mora , Los Lunas , Hobbs ) as well as offices in California , Colorado , Oregon , Washington and Hawaii , Singleton Schreiber has successfully represented more than 15,000 victims of utility fires and recovered over $2.5 billion on their behalf. Gerald Singleton and the entire fire litigation team are nationally recognized in fire and environmental litigation, and Singleton Schreiber is the "go to" law firm for any individual or municipality involved in fire litigation.

CONTACT: Joe Marchelewski , [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-mexico-residents-file-lawsuit-against-fema-over-delayed-hermits-peakcalf-canyon-fire-assistance-302022027.html
TOMS RIVER, N.J. , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProSmile Holdings, LLC, ("ProSmile"), is a dental service organization headquartered in Toms River, New Jersey , which experienced a data security incident that may have involved personal and protected health information belonging to individuals who sought dental treatment or services at various dental practices that ProSmile supports. ProSmile has sent notification of this incident by way of the United States Postal Service to potentially impacted individuals and provided resources to assist them.

On July 7, 2022 , ProSmile became aware of a possible data security incident involving its email tenant. Following discovery, we engaged an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate the scope of potential access to the ProSmile email tenant, and whether sensitive information may have been affected. The investigation subsequently revealed that certain personal and protected health information may have been accessed or acquired without authorization. We then initiated a comprehensive review of the potentially impacted data to determine the types of personal and protected health information involved and identify the potentially impacted individuals. Following completion of the review of data, we then worked diligently to gather current contact information needed to notify all potentially affected individuals. This process was completed on November 29, 2023 .

Based on the investigation, the affected personal and protected health information may have included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license or other state identification card numbers, financial account numbers, payment card numbers, medical treatment information, diagnosis or clinical information, provider information, prescription information, and health insurance information.

On December 22, 2023 , ProSmile provided notice of this incident to the potentially impacted individuals. In so doing, ProSmile provided information about the incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to protect their information.

In addition, ProSmile has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.  9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and can be reached at 1-888-817-4969, or you can go to https://app.idx.us/account-creation/protect.

The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is our top priority, and ProSmile deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prosmile-holdings-llc-provides-notice-following-data-security-incident-302021973.html

SOURCE ProSmile Holdings, LLC
PALATKA, Fla. , Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Anand Kuruvilla is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Professional for his contributions to the field of Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Kuruvilla pursued higher education in India and completed his post-graduate oncology training in England . In 1982, he immigrated to the United States . He earned an American post-graduate degree in radiation oncology from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York , where he was also the chief resident during his final year.

Board-certified in radiation oncology, Dr. Kuruvilla focuses on and specializes in treating various adult cancers with irradiation. He has been instrumental in establishing and growing the Cancer Center of Putnam, serving as the Director of Radiation Oncology since its opening in 1991. He notes that the Cancer Center of Putnam has grown into a comprehensive cancer facility that provides radiation oncology services to Putnam County residents that are second to none in NE Florida . Of his numerous accomplishments during his career, Dr. Kuruvilla is most proud of his part in founding the facility. Also of note, the Center is currently APEX accredited, which is a quality badge awarded by the American Society of Therapeutic Oncology, that only a handful of Cancer Centers in Florida have attained.

Dedicated to providing the latest advancements in his field, Dr. Kuruvilla is a Fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology (FACRO), a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

When considering his extraordinary impact in his community, Dr. Kuruvilla credits his oath and philosophy that centers around his philosophy of giving everyone his sincerest efforts, regardless of their financial situation. The doctor also gives accolades to his mentors for their guidance and support during his career. These include Dr. Shyam Paryani , past Director of the Florida Radiation Oncology Group, Professor Marvin Rotman , Chairman of SUNY Downstate, NY, and the late Dr. Robert Kagan , of the Southern California Kaiser Permanent Group, where Dr Kuruvilla was a partner Physician, before moving to Florida , 30 plus years ago.

The doctor is known for being very civic-minded and has lead many philanthropic initiatives, the most prominent in his estimation being a founder member of the Putnam First Cancer Fund and being a Rotary Club of Palatka member. Dr. Kuruvilla thanks his wife, Sheila, for her love and support. In his spare time, he professes to be an audiophile and enjoys nature and wildlife photography.

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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FILE PHOTO: The company logo and trading information for BlackRock is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

(Reuters) - The world's largest asset management firm BlackRock held partnership talks with U.S.-based private equity firm Warburg Pincus nearly two years ago, the Financial Times reported on Thursday citing at least five people briefed on the matter.

The talks failed over competing visions as BlackRock wanted a majority stake in the firm, but Warburg Pincus had no desire to relinquish control, according to the report.

Discussions about a potential partnership between the two companies were serious but short-lived and never reached the point of discussing a price or a formal structure, the report added.

BlackRock and Warburg Pincus declined to comment.

(Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
An attendee stands by a Boeing trade pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow, in Farnborough, Britain, July 20, 2022. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

By Sophie Yu and Lisa Barrington

(Reuters) - Boeing's first direct delivery of a 787 Dreamliner to China since 2019 landed in Shanghai on Friday, a step that could hasten the end of China's freeze on deliveries of the firm's profitable 737 MAX after more than four years.

Privately owned Chinese carrier Juneyao Airlines on Thursday took delivery of the 787-9 aircraft, which Boeing said then departed for China from Everett Paine Field in Washington state.

The flight landed in Shanghai around 4:20 p.m. local time (0820 GMT), the airline said.

China suspended most orders and deliveries of Boeing planes in 2019 after the 737 MAX was grounded worldwide following two fatal crashes.

A restart of MAX deliveries would represent a reset of Boeing's relationship with China and create an opportunity for the company to offload dozens of planes in its inventory, and pave the way for a larger breakthrough in deliveries and orders.

The company expects China to account for 20% of the world's aircraft demands through to 2042.

Boeing last delivered a leased Dreamliner plane to a Chinese customer in 2021, but no 787s have been handed over directly to Chinese airlines since November 2019.

Analysts had forecast the resumption of Dreamliner deliveries to China after consultancy AAP/AIR this month reported preparatory flight activities for a 787 designated for Juneyao Airlines, registered as B-20EQ.

Twelve of the 60 undelivered 787s in Boeing's inventory are dedicated for Chinese operators, analysts Jefferies said.

Boeing's business with Chinese airlines could be affected by the political ties between Washington and Beijing, which have recently improved.

Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first face-to-face talks in a year, and on Thursday the top U.S. military officer spoke to his Chinese counterpart in the first such conversation in over a year.

MAX PROGRESS

On Wednesday, trade publication The Air Current said Boeing had this month won a key clearance from regulator the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) allowing the planemaker to prepare MAX aircraft for delivery.

The safety bans have been lifted as existing MAX planes are flying inside China, but new deliveries have remained on hold.

The CAAC's deputy head on Dec. 8 told a Boeing executive in Beijing the planemaker was welcome to deepen its development in the Chinese market, Reuters reported. The Air Current, citing unidentified sources, said the regulator's clearance was granted that day.

Individual MAX deliveries to China still need approval from China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Air Current report said.

Boeing told Reuters it is ready to deliver to customers "when that time comes".

The CAAC and NDRC did not respond to requests for comment.

A 737 MAX designated for China Southern Airlines flew from Boeing Field in Seattle to Boeing's nearby facility in Moses Lake, Washington, and back on Wednesday afternoon, according to data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

Analysts from Jefferies and Deutsche Bank said in investor notes that it appeared to be a customer acceptance flight - a test flight operated by an airline pilot that occurs before delivery.

MAX deliveries to China could provide some upside to Boeing's $10 billion free cash flow target for 2025-2026, as that projection did not factor in potential deliveries to China, analysts say.

(Reporting by Sophie Yu and Lisa Barrington; editing by Miral Fahmy)
FILE PHOTO: Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad Al-Maliki addresses a side event during an event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Pal

CAIRO (Reuters) - The Palestinian foreign ministry and the Islamist group Hamas issued opposing statements on Friday in response to the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of a resolution intended to help bring more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian foreign ministry, which is part of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, called the resolution "a step in the right direction," and said it would help "end the aggression, ensure the arrival of aid and protect the Palestinian people."

"We consider it a step that may contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip," the foreign ministry statement said.

But Hamas, the militants who run Gaza, called the resolution an "insufficient step" for meeting the impoverished enclave's needs.

"During the past five days, the U.S. administration has worked hard to empty this resolution of its essence, and to issue it in this weak formula... It defies the will of the international community and the United Nations General Assembly in stopping Israel's aggression against our defenseless Palestinian people," the statement said.

Earlier on Friday, amid global outrage over a rising Gaza death toll in 11 weeks of war between Israel and Hamas and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, the U.S. abstained to allow the 15-member UN Security Council to adopt a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

(Reporting by Nidal Al Mugrabi, Writing by Adam Makary and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, arrives the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

By Jessie Pang and Dorothy Kam

HONG KONG (Reuters) -A Hong Kong court on Friday rejected a bid by the legal team for pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai to have sedition charge against him dropped, in a closely watched national security trial.

Lai, 76, the founder of now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publications under a colonial-era sedition law.

Lai's lawyer Robert Pang had argued that the sedition charge should be dismissed, as the prosecution failed to lay the charge within six months of the alleged offence. Pang pointed out that Lai was only taken to court and officially charged on December 28, 2021 - four days after the deadline.

The three government appointed judges in the trial - Esther Toh, Susana D'Almada Remedios and Alex Lee - said a time limit did not apply as the conspiracy was "a continuing offense and therefore the time limitation did not start to run until after the last date of the alleged conspiracy".

"The court ruled that the prosecution of the sedition charge against the defendants was not time-barred," the judges said in a summary of their judgement. "Therefore, the Court had jurisdiction to try the defendants on the sedition charge."

According to the prosecution, Lai and Apple Daily published a total of 161 seditious articles between April 1, 2019 and June 24, 2021  until the newspaper ceased publication following a police raid, a freeze on its assets and arrests of former staff crippled its operations.

Besides the sedition charge, Lai also faces two conspiracy to collude with foreign forces charges -- including calling for sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials -- under a China-imposed national security law which could see him jailed for life. Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After being detained for over 1,000 days, Lai's trial finally kicked off earlier this month amid mounting diplomatic pressure. The British and U.S. governments have called for Lai's immediate release and said the trial is politically motivated.

The trial comes as the city prepares to enact a new round of national security laws next year known as Article 23 that will further tighten China's grip, and include counter-espionage legislation that could strengthen official control over foreign institutions.

The trial has been adjourned to Jan. 2 and it is expected to last 80 days.

(Reporting by Jessie Pang and Dorothy Kam; Editing by James Pomfret, Christian Schmollinger and Michael Perry)
FILE PHOTO: Railway staff members walk with their trolley bags next to the touristic Maya Train, on the day of the inaugural trip of its first phase, at the Cancun terminal of the Maya Train, in Cancun, Quintana Roo Mexico December 15, 2023. REUTERS/Jose

By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico on Friday launched operations on a train line that crosses the country's narrowest point from the Gulf coast to the Pacific Ocean, kicking off a flagship government project as the administration enters its last months in office.

The "Inter-Oceanic Train," which will carry both passengers and cargo on a three-hour trip from the coastal hub of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz state to the Pacific port of Salina Cruz, is part of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's plan to bring investment to the country's poorer south.

The government is also hoping to attract investments from carmakers, tech firms and semiconductor producers in a dozen industrial parks in the area. The two port towns are also home to major installations of state-run oil company Pemex.

Officials have pitched the train line as a potential rival to the Panama Canal, which curbed operations this year due to a historic drought.

"All the Asian countries are very interested," Lopez Obrador said on Friday, "because Panama is at capacity."

Analysts, however, estimate the rail line will be able to ship just a fraction of what the canal moves.

Other lines connecting to the train's main rail line are expected to be completed next year, officials said on Friday.

One of the branches will connect to the Mayan Train, another flagship project inaugurated last week, which will carry travelers from the southern state of Chiapas to the tourist town of Cancun once all sections are completed.

Experts, however, have warned that the Mayan Train has run nearly four times over budget and is still far from being finished.

Earlier this year, Mexican authorities seized parts of a rail line operated by conglomerate Grupo Mexico's transport division for the Inter-Oceanic Train, with the two parties later coming to a deal.

Lopez Obrador has also said he wants to get major rail operator CPKC, which operates a network through Canada and the U.S. and ends in Veracruz, on board with his rail projects to connect their lines to the government's projects in the south.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell)
The UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution to boost aid to the besieged Palestinian territory where civilians are struggling to find food as Israel's war on Gaza raged. The Gaza health ministry said more than 410 people had been killed in Israeli bombardment over 48 hours, including 16 in a strike Friday on the Gaza City district of Jabalia.

20:00 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, following the Security Council vote demanding aid deliveries at scale, that Israel's offensive was the "real problem... creating massive obstacles" to humanitarian shipments.

"The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza," he said. "A humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare."

19:30 The UN Security Council approved a resolution that will bring more aid into Gaza and that will allow the "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale."

After days of delays, the resolution also called for the creation of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" but it did not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Russia and the United States, which both could have vetoed the measure as permanent members of the council, abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor.

Nonetheless, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution "a strong step forward."

"This council provided a glimmer of hope among a sea of suffering," she said.

Diplomatic wrangling at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan -- causing the vote to be postponed several times this week -- has come against the backdrop of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and a mounting death toll.

Russian ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya hit out at the United States, saying "they have resorted to their favorite tactic... of twisting of arms", calling the text "toothless."

The United Arab Emirates sponsored the resolution, which was amended in several key areas to secure compromise.

The UAE's ambassador to the UN Lana Zaki Nusseibeh said "it responds with action to the dire humanitarian situation."

"We know this is not a perfect text... We will never tire of calling for a humanitarian cease-fire," she said.

Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Lana Nusseibeh speaks during the Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 AP

18:30 In an interview with Israel's Channel 12, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak emphasized the urgent need for the government to devise a mechanism to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Barak argued that Netanyahu's continued rule is ineligible, accusing him of incitement of hatred and unwavering support for his son Yair against political adversaries.

Turning to the security challenges on the northern border, Barak expressed Israel's lack of interest in engaging in simultaneous conflicts on the Gaza and Lebanon fronts.

He stressed the importance of resolving the Gaza situation first before embarking on a political endeavor to address Hezbollah's presence along the borders.

These remarks from Barak come in the midst of mounting domestic pressure on Netanyahu to step down due to the failed Gaza invasion, which resulted in significant casualties but failed to dismantle Hamas or secure the release of remaining captives held by the resistance group in the besieged strip.

18:00 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the deaths of seven Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip over the past eight weeks.

The organization accused the Israeli army of war crimes against Gaza journalists and said that the latest to be killed covering the war on Gaza -- between 22 October and 15 December -- have raised the total death toll of Palestinian journalists in the besieged strip to at least 66, urging the ICC prosecutor to investigate and prosecute all of those responsible for the deaths since 7 October.

Colleagues and family members mourn over the body of Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqa, who was killed during Israeli bombardment, during his funeral in Khan Yunis on the southern Gaza Strip on December 16, 2023 AFP

In view of the massacre of journalists in Gaza and the targeting to which they seem to be subjected, we call on ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to clearly state that he is making it a priority to investigate the crimes committed against journalists in Gaza and to prosecute those responsible," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

This is the RSFs fourth complaint to the ICC about war crimes against journalists in Palestine since 2018 and the second since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza.

"The RSF also supported the complaint filed by Al-Jazeera about the fatal shooting of Palestinian journalist Shirin Abu Akleh in the West Bank on 11 May 2022," the organization said on its official website.

17:30 The CNN, citing diplomatic sources, reported that the US will support the draft resolution on Gaza in the UN Security Council after it has been watered down.

The news comes as diplomats at the Security Council are locked in negotiations on how to frame a draft resolution they could put to the vote, later today, without it being vetoed by Israel's closest ally the United States.

People gather during the Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 AP

Language calling for urgent steps to lay the groundwork for a sustainable cessation of hostilities was instrumental in the United States decision to support the resolution. Negotiations have dragged on throughout the week as diplomats worked behind closed doors on the language, the CNN reported.

The language of the now reads urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities, the source told CNN.

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is".

17:00 A US-Israeli man held captive in Gaza has died, a group representing captives' families and his kibbutz community said.

Gad Haggai, 73, is the latest confirmed fatality among captives held by Hamas in the territory.

The Israeli army also confirmed his death.

His wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, is thought to be the oldest woman among those still held captive in Gaza.

16:40 Abu Dhabi-based The National newspaper reported that the Karm Abu Salem border crossing has reopened a day after an Israeli strike hit the Palestinian side killing four people including its Palestinian director.

The Israeli army acknowledged the drone strike that occurred on Thursday and claimed it was targeting gunmen near the tri-border crossing - between Egypt, Gaza and Israel.

The Israeli army said it would begin an investigation into the attack.

Last week, under international pressure, Israel agreed to open the Karm Abu Salem crossing to speed up the process of entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

16:30 Al-Jazeera reported, citing a correspondent in Gaza, that 28 people were killed during the past hours in Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis in the southern strip.

The armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance group, Al-Quds Brigades also released a statement saying they have targeted Israeli military gatherings in the vicinity of the Al Zinna area, east of Khan Younis, with a missile barrage and mortar shells.

16:00 A Sky News visual investigation shows a building in Deir al Balah was hit one day after civilians were told they could flee to the city, the media and news company posted on X.

Israel said Gazans could flee to this neighbourhood - then it was hit.



Using on-the-ground footage, satellite imagery and mapping software, Sky News found that a building in Deir al Balah was hit on 5 December, one day after Israel told civilians they could flee to the city.  Sky News (@SkyNews) December 21, 2023

"The scene was horrific, fires burning in the house," eyewitness Mohammed Abu Musabeh told Erem News, a UAE-based news organisation.

Among the survivors was an infant girl, Layan, a relative of Mr Abu Musabeh, who said she was blown onto a neighbour's roof by the force of the explosion.

"How will this child continue her life after learning what happened to her family?"

Days earlier on 1 December, a temporary ceasefire had collapsed. In preparation for an invasion of southern Gaza, Israel published an interactive map which divided the territory into hundreds of small zones.

The map, Israel said, would be used to give clear and precise evacuation orders to try to keep civilians in the densely populated Gaza Strip away from active combat zones.

Using on-the-ground footage, satellite imagery and mapping software, a Sky News visual investigation found that Israel's evacuation orders have instead been chaotic and contradictory and that a neighbourhood in Deir al Balah was hit one day after the IDF said evacuees could flee there.

14:30 UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said that the entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine.

"We have been warning for weeks that, with such deprivation and destruction, each day that goes by will only bring more hunger, disease and despair to the people of Gaza," Griffiths posted on X, formerly Twitter.

This announcement about the risk of famine in Gaza is sobering but not surprising.



We have been warning for weeks that, with such deprivation and destruction, each day that goes by will only bring more hunger, disease and despair to the people of Gaza.



The war must end. https://t.co/YqIeqoAR08  Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) December 22, 2023

14:00 Lebanon's prime minister said his country is ready to implement a UN resolution that would help end Hezbollah's cross-border attacks on Israel if Israel also complies and withdraws from disputed territory.

The frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen escalating exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, since Israels war on Gaza began on October 7, raising fears of a broader conflagration.

Smoke billows after Israeli bombardment over Lebanon's southern town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on December 21, 2023 AFP

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, called for the removal of armed personnel south of Lebanon's Litani River, except for UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army and state security forces.

The solution to the current cross-border hostilities "is the implementation of international resolutions", including Resolution 1701, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement.

"We are totally ready to commit to their implementation, on condition the Israeli side does the same, and withdraws -- according to the international laws and resolutions -- from occupied territory," he added.

Mikati's office said the premier was referring territory claimed by Lebanon that remains occupied following Israel's withdrawal from the country's south in 2000: the disputed Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshuba hills and the Lebanese side of the village of Ghajar.

Despite holding sway over swathes of the country's south, Hezbollah has not had a visible military presence on Lebanon's southern border since the end of the 2006 war.

A diplomatic source, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the proposals to avert another all-out conflict include settling the disputed land border between Israel and Lebanon and encouraging Hezbollah withdraw its fighters from near the frontier.

13:00 Three Israeli soldiers were killed and four injured as a result of bombing and clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese border, Al-Arabiya reported citing sources.

Earlier an Al-Arabiya correspondent reported four Israeli soldiers injured from a missile launched from southern Lebanon.

Cross-border clashes have escalated between the Israeli army and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters since Israel's war on Gaza began on 7 October.

9:00 The United Nations warned that Israels war on Gaza was pushing the strip towards famine, ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire.

With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.

The latest draft seen by AFP, set to face a vote Friday, calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

We are leaving our new refuge again

This could be the last meal in this place



Pray for us in Gaza pic.twitter.com/J2cEhJdtCg  Muhammad Smiry  (@MuhammadSmiry) December 22, 2023

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FILE PHOTO: A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

By Georgina McCartney and Arathy Somasekhar

HOUSTON (Reuters) - At least two ships transporting oil or oil products between the U.S. Gulf Coast and India on Friday were re-routing from the Red Sea, according to vessel tracking data, as a U.S.-led coalition geared up to help safeguard vessels from attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants.

Iran-backed Houthis, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip, have attacked commercial shipping with drones and missiles, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

The Aigeorgis, which was chartered by BP to carry vacuum gasoil (VGO) from India's Jamnagar to Texas, on Friday was headed along Africa's East Coast toward the Cape of Good Hope, according to financial firm LSEG's ship tracking data.

BP's VGO shipments from Jamnagar historically moved through the Red Sea. The new route adds nine days to the journey between India and the U.S. Gulf Coast. VGO is a refining feedstock used to produce gasoline and diesel.

A BP spokesperson declined to comment on the Aigeorgis but referred to an earlier statement on its decision to re-route ships. The company had said on Tuesday it would avoid the Red Sea and route vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Sonangol Cabinda, chartered by Equinor to carry crude oil from Texas to India, did a 180-degree turn in the middle of the Red Sea on Thursday and was moving through the Suez Canal toward the Mediterranean, LSEG tracking data showed.

The U.S. said the naval coalition announced last week involved 20 countries. Some have not confirmed their participation, however, while others have said operations to protect Red Sea commercial traffic will be as part of existing naval agreements. The lack of practical details for shippers has caused confusion for those still avoiding the region.

"We have also paused new activities that involves transit through the region," an Equinor spokesperson said on Tuesday. Ships currently in the region were being rerouted or paused, the spokesperson said.

The Houthi attacks have led shippers to change routes, causing several African ports to become overwhelmed with the number of ships entering their waters.

"War risk premiums for tankers traveling via the Red Sea have been rising of late so that can make the longer (Cape of Good Hope) route a slightly less bitter pill for charterers," said Jay Maroo, an analyst at energy data firm Vortexa.

Multiple tankers departing ports east of Suez bound for non-U.S. destinations have also changed course or re-routed to avoid the Red Sea. Other tankers re-routing include the Bow Olympus, chartered by Equinor, according to data from LSEG. The tanker left the US Gulf Coast on Dec. 10 and re-routed while crossing the Atlantic for Suez, making a 90 degree turn, and set its destination to Durban, South Africa.

Meanwhile Almi Globe, chartered by BP, according to LSEG shipping data has also done a U-turn in the Mediterranean. The vessel had been heading for Suez until Thursday when it changed its destination to Las Palmas, Spain.

(Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston; editing by Grant McCool)
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. December 19, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo

By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump urged two Michigan election officials not to certify Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the state following the 2020 presidential election, personally calling them in a pressure campaign reminiscent of his Georgia tactics, the Detroit News reported.

In a Nov. 17, 2020, phone call, the then-president told two fellow Republicans on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers not to sign the state election's certification, saying they would look "terrible" and must "fight for our country," according to recordings of the call reviewed by the Michigan news outlet.

Wayne County is the Midwestern state's most populous county and includes Detroit, a Democratic city with a significant Black majority population. In the audio, Trump says Republicans were "cheated on this election" and "everybody knows Detroit is crooked as hell," according to the report published on Thursday.

News of the recording comes as Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican 2024 nomination, faces federal and state criminal charges over allegations he conspired to overturn the 2020 presidential election in an effort that culminated in a violent attack on Congress.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and blasted the charges as a political witch hunt aimed at thwarting his campaign while also continuing to spread false claims of widespread voting fraud in 2020.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, asked about the Michigan report, said, "Trumps actions were taken in furtherance of his duty as President of the United States to faithfully take care of the laws and ensure election integrity, including investigating the rigged and stolen 2020 Presidential Election."

In Georgia, Trump faces charges over his efforts to overturn his loss to Biden, including a personal phone call to Georgia's Republican secretary of state to "find" enough votes to reverse his defeat in that state, which the official declined to do.

Michigan authorities have filed felony charges against 16 Republican state residents for their role in an alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 presidential election. They have not charged Trump.

"My office will continue to support the efforts of state and federal law enforcement to investigate and hold those involved accountable for every crime committed in the attempt to overturn the will of Michigan voters," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement, adding that she had been unaware of the recordings until Thursday's report.

"We must recognize the direct line between these recordings and the tragedy that occurred at our U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021," Benson added, referring to Trump supporters' attack as lawmakers met to certify Biden's 2020 election win.

A representatives for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, like Benson a Democrat, did not respond to a request for comment.

Representatives for Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who was reported to have been on the Michigan call, also did not respond to a request for comment.

McDaniel told the Detroit News she stood by her request to the county board "that there was ample evidence that warranted an audit." Both McDaniel and Trump offered to get lawyers for the board members, the report added.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A U.S. dual national who was among some 240 people seized during the Oct 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas in southern Israel has died in captivity in the Gaza Strip, a group representing hostages' families said on Friday.

Gadi Haggai, 73, also held Israeli citizenship, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. Drawing on various information sources, an Israeli government-appointed committee has been declaring some hostages dead in absentia.

Hamas has generally not confirmed these accounts, but has warned that "time is running out" for the hostages as the Palestinian militants' war with Israel nears its 12th week.

According to an official Israeli tally, 129 people remain held in Gaza after the rest were repatriated in a November truce or recovered during a military offensive. Of those still in Gaza, 22 are dead, the Israeli government says.

The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold U.S. citizenship. The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Security personnel walk at the United Nations Security Council chamber before a meeting to vote on a proposal to demand that Israel and Hamas allow aid access to the Gaza Strip - via land, sea and air routes - and set up U.N. monitoring of the humanitaria

By Michelle Nichols, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams

UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council approved a toned-down bid to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza on Friday that stopped short of a call for a ceasefire, hours after Israel signalled it was widening its ground offensive in the Palestinian enclave.

The U.S., which is Israel's main ally and had threatened to veto the Security Council motion during days of wrangling, chose instead to abstain after language was changed on hostilities and monitoring aid, a move that let the vote go through.

Washington has regularly backed Israel's right to defend itself, but has grown increasingly critical over the suffering of Gaza's 2.3 million people amid a soaring death toll and a humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

In its latest update on casualties, Gaza's health ministry said 20,057 Palestinians had been killed and 53,320 wounded in Israeli strikes since the conflict started.

The adopted Security Council resolution "calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities". The initial draft had called for "an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" to allow aid access.

The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses in fighting to protect civilians and free hostages taken by Hamas.

The resolution also no longer diluted Israel's control over all aid deliveries to Gaza. Israel monitors the limited aid deliveries via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has vowed to eradicate Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Gaza, after the group's fighters launched a cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

After Friday's vote, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. said the Security Council should have focused more on the hostages. "The U.N.'s focus only on aid mechanisms to Gaza is unnecessary and disconnected from reality - Israel is already allowing aid deliveries at the required scale," Gilad Erdan said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said his country would "continue the war until all hostages are released and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is destroyed".

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were split over the measure, with the former calling it "insufficient" to meet the striken enclave's needs and defying calls for a halt to "Israel's aggression."

The West Bank-based authority's foreign ministry, however, said the resolution was "a step that may contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip."

Israel has faced mounting global criticism over the plight of Gazans as it pursues the war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the way Israel is conducting its military operation is "creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid" inside the enclave.

Earlier, Israel said 5,405 aid trucks - carrying food, water and medical supplies - have entered Gaza since the start of the war. Aid groups say only a fraction of what is needed is coming in. A report by a U.N.-backed body said on Thursday the risk of famine is growing every day.

AIR STRIKES, BOMBARDMENTS

Air strikes, artillery bombardments and fighting were reported across Gaza on Friday as hopes faded for an imminent breakthrough in talks this week in Egypt aimed at getting warring Israel and Hamas to agree to a new truce.

Israel's military ordered residents of Al-Bureij, in central Gaza, to move south immediately, indicating a new focus of the ground assault that has already devastated the north of the enclave and made a series of incursions in the south.

Some residents packed up donkey carts and left, but there was no immediate sign of large numbers from Al-Bureij joining the hundreds of thousands fleeing other areas.

"Where should we go to? There is no place safe," Ziad, a medic and father of six, told Reuters by phone. "They ask people to head to (the central Gaza city of) Deir Al-Balah, where they bomb day and night."

Residents reported Israeli tank shelling of eastern areas of Al-Bureij.

In the south, at least four civilians were killed in an air strike on a car in Rafah, a Palestinian rescue worker said. A boy, his face covered in blood, and a girl, were carried away from the scene, video showed. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

"Israel's indiscriminate strikes on Gaza have turned the north of the Strip into a pile of rubble," medical charity MSF said in a post on X. "In Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, south Gaza, the dead and wounded continue to arrive almost every day... Nowhere is safe."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said at least 18 Palestinians were killed and dozens others wounded in an air strike on a house in Nuseirat, central Gaza, late Friday night.

The Israeli military has expressed regret for civilian deaths but has blamed Iran-backed Hamas for operating in densely populated areas or using civilians as human shields, an allegation the group denies.

Israel says 140 of its soldiers have been killed since it launched its ground incursion into Gaza on Oct. 20.

Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency reported heavy shelling and air strikes on Jabalia al-Balad and Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, and said that Israeli vehicles were trying to advance from the western side of Jabalia amid the sound of gunfire.

WAFA reported that Israeli shelling destroyed a water desalination plant in Jabalia by the Al Amal Hospital.

Reports in Palestinian media and footage shared by Gazans on social media showed bodies scattered in the street and some buried under rubble around the Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza.

A group representing families of Gaza hostages said on Friday that one captive - 73-year-old Gadi Haggai, a U.S.-Israeli dual national - had died in captivity. It did not give details or say how the information was obtained.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Additional reporting by Bassam Masoud in Gaza, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, and Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo; Writing by Jonathan Landay, Grant McCool, Alex Richardson and Andrew Heavens; Editing by Nick Macfie, Frances Kerry, Howard Goller and Diane Craft)
FILE PHOTO: Stranded freight trains are seen at a railroad yard after U.S. authorities closed rail bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, in order to redirect personnel to stem a surge in migration, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico December 20, 2023. REUTERS/D

(Reuters) - Union Pacific said on Friday that it was informed by the authorities that railroad crossings in two Texas border towns would reopen this afternoon, nearly a week after U.S. border officials closed two rail bridges.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection had announced a temporary suspension of operations at the international railway crossing bridges at El Paso and Eagle Pass to deal with an influx of migrants on the country's southern border.

"We will work to restore normal operations as quickly as possible as we work through the five-day backlog of shipments at the border," the railroad operator said in a statement.

On Wednesday, numerous prominent U.S. agricultural organizations and railroad companies appealed for reopening two rail crossings along the Texas-Mexico border.

The two railroad crossings are among the six available between the U.S. and Mexico.

Union Pacific estimated the economic impact to businesses from the closures at more than $200 million a day in goods, wages and transportation costs.

The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended about 10,800 migrants at the southwest border on Monday, according to an internal agency report reviewed by Reuters.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes and Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran was "deeply involved" in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and its intelligence was critical to enable Yemen's Houthi movement to target ships, the White House said on Friday.

Iran-backed Houthis, who say their attacks are in support of Palestinians under siege by Israel in Gaza, have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, forcing shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa

"We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This is consistent with Iran's long-term materiel support and encouragement of the Houthis' destabilizing actions in the region," White House national security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

"This is an international challenge that demands collective action," Watson said.

Iran denies involvement in attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

The U.S. last week announced a naval coalition involving 20 countries aimed at helping safeguard vessels from attacks in the Red Sea. Some of the countries involved have said operations to protect commercial traffic will be as part of existing naval agreements.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Kanishka Singh and Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rami Ayyub)
Annastasha Larsen, creator of a wishing tree, poses outside her home at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Dec. 20. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  An Air Force spouse who started an annual wishing tree in her front yard at this airlift hub in western Tokyo nearly gave up the practice this year.

Then the base experienced a tragic loss Nov. 29. Eight airmen perished when their Yokota-based CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Yakushima, an island in southern Japan.

What started in Florida nearly 10 years ago as an expression of personal loss became for Annastasha Larsen and her neighbors an expression of community loss and hope.

Anyone is welcome to write their wish on a slip of paper Larsen provides and attach it to the 30-foot pine tree in the Larsen yard on Pease Drive in Yokotas eastside housing area. Larsen shares the home with her husband, three children and a dog.

It has been a way to express my grief, hope for the future and memorialize others, Larsen told Stars and Stripes via Facebook Messenger on Dec. 12. My wish is that others can feel loved here, feel love for others and love for our community. I hope it can help us all heal a little from that tragic accident.

Some notes left on the Larsen family wishing tree at Yokota Air Base, shown here on Dec. 20, reflect the loss of the crew aboard an Air Force CV-22 Osprey in November. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

More than 150 anonymous messages were hanging Wednesday on the tree, including: I wish strength for the families of our lost brothers, and I wish peace and happiness for my husband who has suffered a tremendous loss.

The messages can also be lighthearted or personal. I want to be the best ballerina in the world, reads one.

People can leave their messages by stopping by any time of the day and writing on a tag left outside the tree in a waterproof box alongside a pen. Larsen puts the tags into waterproof sleeves to protect them from the weather, and she checks the notes every day.

An annual event for the Larsens since 2020, the wishing tree began in July 2014 after Annastashas second pregnancy loss, she said. The idea came to her as a way of processing her grief. The first wishing tree was a crepe myrtle in their front yard in Mary Esther, Fla.

I wanted a way to mark the due date and memorialize our baby, Larsen said. I wanted to look to the future with hope and this seemed to be a way to do that. Surprisingly, our little neighborhood and beyond really took it to heart and participated, even though they didnt know my story.

More than 150 notes were hung on the Larsen family wishing tree at Yokota Air Base. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

Larsen said she didnt plan on another wishing tree, but her sister died in November 2020, coincidentally while the world was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I know it was a difficult year for everyone, Larsen said. Everyone lost something or someone.

She revived the wishing tree tradition, this time at Yokota, in her sisters memory, she said.

I hoped it would help others come together, feel empathy and feel community when we had been separated, sad, frustrated and were tired of being alone and feeling alone, Larsen said.

She carried on the tradition in subsequent years as a means of communicating holiday cheer and to help others think of new beginnings for the new year.

She hesitated this year about putting out tags for the wishing tree. Children had come by previously and made a mess of it or wrote rude or mean things, she said.

But then the Osprey crash happened.

The wishing tree seemed to naturally fit in this time of year and in such a close-knit community like Yokota, Larsen said. It has been a bright spot in our lives, each year.
Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron load passengers aboard an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 24, 2021. (Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Force)

The Air Force will award one dozen airmen Distinguished Flying Crosses and four more Bronze Star Medals for their efforts during the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, service officials said.

Air Mobility Command approved those honors last month in a final awards board for the evacuation alongside 208 Air Medals and 73 Meritorious Service Medals for airmen who participated in Operation Allies Refuge, the service announced Wednesday. The awards will be presented to maintainers, loadmasters, aircraft security forces, aeromedical evacuation personnel and tanker aircrews, who joined hundreds of other Air Force troops cited for their efforts to remove thousands of Americans, Afghans and allies from Kabul in the final days of the war.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a valor decoration for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Many of those receiving the honor are joining other members of their crews, including pilots, who had already been awarded the DFC for evacuation actions, according to the Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross medals lie in rows. (Shane Ellis/U.S. Air Force )

Most of the other medals announced this week include combat C devices, showing the honors were earned under combat conditions, the service said. One of the three Bronze Stars includes a V device for valor, the fourth highest award for battlefield heroics.

The Air Force did not provide names of recipients or their units this week, saying that information would be released later.

Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, the commander of Air Mobility Command, in a statement called the honors long overdue.

I am proud to recognize another group of mobility airmen who accomplished heroic feats two years ago, he said. There is no clearer evidence that airmen will always be the magic.

Aircrews worked around the clock in August 2021 to remove more than 124,000 people from Afghanistan as the Taliban capped a lightning-fast offensive to take over much of the country, including Kabul. The aircrews flew people from Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport, where thousands more spent days crowded around the small airport in Taliban-controlled land trying to leave Afghanistan. On Aug. 26, 2021, an Islamic State suicide bomber set off a blast at the airports Abbey Gate killing nearly 200 people in the crowd, including 13 U.S. service members.

U.S. military officials have awarded hundreds of honors to troops who served in the evacuation effort. The latest round of Air Force awards could be the final tranche for efforts among airmen because the authorities to grant those awards expired Nov. 30, a service spokeswoman said.

Last month, the Air Force awarded eight Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Star Medals, 229 Air Medals and 98 Meritorious Service Medals for those who supported evacuation efforts. Those awards were determined by an earlier awards board.

dickstein.corey@stripes.com

Twitter: @CDicksteinDC
U.S. soldiers execute tactical movement at Pabrade Training Area in Lithuania on Nov. 17, 2023. A report released this week found that the goals of the Army's People First initiatives are at odds with soldiers' training objectives and benchmarks. (Cesar Salazar Jr./U.S. Army)

An initiative developed by the Army to deal with a culture crisis has failed to get the job done because its objectives conflict with other priorities, like training for combat, a new service-sponsored study said.

The Armys People First initiatives set goals that are at odds with demands of the training benchmarks for soldiers, according to a Rand Corp. report released this week.

At the unit level, soldiers perceive that incentives are based on training outcomes and that there is little recognition or reward for People First outcomes, the report said. Soldiers rely on other soldiers first and big Army last when faced with work-life balance challenges.

Researchers had been asked to examine ways to overcome problems associated with the conflict between mission requirements and work-life balance, given the Army senior leaderships focus on putting people first.

The findings showcase the difficulty in revamping a culture damaged by high-profile instances of sexual assault, misconduct and violence, such as the 2020 murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen by a fellow soldier at the Texas base formerly known as Fort Hood.

After a scathing 136-page internal report detailed widespread problems at the base, now called Fort Cavazos, the Army came up with the People First concept to address culture issues across the service.

Sine then, a patchwork of programs has been developed with the goal of improving command culture and team-building at the unit level.

But while the Armys top generals and senior enlisted leaders have touted their focus on improving soldiers quality of life, those efforts break down when the rubber hits the road, according to researchers.

Put simply: The message of People First is not reaching the officers and staff NCOs in charge of managing and training soldiers with anything near the priority that the Armys senior leadership has set, Rand said.

Although top Army leaders provide guidance on managing decisions related to matters such as soldiers time off, those lessons are not evenly heard or understood at lower levels, Rand said.

One reason for that is the message gets diluted as it moves down the chain of command.

For example, the chief of staff of the Army and other four-star leaders may set priorities that allow for a degree of readiness risk when balancing quality of life concerns, but the trickle-down takeaway is that improving combat readiness is the overriding imperative.

The People First priorities had disappeared or had been so subsumed into readiness language that it was clear that the focus was on training, not people, Rand said.

Moreover, units perceive no discernable reward for excelling at People First initiatives compared with the clearer career-boosting incentives of achieving training goals.

Unit leaders told Rand that when so-called white space was on their calendar to allow for people-oriented matters rather than specific missions, higher headquarters tended to fill that time up with other taskings.

Soldiers interviewed by Rand said the Army should identify opportunities to assess a leaders commitment to People First concepts in officer and noncommissioned officer performance reviews, known as OERs and NCOERs, respectively.

Having something that says, List 8 People First accomplishments you oversaw (in an OER) would go a long way, one soldier told Rand.

Researchers made a series of recommendations to address the problems. They concluded that striking the right balance ... will have an impact on how the Army recruits and retains its strength.
Their arrest came after fighting broke out between loyalists of Barghathi, who was a minister in the UN-recognised government based in Tripoli, and forces affiliated with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who controls the rival administration in the east.

The UN mission called on "competent Libyan authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into these deaths and provide information on the fate of those still missing".

"Given limited official information, the exact cause of these deaths remains unclear," it added.

Authorities in the east have made no comment on the deaths.

It was not clear where in Benghazi Barghathi and his fellow detainees were held.

The former colonel had returned to the eastern city after years in exile, and the arrests came following a campaign by pro-Haftar media labelling him and his supporters a "cell of saboteurs".

Since a NATO-backed uprising led to the overthrow and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Libya has been beset by years of conflict involving a myriad of militias, jihadists and foreign mercenaries.

The country remains split between a UN-backed government based in the capital Tripoli run by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and the rival eastern-based administration backed by Haftar.
The bun nam bo with beef and a spring roll at Kiko in Kaiserslautern, Germany. While sushi is featured prominently, the restaurant has Vietnamese roots. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

I doubt many of you have ever asked someone what theyre thinking for dinner and suggested Vietnamese-German sushi.

It took me about six years of living in the hinterland of Kaiserslautern to get to that point, which was preceded by 13 years in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

The sushi here cant compare with the variety of fish found along the Pacific Rim. But in between the concessions made to people who think of vinegared white rice as exotic, let alone raw fish, there is quality to be found.

Kiko in Kaiserslautern adds flourishes of light to its warm and otherwise understated dining area. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

Kiko Sushi and Grill opened earlier this year, about a five-minute drive from the U.S. Armys Kleber Kaserne in the restaurant-deprived Pre-Park area.

How deprived, you ask? The other choices are Burger King, a furniture store cafeteria and a Chinese restaurant inside a movie theater.

I tried Kiko with Japanese friends and family, months after its opening during the summer, and again more recently.

Kiko moved in sometime after the demise of Salz und Pfeffer, which lasted for a few years. One thing they kept was the pleasant courtyard seating, which surrounds a fish pond. On a warm evening, the outdoor tables filled up long before the indoor seating.

I started with a glass of the house dry riesling, which I enjoyed. A bad riesling in the riesling-growing Pfalz region is a predictor that the meal wont be very good. This one was appropriately bone-dry and tart, with pear and kiwi notes in the finish.

We ordered the K-Town for Two platter, which has six pieces of nigiri sushi and 31 rolls of different sizes. For varietys sake, we also had the fried dream duck with rice and vegetables. The duck was dry that day, though a few online reviews Ive seen thought better of it.

The K-Town for Two platter on a pleasant summer evening at Kiko in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

The sushi, both that night and on the subsequent visit, summed up what Ive experienced with Vietnamese-German sushi in the Pfalz region.

After a while, you begin to notice the similarities in the offerings on the black menus of Asian fusion restaurants from Ramstein to Kaiserslautern to Neustadt. Some restaurants are better than others, like with any cuisine. But the common threads often lead back to a thriving Vietnamese community with roots in the area going back to the late 1970s.

The crispy duck on a summer day at Kiko in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Sushi is prominent on the dinner menu, but there are several Vietnamese and pan-Asian dishes as well. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

They offer a lot of adapted sushi-esque food, like a fried roll with cooked salmon. Kikos version was on the platter, and while its not what Id come for, it was better than some others Ive had.

Much more critically, they get the rice right. Its appropriately sticky short-grain, firm and pleasantly seasoned. The Japanese diners in my party were thoroughly pleased.

Think rice doesnt matter? When its cold, bland and mushy, it will diminish the best topping the same way stale bread ruins a sandwich.

The fish in the smaller uramaki rolls didnt stand out. But the a la carte scallop nigiri sushi had a subtle sweetness to it. This led me to larger pieces of fish during my November visit.

On that night I ordered the Kiko Mix, which includes six pieces of sashimi. Ive had some bland salmon in the Pfalz, likely a product of too much time in the freezer. This salmon was superb. The butterfish was something I havent had often; the taste and texture were similar to albacore tuna sashimi.

The Kiko mix, which includes a crispy chicken roll along with more traditional offerings, at Kiko in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

The crispy chicken roll was another nod to the Western crowd, but Ill admit the crunchiness was a nice counterpoint.

Along with the sushi, we added some Vietnamese food. Ive been on assignment in different parts of Vietnam over the years and developed a liking for bun nam bo. Its a rice noodle base paired with vegetables, herbs and beef, though other meats and tofu are available.

The soft-textured beef will probably remind American diners who havent had much Vietnamese food of some classic American-Chinese dishes. I also enjoyed the tangy fish sauce on the side. It was mild for my tastes, but the stronger version is hard to find in Europe.

The herb basket common to bun nam bo wasnt there, though the bowl had enough fresh mint to competently referee the competition of sweet, savory and pungent flavors.

All of the food came with remarkable speed compared to the average restaurant in town. Although the Saturday night crowd showed up in force by 6:30 p.m., our entrees were on the table in 15-20 minutes. The service was polite and most of the staff members I encountered speak English.

Customers dine on a busy Saturday night in November at Kiko in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The restaurant has garnered a lot of praise in online reviews since opening earlier this year. (Erik Slavin/Stars and Stripes)

The Pre-Park area has a lot of office buildings, and thats the only reason I can imagine why Kiko Sushi and Grill turns into Schnitzelville for breakfast and lunch. They dont actually change the sign to that. But its German morning standards like bread, cheese and salami, followed by lunch specials like chicken cordon bleu. I did see a Thai dish once, but Asian dishes are rare during the day.

I guess the office workers want whats familiar. I cant fault anyone for that, because for me, thats what Kiko is at night.

Kiko Sushi and Grill

Address: Europaallee 10, 67657 Kaiserslautern

Hours: Breakfast and European meals, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Asian fusion, Tuesday-

Prices: Most cooked and grille items range from 13 euros to 21 euros. Sushi sets average 10-25 euros per person, with a la carte selections available.

Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1 p.m.-10 p.m.

Information: 0631-8001-6565; https://www.kiko-kl.de
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NAIROBI  A U.S. drone strike has killed a senior Somali militant accused of masterminding a 2020 attack on a military base in Kenya that killed three Americans, a top Somali official told The Washington Post on Friday.

Moalim Ayman, who led a unit in the militant al-Shabab group responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya and Somalia, was killed by a drone in the groups stronghold of Jilib in southern Somalia on Dec. 17, Information Minister Daud Aweis said.

Jaysh Ayman, as his unit was known, emerged in 2014 as al-Shababs main unit in Kenya, and has attacked churches, police stations, hotels and coastal communities. In 2015, it attacked Garissa University, killing 148 people, almost all of them students. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy.

We can confirm 100 percent that it was him, Aweis said. It took a few days to make the final confirmation, we made it yesterday.

The delay in announcing his death was likely due to the need to source material to make a genetic match. Aweis declined to say how the death was confirmed or give further information, including anything on how the strike was planned, simply saying he was a target for a very long time . . . intelligence gathering done in collaboration with our partners and we cannot give any more details.

The U.S. Africa Command, which announced the Dec. 17 airstrike, said weve seen the reporting and can confirm that U.S. Africa Command conducted the strike on Dec. 17. We have not yet confirmed the target of that strike.

The U.S. government said Ayman masterminded a Jan. 5, 2020 attack on a military base in Kenya that killed two U.S. contractor pilots and an army specialist. A third U.S. contractor and two other U.S. service members were injured. Six U.S. aircraft were also destroyed.

U.S. troops used the base for surveillance flights into Somalia and providing training and counterterrorism support to East African partners. After the attack, Ayman had a $10 million bounty on his head under the U.S. Rewards for Justice Program.

Al-Shabab, which already controlled large parts of Somalia, declared war on Kenya after Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in response to a string of kidnappings on Kenyan soil. Al-Shabab says Kenyan civilians are legitimate targets because they voted for the government that declared war on the group.

The militant group has been at war with the United States since 2006, when Ethiopian troops entered Somalia with U.S. support to topple an Islamist government that had offered sanctuary to militants that had bombed U.S. embassies in the region in 1991. Al-Shabab, which means the youth were the military wing of that government, which was born out of an Islamist movement opposing Somali warlords.

President Donald Trump pulled U.S. troops out of Somalia, a decision later reversed by President Biden. The internationally backed Somali government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been fighting an offensive against al-Shabab, assisted by clan militias. But the offensive slowed after divisions emerged between some of the clan militia leadership and the government, and recent pushes have encountered fierce resistance.

The Somali military has been doing the vast majority of the fighting. There are nearly 17,000 African Union peacekeeping troops in Somalia, responsible for securing main routes, bases and other key installations and providing air support and training. But 4,000 are due to leave within the next four months and another 10,000 by the end of 2024. The Somali government is planning to recruit, train, and equip nearly 24,000 troops to replace them.

Somali troops have already taken over responsibility for securing the Parliament and presidential villa.

But although al-Shabab has lost some territory to the government and allied forces, it maintains control of swaths of southern Somalia and retains the ability to mount devastating bombings and assassinations inside Somalia as well as cross-border attacks. U.N. investigators also say it accrues more than $100 million in revenue annually.
Beijing put technology for making rare-earth metals and rare-earth magnets on a list of items cant be transfered overseas, according to a document from the Ministry of Commerce. The move by the worlds dominant supplier of the minerals comes as its geopolitical rivals rush to cut reliance on materials produced in China. (Brucke-Osteuropa/Wikimedia Commons)

(Bloomberg) -- China will halt the export of a range of rare-earth technologies, potentially making it harder for the US and other western nations to bolster supplies of strategic raw materials.

Beijing put technology for making rare-earth metals and rare-earth magnets on a list of items cant be transfered overseas, according to a document from the Ministry of Commerce. The move by the worlds dominant supplier of the minerals comes as its geopolitical rivals rush to cut reliance on materials produced in China.

Over the past three decades, China has built a dominant role in mining and refining rare earths, a cluster of 17 elements used in everything from wind turbines to military hardware and electric vehicles.

The new rules dont affect shipments of rare-earth products themselves, but may be intended to frustrate efforts to develop the industry outside China.

Critical metals are coming under the spotlight more as Western nations increasingly view supplies as a matter of national security - especially as the global energy transition stokes fears of potential shortages in the future.

The US is spearheading a drive to reduce Chinas stranglehold over flows of minerals from rare earths to lithium and cobalt. President Joe Bidens flagship climate legislation includes rules aimed at generating more supply domestically or from allied nations. China has responded with restrictions on the export of gallium, germanium and graphite.

While Bidens landmark legislation and Europes Critical Raw Materials Act promise to unlock new funding for prospective suppliers, Beijings latest salvo underscores the technical challenges that Western producers could face in developing refining processes that China has come to master over the decades.

Until relatively recently, there were barely any rare-earth refineries at all outside of China. That means its companies and researchers have built a substantial technological and practical advantage in how to extract and process rare earths, while expertise elsewhere has lagged.

The ban-list includes technology for separating rare earths as well producing metal and magnets. Technology for mining, ore-dressing and smelting was listed as restricted, rather than banned.

Chinas grip over the global rare-earths market first gained broad international attention in 2010, when China imposed tight restrictions on exports. The US, European Union and Japan eventually forced Beijing to overturn the measures via the World Trade Organization. But concerns about its dominance have lingered as Western suppliers faced commercial, technical and environmental setbacks in developing alternative supplies.

China accounted for more than two-thirds of mined rare earths last year, and is home to as much as all global refining capacity, according to US government figures. The country also dominates the supply of rare-earth magnets, the main product deployed in manufactured goods.
Catherine Arnett, at the time a Marine assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, speaks about her decision to refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, in this screenshot from the Echo 7 Sierra YouTube channel, Jan. 17, 2023. (Catherine Arnett)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  A Marine veteran who refused the COVID-19 vaccine while serving in Japan and defied orders to return home was arrested this month at her former duty station.

Japanese police allege that Catherine Arnett, 25, was detained by military police after attempting to enter MCAS Iwakuni around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 1, a city police spokesman told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. She was turned over to Iwakuni city police around 11:30 a.m. that day and released from custody last week, the spokesman said.

Arnett was returned to California in Marine Corps custody earlier this year and spent 113 days in brigs awaiting a court-martial before the Corps dropped all charges against her, set her free and administratively discharged her.

As a lance corporal at MCAS Iwakuni, Arnett refused at least three times to board aircraft bound for the U.S. and faced discharge for refusing the vaccine. She was charged separately with insubordination, missing a military flight, disobeying an officer and other offenses over her refusal to leave Japan.

Arnett, who described herself as a staunch Catholic, said the 2021 vaccine mandate from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was an unlawful order. Her case drew attention from a foundation critical of vaccines, Childrens Health Defense, founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who interviewed her on his podcast.

Another nonprofit foundation, founded by former SEAL Eddie Gallagher, in June helped raise $50,000 for Arnetts legal expenses.

Arnett did not respond to a Dec. 6 request from Stars and Stripes by Facebook Messenger and a phone call Tuesday seeking comment. In response to an email Tuesday, a woman who described herself as Arnetts secretary said Arnett was engaging in an act of civil disobedience by returning to MCAS Iwakuni.

Ms. Arnett was solely standing on the principle that since the mandate was unconstitutional from the jump, all other actions that transpired as a result were also unlawful orders, Jamie Engel said by email Friday. She arrived at the base to take the stand and drive home the concept that she refused to take her DD214 and still refuses to comply with any separation orders.

DD-214 is the official form issued to a service member upon their discharge from military service.

Military police at MCAS Iwakuni detained Arnett on suspicion of violating the status of forces agreement between Japan and the U.S., the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Catherine Arnett was separated from the United States Marine Corps several months ago and has since had no official affiliation with the service, base spokesman 1st Lt. Aaron Ellis told Stars and Stripes by email on Wednesday. Since Catherine Arnett is a civilian, we do not have any additional information.

Unauthorized entries of U.S. military installations in Japan may be prosecuted by Japanese authorities, Ellis said.

The case was referred to Japanese prosecutors, but no decision had been made as of Tuesday to prosecute Arnett, a spokesman for the Yamaguchi District Public Prosecutors Office said by phone Tuesday.
From left, Andrew Defelice, Yokota exchange general manager, and Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander, with employees of Rakuten Mobile open the companys branch at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Dec. 22, 2023. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Rakuten Mobile opened its first store on a U.S. military installation in Japan on Friday, giving service members living at this airlift hub in western Tokyo the choice of a second internet service provider.

This was one of our huge initiatives for 2023, bringing in an alternative internet option for the Yokota community, said Andrew Defelice, general manager of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Yokota, during the stores opening ceremony.

Service members and their families had voiced their dissatisfaction with having only one internet service provider on base, the base commander said at the opening.

Rakuten Mobile opened in a space inside the Yokota Community Center. Previously, only Allied Telesis provided internet service to base residents.

This is an example of how our community gets to speak and gets to be heard, Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander, said at the business opening. We got the feedback that they wanted some competition and that they wanted another option.

Rakuten Mobile is part of Rakuten Group Inc., a Japanese technology conglomerate based in Tokyo.

Many service members living at Yokota complained that having just one internet provider on base resulted in expensive internet bills.

The monopoly just means that they can charge whatever they want, and you have to pay it because the alternative is not having internet at all, Staff Sgt. Boston Postgate, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

An Allied Telesis manager did not reply to a message seeking comment Friday that was relayed by employees at Yokota on behalf of Stars and Stripes.

Service members voiced their excitement on social media after the exchange on Tuesday announced the store opening.

I have honestly been looking forward to a second service provider, Senior Airman Nicolas Hernandez, 374th Security Forces Squadron, told Stars and Stripes in a Facebook message Tuesday. It would be great competition against Allied Telesis, and I look forward to seeing who has the best offers on hopefully cheaper internet plans.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly welcomed proposals on Thursday for partnerships with the private sector in managing the Nile Egyptian International Schools (NEIS) and the Japanese School as he held talks with representatives from the private sector on investment opportunities in Egypt.

The meeting discussed partnership opportunities with the private sector in both pre-university and university stages of education.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour, Minister of Education and Technical Education Reda Hegazy, along with several investors.

From their side, the private sector investors affirmed their readiness to partner with the government to effectively utilize state-owned assets in these sectors, maximizing returns, preserving investments, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring prudent spending.

They expressed their willingness, for example, to take over the management of the NEIS, aiming to bring about a qualitative leap at these schools.

Nile Egyptian International Schools (NEIS) are governmental Egyptian international schools that aim to provide international-standard education at affordable annual fees.

Minister of Planning El-Said highlighted the government's target to reach 132 universities in Egypt by 2030, 40 more than there are currently, for 250 billion Egyptian pounds.

She emphasized the substantial investment opportunities available for the private sector, estimated at around 150 billion pounds. It is hoped that private education will account for 40 percent of students by 2030, up from the current 25 percent.

El-Said also highlighted the success of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt which recently established four schools through private sector partnerships. A fifth similar school is set to open in 2025.

Minister of Education Hegazy emphasized the need for private education, which currently represents 10 percent of pre-university education, stressing the significant demand for this from Egyptian families.

Hegazy provided an update on the national project to build and operate official language schools in partnership with the private sector. The project encompasses 54 locations in various governorates.

The minister also discussed investment opportunities in technical education, presenting 18 locations under his authority that could be refurbished as applied technology schools in collaboration with the private sector, as well as a 4,000-square-metre plot of land in Alexandria that could be used for a large private educational complex.

Furthermore, 58 schools of various types were nominated for transformation into applied technology schools through private-sector partnerships.

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Senior Airman Mikayla Hayes, an aerospace ground equipment maintainer at RAF Lakenheath in England, was acquitted Dec. 21, 2023, of causing a motorcyclist's death in a crash in 2022. ( Donna L. Burnett/U.S. Air Force)

RAF LAKENHEATH, England  An American airman who was behind the wheel of a car that fatally struck a British motorcyclist last year was found not guilty this week of causing his death.

Senior Airman Mikayla Hayes was on trial for a crash Aug. 26, 2022, on the A10 highway at Southery in West Suffolk that killed Matthew Day, a 33-year-old father of one, British media reported. She had been charged with causing death by careless driving.

On Thursday, a Norwich Crown Court jury acquitted Hayes after a weeklong trial.

An aerospace ground equipment maintainer at RAF Lakenheath, Hayes was driving home from work at the time of the crash, U.S. Visiting Forces spokesperson Maj. Keavy Rake said in a statement Thursday.

As she pulled out from the B1160 Lynn Road onto the A10, her Honda Accord hit Day, who was driving a Yamaha motorbike.

Eyewitness Graeme Pratt told the court that he saw Hayes look both ways before the collision, according to media reports.

In her testimony, Hayes wept and said, I still to this day have no idea why I didnt see that motorcycle, the BBC and other news outlets reported.

A defense expert, Robert Wagstaff, said Day had a small amount of THC in his system, indicating that he had taken marijuana before driving. That slowed Days reaction time, Wagstaff testified, according to British media reports.

Days mother, Trudi Betson, said the family respects the verdict and thanked prosecutors for bringing the case to trial, ITV News reported.

Hayes will remain in England under the supervision of her command, Rake said.

The Air Force had asserted jurisdiction in Hayes case. Her attorneys contended that because she was on active duty at the time and was returning from a work shift at Lakenheath, she should be tried by a U.S. military court.

But in November 2022, a judge sided with prosecutors and ruled that the case would be handled by the British justice system. Hayes requested a jury trial and pleaded not guilty.
Hanan Elatr, widow of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in 2021. (Allison Shelley for The Washington Post)

Jamal Khashoggis widow, who went into hiding after The Washington Post columnist was murdered in 2018 by a Saudi assassination squad, has been granted political asylum in the United States.

I couldnt really believe it, Hanan Elatr said after reading the letter informing her of the decision. I said, Is this real? I couldnt digest it. She said the decision shows there is one victim who is still alive.

The decision this month validates Elatrs assertions that her life would be in danger were she to return to her native Egypt or the United Arab Emirates, where she lived for 26 years until Jamal Khashoggi was killed.

It also may be one of the final acts in the long-running Khashoggi case, which at one time seemed to threaten U.S.-Saudi relations. Those tensions were dismissed during the Trump administration and papered over with the Biden administrations decision last year to reconcile with Saudi Arabia and grant sovereign immunity to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who the CIA concluded ordered Khashoggis killing.

Hanan Khashoggi has the clearest case for political asylum imaginable, and I am happy that I could help her get this vital protection, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said in a statement. After all that she and her family have been through, it is good to see them granted this recognition and the measure of security that will come with it. I will continue to support Mrs. Khashoggi as she seeks accountability for her husbands murder, a terrible injustice which I will not forget.

In her asylum application, Elatr told U.S. authorities that Egypt had detained and mistreated her family and confiscated their passports because of her relationship with Khashoggi. In 2018, four months before his murder, the UAE had detained and interrogated her and put military-grade spyware on her confiscated phones. It was a period of time when she and Khashoggi were in constant communication.

Randa Fahmy, her attorney, said Elatr is seeking compensation from the Saudi government for her husbands death and demanding Turkey return Khashoggis phones so that they can be analyzed.

The UAE, a longtime Saudi ally, has denied allegations that it planted Pegasus spyware on Elatrs devices or spied on civil society activists and disgruntled royal family members, as previous Post reporting has shown.

Khashoggi, who had once worked at the Saudi Embassy in Washington, had become an effective critic of Mohammeds crackdown and imprisonment of citizens advocating for more freedom of expression and democratic reform. By 2018, he had been warned not to return and had settled in Northern Virginia, where he had been previously married, raised children and had an apartment.

In March 2018, the couple, whod met in 2009, became romantically involved. In June, they were married in an Islamic ceremony in Northern Virginia. They continued to live apart  he in Fairfax; she in Dubai, where she worked as an airline attendant for Emirates Airlines.

But Khashoggi felt increasingly depressed and isolated, and they decided to move to Turkey, where many Saudis live. Elatr said Khashoggi believed his voice might have more impact there. She was unaware that he had begun a relationship in Turkey with another woman.

In October 2018, as Khashoggi was arranging to marry a young Turkish academic, Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up a document her father had requested certifying that he was not married. Knowing he was coming, a team of assassins from Saudi Arabia flew in beforehand. They strangled him, dismembered his body with a bone saw and snuck his body parts out in luggage, investigators determined.

In July 2020, Elatr lost her longtime job as a flight attendant when Emirates declined to renew her contract. Without it, she could no longer live in Dubai. She flew to Washington shortly afterward and, fearing for her safety, went into hiding in her lawyers apartment for a year and a half.

She spent most of her savings and for a time was sleeping on an air mattress in an empty apartment. At age 53, she moved into a basement bedroom of a stranger while waiting for her political asylum case to work its way through the system.

As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden called Saudi Arabia a pariah state; as president, however, he famously fist-bumped with Mohammed in 2022, reconciled with him and granted him sovereign immunity, which quickly ended a U.S. civil lawsuit Cegniz had brought against him for the murder.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the discussions are part of a legally mandated review of China tariffs. She would not say when the administration will conclude them. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Bidens administration is weighing a tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles and other goods in an effort to make US clean-energy products more competitive, according to people familiar with the matter.

Officials from the White House and various Cabinet agencies have been discussing whether to hike duties on certain Chinese exports, the people said. The talks are part of years-long deliberations that began shortly after Biden took office.

Some in the administration would like the debate to conclude early next year, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on the discussions.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the discussions are part of a legally mandated review of China tariffs. She would not say when the administration will conclude them.

We are taking a strategic, thoughtful, deliberative approach to our bilateral economic and trade relationship with China, and that certainly applies to our review of these tariffs, she said Thursday.

Biden left in place tariffs on around $300 billion on Chinese goods imposed by President Donald Trump. Bidens administration launched a review of the tariffs nearly three years ago, but internal divisions have prevented his team from arriving at a consensus on tariff policy.

Tariff levels have remained unchanged as Biden pursued a thaw in US-China relations with President Xi Jinping, culminating in a meeting last month outside San Francisco in which they agreed to curb illicit fentanyl trafficking and restore military-to-military communications.

Raising tariffs further on Chinese electric vehicles could have a minimal impact on the US market. The vehicles are already subject to a 25% duty, which has hampered Chinese companies from making inroads with American consumers.

In a sign of increasing competition on clean energy, China on Thursday announced a fresh export ban on rare-earth mineral processing technology. That move could make it harder for the US and its allies to increase supply of raw materials needed for batteries and other technology.

With assistance from Michelle Jamrisko, Viktoria Dendrinou and Gabrielle Coppola.
The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

The Supreme Court on Friday said it will not fast-track consideration of Donald Trumps claim that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took as president, a question crucial to whether he can be put on trial for plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The courts one-sentence order offered no explanation for turning down special counsel Jack Smiths request for an expedited review, which he said was needed to keep Trumps election-obstruction trial on track for early March. The order can be seen as, at least, a limited and temporary win for Trump, who has actively worked to delay the legal proceedings against him as he campaigns again for the Republican presidential nomination.

The issue of presidential immunity will likely return to the Supreme Court, but not before a federal appeals court in Washington reviews a district judges ruling earlier this month that flatly rejected Trumps claims. That court has expedited its proceedings, and will hold arguments on Jan. 9.

It is customary for the Supreme Court not to explain its reasonings for denying a motion for expedited review, which Smith acknowledged was an extraordinary request being made in an extraordinary case. There were no noted dissents and no indication that Justice Clarence Thomas had recused himself, despite calls from some congressional Democrats that he do so because of his wifes involvement in challenging the results of the 2020 election.

Smith had asked the justices to short-circuit the normal appellate process and quickly settle the question of presidential criminal immunity, which the Supreme Court has not previously been called upon to resolve. He said public interest required intervention now to avoid delaying Trumps D.C. federal trial.

The scheduled start date is March 4, a day before the Super Tuesday primary contests, in which Trump is the clear GOP front-runner.

This case involves  for the first time in our Nations history  criminal charges against a former President based on his actions while in office, Smith said in a filing to the Supreme Court. And not just any actions: alleged acts to perpetuate himself in power by frustrating the constitutionally prescribed process for certifying the lawful winner of an election.

Trumps lawyers told the justices that the issue was too important to be rushed and that Smith, by seeking to hasten the timetable, is doing the bidding of President Joe Bidens reelection campaign.

Smith confuses the public interest with the manifest partisan interest in ensuring that President Trump will be subjected to a months-long criminal trial at the height of a presidential campaign where he is the leading candidate and the only serious opponent of the current Administration, Trump lawyer D. John Sauer wrote.

The combination of an almost three-year wait to bring this case and the Special Counsels current demand for extraordinary expedition, supported by the vaguest of justifications, creates a compelling inference of partisan motivation.

Trump responded to the courts action in a statement that reiterated his false claims that he  rather than Biden  won three years ago. Of course I am entitled to Presidential Immunity, he wrote on his social media site Truth Social. I was President, it was my right and duty to investigate, and speak on, the rigged and stolen 2020 Presidential Election. Looking forward to the very important arguments on Presidential Immunity in front of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

Smiths office said he had no comment.

Trump is charged in federal court in D.C. with conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing a congressional proceeding and conspiracy against rights  in this case the right to vote, and to have ones vote counted. Each charge relates to Trumps actions in the aftermath of his loss to Biden, including the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted the counting of the electoral votes.

It is one of four criminal cases Trump is facing. He was indicted in federal court in Florida, accused of mishandling classified documents after leaving office and obstructing government efforts to retrieve the material; in state court in Georgia over efforts to block Bidens victory there; and in state court in New York, related to falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment in the 2016 election.

Trump has denied guilt and tried to push his trials beyond Election Day in November.

The Supreme Court is also being called upon to answer other questions impacting Trumps criminal vulnerability and his political future  putting the justices in position to play a larger role in the coming presidential election than any since their decision in Bush v. Gore sealed President George W. Bushs 2000 victory.

The justices have announced they will take up a challenge to a law used to charge hundreds of people in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, a charge that is also among those Trump faces in his federal election obstruction case. They will examine an appeals court ruling that says the government may prosecute Jan. 6 riot defendants charged under the law which makes it a crime to obstruct or impede an official proceeding  in this case, disruption of Congresss formal certification of Bidens victory.

A ruling that the charge cannot be used in the context of Jan. 6 prosecutions could impact hundreds of riot defendants, scores of whom have already been sentenced, along with Trump himself.

And Trumps lawyers say they will soon ask the high court to overturn a decision of the Colorado Supreme Court, which said the former president cannot be placed on the states ballot. It was the first time a court has ruled to keep a presidential candidate off the ballot under an 1868 provision of the Constitution that bars insurrectionists from holding office. The ruling comes as courts in other states consider  and in some cases have rejected  similar claims.

Congressional Democrats have called on Thomas to recuse himself in those cases as well because of his wife Virginia Ginni Thomass closeness to the Trump White House and her calls for Trump to challenge the results of the 2020 election. Ethics guidelines say justices should recuse when their participation would create a conflict but also say only the justice can make such a call. Unlike on lower courts, no one may step in to replace a recused justice. And members of the court routinely ignore calls for recusal, viewing them as attempts to stack the deck for a particular outcome.

In the criminal immunity case, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan denied Trumps claim in a ruling in early December. Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass, she wrote.

Trumps appeal of that order will now proceed first in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, with Trumps briefs due Saturday and a randomly chosen panel already named to hear the case. The judges are Karen LeCraft Henderson, appointed to the court in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, and two more recent additions chosen by Biden: J. Michelle Childs and Florence Y. Pan.

The special counsel had argued that since only the Supreme Court can definitively answer the question of a chief executives immunity for actions taken while in office, the justices should act now.

Whether a former President of the United States enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for a conspiracy to overturn an election, and thereby prevent the lawful winner from taking office, is an issue of great constitutional moment, Smith said in his filing. This Courts immediate review of that question is the only way to achieve its timely and definitive resolution.

While it is relatively rare for the justices to accept a case before an appeals court has reviewed it, Smith noted that the court has done it before in important cases. One such case was another test of presidential power.

In 1974s U.S. v. Nixon, the court took up and decided within weeks the question of whether President Richard M. Nixon had the right to withhold subpoenaed recordings of conversations in the White House. Nixon resigned in the wake of the unanimous decision that he must turn over the recordings.

Trumps lawyers, in their arguments about immunity, are relying on a different case involving Nixon. In 1982, the court ruled for the former president in a lawsuit brought by an Air Force analyst who said he was fired for his criticism of cost overruns.

The court ruled 5-4 in Nixon v. Fitzgerald that presidents enjoy some immunity for their actions. We think it appropriate to recognize absolute presidential immunity from damages liability for acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility, the decision states.

Perry Stein contributed to this report.
Michael Finnegan (34) was jailed for six months after a court heard he told the Garda he would get you and your family and your head's getting blown off

A FATHER-of-six threatened a Garda he would murder him and rape his daughter after he was questioned over a street disturbance in central Dublin.

Michael Finnegan (34) was jailed for six months after a court heard he told the Garda he would "get you and your family and "your head's getting blown off."

He had denied public order offences, maintaining he was too drunk to remember what he said but insisting he would not have made a threat against a child as he was a family man."

Finding him guilty, Judge Stephanie Cogins said it was unconscionable to threaten to rape a child.

Finnegan, of Clonmore Crescent, Jobstown, Tallaght, was convicted of obstructing gardai, threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and public intoxication.

The garda told Dublin District Court he found Finnegan on Aston Quay last September 30, shouting aggressively at members of the public.

When approached, he became highly aggressive and said f*** you, Garda faggot, youll get done, your cards are marked.

Ill blow your f**king head off, Ill get you and your f**king family, youre f**king done.

The Garda told Finnegan, who was very unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol, to desist. He said Ill find you and your daughter and Im going to f**king rape her. Ill murder you, your heads getting blown off, the Garda told the court.

When arrested, Finnegan began to lash out violently but was subdued. His violent behaviour continued all the way back to Kevin Street Garda station, the court heard.

Finnegan maintained the initial incident was only a verbal argument between him and a friend.

He said he had a large amount of drinks in a pub and did not remember the encounter with the garda but insisted he wouldnt say that against children as he had children himself.

Theres no way Id say them sort of things, he said.

Finnegan said he probably did resist arrest, claiming the garda threw him over a bicycle rack and he was dazed.

A friend of the accused Mark Kelly told the court Finnegan had been having a verbal with another man but that was it. He also claimed the Garda manhandled the accused.

Finnegans memory of the night was patchy but he doesnt think he would ever have said that because hes a family man," his lawyer said.

Finding him guilty, Judge Cogins said Finnegan was so drunk he could not remember what he said or did on the night.

He had previous convictions for public order, theft, drugs and other offences.

Its unconscionable to threaten to rape a child, its absolutely unacceptable, Judge Cogins said.

She set recognisances in the event of an appeal.
Japan loosened arms export controls Friday to enable it to sell domestically made Patriot missiles to the United States, which is seeking to stock up after sending the weapon systems to Ukraine.

Washington has supplied Kyiv with the highly-effective Patriot air defence systems as part of the massive Western military aid effort to help Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"We welcome the Government of Japan's announcement today that it will transfer Patriot interceptor missiles to the United States to replenish US inventories," the White House said in a statement.

Japan produces the PAC3 surface-to-air missile defence system, paying a licence fee to US defence firm Lockheed Martin which developed the system.

Japan strictly controls the export of arms under its pacifist constitution, which limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures.

"The appropriate transfer of defence equipment overseas will contribute to... international peace and security, and will also strengthen cooperation with allies and the US," a Tokyo government document said after the rule was approved by the Cabinet.

Sales of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC3) system to the United States would be Japan's first export of lethal arms since the end of World War II, local media reported.

With the new rule Japan "will be able to export arms which were domestically produced under licence of a foreign company to the licensing country", an official in the prime minister's cabinet told AFP.

A senior ruling party official told reporters this week that the export plan was at the request of Washington, Kyodo News reported.

US President Joe Biden raised the issue with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting at Camp David in August, as well as during an economic summit in San Francisco last month, The Washington Post reported this week, citing unnamed US officials.

Washington is increasingly looking to its allies to supply sophisticated weapons against the backdrop of a shortfall in Ukraine's air defences, with South Korea quietly pledging to provide hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition to Kyiv over the past year, the newspaper said.

The White House added that Friday's decision "will contribute to the security of Japan and to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by ensuring that US forces... will continue to maintain a credible deterrence and response capability."

Japan used to ban all exports of defence equipment but in 2014 the late prime minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet loosened the rules.

The country's defence industry is small, with the only customer being the Japanese military and the market estimated at around 3 trillion yen ($20 billion) annually -- less than some individual US defence contractors' yearly revenues.

The government also approved on Friday a record defence budget worth $56 billion for the next fiscal year, in line with Kishida's goal of doubling defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027.

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Gerry OBrien (59) made no reaction when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court today

A Circuit Court judge who was a form teacher in a Dublin secondary school has been found guilty of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault against six complainants in the 1990s.

Gerry OBrien (59) made no reaction when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court today. The jury deliberated for 7 hours and 37 minutes.

The four-week trial came to its closing stages this week with Mr Justice Alexander Owens delivering his charge to the jury.

OBrien of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Co. Dublin.

He was in his 30s at the time of the alleged offences, while the six complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

During the trial, the court heard OBrien was appointed a Circuit Court judge in 2015 and had worked as a solicitor for over 20 years before his appointment.

It was the prosecution case that the six complainants were each and separately the victim of sexual misconduct perpetrated by OBrien between 1991 and 1997.

OBrien was teaching in a secondary school at the time, and four of the complainants were students.
The accused, with an address at Wellview Avenue in Mulhuddart, is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another man at Avondale Park in Mulhuddart on May 28, 2023.

A Dublin man allegedly smashed up two cars outside a mans house, made a threat to his life and threatened to burn down his house, a court heard.

Daniel McLoughlin (34) was allegedly in possession of a paint-roller handle when he caused 2,500 worth of damage to the two vehicles.

Judge David McHugh adjourned the case to a date next February.

The accused, with an address at Wellview Avenue in Mulhuddart, is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another man at Avondale Park in Mulhuddart on May 28, 2023.

Mr McLoughlin is also charged with possession of a paint-roller handle and with damaging two vehicles at the same time and place.

Blanchardstown District Court heard that the DPP had directed summary trial in the district court, where the penalties upon conviction are less severe than in the circuit court.

Outlining the allegation for jurisdiction purposes, Garda John Foley alleged that on the day in question Mr McLoughlin went to a property and caused 2,500 worth of damage to two vehicles.

The alleged damage to one vehicle was 1,200, and included damage to the windscreen, both wing mirrors, the drivers window, passenger window and the two fly windows.

The alleged damage to the second vehicle amounted to 1,300, Gda Foley said. This included damage to the windscreen, both wing mirrors and both drivers and passengers windows.

Gda Foley further alleged that Mr McLoughlin made a threat to the victims life, and he threatened to burn down his house.

Judge McHugh said he believed that the allegation was at the top end of the jurisdiction of the district court, but he accepted jurisdiction to deal with the matter.

Judge McHugh ordered the disclosure of any statements in relation to the allegation.

Mr McLoughlin has not yet indicated how he intends pleading to the charges.
Jamie Kearney (20) punched the victim while she was turned away from him outside the club

A NIGHTCLUBBER has been spared jail for a cowardly one-punch assault on a woman who fell to the ground and fractured her cheekbone.

Jamie Kearney (20) punched the victim while she was turned away from him outside the club, causing her to fall to the ground, sustaining facial injuries.

A court heard she had allegedly assaulted him first inside the club, but Judge Bryan Smyth said any context to the case did not justify his actions.

He gave the accused a nine-month suspended sentence.

Kearney, a warehouse operative of Hazelwood Crescent, Clondalkin, appeared in Dublin District Court charged with assault causing harm to the woman.

Detective Garda Michelle Fitzpatrick told Dublin District Court the accused and victim were both on the street outside the Academy nightclub on Middle Abbey Street on November 27 last year.

While the victim turned away from him, he struck her in the face with one punch and she fell to the ground. Kearney had no previous convictions.

Judge Bryan Smyth read a victim impact statement and medical report and asked the Garda if there had been any follow up report from the maxillofacial surgeon.

Det Gda Fitzpatrick said the victim had required no further treatment.

It was not the kind of random assault, the court often dealt with as there was a background, defence solicitor Brian Keenan said.

There had been a previous interaction in the club in which the victim struck Mr Kearney in the face, he said.

He came upon her again outside and hit her, which he accepts he should not have done.

Det Gda Fitzpatrick said a file had been prepared on both incidents, but no prosecution had been brought over this previous interaction. The court heard Kearney had since made a complaint but it was statute barred.

Despite the background, Kearney accepted he should not have reacted the way he did and was embarrassed by his actions, Mr Keenan said.

The accused had entered an early guilty plea and had not come to Grda attention before or since the incident.

He brought 1,000 to court to offer as compensation and a token of his remorse.

The court heard the victim was not happy to accept this, and Mr Keenan said it could be donated to charity.

Judge Smyth said there may have been a context but it still did not justify the accused acting in a cowardly manner by striking the victim.

He suspended the sentence for two years.
Hudson had also encouraged two of his victims to have sex with each other and videotaped the encounter

A man who sexually abused four children, including encouraging two of them to have sex and then videotaping it, has been jailed for 11 years.

Tony Hudson (61), of Ballymurray, the Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury in October of 70 charges of oral rape, sexual assault, buggery, gross indecency and defilement against four children at an address in Dublin between 2000 and 2009.

The four children were aged between 12 and 17 at the time of the offending.

Imposing sentence on Thursday Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said the case illustrated the devastating impact this kind of sexual abuse has on so much generations  the generation above and the generation to come.

She said: The breach of trust here is egregious and that there was a determined corruption of these young people.

The judge said aggravating factors in the case included the huge disparity in age, the breach of trust, that Hudson took advantage of the children's vulnerability and the creation of a sexual environment in his house.

Ms Justice Lankford said the mitigating factors were that Hudson has no previous history of sexual offending, a good work history and that he did not come to subsequent adverse garda attention since the incidents.

Judge Lankford sentenced Hudson to 13 years in prison, with the final two years suspended. She backdated this to when Hudson went into custody on October 27 of this year.

The judge said the complainants have shown huge bravery and that they deserve huge respect for coming forward when they did.

A local garda told Roisin Lacey SC, prosecuting, that while Hudson was living in Dublin, he befriended four local children.

At various stages, they were invited to his house to do chores. They were paid a modest amount of money, and Hudson gave them cigarettes and alcohol for the work they carried.

Over time, Hudson began touching the children sexually and other inappropriate activities.

The court heard one complainant was sitting in the living room when Hudson put pornography on the television. He then masturbated the child and asked the child to masturbate him.

On another occasion, Hudson gave the child alcohol and got him drunk. He then brought the child to a shed in the backyard of his house and asked him to suck his penis.

Evidence was given that another complainant had to clean Hudson's shower naked and that he would come in and touch the victim's penis.

A third victim was between 12 and 13 when the abuse started. It started with mutual masturbation before progressing to oral sex and anal penetration.

Hudson recorded himself having anal sex with this child and showed the video to another one of the complainants.

The fourth victim gave evidence that Hudson encouraged her to have sex with one of the other children. She was 13 at the time, and the other child was 17. Hudson videotaped the two having sex in his shed.

Hudson then made the girl perform sexual acts on him as she owed him a favour as he let her have sex with the other child. These sexual acts included masturbation and oral sex.

When Hudson was interviewed by gardai, he denied the allegations and said: as their fathers weren't around for them, I was a stand-in.

Two of the four complainants read their victim impact statements to the court.

One said, I am a survivor of sexual abuse and not a victim.

What happened to me at the hands of this evil person completely destroyed my life and my whole future, he said, before telling the court he should have been out with friends but instead was being groomed and abused.

I will go on to be a great dad and turn my life around and bring goodness into the world. The man said, children will be much safer with this dirty, evil monster locked up for a long time.

The second man said, I should be jumping with joy after he was found guilty, but how can I knowing that I'm serving a life sentence from the damage he has caused me.

He told the court, This will never be something that will just be forgotten about, and that the abuse made him lock myself away for days and constantly have thoughts of suicide.

He has damaged me so so much. I will have these battles every day for the rest of my life.

Ms Lacey read the two other statements on behalf of the remaining victims.

The third statement said, It affects me to this day and always will, the victim added that she had looked at the man as a father figure.

The woman said she was terrified to let her children go out on their own or be left with any man. She also said, The distrust of men will not allow me to have any healthy relationship with men in the future.

In the final statement, Ms Lacey said on behalf of the final complaint, I don't trust anybody around my kids. I'm always having nightmares. What does a killer look like? What does a pedo look like?

I don't even trust my own family or friends around my kids, the man wrote.

As a man, it's very embarrassing. My only escape was drugs, he wrote, I lost my family home, my kids and the love of my life.

Patrick Gageby SC, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and had never come to adverse garda attention before these charges.

He said his client was cooperative during his interview and was someone who is hardworking, providing for him and his wife.
The five men, aged 50, 46, 44, 41 and 35 years, were arrested in relation to the seizure of 300kg of cocaine on a cargo vessel in the Port of Foynes

Cocaine worth 21m discovered on cargo ship in Limerick set to be picked up by another vessel

Five men have been arrested this morning as part of the Garda investigation into the 21m drugs bust in Limerick.

The five men, aged 50, 46, 44, 41 and 35 years, were arrested in relation to the seizure of 300kg of cocaine on a cargo vessel in the Port of Foynes on Tuesday, December 19

Gardai say the men were arrested for the offence of importation of controlled drugs contrary to Section 15(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84 as amended by Section 82 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and are all detained at Garda stations in the Limerick Division.

The search of the vessel which is being led by officials from Revenue Customs Service is ongoing, at this time, gardai added. Investigations ongoing.

More than 300kg of cocaine was discovered on board the Verila cargo ship, which had travelled from South America via Canada.

The discovery was made by Revenue officials and specialist search teams at the Port of Foynes on Tuesday. Local gardai, as well as members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, are assisting the inquiry.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC), an EU agency, which targets drug trafficking by sea and air, is also involved in the probe.

The Irish Independent has learned that detectives have so far seized a number of electronic devices and exhibits, including mobile phones, as part of the investigation.

These devices are being analysed by specialist gardai in an effort to establish any links to the drugs haul and potential evidence against those involved in organising the cocaine shipment.

Around 20 crew members, who are mostly European nationals, are also being voluntarily interviewed as part of the inquiry, although no arrests have yet been made.

At this stage, gardai have not discovered any connections between the Limerick seizure and other recent drug busts around the country.

Investigators are still attempting to establish whether the drugs were destined for the Irish market or whether they were to be distributed elsewhere in Europe.

In September, more than two tonnes of cocaine was found on board a cargo ship off the Cork coast, while the previous month 9.3m worth of the same drug was recovered at Rosslare Port.

In July, bales of cocaine valued at more than 4.5m also washed up on the Donegal shoreline.

Last week, the PSNI found more than 11m of cocaine in south Armagh, while heroin valued at more than 6m was discovered at Weston Airport in Dublin at the beginning of December.

The Kinahan organised crime group is suspected of having a significant involvement in the two tonnes of cocaine seized on board the MV Matthew in Cork, while a separate Dublin-Meath crime group has been linked to the Northern Ireland bust.

One source said: "At this stage there is nothing to link the seizure at Foynes to any other recent significant drug seizures in Ireland.

"In fact most of the operations are believed to have involved different gangs and shows how many different groupings are operating at such a high level, as well as the demand that is out there for cocaine in particular.

Another source said: "It is an awful lot of product. It's generally sold per gram, and there is a thousand grams in a kilogram, so this seizure is 300,000 deals of cocaine without even cutting it with another product, which would probably double it again.

The source said it was doubtful that any one organised crime group in Ireland would be able to finance a delivery of that size on its own.

They also said the consignment was too large to be offloaded into the water and attached to buoys and a tracker to be later collected.

The cargo ship was identified by Revenue officials as potentially being used to smuggle cocaine before it was subsequently searched.

Local Independent Limerick City and County councillor Emmett O'Brien called for "a proper task force and proper investment in our naval services to stop illegal drug shipments being imported into the country.

He said: "I'm just glad this cocaine shipment has been seized. The cocaine problem is absolutely endemic, not just in my immediate electoral district [west county Limerick] but across the country, and it seems to permeate throughout all sectors of the community and ages as well.

"There's a prejudice that younger men in their 20s are cocaine users, but this goes right across through all ages and demographics. It's a serious issue, and it is a blight on our society and it is causing very serious crimes, and something needs to be done about it fast.

A spokesperson said: "Revenue officers, including specialist search teams, supported by drug detector dogs, are continuing to search the vessel as part of an ongoing operation.

A garda spokesperson added they are "working closely with Revenue officers in this operation, the Garda investigation is being led by the Limerick Division Crime Functional Area, supported by Divisional Resources, Regional Armed Support Unit, National Units including the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and International agencies, including MAOC(N).
Sgt Mark Mahon outlined how the quartet became embroiled in fighting and hair pulling in front of other shoppers

Margaret Ward (front) and Winnie Ward (in pink) appearing at an initial court sitting in Athlone

Four women charged in connection to a violent row outside a shopping centre in Longford town were seen fighting and hair pulling in front of shocked onlookers, a court has heard.

Bernadette Keenan (44) 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford, Nicole Keenan (23) 1 Richmond Court, Longford, Winnie Ward (21), 7 Richmond Street, Longford and Margaret Ward (24) 23 Palace Crescent, Longford have all been charged with committing affray while also engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

The incident took place at Tesco Car Park on May 3, 2023 at 7:30pm.

All four initially appeared back at a sitting of Athlone District Court last May with the case also returning before Judge Bernadette Owens at a subsequent sitting two weeks ago.

Nicole Keenan (front) and Bernadette Keenan

On that occasion, defence solicitor for Nicole Keenan, Frank Gearty said CCTV footage of the incident would show his client being savagely beaten around the streets of Longford.

When all four re-appeared before Judge Owens, Sgt Mark Mahon outlined how the quartet became embroiled in fighting and hair pulling in front of other shoppers.

Sgt Mahon said Bernadette Keenan and her daughter Nicole came across Margaret and Winnie Ward by accident in a confrontation that quickly escalated.

He said CCTV footage taken from the scene was part of the Garda investigation but was not available to be presented in court at present.

Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction, meaning the case could be disposed of in the District Court.

Brid Mimnagh, defending for both Margaret and Winnie Ward, admitted she was taken by surprise directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had only come through at the eleventh hour.

The local solicitor said had there been any further delay, she would have been pushing for the charges to be struck out.

Ms Mimnagh said in light of that late development, she would be applying to have her clients bail varied to allow both visit their family in Dublin over Christmas.

Despite an initial garda objection, Judge Owens agreed to relax the pairs bail terms to allow them travel to Dublin from December 20 to December 23.

All four were remanded on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on March 5, 2024.
A $5 million reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of godfather Christy Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel and Christy jr.

Ireland is seeking the extradition of cartel leader Christy Kinahan and his two sons Daniel and Christy Jr

The US government targeted the Kinahan Cartel because of their ties to a global money-laundering scheme run by Hezbollah, a former Garda Assistant Commissioner has revealed.

In April 2022, the US Department of the Treasury sent shockwaves across Europes criminal underworld when they issued sanctions against the leaders of the Kinahan clan.

A $5 million reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of godfather Christy Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel and Christy jr.

The move came after years of behind the scenes meetings between senior gardai and American law officials.

Speaking on a new Financial Times podcast called Hot Money  The New Narcos, retired Garda Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll said the Irish mobs ties to Hezbollah were their downfall.

It is believed Hezbollah are providing a money-laundering service for some of the worlds biggest drug cartels through an informal money transfer system called Hawala.

John ODriscoll  who headed up the forces operations against the Kinahans following the Regency Hotel attack  said the gardai provided intelligence they had gathered on the links with the US government.

"I wouldve been privy to the intelligence that we had gathered ourselves in Ireland.

"And then other jurisdictions had gathered additional information and bit by bit the jigsaw was being put together in terms of establishing how significant, in fact, the Kinahans were on the global stage.

As time emerged, and as the eyes of US law enforcement more generally were focused on the Kinahans, it was realised that the money laundering associated with that drugs empire involved the Kinahans utilising organisations that may potentially have links to international terrorism.

He added: Well that would be a conclusion that would be reached primarily by the US authorities, having been satisfied, having received initially information from the Irish law enforcement, UK law enforcement, and they then pursuing that line of inquiry would then have, concluded that in fact there is potential that, there, there is a financing of activity that could be associated with the Iranian state."

Ireland is seeking the extradition of cartel leader Christy Kinahan and his two sons Daniel and Christy Jr

The Kinahan's European allies  dubbed the super-cartel  also have long standing ties to Hezbollah and their paymasters in Iran.

In 2016, a Dutch mobster with direct ties to the Iranian regime was found hiding out in a safe house in Ireland

When he was hiding out in Ireland, Naoufal Fassih was wanted in connection with a number of gangland murders in Holland, including that of Mohammad Samadi who was an Iranian who had been sentenced to death by Tehran but who was living in the Netherlands.

Hed been accused of being behind a 1981 bombing that killed 73 people.

Detectives investigating the murder were convinced that it was a political assassination and that Fassih had carried it out for Tehran after the Kinahan group were asked to find a shooter.

Further investigations found that the Kinahans and other criminals based in Dubai had been using the Hawala underground banking system  which was an informal way of transferring money but which was also directly funding Hezbollah, who got a cut from every transfer.

Johnny Morrissey

Under Project Cassandra, the US Drug Enforcement Agency began investigating the Hawala money transfer system in Europe after it established that Hezbollah was using it to facilitate the movement of large quantities of cocaine into Europe and the United States.

Under the same operation, the DEA said it had identified participants in the intricate network of money couriers who collect and transport millions of euros in drug proceeds from Europe to the Middle East.

In 2022, the high-profile arrest of the Kinahan cartels main money launderer Johnny Morrissey at his villa on the Costa Del Sol, Spanish police revealed how he had used Hawala to launder 200 million in just 18 months.

Christy Kinahan Snr was also discovered trying to buy Egyptian military planes for his own ambitions to take over the transport route to Africa but in a detail which the DEA suspect was beneficial to Iran.
Joshua Jacques, 29, was fuelled by drugs and alcohol when he attacked Samantha Drummonds and her family

Joshua Jacques (right) appearing in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

A volatile cannabis abuser who claimed he stabbed his girlfriend and three of her family members to death as a sacrifice has been found guilty of their murders.

Joshua Jacques, 29, was fuelled by drugs and alcohol when he attacked Samantha Drummonds and her family in their own home in Bermondsey, south London, early on April 25 last year.

Police found the bodies of Ms Drummonds, 27, her mother Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, grandmother Dolet Hill, 64, and Ms Hills partner, Denton Burke, 58, after being alerted to a disturbance by a neighbour.

Jacques had left a bloodbath in his wake as he attacked the victims with a knife at the terraced home in Delaford Road.

Samantha Drummonds, 27, was one of three generations of the same family to be killed by Joshua Jacques (Met Police/PA)

Police officers found Mr Burkes body at the foot of the stairs and the three women heaped together in the kitchen.

Armed officers discovered Jacques naked and lying in the upstairs bathroom in a praying position, screaming Allah, take me!, Kill me now, Get rid of me, and God please forgive me.

Later, at Lewisham Hospital, Jacques said: I aint even in the wrong, I did them for sacrifice, and also warned: I will do something stupid again.

He had admitted their manslaughters but denied murder on the basis that he was mentally unwell at the time.

An Old Bailey jury deliberated for two hours to find Jacques, from Minard Road, Lewisham, south-east London, guilty of four counts of murder on Thursday.

Members of the victims family expressed relief at the unanimous verdicts with one saying thank you, Jesus.

The defendant looked down and shook his head in the dock as the jury foreman read out each of the four guilty verdicts.

Mr Justice Bryan adjourned sentencing until February 9 and remanded Jacques into custody.

The judge was invited by the prosecution to consider whether the exceptional nature of the multiple killings warranted a whole life sentence.

Previously, prosecutor Tom Little KC said: The prosecution case is that this is a clear case of murder, or more accurately a clear case of quadruple murder.

He argued Jacques ability to form a rational judgment and exercise self-control were not substantially impaired by any psychiatric condition, and his behaviour was brought about by self-induced intoxication, taking drugs and drinking alcohol.

He told jurors: This, we say, led to a transient psychotic disorder not meeting the requirements for the defendant to make out a partial defence of diminished responsibility.

Jurors were told Jacques had 11 previous convictions for 20 offences, including for cannabis, being in possession of a silver knuckle duster, and robbery.

Partners Dolet Hill and Denton Burke were killed (Metropolitan Police/PA)

He first had a mental health assessment in April 2016 after seeking hospital treatment for drinking water from a toilet.

He was arrested after he threatened to stab and shoot a security officer, and, while in police custody, threw food around his cell.

He said he had took 3g of skunk cannabis a day and refused to consider cutting down, saying he would carry on smoking marijuana even if it killed him.

In 2018, he was detained under the Mental Health Act after he was seen praying in the middle of a busy road in Brixton, south London, and was in hospital from April 27 to around August 7 of that year.

Initially on admission, the impression was of drug-induced mania with psychotic features, jurors were told.

In February 2020, he was jailed for 51 months for conspiring to deal heroin and crack cocaine, and possessing cannabis. He was released on November 11 2021.

In probation reports from April last year, Jacques was described as chatty and engaged.

Three days before the killing, he called his probation officer to say that he had been offered a job at a radio station.

Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo was also known as Racquel (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Two days later, Ms Drummonds confided in a friend that she believed Jacques was having an episode and had been chatting all night and was fixated on topics.

Mr Little told jurors no medical calls were made before the killings nor was Jacques taken to hospital.

Last April 25, Jacques had visited the house where Mr Burke and Ms Hill lived only for the second time.

Ms Ofori-Akuffo, also known as Racquel, sometimes stayed at the property to care for her mother, who was receiving treatment for cancer, while Ms Drummonds had been living there as her own flat was undergoing renovation, Mr Little told jurors.

After Jacques launched his attack, Ms Drummonds called his mother Norma Derrivere but all she was able to say was Norma hes sta sta ahhh.

There were also FaceTime calls between Jacques and his mother that evening, and during one, after 2am, he said: Im ending it, Im gonna make a sacrifice.

Neighbour Alice Canal heard a cat screeching, a male voice swearing, movement, banging and what she believed was someone falling down stairs, which prompted her to call 999 at around 1.42am.

It was claimed on his behalf that Jacques had exhibited manic symptoms consistent with bipolar disorder.

He doubled his skunk cannabis intake from his birthday on April 19 last year  just days before the killings.

However, that escalation came weeks after he began having trouble sleeping which was a symptom of mania, the defence argued.

Speaking outside court, members of the victims family said justice has been served and Jacques deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murders of a happy, loving, caring family.
Keziah Macharia (41) appeared before a London magistrate charged with the murder of her four year old son, Kobi Macharia-Dooly on Wednesday evening

A HEARTBROKEN Irish family have paid tribute to a four year old boy whose mother has been charged with his murder in the UK.

Keziah Macharia (41) appeared before a London magistrate charged with the murder of her four year old son, Kobi Macharia-Dooly on Wednesday evening.

The four year old boy was found fatally stabbed at his Hackney home in east London after police raced to the property following a telephone call which raised concerns over the toddler's welfare.

Kobi's father, Ben Dooly, is based in the UK but is originally from Tramore in Waterford.

The Dooly family are highly respected in Waterford with very strong community, business and sporting connections.

The young man was working outside London when the tragedy involving his son occurred in east London.

His Waterford-based family have issued a statement hailing Kobi for "the joy and laughter" the toddler brought to the world - and admitting they are heartbroken by the events of Wednesday night..

"With heavy hearts we bid farewell to Kobi, you will be so dearly missed," they said.

"The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken from us far too soon. We will be thinking of you day and night for eternity till we meet you again."

"The family would like to acknowledge and appreciate all messages of support. Please respect our family privacy at this very difficult time."

Members of the Dooly family have travelled from Waterford to the UK to support the heartbroken father in the wake of the shocking tragedy.

Kobi's grandfather and grandmother were met on arrival in London by Metropolitan Police liaison officers who have been assisting the heartbroken Irish father since Wednesday.

The young man was left devastated by the appalling circumstances of the incident in which his young son died just days before Christmas.

Ms Macharia, who is a British national, appeared before Thames Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon in respect of the murder charge.

She was remanded in ongoing custody to appear again before the Old Bailey on December 28.

A full post mortem examination will be performed next week on the four year old boy.

Kobi was discovered critically injured at a property in London after apparently being the victim of a frenzied knife attack.

Ms Macharia was arrested at the scene and had been questioned since Wednesday evening on suspicion of the toddler's murder.

Metropolitan police officers attended the scene at Montague Road, Dalston in Hackney after they had received a telephone call which raised serious concerns about the child's welfare.

Police officers attended the scene at 10.50pm on Wednesday evening and were supported by units from the London Ambulance Service.

The four year old boy was discovered at the property with critical injuries including apparent stab and slash wounds.

Paramedics gave emergency treatment at the scene before rushing the toddler to a nearby hospital.

Tragically, despite desperate efforts by doctors to stabilise the boy's condition, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Metropolitan police officers questioned the 41 year old woman at the scene.

She was the only person at the property and was discovered blood-soaked in her pyjamas.

The boy's father was working outside London and is understood to have been planning a trip back to Ireland over the Christmas period to meet extended family.

The boy was born in the UK and had lived throughout his young life in the Hackney area of east London.

Neighbours described him as an energetic, happy boy who was often seen playing in the area.

When questioned by police about the circumstances of what happened, the 41 year old woman was in a very distressed condition.

Neighbours described screaming and frantic efforts by police and paramedics at the scene to aid the injured child.

The woman was later arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to a nearby police station.

She remains in custody and it is understood will undergo a full medical and psychiatric examination.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson indicated that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Hackney locals described emotional scenes outside the Montague Road property with several police officers visibly distressed at what they had discovered inside the property.

An investigation is now underway by homicide detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of Hackney and Tower Hamlets admitted the entire Hackney community was shocked by the incident.

"This is an extremely distressing incident which will understandably cause shock and disbelief amongst the local community and those who attended the scene," he said.

He said the little boy was rushed to hospital for treatment but, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he subsequently died from his injuries.

"We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it."

"Specialist officers from our homicide team are progressing this investigation and continue to work to establish the circumstances of this young child's death, and the events that led up to it."

"This incident occurred within the home and, while there is no wider public safety risk, additional officers will be present in the area as we recognise the impact this will have on the community."

A special liaison officer has been appointed to assist the boy's family.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the matter.

Consular assistance is being provided to those involved.

"As with all consular cases, the DFA does not comment on the details of individual cases."
The case made headlines at the time, with authorities signalling that other ringleaders were being sought by police

Edwin in one of his acting roles

An Irishman arrested in India eight years ago over an alleged plot to smuggle 10kg of gold has won a final court battle proving his total innocence.

Edwin Minihan, originally from New Ross, Co Wexford, spent time behind bars after being accused of carrying ten kilos of gold  then worth 340,000  on a flight from Dubai.

The case made headlines at the time, with authorities signalling that other ringleaders were being sought by police.

Described as a businessman who worked with telecoms and software firms in Dubai, Minihan also turned his hand to acting in India, according to his posts on social media.

He spent at least a month in prison as the case went through the notoriously slow courts system following his arrest at Cochin International Airport in July 2015.

Edwin in one of his acting roles

Last week the High Court of Kerala in southern India dismissed an appeal by prosecutors over Minihans acquittal in a 2019 judgement.

Last year in court, his defence counsel argued that the entire prosecution story was fabricated and the acquittal of the accused ought to be sustained, according to the written judgement.

Counsel pointed out that a statement the prosecution claimed the Irishman had made was retracted, the smuggled gold wasnt produced in court and there were was no CCTV footage of his airport arrest.

The prosecution case, according to the latest judgement, was that Minihan arrived at the airport on an Emirates flight with two pieces of hand luggage.

At the exit gate of the airport terminal, he was intercepted and when he was questioned on whether he carried any dutiable goods, he replied he did not.

However, since the X-ray showed a dark image in his coat pockets, a search was conducted, which revealed that he carried a gold bar in each of his pockets.

The prosecution said there were ten gold bars weighing 10kg in total and he later gave a statement confessing that he had engaged in smuggling the gold to India.

He also stated that he had indulged in smuggling on 21 occasions earlier, thus committing the offences alleged, it was said.

The courts ruling upheld the original acquittal and pointed out that the language used in the retracted statement suggested it was not made voluntarily by Minihan.

A perusal of the three statements does not inspire this court to believe that it was made voluntarily. The statements have the trappings of a document written under the dictation of another, the ruling stated.

It was added that despite being an Irish national the accused man referred to specific statutory provisions in Indian law and used terms that would be unknown to lay persons, especially to foreign nationals.

The judgement also noted there was absolutely no evidence regarding any previous smuggling of goods by the accused.

Under cross-examination the prosecution had not dented Mr Minihans account of travelling to Kerala on a regular basis for business reasons.

It was reported at the time of Mr Minihans arrest in 2015 he had been living in Dubai for the previous nine years.

There were two addresses given for him on the most recent judgement, one in Dubai and the other at an Indian hotel.

Mr Minihan didnt respond to an attempt by the Sunday World to make contact with him this week.

He worked for a number of telecommunications companies in Dubai and worked for Enterprise Ireland in Germany, according to previous reports.

In a 2018 story by the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium on the Dubai property market, Mr Minihan was asked about the gold smuggling allegations.

He told the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project the gold he was carrying was his personal possession, which he declared in the customs form.

I deny any allegations of being involved in a gold smuggling racket and Im trying to reclaim the gold, he said.

He also confirmed he was arrested in 2015 and spent one month in prison before he was released on bail.
While Sudanese in exile work hard to put their country's humanitarian crisis on the agenda, the world seems to have lost interest in Sudan, especially since the start of the war on Gaza.

Eight months after war broke out in Sudan on 15 April, an end to the violence is not in sight. The civil war is about to become a proxy war, and the war on Gaza might attract even more attention away from the conflict, which had been of little interest to the international community even before.

It is a forgotten war, says Sudanese political analyst Dallia Abdel-Moniem, who now lives in Egypt, like 317,000 other Sudanese. The ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced six million people, according to the UN, and killed more than 10,000. By now, the RSF controls most of Darfur, spurring fears of repeated large-scale forced displacements and massacres in the region.

According to Osman Mirgany, editor-in-chief of the Sudanese Tayar newspaper, the Gaza war greatly impacts Sudan, in terms of media attention but also concerning regional and international communities.

Expert: Ignoring started long before the Gaza war

However, ignoring started long before, says Peter Schumann, who has worked with the United Nations for more than seven years, starting in 1983 in Sudan and since 2004 with UN peacekeeping missions.

Taking Germany as an example, Schumann explains that the countrys foreign policy has for a long time been one of the world's friendliest towards Sudan; its strong relations with Sudan date to the Cold War. Germany supplied Sudan with arms, supported its local armament industry, and trained senior military leadership security forces.

Sudan's entire security apparatus was largely co-built up by Germany, Sudan expert Roman Deckert said in an interview with the German newspaper Taz.

The Sudanese felt like the Germans cared about them. Then, suddenly: nothing, no more interest, Schumann observes. Foreign policy priorities often depend on the personal interests of higher state officials in the ministries and can change radically with changes in governments.

Shifting interests of foreign powers in Sudan

With the so-called Khartoum Process, which started around 2015, the EUs foreign security interest in Sudan focused primarily on migration control, leaving aside other considerations.

Following the launch of open hostilities between the SAF and RSF, the US government has mostly focused on promoting its partner Saudi Arabia as a mediator of the conflict to strengthen its role in the region. Leaving the political task to mediate between the warring parties to Saudi Arabia demonstrates that for US foreign policy, Sudan is no longer a priority, Schumann says.

The war between the SAF and RSF has developed an additional dimension; it is becoming a proxy war. The interests of regional actors including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, as well as South Sudan, play an increasingly important role, the expert notes.

The threat of famine, and health sector dysfunction

At the moment, Sudans biggest concern is the humanitarian crisis caused by the war, which is gravely affecting the medical sector and food security.

According to Abdel-Moniem, 70 percent of the health sector in Sudan is non-operational, 19 million children are out of school, and power cuts and lack of water are widespread. Many people die due to lack of medical care and medicine, even in regions not directly affected by the war, Mirgany adds.

The food sector in Sudan has almost collapsed, says Abdel-Moniem. The large-scale displacement of agricultural workers as well as urban populations in Khartoum, where food processing takes place, and where banks are located, let alone the seizure of goods by RSF and SAF forces, has critically disrupted the food supply chain in Sudan, according to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

According to the IPC, the war in Sudan has driven 17.7 million people into acute food insecurity. Image: IPC/Screenshot

According to numbers published mid-December by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), 17.7 million people across Sudan, that is 37 percent of the analyzed population, will face acute levels of food insecurity until February 2024.

Humanitarian assistance withers in the wake of the Gaza war

Humanitarian assistance to Sudan has precipitously decreased during the past two to three months, Mirgany observes, connecting it to the Gaza war. Even from Arab countries, especially the Gulf states, we have received no more aid.

To put Sudans humanitarian crisis on the agenda, Abdel-Moniem and others have organized the Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Conference 2023 in Cairo in November.

The international aid and donor agencies' turnout was higher than we expected,, she remarks. However, we need $2.8 billion to face this humanitarian crisis, but we have received only $860 million so far.

Mediation and international attention needed to end the Sudan war

As RSF forces expand their territorial control over Sudan, experts have evoked the danger of a Libyan scenario, with two rival governments locked in a stalemate. Some speculate that Sudan might be divided once again.

To prevent this and to end the war, Sudan now needs mediation and attention from the regional and international community, Mirgany says. Saudi Arabia and the Emirates in particular could be very effective in mediating the Sudan war. But with Gaza, Sudan is not the number one priority of regional actors.

Schumann is concerned that negotiations taking place in Jeddah might produce yet another power-sharing arrangement, even if this may be the only option to stop the fighting.

We have seen in the past, be it with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for North-South Sudan or the Darfur Peace Agreement in Doha, the solution is not simply a signed document, but a process bringing together local and national actors. It is a regional process to accommodate the interests of all players, such as Egypt's concerns regarding the Nile or Saudi Arabia as a regional political hegemon, he says.

The Jeddah talks have failed, but we will not make peace if only the two generals sit at the table without the representation of the civilians on a humanitarian side, Abdel-Moniem warns, adding that the war might affect neighbouring countries or even the whole region.

Other countries in the region and the international community need to put more pressure on the two generals to end the fighting, Abdel-Moniem demands. We pay the price for this war.

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New services to Sicily, Turkey and Crete will be on Dublin Airport sdepartures board next year

Deborah Byrne and Nik Robinson of Aer Lingus alongside holidaymakers Marcos Peter and Melanie Poussin at Dublin Airport. Photo: Naoise Culhane

Aer Lingus has announced new flights to Sicily, Crete and Turkey as part of its summer schedule for 2024.

The direct routes will connect Dublin Airport to Heraklion in Crete twice-weekly (from May 2), Catania in Sicily three times a week (from May 1) and Dalaman in Turkey twice-weekly (from April 6).

They follow the recent announcement of two new US transatlantic routes for next year, to Denver, Colorado (from May 17) and the twin cities of Minneapolis-St Paul in Minnesota (from April 29).

The news comes together with a seat sale running to January 15, which Aer Lingus says offers 25pc off short-haul flights and North American fares from 179 each-way, when booked as part of a return trip.

Aer Lingus, like many airlines, has been adding routes and capacity since the pandemic, with new European services last year including Kos in Greece, Olbia in Sardinia and Brindisi in Italy.

Last summer saw the airlines largest-ever transatlantic schedule, with 2.25m seats to the US and Canada.

Airfares are widely predicted to continue rising in 2024, although surveys appear to show consumers remain prepared to spend on their holidays.

Aer Linguss website data showed January 11 as its busiest for traffic in 2023, with Faro, Malaga and Paris the most popular destinations booked in Europe.

The most-travelled summer sun destinations this year included Malaga, Faro, Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, it says. New York JFK, Boston and Chicago dominated its transatlantic bookings.

"Our fleet expansion in 2023 carries us into summer 2024 with a mix of exciting new routes and increased frequency on core routes, said Reid Moody, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Aer Lingus.

The airline has previously flown to Catania, so will be re-commencing that route next year. Ryanair also operates a seasonal summer service from Dublin Airport to Palermo in Sicily.

Ryanair flies to Dalaman (from March 31) too, while Aer Lingus also flies to Izmir in Turkey.

In other airline news this week, Emirates revealed that over 450,000 customers have flown its Dublin to Dubai route this year.

There was a 31pc rise in First and Business Class bookings on the service, it said, with Australia named as its top international destination from Ireland.

The demand for international travel has returned stronger than ever since the dark days of the pandemic, said its country manager in Ireland, Anita Thomas.
Mr Varadkars spokesperson said a version of the virtual call, which was uploaded to social media site Rumble, was doctored and overdubbed.

The Kremlin had no involvement in a prank on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Russian embassy has said.

There is not a single reason to suggest there is any Russian official involvement in a virtual meeting which Mr Varadkar believed was with African diplomats, but turned out to be with pro-Kremlin comedians Lexus and Vovan, according to the embassy.

We have learned of this prank from the news reports, the Russian embassy in Dublin said in a statement to the Irish Independent.

There is not a single reason to suggest that there is any official Russian involvement in it.

Mr Varadkars spokesperson said a version of the virtual call, which was uploaded to social media site Rumble, was doctored and overdubbed.

Russian duo Vovan and Lexus chose Mr Varadkar as their latest high-profile target, having previously made headlines for prank calls with the likes of Elton John and Bernie Sanders.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni was also recently duped by the two men.

The duo gained access to the Taoiseach by pretending to be a representatives of the African Union Commission, according to a spokesperson for Mr Varadkar.

Mr Varadkar said he played along during the call but said he was immediately suspicious, giving careful answers before ending the call.

The video meeting took place earlier this year and a 13-minute clip of the exchange has been uploaded online. It shows the Taoiseach being quizzed about the war in Ukraine as well as a United Ireland.

However, the Taoiseachs spokesperson said the clip did not represent what actually took place on the call.

Mr Varadkar said the video is not as it appears and said artificial intelligence was used.

The Taoiseach said his office has now changed protocols in relation to video conferencing calls and said the Government needs to have very strict security protocols.

We have changed our procedures in relation to video calls, he said. And it is the new world of artificial intelligence, it is actually really easy now to produce the fake image of somebody on a screen, and that fake image can have the persons voice and mannerisms and everything.

So in some ways now, I think one of the strange consequences of things like AI is that people are going to want to see things for themselves a bit more, people are going to be much less trusting of photographs and video and images that they see on screens and are going to want to be able to hear with their own ears and see with their own eyes.

We have to have very strict security protocols around this for the future, which we do, but I do think in general, because of the advancements in technology, a lot more important things are going to have to happen in person that we might have thought, during the pandemic, were going to move to a virtual world.
Victims campaigner also hits out at critics of the move from within his own unionist community

A victims campaigner has thanked Dublin for mounting a legal challenge against the UK Governments controversial Legacy Act, which offers immunity over Troubles crimes.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by the UVF in 1997, said he had written to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar requesting a meeting for victims from the unionist community who will be supporting the challenge.

The new law came into force in September despite opposition from victims, all the political parties here and the Irish Government.

Ireland believes the law is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The move drew criticism from Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, who said he profoundly regrets the decision.

And DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson accused the Irish Government of double standards.

Kenny Donaldson of the South East Fermanagh Foundation claimed Dublin had been evasive about releasing information on the 1998 Omagh atrocity and warned it would soon get a reality check if it thinks its on the moral high ground.

However, Mr McCord said: Im delighted to see it. I wasnt happy with the criticism that came from several people from my own community, including Jeffrey Donaldson and Kenny Donaldson.

I thought we were slowly but surely moving away from whataboutery.

They accused the Irish Government of double standards. We all know  because Ive spoken to people from Omagh, the border etc  the Irish Government has questions to answer, but this is nothing to do with that, this is about stopping this Bill.

He added: I sent an email last night to thank (Micheal) Martin and Varadkar through a contact I have.

What I would like now is a meeting with Leo Varadkar and victims from the unionist community who will be supporting the Irish Government in their challenge.

And I hope to be in Europe to watch the Irish Government challenging it.

He said the UK Government pushed through the Bill despite the fact everybody here was against the legislation.

He added: It was opposed by the population of Northern Ireland, no matter whether youre nationalist, unionist or whatever  it was imposed on us.

This is fantastic, it gives us hope of now defeating the Bill.

Mr Donaldson said Mr McCord was entitled to his views.

He added: We respect his familys loss and quest for justice, truth and account.

But he and others should equally be respectful SEFF is entitled to its views, which are reflective of an IVU (Innocent Victims United) constituency of victims and survivors exceeding 14,000 and which are based upon the foundation stone of support for the rule of law.

Mr Donaldson said, for some victims and survivors, the Irish Government will be received as saviours in all of this, but for others a very different lived experience is the reality.

Mr McCord said if the Irish Government was offering to donate 100m to Northern Ireland, people within unionism, my own community, would criticise it, theyll find fault.

Pointing to collusion being proven in his sons murder, and accepted by the UK Government and Chief Constable, he said unionist parties would not accept those findings either because the Police Ombudsmans report criticised the police and security agencies.

In reference to comments by NIO minister Lord Caine, who said he cannot rule out consequences (in diplomatic relations) for Dublin, Mr McCord added: We invited Lord Caine to Queens University for a victims event.

I was chairing it and said to him: Im going to ask you one question when its over, its not a nasty question, would you answer it? He said yes.

When the film was over, with eight victims telling their story, I asked him: After watching that film, do you think it (the Legacy Bill) is going to help victims move on? He refused to answer it.

The minister told Mr McCord he was there in listening mode.

An NIO spokesperson said: "The UK Government is confident that the Legacy Act will provide answers to many families who have waited decades for information about what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles."
Czech authorities warn that death toll could rise as body of gunmans father discoveredPandemonium in Prague as student kills at least 14 in gun rampage at university Terrified students cling to window ledge as gunman continued rampageForeign nationals were among those killed in the incident, authorities have said

The gunman behind Czech Republics worst-ever mass shooting has been named.

David Kozak, 24, opened fire at Charles University in Prague on Thursday afternoon, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20.

The gunman, history student at the university, started the shooting on the fourth floor of the building with legally-owned weapons. Crowds of people fled for their lives as panic took over the countrys capital.

The shooting happened after Kozak, who has no criminal record, is believed to have killed his own father. Hes also suspected of killing a man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague, the citys police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters.

Foreign nationals were among those killed in the incident, authorities have said.

Police are investigating a possible motive for the attack, one of the Czech Republics worst mass shootings, which left more than 20 others injured.

The bloodshed took place in the Czech capital on Thursday at the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek said.

Czech students were left clinging to the side of their university building yesterday as their classmate massacred during Europes worst mass shooting since the 2015 terror attacks in Paris.

Picture Killer David Kozak

The gunman, who was studying Polish history in Pragues Charles University, murdered his father before gunning down his classmates in a rampage that injured another 25 people and only ended when he was eliminated.

Images showed the lone gunman, named by local media as David Kozak, taking aim with a black rifle on the campus which is located near the tourist hotspot of the Czech capitals Old Town.

Police said they suspected 24-year-old Kozak shot himself after exchanging fire with officers on the walkway of the building, possibly after being wounded.

A post-mortem examination is yet to be performed but officers said the devastating injuries suggested suicide.

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Kozak owned several guns, and what he did was a well-thought-out, horrible act, police added.

Czech media reported that Kozak authored social media posts in which he indulged in sick fantasies of suicide and mass murders in the days before the attacks.

Police said the gunman was inspired by a terrible event abroad. In one post, Kozak cited a 14-year-old Russian school shooter, who killed one classmate and wounded five others, as an inspiration.

Students barricaded themselves in their classrooms yesterday before sending panicked messages on social media, as police rushed to the scene at about 3pm local time.

People watch from a roof following a shooting at one of the buildings of Charles University, in Prague, Czech Republic, December 21, 2023, as seen in this screen grab taken from a social media video. Ivo Havranek/via REUTERS

A group of pupils were forced to climb out of their classroom window and were filmed huddling together on the buildings outer ledge as the attack continued on the fourth floor of the universitys faculty of arts.

Stay put, dont go anywhere, if youre in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights, read one email sent to staff and students as the carnage erupted.

None of the victims were formally identified last night and authorities warned the death toll could rise.

Kozak is believed to have travelled 20km to the university from the central Bohemian village of Hostoun, where police discovered the body of his father.

Police director Martin Vondrasek said officers were searching for the 24-year-old man before the attack on the university.

At 12.45pm we received information that a dead man, the suspects father, was found in the same village, he said.

People, one wrapped in a thermal blanket, walk near the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. A mass shooting in downtown Prague killed several people and injured others, and the person who opened fire also is dead, Czech police and the city's rescue service said Thursday. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The gunman left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself, he added, before revealing the first news of the shooting was at 2.59pm.

At 3.20pm we received information from the intervening police officers that the lifeless body of the shooter was found on the sidewalk of this school building, he said.

A large haul of weapons was found in the university.

We could have had high tens of victims without a quick police response, Vit Rakusan, Czech justice minister, said.

University authorities said they would tighten security on campus with immediate effect.

We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

Petr Fiala, the prime minister, cancelled a visit to the city of Olomouc and returned to Prague because of the tragic events while Petr Pavel, the president said he was shocked by the shooting.

We always thought that this was a thing that did not concern us. Now it turns out that, unfortunately, our world is also changing and the problem of the individual shooter is emerging here as well, Prague mayor Bohuslav Svoboda told Czech Television.

Petr Nedoma, director of the Rudolfinum Gallery at a concert hall across Palach Square, told Czech TV he saw the shooter.

A photo shared online apparently showing the gunman who killed at least 15 people in Prague

I saw a young person on the gallery who had some weapon in his hand, like an automatic weapon, and shooting towards the Manes Bridge, he said.

Then I saw as he shot, [he] put [his] hands up and threw the weapon down on the street, it lay there on the pedestrian crossing, he said.

Another witness, Ivo Havranek (43) told Reuters via Zoom that he initially thought the couple of bangs he heard might have come from loud tourists or a nearby movie set.

Then suddenly there were students and teachers running out of the building. I went through the crowd not realising what is actually going on. I wasnt ready to admit that something like that could happen in Prague, he said.

Only when he saw police officers with automatic rifles, he knew it was serious, he said. They shouted at me to run.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod.

Additional reporting: The Telegraph and Independent
Emergency services vehicles are parked outside the building of Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic (Petr David Josek/AP)

A student opened fire on Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20, officials said.

The incident marks the Czech Republics worst mass shooting.

The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the gunman was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said.

The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Mr Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He did not explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square.

Czech interior minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Mr Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier on Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He did not elaborate.

Later on Thursday, Mr Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his two-month-old daughter on December 15 in Prague.

The chief described the gunman as an excellent student with no criminal record, but did not provide any other information.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it was not clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Mr Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The gunman legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed on Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Mr Vondrasek said.

A woman lights candles outside the scene of the shooting (Petr David Josek/AP)

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town.

It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was backed by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Mr Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Police officers stand on the balcony of the philosophical faculty of Charles University (Petr David Josek/AP)

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency.

President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

She said: The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence.

On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the shooting victims, prime minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the south-eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Police officers on site where a four-year-old boy has died after suffering knife injuries

A woman has been charged with the murder of her four-year-old son in east London.

Police were called to an address in Montague Road, Hackney, on Wednesday night following concerns about the welfare of a child.

Inside, officers found Kobi Dooley-Macharia (4), who had suffered knife injuries, and arrested his 41-year-old mother, Keziah Macharia.

The child was taken to hospital but despite the efforts of the emergency services, later died from his injuries.

Macharia was charged with murder and will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates Court on Friday.

Relatives of an Irish father whose four year old son was fatally stabbed to death have travelled to the UK to support the devastated young man.

The boy's father - who was not in London when the tragedy occurred - is an Irish national and has extensive family connections in the south east.

The scene of the killing in Montague Road, Hackney, London. Photo: PA.

The Irish family are highly respected in the area and have long-standing local business and sporting connections.

It is believed the boy's father relocated to the UK many years ago for work reasons and had been based in the London area.

Metropolitan police officers attended the scene at Montague Road, Dalston, in Hackney after they had received a telephone call which raised serious concerns about the child's welfare.

Police officers attended the scene at 10.50pm on Wednesday evening and were supported by units from the London Ambulance Service.

The four year old boy was discovered at the property with critical injuries including apparent stab and slash wounds.

Paramedics gave emergency treatment at the scene before rushing the toddler to a nearby hospital.

Tragically, despite desperate efforts by doctors to stabilise the boy's condition, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Metropolitan police officers questioned a 41-year-old woman at the scene.

She was the only person at the property and was discovered blood-soaked in her pyjamas.

The boy's father was working outside London and is understood to have been planning a trip back to Ireland over the Christmas period to meet extended family.

The boy was born in the UK and had lived in the Hackney area.

Forensic officers at a property on Montague Road in Dalston, east London, where a four-year-old boy has died after suffering knife injuries.

When questioned by police about the circumstances of what happened, the woman was in a very distressed condition.

Neighbours described screaming and frantic efforts by police and paramedics at the scene to aid the injured child.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson indicated that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

It was confirmed that the woman arrested was known to the child.

She is understood to be a UK national.

Hackney locals described emotional scenes outside the Montague Road property with several police officers visibly distressed at what they had discovered inside the property.

An investigation is now under way by homicide detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of Hackney and Tower Hamlets admitted the entire Hackney community was shocked by the incident.

"This is an extremely distressing incident which will understandably cause shock and disbelief amongst the local community and those who attended the scene," he said.

He said the little boy was rushed to hospital for treatment but, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he subsequently died from his injuries.

"We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it."

"Specialist officers from our homicide team are progressing this investigation and continue to work to establish the circumstances of this young child's death, and the events that led up to it."

"This incident occurred within the home and, while there is no wider public safety risk, additional officers will be present in the area as we recognise the impact this will have on the community."

A special liaison officer has been appointed to assist the boy's family.

Several members of the Irish father's family caught flights to the UK on Thursday evening to provide support and consolation to the young man.

The father is said to be "devastated" by the tragedy.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the matter.

Consular assistance is being provided to those involved.

"As with all consular cases, the DFA does not comment on the details of individual cases."
Rob Murphy has panto in his blood.

Panto star Rob Murphy reveals that he was handpicked at the age of 24 to star as audience favourite Buffy in TV star Alan Hughes show despite his then tender age.

This is my 12th year to do Buffy. I remember when I auditioned when I was 24 and the audition brief was for a male actor over 40, explains rob.

My agent said I really think you should see Rob and I walked in and I always remember Alans husband Karl Broderick saying in surprise what age are you? And then I did my thing on the stage, and the rest is history I suppose.

Director Karl Broderick and co-star Alan Hughes

Karl directs the show, Sammy and the Beanstalk, in which Alan plays Sammy Sausages.

Simon Delaney has directed this year again and hes top notch for getting the comedy out of you, says Rob.

Johnny Ward plays the baddie, Conor Clear is Jack, while Una Healy also makes a guest filmed appearance.

Una is brilliant. She filmed it, shes not live, confirms Rob. Anything we did do with her, the filming and the photoshoot, shes absolutely gorgeous. Shes really, really warm and just nice to be around.



He says he loves starring opposite Alan as the panto dame.

Myself and Alan have the craic, he beams. We said to each other the other day lets have some fun, and thats what we do, we go out and have a ball. You never know what either of us are going to come out with.

Love

I absolutely love panto. You have to love it to do it because it is an obstacle course, to do that many shows over a short period of time. Like, were doing 14 shows a week. In the West End they do eight shows a week. So when youre doing 14 performances a week, it is a lot to cover, you have to love it.

Rob Murphy

Theres just something so magical about panto and Christmas. For me, I wouldnt know what its like to have a normal Christmas.

I just love Alan and Karl. After 12 years. I probably wouldnt be here. The lads around me give me the freedom to play Buffy the way I want to. Karl always says go for it. There great people to work for.

He has panto in his blood.

Before I did this with the lads, I was in the Olympia with panto and before that I was doing local panto; so it was kind of just in your blood and I love Buffy. I love playing her and I love the lads give me the freedom to go off down to the audience and mortify a daddy.

Hes yet to have a bad reaction from a daddy.

You can kind of get that sense when you look down from the stage, if theyre not making eye contact with you youd go lets look at somebody else here. But if you sit up near the front when Buffy is on stage, youre in for it, he smiles.

Rob, who hails from Inchicore, has a theatrical background.

I went to full-time training as an actor at the age of 17 and I went to college for four years. Actually, at the age of 35, I did my Masters just recently, in UCD in Theatre Practice, he reveals.

My background was mainly producing, directing, writing shows. After Alan and Karls panto Ill go straight into rehearsals with Mary Byrne about her life story on stage

I also run a dramatic action stage school for children. Thats probably my favourite job. Theres nothing better than seeing a shy child come into the stage and three or four weeks you can see the confidence grow in the child, its brilliant.

Not only all that but hes also behind the panto Cinderella at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght.

I write, direct and produce the Civic panto now, he adds. Its just bigger and better. Its more or less sold out. Its Cinderella this year with a fabulous cast and getting five-star reviews and packing houses.

Believe it or not, I actually started out as an usher in the theatre at the age of 17 and worked my way up there. I suppose its my local theatre. I do their panto and a few other things. We even tried out a Halloween panto and it went down a storm.

Its lovely to get it together in the Civic before I do Buffy. I leave it in the safe hands after the rehearsals in the of the stage manager.

He loves the way a young dancer like Bonnie Hennessy gets to shine in the Civic.

Seeing the kids and their faces. Theres nothing better. Most children, their first experience of theatre is a panto, and thats a really important onus on you as a performer to make them fall in love with theatre.

Its also the first time a lot of young dancers get as their first professional opportunity. 

He also has the support of his husband Shane, whos a psychiatric nurse.

We are together nine years in January and four years married.

Hes the best supporter I have, especially at this time of year. We dont get to do things other couples do at Christmas, but he fully accepts it and supports me.

It usually takes Rob 90 minutes to put on his makeup and dress and become Buffy.

When I did my own show in Vicar Street, which I sold out, I came out as me with lots of characters. I didnt do Buffy  I save her up for Christmas.
All aboard! A familiar whistle has been echoing through the air at Mount Maunganui, as the popular Pepi Toot train once again takes to the streets of the town, much to the delight of cruise ship passengers, visitors and locals.

The summer attraction has been eagerly anticipated by those keen to enjoy the nostalgic journey on the beloved train.

Im just thrilled to be back, with the locals and the visitors, says train driver Lesley Smith.

Ive had repeat people from the ships. An Australian lady came back for the third time the other day and brought her father.

During winter a new gearbox has been installed in the train, switching it from manual to automatic, enabling a smoother ride for all.

The train usually operates from October through to Easter.

Following the Covid lockdown, three years passed before cruise ship passengers were able to return to NZ ports when the borders opened in 2022.

Pepi Toot in Pilot Bay. Photo: SunLive.

The train is named Pepi which is Maori for baby and has a carriage that can take up to 15 adults.

The train ride takes passengers along Pilot Bay around Marine Parade to Grove Ave, and through the middle of the Mount Maunganui downtown shops.

Along the way all aboard get to see one of the oldest pohutukawa trees in NZ, and enjoy views they often can miss in their cars.

Cruise ship passengers also enjoy an informative talk from Lesley about the history of Mount Maunganui.

Its a fun ride on a summers day, leaving from outside the Spongedrop Cafe in Salisbury Ave.

On cruise ship days, one-hour tours are offered to cruise ship passengers, and on non-cruise ship days there are half-hour rides available from 10am.

The Pepi Toot Beach express is also available for childrens parties, weddings and group bookings.

Any enquiries can be made to Lesley via the Facebook page Mount Maunganui "Pepi Toot" Beach Express.
A project to protect and enhance several environmentally significant areas in the Whakatane District has been re-confirmed for the next five years.

The Whakatane and Ohope Sites Environmental Programme 2024-2029 will continue to restore and improve five sites (including Ohope, Kohi Point and Mokorua Scenic Reserves) as part of a programme that focuses on pest animal and plant control to achieve its broader aims.

The sites included in the programme form a broken sequence of indigenous forest corridor that extends from the coast inland to Te Urewera, and are home to a number of threatened and at-risk flora and fauna, such as karearea (New Zealand falcon), long tailed bat, dwarf mistletoe and New Zealand spurge.

The sites also form the core area for the Whakatane Kiwi Project.

As well as direct ecological gains, the activities funded through the programme provide a variety of important cultural, social, economic, educational and recreational benefits to the community, iwi and mana whenua.

This includes fostering connection with te Taiao (the natural world), employment opportunities through pest control contracts and eco-tourism, encouraging volunteerism and kaitiakitanga (guardianship), providing research opportunities, and strengthening the ability of Whakatane to be the Kiwi Capital of the World.

Last week, the projects partners gathered at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Councils offices in Whakatane to sign the finalised document ahead of implementation in 2024.

The partners are Regional Council, Ngati Hokopu and Ngati Wharepaia, Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, Ngati Awa Group Holdings Limited, Te Tapatoru a Toi, Department of Conservation, Whakatane District Council, Whakatane Kiwi Trust, and Pasadena Farms.

The signing ceremony marked a significant milestone in the project to bring the partners collective ambitions, goals and vision together, says Regional Council coastal catchments acting manager Charles Harley.

Since this programme was established in 2011, weve undergone two revisions at the end of each five-year period.

While these have helped us make significant improvements to the area over time, were particularly proud of this latest programme and where it can take us next.

This is attributed to the time spent getting all the right people in the room and the discussions had to arrive at where we are now.

To achieve this, thanks must go to Shay Dean, Regional Council Environmental Scientist and Project Manager, who has been instrumental in developing the programme and bringing the partners on the journey.

Through the review and development process for this programme, the project partners developed a shared, overarching vision with a series of goals, says Charles.

This will ensure the individual efforts of the partners will achieve the collective goal of protection and enhancement of these vital areas, says Charles.

Healthy taiao for future generations is a vision that defines the end state for the projects across the area.

The health of the sites is critical to social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing for our communities.

Acknowledgement of the significant amount of collective work done to develop this programme was a theme at the signing ceremony.

coming together was remarkable and recognised the size and scale of this programme, notably the 8000-plus volunteer hours a year that the Whakatane Kiwi Trust alone has put into the project, says Regional Council chief executive Fiona McTavish.

Councillor Toi Kai Rakau Iti says he and his fellow Toi Moana councillors were proud to support this programme for the example that it sets for other partnerships.

Wayne OKeefe, outgoing chairman of the Whakatane Kiwi Trust, calls the process an exceptional journey, while David Beattie, Department of Conservation operations manager, noted this programme was a beautiful partnership.

William Stewart and Te Arani Barrett, delegates from Ngati Hokopu ki Wairaka and Ngati Hokopu ki Te Hokowhitu a Tu respectively, both recognised the significance of the programme bringing the hapu around the table, noting it was a long wait for a kaupapa like this.

Te Tapatoru a Toi interim chair, Vincent Copeland acknowledges the late chairman Te Kei Merito, who would have been signing the document.

He says he would have been very pleased with this, and seeing the hapu and partners all coming together for the benefit of the Taiao.

To close the partners speeches, Whakatane District Council Chief Executive Stephanie OSullivan remarked that collaboration gives us a richer, deeper, more authentic experience.

Left to right: Stephanie O'Sullivan (Whakatane District Council), David Beattie (Department of Conservation), Romana Graham (Te Runanga o Ngati Awa), Shay Dean (Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council), Te Arani Barrett (Ngati Hokopu ki Te Hokowhitu a Tu), Wayne O'Keefe (Whakatane Kiwi Trust), William Stewart (Ngati Hokopu ki Wairaka), Vincent Copeland (Te Tapatoru a Toi), Fiona McTavish (Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council).

While several partners contribute funding to this programme, Regional Council is the programmes biggest funder, contributing more than $200,000 each year over the five-year programme to enable and support the partners and external contractors to complete the work plan.

It is the Regional Councils largest environmental programme.

Charles says its exciting to see the work to date come to fruition and looks forward to seeing increasing gains made through this robust programme of work.

After years of intensive restoration and predator control, the regenerating bush at these sites is thriving, and native bird numbers have increased substantially.

Kiwi populations are also present within the sites, providing the public with a chance to hear wild kiwi calling as they emerge from their burrows for a nights foraging.

We look forward to keeping the community updated with progress in this programme over the coming years.
A dual attraction featuring lightweight open wheel racers and the heavy metal crowd pleasers of dirt track racing is lined up for the International Superstars night at Baypark Speedway on Thursday December 28.

Two visiting US racers will contest the international 30-lap Midget Car feature while tribute will be paid to a local speedway stalwart with more than 50 Super Stocks entered for the inaugural Hokey Ashby Memorial.

First time New Zealand visitor Thomas Meseraull will bring winning form to Midget Car competition.

Indiana-based Meseraull joins Californias Michael `Buddy Kofoid to provide the international flavour for a 30-lap feature race attraction during the Christmas-New Year holiday break at Mt Maunganui.

Meseraull wrapped up his 2023 US campaign with a December 16 victory at the Junior Knepper 55-lap feature race, a POWRi Midget Nationals event held indoors in Duquoin, Illinois.

In New Zealand Meseraull will race for Palmerston Norths Dewtec Motorsport team.

Kofoid returns for his fourth racing tour of New Zealand.

His first two efforts `down under were for South Island Sprint Car racing and he won the NZ Sprint Car title in 2019.

Last summer Kofoid switched his attention to Midget Car racing and finished third in the Baypark international behind Kiwi star Michael Pickens and US racer Justin Grant.

Ross Ashby will line up in a huge Super Stock field for the Hokey Ashby Memorial, an event which pays tribute to his father.

Thursday nights 34-strong Midget Car field includes 10-time New Zealand champion Pickens along with early season Baypark feature race winners Brad Mosen and Aaron Hodgson.

Baypark racer Max Guilford makes his first home track Midget Car appearance of the summer after a string of strong results in the Sprint Car division and Christchurch racer Jeremy Webb switches his focus to the Midget Car class after winning the NZ TQ Midget Car title in Nelson earlier this month.

Its also a chance for the young rising stars of the Midget Car division including Shayden Auston, Luke McClymont, Ben Morrison and Mitch Fabish to race against topline internationals.

The 54-car entry for the Hokey Ashby Memorial promises the biggest line-up of Super Stocks at Baypark for many years.

The field is headed by current NZ champ Asher Rees (Kihikihi) and includes visitors from nine North Island tracks to race against the 15 Baypark registered Super Stock drivers.

The field includes current NZ number two Josh Prentice (Gisborne), former NZ champ Peter Rees (Gisborne) and leading Baypark drivers Ryan Hunt, Todd Hemingway and Kerry Remnant along with Ross Ashby in the event being staged as a tribute to his father who raced at the original Baypark venue.

Sprint Car racing completes the Thursday evening programme with the opening race at 6.30pm.
Water New Zealand is reminding people heading on holiday this summer to take care when drinking the water at holiday houses and camping grounds.

Many holiday destinations rely on tank water which can easily become contaminated by vermin or bird droppings, says chief executive Gillian Blythe.

So its important to remember to boil any water from rainwater tanks before drinking.

Even water supplied by councils, particularly in small and rural communities, can be at risk and its important to make sure you dont miss local advisories, she says.

Many small and rural communities dont have the resources to ensure the same level of drinking water quality and safety as in most of our larger urban areas  and this includes council supplied water.

For instance, the latest report from the water services regulator, Taumata Arowai has revealed that across the country 50 per cent of councils issued consumer advisory notices last year indicating an issue with their water supply.

These advisories affected 87 supplies across many parts of the country.

The Drinking Water Regulation Report 2022 also reported that 164 boil water notices were issued by councils.

When a supplier issues a boil water notice, it means that E-coli has been discovered and the water has been contaminated, typically by faecal matter.

While Queenstowns recent boil water notice received nationwide attention, these notices are not infrequent, particularly in small communities.

The other potential danger is when swimming at the beach, lakes or rivers.

It may not be safe for swimming for two to three days following rain.

This is because heavy rain can cause stormwater runoff and sewage overflows, turning swimming spots into E.coli-risk zones.

If it has been raining heavily, check with your local council or with the LAWA website which has the latest information on water quality at popular swimming sites around the country.

In the end we want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable and relaxing summer break and a few precautions will help ensure a happy holiday this season.
The coalition government is delivering a $5.7 million boost to emergency department security this summer, employing an extra 200 people  93 FTE to keep hospital EDs safe.

Our government has listened to ED staff about the increased frequency of violent incidents in hospitals, Health Minister Shane Reti says.

Thats why weve committed to these additional workers to help keep patients  and our hard-working doctors, nurses and other ED staff  safe during a particularly busy time.

The safety of the health workforce and patients has to be a priority.

These staff will be ready to provide round-the-clock cover and the first people are on the ground already, Dr Reti says.

Eight higher risk emergency departments  in the four Auckland hospitals, along with Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin  will each receive an additional five security staff for an extended period until the end of February.

A further 24 emergency departments near summer hotspots will each receive between two and five additional security staff to help manage pressures over the summer holiday peak period.

These staff will be available through to mid-January or late February, depending on local needs.

This initiative addresses an immediate need, Dr Reti says.

Im also committed to working urgently on a longer-term plan to improve security across our hospitals.

In 2021, HNZ reported 1,179 assaults, rising to 3,459 in 2022.

In the first three months of 2023, 1,267 assaults were reported.

If this trend continues, it will have exceeded 5,000 reported incidents in 2023.

Thats totally unacceptable.

Theres no place for people being abusive or aggressive towards staff, who are doing their absolute best for their fellow New Zealanders in often stressful situations.

Emergency departments in particular are a vital part of our health system, and all New Zealanders  and the people caring for them  need to feel confident they will be safe when they walk through the door.

These 200 staff are early steps in making a tangible difference to safety, as this government moves increased support out of the back office and into the frontline of health, Dr Reti says.

Which hospitals are considered higher risk?

North Shore

Waitakere

Auckland City

Middlemore

Waikato

Wellington

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Javier Almellones Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 17:57 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Not everyone dreams of escaping to a museum of archaeological remains or art gallery while lying on the beach on the Costa del Sol, but for those who do, there are plenty to meet their demand. From Nerja to Manilva, there are numerous possibilities for those wanting to round off a day sunbathing with a cultural visit just a stones throw from the beach. Valuable collections of art and archaeological remains make up the main part of this seaside cultural tour covering the Costa del Sol from east to west. Here are the main options for adding a cultural touch to a day at the beach.

1. Nerja

Nerja Museum

A stones throw from Nerjas famous Balcon de Europa (Balcony of Europe) viewpoint and five minutes from Caletilla beach, you can visit this important historical collection. The star of the show is Pepita, considered to be the best preserved complete skeleton from the Epipalaeolithic period in Europe, making her the most iconic piece in the Nerja Museum (Museode Nerja). Thanks to technology, today she even has a visible face and you can interact with her recreation. This museum, which is linked to the Nerja Cave, takes you on a journey through the history of Nerja, from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Its regular year-round opening hours are from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday, except for July and August when they are extended to 10am to 5pm from Monday to Sunday.

Pepita is the most iconic piece in the Nerja Museum. SUR

2. Torrox Costa

Lighthouse visitor centre

The seaside promenade in Torrox Costa has a special attraction; you can go back to Roman times in the cemetery and the baths found next to the well-known lighthouse, the Faro de Torrox. The complex has been identified as the ancient Caviclum, a settlement of great importance due to its strategic role in the distribution of agricultural and fishing products. The villa, which was inhabited between the 1st and 4th centuries, includes a salting factory and ceramic ovens, as well as a cemetery and thermal baths. Today this space is open as a visitor centre. The year-round opening hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm, with extra visits from 7pm to 10pm in the summer.

Roman remains of Caviclum, next to the Torrox lighthouse. SUR

3. Torre de Benagalbon

Villa Antiopa

One hundred metres from the beach of Torre de Benagalbon in Rincon de la Victoria you can visit one of the most spectacular Roman villas in the whole country. Since December 2022 Villa Antiopa, located in the centre of Torre de Benagalbon, has been offering an interesting and didactic tour not only about the Roman period but also about the Phoenician period. A good part of what can be seen is a Roman villa from the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. There you can smell the garum, the famous sauce made by the Romans from fish entrails, making this place a unique and ideal complement to a day by the sea.

Villa Antiopa Torre de Benagalbon. SUR

4. Rincon de la Victoria

Casa Fuerte Bezmiliana

At the time positioned right on the seafront for coastal surveillance, the fortress built in the 18th century is known today as the Casa Fuerte de Bezmiliana. This walled enclosure, forming a quadrangle, has two sentry boxes, from where the coastline was surveyed to prevent possible pirate attacks. This building is currently used as an exhibition hall. Beachgoers in Rincon de la Victoria have a double experience at hand, as in summer there is usually an exhibition. The building is located just a stones throw from the promenade, on the other side of the main road, the Avenida del Mediterraneo.

Casa Fuerte de Bezmiliana. Ayuntamiento Rincon

5. Malaga

Prehistoric Park of La Arana

Prehistoric remains can be found in various caves and shelters along the steepest and easternmost coastline of the city of Malaga. This is a karstic area where several excavations have unearthed artefacts from the Neanderthal to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Due to its scientific value, it is planned that this area will become an archaeological park. Specifically, it will have seven archaeological sites and a visitor centre. Of all its caves, the most important is the Cueva del Humo (Smoke Cave). Guided tours of the area are now available by prior reservation. Childrens camps are also organised in the summer to introduce the youngest visitors to archaeology and history.

Shelter 6 of the La Arana site. Complejo Humo

6. Malaga

Pompidou centre

Three hundred metres from La Malagueta beach, you can visit this prestigious contemporary art space, which is a branch of the Georges Pompidou National Centre for Art and Culture of France. In this case, it is located in the space called El Cubo in the area of the Port of Malaga known as Muelle Uno.

There are normally two or three temporary exhibitions by prestigious artists as well as the main semi-permanent collection, which is in the process of being renewed. The Pompidou is open between 9.30am and 8pm every day except Tuesday).

The Pompidou Centres iconic cube. SUR

7. Malaga

Automobile Museum and Russian Collection

There are two important museum spaces in what was, until a few decades ago, the famous Tabacalera (cigarette factory). The magnificent building is just a few metres from the Antonio Banderas promenade, on the western side of the Malaga city coastline. The oldest exhibition space is the Automobile and Fashion Museum (Museo Automovilistico y de la Moda), a valuable collection of old cars paired with period fashion. The museum is normally open from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 2.30pm and from 4pm to 7pm. Just a few metres from here, through another entrance to the same building visitors can view the collection from the Russian Museum (Museo Ruso), where there are usually interesting temporary exhibitions of Russian art.

The Automobile and Fashion Museum in Malaga pairs classic cars with vintage outfits. Ayuntamiento Malaga

8. La Cala de Mijas

Torreon de la Cala de Mijas

In the centre of La Cala de Mijas, just a few metres from the beach, you can see and visit the old watchtower known as the Torreon, which is currently a visitor centre dedicated to both the building and to the sea in general. The tower, which is open to the public at weekends and on public holidays, has three themed rooms inside.

The first is dedicated to the watchtowers of both the Mijas coastline and other parts of the coast of Malaga. The second room pays homage to the figure of General Torrijos, who disembarked on the nearby Charcon beach to defend the constitutional order in 1831. The last area is a tribute to the fishing past of this coastal town of Mijas, with boats and other items on display. It is usually open at weekends.

The Torreon in La Cala de Mijas houses a museum. SUR

9. Marbella

Ralli Museum

Contemporary art lovers cant miss a visit just a hundred metres from the Rio Verde beach in Marbella. This is a valuable collection of Latin American art. It has ten exhibition rooms, where you can see the different avant-garde movements that took place in Latin America and Europe. Opened in the year 2000, it is still free of charge, as it fulfils the objective of all the Ralli Museums in the world.

Ralli Museum, Marbella, a show of Latin American art. Diputacion Malaga

10. Marbella

Rio Verde Roman Villa

Marbella is also home to the valuable Roman Villa of Rio Verde, located on the beachfront. It is a 2nd-century construction, which conserves a good part of its structure, such as an interior courtyard and a mosaic in which the image of Medusa can be seen. Unfortunately, it was vandalised and a replica of the head had to be made, which is what is on view today.

This archaeological site can be visited on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10.30am and 1.30pm from Friday to Sunday mornings (also on public holidays); for groups of more than 10 contact Delegacion de Cultura Marbella: 952 76 87 10/11 or E-mail: patrimoniohistorico@marbella.es

11. Marbella

Roman Baths of Las Bovedas

Among the Roman remains in Marbella, some of the best preserved are those that can be seen at the Roman baths of River Guadalmina, better known as Las Bovedas. This site is located in an area near the entrance arch of San Pedro Alcantara (towards the beach).

It is a Roman bath from the first centuries of the empire (between the 2nd and 3rd centuries), as evidenced by the remains of marble slabs. These remains were discovered in 1961 and subsequently declared a historic-artistic monument for their protection. Remains of clay pipes have been found there, which could have been used for conducting water or hot air. Like the Roman Villa of Rio Verde, it can be visited from Friday to Sunday or contact Marbella Town Hall.

Roman Baths of Las Bovedas. Ayuntamiento de Marbella

12. Marbella

Paleochristian Basilica Vega del Mar

Also very close to the beach of San Pedro Alcantara, you can visit a very important monument that probably dates back to the 6th century. It is one of the oldest examples of a Christian church on the Iberian Peninsula.

Visitors to this basilica will be struck by three main things: the structure of the church itself, which can be perfectly traced in the visible remains, the surprising baptismal font in the church, and a group of tombs scattered around it.

It can be visited from Friday to Sunday mornings, 9am to 11am or contact Centro Cultural Rosa Verde: 952 76 87 67 o E-mail: culturayjuventudsanpedro@marbella.es

Paleochristian Basilica Vega del Mar. Ayuntamiento de Marbella

13. Estepona

Archaeological Museum

In Plaza de Blas Infante, just three hundred metres in a straight line from the sea, you can visit one of the best archaeological museums on the western Costa del Sol. A female statuette known as the Venus of Estepona, five millennia old, is the star exhibit. The building is located in the Casa del Aljibe, a building constructed in the 18th century on the site of a water tank that belonged to a tower from the Muslim period. Through four different rooms, you can take a journey from the first settlers to the al-Andalus period.

Estepona Archaeological Museum. SUR

14. Estepona

Mirador del Carmen

Right next to La Rada beach, you can visit this spectacular cultural centre overlooking the Mediterranean, which is equipped with a library, a music school, a function room, an exhibition hall and a lookout tower from which you can enjoy the best panoramic views of Estepona and its coastline.

Mirador del Carmen, Estepona. SUR

15. Manilva

Castillo de La Duquesa archaeology museum

The castle of La Duquesa was built during the reign of Carlos III in the 18th century. Also known as the Fortin de Sabinillas due to its location next to this district of Manilva, this fortress was strategically located next to the coast for surveillance purposes. It has been very well preserved, thanks to the fact that it has been put to various uses, such as carabinieri (Italian gendarmerie) barracks, town hall headquarters or even housing. It currently houses the Municipal Archaeology Museum, which makes it doubly attractive to visit.

The archaeology museum in Castillo de La Duquesa. Turismo Manilva

Other museums and visitor centres of interest near the beach on the western Costa del Sol are the Palaeontological and the Ethnographic museums and the Casa de Tejerina-Museo de Arte de la Diputacion, in Estepona.
Jennie Rhodes Axarquia Friday, 22 December 2023, 17:55 Compartir Copiar enlace

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It is a universal truth that Spain produces much of the fruit consumed in the UK but of course it tastes so much tastier when its freshly picked.

Visit the Axarquia - on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, which is home to popular coastal towns such as Nerja and Torrox and inland villages including popular Competa and Frigiliana, as well as Granada provinces Costa Tropical with coastal resorts such as Almunecar-La Herradura - for a year-round supply of seasonal fruit, making a trip to this part of Spain a particularly fruity one.

At any time of year an abundance of local produce fills local markets, greengrocers and supermarkets and mangoes, avocados, strawberries, cherries, olives and muscatel grapes...to name but a few...make their way into traditional and modern dishes and drinks in local bars and restaurants.

Spring

Strawberries may be synonymous with summer and Wimbledon in the UK, but here in Spain they (fresas) signal spring. While Cadiz and Almeria provinces are probably most famous for their fresones (big strawberries), the small village of Algarrobo in the Axarquia is where the smaller, sweeter varieties are grown and can be found in the local fruterias (fruit and veg shops) from around February or March through to May.

Loquat fruit, or nisperos, are another sign that spring is here and in Axarquia village of Sayalonga they celebrate the fruit on the first Sunday of May with Dia del Nispero. The small, sweet fruit was first brought to Spain from Asia in the 19th century and has since established its place as one of the areas favourites.

By the end of winter the areas olive harvest is finishing and bottles of freshly pressed olive oil are available in local shops and straight from the oil cooperatives themselves. Riogordo, Periana, Torrox, Arenas and Alcaucin are the biggest oil-producing villages with each one being home to a press, producing some of the finest liquid gold in Spain.

From top: Olive harvest in the Axarquia, avocado plantations are common east of Malaga and the grape harvest 2023. SUR / Bodegas Bentomiz

Summer

Come for summer and youll be spoilt for choice. Try peaches grown in Periana - they are so important that they also have a day dedicated to celebrating the fruit in summer. The delicious cherries from Alfarnate are able to grow there thanks to the villages relatively cool climate. At 900 metres above sea level, the village produces some of the biggest, most succulent cherry varieties there are. The village also has a day to celebrate the fruit, although it takes place in spring to mark the cherry blossom when the village brings a bit of Japan to the streets and celebrates its unique bond with the country famous for Sakura (a flowering cherry tree).

Of course, the Muscat grape, whose harvesting methods go back centuries - in 2017 the technique was added to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) agricultural heritage list - making the Axarquia muscatel grape one of the most exclusive products in the world.

It is widely celebrated in the east of Malaga area as the harvest gets under way in mid-August and many grape-growing villages hold special days in its honour. Try the raisins which are widely available through the Axarquia area and of course the local sweet Muscatel wine produced with the grapes.

Autumn

Although the traditional produce of this area are grapes and olives, it is subtropical fruit like mangoes and avocados that are big business in the Axarquia and Granadas Costa Tropical. Mango season starts in September and local chefs have developed all types of products, including mango liqueur and jam, and dont be surprised to see mango in your salad at this time of year the list goes on.

The avocado harvest starts slightly later than the mango one and different varieties start to fill the shelves in October.

The start of the olive harvest comes in November, when trucks full of the fruit get taken up to the olive mills for pressing. Its also at this time of year that pomegranates - granadas in Spanish, like the city, which is said to have been named after a pomegranate tree - are harvested and appear in the shops. High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and of course autumnal red colour, they are also added to salads and other dishes.

Winter

The olive harvest continues through winter, as does the avocado harvest, with different varieties ripening at different times. However, the most spectacular sight of winter in the east of Malaga area is the almond blossom in late January and February when hillsides and villages are peppered with the light-pink fragrant petals of another of the areas fresh products.

With this year-round fruit salad, the Axarquia and Costa Tropical, from Malaga to Motril, are a fruit-lovers and foodie paradise.
Javier Almellones Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 17:42 Compartir Copiar enlace

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More than 100 people will gather on 25 December at 8pm in the main square of Canillas de Albaidam in Malaga province, but it will not be for a religious event. Instead, what takes place here in this village in the Axarquia region every 25 December is an auction which raises funds for the patron saint's festivities.

The villagers donate a gift, which is then auctioned off among those who attend. It could be anything from bottle of wine to a carafe of extra virgin olive oil or a suckling goat.

This auction dates back almost 140 years. According to the locals, the original auction was held to raise funds for those who lost their homes after the devastating earthquake of 1884 - the epicentre was registered in the neighbouring municipality of Arenas del Rey.

Photo of the traditional auction.

Known as La Rifa (the raffle), it involves a procession of residents with guitars, tambourines or bandurrias where they play Christmas carols and go through the narrow streets of Canillas de Albaida during the day requesting a contribution to the cause. It may be monetary, but you will never see what everyone puts into the bag.

Another tradition not to be missed is celebrated on 24 December. Every Christmas Eve, as in many other parts of the country, the midnight mass (misa del gallo) is celebrated. There are carols as baby Jesus is dressed and placed in the nativity. All the young girls of the village approach the figurine and put a garment on him, while the rest of the public sing Christmas carols. When Jesus is dressed the priest displays him on the altar, and those who wish can approach him and kiss his feet.

Thehild Jesus dressed for the midnight Mass.

Then comes New Year's Eve and the Three Kings' parade, but there is hardly any rest, as the first feast of the year - dedicated to San Anton - will be celebrated on the weekend closest to 17 January. Then, on the first Sunday in February (4 February), comes Las Salves de la Virgen del Rosario. This pays homage to the period after the earthquake of 1884 when despite the aftershocks, villagers carried the patron saint in a procession through the streets.

What to visit

Chapel of Santa Ana. Next to the town centre of Canillas de Albaida you can see this historic chapel perched on a hilltop. it boasts beautiful views of the town and the surrounding countryside. Where: Carril de Santana.

Church of Nuestra Senora de la Expectacion. The town's main church, which was built between the 16th and 17th centuries, possibly on the site of an old mosque. Its tower is one of the town's main landmarks. Where: In the Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Rosario.

The Fabrica de la Luz. Just over 3km from the town centre of Canillas de Albaida is this recreational area, where you will find one of the enclaves from which some of the most breathtaking hiking routes in the Sierra de Almijara start. Where: Access via the Renzuelas path.

Camino de las Cuestas bridge. Not far from the town centre, you can cross an ancient bridge with a medieval appearance over the river Cajula which could even be of Roman origin. Where: On the route of the Mills, between Archez and Canillas de Albaida.

Where to eat

Cerezo. The local black pudding with a touch of sugar cane honey, scrambled eggs with ham and fresh mushrooms or chicken in wine are some of the specialities of this restaurant in Canillas de Albaida, which opened its doors more than half a century ago. There you can also enjoy pork ribs with barbecue sauce, migas (fried breadcrumbs) or pork burgers in charrua style, among other options. In addition, its menu offers a wide range of meats, from Iberian pork 'secreto' to chicken thighs with garlic, or fish, such as fried rosada, salmon, barbecued gilthead bream or swordfish pil pil. There is also a tempting dessert menu. Where: Calle Estacion, 5, 29755 Canillas de Albaida. Telephone: 952 553 018. www.restaurantecerezo.com

La Taberna de Oscar. At the entrance to the village from neighbouring Archez, you can stop for lunch or dinner for a satisfying feed at this restaurant. Where: Calle San Antonio, s/n. 29755 Canillas de Albaida.Telephone: 601 605 397.

Where to stay

Mirador At the entrance to Canillas de Albaida from Competa, awaits this rural accommodation, comfortable and with views, which offers the opportunity to enjoy a cosy and comfortable stay. With its comfortable and well-equipped rooms and other common rooms, such as the panoramic terrace, guests will find here an ideal place to rest after some excursions and visits to the surroundings. Where: Calle Carril de Santana, 1, 29755 Canillas de Albaida.Telephone 952 553 069. www.hrmirador.com
Chus Heredia Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 16:02 Compartir Copiar enlace

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There are fresh calls to make the notorious A-355 road in Malaga province safer. The 41-kilometre regional road that links Cartama and Marbella has already claimed the lives of ten people this year.

The demand comes after three people - two men aged 70 and 80 and a woman aged 62 - died at kilometre 4 of the road in the municipality of Coin on Tuesday this week. It's the latest in a string of accidents prompting the national Directorate-General of Traffic to open discussions with local authorities and the Junta de Andalucia about what can be done to improve the road.

Coin mayor Francisco Santos said: "We believe that the road is in a fairly good condition, but due to high traffic usage, road safety problems have increased." "We demanded the widening of the road from Casapalma to Coin, which is something that is on the table and is being analysed by the Junta," he added.

Andalusian regional government sources confirmed to SUR that traffic along the thoroughfare has increased, with more vehicles travelling to Marbella and the coast for work and leisure purposes. What was initially 7,000 vehicles per day became 10,000 and is now almost 20,000, the sources said.

The highest number of fatalities occurred between May and August this year, prompting road authorities to hold urgent talks. The DGT is considering installing warning signs as there are currently none, except on the final stretch in Ojen. Here, the route is winding, encouraging drivers to reduce speed, however in the Coin area, there are long straights. The other trouble spot is the junction with the A-357 dual carriageway, sources added.

The increase in traffic prompted the Junta to allocate an item in its 2024 budget to improve road safety on the A-355. In recent months, safety barriers have been installed on one of the viaducts; as well as along four kilometres of the route. There are also new signage changes, road markings with reflective paint, and a continuous double line.

According to sources, the Junta next plans to paint a red line on the central axis, in line with the new road safety guidelines in force across Europe, and to install lit signs warning drivers about controlling their speed.
Cristina Vallejo Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 09:58 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Malaga was the fifth-most popular province in Spain among immigrants in 2022, new figures show.

Some 61,056 foreigner moved to Malaga in 2022, according to data from Spain's INE national institute of statistics. Madrid recorded 238,354 immigrants, Barcelona (202,812), Alicante (84,745) and Valencia (80,350). The province's position in the ranking corresponds to its population, where Malaga is the sixth most populated province, with 1.75 million inhabitants, according to latest census data.

Of the 61,056 new foreigners who moved to Malaga province, 19,362 come from South American countries: with Argentinians (6,824), followed by Colombians (4,798). Europeans account for nearly 14,000 new residents, the data shows. Almost half of those (6,784) are from Ukraine, while 3,300 are from the UK.

Malaga province also attracted people from North America last year, specifically 1,188, of which 737 are American by birth, while 283 are Mexican and 168 are Canadian.

More than the majority of regions

The attraction of immigrants to Malaga, not only surpasses the growth in most Spanish provinces, but also most of the regions. According to the data, the number of migrants welcomed to the province is only exceeded by five regions: Catalonia (274,438), Madrid (238,354), the Valencian Community (183,433), Andalucia (164,135) and the Canary Islands (61,745).

The 61,056 immigrants who arrived in Malaga province in 2022 is 24.75% more than the 48,942 who arrived a year earlier.

41% increase in immigration in Spain last year

Spain welcomed 887,960 immigrants in 2021 compared to 1.258 million in 2022, a 41% increase, the figures show. Meanwhile, in the Andalucia region, the provinces that exceeded this average growth were Jaen and Seville, with increases of 42%, to almost 5,000 in Jaen and more than 23,600 in Seville.
Chus Heredia Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023 | Updated 24/12/2023 07:04h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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At the start of the 21st century, Malaga laid the foundations for a true rail revolution. The major milestones came with the Cordoba-Malaga AVE (high-speed train), the laying of a second track on 65% of the Malaga-Fuengirola Cercanias line and the commissioning of two Malaga metro lines.

However, the high-speed lines from Malaga to Seville and Granada remain incomplete, although progress is being made; work on the Bobadilla-Ronda-Antequera high performance freight line is gradually gathering pace; but the Costa train to Marbella is still on the sidelines, as are the connections with the TechPark, El Palo and Rincon de la Victoria; the possibility of new local services such as the Malaga-Antequera line, or the rail tunnel into Malaga Port. The direct Malaga-Seville AVE is no more than a mere promise of a project that, in its day, did actually get off the ground.

In other words, out of the ten important rail projects for the province of Malaga, six are at a standstill. Worse still, in most cases no decision has been made.

State Undefined/Previous studies Abandoned projects Projects awarded In progress Finished Type High performance/Goods Cercanias Metro AVE CORDOBA Almodovar del Rio Baipas Malaga-Sevilla AVE Malaga-Granada SEVILLA Cercanias a Antequera AVE directo Malaga-Sevilla Conexion con El Palo y Rincon de la Victoria Bobadilla Bobadilla- Ronda-Algeciras Antequera MALAGA Metro al Civil Conexion con el Malaga TechPark Marbella Soterramiento del ferrocarril del Puerto Tren de la Costa Fuente: Elaboracion propia E. HINOJOSA State Undefined/Previous studies Abandoned projects Projects awarded In progress Finished Type High performance/Goods Cercanias Metro AVE CORDOBA Baipas Malaga-Sevilla Almodovar del Rio AVE Malaga-Granada SEVILLA AVE directo Malaga-Sevilla Cercanias a Antequera Bobadilla Bobadilla- Ronda-Algeciras Antequera MALAGA Metro al Civil Conexion con el Malaga TechPark Conexion con El Palo y Rincon de la Victoria Marbella Soterramiento del ferrocarril del Puerto Tren de la Costa Fuente: Elaboracion propia E. HINOJOSA Type State High performance/Goods Undefined/Previous studies Abandoned projects Cercanias Projects awarded Metro In progress AVE Finished CORDOBA Baipas Malaga-Sevilla Almodovar del Rio AVE Malaga-Granada SEVILLA Cercanias a Antequera AVE directo Malaga-Sevilla Bobadilla Bobadilla-Ronda-Algeciras Antequera MALAGA Metro al Civil Conexion con el Malaga TechPark Conexion con El Palo y Rincon de la Victoria Marbella Tren de la Costa Soterramiento del ferrocarril del Puerto Source: Created by SUR E. Hinojosa

1. Almodovar del Rio bypass

In 2025, Malaga to Seville in one hour 35 minutes

When the Cordoba-Malaga AVE line was built the opportunity was missed to include a detour at Almodovar del Rio, which is where the Malaga line separates from the Seville line. So high speed trains between Malaga and Seville have to go into Cordoba station and out again. The contract for the bypass project to cut out the Cordoba corner, which would shorten the journey time between the two cities by 20 minutes (to 1 hour and 35 minutes), was awarded at the end of 2017. Six years later, the works are progressing very slowly and have been subject to modifications, delays and cost overruns. In the end, they will cost around 28 million euros and the section is unlikely to be in use before 2025.

2. AVE direct Malaga-Seville

Abandoned works, now just a promise

This is the story of a great fiasco. The 'A-92 railway' (so-called as it would be the railway version of the motorway between the two cities) gained a lot of momentum in the first decade of this century and even became part of an agreement whereby the central government and the Andalusian regional government shared the investment and the sections to be built.

In fact, the Andalusian government invested almost 300 million in the project that was abandoned in 2013. Sixty percent of the trackbed had already been built. Now, it is an idea that president Juan Manuel Moreno has promised to recover, but there are no signs so far of any steps forward. Part of this line under construction has been used for the mid-distance trains after a landslide caused serious problems to the old line.

3. AVE Malaga-Granada

Just waiting for the Loja bypass

The two cities are already connected by train, but the high speed service is still waiting for the completion of the section passing Loja. At the moment, the fastest train to Granada takes 1 hour and 18 minutes. The high speed service should cut journey time between the cities to 55 minutes. In this case, the most optimistic deadline is 2026.

Work on the Antequera-Granada AVE began in 2009. The Loja-Riofrio section has just entered the construction phase with a budget of 57 million euros. But there are more sections to the Loja bypass which total 19 kilometres. The rest of the projects are being drafted. These are the Loja-A92 section and the Loja-Valle del Genil section, totalling 14 kilometres. The viaduct over the conventional Bobadilla-Granada line has already been completed.

4. Bobadilla-Ronda-Algeciras

Boost for a key line between the Antequera dry port and Algeciras

This is a long-awaited project at a national level as it is the southern culmination of the Atlantic and Mediterranean rail freight corridors. It is of vital importance because it will create a 'rail motorway' between Zaragoza and Algeciras, passing through Malaga province, with a stop at the future Antequera dry port logistics hub.

The Bobadilla-Ronda-Algeciras line is very old, simple and not electrified. For decades it has had to contend with the limited budgetary allocations granted by successive national governments and the complex environmental procedures (the Campillos lagoon area, for example), which further lengthened the timescales.

Fortunately, in recent months it has experienced some momentum and 70% of its budget (472 million euros) has already been mobilised. The latest contract awarded is for 13.2 million euros for the renovation of the section between San Pablo and Almoraima (between the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga).

The plan for the complete renovation of the Bobadilla-Algeciras line, in addition to the modernisation of the track, includes the implementation of a third rail, its electrification and the extension of the sidings to accommodate longer trains.

The master plan approved for this line ends in 2028, making this the most promising deadline for doubling the capacity of the Port of Algeciras to receive or launch freight trains.

5. Costa train to Marbella

The much-demanded train line still to get off the ground

Connecting Malaga and Marbella by train is an old ambition that has accumulated as many promises as railway formats have been proposed. Currently, there is a growing trend that the ideal system is a shuttle or fast train between the two cities.

But this was not always the case, at some point the extension of the Malaga-Fuengirola Cercanias was on the table, but this option has been ruled out because it is already a 45-minute journey and the line is saturated. A second track could only be laid in three sub-sections due to the lack of land available on the Costa del Sol.

Plans to link the Costa del Sol by means of a 'metropolitan' rail system were also under way at one point. It was budgeted at four billion euros by the then Ministry of Public Works of the Junta de Andalucia and, what is more, a preliminary contract for a double tunnel in La Cala de Mijas was awarded for an amount close to 200 million euros in 2009. The crisis came and the work was deprogrammed and shelved.

Today the coastal train lacks a project. And it is not for lack of ideas. There are civil movements such as Plataforma Infraestructuras, which proposes taking the train to Marbella by an alternative inland route via the Guadalhorce Valley. It would allow for a new route at maximum speed, which would mean a journey time of 40 or 50 minutes. The idea is that it would run through the two Alhaurins, Coin and Monda to Mijas.

Another innovative project is that of consultant Lluis Sanvicens, a Catalan who has lived in the province for almost two decades, who claims that Marbella could be reached in less than an hour by designing a viaduct over the motorway.

6. Port train tunnel

Key for shipping freight from Malaga

Taking the old railway line into the Port of Malaga underground is an old project that right now is not even at square one. Old plans , which estimated the cost to be 50 million euros, will have to be redrafted. While Malaga Port could never aspire to be as important as Algeciras in terms of freight, the scheme would be key for exports to Morocco.

7. Cercanias Malaga-Antequera

Just waiting for trains

The tracks and stations are ready and the local councils of Malaga and Antequera are keen to get the service going. But as yet there are no trains and, for the moment, the central government has not shown the slightest interest in providing them.

In January, Antequera's second AVE station was opened (Santa Ana, on the Malaga-Madrid line, is a long way out of town). This makes Antequera the only place in Spain with two AVE stations apart from Madrid. This opens up a range of very important connections, including the possibility of a Malaga-Antequera local Cercanias line; the current services are few and expensive.

8. Metro to the Hospital Civil

The north extension of line 2 is under way

The countdown to the arrival of the metro to the Civil Hospital and the future regional hospital has begun. In October, the regional Ministry of Public Works awarded Sando, in a joint venture with Kerkros Innovaciones, the contract for the first section of the tunnel from El Corte Ingles, under Calle Hilera and up to the junction with Calle Santa Elena. The budget is 45 million and the deadline is three years. The next two sections, which stop at Eugenio Gross and the hospital complex, are still to be completed.

9. TechPark connection

Metro or local train, still undecided

Initially, it was proposed that Malaga Metro's line 1 would reach the technology park above ground. It would be an uncomplicated and relatively cheap project, but the Junta shelved it, considering that the metro is not the right transport system to relieve the traffic jams at rush hour. Experts agree that a branch line of the Cercanias C2, Malaga-Alora, would be more competitive.

10. Connection east of Malaga

How to get to El Palo and Rincon

Initially an underground project was drawn up for a Metro line 3 between La Malagueta (where line 1 would originally have stopped), Pedregalejo and El Palo. From there, the Junta de Andalucia was committed to extending the metro to Rincon and later to the defunct Velez tramway.

Right now, a rail connection is becoming more and more essential in view of the daily tailbacks on the motorway east of Malaga. Experts hope that an extension of the Cercanias local train to the Plaza de la Marina would act as a springboard to launch the service further east. But the format has not been decided and feasibility studies are needed.
Juan Cano Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 12:28 Compartir Copiar enlace

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A thief disguised as Darth Vader has stabbed a man and stolen his bag containing 80,000 euros in Malaga.

The victim was on a shift collecting money from various stores at Plaza Mayor shopping centre in the city and when he went to his motorbike realised he had a punctured tyre. The suspect, dressed up as the character from Star Wars, then emerged and stabbed the man in the back, before snatching his bag with the money inside about 11.30am on Thursday 21 December.

The assailant fled on a motorbike with an accomplice waiting for him. The victim was rushed to hospital with a 5cm stab wound in his back. National Police are investigating the incident.
The sixth edition of the El-Gouna Film Festival (GFF) concluded on Thursday with a ceremony at the Festival Plaza, where the winners were announced, and festival founder Naguib Sawiris dedicated the entire edition to Palestine.

The ceremony began with a performance by the popular band Cairokee, who performed their recently released track about Gaza titled Telk Qadeya (This Cause).

Mistress of ceremonies Nardine Farag welcomed the GFF founder, Naguib Sawiris to the stage. In his speech, Sawiris said It was a difficult decision whether to do this edition [of the festival] or not. I discussed it many times with Samih [his brother and El-Gouna resort founder], but life goes on and no one can doubt our feelings towards our family there [in Gaza]. We dedicate this edition to Palestine.

Artistic Director of GFF, Marianne Khourt, took the stage and presented an honorary award to actor Christopher Lambert.

GFF also honoured the names of artists who have recently passed away: actors Ashraf Abdel-Ghaffour, Mustafa Darwish, and Tarek Abdel-Aziz; directors Ahmed El-Badry, Ahmed Samy Al-Adl and producer Nahed Farid Shawky.

Afterward, Farag welcomed to the stage the Executive Director of GFF Amr Mansi, who said I am happy that the edition made it despite all the challenges, referring to the two postponements of the festival.

Mansi continued, The festival is not based on any particular person, nor the red carpet or conducting interviews, but it is based on the presence of filmmakers looking to showcase their works. It was a difficult time for the festival team, amid everything thats happening around us.

The first announced award was the NETPACT (Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema) awarded to From Abdul to Leila, directed by French-Iraqi filmmaker Leila Al-Bayaty, while the FIPRESCI award went to Hollywoodgate, directed by Ibrahim Nashaat.

The El-Gouna Star for Best Arab Short was awarded to the French film Les Chenilles by Michelle and Noel Keserwany; the El-Gouna Bronze Star for Short Film was granted to At Last, the Day by Carolina Vergara, and the Silver Star for Short Film went to The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry by Faris Alrjoob.

The Golden Star for Short Films went to Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, directed by Sam Manasca.

The El-Gouna Green Star Award went to the Brazilian film The Buriti Flower, directed by Joao Salaviza and Renee Nader Messora.

The El-Gouna Star for Best Arab Documentary Film was granted to the Tunisian film Machtat by Sonia Ben Slama.

As for the El-Gouna Bronze Star for Documentary Film, the award was granted to the French film On the Adamant, directed by Nicolas Philibert.

The El-Gouna Silver Star for Documentary Film was offered ex aequo to two films, the Serbian film Non-Aligned: Scenes from the Labudovic Reels by Mila Turajlic and Seven Winters in Tehran by Steffi Niederzoll.

The film Hollywoodgate, directed by Ibrahim Nashaat received the El-Gouna Star for Documentary Film.

The Sudanese film Goodbye Julia, directed by Mohamed Kordofani received the Cinema for Humanitys Audience Award.

For the feature narrative competition, the Best Actor Award went to Bottsooj Uortaikh for his role in the film If I Could Only Hibernate (Mongolia) by Zoljargal Purevdash.

The Best Actress Award went to Parwin Rajabi, for her role in the Kurdish-Iraqi film Transient Happiness (Iraq) directed by Sina Muhammed. The movie also won Best Arab Narrative Film.

The Bronze Star for Narrative film went to the Brazilian film A Strange Path, directed by Guto Parente, while the Silver Star went to A Greyhound of a Girl, directed by Enzo D'Alo.

Finally, the El-Gouna Gold Star for Best Narrative Film was awarded to the film In Our Day, directed by Hong Sangsoo.

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R. C. Madrid Friday, 22 December 2023, 09:02 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Unions have called off a strike by the Spanish Iberia airline's handling workers planned for this busy Christmas period.

Spain's two main worker's unions, the UGT and CCOO, postponed two walkouts scheduled from 29 December to 1 January and 4-7 January after the Spanish government agreed to help with negotiations between the airline's operator, CCOO said in a statement on Wednesday 20 December. A new date for the strikes has not been set.

Iberia's ground service workers, such as baggage handlers, at Spanish commercial airports, which are operated by state-controlled Aena (AENA.MC), are protesting against contracts signed with new providers in September.

Aena hired new contractors for services which were previously provided by Iberia at many airports, angering unions even though the new suppliers committed to retaining workers and their working conditions.
SUR in English Malaga Friday, 22 December 2023, 06:56 | Updated 09:11h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Spains highly-anticipated state Christmas lottery with the famous El Gordo jackpot prize will be drawn today (22 December) as the whole of Spain will come to a stop to watch schoolchildren sing the winning numbers at the Madrid theatre where the spectacle is staged.

The country's special Christmas lottery is all about sharing, with 2.59 billion euros up for grabs this year, some 70 million more than last year, divided into more than 26 million prizes - although the majority of these involve getting your money back. The increase in prizes is due to the fact that the number of series has been increased from 180 to 185. As a result, since 12 July, 185 million 'decimos' (tenths) to the value of 3.7 billion euros, of which 70 per cent will be distributed in prizes.

The draw itself goes on for around four hours this Friday, and will be broadcast live on TV with on-going coverage on radio and online.

The undoubted stars of the ceremony are the children from the San Ildefonso school in Madrid, who sing the winning numbers and their corresponding prizes. The youngsters carefully catch the balls that are released from the two large drums and call out the numbers on them to the familiar tune that has been the soundtrack for the 22 December lottery for more than 300 years.

Winning tickets

The location where the big winning tickets were sold are revealed almost as soon as the top prize numbers come out of the revolving drums. This information has always played an important role in this lottery, with people traditionally buying their tickets when visiting places that have a record of selling high-value winning tickets.

One thing that has not changed this year is the value of the prizes to be distributed. The lucky people who own a tenth of the El Gordo number will get 400,000 euros; if it is the second prize, 125,000 euros; the third, 50,000 euros; fourth, 20,000 euros and fifth, 6,000 euros. These last two prizes are exempt from tax to the Treasury as they are less than 40,000 euros. For the rest of the prizes you must pay 20 per cent of the winning amount minus that amount in tax. For example, from the first prize, the tax authorities keep 72,000 euros (20% of 360,000), while the lucky person takes 328,000 euros. If it is the second prize, the winner takes 108,000 euros and the Treasury, 17,000 euros.

The state lottery organiser (Selae) estimates that the expenditure per person for this year's Christmas lottery will be 71.67 euros, around two euros more than in 2022. By region, Castilla y Leon is the highest with 113.53 euros per inhabitant, followed by La Rioja (108.4), Asturias (107.37), Aragon (96.64) and Cantabria (94.52). At the other end of the scale are Melilla and Ceuta (16.52 euros and 17.35), the Balearic Islands (41.66), the Canary Islands (45.74) and Catalonia (55.49).

El Nino offers another chance

But don't worry if you dont win the El Gordo this Christmas, theres always the El Nino, the similar, but less well known, lottery draw that could bring you some extra cash in the new year on 6 January.
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Moravia, N.Y.  A Central New York man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after robbing a man and fleeing to Georgia, according to the Cayuga County District Attorneys Office.

Trent Goodrich, 22, of Wolcott, along with two others, robbed a man of his phone and wallet in Moravia on April 11, 2022, according to a news release from the DAs office.
Syracuse, N.Y.  An Onondaga Community College student is a person of interest in the fatal stabbing in New York City of another college student headed home for winter break.

The teen killed  Denzel Bimpey, 18, of the Bronx  attended SUNY Morrisville in Madison County.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A service was held Thursday to remember the 270 people  35 of whom were Syracuse students  who died in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The SU students were heading home from studying abroad when their New York-bound flight from London was destroyed by a bomb packed into a suitcase.

On Thursday, the sun illuminated the slow and cold walk from Hendricks Chapel to the Wall of Remembrance where University personnel and family members huddled together in front of the Hall of Languages honoring those lost.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday faced accusations of siding with sexual aggressors after saying film icon Gerard Depardieu, charged with rape and facing a litany of sexual assault claims, was the target of "a manhunt".



Depardieu, 74, who has made more than 200 films and TV series, was charged with rape in 2020 and has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than a dozen women.

He currently faces fresh scrutiny over sexist comments caught on camera during a trip to North Korea in 2018 that were broadcast for the first time in a documentary on national television earlier this month.

Asked in a television interview on Wednesday whether Depardieu should be stripped of France's highest state award, which he received nearly three decades ago, Macron said: "You will never see me take part in a manhunt. I hate that kind of thing.

"The presumption of innocence is part of our values."

Macron said he felt "huge admiration" for Depardieu, whom he called "an immense actor".

- 'Yawning abyss' -

But Generation.s Feministe, a feminist collective, said Macron's comments were "an insult" to all women who had suffered sexual violence, "first and foremost those who accused Depardieu".

The president's remarks were "not just scandalous but also dangerous", Maelle Noir of the Nous Toutes association told AFP, because the statements of victims were "disbelieved, and trampled on, with impunity".

"Between us and the president, there is not just a gap but a yawning abyss," she said.

Sandrine Rousseau, a Green party MP, said "Macron has picked his side -- that of the aggressors".

Anne-Cecile Mailfert, who heads association the Women's Foundation, added: "A single tweet is not enough to say how disgraceful and despicable this is towards the victims, and how behind the times."

- 'Not proud' -

France 2 television channel showed the actor on his 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.

Former president Francois Hollande told the France Inter broadcaster on Thursday he was "not proud of Gerard Depardieu" after seeing the footage.

Some voices, including cinema veterans who worked closely with him in the 1970s and 1980s, have defended the actor.

"I support Gerard, we must remain loyal to the people we love," said Fanny Ardant, a 74-year-old actor who won fame for her role opposite Depardieu in "The Woman Next Door", directed by Francois Truffaut. "What is happening is a death warrant," she told the RTL broadcaster.

Last week, French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak said the actor's behaviour shamed France, noting that he might be stripped of the Legion d'Honneur, the country's top award he received in 1996.

But in the interview on Wednesday, Macron said the minister may have "gone out on a limb" with her remarks.

"Sometimes people get carried away," he said.

"We don't take the Legion d'Honneur away from an artist on the basis of a TV report or whatever else, because if we started doing that, we'd have to take the Legion d'Honneur away from a lot of artists," he said.

The Legion of Honour "is not there to impose moral standards" on the recipient, Macron said.

But the left-leaning Liberation newspaper said it had been Macron who "not only went out on a limb himself but sank into indecency".

- 'Pathetic' -

Depardieu has created a number of scandals over the years, including by public brawling, drunk driving and urinating in the cabin of a commercial aircraft.

In 2012, he moved to Belgium to save on taxes, a decision the French prime minister at the time, Jean-Marc Ayrault labelled "pathetic".

In response to the gibe, Depardieu took Russian nationality the following year and has posted pictures of himself and President Vladimir Putin.

But last year, he denounced what he said were Putin's "crazy, unacceptable excesses" in the Ukraine war.

In 2017, Macron withdrew the Legion d'Honneur from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein after a series of accusations of sexual harassment and rape.

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Add to your New Years resolutions for 2024 and put yourself to the test with the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge, which begins on January 1.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge which asks participants to visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

Launched in 2019, the challenge draws participants from all over New York state as well as Americans across the country and Canadian visitors.

For nearly a century, observers climbed more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks in the state, searching for telltale signs of forest fires. Five historic fire towers remain in the Catskill Mountains, including Balsam Lake Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain, Red Hill Mountain, and Tremper Mountain.

A sixth tower was opened in 2019 along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center. This is the easiest tower to access, allowing those who may not otherwise be able to undertake more challenging hikes to experience a fire tower on the high mountain peaks.

The challenge details that you do not need to climb up to the fire tower cab. Cabs are only open when staffed by volunteers on weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. They are hoping to expand this year and have the cabs open during the weekdays as well.

All hikers are asked to participate in the Leave No Trace principles to help ensure you will be prepared, stay safe, and minimize damage to our shared lands and waterways. Those interested in tackling the towers in winter should be prepared at all times with the 10 essentials of hiking gear.

Finishers will receive a letter and a commemorative patch Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2024 completion year, as well as a downloadable certificate. The first 1,000 submissions will also receive one-year subscription to Conservationist magazine.

Hikers who have completed the challenge more than once will receive an additional prize.

All finishing hikers will be eligible to win prizes of hiking equipment accessories after the challenge period is closed.

The DEC will also offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves practicing Leave No Trace while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail).

For full details and how to log your hikes, visit the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge page on the DEC website. View more details about each fire tower at the Catskill Center website.

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Two key European leaders stress rejection of Israeli indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Gaza, reiterating calls for a truce and ceasefire in the war as Israel continues pounding the strip.

21:45 The Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said Thursday evening that communications were gradually returning to the central and southern areas of Gaza, after a two-day blackout.

Landline connections, mobile networks and internet connections were all disrupted during the day Wednesday. Paltel blamed the outage on the current conflict, without providing details.

There have been at least four communication blackouts in besieged Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7.

20:00 Nebal Farsakh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent, said Thursday that the communications blackout across Gaza means that they can only contact staff at the group's main base in Khan Younis by using VHF radio waves.

More worrying, she said, is the effect the blackout is having on The Red Crescents emergency response work

This means civilians cant call the 101 emergency line to get ambulances, she told The Associated Press by phone. Our staff are just following the sounds of bombardments

Farsakh said her team has resorted to stationing ambulances at all the major working hospitals, so that when the first casualties arrive, they can find out the location of the strike.

There have been at least three communication blackouts in Gaza since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7.

According to Paltel, the Palestinian telecoms provider, the current disruptions started Wednesday.

18:55 An interagency U.N. and NGO report finds that a staggering half a million people in Gaza  one quarter of the population  are starving due woefully insufficient quantities of food entering the territory since the outbreak of hostilities on Oct. 7.

It is a situation where pretty much everybody in Gaza is hungry. More than 500,000 people, half a million people, are starving. That means that one in every four people is starving in Gaza as we speak, said World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain.

He warned that if the war continues at the same levels and food deliveries are not restored that the population could face a full-fledged famine within the next six months with widespread outbreaks of disease.

The report released Thursday by 23 U.N and nongovernmental agencies found that the entire population of 2.2 million Gazans are in a food crisis or worse: 478,000 are at crisis levels, 1.17 million are at emergency levels and 576,600 are at catastrophic  that is starvation  levels.

It doesnt get any worse, Hasain said. I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed. How quickly it has happened, in just a matter of two months.

17:30 Israeli strikes killed a woman in her eighties in a south Lebanon village on Thursday, Lebanese media and rescuers said.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said that Israeli "bombing on the town of Maroun al-Ras this morning killed a woman and wounded her husband".

Artillery shells struck "residential neighbourhoods" in the town, hitting the house of the couple in their eighties, the agency added.

Rescuers who transported the pair to hospital confirmed her death to AFP, also blaming Israel for the strike.

16:00 Palestinians described to Al Jazeera the grisly details of how the Israeli army summarily executed 11 unarmed Palestinian men in the Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City in the early evening hours on 19 December.

On Wednesday, The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR - OPT) in Ramallah said it had received reports that Israeli troops "summarily executed" at least 11 unarmed Palestinians in a possible war crime in Gaza.

According to the OHCHR statement: "On 19 December 2023, between 2000 and 2300 hours, IDF reportedly surrounded and raided Al Awda building, also known as the Annan building," in Al Remal neighbourhood, Gaza City, where three related families were sheltering in addition to Annan family."

"According to witness accounts circulated by media sources and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, while in control of the building and the civilians sheltering there, the IDF allegedly separated the men from the women and children, and then shot and killed at least 11 of the men, mostly aged in their late 20s and early 30s, in front of their family members, " continued the statement.

"The IDF then allegedly ordered the women and children into a room, and either shot at them or threw a grenade into the room, reportedly seriously injuring some of them, including an infant and a child. OHCHR has confirmed the killings at Al-Awda building, although the details and circumstances of the killings are still under verification. IDF has not released any information on the incident," added the OHCHR.

15:00 The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, pelted Tel Aviv with a barrage of rockets on Thursday afternoon, in what it described as a response to "the Zionist massacres against Palestinian civilians in Gaza," according to Al Jazeera.

As warning sirens blared, residents in Israel's largest city left cars in the middle of the street and ran to hide in bomb shelters.

Israeli sources estimated that at least 35 rockets targeted the city.

It was not clear how many rockets Israeli air defences intercepted.

                 # #_ pic.twitter.com/Zz0srWbVK9    (@AJArabic) December 21, 2023

14:30 Al Qahera News reported on Thursday that Colonel Bassam Ghaben, the head of the Palestinian side of the Karm Abu Salem crossing, was killed in an Israeli strike targeting the crossing's facilities inside Gaza.

Three other people were also killed in the attack, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Last week, under international pressure, Israel agreed to open the Karm Abu Salem crossing - between Egypt, Gaza and Israel, to speed up the process of the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

14:00 Belgian International Cooperation Minister Caroline Gennez reaffirmed her country's rejection of the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in the Gaza Strip and reasserted its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israeli war in Gaza.

In remarks to Al Jazeera, Gennez called for the unconditional release of Israeli captives and the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

In contrast to other European leaders who pushed the idea that the current conflict started on 7 October, Gennez noted: " 2023, before 7 October, was already the deadliest year in the West Bank with more than 390 Palestinians killed till now - with too many children."

"We voted in the UNGA for an immediate ceasefire and we call on the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution for an immediate ceasefire," Gennez added.

    :           #      #_ pic.twitter.com/vZPnS6In42    (@AJArabic) December 21, 2023

13:00 Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry urged the United Nations Security Council to bear its responsibility regarding the destruction in Gaza and the number of victims in the Israeli war on the strip.

This came during a press conference with UK Foreign Minister David Cameron in Cairo.

In his remarks, Cameron acknowledged that there is "a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where people are facing hunger and sickness."

He stressed that Israel must adhere to international law and take action to reduce the number of civilian victims.

In early December, under increasing domestic opposition to the war in Gaza, the UK, a staunch supporter of Israel, abstained in the vote on a resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war.

12:00 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that it is his country's responsibility to assume the task of recognizing the State of Palestine during his term as president of the European Union before the end of the year.

In a speech before the Spanish Parliament, Sanchez said: I call on the Europeans to speak clearly and with one voice about the brutal Israeli attacks on Gaza - not because the world is watching us or because history will judge us but because human beings are suffering.

He added: Young children of Gaza are suffering and losing their lives.

Amid strong applause, Sanchez stressed the need for Spanish politicians to seek out the recognition of a Palestinian state.

The European Union must recognize the State of Palestine.

The bombing must stop immediately, Sanchez stated.

He added: Humanitarian aid must be able to reach people suffering from cold, hunger, and pain.

Last month, PM Sanchez angered Israeli officials with his outspoken condemnation of Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Palestinian civilians.

Also on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his country's rejection of the Israeli military indiscriminate bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip.

"We cannot let the idea take root that an efficient fight against terrorism implies to flatten Gaza or attack civilian populations indiscriminately," Macron told the France 5 broadcaster.

He called on Israel "to stop such response because it is not appropriate since all lives are worth the same and we defend them."

"We call for a truce that leads to a ceasefire," Macron stressed.

The French president is facing increasing domestic pressure to speak out against the atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza.

In early December, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France voted for a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war. This resolution failed to pass per a US veto.

As Israel carries out a genocidal campaign in Gaza, millions around the world continue demonstrations calling for a ceasefire and in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

An account on Twitter compiled scenes of people raising the Palestinian flag around the globe!

Posted  @omar_rammal

The flag was banned .

Hung in secret on walls.

Today the flag is raised...

Raised with strength, love and determination.



Video editor by: @odai.emran pic.twitter.com/xojtrmUq5W  Miz Voltz (@miz_voltz) December 21, 2023

11:00 Israeli strikes killed a woman in her eighties in a south Lebanon village early Thursday morning, Lebanese state media said, with rescuers confirming the death to AFP.

"Hostile bombing in the town of Maroun al-Ras this morning killed a woman and wounded her husband," Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said.

Israeli artillery shells struck "residential neighbourhoods" in the town, hitting the house of the couple in their eighties, the agency added.

Meanwhile, several sites in southern Lebanon were targeted by heavy Israeli artillery after sirens were sounded in the Upper Galilee northern Israeli settlements, Al-Arabiya reported.

Around the same time, the Israeli army said it launched air strikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.

This comes after Hezbollah said early Thursday that it had carried out an attack using Katyusha missiles on the northern Israel town of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border.

According to an AFP tally, more than 140 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also a Lebanese soldier and 19 civilians, including three journalists.

On the Israeli side, four civilians and seven soldiers have been killed, according to officials.

10:00 Israel has ordered more "evacuations" in southern Gaza's main city as it continues in attempts to displace the civilian population further south toward Rafah.

The United Nations said Israel had issued evacuation orders on Wednesday for large areas of Khan Younis, where more than 140,000 displaced people were sheltering.

Palestinian Radio reported Thursday that 55 people were killed in Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis within the last 24 hours.

Al Arabiya reported that Israeli warships were bombing Rafah and Khan Younis.

Israel's war on the Gaza Strip has so far killed at least 20,000 people, mainly women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The ministry said 8,000 children and 6,200 women were among the dead.

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths deemed it a "tragic and shameful milestone."

"That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience," Griffiths wrote on his X account.

That such a brutal conflict has been allowed to continue and for this long  despite the widespread condemnation, the physical and mental toll and the massive destruction  is an indelible stain on our collective conscience. pic.twitter.com/M7awX8b8nC  Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) December 20, 2023

Meanwhile, in north Gaza, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Jabalia and Gaza City.

The Israeli army announced that two of its officers and one soldier were killed in fierce fighting in southern Gaza.

09:00 Diplomats pressed on with efforts to secure a pause in the war.

A UN Security Council vote on a much-delayed resolution calling for a pause to Israel's Gaza war was postponed again Wednesday as members wrangled over wording while the civilian death toll in Gaza mounts.

Also on Wednesday, Russia and the Arab League called jointly for a UN ceasefire resolution in the Gaza Strip during the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco.

"We hope that the Security Council will raise its voice for a mature resolution (calling for a ceasefire)," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Egypt on Wednesday for talks with the country's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Haniyeh also met Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian but no details were released.

A Hamas official told AFP that "a total ceasefire and a retreat of the Israeli occupation army from the Gaza Strip are a precondition for any serious negotiation" on a captive-prisoner swap.

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ergon_9700 BHPian

Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 85 Thanked: 218 Times

Re: JSW considers acquiring Ford's Chennai plant for manufacturing EVs If Ford has a proper rethink and with good strategy and return, with localising the Ecoboost and giving it an Auto along with the superb diesel and it getting an auto as well and giving a Creta rival and reviving the Aspire, Figo and Ecosport. I see a good recipe for success as it has built a good reputation amongst owners. Hope they don't botch the return as I feel lot of us felt bad for them leaving. Can't forget Endy though. And a rival for XUV700 as well.



The Above statement is a big WHAT IF? Last edited by ergon_9700 : 20th December 2023 at 12:31 . Reason: Some more thoughts shared.
The latest update for the NASA Artemis mission is to search for its next international astronaut to join the journey to the Moon, with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing this to the National Space Council. The latest statement by the Vice President centers on the expansion of US space programs, one that opens its doors to neighbors, aboard the Space Launch System rocket.

In this latest venture, the agency and VP Harris plan this international venture to take place in future Artemis missions, but would not be on the first crewed flight.

NASA Artemis Mission to Land Another International Astronaut

(Photo : NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The recent meeting of NASA leaders, the National Space Council, and the US government has revealed their next steps in future Artemis missions, and one of the goals is to add another international astronaut to the flights.

This was revealed and highlighted by Vice President Kamala Harris' statement to the meeting participants, in a bid to expand more of US' partnerships.

"In the coming years, one of the primary ways we will continue to extend that leadership is by strengthening our international partnerships, combining our resources, scientific capacity, and technical skill with that of our allies and partners around the world, all in furtherance of our collective vision," said Harris.

Read Also: NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Core Stage Nears Completion as It Enters Final Assembly Phase

Artemis Moon Mission: From Where Is Its Next Astronaut?

The Artemis' Moon mission would choose its international astronaut based on their financial contributions to the project like what is done via International Space Station crew assignments, as speculated by Ars.

It also pointed out that it would probably be from the European Space Agency (ESA) to be the first to join, and the next possible one would be from Japan's JAXA.

The NASA Artemis Moon Mission is Coming

Last year in November, NASA launched its first uncrewed test flight of the Artemis mission to the Moon, and it involved the full stack of the SLS and Orion capsule, visiting the lunar surface and back. It brought several items on board, but there were no astronauts part of this operation as it was meant to test the capabilities of the spacecraft for future missions.

In April 2023, NASA also revealed the four-team list of the astronauts flying to the Moon, and they will be the first crewed flight that the agency would bring back to the natural satellite, for the first time after 50 years. This includes astronauts including Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch, and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut.

That being said, this would not be the only Artemis mission for the future, and there are many more slated for the coming years, with the United States looking to add more astronauts from collaborating countries in this venture. This was from the latest announcement of VP Harris, looking to add more international partners, for those who are looking to pay the right amount to be a part of these missions.

Related Article: NASA Artemis Lunar Rover Contract Awards Delayed to 2024, But Why?

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Google could soon notify users about their Android phone's deteriorating battery. This stands in contrast to iPhone users who have long enjoyed the ability to view their phone's battery health statistics directly in their settings.

(Photo : Denny Muller from Unsplash)

Getting a Battery Health Indicator

In a recent development, 9to5Google reported that Google appears poised to introduce a feature that notifies users when their Android device's battery deteriorates.

The recent Pixel Feature Drop included additional battery information, revealing the battery's manufacturing date and cycle count. Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 introduces a concealed battery health page, though it currently lacks an actual battery health meter.

However, the code hints at potential information display, such as the estimated percentage of charge the battery can currently hold compared to when it was new. This also includes icons that appear to represent scenarios like reduced battery capacity or a failure to detect the battery.

Additionally, the Settings app will provide "tips" in case of updates on battery health, such as instances where the phone cannot detect the battery or when the battery health experiences degradation.

Comparing to iPhones

In contrast to iPhone users who have long had access to battery health statistics in their settings, The Verge reported that Android users rely on third-party apps or specific command codes to assess their battery health.

While iPhone users have long enjoyed the convenience of a built-in battery health indicator, Android owners can now anticipate the introduction of this seemingly fundamental feature directly within the standard Settings app.

This development is particularly noteworthy, given the increasing availability of authentic repair components, including batteries, and the growing accessibility of self-repair guides for Android devices.

Also Read: Google to Add Play Store Feature to Uninstall Apps from Other Android Devices Remotely

Android devices are now benefiting from extended software update support, exemplified by the Google Pixel 8 series receiving a remarkable seven years of updates. In addition to this, manufacturers are broadening repair options and enhancing parts availability.

Some companies are even introducing self-repair programs, empowering users to undertake device repairs independently. If you aim to prolong the use of your phone throughout its official support period, it's likely you'll need to address the battery's condition at some point.

Batteries naturally degrade over time, diminishing the maximum charge capacity and consequently affecting the phone's runtime on a single charge. Determining when it's time to replace your phone's battery poses a challenge, as there's currently no straightforward method for measuring the remaining capacity.

While some apps can offer rough estimates, Android Authority reported that they typically require days or even weeks of data collection to provide a somewhat accurate measurement. Even then, the results may not be entirely reliable.

The Android operating system already gathers various battery-related statistics in the background right from the initial setup, making it a more reliable source for such estimates compared to third-party apps that commence data collection long after the device's first use.

An even more promising solution involves the battery itself sharing pertinent information with the operating system. Fortunately, Google has been diligently working on this aspect over the past year.

While Android 14 laid the initial groundwork for the OS to monitor battery health information, Android 15 is poised to bring this valuable information directly to users.

Related Article: Google Discloses Common Charging Mistakes Android Users Do: Here's How to Take Care of Your Phone's Battery

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Dealerships are experiencing a rift over electric vehicles (EVs). This represents a decline from about two-thirds of dealers expressing their intention to sell EVs just a year ago.

(Photo : Nerijus jakimavicius from Pixabay)

A group of researchers reported making progress in preventing lithium plating in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, potentially leading to faster charging times.

Dividing Dealers

Approximately half of Ford's nationwide dealerships have opted to continue selling hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles in 2024. These dealers are postponing the decision on whether to invest in the infrastructure needed for selling and servicing electric vehicles.

Highlighting the diverse landscape of electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates nationwide, Ford's representative, Marty Gunsberg, underscored the company's trust in its dealers' understanding of their respective markets.

The Verge reported that Gunsberg revealed that more than half of Ford's dealerships have committed to 2024, ensuring that 86% of the population resides within a 20-mile radius of a Ford dealership ready to facilitate the sale and service of Ford EVs.

Recent data from Ford indicates a shift in dealer sentiments, reflecting a cooling-off period. A year ago, the Detroit Free Press reported that Ford CEO Jim Farley had successfully garnered commitments from two-thirds of dealers to fully embrace the sale of EVs.

Also Read: EU Grants Electric Vehicle Makers Extension Until 2026 to Meet Local Content Rules

During that period, Ford announced the enrollment of 1,920 dealers in the voluntary Model e Program for the initial 2024 to 2026 durations. It was later confirmed by Gunsberg that some dealers chose to withdraw from the program.

In the near future, Detroit Free Press reported that customers in search of electric vehicles will encounter signage designating dealers as either Model e Certified Elite or Model e Certified.

This distinction is noteworthy as it not only signifies the commitment of these dealers but also informs the public about the availability of fast chargers essential for recharging electric vehicles, addressing a persistent challenge for consumers.

This initiative aims to provide additional locations for charging stations, contributing to the ease of access for electric vehicle users.

Initially, Teslarati reported that Ford required its dealers to make a pivotal decision regarding an estimated investment ranging from $500,000 to $1.2 million for the installation of charging infrastructure to attain special certification status.

This investment was deemed necessary for dealerships to service electric vehicles, as the absence of charging stations hindered their capability to do so. A subsequent certification period is scheduled for 2027, aligning with the release of Ford's new electric vehicle lineup.

Despite the presented investment figures being initially positioned as conservative, they triggered a backlash among dealers, leading to legal challenges against the program.

Revising the Program

In response, Ford has revised the program, reducing the number of required charging stations per dealership and consequently lowering the overall investment for dealers. The automaker clarified that installation costs vary based on individual dealer sites.

Ford has not disclosed specific details about which dealerships will proceed with the EV investment. However, the company hinted at variations in the enthusiasm for EV commitments across states, with EV-friendly states like California making progress, while regions such as the Dakotas show slower adoption.

In contrast to General Motors, Ford has opted not to offer dealership buyouts for those unwilling to venture into the EV market, as clarified by Gunsberg. Recent reports indicate that nearly half of Buick dealerships, approximately 1,000, are choosing not to participate in General Motors' transition to an all-electric plan by 2035.

Related Article: GM, Ford EV Owners Can Access Tesla's Supercharger Network Starting February 2024

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OpenAI rival Anthropic is reportedly in advanced discussions to raise a $750 million funding round, with Menlo Ventures spearheading the investment.

A person with knowledge of the matter told CNBC that if the funding round materializes, it could propel Anthropic's valuation to a remarkable $18.4 billion, marking a significant surge from its valuation earlier in the year at $4.1 billion.

Anthropic Prospective Funding Endeavor

The Information previously reported this prospective funding endeavor, but Anthropic chose to refrain from commenting on this matter. It is worth noting that Anthropic has garnered support from major players in the tech industry, including Google, Salesforce, and Zoom.

The company has also raised $750 million in two funding rounds conducted in April and May. Google's involvement in one of these rounds resulted in the tech giant acquiring a 10% stake in Anthropic.

The May funding round was particularly noteworthy, standing as the largest funding round for an AI company since Microsoft's investment in OpenAI in January, according to PitchBook.

Google also announced a strategic investment commitment of up to $2 billion in Anthropic last October. This commitment comprised a $500 million initial cash infusion and an additional $1.5 billion to be progressively invested.

Read Also: Claude 2.1: Anthropic Launches AI Chatbot Capable of Processing 150,000 Words In a Session

ChatGPT's Rival Claude 2 by Anthropic

Anthropic is known for developing Claude 2, a formidable competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Claude 2 has found utility in prominent platforms such as Salesforce's Slack, Notion, and Quora.

One distinctive feature of Claude 2 is its capacity to summarize extensive texts, handling up to approximately 75,000 words. In contrast, ChatGPT manages about 3,000 words.

Anthropic boasts a founding team comprised of former OpenAI executives, such as Dario Amodei, OpenAI's former vice president of research, and his sister Daniela Amodei, who served as OpenAI's vice president of safety and policy.

Claude 2's prowess was evident in a test conducted by Arthur AI, a machine learning monitoring platform, where it emerged as the most reliable chatbot in terms of "self-awareness."

This aspect refers to the bot's ability to accurately discern its knowledge boundaries, answering queries solely when it possesses supporting training data.

Daniela informed CNBC that Anthropic dedicated an extensive two-month effort to develop Claude 2. The company assembled a specialized team of 30 to 35 professionals solely for the AI model, supplemented by a total workforce of 150 individuals offering support.

She emphasized the industry's surging demand for large language models, indicating abundant opportunities for diverse participants to excel in this expansive field.

The disclosed funding round highlights Anthropic's rise in the competitive AI arena, establishing it as a formidable player with significant financial support to advance its innovative pursuits.

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Apple has officially removed the Watch Series 9 from its online shop, adhering to the ongoing patent dispute that has led to a halt in sales of the flagship smartwatch.

Apple Watch Series 9 'Currently Unavailable'

According to TechCrunch, in line with its announcement earlier this week, Apple has replaced the "Buy" button on its product page with the words "Currently Unavailable."

This decision stemmed from a longstanding patent battle with health tech company Masimo. Despite facing setbacks in previous rulings, Apple's move to cease sales of the Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in response to the US International Trade Commission's (ITC) orders issued in October.

The ITC found Apple's blood oxygen sensor technology to infringe upon intellectual property owned by Masimo, a medical technology firm specializing in hospital services. Even as Apple lost in the patent dispute, the latest development has caught many by surprise due to its unprecedented nature.

The ITC rejected Apple's attempt to postpone the ban on certain Apple Watch imports, putting the tech giant on the verge of suspending sales for specific Apple Watch models in the US. The ban is set to take effect unless there is a last-minute intervention, potentially from the White House.

Read Also: Apple Takes Swift Action as Technical Glitches Hit Beeper Mini, the Highly Anticipated Android iMessage Solution

Will the Ban Be Lifted?

The ITC's dismissal of Apple's motion to stay the original decision pending appeal adds uncertainty to the situation. With the looming possibility of being barred from selling crucial products in its largest market, Apple faces challenges during the peak season for sales.

While existing stocks of previously imported Apple Watches can still be sold, halting sales for the latest models, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, could impact Apple's revenue during the holiday season.

The company's decision to comply with ITC orders reflects the complex dynamics of intellectual property disputes within the tech industry. It is worth noting that President Joe Biden holds the authority to veto the ban, but his stance on the matter remains uncertain.

The White House, closely monitoring the situation, has emphasized that Ambassador Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, is evaluating all factors involved in the case.

As Apple awaits potential intervention to avert the ban, the outcome remains uncertain, with a deadline of December 25 looming large. The tech giant's compliance with the ITC orders underscores the legal challenges that major players face in the tech sector and the potential impact on their market presence.

Related Article: US Senator Warns of Government Surveillance Via Push Notifications, Calls Apple, Google for Transparency

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A renowned painting by Raphael, the Madonna della Rosa (Madonna of the Rose), has been scrutinized by AI, revealing that the Italian Renaissance painter may not have created the face of Joseph in the artwork.

Who knew that modern technology could dive deep into a classic painting and unveil shocking revelations? AI is now being integrated into various fields, including art.

AI Analyzes Painting of Raphael

Researchers from the Universities of Nottingham, Bradford, and Stanford have used AI-powered deep feature analysis to examine the painting, and they have found that while most of the painting is indeed by Raphael, the face of Joseph appears to have been crafted by a different hand.

The Madonna della Rosa has long intrigued art experts, with theories suggesting the involvement of Raphael's pupil Giulio Romano in its creation. The new AI analysis of the research team led by Professor Hassan Ugail from the University of Bradford used an algorithm that can recognize authentic works by Raphael with 98% accuracy.

In explaining the algorithm's capabilities, Ugail noted that when an image is presented to the computer, it can provide a binary classification of whether it's an authentic Raphael or not, with a 98% accuracy rate.

The AI analysis revealed that while the rest of the painting was confirmed as Raphael's work, Joseph's face was identified as "most likely not Raphael."

The research provides an objective and quantifiable approach to analyzing painted imagery using machine learning. The study represents a significant step in art authentication, offering a tool that complements traditional methods such as spectroscopy.

Read Also: People Struggle to Identify AI From Human Art But Prefer Works Made by Humans, Study Finds

History of the Madonna della Rosa

Howell Edwards, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Spectroscopy at the University of Bradford, has provided insights into the history of the Madonna della Rosa.

Edwards said the artwork, painted on canvas around 1517/18, was initially regarded by early connoisseurs as a Raphael autograph, which means he painted 100% of it. However, later art historians questioned its composition.

He noted that the AI analysis demonstrated conclusively that while the figures of the Madonna, Christ Child, and St. John the Baptist were unequivocally painted by Raphael, St. Joseph was not and likely crafted by another artist, possibly Giulio Romano or his other student Gianfrancesco Penni.

The research team had previously applied AI-assisted facial recognition to the de Brecy Tondo, a mystery painting resembling Raphael's Sistine Madonna. In this case, the computer identified it as a work by Raphael, aligning with previous pigment analysis by Edwards.

Ugail emphasized that AI analysis is a complementary tool in the art authentication process, offering a detailed examination of an artist's style, including brushstrokes, color palette, and shading.

"This is not a case of AI taking people's jobs. The process of authenticating a work of art involves looking at many aspects, from its provenance, pigments, condition of the work and so on. However, this sort of software can be used as one tool to assist in the process," Ugali said in a statement.

The research, titled "Deep Transfer Learning for Visual Analysis and Attribution of Paintings by Raphael," was published in the Heritage Science journal.

Related Article: Artists Make an Unusual Move, Defend Generative AI in Open Letter

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Rockstar Games recently revealed the staggering aftermath of a cyber breach that shook gaming fans worldwide. The leak of GTA 6 content last year resulted in a massive financial loss of $5 million and thousands of staff hours, Rockstar revealed in court (via GamesRadar).

The breach, carried out by Arion Kurtaj, an 18-year-old member of the notorious hacking group Lapsus$, shook the gaming industry.

Massive GTA 6 Leak

The leaked content, which included over 90 screenshots and videos of an early build of the highly anticipated GTA 6, was released on the internet in September 2022. During a UK court hearing, Rockstar's legal counsel revealed the extent of the fallout.

BBC tells us that Kurtaj's involvement in this cyber intrusion was part of a larger series of hacking escapades, a pattern that led to his recent sentencing to an indefinite hospital order. His affiliation with Lapsus$ saw attacks on tech giants like Uber, Nvidia, and BT/EE, incurring collective losses nearing a staggering $10 million.

The modus operandi behind the GTA 6 breach revealed Kurtaj's resourcefulness. Utilizing minimal tools-a hotel TV, Amazon Firestick, and a mobile phone-he breached Rockstar's defences, ultimately accessing and disseminating unreleased GTA 6 content.

Jail Time Over Massive Data Breach

Court proceedings highlighted Kurtaj's mental health condition, which rendered him unfit for trial due to severe autism.

Despite this, assessments painted a disconcerting picture: an intent to return to cybercrime, signalling a potential risk to the public. His actions, far from isolated, were part of a more extensive series of hacks that victimized individuals and corporations.

The impact resonates beyond Rockstar's gates. Insomniac Games, the studio behind Marvel's Spider-Man 2, fell victim to a similar breach. Details about their upcoming game, Marvel's Wolverine, and sensitive employee data found their way online following the intrusion.

Read Also: Genshin Impact Gamers Stage Airship Protest Above Gamemaker Hoyoverse's Teyvat Tower in Seoul

Lapsus$, described as "digital bandits" in court, was comprised mostly of teenagers adept at hacking and employing cunning tactics to infiltrate fortified organizations.

Their bold approach, characterized by public celebration and taunts directed at victims via platforms like Telegram, drew

the attention of US cyber authorities.

While Kurtaj has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order, deemed unfit for trial due to his severe autism, the revelations from Rockstar's court testimony underscore the far-reaching consequences of cyber breaches in the gaming industry.

Rockstar Games, despite the setback, recently appeased fans with the official release of the GTA 6 trailer. Yet, even this milestone wasn't without its own hiccup, as the trailer itself leaked a day before its scheduled reveal.

The revelation of the extent of Rockstar's losses and the wider implications of Lapsus's actions paint a concerning picture of the vulnerabilities in the gaming industry's cybersecurity landscape.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Teen GTA 6 Hacker Sentenced to Indefinite Hospitalization After Mental Health Assessment

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Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's Chief Designer, stated during a talk at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles that the unconventional Cybertruck is going to help the company's brand.



Despite the Tesla Cybertruck's divisive design, von Holzhausen emphasized the Cybertruck's effectiveness as a conversation starter, sparking discussions about the Tesla brand. Priced at $60,990, exceeding Elon Musk's 2019 estimate, the delayed pickup is attracting interest from individuals new to truck ownership.



Addressing concerns about the Cybertruck's potential success, von Holzhausen asserted that its distinctive design doesn't hinder its potential as a high-volume vehicle, capable of competing favorably with traditional truck models.

Design Inspired by James Bond

He emphasized the distinctive angular design, which drew inspiration from well-known vehicles like the Lamborghini Countach and Lockheed's F-117 Stealth Fighter while acknowledging the associated engineering challenges.

"It looks like it shouldn't do what it does, yet intelligent engineers figured it out," Franz von Holzhausen noted of the F-117, as quoted by Reuters.

Moreover, the car-turned-submarine in "The Spy Who Loved Me," which Musk acquired, inspired Tesla's design studio.

Despite past incidents, such as a window-shattering demonstration in 2019 and a recent viral video featuring the Cybertruck facing challenges with a Christmas tree, von Holzhausen remains optimistic. He defended the vehicle by citing his children's enthusiasm and instances where he was mistaken for Elon Musk while driving it.



In recent developments, Elon Musk confirmed Tesla's plan to offer a "mod package" for the Cybertruck, enabling it to serve as a temporary boat for up to 100 meters, as reported by Electrek.

Read Also: Massachusetts Lawmakers Propose Ban on 'Killer Robots'

Elon Musk reiterated earlier claims about Tesla vehicles' ability to float, particularly emphasizing the off-road capabilities of the Cybertruck. Despite skepticism due to Tesla's warranty warnings, Musk insisted the Cybertruck would be "waterproof enough" for brief water crossings, including rivers, lakes, and calm seas.

The ultimate goal is for the Cybertruck to navigate the 360-meter stretch between SpaceX's Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas. The recently introduced "Wade Mode" in the Cybertruck's Off-Road Mode enhances waterproofing by pressurizing the battery pack.

Cybertruck Facing Battery Woes

Meanwhile, Tesla seems struggling to realize its Cybertruck goals per reports. Despite revolutionary technology, scaling up 4680 battery manufacturing presents a great difficulty. Tesla's Cybertruck manufacturing is limited to 24,000 units per year due to quality validation and scaling issues with dry-coating, especially near the battery cathode.



According to a Slash Gear report, Elon Musk's ambition of producing 200,000 cybertrucks per year and 250,000 by 2025 faces a tough challenge with Tesla's sluggish 4680 battery prototype-to-mass-scale manufacturing, which has delayed Cybertruck's launch.

While the EV manufacturer aims for four production lines for the batteries by the end of 2024, fundamental challenges in the dry-coating method for cathodes persist, potentially impacting Tesla's broader production goals and plans for a more affordable electric vehicle below the Model 3.

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In a strategic move to challenge Tesla's global dominance, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) is gearing up to commence its European production journey.

Hungary has been chosen as the launchpad for BYD's ambitious foray into the European market, marking a significant milestone in the company's rapid ascent, according to Reuters.

BYD's Meteoric Rise and European Ambitions

In a mere three years since entering the European market, BYD has rapidly ascended from a newcomer in Norway to a potential global leader in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for 2023, poised to surpass the long-reigning champion, Tesla.

The company has not only established itself as a household name but has strategically positioned itself to redefine the EV landscape.

In early 2023, the automaker announced that it was able to exceed the expectations of the experts after delivering 1.86 million units of EVs in China alone a year before.

Related Article: $27K BYD Song L is Touted as Tesla Model Y's New Rival in ChinaHow Impressive is This New EV?

Global EV Market Expansion and European Focus

Over the past year, BYD has strategically unveiled new EV models worldwide, particularly targeting the European market.

While production has primarily been centered in China, the company has remained steadfast in its commitment to European expansion, undeterred by an EU investigation into the importation of Chinese EVs.

BYD's Response to EU Scrutiny

Facing scrutiny from the EU over the importation of Chinese EVs, BYD took a proactive approach by seeking local production solutions.

In November, the company officially announced plans to establish a manufacturing presence in Europe, signaling a pivotal moment in its global expansion strategy.

Hungary Emerges as the Production Hub

BYD's inaugural European factory is set to grace the city of Szeged in southern Hungary, a move expected to generate thousands of job opportunities in the region, per Automotive News Europe. The facility, with an initial production capacity of 200,000 cars annually, will undergo a phased ramp-up, aligning with BYD's ambitious growth plans.

Government Support and Economic Impact

The Hungarian government, recognizing the strategic significance of BYD's investment, has provided subsidies to support the production of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

Although specific financial details are pending European Commission approval, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted at this being one of the country's most substantial economic investments, per Electrek.

Building Toward the Future

BYD's commitment to a 10% market share in Europe by 2030 reflects its determination to reshape the automotive landscape.

As the Chinese automaker marches towards the EV ladder, the upcoming European production facility is anticipated to contribute significantly to achieving this ambitious market share goal.

Timeline and Market Penetration

While an exact timeline for the commencement of EV production in Europe is yet to be revealed, BYD has already sold 13,000 vehicles on the continent through November 2023. This move signifies BYD's unwavering dedication to expanding its footprint and capturing a substantial market share in the thriving European EV landscape.

Read Also: BYD Hits Record Sales, Outpaces Tesla in Second Quarter

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Scientists have unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, dubbed as the "doom calculator," that can predict individuals' chances of dying within four years with an impressive accuracy of over 75%.

The breakthrough AI algorithm, known as "life2vec," operates similarly to ChatGPT but without direct user interaction. The researchers, hailing from Denmark and the U.S., published their pioneering project in the Nature Computational Science online journal.

Life2vec analyzed data from over 6 million individuals in Denmark, covering factors such as age, health, education, employment, income, and life events. The Danish government supplied this comprehensive dataset, which formed the basis for the AI's training, according to USA Today.

How Does the Doom Calculator Work?

Life2vec was trained to process information about people's lives, presented in the form of sentences. For instance, it learned from sentences like "In September 2012, Francisco received 20,000 Danish kroner as a guard at a castle in Elsinore" or "During her third year at secondary boarding school, Hermione followed five elective classes." As the AI progressed, it gained the ability to construct "individual human life trajectories."

Lead author Sune Lehmann, a professor of networks and complexity science at the Technical University of Denmark, metaphorically described human life as a "giant long sentence," encapsulating numerous events.

The AI's predictive accuracy reached an impressive 78%, correctly identifying individuals who had passed away by 2020. Crucially, none of the study participants were informed about their predicted death dates, according to The Science Times.

Factors associated with earlier deaths included mental health diagnoses, male gender, and skilled professions. Conversely, leadership roles at work and higher income were correlated with longer lifespans. The AI exhibited versatility in predicting various aspects, from personalities to decisions about international relocations.

Read Also: Fauxzempic: FDA Issues Warning on Fake Diabetes Drug Found in US Supply Chain

A Breakthrough Tech But Too Risky

Despite its potential, the doom calculator is not yet fit for public use, and the associated data remains confidential to safeguard privacy. The researchers are actively exploring ways to share results more openly, prioritizing individual privacy.

Collaborator Tina Eliassi-Rad, a computer science professor at Northeastern University in Boston, cautioned against using tools like life2vec to predict individual outcomes. She stressed their utility in tracking societal trends rather than foreseeing individual futures, acknowledging that "real people have hearts and minds."

Sune Lehmann emphasized that the AI model "should not be used by an insurance company, because the whole idea of insurance is that, by sharing the lack of knowledge of who is going to be the unlucky person struck by some incident, or death, or losing your backpack, we can kind of share this this burden," as quoted by The Sun.

He also expressed concerns that major tech companies with vast amounts of data might already be utilizing similar models to formulate predictions about individuals.

The ethical implications of AI in predicting death are substantial. Art Caplan, a bioethics professor at New York University Langone Medical Center, anticipates consumers seeking their forecasted data, anticipating challenges and conflicts over third-party access to sensitive information.

Caplan notes the potential benefits of preventing deaths but raises concerns about the algorithm's impact on removing life's unknowns, which may not necessarily be beneficial.

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Montero corrects Junts: the increase in transport aid will not be only for Catalonia

The Ministry of Finance of Russia will sell currency and gold for 69,1 billion rubles

The government now justifies the pact with Junts on the exit of companies "to avoid fiscal engineering" from which they left

Planas rules out lowering taxes on more foods and encourages the 'super' to lower the price of oil from now on

Cottbus: Olaf Scholz is greeted by farmers' protests at the opening of the railway plant

Bitcoin: Is it possible and recommended to invest via funds?

Putin: Despite the pressure, we are the largest economy in Europe

Hamas: We will not allow the occupation and its supporters to interfere in the future of the Gaza Strip

Russia has told Ecuador that the transfer of its equipment to the United States would be an unfriendly step

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 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

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The United Nations warned the Israeli war on Gaza was pushing the strip towards famine, ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire.

Separate diplomatic efforts were also under way for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war.

With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.

The latest draft seen by AFP, set to face a vote Friday, calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed the term "ceasefire". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there would be no ceasefire in Gaza until the "elimination" of Hamas.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is".

The entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine", according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday, with more than half a million people facing "catastrophic conditions".

"We have been warning for weeks that, with such deprivation and destruction, each day that goes by will only bring more hunger, disease and despair to the people of Gaza," UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths posted on X, formerly Twitter.

'Enough is enough'

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With their homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

Displaced Gazans are pleading for a ceasefire.

"My message is to put an end to this humiliation," said Fuad Ibrahim Wadi, who found refuge at a greenhouse in Rafah.

"This war does nothing but destroy. Enough is enough."

After weeks of pressure, Israel approved the temporary reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday to enable aid deliveries directly to Gaza, rather than through the Rafah crossing from Egypt.

On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom, the crossings authority and the Gaza health ministry said.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment.

The UN secretary-general's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was "unable to receive (aid) trucks" via Kerem Shalom following the "drone strike" and that the World Food Programme had suspended operations at the crossing.

Dujarric's comments came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel could enable as many as "400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

Diplomats visiting the region have called for more assistance to reach the territory.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, speaking in Egypt, said: "Everything that can be done must be done to get aid into Gaza."

And French President Emmanuel Macron was in Jordan on Thursday to discuss with King Abdullah II "joint work on humanitarian and medical aid" for Gaza's civilians, according to the French presidency.

Increasing pressure

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools, mosques, hospitals and vast tunnel systems beneath them as military bases -- charges the group denies.

On Thursday, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants since a one-week ceasefire ended on December 1.

He did not elaborate on the source of his figures.

According to a tally on the Israeli military's website, 139 soldiers have been killed since it began its ground assault in Gaza on October 27.

A strike on a house in Rafah on Friday killed five people, the Hamas health ministry said.

The United Nations human rights office in Ramallah said it had received reports that Israeli troops had "summarily killed" at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood this week.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected the allegations as "yet another example of the partisan and prejudiced approach against Israel" by the UN body.

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies, including the United States, which provides it with billions of dollars in military aid, to protect civilians.

The UN rights office said "details and circumstances" of the killings in Rimal are still being verified but it "raises alarm about the possible commission of a war crime".

The men were killed in front of their family members, it said.

Legal experts have previously told AFP that both sides could be accused of committing war crimes.

Far apart

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 captives released, including 80 Israelis, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hopes that Israel and Hamas could be inching towards another truce and deal to free the remaining 129 captives rose this week as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt and talks took place in Europe.

However, the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

The military wing of Hamas said Thursday that Israel's objective to eliminate it was "doomed to fail" and that further hostage releases depend on a "cessation of hostilities".

The war has sparked fears of wider conflict.

There have been regular exchanges of fire over the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

Israeli strikes killed a woman in a south Lebanon village on Thursday, Lebanese media and rescuers said.

Retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah militants wounded two civilians, according to Israel's military.

*This story has been edited by Ahram Online

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FILE - A flu vaccine is readied at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center in Lynwood, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. On Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) ORG XMIT: NY617
Sandra Day OConnor and retired Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., at the dedication ceremony for the 400 Royal Street Courthouse on October 2, 2004. The 400 Royal Street courthouse is now officially named the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse.
Sacked ABC host Antoinette Lattouf claims the broadcasters managing director, David Anderson, ordered an abrupt end to her short-term radio contract, in legal proceedings filed with the Fair Work Commission.

Lattouf was a fill-in host on ABC Radio Sydney this week, covering for Sarah Macdonald, hosting three shows in the mornings slot before the broadcaster informed her she would not be returning for the final two shifts.

Antoinette Lattouf was filling in on ABC Sydney mornings this week. Credit: Instagram

Lattouf filed a Fair Work application on Friday afternoon, this masthead can reveal, alleging her employment was terminated unlawfully.

The ABC has not commented publicly on the reasons for the termination; however, it is believed to relate to a number of posts on Lattoufs social media accounts relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict. It also remains unclear whether it relates to posts before or during her contracted period.
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Eating outHot & new This quirky Korean shaved ice treat is set to be the coolest dessert of summer Refreshing Bingsu is colourful, textural and very grammable. Heres your guide to where to find it and what to order. Emma Breheny December 22, 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

When city dessert bar Nimbo first opened, some customers mistook its Korean-inspired shaved ice treat bingsu for scoops of desiccated coconut. A year later, Melburnians have become much more bingsu-savvy, and are prepared to queue for the most eye-catching creations, some of which attract up to 30,000 views on TikTok. At its most basic, bingsu is a mound of milk-based ice shavings covered with various toppings. Traditionally, these were red beans, condensed milk and powdered injeolmi (glutinous rice and toasted soy bean). But the Korean dessert has become a freewheeling bowl of refreshment stacked high with cultural influences. Melon bingsu featuring fruit and house-made jelly at Nimbo. Justin McManus In Melbourne, there are five bingsu shops in an area equivalent to one city block, each offering wildly different interpretations of the treat. More shops are dotted across the suburbs, from Maidstone to Glen Waverley, with names such as Bling Bing and Bing Chillin. But Lonsdale and La Trobe streets in Melbournes CBD are bingsu central. Scoopy, which started with a 2018 pop-up and claims to be Melbournes first bingsu shop, offers Australian bingsu using flavours such as Mork chocolate, matcha, and Vietnamese iced coffee, and introducing the dessert to first-time visitors as shaved ice-cream.

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Were not Korean, so when we introduced bingsu to Melbourne we wanted to bring the flavours that were representative of our upbringings here as Asian Australians, says co-owner Angelo Labrador, who is Filipino. His business partner Kevin Nguyen is Vietnamese. Classical musicians Invictus Quartet enjoying Scoopys Royal Taro bingsu. Supplied Unlike traditional Korean recipes, many Melbourne makers use fresh rather than powdered milk for their shaved ice. The ultra-fine strands of creamy ice are whizzed into bowls by machines that flash-freeze the liquid and cut it into powdery shavings. Then come the toppings, which bring various textures and, importantly, eye candy for TikTok and Instagram. Many cultures, including Malaysian, Hawaiian and Italian, have their own shaved ice desserts. Bingsus murky origins  the result of decades of Chinese, Japanese and American influence in Korea  mean that even the traditional elements of bingsu are hotly debated.

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Red beans were probably a Japanese addition, a callback to Japans own shaved ice dessert kakigori, while condensed milk was first made commercially in America. Evolution is fundamental to bingsus identity. Its not a traditional Korean thing, according to Levi Eun, who runsOndo cafes in Armadale and Melbourne. We are influenced so much by Japanese culture. Eun says bingsu is even more popular in Australia than in Korea, where people are more likely to go out for coffee or some other dessert. Fans in Melbourne are prepared to pay up to $26 for a dessert for two.

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In Melbourne, petite Nimbo often has a line snaking out the door. People are waiting for ube bingsu in a deep shade of lavender, a tropical-looking bowl of melon balls and jelly on ice, or the clashing colour combination of green tea matcha and mango. Nimbo co-owner Chian Ting with the matcha mango bingsu. Justin McManus Co-owner Raymond Tan, a Malaysian-born pastry chef who also owns Raya bakery on Little Collins Street, started the shop with his cousin, Chian Ting, because they had so many ideas for styles of bingsu theyd like to eat. Making every element from scratch, whether its matcha Basque cheesecake or finger lime whipped cream, is important to Tan. It also helps to set Nimbo apart. People were expecting us to be a regular bingsu shop, but now they come to us for a different take, Tan says.

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Every season, Nimbo changes its menu to make the most of seasonal fruit such as strawberries, and to adapt to customers palates and preferences. In winter, for example, they serve richer flavours such as honey-pumpkin bingsu. Bingsu ube, featuring purple yam, at Nimbo. Justin McManus The desserts growing popularity in Australia comes down to it being both familiar (shaved ice) and a symbol of Korean culture, which is enjoying attention around the world, according to Labrador and Nguyen. Theres K-pop, K-beauty, K-desserts, Korean barbecue, Korean fried chicken. The other part to that is: what do Koreans have for dessert? says Labrador. Five places to try bingsu

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Homm Bingsu has also made waves in Thailand, where its been combined with popular Thai desserts to create an exciting sub-genre of bingsu. Get a taste in Melbourne at this Thai-run dessert cafe, which serves the icy dessert in flavours such as Thai milk tea and mango sticky rice. Texture is a big focus and toppings include crumble, whipped cheese, gelato and sweet sticky rice. CBD and Box Hill locations, hommdessert.com.au Mango sticky rice bingsu at Homm combines Thai and Korean influences. Griffin Simm Matta

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Korean-born Minnie Jeong celebrates her heritage at her two eastern suburbs cafes. Milk-based bingsu topped with tapioca pearls and taiyaki, the fish-shaped Japanese sweet treats, are a nod to her familys Japanese restaurants in Korea. The dish sits neatly among savoury dishes including chicken katsu sandos and miso omelettes. Balwyn and Blackburn North locations, mattafood.com Diners cool off with mango and matcha bingsu at Nimbo. Justin McManus Nimbo Theres no way youll find run-of-the-mill bingsu here. Co-owner Raymond Tan applies his pastry chef prowess to create only-in-Melbourne combinations such as the signature melon with chrysanthemum jelly, or a Japanese-meets-Spain mash-up of matcha Basque cheesecake with red bean paste. Ice comes in either a Jersey milk or oat milk base.

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119 Hardware Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/hereisnimbo Darling Rose bingsu was a limited-edition flavour at Scoopy, inspired by the South Asian dessert falooda. Supplied Scoopy A bingsu pioneer in Melbourne, this shop has three locations, including one where you can DIY your bingsu. Take cues from Scoopys menu, which features the likes of taro ice with blueberry popping pearls, tapioca pearls and taro mochi, and Thai milk tea bingsu topped with grass jelly, mango jelly and other textural delights. The ice base of Scoopys bingsu is made from both cream and Jersey milk for a rich, fluffy mouthfeel. CBD and Glen Waverley locations, scoopy.com.au

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Like many couples, when Pia and Amanda Salvatore began IVF they found the experience physically, emotionally and financially challenging. Being in a queer relationship, they sought to orientate themselves by seeking out stories like their own. Despite attending a queer-friendly IVF clinic and witnessing friends go through fertility treatments, Instagram helped demystify the process and created a sense of connection. I feel like there was so much unknown when we started fertility treatment in late 2020, admits Pia. It all felt very clinical and faceless. Communication was just like: This is the information you need, these are the results of your blood test, this is whats happening next. Pia and Amanda Salvatore are expecting their first child. Credit: Ben Thomson While the intentions of IVF influencers are good, not everyone is comfortable with their growing presence. Dr Karin Hammarberg is a senior research fellow at Monash Universitys School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and has more than 20 years experience as a clinical coordinator of IVF programs. Observing the preconceptions her patients draw from social media, she worries about how fertility is presented online. I think [influencers] potentially oversell the possibilities of IVF. Most talk about successes, very few talk about failures, she says. The reality of IVF is that about half of the people who use it will have a baby  the other half wont. But we hear much more about the people who do have a baby than dont. The social media picture is much rosier than the reality.

That disconnect hit Pia too. While she appreciated witnessing other families like hers, she admits: Eventually [following influencers] stressed me out. It was emotionally taxing to see these people with this beautifully curated experience of IVF while we were struggling. Eventually, she unfollowed most of them. In April, another aspect of fertility influencer culture became national news when Big Brother star Tully Smyth announced a sponsorship deal with Monash IVF to freeze her eggs. In an Instagram video she said: I did some research, and Ive heard so many glowing recommendations, so many beautiful stories about peoples experiences with the Monash IVF team. Smyths news was met with criticism from followers, media and healthcare providers who shared discomfort about seeing such a personal and loaded procedure being given the branded content treatment. When I saw the paid posts it felt quite sinister, says Pia. Because people are having to pay so much to access these services, and then some person who is obviously doing pretty well for themselves is getting it for free or cheap. Its like, I dont need to see this person doing this thing thats really a slog, and putting a nice filter and hashtag on it.

In a statement to this masthead, Zoe Schwarz, outsourced general counsel leader at Burch&Co who provide legal council for Monash IVF, defended the use of influencers. There can be a lot of stigma around services like IVF, so engaging influencers with a platform who can speak to their lived experience with services, like egg freezing, can empower people to make considered decisions and create a societal shift in how people think and behave in relation to their fertility, says Schwarz. Loading When approached, Monash IVF declined to comment. Smyth might have received the most public criticism, but shes not alone. In 2021, The Bachelor star and podcast host Brittany Hockley froze her eggs as part of a partnership with Sydney clinic Genea. When former AFLW player Moana Hope and her then partner Isabella Carlstrom announced the birth of their child, they tagged Monash IVF, though it wasnt marked as a paid partnership. Speaking to IVF influencers, the parameters of what actually counts as a partnership can be difficult to define. Many say theyre often sent products as gifts they may choose to share on social media if they feel aligned to the brands. Others form alternative commercial relationships.

Ive done paid posts. But with my clinic, I did their marketing campaign, says Amy. It was a whole day of filming, so of course we got paid. It was no different than if I was going to do a Best and Less campaign  its still my time and my familys time. In her online community, Amy has noticed that compensated relationships between influencers and fertility clinics have become more common. It remains a divisive topic. Ive heard people complain in IVF circles about clinics offering discounted cycles to influencers, she says. People feel its in bad taste to be offering a discount on a baby. Personally, I would have liked a half-priced cycle when I was paying tens of thousands of dollars, but its a weird space to be in. Hannah McElhinney is a creative director and content creator. When she decided to freeze her eggs earlier this year she turned to social media. Initially, she found the experience positive and appreciated how it demystified the process. She even began sharing updates on Instagram and TikTok that documented the daily injections, bloating, discomfort and financial stress associated with egg freezing. But she soon became disturbed by the commercial response. When I was making the content, a couple of IVF clinics contacted me about sharing it and I said no, admits Hannah. Im happy I didnt do it  not because I think its a bad thing to get this information out there, but because I wouldnt want to be seen as endorsing a process that for me was really complex and personal, and also isnt financially accessible to everyone.

The financial aspect of IVF is often where the morality of influencing becomes complicated. While access to IVF is broadening, its still deeply financially prohibitive. According to Finder, the average cycle costs $8015, with a Medicare rebate of $3027. But thats for a single cycle  most people will require several. Medicare doesnt cover associated costs like specialist appointments, medication, embryo transfer, theatre hire, anaesthetics or egg freezing and storage. And this doesnt include the non-direct costs, such as psychology appointments, vitamins, specialty foods and time off work. Many people choose to do IVF rather than buying their first home or withdraw money from their super accounts  an occurrence thats becoming common. While access to IVF is broadening, its still deeply financially prohibitive. The choice by influencers to do paid promotions or accept discounted treatments is understandable. As Amy  who began saving for IVF in her twenties  points out, influencing work is time-consuming. When it comes to IVF, Im so welcoming of people doing paid partnerships. At the end of the day, Im doing all the free stuff in that space and I have been for years. But if brands want to pay me to make content for them, Id 100 per cent take that work.

While Amys position is logical on a personal financial level, this collision of fertility and commerce still raises issues. Despite increases in publicly funded services, the majority of IVF treatments in Australia occur in private facilities. And with the growing demand, the fertility market has proven to be profitable. Business Insider has reported: Globally, the fertility-services market will be worth about $54 billion this year and is expected to grow to $90 billion by 2027. Loading In that light, Hammarberg sees fertility influencers paid posts as less about individuals trying to make ends meet, and more as a ripple in the larger trend of IVF capitalism. I have seen [branded IVF social content] and Ive been disturbed by it, says Hammarberg. Big IVF clinics are corporatised and listed on the stock exchange and really have a profit-making imperative. That focus on profit has also influenced whats on offer, as growing competition creates a greater need to stand out. Increasingly, fertility providers are boasting about more than their conception success rates. Theyre borrowing tactics from beauty and wellness industries to sell fertility as a luxury product.

With tens of thousands of followers, board certified infertility specialist and fertility queen Lynn Burmeister is a fertility influencer herself. Shes also the medical director of No. 1 Fertility, a boutique style fertility clinic located in the heart of Melbourne centred around wellness, science and a holistic approach. Loading When Hannah was looking to freeze her eggs, she chose No. 1 Fertility. Taking in the clinics pink walls, satin furnishings, fresh flowers and terrazzo floors she says it was like the Coco Chanel of IVF clinics. Hannah is open about selecting a specialist like she would a facialist or masseuse. She did some Googling, liked an aesthetic, scanned their socials and booked in because it felt familiar to other places she might spend an expensive afternoon. Scanning through hashtags like #ivf, #ttc, #fertility, #ivfsupport, #ivfsuccess and #ivfcommunity is a journey through thousands of personal stories of pain, success, disappointment and solidarity. And even as these feeds become more complex  cluttered by sponsored posts and the promotion of services whose price and impact can feel problematic  its hard to ignore the value of that wider community.
The federal MP for Indi talks about where the government spends too much (and too little), whether two-party politics is dead  and her 36-year marriage.

February 3, 2023

by Benjamin Law
Lebanon's prime minister said his country is ready to implement a UN resolution that would help end Hezbollah's cross-border attacks on Israel if Israel also complies and withdraws from disputed territory,

The frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen escalating exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, since Israels war on Gaza began on October 7, raising fears of a broader conflagration.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, called for the removal of armed personnel south of Lebanon's Litani River, except for UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese army and state security forces.

The solution to the current cross-border hostilities "is the implementation of international resolutions", including Resolution 1701, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement.

"We are totally ready to commit to their implementation, on condition the Israeli side does the same, and withdraws -- according to the international laws and resolutions -- from occupied territory," he added.

Mikati's office said the premier was referring territory claimed by Lebanon that remains occupied following Israel's withdrawal from the country's south in 2000: the disputed Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshuba hills and the Lebanese side of the village of Ghajar.

Despite holding sway over swathes of the country's south, Hezbollah has not had a visible military presence on Lebanon's southern border since the end of the 2006 war.

A diplomatic source, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the proposals to avert another all-out conflict include settling the disputed land border between Israel and Lebanon and encouraging Hezbollah withdraw its fighters from near the frontier.

On Monday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met with senior officials in Beirut, a day after visiting Israel and the occupied West Bank, as part of efforts to de-escalate border tensions, while Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin urged Hezbollah to avoid provoking a "wider conflict".

Since hostilities began in October, more than 140 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also more than a dozen civilians, three of them journalists, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, four civilians and seven soldiers have been killed, according to officials.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday said ensuring the security of Israelis near the border meant pushing Hezbollah "north of the Litani River", which is around 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the frontier.

"There are two ways to do that: either by diplomacy or by force," Cohen said.

*This story has been edited by Ahram Online

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A NSW firefighter who died while battling a blaze north-west of Sydney last week was farewelled in a full honours funeral on Friday, with the Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner vowing not to let the tragedy become a cliche.

Decorated firefighter Michael Kidd was one of the first to arrive at the fire that had engulfed a house in Grose Vale in the Hawkesbury on December 12.

Michael Kidd, who worked with the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, died fighting a fire in Grose Vale, north-west of Sydney this month. Credit: NSW Government

The luxury holiday home, which was advertised on Airbnb but not rented out at the time of the blaze, was gutted by the fire. As the crew worked to tame the blaze, a wooden beam fell on the 51-year-old, who died at the scene.

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell knew Kidd and remembered him as an accomplished firefighter who gave his life to protect the community.
Hunger games

The City of Yarra gift ban is poorly timed. It should have been announced at the start of December to avoid the confusion and disappointment now taking place. At my childrens school a frenzied gift sharing has been taking place. I agree with the council, not just along the bribery lines, but the unintended competition it creates.

We forget about those who may not be able to afford to compete in these hunger games of gift giving. The intentions are mainly nice, but it sells into the be nice ethos that really only takes place at this time of year. We should be nice to each other at all times of the year, but then stop to think about the rampant consumerism and waste that we also generate. As many op-ed pieces have pointed out this month, teachers really appreciate the hand-written cards and words of kindness.

Shaun Dunford, Mount Gambier Disingenuous argument

Your correspondents suggestion (Letters 22/12) that the murder of 130 people in France in 2015 by Belgium-based terrorists is analogous to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 is disingenuous in arguing that Israels response is disproportionate.

Hamas and its allies in the Middle East want to eradicate Israel and exterminate all Jews. France in 2015 faced no similar existential threat. Israel has every right to go to war to defend itself. The inevitable deaths of children in Gaza, tragic as they are, are the fault of Hamas alone.

Bill James, Frankston Policy, not politics

Your correspondent thinks that political censorship explains ABC radio presenter Antoinette Lattoufs sacking, after she made a series of highly inflammatory social posts about the Israel-Gaza war (Letters 22/12). The ABCs social media policy requires that its staff do not damage the ABCs reputation for impartiality and independence. And it was Lattouf, herself, who on a past Q&A program defended Rugby Australias sacking of Israel Folau over his controversial Instagram post. Lattouf said that Folau had breached social media protocols. Geoff Feren, St Kilda East Melbourne lags

I visited Sydney recently and observed all who use public transport tapped their Opal cards on and off. Very few in Melbourne tap on and off when using public transport.

Christine Hammett, Richmond Success stories

While reading the migrant success story of Franco Cozzo (Farewell, Franco: Footiscrays furniture king dies aged 88, (Letters 21/22) let us not forget another non-English speaking migrant who went from door-to-door salesman into empire building. Russian immigrant Simcha Baevski traversed the countryside selling from his cart before purchasing a small shop in Bendigo. He changed his name to Sidney Myer and as they say, The rest is history.

John Williams, Golden Square

Damn statistics

Youth crime reaches a nine-year high (Surge in youth crime sparks call for action, 22/12) while the overall crime rate adjusted for population is at its second-lowest level in a decade. Guess which of the above made the front page headline?

Phil Alexander, Eltham Youth crime

The excellent article by Marta Pascual Juanola and Michael Fowler (Surge in youth crime sparks call for action, 22/12) highlights the urgent need of the Victorian government to pay attention to the surge in youth crime. The escalating rate of crimes being committed by children/adolescents has a profound effect on us all and is not beneficial for children involved in committing crime. It gives them a green light to continue the behaviour. To commit a crime once can be seen as a mistake, but to repeat, and in many cases, continue to do so is a choice regardless of age.Legislation to remove criminal responsibility for children should also include consequences and guaranteed ways of reforming this behaviour for everyones safety. Meanwhile, victims of their crime are left with post traumatic stress, financial loss, etc. The police are compromised in their efforts to maintain law and order.

Christine Baker, Rosanna Nuclear waste

Your correspondent (Letters, 21/12) lobbies for the use of nuclear power to help decarbonisation in spite of the high costs and long installation period. But the old chestnut is nuclear waste. With its enormously long half-life it makes us suspect that the proposed cure may be a lot worse than the disease.

Jerry Koliha, South Melbourne School discrepancies

Adam Voigt (The great con on schools funding, 22/12) highlights the shameful inequity we are accepting in Australian schools. How can Australians agree to a system where 98 per cent of our private schools are funded well above the School Resourcing Standard and 98 per cent of public schools are funded below this standard  and private school funding increases at five times the rate of public schools? This is not just an ideological argument. Nobel laureate James Heckman calculates that for every dollar invested in disadvantaged schools, $10 is saved in later costs related to health, social welfare and imprisonment. In the end, it is not about who pays for what, but about the sort of society we want. It is deplorable that we Australians are accepting principles that would not be tolerated by any other visionary country.

Bryan Long, Balwyn Cricket labels

If its inappropriate for sports gear to carry messages of support for the wearers favourite cause (Khawajas formal bid to spread message 22/12), its equally inappropriate for the messages to advertise anything, including brand names or sponsors. One size fits all.

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale

Small step only

While its good news that the government is imposing new pollution standards for cars from December 2025 (Tighter Pollution limits on way for new cars, 22/12), its astonishing to read that the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has been calling for these for more than a decade.

These calls were backed up by studies from the Transport Department and the University of Melbourne and revealed the massive economic and health benefits gained by stricter standards. Its heartening that the inexcusable inaction and obstruction of the Coalition government has been reversed. Its a small step in the right direction, but now Labor needs to take the giant stride of abandoning its support for the fossil fuel industry.

Tom Knowles, Parkville Trumps long game

I am no fan of Donald Trump. However, he has a point. Indicted over four separate criminal charges he may be, but a United States court has not yet found him guilty of any. Until that happens, it is not up to a group of Colorado politicians, or the Supreme Court of one state, to decide if he is fit to run for the presidency. Despite the Supreme Court of Colorado comprising Democrat appointees, its decision was by no means unanimous. It is to be appealed. Given American systems are what they are, this matter will drag on, unresolved, for years. In the long term, the only people to gain from this will be Trump himself, and the lawyers.

Jim Lamborn, Doncaster Return of bones

The article on the return of indigenous remains (Paris to return indigenous remains, 22/12) reminds us of the hangover of the 18th century European obsession with collecting the skeletons of the worlds races.

In 1800, Georges Cuvier (1769-1832), the renowned French naturalist, implored those scientists travelling with the Baudin Expedition which was charting southern New Holland and Tasmania and which had been approved by Napoleon himself, [to] bring back the savage skeleton.

Measuring the size of the cranial cavity and almost every canal and skull hiatus that could be discerned was the imperative of these fledgling archaeologists in order to confirm the inferiority of non-Caucasians. The repatriation of these bones and artifacts is not only the return of tangible remains, it is also the refutation of a racist idea.

Andrew Zbar, Caulfield North AND ANOTHER THING Gift ideas

As people seem to be increasingly enamoured of red nylon bows around street trees this year, please consider reusing them for Christmas next year, rather than adding even more to landfill again this year.

Jane Laver, St Kilda

I checked that the date wasnt the 1st of April when I read of the City of Yarras ban on the giving of Christmas gifts. I can only hope Santas reindeers defy the edict and drop a few well-placed gifts on the council roof as they fly over on Christmas eve.

Brian Williams, Vermont Early congratulations to Putin for winning the presidential election to be held next year.

Barrie Bales, Woorinen North Scooter eyesore? Methinks one complains too much. Every scooter trip is one fewer polluting car trip.

Ralph Frank, Malvern East Boonie, dont apologise for having a few quiet beers on a flight, you cant rewrite history.

Paul Custance, Highett I would imagine the massive outpouring of grief for the late Franco Cozzo will ensure a state funeral. There would be a few votes in that?

Rob Park, Surrey Hills
At the age of 10, a child is considered too young by Facebook to create an account. Airlines may refuse them a spot on a flight on some routes if they are unsupervised. An average 10-year-old weighs 31.5 kilograms and is 138 centimetres tall  small enough to need a booster seat in a car in some Australian states.

Yet a child of 10 can still be charged with a crime, brought before the courts, sentenced and imprisoned in juvenile detention in most parts of the country, including Victoria.

Crime has dropped overall in Victoria, but youth offending increased in the 12 months to September.

This is one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. The age is set much higher elsewhere  at 18 in Belgium and Luxembourg, while in Portugal it is 16, and in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden it is 15.

Daniel Andrews-era reforms will raise the cut-off age from 10 to 12 by the end of next year, meaning children aged 10 and 11 will no longer be held criminally responsible for their actions. The focus will instead be on connecting them and their families with support services. In 2027, the age of criminal responsibility is scheduled to rise to 14, which is deemed the minimum by the United Nations.
New York: The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a toned-down bid to boost humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities after a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to avoid a veto by the United States.

Amid global outrage over a rising Gaza death toll in 11 weeks of war between Israel and Hamas and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, the US abstained to allow the 15-member council to adopt a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

A displaced persons camp near Rafah. The UN and other agencies have warned of a humanitarian disaster if Israel does not allow more aid into the Gaza Strip Credit: Getty Images

The remaining council members voted for the resolution except for Russia, which also abstained.

Following high-level negotiations to win over Washington, the resolution no longer dilutes Israels control over all aid deliveries to 2.3 million people in Gaza. Israel monitors the limited aid deliveries to Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.
Auto Trader Names Their Choice Of Best End Of Year Car Bargains







ATLANTA

Dec. 21, 2023

-- The holidays are upon us, and automakers are pulling out all the stops to sell more cars as the end of the year quickly approaches. To help new-car shoppers find the best deals available this holiday season, Autotrader, a Cox Automotive company, has named the Best Year-End Holiday Car Deals for 2023

"The end of the year is a great time to buy a new car, as automakers are anxious to offload vehicles from their lots and add final dollars to their bottom line for 2023," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "For this list, the Autotrader experts combed through the data and found 10 terrific deals that are good through the beginning of the year. Shoppers can find low APR financing  some with cash back  and impressive lease deals on SUVs, cars, trucks and EVs."

Autotrader's Best Year-End Holiday Car Deals for 2023

1. 2024 Buick Envista

MSRP: $22,400

Current Offer: $3,819 down and $179/month for 24 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

The 2024 Buick Envista is an all-new subcompact SUV with bold style, small dimensions and an affordable price for a younger buyer compared to the brand's other offerings. It's upscale and sleekly styled, offering a strong set of standard equipment plus several upgrade paths. This lease applies to the Preferred trim level.

2. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado

MSRP: $53,700

Current Offer: 1.9% APR financing for 36 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

People, places, and things  the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD Crew Cab can seat your people, take you to adventurous places and haul all of your things. With the Crew Cab LT on special, you'll get a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that's good for 310 horsepower and 19 mpg combined.

3. 2023 Ford Bronco Sport

MSRP: $33,400

Current Offer: 0 % APR financing plus $2,000 cash back

Expires: 1/2/2024

Standard all-wheel drive might be expected on the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport, owing to its similarity in appearance to the larger, more off-road-oriented Bronco, but the Escape-based Bronco Sport is more dialed-in for daily driving. Dog lovers will appreciate the Bronco Sport's Dog Outfitter bundle, which adds a storable kennel, cargo mat and seat covers. This deal applies to the Heritage, Outer Banks and Badlands trim levels.

4. 2023 Ford F-150

MSRP: $44,865

Current Offer: 2.9% APR financing for 72 months plus $1,500 cash back

Expires: 1/2/2024

A member of the perennially best-selling F-Series line of trucks, the 2023 Ford F-150 is a byword for pickup truck performance and capability. On special is the F-150 STX 4x2 SuperCrew fitted with the 325-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine.

5. 2024 Honda Accord

MSRP: $27,895

Current Offer: $3,399 down and $269/month for 36 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

The 2024 Honda Accord is a legend for a litany of reasons, including its comfort, quality, refinement and technology. Completely redesigned for 2023, the Accord LX on special is nicely equipped, especially considering this deal's bargain pricing. This lease offer is available to current owners of any 2014 or newer Honda.

6. 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

MSRP: $41,600

Current Offer: 0.99% APR for 48 months plus $2,500 cash back

Expires: 1/2/2024

Based on the same electric architecture that underpins the popular Ioniq 5 SUV, the stylish and sleek 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan offers up to 361 miles of range, attained by the SE model currently on special this holiday season. Depending on the configuration, the Ioniq 6 can generate up to 320 horsepower in AWD form, and it packs Hyundai's latest tech with lots of avenues for upgrades.

7. 2024 Kia Seltos

MSRP: $24,390

Current Offer: $2,999 down and $249/month for 24 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

If you're looking for a well-equipped small SUV, the Kia Seltos proves you don't have to break the bank to get your hands on a nice new SUV. The Seltos LX on lease special comes with AWD, an 8-inch center touchscreen display, lane-keeping and lane-following assist, keyless entry and more.

8. 2023 Mazda CX-30

MSRP: $22,950

Current Offer: $2,999 down and $239/month for 36 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is one of the only SUVs in its class to deserve mention for its driving dynamics, even when outfitted in base form like the CX-30 2.5 S that's on special. With standard AWD and a base equipment spec that includes a suite of safety tech, a premium interior, rain-sensing wipers and more, the CX-30 is small but packed with value.

9. 2024 Subaru Crosstrek

MSRP: $25,195

Current Offer: $2,549 down and $299/month for 36 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

Standard AWD, lots of ground clearance, fresh new style and updated architecture make the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek an attractive option, especially as we head into winter. The base model on special includes the brand's EyeSight driver assist technology suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and more.

10. 2024 Toyota Camry

MSRP: $26,420

Current offer: $2,999 down and $319/month for 36 months

Expires: 1/2/2024

The 2024 Toyota Camry is the latest example of a long-time favorite with American car buyers due to its comfortable ride and spacious cabin, among many other features. On special this holiday season is the Camry LE, which comes with a well-rounded set of features including LED headlights, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and more.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, automakers, dealers, retailers, lenders and fleet owners. The company has 25,000-plus employees on five continents and a family of trusted brands that includes Autotrader, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital and vAuto. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit www.coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.
More than 20 countries have joined the US-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the Pentagon said late Thursday.

The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has killed at least 20,000 people, in its two-and-a-half-month war on the strip.

"We've had over 20 nations now sign on to participate" in the coalition, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.

Ryder said the Houthis are "attacking the economic wellbeing and prosperity of nations around the world," effectively becoming "bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea."

Coalition forces will "serve as a highway patrol of sorts, patrolling the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to respond to -- and assist as necessary -- commercial vessels that are transiting this vital international waterway," he said, calling on the Houthis to cease their attacks.

Israel's war on Gaza has provoked widespread anger in the Middle East and provided an impetus for attacks by armed groups in the region, including the Houthi strikes on Red Sea shipping.

The United States announced the multinational Red Sea coalition on Monday, while the Houthis warned two days later that they would strike back if attacked.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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The United Nations Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to boost humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip that stopped short of a call for a ceasefire.

The resolution will allow a "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale." It also called for the creation of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

Russia and the United States abstained and the resolution was passed with 13 votes in favor.

Members of the 15-member Security Council had been grappling for days to find common ground on the resolution.

Israel, backed by its ally the United States, has opposed the term "cease-fire," and Washington had used its veto twice to thwart resolutions backed by a majority of other members.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution "a strong step forward."

"This council provided a glimmer of hope among a sea of suffering," she said.

The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, complained that the US pressured delegates to develop a resolution that satisfied it regarding Gaza.

According to Nebenzya, the text of the draft resolution has been emptied of its essence due to pressure from the United States.

"They have resorted to their favorite tactic... of twisting of arms", calling the text "toothless," he said.

The United Arab Emirates sponsored the resolution. The UAE's ambassador to the UN Lana Zaki Nusseibeh said "it responds with action to the dire humanitarian situation."

"We know this is not a perfect text... We will never tire of calling for a humanitarian cease-fire," she said.

Following the vote, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Israel's offensive was the "real problem... creating massive obstacles" to humanitarian shipments.

"The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza," he said. "A humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare," he added.

The resolution demands all sides "allow and facilitate the use of all... routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings... for the provision of humanitarian assistance."

It also requests the appointment of a UN humanitarian coordinator to oversee and verify third-country aid to Gaza.

An earlier text had said that the aid mechanism to accelerate the delivery of relief would be "exclusively" under UN control.

It now states it would be managed in consultation with "all relevant parties" -- meaning Israel would retain operational oversight of aid deliveries.

Israel on Thursday bombed the newly reopened Karm Abu Salem aid crossing killing four people, including the crossing director, Bassam Abu Ghaben.

The tussle over the resolution came as the UN's hunger monitoring system warned "every single person in war-torn Gaza is expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity in the next six weeks."

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Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

For most people, the week before the holiday break is a wash. You might be at work, but how much are you doing, really? However, most people are not Beyonce, who flew to Brazil on Thursday just to surprise fans at a premiere screening of Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce. One thing about Virgos, theyre gonna be working on December 21.

Beyonce showed up at a convention center in Salvador, Bahia, and did her best to talk over the deafening screams of her Brazilian fans. In a video compilation on TMZ, you can hear her say, I came because I love you so much.

While there were no South American stops on the actual Renaissance tour, Beyonce did try to bring some of the fun to the Brazilian crowd. She attempted to do the mute challenge with her fans, but they were too excited to be silent.

Beyonce attempts to do the Mute challenge in Brazil.



pic.twitter.com/kV5lmtCOCm  Pop Base (@PopBase) December 22, 2023

Can you blame them? Beyonce has not been to Brazil in ten years. The last time she was in the country she got dragged offstage by a shirtless man, so I imagine theyre glad she came back at all. They missed her! Judging by the photo dump she posted to Instagram  in which she throws up the deuces in the private jet, poses with the Brazilian flag, and lays down in the private jet  she missed them, too.

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Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy, days after being ordered to pay $148 million in a defamation lawsuit brought by two former election workers in Georgia who said his targeting of them led to death threats that made them fear for their lives.

In his filing Thursday, the former New York City mayor listed nearly $153 million in existing or potential debts, including close to a million dollars in tax liabilities, money he owes his lawyers and many millions of dollars in potential legal judgments in lawsuits against him. He estimated his assets to be between $1 million and $10 million.

The biggest debt is the $148 million he was ordered to pay a week ago for making false statements about the election workers in Georgia stemming from the 2020 presidential contest.

Ted Goodman, a political adviser and spokesperson for Giuliani, a one-time Republican presidential candidate and high-ranking Justice Department official, said in a statement that the filing "should be a surprise to no one."

"No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount," Goodman said. He said the bankruptcy filing would give Giuliani "the opportunity and time to pursue an appeal, while providing transparency for his finances under the supervision of the bankruptcy court, to ensure all creditors are treated equally and fairly throughout the process."
The salaries of Koreans peak at 43 but turn precarious when they are 61.

Statistics Korea said Koreans begin to earn money at the age of 17 and reach an average W39.06 million at the age of 43 (US$1=W1,305).

They nominally spend the most money at the age of 17 with W35.75 million if their parents' expenses on private crammers and other things are included, so their deficit is naturally the biggest at that age too with W35.27 million.
5 jawans killed, 2 hurtas terrorists attack Army vehicles in J&K





POONCH/JAMMU :

FIVE soldiers were killed and two injured when heavilyarmed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Thursday, officials said. The bodies of two of the slain soldiers were mutilated, they said. The vehicles carrying the personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station around 3.45 pm, according to the officials. Two former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir -- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti -- strongly condemned the attack.

The Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT ), claimed responsibility for the ambush. Jammu-based defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal said a joint search operation was launched in the general area of Dhera Ki Gali in the Thanamandi - Surankote region on Wednesday night on the basis of hard intelligence about the presence of terrorists. As additional forces were moving to the site, the ultras fired upon the Army vehicles -- a truck and a Maruti Gypsy.

The troops swiftly responded to the attack, the defence spokesperson said. In the ongoing operation, five soldiers were killed and two injured, the officials said. The injured have been admitted to a hospital. The operation is in progress and further details are awaited. Disturbing images and videos emerging from the site showed blood on the street, broken helmets of soldiers and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles. The officials have not ruled out the possibility of the soldiers engaging in hand-tohand combat with the terrorists during the intense confrontation. They said there was a possibility that the terrorists had walked away with the arms of the targeted soldiers.

As the operation continues, authorities are diligently working to gather more information and do away with the threat posed by terrorists in the region. The ambush came weeks after a major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of the Bajimaal forest area in nearby Rajouri district that left five Army personnel, including two captains, dead last month. A top commander of the LeT, Quari, who masterminded several attacks, including the killing of 10 civilians and five Army personnel, and one of his associates were killed in the two day-long encounter in November.

The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts is densely forested and leads to Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest, where five soldiers were killed in an ambush on an Army vehicle on April 20. In May, five more Army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured during an anti-terrorist operation. A foreign terrorist was also killed in the operation. This year, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi have witnessed a series of encounters that have left 54 people, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists, dead so far, the officials said, ascribing the uptick in violence to desperate attempts from across the border to revive terrorism in the region.
CISF to secure Parliament complex





By Neelabh Srivastava

NEW DELHI,

THE Government has decided to hand over comprehensive security of the Parliament building complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the wake of the recent breach of the safety ring, official sources said Thursday. The CISF will render access control to the new and old Parliament complex in an airport security-like fashion where body frisking of persons will be done through hand-held detectors and their belongings will be checked through X-ray machines, with a provision to even scan shoes, heavy jackets and belts by putting them on a tray and passing them through the scanner, the sources said.
Disappointment For Ukraine





By Barry Hatton

THE year started with high hopes for Ukrainian troops planning a counteroffensive against Russia. It ended with disappointment on the battlefield, an increasingly somber mood among troops and anxiety about the future of Western aid for Ukraines war effort. In between, there was a short-lived rebellion in Russia, a dam collapse in Ukraine, and the spilling of much blood on both sides of the conflict. Twenty-two months since it invaded, Russia has about one-fifth of Ukraine in its grip, and the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has barely budged this year. A crunch has come away from the battlefield. In Western countries that have championed Ukraines struggle against its much bigger adversary, political deliberations over billions in financial aid are increasingly strained. Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing a waiting game two years into a war that proved to be a costly miscalculation by the Kremlin. He is wagering that the Wests support will gradually crumble, fractured by political divisions, eroded by war fatigue and distracted by other demands, such as Chinas menacing of Taiwan and war in the Middle East. The international political outlook could turn sharply in Putins favour after next Novembers elections in the United States  by far Ukraines biggest military supplier and where some Republican candidates are pushing to wind down support for its war. Nearly half of the US public believes that the country is spending too much on Ukraine, according to polling published in November by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research.

The political landscape on both sides of the Atlantic is changing, says Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC. Transatlantic solidarity has been steady. But I dont think it will remain steady forever. Putin announced in early December that he will run for re-election in March, all but guaranteeing he keeps his repressive grip on Russia for at least another six years. Its been a good year, I would even actually call it a great year for Putin, says Mathieu Boulegue, a consulting fellow for the Russia-Eurasia programme at Chatham House think tank in London. Western sanctions are biting but not crippling the Russian economy. Russian forces are still dictating much of what happens on the battlefield, where its defensive lines feature minefields up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) deep that have largely held back Ukraines monthslong counteroffensive. The counteroffensive was launched before Ukraines forces were fully ready, a hurried political attempt to demonstrate that Western aid could alter the course of the war, said Marina Miron of the Defence Studies Department of Kings College London. The expectations were unrealistic, she said. It turned out to be a failure. Putin got a victory he desperately wanted in May in the fight for the bombed-out city of Bakhmut, the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. It was a trophy to show Russians after his armys winter offensive failed to take other Ukrainian cities and towns along the front line. A mutiny in June by the Wagner mercenary group was the biggest challenge to Putins authority in his more than two decades in power. But it backfired. Putin defused the revolt and kept the allegiance of his Armed Forces, reasserting his hold on the Kremlin. Wagner chief and mutiny leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a mysterious plane crash. And any public dissent about the war was quickly and heavy-handedly stamped out by Russian authorities. Still, Putin has had setbacks. He fell afoul of the International Criminal Court, which in March, issued an arrest warrant for him on war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

That made it impossible for him to travel to many countries. The big Ukrainian push fell far short of its ambitions, even though Western countries had given Kyiv a variety of weapons and training. Yet while Russia has endured huge losses of troops and equipment, the country possesses the scale to soak up those setbacks. Putin, who foreign officials say, has secured large supplies of ammunition from North Korea, has put together a state budget that devotes a record amount to defence as it increases spending by around 25 per cent in 2024-2026. He has also ordered the countrys military to increase the number of troops by nearly 1,70,000 to more than 1.3 million. For Ukraine, the challenge is resourcing another offensive operation. Its troops are motivated but exhausted, analysts say. Zelenskyy has tirelessly lobbied Western leaders to keep help coming, aware they are his countrys lifeline. He has travelled to Washington three times in the past two years. Zelenskyy scored a diplomatic victory late in the year when the European Union granted Ukraine accelerated talks on joining the bloc. But even that triumph was tempered by the knowledge that the process could take years, as could clinching NATO membership. The shifting sentiment could benefit Putin, analysts say, as he seeks at least to keep Ukraine in limbo and eventually compel it to accept a bad deal to end the war.(AP)
By Ankita Garg

Though Kuno National Park (KNP) has started releasing the imported cheetahs into wild after keeping them into captivity for more than four months, another issue of herbivore population put the officials on toes. In order to cope with the declining prey for cheetah, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has come into action to bring herd of deer from Pench and Kanha tiger reserves. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Aseem Srivastav said that detail plan is ready to release cheetal to Kuno National Park. He said that strict action will be taken against illegal poaching of wildlife. Wildlife activist have raised objection over the management in Kuno Park. They said that cheetahs were in captive for past four to five months and during this period, forest officials did not focus towards the population of herbivore. In a survey held in January 2023, Kuno had 18 cheetals per sqkm of area and now it is declined to 16 cheetal per sqkm of area. Forest officials informed that during year 2013, there were 61 cheetals in per sqkm of area but during year 2021, their population remained as 23 per sqkm of area. They said that main prey-base of cheetah is Cheetal because they are physically weak to kill other animals. On an average, cheetah kills prey in three to four days. Due to lack of herbivore, cheetahs will have to travel long way to search food.

In a recent report of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun, it is revealed that population of herbivore that are major food for the cheetah is declining around the forestry of National Park. Experts said that main food of cheetah is cheetal (spotted deer) and Kuno forest has only 16 cheetals over one sqkm of area (on an average). As per standard measure, there should be at least 27 cheetals in one sqkm of area. WII has raised concern over declining population of cheetal in the area. Ajay Dubey, Wildlife activists and Secretary Prayatna, said, In past ten years, instead of growing up, cheetal population has been declined and main reason for this is illegal poaching. People kill the cheetal, Nilgay, etc in large number. They sell the meat of cheetal for Rs 5,000 to 6,000 per kg and Nilgay for Rs 10,000 kg. PCCF Aseem Srivastav said, Kuno has sufficient grassland. There are around 8,000 to 9,000 cheetals, peacock, chinkara, Nilgay and other herbivore in more than 18,000 of population. There would not be problem to prey the cheetal as most of herbivore prefer to take food in groups. We have planned to bring around 1,300 cheetal from Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserve.

In contrast to this statement, local forest officials of Kuno National Park said that there are sufficient killing for the cheetah but they can be quite lazy after being in captivity for more than four months. They said, however, this is not good for their health but gradually they will cope-up with the situation Three cheetahs released into wild so far: After Agni and Vayu, another female cheetah Veera has been released into Kuno National Park wild. The park management informed that two male cheetahs were released on December 17 at Ahera gate. After releasing Veera, monitoring team checked the location of two male cheetahs and both were found to be roaming separately in nearby areas. On December 20, female cheetah Veera has been released. Cheetah Steering Committee has assigned a team to monitor the three cheetah into wild. There are 14 adult and one cub cheetah in Kuno. There are seven male Gaurav, Shaurya, Vayu, Agni, Pawan, Prabhas and Pavak and seven female cheetah including Asha, Gamini, Nabha, Dheera, Jwala, Nirva and Veera.
Make I.N.D.I.A. bloc effective bulwark against BJP





NEW DELHI :

CWC RESOLUTION

THE Congress on Thursday asserted that it would take all necessary steps to make the I.N.D.I.A. bloc an effective bulwark and force against the BJP and its allies, while vowing to be fully prepared at the earliest to fight the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a resolution that was passed unanimously after a four-hour meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party also alleged that the suspension of MPs from Parliament was done to ensure that the Opposition was not present to challenge the Narendra Modi Government as it bulldozed three draconian criminal justice laws through.

The CWC, the partys highest decision-making body, condemned in the strongest possible terms the suspension of more than 140 MPs of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc from the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. These MPs were simply demanding that Home Minister Amit Shah makes a statement on the extraordinary events of December 13 in the Lok Sabha and on the role of the BJP MP from Mysuru in facilitating the entry of the two intruders who caused a serious security breach, the resolution said. Opposition parties have slammed the suspensions, noting that no actionhas been taken against BJP MPPrathap Simha, who facilitated the passes of the two security breach accused. The meeting of the CWC was chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Partychair person Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi were among the 76 leaders attending the meeting.

The Congress has expressed its firmest resolve to be fully preparedat the earliest to fight the Lok Sabha electionsbothas a party and also as a member of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.), the resolution said. The CWC also reiterated the determination of the Congress to take all necessary steps to make the I.N.D.I.A. bloc an effective bulwark and force against the BJP and its allies, it said. It noted that preparations for the Lok Sabha polls have already commenced. The Hain Taiyyar Hum rally being held in Nagpur on our Foundation Day a week fromnow isavery important step in this regard, it said. The Congress President has been conducting statewise reviews which are giving direction to the preparations, the resolution said.
Nazul land freehold charges issue Still unresolved





Staff Reporter

Over 2 lakh families in Nagpur are waiting to get the issue of Nazul land freehold charges resolved. Most people had hopes that the winter session of State Legislature in Nagpur would give them something concrete on the Nazul issue, but nothing has happened. The Maharashtra Government, which had been making promises for quite some time now, has not been able to issue notification on reduction in Nazul land freehold charges. Surprisingly, no MLA, MLC, except Pravin Datke took up the issue of Nazul this time. I had tried my best to get the issue resolved. We expected some concrete decision in this session itself. Unfortunately, nothing has taken place. The only ray of hope is the note prepared by Revenue Department that would be put before the State Cabinet. The charges proposed in the note are on the basis of MP act which are 2% of Ready Reckoner (RR) value. We still want reduction in the percentage. Lets hope for the best, explained Pravin Datke, MLC from Bharatiya Janata Party.

The decision of bringing down the charges from 5 per cent of Ready Reckoner (RR) value to 2 per cent was taken in 2022 by Maharashtras Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. But no notification or circular or Government Resolution (GR) has been issued yet. Some time ago, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had come forward to take up the issue. The Nazul properties are unique to Nagpur and Amravati, and stem from rules which existed during the erstwhile CP and Berar State. Even though Government has a policy to regularise the same and handover ownership to residents, the exorbitant fines and registration costs are derailing the process. For plot holders there are specific issues like those who wish to renew their lease, and those who have violated the terms of their lease on nazul plots. The issues like what steps the Government is taking regarding this and in 2019 the regularisation cost was fixed at 5% of Ready Reckoner, which is too costly, are still unanswered. In monsoon session, Adv Abhijeet Wanjarri had demanded that the State should go beyond this process and completely scrap the concept of Nazul layouts and lease.
New COVID variant sees spike





NEW DELHI,

AMID the emergence of a fresh coronavirus subvariant JN.1, Co-Chair, IMA, COVID Task Force Dr Rajeev Jayadevan on Thursday said that the new strain can be problematic for people of old age and those with multiple comorbidities. JN.1 is a fast-spreading variant, it could go into the next tier of the population, which is the vulnerable age group, older people and also people with multiple comorbidities. In such individuals, their underlying conditions can destabilise and could result in their hospitalisation and complications after that, the health expert said.

For the past few weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases are increasing. If you look at respiratory illnesses in general, the contribution of COVID is much greater in December, compared to November and that was much greater than in October. In August, September, and October, very few COVID cases were there, almost absent, even after testing. But that changed since November and December, he said. Dr Jayadevan said that, however, people, suffering from COVID-19, are not requiring the need to be hospitalised.

Fortunately, most of these people are not requiring hospitalisation thats because most of the COVID cases are now occurring in the people who are travelling and who are well enough to go to work, he said. The health expert also said that its better to take precautions rather than getting COVID-19 infection. Rajasthan University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Dr Sudhir Bhandari asked fellow citizens not to panic about the new variant JN 1 due to the strong vaccination programme in the country. Dr. Sudhir Bhandari said Once the genome sequencing result is out, then we can make out that this variant belongs to which lineage of the omicron.
Opposition holds protest against suspension of MPs





NEW DELHI,

CONGRESS President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday alleged that Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar had brought casteism to Parliament, after the Vice President had slammed a TMC leaders mimicry of him and called it an insult to his background as a farmer and Jat. Kharge made the remarks after Opposition MPs marched to Vijay Chowk from Parliament to protest the suspension of 143 MPs from the House. The Congress President, flanked by MPs and leaders of INDIA bloc parties, alleged that it was a matter of breach of privilege of the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken outside Parliament while it was in session and did not apprise the House over the Lok Sabha security breach incident. We wanted to raise Parliament security breach issue as to why it happened and who is responsible, Kharge said.

The Opposition wanted to speak on the issue but Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah did not turn up, even as the PM continued to make speeches elsewhere, Kharge said. INDIA bloc leaders will protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday against suspension of MPs and nation-wide protests will also be held in all district headquarters against the Governments immoral and illegal behaviour of this Government. He also alleged that the Government doesnt want the House to function. In an apparent reference to the mimicry issue and Dhankhars remarks on it, Kharge said, I am sorry to say that the Rajya Sabha Chairman has in a way brought casteism to Parliament by raising an issue. A political row broke out on Tuesday after Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee derisively mimicked Dhankhar during the Oppositions protest on the stairs of Parliament against the MPs suspension, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP.

Dhankhar had given vent to his anguish in Rajya Sabha, saying he was personally hurt as his farmer and Jat backgrounds were targeted. Two more Opposition members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Wednesday for displaying placards, taking the total number of members of the Lower House against whom such action has been taken to 97. With these fresh suspensions, the total number of members suspended from the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha since December 14 has gone up to 143. After two men jumped in the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13 and released smoke from canisters, the Opposition has been disrupting House proceedings demanding a statement from Shah on the security breach.
PAC, several other State committees go kaput since change of power





By Vikas Vaidya

After the change of power in Maharashtra, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and some other committees of Maharashtra State Assembly have become non-functional since over a year. These committees are formed to keep a check on the State Government. The reason behind those being non-functional lies in the change in political equations and lack of unity among the constituents of Maha Vikas Aaghadi. The key committees, apart from PAC, which are not functioning include Estimates Committee and Panchayat Raj Committee. These committees have heads from the opposition bench and most members too are from opposition. PAC was formed in 2020-21 when Maha Vikas Aaghadi was in power. Sudhir Mungantiwar became the Chairperson of the committee with Bhaskar Jadhav, Prakash Surve, Mahesh Shinde, Mansingh Naik, Dharmraobaba Atram, Anna Bansode, Babasaheb Patil, Prithviraj Chavan, Suresh Warpudkar, Sangram Thopte, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Adv Ashish Shelar, Jaikumar Rawal, Randhir Sawarkar, Sanjay Sawkare, Rajendra Patni, Vinay Kore, Chandrakant Nimba Patil were the members.

After the change in power in Maharashtra, Mungantiwar became the part of ruling side and he had to demit the office of PAC. Obviously, the members too had to follow him. The mega alliance led by Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis came in power in 2022, since then these committees have not formed. Shinde group split from Shiv Sena, in recent development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) too was divided. All these splits have greater impact on these committees. Surprisingly, no one from opposition spoke on this issue in the recently concluded winter session of State Legislature in Nagpur. According to sources, present Government is willing to constitute PAC but there is no consensus among the constituents of Maha Vikas Aaghadi regarding incorporating the members. Most names should come from opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) has not claimed the key post of Chairperson.

But NCP and Congress have expressed their willingness to get the post. From NCP, the name of Rohit Pawar, MLA and from Congress, Ashok Chavan are moved. As per the tradition, the opposition party having highest legislators gets the post. After the split, NCP and Shiv Sena have shrunk while Congress has emerged as the largest party in MVA. Nobody is claiming the stake in an aggressive manner and not demanding the formation of committees like PAC, Estimate and Panchayat Raj. Another important issue is of question mark of qualification of MLAs. Because of split, the cases of qualification of MLAs of NCP and Shiv Sena have reached court. These parties have to remain cautious while recommending the names to be incorporated in these committees. These committees look at issues such as expenditure of various departments, budget allocation and its use, irregularities, if any, in the spending, among others, and submit their report to the state for further action. The PAC also reviews of the performance of the departments on the basis of the report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
PARLT NOD





The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills will now go to the President for her assent

NEW DELHI :

THREE new bills that seek to overhaul the colonial-era criminal laws, making punishments more stringent for crimes such as terrorism, lynching, and offences endangering national security, were approved by Parliament on Thursday. The Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had approved these onWednesday. The Bills that repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act will usher in a new era in the criminal justice system, Home Minister Amit Shah said while replying to a debate in the Upper House of Parliament. The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills will now go to the President for her assent, upon which these will become laws. Just like in the Lok Sabha, the legislations were passed in the Rajya Sabha in the absence of most Opposition MPs, who were suspended for unruly behaviour while pressing for a discussion on the December 13 security breach in Parliament. Replying to the debate, Shah said once the new criminal laws are implemented, the entire process from FIR to judgment will be online.

Their implementation will ensure the end of the tareekh-pe-tareek-era and justice will be delivered in three years, he said. Elaborating on the new provisions, Shah said terrorism has been defined and mob lynching made punishable with capital punishment. Also, stringent punishment has been prescribed for those who work against the country, he said. The absence of the Opposition Congress did not stop him from taking a swipe at the party, with Shah saying those who wear Italian glassescannotfeelthepride in the Indian Parliament framing the new criminal laws. His jibe was directed at the partys former chief Sonia Gandhi, who is of Italian descent. Shah said the Bills had perhaps the widest consultations ever and 72 per cent of there commendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee which scrutinised the bills were accepted. We were charged for protecting mob lynching. But you (Congress)didnotmake law, we have.There is no bigger crime than killing a human being and it will be dealt with stringently, he said, adding the least number of mob lynching cases happened during the Narendra Modi Government.

The process of e-courts, eprisonsande-prosecutionis complete, he said and added trialscanalso be heldonline. Stating that the sedition law has been scrapped, Shah said the new laws provide for punishment of acts against the sovereignty and integrity of the country but not against criticismofthe state. These are to protect the country, not any individual or Government, he said. The new laws provide for stringent punishment for crimes against women and also define organised crime by plugging loopholes. Hit-and-run cases will be punishable by 10 years imprisonment while alenient viewis taken in cases of road accidentswhere theaccused attends to thevictims by taking them to hospital, Shah said. The Bills provide for timelines from the registration of FIRs to the investigation and filing of charge sheets. Trial in absentia will now take place of accused suchas those inbombblasts or economic offences who, after committing crimes, are hiding, he said. A timeframehas alsobeen prescribed for filing of mercy petitions, Shah said and added only those convicted on death row can file such petitions within 30 days of the Supreme Court confirming the punishment and no one else can file such pleas. The Home Minister said the new laws provide for stringent punishment for anyone establishing sexual relationships on false promises or the promise of marriage.
Next February, Sothebys auction house in New York plans to continue breaking million-dollar records with the sale of a large portrait of Queen Isabella of Bourbon, by the great 17th century Spanish painter Diego Velazquez. The estimated value of the painting is $35 million, but its price will ultimately be determined by auction during the so-called Masters Week, which on past occasions has seen paintings by Botticelli, for example, sell for upwards of $92 million. The latest canvas up for auction has a series of characteristics that make it a rarity on the art market, and thereby justify its stratospheric price tag. It is a rare and complicated affair for a painting by the famous Spaniard to go up for sale (the portrait is the most important work by Velazquez to come on the market in half a century, since the sale of another of his portraits, of Juan de Pareja). It is perhaps even rarer and more complicated to see a royal Velazquez painting go up for auction. This particular piece left Spain under unknown circumstances, during the War of Independence, and since the 19th century has travelled from Madrid to Paris, to the southern United Kingdom, passing through Naples, and is now being housed at Sothebys New York headquarters.

One of the earliest clues about the origins of the portrait of Queen Isabella can be found in the room where it hung in the Cason del Buen Retiro, one of the buildings in the palace complex where Philip IV resided, built at the behest of the Count-Duke of Olivares. No one knows exactly when it arrived at this location. Hanging next to the great painting were a significant number of other works, explains Javier Portus, head of pre-1800 Spanish Painting Conservation at the Prado Museum. Some were created especially for the space; others were brought from outside. This painting, we know because of its typology, predates the Palaces construction, so it would have arrived from somewhere else, Portus says, referring to the Velazquez portrait, which dates from the early 1630s. What seems perfectly clear, according to the expert, is that the work was a royal commission. At the time, the main and most important client to contract Velazquezs workshop was the monarchy.

The painting hung on a wall at the Cason del Buen Retiro until the beginning of Spains War of Independence (1808-1814). It is unknown when the painting of Queen Isabella left the palace on its way to France. There are several theories, says Portus, but none have been confirmed, because there are no documents to back up the claims, as is the case with many of the works housed in the palace complex that now hang in the Prado. During the conflict between the French and Spanish, many paintings changed places and owners, Portus says.

Portrait of Queen Isabella de Bourbon, by Diego Velazquez, to be auctioned in February 2024 at Sothebys New York. HENRY NICHOLLS (AFP)

The plundering took place in different ways. On the one hand, Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, selected 50 works for the Bonaparte Museum to be returned to Spain as a result of the Treaty of Vienna. Then there was the so-called baggage of King Joseph. Portus explains: Once they left Spain, those paintings were intercepted by the Duke of Wellington, and when he wanted to return them, Ferdinand VII decided that the British general should keep them. Fernan Nunez, Spains representative in England, was in charge of responding on behalf of the king: Enclosed is the official reply I have received from the Court, and from which I deduce that His Majesty, moved by your delicacy, does not wish to deprive you of what has come into your possession by fair and honorable means. More than 80 of these works have been exhibited for years in the Wellington Museum at Apsley House in London. But the portrait of Queen Isabella was not one of them.

On the other hand, there is another possible explanation: that the generals and other soldiers in Napoleons army made their own deals. Or, perhaps, the departure of the Velazquez portrait was the work of one of the many art dealers of the era, who, as Portus explains, would wander around Spain in search of bargains. A significant number of works emerged from that mess, says the Prado Museum expert, who cites the example of The Arnolfini Portrait, by Jan van Eyck, a painting housed in the Royal Palace of Madrid in 1814 that is now on display at the National Gallery in London.

Second stop: Paris

The next time the painting went on display was in the Spanish gallery created by King Louis Philippe I at the Louvre Museum in Paris. On January 7, 1838, when the space was inaugurated, Parisians could view more than 400 paintings by Spanish artists, a collection curated by the French monarch himself. Among the works was the portrait of Queen Isabella by Velazquez. Just one decade later, in 1848, the Second Republic was established in France and the paintings made their way to Great Britain. It was there, in 1853, when one of the most important auctions of the century took place, in the words of Portus. It was at this auction that the painting passed into private hands for the first time. The British banker and collector Henry Huth bought lot 249, which remained in the hands of his family until 1950, when his heirs sold it.

Details of Diego Velazquezs portrait of Queen Isabella of Borbon. Alamy

In 1978, the painting changed hands again. It is not clear what happened between 1950, when the Huth family sold it, and when it came into the hands of its current owners, the Wildensteins, a dynasty of Jewish art dealers that began buying and selling art in the 19th century. This family of dealers, known for their problems with the law  for 15 years, they faced charges of fraud and tax evasion, in addition to being criticized for collaborating with a Nazi collector who sold works stolen from Jews  has boasted three Velazquez paintings in there collection. The one that Sothebys auctioned in February, a portrait of Ferdinando Brandani, was acquired by the Spanish government for 23 million euros in 2003, and Portrait of a Young Girl was sold by the Caylus gallery to an American collector.

In 2005, the Wildensteins lent the work to the Capodimonte Museum in Naples. To be displayed as part of a solo exhibition of Velazquezs works, in which Benito de Navarrete, Professor of Art History at the Complutense University of Madrid, assisted in preparing the catalog descriptions. Speaking with EL PAIS, Navarrete pointed out the page of the publication where his colleague Alfonso Perez Sanchez explains that the portrait of Isabella of Bourbon is the first signed version, that is, it is the original work of the Spanish artist, not one of the later copies that were made of it. The painter portrayed the full figure of the Spanish monarch, in her early twenties and wearing an elegant black dress. The artists revisions, writes Christopher Apostle, Senior Vice President and Head of Department at Sothebys, were due to his simultaneous desire to modernize the image of the monarchs and to demonstrate a new method of painting influenced by his personal encounter with another great master of the era, Peter Paul Rubens.

Stopping the auction

In February, neither the Prado Museum nor the Ministry of Culture plans to buy the piece. Sources from both institutions confirmed to EL PAIS that regulations prohibiting the plundering of art as spoils of war were developed in the twentieth century. But the case of the Velazquez piece predates those regulations. EL PAIS consulted with three lawyers about the possibilities available to the Spanish government for attempting to stop the auction or to initiate litigation to try to return the painting to Spain. All three experts had the same answer: Its very complicated. No UNESCO treaty applies, and the laws to which, for example, the heirs of Jewish families robbed by the Nazis are appealing, do not apply either.

You cant even use the case of the Portrait of the Marchioness of Santa Cruz as a precedent, says Rafael Mateu, of the Ramon y Cajal law firm, about the work illegally taken from Spain in the early 1980s. The state managed to stop the auction in London because of the fraudulent way in which it was sold abroad, he explains. No one knows how the portrait of Queen Isabella left the Cason del Buen Retiro, but since that time, it has been exhibited as many as three times, and sold at various public auctions. As the three lawyers emphasized, the work was never hidden, and there has been plenty of time for Spain to attempt to reclaim it.

The catalog of the exhibition dedicated to Velazquez, in 2005, at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples where he exhibited the royal portrait. Photo: Benito Navarrete.

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Vital role in rescue ops: 12 rat-hole miners honoured





DEHRADUN,

UTTARAKHAND Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday honoured 12 rat-hole miners who played a vital role in the rescue of 41 workers trapped at the Silkyara tunnel. The rat-hole miners had manually drilled the final stretch of about 15 metres through the debris in the collapsed part of the tunnel in claustrophobic conditions to prepare an escape passage made of MS steel pipes for the trapped workers. Dhami offered each of them cheques of Rs 50,000 and shawls. The Chief Minister praised them for working in difficult conditions without caring for their own lives. Rat-hole miners made a huge contribution to making the Silkyara rescue operation a success, he said.

The rat-hole miners also thanked the Chief Minister for honouring them, and said they considered themselves lucky to get a role to play along with various other agencies in saving the lives of the trapped workers. Rat-hole mining was the last strategy adopted by the rescuers after several attempts to reach the workers with the help of auger machines failed to produce the desired results. The workers remained locked up in a part of the tunnel for 17 days after its partial collapse on November 12. A multi-agency rescue operation finally led to their safe evacuation on November 29.
Every year, at least three Christmas movies are released in theaters and many, many more are broadcasted on television or available to stream online. However, in practice, few of these films actually receive good reviews and even less will be remembered. Just a few become holiday classics that people see every year, standing the test of time and capturing the hearts of audiences across generations.

The following list includes some of those unforgettable movies which are still being quoted or discussed online, or having memes being created about them year after year.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Meet Me in St. Louis, starring Judy Garland is usually considered the top Christmas movie of all time (at least according to Rotten Tomatoes), however, Miracle on 34th Street  which often takes the second place  has a bigger focus on the holidays, with Santa Claus as one of the main elements.

The film takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and follows a man who claims to be the real Santa while working in a department store. It won three Oscars, including one for Best Writing, Original Story and Screenplay. A remake was produced in 1994, however it lacked the magic of the original, which is still broadcasted on some TV stations each year.

Its a Wonderful Life (1946)

When Its a Wonderful Life  loosely based on Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol  was first released in 1946, it wasnt a big hit and received mixed reviews, as several critics werent impressed by the fantastic optimism of the tale. The film couldve been forgotten as most of the films of the era. However, a clerical error turned it into a Christmas classic.

In 1974, National Telefilm Associates, the company who held the movie rights, failed to renew its copyright, which led to it becoming part of the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing (although some royalties had to be paid). Hundreds of local television stations showed it repeatedly each holiday season, resulting in it becoming a staple of Christmas programming.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

A Charlie Brown Christmas was a staple of Christmas TV programming for more than five decades. After being critically acclaimed, it became an annual presentation, airing on broadcast television for 56 years before becoming exclusively available on Apple TV+ streaming service.

This animated movie was the first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, and it paved the way for a series of Peanuts specials and films. The story follows Charlie Brown, who is depressed despite the holiday season. After his friend Lucy suggests he direct a Christmas play, he tries  despite all odds  to create a special experience. One of the animators, Ed Levitt, told the director Bill Melendez: This show is going to run for a hundred years. After almost 60 years, it seems he was right.

Die Hard (1988)

A popular discussion on online movie forums is about the 1988 action classic Die Hard. While some dont consider it a holiday film, others see it as a definitive Christmas classic.

Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a NYPD Detective who  on Christmas Eve  has to attend a corporate party in order to meet his estranged wife. However, a terrorist group attacks the location, taking everyone inside hostage, except for McClane, who tries to stop the threat. Several Christmas songs are part of the soundtrack, which is enough for most people to consider this a must-see during the holidays.

Home Alone (1990)

Macaulay Culkin  who played the main character of Home Alone  has definitely moved on from this 1990 classic written and produced by the legendary John Hughes. However, audiences continue to revisit this film year after year because of his beloved performance as Kevin McCallister, who  after being left alone on Christmas by accident  ingeniously defends his home from two criminals.

This special story that stands apart from other Christmas tales is still being quoted and referenced in popular culture. It spawned a direct sequel and two others with a new main star in the following years. In 2021, Disney produced another version of this classic called Home Sweet Home Alone. However, it wasnt well received and audiences have already forgotten about it.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Another discussion: is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie? It definitely could be both, but its mostly a Christmas movie, because it takes place in the weeks prior to the holiday, and the main character, Jack Skellington, is trying to take over the celebration because he doesnt want to wait a whole year for Halloween.

It is not only considered a Christmas classic but also one of the best animated movies of all time, and it represents the beginning of Tim Burtons long and influential career.

Elf (2003)

Elf is one of the most beloved Christmas stories of the 21st century, mainly because of Will Ferrells endearing performance as a human man who was raised in Santas workshop, and who embarks on a journey to find his real father. The movie uses several tropes from Christmas films, but it stands on its own because of its humor and director Jon Favreaus visual style. Several digital publications have ranked Elf among the greatest Christmas films, including Fandango and Digital Spy.

Love Actually (2003)

The romantic Christmas movie that wasnt very romantic or Christmassy. Although some of the stories presented in this British classic have a traditional happy ending with exaggerated displays of affection, others reminded the audience that not everyone has a good time on the holidays. This honest contrast, along with a star-studded cast that delivers perfect performances, makes it a holiday favorite (although its been criticized for lack of diversity and some moments that havent aged well).

Un conte de Noel (2008)

Released as A Christmas Tale in the United States, this French comedy-drama follows a family with complicated relationships which gathers for Christmas dinner after finding out that the mother has been diagnosed with leukemia. Several American publications called it the best film of 2008, which is uncommon for Christmas-themed movies, especially in a foreign language. It remains as one of the best-rated holiday films on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.

Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)

Anna and the Apocalypse mixes genres that audiences wouldnt expect to see mashed-up: its a zombie film, but also a Christmas movie and a musical. Directed by John McPhail, it follows a group of teenagers who have to fight, sing and dance to survive a zombie apocalypse during  you guessed it  Christmas. Although its not as popular as other films on this list, the movie is quickly becoming a cult classic, and a must-see during the holidays.

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Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 60,566 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $1,858,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 124.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 902 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. MRP Capital Investments LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 415.0% during the first quarter. MRP Capital Investments LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,660 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 7,641.4% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,245 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $73,000 after purchasing an additional 2,216 shares during the period. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF during the second quarter worth about $91,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 137.6% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,400 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,969 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF stock opened at $34.33 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $32.61 and its 200 day moving average price is $31.99. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF has a twelve month low of $25.00 and a twelve month high of $35.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.65 billion, a PE ratio of 5.86 and a beta of 0.97.

iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Brazil Index 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 Brazilian market, as measured by the MSCI Brazil Index (the Index).

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In August 2019, Oriol Aldoma, a primary school teacher, visited his friend Marc Ibos at their family fruit business in Bellpuig, a small town of 5,000 in northeast Spain. Aldoma watched as customers picked through the fruit selection to find the nicest-looking pieces. Can I take that bucket of apples? Theyre still good to eat, right? he asked. Of course, said Ibos. Were going to throw them away. Thats when the idea was born for TALKUAL, the business they started together six months later. TALKUAL has been incredibly successful, doubling its turnover every year, while battling the tyranny of food aesthetics and teaching consumers how to appreciate the inner beauty of ugly fruit.

The two friends wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on the world, even if it was just something small, like reducing local food waste. A child dies of hunger every 15 seconds, while the world wastes 570 million tons of good food every year, according to the U.S. Food and Agriculture Organization.

The produce had to be local, the transportation sustainable, the packaging plastic-free and recyclable, and the price fair to the farmers. They only had 6,000 ($6,600) to invest, half of which went to fees for establishing a limited liability company. They intended to use the Ibos familys facilities and leverage their knowledge about the fruit business. Its easy for me to communicate with producers because Im a producer myself. When youve got all this surplus, you start wondering what to do with it, said Ibos. The two new business partners researched similar businesses and found a few in the U.S., but none in Spain.

The hardest part in the beginning was convincing the traditional farmers to get on board. They either didnt get it or didnt want to be a part of it. Sometimes they even sent us some of their rotten stuff! said Ibos. TALKUAL purchases fruits and vegetables from small farmers across Spain. After conducting quality control at their Bellpuig warehouse, they package and deliver the products to customers throughout the country. About 90% of their customers are individuals, while the remaining 10% are companies like Alsa and Decathlon, who distribute the produce to their employees. Each box contains a variety of seasonal products, and customers can choose from different sizes. A seven-kilo (15 pounds) box costs approximately 20 ($21.50).

Even though they were an online business, they didnt prioritize marketing for the first two years. We were growing at a good pace organically, said Aldoma. The media actually promoted us right from the beginning. A local radio station did a report on us, and then bigger and bigger stations came. Weve already been featured in 80 or 90 publications. Then came the social media influencers. Some famous influencers visited and talked about us on their social media, which helped us grow a lot. Especially Anna Castillo  the actress  her post was a real turning point.

Brand ambassadors

TALKUAL now has brand ambassadors on social media and they pay for some ads on Instagram (91,000 followers), where they post photos, stories and reels. In 2020, gross sales amounted to 350,000 ($385,000). Sales more than doubled to 800,000 ($880,000) the next year and jumped to 1.3 million ($1.43 million) in 2022. TALKUAL expects to close 2023 with nearly 3 million ($3.3 million) in sales and double that number in 2024. The team of two has grown to 21 employees, including five individuals at risk of social exclusion.

TALKUAL was a finalist in Spains Start-Up Awards XXI (a CaixaBank initiative) this year and received a 12,000 grant from the European Digital Kit technology program. Now Aldoma and Ibos are setting new goals for the company. We plan to create a virtual marketplace  perhaps next year  to sell environmentally-friendly products such as cooking oil, jam, eggs well start with nuts. Our aim is to expand to other countries as we continue to grow.

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Avidian Wealth Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 3.1% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 11,238 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 341 shares during the quarter. Avidian Wealth Solutions LLCs holdings in Newmont were worth $415,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NEM. Blair William & Co. IL grew its holdings in Newmont by 14.8% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 42,511 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,378,000 after acquiring an additional 5,484 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in Newmont by 19.3% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 66,212 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,219,000 after acquiring an additional 10,692 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in Newmont by 46.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 27,905 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,217,000 after acquiring an additional 8,915 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Newmont by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 595,641 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $47,324,000 after acquiring an additional 39,765 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Newmont by 25.8% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,354 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $108,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. 79.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total value of $401,170.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 245,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,936,572.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 5,500 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.25, for a total value of $221,375.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 59,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,404,977.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total transaction of $401,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 245,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,936,572.33. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 38,866 shares of company stock valued at $1,457,085. 0.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on NEM. Macquarie began coverage on Newmont in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. They issued an outperform rating and a $45.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Newmont from $44.00 to $38.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. Raymond James reduced their target price on Newmont from $59.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on Newmont in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on Newmont from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.41.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NEM

Newmont Price Performance

Newmont stock opened at $41.43 on Friday. Newmont Co. has a 52 week low of $33.58 and a 52 week high of $60.08. The companys 50 day moving average price is $38.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market cap of $32.93 billion, a P/E ratio of -40.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.43.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.06). Newmont had a positive return on equity of 6.28% and a negative net margin of 7.35%. The firm had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.20 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Newmont Co. will post 1.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 30th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 29th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is currently -155.34%.

Newmont Company Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers.

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Baker Boyer National Bank raised its holdings in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 23.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,890 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,293 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble makes up approximately 0.4% of Baker Boyer National Banks holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Baker Boyer National Banks holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,005,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP raised its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP now owns 1,322 shares of the companys stock worth $197,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Davis Investment Partners LLC increased its position in Procter & Gamble by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Davis Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. LWM Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Procter & Gamble by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. LWM Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $457,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,008 shares of the companys stock valued at $912,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co increased its position in Procter & Gamble by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 7,309 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,087,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Price Performance

Procter & Gamble stock opened at $144.25 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $149.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $150.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.48 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 company has a market cap of $339.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.42, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.46.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last issued 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 business had revenue of $21.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.42 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 20th were paid a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 19th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.61%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 61.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. DZ Bank raised Procter & Gamble from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $155.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Procter & Gamble from $161.00 to $151.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. StockNews.com upgraded Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Finally, William Blair initiated coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, September 8th. They set a market perform rating for the company. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.41.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Procter & Gamble

Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble

In related news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 19,661 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total value of $3,017,373.67. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 24,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,750,499.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total transaction of $6,069,281.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,460 shares in the company, valued at $5,491,240.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 19,661 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total transaction of $3,017,373.67. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 24,438 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,750,499.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 79,382 shares of company stock valued at $11,988,690 over the last 90 days. 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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Bank of America upgraded shares of Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. Bank of America currently has C$145.00 price target on the banks stock, up from their previous price target of C$120.00.

BMO has been the subject of a number of other reports. Cormark lowered their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$128.00 to C$127.00 in a report on Monday, December 4th. Desjardins cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$133.00 to C$130.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 6th. CSFB set a C$128.00 price target on shares of Bank of Montreal and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$135.00 price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$138.00 to C$128.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$131.42.

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Get Our Latest Report on BMO

Bank of Montreal Trading Up 1.4 %

Bank of Montreal stock opened at C$129.16 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$111.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$115.37. Bank of Montreal has a 12 month low of C$102.67 and a 12 month high of C$137.64. The company has a market capitalization of C$93.11 billion, a PE ratio of 22.72, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.15.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 1st. The bank reported C$2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.86 by C($0.05). Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 15.04% and a return on equity of 5.91%. The company had revenue of C$8.36 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 12.3350622 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. This is a positive change from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.47. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 29th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is currently 106.34%.

Bank of Montreal Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers.

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Shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the fourteen analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $76.60.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $60.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. Finally, Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on DELL

Dell Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DELL opened at $75.30 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.80, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $70.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.52. Dell Technologies has a 52-week low of $35.96 and a 52-week high of $76.09.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The technology company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.42. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 150.29% and a net margin of 2.92%. The firm had revenue of $22.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.01 earnings per share. Dell Technologiess quarterly revenue was down 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Dell Technologies will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 22nd. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.88%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dell Technologies

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rise Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 357 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. 38.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Dell Technologies

(Get Free Report

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX  Get Free Report) General Counsel Martha A. Wiegand sold 3,334 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $333,400.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 35,144 shares in the company, valued at $3,514,400. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

CONSOL Energy Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:CEIX opened at $100.63 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $101.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $87.40. CONSOL Energy Inc. has a 12-month low of $49.35 and a 12-month high of $114.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.03 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

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CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CEIX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The company reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.52 by ($1.41). CONSOL Energy had a net margin of 27.06% and a return on equity of 50.26%. The company had revenue of $569.86 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $578.50 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that CONSOL Energy Inc. will post 19.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of CONSOL Energy

About CONSOL Energy

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CONSOL Energy by 199.4% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of CONSOL Energy by 866.7% during the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 464 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the period. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CONSOL Energy during the third quarter worth about $50,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of CONSOL Energy by 109.0% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 903 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of CONSOL Energy by 10.8% during the first quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 2,677 shares of the companys stock worth $101,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. 87.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

CONSOL Energy Inc produces and exports bituminous coal in the United States. It operates through Pennsylvania Mining Complex and CONSOL Marine Terminal segment. The company's Pennsylvania Mining Complex segment engages in mining, preparation, and marketing of bituminous coal to power generators, industrial end-users, and metallurgical end-users.

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Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its stake in shares of CMS Energy Co. (NYSE:CMS  Free Report) by 16.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,434 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 2,815 shares during the quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Divisions holdings in CMS Energy were worth $1,032,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund acquired a new stake in CMS Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $537,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems acquired a new stake in CMS Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,202,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in CMS Energy by 17.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,438 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $319,000 after purchasing an additional 789 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in CMS Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $623,000. Finally, American National Bank grew its position in CMS Energy by 1,213.6% in the 3rd quarter. American National Bank now owns 578 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.98% of the companys stock.

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CMS Energy Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE CMS opened at $56.91 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.41, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.40. CMS Energy Co. has a one year low of $49.87 and a one year high of $65.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The businesss fifty day moving average is $56.19 and its 200-day moving average is $57.28.

CMS Energy Announces Dividend

CMS Energy ( NYSE:CMS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.63 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.11 billion. CMS Energy had a return on equity of 10.49% and a net margin of 9.61%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 17.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.56 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that CMS Energy Co. will post 3.09 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Investors of record on Friday, November 3rd were paid a $0.4875 dividend. This represents a $1.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 2nd. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 76.77%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on CMS shares. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of CMS Energy from $71.00 to $64.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of CMS Energy from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of CMS Energy from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. StockNews.com started coverage on CMS Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on CMS Energy from $60.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CMS Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $61.82.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMS

Insider Activity at CMS Energy

In related news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.90, for a total value of $57,900.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 61,156 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,540,932.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Brian F. Rich sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.90, for a total value of $274,500.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 88,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,840,807.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.90, for a total value of $57,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 61,156 shares in the company, valued at $3,540,932.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 25,000 shares of company stock worth $1,387,470. Company insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

CMS Energy Profile

(Free Report)

CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources.

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Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,457 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 348 shares during the quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $783,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $969,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. HBW Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,734,000. CFM Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. CFM Wealth Partners LLC now owns 88,998 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,239,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares during the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 95.5% in the third quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 20,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,045,000 after buying an additional 10,235 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cullinan Associates Inc. boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 1.4% during the third quarter. Cullinan Associates Inc. now owns 51,246 shares of the companys stock worth $4,744,000 after buying an additional 692 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International

In other news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of Philip Morris International stock opened at $92.83 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $144.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 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. The firms 50 day moving average is $92.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $94.30.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 revenue was up 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.53 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a 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 5.60%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.97%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on PM shares. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of 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. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, September 29th. One 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.27.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Philip Morris International

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.

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Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,200 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $272,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SO. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in Southern by 18.0% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 22,757 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,473,000 after buying an additional 3,465 shares during the last quarter. Essex Savings Bank raised its holdings in Southern by 15.5% during the 3rd quarter. Essex Savings Bank now owns 9,421 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $610,000 after acquiring an additional 1,267 shares during the period. RVW Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern in the third quarter worth $35,000. Gleason Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Southern by 1.1% in the third quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 16,098 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,042,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division raised its stake in shares of Southern by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 28,638 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,853,000 after purchasing an additional 388 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 62.85% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price objective for the company. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Mizuho lowered their price target on Southern from $76.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Southern from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.00.

Southern Stock Performance

NYSE SO opened at $69.38 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $69.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $69.24. The Southern Company has a 12-month low of $58.85 and a 12-month high of $75.80. The firm has a market cap of $75.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.05, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.10. Southern had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 11.60%. The business had revenue of $6.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.38 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Southern Company will post 3.6 EPS for the current year.

Southern Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 20th were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 17th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.04%. Southerns payout ratio is currently 101.08%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.39, for a total value of $693,900.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,990,868.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at $1,990,868.49. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction 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 have sold a total of 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,722,000 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

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.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS  Free Report) by 9.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,072 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 518 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum were worth $1,592,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 7.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,953,615 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,888,532,000 after buying an additional 500,057 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 1.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,608,412 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $708,419,000 after purchasing an additional 47,971 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 814.7% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,436,988 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $47,995,000 after purchasing an additional 1,279,892 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 3.8% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,394,787 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $358,099,000 after purchasing an additional 50,623 shares during the period. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 19.8% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,226,377 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $314,818,000 after purchasing an additional 202,853 shares during the period. 80.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Michael R. Hynes sold 1,057 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.86, for a total value of $294,755.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,956 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,660,890.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Karla R. Lewis sold 5,374 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.87, for a total transaction of $1,498,647.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 83,884 shares in the company, valued at $23,392,731.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Michael R. Hynes sold 1,057 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.86, for a total transaction of $294,755.02. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,956 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,660,890.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 26,614 shares of company stock worth $7,357,934 in the last quarter. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on RS. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum from $290.00 to $285.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. Three 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, Reliance Steel & Aluminum has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $275.00.

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Reliance Steel & Aluminum Stock Performance

Shares of RS opened at $279.01 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $264.94 and a 200-day moving average of $268.92. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. has a one year low of $199.16 and a one year high of $295.98. The company has a market cap of $16.03 billion, a PE ratio of 11.73 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 5.53 and a quick ratio of 3.13.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The industrial products company reported $5.00 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $5.00. Reliance Steel & Aluminum had a net margin of 9.38% and a return on equity of 18.92%. The company had revenue of $3.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.48 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. will post 21.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. Reliance Steel & Aluminums dividend payout ratio is presently 16.81%.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company Profile

(Free Report)

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co operates as a diversified metal solutions provider and the metals service center company in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company distributes a line of approximately 100,000 metal products, including alloy, aluminum, brass, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty steel products; and provides metals processing services to general manufacturing, non-residential construction, transportation, aerospace, energy, electronics and semiconductor fabrication, and heavy industries.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 6.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 10,307 shares of the CRM providers stock after buying an additional 583 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Salesforce were worth $2,090,000 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. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Salesforce by 463.1% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,283 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $694,000 after buying an additional 2,700 shares during the last quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Salesforce by 370.0% in the 2nd quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $328,000 after buying an additional 1,221 shares during the last quarter. Forza Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Salesforce in the 2nd quarter valued at $202,000. Bank of Hawaii increased its stake in Salesforce by 89.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 5,282 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,116,000 after buying an additional 2,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in Salesforce in the 2nd quarter valued at $396,000. 77.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Salesforce Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CRM opened at $267.28 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $225.04 and a 200-day moving average of $217.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $258.73 billion, a PE ratio of 101.63, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Salesforce, Inc. has a 12 month low of $126.34 and a 12 month high of $268.36.

Insider Buying and Selling

Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 29th. The CRM provider reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $8.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.71 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 7.63% and a return on equity of 9.19%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Salesforce, Inc. will post 6.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, insider Srinivas Tallapragada sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.06, for a total transaction of $2,050,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 58,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,970,582.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Salesforce news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.98, for a total value of $3,974,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 14,546,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,854,443,066.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Srinivas Tallapragada sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.06, for a total transaction of $2,050,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 58,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,970,582.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 860,552 shares of company stock worth $195,997,433 in the last three months. 3.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wolfe Research raised shares of Salesforce from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $315.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Salesforce from a conviction-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Friday, September 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $267.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating, twenty-six have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Salesforce presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $259.61.

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Salesforce Company Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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A safe prediction right now is that medicine will prioritize advanced drugs that are more effective but also pricier. This will pose challenging dilemmas for public health systems that must constantly weigh the value of life and the cost of saving it. Doctors refer to this as screening  a vain attempt to gloss over the real goal. But our civic duty is to gain a better understanding of the future that we will inhabit, and not tolerate such obfuscation. The new anti-obesity drugs are a great example to use as we examine how to better understand our future.

Ozempic is the most widely known brand name in this booming sector of the pharmaceutical industry. While there are competing products, they mainly consist of dose variations or similar molecules. The key ingredient in all of them is semaglutide, a medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone that is naturally released in the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating, creating a sense of fullness and reducing the urge to eat. It also stimulates insulin secretion by the pancreas, effectively lowering blood sugar levels. As an analogue, semaglutide is an effective medication for Type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to obesity.

Semaglutide also affects obesity itself. By mimicking a natural hormone, it comprehensively targets various mechanisms related to the bodys energy management, including hunger, satiety, metabolism, fat generation and energy expenditure. This leads to more effective and consistent weight loss compared to previous drugs of this type. Ozempic quickly gained popularity, earning the nickname the Hollywood drug when Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk began endorsing it. News outlets and social media have been buzzing about it ever since.

But the Hollywood drug label doesnt mean that Ozempic belongs in the realm of quantum psychology, of tricking your brain to achieve a personal goal. Semaglutide is not only effective against obesity and Type 2 diabetes, but it also reduces the risk of heart attack by 20% even in individuals without diabetes, and Science recently named anti-obesity drugs the scientific breakthrough of the year.

Scientists have also found that new anti-obesity drugs show potential in addressing addiction, Alzheimers, and Parkinsons. The treatment involves a weekly injection costing approximately $225 each (without insurance), and may need to be continued indefinitely. Most prescription plans cover some or all of the cost of drugs like Ozempic when used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but its not often covered for weight loss. This is where the dilemma arises.

The debate surrounding obesity carries an undeniable moral undertone. People (especially public health officials) often hold a preconceived bias that blames obese people for their condition. The common belief is that weight loss can be achieved simply by eating less and exercising more. However, this oversimplification fails to acknowledge complexities like socioeconomic factors. Economically disadvantaged families often depend on affordable but high-calorie options like double hamburgers with triple cheese, trans fat-laden donuts, and pizzas heaped with bacon and pepperoni. The appeal lies in their unbeatable calorie-to-price ratio.

At the same time, we are continuously gaining a deeper understanding of numerous genetic conditions. These conditions can intensify hunger, reduce satiety, predispose individuals to addictions, or directly exacerbate the efficiency of adipogenesis  the process of converting food into body fat. In the past, these genes served us well during times of famine and scarcity. However, in our current era of excess and sedentary lifestyles, these genes have become adversaries. Its just evolution, friends.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:KB  Free Report) by 74.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 38,448 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 16,446 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in KB Financial Group were worth $1,581,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of KB. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 79.8% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,959,952 shares of the banks stock worth $107,741,000 after buying an additional 1,313,605 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group by 36.1% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,434,596 shares of the banks stock worth $88,619,000 after purchasing an additional 646,184 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group by 86.3% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 600,940 shares of the banks stock worth $29,344,000 after purchasing an additional 278,345 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group by 263.6% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 301,913 shares of the banks stock worth $10,989,000 after purchasing an additional 218,885 shares during the period. Finally, Orbis Allan Gray Ltd raised its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group by 21.1% in the 1st quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 855,740 shares of the banks stock worth $31,166,000 after purchasing an additional 149,080 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 6.30% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of KB Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 20th.

KB Financial Group Trading Up 0.2 %

NYSE:KB opened at $40.20 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.22 billion, a PE ratio of 4.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.90. The firms 50 day moving average is $40.31 and its 200 day moving average is $39.63. KB Financial Group Inc. has a 12 month low of $35.20 and a 12 month high of $48.28.

KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 14th. The bank reported $2.70 EPS for the quarter. KB Financial Group had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 8.29%. The company had revenue of $3.50 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts expect that KB Financial Group Inc. will post 9.64 earnings per share for the current year.

KB Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

KB Financial Group Inc provides a range of banking and related financial services to consumers and corporations in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through seven segments: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Other Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, and Non-Life Insurance.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management lowered its stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 28,984 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 4,274 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $1,997,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 3.8% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 34,665 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,876,000 after buying an additional 1,281 shares in the last quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $1,679,000. Adviser Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 33.2% in the third quarter. Adviser Investments LLC now owns 5,327 shares of the technology companys stock worth $367,000 after buying an additional 1,328 shares in the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 29.8% in the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 107,237 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,312,000 after buying an additional 24,646 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $14,931,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on DELL shares. Barclays cut Dell Technologies from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $53.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $60.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Friday, September 1st. Bank of America increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $70.00 to $76.00 in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Citigroup increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $62.00 to $74.00 in a research note on Friday, September 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $76.60.

Dell Technologies Price Performance

Shares of DELL opened at $75.30 on Friday. Dell Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $35.96 and a one year high of $76.09. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.58 billion, a PE ratio of 20.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.95.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 30th. The technology company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.42. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 2.92% and a negative return on equity of 150.29%. The business had revenue of $22.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.01 earnings per share. Dell Technologiess quarterly revenue was down 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 5.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 22nd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 40.88%.

Dell Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Sanders Morris Harris LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 26.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,022 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 429 shares during the quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $866,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IVV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 117,228.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195,582,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,144,659,000 after purchasing an additional 195,415,560 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 212,409.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 53,346,337 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,776,996,000 after acquiring an additional 53,321,234 shares during the period. Providence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 38,525.9% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,421,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,783,000 after acquiring an additional 11,391,719 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,101,052,000. Finally, IMC Chicago LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 122.2% during the 2nd quarter. IMC Chicago LLC now owns 534,522 shares of the companys stock valued at $238,242,000 after acquiring an additional 2,941,401 shares during the period.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:IVV opened at $474.91 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $446.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $444.77. The company has a market cap of $367.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $376.49 and a fifty-two week high of $479.08.

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.

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AdvisorNet Financial Inc decreased its position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 29.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 18,939 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,830 shares during the quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Incs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,762,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PG. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake 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 worth $38,402,583,000 after acquiring an additional 252,827,976 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% in 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 buying an additional 38,495,676 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,752,321,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 42.2% in 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 buying an additional 7,235,990 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,717,246,000 after buying an additional 4,959,527 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.2 %

PG stock opened at $144.25 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $339.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.42, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.46. 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 business has a fifty day simple moving average of $149.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.33. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $135.83 and a 52 week high of $158.38.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.12. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.49% and a net margin of 18.30%. The business had revenue of $21.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.42 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 20th were issued a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.61%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is currently 61.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. William Blair assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, September 8th. They issued a market perform rating on the stock. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Barclays reduced their target price on Procter & Gamble from $166.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 target price on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $153.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.41.

Read Our Latest Report on PG

Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble

In related news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total value of $6,069,281.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,491,240.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total value of $6,069,281.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,491,240.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total transaction of $83,357.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,498 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,086,985.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 79,382 shares of company stock worth $11,988,690. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

About Procter & Gamble

(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.

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Northwest Investment Counselors LLC lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 5.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 413 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Northwest Investment Counselors LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $208,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth approximately $44,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.69% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 21st. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and issued a $480.00 target price (down from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $585.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $574.89.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $519.88 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $480.85 billion, a PE ratio of 22.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $537.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $507.32. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $445.68 and a 12-month high of $554.70.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.58% and a net margin of 6.02%. The business had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.79 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were given a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.64%.

Insider Activity

In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at $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 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 transaction, the director now directly 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 a total of 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

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.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Thursday.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Morgan Stanley cut their price target 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. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Unum Group from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Unum Group from $59.00 to $54.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unum Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $54.50.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Unum Group

Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $44.77 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $36.27 and a twelve month high of $52.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $44.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.09. The stock has a market cap of $8.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.98.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.02. Unum Group had a return on equity of 15.54% and a net margin of 10.07%. The business had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.11 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.51 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 7.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 27th were issued a $0.365 dividend. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 26th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.59%.

Unum Group announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, October 31st that permits the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire up to 5.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group

In other Unum Group news, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 8,188 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.39, for a total value of $347,089.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 54,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,302,540.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Unum Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 1,076.4% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 647 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 592 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 2,262.1% in the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 685 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 656 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock.

Unum Group Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Wedge Capital Management L L P NC trimmed its stake in shares of PPL Co. (NYSE:PPL  Free Report) by 1.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 536,461 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 8,308 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC owned about 0.07% of PPL worth $12,639,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in PPL. Greenleaf Trust increased its position in PPL by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 11,571 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $322,000 after acquiring an additional 363 shares during the period. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in PPL by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,879 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $208,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Compass Wealth Management LLC increased its position in PPL by 40.0% in the 2nd quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,400 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in PPL by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 16,020 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $445,000 after acquiring an additional 412 shares during the period. Finally, Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of PPL by 3.9% during the second quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 11,025 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $292,000 after buying an additional 412 shares during the period. 73.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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PPL Stock Down 0.1 %

PPL stock opened at $26.39 on Friday. PPL Co. has a 1-year low of $22.20 and a 1-year high of $31.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.82. The firms fifty day moving average price is $25.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03.

PPL Dividend Announcement

PPL ( NYSE:PPL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.02). PPL had a net margin of 9.53% and a return on equity of 7.82%. The firm had revenue of $2.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.20 billion. On average, equities research analysts predict that PPL Co. will post 1.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. PPLs payout ratio is currently 86.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on PPL. UBS Group cut shares of PPL from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $29.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on shares of PPL from $31.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of PPL from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of PPL in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and set a $52.00 price objective on shares of PPL in a research report on Wednesday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, PPL has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $32.38.

Get Our Latest Analysis on PPL

PPL Profile

(Free Report)

PPL Corporation, an energy company, focuses on providing electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.5 million customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated. The company delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Rhode Island; delivers natural gas to customers in Kentucky and Rhode Island; and generates electricity from power plants in Kentucky.

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New airlift into Abaco through JSX opens new US routes
The governments investment in the feed mill will mean farmers can now save money by purchasing feed locally, instead of importing it at a higher cost. FACEBOOK
After years of negotiations, this Wednesday the European Union concluded a migration pact that tightens the conditions for receiving migrants. The agreement is binding for all member states, including Hungary, one of the members with the most extreme positions on migration and asylum. Ultra-conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban controversially compared the agreement on the forced relocation of migrants with a legal rape of his country and Poland, which opposed the pact. On Thursday, he railed against the new regulatory package and defended his own formula for asylum seekers to remain outside European territory until their applications are resolved.

Human rights organizations in Hungary charge that the Orban government has effectively suppressed the right to asylum in the country. The Hungarian leaders xenophobic policies, which made headlines for the inhumane treatment of migrants during the 2015 refugee crisis, have led to clashes with Brussels, as have his attempts to criminalize refugee aid organizations. In a press conference, his fifth in recent years, Orban said that the basis of the migration package is flawed. He noted that we had a big debate on this last year, and I spent hours trying to explain it.

Anyone who enters the country is immediately sent back to wherever he or she came from. To obtain refugee status in Hungary, applicants, regardless of their origin, must apply at two Hungarian consulates abroad: in Kyiv (Ukraine) and in Belgrade (Serbia). The Russian invasion of its neighboring country makes the Serbian capital the only option, but according to organizations like the Helsinki Committee, the number of applications being handled there can be counted on one hand. The only way to stop migration is for anyone who wants to enter the EU to stay out of it until the relevant decision is made. No other solution will achieve the desired result, the prime minister said. I am convinced that the Hungarian rule is the model. It should not be opposed; it should not be denounced, he has insisted. It is the only regulation that works in Europe.

Orban, in his annual press conference this Thursday in Budapest. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN)

Recently, Slovakian political parties have accused the Hungarian government of attempting to influence the Slovak elections in favor of populist Robert Fico by allowing irregular migrants to cross the Slovak border, in a strategy somewhat similar to that of Aleksander Lukashenko on the eastern edge of the EU. Orban has strongly denied this charge, rejecting the assumption that his country is altering the migration flow for political reasons. The leader boasts of having protected his border, but he has also acknowledged that this closure is not airtight. We try to stand up to it, but sometimes they get through. Orban also reported an increase in the level of violence at border crossings.

There is a bubble in Brussels and it has to burst.

Orban has become a thorn in the European Unions side. At last weeks summit in Brussels, he appeared to be more alone than ever when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz encouraged him to leave the room while the decision was being made about the start of Ukraines EU accession talks. Orbans abstention allowed the decision to go ahead but the next day he blocked the 50 billion aid package for Kyiv. His threats are still very much alive a week later: Ukraine cannot be admitted to the European Union without the decision of the Hungarian Parliament, Orban warned. On the financial lifeline to Ukraine, postponed to another summit in February, he pointed the way to the partners: The 26 of them can join together and do it outside the [EU] budget, but they cannot do it in the budget without Hungary. He added that Hungarys goal is not to block decisions, but to have the EU make good decisions.

In his fiery rhetoric toward Brussels, Orban stated that it is a fact that Hungary is being blackmailed in Brussels. He says that the European Parliament is blackmailing him, by threatening to replace the president of the European Commission [Ursula von der Leyen] if it gives Hungary the money it owes it, even though the country is doing almost all of the reforms required of it to address the rule of law. You cannot blame me for doing everything in my power to defend Hungarys interests in such a situation of extortion, he said.

Brussels is of the opposite opinion: that Orban uses blackmail to obtain economic benefits in exchange for not blocking strategic policies, as in the case of Ukraine: We dont want to link Ukrainian money to any Hungarian money. If we have a dispute with someone, we settle it with him, not sideways, through the back door. All we are asking is to execute what is in the budget. Hungarians money is in the budget; it is our money; give it to us, the Hungarian prime minister said Thursday.

Orban has his eyes on the European Parliament elections, hoping for a sharp rise of the far right. Things are going very badly in Brussels: there is no peace on our border, the economy is deteriorating and cannot cope with conflicts such as those erupting in the Balkans. And how did we get here? There is a bubble in Brussels, and it has to burst, he said. The Hungarian Prime Minister is alone in the European Parliament after being expelled from the Group of the European Peoples Party, but he has said that his party, Fidesz, is in negotiations to join the Group of Conservatives and Reformists, to which far-right parties like Spains Vox and Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy belong.

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That release could not be found.
In spite of various assurances made by successive Nigerian governments to put an end to gas flaring, their failure to do so leads to the release of harmful pollutants that negatively impact both humans and the environment in the country. This, in turn, contributes to climate change, as explored by ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

The middle-aged lady is running in the street of Diamond Estate, Umuebulu-Etche, Rivers state with her child. The neighbors are concerned about the reason for her haste. "The weather is extremely hot and all three of my children are suffering from cough. To make matters worse, our house is situated very close to the gas flow station where gas is constantly being released and burned," the woman, who prefers not to disclose her name, shares with me that she is heading to the hospital.

Her little child is dying, having been coughing for a while, and every home remedies prove abortive to resuscitate her. Enquiry in the estate shows that both at an individual and community levels, there are significant positive connections between the burning of gas and the high rates of children experiencing cough, respiratory illnesses, and fever. Additionally, there are also high rates of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among the residents of the estate.

There are prominent residents who argue that gas flaring has a negative impact on both children and climate change due to the release of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. However, the Nigerian government's efforts to stop flaring have faced significant obstacles. Some of these individuals are employed in oil companies, giving them a deeper understanding of the issue. Moreover, the practice of venting gas without burning, commonly associated with flaring, also releases methane, the second most significant greenhouse gas.

Gas flaring results in the emission of pollutants that are detrimental to both humans and the environment in the country, one of the people says.

Ranking high on index of unfulfilled promises

Nigeria is ranked as the seventh country with the highest flaring rates globally, indicating that there are several other countries, including Venezuela, the United States, and Iran, with even higher flaring rates, as stated by the World Bank. The Diamond estate, located in the Niger Delta, is widely recognized for the pollution caused by oil production. Experts have linked conflicts in the Niger Delta region to various factors, such as ethnicity, economy, and the environment, specifically concerns regarding the activities of the oil industry.

According to analysts, gas flaring is frequently carried out for economic purposes, as it proves to be a more cost-effective method of disposing of the gas compared to alternative approaches. However, despite being a less lucrative and potentially hazardous byproduct of the industry, gas flaring emits harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to environmental problems like acid rain and the release of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

Health Implications of the failed promises

The Diamond estate, which has a population of over five thousand residents, is at risk of being exposed to harmful byproducts such as carbon monoxide. These byproducts, according to sources, not only pollute the air but are also associated with health issues such as cancer, child deformities, lung damage, and skin problems.

Many people believe that if the Federal government were to rigorously enforce the 2018 regulation, it would deter companies from emitting gas. However, the Nigerian government has not yet made investments in the required infrastructure for gas production, transportation, and storage. Even though the Petroleum Industry Act was finally enacted in August 2021 after numerous delays, it does not explicitly prohibit gas flaring. Instead, it obliges oil field operators to submit a 'natural gas flare elimination and monetization plan' within one year of acquiring an operating license.

Authorities aware of peoples ill-health

The authorities are aware that flaring results in the emission of substantial quantities of powerful greenhouse gases, including methane, black soot, and nitrous oxide. However, venting, which is even more detrimental to the environment than flaring, has not received sufficient attention, leading to a long-standing environmental problem that has grave consequences for climate change.

Despite promises and efforts to stop this practice, the ongoing flaring of natural gas in the country has contributed to environmental degradation and worsened climate change. This highlights the environmental, social, and economic consequences associated with this ongoing challenge.

Economic consequences associated with this ongoing challenge

For instance, as per the World Bank, gas flaring resulted in a $20 billion loss for the global economy in 2018. In Nigeria, PwC, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, a multinational professional services brand of firms, operating as partnerships under the PwC brand, approximates that the Nigerian economy suffered a loss of N233 billion ($761.6 million) due to gas flaring, which is equivalent to 3.8% of the total global costs in 2018. Furthermore, the environmental impact of gas flaring is estimated at N28.

According to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, data shows that the Federal Government lost an estimated N843 billion to gas flaring from January 2022 to August 2023. Despite global pressure and domestic pledges to halt gas flaring, the practice continues due to several factors, including difficulties in regulations, economic factors, and limitations in infrastructure. Nigeria, being one of Africa's largest oil-producing nations, frequently burns off associated natural gas during crude oil extraction.

A common practice in Nigeria

This process, which is called gas flaring, has been a prevalent practice in Nigeria's oil fields for numerous years, resulting in significant environmental and health problems, such as the emission of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

According to sources, these gases are infamous for trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere and amplifying the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.

Specialists affirm that the continuous release of greenhouse gases from gas flaring in Nigeria actively contributes to climate change on both local and global scales.

Gas flaring in Nigeria's Niger Delta has been ongoing since the 1950s, with multinational oil companies freely emitting CO2 and various pollutants into the atmosphere. To put an end to this illegal practice, the Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill was presented to the Senate in 2016 for consideration and potential enactment into law.

The Impact of Failed Promises

Some experts are expressing concerns that the effects of gas flaring on climate change, go beyond just environmental issues. It also impacts vulnerable communities like the Diamond estate by altering weather patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and disrupting ecosystems.

Furthermore, the rising global temperatures can worsen existing problems such as water scarcity, food insecurity, and public health risks. Despite promises made by Nigerian governments and multinational oil companies to stop gas flaring, progress has been slow and inconsistent.

Efforts to regulate gas flaring have faced difficulties in implementation, including lacking enforcement mechanisms, limited monitoring capabilities, and a lack of transparency in reporting emissions.

Failed bills aimed to prohibit gas flaring

But the bill aimed to prohibit gas flaring in all oil and gas production operations, blocks, fields, onshore or offshore, as well as gas treatment plants throughout Nigeria.

It also extended its jurisdiction to cover the Exclusive Zone, Free Trade Zones, land within Nigeria, and territorial waters. The bill successfully passed its second reading in March 2017, and on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, the Committee invited industry stakeholders and the general public to participate in a public hearing. The multinational oil companies continued to flare gas, despite the increase in gas flare penalty to $2 per 1000scf by October 2, 2018.

The then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, accused the oil companies of not paying the required penalties for gas flaring, resulting in a loss of billions of dollars in government revenue by January 31, 2018. Meanwhile, a news report on November 2, 2018, particularly in the Vanguardnewspaper, titled "Senate ready to pass gas flaring prohibition bill  Lawmaker," quoted Sen. Bassey Albert, the then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, stating that the Senate planned to pass the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill before the year ended. According to Sen. Bassey Albert, the Senate aimed to pass the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill by the end of the year.

Unrealistic to achieve zero percent gas-flaring?

Oil and gas companies in Nigeria have not stopped gas-flaring because they believe it is unrealistic to achieve zero percent gas-flaring, given the government's ineffective approach to addressing the issue. In 1969, General Yakubu Gowon, as the Head of State, allegedly gave oil operators a five-year ultimatum to cease gas flaring, but they did not comply.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria declared oil flaring illegal in 2005, despite it being banned in 1984 and deemed unconstitutional. However, companies in the Niger Delta have only reduced gas flaring by 10% since 2007. Although Nigerians had high hopes when the National Assembly set a deadline of December 31st, 2012 for oil exploration companies to end gas flaring in all oil fields in Nigeria, their expectations were not met.

Supporters of the government argued against the outcry to stop gas flaring in Nigeria, pointing out that other countries like Russia emit more greenhouse gases and are considered developed nations.

How many are traumatized?

Gas flaring in Nigeria significantly contributes to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Burning natural gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, with methane being particularly potent as a greenhouse gas.

Those who have a better understanding believe that in order to tackle this issue, Nigeria must enhance its infrastructure, create new technologies, enforce regulations, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, and encourage alternative uses for flared gas. By implementing these approaches, Nigeria has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard the environment, and stimulate economic growth.

It is concerning to see how many residents of Diamond estate are experiencing trauma as a result of broken promises to stop gas flaring. The consequences of this extend beyond just climate change, causing localized environmental degradation near oil fields, soil contamination, air pollution, and harm to biodiversity.

The communities living near these flaring sites also face negative health effects due to exposure to air pollutants and toxic substances released during the combustion process. Moreover, the lack of progress in addressing gas flaring has further perpetuated social injustices and inequalities, as marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental damage without receiving proper remedies or compensation.

This emphasizes the urgent need to comprehensively address this issue, taking into account both the environmental and social justice aspects.

 Onwumere writes from Port Harcourt. He can be reached via; [email protected]
Jim Obaze, Special Investigator on the CBN and Related Entities, has indicted Godwin Emefiele, the embattled erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the Naira redesign policy.

This is even as the investigator revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari did not approve the policy.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had appointed Obaze, former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, as the CBN special investigator some months back.

According to reports, Obaze on Wednesday submitted his final report tagged, Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences) to Tinubu.

The documents indicated that the former Apex Bank governor might face fresh criminal charges over the handling of the CBN naira redesign policy.

Emefiele could be prosecuted for illegal issuance of currency under section 19 of the CBN Act alongside Tunde Sabiu, former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, and 12 top directors of the CBN.

The report revealed that the naira redesign policy was sold to Buhari at the instance of Sabiu, and that the initiative was done without the approval of the board of the CBN.

The investigator found that Buhari didnt approve of the naira redesign. It was Tunde Sabiu who first told Emefiele in September 2022 to consider the redesign of the naira. On October 6, 2022, Emefiele wrote to Buhari that he wanted to redesign and reconfigure N1000, N500 and N200 notes.

The former President tagged along but did not approve the redesign as required by law. Buhari merely approved that the currency be printed in Nigeria. The redesign was only mentioned to the board of the CBN on December 15, 2022, after Emefiele had awarded the contract to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc on October 31, 2022, the documents reads partly.

Emefiele was said to have contracted the redesign of the naira to De La Rue of the UK for 205, 000 pounds under the vote head of the Currency Operations Department after the NSPM said it could not deliver the contract within a short timeframe.

The special investigator found that N61.5bn was earmarked for the printing of the new notes out of which N31.79bn had been paid.

Tinubu had suspended Emefiele as apex bank governor to investigate his activities while in office. The former CBN governor is currently in Kuje prison after he was arraigned by the Nigerian Government for alleged N91.2 billion procurement fraud.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had granted him bail in the sum of N300m but he has not been able to meet the bail conditions.
A court in New York has ruled that UC Global and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) violated the constitutional rights and privacy of U.S. citizens when they met with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at Ecuadors embassy in London. Four U.S. citizens  two lawyers and two journalists  had sued former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, the CIA and David Morales, a former Special Forces soldier in the Spanish military who owned a Spanish surveillance firm that was contracted to provide security for the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Judge John G. Koeltls decision acknowledged the violation of the plaintiffs rights by the employees of UC Global, who unlawfully photographed mobile phone passwords and contents when the four plaintiffs were visiting Assange in the embassy. However, the judge also ruled that UC Globals recordings of conversations and photographs of passports at the embassy were not illegal because there is no expectation of privacy [by the plaintiffs] in that embassy, which is considered a public place.

The ruling is a win for the plaintiffs and poses a challenge for the CIA, as the plaintiffs will now seek the complete declassification of CIA documentation pertaining to the covert operation through the legal discovery process. An EL PAIS investigation in 2019 uncovered audio and video recordings, emails and documents about UC Globals illegal activities that were later presented as evidence by the plaintiffs. The judge decided that the plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence indicating Morales acted as an agent or collaborator of the CIA under by Mike Pompeo (who also served as Trumps Secretary of State). The judge rejected the defendants motions to dismiss the entire complaint.

The lawsuit was filed in August 2021 by lawyers Margaret Ratner Kunstler and Deborah Hrbek, and John Goetz and Charles Glass, journalists specializing in national security issues. All four were among the many visitors received by Julian Assange when he was living at the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition. According to the lawsuit, over 100 U.S. citizens, including Assanges lawyers and doctors, were subjected to surveillance ordered by the CIA during Pompeos tenure. The New York judges ruling was partially based on statements made by Pompeo identifying Assange and Wikileaks as targets of a long-running CIA campaign.

The EL PAIS investigation in 2019 revealed that UC Global was paid by the CIA to spy on Assanges conversations with his lawyers and associates when they were preparing to fight an extradition request so he could face charges in the U.S. for revealing secret information about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few weeks after our report, Spanish police arrested UC Globals owner and director, David Morales. The ex-soldier was released on bail shortly thereafter and is under investigation in Spain for alleged crimes related to privacy, attorney-client communication secrecy, misappropriation, bribery and money laundering.

Microphones in bathrooms

UC Globals spying on Assange began in December 2017. Morales ordered his team to install video cameras with microphones in the Ecuadorian embassy, along with listening devices on fire extinguishers and in the ladies bathroom used by his lawyers. Morales instructed his technicians to set up three streaming channels so the cameras could be monitored in real time. Emails sent by Morales to his staff requested one channel for Ecuador, one for us and one for X [the U.S.]. These separate feeds prevented Ecuadorian security staff from detecting the American surveillance.

The information collected from each visit to Assange was sent to an FTP (file transfer protocol) server located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Hundreds of visitor profiles were developed, computerized and archived, including reports, videos, audios, and detailed visitor information. UC Global staff and other protected witnesses claim that the CIA had access to that server. Folders labeled CIA were found on Morales laptop, but Spanish judicial police omitted this finding from the investigation led by magistrate Santiago Pedraz.

Morales also ordered the UC Global team in the embassy to install special stickers that eliminate window vibration to improve the quality of audio recordings in rooms frequently used by Assange. The UC Global team eavesdropping from outside the embassy used sophisticated window-piercing laser microphones supposedly supplied by the CIA.

Surveillance of Assange intensified amid suspicions that he planned to leave the embassy in 2017 with Ecuadorian diplomatic status (Assange and his lawyers deny this) and travel to Geneva, Switzerland. Other Assange visitors that were spied on at the embassy include Glenn Greenwald, the journalist who first reported on Edward Snowdens stolen documents revealing the National Security Agencys massive phone surveillance program. UC Global photographed Greenwalds Russian visas and mobile phone contents while he was visiting Assange.

One of Morales clients was Sheldon Adelson, a prominent gambling tycoon and owner of the Las Vegas Sands casino and resort. Now deceased, Adelson was known as a friend of former president Trump and a significant donor to the Republican Party. Morales provided security for Adelsons yacht during its voyages in the Mediterranean.

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Free at last, thank God Almighty. These were some of Savoi Wrights first words upon landing back in the United States on Wednesday night. He is one of the 10 Americans released by Nicolas Maduros regime in exchange for Alex Saab, one of the men closest to the Venezuelan leader and his alleged front man. Wright, a Californian who had been detained since late October, arrived with six other people at a San Antonio airport. One of the returnees, Leonard Glenn Francis, better known as Fat Leonard, will not regain his freedom, as he will face U.S. justice in a case of bribery involving the U.S. Navy.

Jason Saad (left) and Savoi Wright, in San Antonio, this Wednesday. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL (REUTERS)

Relatives of Wright, 38, had managed to raise about $25,000 by requesting donations on Gofundme. Savoi, a mortgage loan manager for 15 years with no political ties of any kind was arrested in Venezuela on October 24. For more than a month, his family did not know where he was being held. His brother described him as a free soul who had fallen in love with Venezuela, a country he traveled to frequently, as well as Colombia and Brazil. The money was to be used for his legal defense.

Wrights nightmare lasted 58 days. For Luke Denman and Airan Berry it was much longer. Both were Green Berets in the Army Special Forces. They were accused in May 2020 by the Venezuelan government of taking part in a coup plot along with 60 mercenaries trained in Colombia and employed by the Florida security firm Silvercorp. The failed operation had a name: Gideon.

Eyvin Hernandez, a Los Angeles County public defender, is also among those released Wednesday. The lawyer had been imprisoned in the South American country since March of last year. For more than 21 months he endured horrible conditions, as well as abuse, the family said in a statement posted on Facebook. It is an early Christmas gift for us, added his relatives, who thanked the efforts of President Joe Bidens Administration.

Eyvin Hernandez steps off a U.S. State Department plane after being released on December 20. Stephen Spillman (AP)

Joseph Cristella, originally from Orlando, Florida, lived in the Dominican Republic, where he moved because he found a job. There he fell in love with a Venezuelan woman. He was detained in September 2022 by the Maduro government when he went to visit his fiancee on the border between Colombia and Venezuela. He has been released this week. Jerrel Kenemore suffered the same fate and was detained by Venezuelan authorities in the risky border area between the two South American nations.

These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered every day in their absence. I am grateful that their ordeal is finally over, and that these families are being made whole once more, Biden said in a message made public Wednesday. The U.S. president said that six of the people who have returned were unjustly detained.

Fat Leonard to face justice

The case of Fat Leonard is different. Leonard Glenn Francis is a defense contractor who fled the U.S. after a bribery fraud and returned in handcuffs and wearing a prisoner jumpsuit to face a federal judge for the first time.

Francis was arrested in San Diego almost a decade ago and accused of offering $500,000 in bribes to Navy personnel to obtain contracts worth $35 million. The scandal led to the arrest of around 20 Navy officials whom he had corrupted by organizing luxurious parties with alcohol, Kobe meat, cigars, tickets to concerts and shows. He also hosted parties with prostitutes in Thailand and the Philippines.

Leonard Glenn Francis in an undated U.S. law enforcement photo. AP

He pleaded guilty in 2015. He was then living under house arrest in a rented house. Prosecutors lost track of him last year, when his ankle monitor stopped emitting signals days before a court hearing. He then fled to Mexico and Cuba. He was arrested in September 2022 when he was about to board a flight in Caracas, where he had requested asylum in the hope that the rivalry between Venezuela and the United States would prevent his extradition.

The relationship between the two countries has since thawed. The fugitive appeared Thursday in a federal court in Miami. Judge Jacqueline Becerra has ordered him to return to the courts of the Southern District of California, where his trial will continue. The Prosecutors Office, however, has announced that it will file more charges against him for trying to evade justice.
The social and political dimensions of ethnic conflicts in Manipur

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Anshuman Behera (Observer Research Foundation)

Contd from previous issue

Indeed, the Meiteis consider themselves the custodians of Manipur. The former Home Secretary of India, GK Pillai once argued that conferring Statehood to Nagaland before Manipur[an extension of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement to the Naga-inhibited areas of Manipurin many ways, legitimises the emergence and operations of the Meitei militant groups in the name of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur.

To be sure, the Kuki organisations have recently started showing differences over the demands for a separate homeland, versus calls for separate administrative arrangements. The Kuki Innpi Manipur (KIM)the apex body of the Kukisalong with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) is pitching the demand for a separate State or a Union Territory whereas the Zomi Council and the Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups are demanding autonomy.

Uneven distribution of resources

The violent clashes between the Kukis and the Meiteis that erupted on 3 May are often attributed to the High Courts order to the Manipur State Government to submit its recommendations on the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status demand of the Meiteis.

The ST status would legally allow the Meiteis to have ownership over the land resources that, at present, are mostly under the control of the Nagas and the Kukis. For their part, the Nagas and the Kukis fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis would give the latter monopoly over the land, which in turn would further strengthen their dominance over political and economic resources. Moreover, Manipurs geographical makeupie, Meiteis living in the valley and the Kukis and the Nagas living in the hillssustains the narratives of marginalisation by the non-Meitei communities.

Demographically, the Meiteis constitute more than 50 percent of the States total population and fall either under the unreserved or Other Backward Class (OBC) category; the Kukis and the Nagas (who are Christians), meanwhile, are STs. The Meiteis inhabit only 10 percent of the total land cover of Manipur, whereas the Nagas and the Kukis (together constituting close to 40 percent of the population) live in the remaining 90 percent of the land.

The Meiteis are not legally permitted to buy land in and around the Kuki-and Naga-inhabited areas. Ever since Manipur joined the Union of India in 1949, the collective grievances of the Meiteis have been around their lack of rights to protect their customs, land, beliefs, and livelihoods.

The Meiteis, under the banner of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), have been demanding ST status since 2012.

The Government of India, on 29 May 2013, asked the Manipur State Government to submit a recommendation as to whether the Meiteis should be included in the ST list. The State Government has failed to respond at the time of writing this brief. Once again, on 31 May 2022, the Union Government asked for a recommendation.

Mutum Churamani, a Meitei, petitioned the High Court to direct the State Government to submit its recommendations. A one-member bench of the High Court issued an order on 4 April 2023, directing the State Government to file its response within four weeks. Any response from the State Government has since been overshadowed by the eruption of clashes.

The Hill-Valley Divide: Uneven development and Asymmetric political representation

The Hill-Valley divide in Manipurseen in issues such as the demand of the Meiteis for ST status and the opposition to itis deeply rooted. Among the multiple factors that have historically wedged this divide is asymmetric development and political representation. Economic development and political power has been valley-centric, leaving the Kukis and the Nagas bereft of the benefits.

Over the years, whatever infrastructure development has been recorded in Manipur has largely been in the Valley. The unevenness is stark in the budget allocations: Between 2017 and 2020, for example, the total budget allocation for the Imphal valley was INR 21,481 crore whereas for the hills, it was a far lower INR 419 crores.

At present, the Nagas, Kukis, and other tribal populations living in the hills (~40 percent of the States population) have only 19 seats in the Manipur State Legislative Assembly, whereas the Meiteis (50 percent of the population) have 40 seats.

With such disproportionate representation, the Kukis and the Nagas are left dependent on a State Assembly that is controlled by Meitei lawmakers, irrespective of party affiliation. Existing literature produced by the Kukis asserts that since the laws and the policies are mere instruments of the Meitei assertion into the tribal areas, the former cannot see any solution to the ongoing conflict under the current arrangement.

Scholars have also reflected on the uneven development in Manipur; they argue that the marginalisation of the Kukis and Nagas is not merely because of their limited political representation but also related to their locality, ethnic status, and history.

Governance deficit and Demands for autonomy

The issues of asymmetric political representation and development are worsened by a persisting governance deficit. As mentioned briefly earlier, insurgency movements belonging to each of the ethnic communities have established governance mechanisms parallel to the formal governance structures in Manipur. In the absence of a perceived or real governance, the informal governance structures play important roles.

Arguably, the governance deficit can be directly attributed to the faulty and ineffective decentralisation of power in Manipur, where the populations in the hill districts are often unable to obtain justice for their grievances. As scholars have argued, the linkages between identity and discrimination in governance have driven ethnic polarisation in Manipur.

The key issues related to decentralisation in Manipur are the formation, and the functions, of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), as well as the demands for the Sixth Schedule status for the Hill districts. The HAC, formed under Article 371C with the legislation of the Manipur State Assembly (Hill Areas Committee Order, 1972) and the ADC through the District Council Act-1971 (enforced in 1973) aimed at protecting the rights, entitlements, and interests of the tribal populations in the hill districts. Accordingly, the six ADCs were constituted to ensure decentralised governance for the States tribal people. However, the ADCs of Manipur are often toothless; with their limited legislative and judiciary powers, they remain dependent on the State Government for policies to be implemented. They are reduced to being mere administrative and executive bodies, creating resentment and grievances.

Yet, such conflicts are not always limited between the valley-based majority and the hill-based minorities. Even among the tribal groupsi.e., the Nagas and the Kukisthere is no consensus on the extension of Sixth Schedule provisions in the ADC areas. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, in its report of March 2002, recommended the extension of the Sixth Schedule in the Hill areas of Manipur.

(To be contd)


A day after Bishop Isidro del Carmen Mora Ortega said that the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN) remains in prayer for Monsignor Rolando Alvarez  a political prisoner held by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo  the police arrested him. They took him away on Wednesday, December 20, when he was heading to his parish in the municipality of La Cruz de Rio Grande, along the South Caribbean Coast.

Monsignor Mora Ortega is now the second bishop who has been arrested by the Sandinista National Liberation Fronts regime. President Ortega and his wife, Vice President Murillo, have redoubled their persecution of the Catholic Church. They are specifically targeting the highest ecclesiastical authorities. First, the presidential couple ordered the arrest of Monsignor Alvarez, head of the Diocese of Matagalpa, and sentenced him to 26 years in prison in February of 2023. This was after he refused exile in the United States. Bishop Alvarez, a symbol of resistance against the Sandinista dictatorship, was charged with the crimes of treason, undermining national integrity and propagating false news.

In the case of Bishop Mora Ortega, who leads the Diocese of Siuna, its not yet known what hes been accused of or where hes being held. Uniformed officers detained him when he was on his way to officiate the confirmations of 230 parishioners of La Cruz de Rio Grande. Martha Patricia Molina, a Nicaraguan lawyer and author of the study Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church?, reported that seminarians Alester Saenz and Tony Palacios were also abducted.

What triggered the arrest of Monsignor Mora Ortega was that he publicly expressed solidarity with Bishop Alvarez, who is isolated in a cell within the notorious La Modelo prison. I would like to express the greetings of the Episcopal Conference. We are always united, praying for this beloved Diocese of Matagalpa, praying for Monsignor Rolando, praying for the journey of each one of you (his parishioners). Were united in prayer, in communion, in faith, in love, in tenderness, said the religious figure, during the mass commemorating the 99th anniversary of the creation of the diocese.

The Diocese of Matagalpa, according to the words of Bishop Mora Ortega, is a quarry of faith. It needs that drive of the layman, who assumes the mission with love, with joy. He then quoted the parable of the Good Shepherd: The shepherd leaves the 99 others and searches high and low for the lost sheep. We live in times, brothers and sisters, when you have to leave one to go in search of the 99.

Isidro del Carmen Mora Ortega was ordained as a priest in 2003. In April of 2021, he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Siuna. Previously, he was vicar general of the Diocese of Matagalpa and parish priest of the San Ramon Nonato Church, in the same northern region of the country.

Sometimes, we find discouragement. But how nice it is to always find people of faith, people who are there in silence, people who are there serving the Church, people who are there persevering, people who are there taking responsibility, the Bishop preached.

I like when people talk about the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd, who gives his life for his sheep, he continued, referring to the belief of the parishioners, which has been maintained despite the criminalization of the profession of the Catholic faith imposed by the Sandinista regime.

The Ortega-Murillo administration maintains its crusade against the Catholic Church on all fronts. This past November 29, Father Jairo Antonio Mercado Pavon, a priest who was returning to the country after a pastoral trip to the United States, was denied entry to his homeland of Nicaragua. There are currently 84 exiled priests in total. Meanwhile, police have banned more than 3,000 street processions in the country since Easter, when dozens of parishioners were arrested.
With the city gearing up for the Yuletide celebrations, the Kolkata Metro Railway has decided to enhance security arrangements for the upcoming Christmas festival. The mass carrier is to strengthen its security arrangements at metro stations that generally witness a mammoth crowd during the festival. The metro stations include Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan and Dum Dum.

The Kolkata Metro Railway is to deploy well-trained railway protection force (RPF) personnel at all the entry and exit gates of these stations. The RPF authorities of the city metro would also make arrangements for an additional number of personnel at these stations to manage the anticipated crowd and provide proper guidance to the commuters on the day of the festival. Keeping in mind the women and children commuters at the epicenter of Christmas celebrations in Kolkata, women RPF officers and staff would be deployed at Park Street. Furthermore, a special team consisting of one sub-inspector/assistant sub-inspector and four staff including two women staff would also be deployed at Park Street, Maidan and Esplanade Metro stations on 25 December.

The team would be prepared to tackle any situations of emergency. Apart from this, another special team consisting of one officer and four staff would be deployed at Park Street Metro station on the day to manage the rush. The city metro would also carry out anti-sabotage checking at these stations. As informed by the office of the city Metro, for ensuring a real time situation, the railway would have an adequate number of staff posted at central control of NorthSouth Metro.

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Meanwhile the carrier is to run late night services on the Blue Line on 25 December. On that day, services in the Blue Line are to start at 8.55 am from Dum Dum to Dakshineswar and at 9 am from Kavi Subhash to Dakshineswar, Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash and Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash.

The last service is to be operated at 10.58 pm from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash instead of 9.28 pm and at 11 pm from Kavi Subhash to Dakshineswar instead of 9.30 pm. The last services from Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash and Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash would be run at 11.10 pm instead of 9.40 pm by the Metro railway
High-speed transportation service Hyperloop One, once backed by billionaire Richard Bransons Virgin Group, is shutting operations on December 31.

The company is selling off its assets, closing down its offices, and laying off employees, reports Bloomberg.

All of Hyperloop Ones intellectual property will shift to its majority stakeholder, major Dubai port operator DP World.

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While DP World would keep majority control of the startup, the rest of its assets  including a test track outside Las Vegas and other machinery  will be sold.

Virgin Hyperloop was founded in 2014 to make Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musks vision of a futuristic transportation system.

Hyperloop is a new transport mode under development to enable high-speed movement of hundreds of people and goods at a time in floating pods through tubes or tunnels above or below the ground.

In 2020, Virgin Hyperloop successfully tested human travel in a hyperloop pod for the first time.

The test took place at the companys DevLoop test track in the desert outside Las Vegas, Nevada and first two passengers were Virgin Hyperloops CTO and co-founder Josh Giegel and director of passenger experience, Sara Luchian.

The speed at which the hyperloop pod travelled was nearly 160 km per hour during the test but eventually, the goal is to make humans travel via these airless tubes at speeds of up to 1,223 km per hour.

In 2020, the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru and Virgin Hyperloop announced to jointly conduct a feasibility study to build a hyperloop corridor for high-speed transport between the airport and the city centre.

Then Virgin chief executive Jay Walder had said that a hyperloop-enabled airport will not only allow faster travel, but also create a 21st century passenger experience and expand airport capacity.
Vin Diesel, the star of the Fast and Furious franchise, is facing sexual assault allegations from a former assistant. According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, the Hollywood actor is accused of sexually assaulting Asta Jonasson in 2010 while she was working on the Fast Five set in Atlanta, as reported by CNN.

In a civil suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Diesels former assistant, Asta Jonasson, claims that he forced himself on her in a hotel suite in Atlanta in 2010.

The complaint, as reported by CNN, states that Diesel disregarded Jonassons clear statements of non-consent. After she screamed and ran towards the nearby bathroom, he allegedly pinned her against the wall with his body.

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However, Diesels attorney Bryan Freedman stated to CNN on Friday, Vin Diesel categorically denies this claim in its entirety. He added, This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee.

Jonasson is suing Diesel, along with his company One Race Productions, and Diesels sister Samantha Vincent for sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision, and wrongful termination, among other claims.

According to CNN, Jonasson alleges that Samantha Vincent, the president of Diesels company One Race at the time, terminated her employment mere hours after the alleged assault. The victim is seeking a civil penalty of USD 10,000 for each violation, plus unspecified punitive damages, according to the suit.

Claire-Lise Kutlay of Greenberg Gross LLP, the attorney for Jonasson, wrote in a statement shared with CNN, No one is too famous or powerful to evade justice. We hope her courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors.

Diesel has appeared in over 60 TV and film titles and is also one of the producers of Fast & Furious films. He has several upcoming projects in the works, including Fast X: Part 2, as reported by CNN. (ANI)
Indias cinematic aspirations for the upcoming 96th Academy Awards were dashed as the highly anticipated Malayalam film 2018: Everyone Is A Hero, featuring the stellar duo Tovino Thomas and Kunchacko Boban, failed to secure a spot among the final nominees in the International Feature Film category.

The Film Federation of India had enthusiastically endorsed the film as the nations official submission, yet it failed to clinch a coveted position among the 15 shortlisted films announced by the discerning panel at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Despite being a nation with a rich and diverse film industry, the last time an Indian film earned the distinction of an Oscar nomination in this category was nearly two decades ago, with Ashutosh Gowarikers magnum opus, Lagaan, in 2001. The conspicuous absence of Indian entries in the final rounds of the prestigious awards has become a recurring theme, leaving cinephiles and industry insiders yearning for a breakthrough.

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The 15 films that successfully advanced to the next stage of contention in the International Feature Film category hail from a mosaic of countries, including Ukraine, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Indias omission from this select list underscores the fierce competition and stringent selection process that characterizes the Oscar journey. A total of 88 countries and regions submitted their entries, making the competition exceptionally fierce.

In the intricate ballet of Oscar nominations, members of the Academy engaged in meticulous preliminary voting, adhering to stringent viewing requirements to maintain eligibility. As the nominations round approaches, members from diverse branches will embark on a cinematic odyssey, dedicating their time to watch all 15 shortlisted films before casting their decisive votes.

The final revelations across all categories will take place on January 23, creating an air of anticipation and excitement within the global film community.

The climax of this cinematic spectacle will unfold on March 10 at the illustrious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the 96th Oscars ceremony, hosted by the irreverently witty Jimmy Kimmel, will commence an hour earlier than tradition, gracing screens live at 7 p.m. ET.
The court of Additional Sessions Judge I Rajesh Rai on Friday convicted Bangladeshi citizen Hilaluddin and Nafikul Biswas of West Bengal in the Shramjeevi train blast case that took place on 28 July, 2005. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on 2 January.

It may be recalled that 14 people were killed and 18 suffered injuries in a bomb blast triggered by terrorists in Shramjeevi Express near Harpalganj Hariharpur in Singramau on 28 July, 2005.

Bangladeshi terrorist Ronnie alias Alamgir, who planted the bomb in the train, and his associate Obaidur Rahman, who hatched the conspiracy, were sentenced to death by Additional Sessions Judge Buddhiram Yadav in 2016. Both have filed an appeal in the High Court which is under consideration.

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The hearing in the case of the remaining two accused Hilaluddin, a resident of Bangladesh, and Nafikul of West Bengal was held on Friday.

Assistant Government Advocate Virendra Kumar Maurya said that both the accused have been declared guilty in the case and the sentence will be pronounced on 2 January next year.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated projects worth Rs 368 crore in Chandigarh. He was here at the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology.

Shah also handed over appointment letters to more than 700 newly-recruited police personnel  ASIs and constables.

The projects inaugurated today included an extension of the Himalaya Boys hostel in Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Sector 12, extension of workshop block in Central Polytechnic (diploma wing) in CCET, engineering department in Sector 26, construction of administrative Block-C in CCET-26 (degree wing), sewage treatment plant at Diggian, augmentation of the existing STP Plant at Raipur Kalan, augmentation of the existing STP plant at Raipur Khurd.

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He also laid the foundation stone for the sewerage treatment plant-cum-effluent treatment plant, engineering department, Government High School at Sarangpur, and Government High School at Karsan.

Speaking on the occasion, he said two days ago, the Lok Sabha passed the three criminal justice laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill. This, Minister Shah said, was a landmark achievement. We wanted that the Opposition should also have played a constructive role when these Bills were passed, but they were busy doing mimicry of the chairman of the House.

He said that in bringing about these new bills, they spoke to a cross section of experts, including bar associations, lawyers, jurists, professors and then these bills were introduced in the parliament after thorough introspection. But the Opposition did not respect our efforts and instead indulged in petty politics, he added.

I am sure after these new Bills, no criminal case in India will hopefully take more than three years, Home Minister Shah said.

In the times to come, we are aiming at developing connectivity and software so that right from the police station to DGPs office, FSL, Jails, prosecutor and secretariat is so connected that the access to information is at a press of a button, he said, adding that today is December 22. And I am sure that by December 22, 2024, all the eight union territories will be provided with software, connectivity, and human resources to ensure that the new criminal justice system takes off smoothly.
The BJP on Friday lashed out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for travelling in a private jet while the state is facing a drought-like situation.

The reaction of the BJP came after a video of the Karnataka Chief Minister and his ministers travelling by a luxury jet to Delhi went viral.

Siddaramaiah was in Delhi to seek assistance from the centre to help combat the drought faced by the state.

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In a post on X, BJP Karnataka said, People of the state are under severe economic crisis due to the drought situation. Even six months after the Congress government came to power, not a single effort has been made to address the pothole issue.

But, there seems to be no end to the show-off of grandeur by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his close associate Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan, the BJP said.

The BJP said the Chief Ministers enjoyment and fun while traveling on the private jet is all about mocking the poor people of the state.

This video proves it, the BJP said.

In his reaction, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has questioned Siddaramaiah alleging double standards from the Congress.

Karnataka is reeling under the drought and the Chief Minister of Karnataka is asking the Centre for the relief fund. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister (D. K. Shivakumar) of the state tells his own MLAs and people that there is no money left for development because the money has been splurged on the so-called promises made by the Congress party, which they are unable to fulfil, Poonawalla said.

Meanwhile, responding to BJPs reaction, a visibly angry Siddaramaiah said, Ask BJP people in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in. He travels alone in a 60 seater aircraft.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah travelled in a private jet to New Delhi with Minister for Housing B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan.

The video was originally posted by Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan himself. The video showed the luxury private jet with the minister and the Chief Minister which was posted with the caption Happy moments of travelling from Delhi to Bangalore with our proud leader, Chief Minister Siddaramiah.
The presidents of the United States and Mexico have agreed that controls need to be increased on their shared border. Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador held a telephone call Thursday to address the migration crisis in the region. The Mexican president a few days ago acknowledged an unusual increase in illegal border crossings between November and December, which data from the U.S. Border Patrol (CBP) put at 31%. The issue has become a political hot potato in Washington, which at the end of November opted to close border crossings in the face of the enormous flow of people. The two heads of state have also announced that a U.S. delegation headed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Mexico in the next few days to define new measures to tackle the crisis.

The call between Biden and Lopez Obrador took place at the initiative of the U.S. president, as confirmed by the White House and his Mexican counterpart. The conversation was held in the context of the growing immigration crisis at the border, where up to 10,000 daily interceptions of irregular migrants have been recorded this week.

According to a summary issued by the White House: The President had a chance this morning to speak by phone with President Lopez Obrador of Mexico. They had a chance to talk about ongoing efforts to manage the unprecedented migratory flows in the Western Hemisphere, building on the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection that President Biden launched in Los Angeles back in June of 2022. The two leaders agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened across our shared border.

Both leaders agreed on the need for greater control along the 1,954-mile border, to which end Washington said that several senior U.S. officials including Blinken, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and the U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall will travel to Mexico to meet with Lopez Obrador. White House national security spokesman John Kirby explained that during Thursdays high-level conversation, Biden focused on asking for greater effort from Mexico in its assistance in dealing with the crisis.

The last time the two leaders met was in California last month during the APEC Summit. There, they addressed the fentanyl threat and discussed ways to expand security cooperation.

Mexico has a dual migration problem. On the one hand, thousands of migrants pass through country each month seeking to reach the United States. On the other, it is facing a massive outflow of Mexican nationals who have joined the caravans in order to cross illegally to the north. Lopez Obradors government estimates that of the 307,000 people expected to be detained at the border by the end of the year, almost 75,000 will be Mexicans.

These unprecedented numbers have led to the closure of border crossings. On 27 November, the U.S. government decided to close the bridge linking Piedras Negras, Coahuila, with Eagle Pass, Texas, to people and vehicles coming from Mexico. The CBP said it made this decision due to the increase in irregular arrivals. For the same reason, on December 4 the crossing from Sonoyta, Sonora, to Lukeville, Arizona, was also closed. And on December 9, the crosswalk from El Chaparral, in Tijuana (Baja California), to San Ysidro (California), one of the busiest borders in the world, was shut down.

Trade relations have been a point of contention between the two countries and the relationship between Biden and Lopez Obrador has been tense at times. Increased migration flows are taking a toll on some sectors of the U.S. economy. Dozens of the countrys agricultural conglomerates on Wednesday called for the reopening of two border rail crossings to restore arteries of commercial communication clogged by the escalation of crossings in recent weeks. The move came in in response to the Mexican immigration agencys decision to suspend migrant expulsions until the end of the year due to lack of funds.

The immigration issue has been a thorn in Bidens side during his nearly three years in office with the 2024 presidential campaign on the horizon. He arrived in the White House with the intention of humanizing border management, but found himself faced with a crisis aggravated by the effects of the end of the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of stability in some of the migrant-sending countries. His political adversaries have taken him to task on this issue, accusing him of inaction and of maintaining an open border.

From Mayorkas to Biden or the Republicans, there is consensus in Washington that the U.S. immigration system is broken due to a lack of legislative revision  the last one addressing the border dates to the late 1980s  which is at an impasse amid the political brawl in the U.S. Congress.

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday inducted nine new ministers into the state cabinet.

In a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office and confidentiality to the ministers.

The newly appointed ministers include Brijmohan Agrawal, Kedar Kashyap, Ram Vichar Netam, Dayal Das Baghel, Tank Ram Verma, O P Choudhary, Lakhlan Lal Devangan, Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, and Lakshmi Rajwade.

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The state cabinet now comprises six OBCs, three Adivasis, two general and one Scheduled Caste (SC) minister, reflecting a diverse representation.

Among the latest inductees, 31-year-old Lakshmi Rajwade is the youngest minister with declared assets worth Rs 1.41 crore. Brijmohan Agrawal, an eight-time MLA, has declared the highest assets of Rs 10.14 crore.

Nitin Nabin, the co-in charge of Chhattisgarh BJP, told media that Chief Minister Sais cabinet exhibits both experience and enthusiasm. He emphasized that Sais team is committed to fulfill the manifesto under the guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to accelerate development and bring corruption-free governance to the people.
In a major development in the Delhi liquor policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning on January 3, sources said on Friday. This is the third summons issued to the AAP supremo in connection with the case.

The Delhi Chief Minister was earlier summoned by the probe agency on December 21.

Kejriwal had skipped the second summons by the ED for questioning in the alleged excise policy money laundering case and left for Vipassana session from December 19 to 30.

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Responding to the summons of the ED before leaving for Bengaluru to attend Vipassana course at an unknown location, Kejriwal on Thursday claimed that the notices by the federal agency are meant to create sensational news ahead of the parliamentary polls in 2024.

The reason the AAP leader cited for skipping the summons issued to him is that they were not in consonance with the law.

He also questioned the timing of the notices. He asked why they were issued on the eve of his pre-announced and widely-publicised departure for Vipassana meditation course.
French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations of India on 26 January, it was officially announced here on Friday.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

This will be the sixth time when a French leader will be the chief guest at Indias Republic Day parade, reflecting the growing friendship between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris earlier this year.

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Earlier, the US president was extended an invite for the Republic Day celebrations but Washington recently conveyed to New Delhi the inability of the American leader to come without specifying any reason. This led to media speculation that it could be a fallout of the recent allegation made by the US about the involvement of Indian nationals in a plot to assassinate Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. As a consequence of the US Presidents inability to travel to New Delhi, the planned Quad summit in the Indian capital has also been postponed.

2023 also marks 25 years of the India-France strategic partnership. After PM Modis visit to France earlier this year, a roadmap for the next 25 years was released with the focus on a number of initiatives, including exploring projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet, French support to build Shakti Engine and working together in the Indo Pacific.

Prior to Mr Macron, former French prime minister Jacques Chirac was the chief guest at the Republic Day in 1976 and 1998, and former Presidents Valery Giscard dEstaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016 respectively.
The first phase of the placement season for 2023-24 at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone with a total of 989 offers, including 22 international ones.

Among these, 913 students, including those with Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), have secured placements, showcasing the institutes commitment to providing exceptional career opportunities despite dynamic market conditions.

The current average salary stands impressively at Rs 26.27 LPA (lakh per annum), underlining the high calibre of IIT Kanpurs graduating talent.

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During Phase 1 of placements, IIT Kanpur witnessed the active participation of industry giants including Microsoft, Fujitsu, Samsung, Reliance, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Deutsche Bank, Tata Projects, Navi, Uniorbit, ICICI Bank, EXL, NPCI, Intel, TSMC, Bajaj Auto, Tata Steel, HPCL, SECI, C-DOT and NVIDIA. This diverse and prestigious list of recruiters reflects the institutes robust standing in the professional landscape and the myriad opportunities available to its students.

IIT Kanpur Director Prof S Ganesh congratulated the students on Friday and said, The relentless efforts of the Students Placement Office deserve appreciation as we culminate the first phase of this years placement season. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the recruiters who have placed their trust in our students and the institute, offering valuable opportunities within their organisations. This trust and collaboration greatly enhance the students professional journeys.

Prof Raju Kumar Gupta, Chairperson of the Students Placement Office at IIT Kanpur, extended a warm invitation to esteemed industries and startups for the upcoming second phase of placements scheduled to commence in mid-January 2024. He highlighted the institutes anticipation of their involvement in shaping the future careers of IIT Kanpur students, expressing gratitude for their ongoing contribution to the institutes journey of success.
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide, the Meghalaya government has issued a health advisory urging citizens to follow safety measures, especially during the festive season.

Emphasis has been laid on standard precautions like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing. Given the common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines such as soreness, fatigue, headaches, body aches, and mild flu-like symptoms, vaccination is a key focus in the advisory.

For travelers heading to Meghalaya, registering on the Meghalaya Tourism App and obtaining an E-Invite has been mandatory since September 1, 2021, to ensure safe tourism amidst the pandemic. The state might also be adjusting its vaccination protocols in line with global changes, considering the recent revocation of authorization for certain COVID-19 vaccines in the US.

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Theres mention of a new COVID-19 variant called JN.1, displaying symptoms similar to previous variants but often starting with a sore throat and congestion. This information is crucial for timely identification and response to new infections by healthcare providers and the public.

Despite a global decline in cases and deaths, local vigilance remains crucial, especially with reported case increases in areas like Hawaii since June 2023. The governments advisory aims to manage the pandemic effectively, prevent further spread, and ensure public health during gatherings and travel in the festive season.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, who is also a known wrestler, lost his first electoral bout after becoming the CM as he managed to get only 5 votes in the election to the post of the Vice President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Dr Yadav, the Chief of the Madhya Pradesh Wrestling Association, contested the WFI Vice President polls as a candidate supported by the panel of controversial outgoing WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

However, while many candidates of the Brijbhushan Singh-supported panel won, including his close aide Sanjay Singh as the President, MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav got only five votes and lost the election.

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Dr Yadav was not present on the day of the voting for the WFI polls. He had filed his nomination for the WFI Vice Presidents post in July this year.

At that time, the WFI polls were scheduled to take place in August but the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered a stay on the process.

According to sources, Dr Mohan Yadav is fondly addressed as Pehalwan (Wrestler) by many people in his hometown, Ujjain.
Leaders from Opposition parties on Friday took to street of the national capital for the second consecutive day over the suspension of 146 MPs during the Winter Session of Parliament, accusing the BJP-led government of dictatorship.

The Save Democracy campaign was organised at Jantar Mantar as part of the nationwide protest called by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) over the suspension of parliamentarians.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Rahul Gandhi and partys leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury; Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Kumar Jha, among others participated in the protest.

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Addressing the gathering, the Congress chief said, (Narendra) Modi and Amit Shah have taken the initiative to end the democracy and Constitution of the country. So, we have formed the INDIA alliance.

Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said Under our Constitution, everyone has the right to speak. When we give notice (in Parliament), we are not even allowed to read the notice. You cant take away our right to speak. This freedom was given to us by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.

Attacking the government, he said, You suspend Opposition MPs and pass the laws (Bills) unopposed. This is not good for democracy. But, we are not afraid of the Modi government. We will fight together.

Echoing similar sentiments, the NCP chief said, We are ready to pay whatever price  to save the democracy of the country. We will work hard to remove the forces attacking the democracy.

The CPI leader said, The prime architect of our Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar made it clear that Parliament is supreme as it represents the sovereign will of the people. If Parliament becomes redundant, democracy will be killed.

He further said, Can we allow such a fascist dictatorship to take over the country? The INDIA alliance must put up a collective fight against the BJP-RSS. The Constitution must be saved. Indias democracy must be saved.

Slamming the government over the suspension of MPs, RJD leader Jha said, This fight is not just of the suspended MPs but of the entire country.
A 28-year-old woman, who returned to Assam from Sweden, is tested positive for COVID-19 on December 21. This has raised concern in the state as its uncertain whether the infection is linked to the new JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron strain.

The confirmation of the womans Covid positive status came from an RT-PCR test at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), confirmed by Dr. Abhijit Sarma, the GMCH superintendent.

Emphasising that there was no evidence linking this case to the JN.1 subvariant as yet, Dr. Sarma called for calm. He highlighted high vaccination rates but called on those who have not been vaccinated to get their shots. He also stressed adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

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The woman is advised to rest at home, following WHO guidelines recommending home isolation. GMCH is equipped with necessary facilities but prefers home isolation when suitable.

State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta called for increased vigilance given this recent case. Genome sequencing, crucial for identifying specific COVID-19 variants, isnt currently conducted in Assam.

On December 21, 2023 India reported 594 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the active cases to 2,669 from the previous days 2,311, as per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry.
Bodies of the four soldiers killed in an ambush yesterday in the Rajouri Sector were mutilated by terrorists before fleeing from the spot.

Joint teams of the Army, paramilitary forces and J&K Police immediately launched a massive operation to track down the terrorists involved in the incident.

Reports said that the bodies of the slain soldiers were found mutilated.

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A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the ambush spot on Friday and collected samples of the bullets from there.

The Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), which is a proxy outfit of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The PAFF has released pictures of the Armys gypsy and a truck that were damaged due to intense firing by a group of three to four terrorists.

Images from the site show the blood-soaked road, broken helmets of soldiers, rifle magazines, and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles. The possibility of the terrorists having carried away the weapons of the slain soldiers has not been ruled out.

The modus operandi of the ambush was similar to that at Bhatta-Durian in Mendhar (Poonch district) on 20 April where five soldiers were charred as the truck in which they were traveling caught fire after the terrorist attack. There too the terrorists had walked away with the sophisticated weapons of the slain soldiers.

Yesterdays ambush at Dera-ki-Gali was the fourth such terror attack in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch where 20 soldiers, including two Captains, lost their lives this year.

The ambush happened on Thursday around 3:45 pm when two Army vehicles were carrying troops to the site of a cordon-and-search operation at Thanamandi. The terrorists had taken up positions at a height to target the Army vehicles. The photo released by PAFF shows that a civilian dumped was also caught in the crossfire and the Army truck hit it after the terrorists opened fire.

It is worth mentioning that the PAFF had also claimed responsibility for the attack on 5 May in the Kandi area of Rajouri where five soldiers were killed.

The Union Home Ministry banned PAFF earlier this year for its involvement in terror acts in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere. In its notification, the Home Ministry said that PAFF had been regularly issuing threats to security forces, political leaders and civilians working in Jammu and Kashmir from other states.

Terror attacks in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts this year have claimed the lives of 54 persons, including 20 security forces personnel.
The U.N. Security Council room, this Thursday after confirming a new delay in the vote. SHANNON STAPLETON (REUTERS)

After intense negotiations that lasted almost a week, the United States on Friday lifted its objection to a draft United Nations Security Council resolution to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza at a time when the population of the Strip is facing the certain threat of hunger. In the vote, postponed repeatedly since Monday, the 15-member Council approved the text by 13-0 with two abstentions from the United States and Russia. The wording of the document is a compromise solution that involved watering down the initial resolution, in the opinion of several members of the Council.

The cessation or suspension of hostilities to allow the entry of aid and a mechanism for monitoring shipments  the two pillars of the proposal presented a week ago by the United Arab Emirates  have been diluted into vague initiatives (urgent steps to allow aid and a coordinator appointed by the U.N.) that did not satisfy some members of the Council, such as Russia, nor many others in the General Assembly, such as the group of Arab countries.

The key provision originally called for the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Instead, the final wording calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Diplomatic sources consulted by the AP agency had earlier celebrated that, if approved, this would be the Councils first reference to a cessation of hostilities.

All eyes were on the Russian representative, Vasily Nebenzya, who was dissatisfied with the thinning of the original text and who presented an amendment to include a call for a ceasefire, supported by 10 members of the Council but vetoed by the United States. Curiously, Russia has agreed with the United States by abstaining from voting on the resolution, although for very different reasons. In addition to the vague request for urgent measures to allow unimpeded access to the necessary supplies, the main reason for discussion since the Emirates presented the draft resolution last Friday has been the establishment of a control mechanism by the U.N. of all aid shipments that cross into the Strip to ensure that trucks do not introduce weapons or smuggled goods. The United States, as Israels voice in the Council, has resisted approving this measure, considering that it further complicated the distribution of aid, which is why the initial request has been transformed into a call to the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to appoint a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator with responsibility for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying that deliveries are of a humanitarian nature. Israel is reluctant to hand that task to third parties, and the U.S. has managed to get the Council to tone down the original request.

Eleventh-hour talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from the Emirates  the only Arab country that sits on the Council  and Egypt  through which aid enters the Strip  have been key to ironing out the existing differences on the draft. This was made clear by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, after a closed-door meeting of the Council held on Thursday afternoon. She said the U.S. worked hard and diligently all last week with Egypt and the Emirates to ensure the implementation of a mechanism to support the humanitarian aid that Gaza desperately needs. We are ready to vote on it, said the diplomat, who explained that the final text is the result of Blinkens negotiation with Egypt and the Emirates, bypassing the other 13 members of the Council, several of whom opposed being left out, according to diplomatic sources.

Which way the U.S. would vote was not clear: an abstention was enough to move the resolution forward, although on Thursday night the threat of a veto was still there. Im not going to tell you how Im going to vote, Thomas-Greenfield declared Thursday, adding that if the resolution was presented as written, the United States can support it. Security Council resolutions are, theoretically, binding and require at least nine votes in favor and no veto to be approved.

Several members of the Council, including Russia and France, both with veto power, like the United States, were not satisfied with the latest corrections to the text, while some diplomatic sources wondered how getting aid into the Strip will be ensured if the fighting does not stop. The concept cessation or suspension of hostilities is a red line for the United States and Israel, who consider that it would only benefit Hamas. Furthermore, the new formulation of the text calls on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and deplores all attacks against civilians and civilian assets, as well as all violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism.

The U.S. was alone against the world in two earlier U.N. votes on Gaza. The first, a ceasefire resolution from the Council, which it vetoed on December 8. The second, its rejection of another practically identical resolution that was passed by a large majority in the General Assembly, four days later. Then, only nine countries, including Israel, supported their rejection of the text. Despite the notorious isolation of the United States in the U.N. regarding the Gaza war  similar to that of Russia since the Ukraine war began  the threat of its veto power has managed to break the will of the other 14 members of the Council, reflected in a much more ambitious initial proposal.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with all the Members of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh in Delhi on Thursday and said that all will work for the betterment of the state.

Today in Delhi, there was a meeting with MPs from Madhya Pradesh. Im happy that I got the chance to meet all of them. It was the first such meeting after the elections. We will all work for the betterment of MP. I hope that after the elections, all MPs win yet again under the leadership of PM Modi, said CM Mohan Yadav.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh met with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Delhi on Thursday.

After the meeting, Digvijaya Singh said that the people have given the newly elected Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav an opportunity and he should live up to his promises.

People have given him (Mohan Yadav) an opportunity. He should fulfil his promises. I will always cooperate for the development of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh told ANI.

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Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took stock of shelter homes in Bhopal on Wednesday and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that the people staying in night shelters do not face any kind of problem.

Speaking to ANI, he said, The cold is increasing. In such a situation, today I met the patients staying in night shelters, their families and citizens, to know about their well-being. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that the people staying in night shelters do not face any kind of problem, necessary instructions have been given for this.
Blaming the Opposition over suspension of MPs from both Houses of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Friday that they (the MPs) themselves sought their suspension.

Briefing newspersons on the Winter Session of Parliament which concluded on Thursday night, he said, They themselves came and said to suspend them. Congress Party has such a low-level strategy.

The productivity of Lok Sabha was approximately 74 per cent and that of Rajya Sabha was approximately 79 per cent.

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Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, who was also present at the press briefing, lashed out at the Opposition saying they were looking for revenge after the defeat in the assembly elections.

The Speaker is the custodian of Parliament. The Lok Sabha Speaker is saying repeatedly that he is responsible for the security. Why are they not trusting what the Speaker is saying? They were deliberately looking for revenge after the defeat in the assembly elections. They had been planning internally and they got the opportunity, Mr Meghwal said.

He said, Security breach in Parliament is a big issue. A committee has been formed and an investigation is underway. The vice-president was insulted. Congress believes that it is their right to govern.

They think that the vice-president should be the one nominated by them. They cannot stand Prime Minister Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. It is their mentality to insult the Dalit, farmers and the backward classes, he said.

The Winter Session of Parliament, which commenced on December 4, was adjourned sine die on December 21. The Session provided 14 sittings spread over a period of 18 days.

During the Session, 12 Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha and 18 passed, while in the Rajya Sabha, 17 Bills were passed. Three Bills were withdrawn with the leave of Lok Sabha, while one Bill was withdrawn with the leave of Rajya Sabha. The total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the session was 19.

The first Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023-24 and Demands for Excess Grants for 2020-21 were discussed and voted in full and the related Appropriation Bills were introduced, discussed and passed by the Lok Sabha on December 12, after a debate of about five hours 40 minutes. The Rajya Sabha returned these Bills on December 19, after a debate of about 22 minutes.

Three landmark Bills relating to the criminal justice system to ensure victim-centric justice, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, respectively were passed by both the Houses.

Some of the major Bills passed by both Houses during the Session included the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which seeks to repeal the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 and incorporates provisions of Section 36 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1879 in the Advocates Act, 1961.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 sought change in nomenclature of weak and under-privileged classes (social castes) to Other Backward Classes in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 sought to provide nomination of not more than two members, one of whom will be a woman from the community of Kashmiri Migrants and one member from Displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 provided for establishment of a Central Tribal University in Telangana.

The other Bills included the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023; the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023; and the Telecommunications Bill, 2023.

The productivity of Lok Sabha was approximately 74 per cent and that of Rajya Sabha was approximately 79 per cent.
A day after Sakshi Malik quit wrestling, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Durgesh Pathak said on Friday that it was a matter of shame that wrestlers did not get justice from the ruling dispensation.

The woman wrestler took the step in the wake of BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singhs close aide Sanjay Singh getting elected as new chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Durgesh Pathak pointed out that the wrestlers were meted out with a raw deal from the same BJP which invited them and showcased their victories in the billboards appropriating their success to the government.

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He slammed the Centre saying when the wrestlers wanted the support as they struggled for a year with their protests, the government did not stand by their side, Pathak said.

Addressing a press conference here, Pathak said, When history is written, it will note how the BJP stood with those who oppress women, further questioning whether what would happen to commoners, if the system could treat those who bring pride to the nation in such a manner.

Pathak also asked when Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar would break his silence on this matter, as farmers have faced oppression.

The AAP leader further expressed his anguish over the disappointment faced by the wrestlers when they faced the media with tears in eyes.

Its distressing that due to the lack of justice, woman wrestler Malik got disheartened, and left wrestling, Pathak said.

He further stated that in this entire matter, the one against whom all allegations are being made, a real viral video is circulating where hes claiming that his dominance will remain, the AAP leader said pointing towards Brij Bhushan.

AAP leader said that dominance belongs to Sakshi, not Brijbhushan.

I want to tell my wrestler companions that this fight is long but dont concede defeat at all. The entire country stands with you. When history is written, it will also note how the BJP stood with those who oppress women, AAP leader said.

On Friday, prominent grappler Bajrang Punia wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with regard to returning his Padma Shri award.

I am returning my Padma Shri award to the Prime Minister. This is a letter to say that, Punia posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Dear Prime Minister ji, hope your health is well. You must be busy with a lot of work but I am writing this to draw your attention to what is happening to the wrestlers of the country. You must be aware that the women wrestlers of the country started a protest in January this year against Brij Bhushan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. I too had joined their protest. The protest stopped after the government promised strong action, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winner wrote.

Olympic medal winning boxer Vijender Singh also came forward and once extended his support to wrestler Sakshi Malik, and said it he was with the woman wrestlers as he had earlier also joined theri protest against the BJP leader.

Earlier this year, woman wrestlers had staged massive protests against the former wrestling federation chief on sexual harassment allegations against him.

Brij Bhushan, was accused of sexually exploiting women wrestlers, for which the matter was in court.
As we approach the end of fiscal year 2023-24, the Centre is steering its economic ship through turbulent waters, aiming to achieve a fiscal deficit target of 5.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Union Minister of state for Finance Bhagwat Karad has expressed optimism in this regard, emphasising the governments commitment to financial prudence. The journey has, however, encountered its fair share of headwinds. With a fiscal deficit of Rs 8.4 lakh crore in the first seven months, constituting 45 per cent of the annual estimate, the government faces the intricate challenge of balancing revenue and expenditure. The delicate task of managing the fiscal deficit becomes even more pronounced given the backdrop of global economic uncertainties, in the midst of conflicts in different parts of the world. One of the key challenges lies in the governments divestment strategy. As of December 13, a mere Rs 10,050 crore has been garnered from stake sales in government-run firms, a fraction of the ambitious Rs 51,000 crore target for a year whose end is approaching. Mr Karad acknowledged the discrepancy, attributing it to factors beyond the governments control, such as market conditions and investor appetite. The real question on everyones mind is whether India breaks free from the shackles of a deficit dilemma.

The fiscal deficit, often likened to a financial tight-rope walk, demands a delicate equilibrium between revenue generation and expenditure control. While achieving the stipulated 5.9 per cent deficit seems plausible, the reliance on divestment proceeds adds an element of unpredictability to the equation. Historically, India has struggled to meet divestment targets, and the current fiscal year appears to follow a similar pattern. If the government falls short for the fifth consecutive year, it raises concerns about the effectiveness of divestment as a reliable revenue stream. The hurdles are multifaceted, encompassing market dynamics, investor sentiment, and broader economic conditions. In defence of the governments stance, Mr Karad rightly points out the inherent volatility in divestment proceeds. Market conditions, often unpredictable, play a pivotal role in determining the success of stake sales. Additionally, investor appetite fluctuates in response to both domestic and global factors, introducing an element of uncertainty that policymakers must navigate. Yet, as we evaluate the fiscal landscape, it becomes imperative to explore alternative avenues for revenue generation.

Over reliance on divestment exposes the vulnerability of Indias fiscal strategy to factors beyond its control. Diversifying revenue streams, exploring innovative fiscal policies, and bolstering sectors with growth potential could provide a more stable foundation for fiscal health. While the governments optimism about achieving the fiscal deficit target is commendable, prudence dictates a cautious approach. The intricate dance of managing deficits requires a harmonious blend of strategic planning and adaptability to dynamic economic landscapes. As India charts its course through fiscal uncertainties, a diversified approach to revenue generation might just be the compass needed to navigate these uncharted waters successfully.

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Many of the golden ages in history were actually gilded ages. And yet, there are people and leaders who are more obsessed with the halcyon past than the present. To them, the present is the always postponed future.

The protagonists of the golden age are akin to a soldier in a cave who is carefully sharpening his bayonet for a battle that will never come or a war that was lost long ago. It is the toxic romance of regression! Way back in 1909, E. M. Forster had visualised in his book The Machine Stops the shape of things to come. The story takes place in the future.

Humanity had migrated underground as the planet became largely uninhabitable. People were forced to live in isolated cells and their needs were provided by the Machine. To the inhabitants, the machine became god. Eventually, the Machine broke down and the people had no idea how to service and repair it. Future has the habit of coming unannounced. As Einstein said, I never think of the future. It comes soon enough. Way back in 1970, futurist Alvin Toffler in his award-winning work Future Shock proclaimed that the future already has begun.

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There were others who said the same thing differently like the future had already happened or emphasised the immediacy of the future. Peter Drucker, the grand old guru of corporate economics, wrote an article titled the futures that have already happened in 1997 for the 75th anniversary edition of the Harvard Business Review.

We certainly have begun to see the future in the present. For some, including a Latin American bard, today is like yesterday in a world without tomorrow, for others, a multitude of crises facing humanity and our planet has led to doomerism of a certain kind. The billionaires and futurists are in a league of their own. They have no time for tomorrow.

They want the future today. They are putting cash on the line to conquer the galactic world while craving for eternity. The climate cataclysm is no longer an obsession of the prophets of doom. Many believe we no longer have a fight or flight option. Life without us humans is not a flight of imaginations. For the millennials and Gen-Z, climate change has already become cataclysmic.

According to a survey of people in the age group 16-25, conducted by the University of Bath and Stanford Medicine Center, 83 per cent respondents said that people have failed to care for the planet, 75 per cent called the future frightening and 39 per cent said theyre hesitant to have children. They also had widespread mistrust of governments.

We now have digital humans living in digital space. Soon digital humans will look, act and think like real humans. Are we now going to become post-human and transhuman? In the ancient world, a cross between a human and a plant, the centaur between a man and a horse and a Pegasus between a horse and a bird were considered monsters. In todays techno-world, rather than a subject of fear and revulsion, post-human and trans-human are seen as fascinating and admirable.

The new ghosts no more provoke dark fantasies. They are prepared to become post-human zombies. Mark O Connell, author of the prize-winning book To Be a Machine, advises us to merge with machines , remaking ourselves in the image of our own higher ideals. Physicist Dennis Gabor invented holography in 1971.

Holograms enable the visual display of an object in three dimensions. Jean Paul Sartre perhaps saw it coming when he said that human existence precedes essence. The billionaires and believers in the mythical fountain of youth would like to leave the digital essence of their earthly existence behind. Their relatives will be too happy to buy such a holographic essence.

The holographic flesh will be created by a collection of algorithms from their GPS haunts and browsing searches. There are billionaires who want their bodies stored in liquid nitrogen and cryogenically preserved till such time medical science is able to resurrect them. Around 500 cryopreserved corpses are stored in vats around the world at minus 196C.

Einstein said after the death of his friend Bosso that People like us  know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. Have we humans reached what Jean-Pierre Jacquot of the University of Lorraine calls the status of semi-god ~ or third of a god? Or has immortality become a business that caters to the demands of clients? Silicon Valley has created a techno-religion where death is only a technological problem. Death is the inevitable price we must pay for being alive.

But as Yuval Noah Harari argues, the new techno-religions will also create new techno-moralities. Ironically, we are self-destructive towards our Planet Earth but we are interested in transforming human biology to make us post-human. We have made our planet a hell. We remain ever isolated from our neighbours. But we are exploring other planets in our galactic neighbourhood. We are heading towards extinction. An estimated 99.9 per cent of all species that ever existed on earth are already extinct. There are dangers lurking around. Given the rapid advances, biotechnology in future may design new viruses, more dangerous. Many believe that Covid-9 was the outcome of a failed experiment in a Chinese lab. Molecular nanotechnology can create weapons systems even more destructive than the nuclear bombs.

The parabiosis treatment could be possible in future. It is a technique of surgically joining two living organisms that will share the physiological system. Why do we want to live forever? Great writers, scientists, painters, musicians and leaders are immortal. The tech billionaires find death as repugnant. They are hoping to reach what is known as technological singularity when there will be a merger of people and machines.

They are hoping for a new Insurrection when it will be possible to download our minds and attain virtual immortality. A day may come when we may acquire virtual immortality. Our brains can be scanned and transferred to a non-biological medium in future to create our digital double. But today will always last. As Gandhiji said, the future depends on what we do in the present.

(The writer is director, Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi)
Italys decision to exit Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marks a significant shift in its approach to economic collaboration with the Asian giant. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her recent comments, underscored the need to forge stronger trade and economic ties with China, signalling a departure from the less-than-fruitful BRI engagement. When Italy joined it in 2019, it was a ground-breaking move, making it the first major Western nation to embrace Chinas ambitious trade and investment programme. However, the anticipated economic windfall failed to materialise, prompting the current Italian leadership to reconsider its strategy.

Ms Melonis acknowledgment that the BRI has not produced the results that were expected sums up the Italian governments commitment to reassessing its approach to China. One key aspect highlighted in this recalibration is the emphasis on bilateral cooperation outside the BRI framework. Italy, with its rich history and economic significance, understands the need to leverage its unique position for more mutually beneficial agreements. By expressing the desire to strengthen ties with China in trade and the economy, Ms Meloni is charting a course that prioritises flexibility and pragmatism, even as she resets the terms of engagement.

The decision to withdraw from the BRI does not mean the end of collaboration between Italy and China. On the contrary, it opens the door for a more nuanced and tailored engagement that aligns with Italys economic interests and global partnerships. The expiry of the 2019 accord in March 2024 provides both nations with an opportunity to redefine their relationship based on a more strategic and reciprocal foundation. Interestingly, the comparison drawn with fellow G7 nations, which have closer ties with China despite not being part of the BRI, explains the decision taken by Italy. This stance reflects a mature understanding of diplomacy, acknowledging that collaboration can take various forms, with or without the BRI. The economic data presented paints a clear picture of the BRIs impact on Italys trade dynamics. While Italian exports to China increased, the lions share of economic benefits flowed to Chinese firms. Italys trade deficit with China raises questions about the sustainability and fairness of the BRI model.

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Ms Melonis government seems keen on rectifying this imbalance by seeking reciprocal agreements that promote Italian economic interests. Italys upcoming presidency of the G7 in 2024 adds another layer of significance to this recalibration. As a key global player, Italys evolving approach to China will likely influence discussions within the G7 and beyond. The nations commitment to maintaining strategic ties, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajanis recent Chinese trip and the planned visit of President Sergio Mattarella to Beijing, underscores the importance Italy places on fostering constructive relations. From Chinas perspective, though, the repudiation of the BRI template is a definite setback. Beijings other BRI partners will doubtless view these developments closely.
Acreative and interesting aspect of water conservation work relates to the efforts to revive some small rivers which have become extinct in recent times due to various factors. The results may not be as dramatic as an entire extinct river suddenly re-appearing, but nevertheless such efforts, when taken up with caution and commitment, can be successful in contributing much to water conservation and helping people to meet water needs in times of scarcity.

While revival of small rivers can contribute much to irrigation of nearby farms directly, this can have a wider impact as well by raising the water level over a much wider area and in particular also raising the water level in many wells. In fact these efforts can be helpful in times of excess rain too, as instead of causing floods the water flows in the deepened natural river flow path. In Lalitpur district (Uttar Pradesh) in Bundelkhand region, several such efforts deserve attention both for their contribution and learning experience.

Recent efforts to revive the Banai river in Anaura and three nearby villages, Talgaon, Jharkol and Kalyanpura, indicate some of the creative potential of such efforts. While undertaking resource appraisal work in Anaura village, a voluntary organization, Bundelkhand Seva Sansthaan (BSS) became aware of the earlier existence of a river here. Elderly people fondly remembered taking happy baths in the river but the river had gradually disappeared. BSS activists advised the Anaura panchayat to obtain land records relating to these.

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Much to their excitement, villagers found that a 15 km long river covering these four villages had existed in this village. BSS then went ahead and organized a big meeting of people of these villages at which senior officials like the District Magistrate were also invited. The DM, Mr. Alok Singh, took a keen interest and agreed to get digging and related work taken up in Anaura and three other villages under MG-NREGA scheme.

After several months of efforts, in mid-2022 the results of this effort could be seen as rainwater started finding its way in the natural river path. In addition people associated with the efforts say that additional waves of water also appeared at a few dug up spots. Check dams were also constructed to retain the water for a longer periods. Culverts and roads were constructed on and near the revived river. Basudev Singh, Secretary of BSS, says that he was aware of the possibilities of this effort because he had been associated with earlier river revival efforts.

One of these efforts related to Odi river in MarawadaMadanpura area of this district. People of Didoniya panchayat raised this issue at a meeting of the Gram sabha (village assembly). They said that the river Odi had become almost nonexistent, having lost its depth, and due to this reason they had lost their main water source. The BSS realized the potential of this effort and organized a jal sammelan or water conference of people from about seven villages through which the river had been flowing earlier in 2018.

The DM, Mr. Manvendra Singh, was invited and he took a keen interest in this. In addition the well-known water activist Rajendra Singh was also invited for his advice. A decision was taken to make an effort to revive this river, and the major share of work was to be taken up under MG-NREGA scheme in the form of digging work. This work also continued for several months. Finally the river could be revived to a significant extent and benefited almost all the seven villages to a lesser or greater extent.

Later both Mr. Manvendra Singh and Mr. Basudev were honored for their contribution to this effort. The success of these efforts can be seen in the big increase in the yield of several farmers here. As Manohar Singh, former Pradhan (head-person) of Anaura village says, nearly 200 farmers have benefited in terms of much higher yields in Anaura village alone. In year 2022, an effort was made to revive the Amjhir river which had also become almost non-existent in Marawada block area, mainly in the Narahat panchayat area. A similar effort of calling a meeting of about five villages was made.

Here again the DM gave directions for work on a significant scale to be taken up under MGNREGA and this has already resulted in some success, although further work is still to be taken up. Another effort in Marawara block, Sonrai panchayat area was taken up for the revival of Rohini river. Here also the BSS contributed much to the mobilization effort, which was followed by considerable work taken up under MG-NREGA.

Here, too, considerable success can be seen, include higher yields and greater diversity of crops. These efforts have been very useful for people, and have been a valuable learning experience as well. One can see a coming together of concerns relating to protection and enhancement of rural livelihoods on the one hand and protection of the environment on the other hand. People tend to speak more in terms of irrigation and raising of water level but of course revived waters are extremely valuable for fish and various other forms of river-life.

They are also very useful for the large number of farm animals, stray animals as well as wild life for quenching their thirst as availability of water throughout the year is very helpful. During a recent visit to Anaura I found much enthusiasm for the recent effort here of reviving a river, and such enthusiasm can be tapped for similar efforts wherever the need and suitable conditions exist.

(The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Man over Machine and A Day in 2071.)
Apple has confirmed that it will permanently close its Infinite Loop retail store in Cupertino, US on January 20.

According to MacRumors, citing sources, the tech giant will be offering all employees at the store the opportunity to continue working with the company, with some employees being able to relocate to nearby stores, including the Apple Park Visitor Center and Apple Valley Fair.

Infinite Loop served as Apples headquarters from the mid-1990s until 2017, when its current headquarters opened in Apple Park.

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After many years of serving customers at our stores in the Bay Area, we plan to close our store at Infinite Loop, an Apple spokesperson was quoted as saying.

All of our valued team members will have the opportunity to continue their roles with Apple. We look forward to welcoming our customers at our nearby Apple Park Visitor Center and other locations, on Apple.com, and the Apple Store app, it added.

Moreover, the tech giant is also permanently closing its Royal Hawaiian store in Honolulu on January 20.

Apple stated that it remains committed to providing an excellent experience for our customers, and that it has built new stores in the US, China, India, South Korea, and the UK this year, as well as expanded its online store to Chile and Vietnam, the report mentioned.

The offices at the Infinite Loop campus will continue to be used by Apples corporate employees, with only the store closing, the report added.

Meanwhile, Apple has pulled its latest flagship smartwatches, the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, from the companys online store in the US due to a forthcoming import ban imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi have exchanged views on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip over phone, and discussed the expansion of bilateral relations, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministrys website.

The Iranian Foreign Minister on Thursday condemned the Israeli attacks against the Palestinian people, stressing that the US bore international responsibility due to its certain complicity in Israels killing in Gaza.

He also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the agreements reached by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in May, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The Omani Foreign Minister, for his part, called for the international communitys effective measures to achieve a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, and the delivery of extensive humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave.

He also highlighted the necessity to further expand brotherly relations between the two countries.

Since October 7, Israel has been launching a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in which at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed.

The Israeli attacks came after Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of about 1,200 Israelis, according to the Israeli authorities.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. Light snow likely this afternoon. 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 40%.
A trainer of polo ponies, Jessica Vincent, 43, was sifting through the junk in a Goodwill store in Hanover County, Virginia, U.S., when a glass vase caught her eye. Painted in swirls of red and green, it stood out among the other objects stacked on the shelf. Taken with the piece, Vincent decided to buy it for her home. The price was just $3.99 and as she went to the cashier to pay, she noticed two details on the base of the vase: an M and the word Italia. From then on, the vase ceased to be just another decorative object and became the focus of an investigation. Vincent was about to prove she had a good eye.

Vincents research confirmed that the vase was a rare piece from Murano, the mythical Venetian island famous for centuries of handcrafted glassware. The vase has just gone under the hammer for $107,000 at the Wright Auction House, sold to a private European collector, who prefers to remain anonymous. I had a sense that it might be a $1,000 or $2,000 piece, but I had no clue how good it actually was until I did a little bit more research, she told The New York Times.

The vase that renowned architect Carlo Scarpa designed in the 1940s as part of the Pennellate series. Wright

The vase is one of two remaining pieces in good condition from the Pennellate series, designed by Carlo Scarpa, the great Italian mid-twentieth century architect who, besides creating iconic buildings and interiors, also designed glass objects. His style, which focuses on shaping beautiful materials into simple but noble forms, is perfectly captured in this series. The name of the series, Pennellate, translates as brushstroke and reveals a unique artisanal process. The goal of the artisans who worked with Scarpa in the 1940s was to simulate brushstrokes through a complex technique that, instead of painting the finished surface, adds opaque colored glass to the vase during the blowing process. The challenges involved in this process meant that there were very few pieces in a collection that is now considered unique.

At the time of purchase, Vincent only suspected she might be onto something. She joined groups specializing in glassware on Facebook, who put her in touch with the Wright Auction House, a specialist in glass and crystal pieces. Richard Wright, president of the company, called Vincent after receiving the images she sent him. The moment I saw the photos, I had a really good feeling, he said. The auctioneer explained that it is rare to find a piece in such pristine condition: If it had a chip  even a small chip  it would have probably sold for under $10,000, he said. This was like a winning lottery ticket.

Vincent says that one of the highlights of the investigation was the evaluation of the vase by various experts. The expression on their faces was quite striking, she says. It was amazing that experts who work with very important pieces of glass were so excited about my little thrift store vase. Their excitement, as reflected by the final price, was well-founded. In fact, the cover of the digital catalog for the auction, generally dedicated to pieces of glass of Italian origin, was a detail of Scarpas brushstrokes, unmistakable to any collector of this type of piece.

A detail of the vase that highlights the brushstrokes made with opaque glass during the process of blowing the piece. Wright

Vincent is very pleased with her discovery. The horse trainer is a fan of TV programs like Antiques Roadshow, where professionals browse thrift stores in search of hidden treasure. I always felt I had a good eye, said Vincent, who frequently visits such stores with her partner. But Im really surprised no one discovered it before me. Although she has stumbled upon other pieces of value in the past, such as artwork valued at several thousand dollars, she never thought she would get this lucky. You never know what youre going to find, she says. Its the thrill of the hunt.
The UN says more than 1 in 4 people in Gaza are starving because of war

A report from the United Nations finds that more than half a million people in Gaza are starving because there's not enough food entering the territory since the outbreak of war more than 10 weeks ago
Initially unsure of which orangutan was the father of a new baby primate, the Denver Zoo decided to have a little fun with the results and turned to former daytime talk show host Maury Povich
Womens rights activists criticized French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for appearing to take sides with actor Gerard Depardieu by saying the film star who is facing sexual misconduct allegations makes France proud.

Speaking on Wednesday night on TV channel France 5, Macron described himself as a big admirer of a great actor. Macron added: He makes France proud.

Macrons comments in a televised interview come after a documentary that aired earlier this month said 16 women have accused Depardieu of harassing, groping or sexually assaulting them. The France-2 report also showed the actor making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea.

They also come as a Spanish journalist and writer recently filed a complaint against Depardieu, who she says sexually abused her during an interview in Paris in 1995, Spanish police said Thursday.

Asked about such accusations against Depardieu, Macron said he believed in the presumption of innocence and the judicial process. You will never see me participate in a manhunt, the French leader said.

Macron also criticized his culture ministers decision to launch a disciplinary procedure concerning Depardieus prestigious Order of the Legion of Honor, which could lead to the award getting rescinded. He said Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak went a bit too far.

The Legion of Honor is not a moral tool and should not be removed based on a documentary, Macron said.

Depardieu, 74, was put under investigation in December 2020 for alleged rape and sexual assault following allegations in 2018 from actor Charlotte Arnould, who said the crimes took place at Depardieus home. The investigation is ongoing.

Another alleged victim emerged in Spain, journalist and writer Ruth Baza who filed a complaint last week in the southern city of Torremolinos that the Spanish police said will now be shared with French authorities.

Baza, 51, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday that when she was 23, she interviewed the actor in Paris for the magazine Cinemania. She said that in her police complaint she explained how at the end of the interview the actor started kissing her face and neck, and touched her between her legs, behavior she said that police have classified as rape. Baza said she felt truly paralyzed by Depardieu. I was trapped.

Baza said she had buried the matter in her mind but wrote it all down in detail in her diary at the time. She said the whole episode flooded back last April when she read about accusations made by 13 women against Depardieu.

She said that since then she has been in a true nightmare and decided she had to speak out.

Taking the decision to go to the police has been the very last decision to try to go on with my life and leave this story in the hands of others and just try to help others who are in my very same situation and who are not able to talk, Baza said. She said that she has every intention of testifying to French authorities if needed.

Another complaint was filed in France in September by comedian Helene Darras for alleged sexual assault. Darras accused Depardieu of touching her bottom when she was a young extra for the 2008 film Disco.

Women rights activists on Thursday vigorously denounced Macrons comments. Michelle Dayan, president of Lawyers 4 Women, said that as a lawyer and a citizen, she also believed strongly in the presumption of innocence. Yet it mustnt be used as a pretext not to listen to women who say they are victims of abuses, she said.

Speaking on France Info news broadcaster, Dayan said violence against women starts there  in the image of women that is conveyed through Depardieus shocking remarks.

Activist group Osez le feminisme denounced on X, formerly Twitter, one more confirmation that, definitively, Emmanuel Macron doesnt live in the same world as us.

We, the prey, are facing a man (Depardieu) who describes himself as a great hunter, yet who, in the words of the president, becomes the victim of a manhunt, the group posted.

Anne-Cecile Mailfert, president of the Womens Foundation, said on BFM TV that Macrons comments were very serious because he is judging women who filed a complaint, women who spoke out.  Hes taking sides.

Former French President Francois Hollande also chimed in to counter his successor. No, we are not proud, Hollande said on the France Inter radio network.

What was expected from the president was to speak about women who see in Depardieus remarks violence, domination and contempt, he said.

In October, Depardieu published an open letter in the French newspaper Le Figaro that said, I want to tell you the truth. I have never, ever abused a woman.

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Steve Brook was a journalist in Georgia, Minnesota and South Carolina, retiring as managing editor of The State in Columbia, South Carolina. He wrote this for InsideSources.com .
The world of cheese is so extraordinarily diverse that there is no consensus on the number of varieties that exist throughout the world. But all the hundreds of types, or even thousands, have one thing in common: they are full of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Although science has an in-depth understanding of the activity of these microbes during the milk fermentation process that gives rise to cheese, it remains a mystery how they determine its aroma and flavor. An international research team has set out to unravel how microorganisms make cheddar, one of the worlds most popular cheeses, so distinctive. And the results of that scientific effort have were published this past Thursday in the journal Nature Communications.

Knowing exactly what role microbes play both in the functioning of our bodies and in the properties of foods is a growing field of interest for science. We already knew that lactic acid bacteria, for example, produce compounds called acetoin and diacetyl, which are also found in butter, which is why some cheeses have that taste. Also, that the yeast Geotrichum candidum produces a mixture of alcohols, fatty acids and other compounds that is responsible for the fruity aroma characteristic of cheeses such as brie or camembert.

Now, researchers have focused on cheddar, originally from the English county of Somerset, which has become a gastronomic classic in many countries and accompanies all kinds of dishes, from burgers to pasta. To address the secret to the flavor of this popular cheese, computational biologist Chrats Melkonian, microbiologist Ahmad Zeidan and other colleagues from the food science company Chr. Hansen in Denmark conducted year-long experiments with batches of cheddar using variants of a culture with combinations of bacterial strains.

Its a novel approach, says Baltasar Mayo, a research professor at the Asturias Dairy Products Institute in Spain, who was not involved in the study. Mayo explains that microorganisms in foods are constantly being studied, but it is not usual to do so over 12 months during the production of a cheese. Thanks to this approach, the authors of the study discovered the crucial role of Streptococcus thermophilus in the growth of other bacteria, the Lactococcus, which in turn turned out to have a significant impact on flavor: the presence of Lactococcus cremoris limited the formation of unpleasant compounds and, on the other hand, the elimination of certain Lactococcus strains revealed the presence of specific compounds, highlighting the importance of each component in the flavor palette.

Throughout the experiment, the researchers observed specific population dynamics, including the relevance of Streptococcus thermophilus in the microbial community, especially between the two-week-mark and three months. The absence of this bacterium resulted in notable differences in the concentration of compounds over time, evidencing both its critical role in growth during fermentation and its long-term effect on flavor development. Francisco Zorrilla, co-author of the study from the University of Cambridge, highlights that they also identified another competitive interaction (between Lactococcus cremoris and Lactococcus lactis) due to the nutrients available in milk, which is associated with the fruity, creamy and nutty flavors of the final product.

How to mix bacteria and predict the flavor

According to Mayo, it is complex to decipher what function everything has within the matrix, where many types of chemicals and reactions are found. Regarding this complexity, Zorrilla points out that flavor depends not only on individual microbes, but also on the interactions between them: This is an important consideration for future applications, he says, adding that the findings of his study can provide tools for the rational design of microbial communities for a wide range of cheeses.

This research, however, not only sheds light on the secrets of cheddar cheese flavor, but also opens the door to new applications in the food industry in general. Conscious manipulation of microbial combinations could improve consistency and flavor quality in growing fields such as plant-based foods. According to another of the studys authors, Chrats Melkonian, the elimination of undesirable flavors and toxic compounds, is essential to achieve a pleasant and safe final product. The authors point out that more experiments and research are needed, but say that in the future artificial intelligence can be used to predict which organisms and in what quantities can produce desirable flavors.

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The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), has gained massive traction ever since it was introduced in India, particularly in handling consumer complaints. According to the data from the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), as of November 28, 2023, the relevant state authorities resolved up to 1,16,300 cases. Out of this, 38 per cent of the cases were resolved in Uttar Pradesh alone, followed by Haryana (18 per cent) and Maharashtra (13 per cent). The three states cumulatively accounted for nearly 69 per cent of the total disposed cases under RERA in the country.



Registrations for projects and real estate agents under RERA have also been increasing steadily. Almost 1,16,117 projects and 82,755 real estate brokers nationwide were registered under RERA as of November 28, 2023. Approximately, 71,307 projects and 56,177 real estate agents were registered over the same period in 2021. This represents a 63 per cent and 47 per cent growth, respectively, over the previous two years.



Resolving home buyer concerns is one of the main functions RERA has been demonstrably fulfilling. More than 1.16 lakh consumer complaints have been handled by various state and Union territories. Over the last two years, the pace of project and real estate agent registrations has not slowed down. In fact, over the past two years, project registrations have increased dramatically by 63 per cent. Also, RERA authorities of various states and UTs have resolved over 37,397 consumer complaints in this period. Uttar Pradesh has resolved the highest number of cases. Considering how severely Noida and Greater Noida in UP had been impacted by unscrupulous players, this is noteworthy, said Anuj Puri, chairman, ANAROCK Group.



Almost all states and UTs have notified rules under RERA, except Nagaland. West Bengal, which earlier enacted its own legislation, was challenged on this by MoHUA before the Supreme Court. In March 2022, the apex court struck down the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 (WBHIRA), observing that it overlapped with RERA. Thirty-two states and UTs have set up a real estate regulatory authority since its implementation, and of this at least 5 are interim. Ladakh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim are yet to establish RERA.



Twenty-eight states/UTs have set up real estate appellate tribunal for disposing of consumer complaints, including four as interim. Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal and Sikkim are yet establish theirs. Regulatory authorities of 30 states/UTs have operationalized their websites under RERA provisions. Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur are under process to operationalise. Twenty-six states/UTs have appointed adjudicating officers, while 10 states/UTs i.e., Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh are yet to do so.


Throughout this year, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a series of encounters resulting in the deaths of 55 individuals, including 20 security personnel and 28 terrorists.

Rajouri alone witnessed the demise of 27 individuals, comprising 10 terrorists and 10 security personnel. In the Poonch district, 15 terrorists and 10 security personnel lost their lives, while three terrorists were killed in the Reasi district. Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to infiltrate across the border.

Seven civilians were killed at Dangri, Rajouri on January 1 this year.

Earlier in October 2021, nine soldiers fell victim to two separate terrorist attacks in the forested region. Five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed on October 11 in Chamrer. A JCO and three soldiers were killed on October 14 in a nearby forest. Among the deceased were three Army officers, including two captains, who were killed during an anti-terrorist operation in the Bajimaal area of Rajouri district.

Officials attributed the surge in encounters to extensive counter-terrorist operations by security agencies aimed at thwarting repeated attempts from across the border to reignite militancy in the Jammu region. These efforts also aimed to alleviate pressure on terrorists operating in the Kashmir valley.
French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Elysee French presidential palace, on Friday, confirmed that Macron will be visiting New Delhi as the chief guest of the Republic Day event.

"Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend PM Narendra Modi, on your Republic Day, Ill be here to celebrate with you," Macron tweeted, in response to the invitation.

This will make Macron the sixth French leader to attend the event.

India's invitation to Macron for the Republic Day celebrations comes amid a rapid upswing in ties between the two countries including in areas of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment and new technologies. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in the maritime domain including in the Indian Ocean Region.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Bastille Day parade, which is part of the French National Day celebrations, as the guest of honour.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. New Delhi had invited US President Joe Biden to be the Republic Day chief guest in 2024, but he expressed inability to travel to New Delhi in January.

With PTI inputs
INDIA bloc leaders are protesting at Jantar Mantar condemning the mass suspension of Opposition MPs from both Houses of Parliament. Protests are also being organised in other parts of the country condemning the suspension.



The leaders, including Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI leader D. Raja, DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva and representatives of other parties in the bloc gathered to protest against the suspension. The Opposition bloc conducted a protest march on Thursday condemning the mass suspension of MPs for protesting inside Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha demanding an explanation from the government on December 13 Parliament security breach.

Rahul Gandhi, during his address, charged the BJP government was responsible for the Parliament breach and said that by suspending about 150 MPs from both Houses, the government has shut down voices of over 60 per cent Indians.

This is fight between hatred and love, Rahul Gandhi added. The more hatred BJP spreads, the more love and brotherhood INDIA parties will spread, Gandhi said. The Congress leader said the protesters breached Parliament security to highlight the issue of unemployment. First question, How did they come in? Security was breached, how did the gas cylinder come inside? Something else also could have been brought. The protestors came in to raise unemployment. Youth remains unemployed in our country, Gandhi charged.

Gandhi said that in a survey they found that under the Narendra Modi government, youths were spending 7.5 hours surfing their phone.

A security breach did happen but they raised important issues. In media, they never said that unemployment was raised. Only thing they say is Rahul Gandhi took video of the mimicry. Never was the issue of our suspension was raised, HT reported quoting Gandhi.

Talking to PTI, Sitaram Yechury said, We need to save the democracy from those who are currently in power. The BJP must be held accountable for security breach incident in the Parliament.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, We are seeing an assault on our parliamentary democracy which is extremely grave and the purpose of the rally is to draw the attention of the public to perilous situation facing our democracy. Never in history, 146 MPs have ever been suspended. It is a blot on democracy and is a national disgrace on our country that calls itself the mother of democracy. Sharad Pawar said they are ready to pay any price for protecting democracy in the country."

Congress and other Opposition parties are also conducting protests in other parts of the country condemning the suspension.
The death toll in Thursday's ambush on two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district reached five. The incident happened amidst an anti-terrorist operation in the Dera Ki Gali (DKG) area of Thanamandi.

The fallen soldiers have been identified as Naik Birendra Singh, Naik Driver Karan Kumar, Rifleman Chandan Kumar, and Rifleman Gautam Kumar. The identity of the fifth martyr couldn't be immediately ascertained.

Two other soldiers were injured and were swiftly evacuated to hospitals, with some airlifted to the Command Hospital Udhampur for treatment. The bodies of the slain soldiers were mutilated, Army officials said.

The attack happened on Thursday around 3:45 pm when two Army vehicles carrying troops to the operation site were ambushed by terrorists in DKG. The Army vehicles were carrying soldiers to the site of a cordon-and-search operation. "An operation was being conducted in the general area DKG (Dera ki Gali), Thanamandi, Rajouri, since the night of 20 December 23. At approximately 3:45 PM on 21 December, two Army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which were fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by own troops," the Army said in a statement.

Jammu-based defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal said the joint search operation was launched based on "hard intelligence" about the presence of terrorists. As additional forces were moving to the site, the ultras fired upon the Army vehicles -- a truck and a Maruti Gypsy.

The terrorists, estimated to number between three and four, positioned themselves atop a hill, targeting Army vehicles navigating a blind curve and rough terrain. They seemed to have conducted reconnaissance of the area before choosing a location surrounded by mountains and difficult road conditions. A civilian dumper was also caught in the crossfire but no one was injured.

#WATCH | Visuals from the spot where two military vehicles were attacked by terrorists in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri sector in Jammu division



Four Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in the incident pic.twitter.com/B5WtuI5Hwf  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

The modus operandi of the attack closely resembled the Bhatta Durrian attack in Mendhar on April 20 this year, where five soldiers lost their lives. The terrorists had managed to escape then. Similar to the Bhatta Durrian attack, the terrorists initially targeted the vehicles' tires and drivers before firing on the troops, aiming for maximum casualties. However, alert troops' retaliation led to the terrorists fleeing the scene.

The area had minimal civilian presence, delaying additional security force support from reaching the encounter site.

Despite cordoning off the area, initial reports suggest the terrorists managed to evade capture, prompting an active pursuit with additional troops rushing to the spot. A joint operation by the Army, paramilitary forces, and police has been initiated to locate and neutralise the terrorists involved in the gun battle, estimated to be between three and four in number. Investigators are considering the possibility of the attackers using local support for identifying routes, troop movements and for retreating into forests or hideouts post-encounter.

To aid search operations, the Dera Ki Gali road has been closed to traffic. The officials have also not ruled out the possibility of the soldiers engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the terrorists during the intense confrontation.

Images from the site showed blood on the street, broken helmets of soldiers and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles. Army officials said the operation was progressing late into the night. They said the terrorists could have walked away with the arms of the targeted soldiers.

The People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the ambush.

The attack marks the fourth such loss in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch this year, resulting in the sacrifice of 20 soldiers, including two Army Captains.

The stretch between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, straddling the Rajouri and Poonch districts, is heavily forested and the previous ambushes were carried out at the Chamrer forest and then Bhata Dhurian forest.

Over 20 years ago, Principal District and Sessions Judge V K Phull and three others were killed in a similar area by terrorists. This year has seen a series of major terror attacks in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, resulting in the martyrdom of 20 soldiers, including two captains, across various incidents.

Mehbooba Mufti, Azad

condemn the attack

Two former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir -- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti -- strongly condemned the attack. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Azad took to X to term the incident "devastating" and said the casualties are deeply saddening. "... terrorism hitting Jammu is alarming and we stand united against this menace. Urging the government to take swift and decisive action for the safety of all citizens. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured," he said.

Mufti, who heads the People's Democratic Party (PDP), described the incident as "terrible". She condemned the "dastardly attack" and expressed her deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the slain soldiers.

(With inputs from Tariq Bhat)
In a hotel in San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) launched the next part of the artificial intelligence revolution amidst light shows and euphoric applause. That novelty is the MI300, an accelerator that fits in the palm of a persons hand, which the Californian company claims will be able to run artificial intelligence software faster than any product currently on the market. By now we are, perhaps, tired of hearing about artificial intelligence, but it is surely the most transformative technological revolution in the last 50 years, probably even more so than computers and the internet, Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, said at the event, to which EL PAIS was invited in early December.

The MI300 launch is one of the most important in the companys five-decade history. AMDs artificial intelligence processors are already being used by the sectors most important companies and researchers to manufacture computers with integrated AI, including Microsoft, Open AI and Meta. At the end of the event, AMD vice president and general manager, Jason Banta, 44, spoke to EL PAIS about the possibilities of this technology, which he says is advancing at a dizzying and exciting rate.

Question: How is it possible that something that nobody was talking about five years ago has become todays most important topic?

Answer. One of the most transformative aspects has been large-scale language models. They have been evolving quite rapidly since 2017, and they really gained momentum when a lot of people saw their dazzling beauty and all that they can do. That created a lot of additional interest, whether in chatbots or other generative AI applications. And its probably been the fastest development of a new technology that weve seen in the industry; its become a transformative tool in the cloud, on the PC and on other devices.

Q. What does it mean to have artificial intelligence directly integrated into computers?

A. Computers will become more personal, better able to understand how each user wants to interact. While previously we were the ones who had to learn how to use them, in the future computers with artificial intelligence will be able to anticipate our needs. This will enable new audio and video experiences, facilitating the generation of creative content, a process that can be challenging on a traditional computer. Devices with embedded AI will take care of that and handle it all for users. But they will also make computers more secure by being able to detect and handle threats.

Q. On a practical level, what can be done now?

A. Today, a lot of the most important applications we see are collaborations with different tools. If you use Zoom or Teams, AI is utilized in many fields, such as in image enhancement. And you can achieve that with increased battery performance. Another area is the creation of content or applications in the fields of audio and video editing: this is a sector that is going to continue to grow. However, it is still too early to see this technologys full potential [being] applied to personal computers. We will see most of those breakthroughs in the near future.

Q. How long will it be before everyone has a computer with AI?

A. I think well see more of that sometime in 2024, although well have to wait until 2025 for a major inflection point. Well have to take a big step first to move in this direction, and then it will grow from there. But were going to start seeing much stronger adoption in the next few months, until the AI-enabled laptop really starts to take hold in the next couple of years.

Lisa Su, the CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, shows off the AI accelerator at the launch event in San Jose, California, on December 6, 2023.

Q. Do todays computers have sufficient power to develop AI properly?

A. Much of the development and training of AI models is still being done in the cloud. But, in the next few years, I expect to see the training of smaller models run in real time on computers. So, while you are interacting with an application, you will be able to train it in real time to adjust how it interacts with you.

Q. In which areas do you expect to see the most radical changes?

A. The challenges are similar in both cell phones and laptops: adapting AI models to work efficiently in these devices. We are starting to see progress in this area. Many of the phones that are coming out today already have AI built into them, but they need to be usable without having to be charged six or seven times a day.

Q. What are this technologys current limits?

A. Our biggest challenge is to shrink this technology and get it to run efficiently on laptops. Some of this is already starting to happen. We just released a software package that enables so-called quantization: basically, it makes those large models smaller so they can run efficiently on laptops [by] staying within the memory of a laptop, running efficiently and not damaging battery life. Thats the challenge we have to deal with as an industry, and were putting the tools in place to make that happen.

Q. Asian countries dominate the semiconductor supply chain. Can we expect Europe and the U.S. to improve their production?

A. Our goal is to have a geographically diverse semiconductor ecosystem; we believe thats positive for the industry as a whole. We are collaborating with governments and supply chain partners to promote that. Its something were seeing evolve over time, but we think its important not to be overly reliant on any one geographical area for semiconductor supply.

Q. Is AI being developed with its environmental impact in mind?

A. We very much take an environmental perspective into account; its at the forefront of our approaches when thinking about the development of these technologies. Its also true that some of the things that a computer with integrated AI can do, compared to a normal laptop, include saving workload and time, which introduces real efficiencies on a large scale. We are working on ways to optimize power consumption, and these are very real implications that we consider at every stage of our development.

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Jammu and Kashmir's healthcare is on the cusp of change due to investments over the past four years. This influx of capital, due to an attractive investment policy by the Union Territory administration, is poised to revolutionise the sector, promising a new era of healthcare services for the region.

The government allocated land for three medi-cities in Kashmir-- Bemina in Srinagar, Sempora in Pulwama and Lelhara Kakapora in Pulwama.

The proposal includes building hospitals, medical colleges, and allied facilities. This initiative targets creating 5,000 hospital beds and 1,000 spots for medical students.

According to officials, the projects have been categorised based on size, with eight larger groups planning facilities exceeding 200 beds each, anticipating around 10,000 job openings.

Initially, the allocated space seemed sufficient but later required additional land, leading to the transfer of 750 kanals (94 acres) to a different location. The proposed healthcare facilities aim to encompass medical colleges, speciality centres, nursing, and pharmaceutical units, among others.

The government has invited private partners to establish these centres, offering support in land allocation and financial aid. Efforts are underway to expand MBBS seat capacity by opening new medical colleges in Handwara and Udhampur, where classes were scheduled to start by 2022-23, increasing the total MBBS seats to 1,000 in J&K. This expansion aims to enhance patient care by increasing the availability of doctors.

Led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the administration has introduced a ranking system to attract investors. Projects over Rs 4,000 crore, include super-speciality hospitals, diagnostic centres, and nursing institutes.

Foremost in driving this transformative healthcare movement in Jammu and Kashmir are prominent entities such as Universal Healthcare, Vitasta Hospitals, Mili Trusts Medical College and Hospital, Peaks Medicity, DVS Worldwide Service, Trumboo Infrastructure, Radiant Medicity, and Areesha Royal Hospital.

Projects like the Kashmir Medical College and Super-Specialty Hospital in Sempora, Srinagar, plan to offer 150 MBBS seats and a 100-bed hospital to provide quality healthcare and generate local employment.

Among these ventures, noteworthy progress has been achieved. On April 27, Sinha laid the foundation stone for the Kashmir Medical College and Super-Speciality Hospital, a significant project developed by Milli Trust from Delhi. Located at the Industrial Estate Sempora, this project marks one of the most substantial private-sector investments in the UT's healthcare sector, set to elevate efficiency and care standards.

Director of Industries and Commerce Khalid Majeed said the pace of work by Milli Trust has slowed due to winter, but its going on. Work on a few more such projects is also going on, he said.

These initiatives represent a commitment to significantly improve the region's healthcare and contribute to employment and skill development.

Beyond healthcare, the government's proactive approach extends to economic growth initiatives like the Business Reform Action Plan and a Single Window Portal, enhancing the region's business environment. Additionally, progress is being made on establishing AIIMS in Jammu and Awantipora.

The healthcare sector in Kashmir has seen substantial investments, promising progress and transformative development post the revocation of Article 370. The collaborative efforts between the Centre and the UT administration, spearheaded by Sinha, aim to revolutionise healthcare infrastructure in the region. These efforts include a meticulous ranking system to identify visionary investors committed to advancing healthcare facilities, with cumulative proposals exceeding Rs 4,000 crores.

Valued at Rs. 525 crores, this initiative aims to establish a medical college equipped with 150 MBBS seats alongside a 100-bed hospital. The project foresees employment opportunities for 2,000 staff members and pledges to offer high-quality healthcare services at affordable rates.

The creation of 150 MBBS seats aims to fulfil the aspirations of the youth, while the 100-bed hospital is committed to delivering top-notch healthcare accessible to all. Additionally, this endeavour aims to create jobs for 2,000 local youths, further contributing to the region's economic growth and skill development. This project symbolises a significant step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality within the region, reflecting a collaborative effort between private entities and governmental initiatives.

Apart from the medi cities, the Centre has approved seven medical colleges for the Union Territory. Progress on two AIIMS in Vijaypur and Awantipora is notable, with Vijaypur's construction at 92 per cent and Awantipora at 44 per cent.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that his government would withdraw the ban on hijab in the state. CM said that directions have been given to the officials and the government order will be soon released.

While addressing a gathering in Mysore, CM Siddaramaiah said that a woman can "wear anything they want".

"Hijab ban isn't there anymore. (Women) can wear hijab and go anywhere. I have directed to withdraw the (ban) order. How you dress and what you eat is your choice. Why should I obstruct you? Wear what you want. Eat what you want," said CM.

During his speech, CM also pointed out that "I am wearing a dhoti...you wear pant shirt..what's wrong in that?"

The BJP government under CM B. Bommai had banned the head covering that disturb equality, integrity, and public order in educational institutes of the state. The decision had led to a row with massive protests erupting in many regions.

Later, the Karnataka HC upheld the state ban, saying that that wearing a hijab "is not an essential religious practice of Islam" and that the uniform dress rule should be followed in educational institutions. While the SC delivered a split verdict, with one judge stating that the state is authorised to enforce uniform in schools and others describing hijab as a matter of choice.

The BJP government issued an order on February 5 last year. The hijab ban had snowballed into a major controversy in the state after a few students at an Udupi college staged a protest alleging that they were not allowed to enter their classrooms wearing hijab.
The INDIA bloc will hold a nationwide protest against the mass suspension of opposition MPs from the Parliament on Friday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will speak at Jantar Mantar at 11 am. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will also attend the event.

Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely said INDIA alliance partners will join the the protest at Jantar Mantar. AAP MPs N D Gupta, Sandeep Patak, Sant Balbir Seecehwal and Sanjeev Arora will join the INDIA bloc.



In Patna, RJD, JDU and Congress leaders will hold a joint protest. A nationwide protest has also been scheduled at all district headquarters.



Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will attend the protest at Jantar Mantar. "It is appropriate to protest and all of us will be at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The INDIA alliance protest will happen everywhere (Friday) morning in all the states because we want to show the public that if they'd run Parliament like this and won't listen to the opposition then they are ruining the democracy," said Tharoor.



On Thursday, INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk here to protest the suspension of opposition lawmakers carrying a huge 'Save Democracy' banner and placards with messages like 'Opposition MPs Suspended' 'Parliament Caged' and 'Democracy Expelled'.



Earlier, Kharge had alleged the suspensions were part of a "conspiracy" to convert the Parliament into a platform for the ruling party. "The entire country is watching how the BJP is strangulating democracy by arbitrarily passing key bills without discussion or debate," he said.



"The biggest challenge is that the people holding constitutional positions, who are responsible for providing protection to the opposition MPs, are themselves becoming a part of party politics and doing politics using caste, region and occupation as their shield. "They have failed to fulfil their obligations under the Constitution. The whole country is watching it," he said, in an apparent attack on the Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman over the suspension of opposition members.


Delhi police will be conducting a psychoanalysis test on all six accused in the Parliament security breach case as the Special Cell probing the case finds the attackers highly motivated and mind washed".



According to Delhi police, a team of doctors and psychiatrists will conduct the psychoanalysis test on all six persons to know the mental condition of the accused.

Police have arrested six persons - Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam, Amol Shinde, Lalit Jha, and Mahesh Kumawat, and they have been booked under UAPA by the Delhi Police Special Cell in connection with the December 13 breach.

At about 1pm on December 13, when the Zero Hour was in progress in the Lok Sabha, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan.D jumped down from the visitors gallery onto the floor of the House and sprayed coloured smoke canisters. At the same time, just outside the Parliament complex, Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi sprayed more coloured smoke. According to police, Lalit Jha is the mastermind behind the act and Mahesh Kumawat helped him with logistics.

Delhi police told PTI said the accused are refusing to cooperate with the investigations and said the accused are highly "motivated and mind washed". The accused have not even given the proper sequence of the whole act till. This test will help us ascertain their mental condition as they are regularly changing their statements," said Delhi police.

The Special Cell has not ruled out the possibility of a kingpin who may have mobilised these youths to execute such a plan. The police have also scanned the financial transactions of all six.

Several teams of Special Cell have questioned the family members and friends of all six accused to know their activities, behaviour, and their contacts. Police said the accused were part of multiple WhatsApp groups, including the now-deleted Facebook page 'Bhagat Singh Fan Club,' which was created by them before the security breach incident.

On Wednesday, the police questioned two more members who were associated with that page.

A psychoanalysis test was recently done on the main accused in the murder of Swiss woman Nina Berger in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar area. The accused, Gurdeep Singh, admitted to murdering the woman but was not revealing how he came to kill her, the officer said.

Earlier, a psychoanalysis was done on the accused in the murder of a 16-year-old girl in northwest Delhi's Shahbad Dairy area. In the horrific killing, 20-year-old Sahil Khan stabbed the girl at least 22 times before smashing her head with a slab of stone.

On Thursday, police custody of Sagar, Manoranjan, Neelam, and Amol was extended for 15 more days. Lalit will be produced on Friday and Mahesh on Saturday, when police may seek their further custody.

-with PTI inputs.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the Thanamandi area of Rajouri, where five soldiers lost their lives and two others were injured in a terrorist attack on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the operation against the terrorists believed to be hiding in the nearby forests was intensified today with more reinforcements reaching the spot.

The terrorists fled after firing at two Army vehicles, taking advantage of the terrain and thick forest cover in the area.

Director General of Police R R Swain and Nagrota-based 16 Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain rushed to the spot on Friday to monitor the ongoing operation.

They received a briefing from senior army officers about the operation. Aerial monitoring operations by helicopters are also underway, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to track down the hiding terrorists.

Indian Army and White Knight Corps salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of four soldiers in Surankote yesterday while fighting the scourge of terrorism, a statement from White Knight Corps (XVI Corps) said.

A Jammu-based defence spokesperson stated that an operation has been conducted in the general area DKG (Dera Ki Gali), Thanamandi, Rajouri, since last night.

He mentioned that security forces are operating relentlessly in pursuit of the terrorists.

Security forces have killed 27 terrorists this year, including 20-25 of foreign origin in the Rajouri-Poonch area.

In yesterdays attack, the terrorists, numbering between three and four, had attacked the two army vehicles atop a hill, which had to slow down their speed at the blind curve and bumpy road.

It is believed the terrorists carried out reconnaissance of the area and chose their spot to attack.

Several foreign terrorists are present in the Rajouri-Poonch forests, and their movement was reported a few days back, sources said.

Due to attacks by foreign terrorists, 21 soldiers lost their lives in four terror attacks in the last 26 months in Poonch. The December 21 attack was the fourth major terrorist attack in Poonch in 26 months.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday courted controversy for flying in a private jet to Delhi to seek drought relief funds from the Centre, with the BJP calling out the "irony".

A video posted by Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan showed the chief minister and Khan himself in the jet. He captioned it: "Happy moments of travelling from Delhi to Bangalore with our proud leader, Chief Minister Siddaramiah."

The video was slammed by BJP leader Amit Malviya, who took potshots at the Chief Minister for the "happy moments" in a private jet. Posting the video on X, Malviya wrote, "On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didn't even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private jet. They apparently had 'happy moments' travelling together to Delhi, to seek funds for drought relief. Irony died a million times."



"Karnataka is reeling under misgovernance but Congress's loot must continue," Malviya added.



Karnataka BJP leader CT Ravi also hit out at the CM, stating that the state claims to not have funds to pay our farmers affected by drought but it has all the funds to fly the chief minister. "Karnataka government does not have funds to pay our Farmers affected by drought. Neither does it have funds for development or to fulfil its guarantees. And that too to seek funds for drought relief from the central government. CM Siddaramaiah boasts that he is a 'Samaajavaadi'. But Kannadigas can only see a 'Majaavaadi' here !" the BJP leader wrote.



BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla too hit out at the chief minister, stating the ruling Congress was using the state as an ATM. "The deputy chief minister of Karnataka tells his MLAs and people that there is no money left for development because all the money has been splurged on the so-called promises made by the Congress party which they are unable to fulfil. We see the ministers of the Karnataka government doing photo shoots and splurging in VVIP planes and jet planes at the cost of taxpayer money along with the chief minister to ask for funds for drought relief. Congress's mindset is to use any state it gets power in as an ATM. They did that in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Now it has turned to Karnataka and Telangana," he added.


Congress president and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday, saying the suspension of MPs on such a large scale is detrimental to the core principles of India's parliamentary democracy.

In his letter to Dhankhar, Kharge said he was pained and agonised at the suspension of so many MPs and felt frustrated and disheartened.

The Congress leader, however, expressed faith in the Rajya Sabha chairman, saying he will accommodate the opposition's concerns at all times.

He also urged Dhankhar to discuss the matter with him on a mutually-decided date and address their concerns.

"The suspension of members on such a large scale is detrimental to the core principles of our parliamentary democracy. Witnessing the suspension of members was painful, agonising, frustrating and disheartening," the Congress chief said.

He said as a responsible opposition leader, he firmly believes in fostering dialogue and discussion, which are the fundamental pillars of a parliamentary democracy.

"I would like to bring to your attention that multiple notices were submitted under the relevant rules of the Rules and Procedure of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to address the pressing issue of the breach of Parliament security.

"The opposition parties were prepared to engage in a meaningful discussion on the matter. Regrettably, these notices were neither admitted, nor was I, as the Leader of the Opposition, or any other member of the opposition parties permitted to speak on the floor of the House even for a minute or two," Kharge said.

"The government will have its way but the opposition must, you will readily agree, have its say. I have no doubt that you will uphold this basic principle of parliamentary democracy in letter and spirit," he added.

Kharge emphasised that the opposition parties had a clear demand that the home minister should apprise the House on the critical issue of breach of parliamentary security and the role of a ruling party MP in facilitating the entry of two intruders into the Lok Sabha gallery on December 13.

"This matter is of grave concern to Parliament, parliamentarians, and is also a significant national security issue. However, the demand was unequivocally ignored. Furthermore, the suspension of a considerable number of opposition MPs occurred in multiple instances, blatantly violating the rules and procedure," he said.

The Congress chief said despite these challenges, "I want to reiterate my commitment to open discussion and dialogue. I am more than willing to engage in a meeting with you at a mutually convenient date and time in the near future to address these concerns constructively."

Earlier, Dhankhar had written to Kharge saying rendering the House dysfunctional by making a demand to the chair that cannot be acceded is unfortunate and against public interest.

Dhankhar said Kharge's refusal to meet him during the winter session of Parliament was not in sync with parliamentary practices and sought an interaction with him, sources said on Friday.

This came a day after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule.

The upper house witnessed repeated protests by opposition MPs who were demanding a discussion on the December 13 Parliament security breach incident and a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.

The protests led to the suspension of 46 MPs from the House for the session. A breach of privilege notice was moved against Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien and the matter was referred to the Privileges Committee.

Citing the letter, the sources said Dhankhar expressed "pain" that his efforts to hold a meeting with Kharge to ensure smooth functioning of the House could not find the Congress leader's favour.
The Dutch government announced on Friday it is preparing to give 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in a boost for the embattled nation that is growing increasingly anxious about aid from its Western allies.

The Dutch defence minister, Kajsa Ollongren, sent a letter to parliament outlining the plan to donate the sophisticated jets that was first unveiled in the summer.

Friday's decision is a significant step toward sending the planes into the skies over Ukraine, but did not say when they will be delivered.

The government said the move allows personnel and budget to be allocated to prepare the devices" to be sent to Ukraine.

With F-16s, Ukraine can better defend itself against Russian attacks, Ollongren said in a statement. She added that the planes are extremely important because the ongoing Russian aggression shows no sign of ending. That is why we are continuing unabated with our support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a military airbase in the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven in August to inspect two of the jets on the day that the Netherland and Denmark said they would donate planes to boost the Ukrainian war effort.

Last month, Romania inaugurated an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots from allied countries and other partners, including Ukraine. The training facility at an air base in southeast Romania will aim to increase interoperability between NATO allies, and better position the military alliance to face the complex challenges in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, Romania's defence ministry said.

Romania said at the time that the powerful US-made warplanes would be supplied by the Dutch air force while the aircraft maker Lockheed Martin would provide instructors and maintenance at the training centre.

The Dutch government said on Friday it still has to decide whether to grant an export permit for the planes to prevent undesirable end use. The foreign ministry will make the assessment based on European Union weapon export rules.

Ukrainian pilots must have completed F-16 training before the jets can be delivered and infrastructure in Ukraine also must be prepared for the planes, the government added.
A Nicaragua-bound plane carrying over 300 Indians has been grounded in France, reportedly, over suspected "human trafficking".

The aircraft was grounded during a technical stopover at small Vatry airport in Marne department on Thursday after an "anonymous tip-off", Paris prosecutors office told AFP. Reportedly, the aircraft carried 303 Indian passengers. The Airbus A340 was flying from the United Arab Emirates to the Nicaraguan capital, Managua.

The flight was carried out by a Romanian charter company and had departed from Dubai.

According to local officials, an investigation has been launched into the conditions and purpose of the trip.

A statement by the Marne prefect's office said that the passengers were allowed to remain in the aircraft at first, but later the airport's arrival lounge was transformed into a waiting area with beds.

According to reports, some of the passengers were believed to be "illegal migrants".
Three foreign nationals were among the wounded in the Prague university shooting incident that killed 14 and injured around 25. The incident occurred at Charles University when a student opened fire on Friday.

The shooting was one of the Czech Republic's worst attacks in recent years.

According to the police, the 24-year-old shooter, identified as David Kozak, had killed himself after the shooting, reported BBC. According to police chief, Martin Vondrasek, Kozak was an excellent student with no criminal record.

David Kozak | X

Kozak, a history student had excellent results. He graduated in European history, continued his masters studies in which he focused on Polish history. He was also considered to have some mental issues as well.

Reportedly, Kozak kept a diary in Russian on Telegram, where he spoke of his plans for a school shooting and suicide.

I want to do school shooting and possibly suicide and I always wanted to kill. I thought I would become a maniac in the future, he wrote in a post.

Police said the shooter had legally owned several guns based on his home search and that he was heavily armed during the attack.

In the wake of the incident, police have boosted security at schools and other soft targets. According to officials, they did not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Minister Vit Rakusan said police in Prague worked overnight and 13 of those killed have been identified. He also said three of those wounded were foreigners two from Saudi Arabia and one from the Netherlands.

Officials also said they believed he had no accomplice.

Leaders from many countries, including the United States, and the UN Secretary-General conveyed their condolences. The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honour the victims.

Czech president Petr Pavel wrote "My thoughts are still with families of the victims, injured and those who had to fight for their lives at the Faculty of Arts. No one can imagine the fear and mental strain they went through yesterday. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank for the sincere condolences and words of support, which come from all around the world."

It was back in 2015 that a similar mass shooting incident happened in the nation killing eight before fatally shooting himself.
Special counsel Jack Smith had begged the U.S. Supreme Court justices to fast-track a decision on whether former president Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and for his involvement in the events leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol while he was still president. This Friday, the high court has refused to do so, as Trumps lawyers wanted (and requested) earlier this week. The decision can be interpreted as a victory for the Republicans defense.

In an unusual maneuver, Smith hoped that the process would bypass a federal appeals court and go directly to the Supreme Court in order to meet the deadline that had been established for his criminal trial in Washington to begin. After Fridays news, it is highly unlikely that the criminal trial will begin on March 4, 2024, as planned. The case will now make its way through an appeals court and most likely return to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks.

This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy: whether a former president is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution when he has been impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin, special counsel Smith wrote. The United States recognizes that this is an extraordinary request. This is an extraordinary case, he added in his petition, which extended over 81 pages.

Previously, Trump had unsuccessfully defended this absolute immunity before the federal judge presiding over his case in Washington, Tanya S. Chutkan, who flatly refused to dismiss the charges against the former president. The Constitutions text, structure, and history do not support that contention, Chutkan wrote in her opinion. No court  or any other branch of government  has ever accepted it. And this court will not so hold. Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass, she wrote in a lengthy opinion.

When his lawyers went to the Supreme Court to convince its nine justices  six conservatives and three progressives, three of whom were appointed during the Republican tycoons time in the White House  they accused Smith of confusing the public interest with the partisan interest in ensuring that President Trump will be subjected to a months-long criminal trial at the height of a presidential campaign where he is the leading candidate and the only serious opponent of the current administration [Biden].

The March 4 trial start date was especially symbolic in a year that will see Trump move from rally to courtroom. The following day, May 5, is Super Tuesday, when the largest number of delegates, which candidates win state-by-state, are up for grabs of any single day in the primary cycle. Trump, despite the four indictments he faces, is comfortably leading in all polls.

There is another trial scheduled for March, stemming from his first indictment, in New York, over hush-money payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels, during his 2016 presidential campaign, to cover up an alleged extramarital affair. That trial is scheduled to begin on March 25, 2024, in a New York State court.

After that, Trump would face another trial in Florida beginning May 20, 2024, for federal crimes in connection with the handling of classified documents that he illegally took to Mar-a-Lago after his departure from the White House. Though the judge for the Southern District of Florida has scheduled a five-week trial beginning in late May, it is also likely that it will be delayed. Then, finally, a trial date is pending in Georgia for efforts made by Trump and several other to overturn the results of the 2020 election in that state.

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Atleast 14 people were killed in a shooting rampage at Charles University in the Czech Republic on Thursday. The gunman, identified as a 24-year-old student in the same university, also died.

Prague police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters that 14 people had died and 25 were injured. The death toll rise as some of the injured are in a critical condition, warned authorities.



The gunman is said to have killed his father first in his family home in a village near the town of Kladno, outside of Prague. He is also said to have killed a man and a child a week ago.



Authorities said the shooting began at around 15:00 local time in the corridors and lassrooms of the building. He began shooting at staff and students who struggled to use furniture to barricade themselves into rooms.



A video showed the gunman on the balcony of the building randomly shooting at people below. Another footage doing rounds on social media showed people perching precariously on the exterior ledge of the building to save themselves. Gunshots could be also be heard in the video.



Video from earlier today:



School shooter at Prague university shooting from roof towards students.



He killed 15 people and injured many more. pic.twitter.com/TzhM08sBZ1  Brians Breaking News and Intel (@intelFromBrian) December 22, 2023

Radek Simik, an associate professor in linguistics at Charles University, told The New York Times that he was in the middle of a lesson in his classroom on the first floor when he and his five students heard shouting coming from the corridor. "We thought it was a drunk guy or a rioter or something," he said. "As the sound got louder, he realized it was the authorities saying: "Police! Get out!"



"The shooting continued when we were standing outside of the building," he said. He added that the police were seen carrying out the injured and others who appeared to be dead.



It is unclear whether the gunman shot himself of was killed in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was "nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.



The official added that the assailant "got inspired by a similar terrible event abroad" but declined to give details. He said he did not believe the gunman's actions were connected to international or domestic terrorism.



However, the NYT report added that police are investigating whether a Telegram post under the name David Kozak was connected to the gunman. In a message, Kozak said he was inspired by the mass shootings in Russia  one this month at a school in Bryansk near the border with Ukraine and the second in 2021 in Kazan, capital of the Russian region of Tatarstan.



"I was very inspired by Alina  very much," the post on Dec. 10 said. He was refering to 14-year-old Russian girl Alina Afanaskina who opened fire on her classmates, killing two of them, with a pump shotgun in Bryansk. "She certainly did not kill enough. I will try to fix that."



President Petr Pavel expressed his "great sadness" and "helpless anger at the totally unnecessary" loss of life.


By now, the not-so-secret ingredients of Prashanth Neels products are knowna suffering mother, visuals dominated by black and grey shades, some locations of gold or coal mine thrown in, lots of menacing and bulky baddies with beard and unkempt hair, state-of-the-art weapons and of course, lots of blood that can put slaughterhouses to shame.

In a nutshell, Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire looks like a jarring extension of KGF, or rather reeling under its hangover. Prabhas of Baahubali fame and Prashant Neel coming together under KGF and Kantharas production house, Hombale, got the movie buffs excited who were awaiting an explosive entertainer. The first part of the movie opened to packed audiences across the country and beyond. Right from the word go, it is the logic that suffers a bloody nose in the violent scheme-of-things.

Prashanth created a ghoulish world where there is literally a king and a set of governors administering different territories. All this in a modern setup where characters drive around in fanciest cars and handling fanciest weaponry. With no police or democracy in sight in the lawless lands, we also get to see the mercenary armies from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Siberia and other countries in action. Of course, it is unfair to expect filmmakers to be realistic but Prashanths creative freedom seems to have fallen short of being convincing or fascinating for the audience.

The movie introduces two young friendsVardha and Devain the fictional region of Khansaara. Deva, a commoner, fights off a bully for Vardha who is the son of the ruler. Later, Vardha protects Devas family from his fathers henchmen by bribing them with a share in their territories by going against his father. The strong bond of friendship breaks after Deva is forcibly migrated from Khansar along with his mother due to the unfavourable situations. The two friends part ways with the promise that they will unite whenever there is a serious crisis.

Two and half decades later, Aadhya (Shruti Haasan) travels to India from the US to immerse her deceased mothers ashes. A set of people attempt to kidnap her whereas her father, who is unaware of his daughters plans, tries to shield her by approaching Deva (Prabhas) who now lives with his mother in Assam. In the process of protecting Aadhya, Deva takes on the people who are connected to Khansar and Vardhas (Prithviraj) family. The second half of the movie dwells into the violence-laden flashback in which Vardha and Deva reunite to neutralise his opposing factions within his territories who want to lay siege the throne of Khansar, and later part ways.

The first part of the movie ends keeping alive the suspense on how the two friends have turned into foes and are on the path of collision. The sequel is expected to answer the question along with giving clarity on the relations and tensions between a web of characters and events.

As two friends who can sacrifice lives for each other, Prabhas and Prithviraj hardly looked their parts when sharing screen space. There is not much to talk about in terms of acting as the hero of the film is violence which comes in different forms. Prashanth tried to present different characterisations and mannerisms which leave a print but it feels like there is a loud and desperate attempt to introduce conflict at every juncture. What clearly differentiates KGF franchise from Salaar are the high moments of heroism which are clearly missing in this flick.

The music integrates with the plot but does not register much. The movie is strictly for those who appreciate blood and gore and do not believe in going beyond these elements.

Movie: Salaar

Director: Prashanth Neel

Cast: Prabhas, Prithviraj, Shruthi Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Sriya Reddy

Rating: 2/5
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 45F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 32F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Letter: Thank you to all who help us fly Old Glory




A Jewish tourist from Mexico who was subjected to an antisemitic attack in Munich, Germany, is now under investigation for assault following an incident where two of his attackers sustained minor injuries. The 30-year-old, who has not been identified, expressed his shock at being under investigation

What else should I have done? he said to broadcaster BR24.

The incident occurred last Thursday night as the man, wearing a kippah, was leaving a local bar and speaking to a Jewish friend over a video call. He recounted that six men confronted him after noticing his kippah. At first I didnt really notice them; I was still talking, he said. The group then blocked his path, questioning where he is from and about being Jewish.

The next thing I know is that they beat me up on the sidewalk, [punching me] in the face and ribs, the tourist said. He tried to escape but was left with visible injuries. A passerby intervened and called emergency services, leading to his hospitalization for treatment.

Munich police identified the attackers as being of German, Syrian, Eritrean, and Yemeni origin. Munich Chief Prosecutor Sebastian Murer, speaking to BR24, indicated that the attacks motives appeared to be antisemitic, particularly noting public support for Hamas terror within the context of the incident. He added that the investigation is ongoing.

Dominik Krause, Munichs mayor from the Green Party, expressed deep concern about both the attack and the recent rise in antisemitism. I think it is right that Bavarias antisemitism officer has now taken over the investigation in the event of an attack on the tourist, and we as the state capital of Munich will definitely continue to do everything to ensure that Jews can move freely and safely in Munich, Krause said.

Despite the ordeal, the Jewish tourist emphasized his right to express his identity. I wont hide who I am, he declared. If a Muslim woman can wear a headscarf, then a Jewish man can wear a kippah. This is Germany, and Germany should be safe for everyone.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a senior Hezbollah member for his involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina. The attack, which occurred at the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires, resulted in the deaths of 85 people and injured over 300.

The accused, Colombian-Lebanese national Samuel Salman El Reda, is charged with coordinating the bombing. According to the indictment filed in Manhattans federal court, El Reda played a key role in the planning operations and relayed information to operatives on the ground. He continued his involvement with Hezbollahs international activities, recruiting and training operatives for potential terrorist attacks in countries like Panama, Peru, and Thailand.

El Reda faces charges of providing and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and with aiding and abetting and conspiring to receive military-type training from such an organization. If convicted on all charges, El Reda could face up to 55 years in federal prison. However, he remains at large, believed to be in Lebanon.

An indictment against El Reda was filed in 2019, months after the U.S. State Department sanctioned him and offered a $7 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The reasons for the delayed public revelation of the charges were not disclosed by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen.

The indictment comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with the U.S. actively working to deter Hezbollahs involvement in the Hamas-Israel war that started on October 7. The U.S. has issued warnings to Iran to control its Lebanese proxy and has deployed carrier groups to the Mediterranean as a military deterrent.

Hezbollah has so far limited its actions to rocket attacks and infiltration attempts against Israel, leading to evacuations of Israeli border communities and retaliatory strikes by Israel. About 100 Hezbollah operatives have been reported killed, with Israel suffering fewer than a dozen military and civilian casualties.

The 1994 AMIA bombing, the deadliest in Argentine history, involved a suicide attack with a truck filled with explosives. The long quest for justice in this case has been marked by allegations of cover-ups and political controversy. In 2015, prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who accused former Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of covering up Irans role in the bombing, was murdered under circumstances deemed a direct consequence of his accusations. However, in 2021, charges against Kirchner were dismissed by Argentinas federal court.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republics worst mass shooting.

The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He didnt explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He didnt elaborate.

Later Thursday, Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his 2-month-old daughter Dec. 15, in Prague.

The chief described the shooter as an excellent student with no criminal record, but didnt provide any other information.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it wasnt clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

The building where the shooting took place is near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, he said.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency. President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Jean-Pierre said. On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honor the shooting victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.

On Thursday, where tourists, students and others would normally be enjoying the view of the iconic monument, chaos and terror instead took hold. Police vehicles and ambulances sped across the bridge with their sirens wailing. Officers sealed off the empty square.

Some video footage showed people being evacuated from the building and others trying to hide behind a wall.

Ivo Havranek, a diving instructor, said he was near the building when he heard a shot ring out, but he didnt quite believe that was what he had heard.

Only at the moment when I saw the fully equipped riot police with bulletproof vests and shields, it looked to me that I had found myself in a movie, Havranek said. But it was obvious that nobody was shooting a movie.

(AP)
KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 22:18 | All, Japan, World

Daihatsu Motor Co. said Friday it has resumed vehicle shipments in Indonesia, two days after the Japanese carmaker halted all domestic and global shipments as it was determined most models had been subjected to improper safety tests.

Indonesian authorities confirmed the safety of Daihatsu cars, as well as those produced by its local unit under the Toyota Motor Corp. brand and greenlit the resumption of shipments, Daihatsu said.

Indonesia is the first country to clear Daihatsu of the safety scandal. The small-car unit of Toyota also sells products in other overseas markets, including Malaysia, Thailand and Uruguay.

Daihatsu said it will continue talks with regulators in other Asian countries to resume shipments.

In Japan, the Osaka-based automaker is expected to halt production at all domestic plants by Tuesday.

A third-party panel set up by Daihatsu said Wednesday the number of vehicles affected by the improper testing, which originally surfaced in spring, had expanded to 64 models, including all 11 models it sells in Japan.

Related coverage:

Transport ministry probes Daihatsu HQ amid safety testing scandal

Toyota to recall 1 million cars in U.S., citing possible air bag defect

Daihatsu to stop all vehicle shipments over improper safety testing




Nikki Haley stopped short Thursday of answering one Iowa voters question the way hed hoped.

Asked by 44-year-old Jacob Schunk to label Donald Trump a grave danger to our country, Haley ticked through criticisms of the former president ranging from foreign policy to government spending. And then the former United Nations ambassador addressed the challenge that she and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, her closest rival for second place behind Trump, are facing just weeks before primary voting begins.

The problem is, what I have faced is anti-Trumpers dont think I hate him enough. Pro-Trumpers dont think I love him enough, Haley told Schunk at a town hall in eastern Iowa.

Haleys comment reflects one of the central challenges facing her campaign as she tries to win over those who still admire the former president without alienating them. Its a balancing act that will likely intensify in final weeks ahead of the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, where a stronger-than expected showing could give Haley a boost heading into the New Hampshire, where she has gained support and appears right now to be the best-positioned Trump alternative.

Her chief rival to become Trumps leading foil, DeSantis, is facing a similarly challenging dynamic as he steps up criticism of the former president while criticizing the litany of court cases that could remove him from the ballot in some states. On Wednesday, DeSantis attacked the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling that Trump was ineligible for the ballot under to the U.S. Constitution, suggesting the court was trying to boost Trump and help Democrats who want to run against him.

Speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network on Thursday, DeSantis argued that the criminal indictments had made it harder to run against Trump by distorting the primary.

I would say if I could have one thing change, I wish Trump hadnt been indicted on any of this stuff, he said. Its just crowded out, I think, so much other stuff, and its sucked out a lot of oxygen.

Trump and his campaign team have mostly tried to tear down DeSantis but are devoting new attention to Haley in recent days. Allies of both Trump and DeSantis have aired ads in which she is accused of reversing her position to not raise South Carolinas gas tax when she served as governor.

The ads left out that Haley said she would only sign the 2015 measure to raise the gas tax if lawmakers agreed to cut state income taxes. The plan ultimately died.

Im getting it from all angles, she said. And I get it. That means were surging.

Haley addressed an audience of about 100 people on Thursday as she wrapped up a four-day campaign trip through small Iowa cities. Haley didnt cite the indictments against Trump but suggested as she often does that his leadership is too chaotic given the threats the U.S. faces.

Schunk said afterward that he is leaning toward supporting her even if she didnt say exactly what he wanted.

She was 95% there, Schunk said after the event. I think theres some strategy there in terms of shes not quite saying Donald Trump is a danger to the country. I think she thinks it. But shes not willing to say it.

(AP)




The attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemens Houthi rebels have rerouted a majority of global trade away from the crucial maritime artery for consumer goods and energy supplies, a shift expected to trigger delays and rising prices.

Oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics typically travel through the waterway separating Africa and the Arabian Peninsula en route to the Suez Canal, where 12% of the worlds trade passes.

Some of the worlds largest container shipping companies and oil giant BP are sending vessels on longer journeys that bypass the Red Sea. In response to the growing impact to global trade, the U.S. and a host of other nations have created a new force to protect ships.

Here are things to know about the recent attacks and the impact on global shipping:

WHY ARE HOUTHIS ATTACKING SHIPS?

The Houthis are Iranian-backed rebels who seized Yemens capital, Sanaa, in 2014, launching a grinding war against a Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the government.

The Houthis have sporadically targeted ships in the region, but the attacks have increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. They have used drones and anti-ship missiles to attack vessels and in one case used a helicopter to board and seize an Israeli-owned ship and its crew.

They have threatened to attack any vessel they believe is either going to or coming from Israel. Thats now escalated to apparently any vessel, with container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries like Norway and Liberia being attacked or drawing missile fire.

The Houthis also have hailed vessels by radio to try to convince them to change course closer to the territory they control.

WHY IS THE RED SEA IMPORTANT?

The Red Sea has the Suez Canal at its northern end and the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end leading into the Gulf of Aden. Its a busy waterway with ships traversing the Suez Canal to bring goods between Asia and Europe and beyond.

In fact, 40% of Asia-Europe trade normally goes through the area, including a huge amount of energy supplies like oil and diesel fuel for import-dependent Europe, said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the worlds commercial fleet.

So do food products like palm oil and grain and anything else brought over on container ships, which is most of the worlds manufactured products.

In all, about 30% of global container traffic and more than 1 million barrels of crude oil per day typically head through the Suez Canal, according to global freight booking platform Freightos Group.

HOW ARE HOUTHI ATTACKS AFFECTING TRADE?

Huge shipping container companies MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM Group and Hapag-Lloyd, among others, are avoiding the Red Sea and sending their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope. That adds what analysts say could be a week to two weeks to voyages.

Shippers amounting to 62% of global capacity are opting for the longer route, according to Freightos. Thats lead the number of vessels moving through the Red Sea to drop by more than 40% in a week, said Project44, a tech company whose platform helps companies track shipments.

London-based BP also that it has decided to temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea, including shipments of oil, liquid natural gas and other energy supplies.

Depending on what companies decide to do, they will have to add more ships to make up the extra time or burn more fuel for the longer journey and if they decide to go faster to meet their itineraries  both of which would release more climate-changing carbon dioxide, said Simon Heaney, senior manager of container research for Drewry, a maritime research consultancy.

The impact will be longer transit times, more fuel spent, more ships required, potential disruption and delays  at least in the first arrivals in Europe, he said.

That brings up the cost of shipping, but I dont think its going to go to the heights that it reached during the pandemic, Heaney said.

Supply chain disruptions increased as people stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up orders for all sorts of products, driving up consumer prices worldwide.

Stawpert of the shipping chamber said he would expect to see some price increases for consumers in the short term but that it depends how long the security threat lasts.

Project44 foresees higher gasoline prices because if the conflict drags on, a major disruption to oil is anticipated and that would push up the cost of crude. Oil prices already have been rising.

The company also expects products could be missing from store shelves after the busy holiday shopping season, with new shipments taking longer to arrive.

However, one saving grace may be the timing, as December and early January are typically slow, post-holiday season times for ocean freight, Judah Levine, head of research for Freightos, said in a blog post.

HOW IS THE WORLD RESPONDING?

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a security initiative to protect ships in the Red Sea that includes United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the nearby Gulf of Aden, Austin said. The goal is to provide ships and other assets to help protect trade in the area.

It builds on the existing presence of U.S. and other coalition warships that patrol to keep the waterway open. The Houthis have no formal naval warships to use to impose a cordon, relying on harassing fire and only one helicopter-borne assault so far.

Meanwhile, ships are still moving through the Red Sea, though insurance costs have doubled, which can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a journey for the most expensive ships, said David Osler, insurance editor for Lloyds List Intelligence, which provides analysis for the global maritime industry.

He expects those costs to keep rising.

(AP)




Amid grueling negotiations, the contours of a bipartisan border security and immigration deal are beginning to take shape, emerging even as Congress leaves town having failed to publicly unveil any details of the package thats central to unlocking stalled aid for Ukraine.

Talks between the White House and key senators have not veered widely from three main areas of discussion: toughening asylum protocols for migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border; bolstering border enforcement with more personnel and high-tech systems; and deterring migrants from making the journey in the first place.

As the Senate broke for the holidays, due back Jan. 8, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a rare joint statement indicated negotiations are progressing. They also met Wednesday to discuss how to advance the border policy alongside President Joe Bidens$110 billion package of wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security priorities.

We all know theres a problem at the border, Schumer said before sending senators home. Our goal is, as soon as we get back, to get something done.

McConnell said the negotiations continue to make headway.

And as aid for his country hangs in balance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at his own press conference in Kyiv he was confident the U.S. will not let us down.

Heres a look at whats being discussed as key Senate negotiators and the White House plan to dig in during the weeks ahead:

TOUGHER ASYLUM CLAIMS

Senate negotiators have focused on asylum, by which the U.S. offers protection for people facing persecution in their home countries. The senators say they are trying to ensure that migrants who have a credible claim to asylum can safely apply, but that officials can also quickly turn away those who dont qualify.

Critics often say that too many people who pass their initial asylum interview end up ultimately failing in their efforts to win asylum. But because the immigration courts are so backlogged by the time the final determination happens, many have been in the country for years, making it more difficult and expensive to deport them.

The senators and the Biden administration have considered toughening the so-called credible fear standard thats used in the initial interviews to determine if migrants seeking asylum would likely have a winnable case before an immigration judge.

Advocates for immigrants argue that the credible fear standard is deliberately low in recognition of the fact that migrants being interviewed have usually fled desperate conditions, dont have legal representation and are still shaken by their journeys.

BORDER SECURITY

It was the Republicans who demanded negotiations over the border, refusing to provide aid for Ukraine as it battles Russias invasion, unless Biden also agreed to changes to cut immigration.

While Biden had initially proposed $14 billion to bolster border security in the national security package, Republicans said money was not enough. They want to enshrine policy changes at the border into law, some echoing Donald Trump, the partys frontrunner for the presidential nomination, who takes a hard line against immigration.

Still, billions of dollars of funding will almost certainly be part of any deal.

Border Patrol officers are overwhelmed processing migrants who turn themselves in seeking asylum. Biden had proposed $3.1 billion for additional border agents as well more asylum officers, immigration judge teams and processing personnel. Supporters say the money for the asylum system is crucial to addressing the backlog in immigration courts and essentially getting the process moving faster.

Biden has also suggested $1.2 billion for Customs and Border Protection officers and inspection systems to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl.

While the president also proposed funds to help communities in the U.S. that are taking in the record numbers of new arrivals, Republicans have resisted sending money to the cities, largely Democratic, that are helping house and provide care for the migrants.

REDUCING BORDER BUILD-UP

Over and over, senators have emerged from hours of closed-door talks with an exasperated conclusion: Immigration policy is complicated.

Millions of decisions, said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma. Underneath every big idea is 100 smaller decisions that all have to be made, and every one is complicated.

Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said: Its interconnected. So if you press in one side and it pops out the other, it takes time to get this right.

One of the toughest issues to resolve has been how to dissuade migrants from even embarking on their journeys to the U.S. in the first place, particularly from countries experiencing unrest, economic calamity or widespread gang violence.

Senators have discussed ways to encourage people to apply for asylum before they arrive at the border  either in their home country, or if thats not plausible, a country they travel through on their way to the U.S.

The Biden administration had launched a new system earlier this year that encourages people seeking asylum to schedule an appointment, via a smartphone app, to seek entry at the border.

In talks, the White House has also insisted on keeping in place its ability to allow 30,000 people a month from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti entry into the U.S. if they have a financial sponsor and fly into the country.

The idea is to create a more orderly, efficient asylum system that reduces chaos at the border.

But record numbers of migrants are still arriving. Illegal crossings topped 10,000 some days in December.

ENFORCEMENT

Negotiators have run into trouble in the talks when it comes to enforcement measures. One potential compromise would set a threshold for the number of border crossings, and once the number is reached, stricter enforcement measures would take effect.

Under that system, if the crossings get too high authorities would shut down the border for asylum claims, enable fast-track removals of migrants who have already entered unlawfully, and detain some migrants while they are screened for valid asylum claims.

Funding in the package could also go to bolstering immigration enforcement, including detention facilities, according to one person familiar with the private negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Advocates for immigrants worry that some of the restrictions under discussion could just push the build-up of migrants south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Were turning Mexico into a staging area for migrants moving north, said Dylan Corbett, who heads the Hope Border Institute, in a call with reporters. Mexico doesnt have the infrastructure to be able to deal with this.

They also warn that the expedited removal measures would strike fear in the millions of immigrants lacking permanent legal status while effectively turning Trump-style administrative policies into law, making them potentially more difficult to challenge in court.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent central to the negotiations, said that the potentially lasting impact of their work hangs over the talks.

A mistake here will matter for many years, she said.

(AP)




A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republics worst mass shooting.

The bloodshed took place in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said. The gunman also died, authorities said. His name has not been released.

Vondrasek said in the evening that 14 people had died and 25 were injured, after earlier reporting that 15 had died and 24 were hurt. He didnt explain the change. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father earlier Thursday in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague, and that he had also been planning to kill himself. He didnt elaborate.

Later Thursday, Vondrasek said that based on a search of his home, the gunman was also suspected in the killing of another man and his 2-month-old daughter Dec. 15, in Prague.

The chief described the shooter as an excellent student with no criminal record, but didnt provide any other information.

The gunman suffered devastating injuries but it wasnt clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers, Vondrasek said, adding that there was nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.

The shooter legally owned several guns  police said he was heavily armed Thursday and was carrying a lot of ammunition  and that what he did was well thought out, a horrible act, Vondrasek said.

University authorities said they would tighten security in university buildings with immediate effect.

We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, Charles University said in a statement.

The building where the shooting took place is in Jan Palach Square, a busy tourist area in Pragues Old Town. It is just a few minutes walk from the picturesque Old Town Square, a major tourist attraction where a popular Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors.

The government quickly sought to quell concerns that the massacre was back by foreign interests.

Theres no indication that it has anything to do with international terrorism, Rakusan said.

Its a horrible crime, something the Czech Republic has never experienced, he said.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he watched from a window as a person standing on a balcony of the building fired a gun.

Authorities evacuated everyone from the building and police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for explosives.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency. President Petr Pavel said he was shocked by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims, as did leaders of Germany, France and Slovakia, the European Union and Israel.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sent a message of condolence.

The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by this senseless act of violence, Jean-Pierre said. On behalf of the United States, we send our condolences and also wish the survivors of this tragic event a speedy recovery.

The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honor the shooting victims, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.

Previously, the nations worst mass shooting was in 2015, when a gunman opened fire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight before fatally shooting himself.

On Thursday, where tourists, students and others would normally be enjoying the view of the iconic monument, chaos and terror instead took hold. Police vehicles and ambulances sped across the bridge with their sirens wailing. Officers sealed off the empty square.

Some video footage showed people being evacuated from the building and others trying to hide behind a wall.

Ivo Havranek, a diving instructor, said he was near the building when he heard a shot ring out, but he didnt quite believe that was what he had heard.

Only at the moment when I saw the fully equipped riot police with bulletproof vests and shields, it looked to me that I had found myself in a movie, Havranek said. But it was obvious that nobody was shooting a movie.

(AP)




Donald Trump touts his transformation of the U.S. Supreme Court as one of his presidencys greatest accomplishments. Now his legal and political future may lie in the hands of the court he pushed to the right.

With three Trump-appointed justices leading a conservative majority, the court is being thrust into the middle of two cases carrying enormous political implications just weeks before the first votes in the Iowa caucuses. The outcomes of the legal fights could dictate whether the Republican presidential primary front-runner stands trial over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and whether he has a shot to retake to the White House next November.

The Supreme Court now is really in a sticky wicket, of historical proportions, of constitutional dimensions, to a degree that I dont think weve ever really seen before, said Steve Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Trumps lawyers plan to ask the Supreme Court to overturn a decision Tuesday barring him from Colorados ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection against it from holding office. The Colorado Supreme Court ruling is the first time in history the provision has been used to try to prohibit someone from running for the presidency.

Its a political mess the Supreme Court may have a hard time avoiding, said Michael Gerhardt, a University of North Carolina law professor.

It comes as the justices are separately weighing a request from special counsel Jack Smith to take up and rule quickly on whether Trump can be prosecuted on charges he plotted to overturn the 2020 election results. Prosecutors are hoping the justices will act swiftly to answer whether Trump is immune from prosecution in order to prevent delays that could push the trial  currently scheduled to begin on March 4  until after next years presidential election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the case.

The three justices appointed by Trump  Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  were among more than 230 federal judges installed under Trump as part of a GOP push to transform the ideological leanings of the bench. His impact on the high court has been seen in rulings rescinding the five-decade-old constitutional right to abortion, setting new standards for evaluating guns laws and striking down affirmative action in college admissions.

This is a court that is already a lightning rod in our contemporary political discourse. A court that is viewed quite skeptically by a large swath of the American electorate, Vladeck said. But he added, Its also a court that has not bent over backwards for Trump.

For example, in January 2022, the high court rebuffed Trumps attempt to withhold presidential documents sought by the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. The justices also allowed Trumps tax returns to be handed over to a congressional committee after his refusal to release them touched off a yearslong legal fight.

The Supreme Court was also thrust into the middle of a presidential election more than 20 years ago, in the razor-thin contest between Al Gore and George W. Bush. In 2000, the justices ruled 5-4 to stop a state court-ordered recount of the vote in Florida, a ruling that effectively settled the election in favor of Bush since neither candidate could muster an Electoral College majority without Florida.

But that case came after the votes were cast. And in 2023, the general political instability in the United States makes the situation now much more precarious, wrote Rick Hasen, an election-law expert and professor at the UCLA School of Law, on the Election Law Blog.

Its far from certain that the Supreme Court will decide now to take up Trumps immunity claims in the election interference case, which were rejected by the trial court judge in a ruling that declared the office of the president does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass. Smith is asking the Supreme Court to bypass the federal appeals court in Washington, which has expedited its own review of the decision. So the Supreme Court may wait to get involved until after the appeals court judges hear the case.

Trumps lawyers urged the Supreme Court on Wednesday not to intervene before the appeals court rules, writing that the case presents momentous, historic questions that require careful consideration.

The Colorado Supreme Court put its decision on hold until Jan. 4, or until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case. Colorado officials say the issue must be settled by Jan. 5, the deadline for the state to print its presidential primary ballots. Mario Nicolais, one of the Colorado attorneys on the case, said the Supreme Court can move just as fast as it wants, and if they want to hear this before Jan. 5 they can.

Its possible the high court will try to dodge the issue and not decide the merits of the Colorado case. Gerhardt said the justices may say that the matter is left to the states or Congress. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment says: Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House undo the disqualification of someone found to have engaged in insurrection.

It would be like kicking the hornets nest for the court to get into the merits of this, Gerhardt said. Its a political hot potato. And the court generally tries to avoid taking on sort of hot-button issues that are political by nature  And the easier route for the court is to just say somebody else has got the responsibility, not us.

But the Supreme Court may feel compelled to answer the issues at the heart of the case now.

Therell be a lot of political instability if we go through a whole election season not knowing if one of two major candidates is disqualified from serving, Hasen said. Its hard to fathom the kind of world were living in, where not only a serious candidate, but a leading candidate, of one of the political parties is in so much legal jeopardy.

(AP)




Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday, in the first of what officials said will be renewed talks between the two nations senior military leaders, as the Biden administration works to thaw relations with Beijing.

The video call between Brown and Gen. Liu Zhenli is the first senior military communications between the U.S. and China since August 2022, when Beijing suspended all such contacts after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan. It comes on the heels of similar conversations between top U.S. and Chinese diplomats, all triggered by the meeting last month between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinas President Xi Jinping.

Bidens meeting with Xi, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, was aimed in part at restoring the military talks amid escalating concerns about frequent unsafe or unprofessional incidents between the two nations ships and aircraft in the Pacific region.

Brown and Liu discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication, said Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey, Browns spokesman, in a statement.

The U.S. has consistently viewed military communications with China as critical to avoiding any missteps between their armed forces and to maintaining a peaceful Indo-Pacific region.

Browns call is the first Cabinet-level communication with China since Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Dec. 6 with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

While few other details about Browns call were released, a senior U.S. defense official and a senior military official said it was an important first step. These are the kinds of discussions that the U.S. needs to have with China, they said, in order to avoid misunderstandings or miscalculations as the two militaries interact. The two officials spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to provide information before the call.

They said the U.S. is talking with China at various levels to work out a series of calls and meetings in the coming weeks and months. They include plans to hold the bilateral Defense Policy Coordination Talks early next year and the possible resumption of the China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement talks in the spring.

During the call Brown reaffirmed the importance of holding the policy and maritime talks as well as opening the lines of communication with top Pacific commanders from the two countries, Dorsey said in his statement.

In August 2022, Beijing suspended all military contacts with the U.S. when Pelosi became the highest-ranking American lawmaker to visit Taiwan since 1997, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich traveled there. Her visit sparked a surge in military maneuvers by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

There also has been an increase in what the Pentagon calls risky Chinese aircraft and warship incidents. The Defense Department in October released video footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the past two years  more than the total number over the previous decade. In one of the more recent incidents, a Chinese pilot flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a U.S. Air Force B-52, which was conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.

While officials touted the Brown-Liu call as an important initial move, the Pentagon has continued to express concerns about Chinas aggressive military interactions in the Indo-Pacific and has worked to build alliances with other nations in the region.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom to forge a new agreement to increase technology cooperation and information sharing, as part of a broader effort to counter Chinas rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The new technology agreement is the next step in widening military cooperation with Australia that includes plans to help equip Sydney with a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines. And the defense leaders pointed to efforts by China to restrict freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific as a reason to bolster their cooperation.

Also, earlier this week, Adm. John Aquilino, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expressed concerns about the increased joint military actions by China and Russia in the region. Speaking in Tokyo, he said it is far beyond a marriage of convenience between Beijing and Moscow, and he urged China to stop escalating maritime confrontations with its neighbors.

Chinas defense ministry, meanwhile, has criticized the U.S. for interfering in both Taiwan and the South China Sea, charging that American arms sales to Taiwan are making the situation more dangerous.

(AP)




The year started with high hopes for Ukrainian troops planning a counteroffensive against Russia. It ended with disappointment on the battlefield, an increasingly somber mood among troops and anxiety about the future of Western aid for Ukraines war effort.

In between, there was a short-lived rebellion in Russia, a dam collapse in Ukraine, and the spilling of much blood on both sides of the conflict.

Twenty-two months since it invaded, Russia has about one-fifth of Ukraine in its grip, and the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has barely budged this year.

A crunch has come away from the battlefield. In Western countries that have championed Ukraines struggle against its much bigger adversary, political deliberations over billions in financial aid are increasingly strained.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing a waiting game two years into a war that proved to be a costly miscalculation by the Kremlin. He is wagering that the Wests support will gradually crumble, fractured by political divisions, eroded by war fatigue and distracted by other demands, such as Chinas menacing of Taiwan and war in the Middle East.

The international political outlook could turn sharply in Putins favor after next Novembers elections in the United States  by far Ukraines biggest military supplier and where some Republican candidates are pushing to wind down support for its war.

Nearly half of the U.S. public believes the country is spending too much on Ukraine, according to polling published in November by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

The political landscape on both sides of the Atlantic is changing, says Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC. Transatlantic solidarity has been steady. But I dont think it will remain steady forever.

The shifting sentiment could benefit Putin, analysts say, as he seeks at least to keep Ukraine in limbo and eventually compel it to accept a bad deal to end the war. Putin announced in early December that he will run for reelection in March, all but guaranteeing he keeps his repressive grip on Russia for at least another six years.

Its been a good year, I would even actually call it a great year for Putin, says Mathieu Boulegue, a consulting fellow for the Russia-Eurasia program at Chatham House think tank in London.

Western sanctions are biting but not crippling the Russian economy. Russian forces are still dictating much of what happens on the battlefield, where its defensive lines feature minefields up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) deep that have largely held back Ukraines monthslong counteroffensive.

The counteroffensive was launched before Ukraines forces were fully ready, a hurried political attempt to demonstrate that Western aid could alter the course of the war, said Marina Miron of the Defense Studies Department of Kings College London.

The expectations (for the counteroffensive) were unrealistic, she said. It turned out to be a failure.

Putin got a victory he desperately wanted in May in the fight for the bombed-out city of Bakhmut, the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. It was a trophy to show Russians after his armys winter offensive failed to take other Ukrainian cities and towns along the front line.

A mutiny in June by the Wagner mercenary group was the biggest challenge to Putins authority in his more than two decades in power. But it backfired. Putin defused the revolt and kept the allegiance of his armed forces, reasserting his hold on the Kremlin.

Wagner chief and mutiny leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a mysterious plane crash. And any public dissent about the war was quickly and heavy-handedly stamped out by Russian authorities.

Still, Putin has had setbacks. He fell afoul of the International Criminal Court, which in March issued an arrest warrant for him on war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. That made it impossible for him to travel to many countries.

Ukraine has so far clawed back about half the land that the Kremlins forces occupied in their full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the U.S., but its going to be hard to win back more.

The big Ukrainian push fell far short of its ambitions, even though Western countries had given Kyiv a variety of weapons and training.

That has raised uncomfortable questions in the West about the best way forward. Were in a very awkward moment now, said Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Russians have been ruthless in their determination to stop the Ukrainians punching through their lines. They were suspected of sabotaging the major Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine, having possessed the means, motive and opportunity to do so. The dams collapse flooded a huge area where Ukrainian forces might have may have been able to break through.

For its part, Ukraine has proved able to strike far behind enemy lines, even hitting Moscow with long-range drones. It has bloodied Russias nose by hitting with missiles and drones a key bridge in Moscow-annexed Crimea, oil depots and airfields, and the headquarters of Russias Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol.

By showing it can strike in the Black Sea, Ukraine has been able to push Russian warships away from the coast, although not entirely. At one point, Russia turned its sights on Ukraines Black Sea ports  a vital conduit to global trade  and its farming infrastructure, destroying enough food to feed more than 1 million people for a year, the U.K. government said.

Yet while Russia has endured huge losses of troops and equipment, the country possesses the scale to soak up those setbacks.

Putin, who foreign officials say has secured large supplies of ammunition from North Korea, has put together a state budget that devotes a record amount to defense as it increases spending by around 25% in 2024-2026. He has also ordered the countrys military to increase the number of troops by nearly 170,000 to more than 1.3 million.

For Ukraine, the challenge is resourcing another offensive operation. Its troops are motivated but exhausted, analysts say.

Zelenskyy has tirelessly lobbied Western leaders to keep help coming, aware they are his countrys lifeline. He has traveled to Washington three times in the past two years.

U.S President Joe Biden traveled to Kyiv last February in a display of Western solidarity. He now wants Congress to grant an additional $50 billion for the war in Ukraine.

Support for Kyiv shows signs of fraying, however. Bidens proposal is stuck in a divided Senate.

Zelenskyy scored a diplomatic victory late in the year when the European Union granted Ukraine accelerated talks on joining the bloc. But even that triumph was tempered by the knowledge that the process could take years, as could clinching NATO membership.

And the EUs denial of 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in aid to help keep the battered Ukrainian economy going was frustrating for Kyiv.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni perhaps expressed the predicament most succinctly in November when she inadvertently told a pair of Russian prank callers that there is a lot of fatigue on the issue of Ukraine.

We are near the moment in which everybody understands that we need a way out, she said.

(AP)




Most Israelis have been on edge since October 7th, with images of the horrific atrocities perpetrated by Hamas terrorists not far from anyones mind. Thousands of residents of southern and northern Israel were evacuated from their homes due to safety concerns. But are the residents of central Israel any safer? The residents of Kochav Yair-Tzur Yigal, who have been hearing the sounds of digging under their homes, dont think so.

Kochav Yair-Tzur Yigal is a town of about 9,000 residents in central Israel which is very close to a number of Palestinian areas, including Qalqiliya, which is only about 300 meters away from the edge of the town, and Tulkarem.

Walla reported that in recent weeks, the residents of the town have reported that they have been hearing the sounds of digging near their homes, raising fear that Palestinians are digging tunnels into their town. The Green Line touches the eastern edge of the town and the separation fence  which in this area is a simple mesh fence  is only about 500 meters from the outermost houses.

A possibility, chas vchalilah, of infiltration by a Palestinian mob from Qalqiliya and nearby villages that until October 6th, would have sounded extreme and far-fetched, is now real and terrifying.

The chairman of the local council, Yuval Arad, who published the article in Walla about the concerns of the residents, wrote that as an initial response, the local council set up several observation positions near the town that are manned by armed soldiers and volunteers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Residents of Bat Hefer, near Netanya, not only report hearing digging underneath their homes but say that residents of Tulkarem fire at the yishuv on a daily basis. A resident of the yishuv told Radio 103FM on Thursday that residents find shells in their yards and wake up at night from explosions. He added that the residents dont feel that security officials are providing an adequate response and are living in a constant state of fear.

We need to understand that what our enemies did to us on October 7th is a model for what they plan to do, he said ominously. We are no less at risk. We cant be caught by surprise. Once they cross the fence of Bat Hefer and nearby yishuvim, Kfar Saba, Raanana, Hadera, Netanya, and the entire line will come under fire, up to the sea.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the Forum of Families of Kidnapped Israelis, offering support and advice in their efforts to secure the release of their loved ones held by Hamas. During the meeting, Clinton encouraged the families to increase pressure on the Israeli government to negotiate with Hamas for their relatives freedom.

The group shared that Clinton informed them of U.S. President Joe Bidens efforts to push for a deal to release some of the captives. However, they noted that the Israeli governments response has been slow. Clinton encouraged us to mobilize public pressure because there are elements in the Israeli government who understand only politics, a family member said.

Clinton was reported to have specifically mentioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that he is currently more focused on politics and personal survival.

On the bright side, Clinton also condemned Hamass atrocities. She emphasized to the forum that the release of the hostages should be a top priority. Until the release of the hostages becomes the primary and immediate objective from Israels perspective, any statements or actions from me, others, or even President Biden is of little value, she said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The IDF said Thursday that it had gained full operational control over the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, a location that experienced intense fighting during the ground offensive against Hamas.

The IDF said that the 36th Division has successfully dismantled the core capabilities of Hamas in Shejaiya. Despite gaining control, the IDF will continue limited operations in the area to eliminate remaining Hamas infrastructure and target any operatives still in hiding.

Throughout the battles in Shejaiya, IDF troops faced numerous Hamas terrorists who engaged with troops in gun battles and detonated explosives. In one major incident, nine soldiers, including two senior officers, were killed in an ambush by Hamas.

The military operation led to the destruction of numerous tunnel shafts discovered in residential homes, educational institutions, and health clinics, alongside the seizure of weapon caches.

Further successes cited by the IDF include the Golani Brigades raid on homes of senior Hamas members, resulting in the capture of valuable intelligence materials. The 188th Armored Brigade seized the headquarters of Hamass Shejaiya battalion, identified as a key location from where terrorists launched their October 7 attacks in southern Israel.

The Paratroopers Brigades efforts in the area led to the demolition of over 100 buildings used by Hamas, the discovery of additional tunnel shafts, and the arrest of several terrorists, including a Hamas company commander and terrorists involved in the October 7 massacres.

Additionally, the Bislamach Brigade carried out demolitions of buildings used by Hamas, contributing to the IDFs overall operational achievements in the Shejaiya neighborhood.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 19:00 | All, Japan

The population in all of Japan's 47 prefectures except Tokyo is projected to fall in 2050 from 2020 levels, a government estimate showed Friday.

Eleven prefectures will each see their population shrink by over 30 percent, while the number of residents in some 20 percent of all municipalities is expected to more than halve, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Japan's population is expected to fall 17 percent during the same period to 104.69 million, the research body of the health ministry also said.

With regions experiencing significant population decline likely to face difficulties in maintaining infrastructure and local governments due to reduced tax revenue and economic contraction, addressing the declining birthrate and influx to Tokyo has become a matter of urgency.

Prefectures in northeastern Japan are projected to see the sharpest population declines, with Akita expected to experience a 41.6 percent drop to 560,000. Aomori and Iwate are projected to shrink 39.0 percent and 35.3 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Okinawa is expected to see the slowest pace of decline at 5.2 percent, followed by Tokyo's three surrounding prefectures -- Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama -- at 7.7 percent, 9.5 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

Tokyo is the only prefecture whose population is projected to grow from 2020, increasing 2.5 percent to 14.40 million.

Those aged 14 and under are expected to fall 30.8 percent nationwide, while 25 prefectures are forecast to have people aged 65 and above account for over 40 percent of their population by 2050.

Related coverage:

People aged 80 and over top 10% of Japan's population for 1st time

Centenarians in Japan hit record 92,139, women account for 88%




The IDF announced the deaths of 2 soldiers killed amidst the fighting in Gaza, bringing the IDFs ground operation death toll to 139 and 471 since October 7th.

The soldiers were identified as:

 Lieutenant Shai Ayeli, 21, a cadet in the Vine battalion, the officers school, served as a soldier in the special rescue tactical unit (669), killed in battle in the north of the Gaza Strip.

 Seargent First Class(res.) Tal Shua, 31 years old, a soldier in the 7071 Engineering Battalion, Kiryiti Brigade (4), killed in battle in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, the IDF says 2 soldiers were seriously injured during fighting in Gaza.




In an interview with ABC News, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley suggested that Egypt and countries supportive of Hamas should take in Palestinians seeking refuge from the war in Gaza.

They should be going to the Rafah gate and [have] Egypt take them, Haley said when asked about the potential destinations for fleeing Palestinians. But Ive always said that what you should have is that they should go to pro-Hamas countries  Qatar, Iran, Turkey send them there Those are pro-Hamas countries.

Haley also questioned Egypts reluctance to accept Palestinian refugees, attributing it to security concerns. Why wont Egypt take them? Because they dont trust which ones are terrorists and which ones arent? Its a sad state of affairs, but the reality of that evil is very clear in Arab countries too. Arab countries have very much always been cautious and know the threats that Iran can place, she explained.

The former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations highlighted the broader regional apprehensions regarding Iran and its influence. They dont want those terrorist proxies coming after them. Saudi Arabia felt the Houthis in that fight for Yemen. Egypt knows exactly what they can do, Haley said.

Why isnt everybody talking to Egypt? Why arent they talking to Turkey? Why arent they talking to Qatar? Why arent they talking to Iran? Why arent they doing something to help the Palestinians? Why is it that you come back to Israel and the US? Its always the case, she questioned.

Reflecting on the October 7 attack, Haley drew a parallel with the United States: If [the October 7 attack] had happened to America, do you not think that we would have hit back?

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Kibbutz Nir Oz has announced the tragic death of one of its residents, Gadi Haggai, while in captivity in Gaza.

The kibbutz released a statement confirming that 73-year-old Haggai was murdered and that his wife, 70-year-old Judi Weinstein, remains a hostage in Gaza. The exact details of how the information regarding Haggais death was obtained were not disclosed, but the kibbutz confirmed that his body is still in the possession of terrorists in Gaza.

Gadi Haggai, a retired chef and jazz musician, was a beloved figure in his community. Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh. A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said.

The couple, Haggai and Weinstein, a U.S. citizen, were abducted during their morning walk on October 7th. Weinstein, a retired teacher from New York, managed to capture a 40-second video clip during the incident, which was their last communication with their family.

Their daughter, Iris Weinstein Haggai, recounted a distressing call made by her mother to paramedics, revealing that they had been shot by terrorists and that her father was severely wounded. Paramedics tried to send her an ambulance. The ambulance got hit by a rocket, she said.

The attacks of October 7th led to the abduction of approximately 80 residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz by terrorists. It is believed that out of 240 hostages abducted by Hamas on that day, 129 remain in Gaza, not all of them alive. The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of 22 hostages still held by Hamas, based on intelligence and findings from operations in Gaza.

Hamas continues to hold the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, along with two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are believed to be alive after entering Gaza in 2014 and 2015.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Ask the average founder or chief executive what gets them out of bed, and most mumble a mistruth about making a difference, while quietly pocketing a seven-figure salary.

Not Charlie Mullins. Money motivates me, declares the spiky-haired entrepreneur who sold Pimlico Plumbers to US home services giant Neighborly in 2021 for 140million.

It bought this, he adds, waving his arm at his 11million apartment on the river Thames, where Tom Jones lives one floor up. Money is why I got into plumbing.

Mullins set up Pimlico Plumbers after leaving school at 15 with no qualifications to become an apprentice to Bill Ellis, a plumber who had everything that I never had: nice car, clothes, jewellery.

Pipe dreams: Entrepreneur Charlie Mullins in his luxury apartment overlooking the Thames

He told me, Become an apprentice plumber, and youll never run out of work, and youll earn loads of money. He was right.

Mullins next splurge is a far cry from his upbringing, in Londons Elephant and Castle.

The son of a factory worker and a cleaner, he started his business in 1979, building it up into a 50million-a-year empire.

Im down to my last 100million, Mullins says. He now has a 30million Spanish villa complex, a Rolls-Royce, and at least 20 watches although I never wind them up.

Youre only here once. Im quite happy to spend it  and Ive given more than a million to charity this year. I wont be the richest man in the graveyard.

But its clear the money isnt going to last forever.

Thats one reason why Mullins is going back to work, spending almost 20million on launching a plumbing, electrical and building services business, We Fix.

Hes bought premises, hired designers, and is acquiring 100 electric vans so that in September, on the day his three-year lock-out period with Neighborly ends, We Fix is in business.

Were going to be a bit like Harrods, Mullins asserts. We wont be cheap: we will charge 150 to 200 an hour, but people will always pay for quality.

Customers will flock back to us. Were going to build a 500million family business. Mullins claims celebrities from Pimlico days including Simon Cowell and Joan Collins will come back. His son, Scott, will run it.

Early days: A younger Mullins at Pimlico Plumbers. He set up the company after leaving school at 15 with no qualifications

Pimlicos sale to Neighborly, which is owned by US private equity giant KKR, may have made him a lot of money but he adds: Selling it is the biggest regret of my life.

Now, hes putting apprentices at the core of We Fix. I wont employ anyone who hasnt done an apprenticeship.

'Id love to recruit one for every tradesman, but the Government needs to wake up and help  each apprentice costs 45,000 for three years of training, when theyre not bringing anything in.

'A proper, funded apprentice scheme would end youth unemployment, skills shortages, and a lot of crime on the street.

I used to take schoolkids on tours of our office, telling them about my background  alcoholic parents, no money in the family, from an estate that no one wants to be on.

Theyd see the luxury bits in my office, pictures of celebrities, Id give them lunch in the canteen  and their idea of the workplace changed in those three hours. Mullins says the last time he did any plumbing was 35 years ago but adds; Im always thinking about it.

Flush: Mullins sold Pimlico Plumbers to US home services giant Neighborly in 2021 for 140m

Some of his set have tried to convince him to quit Britain for a tax exiles lifestyle abroad.

Thats not my angle, he says. I paid 23million tax in January for the sale of the company, Im glad to contribute something back.

However, hes heading into controversial territory with recruitment. I wont be taking on anyone who wants to be known as a certain person or a certain gender. Youre either male or female.

If youre not sure, youre not coming on with us.

If [someone] comes in saying, Im Mary, I want to work in the call centre but they used to be Trevor the bricklayer, theyre not getting the job.

Mullins has a history of employment law battles, and lost a landmark case over holiday pay. If its against the law, then its against the law. Well put it in our terms and conditions.

This year, he is in Dubai for Christmas, but at the start of his career, his phone rang non-stop over the period.

Memorable callouts include one to Peter Stringfellows apartment while he was recording Come Dine With Me.

Mullins says: They were filming in one corner pretending everythings lovely, while water was flooding out everywhere else.

Good luck with the new business, I say, as the entrepreneur waves me off. Luck? Mullins responds, Businesses dont run on luck. They run on determination, and ideas.

Ive come up with the goods before, why wouldnt I again?
Two of the worlds biggest film and TV studios, Warner Brothers and Paramount, are in talks to merge to take on rivals such as Netflix and Disney.

David Zaslav, the head of Warner, met Paramount chief executive Bob Bakish in New York this week to discuss a tie-up, according to reports.

While the discussions are thought to only have been an expression of interest, a merger would create a media titan worth nearly 30billion.

Among its brands, Warner controls HBO, the studio behind hits such as Succession and Game of Thrones, and streaming service Max. It also owns news network CNN, the Discovery Channel and Eurosport.

Paramount owns Channel 5 in the UK and the CBS network, MTV and Nickelodeon.

Stars: Paramount's film studio produced Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise (right) while Warner Brothers scored a hit with Succession, starring Sarah Snook (left)

Its film studio Paramount produced Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise. And its streaming service Paramount Plus, launched in 2021, carries series such as Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner.

The two are among the five largest film and TV production studios in Hollywood, with the others being Disney, Sony Pictures and Universal, owned by Comcast.

The discussions come amid a costly streaming war, with billions of pounds being poured into productions to lure subscribers from established players, including Netflix and Amazon Prime.

But the costs hit profits, with Paramount and Disney planning cuts to offset streaming losses.

Max has around 95m subscribers and Paramount Plus 63m  well short of the nearly 250m garnered by Netflix.

Both sides would have to work out how to manage hefty debt piles. Warners debt was 34billion at the end of September while Paramount owes 11billion.

And they would have to decide what to do with their cable TV networks, which are under pressure as streaming services divert customers from traditional programming.

The companies are also exposed to a decline in TV advertising as firms focus on online marketing.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said the issues were likely to create nervousness around a merger.

While Warner Bros Discovery has been cutting costs and reducing leverage, Paramounts balance sheet is under real strain, he said.
Emerald Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 6.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,050 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 884 shares during the quarter. Coca-Cola comprises 0.2% of Emerald Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Emerald Advisors LLCs holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $842,000 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 company. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 171,246,926 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,390,407,000 after purchasing an additional 1,628,772 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 79,165,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,754,907,000 after buying an additional 2,183,864 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 15.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 79,101,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,031,669,000 after buying an additional 10,722,435 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 60,636,577 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,728,653,000 after buying an additional 2,546,489 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 103,297.9% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 57,734,303 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,672,479,000 after buying an additional 57,678,466 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.96% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on KO shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Coca-Cola in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com cut Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Coca-Cola from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Bank of America cut their price target on Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.20.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Coca-Cola news, CEO James Quincey sold 92,029 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total value of $4,956,681.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $23,835,527.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO James Quincey sold 92,029 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total transaction of $4,956,681.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,835,527.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 20,534 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.12, for a total transaction of $1,152,368.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 143,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,046,653.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 349,315 shares of company stock worth $19,805,715 over the last ninety days. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Coca-Cola Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of KO opened at $57.59 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The Coca-Cola Company has a 12 month low of $51.55 and a 12 month high of $64.99. The stocks 50-day moving average is $57.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.75. The stock has a market cap of $248.99 billion, a PE ratio of 23.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.58.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.05. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 42.44% and a net margin of 23.92%. The business had revenue of $11.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.45 billion. Equities analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Coca-Cola Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were given a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. Coca-Colas payout ratio is 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

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Peoples Financial Services CORP. grew its stake in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Peoples Financial Services CORP.s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $884,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of CAT. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 130,632.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,784,017 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,343,859,000 after buying an additional 9,776,533 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 98,763.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 8,679,209 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,135,519,000 after purchasing an additional 8,670,430 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,175,255,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 1st quarter worth approximately $433,134,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 24,982.9% in the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,538,084 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $153,808,000 after purchasing an additional 1,531,952 shares in the last quarter. 69.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Caterpillar Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE CAT opened at $292.00 on Thursday. Caterpillar Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.04 and a 1 year high of $298.27. The stock has a market cap of $148.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $253.45 and a 200 day moving average of $260.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

Caterpillar ( NYSE:CAT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $5.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.75 by $0.77. Caterpillar had a net margin of 13.69% and a return on equity of 56.29%. The company had revenue of $16.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.57 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.95 EPS. Caterpillars revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 20.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 22nd will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 19th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.78%. Caterpillars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on CAT shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $285.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $323.00 to $297.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $315.00 to $274.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $282.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $271.24.

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Caterpillar Company Profile

(Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track and multi-terrain, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.

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Peoples Financial Services CORP. lowered its stake in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,443 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 1,557 shares during the period. Peoples Financial Services CORP.s holdings in Oracle were worth $1,530,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ORCL. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its holdings in Oracle by 94,707.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,122,984,792 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $133,736,259,000 after purchasing an additional 1,121,800,302 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Oracle by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 120,625,641 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $14,365,308,000 after purchasing an additional 3,494,674 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Oracle by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 63,514,823 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $7,563,980,000 after purchasing an additional 928,013 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Oracle by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 29,109,414 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $3,456,828,000 after purchasing an additional 1,355,636 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC increased its holdings in Oracle by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 24,369,890 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $2,264,450,000 after purchasing an additional 2,644,377 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock.

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Oracle Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE:ORCL opened at $105.00 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.84, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $288.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.05. Oracle Co. has a one year low of $79.43 and a one year high of $127.54. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $109.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $113.48.

Oracle Dividend Announcement

Oracle ( NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, December 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $12.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.05 billion. Oracle had a return on equity of 703.26% and a net margin of 19.64%. Oracles revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Oracle Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 10th. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Oracle

In related news, Director George H. Conrades sold 2,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total value of $264,492.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,836 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,029,023.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 42.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on ORCL. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Oracle from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Oracle from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. HSBC began coverage on Oracle in a research report on Friday, September 15th. They set a buy rating and a $144.00 price objective on the stock. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Oracle from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Oracle from $107.00 to $106.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Nine equities 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, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $127.14.

View Our Latest Research Report on ORCL

About Oracle

(Free Report)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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LoknStore Group Plc (LON:LOK  Get Free Report) insider Neil Newman sold 38,580 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 815 ($10.31), for a total value of 314,427 ($397,656.51).

LoknStore Group Price Performance

LON:LOK opened at GBX 858 ($10.85) on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of 282.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5,362.50 and a beta of 0.67. LoknStore Group Plc has a 52-week low of GBX 621.90 ($7.87) and a 52-week high of GBX 990 ($12.52). The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 732.46 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 754.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.81, a quick ratio of 5.09 and a current ratio of 5.60.

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LoknStore Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 23rd will be given a dividend of GBX 13.25 ($0.17) per share. This is an increase from LoknStore Groups previous dividend of $5.75. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 23rd. This represents a yield of 2.04%. LoknStore Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11,875.00%.

LoknStore Group Company Profile

Lok'nStore Group Plc engages in the development and operation of self-storage centers in the United Kingdom. It offers household storage services for storage rooms, vehicle storage, student packages, and forces and services packages. The company also operates business self-storage units for storage rooms, pallet storage, document archiving, flexible space, and commercial vehicle storage; and provides insurance services.

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TwentyFour Select Monthly Income (LON:SMIF  Get Free Report) insider Ashley Paxton bought 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 79 ($1.00) per share, with a total value of 15,800 ($19,982.29).

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Stock Performance

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income stock opened at GBX 78 ($0.99) on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 75.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 74.19. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income has a 1-year low of GBX 64.15 ($0.81) and a 1-year high of GBX 80 ($1.01). The company has a market cap of 190.52 million and a P/E ratio of -975.00.

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TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a GBX 0.50 ($0.01) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 21st. TwentyFour Select Monthly Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -8,750.00%.

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Company Profile

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Numis Securities Ltd. The fund is managed by TwentyFour Asset Management LLP. It invests in fixed income markets of the United Kingdom. The fund primarily invests in less liquid instruments across the debt spectrum, including asset backed securities, bank capital, corporate loans, high yield bonds, and leveraged loans issued by a wide variety of issuers.

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By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 19:47 | All, Japan, World

The Japanese government approved a record-high 7.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) defense budget for fiscal 2024 on Friday, as the nation continues to invest in longer-range strike capabilities under a five-year plan to fundamentally revamp its defense posture.

The draft initial budget for the next fiscal year that begins in April jumped 16.5 percent from the previous record-high of 6.8 trillion yen in the current fiscal 2023 and marked an increase for the 12th consecutive year.

The spending plan is in line with a government decision late last year to pour in a combined 43 trillion yen to defense outlays from fiscal 2023 through 2027 amid increasing security challenges from China and Russia, as well as North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

Japan also aims to double its annual security budget to around 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product after long keeping the spending at around 1 percent -- or roughly 5 trillion yen -- in light of its exclusively defense-oriented posture under the postwar pacifist Constitution.

For the fiscal 2024 budget, about 734.0 billion yen was earmarked to develop so-called counterstrike capabilities to hit targets in enemy territory, including missile launch pads, and standoff weapons that can aim at vessels and troops from outside their firing range.

Among the 734 billion yen, 96.1 billion yen was set aside to acquire an upgraded version of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Type-12 land-to-ship guided missile, with an extended range of 1,000 kilometers.

The GSDF will start deploying the missiles in fiscal 2025, a year earlier than originally envisaged.

More than 80 billion yen will be spent on investing in developing and manufacturing hypersonic-guided missiles, and about 32.3 billion yen will be spent on developing new precision-guided surface-to-ship and surface-to-surface missiles.

About 200 million yen will be used to modify Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers so they can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Japanese government plans to start purchasing 400 Tomahawks, which have a strike range of about 1,600 km, from the United States in fiscal 2025.

To beef up Japan's missile defense capabilities, 373.1 billion yen was allocated to build two additional Aegis destroyers expected to be commissioned in fiscal 2027 and 2028 as an alternative to a ditched plan of deploying the land-based Aegis Ashore system.

Based on an agreement earlier this year with the United States to develop glide phase interceptors, a new type of missile capable of intercepting hypersonic weapons, 75.7 billion yen was appropriated.

In preparation for a contingency near Japan's remote islands stretching southwest from Kyushu toward Taiwan, 565.3 billion yen was secured to enhance capabilities to swiftly send personnel and transport equipment, including procuring three landing crafts.

Two of a new type of frigate, equipped with long-range missiles and enhanced antisubmarine and other capabilities, will also be built, with 174.0 billion yen to be spent in the next fiscal year.

As part of the costs for a plan to co-develop next-generation fighter jets with Britain and Italy by 2035, 64.0 billion yen was earmarked.

In a bid to promote studies for breakthrough defense technologies in Japan, about 822.5 billion yen was appropriated, including for establishing a research institute modeled on the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA.

Related coverage:

Japan eases rules on weapon exports to enhance security ties

Japan ruling party LDP replaces 2 execs amid political fundraising scandal

Japan OKs 112 trillion yen FY 2024 budget, size shrinks as COVID wanes
Bank of America upgraded shares of Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Free Report) (NYSE:RY) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has C$146.00 price objective on the financial services providers stock, up from their previous price objective of C$130.00.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on RY. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$136.00 to C$135.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Cormark lowered their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$143.00 to C$142.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$127.00 to C$125.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. CSFB set a C$138.00 price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$142.00 price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$136.15.

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Royal Bank of Canada Stock Up 0.6 %

TSE:RY opened at C$133.09 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average price is C$118.93 and its 200-day moving average price is C$122.12. Royal Bank of Canada has a 52 week low of C$107.92 and a 52 week high of C$140.18. The stock has a market cap of C$187.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.69, a PEG ratio of 6.86 and a beta of 0.82.

Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The financial services provider reported C$2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$2.64 by C$0.14. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 27.69% and a return on equity of 13.16%. The firm had revenue of C$13.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$12.97 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Royal Bank of Canada will post 11.6200552 earnings per share for the current year.

Royal Bank of Canada Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 25th will be given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 24th. This is an increase from Royal Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.15%. Royal Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Royal Bank of Canada news, Director David Ian Mckay sold 4,131 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$120.85, for a total value of C$499,231.35.

Royal Bank of Canada Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses.

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HSBC downgraded shares of Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Banco de Chile in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Banco de Chile in a research report on Monday, October 16th. They set a hold rating and a $21.00 price target for the company.

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Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BCH

Banco de Chile Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BCH opened at $22.88 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $21.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.19. Banco de Chile has a 52 week low of $17.96 and a 52 week high of $23.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96. The company has a market cap of $11.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.78 and a beta of 0.41.

Banco de Chile (NYSE:BCH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.04). Banco de Chile had a net margin of 30.53% and a return on equity of 24.67%. The company had revenue of $647.35 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $815.07 million. Research analysts predict that Banco de Chile will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. increased its stake in shares of Banco de Chile by 12.5% during the 2nd quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 229,578 shares of the banks stock worth $4,812,000 after purchasing an additional 25,578 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Banco de Chile during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,063,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Banco de Chile by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 86,148 shares of the banks stock worth $1,806,000 after purchasing an additional 1,330 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Banco de Chile by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,437,249 shares of the banks stock worth $30,125,000 after acquiring an additional 44,900 shares during the period. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC grew its stake in Banco de Chile by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 12,789 shares of the banks stock worth $268,000 after acquiring an additional 1,818 shares during the period. 1.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Banco de Chile

(Get Free Report)

Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial products and services to customers in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Treasury and Money Market segments. The company offers deposit products, such as checking accounts, current accounts, demand deposits and accounts, saving accounts, and time deposits; commercial, mortgage, consumer, working capital, syndicated, and installment loans; and credit cards.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the shipping companys stock.

Navios Maritime Stock Performance

NYSE NM opened at $2.27 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.46. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $2.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.20. Navios Maritime has a 52 week low of $1.47 and a 52 week high of $2.97.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navios Maritime

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NM. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Navios Maritime by 83.4% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 908,070 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $3,296,000 after buying an additional 412,836 shares during the last quarter. Towerview LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $400,000. Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at $328,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP raised its stake in Navios Maritime by 155.5% in the 1st quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 112,258 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 68,324 shares during the period. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at $202,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.16% of the companys stock.

About Navios Maritime

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc operates as a seaborne shipping and logistics company in North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, and internationally. It focuses on the transportation and transshipment of dry bulk commodities, including iron ores, coal, and grains. The company operates in two segments, Dry Bulk Vessel Operations and Logistics Business.

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Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Get Free Report) VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.69, for a total transaction of $206,535.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 26,133 shares in the company, valued at $3,598,252.77. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Rodney Gonsalves also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, September 28th, Rodney Gonsalves bought 3 shares of Agilent Technologies stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $111.09 per share, for a total transaction of $333.27.

Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE:A opened at $138.92 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a market cap of $40.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.00, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.10. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.80 and a fifty-two week high of $159.59. The firms 50 day moving average is $117.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.46.

Agilent Technologies Increases Dividend

Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 20th. The medical research company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 18.15% and a return on equity of 28.24%. Agilent Technologiess revenue was down 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.53 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.236 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 29th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.68%. This is an increase from Agilent Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.38%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $128.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. They issued a market perform rating and a $123.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $140.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Agilent Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $138.47.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Agilent Technologies

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Agilent Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in A. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 13,422.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 37,574,064 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $4,518,281,000 after acquiring an additional 37,296,195 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $393,291,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 939.8% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,296,512 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $256,796,000 after purchasing an additional 2,075,649 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 79.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,145,767 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $620,414,000 after purchasing an additional 1,835,413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meritage Group LP acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $184,437,000.

About Agilent Technologies

(Get Free Report)

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.

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First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) EVP Carlos Power sold 9,433 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.50, for a total value of $155,644.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 246,793 shares in the company, valued at $4,072,084.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

First BanCorp. Price Performance

Shares of FBP opened at $16.53 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.08, a P/E/G ratio of 5.10 and a beta of 1.19. The businesss fifty day moving average is $14.78 and its 200 day moving average is $13.98. First BanCorp. has a 12-month low of $10.18 and a 12-month high of $17.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

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First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The bank reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $293.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $230.42 million. First BanCorp. had a return on equity of 21.55% and a net margin of 27.15%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.40 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that First BanCorp. will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First BanCorp. Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First BanCorp.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 8th. Investors of record on Friday, November 24th were given a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 22nd. First BanCorp.s payout ratio is currently 34.15%.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FBP. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 41.3% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 63,837 shares of the banks stock valued at $780,000 after purchasing an additional 18,647 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 33.0% during the 2nd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 214,680 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,623,000 after purchasing an additional 53,241 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 573,194 shares of the banks stock valued at $6,546,000 after purchasing an additional 19,862 shares during the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,670,031 shares of the banks stock valued at $20,408,000 after purchasing an additional 81,470 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners increased its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 26.6% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 78,534 shares of the banks stock valued at $960,000 after purchasing an additional 16,503 shares during the last quarter. 91.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on First BanCorp. in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America cut their target price on First BanCorp. from $17.00 to $16.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on First BanCorp. from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 24th.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on FBP

First BanCorp. Company Profile

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First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to consumers and commercial customers. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations.

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EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) issued an update on its third quarter earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $2.50-2.60 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $1.85.

EnerSys Trading Up 2.8 %

Shares of ENS opened at $101.94 on Friday. EnerSys has a twelve month low of $71.15 and a twelve month high of $113.34. The company has a market cap of $4.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $90.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $98.13.

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EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The industrial products company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.04. EnerSys had a net margin of 6.51% and a return on equity of 17.45%. The business had revenue of $901.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $914.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.11 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that EnerSys will post 7.6 EPS for the current year.

EnerSys Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. EnerSyss dividend payout ratio is presently 15.44%.

Several research analysts have issued reports on ENS shares. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of EnerSys from $110.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com cut shares of EnerSys from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, William Blair cut shares of EnerSys from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, November 6th.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on ENS

Institutional Trading of EnerSys

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ENS. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of EnerSys in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,527,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of EnerSys by 1,380.0% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 348,195 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,530,000 after buying an additional 324,669 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of EnerSys by 4,397.9% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 218,463 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,682,000 after buying an additional 213,606 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of EnerSys by 85.5% in the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 374,955 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $40,690,000 after buying an additional 172,789 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in EnerSys in the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,725,000. 91.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About EnerSys

(Get Free Report)

EnerSys provides various stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in three segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, and Specialty. The company offers uninterruptible power systems applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, renewable, and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH  Free Report) by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 880 shares during the period. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLCs holdings in American Homes 4 Rent were worth $658,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMH. Nemes Rush Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S boosted its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 101.3% during the 1st quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 1,127 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 567 shares in the last quarter. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.97% of the companys stock.

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American Homes 4 Rent Stock Performance

NYSE:AMH opened at $35.87 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $35.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.33. The stock has a market cap of $12.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.49, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.72. American Homes 4 Rent has a 1-year low of $28.78 and a 1-year high of $37.97.

American Homes 4 Rent Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at American Homes 4 Rent

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.45%. American Homes 4 Rents payout ratio is currently 84.62%.

In other American Homes 4 Rent news, Director James H. Kropp sold 6,852 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total value of $249,892.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 29,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,064,996.94. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director James H. Kropp sold 6,852 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total transaction of $249,892.44. Following the transaction, the director now owns 29,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,064,996.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jack E. Corrigan sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.60, for a total transaction of $915,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 103,789 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,798,677.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 6.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on AMH. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on American Homes 4 Rent from $34.50 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, September 1st. StockNews.com raised American Homes 4 Rent from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group initiated coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a report on Friday, September 29th. They set a neutral rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James upped their price objective on American Homes 4 Rent from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on American Homes 4 Rent from $38.00 to $36.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. Eight research 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, American Homes 4 Rent presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.71.

Check Out Our Latest Report on American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent Profile

(Free Report)

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), which does business as AMH, is a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties.

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Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC cut its stake in Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) by 32.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,941 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 5,149 shares during the quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLCs holdings in Medical Properties Trust were worth $60,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Medical Properties Trust in the third quarter worth $119,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 6.7% during the third quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 47,249 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $258,000 after purchasing an additional 2,982 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 5.2% during the third quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 329,303 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,795,000 after purchasing an additional 16,163 shares during the last quarter. Adams Asset Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 86.3% during the third quarter. Adams Asset Advisors LLC now owns 323,839 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,765,000 after purchasing an additional 150,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 10.2% during the third quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 116,941 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $637,000 after purchasing an additional 10,800 shares during the last quarter. 76.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MPW. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $10.00 target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Monday, September 25th. StockNews.com started coverage on Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus lowered Medical Properties Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $12.00 to $4.50 in a research note on Friday, November 10th. BNP Paribas started coverage on Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $5.50 price target on the stock. Finally, TheStreet lowered Medical Properties Trust from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.67.

Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance

Shares of MPW stock opened at $4.95 on Friday. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $4.04 and a fifty-two week high of $14.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 3.52 and a current ratio of 3.52. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $4.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.89.

Medical Properties Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.13%. Medical Properties Trusts payout ratio is -857.14%.

About Medical Properties Trust

(Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023.

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Shares of CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE:CBZ  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $62.52 and last traded at $62.41, with a volume of 95394 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $61.82.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on CBIZ in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Sidoti raised CBIZ from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $63.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, October 30th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CBIZ

CBIZ Stock Up 0.4 %

The company has a market cap of $3.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.73 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The business has a fifty day moving average of $56.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $54.67.

CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The business services provider reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $410.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $395.53 million. CBIZ had a return on equity of 16.22% and a net margin of 7.84%. CBIZs quarterly revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that CBIZ, Inc. will post 2.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at CBIZ

In other CBIZ news, insider Ware H. Grove sold 3,911 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.21, for a total transaction of $215,926.31. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 274,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,156,470.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other CBIZ news, insider Ware H. Grove sold 3,911 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.21, for a total transaction of $215,926.31. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 274,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,156,470.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ware H. Grove sold 6,849 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.99, for a total value of $397,173.51. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 267,675 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,522,473.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,019 shares of company stock valued at $682,921 over the last quarter. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CBIZ

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in shares of CBIZ in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CBIZ in the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new position in CBIZ in the second quarter worth approximately $47,000. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in CBIZ by 56.4% in the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,117 shares of the business services providers stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 403 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its position in CBIZ by 136.5% in the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,154 shares of the business services providers stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 666 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the companys stock.

CBIZ Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CBIZ, Inc provides financial, insurance, and advisory services in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: Financial Services, Benefits and Insurance Services, and National Practices. The Financial Services segment offers accounting and tax, financial advisory, valuation, risk and advisory, and government healthcare consulting services.

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Register Financial Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) by 8.3% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 17,559 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 1,594 shares during the period. Register Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DAL. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 52,302 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,935,000 after buying an additional 1,621 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 121.2% during the third quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 2,064 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 1,131 shares in the last quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC grew its stake in Delta Air Lines by 3.8% in the third quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 10,892 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $403,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 30.4% in the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 12,184 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $451,000 after acquiring an additional 2,841 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DnB Asset Management AS raised its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 15.4% during the third quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 37,976 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 5,069 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.29% of the companys stock.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DAL opened at $41.12 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.46 billion, a PE ratio of 7.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.39. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 52 week low of $30.60 and a 52 week high of $49.81. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $35.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.44.

Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 12th. The transportation company reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.95 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $15.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.55 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 54.95% and a net margin of 5.94%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.51 EPS. Analysts predict that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 12th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 11th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is presently 7.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America cut their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $60.00 to $44.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Delta Air Lines from $60.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on Delta Air Lines from $58.00 to $50.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $54.40.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Delta Air Lines

Insider Activity

In other Delta Air Lines news, Director David S. Taylor purchased 10,000 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 18th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $33.09 per share, for a total transaction of $330,900.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 17,470 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $578,082.30. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director David S. Taylor acquired 10,000 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 18th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $33.09 per share, with a total value of $330,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,470 shares in the company, valued at approximately $578,082.30. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 3,030 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.29, for a total transaction of $100,868.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 95,362 shares in the company, valued at $3,174,600.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.89% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 18:36 | All, World

The director of the U.S. National Economic Council said Thursday the body was ready to look into a planned $14.1 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp. by Japan's Nippon Steel Corp. amid opposition to the deal from politicians and unions.

President Joe Biden "believes the purchase of this iconic American-owned company by a foreign entity -- even one from a close ally -- appears to deserve serious scrutiny in terms of its potential impact on national security and supply chain reliability," Lael Brainard said in a statement.

"This administration will be ready to look carefully at the findings of any such investigation and act if appropriate," she said, after the top Japanese steelmaker said Monday that it would make the U.S. firm its subsidiary and create the world's third-largest steelmaker by volume.

Since the announcement of the buyout plan, some members of the U.S. Congress and the United Steelworkers union have expressed opposition to the deal.

The statement by Brainard comes as Biden prepares for the presidential election next year. Pennsylvania, where U.S. Steel is based, is expected be a battleground state.

On Friday, Nippon Steel said in a statement that the company believes the acquisition will benefit all stakeholders, adding it will engage in dialogue with parties concerned to seek their understanding.

Meanwhile, two Democratic senators and one Democratic member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania sent a letter dated Tuesday to Janet Yellen, chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, asking her to block the deal.

"We urge you to consider the national security implications of selling a company manufacturing some of our most important industries, including defense, power, and infrastructure, to a foreign company," the text of the letter said.

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Nippon Steel head says U.S. Steel deal aids Japan's economic security

Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel for $14. bil. in all-cash deal
Register Financial Advisors LLC lowered its stake in The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) by 3.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,480 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 597 shares during the period. Register Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $623,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in WMB. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in Williams Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its stake in shares of Williams Companies by 300.0% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 800 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Williams Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. grew its stake in Williams Companies by 52.5% in the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 915 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in Williams Companies in the 1st quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors own 85.76% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Williams Companies in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a neutral rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Barclays lifted their price target on Williams Companies from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Williams Companies from $39.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 29th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.50.

Williams Companies Price Performance

NYSE:WMB opened at $34.97 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.77. The company has a 50-day moving average of $35.36 and a 200-day moving average of $34.08. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $27.80 and a 52 week high of $37.45. The company has a market capitalization of $42.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.68, a PEG ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.12.

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The pipeline company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.63 billion. Williams Companies had a net margin of 24.52% and a return on equity of 16.90%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 15.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.48 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Williams Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a $0.4475 dividend. This represents a $1.79 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio is 80.27%.

Williams Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises Transco and Northwest natural gas pipelines; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, as well as various petrochemical and feedstock pipelines.

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Register Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in United States Natural Gas Fund LP (NYSEARCA:UNG  Free Report) by 10.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 41,800 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 3,900 shares during the quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in United States Natural Gas Fund were worth $285,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. S.A. Mason LLC lifted its stake in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund by 96.0% during the 3rd quarter. S.A. Mason LLC now owns 3,675 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund during the third quarter worth $538,000. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp lifted its position in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund by 120.0% during the third quarter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp now owns 56,314 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $385,000 after acquiring an additional 30,720 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund by 3,090.3% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 793,629 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,260,000 after acquiring an additional 768,753 shares during the period. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund by 15.0% in the third quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 30,650 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000 shares in the last quarter.

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United States Natural Gas Fund Price Performance

Shares of UNG opened at $5.00 on Friday. United States Natural Gas Fund LP has a 52-week low of $4.50 and a 52-week high of $16.93. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $6.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.70.

United States Natural Gas Fund Company Profile

United States Natural Gas Fund, LP is a limited partnership. The Company is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (shares) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc (the NYSE Arca). The investment objective of the Company is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares per share net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub, Louisiana, as measured by the daily changes in the price of the futures contracts on natural gas traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the NYMEX) that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, in which case it will be measured by the futures contract that is the next month contract to expire (the Benchmark Futures Contract), less its expenses.

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OneAscent Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 6,555 shares of the oilfield services companys stock, valued at approximately $265,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in HAL. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in shares of Halliburton by 259.5% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 166,407 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $6,281,000 after acquiring an additional 120,122 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its stake in Halliburton by 70.5% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 128,001 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $4,847,000 after buying an additional 52,933 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Halliburton in the first quarter worth about $696,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its stake in Halliburton by 81.5% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 2,347 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Halliburton by 83.7% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,384 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 1,542 shares in the last quarter. 82.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Halliburton Price Performance

Shares of HAL opened at $36.64 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $32.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 2.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $38.44 and a 200 day moving average of $37.93. Halliburton has a twelve month low of $27.84 and a twelve month high of $43.85.

Halliburton Dividend Announcement

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, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $5.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.85 billion. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.52% and a return on equity of 31.61%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.60 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Halliburton will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared 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. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 6th. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.99%.

Insider Activity at Halliburton

In other Halliburton news, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 5,000 shares of Halliburton stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.94, for a total value of $214,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 176,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,571,781.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Halliburton from $53.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Halliburton from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Halliburton from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on shares of Halliburton from $46.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Halliburton currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $49.00.

View 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.

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Summit Global Investments increased its holdings in shares of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK  Free Report) by 276.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 336,324 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 246,886 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Takeda Pharmaceutical were worth $5,203,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in Takeda Pharmaceutical by 1.5% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 13,787,841 shares of the companys stock valued at $216,607,000 after purchasing an additional 208,381 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in Takeda Pharmaceutical by 8.7% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,731,724 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,335,000 after purchasing an additional 380,221 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Takeda Pharmaceutical by 324.8% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,699,603 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,282,000 after purchasing an additional 3,593,286 shares during the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its position in Takeda Pharmaceutical by 1.9% during the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,908,735 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,416,000 after purchasing an additional 72,745 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in Takeda Pharmaceutical by 22.8% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,650,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,341,000 after purchasing an additional 676,600 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.65% of the companys stock.

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Takeda Pharmaceutical Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TAK opened at $13.97 on Friday. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited has a fifty-two week low of $13.19 and a fifty-two week high of $17.15. The business has a 50-day moving average of $14.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.40, a P/E/G ratio of 4.98 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Takeda Pharmaceutical ( NYSE:TAK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter. Takeda Pharmaceutical had a return on equity of 12.36% and a net margin of 7.35%. The company had revenue of $6.94 billion during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts predict that Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited will post 0.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Takeda Pharmaceutical from $14.20 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, September 1st.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Takeda Pharmaceutical

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Profile

(Free Report)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and out-licensing of pharmaceutical products in Japan and internationally. It offers pharmaceutical products in the areas of gastroenterology, rare diseases, plasma derived therapies, immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.

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Courier Capital LLC reduced its stake in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,283 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 223 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $872,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $364,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter worth $188,000. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in Devon Energy by 52.1% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 99,120 shares of the energy companys stock worth $5,861,000 after purchasing an additional 33,936 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 414,354 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $24,500,000 after purchasing an additional 34,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. 68.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Devon Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Devon Energy stock opened at $45.85 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $29.38 billion, a PE ratio of 7.84, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 2.20. Devon Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $42.59 and a 12 month high of $66.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $45.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $48.27.

Devon Energy Increases Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The energy company reported $1.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.09. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 33.97% and a net margin of 24.63%. The business had revenue of $3.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.03 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.86 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be issued a $0.77 dividend. This is a boost from Devon Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.72%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.68%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on DVN. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $54.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on Devon Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Pickering Energy Partners upgraded shares of Devon Energy from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Devon Energy from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $57.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $72.00 to $62.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Devon Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $57.24.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Devon Energy

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Courier Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 81.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,660 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,898 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $747,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in EFG. Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Concord Wealth Partners increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 108.4% in the 2nd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 323 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MBM Wealth Consultants LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth $37,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

BATS:EFG opened at $95.93 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a one year low of $67.58 and a one year high of $85.81. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $89.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $91.33.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Key Bridge Compliance LLC purchased a new stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG  Free Report) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 23,079 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $3,830,000. Cheniere Energy makes up approximately 1.2% of Key Bridge Compliance LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Cheniere Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the third quarter worth $29,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 1,484.6% in the second quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 206 shares of the energy companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 48.1% in the third quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 274 shares of the energy companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KB Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the first quarter worth $52,000. Institutional investors own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Cheniere Energy Price Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:LNG opened at $171.73 on Friday. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $135.00 and a one year high of $183.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a fifty day moving average of $159.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.54.

Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend

Cheniere Energy ( NYSEAMERICAN:LNG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The energy company reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.55 by ($0.18). Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 50.46% and a return on equity of 154.07%. The company had revenue of $4.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 17.57 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were issued a $0.435 dividend. This is an increase from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.74 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 8th. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is currently 3.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LNG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $172.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $189.00 to $183.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating and a $205.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Twelve research 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, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $196.67.

Check Out Our Latest Report on LNG

Cheniere Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Martin Capital Advisors LLP lowered its stake in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 10.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,325 shares of the banks stock after selling 610 shares during the period. Martin Capital Advisors LLPs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $227,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BK. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the 4th quarter valued at $503,489,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 98,557.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 10,841,417 shares of the banks stock worth $482,660,000 after buying an additional 10,830,428 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 74,433.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,114,741 shares of the banks stock worth $278,343,000 after buying an additional 6,106,537 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 32.0% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 18,006,796 shares of the banks stock worth $818,229,000 after buying an additional 4,365,044 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 759.1% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,053,263 shares of the banks stock worth $135,931,000 after buying an additional 2,697,860 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.29% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. 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 note on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $54.50 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $47.00 to $45.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of New York Mellon presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $52.77.

Bank of New York Mellon Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BK traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $51.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 150,324 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,051,537. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a 1-year low of $39.65 and a 1-year high of $52.26. The firms fifty day moving average price is $46.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.84. 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 $39.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.11.

Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $4.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 4.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 27th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.25%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 26th. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.44%.

Bank of New York Mellon Profile

(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.

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Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in RXO, Inc. (NYSE:RXO  Free Report) by 20.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 92,844 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 15,508 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.08% of RXO worth $1,758,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of RXO in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of RXO in the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV increased its holdings in shares of RXO by 7,985.7% in the 2nd quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 2,830 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 2,795 shares during the period. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in RXO during the 2nd quarter valued at about $68,000. Finally, First Manhattan Co. acquired a new position in RXO during the 4th quarter valued at about $82,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.73% of the companys stock.

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RXO Stock Performance

Shares of RXO traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $24.05. The stock had a trading volume of 19,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,014,769. RXO, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $15.75 and a fifty-two week high of $24.07. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.29.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RXO ( NYSE:RXO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.04. RXO had a negative net margin of 0.05% and a positive return on equity of 10.55%. The company had revenue of $976.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $957.88 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.11 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that RXO, Inc. will post 0.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RXO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of RXO from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of RXO from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the company from $17.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of RXO from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a negative rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of RXO from $20.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $20.08.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Mfn Partners, Lp bought 30,522 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $18.15 per share, for a total transaction of $553,974.30. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 12,705,891 shares in the company, valued at approximately $230,611,921.65. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Christine S. Breves purchased 5,100 shares of RXO stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $19.90 per share, with a total value of $101,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at $138,265.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Mfn Partners, Lp purchased 30,522 shares of RXO stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $18.15 per share, with a total value of $553,974.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,705,891 shares of the companys stock, valued at $230,611,921.65. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 205,948 shares of company stock worth $4,013,364 over the last ninety days. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About RXO

(Free Report)

RXO, Inc provides full truckload freight transportation brokering services. The company also offers brokered services for managed transportation, last mile, and freight forwarding. RXO, Inc was founded in 2022 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Summit Global Investments grew its holdings in American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG  Free Report) by 53.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 139,164 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 48,576 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments holdings in American International Group were worth $8,433,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of American International Group in the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Glassman Wealth Services raised its position in shares of American International Group by 35.5% in the second quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 997 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. raised its position in shares of American International Group by 36.8% in the second quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 1,026 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in shares of American International Group by 20.9% in the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,110 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of American International Group in the second quarter valued at about $77,000. 88.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder International Group American sold 50,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred 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 owns 365,413,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,490,984,786. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock.

American International Group Price Performance

Shares of AIG opened at $66.57 on Friday. American International Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $45.66 and a 1-year high of $67.78. The stock has a market cap of $46.73 billion, a PE ratio of 12.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $63.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29.

American International Group (NYSE:AIG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The insurance provider reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.06. American International Group had a net margin of 7.87% and a return on equity of 10.66%. The business had revenue of $12.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.66 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.58 EPS for the current year.

American International Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 14th will be paid a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 13th. American International Groups payout ratio is 27.59%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AIG. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of American International Group from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of American International Group from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of American International Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of American International Group from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of American International Group from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.33.

View Our Latest Stock Report on AIG

American International Group 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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KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 19:47 | All, World, Japan

Japan relaxed its strict regulations on defense equipment transfers Friday in a bid to ramp up security ties with like-minded countries and foster related domestic industries through weapons and ammunition exports.

The first major change in Japan's weapons export system since 2014, when the country removed its arms embargo policy maintained under its war-renouncing Constitution, comes amid an increasingly severe security environment due to geopolitical tensions with China, Russia and North Korea.

Under the amended Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their implementation guidelines, the government allows weapons made in Japan under foreign license, including completed products and components, to be shipped to the country that the licenser is based.

Following the revision, Japan decided to provide the United States with Patriot surface-to-air guided missiles produced domestically, licensed by U.S. firms.

The revision also enables the country to sell weapons parts provided the components by themselves are nonlethal, such as fighter jet engines, and supply defense equipment to countries defending themselves from invasions that violate international law, such as Ukraine.

But providing products co-developed with international partners to third countries has yet to be approved as Japan's ruling parties have failed to agree on the issue, causing uncertainty over a joint fighter jet development project with Britain and Italy.

Although Japan remains unable to export deadly weapons to countries where armed attacks have occurred, it could support Ukraine indirectly by supplying ammunition to Western nations that have been providing military assistance for Kyiv since the launch of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The new Three Principles say that exporting defense equipment and technology is "a key policy instrument to ensure peace and stability, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, to deter unilateral changes to the status quo by force," and is essential for creating a "desirable security environment."

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters later in the day that there will be no fundamental change in Japan being a "peace-loving nation," adding that items will undergo "strict scrutiny" before being exported.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Japan Self-Defense Forces are equipped with 79 foreign licensed products, including 32 from the United States, and 47 from seven other nations.

Previously, Japan was only able to ship components of U.S.-licensed defense products. Now it can export not only components but also completed products at the request of whichever country the manufacturing license originates.

It was proposed such regulations be relaxed earlier this month by Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party.

The ruling parties will continue discussions on further rule revisions.

With Japan, Britain and Italy aiming to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035, Kishida's administration has been trying to lift the ban on exporting co-developed products to other countries.

The parties are trying to reach a conclusion next year, although Komeito remains cautious about promoting weapons exports. The government has said it wants them to come to an agreement on the matter by the end of February.

Related coverage:

Japan's FY 2024 defense budget expands to record 7.9 trillion yen

Japan ruling party LDP replaces 2 execs amid political fundraising scandal

Japan OKs 112 trillion yen FY 2024 budget, size shrinks as COVID wanes
Summit Global Investments decreased its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 75.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,197 shares of the companys stock after selling 72,486 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $2,803,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. OneAscent Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Kimberly-Clark during the third quarter valued at about $362,000. Retirement Guys Formula LLC boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 6.5% during the third quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC now owns 3,997 shares of the companys stock valued at $483,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Keene & Associates Inc. boosted its position in Kimberly-Clark by 2.2% during the third quarter. Keene & Associates Inc. now owns 24,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,001,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares in the last quarter. Jacobs & Co. CA boosted its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 8.5% in the third quarter. Jacobs & Co. CA now owns 2,447 shares of the companys stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors boosted its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 53.3% in the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 3,633 shares of the companys stock worth $439,000 after acquiring an additional 1,263 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.38% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a report on Friday, September 22nd. They issued a hold rating and a $133.00 price target for the company. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $126.00 to $111.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $122.00 to $119.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Barclays raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $122.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Kimberly-Clark from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $125.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Kimberly-Clark presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $130.40.

Kimberly-Clark Stock Up 0.5 %

Kimberly-Clark stock opened at $119.43 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.36 billion, a PE ratio of 22.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.37. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 12 month low of $116.32 and a 12 month high of $147.87. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $121.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $126.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.81, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.16 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 292.92% and a net margin of 8.63%. The businesss revenue was up .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.40 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 6.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a $1.18 dividend. This represents a $4.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is presently 90.77%.

Insider Transactions at Kimberly-Clark

In other news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 3,000 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.71, for a total value of $365,130.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 25,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,063,318.99. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 3,000 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.71, for a total value of $365,130.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 25,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,063,318.99. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Zackery A. Hicks sold 3,020 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.43, for a total value of $360,678.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Kimberly-Clark Profile

(Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.

Further Reading

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City Holding Co. increased its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 21,502 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,552 shares during the period. City Holding Co.s holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,622,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ADM. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Hanseatic Management Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 41.9% during the 2nd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 491 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. MRP Capital Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE ADM opened at $70.92 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $76.83. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a one year low of $69.31 and a one year high of $96.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.88 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.69 and a quick ratio of 1.07.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.53 by $0.10. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 16.63% and a net margin of 4.05%. The business had revenue of $21.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $23.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.86 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 7.26 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is currently 25.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on ADM. BMO Capital Markets lowered Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $80.00 in a report on Monday. Stephens reduced their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $87.00 to $76.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.80.

View Our Latest Analysis on Archer-Daniels-Midland

About Archer-Daniels-Midland

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

Further Reading

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Eastover Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,671 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 341 shares during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up approximately 3.1% of Eastover Investment Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Eastover Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $5,086,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter valued at $25,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its stake 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 valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter valued at $27,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the second quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $37,000. 86.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of BDX traded up $1.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $244.58. 91,101 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,244,750. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $228.62 and a 1-year high of $287.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The company has a market capitalization of $71.03 billion, a PE ratio of 49.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a 50 day moving average of $244.24 and a 200 day moving average of $258.59.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

Becton, Dickinson and Company ( NYSE:BDX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.42 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $3.42. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. The company had revenue of $5.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.02 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.75 EPS. Becton, Dickinson and Companys quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.83 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio is 76.61%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Richard Byrd sold 2,156 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.47, for a total value of $514,141.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 4,120 shares in the company, valued at approximately $982,496.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $310.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 4th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TheStreet lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $304.00 to $269.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $282.00 to $260.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $279.57.

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About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(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.

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Vanderbilt University grew its position in Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS  Free Report) by 61.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,995 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 757 shares during the quarter. Vanderbilt Universitys holdings in Essex Property Trust were worth $423,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ESS. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Essex Property Trust by 24.8% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,261 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $781,000 after buying an additional 450 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 88,915 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,050 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 1st quarter worth $475,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,614,782 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,667,195,000 after acquiring an additional 184,047 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 53,635 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $18,530,000 after acquiring an additional 1,847 shares in the last quarter. 92.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Essex Property Trust Stock Performance

Shares of ESS traded up $2.84 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $244.96. The company had a trading volume of 11,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 444,187. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $195.03 and a 52-week high of $251.48. The company has a quick ratio of 2.63, a current ratio of 2.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.71, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $218.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $227.25.

Essex Property Trust Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd will be paid a $2.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 29th. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.77%. Essex Property Trusts payout ratio is 113.37%.

Several research analysts have recently commented on ESS shares. Wedbush started coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $225.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Essex Property Trust from $247.00 to $244.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. BMO Capital Markets raised Essex Property Trust from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their target price for the company from $235.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Essex Property Trust from $247.00 to $235.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Essex Property Trust has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $238.60.

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Essex Property Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development.

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Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 3,940 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $226,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp bought a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Magellan Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Country Trust Bank grew its stake in NextEra Energy by 975.6% in the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower View Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. 76.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at NextEra Energy

In other NextEra Energy news, major shareholder Nextera Energy Inc acquired 3,097,524 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $24.21 per share, with a total value of $74,991,056.04. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 4,097,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $99,201,056.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $59.59 per share, with a total value of $506,515.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,655.57. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Nextera Energy Inc bought 3,097,524 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $24.21 per share, for a total transaction of $74,991,056.04. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 4,097,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $99,201,056.04. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Price Performance

NEE stock opened at $59.60 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.50. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $86.47. The firms fifty day moving average is $57.52 and its 200 day moving average is $64.86. The firm has a market cap of $122.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.51.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The utilities provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.08. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 12.15%. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.07 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.85 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.12 earnings per share for the current year.

NextEra Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 24th were paid a $0.4675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 22nd. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.14%. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 49.47%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on NEE shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of NextEra Energy from $105.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Wolfe Research decreased their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. StockNews.com lowered shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $105.00 to $96.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $83.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.14.

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NextEra Energy Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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Hengehold Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 71,743 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 4,868 shares during the quarter. iShares National Muni Bond ETF makes up 1.0% of Hengehold Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Hengehold Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $7,357,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. FLC Capital Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. FLC Capital Advisors now owns 3,147 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $336,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 4,013 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $432,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Vista Investment Management lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Vista Investment Management now owns 2,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 20.5% in the 2nd quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 587 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trustmark National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Trustmark National Bank Trust Department now owns 2,959 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Performance

MUB opened at $108.25 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $104.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.11. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $100.78 and a twelve month high of $108.66.

About iShares National Muni Bond ETF

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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Vanderbilt University lowered its stake in shares of Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:W  Free Report) by 50.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,554 shares of the companys stock after selling 27,546 shares during the quarter. Wayfair comprises 0.4% of Vanderbilt Universitys portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Vanderbilt Universitys holdings in Wayfair were worth $1,669,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in W. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wayfair by 16.9% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 2,360 shares of the companys stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 342 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wayfair during the first quarter worth approximately $378,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wayfair by 42.7% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,204 shares of the companys stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 659 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Wayfair by 51.6% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 12,740 shares of the companys stock worth $1,548,000 after buying an additional 4,338 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aviva PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wayfair by 1.5% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 23,470 shares of the companys stock worth $2,600,000 after buying an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.67% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Wayfair

In related news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 982 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.87, for a total value of $61,738.34. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 118,715 shares in the company, valued at $7,463,612.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Wayfair news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 982 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.87, for a total value of $61,738.34. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 118,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,463,612.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Jon Blotner sold 4,255 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.46, for a total value of $244,492.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,611,465.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 73,921 shares of company stock worth $4,076,114 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 26.81% of the companys stock.

Wayfair Trading Up 0.7 %

Wayfair stock traded up $0.49 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $68.66. The stock had a trading volume of 536,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,027,431. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $50.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.10 billion, a PE ratio of -8.22 and a beta of 3.22. Wayfair Inc. has a 12 month low of $29.51 and a 12 month high of $90.71.

Wayfair (NYSE:W  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported ($1.38) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.84) by $0.46. The firm had revenue of $2.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Wayfair Inc. will post -6.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

W has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Guggenheim cut their target price on Wayfair from $100.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Wayfair from $90.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on Wayfair from $100.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Wayfair from $73.00 to $55.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Wayfair from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the company from $60.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wayfair has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $75.52.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Wayfair

Wayfair Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wayfair Inc engages in the e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company provides approximately fourty million products for the home sector under various brands. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional.

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City Holding Co. lessened its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM  Free Report) by 9.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 103,073 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 10,986 shares during the period. City Holding Co.s holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $3,912,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. White Pine Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. White Pine Capital LLC now owns 6,045 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $229,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp now owns 26,360 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,043,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC now owns 18,672 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $739,000 after buying an additional 258 shares during the last quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,944 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $670,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortress Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Fortress Wealth Group LLC now owns 6,961 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $282,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.58% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 1.9 %

NYSEARCA:EEM opened at $39.57 on Friday. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 52-week low of $36.38 and a 52-week high of $42.53. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.20.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index).

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PFG Advisors lowered its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 5.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,034 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,503 shares during the period. PFG Advisors holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,527,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 93,993.8% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 965,692,348 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $54,735,442,000 after buying an additional 964,666,040 shares in the last quarter. Dodge & Cox grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.3% during the first quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 78,462,490 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,109,865,000 after buying an additional 1,033,760 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 60,391,016 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,422,963,000 after buying an additional 398,367 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 41,880,424 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,193,697,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000,383 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,050,168 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,413,244,000 after acquiring an additional 391,238 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SCHW shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $92.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, December 1st. They set a sell rating and a $52.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.44.

Charles Schwab Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of SCHW opened at $68.18 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $120.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.99. The Charles Schwab Co. has a one year low of $45.00 and a one year high of $86.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.66. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $57.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.05.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $4.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 24.58% and a net margin of 30.14%. Charles Schwabs revenue for the quarter was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 33.33%.

Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In related news, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 112,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,617,652.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,208 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.28, for a total transaction of $748,106.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,722,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,548,672. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the transaction, the director now owns 112,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,617,652.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 33,402 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,960. Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Charles Schwab Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Summit Global Investments raised its position in shares of Sysco Co. (NYSE:SYY  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 109,724 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,318 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Sysco were worth $7,247,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of SYY. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Sysco during the first quarter worth approximately $140,000. MRP Capital Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sysco in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Sysco during the first quarter worth $32,000. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Sysco during the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Intrepid Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Sysco during the second quarter worth $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.60% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Sysco

In other Sysco news, Director Sheila Talton sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.76, for a total transaction of $157,872.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $917,236.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.58% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on SYY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Sysco in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. They set a buy rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Sysco in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Sysco from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Stephens cut their target price on Sysco from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Sysco from $86.00 to $77.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sysco has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $83.30.

View Our Latest Stock Report on SYY

Sysco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SYY opened at $73.53 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $69.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.04, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.74. Sysco Co. has a 12 month low of $62.24 and a 12 month high of $82.38.

Sysco (NYSE:SYY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $19.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.73 billion. Sysco had a return on equity of 117.17% and a net margin of 2.35%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.97 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Sysco Co. will post 4.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sysco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. Syscos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 56.34%.

Sysco Profile

(Free Report)

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of various food and related products to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments.

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By Ko Hirano, KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 11:33 | World, All, Japan

China's recent mediation of talks between Myanmar's ruling junta and three ethnic rebel groups in the country has highlighted a perceived absence of Japan's leadership in addressing the prolonged crisis there, which observers believe has reached a turning point since the 2021 coup.

The mediation, which Beijing said brought a temporary ceasefire between the two sides in the country's northeast, raised questions about Japan's Myanmar policy that primarily deals with the junta without promoting ties with the National Unity Government, the shadow civilian leadership, and its ethnic minority allies, analysts say.

Details of an agreement, such as how long the ceasefire will last and its implications for the whole conflict, remain to be seen. China intervened at a critical juncture, coinciding with the success of a coordinated offensive by the three groups in late October that has emboldened pro-democracy forces nationwide, presenting the most significant challenge to the junta since the coup.

"It will not serve Japan's interest if the government only deals with the junta because a vast majority of the Myanmar people oppose military rule," said Maiko Ichihara, a professor of international relations at Hitotsubashi University, urging Tokyo to engage with the NUG and other anti-coup forces.

"As a country advocating the rule of law and respect for human rights and other universal values under the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, I would like Japan to conduct more proactive diplomacy toward Myanmar, a fellow country in Asia," she said in an interview.

Japan condemned the coup but has maintained relations with the military, known as the Tatmadaw, for fear that antagonizing the generals through measures such as slapping targeted sanctions and establishing diplomatic ties with the NUG would push them into China's embrace.

"If Japan does not build ties with pro-democracy forces, it will never have leverage over the Tatmadaw," Ichihara said. "Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and other generals must be thinking that Japan listens to whatever they say."

She also points to the Myanmar people's generally negative sentiment toward China.

Before Beijing brokered talks between the junta and what is known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a sign of a possible policy shift by Tokyo emerged. Zin Mar Aung, the NUG's foreign minister, met informally with senior Foreign Ministry officials during her trip to Japan in late November.

Zin Mar Aung, the first senior NUG official to have visited Japan, did not say who she met, and the ministry made no announcement about the meetings. Unlike the United States and European countries, Japan has no official contacts with the NUG.

"Now nearly three years on from the coup, I'm here to tell you that we have not been crushed and defeated, and that we are successfully pushing the military from more and more territory," Zin Mar Aung said at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 24.

"Japanese government officials need to know more about what is really happening on the ground and what are aspirations of the Myanmar people," she said, referring to their calls for ending brutal military dictatorship and building a federal democratic union.

Since the coordinated offensive, dubbed "Operation 1027" for its start date, the Tatmadaw has been losing on the ground. One estimate shows it now controls only 25 percent of Myanmar's territory as fighting has spread to over two-thirds of the country.

With a rising number of defections by Tatmadaw troops and a reduced arms supply from Russia in the midst of its war on Ukraine, Min Aung Hlaing on Dec. 4 called on anti-junta forces to solve problems "politically."

Citing widespread corruption in the military, Zin Mar Aung said an increasing number of junta officials have come to realize that the Feb. 1, 2021 putsch -- which ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratically elected government -- "is not even protecting their own interest."

"They are questioning the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing," Zin Mar Aung said, adding a total of about 14,000 Tatmadaw soldiers and police officers have surrendered to the NUG and the People's Defense Forces, an armed organization backing the NUG.

Despite China's announcement of a temporary ceasefire on Dec. 14, the situation appears to remain unstable because the three groups -- which operate in partnership with the NUG and the PDF -- pledged to "end dictatorship" and said, "Our dedication remains strong with the entire Myanmar population."

"The Myanmar conflict has reached a 'tipping point,' as we say, since Oct. 27," said Miemie Winn Byrd, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who is now a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. "The military is in bad shape."

Referring to Min Aung Hlaing's call for political solutions to the conflict, Byrd said, "Is he sincere about getting into negotiations? This is a question because he has used such tactics in the past to buy time and replenish his military."

She suggested that the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the NUG and other anti-coup forces come up with an enforcement mechanism so the junta will not break any deal it has agreed to.

Recognizing that the war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza are also key diplomatic agenda items for Japan, Ichihara urged Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government -- in coordination with the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- to take the lead in bringing peace in Myanmar without leaving such a role to China.

"In this respect, it was significant that Foreign Ministry officials held talks, though informally, with Ms. Zin Mar Aung," she said. "I think regional powers are closely watching how Japan will develop ties with the NUG and ethnic minority groups going forward."

Related coverage:

Myanmar junta, militias agree to cease-fire in China-mediated talks

Myanmar shadow government urges Japan to step up pressure on junta
Weaver Consulting Group lessened its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 14.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,972 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 493 shares during the quarter. Weaver Consulting Groups holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $525,000 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 the business. Auour Investments LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 8.4% during the third quarter. Auour Investments LLC now owns 17,993 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,089,000 after acquiring an additional 1,394 shares in the last quarter. Key Bridge Compliance LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $4,169,000. Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 2.0% during the third quarter. Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 28,148 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,975,000 after acquiring an additional 561 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 43.1% during the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 1,030,381 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $182,110,000 after acquiring an additional 310,353 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 7.3% during the third quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 881 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $156,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of IWM stock opened at $200.74 on Friday. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12 month low of $161.67 and a 12 month high of $202.17. The businesss 50 day moving average is $177.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $182.90.

About iShares Russell 2000 ETF

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.

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Sunflower Bank N.A. lessened its holdings in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) by 9.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 819 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 84 shares during the period. Sunflower Bank N.A.s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CAT. BCK Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the first quarter valued at $2,580,000. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 17.3% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 65,643 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $14,634,000 after acquiring an additional 9,695 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar during the first quarter valued at $405,000. Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 6.8% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 2,592 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 4.4% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 49,705 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $11,075,000 after acquiring an additional 2,076 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.20% of the companys stock.

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Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAT opened at $290.00 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $147.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.43, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.45. Caterpillar Inc. has a one year low of $204.04 and a one year high of $298.27. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $253.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $260.56.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

Caterpillar ( NYSE:CAT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $5.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.75 by $0.77. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 56.29% and a net margin of 13.69%. The company had revenue of $16.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.57 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.95 EPS. Caterpillars revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 20.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 22nd will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 19th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. Caterpillars dividend payout ratio is presently 29.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on CAT shares. Tigress Financial increased their price objective on Caterpillar from $282.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. StockNews.com lowered Caterpillar from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Caterpillar from $285.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Caterpillar from $315.00 to $274.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Caterpillar from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $269.78.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CAT

Caterpillar Company Profile

(Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track and multi-terrain, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 22, 2023 - 22:59 | All, Japan

A Japanese court on Friday sentenced a 74-year-old far-left activist, who had been on the run for decades, to 20 years in prison for killing a policeman, among other charges, during a riot in Tokyo in 1971.

The decision by the Tokyo District Court came after Masaaki Osaka denied all charges, while prosecutors had sought life imprisonment. He was arrested in 2017, marking an end to his 45 years on the run.

According to the ruling, Osaka killed the policeman during a protest with students and other activists on Nov. 14, 1971, in Tokyo's Shibuya district against the ratification of the Japan-U.S. treaty on the reversion of Okinawa.

He was also convicted of injuring three other police officers and setting fire to a police station.

The court said the fatal attack on the officer with steel pipes and Molotov cocktails was "cruel and vicious" and that Osaka could not "avoid harsh criticism" for his years on the run.

Osaka's defense team appealed the ruling the same day.

The trial, which began in October last year, took over a year to conclude due to the need to compare testimony given in court with confessions and witness statements taken at the time of the event to establish the consistency and reliability of the evidence.

During the trial, Osaka admitted to participating in the riot but denied involvement in the policeman's death. He refused to speak about any help he had received during his life as a fugitive.

The trial was held without lay judges due to courts and civilians previously having been targeted by far-left activists.

Related coverage:

Panic, false rumors and massacre: martial law amid 1923 Kanto quake
DAMASCUS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A 44-tanker convoy carrying oil taken from Syrian fields departed Syria's northeastern al-Hasakah province for U.S. bases in neighboring Iraq on Thursday, state news agency SANA reported.

According to local sources cited by SANA, the convoy exited the Yarubiya countryside on the Iraqi-Syrian border through the unauthorized Mahmoudiya crossing,

The incident came days after the U.S. forces took 95 tankers of oil and a truckload of grains from northeastern Syria on Dec. 17.

The Syrian government has repeatedly accused the U.S. forces of "pillaging Syrian resources," a move that further exacerbates the economic hardships of the war-torn country.

Head of the government-run Syrian Oil Company, Farhan Jamil Abdullah, said in July that as a result of the U.S. sanctions and military presence in Syria, oil production has decreased to 15,000 barrels per day from 385,000 barrels before the crisis, while gas production has plunged from 30 million cubic meters per day to 10 million cubic meters.

The Syrian government has lost control of most of the energy fields as a result of the U.S. presence in oil-rich areas in northern and eastern Syria, he said.

Oil Minister Firas Hassan Kaddour said in July that the losses of the energy sector in Syria are close to 100 billion U.S. dollars. 
Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec. 21, 2023. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied stressed here on Thursday his country's willingness to further strengthen the friendly ties and fruitful cooperation with Russia in various areas.

During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Saied reviewed the historical relations between the two countries, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement.

While reiterating his country's firm and unconditional support for the Palestinian people, Saied called on the international community to put an end to the brutal daily attacks targeting the Palestinian people.

For his part, Lavrov expressed his country's readiness to further strengthen its close relations with Tunisia in a number of fields, including grains, energy, health, higher education, cultural exchange, modern technologies, and space, in addition to continuing to promote trade exchange.

To further strengthen relations between the two countries, Lavrov started a two-day official visit to Tunisia on Wednesday night at the invitation of Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar, who visited Moscow on Sept. 26 and 27. 
[December 21, 2023] The BuildClub Achieves $900K Milestone on StartEngine Tweet

Palo Alto, CA, Dec. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The BuildClub has disrupted the construction supply landscape with its innovative approach to intelligent material sourcing. The company's AI-powered platform offers Google Flights style price shopping and same-day delivery nationwide, scanning 15 million items daily to find the best prices and quickest delivery options. Today, with a firm commitment to reshaping the industry, BuildClub stands at the forefront of the construction technology revolution.

The funds raised will further propel the company's growth initiatives, allowing it to expand its reach, enhance technological capabilities, and solidify its position as a maret leader in the construction supply sector. Stephen Forte, Founder, Chief Executive Officer of The BuildClub, expressed his gratitude for the continuous support from the investor community. "Surpassing the $900,000 milestone on StartEngine is a remarkable achievement for The BuildClub. It not only underscores the value our platform brings to the construction supply chain but also signifies the trust and confidence investors place in our mission."





The BuildClub has received noteworthy endorsements and support from industry experts, cementing its status as a transformative force in the construction supply industry. The platform's user-friendly interface, coupled with its commitment to simplifying material price discovery and same-day delivery, has resonated with a broad audience, leading to 72,000+ registered users and over $5 million in sales since its launch.



Investors interested in becoming part of The BuildClub's success story and contributing to the future of construction supply can explore opportunities and invest directly through the StartEngine platform. The company's StartEngine raise: https://www.startengine.com/offering/buildclub.



Stephen Forte CEO The BuildClub stephen at buildclub.com

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[December 21, 2023] PRINCIPAL TECHNOLOGIES CLOSES SECOND TRANCHE AND ANNOUNCES UPSIZE OF OVERSUBSCRIBED PRIVATE PLACEMENT Tweet

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Principal Technologies Inc. (the "Company") (TSXV: PTEC), is pleased to announce the closing of the second tranche ("Tranche 2") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). Under Tranche 2 of the Offering, the Company issued 6,823,333 common shares (the "Shares") at $0.15 per Share for gross proceeds of $1,023,500. The total raised under the Offering to date is $1,373,975. The Company also announces that it has increased the size of the Offering, as previously described in the Company's news releases dated October 6, 2023 and November 21, 2023. The Company now intends to issue up to 10,700,000 Shares at a price of $0.15 per Share for total gross proceeds of approximately $1,600,000 subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Company first announced the Offering for up to 6,000,000 common shares of the Company for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $900,000. The Company has received approval from the TSXV for an extension and intends to close a third and final tranche of the Offering on or before January 17, 2024. The Company has now received additional offers to participate in the third tranche of the Offering. "We are exceptionally grateful for the support of both our existing and new shareholders to allow us to close this oversubscribed private placement," commented Jerry Trent, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "We are now entering a new and exciting phase of our development as we advance discussions for our first major European healthcare acquisition. Our pipeline has never been stronger as we search for profitable, unique targets. We look forward to updating the market in due course." Finder's fees in connection with the Offering, include two components, namely cash finder's fees (the "<>Cash Finder's Fees") and finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). The Cash Finder's Fee shall be equal to eight percent (8%) of the amount provided to the Company pursuant to a financing or investment agreement entered into between the Company and a Designated Investor for financing or an investment in exchange for securities or other equity in the Company (the "Investment Agreement"). The Finder's Warrants shall be equal to eight percent (8%) of the number of securities received by the Designated Investor. Each non-transferable Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share (a "Share") of the Company for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance at a price of CAD$0.20 per Share. In connection with the closing of Tranche 2, Cash Finder's Fees of $33,720 were paid in cash and a total of 224,800 Finder's Warrants are issuable.



The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital in order to secure a major asset and for general corporate purposes. All currency in this news release is denominated in Canadian dollars. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering, and any Shares that may be issuable on exercise of any such securities, will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of such securities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jerry Trent, Chief Executive Officer

Principal Technologies Inc. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements: This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of the Company in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required. SOURCE Principal Technologies Inc.

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[December 21, 2023] UniLayer Network Unveils Cutting-Edge Omnichain Technology Supporting BRC-20 Token Standard and Ordinals Tweet

SINGAPORE, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UniLayer is making waves as the omnichain, layer-1 network of the future, facilitating universal interoperability on chain. UniLayer's testnet, which went online in September, was a resounding success, and anticipation is growing for UniLayer's upcoming mainnet launch, scheduled for January 10th, 2024. UniLayer's Bitcoin Integration: Embracing the BRC-20 Token Standard and Ordinals UniLayer's first priority post-mainnet is to implement its groundbreaking Bitcoin integration, with scheduled integrations of all major networks to follow. UniLayer's Bitcoin integration holds a special significance, since the BRC-20 token standard and Bitcoin ordinals are now facing significant opposition from core Bitcoin developers, who are ramping up efforts to "fix" the features that have allowed for the creation of ordinals. UniLayer stands firm in its support for the BRC-20 token standard and continued innovation of legacy chains in the space. CEO, Alex Belets recently posted a series of Tweets about UniLayer's position on the BRC-20 token standard and ordinals: "[UniLayer will] integrate and support BRC20 Ordinals [and] embed these advancements at the very core of our system". Follow UniLayer on Twitter for the latest news, updates, and community reward programs. UniLayer: A New Vision of Universal Interoperability The UniLayer network embodies a new paradigm in interoperability, embracing the original, "on-chain ethos" of Bitcoin itself. In alignment with this, UniLayer will begin its multi-chain journey with the landmark integration of the Bitcoin network, the first in a series of legacy blockchain integrations. Over the past year, Bitcoin has received renewed attention due to a significant technical innovation: the BRC-20 token standard, which has allowed for the creation of "Bitcoin NFTs", or ordinals. Bitcoin ordinals are distinct from ERC-20 NFTs and NFTs on other chains in that they reside directly on the blockchain, and therefore inherit the immutability and security of the Bitcoin network itself. UniLayer is poised to not only support these exciting new advances, but enhance them, through an on-chain interoperability that extends their rach to all major blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Near Protocol. The UniLayer network was designed to serve as the infrastructural layer of the entire blockchain space, empowering the next generation of cross-chain DEXs, DeFi protocols, Web3 games, and other DApps, all benefiting from the highest standard of security, at high speeds and low costs.



Significantly, UniLayer allows for a single "Logix" smart contract to direct and coordinate contracts across multiple networks, greatly simplifying any interoperable DApp's backend infrastructure, while providing high speed and security. Also, UniLayer is the first UTXO chain to successfully integrate with MetaMask, a technical breakthrough that will allow for unprecedented cross-chain access to Uniswap and a great number of other popular DApps. It will allow for the seamless onboarding of millions to UniLayer's interoperable infrastructure.

Fundamentally, UniLayer envisions a blockchain space without borders, and the upcoming mainnet launch will turn that vision into a reality. UniLayer's Unstoppable Development Continues As a tech-forward, tech-first project, UniLayer's development has never ceased. Since the testnet launch, the team has been heads down, hard at work, refining and optimizing the network to best realize their uncompromising vision of on-chain interoperability. Recent highlights include: RPL Transactions on Consensus Level: An industry first, UniLayer is pioneering support for RPL transactions at the consensus layer, in BTC paradigm.

Performance Improvements and Stability Updates: The team has implemented a vast array of enhancements that significantly boost performance and ensure greater system stability.

Increased Denomination Precision: The UniLayer network has moved from the classic 1e-8 BTC denomination to the more refined 1e-18 of Ethereum. This was a complex task, necessitating a complete revamp of network serialization and security. It will enable the processing of micro-transactions, essential for high-frequency DeFi, DEXs, and gaming DApps.

MPC Support: Crucially, UniLayer has integrated Multi-Party Computation (MPC) support. This is a major stride towards interoperability, and elevates integrity, security, and autonomy across multiple networks. The Future of Interoperability is On Chain The interoperability space is enjoying a surge in growth, demonstrated by the advent of a multitude of multichain bridges, layer-0 networks, and interoperability protocols. Nevertheless, UniLayer stands alone with its unique, on-chain design: an architecture that unites blockchains natively on the physical level of nodes. UniLayer empowers existing nodes of disparate networks (Bitcoin, Ethereun, Solana) to serve a dual function: validating their original network's transaction while also validating cross-chain transactions on the UniLayer network, gaining the capability of transacting on-chain with any other connected blockchain. The UniLayer network was built to handle the most demanding B2B use cases, achieving speeds of up to 10,000 tps (transactions per second). Combined with industry-leading, low fees and its uniquely secure physical-level node architecture, UniLayer enjoys a substantial competitive advantage over other interoperability solutions in this rapidly-growing space. UniLayer Surges Toward Mainnet Launch in Q1 2024 The UniLayer network is needed now more than ever. The inherent vulnerabilities of centralization, from collapsing exchanges to hacked bridges, demonstrate the urgent need for a fundamentally novel and secure solution to interoperability: a solution that resides purely on chain. That's what the UniLayer network will achieve. As we approach mainnet launch on Q1 2024, we will be keeping the community regularly updated on every advance, and offer opportunities to our community members to get involved and benefit early from UniLayer's entry in the space. Excited times lay ahead! To learn more about UniLayer and where we're headed, visit UniLayer.io. To stay up to date on our mainnet launch, developments, and partnerships, follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/unilayernetwork To join our growing community and talk to the team directly, visit our official Discord: https://discord.com/invite/G3cTrYmCBM View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/unilayer-network-unveils-cutting-edge-omnichain-technology-supporting-brc-20-token-standard-and-ordinals-302021409.html SOURCE UniLayer

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The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, denounced the potential transfer of Bichvinta country houses to Russia, labeling it as both illegal and illegitimate."This decision, like all others related to the airport and Ochamchire, is illegitimate, illegal, and has been made without the will of the people.These are our lands, our airport, our port-collectively ours. Therefore, our defense lies in the international arena, consistently protesting to prevent these illegitimate steps from becoming de facto actions," said Zourabichvili.According to the information reported by the so-called opposition of the Abkhazian occupation regime, Bichvinta cottages may finally be handed over to Russia on December 28. The self-proclaimed parliament is planning to 'ratify' the relevant document on December 28.In January 2022, a document was secretly signed between the government of the occupation regime of Abkhazia and Russia. According to this agreement, the government country house 'Bichvinta' will be transferred to the ownership of the Russian Federation.The Ministry of Internal Affairs has released a statement regarding the agreement between Georgia and Germany on migration and mobility. The statement clarifies that the so-called 'Balkan model' was not discussed in the agreement signed between the two countries.Refuting claims made by the German publication 'tagesschau', the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the information about the Georgian side rejecting the so-called 'Balkan model' is false. According to the publication, Joachim Stamp, the special representative of the German federal government in migration agreements, proposed to the Georgian government the opening of the labor market for Georgian personnel, drawing inspiration from the Western Balkans model."Unfortunately, incorrect information is circulating in various media outlets, suggesting that the Georgian side rejected the so-called 'Balkan model'. This is not true.We would like to emphasize that the negotiation process between Georgia and Germany, including relevant meetings and visits, took place over an extended period. The resulting draft agreement did not include discussions about the so-called 'Balkan model.It should be noted that the agreement signed on December 19, 2023, marks a significant step forward in our country's path toward European integration. The decision of the Federal Republic of Germany to recognize Georgia as a safe country is particularly welcomed," the statement reads.According to the agency, the agreement will expand the scope of legal employment for Georgian citizens in the German labor market. Beyond seasonal jobs, additional employment opportunities will emerge in areas such as logistics, transport, and services.
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's anti-drug police have arrested a gang of four foreigners for allegedly trafficking illicit drugs, confiscating 58.4 kilograms of narcotics, the country's Anti-Drug Department said in a news release on Friday.

The all-male suspects were apprehended on Tuesday during raids on two locations in the national capital Phnom Penh's Meanchey district after a probe for several months.

"Some 28.3 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 26.4 kg of ecstasy, 2.9 kg of nimetazepam, and 0.83 kg of ketamine were seized in the suspects' possession during the raids," the department said.

About 336 kg of drug ingredients were also seized, it added.

The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be jailed for life.

According to the department, the kingdom reported crackdowns on 7,405 drug-related cases during the first 11 months of 2023, arresting 18,350 people, including 458 foreigners of 16 nationalities.

A total of 2.85 tons of illicit drugs were seized during the January-November period this year, it said, adding that most of them were heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills and cathinone. 
[December 21, 2023] AURUM FILES FILING STATEMENT FOR QUALIFYING TRANSACTION Tweet

TSX-V: ARL.P /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES./ TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Aurum Lake Mining Corporation ("Aurum" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news releases of December 21, 2022, November 8, 2023, December 4, 2023 and December 6, 2023, it has filed a filing statement for its previously announced qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") that is dated effective December 21, 2023 (the "Filing Statement") with the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Additional information in respect of the Qualifying Transaction and the Company can be found in the Filing Statement. The Qualifying Transaction remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV and satisfaction of closing conditions customary for transactions of this nature. The Company, upon and subject to completion of the Qualifying Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer"), will continue under the name "Aurum Lake Mining Corporation" and trade on the TSXV under the symbol "ARL". Final acceptance of the Qualifying Transaction will occur upon the issuance of a final exchange bulletin (the "Exchange Bulletin") which will provide disclose the proposed date on which the Company's common shares will resume trading. Until such time, in accordance with the policies of the TSXV, the Company's common shares are currently halted from trading and will remain so until such time as required by TSXV policies. Cautionary Note Completion of the Qualifying Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, without limitation, the receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals (including the approval of the TSXV) and other conditions that are customary for a transaction of this nature. Where applicable, the Qualifying Transaction cannot close until the required approvals have been obtained. There can be no assurance that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the continuous disclosure document containing full, tru and plain disclosure regarding the Qualifying Transaction, required to be filed with the securities regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the affairs of the Company, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The trading in the securities of the Company on the TSXV, if reinstated prior to completion of the Qualifying Transaction, should be considered highly speculative.



About Aurum Lake Mining Corporation Subject to final acceptance by the TSXV of the Qualifying Transaction, the Company will no longer be a capital pool company and will be classified as a Tier 2 mining issuer pursuant to the policies of the TSXV.

Completion of the Qualifying Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Qualifying Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Qualifying Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Qualifying Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Qualifying Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect Aurum's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the completion of the Qualifying Transaction and receiving approvals for the closing of the Qualifying Transaction. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Aurum. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: there is no assurance that Aurum will obtain all requisite approvals for the Qualifying Transaction or fulfill all the conditions and obligations required for the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, including the approval of the TSXV. There are a number of important factors that could cause Aurum's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of Aurum; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; disruption of results of operation activities and development of the Homathko Property; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. Aurum cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Aurum's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Aurum has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF AURUM AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE AURUM MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Aurum Lake Mining Corporation

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[December 22, 2023] Building Resilient Communities: SellOn Launches 'Club' for Enhanced Collaboration Tweet

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SellOn, a Web3-based digital community platform with a concept of hyperlocalism and reward system, officially announces its latest feature, "Club". Launched in December, this innovative feature is designed to serve as a collaborative hub for communities across Indonesia, fostering interactive engagement, and offering enticing rewards for communities actively expanding and participating. 'Club' by SellOn's: Tackling Issues Faced by Communities Communities, as avenues for networking and sharing information among individuals unified by common interests, visions, or goals, often encounter obstacles in expanding their outreach and impact. Such challenges include limited funding, low adoption of digital technology, and lackluster member participation. SellOn steps in to address these pain points by providing a user-friendly digital platform to empower communities to organize, thrive, and gain strength. Equipped with multiple engaging elements - Sekitar for community insights, Buy & Sell marketplace, Games, and a Points & Rewards system - the SellOn app empowers community building. With the introduction of the cutting-edge Club feature, SellOn further champions the empowerment and growth of communities in Indonesia, imbuing them to gain dynamism and resilience for enduring success. John Kim, COO of SellOn, expressed "We acknowledge the immense potential for communitie throughout Indonesia to thrive and enrich their members' lives. SellOn aims to nurture connected, compassionate, and open-minded communities. The Club feature offers a limitless space for communities to organize, manage, and cultivate themselves. We aspire for it to galvanize growth and participation within communities, allowing them to blossom into robust entities that create wide-reaching, constructive change."



The Club feature empowers communities with versatile perks tailored to users' needs, ranging from unlimited membership to propelling collaborative visions and enhancing project management efficiency. Within the app, members enjoy the flexibility to upload and share a variety of content, including posts, comments, messages, images, and videos, with unlimited storage for additional media and documents. Furthermore, users can earn points by completing daily missions, such as sharing interesting information and other interactions (e.g., liking or commenting on posts), as well as playing entertaining games within the SellOn app. These accumulated points can subsequently be redeemed for mobile credit and other appealing rewards. Moreover, robust security and privacy customizations offer users reassurance. Community leaders or organizers maintain granular control over sensitive information and other aspects. Interactive invitations through links, codes, and barcodes further streamline the process, making it easier for communities to connect with a broader audience.

"SellOn thrives on constantly advancing and enriching the app to align with the evolving needs of communities. In the future, more captivating functionalities will be introduced in the Club, such as polling, split bills, event calendars, and more," added Kim. Join SellOn and Win Prizes for Your Community! Starting December 11th, 2023, SellOn offers communities in Indonesia actively utilizing the Club feature an opportunity to win prizes up to 3 million rupiahs (~USD $186). Qualifying communities or groups, vetted based on their vibrancy and growth, will receive direct notification of prize eligibility from SellOn's team via the appointed Club leader. Be part of our Club communities! Download SellOn on Google Play Store and App Store and seize the chance to win fantastic prizes! Explore more details at www.sellon.net. About SellOn Sellon is a hyperlocal community service and online marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers to sell and buy secondhand or new goods. Community members can share helpful information, such as local businesses and public facilities, or host meetings with common interests. SellOn believes that bringing neighbors together can create a better social community where everyone has an environment they can trust and rely on. Unlike the existing social media and marketplace apps, by embracing Web 3, SellOn rewards users' contributions that keep the community alive through its token system. Currently, there are more than 342 thousand SellOn app users spread across Indonesia and Singapore. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/building-resilient-communities-sellon-launches-club-for-enhanced-collaboration-302021589.html SOURCE SellOn

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[December 22, 2023] Cellusion Receives U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Designation for CLS001 Tweet

Cellusion Inc. (CEO: Shin Hatou, M.D. Ph.D., "Cellusion"), a deep tech start-up developing a novel cell therapy, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has granted Orphan Drug Designation ("ODD") to our regenerative medicine product "iPS cell-derived corneal endothelial cell substitute" ("CLS001") for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. FDA grants ODD if the drug meets specific criteria, the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of rare diseases that affect less than 200,000 people in the United States. The ODD qualifies sponsors for incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical (in humans) testing, waiver of the prescription drug user fee and potential 7 years of market exclusivity after FDA approval. Cellusion has developed CLS001 for bullous keratopathy, which accounts for more than half of all corneal transplants and is currently preparing for corporate clinical trials in Japan and global clinical trials. With this designation, we will further accelerate the global development of CLS001 and aim to contribute to patients around the world who are waiting for the treatment. The ODD information for CLS001 is as follows:

FDA (Search Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals)

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=975623



[About CLS001]

CLS001 is alternative cell to corneal endothelial cells produced by efficiently differentiating iPS cells, which can be differentiated into various types of cells, based on Cellusion's proprietary technique. Cellusion is promoting the development of CLS001 as a therapeutic regenerative medicine product for bullous keratopathy, which accounts for more than half of the corneal transplant cases, by combining "CECSi Cells* made from iPS cells with excellent proliferative properties" and "a simple injection cell delivery procedure without needs of human expertise." Cellusion is also advancing preparations for company-sponsored clinical trials in Japan, as well as preparations for global clinical trials.

*CECSi Cells: Corneal Endothelial Cell Substitute from iPS Cells [About Bullous Keratopathy]

Bullous keratopathy is a rare disease that occurs when corneal endothelial cells, which control the amount of fluid at the inner-most part of the cornea, decrease due to eye surgery of cataract or genetic factors, resulting in problems with their function, whereby the cornea becomes swollen and causes visual impairment due to opacity. This disease is progressive and may lead to blindness if left untreated. Today, this disease is mainly treated by transplanting normally functioning corneal endothelial cells via corneal transplant. Nevertheless, as with other organ transplants, corneal transplants are also facing a serious problem of donor shortage. In Japan alone, it is estimated that there are about 10,000 patients, and in the global survey conducted in 2013 it was reported that approximately 13 million patients are waiting for corneal transplants.

[About Cellusion]

Cellusion is a regenerative medicine start-up originating from the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, with "Regenerating Human Potential" as its mission and "More Freedom and More Smiles to the World" as its vision. Based on patented technology such as its proprietary technique of efficiently producing corneal endothelial substitute cell from iPS cells, Cellusion is promoting R&D aimed at meeting medical needs from the perspective of "patient centricity" by leveraging cutting-edge regenerative medicine technology, including the lead program CLS001 that aims to meet the global corneal transplant demands. Company: Cellusion Inc.

CEO: Shin Hatou, M.D., Ph.D.

Headquarters: 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobuna, Chuo, Tokyo 103-0024, JAPAN

Founded: January 2015

URL: https://cellusion.jp/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222826738/en/

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[December 22, 2023] Blue Oasis in Tengger Desert: SOFAR Powers a 300MW Utility PV Project in Gansu, China Tweet

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the 300MW utility project powered by SOFAR has been commissioned. Located in the south edge of China's fourth largest desert Tengger Desert, the plant is expected to generate 540 million kWh of clean electricity annually and restore 5.2 square kilometers of grassland after being fully connected to the grid this week, saving 160,000 tons of SCE per year. Over 1,300 sets of SOFAR 255KTL-HV have been adopted in this project. With a max. efficiency of 99.02%, the inverter delivers optimal energy conversion and system output for users. Along with IP66 protection and C5 anti-corrosion, the inverter provides robust durability in harsh desert environments. Meanwhile, the inclusion of smart string-level disconnection (SSLD) ensures efficient and safe operation by isolating faulty strings, minimizing any potential impact on the overall system performance. In addition, the I-V scanning can accuraely locate faulty strings, enabling quick and precise troubleshooting.



"The success we achieved won't be possible without the support from our partners. We're delighted to collaborate with SOFAR on a project of significant scale. To our satisfaction, SOFAR inverters operate stably during the whole process, so we're convinced about a stable power supply and high yields in the future operation," says Xiaoyong He, Chief Project Engineer of POWERCHINA, the EPC of the project. Ethan Shi, Head of SOFAR China, believes that the collaboration reflects SOFAR's strong dedication to contribute to the shared goal of carbon neutrality. "With several ongoing projects in partnership with POWERCHINA nationwide, we're able to leverage their expertise and resources to further expand our presence and make an impact. We welcome the opportunities ahead and look forward to achieving great success together."

About SOFAR SOFAR is a global leading provider of all-scenario solar and storage solutions and committed to be the leader of digital energy solutions with a comprehensive portfolio, including PV inverters, hybrid inverters, BESS, utility ESS, microinverter system and SOFAR Monitor smart energy management system for residential, C&I and utility applications. By 2021, SOFAR entered the TOP5 Global Hybrid Inverter Brands, establishing a global R&D network with three R&D centers and two manufacturing bases. In 2022, SOFAR annual production capacity reached 10GW for inverters and 1GWh for batteries. By 2022, SOFAR has shipped 18GW+ inverters to 100+ countries and regions worldwide. Learn more: https://www.sofarsolar.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/blue-oasis-in-tengger-desert-sofar-powers-a-300mw-utility-pv-project-in-gansu-china-302021690.html SOURCE SOFAR

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[December 22, 2023]

The Week in Canadian Press Releases: 10 Stories You Need to See

A roundup of the most newsworthy press releases from Cision Distribution this week

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 /CNW/ - With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on Cision. To help journalists and consumers stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

Read more of the latest releases from Cision, see our resources for journalists, and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @cnwnews.

About Cision Canada

Cision is a comprehensive communications platform enabling more than 100,000 public relations and marketing professionals around the world to understand, influence and amplify their stories. As the market leader, Cision enables the next generation of communication professionals to strategically operate in the modern media landscape where company success is directly impacted by public opinion. Cision has offices in 24 countries through the Americas, EMEA and APAC, and offers a suite of best-in-class solutions, including Newswire, Brandwatch, Cision Communications Cloud and Cision Insights. To learn more, visit www.cision.ca and follow @CisionCA on Twitter.

SOURCE Cision Canada
[December 22, 2023] CPP Investments Agrees Partial Realization of Investment in Visma Tweet

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 /CNW/ - Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), through its wholly-owned subsidiary CPP Investment Board Europe Sarl., has signed an agreement for a sell down of its stake in Visma, a leading provider of mission-critical cloud software in Europe. The transaction is a partial realization of the existing stake to a pool of existing and new investors. CPP Investments will retain a ~2% stake in Visma. CPP Investments' net proceeds from the transaction are expected to be approximately CA$700 million. The transaction, which values Visma at EUR 19 billion, will welcome around 20 new investors worth over EUR 1 billion of equity investment. Additionally, EUR 3 billion of new investment will also come from existing shareholders. Visma today is the largest privately-owned software business in Europe, and a leading provider of cloud accounting and ERP solutions to small and medium sized usinesses in the region with revenues over ~2bn. The Group is currently present in 28 countries with more than 15,000 employees.



"Since our first investment in Visma in 2019 and our subsequent follow-on investments, Visma has continued to lead the way as a scaled provider of mission-critical cloud software in Europe. We've realized solid returns during our ownership and will continue to back Visma as it continues on its growth path under the continued control ownership of Hg," said Hafiz Lalani, Managing Director, Global Head of Direct Private Equity, CPP Investments. "We thank the entire management team for their outstanding performance during a period of strong growth generating exceptional investment returns including in the unpredictable market environment witnessed over the last few years." CPP Investments' Direct Private Equity (DPE) strategy is focused on assets and sub-sectors where we maintain competitive advantages including a strong track record, superior insights, and strategic partnerships to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns. At March 31, 2023, its active portfolio  direct investments with a controlling or significant stake  was valued at C$40.8bn, with total Private Equity assets of C$146.0bn, 26% of total assets.

This transaction has been signed and is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to complete in the second quarter of the next calendar year. About CPP Investments Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) is a professional investment management organization that manages the Fund in the best interest of the more than 21 million contributors and beneficiaries of the Canada Pension Plan. In order to build diversified portfolios of assets, investments are made around the world in public equities, private equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Sydney, CPP Investments is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. At September 30, 2023, the Fund totalled C$576 billion. For more information, please visit www.cppinvestments.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. SOURCE Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

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[December 22, 2023] The Chinese market remains an attractive investment hub. Why? Tweet

BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on why China remains an attractive investment hub: Siemens, a German multinational technology conglomerate, added another 1.1 billion RMB to its total investment in fixed assets to build an industrial automation production base in China; AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical giant, announced its decision to augment investment and production in China; the CEO of Starbucks told the press that the coffee chain will continue its vision of opening 9,000 branches in China by 2025 This year, many foreign investors made firm decisions to invest in China, a testament to their confidence in the Chinese market. Their confidence in China stems from their positive visions for the nation's economic outlook, as well as the sound measures China has taken to address concerns around foreign-invested companies. The year 2023 is one of economic recovery following three years of COVID-19 prevention and control, and China's economic growth is expected to reach 5.2% by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the country has opened its door wider to the outside world: Grand exhibitions including the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the Canto Fair and the China International Fair for Trade in Services all yielded fruitful results. Among them, the value of intended deals at the 6th CIIE saw a 6.7% year-on-year increase, meanwhile, the number of participating Fortune Global 500 companies and industry powerhouses broke a new record.



Problems encountered by foreign investors and business owners in China are also being addressed. Here are some examples. In the past, equity investment from foreign investors was not allowed in China. But a few months ago, new policies were issued in China, stating that qualified foreign investors are encouraged to set up investment companies and regional headquarters, and enterprises funded and established by relevant investment companies can enjoy favorable treatment in accordance with relevant regulations.

Cross-border data flow is also an issue garnering broad attention. China also drafted a document and solicited public opinion. Once officially approved and practiced, some of the cross-border data flow processes could be streamlined. Government procurement is an important channel for foreign-invested companies to share market opportunities in a host country. China has many times broken unreasonable restrictions on government procurement suppliers, to guarantee fair play for domestic and foreign-invested companies alike. The Foreign Investment Law, enacted in 2020, also ensured an equal playing field before the law. What's more, to further facilitate exchanges between the people of China and other countries, China has reduced the paperwork required for applying for a Chinese Visa, streamlining the entire process. Recently, China decided to implement a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis. Coming to China for business, education and traveling is becoming increasingly convenient. These concrete efforts are in line with the requirements from the recently concluded central economic work conference. In the coming year, the world can expect more efforts of its kind from China. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-chinese-market-remains-an-attractive-investment-hub-why-302021742.html SOURCE China.org.cn

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[December 22, 2023] Achievers Is a Category Leader and Visionary in Employee Recognition in 2023 Tweet

Achievers, the industry leading employee experience platform, today celebrates its growth in employee recognition and belonging in 2023. Powered by leading HR industry strategic partnerships and alliances, research and thought leadership from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), and the hiring of veteran executives in the field, Achievers received several industry accolades in 2023 recognizing these achievements. In April, Achievers announced that it ranked number one in vision and capability on Everest Group's Rewards and Recognition (R&R) Solutions PEAK Matrix assessment, which evaluated 26 vendors in the reward & recognition category. Achievers similarly ranked number one in the breadth-of-service category by HRO Today's 2023 "Baker's Dozen" Customer Satisfaction Ratings, which are based on an independent analysis of feedback collected from verified recognition customers and buyers. Achievers also ranked high for its exceptional customer satisfaction ratings in the G2's Regional Grid Reports. Recognition for Achievers Achievers garnered praise for fostering people-centric cultures internally and for its customers. In its fall HR technology awards program, Brandon Hall Group honored Achievers and its customer Bon Secours Mercy Health as Silver winners for Best Advance in Rewards and Recognition Technology. Additionally, Great Place to Work Canada honored Achievers with nine awards throughout 2023, recognizing its commitment to mental wellness, inclusivity, technology, and more. The company was also honored throughout the year with 25+ awards for its culture and the employee experience platform. "In 2023, Achievers remained focused on changing how the world works," said Jeff Cates, CEO, Achievers. "However, as employee needs, tech, and HR challenges evolve, our approach to powering data-driven recognition and belonging must continue to evolve as well. Three essentials amplified our mission and helped our customers adapt this year - great partners such as Microsoft and Workday, passionate A-Players, and AWI's science-backed workforce best practices. We were also humbled to be recognized by industry analysts for our vision, capability, and customer satisfaction when evaluated against other vendors." Partner Innovation Achievers fostered stronger strategic partnerships with Workday and Microsoft in2023, enabling HR and business leaders to take their employee experiences to new heights. As a certified Workday Innovation Partner, Achievers and Workday expanded on key integrations, including User Sync, One-Time Payment, and Anytime Feedback. Achievers and Microsoft also bolstered the "Achievers for Teams" integration, increasing the workforce's sense of belonging - including frontline workers - by embedding recognition opportunities in the employees' flow of work.



AWI Data Highlights AWI provided business and HR leaders with various 2023 workforce science reports, including its Manager Effectiveness Report, HR Preparedness Report, and Engagement and Retention Report. Reflecting on a year of data, 3 findings stand out:

More than half of HR leaders support 4-day workweeks

Feeling recognized helps outweigh a salary below expectations

Unlimited vacation increases belonging by 43% AWI also published the most comprehensive report in its history, The Belonging Blueprint. This guide provides everything HR leaders need to know about creating a culture of belonging in the workplace. It includes tips from experts on the frontlines of cultivating belonging, including Kumari Williams, Vice President of Diversity and Belonging at Workday. "At Workday, we believe belonging is the feeling we create when we treat every person like the valuable member of our community that they are," said Williams in her Belonging Blueprint foreword. "Belonging is a goal we're pursuing together - and it means showing up as your best self and letting others do the same while respecting each other's limits and the appropriate boundaries of our workplace." Employee Appreciation, Community, and Wellness Achievers understands that employee connections drive increased rates of belonging and strives to build a strong community for its employees, also called A-Players. As part of this endeavor, Achievers launched a give-back initiative for its annual Employee Appreciation Week (February 27 - March 3) celebration. Throughout this week-long celebration, Achievers made charitable donations to its employees' favorite causes through its platform. During companywide volunteering days, A-Players also supported local nonprofits such as Food from the Heart, The Ronald McDonald House, and Hospice Toronto. Achievers also remained devoted to employee wellness, offering wellness challenges and additional paid "recharge days" off. Achievers' employee investments also extend beyond its philanthropic and wellness efforts. Throughout 2023, Achievers focused on adding veteran executives to its leadership team. Achievers executives appointed in 2023 include: Beth Thornton, Chief Revenue Officer - Thornton comes to Achievers with over 25 years of strategic leadership in sales, marketing, and client success at a few different technology companies, including CRO at Experlogix, Inc., Inspire Software, and leading global sales at O.C. Tanner.

- Thornton comes to Achievers with over 25 years of strategic leadership in sales, marketing, and client success at a few different technology companies, including CRO at Experlogix, Inc., Inspire Software, and leading global sales at O.C. Tanner. Larry Vertin, Chief Financial Officer - Vertin is a financial professional with extensive experience in technical accounting, business operations, and FP&A. He has held senior leadership positions at global technology companies, including Symantec, NetApp, and [24]7.ai.

- Vertin is a financial professional with extensive experience in technical accounting, business operations, and FP&A. He has held senior leadership positions at global technology companies, including Symantec, NetApp, and [24]7.ai. Matthew Tremmaglia, Chief Customer Officer - Recently promoted to the CCO, Tremmaglia joined Achievers in 2013 and started leading customer success at Achievers in 2019. He recently served as the Vice President of Customer Success.

- Recently promoted to the CCO, Tremmaglia joined Achievers in 2013 and started leading customer success at Achievers in 2019. He recently served as the Vice President of Customer Success. Chris Fudge, Chief Marketing Officer - Fudge brings a valuable mix of over 25 years of sales, customer success, and marketing experience as the former Head of Global Sales at Achievers. Before Achievers, he led sales and marketing functions at Intuit and HP. About Achievers Achievers' employee voice and recognition solutions bring your organization's values and strategy to life by activating employee participation and accelerating a culture of performance. Achievers leverages the science behind behavior change, so your people and your organization can experience sustainable, data-driven business results. Visit us at www.achievers.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222203347/en/

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[December 22, 2023]

NAV CANADA signs a historic agreement with Santa Claus

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 22, 2023 /CNW/ - NAV CANADA has become the first Air Navigation Service Provider worldwide to sign an agreement with Santa Claus to provide priority status on the night of December 24th to 25th for safe, orderly and expeditious gift delivery.

NAV CANADA commits to provide top-notch, up-to-date technologies, advanced communication systems and modern carrot-efficient approaches to facilitate this high-speed flight serving millions of dstinations.







Based on this agreement, Santa Claus has implemented an ADS-B antenna to his sleigh and now complies with the Canadian ADS-B mandate which will ensure safe deliveries, especially from the North Pole. Rudolph, when reached for comment, said, "We're all aware that my nose guides the sleigh, but it's nice to know the folks at NAV CANADA support our operation with this great technology. I oversaw installation of the two-way antenna myself  and if anyone's an expert on navigation, it's me."

"We are glad to reach this historic agreement with Santa Claus. Our main priority is always safety, and we use every tool at hand across Canada's seven Flight Information Regions to keep Santa's precious cargo safe, from coast to coast to coast," said Raymond G. Bohn, President and CEO, NAV CANADA. "Canadian children who have been very good deserve to receive their gifts in a timely fashion."

This is the first time in history that NAV CANADA and Santa Claus have reached a formal agreement.

NAV CANADA wishes Santa, Rudolph and the whole team a safe and joyful night.

About NAV CANADA

NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace.

The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation.

SOURCE NAV CANADA
[December 22, 2023] Pivot Bio Donates Funds to Support Local Food Banks in Its Communities Tweet

To give back to local communities and address the growing challenge of food insecurity across the U.S., Pivot Bio, a sustainable agriculture company, is donating to six local Food Banks or Food Pantries this holiday season in the communities where its team members live and work. "The fundamental mission of our company is to support our farm partners who are working hard to feed a growing world population and help them with this challenge in new ways that positively impact the planet," said Evan Wittenberg, Chief People Office, Pivot Bio. "It was natural for us to focus on food security when supporting our local communities. Through recommendations from our team members, we identified several organizations in our office locations that are doing meaningful work and can benefit from our support." Local organizations include: Food at First, Ames, IA

Berkeley Food Pantry, Berkeley, CA

Leyden Township Food Pantry, Franklin Park, IL

Foodbank Heartland, Omaha, NE

St. Louis Area Foodbank, St. Louis, MO

Second Harvest Heartland, Minneaplis, MN



Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks, 21 statewide associations, and 60K partner food pantries and meal programs, it is estimated that more than 53 million people sought support from these resources in 2021. About Pivot Bio

Founded in 2011, Pivot Bio is a sustainable agriculture company delivering farmers patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to reliably and productively grow the food the world needs in the face of increasing volatility. Synthetic nitrogen is one of agriculture's leading contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Our products are a breakthrough innovation and among the industry's most promising climate solutions because they deliver nitrogen to plants without the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizer. Our nitrogen is safer to handle and does not leach or contribute to nitrous oxide pollution. By making this possible for the time at commercial sale, Pivot Bio is upending the 190 billion USD nitrogen market. For more information, visit PivotBio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222436374/en/

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TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government on Friday lifted its ban on exports of arms and ammunition manufactured under license from foreign companies to their countries, and conditionally to third countries.

The controversial change was brought up under the revised Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and the Implementation Guidelines.

Under the amended document, the government allows weapons made in Japan under foreign license, including completed products and components, to be shipped to the country that the licenser is based.

Japan, under previous rules, could only export components of arms and was prohibited from delivering completed products.

In the wake of the revision, the nation is now preparing to ship Patriot air defense missiles to the United States for the first such shipments, according to local media outlets.

The transfer of finished products was not included this time, due to opposition from Komeito, the junior member of Japan's ruling coalition, Jiji Press reported on Friday.

The Japanese government at the end of last year decided to update three security and defense-related documents including the National Security Strategy, marking a significant change to its post-war security policies despite wide opposition.

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, in an editorial earlier, criticized that "the core philosophy underlying Japan's basic policy principles concerning arms exports is that as a nation whose constitution upholds pacifism, it should not export arms that fuel international conflict."

"The government must not allow these principles to be eroded gradually to open the door to exports of deadly weapons," it added. 
[December 22, 2023] Maximus DE&I Efforts Recognized in Third-Party Racial Equity Audit Tweet

Maximus (NYSE: MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, today announced results from a third-party racial equity audit finding that the company has made a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) throughout the organization and has taken concrete steps in its continuing evolution to support a diverse and inclusive workforce. The audit, conducted by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale), noted Maximus' progress in many areas and outlined several recommendations for the company to continue building upon its DE&I efforts. In September 2022, Maximus announced it engaged WilmerHale to perform a racial equity audit. As part of the audit, WilmerHale assessed the company's operations, policies, ongoing DE&I efforts, and public engagement through a racial equity lens. The audit built upon Maximus' DE&I initiatives and commitment to racial equity and justice for all employees. "Maximus has established a solid foundation for its efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and opportunity within its workforce and continues to make progress toward advancing many initiatives that affect racial equity," as the audit notes in its conclusion. "Despite the limited discretion that Maximus has in administering its government contracts, we found that Maximus has a strong commitment to promoting equity in the communities it serves." "WilmerHale's report validates we have taken significant actin to strengthen our company in areas where racial equity may be impacted, and while it acknowledges the hard work of the team, everyone at Maximus understands we are still on a journey to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company," said Bruce Caswell, Maximus President and CEO. "We will not let up on our commitment to the importance of DE&I at Maximus and to strengthening our efforts in the areas recommended by this independent audit."



Launched in 2020, the DE&I team is led by Dr. Arvenita W. Cherry, the company's Vice President for DE&I and President and Chairperson of the Maximus Foundation. Dr. Cherry and her team developed the DE&I strategy to include a wide range of initiatives, such as conducting employee listening sessions, developing company-wide unconscious bias training and assessment for people managers, and launching Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). The strategy continues to expand and mature as evidenced by the company enabling all employees to attend DE&I-related activities and embedding DE&I principles into its talent acquisition efforts. "Maximus has made incredible progress in recent years with DE&I, and we intend to continue our journey," said Dr. Cherry. "We are proud that WilmerHale's racial equity audit recognizes our efforts to date and appreciate their thoughtful recommendations to continue promoting DE&I at Maximus. We are committed to continuing our learning, measuring our progress, and, most importantly, listening to our employees. We are grateful for the contributions of many to this audit, the important findings, and what we have learned."

The audit can be found here: maximus.com/racial-equity-audit. About Maximus As a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe, Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222124691/en/

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[December 22, 2023] World of Dypians Welcomes CoinMarketCap to its Dynamic Metaverse, Now Available on Epic Games Store Tweet

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DYPIUS has announced that CoinMarketCap will have a dedicated area within its exciting Metaverse, World of Dypians (WOD) . The world's most-referenced price-tracking website will be in good company with other prestigious WOD neighbors, such as Chainlink, BNB Chain, Avalanche, KuCoin, CoinGecko, and Conflux Network. Moreover, World of Dypians has just become available in early access in the Epic Games Store, one of the most prominent storefronts for todays most popular games. As part of its collaboration with CoinMarketCap, DYPIUS is releasing 10,000 exclusive CMC Beta Pass NFTs to the World of Dypians Metaverse. The release is part of a Diamond Listing event between December 21st and 25th. You can sign up to CoinMarketCap now and start collecting Diamonds to win the NFT Passes into one of the most promising Metaverse games out there. CoinMarketCap Lands in World of Dypians Since its inception, World of Dypians (WOD) has attracted some of the industrys biggest names within a bustling, player-driven virtual world. The Downtown area in the Metaverse is a dynamic center for players, cryptocurrency enthusiasts, and investors, offering a rich and engaging experience. CoinMarketCap is the latest inhabitant of WOD, with its own dedicated space in the Downtown area. Here, crypto newbies and experts can explore 27 interactive billboards displaying real-time data and up-to-date news on essential aspects, such as: Top 10 Cryptocurrencies by market cap

The live prices of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB prices

Trending tokens and the biggest gainers in the market

A crypto events calendar

Valuable insights and educational resources The collaboration between CoinMarketCap andWorld of Dypians will create a dynamic venue where the crypto community can get together, share knowledge, and engage seamlessly within a unique Metaverse experience. Furthermore, players will reap the best benefits deriving from this partnership, including:



CoinMarketCap Beta Pass NFTs - A series of unique and limited-edition digital assets symbolizing the holders' journey in the World of Dypians. CoinMarketCap Treasure Hunt Event - An immersive quest-like experience allowing WoD players to explore hidden gems and unlock rewards within the dynamic, visually stunning Metaverse world. The 90-day event will take place between December 26 and March 25 and feature a $20,000 in BNB reward pool for all the users.

The new CoinMarketCap-dedicated area in the World of Dypians is a significant milestone in the virtual realm's development. It is also proof of DYPIUS' commitment to redefine the boundaries of the Metaverse and provide players with a community-oriented space where information and innovation come together. How to Get Early Access to World of Dypians on Epic Games Store In another groundbreaking development for DYPIUS, the World of Dypians has become available in early access on the prestigious Epic Games Store. Players worldwide can now immerse themselves into this captivating Metaverse through the Closed Beta Version and explore a rich virtual realm with limitless and engaging gaming experiences. Moreover, gamers can access the World of Dypians quicker through one of these fast-entry avenues: Holding a Cats and Watches Society (CAWS)



Owning a World of Dypians (WoD) Genesis Land NFT



Possessing at least one of the much-wanted Beta Pass NFTs



Becoming a Premium Subscriber , which unlocks additional benefits The Epic Store Games platform streamlines communication and interaction between World of Dypians players. Also, it offers a new space for the growing WOD community to engage meaningfully and become an inclusive community, fostering synergy, discussions, and knowledge-sharing. The collaboration between Epic Store Games and DYPIUS brings the World of Dypians into a brighter spotlight, making it even more accessible to gamers worldwide. The platform caters to over 230 million PC users worldwide and 34 million daily active users. Therefore, the fascinating WOD virtual realm is now available to a broader audience. About CoinMarketCap CoinMarketCap is the most-referenced price-tracking resource for crypto assets worldwide. The website provides real-time data on the latest trading value movements in the crypto space with unbiased information to over 340 million monthly visitors. About Epic Games Store Epic Games Store is a platform showcasing games available via the internet and built into Epic Games' launcher application. This video game digital distribution service launched in 2018 and serves as a software client for Microsoft Windows and macOS and an online storefront for millions of gamers worldwide. About DYPIUS DYPIUS is a decentralized ecosystem focusing on scalable and secure DeFi solutions and a growing presence across different niches in the crypto sphere. Its exciting metaverse project, World of Dypians (WOD) , is the next step in digital landscape development, delivering unprecedented gaming experiences. It is a player-driven world, enabling individuals worldwide to forge alliances, create communities, and access unique opportunities. DYPIUS caters to both crypto beginners and experts with versatile solutions, including analytical DYP Tools, DeFi solutions, CAWS NFTs, and Metaverse gaming. The project runs on unique smart contracts using the protocols proprietary anti-manipulation functionality. You can learn more about World of Dypians and DYPIUS at these links: World of Dypians | DYPIUS Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram





Gazmend Mici gazmend.mici-at-dyp.finance

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[December 22, 2023] Japanese Patent Holder BWB Files Milestone Intellectual Property Infringement Complaint Against Retail Giant Alibaba Group Tweet

In a legal challenge that could have multi-billion-dollar consequences, Tokyo-based BWB Inc. is pursuing a patent infringement lawsuit against global e-commerce technology giant Alibaba Group. The David vs. Goliath lawsuit, should it be decided in BWB's favor, could set a legal precedent in e-commerce technology as the operational foundtion of Alibaba and other dominant retail sites.



On November 15, 2023, BWB filed a complaint for patent infringement in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing Alibaba of infringing on four of BWB's e-commerce patents in the U.S., which the company also holds in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Russia and Brazil. These technology patents were issued to BWB CEO and inventor Ryutaro Nishiura between 2019-2023. According to the lawsuit, BWB asked for an injunction against Alibaba and its logistics unit Cainiao, as well as Tmall operator Taobao China Holding LTD. BWB, founded in Japan in 2015, holds multiple patents in international e-commerce, including a registration-type ordering system for overseas products, in addition to developing innovative advancements for the world's logistics network system. These systems help merchants pre-register goods at customs at a pre-determined tax rate and helps customers pay the duties at the time of the purchase, ensuring delivery.

Previously, BWB filed suit in Japan for alleged infringement of IP rights, and a trial is currently underway in the Tokyo District Court, pitting BWB against defendants Alibaba Japan, Taobao China Holding Co. Ltd. and Hangzhou Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd. The US trial date is set to begin on Feb. 13. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222112705/en/

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[December 22, 2023] United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market 2023 - A $764.3 Million Market by 2027, with Market Recording a CAGR of 22.7% during 2023-2027 - ResearchAndMarkets.com Tweet

The "United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Business and Investment Opportunities Databook - 75+ KPIs on Alternative Lending Market Size, By End User, By Finance Model, By Payment Instrument, By Loan Type and Demographics - Q2 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The alternative lending market in the UAE is forecast to grow by 39.9% on an annual basis to reach US$337 million in 2023. Medium to long term growth story of alternative lending in United Arab Emirates remains strong. Alternative lending adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 22.7% during 2023-2027. The alternative lending market in the UAE will increase from US$240.9 million in 2022 to reach US$764.3 million by 2027. Low credit penetration, coupled with favourable regulatory oversight, are among the factors that are aiding the growth of the alternative lending industry in the United Arab Emirates. Venture capital and private equity firm confidence is also high when it comes to the growth potential of the alternative lending market and this is evident in the different funding rounds raised by providers. In addition to the burgeoning fintech landscape in the Emirati nation, tech conglomerates are also seeking to foray into the alternative lending category. This is expected to result in mergers and acquisition deals from the short to medium-term perspective. Overall, the Emirati alternative lending industry is poised to record accelerated growth over the next three to four years. Tech conglomerates are acquiring majority stakes in SME-focused lending platforms in the UAE To tap into growing credit and working capital demand among SMEs, more and more firms are seeking to foray into the alternative lending sector. This also includes tech conglomerates that are acquiring majority stakes in lending platforms in the Emirati nation. In May 2023, e&, one of the leading tech conglomerates in the UAE, announced that its enterprise arm had acquired a majority stake in Beehive, the SME-focused lending platform. With this acquisition, e& is seeking to tap into the US$250 billion SME credit gap in the GCC region. In addition to its operations in the UAE, Beehive is also offering lending coverage to SMEs in Saudi Arabia and Oman. From the short to medium-term perspective, the publisher expects more such acquisition deals to take place in the Emirati market, as the alternative lending sector continues to become a lucrative growth opportunity for fintech players in the region. This will further drive the competitive landscape in the segment over the next three to four years. Firms are raising funding rounds from venture capital and private equity players to drive growth To meet the credit demand among consumers and drive accelerated growth, firms operating in the segment are turning to venture capital and private equity players to raise funding rounds in the Emirates. In February 2023, Halo, the digital mortgage service provider in the UAE, announced that the firm had raised seven figures in its seed funding round, which was led by Watheeq Proptech Venture and Hambro Perks Oryx Fund. With real estate prices soaring at a rapid rate in the Middle East market, Halo is well-positioned to tap into the growing demand for home mortgages in the UAE. Other mortgage providers in the real estate segment and other firms such as buy now pay later providers are also raising funding rounds from venture capital and private equity players in the Emirati nation. These multi-million-dollar funding deals with mortgage and BNPL providers are a clear indication that venture capital and private equity firms are foreseeing a strong growth potential in the regional market over the next five years. The rising adoption of buy now pay later will aid the alternative lending industry in the Emirates The adoption of the BNPL payment method has been on the surge, especially among online shoppers who are seeking flexible payment methods to complete their purchases. The accelerated demand for BNPL has resulted in several players launching their innovative solutions in partnerships with online and offline retailers across the country. From the short to medium-term perspective, the adoption of BNPL schemes is expected to further growth in the Emirati nation. This growth in the BNPL ecosystem will keep aiding the growth of the overall alternative lending industry in the United Arab Emirates over the next three to four years. This report helps in navigating the nuanced relationships between payment instruments and lending models, offering a detailed breakdown of transaction dynamics. Uncover the multifaceted nature of loans, from personalized B2C offerings like payroll advances to strategic B2B solutions like lines of credit. Complementing these insights, delve into consumer attitudes and behaviors, decoding the impact of age, income, and gender on financial choices. This report provides a thorough knowledge of alternative lending market dynamics, market size and forecast with more than 75+ KPIs. KPIs in both value and volume terms help in getting an in-depth understanding of end market dynamics. Report Scope This report provides in-depth data-centric analysis of Alternative Lending industry in United Arab Emirates through 127 tables and 150 charts. Below is a summary of key market segments: United Arab Emirates Economic Indicators Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices

Population

Unbanked Population

Unemployment Rate

Loan Default Rate United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast Transaction Value

Average Transaction Value

Transaction Volume United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by End User End User - Business

End User - Consumer United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Finance Models P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

P2P Marketplace Business Lending

P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Balance Sheet Business Lending

Balance Sheet Property Lending

Invoice Trading

Debt Based Securities

Equity Based Crowd Funding

Real Estate Crowd funding United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument - Transaction Value, Volume and Average Value Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Model Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Business Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Property Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Consumer Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Business Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Property Lending Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Invoice Trading Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Debt Based Securities Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Equity Based Crowd Funding Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Real Estate Crowd funding United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Loan Types B2C Loans

Personal Loan

Payroll Advance

Home Improvement

Education/Student Loans

Point of Sale

Auto Loans

Medical Loans

B2B Loans

Lines of Credit

Merchant Cash Advance

Invoice Factoring

Revenue Financing United Arab Emirates Alternative Lending Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour By Age

By Income

Gender Key Attributes:







Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 164 Forecast Period 2023 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $337 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $764.3 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 22.7% Regions Covered United Arab Emirates

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wvqht5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222702154/en/

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Generational Equity Advises Denille Industries in its Sale to Private Investor Group

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client Denille Industries to a Private Investor Group. The transaction closed June 16, 2023.

Denille Industries (dba Auburn Rentals - AUB), located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is a temporary oilfield workforce housing rental Company serving oil and gas companies in Canada. AUB manufactures its fleet of wellsite trailers for rent and is also an authorized dealer of Cargo King and Mirage utility trailers. AUB serves oil & gas businesses primarily in Western Canada including Alberta and British Columbia.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Western Region, Stephen Crisham and his team, led by Senior M&A Advisor, Ted Rattenberry, with support from Senior Vice President, M&A Amy Wall closed the deal. Executive Managing Director, Bill Kushnir established the initial relationship with AUB.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.







With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, wealth management and digital services.

The M&A Advisor named Generational Equity Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. The Global M&A Network named Generational USA Investment Bank of the Year in 2023. For more information visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231222320366/en/
We've been a fan of actress hottie Sophie on this blog for more than a minute. Today her embrace of tech inspires our morning peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Tasty Kansas City Tradition

Russell Stover chocolates have been a holiday tradition for 100 years. They still bring cheer The iconic Kansas City-based company is still growing, and attributes its success to the warmth and comfort people feel when they open the box and see the same candies they got from their grandmother.

Mum Picks Sides For X-Mas

Donna Kelce will be spending Christmas in Philadelphia with Jason Donna Kelce has revealed she will be spending Christmas Day in Philadelphia with Jason and his family this year, instead of with Travis and girlfriend Taylor Swift in Kansas City.

Rock Chalk Battery Plant Still Has Juice

Panasonic still moving forward with Kansas factory after pulling plans for Oklahoma plant Oklahoma lawmakers offered Panasonic a $698 million incentive package and funded $145 million in site improvements for an electric vehicle battery plant near Tulsa. The company said the decision won't affect its promised $4 billion factory in De Soto, Kansas.

Show-Me EPIC Legal Weed Cash

Recreational use marijuana sales become Missouri's newest billion dollar industry in 2023 Missouri's recreational marijuana sales are expected to reach $1.3 billion in 2023, the first year it is legal in the state.

Local Doggie-Style Disrupted

Kansas City's Bar K acquisition deal falls through Bar K confirmed a deal to sell the Kansas City-based company to Diversified Partners has fallen through, keeping its headquarters in Kansas City.

Robot Tech Helps Adult Career Options

Porn star Sophie Dee creates AI doppelganger to generate income Sophie Dee, a 39-year-old adult content creator based in Las Vegas, is partnering with an AI company to create a digital alter ego.

Prez Polling Plummets Again



Biden Ends 2023 With 39% Job Approval Biden enters 2024 with a persistently low job approval rating of 39%, the worst of any modern-day president seeking reelection at the same point.

MAGA Election Talk On Record

Trump Caught On Tape Pressing Michigan Officials To Not Certify Election Results: Report A Detroit News report revealed Trump personally spoke with Wayne County canvassers and asked them not to certify the 2020 election results.

First Family Op/Ed . . .

Hunter Biden thinks the victim card will save him and dad, but he's damaged his character and hurt his father Presidential son Hunter Biden is playing the victim card to attack House Republicans. He claimed the GOP is trying to "dehumanize" him, but he has only himself to blame.

Lady Leader Ensnared

Ronna McDaniel may be in big trouble The RNC chair is said to have been involved in efforts to pressure Michigan officials to overturn the 2020 election.

America's Mayor Broke

Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy days after being ordered to pay $148 million in a defamation case Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy after a jury ordered him to pay $148 million to two election workers.

Warfront Needs Weed

Ukraine lawmakers vote to legalize medical marijuana and help ease stress from the war with Russia Ukraine's parliament has voted to legalize medical marijuana after the war with Russia left thousands of people with post-traumatic stress disorder that many believe could be eased by the drug.

Terrorist Threats Double Down

Hamas says time is running out for Israel to bring hostages home alive A Hamas spokesperson told Newsweek that "it is not known" how many hostages are still alive.

Tragic Toll Revealed

More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say Health officials in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip say more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas. The figure amounts to nearly 1% of the territory's prewar population.

Mass Shooter In Europe Kills Father & Several Others

Prague wakes up in shock and horror after 'senseless' shooting attack leaves 14 dead | CNN Prague is waking up to a state of shock and disbelief after a gunman killed 14 people and injured 25 more at Charles University on Thursday, the deadliest peacetime attack in the history if the Czech Republic.

Making New Friends Without Border Wall

Migrants are being released on U.S. streets at the border as shelters see record numbers U.S. border facilities have a record number of migrants in custody as border agents try to release migrants as fast as possible to avoid overcrowding.

Cash For Opposition Offered

US says it is ready to support amended UN resolution aimed at boosting aid to Gaza It was not clear whether other security council members, particularly Russia, would accept the changes when the vote takes place on Friday

Sky Watchers Witness Strangeness

UFO caught on camera hovering above Air Force 1 in Los Angeles Plane enthusiasts Joshua and Peter Solorzano caught the UFO on camera hovering a KC-10 tanker jet near Air Force 1 in the skies above LAX Airport last week.

Old School Guru Shares Backstory Advice

At 66, Denise Austin Shares How to Get a 'Lifted Booty' and 'Toned Back' in Video Denise Austin, 66, shared her favorite "compound move" for toning the "booty" and "back." She looked so toned demonstrating the move on Instagram.

Kicker Shares Tacit Accusations

Harrison Butker's perfect season was ruined by Deflategate 2.0 So maybe the circumstances weren't quite as big as the original Deflategate, but still...

Hipster Soundtrack Today

Single Sentence Singles: Holiday 2023 edition Illustrated by Katelyn Betz In an effort to keep you all abreast of the latest local music that's not album or music video related, we present the latest installment of our irregular feature, Single Sentence Singles. We take a listen to the latest local singles to hit Soundcloud, Spotify, Bandcamp, et al, and sum them up in one sentence.

Forecast For Now . . .

FIRST WARN shifts to early Friday with light showers possible Thursday evening A few sprinkles and light showers are still possible Thursday evening, but nothing significant is expected.

Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Our tradition for this curmudgeonly blog community is to throw a bit of shade on even the most selfless deed as if we were hottie Miley twerking hard to disgrace the holiday season.



And so . . . We remind locals that Christmas spirit is something more than just an excuse to buy more cheap Chinese junk . . . In fact, it might a time to distinguish betwixt REALLY helping people of just throwing around cash that ultimately just serves to reinforce the status quo.

Consider . . .



Let's break it down according to a list neatly compiled by the good Catholics at St. Mary's:



Charity = social service. Charity provides direct services like food, clothing, shelter.



Justice = social change. Justice promotes social change in institutions or political structures.



Charity responds to immediate needs.



Justice responds to long-term needs.



Charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms. Charity addresses problems that already exist. Otherwise put: LOVE MOPS UP.



Justice is directed at the root causes of social problems. Justice addresses the underlying structures or causes of these problems. Otherwise put: JUSTICE TRIES TO MAKE SURE THE MESS ISN'T MADE TO BEGIN WITH.



Generally . . . Charity is private, individual acts.



Justice is public, collective actions.



Once again it's important to remember the conclusion of a great essay from Slate, this passage especially:



William Jewett Tucker, a reverend and future president of Dartmouth College, put it this way in 1891: Critiquing Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" he declared that a society could make no greater mistake than asking charity to do the work of social justice.

And none of this is to say that a bit of extra cash isn't welcomed by workers across the metro.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Make no mistake . . . Rising taxes are the #1 issue for anybody who bothers to vote in the coming year.

Accordingly . . . A Jackson County Legislator and surprise congressional candidate shares info on the process that's in flux now that the BOE is temporarily shut down and a lawsuit is in play.



Here's the presser just sent to www.TonysKansasCity.com . . .

Sean Smith on Filing with the Missouri State Tax Commission

After the State Auditors preliminary report concerning Jackson Countys property assessments and the Missouri AGs lawsuit against the county, taxpayers are URGED to contact the Missouri State Tax Commission (STC) to see if they qualify for an appeal directly to the state. Missouri Auditor Fitzpatrick and Missouri AG Bailey agree that the Jackson County property assessments in 2023 violated state law. Homeowners who received property notices after June 10th, 2023 or who saw assessment increases over 15% will likely qualify for an appeal to the Missouri STC. This is a huge win for homeowners in the county but the clock is ticking as the deadline to apply to the state is December 31st. Taxpayers have nine days to contact the State Tax Commission and request an appeal.



Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith agrees this is a huge win for Jackson County property owners. He believes this weeks announcements should require a Special Meeting for the Jackson County Legislature immediately. At this time, Chairman DaRon McGee has made no such announcement. I have supported multiple efforts in addressing the assessments this year including initiatives urging the Board of Equalization to put a 15% cap on the assessments or rolling back to 2022 rates, all to no avail. It is the responsibility of the Legislature to take immediate action and actively respond to the states findings, Smith says.



At this time homeowners should immediately contact the Missouri State Tax Commission and request to file an appeal due to the erroneous Jackson County Assessments. With the deadline of December 31st, the STC is taking this unprecedented action to help find fair agreements for taxpayers whose property values increased more than 15%, or who received property notices after June 10th. Here is a landing page with instructions on how to file, answers to commonly asked questions and the link to the application form:



https://sean4mo.nationbuilder.com/auditor_appeal



#########



Developing . . .


The holidays are a little brighter for people in need thanks to Humber College chef Shonah Chalmers and 30 of her culinary management students.

This week, three of the colleges culinary labs were a-clatter in the creation of 3,000 hot meals for clients of Youth Without Shelter and Ernestines Womens Shelter in Etobicoke, Native Mens Residence in Toronto and several food banks, warming centres and drop-in shelters throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Humber meat supplier Wild Fork Canada donated $125,000 worth of surplus meat approaching its best before date.

It sparked the giving project.

Were protein specialists who specialize in field to fork, Wild Fork corporate chef Steve McGoey said of the new meat and seafood company with stores in Whitby and Oakville. Its been an amazing partnership with Humber.

Eight Wild Fork employees and 12 chefs joined students in preparing pork and rice, roasted vegetables and pasta and sauce.

Chalmers, Humbers sustainable culinary professor, approached other college food suppliers, Tatangelo's Produce, Gordon Food Service and Maher Products, which donated paper products.

When the opportunity came to do it, especially this time of year, theres no better time, Chalmers said. Food insecurity is 365 days a year.

First-year culinary management student Snigdha Goyal, 18, said she leapt at the chance to cook.

It was a lot of fun, said the international student from India, who chopped parsley and vegetables. I feel very alive when Im in the kitchen. Its amazing to be at Humber. Chef Shonah is an inspiration. Shes always so excited and energetic.

Anastasia Kemp, co-ordinator, government and stakeholder relations with Youth Without Shelter (YWS), said the meals will be welcomed by the shelters 53 youth.

When no one is expecting them home, we are. What better way to welcome them home than with a homecooked meal by our cherished community partner, Kemp said in an email.

Recently, YWS issued an urgent call for community donations of hygiene products; winter clothing and boots are also needed. As many as 100 youth a year enter YWSs door.

To donate, contact Mike to schedule a drop-off day and time at mburnett@yws.on.ca or 416-748-0110, ext. 62.

Humbers hot meals were also gifted to 32 women and children living this Christmas at Ernestines Womens Shelter.

Emily McClung, Ernestines development and engagement manager, expressed in an email gratitude for Humbers years-long support.

Not only does the donation provide women and children with a homecooked meal, it shows that Humber cares about the women and children at Ernestines, McClung said. The holidays can be a very difficult time for many of our residents and outreach clients. Many are struggling with food insecurity, lack of funds to purchase gifts for loved ones and mental health.

Like YWS, Ernestines is also in need of hygiene products and winter clothing donations. Donors may make a financial gift at Canada Helps.

Zabrina Glen, 26, a second-year culinary management student, cut tomatoes and roasted potatoes for the menu.

Its such a great idea, Glen said. It hits home. You never know what tomorrow will bring; when you might need food or need help.

Glen is named after her late chef grandmother, Antonietta Menardi, who inspired her love of cooking and giving.

I think of her always, especially when Im donating my time and volunteering, she said. The whole reason Im cooking is because of her. Its come full circle. She would butcher meat in her garage and feed her neighbours.
The Special Investigations Unit is looking into the actions of a Toronto police officer after a man was shot by cops with a less-lethal firearm on Thursday afternoon.

According to the SIU, Toronto police were called around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 21 about a man threatening passersby near Roncesvalles Avenue and Grenadier Road.

The provinces police watchdog says officers deployed conducted energy weapons at the man and then an officer discharged a less-lethal firearm  Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN)  at the man.

A 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital for assessment, but he was not injured, said the SIU.

While the man did not sustain any serious injuries, the SIU says its mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a less-lethal weapon, which is classified as a firearm.

Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.
YANGON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and eight others injured in a shelling attack in southern Myanmar's Taninthayi Region on Thursday, the state-run Myanmar News Agency reported on Friday.

The attack, reportedly carried out by the People's Defence Force (PDF) using homemade mortar shells, hit a living quarters of construction workers in Launglon town of Taninthayi Region, the report said.

The assailants carried out the attack while making their escape following the burning of the office of a veteran organization in Launglon town at around 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, it said.

The deceased included one male and one female, while the injured included four children.

The victims were sent to the Dawei General Hospital for treatment.

Security personnel were taking necessary measures to reinforce stability and peace in the area. 
The Fairbank, featuring 141 units of new purpose-built residential rental housing and almost 9,000 square feet of new retail space, celebrated its grand opening this month in the heart of Toronto's Eglinton West/Caledonia neighbourhood.

A collaboration between BRL Realty Limited and construction firm OBEN Group, along with acclaimed architectural firm Superkul, the 8-storey design transformed an assembly of several older commercial sites into a brand new rental community over a span of almost 12 years.

Located at 9 Croham Rd, The Fairbank includes a variety of unit sizes and types, ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units as well as street-accessible townhomes. Two levels of underground parking are available, including EV charging spaces.

The rooftop fitness centre, event space and outdoor terrace all offer views of the Toronto skyline.

The Fairbank exemplifies the positive impact that thoughtful development can have on a community," said Deputy Mayor Mike Colle, during his address at the Dec. 7 grand opening.

Added Jullian Battison, Co-Founder and CEO of OBEN Group, in a news release: "We're proud to have collaborated with visionary partners, including BRL Realty Limited and Superkul, to create a space that redefines modern living."

For more information on the development, visit thefairbank.ca
A sudden strike at Eurotunnel caused many Eurostar trains to be canceled on Thursday. The strike was about a dispute over end-of-year bonuses. Now, the strike has ended, and Eurostar will slowly start running trains again.

Eurostar Strike Ends, Services to Resume

In a surprising turn of events, Eurostar, the fast train service that connects London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, faced a big problem on Thursday. Many of its trains were canceled because of a strike at Eurotunnel. This tunnel is the undersea rail link between the UK and France. The strike was unexpected and happened right during the busy Christmas travel time.

According to CNN, the reason behind this strike was a disagreement over year-end bonuses. Eurotunnel, the company that runs the tunnel, had offered a bonus of 1,000 euros. But the workers' unions didn't agree with this amount. They wanted the bonus to be three times higher. This disagreement led to the strike, which stopped all train services through the tunnel. It even closed the terminals in both France and the UK.

Read Also: Southwest Airlines Pays $140 Million for Causing Holiday Travel Nightmares in 2022

However, the strike has now ended. Eurotunnel shared that they reached an agreement with the unions. Thanks to this, Eurostar will be able to start running its trains again, but it will take some time to get back to normal.

French transport minister Clement Beaune was involved in solving this issue. He posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), welcoming the agreement. He had earlier said that the strike was a big problem and must be solved quickly.

Now, as Eurostar gets ready to restart its services, passengers who had to change their plans can look forward to traveling again. This is especially important as many people are traveling for the holidays.

Eurostar Train Delay Causes Chaos for Passengers

A Eurostar train with 700 people on board got stuck for more than seven hours due to a power outage. The incident, which happened on Nov. 30, caused big problems for passengers, including one woman who missed her daughter's graduation.

Karen Cherpin from Whitstable, England, shared her experience with The Guardian. She was traveling to Amsterdam for her daughter's university graduation when the train stopped just outside the English Channel tunnel. At first, passengers were told the delay was for tunnel permission. But soon, it became clear there was a more serious issue.

The Business Insider reported that the train lost electricity, leaving everyone without heat, food, or much water. Toilets stopped working and began overflowing as passengers had no choice but to keep using them. As the hours passed, the situation worsened, with people even using trash cans as toilets.

Eurostar, in a statement on X, said they couldn't talk to passengers during the outage and apologized. Jessica Chambers, another passenger from Essex, told BBC that it felt like an emergency with no staff communication.

The train finally returned to London, and Cherpin missed her daughter's graduation. She expressed her disappointment, saying the situation wasn't handled well.

This incident adds to a series of delays faced by UK train passengers in recent years due to old infrastructure, power failures, lack of staff, and strikes.

Related Article: Travel Chaos in West London: Passengers Stranded in Trains Due to Faulty Cables
Heading to Albania? Packing smart is key to making the most of your trip. Here's what you need to know to be prepared for an enjoyable adventure in this beautiful country.

Albania's weather can be unpredictable. In summer, it's warm, so light, airy clothes and comfy shoes are perfect. Winter brings cooler temperatures, especially in the mountains, so pack warm clothes and sturdy boots. Spring and fall? Think layers. A rain jacket can be a lifesaver. Visiting religious sites? Wear respectful clothing - T-shirts, long pants, or skirts are great.

Personal items are a must. Bring your passport, any necessary visas, and travel insurance. Having some local currency, the Albanian lek, and your credit cards is handy. Don't forget chargers for your gadgets and a European plug adapter. A small first aid kit with personal meds is also a smart idea.

Staying connected in Albania can make your trip smoother. Consider buying a local SIM card. While many locals speak English, especially in tourist areas, knowing a few Albanian phrases can be a fun way to connect with people. Try "Faleminderit" for thank you and "Miremengjes" for good morning. It shows you care about the local culture.

Packing smart means light but effective. A day backpack, a water bottle, and sunglasses are practical.

Read Also: Albania's Military Island Will Reopen For Tourists This Summer

Specific Items Based on Activities

When you are gearing up for your trip to Albania, you must tailor your packing list to the activities you plan on enjoying. Albania offers diverse experiences, from sun-soaked beaches to rugged mountain trails and lively urban centers. Here are some specific items you should pack to make the most of these experiences.

For Beach and Coastal Areas

Heading to the Albanian coast, like the popular Saranda or Dhermi, calls for beach essentials. Pack a couple of swimsuits for a rotation - having a dry one at hand is always nice. Sunscreen is a must to shield your skin from the Mediterranean sun. Choose a high SPF, water-resistant type to ensure maximum protection.

Carrying your own beach towels is smart, even though some resorts might provide them. Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will keep you comfortable under the sun. Water shoes are a practical addition, especially for exploring rocky shores or planning to snorkel.

Safety is paramount for water activities. If you are into snorkeling or diving, consider packing your gear, though rentals are also available. A waterproof bag is a great way to protect your phone and camera from water and sand.

For Mountain and Hiking Enthusiasts

The Albanian Alps and other mountainous regions are a haven for hikers. The right gear is essential here. Invest in a sturdy pair of hiking boots and break them in well before your trip. This will help you avoid uncomfortable blisters.

Mountain weather can change rapidly, so layering your clothing is a smart strategy. Pack lightweight and warm clothing, such as moisture-wicking T-shirts and fleece jackets. A waterproof and windproof jacket is also wise for sudden weather shifts. Do not forget a hat and gloves for higher altitudes.

Do not underestimate the importance of safety gear. A basic first aid kit, a map, and a compass or GPS device can be invaluable, even on guided hikes.

For City Explorers and Cultural Lovers

Exploring cities like Tirana or Berat requires comfortable, practical clothing. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics for daytime exploration and comfortable walking shoes, as you will likely spend a lot of time on your feet.

For cultural visits, remember Albania's cultural norms. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. A scarf or shawl can cover shoulders or heads where required.

Evenings can be more dressy, though most places in Albania are relaxed regarding dress codes. A smart-casual outfit suffices for most occasions.

Related Article: How To Make the Most of Your Amsterdam Adventures
Palawan is located in the western region of the Philippines and is an exceptional island province. It combines lush greenery, impressive limestone cliffs, and clear blue waters. Palawan, Philippines, offers a refreshing break from the busy world.

Palawan stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. It consists of many islands, each with its appeal. Palawan's primary island is a haven of peaceful landscapes and abundant biodiversity.

Additionally, Palawan's beauty is more than just its picturesque views. The island's attractions are captivating. For example, the underground river in Puerto Princesa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases a remarkable cave system you can see by boat. There are also the stunning karst mountains, rising dramatically above the sea.

But what really makes Palawan different from other tropical destinations? It's its untouched nature. Palawan is less developed compared to other tourist spots in the Philippines. This has kept its authentic charm. The island's dedication to sustainability is clear in its protected marine and wildlife reserves.

Read Also: 5 Best Beaches in Southeast Asia You Need to Visit

Pristine Beaches and Crystal-Clear Waters

One of the main attractions in Palawan is its stunning beaches. The coastline is dotted with stretches of powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. El Nido and Coron are among the most famous spots, known worldwide for their scenic beauty and incredible underwater world. Here, you can spend your days snorkeling or diving, discovering colorful coral reefs and marine life. The Small and Big Lagoon in El Nido, with its turquoise waters and dramatic limestone cliffs, offers some of the best kayaking experiences.

Moreover, the lesser-known beaches, like Nacpan Beach in El Nido or the hidden coves of Port Barton, provide a more secluded atmosphere. These spots are perfect for those who seek tranquility and want to enjoy the natural beauty without the crowds.

Rich Biodiversity and Unique Ecosystems

Palawan, Philippines, is not just a beach paradise but also a haven for nature lovers. The island is home to an array of unique wildlife and plants. For instance, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of the Palawan Bearcat and the Philippine Crocodile, both endemic to the island.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, is another testament to the island's natural wonders. This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape and an underground river. A boat tour through this subterranean river reveals impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and various species of bats and birds can be observed in the area.

Cultural Heritage and Local Experiences

In addition to its natural beauty, Palawan offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. The local communities are a blend of various ethnic groups, each with its traditions and customs. In towns like Coron and El Nido, you can immerse yourself in local life by visiting the markets and trying out Palawan's unique cuisine. Seafood is a staple here, and dishes like Kinilaw (a Filipino ceviche) or Adobo (a popular Filipino dish) are must-tries.

Furthermore, Palawan's history is just as fascinating. The Cuyo Fort, a Spanish-era fortress on Cuyo Island, and the Tabon Caves, known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization, are significant historical sites that offer a glimpse into the island's past.

Practical Information

Before you pack your bags for Palawan, Philippines, consider a few practical things. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to May when the weather is most favorable for beach activities and exploring. To get to Palawan, you can fly directly to Puerto Princesa, the capital city, or to El Nido if you prefer a shorter route to the northern attractions.

Accommodation options in Palawan range from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts catering to all types of travelers. It is advisable to book your stay in advance, especially during peak season, to secure the best spots.

Related Article: Thinking Of Traveling To The Philippines? Here Are Some Of The Best Destinations You Shouldn't Miss
CANBERRA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Transport Minister Catherine King has criticized the country's domestic airlines for their worst performance in over a year.

King on Thursday released a report for airlines, revealing an average on-time arrivals figure of 64.1 percent in November.

It marked a significant fall from the long-term average of 81.1 percent and the lowest monthly figure in 2023.

Cancellations were at 3.7 percent in November, up from the long-term average of 2.2 percent, and 65.9 percent of flights departed on time compared to a long-term average of 82.3 percent.

"Given these very disappointing results, it is no wonder that so many Australians remain fed up with our major airlines," King said in a statement.

Virgin Australia was the worst-performing airline in November, the report said, with only 54.3 percent of its 12,034 flights arriving at their destination on time and 6.2 percent canceled.

Qantas, Australia's flag-carrier and largest airline, had a lower on-time arrival rate and higher cancellation rate than its budget subsidiary, Jetstar.

King said the government would be closely tracking the performance of all major airlines through the busy holiday period.

"The government wants an aviation sector that supports our nation's way of life and this means services need to be reliable, competitive and affordable," she said.

Flights on Australia's busiest domestic route between Sydney and Melbourne and vice versa were the most likely to be canceled, the report said.

Darwin Airport in the Northern Territory (NT) recorded the lowest percentage of on time arrivals and departures. 
On Friday the Caribbean Football Union will stage the 2024 Next Gen Referees Course for Regi
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Radosaw Sikorski. The parties discussed further defense cooperation between the two countries and Ukraines key military needs.

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, the interlocutors addressed the establishment of joint production facilities and explored the possibility of procuring Polish weaponry, which had demonstrated its effectiveness on the battlefield.

Zelensky and Sikorski also discussed preparations for the next meeting at the level of leaders advisors on the implementation of the Peace Formula and the organization of the Global Peace Summit.

Among other things, President Zelensky noted the importance of the first visit of the newly appointed head of Polish diplomacy to Ukraine.

The Head of the State expressed gratitude for Polands substantial support for Ukraine in countering the full-scale Russian invasion and providing refuge to Ukrainian citizens who sought safety from hostilities.

Zelensky and Sikorski agreed that bilateral relations should find fresh impetus, and all areas of concern should be settled with mutual trust and respect.

We hope for the opening of a new page in our relations. We are very strong neighbors with a shared history. We are glad to see you here. I hope that the Prime Minister of Poland will also visit Ukraine at the earliest opportunity, the President of Ukraine emphasized.

A reminder that the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Radosaw Sikorski, arrived in Ukraine on December 22, 2023.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
| By Emily Bleiweis

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) celebrated an extraordinary group of health care professionals on Dec. 21 at a ceremony honoring summer and fall 2023 graduates from its locations in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Hippodrome Theatre.

This is always an exciting time for us as educators, when we celebrate the milestones reached by our students and revel in their success, because their success is our success as well, Ogbolu said. It is a time for us to reflect on our essential purpose  to foster the development of human potential that lies within each of us, to enrich our lives and enable us to contribute to improving the lives of others  in particular, through our nursing careers.

At the ceremony at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, conferred 275 degrees  192 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 76 masters including entry-into-nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), four Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and three PhD  as well as three certificates.

The celebration focused on the important patient care that nurses provide. The events keynote speaker, Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, director of nursing programs at the American Nurses Association, acknowledged the challenges that exist in nursing but also implored graduates to recognize their strengths and their power to bring change.

You have light and darkness, two opposing forces that play off of each other. And they also depend on each other to function. It is also a choice of who we choose to be every day when we show. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that, Boston-Leary said. Hope and despair, another set of opposing concepts. It is easy to feel despair at the state of the world that we live in today. Almost everything is being upended, and theres so much unrest. We need hope.

During the ceremony, DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students were presented to Wendy Yamileth Bonilla Flores, a graduate of the BSN program, and Helena Elyse Preis, a graduate of the CNL option. DAISY Awards are given each fall and spring to two entry-into-nursing graduates who demonstrate empathetic care and service to patients and their families. The award was created by The DAISY Foundation to remind students, even during their hardest days in nursing school, why they chose to become a nurse.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty was presented to DeNiece Bennett, DNP, RN, assistant professor and director of the NCLEX Success Program. This award was created by The DAISY Foundation to recognize and celebrate the contributions faculty members make to the future of nursing.

Dr. Bennett embodies the quintessential qualities of an exceptional nursing professor, and she will always be the driving force behind my and many others achievements at UMSON, one of Bennetts students wrote in her nomination. Every aspect of her teaching and her tireless commitment to the success of her students, including her respect, commitment to education, enthusiasm for teaching, outstanding service, and more, exemplifies the qualities that make her undoubtedly deserving of the DAISY Award.

Preceptor Awards, given to preceptors who have facilitated a transformational experience for students with whom they have worked in the clinical setting, were presented at the graduate level to Diamond Hale, MSN 22, RN, and at the undergraduate level to Hannah Abdelahad, BSN, RN.

During the ceremony, Ogbolu also recognized Jan Wilson, DNP 09, MS 94, BSN 74, CRNP, NNP-BC, C-ELBW, FAANP, former assistant professor and director of the DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty, who retired this month after 19 years as a faculty member at UMSON. She was the first-ever neonatal nurse practitioner in the state of Maryland, and she served as the mace carrier during the ceremony.

Educators are the cornerstone of any university, and thats particularly true for the School of Nursing. Every year, we also select a faculty member to carry the mace, in recognition of all that the faculty has contributed to students, the institution, and community, Ogbolu said. This year, our mace carrier is Dr. Jan Wilson. This is a very special time for me as the new dean of the School of Nursing because Dr. Jan Wilson was also my preceptor when I first became a nurse practitioner. So its really special to be full circle with her.

Kiara Gabrielle Stevens, a Class of 2023 BSN graduate, provided student remarks during the ceremony, focusing on embodying the very essence of compassion, care, and healing.

As we embark on this transformative journey as qualified nurses, its imperative to introspect and appreciate the distinctive paths that have led each of us to this momentous juncture, Stevens said, later adding, Regardless of the source of inspiration, what unites us today is the shared commitment to service and the understanding that our impact extends far beyond the boundaries of immediate gratification.
12/22/2023

Contacts for meida: Emily Gowdey-Backus, director of media relations and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations

White House and other federal officials advancing efforts to provide educational equity and opportunities for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, visited UMass Lowell last week to learn from students, faculty and staff about their experiences as part of a tour of universities and colleges committed to these goals.

Since 2020, UMass Lowell has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution ( AANAPISI ), one of nearly 200 in the United States. An estimated 15% of UMass Lowell students identify as Asian Americans; of whom the university has welcomed a growing number over the past decade, in part, because Lowell boasts the second-largest population of Cambodian Americans in the country.

An estimated 15% of UMass Lowell students identify as Asian Americans; of whom the university has welcomed a growing number over the past decade, in part, because Lowell boasts the second-largest population of Cambodian Americans in the country.

UMass Lowell is proud of its AANAPISI status and its commitment to supporting these students in their academic journeys, said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. Weve made great strides over the past decade in improving outcomes for students from historically marginalized and excluded groups, but we know there is more work to be done. With the help of this White House initiative, our legislative delegation and our partners, I know our success will continue.

Event participants included students, faculty and administrators from UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, University of Connecticut and Hunter College, along with Bunker Hill and Middlesex community colleges. Attendees at the session, held Friday, Dec. 15, at UMass Lowells University Crossing student center, discussed their experiences and priorities, identified ways to improve access to college and mental health initiatives, and explored how to overcome barriers to learning. All of this insight will be shared with federal policymakers for consideration and future action.

Event speakers included U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Massachusetts; Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau; and representatives of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders ( WHIAANHPI ), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the White House Office of Public Engagement; and the Department of Education. State Rep. Tackey Chan also attended.
JISHISHAN, Gansu Province, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters toil through the night, doctors administer medicines as needed, and Party members coordinate self-rescue and mutual help efforts amid the ongoing post-disaster relief operations in quake-hit Gansu Province in northwest China.

Numerous committed individuals are contributing to the rescue efforts, racing against time after the 6.2-magnitude earthquake, reaching a focal depth of 10 km, struck the province at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Liugou Township, located about 8 km from the county seat of Jishishan in Gansu Province's Bonan-Dongxiang-Salar Autonomous County, is the epicenter of this strong quake.

As of 8 a.m. on Friday, the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 117 in Gansu.

"I had just concluded a video call with my family when I sensed an obvious shaking of the dormitory building," said Ma Tongning, a fire brigade instructor in the county. "As I hurried downstairs, I found that my colleagues had already gathered outside."

The fire brigade was the first rescue team to reach the worst-hit Dahejia Town, and subsequently, they were joined by other incoming teams.

Before the rescue mission, team member Ma Yingming received news of significant damage in his family's Chenjia Village. Despite this, he chose not to prioritize it and instead joined the rest of the team.

"I was aiding stranded villagers in other communities while my comrades were saving my own family. I trust them," Ma said, adding that he and his comrades are committed to making every possible effort to help the villagers tide over this difficult time.

"We're racing against time, all in the hope that our hometown can recover as quickly as possible," Ma said.

At the relocation site in Dahe Village, a makeshift clinic has been set up by six healthcare professionals. The entire process, from assessing injuries or illnesses to dispensing medications, is completed in just a few minutes.

"Within an hour after the earthquake, everyone rushed to the hospital to help. We carried inpatients downstairs and looked after the arriving patients. No one got a wink of sleep during the entire day," said Zhang Juxia, who works with a local hospital in Jishishan.

By the third day, round-the-clock medical service stations had been set up at various relocation sites.

Physical injuries demand timely medical care, and mental wounds also need to be healed as soon as possible.

"The emotional trauma caused by the earthquake is significant, and timely, effective intervention can aid disaster survivors in overcoming difficulties," said Liang Lei, a psychologist at the Gansu No. 2 People's Hospital.

At 5 a.m. Tuesday, Liang and a team of mental health professionals started offering consultations. Their initial focus was providing psychological first aid, with special attention to children.

After an earthquake, children often show signs of psychological regression, like blank stares and excessive dependence. Approaches like outdoor activities, art and cognitive-behavioral therapy help open their hearts, facilitating emotional release and crisis resolution, Liang added. 
BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Thursday donated 10 million liters of fuel to the Gaza Strip, the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

"A ship carrying 10 million liters of gas oil has sailed through the international water toward the Suez Canal," Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasoul was quoted by the agency as saying.

Rasoul said the Iraqi government had coordinated with the Egyptian authorities about the shipment sent to the Palestinians stranded in Gaza.

Israel has been launching relentless airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza to retaliate against a surprise attack staged by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on southern Israel on Oct. 7, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

Israel's attacks, which have killed over 20,000 people in Gaza, and its blockade have led to a catastrophic humanitarian situation caused by severe shortages of fuel and medicine in the besieged enclave. 
Embarking on an academic journey in a foreign country can be both exciting and overwhelming for international students. Carl Morel, a biology premed major at Berea College in Kentucky, hailing from Cameroon, sheds light on the often-neglected aspect of mental health among international students. He notes that mental health discussions were infrequent back home, and those who initiated such conversations were occasionally ridiculed as being weak.

The transition to a new country, coupled with the demands of academic pressure, cultural adaptation, and the experience of living alone for the first time, can significantly impact the mental well-being of international students. In recognition of this challenge, universities across the United States are increasingly acknowledging the importance of mental health support and implementing various measures to create a conducive environment for students. Here are seven crucial ways international students can prioritize their mental health while pursuing their studies in the U.S.

1. Responding to School Outreach

Actively engaging with the support services offered by academic institutions is paramount for international students. Many universities conduct regular mental health checks to ensure the well-being of their students. Corrine Williams, Associate Vice President for Student Well-being at the University of Kentucky, emphasizes the significance of regularly checking emails for updates from academic programs, international student offices, and student services. Universities are proactively working to help students connect with resources, activities, and fellow students to foster a sense of community.

READ ALSO: Are You An Aspiring Teacher? Here Are Top 5 Universities In The US For Education Degrees In 2024

2. Joining Social Clubs and Groups

Social isolation can significantly impact mental health. To counter this, experts suggest that international students join clubs and groups related to their major, interests, hobbies, culture, language, or religion. Carl Morel found solace in participating in the African Student Association at Berea College, fostering a sense of community and understanding among students from Africa. Exploring or even initiating new groups can be a proactive way to combat isolation.

3. Volunteering and Participating in Community Service

Engaging in volunteer work and community service not only contributes to the well-being of others but also positively impacts one's mental health. Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity for international students to connect with like-minded individuals, make a positive impact, and gain a sense of fulfillment. It also serves as a gateway to understanding the community beyond the campus.

4. Considering Meditation or Prayer

Many universities provide dedicated spaces for prayer and meditation. These spaces offer students a quiet retreat to manage stress and foster well-being. Whether through prayer, meditation, or attending sermons, students can find strength and resilience in their faith or spiritual practices. These resources can serve as pillars of support during challenging times.

5. Exploring Counseling Services

Several universities offer counseling services tailored to the needs of international students. Some institutions provide interpreters or counselors from specific ethnic backgrounds to ensure cultural sensitivity. The University of Maryland-College Park's counseling center, for instance, boasts a diverse staff proficient in various languages. It is crucial for students to familiarize themselves with available mental health support services, and many universities have dedicated web pages for international students detailing these resources.

6. Getting Outdoors

Nature has a profound impact on mental health. Spending time outdoors, exploring the surroundings, and enjoying green spaces can contribute to overall well-being. Universities encourage students to take breaks and connect with nature, acknowledging its calming and healing effects. Whether it's a walk through a city park or a hike in the countryside, incorporating outdoor activities into one's routine can be beneficial.

7. Understanding What Works

International students should adapt their coping mechanisms to suit their new environment. What worked at home might not be readily available, so trying new strategies is essential. Shared residence hall kitchens can become spaces for cooking meals reminiscent of home, and exploring different parts of the campus can reveal serene spots for studying and relaxation. It's crucial to identify what works best for individual well-being in the new environment.

Prioritizing mental health is a shared responsibility between students and universities. By actively engaging with available resources, participating in campus life, and seeking support when needed, international students can create a supportive and enriching experience during their academic journey in the United States. Universities, in turn, play a crucial role in fostering a culture of understanding, inclusivity, and mental health awareness for their diverse student populations.

RELATED ARTICLE: Thinking Of Becoming A Working Student? Weigh The Pros And Cons
Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chair-Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) here on Friday said Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) were very important for the promotion of genuine trade and underscored the need for the creation of awareness among manufacturers, people and industrialists on its registration, protection and enforcement for genuine business development

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chair-Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) here on Friday said Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) were very important for the promotion of genuine trade and underscored the need for the creation of awareness among manufacturers, people and industrialists on its registration, protection and enforcement for genuine business development.

He expressed these views during an awareness session on Protection and enforcement of IPRs: Business development opportunities for industrialists jointly organized by (IPO-Pakistan) and the Industrialists Association Peshawar (IAP) here.

Speaking as chief guest, Farukh Amil said that the workshop aimed to raise awareness among people, manufacturers and industrialists in Peshawar about IPRs related services including trademarks, copyrights and patent designs that were protected by his organization and ensure their effective enforcement by law enforcement agencies to avoid counterfeiting and piracy of their products.

For this purpose, he said the process of digitalization has been started by IPO Pakistan with the assistance of the Punjab IT board for speedy service delivery. Besides English and urdu, he said people need to be educated about IPRs in regional and mother languages including Pashto, Hindko, Punjabi, Sindhi and Balochi for which the role of academia and media was equally important.

Ambassador Farukh Amil said that Pakistan was blessed with all kinds of resources including mines and minerals, forests, coal, winds, gemstones and hydel power and its optimum utilization through innovative approaches and modern research-based practices could bring laurels to the country. He said economic empowerment of youth carried significant importance and transformed societies forward-looking and prosperous.

He said the promotion of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (SMEs) was imperative for speedy economic growth and generation of employment opportunities for the young generation and urged academia and educational institutions to come forward with new workable ideas to spur industrial growth.

Farukh Amil underscored the need for organized innovative business competitions in educational institutions vital to bolster SMEs and attract young graduates to start their businesses in their selected fields.

He said academia and industrialists need to encourage young researchers and scientists who were working diligently and bringing innovation to their research work.

Underlining the need for a proactive role of technical education institutes and universities of Pakistan to prepare students as per industries demands and exploring markets overseas, Farukh Amil said that IPRs was a very important subject being practised the world over and suggested its inclusion in the national curriculum for education of youngsters besides discouraging brain drains.

The Chair-IPO spoke at length about the importance of trademarks, copyrights and patents for the promotion of trade and business in Pakistan. The ambassador said the doors of his office were open to the public.

Ayub Zakori, President of IAP Peshawar said that KP was relatively located in a disadvantageous position in term of a business point of view due to its long distance from Karachi seaport and underscored the need for digitalization of IPRs services for prompt action on complaints by FIA and other law enforcement agencies to counter piracy.

He said the time of industrialists and businessmen of KP was mostly being wasted while pursuing cases at Islamabad and urged IPO to help in the establishment of the Intellectual Rights Tribunal at Peshawar.

Zakori suggested enhancing communication among traders, industrialists, IPO Pakistan and law enforcement agencies to counter business practices on fake trademarks and copyrights.

Besides others, the function was also addressed by Muhammad Ismail, Director of Enforcement IPO-Paksitan, Umme Salam, Deputy Director of Trademark and Saifullah, Deputy Director of Copyright IPO-Pakistan. Dr Ismail spoke about copyright laws and various penalties including fines and jail terms.

Former President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industries Peshawar, Adeel Rauf and other eminent industrialists and businessmen participated in the event and presented different proposals.

IPO Pakistan was established on April 18, 2005, and is presently working under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Islamabad. The participants said that a portal would help bring IPO-Pakistan and people closer.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi said on Friday the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP extended the date for submission of nomination papers by two days on the demand of various political parties

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi said on Friday the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP extended the date for submission of nomination papers by two days on the demand of various political parties.

Talking to the "Dawn news", he said the ECP had not made any changes in the date of elections, which would be held on February 8, 2024.

Solangi said the Commission had also taken notice of the candidates' complaints regarding nomination papers, and the legitimate ones were being redressed.

"We are trying our best to find a remedy for the issues of which the Election Commission has taken notice."

The minister said that law enforcement was a provincial matter and the provincial governments acted under the law.

"We are bound to help the Election Commission," Solangi reaffirmed.

About the protestors from Balochistan, he said that the caretaker government would try its best to solve the issue in its limited term.

The minister said the government had decided to immediately release the women and children involved in the Baloch protests and some protestors were provided medical facilities.

He said most of the protestors included people who had no homes or relatives in Islamabad.

"We decided to send them back to Quetta safely but the protestors refused to go back," Murtaza Solangi said. " Our aim was to send the protestors safely to their homes."

He said the caretaker regime assured the protesters to consider their long-standing demands as well.
The Nation will celebrate the 147th birthday of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 25th December with zeal and fervour

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) The Nation will celebrate the 147th birthday of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 25th December with zeal and fervour.

The day will dawn with gun salutes in the Federal and provincial capitals after which a graceful changing of the guard's ceremony will be held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi.

Pakistan Air Force cadets will hand over the guards' duty to the cadets of the Pakistan Military academy.Officials from the higher ranks will lay the wreath at Quaids mazar and offer Fatiha at the mausoleum.

Official ceremonies and events will be scheduled throughout the country to pay tribute to Quaids life, political struggles, and significant role in the creation of Pakistan.

These observances of Quaids birthday will be widely covered by the television and radio broadcasts focusing on his legacy, along with school processions, marches, and scouting rallies. Quaids birthday is celebrated annually on December 25th, the day Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in 1876 in Karachi, which was still part of British-controlled India at that time.

After studying in Bombay and London, Jinnah became a lawyer in Bombay. In 1913, he joined the Muslim League, which had been formed to stand up for the rights of Indian Muslims and he became its president in 1916.

Jinnah believed that Muslim-Hindu unity in India was possible, but over the years the relationship between the Hindu and Muslim communities had deteriorated to such a point that he reluctantly accepted that the best way to protect the rights of Indian Muslims was through partition.

In 1940, he first suggested the idea of the partition of India to create Pakistan and led the negotiations with the British government. This resulted in the partition of India and the creation of the state of Pakistan on August 14th 1947.Following the creation of Pakistan, Jinnah became the first governor-general but died of tuberculosis on September 11th 1948.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) A top-level US delegation will head shortly to Mexico to discuss concerns on migration, the White House said Thursday, after telephone talks between Presidents Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall to travel to Mexico "in coming days," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The Biden team will "meet with President Lopez Obrador and his team to discuss further actions that can be taken together to address current border challenges," Kirby said.

The talks and trip come as the rival Republican Party pushes Biden's Democrats for major changes on immigration policy in exchange for approving a package of emergency assistance for Ukraine and Israel.

Kirby said there has been a "dramatic increase" in migration across the border, largely from violence-ravaged Central American nations.

In their telephone call Thursday, Biden and Lopez Obrador "shared a similar concern about the increase in migratory flow here in recent weeks," Kirby said.

The two presidents talked "in broad terms about what can be done inside Mexico to slow that process down," he said.

Ideas include stepping up checkpoints on rail lines and highways and expanding the security presence on Mexico's southern border, Kirby said.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) A top-level US delegation will head to Mexico soon to discuss concerns on migration, the White House said Thursday, after the two countries' leaders spoke on the phone and agreed urgent action was needed.

Presidents Joe Biden and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador discussed ongoing "efforts to manage migratory flows," according to a White House readout, and also called for swift implementation of enforcement measures.

The leaders spoke as authorities in two US border states, Texas and Arizona, have in recent days taken unprecedented steps aimed at reducing illegal crossings, while accusing the Federal government of inaction.

Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood Randall to travel to Mexico "in the coming days," the readout said.

US border police have in recent weeks reported approximately 10,000 crossings every day.

The previous fiscal year, from October 2022 through September 2023, saw a record 2.4 million encounters by border patrol with migrants, including at both official ports of entry and elsewhere along the southern border.

On Tuesday, authorities closed two rail bridge crossings on the Mexico-Texas border -- in Eagle Pass and El Paso -- in an attempt to limit illegal entries on freight trains.

Vehicle crossings meanwhile have been suspended in Eagle Pass since the beginning of the month, as well as at an entry point in Arizona and California.

Biden and Lopez Obrador "agreed that additional enforcement actions are urgently needed so that key ports of entry can be reopened," the White House readout said.
Prague, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) A 24-year-old student killed more than 15 people and wounded dozens more at a Prague university on Thursday in the Czech Republic's worst shooting in decades, before authorities said the attacker was "eliminated".

The deadly violence in the city's historic centre sparked evacuations, a massive response by heavily armed police and warnings for people to stay indoors.

The shooting erupted at the Charles University's Faculty of Arts, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge.

"More than 15 people have lost their lives and at least 24 have been wounded," police chief Martin Vondrasek told reporters following the shooting.

Emergency services ly reported nine serious injuries, at least five mid-serious and up to 10 light injuries.

Vondrasek said police started a search for the man before the mass shooting as his father had been found dead in the village of Hostoun west of Prague.

The gunman "left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself," Vondrasek said. Police suggested earlier the gunman had killed his father.

Police searched the main Faculty of Arts building where the gunman was expected to show up for a lecture, but he went to the faculty's other building nearby and they did not find him.

"At 1359 GMT, we received the first information about shooting," Vondrasek told reporters, adding the rapid response unit was on the scene within 12 minutes.

"At 1420 GMT, the officers in action told us about the gunman's motionless body," Vondrasek said, adding unconfirmed information showed he had killed himself.

Citing a probe into social media, Vondrasek said the gunman was inspired by a "similar case that happened in Russia this autumn", without going into details.

"At the moment, there is nothing to suggest any further imminent danger," he added.

- 'Shocked' -

Vondrasek said no police officer was wounded in Thursday's action and that police had not yet started to identify the dead by 1700 GMT as pyrotechnicians were at work in the building.

Police evacuated the building, using a concert hall across the street as a temporary refuge for the evacuees.

Czech President Petr Pavel said he was "shocked" by the violence and expressed "deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims".

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the "lone gunman... wasted many lives of mostly young people".

"There is no justification for this horrendous act," he added.

The worst shooting since the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state in 1993 also prompted messages of support from across the world.

US President Joe Biden sent his condolences, slamming the "senseless" shooting.

"The president and the first lady are praying for the families who lost loved ones and everyone else who has been affected by the senseless act of violence," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his "solidarity" with the Czech people, as did many other European leaders including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

- 'No other gunman' -

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said that there was no link between the shooting and "international terrorism".

He added that "no other gunman has been confirmed" and called on people to follow police instructions.

Police cordoned off the area and asked people living nearby to stay at home.

Prague's emergency service said on X that "a large number of ambulance units" were deployed at the faculty.

Though mass gun violence is unusual in the Czech Republic, the nation has been rocked by some instances in recent years.

A 63-year-old man shot seven men and a woman dead in 2015 before killing himself in a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod.
The United Nations Security Council once again pushed back a vote for a much-delayed resolution on the war between Hamas and Israel, diplomatic sources said Thursday

United Nations, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Dec, 2023) The United Nations Security Council once again pushed back a vote for a much-delayed resolution on the war between Hamas and Israel, diplomatic sources said Thursday.

The postponement to Friday came even as the United States, which has opposed a number of proposals during the resolution's drafting, said it was ready to support it in its current form.

After days of delays, the latest draft version seen by AFP calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Washington's UN ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters that "if the resolution is put forward as is, then we can support it."

She denied that the draft resolution had been watered down.

"The draft resolution is a very strong resolution that is fully supported by the Arab group," she said.

Diplomatic wrangling at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan -- causing the vote to be postponed several times this week -- has come against the backdrop of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and a mounting death toll.

"It looks like the US has taken full advantage of other Council members' desire to avoid a veto. But the resulting text is starting to look very weak in many parts," said International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan.

The United Arab Emirates is sponsoring the resolution on the conflict which has been amended in several key areas to secure compromise, according to the draft version seen by AFP.

It demands all sides "allow and facilitate the use of all... routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings... for the provision of humanitarian assistance."

Israel bombed a newly reopened aid crossing on Thursday, Hamas authorities said.

Members of the 15-member council have been grappling for days to find common ground on the resolution.
When we get to college, a lot of people think they know exactly what it is they want to study. Some of us get it right, but many of us will begin to question ourselves and our major somewhere along the way. I was one of those students - I changed my major four times throughout my college career at UW. Throughout all those changes I learned that it is ok to change your mind and change your major, just do it wisely.

I originally started college as a music education major. That lasted one semester before I swapped to business management with an emphasis in human resources. One year later I swapped again to a double major in sales and entrepreneurship. By the time I finally landed in my current major, marketing with a minor in sales, I had just one year of college left to go. Now that I am nearing the end of my college career, looking forward to the future and reflecting on the choices I made that got me here, I realize that I wish I had stuck with music education. You may be asking yourself, How does that help me though? Well, if you are like me, and are questioning your major, here is some advice to help you through the process.

1. Don't Be Too Hasty.

First off, I highly suggest avoiding changing your major in your first semester of college. The reason is that you often are not taking classes specific to your major yet but rather are just completing what are called gen-eds or general education courses and these will be relatively the same no matter what your major is. You may be taking one or two major-specific courses, but usually, the most fun classes don't come until you have reached the upper division levels of your degree path. I was taking several music classes in my first semester, but it was not the classes that made me want to switch it was the hours of sitting alone in a practice room that got to me.

2. Evaluate Your Reasoning.

This gets me to my second point, if you are considering switching, identify what it is about the major that you do not like. Is it one particular class or maybe a specific professor that you are struggling with or is it a deeper issue? Is the problem temporary or will it persist throughout your degree path? Understanding why you are feeling unfulfilled in your major is essential and its at this point I suggest talking to different people to get more perspectives to help you understand that question. The university is full of resources and people to help!

Your Advisor. Your advisor is there to help you through these exact decisions. You can contact them by reaching out through your college, or by emailing the ACES program at: aces@uwyo.edu and they will help connect you to your advisor.





Your advisor is there to help you through these exact decisions. You can contact them by reaching out through your college, or by emailing the ACES program at: aces@uwyo.edu and they will help connect you to your advisor. ACES Career Counselors. If you are not even sure where to get started, talking to an ACES career counselor can really help you identify what you want to end up doing in life. They will be able to help you choose a major if you find yourself currently in the exploratory studies program or undeclared. There are many options for different majors you can choose and they will give you some different tests to help determine what you may be the most interested in.





If you are not even sure where to get started, talking to an ACES career counselor can really help you identify what you want to end up doing in life. They will be able to help you choose a major if you find yourself currently in the exploratory studies program or undeclared. There are many options for different majors you can choose and they will give you some different tests to help determine what you may be the most interested in. Your Friends. Your friends are a valuable resource throughout college. They are going through the same things you are. They may have insights into certain programs or classes that you could benefit from. Of course, it is important to remember that your friends are also going to have some misunderstandings about your situation, so take everything they say with a grain of salt and be sure to use their advice alongside some of these other suggestions.





Your Parents (or parental figures). This seems obvious, but when I was switching majors, I only told my parents I was going to do it, and I did not think to talk to them about the why. Your parents have been there. Maybe not specifically with college, but they have been faced with difficult and life-changing decisions. They may have some good advice on how to handle your situation.





Counselors. This final suggestion comes from my own experience. If I had talked with one of the free counselors at the University Counseling Center , I would have learned that there was a better way to approach my dread of practicing than switching majors. You may not feel like you need to talk to a counselor, but it may not hurt to schedule one meeting.

3. Find Your Passion.

Finally, I have one more trick to help you figure out what you should be studying. I realized this trick too late into my own college career to implement it, but hopefully you can use it well. I dare you to ask yourself...

"What is that ONE thing you can talk about for hours? If someone brings up this topic, you can go on and on in detail. Whenever you see mention of this topic, you are immediately more interested in whatever it is you see."

Whatever this one thing is, it is probably what you should try to study more of. My advice, find a major that coincides with it. If you're unsure where to go from here, exploring all the majors offered at the University of Wyoming is a great place to start! For me personally, I realized I can talk about two things forever - music and content creation. I can talk about these things for literal hours without losing interest. So, if I were to start over today, I would find a major that related to those two interests.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck with your decision if you are going through this process right now. Just remember, it's ok to not know what you want to do right now. Use your voice and communicate with people. Your parents, friends, advisors and everyone here at UW all want to see you succeed. It is ok to ask for help if you feel lost and its ok to change your mind.

As for me, I am finishing my time here at UW and as the Social Media intern. I hope you have enjoyed my blogs and posts for this semester! And finally, I hope you all have a good life, be of good cheer, and I will see you all next time! Go Pokes!

-Duncan Lewis
JAKARTA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers have found most of the victims who had been missing since Wednesday after their boat capsized off the coast of Mamuju regency in the eastern Indonesian province of West Sulawesi, a local search and rescue official told local media on Friday.

The Mamuju Search and Rescue Agency reported that 33 people have survived the incident with two killed and the other two still missing.

The agency has revised the total number of victims after its earlier report issued on Thursday that said a total of 28 went missing in the incident taking place near Ambo Island.

The agency chief Muhammad Rizal told local media that a joint rescue team has expanded its search operations to find the two missing.

"The victims were not wearing life jackets, so it is difficult for us to calculate the search area for the victims swept away by the current," he said.

The chartered boat carrying wedding guests departed from Ambo Island on Wednesday at around 10:00 a.m. local time and was expected to arrive at its destination of Sumare village in Mamuju at 4:00 p.m. It capsized off after being hit by a wave. 
Trade Relations Between Vietnam and Thailand

The leaders of Vietnam and Thailand met on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan summit last week to discuss ongoing trade relations between the two countries. Heres what that trade looks like.

Prime Minister Chinh Minh Pham met with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Summit last week in Tokyo.

The two leaders discussed the progress of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic cooperation relationship and committed to a action plan developed with respect to the implementation of the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for 2022-2027.

The two leaders also said they wanted to bring bilateral trade to US$25 billion in trade turnover. In this respect, the Vietnam Briefing discusses where trade turnover between Vietnam and Thailand is currently at.

Trade rules and regulations between Thailand and Vietnam

Both active members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the bulk of trade conducted between Vietnam and Thailand is governed by several intra-ASEAN free trade agreements.

ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTA)

The ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTA) is a multilateral free trade agreement among ASEAN countries. This agreement establishes the framework for gradually lowering tariffs to 0 to 5 percent and streamlining customs procedures between countries.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is aimed at strengthening ties between the ASEAN countries and Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and South Korea. It is one of the worlds biggest trading agreements with member states accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP.

The goal of the RCEP is to eliminate at least 92 percent of tariffs in signatory nations within the next 20 years. In parallel, RCEP is intended to save traders money and time by allowing them to export goods to any signatory country under a collectively developed set of standards.

RCEP benefits for Thailand-Vietnam trade

Trade between Vietnam and Thailand appears to have benefited from the RCEP since it formally took effect in Vietnam on January 1, 2022. Despite the fact that the global economy has been facing several challenges, export turnover between Thailand and Vietnam hit US$21.6 billion in 2022. Thailand remains Vietnams largest ASEAN economic partner and Vietnam is Thailands second-largest ASEAN trading partner and fifth-largest trading partner globally.

Double Taxation Avoidance

The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between Vietnam and Thailand was signed on December 23, 1992, to avoid double taxation. In addition, this agreement also creates a legal framework for the tax authorities of the two countries to prevent tax evasion on income and assets.

The Promotion and Protection of Investments

Vietnam and Thailand signed a mutual investment promotion and protection agreement on November 30, 1991. The signing of this agreement is intended to establish better conditions for greater economic cooperation between the two countries. Especially for capital investment by citizens and companies of one country into the other.

The agreement helps to increase investment initiatives in both countries. Specifically, point a clause 1 of Article 4 of the law, states that investors will be treated equally under the law.

Thailand FDI projects in Vietnam

Vietnam presently has 20 new projects with FDI from Thailand totaling US$394.95 as of July 2023. The majority of Thai projects in Vietnam are small to medium-sized. According to Praween Wirotpan, Chairman of the Thailand Chamber of Commerce, most of Thailands leading corporations have invested in Vietnam with projects in industries as varied as retail, petrochemicals, paper packaging, construction materials, animal and farm feed, and renewable energy.

Thailands exports to Vietnam

Thailands overall export value to Vietnam exceeded US$14 billion in 2022. Petroleum products; computers, electrical products, spare parts and components thereof; motor vehicles; parts and accessories of motor vehicles, and other products accounted for the bulk of these exports.

Thailands exports to Vietnam, 2022

Description Value (US$) Fishery products 49,032,675 Milk and milk products 60,598,882 Fruits and vegetables 49,703,226 Maize (corn) 18,772,232 Animal, and vegetable fats and oils 82,877,441 Pastrycooks, sweets, and cereals products 74,231,318 Other edible food preparations 84,657,203 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 137,500,027 Ores and other minerals product 52,827,795 Petroleum products 1,158,324,686 Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) 34,161,957 Other petroleum products 159,138,241 Chemicals 562,605,294 Chemical products 398,905,778 Pharmaceutical materials 1,995,754 Pharmaceutical products 112,486,312 Fertilizers 3,709,614 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 144,328,943 Insecticides, rodenticides, and materials 41,574,935 Plastics 964,463,778 Plastic products 288,371,933 Rubber 126,269,861 Rubber products 95,197,732 Wood and wooden products 142,123,819 Paper 168,077,061 Paper products 65,625,862 Yarn 117,448,716 Fabrics 324,257,714 Textile, leather, and foot-wear materials and auxiliaries 326,257,714 Glass and glassware 60,899,789 Precious stones, precious metals, and articles thereof 45,277,154 Iron and steel 140,326,015 Iron and steel products 157,611,177 Other base metals 635,471,757 Other base metal products 57,936,423 Computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof 1,700,425,698 Electric consumer products and parts thereof 808,848,976 Still images, video cameras, and parts thereof 30,985,116 Machine, equipment, tools, and instruments 1,039,893,229 Insulated wires and cables 72,093,206 Motor vehicles 1,429,926,259 Parts and accessories of motor vehicles 1,009,746,524 Other products 1,056,738,341 Total 14,092,413,963

Source: General Customs Department of Vietnam

Computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof

Consumption of electronic gadgets is expanding in Vietnam. In this light, Thailand supplied computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof to Vietnam worth more than US$1.7 billion in 2022.

Motor vehicles; Parts and accessories of motor vehicles

Thailand is currently the leading supplier of replacement parts and full vehicle items to Vietnam. IThis is partly attributable to a tax exemption policy which sees all cars of ASEAN origin (with a localization rate of 40 percent or more) imported into Vietnam tax-exempt until the end of 2027. As a result, by the end of 2022, Thailand had exported over US$1.43 billion for motor vehicles and more than US$1 billion of parts and accessories of motor vehicles to Vietnam.

Petroleum products

Despite the fact that Vietnam extracts and exports crude oil, it still has to import petroleum to meet local demand. Thailand has become one of Vietnams biggest sources of petroleum products due to its proximity and the relatively low trade barriers due to several free trade agreements.

Vietnams exports to Thailand

Vietnams exports to Thailand are just over half of Thailands exports to Vietnam coming in at US$7.5 billion. One explanation for this trade deficit is that Thailands biggest retail businesses have recently engaged in mergers and acquisitions with retail chains in Vietnam. This has given Thai goods easier access to Vietnamese consumers.

Central Retail Group, for example, is set to invest approximately US$1.45 billion in Vietnam over the next five years. Another example is Central Group, a firm owned by Thailands Chirathivat family, which purchased 49 percent of the shares in Nguyen Kim, a well-known electronics supermarket chain in Vietnam.

Description Value (US$) Fishery products 331,624,770 Fruits and vegetables 168,055,205 Cashew nut 48,602,272 Coffee 76,559,664 Pepper 26,135,719 Pastrycooks, sweets, and cereals products 24,333,184 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 34,748,616 Ores and other minerals product 555,864 Coal 27,807,858 Crude oil 880,474,002 Petroleum products 2,453,046 Chemicals 49,305,736 Chemical products 182,765,759 Fertilizers 21,350,610 Plastics 100,047,765 Plastic products 96,850,820 Rubber products 19,990,797 Handbags, purses, suit-cases, headgear and umbrellas 9,092,692 Wood and wooden products 69,332,588 Paper and paper products 112,847,769 Yarn 124,252,236 Textiles and garments 239,343,297 Tyre cord fabrics and other fabrics for technical uses 40,461,101 Foot-wears 69,089,502 Textile, leather, and foot-wear materials and auxiliaries 40,702,548 Ceramics products 33,291,352 Glass and glassware 7,838,238 Precious stones, precious metals, and articles thereof 4,067,886 Iron and steel 281,786,939 Iron and steel products 103,813,662 Other base metals and other base metal products 369,144,668 Computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof 524,212,948 Telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof 1,007,541,745 Machine, equipment, tools, and instruments 964,820,116 Insulated wires and cables 108,032,951 Other means of transportation, parts, and accessories thereof 636,756,366 Other products 638,118,509 Total 7,476,208,801

Source: General Department of Customs

Crude oil

According to CEIC Data, Thailand is a country with a high demand for petrol with daily oil consumption exceeding 1.2 million barrels in 2022. It does, however, have limited oil reserves, accounting for less than 1 percent of the worlds total oil reserves, and therefore relies heavily on oil imports.

VietnamThailand trade prospects

In recent years, commercial relations between Vietnam and Thailand have grown considerably. In 2022, when the global economy was experiencing a number of challenges, the two countries import-export turnover reached US$21.6 billion.

Thailand is Vietnams largest trading partner in ASEAN and one of the countrys biggest foreign investors. Vietnam, on the other hand, is Thailands second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and fifth in the globe. With this strong and mutually beneficial partnership, trade relations between the two countries are expected to grow and advance even further moving forward.

Thai investors can contact the experts at Dezan Shira and Associates for assistance and more extensive information about investing in Vietnam.
A deal on US border policy is closer than it seems. Here's how it is shaping up and what's at stake
Could the local news crisis get any worse? Look at Scranton
US News & World Report takes a look at the dreaded college waitlist and what it means for international students.

In addition to the anxiety and waiting of the waitlist, international students carry an additional burden: visa complications. Read the full story here. (December 2023)




Life as a college graduate has not turned out as expected for Liu Chang, who graduated from Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in acupuncture and massage.

He has been working since 2022 in the administrative staff of a community hospital in Shijiazhuang, Hebei. Like many recent graduates in China, he has found that his salary is not enough to make ends meet. So, in September, he started a street stall to boost his income.

"After getting off work at 5 p.m. on December 18, I rode a food bike to the night market," he told VOA in recounting a typical day in his life as a street vendor.

"There were already many stall owners. The weather has been cold recently, and not many people come out as they did in the summer. When the business is good, I go out every night and make four to five thousand yuan a month, which is the same as my monthly salary" from the hospital, Liu said.

He said he was born in 1997 to a poor rural family. With his younger brother studying for a postgraduate degree in environmental science at Hebei University of Science and Technology, and because the family could afford to support the education of only one son, Liu's parents have not given him a penny since college. Sometimes he didn't even have enough money to see a doctor when he was sick.

High unemployment rate for young adults

Liu's story is not unique. The unemployment rate among 16- to 24-year-olds in China reached a record high of 21.3% in June, according to official data, raising concerns about what tens of millions of college students each year will do after graduation.

Liu said that with the scarcity of white-collar jobs, more and more college graduates are forced to turn to the informal sector. Street vending has attracted many people due to the increasing economic uncertainty.

"Many of my classmates are doing this. They can't afford to buy a property after college, so they rent a place. And they never have enough money to spend," Liu said.

"In the first two years after graduation, I interviewed with 18 companies," he said. "On one hand, the salary was too low, and on the other hand, the jobs were not related to my major.

"I work for survival. After studying for a long time, I don't get to practice anything I learned. Including what I am doing now, nothing has to do with what I studied," he said.

Wang Haisheng, from Meizhou City, Guangdong province, graduated from Luoyang University of Science and Technology in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical design, manufacture and automation. After graduation, he worked in sales for Luoyang Northern Glass Technology for over a year.

However, due to the pandemic and his physical condition, he had to move back to his hometown, where he worked in the engineering department of a food factory and made 4,000 yuan ($560) a month.

"I was assigned to the idlest position, patrolling and watching wind turbines every day," Wang said. Less than a year later, he was let go due to changes in management.

He said college graduates with the same degree as his work on the assembly line, and their wages are less than 4,000 yuan. They work 10 to 12 hours a day on average but don't receive insurance and housing funds available to many other Chinese workers.

Because the college graduates are hired as contractors, Wang said, "they only make 70% of what regular employees make. More than half of the workers there are contractors because of the low cost."

'Huge gap between expectations and reality'

Left jobless by the food factory, Wang tried to generate some income by selling plants online but failed. In July, he started running a street stall because he couldn't afford to live without an income.

"My father works at a construction site, and my two sisters are married and have children, and no one can help me," Wang said.

Like him, he said, many college graduates in China have had to make a difficult adjustment in their expectations.

"The work is meaningless, and the process is very painful," he said.

"There is a huge gap between expectations and reality, he said. When we were little, we were taught to be the masters of the world. But in the end, we are just ordinary members of society who cannot even find a job where we can apply what we have learned."

Li Ping, a 2012 graduate of Beijing Normal University, said that since 2017, he has been selling shoes and bags at a stall in the Xizhimen area in Beijing, even when he had a day job. Since losing his full-time job, street vending is his only source of income.

Li, who majored in information management and information systems, said financial difficulties are the main issue for college-graduate street vendors. Although the government claims to be solving this problem, there is no actual improvement, he said.

"This is just how the current workplace environment is, and the only way is to adapt to the reality," Li said.
As a new space race between the United States and China takes off, Africa is increasingly an arena for competition between the two superpowers. And so far, analysts say, China is ahead.

While Africa's space agencies are still in their infancy compared to those of the U.S. and China, analysts say space has become a new frontier for diplomacy with African countries.

"In recent years, China has emerged as the leading partner with Africa," said Nigerian space scientist Temidayo Oniosun, who is the founder of Space in Africa, an analytics and consulting company.

Oniosun says there have been a lot of collaborations across sectors including communications, observation, navigation and positioning. China is developing satellites for different partners, ground station infrastructure, and is pushing for countries to adopt its BeiDou satellite navigation system, seen as an alternative to America's GPS.

"Chinese companies have been capitalizing on this for years. It's now that the U.S. is waking up to this," he said during a recent forum on the topic at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington or USIP, a think tank founded by Congress.

"U.S. strategy towards Africa in space is actually more about reducing the hegemony of China over Africa than anything else.  I think one of the major reasons they're [the U.S.] paying attention is because China is doing so much," Oniosun told VOA.

Asked whether the U.S. was indeed playing catch-up, a National Security Council spokesperson did not comment on Chinese competition directly, but said that "U.S. companies are at the forefront" of working with Africa.

The spokesperson detailed some of the agreements on space announced at last year's U.S.-Africa Leaders' Summit, including Nigeria's partnership with U.S. firm SpaceX, which also helped Kenya launch its first operational earth satellite in April.

China regards Space X as competition

China sees Elon Musk's company as a major rival to its ambition to become a dominant space power by 2045.

Asked whether China was ahead when it came to space cooperation with Africa, a NASA spokesperson told VOA: "The United States continues to work internationally for a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. Working with both new and existing partners will add new energy and capabilities to help ensure the entire world can benefit from our journey of exploration and discovery."

As one example of cooperation with Africa, the NASA spokesperson pointed to the U.S. agency's current collaboration with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) on plans to build a new tracking and communications antenna site near Matjiesfontein, in the country's semi-desert area of Karoo.

"NASA is currently finalizing negotiations for an agreement for NASA to build an 18-meter Lunar Exploration Ground Sites antenna to support the Artemis Program and the human lunar return to the moon," the spokesperson said.

U.S. led Artemis Accords is described as a "set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century." Other African countries have also been signing onto NASA's Artemis Accords, including Angola whose president signed the accords on November 30, during a visit to the White House.

View from Africa

According to a USIP report, co-authored by Oniosun, there are currently space programs in more than 20 African countries, and Africa accounted for 0.7 percent of global space expenditure in 2020.

Rather than seeking to participate in deep space exploration or human spaceflight, the report says many African countries see space development as a way of achieving national development goals and space-linked infrastructure as an important way to address problems such as climate change, national disaster preparedness and counter-terrorism.

A list sent to VOA by the South African National Space Agency, mentioned 11 partnerships with the U.S., including on deep space exploration, space education, space science research, hosting of Global Navigation Satellite System equipment, and six standing agreements relating to space operations.

"SANSA also has long-standing working relationships with USA and Canadian researchers in space weather," Asanda Sangoni, acting managing director of SANSA Earth Observation, told VOA in a written response.

The agency has three projects or agreements with China on space exploration, satellite navigation, and general space cooperation, according to Sangoni.

Asked whether Africa is becoming one of the areas of competition in a new Cold War space race, Sangoni wrote: "There is no single "Space Race" (if there is any) in the traditional sense."

"The global space landscape is evolving, with an increasing number of nations, including emerging nations, participating and often partnering in space activities. These nations pursue various goals and objectives based on their unique circumstances and interests, contributing to the overall development of space exploration and utilization," Sangoni wrote.

"SANSA strongly believes that space-related activities should be inclusive and beneficial for all mankind. SANSA promotes the peaceful use of space and respectful cooperation," she added.

National Security Concern?

During the U.S. Institute of Peace panel, Joseph Sany, the vice president of the Africa Center, explained some of the perceived risks that are fueling the new space race.

"As great powers vie for dominance in space, the risk of conflict between them looms large," he said. "In an environment where space assets are essential for intelligence gathering, communication and military operation, disparities in capabilities could heighten tensions and create an atmosphere conducive to conflict."

"As competition intensifies, the trust and willingness to cooperate may diminish" Sany said. "Misunderstandings, miscommunications or deliberate disruptions in communication systems could easily escalate into full-blown conflict."

The Pentagon's 2023 annual report to Congress on China's military developments makes numerous references to Beijing's ambitions in space.

The People's Liberation Army "views space superiority, the ability to control the space-enabled information sphere and to deny adversaries their own space-based information gathering and communication capabilities, as critical components to conduct modern 'informatized warfare'," the report states.

"The PLA continues to acquire and develop a range of counter-space capabilities and related technologies, including kinetic-kill missiles, ground-based lasers, and orbiting space robots, as well as expanding space surveillance capabilities, which can monitor objects in space within their field of view and enable counter space actions," according to the report.

It's not just Africa where China's space industry footprint is expanding. A recent article in The Washington Post said the Pentagon is concerned that some of China's space and satellite programs in Latin America having defense capabilities.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington referred VOA's questions on its space cooperation with Africa to the Chinese Mission to the African Union, which did not reply to requests for comment.
A former Colombian soldier pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, which plunged the Caribbean nation into violence and political turmoil.

Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 45, pleaded guilty to three charges, including conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States, during a brief hearing before federal Judge Jose E. Martinez. Seated next to his attorney, Alfredo Izaguirre, Palacios answered "Yes, your honor," in Spanish when the judge asked if he was pleading guilty.

Palacios is the fifth of 11 defendants in Miami to plead guilty in the 2021 assassination.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, he agreed to cooperate with the investigation and to plead guilty. He could get up to life in prison when he's sentenced March 1, but under the deal, prosecutors conceded that he played a minor role in the plot.

"He didn't know what he was going to get into. He wasn't part of the plan," Izaguirre told reporters after the hearing. "He didn't recruit anybody. He didn't [have] any decision-making authority in regards to the conspiracy. I think the government understands."

According to prosecutors, the conspirators initially planned to kidnap the Haitian president but later decided to kill him. They say the plotters had hoped to win contracts under Moise's successor. About 20 former Colombian soldiers and several dual Haitian American citizens participated in the plot, authorities say.

Moise was shot 12 times at his private home near the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince on July 7, 2021. He was 53. His wife, Martine Moise, was injured in the attack.

Three defendants have been sentenced to life in prison in the case. A fourth, dual Haitian American national Joseph Vincent, pleaded guilty this month and is awaiting his sentencing in February.

Palacios was detained in Jamaica in October 2021 and was flown to the U.S. Federal officials say they had interviewed him while he was still hiding in Jamaica.

Haiti authorities have arrested more than 40 suspects, among them 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of taking part in the plot and several high-ranking Haitian police officers. In the Caribbean nation, at least five judges have been appointed to the case and four of them have stepped down for various reasons, including fear of being killed.

In the two years following Moise's assassination, Haiti has experienced a surge in gang violence that led the prime minister to request the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force. The United Nations Security Council voted in October to send a multinational force led by Kenya to help fight gangs.

The deployment, however, has been delayed. Kenyan officials told the AP that the first group of about 300 officers is expected by February, with authorities still awaiting the verdict in a case that seeks to block the deployment. A decision is expected in January.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday expressed concern over the Israeli order for the evacuation of civilians in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military on Wednesday designated a new area covering about 20 percent of central and south of Khan Younis city for immediate evacuation. Prior to the onset of the hostilities, the area was home to about 111,000 people. The area also includes 32 shelters that accommodated more than 141,000 displaced men, women and children, the vast majority of whom were previously displaced from northern Gaza, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He quoted the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as saying that access to evacuation information on Khan Younis and other key information is impaired by interruptions in telecommunications and the lack of electricity. Telecommunications are still down in most of Gaza for the eighth day in a row.

Dujarric stressed that no area in Gaza is safe.

Currently, intense fighting, the lack of electricity, limited fuel and disrupted telecommunications severely restrict access to loading points and trucks, as well as the ability to deliver, prioritize, plan and coordinate critical operations -- with civilians bearing the brunt of the suffering that is going on, said the spokesman.

The most helpful thing for the delivery of humanitarian aid in a sustained high volume way would be an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, he said.

The United Nations is focused on trying to get as much aid in as possible, as quickly as possible, he said. "We are working in a highly dangerous situation. More than 135 of our colleagues have paid (with) their lives. We're working in a highly complicated system where different verifications have to go in."

On the health front, only nine out of 36 health facilities are partially functional in the whole of Gaza, all of them are in the south, according to the World Health Organization. The hospitals in the north are still sheltering thousands of displaced people, said the spokesman.

According to a food security analysis issued on Thursday, more than half a million people are facing catastrophic hunger conditions in Gaza.

The analysis, issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification and including data from the World Food Programme, the Food and Agricultural Organization, and many other UN agencies, as well as international nongovernmental organizations, also confirmed that the entire population of Gaza of roughly 2.2 million people are in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity. 
A Hong Kong court Friday rejected an appeal by prominent pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai to toss out a sedition charge against him.

Lais lawyer Robert Pang argued that the charge should be dropped because the prosecution did not introduce it within six months of the alleged crime taking place.

Authorities brought the charge against Lai four days after the deadline, Pang said.

Lai, a pro-democracy figure and publisher of the now shuttered media outlet Apple Daily, is standing trial in Hong Kong on charges of sedition and accusations under the regions national security law that he colluded with foreign forces.

The 76-year-old, who denies the charges, could face up to life in prison if convicted.

The three government-appointed judges overseeing the trial, which started Monday, said that when it came to the sedition charge, a time limit did not apply.

The alleged conspiracy was a continuing offense and therefore the time limitation did not start to run until after the last date of the alleged conspiracy, the judges said.

The court ruled that the prosecution of the sedition charge against the defendants was not time-barred, the judges said in a summary of their judgment. Therefore, the court had jurisdiction to try the defendants on the sedition charge.

Prosecutors claim that Lai and Apple Daily published a total of 161 seditious articles between April 2019 and June 2021.

Jonathan Price, a barrister from Londons Doughty Street Chambers that makes up Lais international legal team, said the ruling Friday shows the true intent of the case.

[The] ruling makes absolutely explicit  just in case anyone had been left in any doubt  that Jimmy Lai is being prosecuted for nothing more sinister than conspiracy to commit journalism, Price said in a statement.

By pinning the date of Lais alleged crimes to the date Apple Daily ceased work, the prosecution has shown its hand, Price said. Lai is in prison for daring to publish an independent newspaper in a country which no longer tolerates a free press.

Hong Kongs national security bureau did not respond to VOAs request for comment this week.

It has previously dismissed claims the national security law is limiting press freedom. And Hong Kong's former chief executive Carrie Lam previously said the Apple Daily case was about "a suspicious act of endangering national security," not media freedom.

Mark Sabah, director of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, condemned the latest development.

"For the Hong Kong authorities, Jimmy Lai must be found guilty at all costs, and he must be charged with as many offences as possible. This trial is not about Jimmy Lai, it is about China imposing its authoritarian rule on Hong Kong," he said in a statement on X.

Considered Hong Kongs last independent newspaper, the Apple Daily was forced to close in June 2021 after police froze millions of its assets, raided its office and arrested six top editors.

Lai, a British national, is already serving a sentence of five years and nine months in a separate fraud case. He has been detained since his 2020 arrest.

Outside the courthouse Friday, activist Alexandra Wong, better known as Grandma Wong, told VOA, Its been difficult for Mr. Lai. He is almost 10 years older than me.

We have to come support him, she said.

Maria, a woman in her forties from Germany who gave only her first name, was the first in line to enter the courtroom Friday, to observe the trial.

Its the first time Im attending the court trial. Ive always wanted to, she told VOA. I think different national security trials here are very important.

Western governments, as well as human rights and press freedom groups, have called for Lais immediate 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, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement Sunday.

In response, a spokesperson at China's embassy in the U.K. said, "We firmly oppose and strongly deplore U.K. politicians' appalling acts of endorsing Jimmy Lai." The spokesperson went on to urge the U.K. to "stop sheltering anti-China, Hong Kong destabilizers" and "stop smearing the national security law."

The United States government has also called for Lais release.

Since coming into effect in 2020, Hong Kong's national security law has been used to take legal action against more than 250 people, including activists, lawmakers and protesters.

Hong Kong introduced the law after mass protests in 2019.

Lai, whose trial is expected to last about 80 days, is among the most high-profile people to face charges under the law.

His son Sebastien told VOA he has no faith in Hong Kong's judiciary system.

"This is a 76-year-old man who's been held in a maximum-security prison in solitary confinement," Sebastien Lai said. "There's no chance that he'll get a fair trial. The authorities have very deliberately decided to destroy their own legal system in order to target pro-democracy protesters."

The trial is taking place without a jury and with three government-appointed judges, Sebastien Lai said. The Hong Kong government has also prevented Lai's choice of counsel, British lawyer Timothy Owen, from representing him.

"So, there's no semblance of a fair trial," the younger Lai said.

Lais trial is adjourned until January 2.

VOAs Iris Tong contributed to this report. Some information in this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
Have you ever wondered how the holidays were celebrated in 18th-century America? VOAs Saqib Ul Islam visits Mount Vernon, the historic home of America's first president, George Washington. At this historic site, one of the nations most visited, holiday traditions from the 1770s are preserved.
North Korea's launch of a Hwasong-18 this week shows it may soon have a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that can target any part of the United States, analysts say.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Monday's test "of the most powerful ICBM" demonstrated the reliability of the country's nuclear strategic force. He added that Pyongyang will not hesitate to strike back if provoked, the state-run KCNA reported Thursday.

On Wednesday, U.S. B-1B and South Korean and Japanese fighter jets conducted joint aerial drills off the South Korean island of Jeju in what South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff described as a show of force in response to the ICBM test.

Monday's ICBM launch followed a test of a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) the previous day, making this the third consecutive year to end with North Korean missile tests.

It was Pyongyang's fifth ICBM test of 2023 and third Hwasong-18 launch, following tests in April and July.

Ankit Panda, a senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, "The Hwasong-18 program appears to now have transitioned into operational exercises, indicating that the missile may be closer to being commissioned formally into the country's strategic forces."

He said that aside from "minor modifications to the launcher, there doesn't appear to be anything technically novel about this latest missile, suggesting that they're looking to evaluate its performance under operational conditions."

The missile Kim lauded as "the most powerful" reached a maximum altitude of 6,000 km and traveled a distance of 1,000 km. Analysts said it could carry a nuclear warhead and if launched at a normal trajectory, its range could be over 15,000 km  far enough to reach any part of the United States.

However, that "doesn't necessarily mean that it is operational to the standard that we would hold," said David Schmerler, senior research associate who focuses on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

"As long as it doesn't blow up prior to launch, gets up in the air, and goes a certain distance," Pyongyang could consider the missile as working, he said. "But there are other things that go into it as well," such as whether it could reliably strike a far-distant target.

The day Pyongyang launched the ICBM, Pak Myong Ho, its vice minister of foreign affairs, held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China, according to Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk called on China during a news briefing the next day to play a constructive role in persuading Pyongyang to end its destabilizing actions.

Robert Rapson, formerly charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said while Beijing could rein in Pyongyang's missile program, it "chooses not to" because it does not see the missile launches as "a direct threat."

"Moreover, it serves Beijing's interest in the ongoing rivalry or competition with the U.S. and its allies," Rapson said.

However, Sydney Seiler, who dealt with North Korea issues at the U.S. National Intelligence Council in 2022-23, told VOA he believes Pyongyang is "not going to refrain from advancing" its weapons program "out of China's concerns."

Gary Samore, a former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration, said he sees this week's missile tests in part as "a political signal" to protest deepening security cooperation between Washington and Seoul.

The U.S. and South Korea held their second Nuclear Consultative Group session in Washington on December 15, and the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to use the full range of its hardware, including nuclear weapons, to defend Seoul.

On December 17, the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine USS Missouri arrived at the South Korean port of Busan, according to the Seoul-based news agency Yonhap. That was the same day as the North Korean SRBM test, which traveled 570 km, far enough to have reached Busan.

"Whenever we send some sort of high-value asset to the region, North Korea often reacts" with missile launches, said Ken Gause, a senior adversary analytics specialist at the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses.

"There's a possibility that North Korea was trying to demonstrate" that its SRBM "has the capability" to strike the USS Missouri during a crisis.
The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was attacked by a barrage of Russian drones early Friday morning, officials said, injuring at least two people, in the sixth drone attack on the city this month.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko and other officials reported strikes on separate residential districts.

The mayor added that a drone had hit a block of apartments in the Solomyanskyi district, causing a fire.

"The upper floors are in flames. Emergency crews are on site," Klitschko said.

Apartment buildings were also damaged in other parts of the city.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there were indications that Russia's military planning and action were slowing down.

"We will continue to support their slowdown," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

Also Thursday, Russian bombs hit near two coal mines in the town of Toretsk in the Donetsk region, killing three and wounding at least five civilians, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Ukraine's military said earlier Thursday that Russian forces had attacked multiple regions overnight, using 35 drones.

The Ukrainian air force said the country's air defenses had shot down all but one of the drones, including over Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and other areas.

There were no reports of casualties or damage on the ground.

In the southern city of Nikopol, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials said Russian shelling killed two people.

Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said on social media that an 86-year-old man had been taken to the hospital. He also said the Russian shelling had damaged several homes and farm buildings.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
2023 saw NATO welcome its 31st member, as Finland joined the alliance in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. However, Swedens application is still being held up by Turkey, whose approval is expected in the coming weeks, while Ukraines path to NATO accession remains uncertain.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed by 12 Western nations in 1949 to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.

Within weeks of Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Finland and Sweden - both previously non-aligned countries  applied to join the alliance. Finland officially joined in April, just eleven months after it submitted the application.

The era of military nonalignment in our history has come to an end. A new era begins, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said at the accession ceremony in Brussels on April 4. Each country maximizes its own security. So does Finland. NATO membership strengthens our international position and room for maneuver, he said.

Sweden, which submitted its application at the same time as Finland, is still waiting. Turkey, an existing NATO member, has delayed its approval, accusing Sweden of harboring people it considers terrorists, including Kurdish separatists.

In May, Swedish lawmakers passed new anti-terrorism laws which it hoped would allay Turkeys concerns, prompting protests from some Turkish and Kurdish citizens in Sweden.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan finally submitted a bill approving Sweden's bid to parliament in October.

Fuat Oktay, the chairman of the Turkish National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission, said in November that the legislation would be scrutinized carefully. All of our committee members will have a thorough discussion, evaluate the issue and make our final decision accordingly, Oktay said November 16.

Speaking to reporters on December 1, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged quick progress. I hope that the National Assembly can finalize these discussions as soon as possible so we can finalize the ratification of Sweden, Stoltenberg said.

NATO members voted in July to extend Stoltenbergs tenure as secretary-general for another year, the second time it has been extended, in order to provide stability for the alliance as it responds to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Under his leadership, NATO has stepped up its support for Ukraine in 2023, coordinating the delivery of member states weapons and training. NATO does not have weapons of its own and is reliant on the contributions from its members.

At its July annual summit in Vilnius, the alliance reaffirmed its position that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. Members also voted to simplify its path to accession, removing the requirement for Kyiv to submit a Membership Action Plan which is designed to help candidates meet certain political, economic and military criteria.

By removing that, essentially there is no other lock on Ukraines membership to NATO but fundamentally a political decision by NATO leaders, said Fabrice Pothier, a former NATO head of policy planning and now the CEO of Rasmussen Global, a political consultancy.

NATO has also upgraded its relationship with Kyiv through the formation of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Ukraine says NATO membership is the only way to guarantee its security in the face of Russian aggression.

Speaking before the first meeting of the council on November 29, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country was ready to join.

We are pretty much becoming a de facto NATO army in terms of our technical capacity, management approaches and principles of running an army, Kuleba told reporters in Brussels.

NATO leaders are torn over when to admit Ukraine into the alliance, according to Pothier. I think Ukraine is probably one of the most capable, able potential allies you have out there. Its as good as it gets. But its fundamentally a political question about whether there is more risk or benefit to get Ukraine in now than to wait.

Ukraine is navigating complex accession talks with NATO and the European Union  involving large scale reforms - all while fighting invading Russian forces. Some NATO members argue Ukraines accession must wait until the conflict ends to avoid risking a wider war between Russia and NATO. That could prolong the fighting in Ukraine, argues Pothier.

If you say that, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin will have yet another incentive to keep on going and to keep the level of hostilities sufficiently high so that there wont be that threshold crossed by Ukraine into NATO, he told VOA.

In reality, and strategically, will you ever see the war ending in a way that will be so neat and so clear that then well feel comfortable getting Ukraine in (to NATO)? Pothier asked.
Poland's new foreign minister urged the West on Friday to rally around Ukraine, choosing the war-torn country for his first visit abroad in a sign of support as other allies waver on aid.

Ukraine in turn expressed hope for a quick resolution to a blockade from Polish truckers and said the visit marked a "new page" in the two countries' relations, which became strained under the previous administration.

Air alarms sounded during the meeting, warning of a potential new raid from Russia, which has intensified air attacks in the past weeks.

"If the West mobilizes, I have no doubt who will win, but it must finally start mobilizing," Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in a news conference wrapping up his trip.

He said Western economies were "twenty times wealthier than Russia" but that Moscow "has switched its economy to a war mode."

"We cannot allow Russia to produce more on the basis of a much smaller economy. Because wars are not won by tactical battles - wars are won by production," he said.

His visit came as fatigue has built among Kyiv's allies nearly two years into the war, despite Ukrainian officials' efforts.

In the U.S., Senate leaders said Tuesday that Washington would not be able to approve new aid for Ukraine before the year's end.

Hungary blocked a 50 billion-euro European Union aid package for Ukraine, though Ukraine did win a symbolic victory when the bloc opened formal membership negotiations with Ukraine. Any actual accession, however, is years away.

Unblock the border

Sikorski's visit aimed to reassure Kyiv and to resolve a monthlong blockade at the Ukraine border by Polish haulers.

When the war began in February 2022, the EU waived restrictions for Ukrainian road carriers to enter the bloc to ease the cargo traffic in and out of the country.

But Polish truckers said the move undercut their earnings. They have been blocking the border with Ukraine  which heavily relies on the route for its exports and imports.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the issue.

"The first thing to do is to unblock the border, because the situation in which our friendly relations find themselves  in the shadow of the blocked border  is unacceptable and harmful," Kuleba told his Polish counterpart.

"We hope that this problem will be solved by Christmas, before the end of this year," Polish Deputy Infrastructure Minister Pawel Gancarz said at a later briefing, speaking alongside Sikorski in Kyiv.

Poland had been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia invaded. But ahead of Polish elections in October, the then-governing Law and Justice party lobbied for votes by leveraging fatigue over the conflict.

Poland became embroiled in a row with Ukraine over grain imports, and the outgoing government said it would restrict arms deliveries to Kyiv.

'Strong neighbors'

But the administration led by former European Council President Donald Tusk that took office this month has pledged to double down on support for Ukraine.

That promise was reinforced by his foreign minister's visit to Kyiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised.

"We hope for the opening of a new page in our relations. We are very strong neighbors with a shared history," Zelenskyy said after meeting Sikorski.

The air raid alerts sounded earlier during Sikorski's visit were "the reason why I am here," he said.

"It's completely unacceptable for a country to attack its neighbor and bomb cities, destroy entire provinces, deport children. ... In this titanic fight, Minister, Poland is on your side," he said.

Sirens are frequently heard across Ukraine, which is the target of daily aerial attacks from Russia.

In the latest barrage, Ukrainian armed forces said they downed 24 out of 28 Iranian-made drones.

Russian missiles and drones frequently target the Ukrainian capital and are usually shot down by air defense systems, bolstered by Western weapons.

But Thursday night "a residential building in Kyiv [was hit] by a Shahed," Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram.

Two residents were wounded in the drone attack, according to local authorities.
U.S. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Friday granting full and unconditional pardons to anyone convicted in the United States for the use or possession of marijuana.

The president also issued an order Friday commuting the sentences of 11 people he said are currently serving unduly long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, including possession with the intent to distribute small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, commonly known as meth.

In a statement, Biden said he took both actions to more faithfully apply equal justice under the law. He said, "elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger."

Regarding the 11 sentences he commuted, Biden said the defendants each had been given disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses. All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today.

As for the pardoning of all convictions for simple possession and use of marijuana, in his statement the president said too many lives were upended because of what he called the nation's "failed approach to marijuana."

"Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities," he said. "It is time to right these wrongs." He urged state governors to do the same with state offenses.

The proclamation said the pardons do not apply to any other offenses involving other controlled substances or activity beyond simple possession of marijuana, such as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute or driving offenses committed while under the influence of marijuana.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters.
Many Republicans across the United States have reacted with rage to a 4-3 decision by the Supreme Court of Colorado that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from appearing on the state's 2024 Republican primary ballot because of his involvement with the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The decision has been placed on hold pending an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but that has not prevented many in the party, including some of the former president's opponents in the primary, from assailing the ruling as an undemocratic attempt to take the Republican Party's choice of a presidential nominee out of the hands of its voters.

With Trump's eligibility being challenged in more than a dozen other states, Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel used the social media platform X to denounce the ruling as "election interference."

"This irresponsible ruling will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and our legal team looks forward to helping fight for a victory," she wrote. "The Republican nominee will be decided by Republican voters, not a partisan state court."

Constitutional interpretation

The Colorado court's ruling holds that the Civil War-era 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars Trump from holding federal office. The amendment, ratified in 1870, holds that no person who swears an oath to support the Constitution as part of accepting a position in state or federal government, and then engages in "insurrection or rebellion against the same," is eligible to hold office again.

The amendment was adopted as a means of preventing former civilian and military officials who joined the Confederate rebellion against the Union, betraying their oaths, from holding future office.

The measure had not been invoked in generations before legal scholars recently began making the argument that it applies to Trump, who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution when he was inaugurated in 2017.

They argue that his role in schemes to overturn the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden, and his incitement of the crowd that assaulted the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, amounted to participation in an insurrection against the United States.

Trump claims persecution

Trump, who is currently under criminal indictment in four jurisdictions, in part because of his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, has characterized every effort to hold him accountable for his post-election behavior as part of a concerted plot by his enemies to prevent him from being elected president again.

The former president's campaign surrogates quickly attacked the Colorado decision as partisan, and the campaign immediately began sending out fundraising emails and social media posts highlighting it.

On his social media website Truth Social, Trump on Thursday wrote, "I am not an insurrectionist  Crooked Joe Biden is." He backed up his claim of innocence by referring to the fact that he at one point told the January 6 crowd to protest "peacefully."

In response to reporters on Wednesday, Biden said that in his view, it is "self-evident" that Trump participated in an insurrection. However, he said that whether the 14th Amendment applies to him is a matter for the courts.

Reaction in Colorado

Dave Williams, head of the Republican Party in Colorado, has said that if Trump is not allowed to appear on the primary ballot, the state party will simply decline to hold a primary election and choose a candidate through a caucus process.

"We're going to withdraw from the primary to a strict caucus process that would allow our voters to choose Donald Trump if they want," Williams told a local television station.

The office of the Colorado secretary of state has indicated that it intends to hold a Republican primary regardless of whether Trump is on the ballot and warned that it would take the party to court if it attempted to ignore the result.

Williams was unmoved by the prospect of a lawsuit.

"I'm going to notify [Colorado Secretary of State] Jena Griswold that we don't want to do the primary, so don't send out the ballots," he said. "And if she refuses, then we're going to say, 'OK, fine. We're going to ignore whatever results you cook up, because we don't think it's fair, as long as Donald Trump's off that ballot.' "

Candidate reactions

Most of Trump's remaining opponents in the Republican primary campaign denounced the court ruling as undemocratic and unfair.

Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy quickly announced that if Trump was indeed stricken from the ballot in Colorado, he would withdraw himself from the contest in solidarity. On X, he called on Trump's other opponents to join him.

"I demand that Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Nikki Haley  do the same immediately  or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver which will have disastrous consequences for our country," he wrote.

Former South Carolina Governor Haley, who has been rising in recent polls, told reporters that she did not agree with keeping the former president off the ballot.

"I will beat him fair and square. We don't need to have judges making these decisions," she said. "We need voters to make these decisions."

Bashing 'the Left'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also used X to register his objection to the Colorado decision, writing, "The Left invokes 'democracy' to justify its use of power, even if it means abusing judicial power to remove a candidate from the ballot based on spurious legal grounds."

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has been highly critical of Trump on the campaign trail, calling him unfit for office, nonetheless said he did not want to see the former president barred from any ballots.

Speaking at a New Hampshire town hall event, he said, "I do not believe Donald Trump should be prevented from being president of the United States by any court."

Christie added, "I think he should be prevented from being president of the United States by the voters of this country."

Retaliation in other states

The Colorado decision was seen by many Republicans as inherently partisan rather than the result of objective legal analysis. Although the seven justices on the Colorado Supreme Court are not all Democrats, each one was appointed by a Democratic governor.

By Wednesday afternoon, Republicans in other states were musing about the possibility of removing Biden from the primary ballot in their states.

"Seeing what happened in Colorado makes me think  except we believe in democracy in Texas  maybe we should take Joe Biden off the ballot in Texas for allowing 8 million people to cross the border since he's been president, disrupting our state," Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Fox News.
Javad Soudbar, a civil rights activist detained in Tabriz, Iran, on Friday neared the two-week mark of his hunger strike. His family has not been informed about his well-being, raising significant concerns about his health.

Soudbar announced his hunger strike on December 9 during a phone call from the Tabriz Intelligence Detention Center. Since then, he has not communicated with his wife, Elham Habibi, or other family members. He launched the hunger strike to protest the nondetermination of his case," according to his wife.

The Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP) issued a statement on December 11 saying that individuals released from the Tabriz center shared details about the torture inflicted on Soudbar, Ali Babaei, Yourosh Mehr-Ali Biglou and Davood Shiri.

The association strongly condemned the torture of the civil rights activists, citing accounts from their close associates. The association said Babaei and Soudbar had been injured during torture and that Mehr-Ali Biglou continues to endure daily beatings.

The individuals released from the Tabriz center reported witnessing the "effects of cable and electric shock" on Shiri's body.

As of now, there has been no response from the Iran Ministry of Intelligence to the statement. However, various political, professional and civil activists, along with human rights organizations, have consistently highlighted cases of both physical and psychological torture within prisons and detention centers under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Babaei and Soudbar were apprehended by security forces in Tabriz on September 13. They were detained together in the Tabriz center under ambiguous circumstances, and their detentions have been extended, the Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported.

HRANAs undisclosed source said Soudbar previously had intended to initiate a hunger strike if his case remained unaddressed and that he has been denied the right to have representation by a designated lawyer.

Meanwhile, Tatar Mehr-Ali Biglou, the son of activist Yourosh Mehr-Ali Biglou, acknowledged the detention of several other rights activists, including Milad Jalili and Salar Taher Afshar.

"We receive no response from any judicial authority regarding the circumstances of my father and other national activists," Tatar Mehr-Ali Biglou said in a video released by ADAPP.
WELLINGTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government is investing funds and manpower to boost the security of hospital emergency department (ED).

After listening to ED staff about the increased frequency of violent incidents in hospitals, the government is delivering a 5.7 million NZ dollars (3.58 million U.S. dollars) boost to emergency department security this summer, Health Minister Shane Reti said on Friday.

An extra 200 people have also been employed to keep hospital EDs safe, Reti said.

These additional workers are to help keep patients and doctors, nurses and other ED staff safe during a particularly busy time, he said.

Eight higher risk emergency departments in four hospitals in Auckland, and in hospitals in Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, will each receive an additional five security staff for an extended period until the end of February, the minister said.

A further 24 emergency departments near summer hotspots will each receive between two and five additional security staff to help manage pressures over the summer holiday peak period, he said.

The government agency Health New Zealand reported 1,179 assaults in hospitals nationwide in 2021, and 3,459 in 2022. In the first three months of 2023, 1,267 assaults were reported.

If this trend continues, it will have exceeded 5,000 incidents in 2023, which is "totally unacceptable," Reti said. 
On December 19, in Moscow, the Russian National Defense Council discussed the achievements in the war in Ukraine, which is nearing a second anniversary.

President Vladimir Putin set the tone with a tirade about the West carrying out a containment strategy against Russia and not desisting from achieving its aggressive goals in Ukraine.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu then claimed that Russia liberated a territory five times larger than Donetsk and Luhansk and that four new regions voluntarily joined Russia.

Shoigu referred to Ukraines eastern regions where Ukrainians fiercely fought Russia and where the Russian troops destroyed and depopulated entire cities before they were able to finally occupy the territory.

Shoigu then bragged about the Sea of Azov becoming fully Russian, which Moscow used to build a new navy district, with no mention of Russias defeat in the Black Sea.

Ignoring Russian personnel losses, which are estimated to be more than 315,000, Shoigu spoke of the other sides colossal losses. That, he claimed, included thousands of foreign mercenaries, hundreds of Americans among them.

The mercenaries who have been actively recruited since the beginning of the special operation have mostly been liquidated. More than 5,800 militants were eliminated, including ... 466 from the United States of America ...

The claim that 466 U.S. mercenaries have been killed fighting in Ukraine is false.

U.S. citizens fighting in Ukraine by and large signed up to serve in the International Legion of Ukraine, part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, or regular army units. That means they are not mercenaries under international law, but volunteers.

While no exact death toll is available, media reports suggest Shoigu may have exaggerated the number of Americans who died fighting for Ukraine by tenfold.

The U.S. State Department has not made available a list of U.S. citizen deaths in Ukraine.

Our ability to verify reports of deaths of U.S. citizens in Ukraine is limited. In addition, not all U.S. citizen deaths may be reported to U.S. authorities. For these reasons, we are unable to provide a definitive number of all U.S. citizens who have been killed, a State Department spokesperson told Polygraph.info in writing.

But varying media reports suggest dozens, not hundreds, of U.S. citizens have died fighting in Ukraine.

In October, Reuters, citing officials for aid groups Safe Passage 4 Ukraine and the R.T. Weatherman Foundation, said 30 U.S. citizens had died fighting on Ukraines behalf.

In a December 18 report, the defense news publication Task & Purpose cited a Russian military blog, Lost Armour, which said 45 U.S. citizens had died fighting in Ukraine. Lost Armour has compiled a list with names, including media and social media reports corroborating those deaths.

Of those Americans, Task & Purpose verified that more than 30 were U.S. military veterans.

Task & Purpose has written up more than a dozen obituaries for U.S. veterans who died fighting in Ukraine, the latest published on December 21 for Marine veteran Ethan Hertweck.

That tally is not conclusive, and it is also possible that nonveterans may have died in combat.

Still, other Western media outlets reporting on U.S. volunteer deaths in Ukraine have likewise indicated the death toll is in the dozens, although cautioning that the precise figure is unknown.

The process of identifying the deceased, especially when DNA samples are required, can be laborious.

Considering that and other complicating factors, it remains unclear what methodology the Russian Defense Ministry used to conclude 466 Americans had been killed while serving in Ukraine, and it has never provided evidence to support that claim.

It also remains unclear how the deaths of hundreds of Americans fighting in Ukraine could have gone undetected.

Friends and families of U.S. citizens who have died fighting in Ukraine have regularly spoken to local and national media, often in positive terms about the motivations that led the deceased to serve. The State Department has confirmed individual deaths to various media outlets.

In one instance, a funeral held in Ukraine for an American who died fighting there was widely publicized.

Russias Defense Ministry does have a track record of exaggerating Ukrainian losses, faking evidence and promoting false narratives about the war, often to cover up military defeats during the country's special military operation in Ukraine, the Dutch open-source intelligence defense analysis website Oryx wrote.

Likewise, while Russias defense ministry falsely portrays foreigners fighting on behalf of Ukraine as mercenaries, they are largely volunteers.

While Ukrainian officials initially said 20,000 people had expressed interested in volunteering for the International Legion of Ukraine, a foreign military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine formed shortly after Russia invaded in February 2022, reports suggest far fewer actually enlisted.

Unconfirmed estimates suggest thousands, and possibly just hundreds, of U.S. citizen have fought with regular Ukraine army units or the international legion.

As previously reported by Polygraph.info, the International Committee of the Red Cross, in its guidance on legal protections for combatants in a war, says a mercenary is "a person who takes a direct part in hostilities motivated essentially by the desire for private gain.

By comparison, the Red Cross says, "a national of a neutral State who enlists in the armed forces of a party to the conflict is not a mercenary.

A member of the armed forces of a belligerent is not a mercenary, Robert Lawless, an assistant professor in the Department of Law at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, wrote in March 2022.

The Ukrainian government has formally incorporated the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine into its armed forces. Thus, the Legions reported 20,000 foreign members  including 3,000 Americans  are not mercenaries, Lawless wrote in March 2022, citing Article 47(2) of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.

Foreign volunteers fighting in Ukraine also receive a salary in line with that of Ukrainian nationals, with anecdotal evidence suggesting many left far more lucrative careers at home to serve in Ukraine.

Russia has also falsely claimed that foreign jihadists fought on behalf of Ukraine.

By contrast, Russia has actively recruited mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, including through the notorious Wagner Group. Wagner fighters have received salaries that were double or more than that of regular Russian soldiers.
The Supreme Court said Friday that it would not immediately take up a plea by special counsel Jack Smith to rule on whether former President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions to overturn the 2020 election results.

The ruling is a win for Trump and his lawyers, who have sought repeatedly to delay this and other criminal cases against him as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024. It averts a swift ruling from the nation's highest court that could have definitively turned aside his claims of immunity and pushed the case toward a trial scheduled to start on March 4.

The issue will now be decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which has signaled it will act quickly to decide the case. Smith had cautioned that even a rapid appellate decision might not get to the Supreme Court in time for review and final word before the court's traditional summer break.

Smith had pressed the Supreme Court to intervene, citing significant public interest in a speedy resolution to the case. The request to leapfrog the appeals court, which Smith himself acknowledged was extraordinary, underscored prosecutors' concerns that the legal fight over the issue could delay the start of Trump's trial beyond next year's presidential election.

The court turned down the request for swift action in a single-sentence order released Friday afternoon. As is the court's custom, the justices gave no explanation for the decision. The Justice Department declined to comment.

With the justices remaining out of the dispute for now, more appeals are likely that could delay the case. If the appeals court, which is set to hear arguments on January 9, turns down Trump's immunity claims, the former president could then ask for the Supreme Court to get involved and for the case to be paused while the matter is pending.

The high court still could act quickly once the appeals court issues its decision. A Supreme Court case usually lasts several months, but on rare occasions, the justices shift into high gear.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has put the case on hold while Trump pursues his claim that he is immune from prosecution. Chutkan has raised the possibility of keeping the March date if the case promptly returns to her court.

She has rejected the Trump team's arguments that an ex-president could not be prosecuted over acts that fall within the official duties of the job.

"Former presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability," Chutkan wrote in her December 1 ruling. "Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office."

Trump's lawyers have for months signaled that they would ultimately ask the Supreme Court to take up the immunity question. But this week, they urged the justices to stand down for now.

"Importance does not automatically necessitate speed. If anything, the opposite is usually true. Novel, complex, sensitive and historic issues  such as the existence of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts  call for more careful deliberation, not less," Trump's lawyers wrote.

There are still more Trump-related cases that the court  which includes three justices appointed by him  is poised to grapple with in the months ahead.

Trump's lawyers plan to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision Tuesday by the Colorado Supreme Court barring him from that state's ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then "engaged in insurrection" against it from holding office.

And the high court separately has agreed to hear a case over the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding that has been brought against Trump as well as more than 300 of his supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Turkeys parliament erupted in controversy this week when the nations only Assyrian lawmaker delivered a Christmas message in his native Syriac language, offending other legislators who believe that only Turkish should be spoken in the national assembly.

"Starting with our Greek, Armenian and Assyrian citizens living in Turkey, I congratulate all Christians on Christmas," said George Aslan, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), during a budget debate Monday. "I hope the new year brings love and peace to our country and the whole world.

"I would like to deliver the same message on Christmas in Syriac for the Assyrian people who dont know Turkish," added Aslan, who continued his speech in Syriac.

Several lawmakers from the nationalist, center-right Good Party (IYI Party) objected to Aslan speaking from the podium in a language other than Turkish.

Official language

Assyrians are a Christian minority in the Middle East, and their numbers are shrinking in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, where they live. Their history dates to ancient Mesopotamia. The Syriac language is a Semitic language and is distinct from Arabic.

Aslan told VOA that he approached Musavat Dervisoglu, deputy chairman of the IYI Partys parliamentary group, outside the parliament hall to ask why IYI lawmakers objected to his speaking in Syriac.

"We did not bring this language from another planet. It is a language spoken in these lands for centuries. Why do you object because I said two words in my native language? What is your problem? I said," Aslan told VOA.

He said Dervisoglu replied that he is "not against the Syriac language, but the official language in the parliament is Turkish."

Aslan says he will continue to speak Syriac whenever appropriate.

"Everyone will get used to it. This is the language of our people," Aslan added.

However, IYI Party lawmakers insist that speeches in the parliament must be delivered in Turkish.

"Turkish Parliament is one of the foremost constitutional institutions [in the country]. The provision in [Turkeys] constitution that Turkeys official language is Turkish also applies in the Parliament," said Lutfu Turkkan, one of the IYI Party lawmakers who reacted to Aslans speech.

Turkkan also told VOA that lawmakers are bound by an oath of allegiance to the constitution.

"I didnt realize that he was speaking Syriac or Kurdish anyway. I am not fluent in those languages, nor do I know them. However, no matter who he is, anyone at the podium of our great veteran assembly must deliver his speech in Turkish," Turkkan added.

'We are in the 21st century

According to Evgin Turker, head of the Federation of the Syriac Associations in Turkey, some people have no tolerance for other languages, even on the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

"We are in the 21st century. A member of parliament is celebrating Christmas by speaking to his people in his native language, and they are going crazy," Turker told VOA.

"Regardless of the language, everyone should have the freedom to express themselves in their native language, and they should have schools," Turker added.

In October, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated a Syriac Orthodox Church, the first new church in modern Turkeys 100-year history.

While the Lausanne Treaty, the founding document of the Turkish Republic, provides the legal basis for non-Muslim minorities  including Greeks, Armenians and Jewish people  to open their schools in the country, Assyrians do not have schools where the Syriac language is taught. There is one Assyrian kindergarten that opened in Istanbul in 2014.

Previous debates

Aslans Syriac remarks were recorded in the parliamentary minutes as an ellipsis, with a footnote stating, "Non-Turkish words were used by the speaker in these sections."

This has been a regular practice of the parliamentary minutes transcribers, who apply the same practice to every non-Turkish language, including Kurdish, English and French.

However, according to the independent fact-checking organization Teyit, Kurdish speech was recorded in the parliamentary minutes as an "unknown language" in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Kurdish was banned in Turkey from the time of a 1980 military coup until January 1991.

In November 1991, Leyla Zana, a prominent Kurdish politician elected as a parliamentarian, caused an uproar by speaking in Kurdish during her oath ceremony. Her speech appeared as "unknown language" in the parliamentary minutes.

Zana did the same thing in 2015 when she was elected to the parliament for the second time. Her oath was ruled invalid.

On December 12, Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the DEM Party, began his speech in Kurdish, saying, "Kurds, whose existence, language and fundamental rights are ignored and whose citizenship is annotated, exist and are everywhere."

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus requested that Bakirhan speak in Turkish. Bakirhans Kurdish speech appeared as an ellipsis with the same footnote as Aslans speech.

Restrictions on the Kurdish language were relatively eased during Turkeys peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party, with many issues debated, including primary education, in Kurdish.
Weeks before Taiwans January 13 presidential and legislative election, the three presidential candidates  Hou Yu-ih, Lai Ching-te, and Ko Wen-je  have increased efforts to sharpen rhetoric on cross-strait relations, an issue long dominating Taiwans politics.

With no major differences among their cross-Strait policy platforms, which endorse preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, some analysts say the only way to differentiate themselves is to claim to be the only candidate able to restart cross-Strait dialogue.

Yen Wei-Ting, an expert on Taiwan politics at Franklin and Marshall College, told VOA by phone that Beijings attitude "is the decisive factor" in determining which candidate could promise to resume conversation with China.

Chinas preference for dealing with the main opposition Kuomintang party, she said, allows that party to frame itself as the party that Beijing "is willing to talk to" while putting the ruling Democratic Progressive Party at a disadvantage.

The three candidates attended the first televised policy debate Wednesday, doubling down on their cross-Strait policy platforms and taking jabs at each others stance on handling relations with Beijing.

They all promised to facilitate exchanges and cooperation with China and strengthen Taiwans self-defense capabilities.

Hou, from the Kuomintang, centered his arguments around framing the presidential election as a choice between war and peace.

He criticized the Democratic Progressive Party for pushing Taiwan closer to war and promised to increase goodwill between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to ensure Taiwan can "truly steer away from conflicts and move toward peace."

Facing fierce criticism from Hou about a prior statement that Taiwan is already a sovereign state, Lai, Taiwans vice president and DPP presidential candidate, said Taiwans sovereignty cannot be violated and Taiwan cannot be annexed.

He emphasized the need for Taiwan to form closer partnerships with democracies around the world and further enhance deterrence while accusing his opponents of accepting the "One China Principle" upheld by Beijing, a position he said showed they could not defend Taiwans survival.

Presenting himself as an alternative to the cross-strait visions of the two mainstream political parties, Ko, from the Taiwan Peoples Party, a smaller opposition party that has presented itself as an alternative to the DPP and Kuomintang, said cross-strait exchange could be achieved through mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation, adding that Taiwan's autonomy and cross-strait peace are the basis of his basic attitudes toward cross-strait relations.

The three, Yen told VOA "are trying to consolidate support from their voters through this rhetoric."

Candidates cross-strait rhetoric reflects the generational divide in Taiwan.

The candidates cross-strait rhetoric has drawn varied reactions from voters. While some older voters say Hou is the only candidate capable of preventing a war with China, younger voters are divided over cross-strait issues.

"Out of the three candidates, I think Hou can help stabilize the situation across the Taiwan Strait because I think its better to have dialogue with China than not having any interaction between the two sides," Hsu Hsiu-Han, a 58-year-old housewife, told VOA at a campaign rally in Taichung, Taiwans second-largest city.

Other voters say Taiwan needs to remain neutral between the United States and China because leaning too close to either side could anger the other side.

"We need to know when is the right time to keep a distance from China and when is the right time to have dialogue with them," Lin Hui-fen, a 60-year-old retiree, told VOA in Taichung, adding that Hou is the candidate who can best safeguard Taiwans interests and avoid taunting China.

While some older voters favor Hous approach to play down tension across the strait, younger voters remain divided over cross-strait issues. Some say safeguarding Taiwans sovereignty is the top priority for them and they think Lai is the only candidate who can prevent Taiwan from succumbing to Chinas growing aggression.

Others say DPP efforts to amplify the narrative of "resist China to protect Taiwan" in recent years have become tiresome.

"I think all political parties efforts to double down on narratives related to China are simply to get media attention and attract more votes," Sophie Lin, a 30-year-old project manager, told VOA in Taipei.

"As it seems to be another election dominated by cross-strait issues, I dont plan to come out and vote on January 13. These political theatrics have overshadowed the real issues troubling young people in Taiwan," she added.

Other young people think Taiwans politics have long been dominated by the two main political parties with no sign that persistent social and economic issues, such as low wages and unaffordable housing prices, are being adequately addressed. They say they want to support a party that prioritizes these issues that are of concern to young people in Taiwan.

"The DPP and KMT have long prioritized cross-strait issues for electoral gains and ignored important socioeconomic issues, causing Taiwans social development to remain stagnant," said Angus Hsiao, a 31-year-old engineer in Taipei. "I will vote for Ko Wen-je because I think he can usher in some real political change in Taiwan."

Yen said there is a limitation to the effect of candidates attempts to mobilize voters through cross-strait rhetoric.

"While some older voters might prefer KMTs cross-strait discourse, younger voters are less likely to be mobilized by presidential candidates cross-strait positions in this election," she told VOA.

She said that since younger voters are in more agreement on issues of identity and Taiwans status as a sovereign state than older voters, when there are no fundamental differences in the presidential candidates cross-strait policy platforms, the younger voters would pay more attention to presidential candidates policy platforms on social and economic issues.

"This shows that while the China issue remains the most dominant factor in this election, there is a generational limitation to the effect of presidential candidates attempts to mobilize voters through relevant rhetoric," she said.
Most major financial institutions are adhering to U.S. sanctions aimed at preventing Russia from acquiring materials needed for its war effort, according to U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo in a TV interview Friday on CNBC.

In addition, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. expects financial institutions to ensure they are not witting or unwitting facilitators of the Russian military, in a statement Friday about a new White House executive order targeting Russia.

President Joe Bidens order bolsters U.S. sanctions against financial institutions that aid Russias defense industry. The order, signed Friday, allows the U.S. Treasury to target banks in countries such as China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and others that may be willingly or unwittingly helping Russia evade sanctions, Adeyemo said.

"What this tool says is that if you're a financial institution, you need to take steps to make sure that you are not being used" by Russian front companies to evade sanctions, he told CNBC.

The order comes as the Kremlin is trying to restock the Russian militarys depleted arsenal after 22 months of fighting in Ukraine. Russia already has lost over 13,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks, drones and missile systems.

Fighter jets from Netherlands

The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as it fights against Russias invasion, the Dutch government said Friday.

The delivery of the fighter jets will take place after an export permit is issued by the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry, and after Ukraine has met criteria for its staff and infrastructure, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said, without offering a timeline for these decisions.

The announcement made it possible to reserve funds and to prepare planes for delivery, the government said.

"I spoke with Mark Rutte to thank the Dutch government for its decision to start preparing the initial 18 F-16 jets for their delivery to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media platform X on Friday.

The Netherlands sent its first U.S.-made F-16s to a new training facility in Romania last month for Ukrainian pilots and staff.

Denmark, Norway and Belgium also have announced they will give F-16 jets to Ukraine after the U.S. government approved sending them to defend against Russia as soon as pilot training is completed.

Relations between Ukraine and Poland

Ukraine and Poland said Friday they were ready to try to resolve "problematic" issues in their relations, especially after a Polish truckers' blockade at border crossings between the two countries.

During a meeting in Kyiv between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, the two officials pledged to resolve the differences between their countries.

Ukraine considers Poland one of its closest European Union allies during its almost two-year-old fight against Russian invasion. Poland has offered humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine and has accepted millions of Ukrainian refugees within its borders.

But relations between the two have been soured by a border protest blockade by Polish truck drivers, targeting what they say are unfair competition practices by Ukrainian truckers, who have benefited from permit-free access to EU territory since the war began.

Polish protesters want permits for Ukrainian truckers reinstated, something Kyiv and the European Commission say is not negotiable.

The protests have caused economic losses for Ukraine and have affected the flow of vital volunteer military aid supplies.

The Polish foreign ministry spokesperson said earlier that Sikorski would present another aid package during his visit in Kyiv.

An air raid siren sounded during the news conference in Ukraines capital, which was targeted by another large-scale Russian drone attack overnight.

"This alarm you hear is the reason why I am here. It is unacceptable. ... In this titanic fight, Poland is on your side," Sikorski said.

Russian drone attack

Kyiv was attacked by a barrage of Russian drones early Friday, officials said, injuring at least two people in what marked the sixth drone attack on the city this month.

Ukraine said it shot down 24 of the 28 Iranian-made drones Russia launched toward Kyiv.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko and other officials reported strikes on separate residential districts. The mayor noted that a drone hit a block of apartments in the Solomyanskyi district, causing a fire.

The apartments are just a few hundred meters from a maternity hospital, Reuters reported.

Apartment buildings were damaged in other parts of the city.

Russia said its air defenses intercepted five Ukrainian drones south of Moscow in the space of less than an hour on Friday.

The defense ministry said four were intercepted over Kaluga region and a fifth was destroyed inside the Moscow region. According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, fragments of the drone had fallen in the city of Podolsk, but no casualties or damage had been reported.

Ukraine said Thursday that Russia had launched about 7,400 missiles and 3,700 Iranian-made Shahed drones at targets across Ukraine during the course of the 22-month war.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
After days of intense negotiations on a humanitarian pause and the delivery of aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip, the United States abstained Friday on a United Nations Security Council resolution, allowing its adoption by the 15-member body.



"Today this council called for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities," said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, underscoring the first time the council used such language.



Hostages must be immediately released, she said, and both Israel and Hamas must respect international humanitarian law. She added that the U.S. is "deeply disappointed" the resolution did not condemn Hamas' October 7 terror attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel.



Russia, which wanted stronger criticism of Israel in the resolution, also abstained, calling the final draft that contained amendments pushed by Washington "extremely neutered" and "toothless."



"The text of the draft has lost a reference to condemnations of all indiscriminate attacks on civilians," said Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzya, speaking through an interpreter. "What signal does this send to the international community? That the Security Council is giving Israel a green light for war crimes?"



The Russian ambassador chided council members for the move to "rubber stamp a decision that is convenient for Washington."



Thomas-Greenfield dismissed Nebenzyas "rant." Russia "also created conditions that they are complaining about now in their unprovoked war in Ukraine," she noted.

Avoiding US veto



Diplomats had been working since Monday on the resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates, seeking to avoid language that had brought repeated U.S. vetoes of U.N. votes since Israel launched its military operation in Gaza.



The more than 10-week-old campaign has killed more than 20,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry there.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal A Palestinian man carries the body of his grandson who was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at the hospital Rafah, southern Gaza, Dec. 22, 2023.

The two sticking points for Israel and the U.S. were calls for a cessation of hostilities and disagreement over who will inspect goods going into Gaza to screen out weapons and other equipment that would help Hamas. Convoy inspection is currently done only by Israel.



Rather than demanding a cease-fire, the final text calls for the warring parties to create "the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." Neither the United States nor Israel currently supports a cease-fire, saying it would allow Hamas to regroup.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who under the original draft was to have "exclusive" control over all truck inspections, will now appoint a senior coordinator to establish a U.N. mechanism for accelerating the provision of humanitarian relief.



Following the vote, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan thanked the U.S. for "standing on Israel's side" and "maintaining defined red lines" of Israel's authority to inspect aid entering Gaza.



"The failures of the U.N. in the last 17 years have allowed Hamas to dig terror tunnels and manufacture missiles and rockets," he said. "It is clear that the U.N. cannot be trusted to monitor the incoming aid to the Gaza Strip."

Softened language



A diplomatic source who asked not to be identified told VOA that U.S. moves to soften the language of the resolution, particularly on cease-fire calls, angered many U.N. member states.



However, earlier in the week, diplomats were resigned to another U.S. veto, so most UNSC members will be "profoundly relieved" that the U.S. is allowing the resolution to pass, said Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group.



'There was a lot of gossip at the start of the week about [U.S.] President [Joe] Biden personally opposing the resolution after a call with [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu," Gowan told VOA. "This is a win for Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who went all-out to persuade the White House the U.S. should compromise rather than just block the text."



Thomas-Greenfield rejected allegations the final text is watered down, telling reporters late Thursday it was "a very strong resolution that is fully supported by the Arab group."

In a signal of increasing U.S. and Israeli isolation on the world stage, earlier this month the U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution demanding an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire," with 153 member states in favor, 10 against, and 23 abstentions. Unlike UNSC resolutions, the UNGA's are non-binding.



During a White House press briefing Thursday, the National Security Council's John Kirby told VOA he took issue with "the premise of the question that we're somehow singularly isolated."



"All you have to do is look at what we've been able to do around the world and see that American leadership still matters, that America's views still matter," he said.



Harsh words for Israel



During a press conference after the UNSC vote, Guterres repeated calls for a cease-fire as the only means to meet the "desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare."



The U.N. chief had harsh words for Israel, underscoring that its military campaign is "creating massive obstacles" to Gazans getting much-needed help.

"An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security; staff who can work in safety; logistical capacity; and the resumption of commercial activity," he said. "These four elements do not exist."

When asked if Hamas had a role in blocking aid, Guterres said its "obviously not the major factor."



Guterres added that Hamas' use of civilians as human shields and its continued firing of rockets at civilian targets "can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," and "do not free Israel from its own legal obligations."



Catastrophic levels of food insecurity

A U.N.-backed body that issues famine warnings, known as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, warned that the entire population of Gaza  more than 2 million people  is at crisis levels or worse of hunger.



"WFP has warned of this coming catastrophe for weeks," World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain said of the IPCs findings. "Tragically, without the safe, consistent access we have been calling for, the situation is desperate, and no one in Gaza is safe from starvation."

The United Nations Childrens Fund, also known as UNICEF, said that in the coming weeks, at least 10,000 children under 5 years old will suffer the most life-threatening form of malnutrition, known as severe wasting, and will need therapeutic foods.



Israel says it is cooperating in allowing aid to enter Gaza. On Sunday, it opened the Kerem Shalom border crossing  near the borders of Israel, Gaza Strip and Egypt  for aid convoys to transit. The Israeli military says it is allowing brief tactical pauses in some areas of southern Gaza for civilians to get food and water.



VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report.
The U.S. Congress has passed legislation that would ban the Pentagon from using any seaport in the world that relies on a Chinese logistics platform known as LOGINK.

LOGINK, by tracking cargo and ship movements, lets Beijing monitor America's military supply chain, which relies on commercial ports, according to sponsors Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Michelle Steel.

Their amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2024 also bans federal funding of any port that uses LOGINK. The spending bill passed December 14 and the LOGINK ban goes into effect six months after the bill is signed. President Joe Biden has not yet signed the NDAA.

Steel, in an email interview with VOA, called LOGINK's threat "very serious" because it operates under the Chinese Communist Party. Beijing already has investments in about 100 ports in more than 60 nations.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), which monitors the national security implications of U.S.-China trade, said in a September 2022 report, "LOGINK's visibility into global shipping and supply chains could also enable the Chinese government to identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and to track shipments of U.S. military cargo on commercial freight."

A spokesperson for the Pentagon's U.S. Transportation Command told VOA via email on Tuesday, "USTRANSCOM understands the visibility into global logistics China has through their Belt and Road Initiative and related public-private arrangements."

LOGINK partners with more than 20 ports worldwide, including six in Japan, five in South Korea and one in Malaysia. There are also at least nine across Europe and three in the Middle East. There are no LOGINK port contracts in the U.S., according to the commission's report, which says Beijing subsidizes the free platform.

Under the NDAA, Congress must commission a study of how foreign influence at the 15 largest American container ports "could affect" U.S. national and economic security.

"Chinese companies are operating ports in the United States, which poses a national security risk to our critical infrastructure. This report will spur policy to counter that risk," said Ivan Kanapathy, who served on former President Donald Trump's National Security Council as director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. He is now a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington referred VOA to China's General Administration of Customs for comment, but an email inquiry received no reply.

'Major step' by Congress

Michael Wessel, an original member of the USCC who helped write the report, now heads a consulting firm, the Wessel Group. He told VOA the legislation is "a major step taken by Congress to begin to address the challenge of the threat posed by LOGINK."

Wessel and others say an alternative to LOGINK needs to be developed.

Gabe Collins, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and a former Department of Defense China analyst, told VOA he's not seen an alternative to LOGLINK "that can operate at that scale."

Collins estimates that LOGINK collects data on as much as half of all global shipping capacity  through contracts with ports and data sharing agreements with existing logistics networks.

He said the U.S. ban sends a "demand signal" telling the marketplace it must invent an alternative to LOGINK, though he said it could take as long as five years to develop one.

Washington's new ban also requires the secretary of state to begin negotiations with allies and partners to remove LOGINK from their ports. Compliance must begin in six months.

It is unclear how the amendment will affect ports worldwide used by the U.S. military. The International Association of Ports and Harbors told VOA it would need more time to survey its members on how they might respond to the new legislation.

Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said that while working with the USCC in April, he discovered some European leaders were in the dark about LOGINK and its monitoring capacity.

"These were administrative matters handled at a lower level, and they were going with a cheap but good product without thinking through all of the possible implications," he said.
The United States on Friday accused Iran of close involvement in attacks on commercial ships by Yemen's Houthi rebels, stepping up the tone as Washington considers tougher measures, including possible force.

The White House publicly released U.S. intelligence as the Iranian-linked Yemeni insurgents persist with ship strikes they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is battling Hamas militants.

The White House said Tehran had provided drones and missiles to the Houthis, as well as tactical intelligence.

"We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

"We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to dissuade the Houthis from this reckless behavior," she said.

The Houthis, who control vast parts of the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country, including the capital, Sanaa, have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels, according to the Pentagon.

With commercial traffic increasingly disrupted, the United States recently announced a multinational naval task force of more than 20 countries to protect vessels transiting the Red Sea.

In a show of force, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has entered the Gulf of Aden, with a series of news reports saying President Joe Biden's administration is weighing military strikes if the ship attacks persist.

Rebel leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi warned Wednesday that if they were attacked, the rebels would strike back against "American battleships, American interests and American navigation."

The White House said that U.S. visual analysis found nearly identical features between Iran's KAS-04 drones and the unmanned vehicles fired by the Houthis, as well as consistent features between Iranian and Houthi missiles.

The Houthis are also reliant on Iranian-provided monitoring systems at sea, the White House said.

"Moreover, Iranian-provided tactical intelligence has been critical in enabling Houthi targeting of maritime vessels since the group commenced attacks in November," Watson said.

Despite the findings presented by the White House, there have been doubts among some U.S. and allied policymakers about whether the Houthis are acting at the behest of Iran.

One diplomat from a U.S. ally who follows the region noted that Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has much closer ties with Iran, has been comparatively restrained in the face of U.S. warnings, including a show of naval might in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Of Iran's proxies in the region, the Houthis have the weakest link to Tehran. And it is hard to see how the attacks serve their or Iran's interests," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

The Biden administration had initially kept a low-key tone on the Houthi attacks, in part out of an interest in preserving a fragile peace in Yemen.

The Houthis and the Saudi-backed government have effectively maintained a U.N.-brokered truce since April 2022, halting a devastating war that triggered a humanitarian crisis in which most of the population relies on aid.

In a recent research paper, Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Houthis share what he called the paranoid mindset of Iran's ruling clerics.

The United States should think of the Houthis as a sort of North Korea, "an insular, aggressive, well-armed player that is hostile to the United States and sitting on key geography," he wrote.

Iran's religious leadership openly supports Hamas, whose gunmen broke through Gaza's militarized border on October 7; according to various media reports, militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and abducted around 240 people.

U.S. officials have said they have no evidence that Tehran had previous knowledge of or directly planned the attack.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization the U.S., U.K, EU and others. Israel's relentless bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza has killed more than 20,000 people, most of them women and children, according to Hamas authorities.
As 2023 closes with violence in Gaza, a war in Ukraine and tension between the world's largest powers, VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara spoke with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on foreign policy challenges in the year ahead.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

VOA: On Gaza, the president is losing a lot of goodwill from Arab states, Muslim states and the Global South at the U.N. At home, it's costing him votes from Muslims, Arabs, progressive Democrats and young voters. At what point would the president decide that his support for Israel is costing him too much?

John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications: The president understands that there's strong feelings on all sides here. People have many different views about what's going on between Israel and Hamas and the struggle in Gaza. He respects that, he appreciates that, and we're reaching out to communities all over the country, and of course, the world, to get their perspectives.

We just had the national security adviser in the region, the secretary of defense and of course, Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken in just a week or so before that. We're absolutely listening and trying to get a better understanding of all these different perspectives.

That said, no nation should have to live with the threat that Hamas poses to Israel. No nation should have to live with that next door. And what Israel went through on the seventh of October was one of the most deadly terrorist attacks they've ever experienced, if not the deadliest terrorist attack that they ever experienced. So, we're going to make sure that they can continue to defend themselves, at the same time, urging them to be more precise, more careful, and more cautious in the execution of those military operations. Too many civilians have been killed, and the right number is zero.

VOA: On China, is the administration bracing for a more muscular posture from Beijing, particularly as it relates to Taiwan?

Kirby: I won't talk about the diplomatic conversations that we've been having with our Chinese counterparts or the meeting between President Xi [Jinping] and President [Joe] Biden. I'll just tell you that we don't believe that the status quo over the Taiwan Strait, tense as it may be, should be resolved unilaterally. Certainly, those tensions should not be resolved by force, and everything that the president is doing with respect to our relationships in the Indo-Pacific, including with the PRC [People's Republic of China], is designed to prevent that outcome.

VOA: On Venezuela, should we expect a U.S. recognition of the Nicolas Maduro government in 2024?

Kirby: I don't have anything like that to preview. We're focused on monitoring as closely as we can President Maduro's commitments to the electoral proposals that he promised to implement in keeping with, and with the support of, opposition parties. We want to see the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people respected and recognized and pursued.

VOA: This year, the U.S. secured hostage deals with Venezuela and also Iran. How would you respond to those who criticize the administration for negotiating with these regimes  one which is a state sponsor of terrorism, and the other one which you don't consider to be legitimate?

Kirby: No apologies for working hard to get Americans that are wrongfully detained overseas back home with their families where they belong. Ten American families will now be able to spend the holidays together because of the work that this administration did with respect to Venezuela, and that we're going to continue to do to get wrongfully detained Americans home.

VOA: As we approach the end of 2023, we may not be able to continue to support Ukraine's fight against Russia. Twenty thousand people are dead in Gaza with no end in sight in fighting. The Houthis are attacking ships in the Red Sea. Xi Jinping is moving to take Taiwan. Kim Jong Un has ICBMs that may be able to reach the U.S. What does that say about President Biden, who ran on a campaign that he's experienced on foreign policy?

Kirby: All those examples you just laid out are examples of how turbulent this international environment is. As the president has said, we're at an inflection point, and democracy is under threat all around the world. Some of the examples that you just laid out are examples of exactly that  Israel, Ukraine in particular.

We've seen a threat to democracy here on our own home shores just up the road here, on Capitol Hill. We are at a very significant moment in history. And when you're at a moment like that, you want a leader. You want a commander in chief who understands these relationships, who knows that history, who can pick up the phone and call a foreign leader and try to get something done  as we did in recent days to get Americans home out of Venezuela, as we did to try to get additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza over the objections of some in the Israeli government. That's what President Biden brings to this very turbulent world here that we're seeing.

VOA: Can we expect the same kind of commitment and focus from President Biden next year, an election year?

Kirby: One hundred percent.
The White House said Thursday that it is preparing a new proposal to Russia to secure the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and another jailed American.

Were working hard to see what we can do to get another proposal that might be more successful, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. The Kremlin rejected a previous proposal.

Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich has been imprisoned since March on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Gershkovichs jailing underscores Moscows years-long crackdown on press freedom, experts say.

The other American is Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who was arrested in Moscow in 2018 and is currently serving a 16-year sentence on spying charges that he and the U.S. government deny.

Were always heartened to see signs that the government is working on Evan and Pauls release. We hope very much that those efforts will bear fruit soon, Paul Beckett, an assistant editor at the Journal, told VOA. Beckett is leading the newspapers campaign to secure Gershkovichs release.

The news from the White House came one day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is very actively working on securing the release of Gershkovich and Whelan.

With regard to Russia and Evan and Paul Whelan, all I can say is this: We are very actively working on it, and we will leave no stone unturned to see if we cant find the right way to get them home, and to get them home as soon as possible, Blinken said during a year-end news conference on Wednesday.

The State Department said earlier this month that Russia rejected a substantial proposal to free Gershkovich and Whelan.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow wants to reach an agreement with Washington on the release of Gershkovich and Whelan.

We want to reach an agreement, and these agreements must be mutually acceptable and must suit both sides. We have contacts with our American partners in this regard, and there is an ongoing dialogue, Putin said in his first public remarks on Gershkovich.

The Journal reported in September that Moscow is seeking the return of Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, currently jailed in Germany, possibly in exchange for Gershkovich and Whelan.

In announcing a prisoner exchange with Venezuela on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration will continue to prioritize freeing detained Americans.

We also remain deeply focused on securing the release of the hostages in Gaza and wrongfully detained Americans around the world, including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, Biden said in a statement.

The Poynter Institute on Thursday named Gershkovich its Media Person of the Year.

Gershkovich represents the dangers of being a journalist, but also provides inspiration, showing there are those willing to dedicate their lives to shining a light on the truth for the entire world to see, Poynter said in announcing the distinction.

Gershkovich is set to remain in pretrial detention until at least January 30 while he waits for a trial. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Absent from these recent statements from top U.S. leaders about freeing Gershkovich and Whelan, however, was a mention of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. The dual U.S.-Russian national has been jailed in Russia since October.

A Prague-based editor at VOAs sister outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kurmasheva stands accused of failing to register as a foreign agent and spreading false information about the Russian military. Kurmasheva and her employer reject the charges, which carry a combined maximum sentence of 15 years.

Kurmashevas family and employer, as well as press freedom groups, have for weeks called on the U.S. State Department to declare her wrongfully detained, which would open up additional resources to help secure her release.

A State Department spokesperson previously told VOA that it continuously reviews the circumstances surrounding the detentions of U.S. nationals overseas, including those in Russia, for indicators that they are wrongful.

Both Gershkovich and Whelan have been declared wrongfully detained.

Kurmasheva traveled to Russia in May for a family emergency. When she tried to leave the country in June, her passports were confiscated and she was waiting for them to be returned when she was detained in October.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Central Rural Work Conference was held in Beijing from Dec. 19 to 20. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the conference faithfully implemented the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on all fronts, Xi's important statements on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and the guiding principles of the Central Economic Work Conference. At this conference, the current situation and challenges facing work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers were analyzed, and arrangements for work in this regard were made for 2024.

The CPC Central Committee had attached great importance to this conference, before which the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee put forward requirements at its meeting for the success of the conference and for better carrying out work in this regard.

Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made important instructions on work over agriculture, rural areas and farmers. He pointed out that despite the multiple negative factors including comparatively severe natural disasters, China's grain output has reached a record high in 2023, farmers' income has increased at a higher rate, and rural areas have been harmonious and stable.

To advance Chinese modernization, persistent efforts must be made to solidify the agricultural foundation and promote rural revitalization across the board. Guided by the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it is essential to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. With building up strength in the country's agriculture as target, promoting rural revitalization across the board should be the focus for rural work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers on the new journey of the new era. Learning from the experience of the Green Rural Revival Program, efforts should be made to implement specific policies, take steady and incremental steps to sustain progress and achieve tangible results in the interest of the people, Xi said.

It is crucial to hold both Party committees and governments accountable for food security, and efforts must be made to secure the land acreage for grain production and increase yield per unit. It is imperative to maintain an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food, attaching the same importance to the development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, with a view to building diversified sources for food supply. Arable land as the lifeline of agriculture must be protected, and those who illegally occupy and damage farmland must be subjected to punishment according to the law. Input must be increased, and the development and management of high-standard farmland strengthened to secure the increase of the total area of arable land and improvement of its quality, he said.

Xi called for endeavors to strengthen the dual drivers of technology and reform, intensify efforts to make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and reform and improve the institutional mechanisms for work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, so as to provide impetus and vitality for advancing agricultural modernization. It is important to do a good job in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, and comprehensively improve capabilities for agricultural disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief. To prevent a large number of rural residents from falling back to poverty, efforts must be made to monitor how work is done in this regard, implement assistance measures, strengthen endogenous motivating forces, and continuously consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation. It is imperative to raise the level of rural industrial development, rural development, and rural governance, strengthen measures to increase farmers' income, and continuously make substantial progress and achieve phased results in promoting rural revitalization across the board.

Xi emphasized that CPC committees and governments at all levels must firmly implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements on work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, uphold the principle that priority must be given to the development of agriculture and rural areas, and the integrated development of urban and rural areas must be continuously promoted. They must shoulder responsibilities and take effective and creative actions based on actual conditions, and vigorously promote rural revitalization across the board in order to better promote the country's development through a Chinese path to modernization by accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

Xi's important instructions were delivered at the meeting, and the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Studying and Applying the Experience of the Green Rural Revival Program to Effectively Promote Rural Revitalization across the Board (Draft) was discussed. Liu Guozhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

It was pointed out at the meeting that General Secretary Xi's important instructions, from the perspective of the overall situation of the Party and the country's cause, elucidated the strategic requirements and key directions for promoting rural revitalization across the board. The instructions are important in ideological guidance, strategic orientation, and practical relevance. They serve as the fundamental guidelines and action plans for carrying out the work related to agriculture, rural areas and rural residents on the new journey in the New Era. It is essential to thoroughly study and implement the gist of General Secretary Xi's important remarks and instructions in this regard. We must firmly support the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position both on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, so as to comprehensively and accurately grasp the connotations and practical requirements of the instructions, and ensure their thorough implementation.

It was stressed at the meeting that, with a focus on practical issues which farmers are very much concerned about, development philosophy, working methods and advancement mechanisms that are involved in the Green Rural Revival Program should be studied and applied to identify where breakthroughs can be made for rural revitalization and ensure work efficiency in this regard. It is imperative to do a good job in the production of grain and other important agricultural products, keep sown areas at a stable level, increase output per unit at a large scale, consolidate the results from the expansion of planting soybeans, explore ways to build mechanisms on interest compensation between major grain production provincial-level regions and those that need supply of grain from other provincial-level regions, and do a good job in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief in the agricultural sector, to ensure that the grain output for 2024 remains above 650 million metric tons. It is essential to strengthen farmland protection and development, refine the mechanism for coordinated protection of quantity, quality and ecosystem of farmland, give top priority to turning farmlands from the black soil areas of northeast China, the plain areas and regions with favorable water conservancy and irrigation conditions into high-standard ones, and appropriately increase investment in this regard. Efforts are also urged to support the building of platforms for sci-tech innovation in the agricultural sector, and speed up advancing the initiative for the revitalization of the seed industry. Monitoring and assistance mechanisms to prevent people from slipping back to poverty should be implemented better, support through developing industries and employment should be more effective, and a mechanism for the regular assistance to low-income rural residents and underdeveloped areas should be built.

By pursuing industrialization, high quality and green rural development, targeted and pragmatic efforts should be made to cultivate rural industries, improve the mechanism for greater synergy in farming, and implement the initiatives to boost farmers' income. To adapt to the trend in rural population changes, work should be done to optimize the configuration of rural communities, industrial structure, and public service allocation, with the aim of advancing rural development in a solid and orderly manner. Actions should be taken to improve rural living environment, and address the deficiencies in rural infrastructure. In coordinating new urbanization with rural revitalization across the board, efforts should be made to increase the carrying and governance capacity of county towns, and promote the county-level integrated development of urban and rural areas. It is essential to improve rural governance, promote rural revitalization through Party building, and apply and further develop the "Fengqiao model" for better community-level governance in the Peaceful Countryside initiative. We will vigorously promote the cultural-ethical progress in the rural area and continue to facilitate positive changes in rural customs. We will strengthen rural reform and innovation and encourage local endeavors in exploring and experimenting with new institutions with the awareness about where to toe the line.

The need was emphasized at the meeting to strengthen the overall leadership of the Party over the work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, to ensure that secretaries of CPC committees at five levels take concrete responsibilities for rural revitalization. Requirements must be implemented for prioritizing the development of agriculture and rural areas, and policy support and supply of resources must be secured. It is imperative to improve approaches, work style, and conduct fact-finding missions, in order to adapt to the natural, economic, and social development laws, and to coordinate timing, intensity and effectiveness of the work. Efforts should be pooled from all walks of life to hammer away at the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers.

The first plenary meeting was chaired by Wu Zhenglong, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council.

Members of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, leading officials from provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, cities specially designated in the state plan, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as those from central Party and government departments attended the meeting. Also present at the meeting were leaders of relevant people's organizations, financial institutions, and enterprises, and those from relevant departments of the Central Military Commission. 
The widow of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist who was assassinated in 2018 by Saudi operatives in Turkey, has been granted political asylum in the United States, the newspaper reported Thursday.

Hanan Elatr went into hiding in Washington after her husband was killed in an incident that U.S. intelligence officials concluded was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

I couldnt really believe it, Elatr said about reading the letter notifying her she had been granted asylum, the Post reported.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, moved to northern Virginia in 2018. In June of that year, he and Elatr married in a religious ceremony in Virginia, but Elatr continued to live in Dubai, where she worked as a flight attendant.

Khashoggi later moved to Turkey and was arranging to marry another woman there in October 2018. He was killed when he went to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to get a document for that womans father showing that he was not married in Saudi Arabia.

Over a year after Khashoggi was killed, Elatr lost her longtime flight attendant job in July 2020. That meant she could no longer live in Dubai. So she moved to Washington and went into hiding in her lawyers apartment for 18 months.

Elatr told U.S. authorities in her asylum application that Egypt, where she is originally from, had detained her family and confiscated their passports over her relationship with Khashoggi, the Post said. In 2018, just months before Khashoggi was killed, the United Arab Emirates detained and interrogated Elatr and installed spyware on her confiscated phones.

Elatr is still seeking compensation from the Saudi government for Khashoggis death, her lawyer said.
The United Nations warned the Israel-Hamas war was pushing Gaza towards famine, ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire.

Separate diplomatic efforts were also under way for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war, which was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel in October.

With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.

The latest draft seen by AFP, set to face a vote Friday, calls for "urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed the term "ceasefire". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there would be no ceasefire in Gaza until the "elimination" of Hamas.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it "is put forward as is".

The war began on October 7 after Hamas militants broke through Gaza's militarised border and killed around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Hamas also abducted about 250 people.

Vowing to destroy the group, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which the territory's Hamas government on Wednesday said has killed at least 20,000, mostly women and children.

The entire population of Gaza faces "an imminent risk of famine", according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday, with more than half a million people facing "catastrophic conditions".

"We have been warning for weeks that, with such deprivation and destruction, each day that goes by will only bring more hunger, disease and despair to the people of Gaza," UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths posted on X, formerly Twitter.

- 'Enough is enough' -

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With their homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

Displaced Gazans are pleading for a ceasefire.

"My message is to put an end to this humiliation," said Fuad Ibrahim Wadi, who found refuge at a greenhouse in Rafah.

"This war does nothing but destroy. Enough is enough."

After weeks of pressure, Israel approved the temporary reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday to enable aid deliveries directly to Gaza, rather than through the Rafah crossing from Egypt.

On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom, the crossings authority and the Hamas health ministry said.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment.

The UN secretary-general's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was "unable to receive (aid) trucks" via Kerem Shalom following the "drone strike" and that the World Food Programme had suspended operations at the crossing.

Dujarric's comments came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel could enable as many as "400 trucks a day" of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

Diplomats visiting the region have called for more assistance to reach the territory.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, speaking in Egypt, said: "Everything that can be done must be done to get aid into Gaza."

And French President Emmanuel Macron was in Jordan on Thursday to discuss with King Abdullah II "joint work on humanitarian and medical aid" for Gaza's civilians, according to the French presidency.

- Increasing pressure -

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools, mosques, hospitals and vast tunnel systems beneath them as military bases -- charges the group denies.

On Thursday, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants since a one-week ceasefire ended on December 1.

He did not elaborate on the source of his figures.

According to a tally on the Israeli military's website, 139 soldiers have been killed since it began its ground assault in Gaza on October 27.

A strike on a house in Rafah on Friday killed five people, the Hamas health ministry said.

The United Nations human rights office in Ramallah said it had received reports that Israeli troops had "summarily killed" at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood this week.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected the allegations as "yet another example of the partisan and prejudiced approach against Israel" by the UN body.

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies, including the United States, which provides it with billions of dollars in military aid, to protect civilians.

The UN rights office said "details and circumstances" of the killings in Rimal are still being verified but it "raises alarm about the possible commission of a war crime".

The men were killed in front of their family members, it said.

Legal experts have previously told AFP that both sides could be accused of committing war crimes.

- Far apart -

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hopes that Israel and Hamas could be inching towards another truce and deal to free the remaining 129 hostages rose this week as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt and talks took place in Europe.

However, the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

The military wing of Hamas said Thursday that Israel's objective to eliminate it was "doomed to fail" and that further hostage releases depend on a "cessation of hostilities".

The war has sparked fears of wider conflict.

There have been regular exchanges of fire over the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

Israeli strikes killed a woman in a south Lebanon village on Thursday, Lebanese media and rescuers said.

Retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah militants wounded two civilians, according to Israel's military.

burs-qan/cwl
Photo: WireImage for Parkwood

Beyonce finally did what thousands of commenters have been asking her to do and came to Brazil  as a surprise, no less. Queen Bey took the stage during an after-party for her Renaissance film, over a decade after she was last in the country, just to thank her Brazilian fans for being some of the best. The Renaissance is about freedom, she told the crowd in Salvador. Its about beauty, joy, resilience. Everything that you are about. That deserves a bit of celebration, right? So then, Beyonce tried a little mute challenge with her fans  but they still couldnt get over the shock of being surprised by their fave and started screaming even louder. (Hey, the rest of us got to practice for the mute challenge; they were ambushed!) Beyonce may have dropped the mic afterward, but we see that smile.

The Brazil audience wouldnt go on mute. A decade ago she was dragged off the stage by fans she had not visited since



The sight of Beyonce after 10 years pushed the crowd to more jubilant applause and screams she was swiftly ushered off this time around to safety.



The love was pic.twitter.com/VaK0kaoMzM   CE Mario  (@MarioTheArtist) December 22, 2023

Im literally crying watching this and Im not even Brazilian. Beyonce didnt want this power, she aint want it. Literally the Queen of Brazil giving a speech in front of so many pic.twitter.com/6ZySNfhCq6  BEYTHOVEN | non-affiliated fan account (@beyonceparkwood) December 22, 2023
By Xu Xiuli, Li Xiaoyun

The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was convened on Oct. 18 in Beijing. Photo: Jiang Qiming/CNSphoto

The emergence of new international development communities is an ongoing phenomenon in todays world. The reconstruction of development knowledge is a core issue in international development cooperation and governance in the 21st century. This process will determine how we envision development and how we address the interplay between national and international development.

Crisis of traditional knowledge

American sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein argued that the interest in development issues was a major invention of social science research in the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to this very invention, a dichotomy has been gradually formed between the global North, centered around Europe and the United States, and the peripheral global South, consisting of developing countries. This division has had a significant impact on how international development is conceptualized and how development policies are formulated.

The global North has historically been the main driving force behind development, with its agenda setting, use of discourse, coordination of organizations, and funding largely coming from multilateral and bilateral organizations, research institutions, and social forces dominated by the North. However, this traditional development knowledge system is facing unprecedented challenges.

First, the functioning of development communities and the accumulation of development knowledge have fundamentally relied on the economic power of the leading countries, but this foundation is being shaken.

Second, the BRICS countries have accumulated rich development resources and experience over decades. The diverse development mechanisms and paths chosen by those countries based on their own culture and histories have become important sources of new development knowledge.

Third, the diversity of development concepts and the differences in development stages of different countries are often overlooked, leading to the ossification of traditional development knowledge.

Fourth, under the influence of political polarization, the governing bodies of global development have lost trust in each other, resulting in continuous marginalization of development issues.

Construction of new knowledge

The academic community is now advocating for the construction of new development knowledge, which is fundamentally a process of mutual examination and co-construction.

Firstly, development issues are not exclusive to the global South, and the North is also facing increasingly complex development challenges. Global development solutions, knowledge and experience are not solely concentrated in the North but are also abundant in the South.

Secondly, in the past five years, many scholars in Western countries have deliberately re-introduced decolonization studies and further reflected upon enduring colonial relations. This has opened up new possibilities for the reconstruction of development knowledge.

Thirdly, since the mid-1990s, the field of international development has realized that development involves both big development, prioritizing development intervention and small development, emphasizing social transformation itself. Research on the transformation of big and small development is becoming increasingly important, as it provides insights into how aid resources can be effectively used as catalysts to enhance the internal drive for development in developing countries. At the policy level, this has shifted the focus of the international development system from aid effectiveness towards development effectiveness.

Fourthly, in recent years, developing countries have been more active in advancing new development knowledge. It has long been difficult to establish a unified database for South-South cooperation due to limited resources, and relatively limited efforts have been made in terms of formulation of norms, monitoring, evaluation, and common language. Since the beginning of the 21st century, an increasing number of developing countries are attaching greater importance to discourse and knowledge systems.

Chinas experience

China, as the largest developing country globally, has successfully eradicated extreme poverty within its borders. Moreover, China has put forth several significant initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These initiatives demonstrate Chinas active role in promoting the reconstruction of development knowledge, both domestically and internationally.

First, Chinas experience in domestic development and poverty reduction is an important source of development knowledge innovation. The Chinese path to modernization reveals both the common characteristics of modernization worldwide and the distinctive features stemming from Chinas own realities. The country has gained valuable macro-level experience in handling the relationships between government, market, and society, as well as specific experience in various areas such as agricultural transformation, industrialization, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, reform of state-owned enterprises, infrastructure construction, and the use of foreign investment.

Second, China has accumulated a wealth of new international development knowledge and channels of communication through overseas development practices. Since the late 1990s, with the implementation of the going global strategy and the introduction of the BRI in particular, Chinese development practitioners and social scientists have broadened their horizons and enriched their vision for new development paradigms.

Third, a multi-party approach plays a crucial role in building new development knowledge. Academic communities in both the Global North and the Global South are exploring new theories of development studies. However, it remains to be seen whether they can overcome geopolitical barriers and engage in effective dialogue. Against the backdrop of rising global challenges, responding to common risks to human society and promoting shared development have become a key orientation of new development knowledge.

Xu Xiuli and Li Xiaoyun are professors from the College of Humanities and Development Studies at China Agricultural University.

Edited by WANG YOURAN

CSST Nov. 2nd, 2023

CSST




A migrant poses in his shop in Athens, Greece, on Dec. 21, 2023. Greece welcomed the European Union's (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum, feeling "vindicated" after many years of persistent calls for stronger solidarity within the EU, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Thursday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

ATHENS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Greece welcomed the European Union's (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum, feeling "vindicated" after many years of persistent calls for stronger solidarity within the EU, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Thursday.

A key conclusion was the creation, for the first time, of a mandatory mechanism of solidarity, it quoted Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis as saying.

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament on Wednesday reached a provisional agreement that will thoroughly reform the bloc's asylum and migration policy, breaking years of deadlock on the issue. The new regulations aim to increase the effectiveness of the asylum system and enhance solidarity between EU member states by lightening the load for those dealing with the highest numbers of migrant arrivals.

"Greece can feel vindicated like the rest of the member states in the front line, from the conclusion of the negotiations, as several of its aims were reflected in the agreement's text," Dimitris Kairidis said.

Since the start of the refugee migration crisis in 2015, more than a million people have reached Greece, most of whom continued the journey to other European countries. Greece and other southern European countries have been urging for a more proportionate distribution of the burden among EU member-states.

The EU will now have "a more complete legal framework, to be able to face the great challenges generated by the migration pressure our continent is facing," the Greek official said. 
Andrew Haighs new movie ends with a startling revelation. Lets analyze the clues that Harry and Adams romance is not what it appears to be. Photo: Searchlight

Spoilers for All of Us Strangers ahead.

Seeing dead people might be a classic trope of horror movies, but its unexpected in a queer indie romance featuring one of the more tender blowjob scenes in recent cinematic history. But Looking creator Andrew Haigh isnt afraid to toy with convention in All of Us Strangers  and that includes an unexpected twist ending that involves Harry, played by a gold chain-wearing Paul Mescal.

In the final moments of the film, screenwriter protagonist Adam (played by Andrew Hot Priest from Fleabag Scott) shares a poignant good-bye with his long-dead parents, who were killed in a car crash when he was 11. Thanks to a supernatural quirk that is left unexplained, hes been able to travel to his childhood home and spend time with his mom and dad, played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell.

Adam then returns to his vaguely dystopian London apartment block, where he and Harry seem to be the only occupants. Throughout the film, we mainly see Adam and Harrys relationship blossom within the four walls of Adams home. But this time, Adam doesnt go up to his own unit  he steps onto Harrys floor for the very first time. And the vibes are, as the kids say, off.

As Adam enters Harrys suspiciously unlocked place, he grimaces and covers his nose. Something clearly smells very wrong. Thats when All of Us Strangers reaches its tragic, tender climax. As Adam enters the bedroom, he finds Harrys decomposing body. And then Harry  lo and behold  walks through his own apartment door. Im in there, arent I? he asks, realization dawning on his face. As he weeps in Adams arms, Adam coaxes him back to his own place, where they spoon to the swelling music of Adams favorite Frankie Goes to Hollywood song: The Power of Love. End credits.

Phew. Its a sucker punch of an ending, and Haighs direction has been rightfully praised for allowing All of Us Strangers to land its twist with such understated grace. But as evidenced by Reddit, there are still plenty of questions left unanswered. When did Harry die? How did he die? How long was he dead for?

This is the point at which the film establishes that Adam sees dead people.

While Haigh has said that he likes to leave the ending up to peoples interpretations, a recent interview with pop culture Substack Shut Up Evan shows him pretty much agreeing with Evan Ross Katzs assessment of the twist: Harry was dead all along. Or rather, he died on the night he met Adam.

I know: What? But there are plenty of clues in the film that Adam and Harrys romance is not what it seems to be. So lets unpack what exactly is going on.

Lets begin with their meet-cute: Adam and Harry lock eyes across a distance, with Harry waving from his own apartment. Harry then tries to flirt his way into Adams place with a bottle of expensive Japanese whiskey and mentions that the buildings windows have been locked to stop people from jumping. Hes also wearing a ratty pink sweatshirt  a detail that will become important later. Unfortunately, Adam is a little too shy and ends up rejecting Harry, who clearly isnt in a great headspace. Lonely Harry heads down to his floor in the elevator, taking a long swig of booze.

Foreshadowing!

Shortly after this, Adam impulsively decides to visit his hometown, where he realizes that his long-dead parents appear to be very much alive. This is the point at which the film establishes that Adam sees dead people.

The second time Adam encounters Harry is outside their elevator, after Adams supernatural meetup with his parents. This is a subtly different Harry; more put-together, less unwashed. He apologizes for last night and Adam makes an awkward-slash-cute pass, which clearly encourages Harry to turn up at Adams door again. This time, Harry turns down Adams offer of a drink, saying that hes steering clear of alcohol at the moment  another hint that will take on significance later on.

The rest of the film traces Adams reunion with his parents and his slow but tentative romance with Harry, which sees Adam become more outgoing  he even convinces Harry to go on a night out. But heres where things get confusing: On a messy night out, Harry pulls out a baggy of ketamine and Adam accidentally does a huge bump. (Look, weve all been there.)

Time and space begin to fracture. A terrifying, dreamlike sequence sees him lose Harry on the way home, screaming in agony and almost vomiting on the tube. In these scenes, Harry is forever out of Adams reach  sliding past him in a crowd, appearing and disappearing in the train carriage next to Adams.

This might be the point at which you start thinking, Hmmm. Either this is the worst K-hole ever, or Harry isnt quite what he seems. Haigh scatters other cinematic breadcrumbs to point the way toward this conclusion: We repeatedly see Harry reflected in multiple surfaces (elevators, windows, mirrors) both on his own and with Adam, suggesting that there are multiple versions of Harry at play (like, for instance, a body that may remain in one place, and a spirit that is wandering the halls  just thinking out loud here!).

Finally, lets look at what actually happens in the ending. When Adam enters Harrys darkened apartment for the first time, hes met with an eerie static TV. Sharp-eyed viewers will recognize this light source  when Adam first spotted Harry at his apartment window, Harry was backlit by the same distinctive flickering. That suggests that the TV has been on since their initial glimpse of each other.

Adam also finds an empty drugs baggie and bottle of whiskey, presumably the one he turned down on the night they met. (Mixing ketamine with alcohol can be fatal, kids.) Then theres the body itself, which is heavily implied to be in an advanced state of decomposition  theres that grotesque-seeming smell that Adam detects, and a quick shot of Harrys mottled face. Whatever happened to Harry, hes been dead a long time.

When Harry comes in, hes wearing the same pink sweatshirt and is outright confrontational when he finds Adam in his apartment. Unlike Adams parents, who throughout the movie seem to understand that theyre already dead, it takes Harry a beat to realize it. I was so lonely that night, he tells Adam as they embrace. In response, Adam says that hes sorry he didnt let him in  as in, into his apartment on the night they met.

So there you have it: Harrys been dead this whole time, or to be more precise, he probably died the night Adam turned him away from his door. Does this mean that Adam and Harry had hot ghost sex? What happens when a ghost does ketamine? Is Adam the kid from the Sixth Sense, except all grown up? Answers on a postcard.
This episodes title, Crossing the Line, is punching well above its weight in word economy. In my original notes, I wrote that it works on two levels, but on further reflection and calculations, my revised number is six major line-crossings, and two or three smaller line-crossings for good measure. Whether thats exceptionally clever or crosses yet another line into whatever insufferable nonsense lies beyond cleverness, its a very helpful organizational frame for the episodes many twists and turns.

First, the strike, in which Happy Valley management accuses its workers of crossing the line of contractual obligation, and the workers retort that management has been crossing reasonable workplace safety lines for ages and now proposes to add insult to literal injury by not paying them properly for their dangerous work. Two of the most consistent strengths of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA prior to and throughout their strikes this year were the clarity of their demands and their seemingly unshakeable solidarity as they negotiated new collective bargaining agreements. Those are aspects of successful labor actions that take a lot of time to develop, refine, and maintain, and they are aspects of the Happy Valley workers strike that are almost nowhere in evidence.

The negotiation session, if we can even call it that, is a disaster from start to finish. Massey is the only person in that overcrowded conference room prepared to have a serious, clear conversation about the issues, so the entire scene is a big, snarky shouting match. Dani cant believe Eds union-man talk is sincere, while he snipes back that its time for you to climb down off your goddamn throne and do whats right. Hes so far into Youre not wrong, Walter, youre just an asshole territory that I would like to smack him directly upside his stubborn little head.

The only person who consistently sounds like an adult speaking in good faith throughout the episode here is Massey, and thanks to Ed talking over her, her points and questions dont land as they ought to. Dani claims to have bent over backward to address workers concerns but by doing what, other than fixing the communications satellite when she first arrived at Happy Valley? That wasnt going the extra mile, it was putting in some necessary effort to meet a basic need that everyone on base is entitled to.

I struggle with how poorly Dani is handling the strike; it feels very out of character for her to have missed the signs of its approach, and for her to be so wrong-footed in response. The most generous interpretation I can muster is to lay most of the blame on the intensity and urgency of the Goldilocks capture mission. However advantageous it would be to guide that $2 trillion hunk of rock to Earth, it cant be done at the expense of the safety of workers with minimal job security, earning insultingly low wages. Shes just plain wrong here, and Palmers reflexive authoritarian yelling about the strikers being in breach of contract would be almost funny if it werent so unhelpful. The workers would be adhering to their contractual obligations if they werent being treated like so much space junk waiting to happen.

From here, the workers and management trade off line-crossing acts of provocation with increasing degrees of ingenuity and pig-headedness until their one-upmanship results in tragedy. The strikers piling all of the space suits in a heap between HQ and the fuel plant, and then using rovers to block entrance to the airlocks, is a stroke of genius that even Palmer grudgingly admires. A team of scabs (astronauts and cosmonauts, plus Palmer) then drain some water refinement pipes and belly-crawl 800 yards to gain entrance to the fuel plant to get it back online. Everyone involved is nothing if not good at mechanical problem-solving.

One persons master stroke of annoying but not inherently dangerous sabotage is anothers industrial disaster waiting to happen, though. When the scabs bypass the missing primary gas-flow regulator (swiped by one of the striking workers almost as an afterthought), their workaround quickly overloads the argon production system, leading to an explosion that kills four and seriously injures four more of the astronaut-cosmonaut team.

Two things are true here: The explosion was unambiguously awful and should never have happened, and this is exactly the kind of thing that can happen when overconfident and impatient people disrespect their less-credentialed coworkers and insist on pursuing an untested alternate solution. The astronauts and cosmonauts are engineers, not a bunch of amateurs trying their best. A few more minutes of thought could have prevented the explosion. Unsurprisingly, nobody on the management side of things on Mars or on Earth sees it that way, and they accuse the striking workers of crossing a line into  terrorism? Acts of nonviolent sabotage are very inconvenient (disruption to business as usual is one of the key overarching goals of such tactics!) and the regulator theft could cause Happy Valley to lose their shot at capturing Goldilocks, but that does not rise to the level of terrorism.

It was bad enough when Irina and Eli were chummily framing the strike as a tantrum and scoffing at the crazy demand to mine Goldilocks in Mars orbit. The next thing we know, the CIA deputy director is laying out options for armed quashing of the strike. It turns out there are both CIA and KGB assets up on Mars, and they have access to standard attenuated energy projectile systems, a grotesquely euphemistic name for high-pressure nitrogen weapons firing nonlethal rounds, which cannot pierce the walls of the HAB. Wills immediate follow-up question about what amount to high-tech rubber bullets  do they pierce skin?  is the gentlest imaginable response to this choice tidbit of information.

CIA Deputy Director Bob protests that hes simply providing Eli and Will with information in the event that things escalate further. How, Eli wonders aloud, would authorizing a handful of intelligence officers to implement martial law on Mars de-escalate anything? Great question! Bob continues to hammer away about the importance of re-establishing control and stopping terrorist attacks, and Wills suggestion of deputizing and arming Happy Valley personnel who have adequate military training manages to sway Eli. Space Guns 1.0 were a terrible idea in season two, and its not at all clear how this is a better option than putting the CIA and KGB in charge. Nonetheless, Dani duly hands out the Space Guns 2.0 and directs the team to find those responsible for the explosion, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious so we can prevent any further tragedy.

The Space Pinkertons plotline  another line crossed with a vengeance  highlights how sensible people can lose their ability to make sensible decisions when fafillions of dollars are at stake. Its as if nobody at Happy Valley or NASA has heard of the Stanford Prison Experiment; the security sweeps montage shows us a group of people who were already more powerful than the striking workers using their unearned and unnecessary power boost to behave like prison guards run amok. Theyre turning over peoples bunks, destroying innocuous personal property, assaulting workers who protest  all to send a message. A helpful message would be something along the lines of, We all need to take a breath and calm down, but instead, what theyre transmitting loud and clear is, The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Its a perfect moment for Dev  who has just arrived on Mars and outside of the strike, seems the happiest and most at ease weve ever seen him  to swoop into the not-so-secret worker meeting area with a five-pound bag of sugar, pouring it out in a line between himself and the strikers. If theres a way to do something dramatically, Dev will always find it. I dont believe for a moment his professed respect for the workers clarity in bargaining and staunch standing of their ground, but he does know how to make a persuasive argument for getting back to work. His offer is a powerfully appealing combo pack of health and safety improvements, along with a package including higher pension contributions, better health care, a big one-time bonus, and most significantly, amnesty from any terrorist actions they may have participated in. Its too tempting to pass up, and once the first person takes the deal, nearly all of the remaining dominoes fall. In the end, only Ed, Massey, Gerardo, Julie, and Holly (a.k.a. Sparks) havent crossed one line and gotten back into another. Thus endeth the Mars strike of 2003, I guess.

Back on Earth, we have a handful of comparatively smaller line-crossings. Margo gets breezily voluntold that she will be returning to Houston to chair key sessions in preparation for capturing Goldilocks. No need to worry about diplomatic immunity, its all been arranged by her new Motherland! Aleidas response to this update  which she receives on-camera during an interview on Eagle News  is to cuss a blue streak and give her interviewer the finger as she storms off set. Icon. I only wish wed gotten to see more of it. Aleidas absolute refusal to suffer fools is perhaps not her most hirable quality, but it is one of her best.

One of Kelly Baldwins best qualities is her readiness to be loving and frank with her father. Hes regressed so much this season that its unsurprising to see that he relates to Alex the way he used to act with Shane. The Old Ed demanded respect from his late son without earning it, and hes attempting to do the same with Alex, but Kelly wont stand for it. Its an imperfect and bumpy reunion, but at least the lower gravity on Mars is good for Alexs health; Dr. Mayakovsky is very happy with his improved blood pressure and lung capacity.

The last line crossing is the biggest of the episode, one worthy of Devs penchant for drama. The sol following Eds not-so-great spaghetti dinner with Kelly and Alex, he barges into Eds quarters and monologues at him about how the two of them are birds of a feather: Neither wants to return to Earth, and both want Mars to grow into a living, breathing society for the future. How is that even going to be possible, now that Dev broke the strike? It looks like Dev was playing a quick round of 12-dimensional chess, using his strike-breaking to bring out the workers who really believe in something bigger than themselves. To do what, exactly? Why, what else: to take what is rightfully ours. Its time for an asteroid heist!

Houston, We Have Some Bullet Points:

 A fun alternate history moment: The Eagle News interviewer notes that Senate Majority Leader Feinstein has called [Margo] the worst traitor in U.S. history!

 Eli welcoming Margo to the Molly Cobb Space Center is both gracious and pointed, as her defection is so intertwined with the JSC bombing that took Mollys life. I note that Eli and Margo walk past a memorial to the victims of the bombing, and that the memorial to Gordo and Tracy Stevens has not been restored to its place from last season. Is it still in Amber and Avery Stevenss back yard?

 Javi, I see your Audioslave T-shirt, and appreciate the opportunity to furnish a reminder that their debut self-titled album is an underappreciated classic, Like a Stone is a banger, and this timeline continues to mourn the loss of Chris Cornell. I hope hes still making art in yours.
Day 21: The Talented Ms. Garcia Twenty-five moments, one per day in the walkup to Christmas, that brought definition to reality TVs ever-blurring lines in 2023. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photo: Meredith Andrews/Bravo

This piece was published last month in the middle of RHOSLCs season as part of Vultures 25 Days of Reality celebration. Were republishing it today in honor of last nights explosive season finale.

What a debut Monica Garcia had on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. She started as an unnamed, unfilmed minion of Jen Shah; ended one of her first talking heads with And that is how I became a witness with the federal government; called out Lisa Barlow on her Marie Antoinettelevel materialism; and is now sitting next to Andy Cohen at the reunion. (Oh yeah, and shes Vultures No. 1 Housewives rookie.) Waves have been made in the Great Salt Lake, and theyre big ones. Monica hijacked the story with contempt in her heart and malice in her eyes. Lets face it, she Saltburned them.

Saltburn is only the latest in a grand tradition of normie scams their way into the rich peoples party stories (see: The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Secret History, Mean Girls). A middle-class protagonist weaves their way into a tight-knit group of sexy, high-status people and wrecks the equilibrium of their closed-loop system. For the sin of letting a rando into the group, the hot people get their shit rocked. Spoilers for Saltburn, I guess: The film follows Oliver (Barry Keoghan) as he worms his way into the Catton family; his main object of obsession is the wealthy, easygoing Felix (Jacob Elordi)  or is it? In the films final reel, we learn Olivers ultimate target was the familys enormous, ancient country estate. He orchestrated his meet-cute with Felix; seduced Felixs sister, Venetia (Alison Oliver); befriended their mother, Elspeth (Rosamund Pike); and masterminded the exile of cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe). For much of the movie, we think were seeing one guy enamored by the new fancy-schmancy environment he finds himself in. Only at the end does Saltburn reveal hed been pulling the strings the whole time. This is exactly what Monica brought to RHOSLC this season.

Monica is introduced as a former assistant of Jen Shahs, so already shes framed as a subordinate. Unlike Oliver, who fabricates his difficult backstory, Monica has real struggles  shes poorer than the rest of the Housewives, is twice-separated from her husband, has a toxic mother, and is one of several cast members who left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  and shes willing to lay it all on the table the minute anyone meets her. Its Omega Dog posturing; in the SLC wolf pack, she begins by showing her belly to whomever she thinks is Top Dog (Angie K., then Lisa, then Mary). This is a posture, however. Monica and Oliver put on their just a lil guy act as their way in.

Access to the inner sanctum is no simple task. Much of the SLC cast members have known one another for decades. Heather Gay and Whitney Rose are cousins, and Whitney is even descended from Mormon royalty. Angie K. and Heather have been frenemies since high school. On top of these pre-filming connections, the group has become further entwined through TV fame and weathering Jen Shahs rise and fall. As Felix was Olivers entry point to Saltburn, Jen is Monicas into the group. Similarly, Monica betrayed Jen, admitting she turned over information to the Secret Service in a bombshell confessional. (Remember: And that is how I became a witness with the federal government.) Its the first hint shes capable of slippery scheming, and that scheming has already paid off: Shes evolved from unknown friend of Jen Shah to full-on, confessional-giving Housewife.

RHOSLC is similarly haunted by the specter of homosexuality. Most dont have the balls to go full come guzzle, and in Housewives-land, same-sex attraction is often positioned as a threat to the insiders status quo. In the case of RHOSLC, its the rumors and nastiness regarding Angie K.s heterosexual hairdresser husband  specifically, that hes allegedly only two of those three things beginning with H. Meredith alludes to the rumors, but Monica is the one who commits the has rent boys across Salt Lake rumor to tape. When confronted by Angie, who vaguely threatens sharing rumors shes heard about Monica, Monica blurts out her own drama as a sort of gossip judo: What do you got? she asks. Foreclosure? Check! Divorce? Check! Affair? Check! She wields her intel in one hand while doling out her own backstory with the other, that way no one can throw nasty secrets back at her. Everyone is caught off guard.

Monica even uses this power against Meredith, who brought up the rumors about Angies husband in Palm Springs. When Meredith and Monica have a chat about Angies family possibly being part of the Greek mafia (a top-notch rumor), Monica pivots from being Merediths ally by going to Lisa with her suspicions that Meredith is spreading these rumors via anonymous DMs. Do we know if these DMs came from Merediths finsta? Or did Monica fake them, a la Oliver faking Farleighs plateware thievery? Where do the deceptions end?

Which brings us to the civil court of it all. This season started in medias res, with Heather Gay saying, I cannot believe its her  how could she do this to us? Fans suspect Heather is referring to the fact that Monica decided to come on the show knowing full well that she never paid $2,000 of a $2,449 injections bill from Heathers Beauty Lab & Laser. According to court filings, Monica says the work was botched and that she suffered damage to her nose and lips. Heather and Monica are now suing each other, which probably explains their positions on either side of Andy Cohen at the reunion. Well have to wait and see just how far Monica falls from grace in Bermuda, but we know it was enough to keep her separated from most of the other ladies at BravoCon. And it put her right next to Andy for the reunion. Was that her plan all along? Did she orchestrate her own victory lap, metaphorical dick swangin to Murder on the Dancefloor?

Obviously, Monica Garcia is a real human being, not a dastardly villain out of Emerald Fennells horny imagination. Shes certainly not poisoning her crushes or taking anyone off their ventilator. Fans have speculated that Monica (1) stole Lisas $60,000 ring, (2) was the one who sent the DMs to herself, and (3) is staging all the drama with her mom for attention, but I think pulling off all three of these is a stretch. Monica most likely has the same aspirations as most Bravolebs: vanity liquor brand, healthy appearance fees, and all the free Restylane her face can handle. But it cannot be denied that shes playing the Housewives game at an expert level. Like Oliver at Saltburn, we dont know how much of this season was real or just part of her master plan. She may not have stolen anyones country estate, but give her time. Its only her first season.
Photo: Parisa Taghizadeh/Searchlight Pictures

All of Us Strangers is a dreamy ghost story about a man who takes a commuter train out to the London suburb in which he grew up, and who discovers that his mother and father are there in his childhood home, exactly the same age as they were when they were killed in a car accident when he was 11. But even before he reconnects with his dead parents, Adam (Andrew Scott) has been drifting through a half-life himself. He lives in a condo building thats so new, he appears to be one of only two residents whove moved into its anonymous, hotel-like confines so far. Hes a screenwriter who spends his days alone, working and avoiding working by falling asleep on his sofa with snacks and reality TV and waking to find the sun has set, a habit that, more often than not, leaves him still wide awake when the sun rises again. His friends have left the city for more child-friendly climes, and he doesnt appear to be on any apps. He doesnt exist in the world so much as he seems to be hovering above it, and when Harry (Paul Mescal), his only neighbor, makes a drunken bid for his company one night, he seems shocked to find someone else on his enclosed plane.

All of Us Strangers, which was directed by Andrew Haigh and adapted from Taichi Yamadas 1987 novel, Strangers, is two movies trying to be one movie. The first and better of the pair is the story of how Adam, through a means unknown that does not appear to surprise anyone involved, is able as a middle-aged man to spend time with the parents who never saw him grow up. This unspeakably bittersweet fantasy is fueled by terrific performances from Jamie Bell and Claire Foy as Adams dad and mom, a working-class couple whove been frozen in the 80s at an age younger than their son is now. Bell is mustachioed and masculine, and Foy is fretful and warm, and they give a depth to characters with of-their-era prejudices and personal limitations who nevertheless love Adam enormously. Adam, in turn, displays the self-knowledge of an adult as well as the vulnerability of someone essentially returned to childhood, and the delicacy with which the film handles his coming out to them enables its finest moment. When he and his father talk about how Adam used to cry in his room after being bullied at school, the conversation takes turns that are brutal, then surprising, and then filled with such rueful generosity that its impossible not to join the two men in their tears. Adam was, in some ways, stunted by the loss of these two people, and his series of impossible visits with them offers him a chance at resolution even as it seems to exact a physical toll.

The less successful film lurking in All of Us Strangers is about the romance between Adam and Harry that blossoms mostly within the confines of Adams home, beginning with a sultry pot-fueled hookup and then progressing into the kind of emotional intimacy that Adams never really had in his life until this point. This unfolds in parallel with Adams visits home, and is clearly meant to be enabled by them, but instead feels reverse engineered to reflect how hes changing rather than like anything organic. Theres a potential explanation for this artificiality in the ending, which includes a development Ive found so maddening that my mind has attempted to block it out as soon as the credits rolled both times Ive watched the film. But the love story is also, deliberately or not, as exasperatingly airless as Adams apartment, with its huge windows that have been locked shut to prevent people from jumping. Adam is in his late 40s, Harry is obviously younger, and while they share a certain loneliness (Are you often single? Harry asks him, adding that he is, too, though not for want of trying), the film has trouble bringing Harry and the contours of his own melancholy into focus. Adams formative experiences, as shaped by the loss of his folks and the rampant homophobia he faced as a child and his fear of AIDS as a young adult, are so dominant that theres no space to consider the experiences of someone from another generation.

Theres an admirable defiance to Haighs interest in characters who arent easy in their own sexual identities, who dont feel in sync with queer culture, and who struggle with scars from the past and internalized shame that doesnt go away just because its unreasonable. Patrick (Jonathan Groff), the protagonist of Looking, the HBO series Haigh produced and frequently directed, is a ball of hangups and bursts of prudishness despite living in the gay mecca of San Francisco. Russell, the lifeguard played by Tom Cullen in Haighs outstanding Weekend, is out to his straight friend group but compartmentalizes the romantic and sexual aspects of his life away, confessing to his bolder lover Glen (Chris New) that he feels self-conscious about being gay. (All of Us Strangers often feels like a glossier remix of Weekend, down to Glen playing the role of the dad Russell never knew so that Russell can tell him hes gay.) Adam is their sibling in discomfort, but in All of Us Strangers, the world is so claustrophobically warped to fit the specifics of Adams unhappiness, as if its trying to justify his solitude. I started hoping for a reveal that what weve been watching is the script Adam was writing. They say its a very lonely kind of life, his mother says to him after he comes out to her. He replies that, if he is lonely, its not because hes gay, but he doesnt seem to believe it. Or maybe he doesnt want to believe it, because if the two things are one and the same, then theres no point in trying to change.
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes scientists from all over the world, including those from the United States, to apply for lunar samples through appropriate channels in accordance with application procedures issued by the country, spokesperson for the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said Friday.

Xu Hongliang made the statement in response to recent remarks by U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, noting that China attaches great importance to international cooperation in space and is always open to space exchanges with the United States.

According to a China Daily report, when attending a lecture hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank in Washington, on Dec. 12, Burns responded to a request for his perspective on China-U.S. space collaboration by saying that he does not believe "the Chinese have shown much of an interest in working with the U.S." in space.

Xu expressed bewilderment over the apparent contradiction where the United States emphasizes cooperation while some people in the country praise the Wolf Amendment that restricts space cooperation with China advocating for its permanence.

"I don't understand if the United States is playing with words or passing the buck," Xu said. 
Recipes

What do you want to cook today?
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The counternarcotics authorities of China and the United States are resuming regular communication. Progress in resuming counternarcotics cooperation has not come easy and needs to be doubly cherished by both sides, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the comment when asked what specific measures China has taken on counternarcotics cooperation with the United States so far. During the summit meeting in San Francisco, China and the United States agreed to establish a working group on counternarcotics cooperation and carry out counternarcotics cooperation.

Wang said carrying out counternarcotics cooperation is one of the important common understandings reached between the two presidents during their meeting in San Francisco. To deliver on that, the U.S. side has lifted sanctions on relevant Chinese law enforcement institute.

Recently, China has been engaged in campaigns against fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, and cracked down on illegal and criminal activities involving the smuggling, illicit manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of fentanyl-related substances, said wang.

He added that China has carried out a sweeping inspection of key businesses, personnel and equipment, and has been working to clean up information about online sales of fentanyl, and strictly prevent the smuggling and trafficking of relevant chemical substances to protect people's physical and mental health.

The counternarcotics authorities of China and the United States are resuming regular communication, said wang, adding that the Chinese side has notified the U.S. side of the progress made in U.S.-related law enforcement operations against narcotics and has responded to U.S. request for verifying clues on certain cases and taken action. The two sides are in close communication on setting up a working group on counternarcotics cooperation.

"I need to stress that progress in resuming China-U.S. counternarcotics cooperation has not come easy and needs to be doubly cherished by both sides. We hope that the U.S. side will show sincerity, work with China in the same direction and continue to carry out practical counternarcotics cooperation based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," said the spokesperson. 
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has described an apparent failure to follow proper process when appointing ABC managing director David Anderson in 2019 as unfortunate in correspondence with the broadcasters chair Ita Buttrose earlier this year.

Buttrose, whose term as chair will end in March, wrote to Rowland on March 17 to inform her of Andersons reappointment, outlining the importance for the broadcasters board to remain independent of government in appointing its managing director.

ABC chair Ita Buttrose and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. Credit: Aresna Villanueva

The correspondence, obtained through a freedom of information request made by opposition communications spokesman David Coleman, relates to Andersons reappointment earlier this year.

While the broadcasters chair and directors are appointed by the governor-general  upon nomination by the prime minister and communications minister  the board appoints the managing director, under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act.
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 Paul Giamatti has played a vast range of characters in more than 30 years in the business, but theres a real chance he will forever be best known for the two movies he has made with Alexander Payne, the much-loved Sideways (2004) and the new and equally praised feature The Holdovers. In both, Giamatti is cast as a curmudgeon, to put it mildly. Is that really who the New York-based actor is? Some days, yes, he says with distinctly uncurmudgeonly good grace. Some days it definitely is. But most of the time, I would say no. I mean, if I was like these guys, I dont know that anybody would employ me. Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a teacher of classics at an upscale private boarding school in rural Massachusetts in 1970. Hes a stickler, a hard marker, a man who has dedicated his life to the calling of teaching but whose methods have won him nothing but loathing from his young charges. And given most of the boys he calls vermin will never come close to living up to his standards, the feeling is more or less mutual. Gaimattis Paul Hunham is a classics teacher at an upscale school in 1970, who labels his teenage charges vermin. Credit: Seacia Pavao/Focus Features So when Hunham is tasked with staying behind at the school over Christmas to chaperone the handful of boys not going home for the holidays, its a cruel and unusual punishment for all involved. Theres a risk, I suggest, that this movie could do for teaching what his performance as Miles, the misanthropic wine writer of Sideways  for which Payne and Jim Taylor won the best adapted screenplay Oscar in 2005  did for merlot. Which is to say, kill it.

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Apparently we did, he says of the earlier films effect on the once-popular variety. I really do not know anything about wine. Ive never understood why it was merlot. Is that really a low-rent wine? Its certainly not pinot noir, Miles favourite tipple, lets put it that way. But what about teaching  do you know much about that? It was sort of the family business, though I didnt go into it. Everybody in my family was teachers  my parents, my grandparents  so I was around it quite a bit. I drew on that, consciously and unconsciously, he continues. I have lots of memories of people like Hunham. My father [who was an English literature professor at Yale] had a lot of colleagues who were like that. I went to a school like that, so I had teachers who were a lot like that. I went to school about 10 years after the movie was set, so a lot of those guys were still teaching at the place I went. So it was all right there. The film isnt just set in 1970. Payne has also painstakingly recreated the look, feel and pace of a movie from that time. Think of The Graduate, Carnal Knowledge, Five Easy Pieces and youre in the ballpark. Its a remarkable feat, and one of the reasons The Holdovers is generating plenty of awards-season buzz. Sticking to the house style wasnt a chore for those on set, though, Giamatti says. I know the movies hes talking about, but I dont know that there was anything I was ever consciously thinking about. You just know the feel of those things, you know the mood of them, you know the style of them. And it was written that way. Its almost as if Payne is a filmmaker from another time anyway. He doesnt use a monitor, the crew is very slimmed down, so it feels like something from another era, Giamatti says. And he creates what I imagine the atmosphere on, say, a Hal Ashby movie probably was like  its very intimate and fun, kind of warm, and laid back. So I think it just lends itself to turning out as a 70s movie.

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In one respect, though, The Holdovers feels like a movie that could not have been made in 1970, at least not in precisely the same way. After circumstances conspire to reduce the cohort of boys from five to just one  newcomer Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully  the ground is set for a buddy movie. But it becomes apparent the only other member of staff stuck at the school over the two weeks, cook Mary Lamb (DaVine Joy Randolph), is no support player, as she likely would have been back then: shes a third and equal side of an evolving relationship triangle. The Christmas break is key to that happening, says Randolph, best known for her turn as Detective Donna Williams in Only Murders in the Building (negotiations for a fourth season are, she reveals, well under way, and looking promising). I think in any other circumstance that wouldnt have happened. Its to their advantage that by being on a holiday break its somewhat neutral ground. Normally that atmosphere is quite charged with the dynamics of social class, she continues. All those variables would have inhibited them if this holiday break didnt happen, I dont think they would be able to have this very unique experience and connection without this inconvenience, this unexpected change that they dont want to do, but which ends up being the absolute blessing they all need. In keeping with the commitment to lo-fi 1970s-style filmmaking, the movie was shot on location at five different schools in Massachusetts (subbing for the fictional Barton School), in winter, with real snow. And the cigarettes Mary smokes endlessly throughout were real too  which was a challenge for non-smoker Randolph. They say kids and pets will easily upstage an actor, but I quickly came to find cigarettes can do the same thing, she says.

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Payne sent her a couple of boxes of prop cigarettes, but they just didnt look or feel right. So she sought out the lightest brand she could find and practised. Bette Davis was a great reference because theres quite a style to smoking, she says. And an avid smoker in a quite heightened emotional state is a whole other thing. The burning durry was more than a prop for Mary, it was a comfort blanket, and a key to her character and state of mind. It was great fun trying to decipher when to pull, when to release, the choreography of smoking while another persons talking, she says. Im not trying to condone smoking in any way, but it made me realise as a non-smoker entering into this world it really comes down to meditative breathing, long, deep inhalations. If Im frazzled, or a little off-centre, or I feel worried or anxiety or in an emotional state that I dont necessarily want to be in  I mean, it would help if they just removed the nicotine  but at the end of the day, they are taking these regulated, meditative breaths. Alexander Payne, left, directs Giamatti and DaVine Joy Randolph on the set of The Holdovers. Credit: Seacia Pavao And once youd finished it, did you kick the habit? Oh, immediately, she says. I was actually very nervous that I was going to get addicted. But thank goodness, it wasnt for me. Its not my thing. For Giamatti, the key to Hunham was more intellectual than physical. I mean, hes a difficult guy but I like him, he says. He kind of takes pleasure in being sarcastic, in his own wit, hes complicated, but I thought he was funny, I thought he was smart, I like where he goes. I like the fact that hes able to be selfless in the end. You know, he had a lot of layers to him, and I liked that.

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CCTV footage showing Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins at The Dock in Canberra on March 22, 2019. Credit: Spotlight, Channel Seven He said CCTV footage could show anything you want it to, depending on how you present it, and accused Ten of deploying a very selective section of it during the trial. Asked by Lee about a section of the CCTV footage in which Lehrmann moves three drinks in front of Higgins, Whybrow said it was a friendly exchange rather than some evil against-her-will plying of her with alcohol. Ten, who called an expert lip-reader to give evidence in the case, put to Lehrmann that the words he said at this point were all hers, all hers. Lehrmann denied uttering those words. Paraphrasing Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland, Whybrow said his client had been subjected to a form of sentence first, trial later.

Trip to Parliament House The barristers for Ten and Wilkinson suggested during closing addresses on Thursday that Lee had sufficient evidence to find, at a minimum, that Higgins and Lehrmann had sex in Parliament House in the early hours of Saturday, March 23, 2019. Lisa Wilkinson and her barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone They argued that in those circumstances Lehrmann should not receive damages because he had persisted in a lie that no sexual activity occurred at all. Higgins has told the court that she woke up while Lehrmann was raping her. A photo of Brittany Higgins and Senator Linda Reynolds taken on May 16, 2019, showing her wearing the white dress she wore on the night of her alleged rape on March 23 that year.

Whybrow said on Friday that neither of the chief protagonists in the case had said in their evidence that they went back to Parliament House for any kind of amorous activity. He said that even if they went back to the office with that intention it didnt mean that it happened. He said his submissions examining the evidence will hopefully cause your honour to be able to confidently exclude that Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins, and that Mr Lehrmann had sex at all with Ms Higgins. He conceded Tens barrister, Dr Matt Collins, KC, had tied [Lehrmann]  in knots and undid him when he cross-examined him about whether he bought Higgins drinks at Canberras The Dock hotel in the hours before the alleged rape, but said this did not translate to his client being a compulsive liar. Whybrow alleged Higgins was not an accurate or reliable historian and had invented allegations, while Ten alleged on Thursday that Lehrmann had been revealed to be a fundamentally dishonest man. Chrysanthou said on Friday that Higgins had continued to see a rape counsellor on and off for two years, which was inconsistent with her fabricating the allegation. Higgins state of undress

Asked by Lee what he was to make of the fact that Higgins was found naked in the office hours after Lehrmann had left, Whybrow said it was a complex matter for the judge, and his clients evidence was that he didnt know about that and had not checked on her before he left the office. It was potentially consistent with a range of scenarios, Whybrow said, including some form of intimacy or the expectation of it, or of Higgins feeling sick and removing her dress. He noted that Higgins had subsequently washed her dress, which would have removed what he described as a lack of evidence. He submitted it was incomprehensible that Higgins would wear the dress she wore on the night she alleges she was raped by Lehrmann to a work dinner on May 16, 2019, six weeks after the alleged sexual assault, if that assault had happened. Higgins gave evidence that it was an attempt to reclaim the dress, and she never wore it again. Up to no good In a question the judge described as deliberately provocative, Lee noted Lehrmanns girlfriend had called him in the early hours of March 23, and asked: Unless he was up to no good, why didnt he ring his girlfriend?

Whybrow replied that Lehrmanns evidence was that he had not seen the calls until later, and it was not necessarily the case that one would call back at 2.30am. Phoning a friend email During his closing address, Whybrow pointed to an email Higgins sent Lehrmann on March 26, three days after the alleged assault, in which she asked for help with a work task and said she was phoning a friend. Lee suggested it might be a tad simplistic to suggest the email was inconsistent with an assault having taken place. He said examples were legion of young women in professional roles dealing with more senior men and needing to navigate a very tricky path sometimes to maintain a working relationship when they had been harassed or worse. Whybrow agreed with those general observations, but said the email had to be seen in a context.

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. The lawsuit Lehrmann is suing Ten and Wilkinson over an interview with Higgins, broadcast on The Project on February 15, 2021, that he alleges defames him by suggesting he is guilty of raping Higgins in then defence industry minister Linda Reynolds office on March 23, 2019, when they were both working as staffers to the Liberal senator.

Lehrmann not named Lehrmann was not named in Tens interview. A preliminary issue in the case is whether he was identified because of the details provided in the broadcast. If the court finds Lehrmann was identified in the interview, Ten and Wilkinson are seeking to rely on defences of truth and qualified privilege. The truth defence Under the truth defence, Ten must prove on the balance of probabilities that Lehrmann raped Higgins.

While this is less onerous than the criminal standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt, the so-called Briginshaw principle applies in civil cases involving serious allegations and requires courts to proceed cautiously in making grave findings. Qualified privilege Qualified privilege relates to publications of public interest and requires a media outlet to show it acted reasonably. Wilkinsons evidence was directly relevant to that defence. Loading Matthew Richardson, SC, acting for Lehrmann, said Lee could not be satisfied the media outlet acted reasonably, including in relation to the amount of time it gave to Lehrmann and political figures to respond to Higgins allegations, and to put any responses to her before the program aired.

Ex-chief of staffs call to ASIO Documents released by the Federal Court on Thursday reveal that Fiona Brown, the former chief of staff to Reynolds, told the court she contacted the ASIO director-general about Lehrmann after he accessed the parliamentary office after hours. In an affidavit filed in Lehrmanns defamation case, Brown, who was chief of staff to Reynolds in 2019, said she understood Lehrmann was keen for a promotion or allocation of ongoing tasks which involved ASIO and security matters. But Brown said that ASIO matters were not relevant to the Defence Industry portfolio. She said that when Lehrmann learnt that the job offer in the Defence Industry Ministers office was going to be straight Parliamentary and Budget with some policy, he indicated he was not interested in staying on and said he wanted to pursue opportunities in ASIO.

At some point, Mr Lehrmann told me hed had a job interview, or was pursuing work, with ASIO, Brown said. The court has heard Lehrmann had decided to leave Reynolds staff for a new job when he was instructed on March 26, 2019, to pack up his things after accessing the Parliament House office after hours. His role was formally terminated on April 5 over the security breach. Fiona Brown, the former chief of staff to then defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Credit: Steven Siewert The court has heard Brown was advised by the Department of Finance on March 26 that Lehrmann and Higgins had entered the office in the early hours of March 23, and Higgins had been found later by a security guard naked and passed out. Brown said Lehrmann told her she came back to the office to drink whisky.

I asked What else did you do whilst in the office? He said I dont wish to get into that, Brown said in her affidavit. She said that she contacted the ASIO director-general on about March 27 and informed him that the Minister had asked me to contact him about Bruce Lehrmann as it was our understanding that Mr Lehrmann was in the process of getting a job with ASIO. Mr [Duncan] Lewis [the then ASIO director-general] told me he did not recall Mr Lehrmann and asked me to spell his name. He advised that he was not aware of him being in the process of getting a job with ASIO. Loading I told him that the Minister asked that he consider revocation of his security clearance should Mr Lehrmann ever be looking for a job with ASIO. I subsequently informed the Minister of my conversation with the director-general. Brown said she told Lewis about the unauthorised after-hours office access and an earlier incident in March in which Lehrmann had left a top secret document on his desk.
When Gavin Wright became a surgeon 22 years ago, it was unusual for him to encounter lung cancer patients who had never smoked.

These days, the research and education lead at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre estimates that about 20 per cent of the lung cancer patients he operates on have no substantial smoking history.

While the incidence of lung cancer has dropped in Australia due to a decline in tobacco smoking, the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry says an increasing number of non-smokers are now being diagnosed. Credit: Nicolas Walker

Its gone from rare to not uncommon, the associate professor said.

Wright believes that pollution is driving the increase in lung cancer among non-smokers, with women and people from Asian backgrounds at heightened risk.
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has insinuated hell spend the Christmas break mulling a long-speculated tilt at state politics, after years of playing down persistent rumours about his ambitions for higher office.

The media personality has spent almost two years publicly denying he intended to run for the Liberal Party in once-blue ribbon seat of Churchlands in the 2025 state election, insisting he remained committed to his role as lord mayor.

Most recently, the lord mayor has been locked in a war of words with the WA government over the closure of a womens shelter. Credit: Peter de Kruijff

But when quizzed about his New Years resolutions and a possible foray into state politics on Friday, Zempilas told 6PRs Gary Adshead there were considerations.

A lot of people ask about that, and  there are considerations, I suppose, he said.
A young Perth mother has pleaded guilty to a string of fresh charges, admitting to strangling her seven-month-old baby in a bid to emotionally manipulate and scare the childs father.

Holly Anne Maxwell, 26, pleaded guilty to three charges of assault and one charge of impeding a persons breathing, relating to an incident in January this year when she filmed herself taking photos of her baby with a cord pulled around his neck and a sock shoved in his mouth.

Holly Maxwell, 26, leaving Joondalup Magistrates Court in January. Credit: Rebecca Peppiatt

Charges of intending to hurt and threatening to kill the child were dropped in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday and replaced with the four new charges.

The distressing footage and images were sent to the babys father and his mother, the court heard during a previous hearing, with police prosecutors at the time saying they were so graphic in nature the police have protected our office from viewing them.
Australia will deploy six Defence Force personnel to a US-led operation guarding against Iran-backed rebel attacks on commercial trade routes but will not send a ship or plane, a call Opposition Leader Peter Dutton claimed would be welcomed by Hamas.

The six will join Operation Prosperity Guardian in the new year and Australia will also double from five to 10 its staff officers involved in a wider Middle East maritime operation.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in October. Credit: AP

The Coalition has castigated Labor in recent days for choosing not to send a warship to the region, where Houthi rebels have been wreaking havoc in key shipping routes facilitating the transfer of oil, humanitarian aid and other products.

The Yemen-based, Iranian-backed armed group is protesting against Israels military action in Gaza, which was prompted by the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, an entity also supported by Iran.
Outgoing university lobby chief Catriona Jackson says the sector needs to capitalise on the emerging African market to stay ahead in the global competition for students, while urging greater acknowledgement of educations diplomatic clout as Australia vies for influence in the Asia-Pacific.

Her comments come as a report commissioned by Universities Australia warns against repeating Americas mistakes during its hunt for Chinese academic espionage, calls for education in South-East Asia and the Pacific to be at the forefront of Australias soft-power agenda, and identifies Africa as a major source of students by 2050.

Outgoing Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson says higher education institutions must look to Africa for new students. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

In a veiled dig at the Commonwealth over funding, Jackson  who departs on Friday after five years helming the peak body  said unless the government increased research support, there was no room for complacency in attracting international students in the face of shifting populations.

Weve built up a really good education system that serves our domestic population but also a really big international cohort, so we just need to absolutely stay right on the front of the wave, otherwise we will be dumped, she said.
YAOUNDE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian troops have launched an operation to hunt separatist fighters who are suspected to have killed five security forces in the country's war-torn Anglophone region of Northwest, several security sources have told Xinhua.

Two soldiers and three gendarmes were killed Wednesday after their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device planted along the region's Wum-Bafut road, an army official in the region told Xinhua.

"They were brave soldiers who died in active service," said the official, who asked not to be named.

"Our brave forces are on the field to ensure that an operation to find and capture these terrorists is a success. We will surely get them, and they will pay for their crime," the official added.

On Thursday, residents of Mbakong village, where the device was detonated, told Xinhua that troops were conducting "a thorough search" in the locality.

There has been fighting between government forces and separatist fighters in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017. 
From 27 November to 1 December 2023, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), conducted a sub-regional workshop on Customs Interconnectivity for Member countries of the SADC to advance the development of a regional framework for the harmonized implementation of Customs systems interconnectivity and data exchange, based on the WCO instruments and tools. The workshop brought together several stakeholders, including representatives from the SADC Customs administrations, the SADC Secretariat, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Secretariat, and AUDA-NEPAD. It was successfully hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) under the aegis of the Sida-WCO TFC Programme, with funding from the Government of Sweden.

The workshop discussions served to deepen understanding and foster collaboration on Customs interconnectivity within the SADC region. Representatives from various Member states presented their ongoing initiatives, revealing the purpose, benefits, and legal frameworks underpinning their Customs data exchange. Discussions ensuing from the country presentations ranged from compliance measures to system interfaces, communication protocols, and the utilization of WCO tools like the WCO Data Model. Moreover, the key regional stakeholders, SACU, AUDA-NEPAD, and SADC, shared invaluable knowledge, offering a panoramic view of their projects and experiences in Customs interconnectivity, including the objectives of the SADC Trade and Transit Facilitation Project.

The focal point revolved around developing the draft SADC GNC Utility Block. Through several sessions, participants navigated legal frameworks, business rules, data clusters, and the technologies involved for interoperability. These discussions were complemented by in-depth sessions on strategic digitization in the SADC region, aligning Customs interconnectivity with broader regional trade and transit programmes. The commitment to collaboration and the exchange of experiences sets a promising trajectory for enhanced Customs integration in the SADC region, promising smoother trade operations and a more connected network for economic growth.

Tangible results from the workshop included a refined draft of the SADC GNC Utility Block, roadmaps for implementation, and comprehensive reports from the Member states bilateral consultations to strengthen interconnectivity. The collaborative spirit fostered at the workshop has paved the way for a more integrated and harmonized Customs ecosystem within the SADC region.

The workshop achievements represented a milestone in the ongoing Sida-WCO TFCM Programme deliverables to support the modernization of Customs operations and streamline trade facilitation.

For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
On the 20th to 23rd November 2023, the WCO in collaboration with the Basel Convention Secretariat, conducted a workshop on the Regulatory Management of Joint Inspections for Environmentally Sensitive Commodities under Customs Stewardship for the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme beneficiary countries in the East African Community (EAC) region. The workshop aimed to discuss the adoption of a standardized inspection approach for goods and substances regulated by the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol, and the development of a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for regulatory joint inspections between Customs and respective national environment agencies.

The four-day event emphasized the important role of Customs administrations in managing the security and safety requirements associated with environmentally sensitive commodities including the recommended international best practices and procedures promoted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Basel Convention Secretariat (BCS). The presentations and discussions addressed critical areas of operational management, such as; the handling of abandoned containers or cargo at the points of entry and subsequent disposal or destruction of the hazardous materials and substances, existing communication mechanisms that best promote collaboration between relevant stakeholders, safety requirements and recommended reporting mechanisms.

The participants benefitted from the workshop by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the operational policies and requirements associated with joint regulatory inspections, furthermore, initiatives promoting collaboration between stakeholders and sensitization related to the Basel Convention and Montreal Protocol were also presented during the event.

The workshop activity is part of the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme contribution to the WCO Green Customs Action Plan. The Programme is collaborating with the WCO Environment Programme and relevant international environment organizations to provide technical assistance for the beneficiary Customs administrations in the EAC and SADC regions to address the trade related issues that adversely affect the environment while implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
At the request of the Mozambique Tax Authority (AT), the WCO conducted a Mercator Program diagnostic support mission in Maputo, Mozambique, from 27 November to 05 December 2023.

The mission focused on the Mozambique Tax Authority modernization agenda, ongoing projects and reforms, particularly its ability to effectively contribute to the implementation of the Articles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

This activity was conducted under the framework of the Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Programme for Sustainable Development in SubSaharan Africa (Sida-WCO TFCM Programme), with funding from the Government of Sweden.

Through active engagement with the Mozambique AT senior officials, the National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF) and the private sector, the WCO team was able to make a comprehensive assessment of the situation within the Customs administration regarding TFA implementation, highlighting areas where good progress had already been achieved and also identifying areas where further capacity building and technical assistance support may be required.

In collaboration with the Mozambique Tax Authority, the WCO were able to draft an initial report containing an analysis of the current situation and subsequent recommendations. The WCO team also took the opportunity to conduct a Mercator Maturity Model assessment that provides an essential baseline against which future TFA implementation progress or maturity, from a Customs perspective, can be effectively measured and reported.

The Sida-WCO TFCM Programme is collaborating with Member beneficiaries and regional bodies in the EAC and SADC regions to address, among others, the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation measures as designated in the WTO TFA provisions.

For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The seventh edition of the Ancient Civilizations Forum was held here on Thursday.

The forum, held under Iran's chairmanship, was attended by representatives of its members, including China, Greece, and Egypt, according to a statement by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Cooperation between civilizations is an element of the members' soft power that could be used to promote a new discourse in the global arena and help resolve common problems of humanity, said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

One of the ancient civilizations' missions was to counter the "discourse of hegemony, supremacy, exclusivism and racism," he said, adding that the world was still suffering from the impacts of the discourse of hegemony and violence and the abuse of international principles and norms, as well as double standards.

The Ancient Civilizations Forum was jointly launched by Greece and China in April 2017 with 10 members, namely, China, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Greece, Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Armenia, and Mexico. 
CAPE TOWN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The well-known Cape of Good Hope was closed Friday morning as a wildfire has been burning for the fourth day on a mountain near Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

The wildfire started Tuesday on the mountain slopes of Simon's Town, about 40 km south of Cape Town and part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality.

"Due to the ongoing fires in the Simon's Town area and the danger it might pose to our visitors' safety, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) management has made the decision to close the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point section of the Park this morning as a precautionary measure," South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement on its official social media account. "We strongly advise all visitors and tour operators to adhere to these closures until an official announcement regarding the Cape Point gate's reopening is made. Additionally, we recommend avoiding the Simon's Town area as much as possible."

SANParks also said Thursday evening that the wildfire had burnt approximately 1,140 hectares of land across private, public works, and TMNP properties since Tuesday.

On Wednesday, five of more than 300 firefighters battling the wildfire were injured and two were rushed to hospital.

While nearly 40 nearby houses were evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday, the fire also put Naval Base Simon's Town -- South Africa's largest naval base -- under threat, damaging one derelict building on its grounds.

In addition, according to an update posted Friday morning on the Cape Town city government's social media account, about 97 households in a nearby neighborhood were evacuated Thursday night. "At the moment, no further evacuations are necessary, but we are monitoring the situation closely."

Wildfires often break out on the mountain slopes around Cape Town in the hot, dry months from November to April. They become dangerous and unpredictable when fanned by strong coastal winds. 
NEW DELHI, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Opposition parties in India on Friday staged a protest here against the recent record suspension of 146 lawmakers from the two houses of the parliament.

The protest called by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was attended by leaders from Congress, left parties, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and other opposition parties of the coalition.

"The opposition is united. The country is united. The way this government of India is destroying democratic values and even parliamentary conventions, no one can digest this, and that is why the parties of the entire INDIA bloc are protesting here at Jantar Mantar. The same agitation is going on at the headquarters of states," Congress party lawmaker K C Venugopal said.

The lawmakers from the opposition parties were suspended for protesting the recent major security breach in the lower house of the Indian parliament and seeking a statement from federal home minister Amit Shah in the parliament on the issue.

The government maintained the lawmakers were suspended for disrupting proceedings of the houses.

Last week, two young men carrying smoke canisters emitting yellow smoke jumped from the visitors' gallery, running into the lower house 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 speaker of the lower house said a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted for an in-depth investigation of the security breach.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the security breach incident as "very serious" and remarked in an interview with a local newspaper that there was "no need to debate" the issue but instead a "detailed investigation" should be carried out to find the people behind it. 
Galway is one of my favourite counties in Ireland to visit when searching for ruins off the beaten track and when looking for folklore. Every stretch of the county is peppered with ancient monuments and fascinating heritage sites.

My debut book, Haunting Echoes of Irelands Past, features almost 50 sites, and seven are from County Galway, more than any other county, showing how many incredible heritage sites there are in the area. Since I started researching my book 15 years ago, I have always made it a priority to visit County Galway at least once a year, as there are so many wonderful ruins to explore.

One such ruin is Hags Castle (otherwise known as Tullokyne Castle), near Moycullen, which has some very interesting stories to tell. Originally, two castles stood on the site where Hags Castle stands today, and the two castles were within spitting distance of each other, it is said. Only one castle remains today, as the other castle fell in the Great Storm, more famously known as Oiche na Gaoithe Moire (Night of the Big Wind), in January 1839. The storm of 1839 is remembered in Irish folklore as the worst tempest to hit Ireland in many centuries.

One of the legends associated with Hags Castle is that of the two hags (witches) who lived side by side in the two castles. The hags were sisters, and they couldnt stand each other. Every day, the sisters would berate each other from the towers highest windows. Eventually, the hag who owned the castle that still stands today could take the arguments no more. So she killed her sister and all of a sudden was left all alone. Now that she had no one to argue with, she suddenly felt extremely lonely and without purpose. The last hag soon shuffled off this mortal coil due to her miserable solitude and she followed her sister to the grave. It is said that even in death the sisters could not be buried beside each other or they would continue their incessant bickering into eternity!

Some castles are just made to be horror film sets. A distinctive ruin which would be perfect for such a venture is Castle Daly, formerly called Corbally Castle. The shell of the manor house at Castle Daly, which connects two towers at the site, looks like two eyes and a crooked mouth, silently watching you. I loved one of my photographs of Castle Daly so much that it actually became the front cover for my book!

The castle in its heyday was said to frequently host extravagant balls and ostentatious parties on nights such as New Years Eve. Local legends tell that Castle Daly is meant to be haunted by the echoes of a wild party which can be heard from within the ruined walls of the castle. Everything seems merry until the raucous celebrations turn to screams and cries of help. Just to keep in line with local lore, I visited this bleak castle as night was descending one New Years Eve

One of my favourite ruins in all of County Galway is the stunning Tyrone House. There is a haunting solemnness in the faded grandeur of Tyrone House, which was built in the 1770s by the St George family. During the War of Independence, in the year 1920, Tyrone House suffered a similar fate to many other grand houses across the country when it was burnt down by the IRA. Rumours started circulating around that time that Tyrone House was to be used as a barracks for the Black and Tans. Evidence of the fire is still visible in parts of the house today. Even though Tyrone House has been exposed to the elements for the past 100 years, some of the plaster frescos with beautiful designs still remain in sheltered parts of the house, some even still have small flecks of paint.

Hags Castle (otherwise known as Tullokyne Castle), near Moycullen, has some very interesting stories to tell.

A tragic ghost story still reverberates through the walls of Tyrone House. Locals tell the story of Christopher St George of Tyrone House, who fell in love with a Catholic girl and married her in secret. Christopher St Georges family were stalwart Protestants and when they discovered his illicit marriage, they disowned him. In protest, his ghost is said to still roam the ruins of the house, never to be at peace in death due to the injustice he suffered in life.

Galway also has the distinction of having perhaps the most haunted battlefield site in the whole of Europe at Aughrim. The Battle of Aughrim was fought in 1691. Thousands died at this site in a battle between the forces of William of Orange and James II.

The most famous ghost associated with the Aughrim battle site is a phantom greyhound, which is said to paralyse all who hear its bark or howl with fear. The origins of this tale are that a Jacobite soldier, who later was killed at the site, had his greyhound with him at Aughrim. After the soldiers death, despite the coaxing of people after the battle, the hound never left his masters side and its spirit is said to linger on at the site to this day. So many Jacobite soldiers lay dead at the site that feral dogs in the area started eating their bodies. As the dogs had gotten a taste for human flesh, many had to be put down because of the danger they posed to the surviving population nearby.

These are just a few of the haunting, imposing ruins that can be found scattered across Galway, waiting to be explored and their stories uncovered. Some ruins are open to the public and easily accessible; others require permission from landowners. These ruins are part of our heritage and are rich with history and stories - they should be treat with care and respect, and always leave them as you found them.

*Colm Donnelly's book Haunting Echoes of Irelands Past is available now in many good bookshops in Mayo and Galway, including Pangur Ban Bookshop, Ballina.
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.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday once again postponed the long-delayed vote on a critical resolution for desperately needed aid to Gaza, due to disagreements from the United States.

This is the fourth time within a week that the voting has been postponed.

Diplomatic sources indicated that the United States is concerned about the references in the text to a "cessation of hostilities" in the Palestine-Israel conflict and the critical issue of inspecting aid trucks entering Gaza to ensure they carry only "humanitarian goods."

The current draft proposes that the United Nations take over this responsibility, a move opposed by both the United States and its close ally, Israel.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Robert Wood, informed reporters as he entered a Security Council meeting on Syria, "We're still actively addressing this matter. We're putting in significant effort."

He mentioned the necessity for specific alterations in the text, stating that these changes should be substantial enough to garner their support.

As per a report published on Thursday by 23 UN and humanitarian agencies, the entire population of Gaza, which stands at 2.2 million, is currently experiencing a food crisis or an even more dire situation, with 576,600 people reaching the "catastrophic" level of starvation.

Due to severely restricted supplies reaching Gaza apart from a limited flow, the World Food Programme has reported that 90 percent of the population regularly goes without food for an entire day.

At least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Government Media Office. The death toll from Hamas' attack on Israel stands at roughly 1,140.

At the time of writing, ambassadors of the 15-member council are still locked in consultations over the latest draft resolution. 
MAIDENCREEK TWP., Pa.  The Maidencreek Township Board of Supervisors approved Maidencreek Associates' conditional use application for construction of a new warehouse Thursday night.

Maidencreek warehouse hearing gets muddied with attorney arguments over evidence On the 14th night of an ongoing conditional use hearing in Maidencrcreek Township, more than 90 minutes were spent with three attorneys arguing.

The decision came after more than a year of contentious hearings and multiple lawsuits.

The board voted 2-1 to approve the conditional use to allow the construction of a 930,000-square-foot warehouse on more than 80 acres off Route 222 and Evansville Road, near the Schaeffer Road roundabout.

The decision, read in its entirety by Solicitor Eric Frey, is 70 pages long and contains 33 conditions by which the applicant must abide.

"This has been an ongoing thing for over a year now, and the decision is very heavy on all of us," Joshua Meck, vice chairman of the supervisors, said in expressing his vote of approval.

"...I think it needs to be said that we could come through and deny this, and it would go through to court," Meck said.

He noted that he looked for ways to "shoot this down," but decided that denying the application could have risked the opportunity to set forth conditions such as the ones presented Thursday night.

After the meeting, the township's solicitor said the board feels the decision is the best way to protect residents.

Members of the community, on the other hand, do not agree.

"Overbuilding of an area, overbuilding of agricultural land  so personally, I would like to see it stay agricultural," said Charles Voorhies, member of Citizens of Maidencreek Township.

Thursday night's decision left many inside Willow Creek Elementary School with more questions, including longtime resident Voorhies.

Acoustic expert: Proposed Maidencreek warehouse complies with sound regulations A sound expert testified that the 930,000-square-foot warehouse proposed at Route 222 and Evansville Road will comply with sound regulations.

"The biggest information is that the developer can't meet the noise ordinance for the township. They've had some other problems with being able to handle the water displacement as far as runoff from the warehouse," said Voorhies.

Many residents said traffic will be just as much of an issue.

Supervisor Heidi Fiedler, who cast the lone "no" vote against the conditional use approval, said the application does not comply with the township's stormwater requirements or the township's noise ordinance.

"We had the township noise expert, Michael Spencer, testify that the applicant's noise study was flawed and unreliable, which I think is very serious," Fiedler said before the vote. "In addition, the proposed stormwater facilities do not comply with the township stormwater requirements."

"The proposed warehouse is not consistent or compatible with the neighboring residential and commercial areas around Route 222 and neighboring side streets," she said, "so it is my opinion and belief that this 930,000-square-foot warehouse would have a detrimental impact on the health and safety and welfare of our township."

Board members who voted in favor said they never anticipated this in their community but that they had to make their decision based on the evidence presented.

"Warehouses are something that are popping up all over, but when you meet criteria that are required by law, it's not our decision to base our decision on emotion," said Chairman David Franke. "It's based on the decisions of the evidence presented."

"This warehouse is going to affect everybody in some way, shape or form, but so would a lemonade stand," he said. "A lemonade stand is going to affect traffic coming in and out of the development if that was put there, so we had to look at everything in its totality. We had to look at the legal ramifications, the extent of the property and what its uses were, and that's what made us come up with our decision."

"Best option would be the supervisors order down and have the developer appeal it," said Voorhies.

The board said the decision addresses all the issues presented at the last several hearings.

Just a few of the 33 conditions include:

The developer must submit a blasting plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for approval and should prohibit bulk blasting to remove rock, in order to prevent formation of sinkholes.

The idling of any trucks should be limited to no more than five minutes in any continuous 60-minute period.

The design and neutral color of the warehouse should be substantially similar to the graphic representations of the buildings in the renderings that were part of the application.

Berming and landscaping should be installed as shown on conditional use plans, and the applicant must maintain in perpetuity all required plantings, berms, shrubs and other plant materials.

The applicant must design and construct the stormwater management system with enhanced water quality measures, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection stormwater regulations.

The building must be designed and constructed with a fire suppression system in accordance with all local, county, state and federal laws.

The applicant should update the transportation impact study during land development review to reflect the anticipated tenant.

Site access at the Schaeffer Road traffic circle shall be maintained as a full-access roadway. The second access designed to be right-out-only shall prohibit vehicles from turning left onto Route 222 northbound.

The proposed use will be permitted to generate a maximum noise level of 70 decibels during day and 67 decibels during night.

The applicant, within six months of issuance of the use and occupancy permit, must complete a follow-up environmental sound study to confirm noise generated by the facility complies with the conditions.

The applicant shall reimburse the township up to $75,000 for all township professional, legal, engineering, and third-party consulting costs incurred related to the review process and hearings for the application.

The solicitor said the decision will be mailed out to registered parties this week and posted on the website for the public.

Any party has 30 days from the date of the written decision to appeal it.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A former teacher with the Allentown School District who resigned earlier this year is accused of selling drugs, according to court documents.

School records from April 27 shows the resignation of Jennifer Bennis dated for April 20 as a resignation for personal reasons.

Court records show Bennis is charged with possession with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine.

She also was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In a story first reported by the Morning Call, the veteran teacher was arrested on drug-dealing charges months ago after a raid at her Whitehall Township home. She was arrested April 3, records show.

School records show that Bennis was employed as a Social Studies teacher for grades 10-12.

This is a developing story.
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa.  The Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners approved an increase to sewage rates Thursday night at the administration building.

The rate increase, totaling 5%, will cover ongoing state mandated projects and Lehigh County Authority's future sewer project.

The approved ordinance enacts a fixed or constant fee per unit and per quarter of $70, which is roughly a $4 per quarter increase. A flow charge rate of $1.70 per 1,000 gallons was also established per the approved ordinance.

In a separate vote, the board awarded the 2024 sanitary sewer relining project to Mr. Rehab Inc. of Mechanicsburg. The deal is worth $799,520.16.

Land development application

In other business, the legislative body disapproved the subdivision and preliminary/final land development application of Pennsylvania Venture Capital for the property located at 1741 Trexlertown Road. Pennsylvania Venture Capital is owned by developer Abraham Atiyeh.

Thursday night's bill notes that in September 2017 the applicant submitted plans for a residential development of four single-family homes at the site. Now, more than six years later, Pennsylvania Venture Capital has "not substantively addressed the various review letters" issued by the township.

Given the time length, various amendments to the township's zoning code and SALDO, Lower Macungie "believes it is in the best interests of all parties to disapprove the application and allow the applicant to submit a new application" when Atiyeh is ready to proceed with property's development.

Fire services

Finally, the board entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Borough of Macungie and the Lower Macungie Fire Department for fire services.

Among the terms of agreement, Macungie will make an annual $90,000 contribution to Lower Macungie $90,000 for fire protection and rescue services and a $10,000 payment to be used toward capital improvements associated with the fire department. The deal is for three years with automatic one-year extensions unless terminated.
HEIDELBERG TWP., Pa. - Individuals looking to prioritize their health in 2024 have a new wellness facility to frequent in Lehigh County.

Opulent Wellness, offering halotherapy, sauna therapy, aromatherapy, reiki, yoga and more, held a soft opening on Tuesday at 6305 Route 309 in Heidelberg Township.

The facility is located near the intersection of Routes 309 and 100.

A grand opening event, presented by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, will be held 5-6 p.m. Jan. 3. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m., and a promotion of 15% off all gift cards and services will be offered during the event.

Founder Natalie Alboucq opened Opulent Wellness to help community members relax and decompress.

As a local mother of four young children, who participate in various sports, she has a busy schedule and knows the importance of taking time to devote to yourself.

At the center, I want you to really focus on you and your well-being and your mental health and just feel like you have a place to escape, Alboucq said in a video posted on the business Facebook page.

Opulent Wellness services include professional sanctuary sauna sessions, starting at $30 for a 30-minute session.

Our Professional Saunas are used to help detoxify, increase metabolism, encourage weight loss, increase blood circulation, reduce pain, skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, improved immune function, stress management and promote relaxation, a message on the business website reads.

In addition to the two indoor saunas, Opulent Wellness features an aromatherapy room, halotherapy room, rest and recovery room, locker area and bistro room.

Thirty-minute aromatherapy experiences, $15 each, feature rotating aromatherapies to induce calmness and relaxation. Individuals may bring books and magazines to read or just experience their inner peace and well-being.

Thirty-minute halotherapy (salt therapy) sessions, $25 each, feature a mix of passive (Himalayan salt blocks) and active salt (using a halo generator to break down tiny particles that circulate the room).

The room features ambient lighting, and individuals can relax in zero-gravity chairs.

Halotherapy can be used as part of the treatment of lung infections, throat infections, COPD, respiratory allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cold and coughs, sinusitis and other conditions.

Opulent Wellness is also partnering with 4 Hands Spiritual Healing to offer personalized reiki sessions; and Witchy Yogi Co. to offer yoga services.

A Yoga for New Years Intentions session will be held at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 28.

Individuals can enjoy singular sessions of the aformentioned services or opt for various packages, including a sauna therapy package ($80) featuring three 30-minute sauna sessions; halotherapy package ($70) featuring three 30-minute halotherapy sessions; and whole body wellness package ($65) featuring one 30-minute halotherapy session, one 30-minute aromatherapy session and one sauna session.

Additionally, Opulent Wellness offers monthly Diamond Memberships, $69.99, where members can access the facility once a week to enjoy the services along with a complimentary bistro cafe serving teas, bone broth and more.

For the latest Opulent Wellness updates, follow the business Facebook and Instagram pages. Info: 484-274-3248.
Investigators are now beginning to dig into what caused the Action News helicopter to crash on Tuesday night.

People from the National Transportation Safety Board were searching that dense New Jersey forest, southeast of Philadelphia on Thursday. The crash killed the Action News team's pilot and photojournalist.

"We'll be looking at both what we call the man machine and environmental interface," Todd Gunther, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said.

We're now just one day deep into the search for answers, after 6abc's news-gathering helicopter crashed in a forest.

"What we know is that the aircraft itself, the helicopter...had flown over to basically report on some Christmas light activity," Gunther said.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board say the chopper had taken off, out of Northeast Philly, and was headed back when it crashed, according to 6abc, around 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

"We have a debris field from the helicopter that's approximately 100 yards long," Gunther said.

The debris field was found in a remote part of Wharton State Forest, about 25 miles southeast of Philadelphia.

The crash killed the pilot, 67-year-old Monroe Smith, and, photojournalist, 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty.

So far, there are still so many unknowns, but investigators are looking for clues in everything, starting with the structure.

"To make sure that nothing fell off the helicopter," Gunther said.

The examination also includes checking rotors, transmission and flight control systems.

And investigators are searching for non-volatile memory: think black box, but for helicopters: electronics retaining memory, even after the loss of power.

They're also going to be looking at maintenance history and records of previous flights.

"At this point, we understand that are two previous flights by the helicopter that on that day," Gunther said.

Chopper 6 was a 2013 American Eurocopter. 6abc leases it from U.S. Helicopters Inc., a company based in North Carolina.

Gunther also mentioned there are some witnesses who are being interviewed, but he couldn't provide any more details on that right now.

Gunther says the team, which includes specialists assisted by local, state county and federal authorities, will be on site for three days, before moving the wreckage to a more secure site to continue examining it, in more depth.

Following those three days, a preliminary report could come 10 to 15 days after that.

About a year and a half following that, investigators plan to complete their factual report, which could include photographs, statements and tests and research. A statement of probable cause could be released up to two months following the factual report.
WARRINGTON TWP., Pa.  Police said a 69-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested Tuesday for stealing from the Wegmans in Warrington Township, Bucks County.

According to Warrington Township Police, Arnold Berkowitz used a "ticket switcher" (bar code) to proceed through self-checkout without paying full price for merchandise. The total value stolen was $20.98, police said.

Police said Berkowitz was later found hiding in the wooded area of The Shops at Valley Square.

Berkowitz is charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property. He has been processed and released, police said.
NEW YORK (AP)  The year 2023 was good to Gracie Abrams. She released her debut album. She opened for Taylor Swift. She sold out a U.S. tour, and took that tour to Europe. She started writing new music. And to cap it all off, she got her first Grammy nomination: best new artist.

When the nominations dropped in early November, Abrams, 24, was at home, alone.

I just couldnt have anticipated it less, you know. And so it was kind of this really, extremely exciting honor and a really sweet cherry on top to a year of so many gifts.

Abrams immediately called her mom. But the first person to call her was fellow best new artist and first-time nominee, Noah Kahan. (They were screaming on the phone, she says.) The two are joined in the category by Ice Spice, Victoria Monet, Fred again.., Jelly Roll, Coco Jones and The War and Treaty.

Looking ahead to the Feb. 4 Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles, Abrams said: Im really stoked to just cheer really loudly for everyone.

Her debut album,  Good Riddance, will turn 1 around then.

The whole thesis of the record for me was kind of just walking away from versions of myself that I didnt recognize anymore, Abrams said. That comes through on songs like Right Now (with lyrics like left my past life on the ground/think Im more alive, somehow) and the deluxe track Unsteady (Im in danger/the girl in the mirrors a stranger). Both reference personal situations and ubiquitous emotions in a way that is typical of Abrams work  a combination that makes fans often so clearly feel the lyrics at her shows, where tears are not uncommon.

The luckiest thing Ive gotten to experience from all this, I think, is being able to connect with people that way, she said. Theres something really rare about places where you can just show up and be so outwardly emotional with strangers.

Abrams made the album with The National's Aaron Dessner, at Long Pond, his studio in upstate New York. The wooded setting (as seen in Swifts folklore film ) was isolated, but different than the bedroom solitude much of her music had been composed in previously. That was freeing.

I remember getting there. I had never actually met him, but I stayed for a week and it was immediately kind of like, 'Oh, let me tell you everything as if like you are a licensed psychiatrist,' she said of their collaboration. The thing thats so magical about Long Pond is like nine times out of 10, it feels like were just pulling things out of thin air and they end up in a way that were satisfied with."

Those songs quickly made their way to one of the years biggest stages, as Abrams joined the stacked roster of young performers opening for Swifts Eras Tour. Perhaps the pinnacle of that experience for Abrams came in Cincinnati, when Swift invited her onstage for a duet after weather canceled Abrams' set. They traded verses of Abrams I miss you, Im sorry, with Swift on the guitar and Abrams on the piano.

It really was nuts, Abrams said. Theres nothing weirder than getting raised up in the middle of a stage on a platform. It felt like the Hunger Games or something. So far, Abrams' is the only song Swift has performed on the Eras Tour stage other than her own.

Abrams will return to Swift's stage next fall, on 18 added dates in the U.S. and Canada. Those shows have become a sort of benchmark for her as she looks ahead to 2024, to new music and to this new  more free  version of herself onstage.

That environment, her stage and that tour has had massive influence on the way that Ive wanted to work to maybe one day be able to fill the space better than I did last time, Abrams said. That is a superpower, and I want to do that."

By then, she'll hopefully have new music to share. Ive never been more excited for music to come out like by miles and miles," she said, laughing. "I just cant quite wait.
BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will continue its targeted, differentiated policies to better meet people's housing demand and stabilize the property market, Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development, said.

"We will stick to the principle that housing is for living in, not for speculation, and adapt to the new situation that major changes have taken place in the supply-demand relationship in China's real estate market," Ni said at the ministry's annual work conference held on Thursday and Friday.

Ni said efforts will be made to ensure the delivery of pre-sold homes, deal with risks in property enterprises, and address illegal activities in the market.

In terms of building a new development mode, Ni said work will be done to improve the foundational property market system that covers the full cycle of real estates from construction to maintenance. The construction of affordable housing and public infrastructure for both normal and emergency use, as well as the renovation of shanty towns in cities, will be promoted. Another focus will be addressing the housing need of new urban residents, young people, and migrant workers.

The ministry will actively advance city upgrades, which include adding elevators and resolving parking difficulties in old residential communities, building more elderly and children-friendly facilities, and creating barrier-free environments.

At the conference, Ni also stressed efforts to improve urban underground pipeline networks, promote garbage sorting, and build more parks and public toilets in the vicinity of schools and kindergartens for a more livable city environment.

Data showed that China renovated 53,000 old residential communities in the first 11 months of this year, benefiting 8.82 million households. Some 32,000 elevators, 746,000 new parking spaces, and 14,000 elderly and child care facilities were added. About 100,000 km city pipelines were renovated. 
PRAGUE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Eleven of all the victims in Thursday's university shooting in Prague have been identified, the Czech police said on Friday.

"We are still working at the scene of the shooting. Currently, we have identified 11 of the deceased and are working to confirm other identities," the police said on social media X.

The tragedy at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University has left 13 people dead and 25 others wounded before the student shooter possibly killed himself, according to the police.

The police have tightened nationwide preventive measures since Friday.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan told Czech Radio on Friday the shooting was "a terrible act, unprecedented in the history of the Czech Republic," but with no indication of links with "international terrorism."

The police said the suspected shooter had killed his father at home outside Prague before traveling to the campus.

The Czech government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning for the victims.

Before the incident, the worst shooting in the country occurred on Feb. 24, 2015, when a 63-year-old man opened fire at a restaurant in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight people before killing himself. 
Peoples Financial Services CORP. decreased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 0.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 32,523 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 270 shares during the quarter. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for approximately 0.9% of Peoples Financial Services CORP.s portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Peoples Financial Services CORP.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,888,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at $332,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the first quarter worth about $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $24,725,000 after buying an additional 68,018 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of BMY opened at $51.30 on Thursday. 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 $51.86 and a 200-day simple moving average of $58.29. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $48.25 and a 1-year high of $75.18. The stock has a market cap of $104.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.34.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.99 EPS. The companys revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.68%. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.87%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to reacquire up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. TheStreet downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Morgan Stanley decreased 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 note on Friday, October 27th. HSBC raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $53.00 in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.59.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 acquired at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have bought 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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Toth Financial Advisory Corp raised its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 15.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,220 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 691 shares during the period. Toth Financial Advisory Corps holdings in Accenture were worth $1,603,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. 70.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Accenture Trading Down 0.5 %

Accenture stock opened at $339.74 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $213.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 1.23. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $320.97 and a 200-day moving average of $316.21. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $242.80 and a 52 week high of $346.96.

Accenture Announces Dividend

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.74% and a net margin of 10.72%. The businesss revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.08 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 12.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.29 per share. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 17th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.91%.

Accenture announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, September 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to repurchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Piper Sandler Companies dropped their target price on shares of Accenture from $314.00 to $312.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 target price for the company. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Accenture currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $348.59.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ACN

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total transaction of $1,887,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 161,622 shares in the company, valued at $48,816,308.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total transaction of $1,887,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 161,622 shares in the company, valued at $48,816,308.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.48, for a total value of $1,567,020.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,265 shares in the company, valued at $6,048,697.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 36,334 shares of company stock worth $10,939,027 over the last ninety days. 0.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Accenture Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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SummerHaven Investment Management LLC decreased its position in AdvanSix Inc. (NYSE:ASIX  Free Report) by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 19,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,368 shares during the quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLCs holdings in AdvanSix were worth $591,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new stake in AdvanSix in the second quarter valued at $1,298,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in AdvanSix by 6.7% in the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 31,159 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,090,000 after purchasing an additional 1,970 shares during the last quarter. EA Series Trust acquired a new stake in shares of AdvanSix during the second quarter valued at $5,254,000. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of AdvanSix during the second quarter valued at $3,228,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in shares of AdvanSix by 11.0% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 99,912 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,495,000 after acquiring an additional 9,914 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.40% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at AdvanSix

In other news, SVP Achilles B. Kintiroglou sold 1,000 shares of AdvanSix stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.00, for a total value of $30,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 27,599 shares in the company, valued at approximately $827,970. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 5.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on ASIX shares. CL King decreased their price objective on AdvanSix from $48.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. TheStreet downgraded AdvanSix from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on AdvanSix from $40.00 to $36.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded AdvanSix from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASIX

AdvanSix Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ASIX opened at $30.69 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $827.10 million, a P/E ratio of 9.39 and a beta of 1.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 1.34. AdvanSix Inc. has a one year low of $23.92 and a one year high of $44.57. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $27.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.86.

AdvanSix (NYSE:ASIX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 3rd. The company reported ($0.41) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.35). AdvanSix had a net margin of 6.00% and a return on equity of 12.10%. The business had revenue of $322.91 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $367.90 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that AdvanSix Inc. will post 1.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AdvanSix Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 14th were paid a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 13th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. AdvanSixs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.57%.

About AdvanSix

(Free Report)

AdvanSix Inc manufactures and sells polymer resins in the United States and internationally. It offers Nylon 6, a polymer resin, which is a synthetic material used to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics, and films. The company also provides caprolactam to manufacture polymer resins; ammonium sulfate fertilizers to distributors, farm cooperatives, and retailers; and acetone that are used in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, solvents, herbicides, and engineered plastic resins, as well as other intermediate chemicals, including phenol, monoisopropylamine, dipropylamine, monoallylamine, alpha-methylstyrene, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketoxime, acetaldehyde oxime, 2-pentanone oxime, cyclohexanol, sulfuric acid, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.

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William Blair began coverage on shares of Amprius Technologies (NYSE:AMPX  Free Report) in a research note released on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a market perform rating on the stock.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on AMPX. Alliance Global Partners started coverage on Amprius Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. HC Wainwright started coverage on Amprius Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $11.75.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Amprius Technologies

Amprius Technologies Stock Up 3.6 %

Shares of AMPX opened at $3.74 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $3.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.36. Amprius Technologies has a 52 week low of $2.60 and a 52 week high of $10.63. The stock has a market cap of $330.62 million, a P/E ratio of -9.59 and a beta of 2.94.

Amprius Technologies (NYSE:AMPX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 9th. The company reported ($0.10) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.13) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $0.66 million. Amprius Technologies had a negative return on equity of 48.58% and a negative net margin of 560.89%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Amprius Technologies will post -0.44 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Amprius Technologies

In other Amprius Technologies news, insider Jonathan Bornstein sold 56,702 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.16, for a total transaction of $235,880.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Amprius Technologies news, insider Jonathan Bornstein sold 56,702 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.16, for a total transaction of $235,880.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Amprius, Inc. sold 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.62, for a total transaction of $362,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 65,415,552 shares of the companys stock, valued at $236,804,298.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 925,883 shares of company stock worth $3,431,644. Insiders own 14.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Amprius Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AMPX. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Amprius Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $8,006,000. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Amprius Technologies by 144.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 408,720 shares of the companys stock worth $2,935,000 after buying an additional 241,384 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Amprius Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $484,000. Geode Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Amprius Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $710,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Amprius Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $529,000. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Amprius Technologies

(Get Free Report)

Amprius Technologies, Inc produces and sells ultra-high energy density lithium-ion batteries for mobility applications. The company offers silicon nanowire anode batteries. Its batteries are primarily used for existing and emerging aviation applications, including unmanned aerial systems, such as drones and high-altitude pseudo satellites.

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Courier Capital LLC reduced its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,701 shares of the companys stock after selling 213 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,109,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 71.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 18,699 shares of the companys stock worth $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 7,821 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 1st quarter worth about $277,000. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 1st quarter worth about $226,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 22.0% in the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 31,004 shares of the companys stock worth $2,798,000 after purchasing an additional 5,586 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 459,907 shares of the companys stock worth $41,512,000 after purchasing an additional 9,327 shares during the last quarter. 77.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ADM has been the topic of several research reports. UBS Group dropped their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $115.00 to $104.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. StockNews.com lowered Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $87.00 to $76.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Stephens lowered their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.80.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance

ADM opened at $70.92 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $73.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 12-month low of $69.31 and a 12-month high of $96.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.88 and a beta of 0.82.

Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.69 billion. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 16.63% and a net margin of 4.05%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.86 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 7.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.54%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.07%.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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City Holding Co. lifted its position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 21,502 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,552 shares during the period. City Holding Co.s holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,622,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. OneAscent Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the third quarter worth about $352,000. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 3rd quarter valued at about $273,000. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 33,303 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,512,000 after buying an additional 1,460 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC grew its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 73,792 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,565,000 after buying an additional 2,812 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 185.9% in the 3rd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 21,916 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,653,000 after buying an additional 14,251 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance

NYSE:ADM opened at $70.92 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $69.31 and a twelve month high of $96.16. The firm has a market cap of $37.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.88 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a 50-day moving average of $73.30 and a 200-day moving average of $76.83.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Dividend Announcement

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.10. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 4.05% and a return on equity of 16.63%. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.69 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.86 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 7.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is presently 25.07%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on ADM shares. BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the company from $90.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $115.00 to $104.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Stephens reduced their price objective on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Archer-Daniels-Midland presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.80.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ADM

Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

Further Reading

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Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $96.71 and last traded at $96.42, with a volume of 117415 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.20.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on BC. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Brunswick from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of Brunswick from $90.00 to $88.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $91.00 target price on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brunswick from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Brunswick from $102.00 to $92.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.86.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Brunswick

Brunswick Trading Up 2.7 %

The firm has a market cap of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.82 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The firms fifty day moving average is $78.26 and its 200-day moving average is $80.79.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.06. Brunswick had a return on equity of 32.09% and a net margin of 7.57%. The company had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. Brunswicks revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Brunswick Co. will post 9 earnings per share for the current year.

Brunswick Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 22nd were given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 21st. Brunswicks payout ratio is currently 22.79%.

Insider Activity at Brunswick

In other Brunswick news, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 414 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.57, for a total value of $28,387.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 21,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,500,791.59. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Brunswick during the 1st quarter worth $52,000. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 140.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 41,387 shares of the companys stock worth $3,496,000 after acquiring an additional 24,171 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 28,255 shares of the companys stock worth $2,286,000 after acquiring an additional 2,694 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,426,552 shares of the companys stock worth $519,843,000 after acquiring an additional 46,519 shares during the period. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 45,006 shares of the companys stock worth $3,746,000 after acquiring an additional 3,992 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.44% of the companys stock.

About Brunswick

(Get Free Report)

Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Propulsion, Parts & Accessories, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines for independent boat builders and governments through marine dealers and distributors, specialty marine retailers, and marine service centers; and propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses.

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Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 30,330 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 524 shares during the quarter. Cliftonlarsonallen Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $1,738,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp bought a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Magellan Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Country Trust Bank grew its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% during the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Tower View Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 76.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at NextEra Energy

In other NextEra Energy news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $59.59 per share, for a total transaction of $506,515.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 11,523 shares in the company, valued at approximately $686,655.57. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, major shareholder Nextera Energy Inc acquired 3,097,524 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $24.21 per share, with a total value of $74,991,056.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,097,524 shares in the company, valued at $99,201,056.04. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi acquired 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $59.59 per share, for a total transaction of $506,515.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,655.57. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on NextEra Energy in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $69.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on NextEra Energy from $83.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Bank of America dropped their price target on NextEra Energy from $76.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on NextEra Energy from $88.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on NextEra Energy from $105.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $73.14.

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NextEra Energy Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE NEE opened at $59.60 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.50. The company has a market capitalization of $122.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.51. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $47.15 and a one year high of $86.47. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $57.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.86.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The utilities provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.07 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.15% and a net margin of 27.82%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.85 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NextEra Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 24th were issued a dividend of $0.4675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 22nd. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.14%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 49.47%.

NextEra Energy Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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Columbus Macro LLC lowered its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (BATS:GOVT  Free Report) by 12.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 287,517 shares of the companys stock after selling 39,606 shares during the period. iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF accounts for approximately 2.7% of Columbus Macro LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Columbus Macro LLCs holdings in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF were worth $6,337,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 24,695 shares of the companys stock worth $642,000 after buying an additional 1,879 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $1,071,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 338,812 shares of the companys stock worth $8,440,000 after buying an additional 10,375 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 10.4% in the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 406,752 shares of the companys stock worth $10,132,000 after buying an additional 38,476 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its stake in iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF by 34.3% in the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 558,798 shares of the companys stock worth $13,920,000 after buying an additional 142,658 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Stock Performance

iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF stock opened at $23.00 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $22.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.45.

iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Cuts Dividend

iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF Profile

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 3rd were issued a $0.0486 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 2nd.

(Free Report)

The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (GOVT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of fixed-rate nonconvertible U.S. Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of one year or more. GOVT was launched on Feb 14, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Courage Miller Partners LLC lowered its position in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCG  Free Report) by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 18,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 410 shares during the quarter. Courage Miller Partners LLC owned about 0.19% of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF worth $702,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ISCG. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF in the third quarter worth about $253,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 13.8% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 72,201 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,990,000 after acquiring an additional 8,736 shares during the period. CreativeOne Wealth LLC raised its holdings in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 8.9% during the 2nd quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC now owns 10,916 shares of the companys stock valued at $452,000 after acquiring an additional 889 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 28.7% during the second quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 11,194 shares of the companys stock worth $464,000 after acquiring an additional 2,493 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 0.9% in the second quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 30,452 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,261,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 1.0 %

ISCG traded up $0.45 during trading on Friday, reaching $44.12. 1,182 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 43,716. The companys 50-day moving average is $38.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $40.14. The company has a market cap of $414.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.22 and a beta of 1.09. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $35.10 and a 12-month high of $44.12.

About iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF

The iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US small-cap growth stocks. The index selects stocks from 90-99.5% of market cap that fall into Morningstars growth style categorization.

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Hong Kong: Xia Baolong calls for unity

Director of the Hong Kong & Macao work office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong today said all strata, sectors and parties of society should come together to build a better Hong Kong in solidarity.

He made the statement at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies held this morning in Beijing.

In his speech, Mr Xia gave an in-depth explanation about learning to implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's important speech given after he listened to the reports by the Chief Executives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao SAR, and about how to pragmatically show one's love for Hong Kong and the country to compose a new chapter in the implementation of "one country, two systems".

Mr Xia said that President Xi's important speech once again demonstrated the central government's firm stance on the long-term adherence to "one country, two systems", and its deep care for Hong Kong and its people.

It greatly enhanced the confidence and determination of the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong people in advancing Hong Kong from stability to prosperity, and jointly creating a better future.

It also pointed out the way forward for Hong Kong to fully implement "patriots administering Hong Kong" and to play a greater role in achieving national strength and national rejuvenation for better developments.

Mr Xia urged the Hong Kong SAR Government and the governing team to demonstrate a new level of patriotism and love for Hong Kong through practical actions of safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and improving people's livelihood.

Political and community groups should demonstrate that through fully supporting the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong SAR Government's governance in accordance with the law and through uniting all parties to build a better Hong Kong.

District Councils should demonstrate that through establishing a presence among the grassroots and servicing the community.

The trade and industrial sector should demonstrate that through promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong and fulfilling social responsibilities.

Individual citizens should demonstrate that through contributing to and shining for the development of Hong Kong, while youths should demonstrate that through engaging in building a better Hong Kong, chasing their dreams, and living their lives to the fullest, Mr Xia added.

Chief Executive John Lee and the Hong Kong SAR Government's principal officials watched the live broadcast of the event at the Central Government Offices.

All incoming chairmen and members of the seventh-term District Councils also watched the live broadcast.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders Meeting will be held via videolink on December 25. Premier Li Qiang of the State Council and the leaders of the five Mekong countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam will attend the meeting.

CCTV: Premier Li Qiang will attend the fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders Meeting on December 25. How does China view the current development of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation? Whats Chinas expectation for this meeting?

Wang Wenbin: The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) is the first new sub-regional cooperation mechanism focused on building a community with a shared future with wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits of the six Lancang-Mekong countries. In the past seven years since its inception, LMC enjoyed rapid development and put in place an LMC framework guided by leaders and underpinned by all-round cooperation and broad participation. With progress and results delivered daily, monthly and annually, we have created an LMC speed, and fostered an LMC culture featuring equality, sincerity, mutual assistance and kinship. LMC has become a stellar example for countries to develop relations with each other, conduct regional cooperation and pursue South-South cooperation.

Lancang-Mekong countries are at an important stage of speeding up development and achieving modernization. At the eighth LMC Foreign Ministers Meeting held earlier this month, parties focused on regional stability and prosperity, highlighted the growth of new development advantages in the region and made full preparation for the upcoming Leaders Meeting. We hope that the upcoming Leaders Meeting will advocate building a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future, focus on cooperation in such areas as integrated development, environmental protection, technological innovation, security governance and people-to-people exchanges, have in-depth discussion on advancing the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Economic Development Belt, and contribute to regional countries common development and modernization.

NBC: Its reported that Chinese leader said China will reunify Taiwan with the mainland. While this is a known policy position, does this raising of the Taiwan issue in such a direct manner at the highest level with the United States imply that there is a change in Chinas tone or determination on the Taiwan issue, in particular ahead of Taiwan election?

Wang Wenbin: During his meeting with President Biden in San Francisco this November, President Xi Jinping outlined Chinas principled position on the Taiwan question. The readout of the meeting was released soon after their discussion. President Xi pointed out that the Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive issue in China-US relations. China takes seriously the positive statements made by the United States in the Bali meeting, and the US should match its action with its commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop arming Taiwan and support Chinas peaceful reunification.

It needs to be pointed out that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. Our position of advancing reunification is consistent, rock-solid and unshakable. China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable.

China Daily: During the summit meeting in San Francisco, China and the United States agreed to establish a working group on counternarcotics cooperation and carry out counternarcotics cooperation. What specific measures has China taken so far?

Wang Wenbin: Carrying out counternarcotics cooperation is one of the important common understandings reached between the two Presidents during their meeting in San Francisco. To deliver on that, the US side has lifted sanctions on relevant Chinese law enforcement institute. Recently, China has been engaged in campaigns against fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, and cracked down on illegal and criminal activities involving the smuggling, illicit manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of fentanyl-related substances. We have carried out a sweeping inspection of key businesses, personnel and equipment. We have been working to clean up information about online sales of fentanyl, and strictly prevent the smuggling and trafficking of relevant chemical substances to protect peoples physical and mental health. The counternarcotics authorities of China and the US are resuming regular communication. The Chinese side has notified the US side of the progress made in US-related law enforcement operations against narcotics. China has responded to US request for verifying clues on certain cases and taken action. The two sides are in close communication on setting up a working group on counternarcotics cooperation.

I need to stress that progress in resuming China-US counternarcotics cooperation has not come easy and needs to be doubly cherished by both sides. We hope that the US side will show sincerity, work with China in the same direction and continue to carry out practical counternarcotics cooperation based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Al Jazeera: Lately, the Israeli authorities have been confiscating occupied territories in the name of urban development, especially the Palestinian-owned land in East Jerusalem. Such practice violates international law and has become a fuse directly causing the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which undermines peace and sabotages the possibility of the two-state solution. What is Chinas position on Israels acts? As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, what measures can China take to stop these acts of Israel which violate international law?

Wang Wenbin: China opposes Israel building settlements on the occupied Palestinian territory. China opposes unilateral change to Jerusalems status and status quo shaped by history. We believe that the issue of Jerusalems status should be settled through negotiations by parties concerned in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. As Palestinian-Israeli tensions continue to escalate and risk of spillover of the conflict in Gaza heightens, relevant parties need to be prudent and avoid any move that might lead to escalation or get the situation to spiral out of control.

Reuters: Angola is the second largest exporter of crude oil in Africa. It announced yesterday that it would exit from OPEC. Since 2010, Angola has been a reliable strategic partner of China. Is there any negative impact of the exit from OPEC on the trade relationship between China and Angola?

Wang Wenbin: China is committed to practical cooperation with Angola in various fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

CCTV: President Xi Jinping had a recent phone call with President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega ahead of the second anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations. The two heads of state announced the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries. This marks a capstone of Chinas effort this year to enhance friendship with Latin American countries. Can you share more details of Chinas cooperation with Nicaragua and with Latin American countries?

Wang Wenbin: President Xi Jinping and President Ortega jointly announced the establishment of strategic partnership between China and Nicaragua. This is a milestone event in the history of China-Nicaragua relations. It serves the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and promotes the common development and prosperity of the two countries. Over the past two years since diplomatic ties were resumed, the two countries, guided by head-of-state diplomacy, have steered bilateral relations in the right direction, cemented political mutual trust, increased strategic coordination and accelerated practical cooperation. Both countries have benefited from resuming diplomatic ties.

The resumption and growth of relations with Nicaragua is an epitome of how China has deepened ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries in recent years. Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras have either established or resumed diplomatic relations with China, which reflects the trend of history and the times. More and more Latin American and Caribbean countries have joined high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. They have shown support for and taken part in the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative and are part of the effort to build a community with a shared future for China and Latin American countries.

Though China and Latin American and Caribbean countries belong to different hemispheres, we share closer ties and a common futuremost importantly because China-Latin American cooperation benefits both sides and delivers common development. China now has five free trade partners in Latin America. We began negotiations with Honduras on a free trade agreement less than four months after establishing diplomatic relations. China and Nicaragua completed negotiations on the free trade agreement within just one year, which will come into force on the first day of the new year. The agreement will bring more real benefits to the two peoples. The projects assisted by China or undertaken by Chinese companies on infrastructure, energy and power, and peoples livelihood, are the latest showcase of China and Latin America working together for peoples better lives.

China always believes that Latin America is not a wrestling ground between different forces. We respects Latin American countries right to independently choosing development paths that suit their national conditions, and supports Latin American countries in seeking strength through solidarity and addressing issues in the region through Latin American ways. China stands ready to work with Latin America to deepen China-Latin America relations in a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people and further promote the building of the China-Latin America community with a shared future.

Bloomberg: China will halt the export of a range of rare earth technologies while Beijing already has some of these limits already in place. Its now widened a list of technologies that cannot be transferred overseas to include the processing of rare earth metals and magnets. Can you respond to that?

Wang Wenbin: Are you referring to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export released by relevant Chinese authorities?

Bloomberg: Why is China doing this?

Wang Wenbin: Chinas competent authorities have responded to that. The revision of the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export is a routine update for China to adapt to the latest technological advancement and better manage technology trade. The revision reduced the catalogue from 164 to 134 items.

China is committed to promoting reform and development through opening up. We are always ready to create enabling conditions for international economic and trade cooperation on the basis of ensuring national economic security and development interests.

AFP: Top US and China military officials spoke for the first time in more than a year yesterday. Do you have any details to offer and was Taiwan among the topic discussed?

Wang Wenbin: Competent authorities have issued the readout on the video conversation between member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown at US request. The readout mentioned the Taiwan question, which you may refer to.

We hope the US will work with China to implement the important common understanding between the two presidents during their meeting in San Francisco on resuming mil-to-mil communication and exchange and carry out relevant exchange and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

China News Service: Recently, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said that in lunar exploration, he doesnt believe the Chinese have shown much of an interest in working with the United States and the space is a contested area. Whats your comment?

Wang Wenbin: Today, the spokesperson for the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has shared relevant facts and history of space cooperation between China and the US. You may refer to it.

China is committed to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. We are ready to have international space exchanges and cooperation with all countries on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use and inclusive development and actively promote the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the field of outer space.

We have always been open to having space exchanges and cooperation with the US. The two sides established mechanisms such as the working group on Earth science and space science cooperation and the China-US Civil Space Dialogue. The US, however, views space cooperation with China from a Cold War perspective. US domestic legislation such as the Wolf Amendment, the US Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 and the America COMPETES Act of 2022 were adopted to limit and thwart space exchanges and cooperation with China. The US even imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese companies. This is the real reason impeding cooperation between the two sides.

In the field of lunar and deep space exploration, China has actively advanced international cooperation. CNSA recently issued the CE-5 Lunar Research Sample Distribution Guide and the Announcement of International Cooperation Opportunities for the Change-8 Mission. We welcome scientists and researchers from the US and all other countries to apply in line with the procedures. If the US truly wants to advance space exchanges and cooperation with China, it needs to revoke and abolish relevant legislation, stop making irresponsible comments and take practical steps to remove the stumbling blocks on the path towards cooperation.

Bloomberg: The US Commerce Department will begin gathering of information on the Chinese production of legacy semiconductors. Those are not the advanced chips. Those are just like regular chips. Its looking to track how deeply reliant US companies have become on the technology from China. Theres a belief that China is underpricing the sale of legacy semiconductors. Can you respond to that?

Wang Wenbin: The global industrial and supply chains are shaped and developed by the laws of market and business choices combined. Any deliberate intervention to instrumentalize and weaponize economic and trade issues is a violation of the principles of market economy and fair competition and will pose risks to the security of global industrial and supply chains. It will hurt the interests of the whole world, including the US itself. The US needs to respect international trade rules and the principle of market economy and create enabling conditions for China-US economic and trade cooperation.
Wang Min, executive director of a law firm, consults a Tanzanian lawyer about legal issues of foreign investment in Tanzania via video link at Bengbu Global One Hour Foreign Legal Service Center in Bengbu, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

HEFEI, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- At a foreign legal service center, Wang Min, an executive director of a law firm, is engaged in a video conference with her peers in Tanzania.

"A local tea beverage company is mulling over whether they want to extend their business overseas, so we are authorized to consult on certain legal issues about investing in African countries," Wang said.

On the other side of the video conference, Tanzanian lawyer Godfrey Joseph Chitawala answered Wang's questions one by one, ranging from foreign company registration to trademark protection requirements in Tanzania and other African countries.

The legal service center, located in the city of Bengbu in east China's Anhui Province, was set up by the city's bureau of justice in March of this year. It integrates different types of public legal service resources, including lawyer consultation, foreign notarization, international arbitration, foreign judicial appraisal and foreign financial mediation, to help enterprises with their international business.

"We have connected with many law firms with global resources, and quickly respond to the foreign legal consultation and service needs of enterprises," said Jiang Shaoguang, head of the public legal services department of the bureau, adding that, via the center, local enterprises can get in touch with lawyers from the countries where their business is located, taking as little as one hour.

China's outbound direct investment value in 2022 came in second in the world at 163.12 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for over 10 percent of the global total for seven years in a row, according to a report jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the National Bureau of Statistics and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

With the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and the China (Anhui) Pilot Free Trade Zone in recent years, some companies in Bengbu have gradually begun to seek opportunities overseas.

Official figures show more than 500 companies in Bengbu have a demand for foreign legal services.

A staff member works at Bengbu Global One Hour Foreign Legal Service Center in Bengbu, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

In the past, due to the shortage of local professional lawyers and resources related to international legal services, these companies had to pursue overseas legal services in bigger cities, which was both time-consuming and expensive.

Chen Chen, legal affairs manager of a catering company in Bengbu, recalled how they tried to enter the Indonesian market at the end of 2022.

"We badly needed to learn about law and taxation issues in Indonesia and some other countries in Southeast Asia. Without a proper law firm in Bengbu to turn to, we had to find one in Shanghai," Chen said, adding that the consultations took much time and money.

After the foreign legal service center opened, the company had a new option for learning about the details of the overseas business, such as fund preparation, office contracts and employment conditions in Indonesia, according to Zou Hao, a lawyer who provided the legal services for the company.

"In foreign investment, the biggest concern of enterprises is that they are not familiar with the local legal system and related employment system, resulting in a series of difficulties and risks. Now this kind of foreign-related legal service at the doorstep can quickly and efficiently solve their concerns," said Zou.

To date, the foreign legal service center has made available 158 foreign legal services of 15 categories, covering 97 countries and regions. It has served more than 50 companies for their businesses in the United States, France and some Southeast Asian countries.

Ma Rui, head of the justice bureau of Bengbu, said that the foreign legal service center is a bridge between local enterprises, legal talent and global legal resources, which will further improve the level of local foreign-related legal talent and foreign-related legal services.

Ma said the center will open its door to attract more distinct foreign legal services to join and better serve the development of enterprises.

"The level of government legal services should be synchronized with the needs of economic development," he added. 
CRA Financial Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG  Free Report) by 13.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,911 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 579 shares during the period. CRA Financial Services LLCs holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group were worth $279,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 306,534 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $19,084,000 after acquiring an additional 33,063 shares in the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 12.4% in the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 4,246 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $266,000 after purchasing an additional 468 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 4.7% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 142,571 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,926,000 after purchasing an additional 6,337 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. grew its stake in Public Service Enterprise Group by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 10,185 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $638,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $325,000. 72.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Public Service Enterprise Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PEG opened at $60.35 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $62.26 and a 200 day moving average of $61.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stock has a market cap of $30.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.76, a P/E/G ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 0.58. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $53.71 and a 12 month high of $65.46.

Public Service Enterprise Group Announces Dividend

Public Service Enterprise Group ( NYSE:PEG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.42 billion. Public Service Enterprise Group had a net margin of 23.83% and a return on equity of 12.20%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated will post 3.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. Public Service Enterprise Groups payout ratio is 40.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Public Service Enterprise Group news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 1,374 shares of Public Service Enterprise Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total transaction of $86,575.74. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 110,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,975,333.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 4,122 shares of Public Service Enterprise Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.00, for a total value of $259,686.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 112,076 shares in the company, valued at $7,060,788. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 1,374 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total value of $86,575.74. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 110,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,975,333.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 5,896 shares of company stock worth $370,798. Insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $61.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 29th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Barclays increased their price objective on Public Service Enterprise Group from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Public Service Enterprise Group from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Public Service Enterprise Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.15.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Public Service Enterprise Group

Public Service Enterprise Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company primarily in Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs; and offers appliance services and repairs.

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Dicker Data Limited (ASX:DDR  Get Free Report) insider David Dicker sold 58,165 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.10 ($8.12), for a total value of A$703,680.17 ($472,268.57).

David Dicker also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, December 13th, David Dicker sold 70,837 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.14 ($8.15), for a total value of A$860,102.85 ($577,250.24).

On Friday, December 15th, David Dicker sold 82,171 shares of Dicker Data stock. The shares were sold at an average price of A$12.18 ($8.18), for a total transaction of A$1,001,171.46 ($671,927.16).

Dicker Data Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 133.56.

Dicker Data Announces Dividend

Dicker Data Company Profile

The company also recently announced a Interim dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 30th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.88%. Dicker Datas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 93.02%.

(Get Free Report)

Dicker Data Limited engages in the wholesale distribution of computer hardware, software, and related products in Australia and New Zealand. It sells its products to approximately 8,200 resellers partners. The company was formerly known as Rodin Corporation Pty Limited. Dicker Data Limited was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Kurnell, Australia.

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Courier Capital LLC cut its stake in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 8.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,486 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,349 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLCs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $1,874,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of DLR. City State Bank purchased a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. First Financial Corp IN raised its position in Digital Realty Trust by 93.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 221 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its position in Digital Realty Trust by 4,560.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 233 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its position in Digital Realty Trust by 156.1% during the 1st quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clear Street Markets LLC raised its position in Digital Realty Trust by 28,900.0% during the 4th quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 290 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. 99.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Digital Realty Trust Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of DLR stock opened at $134.91 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $130.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market cap of $40.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.01, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.55. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $86.33 and a twelve month high of $139.35.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.62%. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is 170.04%.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on DLR shares. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $136.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. HSBC started coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday, December 1st. They set a reduce rating and a $112.00 target price for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Digital Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from $112.00 to $131.00 in a report on Friday, August 25th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday, October 13th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $132.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, three have issued 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 Hold and a consensus price target of $122.00.

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Digital Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place" and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ  Get Free Report) CFO Elaine Sanders sold 100,000 shares of Trilogy Metals stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.42, for a total value of $42,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 2,664,233 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,118,977.86. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Trilogy Metals Price Performance

Shares of Trilogy Metals stock opened at $0.44 on Friday. Trilogy Metals Inc. has a 52-week low of $0.39 and a 52-week high of $0.85.

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Trilogy Metals (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 11th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01). On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Trilogy Metals Inc. will post -0.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Trilogy Metals

About Trilogy Metals

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in Trilogy Metals in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Trilogy Metals in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Trilogy Metals in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Atlas Private Wealth Advisors bought a new position in Trilogy Metals in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Old West Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Trilogy Metals in the third quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.07% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, explores for and develops mineral properties in the United States. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper  cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska.

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Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSE:EFN  Get Free Report) Senior Officer Laura Lee Dottori-Attanasio bought 14,200 shares of Element Fleet Management stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$21.10 per share, for a total transaction of C$299,620.00.

Element Fleet Management Trading Up 0.4 %

TSE EFN opened at C$21.14 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$20.55 and its 200-day moving average price is C$20.46. The company has a current ratio of 6.64, a quick ratio of 5.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 270.33. The stock has a market cap of C$8.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.82. Element Fleet Management Corp. has a 12 month low of C$17.00 and a 12 month high of C$22.37.

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Element Fleet Management (TSE:EFN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported C$0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.32 by C$0.03. The business had revenue of C$333.77 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$324.00 million. Element Fleet Management had a net margin of 23.93% and a return on equity of 12.10%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Element Fleet Management Corp. will post 1.4401821 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Element Fleet Management Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, January 15th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This is a positive change from Element Fleet Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. Element Fleet Managements payout ratio is presently 44.44%.

Separately, Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Element Fleet Management from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Element Fleet Management presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$27.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on EFN

Element Fleet Management Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Element Fleet Management Corp. operates as a fleet management company primarily in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. It offers end-to-end fleet cars, trucks, and material handling support equipment acquisition; and end-to-end electric vehicle fleet including fleet planning, charging infrastructure solutions, acquisition, financing, maintenance, and remarketing.

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Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 6.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,965 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 512 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $675,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 97,996.2% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,101,555,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $229,111,613,000 after purchasing an additional 2,099,413,455 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,952,480,000 after purchasing an additional 1,584,552 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,419,032,000 after purchasing an additional 820,369 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,817,109 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,156,561,000 after purchasing an additional 1,362,889 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after purchasing an additional 2,747,652 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE:ABT traded up $0.79 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $109.27. The company had a trading volume of 194,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,198,582. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $99.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $102.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $89.67 and a 1 year high of $115.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $189.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.90, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.70.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.15 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.01%. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is presently 74.83%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total value of $4,702,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,725,316 shares in the company, valued at $632,515,969.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on ABT shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $112.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Four investment 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, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $117.80.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis 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.

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Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,165 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 562 shares during the quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $9,182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLK. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in BlackRock by 98,608.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 96,772,169 shares of the asset managers stock worth $66,883,117,000 after buying an additional 96,674,131 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in BlackRock during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,037,009,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in BlackRock by 104,159.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 697,499 shares of the asset managers stock worth $494,269,000 after acquiring an additional 696,830 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in BlackRock by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,326,618 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,777,933,000 after acquiring an additional 310,256 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $200,102,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BLK has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on BlackRock from $820.00 to $720.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on BlackRock from $781.00 to $754.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $771.54.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 15,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $652.03, for a total transaction of $10,031,481.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 435,260 shares of the companys stock, valued at $283,802,577.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

BlackRock Price Performance

BLK stock traded up $5.48 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $804.58. 18,381 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 648,411. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 3.72 and a current ratio of 3.72. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $694.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $692.37. The stock has a market cap of $119.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.40, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.33. BlackRock, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $596.18 and a fifty-two week high of $819.00.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The asset manager reported $10.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.34 by $2.57. The company had revenue of $4.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.52 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.65% and a net margin of 30.66%. BlackRocks revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $9.55 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 36.85 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 7th will be given a dividend of $5.00 per share. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 6th. BlackRocks payout ratio is 56.10%.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 103.0% 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 95,273 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 48,345 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $8,781,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sunflower Bank N.A. bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the third quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Key Bridge Compliance LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the third quarter valued at approximately $3,430,000. Strategic Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 33.0% in the 3rd quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 4,246 shares of the companys stock worth $393,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054 shares during the last quarter. Cooper Financial Group lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 14,147 shares of the companys stock worth $1,310,000 after acquiring an additional 523 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dash Acquisitions Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Dash Acquisitions Inc. now owns 163,264 shares of the companys stock worth $14,999,000 after acquiring an additional 5,533 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:PM traded up $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $93.26. The companys stock had a trading volume of 146,544 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,331,693. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $92.01 and a 200-day moving average of $94.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $144.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.03, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.77. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.23 and a 12-month high of $105.62.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its 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 firm 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 companys revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.08 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 13th. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and issued a $114.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a research note on Friday, September 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.27.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PM

Insider Buying and Selling

In related 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 value of $942,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lowered its holdings in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 20.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,896 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,999 shares during the quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $856,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CRA Financial Services LLC raised its stake in RTX by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC now owns 3,385 shares of the companys stock worth $332,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Investment Counsel LLC raised its stake in RTX by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Sterling Investment Counsel LLC now owns 4,014 shares of the companys stock worth $393,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in RTX by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC now owns 29,567 shares of the companys stock worth $2,896,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. raised its stake in RTX by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. now owns 5,359 shares of the companys stock worth $525,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC raised its stake in RTX by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 1,667 shares of the companys stock worth $163,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on RTX. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $82.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a research note on Monday, September 25th. UBS Group lowered RTX from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $110.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. DZ Bank lowered RTX from a hold rating to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $79.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Barclays lowered RTX from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $100.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Finally, Melius lowered RTX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $92.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $90.21.

RTX Trading Up 0.5 %

RTX stock opened at $82.01 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. RTX Co. has a 12-month low of $68.56 and a 12-month high of $108.84. The stock has a market cap of $117.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.14, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.93. The businesss 50-day moving average is $80.04 and its 200 day moving average is $84.59.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.06. RTX had a return on equity of 10.05% and a net margin of 4.76%. The company had revenue of $19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.21 EPS. RTXs revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that RTX Co. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.88%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. RTXs dividend payout ratio is currently 109.77%.

About RTX

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. It operates through four segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for aircraft manufacturers and airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation; and for defense and commercial space operations.

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HB Wealth Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,520 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 221 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $4,302,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. grew its position in Lockheed Martin by 100.0% in the first quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 60 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, KB Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.26% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on LMT shares. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. They set a neutral rating and a $470.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $555.00 to $540.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $495.00 to $481.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Lockheed Martin in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a hold rating and a $435.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $484.07.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

Shares of NYSE LMT opened at $448.02 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $111.15 billion, a PE ratio of 16.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. Lockheed Martin Co. has a twelve month low of $393.77 and a twelve month high of $508.10. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $446.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $445.34.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The aerospace company reported $6.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.67 by $0.10. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 75.46% and a net margin of 10.29%. The firm had revenue of $16.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.73 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.87 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.2 EPS for the current year.

Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $3.15 per share. This represents a $12.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. This is a boost from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is presently 46.04%.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space.

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YANGON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized over 4.5 million stimulant tablets, 124 kg of methamphetamine and 40.7 kg of heroin in Mandalay region, said a release by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) late Thursday.

The seized drugs are worth over 10.28 billion kyats (about 4.89 million U.S. dollars), the report said.

Acting on a tip-off, the Mandalay region police force raided a house in Chanmyathazi township on Dec. 15 and confiscated 4 kg of methamphetamine and 8,050 stimulant tablets.

On the same day, 120 kg of methamphetamine, over 4.5 million stimulant tablets and 40.7 kg of heroin were seized in Chanmyathazi.

The suspects who were involved in the case were charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. 
Hengehold Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,743 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 4,868 shares during the period. iShares National Muni Bond ETF comprises approximately 1.0% of Hengehold Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Hengehold Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $7,357,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of MUB. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 3.9% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 235,547 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,140,000 after buying an additional 8,769 shares during the last quarter. Old North State Trust LLC purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the first quarter worth $43,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 2.8% in the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 41,917 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,516,000 after acquiring an additional 1,123 shares during the period. My Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 4.1% in the second quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 33,138 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,546,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Finally, Leavell Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the second quarter worth $285,000.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Up 0.0 %

iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock opened at $108.25 on Friday. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a one year low of $100.78 and a one year high of $108.66. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $104.55 and a 200-day moving average price of $105.11.

About iShares National Muni Bond ETF

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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IDT Co. (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report) CFO Marcelo Fischer sold 2,937 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.25, for a total value of $100,592.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 38,596 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,321,913. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

IDT Price Performance

NYSE:IDT opened at $33.86 on Friday. IDT Co. has a one year low of $21.64 and a one year high of $35.18. The company has a market cap of $851.92 million, a PE ratio of 23.35 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $29.56 and a 200-day moving average of $26.29.

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IDT (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 12th. The utilities provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter. IDT had a return on equity of 20.74% and a net margin of 3.05%. The firm had revenue of $303.81 million during the quarter.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut IDT from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 13th.

View Our Latest Research Report on IDT

Hedge Funds Weigh In On IDT

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Denali Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of IDT by 315.4% during the 2nd quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 5,400 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $140,000 after purchasing an additional 4,100 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in IDT in the second quarter worth $1,166,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of IDT by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 74,033 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,914,000 after purchasing an additional 1,382 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in IDT by 149.7% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 6,348 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $164,000 after acquiring an additional 3,806 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of IDT during the 2nd quarter valued at $516,000. 81.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About IDT

(Get Free Report)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJS  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 1,886,667 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 320% from the previous sessions volume of 449,568 shares.The stock last traded at $103.31 and had previously closed at $102.74.

iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF Stock Up 1.8 %

The company has a fifty day moving average of $90.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.52 and a beta of 1.18.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF during the third quarter worth $28,000. Modera Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 837,125 shares of the companys stock worth $74,688,000 after purchasing an additional 24,594 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 38,141 shares of the companys stock worth $3,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,441 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $13,519,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF by 649.2% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,489 shares of the companys stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 7,356 shares in the last quarter.

iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 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 SmallCap 600 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics.

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Keene & Associates Inc. lessened its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,116 shares of the retailers stock after selling 255 shares during the period. Walmart comprises approximately 3.1% of Keene & Associates Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Keene & Associates Inc.s holdings in Walmart were worth $3,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in Walmart by 93,272.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 821,003,685 shares of the retailers stock worth $129,045,359,000 after buying an additional 820,124,410 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Walmart by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 100,364,767 shares of the retailers stock worth $15,775,334,000 after buying an additional 430,215 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 25,499,791 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,995,749,000 after buying an additional 394,797 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 112,181.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,240,599,000 after buying an additional 22,834,564 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Walmart by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,382,688 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,173,642,000 after buying an additional 1,923,199 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Tigress Financial upped their price target on shares of Walmart from $182.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Walmart from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $210.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.44.

Walmart Price Performance

Shares of WMT opened at $154.80 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $416.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.67, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.48. Walmart Inc. has a twelve month low of $136.09 and a twelve month high of $169.94. The company has a 50 day moving average of $158.94 and a 200-day moving average of $158.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.53. The company had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $159.65 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.55% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.50 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.00, for a total transaction of $708,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 269,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,597,278. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.00, for a total transaction of $708,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 269,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,597,278. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director S Robson Walton sold 221 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.80, for a total value of $34,431.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 231,379,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,048,963,492. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,493,089 shares of company stock valued at $544,456,070 in the last ninety days. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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Kilroy Realty Co. (NYSE:KRC  Get Free Report) EVP John Osmond sold 3,594 shares of Kilroy Realty stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.85, for a total value of $146,814.90. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,937 shares in the company, valued at $405,926.45. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Kilroy Realty Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of KRC opened at $41.02 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 1.00. Kilroy Realty Co. has a 1 year low of $25.99 and a 1 year high of $43.47. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $32.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 2.57.

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Kilroy Realty Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.54 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.27%. Kilroy Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 116.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Kilroy Realty from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Monday, October 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on Kilroy Realty from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Kilroy Realty in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Kilroy Realty in a research report on Monday, September 11th. They set an overweight rating and a $47.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Kilroy Realty from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.82.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on KRC

Institutional Trading of Kilroy Realty

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kilroy Realty by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,906,218 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $534,406,000 after acquiring an additional 334,859 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kilroy Realty by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,219,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $460,714,000 after acquiring an additional 583,920 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Kilroy Realty during the 4th quarter worth approximately $350,235,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Kilroy Realty by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,265,901 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $206,333,000 after acquiring an additional 32,293 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kilroy Realty by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,501,383 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $173,898,000 after acquiring an additional 23,585 shares in the last quarter. 94.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Kilroy Realty

(Get Free Report)

Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE: KRC, the "company", "Kilroy") is a leading U.S. landlord and developer, with operations in San Diego, Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest and Austin, Texas. The company has earned global recognition for sustainability, building operations, innovation and design.

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Summit Global Investments trimmed its holdings in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 75.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,197 shares of the companys stock after selling 72,486 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $2,803,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,225 shares of the companys stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. WealthSpring Partners LLC boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. WealthSpring Partners LLC now owns 2,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 9,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,294,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. now owns 3,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $406,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. 74.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Friday, November 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $146.00 price target for the company. Bank of America downgraded Kimberly-Clark from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $135.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $122.00 to $119.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Kimberly-Clark from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $125.00 to $118.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $147.00 to $132.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $130.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Kimberly-Clark news, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.71, for a total transaction of $365,130.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 25,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,063,318.99. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Zackery A. Hicks sold 3,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.43, for a total value of $360,678.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.71, for a total value of $365,130.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 25,169 shares in the company, valued at $3,063,318.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:KMB opened at $119.43 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.81. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 1 year low of $116.32 and a 1 year high of $147.87. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $121.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $126.90. The firm has a market cap of $40.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.37.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.16. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 292.92% and a net margin of 8.63%. The business had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.16 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.40 earnings per share. Kimberly-Clarks quarterly revenue was up .9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 6.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a dividend of $1.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $4.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is 90.77%.

About Kimberly-Clark

(Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.

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McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. trimmed its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 12.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,978 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,164 shares during the quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $1,114,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 1,428.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 214 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 150.5% during the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 263 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of BATS:MTUM opened at $156.28 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a 50 day moving average of $146.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $144.54. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a 52-week low of $81.37 and a 52-week high of $113.60.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Seed Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,790 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,895 shares during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S makes up approximately 1.2% of Seed Wealth Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Seed Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,072,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 55.3% in the 2nd quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC now owns 177 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 165.3% in the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 199 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, Lee Financial Co purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Argus assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday, October 2nd. They set a buy rating and a $110.00 target price for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $115.00.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE NVO opened at $103.11 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $462.71 billion, a PE ratio of 42.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.40. Novo Nordisk A/S has a fifty-two week low of $65.05 and a fifty-two week high of $105.69. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $99.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $67.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.58 billion during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 86.53% and a net margin of 35.20%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 2.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases.

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Institute for Wealth Management LLC. raised its holdings in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY  Free Report) by 11.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,715 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after purchasing an additional 780 shares during the quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC.s holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $501,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC increased its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 150.8% in the first quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 593,600 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $37,058,000 after purchasing an additional 356,900 shares during the period. BOKF NA boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 57.4% in the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 142,535 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $8,898,000 after acquiring an additional 51,971 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems purchased a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the third quarter valued at about $3,391,000. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the second quarter valued at about $6,146,000. Finally, BNC Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 141.0% in the second quarter. BNC Wealth Management LLC now owns 42,510 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,500,000 after acquiring an additional 24,874 shares in the last quarter. 77.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

OXY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $84.00 to $70.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $74.00 price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Thursday, October 12th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.18.

Occidental Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of OXY stock opened at $60.44 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $53.21 billion, a PE ratio of 13.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.61. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a twelve month low of $55.12 and a twelve month high of $67.93.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $7.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.05 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 18.26% and a return on equity of 25.39%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 22.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.44 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 4.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Occidental Petroleum Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.75%.

Insider Activity

In other Occidental Petroleum news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc bought 3,200,799 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $56.55 per share, with a total value of $181,005,183.45. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 238,533,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,489,051,837.95. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Over the last three months, insiders bought 11,447,143 shares of company stock worth $677,246,135. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Occidental Petroleum Company Profile

(Free Report)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 3,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $294,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AGG. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 90,331.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 62,881,813 shares of the companys stock worth $6,098,907,000 after acquiring an additional 62,812,278 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 14.9% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 58,718,589 shares of the companys stock worth $5,751,486,000 after purchasing an additional 7,620,532 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 18.3% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 48,782,934 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,778,288,000 after buying an additional 7,537,670 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 98,060.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 7,043,021 shares of the companys stock valued at $689,864,000 after buying an additional 7,035,846 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. raised its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1,250.7% during the 1st quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 6,163,802 shares of the companys stock worth $614,161,000 after buying an additional 5,707,468 shares during the period. 83.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Down 0.0 %

AGG stock opened at $98.96 on Friday. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $91.58 and a 1-year high of $101.15. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $95.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $95.94.

About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

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.

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BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A draft amendment to China's Criminal Law, which is expected to toughen criminal penalties on bribers and corruption inside private firms, will be submitted for a second reading by national lawmakers at the upcoming top legislature session in late December, a spokesperson said Friday.

The amendment makes it clear that criminal accountability should be stepped up for bribers in some serious bribery cases, said Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The revision raises the penalty levels on bribers that are institutions and those offering bribes to institutions, Zang noted.

The amendment to the Criminal Law underwent its first reading at the top legislature in July.

The revised provisions after the first reading have further refined the circumstances of heavier penalties for bribers, according to Zang.

The Standing Committee of the 14th NPC will hold its seventh session in Beijing from Dec. 25 to 29. 
Optimum Investment Advisors lowered its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) by 79.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,300 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 4,999 shares during the period. Optimum Investment Advisors holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile were worth $78,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the first quarter valued at $346,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 48.9% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,730 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 3,526 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 17.3% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,471 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $982,000 after buying an additional 1,694 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 44.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,814 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $498,000 after buying an additional 1,799 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 8.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 938,593 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $80,344,000 after acquiring an additional 69,385 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 14.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on SQM shares. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and set a $59.00 target price (down from $69.00) on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $75.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Loop Capital dropped their price target on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $83.00 to $71.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 28th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.78.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Trading Up 4.4 %

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock opened at $58.55 on Friday. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 12-month low of $44.86 and a 12-month high of $98.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.65 and a beta of 1.04. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $51.60 and a 200 day moving average of $61.74. The company has a current ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 15th. The basic materials company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.52 by ($0.84). Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 31.87% and a return on equity of 57.40%. The firm had revenue of $1.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.85 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. will post 8.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st were paid a dividend of $0.6094 per share. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.16%. This is a boost from Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chiles previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 2nd. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chiles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.63%.

About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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Owens & Minor, Inc. (NYSE:OMI  Get Free Report) SVP Jonathan A. Leon sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.34, for a total value of $106,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 93,213 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,989,165.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Owens & Minor Price Performance

Shares of Owens & Minor stock opened at $20.20 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $18.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.13. Owens & Minor, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $11.79 and a fifty-two week high of $23.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

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Owens & Minor (NYSE:OMI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.58 billion. Owens & Minor had a positive return on equity of 8.06% and a negative net margin of 1.14%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.41 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Owens & Minor, Inc. will post 1.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of Owens & Minor from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Owens & Minor from $22.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Owens & Minor in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Owens & Minor from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.60.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Owens & Minor

Institutional Trading of Owens & Minor

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in Owens & Minor by 21.6% during the first quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 748,370 shares of the companys stock worth $10,889,000 after acquiring an additional 132,948 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Owens & Minor in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $395,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of Owens & Minor by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 86,141 shares of the companys stock worth $1,640,000 after purchasing an additional 5,423 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in Owens & Minor by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 157,600 shares of the companys stock worth $3,001,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Owens & Minor in the second quarter worth $451,000. 98.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Owens & Minor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Owens & Minor, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a healthcare solutions company worldwide. It operates in two segments, Products & Healthcare Services and Patient Direct. The Products & Healthcare Services segment offers a portfolio of products and services to healthcare providers and manufacturers.

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PFG Advisors lowered its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report) by 3.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 42,410 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,548 shares during the period. PFG Advisors holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF were worth $2,493,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Balentine LLC increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 0.5% during the second quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 5,407,517 shares of the companys stock worth $339,246,000 after purchasing an additional 29,249 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $179,234,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $146,369,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 79.0% during the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,458,513 shares of the companys stock worth $91,011,000 after purchasing an additional 643,711 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 2.9% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,180,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,263,000 after buying an additional 33,713 shares during the period.

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Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of SPLV stock opened at $61.71 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $9.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.69. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $61.12. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a 1 year low of $57.17 and a 1 year high of $65.29.

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.

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PSI Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG  Free Report) by 10.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,850 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 350 shares during the quarter. PSI Advisors LLCs holdings in Dorian LPG were worth $82,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of LPG. American International Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 17,202 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $441,000 after buying an additional 362 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Dorian LPG by 43.8% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,412 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in Dorian LPG by 4.1% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 12,235 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Dorian LPG by 2.1% during the third quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 26,192 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $356,000 after purchasing an additional 537 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its position in Dorian LPG by 63.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,413 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.01% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LPG has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $37.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Pareto Securities upgraded 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 downgraded Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dorian LPG presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $32.58.

Insider Transactions at Dorian LPG

In other news, CFO Theodore B. Young sold 5,000 shares of Dorian LPG stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.13, for a total value of $145,650.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,021,363.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Dorian LPG news, CFO Theodore B. Young sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.13, for a total transaction of $145,650.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,021,363.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Alexander C. Hadjipateras sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.62, for a total value of $249,720.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,853 shares in the company, valued at $2,948,901.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 74,129 shares of company stock valued at $2,901,386. 15.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Dorian LPG Price Performance

Shares of Dorian LPG stock opened at $45.54 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $37.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.48. Dorian LPG Ltd. has a 52 week low of $15.81 and a 52 week high of $45.86. The company has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.19 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 2.61, a current ratio of 2.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The shipping company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.12. Dorian LPG had a return on equity of 28.85% and a net margin of 51.81%. The firm had revenue of $144.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $135.02 million. As a group, analysts expect that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 7.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dorian LPG Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a Variable dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 20th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 19th. Dorian LPGs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.39%.

Dorian LPG Profile

(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.

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PSI Advisors LLC lessened its position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) by 33.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 968 shares of the airlines stock after selling 491 shares during the quarter. PSI Advisors LLCs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $26,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in Southwest Airlines by 2.3% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 20,373 shares of the airlines stock valued at $552,000 after acquiring an additional 466 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the third quarter worth about $603,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the third quarter worth about $1,350,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 5.9% in the third quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 66,767 shares of the airlines stock worth $1,807,000 after purchasing an additional 3,708 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 33.7% in the third quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 80,881 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,189,000 after purchasing an additional 20,397 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.22% of the companys stock.

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Southwest Airlines Price Performance

Shares of LUV opened at $29.60 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $25.45 and a 200 day moving average of $29.91. Southwest Airlines Co. has a twelve month low of $21.91 and a twelve month high of $39.53.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The airline reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.38. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.95% and a return on equity of 5.08%. The business had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.50 EPS. The firms revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 20th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 96.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on LUV shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Southwest Airlines in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $50.00 to $47.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 27th. Melius lowered shares of Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $42.00 to $38.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 28th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $32.06.

View Our Latest Report on LUV

Southwest Airlines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provide scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a total fleet of 770 Boeing 737 aircrafts; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT  Free Report) by 436.6% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 126,271 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 102,739 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $25,622,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 20,337,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,889,789,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048,924 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,133,851 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,769,040,000 after acquiring an additional 77,924 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,832,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,880,570,000 after acquiring an additional 210,171 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 102.1% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,871,515 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,448,201,000 after acquiring an additional 3,976,234 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,867,206 shares of the companys stock valued at $928,467,000 after acquiring an additional 101,230 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.66% of the companys stock.

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Trane Technologies Stock Performance

TT stock opened at $243.40 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $219.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $204.66. Trane Technologies plc has a 1-year low of $162.04 and a 1-year high of $243.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market cap of $55.39 billion, a PE ratio of 28.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.05.

Trane Technologies Announces Dividend

Trane Technologies ( NYSE:TT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported $2.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.66 by $0.13. Trane Technologies had a return on equity of 31.97% and a net margin of 11.30%. The business had revenue of $4.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.27 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Trane Technologies plc will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st will be given a $0.75 dividend. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. Trane Technologiess payout ratio is 35.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TT has been the topic of several recent research reports. HSBC initiated coverage on Trane Technologies in a report on Friday, September 15th. They set a buy rating and a $256.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America raised Trane Technologies from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $187.00 to $210.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Trane Technologies from $231.00 to $234.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Trane Technologies from $204.00 to $231.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Trane Technologies from $246.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Trane Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $215.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TT

Insider Activity at Trane Technologies

In related news, SVP Keith A. Sultana sold 1,637 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.36, for a total value of $355,818.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 42,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,184,981.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Trane Technologies news, SVP Keith A. Sultana sold 1,637 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.36, for a total transaction of $355,818.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 42,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,184,981.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO David S. Regnery sold 17,585 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $3,868,700.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,081 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,477,820. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 32,366 shares of company stock valued at $7,093,065 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Trane Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps.

Further Reading

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Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP  Get Free Report) General Counsel Michael J. Osullivan sold 13,000 shares of Snap stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.88, for a total value of $219,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 474,005 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,001,204.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Snap Stock Up 3.8 %

Shares of NYSE:SNAP opened at $17.23 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 4.83, a current ratio of 4.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Snap Inc. has a twelve month low of $7.86 and a twelve month high of $17.90. The stocks 50 day moving average is $12.42 and its 200-day moving average is $11.08.

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Snap (NYSE:SNAP  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported ($0.21) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.24) by $0.03. Snap had a negative return on equity of 44.24% and a negative net margin of 29.99%. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Snap Inc. will post -0.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Snap

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SNAP. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Snap by 72.6% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 8,456 shares of the companys stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 3,556 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its holdings in Snap by 28.6% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 8,708 shares of the companys stock worth $313,000 after buying an additional 1,936 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in Snap by 9.4% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 23,977 shares of the companys stock worth $863,000 after buying an additional 2,061 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Snap by 0.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 786,417 shares of the companys stock worth $28,305,000 after buying an additional 5,182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC bought a new stake in Snap during the first quarter worth $3,216,000. 44.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on SNAP shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Snap from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. China Renaissance upgraded Snap from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $9.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Roth Mkm reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of Snap in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Rosenblatt Securities lifted their target price on Snap from $9.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Snap from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $8.00 to $22.00 in a report on Monday, December 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Snap presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.81.

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Snap Company Profile

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Snap Inc operates as a technology company in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers Snapchat, a visual messaging application with various tabs, such as camera, visual messaging, snap map, stories, and spotlight that enable people to communicate visually through short videos and images.

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Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $18.76 and last traded at $18.67, with a volume of 428352 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $18.42.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley upgraded Urban Edge Properties from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $14.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI downgraded Urban Edge Properties from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and set a $18.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Urban Edge Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, December 9th.

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Urban Edge Properties Trading Up 1.4 %

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.13. The company has a market capitalization of $2.18 billion, a PE ratio of 51.39 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 1.79.

Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $101.73 million for the quarter. Urban Edge Properties had a return on equity of 4.08% and a net margin of 10.19%. Analysts expect that Urban Edge Properties will post 1.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Urban Edge Properties Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.46%. Urban Edge Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 177.78%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Urban Edge Properties

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. grew its stake in shares of Urban Edge Properties by 6.9% in the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 9,495 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $147,000 after buying an additional 617 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in Urban Edge Properties by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 24,660 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $376,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Urban Edge Properties by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,672 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $178,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Urban Edge Properties by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,855 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in Urban Edge Properties by 63.0% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,484 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 960 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.02% of the companys stock.

Urban Edge Properties Company Profile

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Urban Edge Properties is a NYSE listed real estate investment trust focused on owning, managing, acquiring, developing, and redeveloping retail real estate in urban communities, primarily in the Washington, DC to Boston corridor. Urban Edge owns 76 properties totaling 17.2 million square feet of gross leasable area.

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Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ  Free Report) by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,022 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the period. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLCs holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $683,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 115,289.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,063,365,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $87,706,426,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062,444,438 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 99,609.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 27,821,833 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,324,792,000 after purchasing an additional 27,793,930 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,464,307 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,357,976,000 after purchasing an additional 194,301 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 36.4% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,674,939 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $724,878,000 after purchasing an additional 2,313,548 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC lifted its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 1.1% during the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 5,861,357 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $635,195,000 after buying an additional 65,507 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard Real Estate ETF Trading Up 0.9 %

VNQ stock traded up $0.81 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $88.18. 452,560 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,191,317. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a 52-week low of $70.61 and a 52-week high of $94.53. The company has a market cap of $33.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.40 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks fifty day moving average is $78.91 and its 200-day moving average is $80.84.

Vanguard Real Estate ETF Company Profile

Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

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RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $11.00 to $12.50 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 5.57% from the stocks previous close.

Several other brokerages have also weighed in on RLJ. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 15th. StockNews.com lowered RLJ Lodging Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Barclays decreased their price target on 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. Finally, Oppenheimer raised RLJ Lodging Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $13.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, RLJ Lodging Trust presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.88.

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RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Performance

Insider Transactions at RLJ Lodging Trust

Shares of NYSE RLJ opened at $11.84 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The businesss 50 day moving average is $10.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.14. The company has a market cap of $1.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.71. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 12 month low of $9.06 and a 12 month high of $12.92.

In other news, Director Nathaniel A. Davis sold 39,594 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 43,423 shares in the company, valued at $428,585.01. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On RLJ Lodging Trust

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of RLJ. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 45,964 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 0.7% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,728,978 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $242,097,000 after buying an additional 183,408 shares during the period. Walleye Trading LLC acquired a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the third quarter worth about $102,000. Walleye Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust during the third quarter worth about $222,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 24.3% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 79,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $779,000 after buying an additional 15,542 shares during the period. 93.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

RLJ Lodging Trust Company Profile

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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.

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SYDNEY, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters were battling two major bushfires near Perth in Western Australia on Friday as residents in the areas were told to leave their homes, local media reported.

Authorities said they were close to bringing an emergency level bushfire in Keysbrook, in Perth's south, under control, but still held concerns for another fire burning in Gidgegannup, about 40 km northeast of the city, according to the Australian ABC News broadcaster.

The fire in Keysbrook, which broke out Friday morning and rapidly escalated to emergency level, saw a significant firefighting effort sustained from the air and ground, the ABC News said.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the leading hazard management agency in the state of Western Australia, said the blaze was still out of control, but crews were close to "getting on top of it."

Meanwhile, the fire in Gidgegannup remained at emergency level. It's the seventh and latest critical bushfire to have broken out in Western Australia in two days as hot and windy conditions continue, the ABC News reported.

The fires followed bushfires in Manjimup, Eaton, Toodyay, Lancelin and Parkerville, according to local newspaper The West Australian.

Western Australia's premier Roger Cook confirmed that three homes were destroyed in the Parkerville blaze, which started after a "hollow" tree fell on a powerline on Thursday, the newspaper said. 
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $14.00 to $16.00 in a report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target points to a potential upside of 1.01% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. TheStreet downgraded Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a c rating to a d rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Wedbush assumed coverage on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial restated a hold rating and issued a $16.00 target price on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $14.64.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Stock Performance

Insider Activity

Shares of NYSE:PEB opened at $15.84 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $13.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.91 billion, a PE ratio of -16.85, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.83. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has a 1 year low of $11.39 and a 1 year high of $17.38.

In other news, CEO Jon E. Bortz sold 8,000 shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.32, for a total value of $98,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,165,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,354,056.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, CEO Jon E. Bortz bought 16,000 shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $16.36 per share, with a total value of $261,760.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 22,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $359,920. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.32, for a total value of $98,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,165,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,354,056.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 40.1% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,649 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 758 shares in the last quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $61,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 46.1% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 6,803 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $95,000 after buying an additional 2,147 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 76.3% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 7,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $105,000 after buying an additional 3,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $142,000.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Company Profile

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels and resorts in the United States. The Company owns 47 hotels and resorts, totaling approximately 12,200 guest rooms across 13 urban and resort markets.

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WFA Asset Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 314 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $52,000.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in LNG. Bornite Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the first quarter worth about $13,865,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the first quarter worth about $2,102,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 7.3% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 5,069 shares of the energy companys stock worth $703,000 after buying an additional 345 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 95.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,244 shares of the energy companys stock worth $589,000 after buying an additional 2,068 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 22.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 4,287 shares of the energy companys stock worth $594,000 after buying an additional 797 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Shares of Cheniere Energy stock opened at $171.72 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $159.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market cap of $40.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 0.96. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.00 and a 1 year high of $183.46.

Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend

Cheniere Energy ( NYSEAMERICAN:LNG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The energy company reported $2.37 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.55 by ($0.18). The business had revenue of $4.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 50.46% and a return on equity of 154.07%. As a group, research analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 17.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were issued a $0.435 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 8th. This is an increase from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.74 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is 3.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Capital One Financial assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $205.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $172.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $196.67.

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Cheniere Energy Company Profile

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Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR  Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The industrial products company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.34, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $666.15 million. Worthington Industries had a net margin of 6.43% and a return on equity of 17.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.44 EPS.

Worthington Industries Trading Up 1.6 %

WOR opened at $58.08 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Worthington Industries has a fifty-two week low of $29.69 and a fifty-two week high of $59.73. The companys 50 day moving average price is $60.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $65.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 1.37.

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Worthington Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. Worthington Industriess dividend payout ratio is 21.44%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Worthington Industries

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new position in Worthington Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Lindenwold Advisors INC acquired a new position in Worthington Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in Worthington Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Gotham Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Worthington Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Worthington Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $215,000. 45.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on WOR. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Worthington Industries in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set a buy rating for the company. TheStreet upgraded shares of Worthington Industries from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th.

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Worthington Industries Company Profile

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Worthington Industries, Inc, an industrial manufacturing company, focuses on value-added steel processing, laser welded solutions, electrical steel laminations and manufactured consumer, building and sustainable mobility products in North America and internationally. It operates through Steel Processing, Consumer Products, Building Products, and Sustainable Energy Solutions segments.

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Summit Global Investments cut its holdings in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 68.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 25,998 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 57,329 shares during the quarter. Summit Global Investments holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $3,248,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of YUM. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 4,890 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $580,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 761,575 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $90,284,000 after purchasing an additional 3,024 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter worth about $664,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 7.4% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 7,530 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $893,000 after buying an additional 517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 10.8% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 2,862 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. 80.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Mark James King sold 9,600 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.60, for a total transaction of $1,215,360.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 8,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,039,386. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Yum! Brands news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,727 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.97, for a total value of $476,944.19. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 57,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,335,880.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Mark James King sold 9,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.60, for a total value of $1,215,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 8,210 shares in the company, valued at $1,039,386. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,626 shares of company stock valued at $2,598,157 in the last 90 days. 0.31% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on YUM shares. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Yum! Brands from $140.00 to $126.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Redburn Atlantic restated a neutral rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Yum! Brands in a report on Friday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $173.00 to $163.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $144.19.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on YUM

Yum! Brands Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE YUM opened at $129.98 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.43 billion, a PE ratio of 24.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.01. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $115.53 and a 1 year high of $143.24. The firms 50-day moving average is $124.79 and its 200-day moving average is $129.22.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The restaurant operator reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.18. Yum! Brands had a net margin of 21.32% and a negative return on equity of 17.45%. The company had revenue of $1.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.77 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.09 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 28th were paid a dividend of $0.605 per share. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 27th. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is 46.01%.

Yum! Brands Company Profile

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through four segments: the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division. It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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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. &&
by Xinhua writer Tian Ye

CAIRO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Had it not been for the Israel-Hamas conflict, the year 2023 could have been characterized by a rising tide of peaceful reconciliation among regional powers in the Middle East.

The sudden outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October has shattered hopes for a peaceful end to 2023 in the Middle East, which witnessed the historical normalization of ties between two arch-rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia, under the mediation of China.

The Saudi-Iran rapprochement, as well as renewed Arab unity, gave a stronger push to a peace momentum, which already started years ago, to end the conflicts in this traditionally volatile region.

CONFLICT SETS BACK REGIONAL DE-ESCALATION

Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which triggered the deadly conflict that raged on till the year's end, occurred at a time when a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia was reportedly approaching.

There had been multiple interconnected normalization tracks in place before the Gaza conflict. Rapprochement also took place between Gulf states and Israel, Turkiye and Iran, respectively, and Turkiye continued to improve newly restored ties with Israel, as part of the process of de-escalation that appeared to feed into a wider regional trend, said Batu Coskun, a research fellow at Libya's Sadeq Institute.

"The trend of de-escalation that had been in place for the last 24 months now faces a major setback in the region," he said, referring to the Hamas-Israel conflict, which is the deadliest in decades as it has so far killed more than 20,000 Palestinians and about 1,300 people in Israel.

"As is often the case in the Middle East, such surges of violence often undo major diplomatic work and erode years of careful reconciliation," he said.

After the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, Saudi Arabia decided to halt the normalization process with Israel in protest. Egypt and Jordan, which border Israel on opposite sides and have signed peace treaties with Israel, were angered by Israel's attacks on Gaza and the massive displacement of Palestinians. Other Arab nations that normalized ties with Israel not long ago, such as Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, have all denounced Israel's assaults in the Gaza Strip.

"For years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu operated under illusions that have now been shattered," Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in an article published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on Nov. 7.

"The biggest was the expectation that Israel could normalize ties with the Arab world without addressing the Palestinian question, which he apparently believed could simply be wished away," wrote Mark Leonard. "Now, that question has become impossible to ignore."

RAPPROCHEMENT STILL UNDERWAY

The China-brokered Saudi-Iran agreement to restore ties in March was a landmark event in the geopolitics of the Middle East, which has benefited not only the two states but also regional countries, such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, said Hassan Beheshtipour, an Iranian international affairs analyst.

Iraq regards the Saudi-Iran deal as consistent with its own security and stability. Following the Saudi-Iran deal, Syria was re-admitted into the Arab League in May, in a show of renewed Arab unity. Lebanon also welcomed the rehabilitation of Saudi-Iran ties, Beheshtipour said.

As a result of the Saudi-Iran rapprochement, rounds of peace negotiations were held between the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. In April, hundreds of prisoners were released in a swap deal between the warring parties in Yemen as momentum began to build to end the nine-year conflict.

Syria's return to the Arab League after 11 years was sealed by the attendance of President Bashar al-Assad at a summit held in Saudi Arabia in May.

Before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, both Israeli and Saudi leaders hinted that a U.S.-brokered deal was near for normalizing their ties. The bloody conflict has set back Israel's progress to mend ties with Arab states, which started with the signing of the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020.

Hadeer Said, a professor of international relations at the Cairo-based Institute of Arab Research and Studies, attributed the regional rapprochement to the U.S. policy of retreat from the Middle East, as many Arab countries have lost their trust in Washington's security guarantees.

The rising momentum of rapprochement in the region has set back the U.S. plan for arming the Arab version of NATO to contain Iran, deemed by both Israel and the U.S. as the leading threat to Israel's existence, Said said.

"The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict confused and complicated the regional situation. This perplexity has been exploited by some powers like the U.S. for enlarging its regional influence and its control on the regional countries after years of retreated political role in the Middle East," he said.

However, analysts believe that, although the momentum of regional reconciliation in the Middle East has been temporarily halted by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, it will continue once the conflict is resolved.

It's largely because major countries in the region have determined to take their fates into their own hands, rather than only relying on Washington, and the factors leading to the Abraham Accords still exist despite the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In the long run, the common desire to seek economic development and transformation, as well as the need to cope with the so-called Iran threat, will help restart the normalization process between Israel and major Arab states, though the Palestine issue will gain more consideration in future talks.

SECURITY CHALLENGES REMAIN

Analysts caution that the restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran does not imply that the profound and fundamental differences between the Shiites in Tehran and the Sunnis in Riyadh have been forgotten.

The two countries will remain competitors with different visions for the region, analysts said, though the restoration of Saudi-Iran ties is a positive development that has reduced the risk of direct military confrontations and facilitated their economic development.

Meanwhile, Turkiye's cross-border attacks continued in Syria and Iraq. In an interview with Sky News Arabia in August, Syrian President Bashar Assad called for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria and slammed Turkiye, which is a main backer of armed opposition fighters, for the violence in his war-torn country.

In Sudan, deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15 still showed no sign of abating. More than 12,000 people have been killed so far in the clashes, while 6.9 million others have been displaced inside and outside Sudan, according to the UN.

Parts of war-ravaged Sudan are at a high risk of slipping into catastrophic famine by next year, the United Nations World Food Program has warned.

Furthermore, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen day by day with the rising number of civilians killed by Israel's airstrikes and ground offensive and a severe shortage of food, water and medicine due to the Israeli siege.

The longer the Israel-Hamas conflict lingers, the bigger the risk of the conflict's spreading in the whole region, where the geopolitical situation would worsen with a rising Palestinian death toll. 
HONG KONG, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday that it will seize the new opportunities brought about by the two plans unveiled by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) that aim to boost cooperation and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

China's NDRC, the country's top economic planner, on Thursday unveiled a development plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (Qianhai overall development plan) and another for the Guangdong-Macao indepth cooperation zone in Hengqin (Hengqin overall development plan).

The Qianhai overall development plan provides a comprehensive view of the strategic positioning, development objectives, spatial layout, industry planning, business environment, urban planning, quality living environment, and governance model of the Qianhai cooperation zone, among other things. Its objective is to promote the demonstrative and leading roles Qianhai plays in the development of the GBA, further deepening the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, said that the Qianhai overall development plan sets a clear direction for Qianhai's development and opening up. The HKSAR government is grateful for the central government for the various policy initiatives outlined in the plan, which are not just of benefit to Hong Kong but will also contribute to the development of the GBA and the country. These initiatives will remarkably expand the scope of development for Hong Kong talents and enterprises.

"As two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macao have all along been upholding the principle of 'one country' while leveraging the benefits of 'two systems'. Under the principle of complementarity, both cities embrace the role as the core cities of the GBA and core engines for regional development," Lee said.

Hong Kong will grasp the unlimited opportunities brought about by coordinated regional development, so as to make contribution to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the entire GBA, Lee added. 
Glynn Simmons, 71, was declared innocent on Tuesday of a murder he did not commit, after more than 48 years in prison. He now holds the record for the longest prison sentence for a person exonerated of a crime, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

Glynn Simmons (center) with members of his legal team

Simmons was convicted in 1975 for the murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers, a store clerk in Edmond, Oklahoma, who was shot and killed during a store robbery. He and co-defendant Don Roberts were sentenced to the death penalty but saw their sentences reduced to life in prison after a 1977 Supreme Court ruling decided that criminal punishments must be proportionate to the crime and therefore the death penalty was a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Roberts was released on parole in 2008.

Oklahoma County District Court Judge Amy Palumbo ruled in favor of Simmons in a declaration of actual innocence, expanding on a previous dismissal of his murder conviction in July. Palumbo said she reviewed decades of evidence, including court transcripts, reports, and witness testimony. Her review found clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted, sentenced and imprisoned in the case at hand, including any lesser included offenses, was not committed by Mr. Simmons.

Palumbo had originally ordered a retrial after Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna determined that state prosecutors at the time of Simmons conviction did not share evidence with his defense. Behenna said that prosecutors failed to share a police lineup report in which a witness, who had survived being shot in the head, did not identify either man.

Prosecutors used conflicting testimony from the same woman to convict Simmons and Roberts based on a police lineup in which the two were only connected to the crime by their attendance at a party also attended by Leonard and Delbert Patterson, who were convicted of a different murder. This association and the exclusion of the womans contradicting testimony were used to convict both men.

This new evidence pointed toward a retrial, but Behenna decided against it, saying that no physical evidence remained from the case for a retrial to occur. Therefore, Simmons was released from prison in July.

The revelation that prosecutors had withheld critical evidence was a massive breakthrough in Simmons continued efforts to prove his innocence, which he has maintained since his conviction. Not only would the withheld lineup report have changed the outcome of Simmons trial, but it would also have prevented the State from being able to try Simmons at all, said Simmons attorneys, Joe Norwood and John Coyle. They also identified testimony from witnesses who said they had seen Simmons in Louisiana at the time of the murder.

Behenna agreed to Simmons request to dismiss his conviction, but disagreed with issuing a declaration of actual innocence.

The state had a failure of proofthats the only reason for the requested dismissal, she wrote in a court filing from Oct. 18. This simply is not an actual innocence case where DNA was used to exonerate a person; or a conviction was obtained using forensic evidence that was later debunked; or where an eyewitness recanted their identification; or where the actual perpetrator of the crime confessed to the commission of the crime and the details of that confession were later corroborated by independent evidence.

The declaration of actual innocence will be critical for Simmons, who will be eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation from the State of Oklahoma for his wrongful conviction. Without that declaration, as Behenna argued against, he would not have been entitled to any money. However, it could take years for Simmons to receive compensation from the state.

Simmons is another in a long line of people wrongfully convicted and one of thousands who have been exonerated in the past few decades.

In Oklahoma, the average time spent in prison before exoneration is about 10 years, with 43 exonerations since 1989 according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Nationally there have been 3,442 exonerations in that time period with an average of 9.1 years lost in prison per person. Murder and drug charges are the most common among exonerations.

Simmons exoneration comes amid an increase in the number of executions around the country. Between 2016 and 2020 Oklahoma did not execute a single person. But in the past three years the state has executed 11 people, nine of whom were executed in 2022 and 2023. Oklahoma has the second highest number of executions since 1976 with 119, behind Texas with 578 and just above Virginia with 113.

Oklahoma County, where Simmons was convicted, is also tied for the second highest number of death row convictions that have been overturned. Including Simmons, Oklahoma County has seen 11 death row convictions exonerated.

Now 71, Simmons has lost nearly 50 years of his life. He was wrongfully convicted at just 22 years of age and has spent his entire life since then in prison.

He had 50 years stolen from him, said Norwood. The prime of his work life when he could have been getting experiences, developing skills. That was taken from him, by no fault of his own, by other people.

After being released from prison Simmons was diagnosed with cancer and is reportedly surviving on donations.



Glynn is having to live off of GoFundMe, thats literally how the man is surviving right now, paying rent, buying food, said Norwood. Getting him compensation, and getting compensation is not for sure, is in the future and he has to sustain himself now.
We publish here Helen Halyards final article for the World Socialist Web Site. Helen, who died suddenly on November 28, 2023, at the age of 73, had been at work on a review of Adolph Reed Jr.s The South: Jim Crow and Its Afterlives. The subject held both political and personal significance for Helen. Politically, because over the course of her long career as a Trotskyist, Helen intransigently opposed all efforts to divide the working class by race, the essence of Jim Crow segregation as well as black nationalism and present-day identity politics. Personally, because Helen, raised in New York City, was the daughter of black migrants who frequently visited family in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama in the last years of Jim Crow.

The South: Jim Crow and Its Afterlives, by Adolph Reed, Jr. Verso, 2022

Adolph Reed, Jr.s book, The South: Jim Crow and its Afterlives, paints a picture of what life was like in the southern states of America under Jim Crow segregation, described by the author as the regime of codified, rigorously, and unambiguously enforced racism and white supremacy.

Under Jim Crow, everything was done to humiliate and degrade the African American population. If blacks looked at whites in a certain way, it could mean death. Interracial marriage was illegal until such laws were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Loving v. Virginia (1967). Even casual interactions between whites and blacks were not allowed. Beginning in the 1890s, a raft of laws stripped the right to vote from the majority of blacks, and all public space was segregated by law or customschools and colleges; buses, trains, streetcars; water fountains and bathrooms; diners and movie theaters.

It was these conditions, along with the growth of industry, that generated the massive movement of the black population from the South to the North beginning in the 1920s and lasting through the 1960s. By 1960, only 15 percent of blacks remained on farms, while most had moved to the major urban centers taking jobs as wage laborers, creating the conditions for the destruction of Jim Crow.

The South presents this story in part from the standpoint of Reeds own personal recollections. Reed was born in the Bronx in 1947 and lived for a time in Brooklyn but grew up in Arkansas and Louisiana. His parents, who were educators, would lecture him before a trip to the South on the protocols of Jim Crow that were second nature to those living there. Violating these protocols could mean a death sentence, as it did for 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955. In the memoir Death of Innocence, Emmetts mother Mamie Till explains her hesitation in allowing Emmett to visit Mississippi for a summer after spending his childhood growing up in Illinois.

Commenting on the murder of Till, Reed states, Black people were always expected to know the local rules and etiquette; mistakes, including those made in complete ignorance, could be deadly and age was no excuse.

Adolph Reed, Jr. in the classroom

Reed spent time with his mothers family, who lived in a section of New Orleans, a port city located on the Mississippi River with a very large and diverse working class population that has long faced terrible poverty and discrimination. Conditions in the city for many white workers were no better than for blacks. In the 1830s, close to 10,000 Irish workers died from malaria as they were building the New Basin Canal, their lives viewed to be more expendable than those of Louisianas slaves. The Jewish and Italian populations were also discriminated against. In 1891, for example, 11 Sicilians were lynched by racist mobs for allegedly killing a policeman.

Such observations, made in Reeds short memoir, point to the complex nature of Jim Crow, which cannot be understood merely through the prism of black-white relations.

Many of the stories regarding his family, who were part of an educated layer, are quite humorous and give a sense of how black families sought to cope and not become dominated by the Jim Crow laws. While riding the Algiers ferry with his grandmother across the river, Reed noticed that chicken wire separated white and black passengers and asked why that was the case. Whispering in a very low voice, his grandmother remarked that a lot of crazy people ride this ferry, and they have to sit on the other side.

A "Colored Waiting Room" sign hangs in a Durham, North Carolina train station in 1940

Reed recounts another incident in which white store owners caught him shoplifting and, instead of informing the police in accord with Jim Crow laws, they gave him a lecture explaining that he wouldnt be so lucky if caught stealing again. Reed, meanwhile, trembled with fear at the prospect of possibly being sent to Angola State Penitentiary, a former slave plantation and the largest state prison in the US.

Yet the book is more than a personal recounting of an individual upbringing. Reeds The South is unique among memoirs of the Jim Crow era in that it is intertwined with historical and social analysis.

Reed departs from his autobiography frequently, as for example when he stops to explain what differentiated the period of slaveryabolished at the end of the Civil War in 1865, followed by the 14th Amendment granting citizenship rights (1868) and the 15th Amendment granting African American men the right to vote (1869)and that of the Jim Crow era. This period lasted for three quarters of a century after being legally legitimized in the 1896 US Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, which declared the constitutionality of separate but equal racial segregation.

In the books introduction, Reed explains that behind the implementation of the rigid system of Jim Crow laws during the 1890s and early 1900s stood economic, social and class interests. He points to the work of legal historian Charles A. Lofgren, who wrote in The Plessy Case: A Legal-Historical Interpretation, Jim Crow was the reassertion of planter and merchant class power following the defeat of reconstruction and the populist movement which brought black and white workers together in a struggle after the civil war. Thus, the policy of legally institutionalized racism, imposed by the Democratic Party, was a conscious response by the ruling class, which was frightened by the revolutionary potential of a unified movement of the oppressed massessharecroppers and workers, white and black.

Though Reed does not deal with this element of the history, Jim Crow was also bound up with the emergence of imperialism at the end of the 19th century as explained in C. Vann Woodwards The Strange Career of Jim Crow. At the very time that imperialism was sweeping the country, the doctrine of racism reached a crest of acceptability and popularity among respectable scholarly and intellectual circles, Woodward writes. At home and abroad biologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and historians, as well as journalists and novelists, gave support to the doctrine that races were discrete entities, and that Anglo-Saxon or Caucasian was the superior of them all.

Original dust jacket for historian C. Vann Woodward's "The Strange Career of Jim Crow," a book which Martin Luther King Jr. called "the bible" of the Civil Rights movement

When Jim Crow was challenged by the growth of the mass civil rights movement beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, the Democratic Party in the South employed state violence, and utilized the Ku Klux Klan to carry out intimidation and murder against the black population.

In 1964, three civil rights activists, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered in Mississippi for trying to register black voters. In 1965, Viola Liuzzo was murdered following the 1965 Selma march. These were among hundreds of martyrs who were murdered by Klansmen, often with the collaboration of FBI informants and in collusion with the state as a last desperate attempt to maintain the old order.

Reed describes his fear traveling in the South in 1965 following these events and after the passage of the Civil Rights Act banning racial segregation in public facilities. Even though the signs designating colored and white had been removed at airports, he waited outside in the cold for a connecting flight rather than take a gamble going through the wrong door.

It is important to note that the legal dismantling of Jim Crow segregation was a victory for the whole American working class. While the last chapter of Reeds book points to many of the objective conditions that led to the system being undermined, particularly the great migration and emergence of the mass industrial unions, absent from the analysis is one of the most important historical developments in the 20th century: the victory the Russian Revolution in 1917, and its impact in the United States and globally.

As pointed out in the article Martin Luther King and the fight for social equality by Tom Mackaman and Niles Niemuth, the Russian Revolution revealed the power of the working class to change society and eliminate all forms of discrimination and oppression. One of the most prominent of these figures, Claude McKay, stated, For American Negroes the indisputable and outstanding fact of the Russian Revolution is that a mere handful of Jews, much less in ratio to the number of Negroes in the American population, have attained, through the Revolution, all the political and social rights denied them under the regime of the Czar.

It was the Communist Partyin the early 1920s under the leadership of Lenin and Trotskythat championed the struggle against racism and Jim Crow. The CPs degeneration under Stalinism sowed confusion, but the attraction among black workers to the Russian Revolution remained. For example, the mobilization of the working class to defend the Scottsboro Boys, falsely accused of raping white girls in Alabama in 1931, helped lay the groundwork for the broader civil rights movement, in spite of the growing disorientation promoted from Moscow.

The Scottsboro Boys, with attorney Samuel Leibowitz, under guard by Alabama state militia, 1932

Reeds observations in the final chapter of this work, Echoes, Scar Tissue and Historicity, following the legal dismantling of Jim Crow, lay bare the essential class issues that formed the basis of legal apartheid in the South, as well as what has and has not changed following its demise. Traveling back to New Orleans in 1993, Reed observed that while many African Americans held elected offices, more notable was the large number still stuck in conditions of grinding poverty. Jim Crow was defeated, but, as he notes, that victory left the undergirding class system untouched and in practical terms affirmed it.

Reed has sharply criticized the work of Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning, which sees society in purely racial terms. Instead, Reed views Jim Crow and the developments that took place following the Civil War and Reconstruction as a specific historical stage of American capitalism that can only be understood by examining the nature of class society and how this expresses itself in decisions made by the ruling class. Yet in The South the industrial working class as the central actor in the fight to end Jim Crow remains very much in the background, and international considerationsthe Russian Revolution, the Cold War, decolonization, etc., are barely considered.

Within his framework Reed is able to make important points, as, for example, when he reviews the controversy over the removal of Confederate statues in New Orleans proposed by Democratic Mayor Mitch Landrieu shortly after the 2015 shooting massacre at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, by white supremacist Dylann Roof. Landrieus decision to remove the statues was not driven by a concern for democratic issues but was a tactical maneuver carried out as an attempt to refurbish the image of the Democratic Party.

Speaking on the significance of this development, Reed explains that the deeper historical meaning of the monuments is not that they celebrate the Confederacy but that they were erected between 1884 and 1915, and that this timing coincided with the construction and propagation of the Lost Cause ideology following the defeat of Reconstruction and the Populist movement. The Lost Cause theory presented the American Civil War from the perspective of the former slave owners and romanticized the Old South, claiming that the Confederacy waged a just war against the Union army to defend these traditions.

Cotton sharecropper family. Macon County, Georgia, photographed by Dorothea Lange in July 1937. The fundamental purpose of Jim Crow segregation was to divide the South's poor by race

Behind the drive to separate blacks and whites in the South was the need to cover up class divisions and suppress living standards for both black and white workers. In 1892, the same year Homer A. Plessy challenged the states new Separate Car Act, black and white workers in New Orleans conducted a largely successful general strike in the face of the oppositions attempt to incite racial division among the strikers.

Reed also points out that while Democratic Mayor Landrieu and the New Orleans City Council rid the city of Confederate monuments, his administration continued to carry out social policies that have contributed to the city being one of the most economically polarized in the United States. The devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was used by successive multi-racial city administrations to privatize the public education system, gentrify the city, and carry out a wholesale assault on major social programs. As conditions for black and white workers have worsened, a tiny and more privileged layer of African Americans has used racial and identity politics to increase their own personal wealth at the expense of the working class.

Reed, professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, is the author of numerous books and articles dealing with race and class in American society and has a decades-long history in critiquing racial identity politics from a left-wing perspective. As a critic of the race reductionism expressed in the New York Times 1619 Project Reed emphasizes the salience of class and economic relations as the basis and promotion of racism, something that he spoke to the WSWS about in an interview in 2019.

At the same time, Reed remains in the orbit of the Democratic Socialists of America and the trade union bureaucracy. He was a founding member of the Labor Party initiative headed by union leader Tony Mazzocchi, and he supported Bernie Sanders for president in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

The criticism made by Reed of the Democratic Party establishment in New Orleans and the emphasis placed on the primacy of class is correct, but this remains circumscribed by his own politics. Reed looks to what are supposedly more progressive sections of this same Democratic Party and the trade unions to build a broad-based movement that he claims will defend democratic rights and oppose war.

Reeds political positions emerged clearly on the eve of the 2020 presidential elections in a debate with David North, chairman of the Socialist Equality Party, appropriately titled What is left of American Democracy? In the discussion, Reed called on workers to hold their nose and vote for a Biden-Harris ticket as the way to defeat Trump and the threat of dictatorship in the US. This stands in sharp opposition to a program calling on workers to break decisively with bourgeois politics and organize independently of the Democratic Party, the party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus.

Yet, in spite of these limitations to his outlook, Reeds central aim in The South is laudatory: to bring to younger audiences an understanding of what Jim Crow was, at a time in which the viewpoint is expressed more and more commonly as the era recedes [that] the civil rights movements victories were trivial.
Five years after sweeping anti-democratic foreign interference legislation was pushed though Australias parliament with bipartisan Liberal-National Coalition and Labor backing, a court recorded the first conviction this week.

Melbourne businessman and local Vietnamese-Chinese community figure Di Sanh Duong was declared guilty of a vague charge of preparing for or planning an act of foreign interference, supposedly on behalf of China.

News of the verdict was duly reported by media outlets in the United States and globally, as well as Australia, purportedly as proof of Chinese efforts to influence and subvert the Australian political system.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) issued a statement hailing the outcome. The AFP acknowledges the first foreign interference guilty verdict since new Commonwealth laws were introduced in 2018, it boasted.

That is, after years of witch hunting by the media, police, intelligence agencies and successive governments about supposedly widespread and insidious operations by China, there is just one guilty verdict so far, and a dubious one at that.

Duongs conviction demonstrates three things.

The first is the far-reaching character of the legislation. It has the capacity to be targeted against anyone accused of any links, no matter how indirect, with China.

The second is the potential of the laws to be used against anybody seeking to counter, let alone oppose, the mounting US-led war provocations against China.

The third is the apparent lack of evidence of any real plotting by Beijing to somehow take control of Australia, as alleged by the foreign interference propaganda.

A jury declared Duong, 68, guilty after a weeks deliberation. He had pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to remain out of jail on bail after his conviction but faces a potential 10-year prison term when he returns to court in February to be sentenced.

Prosecutors argued that Duong planned to secretly gain political influence in 2020 by cultivating a relationship with a then-Coalition government minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

Then federal minister Alan Tudge (left) with Di Sanh Duong in June 2020 [Photo: @AlanTudge_]

Duong allegedly did so by arranging for Tudge to receive a $37,450 novelty cheque donation raised by community organisations for the Royal Melbourne Hospital in June 2020 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This alleged covert interference took place in the full glare of publicity. Doung stood next to Tudge at a media conference as the government minister handed the cheque to the hospitals CEO.

Prosecutor Patrick Doyle nevertheless told the jury the Chinese Communist Party would have seen Duong as an ideal target to work as its agent. A main goal of this system is to win over friends for the Chinese Communist Party, it involves generating sympathy for the party and its policies, Doyle stated.

Doyle told the jury Duongs actions could not be likened to the espionage they read about in spy novels or saw in James Bond films. Instead, it was a subtle form of interference, he said. Its about influence.

The prosecutors alleged that Duong was in regular contact with Chinese intelligence operatives. Much of the trial was held behind closed doors, however, with the public and media shut out of evidence given by witnesses with protected identities.

Secret recordings by a task force led by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the domestic political spy agency, were said to have captured Duong telling an associate: When I do things it never gets reported in the newspaper but Beijing will know what Im doing.

That hardly seems evidence of a plot.

Doyle also said Duong told an associate he was building a relationship with Tudge, who will be the prime minister in the future and would become a supporter/patron for us. Even if true, that would be in line with Doungs efforts to advance his own prospects, having previously stood as a Liberal Party election candidate.

In reality, Tudge was an unlikely candidate for prime ministership. During his time as human services minister, he oversaw the brutal, unlawful and discredited Robodebt scheme that wrongly levied massive debt recovery bills against social security recipients.

Tudge also took leave from the government ministry in 2021 following allegations of bullying from a former staffer with whom he had an extramarital affair. After the Coalitions defeat at the May 2022 federal election, Tudge was appointed to the oppositions shadow cabinet, but resigned from parliament in February this year.

Duongs lawyer Peter Chadwick said the businessmans donation was a genuine attempt to help frontline health workers during the pandemic, when supplies of crucial medical equipment were low, and combat anti-China sentiment.

As the WSWS explained in November 2020, when Doung was first charged, all the circumstances pointed to a high-level decision by the US-linked security agencies to step up the official and media accusations against China.

By implicating Doung and Tudge, a prominent figure within the then government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the arrest also sent a threatening message to anyone, even within the political elite, who does not line up sufficiently with Washington.

Duongs prosecution was regarded by the corporate media, in both Australia and the US, as a test case. Washington saw the anti-influence legislation as a model for its drive to economically and militarily prevent China from challenging the post-World War II hegemony of the US, across the Asia-Pacific and globally.

The Melbourne Age reported: The arrest will have international reverberations, after other countries have eagerly awaited to see how Australian authorities would prosecute the nations foreign interference laws passed in 2018.

Doungs conviction shows how far the foreign interference laws can extend into early stage conduct. Offences such as preparing, attempting and conspiring can be used to incriminate people for supposedly intending to do something, not for any actual activities.

As the WSWS also has documented, the foreign interference laws do not just target China and its alleged local sympathisers. They can be used to outlaw political opposition, anti-war dissent and social protests by alleging that these are connected to foreign or international campaigns.

For the first time, criminal offences, which carry up to 20 years imprisonment, apply to undertaking political activity in partnership with any overseas organisation. Such activities could extend to anyone opposing Australian involvement in a US-led military conflict with China.

In June 2020, AFP-ASIO raids were conducted against the home and parliamentary office of New South Wales state Labor Party parliamentarian Shaoquett Moselmane, accompanied by lurid media headlines accusing him of being a Chinese Communist Party agent.

Labors state and federal leadership immediately supported the raids and forced Moselmane to take indefinite leave from parliament. Yet no charges were laid. The only publicly-released evidence against Moselmane was that he had visited China and had made statements praising the Chinese response to the coronavirus and criticising US provocations targeting Beijing.

The Albanese Labor governments backing for the ongoing witch hunt was highlighted this week. After an extended delay, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus approved charges of reckless foreign interference against an Australian businessman, Alexander Csergo, who worked in China.

Csergo, who appeared via video link in a Sydney court on Wednesday, has been in custody since the AFP arrested him in April at his mothers home in Sydney. A committal hearing date was set for January 24. By that time, Csergo would have been behind bars for nine months.

Csergo has been denied bail despite his lawyers arguing that the reports he allegedly planned to prepare for two Chinese associates were based on public open source information and the case against him was shallow.

The charge of reckless foreign interference does not allege a deliberate attempt to act on behalf of a foreign power. It requires only that an individual was aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that their conduct could go in that direction.

The available information about Csergo suggests that he is an improbable target for a foreign intelligence service. He ran a digital advisory and consultancy business that provided services to global corporations, such as Shanghai Volkswagen, JCDecaux and large US data providers. There is no indication he had access to classified material.

Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses government has authorised what appears to be a second flimsy prosecution aimed at furthering a hysterical anti-China campaign to justify US and Australian preparations for war. That is in line with its escalating commitment to US-backed militarism, including in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as against China.
The Meta logo, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France, June 14, 2023. [AP Photo/Thibault Camus]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Thursday alleging that the social media company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has engaged in systematic censorship of pro-Palestinian content on its platforms before and during the US-backed Israeli campaign of genocide in Gaza.

The fifty-one page document entitled Metas Broken Promises reveals that two of the most active social media sites in the worldFacebook has over 3 billion users and Instagram has 2 billion usershave engaged in long-standing censorship of posts and accounts expressing support for Palestinians, and this censorship has been intensified since October 7.

In a press release published Wednesday, HRW says its report documents a pattern of undue removal and suppression of protected speech including peaceful expression in support of Palestine and public debate about Palestinian human rights. This evaluation is based on HRWs review of 1,050 cases of online censorship from over 60 countries.

Human Rights Watch is a non-governmental organization founded in 1978 that conducts research and advocacy on human rights internationally. The New York City-based organization publishes reports on violations of the rights and freedoms of all human beings as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Among the patterns of social media censorship identified by HRW is content removal, suspension or deletion of accounts, inability to engage with content, inability to follow or tag accounts and shadow banning or decreasing the visibility of a specific users posts or stories. Meanwhile, many of the censored users were not permitted to appeal the decisions to remove their posts or accounts because the appeal mechanism malfunctioned.

The HRW press statement points out that Meta was informed in 2021 of its censorship of the discussion of human rights issues pertaining to Israel and Palestine, and the platforms were silencing many people arbitrarily and without explanation. In a response, Meta claimed that its content moderation practices appear to adversely impact the rights of Palestinian users. In 2022, Metas Oversight Board claimed it would address the issue. However, the new report demonstrates that the censorship of pro-Palestinian views has been intensified.

Deborah Brown, acting associate technology and human rights director at HRW commented on the findings of the report, saying, Metas censorship of content in support of Palestine adds insult to injury at a time of unspeakable atrocities and repression already stifling Palestinians expression. Social media is an essential platform for people to bear witness and speak out against abuses while Metas censorship is furthering the erasure of Palestinians suffering.

The summary of the HRW report characterizes the censorship of content related to Palestine on Instagram and Facebook as systemic and global. As to the underlying, systemic factors that contributed to the censorship, the report identified four sources including flaws in Meta policies that identified support for Palestinians as Dangerous Organizations and Individuals (DOI); inconsistent and opaque application of Meta policies; deference to requests by governments for content removals, such as requests by Israels Cyber Unit and other countries internet referral units to remove content and heavy reliance on automated tools for content removal to moderate or translate Palestine-related content.

The third of these underlying causes points directly to the political forces behind the censorship of pro-Palestinian social media content by Meta. The report states, According to media reports on November 14, Israels Cyber Unit sent Meta and other platforms 9,500 content takedown requests since October 7, 2023, 60 percent of which went to Meta. Platforms are reported to have responded with a 94-percent compliance rate, according to an Israeli official.

In other words, while Israels intelligence agencies have lied to the public repeatedlyfrom the facts of what took place on October 7 to the scale and scope of the genocide in GazaFacebook and Instagram have complied with thousands of requests from the Israeli state to take down social media posts, including those documenting Palestinian suffering or death.

HRW reported that attempts to contact the Israeli Cyber Unit to learn specifics about the posts that were targeted for takedown were not responded to.

In a statement released to the Guardian, Meta said that it makes errors that are frustrating to people, but the implication that we deliberately and systemically suppress a particular voice is false. Claiming that one thousand examples, out of the enormous amount of content posted about the conflict, are proof of systemic censorship may make for a good headline, but that doesnt make the claim any less misleading.

The documenting of systematic censorship by Facebook and Instagram against pro-Palestinian content by HRW, regardless of the size of the sample and whatever the technical issues involved, exposes the collaboration of Meta, a $1 trillion corporation, with the political establishment and corporate media in pushing the US-Israeli propaganda that is justifying ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
On Wednesday, dock workers in Finland and Norway began a blockade of Tesla goods, refusing to transport cars for the American electric vehicles manufacturer during a strike of hundreds of mechanics at Tesla maintenance workshops in Sweden. This has been accompanied by similar action by dockers and lorry drivers in Denmark, which issued notification over a fortnight ago.

Swedish Tesla workers, IF Metall union members, walked out on October 27 to demand a collective agreement rejected by the company. This originally involved 130 workers but has expanded since December to 500 across 17 workshops according to Nordic Labour Journal (NLJ). Tesla does not have a production facility in Sweden, but operates a network of service centres.

According to the NLJ, employees of Tesla in Norway are judged on a five-point scale and to achieve high marks they are expected to work overtime without compensation. Those taking sick leave risk losing their jobs. A similar system of arbitrarily fixing pay to productivity by managers operates in Sweden, according to the account of a mechanic taking part in the strike provided to Dagens Nyether (DN). They also explained, No one knows the working hours or work environment act. Managers do not have a clue of which chemicals we work with and no risk assessment.

The stand taken by Tesla workers has led to sympathy action from a broad cross section of other Swedish workers including dockers, postal workers, cleaners and electricians with boycotts of supplies and services to halt the operations of the company.

The strike action by Swedish mechanics is the first Tesla has ever confronted across global operations which employ around 120,000 workers. Elon Musk, its billionaire owner and richest man in the world with a net wealth of $250 billion, denounced the action stating last month on X, which he owns, This is insane.

Elon Musk at Tesla Factory, Fremont, CA, USA. [Photo by Maurizio Pesce / CC BY 4.0

Tesla has filed two separate lawsuits against the Swedish Transport Agency and PostNord AM seeking to outlaw secondary action by postal workers who refused to deliver vehicle license plates to the company. One court found in favour of the company while another rejected its claim of interim security measures, with a final verdict yet to be decided.

Earlier this month dockers in the Swedish Transport Workers Union expanded their boycott of handling Tesla parts and cars to all ports in Sweden, after launching the action at four locations, Malmo, Sodertalje, Gothenberg and Trellenborg, on November 7.

To counteract the sympathy strikes across Sweden and disruption to its operations, Tesla continued to import its cars overland after unloading them in neighbouring countries. In opposition to this dock and transport workers in Denmark, Norway and Finland all announced earlier this month that they would take sympathy action.

On December 5, Danish dockers and transport workers in 3F Transport announced that they would refuse to handle Tesla cars. In Norway the biggest private sector union, Fellesforbundet (United Federation of Trade Unions) stated that it would join the sympathy action on the docks on December 20, as did the Finnish Transport Workers Union (AKT). In the case of the AKT, this was described as a precautionary move as Tesla vehicles are not normally transported through Finland but could be re-routed because of the blockade by Scandinavian dockers.

IG Metall in Germany, which has members in Teslas largest production facility in Europe, southeast of Berlin, ruled out joining the solidarity action stating to Swedish newspaper DN, That would be illegal. You strike for your own business, for your own wages. A political strike would mean violating the duty to work, and then the employer could take action against the employees.

The plant in Grunheide employs around 11,000 workforce manufacturing batteries and Model Y SUVs, where Tesla opened its first European gigafactory in 2022, according to Associated Press.

IG Metall has given a small glimpse of the intolerable conditions of car workers in the plant. It is presiding over occupational health and has fielded reports from numerous employees about accidents and health problems that resulted in high staff sickness rates.

This atrocious treatment of workers is accepted by the union bureaucracy rather than risk the development of unified action that would give Tesla workers a sense of their social power, undermining IG Metalls cozy relations with the corporation and government. This is only the most graphic expression of the dead hand of the bureaucratic apparatus which must be lifted to take forward the fight against Tesla.

While workers are determined to fight for an agreement to overcome their conditions of super exploitation, the unions are more interested in convincing Tesla of the benefits of the Nordic model. This is the corporatist mechanism in which the unions enforce the dictates of big business to curb workers demands on pay and conditions and insure employers against any explosive development of the class struggle. Large parts of the political and business establishment are concerned that the refusal by Musk to recognise the unions and the role of collective bargaining risks upsetting these essential relations.

The trade unions have made explicit appeals for Tesla to recognise the financial benefits of working in a corporatist relationship with them, especially in enforcing the mass job losses which will accompany the capitalist management of the transition to electric vehicles.

IndustriALL Europe, a federation of nearly 200 unions covering 50 million workers in the metal, chemical, mining and textile industries headed by IG Metall stated, Tesla has much to gain by learning from the European social model and accepting unions as partners in the automotive transformation it has aimed to lead.

The Danish FH union told FriFagbevegelse that reversing falling union membership Not least will benefit the businesses themselves. The Norwegian Fellesforbundet told FriFagbevegelse it planned to invite the CEO of Tesla Norway to review all the advantages and opportunities a collective agreement has for both employees and the business.
Israeli troops take positions in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, December 21, 2023. [AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg]

Amid reports that Israel is carrying out mass executions of civilian prisoners in Gaza and open statements of genocidal intent by Israeli politicians, the US has doubled down on its support for Israels war on Palestinian civilians. Before the eyes of the whole world, the bloodbath in Gaza is emerging as Americas genocide.

On Wednesday, the United Nations and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor published reports accusing Israeli forces of carrying out a mass execution of civilians in northern Gaza. Having either driven away or killed all remaining journalists in the north, Israel has moved from massacring civilians through bombing to summary executions.

These war crimes are accompanied by the open advocacy of genocide by Israeli officials, not merely in veiled biblical references, as with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahus invocation of Amalek, but in direct calls to copy the Nazi genocide of the Jews:

In a radio interview Sunday, David Azoulai, head of Israels regional Metula Council, said that Gaza should be made to look like Auschwitz. He said, Tell everyone in Gaza to go to the beaches. Navy ships should load the terrorists onto the shores of Lebanon. The entire Gaza Strip should be emptied and leveled flat, just like in Auschwitz.

In a TV interview, Miri Golan, Israels womens advancement minister, said, I dont care about Gaza  for all I care, they can go out and swim in the sea. She added, I want to see dead bodies of terrorists around Gaza.

Daniella Weiss, the former mayor of an Israeli settlement in the West Bank and a leader of the Israeli settler movement, said in a TV interview that Israels goal is to make Gaza free of Arabs so as to prepare the establishment of Jewish settlements in all of the Gaza Strip.

Israel is starving the 2.2 million people of Gaza. On Monday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of having an intent to starve civilians as a method of warfare. According to the World Food Program, the share of Gazans experiencing very severe hunger levels has surged from 24 percent to 44 percent.

Against this backdrop, the United States has deepened its categorical support for Israels genocide. In a press briefing Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked by a reporter to comment on the fact that much of the world [is] blaming the US and Israel and seeing it as Americas war.

Critically, Blinken did not attempt to distance himself from the claim that Israel is waging Americas war. Instead, he doubled down:

I hear virtually no one saying, demanding of Hamas, that it stop hiding behind civilians, that it lay down its arms, that it surrender. This is over tomorrow, if Hamas does that this would have been over a month ago, six weeks ago, if Hamas had done that. How can it be that there are no demands made of the aggressor, and only demands made of the victim?

Blinkens assertion that the Israeli government is the victim in the conflict is so absurd as to not even merit refutation. After orchestrating a deliberate military and intelligence stand-down on October 7, the Netanyahu government has massacred 25 Gazans for every Israeli killed that day. While seizing on the October 7 attacks to proclaim itself a victim of the Palestinians it oppresses and dominates, the Netanyahu government moved to implement what Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter called a Gaza Nakba 2023the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip.

With a level of cynicism comparable only to officials of the Third Reich, Blinken proclaimed that Israels goal is not to massacre the population of Gaza, but to protect it. Israel conducts its operations, again, with a focus on protecting civilians, minimizing harm, and maximizing assistance getting to them, he claimed.

In a follow-up question, Blinken was asked, Is there a red line for you? regarding how many people Israel will be allowed to massacre. To this, Blinken replied that the United States is intent on seeing this through to completion.

Blinkens comments came after US President Joe Biden admitted at a campaign event that Israel was carrying out indiscriminate bombingsa crime under international lawand conceded that Israels defense minister is seeking retribution against all Palestinians.

If one puts together the comments by Biden and Blinken, the clear conclusion is that retribution against all Palestinians is, in fact, Americas war, or, more precisely, Americas genocide.

Throughout this entire process, the United States has provided financial, logistical and military support for the genocide, while running interference at the United Nations for the mass murder of Palestinians. Last year, the US provided Israel with $3.3 billion in economic aid, adding to the $260 billion provided by the US since the end of the Second World War. Over the past 10 weeks, the US has provided Israel with 10,000 tons of military equipment, including armored vehicles, armaments and ammunition. The US and the UK have carried out drone surveillance flights over Gaza, and there have even been reports of US personnel operating on the ground.

Even more critically, the United States has vowed to veto any Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war, with UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield declaring, Any ceasefire right now would be temporary at best and dangerous at worst.

There are deep-rooted and fundamental reasons why the United States is supporting the genocide in Gaza. First, the US has clearly decided to carry out a major military escalation in the Middle East, as part of what it sees as an existential struggle for world hegemony aimed at dominating China, Russia and Iran. Israel, which effectively functions as a garrison state for US imperialism in the Middle East, is a critical component of this plan.

Second, amid a growing strike movement and mounting domestic political opposition, the Biden administration is seeking to create a precedent for dealing with rebellious urban areas through mass murder. For those factions of the US oligarchy seeking to solve the domestic political crisis through dictatorship, the genocide in Gaza is seen as a testing ground.

Finally, the genocide has become the occasion for the implementation of a massive crackdown on democratic rights. Throughout Europe, demonstrations have been banned and protesters have been arrested simply for opposing Zionism. In the United States, university student groups have been disbanded, and academics and students have lost their positions for opposing US foreign policy. Social media networks have implemented a draconian regime of internet censorship, in what Human Rights Watch called a pattern of undue removal and suppression of protected speech, including peaceful expression in support of Palestine.

From this reality arises the inevitable conclusion that the struggle against the genocide in Gaza is the fight against the imperialist governments that are enabling it.

Describing the rise of fascism in the 20th century, Leon Trotsky wrote that capitalist society is puking up its undigested barbarism. The Gaza genocide represents the same process. The capitalist social order, with America at the head, is putting on display before the whole world its homicidal barbarism. This social order offers humanity nothing but rampant social inequality, war and mass murder.

The fight against the genocide in Gaza must, for that reason, become the struggle for the socialist transformation of society through the building of a mass movement in the working class. Workers must prepare strikes at docks and airports to prevent the shipment of any items to Israel with a military use, as part of the systematic preparation for a political general strike against the war.
In the lead-up to the 2023/24 summer period in the Southern Hemisphere, climate scientists are issuing dire warnings of the consequences for the earth of the growing climate crisis.

This comes in the wake of the Northern Hemisphere summer that produced a searing heatwave across the Eurasian landmass and North America, accompanied by devastating wildfires.

Climate scientist at the University of Melbourne Andrew King told Nature there is a high chance of seeing record-high temperatures, at least on a global average, and seeing some particularly extreme events in some parts of the world.

One of the starkest indicators was the announcement on December 7 by Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) that 2023 was the hottest year in recorded history, including two days 2C above the preindustrial period. Scientists predict that 2024 may be even hotter.

Graph shows anomalies in surface water temperatures globally [Photo by Copernicus Climate Change Service]

As long as greenhouse gas concentrations keep rising, we cant expect different outcomes from those seen this year. The temperature will keep rising and so will the impacts of heatwaves and droughts. Reaching net zero as soon as possible is an effective way to manage our climate risks, C3S Director Carlo Buontempo commented.

The conditions of runaway global warming are being enhanced by the strong El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean, and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. These are natural weather patterns that govern the earths weather systems but in combination with global warming are having potentially dire consequences.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) announced the current El Nino event in September. This is usually associated with heatwaves. This followed a La Nina weather system for the past three years, that generally produces wet and cool conditions. This served to mask the effects of global warming to some extent.

The full effect of the changing climate is emerging properly King told Nature.

El Nino and La Nina are part of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) weather pattern that strongly influences the worlds climate. They are based on temperature differentials in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

In August, the BOM reported that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) had developed. This is associated with hot and dry weather for the Australian continent. The IOD is the difference in sea surface temperature between the western pole in the Arabian Sea and an eastern pole in the Indian Ocean south of Indonesia.

In 2019-20 the two climate systems in combination produced a very severe Australian bushfire season with a devastating impact on rural communities and the environment.

In east Africa the combination of the two weather systems is expected to cause extreme rainfall and flooding. Above average rainfall is predicted over southern Africa during spring followed by warm and dry conditions in the summer.

In South America El Nino is expected to produce excessive rain and flooding especially in Peru and Ecuador but also very dry conditions and drought for the Amazon and the northeast.

A feature of the Northern Hemisphere that accompanied the unprecedented summer heatwave were heat domes. These are due to the disproportionately large land mass where areas of circulating warm, dry air block the movement of low-pressure systems that would bring cooler conditions. This is not expected to appear in the Southern Hemisphere due to a much higher ocean-to-land ratio (80 percent of the Southern Hemisphere is water, compared to 60 percent of the Northern Hemisphere).

Nevertheless, numerous indicators around the world all point to conditions that are developing for a possibly unprecedented summer heatwave in the Southern Hemisphere.

One of the most important factors is the heating of the oceans that is leading to a very severe retreat of Antarctic ice. The worlds oceans cover over 70 percent of the globe and have acted as a heat sink for most of the worlds warming, because water has a very high heat capacity. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 90 percent of the worlds warming has been absorbed by the top few meters of the oceans water.

Antarctica, surrounded by the Southern Ocean

In April the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that ocean temperatures were at an unprecedented high. The data gathered from satellites and ocean buoys showed that the average temperature at the oceans surface was 21.1 C since the start of April; the previous record was 21 C set in 2016. Even a small difference, spread over the vast expanse of all the oceans of the world, comes to a major increase in global warming.

The current trajectory looks like its headed off the charts, smashing previous records, climate scientist at the University of New South Wales Professor Matthew England told The Guardian.

The rising ocean temperatures are causing sea level rise due to thermal expansion, coral bleaching, accelerated melting of Earths major ice sheets, intensified hurricanes, and changes in ocean health and biochemistry.

A comment by Distinguished Scholar Kevin Trenberth at The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Auckland, published in January 2022 in The Conversation Ocean heat is at record levels, with major consequences, stated that all oceans are warming, with the largest amounts of warming in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Thats a concern for Antarcticas iceheat in the Southern Ocean can creep under Antarcticas ice shelves, thinning them and resulting in calving off of huge icebergs. Warming oceans are also a concern for sea level rise.

Scientists are particularly alarmed by the unprecedented warming at the poles. Sea ice was at a record low around Antarctica during the winter, leading scientists to predict feed-back loops.

Large areas of the Southern Ocean that would usually still be covered by sea ice in October arent, Ariaan Purich, a climate scientist at Monash University in Australia, told Nature.

This leaves less sea-ice to reflect heat back into space, leaving dark ocean that absorbs the heat. Then this makes the surface warmer and its going to melt back more sea ice so we can have this positive feedback, Purich continued.

Global warming is more extreme at the poles than the rest of the planet, a process known as polar amplification. Antarctica is warming at triple the rate of the rest of the planet.

A study by physical geographer Kyle Clem at the School of Geography at Victoria University in Wellington and his team was published in June 2020 in Nature Climate Change Record warming at the South Pole during the past three decades. They found, The most recent 30-yr period of 19892018 experienced the largest 30-yr annual-mean warming trend on record of 0.61  0.34 C decade1 (95% confidence interval, CI), over three times the global average rate.

The West Antarctic sea ice is of particular concern, because if this collapses, worldwide sea levels could rise by several meters. The ice sheet is vast and contains 2.2 million square kms of ice. It has warmed by more than 0.1 C per decade over the last fifty years.

Kaitlin Naughten [Photo: British Antarctic Survey]

Important research headed by ocean modeler Kaitlin Naughten and her group from the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, published in October 2023 in Nature Climate Change, and titled, Unavoidable future increase in West Antarctic ice-shelf melting over the twenty-first century, simulated a number of likely scenarios to predict the melting of the including that global warming is stabilized at targets set out by the Paris Agreement, 1.5C and 2C.

All these simulations show that the melting of the West Antarctic sea ice may have reached the point of no return. This is a very alarming result as the complete melting of the ice sheet would produce a 5m rise in sea levels. Internationally this would inundate low-lying islands and low-lying areas near the coast, devastating innumerable communities.

Naughten et al state, Our simulations present a sobering outlook for the Amundsen Sea [a section of the West Antarctic Sea]. Substantial ocean warming and ice-shelf melting is projected in all future climate scenarios, including those considered to be unrealistically ambitious. A baseline of rapid twenty-first-century ocean warming and consequent sea-level rise appears to be committed. This warming is primarily driven by an acceleration of the Amundsen Undercurrent transporting warmer CDW (Circumpolar Deep Water) onto the continental shelf. Basal melting increases across all ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea, including in regions providing critical buttressing to the grounded ice sheet.

The CDW is combination of ocean currents at a depth of about 500 m combining currents from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

It looks like weve lost control of melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. If we wanted to preserve it in its historical state, we would have needed action on climate change decades ago, Naughten told Science.

Atmospheric scientist David Karoly at the University of Melbourne, who is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predicted worsening conditions for the next year.

We know that the impact on temperatures associated with El Nino happens the year after the event, Karoly told Nature.

The results of important research by climate scientists highlight that we are on the edge of a precipice and that the worlds climate is heading into unchartered territory with dire consequences for the future of humanity. Governments internationally, due to their total subordination to big business including the fossil fuel industry, have done nothing to curb the production of greenhouse gases.

The president of the recent climate summit, COP 28, minister of industry and advanced technology of the United Arab Emirates and head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Sultan Al Jaber, spoke for all the gathered dignitaries when he claimed, There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is whats going to achieve 1.5C (the proposed limitation for the rise in global warming).

This underscores that the only way out of this impasse is that the working class, in alliance with principled scientists, has to fight for the socialist reorganization of society through which the energy needs of society can be met without destroying the planetary environment.
On Thursday December 7, 2023, the former business manager of the politically connected International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 in Philadelphia, John Johnny Doc Dougherty, was found guilty on more than 60 counts for the felonious embezzlement of union assets, falsifying documents and engaging in various forms of fraud.

Dougherty will be sentenced on March 20, 2024, and will almost certainly be ordered to pay restitution to Local 98. Dougherty faces at least 20 years in prison for his first conviction, with more sentencing to come.

The union executive, along with the former Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, were found guilty of bribery charges in 2021. Dougherty spent tens of thousands in union dues in order to bribe Henon, a former official at the IBEW local. Dougherty faces a third trial in spring 2024 on federal extortion charges.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 was officially chartered in 1900, and has about 4,700 members. It is headquartered in Philadelphia and its website states that it is the most financially successful IBEW local in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

IBEW Local 98 Political Director Marita Crawford and the late AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. [Photo: Marita Crawford @maritac1]

The local became deeply involved in Philadelphia Democratic Party politics under Dougherty, who was instrumental and crucial in the election of Democratic officials, including the serving mayor Jim Kenney and incoming mayor Cherelle Parker. Under Dougherty, Local 98 poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, totaling up to $1,071,381 in 2023, to the Democratic Party.

In the embezzlement trial, 11 jurors found Dougherty and his trusted lieutenant Local 98s former president Brian Burrows, guilty on a majority of charges brought against them.

Dougherty was found guilty of personal spending over the years which he charged to a union card. He and Burrows misspent more than $600,000 from the union fund on everything from mundane everyday items to expensive birthday parties to renovations, construction and home repairs for family and friends.

The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article on December 8 describing each count in detail. By themselves and in sum they demonstrate the staggering level of corruption endemic among the ranks of the US trade union bureaucracy.

The gangster mentality of the union bureaucracy was illustrated in a recent story published by the Inquirer. In a 2020 meeting, recorded by a federal informant, Dougherty is heard threatening to run over and put under the water any officials suspected of disloyalty in the investigation.

Among the larger amounts stolen by Dougherty was $26,316 in construction and repair work done in May 2016 at his Pennsport home. He was also convicted for failure to report renovations and repairs to homes belonging to himself, his sister, his father, and his Union Pub bar, to the tune of about $78,151 on his 2012-2015 tax returns. Dougherty also took out over $137,547 for personal use during the same years.

Just one year ago, Local 98s political director, Marita Crawford, pleaded guilty along with other union officials, Michael Neill, Brian Fiocca and Niko Rodriguez, for stealing dues money for personal use. They were all close associates of Dougherty.

The scandal in Local 98 highlights the endemic corruption present in the US union apparatus, labor leaders whom members of the fraternity of phony left organizations insist workers bow before. The public officials on whom Dougherty showered gifts paid for with stolen dues money, were a whos who of local Philadelphia Democratic Party politics.

The scandal in Philadelphia follows the corruption scandal in the UAW, which saw a dozen former officials jailed, included two UAW presidents. Among other exposures, the years-long federal investigation revealed the funneling of bribes by Fiat Chrysler into the pockets of UAW officials for management-friendly sellout contracts.

The latest scandal further testifies to the fact that these so called unions are not workers organizations but profit-driven entities hostile to the workers they misrepresent. The national IBEW sits atop assets of $87,067,134, according to data from 2023.

The personal corruption of the union apparatus goes hand in hand with the daily betrayal of workers. The IBEW played an important role in blocking a strike by railroad workers last year and helping the Biden administration impose a management-dictated contract.
A 44-tanker convoy carrying oil taken from Syrian fields departed Syria's northeastern al-Hasakah province for U.S. bases in neighboring Iraq on Thursday, state news agency SANA reported.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Over the past two months, a popular chant at Australian protests opposing the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has been, Albanese, you cant hide; youre supporting genocide.

At an elite gathering in Sydney on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sought to prove that he could do both, hiding from the public while reiterating his governments unwavering support for an Israeli regime that has murdered more than 20,000 civilians, half of them children.

Albanese was speaking to the Lowy Institute, a major foreign policy think tank, at Sydney Town Hall.

On an early weekday evening, amid office workers commuting home and tourists meandering, the area around the Town Hall was transformed into something approaching a police encampment.

NSW Police surround pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Sydney Town Hall before speech by Albanese

A substantial contingent from the riot squad was on hand, as were various individuals in suits who gave the distinct impression of working for the intelligence services. Police helicopters hovered menacingly overhead. The whole thing was presided over by a gaggle of senior police, alternately huddling in conclaves, marching around and giving the troops directions as in a battle.

Nothing, it was clear, would be permitted to interfere with Albaneses address.

A crowd of protesters grew to several thousand. They were effectively kettled in Town Hall Square, which has been diminished in size due to construction work, resulting in a tight squeeze. When, after listening to several speeches, a portion of the crowd turned in the direction of the steps leading into Town Hall, they were met by a line of riot police.

The cops effectively surrounded those at the front of the protest, lest they get anywhere near the Town Hall entrance, still some ten metres away.

The crowd, while chanting, was entirely peaceful, and the police response was plainly excessive. Dignitaries, dressed to the nines, were ushered towards the building by the police, their expressions worried and, at times, bewildered, as though they could not fathom why people would be upset about the levelling of Gaza. Several paused at the top of the Town Hall steps to take pictures of the crowd below like it were an oddity.

Passers-by were sternly instructed to keep moving, as if a portion of George Street, one of the busiest in the city, had become a restricted security zone.

After a standoff lasting 20 minutes or more, the protesters returned to the Square for more chanting and speeches. The riot police nevertheless rapidly formed a line, guarding the pavement of George Street from a crowd that had walked in the opposite direction, effectively from nobody. The absurdity notwithstanding, the formation showed that the police were employing techniques, such as securing and holding ground, that would be used in riots.

Albanese was nowhere to be seen. Like a fugitive, he must have entered the building through a back entrance or likely an underground carpark.

Transcripts of Albaneses remarks indicate he did not mention the unusual circumstance that his speech was being delivered in a building protected by a phalanx of riot police from thousands of people denouncing him as a war criminal.

The prime minister had the audacity to describe his governments response to the Israeli onslaught as principled. That would only be true if the principles being referenced were support for genocide, ethnic cleansing and militarist barbarism.

Like governments internationally, Labor has undertaken a slight shift in rhetoric, not substance, over recent weeks. Whereas at the beginning of the Israeli bombardment, Albanese and Labor ministers were cheering on the slaughter, now they have begun to profess concern for civilian lives.

The same line has been peddled by the Biden administration, even as it uses its veto powers to block any ceasefire resolutions in the United Nations and ensures urgent deliveries of bombs so the Zionist regime does not run out of munitions to murder Palestinian children.

Albaneses comments made clear the phony character of this shift, intended solely to dampen public anger. He stated, Australia recognises that Israel has the right to defend itselfand the way it does so matters.

Legal experts have explained that Israel has no such right to defend itself from threats, real or concocted, emanating from territory that it illegally occupies. Under that framework of international law, the Palestinians, including armed organisations from among their number, have an absolute right to resist occupation, including through force.

Albanese said his government favoured pauses, such as that which took place late last month. Such pauses imply an indefinite Israeli military campaign. It would be like calling for the Nazis to turn off the gas chambers for a few days, once every while.

Albanese referenced his support for international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. That vague formulation, committing his government to nothing, was shown to be cynical window-dressing by what came next.

Hamas must stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, Albanese said, parroting Israeli propaganda used to justify the mass murder of civilians. Hamas also had to lay down its arms and surrender, he declared, days after the Zionist military shot dead Israeli hostages walking towards them shirtless and with white flags.

All of this was a call for a continuation of the genocide, not its end. Albanese absurdly referenced the ultimate need for a two-state solution under conditions where Israel is seeking to complete the ethnic cleansing of all Palestinians, including from Gaza and the West Bank. Australia, moreover, abstained on a UN resolution acknowledging permanent Palestinian sovereignty over the Occupied Territories this week.

The rest of Albaneses speech was along similar lines, aggressive militarism coated with pseudo-humanitarian pablum.

He boasted that Australia was one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, with the carnage in that country, provoked and instigated by Washington, presented as a defence of the international framework of freedoms and fairness.

While the decrepit Ukrainian regime, presiding over a police-state dependent on imperialist backing and awash with Nazis, was Albaneses exemplar of those fine values, peace and prosperity were the order of the day in the Indo-Pacific.

Again, Albanese was not actually referring to peace and prosperity but to a vast US military build-up aimed at preparing for a catastrophic war with China. This has included the Labor government continuously campaigning to line states throughout the region up behind Washington. Those bullying and threatening operations were, Albanese said, an expression of the governments commitment to the Pacific family.

He presented Australias acquisition of US nuclear-powered attack submarines as yet another step towards peace and security. Of course, their only conceivable purpose is to conduct offensive operations in the region, including off the coast of China.

Above all, Albanese extolled the US alliance. The people of Australia and the United States share a history of sacrifice in the cause of peace, we hold a common commitment to democracy, freedom and equality, he proclaimed.

The values of US and Australian imperialism are best measured in the mountains of dead bodies in Gaza. It should terrify the peoples of the Indo-Pacific when Albanese and other imperialist politicians proclaim their commitment to enforcing those values in this region.

The entire event, from the police-state response to protesters, to Albaneses militarist remarks, exposed the character of Labor as a rotten instrument of imperialism.

Albanese, of Labors left faction, heads a government committed to genocide abroad and an authoritarian crackdown on those opposing the mass slaughter at home. His administration has given a bonanza to the military and the ultra-wealthy, while presiding over the worst reversal of working-class living standards since World War II.

The event exposed the fraud of the line peddled by fake-left groups, that Labor can be pressured to end its support for the genocide. At the protest, a speaker from one such group, Solidarity, hailed Labors vote earlier this month in favour of a non-binding ceasefire at the UN. She said this showed that Labor was responding to pressure from below.

Albaneses remarks showed the pseudo-left to be liars, the last line of defence for war criminals.
On November 27, political prisoners from the Kurdish nationalist movement in Turkey began a hunger strike. The hunger strike, announced to last until February 15, has spread to more than a hundred prisons across Turkey and is approaching its one-month mark. Hundreds of prisoners are on hunger strike in rotation.

Reyhan Gok presented a report prepared by the Coordination for Monitoring and Follow-up of Hunger Strikes and listed the demands of the hunger strikers as: '1) An end to human rights violations in prisons in Turkey; 2) Fixing of the aggravated conditions of execution; 3) An end to the long isolation of Abdullah Ocalan in Imral High Security Closed Prison, family and lawyer visits; and 4) A democratic solution to the Kurdish question.'

Abdullah Ocalan, founder of the PKK [Photo by Halil Uysal - Archive of the International Initiative "Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan - Peace in Kurdistan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Gok stated that the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should consider the hunger strikers' demands before the process reaches a more dangerous point, adding, 'The political power [Erdogan government] will be responsible for the sad consequences that will arise regarding the prisoners' right to health and life.

Ocalan, leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), who is kept in solitary confinement, has not been allowed to meet with his lawyers for four and a half years and with his family for almost three years due to disciplinary measures that the authorities have not disclosed. He has been imprisoned on Imral Island in the Marmara Sea since 1999, when he was captured in a CIA-backed Turkish operation.

The Erdogan government was a key supporter of the CIA-orchestrated regime-change war attempting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, which killed more than 500,000 people. At the same time, Erdogan's NATO-backed 'peace process' with the PKK collapsed in 2015 when Washington turned the People's Protection Units (YPG) into its main proxy force in Syria. The YPG also recognises Ocalan as its leader and, together with the PKK, is under the umbrella of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK).

The potential emergence of a US-backed Kurdish state in Syria could trigger similar sentiments among Kurds in Turkey, terrifying Ankara and driving it back into conflict with the PKK. Since 2015, a crackdown and arrests has been launched against legal Kurdish politicians while the Turkish army and police moved to violently crush the YPG in northern Syria and the PKK in Turkey's Kurdish provinces.

Last week, Nuray Ozdogan and Ozturk Turkdogan, spokespersons of the Legal and Human Rights Commission of the Kurdish nationalist People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party, formerly HDP-Peoples Democratic Party), released a report on the state crackdown since 2015. At least 22,818 party members have been detained since 2015 and at least 4,334 people have been arrested, including co-chairs, MPs, provincial and district co-chairs, party officials and ordinary members. The arrests include two party co-chairs, 24 MPs and 30 members of the party leadership.

The report highlights that 93 mayors elected on March 30 2014 were arrested and trustees appointed in 95 municipalities; 43 mayors elected on March 31, 2019 were arrested and trustees appointed in 48 municipalities; and currently 17 mayors, seven MPs and 14 other leaders are in prison.

The report also details acts of violence against the Kurdish movement in 2015. These include the Ankara train station massacre, in which over 100 were killed in bomb attacks, and the Suruc massacre, in which 34 people were killed. In 2015-2016, many Kurdish cities and towns were subjected to curfews and terrorised by state and paramilitary forces. While these operations, which displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, are nowhere near the scale of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, the methods of urban warfare are similar.

The Socialist Equality Group (SEG) has well-documented and irreconcilable political differences with the pro-imperialist and pro-NATO Kurdish bourgeois nationalist movements. But these do not in any way diminish our opposition to state repression. The SEG calls on workers and youth to demand in principle the release of all political prisoners, including Kurdish nationalists. This is about basic democratic rights.

This struggle cannot be advanced by appealing to the capitalist political establishment and by negotiations behind closed doors, whether with Erdogan or with the bourgeois opposition led by the Kemalist Republican People's Party (CHP).

The crackdown launched by the Erdogan government in 2015 was carried out with the active support of the CHP. The CHP backed several authorisations for cross-border invasions into Syria and Iraq targeting Kurdish militias. It also provided the government with crucial votes in the passage of the constitutional amendment to lift the immunity of Kurdish MPs. The Kurdish nationalist movement, which had previously negotiated and cooperated with Erdogan, nevertheless saw fit to support CHP candidates in both the local elections in 2019 and the presidential elections this year.

Despite the anti-Kurdish and anti-refugee protocol that CHP leader Kemal Klcdaroglu signed with Umit Ozdagthe leader of the far-right Victory Partyduring last May's presidential elections, the HDP continued to back Klcdaroglu. The protocol promised to maintain Erdogan's war on terror, the pretext his government has used to arrest thousands of Kurdish politicians, dismiss elected mayors in Kurdish provinces and launch illegal military operations in Syria and Iraq.

The DEM (HDP)'s statements on the local elections scheduled for March 2024 again focus mainly on maneuvering and negotiations with the Erdogan government and opposition parties led by the CHP. Their pro-imperialist and anti-working class character leads them to constantly seek reactionary rapprochements despite the fierce disagreements between them.

Murat Kalmaz, co-chairman of the DEM in Istanbul province, recently said that his party's doors were open to both Erdogans AKP and the CHP in the Istanbul local elections. Kalmaz said that if they were to support an alliance this time, there would be conditions of it and that they would focus on the gains.

The conditions or gains that Kalmaz detailed in the rest of his speech were not related to democratic rights, but to the negotiation of seats in municipalities: For example, districts such as Esenyurt, Adalar, there may be other places [for negotiation on a candidate]. We say let's run with our own candidate, you support us here and we support you there.

The DEM leadership declared last week, Turkey's problems can only be solved through negotiations. That is why we value dialogue and negotiations between political parties. We are ready to negotiate with anyone who is based on local democracy, democratic reconciliation, free politics, universal human rights and women's liberation politics, addressing both Erdogan and the bourgeois opposition parties.

Reha Ruhavioglu, director of the Kurdish Studies Centre, commented on the Medyascope, I think the first addressee of the DEM party's 'We are open to negotiations' discourse is the government. Issues such as the democratic solution to the Kurdish question and the trusteeship issue [in municipalities] are not problems that an opposition party can solve. Since these are demands related to a ruling power, I see that the first call is rather to the government.

It is not possible for the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeois parties, allies and accomplices of NATO imperialism, which has turned the Middle East into a bloodbath for decades and is the facilitator of Israel's genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, to bring a democratic solution to the Kurdish question. This is the task of the working class, which must be united on the basis of an international and socialist programme against imperialism and its regional proxies.
With the US and the European Union facing growing political difficulties in getting through increased military funding for the Ukraine war, a plan to seize frozen Russian financial assets of about $300 billion, which has been circulating for some time, is now coming under more active consideration.

Bank of Russia, Moscow [Photo by Ludvig14 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

The assets of the Russian central bank held in foreign banks and international financial institutions were frozen almost immediately after the war began in February last year, sending a shock wave through the international financial system. At that point, and in discussion since, the actual seizure was thought to be a step too far.

Earlier this year the European Central Bank (ECB) cautioned against an EU proposal to use the assets and divert them to Ukraine, and said it had to be part of a global plan involving the G7 powers.

We have to be careful because this could lead to reputational damage, the ECB said, there could be implications for the euro as a safe currency.

In an internal note at the time, the ECB warned of the risks of undermining the legal and economic foundations of the international role of the euro. The implications could be substantial, it stated.

The risk is that other countries, such as China and Saudi Arabia, which stow some of their currency reserves in euros, would consider it unsafe.

According to one EU diplomat, cited by the Financial Times (FT) when the asset seizure proposal was first under discussion earlier this year: Every major euro-dominated economy is treading very carefully on this because of the potential effects for the euro and for foreign investment and clearing in euro.

Opinions vary on the move, as exemplified in recent comments made to the FT.

Philip Zelikow, a former US diplomat, cited as a precedent the compensation of more than $52 billion, finally paid off at the end of last year, which was extracted from Iraq for the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

This represents an enormous opportunity, he said. We have spent nearly two years working through legal thickets and can now begin to contemplate the possibilities that may be available. If this works, the money at stake$300 billionwould be a game-changer for Ukraine.

An opposed view was advanced by Ingrid Brunk, a professor of international law at Vanderbilt Law School, who said the idea was unwise.

Many countries have been damaged by many things that violated international law with no suggestion that we seize foreign currency assets. These are the most sacrosanct kinds of assets in the global financial system.

Despite these reservations, there is now a concerted push from within the imperialist political establishment to go ahead.

Former British prime minister, now foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, told a parliamentary committee earlier this month he was confident there was a legal route to confiscate the assets.

Cameron was basing himself on a long tradition. Back in the days when Britain ruled the colony of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, it was said the colonial master practised perjury by day and forgery by night.

Cameron said he was pushing hard within the G7 for the proposal to seize the Russian assets, saying extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. He denied there would be a chilling effect of such action because investors that would likely be perturbed had already been pretty chilled out by the fact that we have frozen.

In the manner indicated by the Sri Lankan saying, the legal experts are getting to work.

The FT reported that while the US has not formally declared in favour of seizing the assets, it was working to have the plan go ahead. The newspaper pointed to a recent G7 discussion paper, written by US officials, which would present the seizure as a countermeasure permitted under international law to induce Russia to end its aggression.

The US paper said the asset seizure could be pursued as a lawful countermeasure by those states that have been injured as specifically affected by Russias violation of the international law.

This means the imperialist powers that have provided money for the war could get part of the Russian reserves as compensation. There is clearly a push for this to take place.

According to one Western official, cited in a recent report by the FT, there were definitely live conversations in the G7 and a growing consensus in favour of using Russian sovereign assets.

Its going back to the question of: Is it just up to Western citizens and treasuries to pay for the war, or should the Kremlin also be on the hook?

Following the failure of the EU to agree on war funding, another EU diplomat said: We need to find a way to get cash to Ukraine, in whatever form. And more countries are pointing at the assets and wondering why they are still sitting there.

There are pressures developing on the other side of the Atlantic as well.

A report in the New York Times yesterday said the Biden administration was quietly signalling new support for seizing more than $300 billion in Russian central bank assets stashed in Western nations and was pressing other members of the G7 to come up with a plan, possibly by February 24, the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

On Monday the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed piece by J. French Hill, a Republican Congress member from Arkansas, and Lulzim Basha, a member of the Albanian parliament, saying they had joined forces to make Russia pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mr Putin must pay for his aggressions and war crimes. Strong legislation to seize all Russian sovereign assets is a start, they wrote.

Another issue is the interest that is being paid on the frozen Russian money. This has turned out to be what in criminal circles is termed a nice little earner. Euroclear, the Belgian-based clearing house where most of the Russian money is held, made about 3 billion in the first nine months of the year. Discussions are being held on what to do with these windfall profits.

Earlier this month the EU Commission agreed on a proposal to devise a legal means to use the interest on these assets to supply Ukraine with as much as 15 billion over the next four years.

Details of the plan have not been made public, contrary to usual practice. It would have to be passed by the European parliament and all 27 member states to be implemented, which may prove to be unattainable. But it is an indication of the direction of events.

A significant move was made in Germany this week. Prosecutors stepped up proceedings, begun in July, to seize more than $720 million held in the Frankfurt account of a Russian financial institution. It was the first time a move has been undertaken to seize assets and not just freeze them.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann pointed to the wider agenda behind the move.

What personally applies to unscrupulous leaders also applies to the assets of their power apparatus: we will not allow Russian money to finance the illegal war of aggression to lie untouched in German accounts, he said.

Whether the move to seize Russian assets will be carried out remains to be seen, but there is clearly a push for it. The fear, notwithstanding the gung-ho pronouncements of Cameron and others, is that it would have a major impact on the operations of the international financial system.

Already, after the freezing of the Russian assets in the spring of 2022, there were moves by numbers of countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, to lessen their dependence on the US dollar, recognising they too could have action taken against them should they cross the path of the US and the other imperialist powers.

The asset seizure proposal is also indicative of the wider aims of the US-NATO war. It is not about defending democracy and little Ukraine but carving up Russia and plundering its resources. Seizing its sovereign assets would be a significant step toward that goal.
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Six out of 10 South Korean households held their own homes last year as people rushed to purchase new homes with borrowed money, government data showed Friday.

Of the total households, 61.3 percent possessed their own homes across the country in 2022, up from 60.6 percent in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

It marked the highest since relevant data began to be compiled in 2006.

The home-possession ratio advanced from 54.7 percent in 2021 to 55.8 percent in 2022 in the Seoul metropolitan area, while the ratio in other areas rose from 69.0 percent to 69.1 percent.

The ratio of housing price to annual income among home-owning households stood at 6.3 nationwide in 2022, down from 6.7 in the previous year.

It indicated that it would take 6.3 years to buy home by collecting all the salary without spending.

The price-income ratio (PIR) in the Seoul metropolitan region reached 9.3, while the PIR in other areas was 4.3 last year.

The ratio of monthly rent to monthly income among renter households came to 16.0 percent across the country in 2022, up from 15.7 percent a year earlier.

The rent-income ratio (RIR) in the Seoul metropolitan area was 18.3 percent, with the figure in other areas reaching 13.0 percent. 
MACAO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Various walks of society in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has donated actively to the earthquake-hit region in northwest China's Gansu Province.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Jishishan County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu at midnight Monday.

So far, Macao's charity organizations, legislators, political advisers, business groups, among others, have donated money and relief materials, mainly cold-proof clothing and instant food, worth nearly 70 million yuan.

The Macao Red Cross offered 200,000 yuan to the Red Cross Society of China Gansu Branch to help purchase urgent relief supplies. (1 Chinese yuan equals 0.14 U.S. Dollars) 
For those whove had their fill of Hallmark movies and more traditional seasonal fare, The Hollywood Reporters annual list of the best in international TV offers some binge alternatives for the lazy days between Christmas and New Years. Therere nary a Santa or sleighbells to be found among our picks of foreign series fare, but fans of global TV will find plenty to chew on over the holidays, whether its a political thriller set in Senegal, a Korean drama about mental health, or a bizarre Danish comedy-soap from an old arthouse master.

Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer in Colin From Accounts.

This charming and disarmingly cringe Aussie rom-com kicks off with one of the most original meet-cutes in the genre: Gordon (Patrick Brammall) stops his car to let Ashley (Harriet Dyer) cross the street. In a cheeky thank you, she flashes him some boob. Distracted, Gordon runs over a dog. Before you know it, the pair are on the hook for a massive vet bill and negotiating dog-sitting schedules.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

From that premise, Brammall and Dyer, a real-life couple in addition to co-creators of the show, spin out a breezy, fun, and occasionally deep exploration of the challenges of modern-day dating that never overstays its welcome. And yes, the dog is fine.

Spy/Master (Watch on: Max)

Spy/Master

A compelling companion piece to AppleTV+s Slow Horses, this espionage thriller draws heavily on the John le Carre school of spy craft, where mind games and double and triple bluffs play more or a role than gunfights or car chases (though the show does occasionally indulge in those as well).

The Cold War plot has Victor Godeanu (Gods Own Country actor Alec Secareanu) playing the right-hand man to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and a secret KGB mole. Its 1978 and as Ceausescus paranoia reaches a fever pitch, Godeanu tries to escape, using a diplomatic trip to West Germany to attempt to defect. But with his family still in Romanian and counterintelligence breathing down his neck, hell need all his skills as a double agent to make it out alive.

The One in Charge (Watch on: Hulu)

This dark comedy from Argentina centers around a diabolical everyman. Eliseo, played by Guillermo Francella in a pitch-perfect performance, is a building manager, the caretaker and handyman in charge of a luxury condominium in a swanky part of Buenos Aires.

The families living in the complex trust him with their keys and their secrets and Eiliseo is oh-so willing to take advantage. What begins as a series of petty power plays soon becomes more threatening when Eliseo hears of a renovation plan that could make him redundant.

The Interpreter of Silence (Watch on: Disney+)

Katharina Stark and Heiner Lauterbach in The Interpreter of Silence

Set in the early 60s, during the economic boom time in post-World War II Germany, this limited series, adapted by Annette Hess from her novel, explores the deliberate amnesia of a country trying to bury the horrors of its recent past.

Katharina Stark stars as Eva Bruhns, a young and ambitious woman with no memory of the war, who takes on a job as a Polish translator at the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials, the first time a German court prosecuted Germans for the crimes of the Holocaust. What she hears in testimony there will shake the foundations of her own familys history.

Black Sands (Watch on: Viaplay)

Aldis Amah Hamilton in Black Sands

Scandinavian streamer Viaplay will be wrapping up its U.S. service so theres a limited window to check out its many Nordic Noir gems. Top of the list is this Icelandic crime drama, which combines an offbeat portrait of rural life  Aldis Amah Hamilton plays Eyja, a detective who flees the personal chaos of her life in Reykjavik to return to her sleepy hometown  with a gripping procedural, centered around the investigation into a serial killer whose been murdering tourists.

Fans of The Killing will enjoy the series slow steady pace (and Eyjas impressive knitwear) but the real magic comes from the shows balance of the criminal with the personal and mundane: Eyjas snipping mother, her awkward reconnection with old school friends, her frustration at incompetent colleagues. Black Sands delivers both the drama and the thrills.

The Sea Beyond (Watch on: MHz Choice)

In Italy, The Sea Beyond is a cultural phenomenon, smashing ratings records and inspiring an army of breathless fans, who have taken to copying the music and street style of the young offenders who make up the series cast. Set in a juvenile detention center on the Italian coast (their barred windows look out onto the Mediterranean), The Sea Beyond has style and sex appeal to spare.

The series is more surface than substance  more The O.C. than Gomorrah  but as guilty pleasures go, you could do a lot worse than this juicy slice of Neapolitan melodrama.

Copenhagen Cowboy is everything youd want, and expect, from a Nicolas Winding Refn Netflix series. Theres the dark saturated neon lighting and moody percussionist score (from Cliff Martinez). Theres the excessive, fetishized depiction of violence. Theres the story, a bloody tale of revenge on the seedy Danish underworld thats more dream-like than paced or plot-y.

A refreshing change to NWRs modus operandi comes with the casting of waif-like Rain actress Angela Bundalovic in the silent angel-of-vengeance role usually played in Refns films by macho male protagonists. But if youre a NWR fan, youre really, really going to like this.

Mystery Road (Watch on: Acorn TV)

Mystery Road

While Acorn TV bills Mystery Road as the Australian answer to True Detective, this Down Under crime drama is closer to Reacher in its appeal, featuring a stoic, sharp-tongued Aboriginal detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) with an old-school sense of moral righteousness whose investigations into rural crime lead to confrontations with deep-set institutional racism and injustice.

At its core a hard-boiled neo-western, Mystery Road nicely balances the John Wayne-style swagger of its lead character with a clear-eyed look at the exploitation and suffering of Australias Indigenous population.

Wara (Watch on: MhZ Choice)

This Senegalese drama follows law professor Moutari Wara (Issaka Sawadogo) who, despite his best efforts to stay above the fray, gets drawn into political activism. When one of his fellow professors is arrested in the classroom, and when one of his students calls on him to help her battle corruption, he cant stay on the sidelines. A top-notch political thriller that offers a glimpse into a world that U.S. audiences rarely see.

Daily Dose of Sunshine (Watch on: Netflix)

Theres no shortage of great K-dramas out there but Daily Dose of Sunshine offers something new: An earnest, but deeply realistic and empathetic look at mental health. Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young) is a newbie nurse in a psychiatric ward, dealing with patients whose disorders range from schizophrenia and depression to panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

With the help of head nurse Song Hyo-jin (Parasites Lee Jung-eun) she struggles to treat not just the conditions, but the people behind them. Its an emotional, tear-jerky show (keep the hankies close), but lightens the drama with comic moments and deftly avoids stereotypes to give a more rounded picture of mental health.

The Night Logan Woke Up (Watch on: Netflix)

The Night Logan Woke Up

Canadian arthouse wunderkind Xavier Dolan has famously renounced cinema but this, his TV debut, shows his auteur sensibilities translate seamlessly to the small screen. This five-part mini-series was loosely adapted from a play by Michel Marc Bouchard, whose play Tom at the Farm was source material for Dolans 2013 feature.

The Night Logan Woke Up follows the Larouches, a dysfunctional Quebec family dealing with the death of their matriarch, played by Dolan regular Anne Dorval. The series is part melodrama, part murder mystery, as it becomes clear that events on a fateful night back in 1991 hold the secrets to the Larouches deep-set trauma.

Yosi, the Regretful Spy (Watch on: Prime Video)

This Argentine-Uruguayan thriller, from director Daniel Burman, is inspired by the real-life case of intelligence agents working for the Argentine Federal Police who infiltrated Argentinas Jewish community, gathering intelligence later allegedly used to commit two of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Latin American history: The bombing of Argentinas Israeli embassy in 1992 and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in 1994.

Yosi, the Regretful Spy is a work of fiction, not a docu-drama. The actual events of the 1990s remain the subject of heated debate and the perpetrators of the bombing have never been brought to justice. But the series remains a chilling, and contemporary, look at the consequences of state paranoia and institutional antisemitism.

African Folktales, Reimagined (Watch on: Netflix)

Traditional African folktales of monsters, genies, and malevolent spirits are given a contemporary reworking for new audiences in this Netflix omnibus series, featuring 30-minute shorts from South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Mauritania.

Made in collaboration with the U.N.s cultural body, UNESCO, the collection is a sampling of sci-fi, fantasy, and other genre storytelling from African creators, with most of the shorts focused on female protagonists. As in any compilation, the results are varied, but overall, African Folktales, Reimagined is a fresh and inspiring look at the future of African storytelling.

The Kingdom Exodus (Watch on: MUBI)

With The Kingdom Exodus, Danish provocateur Lars von Trier returns 25 years later to the bizarre hospital soap opera comedy horror series he made in the mid-1990s. This five-part conclusion to the two-season run of The Kingdom, which ended without a real conclusion in 1995, dropped on MUBI earlier this year.

Were back at Kingdom Hospital, a high-tech medical center in Copenhagen that just happens to be haunted. A surreal mash-up of Twin Peaks, The Office, and hospital melodrama, The Kingdom blends the comic, the horrific, and the downright weird in a way that is pure von Trier and unlike anything currently being made for TV.

Dom (Watch on: Amazon Prime Video)

Dom

Produced by Brazils Emmy-nominated powerhouse indie company, Conspiracao, this Rio de Janeiro crime thriller is based on the unbelievable true story of Victor Lomba, a young scuba diver who found his calling as a military intelligence agent fighting the war on drugs. His own son, Pedro, becomes a drug addict and then, as a dealer known as Dom, one of the most wanted criminals in Brazil. Frenetic, action-packed, and visually stunning, Dom is among the most addictive shows to come out of Latin America in years.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
And on the shortest day of the year, the Oscar shortlists are here. Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are back to discuss the 2023 shortlist snubs and surprises.

Barbie leads the way with five shortlist mentions but only across three categories: sound, original score and original song. All three of its song submissions  Billie Eilishs What Was I Made For?, Dua Lipas Dance the Night and Im Just Ken (written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt)  made the top 15, but only two can be nominated as thats the cap per film in the category.

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Society of the Snow and Killers of the Flower Moon were close behind with four mentions each. The former, which arrives on Netflix on Jan. 4, has been tipped as a late-breaker a la All Quiet on the Western Front, which surprised everyone last year with five shortlist mentions en route to a Best Picture nomination. Society of the Snow made international feature (Spain), makeup and hair, original score and visual effects.

SEE Experts slugfest: Barbie rules Critics Choice nominations! And other snubs and surprises?

As for snubs, there were plenty, especially in makeup and hair. Barbie was MIA, as was Nyad, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Color Purple and Priscilla. The Last Voyage of the Demeter, however, did make the cut. In song, Peaches from The Super Mario Bros. Movie was left off, which means no Oscar nomination for Jack Black. Other notable snubs include Past Lives in score, Turkeys No Dry Grasses in international feature, The Color Purple in sound and animated Disney films in song.

Elsewhere, we discuss if Ryan Gosling will perform Im Just Ken at the Oscars and more.

Email your questions to slugfests@goldderby.com.

Timestamps:

Intro and snubs and surprises (0:00)

Visual effects and music categories (10:45)

Makeup and hairstyling and sound (25:34)

Documentary and international features (28:06)

Predictions changes? (38:53)

Listener questions (44:56)

PREDICTthe 2024 Oscar nominees by Jan. 23

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked and saddened by a mass shooting at a university in

Czech capital Prague, his spokesman said on Thursday.

The secretary-general expressed his deepest condolences to the victims' families and wished those injured a speedy and full recovery, the spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, according to a statement.

The spokesman said the UN chief also reiterated his full solidarity with the people and government of the Czech Republic.

At least 14 people were killed, with 25 others injured, when a suspect opened fire Thursday at Charles University in Prague, making the country's worst mass shooting.

The Czech government on Thursday night announced a day of mourning on Saturday for the victims of the shooting. 
popmaster-fabel-opener - Credit: Photograph by Roy Baizan

There are several ways to soundtrack a journey back from hell. On a Wednesday afternoon in late November, Jorge Pabon lifts himself out of his wheelchair, props himself up, and scrolls through his iTunes until the right song hits him. Orale! he exclaims, as the chugging guitar riffs of Disposable Heroes, Metallicas adrenaline-pumping war epic, fill his own personal purgatory: the unassuming physical therapy gym inside New Franklin Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Queens, New York. He clasps his hands on the arm bike and propels bicycle pedals with his hands.

An easygoing occupational therapist watches him patiently  amusedly even  to ensure hes not overexerting himself. He pauses only to sing along: Soldier boy, made of clay/Now an empty shell. But when he hears the salvo Back to the front, he spins faster.

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Hes smiling when he catches his breath after an exhausting five and a half minutes. The endurance is a small triumph for Pabon, a 58-year-old hip-hop dancer, aerosol artist, MC, and college lecturer better known by his stage name, Popmaster Fabel.

Hes wearing a red Harlem hat, which frames his trim beard perfectly against his matching Adidas tracksuit, the likes of which havent gone out of style since Jam Master Jay krushed his first grooves. His six-foot-two-inch frame has complicated his therapy, since he needs a higher walker than his geriatric neighbors in the facility. Hes lost around 50 pounds since his injury, making him look slim, but he still has more mass to lift when he stands than New Franklins usual residents.

Hes come a long way in the past few months while recovering from a violent hit-and-run in the Bronx in August. Fabel blacked out and doesnt remember the type of vehicle that struck him. But when he regained consciousness in an intensive-care unit, he simply felt grateful to be alive. The impact left him with compound leg fractures, a broken pelvis, cracked ribs, a punctured right lung, and a lacerated liver, among other injuries. The driver has yet to be found, and Fabel has been fighting ever since to rehabilitate himself into a complete human being.

Since theres no hip-hop pension plan to cover his recovery, his family launched a GoFundMe in September. So far, theyve raised over $61,000 of the $150,000 goal to help offset his medical bills and refurbish his apartment to accommodate his recovery. The list of donors reads like a Hip-Hop 50 red-carpet event: Rapper Kurtis Blow, photographer Henry Chalfant, and Fab 5 Freddy all made generous contributions, and its still attracting donations from people concerned for Fabels well-being.

Hes a high-quality cat and one of the best to ever do it, Freddy tells Rolling Stone.

Fabel was a pioneer back in the day for creating some diversity in his technique, his approach, and the quality of his performances, graffiti artist Futura 2000, who contributed, says. He was super unique and very important to that genre and element of the hip-hop community.

Popmaster Fabel on West Broadway in New York, 1980.

Its terrible for a dancer to be shattered, Chalfant says. The first thing I thought about was how many bones have been broken in his body and how difficult it must be, and will be, to overcome that. I hope he gets as much back as humanly possible.

The outpouring of support has lifted Fabels spirits and motivated him to push himself harder in therapy. Next up in his obstacle course is the finger ladder, a corrugated wooden strip nailed to a wall. The exercise helps him elevate his arm and stretch his shoulder, as his fingers slowly inch their way toward the ceiling. To complement this Olympic test, he cues up the Police.

Fabel works slowly, taking a break when his hand reaches belly level. His therapist cheers him on, and eventually Fabels knuckles arrive at nose-level. He tries to dance, jerking his body to Stewart Copelands rhythm. But then he winces. This is the perfect song, he says, as Sting sings, Its my destiny to be the King of Pain. His right arm crawls up a little higher before he drops it to move over to physical therapy for leg movements.

Oh, were dancing, he says. Im gonna do my toe hop. Its my dance.

Fabel can get around slowly using a walker, but hes more comfortable in a wheelchair. Still, he knows he needs to challenge himself if he wants to walk regularly. So he climbs into the seat of a machine called NuStep that works his body similarly to an elliptical.

My musical tastes are all over the place, he says, holding his phone and a Bluetooth speaker. Youre gonna learn more about me now. He cues up Bauhaus Dark Entries, as another therapist placidly endures Peter Murphys gothy declamations. He finds his focus with the propulsive groove. When he finishes, the therapist helps him walk around the facility.

The day I stood up on my own two feet  of course, with them spotting me  I almost could have cried, he says. I hadnt stood up in two months. I felt like a newborn.

Fabel in treatment at a Queens, NY rehabilitation center.

Fabel and his older brother, Pedro, were born four minutes apart and raised with their two older sisters, Aida and Noemi, by a single mother in Spanish Harlem. He credits his old-school Puerto Rican mom with keeping him on the right track while he was growing up. He says that with dance, nature and nurture converged on him when his sisters introduced him to salsa music and James Brown. He had to move.

Fabel settles himself in a conference room, moving gingerly to an office chair with help from his significant other, a Swiss dancer named Anja Roelli. With the easy volubility of a native New Yorker, the hip-hop expert can orate both his own history and that of the culture in vivid color, a quality that has made him a welcome college lecturer.

If it werent for the violent street gangs that laid claim to New York in the 1970s, he says, he might never have become a professional dancer. His surreal recollections of pre-gentrified New York exist somewhere between scenes from Rocky and West Side Story: Men sing doo-wop around burning garbage cans in his memories and multi-ethnic street gangs face off in dance. There was a gang on my block called the Savage Samurais, he says. None of them were Japanese. They were all Puerto Rican and Black. They wore patches like bikers, but none of them had motorcycles. These guys were notorious, but were amazing dancers. (The Samurai were notable enough to feature in a Geraldo Rivera news segment in 1975.)

Fabel and Pedro would peer out of the windows of their apartment, near East 123rd Street and Lexington Avenue, as kids and watch gang members battle one another in rock dances, choreography Fabel loosely compares to the Afro-Brazilian form of dance-fighting known as capoeira. You might gesture at me like youre shooting me, and I might pull up a shield and block it, he explains, pantomiming in his office chair. It doesnt even have to be violent. It could be goofy, like I grabbed you and jumped rope with you. The whole thing was to humiliate your opponent.

Humiliation would occasionally escalate to violence. But by the late-Seventies, the Samurais started B-boying. When I saw the B-boying happening, I was like, Oh, my God,' Fabel says. I fell in love with the culture more. His sisters boyfriend introduced him to DJ culture at age 12, and Fabel started making pause tapes  making beats by recording the breaks in a song, hitting pause, moving the needle back on the vinyl, and recording it again.

He still wears his love of hip-hop on his sleeves  and on his head. He surprises Rolling Stone with a white hat that hes decorated with Fabel, jaggedly scrawled across the front panels in orange, yellow, and blue, and Rolling Stone beneath the bill. The calligraphy looks identical to the tag hed spraypainted on a wall near the intersection of East 135th Street and St. Anns Avenue in the Bronx on the day of the hit-and-run. But on the hat, the lettering is vibrant. Its his identity. I painted this hat just to have some cool stuff for you guys, he beams. Thats close-range art. But my goal is to swing my arms wide [for murals].

After watching the Samurai tag his neighborhood, and taking cues from his sisters boyfriend, Fabel embraced hip-hops four elements: dancing, DJing, MCing, and tagging. I was a late-bloomer, he says. I didnt really start tagging on walls and stuff until I was 13, 14. At New Yorks High School of Art and Design, he met Steffan Clemente, who performs as Mr. Wiggles, and became Fabels dancing and tagging partner.

Fabels first noms de fume were Radar and Paser, but when a classmate claimed Pase for himself, Pabon opened a textbook, covered his eyes, and pointed randomly at the page: Fable. (He swapped the last two letters so it wouldnt sound like a fairy tale, and because rhythmically, in a tag, you can blast off with the L.) Hed also been calling himself Sir Pop-a-Lot, but wisely switched to Popmaster after a battle host introduced him as such.

A quarter of a century ago, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame commissioned his essay Physical Graffiti, which details the history of B-boying and B-girling  titles he prefers to breakdancing, since thats a media term  as well as the West Coast dances that he mastered, like popping and locking. Those dances require him to stretch his arms and flip his hands in jittery movements as he spins his hips to the beat. His dissertation eloquently explains popping, locking, rocking, footwork, and freezes, and is required reading for anyone whos curious about the origins of hip-hop or wants to follow Fabels glossary.

(Precise wording is important to Fabel. If you refer to him as a B-boy, hell politely explain: People call me a B-boy only because my whole aura and essence  how I dress and all that  is very B-boyish. But technically, I pop, so Im a popper. I lock. I dont like to say Im a locker, though, because the Lockers are a distinct group. But Im a lock dancer, and Im a rock dancer.)

In 1982, Fabel and Wiggles would take the money they earned performing in the Times Square subway station and buy uniforms. Eventually, famed clubs like the Roxy, Studio 54, Roseland, and others asked, and occasionally paid, them to dance at their venues.

Henry Chalfant first met Fabel around this time. Beginning in 1977, Chalfant documented hip-hop culture with photos of the aerosol art he saw on subway trains. His first met Fabel in 1980. He had his trousers painted, I assume by him, and it said Jorge on it, he says. I took a picture of him standing on West Broadway on the day of the [show] opening, and its one of my iconic pictures of graffiti and the people who do it. Fabel served as a consultant and scholar for Chalfants film From Mambo to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Tale. As a dancer, Chalfant says, Fabel was always on the beat, and he could flow.

Around the time Fabel first met Chalfant, another dancer and aerosol artist, Doze, invited Fabel and Wiggles to hang out with the famous B-boy collective the Rock Steady Crew. Fabel recalls he and Wiggles hit it off with dancers Crazy Legs, Ken Swift, Frosty Freeze, and others, and in 1982, when Fabel and Wiggles had the opportunity to battle-dance another crew, Electric Force, at a club called Negril  and won  they got to join the fabled Rock Steady Crew. Fabel would eventually claim the title of Rock Steady vice president.

I met Fabel in the early Eighties with the Rock Steady Crew at various events on the New York downtown scene, Fab 5 Freddy says. As one of the producers of Wild Style, we featured Rock Steady along with him and Wiggles in our movie, hip-hops first and best feature film. Hes the standout mold and model for many around the world when it comes to popping, locking, and electric boogaloo.

Dance became a career for Fabel when record labels realized that their rappers should have dancers. Around that time, Harry Belafonte, who saw Fabel in Berlin and had begun producing a movie about hip-hop culture, asked him and Wiggles to appear in it. That 1984 film, Beat Street, which features Fabel dancing in the finale and in a Christmas pageant to rhymes by the Treacherous Three, would go on to be one of hip-hops defining statements.

After Beat Street, Fabels career fully popped and locked into place. Now were doing commercials as well on TV, he says. I did a national American Dairy milk commercial that aired for two years. Fabels mother had hoped hed go into advertising art, but she eventually embraced his love of dance when the royalty checks came in. Thats when she went, Maybe he knows what hes doing,' he remembers.

On a break from reminiscing, Fabel climbs back into his wheelchair for Rolling Stones photo shoot in the facilitys courtyard. He doesnt show any pain other than when hes standing with a walker nearby, trying to dance. He puts his arms out to pop and lock. The temperature is in the 30s, and the movement exhausts him, so he politely asks if the photographer got the shot. Back inside, he warms up.

In the mid-Eighties, he says, the work dried up and he distanced himself from hip-hop for a while, disillusioned by how the media and music business co-opted the culture, and got into the New York hardcore-punk scene instead. But by the late-Eighties, his interests in hip-hop and dance came back to him on a grander scale.

The production So! What Happens Now?, one of the first of its kind, was a hit in the early-Nineties. Although he says studios wanted to produce it, Fabel and his fellow creators refused the offers so they wouldnt have to alter the script. In the mid-Nineties, Fabel helped conceive an off-Broadway hip-hop play called Jam on the Groove, which he says suffered in New York because of heavy snowstorms. (He says the play fared better overseas and in Middle America, where nostalgia for hip-hops first wave still lingered.)

In 2001, Fabel and his then-wife, Christie Z, started holding park jams, called Tools of War, like the ones hed grown up with so people could listen to hip-hop and dance. We wanted to highlight the DJ again, because the emphasis typically was on the MC. So-called hip-hop was hijacked by the recording industry, he says. The dancing, the aerosol art, even the DJs, at one point, were kicked to the curb. Their goal was to reunite hip-hops four pillars, something Fabel has lectured on since 1999, when he became an adjunct professor teaching theater students at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts.

After close to two hours of talking, Fabel needs a break. He dines on a lunch of chicken and vegetables that New Franklin provides, and struggles to his feet to embrace Roelli. I just stood to give a hug to Anja, he exclaims. That was triumphant for me. I was on top of the mountain right there. You witnessed it.

Fabel, on right, in Beat Street.

For as sharp as Fabel is about his own history and hip-hops legacy, he can speak only abstractly about the cause of his injuries. Pushing aside the trays of food after lunch, Fabel sighs and widens his eyes as he tries to recollect how he ended up at New Franklin. Heres what he knows: Hed spent Aug. 27 working on his Bronx mural, quitting as dusk set in. He crossed a street to get a bicycle for the trip home. Thats it.

I dont remember seeing a car come, he says. His hands look calm on the conference table, but his eyes show amazement. I dont remember hearing it. I dont remember a damn thing. Total blackout.

Fabels injuries tell him a vehicle ran him over completely. The dude scrambled me, he says. Its all bad.

He woke up two days later. All he felt was numb. His brother read him a list of all his injuries, and Fabel felt defeated. Then the enormity of the collision hit him almost as hard as the vehicle that put him there. I thought it was all over, he says. I thought, Wow, Im just going to be in a wheelchair, incapacitated. I had a moment of giving up.

Fabel has long thought it was unfortunate that hip-hop doesnt have the same infrastructure as other artistic disciplines. Dancers in the classical arts can rely on unions for insurance, pensions, and contract negotiations. B-boys cant. The thought first hit him a decade ago when an enraged sciatic nerve almost sidelined a full schedule of appearances. A family member who works in the medical profession helped him find a doctor. Thats the closest Ive come to what Im experiencing now, he says.

This is worse, he adds. I almost died.

Reflecting now, Fabel is adamant that what happened to him was not an accident. This is a crime, he says. A hit-and-run is a crime. Sadly, his chances of restitution are bleak. He claims that the security cameras in the area were all dummies, intended to scare criminals but not catch them. No witnesses have come forward, and Fabel believes the NYPD didnt make their best effort in solving the hit-and-run. He says he would like to do [his] own investigation and explore other legal options. Fortuitously, someone saw his body and called 911. I could have been left for dead, he says, and my last graffiti piece wouldve been my last farewell.

Now, he faces acceptance. His injuries severed his livelihood only temporarily, he hopes. Unable to dance for the near-future, Fabel is relying on what money he has saved to exist. Artist has never been an easy profession, but injured artist is worse. He nevertheless stays hopeful.

You have to be [optimistic], he says. My whole career is based on thinking, Im going to make it  living hand to mouth. Im lucky in the fact that I am multitalented with drawing, painting, patchwork  I have my hands in a few different things that hopefully will guarantee me putting food on the table and a roof over my head and clothes on my back. (Fabel has designed some pins hes selling, including one depicting his scene in Beat Street.)

Now, he says, his warrior spirit has returned. He credits his brother Pete and Roelli for sticking with him throughout his recovery. His mother, who now lives in Florida, calls him twice a day.

popmaster fabel

Talking to him in November, hes happiest right after a therapy session. I dont feel pain during the therapy because my adrenaline kicks in. However, once Im upstairs back in my bed chilling and waiting for dinner to be served, it creeps up on me, he says. From one to 10, my pain would be anywhere between a three and an eight.

In the past few months, his injured lung has improved greatly. His ribs still hurt if he gets out of bed the wrong way. As a side-sleeper, he still isnt used to sleeping on his back. His broken right clavicle is healing the slowest. They call it a fracture, but if you look at the X-ray, it looks like it snapped, he says. But hes able to see new cells growing on his clavicle, appearing as glowing clouds on his bones in X-rays. He cant put his full weight on his legs, and he had to return to the hospital once because a rod that doctors installed caused an infection. But overall, hes improving. A true milestone, he says, was the first time he used the toilet by himself.

The staff at New Franklin Center treats him well, but he has cabin fever. His bed upstairs is small, and other than a view of the sunset and a TV, his greatest comfort is a thin creamsicle curtain separating him from his neighbor. He was able to go to his brothers house for Thanksgiving, and friends and family sometimes bring him food that he misses from his neighborhood.

In early December, Fabel was able to leave New Franklin for the day. On the way to his destination, his Uber passed the location of his mural. Initially, I felt numb and slight chills as we passed by the area, he says. It was bittersweet seeing my piece on the wall, then realizing I was almost killed just a couple blocks away. I consoled myself with the thought that I was spared and given a new lease on life. Im grateful to be alive.

Last week, New Franklin discharged Fabel and sent him home for recovery. He felt it was early, and the transition has been abrupt. Im confronted with daily challenges at home, he says via email. Everything from preparing meals to bathing on my own seems high-risk and takes an amazing amount of patience and energy. I never would have imagined being in this difficult and life-altering reality.

popmaster fabel mural

Hes also finding optimism difficult. Trying to stay upbeat knowing that there is a possibility that I may not be able to dance exactly the way I used to is trialing and a test of my warrior spirit, he says. As much as I try to think positively and reach towards my ultimate goal, there are moments where I cant help but feel like life will never be the same.

Now that hes home, hell spend some of the GoFundMe money on a wheelchair or rollator, which he graduated to in mid-December, and make his place accessible for his new mode of transportation. Ill be fixing up my toilet so that I can sit on it without busting my ass, literally, he says. I might have to buy cabinets. I cant reach the ones above my sink unless I have one of these grabby things. He also intends to use the money on the expensive medicine he needs, since he predicts that his insurance may put a cap on how much he can spend.

His eyes well up thinking about the generosity of those whove donated to the GoFundMe. I could cry right now, bro, he says. I get teary-eyed. Thats my hip-hop family, bro. I have my family that I love, but wow. When you see, like, Henry Chalfant  oh, my God, I love that man  I get emotional, bro. I cant help it. No one had to do that. No one had to give me shit. Its like, Fuck it, hes on his own. Cross at the green, not in between. But Kurtis Blow, oh, my God. Fab 5 Freddy. You never know whos going to do what until youre in this situation.

Hes always been a stand-up dude repping the culture to the fullest, Fab 5 Freddy says. When I saw the link to his GoFundMe, I didnt hesitate to contribute. Fabel is good people, dedicated to expressing hip-hop culture.

Back in November, when he was still sitting at the conference table, he parsed what healing meant to him. Healing is multilayered, he said serenely. Healing physically is one thing, healing emotionally is another, healing spiritually is yet another phase.

The minute you accept that Im the one that it was meant to happen to, its a place where you can sleep, he continued. Accepting it is a level of healing emotionally. Will I ever be able to dance like I used to? Even if I dont, at one point I did. I was dancing as if there is no tomorrow, because tomorrows not promised to anyone.

Best of Rolling Stone
Suren Seetal, 36, was reported missing after he didn't return home from work on Nov. 2

Go Fund Me Suren Seetal

A Florida airplane mechanic who was trying to collect a $315,000 debt was kidnapped and killed  and one of the suspects is the man who owed him the money, authorities allege.

On Monday, the United States Attorneys Office announced charges against three men who authorities allege had involvement in a violent kidnapping and murder of Miami-Dade resident Suren Seetal.

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida charged Broward County residents Somjeet Christopher Lil Chris Singh, 29, Avin Smalls Seetaram, 24, and Gavin Hunter, 18, with murder for hire conspiracy, murder for hire, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

Singh allegedly owed the Seetal approximately $315,000, and Seetal's girlfriend told authorities he'd been trying to collect his debts, according to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

The 36-year-old victim was last seen alive on Nov. 2 as he was leaving work. However, once he failed to return phone calls and did not come home, his family reported him missing.

Suren was last working at the airplane hangar at Banyan, FXE Airport in Fort Lauderdale, and left around 6:41 p.m. Thursday November 2nd, 2023 to run some errands before his trip to Trinidad on Saturday, Karen Seetal, an organizer on a GoFundMe account, shared on Nov. 13.

Joe Raedle/Getty airport

Suren did not return home Thursday night nor did he show up for work on Friday. His cell phone has been going to voicemail. Any donations will go directly to the family to help with the search. Thank you for any help you can provide, the fundraiser continued.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Suren Seetal's cell phone was allegedly traced near Dr. HVAC, Singhs air conditioning company. The device went off network a short time later.

His body was recovered at Big Cypress Reservation on Nov. 21.

The affidavit alleges that Seetal knew Singh and Seetaram from working together in the fireworks business. The suspects had been communicating with each other up until Seetal's cell phones signal was cut on Nov. 2.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Additionally, the affidavit alleged that the following morning, an unmarked black tow truck driven by an employee of Singh's cousin removed Seetal's vehicle from the vicinity of Dr. HVAC.

The move was allegedly tracked by SunPass, a toll system in Florida.

The same day that Seetal's vehicle was towed, Home Depot security footage allegedly picked up Seetaram and Singh purchasing a 96-gallon yard waste cart, according to the affidavit.

Seetaram's cell phone also allegedly pinged traveling in the direction of where the victims body was discovered. Hunter is believed to be the suspect who fatally shot Seetal, the affidavit alleges.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the Seetal family. It's still very early, but I have been in regular communication with the Government since my client's arrest, and working diligently with the Government to understand the allegations and reach a just and expeditious resolution to this serious matter," Seetarams attorney said, in part, in a statement obtained by NBC 6.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Seetaram will have an arraignment hearing on Dec. 28.

Hunters arraignment hearing is scheduled for Jan. 2. Singhs arraignment hearing is scheduled for Jan. 3.

PEOPLE was not able to contact attorneys for any of the suspects, and it's not immediately clear if any of the suspects has entered a plea.

If convicted of the charges contained in the federal indictment, Seetaram, Singh, and Hunter will each face a mandatory sentence of life in prison or the death penalty, the press release states.



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Read the original article on People.
From its subtly orchestrated opening scene to its devastating and explosive climax, writer-director Chloe Domonts Fair Play is one of the most confident and controlled feature debuts in years, a provocative and brainy drama with the propulsive aggression of a classic thriller. As in the best films of Alfred Hitchcock and Claude Chabrol, Domont uses the mechanisms of genre to explore personal and complicated ideas about class, sex, gender, and power; and like those directors, Domont is a master when it comes to marshaling all of the cinematic tools at her disposal to pull it off. When I was writing the script, I described it as an emotional thriller, Domont told IndieWire. The intention was to use genre to shine a light on an emotional terror that I feel is too often normalized.

Although Fair Play contains only a few minutes of overt physical violence, emotional violence is pervasive and relentless. Domonts tale of hedge fund analysts Emily and Luke (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich) whose relationship takes a dark turn when the woman begins with them seemingly happy  but the way the opening is filmed suggests otherwise. Even though the film starts lighter and the characters are in love, I wanted to open with a shot that says otherwise, Domont said. That somethings a bit off. The first few minutes of Fair Play, which begin with an opening shot of Dynevor expressing her emotional distance from everyone around her and continue with an elaborately choreographed Steadicam move in which her partner leads her through a wedding, expertly establishes several of the scripts core ideas  culminating in an unconventional love scene thats sweet and disturbing in equal measures. In the video below, she explains how the ending was built into the film from the start.

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Fair Play - Directing - Craft Considerations

I wanted to grab the audience by the throat, Domont said. I wanted to pull them in in a way that was shocking but amusing, and a little bit absurd. Domont desire for an arresting opening led to a scene in which Luke performs oral sex on Emily while shes on her period. While the scene is undeniably startling, its not gratuitous  and it also operates on multiple levels, like the film as a whole. The proposal that ends the scene establishes several important plot points that set the rest of the film in motion, and the blood imagery foreshadows the ugliness to come. But then the really important thing is that you have to fall in love with the characters. I was like, OK, hes going to go down on her, and its going to be the wrong time of the month, and then hes going to propose to her covered in blood. I really wanted to show that on some level this is a man whos not threatened by women  how could he be threatened by her if he has her blood on his face?

But the film progresses and Emilys successes eclipse Lukes, his dark side takes over, and the contradictions that Domont establishes in those opening scenes deepen. Im here to tackle subject matter that is ugly and dark, but I also want to take audiences on a ride and make it thrilling to watch. I dont believe that films have to be one or the other  they can be both. Domont and her producers knew there was a risk in the delicate balance she was trying to achieve, that it would be entirely execution-dependent  a scary prospect for a first-time feature director. Yet Domont was undeterred. Risk fuels me, she said.

The chances Domont took werent limited to her confrontational characters and themes  the risks even manifested themselves in the physical nature of the production. This is a New York movie, but we had to shoot in Serbia, Domont said. I had a specific vision, and when we got the numbers back in New York it was clear that it would have been an entirely different film. When Domont told friends she was planning to replicate New York in Serbia, their reactions were far from encouraging. An Oscar-nominated cinematographer said to me, Chloe, if you shoot this film in Serbia its career suicide.' Domont took a chance on Serbia anyway, and the gamble was integral to the artistic success of Fair Play, as it enabled the filmmakers to build two key sets: the apartment where Emily and Luke live and the office in which they work.

By building her sets to precise specifications, Domont was able to use the spaces to increase the sense of tension and claustrophobia already present in her script; she even made the apartment steadily shrink in size throughout the film by bringing the walls in each time the characters returned to it. Then in terms of the office, I wanted to give it a totally different kind of claustrophobia, Domont said. The idea there was, I didnt want any walls that they could hide behind or doors that they could close because that would give them a moment to actually think about what theyre doing instead of just behaving and acting out. I wanted to create this fishbowl feeling for the office where theyre always in each others space. They go from the office to the apartment, back to the office, back to the apartment, and they just cant escape each other, which is part of what leads to such an explosive final act.

That final act is heavily dependent on the performances of the two leads, and Domont knew she had to come up with a way of making the actors as comfortable with taking risks as she was. Her solution was careful planning, in which the scenes were broken down into individual components and the sex and violence were treated mechanically, like stunts. Because we were a low-budget film, we didnt have the luxury of time, Domont said. Sometimes it was like, you literally have one hour and thats it. So it forces you to prep more and work out all of the kinks ahead of time. By splitting the scenes up into performance pieces and stunt pieces, Domont was able to get everything she needed while protecting her actors. Making it so technical took the emotional weight off of those scenes and made it easier for the actors to shake it off and go home. Because its pretty dark stuff.

READ MORE CRAFT CONSIDERATIONS

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A Russian influencer is in hot water after hosting a risque party in Moscow this week.

Conservative activists accused the "nude illusion" event of promoting gay propaganda.

Influencer Anastasia Ivleeva defended the party in a since-deleted Telegram post, per The Washington Post.

A costume party in Moscow that featured half-naked celebrities has unleashed a wave of vitriol from Russian politicians and activists looking to curry favor with President Vladimir Putin, according to The Washington Post.

The controversial event was hosted this week at the Mutabor nightclub by popular Russian influencer Anastasia Ivleeva, who charged around $11,000 for a ticket, the report said.

Among the guests were pop stars and models, according to social media posts, as well as Ksenia Sobchak, a TV personality, influencer, and critic of Putin.

The theme for the event was '"nude illusion." Ivleyev wore a diamond body chain worth $250,000, while other guests were dressed in skin-toned mesh and lingerie. Russian rapper, Vacio, sported only a sock, The Post reported.

Russian officials and orthodox activists have since called for legal repercussions for the event's organizers and attendees, highlighting Russia's conservative turn under Putin's leadership.

Anastasia Ivleeva attends the Prada Spring/Summer 2024 Womenswear Fashion Show on September 21, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images for Prada

TV propagandists and political activists said the lavish event was "tone-deaf" as Russia's war with Ukraine nears its third year and estimated Russian casualties climb beyond 300,000, the outlet reported.

Critics of the party also zeroed in on what they said were public expressions of non-heterosexual orientation and relationships at the event, according to The Post.

According to The Moscow Times, police raided the party on its second day and allowed it to continue after a short delay. However, guests were "way more dressed" than the previous day, the report said.

Yekaterina Mizulina, head of a Kremlin-connected group calling for tighter controls over online expression who campaigned for anti-LGBT laws, asked for those who attended the party to be boycotted.

"Such hangouts are a shot in the foot of the entire policy pursued by the state," Mizulina wrote in a Telegram post. "[The partygoers] live in a different world than the rest of the country."

"These people should be boycotted at the state level," she said.

One radical Christian group named Call of the People directly petitioned the prosecutor general's office asking for a criminal probe into the party's conduct, alleging "kissing men" and drug use were present at the event, according to The Post.

Iveleeva's critics have called for her business opportunities to be shuttered because of the party, the outlet reported, suggesting she be saddled with hefty fines and an investigation into her finances.

But she appeared to stand her ground in a since-deleted Telegram post viewed by The Post.

"It was worth it, and I love that after my every party people write comments that this is debauchery, some kind of demonism and Satanism, even though its just people wearing beautiful costumes," she wrote.

Business Insider has reached out to Iveleeva for comment.

The incensed societal response to the party strikes a different tone than the one once espoused by Russian officials  including Putin himself  who spent the early days of the war trying to convince citizens that the fighting in Ukraine would have little impact on their day-to-day lives.

In recent years, Putin has ramped up anti-LGBT rhetoric and legislation in Russia, going so far as to ban the promotion and praise of same-sex relationships.

Read the original article on Business Insider
1.What a lovely Christmas bonus! That's sure gonna help them make rent!

2.Though this EMPTY BAG meant for you to use to GIVE GIFTS TO OTHERS at work is a far worse holiday "gift."

3.This workplace literally wanted you to PAY to wear comfier clothes.

4.Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're all working because we need money to survive, yes?

5.Why did I automatically know this was in America?

6.This person was literally forgotten about at work.

If you can't read this, it says: "I was forgotten about at work again. I work 12-hour shifts on the night shift. My relief in the morning had vacation, and supervision forgot AGAIN that I needed to be relieved. Got a text from my boss an hour after the end of my shift asking if I was still at the office. Even texted that he thought he was my relief and finished the text with LOL. Why the hell would someone check if you are still at work an hour after THEY were supposed to relieve you? Because nobody cares, thats why. This has happened to me almost half a dozen times. No union, and if you leave without being relieved, you will be terminated." u/bluelinewarri0r / Via reddit.com

7.And yet the reason millennials can't afford a house is avocado toast.

8.I don't know about y'all, but I have never trusted any checkout charity collection. I'm not giving a multimillion dollar company MORE money, then just trusting they give it all to people in need, without collecting any tax benefit for themselves.

9.This person was asked to come to a "cleaning party" at work with two hours notice, and got fired when they couldn't go.

10.This manager approved PTO then went ahead and scheduled the person anyways.

11.Clearly, some bosses reallyyyy don't understand the concept of PTO.

12.Especially the "off" part.

13.Is this even allowed?

14.This is not how this works!

15.This employee got in trouble for wearing a sweater AFTER their shift was over.

If you can't read this, it says: "Got chewed out for wearing a sweater after clocking out. Its 30F outside. Im a maintenance worker for a facility. I clock out and put on my sweater before heading out. My boss stopped me from leaving the building and told me that my hoodie isnt part of my uniform and that Im going to get written up if I continue to break policy. I asked why I have to be in uniform when Im off the clock and was told it doesnt matter while Im on site. Am I supposed to walk out to my car and continue to freeze until I leave the facility? Seems like a fucking stupid thing to expect of employees. Its not a secure facility or anything like that. No fences. Like, when Im out the door, Im out in public. I assume its okay to not be in uniform at that point." u/ShellSwitch / Via reddit.com

16.This workplace expected you to be unemployed before even interviewing for another job, because it makes total sense to completely give up your income on the off chance you may get this other job.

17.Look, I get that starting salary is sometimes a negotiation, but this person gave a clear range, and this recruiter's basically suggesting they could manipulate her into taking less.

18.This company basically told a (former) employee if they keep expecting their workplace to follow the law and pay people for work, nowhere else will hire them.

19.This boss also conveniently "forgot" the law.

20.And this one said "it's not illegal" not to pay an employee.

21.This person was fired after asking for a raise, which is definitely 100% unconnected!

22.This boss demanded an employee come in on their off day, and then  when the employee said they couldn't  insulted them.

23.This boss is frankly unbelievable.

24.As is this one.

If you can't read this, it says: "Boss made me read her dads erotic writings as a 'work assignment' Ive been working as an assistant for a year and a half at a Fortune 500 company. Ive had to report my boss to HR previously for verbal harassment, and they claim to still be investigating. The other day, my boss approached me and told me she had a work assignment for me. When I asked for details, she informed me that her elderly father was writing a book and that shed like me to read it and provide feedback. I felt this was a little strange, since that isnt the scope of my job/the company I work for, but I agreed mostly because shes my boss, and I didnt think it was a choice. She airdrops it to me (was very reluctant to email it), and when I begin reading, its a nonfiction story about her fathers ex-wife 'whoring' around the city. There was some incredibly offensive things in the writings besides the sexual passages, like homophobia and sexism. I returned to my boss to ask her if she knew what was in this document, and she just replied, 'I know its inappropriate. Just make your notes and send it back.' I saved the doc in my Google Drive because she asked me to delete it when I was done. I reported this to HR, and they told me theyre looking into it, but I desperately want to leave. Does this qualify as sexual harassment? Im so lost right now, but I know my work performance is failing because of her treatment." u/Nothingbutwords / Via reddit.com

25.This list of rules made it seem a lot less like a workplace and a lot more like military school.

26.This workplace had appearance and age requirements, which is definitely illegal.

27.This poor employee tried to take some food that was being thrown out because he was struggling to afford food and got chewed out by his manager, and it's giving dystopia.

28.This workplace considered charging your phone while at work "theft of electricity."

29.This boss tried to schedule their employee last-minute for a weekend shift because THEY didn't want to work, claiming the employee had the "last few weekends off." But according to OP, it "was ONE weekend, which was LAST weekend for my daughter's birthday! I worked Thanksgiving, the day after, that Saturday, AND my birthday. Ive worked almost every weekend since September."

30.This workplace charged people to use the microwave in the break room.

31.And this workplace charged employees for coffee.

32.This employer gave out candy for a special occasion...and then threatened employees who might dare to take more than a single fun-size piece. Because nothing says employee appreciation like increased surveillance!

33.This workplace took screenshots every 10 minutes and counted mouse clicks to make sure employees are working all day.

34.This workplace asked other employees to donate PTO to a hospitalized worker instead of just giving them more PTO.

35.This workplace asked workers injured on the job *not* to go to the hospital, which is definitely illegal.

36.This workplace gave employees a single mint for generating an extra $6 million in sales.

37.This workplace put up this infuriating poster  and to make things worse, they added a minion meme.

38.This workplace texted an employee who was in the hospital facing surgery telling them they'd have to come into work anyways, because they'd "already paid for an Airbnb in Cleveland."

39.This workplace hired people based on attractiveness  which a prospective employee realized when she saw her job application.

The interviewer wrote: "Found on Facebook. Fits our look when she puts on makeup." u/Spidercheyenne / Via reddit.com

40.This workplace gave a pregnant person absolutely zero PTO or maternity leave when they had a child.

If you can't read the above, it says: "My wife is returning to work with zero sick time or PTO after giving birth to our child. USA is backwards. My wifes employer (healthcare) does not offer any sort of maternity leave. So she was forced to go on short-term disability to get six weeks at 60% pay to deliver our child. She then filed for FMLA and got another six weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks. Her HR generalist led her to believe that going unpaid was possible, however we learned today that they cashed out all of her sick time and PTO during her FMLA. Now she is returning to work with literally zero sick time or PTO. I just cant believe that I live in a country that is going to put my wifes job and my childs livelihood in jeopardy in the event that she gets sick. Or god forbid, needs a day off. F*** every politician that voted against mandatory paid leave for new parents." u/Code2King / Via reddit.com

41.This awful restaurant has its employees pay a "tip refund" every time a customer pays with a card.

42.This workplace changed their schedule and put an employee on the day of the week that they said they could never do, didn't tell the employee about it, then got mad when they didn't come in.

43.This job gave employees their tips via rolls of coins.

44.This boss asked their employee to work 17 hours on the Fourth of July so that they wouldn't have to work a 12-hour shift.

45.This hospital made ICU workers say why they didn't receive their legally-mandated lunch break, but really only gave the option of "I chose to work" (since you can only click "manager request" if the manager actually requested it in writing, not if you were forced to keep working because a patient was dying and your manager was nowhere to be found).

46.This person got fired (along with 80% of the workplace) due to budget cuts, then saw the CEO post this that same night.

47.This employer gave employees a literal rock as an appreciation gift.

48.This employee appreciation gift was literally just air.

49.This person just didn't get paid because their boss was on vacation, which their boss thought was totally fine and normal.

50.And this person didn't pay employees because it was "slow" at work.

51.There's no way this is allowed.

52.This company gave good employees "work bux" (with cringey bitmojis on them, no less) that could be used to redeem top ramen and granola bars.

53.This workplace decided to completely return to the office with no warning.

If you can't read this, it says: "Office going back in office 5 X a week with no warning. Exactly what the title says. My company (in which I work pretty much completely remote; we have an office that people go into maybe once a month) sent an email Saturday morning that starting January 1st, we are back in office five days a week. There was no warning and no transition at all. I've been working from home the past year and a half and cannot even fathom going back in office completely. Guess I'll add 'new job' to my Christmas list this year." u/halliray123 / Via reddit.com

54.This workplace posted this whole rant about tipping your server and how the servers deserve the money, when they could've just, y'know, paid their servers more.

55.This workplace got their employee's name wrong on their uniform, then told the employee they'd have to pay for a new uniform if they wanted it fixed.

56.This elderly employee injured their foot AT WORK, and their boss's first reply was if they'd be in the next day.

57.This boss refused to let staff take certain days off, then took them off themselves.

58.This workplace's toilet paper literally looks like tissue paper.

59.This company gave their employee an extra 10-minute break as a reward for work well done...but the 10 minutes had to be asked for a day in advance and could not be added to existing breaks.

60.And this job gave out Monopoly money that could be used at the company's "store" of random items...which were "prohibitively expensive" according to the original poster: "There's close to 400 Bux in the picture, and I couldn't afford anything but free snacks," they wrote.

61.This employee got a coupon for being a loyal employee who never missed a day of work for five years.

62.Though I gotta say, these prizes for Employee Appreciation Day  which include "a head of lettuce"  are even worse.

63.This workplace gave their employee a "party" for 15 years of employment, then started it early and let everyone else eat all her food so she didn't get any.

If you can't read the above, it says: "Fifteen years for this... My daughter has worked 15 years for J*w*l F**ds. They told her they would give her a party to celebrate. She arrived to find that they had started early without her. All the food was gone. All that remained was an empty room and a huge mess, which at least they did not make her clean up. Fair is fair, though  they did allow her an extra break. I wish I was surprised." u/JoyReader0 / Via reddit.com

64.Instead of getting raises to, y'know, afford to buy food, NHS workers apparently got advice on how to access a food bank.

65.This person got a voucher for 2.50 for a job well done.

66.This workplace tried to schedule an interview, then asked for a more enthusiastic cover letter.

67.This workplace required a doctor's note but didn't give employees health insurance.

68.This workplace used some backwards logic to explain why they could legally pay someone below minimum wage (they can't).

69.This boss bragged about being cruel just for the sake of it.

70.This boss also bragged about clearly having a toxic workplace.

71.This workplace was *definitely* not toxic!

If you can't read the above, it says: "Got asked in an interview if I was 'sensitive.' Had a phone interview, and the lady was hostile from the get-go. Toward the end, she asked me if I was 'sensitive,' as the 'team' like to 'joke around.' Im not what Id consider a 'sensitive person,' but this to me screams a work environment where management allows core staff to sort of shit on new staff  driven by the fact that she also mentioned she didnt really want to bring me on board as Id 'take work away from the main guys.' At least she made the decision for me. " u/SweetSwords / Via reddit.com

72.This workplace accidentally ended up with more keyboards than they ordered, so they literally threw the extras into the trash instead of giving them away  and cut the cords so no one dumpster diving could use them.

73.And finally, this workplace  and every single other workplace that does this  needs to leave this stupid requirement in 2023.
The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels traversing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are resulting in more ships diverting course from the Red Sea around southern Africas Cape of Good Hopespurning a major global trade artery in the Suez Canal and potentially tacking on two weeks to transit times.

As of Thursday, 129 vessels have been rerouted away from the Red Sea, with an additional 28 ships opting to stay stationary and try to wait out the conflict, according to analysis from Project44.

More from Sourcing Journal

One U.S. logistics giant, C.H. Robinson, said in a Friday client advisory that its ocean freight partners had rerouted more than 25 vessels, and that the number would continue to grow due to the war risks in the Red Sea, as well as the drought-driven backlog in the Panama Canal.

Matt Muenster, chief economist at transportation and shipping solutions provider, Breakthrough, told Sourcing Journal that of all the vessels traveling through the canal being rerouted, container shipping will see the biggest impact.

Container shipping has the greatest share of their industry goodsabout 20 percent of container shipments flow through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, versus the 10 percent of tankers, refined products and crude oil, Muenster said.

Retailers, which stand to feel the pain of delivery delays and higher freight rates, have largely played coy regarding the developments.

Thus far, only Ikea has acknowledged the potential impacts, saying that the situation in the Suez Canal will result in delays and may cause availability shortages for certain products.

We are in close dialogue with our transportation partners to ensure the safety of people working in the Ikea value chain and to take all the necessary precautions to keep them safe. This is our main priority, an Ikea spokesperson said. In the meantime, we are evaluating other supply options to secure the availability of our products, and we continue to monitor the situation closely going forward.

Ikea does not own any container vessels, and the home retailers transportation partners manage all its shipments.

On the other hand, Amazon does not anticipate impact its customers and is continuing to monitor the situation, a representative for the e-commerce giant told Sourcing Journal.

Similarly, a Uniqlo representative said there has been no impact on the business yet, but echoed that it would be monitoring the situation closely.

Robert Khachatryan, CEO of freight forwarder Freight Right Global Logistics, expects shippers to be impacted mainly via increased freight costs, particularly since the ocean freight industry has sought to drive up profitability after rates have fallen drastically over the past two years. He expects more blank sailings to limit supply of shipping space on the seas, which in theory, increases prices.

We are in a year of bad ocean freight demand, Khachatryan said. The Suez situation is very convenient for ocean carriers to say, Sorry, this route is too risky and we have to take the longer route, and therefore the rates must go up. Before this Houthi rebel situation even started, that was exactly the strategy carriers were implementinglimit sailings and make them longer.

Muenster said that the container shipping companies at large were likely to be more prepared for mass reroutings, especially given the supply chain bottlenecks during the Covid-19 pandemic, when consumers quickly shifted their spending habits for goods and production was disrupted throughout Asia.

The 10-to-15-day difference in transit times thats expected is nothing in comparison to the pandemic disruptions in transit times, Muenster said. The ability of container lines to reallocate capacity goes a long way to alleviating stress in markets such as this. They have capacity that has been on the sidelines. The fact that the industry is very consolidatedmany of the major companies that are moving goods are doing so across most major trade lanescreates flexibility that doesnt present an immediate solution, but certainly doesnt seem to let these challenges prolong in the market.

Suez Canal delays more of a European problem

Europe is expected to be hit the most, with trade lanes between it and Asia comprising nearly 28 percent of the total routes that leverage the Suez Canal, according to Project44 data. This could lead to an outsized on brands operating in the region.

A research note from Bank of America highlighted that Crocs, Levi Strauss & Co., PVH Corp. and Tapestry were among the only specialty retailing companies who called out the Suez Canal as an issue in 2021, when the Ever Given container ship got stuck in the waterway for six days.

All four of those businesses have larger European operations, which will likely be impacted more due to the Asia-to-Europe trade lane, the note said.

Sourcing Journal reached out to Crocs, Levi Strauss & Co., PVH and Tapestry.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Sweden-based H&M said it wouldnt go into details about the potential impacts, but downplayed the idea of disruption.

We have a lot of experience in working with logistics and cannot see that we at this time will have any significant disruptions in the shipment of our collections, an H&M spokesperson told Sourcing Journal.

Identifying the Suez Canal situation as more of a European problem, Khachatryan said the Panama Canal backlog is the main factor that has exacerbated the issues for American companies.

Only very recently, some carriers started routing ships through the Suez due to the delays in Panama, because its not that much better of an option, Khachatryan said. If you take the Suez, its a couple weeks longer transit time anyway. Its not clear that its an improvement to begin with, and thats why the Suez has not been a big part of the Panama Canal solution.
Mercer's annual report is out, and it ranked the pension systems of 47 nations worldwide.

Flottmynd/Getty Images

If you are considering retiring abroad, then the newly released global pension index by U.S. consulting firm Mercer is a good indication of where to focus your search if youre looking for stability. According to the annual report, the Netherlands (with a score of 85.0), Iceland (84.8), and Denmark (81.3) are the countries with the top three pension systems out of the 47 countries that it studied. The report points out that the Netherlands has a flat-rate public pension and a non-mandatory earnings-based system.

Mercer rates each country in three categories: adequacy, which measures factors such as benefits, government assistance, and home ownership; sustainability, providing data on pension coverage, economic growth, and public expenditure; and integrity, which measures protection, regulation, and operating costs of the pension system.

As far as popular retirement destinations for American expats, such as Portugal, which attracts retirees with its affordable cost of living, the country scored 67.4 and was graded with a B but topped the adequacy category thanks to its earnings-related system and income safety net. Italy scored lower, 56.3, and has the lowest sustainability score out of any European country on the list.

Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure

The U.S. has the same grade as France and Croatia, a C+, with a score of 63, which the report points out could be improved by raising the minimum pension and improving the vesting of the current benefits.

Finland, the happiest country in the world, has the sixth-best pension system and scores very high in the integrity category. Israel is the fourth top performer, with an excellent A grade.

The worst performers are India (45.9), The Philippines (45.2), and Argentina (42.3).

However, Eimear Walsh, Mercers head of investments and wealth, told CNBC that the index has limitations and doesnt paint the full picture.

"We focus a lot on the pensions system but thats not the only thing to consider. Its an important balance," said Walsh. "A lot of it also depends on the tax system, the climate and culture of the country, and whether people can actually be happy there, she explained.

Earlier this year, another report by Natixis Investment Managers and CoreData Research, which incorporates more factors such as healthcare life expectancy and quality of life, rated Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland as providing the most retirement security for their residents out of the 44 nations it studied. The only non-European country in the top ten was Australia, which ranked seventh.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
A pool with pink umbrellas and striped chaises and sticker that says "wish you were here"

From dreamy decor to top-notch amenities, Dominos Wish You Were Here series is your first-class ticket to the most design-driven getaways around the world. Whether youre looking to steal away for a few days or just steal a few ideas for back home (we encourage both, for the record), check out where were checking in.

For all of its alluring imagery and glamour, Los Angeles can be a tricky place to navigate, especially when youre a design-minded person looking for a chic spot to lay your head after a day at the beach or strolling LACMA. Thankfully, we spend a lot of time in the California city, so weve rounded up our favorite stays whenever we find ourselves in La-La Land. Here are the best hotels in town.

Palihotel Hollywood

Courtesy of Palisociety

Why we love it: That pool.

Situated on Sunset Boulevard, the Palihotel is an emerald oasis away from Hollywoods hustle. The lush courtyards checkerboard tile surrounds a heated pool, and in the rooms, fluted emerald headboards will lull you off to, well, la-la land. And for finicky sleepers, there are even extra-dark Night Owl rooms with just one window that faces the hallway.

The West Hollywood Edition

Courtesy of The West Hollywood Edition

Why we love it: Spalike vibes (and Le Labo bath products).

Even a one-night stay at the West Hollywood Edition feels like a true break from reality. From the pale wood furniture to the faux fur throws atop each crisp white bed, the rooms evoke the kind of Goop-y sensibility that few of us can resist. Fluffy white towels and Le Labo products in the bathroom add the final luxurious touch.

Mondrian Los Angeles

Courtesy of Mondrian Los Angeles

Why we love it: Fantastical style thats tough to find anywhere else these days.

The Mondrian was originally designed by Philippe Starck (and touched up in 2009 by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz), and walking into your room feels like stepping into a trippy time capsule where mid-century modern takes over. If you ever forget where you are, just peer out the windows overlooking the Hollywood Hills.

The Proper Downtown L.A.

Photography by The Ingalls

Why we love it: It makes a bold first impression.

The minute you walk into the lobby of the Kelly Wearstlerdesigned Proper, youre surrounded by a desert-toned Abel Macias mural. Step into the restaurant, and cacti of all kind greet you as well. Theres no other way to say it: This place is a true oasis in downtown L.A.

The Georgian Hotel

Photography by Douglas Friedman

Why we love it: The history, dahling!

Originally opened in 1933, the famed First Lady of Santa Monica got a serious update. From the outside, the freestanding turquoise tower looks Accidentally Wes Anderson , but inside, design firm Fettle let the Art Deco details take over as it lovingly restored the 84 rooms into a jewel-colored paradise just steps from the ocean.
A textile and apparel magnate with ties to American brands and manufacturers has been sanctioned by the U.S. State Department for unscrupulous dealings in Central America.

Mohammad Yusuf Amdani Bai, chairman of multinational textile, apparel and real estate firm GK Global (formerly known as Grupo Karims), was named in the agencys Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors Report for 2023 under Section 353 of the Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act. Released Thursday, the public document submitted to Congress identifies foreign persons who have knowingly taken part in crimes like bribery, extortion, fraud and harassment in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

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According to the U.S. State Department, Amdani, one of Honduras richest businessmen, engaged in significant corruption by bribing Honduran Supreme Court officials to rule in favor of his business in a private lawsuit. Under Section 353, he will be ineligible for a visa or admission to the U.S., and any existing documentation that could grant him entry will be canceled. The business in question was not named, though GK Global owns a garment manufacturer, two yarn-spinning mills and a textile chemicals company in the country, along with several industrial parks and other real estate ventures.

A naturalized Honduran citizen, Amdani launched GK Global in the Central American market in 1991 with the opening of Pride Manufacturing, which produced apparel to be exported to the U.S. This kick-started the firms expansion throughout the region. The firms subsidiaries include about 10 manufacturing bodies across Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico that make yarns, textiles, apparel and packaging like Northern Textiles, Northern Spinning, Northern Chemicals, Honduras Spinning Mills, Nicaragua Spinning Mills, GK Yarn, Ammar Apparel, Karims Textiles, Fabrique Manufacturing and South East Manufacturing.

The group, which also operates vertical manufacturer Lucky Knits and label factory American Textile & Apparel in Pakistan, has significant real estate investments on multiple continents, like industrial parks that house its factories and other businesses. The company underwent a rebrand in 2022, changing its name from Grupo Karims to GK Global reflect the evolution and diversification of its enterprise.

The firm has capitalized on the burgeoning interest in nearshoring and fashion firms growing desires to divest from China supply chains following the implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). In February, Californias Next Level Apparel (NLA), a 20-year-old designer and manufacturer of blank apparel, announced a strategic partnership with GK Global to develop garments in Central America and Mexico made wholly with U.S. cotton. There are many benefits of this partnership with GK, including shorter lead times and reduced exposure to geopolitical risks, NLA CEO Randy Hales said at the time.

The firm has also solicited offshore investments from prominent apparel makers looking to enhance their access to the U.S. market and take advantage of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

Amdani was a speaker at the 38th World Fashion Convention in Philadelphia in October, which attracted manufacturers, brands and retailers from across the U.S. and the globe. The International Apparel Federation (IAF), which co-organized the event alongside the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA), described the GK Global chairman as a successful businessman, visionary, entrepreneur, and investor.

He released World of Opportunity: Bringing Sustainable Business to Fragile Economies with Forbes Books weeks earlier, detailing the firms three-decade rise to prominence in Honduras and beyond. Where others saw poverty and few educational opportunities in Honduras, Yusuf Amdani saw a manufacturing hub, Forbes Books wrote in a press release. In this Central American country, he saw an opportunity to pay a steady salary to a capable labor pool and help grow the regions economy.

However, some former employees dont see Amdanis business as the beacon of hope he aims to portray. Olivia Aurora worked at Pride Manufacturing for a decade before she claims she and others were unjustly terminated in 2016 based on occupational health problems resulting from work at the factory. According to Honduran news outlet Contra Corriente, Aurora sued Pride Manufacturing in a labor court for reinstatement of her position along with backpay and benefits, winning not once, but twice, after the company appealed the decision in 2020. As of March 2022, Aurora still had not received the court-mandated compensation from GK Global despite engaging worker rights group Honduran Womens Collective and reaching a settlement with the firm months earlier.

In March 2021, Mexicos regulatory health board launched an investigation into GK Global when a private plane owned by Amdani was detained on its way to Honduras. With members of the firms upper management on board, Mexican officials discovered thousands of doses of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine hidden in coolers beneath soda cans, presumably to be smuggled into Honduras. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which developed the vaccine, said that the vials were inauthentic upon examining their labels, the Associated Press reported.

Following the seizure in Mexico, local Honduras media groups wrote that between 1,000 and 4,000 of GK Globals workers in Campeche had already received doses of a purported Sputnik V vaccine. Mexican authorities did not release further information about the contents of the vials that were confiscated, but the GK Global told the AP that the vaccine was intended to be given out for free to its employees and their families.

The U.S. State Department routinely adds to the Section 353 list of Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors, submitting an annual report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Committee on the Judiciary, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The 2023 report listed 39 individuals, including Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena, a former president of El Salvador who perpetrated schemes involving bribery and embezzlement, Jimi Rodolfo Bremer Ramirez, a Guatemalan judge who authorized politically motivated criminal charges against journalists, Alexander Lopez Orellana, mayor of the Honduran city of El Progreso, who awarded multi-million dollar municipal contracts to his political allies and Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, the current Nicaraguan attorney general, who used her office to coordinate a campaign to suppress dissent from the governments political opponents.

The Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, passed by Congress in 2020, authorized U.S. foreign assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. It requires that the U.S. State Department devise strategies to help these nations address instability, promote economic development and mitigate corruption, and report on these issues each year.
A dog in Wilmington, Delaware, has been killed in a hit-and-run incident, reports The News Journal. The pups owner, Jane Pierantozzi, founder of the New Castle-based shelter Faithful Friends Animal Society, was walking her pet when a vehicle struck them. Pierantozzi suffered injuries, following which she was taken to a hospital.

Car sped off after hitting dog and owner

According to the Wilmington Police Department, the vehicle sped off after hitting Pierantozzi and her dog. Authorities believe the car is a tan minivan or full-sized SUV. They have yet to identify the vehicle and the driver.

Our entire organization is shocked and very saddened with the news of Janes injury and the loss of Emmas life, Bob Wasserbach, president of the Faithful Friends board of directors, said. He also expressed gratitude to the companys strong and competent team who have banded together to continue our lifesaving work as Jane recovers.

In an interview with ABC affiliate WPVI News, one of Pierantozzis colleagues said, Shes in good spirits. She is very upset by the loss of her dog Emma, who was really part of the Faithful Friends family.

Faithful Friends mission and objective

Pierantozzi founded Faithful Friends back in 2001 along with a group of passionate animal lovers in Delaware. The shelter follows a no kill policy and focuses on enhancing the welfare of animals. The organizations mission is to end the neglect, abandonment and killing of pets in Delaware through services like pet advocacy, adoption programs, and more.

During a recent interaction with Delaware Live, Pierantozzie said shelters in Delaware had a kill rate of 90% in 2001. However, today, it is one of just three no-kill states in the country.

She also added that the organization aims to save more animals in the next few years after recently moving its headquarters from Wilmington to New Castle.

We hope that the lifesaving will increase by 25% in two years because of the new location, Pierantozzie said. And hopefully a 50% increase in four years.

The post Dog Killed in Hit-And-Run, Owner Injured appeared first on DogTime.
Qabil Ashirov

World Bank held an event on the program of Azerbaijan Rapid Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF) funded by the EU in Baku, Azernews reports.

Saida Bagirli, the Team Leader and Senior Specialist on Operations made an opening speech and gave detailed information about AZTAF. She said that AZTAF is a three-year program, with a total budget of EUR 5.25 million. The program has been funded by the EU and managed by the World Bank and aims to provide advisory and analytical support and capacity building to the Government of Azerbaijan in line with the Azerbaijan 2030 National Priorities.

"In particular, AZTAF will help enhance social inclusion and connectivity, spur economic reforms, strengthen public sector governance, and facilitate an effective post-COVID-19 recovery," she said.

Saida Bagisli added that the AZTAF program is aligned with the five National Priorities and goals of the Socio-economic development Strategy of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026.

Then, Leyla Taghiyeva, the AZTAF program coordinator, took the floor and filled the participants in on the activities conducted relating to the National Priorities.

Following Leyla Taghiyeva, Shamsi Mustafayeva, the consultant in the WB spoke about the preliminary results of the Gender Assessment project conducted in the Azerbaijan Railways and Baku Port.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan for six months until June 30, 2024, and requested that the force have the required capacity and resources to safely fulfil its mandate.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2718, the 15-member body also stressed that Israel and Syria are obliged to "scrupulously and fully respect" the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

By other terms, it called on them to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation. It also encouraged them to take full advantage of UNDOF's liaison function regularly to address issues of mutual concern.

Further, the council called on all parties to cooperate fully with UNDOF operations to respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as well as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the UN personnel carrying out their mandate.

It also requested the UN secretary-general to report every 90 days on developments in the situation and on the measures taken to implement resolution 338.

UNDOF was established immediately following the 1974 disengagement agreement with a mandate to maintain the ceasefire and supervise the areas of separation -- a buffer zone -- in the Golan. It has since been reauthorized every six months. 
In the run up to the elections for the European Parliament in June, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (Euratex) has issued a statement saying it supports the EU Commissions goal of revising the Textiles Labelling Regulation, and proposed a number of revisions of its own. They are all pro-consumer and pro-sustainability, and designed to put forward a coherent position across a vast industry.

In total, there will be 16 new regulations for the EU textiles sector. The changes move the needle on fiber content and care instructions, technical developments like the digital product passport, fur and leather, outside competition from suppliers of cheap goods, the presence of labels at all, and the very definition of a textile product. The statement allowed that the regulation currently on the books was good but had become outdated given the changes in the industry and the development of so many new types of textiles.

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Euratexs new position rests on four main pillars: fiber composition, care instructions, fur and leather authenticity and digitization.

In fiber composition, the statement affirmed the need for transparency to allow consumers to make informed choices about what they purchase and how it meets their needs. Accurate labeling ensures that manufacturers comply with industry standards and prevents misrepresentation as well as foster fair competition among suppliers. Euratex also proposed revisions of the fibers names list to make it easier for the many SMEs that are behind the new fibers, and suggested that the names reflect what the fiber is actually made from. Recycled content should appear on the label to enable European consumers to choose textiles with a lower carbon footprint if they wish, according to Euratex.

The statement noted that the definition of recycled fiber needs to be better developed. Euratex advocated using the definition of the Ecodesign Regulation to ensure alignment across all legislation that governs textile products. Euratex also said it finds it superfluous to regulate the use of the recycled claim within the framework of Textile Labelling Regulation given that the Commission presented a legal proposal for a Directive on Green Claims in March of last year.

Care instructions should be the main pillar of the new regulation and should appear on a mandatory physical label, according to the Euratex statement. Proper maintenance of a product ensures longevity and preserves quality, it continued, and having it physically on a label eliminates the digital divide for those people with no access to the requisite electronic devices. These can fail while a properly executed physical label will be reliable and long-lasting and as such, they prioritize the consumers right to information, according to Euratex.

Making care instructions mandatory will create a more harmonized regulatory framework across the EU, and reduce compliance costs. Currently, only 10 EU member states require care labeling by federal or consumer protection acts, and the remaining ones offer optional labeling. Euratex wants physical display of care instructions on a sewn label mandatory across the EU.

Likewise, Euratex said it supports labels that state the presence of authentic leather and fur in a product to help combat low-cost producers and counterfeit products using synthetic materials instead of natural leather and fur. Conversely, it said how producers can also use natural materials but label them as artificial. Transparency is key to maintaining fair competition and protecting the reputation for quality and value in the world market, Euratex said in the statement. It added that it will also boost compliance with environmental and animal welfare standards and get recognition for it. Correct information on the authenticity of leather and fur helps the consumer make informed purchasing decisions and ensures the durability of the item in question, the statement said.

Separate definitions for natural fur and leather could be added to the regulation and given the distinct definitions and nature of these materials, specific rules should be developed or updated for textile both fibers and leather and fur, Euratex recommended. Rules on multi-component textile products should also be effected, it further stated.

Per Euratex, digitization is important, but it should complement rather than replace physical labels. Its main purpose is to distill and shorten the amount of information which is currently on physical labels, which must be the main tool for communicating fiber content and care instructions. According to the statement, the presence of physical labels also makes them compliant with textiles product regulations in countries like the UK, Brazil, South Korea and Japan and while digital labels reduce waste and enhance traceability they can easily deny access to critical information for people with no cell phones. They can however convey additional information like environmental or social impact, which is what the Digital Product Passport is meant to do. It will achieve more transparency and traceability in compliance with ESPR requirements. It will be key to avoid creating conflicting labelling systems, Euratex warned. Revised textile labelling regulation should create placeholders to incorporate the requirements of the ESPR and DPP instead of duplicating the requirements which may render the regulations incoherent, it said.
In February 2023, cousins Dulce Trujillo and Gabriela Solano opened their restaurant, El Chilacatazo, which offers authentic Guerrero-style food such as tacos gobernador and mariscos from Trujillos and Solanos birthplace in Mexico.

One of Trujillos favorite dishes is the molcajete.

This is a very good dish with very tasty ingredients, said Trujillo, an experienced cook who crafts the dishes.

The menu also features pupusas revueltas, quesabirria and huaraches as well as fresh drinks like horchata, jamaica and milkshakes. On the weekends, customers can order traditional banana leaf-wrapped tamales.

The restaurant represents years of perseverance for Trujillo after working in kitchens in Mexico, running a home business, and then opening her first restaurant in Greenfield.

For her Salinas restaurant, Trujillo enjoys selecting fresh produce and carefully considers how each of the dishes comes together, she said.

I love giving my best - for me and for my customers, Trujillo said in Spanish.

The Mexican restaurant El Chilacatazo opened in February 2023 near Oldtown in Salinas.

Step by step

Since Trujillo was little, she dreamed about owning her own restaurant. As a young adult in Acapulco, she studied gastronomy and hospitality.

After honing her skills working at restaurants in Los Cabos, Mexico, Trujillo decided shed like to open her own restaurant. However, it would require patience and hard work for more than 15 years before it became reality.

Step by step, little by little, Trujillo said.

At 24, she moved to California to pursue a better life, she said.

In 2013, Trujillo began selling tamales outside the La Princesa market in Greenfield to help support her family. She said that one day she sold 500 tamales in one hour.

Then, in 2019, Trujillo opened a small Mexican restaurant in Greenfield. Seafood and birria quickly became customer favorites, Trujillo said. She added pupusas as a gesture of appreciation and love to her husbands Salvadoran heritage.

At the time, Solano worked at McDonalds and as a farmworker while also helping Trujillo with the administrative side of the restaurant.

After four years of operation, Trujillo and Solano sold the restaurant with plans of opening a larger one soon.

The Mexican restaurant El Chilacatazo opened in February 2023 near Oldtown in Salinas.

A different style

Trujillo started looking for a new location while telling herself, If something its meant for me, it will find me, she said. One day, a friend of Trujillo told her about a restaurant opportunity in Salinas.

With Solano on board to run another restaurant, Trujillo closed the deal in two days. Solano said she appreciates the opportunity to be part of a business that provides jobs in the community.

In February, El Chilacatazo opened in the former location of Pupuseria Marlenys restaurant.

Since opening, the restaurant has been well received by customers, Trujillo said while proudly citing glowing online reviews.

We have a couple of customers that are already regulars, Solano said in Spanish. We consider them friends now.

Solano decorated the restaurant with hand-painted clay plates featuring illustrations of villages and colorful walls. A photo of Trujillos mother hangs on the restaurants back wall.

Trujillo said shes proud of the customer service their restaurant offers.I like to see clients walking out with a smile on their faces, she said in Spanish. Our team smiles when they see cleaned-off plates coming back.

El Chilacatazo is located at 337 Monterey St., Salinas. It is open from Wednesday to Monday.

We are a new business and we want more people to come and try our food, Solano said in Spanish. We offer a different style of flavor.

The Mexican restaurant El Chilacatazo opened in February 2023 near Oldtown in Salinas.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: El Chilacatazo offers Guerrero-style Mexican food in Salinas
Get in the last few Christmas events, pour a cup of hot chocolate, grab a new book for story time (we have some suggestions), and breathe it all in this week ahead. Find plenty to read and plenty to do, including a wintry outdoor activity, all at wncparent.com.

Day camp and overnight camp providers, dont miss your free listing in WNC Parents camp guide, coming in February. Submit your listings by Jan. 3 at forms.gle/H9QuRtE9sqCjjGcQA.

A young attendee enjoys the holiday light displays with more than one million lights illuminating the gardens of The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, N.C.

Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com.

Elf the Musical continues through Dec. 23 at Asheville Community Theatre. For details and tickets, visit ashevilletheatre.org.

Christmas at Biltmore  Visit with Santa 1  5 p.m. through Dec. 23 at Antler Hill Village at Biltmore Estate. For event details and tickets, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas.

November Calendar Upstate Parent

Winter Lights continues through Dec. 31 at the North Carolina Arboretum. Winter Lights is a walk-through light show that also features story times, food for purchase, the Polar Express-themed Rocky Cove Railroad and more. For tickets and details, visit ncarboretum.org.

Holiday Events

Christmas at Biltmore continues through Jan. 7. For event details and tickets, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas. Naturalist Talks: Deer are at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday in December at Biltmore Estates Antler Hill Villages historic Horse Barn. No reservation required. No minimum age required. Parent or guardian must accompany guests under age 18. To participate in this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estates overnight properties. Visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/activities/outdoors/naturalist.

November Calendar Upstate Parent

The Omni Grove Park Inn's National Gingerbread House display continues through Jan. 2. Guests not staying at the resort are invited to view the display after 4 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday  Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: Dec. 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Jan. 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for registered resort guests and those with confirmed dining reservations. For details, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park.

Winter Wonder Walk is Dec. 27  30 at the Adventure Center of Asheville. Celebrate the Wonder of Winter with a live-action immersive story-walk on an outdoor trail complete with live characters, lights, and a blustery guest, Jack Frost. The Winter Wonder Walk follows the pages of the storybook of Winterland  full of holiday magic for all ages. The event also includes a holiday market with locally made gifts, a kids play area, and a warm festival tent with local vendors, concessions, and activities for the whole family. Treetops Adventure Park Glow Trail will also be available for guests ages 4 years or older. Climb on two aerial trails while they are illuminated with thousands of colorful lights. This is available with a combo pass only. Events begin at 6 p.m. The Winter Wonder Walk opens at 6:30 p.m., with the last entrance to the Winter Wonder Walk at 8:30 p.m. This event raises money for meals for Manna Foodbank with the Adventure Centers Memories Making Meals program. Every ticket purchased donates $1 or four meals. For tickets and details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/winter-wonder-walks-2.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Holly, jolly week ahead - Top things to do in WNC this week  Dec. 22
Are you really a legend of New York if you aren't inextricably linked to a legendary address? Jackie O. had 1040 Fifth Avenue, Babe and Bill Paley had their St. Regis crib, Logan Roy had his (faux) duplex across from the Met. And Leonard Bernsteinalong with John and Yoko and Lauren Bacallhad the Dakota.

While this isn't the one where Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre, threw that infamous party for the Black Panthers that was immortalized by Tom Wolfe (that apartment was a Park Avenue duplex that sold, in 2021, for $24 million), this was the one the conductor and his family called home for the better part of 15 years, from 1975 until his death in 1990. Which is to say Apartment 23 at the Dakota is vital to the story of Bernstein and Montealegre's complicated relationship that lies at the heart of Maestro, the Bradley Cooper-directed biopic (which he also stars in, with Carey Mulligan) that dropped on Netflix this week.

Netflix

It's no easy feat to recreate one of the most iconic pads in New York real estate history but production designer Kevin Thompson was up to the task. "It was an important set for me because, as a New Yorker who has been here since the early '80s, it meant a lot to me that they lived in the Dakota," he says. "I knew that it was a special, unique situation."

Netflix

Access to the apartment by its current owners, members of the Milstein family, allowed the team to make note of architectural features, while the Bernsteins' Connecticut weekend home, still owned by the couple's children and where scenes from Maestro were actually filmed, helped inform the details that would enrich the apartment.

Watch Maestro on Netflix

Here, Thompson talks with T&C about bringing Bernstein's slice of the Dakota back to life.

Where does one begin when taking on a project like recreating a famous apartment?

Bradley got us access to the apartment, so we went and I was able to document the architecturethe details of the moldings, the fireplaces, the height of the ceilings, the size of the windows. And then we spent time just walking through the living spaces and talking about the themes and how we might make subtle adjustments to the floor plan to work well with the camera. Then later I was able to send my set design team to actually document a lot of the details.

Netflix

How did you strike the balance between portraying a general mood of what the space would have been like, versus being very faithful to all the details?

We did research of the key elements that are really recognizable. The black library with the harpsichord and the light fixture hanging down the middle with the fringe on itthat was one. We wanted to get the feeling right with the set decoration. We're also doing a time period change [in the Dakota scenes] and introducing color for the first time so the details of their accomplishments, their wealth, and their cultural richness that that point are shown in the things on the bookcases, the awards, the Emmys and Grammys, the people in the party.

Netflix

And we tried to carry things through, even elements from the Carnegie Hall studio, which was his apartment early on. We took a lot of that set dressing and moved it to Fairfield [Connecticut], then we moved it to the Osborne apartment, then we moved it to the Dakota and fed it into the history of their family folklore. It was subtle stuff, like a framed poster from one of his concerts, but helped create a sense of continuity and a bloodline through the different homes to make it a little more personal.

What was it like to be in the Bernstein family's real Connecticut home?

There were very little architectural changes that had occurred and we felt that the spirit of the parents were still there. We allowed ourselves just to absorb it and feel the emotional core of what was available to us there. And it was a gold mine because it helped us to engage in the authenticity and intimacy, which were the two things that Bradley stressed right from the beginning. What could be more authentic than to actually be in the place where they raised their family and spent their summers?

How did having access to that house inform your Dakota set?

Netflix

It was really key to getting into the intimate details of what their family life was like and the things that they had. The children opened up everything to us so that we could explore how they lived, what they had on their walls, how a certain degree of comfort was important. We got to learn about Felicia's design taste and how it changed as she worked with different decorators. It all led us to an understanding of the mix of things in their lives, culturally and artistically. Having that and interpolating it into what they would've done for their city apartment became really useful information to us.

If you had to pick one vignette that perfectly captures this project, what would it be?

The study with the bookcase. That, to me, feels so much like what I imagined it to be like in reality. People that had been there walked to that set and couldn't believe how much it felt like the Dakota. And that's the dream. That makes me happy.

Netflix

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Queen Letizia made a glamorous appearance on Thursday at the closure Concert of the Spanish Presidency of the EU at the National Auditorium in Madrid, Spain.

The Spanish royal looked elegant as ever in a black velvet Paco Rabanne suit featuring satin accents and bejeweled buttons. On foot, she wore a pair of matching black velvet pumps by Nina Ricci. The chic style boasted a classic pointed toe and a skinny low heel.

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Queen Letizia of Spain attends the closure Concert of the Spanish Presidency of the EU in Madrid, Spain on December 21, 2023. Getty Images

Sparkling stud earrings that complemented the buttons on her blazer and a coordinating black clutch pulled the stylish monochromatic ensemble together seamlessly.

A closer look at Queen Letizia wearing black velvet Nina Ricci heels. Getty Images

The day before, Letizia stepped out in a much more casual look to celebrate her sister-in-law Infanta Elenas 60th birthday at a restaurant in Madrid. She donned a black leather biker jacket over a black sweater, dark green tweed pants and Hugo Boss Kris black leather loafers. The apron-toe style, which retails at $240, features a chunky platform sole and logo details on the tongue and toe. A black leather Carolina Herrera bag completed the look.

Queen Letizia celebrated her sister-in-laws 60th Birthday at Pabu restaurant in Madrid, Spain on Dec. 20, 2023. MEGA

Queen Letizia has become known for merging high and low fashion over the years. She is a fan of both luxury brands, including Dries Van Noten and Carolina Herrera, and fast fashion brands like Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti. When it comes to footwear, she gravitates toward timeless heels as well as sleek loafers, boots and flat styles. In particular, she tends to favor the slingback silhouette, and in the warmer months, shell often wear espadrilles.

Ahead, check out the gallery to discover some of her best shoe moments to date.

Queen Letizia of Spain Slips on Nina Ricci Pumps for Concert

Queen Letizia of Spains Best Shoe Looks

View Gallery41 Images

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SI Swimsuit stalwart Samantha Hoopes made a splash with her debut in 2014, when she double-dipped for a bodypaint feature with talented artist Joanne Gair and another breathtaking beachside photoshoot with Walter Iooss Jr. in St. Lucia.

The 32-year-old, who returned to the fold and posed for a total of seven separate issues, has traveled to Oregon, Malta, Curacao, Nevis and Australia with the magazine. Her most recent photoshoot was in the British Virgin Islands in 2020, where the Pennsylvania native was captured by Josie Clough.

Hoopes, who is the youngest of five sisters, has modeled for GUESS and Levis Jeans, and has been featured in Maxim. Today, she and her husband, Italian entrepreneur Salvatore Palella, share a son, George, and a daughter, Kennedy.

People close to me say modelings not forever and I agree with them, but I also think the time is now or never so Id rather have now to look back on rather than never have done it, she said at the time of her SI Swimsuit debut. Ive always lived in my house under my parents roof. Then when I moved to Hollywood last year, I felt so liberated and like a different person. I could wake up and choose what I wanted to do. For once in my life Im following my heart instead of doing what people tell me to do.

Below are six jaw-dropping pics from her 2016 photoshoot with Ben Watts in Malta.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Brands

Liz Hershfield, senior vice president of sustainability for the J.Crew Group, is exiting the company due to a corporate consolidation of the global sustainability functions. She will serve in a revised role through January.

J.Crew Groups sourcing and sustainability priorities in 2024 will continue to be focused on driving the industry forward through innovative partnerships with leading organizations and first-of-its kind initiatives, such as our regenerative agriculture program, the company said in a statement. Consolidating our global sourcing and sustainability functions under one J.Crew Group team will enable us to further support our brands and work to enhance the close collaboration between sourcing and sustainability activities and initiatives. On a personal level, we are grateful for Lizs many contributions to our company and wish her well in her future endeavors.

More from Sourcing Journal

Hershfields responsibilities will be assumed by Doug Forster, J.Crew Groups chief sourcing officer, as well as other members of the sourcing organization. Forster joined J.Crew in 2020 and is responsible for overseeing J.Crew Groups sourcing team and leading all aspects of sourcing and sustainability initiatives company wide.

Casual footwear brand Crocs announced that John Replogle and Neeraj Tolmare have been appointed to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1. Replogle brings decades of global leadership positions at major consumer brands like Seventh Generation, Burts Bees, Unilevers Skin Care division and Diageo. Tolmare has more than 20 years of experience in leading technology teams and digital transformation initiatives across diverse industries.

Gildan Activewear announced that Chris Shackelton, a co-founder and managing partner of Coliseum Capital Management, has joined Gildans board of directors, effective immediately. This follows an agreement between the two companies, pursuant to which Coliseum will support Gildans full slate of board nominees at the 2024 and 2025 annual meetings of shareholders.

Weird Fish

UK-based lifestyle brand Weird Fish appointed David Butler as its next CEO. Butler takes over from John Stockton, who has led Weird Fish since 2008. Butler has extensive experience in multichannel retail, most recently serving as CEO of Crew Clothing.

Losano

Los Angeles-based premium apparel brand Losano has announced the appointment of two additions to its board of directors: Martin Brok and Susan Hennike. Brok brings a wealth of expertise to the Losano board, most recently having served as global president and CEO at Sephora. Hennikes career includes executive roles with Nike, Adidas, Champion, Victorias Secret, and Bombas.

Beth Clymer

Luxury parka purveyor Canada Goose appointed Beth Clymer to the newly created position of president, finance, strategy and administration, effective Jan. 8. She will oversee finance, people and culture, corporate strategy and legal, partnering with the leaders who drive these functions. Clymer will work closely with both Jonathan Sinclair and Neil Bowden prior to their transitions to president, APAC and CFO, respectively, on April 1.

In other leadership updates, Penny Brook, chief marketing and experience officer, will leave the company at the end of the year.

Retail

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. announced that Edie Yongming Wu, CEO of the company and chairman of Taobao and Tmall Group, will now also serve as CEO of Taobao and Tmall Group. The company will form a new asset management group to focus on managing the operation of the companys non-core assets as part of its ongoing efforts to improve return on capital and enhance shareholder value.

Kohls announced that Wendy Arlin has joined its board as an independent director. Arlin, who most recently served as chief financial officer for Bath & Body Works Inc., brings more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, financial reporting, oversight and accounting, with deep expertise in the consumer industry. Arlin has been appointed to a term expiring at Kohls 2024 annual shareholders meeting and will stand for election by Kohls shareholders at that time. She will serve on the boards audit committee.

Antonio Lucio notified the Express board of directors of his decision to resign from the board, effective immediately and unrelated to any disagreement with the company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices. The board effectively shrinks from 10 to nine directors.

H&M has promoted Hendrik Alpen to a new role as communications director. Tobias Fischer will gradually take over Alpens current role as lead of the sustainability engagement team. Fischer will transition into the role over a period of four to six months while handing over his current role as head of sustainability governance.

Textiles

Katja Scharpwinkel

Chemical producer BASF announced that, effective at the end of the annual shareholders meeting on April 25, Dr. Markus Kamieth will take over as chairman of the board of executive directors. He succeeds Dr. Martin Brudermuller, who has been chairman of the board of executive directors since 2018.

The supervisory board has appointed Anup Kothari, currently president of the nutrition and health division, to the board of executive directors, effective March 1. The supervisory board has also appointed Katja Scharpwinkel to the board of executive directors and industrial relations director, effective Feb. 1. Scharpwinkel succeeds Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner, who informed the supervisory board that she will not extend her current contract, which runs until Jan. 31.

Anne Cavassa

Advanced materials technology company PrimaLoft has promoted Anne Cavassa to CEO. Cavassa was named president in November and adding the position of CEO to her role is an acceleration of a planned transition to the next phase of the companys leadership, PrimaLoft said in a statement. As such, Mike Joyce will be stepping down after serving as president and CEO for a decade. He will transition to the role of vice chair on the companys board of directors.
Santa was seen reading lists and signing questions to the kids in attendance, something many parents rarely see outside of their small special needs community.

Source Bass Pro Shops

An extra-special Santa was in Springfield, Missouri earlier this month to take requests from some extra-special kids.

The Signing Santa - an ASL-fluent Santa Claus - welcomed more than 100 deaf and hard of hearing students at Bass Pro Shops and their excitement was palpable.

I feel excited and happy and I like signing what I want, Robin Jerret, a 7th grader, signed to affiliate KY3.

The Deaf Awareness Group of SW Missouri, a non-profit founded by Springfield natives, has been partnering with Bass Pro Shops for the event since 2015 to host the event.

Sadie Busch is a sign language interpreter at Jarrett Middle School. She called the Santa experience for her students, magical.

Source Bass Pro Shops

So often our kids dont have the opportunity to communicate with anyone directly, Busch told KY3, so for them to have access to an idol like Santa Claus who is so precious and so special and is-all knowing is amazing.

Santa was seen reading lists and signing questions to the kids in attendance, something many parents rarely see outside of their small special needs community.

He can communicate, and I absolutely love that they offer stuff like this, Tashia Hill, a parent of one of those kids who saw Santa, said.

My child "signs better than he speaks, its great that we can have that one on one with him, Hill said.

In addition to sharing their wishes with Santa, the children received a picture of themselves and an ornament to take home as well.

While making a difference in the families lives, its also impacting the staff at Bass Pro Shops.

Its really, really special to see the kids come in and be able to talk to Santa for the first time," Pete Duchrow, Assistant General Manager with Bass Pro Shops told KY3.

I have gotten misty more than once.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.
A rare pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers designed for Spike Lee fetched $50,800 at auction. The gold-painted Jordan 3s were dug out of a donation bin at the Portland Rescue Mission in Portland, Oregon earlier this year.

Sneakerheads and fans of the renowned film director may recognize the Air Jordan 3 Retro Spike Lee Oscars from when he wore the shoes with a purple suit at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019. Lee accepted an Oscar for his film BlacKkKlansman that night. The model sold at auction was never worn by Lee himself.

More from Footwear News

Spike Lee, winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for BlacKkKlansman, poses in the press room after the Oscars in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. Getty Images

According to Sothebys, the Jordans are crafted from premium leather, with a flashy metallic gold finish, and are embroidered with Lees signature as well as the signature of their designer, Tinker Hatfield. The heels also feature an oversized Jumpman insignia and logos of Lees production company, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks. Hatfields iconic elephant print, icy blue accents and a red liner complete the shoe.

Spike Lee accepts the Adapted Screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman from Samuel L. Jackson and Brie Larson onstage at the 2019 Oscars. Getty Images

They were found in April when someone sorting through items at the transitional shelter program spotted them at the bottom of a large donation bin. The donor remains anonymous. After landing in the hands of the program director Ed Holcomb  who recognized them but believed they were counterfeit  Tinker Hatfield was eventually contacted and authenticated them.

A view of the heels of Spike Lees custom Air Jordan 3s on the red carpet at the Oscars in 2019. Getty Images

The legendary shoe designer visited Portland Rescue Mission, confirmed they were genuine, and brought with him additional design paraphernalia, including a replacement box and a framed design proof, which he signed. Sothebys also revealed he told the staff, Im thrilled the shoes ended up here. Its a happy ending to a really great project.

The full hammer price went to benefit the Mission

Best of Footwear News

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'Like many readers I suspect, I was brought up to enjoy succulent spoonfuls of stuffing scooped from the interior of the turkey' - Getty

A stern piece of advice has been issued by the Food Standards Agency warning that British cooks would do well to avoid stuffing their turkeys. You and your guests will be at risk from food poisoning, it says, in the event the stuffing is not thoroughly cooked and contaminated with uncooked turkey juices, and you would be safer baking the stuffing separately, in a tin. It sounds somewhat spoilsport: so is it true?

Like many readers I suspect, I was brought up to enjoy succulent spoonfuls of stuffing scooped from the interior of the turkey. Indeed, they were one of the better parts of the feast: moist and savoury, they tasted like the essence of turkiness, untinged by disappointment while the bird itself was (lets face it) often dry and overcooked.

The Food Standards Agency is warning British cooks not to stuff their turkeys - Getty

Modern turkeys  for instance those by KellyBronze  are far superior to the olden days, and can be cooked to perfection following the on-pack (or on-bird) instructions. So where does that leave us with stuffing?

To return to first principles, stuffing is a savoury accompaniment to a roast, based usually on herbs, chopped onion and breadcrumbs, often bound together with an egg. The flavouring possibilities are endless  at this time of year, sage, sausage meat, chestnuts and dried fruits often play a part. My departed and much missed mother always made a point of making two different stuffings  one sage and onion, the other something outre such as dried apricot and walnut  simply so that we could all agree you cant beat sage and onion.

Traditionally the stuffing (cold, if the recipe calls for pre-cooking) is placed in the neck end of the turkey. In case Im the only one who finds the anatomy of birds puzzling, this is the broad end (the opposite end from the legs). The accepted wisdom is not to pack it in too tight. Fanny Cradock  whose Christmas programmes are, as usual, trending on YouTube  uses a piping bag to insert it neatly, but I find a wooden spoon and your hands do just as well.

Weigh the bird once its stuffed, then calculate your timings; a 4kg (8.8lbs) turkey (weighed after stuffing) should be cooked at 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5 for 20 minutes per kg plus 70 minutes; helpful calculators can be found online. A more modern approach  suggested by Jamie Oliver  is to place your stuffing between the skin and the flesh of the turkey. Its an odd feeling the first time you do it, but wiggle your fingers under the skin at the neck end to loosen, then patiently work in a layer of stuffing under each breast.

Timings are useful, but always check the turkey juices run clear when the thickest part of the turkey  the lower thigh  is pricked with a skewer. An even better guide is a digital probe thermometer, as beloved by chefs. Mine is made by Thermapen and Im looking for a reading of 70C, after which the bird will be rested out of the oven for at least half an hour to finish cooking. As long as the turkey is properly cooked, the stuffing will be too.

Rich in turkey juices, stuffing from the bird is deliciously moist - Getty

Stuffing cooked inside the bird is deliciously moist and rich in turkey juices. Remove any leftovers at once and chill separately: turkey, stuffing and grayo (cold gravy beaten into mayonnaise) sandwiches are tipped to be big this year.

For those who prefer their stuffing springy, or with a crunch, it should be baked in a loaf or baking tin, either in a slab or shaped into balls. Make sure the tin or foil is well greased or the stuffing will stick. For those who wish to go the whole hog  and if not now, when?  Americas Test Kitchen suggests a hybrid method, in which the cavity of the turkey (the larger space at the leg end of the bird) is lined with cheesecloth before you spoon in the stuffing. Once the turkey is cooked, the bag of stuffing is emptied into a tin and baked till crisp and golden  the best of all worlds.

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HANGZHOU, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese research team has developed a new molecular sieve material for separating propylene from propane, according to Zhejiang University.

Propylene is the raw material found in chemical products such as plastics, home appliances, medical devices, synthetic fibers and cosmetics. However, There is a high degree of difficulty in separating propylene from propane during industrial production.

A molecular sieve only allows smaller molecules to enter, thus blocking larger molecules, said Xing Huabin with Zhejiang University, leader of the research.

The research team has developed a fast, efficient and low-carbon molecular sieve material ZU-609 that only allows propylene molecules to enter and blocks propane molecules.

The results are expected to significantly reduce the energy consumption of propylene separation technology and will provide support for the localization of ultra-high purity electronic chemicals, Xing said.

The study was recently published in the journal Science. 
Over 4,000 American Bully XL owners in the United Kingdom have applied for a certificate of exemption ahead of the breeds ban in 2024, BBC News reports. According to the U.K.s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), most applications have already been approved.

In September, the U.K.s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced that as of Feb. 1, 2024, it would be illegal for anyone in England and Wales to keep an XL Bully. However, the government created an exemption scheme for the sake of current owners of the breed who still want to keep their dogs regardless of the upcoming ban.

In this case, an owner who wishes to keep their Bully XL should ensure they register their dog under the exemption scheme by the end of January. Otherwise, those who will still keep their pet without a certificate of exemption will face criminal charges and have their dog seized, as per reporting by SKY News.

Moreover, current XL Bully owners who no longer want to keep their dogs can have them euthanized and apply for government compensation for the cost incurred.

More tough restrictions ahead of Bully XL ban in UK

Besides having a certificate of exemption, the U.K. government announced that from Dec. 31, 2023, all XL Bullies must be muzzled and kept on a lead when out in public.

Furthermore, owners who choose to register their dogs under the exemption scheme should also microchip and neuter their animals.

The governments decision to enforce a ban on XL Bullies stemmed from the string of reported tragic attacks involving the breed. So, as a preventative measure, the government prohibits residents in England and Wales from breeding, advertising, selling, abandoning, or re-homing XL Bullies starting Dec. 31.

The U.K.s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Christine Middlemiss, acknowledged there might be dog owners who are unsure whether their animals fall under the XL Bully breed category.

According to DEFRAs description, an American Bully XL is a large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size.

Referring to this description, Dr Middlemiss advised those unsure of their dogs breed to still apply for an exemption certificate. In her words: If your dog is meeting a significant number of the criteria, I advise a precautionary approach and register your dog.

Additionally, Dr Middlemiss urged puppy owners who are uncertain whether their puppies may grow up to be of this dog type to comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions.

The post Thousands of Bully XL Owners Apply for Breed Ban Exemption appeared first on DogTime.
Tren Maya

Southeast Mexico is brimming with archeological sites, biodiversity, and Pueblos Magicos known for their rich cultural heritage. Many visitors barely make a dent in the regions offerings, though, by flying to Cancun and heading straight for the beach, perhaps booking an excursion or two to Chichen Itza or Tulum, but generally not venturing further.

El Tren Maya (the Mayan Train), a new $20-billion rail route connecting dozens of must-see sights across the Yucatan peninsula, is trying to change that by expanding tourism throughout the region and bolstering the economy in some of Mexicos less developed states.

The railway, which partially opened in December and is scheduled to be fully operational in February 2024, has not been without controversy. Heres everything travelers should know about Mexicos newest, much-talked-about mega-train.

The promise of Tren Maya

When complete, Tren Mayas 42 trains will stop at 34 stations throughout southeast Mexico, covering 904 miles (1,455km), and traversing five states: Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatan. The route is broken down into seven sections that are being launched in stages, as only one-third of the track is even partially complete, per the AP.

Half of section two, and the entirety of sections three and four opened on December 15 for the inaugural run, which began in San Francisco de Campeche and terminated in Cancun, traveling through Yucatan. The remainder of section two and section one, which continues north through Tabasco and finishes at Palenque in Chiapas, is scheduled to open on December 31, President Lopez Obrador said at a press conference earlier this month. This leaves section five from Cancun to Tulum, section six from Tulum to Bacalar, and section seven from Bacalar to Escarcega in Campeche to open in 2024.

Section five of the route, which covers the 75 miles (120 km) between Cancun and Tulum, has struggled with construction delays due to environmental hazards, given the landscape includes a number of fragile ecosystems like cenotes and underground rivers. The government's proposed solution is to build a viaduct that would elevate 60% of the track to avoid disrupting the land below.

Matteo Colombo/Getty

The project also includes several hotels to be built beside key archeological sites along the trains route, including Chichen Itza, Tulum, Edzna and Palenque.

Passengers can currently book three different service options: The Xiinbal (meaning walking in Mayan) trains operate standard short-distance services, the Janal (eating) trains offer local cuisine in their dining cars on medium and long-distance routes, and the Patal (staying) trains offer long-distance sleeper services.

Once the rail service is fully operational, there will be a train scheduled every two hours. Tickets are being released on this website and at the Teya Merida train station in Merida on a daily basis; tourist class tickets from Cancun to Merida currently cost about $68. The Tren Maya Instagram account is also sharing which trips are available, and when.

The peril of Tren Maya

Tren Maya's opening day was not without difficulty: service was delayed by five hours due to configuration issues, AP reports. But Tren Maya's challenges began well before that.

Both local residents and international organizations have raised concerns about Tren Mayas environmental impact. After promising not to fell a single tree, Obradors government later said 3.4 million trees had been cut down to clear the path for the railway, with environmentalists contending that the actual number is closer to 9 million. The construction also poses a threat to fragile underground cave systems and local water quality, as Time Magazine has reported.

While the train is meant to help stimulate economic growth in the rural areas along its route, critics worry the railway will only bring benefits to touristsnot Mexicos Indigenous communities after whom the train is named. The National Fund for Tourism Development (FONATUR) has identified over 3,000 homes in the trains right of way that are at risk of relocation, local outlets report, with some families alleging they were forcibly evicted from their homes.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Mexico said the governments consultation process with Indigenous communities being displaced by the railways construction has not complied with all international standards on human rights. At least 25 legal complaints have been filed by local residents living along the trains route in an effort to halt or hinder the project, according to the Guardian. In March 2020, the Regional Indigenous and Popular Council of Xpujil obtained a court order to stop construction, but development continued. And in July 2021, activists filed a claim under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) stating Mexico is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws to assess the environmental impacts of the railway. The International Tribunal for the Rights of Nature called for the immediate suspension of the project in March 2023, alleging crimes of ecocide and ethnocide.

What is being done with the Maya train megaproject is not Mayan in any way, said Qanjobal Maya leader Romel Gonzalez Diaz at a rally in Xpujil this May, as reported by the Guardian.

Mexicos National Tourism Promotion Fund, the government arm heading up the project, did not respond to Travelers request for comment. A spokesperson for Alstom, the supplier of the trains, said in a statement shared with Traveler that the Government of Mexico consulted the Indigenous communities that inhabit the trains path in accordance with current Mexican legislation and promptly informed the actions they would take to improve their quality of life and trigger sustainable development It also carried out an environmental assessment that included a plan for the restoration of the biological heritage of natural areas, conservation of ecosystems and the rehabilitation of Protected Natural Areas, which include steps for fauna and works to mitigate environmental impacts, the spokesperson said.

As the railways construction draws both local and international scrutiny, travelers are left to question whether Tren Maya will actually be able to fulfill its promises of stimulating rural communities in southeast Mexicoor end up hurting those its meant to help.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
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Although not as well-known as the Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards programs, Bilt Rewards quickly made a name for itself since it launching in 2021.

The new loyalty program is shaking things up in the world of travel rewards. Bilt Rewards lets you earn points on rent with its no-annual-fee credit card, the Bilt Mastercard.

Better yet, Bilt Rewards has a great lineup of transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, among others. You can also redeem points through Bilts travel portal, which is powered by Expedia.

Here is everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Bilt Rewards points, and how to get the most value out of being a Bilt Rewards member.

Learn more about and apply for the Bilt Mastercard.

How to earn Bilt Rewards points

You can earn Bilt Rewards points when you pay your rent. - carstenbrandt/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

In order to earn Bilt Rewards points, you need to sign up for a free account. You will then have a few interesting ways to earn Bilt Rewards points, even if you dont have the Bilt Mastercard.

Earn Bilt Rewards points with the Bilt Mastercard

The best way to earn Bilt Rewards points is by making purchases on the Bilt Mastercard. This no-annual-fee credit card comes with great perks like cell phone protection, trip cancellation and no foreign transaction fees.

Although the Bilt Mastercard doesnt have a sign-up bonus, it has some great bonus categories to help earn points faster.

The Bilt Mastercard earns:

Up to 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides.

3 points per dollar on dining.

2 points per dollar on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company or through the Bilt travel portal).

1 point per dollar on rent (up to 100,000 points per calendar year.)

1 point per dollar on everything else.

In order to earn the bonus rewards for spending, you must make at least five transactions per statement. Otherwise, youll earn a flat 250 Bilt points on your rent payment and nothing for your purchases. Theres no minimum spend for these transactions, so your daily coffee or even a pack of gum counts.

Bilt also has its own Bilt Rent Day promotion on the first day of every month. On Rent Day, youll earn double points on purchases, meaning you earn 6 points per dollar on dining, 4 points per dollar on travel and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases (excluding rent). You can earn up to 10,000 bonus points each Rent Day.

Earn Bilt Rewards points by paying rent

Bilt Rewards members without the Bilt Mastercard can still earn rewards. Members can earn 250 points on rent payments within the Bilt Rewards Alliance network.

However, if your landlord is not part of the network, you can still earn points if you have the Bilt Mastercard. Card holders can earn up to 100,000 Bilt Rewards points per year on rent. Bilt will mail your landlord a check or make an ACH transfer via many popular rent portals, including Venmo.

If you renew an existing lease or sign a new lease at a property in the Bilt Alliance, you can receive up to 50% bonus points on your rent payments. The exact number will depend on your Bilt Rewards status tier and the property you choose.

Earn Bilt Rewards points with Bilt Dining

Bilt has its own dining program, which includes restaurants in major cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and New York City, among others.

If you dine at a participating Bilt Dining restaurant, you can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent, even if you dont pay with a Bilt Mastercard. The exact amount you earn varies by restaurant, and you can view the earn rate on Bilts website or app.

Bilt

You can link any Visa, Mastercard or American Express card to your Bilt Wallet in the Bilt app. Then youll automatically earn bonus points when using that card at a participating restaurant. You do not need to make a reservation through Bilt to earn points.

The Bilt Rewards points you earn with Bilt Dining are in addition to the rewards you earn with your travel rewards credit card, so make sure to link a card that earns bonus points on dining. If you dont have a Bilt Mastercard, other good options include the American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Earn Bilt Rewards points by booking travel

The Bilt travel portal, powered by Expedia, lets you earn bonus points on flights, hotels, rental cars and other activities. In other words, anything you can book through Expedia, you can book through Bilt and earn bonus points.

Bilt Rewards members with a Bilt Mastercard earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel booked through this portal. These points are in addition to the points you would earn from your travel rewards credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

That said, even members without the Bilt Mastercard earn 1 point per dollar spent through the travel portal. If you were going to book with Expedia anyway, consider whether youd earn Expedia OneKeyCash or Bilt Rewards points on your reservation.

Earn Bilt Rewards points by referring friends

You can earn 2,500 bonus points when referring friends to apply for the Bilt Mastercard, so long as theyre approved. You will also earn a 10,000 point bonus for every fifth referral that gets approved, up to 2 million bonus points.

Earn Bilt Rewards points with Lyft

Bilt Rewards members earn 2 points per dollar on Lyft rides, even when paying with another credit card. Further, paying with the Bilt Mastercard yields another 3 points per dollar, giving these members a total of 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft.

Earn Bilt Rewards points by booking spin classes

A unique way to earn Bilt Rewards points is by booking fitness classes through the Bilt app. You can earn 10 points per dollar by purchasing a SoulCycle class through Bilt.

Other ways to earn bonus Bilt Rewards points

You can also earn bonus points when you link your airline and hotel loyalty programs to Bilt Rewards. You can earn 100 points for each account you link to Bilt Rewards, even if you dont have the Bilt Mastercard.

You can add up to three credit cards to your Bilt Wallet and earn 100 Bilt Rewards points per card added. This is another quick and simple way to earn some Bilt Rewards points.

How to earn Bilt Rewards elite status

Every rent payment, Lyft ride and Bilt Mastercard purchase puts you closer to Bilt elite status. - Alex Potemkin/E+/Getty Images

You can earn status with Bilt Rewards, just like with airline and hotel programs. The structure is simple: Status is based on the total points earned over the calendar year.

Points can be earned from any source, such as rent payments, purchases made with the Bilt Mastercard, Lyft rides and more. Virtually all points you earn through Bilt Rewards count toward status.

The points required to earn status is as follows:

Blue: 0-24,999 points earned.

Silver: 25,000 points earned.

Gold: 50,000 points earned.

Platinum: 100,000 points earned.

Bilt is changing how elite status is awarded starting Jan. 1, 2024. It will double the number of points needed to earn status but will offer reduced requirements for earning status from non-rent purchases on the Bilt Mastercard.

Bilt status earned between Jan. 1 and June 30 each year will expire Jan. 31 of the following year. Status earned between July 1 and Dec. 31 will remain active the rest of the year in which it was earned and the entire following year.

All status tiers earn interest on their points balance every month based on the FDIC published national savings rate. All tiers earn a bonus on new leases in the Bilt Alliance, Gold and Platinum are eligible for a home ownership concierge service and Platinum members receive a gift from the Bilt Collection.

Things get more interesting on Rent Day, where weve seen Bilt offer tiered transfer bonuses based on their elite status. For example, the company recently offered up to a 150% bonus to Emirates Skywards, with each tier offering a different bonus.

Bilt has also teased new benefits that will be announced later in 2024, including more tiered Rent Day offers and Milestone Rewards that will start at 25,000 points.

How to redeem Bilt Rewards points

winhorse/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

Now comes the fun part: After youve earned Bilt Rewards points, its time to put them to good use.

There are several ways to redeem Bilt Rewards points, including transferring to Bilts airline and hotel partners or covering Amazon purchases, fitness classes and rent payments with points. You can even use points toward a downpayment on a home.

Some ways provide significantly more value than others. Lets take a look at some of the best ways to redeem Bilt Rewards points.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points by transferring to travel partners

Generally, the best way to redeem your points is by transferring them to Bilts airline and hotel partners. You can leverage these transfer partners on things like first- and business-class airfare and luxury hotel stays.

These are Bilts 16 transfer partners:

All transfers occur at a 1:1 rate and, in most cases, transfers process the same day. You can transfer Bilt Rewards points to travel partners using the Bilt Rewards app.

Bilt has historically had excellent transfer bonuses during its Bilt Rent Day promotions. For example, on Nov. 1, 2023, there was a huge transfer bonus of up to 150% to Emirates Skywards miles, depending on your Bilt elite status.

By transferring Bilt Rewards points to partner airlines, youre able to book award tickets for just the cost of taxes and fees. Its also worth noting that Bilt is the only transferrable points currency that transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage, which is one of the best programs to use for booking business-class award tickets.

These are some of the best travel redemptions you can make with Bilt Rewards points:

Air Canada Aeroplan: Tickets from the US to Canada for as few as 6,000 points one-way.

British Airways Executive Club : 16,000 Avios plus taxes and fees one-way for an economy ticket from the West Coast to Hawaii.

American Airlines AAdvantage : 75,000 miles plus taxes and fees one-way for a business-class ticket on Qatar Airways from the from the US to South Africa.

Virgin Red: 50,000 miles plus taxes and fees one-way for a business-class ticket from the West Coast to Japan.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points with the Bilt travel portal

You also can redeem your points for travel via the Bilt travel portal. When doing this, you will get 1.25 cents per point toward flights, hotels, rental cars and other activities. In other words, 10,000 points covers $125 toward travel booked through the travel portal.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points for rent

You have the option of covering your rent with Bilt Rewards points. However, you will only get around 0.55 cents per point, significantly lower than what Bilt Rewards points are worth for travel. This means that 10,000 points only gets you $55 toward rent.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points for a down payment on a home

You can also redeem points toward a down payment on a home at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. This can be a good redemption, especially when compared to other options on this list.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points for Amazon purchases

You can redeem your Bilt Rewards points for purchases at Amazon, but its generally a poor value. To do this, link your Bilt Rewards account to Amazon and select the Bilt Mastercard as your payment method at checkout. Then, youll be prompted to redeem points to cover the cost of your purchase.

We dont recommend doing this, though. You will get about 0.7 cents per point, which is on par with redeeming other types of credit card rewards on Amazon. However, its not a great deal when compared to redeeming for travel.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points for merchandise at the Bilt Collection

You can redeem Bilt Rewards points for shopping at the Bilt Collection. The Bilt Collection features artists and curates decor items and apparel inspired by that artist. You will get roughly 1 cent per point by redeeming your points this way.

Redeem Bilt Rewards points for fitness classes

Another way to redeem Bilt Rewards points is for memberships or fitness classes with certain Bilt fitness studios partners. These include:

SoulCycle.

Solidcore.

Y7 Studio.

Redemptions start at 2,400 points, and you will get about 1 cent per point. Although this option does not provide the best value for your Bilt Rewards points, its a unique way to spend your points.

How much are Bilt Rewards points worth?

Travel website The Points Guy values Bilt Rewards points at an astounding 2.05 cents per point, on par with other major rewards programs including American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Bilt Rewards points are some of the most valuable out there, thanks in part to Bilts incredible transfer partners. However, the way you choose to redeem your points will ultimately determine how much value you get.

Bottom line

While Bilt Rewards is among the newest travel rewards programs, it has quickly made a name for itself. There are plenty of excellent ways to redeem Bilt Rewards points, with some options being clearly better than others.

Carrying the no-annual-fee Bilt Mastercard in your wallet can help you earn thousands of extra points every year just by paying one of your largest monthly expenses: rent.

Learn more about and apply for the Bilt Mastercard.

Looking for a new credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored Money chose as the best credit cards currently available.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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From dressing the tree to raiding tins of Quality Street, what is Christmas without its tinsel-covered megamix of customs, traditions and rituals?

There are the wholesome, nostalgic classics; carol singing and setting out milk and carrots on Christmas Eve. Others are newer; think Friendmas, Whammegeddon (beware the West End's disco rickshaws) and Elf on the Shelf, an American ritual that only came into our consciousness this century.

But whats Crimbo like in other countries, especially in ones where Christianity isnt the dominant religion?

From post-lunch sauna sweat-outs to tucking into decomposed birds and a TV address from one Donald Duck, here are the weirdest festive traditions from around the world. Crack them out when you can feel family squabbles over Monopoly brewing.

Japan, where the Colonel rules the Christmas roost

For some, making Christmas lunch is a labour of love. For others? It's straight-up labour. If you happen to find yourself in Japan on December 25, you can kiss goodbye to endless turkey basting and sprout-shucking: KFC's bird is the word.

Fried chicken trumps turkey here thanks to a marketing campaign from the mid-70s thats now snowballed to the point where orders for the chains Christmas Party Barrel are reserved as early as October.

A three-piece with coleslaw and chips is bound to outrage the turkey-or-die brigade, but if youre looking for a fuss-free alternative and dont mind being cut out of family wills, its a move worth considering.

A man holding a Christmas meal box leaves a KFC restaurant on December 23, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan (Getty Images)

Sweden: dont sweat it

Sauna is a way of life in Sweden, Christmas included. Whole clans squeeze together for a hot box session at some point in the day, unless it happens to be 3pm when its time for the countrys annual Christmas address from Donald Duck. Watched by some 40 per cent of the population, this tradition goes back to the 60s when Disney cartoons were pretty much all you got on Swedish telly.

Think that's quackers? Lets not forget the Yule Goat, an invisible spirit that ensures Christmas prep stays on track, like some sort of bovidae festive project manager. Giant straw goats are part of many towns public decorations and are so irresistible to wannabe arsonists that every year will always see some idiot trying to burn it down after one Schnapps too many.

A family sauna in Sweden (AFP via Getty Images)

Austria, where the Krampus is gonna get you

They take the Nice and Naughty list seriously in Austria where for every well-behaved child rewarded by Father Chrismas, his counterpart Krampus comes for bad kids.

Mentioned in Brothers Grimm folklore, the demonic Krampus is a devil-horned beast that terrorises small children into good behaviour, threatening to eat them or spirit them away to hell  perhaps not such a bad tale to tell at 3am on Christmas morning when theyre clawing at you for presents. There's even an annual Krampus parade in Vienna and Innsbruck, held around December 5, to scare kids good and proper. Makes the Grinch look about as threatening as a Christmas robin.

Krampusnacht sees people dress up as the devil-like character and chase people in the street (Getty Images)

Venezuela: watch out for roller skating church-goers

Between December 16 and 24, the streets of Caracas are closed off to allow streams of churchgoers to rollerskate en masse to er, Mass. Known as Patinatas, kids tie a piece of string around their toes and dangle the other end out of the window for skaters to tug at when its time to pray.

Why rollerskates? Some think its the Latino answer to sledging (preferable when the mercury hovers at 30 degrees), this wild custom is accompanied by Christmas fancy dress and plenty of fireworks  and all before breakfast.

Rolling skating in Caracas (AFP via Getty Images)

Florida, where Santas swap sleighs for surfboards

It feels strange to imagine needing to cool down at Christmas when you live in the icy reaches of the Northern Hemisphere. Floridans have found a novel way to take the edge off a boiling Christmas Eve, where the annual Surfing Santa competition gets underway in Cocoa Beach near Orlando. More than 800 participants, decked in full Santa gear, take to the water from 7.30am, watched by thousands of spectators and with merch sold to raise funds for local charities.

Surfing Santas in Florida (Surfing Santas)

Greenland, have a queasy Christmas

After learning of Greenland's alternative, youll find a few reasons to whine about sprouts. Kiviak is a super-niche foodie tradition practised mainly by the countrys indigenous Inuit community. It involves up to 500 auks, small black and white-feathered native birds, trussed up in seal skin and buried for a few months until they reach a ripe level of decomposition. When Christmas comes, its time to tuck into the delicacy, which reportedly bears a flavour similar to incredibly mature cheese. We'll stick to Stilton, thanks.

Starting to look quite appealing, all things considered (Pexels)
Looking for a unique Christmas Eve church service?

If you love the outdoors or are just looking for an excuse to get out, several Southwest Florida churches offer services outdoors.

Here's where to attend an outdoor service this year.

1. New Hope Cape Coral

New Hope Cape Coral is hosting two Christmas Eve services this year. The first is at 9:30 a.m. inside the church and the second one will be held at 5 p.m. outdoors. You can find New Hope Cape Coral at 431 Nicholas Parkway East, Cape Coral, 33990.

Call (239) 573-1370 with any questions.

2. The Springs of Bonita Church

The Springs of Bonita Church is holding a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. You can find the service at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds Street, Bonita Springs, 34135.

Call (239) 293-3310 with any questions.

More: Chewy experts share top tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays, travel

3. Westminster Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church is hosting a Christmas Eve service at Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach at 5 p.m. on the 24th. Bowditch is located at 50 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach.

The church recommends bringing your own chair or blanket and taking a trolley or tram because parking is limited.

Call (239) 481-2125 with any questions.

More: After Ian destroyed Fort Myers Beach monastery, nuns seek new members for Naples rebuild

4. Celebration Beach Church

Celebration Beach Church is hosting its annual Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. this year at Cambier Park. The candlelight service includes a live nativity and choir.

Cambier Park is located at 755 8th Avenue South, Naples, 34102.

Call (239) 649-1588 with any questions.

5. Coastal Fellowship Church

Looking for a nontraditional Christmas Eve service? Coastal Fellowship is hosting a Christmas carol sing-along at 4:30 p.m. on the 24th. You can find the sing-along at Lowdermilk Beach Park, 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd North, Naples, 34102.

Call (239) 299-4345 with any questions.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Christmas Eve outdoor services: Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach
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.
ChristianaCare will pay $47.1 million to settle a nearly 7-year-old case that started after a whistleblower came forward alleging kickbacks and other violations at Delaware's largest health system, attorneys representing the whistleblower said Thursday.

This is believed to be the largest False Claims Act settlement in Delaware history and the first in a series of cases that are likely to be brought against other hospitals across the nation.

"This case involves a revolutionary legal theory," said Dan Miller of Walden Macht & Haran  the law firm representing the whistleblower, Ronald Sherman. "To my knowledge, this is the first FCA settlement  ever based on a hospital allegedly providing private physicians with free services in the form of hospital-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Any other hospital in the country which operates under that model that led to this settlement should consider changing its practices immediately, or risk a whistleblower lawsuit."

Shane Hoffman, ChristianaCare communications director, said the settlement does not include admission of liability.

ChristianaCare signage and the Christiana Hospital are featured at Ogletown Stanton Road in Christiana on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2023.

He added that following a favorable judgement by the court, which dismissed a portion of the claims, they were pleased to settle the matter as they focus on meeting the needs of communities they serve.

"Our number one priority is to provide the best possible care to every patient we serve," Hoffman said.

'Kickback scheme'

The settlement aims to bring an end to charges of a "kickback scheme" registered by the health care systems' former chief compliance officer, Ronald Sherman, who ended up filing fraud claims in a federal False Claims Act civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Delaware. The False Claims Act allows an individual to file charges of taxpayer fraud on behalf of the government and then share in any resulting settlement.

Sherman filed the suit in 2017, three years after he was fired by ChristianaCare's then-newly appointed chief executive, Janice Nevin. She remains as ChristianaCare's president and CEO.

Sherman's suit, which was unsealed more than a year after it was filed, charges that between 2010 and 2014 the hospital system engaged in a "kickback scheme," by allowing doctors from a private practice called Neonatology Associates to bill insurances, primarily Medicaid, for care that had been provided by the hospital's own staff.

In exchange, Christiana Care received lucrative patient referrals from those physicians, the suit claims.

The suit landed at a time when the hospital company was expanding its profitable maternity wing and vying to become a medical research hub in the Mid-Atlantic region. Its campus in Stanton houses the only high-risk delivering hospital in Delaware.

On Thursday

ChristianaCare Health Services has agreed to pay $42.5 million to the United States and the State of Delaware and $4.6 million to the attorneys representing Sherman to settle the case. Sherman's share of the settlement is more than $12 million.

"It appeared to us that the provision of free services was partly the result of a nationwide scandal involving overworked medical residents," Miller said.

In 2003, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which is the body responsible for accrediting physician training programs in the United States, adopted new rules that limit the number of hours hospitals could require medical residents to work, he said.

"To fill the gap left behind by residents, many hospitals hired mid-level providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants," Miller said. "At ChristianaCare, we alleged that services performed by mid-level providers were billed for by private attending physicians who were in a position to make future referrals to the hospital.

"Put differently, we alleged that ChristianaCare paid kickbacks to the private physicians in the form of free employees.

Hoffman said the use of advanced-practice clinicians (APC) to coordinate and provide continuity of care throughout their service lines is essential to enabling the level of high-quality, safe care that we provide.

"We will continue to ensure that our use of APCs to support the quality and safety of the care we provide to our patients is in accordance with all current guidance and requirements," he said.

"At ChristianaCare, we serve our patients with love and excellence," he added. "As a nonprofit health care organization with a mission of service to our community, we are committed to providing high-quality, safe care to everyone we serve, especially for critically ill newborns in our [neonatal intensive care unit]."

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

More: Students with hearing loss in Delaware face 'systemic discrimination,' ACLU-DE claims

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: ChristianaCare settles whistleblower lawsuit with $47.1M payment
There are two kinds of nightmares in Showtimes surreal HGTV satire The Curse. The first is the kind of nightmare that warps and distorts the recognizable world, making you feel ill at ease in your own skin. Its a sparely furnished suburban home completely covered in mirrorsthe sun blindingly reflected at passersby, the house itself basically invisible except for the seams between panels where the surrounding figures and landscape become distorted beyond recognition. The second kind of nightmare is of a more intimate sort, the type of harrowing social encounter that haunts your subconscious for years, even decades. Within that mirrored house, its the scenes of a dissolving marriage, a pair of crumbling facades getting harder and harder to watch.

The show, created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, revolves around Whitney (Emma Stone) and Asher Siegel (Fielder), two up-and-coming house-flippers in Espanola, an economically depressed suburb in New Mexico. Whitney, the daughter of a pair of slumlord real estate developers from Santa Fe, is eager to make a positive mark on the region by tearing down homes and constructing passive houses, whose bizarro design featureslike mirrored exterior walls and pressurized interior roomssupposedly offset their environmental impacts. She and her husband, Asher, are also eager to make extra money and burnish their brand off of this venture, which is why theyve contacted sleazy, damaged producer Dougie Schechter (Safdie) to help turn their project into an HGTV pilot.

Whitney and Ashers goal is to transform Espanola the same way that Chip and Joanna Gainess Fixer Upper turned Waco, Texas, into a middlebrow tourist destination and the epicenter of a global brand. All they need to do is stimulate the local economy, reduce the towns carbon footprint, and raise the value of all the cheap land they own in the vicinity. It doesnt help that the locals do not appear to welcome the experiment (they often respond to the couples grand gesturesa job offer or free housingwith blank stares), or that prospective homebuyers want gas stoves and security cameras, not induction and goodwill. Whitney is painfully aware that the whole town is built on land stolen from Native Americans (though completely uncommitted to giving any of it back), and even more painfully intent on getting prominent native people to give her project their blessing, whether they care to or not.

All of this is enough to make a viewer uncomfortable, but what ties the claustrophobic room together is the discomfiting hybrid aesthetic of two of the most aggressively alienating screen artists of their generation. In the films hes made with his brother, Josh, Benny Safdie has managed to infuse the paranoid 1970s crime thriller with existential panic, crafting grimy tales of small-time lowlifes that whirr with a frenetic pulse. Fielder, for his part, has made boilerplate alt-comedy cringe into performance art, mortification after mortification, from the prank-adjacent capers of Nathan for You to the melancholy social experiments of The Rehearsal. The Curse draws upon both of these awkward auteurs to bathe almost every second of this real estate fantasia in cosmic dread.

But to what end? The Curse is unpleasant to watch, yes. It expertly parodies many of its objects of scorn. (It includes a pitch-perfect rough cut of Asher and Whitneys show.) But nothing about this is entirely new: Its critiquesof reality TV, gentrification, cultural appropriationare all fairly standard, even cliche. The real interest of the show lies in the production of cringe itself. What if the full-body revulsion, the scrunch-nosed silent shriek with which viewers greet on-screen social snafus, held serious moral weight? This is not the lovable, relatable cringe of Curb Your Enthusiasm or Fleabag; this is an unblinking portrait of the insoluble awkwardness that accompanies pervasive cruelty and carelessness, and an experiment in the limits of televisual discomfort. Youve seen satire like this before, but the aggregate, nightmarish, ritualistically mortifying experience of this series across 10 episodes is likely something you havent experienced on the small screen. You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.





The titular curse both is and isnt an engine of the story this show has to tell. Early in the first episode, Asher and Whitney are in the midst of a production crisis. In an interview with a local TV news journalist, Asher loses his temper. The moment is caught on film, and the crew is left to figure out how to quash or spin the potentially disastrous footage. Killing time in a strip-mall parking lot, Dougie suggests that he film Asher buying a can of soda from a young Black girl (Hikmah Warsame) selling them on the street. The disingenuous optics of the moment are crudely obvious, even to Asher, but he agrees anyway. What transpires is a pure distillation of the shows Larry David-by-way-of-David Lynch aesthetic. Asher buys the can, woodenly thanking the little girl, Nala, but he only has a $100 bill in his wallet. After he thinks the camera has cut, he tries to convince Nala to let him have the bill back so he can get some change and give her a more appropriate sum. Eventually, he snatches the money and Nala screws her eyes shut. I curse you, she says, with feeling.

The show never really decides whether this moment is the premise for a postmodern sitcom or a psychological horror series. Are we watching a hapless man bumble through life under the mistaken impression that the curse really has power over him, or are we seeing someone being genuinely tormented by the supernatural? Signs and wonders do occasionally manifest throughout the episodes, and plenty of ordinary, consequential things go wrong for Whitney and Asher. They get tepid, unencouraging notes from the network; they learn that the local businesses theyve propped up to prove their positive impact on the community will only stay open during filming, which makes the project feel like a sham; birds constantly fly into the mirrored walls of Whitneys houses, dying of either blunt force trauma or embarrassment.



Yet most of these misfortunes are plausible as mishaps, and in many cases they are the results of Whitneys and Ashers own selfish behavior. We get a sense of this dynamic in the shows very first scene. Whitney and Asher are filming an interview with an unemployed local man and his terminally ill mother. They offer the man a job in their coffee shop, but the mothers reaction doesnt look big enough on-screen. So Dougie drops fake tears in her eyes. Whitney and Asher are visibly aghast, but they put up little resistance. Noting their complacency, Dougie moves in to spray menthol in the womans eyeshe wants them to appear reddened, as if from truly crying. This sequence is horrifying in its blunt revelation of the depths to which Whitney, Asher, and Dougie will each agree to descend in the service of the show. When, later, the son comes knocking on their door with a series of accusations and an armed posse, the hosts may simply be reaping what they sow. Insofar as Nalas curse plays into any of this, it serves mainly as a way to demonstrate both Ashers delusion and his blinkered self-awareness: Giving him a sense of being doomed makes him, as a character, perhaps more open to naming the many sins hes trying to escape.

Likewise, the passive houses that Whitney designs and sells arent the subject of the show in themselves (as they would be on a bona fide real estate show). Instead they serve asquite literalmirrors to her anxieties, insecurities, and remorse. Perhaps the most central of those anxieties is Whitneys self-consciousness about herand her projectsrelationship to Indigenous people in the area. In another of the shows precision-crafted set pieces, Whitney and Asher attend an art opening by a Picuris Pueblo conceptual artist named Cara. For the performance piece at the center of the exhibit, Cara sits in a tepee with a meat slicer. Guests enter the tent one by one; Cara slices some lunch meat onto a plate and hands it to the guest. When Whitney is handed the plate, she looks around confusedly and then proceeds to eat the lunch meat. Cara screams, and then looks at Whitney. Why did you do that? she asks plaintively.

Coming from Cara, its obviously meant to prompt white guests to investigate their own motivations for interacting with native art and culture; its also a question the show is clearly asking itself. Why are Fielder and Safdie doing this?





The best things about The Curse are its two central performances. Emma Stone has maybe never been better than she is here, playing a woman who has sealed herself up inside multiple layers of performed personality. Her easy charm, her patronizing high-handedness, her guilt, her entitlement, her desperation to be something other than shes becomethese varied aspects of Whitney explode chaotically from Stones tightly coiled body. And Fielder, who has usually played the low-affect master of ceremonies in his prior docu-comedies, really shows his range here. Though there are set piecesa botched casino heist, in particularthat feel like bits from Nathan for You, he lets loose a handful of moments of vein-popping fury that wouldnt feel out of place in a Paul Thomas Anderson film. If The Curse ever fully delves into horror, its because Stone and Fielder play these easily mockable normies as both incredibly scared and surprisingly scary people.

Behind these performances, The Curse has a big thing to say about the easy collapsibility of progressive values, the fragility of good intentions, the limits of capitalism as a mechanism for undoing the many crimes of capital. Its most trenchant insight is that the reason those values fail, the reason that peoplewhite people in particularwith good intentions so often overpromise and under-deliver on their ideals is that, at the end of the day, its hard to talk to people. This is, in some ways, the grand conceit of Fielders The Rehearsal: The fundamental problem of society is that every second of interaction with another human being brings with it the possibility of humiliation and embarrassment.

Over and again, the characters on The Curse do wrong because doing right is more awkward. When Asher is trying to find someone to break the $100 bill, he bursts into a juice bar. The cashier wont accept hundreds, but he points to an ATM in the corner. Asher cant get it to work, and an older man in the store offers to help. Turns out, theres a trick to pressing the buttons on the dilapidated machine. The man asks Asher for his PIN so he can help him enter the numbers. Fielder lets us watch the entirety of Ashers anxiety about sharing his PIN; he also lets us see the full, banal sadness of the man fully understanding why Asher wont share the numbers. By the time he gets over the awkwardness of the moment, Nala is gone; his chance to undo the damage has passed. Opening oneself to humanity is awkward; connecting with another person is awkward; progress is awkward. The Curse gives us a show that understands the cringe as a debilitating social, even cultural, problem.

In order to make that point, The Curse has to be a lot more awkward than we are used to on TV. In some ways, in fact, it plays off of its audiences relative desensitization to cringe. Larry David is a lovable meme; The Office came to America and somehow paved the way for a new televisual sentimentalism; the mockumentary look to the camera transformed from a desperate appeal for escape to the cuddliest, most intimate gesture on television. In The Curse, cringe is what it feels like for the world to end. When Whitney gets her head stuck in a sweater and Asher struggles to pull her out, the two stumble into a small, intimate moment of reconnection. It feels, briefly, good. When Whitney insists they restage the moment as a viral video to share on socials, and Asher keeps his merciless phone camera going for take after miserable take, we feel a weight greater than vanity or shallowness. These long sequences are a key to Fielders directorial style. The setup happens, the cringe occurs, and then we have to sit in it until our souls are sick. Whatever object or action is being satirized is, at best, a secondary target. What were left with is emptiness. The cringe is the soul leaving the body.





Watching The Curse, I thought a lot about Squid Game. Netflixs surprise hit is a literal theater of cruelty, death, poverty, and sadness. But it was nevertheless one of the most binged series in the history of Netflix. Despite all the hard-to-watch elements within it, the show was a hit because people couldnt stop watching. It was a hit because all that horror was, counterintuitively, easy to watch. In some ways, I wonder if the true target of The Curses satire is a show like Squid Game or Game of Thrones or even still-cringey but more palatable half-hour comedies like Girls or Fleabag or Curb. Since, shouldnt some things be hard to watch? Shouldnt some things give us nightmares? Dont those antiheroes deserve to be punished? Dont we?

If thats the case, then my hat is off to Fielder and Safdie. They have taken two extraordinary performances, a series of minor masterpieces of formalist direction, and however much money Showtime gave them, and theyve turned all of that into an aggressively artful bad time. They have given me the nightmares they felt I should have. But I also find that, upon waking, and in retrospect, Ive thought very little about The Curse; its images effectively unsettled but did not haunt me. Especially after viewing the befuddling final installment of the series, I am left wondering about the possibility that this was all an elevated film school project, a pretentious, prestigious episode of Punkd. There is something undeniably exciting about Fielders and Safdies commitment to the bit, their formal self-abnegation, their virtuosic weaponization of banal misery. I will remember the grime and hollowness and transcendent meaninglessness of The Curse, and I will remember the strange and even daring things it did to me as a viewer. But I wont remember why, if I ever knew in the first place.
After sending more than 80,000 migrants by bus to various U.S. "sanctuary cities" where Democrats are in charge, Gov. Greg Abbott this week chartered a plane to fly about 120 migrants from El Paso to Chicago.

The flight, which video from the governor's office showed included several children accompanied by adults, took off Tuesday for O'Hare International Airport  one day after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his city had impounded a bus that originated from the Texas border city of Eagle Pass with 49 migrants aboard because it dropped off passengers without a permit.

A Chicago ordinance updated this month allows the city to tow and impound "buses that refuse to comply with safety protocols."

Migrants board a charter bus in El Paso that will take them to New York. On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott this week chartered a plane to fly about 120 migrants from El Paso to Chicago.

Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said Chicago's ordinance change was hypocritical and retaliatory.

"Because Mayor Johnson is failing to live up to his city's 'Welcoming City' ordinance by targeting migrant buses from Texas, we are expanding our operation to include flights to Chicago, like the Biden Administration has been doing across the country," Mahaleris said in an email.

Although U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses chartered and commercial flights to return unlawful immigrants to their countries of origin or to "ICE-managed detention facilities and staging areas," the Poynter Institute's PolitiFact last year ruled claims that the Biden administration uses air travel to relocate immigrants to communities around the country as "mostly false."

More: 1 day after Gov. Greg Abbott signs SB4, El Paso County files legal challenge

Abbott, under the auspices of his border initiative dubbed Operation Lone Star, has sent nearly 83,000 migrants to various cities around the country  including Los Angeles, New York and Washington  since April 2022, ostensibly to show political leaders there the burden unlawful immigration places on municipal and charitable resources. The cost per rider has been put at about $1,300, according to data provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The migrants who voluntarily agree to be transported must show state officials documentation from the U.S. Homeland Security Department that they've been processed and cleared by federal immigration authorities to remain legally in the United States, at least temporarily, according to Abbott's office. None of the migrants being bused out of Texas are believed to be in the country illegally.

Sanctuary city Chicago started obstructing and targeting our busing mission.



Texas will now expand our operation to include flights to Chicago.



Until Biden steps up to secure the border, we will continue to provide overwhelmed Texas border towns with much-needed relief. pic.twitter.com/kRoK8KBpJ2  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 20, 2023

The governor's office did not immediately respond to a question about the cost of the Chicago flight, but it said the migrants aboard the passenger airliner had signed consent forms written in languages they could read.

Mayors of several cities where migrants have been shipped to from Texas have been critical of Abbott's bus program.

Johnson, Chicago's mayor, said in a recent news release that sending migrants to his Midwest city as winter approaches is "inhumane treatment (that) further endangers the safety and security of asylum seekers, and adds additional strain to City departments, volunteers and mutual aid partners tasked with easing what is already a harsh transition."

In August, a 3-year-old Venezuelan girl who had boarded a Texas-provided bus headed to Chicago with her family died en route in Illinois after showing symptoms that included a fever and diarrhea. Texas officials later issued a statement saying that "prior to boarding, no passenger presented with a fever or medical concerns."

The autopsy of the child, who was days shy of her 4th birthday, found: "The child had reportedly begun experiencing mild symptoms and began feeling ill as the family boarded the bus in Brownsville. At that point, she had a low-grade fever only, and was allowed to board the bus."

The child's death raised questions about medical screenings for the state-sponsored bus trips, which critics have denounced as dangerous and chaotic.

Theres a lot of concern about lack of transparency in general regarding these bus rides, said Priscilla Olivarez, a policy attorney and strategist at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Theres no oversight and no accountability.

At a news conference Monday, before the flight from Texas, Johnson ripped Abbott over his busing program.

We have a governor  a governor  an elected official in that state of Texas that is placing families on buses without shoes, cold, wet, tired, hungry, afraid, traumatized, Johnson said. The governor of Texas needs to take a look in the mirror of the chaos that hes causing for this country.

More: El Paso turns to Gov. Greg Abbott's busing program to help migrants on their way

Of the estimated 25,000 migrants sent to Chicago, Johnson said the city has "resettled or reunited" more than 10,000. Food, shelter and "wraparound services" have been provided for the others, he added.

The Biden administration continued its criticism of Abbott's tactic in the wake of the Chicago flight.

Yet again, Governor Abbott is showing how little regard or respect he has for human beings, said White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez in a statement. This latest political stunt just adds to his tally of extreme policies which seek to demonize and dehumanize people.

But in Texas, Abbott's hard-line approach to immigration, which includes a law the governor signed this week allowing state law enforcement officers to arrest, detain and deport individuals suspected of illegally crossing the border into Texas, appears to remain popular.

According to a poll released Tuesday by the Texas Politics Project, an arm of the University of Texas, more than 80% of respondents said they support policies to tighten border security with increased technology, infrastructure and personnel, and 61% support additional border wall construction.

The Legislature this year allocated $1.54 billion at Abbott's behest to for the state to add to the border barriers installed during the Trump administration.

USA Today reporter Rick Jervis contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Abbott's migrant busing escalates with chartered plane to Chicago
This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2023 shows the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

PRAGUE, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic on Thursday night announced a state mourning on Dec. 23 following a university shooting in the capital Prague that has left at least 14 people dead.

The Czech government made the announcement following an extraordinary meeting. State flags will be lowered to half-mast and citizens are called on to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the shooting in the Faculty of Arts of Charles University on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at a press briefing in the evening, Czech Police President Martin Vondrasek said that 14 people died and 25 were injured in the shooting, including 10 in serious conditions.

He said that there was a huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition inside the faculty building. "Had it not been for the quick intervention of the police, there would have been many more victims."

Earlier, Vondrasek told journalists that more than 15 people lost their lives and at least 24 others were injured.

Police said on social media X that they are still investigating the identity of the victims, one of whom is a foreigner. The assailant has been eliminated.

According to the Czech News Agency (CTK), local police were informed that a young man from Hostoun in the Central Bohemia Region was to leave for Prague, saying he wanted to take his own life. About 25 minutes later, the young man's father was found dead in Hostoun, and the police consequently launched a search for the son as a suspect.

The police were also informed that the shooter was to give a lecture at the Faculty of Arts building on Celetna Street in Prague. Thus, they evacuated the building, but the shooting took place at Jan Palach Square, the CTK reported.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala told media in the evening that at the moment, the shooting seemed to be the act of a lone gunman, and it was neither international terrorism nor the act of an organized group.

Calling the shooting "a terrible act, unprecedented in the history of the Czech Republic," Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has said that there is no indication that the shooting was linked to international terrorism.

In a statement following the attack, Charles University Management said it has immediately recommended tightening security measures in university buildings and canceling all events scheduled for Thursday evening and Friday.

"We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy," the statement said. "We now ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again extend our condolences to all those whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones." 

Police officers are seen at the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

Czech Red Cross staff work near the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

A vehicle of the Czech Red Cross is seen near the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

Police officers are seen outside the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

Czech Red Cross staff work near the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

This photo taken on Dec. 22, 2023 shows a working site of the Czech Red Cross near the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)

A police officer is seen outside the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, Dec. 22, 2023. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)
The Wagner Group boss' plane-crash death was an assassination, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A close Putin ally drove the plan, with the death seen as suspicious by observers, it said.

A bomb was put under the plane's wing, the report added.

The death of the mutinous Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash was an assassination masterminded by Nikolai Patrushev, a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Western intelligence officials and a former Russian intelligence officer told The Journal that the Wagner Group boss' death in August was driven and approved by the 72-year-old.

Prigozhin , who led a short-lived uprising against Russia's Defense Ministry this year, died after his business jet went down in a fiery crash outside Moscow. At the time, Putin suggested a hand grenade had detonated on the plane.

In reality, the former Russian intelligence officer told the Journal, Patrushev gave orders to his assistant in August to design an operation that would kill Prigozhin.

A small bomb was put under the plane's wing during a delay when safety inspectors were looking at the aircraft, Western intelligence officials told The Journal.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, told Reuters he would not comment on the story, adding: "Lately, unfortunately, The Wall Street Journal has been very fond of producing pulp fiction."

Patrushev, like Putin, was a spy with the KGB intelligence agency. He later became the head of its successor, the FSB. He's now the secretary of Russia's Security Council and is considered by some as a replacement option for Putin if anything happens to the president.

Then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks with Nikolai Patrushev, then the director of the FSB, in Moscow on September 7, 1999. AFP via Getty Images

The Journal described Patrushev as "Putin's oldest ally and confidant," describing him as loyal to Putin and linked to the assassination of those who threatened Putin's power.

Patrushev, the report said, mostly goes unnoticed during public occasions and is often a figure in the background. But he yields enormous power.

He had told Putin since summer 2022 that Prigozhin was a threat because the Wagner Group gave him too much political and military power, the report said.

Putin ignored those warnings until Prigozhin called Putin in October 2022 to complain about not getting enough equipment, the former Russian intelligence officer said.

Prigozhin's relationship with Putin and Russia's military worsened: In June, Russia's Defense Ministry said fighters in groups such as Wagner had to sign official army contracts, drawing Prigozhin's ire.

In its rebellion, the Wagner Group took a Russian military headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don and started marching toward Moscow, taking down Russian planes and helicopters .

The uprising ended before it reached Moscow, with a peace deal that involved Prigozhin leaving Russia for its neighbor Belarus, a Russian ally.

Patrushev came up with that deal, which also allowed his men to go with him or fight in Russia's military, The Journal reported.

Prigozhin's death was widely seen as suspicious, as it took place two months after Prigozhin and the Wagner Group staged its rebellion. But Russia denied any involvement. The Journal's report is the first to say Patrushev was behind Prigozhin's death.

Hours after the crash, a European who was involved in intelligence gathering and had back-channel communications with the Kremlin asked one of its officials what happened, The Journal reported.

The official said: "He had to be removed."

Russian officials and Patrushev did not respond to The Journal's requests for comment. The Russian Embassy in the UK did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In a death that initially wasn't considered suspicious, a Rhode Island man has been charged with murder in the killing of a 73-year-old Vermont woman from whom he'd been renting a room, the Vermont State Police said.

Shawn Conlon, 44, of Westerly, was arrested Wednesday morning in a hotel in Groton, Connecticut, for the strangulation of Claudia M. Voight, who was killed Feb. 20 at her home in Windham, Vermont, the police said in a press release.

Voight's homicide originally overlooked as a 'medical event'

Voight's death was initially thought the result of a "medical event," the police said. But Voight's daughter Heidi Voight requested an autopsy because of "suspicious interactions and phone calls she had" with Conlon on Feb. 21, the Brattleboro Reformer reported, citing an affidavit.

An autopsy at the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington "indicated the death was suspicious, and Voight had sustained injuries that were detectable only during autopsy," the police said. "Final autopsy findings in April confirmed that Ms. Voight's cause of death was neck compression, and the manner of death was homicide."

The Vermont State Police did not make a public statement about the homicide until July 31 when, in a news release, the agency said it waited to disclose the incident to the public because of the "sensitive nature of the case" and the potential for jeopardizing the investigation.

Carrying a painful secret

Heidi Voight, a news anchor and reporter for NBC Connecticut, wrote on Instagram Friday, "Friends, I want to thank you for the outpouring of kindness since my mother's death in February and your many messages of care and concern during my current absence from NBC Connecticut."

"I know you've had questions, and there is something I've been wanting to tell you, but up until now, couldn't. I have been carrying this painful secret: My mother's death was not natural, nor peaceful. My mother was murdered, violently, in the place she should have felt safest  her own home in Windham, Vermont."

"Claudia Voight was stolen from this world. She was stolen from her family, from her children and from my precious daughters, who now ask me almost every day, 'Why did Grandma go to Heaven.' "

More: Fall River man accused of faking RI residency buy high-powered rifles

Why was Conlon arrested?

The Vermont State Police said their investigation revealed that Conlon had been renting a room from Claudia Voight. Although he stopped paying rent in late 2022, Conlon continued to live in the house "until he attacked and killed her in February," the state police said.

Earlier this week, the Vermont State Police obtained a warrant for Conlon's arrest on a charge of second-degree murder. Investigators initially believed Conlon was in Rhode Island, but he was tracked to Connecticut.

Conlon was charged in Connecticut as being a fugitive from justice; he waived extradition and will be transferred back to Vermont to face the murder charge, the police said. The Vermont arrest warrant orders Conlon jailed without bail, the police said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI man charged with murder over Vermont woman's death
Jennifer Hawkins is the president and CEO of ONE Neighborhood Builders, one of the states leading community development corporations, and a member of the Housing Network of Rhode Island.

For too many years, a bubbling housing crisis was overshadowed by other priorities. Governors, speakers, and mayors came and went, and the state made little meaningful progress to confront a crisis that was quietly growing into a catastrophe. While they focused on important issues like economic development, education, and health care, they failed to recognize that access to safe, secure, and permanent housing is foundational to each of those priorities.

As the crisis grew, our neighbors in Massachusetts outpaced us in their prioritization of expanding access to housing that is affordable for all families. Fortunately, Rhode Island is starting to move the needle and close the gap. Rhode Islands leaders  from the local level, to the State House, and in our federal delegation  have recognized the importance of housing and have made it, arguably, the most urgent policy priority of the first half of this decade.

More: How RI's state housing agency plans to build more housing in 2024

And no one has been more instrumental to that than House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

Since taking the gavel of the House in 2020, Speaker Shekarchi has led efforts to direct much-needed funding toward affordable housing and championed a comprehensive overhaul of state laws and regulations to clear red tape and accelerate development. The speakers reforms are designed to streamline the construction of new housing and level the playing field from town to town with unified zoning rules. Additionally, Speaker Shekarchi worked closely with the McKee Administration to pass the governors proposal to establish a Rhode Island Low Income Housing Tax Credit program which will help attract private investment for affordable housing and accelerate development.

Taken together, these reforms will make the production of housing easier for developers and communities who welcome smart growth development.

Affordable single family homes under construction on Sheridan Street in Providence by Building Futures trainees for One Neighborhood Builders.

To be clear, Rhode Island still has a long way to go to catch up to the types of monetary investments Massachusetts has made toward their housing crisis. Our neighbors in Massachusetts are confronting an equally daunting crisis, and Gov. Maura Healey is putting forward a $4-billion housing bond to spark new construction and expand housing problem solving services. An equivalent bond in Rhode Island would be approximately $600 million, an investment we should strive to make.

Despite progress, we cannot afford to pull back. Rhode Islands housing crisis is as urgent today as it was five years ago, especially with news released earlier this month which show that Rhode Island ranks nearly dead last in the United States for new housing starts.

Another report released earlier this year and commissioned by the Rhode Island Foundation and Partnership for Rhode Island made clear that past inaction has put us more than a decade behind where we need to be. In order to meet the needs of the lowest income households in Rhode Island and provide the security of affordable housing to every person in our state, we need to build more than 20,000 additional affordable apartments. As a state, were only building about 1,000 new homes each year, and only a fraction of them are truly affordable.

We cannot make a dent in that gap without meaningful public sector investments in affordable housing.

More: New housing facility for homeless female veterans in RI opens

While a $600-million bond question may likely be too much all at once, there is precedent for splitting necessary once-in-a-generation investments over multiple bond cycles. Rhode Island voters approved $500 million over two elections for school construction and another $145 million for URIs Bay Campus over two cycles.

As the General Assembly prepares to return in January and the McKee Administration readies its FY2025 budget, we need all our leaders to stay vigilant and focused on the housing crisis. Rhode Island has the opportunity to continue to lead on housing if we all pull in the same direction. Through the speakers leadership on common-sense land use reform, we have laid a strong foundation and now anything less than a full and unwavering investment in affordable housing could put that foundation at risk.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island still has a long way to go to catch up to the types of monetary investments Massachusetts has made toward their housing crisis.
Migrants wait to climb over concertina wire after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico on Sept. 23, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. | Eric Gay, Associated Press

On Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that would make illegal border-crossing a state offense and allows state law enforcement officers to arrest migrants.

The legislation, Senate Bill 4, will go into effect on March 5, 2024.

The goal of Senate Bill 4 is to stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas, Abbott said in a pre-signing speech on Monday. The bill makes it a criminal offense for illegal entrance into Texas from a foreign nation with a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The bill also provides a mechanism to order an illegal immigrant to return to the foreign nation from which they entered, Abbott said.

Related

Gov. Abbott blames Biden administration for increase in border crossings

Before signing the bill into law, Abbott said, Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in about 40 years. He attributed the lower number to Trump administration policies.

He continued, Now under President (Joe) Biden, he has eliminated all of those policies and has done nothing to halt illegal immigration.

A lawsuit filed by ACLU in El Paso County says the bill violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, claiming immigration is under the federal governments jurisdiction. It also asks the federal courts to declare SB4 unlawful and prohibit Texas from enforcing it.

A senior staff attorney at ACLU, David Donatti, told ABC, There is no U.S. federal analogue to a lone officer in their own discretion escorting someone to the border and saying get out. That is a very scary prospect that is categorically different from what the federal government does.

He added, In the federal system people would be able to present their claims to an immigration officer and an immigration judge.

Gov. Greg Abbott signs three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that will broaden his border security plans and add funding for more infrastructure to deter illegal immigration. | Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press

During his pre-signing speech, Abbott said big cities like Chicago and New York City also feel the effects of Bidens immigration policies. But I dont think they truly know the magnitude of the damage caused to the United States by Joe Biden, he said. Three times the number of residents of Chicago have entered illegally under Joe Biden, and about equal to the total population of New York City.

The White House says SB4 will not make Texas a safer place

The White House responded Tuesday to Texas signing SB4 into law. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called SB4 an extreme law that will not and does not make the communities in Texas safer. It just doesnt.

She continued, Its very much in line with what many Republicans like to do, or tend to do, which is demonize immigrants and also dehumanize immigrants. This is not who we are as a country, this is not who we should be as a country. Communities should not be individually targeted and put into harms way.

Another bill signed by Abbott late last month increases the minimum sentence of anyone caught human trafficking or operating a stash house from two years to 10, The Texas Tribune reported.
The Columbus Division of Police has identified a woman who died in an apartment fire on Sunday night at the troubled Colonial Village apartment complex on the city's East Side.

Laronda Bazemore, 59, was found inside an apartment on the 3600 block of Allendale Drive at Colonial Village apartments by Columbus firefighters responding to a report of a structural blaze at 7:50 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, according to a news release issued Thursday. Medics pronounced Bazemore dead at the scene at 7:56 p.m.

Columbus police homicide detectives also responded to the apartment complex to investigate the discovery, and they are treating the incident as a suspicious death.

The fire and ongoing homicide investigation are the latest in a string of problems that have put the troubled Colonial Village apartment complex under increased scrutiny by city officials.

More than 860 residents at the apartment complex have been ordered by the management company to vacate the complex by the end of December so that extensive repairs and renovations can be completed to bring all apartments up to code as demanded by the city. Residents of apartments without heat were ordered by the city to be out by Friday, Dec. 15. It was not immediately clear if the apartment where the fire occurred had heat or not.

In early 2022, the complex was put under a court-ordered receivership after a litany of code violations. In October, the company who had been managing the property was banned from the premises, with court filings from the Columbus City Attorney's office alleging one of that company's employees may have been involved in a human trafficking scheme that led to more than 800 Haitian immigrants coming to Columbus and living at the complex.

Anyone with information regarding the fire death is asked to contact Columbus police Homicide Unit Detective J. Wood at (614) 645-4080 or call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

@ShahidMeighan

smeighan@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police identify woman found dead in Colonial Village apt. fire
Would you want to know when you will die? Science could be getting closer to perhaps giving you that option.

The latest advance? An artificial intelligence algorithm, dubbed "the doom calculator" by the U.K.'s Daily Mail, predicted whether people would die within four years in more than 75% of the cases.

Details about the project, conducted by researchers in Denmark and the U.S., were published this week in the Nature Computational Science online journal. They created an AI machine-learning transformer model  somewhat akin to ChatGPT  although people can't interact with it as they do with ChatGPT.

But the model, called life2vec, crunched data  age, health, education, jobs, income and other life events  on more than 6 million people from Denmark supplied by the country's government, which collaborated on the research.

The model was taught to assimilate information about people's lives in sentences such as "In September 2012, Francisco received 20,000 Danish kroner as a guard at a castle in Elsinore." Or, "During her third year at secondary boarding school, Hermione followed five elective classes," the researchers wrote in the research paper.

As life2vec evolved it became capable of building "individual human life trajectories," they wrote.

"The whole story of a human life, in a way, can also be thought of as a giant long sentence of the many things that can happen to a person, the paper's author, Sune Lehmann, a professor of networks and complexity science at the Technical University of Denmark, said in Northeastern Global News, a university news site. Lehmann was previously a postdoctoral fellow at Northeastern. A collaborator, Tina Eliassi-Rad, is a professor of computer science at the university in Boston.

A photo taken on Nov. 23, 2023 shows the logo of the ChatGPT application developed by U.S. artificial intelligence research organization OpenAI on a smartphone screen (L) and the letters AI on a laptop screen in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. Researchers have created an AI algorithm known as the doom calculator that may be able to predict someone's death. It's somewhat akin to ChatGPT, although people can't interact with it as they do with ChatGPT.

Personal data: Is it smart to hand over your email address and phone number for discounts?

Accurately predicting death 78 percent of the time

Eventually, the AI construct was able to correctly predict those who had died by 2020 about 78% of the time, researchers say in the report.

None of the study participants were told their death predictions.

That would be very irresponsible, Lehmann told the New York Post

Some factors associated with earlier deaths were having a mental health diagnosis, being male, or having a skilled profession, The Science Times reported. Having a leadership role at work and a higher income were associated with longer lifespans.

The program could predict personalities and decisions to make international moves, Lehmann told the Post. This model can predict almost anything, he said.

When can I plug my data into the doom calculator?

Not anytime soon. The program and its data are not being made public to protect the privacy of those whose information was used.

"We are actively working on ways to share some of the results more openly, but this requires further research to be done in a way that can guarantee the privacy of the people in the study,' Lehmann told the Daily Mail.

And its predictive power might not translate beyond Denmark, Eliassi-Rad told the Northeastern Global News. This kind of tool is like an observatory of society  and not all societies, she said. "Whether this can be done in America is a different story.

Regardless, tools such as life2vec should be used to track societal trends, not predict individuals' outcomes, Eliassi-Rad said.

Even though were using prediction to evaluate how good these models are, the tool shouldnt be used for prediction on real people, she told the university news site. Real people "have hearts and minds.

Lehmann hopes the project will shed light on the development of AI and what should be predicted, he told the university news site.

I dont have those answers, but its high time we start the conversation because what we know is that detailed prediction about human lives is already happening," he said. "And right now there is no conversation and its happening behind closed doors."

A tough decision awaits: Will you want to know when and what you may die of?

AI's involvement in death prediction is "the start of a very complicated road," said Art Caplan, a professor and founding head of the division of bioethics at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City.Other scientists are working on using blood and other physical and medical features to make predictive forecasts, too, and the insurance business is built on prediction. "What's unique (here) is it's using social employment and public record information, in combination with health information, to make predictions and never having met anybody in the study," he said.

Caplan says it's "inevitable" that consumers will be able to get information on their own forecasts. "There are going to be a lot of fights around, let's call it 'death prediction' and battles over third-party access (to it)," he said.

Beyond that is a bigger issue: "These algorithms are starting to take away things we normally don't know," Caplan said. "It has upside and could prevent deaths, but it's got a real existential threat of taking all the unknowns out of life, which is not necessarily a good thing."

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Artificial intelligence 'doom calculator' is predicting people's deaths
Vincent Guliano Donini appears via Zoom at a preliminary appearance hearing in Yakima County Superior Court Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Donini is accused of shooting a Macy's store employee during a shoplifting incident.
When Bruce Copeland heard an Airbus A330 had landed at the Yakima Air Terminal, he knew he had to take his 8-year-old son, Jordan Copeland, to see it from behind the chain-link fence that surrounds the airport's tarmac.

From as soon as he could speak, Jordan has loved airplanes. "When can I fly a plane like that?" Jordan asked his dad. "Do I have to learn to fly a Cessna first?"

PHOTOS: 8-year-old gets a close-up look at a big plane in Yakima Jordan Copeland, 8, got the tour of a lifetime on Thursday when an international Delta flight made an unexpected stop in Yakima because of fog

A small group of aviation enthusiasts had gathered to watch at that point. Someone in the group responded: "Not a Cessna necessarily, but that would help."

The Yakima Air Terminal is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's primary diversion site. The Delta flight from London to Seattle landed in Yakima on Wednesday night because of dense fog and a limited fuel supply. Delta sent another aircraft to pick up the passengers early Thursday, but the Airbus remained in Yakima until Thursday afternoon. It was the largest commercial airliner to land at Yakima's airport.

After stopping at the airplane, Airport Director Rob Hodgman approached the handful of spectators gathered just outside the tarmac. He invited them to come see it.

Jordan led the way. Once he set foot on the tarmac, he made a beeline for the airplane's left turbine engine. It wasn't running, but both Hodgman and his father called for him to slow down.

After getting a good look of the plane's underbelly, the group made their way up the boarding stairs where they were greeted by the four members of the plane's crew who stayed overnight.

With their guidance, Jordan got a front-to-back tour of the plane that included a conversation with the aircraft's captain, Mark Carino. Carino told Jordan he knew he wanted to be a pilot when he was his age.

The trip culminated inside the airplane's cockpit, where First Officer Jeffrey Nedrow invited Jordan to take the captain's seat and walked him through the different panels, instruments and screens.

The airplane's crew waved goodbye to Jordan as he walked back to his father's car and hopped into the back seat. He kept his eye on the plane as they drove off.

Editor's note: Jordan's father's name has been corrected.
Members of the Sri Lankan police's Special Task Force are seen on duty in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 22, 2023. Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities.

According to the police, 517 of the 10,456 suspects arrested have been held under detention order for further interrogation.

The police have also seized drugs including heroin and vehicles involved in crime.

Sri Lankan Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said earlier that the government would continue the police operation despite any difficulty. 

Members of the Sri Lankan police's Special Task Force inquire a biker in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 22, 2023. Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

Members of the Sri Lankan police's Special Task Force check a motorcyclist in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 22, 2023. Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

Members of the Sri Lankan police's Special Task Force are seen on duty in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 22, 2023. Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)

Members of the Sri Lankan police's Special Task Force inquire a motorcyclist in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 22, 2023. Sri Lankan police have arrested over 10,000 suspects in connection with drug-related offenses and other criminal activities in a recently launched operation, the police said on Friday.

The police said in a statement that they made the arrests in an operation launched on Dec. 17 to curb drug trafficking and organized criminal activities. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)
Lectia unui razboi prostesc  tari eviscerate, economii distruse

S-a spus ca minirazboiul din Ucraina trebuie sa aduca democratia la Kiev, sa-l puna cu botul pe labe pe Vladimir Putin si, totodata, sa reconfirme suprematia Americii asupra lumii si a Europei, in mod special. Ce vedem dupa doi ani? O tara eviscerata (Ucraina), [citeste mai departe]
Cum poti sa te dezvolti pe plan financiar? Top 3 sfaturi pentru a deveni o femeie independenta

In ziua de azi, multe femei au trecut peste obiceiurile traditionale de a ramane acasa pentru a avea grija de copii si isi doresc o cariera si independenta financiara. In acest mod, ele pot beneficia de o [citeste mai departe]
ISTANBUL, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Turkish police on Friday arrested 304 people over their suspected links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in an operation that targeted 32 cities.

In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Yerlikaya said 86 out of the 304 suspects were detained in Istanbul and 20 in the western city of Izmir in the operation codenamed HEROES-34.

Turkiye designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013. The group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in Turkiye, leading Turkish authorities to launch military operations against the group both at home and abroad. 
A Hungarian foreign affairs official has expressed condolences and shock over the mass shooting in Prague in which several people lost their lives and dozens were injured, and he said so far there were no Hungarians known to be among the victims or injured.

The Hungarian embassy is in contact with the university where the shooting took place and with the police, Tamas Menczer, the state secretary for bilateral relations of the ministry of foreign affairs and trade, said on Facebook.



He expressed sympathy for the family members of the victims and the injured, adding that they were in our prayers.



The shooting spree took place on Thursday afternoon on Jan Palach Square in front of the Institute of Philosophy of Charles University in Prague.
Nebraskas population growth rebounded to healthy levels in the past year after two years of anemic growth brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Census Bureau on Tuesday estimated that Nebraskas population reached 1,978,379 as of July 1 this year, up 10,319 people from the estimate for 2022.

In sheer numbers, that increase was more than double the combined growth in 2021 and 2022, when the state was estimated to have added just 980 and 3,807 people, respectively. Those numbers were held down by increased deaths during the pandemic as well as lower immigration.

Its kind of a return to more normal growth, said David Drozd, a demographer with Community Health Development Partners of Omaha. To be back above the 10,000-per-year level indicates we are coming out of the more COVID-related impacts to more typical growth years.

Nebraskas growth of 0.5% in the past year also slightly exceeded the U.S. growth rate, representing relatively strong growth for the state. Since the 2020 Census, Nebraska has grown by 0.8%, ranking 24th among the states.

While its still early in the decade, Nebraskas growth compared to the nation also bodes well for it keeping all three of its congressional seats during the next reapportionment after the 2030 Census, Drozd said.

It would take some major shift or change again for us to be in danger of losing a congressional seat, he said.

With the new estimates, Nebraska now also resumes its slow march toward a total population of 2 million. At its current growth rate, it could hit that mark by 2025.

The 2023 number resumes what has recently been a period of historically high growth in Nebraska.

Nebraskas growth has now exceeded the U.S. rate for eight of the past 15 years. Prior to that, it had been nearly a half century since Nebraska's population increase had topped the national growth rate.

While Nebraska tends to lose more people than it gains through domestic migration among the states, its population is buttressed by the fact its a top 10 state in terms of births exceeding deaths, Drozd said.

Both Nebraska and the nation in 2023 posted their largest population gains since 2018.

Since 2020, Nebraskas 0.8% growth exceeds Iowa (0.5%) and Kansas (0.1%) and Missouri (0.7%) but trails neighbors South Dakota (3.7%), Colorado (1.8%) and Wyoming (1.2%).

In the past year, Iowa added an estimated 7,311 people, about 3,000 fewer than Nebraska but well above the 1,749 Iowa added in 2022. Its total population is just over 3.2 million.

Many states saw higher growth in 2023, due to a combination of fewer deaths from the pandemic and an increase in immigration to more normal levels. Total deaths nationally were down 9% over the previous year.

Ultimately, fewer deaths paired with rebounding immigration resulted in the nation experiencing its largest population gain since 2018, said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau.

Texas experienced the largest numeric change in the nation, adding 473,453 people, followed by Florida, which added 365,205 residents. South Carolina and Florida were the two fastest-growing states in 2023, growing by 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively.

Eight states saw their population fall in 2023: California (-75,423), Hawaii (-4,261), Illinois (-32,826), Louisiana (-14,274), New York (-101,984), Oregon (-6,021), Pennsylvania (-10,408), and West Virginia (-3,964).
New Delhi: Renowned entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal, who is also the CEO of Shaadi.com, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his critique of the popular coffee brand Starbucks. Mittal referred to Starbucks as a "very high-sugar dessert store" rather than a coffee chain.

In his tweet, Mittal shared, stating, Aaj realize hua that Starbucks is not a coffee chain. Its a v.high sugar dessert store with laced caffeine  lethal combo."

Aaj realize hua that Starbucks is not a coffee chain. Its a v.high sugar dessert store with laced caffeine  lethal combo  Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) December 21, 2023

Since Mittal's tweet, a wave of reactions flooded the comment section, with users sharing their perspectives on the coffee giant. One user drew a parallel, saying, Likewise McD is not a QSR chain, it's a Real Estate company with stores in every corner of expensive markets in the US."

Likewise McD is not a QSR chain, its a Real Estate company with stores in every corner of expensive markets in US  Sunil Barsaiyan (@sunil_barsaiyan) December 21, 2023

Another commenter provided a different viewpoint, describing Starbucks as It's an aesthetic work and date venue which also seeks caffeine-flavored sugar drinks."

It's an aesthetic work and date venue which also seeks caffeine flavoured sugar drinks  Aman (@AmanHasNoName_2) December 21, 2023

A third user highlighted the brand's status in India, mentioning, Starbucks is also just a status symbol in India, unlike abroad where their prices are on par with other coffee shops. Also, I just find their coffee quite burnt in taste."

Starbucks is also just a status symbol in India, unlike abroad where their prices are on par with other coffee shops. Also, I just find their coffee quite burnt in taste.  Divya Kanwar (@DivyaKanwar14) December 21, 2023

Take a look at the reactions:
New Delhi: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) on Friday announced price revisions for commercial LPG bringing cheers to people ahead of New Year and Christmas.

The price of 19 KG commercial LPG gas cylinders has been reduced by Rs 39.50 and the new rates are effective from Today (22 December 2023). After the price reduction, retail sales price of a 19 Kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi will now be Rs 1757.50.

However, the prices of domestic LPG cylinders will remain unchanged. It is important to note that monthly revisions for both commercial and domestic LPG cylinders typically occur on the first day of each month.

The 19 kg commercial cylinder will now be available for Rs 1757.50 in Delhi, Rs 1868.50 in Kolkata, Rs 1710 in Mumbai and Rs 1929 in Chennai.

Prices of Indane LPG in Metros (Rs./19 kg cylinder) Applicable from December 22, 2023



You can also click Indane official website to check rates of LPG Cylinders in various cities.

Currently, the cost of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi is Rs 820.

Additionally, the government provides an LPG subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder to Ujjwala beneficiaries, and they are allowed up to 12 refills per year.

It's worth noting that earlier in August, companies reduced the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 200, bringing significant relief to consumers. Since then, the price has remained unchanged, and the current cost of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi is Rs 903.
POONCH/JAMMU: A massive anti-terror operation is currently underway after four soldiers lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries as heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The attack occurred at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station, around 3:45 pm. The security forces are conducting a massive search operation in and around Dera Ki Gali, also known as the DKG area after the incident. A joint search and combing operation is being conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF and the J&K Police.

Meanwhile, security forces have detained several local suspects from the Dera Ki Gali for questioning and investigation into the incident.

#WATCH | Security forces are conducting a search operation in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri sector after the terrorist attack on Army vehicles yesterday pic.twitter.com/V56EjGzfC2  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

The People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has reportedly claimed responsibility for the deadly ambush. Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir - Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti - have strongly condemned the attack. Reacting to the incident, National Conference MP Farooq Abdullah said, "...Even today there is terrorism in J&K, there has just been an incident. Terrorism has not ended. They(Central govt) are only talking about increasing tourism in Kashmir. Even if one tourist gets shot, no one will come here...."

Swift Response Amidst Ambush

The targeted vehicles were en route to a cordon-and-search operation when the terrorists launched the ambush. According to Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, the joint search operation was initiated based on "hard intelligence" about the presence of terrorists. As additional forces moved to the site, the terrorists opened fire on the Army vehiclesa truck and a Gypsy. The troops promptly responded, leading to a tragic outcome with four soldiers losing their lives and three sustaining injuries.

Anti-Terror Operation Underway

The operation is currently in progress, and officials are actively working to gather further details. Disturbing images and videos from the site depict the aftermath, with blood on the street, broken helmets, and shattered windscreens of the Army vehicles. There is speculation that soldiers might have engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the terrorists during the intense confrontation, and there are concerns that the terrorists may have taken away arms belonging to the targeted soldiers.

As the operation unfolds, authorities are diligently working to gather more information and mitigate the threat posed by terrorists in the region. This incident follows a recent major gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of the Bajimaal forest area in the nearby Rajouri district, where five Army personnel, including two captains, lost their lives last month.

The stretch between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz has been a hotspot for violence, with dense forests leading to Chamrer and Bhata Dhurian forests. The region has witnessed multiple encounters this year, resulting in 54 casualties, including 19 security personnel and 28 terrorists. Officials attribute the surge in violence to "desperate attempts from across the border" to revive terrorism in the region.

In the face of this tragic incident, the authorities are grappling with the ongoing challenge of maintaining security in the border region, where terrorists have been persistent in their attempts to infiltrate.
New Delhi: In a blistering attack on the Congress party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state minister Zameer Ahmed Khan for travelling in a private luxury jet while their party spearheads a crowdfunding campaign to aid drought relief in the state.

Amit Malviya's Lead BJP's Charge

Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP's media cell, took to social media to slam the Karnataka Congress leaders. He accused them of enjoying "happy moments" aboard a private jet while ostensibly seeking funds for drought relief in Delhi. Malviya pointedly contrasted this alleged extravagance with the Congress's crowdfunding efforts, emphasizing the apparent dissonance between their actions and their plea for public donations.

On the one hand, Congress is pretending to crowdfund and didnt even serve samosas in I.N.D.I Alliance meeting, on the other, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cabinet Minister for Housing, Waqf and Minority Affairs in Karnataka Govt, is flaunting his pictures with CM Siddaramaiah in a private pic.twitter.com/SkrLB5OdjI  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 22, 2023

Viral Video Sparks Controversy

The controversy escalated when Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan himself posted a video showcasing the luxurious private jet journey with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The video, initially intended to capture "happy moments," became a focal point for criticism.

BJP Leaders Criticise Siddaramaiah

Prominent BJP leaders, including CT Ravi and Shehzad Poonawalla, joined the criticism. Ravi questioned the government's priorities, highlighting the lack of funds for drought-affected farmers juxtaposed with the availability of resources for the chief minister's luxury travel. Poonawalla accused the Congress of using Karnataka as an "ATM," referring to the ruling party's alleged pattern of fiscal imprudence in states where it is in power.

Poonawalla said, The deputy chief minister of Karnataka tells his party MLAs and people that there is no money left for development because all the money has been splurged on the so-called promises made by the Congress party which they are unable to fulfill We see the ministers of the Karnataka government doing photo shoots and splurging in VVIP planes and jet planes at the cost of taxpayer money along with the chief minister asking for funds for drought relief. Congress's mindset is to use any state it gets power in as an ATM. They did that in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Now it has turned to Karnataka and Telangana.

#WATCH | On a video of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and state minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan travelling on a chartered flight, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, The deputy chief minister of Karnataka tells his own MLAs and people that there is no money left for development pic.twitter.com/oSC6D8gWXL  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

Congress Counters BJP's Claims

Responding to a question on the viral video, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "Ask BJP people what Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in."

Bengaluru: Responding to a question on the video of himself and Karnataka minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan travelling on a chartered flight, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "Ask BJP people in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels in." pic.twitter.com/3TvdXsSUZC  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

Replying to the BJP's allegations, Congress leaders, notably Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil, recalled instances of leaders from the ruling party, including Prime Minister Modi, utilizing expensive aircraft during their tenures.

#WATCH | On Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Congress Leader BZ Zameer Ahmad Khan travelling in a chartered plane, Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil says, When PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, he travelled in the costliest aircraft brought in especially for him https://t.co/SbLyvYmGoT pic.twitter.com/qd0CcdKRRX  ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

'Donate For Desh' Campaign Amidst Criticism

The BJP's accusations come at a time when the Congress is actively promoting its 'Donate for Desh' crowdfunding campaign, aimed at gathering public donations to support the party's initiatives. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the campaign, drawing parallels with Mahatma Gandhi's reliance on public contributions during the freedom struggle.

In this tumultuous political climate, the BJP's allegations underscore a perceived incongruity between the Congress's plea for public donations and the leaders' alleged indulgence in luxury travel, adding fuel to the ongoing political discourse in Karnataka.
New Delhi: Terrorists launched an attack on two Indian Army vehicles on the Poonch-Rajouri Highway in the Thanamandi area on Thursday. Tragically, four Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in this attack, namely Naik Birendra Singh, Naik Driver Karan Kumar, Rifleman Chandan Kumar, and Rifleman Gautam Kumar.

In today's DNA, Zee News anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the impact of the abrogation of Article 370 on the decrease in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, along with a discussion on the recent attack on a military convoy in Rajouri.

About four and a half years ago, on August 5, 2019, the Central Government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that it would eliminate terrorism, bring about peace, and propel the region towards development.

Promises were made that removing Article 370 would transform the fate of the valley by eliminating terrorists. Despite these assertions, terrorist attacks persisted, resulting in the loss of our soldiers. This unfortunate reality was highlighted again on Thursday when terrorists targeted two army vehicles, leading to the martyrdom of four soldiers.

Departing from Rajouri to Poonch, both army vehicles arrived near Dera Street in the Thanamandi area around 3.45 pm on Thurday, where terrorists initiated gunfire on them. The dense forest terrain in the Thanamandi area facilitated the terrorists in escaping and taking refuge in the woods after the attack. Currently, security forces are conducting a search operation to locate the fleeing terrorists.

While the abrogation of Article 370 has led to a reduction in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism persists, and its complete eradication remains elusive. Since 2021, there has been a noticeable shift in the target areas chosen by terrorists.

Over the last two years, the majority of significant terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir occurred in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors, where Indian security forces were specifically targeted. Intelligence sources indicate the presence of 25 to 30 Pakistani terrorists hiding in these areas, with intentions to attack army vehicles. These terrorists have been sent by Pakistan after receiving training, and there is evidence suggesting China's involvement in this conspiracy.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Gao Yunlong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of the China Foundation for Peace and Development, visited Brunei on Dec. 21-22 at the invitation of the Brunei-China Friendship Association.

During the visit, Gao met with Brunei's Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Manaf and President of the Brunei-China Friendship Association Mohd Firdaus, exchanging views on promoting China-Brunei relations and increasing people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges.

The Brunei side said that it attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and is willing to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. 
New Delhi: French President Emmanual Macron will be joining India in the Republic Day 2024 celebration on January 26. The External Affairs Ministry on Friday confirmed that Macron India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations. "At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations," stated the Ministry.

Taking to X, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his attendance as the Chief Guest at next year's Republic Day celebrations and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation. "Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I'll be here to celebrate with you!" Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, Ill be here to celebrate with you!  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 22, 2023

This marks the sixth occasion when a French leader will serve as the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. Preceding Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac held the position in 1976 and 1998, while former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande assumed the role in 1980, 2008, and 2016, respectively.

India and France exhibit a substantial level of alignment on various regional and global matters as strategic allies. The upcoming year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that Prime Minister Modi served as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on July 14, 2023, in Paris, having received an invitation from French President Macron during his visit to France.

Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India's Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress. India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.
NEW DELHI: In a significant diplomatic move, the Government of India (GoI) has formally invited French President Emmanuel Macron to grace the 2024 Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. This notable gesture underscores the growing camaraderie and trust between the two nations, marking the sixth occasion that a French leader has been accorded this prestigious role at the Kartavya Path on January 26.

A Symbolic Bond: Strengthening Ties

The Republic Day celebrations hold particular significance as they commemorate the moment in 1950 when India officially adopted its Constitution, marking the nation's transition to a republic. The invitation to President Macron symbolizes the enduring and deepening ties between India and France.

PM Modi's G20 Summit Diplomacy: From G20 To Republic Day

During the G20 Summit held in New Delhi in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially extended an invitation to President Joe Biden to be the Chief Guest at the 2024 Republic Day festivities. However, the anticipated visit by the US President did not materialize, with no specific reasons provided by the American side.

Bastille Day Bond: PM Modi-Macron Meeting

The invitation to President Macron follows a recent meeting between him and Prime Minister Modi during the Bastille Day celebrations in France. PM Modi, as the Guest of Honour, participated in the event, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two nations. A tri-service Indian armed forces contingent, led by the Punjab Regiment, marked the occasion with a patriotic march.

Strategic Partnership: Shared Values And Commitments

The strategic partnership between India and France, spanning 25 years, was celebrated during PM Modi's visit to France. A squadron of Indian Air Force Rafale fighters, symbolizing the close defense cooperation, participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees during the Bastille Day Parade.

Democracy And Shared Values: Significance Of Bastille Day

July 14, celebrated as Bastille Day, holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution. This historic event symbolizes the democratic values of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity,' echoing the principles enshrined in both the Indian and French constitutions.

Macron's India Visit

President Macron's visit to India in September, during the G20 Summit hosted by India, further solidified the bilateral relationship. A productive bilateral meeting between Macron and PM Modi highlighted their commitment to elevating India-France relations to new heights.

Defence Cooperation: Shared Vision For The Future

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation, emphasizing partnership in the design and expansion of production in India. They called for the early finalization of the Defence Industrial Roadmap, showcasing a shared vision for the future.

Historic Legacy: Macron Joins Distinguished Predecessors

President Macron joins a distinguished list of French leaders who have been Chief Guests at India's Republic Day celebrations. Notable predecessors include former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac and former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande.

India and France's collaboration extends across various sectors, encompassing defense, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. This multifaceted partnership reflects the depth and breadth of the relationship between the two nations.
New Delhi: In a powerful display of dissent, leaders from the Opposition bloc, INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), will hold a massive protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday in response to the recent suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament. This move comes after days of disruption and chaos at the Parliament in the wake of the incident on December 13, where two individuals breached the Lok Sabha chamber, releasing smoke from canisters.

Nationwide Outcry: INDIA Alliance Mobilizes Against BJP Government

Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, announced on Thursday that the protest is not limited to the capital. Simultaneous demonstrations will unfold in all district headquarters across the country, denouncing what he termed the "immoral and illegal" behavior of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. He emphasized the opposition's commitment to upholding democratic values and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the security breach issue in the House.

The PM should come and speak in the house first. This is really condemnable! We are repeatedly requesting the speaker of the Lok Sabha and the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The members of the ruling party are disturbing the proceedings. This shows that they (the BJP) don't have faith in India's democracy. The constitution and democratic practices should be upheld. Tomorrow, INDIA leaders will protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Throughout the country, Opposition leaders will protest against this immoral and illegal behaviour of the BJP government, Kharge said on Thursday.

Rahul Gandhi Takes The Lead: Congress Leader To Join Protest

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will lead the protest at Jantar Mantar, scheduled to commence at 11 am on Friday. Addressing the media, Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely confirmed the participation of prominent INDIA alliance leaders in the rally. The protest aims to draw attention to the suspension of opposition MPs and the perceived disregard for parliamentary norms.

Kharge Condemns BJP's Conduct, Calls For Prime Minister's Accountability

In a scathing critique, Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the conduct of the ruling party, accusing them of disrupting proceedings and undermining India's democracy. He called on Prime Minister Modi to address the House before anything else, emphasizing the opposition's repeated requests for a discussion on the security breach.

National Outcry: Protests Escalate Across States

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor echoed Kharge's sentiments, emphasizing the need for nationwide protests. He asserted that the INDIA alliance protest will be widespread, demonstrating the opposition's united stand against what they perceived as an assault on democracy. "It's appropriate to protest and all of us will be at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The INDIA alliance protest will happen everywhere (Friday) morning in all the states because we want to show the public that if they'd run Parliament like this and won't listen to the opposition then they are ruining the democracy," said Tharoor.

AAP MPs Join The Fray: Support For INDIA Bloc Grows

Adding to the momentum, AAP MPs, including ND Gupta, Sandeep Pathak, Sant Balbir Seecehwal, and Sanjeev Arora, will join the INDIA bloc protest, further amplifying the collective voice against the government's actions.

The ongoing winter session of Parliament has witnessed an unprecedented wave of suspensions, with three more Congress MPs -D K Suresh, Deepak Baij, and Nakul Nath -joining the list of suspended lawmakers.

Protests, March Against Suspension Of MPs

On Thursday, INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk in protest of the suspension of opposition lawmakers. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged violation of parliamentary privilege for not addressing the security breach issue in the House. The lawmakers carried a large 'Save Democracy' banner and placards reading 'Opposition MPs Suspended,' 'Parliament Caged,' and 'Democracy Expelled' during the march.

What Led To The Suspension Of MPs?

The suspension of 145 MPs during the current winter session of Parliament stems from a critical incident on December 13. Two individuals breached the sanctity of the Lok Sabha chamber, unleashing smoke from canisters and triggering a chain of disruptions initiated by the opposition.

The primary catalyst for the suspension lies in the Opposition's persistent interference with House proceedings, demanding accountability for the security breach. Their pivotal request revolves around a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding the breach.

This ongoing saga has resulted in the suspension of a significant number of lawmakers, with 100 from the Lok Sabha and 46 from the Rajya Sabha facing disciplinary action. The suspension, attributed to their involvement in "creating chaos and disrupting proceedings," underscores the profound impact of the December 13 incident on the parliamentary landscape.

The Opposition, at the moment, remains resolute in its demand for accountability and an open discussion on the security breach issue, setting the stage for a continued standoff in the days to come.
New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday blamed unemployment for the Parliament security breach, adding that the youth in India spend hours scrolling on social media. He said, The security breach in the Parliament was a result of unemployment under the BJP government. A survey revealed that under PM Modis leadership, young people spend over 7 hours on social media apps like Instagram and X.

While Gandhi linked the use of mobile phones with unemployment, a video posted by journalist Ashok Shrivastav shows the Wayanad MP using his phone during a protest organised by the Opposition bloc INDIA. In the video, Rahul Gandhi can be seen checking his phone as he sat with other opposition leaders.

During his speech in New Delhi, Gandhi claimed that as the two men jumped from the visitors gallery in Lok Sabha, leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ran away. A few days ago, 2-3 youths jumped inside the Parliament House, we all saw, they came inside and spread some smoke. All the BJP MPs ran away. They call themselves nationalists but we saw how afraid they were, he said.

Gandhi also said that the media is only focussing on him recording a video of TMC MP Kalyan Banerjees video of mimicry outside the Parliament instead of highlighting the issue of unemployment and the suspension of MPs over the week.

The India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) organised a nationwide protest over the suspension of over 146 MPs from the parliament over the past week.
NEW DELHI: In a bid to fortify the unity of the Opposition bloc, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi engaged in a crucial telephonic conversation with Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar. This development took place at a pivotal moment, with speculation surrounding Nitish Kumar's purported discontent within the alliance.

Implementing INDIA Bloc Decisions: The Rahul-Nitish Dialogue

Sources indicate that the conversation primarily centered around the effective implementation of decisions made during the recent INDIA bloc meeting. Nitish Kumar's anticipated pivotal role within the alliance, particularly regarding seat-sharing and joint programs, was a focal point of the discussion.

Mamata Banerjee's Bold Move: Kharge As The PM Face

The fourth meeting of the Opposition's alliance held at Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi witnessed a significant proposal by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She suggested Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial face of the bloc. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also seconded the proposal, triggering political speculations and reportedly causing discontent within the JD(U).

Defending The Proposal: Mamata Banerjee's Response

In response to the growing discontent, Mamata Banerjee defended her proposal, stating that it was a response to frequent queries about the potential Prime Ministerial face of the alliance. She expressed unawareness of Nitish Kumar's concerns, emphasizing the need for unity.

JD(U) Dismisses Discontent Rumours

The JD(U) also distanced itself from rumours of discontent, with its national president Rajiv Ranjan clarifying that Nitish Kumar remained until the end of the meeting. However, reports of a miffed Nitish Kumar convening a meeting with party top brass surfaced, leading to heightened anticipation around the JD(U) national executive meeting scheduled for December 29. The decision to convene a national council meeting on the same day raised eyebrows and hinted at potential key political decisions.

Lalu Yadav Dismisses Speculations

Former Bihar Chief Minister and National President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lalu Yadav, dismissed speculations and urged a prompt resolution to seat distribution. He emphasized the necessity of quick decisions and assured that both he and Nitish Kumar were not upset.

Opposition's Unwavering Unity

Despite internal tensions, the Opposition Alliance, India, has demonstrated unwavering unity against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meetings in Patna, Bengaluru, and Mumbai have solidified their collective resolve, underscoring their preparedness for upcoming political challenges.
New Delhi: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) stock ended nearly 4 percent higher on Friday after the insurer got more time to comply with the minimum public shareholding norm. The stock rallied 7.25 percent to reach its 52-week high of Rs 820.05 during the day on the BSE. It later ended at Rs 793.10, up 3.73 percent.

At the NSE, shares of the company ended at Rs 792.20, climbing 3.62 percent. During the day, it jumped 7.39 percent to Rs 821 -- its 52-week high level. The company's market valuation also climbed Rs 18,057.88 crore to reach Rs 5,01,635.57 crore. (Also Read: 'Aaj Realize Hua That Starbucks Is...:' Anupam Mittal Criticises Starbucks For THIS Reason)

The government has granted a one-time exemption to LIC to achieve the required 25 percent Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) within 10 years, the state-owned insurance company said on Thursday. (Also Read: Happy Forgings IPO Allotment: How To Check Application Status? Check Here)

The country's largest insurer was listed in May 2022. The government had sold over 22.13 crore shares, or a 3.5 percent stake in LIC, through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

The government holds a 96.5 percent stake in the company. In a stock exchange filing, LIC said the Department of Economic Affairs has decided to grant a "one-time exemption to LIC to achieve 25 percent MPS within 10 years from the date of listing i.e., till May 2032".
New Delhi: Investors have until this evening to subscribe to the third tranche of the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme (SGB 2023-24 Series III), with the subscription period set to close today (December 22, 2023). The subscription window for this tranche opened on December 18. This offers individuals an opportunity to invest in gold without the need for physical possession.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Issue Price

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fixed the issue price for this tranche at Rs 6,199 per gram. (Also Read: This State Government Announces 4% DA Hike For Its Employees)

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: For Whom The Scheme Is Designed?

The scheme is designed to cater to those who may be hesitant to acquire physical gold due to safety concerns, providing an alternative investment avenue. (Also Read: Surat Diamond Bourse: All You Need To Know About World's Largest Office Building- In Pics)

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Annual Compensation Rate

One of the key attractions of the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme is the fixed annual compensation rate of 2.50 percent, which is paid semi-annually based on the nominal value. This feature adds a predictable element to the investment, offering investors a fixed return on their holdings.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Closing Date

Investors considering participation in the Sovereign Gold Bond scheme should take note of the closing date for subscription, which is today.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Release Date

The SGB will be released on December 28.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: How To Invest In It?

You can buy Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) through commercial banks, online via net banking, mobile banking apps, or by visiting a bank branch or designated post office, where you can fill out the form, submit units, and make payment via Cheque or DD, along with attaching your Aadhaar Card and PAN card.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: How To Buy Through RBI Website?

Buy Sovereign Gold Bonds through the RBI Retail Direct website or acquire them via the Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL) on recognized stock exchanges.
New Delhi: During the inauguration of Kolkata Christmas Carnival 2023, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared a four percent increase in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees, starting from January 1, 2024. The announcement was made during the inauguration event at Allen Park in the Park Street area of the city.

West Bengal DA Hike 2023: Which Employees Are Set To Benefit?

Approximately 14 lakh state government employees, including teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, colleges, and universities, as well as employees of statutory undertakings and parastatals, along with pensioners, are set to benefit from this DA hike. (Also Read: Google Maps New Features Coming In 2024 For Indian Users: Check)

Banerjee highlighted that the decision would incur an additional expense of Rs 2,400 crore for the state government. She explained that despite having a Pay Commission, the state government voluntarily provides DA to its employees. (Also Read: Lava Storm 5G Launched In India: Check Price, Camera, Specifications, And More)

Unlike the central government where DA is mandatory, in West Bengal, it is an optional benefit. The Chief Minister emphasized that this decision was made in recognition of the hard work put in by the state employees.

During her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the previous day, Banerjee addressed the financial challenges faced by the state, stating that the central government owes West Bengal Rs 1.15 lakh crore.

Despite the financial strain, the state government has released a six percent DA under the new pay scale since 2019, amounting to an expenditure of Rs 4,144 crore over four years.

In 2019, the state government transitioned to the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, resulting in a dearness allowance increase to 125 percent of the basic pay for state employees.
In Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated that Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail Link is the most-difficult that railways has undertaken post-independence. Soon after this claim, Indian Railways has marked another feat in this project by building a new 3,209 metre-long tunnel T1 that connects Katra and Reasi stations. The development of the tunnel was completed on December 20, adding another monumental achievement in the Indian Railways bag. Tunnel T-1 is located at the foothills of the Trikuta Hills near Katra in Reasi District and is being constructed by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd for the Northern Railway under the National Projects.

Under the USBRL project, this breakthrough is a key milestone, ensuring that all tunnels required for the project have been successfully constructed.

The Katra-Reasi stretch, covering a challenging 111 kilometres, faced multiple interruptions during construction, necessitating the involvement of global experts. Tunnel T-1, formerly recognised as the most challenging tunnel due to its passage through the Himalayan Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), presented formidable geological challenges, including rugged terrain and substantial water inflow from within the tunnel.

Also Read - Indian Railways To Fence Sections Of Vande Bharat Express Trains Tracks: Vaishnaw

The tunnel alignment cuts across the lesser Himalayas and is characterised by highly jointed and fractured dolomite.

Also, a portion of about 300-350m length cuts across a major Shear Zone known as the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). Due to the presence of a shear zone coupled with a high ingress of water, tunnel excavation in this stretch has been a daunting challenge.In the beginning, the tunnelling was done by adopting the conventional NATM tunnelling philosophy.

However, to tackle the visco-elastic plastic media of the Main Boundary Thrust, the tunnel excavation methodology was switched over from NATM to I-System of Tunnelling by providing deep drainage pipes, Umbrella pipe roofing, chemical grouting, face bolting, sequential excavation with multiple drifts, rigid support and concreting, etc.By adopting the I-System of tunnelling, the excavation of Tunnel T1 through MBT (in Heading) has been completed, thus clearing a major impediment in the commissioning of the new railway line from Katra to Banihal.

The breakthrough of this tunnel is seen as one of the biggest achievements of this national project in making the dream of connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of India a reality.The completion of this tunnel is a significant achievement in the broader context of the USBRL project, which involves the construction of 38 tunnels between Katra and Banihal.

While all tunnels on this rail route have been completed, Tunnel T-1 posed the greatest obstacle, being the longest and encountering unique geological complexities.

The project involved meticulous planning and the application of various engineering technologies, ensuring that the 3209 m long tunnel T-1 is now successfully excavated, underscoring the commitment of Indian Railways to infrastructural progress.As of today, about 318 m of excavation in benching and about 680m of concrete lining is balanced.

The works are in progress around the clock in full swing to complete the balance works. Indian Railway is edging closer to connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the railway network.
CONAKRY, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The transitional president of Guinea, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, has declared a three-day national mourning across the country, following the deadly fire at a large fuel depot in the capital on Sunday night.

During the national mourning period, the Guinean flag will be at half-mast throughout the country and in Guinea's embassies and diplomatic representations abroad, Doumbouya said in an address on public television on Wednesday.

"In these moments of pain and sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families affected by these unbearable losses," he said, assuring the injured and homeless of all his support and that of the people of Guinea.

At least 18 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in a major fire that broke out Sunday night at a large fuel depot in the commune of Kaloum, the Guinean capital of Conakry, authorities said. 
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday passed a key resolution, emphasizing the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to the distressed civilians in Gaza, but without the original call for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas.

Resolution 2720 demands parties to the conflict "allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip, and in this regard calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

The resolution demands that the parties to the conflict "allow and facilitate the use of all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip," and requests the UN secretary-general to "appoint a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator" with responsibility for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying in Gaza, as appropriate, the humanitarian nature of all humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza provided through states which are not party to the conflict.

The text demands the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address medical needs of all hostages, and demands the provision of fuel to Gaza at levels that will meet requisite humanitarian needs.

The resolution reiterates its "unwavering commitment" to the vision of the "two-state solution" where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions, and in this regard stresses the importance of "unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority."

The proposed resolution, presented by the United Arab Emirates, garnered support from 13 council members, while the United States and Russia opted to abstain from the vote within the 15-member council.

The vote followed a U.S. veto of a Russian amendment that would have restored the call for a "suspension of hostilities."

Speaking after the vote, Dai Bing, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, told the Security Council that given the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the resolution offers "at least a glimmer of hope" for more and faster delivery of aid to Gaza.

He added that "whether this glimmer of hope can be truly felt by the people of Gaza in the midst of this disaster also depends on whether the resolution can be effectively implemented."

"We expect action to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza, including by the full use of Karem Shalom and the opening of other crossing points," the ambassador said, while urging Israel to stop its collective punishment of the population of Gaza and insisting that realization of a ceasefire remains the overriding goal.

Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the United Nations, said after the vote that the Security Council first met to address the crisis when hundreds of Palestinians had been killed by Israel.

"The council is now meeting after over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, almost half of them children and 60,000 wounded, and two million Palestinians have been forcefully displaced," he said.

Mansour underscored that the "inhumane and criminal Israeli siege" and the use of vital humanitarian "as a method of war" must end immediately.

"What we are dealing with is an attempt at the destruction of our people and their displacement forever from their land," he said, adding "this is Israel's goal, its true objective, no future for Palestinians in Palestine."

Noting that "death is everywhere" in Gaza, Mansour said that the resolution is intended to alleviate the untold suffering and pain being borne by civilians. He welcomed the provision to establish a UN mechanism to accelerate the provision of humanitarian relief consignments and call for its rapid implementation.

"This resolution is a step in the right direction. It must be implemented and must be accompanied by massive pressure for an immediate ceasefire," he said.

The latest vote on the resolution came after a four-day delay, driven by hopes of averting a U.S. veto.

Ultimately, after a week of tense negotiations, a revised text emerged that the United States had indicated it would not oppose as of Thursday night.

The original language, which called for an immediate ceasefire, was substituted with a call for "urgent steps" to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and "create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

On Dec. 8, the United States exercised its veto power to block a Security Council resolution that had called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The same resolution secured passage on the UN General Assembly floor with overwhelming support, garnering 153 votes in favor and only 10 against. In a separate instance, a resolution advocating for "humanitarian pauses" was approved by the Security Council in November, with the United States choosing to abstain from voting. 
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 22, 2023. Guterres said Friday that the Israeli offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the Israeli offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza.

Many people are measuring the effectiveness of the humanitarian operation in Gaza based on the number of trucks allowed to unload aid across the Egyptian-Gaza border. This is a mistake, said Guterres.

"The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza," he told reporters.

An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security, staff who can work in safety, logistical capacity, and the resumption of commercial activity. These four elements do not exist, he said.

Security for aid delivery is absent. The intense Israeli bombardment and active combat in densely populated urban areas throughout Gaza threaten the lives of civilians and humanitarian aid workers alike. The United Nations waited 71 days for Israel finally to allow aid to enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The crossing was then hit while aid trucks were in the area, he said.

The humanitarian operation requires staff who can live and work in safety. Some 136 UN staff members in Gaza have been killed in 75 days -- something unprecedented in the history of the United Nations. Nowhere is safe in Gaza, said Guterres.

Every truck that arrives at Kerem Shalom and Rafah border crossings must be unloaded, and its cargo re-loaded for distribution across Gaza. The United Nations has a limited and insufficient number of trucks available for this. Many of the UN vehicles and trucks were destroyed or left behind following forced, hurried evacuation from northern Gaza. But the Israeli authorities have not allowed any additional trucks to operate in Gaza. This is massively hampering the aid operation, he said.

Delivering in the north is extremely dangerous due to active conflict, unexploded ordnance, and heavily damaged roads. Everywhere, frequent communications blackouts make it virtually impossible to coordinate the distribution of aid, and to let people know how to access it, he added.

The resumption of commercial activities is essential. Shelves are empty, wallets are empty, stomachs are empty. Just one bakery is operating in the whole of Gaza, said Guterres. "I urge the Israeli authorities to lift restrictions on commercial activity immediately. We are ready to scale up our cash grant support to vulnerable families -- the most effective form of humanitarian aid. But in Gaza, there is very little to buy."

Over the last weeks and days, there has been no significant change in the way the war has been unfolding in Gaza. There is no effective protection of civilians. Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations continue. More than 20,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, and the vast majority of them were women and children. Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian factions continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel, he said.

Some 1.9 million people -- 85 percent of Gaza's population -- have been forced from their homes. The health system is on its knees. Hospitals in southern Gaza are dealing with at least three times their capacity. In the north, they are barely operational.

According to the World Food Programme, widespread famine looms. More than half a million people, a quarter of the population, are facing what experts classify as catastrophic levels of hunger. Four out of five of the hungriest people anywhere in the world are in Gaza. And clean water is at a trickle, he said.

"In these desperate conditions, it is little wonder that many people cannot wait for humanitarian distributions and are grabbing whatever they can from aid trucks. As I warned, public order is at risk of breaking down," he said.

Israel began its military operation in response to the horrific terror attacks launched by Hamas on Oct. 7. Nothing can possibly justify those attacks or the brutal abduction of some 250 hostages. But at the same time, these violations of international humanitarian law can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and they do not free Israel from its own legal obligations under international law, he said.

A humanitarian cease-fire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare, he said.

Guterres expressed the hope that Friday's Security Council resolution that calls for the immediate acceleration of aid deliveries in Gaza, may help a humanitarian cease-fire finally to happen.

"I hope that today's resolution will make people understand that a humanitarian cease-fire is indeed something that is needed if we want humanitarian aid to be effectively delivered," he said.

The UN chief stressed the importance of the two-state solution.

"Looking at the longer term, I am extremely disappointed by comments from senior Israeli officials that put the two-state solution into question. As difficult as it might appear today, the two-state solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements, is the only path to sustainable peace," said Guterres. "Any suggestion otherwise denies human rights, dignity and hope to the Palestinian people, fueling rage that reverberates far beyond Gaza. It also denies a safe future for Israel."

The spillover of the war in Gaza is already happening, he warned.

The occupied West Bank is at boiling point. Daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel pose a grave risk to regional stability. Attacks and threats to shipping on the Red Sea by the Houthis in Yemen are impacting shipping with the potential to affect global supply chains, he said.

Beyond the immediate region, the conflict is polarizing communities, feeding hate speech and fueling extremism. All this poses a significant and growing threat to global peace and security, he warned.

"As the conflict intensifies and the horror grows, we will continue to do our part. We will not give up. But at the same time, it is imperative that the international community speak with one voice -- for peace, for the protection of civilians, for an end to suffering, and for a commitment to the two-state solution, backed with action," he said. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L, rear) speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 22, 2023. Guterres said Friday that the Israeli offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza. (Xinhua/Xie E)
CAPE TOWN, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire was burning for a third day Thursday on a mountain near Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa.

The wildfire started on Tuesday on the mountain slopes of Simon's Town, around 40 kilometers south of Cape Town and part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.

So far, the wildfire has burnt approximately 1,140 hectares of land in the area, said a statement issued by South African National Parks on social media Thursday evening.

According to the statement, the fire erupted under "extreme weather conditions," including very high temperatures, low humidity, and strong southeasterly winds.

"These conditions, coupled with dry vegetation, created an ideal environment for rapid fire spread due to the high fire danger index. The increase in wind speed and consistent changes in direction further fuelled the fire to multiple areas," said the statement.

Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to battle the fire on Wednesday. Five of them were injured and two were taken to hospital.

"Presently, approximately 80 firefighters, aerial resources, and management staff remain on site. An additional 60 firefighters will replace the day shift crew overnight," the statement added.

While nearly 40 nearby houses were evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday, the fire also put the Naval Base Simon's Town -- South Africa's largest naval base -- under threat, damaging one derelict building on its grounds.

Wildfires often break out on the mountain slopes around Cape Town in the hot, dry months from November to April.

They become dangerous and unpredictable when they are fanned by strong coastal winds. 
Qabil Ashirov

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia totaled $1371.4 mln in January-November this year, the National Statistical Office of Georgia has reported, Azernews reports.

It is reported that during the reporting period, goods and products worth $583.61 mln were exported from Azerbaijan to Georgia. This is $12.60 mln or 2.2 percent more than in the same period of 2022.

Imports from Azerbaijan accounted for 4.2 percent of Georgia's total imports. This year, Georgia's total imports increased by 16.1 percent year-on-year to $14 bln 28 mln.

In January-November this year, Georgia exported goods and products worth $787.79 mln to Azerbaijan. This is 32.3 percent more than last year.

According to economist Eldaniz Amirov, during the first 8 months of this year, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia has exceeded $612.87m, and this trend suggests that the turnover will exceed $900m by the end of the year. Besides, Georgia has invested $279 for 815 total investment activities in Azerbaijan, and in turn, Azerbaijan has invested $3.4bn. This means that Azerbaijan invested 12 times more in Georgia.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia are generally at a high level, but in order for the economic relations to be manifested, especially in the trade turnover, the expert says that a number of things need to be done.

"At the same time, it is necessary to rediscover the existing potential. It is true that the joint generation of electricity produced from alternative energy sources and exports to Europe through the bottom of the Black Sea will contribute to the trade turnover between the two countries," Amirov added.

It is significant to note that Georgia plays an important transit role in the delivery of Azerbaijans energy resources to European markets. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan is one of the major investors in Georgia, and Azerbaijan's SOCAR is the biggest taxpayer in Georgia. Therefore, relations with Georgia are of particular importance in Azerbaijan's policy regarding neighbouring countries.
HURGHADA, Egypt, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has featured a special program dedicated to Palestinian films which helped the audiences gain a deeper understanding of the grave situation in the occupied territory.

The sixth edition of GFF, which was postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip, was held from Dec. 14 to Dec. 21 in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of El Gouna.

The administration of the GFF said in a statement that the "Window on Palestine" program, which was organized in collaboration with the Palestine Film Institute, aimed to shed light on the current situation and "inhumane conditions in Gaza."

Palestinian-Syrian actress Nisreen Tafish said it was great that the GFF supports humanitarian issues, adding that this is a role that films should always play.

"A number of Palestinian films screened here have previously won international awards ... this contributes to conveying the Palestinian cause and its message in a beautiful and wonderful way to the Western world," Tafish told Xinhua.

She added that awareness is growing in the West of the importance of telling the truth about the conflict in Palestine through films.

Israel has been launching relentless airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza to retaliate against a surprise attack staged by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on southern Israel on Oct. 7, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

The Israeli strikes have so far killed more than 20,000 Palestinians and destroyed most of the infrastructure of the Palestinian seaside enclave.

"I highly appreciate the GFF for shedding light on the Palestinian issue and Palestinian art," Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi said, praising the diverse topics that the films covered.

The GFF, which started in 2017 with "cinema for humanity" as its permanent cause to support, has been exerting maximum efforts to support various causes, including refugees, women empowerment and sustainability. 
BANGUI, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people were killed and several others wounded in an armed attack Thursday in the northwest of the Central African Republic, according to local authorities.

An outpost of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in the village of Nzakoundou in Ngaoundaye, a sub-prefecture of Lim-pende was attacked early on Thursday by armed men, causing 22 deaths, including 21 civilians and one FACA member, besides several other injuries, according to Ernest Bonang, a Ngaoundaye official.

The village is located about 35 km from Ngaoundaye.

The death toll is expected to rise as several injuries were serious and there were missing persons. 
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi said on Thursday that his country is fully committed to ensuring the rights and welfare of minorities living in the South Asian country.

"It is our duty to safeguard the basic rights of all religious minorities...all the rights of minorities would be completely protected at all costs," the president said while addressing a ceremony held in connection with the celebrations of Christmas.

He said that the country is devoted to ensuring peace, tranquility and equal rights to all citizens of the country irrespective of caste, creed and religion, adding that the incumbent government has been making strenuous efforts in this regard.

In Pakistan, all communities are enjoying equal rights and living with peace, which is a "beautiful banquet" of interfaith harmony and unity, Alvi said.

Appreciating the role of minorities in the social and economic uplift of Pakistan, the president said that all religious minorities have been playing a major role in the country's progress and prosperity. 
TOKYO, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese weather agency on Friday issued a heavy snow alert for northern Japanese prefectures, as heavy snow continued to hit parts of the country.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings for several regions in the prefectures including Hokkaido, Niigata, Toyama and Fukui, the second-highest in the country's four-tier warning system for snow.

With the snowfall intensifying, especially in the Hokuriku region and Niigata prefecture, the agency warned of possible traffic disruptions, saying that parts of the Tohoku region along the Sea of Japan are also seeing worsening conditions.

As of Friday morning, the village of Shirakawa in Gifu prefecture saw 62 centimeters of snow accumulation, while Ono City in Fukui prefecture had 48 centimeters.

Such weather conditions could continue in areas along the Sea of Japan through Saturday, the weather agency added.

Areas like the Chugoku, Kansai and Hokuriku regions may experience even more intense precipitation due to bands of active snow clouds that are predicted to move in intermittently, according to the agency. 
CANBERRA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australian astronomers have detected a seismic wave forming in an ancient galaxy in a world-first.

In a study published on Friday, a team from the Australian National University (ANU) used the state-of-the-art Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) telescope in Chile to look at BRI 1335-0417, a faraway galaxy more than 12 billion years old, in great detail, enabling greater understanding of how it formed.

First detected in 2021 by the ALMA, BRI 1335-0417 is the oldest and farthest known spiral galaxy in the universe.

A spiral galaxy is a galaxy that typically has a rotating disc with spiral "arms" extending from a dense center.

Using ALMA, ANU researchers were able to capture the motion of gas around BRI 1335-0417 and the formation of a seismic wave, a world-first for an early spiral galaxy.

Takafumi Tsukui, lead author of the research from the ANU College of Science, said the team was seeking to discover how BRI 1335-0417 is fuelling its star formation.

"Specifically, we were interested in how gas was moving into and throughout the galaxy," he said in a media release.

"Gas is a key ingredient for forming stars and can give us important clues about how a galaxy is actually fuelling its star formation."

They found that new gas is either streaming into the galaxy or that it is coming into contact with smaller galaxies, providing fuel for star formation.

Because of the vast distance between Earth and the BRI 1335-0417, images seen through the telescope in the present day are from when the universe was only 10 percent of its current age. 
PRAGUE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on Thursday that the government has designated Dec. 23 as a national day of mourning following a tragic incident at a Prague university where a 24-year-old student shot and killed 14 people, leaving 25 others wounded before possibly killing himself, according to local police.

State flags will be lowered to half-mast and citizens are called on to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the shooting in the Faculty of Arts of Charles University on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at a press briefing in the evening, Czech Police President Martin Vondrasek said that 14 people died and 25 were injured in the shooting, after earlier reporting that 15 lost their lives and 24 others were hurt. He didn't explain the change, and authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

The tragedy unfolded in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the shooter was a student, as confirmed by Vondrasek. The identity of the perpetrator remains undisclosed.

According to the Czech News Agency (CTK), local police were informed that a young man from Hostoun in the Central Bohemia Region was to leave for Prague, saying he wanted to take his own life. About 25 minutes later, the young man's father was found dead in Hostoun.

Vondrasek said police believe the gunman killed his father, and there are indications that he had intentions of taking his own life, although details were not further expounded upon.

The police described the shooter as an excellent student with no criminal record and were also informed that the shooter was to give a lecture at the Faculty of Arts building on Celetna Street in Prague. Thus, they evacuated the building, but the shooting took place at Jan Palach Square, the CTK reported.

Video footage released on social media platforms showed people being evacuated from the building and others trying to hide behind a wall.

Calling the shooting "a terrible act, unprecedented in the history of the Czech Republic," Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said that there is no indication that the shooting was linked to "international terrorism."

In a statement following the attack, Charles University Management said it has immediately recommended tightening security measures in university buildings and canceling all events scheduled for Thursday evening and Friday.

"We express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy," Charles University said in a statement.

Before this latest incident, the most devastating mass shooting in the nation occurred in 2015, when a gunman unleashed gunfire in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, claiming eight lives before fatally shooting himself.

"We now ask everyone to try to remain calm and composed, and we again extend our condolences to all those whose hearts have been broken by the loss of loved ones," the statement added. 
This photo taken on Dec. 20, 2023 shows the launch ceremony of the Belarusian edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Minsk, Belarus. The launch ceremony, co-organized by China's State Council Information Office, China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration and the Chinese Embassy in Belarus, and hosted by China's Foreign Languages Press and Belarusian publishing house Mastatskaya Litaratura, was attended by some 500 political leaders, government officials, representatives from think tanks and media, among others. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua)

MINSK, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Belarusian edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been launched in Minsk.

Guests at the launch ceremony said that the book helps its readers comprehend the principles of the Communist Party of China in governing the country in the new era, and understand the modern civilization of the Chinese nation as well as the Chinese modernization.

From this work, they said, one can understand that Chinese modernization embodies the philosophy of putting people first, the development concept based on reality, the civilizational connotation of openness and inclusiveness, and the world view of win-win cooperation.

Under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has made world-renowned achievements in development, participants said, adding that China's successful experience in state governance has provided useful reference for developing countries, including Belarus.

China's development will inject more stability and certainty into a turbulent and changing world, they added.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China is a great undertaking that builds consensus and cooperation in the international community, and all participating countries will benefit from it, they said.

Guests said that the book, jointly translated and published by Foreign Languages Press and Belarusian publishing house Mastatskaya Litaratura, is a major achievement in the exchange of experience in state governance between China and Belarus.

They hope to take this event as an opportunity to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and make positive contributions to the construction of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the ceremony, guests from China and Belarus jointly unveiled the Belarusian version of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China." The Chinese delegation presented the new books to Belarusian friends. After the event, experts and scholars from the two countries held discussions on the governance experiences of China and Belarus.

The launch ceremony, co-organized by China's State Council Information Office, China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration and the Chinese Embassy in Belarus, and hosted by China's Foreign Languages Press and Belarusian publishing house Mastatskaya Litaratura, was attended by some 500 political leaders, government officials, representatives from think tanks and media, among others.

So far, the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been translated and published in 40 languages. 
NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Rudy Giuliani, who once worked as a personal lawyer for former U.S. President Donald Trump, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York on Thursday, one day after he was ordered to begin paying 146 million U.S. dollars to two former Georgia election workers.

Giuliani, former New York City mayor, also owns over 4.7 million dollars in legal fees, as well as unpaid state and federal income taxes, according to the filing paper submitted to a federal bankruptcy court in New York.

He also faces unknown liabilities in four lawsuits involving Dominion Voting Systems, Smartmatic USA Corp. and others.

Giuliani has assets worth between 1 million and 10 million dollars, the filing showed.

Last week, Giuliani was ordered by a jury to pay 148 million dollars to former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss for defaming them with false accusations that they committed election fraud in Georgia during the 2020 general elections.

Beryl Howell, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday granted the two women's request to expedite their 148 million dollars judgment against Giuliani. The judge lowered the jury's award to 146 million dollars.

The filing should be a surprise, Ted Goodman, Giuliani's political adviser, said in a statement.

"No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount," Goodman said.

The bankruptcy filing will give Giuliani time to appeal the 148 million dollars of penalty and ensure that other creditors are treated fairly, according to Goodman.

"This maneuver is unsurprising, and it will not succeed in discharging Mr. Giuliani's debt to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss," said Michael Gottlieb, who represents Freeman and Moss in the defamation lawsuit.

Moreover, Giuliani turned himself in during August to authorities in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Georgia election interference case against Trump and 18 others. 
SACRAMENTO, the United States, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- A California law that would have banned the carrying of guns in most public places in the state as of Jan. 1 has been blocked by a federal judge on constitutional grounds.

U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney for the Central District of California ruled on Wednesday that the law violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which protects the right to keep and bear arms.

The judge wrote in the preliminary injunction that the law would "unconstitutionally deprive" concealed carry permit holders of "their constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense."

He said the law "is sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court."

The law, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September, would have prohibited people from carrying concealed guns in 26 categories of places, including hospitals, playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos.

The ban would apply whether the person has a permit to carry a concealed weapon or not. One exception would be for privately owned businesses that put up signs saying people are allowed to bring guns on their premises.

Wednesday's rule marked a victory for the California Rifle and Pistol Association which brought the case to court.

California State Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will appeal the ruling, which he said if allowed to stand "would endanger communities by allowing guns in places where families and children gather."

Newsom said in a statement that he would continue pushing for more gun laws, and that the federal court's decision "green lights the proliferation of guns in our hospitals, libraries, and children's playgrounds -- spaces which should be safe for all."

The state has a reputation as a tough place to buy a gun. Its gun laws have been ranked the strongest in the nation by the gun-control advocacy group Giffords.

The ruling delivers a blow to California's efforts on gun control. The blocked law is part of a variety of gun control measures Newsom signed in September, which have since faced legal challenges.

The United States has by far the highest rate of gun deaths among wealthy countries. More than 40,000 people have died from gun violence in the country this year, an average of nearly 120 deaths each day, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 
COLOMBO: Santosh Jha, India's new face as the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, officially took charge his role by presenting his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo. Taking over from Gopal Baglay, who now holds the post of India's High Commissioner to Australia, Jha steps into this crucial diplomatic position with a wealth of experience behind him.

Jha, a seasoned diplomat, previously served as India's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, bringing a global perspective to his new assignment in Colombo.

His extensive career includes a stint as India's Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2019 to 2020 and as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC from 2017 to 2019. Within the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, Jha held pivotal roles, overseeing divisions focused on Human Resources and Management Affairs, Relations with Western Europe and the European Union, as well as the Policy Planning Division.

Not a stranger to Sri Lanka, Jha previously contributed significantly during his tenure as a Counsellor at the High Commission in Colombo from 2007 to 2010. His responsibilities primarily revolved around managing commercial and economic affairs, where he played a crucial role in fostering the architecture of India-Sri Lanka development cooperation, as noted in an official release.

This veterandiplomat brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, indicating a continued and strengthened relationship between India and Sri Lanka in various domains. Jha's credentials and past contributions signify a promising tenure aimed at further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations.

From 2013 to 2017, Ambassador Jha served in key roles within the Ministry of External Affairs. He headed the MEA Division for Human Resources and Management Affairs from July 2013 to September 2014, and subsequently led the MEA Division for Relations with Western Europe and the European Union from October 2014 to April 2015. His appointment as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka underscores his ongoing dedication to promoting India's diplomatic goals worldwide.

IMF Approves Second Tranche of Financial Aid for Sri Lanka's Economic Recovery

Kenya Scraps Visa Requirements, Eases Access for International Tourists
Nigar Hasanova

Azerbaijan will participate in the international tourism exhibition OTM Mumbai 2024 to be held in Mumbai, India, on February 8-10 next year, Azernews reports

According to the information, the State Tourism Agency has already started preparations in this regard. The OTM Mumbai 2024 tourism exhibition will be organised at the Jio World Congress Centre.

It should be noted that this year a total of 14 local tourism industry representatives, including Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, participated in this event. This year, registration for the companies will continue until December 29 on the Azerbaijan Tourism Board's official website.

OTM is the leading travel trade show in Asia-Pacific, with over 800 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Thousands of travel professionals attend OTM year after year because of the valuable networking opportunities it offers. OTM provides chances to learn about tourism trends and innovations, attend workshops, be part of discussions about whats happening in the travel industry, and give businesses the boost they deserve.
Islamabad: Pakistan is suspected of attempting to revive terrorism in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, with approximately 25-30 Pakistani terrorists believed to be hiding in the forested areas of the region, according to defense sources on Friday.

The sources indicated that this effort to rekindle terrorist activities in the area is part of a broader strategy by Pakistan and China to pressure the Indian Army to withdraw troops from the Ladakh sector and redeploy forces in the Rajouri-Poonch region.

"There is a larger game plan by the Pakistan-China nexus to not allow India to ease out of the Jammu and Kashmir sector and deploy troops on the China border, especially in the Ladakh sector, where the PLA and Indian forces have been in a standoff for the last three years now," the sources explained.

India had moved the Uniform Force of Rashtriya Rifles from the Poonch sector to Ladakh in 2020 to counter Chinese aggression as part of a rebalancing effort and to exert pressure on the PLA to match Indian strength.

According to sources, approximately 25-30 Pakistani terrorists are hiding in the upper reaches of the Poonch-Rajouri sector in a forested area with the intention of launching attacks on security forces.

Since the Uniform Force relocated to Ladakh operations, Pakistan has been sending its own terrorists from Pakistan to the region to carry out attacks against Indian troops, hoping to force India to redeploy its forces in the area.

The Indian Army recently deployed an additional brigade to counter terrorist activities and has achieved success in the region.

On Thursday evening, heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles carrying troops in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district, resulting in the death of four Army personnel and injuries to three others.

Delhi Court Rejects Sanjay Singh's Bail Plea Amid Money Laundering Probe

Former Rajasthan Judicial Magistrate Eliza Gupta Writes to PM Modi and President Murmu, Accusing Colleagues of Harassment

Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Cheers Rajouri Attack, Calls It 'Consequence' of India's Actions
European Travel Costs Surge: Paris Taxes Up 200%, Venice Daily Fees Expected in 2024 Prepare for your European travel plans to potentially dent your wallet as several Schengen countries gear up to impose increased tourist taxes, aiming to recover from COVID-19 setbacks and bolster their revenue streams starting in 2024.

Various European hotspots are set to introduce a range of visitor taxes. Figueira da Foz in Portugal is among those implementing entry fees, citing the economic impact of the pandemic. Similarly, Paris and Amsterdam plan to escalate tourist taxes, while the UK intends to introduce a 7 fee for visitor applications. Here's a closer look at what's changing:

Paris, France

From January 2024, tourists visiting Paris will face a significant surge of nearly 200% in the tourist tax applicable to hotel stays. The move comes as policymakers greenlighted the increase, indicating that visitors in 2024 can anticipate a nightly fee of over 11 for a double room in a top-rated hotel.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

In parallel, authorities in Amsterdam have decided to raise the tax to 12.5% of the hotel room price, making it mandatory for all cruise passengers and overnight visitors to pay this levy.

SchengenVisaInfo.com calculations suggest that the tax for cruise-ship passengers will jump from 8 to 11 per visitor, imposed on a daily basis.

Venice, Italy

Commencing in 2024, Venice aims to introduce a daily fee for visitors, initiating a trial period during weekends in spring and summer.

Valencia, Barcelona, and Madrid, Spain

Valencia is gearing up to implement a tourist tax in early 2024 for accommodation stays, ranging between 0.50 and 2 per night based on the lodging type and duration.

Barcelona is also planning to hike tourist taxes, which have been in effect for visitors since 2018. The city's fees have increased from 3.25 to 3.75 in April 2023 and are expected to rise further to 3.20 in April 2024, marking a 0.50 hike.

The Spanish capital, Madrid, is contemplating a new tourist tax for 2024, although confirmation is pending.

United Kingdom (UK)

In 2024, the UK will introduce the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), mandatory for visitors from the US, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Traveling sans an ETA could result in fines.

Olhao, Faro, and Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Olhao, a popular tourist destination, will levy a 2 charge for visitors staying overnight between April and October, while those visiting between November and March will pay only half the price at 1 per night.

Faro will impose a tourist tax of 1.50 per person during the summer season (March to October), applicable for a maximum of seven nights, with exemptions for children under 12.

Figueira da Foz will roll out a municipal tourist tax based on the number of nights spent and the visit's season. Stays from October to March will cost 1.50 per night, while visits between April and September will incur a 2 nightly charge, as per SchengenVisaInfo.com.

UK Govt Mulls Tighter Social Media Rules for Under-16s

Rishi Sunak Faces Crucial Test Over Rwanda Asylum Policy Vote
First part of Finland's national plan for Ukraine's reconstruction published 22 December, 01:20 PM Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, completely destroyed during hostilities (Photo:93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade/Handout via REUTERS)

Helsinki has developed a National Plan for Ukraines Reconstruction aimed at improving conditions for Finnish businesses to operate in the war-torn country, the Finnish Foreign Ministry reported, publishing the plan's first part on Dec. 21.

International companies can influence Ukraine's economic development through their own actions, which is important for employment, tax revenues and the sustainability of the country as a whole, the ministry said. The measures proposed in the plan will improve the working conditions for Finnish companies in Ukraine, it added.

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The first part of the plan presents a number of financial solutions that will facilitate market research, trade and investment in Ukraine, the ministry said. The most important practical financial measures include creating conditions for export financing in Ukraine by compensating for credit losses incurred by the national export credit agency FinnVer.

In addition, the capital of the national development cooperation fund Finnfund will be increased by $27.5 million (EUR 25 million), which will allow for investments in the private sector in Ukraine.

The plan also envisages the creation of a new mixed credit instrument  the Ukrainian Investment Fund enabling the implementation of a $55 million (EUR 50 million) project in 2025-2026. Consulting services for enterprises will be improved and efforts will be made to strengthen the resources of the parties providing these services, both in Finland and in Ukraine.

The second part of the plan, which focuses on broader involvement of the central government and stakeholders in the recovery, will be finalized next year. The main attention will be on the use of development cooperation and humanitarian funds.

Read also: Finland backs use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

Finnish Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio announced in an interview with Ukrinform on Nov. 12 that Finland was developing a national plan for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Tavio expressed Finland's commitment to supporting Ukraine in overcoming the "enormous consequences" of Russian aggression.

Since February 2022, Finland's total assistance to Ukraine has amounted to $2.4 billion (EUR 2.2 billion), mainly in the form of defense assistance and humanitarian aid.

The Finnish Defense Ministry announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine worth $116 million (EUR 106 million) on Dec. 21.

Finland supports the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, Tavio also told Ukrinform.

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.

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AFP

El presidente ucraniano Volodimir Zelenski advirtio el jueves en Tallin, en el segundo dia de su gira por los paises balticos, que cualquier "pausa" en la defensa de Ucrania contra la invasion rusa solo ayudaria a Moscu a rearmarse y le permitiria "aplastar" a Ucrania."Si la Federacion de Rusia goza de dos o tres anos mas nos aplastara. No asumiriamos este riesgo (...) No habra pausa en beneficio de Rusia", declaro en una conferencia de prensa conjunta con su homologo estonio Alar Karis."Una pausa en el campo de batalla, en el territorio de Ucrania, no es una pausa en la guerra. Eso no significa que la guerra haya terminado. Y esto no conduce a un dialogo politico con la Federacion de Rusia ni con nadie mas", insistio. La visita de Zelenski, que tambien debe visitar Letonia el jueves, se produce tras varias oleadas de intensos bombardeos rusos sufridos por Ucrania desde finales de diciembre. Estonia, Lituania y Letonia, antiguas republicas sovieticas hoy miembros de la OTAN y de la Union Europea, son firmes partidarios de Kiev frente a la invasion rusa. El presidente ucraniano tambien reitero que la adhesion a la OTAN seria la mejor garantia de seguridad para su pais y para la region."La adhesion a la OTAN seria la mejor garantia de seguridad para Ucrania de que la agresion rusa no se repetira. Tambien seria la mejor garantia de seguridad para los paises balticos, para Polonia, y la posibilidad de un futuro diferente para Bielorrusia", dijo. El presidente estonio, por su parte, aseguro el apoyo infalible de Estonia a Ucrania. "En esta guerra brutal, en este gran campo de batalla, todos somos aliados que luchan por la libertad", declaro Karis, estimando que "la solucion, que consiste en hacer retroceder al agresor, requiere un esfuerzo conjunto de todos los paises democraticos"."Todas las posibilidades de Rusia en esta guerra descansan en la esperanza de que el frente unido de los aliados se rompa y los ucranianos queden solos", anadio."Les aseguro que haremos todo lo posible para que esto no ocurra. La guerra debe terminar con la victoria de Ucrania", destaco.bur-bo/lch/mab/zm
In this article, we will look into the 15 best group insurance companies heading into 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024.

Group Health Insurance Market

According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global group health insurance market was worth $744.04 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% and reach $1.80 trillion by 2031. The growth can be attributed to the rise in the geriatric population and the demand for better employee benefits in corporations. The increased focus on employees' physical and mental health has emerged as one of the key growth factors in the group health insurance market.

Segment-wise, the market is categorized into fully insured plans, mixed-insured plans, and self-insured plans. The fully insured plan segment dominated the market, with the highest revenue in 2021. The growth is characterized by the fact that the insurer takes the whole responsibility for the insurance plan, making it relatively fast compared to other plans. The self-insured plans segment is projected to experience substantial growth over the forecasted period. These plans do not pay for the profit of insurance and provide the flexibility to choose limited benefits, leading to higher savings. Another factor driving the growth of the self-insured plan segment is its low admin costs.

Regionally, the market was dominated by North America in 2021, recording the highest revenue globally. The growth is driven by the expansion of corporate culture in the region and the presence of a large number of multinational corporations in North America. The Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth over the forecasted period, driven by the surge in demand to provide insurance to employees in multinational companies in Asia. The rising awareness among people about employee benefits and group healthcare insurance is expected to boost the growth in the market over the forecasted period.

Story continues

Key Players in the Market

Some of the prominent names in the market include Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), Aetna CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI).

Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is a leading health insurance company, offering group and individual health insurance products and services. On December 14, the company announced that it had received NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus for 21 Elevance Health Medicaid Plans. The company shines among the other 28 organizations that received accreditation, with the highest Medicaid Plans earned. The accreditation acknowledges Elevance Health, Inc.'s (NYSE:ELV) data-driven approach to identifying and collecting information on individuals social needs.

Aetna is an insurance subsidiary of the leading healthcare services company, CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS). On December 18, the company announced that it had partnered with Mae Health to tackle the maternal health disparities in Chicago. The partnership will prioritize the underserved pregnant and postpartum women in Cook and Kane counties, especially the Black women facing higher risks. The partnership aims to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and complications by providing virtual and in-person support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This collaboration shows CVS Health Corporation's (NYSE:CVS) commitment to providing inclusive healthcare services.

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a multinational healthcare insurance company. On October 17, the company announced that it had expanded its Medicare Advantage offerings to four new counties. Residents in Avery, Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey can now access the plans with benefits such as $0 premiums, dental allowances, hearing and vision coverage, and fitness trackers. This expansion caters to the needs and budgets with HMOs, PPOs, and D-SNPs available. The plans will also offer bonus perks such as meal delivery and wellness incentives to enhance the deal. These benefits articulate The Cigna Group's (NYSE:CI) commitment to excellence.

Some other key players in the group insurance market include UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) and AIA Group Limited (OTC:AAIGF).

Now, that we have discussed the global group health insurance market and talked about the prominent companies providing group health insurance products and services, let's have a look at the 15 best group insurance companies heading into 2024.

15 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024

15 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024

Methodology

To compile our list of the 15 best group insurance companies heading into 2024, we opted for a consensus approach. We sifted through multiple market reports including, Allied Market Research, Grand View Research, Research and Markets, and Report Ocean to look for major public and private companies operating in the group insurance market. We then sourced market caps of public companies from Yahoo Finance and the annual revenue for private companies from their websites. We have ranked the 15 best group insurance companies heading into 2024 in ascending order of market capitalizations, as of December 18, 2023, and annual revenue.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By employing a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024

15. HealthPartners

Annual Revenue (2021): $2.95 billion

HealthPartners is an integrated healthcare solutions company. It provides medical, dental, and health insurance to groups and individuals. The company's group health insurance provides coverage for dental, small group medical, and large group medical. It also offers group medical insurance for retirees. The company reported an annual revenue of $2.95 billion in 2021.

In addition to HealthPartners, other leading companies in the insurance market include UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) and AIA Group Limited (OTC:AAIGF).

14. Bupa

Annual Revenue (2021): $17.82 billion

Bupa is a leading healthcare company with insurance as one of its core businesses. The company operates in multiple countries and regions all over the world including the UK, Australia, Spain, Chile, Poland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the US, the Middle East, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and India. The company has around 28 million healthcare insurance customers. It provides health solutions to individuals, groups, families, corporate clients, and SMEs. In 2021, Bupa reported a revenue of $17.82 billion.

13. Providence Health Plan

Annual Revenue (2022): $26.43 billion

Providence Health Plan is ranked 13th on our list of the best group insurance companies. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company provides commercial group and individual health coverage. The company provides different insurance plans to small and large groups of employees. Choice, Connect, HSA Qualified, PPO, and Option Advantage (Plus/Base/Premium) are some of the insurance plans offered by the company. In 2022, Providence Health Plan reported a revenue of $26.43 billion.

12. American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG)

Market Cap as of December 18: $47.43 billion

American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is ranked 12th on our list. The company operates across multiple business segments including travel insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and retirement insurance. The company offers a variety of commercial and corporate solutions. The AIG Advantage is one of the top group insurance products of the company. As of December 18, American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) boasts a market cap of $47.35 billion.

11. Health Care Service Corporation

Annual Revenue (2022): $54.00 billion

Health Care Service Corporation Group is a group of companies based in the US. The company serves more than 18.6 million customers through its insurance plans. It offers individual, family, and group health insurance solutions. Health Care Service Corporation Group reported an annual revenue of $54 billion. It is ranked 11th on our list.

10. AXA SA (OTC:AXAHY)

Market Cap as of December 18: $73.00 billion

AXA SA (OTC:AXAHY) is a leading insurance company, headquartered in Paris. It provides services including insurance, asset management, and banking. The company has business in over 163 countries and is trusted by clients all over the world. It provides three types of group insurance plans based on the number of employees and the company's size. As of December 18, AXA SA (OTC:AXAHY) has a market cap of $73 billion.

9. The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)

Market Cap as of December 18: $85.28 billion

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a major healthcare services company, headquartered in Connecticut. The company offers a wide range of group insurance plans including Cigna Opean Access Plus, LocalPlus, Cigna SureFit, HMO, and Medical Network among others. As of December 18, the group boasts a market cap of $85.28 billion.

8. Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB)

Market Cap as of December 18: $90.17 billion

Ranked 8th on our list, Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is a leading financial services company. Under its insurance business segment, the company provides accident and supplemental health insurance, travel insurance, reinsurance, and life insurance. It offers a variety of innovative group health, accidental, and business travel insurance solutions. As of December 18, Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is valued at $90.17 billion.

7. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTC:PNGAY)

Market Cap as of December 18: $91.33 billion

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTC:PNGAY) is a top insurer in China, specializing in health insurance, travel insurance, auto insurance, and insurance technology. The company provides a range of life and non-life insurance services to individuals and groups. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTC:PNGAY) is one of the best group insurance companies, reporting a market cap of $91.33 billion as of December 18.

6. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.

Annual Revenue (2022): $95.40 billion

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. is the insurance subsidiary of the leading healthcare company, Kaiser Permanente. It is ranked 6th on our list of the best group insurance companies. It provides corporate insurance solutions to small and large businesses. Its plans include Group Medicare, occupational health, and additional benefits. The company reported an annual revenue of $95.40 billion in 2022.

Two of the top group insurance stocks to buy according to hedge funds include UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) and AIA Group Limited (OTC:AAIGF).

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Group Insurance Companies Heading into 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will take a look at the 20 countries with the highest number of doctors per capita in 2023. If you want to skip our discussion on the global healthcare situation, you can go directly to the 5 Countries With The Highest Number of Doctors Per Capita in 2023.

Regional disparities in healthcare quality are evident globally, with developed countries outperforming their developing counterparts. The World Health Organization (WHO) evaluates healthcare systems based on several criteria, including access to care, treatment outcomes, and overall system efficiency. European nations, particularly Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Germany, consistently rank among the countries with the highest healthcare quality scores. This aligns with the European Union's average of 3.9 doctors per 1000 people. Cuba is the country with the most doctors-to-population ratio, exceeding the WHO's ideal physician-to-population ratio of 2.5 doctors per 1000 people. For 2020, the average physician-to-population ratio for 27 countries was 3.56 doctors per 1,000 people, with Austria having the highest value (5.35 doctors per 1,000 people) and Brazil having the lowest value (2.05 doctors per 1,000 people).

The WHO has consistently raised concerns about a significant global shortage of health workers, projecting a shortage of 10 million health professionals by 2030 worldwide. This shortage poses a severe crisis, particularly for 57 underdeveloped countries, where the available number of doctors falls below the minimum requirements. The challenge is further worsened by the unequal distribution of health professionals relative to the disease burden. The countries with the lowest number of doctors per capita include Somalia (0.20), Niger (0.30), South Sudan (0.40), Tanzania (0.50), Malawi (0.50), and Liberia (0.50).

The global supply and demand dynamics in the healthcare industry are being shaped by significant forces, primarily driven by major demographic shifts, growing populations in economies like India, Brazil, South Africa, and China, and changes in disease patterns. Developed countries are witnessing aging populations and increased urbanization. There's also a transition happening from infectious, nutrition-related, and maternity-related causes of death to non-communicable diseases. Notable companies in the healthcare industry, such as UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), are actively working towards leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and alleviate workload pressures.

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Heres what Patient Capital Management said about CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

Our largest new position was CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS). We owned CVS in 2021 through call options, which provided a handsome return. We sold it when it reached our assessment of intrinsic value. In the first half of the year, the stock traded down nearly 40% from its highs. CVS is valued like a pharmacy business in secular decline, while its strategy and assets are far better. CVS owns a healthcare benefits business (Aetna) and a pharmacy-benefits manager (Caremark). It recently acquired Signify Health and Oak Street Health, entering the In-Home Evaluations and primary care spaces enhancing the companys ability to offer comprehensive healthcare services as we transition to a system more focused on value-based care. Short-term headwinds, such as an unwind from COVID, some unfavorable health care developments and negative headlines from PBM contract losses, weighed on the price. The company is again significantly undervalued, with a trough-level 8.2x P/E multiple well below peers 12.2x, with a 3.5% dividend yield. We saw an opportunity to diversify the portfolio with a stable company with a promising strategy and group of assets at an attractive price.

Countries With The Highest Number of Doctors Per Capita in 2023

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Our Methodology

To shortlist 20 countries with the highest number of doctors per capita in 2023, we referred to the WHOs World Health Statistics 2023 report. The countries have been ranked in ascending order of the number of doctors per 10,000 population. The list represents countries where the availability of medical doctors is considerably high, reflecting a commitment to accessible and quality medical services for their populations.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

20 Countries With The Highest Number of Doctors Per Capita in 2023

20. Switzerland

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 44.4

Switzerland has a strong economy centered around a well-organized financial sector, precision manufacturing, and a thriving pharmaceutical industry. The country has a mandatory health insurance system, and the government provides additional support for the impoverished through general revenues.

19. Germany

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 45.2

Germany stands as one of the worlds largest economies. Key contributors to its economy include service industries such as telecommunications, health care, and tourism, alongside a strong industrial and agricultural sector. Germany's social benefits are renowned for being detailed and comprehensive.

18. Armenia

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 45.5

Agriculture constitutes two-fifths of Armenia's GDP and employs one-fifth of its labor force. Hospital treatment is provided free of charge for all nationals, funded through tax collection. The government also offers modest benefits to the unemployed, elderly, and parents of young children.

17. Spain

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 45.8

Spain's healthcare system provides a comprehensive range of services through clinics and hospitals. While healthcare is mostly government-controlled, many doctors operate their clinics independently of the government system. Moreover, private insurance plans are available for those seeking alternative healthcare options.

16. Slovakia

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 46.3

Slovakia's healthcare system is mostly under state control, with some private facilities and private medical insurance options available. The national network of hospitals is complemented by factory and community clinics, first aid stations, and other outpatient facilities.

15. Lithuania

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 49.5

The Lithuanian government generally provides free medical treatment for its nationals, in addition to offering pensions and funding for kindergartens and daycare services.

14. Norway

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 51.7

Norway requires its citizens to enroll in a mandatory national health insurance system. This system guarantees good medical care in hospitals, compensation for doctors' fees, and provides free medicine. Salaried employees are also required to obtain membership in another insurance fund that provides cash benefits during illness or pregnancy. The majority of doctors in Norway work in state-owned hospitals.

13. Cyprus

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 53.8

Cyprus relies heavily on tourism as the main pillar of its economy, which has enabled the country to establish itself as an international hub for transit trade, merchant shipping, and banking.

12. Georgia

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 54.0

The Georgian government provides funding for various social services, including free education, medical services, pensions, and stipend payments. It also supports free or subsidized accommodation in rest homes. The government is also involved in maintaining kindergartens and day nurseries.

11. Austria

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 54.6

Austria is in the eleventh position on our list of the 20 countries with the highest number of doctors per capita in 2023. Public health in Austria is under the management of the Ministry of Health, a part of the Federal Government. The ministry oversees many subsidiary institutes responsible for preventing infectious diseases and inspecting drugs and food. In addition to the federal level, Austria's provincial governments operate public healthcare centers, and every municipality and rural district is required to have a public health physician. Meanwhile, the costs of medical and hospital treatment are covered by national health insurance, providing security for all workers and salaried employees in cases of sickness, disability, unemployment, maternity, and old age.

10. Czech Republic

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 54.7

The Czech Republic embarked on a plan to decrease the state's control of health services from 1992 to 1994. The objective was to introduce privately run facilities and establish a funding system to support these services. The privatization efforts resulted in a rise in privately run healthcare facilities, but the restructuring process faced mismanagement challenges. Despite facing increased costs and reduced subsidies, citizens have benefited from improved medical services and the adoption of advanced technologies in the healthcare sector.

9. Malta

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 54.9

The government of Malta ensures that a wide-ranging selection of free health services and preventive care are available for Maltese citizens. Starting from the 1990s, private hospitals were introduced alongside state hospitals and clinics, contributing to the expansion of healthcare services in the country. The country is in the ninth position on our list of the 20 countries with the highest number of doctors per capita in 2023.

8. Portugal

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 56.2

Portugal has a strong welfare system supported by various institutions, providing workers with insurance coverage for sickness, disability, and old age. These institutions facilitate pension payments and family allowances, and mandatory insurance is typically provided by employers across various business and industry sectors, with contributions from employees.

7. San Marino

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 60.2

San Marino has well-established social programs designed to support its citizens. In efforts to reduce unemployment, the state provides employment opportunities for those who cannot secure jobs in the private sector. All citizens contributing to social security enjoy benefits such as free and high-quality medical care and assistance in cases of sickness, accidents, and old age. Furthermore, citizens receive family allowances. The state also promotes home ownership through building schemes, and education is both free and mandatory up to the age of 16.

6. Uruguay

Doctors per 10,000 Population: 62.0

Uruguay has progressive welfare programs and provides comprehensive healthcare services and various benefits to the unemployed, low-wage workers, and senior citizens. Moreover, employees with low annual incomes in Uruguay can avail of maternity benefits, while mothers earning low wages are eligible for child-care benefits.

Popular companies, such as UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS), and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), are actively working towards creating innovative solutions to improve healthcare systems across the globe.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries With The Highest Number of Doctors Per Capita in 2023 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will be looking at the 25 smartest states with the highest average IQ. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the education market in the US, you can go directly to 5 Smartest States with the Highest Average IQ.

IQ stands for intelligence quotient and it can be measured using a set of tests designed to assess human intelligence. Intelligence and education are both associated with brainpower and cognitive functioning. The positive correlation between intelligence and educational attainment suggests that pursuing an education can increase the individuals intelligence.

Education can unlock intelligence and allow it to flourish. Before we look at the smartest states with the highest average IQ, lets take a look at the education market in the US.

The US Education Market at a Glance

Driven by an increasing demand for quality education, online learning platforms, and technological advancements, the education market in the US is thriving. According to a report by Vantage Market Research, the US education markets value was estimated to be $1.04 trillion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% during 2023-2030, pushing the education market to reach a value of around $1.45 trillion by the end of the forecast period.

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for lifelong learning opportunities with a focus on developing practical skills. This has opened doors for professional development programs, online courses, and micro-credentials. Moreover, personalization, blended learning, and the rise of educational technology, also known as edtech, are all key factors creating a positive outlook for the education market in the US.

In the US, overall spending on education is expected to increase and positively influence the education market. With increasing disposable incomes and the growth in the importance of personalized learning, mental health, and academic assistance, the demand for educational services and additional resources is expected to grow. On September 2, Reuters reported that according to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school spending in the US is expected to reach a record high in 2023. The retail trade group predicts that spending will reach above $135 billion this year, an increase of more than $24 billion from 2022.

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Notable Names in the US Education Market

Some of the biggest education companies operating in the US are 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWOU), Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN), and Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE).

Growing spending can translate to increased demand for educational products and services. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) is an educational services company that is leading educational transformation and ranks among the best education stocks to buy in 2023. It provides education services to colleges and universities in the US, which can include technology solutions such as learning management systems, internal administration, and support services. Other services that Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) offers include faculty training and development, class scheduling, program and curriculum development, and counseling services. On November 2, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) reported earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2023. The company reported an EPS of $1.26 and beat estimates by $0.17. The companys revenue for the quarter grew by 6.32% year-over-year and amounted to $221.91 million, ahead of market consensus by $2.29 million.

Education companies are teaming up with educational institutions and continuously creating new and relevant courses to attract more students and prepare them for the ever-evolving job landscape. Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN), formerly K12 Inc., is an education management organization (EMO) that offers online and blended education programs. On November 29, Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN) reported that the University of New England (UNE) has teamed up with MedCerts to offer a variety of healthcare-focused classes. MedCerts, a subsidiary of Stride, Inc. (NYSE:LRN), is known for its innovation in online healthcare and IT career training. Through UNEs list of healthcare offerings, the new classes will increase the available options for students who are interested in pursuing a rewarding career in healthcare. The new partnership between Stride, Inc.s (NYSE:LRN) MedCerts and the University of New England (UNE) aims to fight against the healthcare worker shortage in the US by accelerating student pathways to in-demand roles.

2U, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWOU) is an American edtech company and the parent company of the online education platform edX. On September 18, 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWOU) announced that edX and HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) have partnered up to launch a new online Professional Certificate program in Esports Management, Game Design, and Programming. This new program includes courses that encompass both technical skills including coding and testing, as well as essential business skills, such as marketing, storytelling, and content creation. With over 60 curated models, the new Professional Certificate program will help learners prepare for jobs in the gaming, media, and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. President of partnerships at 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWOU), Andrew Hermalyn, said:

With the launch of its first program on edX, HP joins hundreds of universities and institutions in the edX global partner network committed to expanding access to affordable, cutting-edge education in the world's most in-demand fields.

Now that we have discussed whats going on in the US education sector, lets take a look at the 25 smartest states with the highest average IQ.

25 Smartest States with the Highest Average IQ

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Methodology

In this article, we have listed 25 smartest states with the highest average IQ. To rank the US states with the highest IQ scores, we consulted the Updated IQ and Well-Being Scores for the 50 U.S. States report by Bryan J. Pesta. This report is available at the National Institutes of Healths website and it provides us with state IQ scores for all of the 50 US states. We used the data available and narrowed down our selection to rank the 25 smartest states with the highest average IQ, which are listed below in ascending order.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

25 Smartest States with the Highest Average IQ

25. Maryland

State IQ Score: 100

Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US that ranks among the top 25 smartest states with the highest average IQ. According to recently reported data, Maryland has an estimated IQ score of 100.

24. Ohio

State IQ Score: 100

Ohio is a Midwestern US state that ranks among the most populated states and has an estimated IQ score of 100. Ohio is home to a thriving manufacturing sector, and it is one of the biggest automobile-producing states in the US.

23. Pennsylvania

State IQ Score: 100.2

Pennsylvania is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region that is known for its diverse geography. It is the fifth-most populated state in the US, despite being the 33rd-largest in terms of size. According to recently reported data, Pennsylvania has an estimated IQ score of 100.2.

22. Oregon

State IQ Score: 100.3

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region. It is one of the most geographically diverse states and it also ranks high among the states with the smallest gender pay gap in 2023. With an IQ score of 100.3, Oregon ranks 22nd on our list of smartest states with the highest average IQ.

21. Kansas

State IQ Score: 100.5

Kansas is a landlocked state in the Midwestern US. Named after the Kansas River, the state of Kansas is known for its rolling hills, vast prairies, and natural beauty. According to the most recently reported data, Kansas has an estimated IQ score of 100.5.

20. Idaho

State IQ Score: 100.5

Idaho is a northwestern US state that is known for its unspoiled, mountainous landscapes and wilderness. With an IQ score of 100.5, Idaho ranks among the top 20 smartest states with the highest average IQ. Idaho is also known for its potatoes, trout and precious stones, and it has been nicknamed the Gem State.

19. Indiana

State IQ Score: 100.6

Indiana is a state in the Midwestern region of the US that is known for its vast farmlands. Indiana is also known for its manufacturing industry and steel production. According to recently reported data, Indiana has an estimated IQ score of 100.6.

18. South Dakota

State IQ Score: 100.7

South Dakota is a state in the North Central region that is best known for Mount Rushmore and The Black Hills. It ranks among some of the least populated and least densely populated states in the US. With an IQ score of 100.7, South Dakota ranks 18th on our list of smartest states with the highest average IQ.

17. Maine

State IQ Score: 100.9

Maine is the Easternmost state in the New England region, and it is considered to be one of the most rural states in the US. Nicknamed The Pine Tree State, Maine is known for its national parks, beautiful coastlines, and attraction sites including lighthouses. Maine has an estimated IQ score of 100.9.

16. New Jersey

State IQ Score: 101

New Jersey is a northeastern US state that is known for its boardwalk beaches and Atlantic City casinos, which attract millions of tourists each year. While being one of the smallest states by area, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. The state's estimated IQ score is 101.

15. Montana

State IQ Score: 101.1

Montana is a Western state that ranks among the top 15 on our list of smartest states with the highest average IQ. As one of the largest and least populated states in the US, Montana is defined by its diverse terrain ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. Montana has an estimated IQ score of 101.1.

14. Iowa

State IQ Score: 101.1

Iowa is a state in the upper Midwestern region of the US and it sits between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It is known for its diverse agricultural production and is one of the biggest food-producing states in the US. According to recently reported data, Iowa has an estimated IQ score of 101.1.

13. Colorado

State IQ Score: 101.1

Colorado is a state in the Mountain West sub-region that is known for its magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers, and plains. The state of Colorado ranks high among the most educated states in America, and it has an IQ score of 101.1.

12. Wisconsin

State IQ Score: 101.2

Wisconsin is a state in the upper Midwestern US, and it ranks among the top 12 smartest states with the highest average IQ with an estimated IQ score of 101.2. Nicknamed Americas Dairyland, Wisconsin is known for its cheese and dairy products.

11. Connecticut

State IQ Score: 101.2

Connecticut is one of the smallest and most densely populated states in the US. Connecticut is known for its rolling hills, beautiful scenery, and autumn colors. Connecticut has an estimated IQ score of 101.2, and it is one of the most educated states in the US.

10. Nebraska

State IQ Score: 101.2

Nebraska is a midwestern US state that ranks among the top 10 smartest states with the highest average IQ. According to the most recently reported data, Nebraska has an IQ score of 101.2. Nicknamed The Cornhusker State, Nebraska is known for its vast prairies and spacious farmlands while also being a leading agricultural state.

9. Virginia

State IQ Score: 101.2

Virginia is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the US. Nicknamed the Mother of Presidents, Virginia has been home to as many as 8 different US presidents, including four of the countrys first five presidents. Virginia has an estimated IQ score of 101.2.

8. Utah

State IQ Score: 101.5

Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain West sub-region of the Western US. Nicknamed the Beehive State, it is known for its stunning natural landscapes and incredible national parks. With an IQ score of 101.5, Utah ranks 8th on our list of smartest states with the highest average IQ.

7. Washington

State IQ Score: 101.5

Nicknamed The Evergreen State, the state of Washington is known for its mountainous landscapes and an abundance of evergreen forests. According to recently reported data, Washington state has an estimated IQ score of 101.5. Washington also ranks high among the states with the most job growth in 2023.

6. Wyoming

State IQ Score: 101.7

Wyoming is a state in the Mountain West sub-region of the Western US and with an estimated IQ score of 101.7, it ranks high among the smartest states with the highest average IQ. Known for its beautiful nature and stunning National Parks, Wyoming is the least populated state in the US.

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In this article, we look at 40 Cities With The Highest Life Expectancy In The US. You can skip our detailed analysis on companies that are working on longevity enhancement and improved health facilities by heading over directly to the 10 Cities With The Highest Life Expectancy In The US.

Life expectancy of a newborn has more than doubled globally, from an average life of 32 years in 1900, to 71 years in 2021. This stark shift has been driven by remarkable advancements in medicine, public health facilities, and an improvement in living standards. These factors have combined to significantly reduce child mortality and increased life expectancy at all ages.

Average lifespan has also been on the rise in the United States. It was 47 years in 1900 and climbed to 68 by 1950. It nearly touched 79 years in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Over the last few years, it has started to decline, driven by Covid-19 and cases of drug overdose, according to a report by Harvard University. Life Expectancy fell to 77 years in 2020, before further dropping to 76 in 2021.

Scientific research and studies are underway in the US to enhance longevity. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is actively working to combat chronic diseases. This month, the FDA approved Jaypirca, an anti-cancer drug that will be used to treat patients of lymphocytic leukemia. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) announced that this medication can be used for treatment of patients who have received at least two lines of therapy. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)s Jaypirca is the first-ever non-covalent BTK inhibitor to be approved.

American biotechnology company Altos Labs, Inc., founded in 2022, is working to develop specialized cell therapies that extend lifespan and limit the human aging process. The company has so far received $3 billion in investor funding. On the other hand, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX) is using artificial intelligence in biology, chemistry and machine learning to reinvent drug discovery and speed up pharmaceutical development.

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Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX)s main aim is to develop an AI platform that lowers the costs and time spent on drug development, and reduce the rate of late-stage clinical failures. In November this year, German pharmaceutical company, Bayer AG, pledged up to $1.5 billion to work with Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX) on seven oncology and cancer treatment related projects.

Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:DNLI) is pursuing treatments that improve the lives of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:DNLI)s innovations are likely to have wide-ranging effects, especially on patients of Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative illnesses. Founded in 2013, Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:DNLI) is still a young company whose revenue model is reliant significantly on collaboration agreements with other corporations. In 2020, Biogen announced to co-develop with Denali the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) program for Parkinsons disease. Under the agreement, Denali Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:DNLI) received a payment of $560 million, and $465 million in equity investment.

The scale of research and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector to enhance longevity means the industry has immense potential for future growth. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the total value of the longevity market was estimated to be worth over $25 billion in 2020, and is projected to cross $44 billion by 2023 at a CAGR of 6.1%.

40 Cities with the Highest Life Expectancy in the US

Ruslan Guzov/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

Cities with the highest life expectancy are ranked in ascending order of the average life expectancy in these cities. Major metropolitan areas with a population of 250,000 or more have been considered in our analysis. Data has been sourced from a report published by Moneygeek in January 2023.

If interested, you can also take a look at the 25 States with the Highest Life Expectancy in the US.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Lets now head over to the list of cities with the highest life expectancy in the US.

40. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Principal City: San Antonio

Life Expectancy: 79.2

The Greater San Antonio Area is among cities with the highest life expectancy in the US. The average life expectancy here is nearly three years higher than the state average in Texas.

39. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Principal City: Providence

Life Expectancy: 79.3

Life expectancy in Rhode Island has dropped from 79.5 years in 2019 to 78.2 years in 2020. Despite that, Providence, the capital city, has one of the highest life expectancies in the country.

38. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

Principal City: Davenport

Life Expectancy: 79.3

The metropolitan area has a population of 384,000 people, with an average life expectancy of 79.3 years at birth.

37. Salt Lake City, UT

Principal City: Salt Lake City

Life Expectancy: 79.4

According to Utah's Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health, women born in the state can expect to live 81.4 years on average, while men have a life expectancy of 77.6 years. Salt Lake City has one of the highest life expectancies in the state and the US.

36. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI

Principal City: Grand Rapids

Life Expectancy: 79.5

Life expectancy of both men and women in Michigan is 76 years, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Average life spans widely swing from one part of the state to another. For instance, some parts of the Detroit area have a life expectancy of only 62 years, while in Grand Rapids, it is 79.5 years.

35. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA

Principal City: Omaha

Life Expectancy: 79.5

Omaha in Nebraska is the principal city in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. It is among the largest cities with the highest life expectancy in America.

34. Ogden-Clearfield, UT

Principal City: Ogden

Life Expectancy: 79.6

Anchored by Ogden as the principal city, the Ogden-Clearfield metropolitan area stretches across four countries in north central Utah, and has one of the highest life expectancies in the US.

33. Manchester-Nashua, NH

Principal City: Manchester

Life Expectancy: 79.6

The Manchester-Nashua metropolitan in New Hampshire has a population of 421,000. The region is known for its rich industrial history and healthcare facilities. New Hampshire was ranked first in the US for overall healthcare in 2022, and it is no surprise that its largest metropolitan ranks among cities with the highest life expectancy in the US.

32. Portland-South Portland, ME

Principal City: Portland

Life Expectancy: 79.7

The Portland metropolitan area has one of the highest life expectancies in both Maine, and the United States. Portland and South Portland have a combined population of over 550,000.

31. Lincoln, NE

Principal City: Lincoln

Life Expectancy: 79.8

Lincoln in Nebraska is among cities with the highest life expectancy in the United States. However, life span varies by neighborhood. For instance, life expectancy in southwest Lincoln (91 years) is nearly three decades longer than in central Lincoln (63 years).

30. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

Principal City: Orlando

Life Expectancy: 79.9

According to the US Census 2020, the Greater Orlando region has a population in excess of 2.6 million people, with nearly 540,000 added between 2010 and 2020. While the state of Florida has an average life expectancy at birth of 77.5 years, in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area, people are expected to live nearly 80 years.

29. New Haven-Milford, CT

Principal City: New Haven

Life Expectancy: 80.1

New Haven in Connecticut is among cities in the US where people live the longest, with an average life expectancy of just over 80 years at birth for both genders.

28. El Paso, TX

Principal City: El Paso

Life Expectancy: 80.1

A study in 2018 found that El Paso ranked 226th out of 243 counties in Texas for quality of life, and took 102nd rank when it came to overall healthcare. Despite these challenges, it continues to remain among the cities with the highest life expectancy in the US. This could be attributed to the racial mix of the city  82% of which comprises Hispanics.

27. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Principal City: Des Moines

Life Expectancy: 80.2

Average life expectancy in the state of Iowa dropped from 79 years in 2019 to 77.5 years in 2020, which is now closer to the national average in the US. However, people born in Des Moines are expected to live for over 80 years.

26. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Principal City: Milwaukee

Life Expectancy: 80.2

Milwaukee in Wisconsin has one of the highest life expectancies in the United States, with an average life span of 80.2 years.

25. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT

Principal City: Hartford

Life Expectancy: 80.2

Greater Hartford is known as the insurance capital of the world. Hartford is home to several insurance and financial services companies, regional health systems, and research institutions. There are also more than 2,000 bioscience-technologies companies in the metropolitan area that employ at least 35,000 people.

24. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Principal City: Durham

Life Expectancy: 80.3

The average lifespan at birth for males in Durham is 77.5 years, while for women, it is 82.2 years. Combined with Chapel Hill, the metropolitan area has one of the highest life expectancies in the US.

23. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Principal City: Albany

Life Expectancy: 80.3

Albany is the capital city of New York state. The metropolitan area, which also comprises Schenectady and Troy, has a population of close to 1 million residents. The average life expectancy at birth here is 80.3 years.

22. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Principal City: Portland

Life Expectancy: 80.5

The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area comprises five cities  Portland, Oregon being the largest. It is among the cities with the highest life expectancy in the US.

21. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Principal City: Seattle

Life Expectancy: 80.6

The Seattle metropolitan area is well known for being a major base for some of the worlds leading tech companies. The city is also home to several of Americas finest medical institutions. People born in Seattle have a longer lifespan on average than those born in other parts of the country.

20. Green Bay, WI

Principal City: Green Bay

Life Expectancy: 80.7

Green Bay is located about 90 miles north of Milwaukee in the northeastern part of Wisconsin, and like Milwaukee, the city has one of the highest life expectancies in the US.

19. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Principal City: Chicago

Life Expectancy: 80.7

Life expectancy in Illinois dropped from 79 years in 2019 to 76.8 years in 2020, but it is among the highest in the US in the Chicago metropolitan area.

18. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

Principal City: Brownsville

Life Expectancy: 81

The Brownsville-Harlingen metropolitan area is among cities with the highest life expectancy in the US  nearly four years higher than the national average.

17. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Principal City: Boston

Life Expectancy: 81.2

Greater Boston is home to nearly five million people. Life expectancy here varies by neighborhood. In Back Bay, people born are expected to live up to 92 years on average, while just two miles away in Roxbury's Nubian Square, the expected lifespan of Bostonians drops to just 69.

16. Tucson, AZ

Principal City: Tucson

Life Expectancy: 81.3

In 2020, more than 85% of the population in Tucson's metropolitan area reported good or better health. High physical wellbeing is one of the main reasons why the city ranks among those with the highest life expectancy in the US.

15. Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Principal City: Minneapolis

Life Expectancy: 81.4

Minneapolis has one of the highest average lifespans in the US, with people born there expected to live for more than 81 years.

14. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Principal City: Sacramento

Life Expectancy: 81.5

The Sacramento metropolitan area has a population close to 3 million people. The city is known for its rich history, thriving economy, and having more trees per capita than any other place in the US. Sacramento has a life expectancy of 81.5 years.

13. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ

Principal City: Phoenix

Life Expectancy: 81.5

The Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona is home to 4.85 million people. People born here are likely to live four years longer than the national average in the US.

12. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

Principal City: Austin

Life Expectancy: 81.6

Next up on the list is another Texan city, Austin, which, with a life expectancy of 81.6 years, is among cities in the United States where people live the longest.

11. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Principal City: Washington, D.C.

Life Expectancy: 81.8

The Washington metropolitan area, centered around the capital of the United States, has one of the highest life expectancies in the country, where people are expected to have an average lifespan of nearly 82 years.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Cities With The Highest Life Expectancy In The US.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 40 Cities With The Highest Life Expectancy In The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Hyundai

Is get a new car one of your goals for 2024? Get a headstart with knowledge of the best deals on new cars. For expert advice, GOBankingRates reached out to Jim Sharifi, who is the managing editor for the U.S. News automotive department.

Im a Mechanic: Here Are the 6 Best Luxury Cars I Recommend

Learn: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Based on your price range and lifestyle, well break down the cars that are best for you, and how much you can save by buying right now.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL

One of the best ways to get deals is to look for 2023 models. Dealerships are trying to sell these fast so they can make room for the 2024 models.

Sharifi thinks the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is an especially good choice because of all of the positive attention its been getting this past year.

The current Santa Fe has received numerous accolades from us this year, including Best 2-Row SUV for the Money, Best 2-Row SUV for Families and Best New SUV for Teens, Sharifi said, referring to the U.S. News Best Cars Awards.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL starts at $32,450, which Sharifi points out is a low price for an SUV with two rows. For that price, you get features like wireless device charging, push button start and heated front seats for those chilly days.

Sharifi said right now, you can find this model for 0% financing for 60 months plus $1,000 bonus cash. This expires January 2, so youll want to take advantage of this deal quickly.

Find Out: These 20 Cars Will Last You Twice as Long as Any Regular Vehicle

2023 Ford F-150

If youre looking for a vehicle for hauling, this is your truck. The Ford F-Series is Americas best-selling pickup, and the F-150 outperforms the competition in our full-size truck rankings, said Sharifi.

One thing people praise about the F-150 is that it has a very luxurious cabin for a pickup truck, so it can easily be a family car and perfect for road trips, while still being incredibly functional.

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The Ford F-150 price starts at $49,995. Right now, you can get the car with 1.9% APR for 36 months. Like most deals on this list, that deal is good until January 2.

2023 Subaru Solterra

If youre looking to venture into the electric vehicle market, Sharifi says this could be a great choice.

EVs typically carry a high purchase price, and while the Solterra doesnt offer 300+ miles of driving range like many of our top-ranked Electric SUVs, its six years of 0% financing could make it a practical option for buyers who are interested in their first EV purchase.

Sharifi is referring to the holiday deal on the 2023 Solterra that gives you 0% financing for 72 months. The 2023 Solterra starts at $44,995.

Many automakers are also having difficulty moving their electric vehicle inventory, which may provide an additional opportunity to negotiate a great deal.

Like all Subaru vehicles, the Solterra is all-wheel drive, and also comes with a plethora of safety features to keep you and your passengers secure. This could be a great family or commuter car for an eco-friendly driver.

2024 Mazda CX-5

Sharifi says Mazda is one of the automakers that is really trying to allure customers right now with 0% financing. Until January 2, you can get a 2024 Mazda CX-5 and pay 0% APR on it for five years.

The car gets pretty good gas mileage, with 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Reviews also praise it for having an upscale interior thats comparable to Audi or Mercedes. The car starts at $30,675.

2023 Nissan Murano

U.S. News spotlighted a particularly good deal from Nissan this holiday season. Nissan is offering $4,000 bonus cash when you purchase the 2023 Murano.

The Murano is known for its comfortable seating and potent V6 engine. Notable features also include automatic climate control, keyless entry and an 8 in. touchscreen. As far as pricing goes, the Murano starts at $33,860.

2023 Kia Forte LXS

This deal on the Kia Forte LXS is especially appealing if youd like to lease a new car. U.S. News spotlighted the model for offering a lease for $209 per month for two years with $2,799 due at signing.

The Kia Forte is known for having a really affordable starting price, which is $20,290 for the LXS model. Another advantage the Kia Forte has is having a sizable trunk for a sedan. This is a great car for couples and can even be a great car with those with a child, thanks to that stroller space in the back of the car.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Best Holiday Deals on New Cars
(Bloomberg) -- International Resources Holding RSC Ltd. of Abu Dhabi will invest more than $1 billion in Zambias Mopani copper mine, securing access to a metal thats key to the energy transition as fears grow over future supplies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The group was announced as the winner of a drawn-out process to invest in the government-owned mine on Nov. 30. The deal will help Zambia revive major copper and cobalt mines that Glencore Plc previously owned.

Zambias majority state-owned ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc said Friday that IRH will pay $620 million for a 51% stake in the business, with the government owning the rest.

IRH has also agreed to make up to $400 million in shareholder loans. ZCCM said its also in talks with Glencore about restructuring its debt to the commodity trader.

Mopani, which traces its roots back to 1929, needs about $300 million to complete projects started by Glencore and boost annual production fivefold, to 200,000 tons. Mopani made a loss of $196 million in the first half of 2023, according to ZCCM-IH. The company operates two sites in Zambias Copperbelt province, including shafts, a smelter and a refinery.

The deal comes after ZCCM-IH purchased the Swiss commodity giants 90% stake in Mopani in 2021 for $1 cash and $1.5 billion in debt. Glencore, which had clashed with the previous Zambian government over the future of the long-unprofitable operation, retains offtake rights to part of the mines output until the debt is settled in full.

Addressing reporters Friday, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said that the debt portion of the deal has been lowered.

We have now been able to negotiate this liability down from $1.5 billion to $400 million, he said.

Story continues

(Updates with comment from Zambian president in penultimate paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Asim Aliyev

Head of the Public Union "Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkiye and Azerbaijan" (TUIB) Hussein Buyukfirat emphasized that the Azerbaijani-Turkish Investment Forum will be held annually, Azernews reports.

According to Hussein Buyukfirat, this will contribute to Turkic unity, which is going through a historical period.

"We will continue our work in this direction. But businessmen have a great responsibility," the TUIB spokesman said.

H.Buyukfirat stated that with Azerbaijan's victory in Garabagh a new era has begun in the region:

"A new door has opened in the region. We are entering the process of unification of the Turkic world".

He added that strategic decisions were made at the first Azerbaijani-Turkish investment forum.

Recall, Azerbaijani-Turkish Investment Forum was held in Baku on December 21. The event was attended by Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Head of the Financial Department of the President's Office Goksel Ashan.

The event, which aims to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, is also intended to make an important contribution to regional development. The forum discussed strategic issues related to the expansion of economic cooperation, as well as steps to be taken to create strong economic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as potential investment opportunities.
FILE PHOTO: An Air China plane is seen at the international airport in Beijing

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Air China plans to raise up to 6.0 billion yuan ($842 million) in a private share sale on the Shanghai Stock Exchange to expand its fleet and replenish working capital, it said on Friday.

The flagship carrier is aiming to sell up to 854.7 million shares, equivalent to 30% of its existing capital, to its controlling shareholder China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited, it said in a statement to the Shanghai exchange.

Air China will use 4.2 billion yuan of the proceeds to fund the purchase of 17 airplanes, with the remaining 1.8 billion yuan used to boost its working capital, according to the filing.

The Chinese airline did not disclose the details of the aircraft acquisition plan.

At the end of November, the group operated a fleet of 900 aircraft, including 386 company-owned aircraft, 215 under financial leases and 299 under operating leases.

Separately, Air China also said it planned to raise up to HK$2.0 billion ($256 million) via a private placement of H-shares to replenish capital.

($1 = 7.1248 Chinese yuan renminbi)

($1 = 7.8135 Hong Kong dollars)

(Reporting by Twinnie Siu in Hong Kong and Ella Cao in Beijing; Editing by Mark Potter)
Hotel workers protest outside the Sheraton Gateway LAX on Dec. 6 as part of a round-the-clock picket line, where workers set up tents and camped outside the hotel for four days and three nights in shifts. The hotel is among four hotels Unite Here Local 11 reached tentative agreements with this week, the union said Friday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Unite Here Local 11 has made more progress in contract talks with hotels ahead of the holidays. The union said Friday it had secured tentative agreements with three downtown L.A. properties as well as a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport.

The agreements cover roughly 800 workers at the InterContinental, Hotel Indigo and E- Central in downtown L.A.  and the Sheraton Gateway LAX.

In all, the union representing hospitality workers has reached tentative agreements with 24 hotels total, out of some 60 properties in Los Angeles and Orange counties initially targeted by intermittent strikes that started in July.

Unite Here Local 11 spokesperson Maria Hernandez has said the contracts make major gains in raising wages, strengthening pensions and increasing investments in healthcare. The union has declined to give specifics on wages and other economic details of the agreements it has reached so far, and the contracts have not yet been put to a vote by workers.

In early December Unite Here Local 11 had escalated pressure on Sheraton Gateway LAX with a round-the-clock picket line, where workers set up tents and camped outside the hotel for four days and three nights in shifts. The protest had targeted hotels near LAX because they have some of the most depressed wages relative to other hotels, according to union organizers.

Read more: Progress builds toward L.A. hotel strike settlement as union reaches deals with 10 more hotels

Hernandez said Friday that the union is planning picket lines at the Rose Bowl during the annual Rose Parade held on New Year's Day to turn up the heat on the Hilton Pasadena and other hotels in Pasadena that are without contracts.

The Hilton Pasadena is among eight hotels involved in talks with the union that are operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, which union officials and others have lambasted for hiring unhoused refugees from Venezuela and Colombia to replace workers during recent strikes targeting at least two hotels it operates.

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In an emailed statement Friday, Unite Here Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen called out Aimbridge, as well as equity firms Blackstone Group and Ensemble.

We applaud the 24 hotels that have reached settlements. But we are disgusted with greedy private equity hotel owners like Aimbridge and Blackstone that are focused on profits rather than the welfare of their workers and the reputation of our city," Petersen said. If they want to prolong this dispute, we have no choice but to strike during the Rose Bowl festivities.

Ensemble has been based in Long Beach since 1996 and acquired the Hotel Maya in 2005, which at the time was called Coast Hotel; it was renovated into the Hotel Maya, as a DoubleTree by Hilton brand. Hotel Maya is among several hotels cited in complaints the union has filed with the National Labor Relations Board for violence that flared against workers on the picket line. The firm also owns Hyatt Place Pasadena.

Read more: Four Southern California Hilton hotels reach deals with striking workers, suggesting momentum

A real estate affiliate of Blackstone Group owns Fairfield Inn & Suites and Aloft hotels in El Segundo. Unite Here Local 11 in July accused Fairfield of failing to hire Black workers as full-time employees while bringing in Black workers as replacement labor.

Spokespeople with Aimbridge Hospitality, Ensemble and the Blackstone Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Apogee Enterprises (NASDAQ:APOG) Third Quarter 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$339.7m (down 7.6% from 3Q 2023).

Net income: US$27.0m (up 14% from 3Q 2023).

Profit margin: 7.9% (up from 6.5% in 3Q 2023). The increase in margin was driven by lower expenses.

EPS: US$1.24 (up from US$1.09 in 3Q 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Apogee Enterprises EPS Beats Expectations, Revenues Fall Short

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 5.6%. Earnings per share (EPS) exceeded analyst estimates by 11%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to stay flat during the next 2 years compared to a 4.0% growth forecast for the Building industry in the US.

Performance of the American Building industry.

The company's shares are up 3.9% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before we wrap up, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Apogee Enterprises that you should be aware of.

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.
If you need to go to the bank or post office this holiday season, it will be best to plan ahead.

Most major banks and United States Postal Service offices will be closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.

Keeping shipping deadlines in mind will come in handy as you ship last-minute gifts and mail holiday cards to family and friends this holiday season. In short, the sooner you ship something the better.

Here's what to know about banks, post offices, and shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, and whether they'll be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2023.

Holiday shipping deadlines: Postal carriers announce schedule early this year

Is the post office open on Christmas Eve and Christmas? Will mail be delivered?

Local post office locations will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered on Dec. 24 and 25 this year, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

Mail will also not be collected from blue USPS collection boxes.

Priority Mail Express mail will be delivered only in limited locations and an extra fee for those deliveries will be assessed, according to the USPS.

Are banks open on Christmas Eve and Christmas?

Banks will be closed on both days in 2023.

Branches of Bank of America, Citibank, PNC, Truist and more will not open their branches on Dec. 24 and 25, the companies told USA TODAY.

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, which is a day banks are closed anyway, while Christmas Day is a federal holiday.

Is UPS open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Will packages be delivered?

UPS will not offer pickup or delivery services on either day.

Some UPS Store locations may have modified business hours on Christmas Eve. The company suggests checking with your local store for specific hours of operation.

All UPS Store locations will be closed Christmas Day.

According to the company, UPS Express Critical is available 365 days a year. For more information, visit upsexpresscritical.com.

Is FedEx open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Will packages be delivered?

Most of FedEx's services will be unavailable on Christmas Eve, according to the company's holiday schedule, and FedEx Office locations will have modified hours.

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All FedEx delivery services will be unavailable and FedEx Office locations will be closed on Christmas Day.

FedEx Custom Critical, however, is available on Christmas Day.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are banks, post offices, UPS, FedEx open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day?
(Bloomberg) -- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said billionaire Jimmy Haslam admitted to offering payments to executives at Pilot Travel Centers as he prepares to sell his remaining stake in the truck-stop chain to Warren Buffetts company.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A lawyer for Berkshire told a Delaware judge Thursday that Haslam  whose family owned Pilot Travel until selling Berkshire a controlling stake  acknowledged in a pre-trial deposition that hed promised to reinstate his own executive compensation plan and would make payments to 24 executives after he sells his final 20% stake.

Berkshire has alleged Haslam offered millions of dollars in side payments to the executives as an incentive to boost the chains short-term profit and inflate the value of his 20% stake. Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating the allegations, Bloomberg News reported this month.

Despite Haslams denials, a shadow executive-compensation plan actually exists, Ryan Stottmann, the Berkshire attorney, said during a court hearing on whether the billionaire should face further questioning about the payment plan.

Read More: Billionaire Jimmy Haslam Probed Over Promised Pilot Payments

Delaware Chancery Court Judge Morgan Zurn ordered Haslam to submit to a continuation of his deposition over the objection of his lawyer.

Liz Cohen, a spokesperson for Haslam, didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment. A lawyer for Haslam said in an earlier court hearing that the allegations about an illicit payment scheme were an invention by Berkshires attorneys.

The jousting is part of escalating legal battle over the remaining Pilot Travel stake. Haslam sued Berkshire over the accounting methods to be used in valuing the stake.

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A trial is set for January over Haslams claim that Pilot Travel executives installed by Buffett have changed quarterly-earning accounting methods in a way that will cut the value of his holdings by $1.2 billion. Buffetts lawyers argue Berkshire had the right to change the accounting after the company gained majority control of the truck-stop chain.

Zurn already ruled Berkshire cant use evidence of the executive payment plan to bolster its defenses to Haslams claims. But the judge didnt bar Berkshires attorneys from questioning Haslam and other witnesses about them in the January trial.

Read More: Truck Stop Tycoon Battles Buffett to Add to $18 Billion Fortune

Berton Ashman Jr., one of Haslams lawyers, told the judge that Berkshire attorneys already questioned Haslam about the payments in the earlier deposition and shouldnt be allowed to re-plow the same ground. They dont need this evidence and they arent entitled to it, Ashman said, adding that his adversaries were seeking a back-door way to inject the payments into the trial.

But Zurn said Berkshires lawyers deserved a chance to test Haslams credibility about the payments. Sitting for another hour of pre-trial questioning shouldnt be too burdensome, she said.

The case is Pilot Corp. v. Abel, 2023-1068, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington).

(Updates with Buffetts argument on accounting change in eighth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
FILE - President Joe Biden speaks about his economic agenda at the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Milwaukee. Biden will sign an executive order on Friday, Dec. 22, giving the U.S. Treasury Department the authority to target financial institutions that facilitate Russia's ongoing efforts to bolster its defense industry. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden signed an executive order Friday giving the U.S. Treasury Department the authority to target financial institutions that facilitate Russia's efforts to bolster its defense industry.

The new sanctions authority is meant to gum up the Kremlin's push to restock the Russian military's depleted arsenal after nearly 22 months of fighting in Ukraine. Russia has already lost over 13,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks, drones and missile systems, according to a U.S. assessment.

The order also seeks to tighten existing restrictions on diamonds and seafood imported from Russia after a review by U.S. agencies.

We expect financial institutions will undertake every effort to ensure that they are not witting or unwitting facilitators of circumvention and evasion, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement announcing the order. "And we will not hesitate to use the new tools provided by this authority to take decisive, and surgical, action against financial institutions that facilitate the supply of Russias war machine.

The latest effort to tighten pressure on Russia comes just weeks after Biden and G-7 leaders met virtually to discuss support for Ukraine as rancor spreads in Washington over the cost of backing Kyiv in a war that has no end it sight.

The White House has been locked in talks with key lawmakers to approve more money for Ukraine. Biden has proposed $110 billion package of wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security priorities. GOP lawmakers have declined to approve the money until the White House agrees to major immigration and U.S.-Mexico border policy changes.. The Defense Department says it has nearly run out of available funds for supporting Ukraines defense.

The G-7 leaders said in a statement following the Dec. 6 meeting that they would work to curtail Russia's use of the international financial system to further its war in Ukraine and target Russian military procurement networks and those who help Russia acquire machine tools, equipment and key inputs.

Russian defense spending rose by almost 75% in the first half of 2023, and Russia is on track for record military spending next year.

This executive order comes at a critical juncture, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo wrote in a Financial Times op-ed published Friday. By raising the stakes for banks supporting sensitive trade with Russia and continuing to sanction new front companies and procurement networks, our coalition is pouring sand into the gears of Russias military logistics.
(Bloomberg) -- China has signed off on the first direct delivery of a Boeing Co. 787 jet in four years, an indication strained US-China trade relations may be easing and a potential precursor to the more significant resumption of 737 Max deliveries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Juneyao Airlines Co., one of Chinas largest privately owned carriers, took delivery of its newest 787 Dreamliner Thursday, in a boost for the US planemaker. The jet took off for Shanghai from Boeings factory in Everett, Washington, at about 11:25 a.m. local time, according to FlightRadar24 flight data.

The delivery marks a breakthrough for Boeing, which has been largely shut out of Chinas aviation market this decade. The US manufacturer hasnt handed over any of its 737 Max or Dreamliners directly from its factories to the Peoples Republic since 2019. The last new 787 to leave for China was via a US lessor in 2021.

Boeing confirmed the delivery in an emailed statement. Juneyao Air said the jet is scheduled to arrive at Shanghais Pudong airport on Friday afternoon, marking a milestone for the internationalization of the aviation company, according to a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Boeing pared an early gain of as much as 2.8% to close up 0.7% in New York. The stock has soared 47% since the end of October on signs the industrial titan is starting to speed up deliveries of its two main cash cow planes.

The development comes as Boeing and all Chinese airlines wait for Beijing to allow 737 Max deliveries for the first time in almost five years. That model of jet was grounded globally in 2019 after two fatal crashes. Jefferies LLC has said it expects 737 Max deliveries to Asias biggest economy to take place after the 787 delivery.

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There are clear regulatory and political hurdles to overcome but the resumption of deliveries appears to be nearing, Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu wrote in a Dec. 19 note. Another 787 destined for China Eastern Airlines Corp. also is being prepared, evidence that the Juneyao delivery isnt a one-off event.

Juneyaos delivery would help the US planemaker edge closer to its annual 787 delivery target of 70 to 80 jets. Through November, Boeing delivered 62 Dreamliner aircraft, its data show.

The resumption of 787 deliveries to China will also help Boeing winnow its inventory of already built Dreamliners, a move that would bolster cash for the planemaker. About 12 of the 75 undelivered widebodies in Boeing storage lots are designated for Chinese carriers, according to Jefferies.

--With assistance from Linda Lew.

(Updates with Boeing and Juneyaos confirmation of delivery in Shanghai)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Aiko Yamakawa, Director, Corporate Counsel for California American Water and Pat Fong Kusihda, President & CEO of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce. (Photo: Business Wire)

SACRAMENTO, Calif., December 22, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California American Water announced today that Aiko Yamakawa, Director, Corporate Counsel, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber).

Yamakawa brings over 18 years of experience in corporate law and advising water utilities to the CalAsian Chamber Board of Directors. She joined California American Water in 2020 and has been providing legal support to the companys operations, projects, and initiatives.

"We are proud of Aikos achievements and her contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business community in California," said Kevin Tilden, President of California American Water. "Aiko's position on the CalAsian Chamber Board further strengthens our commitment to diversity and inclusion, which are values deeply ingrained in our company culture and business model."

California American Water actively searches for partnerships with diverse suppliers to fuel economic growth and create a more inclusive network of companies to work with. In 2022, an impressive 45.93 percent of the companys spending went to diverse-owned businesses. California American Water was recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission as the only utility in the state to exceed all goals for spending targets in each of the diverse subcategories.

The CalAsian Chamber is the largest statewide ethnic chamber of commerce in California, representing over 600,000 AAPI-owned businesses. The CalAsian Chambers mission is to advocate for policies and programs that foster economic development and create opportunities for AAPI entrepreneurs and professionals.

"I am honored and excited to join the CalAsian Chamber Board of Directors," said Yamakawa. "I look forward to collaborating with the other board members and the chamber staff to advance the interests and needs of the AAPI business community in California."

Story continues

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Waters 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the companys national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

About California American Water

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 700,000 people.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231221415370/en/

Contacts

Media

Nichole Baxter

External Affairs

Phone: 916-291-0736

Email: nichole.baxter@amwater.com
(Bloomberg) -- S&P Global Ratings upgraded Carnival Corp.s credit rating two notches to BB- on Friday, a day after the cruise operator posted better-than-expected results, helped by relatively strong bookings and higher prices.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The upgrade is a step toward the company returning to investment-grade status, which it lost in 2020, during the early part of the pandemic. On Thursday, Carnival posted a more than 40% jump in quarterly revenue, and operating income of $384 million compared with an operating loss of $1.135 billion in the same quarter last year.

The company reported that it booked approximately two-thirds of its 2024 occupancy at considerably higher prices than in 2023, providing good revenue visibility, S&P credit analysts Melissa A Long and Dan Daley wrote. Recovery in occupancy, increased capacity, and higher prices should support significant EBITDA growth and additional leverage improvement in 2024.

Moodys Investors Service downgraded Carnival to B2 in August 2022, which is the equivalent of two notches below S&Ps current level.

Although S&Ps two-notch upgrade now puts Carnival on par with its competitor Royal Caribbean Cruises, which is also rated BB- by S&P, Carnival is a few quarters behind Royal in its turnaround story, Jody Lurie, senior credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, wrote in a Friday note.

Carnival had about $30.6 billion of debt as of Nov. 30, down from $34.5 billion in the same period last year.

The company expects revenue growth to drive increases in its adjusted free cash flow, which will be the primary driver for paying down our debt balances on our path back to investment grade, said David Bernstein, Carnivals chief financial officer, in a statement when it released its results. The business is bouncing back and there is a real possibility that they will tap the debt markets next year, he said in a phone interview Friday.

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It looks like there will be some opportunity to refinance and save on some interest costs, he said. Things have started to look better.

S&P forecasts that the companys adjusted ratio of debt to a measure of earnings, known as leverage, will improve to about 5 times by the end of fiscal 2024, after finishing the latest fiscal year at about 6.5 times.

(Updates with CFO quote in the seventh and eighth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- China will halt the export of a range of rare-earth technologies, potentially making it harder for the US and its allies to bolster Western supplies of strategic raw materials.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While Beijing already had some limits in place, it has now widened a list of technologies that cannot be transferred overseas to include the processing of rare-earth metals and magnets, according to a document from the Ministry of Commerce. The move by the worlds dominant supplier  arguably the most significant rare-earth move from China in over a decade  puts the vital materials front and center as a tit-for-tat trade war on technology worsens.

China is flexing its muscle, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia Pacific economist at Natixis SA.

Over the past three decades, China has built a dominant role in mining  and especially in refining rare earths, a cluster of 17 elements used in everything from wind turbines to military hardware and electric vehicles.

The nation accounted for more than two-thirds of mined rare earths last year, and is home to as much as all global refining capacity, according to US government figures. The country also dominates the supply of rare-earth magnets, the main product deployed in manufactured goods.

The new rules dont affect shipments of rare-earth products themselves, but appear aimed at frustrating even nascent efforts to develop the industry outside China. Restrictions on a smaller selection of rare earth technologies have been in place since at least 2008. Earlier this year, Beijing imposed limits on exports of gallium and germanium, metals used in parts of the semiconductor, telecommunications and electric-vehicle industries, and on graphite.

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The latest move comes as the US and EU grow more concerned about Chinas growing exports of clean energy products, from electric vehicles to batteries, and its dominance of key portions of the supply chain.

The White House is weighing tariff increases on EVs, according to people familiar with the matter  a decision that may have a limited effect on Chinas electric car industry given the relatively few models it exports to North America, but one that could be politically significant during a presidential election year in the US. Washington is also looking into Chinese production of legacy semiconductors. The EU, meanwhile, has launched an anti-subsidy investigation into EVs, in response to surging Chinese car imports.

Beijings response in the form of rare earth processing limits may carry more heft than other recent curbs, such as the ones on gallium and germanium, according to Garcia Herrero, given existing strategic reserves. Beijing could be posturing to avoid additional protectionist measures from the West on cars and other products.

Critical metals  a category that includes all minerals crucial to vital industries and in short supply domestically, not only rare earths  are increasingly under the spotlight as Western nations increasingly view supplies as a matter of national security, especially as the global energy transition stokes fears of potential shortages in the future.

Why the Fight for Critical Minerals Is Heating Up: QuickTake

The US is spearheading a drive to reduce Chinas stranglehold over flows of these minerals, from rare earths to lithium and cobalt. President Joe Bidens flagship climate legislation includes rules aimed at generating more supply domestically or from allied nations. China has responded with restrictions of its own.

While Bidens landmark legislation and Europes Critical Raw Materials Act promise to unlock new funding for prospective suppliers, Beijings latest salvo underscores the technical challenges that Western producers could face in developing refining processes that China has come to master over the decades.

Until relatively recently, there were barely any rare-earth refineries at all outside of China. That means its companies and researchers have built a substantial technological and practical advantage in how to extract and process rare earths, while expertise elsewhere has lagged. While it would not be impossible to replicate Chinese processes, it would likely take time  and require significant policy incentives.

Key Rare Earths Supplier Outside China Gets US Backing for Plant

Compared with the 2008 ban list, the latest iteration has expanded coverage to include all technology for the separation of rare earths and now includes the production of magnets, said Yang Jiawen, an analyst with Shanghai Metals Market. Technology for mining, ore-dressing and smelting was listed as restricted, rather than banned.

Chinas grip over the global rare-earths market first gained broad international attention in 2010, when China imposed tight restrictions on exports. The US, European Union and Japan eventually forced Beijing to overturn the measures via the World Trade Organization. Concerns about its dominance have lingered since.

--With assistance from Lucille Liu and Winnie Zhu.

(Updates with analyst commentary in paragraph 14.)

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Laman Ismayilova

Asaf Zeynalli College has hosted a concert dedicated to the holders of the Shohrat and Istiglal orders, the People's Artist of Azerbaijan, and the USSR Lutfiyar Imanov. The event was organised as part of the 3rd Azerbaijan International Vocal Festival, Azernews reports.

At the opening of the evening, the college director, Honoured Artist Professor Nazim Kazimov, spoke about the life and work of Lutfiyar Imanov, who made a huge contribution to the development and promotion of the art of opera.

For fifty years, the dramatic tenor was a soloist of the State Opera and Ballet Theatre, creating vivid and memorable images on its stage and performing the main roles in many operas by Azerbaijani, Russian, and Western composers.

Among them are parts in the operas Seville by Fikrat Amirov, Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, Carmen by Georges Bizet, The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and many others.

Of course, the role of Koroglu in Uzeyir Hajibayli's opera of the same name was an important milestone in Lutfiyar Imanovs creative biography; he performed this role for more than thirty years.

Lutfiyar Imanov started working at the Sabirabad State Drama Theatre when he was 15 years old, during the Great Patriotic War (19411945).

At the age of 18, he headed the drama club, and at the age of 20, he became the artistic director at the Sabirabad Cultural House.

After graduating from the vocal department of the Baku Music College and the Faculty of Theatre Studies of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, he was a soloist in the choir of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio, the State Variety Orchestra, and the State Theatre of Musical Comedy.

From 1958 until the end of his life, he was a soloist at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1965, he completed an internship at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and in 1975 at La Scala in Milan. He performed at concerts, performed songs of the peoples of the world, Azerbaijani folk songs, and others. He successfully toured in Iran, Italy, Germany, India, Canada, the USA, Czechoslovakia, Turkiye, and a number of Arab countries.

Lutfiyar Imanov was engaged in teaching activities at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (professor) and in the early 90s at the opera houses of Istanbul and Izmir (Turkey). In 19871991, he was the chairman of the Azerbaijan Union of Theatre Workers. He died on January 21, 2008, in Baku. Lutfiyar Imanov was buried in the Alley of Honour.

The evening featured works from the repertoire of Lutfiyar Imanov. The concert aroused great public interest.

The 3rd Azerbaijan International Vocal Festival is organized by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater with the support of the Culture Ministry.

The author of the idea and the festival's artistic director is Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov.

The festival's closing ceremony will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Centre on December 22.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.
(Bloomberg) -- China is preparing to ask the US for exemptions to sanctions on a new Russian liquefied natural gas export plant, as companies seek to prevent disruptions to the flow of a fuel crucial to heating homes and powering industry.

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State-owned Cnooc Ltd. and China National Petroleum Corp. each has a stake in Novatek PJSCs Arctic LNG 2 project in Russia. The companies are planning to ask for the exemptions because the US measures threaten deliveries, according to people with knowledge of the matter, requesting anonymity because the plans arent public.

The US imposed sanctions on the facility in November, as it widened restrictions on Russian firms in the wake of Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Read More: Supply From Russias Arctic LNG 2 Project Halted by US Sanctions

LNG vessels could fall foul of US sanctions if they pick up fuel from Arctic LNG 2, the people said. Cnooc and CNPC also purchase LNG from the US, and dont want to endanger their supply from American projects, the people added.

China is the worlds biggest buyer of LNG, and also imports large quantities of Russian gas via overland pipelines. Cnooc and CNPC didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

The request would be rare for China, which tends to find ways to work around sanctions imposed by its geopolitical rival. For example, Russia has been able to sidestep restrictions on its oil shipments to China with the assistance of a dark fleet of tankers that are separate from the wider industry and can conceal the origin of their cargoes. But LNG vessels are specially designed to ferry the super-chilled fuel from enormous export facilities, and hiding their movements is nearly impossible.

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Meanwhile, the start of exports from Arctic LNG 2 is at risk of being delayed after Novatek declared force majeure on shipments to some of its buyers following the US measures. Novatek had planned to start production from the first of three trains by the end of the year, with shipments commencing in early 2024.

Other spot market news:

Venture Global offered to sell an LNG cargo for Jan. 19 loading from the Calcasieu Pass project in the US

Venezuela issued a license to Shell and Trinidads state-owned gas company for the export of natural gas from an offshore joint venture to the island nations processing plants

AES completes minority sell-downs of businesses in the Dominican Republic and its AES Colon business in Panama for $338m

Buy tenders:

Sell tenders:

(Updates with news, tenders and prices in final sections)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese automaker Geely warned on Friday its EV sales are likely to be impacted by a delay in deliveries due to the "situation" in the Red Sea, where Yemeni militants are attacking vessels, forcing shippers to take longer, more expensive routes.

Geely, China's second largest automaker by sales, told Reuters that most of the shipping firms it uses to export its electric vehicles to Europe have plans to go around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Suez Canal, the shortest route from Asia to Europe, due to the hostilities.

If the Red Sea issue remains unresolved, shipping firms are expected to adjust freight rates and result in rising transport costs, the company added.

A source in the logistics industry serving automakers in China, the world's biggest market for cars, said this rerouting would increase shipping costs five-fold, predicting a shortage of vessels by the second-half of January due to the longer time it takes for them to return to port.

Geely did not name the shipping companies and the industry source declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

China exported a total of 1.63 million vehicles to Europe in the first 10 months of this year, up 147% from the same period a year ago, according to data from the the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). It did not give a breakdown for EVs.

Geely's warning bodes ill for other automakers in China as they seek to increase exports to Europe due to overcapacity and weak demand at home.

Several global shippers have already said they would avoid the Red Sea after the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, started attacking ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the waterway in the past few weeks in what they say is a response to Israel's war in Gaza.

Cui Dongshu, secretary general for the CPCA, said there was no immediate impact from the Houthi attacks on EV exports to Europe as automakers use a rail network, but the industry source said those trains were already running at full capacity.

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The source said Tesla, which exports China-made Model 3 vehicles to Europe, and SAIC Motor Corp have secured vessels in Shanghai, but other smaller companies were likely to struggle.

Asked about the potential shipping disruptions, Tesla said it has no relevant information to share. SAIC did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Chrysler-parent Stellantis said it was monitoring the situation in the Red Sea area and would "adopt the most feasible and appropriate way" to deal with it.

Chinese carmakers have enjoyed strong sales in Europe, a trend that has alarmed European regulators and prompted them to investigate the possibility of punitive tariffs to protect European Union automakers.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan and Casey Hall in Shanghai, Qiaoyi Li in Beijing, Writing by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Miral Fahmy)
The Columbia College Faculty Union, which represents nearly 600 part-time faculty members at the South Loop school, announced Thursday that its members had approved a new four-year contract ending the unions historic 49-day strike.

Since Oct. 30, there have been dozens of rounds of negotiations between Columbia and the union, known as CFAC, culminating in an agreement that restores many spring semester courses that were scheduled to be eliminated and makes improvements in job security and adds a health care benefit for many adjuncts, who teach nearly 70% of courses on campus.

More than 85% of CFACs 584 members participated in the vote, with 99.7% of them voting yes to the agreement reached on Sunday.

Were still trying to understand exactly what weve been through and Im sure well be dealing with that for days to come, but honestly ... it is historic, said CFAC President Diana Vallera, a photography professor. I couldnt be happier  it was about the quality of education, it was about our students that matter, it was about the working class. It really showed that by working together we are just stronger.

In a statement, Columbia College President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim said the agreement allows the upcoming January term and spring semester instruction to proceed with students and all faculty members reunited.

The new contract reflects the intention of both parties to create more space for input and consultation at various levels, signaling our intent to move forward with a renewed sense of collaboration, Kim said in a statement co-signed by Vallera. Moving forward, we hope that people across the campus will continue in the respectful exchange of perspectives that can shape new and imaginative solutions to the challenges of this moment.

Vallera said she believes the contract is the first in the country to guarantee instruction for part-time faculty members. The contract allocates adjunct faculty instruction for a minimum of 650 courses starting next fall, which Vallera said is directly connected to academic freedom.

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Right now what the contract states is that even in the worst-case scenario, if the administration did keep moving in the direction of cutting courses and doing things like that, they wouldnt just be able to discard or treat us less than or not value us, Vallera explained. We are an integral part now. They have to be committed to us. Thats key.

The strike kept part-time faculty members out of their classrooms for nearly two months while department chairs and some full-time faculty members took over those classes. Some classes were at a standstill without an instructor until the semester ended Saturday, and some had shifted to an asynchronous model.

Its hard to get any meaningful criticism or instruction on writing in an asynchronous class, said Damian Cutler, 26, a first-year student in Columbias film department. You dont actually have any time with the instructor. Its just like, write an essay and Ill give you a little bit of notes.

Cutler said he and other students who joined their professors on the picket lines repeatedly stressed concerns over increased class sizes, which he said contradict the essence of a school that promotes collaboration and experiential learning.

My cinematic storytelling class had 20-some students and it was one of the classes that became impacted by the strike and later substituted, Cutler said. Wed have assignments where we have to write something or create a pitch. And there wasnt enough time so we would have to go off and present in groups because the teacher didnt necessarily have the opportunity to listen to each one of them fully and be able to give any meaningful criticism as quickly or as effectively as they could have with a small class size.

Cutler, who recently moved to Chicago from a small town in Wisconsin, said he was happy to hear of a provision in the new contract that would create a Class Size Committee.

Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano, CFAC vice president and adjunct faculty member in cinema and television arts, said the committee will center the voices of the part-time faculty, students and education experts to evaluate proposed administrative changes to course capacity and determine appropriate support, giving the adjunct faculty formal input into the decision-making process.

Its a really important step that allows for faculty and student input, Formosa-Parmigiano said. So as far as the courses that will be increased in size this spring, after one semester of implementing the class at a larger size, the faculty member has a right to go to the department chair with representatives from the union as well and to express what is working and what isnt working.

Weeks before the fall semester began, Columbia administrators cut 53 course sections for that semester and eliminated 317 course sections for the spring semester. The move heightened tensions between CFAC and the school, especially because the courses are typically taught by part-time faculty members.

I think what has made Columbia special is that classes are taught by working professionals, so when I originally heard what was happening and there was a decrease in those working professionals actually teaching classes, it angered me as an alum and as a faculty member, said Justin Kulovsek, an adjunct faculty member in the business and entrepreneurship department and a digital media strategist and marketer. In my case, I deal with multimillion-dollar media and marketing budgets, so me walking in and saying, This is how we really do things, is so great for students to see a real world example (of something theyre studying).

According to the contract, Columbia agreed to restore a minimum of 50 course sections to the spring 2024 semester across a range of disciplines, including classes in literature, design, dance, theater, communications, cinema and television arts, foreign languages, history and business.

Kulovsek said unfortunately the move didnt affect him.

But Im very happy for those professors who are back in a class next semester, he said. I think that we can continue now to heal the Columbia community.

zsyed@chicagotribune.com
(Bloomberg) -- Ola Electric Mobility Pvt. is seeking to raise 55 billion rupees ($661 million) by selling new shares in an initial public offering that will test investor confidence in the Indian startup whose ambitions extend to entering the electric car market.

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Ola is planning to use 12.3 billion rupees of the total proceeds for expanding the manufacturing capacity of its electric vehicle cell factory to 6.4 gigawatt hours from 5 gigawatt hours, according to a prospectus filed with Kotak Investment Banking. The company may also consider raising 11 billion rupees ($132 million) through a pre-IPO placement of shares, with Ola intending to repay debt and invest in research and development with the funds.

The IPO is part of the companys ambitious plans to expand into battery-powered cars and EV cells. Founder Bhavish Aggarwal is building what hes touting as the worlds largest electric vehicle hub in southern India for producing battery-powered two-wheelers, cars and lithium-ion cells, while the Bengaluru-based startup also launched its first electric motorcycle and cheapest scooter yet in August.

The cell factory will become operational by March with an initial output of 1.4 gigawatt hours, ramping up to 5 gigawatt hours by October, according to the prospectus. The company reported a revenue of 27.8 billion rupees in the financial year 2023, up 510% from a year earlier.

Ola, backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management, has grown to become Indias biggest electric-scooter company with a third of the market for battery-powered two-wheelers. It sold 188,438 scooters in the year through Dec. 18, according to data from the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles.

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Its a risky gambit, since two-wheelers are a bright spot in Indias otherwise sluggish switch to electric vehicles. Beyond scooters, the nations budget-conscious buyers are hesitant to shift to battery-powered cars due to their high price tags and a lack of charging stations. Electric cars accounted for just 1.3% of the total passenger vehicles sold last year, according to BloombergNEF.

And while Ola has succeeded in the scooter business, it will face intense competition in the car and EV cell markets. Established car manufacturers such as Tata Motors Ltd., and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. dominate the market, while Tesla Inc. is considering investing in India. Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. is also planning to make batteries locally.

Ola in October raised 32 billion rupees through equity funding from investors led by Temasek Holdings Pte and debt for expanding its operations and setting up the 115-acre cell plant. Aggarwal has said localization of electric vehicle parts, such as cells, will give Ola more control of quality and costs in a market where most EVs are converted from gasoline models.

--With assistance from Abhishek Shanker.

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NYSE American:EU

TSXV:EU

www.encoreuranium.com

DALLAS, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) announced today the resignation of Ms. Mierkey, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective December 23, 2023. Dr. Dennis Stover has agreed to act as Interim CFO until the conclusion of a CFO search. A CFO search committee consisting of Chief Executive Officer Paul Goranson, Executive Chairman William Sheriff and Audit Committee Chair William Harris has been formed and is well advanced in the efforts to select a new CFO.

enCore Energy Corp. logo (CNW Group/enCore Energy Corp.)

enCore Energy's Audit Committee Chair, William Harris, stated: "On behalf of the Board and management we extend our thanks to Ms. Meirkey for her work during a period of significant growth and transformation of the Company. A CFO search is well underway and is based on the Company's growth model. The interim appointment of Dr. Dennis Stover, a Director and former CEO of the company, allows the Audit Committee to maintain its role as independent members of the Board and oversee the financial affairs of the Company."

enCore Energy wishes Ms. Meirkey well in her future endeavors.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy as the newest uranium producer in the United States. Uranium production commenced at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Central Processing Plant ("CPP") in November 2023 with work underway for a planned restart of uranium production at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa CPP in 2024. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle.

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Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming, along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long term opportunities. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

www.encoreuranium.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company, statements regarding future or potential production, and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and regulations (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.

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SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- European Wine Ambassadors (EUWINA) continues to make strides in promoting exceptional European wines in the Asian markets. Led by three European organizations representing Spain, Italy, and Greece - the Interprofessional Wine Council D.O. La Mancha, Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti  U.VI.VE., and the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece, EUWINA targets the markets of Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

To achieve its objectives, EUWINA has implemented a series of educational initiatives and masterclasses targeting importers, and distributors, Ho. Re. Ca. professionals, sommeliers, and media professionals. The EUWINA education program in 2023 reached over 2,125 unique participants in our 39 masterclasses in Asia, tasting over 230 references of wines.

EUWINA organized eight programs of masterclasses in China as part of two roadshows, the summer and autumn editions. The summer roadshow took place in July, getting high audiences in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. Building on this success, the autumn roadshow was held in Hong Kong, Xian, Beijing, and Shenzhen.

The attendance was remarkable, with an average of 75 guests. Additionally, the live broadcasts of EUWINA's Virtual Classroom garnered interest, with an average of 150 subscribers per masterclass. Over 600 participants attended the twenty-four in-person masterclasses, where over 140 wines from Spain, Greece, and Italy were presented by renowned wine educators.

Expanding its reach beyond China, EUWINA held masterclasses in Singapore, Seoul, and Taipei in July, establishing the campaign's influence and promoting European wines in these markets. Seoul was also the host for two additional seminars, in October and November. Nearly 325 participants attended the fifteen masterclasses. Ninety wines representing wineries from Spain, Greece, and Italy were tasted during the program.

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EUWINA organized a study trip to Spain and Greece for five journalists from countries and regions including South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, visiting the D.O. La Mancha wine region during the grape harvest season. The trip to Greece provided an extraordinary opportunity for them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Greek wines, particularly those with Designation of Origin status.

EUWINA program of promotional activities for 2024 will cover twenty-four masterclasses in Mainland China, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan. A study trip for wine traders from China will take place in September to Spain and Greece. The campaign will exhibit at the Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Fair in November, hosting a masterclass for Italian wines.

http://euwineambassadors.com/

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SOURCE European Wine Ambassadors (EUWINA)
SINGAPORE, HONG KONG and TAIPEI, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- European Wine Ambassadors (EUWINA), the campaign funded by the European Union and launched in January 2021, continues to make significant strides in promoting exceptional European wines in the Asian markets. Led by three European organizations representing Spain, Italy, and Greece - the Interprofessional Wine Council D.O. La Mancha, Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti  U.VI.VE., and the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece, EUWINA targets the markets of Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

To achieve its objectives, EUWINA has implemented a series of educational initiatives and organized masterclasses targeting importers, and distributors, Ho. Re. Ca. professionals, sommeliers, and media professionals in Mainland China, Singapore, Korea and Taiwan. These programs aim to educate and inform participants about the quality-producing methodologies of the European Union.

Throughout 2023, EUWINA organized eight programs of masterclasses in China as part of two roadshows, the summer and autumn editions. The summer roadshow took place in July, getting high audiences in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. Building on this success, the autumn roadshow was held in Hong Kong, Xian, Beijing, and Shenzhen.

The attendance at each masterclass was remarkable, with an average of 75 guests. Additionally, the live broadcasts of EUWINA's Virtual Classroom garnered significant interest, with an average of 150 subscribers per masterclass. Over 600 unique participants attended the twenty-four (24) in-person masterclasses, where over 140 wines from Spain, Greece, and Italy were presented by locally renowned wine educators.

In China, our key presenters were: Mr. Frankie Zhao, Mr. Ivan Hui, Mr. Ofilos Wu, Mr. Zhang Hong Tao, Mr. Ma Zhao, and Mr. Jerry Cheng Chen Yi.

Expanding its reach beyond China, EUWINA held masterclasses in Singapore, Seoul, and Taipei in July, further establishing the campaign's influence and promoting European wines in these dynamic markets. Seoul was also the host for two additional seminars, in October and November. Nearly 325 unique participants attended the fifteen masterclasses (15) in-person masterclasses. Ninety wines representing wineries from Spain, Greece, and Italy were tasted during the program.

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Renowned sommeliers and wine educators conducted the masterclasses: Ms. Insoon Lee and Ms. Suzie Chung, prestigious wine educators in Korea, Ms. Vivien K.M. Chen, Wine Educator and International Wine Judge, and Mr. Aaron Tsai Hsun Chuang, and Ms. Annette Scarfe MW in Singapore.

The EUWINA education program in 2023 reached over 2,125 unique participants in our 39 masterclasses in Asia, tasting over 230 references of wines.

EUWINA organized a study trip to Spain and Greece for five Asian journalists, visiting the D.O. La Mancha wine region during the grape harvest season. This exclusive experience aimed to deepen the knowledge and understanding of La Mancha wines with Designation of Origin status among influential Asian journalists. Through immersive visits to vineyards, wineries, and various towns in La Mancha, the journalists had the opportunity to explore the rich heritage and exceptional quality of wines produced in this region. This reverse mission welcomed journalists and wine experts from countries and regions including South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, who later continued their exploration in Greece.

The trip to Greece provided an extraordinary opportunity for them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Greek wines, particularly those with Designation of Origin status. They embarked on a trip through the landscapes of Greece, immersing themselves in the rich heritage and quality of wines produced in this region.

The group visited renowned wineries where they had the privilege of exploring the vineyards and gaining insights into their winemaking techniques. They traveled to the picturesque island of Samos, where vineyards and history intertwined. They explored vineyards that have been nurtured for generations, witnessing the terroir that shapes the character of Samos wines. Continuing their adventure, the group traveled to the city of Ioannina, a hub of winemaking excellence.

EUWINA program of promotional activities for 2024 will cover twenty-four masterclasses in Mainland China, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan, with Spring and Autumn editions. A study trip for wine traders from China will take place in September to Spain and Greece. The campaign will exhibit at the Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Fair in November, hosting a masterclass for Italian wines.

EUWINA remains dedicated to strengthening the presence and appreciation of European wines in the Asian markets. The campaign's efforts continue to foster connections, education, and celebration of the exceptional wines produced in Europe.

For more information, please visit the campaign's website:

http://euwineambassadors.com/

ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES

D.O. La Mancha is a Spanish Denominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines, with over 190,000 hectares planted to vines, and it is the largest continuous vine-growing area in the world. It is located in the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. La Mancha has a vast wine-growing tradition, which, added to a series of characteristic geological, geographical, and climatic elements that define it, make it an ideal territory to produce excellent grapes and subsequently give life to great wines, with very peculiar nuances. La Mancha wines are today among the most exquisite and prestigious in the world, they are tasted throughout Spain and also exported to the five continents, turning Castilla-La Mancha into the leading Autonomous Region of Spain in terms of wine exports in volume.

The Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti  U.VI.VE. was set up thirty years ago involving almost all the region's Consorzi di Tutela (wine protection consortia). A far-sighted decision that has produced results over time. The U.VI.VE.'s main role is to represent Veneto's DOC wine sector. Through the consortia, it coordinates the crucial monitoring and control activities of the production and marketing of Veneto DOC and DOCG wines, also intending to combat fraud and abuse affect designations of origin and consortium brands. This protection ranges from guarantees for traceability to winemaking using traditional methods. Strict controls cover every single step of the entire wine-production chain, from the vineyard to the shop shelf.

National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece. Greece has arguably one of the longest wine histories in the world as wine has always been an integral part of Greek culture since antiquity. Greece might not be the first country to produce wine, but what can be attributed to Ancient Greece is the development of a culture encompassing all aspects of wine: vine growing, production, legislation, trading, and, of course, the art of consuming wine. Despite their huge heritage, the Wines of Greece can promote themselves solely by virtue of their present attributes and not past glories. In the last three decades, a wind of change has been blowing through Greek wine production, turning a relatively traditional agricultural sector into a cutting-edge entity in today's wine world. Greek producers have invested heavily in people, education, know-how, and technology, starting a steep learning curve.

Cision

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SOURCE European Wine Ambassadors (EUWINA)
Federal officials are urging Ozempic users to check the legitimacy of their medications because of counterfeit versions of the popular diabetes drug that have been sold through legitimate sources.

The Food and Drug Administration has seized "thousands of units" of counterfeit Ozempic 1 milligram injections in an investigation that is ongoing, it said Thursday in a consumer alert. The drugs have been linked to five reports of illness, but none of the cases were serious, the notice shows.

Counterfeit Ozempic drugs are identifiable by the numbers on their cartons. / Credit: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Ozempic products with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057 on the box are counterfeit products and should not be used, the FDA warned.

The bogus drugs' ingredients, quality and safety are not yet known, the FDA said. Ozempic-maker Novo Nordisk and the FDA are testing the seized products, according to the notice.

The illegitimate products come with pen labels, cartons, fact sheets and needles that are also counterfeit, the notice shows. The needles pose an infection risk to consumers because it remains unclear whether or not they are sterile, Novo Nordisk said Thursday in a statement.

Ozempic has been in short supply this year as celebrities touted the drug's slimming side effects, fueling public interest in the product.

Amid the shortages, fraudsters have sold illegitimate Ozempic-like products to pharmacies, masquerading as medical wholesaler employees. It remains unclear whether the fakes are authentic products that are being diverted from foreign markets or whether they are being produced by scammers within the U.S.

The FDA last month revealed three people had been hospitalized after taking suspected counterfeit products containing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic.

The FDA is advising retail pharmacies to buy authentic Ozempic only through authorized distributors and for patients to get it only through state-licensed pharmacies.

Consumers can report suspect Ozempic packages by calling 800-332-1088 or by contacting a state complaint coordinator.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum or the Company) (TSX: FM) provides an update regarding the next steps required for the responsible environmental stewardship of the Cobre Panama mine.



On December 20, Panamas Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) announced that it is pursuing a closure plan for Cobre Panama that will take several months to develop and will include a temporary phase of environmental preservation and safe management, conducting environmental, technical and legal audits, and the formation of a multidisciplinary expert panel. MICI stated that it expects to present the closure plan in June 2024.

However, no legal basis for pursuing a closure plan has been provided to Minera Panama S.A. (MPSA), a subsidiary of First Quantum. To date, MPSA has been unable to engage formally with the Government to clarify the legal situation and associated environmental obligations.

In the near term, it is crucial that steps are taken to ensure that the Cobre Panama project and associated facilities are maintained in a safe, responsible and sustainable manner, protecting both the environment and local communities. Furthermore, before and during both the formulation and execution of any plan by MICI, the illegal blockade of the access roads to the mine and at the Punta Rincon port must be cleared by the competent authorities in order to avoid any environmental damage in the current non-operational phase. MPSA is concerned for the environmental consequences that may occur if critical supplies and personnel continue to be denied access the mine.

First Quantum has invested in excess of US$10 billion to build a world-class mine, port and power station in Panama. The Company will pursue all appropriate legal avenues to protect its investment and rights.

For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com or contact:

Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations

(416) 361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577

E-Mail: info@fqml.com

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this news release include statements as to the timing of development and presentation of the closure plan, the contents thereof and the process for the development thereof (including the legal basis for pursuing such a closure plan); the potential for environmental damage at Cobre Panama during the current non-operational phase and the requirements to avoid such damage; and the Companys pursuit of all appropriate legal avenues to protect its investment and rights. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions regarding the ability and willingness of MICI to develop and present a closure plan and the process, timing and contents thereof; the potential for environmental damage during the current non-operational phase and the requirements to avoid such damage; and the availability and effectiveness of legal procedures to protect its investment and rights. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, the timing for the development and presentation of the closure plan, the contents thereof, the process for the development thereof and the legal basis therefor; the duration of the non-operational phase at Cobre Panama and of the current blockade of access roads to the Cobre Panama mine and the Punta Rincon port; the outcome of any legal processes to protect the Companys investment and rights; the political and social situation in Panama; potential political, legal, social and environmental challenges; and events generally impacting global economic, political and social stability. There may also be other factors that cause actual results, performance, achievements or events not as anticipated, estimated or intended, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the Companys Annual Information Form. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law.




(Bloomberg) -- Panamas government hasnt provided a legal basis to First Quantum Minerals Ltd. for pursuing a closure plan for its giant copper mine in the country, according to the metals producer.

Most Read from Bloomberg

First Quantum has been unable to formally engage with the Central American government to clarify the legal situation and associated environmental obligations for its Cobre Panama mine, the Vancouver-based company said Friday in a statement.

First Quantums statement comes two days after Panamas Ministry of Commerce and Industries said it was pursuing a closure plan that will take several months to develop, according to the company. That plan will include a temporary phase of environmental preservation and safe management, conducting audits and formation of a multidisciplinary expert panel, the statement said. The closure plan is expected to be presented in June 2024.

Panamas decision to close the massive mine in the wake of countrywide protests has sent shock waves through the mining industry and helped wipe out more than half of First Quantums market value. The companys stock rose 5.7% to C$11.23 at 2:47 p.m. in Toronto.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Abbas Ganbay

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Rustam Mahmudov, during a conference entitled "Decolonisation Dialogue: Legacy, Challenges, and Development," said that today it is necessary to combat persistent and re-emerging neo-colonial tendencies, Azernews reports.

"Today, more than ever, it is crucial to recognise and combat persistent and re-emerging neo-colonial trends that perpetuate injustice within societies and countries, thereby increasing barriers to sustainable development for the most vulnerable and posing a significant threat to equitable global cooperation," he said.

Mahmudov stressed that Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) over the past four years has focused on mobilising support to help those affected by the colonial past, accelerate the decolonisation process, and raise awareness of neo-colonialism.

"This conference will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss colonial legacies and their diverse manifestations, as well as contemporary challenges related to decolonisation, including progress and trends in neo-colonialism," the deputy added.
jetcityimage / iStock.com

Thousands of Americans continue to face long waits for the approval of their SNAP benefits. State SNAP agencies are struggling to keep up a backlog of SNAP applications, and some lawmakers are saying enough is enough.

Food Stamps: 4 Major Changes to SNAP Coming in 2024

Learn: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack

Per U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, states have 30 days to process regular SNAP applications and seven days for expedited cases. However, some people are waiting months.

Thousands of people in Georgia are waiting for their SNAP benefits, which has impacted families on and off for a year now as the Georgia Department of Human Services struggles to process cases within federal guidelines, according to 11Alive.

Deb Etheridge, director of Alaskas Division of Public Assistance, said the state directed the clearing of an old backlog in applications, Anchorage News Daily reported. However, this created a new backlog, and there have been cases of Alaskans waiting as long as 11 months for their benefits to be disbursed.

The states current backlog is about 7,000 applications, and during a discussion on Oct. 31 on Talk of Alaska, Etheridge said the agency is taking steps to streamline the process, reported Alaska Public Media.

Were working right now to develop an online SNAP application which includes an individuals portal so people can just upload their information and apply online, Etheridge said.

State Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, also introduced a proposal to streamline the process. According to Mina, it allows a state to increase the income limit for SNAP eligibility from 130% to 200% of the federal poverty level. It also allows states to remove asset tests.

In August, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) introduced the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act, giving states the option to hire outside contractors to alleviate the workload of employees at SNAP agencies, as previously reported by GOBankingRates.

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Find Out: This Income Is Considered Poverty Level in 2023

In an August statement, the USDAs Food and Nutrition Service noted that there are many reasons for the poor application processing timeliness (APT) rates, including the suspension of certain Quality Control (QC) requirements in response to the pandemic. The FNS said state agencies continue to face staffing and technology issues, but the department is revising its escalation procedures to better reflect the current realities on the ground.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: New Food Stamps Policies Update  3 Proposals To Solve the SNAP Backlog
Christmas Eve is this Sunday, Dec. 24, and if you need to make a last-minute trip to the grocery store to grab something for your holiday gathering, you should have a few options.

While most national grocery store chains will be closed on Christmas Day, almost all will be open on Christmas Eve, though some have adjusted hours.

National grocery chains such as Walmart, Kroger and Publix will close early on Dec. 24. It is best to check with your local store for specific holiday operating hours.

Here's everything you need to know about which grocery stores will be open and closed on Christmas Eve in 2023.

Is Walmart open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, all Walmart stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the company told USA TODAY.

Walmart fundraiser: The 'Walmart Self-Checkout Employee Christmas party' was a joke. Now it's a real fundraiser.

Is Kroger open on Christmas Eve?

All stores in the Kroger family or companies will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve, according to the company.

The Kroger family of stores includes: Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Frys, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Marianos, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pickn Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smiths Food and Drug.

It is best to check with your local store for more specific information about their holiday hours.

Is Costco open on Christmas Eve?

All Costco warehouses will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to the company's website.

Is Sam's Club open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, however all Sam's Club stores will close at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24.

Is Target open on Christmas Eve?

Target stores will be open on Christmas Eve, however most stores will close at 8 p.m.

Store hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local store for more specific information regarding their holiday hours.

Is Trader Joe's open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, all Trader Joe's stores will be open until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

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Is Whole Foods open on Christmas Eve?

Whole Foods stores will be open with limited hours on Christmas Eve, the company told USA TODAY.

It is best to check with your local store for more specific information about their holiday hours.

Is Publix open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, however all stores will close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Is Aldi open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve?

Most Aldi stores will be open on Christmas Eve with limited hours. Check with your local store regarding their holiday hours.

Is Food Lion open on Christmas Eve?

Food Lion stores will be open on Dec. 24, but all stores will close at 6 p.m., the company told USA TODAY.

Will pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, open on Christmas Eve?

Many CVS stores will be open regular hours over the holidays, however some stores may be closed or have reduced hours. Check with your local pharmacy for their specific holiday hours.

All Walgreens locations will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve, the company told USA TODAY.

Grocery stores open on Christmas Eve and their hours

The following grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve. Hours of operation are listed for companies that provided them.

Winn-Dixie: Stores close at 9 p.m.

Meijer: Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sprouts Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lidl: Stores close at 7 p.m.

Giant Eagle: Stores close at 5 p.m.; Pharmacies close at 3 p.m.

Wegman's: Stores close at 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grocery store hours Christmas Eve 2023: Costco, Kroger, Publix open
Working from home with dog

A staff revolt is looming at The Guardian over the newspapers return to the office amid concerns the new policy will give some workers less time to spend with their pets.

Bosses have told staff they must come into the office for a minimum of three days a week from January after many failed to return following the pandemic.

But the mandate has been met with anger by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which has asked members for their views on the issue.

In a survey distributed earlier this month, Guardian staff were asked how much they agreed with various statements about the impact of returning to the office.

These ranged from concerns about the financial impact of commuting, to issues around work-life balance and distractions in the office.

Employees were also asked for their views on how returning to work would impact their personal carbon footprint, while another survey statement read: I will have less time to care for and be with my pet(s).

The NUJ is said to be angry about the working policy and feels staff were not consulted on the changes.

But others hit out at the union, arguing that journalists who were going into work were being let down by their office-shy colleagues.

One source said: Its ridiculous that people arent showing their faces and we have this big, empty office with rows and rows of empty desks. It makes peoples lives a lot harder.

And its absolutely ridiculous for people to even bring up the idea that their pets are going to be the ones that suffer. It just needs a little bit of professionalism.

The NUJ declined to comment.

While the newspaper has asked staff to come in three days a week since the beginning of the year, many have failed to do so. From January, it will become mandatory.

However, The Guardian has been plunged into in-fighting over the policy, with some employees resisting a return.

Changes to the facilities in the newspapers Kings Cross headquarters have also sparked controversy.

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In November, the NUJ called an urgent meeting after bosses said hot food would no longer be served in the canteen.

The backlash forced The Guardian to rethink the plans, but staff remain angry that they will no longer be able to access free barista-made coffee.

A Guardian spokesman said: We always welcome feedback from our staff on our policies, and look forward to hearing the results of the recent survey.

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After months of anticipation, Harvest Health Foods has opened its doors in Holland Township.

HOLLAND TWP.  After months of anticipation, Harvest Health Foods has opened its doors in Holland.

The shop opened to a line of customers Wednesday, Dec. 20, with grand opening plans Jan. 12-13.

Construction at 12683 Greenly St. began in March with a goal to open in late December.

It was a little emotional, said Mitch Nol, who owns the business with his wife Emily. To get here and to have people waiting in the parking lot 30 minutes before we opened, it felt good. We opened the doors at 9 a.m. and had 30 people in the store almost immediately.

The new Harvest Health Foods opened at 12675 Greenly St. in Holland Township on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The new location is the companys largest, topping out around 16,000 square feet. It offers USDA produce, expanded wellness items, a refrigerated section triple the size of Harvests other stores, a freezer section twice as big and a larger beer and wine selection.

The location also includes a smoothie, juice and coffee bar called Henrys Smoothie Bar, in honor of the stores first and second generation owners.

So far, the store has hired over 20 employees, with plans to hire more. The couples says none of it would've been possible without their team, food reps and DCI Construction.

Our staff is amazing, Emily said. For the last couple weeks, we've been pushing to open today and our staff just rose to the occasion. This whole thing has been a team effort and we couldnt have done it without each and every one of our team members.

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Harvest Health opened in Grand Rapids in 1952, shortly after Henry Diedering came to the U.S. from the Netherlands, according to its website. His daughter (and Emily's mother), Cathy, took over in 1991. Her husband, also named Henry, joined the business in 1997 and the couple expanded to a second Grand Rapids location.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this community," Emily said. "It's a dream to be here."

Learn more at harvesthealthfoods.com.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Harvest Health opens to line of customers in Holland Township
Hong Kong's capital market is attracting a wave of financial services providers eyeing opportunities in the wealth management and family offices space even as dozens of home-grown brokerages call it a day.

The city's market regulator has been inundated with applications from financial firms and individuals seeking financial services licences, despite a downturn in the capital market.

In the July to September quarter, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) received 2,017 applications from 1,972 individuals and 45 companies. This was 13 per cent higher from the previous quarter and 6 per cent more than the same quarter last year, the SFC data showed.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

In November alone, the SFC approved 17 new financial firms to set up in Hong Kong to conduct securities trading, asset management and corporate finance.

Oliver Ng, managing partner of Digiwealth Consulting. Photo: Handout alt=Oliver Ng, managing partner of Digiwealth Consulting. Photo: Handout>

"This reflects a structural change in Hong Kong's financial markets," said Oliver Ng, managing partner of Digiwealth Consulting, noting that some small brokers shut down after their owners decided to retire.

At the same time, a lot of newcomers from around the world want to enter Hong Kong to tap emerging opportunities in corporate finance and asset management, he added.

Landmark Family Office is one of the newcomers that launched operations this year, offering wealth management, succession planning and setting up of charities for rich customers.

"We chose Hong Kong as our strategic headquarters after careful consideration," Cameron Harvey, CEO of Landmark Family Office. "We thought about Sydney, Singapore and Dubai, but felt that with Hong Kong being an international financial centre and hosting the largest capital market out of those locations, it was the right ecosystem for Landmark to thrive.

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"When you also consider the supportive government initiatives for family offices, the world-class regulatory regime and ease of doing business in Hong Kong, it only makes sense."

Cameron Harvey, CEO of Landmark Family Office. Photo: Handout alt=Cameron Harvey, CEO of Landmark Family Office. Photo: Handout>

The Hong Kong government has offered a range of incentives since hosting the Wealth for Good summit in March this year. This was followed by a tax break in May, and the launch of an investment migration scheme last week to attract family offices. These initiatives have come after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu set a target of attracting at least 200 family offices by 2025, on top of the nearly 400 firms already here.

Harvey, who has had stints with UBS, BNP Paribas and ANZ, and recently served as managing director of an Asia-Pacific multi-family-office, said Hong Kong is an ideal location to manage clients from Australia, Asia, Europe and the UK.

"The city is a central point from which we can operate most efficiently," he said. After nearly a year of operating in Hong Kong "clients, both existing and new, are now approaching us for advice and help, and we could not be happier".

While new firms are arriving in droves, 30 local brokerages have closed this year, after 49 last year, according to Hong Kong stock exchange data. The number of brokerages trading equities dwindled to 555 as of end-September, 35 fewer from a year earlier.

However, non-exchange-trading financial firms rose to 2,515 at the end of September, 11 more than a year earlier, according to SFC data.

Digiwealth's Ng said the viability of small brokerages is at risk if they only rely on commission from stock trading, pointing to the decline in Hong Kong's market turnover. The average daily trading volume dropped 15.5 per cent year on year to HK$105.56 billion (US$13.53 billion) in the first 11 months.

Ng said the new crop of financial firms offer a more comprehensive set of services other than stock trading, including asset management and corporate finance.

"They are not just here to trade Hong Kong stocks, but these new players want to use Hong Kong as a gateway to help clients invest in mainland China, US and other markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia," he said.

Ng, a local broker and investment banker for 30 years, started his own consulting company after retiring recently to help financial firms set up in Hong Kong.

"I have a lot of customers who want to apply for licences from the SFC for securities trading, asset management and family offices," Ng said. "They are optimistic Hong Kong will attract more international investors to trade here amid efforts by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) to promote international listings."

Under HKEX's outgoing CEO Nicolas Aguzin, the exchange operator set up an office in New York in June, followed by an office in London in September, to promote overseas companies to list in Hong Kong.

Aguzin and chairwoman Laura Cha Shih May-lung also visited Southeast Asia and the Middle East on multiple occasions this year to promote the city's exchange, which led to the first Saudi ETF listing on November 29.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Hyperloop One raised more than $450m and built a test track in the Nevada desert in the hope of cracking a new mode of transport - Virgin.com/PA

A US start-up that hoped to revolutionise public transport using 760-miles-per-hour hyperloop technology is shutting down, a year after Sir Richard Branson pulled his backing from the business.

Hyperloop One, which was trying to commercialise a new form of transport envisioned by billionaire Elon Musk, is planning to sell its assets and wind down its operations, Bloomberg reported.

In 2013, Mr Musk envisioned an alternative to high-speed rail and air travel that would see passengers whisked through vacuum-sealed tunnels in levitating pods. He had claimed the technology would cut the journey time from Los Angeles to San Francisco down to 30 minutes compared to almost six hours by car.

A number of start-ups had attempted to make the theory a reality. Hyperloop One raised more than $450m (353m) in the effort, building a test track in the Nevada desert.

The company was rebranded as Virgin Hyperloop One in 2017. Sir Richards company took a stake in the business and hailed it as an incredibly innovative and exciting new way to move people and things at airline speeds on the ground.

But last year, The Telegraph revealed Virgin was stripping its branding from the hyperloop project and selling its minority stake in the venture.

The company was rebranded as Virgin Hyperloop One in 2017 after Sir Richards company took a stake in the business - Virgin.com/PA Wire

Despite completing a first test of its pod system in 2020 with human passengers, the companys attempts to build hundreds of miles of tubes to connect cities around the world never got beyond its 500 metre test track.

Bloomberg reported that the employment contracts for Hyperloop Ones remaining staff will end on Dec 31. The companys intellectual property will be transferred to Dubai shipping conglomerate DP World, which owns a majority stake in the business.

Engineering experts have repeatedly pointed out the concept suffers from major technical challenges that could prevent the idea ever becoming reality.

Several start-ups still harbour hopes of turning the theoretical technology into a reality. In Europe, Dutch company Hardt Hyperloop raised 12m (10.4m) earlier this year to build a testing facility.

Hyperloop One did not respond to a request for comment.

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SINGAPORE, Dec. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the heart of Singapore's thriving blockchain landscape, ICP.Hub Singapore has emerged as a trailblazer in the Web3.0 revolution. In just four short months since its inception, ICP.Hub Singapore has conducted more than ten impactful events, leaving an indelible mark on the global blockchain stage, with notable appearances at major conferences such as Token 2049 and the Singapore Fintech Festival and ICP Sandbox Ideathon where 17 innovative web3 ideas were presented.

A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

ICP.Hub Singapore's journey is characterized by relentless dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration within the blockchain and Web3 sphere. Serving as a meeting point for diverse communities, entrepreneurs, and developers, it has become a catalyst for groundbreaking projects and technologies. But what truly sets this hub apart is its unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between traditional Web2 and emerging Web3 sectors.

Leap Pay: Leading the Charge

One of the hallmarks of ICP.Hub Singapore is its strategic partnerships. Leap Pay, a regulated entity under Singaporean regulations for Payments and Digital Assets, has stepped into the spotlight as the official regulated payment and digital assets off-ramp gateway for the ICP Hub ecosystem. This partnership represents a crucial step forward for both parties, as it opens up a legal and compliant portal for ICP Hub participants to collaborate with institutions from the Traditional Finance (TradFi) sector.

A Proof of Concept was presented at the Singapore Fintech Festival where Leap Pay's POS system was integrated with the Internet Computer enabling merchants to send and receive payments using the ICP network.

Leap Pay's vision extends beyond the boundaries of conventional digital wallets. They are currently in the development phase of an innovative web3 wallet, designed to transcend the limitations of traditional e-wallets. Unlike its counterparts focused solely on fiat payments, Leap Pay's web3 wallet merges real-world payment functionalities with decentralized technology and a Web3.0-enabled rewards system. This fusion promises to redefine the landscape of digital finance, offering users a secure, transparent, and rewarding financial experience.

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Slash Payment: Ushering in Cross-Chain Payments

But that's not all. ICP.Hub Singapore's partnership endeavors don't stop there. In a significant collaboration, Slash Payment in Japan has joined forces with the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) to upgrade its protocol. This strategic move aims to enhance Slash's decentralized payment capabilities, expanding support beyond EVM-based tokens and enabling seamless cross-chain payments.

Slash Payment's primary focus is on the regulated yet burgeoning Japanese market. With a strong user base and strategic partnerships with key crypto exchanges and payment gateway providers, they are set to spearhead Japan's digital currency transformation.

Conclusion

ICP.Hub Singapore's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. In just a few months, it has become a hub for innovation, collaboration, and transformative partnerships. With Leap Pay revolutionizing digital wallets and Slash Payment pushing the boundaries of cross-chain payments, the future looks incredibly promising for the Web3 ecosystem. As ICP.Hub Singapore continues to lead the way, it reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of blockchain technology, one partnership at a time.

About ICP Hub

ICP.Hub Singapore is an integral part of the ICP Asia Alliance, a collaborative network of hubs and communities across Asia funded with USD 20 mil from Dfinity Foundation. This alliance is dedicated to advancing the Internet Computer ecosystem and fostering innovation in the region. By working in tandem with other hubs within the ICP Asia Alliance, ICP.Hub Singapore amplifies its impact and contributes to the collective effort of bringing Web3 technologies to the forefront of the Asian blockchain landscape. Together, these hubs aim to connect diverse communities, share knowledge, and drive the adoption of Internet Computer and related technologies in the Asian market.

For more details, visit https://internetcomputer.org

About Leap Pay

Leap Pay offers compliant, innovative blockchain-based payment solutions for digital assets. We provide multi-rail solutions to businesses and consumers, from payments to remittances.

Leap Pay is a brand of Legatus Global Pte Ltd., a MAS Payments Services Act company with license exempt status while going through full licensing process under Major Payments Institution.

For more details, visit https://leappay.io

About Slash Fintech

Slash Payment, a non-custodial and decentralized payment gateway, redefines transactions by allowing merchants to seamlessly accept various cryptocurrencies without any intermediaries. Facilitated by Slash's smart contract, each token payment is swapped into the merchant's preferred stablecoin, ensuring instant settlement directly into the merchant's wallet.

For more details, visit https://slash.fi

Cision

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SOURCE ICP Hub
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Ford Motor fair value estimate is US$17.60

Ford Motor's US$12.34 share price signals that it might be 30% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 30% higher than Ford Motor's analyst price target of US$13.58

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) as an investment opportunity 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. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Ford Motor

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 start off with, we need to estimate 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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$3.28b US$4.16b US$5.52b US$6.56b US$7.47b US$8.24b US$8.90b US$9.45b US$9.92b US$10.3b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ 18.82% Est @ 13.84% Est @ 10.35% Est @ 7.91% Est @ 6.20% Est @ 5.01% Est @ 4.17% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 12% US$2.9k US$3.3k US$3.9k US$4.1k US$4.2k US$4.1k US$4.0k US$3.8k US$3.5k US$3.3k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$37b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after 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 2.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$10b (1 + 2.2%)  (12% 2.2%) = US$106b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$106b ( 1 + 12%)10= US$33b

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 US$70b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$12.3, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 30% 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

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. 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 Ford Motor 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 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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 Ford Motor

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Significant insider buying over the past 3 months.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess 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?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Ford Motor, we've compiled three pertinent factors you should further examine:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 3 warning signs for Ford Motor you should be aware of, and 1 of them is a bit concerning. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for F's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. 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 American 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.
When we invest, we're generally looking for stocks that outperform the market average. And the truth is, you can make significant gains if you buy good quality businesses at the right price. For example, long term C.I. Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CIHLDG) shareholders have enjoyed a 73% share price rise over the last half decade, well in excess of the market decline of around 3.0% (not including dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 2.5% in the last year , including dividends .

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 C.I. Holdings Berhad

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. 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 five years of share price growth, C.I. Holdings Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 31% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 12% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems the market isn't so enthusiastic about the stock these days. The reasonably low P/E ratio of 4.64 also suggests market apprehension.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

KLSE:CIHLDG Earnings Per Share Growth December 21st 2023

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, C.I. Holdings Berhad's TSR for the last 5 years was 119%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

C.I. Holdings Berhad provided a TSR of 2.5% over the last twelve months. But that return falls short of the market. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 17% per year for five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. 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. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for C.I. Holdings Berhad you should be aware of.

But note: C.I. Holdings Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

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.
HARRISON  An Iowa company announced Friday that it acquired a data center on a 24.5-acre site in the village of Harrison.

Involta said it "plans to extend the data center footprint to an expandable campus with up to 20 MW of capacity to meet the growing and anticipated demands for colocation, cloud and connectivity services in the emerging tech hub."

The data center, at W6149 Old Highway Road, was previously owned by Kimberly-Clark Corp., according to Chad Pelishek, assistant village manager. Harrison is in both Calumet and Outagamie counties, east of Appleton.

The village is excited for what the future holds related to Involtas investment in the village of Harrison," Pelishek said in an email to The Post-Crescent Friday. "Involtas growth plans align well with the villages growth plans to diversify the local economy and we look forward to long-term relationship with them.

Barb LaMue, president and CEO of New North, the northeastern Wisconsin economic development corporation, also welcomed the company to the area, saying it would stimulate growth across key sectors.

Involta announced Friday that it had acquired a data center on a 24.5-acre site in the village of Harrison.

Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Involta is "a leading, enterprise-class IT infrastructure partner, empowers clients to reimagine their worlds through technology," according to the company's news release.

The Green Bay market is a sought-after region across our portfolio of enterprise clients spanning health care organizations, manufacturers and financial institutions, Bruce Lehrman, founder and vice chairman of the board of directors for Involta, said in the release.

Brandon Yansky, Involta's vice president of new markets, said, "Its our first double-digit data center campus investment, and the New North region is the ideal location to expand our footprint on a very large scale. We are excited to build and strengthen our relationships across the markets in this vibrant area, including Madison and Milwaukee."

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More: Neenah celebrates creation of 3,000 jobs, $45 million in tax base from 2 TIF districts

Involta pointed to the area's moderate temperatures, which will help regulate power demands, as well as "attractive tax incentives and the recent designation by the Biden administration confirming the state as an official U.S. Regional Tech Hub."

The company did not disclose how much the acquisition cost.

Reach Becky Jacobs at bjacobs@gannett.com or 920-993-7117. Follow her on Twitter at @ruthyjacobs.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Involta acquires data center in Green Bay area
President of the Republic of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads as follows:

His Excellency, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu!

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on your birthday.

Under your leadership, the Republic of Azerbaijan is making confident strides in comprehensive development, solidifying its influence on international affairs.

I am confident that strong and ancient relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to develop constantly for the benefit of our peoples and countries.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, taking advantage of this pleasant opportunity, I sincerely wish robust health, happiness and domestic harmony to you, and peace, further progress and prosperity to the fraternal people of Azerbaijan.

Respectfully,

Serdar Berdimuhamedov

President of Turkmenistan
Jaspreet Singh / Jaspreet Singh

Jaspreet Singh is a popular financial personality and the founder of Money Mindset. In a recent YouTube video, Singh offered both philosophical and practical steps for those who are 30 and older and broke.

Im a Self-Made Millionaire: 4 Things To Stop Buying That Are a Waste of Money

Find Out: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

Singh emphasizes that even starting from nothing, you can become a super saver and investor, but you have to focus on two steps. First, you have to understand the emotional side of money, and then you have to comprehend the practical side of money.

Heres how Singh advises those who are over 30 and broke to proceed.

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Understand the Emotional Side of Money

Singh uses a pyramid to highlight the preparation you need to take before you embark on a campaign of saving and investing. As Singh says, you have to be happy with yourself before you have money, otherwise money isnt going to be the answer. To that end, Singh recommends that viewers first get physically fit, then mentally healthy, then spiritually fit. Only at that point can you work on being financially fit.

Physical health is self-explanatory. If your body isnt healthy, you cant really enjoy having wealth. Mental health involves surrounding yourself with people that make you happy and removing toxic influences from your circle. Spiritual fitness refers not to religiosity but to having a purpose in your life. As Singh puts it, whats the reason for you getting out of bed in the morning? What makes you excited? Without something to drive you every day, even wealth wont bring happiness.

At the top of Singhs pyramid is financial fitness. If you hate money or the idea of becoming wealthy, says Singh, you wont become wealthy yourself, because how can you succeed doing something you hate? If you think making money or becoming rich is bad youre not going to want to do that, and therefore you will never successfully hold on to wealth.

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More: 8 Things Poor People Waste Money on That Middle Class and Rich People Do Not

Understanding the Practical Side of Money

Singh says that most people have holes in their boat when rowing to the island of financial security. Unless you figure out how to plug your sinking boat, youll never reach your goal no matter how hard you row. To that end, Singh offers eight practical steps you should take to patch your boat and sail in the right direction.

1. Stop the Financial Bleeding

As the age-old axiom says, you cant get out of a hole if youre still digging it. If you have high-interest credit card debt or payday loans, for example, Singh stresses that you should pay this money back first, as fast as possible. You should not even be thinking of the stock market or other investments yet, according to Singh, if you have high-interest debt.

2. Save Your First $2,000

Singh cites the oft-quoted statistic that the majority of Americans dont have even $1,000 saved for an emergency. Without an emergency fund, its easy to build up debt, as all of your emergency spending ends up on a credit card. Singh suggests doubling that amount to $2,000, with plans on building it even bigger in the future.

3. Stop Spending Your Money

For most people, step No. 3 in Singhs plan will be the hardest. To get ahead financially, Singh suggests you need to go into a spending shutdown. Youll need the discipline to stop going out to expensive dinners with friends, going to the club on weekends, and taking vacations until you get your finances in order.

Singh understands it may be hard to take the criticism from friends who dont understand what youre doing, but as he explains it, you want to actually become wealthy, not look like youre wealthy, and this is an essential step in getting there.

4. Funnel Your Income

An important step in Singhs system is to funnel your income as it comes in so that all of your money goes to the correct place. Using a 75/15/10 system, for example, 10% of your money immediately goes to savings, 15% goes to investments, and you have to learn to live off the remaining 75% of your money.

Once you have enough savings  Singh suggests three to 12 months of income  that 10% funnels to your investments instead, meaning youll be investing 25% of your income. Eventually, the idea is for your investments to generate enough money to finance your lifestyle. At this point, your investments will be creating your wealth for you, and you will no longer be working to make other people rich.

5. Choose Your Investments

As for which investments you should pick, Singh recommends stocks and/or real estate. Singh suggests viewers either pick their own individual stocks or simply own the S&P 500 via a mutual fund or ETF. As the market moves in cycles, view selloffs as opportunities, chances to buy more at lower prices.

On the real estate front, Singh says it brings three benefits: it generates cash flow, its a hard asset that you can physically feel and touch, and it offers tax breaks.

6. Dont Finance Anything Thats Not Putting Money in Your Pocket

Singh is adamant that you shouldnt be borrowing to buy something unless its putting money in your pocket, with the possible exception of your home mortgage. In other words, dont buy things you cant afford. Singh believes in the rule of 5, which says that if you cant buy 5 of a particular item, you cant truly afford it.

7. Earn More Money

One way to increase the amount of money going into your funnels is to generate additional income. Singh suggests that starting a new business can be a good option. As to which business you should start, thats an individual decision based on something that you have passion for, along with the ability to execute.

8. Protect Your Money

Once you have money, Singh stresses that you need to protect it. To this end, youll need to surround yourself with good accounts, tax advisers, lawyers and financial experts. Singh emphasizes that theres a big difference between a good tax adviser and a bad one, so youll have to do your homework and make the right decision.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Jaspreet Singh: What To Do If Youre Over 30 and Broke
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Magna International is CA$156 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Magna International is estimated to be 50% undervalued based on current share price of CA$78.18

The US$97.33 analyst price target for MG is 38% less than our estimate of fair value

Does the December share price for Magna International Inc. (TSE:MG) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Magna International

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate 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.

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 ($, Millions) US$1.17b US$1.88b US$2.36b US$2.56b US$2.70b US$2.82b US$2.93b US$3.02b US$3.11b US$3.18b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x6 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 5.62% Est @ 4.51% Est @ 3.74% Est @ 3.19% Est @ 2.82% Est @ 2.55% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.3% US$1.1k US$1.6k US$1.8k US$1.8k US$1.7k US$1.7k US$1.6k US$1.5k US$1.4k US$1.3k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$15b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after 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 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$3.2b (1 + 1.9%)  (9.3% 1.9%) = US$44b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$44b ( 1 + 9.3%)10= US$18b

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 US$34b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CA$78.2, the company appears quite undervalued at a 50% 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.

TSX:MG Discounted Cash Flow December 22nd 2023

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. 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 Magna International 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 9.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.465. 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 Magna International

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Auto Components industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Auto Components market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Canadian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Canadian market.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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 example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Magna International, there are three fundamental factors you should look at:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Magna International that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for MG's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. 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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the TSX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
To describe the state of his auto shop after the Pawtuxet River flooded after Monday's storm, Keith Harrop, owner of K&D Auto in West Warwick, needed only two words: "total devastation."

K&D Auto was flooded by about 5 feet of water, Harrop said, damaging equipment, personal vehicles and customer vehicles. It's a financial disaster right before the holidays, and he's not alone.

On Wednesday, Gov. Dan McKee issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency for Rhode Island in response to the unnamed storm that caused storm surge, high winds and heavy rainfall on Monday. The day after the storm the Pawtuxet River crested at 13.39 feet, the second-highest level on record after the March 2010 flood.

"Cities and towns across Rhode Island continue to feel the impact of the storm our state experienced earlier this week," McKee said in a news release. "On the day of the storm, I spoke with local leaders and saw firsthand the significant damage caused to communities, homes and businesses. Our team is committed to using any available resource to assist Rhode Islands recovery efforts."

Rain and wind Monday morning may have contributed to a collapsed front and other damage at Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness in East Providence.

What is a Declaration of Disaster?

A Declaration of Disaster is a formal statement that a disaster or emergency exceeds the response or recovery capabilities that the governing entity declaring it has available. It's not uncommon for a state to issue one ahead of an anticipated disaster, such as a hurricane, or to issue one after a storm or similar event that was worse than foreseen.

It's the first step in making help available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster loans.

The declaration can "unlock federal relief should Rhode Island meet certain financial thresholds as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency," according to the governor's office.

Are businesses hoping there will be help?

K&D Auto in West Warwick is filled with water following the storm on Monday, Dec. 18.

For a business like K&D Auto, the help would be a lifeline.

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"We have the forms ready to go," Harrop said. "The problem with this neighborhood, because it's such a well-known floodplain, flood insurance down here is not even an option. That's probably going to be the only kind of financial relief that we have, if FEMA can step in, or another agency."

Harrop said he doesn't like "asking for help or assistance" but the situation hasn't left him a choice.

"This one was quite an event," he said.

A GoFundMe has also been set up for K&D Auto at gofundme.com/f/kd-automotive.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Declaration of Disaster first step in storm recovery assistance
Tempura / Getty Images

Racking up debt this time of year is a risk for just about anyone participating in holiday shopping  and that debt can linger. For example, a recent WalletHub survey found that roughly 25% of Americans still are digging out of debt accrued during the holidays last year.

See: 11 Uncommon Investments That Can Actually Make You a Lot of Money

Find Out: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack

Though anyone who isnt careful can land in debt during the yuletide, it appears that a certain group of people are most likely to do so: older millennial men and young Gen Xers. Another recent survey by CardRates found that men between the ages of 35 to 44 are most likely to incur debt this holiday season.

What can millennial men  and really anyone at risk of building up debt during the holidays  do to avoid this trap? Lets take a look.

Make a Holiday-Specific Budget

A budget for your everyday life is a must, but so is a budget for the holiday season. This will keep you within the boundaries of reasonable spending.

Determine how much you can afford to spend this year, said Maya Sudhakaran, head of growth and acquisition at Plynk. Make a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to, and specify the intended gifts (with respective costs). Seeing a full list with a cost breakdown can minimize the risk of overspending and help ensure that you allocate funds thoughtfully to each person on your list.

Set Financial Goals for 2024 Now

Its likely that youre going to spend more during the holiday months than you would during other times of the year. As you prepare for this increase in expenditures, take a moment to review how youve been managing your finances to date, and get a jumpstart on smart money moves you can deploy in 2024.

Interesting: How Much Is a Gold Bar Worth?

Kickstart your financial goals before the New Year, Sudhakaran said. Start putting action towards your financial goals now. Maybe invest $1 or a few dollars per gift into the same company you bought the present from. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is taking proactive steps towards a future of financial security. Its a gift that gives the opportunity to grow until next years holiday season and beyond.

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Resist Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) has become a go-to move for many consumers. Its so tempting to get a high-ticket item now and just deal with paying for the brunt of it later, or in installments. But taking this route can be a trap, because at its root, BNPL is a form of debt in itself.

BNPL can be convenient, but remember that its still a loan and its still debt, said Tanya Peterson, vice president of brand at Achieve. Most of the time, the purchase amount will be divided into four payments, with the first due when you buy the item, and then the other three every two weeks.

That means youre signing up for a loan in order to pay for something over a six-week period. Payment dates can be hard to manage, given the two-week cycle, and late payments can sometimes bring high interest charges and fees. Consider, honestly, if you can wait and make the purchase when you have the funds, and if BNPL is a positive financial move for you.

Beware of the Im Just Browsing Mentality

Ever go on Amazon or pass through a shopping mall with the approach that youre just browsing? Tread carefully with this behavior. Browsing can easily turn into spending.

Whether online or off, make a plan of what stores youll visit, and what youll shop for at each, Peterson said. When going to a store in-person, go at less-crowded hours. And try to pay in cash, or with a debit card to limit what you can spend.

Generate Extra Cash With a Side Hustle

Its not what everyone wants to hear, but generating more income this time of year can make all the difference if you plan to dish out more money during the holiday rush. This could mean taking on extra work, such as a seasonal side gig.

Its not too late to find a part-time position or create your own position that extends into the new year (to pay for anything you do put on a credit card), Peterson said. This time of year, many people are happy to pay for some help that will give them more time. So you might be able to offer babysitting, pet care, house sitting or yard care service. You may find seasonal positions (beyond a part-time retail job  which can be very well-paying) at a catering business, or food or package delivery service.

Make a Repayment Budget Now

If its impossible for you not to accrue some debt this holiday season, make a plan now for how youll tackle it and bring it down ASAP.

Plan for debt repayments when you rework your 2023 budget to reduce your expenses, said Richard Barrington, a financial analyst for Credit Sesame. Its easy for other expenses to find their way into your budget, but debt repayments should remain a priority. Any sacrifice you make to pay debts down faster is rewarded quickly.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Millennial Men Most Likely To Be in Credit Card Debt After the Holidays: 6 Ways To Avoid the Trap
CHISINAU, Moldova, Dec. 22, 2023 /CNW/ -- Moldova's Parliament has passed the Law on Information Technology Parks (No.77/2016), a new chapter is set to begin for the nation's thriving technology sector. This landmark decision will extend the operational period of Moldova Innovation Technology Park ( MITP.md ) from 10 to 20 years, maintaining the state's guarantee for the 7% single tax until 2035 and affirming Moldova's commitment to fostering a robust IT environment.

Moldova's Parliament Extends Unique Tech Business Enabling Framework and 7% taxation ceiling up to 2035

Since its inception, MITP has been a catalyst for Moldova's burgeoning tech industry reaching 5% of country's GDP. In 2023 alone, MITP witnessed the creation of over 400 new businesses and 1,900 new jobs by its residents, contributing significantly to the national economy. The IT industry in Moldova, marked by the highest salaries in the national economy, is a testament to the sector's vitality, with MITP playing a pivotal role in driving this growth.

The amendment promises to further bolster the Park's ability to attract investment and nurture tech innovation. "The extension is a clear indication of Moldova's dedication to the tech sector. It gives us the stability and confidence to invest and grow our operations here," shares George Teodorescu, Global Head of Risk & Compliance and Regional Director, Mixbook, a MITP resident company representative.

MITP, currently home to over 1,600 IT companies, including over 230 foreign-capital firms, has been instrumental in shaping Moldova into an attractive tech hub. The United States, Romania, and Germany lead the investment chart, with major contributions also coming from other parts of the world.

Natalia Dontu, Administrator of MITP, comments on the amendment, "This is more than a legislative change; it's a strategic move towards reinforcing Moldova as a top destination for high-value-added products and services in the region. It aligns with our vision to foster an innovative ecosystem where every participant plays a crucial role in our collective growth and success."

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This move is expected to generate significant international interest, placing Moldova on the map as a competitive and innovative tech destination. It reflects the country's growing reputation as a hub for tech talent and innovation, poised to make significant contributions to the global IT landscape.

For more information, visit mitp.md and join us in shaping the future of technology in Moldova.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2307079/MITP_md_Extends_Tech_Business.jpg

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SOURCE Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP.md)

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(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk is lashing out at the state of US financial markets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a wide-ranging talk with ARK Investment Managements Cathie Wood Thursday, he bemoaned the high regulatory burden faced by publicly traded companies, the pressure from shareholders that limits efficiency, and how passive investing is stoking volatility.

The complaints add to a litany of grievances Musk has raised over the years about the tradeoffs of tapping public markets to build some of his many ventures. His disdain for the rigidity of US securities laws has sometimes led to trouble with regulators, including a high-profile fight with watchdogs over tweets about Tesla Inc. Musk is also the chief executive of SpaceX, one of the worlds most valuable closely held companies.

Theres a lot of pressure, like immense pressure on a public company to not have a bad quarter. So this can actually result in a less efficient operation where youre going to great lengths at the end of the quarter to not disappoint people, Musk said in a Spaces discussion streamed live on the social-media platform X. The time horizons do not match between investors versus a companys long-term vision.

Musk has tangled in the past with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which he dubbed the Shortseller Enrichment Commission in 2018. That year, the billionaire agreed to pay a $20 million fine to resolve the agencys complaints about tweets suggesting he was taking Tesla private. As part of the deal, he agreed to clear future posts about his firm with an internal monitor, or Twitter sitter.

Musk later bought the social media platform, renaming it X. Earlier this month, he asked the US Supreme Court to consider invalidating that requirement, arguing it violates his free speech.

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Read More: Supreme Court Seeks SEC Response to Musk Social Media Appeal

Musk said keeping SpaceX private has also allowed him to take more appropriate risk compared with Tesla. One benefit of taking Tesla public, however, has been the companys access to capital, he said.

Still, Musk told Wood that he wouldnt recommend that companies go public unless they really have to. Taking Twitter private has allowed him to make dramatic changes at the company without pressure from public investors. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey had long argued that the social media company struggled because of public investors, and encouraged Musk to take it private to help fix its business.

For more on Musk, subscribe to the Elon, Inc. podcast

Wood and Musk also discussed how passive investing has punished stocks that are not in major indexes and unequally rewarded companies that are in key benchmarks. Their comments come as academic critics continue to lament that the passive-investing boom is distorting stock prices and causing extreme market moves.

While Musk praised Vanguard Group Inc. founder Jack Bogle for bringing passive-investing into mainstream finance, he said the money-management trend has gone too far.

The percentage of the market that is passive is simply, is too great at this point. At the end of the day, somebody actually has to make an active decision. The passive investors are riding on the decisions of the active investors, Musk said. You get essentially massive movements of the stock, based on the decisions of maybe four or five active major stock pickers.

Woods flagship ARK Innovation exchange-traded fund (ticker ARKK) is actively managed, and has almost zero overlap with the S&P 500, according to an analysis from Bloomberg Intelligence.Musks Tesla joined the US benchmark roughly three years ago but has lagged since joining.

Wood has long been an a fan of Musk. Tesla is currently the second-largest holding in the ARK Innovation ETF.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 22, 2023 /CNW/ - As 2023 comes to a close, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) highlights key moments that marked the year, from visitor attendance and satisfaction highs to cross-Canada community engagement programming and unprecedented Indigenous staffing. The Gallery also looks ahead to 2024 with a preview of upcoming exhibitions.

National Gallery of Canada Logo (CNW Group/National Gallery of Canada)

Special guests at the Gallery

The Gallery was honoured to welcome U.S. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on March 24 to tour the Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment exhibition, organized by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection with the exceptional support of the NGC, a visit that attracted widespread public attention and social media activity.

A packed opening for the Riopelle retrospective

The Riopelle: Crossroads in Time happening on October 26 marked the Gallery's most attended public opening of 2023, attracting over 2,000 guests to celebrate the Canadian artist's legacy  a number reminiscent of the record-breaking Abadakone exhibition opening in 2019. The opening was part of the Gallery's popular Free Thursday Nights, which are currently supported by the Sobey Art Foundation.

Strong visitor satisfaction, high percentage of new visitors during the summer

A visitor survey conducted by the Gallery between July 1 to September 17, 2023, revealed that visitor satisfaction was at 94% and that 56% of the surveyed visitors were attending the Gallery for the first time. It also showed a growing younger audience: 50% of visitors surveyed were under the age of 35 during that period.

Unprecedented numbers of Inuit and other Indigenous staff at the Gallery

As of December, Indigenous staffing  notably within the Indigenous Ways and Decolonization department (IWD)  is at the highest level in the Gallery's history. Moreover, the IWD team currently includes three Inuit employees: an Associate Curator, a Senior Manager and a Curatorial Assistant  which is unprecedented for the gallery sector in Canada. With the establishment of the Indigenous Ways and Decolonization department in 2022, the Gallery took a bold step in realizing its commitment to centre Indigenous ways of knowing and being in all it does.

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Programming that reached Canadians across the country

The National Gallery of Canada's mandate is to further knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art among all Canadians. In 2023, the Gallery's in-person and digital community engagement programs reached people in every province and territory, in over 150 different geographic communities. Highlights included a virtual talk with 2022 Sobey Art Award shortlisted artist Krystle Silverfox of Whitehorse and Mary Bradshaw, Director of Visual Arts at the Yukon Arts Centre, and an intensive metalworking workshop with Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts 2022 recipient Brigitte Clavette and high school students in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

Emancipation Day with artist Deanna Bowen

On August 1, the Gallery marked Emancipation Day by celebrating the launch of Deanna Bowen's pathbreaking installation, The Black Canadians (after Cooke), and by becoming a signatory to the United Nations Declaration for People of African Descent. The near-full-house Q&A event saw an emotional standing ovation for the artist.

LOOKING AHEAD: 2024 EXHIBITIONS

Kan Azuma: A Matter of Place

March 1  June 16, 2024

This exhibition showcases the photographic works of Kan Azuma (b. 1946, Tokyo, Japan), highlighting the artist's poetic, lyrical and contemplative interpretation of the Canadian landscape. The artworks poignantly visualize Azuma's intimate experiences with the places he travelled to in Canada, the United States and Japan, from the late 1960s until he stopped making photographs in the early 2000s. With a thematic emphasis on the artist's internalized gaze, the show offers a welcoming space for visitors to reflect on their own encounters with their surroundings, in particular those related to migration and the diaspora (the dispersion of people away from their ancestral homeland).

60th International Art Exhibition  La Biennale di Venezia 2024

April 20  November 24, 2024

Canada Pavilion, Venice

Kapwani Kiwanga will represent Canada at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Kiwanga's presentation in Venice will be curated by Gaetane Verna, Executive Director, Wexner Center for the Arts. The exhibitions on view at the Canada Pavilion are commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and produced in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts. The Canadian representation in 2024 is made possible through the National Gallery of Canada Foundation.

Radical Stitch

May 17  October 20, 2024

From the earliest beads crafted from shell and seed, to trade beads and computer pixels, First Nations, Inuit and Metis artists have used beads to tell stories, honour loved ones and celebrate beauty. Techniques and understandings pass from one generation to the next. Ancestors wrapped loved ones in beaded prayers and provided for their families and communities by creating for trade and sale. More recently, many Indigenous people have been learning to bead as a way to culturally reconnect, and as an act of resistance. Artists from across Turtle Island/North America exemplify the most exciting current practices and suggest future directions. Ranging from wearable works, portraiture, installation and video, these artists sew us into relation with one another, connect the past to the present, reflect on personal and communal existence, create new meaning and redefine representation and cultural determinism. Organized and circulated by the Mackenzie Art Gallery.

Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch

June 14  August 18, 2024

Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch is the first retrospective exhibition of the multimedia work of Mohawk artist Shelley Niro, who is based in Brantford, ON. Spanning four decades of photography, film, painting, installation, sculpture and mixed media practice, this major exhibition highlights the themes Niro constantly returns to: Indigenous Matriarchy, Past is Present, Actors and Relations. Niro's persistent vision is to represent Indigenous women and girls, advocating for self-representation and sovereignty. Featuring over 70 works, some in series (totalling 136 pieces) coming from public and private collections across Canada and the US, as well as new work to be debuted in Hamilton. The exhibition also includes close to 20 artworks from the NGC's permanent collection. Organized and circulated by the Art Gallery of Hamilton with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Indian and the curatorial support from the National Gallery of Canada.

Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction

October 25, 2024  March 2, 2025

Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction foregrounds a robust if overlooked strand in art history's modernist narratives by tracing how, when, and why abstract art intersected with woven textiles (and such pre-loom technologies as basketry, knotting and netting) over the past century. With more than 150 works by an international and transhistorical roster of artists, this exhibition reveals how shifting relations among abstract art, fashion, design and craft shaped recurrent aesthetic, cultural and socio-political forces, as they, in turn, were impacted by modernist art forms. Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

About the National Gallery of Canada

Ankose / Everything is Connected / Tout est relie

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) is dedicated to amplifying voices through art and extending the reach and breadth of its collection, exhibitions program, and public activities to represent all Canadians, while centring Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Ankosean Anishinaabemowin word that means "everything is connected"reflects the Gallery's mission to create dynamic experiences that open hearts and minds, and allow for new ways of seeing ourselves, one another, and our diverse histories, through the visual arts. NGC is home to a rich contemporary Indigenous international art collection, as well as important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian and European art from the 14th to the 21st century. Founded in 1880, NGC has played a key role in Canadian culture for more than 140 years. For more information, visit gallery.ca and follow us on X, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. #Ankose #EverythingIsConnected #ToutEstRelie.

SOURCE National Gallery of Canada

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The countrys massive distant-water fishing operation fuels speculation of suspicious activity by a fleet identified for human rights abuses

Oceana Analysis: Chinese Vessels' Apparent Fishing Near the Galapagos

January 1, 2021 - August 31, 2023

Washington, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new Oceana analysis released today shows that Chinas massive distant-water fleet flocks to the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands, then frequently disappears from public view by appearing to disable public tracking devices.

Oceana's analysis shows that, in the area surrounding the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Galapagos, vessels flagged to China primarily fish* for squid. The countrys fishing fleet was identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity and human rights abuses in its 2023 biennial report to U.S. Congress. The United States imported more than $686 million worth of squid from China and Hong Kong over the past five years.

In addition to vessels flagged to China disabling their tracking devices, Oceanas analysis documents Chinas fleet engaging in potential encounter events with other vessels known as transshipment. Transshipment occurs when fishing vessels meet with refrigerated cargo ships at sea to transfer their catch instead of coming into port, which can hide illicit activity by mixing legal and illegal catches. While not illegal, transshipment is often an additional risk factor associated with IUU activity. Crew members can also be exchanged during transshipment events, which is cause for major concern around forced labor practices. The amount of unregulated fishing activity around the Galapagos, and the number of times vessels flagged to China appeared to disable their public tracking devices, far surpassed that of vessels flagged to any other country that appeared to fish in the area.

Oceana analyzed the activity of Chinese-flagged fishing vessels in the EEZ around the Galapagos Islands using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from Global Fishing Watch (GFW),** an independent nonprofit founded by Oceana in partnership with SkyTruth and Google. AIS devices transmit information such as a vessels name, flag state, and location.

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Oceanas analysis of fishing vessel activities between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2023, found that:

A total of 510 fishing vessels flagged to China appeared to fish within 200 nautical miles of the Galapagos border  more than triple the amount of vessels flagged to other nations in the same area. Chinese-flagged vessels made up nearly 75% of vessels in the area during this time.

Vessels flagged to China in this area had 53 instances where they appeared to vanish at sea, or "go dark, from public tracking systems for nearly 27,000 hours near the Galapagos border.

Nearly every vessel flagged to China in this analysis had a potential encounter, or transshipment, event.

One squid jigger flagged to China appeared to participate in multiple encounter events that allowed it to stay out at sea for almost two years, or 637 days. This vessel had 25 potential encounter events with carrier vessels during this period.

Most (94%) of the Chinese fishing vessels were squid jiggers, which accounted for an apparent 134,000 hours of fishing. This concentration of vessels made up nearly 69% of Chinas entire distant-water squid fishing fleet.

Chinas colossal distant-water fleet is monopolizing the worlds oceans. This fleet is emptying the waters surrounding the Galapagos of marine life, disappearing from the public eye, and fueling unregulated fishing practices beyond the horizon, said Oceana Campaign Director Dr. Max Valentine. The United States imports a significant amount of seafood from China, and theres no guarantee that what reaches American plates came from safe and responsibly sourced practices. In fact, theres no guarantee that it was not caught through unscrupulous activities at sea. Chinas intense fishing operations around the world not only raise serious questions about the fleets impact on the oceans, but also on the United States tacit participation in supporting potential human rights violations and IUU fishing activities.

China is by far the worlds largest fishing nation, per a recent Oceana analysis, with a distant-water fleet comprised of more than 11,000 vessels that appeared to fish more than 9.9 million hours worldwide between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2023. The sum of the next four largest fleets (Tawain, South Korea, the United States, and Japan) is still less than the total number of distant-water vessels flagged to China.

Oceana calls on governments like the United States to require expanded transparency at sea and traceability of imported seafood to help verify that seafood is safe, legally caught, responsibly sourced, and honestly labeled.

It is outrageous to think that our country is helping prop up IUU fishing and potential human rights abuses at sea, either explicitly or implicitly, Dr. Valentine said. Its beyond time for the U.S. government to pass stronger legislation so Americans can be confident that our seafood dinner does not come with a side of human rights violations.

Read the report here .

To learn more about Oceanas campaign to increase transparency at sea, please click here.

*Any and all references to "fishing" should be understood in the context of Global Fishing Watch's fishing detection algorithm, which is a best effort to determine "apparent fishing effort" based on vessel speed and direction data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) collected via satellites and terrestrial receivers. As AIS data varies in completeness, accuracy and quality, and the fishing detection algorithm is a statistical estimate of apparent fishing activity, therefore it is possible that some fishing effort is not identified and conversely, that some fishing effort identified is not fishing. For these reasons, GFW qualifies all designations of vessel fishing effort, including synonyms of the term "fishing effort," such as "fishing" or "fishing activity," as "apparent," rather than certain. Any/all GFW information about "apparent fishing effort" should be considered an estimate and must be relied upon solely at your own risk. GFW is taking steps to make sure fishing effort designations are as accurate as possible.

**Global Fishing Watch, a provider of open data for use in this article, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, which are not connected with or sponsored, endorsed or granted official status by Global Fishing Watch. By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, Global Fishing Watch aims to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. Global Fishing Watchs public data was used in the production of this publication.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the worlds wild fish catch. With more than 275 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceanas campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.

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CONTACT: Megan Jordan Oceana mjordan@oceana.org Cory Gunkel Oceana cgunkel@oceana.org




KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) shareholders will doubtless be very grateful to see the share price up 35% in the last quarter. But in truth the last year hasn't been good for the share price. In fact the stock is down 16% in the last year, well below the market return.

With the stock having lost 3.3% in the past week, it's worth taking a look at business performance and seeing if there's any red flags.

View our latest analysis for KeyCorp

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Unhappily, KeyCorp had to report a 44% decline in EPS over the last year. The share price fall of 16% isn't as bad as the reduction in earnings per share. It may have been that the weak EPS was not as bad as some had feared.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of KeyCorp's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of KeyCorp, it has a TSR of -10% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 26% in the last year, KeyCorp shareholders lost 10% (even including dividends). Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 4%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand KeyCorp better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with KeyCorp , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

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.
A person counting money in their living room.

Dividend stocks that trade at cheap valuations can give investors multiple ways to profit from them. In addition to dividend income, you're also potentially setting yourself up for the possibility of profiting from a higher price in the future -- assuming, of course, the business does well. Heading into 2024, there are many good deals for dividend stocks, as many investors were focused on growth stocks this past year.

One underrated dividend stock investors may want to consider investing in is Takeda Pharmaceutical (NYSE: TAK). The Japanese pharma company pays a dividend that yields 4.2% -- close to three times higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.5%. Here's a closer look at why this might be a good income stock to buy right now.

The business could be a stable one to invest in

Takeda Pharmaceutical is one of the top drug companies in the world. Its portfolio contains a broad mix of products in multiple segments, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, neuroscience, oncology, rare genetics and hematology, and vaccines. Its top-selling product, Entyvio, treats Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It generated revenue totaling 391.7 billion Japanese yen ($2.7 billion) over the past six months (up until the end of September) and grew at a rate of 5.8% year over year.

But the company hasn't been a growth machine by any stretch. The positive is that its performance has at least been relatively stable over the past few years.

TAK Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) Chart

For dividend investors, having a broad business that keeps chugging along can be very valuable, as it can provide some much-needed consistency.

The dividend isn't in danger

Another important thing to know about the dividend is that it isn't at risk. Often, with high-yielding dividend stocks, investors may want some assurance and confidence that the dividend is sustainable. In Takeda's case, it is.

Through the first half of fiscal 2023 (Takeda's fiscal year ends in March), the company has generated 291.3 billion yen ($2 billion) from its day-to-day operating activities. And with dividend payments costing the company just under 140 billion yen ($980 million) and its plant, property, and equipment purchases being less than 84 billion yen ($590 million), there's ample room for the company to continue making recurring payments.

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There's also still room for the business to pay down its debt, which was a concern for risk-averse investors. But that has also been improving, and Takeda's debt-to-equity ratio is coming down.

TAK Debt to Equity Ratio Chart

TAK Debt to Equity Ratio data by YCharts

Takeda's valuation is attractive

Share prices of Takeda are down 11% this year, and the stock trades near its 52-week low. There are multiple valuation metrics that highlight the stock's low value. The healthcare stock is trading below its book value, at a price-to-book multiple of less than 0.9. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of less than 12 is also fairly low -- the average healthcare stock trades at a multiple of 20.

Forward P/E can sometimes be a better measure than trailing P/E, which one bad quarter can negatively affect. Forward P/E tells investors what the valuation will be based on analyst projections -- which won't include unexpected one-time expenses. Thus, it can be indicative of its valuation based on a typical year for the business. In Takeda's case, the company reported an impairment charge related to certain products last quarter that resulted in a loss, which is why the stock may look expensive with a trailing P/E of 32.

But overall, there's some good value for the stock, as it definitely looks cheap right now. With a consensus analyst price target of nearly $14 from Wall Street, shares of Takeda could rise by more than 50% in the short term.

Is Takeda Pharmaceutical stock a good option for your portfolio?

Takeda Pharmaceutical can be a good dividend stock to own, especially if you want some exposure to foreign stocks in an effort to diversify. Its yield is above average, and the dividend does appear to be safe. The one underwhelming feature of the stock is that with minimal growth, it hasn't made for a great overall investment -- shares of Takeda are down 13% over the past five years.

If you're looking for a stock to buy and hold for the long term, Takeda could be an excellent option, and given its low valuation, its shares may eventually recover. With a broad and diverse product mix, it can make for a solid healthcare investment to hang on to.

Should you invest $1,000 in Takeda Pharmaceutical right now?

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One Ultra-Cheap High-Yield Dividend Stock to Buy was originally published by The Motley Fool
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads as follows:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your birthday.

Under your leadership, fraternal Azerbaijan continues to progress confidently on the path of social and economic development, playing an increasingly significant role in regional and international affairs.

I believe that the Republic of Azerbaijan, guided by your political vision, will achieve new heights in its journey towards building a powerful and thriving nation.

Using this opportunity, I would also like to congratulate you and, through you, all the residents of your country on the occasion of the New Year 2024.

The beginning of the upcoming year holds special importance for Azerbaijani society, as it will be marked by the notable event of presidential elections. I extend my sincere wishes on the successful organization of this crucial political event.

The year 2023, now becoming history, was remarkable for several important events in Tajikistan-Azerbaijan relations, which are based on traditions of strong friendship, mutual respect and support. I would like to mention your state visit to Tajikistan among these events. I highly appreciate your ongoing special attention to the consistent strengthening of relations of friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples.

I would be pleased to continue the trust-based dialogue between the two countries in line with the fundamental interests of our peoples.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I wish you and your loved ones robust health, happiness and continued great success in your responsible activities as the head of state, and the fraternal people of Azerbaijan peace, tranquility and sustainable progress.

Sincerely,

Emomali Rahmon

President of the Republic of Tajikistan
(Reuters) - OpenAI is in early talks to raise a fresh round of funding at a valuation at or above $100 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The terms, valuation and timing of the funding round have not yet been finalized and could still change, the report said.

OpenAI has also held discussions to raise funding for a new chip venture with Abu Dhabi-based G42, according to the report.

It is unclear if the chip venture and wider company funding were related, the report said, adding that OpenAI has discussed raising between $8 billion and $10 billion from G42.

OpenAI is set to complete a separate tender offer led by Thrive Capital in early January, which would allow employees to sell shares at a valuation of $86 billion, according to the report.

Microsoft has committed to invest over $10 billion in OpenAI, which kicked off the generative artificial intelligence craze in November 2022 by releasing ChatGPT.

Microsoft said it had nothing to share when contacted by Reuters. OpenAI did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

ChatGPT, a chatbot which can generate human-like responses based on user prompts, has helped AI's popularity and fueled a meteoric rise in the valuation of San Francisco-based OpenAI. The company has previously made a $300 million share sale at a valuation of $30 billion.

In late November, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Microsoft would take a non-voting, observer position on the company's board.

OpenAI had ousted Altman on Nov. 17 without any detailed cause, setting off alarm bells among investors and employees. He was reinstated four days later with the promise of a new board.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Leslie Adler)
Key Insights

Phoenix Spree Deutschland's significant individual investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

47% of the business is held by the top 25 shareholders

Institutions own 31% of Phoenix Spree Deutschland

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited (LON:PSDL), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 50% to be precise, is individual investors. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And institutions on the other hand have a 31% ownership in the company. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Phoenix Spree Deutschland.

See our latest analysis for Phoenix Spree Deutschland

LSE:PSDL Ownership Breakdown December 22nd 2023

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Phoenix Spree Deutschland?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Phoenix Spree Deutschland does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Phoenix Spree Deutschland's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Story continues

LSE:PSDL Earnings and Revenue Growth December 22nd 2023

It looks like hedge funds own 16% of Phoenix Spree Deutschland shares. That's interesting, because hedge funds can be quite active and activist. Many look for medium term catalysts that will drive the share price higher. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is currently the largest shareholder, with 19% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 16% and 2.7%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

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 Phoenix Spree Deutschland

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Phoenix Spree Deutschland Limited in their own names. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. It seems the board members have no more than UK21k worth of shares in the UK152m company. 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 50% of Phoenix Spree Deutschland. This size of ownership gives investors from the general public some collective power. They can and probably do influence decisions on executive compensation, dividend policies and proposed business acquisitions.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 3.5%, of the company's shares. 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:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Phoenix Spree Deutschland has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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.
Renters are finally catching a break: With rents across the country on the decline, is now a better time to rent or buy a home  plus how to get ahead in the race to build wealth either way

With homeownership far out of reach for many American households, the trickle-down effect of the pandemic construction boom is helping contribute to a much-needed reprieve for renters.

November saw the median asking rent dip 2.1% year-over-year to $1,967  marking the biggest annual drop since February 2020, Redfin reports.

Dont miss

Renters are finally catching a break. Better deals are easier to come by because landlords are doling out concessions and rents have started falling in a meaningful way, said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather in the report.

With homeownership so expensive, renting has started to lose its stigma.

Why rent prices are cooling down

A recent surge in apartment construction has added to the supply of existing rentals and left landlords scrambling to fill vacancies.

The number of completed apartments across the country climbed 7% year over year in the third quarter to 1.2 million, one of the highest levels in the last 30 years, reports Redfin.

The excess in supply has meant the rental vacancy rate has also risen to 6.6%. Renters now have more options to choose from, which has led some landlords to slash their asking prices, or offer signing incentives, like free rent for the first month or reduced parking costs.

That said, although asking rent prices might be falling, theyre still about 22% higher than they were in November 2019, prior to the pandemic housing boom, Redfin notes. And theyre only 4.2% below the $2,054 peak reached in August 2022.

Read more: Owning real estate for passive income is one of the biggest myths in investing  but here's how you can actually make it work

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Is it cheaper to buy or rent?

In a time when even wealthier households are opting to rent instead of buy, you might be wondering whether the dream of homeownership is over for you too.

Jeseo Park, economist at Bank of America, wrote in a recent research note that although the costs of rent and homeownership might take up more of your income than they used to, renting is still more affordable than buying a home today, according to a report from Yahoo! Finance.

Across the country, Park says rents have lifted from 23% to 26% of the median U.S. household income, while the ratio of mortgage payments to income has accelerated from 19% to 32%.

Overall, the data clearly point to a housing market that has become more burdensome on the average buyer than pre-pandemic, and it may take some time to return to a new supply and demand equilibrium, Park wrote.

However, homeownership could become more affordable next year, experts say.

The fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage has already tumbled below 7% once more and Redfin forecasts new listings could increase next year as well.

You have other options when it comes to investing in real estate

But waiting until the market cools enough to dip your toe isnt the only way to get into real estate.

These days, there are countless opportunities for eager investors. Take prime commercial real estate, for example, which has outperformed the S&P 500 over 25 years. Some platforms even allow accredited investors to own shares in institutional-quality properties leased by brands such as CVS and Walmart.

Or you could look into a real estate investment trust (REIT), which is an entity that allows you to earn returns from multiple properties at a time without owning them yourself. Theyre similar to a mutual fund, except REITs own and operate properties that produce income, such as apartment buildings and shopping malls.

Youve got several options available to you even while you rent  plus, investing now could pay dividends for when the homebuying market does feel within reach.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad's (KLSE:AIRPORT) returns on capital, so let's have a look.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.12 = RM1.9b  (RM20b - RM3.1b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023).

Therefore, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has an ROCE of 12%. That's a pretty standard return and it's in line with the industry average of 12%.

See our latest analysis for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

KLSE:AIRPORT Return on Capital Employed December 22nd 2023

In the above chart we have measured Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad here for free.

The Trend Of ROCE

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad has not disappointed with their ROCE growth. The figures show that over the last five years, ROCE has grown 135% whilst employing roughly the same amount of capital. So it's likely that the business is now reaping the full benefits of its past investments, since the capital employed hasn't changed considerably. It's worth looking deeper into this though because while it's great that the business is more efficient, it might also mean that going forward the areas to invest internally for the organic growth are lacking.

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The Key Takeaway

As discussed above, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad appears to be getting more proficient at generating returns since capital employed has remained flat but earnings (before interest and tax) are up. Since the total return from the stock has been almost flat over the last five years, there might be an opportunity here if the valuation looks good. So researching this company further and determining whether or not these trends will continue seems justified.

Before jumping to any conclusions though, we need to know what value we're getting for the current share price. That's where you can check out our FREE intrinsic value estimation that compares the share price and estimated value.

While Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list 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.
NEW YORK  Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Manhattan on Thursday, less than a week after he was socked with a $148 million damage award for defaming two Atlanta election workers.

Giuliani listed debts as high as $500 million and between $1 million and $10 million in assets in bankruptcy papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court. Last weeks mammoth judgment came after a Washington, D.C., judge determined his campaign of lies against Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, accusing them of fraud, provoked a deluge of vicious and life-altering threats.

Giuliani addressed the filing on his WABC broadcast Thursday.

I think you probably know, today I did something that, of course, I would rather not do, he said.

No one really wants to do this, but I believe it was the responsible and only thing to do  which was to declare bankruptcy.

In a statement, Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman said, The filing should be a surprise to no one.

No person could have reasonably believed that Mayor Giuliani would be able to pay such a high punitive amount, Goodman said. Chapter 11 will afford Mayor Giuliani the opportunity and time to pursue an appeal while providing transparency for his finances under the supervision of the bankruptcy court to ensure all creditors are treated equally and fairly throughout the process.

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell, who presided over Giulianis recent damages trial, ruled Wednesday that Freeman and Moss could immediately start to collect the eye-popping award.

In the latest order against Giuliani, the judge said the mother-daughter election workers dont have to wait for the standard 30 days to go after the cash-strapped ex-mayors assets to satisfy the judgment.

Giuliani has never denied that he has taken steps to hide his assets from judgment creditors, and has offered no affirmative pledge that he will take no steps to do so, Howell wrote.

The judge excoriated Giuliani for brazenly ignoring her previous orders to provide evidence of his financial condition to back up his claims that hes practically broke. Howell noted Giuliani had simply ignored her orders without making any excuse.

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On Monday, Freeman and Moss filed a fresh defamation lawsuit after Giuliani remarkably doubled down on claims they had improperly tampered with ballots in the 2020 Atlanta vote count after the jury awarded the head-spinning damages. Theyre also asking Howell to order Giuliani to stop slandering them, possibly leading to further punishment if he keeps crossing the line.

The suit points to Giulianis inexplicable claim outside court during the trial itself that he never lied about the women, even though he had stipulated to doing just that in legal papers. That drew a rebuke from Howell, who warned him he had likely defamed them again.

Giulianis bankruptcy bid may buy him some time to deal with the stack of lawsuits he faces by temporarily pausing them, but it is unlikely to save him from forking over what cash he has to Freeman and Moss. Thats because damages incurred by intentional torts like Giulianis smears of the election workers are not covered by bankruptcy protection.

Submerged in legal debt, Giuliani put his opulent East Side co-op apartment on the market this summer, recently slashing the asking price by $400,000, hoping to score $6.1 million for the Park Avenue pad.

The defamation suit is just one of many criminal and costly civil cases facing the 79-year-old once known as Americas mayor, including 13 felony counts in Georgia accusing him of plotting to subvert the states 2020 election results with Trump and 17 others. Hes pleaded not guilty in that case. Hes also racked up legal fees in the fight to keep his law license.

Among the creditors Giuliani recorded in his bankruptcy papers Thursday, along with Freeman and Moss, is President Joe Bidens son, Hunter, who is suing him for hacking his laptop, which Giuliani contests. He also listed about $1 million owed to the IRS and New York tax authorities and damages demanded by Noelle Dunphy, a former assistant suing him in Manhattan for sexual assault, harassment and unpaid wages, allegations he denies.

The list also includes Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems, both suing him for defamation, law firms that have represented him, and Daniel Gill, a former Staten Island ShopRite worker who spent a night in jail and lost his job after Giuliani falsely accused him of assault. Giuliani, facing possible disbarment, is representing himself in that case.

Reacting to Thursdays filing, Gills lawyer, Ron Kuby, told the New York Daily News, Rudys not just morally bankrupt, said Kuby. But financially bankrupt as well.

_____
A house under construction in southwest Oklahoma City.

Ready, set, build  eventually.

Rules are set now for the $215 million Oklahoma Housing Stability Program created by the Legislature earlier this year to build homes for sale, homes and apartments for rent, and to provide homebuyers with down-payment and closing-cost assistance.

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency trustees approved emergency rules and applications for the program on Wednesday. If approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt, the agency will start accepting applications within 90 days.

"This is the largest allocation of state-appropriated funds ever designated for housing development," said Deborah Jenkins, the agency's executive director. "We are eager to see the increased development of both for-sale and rental homes the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program will bring."

Abegail Cave with the governor's office said Stitt had received the rules, but she did not have a timeline for when or if he would sign them. He has 45 days from the day they were received.

"We are optimistic that the governor will sign the emergency rules. Based on feedback from the authors of the bill, Gov. Stitt provided input when the bill was being drafted," agency spokesman Holley Mangham said.

RELATED: Lower mortgage rates should breathe life into OKC's dispirited home sales, but not yet

What are the basics of $215 million Oklahoma Housing Stability Program?

According to the rules:

Housing developers can apply for zero-interest loans to build rental properties and new homes, but they must be repaid within two years or face interest charges.

Prospective homeowners who make less than $150,000 a year can apply for down-payment and closing-cost assistance. They will not have to repay the funds if they live in the home for three years.

Affordability guided by home size in Oklahoma Housing Affordability Program

The homes are intended to be "affordable," and must be between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet in size, Mangham said, but there are no income limits for buyers unless they use the agency's Down Payment Assistance Program.

Story continues

"As far as home affordability ... there arent price limits per se, but the goal is that the 1,000-2,000-square-foot (requirement) will encourage construction of homes for more entry-level buyers," she said.

RELATED: Could more affordable housing be on the way as part of $215M program in Oklahoma?

Developer says Gov. Kevin Stitt needs to approve Oklahoma Housing Stability Program sooner rather than later

A home for lease in Duncan's Highland Trails addition, an affordable housing project by LW Development in Ardmore.

"I'm hoping the governor signs their emergency rules so they can start making awards early next year for construction to start on several housing projects in the spring. As a renewable resource for housing, we'll get the most out of it if we start using it now," said Lance Windel, owner of LW Development, based in Ardmore.

Windel said he was "pretty involved" in the monthlong process of developing the program rules, along with others in the housing business who gave input and participated in Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency public input sessions. He develops and builds affordable housing across Oklahoma.

"OHFA did an excellent job of outreach across the state seeking input on their rules and the best way to allocate the funds," Windel said. "Just like other good housing programs, I expect there to be tweaks over time that really help maximize the amount of housing the state can get out of the program."

What does the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors think of the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program?

Aerial view of North Pointe Townhomes, 11800 N Western Ave., a tax exempt bond-financed development of 184 apartments by Ardmore-based LW Development.

The Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors, which participated in development of the rules, had a mixed reaction.

"While we are excited to see attention and funding put toward the development of housing for Oklahomans, we would have liked to see urban areas receive more than 25% of the allocation," said Anya Mashaney, a member of the association board and owner of Spaces Real Estate in OKC.

In response, Mangham said, "The intention of the authors of the bill, as argued on both houses of the state Legislature, is to create additional housing opportunities across the state, particularly in rural Oklahoma."

Mashaney said the program "is a start toward solving our statewide affordable housing crisis, but we believe the $215 million will be spent quickly, and we hope there will be additional funding programs to bridge the gap and help provide accessible housing for all.

RELATED: Legal aid help for renters facing eviction in Oklahoma City is working and being expanded

What does the Oklahoma Association of Realtors think of the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program?

A rental home under construction in northwest Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma Association of Realtors, which also participated in developing the rules, had a more positive assessment, and was glad to see rural Oklahoma get more attention.

State Realtors are proud to help increase the state housing supply, and glad to have help give Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency input, said Will Gattenby, chief operating officer and interim CEO.

"Recently, a study commissioned by the National Association of Realtors found that America has an issue of an 'underbuilding gap' of more than 5.5 million homes across the U.S. since 2001," he said. "Anything we can do to help close that gap and provide more housing opportunity to Oklahomans is a win, and this program is a great first step, especially in rural communities around the state."

Gattenby added, "We are hopeful that the success of this program will demonstrate the need and ability to help solve housing issues in Oklahoma, and hopefully in the future, we can continue to address those issue in even more urban and suburban communities, as well."

SIGN UP: Weekly e-newsletter, Real Estate With Richard Mize

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize. You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 12 months of subscriber-only access for $1 a month.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Housing Stability Program rules set; when will Stitt OK them?
SATO Oyj

SATO Corporation, Press release 22 December 2023 at 10:50 am

SATO Corporation has signed in total EUR 175 million term loan facility agreements linked to its sustainability targets together with two relationship banks. The loans are secured and have maturities of three years with two one-year extension options.



The loans will be used for the refinancing of the companys existing indebtedness as well as for the groups general financing needs. The margins of the credit facilities are linked to SATOs key sustainability targets.

For more information, please contact:

Markku Honkasalo, CFO, phone: +358 201 134 4226

www.sato.fi/en

SATO Corporation is an expert in sustainable rental housing and one of Finlands largest rental housing providers. SATO owns around 25,000 rental homes in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Tampere and Turku.

SATO aims to provide an excellent customer experience and a comprehensive range of urban rental housing alternatives with good access to public transport and services. We promote sustainable development and work in open interaction with our stakeholders. SATO invests profitably, sustainably and with a long-term view. We increase the value of our assets through investments, divestments and repairs.

In 2022, SATO Groups net sales totalled EUR 291.2 million, operating profit EUR 198.9 million and profit before taxes EUR 151.9 million. The value of SATOs investment properties is around EUR 5 billion. www.sato.fi




(Bloomberg) -- Global shippers of crude and fuels are grappling with a spike in booking costs for some tankers taking lengthy diversions to avoid disruptions at the Suez and Panama canals.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chartering costs for a so-called Suezmax, the largest class of oil tanker that can pass through the Suez Canal with its tanks full, soared as more ships opted to sail around Africa to avoid attacks in the Red Sea. They can carry 1 million barrels of oil when fully laden, and are often used to transport crude from Russia or the Mediterranean Sea to Asia, or from the Middle East to Europe.

Rates for another class of ships known as long-range tankers also jumped. They can move about 600,000 barrels of oil, and are used to carry crude and fuels such as diesel and naphtha through the Suez and Panama canals. LR-tankers, sometimes referred to as Panamaxes, have also been impacted by diversions from the Panama Canal, where record-low water levels have contributed to a snarl.

In recent weeks, attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea have caused panic across the shipping industry, with everything from oil to container vessels targeted as the Israel-Hamas war spreads across the region. The market for vessels purpose-built for the Suez Canal, as well as smaller ships, is being upended as more tankers get stuck on longer voyages, crimping their availability, while its business-as-usual for supertankers that dont use any canals or shortcuts due to their large size.

This week, provisional chartering rates for a Suezmax tanker to move oil from Iraq to the Mediterranean rose above 90 worldscale points, said shipbrokers. Thats a sharp jump from between 75 to 85 points in provisional bookings made earlier in the week. These points represent a percentage of a fixed, pre-determined rate for a given route, and tend to fluctuate according to supply and demand dynamics.

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Rates for LR-ships from the Middle East to Northwest Europe also jumped to the highest since January, according to Baltic Exchange data.

Read More: Ship Insurance for Red Sea Transit Soars as Attacks Persist

A steep decline in the number of tankers entering a vital Red Sea conduit suggests that attacks on ships in the area are already disrupting trade flows.

So far this week, only about 30 tankers, including crude oil and fuel carriers, have entered the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which lies at the seas southern end, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Thats equivalent to a drop of more than 40% versus the daily average over the previous three weeks.

(Updates with vessel traffic information in final two paragraphs)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Wendell Roelf

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Shipping companies sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks on the Red Sea face tough choices over where to refuel and restock, as African ports struggle with red tape, congestion and poor facilities, companies and analysts say.

Hundreds of large vessels are rerouting around the southern tip of Africa, a longer route adding 10-14 days of travel, to escape drone and missile attacks by Yemeni Houthis that have pushed up oil prices and freight rates.

The attacks by Iranian-backed militants have disrupted international trade through the Suez Canal, the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, which accounts for about a sixth of global traffic.

South Africa's major ports, including Durban, one of Africa's largest in terms of container volumes handled, as well as Cape Town and Ngqura ports are among the worst performing globally, a World Bank 2022 index released in May found.

"Even the state that Durban is in now, it is still the most advanced and largest port in Africa, so ships rerouting around the continent have very limited choices for berthing for replenishment," Alessio Lencioni, a logistics and supply chain consultant told Reuters.

Other large African deep-water ports along the Cape route, such as Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania are too ill-equipped to handle the expected traffic over the next couple of weeks, Lencioni said.

Maersk said vessels routed around the Cape will as far as possible try to fuel at origin or destination.

"In case there is a need for bunkering en route, it would be decided on a case by case basis with Walvis Bay (Namibia) or Port Louis (Mauritius) being the top options," a spokesperson said.

CAPE OF STORMS

Rough weather with high seas, common at the 'Cape of Storms' as well as the cyclone-prone Mozambique Channel, mean ships could burn through their fuel quicker, making refuelling services crucial, shippers said.

Story continues

"In Singapore, were delivering larger bunker volumes to vessels that will now be sailing longer voyages," a spokesperson for TFG Marine, a unit of energy trader Trafigura, said.

Bureaucracy is a concern. In September, South Africa's national revenue service detained five bunkering vessels in Algoa Bay on suspicion of contravening the Customs and Excise Act. BP, Trafigura and Mercuria have all been hit by suspensions pending audits.

Since South Africa's first ship-to-ship offshore bunkering started in Algoa Bay in 2016, there has been a sharp rise in fuel volumes and vessels using it.

A spokesperson for Heron Marine, the TFG Marine affiliate operating in Algoa Bay, said the company is working with customers to manage their bunkering requirements. Mercuria and BP did not immediately respond to questions.

In anticipation of more marine fuel being needed, imports are expected to rise to around 230 kilotonnes in December, analysts say.

"South Africa is expecting a record high of fuel oil imports for December," because of demand for refuelling linked to the Houthi crisis, Younes Azzouzi, market analyst at data and analytics specialist Kpler said.

(additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in London; Editing by Tim Cocks and Barbara Lewis)
(Bloomberg) -- Ansys Inc., an engineering software provider, is weighing options, including a sale, after getting takeover interest, according to people familiar with the matter. The stock rose as much as 20%.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-based company is working with advisers, said the people, who asked to not be identified discussing private information. No final decision has been made and Ansys could opt to remain independent, the people added.

M&A rumors are not uncommon in our industry, and its our longstanding policy not to comment on them, a spokesperson for Ansys said in an emailed statement.

Ansys makes simulation software used by engineers to help predict how products from rockets to airplanes will work in the real world. Engineers use its structural analysis software before a project to cut manufacturing costs, reduce risk and bring products to market faster, according to its website. The company, founded in 1970, has long been seen as a logical target for bigger players. Its software is used by companies in the aerospace, automotive and industrial industries.

Read more: Ansys Software Helps Design Djokovics Rackets to Baby Bottles

Ansys rose 16% to $350.53 at 9:32 a.m. in New York trading Friday, giving the company a market value of $31 billion. The stock has returned an average of 18% annually since the company went public in 1996, double the return of the S&P 500.

Ansys on Dec. 4 said Chief Financial Officer Nicole Anasenes would depart in the second quarter, surprising analysts and sending the stock lower.

(Updates trading in first and fifth paragraphs)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Asim Aliyev

The Western Azerbaijan Community has made an appeal. In its address, the Community condemns the statement of the European Union of December 21, 2023, on Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

It was stated that the EU, which turned a blind eye to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and ignored various appeals of the West Azerbaijan community, expressed "concern" about several individuals in Azerbaijan, which is a manifestation of prejudice and double standards.

The appeal also says that manipulation and politicisation of human rights have become the EU's way of thinking. For some reason, arrogant officials like Josep Borell, deputies with a crusader mentality sitting in the European Parliament, believe that the world revolves around Brussels, the EU.

''The EU should stop interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, deal with Islamophobia, suppression of ethnic minorities, and other fundamental problems in the EU area from France, the Netherlands, to Lithuania, and instead of building a military base in Armenia, demand that it allow Western Azerbaijanis to return to their homeland.''
Stablecoin Issuer Circle Obtains Conditional DASP Registration in France

Stablecoin issuer Circle has obtained conditional registration as a digital asset service provider (DASP) from France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF), positioning itself to benefit from the country's efforts to attract crypto companies seeking regulatory clarity.

To fully operate in France, Circle requires an electronic money institution license, which it has already applied for. The company's dollar-pegged USDC is the second-largest stablecoin by market capitalization, trailing only Tether's USDT. Circle also issues a euro-pegged coin, EURC.

France has been actively encouraging crypto companies to establish a presence within its borders, offering a regulatory environment that contrasts with the uncertainty in the United States. The European Union's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation, which will come into effect next year, provides a harmonized regulatory framework for crypto assets across the bloc's 27 member states.

Jeremy Allaire, co-founder, CEO and Chairman at Circle, said:

For over a decade, Circle has embraced a regulatory-first approach in advancing the use of blockchain technology and full-reserve payment stablecoins to empower businesses, promote financial inclusion and drive internet-speed global payments. The issuance of this conditional DASP registration in France marks a significant early milestone as we work towards establishing our European regulatory platform.

To lead its licensed operations in France, Circle has appointed Coralie Billmann, who previously held leadership positions at JPMorgan and PayPal. Allaire stated that Billmanns experience and leadership will be instrumental in Circles expansion in France.

Circle's move to France reflects the growing importance of regulatory clarity for crypto companies. The company's registration as a DASP demonstrates its commitment to operating in compliance with local regulations and underscores France's attractiveness as a crypto hub within the European Union.

Let us know what you loved about this article, what could be improved, or share any other feedback by filling out this short form.
In March, Stellantis idled its plant in Belvidere, Illinois, as part of a transition from internal combustion to EVs. At the time, CEO Brad Tavares said Stellantis needed to "adapt to this new world," and some 1,350 workers were laid off indefinitely.

Well, about seven days before Christmas, some 165 Stellantis employees came back to work. This week, the workers returned to full-time positions, supporting operations for the company's parts and service division, Mopar.

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Some 115 employees are already processing parts for dealer distribution at a Belvidere warehouse. The remainder are being trained at Stellantis' Chicago Parts Distribution Center in Naperville, Illinois, but they will be back on the job next week.

The move is part of the automaker's new deal with the UAW following a six-week standoff that saw more than 14,000 workers walk off the job. During negotiations, Stellantis made big commitments in Belvidere, including a new battery plant joint venture, a Mopar Mega Hub and resuming production at the idled plant. The deal represents a nearly $5 billion investment, just in Belvidere, by Stellantis.

The carmaker also agreed to eliminate the wage tier between Mopar employees and their assembly plant counterparts, making it easier to transition from a position in a manufacturing facility to one in a parts distribution center.

In a statement, Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO, said the company always aimed to find full-time employment opportunities for the Belvidere workforce. He said, "This is a great first step in our plans to restore operations in this community and provide meaningful, high-paying jobs with excellent benefits for those who are still on layoff and, eventually, for many who want to return home."




Laid off when Stellantis idled the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois in February, nearly 165 workers were back on the job this week as the automakers first hires for a new parts distribution center, part of a broader plan to restart a facility that once employed thousands.

About 115 of the workers are already processing parts at a warehouse near the auto plant, while another 50 are completing training at the Stellantis parts distribution center in Naperville before joining their colleagues in Belvidere next week, the automaker said.

It has always been our goal to find full-time employment opportunities for the Belvidere workforce, Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO, said in a news release Thursday. This is a great first step in our plans to restore operations in this community and provide meaningful, high-paying jobs with excellent benefits for those who are still on layoff and, eventually, for many who want to return home.

Stellantis laid off the last 1,200 workers at the plant after halting production of the Jeep Cherokee amid dwindling sales 10 months ago. As part of a new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers, Stellantis committed to investing nearly $5 billion to retool the plant for production of a new midsize truck, build an adjacent electric vehicle battery plant and create a megahub parts distribution center.

The UAW ratified four-year labor agreements with Stellantis, General Motors and Ford in November following a six-week strike against the Big Three automakers.

The agreement with Stellantis includes a 25% increase in base wages, cost of living adjustments and the right to strike over plant closures, mirroring similar deals struck by Ford and General Motors. But the Stellantis agreement made restarting the 60-year-old plant a centerpiece of negotiations, with the promise of hiring back thousands of workers to Belvidere.

While the assembly and battery plants have yet to break ground, Stellantis reached out to the laid-off assembly workers several weeks ago to fill 270 parts distribution jobs, according to Matt Frantzen, head of UAW Local 1268 in Belvidere.

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Its a good opportunity for them, Frantzen said. They can get in, build up some money and then some weeks work toward next years vacation allotment.

The UAW agreement eliminated the wage tier between assembly and parts distribution workers, meaning the former Belvidere plant employees will actually make more money picking and packing parts than they did building cars under the new deal, Frantzen said.

Stellantis will invest $100 million to create the megahub parts distribution center at Belvidere through the consolidation of facilities in Chicago, Milwaukee and Marysville, Michigan. The 30-year-old Stellantis parts distribution center in Naperville will be closed and its operations folded into the new facility.

The plan for Belvidere also includes investing $1.5 billion in the idled auto plant to build up to 100,000 units of an all-new midsize truck beginning in 2027, which could put about 2,500 workers on the assembly line, according to the UAW.

In addition, Stellantis will invest $3.2 billion in an adjacent EV battery plant that will create a projected 1,300 jobs, according to the UAW. The plant is slated to launch in 2028 as a joint venture with a business partner yet to be identified.

The state put together a number of incentive packages to get Stellantis to bring production back to Belvidere, details of which have yet to be released.

The elements of the incentive package are still being finalized, said Eliza Glezer,a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

In November, President Joe Biden came to Belvidere to celebrate the restarting of the idled Stellantis plant and tout his role in supporting the UAW during the strike negotiations. He called the plant the beating heart of Belvidere.

The auto plant has certainly been the economic engine of the small river city near Rockford for nearly six decades.

The Belvidere plant opened under the Chrysler banner in 1965, with a white Plymouth Fury II sedan the first vehicle to roll off the line. Over the years, the plant was retooled several times, and made everything from the Dodge Neon to the Chrysler New Yorker. Italian automaker Fiat acquired a majority stake in Chrysler in 2009, and completed the acquisition in 2014, breathing new life into the plant and the community.

In 2017, Belvidere became the exclusive home for the Jeep Cherokee, with more than 5,000 workers on three shifts building the SUV at its peak. But demand for the plants sole product waned, and downsizing accelerated under new owner Stellantis, which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot of France in January 2021.

Stellantis indefinitely idled the plant and laid off the last 1,200 workers in February. More than 1,000 remain in town, Frantzen said, meaning about 730 are still waiting for their opportunity to get back to work.

While Frantzen welcomed the first hires for the parts distribution center, there is still a long way to go before the dormant auto plant once again becomes the nexus of economic activity in Boone County.

It still wont feel comfortable until I see movement here, Franzten said. Somewhere in one of these farmers fields, moving dirt and pouring concrete for the new facilities.
BERLIN (AP)  A storm brought heavy rain and strong winds across northern Europe overnight and into Friday, bringing down trees and prompting warnings of flooding on the North Sea coast. A woman in Belgium was fatally injured by a falling Christmas tree, while another tree killed a person in the Netherlands.

The 20-meter (65-foot) Christmas tree collapsed onto three people at a busy market in Oudenaarde in western Belgium late Thursday, killing a 63-year-old woman and injuring two other people. The Christmas market was immediately canceled.

A woman who was struck by a falling tree on Thursday in the eastern Dutch town of Wilp later died of her injuries, her employer said.

Pre-Christmas rail travelers in parts of Germany faced cancelations, delays and diversions. Routes affected included those from Hamburg and Hannover to Frankfurt and Munich.

National railway operator Deutsche Bahn said that falling trees damaged overhead electric wires or blocked tracks largely in northern Germany, but also in the central state of Hesse. The situation was improving on Friday afternoon.

In Hamburg, the Elbe River flooded streets around the city's fish market, with water waist-high in places. Authorities said a storm surge in the port city peaked on Friday morning, reaching 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) above mean high tide.

Streets around harbors flooded overnight in some Dutch North Sea towns including Scheveningen, the seaside suburb of The Hague.

The huge Maeslantkering storm barrier that protects Rotterdam from high sea levels automatically closed for the first time because of high water levels  meaning that all six major storm barriers that protect the low-lying Netherlands were closed at the same time. The nations water and infrastructure authority said that was also a first. By Friday morning, all six barriers were open again as winds eased.

In the North Sea, the Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud temporarily lost power on Thursday after encountering a rogue wave. Its operator, Hurtigruten Expedition, said in a statement that the 266 guests and 131 crew were uninjured and that the vessel, initially headed for the English port of Tilbury, would be diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, for disembarkation.

Danish Search and Rescue said the vessel can maneuver via emergency systems, and it has two civilian support vessels close by.

On Thursday, high winds grounded flights in parts of the U.K., suspended train services and stopped Scottish ferries. British Airways said air traffic restrictions put in place because of the storm continued to affect flights between Britain and the rest of Europe on Friday.
(Bloomberg) -- Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. agreed to buy TPG Inc.s stake in Singapore Life Holdings Pte as the Japanese insurer seeks to bolster its presence in Southeast Asia.

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Sumitomo Life will pay S$1.6 billion ($1.2 billion) to purchase the roughly 35.5% stake held by the US buyout firm in the Singapore insurer known as Singlife, it said in a statement Friday, which confirmed an earlier Bloomberg News report. The Japanese insurer also plans to acquire all the remaining shares from other Singlife shareholders under the same terms, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of the firm.

The deal values Singlife at S$4.6 billion and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, pending regulatory approvals in Japan and Singapore, according to statements from Sumitomo Life and Singlife.

Sumitomo Life last month increased its stake in Singlife to 27% from 23.2% by buying S$180 million of new shares. The firm in September also agreed to buy the 25.9% stake in Singlife held by UK-based Aviva Plc for S$900 million. Singapore is a key market within its growth strategy in southeast Asia, the Japanese insurer said at the time. That deal is pending regulatory approval.

Established in 1907, closely held Sumitomo Life had about 35.2 trillion yen ($247 billion) in total assets as of the end of March, according to its website. It has more than 44,400 employees.

Singlife traces its roots back to an insurer founded in 2014, which later teamed up with TPG and Sumitomo Life to buy a majority stake in Avivas Singaporean business in 2020 for about S$2.7 billion.

Singlife is the exclusive insurance provider for the city-states Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Public Officers Group Insurance Scheme. It had total assets of S$14.4 billion and gross premiums of S$3.5 billion at the end of 2022, according to a September press release.

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Founded in 1992, Fort Worth, Texas-based TPG is an alternative asset manager with about $212 billion in assets under management, according to its website. Its investing strategy includes private equity, credit and real estate among others.

(Retops story with deal confirmation)

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The City of Tampa settled a discrimination case this week with the U.S. Justice Department following allegations that male employees were not allowed the same amount of parental leave as female employees.

The federal government said the city adopted a policy from February 2017 to December 2018 that kept male employees from using up to 320 hours of parental leave, even when they were the primary caregivers for their children. Tampa instead granted male employees only 80 hours of parental leave as secondary caregivers during those years, the Justice Department alleged. Meanwhile, female employees were allowed to use the full amount of hours.

The Justice Department said that about 150 male employees were impacted by the policy. City employee Jeffrey Burger originally filed the discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the case was later referred to the Justice Department.

The city agreed to pay Burger $60,000, and other male employees who were impacted will receive $240,000 split between them. The agreement also orders the city to credit up to 240 hours of additional leave time to current male employees who would have taken full parental leave if it had been available.

This agreement sends a clear message that in providing paid or unpaid parental leave, employers must guarantee that those benefits are provided without reliance on presumptions about which parent can be the primary caregiver, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke wrote in a news release.

The complaint says that at least 10 male employees formally requested primary caregiver leave and were denied because of their sex. Others were discouraged from applying for primary caregiver leave by their supervisors or officials with Tampas human resources department, the Justice Department said.

The Tampa City Council passed a resolution Thursday that denied that the city unlawfully discriminated against Burger or other male employees but said that both the city and the federal government reached a settlement to avoid the risk and burdens of protracted litigation.

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City spokesman Adam Smith said the resolution would serve as the citys statement.

Bob Buckhorn, who was the mayor during those years, said in an email that he was not aware of the settlement and that he didnt know that a complaint had been filed. He said that he intended the family leave policy to apply equally to all employees and that correcting the problem was the appropriate step to take.

I am not sure why the original policy was applied in the manner it was, Buckhorn said. Sometimes there are unanticipated consequences in the implementation of policies designed with the best of intentions. This appears to be the case in this situation.

The settlement, which is still subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tampa, requires the city to adopt a new parental leave policy that does not discriminate based on sex, prevents retaliation against employees and provides employees training on the new policy.

Once the settlement is approved by the court, the city will be required to appoint an Equal Employment Opportunity officer who will make sure the changes are implemented.

Parental leave policies should not reflect presumptions or stereotypes about gender roles, Tamra Schweiberger, director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions Tampa field office, said in a statement. When it comes to providing leave for bonding with a new child or flexibility in returning to work from that leave, mothers and fathers should be treated equally.
(Bloomberg) -- The teen hacker who leaked footage of Rockstar Games Inc.s upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI installment and hacked into technology firm Nvidia Corp. was placed in a secure hospital by a British judge.

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Arion Kurtaj, 18, and a 17-year-old male, who cant be identified, were convicted of being part of the notorious hacking group Lapsus$. They were found guilty of serious computer misuse, blackmail and fraud against BT Group Plc.s EE network and Nvidia in August after a seven-week criminal trial. Kurtaj was also found to have hacked into Uber Technologies Inc., fintech firm Revolut Ltd., and Rockstar Games.

Judge Patricia Lees ruled Kurtaj should be placed in a secure hospital until a mental health tribunal decides he can leave in the future. Lees found Kurtaj was still fixated with hacking and likely to offend again. Kurtaj was previously found unfit to stand a traditional trial because of his complex autistic-spectrum disorder.

Kurtaj remained a high risk of serious harm to the public through skill in gaining unfettered access to computers, Lees said at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday. She said there was also a risk of online hackers enticing him into further crimes.

The 17-year-old accomplice was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with an 18 month supervision requirement. His sentence took into account crimes he pleaded guilty to at a separate youth court including stalking and harassment.

Read More: How Two UK Teen Hackers Cracked Nvidia, Rockstars GTA and Uber

Lapsus$ are an international bunch of loosely connected online extortionists. The group has confounded cybersecurity experts since it first appeared on a rampage of high-profile attacks between 2021 and 2022, causing millions of dollars of damages for its targets. They appeared to hack for notoriety, financial gains and laughs.

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The two teens hacked into Nvidia and stole as much as one terabyte of data from the tech firm in order to demand a ransom payment. They were also accused of taking part in a wide-scale SIM swap fraud that drained EE customers personal bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

Kurtaj  together with other unknown members of Lapsus$  was found to have been responsible for stealing commercially sensitive code and video of the latest installment of the Grand Theft Auto series while he was on bail for the previous hacks.

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Tesla recalls nearly all vehicles on US roads over lack of Autopilot safeguards

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Tesla is recalling just over 120,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States over the risk of doors being unlocked and opening during a crash, the automaker said Friday.

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update for model years 2021-2023 that do not comply with federal safety standards for side-impact protection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said.

Tesla said in its filing on Friday with NHTSA that earlier this month it saw a cabin door unlatch after impact on the non-struck side during a routine crash test.

The test vehicle was operating without the lockout functionality, which Tesla discovered was inadvertently excluded from the software updates it began issuing starting in late 2021.

Tesla said it was unaware of any warranty claims or injuries relating to the issue.

Last week Tesla recalled all 2.03 million of its vehicles on U.S. roads, its largest action in the country to replace or fix a defective product. The recall was to install new safeguards in its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system, after NHTSA cited safety concerns.

NHTSA told Reuters this week it plans to test software or hardware updates Tesla installs on recalled vehicles for the Autopilot issue.

The agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center in Ohio has several Tesla vehicles that it will use to evaluate ways to remedy any issues, NHTSA said. It will consider additional information such as "real world incident outcomes before and after the remedy rollout as well," it added.

The agency said it had not evaluated Tesla's over-the-air remedy "because it only received the software update on the vehicles it owns a few days ago."

(Reporting by Jose Joseph and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Richard Chang)
Some say volatility, rather than debt, is the best way to think about risk as an investor, but Warren Buffett famously said that 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it might be obvious that you need to consider debt, when you think about how risky any given stock is, because too much debt can sink a company. We can see that Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) does use debt in its business. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt?

When Is Debt Dangerous?

Debt is a tool to help businesses grow, but if a business is incapable of paying off its lenders, then it exists at their mercy. Ultimately, if the company can't fulfill its legal obligations to repay debt, shareholders could walk away with nothing. While that is not too common, we often do see indebted companies permanently diluting shareholders because lenders force them to raise capital at a distressed price. Having said that, the most common situation is where a company manages its debt reasonably well - and to its own advantage. When we think about a company's use of debt, we first look at cash and debt together.

See our latest analysis for Eli Lilly

What Is Eli Lilly's Net Debt?

You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that as of September 2023 Eli Lilly had US$20.3b of debt, an increase on US$16.0b, over one year. However, because it has a cash reserve of US$2.62b, its net debt is less, at about US$17.7b.

How Healthy Is Eli Lilly's Balance Sheet?

According to the last reported balance sheet, Eli Lilly had liabilities of US$22.0b due within 12 months, and liabilities of US$24.6b due beyond 12 months. On the other hand, it had cash of US$2.62b and US$10.1b worth of receivables due within a year. So it has liabilities totalling US$33.9b more than its cash and near-term receivables, combined.

Since publicly traded Eli Lilly shares are worth a very impressive total of US$512.8b, it seems unlikely that this level of liabilities would be a major threat. Having said that, it's clear that we should continue to monitor its balance sheet, lest it change for the worse.

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In order to size up a company's debt relative to its earnings, we calculate its net debt divided by its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) divided by its interest expense (its interest cover). Thus we consider debt relative to earnings both with and without depreciation and amortization expenses.

Eli Lilly's net debt to EBITDA ratio of about 1.6 suggests only moderate use of debt. And its commanding EBIT of 35.4 times its interest expense, implies the debt load is as light as a peacock feather. And we also note warmly that Eli Lilly grew its EBIT by 10% last year, making its debt load easier to handle. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine Eli Lilly's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you're focused on the future you can check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

Finally, a business needs free cash flow to pay off debt; accounting profits just don't cut it. So we always check how much of that EBIT is translated into free cash flow. In the last three years, Eli Lilly's free cash flow amounted to 42% of its EBIT, less than we'd expect. That weak cash conversion makes it more difficult to handle indebtedness.

Our View

Happily, Eli Lilly's impressive interest cover implies it has the upper hand on its debt. And we also thought its EBIT growth rate was a positive. Looking at all the aforementioned factors together, it strikes us that Eli Lilly can handle its debt fairly comfortably. Of course, while this leverage can enhance returns on equity, it does bring more risk, so it's worth keeping an eye on this one. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. However, not all investment risk resides within the balance sheet - far from it. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Eli Lilly that you should be aware of before investing here.

If you're interested in investing in businesses that can grow profits without the burden of debt, then check out this free list of growing businesses that have net cash on the balance sheet.

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.
While B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME) might not have the largest market cap around , it saw a decent share price growth of 11% on the LSE over the last few months. The recent share price gains has brought the company back closer to its yearly peak. With many analysts covering the mid-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stocks share price. But what if there is still an opportunity to buy? Lets examine B&M European Value Retails valuation and outlook in more detail to determine if theres still a bargain opportunity.

Check out our latest analysis for B&M European Value Retail

Is B&M European Value Retail Still Cheap?

Good news, investors! B&M European Value Retail is still a bargain right now. Our valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is 7.82, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because B&M European Value Retails beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the company's shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.

Can we expect growth from B&M European Value Retail?

LSE:BME Earnings and Revenue Growth December 22nd 2023

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. With profit expected to grow by a double-digit 18% over the next couple of years, the outlook is positive for B&M European Value Retail. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation.

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What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? Since BME is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With a positive outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as financial health to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on BME for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy BME. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed investment decision.

So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing B&M European Value Retail at this point in time. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for B&M European Value Retail you should be aware of.

If you are no longer interested in B&M European Value Retail, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

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.
Hong Kong: Redhill Peninsula inspection done

Having completed the inspection of all houses along the seafront of Redhill Peninsula in Tai Tam, the Government today said it will consider prosecution against the offenders after examining the evidence and seeking legal advice.

In addition to the four houses with unauthorised building works (UBWs) involved in a landslide in September, the Buildings Department (BD) and the Lands Department (LandsD) began a large-scale joint operation on September 22 to inspect another 85 houses along the seafront of Redhill Peninsula. The officers successfully entered all 85 houses for inspection and collection of evidence.

At this stage, it is found that 29 houses involved both UBWs and unlawful occupation of government land, 40 involved UBWs, and one involved unlawful occupation of government land. No UBWs or unlawful occupation of government land were found in the remaining 15 houses.

Correspondingly, the BD and the LandsD have been issuing removal orders or notices to require the owners to remove the UBWs in private premises and land, and require relevant people to demolish the structures on government land and cease occupation of the land.

For cases impacting the slope or the building structure, the owners must appoint registered building professionals to submit remedial proposals and building plans to the BD, and reinstate the affected parts of the buildings by registered contractors in accordance with the approved plans. The reinstatement works should be commenced within 90 days and completed within 150 days from the date of issuance of the order.

For UBWs not involving the above circumstances, the owner must appoint registered building professionals or registered contractors to carry out the removal of UBWs. The works have to be commenced within 30 days and completed within 60 days from the date of issuance of the order.

At the same time, the BD will deliver its orders to the Land Registry for registration against the relevant property titles. This practice is commonly known as imposing an encumbrance on the register.

For cases of unlawful occupation of government land, the individuals involved must submit a proposal for the demolition of structures on government land for approval by the LandsD within 30 days from the date of the notice issued by the department, and ensure that the works will not affect the safety and stability of the slope. The demolition works should be done within 150 days from the date of issuance of the notice.

Prosecution will be instigated by the BD or the LandsD against owners who fail to comply with their orders or notices without reasonable excuse. The owners must also bear the costs of removing the UBWs and the structures occupying government land.

Meanwhile, the investigations into the irregularities of the four houses at Redhill Peninsula are underway. The Government said it will take further prosecution action against the people involved if there is sufficient evidence.

Moreover, the Government is continuing with the investigation of the causes of the landslide. If it is evident that UBWs or unlawful occupation of government land in individual houses were related to the landslide, the Government will seek to recover the cost of emergency repair works and related costs incurred in the earlier upgrading of slopes from the relevant people.

Separately, the BD and the LandsD started another joint operation this month in relation to houses along the seafront or near the slope on Beaulieu Peninsula in Tuen Mun.

This came after UBWs, unauthorised site formation works and unlawful occupation of government land were shown in aerial photos, the BD explained.

This story has been published on: 2023-12-22. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of your birthday, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you.

China and Azerbaijan are traditional friendly partners. Currently, Chinese-Azerbaijani relations are developing very well and steadily, the political mutual trust is constantly strengthening, and cooperation across various areas is yielding fruitful results. I highly appreciate the efforts you have made to strengthen bilateral relations. In September of last year, we had a successful meeting in the city of Samarkand, where important agreements were reached on advancing bilateral relations into a new era.

I attach great importance to the development of relations between China and Azerbaijan, and I am ready to continue my efforts alongside you to elevate bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation to a new level for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

I wish you robust health and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China
In this article, we shall discuss the top 20 most unfriendly states in the US. To skip our detailed analysis of the global hotel industry in 2023, go directly and see Top 10 Most Unfriendly States in the US.

In a market atmosphere where businesses are navigating increased pressure on resources and margins, hospitality companies like Marriot International Inc. (NYSE:MAR), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), and DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE:DRH) have seen some semblance of recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, even in some of the most unfriendly states in the US. However, according to a report by Deloitte, the industry is set to face other disruptions in 2024 owing to inflationary pressures and massive geopolitical turbulence in Europe and the Middle-East. Lack of economic growth, labor shortages, rising costs, the overall impediments in raising prices, and challenges with respect to achieving net-zero carbon emissions are key risks causing disruption for the industry in 2024. According to a report by PwC, with the depreciation in leisure demand, occupancy levels have plummeted in 2023 when compared with 2022 levels, and are expected to remain low well into Q1 2024. Although room rate growth was a significant contributor in the initial recovery for US hotels, the industry has fallen below inflationary growth levels in Q4 2023. However, ADR growth is expected to marginally increase the declining inflation level in 2024.

Hotel demand has depreciated in the last quarter of 2023 in some of the most unfriendly states in the US owing to the Fed's continued increase in its policy rate, persistent decline in pubic markets since August 2023, and the current Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East. Despite these factors, the report projects annual occupancy for US hotels to increase to more than 63%. Average room rates are expected to surge by more than 4.5% in 2024, with resultant RevPAR up by more than 6%, which is 114% of pre-pandemic levels on a nominal dollar basis. As 2024 approaches, the outlook for midweek travel remains unclear with many hotel companies altering their business travel policies in a bid to restrict corporate budgets as well as secure sustainability objectives. With occupancy levels expected to remain on the low-end in 2024, performance gains are largely expected entirely from ADR, with an expected increase in RevPAR of 2.7% year-over-year, which is 17% above pre-pandemic levels. To read more on the hotel industry in 2023, check out our article on the 30 Most Luxurious Hotels in the World.

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Securing Success in Hospitality Recruitment: An Overview

The lifting of travel restrictions and the global resurgence of the tourism industry has brought about a massive challenge for top players in the hotel industry like Marriot International Inc. (NYSE:MAR), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), and DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE:DRH) in some of the most unfriendly states in the US. According to a report by McKinsey, more than 705 of all personnel in the hospitality industry in the US and the UK were laid off during the pandemic and employers are now struggling to attract labor back into the industry. Hospitality workers, who where furloughed during the pandemic, used the time to recalibrate their priorities, with a huge percentage of workers finding employment in more flexible and less demanding industries. To read more on labor shortages affecting travel and tourism in 2023, check out our article on 20 Least Productive States in the US.

Furthermore, a huge proportion of workers have found hybrid models of employment with better salaries and are reluctant to revert to jobs in the hospitality industry, especially in roles which make up a significant portion of the hospitality and travel workforce like waiting tables, cleaning rooms, and checking in guests. Hence, in bid to secure more talent for the industry, McKinsey highlights key steps hospitality companies need to take, especially in some of the most unfriendly states in the US. These steps include realizing the impact of digitization in a changing hospitality landscape, affording increased flexibility to employees, diversifying job descriptions in a bid to make them more multifaceted, giving utmost priority to ESG imperatives, not only in daily operations but also in hiring practices, and lastly, maintaining a high bar for hygiene. To adapt to these five shifts, employers need to follow what McKinsey terms as the ACE method, namely analyzing talent suitability using digital capacity, clearly defining and communicating job expectations and possible career paths, and empowering the HR department within the organization.

Integrating Advanced Analytics in Hospitality: An Analysis

According to another report by McKinsey, innovations in digital technologies have catalyzed persistent disruptions in the travel industry. With mobile technologies bagging the limelight as consumer behavior shifts at a remarkable pace towards increased research and bookings through smartphone applications. According to a study conducted by Expedia Media Solutions, US consumers who book travel accommodations online tend to spend an increased amount of time engaging with travel content on their cellphones rather than their desktops. The data obtained through the rampant global use of digital technologies is extremely valuable for travel companies.

Top hotel companies like Marriot International Inc. (NYSE:MAR), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), and DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE:DRH) are still in the early stages to exploring the potential of advanced analytics and building capabilities which are critical in capturing the complete potential of this data. One of the most lucrative opportunities that falls within the scope of advanced analytics is AI, which has huge upside for each sector within the tourism and transportation industries. As these areas undergo further development and build capabilities in machine learning, natural language processing, and video recognition, AI capabilities are expected to reach a point wherein travel companies are well-positioned to rake in substantial revenue through the use of AI at scale in day-to-day operations, even in some of the most unfriendly states in the US. Some opportunities arising from these developments in advanced analytics and AI are the possibility to radical personalization through predictive analytics, integration for customized on-property product recommendations, enhancement of customer service through natural-language processing, and extending the travel experience through virtual assistants that facilitate connections to the guests of IoT.

Most Unfriendly States in the US

Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the top 20 most unfriendly states in the U.S, we decided to undertake a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). We then shortlisted more than 30 states which appeared most frequently during our research. Since unfriendliness is an incredibly multifaceted and complex phenomenon, we established a three-pronged criteria to measure the level of unfriendliness in each state; the criteria is premised on the frequency of rude tourist interactions (20 points), cultural sensitivity (15 points), and crime (10 points). We then proceeded to award each state a cumulative score according to the aforementioned criteria and selected 20 states which scored the highest points. Subsequently, we ranked each entry based on the total points scored, from lowest to highest. Where there was a tie, we broke it based on the frequency of rude tourist interactions. You can also read on some of the rudest cities in the United States in our list of The Worlds 30 Unfriendliest Cities Heading into 2024.

To sum it up, we ranked the top 20 most unfriendly states in the U.S based on their cumulative scores, using a consensus methodology. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Top 20 Most Unfriendly States in the U.S.

20. Alaska

Total Score: 16

Alaska is known to be one of the most unfriendly states in the United States, primarily due to a high cultural sensitivity amongst the population. The residents of the state have been reported to be hostile towards service workers and tourists.

19. North Dakota

Total Score: 17

In North Dakota, people are known to be rude and hostile by nature. The citizens of the state are always known to voice their opinions, even if the opinions are negative and unwelcoming.

18. Kansas

Total Score: 19

Many tourists believe that the residents of Kansas are unwelcoming towards strangers and are not known to be particularly helpful to tourists.

17. Virginia

Total Score: 19

The residents of Virginia are widely perceived to be unapproachable and unwelcoming. Tourists have frequently reported falling victim to petty crime, leading to the state making our list of the most unfriendly states in the US.

16. Washington

Total Score: 22

Washington is one of the most unfriendly states in the United States. Residents of Washington are known for being reserved and keeping to themselves, a behavior which is commonly perceived to be unwelcoming.

15. Wyoming

Total Score: 22

Even though Wyoming is a small state, its residents are widely perceived to be rude. This is primarily because the residents are reserved, tend to keep to themselves, and do not like interacting with strangers.

14. Ohio

Total Score: 24

Crime rates in Ohio are currently on the upsurge. Many tourists in the state have lodged complaints with authorities, citing instances of pickpocketing.

13. South Dakota

Total Score: 26

Even though South Dakota attracts many tourists, it is thought to be one of the most unfriendly states in the US based on the number of unwelcoming interactions tourists have reported.

12. Michigan

Total Score: 26

With increasing crime rates, Michigan is known to be extremely unfriendly. Some of the most common crimes in the state include robbery, rape, and drug offenses. The people of Michigan are also widely perceived to be exceedingly unfriendly and impolite.

11. West Virginia

Total Score: 31

West Virginia is known to be increasingly sensitive to cultural diversity, making it one of the most unfriendly states in the US. The state has a surging petty crime rate and a dismal hospitality infrastructure.

Click here to continue reading and see 10 Most Unfriendly States in the US. Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 10 Most Unfriendly States in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
When Toyota recalled 1 million vehicles this week due to a defect that may prevent airbags from deploying, it brought the total number of Toyotas recalled in 2023 to nearly 2.5 million.

Toyota said affected customers will be notified by mid-February 2024, but visiting toyota.com/recall and entering your vehicle identification number will let you know if your vehicle is part of the recall.

USA TODAY tracks car recalls from Toyota and other manufacturers in an automotive recall database, which compiles the latest car and motor vehicle recalls from the NHTSA. You can look up recalls for your vehicle using the make, model or year.

Here's what to know about all the Toyota recalls in 2023.

Feb. 1 recall: RAV4 Prime

Toyota recalled certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles due to the risk of the hybrid system shutting down and stalling while driving in EV Mode in cold weather conditions if the accelerator is rapidly pressed.

Potential number of units affected: 16,679

March 2 recall: 2022-2023 Tundra

On March 2, Toyota issued a recall for some 2022-2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles that have a Toyota genuine accessory tonneau cover. NHTSA said the cover may detach if the tonneau cover attachment joints become loose.

Potential number of units affected: 130,266

May 29 recall: 2022-2023 Corolla Cross

Toyota recalled 2022-2023 Corolla Cross vehicles due to a manufacturing defect in the instrument panel. Improper deployment of the front-passenger airbag violates safety regulations.

Potential number of units affected: 96,007

June 14 recall: 2023 Camry

Toyota issued a recall on June 14 for certain models of the 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid. The lug nuts that connect the wheels to the vehicle may not have been tightened properly, which can result in the wheels detaching.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 298

July 12 recall: several vehicles

Toyota has recalled several 2023 models, including Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Tacoma, as well as 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, and 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles due to an issue with the electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly. NHTSA said this may have caused the driver's airbag to deactivate.

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Potential Number of Units Affected: 152,927

July 12 recall: RAV4 Prime 2022 Lexus NX450h

Toyota recalled some 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on July 12 due to a potential electrical short-circuit caused by a damaged electric current rectifying module in the DC-DC converter.

Potential number of units affected: 43,442

August 10 recall: Tundra Hybrid

Toyota recalled certain 2022-2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles due to a potential fuel leak caused by a plastic fuel tube rubbing against metallic brake lines.

Potential number of units affected: 168,179

Sept. 13 recall: Tundra Hybrid

Toyota recalled 2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles due to an incorrect load-carrying capacity label on the spray-on bed liner accessory, which can cause overloading and violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the NHSTA said.

Potential number of units affected: 21,781

Nov. 1 recall: RAV4

Toyota issued a recall for some 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. The NHSTA said replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, causing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, which could result in a short circuit.

Potential number of units affected: 1,853,568

Dec. 6 recall: Toyota GR Supra

BMW issued a recall for certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra models due to a manufacturing defect with the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover. This issue could've caused automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit, leading to hazardous driving conditions and potential damage to the vehicle.

Potential number of units affected: 552

Dec. 20 recall: RAV4 Prime

Toyota recalled some 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on July 12 due to a potential electrical short-circuit caused by a damaged electric current rectifying module in the DC-DC converter.

Potential number of units affected: $1 million

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toyota recalls 2023: Check full list of car models recalled this year
If you would like to trade options, Schwab is a good choice.

Since acquiring TD Ameritrade, Schwab has integrated the popular Thinkorswim trading platform into their own online brokerage. Thinkorswim is particularly useful for complicated, highly technical trading, which is exactly what options traders need.

So, if you're a Schwab customer, here's what you should know about getting permission to trade options with your account.

Remember, options trading is risky and typically pursued by experienced investors. Need help approaching options strategies? Talk to a financial advisor today.

What Is Options Trading?

First, its important to understand the fundamentals of options trading. An options contract is a form of financial security called a "derivative." That means it takes its value from some other underlying asset. With an option, you purchase a contract that gives you the right to buy that underlying asset (a "call" option) or sell it (a "put" option) for a given price on a given date if you choose. You then make  or lose  your money based on how that asset's price moves.

For example, you might by a call option for 100 shares of ABC Corp. with a strike price of $100 per share and an expiration date of June 1. This means that:

The underlying asset is 100 shares of ABC Corp.

As a call option, you have the right to buy those shares

You have the right to buy those shares on June 1

You can buy the shares for $100 per share

Here, you are betting that the price of ABC Corp. will go up. If it does, and the stock is worth more than $100 per share on June 1, you can buy those shares for less than they're worth and profit off the difference. A put option, by contrast, would bet that the value of those shares declines so that you can sell them for more than they're worth.

Options are high-risk and values swing sharply compared to the regular stock market. Talk to a financial advisor about the right level of risk for your portfolio.

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What to Do With Unprofitable Options

You do not have to exercise your option. If, on the expiration date, your contract is unprofitable you can simply let it expire with no further action. In our example above, say that on June 1 your shares are worth $90 each. You would lose money buying them for $100 per share, so you decline your option.

Buying an options contract costs money. This is known as the premium. In our example above, say the party selling you this contract priced it at $1.00 per share. It would cost you $100 to buy that contract.

Premiums are a fixed cost that you pay up front. For someone who buys an option contract, they make up a real but predetermined risk to this asset class. This is good because it means that your risks are known up front, you cannot lose more than you invested when you buy an options contract. However premiums can still cost a lot of money, and options should absolutely be considered a speculative investment.

How To Add Options To A Schwab Account

Adding options to your Schwab account is a simple process, but youll need to apply and get approved.

If you do not already have a brokerage account with Schwab, you will need one. You can sign up through Schwabs website. Unlike some brokers, Schwab doesnt require a minimum balance to open an account.

Once you have an account, you must specifically apply to add options trading.

Levels of Options Permissions

Schwab offers four levels of options trading. They are listed numerically, from 0 to 3, or by the level of trading each allows: "Covered," "Long," "Spreads," and "Short Uncovered." Each allows you to trade with an escalating level of risk and complexity. At level 0, you can only engage in relatively simple practices where losses are capped at the level of your initial investment. At level 3, you can engage in a wide variety of complicated and high-risk trades.

You will apply for options trading based on the level of permission you would like. For example, you might apply for a Level 1, "Long," account if you would like to engage in modestly complex trades without high risk. Not all accounts are eligible for different types of options trading. For example, in an IRA you cannot open a position with borrowed money or potentially unlimited risk, so Schwab disables Level Three. If you apply for Level Three trading with an IRA account, it will be rejected.

A financial advisor can help you devise options strategies.

How to Apply

You can apply to add options in two ways. First, you can print out and mail in the application form in hard copy.

Alternatively, you can fill out the form online. In your account, you will find a drop-down menu labelled "Profile." In there, you can select the choice for "Margin & Options." If you have multiple accounts or portfolios, select the one to which you would like to add options trading.

Then, select the level of options trading you would like to apply for. Each one will be listed with a separate option to apply, although the system will black out any trading level that your account cannot access. For example, IRA portfolios will not have a link to apply for Level Three trading.

This will take you to an online form which will request the same information as the downloadable form. In both cases, you will be asked to provide personal and financial information, including your profession, income, and net worth and your spouse's if applicable. You will also be asked about your background as a trader, such as how many years you have been investing and the complexity of your trading activity. Together, this will make up a basic profile that Schwab will use to determine whether you are experienced enough to make riskier investments, and if you have the capital to handle losses.

From there, it typically takes three to five business days for them to process an application.

Talk to a financial advisor about the right options strategies for your goals.

Bottom Line

With Schwab, you can trade options on four different levels based on your desired complexity and risk. You can apply either online or through a paper form, and once approved you can use the Thinkorswim platform for technical trading.

Options Trading Tips

Don't understand how options work? Don't worry! If you're just getting started you shouldn't add these assets to your portfolio just yet; never, ever trade an asset you don't fully understand. Instead, let's start learning about what an options contract is and how it can add value to your portfolio in the long run.

A financial advisor can help you build a comprehensive retirement plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: iStock.com/peterschreiber.media, iStock.com/filo, iStock.com/shih-wei

The post How to Trade Options With Schwab appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
(Bloomberg) -- The US is turning to a powerful yet risky tool in authorizing secondary sanctions against banks as it escalates efforts to deny Russia the money it needs to wage war in Ukraine.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a statement Friday just before the Christmas holiday, the US Treasury Department announced that it would use sanctions against banks that facilitate deals in which Russia procures semiconductors, ball bearings and other equipment necessary for its war machine  even if theyre not aware theyre doing so.

The move significantly expands the US financial battle against President Vladimir Putin, whose forces show little sign of relenting in Ukraines east. Since the Russian invasion nearly two years ago, the US imposed hundreds of sanctions on companies and individuals, but until now it had stopped short of penalizing banks and financial institutions for working with sanctioned entities.

Imposing secondary sanctions is a controversial decision because the potential impact is hard to predict and carries the risk of unintended consequences. Wary of violating rules, banks might abandon entire sectors even if theyre not sanctioned. And even some allied countries consider secondary sanctions to be an overreach of US authority.

This is a huge move, but I think Treasurys going to have to be very cautious and careful about how it uses this tool because of potential unintended consequences, said Kim Donovan, a former Treasury official now at the Atlantic Council. If you sanction a foreign financial institution or fine a US bank for doing business with them, that can have a lot of ripple effects.

President Joe Bidens new executive order Friday also comes at an urgent time for the war, with Republican lawmakers in Congress so far refusing to provide more than $60 billion in new military assistance for Ukraine.

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The US may also have felt it has no choice. Despite the imposition of one of the most crippling sanctions regimes in history, Russia has pressed ahead with its war, finding plenty of willing partners in countries that are outright adversaries of the US, such as Iran, China and North Korea.

Read more: Russia Punches an $11 Billion Hole in Oil Sanctions Regime

Some of Russias success has had to do with the size of its economy and the fact that it produces oil that the rest of the world needs. A price cap on that oil implemented by the US and its allies in the Group of Seven nations has resulted in much of that trade moving from Europe to India and China.

The US has ramped up enforcement of that price cap in recent months, sanctioning on Wednesday two Hong-Kong based oil traders and a UAE-based shipping management company with ties to the Russian government.

But there are still many companies and countries that have also been willing to trade with Russian firms, often indirectly, as part of a broader strategy of refusing to take sides in the war or enforce the US and European sanctions.

Now the US is telling them to make a choice: either do business with Russia, or keep your access to the global financial system.

All of these companies still have to use the financial system, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in an interview on CNBC Friday. What this executive order gives us the ability to do is to target smaller institutions that may be unwilling to or wittingly trying to get around our sanctions.

The US is also using Fridays move to close other loopholes that had given Russia access to cash. The order will let the US ban products that originated in Russia but were transformed outside its borders. Thats aimed chiefly at diamonds, which Russia has shipped to countries such as India for processing before they go to jewelers in the US.

Theres good precedent for the latest move. In the 2010s, as part of efforts to rein in Irans nuclear program, the US imposed crippling sanctions on the country and threatened secondary sanctions against anyone who did business with it. Policymakers point to the sanctions regime as a key reason Irans leaders eventually came to the table and agreed to limits on their nuclear ambitions in 2015.

The challenge is that Russias economy is much bigger than Irans and it ships a lot more oil around the world. Squeezing the Russian economy further could send shockwaves around the world and imperil President Joe Bidens so-far successful effort to keep the economy chugging on the cusp of an election year.

If your goal is to really hurt Russias economy, theres no alternative than going after its oil revenues, said Eddie Fishman, a senior research scholar at Columbia Universitys Center for Global Energy Policy. And I still dont see the political will in the US or anywhere else to truly aggressively target Russias oil revenues.

(Updates with oil price cap sanctions in ninth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Detroit Three automakers are the win that the United Auto Workers needed to perhaps finally organize nonunion automakers in other parts of the United States  particularly in the all-important South, where foreign automakers' factories have resisted unionizing for decades.

Even so, experts agree the UAW faces an uphill battle.

The unions well-publicized labor contract deals with Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis, ratified in November following the historic strike against all three, not to mention favorable public opinion, will be key ingredients in the UAW's effort to get all or some of the thousands of workers at about a dozen electric vehicle and foreign carmakers to join the union.

The power of momentum will be a crucial factor.

The whole world can pretty much see through the media what kinds of gains this union and presumably unions in general help realize in the daily lives of workers that may not have been fully understood by nonunion workers. So that might be their chief advantage at this time. Their calling card is the gains that they have made, said Dan Cornfield, a professor of sociology and labor expert at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. I would think they would want to act sooner rather than later to keep riding on the momentum.

Those contract wins on issues from wage gains to resumption of cost-of-living increases and even the planned return of vehicle assembly to an idled Stellantis plant also came during what has been a large surge in labor mobilization in the United States in numerous economic sectors in the last couple of years, likely the largest such mobilization since the 1930s, Cornfield said.

This story is an analysis of the rising labor movement that looks to add to the UAW's rank-and-file. But there is a large contingent of those who oppose unions from corporate management to the factory floor. Some workers question whether their dues will result in real gains or fear job loss if they vote for a union. One of the most vocal opponents of organized labor is Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who last month said he doesn't like, "anything which creates a lords and peasants sort of thing. I think the unions naturally try to create negativity in a company."

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But Nelson Lichtenstein, a research professor in history and labor expert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said hes been following the UAW for 50 years and he described this as the most hopeful moment during that time for organizing potential.

Even if theyre partially successful it would be a big turning point in terms of ending the era of stagnating wages for blue-collar workers in America, said Lichtenstein, author of Walter Reuther: The Most Dangerous Man in Detroit, which chronicles the life and impact of the legendary UAW leader.

Hes heard some criticism of the unions strategy, shifting almost immediately from what he believes was a true victory in Detroit Three talks to announcing a new organizing strategy not focused on any one plant or automaker, but encouraging autoworkers at all nonunion U.S. shops to organize.

Because theyre basically saying, Lets see where the energy is, lets see where the interest is, and then, when that makes itself manifest, then well focus on that in a more specific way,'  Lichtenstein said.

That strategy came with a roadmap announcing goals that include getting 30% of workers at a plant to sign union cards. Then a committee of autoworkers would go public with its organizing campaign. Once 70% of the workforce has signed cards, a committee would demand recognition and, if the company refuses, seek a plantwide vote.

UAW President Shawn Fain, in a union video tied to the new strategy, said: To all the autoworkers out there working without the benefits of a union, now its your turn.

Earlier this month, the union filed unfair labor practice charges against three automakers  Honda in Indiana, Hyundai in Alabama and Volkswagen in Tennessee  accusing them in an announcement of illegally union-busting as workers organize to join the UAW. Fain accompanied a delegation of VW workers and community and faith leaders as they delivered a letter to management.

In reaction to the UAWs charges against the automaker, spokespeople for the targeted automakers refuted claims of union-busting and said the companies support workers' rights.

VW spokesman Michael Lowder told the Free Press in an email that labor representation is part of VW's culture and that half of its global Supervisory Board members are labor representatives.

We respect our workers' right to decide the question of union representation, Lowder said. And we remain committed to providing accurate information that helps inform them of their rights and choices.

Michael Stewart, a spokesman for Hyundai Motor North America, provided a statement as well:

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama team members may choose to join a union or not as is their legal right, and this has been true since our plant opened in 2005. ... The unions characterization of events in its press statement do not present an accurate picture, and we look forward to having a fair opportunity to present the facts through our participation in the legal process.

American Honda Motor Co. spokesman Chris Abbruzzese provided a statement, saying: "Honda encourages our associates to engage and get information on this issue. We have not and would not interfere with our associates right to engage in activity supporting or opposing the UAW."

VW plant's role in recent organizing attempts

For proof of the impact the Detroit Three contracts are having on the UAWs momentum just talk to Daniel Kaczmarek, 35, a Volkswagen employee in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who works in the paint shop. The UAW put the Free Press in contact with Kaczmarek. He hired in at the VW factory about 18 months ago at $23.30 an hour, he said.

Despite the UAWs recent filing of unfair labor practice charges against VW, Kaczmarek was willing to speak publicly about his desire for union representation. The UAW has said 30% of the VW Chattanooga workforce has signed cards on the unions website indicating they want to join the union. Kaczmarek said the UAWs contract gains with the Detroit automakers has been a motivator.

Daniel Kaczmarek, 35, a Volkswagen employee in Chattanooga, Tennessee who works in the paint shop. Kaczmarek said the UAW's contract gains with the Detroit automakers inspired him and others to be seeking union representation at VW.

What went on at the Big 3 made a huge difference in the momentum at VW. We signed 1,000 cards in a week, Kaczmarek said. A year ago, mentioning the word union at work would not have gone over very well. Now its like working at a different place. Theres a lot of motivation even from people who once said, That kind of stuff is never going to happen. Now they have signed the cards and are ready to vote.

The UAW has a history of trying to organize VWs Chattanooga plant, and looking at the 2014 union election there provides critical insight into the challenges.

The union felt confident they had a clear majority of the workers in the plant who were favorable to the union then, said Harley Shaiken, professor emeritus at the University of California-Berkeley.

But on day one of a three-day vote, the Republican leadership of the state of Tennessee mounted a major campaign to vote no, Shaiken said.

What ultimately, in my view, tipped the balance was when the vote started, then-U.S. Sen. Bob Corker came out publicly on virtually every media outlet in Tennessee saying hed spoken to top leaders of VW in Germany and they had told him, If the union is voted in, there wont be new investment in that plant,  Shaiken said.

The comments were widely reported at the time across Reuters, the Washington Post and others.

Corker had clout. He was the former mayor of Chattanooga who was instrumental in bringing VW to the state. His statement rattled the workforce, helping to defeat unionization at the plant, Shaiken said.

In 2019, the UAW again narrowly lost the vote to unionize at VW in Chattanooga, Shaiken said.

The South seen as key

For Erik Loomis, a professor of labor history at the University of Rhode Island, the issue is clear:

The South is the future for the UAW.

Automakers have been strategically locating plants in states, largely in the South, that for decades have been less favorable or even hostile to unions and union organizing.

UAW membership is far below its 1979 peak of 1.5 million. The union currently counts almost 400,000 active members and 580,000 retired members.

Some of that has to do with the inability to organize these plants, Loomis said, noting that as long as the union is unable to organize in those areas, it works to incentivize continued movement of plants there. Its a critical issue, not just for workers in the auto industry, but also for many others, he said.

Until the labor movement can organize the South, the labor movement is not going to return to power in this country, Loomis said.

Location is one of the many factors challenging union organizers. Many of the plants have been strategically placed in areas where economic opportunities are very limited, especially for workers with less education, Loomis said.

When you follow these campaigns, people will just flat out say this is the only decent job in the entire town, he said of past union campaigns.

Another obstacle has been the automakers themselves, which are large, very resourceful corporations that actively resist unionization efforts, according to Cornfield, the Vanderbilt professor.

And that is not peculiar to the South. Thats just how corporate America in any sector tends to play ball when it comes to unionization, he said, noting that the UAW has seen success in the South when dealing with southern operations of northern employers.

For Rosemary Feurer, associate professor and labor expert at Northern Illinois University, one of the most significant wins for the union in bargaining with the Detroit Three automakers was the agreement to revive an idled Stellantis Jeep plant in Belvidere, Illinois. The deal with the UAW is supposed to bring a midsized truck to Belvidere, a new Mopar parts hub and an electric vehicle battery plant.

The reopening of a plant, reversing concessions of the past, things like resuming cost-of-living adjustments, and even fighting for broader social aims could present workers in the South with a different way to think about unions, Feurer said. Many of those workers, however, have little experience with what a union is.

Feurer, whose university is about a 30-minute drive south of the Stellantis plant, said workers know that the unions focus on Belvidere made a difference in the decision to reopen the plant, despite reports of government negotiations behind the scenes.

All my life thats all that has been conceded is plant closing after plant closing, and that has been the main argument against unions. Well, you can get a union in, but theres no way that a union can keep a plant from closing. Well, thats a failure of imagination, the failure of knowing what other countries unions do, Feurer said, noting that she sees glimmers of the resurrection of old strategies that were torn apart in an earlier period of labor history.

Feurer said she would not be surprised if the UAW does manage to organize some of the nonunion plants, but shes not as certain about whether that truly translates into building a movement.

Theres a long haul here, and its pretty sobering when you look at the stats, she said.

Interest in unions is higher, but thats not reflected in the rate of union membership. Experts have put the current private sector union membership at 5% to 6%.

That has to do with the obstacles, Feurer said, noting that workers still risk their jobs to pursue unionization.

Overcoming odds

If the timing is right, the odds can be conquered. In 1936, when the UAW started an organizing drive at GM, only a third of the workforce openly favored union representation, Shaiken said.

The rest were frightened. This was the Great Depression, Shaiken said. But the third of the workers sat down in a number of plants in GM and very quickly GM became paralyzed.

At the time, pro-labor Democrats President Franklin Roosevelt and Michigan Gov. Frank Murphy influenced the political climate. That influence, combined with the 44-day sit-down strike, forced GM to recognize the union, Shaiken said. Chrysler followed quickly with a union, but Ford resisted until 1941 when it was unionized.

Henry Ford was vigilantly antiunion. He makes Elon Musk look almost pro-union, Shaiken said.

Last month, Tesla CEO Musk said, If Tesla gets unionized, it'll be because we deserve it and we failed in some way.

More: Ford's former violent, thuggish relationship with UAW has completely flipped

But the timing is right, Shaiken said, noting that a President Joe Biden reelection next year  not a certainty based on recent polling  could open the possibility of broader organizing in a Biden second term.

Also helping the union will be a new procedure that kicks in at the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Dec. 26; it requires union elections at factories be held before any related litigation is resolved, thus greatly expediting a union vote.

According to Reuters, under Donald Trump-era regulation that's being changed, the NLRB had to rule on issues such as workers' eligibility to vote and alleged unlawful conduct by employers before holding an election.

Still, a third of all unions formed by election end up never getting a contract because the company will delay negotiations and the workers will get impatient and it all collapses, said Peter Berg, a professor of employment relations and director of the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University.

Unusual tactics

What could be different this time is the new leadership of the UAW and unconventional tactics in organizing. The leadership has used media to define the narrative, experts said.

What is interesting is there are a solid number of workers in these plants that are willing to speak up and be quoted in the media, said Rebecca Givan, associate professor at the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers University. Usually, you see drives, and no workers are willing to speak up publicly and that indicates fear.

Givan said the union could successfully organize a nonunion plant fairly quickly once it gets 70% of a plants workforce to sign the online cards.

I dont think anyone predicted theyd get to 30% at VW within a week and they did, Givan said. The ability to get thousands of workers to sign cards in a short period of time suggests they may be able to get to 70% within weeks or months. But this kind of campaign is new, so its hard to predict.

But just how quickly a vote can happen or a contract could be negotiated remains to be seen.

It will be huge if workers in any of these plants successfully organize, Givan said. It will demonstrate that these car companies can compete on product and innovation, but they cannot compete on exploitation of workers. They will be held to a high standard, and it will be a real show of strength.

Get a plan

MSUs Berg said that if the UAW's Fain were to use the narrative that the union is fighting for the working class, it could offset the inevitable company line of:  Heres a third party coming into our company to disrupt our community. Often in the South, the union is seen as a third party coming in from the North, versus This is a third party fighting for me. 

The union is wise to use the momentum it now has coming off of the Detroit Three negotiations to do a plant-by-plant rollout, looking for the low-hanging fruit that offers the best chance to organize, Berg said.

But Berg added, I dont know where theyd find the most favorable ground.

Harry Katz says he does: Tesla.

Katz, who is a professor of labor relations at the Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell University, said California  where Teslas factory in Fremont builds the Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y EV  is a union-friendly state. Moreover, that factory was previously unionized under a joint ownership by GM and Toyota until Tesla bought it in 2010. Tesla also has a factory that builds the Tesla Solar Roof and Superchargers in Buffalo, New York, another union-friendly state.

Tesla is the place to start," Katz said. "But even then, its going to be a very difficult campaign. Im not saying its impossible. Its better to start there than in Mississippi (Toyota Motor Manufacturing) or Tennessee (Volkswagen Chattanooga).

Berg agreed, saying: Tesla is a good target because you can demonize Elon Musk. You can make the campaign all about him. Hes not well liked. But Honda, a lot of people own a Honda, and you cant put a face to that. But Musk, you can.

Not everyone sees Tesla as the best target.

Lichtenstein, of UC Santa Barbara, pointed to Musk as a figure likely to take an active role in fighting unionization similar to Howard Schultz at Starbucks, which has faced widespread complaints about union-busting.

They see any effort to unionize as a personal insult, Lichtenstein said. Musk is willing to lose billions of dollars on (his purchase of) Twitter. He's willing to lose billions of dollars on fighting the UAW. So there is  maybe a reason to hold off on him for a while."

The challenge

Shortly after the UAW won wage gains of 25% across 4-year contracts with the Detroit automakers, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and Volkswagen all offered raises of 9% to 14% to their U.S. workforces.

CNBC recently reported that an internal document indicated Tesla is planning a 10% hourly wage increase for some employees at its Nevada battery plant. Such wage hikes are dubbed the UAW bump. The intention is to mitigate any desire to unionize.

What can also diffuse worker enthusiasm to unionize is a lack of layoffs, Katz said.

The transplants and Tesla have worked very hard to avoid layoffs, he said.

Katz said if demand for new vehicles falters, the automakers will send workers into training programs or assign them other jobs such as cleaning. They also use a lot of temporary employees, which they can lay off during slower periods. But they dont lay off the permanent employees, to keep them from wanting a union.

Theyre smart. They have sophisticated lawyers, he said. If the economy continues doing decently, as its on track to do, theyre not going to do layoffs.

Katz said the campaign to unionize could take six to eight months before there is an election and a lot can change the worker sentiment in that timeframe, which is why now is the time to act.

Public attitudes are so favorable to unions, find a way to build on that, Katz said. The disdain for the billionaires, go to Tesla and show what a billionaire and autocrat Musk is. Work on that. Think of what was done before with trying to unionize and then do something different.

That means get younger organizers, organizers of color and women. These are people who can connect with the current workforce, Katz said.

Find out whats really pissing them off and its not easy to do, Katz said. But if I were teaching them thats what I would be telling them. When management is fighting you with sophisticated lawyers, grassroots organizing campaigns are hard to run.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

UAW President Shawn Fain speaks to the media in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Fain visited the Volkswagen plant with workers, community and faith leaders, and CALEB (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence). The group delivered a letter to Volkswagen management, "demanding the company end its union-busting and intimidation."

A "We stand with the UAW" sign is placed outside of the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. UAW President Shawn Fain visited the plant with Volkswagen workers, community and faith leaders, and CALEB (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence). The group delivered a letter to Volkswagen management, "demanding the company end its union-busting and intimidation."

A group walks away from the Volkswagen plant with their signs in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. UAW President Shawn Fain visited the plant with Volkswagen workers, community and faith leaders, and CALEB (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence). The group delivered a letter to Volkswagen management, "demanding the company end its union-busting and intimidation."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW push to unionize nonunion automakers in South comes with hurdles
(Bloomberg) -- The US Commerce Department will begin gathering information on Chinese production of legacy semiconductors  chips that arent cutting-edge but are still vital to the global economy  as it looks to track how deeply reliant US companies have become on the technology from China.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In January, the agencys Bureau of Industry and Security will survey more than 100 companies in autos, aerospace, defense and other sectors to understand how they procure and use legacy chips, according to a Commerce official.

Some Chinese chipmakers have used low prices to undercut competitors, according to the official, and Washington wants to prevent China from dominating that industry like it did in steel and solar.

Over the last few years, weve seen potential signs of concerning practices from the PRC to expand their firms legacy chip production and make it harder for US companies to compete, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. The survey will inform our next steps, she said.

Those steps could include tariffs or other trade tools to counter Chinas push, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing the administrations thinking. The House Select Committee on China recently urged the US to impose legacy chip tariffs in a bipartisan report.

Using trade issues as a tool or weapon violates the principles of a market economy and fair competition, and eventually damages the interests of the US and the whole world, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday. The US should abide by the economic trade rules and the principles of the market economy and create conditions for US-China economic cooperation.

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Raimondo said in August that the US will use all the tools at our disposal if China floods the global market with underpriced legacy chips. Under Secretary for Industry and Security Alan Estevez reiterated that message in October, pointing to laws enabling Washington to investigate and respond to unfair trade practices that affect national security.

But the US wont use export controls to deal with oversupplies of older-generation semiconductors, Raimondo has said, reserving that tool only for the most advanced models.

President Joe Biden has imposed broad curbs on Chinas ability to secure and make the kind of advanced semiconductors that power artificial intelligence models and military applications. Beijing responded by pouring billions into factories for the chips that havent been banned, which include simpler models using older production techniques.

A pandemic shortage of such chips bedeviled auto and tech firms and spurred Washington to enact the 2022 Chips and Science Act, which sets aside subsidies worth $100 billion to revitalize American semiconductor manufacturing. At least $2 billion from that fund will go to mature technologies.

The BIS survey will inform those investment decisions, the official said, and help ensure Chinese subsidies dont drown out US incentives. The survey also seeks to nudge defense contractors toward phasing Chinese chips out of their supply chains, the official added. Last years annual defense bill restricted the use of some Chinese chips in military or other government items, but the rule doesnt take effect until 2027.

--With assistance from Debby Wu and Allen Wan.

(Updates with Chinas comment in the sixth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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FILE PHOTO: An Israeli military tank and soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel

By Steven Scheer

HERZLIYA, Israel (Reuters) - Nearly 7,000 miles away in Portland, Oregon, venture capitalist George Djuric said he was compelled to visit Israel during the country's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas and to pledge support for the high-tech sector.

Djuric, chief technology officer at yVentures who arrived in the United States as a 3-year-old refugee from Bosnia during the Bosnian war in the mid-1990s, this week joined some 70 other U.S. tech executives and investors on a trip to Israel.

"Coming here is a chance to stand in solidarity with Israel and also support the tech ecosystem, which is the world's second largest after Silicon Valley," he said. "As a technology fund, it makes sense for us to be here."

Although not Jewish, Djuric said he was drawn to Israel by the state's resiliency and as someone whose family's views were shaped by war.

"I was horrified by what happened on Oct. 7 and I was equally horrified the next day when I saw people demonstrating in support of what happened," he said, referring to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel launched by Hamas.

Investors and analysts had predicted the conflict with the Palestinians would derail a fragile recovery in high-tech, which accounts for more than half of Israel's exports and nearly a fifth of its overall economic output.

Funding had already dropped sharply amid a global slowdown and a divisive government judicial overhaul when the war took its toll on the economy. Growth, on pace for a 3.4% clip this year, has fallen to an expected 2% with the outlook at least as grim.

At least 15% of the tech workforce has been called up for military reserve duty. Fighting in the Gaza Strip escalated on Thursday and Hamas rocketed Tel Aviv, even as the foes engaged in the most serious talks for weeks on a new truce.

Yet, even as the war rages, tech funding deals are still getting done, albeit at a slower pace. Startups have raised more than $6 billion in 2023 compared with $16 billion in 2022.

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On Tuesday, ScaleOps, a startup specializing in cloud resource management, announced a $21.5 million funding round. Last week, cyber startup Zero Networks, which prevents attackers from spreading in corporate networks, raised $20 million.

'LONG-TERM BULLISH ON ISRAEL'

Ron Miasnik of Bain Capital Ventures who co-organized the delegation, said he had expected Israeli startups to go on drawing large sums. He said he believed the country's economy would ultimately bounce back.

"It doesn't matter to us whether the economic rebound takes three months, six months, nine months or 12 months," he said. "We're long-term bullish on Israel."

Miasnik said the idea of the trip emerged from watching other solidarity groups, such as religious ones. "We felt the (U.S.) tech and the venture capital community, which is so heavily integrated within Israel, was missing," he said.

Initially, it was supposed to be just 15 people but, he said, hundreds of people showed interest. They included CEOs and senior executives of U.S.-based tech and VC funds from Meetup.com, Apollo, TPG, Susquehanna Growth Equity, Mastercard, John Deere and Harvard University's endowment investment fund.

In addition to meeting local investors and startups, they met Israeli leaders and families of hostages still held captive in Gaza and toured border towns hit by the Oct. 7 attack.

Bain has a number of investments in Israel, including Redis Labs, in which the fund has invested more than $100 million, and cybersecurity firm Armis, and Miasnik said he was seeking to add more Israeli cybersecurity startups to its portfolio.

Similarly, Danny Schultz, managing director of New York-based Gotham Ventures said he was looking to invest in 10 to 20 Israeli growth stage startups, mainly in fintech, in the next three to five years.

"At the point that Israeli CEOs need more capital, they also need relationships across the ocean in the U.S. and Europe to really help build their companies," he said.

Joy Marcus co-founded a new VC fund called The 98 and only invests in "women-led technology businesses that are disrupting industry."

"I am tortured by the war .. So I am here to support Israel first and foremost," she said. "And I am also very interested in investing in some Israeli women."

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Howard Goller)
Soldiers aboard the U.S.S. Mason have been actively protecting commercial ships in the Red Sea. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The longer container lines detour from the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope, the more vessel capacity will be soaked up, and the higher freight rates will go. Rates are already rebounding. New surcharges just announced by ocean carriers imply freight costs are headed higher still.

Container lines have a perfectly valid reason to avoid going through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait from a corporate governance perspective: They cannot guarantee the safety of their seafarers, ships or cargo due to indiscriminate attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels.

From a bottom-line perspective, the timing couldnt be better. The Red Sea-driven rate rise coincides with annual contract negotiations for Asia-Europe service that renew Jan. 1.

If disruptions extend for months, not weeks, they will impact negotiations for Asia-U.S. annual contracts that renew May 1. Numerous Asia-East Coast services that previously transited the Panama Canal switched to the Red Sea/Suez Canal route due to drought-induced restrictions in Panama.

The U.S. and its allies have unveiled Operation Prosperity Guardian in an attempt to convince shipping lines its safe to come back to the Red Sea, a move some analysts initially thought would bring a swift resolution, minimizing container rate upside.

But a press conference by Defense Department spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder on Thursday (transcript here) offered little guarantee that disruptions will end soon  unless civil-war-hardened Houthis are easily cowed by tough talk.

Think of it as the highway patrol

Ryder made no mention of full-scale military-escorted convoys for commercial ships. Rather, he said Operation Prosperity Guardian would provide expanded patrols, i.e., what the U.S. Navy is already doing, but with more warships and international partners.

The [Houthis] have become bandits along the international highway that is the Red Sea, he said. And so, the forces assigned to Operation Prosperity Guardian will serve as a highway patrol of sorts, patrolling the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to respond to and assist commercial vessels as necessary.

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The distance were talking about here, from the Suez Canal down to the Gulf of Aden, is about the distance from Boston to Washington, D.C., so youre talking about a pretty extensive stretch of water that the international community will be covering.



Asked whether the member nations of Operation Prosperity Guardian have the authority to attack Houthi targets in Yemen, or whether it is primarily a defensive operation, Ryder responded, This is a defensive coalition. Again, think of it as the highway patrol to safeguard maritime.

There was a veiled threat of retaliation, however.

The Houthis need to stop these attacks, Ryder said. They need to stop them now. And they really need to ask themselves if theyve bitten off more than they can chew when it comes to taking on the entire international community and negatively impacting billions and billions of dollars in global trade.

Like 20 police cruisers trying to cover entire Pacific coast

James Stavridis, vice chairman of global affairs at the Carlyle Group and a retired Navy admiral, addressed the shortcomings of an expanded-patrol-only option in an op-ed piece in Bloomberg on Tuesday.

The sea space that the maritime operators must cover is remarkably vast. The Red Sea  from the Suez Canal to the Bab-el-Mandeb on the horn of Africa  is the size of California. To cover the rest of the North Arabian Sea and the approaches to the Red Sea, you can add another chunk nearly double the size of Alaska.

Even if you had 20 warships on patrol  a very high number for a maritime mission  it would be like 20 police cruisers trying to cover Americas entire Pacific Coast, wrote Stavridis.

The U.S. and its partners may have to do more than put additional warships on defensive patrol, he said. We must be prepared to go on offense: to carry out offensive strikes against targets ashore  against Houthi infrastructure on the southern Arabian peninsula.

Nightmare scenario: A lucky strike

Investment bank Evercore ISI held a client webinar on the Red Sea crisis on Thursday, featuring Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at think tank American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum.

Rubin dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian military virtue signaling.

His concern is that the crisis will escalate if the Houthis get a lucky strike that kills American Navy personnel.

The nightmare scenario is  you have a situation like the U.S.S. Cole and theres a lucky strike on an American ship and 30 people get killed or the ship is crippled. Thats going to change the dynamic in Washington, especially against the backdrop of an election campaign.

According to Rubin, The model in many peoples minds goes back to the counter-piracy efforts with regard to Somalia. There you had an international task force.

The difference between that and what were seeing here is that off the coast of Somalia you were in deep blue territory  deep blue in terms of ocean depth and so forth. Therefore, the ships we were sending were largely out of range or they could hang out in areas that were out of range until they needed to move forward to render assistance.

With the Bab-el-Mandeb, youre going to be in range of almost anything when you enter that area. So, it becomes a much more difficult problem set for the U.S. Navy. It becomes vulnerable to drones. It becomes vulnerable to cruise missiles, and it becomes vulnerable to speed boats laden with explosives.

Asia-Med spot rates rising fast

Spot rate indexes already show a significant effect from the Red Sea attacks.

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) jumped 15% this week, driven by a 45% week-on-week surge in Shanghai-North Europe rate assessments.

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) put average spot rates from Shanghai to Genoa, Italy, at $1,956 per FEU for the week ending Thursday, up 40% since the last week of November.

The WCI assessment for Shanghai to Rotterdam, Netherlands, was at $1,667 per FEU, up 42% over the same period. The WCI Global Composite was at $1,661 per FEU, up 20%.

Spot rate in USD per FEU. Blue line: Shanghai-Genoa. Green line: Shanghai-Rotterdam. Orange line: global average. (Chart: FreightWaves SONAR)

According to data from Xeneta, spot rates in the Asia-Mediterranean market averaged $2,327 per FEU on Friday, with the low spot rate at $1,578 per FEU and the high at $3,000 per FEU. The average spot rate was 45% above the average contract rate signed in the past three months of $1,603 per FEU.

The average Asia-Mediterranean spot rate has increased 34% since Nov. 30 and 24% since Dec. 14, according to Xeneta data.

(Chart: Xeneta)

Carriers tack on emergency charges

While rates are rising, ocean carrier profits will not increase to the same extent, because their costs are also up due to sudden diversions. Longer voyages hike fuel bills and other expenses.

Carriers are now tacking on charges to offset those costs.

MSC, the worlds largest ocean carrier, has introduced a contingency adjustment charge (CAC). It is adding a CAC of $1,500 per FEU on shipments from the Middle East and India to Europe starting Saturday, and $1,500 per FEU for shipments from the Middle East and India to the U.S. East and Gulf coasts starting Jan. 18.

MSC said that it was invoking clause 19.2 of its bill of lading, which states that it reserves the right to charge additional freight and is not responsible for delays.

Other carriers are adding similar charges.

Hapag-Lloyd added an emergency revenue charge of $2,000 per FEU on cargo scheduled to transit the Suez eastbound through the end of the month, and $3,000 per FEU on westbound cargo.

Maersk is levying a transit disruption surcharge of $400 per FEU for cargo on the water that was diverted from the Red Sea, and a peak season surcharge of $1,000 per FEU starting Jan. 1 for Asia-North Europe cargo, $2,000 per FEU for Asia-Mediterranean cargo, and $600 per FEU for Asia-U.S. East Coast cargo.

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Niraj Shah, chief executive officer of Wayfair, attends the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 10, 2019 in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Christmas cheer? Bah! Humbug! Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah dished out some tough love in a year-end memo to employees of the Boston home goods company.

Employees should be prepared to work longer hours and not be afraid to let work impinge on their personal lives, Shah said in the email, sent to them last week and first reported by Business Insider and confirmed as accurate by USA TODAY and other outlets.

"Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from," Shah said in the email. "There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success. Hard work is an essential ingredient in any recipe for success. I embrace this, and the most successful people I know do as well."

He sought to enlighten workers on the accuracy of "Nirajisms," sayings about workplace culture attributed to the CEO that are either "not true, are old and no longer applicable, or are taken out of context," Shah said.

"The one I would reference here that I heard was 'Niraj said that he does not think that we should work late.' I would suggest that this is laughably false," the CEO wrote. "Hard work is essential for success, and a key part of getting things done. Everyone deserves to have a great personal life  everyone manages that in their own way  ambitious people find ways to blend and balance the two."

This April 17, 2018, file photo shows the Wayfair website on a computer in New York. In December 2023, the company's CEO sent a year-end email to staff telling them to work longer hours.

Christmas Eve 2023 store hours: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, TJ Maxx all open

Shah kicked off the note by saying Wayfair, which cut 5% of its workforce in 2022, had turned a corner. Last month, the company reported sales of $2.9 billion in the quarter ending Sept. 30, up 3.7% over the year before. Its third-quarter net loss of $163 million is 42% lower than the $283 million net loss in the same quarter in 2022.

"As we work our way through the holiday season it is really encouraging to see that we are back to winning. Winning feels good  and is a great reward for all of our efforts," Shah wrote. "Our market share is growing nicely, our repeat is increasing, our suppliers are leaning in, and we are profitable. This is something to be very proud of."

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The note closed with: "Together we can win much faster than we are winning now if we all row in this direction together. Let's be aggressive, pragmatic, frugal, agile, customer oriented, and smart. Thanks for being on the team!"

Wayfair CEO's year-end note falls flat for some

As word spread about the note, many online criticized the CEO's tenor. "I'm boycotting and not purchasing anything from this greedy company," posted a user named @Jose on X, formerly Twitter. A post from another user, @PortiaMcGonagal, echoed that sentiment: "A company I've purchased from and been satisfied by. My mom too. And now, I won't be buying from anymore."

This is the CEO of @Wayfair. A company I've purchased from and been satisfied by. My mom too. And now, I won't be buying from anymore. 1/



Billionaire CEO pushes employees to work longer hours in year-end messagehttps://t.co/QykvGUMqxp  Portia  McGonagal Same On  (@PortiaMcGonagal) December 22, 2023

"Hey @wayfair, I kinda liked you, but, alas, I will shop elsewhere now until such time as you change your (CEO's) draconian work ethic," posted user debrameadow on the Threads social network.

"Sounds like Wayfair needs a union," posted @dannyoconnor1.

Wayfair responded to the backlash in a statement: We are incredibly proud of our world-class team and culture of open communication. In his note, which was sent to our salaried corporate employees, Niraj was reinforcing some of the values that have contributed to Wayfairs success, including questioning the status quo, being cost-efficient and working hard together to drive results.

Regardless, the strategy could backfire, Stanford University economics professor Nicholas Bloom told CNN. If Wayfair wants to run a business where people work 80 hours a week, hes going to have to put up their salaries by 50% to pay them for it. I dont see this as being successful for the typical employee." Bloom added that employees have options amid a strong job market.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wayfair CEO's email tells employees to 'work longer hours'
Whole Foods did not act unlawfully by banning employees from wearing items with Black Lives Matter messaging, a judge ruled Thursday.

In late spring and summer of 2020, the United States was engulfed in Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyds murder.

Whole Foods team members at various stores began wearing buttons, clothing items, and mainly face masks with BLM messaging.

Whole Foods informed these team members that they were violating the stores dress code, and they could either remove the BLM items or clock out and go home. Team members who chose to clock out racked up violations, or what the store calls points, leading some to get discharged, a term Whole Foods called resignations.

The first occurrence was at a store in Bedford, New Hampshire, followed by stores in Maryland, Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Washington and California.

In many instances employees started donning BLM messaging, by wearing masks, pins or jewelry, after learning that employees in other stores were doing so  and in response to learning that employees were being told by (the store) that they could not do so, NLRB administrative law judge Ariel Sotolongo wrote in the ruling.

The dispute isnt about the dress codes existence or whether employees were acting concertedly, but about whether this conduct is protected under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations, the judge said in his ruling.

Section 7 protects the rights of employees to wear and distribute items such as buttons, pins, stickers, t-shirts, flyers, or other items displaying a message relating to terms and conditions of employment, unionization, and other protected matters.

The NLRB General Counsel argued that the BLM movement extended to solidarity against systemic racism, which meant the employees were also standing with Whole Foods Black employees and opposing systemic racism at work.

The judge ruled that it is not protected because employees were showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, without any goal related to their working conditions at the store.

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The fact that BLM may be a movement of great significance to African Americans, and that its goals are valid, does not mean that a rule prohibiting the displaying of such message at work is racist, as some employees implied, the judge wrote.

The judge added that even though Whole Foods had allowed, and even encouraged, donning messages in support of the LGBTQ rights movement, that doesnt mean a separate crackdown on BLM wear was racially motivated.

The evidence persuades me that the employer was merely trying to avoid controversy and conflict at its stores, which it believed BLM messaging would invite, he wrote.

In a statement Whole Foods Market said, our diverse culture continues to be a source of great pride for Whole Foods Market and we remain focused on creating both a safe and inclusive workplace for all. We are pleased with the outcome of this case.

Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represented the Whole Foods Workers who filed the NLRB complaint, said they are exploring other options.

We are disappointed in this decision. Unfortunately the ALJ did not take note of the charging parties argument that the workers were protesting Whole Foods negative response to their concerted activity, she said.

However, Sotolongo did rule that the Whole Foods dress code in effect from 2013 to 2020 was unlawfully broad, because banning any visible slogan, message, logo or advertising could apply to union attire like pins and buttons.

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Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads as follows:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your birthday anniversary. Please, accept my warmest regards and the best wishes of joy, happiness and success in your endeavors and aspirations for prosperity, peace and stability of your country and the friendly people of Azerbaijan.

Your personal commitment and engagement to further developing relations between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is highly valued and very much appreciated.

Hereby, I avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm that the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan will be further enhanced by a wide range of bilateral and multilateral initiatives for the benefit of our nations.

Excellency, allow me to once again renew the assurances of my highest consideration, and wish you every success in your most important endeavors.

Sincerely,

Irakli Garibashvili

Prime Minister of Georgia
JHVEPhoto / Getty Images

Disney can be expensive: food, drinks, front-of-the-line passes, souvenirs and the list goes on. Many families break the bank just for a simple vacation to the parks.

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With Disney ticket prices at an all-time high, you may be looking for a fun way to spend your time without spending excessive money or splurging more than you already have for your vacation.

What Is Resort Hopping?

Simply put, resort hopping is a way for visitors to save money by not spending time inside the park and inevitably spending money.

Guests resort hop by simply checking out lobbies, shops, and restaurants at Disney Resorts other than their own, said Brittany DiCologero from The Disney Outpost, a Disney informational website.

Those unfamiliar with the Disney parks system may not understand how the resorts function. Disney resorts are hotels owned by Disney on or close to the Disney campus and serve as a place for guests to stay. These resorts are also home to free activities.

Since Disney World is significantly larger than Disneyland, out of the two Disney parks in the United States, resort hopping is more common at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

While it is possible to resort hop at Disneyland, the campus is much smaller and it is not required to take the monorail to visit any of the three Disneyland resorts: Disneys Grand Californian, Paradise Pier Hotel, and The Disneyland Resort.

Disneyland visitors can utilize resort hopping, but the tips below will be most useful to Disney World visitors. It is recommended to resort hop on the Disney World campus to save money and see what Disney offers beyond purchasing souvenirs.

What Is Not Allowed

One important piece of information to remember when planning to resort hop is that using pools at the resort, where you are not a guest, is forbidden.

Pools are one amenity that is strictly for guests staying at each resort, and sometimes Cast Members will actually check to ensure guests are registered at resort pools, DiCologero said.

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There may be some exceptions to the rules, but for the most part, you are not allowed to use the pool facilities at any resorts you want to visit. This is one paid amenity that can be used by paying guests only.

Recreation Schedules

Free recreational activities are a way to spend time at Disney resorts without spending money. These recreational activities are offered nightly at many of the twelve resorts offered at Disney World.

Disneys recreation schedules change all the time, so be sure to check the schedules at each individual resort for more things you can do, said Heather Thomas, a writer for Walt Disney World Prep School, a website that helps Disney-goers plan their next trip.

It is imperative to check out the recreation schedule of every hotel you want to visit. For example, The Contemporary, one of the resorts that the monorail loop passes directly through, has a daily movie outdoor movie night as well as a free campfire on the beach.

When planning your resort hopping excursion, keep in mind what free activities best suit the needs of your group and plot out what resorts to visit accordingly.

Other Free Activities at the Resorts

Firework Viewing

You do not need to be a paying visitor to view fireworks at any Disney World resort. For prime fireworks viewing, a few resorts offer a better view.

Notably, the beaches at the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, and the balcony of California Grill at the top of Disneys Contemporary Resort [allow you to see fireworks], DiCologero said.

Animal Viewing

Viewing the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great way to get the zoo experience and see animals from around the world for free. Although the Animal Kingdom Lodge offers savanna view rooms, where guests can wake up to a rare viewing of giraffes, ibises, and wildebeests, many visitors cannot afford a luxury hotel room.

You can wander several areas of Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge and see animals without booking a stay, DiCologero said.

To avoid breaking the bank, take the time to see the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodges free viewing areas.

Hidden Mickeys

For those Disney enthusiasts, Hidden Mickeys can be a fun and free way to engage with what the park offers. Hidden Mickeys are just that  Mickey Mouse silhouettes that are hidden in the designs of planters, murals, trash cans and much more.

Searching for Hidden Mickeys at the resorts is a way to save yourself from unnecessary spending.

Animal Kingdom Lodge even has a Hidden Mickey scavenger hunt sheet that you can pick up from the front desk, DiCologero said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Why You Should Consider Resort Hopping for Some Free Fun on Your Next Disney Vacation
Transparency Market Research

The rise in the wood vinegar market in recent years may be attributed in large part to an increase in government programs involving biobased products.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Dec. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. -The global wood vinegar market was projected to attain US$ 5.5 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to garner a 6.3% CAGR from 2023 to 2031 and by 2031 the market is likely to attain US$ 9.6 billion by 2031.

Governments are devoting more and more time to studying the benefits of wood vinegar versus synthetic substitutes. The applications of organic wood vinegar in agriculture include transportation of fertilizer, addition to composting, and soil conditioning. It is also used as a feed addition, silage additive, and treatment for manure and stable bedding.

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Global Wood Vinegar Market: Key Players

Producers of wood vinegar are doing research to find new ways to make wood vinegar using various raw materials. Companies have also tried combining two or more already-existing substances to produce wood vinegar with unique scents.

The following companies are well-known participants in the global wood vinegar market:

Dongying Runyi Biotechnology Co. Ltd.

Merck KGaA (Sigma Aldrich)

Canada Renewable Bioenergy Corp

Kerry Group PLC

Frutarom Industries Ltd.

Agribolics Technology Sdn Bhd

VerdiLife LLC.

Red Arrow International LLC

B&G Foods, Inc.

Baumer Foods, Inc.

TAGROW CO. LTD.

New Life Wood Vinegar

Compared to cowpea farmers who use wood vinegar topically, those who soak their cowpeas in wood vinegar are likely to get larger net returns on their investment.

Key Findings of the Market Report

The increasing usage of wood vinegar in a variety of sectors is driving its market share globally.

It serves as an organic fertilizer, a bio-pesticide, an antibacterial agent, and a growth-stimulating agent for plants in agriculture.

The growing unpopularity of genetically modified crops, industrial fertilizers, and pesticides has led to the emergence of wood vinegar as an alternative to already recognized approaches in these domains.

One key factor driving their use in agriculture has been the rise in public awareness of synthetic components in the food chain.

Since wood vinegar contains short-chain fatty acids that prevent the formation of dangerous germs, it is used in medications.

It promotes the growth of prebiotics while inhibiting the growth of protozoa and enteropathogenic bacteria.

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Market Trends for Wood Vinegar

Manufacturers of food and drink goods are reformulating and offering clean label items these days. Manufacturers of processed foods are concentrating their efforts on building new plants and investing in the development of their current facilities to boost the production of processed foods like meat and seafood products. The market for liquid smoke and wood vinegar, which are used to give some processed foods a unique flavor, is thus anticipated to grow as a result.

Wood vinegar producers must effectively satisfy the needs of diverse end customers in a range of applications while guaranteeing the availability of the necessary goods, as good quality and results are crucial.

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Global Market for Wood Vinegar: Regional Outlook

Sales are expected to be dominated by Asia Pacific throughout the projection period, with Europe and North America following closely behind. The demand for beef products is rising due to the rapid population growth and broad Westernization in Asia Pacific. This is anticipated to lead to a rise in the region's need for wood vinegar and liquid smoke for taste and preservation as processed meat products are consumed more often.

One interesting finding is that consumers in Western nations, such North America and Europe, usually order smoked food, but individuals in other regions, like Asia and Africa, would rather not have smoked food. Applications in the food processing industry are expected to increase as a result throughout North America and Europe.

Some key developments by the players in this market are:

Leading wood vinegar manufacturer PyroAg asked organic farmers in Australia to adopt sustainable farming methods in the country's agricultural industry by lowering the price of its wood vinegar in December 2022.

Two engineers in northern Gaza created a wood vinegar distillation apparatus in June 2022, saying it would address the region's issues with soil fertility.

Byron Biochar introduced biochar + frass, a new product, to the market in May 2020. This product, which is 80% charcoal and 20% frass, is perfect for use as a fertilizer as well as soil conditioner.

Global Wood Vinegar Market Segmentation

Production Method

Rapid Pyrolysis

Intermediate Pyrolysis

Slow Pyrolysis

End User

Food and Beverages Industry

Agriculture Industry

Animal Feed Industry

Pharmaceutical Industry

Cosmetics & Personal Care Industry

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

Latin America

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More Trending Reports by Transparency Market Research 

Maqui Berries Market - The global maqui berries market is expected to cross US$ 59.5 Bn by the end of 2031 and it is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2022 to 2031

Frangipani Extract Market - The global frangipani extract market is expected to reach value of US$ 56.10 Mn by the end of 2032 and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2032

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

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An In-Depth Look at SHXWF's Dividend Sustainability and Growth Prospects

Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd (SHXWF) recently announced a dividend of $0.2 per share, payable on 2024-02-20, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-12-22. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd Do?

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Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd is engaged in the publishing of books, periodicals and audio-visual products and distribution of textbooks and supplementary materials. It operates its activity in China through two operating segments; the Publication segment which includes the publishing of books, periodicals and audiovisual products and the Distribution segment which comprises of distribution of textbooks and supplementary materials. The group generates a majority of its revenue from the Distribution segment.

Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's Dividend History

Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2021, distributing dividends on a yearly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 5.93% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 5.93%, indicating an expectation of consistent dividend payments over the next 12 months.

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Over the past three years, Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's annual dividend growth rate was 1.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 0.90% per year. And over the past decade, the company's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 9.10%.

Based on Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd stock as of today is approximately 6.20%.

Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, which ensures the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's dividend payout ratio is 0.28.

Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's profitability 9 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's revenue has increased by approximately 7.50% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 69.83% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's earnings increased by approximately 7.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 52.65% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 9.40%, which outperforms approximately 62.79% of global competitors, bodes well for its financial health.

Conclusion: Evaluating Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd's Dividend Viability

In conclusion, Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd demonstrates a strong dividend profile with its consistent payments, moderate growth rates, and a sustainable payout ratio. Coupled with its high profitability rank and solid growth metrics, the company appears to be in a good position to maintain its dividend payments in the foreseeable future. Investors seeking dividend income may find Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd an attractive option to consider. With these insights, value investors can make more informed decisions on whether Xinhua Winshare Publishing & Media Co Ltd fits into their investment portfolio for steady income and potential capital appreciation.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

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.


(Bloomberg) -- Zomato Ltd., the publicly traded food delivery company, has made an offer to acquire closely held Indian e-commerce shipping startup Shiprocket, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Zomatos offer values the platform at about $2 billion, said the people, who requested anonymity discussing confidential information. No final decision has been made and Zomato could opt against proceeding with a deal for the company, the people said.

A representative for Shiprocket declined to comment. New Delhi-based Zomato said in a statement reports about the company buying Shiprocket for $2 billion were incorrect news, adding it had no plans for an acquisition.

Shiprocket, led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Saahil Goel, raised funds in August 2022 at a valuation of $1.23 billion, PitchBook data shows. Its investors include Bertelsmann India Investments, Temasek Holdings Pte, PayPal Ventures and Tribe Capital. Zomato backed the company in 2021.

Since its initial public offering in July 2021, Zomatos shares have climbed 68%, outperforming the Nifty 50 Index, which has gained 34% over the same period.

--With assistance from Baiju Kalesh and Devidutta Tripathy.

(Updates with Zomatos statement in the third paragraph)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Bowling Green artist Joey Frye enjoyed one of the biggest moments of his life last week when he saw his artwork on display at the Virginia Executive Mansion, part of a state exhibit called the Art Experience.

It was such a big opportunity and wonderful, Frye wrote in an email. One of the biggest in my life, I was very proud.

Seven years ago, the 26-year-old created a business called Artism by Joey, a play on the words that have defined his life: art and autism. As a child, Frye expressed himself through imaginative sketches long before he started talking, and his drawings continued long after he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Frye often says he considers his condition both a tool and a gift, and he enjoys expressing the unique ways he sees the world.

Others who visit the Executive Mansion in Richmond will see the work of Frye and other Virginia artists who are part of First Lady Suzanne Youngkins project, the Art Experience.

The initiative began last year with the theme, The Spirit of Virginia, and expanded this year with a second installment called Do What You Love in Virginia. The project has more than 75 pieces from 37 institutions and individual artists from across the state.

Autumn Light, an 11-by-14-inch acrylic by Frye, hangs in the the foyer, to the left of the big archway that opens into the rest of the mansion, he said. Three trees that are aglow in the fall light practically pop off the canvas from among the forest of autumnal colors behind them.

Two of his other acrylics are on display around a large Christmas tree in a parlor. The Preparation pictures a vintage 1950s pickup truck hauling a Christmas tree in the snow, and St. Francis Holy Night shows the light and joy Frye felt by the story of the saint and the Nativity scene.

The mansion was very magical and historical, Frye said after attending a reception last week. I love how they placed the decorations in the arches and the whole place was festive. It was just beautiful.

Meeting the Youngkins wasnt so bad, either. Frye gave a thumbs-up in the photo next to Gov. Glenn Youngkin and made the sign for peace and harmony as he stood in front of a Christmas tree next to the First Lady.

She was fun, lively, down to earth and super nice, Frye gushed in an email. Gov. Youngkin is gracious and exactly like Mrs. Youngkin, nice and friendly.

Fryes parents, Sam and Caroline, say one of the magical things about their son is that he doesnt have a filter between his feelings and expressing them.

With Joey, what you see is what you get, his father said in a 2018 story in The Free LanceStar.

Joey Frye said he also enjoyed being welcomed into the mansion and recognized for his art. Work from other artists was beautiful and stunning, and the other artists were so terrific.

Frye works out of his gallery in Bowling Green, where his tagline is: Ideas transformed into magical art for you and other awesome people.

He likes working on commissioned pieces, when customers tell him a few things about themselves and he creates art to illustrate their interests. Hes recently been working hard to learn animation skills and would love to collaborate with others.

It would be great to have a team to work with to learn from and each other, he said.

More information about him is available on Facebook.
A 31-year-old Fredericksburg man landed in jail facing numerous charges after 14 vehicles were tampered with in a neighborhood, the Fredericksburg Police Department said Thursday.

According to police, at around 5:30 a.m. Friday there were multiple calls from residents in the Preserve at Smith Run neighborhood about a person tampering with vehicles.

Eyewitnesses and video provided details of the person: a black male wearing dark clothes and a blue bandanna, police said. An officer soon spotted a person resembling the details from witnesses and video near the crime scene.

Police charged Davone Addison with five counts of vehicle tampering, seven counts of entering a vehicle without authorization and two counts of larceny.

Addison is incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail with no bond.
Christian Womens Noon Connection will be hosting a noon luncheon on Monday, Jan. 8, at the Midland University Dining Hall, Ninth and Pebble streets, in Fremont. The theme is Joy Marches On.

Lee Meyer will give a presentation about Fremont Opera House. Music will be provided by Don Atwell.

Ellen Lund of Fremont will speak on Its All Good. She will present tips to treasure every moment of life. She has three children and four grandchildren. Lund is the former food columnist for the Fremont Tribune.

Cost of the luncheon is $15. To make a reservation, call Pat at 402-720-3847 by Tuesday, Jan. 2. Honoring your reservation is necessary.
The Fremont man who was rescued by anonymous good Samaritans from his burning vehicle in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 19, is reportedly a suspected gang member who was arrested in July after a weeks-long search for him by Dodge County law enforcement authorities.

Jose G. Rodriguez was identified by Fremont Police officials on Nov. 20 as the driver of a vehicle that rammed the Fremont Presbyterian Church at about 1 a.m. on Nov. 19.

According to police reports and Dodge County Court documents, Rodriguez is charged with three different alleged firearms-related crimes and was accused of being present during an alleged armed robbery at the Fremont Mall with two other men on May 13, 2023.

In the early hours of Nov. 19, Rodriguez reportedly lost control of his car shortly after 12 a.m. and drove directly into a stone doorway of the church in the area of the 1300 block of North K Street.

The church suffered mostly smoke and water damage, and has been closed to parishioners since the incident. It is slated to reopen on Dec. 22 for a Christmas decoration event.

According to officials from the Fremont Fire Department, the vehicle burst into flames with Rodriguez trapped inside. That is when, said Fremont fire Capt. Zachary Klein, a group of unknown local residents rushed to the accident scene and pulled Rodriguez from the burning car, saving his life.

Rodriguez was first transported to Methodist Fremont Health for treatment before he was transferred to a higher-level medical facility in Omaha.

Although Rodriguez is not facing any charges in relation to the church crash, his attorney  Kenneth Jacobs of Fremont  filed a motion for continuation of Rodriguezs criminal court proceedings with Dodge County Judge Thomas J. Klein citing injuries suffered by Rodriguez in the church accident as one reason to delay his court proceedings.

(Rodriguez) was involved in an auto accident resulting in broken bones and he is unable to currently leave his home, Jacobs wrote in his motion, which was granted.

Jacobs did not respond to a message seeking comment on his client or the case.

According to court documents filed with the Dodge County Court, Rodriguez, who will turn 20 on Dec. 22, is charged with three different alleged crimes related to firearms possession after he was accused of being present during an alleged armed robbery with two other male suspects inside the Fremont Mall on May 13.

Fremont police Sgt. Kurt Pafford filed a detailed incident report about the alleged armed robbery at the Fremont Mall on Saturday, May 13, after a witness reported to 911 dispatchers that they had witnessed the alleged incident.

Pafford wrote in his report that an unidentified black male was alleged to have robbed a male and female couple at the mall while armed with a handgun. At the time of the alleged robbery, a Hispanic male later identified as Rodriguez was accused of standing near the suspect who was armed with the handgun.

In other Dodge County court documents, the armed robbery suspect was identified as Thurbil K. Nyoach, now 18, but who was 17 years old at the time of the alleged armed robbery he is accused of. Nyoach was initially charged with six different alleged crimes, however, in late August two charges were dismissed. He was incarcerated for an unknown period of time in Iowa at the Woodbury County Juvenile Detention Center.

A third male, who has not been identified, was reportedly severely injured in a fight at the mall which  police allege  led Nyoach and Rodriguez to drive him to the hospital nearby.

After the alleged armed robbery, the witness told Fremont police officials investigating the incident that they supposedly witnessed the armed robbery suspect  Nyoachand the Hispanic man identified as Rodriguez assist the third male who was reportedly severely injured into a BMW sedan, which sped away from the mall area.

According to Paffords report, the BMW allegedly used by the trio of suspects to flee the mall arrived at the Methodist Fremont Health hospital a short time after the alleged robbery. The armed robbery suspect and Rodriguez reportedly carried the third male out of the car and into the hospital for treatment.

Police officials were called to the hospital, where, Pafford reported, Rodriguez was identified and detained before being transported to the Fremont Police Department. The BMW was impounded, and after a search warrant was obtained, police officials stated that three handguns were found hidden under seats in the vehicle.

One of the handguns  a 9 mm Springfield Armory XDM semi-automatic pistol  had been reported stolen and the original owner had filed a report with the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department in October 2022.

Rodriguez was eventually arrested on July 11, 2023, and charges with three different felonies: suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm, a Class IIA felony; suspicion of possession of a defaced firearm, a Class III felony; and suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, a Class I misdemeanor.

Following his arrest in July, Rodriguez was briefly jailed before being released on bond. Since then, his case has been slowly moving along through the court process. However, his attorney wrote in his motion seeking a continuance of the case that he and Rodriguez were engaged in plea deal negotiations with the Dodge County Attorney Office.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Rodriguez has had other brushes with law enforcement over the past several years.

In 2020, he plead guilty to speeding and also driving with an expired learners permit and no licensed driver present in the vehicle with him as required by law.
A federal judge has resentenced two Omaha men for their involvement in a 2018 home-invasion attempted robbery where a 36-year-old Lincoln mother was shot and killed.

"The crime doesn't get any worse than this one," Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said, sentencing Tawhyne Patterson Sr., 30, and Damon Williams Jr., 32, both to 55 years in prison, in back-to-back hearings Wednesday.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Following a jury trial in 2021, Gerrard sentenced them to life in prison for Jessica Brandon's murder, plus 20 years on the attempted robbery and gun charges.

But in May the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals said their murder convictions should be vacated because of how they were charged and a U.S. Supreme Court decision that came down in a similar case after their trial.

At trial, prosecutors had alleged Brandon was killed during a crime of violence (an attempted robbery) under the Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime for anyone to impede or affect interstate commerce "in any way or degree" by committing robbery or extortion.

But the Supreme Court later ruled that attempted robbery didn't qualify as a crime of violence under the Hobbs Act.

Essentially, the court said, it had to be a robbery, not just an attempt, which meant that their convictions for Brandon's killing were null.

So their cases came back to U.S. District Court of Nebraska in Lincoln for resentencing, this time for only two attempted robberies and a firearm conspiracy charge.

"I reached out to the victims and generally what I heard was a difficulty understanding the legal posture that we're in," Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Packard said at the hearing Wednesday. "It's hard to explain a legal ruling that just kind of doesn't make commonsense on the surface. How does a conspiracy to commit a robbery not constitute a crime of violence?"

He said it's reopened wounds for Brandon's family.

Gerrard said it's difficult to explain. It's the difference between an attempted robbery and a completed robbery.

"I think the only reason it wasn't a completed robbery is incompetency basically," he said.

If they had gotten away with money or drugs, it would be a life sentence.

"To be able to describe the differences to this family or the jury that heard the evidence, I don't know that anybody can. I'm bound by the law and I will apply the law in this case," Gerrard said.

On July 31, 2018, Patterson Sr., Williams and his younger brother, Dante Williams, kicked in the front door of the home where Brandon and Michael Robertson lived, Patterson and Damon Williams with guns in tow.

The brothers went from room to room zip-tying Brandon's children, a friend and the girls' grandmother and taping their mouths shut as Patterson fired off 13 rounds into the stairwell, where Brandon, 36, suffered a fatal gunshot wound, likely while trying to get to her children.

Prosecutors said the men were trying to steal marijuana and money from Robertson but left empty-handed.

Packard said the victims have suffered and continue to suffer lifelong psychological trauma from Brandon's murder.

"They're hoping to find some closure in the coming years," he said, asking for a 60-year sentence, the maximum sentence possible following the reversal.

Patterson's attorney, Michael Tasset, argued for 25 years, saying it is difficult to understand.

"But we know as lawyers, and the court certainly knows, ... that there are sound legal reasons for why Mr. Patterson's sentence and conviction on count one was vacated," he said.

Tasset said they also know that doesn't mean Patterson's conduct was not against the law. It certainly violated state law, he said, and the state could still charge him there.

"And the state authority does have the ability, if not intention, to hold Mr. Patterson or attempt to hold him to account for that conduct. And if they do and they're successful, he'll be punished there for that behavior," he said.

Patterson said he wanted the judge and the family to know the reason for his silence up to this point was because "ultimately, I think we can all agree, it wouldn't have mattered, to be honest."

He said if he said he was sorry, the court and the victim's family could take it to mean he's only sorry he got caught. If he doesn't say he's sorry, then he becomes the cold-hearted person who doesn't care anyway.

"Everyone has an opinion they're set in whether I say anything or don't say anything," Patterson said.

In the end, Gerrard called it a senseless and violent crime and described Patterson as "the planner, the shooter and the executioner."

He said home-invasions are among the most heinous he sees and invariably involve violence, weapons, injuries or killings. In state court, it would be a classic case of felony murder, he said.

"It's quite apparent that you had the intention to be firing a gun once confronted. Unfortunately, you were confronted by an innocent victim, the mother of the children who were also in the house and who literally saw her die," Gerrard said.

Shortly after, Damon Williams's attorney, Terrance Waite, unsuccessfully tried to argue that the judge should treat the murder charge as an acquittal and not consider it at all at sentencing.

But Gerrard said the jury had been clear, Brandon was shot and killed during the robbery attempt. It was relevant conduct he could consider.

Williams continued to maintain his innocence, turning to Brandon's family in the courtroom and saying he understood their pain and was sorry they had to feel it.

"The best I can say, it's not right," he said.

He said he hoped they could forgive him for the idea that he caused that pain.

Gerrard said this wasn't just a one-man operation by Patterson.

"You were armed, zip lock ties in hand and you carried out your function, tying up a 9-year-old child as well as tying up and duct-taping an older woman," he said. "The punishment will be for the acts that you committed."

Damon Williams' brother, Dante Williams, pleaded guilty on the eve of trial for his role in the crime and got 55 years in prison. The court overturned his conviction, too. He's facing resentencing Thursday.

Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 1. Julian A. Martinez 2. Rudy Requejo Jr. 3. Ronald Gonzalez Rivas 4. Christopher Karmazin 5. Damien Brave 6. Mark Kruger
The former owner of two funeral homes in central Colorado has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to charges that her funeral home included the cremated remains of an adult when it gave the ashes of a stillborn boy to his parents in December 2019
Abbas Ganbay

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic hosted a meeting headed by Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

It was reported that at the meeting attended by Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Tapdig Amiraslanov, Minister of Emergency Situations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Major-General Shahin, issues related to the activities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were discussed and reports were heard. Mirzaev and heads of relevant structural subdivisions and institutions of the Ministry.

Delivering a closing speech at the meeting, Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov noted the necessary issues to be solved to further improve the activity of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and gave relevant assignments.
New Mexico parties certify 5 GOP candidates for June presidential primary amid challenge to Trump

Donald Trump is among a slate of presidential candidates New Mexicos major political parties have certified to appear on the states June 4 primary ballots
For the 68th year, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is ready to put its state-of-the art technological and human resources to work in tracking the most anticipated journey of the year  namely, Santa Claus sleigh ride to deliver toys and Christmas joy to children around the world.

The military-run, all-volunteer tracking operation continues to grow in size and scope. The NORAD Tracks Santa website (www.noradsanta.org), which launched Dec. 1, now includes games, movies, music, an online store and more and is available in nine languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese and  new this year  Korean.

Youngsters can even turn to Alexa, Amazons virtual assistant, and ask Wheres Santa?

The programs well-known origin story is the stuff of real-world folklore that actually predates NORAD.

In 1955, Sears Roebuck created an ad, which ran in The Gazette, that contained a phone number for children to call Santa.

Hey kiddies! St. Nick says in the ad. Call me direct on my telephone.

One of the digits in the phone number was wrong, and instead of calling old St. Nick, kids called the on-duty commander at the Continental Air Defense Command, later to be known as NORAD. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup played along with the kids phone calls, acting as Santa and giving birth to a tradition that continued after NORAD was formed in 1958.

What started out as a gesture of kindness from a military officer has grown into an annual operation involving more than 1,000 volunteers, more than 50 corporate organizations, a bi-national homeland defense organization and millions of excited youngsters.

The volunteers answer countless phone calls and emails each year. Theres a Facebook page, as well as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts. Parents and kids can download a NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app to their computers and smartphones.

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NORAD Tracks Santas social media accounts have been flooded with posts from excited kids and adults alike:

Favorite thing to do with my boys when they were little.

Did this every year when our kids were still young. They loved it and still remember it.

Cant wait to follow as he visits my grandsons in Australia then onto my granddaughter in England. They are so excited.

Im an adult and Im still excited!

For more inquisitive youngsters, the tracking website features answers to frequently asked questions about Santas ride, including technical data like the sleighs designer and builder (K. Kringle and Elves Inc.) and maximum speed (faster than starlight).

Some things, however, defy explanation. As an answer to one oft-asked question  How does Santa manage to slide down chimneys?  the website states: Although NORAD has different hypotheses and theories as to how Santa actually gets down the chimneys, we don't have definitive information to explain the magical phenomenon.

For little girls and boys who want to hear about Santa the old-fashioned way, via telephone, NORADs Christmas Eve call center goes live at 6 a.m. Sunday, and operators will take calls until midnight.
When a cardiac nurse and an Army corporal stopped to help a motorcyclist at Dublin and Union boulevards with dire injuries the day before Thanksgiving, he had no pulse.

The average person walking up to that would have just deemed that he was already gone, nurse Rebekah Sorenson said. And he technically was. But at the same time he still had a chance. And I was willing to take it if it was a 1% chance if it meant something to someone else. If it was my loved one or if it was me or my child, I would want someone to try.

Sorenson and Army Cpl. Andrew Brewerton arrived just as a truck pulled in front of the motorcyclist in the intersection. It left Tanner Hughes, 21, no time to swerve and sent him sprawling across the roadway, motorcycle smoking as it came to a stop, the eyewitness Sorenson said.

Sorenson was coming back from visiting a friend in the hospital; it was also her birthday. Brewerton was driving to a gas station. Both were planning their Thanksgivings, looking forward to spending the day with their children. They jumped out of their cars to help anyway.

The right thing to do with holding a medical license is to pull over to check and assess the scene, Sorenson said. I did just that.

When the crash happened, Sorenson pulled into the Walgreens at the corner, while Brewerton parked his truck. Sorenson ran out into the busy intersection and started assessing the unresponsive Hughes.

He had no pulse at that point. I just did what protocol tells me to do, she said.

While cardiac-specialized nurse Sorenson saw to restarting Hughes heartbeat, Army scout Brewerton arrived and saw to Hughes exterior injuries. To help Hughes, the first responders needed a tourniquet to stem bleeding from his hand, which had partially detached in the crash.

The gentleman that was there with me, he asked me what he needed from him, and at the time I told him to take my shoelace and tie it around his wrist, Sorenson said.

Brewerton could do better than that. He simply ran back to his truck and retrieved the real tourniquet he always keeps there.

I just keep two in my truck, in my wifes car, just in case something ever happens, said Brewerton, who in addition to his tactical casualty care training through the Fourth Infantry Divisions First Stryker Brigade Combat Team also was a firefighter in Falcon.

Hughes injuries were so severe that other bystanders were keeping their distance, uncertain how they could help or put off by the graphic scene.

People had stopped, but because of the state he was in, no one really wanted to be near him or touch him, Sorenson said.

Not so with Sorenson and Brewerton.

Sorenson continued CPR despite a call from a bystander that she should stop. Her reply: I told them thats not protocol.

Sorenson and Brewerton stayed with Hughes until emergency services could arrive and take over life-saving measures a few minutes later. Then, Hughes was gone in an ambulance. Like many first responders, neither knew whether the person they tried to save was alive or dead in the end.

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Over the holiday and in the coming days, it weighed on them.

Sorenson reached out to her contacts in the medical field to see if she could get an update. The hospital switchboard told her they were too inundated to give her information.

Brewerton, a motorcycle crash survivor, said the man he tried to save was front of mind during the holiday.

I thought about him like every day, he said.

It took over a week until a news story led both to find out that Hughes had survived thanks to them. Both reached out to the family independently, hoping for an update on Hughes condition.

I was just thankful he was alive, Sorenson said.

Both first responders were able to meet and talk to Hughes in the hospital while he went through surgeries to repair his hand and other injuries. Hughes is unable to talk yet, but had regained consciousness. Brewerton, who was hurt in a motorcycle crash in 2011, said he wanted to let Hughes know he wasnt alone.

Its a long road, but Im here for him. I didnt really have people when I was going through it, so thats why Im just offering my support to him, he said.

Hughes has made progress at the hospital despite life-threatening trauma to his heart as well as the need for reconstructive surgery for his jaw and arm. He went through surgeries this month to repair his heart and his arm.

His father, Adam Hughes, said the younger Hughes is recovering slowly and is set to be transferred to Denver for further treatment and physical therapy. He said the whole family was happy to meet with people who helped his son at the scene of the crash.

We are actually just so grateful to have met with them, Adam Hughes said.

The Hughes family has set up a GoFundMe for Tanners recovery. While his long-term prognosis is still unknown, his family is hopeful.

With their backgrounds, Sorenson and Brewerton share a few thoughts about how to save a life. Sorenson said that taking action with basic training is key.

Having knowledge of CPR is absolutely vital for anyone, she said. This could happen to anyone. There are car accidents that happen in Colorado Springs hundreds of times a day Im sure. Having the foreknowledge not just for yourself but for other people around you is just critical.

Brewerton said he sees fatal motorcycle crashes in the community all the time.

Wear your helmet, he said. That saved that kid.
The Adams County jury deliberating the case of two paramedics facing charges in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain did not reach a decision by 5 p.m. on Thursday. That means theyll resume deliberations on Friday morning.

Aurora Fire Rescue medics Jeremy Cooper and Lt. Peter Cichuniec each face charges of reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and three counts each of second-degree assault. The assault charges include assault causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon (ketamine) and illegally administering the sedative without consent.

McClain died a few days after three Aurora police officers stopped him as he walked home from a convenience store the night of Aug. 24, 2019 after buying iced tea.

During a struggle, the officers took McClain to the ground, handcuffed him and one used a neck hold that restricts oxygen flow to the brain. The paramedics now facing trial decided to give McClain a 500-milligram dose of ketamine, a sedative used in medical care as an anesthetic and for pain management. The paramedics claimed they administered ketamine because they believed McClain was suffering from excited delirium, a controversial diagnosis typically described as an onset of symptoms, such as extreme aggression, strength, resistance to pain and paranoia.

He went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing within a few minutes of receiving the injection, and he never regained consciousness. A doctor declared him brain dead in the hospital three days later.

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Prosecutors said on Wednesday the paramedics, particularly Cooper, would have understood McClains cries  such as ow, ow, and his final words, Please help me  had they listened. But Cooper had already made up his mind that McClain needed ketamine and didnt pay attention to any cues from his words and behavior, they said.

The defense attorneys argued its not fair to judge their actions with the benefit of hindsight, which has included body-worn camera footage and opinions from medical experts. Nitpicking details about what they could have done differently doesnt equate to criminal liability, their attorneys argued.

The paramedics were the last two of the five men indicted in McClains death to go to trial. In the first trial, a jury returned a split verdict for Aurora officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt. Roedema was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault and will be sentenced in January. That same jury acquitted Rosenblatt of all charges.

A separate jury acquitted Aurora officer Nathan Woodyard.

Denver Gazette reporter Julia Cardi contributed to this report.
The attorney for the small town of Palmer Lake north of Colorado Springs stepped down via a letter to the town board of trustees Thursday following the publicizing of multiple pending charges stemming from a 2022 arrest.

According to court documents, Matthew Krob is facing charges including sexual assault, third-degree assault and misdemeanor child abuse linked to an incident in 2022.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette, police received a call from a crying person Nov. 20, 2022, around 4 a.m. reporting a disturbance. The affidavit said the call was shortly after disconnected, and a different person answered a call back but hung up on the dispatcher, with subsequent calls going to voicemail.

Deputies responded to the address, a cabin located at the "Jellystone Park" resort in Larkspur according to reporting by KRDO. The affidavit said deputies found the caller inside with blood on their chest and on the bed. The alleged victim, who has not been identified, said that Krob had sexually assaulted them after an argument that night. The affidavit said the alleged victim was later transported to UCHealth Highlands Ranch for a forensic examination.

Krob was brought in for questioning and later arrested, according to the affidavit. His next court date for the charges is Jan. 9 in Douglas County.

According to previous reporting from KRDO, Krob was also fired in 2022 as the city attorney for Florence after the municipality weathered a multi-year sexual harassment scandal involving a then city manager and his conduct with other employees.

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At the Thursday meeting, trustees said they supported Krob and his continued involvement with the town of Palmer Lake.

The board decided in an executive session to continue to use Krob Law Office, LLC, for city affairs. Scott Krob, Matthew's father, was at the meeting and took over as city attorney. Matthew Krob submitted a letter to the board that said in part:

"...in light of the recent media and social media coverage relating to a personal matter, that I am vehemently defending, I have decided to take a step back from representing the Town until my personal case is resolved. In the meantime, our firm will assign another attorney to serve as the Town Attorney with significant experience serving municipalities.

My primary concern has always been what is in the best interest of my client, the Town of Palmer Lake. Although this personal matter has no relation to Palmer Lake and in no way affected the legal advice I provided to the Town, the recent attention it has received from the media and the public could be a distraction to what is in the best interest of the Town if I were to continue as the Town's attorney."

Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar said that the board was not made aware of the pending court case until Dec. 19 when contacted by media. She said she supported the trustees' decision and would monitor any legal developments with Krob before taking further action.

"Once that trial has concluded...then we will revisit where our next steps are with Krob Law and with Matt Krob personally," she said.
The 4th Judicial District Attorney's office will not initiate a criminal investigation of El Paso County schools and districts for offering books and other materials that a group alleges are obscene, according to a news release Thursday.

In November, an organization composed of nearly 20 Colorado Springs-area conservative groups called DA Michael Allen to hold several El Paso County school districts criminally accountable for some of the books in their school libraries.

The group, which refers to itself as Take Back Our Schools, sent a letter and petition that said several area school districts are, in effect, breaking the law by offering books that fit the legal definition of pornography. According to the petition, the material can be found in multiple libraries in school districts 2, 3, 11, 14, 20, 38 and 49.

The petition listed hundreds of books available in El Paso County school libraries, all rated on a suitability scale of 1 to 5, with 5 considered aberrant content.

About 40 of the books listed were given a rating of 4, or not for minors. Five books were given the aberrant content rating.

"After receiving allegations of criminal activity surrounding the availability of specific books in local school districts from the group 'Take Back Our Schools,' the 4th Judicial District Attorneys conducted a comprehensive, legal review," the DA's office said in its news release. "As a result, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence of criminal activity and will not pursue charges in relation to the allegations made."

In a nine-page letter, Allen addressed the case law the group referenced in its petition as well as the excerpted passages that were highlighted, and concluded that, while those excerpts could reasonably be called offensive, they fail to rise to the level of criminal obscenity.

It is clear that you and others are offended that the books identified in the letter are available in school libraries, Allen stated. But the relevant question under a tolerance standard is whether the community will tolerate the books' availability to others, even if the books offend the sensibilities of some community members.

Despite Take Back Our Schools contention that the petition was not political in nature, Allen warned against using the criminal justice system to settle political disagreements.

The criminal justice system in the United States should not be weaponized against political or social opponents based simply on disagreements, and the misuse of the prosecution process only erodes trust in an essential function of our shared government, Allen wrote.

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Rob Rogers, a District 20 parent who questioned the legal merits of the petition, said he was happy, but not surprised at Allens ruling.

I didnt think it would accomplish anything other than to gain notoriety, said Rogers, who led a successful push to return several challenged books to D-20 libraries earlier this year.

Darcy Schoening of the El Paso County chapter of Moms for Liberty said the group was disappointed in Allens ruling, but that Take Back Our Schools intends to pursue several other avenues.

(Allen) did what I expected him to do, though I think he should have done more, Schoening said.

He has no victim, so to speak, right now. But we have parents who will be coming forward to press charges. Once there are victims and police reports on his desk, hell have no choice but to look into them.

Rogers said that while Take Back Our Schools has yet to compel the DA to pursue criminal charges, the group is experiencing a certain level of success by sowing seeds of doubt and distrust.

Theyre trying to erode trust in the school system and library system, he said. So even if they dont get a single book removed, theyre still putting all this doubt and fear in parents minds. I think they are accomplishing that goal.

In a statement, DAs office spokeswoman Kate Singh said Thursdays letter would serve as the offices final word on the petition.

"Although we will not be commenting further on this matter, we encourage concerned members of the community, school board members, and district administrators to work together for the benefit of our students," the statement read.

However, according to Schoening, Take Back Our Schools is by no means finished.

We are gathering the next phase and are replicating it with other groups all across the state, she said. In the coming weeks, well be engaging grassroots Republicans across the state of Colorado.
The Winter Solstice, Dec. 21, marks the start of winter and is the shortest day of the year.

For those who aren't a fan of nighttime or those struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this may not be the best news. If that's the case, here are some things you can do to make the most of the longest night of 2023.

Spread holiday cheer  donate or volunteer

In bleak moments, it's often helpful to look outwards. Many organizations around Colorado Springs focus on aiding others. Spend some time this solstice researching the different nonprofits around town. You can try to find somewhere to volunteer in the new year or find a cause to donate to. Click the link below for a head start on your journey.

Go to a Winter Solstice event

Ormao Dance Company is hosting a candlelight yoga event at 6 p.m. focused on introspection and gratitude for the solstice.

The Living Room is hosting a Winter Solstice Sound Bath.

Fountain Creek Nature center is hosting an indoor and outdoor celebration from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Check out holiday lights

You may choose to go to a paid attraction like the Ice Castles or Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or you can drive around on your own  Old Colorado City, downtown, and the Broadmoor area are great places to start. Looking at Christmas lights can bring a little shine and sparkle to the darkness.

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Attend the Longest Night vigil

For many, reflection and honoring the memory of others is an important part of galvanizing one's spirits, and this promises to be an impactful experience.

The Longest Night is an annual event that focuses on the issue of homelessness in Colorado Springs.

The event consists of reading aloud the names of people who died on Colorado Springs' streets, followed by attendees saying "We remember." Live music, speakers, and refreshments are also included in the event. The Longest Night ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at a paupers' burial site for cremains at Evergreen Cemetery.

Watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Winter Solstice coincides with the ancient tradition of Yule. Traditionally it's a festival observed by Germanic people, according to Britannica. The festivals had themes of light and feasting, similar to Christmas.

If you're familiar with Harry Potter, you know that in the fourth movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Hogwarts students attend the "Yule Ball." This iconic scene features a winter celebration full of pretty gowns and awkward dances. While Yule isn't the focus of the movie, it's a good excuse to bundle up under some blankets and revisit some magic.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has made a trip to the village of Nakhchivanli in the Khojaly district, Azernews reports.

The head of state inspected the territory of the village.

The village of Nakhchivanli, nestled at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1992. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.








EDITORIAL: Fooled once, twice  and now thrice  on property tax cuts
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has visited the village of Pirjamal in the Khojaly district.

According to Azernews, the head of state examined the territory of the village.

The village of Pirjamal, nestled at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1992. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.








The Colorado Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Trump from the state ballot hinges on several crucial conclusions  notably that the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol constituted an "insurrection," that the former president engaged in that act, and his speech was "not protected" by the First Amendment.
Resolving an issue that has generated disagreement among federal judges, Colorado's second-highest court concluded that alleged violations of the state's minimum wage law are subject to a six-year window for filing a claim and not the much shorter window that applies to other types of wage complaints.
The 4th Judicial District Attorney's office will not initiate a criminal investigation of El Paso County schools and districts for offering books and other materials that a group alleges are obscene, according to a news release Thursday.

In November, an organization composed of nearly 20 Colorado Springs-area conservative groups called DA Michael Allen to hold several El Paso County school districts criminally accountable for some of the books in their school libraries.

The group, which refers to itself as Take Back Our Schools, sent a letter and petition that said several area school districts are, in effect, breaking the law by offering books that fit the legal definition of pornography. According to the petition, the material can be found in multiple libraries in school districts 2, 3, 11, 14, 20, 38 and 49.

The petition listed hundreds of books available in El Paso County school libraries, all rated on a suitability scale of 1 to 5, with 5 considered aberrant content.

About 40 of the books listed were given a rating of 4, or not for minors. Five books were given the aberrant content rating.

"After receiving allegations of criminal activity surrounding the availability of specific books in local school districts from the group 'Take Back Our Schools,' the 4th Judicial District Attorneys conducted a comprehensive, legal review," the DA's office said in its news release. "As a result, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence of criminal activity and will not pursue charges in relation to the allegations made."

In a nine-page letter, Allen addressed the case law the group referenced in its petition as well as the excerpted passages that were highlighted, and concluded that, while those excerpts could reasonably be called offensive, they fail to rise to the level of criminal obscenity.

It is clear that you and others are offended that the books identified in the letter are available in school libraries, Allen stated. But the relevant question under a tolerance standard is whether the community will tolerate the books' availability to others, even if the books offend the sensibilities of some community members.

Despite Take Back Our Schools contention that the petition was not political in nature, Allen warned against using the criminal justice system to settle political disagreements.

The criminal justice system in the United States should not be weaponized against political or social opponents based simply on disagreements, and the misuse of the prosecution process only erodes trust in an essential function of our shared government, Allen wrote.

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Rob Rogers, a District 20 parent who questioned the legal merits of the petition, said he was happy, but not surprised at Allens ruling.

I didnt think it would accomplish anything other than to gain notoriety, said Rogers, who led a successful push to return several challenged books to D-20 libraries earlier this year.

Darcy Schoening of the El Paso County chapter of Moms for Liberty said the group was disappointed in Allens ruling, but that Take Back Our Schools intends to pursue several other avenues.

(Allen) did what I expected him to do, though I think he should have done more, Schoening said.

He has no victim, so to speak, right now. But we have parents who will be coming forward to press charges. Once there are victims and police reports on his desk, hell have no choice but to look into them.

Rogers said that while Take Back Our Schools has yet to compel the DA to pursue criminal charges, the group is experiencing a certain level of success by sowing seeds of doubt and distrust.

Theyre trying to erode trust in the school system and library system, he said. So even if they dont get a single book removed, theyre still putting all this doubt and fear in parents minds. I think they are accomplishing that goal.

In a statement, DAs office spokeswoman Kate Singh said Thursdays letter would serve as the offices final word on the petition.

"Although we will not be commenting further on this matter, we encourage concerned members of the community, school board members, and district administrators to work together for the benefit of our students," the statement read.

However, according to Schoening, Take Back Our Schools is by no means finished.

We are gathering the next phase and are replicating it with other groups all across the state, she said. In the coming weeks, well be engaging grassroots Republicans across the state of Colorado.
Vietnam veteran Cecil Fell went to visit the grave of his best friend and fellow Marine, right before he left for Vietnam to look for answers.

"I wanted to know about the North Vietnamese and what made them so tough and so resolved," he said. Fell recounted his tale to help mark the 50th anniversary of United States combat troops pulling out of the country in 1973.

He left for Vietnam in 2002 with two shirts, two pairs of shorts, shoes, shaving and first aid kits and spent three weeks just getting there. He slept on the floor of the airport in Osaka, Japan, waiting for a standby seat for five days before giving in and buying a ticket to Thailand, where he then got stuck with visa problems for two weeks.

Once he arrived in Vietnam, he traveled to the former demilitarized zone marking the boundary between North and South Vietnam. South of the line was the site of some fierce and famous conflicts, including Operation Prairie, an offensive that killed his friend, John Russell Smith.
Do's and don'ts for COS travelers

The Gazette asked Dana Schield, the senior public communications specialist at Colorado Springs Airport for her do's and don'ts for air travelers.

Get to the airport early  We encourage travelers to arrive at least two hours before their flight is scheduled to depart. This gives them time to park, check-in and get through security.

Watch out for parking  With elevated levels of traffic during the holidays, our short and long term lots may reach capacity on certain days/times. If this does occur, we have plenty of overflow parking. Just pay attention to signage.

Wait on the wrap  If youre traveling with gifts, we recommend wrapping them at your destination. If you have a wrapped gift in your check or carry-on bag and TSA needs to further inspect it, they will have to unwrap it.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has made a trip to the village of Khanabad in the Khojaly district, Azernews reports.

The President inspected the territory of the village.

The village of Khanabad, situated at the foot of the mountain, fell under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in 1992. The village was liberated from separatists through anti-terrorism measures implemented by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20.








Russian dictator Vladimir Putin wants Donald Trump to win the 2024 presidential election in the United States, according to former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill. According to her, the head of the Kremlin knows how to manipulate Trump and still considers him his asset.

The words of the American expert were quoted by The Guardian on Thursday, December 21. In her opinion, Putin is counting on Trump to help him end the war in Ukraine on Russian terms.

Hill believes that the Russian president views the Republican as a trump card.

This is literally a trump card. The expectation that Trump will return is a blessing for Putin He can play with this, use it as a kind of warning  to scare Ukrainians, Europeans and the whole world, the expert said.

The former White House adviser is confident that the Russian president, given his experience with Trump in the past, is confident that Trump will try to quickly resolve the war in Ukraine in his favor.

Certainly Putin has had Trumps number for some time and knows how to manipulate it. Hes well versed in the art of flattery with Trump. He views Trump as an asset in many ways, Hill said.

She also said that recently Putin has most likely begun to feel that he has a chance to end the war in Ukraine on his own terms  without returning temporarily occupied territories to Ukraine, with the ability to put pressure on the state in the long term and without paying reparations to Kyiv.

Putin is convinced that he can incite a cult of war everywhere. Everything that Trump says about Europe, about NATO, about European security, about world and global affairs, about Ukraine, everything that happens on Capitol Hill  for Putin this is a sign of that everything will quickly change in his favor again, Hill concluded.

As OBOZ.UA reported, Donald Trump, during his next speech aimed at denigrating the head of the White House Joe Biden, quoted Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Trump said that the current US president is a threat to democracy.

It was previously reported that there is growing concern among the governments of some European Union countries amid the US presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place in November 2024. They fear that if Donald Trump is elected, NATO will be threatened with destruction.

We have only verified information in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Dont be fooled by fakes!
An important, centuries-old English charter that established commoners rights to use public lands cannot be cited to justify a Rolfe mans contemporary theft of trees from a wildlife management area, a judge has ruled.

The court finds that the English common law rights enumerated by the Charter of the Forest of 1217 do not apply to this case, District Court Judge Derek Johnson wrote. The Charter of the Forest explicitly applied only to the forests of England, and the laws of the United States have meaningfully and deliberately deviated from the rights granted under the charter.

The judges decision about the charter on Tuesday was part of his denial of a new trial for Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, who was found guilty by a jury last month of felony theft and 50 timber violations.

Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, of Rolfe (Booking photo courtesy of Pocahontas County jail)

He is set to be sentenced next month and faces up to five years in prison for the theft charge and one year each for the timber violations.

Ferguson admitted to cutting down and taking dozens of trees from the Stoddard Wildlife Management Area northeast of Rolfe over the course of more than a year, court records show.

That included a slow-growing bur oak that was about six feet in diameter at its base. Ferguson told officers of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that he planned to use some of the timber to build a house.

But it is illegal to cut down and take trees from public property without permission. Ferguson alleged at trial that he had legally taken trees from the area when it was owned by someone else but was unable to provide evidence of the claim. His attorney, in a recent court filing, said someone who could have testified to the claim is dead.

After the jurys verdict last month, Ferguson asked for a new trial for a variety of reasons, including his alleged protection by the Charter of the Forest, which was first issued by King Henry III at the age of 10.

Fergusons attorney, Kevin Fors of Harcourt, argued that provisions of the charter became part of the United States common law when it declared independence from England.

Every freeman may agest his own wood within our forest at his pleasure and shall take his pawnage, the charter said.

The judge disagreed that the charter applies to Ferguson. He also was not persuaded by the other arguments for a new trial, including that the Iowa Capital Dispatchs coverage of the case  which was republished by several other news organizations  was so pervasive that it must have tainted jurors opinions.

Iowa Capital Dispatchs article about the case included information about alleged drug production at Fergusons residence and that he was accused of being a felon who illegally possessed firearms. Criminal charges related to those allegations were dismissed after the judge decided they were based on evidence obtained with improperly approved search warrants.

The trial went for four days, and Judge Johnson said he was careful to query the jurors each morning about whether they had avoided media coverage of the case.

The defendant makes only an allegation of a possibility of media exposure, but has not provided any evidence that the jurors received and considered any information about this case outside of the evidence produced at trial, Johnson wrote.

Fergusons sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 26.
Bunuel wrote:

12 Days of Christmas  GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun



Public Health Official: A recent study concludes that the new public park in Downtown Metroville has not contributed to an overall improvement in residents' physical fitness. This conclusion is based on a citywide survey showing no significant change in average weekly exercise hours reported by residents after the park's opening. However, this conclusion may be too simplistic. The same period saw a substantial increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers across Metroville. Additionally, there was a marked rise in the use of online fitness programs, likely due to the recent expansion of high-speed internet services in the area.



In this passage, the public health official attempts to challenge the study's conclusion by:



(A) pointing out the limitations of the study's scope in assessing the impact of the public park on physical fitness.



(B) suggesting that the study's reliance on self-reported data might not accurately reflect the actual change in residents' physical fitness.



(C) introducing additional factors that could have influenced the citywide physical fitness trends during the same period.



(D) questioning the validity of using the number of weekly exercise hours as a measure of physical fitness.



(E) arguing that the study's timeframe was not sufficient to capture the long-term impact of the public park on residents' fitness.







This question was provided by GMAT Club

for the 12 Days of Christmas Competition



Win $25,000 in prizes: Courses, Tests & more Public Health Official: A recent study concludes that the new public park in Downtown Metroville has not contributed to an overall improvement in residents' physical fitness. This conclusion is based on a citywide survey showing no significant change in average weekly exercise hours reported by residents after the park's opening. However, this conclusion may be too simplistic. The same period saw a substantial increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers across Metroville. Additionally, there was a marked rise in the use of online fitness programs, likely due to the recent expansion of high-speed internet services in the area.In this passage, the public health official attempts to challenge the study's conclusion by:(A) pointing out the limitations of the study's scope in assessing the impact of the public park on physical fitness.(B) suggesting that the study's reliance on self-reported data might not accurately reflect the actual change in residents' physical fitness.(C) introducing additional factors that could have influenced the citywide physical fitness trends during the same period.(D) questioning the validity of using the number of weekly exercise hours as a measure of physical fitness.(E) arguing that the study's timeframe was not sufficient to capture the long-term impact of the public park on residents' fitness.

GMAT Club's Official Explanation:

Hence, (C) is the correct answer as it best describes how the public health official challenges the study's conclusion.

(C) Introducing additional factors that could have influenced the citywide physical fitness trends during the same period.- The public health official highlights two key developments: the increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers across Metroville, and the rise in the use of online fitness programs. These points suggest other reasons for the lack of change in average weekly exercise hours as reported in the study, challenging the conclusion that the public park hasn't contributed to an improvement in physical fitness. This approach introduces other variables that could have impacted the overall physical fitness of residents, thereby questioning the direct linkage between the park's opening and the citywide fitness levels.The other options, while plausible, do not as closely match the strategy used by the public health official in the passage:(A) Pointing out the limitations of the study's scope in assessing the impact of the public park on physical fitness.- The official does not directly critique the scope of the study.(B) Suggesting that the study's reliance on self-reported data might not accurately reflect the actual change in residents' physical fitness.- The official does not specifically address the reliability of self-reported data.(D) Questioning the validity of using the number of weekly exercise hours as a measure of physical fitness.- The official does not challenge the metric of weekly exercise hours itself.(E) Arguing that the study's timeframe was not sufficient to capture the long-term impact of the public park on residents' fitness.- The official does not comment on the sufficiency of the study's timeframe._________________
A few nights ago, I was mulling the usual thoughts I have each December.

Feeling overwhelmed with the holidays, a university graduation and two birthdays  my daughters were born on Dec. 23 and Jan. 1  I remembered a December in 2000.

About halfway through that month, I had a positive pregnancy test. It was a planned event, so my husband and I were over the moon. We had been married a few years, had a cute little house and two cats. It was time.

And then the bleeding started a week later, shortly before Christmas. I assumed it was an early miscarriage, but after a few days I thought that maybe I should call a doctor.

I was encouraged to come immediately and was diagnosed pretty quickly with an ectopic pregnancy. Oh the fun of a transvaginal ultrasound. Two days later, I was in surgery. Yawn. It was routine care at the time, no legislators, attorneys or local police were involved.

Someone wearing scrubs reassured me that I would be fine, that even though his wife had experienced an ectopic and lost a fallopian tube in the process, she went on to have healthy babies.

The embryo was in my right fallopian tube though the pain seemed to come from the left side. While the surgeon was working his magic, he removed a multitude of endometriosis adhesions which would leave me pain free for many years.

Later, after searches on the internet, I would realize how lucky I was, especially as I lived in a rural area. My doctor knew exactly what was wrong, right away. From what I learned on the internet, at least two decades ago, that was not always the case. I still remember the anguished post of a husband who lost his wife due to the ineptitude of the medical staff who didnt diagnose her properly.

I joined a Yahoo support group, remember Yahoo? At the time our messages and replies came through email. Some days, I would get up to 100 emails. Now, 23 years later, we are still somewhat in contact, only on Facebook. We shared everything, nothing was considered too much information, and about a dozen of us even met one time in Ohio. The group moderator, a Canadian battling cancer, brought medicinal marijuana, though as a nice Protestant girlmy father was a preacher in his spare timeI didnt try it.

A few weeks after the ectopic, I had a hysterosalpingogram and was given the green light to try again. And in the spring of 2001, I was at a friends house feeding her cat, Jasper, when I felt a butterfly sensation in my abdomen. Seeing blood later, I will always believe that was my little Zoe implanting herself into my uterus and later my heart.

My rainbow baby was born Jan. 1, 2002, the first girl baby of the year at Randolph Hospital.

Life is strange, given the timing, if I had not had the ectopic, she would not be here. Zoe means life in Greek. We lost one life but gained another.

So much of life is recalibrating. The job, the house, the car, the relationship, the pregnancy, the adoption, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt.

Whats that song? Hold on loosely? It doesnt fit this scenario, of course, but its still good advice.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa  In an extraordinary pushback against Pope Francis, some Catholic bishops in Africa, Poland and elsewhere say they will not implement the new Vatican policy allowing blessings for same-sex couples.

Others downplayed the policy approved this week by Francis as merely reaffirming the Vatican's long-standing teaching about marriage being only a union between a man and a woman.

The reactions show how polarizing the issue remains and how Francis' decade-long effort to make the church a more welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community continues to spark resistance among traditionalist and conservative Catholic leaders.

Some of the strongest responses came from bishops in Africa, home to 265 million Catholics, or nearly a quarter of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. Many of those Catholics live and their churches operate in societies where homosexuality is condemned and outlawed.

Out of the continents 54 countries, 31 have laws criminalizing homosexuality, more than any other continent, according to the Human Dignity Trust, which defends LGBTQ+ rights.

Zambia's bishops conference said same-sex couple blessings were not for implementation in Zambia. The bishops conference of Malawi said blessings of any kind for same-sex unions of any kind would not be permitted.

In Zambia, gay sex is punishable by between 15 years and life in prison and the law puts it in the same section as bestiality. Malawis laws call for up to 14 years in prison for homosexual sex, with the option of corporal punishment for those convicted.

Zambian bishops said there should be further reflection on the blessings and cited the countrys laws against homosexuality and its cultural heritage that rejects same-sex relationships as reasons for its decision.

The Polish bishops conference  among the most conservative in Europe and a reference point beyond the continent given its ties to St. John Paul II  said it has no plans to give blessings to same-sex couples.

Marriage, the conference asserted, remains only the union between a man and a woman, and sexual acts outside of that are always an offense against Gods will, according to a statement by spokesperson Rev. Leszek Gesiak.

It is unusual for an entire national bishops conference to publicly voice dissent of a Vatican policy, though the declaration from the Vatican doctrine office did not instruct bishops to allow blessings of same-sex couples but merely provided guidance on how they could be done if people requested them.

The document, entitled Fiducia Supplicans, says that blessings can be offered to people in same-sex relationships if they are not confused with the ritual of marriage and reaffirmed that marriage is a lifelong union only between a man and a woman.

The announcement Monday by the Vatican office reversed its 2021 statement that had ruled out blessings for same-sex couples because God cannot bless sin.

The U.S. bishops conference, seeking to downplay any shift, stressed that the church's teachings on marriage have not changed and that the announcement "articulated a distinction between liturgical (sacramental) blessings, and pastoral blessings, which may be given to persons who desire Gods loving grace in their lives," according to a statement.

Some of the more piqued opposition came from Francis' usual critics.

German Cardinal Gerhard Muller, who previously headed the Vatican doctrine office, said the declaration was self-contradictory as it still said same-sex relationships were contrary to God's law while allowing same-sex couples to receive a blessing.

The church cannot celebrate one thing and teach another, Muller wrote in an essay published in religious media outlets.

Kazakh Bishop Athanasius Schneider, who has long opposed Francis' progressive bent, called the new policy a great deception. Priests should be aware of the evil that resides in the very permission to bless couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples, he said.

He and Kazakh Archbishop Tomash Peta said in a statement on the Catholic Herald magazine's website that they had prohibited priests in their archdiocese from performing "any form of blessing whatsoever" for same-sex couples.

Bishop conferences and church leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar and South Africa also released public statements, most of them moving to clarify what they said was confusion among their flock over whether the new policy was an official recognition and acceptance of same-sex relationships.

The predominant sentiment among many was a fear that the move was a step toward the Catholic church accepting homosexuality.

Nigeria's bishops said there had been various interpretations of the policy in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and home to 20-30 million Catholics, and they needed to make clear that the Vatican document does not allow for a blessing and a formal acceptance of same-sex relationships.

In the United Kingdom, an organization representing some 500 Catholic priests in Britain released a signed letter reaffirming the Churchs teaching regarding marriage and same-sex unions after widespread confusion."
A Helena man was sentenced to six years, all deferred, for felony assault with a weapon, two counts of partner or family member assault, a misdemeanor and criminal destruction of or tampering with a communication device, a misdemeanor.

Ryan Nicholas Ranalli, was given a six-year deferred sentence on Thursday by District Court Judge Mike Menahan after the charges were filed June 10, 2022.

According to court documents, officers were sent out on a report of a domestic disturbance on the 1400 block of Knight Street on May 19, 2022.

The victims older daughter called dispatchers, even though the victim wanted to call the police, but Ranalli had thrown their phone into the walls and repeatedly grabbed them to push them away from the device, documents said.

Court documents said the victim mentioned another incident on May 15, 2022, where Ranalli had entered the kitchen and threatened the victim while making suicidal comments and cutting himself with the knife.

During the sentencing, a written letter from Ranallis victim was read, and said that he began cutting himself on the throat, chest and neck.

The letter said the abuse the victim went through was constant for the 13 years they were together and that, he was either high or drunk."

Helena Police Department Detective Steven Cornish said that Ranalli had been involved in incidents of assault and partner or family member assaults dating back to 1998.

In 1998 after Ranalli graduated high school and attended Carroll College, he assaulted and strangled his partner at the time.

In 2008, he threw pictures at another partner and in 2009 with the same partner he threw their keys and phone out of the residence to prevent them from leaving or contacting police.

Cornish also stated that due to the statute of limitations on most general felonies charges could not be filed.

Miriikai Walter, Ranallis therapist, said she had been seeing Ranalli for a couple months.

Walter, a witness for the defense, said she specializes in mental health disorder counseling and said he has done very well and that he always works hard at his clinical plans.

Walter does not believe that he is being manipulative or pretending to be in recovery of trauma even though she said he is prone to be manipulative due to his trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Before the final sentencing by Menahan, the state recommended Ranalli receive 20 years with 15 suspended, while the defense request was six years, all deferred.

Under Montana state law the defendant has the right to make a statement before sentencing.

I understand the accountability issue  I have taken accountability, Ranalli said.

He said he did not choose to be an alcoholic, but it happened and that he was sorry to all those involved, including his stepchildren, children, ex-wife and family members from both sides.

Previously, he was in nursing school, but that was cut short due to the charges. Ranalli said he plans to continue his schooling at Dawson Community College in Glendive.
Abbas Ganbay

A network of French spies was uncovered in Azerbaijan due to the careful work of the Azerbaijani State Security Service. France's relations with Azerbaijan have become more strained in political terms with recent events and actions from the former. France's commitment to supporting the separatist clan and Armenia itself for centuries has led it to interfere in the internal affairs of countries both far and near.

After the restoration of justice and sovereignty in the territory of Azerbaijani Garabagh as a result of the successfully implemented anti-terrorist operation to eradicate the separatist clan, most of the "crusader" countries turned against Azerbaijan. Instead of contributing to the improvement of relations between neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia, many Western powers, for selfish purposes, have come to "help" arming Armenia. France is in the front row here, in first place.

Having switched on reformatting the world order, the world powers regrouped and are fighting for a place in this world. France, adhering to the character of a coloniser, loses its place in parts of Africa and decides to move to plan "B" towards Armenia. France's actions to arm Armenia hindered the peace process and the achievement of the signing of a peace treaty between the neighbours, where the European Union, with its "observer missions," added fuel to the fire. The West began to act based on Armenia's allied relations with Russia, expressing "assistance" to Yerevan by arming it and sending "observer missions" to deter "possible attacks" from Azerbaijan.

Most of the attempts of the Western structures to create a problem inside Azerbaijan, to impose fear and destruction in an attempt to carry out terrorist attacks, have failed, thanks to the brilliantly conducted operation of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.

It became known that in Azerbaijan a wide residency of agents of special services of France that were involved in various operations in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, several countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia was revealed.

According to the information, it is noted that some time ago in the territory of Azerbaijan, the internal residence of the French embassy very confidently and calmly carried out intelligence activities against representatives of countries known as "partners" of Paris.

At the same time, the residents, using wide connections, were actively moving in the countries of the region, while forming new tasks and expanding their sphere of influence. According to the information, the investigation led to very interesting aspects that revealed a network of interconnected personalities. One of them is a French citizen who, for many years, was a freelancer in the French intelligence community and initiated cooperation with the law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan.

As a result of the cooperation, dozens of French agents, some of whom served and continue to work in Azerbaijan, and others currently working in several neighbouring countries and international organisations, were uncovered.

At the same time, the special services of Azerbaijan were provided with evidence and documents regarding the activities of the French residents in the region of the South Caucasus, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Moldova.

In connection with the criminal case conducted by the special services of Azerbaijan, several persons who carried out intelligence activities in Ukraine, Georgia and Azerbaijan were arrested.

The Azerbaijani side has not yet made any official statements in this regard.

The scale of the failure of the French intelligence is nailed and will be a serious blow to the image of the intelligence. In August 2023, Emmanuel Macron expressed dissatisfaction with the head of France's foreign intelligence service, Bernard Amyot, whose activities had dealt a blow to Paris' positions in Africa and Eastern Europe. Nicolas Lerner, who headed the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI), has been appointed head of the General Staff.

An immigration crisis, an economic crisis, and several other weighty problems enveloped France. In Saint-Gaudens, France, 50 tractors and 200 farmers hold a demonstration where they dump 20 trailers of manure and waste in front of the prefecture and government buildings. On top of all this, the capture of French spies in Azerbaijan is added. The reputation of the French President is under considerable strain after a series of endless crises on both economic and social grounds.

After investigations by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan to uncover a network of French spies, we learn detailed information that will shed more light on the matter.

Paris recently tried with the help of pro-Armenian officials to prevent the COP29 global summit on climate change from being held in Azerbaijan. Armenia withdrew its candidature to host the summit, in response to goodwill towards Azerbaijan, which has also been honoured in other countries. Despite France's futile attempts, Armenia and Azerbaijan have exchanged prisoners of war and will soon begin discussing issues related to the peace treaty.

It is worth recalling that Azerbaijan, under the chairmanship of the Baku Initiative Group, was able to bring together in one place (Baku) peoples who had been subjected to persecution and colonialism by France for centuries. Lacking support from the world community, Azerbaijan has taken on the task of helping to inform the world about the urgent problems of these nations.

The international conference "Dialogues of Decolonisation: Legacy, Challenges and Progress" has started in Baku. The conference was organised by the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Baku Initiative Group, and the NAM Youth Organisation.

Edel Tadal, a member of the Movement for Social Liberation and Decolonisation of French Guiana, spoke at the conference, where he stated that today France, by offering vocational training, seeks to recruit the youth of Guiana to eventually join the French army.

One of the main challenges for our people is to reconnect with their culture. This may include encouraging various initiatives, especially on the part of cultural associations. These actions help to awaken people on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. This is the first step towards reparations and further movement towards decolonisation," said Tadal.

The French spies may also have been looking for ways to recruit the youth of the countries they visited, based on the information above. If Armenia would open their eyes more widely, it would notice how their young people are being recruited to the frontlines in Ukraine as a result of this recruitment.

It is possible to assume that propaganda will continue in the direction of Azerbaijan from different corners of the world as we get closer to achieving peace.
A Helena man was sentenced to 20 years in Montana State Prison with 12 years suspended for felony sexual assault.

Richard Lawrence Veach was accused in 2021 of sexually assaulting a teenager after the teen reported they had been sexually touched by Veach on multiple occasions, according to court documents.

The victims therapist reported the allegations to the police, documents said. Veach denied all allegations and the documents said that he had no explanation why the teen would make the comments.

Veach, who was 32 when charged in 2021, was also described as manipulative in court documents by witnesses and the victim.

In a statement from the victim, read by the states attorney, it said that they still have the aching fear of running into him on the street.

The state requested that Veach receive 35 years in prison, with none of those years suspended, while the defense requested 20 years all suspended.

District Court Judge Kathy Seeley sentenced him to 20 years in Montana State Prison with 12 years suspended, citing that she believes the protection of the community is at risk.
A Florida man who stole $150,000 from an older Kalispell woman was sentenced to almost three years in federal prison on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Eddly Joseph, 44, from Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud, according to court filings and a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. He was sentenced this week to two years and nine months in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay $1,236,470 in restitution to seven victims.

On Feb. 27, 2023, Kalispells FBI office got a tip from Glacier Bank about an issue with a 73-year-old customer, according to court documents. The bank told authorities that the woman, a Montana resident, fell victim to a scam.

An international fraudulent service, based in India, tricked the woman into giving them $150,000 for safe-keeping, the news release and court documents state. The scammers made it look like the victims had computer viruses and that their bank accounts were accessible to hackers.

The suspects directed the Kalispell woman to withdraw $150,000 in cash, put it in a box, seal it with tape, wrap the box with wrapping paper and place it in a shopping bag, according to court documents. They told the woman her cash would be taken to the Federal Reserve, where it would be protected.

When FBI agents learned about the scam, they set up an undercover operation, claiming the woman had another $50,000 to give to the fraudsters. Joseph and others arrived in Bigfork, where they were arrested on a theft warrant, according to court documents.

Authorities estimated scams accumulated by the suspects totaled $1,236,470 and affected victims across the United States.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court imposed three years of supervised release following Josephs prison sentence.
Updated Calvert & Wikoff signs emerging soon

Several of the local funeral homes will be displaying their new signs advertising Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Homes.

According to General Manager Chad Childers, the Calvert group, based in Bloomington, purchased Dawson & Wikoff seven years ago. But now were changing websites, so it was just time to go ahead and change the name, he said.

The management, staff and locations have remained the same. Calvert just replaced the Dawson name but has remained family-owned.

The Calvert group owns 75 funeral homes in Illinois. Instead of each home managing their own website, the company offers a list of each at one location. It was costing a fortune, Childers said. The people pick the town and thats where the obituary is at.

Each locations sign will be displayed soon, including local funeral homes at Blue Mound, Macon, Argenta, Mount Zion, and two in Decatur.

If you still want to call us Dawson & Wikoff, we understand, Childers said. Sometimes we still answer the phone wrong.

Big Hungrys Daylight Donuts has steady flow of customers

Big Hungrys Daylight Donuts, located in the former Black Iron Coffee location at 2890 Mount Zion Road, Decatur, had its opening day Dec. 8.

And they have been busy ever since.

Whitney Minnes, owner of the restaurant, said she and her staff have been overwhelmed by the support of the community. We still have to pinch ourselves every day, she said.

The response has been so popular, the staff has a hard time keeping up with the demand. Each day Minnes has had to post a message on their Facebook page and place a sign on the front door that they have sold out of their products.

Selling out every day is such a double-edged sword, she said. As business owners, we are thrilled and so proud that everyone loves our donuts so much that we sell out; yet, we feel and understand the disappointment of getting to the shop just one second too late and missing out on a yummy treat. We want nothing more than to serve more donuts and serve them longer, preferably until our actual close time.

During their opening weeks, the amount of staff has nearly doubled with Minnes husband and co-owner Josh providing the training. They have planned to take a break during the week of Christmas and open again on Jan. 3.

I just have to brag about our staff, she said. They have hit the ground running and have rolled with the punches like I have never seen. They are coming in early and staying late, all while going non-stop.

Along with donuts, Minnes was able to add fried sausage rolls to the menu, just as she had planned when she began planning the shop.

The Heinkels jalapeno cheddar is by far the superior choice. When we sell out of those, the disappointment is huge, she said. After the first of the year, we plan to offer Heinkels cheddar sausage as well.

The restaurant was able to utilize other local companies to prepare for the opening, including Clean Cut Painting & Handyman, Noahs Plumbing, King-Lar Company and J Green Electric.

Photos: Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk 2022
DECATUR  The anguished mother of Lindy J. Miller, dubbed the U-Haul bandit by police after creating her own mini crime wave, spoke of Millers tough life of addiction Thursday as a judge parked her daughter in prison for six years.

Miller, 41, had taken a plea deal in Macon County Circuit Court that saw her admit to three charges of burglary targeting stores in Blue Mound and Walmart in Decatur.

Judge Rodney Forbes actually sentenced her to six years on each charge, reflecting her long criminal record that includes armed robbery, but ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. He then dismissed three more burglary charges, seven counts of theft and two charges of aggravated fleeing from police.

Miller earned her nickname after using a rented U-Haul truck to successfully flee from Taylorville police following a crime spree in Christian County before she was caught Nov. 19 in Decatur.

Her mother, Lee Ann Miller, said that before the world judges her daughter, it should know of the problems shes faced as a cocaine addict, an addiction that kicked in after she suffered date rape more than 15 years ago.

She said her daughter has been incarcerated before and had done well after getting out, earning her commercial drivers license and then looking for a job. She was so happy and with that and she put out applications everywhere, probably 200 applications, but she had a really hard time getting a job because of her past.

Miller did find work for a farmer but said the job didnt work out after she was badly treated and she returned to the family home in Nokomis bitter and unhappy

And she got depressed and she used again, said her 60-year-old mom. She had come home and she was very sad and cried and cried and said Please lock me in the house, do not let me leave because I know what is going to happen. We had called everywhere, we tried to find a rehab and detox berth but couldnt.

She added: And that is what caused all of this (crimes); because she is a cocaine addict and she does all these thefts so she could support her habit. Were both thankful that she is caught and she is going to pay for her crimes, that is part of it. But it's the addiction that did this; she is not a violent or evil person.

As she was being led out of the courtroom to start her sentence, Miller called out to a reporter: I am very sorry for my wrongdoing and its because of my addictions; so put that in the newspaper article. Dont make me look like a crazy person.

Millers legal problems may not be over yet, however. Prosecutors in Christian County have yet to decide what, if any, charges they will file against her.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
Welcome back to "Long Story Short," your weekly newscast from Lee Enterprises for all things Central Illinois news. Kelsey Watznauer, D. Jack Alkire and Tim Cain discuss some of the biggest stories of the week.

To read more about any of the stories mentioned this week, find our full reporting at pantagraph.com, herald-review.com and jg-tc.com or download our apps, available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe to "Long Story Short" for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.

Music by Diamond Tunes.
SPRINGFIELD  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) and Springfield Clinic announced Friday that they have struck an agreement to end a two-year impasse and return the clinic's doctors to in-network status.

The five-year agreement takes effect Jan. 1. Springfield Clinic said in a statement that BCBSIL patients who wish to establish in-network care should call during normal business hours or schedule an appointment after Dec. 26.

In a statement, the state's largest health insurer said it was "glad" to have Springfield Clinic back in the fold "as part of an agreement that preserves access to quality health care for our members and employer groups."

More details about the agreement were not immediately disclosed.

The standoff began in November 2021, when BCBSIL terminated Springfield Clinic as an in-network provider for all of its preferred provider organization (PPO) health care plans due to a dispute over reimbursement rates.

This impacted up to 100,000 patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage accessing Springfield Clinic for care. The for-profit clinic has more than 650 doctors and facilities that spread across a 20-county coverage area in Central Illinois.

Though mostly concentrated around the capital city and the surrounding area, Springfield Clinic has three facilities in Decatur as well as facilities in Effingham, Moweaqua, Neoga and Taylorville, among other communities.

Residents across the region are often referred to the clinic's more than 80 specialists.

The dispute between the insurer and clinic was public and often nasty, with the two sides trading barbs over the breakdown in coverage and subsequent inability to make progress in negotiations.

It also exposed gaps in BCBSIL's network as thousands of patients scrambled to find in-network care through other providers.

The Illinois Department of Insurance has fined BCBSIL three separate times totaling nearly $1.2 million in the past two years for violating the state's Network Adequacy and Transparency Act for not maintaining accurate provider directories.

The dispute spilled over into the state Capitol, where legislators in 2022 grilled the insurance company over their alleged "ghost network" of providers. A legislative effort to tighten enforcement of network adequacy standards ultimately fizzled, however.

State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, has filed similar legislation this year.

Scherer called the agreement "the best Christmas present," adding that she "couldn't be happier for my constituents."

After years of mediation and discussion, I am proud of the agreement that Blue Cross Blue Shield and Springfield Clinic were able to reach, Scherer said. Still, theres more work to be done. And I will never stop fighting to hold big health insurance companies accountable.

U.S. States That Spend the Most on Health and Hospitals U.S. States That Spend the Most on Health and Hospitals Health and hospital spending accounts for nearly 10 percent of state and local government budgets Health and hospital spending per capita is up over 50 percent Vermont and Utah saw the largest increases in health and hospital spending over the past decade 15. Indiana 14. Virginia 13. Michigan 12. Texas 11. California 10. Utah 9. Iowa 8. Washington 7. Missouri 6. Kansas 5. Mississippi 4. Alabama 3. North Carolina 2. Wyoming 1. South Carolina
THUMBS DOWN! To one of the least productive Congresses in modern history. A mere 20 bills have been passed by both chambers, with four more awaiting President Biden's signature. According to a report on Axios.com, 2023 also marks the low point in a years-long trend toward gridlock: Five of the six most unproductive first years have been since 2011.

THUMBS UP! To a project whose results matched the effort required to pull it off. Biologists and commercial anglers are taking on invasive carp near Joliet. They removed 750,000 pounds of silver carp from the Illinois River over 10 days in what they believe to be a record for freshwater harvest in the country. Invasive carp, particularly silver and bighead carp, are a danger to aquatic life due to their large numbers and reproductive capacity. They can easily outcompete and starve native fish.

THUMBS UP! To our local Santas. We've had the honor to profile some of these kind souls in our "In Search of Santa" series of stories. The number of selfless people in our area is astonishing, and we will continue to delight in telling their stories.

THUMBS DOWN! To the innocent victims of an intense conflict. A 5-year-old boy living at a temporary shelter for migrants in Chicago died after a medical emergency, the city's mayor said Monday. A child's face can now be the image of this latest fallout from our border disaster. Conditions at the shelters continue to be a source of intense debate. While the debate roars without a solution or even compromise, innocents like 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez will pay the price.

THUMBS UP! To a needed check of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's social engineering. Maybe the law, one allegedly aimed at deterring deceptive practices by anti-abortion pregnancy centers, was based on high hopes and sincere plans. But maybe the law was written by invincible hubris. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law from being enforced in a scathing opinion that called it "both stupid and very likely unconstitutional." Under the law, passed by the state legislature earlier this year, clinics found to be dissuading "pregnant persons from considering abortion care through deceptive, fraudulent, and misleading information and practices" faced fines of up to $50,000. The First Amendment applies across the board.

THUMBS UP! To fresh roads. The Illinois Department of Transportation has received a $52.8 million federal grant to rebuild Route 9 in Bloomington. The improvements will be made from the intersection of Market Street and Martin Luther King Drive east to the intersection of East Empire Street and Carnahan Drive. The effort will take some time -- initial contracts won't be awarded until spring. But the improvement is welcome.

THUMBS DOWN! To more unfortunate climate warming fallout. A study indicates that in the first two decades of the 21st century, the threat of flooding convinced more than 7 million people to avoid risky areas or abandon risky places. Climate change is making hurricanes more intense and increasing the amount of rain that storms dump on the Midwest. Coming decades will accelerate the decline. Researchers say millions more people will decide it is too much to live with and leave.

THUMBS UP! To Illinois farmers. They are succeeding in reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphates in the Mississippi watershed. They've already exceeded a 2025 goal. The reduction of fertilizer runoff will help negate environmental issues further south in the country's riverways.

THUMBS DOWN! To a frightening statistic. The United States experienced a 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level. Increased living costs and reduced government assistance have been cited. About 653,000 people are homeless, the most since the country began using a yearly point-in-time survey in 2007. The total represents an increase of about 70,650 compared with a year earlier.
Our best Christmas gift this year came a week before Christmas: Ellison Reece Playl was born at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville on Dec. 18. Forty-something years earlier, her Aunt Stacia made her entrance at Rutherford County Hospital in Murfreesboro on Dec. 23. Sometimes the best gifts get here a few days before we celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.

But back to sweet Ellie. Nahnee and I drove to Mount Juliet in the suburbs of Music City when she was a couple days old to say, Welcome to our world. We drove down and back  nine hours round trip  in one day; but it was worth the effort. Especially since Sammie insisted on doing the driving.

When we arrived at the Playls Jr., we were greeted by Davy Crockett and Ronald Reagan, the K-9 Playls  Chocolate Lab and Boxer. Next came the two big brothers, 12-year-old Grayson and 10-year-old Anderson, and proud daddy, Stephen Jr.

Stephen had told us, Youre welcome to come, but you cant hold her. We thought he was worried about germs until he added, with a smile that clung to his words over the phone, I hold her all the time! Of course we all know who did the hard work in getting Ellie into the world: Momma Whitney.

The big brothers were dressed in T-shirts with a message. Graysons shirt said, Big Brother, Again and Andersons stated, Big Brother, Finally. The Whew was not printed on the shirt but was understood.

The whole family is so proud of the little sister/baby girl. And we are so proud of our eighth stinking cute grandchild. Her aunts and cousins are all excited about her appearance in the world, too. All of her cousins have oohed and aahed over her pictures. Ten-year-old Katie Grace even wrote a news release to accompany her birth. Here it is:

THE CHILD

Written December 19, 2023

For today we have some very exciting new . KGs cousins here. Baby Ellie is finally here, everybody in the family is so excited. Naynay (Nahnee) and Papa are going to meet baby Ellie December 20, 2023. Ellie was born December 18, 2023. KG and her mom said theyll be gone more than two hours because if they leave at eight and arrive at noon (the Playl kids and Ellie live in Nashville) theyll only be there two hours and knowing Naynay and Papa, they will want to stay for four hours. I hope youve liked this little article about Ellie arriving into the beautiful world.

Kathryn Marinos

I believe KG is planning to major in journalism in college. But anyway, WHAT A GIFT. Ellie is so sweet, so beautiful, so well behaved, so ... on and on from a  did I say this before?  a proud Papa.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Wise Men came from the East to worship Him. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh  pretty impressive gifts! But even more amazing were the gifts that accompanied Jesuss birth, gifts offered to us from God the Father: love, joy, peace, hope, eternal life.

Ellies birth brought, on a different level, gifts of love and joy. But the greatest gift ever given was the gift of Gods own Son, Jesus. Be sure to receive and celebrate the gift of Gods Son this Christmas, and every day.
Four men and two women have been indicted on multiple charges in connection to a Hickory drug trafficking ring, according to U.S. Attorney Dena J. King.

A criminal indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte charges six people with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine and related drug or gun charges, King said in a news release.

Four of the defendants were arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Hickory Police Department this week. Two defendants were already in custody, King said.

Th indictment charges the six defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Their names and additional charges are:

Ashton Durrell Farley, also known as Hood, 35, of Hickory, is charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. King said Farley is accused of committing the crimes while under federal and state court supervision for prior drug-related offenses. Catawba County Whos in Jail lists his name as Ashtin Darrell Farley.

Dustin Eric Wilson, 36, of Charlotte, is charged with multiple counts of distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, distribution of fentanyl, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Whitney Necole Bryant, 30, of Hickory, is charged with distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Tonya Quantina Jackson, also known as New York, 42, of Hickory, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and distribution of fentanyl.

Harold Marquis Wilfong, 36, of Hickory, is charged with distribution of fentanyl. Catawba County Whos in Jail lists his name as Harold Jamell Markeece Wilfong.

Thomas Eugene Ikard, 44, of Lenoir, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

The indictment is the result of a 10-month joint investigation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hickory police. The investigation was aimed at reducing drug distribution and drug-induced criminal activity in Catawba County and surrounding areas, including in Mecklenburg County, King said.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl, more than 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 200 pounds of marijuana. Law enforcement also seized seven firearms, including an AR-15 rifle, a privately made firearm known as a ghost gun, and ammunition, King said.

According to the indictment and court documents, the drug trafficking ring operated out of Hickory and distributed large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the area, King said.

To identify the drug conspirators and their operations, ATF agents and Hickory police officers utilized controlled drug purchases, conducted physical surveillance and executed search warrants. Officers also determined that several residences were used either as stash houses to store drugs and guns or to conduct drug sales. One of the houses was located two blocks from the federal courthouse in Charlotte, King said.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Russias international reserves amounted to $587.9 bln as of December 15, 2023, a decrease by $0.4 bln compared with the previous week, the Central Bank reported, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"International reserves amounted to $587.9 bln as of December 15, down by $0.4 bln, or by 0.1%, in one week as a result of revaluation and transactions carried out by the Bank of Russia," the regulator said.

As of December 8, the countrys international reserves amounted to $588.3 bln.

Russias international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government. They comprise foreign currency, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a reserve position in the International Monetary Fund and monetary gold.
A girl peering out the window onto the scene of a shooting. Frustrated parents surveying a splash pad their children have been unable to use. A grieving family weeping as they await the sentencing of their loved ones killer.

These photographs by longtime Hickory Daily Record photographer Robert Reed highlight some of the most eye-catching images of 2023 in the Hickory area.

Not all the images capture such dramatic events. This years collection of photos also includes photos of a toddler snacking on blackberries at a farmers market, a large flag fluttering in the breeze during a local festival and faithful residents taking part in a day of prayer.

Here is a look at the photos of the year.

The girl in the window







In recent years Hickory has been victimized by clusters of shootings that raised concerns about how gun violence is affecting young people. Juveniles have been both the defendants and victims of shootings.

Since several of these shootings have taken place at apartment complexes, it also means that children who live in the complex are witnesses to the violence and the aftermath.

Such was the case during a shooting near the Camden Meadows apartments in April which left a 17-year-old boy injured. Four people were charged in the shooting: two 17-year-olds, a 20-year-old and a 25-year-old.

As the police investigated, a girl peeked outside. The photograph highlights how close to home these shootings are for many people.

Summertime blues







In the years during and since the COVID-19 pandemic, the public pool and splash pad in Newton have been closed. The city has cited difficulty finding needed parts for repairs, as well as lifeguards.

But the extended closing of those amenities left parents and children in Newton frustrated both with the fact that the facilities are still closed and with what they described as poor communication from the city.

In this image, some of those residents look over the splash pad on a late June day. The splash pad did ultimately open in July but the pool did not reopen this year

A familys grief







Tangela Parker was sentenced to 20 years in prison in September after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Parkers case was resolved more than 2.5 years after she shot coworker Michelle Marlow at the furniture company TCS Designs in Hickory. Marlow died in Jan. 2021.

Following the shooting, Parker fled with her husband Eric. The two were on the run when they were arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, six months after the fatal shooting.

Parker was sentenced after an hours-long hearing in which the defense called two expert witnesses to support claims that Tangelas overuse of Xanax contributed to the murder.

Parker did not remember shooting Marlow, defense attorney Victoria Jayne said during Parkers plea and sentencing hearing. But it was clear from the statements given by the Marlow family that they will not be forgetting that day.

Michelles daughter Mak Marlow told the judge: January 13, 2021, was not only the day that my mother was murdered, but it is the day that my life forever changed. That is the day I lost my best friend, my rock, my support system. My mother was the one constant that I had in life.

This image shows an emotional moment for Marlows father and husband during the long hearing.

Riverwalk wait







While residents have been able to walk on many of the trails that make up Hickorys Riverwalk, the overwater section has remained closed.

The overwater walkway has been up for most of the last year. In this image, a worker can be seen making adjustments in May.

The timeline for the opening has since shifted. City leaders had originally said they hoped to have it open during the summer. The opening date was pushed back to the fall because of difficulty securing materials, city officials said.

Now it appears those eager to have access to the full walkway will have to wait until 2024. The city said they were waiting for Duke Energy to finish up some lighting work so they could proceed with fencing, security features and inspections.

A representative for Duke said the company was waiting on the city to help with some equipment.

Cold case cracked







The Long View Police Department announced in September that four men had been charged in the murder of Joe Greene Jr. The announcement came nearly 15 years to the day after Greene was shot and killed in his work van.

Four men were charged in Greenes murder, including two who had to be brought down from Michigan and Virginia.

At the press conference announcing the charges, Greenes mother and sister were emotional as they held up a photo of Greene and reflected on their family member.

He was my baby and he didnt mind telling anyone he was my baby, Greenes mother Wilma Yount said. Our lifes torn terribly. Its not been the same since we lost him.

Car pulled from lake







In February, a fisherman came upon an object that looked like a car in Lake Norman. The fisherman informed authorities in Catawba County and the 1996 Ford Thunderbird was pulled out of the lake.

The Catawba County Sheriffs Office confirmed the car belonged to Tina Martin, who had gone missing in 2008 at the age of 43.

Authorities were ultimately able to determine the remains in the vehicle were those of Martin.

Soldiers Reunion







The Soldiers Reunion, which has been a tradition in Newton for more than 130 years, underwent some changes in 2023.

Alex and Will Yoder took over as organizers of the event, replacing their grandfather, Wayne Dellinger.

Among the changes implemented in 2023 included moving the start time of the parade from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to make it easier for more people to attend.

National Day of Prayer







The YMCA of Catawba Valleys annual prayer breakfast, held on the National Day of Prayer in May, drew a crowd of around 100 people at Moretz Mills in Hickory.

Farmers Market







The Downtown Hickory Farmers Market serves as a gathering spot for people of all ages. Here, 1-year-old Elena Morales is seen sampling blackberries on an early August day.

Dog Days







Summer days in Catawba County can be long and hot. Here, the summer sun beats down on some power lines on a hot June day.
As the title already revealed, soon two cargo spacecraft will detach from the International Space Station. One of those affected will be the Cargo Dragon capsule of the CRS-29 mission, which arrived on November 11th and is scheduled to leave the front port of the ISS Harmony module on December 21st, at 23:05 Hungarian time. After re-entering the Earths atmosphere, the spacecraft will parachute into the water off the coast of Florida.

The Dragon returns home to our planet with a cargo of approximately 2 tons. Returning scientific hardware and samples include the Plant Habitat-03 (PH-03), which examines whether plants grown in space are able to pass on their genetic adaptation to the next generation and, if so, whether this change continues or stabilizes. Other studies include JAXA (Japan Space Agency) His research called Cell Gravisensing focuses on cells, more precisely how they perceive the effect of gravity and how they react to it. Genes in Space-10, a student-led project that tests a technique for measuring the length of telomeres in weightlessness, will also return to the spaceships hold. In addition, the so-called Samples from the MaRVIn-PCIM and Neuronix studies also travel home for scientific analysis.

The other departing cargo spaceship is Cygnus, which docked on August 4 and delivered supplies for the astronauts as part of the NG-19 mission. The event is currently scheduled to take place on December 22nd, when ground flight controllers will command the stations Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the spacecraft from the nadir, or Earth-facing, port of the Unity module. NASA astronaut and ISS resident Loral OHara will monitor Cygnus systems as the spacecraft departs from the space station. The capsule, along with the debris accumulated by the crew, burns safely in the Earths atmosphere.
Delivery orders of fresh spring rolls and pad Thai practically flew out of the kitchen at Twin Cities restaurant Sawatdee during the pandemic, with dining rooms closed or socially distanced and people growing tired having to cook for themselves.

Yet even now with restrictions lifted and life pretty much back to normal, takeout and delivery are still major parts of owner Cyndy Harrisons business.

It used to be that most of the sales were in-house, but we had a really good takeout business and a very small delivery business, she said.

Thats flipped, as people grew to enjoy the convenience of dining remotely just as they did working remotely. Third-party delivery from the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats climbed to 30% of Harrisons business last month, with takeout at the same level, overtaking dine-in business at her three locations.

In April 2020, sales of meal delivery from the major services grew 162% year-over-year and 59% compared to the previous month, according to Bloomberg Second Measure. The industry is still growing now, albeit not at the pandemic intensity, with sales growing 6% year-over-year in November.

A lot of pandemic habits fell off, but delivery is not going away, said John Rankin, senior director of operations for Tennessee-based Charter Foods, a franchiser of Long John Silvers, KFC and Taco Bell.

In response, fast-food chains have opened new locations with smaller or no dining rooms. Theyve also added exclusive drive-thru lanes for mobile orders and offered lobbies where delivery drivers can easily find orders on heated racks and check them for accuracy before leaving.

We look at things a lot differently because that piece of the business is continuing to grow, Rankin said. In some places, dine-in has never been the same. Mobile ordering outpaces the number of people who want to come in.

Take-away meals

Third-party delivery barely made a dent in restaurant analytics company Delagets 2019 sales. Delaget has a portfolio of 22,000 locations of brands like McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

But that third-party delivery grew to 10% of its sales last year and is on track to reach 13% this year, gradually cutting into drive-thru sales, according to the St. Louis Park company.

Counter sales are at less than half of 2019 levels across Delagets clients as consumers drive-thru and eat in their cars or order delivery to their homes, jobs and even hotels while on vacation.

Weve changed the way were eating and interacting with the restaurant, Delaget chief executive Jason Tober said.

Delaget also is seeing the average ticket price shoot up as delivery orders come in for larger groups and as consumers customize their online orders. These same patrons also dont seem to mind paying higher third-party prices or convenience fees.

The average delivery order rose to $21.08 this year from $20.37 in 2022.

Thats driven almost exclusively by delivery, Tober said. These platforms allow for increased menu pricing as well as the opportunity for digital upsells.

A DoorDash survey earlier this year of 1,505 consumers from around the country combined with the companys aggregate data found ordering delivery or takeout from restaurants is more popular than dining at them. French fries topped the DoorDash list last year of the top five most-ordered foods with burgers, tacos, salad and pizza following.

The trend has led some fast-food chains to change the way they do business, including more emphasis on fulfilling delivery orders.

One thing thats so important is they have a new constituent: that DoorDash driver. How do they interact with a DoorDash driver? Tober said.

Delivering the goods

Border Foods, which operates 245 Taco Bells in 10 states, opened Taco Bell Defy last year in Brooklyn Park. It has no indoor seating but promised delivery times as fast as two minutes.

Third-party delivery was less than a percent of the business in 2019, and Border Foods President Aaron Engler saw it take off when the pandemic started.

Weve continued to see the growth in 2022 with a 36 percent increase, he said. This year, were expecting 17 percent growth. Were expecting the trend to continue with a 6 percent to 8 percent increase next year.

Border Foods, based in New Hope, has remodeled the vestibules of some locations with heavy traffic from third-party delivery drivers so they could quickly come in and find orders rather than wait in drive-thru lanes, which gave the appearance locations were busier than they were.

At her Sawatdee locations, Harrison now has two staff members assigned to preparing delivery and takeout orders during rush periods. If a dining rooms full during a concert night at nearby U.S. Bank Stadium, for instance, she sometimes turns off the apps altogether to avoid a backlog of orders and hungry, disappointed customers.

When customers order from her website, she pays the third-party app no fee, though the diners still pay their share of the delivery. Millennials and Gen Zers who order delivery frequently often hold monthly subscriptions, she said.

The fees to the restaurant can reach up to a quarter of the order when customers order via a third-party app.

I know for us, third party is really important for our business, Harrison said. I have multiple locations, so we can negotiate a fee that we feel is reasonable. I know other places that dont have as much revenue on the apps and cant negotiate.

Delivery isnt always the right fit for upscale concepts, such as high-end establishments like Parasole Restaurant Holdings Mannys Steakhouse in Minneapolis, which discontinued delivery when customers resumed booking tables.

Steaks dont travel well, Parasole Chief Operating Officer Donna Fahs said.

Thai, Italian, Indian and Chinese cuisine, however, does. And she sees the trend going strong at the companys Good Earth locations, which offer healthy foods from some of those cultures and beyond.

Fahs recalled a recent trip to visit her daughter in Chicago when her grandchildren asked nightly, Where are we ordering from tonight?

That says it all, Fahs said. And she grew up in a home where I cooked!
The African regional organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has frowned at the failure of the Nigerian government to resolve various industrial relations issues impacting Nigerian workers, especially the case of the assault of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.

In a letter addressed to Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, general secretary of ITUC-Africa, Akhator Joel Odigie, said despite the trade unions show of good faith on governments ability to resolve the issue, there is no traction towards justice for Ajaero to date.

Nigerian Pilot reports that ITUC-Africa represents the interest of 101 affiliates unions in 52 African nations, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria.

Odigie said the attack on Ajaero remains unacceptable and condemnable, adding that the African trade union movement had expected the government to ensure swift justice, given the stature of the NLC and its commendable roles in advancing working-class solidarity and contributions to the continents development and shared prosperity.

He said, during the recently concluded 5th Delegates Congress of the ITUC-Africa, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, delegates decided that the organisation takes renewed steps towards the defence, protection and promotion of human and trade union rights.

He said, The case of the NLC President and the plight of workers in Nigeria were considered, among other issues, urgent matters that the ITUC-Africa must follow up judiciously.

Given these sad developments and the worsening industrial relations, our appeal demands the following actions:

Immediate Commencement of Social Dialogue and Negotiations: We urge immediate initiation of genuine and results-oriented social dialogue negotiations with social partners: government, employers and trade unions. It is also essential that agreements as products of the talks are faithfully and timely implemented.

Intervention in Clearing Arrears: Immediate intervention to clear the many months salary and pension arrears owed to public sector workers and pensioners in the country, including Imo State.

Guarantee swift and thorough investigation into the bestial attack on the NLC President: we reiterate our call for a genuine and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack on the NLC President. We call on the government to ensure proper medical treatment for Comrade Joe Ajaeros injuries and provide adequate compensation for the damages suffered, respecting his social, physical, and psychological well-being. The perpetrators of the attacks must be investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned. African workers have resolved to stage continent-wise picketing of Nigerian embassies and other politico-economic interests if, after 30 days, no apparent signs of progress in this manner are recorded.

We emphasise the crucial need for these measures to arrest the decline in civility concerning industrial relations and to prevent the misuse of power for resolving disputes. Mr President, your intervention as the Chief Security Officer is vital to upholding the rule of law and restoring order in the countrys industrial landscape. Therefore, Mr President, we urge you to use your good offices and available instruments of office to cause satisfactory closure to these matter, he added.

End
GUEST OPINION: The global economy has undergone many major upheavals in the form of heightened inflation, increased interest rates and unstable oil prices. As these headwinds continue to be felt across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), business leaders must focus on resilience and risk management.

If there is anything to be learned from the last few years, it's that companies must be antifragile. As described by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb, antifragility is defined as the ability to survive, evolve and flourish in chaotic or uncertain environments. Against this challenging backdrop, we foresee that 2024 will be the year of the antifragile organisation as companies hunker down to ride out another tough year.

Keir Garrett, Regional Vice President Cloudera ANZ, comments, An antifragile organisation improves, evolves and becomes even stronger in spite of challenges. Right now, organisations are considering how best to prepare and respond to ongoing uncertainties, while still investing in innovation and growth. To strike the right balance, organisations will do well to harness the untapped power of data, consider the entire data lifecycle and how data can be monetised as a strategic asset.

When it comes to the ANZ region, organisations of every industry are continuing to invest in IT solutions, signifying a positive view of how technology can play a role in building resilience during challenging times. Gartner forecasts IT spending in Australia will grow to 7.8% in 2024, despite tightening of budgets.

Cost savings and operational efficiencies to underpin business in 2024

Despite the rise in IT spending, indicating that businesses will continue to invest in digital transformation, the challenging economic environment will mean they may double down on initiatives that streamline costs, improve efficiencies, and maximise the resources they currently have.

However, businesses must look beyond these turbulent economic times to avoid making shortsighted business decisions. Adopting a long-term business strategy requires businesses to devote resources to infrastructure and skills. By preparing its technology, people and processes for the future, an organisation can easily pivot towards innovation, allowing it to be antifragile in good and bad economic times.

Monetising data for antifragility

Data is widely recognised as a strategic asset, and come 2024 it will become digital gold for many organisations. In the months ahead, expect to see more companies treating data as a commodity that can be monetised for new revenue streams, driving innovation beyond simply enabling cost savings.

However, this also requires data integrity, where data is accurate, complete, and consistent. By paying attention to data lineage, companies will be able to have a clear idea of where their data originates from, how it has changed and its final destination within its lifecycle. As more organisations store their data both on-premise and in the cloud, deploying data management platforms with modern architectures can deliver quicker time to insights and provide access to data and analytics across all lines of business.

Operationalising Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive business value

In 2023, many organisations discovered how AI can be used to drive cost savings and operational efficiencies by automating repetitive, mundane and time-consuming tasks. However, advancements in AI such as generative AI and large language models continue to uncover new opportunities for innovation and creative problem-solving. In 2024, expect organisations to explore and experiment with AI more earnestly, working towards operationalising the tech and driving new revenue streams.

It will also become increasingly obvious that AI platforms do not work in isolation - the entire data architecture of the business must be integrated to allow for quick and easy access to available data. AI/ML models are only as good as the data they are fed  this requires consistent security and governance controls throughout the entire organisation.

Companies must ensure that they deploy the right AI/ML strategies and data platforms that include an integrated set of security and governance technologies and can deliver consistent data context across the organisation, regardless of where the data is stored. Using such a platform allows an organisation to trust its data to deliver reliable insights and to form the foundation for AI deployments.

Organisational resilience need not come at the cost of innovation or growth

When assessing the impact of AI on business performance, Garrett says, If we are to succeed in 2024, we must be both optimistic and realistic about the capabilities of AI. Secure, trusted and responsible AI, at scale, will have an integral role to play in registering and developing new revenue streams, or amplifying existing ones.

However, it will be crucial for organisations to spend the time needed to align AI deployment alongside business strategy, as opposed to moving at pace under the guise of not being left behind. Investing in trusted data will help to drive innovation and achieve greater success over time.

Overall, its crucial for organisations to ensure that their technology, people and processes support one another and work in harmony. Doing so allows an organisation to build and train its AI deployments on trusted data, driving innovation and growth, even in times of uncertainty. A resilient organisation resists shocks and stays the same; an antifragile organisation improves, evolves and becomes stronger.
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The abject narcissism of the insular Left is startling. They apparently believe the American public is amnesiac enough to forget what leftists once did, now that they're doing the utter opposite. And they assume we are to discount their hypocrisy and self-absorption simply because they self-identify as erudite and moral and assume their opponents are irredeemable and deplorable.

Impeachment

The Left is saturating the airwaves with outrage over the current House Republicans' impeachment inquiry. They allege that formally investigating Joe Biden's role in the family grifting operation is somehow a poor constitutional precedent, if not out-of-bounds entirely.

So we hear further arguments that it will be unwise to impeach a first-term president when he loses his House majority, that there is no reason to "waste" congressional time and effort when Biden will be automatically acquitted in the Democratically controlled Senate, and that the impeachment is cynically timed to synchronize with president's reelection efforts.

All of these are the precise arguments many of us cited when Donald Trump was impeached in December 2019 (as his reelection campaign began, and immediately after being cleared of the 22-month, $40-million-special-counsel Russian-collusion hoax).

The Democrats tried to remove an elected president over a phone call without a special counsel's report. So Trump was impeached only after the 2018 election led to a Democratic House majority, which went from eating up nearly two years of his administration in the Russian-collusion hoax straight into the impeachment farce. There was no concern about the cost to the nation of putting an elected government into a continual state of siege.

There is one difference, though, between the Trump impeachment and the Biden impeachment inquiry. Donald Trump was impeached because he accurately accused the members of the Ukrainian government of paying Hunter Biden, with his zero fossil fuel expertise, an astronomical sum to serve on the Burisma board  as the costly quid that earned the lucrative quo from his dad Vice President Joe Biden.

No one now denies that Joe Biden got prosecutor Viktor Shokin fired by threatening to cancel legislatively-approved U.S. aid. Shokin knew about the skullduggery through which the Biden family eventually received $6.5 million from Ukraine  and so Biden ensured his firing, and publicly bragged about it in performance-art fashion.

In sum, Trump had a perfect right as commander in chief to delay (he did not cancel) aid to Ukraine, to ensure that its government was not still paying off the Bidens for their lobbying efforts on its behalf.

It is also now clear that Biden serially lied about his ignorance of Hunter's shake-down operation. In fact, he was, as Devon Archer emphasized, "the brand" central to Hunter's scheme to coerce money from foreign governments. Joe was proverbially, in Hunter's words "the man sitting next to me" and thus able to either punish or reward foreign interests, depending on the size of the checks they wrote to his various fronting family members.

Offspring subpoenas

The left is now furious that Hunter has been subpoenaed by the House to testify in private about how he earned his multimillion-dollar income, whether he fully paid taxes on it, and to whom he distributed his winnings.

Hunter has refused to testify. He is now being held in contempt of the U.S. Congress  to the silence of the usually self-righteous former senator Joe "pay your fair share" Biden.

We hear sanctimonious harangues that Joe is guilty of loving "his only son" Hunter too much, or that it is way out of bounds for a Department of Justice prosecutor to hound Joe Biden by going "after his family," or that Republican congressional subpoenas and contempt findings should be summarily ignored.

Ask Peter Navarro or Steve Bannon whether one can simply ignore a House subpoena. Ask Ivanka Trump whether she was, or was not, subpoenaed to appear before the January 6 committee. Ask the Trump sons whether they could breezily say "no" to Letitia James's subpoenas in her farcical real-estate-valuation suit against Trump.

Whistleblowers

Do we remember when, not long ago, whistleblowers were noble?

The alleged whistleblower Eric Ciaramella, an Obama holdover who had burrowed inside the Trump administration, had zero firsthand knowledge of the Trump phone call to Ukrainian president Zelensky. Ukrainian expatriate Lt. Col Alexander Vindman was on the call, as a member of the Trump national security team. He broke the law and apparently disclosed the classified call  in outrage that Trump was apparently too hard on his native Ukraine  to Ciaramella, and then hid the latter's identity. Both met privately with Rep. Adam Schiff (D  CA) to engineer an impeachment writ.

This impeachment gambit was well-known to the media and the Democratic House. Both Vindman and Ciaramella were canonized as invaluable tools in wearing down Trump in a way that the failed Mueller prosecution had never done.

And whistleblowers now?

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and 13-year Special IRS Agent Joe Ziegler never violated any statute or disclosed classified information. They did not leak a presidential phone call to a foreign leader.

Instead, both came forward as whistleblowers to testify before Congress about how the Biden Justice Department deliberately and carefully ensured that the mountain of evidence for the prosecution of Hunter Biden that they had presented had simply been ignored  at least long enough for the statute of limitations to run out on his most egregious crimes.

When they both made their case that facts proved the Biden family received huge sums for selling access to or action from Joe Biden, they were roundly trashed by Democrats in congress and pilloried as disgruntled politicos by a toady press.

Dictators

Never-Trumpers and leftists vie to predict the most nightmarish consequence of a 2024 Trump election win. Supposedly, he will commit every imaginable sin, from ending habeas corpus to jailing his enemies.

This fear-mongering has no basis in fact, especially given that the nation has already experienced a Trump administration for four years. And it saw none of the weaponization of the CIA, FBI, DOJ, and IRS that we have seen under the Biden and earlier Obama administrations. There was no concerted effort to destroy the 2020 Biden campaign in the manner of the 2016 Russian-collusion caper, no FBI suppression of evidence as we saw in the case of the Hunter laptop, no warping of a FISA court, no paying social media corporations FBI money to suppress news unfavorable to Trump. And so on.

The Burden of Familial Indictments?

Suddenly yet another new narrative emerges: Joe Biden is unduly preoccupied, bearing the enormous burden of Hunter's indictments. Apparently, we have never appreciated the supposedly unnecessary and cruel encumbrance on a president when his son is indicted.

So, we are told that a son's legal exposure is an unfair weight on a president.

Have we again forgotten the subpoenaed Trump children, much less the four weaponized indictments of Trump himself? Does anyone wish to compare the drug-addicted, prostitute-hiring, gun-losing, pornographic-photo-taking, shake-down grifting of Hunter with the conduct of the five Trump children?

What would Biden think if the next Republican Secretary of State had once tried to ruin him by rounding up "51 intelligence authorities" to blatantly lie that a Trump son's incriminating laptop was not his own, in order to affect the 2024 election  all in the manner of the Antony Blinken 2020 ruse? Or imagine a future National Security advisor who had once tried, in Jake Sullivan's 2016 way, to concoct a malicious yarn that Hunter was engineering a computer ping correspondence from Biden headquarters to Moscow. Would those be burdens on Biden? Were they on Trump?

It may well be unwise to impeach a president in his first term when he loses his House majority. It may certainly set a bad precedent to subpoena the children of presidents. It may be regrettable that whistleblowers are either unduly demonized or sanctified. And it is of course wrong to smear a president as a veritable Hitlerian dictator.

But the left does not see such absolutes. Instead, once a supposedly morally-superior agenda is enunciated, then any means necessary are justified to obtain it.

And that alternate reality ensures that impeaching a president, indicting him, subpoenaing his kids, praising or libeling whistleblowers, or smearing a president as a dictator become good or bad things only by determining whether they prove useful to the progressive project.

( Hanson's latest book is "The Dying Citizen" from Basic Books. Buy it in hardcover at a 45% discount! by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 32% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.)

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, a professor of classics emeritus at California State University at Fresno, and a nationally syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services.
CHARLESTON  A man recently sentenced to 51 years in prison for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend filed an appeal on Thursday.

The appeal for Joshua Fairchild, 28, of Charleston was filed by the Appellate Defender's Office in Mount Vernon following his sentencing hearing on Tuesday in Coles County Circuit Court on charges of murder and concealing a homicidal death. He was found guilty by a jury in August.

Circuit Judge Brian Bower sentenced Fairchild to 51 years in prison, with credit for 907 days served, for the fatal stabbing of Cheleta Branch, 50. The judge sentenced him to three years in prison, to to run consecutively, for concealment regarding hiding her body in their residence.

Branch's body was discovered by police on June 25, 2021 during a well-being check prompted by a call from her mother stating the two hadn't spoken in more than a month. They subsequently arrested Fairchild.

According to court documents, Fairchild told police Branch wanted him to kill her while the two were involved in the heated argument that occurred as many as two months before her body was discovered. The affidavit said Fairchild confessed to killing Branch by repeatedly stabbing her.

"While the initial discovery of Ms. Branchs body and subsequent search of the crime scene was completed within a matter of hours, the investigation into large amounts of data located within various media continued for months after the defendants arrest and yielded significant and relevant evidence that was presented at trial," said State's Attorney Jesse Danley in a press release after the jury trial.

Danley said, "At trial, officers and detectives with the Charleston Police Department accounted for the majority of the States witnesses, which included the admission of the defendants personal notebooks, cell phone, and recorded statements."

During the outset of the hearing on Tuesday, the judge denied Public Defender's motion for a new trial. The subsequent sentencing proceedings included Branch's mother presenting a victim impact statement.

Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Federal reports show similar long-term trends in violent crime, but diverge significantly on year-over-year changes Despite the long-term trends, the two reports differ more than ever before on the year-over-year change in violent crime. Property crime went up in 2022 One undeniable trend: Violent crimes against young people doubled Still, most crimes are not reported to the police
CHARLESTON  Josiah Lyons served a juvenile justice sentence after pleading guilty to the Sept. 20, 2017, Mattoon High School shooting and is now set to serve two years of probation for a related parole violation.

Lyons, 21, of Mattoon received this sentence on Thursday from Circuit Court Judge Mitchell Shick after entering a voluntary guilty plea via an agreement with the Coles County State's Attorney's Office.

The defendant also has been ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, plus other costs and assessments set forth in the financial sentencing order. Pending compliance, Lyons is ordered to continue with the terms of registration.

Lyons pleaded guilty in August 2018 to the shooting at the high school, where he was a student. Court and police documents have reported that a teacher began to subdue Lyons in the cafeteria at nearly the same time as Lyons fired his gun, and the shot then hit and injured another student.

According to court testimony during the original case, Lawrence Jeckel, the psychiatrist who examined Lyons, said the teen took a handgun from his father's gun safe and took it to school on Sept. 20, 2017.

Jeckel testified that Lyons had quarreled with a fellow student, reaching a point that he decided he wanted to shoot her. He said when Lyons could not find her, he decided to "go down shooting." Jeckel said Lyons' actions were partly because of "perceived bullying" but he also acted as a bully himself.

Lyons, a juvenile at the time, was sentenced after his guilty plea to juvenile justice facility until he reached age 21 years or until he was discharged from aftercare release. Lyons was discharged on Oct. 23, 2020.

The Mattoon Police Department arrested Lyons on Dec. 14, 2021 for failure to register his change of address as a violent offender.

Based on this new offense, the states attorneys office successfully petitioned to revoke the stay on the adult sentence attached to Lyons juvenile conviction of aggravated battery with a firearm. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Following an appeal from defense attorney Ed Piraino of Champaign, the 5th District Appellate Court ordered in June that the 25-year sentence be vacated. Presiding Justice Mark Boie wrote Lyons' prospective adult sentence should have been vacated when he was released from juvenile custody.

The state's attorney's office then continued with its prosecution of Lyons on the charge of failing to register his change of address. Lyons' progress hearing on Thursday's probation sentence is set for March 6.
SHELBYVILLE  Just months after the entire Shelby County Dive Team resigned amid a dispute with the county board, former team commander Austin Pritchard is seeking a seat on the 22-member body.

Pritchard is running unopposed in the Republican primary to fill the final two years of former board member Matt Kesslers four-year term in District 4. No Democrats put themselves in the running for the position during the filing period that ended earlier this month.

Pritchard and his team resigned in September amid a showdown with the board purportedly over the board's concerns that the team did not have proper insurance coverage. Many dive team members viewed the boards meddling as retribution over a previous dispute involving a mutual aid request from the Illinois State Police.

It was just the latest battle in an ongoing war over the direction of Shelby County.

This was kind of spurred due to the political climate in Shelby County right now, Pritchard told Lee Enterprises of his decision to run. And I feel we have an opportunity to make some change to the political climate. And I've always been the kind (of person where) if you're not willing to get involved, then you don't have the right to sit back and complain.

Prichard said he hopes to bring some common sense and humanity back to that board, adding that county employees have been mistreated over this last year. He also said that we need to get some type of water rescue coverage back for the county.

The primary election is set for March 19 and the general election is Nov. 5.

Pritchard is one of many candidates, apparently spurred by the lively debates that have consumed many county board meetings in recent months, seeking to remove incumbent board members. In addition to the dive team issue, the board also had heated debates on the use of farmland controlled by the county, involving long meetings with numerous residents in attendance.

There are 11 county board districts, with two representatives in each district. One seat is up in each general election, with additional seats on the ballot if there are unexpired terms to be filled.

Only one incumbent board member, Republican Charles Davis in District 4, is not seeking reelection. Seeking to fill the seat are Republicans Clark Amling and Christy Wafford and Democrat Uvanna McKinney. Amling is currently on the board, having been appointed to fill the vacancy created by Kesslers resignation earlier this year, for which Pritchard has filed to fill. Rather than file to complete the final two years of Kesslers term, Amling is seeking a four-year term.

Chrissy Grant, a Democrat, is the lone candidate to file for a two-year-unexpired term in District 9. That position is currently vacant following the resignation in September of Dave Ogden.

There are four candidates seeking the four-year seat. Cody Brands, the incumbent, and Gene Price and Shawne Martz are seeking the Republican nomination. Democrat Chrissy Latzke also has filed for the position.

While Teresa Boehm is uncontested in her bid to continue representing District 3, she faces another challenge.

Boehm, the only Democrat currently on the board, is the subject of a felony charge of holding simultaneous appointments, filed by States Attorney Robert Hanlon this month in Shelby County Circuit Court.

The charge accuses Boehm of breaking the law by previously serving as a Rose Township Cemetery trustee while also being a county board member. Boehm resigned her cemetery trustee role in August after Hanlon filed a lesser legal action that brought the issue to her attention.

Regarding the more recent charge, Hanlon said he feels that he had no choice but to file a felony charge against her after finding additional evidence in this case.

Hanlon said this evidence shows that Boehm was fully aware beforehand of the state law that prohibits officials from holding two offices at once. He said evidence also shows that she continued to receive compensation for being a trustee after resigning from this post.

A court hearing for Boehm's first appearance is set for Dec. 29.

The races in the remaining county board districts are shaping up as follows:

District 1: Republican Tim Brown, the incumbent, is uncontested in the primary. No Democrat filed for the position.

District 2: The candidates are Republican Mark Bennett, the incumbent, and Democrat James Caputo.

District 5: Incumbent Annette Martin is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Larry Syfert. No Democrat filed for the position.

District 6: Republican Heath McCormick, the incumbent, is uncontested in the primary. No Democrat filed for the position.

District 7: Incumbent Robert Orman is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Tricia Miller in the primary. Guy Anderson has filed as a Democrat.

District 8. Incumbent Mitchell Shuff is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Christine Matlock. No Democrat filed for the position.

District 10: Incumbent Martha Firnhaber is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Jeff Gregg. No Democrat filed for the position.

District 11: Incumbent Carol Cole is being challenged by Nick Fiala for the Republican nomination. No Democrat filed for the position.

Other open offices

Countywide offices up for grabs in the March primary and Nov. 5 general election are states attorney, coroner and circuit clerk.

Regarding the race for states attorney, Hanlon has taken himself out of the running for that position, which he currently holds.

Hanlon, a resident of McHenry County, initially filed paperwork with the county clerks office Nov. 27 to run as a Republican, thus creating a primary contest with Ruth Woolery for the partys nomination. Woolery is an associate attorney at Rincker Law in Shelbyville.

However, Hanlon filed paperwork on Dec. 4, the last day of the filing period, removing his name from the ballot. No Democrat filed for the position.

Hanlon was appointed as the position in February following the December 2022 resignation of former States Attorney Nichole Kroncke.

When asked by a Lee Enterprises reporter about his decision not to seek election, Hanlon said he believes he has fulfilled his promise to fill the vacancy in this office and has accomplished his goals regarding handling the caseload there. He now plans to return to private practice.

I want to pursue those other opportunities that are substantially more lucrative, Hanlon said of earning more income in private practice.

In the race for coroner, incumbent coroner Brad Phagley is being challenged by Richard Moon for the Republican nomination. No Democrat filed for the position.

Incumbent circuit clerk Kari Kingston, a Democrat, is being challenged in the general election by Republican Peter Otis. Otis had faced a challenge to his petitions, citing they were improperly dated, but that challenge was withdrawn before it was ruled upon by the Shelby County Electoral Board.

It is still possible that contested races will emerge in November. The Republican and Democrat parties could nominate a candidate for the ballot, and there will be time after the primary election for independent and write-in candidates to file the necessary paperwork.

Rob Stroud contributed to this report.

GALLERY: Lake Shelbyville through the years
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois lawmakers passed and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed nearly 600 bills into law this year. More than half will take effect on Jan. 1.

They range from measures allowing victims of deepfakes, doxing and fertility fraud to sue their perpetrators to banning Zoom while driving and vaping inside public places. There are many more interesting and consequential new laws in between. With 2024 right around the corner, here are 24 of them:

House Bill 1540 adds electronic cigarettes to the list of tobacco products banned inside public places.

House Bill 1541 will prohibit utilities from disconnecting service when temperatures are 90 degrees or above, or when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, heat advisory or excessive heat warning. The law previously barred shutoffs when temperatures were 95 degrees or above and didnt take into account factors like heat index.

House Bill 1628 will require that landlords accept all forms of payment, including cash, for rent. It prohibits them from requiring the use of electronic forms of payment, including portals that charge fees.

House Bill 2123 will allow victims of digital forgeries known as deepfakes to sue their perpetrators and collect damages. Similarly, House Bill 2954 would allow for victims of doxing  the act of intentionally releasing private information about someone without their consent and with malicious intent  to sue their perpetrators for monetary damages.

House Bill 2389 clarifies that law enforcement cannot pull over a driver solely for having an object, such as a disability placard or air freshener, hanging from their rearview mirror.

House Bill 2789 will allow the Illinois Secretary of State to withhold state grant funds from public libraries that ban books for political reasons.

House Bill 2431 will prohibit a person from participating in video conferencing applications such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams while operating a motor vehicle. They will also be barred from accessing social media websites like Facebook and Snapchat.

House Bill 3203 permits pharmacists and retailers to sell fentanyl strips to the public over-the-counter to test for the presence of fentanyl in any drug.

House Bill 3326 will prohibit the use of automatic license plate reader cameras for tracking out of state people seeking abortion care in Illinois. It would also prevent the use of LPRs to track a persons immigration status.

House Bill 3751 will allow for non-citizens who are federally authorized to work in the United States to become police officers. It would also open the door for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to apply to be police officers.

House Bill 3808 clarifies that local cable franchise fees do not apply to providers of satellite television and streaming services.

House Bill 3814 requires that schools mark students as in attendance if they are participating in a Future Farmers of America or 4-H competition.

Senate Bill 40 will require that new construction of single-family homes and multi-unit residential buildings include basic infrastructure for electric vehicle charging in a certain number of parking spaces.

Senate Bill 208 will mandate up to 40 hours of paid time off per year. It applies to all employees working for an employer in Illinois, but excludes independent contractors and construction workers covered under collective bargaining agreements.

Senate Bill 328 will require businesses to give clear notice before a contract, such as a streaming or newspaper subscription, is automatically renewed.

Senate Bill 380 will allow people to bring civil action against health care providers who knowingly or intentionally use their own reproductive cells without the patients consent.

Senate Bill 1623 creates the Underground Railroad Task Force, which is charged with developing a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1710 will mandate that regulatory or warning signs be placed along publicly-owned paved bike trails alerting pedestrians and cyclists of highway crossings. The signage must be at least 150 feet in advance of the crossing.

Senate Bill 1715 will require that all new construction where a drinking fountain is required include a water bottle filling station.

Senate Bill 1817 will make it a civil rights violation to consider immigration status when renting or selling property.

Senate Bill 1889 will allow any store employee to process the sale of prescriptions that have received final verification from a pharmacist. Previously, a pharmacist had to be present.

Senate Bill 2034 will entitle an employee of a company of 250 people or more to use up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if the employee experiences the loss of a child by homicide or suicide. Employees of companies that employ 50 to 250 people are entitled to six weeks unpaid leave.

Senate Bill 2123 is an elections Christmas tree bill that, among other things, makes Election Day 2024 a state holiday, creates a task force on ranked-choice voting and allows 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote.

And though it is not a new bill, many Illinois residents will get a raise in the new year thanks to the minimum wage increase signed into law in 2019. On Jan. 1, the states wage floor will increase to $14 per hour. It will increase to $8.40 per hour for tipped employees. For those under 18 who work less than 650 hours per year, the rate increases to $12 per hour.

And one of the major provisions of the states assault weapons ban will take effect Jan. 1. Illinois residents who possessed any of the banned weapons prior to the law taking effect are grandfathered in, but must file an endorsement affidavit for each weapon with the Illinois State Police before the new year.

Saving for your kids' college education? Everything you need to know about 529 plans Saving for your kids' college education? Everything you need to know about 529 plans
On the sidelines of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 regional final awards ceremony, the University of Bahrain hosted an exclusive forum in which the need for ICT talent cultivation was stressed.

The event featured senior speakers from the ICT industry organisations and renowned regional universities, including Dr Hessa Jassim Al-Junaid, Dean of the College of Information Technology, University of Bahrain, and Dr Jassim Haji, President, International Group of Artificial Intelligence. The University of Bahrain is a partner for the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 regional final and hosted the official closing and awards ceremony for the programme this year.

The forum panel discussion also featured Dr Tilda Karkour Akiki, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK); and Amr Hashem, Policy Director, GSMA Mena. The discussion was moderated by Ammar Tobba, VP, Public Affairs and Communications, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Region.

Challenges and opportunities

The speakers discussed challenges and future opportunities in building the ICT talent ecosystem and the value of Public-Private partnerships in nurturing ICT talent innovations, supporting the university curriculum with practical skills and training, and driving the socio-economic growth of countries in the region.

The panelists also shared their thoughts on driving digital transformation, building a sustainable knowledge-based digital economy in the region, and raising national competitiveness in line with the governments national plans and visions.

Gender equality in technology was also highlighted as a pressing need during the discussion. The forum was attended by university students and tutors, government partners, ICT professionals, academia, and media representatives from 11 Middle East and Central Asia participating countries.

Open collaboration

Dr Al-Junaid underlined the importance of an open collaboration between universities and the public and private sectors to develop curriculum and upskilling students on the latest technologies, such as 5G and Cyber Security. She stated: The Huawei ICT Talent initiative offers students practical skill development opportunities through hands-on challenges and real-world scenarios facilitated by Huawei professionals and experts. It fosters critical thinking and confidence-building among participants. Winning or receiving recognition in the competition can serve as a valuable addition to a student's academic portfolio, highlighting their accomplishments.

Annually, the Huawei ICT Talent competition attracts a growing number of registered students, indicating its increasing popularity. The College of IT students who have taken part in the Huawei ICT Talent competition have demonstrated high employability due to the competition's provision of relevant skills, industry knowledge, problem-solving abilities, teamwork experience, and industry recognition. Additionally, the competition encourages students to pursue Huawei professional certifications that hold international recognition, Dr Al-Junaid added.

Dr Haji explained how the technology will impact undergraduate engineers. He said: AI tools are poised to transform the way talented students learn and create, offering a wealth of benefits such as guidelines to the job market, the course selection, and curriculum advisory. Furthermore, generative AI creates tests tailored to each student's learning preferences, interactive activities, or even life-like simulations.

Digital transformation

Dr Akiki shared her thoughts on how ICT students can contribute to todays industrial digital transformation and the urgent need to narrow the ICT talent gap, especially to encourage more participation from women. She elaborated: Empowering women in ICT is not just about diversity; it's a strategic imperative for sustainable innovation. It secures a more inclusive and resilient future where diverse perspectives in digital solutions shape our world and where innovation has no limit. With both determination and empathy, women leading the way will transform challenges into opportunities and will promote collaborative environments where every voice is heard.

Hashem said: At the GSMA, we believe that investing in the development of ICT talent is crucial for the future success of the telecommunications industry. The rapid deployment of 5G technology requires a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and meeting the evolving demands of the digital era. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry through initiatives like the Huawei ICT Competition, we can empower the next generation of professionals and ensure a sustainable and thriving future for the ICT sector in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Tobba said: ICT talent development programs like the Huawei ICT Competition contribute towards bridging the digital divide and narrowing the digital skills gap, nurturing young industry talents and strengthening the ICT talent ecosystem across the region. As a global technology leader, Huawei is committed to supporting the national plans and vision of regional governments to build a robust knowledge-based digital economy driven by local talents.

This year, more than 27,500 students from over 600 universities across 21 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries participated in the Middle East & Central Asia Huawei ICT Competition  marking the highest level of participation in the seven-year competition history. Twenty-two teams consisting of 66 national winners from 11 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries, including Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman, participated in the regional finals held in Bahrain from December 19 to 21, 2023.--TradeArabia News Service
A man was shot and wounded Thursday in the 200 block of Federal Street in Lexington, authorities said.

Lexington police went to a reported shooting about 3:30 p.m. at that location, police said.

When officers arrived, they found Anthony Kindle, 40, suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper leg in the front yard, police said.

Officers and Davidson County emergency medical technicians performed life-saving measures, police said.

The shooting appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no further threat to the public, police said.

Detectives are investigating the shooting, and are looking for a suspect vehicle, a black or gray 2011 Lexus IS250 with a Georgia license plate, CWW3774.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Crime Stoppers at 336-243-2400.
The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock defines sepsis as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, leading to a complex and potentially fatal syndrome that is common in hospitalized patients and constitutes one of the leading causes of death in ICUs.1 Sepsis is multifaceted and involves a patient's response to an infecting pathogen, influenced by both host and pathogen factors.1 The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock defines septic shock as a subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than sepsis alone.1 Previously, sepsis was thought of as mainly an inflammatory process; however, sepsis now is recognized to involve pro- and anti-inflammatory responses, as well as cardiovascular, neuronal, hormonal, metabolic, and coagulation changes.1,2

The incidence of sepsis is reported as 2% of all hospitalizations in developed nations and 6% to 30% among patients in ICUs.3 Severe sepsis is reported in 50 to 100 per 100,000 patients in the United States.3 The CDC reports that in a typical year, at least 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis.4 At least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis die during their hospitalization or are discharged to hospice.4 One in three people who die in a hospital experienced sepsis during that hospitalization.4

Between 40% and 50% of sepsis cases are associated with respiratory infections.5 Genitourinary and gastrointestinal infections also are common causes. Other sources include skin, soft tissue, bone, joint, and central nervous system infections as well as primary bacteremia.5 Sepsis is a public health concern, accounting for about 5.2% of total US hospital costs, and is the leading cause of mortality and severe illness among critically ill patients.1,6 The incidence of sepsis is increasing, possibly attributable to aging populations with significant comorbidities. Furthermore, patients who recover from sepsis often have long-term medical and psychologic disabilities.1 Risk factors for sepsis include older age, comorbid medical conditions, and a compromised immune system.5 Both in the United Kingdom (35% higher in winter than summer) and the United States (17.7% higher in fall than in summer), severe sepsis is more prevalent during the colder months, potentially correlating with fluctuations in viral respiratory illnesses.6

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

The clinical presentation of sepsis is highly variable and often includes nonspecific features such as fever, tachypnea, altered mental status, tachycardia, and cold or clammy skin. Therefore, clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion for infections, especially those most likely to cause sepsis. A task force convened by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine determined that because no clinical measurements reflect a dysregulated host response, physical examination findings can be indicative of inflammation or organ dysfunction.1 Looking for hallmark signs and symptoms will aid in identifying a source of infection. For example, consider bacterial meningitis as a source of sepsis if the patient presents with fever, headache, photophobia, and meningismus.7 Consider bacterial pneumonia as the source in a patient with fever, tachypnea, hypoxemia, dullness to percussion, and bibasilar crackles.7 Hallmark signs including new cardiac murmur, Roth spots, splinter hemorrhages, Osler nodes, or Janeway lesions are indicative of infective endocarditis.7 Fever in a patient with an indwelling peripheral or central catheter is consistent with catheter line sepsis.7 Additionally, signs such as fever and dysuria common with urinary tract infections and fever with acute abdominal pain, fever, guarding, and tachycardia are consistent with bacterial peritonitis.7

What differentiates sepsis from infection is a dysregulated host response and the presence of organ dysfunction, which may or may not be evident on physical examination and history alone. An initial infection triggers cytokine release, causing inflammation. However, when an excess of cytokines is produced (cytokine storm), tissue and organ damage may occur, resulting in organ dysfunction. This immune dysregulation causing tissue damage results in fever, mental status changes, headache, and myalgia and can rapidly progress to coagulopathy, acute liver injury, respiratory failure, or renal failure.8 A patient may have occult organ dysfunction, so consider sepsis in all patients with any form of infection.1 Organ dysfunction without an obvious cause, such as a causative pathogen identified by culture, may be the first sign of an infection, necessitating further investigation.

DISCUSSION

An organized and systematic approach is essential in diagnosing sepsis because of the complexity and variety of predisposing risks and illnesses responsible for this condition. Thoroughly evaluate the patient's history, physical examination findings, and laboratory results and consider common causes of sepsis. The defining criteria of sepsis include a possible source of infection, organ dysfunction, and symptoms of the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS): tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, and an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count with a left shift (Table 1).9 However, SIRS criteria often are criticized for lacking sensitivity and specificity.10 For example, not all patients with infection present with a fever and elevated WBC count, and patients may have these features without an infection.10

TABLE 1. - SIRS criteria SIRS criteria Each criterion is worth 1 point. A score of 2 or greater meets the definition of SIRS. Temperature greater than 38 C (100.4 F) or less than 36 C (98.6 F)

Heart rate greater than 90 beats/minute

Respirations greater than 20 or PaCO 2 less than 32 mm Hg

White blood cell count greater than 12,000 cells/mm3, less than 4,000 cells/mm3, or more than 10% bands www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547669 Reproduced with permission from Chakraborty RK, Burns B. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing.

No consistent and accurate diagnostic criteria existed for sepsis until a task force convened in 2016 to compile and publish the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock, which recommended the Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score to differentiate sepsis from uncomplicated infection and to unify a definition (Table 2).1, 11 The goal of the SOFA score is to quantify and objectively describe the degree of organ dysfunction or organ failure over time in patients.12 The score is determined 24 hours after ICU admission and then every 48 hours to determine risk of mortality.12

TABLE 2. - SOFA score SOFA score A score of 2 or greater is associated with a mortality greater than 10%, and an increase in score in the first 48 hours of critical illness predicts a mortality of 50%. 0 1 2 3 4 PaO 2 /FiO 2 (mm Hg) 400 <400 <300 <200 with respiratory support <100 with respiratory support Platelets (cells/mm3) 150,000 <150,000 <100,000 <50,000 <20,000 Bilirubin (mg/dL) <1.2 1.2-1.9 2-5.9 6-11.9 >12 Cardiovascular criteria MAP 70 mm Hg MAP <70 mm Hg Dopamine <5 mcg/kg/min or dobutamine (any dose) Dopamine 5.1-15 mcg/kg/min or epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL or norepinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Dopamine >15 mcg/kg/min or epinephrine >0.1 mg/mL or norepinephrine >0.1 mg/mL Glasgow Coma Scale score 15 13-14 10-12 6-9 <6 Creatinine (mg/dL) <1.2 1.2-1.9 2-3.4 3.5-4.9 >5 Adapted with permission from Vincent JL, Moreno R, Takala J, et al. The SOFA (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment) score to describe organ dysfunction/failure. On behalf of the Working Group on Sepsis-Related Problems of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Intensive Care Med. 1996;22(7):707-710.

No one test or score is accurate enough to definitively diagnose sepsis, making the diagnosis extremely challenging, especially in patients with comorbidities. This can lead to delayed treatment and affect patient prognosis because sepsis is a time-critical condition. The SOFA score uses parameters accessible in clinical practice to identify key organ dysfunction.12 A score of 2 or greater is associated with a mortality greater than 10%.10 Furthermore, regardless of the original score, an increase in score in the first 48 hours of critical illness predicts a mortality of 50%.10 Therefore, the SOFA score can be used for diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis. The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock task force also suggested a more time-efficient score called the quickSOFA (qSOFA), which is easier to use in the outpatient setting because it relies only on clinical examination findings.1, 10 The three qSOFA criteria, each worth 1 point, are respiratory rate greater than 22, altered mentation, and systolic BP of 100 mm Hg or lower. In patients meeting at least two of the criteria, the qSOFA has a similar predictive value as the original SOFA score in detecting sepsis and a probable poor patient outcome.10 According to the task force, septic shock can be recognized clinically when patients require a vasopressor to maintain a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mm Hg or greater and serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L in the absence of hypovolemia.1

In addition to these scoring criteria, laboratory studies and radiologic imaging can aid in the diagnosis of sepsis. For every hour delay in administering antimicrobial therapy, patient mortality rises an estimated 8% to 10%.13 Blood, urine, and respiratory cultures are used to identify the infectious pathogen. Other samples such as cerebrospinal fluid, ascitic fluid, or bronchial or alveolar lavage may be used if indicated by the clinical scenario.5 Furthermore, WBC counts with differential can be used to help identify an infection.3 Complete metabolic panels can evaluate electrolytes and major organ function. Platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time can assess dysfunction in coagulation pathways.3 Arterial blood gas analysis can be useful in patients with respiratory dysfunction. Radiographs, ultrasound, and CT all can be used to help identify the source of infection and evaluate organ dysfunction.3 Although these modalities are necessary in the investigation and treatment of sepsis, there are still many limitations in the diagnosis of sepsis. Sepsis is a syndrome without any validated standardized diagnostic test.1 Cultures are slow and are not useful for quickly recognizing sepsis, and only 30% of patients with sepsis have positive blood cultures.14 The SOFA and qSOFA scores, although better than the previously used SIRS criteria, are not completely sensitive nor specific.10 According to Raith and colleagues, SOFA demonstrated significantly greater discrimination for in-hospital mortality [99% CI, 0.750-0.757] than SIRS criteria [99% CI, 0.585-0.593] or qSOFA [99% CI, 0.603-0.611].15 These scores also are not intended to stand alone as the only definition or diagnostic tool for sepsis.1

TURNING TO BIOMARKERS

Because of the difficulty in diagnosing sepsis and its rising incidence over the past decade, research now focuses on the use of biomarkers. A biomarker is defined by the National Institutes of Health as a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention.10 In clinical practice, biomarkers may be used for a variety of diseases and can aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. They can identify patients who may benefit from a specific therapy or predict the risk and benefit of treatments.10 Biomarkers may be useful in diagnosing sepsis and predicting patient prognosis, and several have been studied for this purpose.

Biomarkers used frequently in a clinical setting include lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin. Lactate generally represents hypoperfusion. This biomarker is produced by cells from pyruvate and is essential for anaerobic glycolysis during tissue hypoperfusion.16 Increases in serum lactate levels generally imply organ dysfunction and a potential progression to septic shock. Elevations are associated with an increased mortality from 35% to 70%.10 However, elevated lactate levels can be seen in several medical conditions other than sepsis, including myocardial infarction, trauma, and seizure.17 Using a cutoff of 3.5 mmol/L for lactate results in a specificity of 97% and accuracy of 92% for severe bacterial sepsis and septic shock.17 Lactate also is included in the criteria for septic shock presented in the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock.1 A patient with severe sepsis and lactate greater than 4 mmol/L is considered to be in septic shock even without other evidence of hypoperfusion.1 Lactate also has proven valuable as a marker for prognosis of sepsis. Research shows that patients with a higher lactate clearance after 6 hours had a more favorable outcome.16 Evidence suggests that point-of-care lactate testing is associated with subsequent decreased mortality and time to IV fluids and antibiotics.13 Therefore, lactate is an accurate marker for recognizing severe illness or septic shock and can help predict prognosis, although it is not completely specific to infection.

CRP is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver and other cells, including alveolar macrophages.10 CRP is the most-studied biomarker of infection and inflammation.16 Plasma concentrations of CRP remain stable in healthy patients and increase after inflammation, trauma, or tissue damage. Bacterial infections in particular produce a rapid rise of CRP levels in the bloodstream.10 CRP typically rises 12 to 24 hours after infection, reaches its peak at 2 to 3 days, and has a half-life of 19 hours.14 CRP has a low test specificity for sepsis because it can increase in several diseases, which limits its use as a diagnostic marker in adults with sepsis.16 Tan and colleagues found the diagnostic accuracy of CRP in sepsis to have a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 80%.14 However, CRP is used as a screening tool in the first 24 hours of life in newborns because it has a higher sensitivity in this age group.14 CRP also has been proven to be a reliable tool for monitoring postoperative patients for sepsis because the level decreases postoperatively unless the patient develops an infection.16 Moreover, CRP has been proven to evaluate the response to antimicrobials in patients with sepsis.16 CRP can be a useful biomarker for early detection of infection, but it is not specific enough to solely diagnose sepsis or septic shock.16

Procalcitonin is a peptide normally produced by the thyroid gland and is the precursor of calcitonin. In inflammatory conditions such as sepsis, other types of cells can produce procalcitonin.17 This production is most likely driven by cytokines and different microbial byproducts.17 Procalcitonin is stable in blood indexes and is easily and quickly obtained in a clinical setting. It rises 2 to 3 hours after infection, usually exceeds normal limits at 6 to 12 hours, and peaks at 24 hours.14

Procalcitonin has the potential to differentiate between infectious and noninfectious systemic inflammation as well as viral and bacterial infections.10 Tan and colleagues found that procalcitonin had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 77% for sepsis.14 The FDA has approved procalcitonin as a tool for assessing risk of progression to septic shock for day 1 ICU admissions.16 Procalcitonin also has proven to be successful in guiding antibiotic therapy in patients with sepsis.16 Ljungstrom and colleagues found that procalcitonin had a high specificity in diagnosing bacterial sepsis at a cutoff of 10 ng/mL.18 This means that with a concentration of procalcitonin of 10 ng/mL or higher, patients are extremely likely to have bacterial sepsis.18 Therefore, procalcitonin can be a helpful tool in ruling out noninfectious causes of symptoms.

Tan and colleagues found procalcitonin and CRP to have a moderate degree of value in diagnosing sepsis in adults.14 They also found that procalcitonin had greater diagnostic accuracy than CRP.14 Giannakopoulos and colleagues found procalcitonin to be more sensitive and specific than CRP for detecting bacterial infections.16

In a study comparing these three biomarkers as well as neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio, Ljungstrom and colleagues found that CRP with a cutoff of 20 mg/mL had the highest sensitivity for sepsis (88%); procalcitonin at a cutoff of 10 ng/mL and lactate at a cutoff of 4 mmol/L showed the highest specificity (97%).18 Procalcitonin also showed the greatest ability to correctly classify patients with and without sepsis.18 Furthermore, this study found that the discriminatory power of diagnosis is improved when combining several biomarkers.18 However, limitations to a multimarker approach in diagnosing sepsis include high cost and less availability than a single biomarker.18

Several other biomarkers involved in different aspects of the pathophysiology of sepsis have been studied, although they are not used often clinically. These include chemokines, cell markers, cellular receptors, coagulation markers, markers of vascular endothelial damage, vasodilation molecules, acute phase proteins, complement proteins, markers of organ dysfunction, natriuretic peptides, adipokines, and markers of the infectious organism.16

Sepsis represents a complex interplay of factors and mediators involving the infectious pathogen, host immune response, inflammatory response, coagulation, and individual organ response. More research is needed on biomarkers in sepsis, because they can be measured objectively, can be reproduced easily, are cost-effective, and have well-known kinetics. An ideal biomarker would be sensitive and specific enough to diagnose sepsis, predictive of the clinical course, and easily obtainable in clinical practice. No one biomarker has been proven to be sufficient to diagnose or predict the prognosis of sepsis in adults in isolation. However, of the biomarkers used, procalcitonin appears to be more accurate than CRP in the early diagnosis of sepsis.14,17,18 Lactate appears to be the most suggestive of septic shock or a poorer prognosis.10,13 Studies using panels of biomarkers to diagnose sepsis are encouraging.18

CONCLUSION

Timely and accurate diagnosis of sepsis is imperative to improve patient survival and reduce morbidity and mortality. Therefore, clinicians need to be aware of the most efficient and useful approach to diagnose sepsis. No single definitive diagnostic test is available. Blood cultures detect the causative organism allowing for targeted treatment. Biomarkers including procalcitonin, CRP, and lactate levels are used extensively to aid in diagnosing and determining the prognosis of sepsis. These tests must be interpreted in the context of other laboratory findings and clinical assessments. More studies need to be conducted with novel biomarkers that are not used clinically and with panels of biomarkers in order to evaluate their sensitivity, specificity, and potential clinical application. Clinicians also need to be aware of the clinical significance of the tests they may use regularly, such as those for lactate, CRP, and procalcitonin, and the implications they may have on the diagnosis of sepsis. Despite progress in researching sepsis, it remains a major health concern because of its high incidence, cost, and mortality. Prompt diagnosis using scoring systems, laboratory findings, imaging, and biomarkers leads to early intervention with correct treatment and can considerably improve patient outcomes.
ED patient volumes continue to rise, which can overload healthcare systems.1 Resource use, patient turnover, and patient flow are all key aspects to keep EDs running smoothly.1 With increasing patient volume comes a higher rate of specialty consults, making accurate triage and patient coordination essential.2,3 Physician associates/assistants (PAs) and NPs increasingly are included in ED care teams, emergency medicine, and other specialties, to improve efficiency and reduce costs.2,4 Further, more accurate triaging can help patients receive treatment faster, reduce costs, and reduce the demand on physicians.3

ED patient flow relies on the coordination and staffing of clinicians to maintain high-quality care and efficiency.5 A variety of factors have been found to lead to increased ED length of stay (LOS), including increased testing and radiology studies, and increased need for specialist consultation.6 In patients with musculoskeletal pathologies, limited access to orthopedic specialist resources is a cause of decreased ED efficiency.7-9 Low staffing, availability conflicts, and decreased reimbursement are three factors that lead to limited availability of on-call orthopedic physicians.7,8 Cantu and colleagues reported that 41% of ED cases are related to orthopedic injuries; therefore, a lack of orthopedic specialists may increase overcrowding and time to treatment.7 Given the conflicting demands of ED coverage and care for elective patients for orthopedic physicians, PAs and NPs are being used to help relieve physician workloads by taking on ED specialty consultations.3,10 By increasing clinician resources and staffing, on-call schedules can be better managed and physician workloads reduced. Previous literature has described areas in which ED efficiency may be improved with the increased use of PAs and NPs; however, a gap in the literature exists as previous studies have not directly evaluated how inpatient PA and NP programs affect operational efficiency and the quality of care delivered to orthopedic patients presenting in the ED.2-4,6-9,11

This study investigated the effects of implementing a PA and NP program to help reduce orthopedic surgeon consultations in the ED, with the goal of improving operational efficiency, physician satisfaction, and quality of care delivered.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was deemed institutional review board exempt by the institution's clinical research committee. This study did not receive any external funding.

Study setting

This institution implemented the inpatient PA and NP program in June 2019, with one PA working 8-hour shifts 5 days a week. The program has grown to 12 hours of coverage 7 days a week. The inpatient team comprises two PAs and one NP who each have more than 5 years of orthopedic experience, and have successfully completed a specific competency program. Responsibilities include consulting on orthopedic patients in the ED and inpatient units; rounding on patients admitted to orthopedic units; procedures including wound incision and drainage, arthrocentesis, and reduction of fractures and dislocations; and occasional assisting in the OR.

The study was conducted at a single acute-care hospital in Annapolis, Md. Our institution, which does not hold a trauma designation, has 364 licensed beds and more than 22,000 inpatient admissions annually. In 2021, our ED was the 35th busiest in the nation, with 95,314 visits.12 Over the study period, 16 orthopedic surgeons from a hospital-affiliated practice participated in ED call. Surgeon participation in call remained consistent over the pre- and post-PA and NP program implementation periods.

Study design and cohort definition

This was a retrospective observational study from January 2017 through March 2022, focusing on 4,118 orthopedic ED consults. Cohorts were defined by pre-inpatient PA and NP program implementation (consults from January 1, 2017, to May 31, 2019) and postprogram implementation (June 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022). Consults were then categorized by primary orthopedic diagnosis. A web-based survey was conducted to evaluate the effect of the inpatient PA and NP program on physician workloads, schedule disruptions, appropriateness of consults, quality of care, and overall satisfaction with the program from the perspective of the orthopedic surgeons taking call during the study period.

Data sources

Clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical record (EMR) using structured query language. The primary orthopedic diagnosis for each consult was determined via manual review of diagnoses and provider notes in the EMR. The web-based survey of orthopedic surgeons was conducted using SurveyMonkey.

Variables

The following variables were extracted from the EMR: arrival date, consult specialty, clinician name, primary orthopedic diagnosis, LOS, 90-day ED returns, time from ED arrival to discharge, time from ED arrival to clinician, and time from ED to inpatient admission. Consult specialty and clinician name were used to confirm orthopedics consults and whether the consult was seen by the inpatient PA or NP or orthopedic surgeon, respectively. LOS was calculated as the time in hours from patient arrival to discharge, and LOS of less than 24 hours was evaluated as a dichotomous measure. Ninety-day ED returns were defined as any return to the ED resulting in either admission or discharge from the ED within 90 days of the initial ED discharge. The three measures of operational efficiency, time from ED arrival to discharge, time from ED arrival to clinician, and time from ED arrival to decision for admission, were measured in minutes using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hospital outpatient quality reporting specifications definitions.13

The physician survey consisted of 10 questions (Tables 1 and 2).

Questions 1 through 4 asked respondents to rate their perceived change in workload, clinic disruptions, OR disruptions, and quality of care delivered to ED patients requiring orthopedic care since the implementation of the inpatient PA and NP program on a 5-point scale from increased substantially to decreased substantially.

Questions 5 and 6 asked respondents to rate the appropriateness of surgeon consults made by the inpatient orthopedics PA or NP and ED providers on a 5-point scale ranging from more than 75% are appropriate to fewer than 25% are appropriate.

Questions 7 and 8 asked respondents to rate the quality of care delivered by the inpatient orthopedic PA or NP and ED providers, respectively, on a 5-point scale ranging from excellent to very poor.

Question 9 asked respondents to rank six potential issues with orthopedic ED care from most commonly seen (1) to least commonly seen (6).

Question 10, which is not presented in the tables, asked respondents to rate their overall satisfaction with the inpatient PA and NP program on a scale from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied).

TABLE 1. - Orthopedic surgeon (N = 12) survey results, questions 1 through 8 Orthopedic surgeon (N = 12) survey results, questions 1 through 8 Increased substantially Increased No change Decreased Decreased substantially Q1: on-call workload change 0 (0%) 1 (8.33%) 0 (0%) 9 (75%) 2 (16.67%) Q2: clinic schedule disruptions 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (8.33%) 6 (50%) 5 (41.67%) Q3: OR schedule disruptions 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (16.67%) 9 (75%) 1 (8.33%) Q4: quality of care delivered to ED patients 4 (33.33%) 6 (50%) 2 (16.67%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) More than 75% are appropriate 51% to 75% are appropriate 50% are appropriate 25% to 49% are appropriate Fewer than 25% are appropriate Q5: orthopedic physician consults made by the inpatient orthopedic PA 9 (75%) 3 (25%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Q6: orthopedic physician consults made by ED clinicians 6 (50%) 4 (33.33%) 2 (16.67%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Excellent Good Average Poor Very poor Q7: quality of orthopedic care delivered by inpatient orthopedic PA or NP 11 (91.67%) 1 (8.33%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Q8: quality of orthopedic care delivered by ED clinicians 0 (0%) 8 (66.6%) 3 (25%) 1 (8.33%) 0 (0%)

TABLE 2. - Question 9: Rank the following issues with orthopedic ED care from most commonly seen (1) to least commonly seen (6) Question 9: Rank the following issues with orthopedic ED care from most commonly seen (1) to least commonly seen (6) N = 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 Incorrect splinting 2 (18.18%) 3 (27.27%) 1 (9.09%) 1 (9.09%) 3 (27.27%) 1 (9.09%) Incorrect cast application 1 (9.09%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 2 (18.18%) 3 (27.27%) 5 (45.45%) Incomplete reduction 1 (9.09%) 1 (9.09%) 3 (27.27%) 3 (27.27%) 1 (9.09%) 2 (18.18%) Delayed follow-up appointment at the orthopedic clinic 1 (9.09%) 5 (45.45%) 2 (18.18%) 2 (18.18%) 1 (9.09%) 0 (0%) Missed diagnosis 2 (18.18%) 1 (9.09%) 5 (45.45%) 0 (0%) 1 (9.09%) 2 (18.18%) Incomplete or inappropriate imaging ordered 4 (36.36%) 1 (9.09%) 0 (0%) 3 (27.27%) 2 (18.18%) 1 (9.09%)

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to depict the volume and distribution of ED consults (PA or NP versus surgeon) by year, and the mix of primary orthopedic diagnoses over the study period. Univariate statistical analyses were performed to compare the proportion of ED consults seen by orthopedic surgeons and outcomes between the pre- and postimplementation cohorts. Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical variables and two-tailed independent samples t-tests were used to analyze continuous-level variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of the program on odds of less than 24-hour LOS after controlling for the primary diagnosis. No other case-mix adjustment was performed for either the univariate or multivariate analyses. All statistical analysis was performed in SPSS v.27 and statistical significance was assessed at P < .05.

RESULTS

Between January 2017 and May 2019, before program implementation, 1,650 orthopedic consults occurred, compared with 2,468 between June 2019 and March 2022, after implementation. Consults to orthopedic surgeons declined from 100% to 51.6% of total orthopedic consult volume after program implementation (P < .001). Total inpatient consults to PAs or NPs and surgeons increased to more than 800 per year since program implementation. PA and NP consults more than doubled from the start of the program (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1.: Trends in ED consults to orthopedics over time

When broken down by diagnoses, the largest percentage of consults (26%) were hip fractures followed by cellulitis, infection or abscess (18%), and lower or upper extremity fractures (11% each). Fracture diagnoses made up more than 50% of the consults in our population. The percentage of admitted patients with LOS less than 24 hours increased from 12.6% before implementation of the program to 15% postprogram implementation (P = .036) (Table 3). After controlling for case mix, patients were 47% more likely to be discharged within 24 hours after the inpatient PA and NP program was implemented (OR = 1.467, 95% CI: 1.168-1.842, P < .001). The average time from ED arrival to discharge for outpatient ED visits was reduced from 331.9  115.7 to 295.7  111.5 minutes (P = .003). Of outpatient ED discharges, the average time from ED arrival to being seen by an orthopedic clinician remained the same after the inpatient PA and NP program implementation. Additionally, the time from ED arrival to admission decision was unchanged after the program initiation. No change occurred in 90-day ED returns pre- or postimplementation.

TABLE 3. - Orthopedic consult ED outcomes Orthopedic consult ED outcomes Pre-inpatient PA and NP program (n = 1,594) Post-inpatient PA and NP program (n = 2,276) P value LOS <24 hours 201 (12.6%) 341 (15%) .036 ED arrival to discharge in minutes (ED discharges only) 331.9  115.7 295.7  111.5 .003 ED arrival to clinician in minutes (ED discharges only) 36.8  37 36.3  39.6 .894 ED arrival to decision for admission in minutes, inpatient only 219.2  221.3 222.2  185.7 .712 90-day ED return 233 (14.6%) 331 (14.6%) .97

Of the 16 orthopedic surgeons taking ED call at our institution, 12 (75%) responded to the survey evaluating the effect of the PA and NP program (Table 1). More than 90% of surgeons said their on-call workload and disruptions to clinic decreased or decreased substantially, and more than 80% said that disruptions to their surgical schedules decreased or decreased substantially. More than 80% of surgeons said that the quality of care delivered to ED patients increased or increased substantially. Overall, on a scale of 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied), surgeon satisfaction with the program was rated a 9. In evaluating the appropriateness of orthopedic surgeon consults, 75% of respondents said that more than 75% of consults made by the inpatient orthopedic PAs and NPs were appropriate. Further, nearly 92% of respondents rated the quality of care delivered by the inpatient orthopedic PAs and NPs as excellent; none rated the quality of care delivered by ED clinicians as excellent. Finally, when asked to rank the most commonly seen issues with orthopedic ED care, delayed follow-up appointments at the orthopedic clinic were most commonly reported by the 11 surgeon respondents to this question, followed by incomplete or inappropriate imaging. Inappropriate cast application was the least commonly reported issue with ED care.

DISCUSSION

Previous studies have highlighted the growing concerns EDs are facing with overcrowding, limited staff, on-call scheduling, and long wait times.1,7-9,14 Increased patient volumes also have been associated with decreased quality of care and increased patient mortality given longer LOS, exposure to disease, and increased time to treatment.6,15,16 When evaluating trauma activation admissions to the trauma service, Mowery and colleagues found ED LOS in minutes to be an independent predictor of mortality when taking into consideration Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, and patient age.15 With ED volumes continuing to grow, more specialty consultations are required for higher levels of care, putting greater strain on physician on-call schedules.17 In an evaluation of orthopedic on-call specialist availability, specifically, 27% of ED directors rated orthopedist on-call availability as worsening over a 3-year period.17 A lack of orthopedic specialist staffing because of decreasing hospital affiliation associated with the rise of independent ambulatory surgery centers is a potential reason for the decrease in orthopedist availability.17

Financial compensation is another issue that affects the staffing and availability of on-call specialists for the ED. A survey of physicians found that 54% did not receive financial compensation for on-call services.17 Further, orthopedics has been reported as one of the most problematic specialties when it comes to on-call ED availability, potentially due to scheduling issues, hospital mandates/management, malpractice costs, and reduced reimbursement.7-9,17 Although direct financial compensation to physicians for ED call coverage has the potential to encourage clinician participation and increase resource availability, the results of our study demonstrate that inpatient PA and NP use is a viable alternative model. Typical call payments to specialists range from $16.67 per hour to $26.96 per hour, making this model increasingly unattractive financially to hospital systems.18 At our institution, ED call is required for all specialties with at least five physicians, and call pay is not provided. Although a formal economic analysis of this inpatient PA and NP program is outside the scope of this work, our internal data demonstrate that the inpatient PA generates professional revenue (collections) equivalent to about 75% of the 2021 average PA salary.19 This, in addition to the facility revenue generated, operational efficiencies gained, and ability to free surgeons to focus on elective cases, suggests that the inpatient PA and NP model is one that is financially sustainable and scalable.

PAs and NPs play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of providing specialty care to patients in the ED. Because of clinician shortages in primary care, emergency medicine, and rural or underserved areas, the use of PAs and NPs has increased to meet patient demand.2-4,8,11 With increases in staffing and clinicians, patients have greater access to medical care and more patients are able to be seen and treated in a timely manner.4,20 Various studies have reported the increased use of PAs and NPs for ED and inpatient services, with these clinicians contributing to lower healthcare costs, improved continuity of care, and freeing physicians to focus on other areas.21-23 In 2009, 77.2% of EDs in the United States used PAs and NPs.24 Between 2010 and 2016, use of PAs and NPs increased 39%.24,25 In a systematic review by Swan and colleagues, NPs were found to provide equivalent quality of care in terms of patient outcomes and satisfaction compared with physicians; NP care was provided at equal or lower cost.26 Horne and colleagues found increased patient access and improved patient outcomes following the implementation of NPs in addition to cardiologists to cover cardiology inpatients.27

In addition to addressing clinician shortages, increased training of ED clinicians is needed to address the increasing complexity and breadth of patient populations presenting for emergency care.2,3,28 This includes specific competencies for PAs and NPs for commonly performed procedures that are not obtained in their baseline educational programs; these competencies can be obtained through on-the-job training or formal residency or fellowship programs.23 In this study, incomplete or inappropriate imaging was identified as the most common clinical deficiency in ED orthopedic care, followed by incorrect splint application and missed diagnosis. To address these areas, we have conducted educational sessions for ED clinicians led by surgeons and the inpatient orthopedic PA. In addition, we continue to adopt and implement structured care pathways and best-practice guidelines, which have been shown to improve quality and reduce waste across a wide variety of patient populations.29-31 Future research is required to evaluate the effect of these interventions on outcomes at our institution.

Based on the early success of the inpatient orthopedic PA and NP program, our institution is expanding the program to include evening and weekend coverage. The results of this study and others suggest that inpatient, specialty-specific PAs and NPs can deliver high-quality, efficient care, but a balance must be struck to avoid overspecialization of ED care. Inpatient specialty PA and NP programs should be structured in collaboration with ED clinicians to ensure that all clinicians are able to practice to the full extent of their education and training.32 Specialty training and increased resource use help all ED clinicians perform at their highest level while maintaining coordinated patient flow. Training programs including competency assessments can help to educate PAs and NPs on handling routine emergency cases such as fracture care, allowing specialty clinicians to focus on more specialized cases.33,34 Further emergency medicine PA residency or fellowship programs, or postgraduate programs, have been developed and piloted to ensure that more accurate and reliable care is delivered.28 Collaborative and interprofessional healthcare teams have been shown to improve patient satisfaction, improve clinician satisfaction, and reduce errors.28

LIMITATIONS

The results of our single-institution study may not be generalizable to other institutions or patient populations. Also, sampling bias may have influenced our results and limited the validity of our findings. A specific source of potential sampling bias is the difference in time periods being compared; the postimplementation period was 5 months longer than the preimplementation period. However, because we primarily compared the rates of categorical endpoints and averages of continuously measured endpoints, we suggest that the effect of this difference on our findings is likely negligible. Additionally, our results are potentially skewed by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been ongoing during the postimplementation period. During this time, access restrictions to the ambulatory orthopedic clinic and delays in patients seeking care likely influenced ED use and acuity patterns.

Unmeasured confounding factors may also have affected our results, particularly the throughput measures assessed, which can be affected by a wide variety of patient-specific factors and organizational conditions. Also, our outcome measure of 90-day ED returns may be skewed by the limitations of available data. Although we included ED returns to outside facilities participating in the Epic Care Everywhere network, which includes most hospitals in our region, not all institutions are included, thus potentially understating the true 90-day ED return rate. Finally, the survey results are inherently subjective in nature and represent a relatively small sample size of 12 surgeons, thus limiting their generalizability beyond our institution.

Despite these limitations, we suggest that this study holds value as one of the first to quantify the effect of an inpatient PA and NP program on operational efficiency, physician satisfaction, and quality of care delivered to orthopedic ED patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of an inpatient PA and NP program resulted in a decreased volume of ED consults to orthopedic surgeons while improving hospital throughput. Orthopedic surgeons reported high levels of satisfaction with the program, and felt it led to improvements in on-call workload and quality of care and reductions in schedule disruptions. The adoption of similar programs across institutions and specialties may be an effective solution for ED overcrowding and clinician shortages.
Child maltreatment encompasses neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychologic abuse, human trafficking, and medical abuse (formerly called Munchausen syndrome by proxy).1 Per the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), child abuse is any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm.2 States must meet this minimum definition but may differ in how they define abuse according to their criminal and civil statutes. Additionally, local districts within any given state can differ in terms of how and when abuse is substantiated or prosecuted.3 Child physical abuse is a pervasive and global problem and is just one form of violence children experience. The World Health Organization estimates that one out of every two children globally will experience some form of interpersonal violence.4 The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) compiles statistics related to the prevalence of child maltreatment each year, with the latest statistics from 2 years earlier.5Child Maltreatment 2021 reports on the latest available NCANDS data from fiscal year 2021 (FY 2021), discussing the characteristics of child maltreatment in the United States.5 The authors of Child Maltreatment 2021 estimated that 600,000 children experienced maltreatment in FY 2021, with more than 1,800 children dying from this maltreatment.5 Of those 1,820 deaths, more than 60% of fatalities occurred in children under age 3 years, with almost half of the deaths occurring among infants under age 1 year.5 Up to 40% of children who experience physical abuse will experience recurrent and/or escalating abuse.6

Because of the variation in how child abuse is defined across jurisdictions, and because much abuse goes unrecognized and unreported, estimates likely fall short of actual numbers. When surveyed as adults as part of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, more than 17.6% of respondents reported a history of physical abuse.5

The dramatic increase in risk for the youngest of children is multifactorial. Smaller, more fragile children depend completely upon their caregivers. They also are preverbal or have very early verbal skills, preventing them from telling others what has happened to them. Caregivers with unrealistic expectations for the child, or who lack knowledge about normal developmental stages, can be more likely to harm children out of frustration and anger.5,7 Persistent crying notoriously correlates with abusive head trauma.8,9 Toilet training can be another particularly risky time, with toileting accidents often preceding immersion or other scald burns.9 Because they are not yet school-aged, younger children may have little contact with other adults. In contrast, school personnel, one of the largest groups of reporters to child protective services (CPS), often recognize abuse in older children.5

Child abuse is among several adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can affect children's physical and psychologic well-being into and through adulthood.10,11 In the short term, children who experience maltreatment are at an increased risk of behavioral issues, learning difficulties, and mental illness. Once these children reach adulthood, they are at an increased risk of chronic illness and early death independent of any genetic predisposition.10 Clinicians caring for children are in a unique position to recognize and address these ACEs, and are key in recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse in the youngest of their patients.6,12 As mentioned earlier, children under age 3 years, and especially those under age 1 year, are particularly vulnerable to maltreatment and death due to that maltreatment.5 Although these young children may not attend school and come to the attention of others, they tend to have more frequent medical visits for well-child examinations and sick visits.6 Therefore, clinicians treating young children should be prepared to recognize the often subtle findings of abuse in children under age 3 years.6,12 Additionally, clinicians should be able to assess for risk for maltreatment and need for caregiver support. This can involve actively screening for ACEs in children and their caregivers, assessing for needs related to housing and food, and referring parents to resources such as quality parenting classes or home visitation programs.11

MINOR INJURIES WITH MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE

Infants and young children can have significant occult injuries while continuing to be well appearing, eating well, and growing. Sugar and colleagues determined that infants who don't cruise rarely bruise.13 They found bruising in only 2.2% of premobile infants who had not yet begun pulling to stand and cruise, compared with bruising in 17.8% of cruisers and 51.9% of walkers.13 Therefore, bruising anywhere on a premobile child should prompt an evaluation for further injuries and a safety assessment.13

Sheets and colleagues named these contusions in premobile infants sentinel injuries.14 Like a sentry tasked with sounding the alarm when danger is present, a sentinel injury should alert clinicians to the possibility that an infant has been physically abused. Sheets and colleagues retrospectively reviewed the histories of infants who were admitted to the hospital after sustaining significant injuries. A panel of experts in the field of child abuse determined whether the children were definitely abused or not abused or whether there was an intermediate cause for concern. A significant portion (27.5%) of the children in the definitely abused cohort had a history of a sentinel injury before their admission. Per medical record reviews and accounts from caregivers, a clinician knew about almost half of these previous injuries. Among the children whose injuries were determined to be nonabusive, none had evidence of one of these previous injuries.

Sheets and colleagues illuminated the fact that injuries in premobile infants are minor but not insignificant.14 Bruises accounted for the vast majority (80%) of previous injuries, with intraoral injury (such as a tear to the frenulum) as the next most significant category of injury (11%). A faint bruise on the cheek or a frenulum tear in a 2-month-old infant will heal without treatment. However, these seemingly minor injuries in such a young infant may be the only indication that the child could have more serious underlying injuries. Importantly, even if that child is found to have no occult injuries upon further evaluation, the child remains at risk for having been abused and for experiencing escalating abuse.

Shanahan and colleagues demonstrated the significance of previous injury, and even previous suspicion of child abuse, in young children.6 Their retrospective study reviewed the medical records of children who were diagnosed with child abuse before their first birthday. The records revealed that one-third of the children diagnosed as abused were seen for an injury, such as a bruise or abrasion, or underwent a skeletal survey.6 In fact, the use of diagnosis codes likely underestimates the true incidence of these minor injuries, because clinicians may not have coded a minor injury if they deemed it insignificant.6 The addition of skeletal surveys as a marker for injury is particularly interesting because skeletal surveys are performed when concern exists that an infant has been maltreated. Therefore, the children who previously underwent skeletal surveys were those who had a workup for abuse but who were not diagnosed as such at that time.

Shanahan and colleagues reported that the average age of the child at the time of their initial injury was 4.4 months old, and the average span of time between the injury and the diagnosis of abuse was about 6 weeks.6 Many reasons exist for why a child undergoing a workup for abuse would not receive a definitive diagnosis of abuse. In any case of suspected abuse, much may remain unknown. Especially with a preverbal infant unable to provide a history, the investigators may lack enough evidence to prove abuse definitively. A negative workup only indicates that clinicians did not identify further injuries. It does not rule out abuse as a cause of the injury.6 Therefore, clinicians who see children with a previous injury or concern for abuse, even if unsubstantiated, should consider this a risk factor for future maltreatment.

As children gain mobility and begin to explore their environment, they sustain accidental bruising.13 However, toddlers remain at a high risk for physical abuse. These two facts pose an issue for alert clinicians who may suspect abuse but are faced with a vigorous and active toddler. Pierce and colleagues initially developed the TEN-4 clinical decision rule that indicated that bruising on the torso, ears, or neck of a child under age 4 years, or anywhere on a child under age 4 months, should prompt an evaluation for child abuse.15 TEN-4 has a sensitivity of 80.7% and a specificity of 91.1%, and the study was limited by including only a small number of children in a pediatric ICU.15,16

Pierce and colleagues set out to validate the TEN-4 tool and expanded it to the more comprehensive TEN-4-FACESp.16 Use of the TEN-4-FACESp mnemonic helps clinicians to remember that suspicion for child abuse should be raised if a child has any bruising to the torso, ear, or neck (TEN); injury or bruising to the frenulum, angle of jaw, cheeks, eyelids, or subconjunctivae (FACES); or any patterned (p) bruising. The 4 represents the notion that any bruising anywhere to an infant 4.99 months or younger should raise concern for abuse. The expanded version of the rule is more sensitive (95.6%) and almost as specific (87.1%) as the earlier TEN-4 rule. In their recent article, Pierce and colleagues studied a larger group of children evaluated in several pediatric EDs over a span of several years. The children enrolled in the study underwent full skin examinations. Examiners noted the location and number of bruises, photodocumented their findings, and mapped the bruises to a body diagram. An expert panel reviewed the photographs, laboratory and radiology reports, and presentation histories. This panel divided the cases into abused, nonabused, and indeterminate cohorts. The most potent predictor of abuse in these children under age 4 years was the location of the bruising. Table 1 describes the TEN-4-FACESp rule more fully.

TABLE 1. - TEN-4-FACESp clinical decision rule TEN-4-FACESp clinical decision rule Consider physical abuse under the following conditions. Under age 4.99 months Under age 4 years 4 Any bruising anywhere on the body, or intraoral injury, is concerning for abuse TEN Bruising to the: Torsoincludes abdomen, back, buttocks, and genitals

Earsmay be hidden on the posterior aspect of the auricle

Neckcan appear as patterned or nonpatterned FACES Injury or bruising to the: Frenulumbruising or lacerations from injuries caused by forced feeding or sexual abuse

Angle of jawbony prominence but typically due to forceful grabbing or hitting rather than accidental

Cheeksfleshy portion, not including the zygomatic arch

Eyelidsmay appear as petechiae

Subconjunctival hemorrhagerare in infants and young children other than immediately after birth p Patterned injuries: Slap marks

Grab marks (in the shape of fingers or fingertips)

Strap/belt marks

Loop marks (charging cables, extension cords)

Ligature marks on neck, wrists, ankles A pattern is concerning for a nonaccidental injury even if the clinician cannot immediately identify the object that caused the patterned injury. Scene investigators (social workers or law enforcement) may ultimately be able to find the object that matches the injury. Reproduced with permission from Pierce MC, Kaczor K, Lorenz DJ, et al. Validation of a clinical decision rule to predict abuse in young children based on bruising characteristics. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215832-e215832.

A clinical decision rule such as TEN-4-FACESp helps clinicians recognize child maltreatment. It organizes clinical variables into an acronym that a clinician can easily remember or reference when faced with suspicious injury. Clinicians also can reference these rules and feel more confident that a child abuse workup is necessary, even if a young child seems well appearing and is presenting with a seemingly appropriate caregiver. Having established rules and guidelines to follow on a consistent basis also bolsters the argument for a workup if caregivers or even other colleagues question a clinician's judgment.

BARRIERS

Many clinicians lack a solid foundation of knowledge for recognizing child abuse. While in training, a healthcare professional student may receive a lecture or two about child maltreatment, but few have in-depth training on this topic. A clinician will not perform the proper workup if child abuse is absent from the differential diagnosis. For example, Mandadi and colleagues noted that, as of 2009, only a third of pediatric emergency medicine fellowships required a child abuse rotation, and no general emergency medicine residencies at that time required such a rotation.17 Accreditation standards for physician associate/assistant (PA) programs require that violence identification and prevention are part of the curriculum but do not specify education on child maltreatment.18 Failure to ensure these exposures results in a significant lack of training among clinicians highly likely to encounter these injuries. The medical community continues to miss far too many cases of abuse, and fatalities from child abuse continue to increase.17

Mandated reporting laws dictate that medical professionals report suspected child abuse. Although states can differ on who qualifies as a mandated reporter, CAPTA dictates that states must require certain groups of people to report suspected child abuse.2 Failing to report can result in legal consequences, yet clinicians who suspect child abuse often fail to report this to CPS.19 Baker and colleagues evaluated state-sponsored mandated reporter training in the United States and revealed that significant deficits in this training contribute to a lack of knowledge among potential reporters and a reluctance to make a report.20 Deficiencies included a lack of comprehensive education about what constitutes abuse in its various forms and a failure to address the many reasons why people fail to report when abuse is suspected.20

Azizi and Shahhosseini discussed how barriers to reporting among healthcare professionals can be categorized into individual, interpersonal, organizational, and situational barriers.21 Individual barriers can include a lack of knowledge or confidence in making the diagnosis. Concerns about disrupting the relationship with the patient and family constitute an interpersonal barrier. Deficiencies in protocols or effective pathways to reporting create organizational barriers. Situational barriers can include a lack of physical or definitive evidence of abuse, or assumptions and biases about whether a particular caretaker is capable of child maltreatment.21

The responses from a survey of pediatric emergency medicine physicians echoed these concerns even among those confident in their ability to recognize child abuse.17 The survey indicated that many physicians lacked confidence in knowing how and when to report abuse.17 Respondents also reported roadblocks to reporting, including fear of upsetting the family, lack of confidence that CPS involvement would improve the child's situation, previous lack of feedback from CPS after reports were made, and concern that reporting would result in the family failing to seek care in the future.17 Clinicians often struggle with reporting highly suspicious injuries because they are familiar with the family and do not consider the parents capable of abuse.17 Not uncommonly, clinicians assume that they can employ measures themselves that can prevent future harm and incorrectly believe their actions absolve them of the duty to report.19 Although surrounding a family with resources and support should be a goal of any clinician treating children, doing so does not negate the duty to report.

Statutes mandating the reporting of suspected child abuse vary by state, and medical professionals must be aware of the laws in their jurisdiction. In general, a clinician who suspects abuse would be expected to report that suspicion to CPS. Mandated reporting laws protect reporters from litigation if reports are made in good faith. Therefore, a clinician need not prove or know without doubt that abuse occurred.20 That said, mandated reporting alone is not sufficient to protect children, and the child protection system in the United States is not without its flaws. Critics calling for a complete overhaul of the system may be asking to swing the pendulum too hard in the other direction, but their concerns about the influence of racism on the system are not unwarranted.22

BIAS IN REPORTING

A discussion about recognizing and reporting abuse is not complete without introducing a significant complicating factor: bias. Although cut-and-dried rules for decision-making and diagnoses would be welcome, most clinicians recognize that medicine is very much a practice and even an art. Rarely does a patient present classically with their signs and symptoms laid out like a tidy case study. Previous training, experience as a practicing clinician, and knowledge about previous outcomes all can influence a clinician's initial gestalt (or gut feeling) about a case. Unfortunately, implicit and explicit biases also inform this so-called gut feeling, and these biases can lead to harm.23-25 Although clinicians cannot eliminate implicit biases completely, they must commit to interrogating these biases to ensure that they do not cloud their clinical judgment.

Historically, clinicians have been trained to rely heavily on their assessment of the child's social situation or family dynamics.26 Although clinicians' experiences certainly inform their clinical judgments, a diagnosis of child abuse cannot be based on a subjective assessment alone. Rational analysis and evidence-based decision-making must play a significant role in making the diagnosis.25-27 Allowing bias to enter the equation not only results in overreporting in certain populations but prevents the recognition of abuse in others.24

Questions that clinicians can ask of themselves when considering abuse as a diagnosis include: What is the supporting evidence? Is it objective? If a subjective or gut feeling is driving the decision to report, what is behind that feeling? Does the feeling have to do with assumptions about race, socioeconomic status, or cultural values?24 Clinicians also can ask these questions of one another, whether in an informal curbside consultation in the clinic, or as part of a more formal peer review or multidisciplinary review.

A subjective or gut feeling can stem from a clinician's clinical experiences and accumulation of knowledge, and can alert a clinician that something else may need to be investigated. At that point, the clinician should provide an analytical and objective assessment. When explicit and implicit biases not only inform that subjective feeling but also overshadow objective facts, however, the clinician has entered treacherous waters.24,25 Consistent use of decision rules or institutional protocols ensures that clinicians treat each finding similarly regardless of their feelings about the family.

Broaching the possibility that a child has been abused can be daunting for a clinician. Maintaining the focus on the safety of the child without attempting to assume or assign blame can help a clinician communicate clearly and effectively with the caregiver. The stigma felt by caregivers can be reduced when a clinician can sincerely inform the caregivers that the focus is on ensuring the child's safety and that the same workup would be pursued in any other child with a similar presentation.26 The caregivers may still be upset or angered; however, they will likely feel less targeted or singled out. For example, if a 45-year-old woman with a breast lump presented without other risk factors, her clinician would still want to pursue an evaluation of that lump. Likewise, a child with an injury falling under TEN-4-FACESp requires additional evaluation to assess for nonaccidental injury.

Involvement with CPS does not always, or even typically, result in a child being removed from their home.5 However, certain populations are overrepresented in reports to CPS and in turn are overrepresented in terms of case substantiation and use of foster care.28 Black and Latinx children are significantly more likely than White and non-Latinx children to be involved with CPS at all levels.28 A Black child is up to three times as likely as a White child to be placed into foster care.28 The disparity does not end with foster care placement, because that same Black child is more likely to be placed with multiple foster homes and is less likely to be reunited with his or her family.29 Likewise, ignoring a sign of abuse because a clinician is biased in favor of the family allows that abuse to remain hidden and potentially escalate.27,30 Jenny and colleagues noted that abusive head trauma is more likely to be missed if the child is from a White, two-parent household.31

Multidisciplinary approaches to child maltreatment serve several purposes. Rather than remaining siloed, professionals working in various fields review cases and discuss (or debate) what measures can best support the children and families. A clinician making a report of child abuse to CPS is unlikely to receive much in the way of follow-up, leaving that clinician with the impression that no action was taken. Clinicians who are part of a multidisciplinary team, however, become versed in the parameters within which others must work. They can understand how social workers pursue their investigations and make their decisions. Likewise, they can come to understand why law enforcement may or may not be involved in certain types of cases. Multidisciplinary teams are standard of practice for child advocacy centers, and often are found in hospital systems with child protection teams.32,33 Professionals from varied backgrounds hold each other accountable and challenge one another's thought patterns when necessary. More research is needed into whether including clinicians in ambulatory settings would influence their ability to recognize and report abuse.

CONCLUSION

Child abuse is a complex issue and can be a sensitive topic to discuss during clinical encounters. A host of barriers can impede a clinician's ability to recognize and report signs of physical abuse in young children. The following strategies can reduce the risk that abuse goes unrecognized.

Individual barriers

Clinicians working with children must be aware of the signs of abuse and knowledgeable about the steps to take when abuse is recognized. Education for PA students and continuing education for practicing clinicians are crucial to ensure that a lack of knowledge does not impede the ability of clinicians to keep children safe. Core pediatric rotations can include some time at a child advocacy center or with a child safety team to provide exposure to child maltreatment work and connection with professionals in the field. Future research can focus on how best to deliver that education and should aim to recognize and address inequities in our healthcare and child welfare systems.

Interpersonal barriers

Fear of damaging a relationship with a family or concern about violating confidentiality may influence a clinician's ability to respond to suspected child maltreatment. Exposure to others working in the field and understanding how they approach these delicate situations are key to providing less-experienced clinicians with the skills and confidence needed to navigate this hurdle.

Organizational barriers

Clinical decision tools such as TEN-4-FACESp and institutional protocols are useful resources to encourage consistent and systematic evaluation of injuries. Likewise, the expanded use of multidisciplinary teams appears to be a key factor in promoting an exchange of knowledge, as well as a platform for accountability.

Situational barriers

Clinicians who fail to report suspected abuse due to a lack of definitive evidence or assumptions about the characteristics of the child or the family face situational barriers to reporting. Mandated reporting laws dictate that suspicion or belief that abuse has occurred should trigger a report. Clinicians should understand that their role is to report the suspicion and not to determine guilt or innocence.
Lincoln-based senior care provider Tabitha on Thursday announced a new leader.

The organization said its board of directors selected Brian Shanks to fill the role of president and chief executive officer.

Shanks, who has been Tabitha's chief financial officer for the past four years, will officially move into the role on Jan 1., succeeding interim President and CEO Joyce Ebmeier, who is retiring. Former CEO Christie Hinrichs left in September to become president and CEO of Boulder, Colorado-based retirement community Frasier.

Shanks, who is a Lincoln native, brings more than 30 years of extensive experience in finance including the areas of real estate and investments. Most recently, Shanks played a major role in the construction and implementation of two major living communities, Tabitha at Prairie Commons in Grand Island and Sage InterGenerational Living in Lincoln, as well as a Hospice and Home Health Care joint venture with Immanuel in Omaha and seeing Tabitha through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to working at Tabitha, Shanks was the associate director of housing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tabithas board of directors is pleased to welcome Brian to lead this long-standing organization. He has an impressive background with strong governance, strategic planning and operational skills. Instrumental in Tabithas growth, Brian has identified revenue drivers to further build Tabithas financial health, said Mark Hesser, chairman of Tabithas Board of Directors and president and CEO of Pinnacle Bancorp Inc.

His expertise will guide us to attain our financial goals and continue Tabithas legacy of delivering exceptional quality care to seniors and their families. He has proven to be a great culture fit and we are grateful to have his talents at Tabitha, Hesser said.

The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023
In a packed third-floor courtroom Thursday, a crowd of victims and advocates watched as the judge sentenced a 23-year-old Lincoln man to 65 to 93 years in prison for sexually assaulting a string of high-schoolers within months of his supervised release after serving time for a prior sexual assault.

Chance Johnson will be subject to lifetime community supervision when he gets out and will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

"In short, this is one of the most, if not the most, egregious cases on my docket," Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper said. "I could not come up with a factual set of facts more depraved. Mr. Johnson is nothing short of a serial rapist with a penchant and affliction toward high-schoolers."

Cooper asked the judge to consider the serious nature of Johnson's offenses, the effect his crimes have had on the victims and the danger he presents to the community.

He said Johnson was sentenced to a year in jail for forcibly raping a 15-year-old girl in 2020.

Within two months of his release, he was back in jail after new allegations started to surface.

"While on post-release supervision for that offense, he raped or sexually assaulted almost half a dozen more high-schoolers between the ages of 13 and 16," Cooper said.

He punched a 13-year-old girl and forced his hands on her, then threatened to kill her if she told anyone; he forced himself on a 14-year-old girl who said "no" in a park bathroom; he beat and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl and he forced his hand down a 15-year-old girl's pants in a movie theater, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

Cooper said there also was a statutory rape of a 15-year-old in Cass County. And, when Johnson got arrested, he'd been working on his seventh documented victim, sending a 15-year-old inappropriate texts and photos.

"Other than lip service, Mr. Johnson takes no responsibility. Instead, he tells a story of happy relationships but mistaken ages," he said.

He called Johnson's depictions utterly false.

"First and foremost, every girl he sexually assaulted, with the exception of one, reported some form or another of forcible sexual penetration," the prosecutor said.

Cooper said he had serious concerns that if Johnson were released into the community he would commit more acts of sexual violence and asked for a substantial period of incarceration.

Deputy Lancaster County Public Defender Tim Eppler asked for a "fair sentence" that takes into consideration that Johnson already had served 16 months and will be supervised for the rest of his life.

He said Johnson acknowledged and admitted to his behavior when confronted by law enforcement and accepted responsibility for his actions, saying "he alone was responsible for these actions."

In a letter to the judge, Johnson expressed regret and remorse saying: "I hate the fact that I manipulated and hurt these girls."

"He has consistently accepted responsibility in this case," Eppler said.

In the end, Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post said his sentence took into consideration that Johnson was on post-release supervision for a registerable sex offense at the time of his new offenses.

"It's clear to me that the only thing that stopped you from sexually assaulting children was being placed in custody," he said.

Post said there was evidence Johnson knew the girls' ages and carried on anyway.

"Sir, you are a serial rapist and you are a danger to society, and the sentence is going to reflect that," he said.

Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Violent crime is up  and also down, according to new federal data Federal reports show similar long-term trends in violent crime, but diverge significantly on year-over-year changes Despite the long-term trends, the two reports differ more than ever before on the year-over-year change in violent crime. Property crime went up in 2022 One undeniable trend: Violent crimes against young people doubled Still, most crimes are not reported to the police
Lincoln police officials on Friday identified the officer who shot at a car after the driver fled a traffic stop in north Lincoln on Sunday and allegedly drove toward the officer.

Officer Joseph Kernan remains on paid administrative leave as the driver of the car he shot at in Lincoln's Belmont neighborhood Sunday remains at large, Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said.

Kernan, who has been with the Police Department since December 2022, shot at a white Hyundai Azera near 19th and Knox streets at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday after its driver fled a traffic stop, according to police.

Police said the driver rammed into a parked vehicle while fleeing the traffic stop before driving over large landscaping rocks and heading toward Kernan, who fired his weapon at the car.

Kernan wasn't injured in the incident.

The 2006 Hyundai Azera used during the incident was found parked on the street at about 10:15 p.m. on Sunday near North Ninth and Manatt streets, about a mile away from where the shooting happened.

Sunday's incident marked the fourth police shooting in Lincoln this year.

Lincoln police and Nebraska State Patrol investigators in May shot a 35-year-old Nevada man in a west Lincoln parking lot. The man, Chace Abney, died five days later.

On Oct. 17, Lincoln police officers shot 27-year-old Simon Kafka after he allegedly stabbed an officer in the neck at the Lincoln Bus Depot. 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.

And in November, a Lincoln police officer shot Garrett Hanika in a north Lincoln hotel parking lot after the 35-year-old tried to run an officer over with his Jeep. Hanika, who survived the shooting, was arrested upon his release from the hospital and remains in jail.

Review of police shootings in Lincoln since 2013 1. Douglas DaMoude, May 30, 2014 2. Tyson Hubbard, March 5, 2015 3. Tareik Artis, Sept. 22, 2015 4. Zachary Grigsby, Nov. 29, 2015 5. Germichael Kennedy, June 26, 2016 6. Thomas Sailors, Jan. 5, 2018 7. Christopher Brennauer, Dec. 29, 2018 8. Joseph Francis Cimino, Oct. 8, 2019 9. Hailey Stainbrook and Christian Alexander, Feb. 20, 2021 10. German Pedraza, Nov. 24, 2021 11. Chace Abney, May 1, 2023 12. Stephen Kafka, Oct. 17,2023
The man arrested earlier this week in connection with a Lincoln man's "suspicious death" was charged with an unrelated burglary on Thursday.

Alaric Harden, 45, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of removing or concealing human remains. A 76-year-old Lincoln man was found dead at a home near 12th and New Hampshire streets, where Harden was arrested.

Harden was charged Thursday for a burglary that occurred Dec. 13 near the 1100 block of Military Road. A laptop worth $500 was stolen, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Investigators said they recognized Harden from footage of the burglarized property. Police say he was wearing the same clothes in the video as he was when he was arrested Tuesday.

The Lancaster County Attorney's Office requested a $100,000 percentage bond at the arraignment hearing, citing the fact that he is a suspect in a potential homicide investigation.

Judge Laurie Yardley set the percentage bond at that amount, meaning Harden would have to pay $10,000 to be released.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
Jane Wemhoff spent more than 30 years overseeing the dining hall connecting Cather and Pound halls, the central hub between the two towering dormitories.

Along with hundreds of others Dec. 22, 2017, Wemhoff watched as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln residence halls came tumbling down in a controlled implosion, ending an era in her professional and personal life.

Oh, my heart just kind of dropped along with the building, Wemhoff said. It was pretty emotional actually.

Leading up to the implosion, Wemhoff teased her husband, Elmer, who went to work at UNL for the final time as an all-around handyman in Neihardt Hall, occasionally chipping in at the nearby Cather-Pound complex.

I told him the place would fall apart without him, she joked.

Promptly at 9 a.m. Dec. 22, 2017, Cather and Pound began to fall apart.

A rhythmic series of explosions, like a bowling ball rolling down a flight of stairs, shook downtown Lincoln. Some reported hearing them as far away as Waverly.

Packed atop the UNL parking garage at 19th Street and Antelope Valley Parkway, and anywhere else with a view in the blocks surrounding the 500 block of North 17th Street, thousands of onlookers held their breath.

Dust puffed through the geotextile fabric enveloping the first floor of both dormitories, before the north face of Pound Hall and the south face of Cather Hall began to slip, like ice cubes melting near a flame.

The rest of the 13-story buildings followed, rolling gently toward one another in near-perfect synchronization, forcing a cloud of dust into the sky that shrouded the scene for several minutes.

Blown south and east away from City Campus by a light winter breeze, the cloud cleared to reveal the remnants of the former homes to thousands of UNL students as a singular pile of rubble 32 feet tall.

The simultaneous implosions went off without a hitch, UNL officials said, the culmination of a decade of planning and preparation.

Sue Gildersleeve, director of UNLs housing and dining services, said a study of how to best update the dormitories and the connecting dining hall, which first opened in 1963, determined the cost to renovate the buildings exceeded what could be justified.

Suite-style residence halls to replace the towering dormitories opened in 2013-14, and a brand-new Cather Dining Complex went into service earlier this year, meaning the Cather-Pound complex was no longer needed at UNL, Gildersleeve said.

I know its a bittersweet moment for so many, she said. Weve heard from alums who have told stories about the special communities and lifelong friendships formed while living in those two halls.

Walking the site after the dust cleared, Larry Shippen, UNLs associate director of housing and facilities, said efforts to minimize damage to surrounding buildings in the dense part of campus had been largely successful.

The only thing we identified was one cracked window on the side of The Courtyards residence hall facing the demolition site, Shippen said. UNL will continue examining the condition of the surrounding buildings in the coming days and weeks, he added.

Grant Watson, UNLs construction manager, said the university and its demolition partners  Controlled Demolition Inc. of Maryland and Ark Wrecking of Oklahoma  were pleased with how well the implosion went off.

Some of the campus wildlife might have different opinions, he joked.

We do have some very disoriented squirrels, Ill tell you that."

Ark Wrecking will begin conveying the debris  an estimated 32-34 million pounds  to the Bluff Road landfill, where it will be buried with the in-fill masonry walls, bathroom fixtures and other parts of the buildings already at the main landfill.

A second scale installed at the landfill will speed the removal process as UNL plans to transform the land once occupied by the dormitories into green space by May or June.

They will be crunching up that concrete and removing the steel and using that for road fill, Watson said.

The implosion also offered a unique opportunity for Nebraska engineering students to study what happens when large structures begin to collapse.

Students placed a total 32 accelerometers throughout the two dormitories, as well as sensors in four adjacent buildings to measure vibrations in the structures as demolition crews intentionally stressed the building before the implosion.

The sensors also recorded data as the buildings fell Friday morning, making a first-of-its-kind study at a public university. The project is led by Richard Wood and Daniel Linzell.

Our aim is to understand how the loads redistribute when the columns were removed, said Wood, an assistant professor of civil engineering. The ultimate goal is to improve resiliency in engineered structures.

Hundreds of gigabytes of data were collected in the lead-up to Fridays implosion, as well as during the demolition itself, which the civil engineering team will now begin sorting through.

Wood said a preliminary report could be done by the end of January.

While thousands gathered around the demolition site, other curious onlookers put their morning on pause briefly to watch the implosion.

About 25 people crowded around windows on the 10th floor of the state Capitol to watch and listen as the buildings came rumbling down.

Oh, wow. The sound of it even, said transcriber Vickie Stepanich.

They could see the dust and dirt obscure the people gathered on a parking garage east of the buildings.

I would run, Stepanich added.

She watched the implosion of the old Cornhusker Hotel in 1982  a demolition also managed by Controlled Demolition Inc.

This one, with the twin buildings marking Lincoln's skyline, was reminiscent to her of the World Trade Center towers brought down on Sept. 11, 2001.

We were living in the D.C. area at that time, she said, describing how the emotions came back.

Unicameral Update Editor Heidi Uhing watched the implosion with her family, in town for Christmas from Ava, Missouri, including nieces Emma, Eden and Elli.

Awesome," said Eden Uhing, 8.

Wemhoff said she did not expect to experience the emotional reaction she did Dec. 22, 2017, as she watched the center of her livelihood for three decades be reduced to rubble.

It reminded her of the implosion of two silos on her fathers farm, but on a grander scale, and with applause to accompany it.

It just went down so smooth, she said.

Videos: Cather and Pound Halls fall Friday Cather and Pound halls are imploded More video: Cather Pound comes down View of implosion from Trago Park Drone footage of Cather Pound implosion VIDEO: Cather-Pound implosion at UNL Slow-mo video University video 1 Pound and Cather implosion University video 2 Cell phone video of implosion Cather and Pound implosion compilation

Photos: Cather and Pound halls implode at UNL Cather and Pound implosion Cather Pound Implosion, 12.22.2017 Implosion 1 Implosion 2 Implosion 3 Implosion 4 Implosion 5 Implosion 6 Implosion 7 Implosion 8 Implosion 9 Implosion 10 Implosion 11 Pound hall Pound hall Pound hall Cather Pound Implosion, 12.22.2017 Implosion Cather and Pound implosion Cather Pound Implosion, 12.22.2017 Cather and Pound implosion Cather and Pound implosion Cather and Pound implosion Waiting Implode 16 Implode 18 Implode 19 Impode 20 Implode 51 Cather Pound Where they stood Cather Pound Cather and Pound implosion Cather and Pound implosion 19th and Vine Watchers Cather-Pound
Three researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have been awarded a $428,000 grant to study how members of Congress make decisions on nuclear weapons policy.

The grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will allow UNL political scientists Ingrid Haas, Geoff Lorenz and Rupal Mehta to spend the next two years taking what the researchers say is the first close look at Congress decision-making on nuclear topics in 30 years.

Lorenz specializes in the study of federal lawmaking. Mehtas expertise is in nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation, while Haas, a faculty member of UNLs Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, applies theory and methods from psychology and neuroscience to the understanding of American politics and international security.

This (grant) ended up being right in the strike zone, the intersection of my interests and Rupals and Ingrids, Lorenz said.

The researchers plan to:

* Build a database of members votes on nuclear issues going back 50 years, as well as speeches and entries in the Congressional Record to examine and measure shifts in partisanship.

* Complete a case study of how the 1994 Gingrich Revolution affected President Bill Clintons nuclear policy, especially with North Korea.

* Use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to examine the brains of adult volunteers who answer questions that simulate decision-making regarding nuclear policy.

In their study proposal, the researchers called the study of Congress role an important, but missing, piece of the puzzle when it comes to better understanding global nuclear and international security.

Lorenz said the executive branch generally, and the president in particular, has generally been seen to lead on nuclear policy. That tendency can be traced to the dawn of the nuclear age, when President Harry Truman consulted only his secretaries of state and war and some of his top military advisers before his decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan.

Lorenz sees the 1994 election of a Republican majority in the House of Representatives  which then elected Newt Gingrich, a brash and outspoken conservative  as a turning point in relations between Congress and the president. The Republican win that year overturned a nearly unbroken 40-year stretch of Democratic control of both houses of Congress.

Since then, control of the House and Senate have switched back and forth frequently. This period, he said, has been characterized by growing partisanship on a wide variety of issues.

The study will look at whether that partisanship extends to nuclear policy, an area where the parties have at times succeeded in projecting consensus.

Everything has gotten more partisan in the last few years, Lorenz said. If nuclear policy has remained (bipartisan), this committee is sort of the exception to the rule.

He cited the examples of Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer and Rep. Don Bacon, who have both influenced defense and nuclear policy  even when they have been serving in the minority party  while looking after the interests of their home-state U.S. Strategic Command.

The Carnegie Corporation was created more than 100 years ago as a foundation for the Scottish-born steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to direct his vast wealth (and, later, his estate) toward charitable causes. One of those causes is international peace and security.

In their grant proposal, the researchers cited the proliferation of nuclear weapons in recent years as China and North Korea expand their arsenals and Russia retools its own.

There may be no more important time for these insights than now, they said.
UAE national airline Etihad Airways has announced a bilateral interline partnership with the flag carrier, Maldivian, thus unlocking access to 16 holiday destinations in the Maldives beyond the main island of Male.

Under the agreement, guests can now navigate across the Indian Ocean archipelago, enjoying the combined services and networks of both carriers on a single ticket.

Etihad's Chief Revenue Officer, Arik De said: "This interline will elevate the overall customer experience across the entire journey. Guests bound for the Maldives will enjoy the privilege of arriving at their popular holiday destinations with greater ease.

Facilitated by smooth connections from Male, Etihad customers can easily transition to Maldivians services, reaching a wide range of domestic destinations to begin their idyllic island retreat."

Maldivians General Manager Commercial, Ibrahim Hamdhan Mohamed, said: In an effort to expand Maldivians reach globally, this interline partnership with Etihad Airways will open exciting opportunities for our valued customers to connect and travel seamlessly within our strong and growing route network of destinations across the Maldives.

Etihad's customers can access destinations on Maldivians network, which serves many popular islands, via Velana International Airport, Male, including: Dharavandhoo Island, Faresmathoda Airport, Funadhoo Airport, Fuvahmulak Island Airport, Gan Island Airport, Kooddoo Island, Hanimaadhoo Island Airport, Kulhudhuffushi Airport, Hoarafushi Airport, Kaadedhdhoo Island Airport, Kadhdhoo Island, Madivaru Airport, Maafaru International Airport, Maavarulu Airport, Thimarafushi Airport, and Ifuru.

Etihad is set to increase the frequency of its flights to Male to connect with the Maldivian network from 10 to 14 a week starting on January 1, 2024.

The agreement also makes it easier for customers to combine their break in the Maldives with a stopover in Abu Dhabi.  TradeArabia News Service
When Kendall Warnock heard the story of a 19-year-old college student and mother who unexpectedly became the primary caregiver for her four younger siblings, he knew he wanted to do something to help.

The family, from Myanmar, arrived as refugees to the United States in 2010.

When the 19-year-olds mother died in October, she became the primary caretaker for her younger siblings, ages four to 16. Shes currently facing ongoing legal expenses as she works to obtain guardianship of her siblings.

Those expenses meant she couldnt afford a larger car to accommodate all the kids, leading her to often have to take two trips to transport everyone.

A Cedars Youth Services employee helping the 19-year-old reached out to Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska to see about securing a donated vehicle for the family.

CSS is a licensed car dealership and often receives vehicles for people in need, but they didnt have one large enough at the time of the request.

John Soukup, CSS development officer, brought up the familys situation at a weekly Business Boosters Chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) meeting. The story immediately caught the attention of Warnock, who owns A-1 Automotive repair shop in Lincoln.

After hearing the story, Warnock said he went home, talked to his wife and prayed about the situation.

We just talked about the responsibility that youd have with four siblings ... and youre in college, Warnock said. You start thinking, we dont have challenges. That is a challenge.

The next day, Warnock woke up and knew he needed to find them a car.

Working with other BNI members, Warnock bought and repaired a 2007 Chevy Uplander.

Todd Speidell, BNI chapter president and owner of Speidell Body Works, volunteered to cover the cost of a new windshield for the van. Another BNI member contacted a local foundation and was able to secure an additional $1,500 to give to the family and to help with the cost of van repairs.

Warnock said he wanted to work quickly to get the car to the family before Christmas.

This situation is a lot, especially around the holiday season, Warnock said. We just put our foot on the gas, literally.

On Thursday afternoon, Warnock and Soukup gave the keys to the 19-year-old, who didn't want to be identified, in the CSS parking lot.

Soukup made sure the woman and her sister, who joined her to pick up the car, knew they had a community of people in Lincoln who were there to help them.

Our motto is Hope in the good life, Soukup said while handing over the keys. Theres a lot going on in your life right now, and we wanted to give you some hope.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
A gift from a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumnus and former chief executive officer of the Tenaska Marketing Group will create a dean position in the College of Engineering.

Fred Hunzeker, who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the engineering college before embarking on a 30-year career with Tenaska, made the donation through Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Future.

The fundraising effort is aiming to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique individuals. The amount of Hunzeker's commitment to the University of Nebraska Foundation is being kept confidential at his request.

On Wednesday, Lance Perez, who has led the engineering college since 2018, was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Fred Hunzeker Dean of Engineering.

"It is truly an honor to be the inaugural recipient of the Fred Hunzeker deanship," Perez said. "Fred is a distinguished alumnus of the college and a great example of the range of careers and success that engineering graduates may have."

Perez said Hunzeker, who is currently a member of Tenaska's board of directors, has also been an "important contributor" to the engineering college's success through his service on its advisory board since joining in 2016.

Through the deanship, Hunzeker's gift will provide a salary stipend to support strategic initiatives within the College of Engineering like programs to support health and well-being of students, or to further outreach to high school teachers and counselors to improve recruiting.

Hunzeker said Perez's "visionary leadership and tireless dedication" has united stakeholders behind a shared mission to elevate the engineering program.

"Under his guidance, the College of Engineering continues to thrive, expanding its impact as a member of the Big Ten, Hunzeker said. "Dean Perez's passion and commitment inspire innovation and excellence within our institution and throughout the region."

Perez has spearheaded an effort to grow the College of Engineering from its current enrollment of 3,413 students to 5,000 students, while also increasing the number of faculty and upgrading its classroom, laboratory and experiential learning facilities.

In January, Kiewit Hall, a $120 million building geared toward undergraduate education, will open on UNL's City Campus, while the Engineering Research Center and Scott Engineering Center have benefited from state and private investments.

Taken together, more than $190 million has been invested into engineering college facilities over the last few years.

Perez said Hunzeker, who joined the advisory board when he became interim dean, has been a supporter of his goal of elevating the college.

"Through his service on the college's advisory board, Fred has been an important contributor to the success of the college, and this gift will allow the college dean to explore important strategic initiatives that would not be possible otherwise," he said.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
A state agency's decision about whether to let Gov. Jim Pillen's return-to-office order take effect on Jan. 2 could come down to the wire.

The Commission of Industrial Relations heard arguments Thursday on a motion for temporary relief filed by the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, the state's largest employee union.

The commission made no immediate decision on the motion and asked for additional briefs from both sides. The briefs are to be filed Tuesday and Wednesday next week, which will leave only two business days before the directive is to be implemented.

Presiding Commissioner William Blake said he understands the need to decide the issue "as quickly as possible," but he made no promises.

"My expectation is we will deal with it expeditiously," he said.

The employee union's motion seeks to delay implementation of the governor's directive until the commission can hear and decide a petition filed by the union last week.

The petition asks that the state be ordered to negotiate over Pillen's Nov. 13 executive order, which would require state employees to work in their offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some exceptions.

The commission is a state agency designed to resolve labor disputes involving state and local government employees. Nebraska law bars such employees from going on strike.

Abby Osborn, an attorney representing the union, argued that state law provides for the commission to "preserve and protect" the status quo when a petition has been filed with the commission.

She said the state had not shown any harm from delaying the change, while the union had presented evidence that a forced return to the office would drive more employees out of state jobs and affect service to Nebraska taxpayers.

Mark Fahleson, representing the state, argued that the collective bargaining agreement with NAPE gives management the right to decide the "site of the work force." He said that preserving the status quo means preserving that right.

He also noted that the union had proposed to include remote work in the agreement last year but ultimately dropped the idea. NAPE Executive Director Justin Hubly said the union dropped the idea so it could reach agreement with the state as the statutory deadline approached.

Pillens order provides for some exceptions to be authorized by agency heads. Those exceptions include employees whose assigned work hours fall outside the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday schedule and situations in which office space is unavailable without additional cost.

Exceptions also can be made to sustain critical operations in a business area with a workforce shortfall, subject to the governors approval. In addition, exceptions can be made for employees who move away from their original office location and no reasonable in-office arrangement is possible, as long as the employee remains in Nebraska.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
BURLINGTON  A wide-open race to become Burlingtons next mayor is among the Racine County political contests for which candidates are now circulating petitions.

Nominating petitions are due at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 from anyone wishing to be on the ballot in municipal elections scheduled April 2 in communities throughout the county.

The period to begin circulating nominating petitions opened Dec. 1.

Primaries needed to narrow the field in any individual race will take place Feb. 20, with the top vote-getters advancing to the April 2 election.

The last day for incumbents to submit non-candidacy disclosures was Dec. 22.

Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty, who has filed her non-candidacy paperwork, announced long ago that she would be stepping aside after her eighth term in office.

Nominating petitions and other information about becoming a candidate is available from local municipal clerks.

Here are the local municipal offices  and the incumbent office-holders  up for election April 2 in western Racine County.

City of Burlington

Voters will cast their ballots for mayor, four aldermanic seats, and a municipal judge.

With Mayor Jeannie Hefty stepping aside, a new mayor will be elected to a two-year term at a salary of $7,200 a year.

All four City Council districts will have elections, too, each to choose an alderman who will serve a two-year term at a salary of $3,600 a year. The incumbents are Corina Kretschmer in District 1, Sara Spencer in District 2, Tom Vos in District 3 and Tom Preusker in District 4.

Spencer has filed a non-candidacy disclosure.

The municipal judges position will be filled by voters citywide for a four-year term at a salary of $8,000 a year. Incumbent Municipal Judge Kelly Iselin is serving her second term.

Village of Waterford

Three seats will be filled on the Waterford Village Board, each for a two-year term at a salary of $5,400 a year plus $40 a meeting.

Waterford does not have geographic districts, so voters villagewide will cast their ballots to choose three trustees.

The incumbents are Robert Nash, Adam Jaskie and Andrew Ewert.

Village of Union Grove

Three at-large seats will be filled on the Union Grove Village Board, each for a two-year term at a salary of $6,300 a year.

The incumbents are Sandy Born, Adam Graf and Amy Ruffalo.

Village of Yorkville

Two at-large seats will be filled on the Yorkville Village Board, each for a two-year term at a salary of $8,265 a year.

The incumbents are Steve Nelson and Cory Bartlett.

Village of Rochester

Voters will fill three seats on the Rochester Village Board, including two where incumbents are stepping aside.

All three winners will have the opportunity to serve a two-year term at a salary of $4,700, plus $20-25 a meeting.

Incumbents Chris Johnson and Leslie Kinsey both have filed non-candidacy disclosures. The other incumbent is Lori Peternell.

Village of Raymond

Two people will be elected to the Raymond Village Board, each for a two-year term at a salary of $4,550 a year.

The incumbents are Keith Kastenson and Doug Schwartz.

Town of Burlington

Two seats on the Burlington Town Board will be filled, each for a two-year term at a salary of $5,000 a year.

The incumbents are Jason Ketterhagen and Brian Fliss.

Town of Waterford

Waterford Town Board members Dale Gauerke and Tim Szeklinski both have declared their intention to seek re-election.

Voters will elect two board supervisors, each for a two-year term at a salary of $7,750 a year.

Town of Norway

Voters will elect two supervisors on the Norway Town Board, plus a municipal judge.

Both supervisor positions are up for a two-year term at a salary of $9,000 a year. The incumbents are Ralph Schopp and Timothy Hansen.

Voters also will elect a municipal judge for a four-year term at a salary of $8,667 a year. The incumbent is Christina Bass.

Town of Dover

No municipal elections are scheduled.

Election 2023: America heads to the polls
RACINE  AAA projects 2.3 million Wisconsin residents will travel 50 miles or more during the year-end holiday travel period from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.

This is the second highest number on record and an increase of nearly 63,000 travelers from last year, according to AAA. The record was in 2019, when 2.4 million Wisconsinites traveled during the year-end holiday travel period.

More than 2.1 million of Wisconsinites traveling will drive, according to AAA. Drivers can expect to pay at least 10 cents less for a gallon of gas than they did last holiday season, when the state average for the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day was $2.89, AAA said.

According to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, the Saturday before Christmas and the Thursday after Christmas will be the most congested days on roads nationwide. Saturday, Dec. 30, also will see increased traffic compared to a normal Saturday.

INRIX said the best times to hit the road are before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.

Locally, the peak traffic congestion period from Milwaukee to Chicago via Interstate 94 East will be Thursday, Dec. 28, at 5:30 p.m., according to INRIX. The estimated travel time is one hour and 47 minutes, a 29% increase from typical travel time between the two cities.

Nationwide, the worst travel times according to INRIX will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23; from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26; from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27; from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, and Friday, Dec. 29; and from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.

INRIX projections show there will be minimal traffic impact on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said travelers can check real-time traffic conditions by downloading the free 511 Wisconsin app, visiting 511wi.gov, following @511WI on X, formally known as Twitter, or calling 511.

WisDOT said all state rest areas will be open throughout the holiday travel period.

AAA also projects an increase in air travel, both nationwide and in Wisconsin. Airports are expected to be the busiest theyve ever been throughout the Christmas and New Years travel period.

Nationally, AAA projects there will be 7.5 million air travelers. It said nearly 131,804 Wisconsinites will take a commercial flight, which is 4,736 more than last year and the highest on record.

The number of people traveling by other modes, including bus, train and cruise, also is projected to surpass 2019s numbers, according to AAA.
Two UW Hospital surgeons who performed gender-altering surgeries on a woman who now claims the procedures were done without proper informed consent have denied her claims, and UW Hospital has asked a judge to dismiss her lawsuit against the doctors and the hospital.

Attorneys for Dr. Jay Lick, who removed the womans uterus when she was 19, and Dr. Katherine Gast, who removed both of her breasts when she was 21, denied negligence, failure to obtain informed consent and other claims in a court filing this week.

The doctors performed the surgeries as gender-affirming procedures through UW Healths Gender Services program, according to the womans lawsuit, filed in Dane County Circuit Court in early November. At that time, she was 23. The court allowed her name to be removed from the case, and she is listed as Jane Doe.

The woman, who lives in Chicago, claimed she diagnosed herself with gender dysphoria, or psychological distress from having a gender identity that doesnt match the sex assigned at birth, at or around the age of 17.

She claimed no doctors verified her diagnosis before prescribing testosterone and, in Madison, doing the hysterectomy and double mastectomy.

Post-surgery therapy helped her realize that childhood trauma, not physical features, had caused her mental distress, her lawsuit said. She stopped taking testosterone and began to detransition, the suit said. Now, as a Jewish woman, she mourns that she will never be able to naturally conceive a large family, as expected in her culture, the suit said.

Attorneys for the Wisconsin Department of Justice, who are representing Lick and Gast because they are considered state employees, denied the claims in a response filed Tuesday.

However, the attorneys said they dont have a signed authorization for disclosure of the womans medical chart information in order to defend the doctors. State Defendants lack sufficient knowledge or information to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained herein, and therefore, DENY all allegations, the response says repeatedly.

The state Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund, which covers malpractice payments of more than $1 million for all doctors in Wisconsin, filed a similar response Tuesday. On Thursday, UW Hospital filed a motion to dismiss the case.

The womans lawsuit was filed by attorneys at Eckland & Blando, a law firm in Minneapolis. Daniel Cragg, the lead attorney on the case, said its the first case filed of several the firm is evaluating involving gender-altering procedures.

The firm last year launched an initiative called the Detransition Network, which seeks potential clients who feel they were misdiagnosed with gender dysphoria or were not given appropriate information before making a decision to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

The Detransition Networks website says the network is an informal association of legal and medical professionals who are dedicated to ending the harms caused by medical malpractice and the failure to obtain informed consent in the provision of gender-affirming care. We want to provide legal help to detransitioners.
Wisconsins Republican-drawn legislative district boundaries are unconstitutional and must be redrawn before next years elections, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in a landmark ruling Friday that could dramatically alter the makeup of the Legislature.

In a 4-3 decision, the states highest court ruled the current, Republican-drawn maps violate the Wisconsin Constitutions requirement that legislative districts be contiguous.

The decision marks a big political win for Democrats. Redistricting experts have said new maps drawn under nonpartisan principles are likely to give Democrats many more legislative seats, though Republicans are still likely to keep the majority given the states political geography. Under the current maps Republicans hold a 64-35 majority in the Assembly and a 22-11 supermajority in the Senate.

The majority decision  penned by liberal Justice Jill Karofsky, who was joined by liberals Rebecca Dallet, Ann Walsh Bradley and Janet Protasiewicz  urged the Legislature to draw new maps but said the court will proceed toward adopting remedial maps in case the legislative process stalls or Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoes any redistricting proposal.

At least 50 assembly districts and at least 20 senate districts include separate, detached parts, Karofsky wrote in the majority opinion. That is to say, a majority of the districts in both the assembly and the senate violate the constitutional requirement for districts to be contiguous.

The courts three conservative justices  Annette Ziegler, Rebecca Bradley and Brian Hagedorn  sharply criticized the ruling.

In a blistering dissent, Ziegler said Fridays decision was sealed when Protasiewicz won her election in April after repeatedly calling the current maps rigged.

The court of four takes a wrecking ball to the law, making no room, nor having any need, for longstanding practices, procedures, traditions, the law, or even their co-equal fellow branches of government, she said. Such power-hungry activism is dangerous to our constitutional framework and undermines the judiciary.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said hell recommend new maps for the court to adopt.

I remain as optimistic as ever that, at long last, the gerrymandered maps Wisconsinites have endured for years might soon be history, he said.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said it was a sad day for our state when the State Supreme Court just said last year that the existing lines are constitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court will have the last word, he added, signaling an imminent appeal.

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court would likely focus on whether Protasiewicz violated the U.S. Constitution by not recusing herself from the case despite repeatedly calling the current maps rigged and receiving campaign funds and ongoing support from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, whose candidates would almost certainly benefit from the ruling issued Friday.

While this court is powerless to override (Janet Protasiewiczs) recusal decision, the United States Supreme Court is not, Rebecca Bradley said in her dissent.

Liberals filed the case after Protasiewicz won the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, shifting the court to a 4-3 liberal majority for the first time in more than a decade.

Republicans said the lawsuits timing was evidence that the newfound majority would empower Democrats at the cost of the court appearing nonpartisan. Democrats celebrated the ruling, saying it could correct the maps that experts say are among the most gerrymandered in the nation.

The lawsuit alleged the states legislative maps passed in 2022, which are largely similar to previous maps drawn in 2011, are unconstitutional and must be redrawn.

The Republican-controlled Legislature, which drew the maps, alleged the plaintiffs were merely using the state Supreme Courts new liberal majority to revisit the courts 2022 ruling adopting the current maps. That ruling was delivered by the previous 4-3 conservative-majority court.

In any other legal case, Hagedorn said, the court would have rejected such an impermissible collateral attack on a prior, final decision.

Why are the ordinary methods of deciding cases now thrown by the wayside? he said. Because a majority of the court imagines it has some moral authority, dignified by a black robe, to create fair maps through judicial decree.

But the current case featured arguments absent from prior lawsuits. Attorneys for the plaintiffs alleged 54 of the Assemblys 99 districts and 21 of 33 Senate districts violate the state constitutional requirement that districts consist of contiguous territory. The resulting map looks a bit like Swiss cheese, where some districts are dotted with small neighborhood holes assigned to different representatives.

The Legislature argued for a broader definition of contiguous that allows for the creation of districts where land masses need not physically touch. Republicans also argued that Wisconsins redistricting laws, backed by state and federal court rulings over the past 50 years, have permitted districts under certain circumstances to be noncontiguous.

Majority opinion

In her majority opinion, Karofsky pointed out several legislative districts, including Assembly District 47 and Senate District 27, both in the Madison area, with detached segments along their fringes  in some cases separated by more than a mile.

She said the Constitutions drafters viewed contiguity not as a mere technical requirement, but as an important tool to constrain districting practices they consider undesirable.

We decline to chip away at such a consequential districting requirement by approving an exception not found in our constitutions text, she continued.

The majority rejected the liberal plaintiffs call for every state senator  including those who wouldnt be up for reelection until 2026  to run for election again next year under the new maps.

Karofsky said ordering special elections would be an unprecedented remedy, adding that the court wouldnt implement such a drastic remedy here.

Sad turn

Hagedorn, who has often acted as the courts swing justice, called the majority decision a sad turn for the court.

At the end of the day, the majority acts not to vindicate some legal principle, but to achieve a long sought-after goal: the redistribution of political power in the Wisconsin legislature, he said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the states set of 10-year legislative and congressional maps early last year after Evers vetoed Republicans preferred maps in 2021.

In the last redistricting lawsuit, the courts conservative majority called for the new maps to take a least-change approach to the previous maps, a principle the liberal majority said they would disregard on Friday.

Karofsky ruled that the principle is unworkable in practice and called for the judicially-created metric to be overturned.

Next steps

The majority opinion calls for new districts to be equally populated; be bounded by county, precinct, ward or town lines; include only contiguous territory; be as compact as possible; and comply with federal law. It also calls for the consideration of preserving communities of interest, and reducing municipal splits and partisan impact of new boundaries.

As a politically neutral and independent institution, we will take care to avoid selecting remedial maps designed to advantage one political party over another, Karofsky wrote in the decision. Importantly, however, it is not possible to remain neutral and independent by failing to consider partisan impact entirely.

The decision called for parties to propose new remedial maps by Jan. 12, with briefs in support of those proposed maps due by Jan. 22. It will then have two court-hired redistricting consultants, University of California, Irvine political science professor Bernard Grofman and Carnegie Mellon University postdoctoral fellow Jonathan Cervas, evaluate the maps by Feb. 1.

The court would then choose maps unless the Legislature first proposes new maps that Evers signs into law.
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

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The fate of two elementary schools in La Crosse will likely be decided within two months.

An advisory committee established by the School District of La Crosse recommended in November that two elementary schools  North Woods International and Hintgen  close due to declining enrollment throughout the district. According to a timeline released Wednesday by the district, the school board will review the committees recommendations during meetings Jan. 8, 22 and Feb. 5 before making a final decision Feb. 19.

If the board adopts the advisory committees recommendation, the number of elementary schools in the district will shrink from nine to seven.

The committee met eight times between April and November and issued an 82-page report that profiled all nine of the districts elementary schools. It recommended closing one school each on the citys north and south sides. Emerson and Spence elementary schools were also considered for closure.

The report estimates the district will save $2.4 million annually by closing two schools, which would eliminate the need for traveling teachers and split classrooms. Enrollment of K-5 students peaked around 3,500 students in 2015 but has fallen below 3,000 and is expected to decline further.

The report has triggered significant opposition from parents of the schools targeted for closure. While student transportation costs and neighborhood locations played a role in the recommendations, critics have questioned why North Woods and Hintgen were selected even though they are newer than Emerson and Spence and would be less expensive to maintain.

Consolidating buildings has been on the districts radar for nearly two years. In November 2022, voters decisively rejected a referendum to consolidate the districts two high schools into one campus on La Crosses South Side.

The board closed Lincoln Middle School effective with the end of the 2022-23 school year, which reduced the number of middle schools in the district from three to two.
La Crosse County has new authority to regulate wells drilled into the Mt. Simon aquifer on French Island.

County supervisors unanimously approved rules giving them the ability to mandate depths and drill specifications used on French Island to PFAS prevent contamination. The aquifer is believed to be the last remaining potential source of PFAS-free groundwater in the area.

The new rules, approved at Thursdays board meeting, allow the county to work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to develop the mandates.

Concerns that unsupervised drilling could contaminate the last water source on French Island after PFAS chemicals tainted every other aquifer led the county to draft the rules. Drillers must now be informed about certain casings and grouts allowed before they proceed.

Test drilling conducted by the county found the Mt. Simon aquifer contains iron and manganese and will require a municipal water filter to clear the contaminants. The test well could be connected to a municipal water system, but private drillers would not be required to treat their water.

It would still be considered drinkable because those are really just aesthetic types of contaminants that people would be drilling, said La Crosse County Environmental Health Manager Carol Drury. But, we do make that part of our education process as well. Most people dont want to drink water with iron and manganese and such.

No municipal water system exists on French Island and roughly 1,600 private wells in the town of Campbell have been contaminated by PFAS. Residents of the town have been forced to consume bottled water for more than three years.

Contract renewed

Jane Klekamp will remain La Crosse Countys administrator with a two-year contract after a unanimous vote from the county board.

Im grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve La Crosse County and the people throughout it, Klekamp said.

Supervisors spoke highly of Klekamp, but some had concerns with the process used to evaluate the position. The county administrator currently goes through monthly written evaluations with full evaluations from the board every six months.

Concerned supervisors believed the timing of board evaluations to be not ideal, as only one evaluation had been conducted, with the next to happen after the renewal of Klekamps contract. Supervisor Patrick Scheller noted that should a low evaluation be entered, the county board can terminate the administrators contract at any time.

Klekamps new contract is valid through Jan. 19, 2026 and she will earn $185,297 in the first year and $190,300 in the second year.

ATV expansion

All proposed ATV routes on county roads were approved by the board. County highways B, C and M in Hamilton will now be open to ATV and UTV riders. Supervisor Ken Schlimgen voiced concern about traffic safety on three routes that have more than 1,500 cars per day.

Out of all of these routes that we approve tonight, it does not mean we cant rescind them. The sheriff and the highway patrol will be monitoring them. If theyre problematic in the future, then well obviously rescind them, Supervisor Ralph Geary said.

The routes cover county highways in West Salem, Hamilton and some parts of Onalaska. Many smaller towns have passed similar legislation, and La Crosse Countys approval for the routes allows riders to reach towns like Bangor, Barre and Mindora.

Candidates for the next county board supervisor election must submit nomination papers by Jan. 2, 2024. The election for supervisors will be held April 2, 2024. Currently, 17 supervisor positions will be contested, with 13 of the elections involving incumbent supervisors.
The European Union has reached an agreement that sets new rules for controlling migration.

The deal, announced Wednesday, will become part of an EU agreement called the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Associated Press reported the document will need to get final EU approval by February and is expected to enter into force by June.

The main purpose of the agreement is to set new rules to ease difficulties facing EU nations as they seek to deal with migrant arrivals. The deal also aims to establish a process for EU nations to more fairly share the duties and costs related to migration.

The laws cover screening policies for when migrants first arrive in the EU. They also provide rules relating to migrants seeking asylum and set guidelines for processing applications and dealing with possible migration crises.

Its truly a historic day, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told reporters in Brussels after the negotiations. She added that reaching an agreement was important because migration is likely to be a major campaign issue ahead of EU elections in June.

Lets not underestimate the risk if we had not reached such a deal, Metsola said. She added that she hopes the agreement will persuade EU members not to establish individual borders because the migration flows can now be more effectively dealt with.

Migrant arrivals in the EU are down from a high in 2015 of more than 1 million. Most of those migrants entering Europe were fleeing war in Syria and Iraq. But the flows started to increase in recent years and reached 255,000 so far this year through November, Reuters news agency reported. More than half of these crossed the Mediterranean from Africa, mainly to Italy.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called the deal a "great success" for Europe and Italy. He said it should help EU border countries most involved with migration feel less alone.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said finding agreement on migration disputes was very important and can help lighten the load for the most affected EU states, including Germany.

Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he sees the deal improving control over migration and providing a better asylum process for migrants to the EU. Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders aims to replace Rutte after winning the countrys elections last month on a campaign that included anti-migration policies.

Under the new system, countries not at the EU border will have to choose between accepting their share of 30,000 asylum applicants or paying nearly 22,000 euros per person to the EU.

The screening system seeks to separate those in need of international protection from others who are not.

People whose asylum applications have a low chance of approval  such as those from India, Tunisia or Turkey  can be prevented from entering the EU and detained at the border. People seen as representing a threat to security can also be held at the border. The agreement also sets policies for speeding up the processing of applications.

While praised by many European leaders, the agreement also received criticism from groups seeking to assist migrants.

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles  a migrant rights organization  condemned the proposed rules on X, formerly Twitter. The group said the policies were Byzantine in their complexity and Orban-esque in their cruelty. The message was commenting on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who ordered the building of security fences to keep migrants out of the country.

Rights group Amnesty International said it sees the deal setting EU asylum law back many years and leading to greater suffering for people seeking asylum. It also said the agreement is likely to cause more people to be put into de facto detention at the EUs borders, including families with children and other vulnerable individuals.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

screen  v. to find out information about someone in order to decide whether they are suitable for a particular purpose

application  n. an official and usually written request for something

de facto  adj. existing in fact, although perhaps not intended or officially accepted

vulnerable  adj. easy to hurt or attack physically or emotionally
Thailand is looking for investment to build a land bridge across the narrow southern part of the country. The Southeast Asian nation hopes to provide a shorter path for cargo between the Pacific and Indian oceans without having to go through the Malacca Strait and Singapore.

Under the plan, cargo would travel by highway and railroad from the area of Chumpon on the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong on the Indian Ocean to be loaded onto waiting ships.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been seeking support for the $28-billion project from investors around the world. At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in San Francisco, Srettha said the land bridge would connect the oceans without requiring ships to sail down along the tip of Singapore, known to experience congestion and would cut transport duration. He called it a "very important project, not just for Thailand, but also for the world."

Thailand says it is open to interest from all investors. After a meeting with Japanese businesses and leaders, Srettha said there was interest in the project without providing additional information. Thai transport minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said more than 10 American companies expressed interest without naming them.

Chinas interest in the area

China, an important trade nation in the area, has not commented on the plan for the land bridge.

For many years, Chinese businesses have been pushing for a deepwater project called the Kra Canal. The canal would cross the Kra Isthmus and would permit large ships to pass. The proposed project would cut at least one day of sailing time from passing through the Malacca Strait.

Former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha set up a Chinese-supported center to study the canal idea. But it has never started because of the cost and possible environmental damage.

Sompong Putivisutisak, a professor at Chulalongkorn University, has studied the land bridge proposal. Sompong said, (China) wont give away its position that easily until it sees the other investors.

He told VOA there are two reasons that China would invest in the land bridge project: "First, financial benefits, secondly geopolitics. Financially, this project is not worth the investment, but geopolitically it could be interesting as China would have control over both seas.

At a Belt and Road Initiative meeting in Beijing last October, Thai officials said the land bridge could be connected to another high-speed railway under construction from Thailand to Singapore. Srettha even drew a map of the route during a meeting, which he posted online.

But critics say the plan is unlikely to win Chinas full backing. They say a land bridge would require loading and unloading cargo from ships and would not save any time.

Somboon Kamhang, chairman of the Coordinating Committee on Development, called it another dreamy project." He told VOA, "China isnt interested in the land bridge project. Building a land bridge is just way too costly and time-consuming, but China can get behind the canal idea which could give it more control over the region.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Vijitra Duangdee reported this story for VOA News. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________

Words in This Story

cargo n. goods that are transported by a vehicle

congestion n. the state of being too full or crowed with something

duration n. the amount of time something lasts

benefits n. (pl.) good results from some choice or action

time-consuming adj. taking a lot of time

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Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the country will maintain military pressure on the Philippines amid a dispute over sovereignty in the South China Sea that could involve U.S. forces defending their treaty partner.

In a phone conversation Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique A. Manalo, Wang warned that if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up troubles, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wangs comments follow Chinas mobilization of its coast guard and maritime militia to block Philippine supply missions to support its soldiers and fishermen. China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the worlds most crucial waterways for shipping, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, who all maintain claims over islands, reefs and undersea resources in the region.

In particularly sharp comments, Wang was quoted as accusing the Philippines of having changed its policy stance so far, reneged on the promises it has made, provoked troubles at sea, and undermined Chinas legitimate and lawful rights.

Noting that the bilateral relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided, Wang said the Philippine side must act with caution, Xinhua reported yesterday.

Instead of continuing in the wrong direction, the Philippine side should return to the right path as soon as possible, with properly handling and managing the current maritime situation as a top priority, Wang was quoted as saying. Wang gave no details on what agreements Manila had allegedly abandoned.

Manalos office described the the conversation as a frank and candid exchange, saying the sides had reached a clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues.

Territorial disputes have grown tenser as China seeks to cement its territorial claims in defiance of the U.S. and its allies, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and close partner Taiwan, which China claims as a breakaway province and threatens to annex by military force.

The head of the Philippine military was with his forces aboard a supply boat when it was blasted with a water cannon, surrounded and bumped by Chinese coast guard ships earlier this month in the disputed South China Sea.

China, meanwhile, accused the United States of encouraging the Philippines, its treaty ally, to provoke China for its own purposes, though it provided no direct evidence.

Along with using water cannons, Philippines officials said that Chinese coast guard ships used a military-grade laser that caused Filipino crew members temporary blindness and engaged in dangerous blocking and shadowing maneuvers that caused minor collisions.

Washington is bound by a 1951 treaty to help defend the Philippines from attack. That pledge has grown stronger with the election of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who recently said that the situation in the South China Sea has become more dire as China expands its presence.

China has showed interest in atolls and shoals that are closer and closer to the coast of the Philippines, with the nearest atoll about 60 nautical miles away, Marcos said during a visit to the U.S. state of Hawaii last month. MDT/AP
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has denied reports the Macao Conservatory has more non-local dance instructors than local instructors.

Earlier this week, the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) called on the public conservatory to address concerns about the long-term employment of blue card holders at its dance school.

This comes after the watchdog received a report from an individual about the dance schools recruitment practices.

According to the CCAC, the report alleges the school employs a significant number of dance teachers from mainland China on long-term contracts.

Speaking on the sidelines of the handover anniversary, Leong Wai Man said that when the school was established, there was a shortage of teachers in relevant majors in Macau.

After more than 10 years of training, there are now enough professionals.

Accordingly, in the last two years, the number of non-local instructors has been gradually reduced.

Currently, of the 10 professional dance teachers, three are non-local.

The CCAC has called on the bureau to use a correct interpretation and application of the legal framework governing the entry and exit of employees from outside Macau. Staff Reporter
The Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, has said the opening of the Macao Union Hospital marks a significant milestone in local healthcare service, as well as in the cooperation between Macau and the mainland in this area, the Government Information Bureau announced in a statement.

Hos comments came during his speech at the facilitys inauguration ceremony on Dec. 20 (Wednesday) where a trial of the facility has begun.

The Islands Healthcare Complex  Macao Medical Centre of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, to be known as Macao Union Hospital, will provide several types of medical services, as noted by Ho who remarked that as a public medical institution, the priority was to provide high-quality healthcare, and further options for medical services, to local residents.

Ho also noted that the new facility would also enhance Macaus capacity to provide critical-care and specialist medical services, improving the health and well-being of residents.

Additionally, the facility will also be developed into an internationally influential first-class medical center, based in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The new medical complex should also draw upon the expertise and technologies available via the top-class medical team of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, helping to provide training opportunities for local medical professionals.

In his speech, the CE noted the role attributed by president Xi Jinping to Macau in its future development and the step forward this facility represents towards the implementation of Macaus project of developing and economically diversifying its economy through the Big Health industry.

Starting in September 2024, the hospital will gradually provide medical services to the public in areas such as medical imaging, medical cosmetology and specialized outpatient services.

Wu Wenming, the head of the Macau center of hospital, said the center has introduced medical teams and management skills from hospital to provide more diversified medical services.

Lei Wai Seng, director of the preparatory office for the Macau center, said the hospitals recruitment priority is local medical workers while attracting experts from the Union Hospital and other top hospitals in the mainland as well as from around the world.
As the SAR will mark its 25th Anniversary next year, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said that the government will comply with the principle of celebrating in a grand but simple fashion.

Emphasizing that next years celebratory events are still being planned, Ho promised these events will not be extravagant nor wasteful.

Ho was speaking on the sidelines of the reception to mark the 24th anniversary of Macaus return to the motherland on Wednesday

He said the government would not spend a lot of money because it is still financially constrained. The budget will be compiled based on the scale of the events for the 20th Anniversary.

It is too early to discuss whether national leaders will visit Macau for the occasion, Ho said, adding this is not something the local government can control. However, he hopes national leaders will visit Macau.

Following his refusal to comment on the matter at the Policy Address press conference, he again declined to say if he will run in the coming Chief Executive Election. He said announcements will be forthcoming when he has made a decision.

Macau on Wednesday held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to mark the 24th anniversary of Macaus return to the motherland.

Ho recalled how in the past year Macau had improved its legal systems and enforcement mechanisms on safeguarding national security, stepped up administration over the gaming industry in accordance with the law, compiled Macaus first comprehensive and systematic development plan on appropriate economic diversification, and made new achievements in advancing building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, neighboring Zhuhai city.

In the coming year, Ho said the SAR government will firmly safeguard national security and social stability, and speed up the implementation of major tasks and projects listed in the economic diversification plan to build Macau into a world tourism and leisure center and develop its priority industries of big health, modern finance, high technology, exhibition and convention, as well as culture and sports.

Efforts will also be made to speed up the building of the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, promote high-quality economic development, fully leverage Macaus advantages to better integrate into overall national development, Ho said.

Over 1,000 guests attended the reception, including Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Macau SAR, and Liu Xianfa, commissioner of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR.

Before the reception, around 520 government officials and other guests attended the flag-raising ceremony.
South Koreas top court ordered two Japanese companies to financially compensate more of their wartime Korean workers for forced labor, as it sided yesterday with its contentious 2018 verdicts that caused a huge setback in relations between the two countries.

But observers say yesterdays ruling wont likely hurt bilateral ties much since Seoul and Tokyo, now governed by different leaders, are pushing hard to bolster their partnerships in the face of shared challenges like North Koreas evolving nuclear threats and Chinas increasing assertiveness.

The Supreme Court ruled that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must provide between 100 million and 150 million won ($76,700 and $115,000) in compensation to each of four plaintiffs  bereaved families of its former employees who were forced to work for the company during Japans 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. The court also said Nippon Steel Corp. must give 100 million won (about $76,700) to each of seven Korean plaintiffs for similar colonial-era forced labor.

In two separate verdicts in 2018, the top South Korean court ordered Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel to compensate a total of 15 other Korean employees for forced labor. That irked Japan, which has insisted all compensation issues were already settled by a 1965 bilateral treaty that normalized their diplomatic relations. But the 2018 South Korean court rulings said the treaty cannot prevent individual rights to seek compensations for forced labor because Japanese companies use of such laborers were acts of illegality against humanity that were linked to Tokyos illegal colonial occupation and its war of aggression.

In yesterdays ruling, the South Korean Supreme Court cited that argument in one of the 2018 verdicts, saying it paved the way for a judicial remedy for forced labor victims within Republic of Korea. Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called the ruling absolutely unacceptable as it clearly violated the 1965 treaty.

The wrangling touched off by the 2018 rulings led to the two countries downgrading each others trade status, and Seouls previous liberal government threatening to spike a military intelligence-sharing pact. Their strained ties complicated efforts by the United States to build a stronger trilateral cooperation to counter challenges posed by North Korea and China.

The Seoul-Tokyo relations, however, began thawing after South Koreas current conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol, announced in March that his country would use a local corporate fund to compensate the forced labor victims without demanding Japanese contributions. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later expressed sympathy for the suffering of Korean forced laborers during a Seoul visit. The two countries revived high-level talks and withdrew economic retaliatory steps against each other.

Eleven of the 15 former forced laborers or their families involved in the 2018 rulings had accepted compensation under Seouls third-party reimbursement plan, but the remaining four still refuse to accept it, according to their support group.

I believe the South Korean government will continue its utmost effort in order to gain the understanding of the plaintiffs, Hayashi said.

Choi Eunmi, a Japan expert at South Koreas Asan Institute Policy Institute in Seoul, said Thursdays ruling wont likely cause big troubles in Korea-Japan relationships as South Korea has already determined how to handle such verdicts with the establishment of the domestic compensation fund.

Choi said that, because some forced labor victims refuse to accept compensation under the third-party reimbursement system, the South Korean fund hasnt completely resolved the issue. But she said an attempt by a future South Korean government to spike the system would undermine South Koreas credibility in Japan and deteriorate bilateral ties severely. HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL, MDT/AP
The University of Macau (UM) will offer the Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc) in its Clinical Psychology program in the 2024/2025 academic year, to train professionals in clinical psychology. Applications for the program are now open until Feb.29. 2024, the UM has announced. The MSocSc in Clinical Psychology program is a three-year full-time program requiring 60 credits. The program comprises 45 credits of compulsory coursework, 9 credits of clinical practicum (1,002 hours in total), and six credits dedicated to a masters thesis.

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Fighting between Sudans military and a notorious paramilitary group forced up to 300,000 people to flee their homes in a province that had been a safe haven for families displaced by the devastating conflict in the northeastern African country, the U.N. said yesterday.

The fighting erupted in the city of Wad Medani, the provincial capital of Jazeera province, after the Rapid Support Forces attacked the city earlier this month. The RSF said that it took over Wad Medani earlier this week, and the military said that its troops withdrew from the city, and an investigation was opened.

Sudans war began in mid-April after months of tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Both generals led a military coup in October 2021 that derailed Sudans short-lived transition to democracy following a popular uprising that forced the removal of President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

The U.N. agency International Organization for Migration said that between 250,000 and 300,000 people fled the province  many reportedly on foot  to safer areas in the provinces of al-Qadarif, Sinnar and the White Nile. Some sheltered in camps for displaced people and many sought shelter in local communities, it said.

Jazeera, Sudans breadbasket, was home to about 6 million Sudanese. Since the war, about 500,000 displaced fled to the province, mostly from the capital, Khartoum, which has been the center of fighting, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Medani, which is about 100 kilometers southeast of Khartoum, had hosted more than 86,000 of the displaced, OCHA said.

The World Food Program announced Wednesday that it has temporarily halted food assistance in some parts of Jazeera, in what it described a major setback to humanitarian efforts in the province.

The U.N. food agency said that it had provided assistance to 800,000 people in the province, including many families that fled the fighting in Khartoum.

The conflict in Sudan has wrecked the country and killed up to 9,000 people as of October, according to the United Nations. However, activists and doctors groups say the real toll is far higher.

More than 7 million people were forced out of their homes, including more than 1.5 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, according to the U.N. figures.

The fighting in Wad Medani forced many aid groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to evacuate its staff from the city, which was a center of the humanitarian operations in the country.

The RSF takeover prompted fears among Wad Medani residents that they would carry out atrocities in their city as they did in the capital, Khartoum, and the western region of Darfur. The U.N. and rights groups have accused the RSF of atrocities in Darfur, which was the scene of a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s.

The RSF grew out of the state-backed Arab militias known as Janjaweed, which were accused of widespread killings, rapes and other atrocities in the Darfur conflict.

Ahmed Tag el-Sir, a father of three, fled along with his family to the neighboring province of al-Qadarif after the RSF rampaged through their village of al-Sharfa Barakar north of Wad Medani.

They shelled the village and took over residents homes, like they did in Darfur, the man said from a relatives house where he shelters along with two other families. We fled out of fear of being killed or our women being raped by the Janjaweed. SAMY MAGDY, CAIRO, MDT/AP
Visitor arrivals soared by 604.9% year-on-year to 2.58 million in November; however, the figure represented a drop of 6.3% month-on-month, data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated. As regards source of visitors, the number of visitors from mainland China jumped by 452.9% year-on-year to 1.77 million, with those traveling under the Individual Visit Scheme (875,036) surging by 648.6%. Visitors from Hong Kong (558,249) and Taiwan (55,144) rocketed by 1,347.7% and 890.2% year-on-year respectively. In the first eleven months of 2023, the number of visitor arrivals increased by 375.8% year-on-year to 25.27 million.

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Developers are planning a project on the Far West Side that calls for building a mix of 600 homes and apartment units and adding 40 acres to Elver Park.

The development from Veridian Homes would convert a swath of farmland along Mid Town Road into single-family housing, with new internal streets, two multifamily housing complexes, commercial space and regional stormwater control.

Ald. John Duncan, who represents the surrounding neighborhoods on the Madison City Council, commended Veridians track record of mixed-use developments and what the proposal offers for Elver Park.

Under plans submitted to the city this month, the Midpoint Meadows neighborhood would spell the end for about 70 acres of farmland. The farmland is owned by the Marty Century Farm, according to records.

No one at the farm could not be reached for comment.

Duncan says theres still considerable agricultural land in the area.

Some remaining farmland in District 1 will be needed for residential development and some should be preserved in the long run, Duncan said. I am also encouraged by the expansion of Elver Park as part of this project, which will provide access to additional green space in this neighborhood.

According to the site plans, the majority of the developments 244 single-family and twin homes would sit to the west of a future extension of High Point Road to the south. A handful of single-family homes and 363 multifamily units would be on the east side of an extended High Point Road and along a realignment of Raymond Road.

Plans call for nearly 25 acres of stormwater control to the east of Marty Road and to the south of Mid Town Road.

The development team did not return a request for comment.

Better roads

For years, the city has envisioned converting the farmland into residential and commercial development under the High Point-Raymond Neighborhood Development Plan, which was last amended in 2017.

Veridians development complements the citys vision for better connectivity along the neighborhoods roads, mainly the southern extension of High Point Road and the realignment of Raymond Road. Those road projects are budgeted for construction in 2028, with design work slated for 2027, the city said.

The street work in this area is pretty dependent on the redevelopment taking place and would need to be coordinated with that effort, said Hannah Mohelnitzky, a spokesperson for the citys engineering division. Some portions of the roadways may need to be completed sooner to align with development phases.

The neighborhood plan had originally called for a green corridor along a vacated Raymond Road to connect people to the nearby Ice Age Trail. Even after future construction, the road still will be needed for residents to access infrastructure and utility reasons, according to the plan.

Close Lanes Bakery Chuck Lane talks with employee Kim Rice. Lane is the third generation of his family to run the bakery, which will close Sunday. Lanes Bakery Customers line up as a fresh batch of Kringle is brought out to the front. Lanes Bakery Jill Van Tassel, right, from Baraboo, visits Lanes Bakery to get a birthday cake for her mother, Ruth Van Tassel, who's turning 95. The pair come every year for the whipped cream cake. Lanes Bakery Chuck Lane, co-owner of Lanes Bakery, makes Kringle at the bakery. The Danish pastry is a longtime customer favorite at the bakery, which is closing Sunday after 69 years in operation. Lanes Bakery Lanes Bakery employee Kim Rice, right, interacts with a table of regular customers. Lanes Bakery Becky Lane, co-owner of Lanes Bakery, right, helps customer Mary Sue Oppermann with an order. The bakery hasn't been able to keep up with demand as customers file in for one last treat. Lane's Bakery Lane's Bakery, a Madison staple, is for sale after 69 years in the same family. Photos: The last days of Lane's Bakery Customers have been filing into Lane's Bakery for one last cake or kringle. The bakery plans to close Christmas Eve unless a last-minute buyer comes forward. Lanes Bakery Chuck Lane talks with employee Kim Rice. Lane is the third generation of his family to run the bakery, which will close Sunday. Lanes Bakery Customers line up as a fresh batch of Kringle is brought out to the front. Lanes Bakery Jill Van Tassel, right, from Baraboo, visits Lanes Bakery to get a birthday cake for her mother, Ruth Van Tassel, who's turning 95. The pair come every year for the whipped cream cake. Lanes Bakery Chuck Lane, co-owner of Lanes Bakery, makes Kringle at the bakery. The Danish pastry is a longtime customer favorite at the bakery, which is closing Sunday after 69 years in operation. Lanes Bakery Lanes Bakery employee Kim Rice, right, interacts with a table of regular customers. Lanes Bakery Becky Lane, co-owner of Lanes Bakery, right, helps customer Mary Sue Oppermann with an order. The bakery hasn't been able to keep up with demand as customers file in for one last treat. Lane's Bakery Lane's Bakery, a Madison staple, is for sale after 69 years in the same family.
A Middleton company that makes and distributes medical supplies to thousands of laboratories around the country is expected move to the village of Waunakee late next year.

Newcomer Supply, with 41 current employees, could bring 80 jobs to the village by 2030, said co-owner and operations manager Samuel Welch, who runs the business with his brother, company president Michael Welch.

Newcomer Supply was founded in 1986 in Oak Park, Illinois, by their mother, Marcia, with the initial focus of sales and services for labs for histology, or the microscopic study of tissue structure.

Laboratory positions would represent the largest group of additional hires, Michael Welch said.

Marcia Welch, the brothers said, moved Newcomer Supply to Middleton in 1994 because of connections she had to UW-Madison and the hospital system here. Newcomer Supplys Middleton space at 2505 Parview Road expanded to 7,000 square feet in 2002.

Now, right across the street from Octopi Brewing Co. in Waunakees Business Park, at 1131 Uniek Drive, construction crews are building Newcomer Supplys future headquarters. The $16 million building will be be roughly 34,500 square feet and include a histology lab, office and warehouse space on 3 acres. A completion date is scheduled tentatively for November 2024, Michael Welch said.

The new headquarters offers more space just as we are growing  more advanced versions of laboratory operations and warehousing, Samuel Welch said.

The new site also will be close to Robotic Automation Systems at 1010 Prairie View Court.

The company said it plans to eventually expand its Waunakee headquarters to 50,000 square feet, which could bring another 20 jobs.

Helping the project is $2.2 million in tax funding from the village of Waunakee that the municipality approved last fall. Samuel Welch said Newcomer Supply intends to pay it back to the village, as well as $250,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The rest of the money comes from private sources, he said.

We became serious about finding a larger facility space in 2018, he said. When we looked at the whole Madison area, we did a lot of measurement of what our current employee commutes are. Waunakee turned out to be a possible benefit. East and west travel doesnt involve the Beltline.

The brothers said Waunakee is also unique in its mixture of businesses and residential properties.

Theres a hope for a spinoff effect to draw other businesses, said Tim Semmann, village of Waunakee planning director. He said he assumes that some of companys workers will want to buy homes in Waunakee.

It will be great to see the company locate here, he said.
The Dane County Board, county lawyers and the National Guard are at odds over a contract some supervisors and environmentalist groups fear will let the military get out of legal responsibility for its role in PFAS contamination of drinking water in the area.

The board voted to postpone a vote Thursday night on renewing a contract that allows the Air National Guard fighter wing at Truax Field to use the airport in exchange for providing firefighting services. At issue is new language in the contract that shields the military from legal responsibility for PFAS contamination they might cause.

The military says that's a new Air Force policy that only applies to any future contamination. Some supervisors contend that isn't clear enough in the contract.

PFAS and similar substances  also known as "forever chemicals"  are synthetic compounds that don't break down naturally and have been used in firefighting foam, nonstick materials and a variety of other consumer products. Exposure to the chemicals has been linked to to health problems including low birth weight, cancer and liver disease.

Due to growing awareness about the health dangers of PFAS, the Air Force is now inserting language into agreements with airports to shield itself from legal responsibility for future PFAS contamination, according to an email, released by supervisors, from Randy Chambers, a lawyer for the National Guard Bureau.

Lawyers for the county also argue that the indemnification language in the contract does not apply to past PFAS contamination.

But that left board supervisors unsatisfied, leading to a 21-11 vote to postpone a decision on the contract until January. Supervisors against postponement were: Jerry Bollig, Cecely Castillo, Michael Engelberger, Jeff Glazer, Tim Kiefer, Maureen McCarville, Melissa Ratcliff, Dave Ripp, Andrew Schauer, Matt Veldran and Jeff Weigand.

The board called on county attorneys to ask the military to explicitly say in the contract that they'll only be legally shielded in the case of future contamination. County lawyers have requested just that of the military multiple times, but the military isn't budging.

"It's Air Force policy," county attorney Amy Tutwiler said during Thursday night's board meeting.

In an email to the State Journal, Chambers reiterated the military's interpretation of what the contract does and doesn't apply to, saying the agreement "does not apply to past contamination because the new clause is not retroactive."

Emails from military officials stating that the contract only applies to future contamination could be used in court in the event of a lawsuit, Tutwiler said.

Even if the military refuses to change the contract, some supervisors say postponement shows the board is at least trying to get the best possible outcome for the county.

Others worried about another part of the contract that specifies "there are no understandings or agreements, verbal or otherwise, among the parties" except what's in the contract.

"An email exchange is not sufficient for us to hang our legal risks on and hope that the county will come out safe at the end of this ten year agreement," said Sup. Sarah Smith, who represents Monona in the 24th District.

If the board ultimately doesn't authorize the contract, the airport will have to set up its own firefighting service. Based on estimates from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport compiled by the military, the start-up cost for a county-run fire fighting service at the airport would total $10 million, with annual staff and maintenance costs running at about $3 million a year.

Airport Director Kimberly Jones has said the airport risks shutting down if it doesn't set up a fire department within a year of voting against the contract. But Chambers has assured the county that the military would provide firefighting services in the interim so that the airport doesn't have to shut down, according to an email released by supervisors.

The Pentagon has ordered all military bases to stop using PFAS-laden firefighting foam by October 2024. In May, the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax announced it was the first Air Force installation to stop using firefighting foam containing PFAS.

This week, the DNR stopped work on drafting standards for measuring PFAS contamination because the estimated cost for businesses to comply with new regulations exceed Gov. Scott Walker-era rules that aim to protect corporations from regulation.

PFAS forever chemicals about to get their first US limits
Wisconsins Republican-drawn legislative district boundaries are unconstitutional and must be redrawn before next years elections, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided in a landmark ruling Friday that could dramatically alter the makeup of the Legislature.

In a 4-3 decision, the states highest court ruled the current, Republican-drawn maps violate the Wisconsin Constitutions requirement that legislative districts be contiguous.

The decision marks a big political win for Democrats. Redistricting experts have said new maps drawn under nonpartisan principles are likely to give Democrats many more legislative seats, though Republicans are still likely to keep the majority given the states political geography. Under the current maps Republicans hold a 64-35 majority in the Assembly and a 22-11 supermajority in the Senate.

The majority decision  penned by liberal Justice Jill Karofsky, who was joined by liberals Rebecca Dallet, Ann Walsh Bradley and Janet Protasiewicz  urged the Legislature to draw new maps but said the court will proceed toward adopting remedial maps in case the legislative process stalls or Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoes any redistricting proposal.

At least 50 assembly districts and at least 20 senate districts include separate, detached parts, Karofsky wrote in the majority opinion. That is to say, a majority of the districts in both the assembly and the senate violate the constitutional requirement for districts to be contiguous.

The courts three conservative justices  Annette Ziegler, Rebecca Bradley and Brian Hagedorn  sharply criticized the ruling.

In a blistering dissent, Ziegler said Fridays decision was sealed when Protasiewicz won her election in April after repeatedly calling the current maps rigged.

The court of four takes a wrecking ball to the law, making no room, nor having any need, for longstanding practices, procedures, traditions, the law, or even their co-equal fellow branches of government, she said. Such power-hungry activism is dangerous to our constitutional framework and undermines the judiciary.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said hell recommend new maps for the court to adopt.

I remain as optimistic as ever that, at long last, the gerrymandered maps Wisconsinites have endured for years might soon be history, he said.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said it was a sad day for our state when the State Supreme Court just said last year that the existing lines are constitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court will have the last word, he added, signaling an imminent appeal.

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court would likely focus on whether Protasiewicz violated the U.S. Constitution by not recusing herself from the case despite repeatedly calling the current maps rigged and receiving campaign funds and ongoing support from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, whose candidates would almost certainly benefit from the ruling issued Friday.

While this court is powerless to override (Janet Protasiewiczs) recusal decision, the United States Supreme Court is not, Rebecca Bradley said in her dissent.

Liberals filed the case after Protasiewicz won the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, shifting the court to a 4-3 liberal majority for the first time in more than a decade.

Republicans said the lawsuits timing was evidence that the newfound majority would empower Democrats at the cost of the court appearing nonpartisan. Democrats celebrated the ruling, saying it could correct the maps that experts say are among the most gerrymandered in the nation.

The lawsuit alleged the states legislative maps passed in 2022, which are largely similar to previous maps drawn in 2011, are unconstitutional and must be redrawn.

The Republican-controlled Legislature, which drew the maps, alleged the plaintiffs were merely using the state Supreme Courts new liberal majority to revisit the courts 2022 ruling adopting the current maps. That ruling was delivered by the previous 4-3 conservative-majority court.

In any other legal case, Hagedorn said, the court would have rejected such an impermissible collateral attack on a prior, final decision.

Why are the ordinary methods of deciding cases now thrown by the wayside? he said. Because a majority of the court imagines it has some moral authority, dignified by a black robe, to create fair maps through judicial decree.

But the current case featured arguments absent from prior lawsuits. Attorneys for the plaintiffs alleged 54 of the Assemblys 99 districts and 21 of 33 Senate districts violate the state constitutional requirement that districts consist of contiguous territory. The resulting map looks a bit like Swiss cheese, where some districts are dotted with small neighborhood holes assigned to different representatives.

The Legislature argued for a broader definition of contiguous that allows for the creation of districts where land masses need not physically touch. Republicans also argued that Wisconsins redistricting laws, backed by state and federal court rulings over the past 50 years, have permitted districts under certain circumstances to be noncontiguous.

Majority opinion

In her majority opinion, Karofsky pointed out several legislative districts, including Assembly District 47 and Senate District 27, both in the Madison area, with detached segments along their fringes  in some cases separated by more than a mile.

She said the Constitutions drafters viewed contiguity not as a mere technical requirement, but as an important tool to constrain districting practices they consider undesirable.

We decline to chip away at such a consequential districting requirement by approving an exception not found in our constitutions text, she continued.

The majority rejected the liberal plaintiffs call for every state senator  including those who wouldnt be up for reelection until 2026  to run for election again next year under the new maps.

Karofsky said ordering special elections would be an unprecedented remedy, adding that the court wouldnt implement such a drastic remedy here.

Sad turn

Hagedorn, who has often acted as the courts swing justice, called the majority decision a sad turn for the court.

At the end of the day, the majority acts not to vindicate some legal principle, but to achieve a long sought-after goal: the redistribution of political power in the Wisconsin legislature, he said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the states set of 10-year legislative and congressional maps early last year after Evers vetoed Republicans preferred maps in 2021.

In the last redistricting lawsuit, the courts conservative majority called for the new maps to take a least-change approach to the previous maps, a principle the liberal majority said they would disregard on Friday.

Karofsky ruled that the principle is unworkable in practice and called for the judicially-created metric to be overturned.

Next steps

The majority opinion calls for new districts to be equally populated; be bounded by county, precinct, ward or town lines; include only contiguous territory; be as compact as possible; and comply with federal law. It also calls for the consideration of preserving communities of interest, and reducing municipal splits and partisan impact of new boundaries.

As a politically neutral and independent institution, we will take care to avoid selecting remedial maps designed to advantage one political party over another, Karofsky wrote in the decision. Importantly, however, it is not possible to remain neutral and independent by failing to consider partisan impact entirely.

The decision called for parties to propose new remedial maps by Jan. 12, with briefs in support of those proposed maps due by Jan. 22. It will then have two court-hired redistricting consultants, University of California, Irvine political science professor Bernard Grofman and Carnegie Mellon University postdoctoral fellow Jonathan Cervas, evaluate the maps by Feb. 1.
GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) reiterated its commitment to enriching marine biodiversity as it hit two birds with one stone on its back-to-back launch of its projects on Dec. 1, 2023 at Sitio Fuerte, Poblacion, Morong, Bataan.

The event kicked off with the multi-party signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on GNPDs latest environmental venture, Kulay Koral, which were signed by GNPD, Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR), provincial government of Bataan and their latest partner, Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).

To give an overview on the Kulay Koral project, BPSU campus director Adrian Perdio enlightened the audience about the state of coral reefs in Mariveles, which will be the focal point of the program worth over P2 million.

Ang amin pong gagawin ay magtatanim ng coral reefs sa Dinginin, sa mismong site po ng GNPD, he said. Weve surveyed the area and found coral opportunities and it will run for at least three years, which we are hoping to extend for more years to come.

Expressing his gratitude for the partnership with GNPD, BPSU vice president for academic affairs Rev. Fr. Edgardo Sigua said: We cannot have a healthy life without a healthy environment, sana ay sama-sama tayong pangalagaan ito, hindi lamang para sa atin kundi para sa susunod na salinlahi.

They also held the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of GNPDs adopted pawikan hatchery in Sitio Fuerte to mark the official launching of the site and the introduction of Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte as GNPDs official partner in the municipality of Morong in taking care of the sea turtle species found in the coasts of Bataan.

GNPD signed the SagiPaWeCan MOA in July, in partnership with the provincial government of Bataan, DENR, Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association and local government of Morong.

Arnold Mendoza, president of the volunteer-led Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association, welcome the contribution it made for the group. Ngayon lang po namin naranasan ang ganitong okasyon sa tagal na po ng aming organisasyon na puro lamang mga volunteer, kaya nagpapasalamat po kami dahil naramdaman po naming na espesyal po kami at and mga pawikan na aming pinapangalagaan, he said.

GNPD corporate social responsibility superintendent Joseph Paolo Mendoza said: As the largest coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, we at GNPD understand the profound responsibility we bear beyond energizing the nation. Our involvement in environmental programs, such as the GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. adoption and management of this pawikan hatchery and the Kulay Koral project, underscores our commitment to preventing their extinction and educating the community about their crucial role in marine ecosystems.

In a somewhat miraculous way to cap off the back-to-back event, four pawikan hatchlings surfaced to greet the participants, which was a delightful surprise to everyone.

The initiative helps realize the first letter P of GNPDs CSR roadmap: Protect Marine Life. It embodies the companys commitment to Protect Marine Life, one of the vital components of their comprehensive approach, and reflects their holistic dedication to fostering positive change and sustainable development in the community.

GNPD is a 2725 MW (gross) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan which is considered by far the biggest coal-fired power plant in the country, spanning 26 supplied power agreements.

GNPD operates under the private limited partnership of AboitizPowers Therma Power Inc., Ayala Corp.s AC Energy Holdings Inc. and Power Partners Ltd. Co.
The Philippine Air Force has formally received from the Japanese

government an Air Surveillance Radar System as part of Tokyos

commitment to support the Philippines armed forces, Japanese

Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on Thursday.

In a post on X, Koshikawa shared photos of the turnover ceremony with

Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Another milestone! Japan turns over the first Air Surveillance Radar

System to PAF, the envoy posted.

Strengthening security ties and enhancing the AFPs capabilities,

Japan remains committed to supporting the Philippines, Koshikawa said

in his post using hashtag #StrategicPartnership.

While the Japanese ambassador was not able to attend the ceremony, he

was represented by Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Charge

daffairs (CDA) ad interim Matsuda Kenichi and Assistant Commissioner

of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), Japan Ministry

of Defense Nishiwaki Osamu.

Aside from Teodoro, the Philippines was represented by Commanding

General of the Philippine Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreno.

A report from The Japan Times said the system can detect approaching

fighter jets and missiles.

It also seeks to enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

air surveillance capabilities, as part of its modernization program.

The turnover of the radar system came shortly after Japan and the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a commemorative

summit in Tokyo that was attended by President Marcos himself.

In a joint communique, the leaders called for the rule of law and the

peaceful resolution of the dispute in the South China Sea after two

consecutive water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the

Ayungin and Scarborough Shoals, which are both within the Philippines

exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

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Seoul  A second reactor at North Koreas Yongbyon nuclear facility appears to be operational, according to the UN atomic agency.

Yongbyon is North Koreas main nuclear complex and home to its first nuclear reactor, with a five megawatt capacity, and has been the only known source of plutonium for its weapons program.

A second one  a light-water reactor  now also appears to operational, based on observations that warm water is being discharged from it, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement released late on Thursday.

The discharge of warm water is indicative the reactor has reached criticality, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.

In the operation of a nuclear reactor, criticality is the state in which a nuclear chain reaction is self-sustaining, according to experts.

Since North Korea expelled its inspectors in 2009, the IAEA has been denied access to the country.

The agency has since been primarily relying on satellite imagery to monitor the North.

Without access to the facility the Agency cannot confirm its operational status, Grossi said.

He emphasized that construction and operation of the light-water reactor (LWR) was against the United Nations Security Council resolutions and deeply regrettable.

The LWR, like any nuclear reactor, can produce plutonium in its irradiated fuel, which can be separated during reprocessing, so this is a cause for concern, Grossi said.

Plutonium, which is a primary material for nuclear weapons, is believed to be extracted through the reprocessing of spent fuel rods produced during the operation of the first nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.

Kim Dong-jin, a researcher at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, confirmed to AFP that warm water discharge would indicate any reactor was operational.

Warm water discharge is a common occurrence in operating light water reactors, Kim said.

During the operation of a power plant, it is necessary to circulate cooling water. As a result, the water is heated.

South Koreas Yonhap news agency also reported that the IAEA statement suggested that a larger light-water reactor has begun operation at Yongbyon.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, and carried out its sixth and most powerful one in September 2017.

In March this year, Kim called for expanded production of weapon-grade nuclear materials as North Korea unveiled what appeared to be a new, smaller tactical nuclear warhead.

The country on Monday launched its solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, the largest weapon in its arsenal.

Kim on Thursday also warned through the countrys state media that Pyongyang will not hesitate to launch a nuclear attack if provoked with nukes. AFP
The United Nations warned the Israel-Hamas war was pushing Gaza towards famine, ahead of an expected Security Council vote Friday on a resolution to boost aid to the Palestinian territory but not call for a ceasefire.

Separate diplomatic efforts were also under way for a fresh pause in the worst-ever Gaza war, which was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel in October.

With conditions deteriorating in the territory, the UN Security Council has been locked in negotiations on a resolution that would boost aid deliveries.

The latest draft seen by AFP, set to face a vote Friday, calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

Backed by its ally the United States, Israel has opposed the term ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there would be no ceasefire in Gaza until the elimination of Hamas.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Washington would support the resolution if it is put forward as is.

The war began on Oct 7 after Hamas militants broke through Gazas militarized border and killed around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Hamas also abducted about 250 people.

Vowing to destroy the group, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which the territorys Hamas government on Wednesday said has killed at least 20,000, mostly women and children.

The entire population of Gaza faces an imminent risk of famine, according to a UN-backed global hunger monitoring system on Thursday, with more than half a million people facing catastrophic conditions.

We have been warning for weeks that, with such deprivation and destruction, each day that goes by will only bring more hunger, disease and despair to the people of Gaza, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The UN estimates 1.9 million Gazans are now displaced, out of a population of 2.4 million.

With their homes destroyed, they are living in crowded shelters and struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Diseases are spreading, and communications have been repeatedly cut.

Displaced Gazans are pleading for a ceasefire.

My message is to put an end to this humiliation, said Fuad Ibrahim Wadi, who found refuge at a greenhouse in Rafah.

This war does nothing but destroy. Enough is enough.

After weeks of pressure, Israel approved the temporary reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday to enable aid deliveries directly to Gaza, rather than through the Rafah crossing from Egypt.

On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom, the crossings authority and the Hamas health ministry said.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests from AFP for comment.

The UN secretary-generals spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was unable to receive (aid) trucks via Kerem Shalom following the drone strike and that the World Food Programme had suspended operations at the crossing.

Dujarrics comments came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel could enable as many as 400 trucks a day of aid and blamed the UN for failing to bring more.

According to the UN, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is well below the daily pre-war average.

Diplomats visiting the region have called for more assistance to reach the territory.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, speaking in Egypt, said: Everything that can be done must be done to get aid into Gaza.

And French President Emmanuel Macron was in Jordan on Thursday to discuss with King Abdullah II joint work on humanitarian and medical aid for Gazas civilians, according to the French presidency.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools, mosques, hospitals and vast tunnel systems beneath them as military bases  charges the group denies.

On Thursday, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli troops have killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants since a one-week ceasefire ended on December 1.

He did not elaborate on the source of his figures.

According to a tally on the Israeli militarys website, 139 soldiers have been killed since it began its ground assault in Gaza on Oct 27.

A strike on a house in Rafah on Friday killed five people, the Hamas health ministry said.

The United Nations human rights office in Ramallah said it had received reports that Israeli troops had summarily killed at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza Citys Rimal neighborhood this week.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, rejected the allegations as yet another example of the partisan and prejudiced approach against Israel by the UN body.

Israel has been under increasing pressure from allies, including the United States, which provides it with billions of dollars in military aid, to protect civilians.

The UN rights office said details and circumstances of the killings in Rimal are still being verified but it raises alarm about the possible commission of a war crime.

The men were killed in front of their family members, it said.

Legal experts have previously told AFP that both sides could be accused of committing war crimes.

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Hopes that Israel and Hamas could be inching towards another truce and deal to free the remaining 129 hostages rose this week as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt and talks took place in Europe.

However, the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

The military wing of Hamas said Thursday that Israels objective to eliminate it was doomed to fail and that further hostage releases depend on a cessation of hostilities.

The war has sparked fears of wider conflict.

There have been regular exchanges of fire over the Lebanon border, and missiles from Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

Israeli strikes killed a woman in a south Lebanon village on Thursday, Lebanese media and rescuers said.

Retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah militants wounded two civilians, according to Israels military. AFP
THE Israeli Embassy in Manila has tapped the ubiquitous jeepney for its campaign to generate public awareness and call for the safe return of the remaining 129 hostages being held by the Hamas militants in Israel.

Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said the 10 participating jeepneys which offered free rides on Friday were bedecked with Israeli flags and canvasses showing profiles of the hostages.

Our aim is to raise awareness for the swift release of the 129 that have been abducted by the Hamas organization since October 7. Today we are using jeepneywith canvass to convey a message of solidarity with Israel for the safe return of the abductees, Fluss explained.

The envoy urged Filipinos to pray for safety of those affected by the war in his country. The war began on October 7 with an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants. They broke through Gazas militarized border and killed some 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP report. The Hamas also allegedly abducted about 250 people.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel began a relentless bombardment of targets in Gaza, alongside a ground invasion, which Gazas Hamas government on Wednesday said has killed at least 20,000, mostly women and children.

Hopes that Israel and Hamas could be inching towards another truce and deal to free the remaining 129 hostages had risen this week as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt and talks took place in Europe.

However, the stated positions of Israel and Hamas remain far apart.

Hamass military wing said on Thursday that Israels objective to eliminate it was doomed to fail and that further releases of hostages depended on a cessation of hostilities.

Qatar, backed by Egypt and the United States, last month helped broker a first week-long truce that saw 105 hostages released, including 80 Israelis freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
We heard Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo say the other day he and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a frank and candid exchange during their telephone conversations on issues affecting Manila and Beijing.

Mr Manalo added the conversation ended  which is plain diplomatese  with a clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues.

State-run Xinhua has quoted Wang as saying the Philippines and China relations are currently facing severe difficulties over the countrys change in its policy stance.

Wang noted the bilateral relationship between the two countries now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided and the Philippine side must act with caution.

An unornamented remonstrance, that one.

Manila earlier asked Beijing to stop lingering in waters around Ayungin Shoal, a feature in the South China Sea within the countrys 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

This month alone, it protested the Chinese Coast Guards aggressive actions  boldly glossed over by Beijing  that led to collision, illegal shadowing, and undue use of water cannons during the countrys rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Dec 10.

A day prior, China also used water cannons against three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels on a humanitarian mission providing fuel and groceries to Filipinos fishing at Bajo de Masinloc.

During their phone call, the Chinese side said Manalo and Wang agreed to actively create favorable conditions for the next Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea, the last in March.

Wang said China is ready to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation but warned if the Philippines misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up troubles, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely.

Bold as brass a statement from someone trained in diplomacy.

This is in line with what Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said earlier that Chinas intimidating demeanor should be stopped as he urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enter into more defense and security cooperation agreements not only with Japan but also with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and even South Korea.

We should negotiate and enter into Visiting Forces Agreements, like the one we have with the United States, in the face of heightened threats from China, the latest of which is the use of a military-grade laser on our Coast Guard vessel, which temporarily blinded its personnel, he said.

Rodriguez noted China has been waving these harassments many times in the past and the government should do something more solid in defending the countrys sovereignty.

Rodriguez is absolutely right.
Interview with Youssef Aitour, Co-Founder and Managing Director of i2 Development Ghana

Could you share your perspective on the current state of the real estate sector in Ghana?

To begin, real estate stands out as the most secure investment globally. Numerous factors contribute positively to the thriving real estate environment, particularly on a macro level  such as the country's political stability and the adherence to the rule of law in Ghana. These elements instill the necessary confidence in investors to actively engage in this sector.

Similar to any other commodity, the principles of supply and demand play a crucial role. In Ghana, there exists a housing deficit of 1.8 million units required to meet the country's needs, driven by rapid urbanization. The rising number of the middle class, coupled with the return of Ghanaians living abroad and the diaspora, adds to the demand. Consequently, numerous projects are underway to address this high demand.

What are the key competitive advantages of your project, Prestige?

Firstly, it boils down to "location, location, location." We are fortunate to have what I believe is the best location in town, situated within the enclave of Kotoka International Airport, just a minute's walk from terminal three. Securing this prime location, which, in my humble opinion, is one of the most beautiful spots in town, was crucial. We meticulously selected stakeholders to ensure the project receives the attention it deserves. Consequently, we entrusted the architectural design to Key Architectural, a leading firm in town, led by the esteemed architect Hussein Fakhry. Moreover, for the project's general contracting, we engaged the highly reputable company Micheletti, a company with a strong industry standing, notable for developing Villagio and being part of the prestigious Trasacco Group of Companies. I would say we have aces in places, boasting not only one of the best locations but also the best stakeholders. With confidence and by the grace of God, we anticipate a resounding success.

Could you provide a detailed explanation of the available purchases and the types of offers your project extends?

Our project comprises several elements, starting with a theme park called Wonderland, managed by our sister company, Wonderland Management. Due to its proximity to the airport, it will have aviation as its main theme, featuring flight simulators and other engaging activities for children. Additionally, we will introduce a commercial stretch launching luxury boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, banks, and car dealerships. Furthermore, we offer residential units, starting with studios at 28 square meters, one-bedroom units at 52 square meters, two-bedroom units, and extending all the way to penthouses. You have the option to purchase a residential unit, whether it is a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or a penthouse. Alternatively, there is the opportunity to acquire a commercial space tailored to suit your industry's needs.

Who do you think could be your potential clients?

The potential clients are primarily high-net-worth Ghanaians residing in Ghana. In addition to the high-net-worth Ghanaians in the country, there is a significant number of Ghanaians in the diaspora, mainly in the US and the UK.

What wil the purpose of these residential or commercial units for diaspora be? Why would they buy that kind of product?

They can acquire residential units for personal use, considering the interesting trend of diasporans relocating from the US and UK to Ghana. Alternatively, they might buy it for investment purposes, or it could be a combination of both. During the Christmas season, there is a noticeable influx of diasporans returning to Ghana. For example, if they buy a small unit that provides the necessary functionalities for sleeping, showering, and spending time during their stay, they can use it for themselves when in Ghana. When they are outside Ghana, they can also rent it out for short or long stays, yielding a satisfactory return on investment.

What is the current status of the development?

We have set the project's grand launch for December 13. We are planning a grand launch at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. Before December 13, we will have a groundbreaking with our partner and contractor Micheletti. They are currently finalizing preparations before mobilizing to the site. The project is divided into two phases, emphasizing our commitment to credibility and integrity. Since we are self-financing the project and not relying on customer funds, we have split it into two phases. We will launch Phase One, committing to construction irrespective of the sales status. In the worst-case scenario of not selling any units, we are fully capable of completing the entire construction independently. Contractually, we are committed to delivering Phase One to customers within three years, although, realistically, we don't anticipate needing more than two to 2.5 years. However, we have allowed a buffer of six months to one year due to unpredictable weather conditions in Accra, especially the rain, which could potentially cause construction delays. That is why we have committed to a worst-case scenario basis of three years.

What will Phase One be?

Our land spans 2.88 acres, approximately 11,600 square meters. Phase One will encompass all the underground basements, consisting of five levels. Our land is bordered by two roads, the airport bypass road, and the road leading to terminal three. So, we are looking at a three-basement level from the Marina Mall side or the airport bypass road and five basements from the opposite side. The entire basement will provide the required parking for the project and house all other necessary technical functions. Additionally, at Basement One, there is commercial space available for sale. At the ground floor level, there are commercial units connected to the basement via escalators and lifts. Phase One also includes the Wonderland theme park, along with one residential building mainly comprising studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom units, and two penthouses atop the building. Phase Two will feature larger units, starting from three bedrooms and above.

Looking at Phase One, alongside residential, there is also the commercial side catering to boutiques and brands. What is your strategy for that? What will be appealing for these brands wanting to be here?

Prestige is a statement of distinction when you live there. We want to ensure that the commercial activities within the project add significant value to both the project and its residents. We will hand-select industries that provide added value to Prestige residents. This includes high-end boutiques for clothing and apparel. Given the presence of a theme park within the development, it would be fitting to have commercial activities centered around kids, their mothers, and families. Picture a mother putting her children in the theme park and then spending quality time with her friends grabbing coffee, dining in a restaurant, and shopping for herself and her family. This represents one aspect of the commercial activities we envision for the project.

Additionally, we aim to attract high-end car dealerships and banking activities, among other businesses that, as mentioned, add value to Prestige residents. It is a win-win situation where residents benefit from businesses within the development that enhance their experience, while businesses have a ready-made clientele of high-net-worth individuals right at their doorstep.

While the location is excellent, being close to the airport, some might worry about potential noise. What can you say about that?

Essentially, our land is not directly under the flight path. For those familiar with Accra, planes land from East Lagon toward Spintex Road and the airport, and take off from the airport toward Osu and Cantonments. Our location is not directly under the flight path. As an illustration, our offices in Marina Mall, directly opposite the site, did not experience any noise from aircraft activity during the time we spent there. Additionally, similar to any other high-end development, we will implement proper measures such as double glazing and sound insulation to address ambient street noises.

Are you planning any specific campaigns or promotions to reach the diaspora or foreign markets?

Essentially, we have set the project launch date for December 13. We chose December because it is a month when many diasporans are in the country. Alongside a pre-launch discount, any customer purchasing an apartment from now until the grand launch stands a chance to win a brand new Land Cruiser in a draw held during the grand launch at Kempinski Hotel. This is our primary marketing strategy for the Ghanaian market, specifically targeting both locals and diasporans, leveraging the opportune month of December. Following the launch, shortly afterward, our marketing activities will extend to the US and the UK. Our sales team will have a presence in these locations to further promote the project.

What would be the ideal dream if everything goes according to plan? How would you envision your company in three years?

The ideal dream is to witness customers bringing in more customers themselves. This is a sign of true success, surpassing customer expectations. Drawing from my past experience in real estate, when you not only meet contractual obligations but also ethical commitments, going the extra mile, and ensuring the construction and development adhere to timelines, customers become your primary marketing force. They reinvest with you and bring in more customers on their own. For me, the ultimate success in real estate is when a customer becomes a part of your extended family.

Can you share your next move in the sector?

We are on the verge of finalizing the acquisition of a three-acre land in a highly prime location in town. On this land, we plan to develop a project even larger than our first one.

What is your inspiration and philosophy in life?

I relocated to town in 2021, shortly after the Beirut blast in my home country. I moved with my wife and two kids, and honestly, relocating to a new country with your family is never easy. However, what made it much smoother was the welcoming attitude of Ghanaians, who immediately made us feel at home. Now, I consider Ghana my home, and I genuinely feel indebted to the Ghanaian society that made me feel at home in no time. My personal philosophy is, in addition to launching successful ventures and projects, what brings us pride and happiness is seeing that our work and development have a positive impact on society  contributing to growth, creating jobs, and offering opportunities. For instance, our development, Prestige, will directly or indirectly generate over 2000 job opportunities through our contractors and subcontractors. Also, having a positive impact on tourism, such as the theme park we are launching, adds significant value. Trust me, these kinds of positive impacts feel more rewarding than the financial success of our company.

ABOUT PRESTIGE: Nestled within the prestigious enclave of Kotoka International Airport, Prestige offers the ultimate location for the citys cosmopolitan elite. This development fulfils the aspirations of those who seek the finest in residential living and provides a prime commercial space for businesses and investors looking to thrive in Accras newest elite neighbourhood. With impeccably designed residential spaces and a flexible approach to commercial floorplans, Prestige is the embodiment of excellence, inviting you to experience a life of utmost luxury and benefit from the rewards of this prime location in the heart of Accra.

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Interview with Karen Nyenga, CEO at Fine & Country Zimbabwe

Let's commence with a general overview and brief history of Fine & Country Zimbabwe.

I am Karen Nyenga, the licensee of Fine & Country in Zimbabwe. Fine & Country is a global real estate company, and our journey in Zimbabwe began on October 1, 2015. From my personal perspective, starting as a sales agent elsewhere and transitioning to become a director and business owner was a significant leap, with its share of valuable lessons. The process was thorough, and I underwent the necessary steps, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry over the years.

Our growth has been commendable, although the initial years were challenging, entering a market with established agencies and pre-existing expectations. Building trust was crucial, given the magnitude of real estate transactions and the inherent skepticism when a new player enters the scene.

A substantial part of our journey involved building a competent agent base. It was essential to hire individuals who not only represented the brand effectively but also upheld the same service standards I aimed for as the owner. Ultimately, our focus is on providing exceptional service to our clients.

Initially, our portfolio primarily comprised property management, starting with 8 properties and reaching 50 by the second year, encompassing both residential and commercial spaces. Sales listings gained momentum around the fourth and fifth years, contributing to our current management of approximately 130 properties, including residential, commercial, and complexes.

To add value to our clients, we established a dedicated desk for diaspora clients, offering consultations for those abroad seeking advice on their properties in Zimbabwe. We assist with repurposing properties, including subdivisions and reconstructions, ensuring they realize the full potential of their investments.

As we approach 2024, we reflect on our steady growth and look forward to further success in the years ahead.

What sets your real estate company apart in Zimbabwe?

In Zimbabwe, the real estate landscape is quite saturated with numerous local and internationally-affiliated agencies. Some are locally branded, with individuals establishing their own offices, while others have regional or international affiliations. The competition is robust within the real estate sector, as many professionals have acquired the necessary qualifications through university and postgraduate studies. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is also a common practice.

While intellectual capacity may be a common differentiator, our distinctive edge lies in our affiliation with the Fine & Country brand. One of our most significant competitive advantages is our ability to offer services not only within Zimbabwe but also across the African continent and beyond. As part of the Fine & Country network, we can seamlessly provide services from Zimbabwe to Europe, Australia, the Americas, and beyond. This global reach allows us to sell properties in different countries, showcasing our offerings without the need for venue rentals or establishing trust from scratch. Most individuals, in their daily lives, have likely encountered a Fine & Country office, contributing to a built-up reputation of trust.

Moreover, our distinctive position is advantageous for both Zimbabweans and the international expatriate community. Individuals entering Zimbabwe for reasons such as work, leisure, or retirement benefit from our specialized approach, ensuring a smooth transition. For instance, someone relocating from the UK to Zimbabwe may already be familiar with our UK office and come as a referral from the international office. This dual stream of business from both sides significantly contributes to our success.

What are the current trends in the real estate industry in Zimbabwe?

Regarding the state of the property industry, it is truly an exciting time to be part of it. In my view, we have witnessed substantial business growth during our operational period. One key observation is the increasing interest in investing in the real estate market, as it currently stands out as the better-performing asset class.

Homeownership is a significant consideration for many Zimbabweans, whether it is acquiring land for construction or opting for pre-constructed first-entry homes. People are consistently exploring the best ways to invest their finances, often leaning towards homeownership or some form of property ownership through construction. This has led to a noticeable surge in property developments.

Cluster homes, in particular, are witnessing a considerable upswing in construction activities. This is not confined to Harare, the capital city; we are witnessing similar trends in Bulawayo, the second-largest city, and even in the Victoria Falls area, a major hub for hospitality. Developers are constructing cluster homes to accommodate a growing demand, whether for Airbnb facilities or housing for middle and senior management staff associated with boutique hotels in the area.

In the Eastern Highlands, the developer Grand Homes has made an entrance with impressive structures. Corporate entities are also contributing to the residential landscape by constructing complexes. The activity is not limited to residential areas; there is significant activity in light industrial zones.

Harare, in particular, is attracting attention for light industry and retail businesses. The prime location is along Harare Drive, the circular ring road around the city. Businesses engaged in light industry or retail prefer to position themselves in the Pomona section, considered prime land. Many businesses, including wholesale and electrical sales operations, are strategically located in this area, providing direct access to the market and key decision-makers. Even listed companies are investing heavily in this specific region.

Overall, there is a remarkable amount of activity and potential in both residential and light industrial sectors. The demand is robust, and it seems like we might be struggling to keep up with the industry's growing demands here in Zimbabwe.

What types of residential homes or commercial properties do you manage?

Well, in our portfolio, we offer a diverse range. It is not limited to just townhouses or standalone houses. We have a mix that includes apartments, both singular units in a block and entire blocks under our management. Currently, we oversee about four complexes of varying sizes, some predominantly owned by a single individual, while others have multiple owners. Unlike what you might find in the United States or the UK with cooperative setups and dedicated building managers, we often act as the managers for individual apartments, working independently from the direct body's corporate manager.

Our listings cover a spectrum, including homes, apartments, complexes, standalone townhouses (both detached and semi-detached) in the north and west regions. Additionally, we manage some commercial and industrial properties, offering services across various domains. Previously, we even managed horticultural blocks for a client who provided plots for small animal husbandry and horticulture projects near Harare, catering to the 'farm to plate' concept. However, as time passed, we realized that we lacked the necessary expertise to offer adequate advice. Consequently, we transferred the management to another client who has since excelled in growing the portfolio, particularly in the lucrative blueberry market, where Zimbabwe has been making significant strides.

Could you provide details about your involvement in construction?

We have been expanding our business to offer a diverse range of products to our clients, particularly catering to diaspora-based Zimbabweans seeking guidance. Trust is crucial, especially when dealing with assets like homes. When clients inquire about their options, selling is often the easiest route, but many prefer to maintain a base in Zimbabwe. In terms of in-house construction, we have qualified and registered architects, surveyors, engineers, and contractors. Over the years, some clients have requested us to construct passive income properties on the excess land they have, typically in the northern suburbs where properties often sit on an acre of land. Clients may subdivide and sell portions or choose to build additional units for various purposes, such as for their children or future retirement.

Our experience in these projects led to the establishment of DevCo . With qualified professionals, we navigate planning processes with councils, ensuring compliance and identifying the most suitable and budget-friendly approaches for our clients. Beyond servicing existing clients, we have undertaken developments that are now on the market for sale. Our focus is on creating affordable properties, aiming for those below 100,000 to tap into the local cash market and individuals obtaining personal loans in the diaspora. These properties offer excellent rental returns, ranging between 6.5% and 9% for long-term tenancy. For those exploring short-term accommodation options like Airbnb, the return can go as high as 12% to 15% per annum. We believe these figures are favorable, and our goal is to continue and potentially expand this venture in the next three to five years. It is an exciting journey for us at the moment.

We are interested in hearing about your vision for the company in the next three to five years. What do you hope to achieve during that time frame?

Ideally, within the next three to five years, our DevCo would take on a more prominent role compared to our current emphasis on sales and rentals. We anticipate substantial growth in the development company segment of our business. The reason for this lies in the considerable number of properties that have been offered to us, surpassing our initial expectations. With the contracts we have signed, we foresee a business that will extend over five to eight years to service. It is important to note that this projection is based on our current holdings and not what may come in the next few years. This gives us a solid stock, allowing us to offer competitive options to investors, both local and international.

One challenge we have faced is the varying property prices in Zimbabwe. Unlike other countries where you often find a standard cap for properties in a specific area, Zimbabwe's market is diverse. Prices can differ significantly even on the same road, with variations in size and features. With DevCo, our goal is to provide clients with a clear understanding of the return percentage for the properties we offer. Additionally, we aim to offer security to investors through rent control and effective management of the entire property block. While we can currently manage one or two units in a complex, this does not provide our clients with the assurance that all aspects outside of their unit will be well-managed. In the next three to five years, we foresee DevCo taking the lead and steering the rest of the business.

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The luxury real estate market in Ghana is small but rapidly growing. As the country's economy expands and more high net worth individuals emerge, demand for upscale properties has been on the rise. This presents lucrative opportunities for real estate agents and agencies specializing in luxury homes and developments. However, effectively networking and accessing the right associations is crucial to succeed in this competitive niche.

Overview of the Luxury Real Estate Market in Ghana

While still modest compared to mature markets, Ghana's luxury real estate sector has seen steady growth over the last decade. Accra, the capital city, is the epicenter for luxury developments as it attracts wealthy business owners, executives, and diaspora investors seeking high-end metropolitan living. The city boasts skyrocketing sales of homes valued above $250,000, with asking prices reaching as high as $8 million in affluent neighbourhoods.

The coastal city of Takoradi also presents strong luxury prospects, thanks to the oil and gas industry and an influx of expatriates. Other emerging hotspots like Kumasi and Tamale appeal to wealthy locals and returnees seeking a better quality of life outside Accra. Hotel chains and mixed-use developers have been chasing these opportunities as well.

Driving demand is improving transparency in land administration, easier access to mortgages, and policies supporting home ownership aspirations of the rising middle class. As standards of living improve, the appetite for well-appointed, smart homes in secure, lifestyle-rich communities will rise further.

Why Join Luxury-Focused Agent Networks and Associations?

Joining niche real estate networks and associations specialized in the luxury segment can greatly benefit Ghanaian agencies and individual agents. This allows for tapping into an affluent clientele base and potentially bagging exclusive listings in upscale developments.

Access Specialized Training and Mentorship

These industry bodies conduct training programs, workshops, and certification courses focused on high-end real estate practice areas. This includes:

 Advanced negotiation tactics for multi-million dollar deals

 International luxury property marketing

 Consultative sales skills for UHNWIs

 Networking effectively with ultra-wealthy clientele

 Understanding luxury home aesthetics and architectural styles

Agents can learn from top performers in the luxury niche through mentorships as well. This helps them provide exceptional white-glove service expected by discerning HNWI buyers.

Expand Your Sphere of Influence

Joining top networks grants access to exclusive events, conferences and private showings. These serve as prime opportunities to connect with affluent investors, developers, property managers and other luxury specialists.

Instead of cold calling potential customers, agents can cultivate organic relationships with ultra-high net worth prospects through such warm introductions. These contacts may eventually convert to clients or lead sources.

Increase Your Brand Credibility and Visibility

In an industry with few barriers to entry, affiliations and designations from prestigious real estate bodies signal competence and trustworthiness.

For instance, membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, an exclusive network of 125,000 elite agents in 70 countries, boosts credibility. Their members on average close 3-5 times more high-end transactions than regular agents.

Likewise, obtaining designations like "Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist" indicates mastery over best practices. This builds credibility that helps win listings and referrals in the luxury niche.

Access Special Listings and Pools Before Wider Market

Many luxury-focused networks maintain proprietary databases of high-net-worth individuals seeking to buy or sell multi-million dollar homes.

As a member, agents gain early access to such exclusive inventory before it gets released to general public listing sites. This edge allows promptly matching elite buyers to potential dream homes.

Benefit From Referral Programs

Most associations have formal programs to refer clients to member agents best matched to their needs. Specialized luxury agents thus enjoy prime referral possibilities from both local and international partners.

For home buyers unfamiliar with the local market, obtaining guidance from trusted agents simplifies the search experience greatly.

Top Networks and Associations for Luxury Agents in Ghana

While still in the early stages, the luxury real estate industry in Ghana does have some noteworthy groups providing valuable networking and educational opportunities.

 Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association (GREPA)

GREPA aims to uplift professionalism and ethical standards in Ghana's real estate sector through policy advocacy and self-regulation. Their strict code of conduct builds credibility for members. They provide useful training and seminars as well.

 African Real Estate Society (AfRES)

This pan-African body with local chapters focuses on promoting transparent, responsible property investment and ownership across the continent. Their Ghana chapter represents professionals invested in shaping local luxury real estate space.

 International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI Ghana)

The influential FIABCI global network dedicated to international real estate has an active local chapter. They conduct informative events while connecting members to global business opportunities.

 Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE)

This global luxury-focused network grants Ghanaian agencies the opportunity to gain international exposure while connecting with 125,000 elite agents. As demand grows for Ghana's luxury properties from overseas diaspora and investors, such exposure becomes vital.

 Wholesale Real Estate Developer Networks

Local developer networks like the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association can also be valuable for luxury specialists to monitor prime upcoming projects at the pre-sale phase. Early access allows matching cash-rich investors to wholesale opportunities before wider public release.

Best Practices for Customer Service in Luxury Real Estate

Succeeding in the demanding luxury property space requires providing exemplary customer service catering to the high expectations of wealthy clientele. Keep these proven practices in mind:

 Know Your High-End Market Intimately

Research your local luxury market meticulously to advise customers expertly on nuances, trends and evaluations. Track records of comparable closed sales religiously. Read luxury home magazines to stay updated on the latest amenities, tech and architecture fads finding acceptance locally. Follow elite developers on social media to learn about pipeline luxury projects early.

 Get Certified as an Expert in Niche Areas

Obtain credible designations like "Luxury Home Certified", "Luxury Home Marketing Specialist" or "Certified Concierge Agent" from leading real estate bodies. Flaunt these on your website and communication to signal focused competence.

 Provide White Glove Service

Be available 24/7 to tend to affluent clients via phone, text, email or ideally in-person. Prepare exhaustively for property viewings. Follow up promptly. Pull records for comparable sales data on the spot when required. Offer tailored financing plans proactively based on their unique needs. Essentially provide the excellent well-informed service expected of a trusted advisor, not just a salesperson.

 Network Among Affluent Circles

Build close rapport with exclusive clubs, luxury retailers, high-end chamber of commerce circles and elite interest groups to rub shoulders with wealthy prospects and referral sources. Host or sponsor invitation-only events to cement your brand as the go-to luxury agent in town.

 Stress Privacy and Discretion

Reassure ultra-high-net-worth individuals constantly about respecting and guarding their privacy fiercely during your dealings. Limit public listing exposure for celebrity/VIP clients. Set up showings for unlisted properties discreetly when required. They value confidentiality immensely in the home purchase process.

 Promote Expertise Through PR

Regularly get featured in premium local publications, magazines, newsletters and radio shows as a thought leader providing insightful commentary on the luxury property market locally. This boosts your authority and familiarity.

Conclusion

Ghana's accelerating economy and rising prosperity are fueling higher demand for luxurious residential properties beyond regular middle-class homes. As UHNWIs grow in numbers, networks and associations tailored for the luxury niche like GREPA and AfRES are advancing as well to cater to the unique needs of this segment. Ambitious real estate professionals in Ghana looking to establish themselves as capable luxury property experts must affiliate with such specialized bodies to gain credibility, referrals and access to exclusive inventory and elusive wealthy clientele in this lucrative slice of the industry.

For inquiries into buying or selling high-end homes in Accra's prime residential neighbourhoods, reach out to the reputed firm VAAL Ghana.

VAAL Ghana is currently developing an exclusive community called Harmonia Residence located at Airport West, Accra. Comprising luxury 1,2,3,5 bedroom apartments and penthouses, this project aims to redefine elite metropolitan living in the city through smart design and elevated amenities.

Learn more about Harmonia Residence standards of quality here.

FAQs

1. What is the current state of Ghana's luxury real estate industry?

Ghana's luxury real estate niche, though still small by global standards, has seen steady growth in recent years, concentrated primarily in Accra where prime properties now sell for as high as $8 million. Improving market transparency and easier access to mortgages is further driving activity.

2. What kind of training programs do leading luxury real estate associations provide?

These industry bodies conduct specialized training, workshops and certifications focused on areas like high-end property negotiation tactics, architectural aesthetics favoured by affluent clientele, consultative sales approaches for HNWIs and mastering international luxury marketing best practices.

3. What networks help luxury agents access exclusive inventory before general public listings?

Many luxury-centric real estate networks maintain proprietary databases of wealthy individuals looking to buy or sell multi-million dollar luxury homes. Members can match serious buyers with potential dream homes much before they get listed on MLS sites.

4. Why is privacy and discretion so highly valued by ultra-wealthy home buyers?

UHNWIs expect utmost confidentiality while shopping for residential properties given their public profile and wealth. Real estate agents serving the luxury niche must therefore make extra efforts to guard their personal information and restrict listings' exposure to the wider public.

5. What does providing "white glove" service in luxury real estate entail?

White glove service refers to extraordinary customer experience going well beyond regular expectations, akin to highly personalized care expected from a trusted advisor. This includes 24/7 availability, exhaustive property research and viewing preparation, prompt follow ups, anticipating unique needs proactively and more.

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Angola has decided to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), against a backdrop of disagreement over oil production quotas, deeming it time to focus more on its own objectives.

Up until now, we have had no influence on quotas, but if we were to remain in OPEC, we would suffer the consequences of the decision to respect production quotas, Diamantino de Azevedo, Minister of Natural Resources, Oil and Gas, told state broadcaster TPA on Thursday. Angola would then be forced to cut production, which goes against our policy of avoiding any cuts and respecting contracts.

The announcement comes after a recent decision by OPEC to set a quota of 1.11 million b/d for Angola, which the country is strongly contesting, aiming for its own target of 1.18 million b/d. This has led to a deepening of oil losses, with prices already weighed down by the expectations of some investors that demand for black gold will be undermined next year by an economic recession.

Angolas decision was taken following a Council of Ministers meeting held on Thursday at the presidential palace in Luanda, according to a presidential press release. It was transformed the same day into a decree with the force of law, signed by President Joao Lourenco. At present, Angola gains nothing by remaining in the organization and, to defend its interests, has decided to leave it, the minister explained to the press gathered at the presidency, according to the communique.

When we see that we are in organizations and that our contributions, our ideas, have no effect, its better to leave. We joined voluntarily in 2006 and we have decided to leave now, also voluntarily. And this is not an ill-considered or ill-timed decision, stressed the Minister.

Despite further cuts announced in November, crude oil prices are still stuck at their lowest level since June (between $70 and $80 a barrel), although they remain above their five-year average. At around 13:15 GMT, the price of a barrel of Brent crude for February delivery was down 1.59% on Thursday, at 78.43 dollars. Its US equivalent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in the same month, was down 1.68% at 72.97 dollars.
Morocco has effectively countered terrorism through its adept intelligence services, capable of identifying terrorist leaders and liberating numerous hostages, as asserted by Mehdi El Karouani, a university professor specializing in geopolitical analysis.

In a global landscape marked by predominantly asymmetrical armed conflicts, Morocco distinguishes itself as the sole player, both on the continental and worldwide stages, equipped with security, legal, and operational mechanisms capable of confronting, containing, and neutralizing the terrorist menace.

From the Moroccan Sahara, where terrorist assaults by the Polisario target civilians, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and incidents of hostage-taking in Mali, Africa remains heavily marked by the proliferation of terrorism. This threat results in the daily tragic loss of innocent lives, affecting nations such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria. Nevertheless, Morocco has efficiently tackled terrorism through its capable intelligence services, showcasing an unparalleled effectiveness in securing its territorial integrity.

Over the course of a year, Morocco has achieved substantial progress in the fight against terrorism, solidifying its pivotal role and effectiveness in countering security threats, both nationally and internationally.

In December 2022, the release of Jorg Lange, a 63-year-old German and member of a humanitarian organization based in Berlin, held hostage by a jihadist group in Mali.

In January 2023, the dismantling of a cell affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), consisting of three suspects in Spain and Morocco during a joint security operation, with the arrest of an extremist element by the special forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in Chtouka Ait Baha.

In March 2023, successful interventions and arrests in separate operations targeting three individuals affiliated with Daesh, aged between 19 and 28, in Souk El Arbaa du Gharb, Tetouan, and Larache.

In May 2023, the dismantling of a Daesh-affiliated terrorist cell consisting of three individuals in the northern part of the country.

In May 2023, the liberation of Moroccan cyclists Abderrahmane Serhani and Driss Fatihi, abducted on April 1, 2023, by an armed group at the Niger-Burkina Faso border, thanks to security coordination between Morocco and Nigeria.

In August 2023, the liberation of Iulian Ghergut, a Romanian national held hostage in Burkina Faso by the Al-Mourabitoune group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

In October 2023, the dismantling of a terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State on the verge of attacking the cities of Tanger, Tetouan, and Inezgane Ait Melloul.

In November 2023, the decoration of the Moroccan Intelligence Service, led by Mr. Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, with the National Order The Star of Romania (Grand Officer rank) by the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Johannis.

In November 2023, the elimination of the Polisarios terrorist leader, Abdel Salam Ould Asouillem, by a Moroccan drone.

In November 2023, the arrest of an individual responsible for false bomb threats in Belgium.

In December 2023, the arrest of an extremist in Farkhana, Nador region, in collaboration with the Spanish police, was conducted jointly with the General Information Directorate.

In December 2023, the dismantling of a cryptocurrency operations network affiliated with the Islamic State in several regions of Spain with the collaboration of Morocco.

According to the expert, Morocco emerges as an example of coordination and synergy in the battle against terrorism. These notable achievements, whether in the liberation of hostages or the dismantling of terrorist cells, reflect the collective strength committed to ensuring security. Consequently, conscientious, serious, and concerted efforts consolidate Moroccos position in promoting peace and stability on a global scale.
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Researchers demonstrated kisspeptin neurons with dynorphin receptors in the brain affects the release of hormones that affect reproductive function in females. Credit: Mayuko Nagae And Yoshihisa Uenoyama, Graduate School Of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University

Researchers at Nagoya University's Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences and the National Institute of Physiological Sciences in Japan have demonstrated how a specific type of neuron in the brain affects the release of hormones that control ovarian function, such as follicular development and ovulation in females. These findings, published in Scientific Reports, could help researchers understand and treat reproductive disorders in animals and humans.

Kisspeptin neurons in the brain regulate the release of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (LH). This process is important for reproduction, as pituitary hormones stimulate the ovaries to perform their reproductive functions. Examples include follicular development and ovulation in all mammals, including humans.

There are two main areas of the brain involved in the process: the arcuate nucleus (ARC), in which kisspeptin neurons maintain the regular rhythmic (pulsatile) secretion of GnRH/LH that maintains normal follicular development and sex steroid production, and the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), in which kisspeptin neurons trigger a surge of GnRH/LH that leads to ovulation.

The researchers focused on the fact that kisspeptin neurons in the ARC produce and respond to dynorphin, an inhibitory substance.

"Kisspeptin neurons in the ARC express both dynorphin and its receptor, whereas those in the AVPV express the receptor only, suggesting a particular role of such kisspeptin neurons in fertilization," Mayuko Nagae, a postdoctoral fellow, and Yoshihisa Uenoyama, an associate professor at Nagoya University in Japan and corresponding author of the paper, say.

"However, the exact role of dynorphin and its receptor in the regulation of kisspeptin neurons was not clearly understood."

Brain Cell Discovery Sparks Hope for Fertility Treatments. Credit: Yoshihisa Uenoyama, Graduate School Of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University

To investigate this, the researchers genetically modified female rats to delete Kiss1, a gene that codes for kisspeptin, only in neurons that expressed the dynorphin receptor. They found that the genetically modified rats with deleted Kiss1 in dynorphin receptor-expressing cells had only 3% of kisspeptin neurons in the ARC and 50% in the AVPV. The rats were still fertile but had a longer estrous cycle, lower ovarian weight, and fewer pups than normal rats.

The results indicate that kisspeptin neurons with dynorphin receptors are important for normal female rat reproduction, as they allow proper hormone secretion and ovulation. "This is the first report to show that kisspeptin neurons receiving direct input of dynorphin are needed to fully generate the GnRH/LH pulse and surge in female rats," says Professor Hiroko Tsukamura from Nagoya University, the principal investigator of the research group and another corresponding author of the paper.

Professor Tsukamura is excited about the prospect of more studies to understand the molecular mechanism that controls kisspeptin neuronal activity. She says, "Our findings can help our understanding of the central mechanism underlying reproduction and have applications in the treatment of ovarian disorders in livestock and infertility in humans."

More information: Mayuko Nagae et al, Conditional Oprk1-dependent Kiss1 deletion in kisspeptin neurons caused estrogen-dependent LH pulse disruption and LH surge attenuation in female rats, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47222-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have established how the activity of our brain during imaginary movement differs from that during real action. It turns out that in both cases, a previous signal occurs in the cerebral cortex, but with an imaginary movement, it does not have a clear link to a specific hemisphere.

The obtained data can potentially be used in medical practice to create neuro trainers and control the restoration of neural networks in post-stroke patients. The results of the study are published in the journal Cerebral Cortex.

Before we pick up a pen or put down a cup, a complete picture of this action is formed in the brain. Such visual-motor transformations ensure the accuracy of our movements. Knowing about these mechanisms helps patients to restore motor activity after strokes. But we don't always finish the movement we started. In this case, visual information enters the motor areas of the cortex responsible for movement, but the start of the reaction is blocked at some point, and mental effort does not end with real muscle activation.

It is still not known how brain activity before an explicit movement differs from that which occurs before an imaginary action. This is exactly what the researchers decided to find out, since understanding our movement at the brain level will improve the technique of motor rehabilitation after a stroke.

Scientists from the Skoltech and Moscow State University compared visualmotor transformations in real and imaginary movements. To that end, the authors conducted an experiment that involved 17 volunteers with an average age of 23 years.

The subjects placed their hands on a panel with two buttons that were periodically illuminated, while the participants had to follow only one of the two buttons. As soon as the button was lit, the actors had to press it or imagine how they were doing it, depending on the request of the scientists. During the experiment, the researchers recorded the electroencephalogram of the volunteers. Then the neuroscientists evaluated the signals of the cortical regions associated with the preparation for movement and the appearance of sensory sensations in the hands during the movement.

With imaginary and real movement, the glow of the button caused the activity of the sensorimotor cortex, but only in the case of real movements, this activity was observed mainly in one hemisphere. The authors argue that a signal that occurs in the brain before the start of movement (the so-called preceding signal) indicates the transformation of visual stimuli into movement.

The preceding signal turned out to be the strongest over the frontal-central regions in the hemisphere opposite to the active limb. That is, when a person pressed the button with his right hand, the left hemisphere was activated, and vice versa. At the same time, the duration of the preceding signal increased if the person reacted more slowly to the light of the button and pressed it with a delay.

The preceding signal associated with the imaginary movement was not associated with a specific hemisphere of the brain. Arousal accumulated in various areas of the sensorimotor cortex before movement, which indicates that the formation of a mental image in imagination and in real action occurs in different ways.

The authors also checked whether any signals appeared in the volunteers' brains when a button on which the participants did not focus their attention was lit. It turned out that in response to non-targeted stimuli, the volunteers also had a preceding signal, although it was much weaker than the target and had a shorter duration.

The presence of such a non-target signal indicates that when making decisions in the brain, visual information is first evaluated, and then a decision is made to block movement. At the same time, non-target signals also indicate that the motor areas of the cortex do not remain inactive during the evaluation of the stimulus, and only the presence of a previous signal does not necessarily lead to an immediate motor response.

"A stroke results in the disruption of a balance between inhibition and arousal in the cerebral cortex, as well as the disruption of interhemispheric interactions, and interactions of the motor cortex with visual areas.

"We propose using motion-related cortical signals to assess the state of brain networks responsible for converting visual signals into actions in stroke patients. They can also be used to analyze how successful rehabilitation is. This approach will be highly sensitive, since it will allow recording improvements in the state of the motor systems of the brain even before they manifest themselves in the movements," said Nikolay Syrov, a senior research scientist at Skoltech and one of the participants in the project.

More information: Nikolay Syrov et al, Motor cortex activation during visuomotor transformations: evoked potentials during overt and imagined movements, Cerebral Cortex (2023). DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad440 Journal information: Cerebral Cortex
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Yale Cancer Center researchers at Yale School of Medicine found significant disparities in the use of post-mastectomy immediate breast reconstruction (PMIBR) among elderly women, especially in the United States and also in South Korea.

The researchers presented their findings at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) on December 6. The study analyzed trends in PMIBR across age groups by decade of life between 2001 and 2021 and compared the findings among Americans, Asian Americans, and South Koreans with data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) in the United States and from Asan Medical Center in South Korea.

"Post-mastectomy reconstruction could be a safe and viable option for the aging population, and we have to rethink that paradigm," said Tristen Park, MD, a co-senior author of the study and member of Yale Cancer Center. "We should also start thinking about the forms of disparities of care that exist for Asian Americans in America. I think this study presents some interesting questions."

Researchers found that the PMIBR rate at a large South Korean medical center increased almost tenfold over 20 years with a notable discrepancy between women under the age of 60 and women over 60. In the younger age group, PMIBR rates rose from 13% to 77%. While in the older group, it increased only from 0% to 26%.

In the U.S., Asian Americans had the lowest rate of breast reconstruction (29%) compared to other racial groups. Soo Young Lee, MD, first author of the study noted that the Korean data included peri-operative complication rates, which were similar between older and younger women.

"What I considered very striking was that the rates of post-mastectomy reconstruction in Asian Americans was much lower than non-Asian Americans," said Dr. Park, who is also an assistant professor of Surgery (breast oncology) at Yale School of Medicine. "And so, one would think that in Asia post rates of post-mastectomy reconstruction would also be low, but in fact, they're much higher."

Researchers note that both the South Korean and American data illustrate remarkably lower use of immediate breast reconstruction in older patients. There were some notable demographic and clinical differences between age groups, but negligible differences in complication rates. Further research and interventions to address barriers in older women are needed.

Finally, the higher rates of PMIBR in South Korea mirrors that of white women in the U.S. northeast, suggesting a potential disparity for Asian American women.

Madhav KC, Leah Kim, Mehra Golshan, Eric Schneider, Rachel Greenup, and Donald Lannin all were Yale co-authors on the study. Hee Jeong Kim MD, Ph.D., professor of surgery from Asan Medical Center was a co-senior author.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Aaron Posey, a Bloodworks Northwest executive, donates blood at the blood center's Seattle headquarters on Dec. 14, 2023. New federal guidelines that dropped an abstinence requirement before gay men in monogamous relationships can give blood are opening a new pool of potential donors. Posey, whose own life was saved by a transfusion when he fell down a set of stairs and broken glass sliced an artery, welcomed the new guidance, saying hospitals and patients need access to a new pool of donors. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Valdes

Over the last six years, blood center employee Dylan Smith was often asked how frequently he gave blood himself. His answer was always the same: As a gay man, he couldn't.

That changed this month.

Thanks to new federal guidelines finalized in May, gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can now donate at many blood centers around the country without abstaining from sex.

Bloodworks Northwest, where Smith works as a donor services supervisor, adopted the change on Dec. 6. He and his partner gave blood for the first time the next day.

"It's been really emotionally difficult just to explain every single time the reason why," said Smith, 28. "To be able to finally step up and support the mission that I really have just believed in since I started here just makes my heart feel so happy."

The new U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines are the latest step in a yearslong effort to reverse restrictions that were designed to protect the blood supply from HIV, but which were increasingly criticized as discriminatory following scientific advances that allowed better detection of the virus.

In 2015, the FDA dropped the lifetime ban on donations from men who have sex with men and replaced it with a one-year abstinence requirement. The agency shortened the abstinence period to three months in 2020 after donations plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dylan Smith donates blood platelets at Bloodworks Northwest, where he works as a donor services supervisor, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Vancouver, Wash. More gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.S., and many in Washington state are doing so. Credit: AP Photo/Claire Rush

The American Red Cross, which accounts for about 40% of blood and blood component donations in the U.S., began implementing the new guidance in August.

About half of the 16 independent blood bank organizations that are members of the Alliance for Community Transfusion Services have rolled out the new guidelines, with more expected next year, the organization said.

"It is going to take time," said Benjamin Prijatel, president of Shepeard Community Blood Center in Augusta, Georgia. "Blood centers and health professionals are going to have to put forth the effort to engage and educate this community in order to overcome years of distrust. That's the only way this rule change will translate into additional donations."

The change puts the emphasis on sexual activity rather than on sexual orientation. All potential donors are screened with a new questionnaire evaluating their HIV risk based on sexual behavior, partners and other factors that can contribute to the spread of blood-borne infections, such as intravenous drug use or recent tattoos or piercings.

Dylan Smith donates blood platelets at Bloodworks Northwest, where he works as a donor services supervisor, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Vancouver, Wash. More gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.S., and many in Washington state are doing so. Credit: AP Photo/Claire Rush

Potential donors who report having anal sex with new partners in the last three months are barred from giving until a later date, and anyone who has ever tested positive for HIV will continue to be ineligible. Those taking pills to prevent HIV through sexual contact are still barred until three months after their last dose; the medications, known as PrEP, can delay the detection of the virus, the FDA said.

Donated blood is then tested for HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis and other infectious diseases.

Bloodworks Northwest, which supplies blood to more than 90 hospitals in the region, isn't keeping track of how many newly eligible donors are coming in, said Dr. Kirsten Alcorn, the nonprofit's co-chief medical officer. But workers have heard plenty of stories from people excited to give.

"It feels very meaningful to many of them to now be able to contribute to somebody's survival," Alcorn said.

Dylan Smith donates blood platelets at Bloodworks Northwest, where he works as a donor services supervisor, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Vancouver, Wash. More gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.S., and many in Washington state are doing so. Credit: AP Photo/Claire Rush

A sign that reads "Safe Space" is attached to the door of Bloodworks Northwest in Vancouver, Wash., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. The nonprofit blood bank provides blood donations to hospitals in the Pacific Northwest and conducts medical research. More gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.S., and many in Washington state are doing so. Credit: AP Photo/Claire Rush

The exterior of Bloodworks Northwest's office building is seen in Vancouver, Wash., Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. The nonprofit blood bank provides blood donations to hospitals in the Pacific Northwest and conducts medical research. More gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.S., and many in Washington state are doing so. Credit: AP Photo/Claire Rush

Aaron Posey, a Bloodworks Northwest executive, donates blood at the blood center's Seattle headquarters on Dec. 14, 2023. New federal guidelines that dropped an abstinence requirement before gay men in monogamous relationships can give blood are opening a new pool of potential donors. Posey, whose own life was saved by a transfusion when he fell down a set of stairs and broken glass sliced an artery, welcomed the new guidance, saying hospitals and patients need access to a new pool of donors. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Valdes

Aaron Posey, a Bloodworks Northwest executive, puts pressure where the needle entered his arm after donating blood at the blood center's Seattle headquarters on Dec. 14, 2023. New federal guidelines that dropped an abstinence requirement before gay men in monogamous relationships can give blood are opening a new pool of potential donors. Posey, whose own life was saved by a transfusion when he fell down a set of stairs and broken glass sliced an artery, welcomed the new guidance, saying hospitals and patients need access to a new pool of donors. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Valdes

Bloodworks executive Aaron Posey, whose own life was saved by a transfusion when he fell down a set of stairs and broken glass sliced an artery, welcomed the new guidance. He said hospitals and patients need access to a new pool of donors.

"Having always witnessed a shortage in the blood supply, it has at times been very frustrating," said Posey, who first donated blood during the pandemic when the abstinence period was cut to three months.

Smith learned of the restrictions on gay men giving blood when he was screened while trying to donate his freshman year of college in 2013. The rules blindsided him, he said. It was a long time to wait before he could finally donate with his partner and other friends.

"Just being able to see them donating next to me, smiling next to me ... meant so much," Smith said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Austin Potton remembers how he felt during his first craniotomy  a surgical procedure that requires removing part of the skull  when he looked down and saw the patients brain pulsing. He had always liked science, but standing next to the table in a hospital operating room took things to another level.

Holy cow, thats someone alive, Potton said. Its a bit crazy. Not crazy in a bad way. It was really cool.

Along with three other classmates, Potton recently graduated from Missoula Colleges Surgical Technology Sprint Program. The small group is the first cohort to complete the accelerated training program, giving them the certification and paid clinical experience in just 12 months.

People think you pass a tool to your surgeon and thats your job, said Katie Geiger, the program clinical coordinator who has also worked as a surgical technologist. We teach them that you actually have to know the surgery just as well as the surgeon, you have to be able to anticipate the complications. The only difference is your hands arent generally the ones making the cuts.

The Montana University System recently introduced its Sprint Degrees program as a way for students to earn degrees and enter the workforce more efficiently. But this surgical technologist pathway was created in March, a couple months after students had already enrolled, when Missoula College was approached about creating a faster option to help fill shortages in the local health care system.

Hospitals struggling to hire medical staff is not a new story in Montana. Of the states 56 counties, 51 are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the Department of Health and Human Services.

A spokesperson from Providence St. Patrick Hospital said there are currently seven surgical technologist vacancies and that the hospital has seen a steady uptick in the number of surgeries for the last five years.

Geiger said Missoula College was approached by a number of stakeholders to help address the surgical tech shortage. "They kind of asked if we could throw this together really quick, she said. And we asked if anyone would be guinea pigs with us, and (these four) volunteered.

Students who volunteered quickly pivoted from an 18-month program with a summer break to a continuous 12-month program that combines academic and lab instruction with a paid clinical internship. Missoula College boasts a cadaver lab and a classroom with a mock operating room chock-full of donated surgical instruments and laparoscopic equipment for students to practice.

All four graduates were hired as Certified Surgical Technologists at either Community Medical Center or Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula prior to completing the program. They worked at these same locations during their clinical internships, clocking over 125 surgeries in a matter of months.

I feel like I have an oh man this is real moment, every day, said Marki Olson, 27. No matter how serious the surgery was or how routine.

Lanessa Boone, 20, said the opportunity to transition from student to employee was a real draw.

They all know where were at, and where we need help, Boone said. Its not like were getting freshly hired to a new hospital where they dont know our skills.

Another benefit of the Sprint Program is that it gives Montanans the chance to study and work in their own communities. Potton, Carter, Olson and Boone all grew up around Missoula or the Bitterroot Valley. Staying close by was a priority, both as a way to give back to the places they love but also to remain near family and familiarity, they said.

As she maneuvered a scope and probe to demonstrate a simulated laparoscopic procedure, Sabrina Carter, 20, said she always wanted to be in medicine but just didnt quite know how. She was drawn to the surgical technologist career because it would get her into the OR quickly.

Carter cautioned that while the lure of the sprint programs shorter timeline and smaller price tag is real, its important to know how to keep focused and manage your time as well as have the drive and ambition to handle the intense pressures.

All the procedures learned and sleepless nights spent memorizing anatomy notwithstanding, theres a softer side to the work, too.

Its important to remember and think about how these are patients, these are people, you know, theyre covered up by drapes all the time and you dont actually see them, Carter said. But its always a big thing to remind yourself that youre working on your fellow human.
COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held recently in Dubai, featured an assortment of world leaders  and two familiar faces from the Missoula community.

Former Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess and Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier joined the event as representatives of sub-national governments fighting climate change. Their trip was sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

That acknowledgment of local influence came as a product of COP28, and its the first of its kind. Its important to Hess because of the overwhelming role cities play on the climate front. He shared that 70% of the worlds population lives in cities, and that figure is growing. The amount of carbon emissions produced worldwide trends closely with those numbers, too.

Cities and smaller units of government are really where the rubber is meeting the road on climate action, Hess added. There are so many cities around the world that are doing really interesting things. The city of Missoula and Missoula County are no exception.

Indeed, Hess plus-one at COP28, Strohmaier, felt other communities had a lot to learn from the Missoula areas enterprising climate-friendly efforts. The Missoula-based Clean Energy Workforce Coalition, for example, just claimed second place in a U.S. Department of Energy competition and was awarded a $50,000 prize for its clean energy apprenticeship program targeting women workers.

Here we are in the United Arab Emirates, said Strohmaier. We were on the global international scene and recognized as a leader when it comes to climate and sustainability.

COP28 gave the local leaders an opportunity not only to flaunt their work, but also to learn from other international counterparts tackling climate issues. Strohmaier, for example, said he made inroads networking with folks doing data collection on greenhouse gas emissions.

We more often than not need to work and accomplish our climate goals in spite of, not because of, national government action, said Strohmaier. As important as that is, we cannot simply rely upon that.

Strohmaier, an ardent advocate for passenger rail service in Montana, was also impressed with the train system in Dubai, although he also took some alternative transportation in the form of a camel. He said Dubais trains are a testament to the ways local government can address major challenges.

We can only do that if we work across jurisdictional lines on a larger scale, he said, also urging Missoulians to not make the perfect the enemy of the good.

For Hess, too, collaboration and optimism were the key takeaways from the event. He and Strohmaier recognized the challenges that were evident at COP28, like the pressure to massively upscale renewable energy use by 2030. It was the 2015 COP gathering that produced the Paris Agreement pledging governments to stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming.

This work in Missoula is a drop in the bucket, said Hess. But when you zoom out and look, lots of drops will fill the bucket.
For years, Montana has had one of the highest rates of military participation and veterans per capita in the nation. The 2023 Legislature took many steps to both help our men and women in uniform protect our state and country going forward, as well as recognize and honor their service.

First, we passed a new law that prohibits foreign adversaries from owning critical infrastructure and agricultural land in Montana. This is crucial to national defense, making it illegal for hostile competitors like China to buy land near our nuclear missiles at Malmstrom Air Force Base, or purchase influence over telecommunications and energy production systems. Some in Congress keep talking about taking similar steps (while nothing actually happens in D.C.), but we already got it done in Montana thanks to Senator Ken Bogner.

Senator John Fuller passed a bill that exempts 50% of military veterans retirement income from the state income tax, giving a welcome financial boost to Montanans whove served our nation, and encouraging more veterans to make Montana their home after military service.

We also reformed various licensing and educational certifications so that military members, their spouses, and veterans can work in Montana if theyve already achieved certification in another state. Rep. Brad Barker passed that bill. Similarly, Rep. Ed Buttrey sponsored a bill that grants state authorization to daycare providers that have already been licensed by the U.S. Armed Forces. Both of these bills make it easier for the men and women stationed in Montana, and their families, to work and raise a family in Big Sky Country.

Additionally, we passed three bills to help the Montana National Guard, which were sponsored by Sen. Mike Cuffe and Rep. Scot Kerns. Those bills increase pay for National Guard pilots fighting wildfires, provide better workers compensation benefits, and limit liability for care rendered at the scene of an emergency.

Finally, Rep. Braxton Mitchell passed a bill allowing a state veterans cemetery to be created in the Flathead Valley, and Sen. Barry Usher passed a bill to allow crew members of the USS Montana to have Montana license plates, even if they dont live in the state while serving on the submarine.

These new laws all demonstrate the Legislatures commitment to doing what we can at the state level to protect our national security and make life better for those who serve our nation.

As we approach a new year that is likely to feature more military tension abroad and more political conflict at home, its important that we as Montanans redouble our support for our military service members and veterans. We condemn the shameful actions of government officials like the Missoula city councilors who refuse to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lets make 2024 a year of patriotism in Montana. The new laws passed by the Legislature that are going into effect are a great start.
Kids participating in an free family activity during NJPAC's annual Kwanzaa Family Festival and Marketplace December 2022. (New Jersey Performing Arts Center /New Jersey Performing Arts Center)

From New Brunswick to Willingboro, Parsippany to Newark, Kwanzaa events are planned to honor the communitys unity, faith and Kujichagulia  also known as self determination.

In Newark, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will again hold its Kwanzaa Family Festival and Marketplace on Saturday, Dec. 23. For over two decades, NJPAC has hosted this annual festival where guests of all ages are invited to experience free activities and performances that honor Kwanzaas principles.

In 1966, activist Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa to offer people of African heritage a holiday that would celebrate their culture. Starting from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa encompasses seven days dedicated to seven principles, also known as the Nguzo Saba.

Kwanzaa principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Each activity or event at NJPACs Kwanzaa Family Festival embodies one of the principles, according to the center.

Just one day before Christmas Eve, the festival is set to begin from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at NJPAC, located at 1 Center St. in Newark.

Free performances will be held every hour in the centers Prudential Hall Lobby from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free family activities, including dance and drumming classes, face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts workshops, will be held throughout NJPACs indoor campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visitors purchasing books from vendor during NJPAC's annual Kwanzaa Family Festival and Marketplace in December 2022. (New Jersey Performing Arts Center /New Jersey Performing Arts Center)

Additionally, the centers annual Kwanzaa Marketplace will feature local crafters, artists, and merchants, located throughout the centers two floors. Items such as custom and cultural clothing, handcrafted jewelry, candles, books, and art will be up for sale.

NJPACs Community Engagement is honored to produce this long-standing Arts Center tradition, Eyesha Marable, assistant vice president of community engagement, said in a statement. We are excited that our Kwanzaa community has expanded to include 30 partner organizations. Together were building a village for people of all ages to celebrate the arts, music, movement, dance and fashion.

A Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony and a vibunzi  a tradition of honoring young people with an ear of corn (or, in this case, fresh fruits and vegetables)  will be held to represent the hope for the future they bring.

For a complete list of the festivals free events and/or register, click here.

Want more Kwanzaa? Here are nine more Kwanzaa events you can attend:

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom.
Grim.

That was the assessment Thursday of the snowpack situation in the region according to both Alex Leone of the Clark Fork Coalition and Eric Larson, a hydrologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

I agree with Alex, Larson said. Snowpack conditions are grim. Todays snowpack is roughly half of what it should be.

Larson said many SNOTEL (snow telemetry) stations were reporting their lowest or second lowest snowpack measurements on record as of Thursday. A typical SNOTEL remote site consists of measuring devices and sensors, an equipment shelter for the radio telemetry equipment, and an antenna that also supports the solar panels used to keep batteries charged.

Summer streamflows could suffer significantly if things dont turn around. Larson noted there is a lot of winter left.

He said the winter of 2016-17 also began slowly, with a low snowpack but not as low as this winters.

We made a significant recovery in February 2017 and returned to normal conditions, Larson said.

Current low snowpack conditions could have negative implications for both the recreation industry and agriculture.

A Natural Resources Conservation Service map shows that the snowpack in all the major watersheds in southwest Montana is well below normal. The Upper Clark Fork watershed is at 43% of normal; the Lower Clark Fork watershed is at 55% of normal; the Jefferson is at 59% of normal; and, the Madison is at 63% of normal.

The Bitterroot is at 60% of normal.

Hopefully weather patterns change soon, Larson said. Late season precipitation can make a big difference in spring/summer water supply.

Current weather patterns are said to reflect the impact of El Nino, which typically drives warmer and drier than normal conditions in Montana.

Trent Smith, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Missoula, said Friday that El Ninos effects are expected to continue into the April-May timeframe.
While presidential hopeful Nikki Haley admits she wants to be president instead of Donald Trump, she strongly objects to the Colorado ruling that removed the former president name from the state's primary ballot.

During a visit to Muscatine Wednesday as part of her tour of Iowa that will end the night in Davenport, Haley said that she feels the recent Colorado Supreme Court split-ruling disqualifying Trump from holding the presidency under the Constitutions insurrection clause will be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Haley called the Colorado ruling an overreach on democracy, saying it is another example of government trying to dictate actions to the people.

We dont want unelected judges ever deciding who should be on the ballot, she said. That is for the voters to decide. I will defeat Donald Trump fair and square.

While Trump continues to dominate Iowa polls, New Hampshire numbers are showing Haley gaining after consolidating much of the non-Trump vote, making her the top alternate. In Iowa, according to Emerson College polls, Haley polls at 17% in Iowa, two points ahead of Ron DeSantis. Trump still leads with 50%. Haley said her strategy leading up through the caucus is to continue to make her case directly to the voters.

We are making sure they know it is time to put an accountant in the White House, she said. Its time to get our economy under control. Ive called out Republicans and Democrats in that process because they have both been wrong in that."

She also said her focus  with statistics saying only 31% of students in eighth grade are proficient at reading  will be on education. She also plans to focus on the Southern border, saying security threats to the country are real.

Recently, Haley has spoken out against her opponents for the millions of dollars they have spent on advertising, claiming they are filled with false statements.

She spoke of her experience as governor of South Carolina and the need to bring people together for the common good, saying it is something needed in this country.

As a leader, the tone at the top matters, she said. You have to find a way to bring out the best in people to move forward. They have to be invested. We have to end this national self-loathing that has taken over this country. We have to go back to the values of what made this country so great.

During her first days in office, she plans to replace the heads of several federal agencies, as well as incentivize agencies to give back to the taxpayers. She said government needs to get back in the habit of serving the people and not make people think they are working for government.

After months in Iowa courting the vote in the caucus on Jan. 15, Haley said she finds the state reminiscent of her home in rural South Carolina.

I understand the importance of agriculture in a state  my state was like that, she said. When you see these farms, there is a peace about it. It is good to be back in an area that feels like home.

Haley cites her experience in government as why people should vote for her. She held up her governorship of South Carolina  turning it from high unemployment to an economic powerhouse  as well as her experience working with foreign policy.

We cant have politicians of the past trying to lead us into the future, she said. We need to start taking on tough issues with new solutions.

Photos: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump campaigns in Waterloo, Dec. 19 Trump Waterloo 1 Trump Waterloo 2 Trump Waterloo 3 Trump Waterloo 4 Trump Waterloo 5 Trump Waterloo 6 Trump Waterloo 7 Trump Waterloo 8 Trump Waterloo 9 Trump Waterloo 10 Trump Waterloo 11 Trump Waterloo 12
DES MOINES  Two major rail crossings in Texas have been temporarily closed to address an influx of migrants crossing into the U.S., a move Iowas all-Republican congressional delegation sharply criticized this week in a letter to President Joe Bidens administration, citing concerns about the potential impact on Iowa agriculture exports.

In a letter dated Wednesday, the Iowa delegation expressed grave concerns with the Biden administrations closing of major rail crossings between Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the closures are meant to address a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains. The closures will free up customs officers to assist overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol agents who need to take migrants into custody, the Associated Press reported.

In their letter to Biden, the Iowa Republicans called the closures a shortsighted decision that punishes farmers and small businesses. In addition to scathing criticism of the Biden administrations immigration policy and enforcement, the letter notes the impact the rail crossing closures could have on the movement of agricultural goods.

More than a third of U.S. trade with Mexico moves through the two closed crossings, and for every day the crossings are closed, 60 trains sit idle and 4,500 rail cars face delay, the letter notes.

Mexico is the second-largest purchaser of Iowa goods, according to state and federal trade data.

Iowa proudly leads the country in agriculture, with our farmers working day in, day out to feed and fuel the world, the Iowa delegations letter reads. The importance of rail for transporting Iowas grain and agricultural products across the country cannot be overstated.

The letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra.

Agricultural groups and railroad industry leaders also have criticized the closures.

Why it was done

In a response to The Gazette, the White House said the temporary action was needed to address a large number of migrants coming into the U.S. by rail.

DHS took this temporary action in order to stop a large movement of migrants coming by rail and to protect the health and safety of its personnel, a White House spokesman said in an email to The Gazette. We are working closely with the Mexican government in attempt to resolve this issue and also surging personnel to the region. We are communicating regularly with industry leaders to ensure we are assessing and mitigating the impacts of these temporary closures.

Union Pacific estimated its losses  in goods, wages and transportation costs  will exceed $200 million a day if the crossings in both cities remain closed, the Associated Press reported.

The rail cars carry many products, including agricultural products like grain, cars, food and beverage, and industrial commodities, the Associated Press reported.

Migrants often board trains from Mexico into the U.S., but railroad companies also have technologies and systems in place to deter and discover people and contraband entering the country illegally, the Associated Press reported.

Union Pacific told the AP it found only five migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally in the past five weeks.
Jackie Matubia has disclosed that she had to spend over Sh300,000 to secure a divorce from her first husband, Kennedy Njogu.

The pair kicked off their romance in 2014 and welcomed a daughter in 2015 before parting ways in March 2019.

The popular actress opened up about her costly divorce process in an interview with the Nation.

I used roughly Sh300,000 for the process; that would change depending on your case. If you guys have assets together, a problem with child support. There is just a lot.

There are a lot of hearings and so on. My experience was even traumatizing because it occurred during the Covid-19 period. In such cases, you cant go to court; instead, you conduct proceedings online, and then they get canceled. That trauma got to me, Matubia is quoted as saying by the Nation newspaper tabloid, Nairobi News.

Challenges Associated with Divorce in Kenya

The Zora actor expressed reservations about having another white wedding. She pointed out the financial and emotional challenges associated with divorce in Kenya.

As someone who has been married before and gone through the scare of going through the divorce process, divorce in Kenya is not easy, and there is a lot of back and forth. You get scared of being married, getting that certificate, she said.

Also Read  Jackie Matubia on Moving on From Blessing: Im Still in my Healing Process

Divorce is expensive, time-consuming, and getting yourself into it again. There are those that work, but if someone is going through that scare, someone should take time before they can commit to a marriage.

The impact of her divorce was so profound that she expressed a preference for living with someone for an extended period before considering another white wedding.

Dont be in a hurry, and if you can, just be open about it. I was open from day one even before the engagement. I was not sure I would go down that road of a church wedding.

If someone is engaged for 10 years and not married yet, people should understand that some people are scared. I would even stay with the person in the house for over 15 years before I decide to do a wedding.
The governments Expressway revitalization plans are poised to provide Nairobi dwellers with convenient access to the Central Business District (CBD) through the addition of the new exit plaza at Greenpark.

This new Haile Sellasie exit will feature five toll lanes that are expected to further alleviate traffic in the Capital Nairobi.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen praised the Nairobi Expressway as a prominent example of the accomplishments that can be realized through public-private partnerships.

I am pleased to have joined the staff and management of the Moja Expressway at an awards ceremony to mark 19 months of excellent service. The expressway has reduced travel time from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Nairobi from two hours to 20 minutes at no cost to the taxpayer, he said.

The Minister announced that plans are underway to increase the number of lanes at the Museum Hill exit, which currently has only three, by adding two more.

Negotiations with the University of Nairobi for land acquisition are ongoing, he said.

Nairobi Expressway Benefits

CS Murkomen emphasized that beyond the numerous socio-economic benefits it has delivered to the country, the Nairobi Expressway is also enabling the transfer of technology to Kenya.

Its intelligent traffic monitoring system, with a 360-degree view of the entire road, has improved safety and emergency response. It will be a good benchmark for the Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) that we have piloted and are now ready to roll out, said Murkomen. He added, Thanks to the success of the expressway, we are now receiving increasing demand for similar projects. We are therefore considering dualling the Rironi-Mau Summit road and possibly to Eldoret under the PPP. The Nairobi-Mombasa and Athi-River-Namanga highways and the Kiambu road are also potential candidates for tolling.
Angry residents of Duka Moja village in Kakamega County brutally killed an elderly couple and a witch doctor, suspecting them of practicing witchcraft.

The villagers raided the home of 59-year-old Arnold Ambuchi and beat him to death along with his 54-year-old wife, Seraphine Muloki. Additionally, they lynched the couples 60-year-old guest, Ayub Lusweti, a renowned witch doctor from Matete village in Lugari.

According to reports, Mr Lusweti, a father of seven, had visited the couple to perform some rituals.

Dorcas Mukhwana, the widowed wife, said the deceased had been invited by the couple. She emphasized that he was an innocent man earning a living in an honorable manner.

Just like any other day when he is going out to work, he did not disclose to me where he was heading. However, when he failed to return home after two days I got suspicious because it was unlike him, Ms Mukhwana said.

Upon discovering the presence of the witch doctor in the village, enraged residents reportedly stormed the home where he was allegedly performing rituals. They attacked him with machetes, along with his hosts.

Villagers Accuse Witchdoctor of Mysterious Deaths and Bewitching Children

Some villagers who spoke anonymously to Nation attributed a series of mysterious deaths in the village to Ayubs craft. They also accused him of bewitching their school-going children.

The elder brother of the deceased, Luka Lusweti, reported that they received information from a relative two days after Ayub had gone missing. The relative said Ayubs lifeless body had been found in a bush in Malava.

My brother was killed without any mistake. He was a family man trying to eke out a living. If his killers felt that he was involved in something illegal, they should have apprehended him and handed him over to the authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands, Lusweti said as quoted by the media.

Reportedly, Ayub had often visited the home where he was killed to perform similar rituals. While the exact nature of the rituals he was conducting remains unclear, witchdoctors are typically believed to be healers who treat ailments attributed to witchcraft.

His uncle, Josiah Juma, insisted that Ayub was neither a killer nor a dangerous man. He emphasized, There are several ways one can earn a living, and its acceptable in the laws of Kenya. My nephew was just doing his job, unfortunately, it cost him his life.

Kakamega County Police Commander Joseph Kigen confirmed the incident, stating that his officers had initiated an investigation into the matter.

He assured that those who lynched the trio would soon be brought to justice. Subsequently, the three bodies were transferred to the Kakamega County Referral Hospital mortuary, pending a postmortem examination.
For generations, the local media has provided detailed accounts of how Napa County residents have celebrated the holidays. Many of these observances remain the same today. Although on occasion the newspapers would report true accounts of special holiday moments.

The arrival and public appearance of the Jolly Ol Elf Himself, AKA Santa Claus, has been a dependable time-honored Yuletide custom. His seasonal debuts have frequently been associated with parades sponsored by the merchants of the Napa County communities. However in the 1960s, following the opening of the new Montgomery Wards department store located in the Bel-Aire Plaza (now a Target store), Father Christmas made quite an impressive arrival in a futuristic conveyance.

The north Napa shopping center was packed on that sunny December day with not only children eagerly waiting to see Santa, but also avid aviation enthusiasts wanting to see Santas modern sleigh. In awe, that crowd witnessed the Man in the Red Suit arrive in a helicopter constructed of Plexiglas and metal framing. It was a first for Napa. This unique arrival of Santa Claus also became a long-remembered Christmas memory for those Mid-century Bel-Aire shoppers.

Also in the 1960s, one 18-month-old girl dared not even dream of a gift from Santa Claus or of any type of Christmas joy as she laid in a soiled diaper on a bare mattress on the floor. She was all alone in a dark room. Fortunately for this little one, whose name was never revealed by the Register, a concerned neighbor had called the Napa Police Department.

When the officers arrived at the Napa residence they were greeted by the childs mother who had not a care about her toddler daughters welfare. Yet she doted on her 2 1/2 year old son who cuddled up next to the woman as she casually pointed to a bedroom door. The little girl did not make a sound as the officers entered her room. She also avoided eye contact with them as they wrapped her up in a warm blanket that cold December evening before taking custody of her.

While the toddler bore signs of neglect and abuse, in stark contrast, her older brother was happy, well-fed, clothed and nurtured by their mother. The woman was only too happy to sign the release of her parental rights for her daughter.

As all this was taking place, word quickly spread through the Napa Police Department about the child and her pending arrival at the station. In anticipation of the little ones arrival the department staff and officers rushed out to buy clothes, toys and necessary supplies for the child. The Register added they also purchased cigars with pink bands for one another to mark the arrival of their surrogate daughter.

Prior to her arrival at the station, the toddler was examined by a local doctor then bathed and dressed by his staff. Upon her arrival at the station, the baby girl was welcomed by each member of the Napa Police Department with a smile, gentle greeting, hug and kiss. The Register surmised those kindnesses were possibly the first embraces and sincere compassion ever experienced in her young life.

That night the little girl slept in a warm bed under the watchful eyes of her foster parents. And, the next morning being Christmas Day, she had countless gifts from her Napa Police department Santas to open. She also now had a chance for a better life.

The final story of this trilogy of special holiday moments was printed in the local newspapers about a century earlier. Occurring in the 1870s, this event was an unforgettable beginning of a New Year for a group of friends and the community of Napa.

It all began with a group of young men who had gathered at their usual local watering hole. Their conversation quickly jumped from the usual banter to the topic of a most astonishing bit of news. One member of the group dramatically announced the discovery of a wild woman living in the hills east of Napa, now know as Alta Heights.

This group became very animated by the prospect of such a damsel in distress. However, before they left for the Alta Heights area they challenged one another with wagers. That wager was whomever was able to rescue, and capture, the wild woman and bring her into town would be the winning team.

Shortly after they arrived at the eastern hills the wild woman was spotted and the chase was on! For hours they pursued her. On one occasion, they almost caught her. But being surprisingly strong for a woman, she got away.

Bound and determined to rescue the wild woman the men returned to the hills the next day. Finally, hours later, a few of the young gents cornered her. However, much to their chagrin, she was a he! It was also revealed the man disguised as a woman was none other than their friend who announced the sensational news of a wild woman living in the eastern hills of Napa.

Having been unable to rescue and bring the wild woman into Napa the gullible young men had to settle up the wager. The next day the entire group gathered at their favorite saloon. There, the losing members of the group had to pay for several rounds of drinks for the proud masterminds of an unforgettable holiday hoax.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
They were searching for spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Instead, the six men were subject to "rampant, unceasing sexual abuse" by their spiritual guide, in concert with members of a controversial religious group and workers at an award-winning Northern California winery, the men allege in court documents.

The unnamed plaintiffs filed a lawsuit Friday in Yuba County against the Fellowship of Friends  a nonprofit religious group described by some as a cult  along with its founder and spiritual teacher, Robert Earl Burton, and its award-winning Renaissance Vineyard and Winery.

Fellowship of Friends bills itself as an organization that helps members reach their true potential, an upscale throwback to the erstwhile Bay Area communes that separated participants from society so they could pursue self-realization. Former fellowship members, however, allege the group is really a cult of personality masquerading as a nonprofit, and that its true purpose is to satisfy Burton's sexual needs. On the side, the Fellowship created a famed winery whose lists of honors and accolades for its Cabernet Sauvignons, Sauvignon Blancs and Riesling span pages.

Their civil complaint seeks damages for 15 alleged violations, including gender violence, human trafficking, sexual assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs are also asking for a trial by jury.

Adam Slater, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said that although male sexual assault survivors experience "the same trauma as women," stigma hinders the filing of criminal or civil lawsuits.

"We commend these brave individuals for coming forward and encourage others to do the same," Slater said in a statement.

Fellowship President Greg Holman told The Times that his organization "has been made aware of the lawsuit" but has yet to be served.

Holman declined to comment when asked about the allegations and his personal interactions with Burton.

The Fellowship of Friends was established in 1970 by Burton, a former schoolteacher.

According to the Fellowship, members are encouraged to "learn both the principles of awakening and practical methods to apply those in their daily life." Students are aided in this journey by Burton, 84, who is referred to as "The Teacher," according to court documents.

Burton has told members he is guided by dozens of angels, including Abraham Lincoln, Plato and Jesus Christ.

The organization's main campus is on a 1,300-acre tract in the Northern California community of Oregon House and is called Apollo. There, members drink fine wine, listen to opera and gaze upon expensive artwork.

Yet the plaintiffs asserted that the organization has a dark and "secret" side.

They allege they were "sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, harassed, groomed, and/or otherwise attacked" during their time at Apollo.

Five of the men were members from 1971 to 1986; the last plaintiff joined in 1997 and left in 2008.

Five of the plaintiffs said they suffered some form of sexual abuse or harassment from four to 30 times.

A sixth said he was "sexually harassed, abused, molested and assaulted" between 280 and 300 times over an eight-year period.

Burton and the organization made sure the balance of power was in their favor, the lawsuit alleges, as they maintained control of the men with threats of punishment and insistence on obedience. They quashed rebellion with "isolation, sleep deprivation [and] the creation of inner conflict."

But the lawsuit also alleges that Burton lavished the men with praise and affection  "love bombing" them as a means of seduction and coercion, the lawsuit alleges.

Although Burton maintained that homosexuality was "degenerate" and "wrong," the lawsuit says, he justified his pursuit of male members by referring to them as "feminine angels in a man's body."

A few of those suing were part of a "harem" of men who accompanied Burton throughout the day and were known as "Burton's Boys."

Burton told them "they are not sleeping with a man but an angel," according to the lawsuit.

Between 2002 and 2005, the Fellowship hosted "Lovefests" on Valentine's Day. On those days, Burton attempted to have sex with 100 men a day, falling short and sexually assaulting "between 70-80" men during these events, the lawsuit states.

He continued to assault members for decades with few repercussions because the handful of sexual abuse allegations made against him were primarily internal and never curtailed his activities, the lawsuit alleges. A female staffer filed complaints with the FBI in 2015 and 2019, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided the Fellowship twice as part of an investigation into its use of religious visas.

Members who pressed the organization's board and Burton about the alleged sexual misconduct were shunned and kicked out, according to the lawsuit.

Samuel Sanders, director of the Fellowship board, was excommunicated after he wrote an internal email to fellow board members in 1981. "Burton has over the years pursued and sodomized young men. He has used his position to seduce these young men," Sanders wrote, according to the lawsuit. "Our omission, and it is one in the strictest sense, is allowing it to continue."

The men behind the lawsuit said in court documents that they are suffering from a variety of ailments, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse and panic attacks.

"Because the abuse here was committed by a so-called spiritual leader and enabled by the organization, it was all the more insidious," plaintiffs' attorney Slater said.

The men have also struggled in personal and romantic relationships, according to the lawsuit, and are pushing for the opportunity to tell a jury about their experiences.
ATLANTA  Its unclear to Tameka how  or even when  her children became unenrolled from Atlanta Public Schools. But it was traumatic when, in fall 2021, they figured out it had happened.

After more than a year of online learning, students were all required to come back to school. Tameka was skeptical the schools could keep her kids safe from COVID-19. One morning, in a test run, she sent two kids to school.

Her oldest daughter, then in seventh grade, and her second youngest, a boy entering first grade, boarded buses. She had yet to register the youngest girl, who was entering kindergarten. And her older son, a boy with Down syndrome, stayed home because she wasnt sure he could mask.

After a few hours, one school called: Come pick up your son, they told her. He was no longer enrolled.

Around lunchtime, the other called: Come get your daughter, they told her. She doesnt have a class schedule.

Tamekas children  all four of them  have been home ever since.

Thousands of students went missing from American classrooms during the pandemic. For some who have tried to return, a serious problem has presented itself. Onerous re-enrollment requirements, arcane paperwork and the everyday obstacles of poverty are preventing those children from going back.

One of the biggest problems that we have is kids that are missing and chronic absenteeism, says Pamela Herd, a Georgetown University public policy professor. Im really taken aback that a district would set forth a series of policies that make it actually quite difficult to enroll.

In Atlanta, where Tameka lives, parents must present at least eight documents to enroll their children. One of them  a complicated certificate evaluating a childs health  is required by the state. Most of the others are Atlantas doing, including Social Security cards and a notarized residency affidavit.

The district asks for proof of residency for existing students every year at some schools, and also before sixth and ninth grades, to prevent students from attending schools outside of their neighborhoods. The policy also allows the district to request residency proof after an extended absence. Without that proof, families say their children have been disenrolled.

Tamekas kids have essentially been out of school since COVID hit in March 2020. (Tameka is her middle name. The AP is withholding her full name because she runs the risk of jail time or losing custody since her kids arent in school.)

Tamekas partner died of a heart attack in May 2020. His death left her overwhelmed and penniless. Tameka never graduated from high school and has never gotten a drivers license. But her partner worked construction and had a car.

Suddenly, she had four kids to care for by herself, with only government cash assistance to live on. Because her kids were home during the early days of COVID, she couldnt work.

When Tamekas children didnt return to school, she also worried about the attention from the child welfare department. She says staff visited her in spring 2021 after the school reported her childrens absences.

The social workers interviewed the children, then said theyd be back to set her up with resources. For more than two years, she says, they never came back.

When the kids missed 10 straight days of school that fall, the district removed them from its rolls, citing a state regulation. Tameka now had to re-enroll them.

Suddenly, another tragedy of her partners death became painfully obvious. He was carrying all the familys important documents in his backpack when he died. It was never found.

Slowly, Tameka has tried to replace the missing documents. She says it took more than a year to get Medicaid cards to take her children to the doctor for the health verifications and immunizations the school requires.

When she called for a doctors appointment in October, the office said the soonest they could see her children was December.

She also needs to show the school her own identification and a new lease, plus the notarized affidavit. Its a lot.

Tameka says no one from the district has offered her guidance.

The only face-to-face meeting was in October 2021, when Tameka sent her kids on the bus, only to learn they werent enrolled. A staffer wrote: Student lost father in May 2020 and only other barrier is uniforms.

Our Student Services Team went above and beyond to help this family, wrote Atlanta communications director Seth Coleman.

In some cities, even during the pandemic, school staff checked on families in person. In Atlanta, Coleman said, the district avoided in-person contact because of COVID.

To many observers, Tamekas troubles stem from Atlantas rapid gentrification. The city, known for its Black professional class, also boasts the countrys largest wealth disparity between Black and white families.

It looks good from the curb, but when you get inside you see that Black and brown people are worse off economically than in West Virginia, says Frank Brown, who heads Communities in Schools of Atlanta, which runs dropout-prevention programs.

They make it so damned hard, says Kimberly Dukes, an Atlanta parent who co-founded an organization to help families advocate for their children.

On a typical school day, Tamekas children sleep late and stay inside watching television.

The youngest, who should be in second grade, has had to settle for playing school. Even at 8, she understands its not the real thing.

I want to go to school, she says, and see what its like.

6 hidden (and not-so-hidden) factors driving America's student absenteeism crisis 6 hidden (and not-so-hidden) factors driving America's student absenteeism crisis
What do you get the person who has everything for Christmas?

I speak of Cheryl, who actually doesnt have everything, but seems to have all she needs or wants. Im left mired in frustration.

Almonds covered in Sees dark chocolate were once my go-to. Then Cheryl began rejecting edibles just as she had previously rejected wearables and decorables and kitchenables.

Im happy with what I have, she said sweetly. When I need something, Ill buy it myself.

Her message sank in. Come December, I now let the woman be. I let myself be as well. While I am not free of all materialistic yearnings, they do not spike at Christmas.

I have a friend who is giving his wife a wheelbarrow this year. I do not judge. He must know how to please his mate. If hes misjudged, I wouldnt want to witness the Christmas morning carnage.

Cheryl and I are not Scrooges when it comes to our five adult children and three grandchildren. The small ones always get something. The one who happens to live nearby gets more than the two in faraway Long Beach.

For our adult children, gifts are matched to needs. Sometimes a little money is bestowed. Sometimes a New Yorker subscription is renewed. Sometimes clothing from Costco does the job.

When I was a kid, I loved everything about Christmas. The break from school, the decorated tree, the carols that could move me to tears, the feasting. I remember everyone being happy.

That could be a false memory. The holidays can be an emotion and financial pressure cooker. Was my mom beset at times? Did I squabble more with my siblings?

One memory I swear by: there were always more gifts under the tree on Christmas morning than I had anticipated. The year my brother and I got our first two-wheelers, I was so gobsmacked by the enormity of this gift that my growing skepticism about Santas existence instantly evaporated.

A couple of years later I got a BB gun, not from Santa but from my dad who apparently knew how badly I wanted to shoot things. What followed was the decimation of the local bird population.

This occurred in rural Connecticut where a kid firing away at anything that flew was apparently not a big deal. A neighbor up the road who ran a commercial egg farm even hired me to kill the birds that stole seeds from his chickens.

I teamed up with the boy next door who also had a new BB gun. We amassed several dozen tiny carcasses  enough for a Robin Hood barbecue. There wasnt much meat on a sparrow, but there was the occasional BB.

Im cringing with you. What in heavens name was I doing? Why did my parents tolerant this? At the very least, shouldnt they have worried that I would shoot my eyes out?

All I can say is that this was the 50s. The dads were back from war. Mass shootings of American civilians hadnt yet become a thing.

My parents would have never considered buying one of those new-fangled artificial Christmas trees which were beginning to be popular. As an adult with my own family, neither would I.

My kids have solid memories of hunting for the perfect tree at Napa tree farms, which for a time all seemed to be operated as side gigs by airline pilots. Hoping to save a few bucks, I was always looking for the smallest, most deformed tree, they say.

I cant say their memories are wrong, but in the end it all worked out. Once decorated, every tree became the best tree ever.

My son Dennis backs me up on this. When questioned earlier this month by his father, he said his childhood Christmases were just about perfect.
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Zhoghovurd newspaper of Armenia writes as follows: In order to stop the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] on September 19, the authorities of Artsakh had to accept the preconditions of Azerbaijan: surrender of the historical territory of Artsakh, disarmament, and which led to the de-Armenianization of the second Armenian state.

On September 28, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan had signed a decree, according to which the Republic of Artsakh will cease to exist as of January 1, 2024.

First, let us record that a decree signed by any official cannot dissolve Artsakh, as it is a sovereign state created by the people's referendum, with its own state organizations and attributes.

Samvel Shahramanyan himself has stated that no document can dissolve the state created by the people, thus also sending a message that the decree he signed has no legal force. In this case, it is perhaps strange why Shahramanyan himself does not officially announce that he is canceling the decree he signed.

Moreover, as reported by the sources of Zhoghovurd daily, there is already a decree to cancel that document which has no legal force, but, for some reason, the Artsakh government avoids publicizing it.

It is also important that this cancellation decree be publicized before the end of the year, so that this message is officially given to the international community.

Thus, there is little time left for the entry into force of the Artsakh dissolution document, and time will tell how the Artsakh government will act.
The death toll as a result of Israeli strikes in Gaza has exceeded 20 thousand, and more than 53 thousand people have been injured, reports the ministry of health of this Palestinian enclave.

Since October 7, the number of casualties of Israel's aggression has reached 20,057, and the number of wounded has reached 53,320, according to the aforesaid ministry's statement which was publicized on Telegram.

As per the Gaza Ministry of Health, 390 Palestinians were killed and 734 were injured in the last two days.

The ministry added that hundreds of wounded die in the north of this Palestinian enclave due to the suspension of the work of medical facilities.
Russia and Armenia are discussing new agreements on technico-military cooperation, Russian ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin told TASS.

"In some individual contracts, there are indeed matters related to the obligations of Russian enterprises to fulfill the national defense order. But these are work matters that are resolved as a result of the dialogue between the relevant departments of Russia and Armenia," said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Armenia.

According to Kopyrkin, practically all contracts signed between the two countries in technico-military cooperation were completed on time and with high quality.

The Russian ambassador emphasized that the technico-military cooperation between the two countries has a long tradition and is based on the agreement signed on June 25, 2013 on the development of technico-military cooperation between Russia and Armenia.
UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe, Regina De Dominicis, has concluded her first official visit to Armenia, the UNICEF Armenia office informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

During the visit, De Dominicis met with Government officials Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport; Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health; Paruyr Hovhanisyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tigran Khachatryan, Deputy Prime Minister; and Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Discussions focused on support to the ongoing reforms and key priorities for children in Armenia.

De Dominicis reaffirmed UNICEFs commitment to continue working across the humanitarian-development nexus with the government to reach all children with equitable access to protection services, health care, education and social support, including refugee children and families.

In response to the influx of refugees in September, UNICEF has trained hundreds of frontline social service professionals to provide psychological first aid and mental health care, already reaching 7,025 children, adolescents and caregivers.

Displacement is deeply distressing for children. We must not forget that 30,000 refugee children and families require ongoing psychological support and continuous access to critical services, said De Dominicis. UNICEF is appealing for USD $12.6 million to meet the needs of refugee children and families until March 2024. This appeal is only 40 percent funded.

Nearly 3,700 school-age children have received school bags, stationery and other learning supplies and a 320-strong workforce of educators in kindergartens across five regions have been trained to ensure an inclusive learning environment for all children. Families of 14,000 children are set to receive clothing vouchers this year and 2,500 pregnant women and new mothers will receive pharmacy vouchers.

During the visit, together with Ms Anahit Manasyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia, De Dominicis also met with children and caregivers at a UNICEF-supported centre that provides care and support to vulnerable children and families, including survivors of violence and refugees. The Fund for Armenian Relief Childrens Support Center gives children and their families a safe space to access critical services including psychosocial support, health care, and helps prevent family separation.

I met a young girl called Hilda who despite her struggles told me that she enjoys her school, loves maths and wants to become a painter. She loves to come to the centre because she finds peace in it. The centre is a lifeline for children and their families, and social workers and psychosocial support professionals are doing an incredible work in case management and referral, said De Dominicis.

UNICEF continues to work with the Armenian Government, partners and civil society to increase access to mental health and psychosocial assistance for children and their parents, while continuing to strengthen community-based services in the long term.

UNICEF has been working in Armenia since 1994 and has been supporting the Government in the design and implementation of programs to address the needs of Armenias children in areas of child protection, education, health care, and social policy, with a focus on the most vulnerable.
I don't rule it out. This is how the speaker of the National Assembly (NA) off Armenia, Alen Simonyan, responded speaking with reporters in the NA Fridayand referring to the statement by the Russian ambassador to Armenia that new talks have begun on the arms deal between Armenia and Russia.

To remind, Russian ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin had told TASS that new agreements on technico-military cooperation between Russia and Armenia were being discussed.

"You say it's about weapons, and you want me to tell you everything. It is a general discussion in which all quoted matters can be included. Wait, let's see what it is," said the speaker of the Armenian parliament.

Also, Simonyan emphasized that the Russian side not only did not want, but was unable to sell weapons to Armenia.

"I am not even sure that we can say until the end that we will have what we will negotiate. We will live, we will see," he added.

Regarding the remark that technico-military agreements are being discussed amid an anti-Russian backdrop in Armenia, the NA speaker said: "Who has an anti-Russian backdrop? The word anti-Russian is wrong because the Armenian and Russian peoples are friendly peoples. There is nothing anti-Russian in Armenia, there is dislike towards the policy, for the steps that have been taken in recent years. Let's not turn it into an anti-Russian backdrop."

In addition, Alen Simonyan did not rule out that next year Armenia will take over the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"Thanks to that cooperation, our economy also provides growth. And I believe the [Armenian] government will make the right decision," said the speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov came to Yerevan, then went to Baku, and Azerbaijan attacked the borders of Armenia. What conclusions do you draw from this? Did the Russian side provoke the war? A reporter asked this question in the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia to NA speaker Alen Simonyan.

In response Simonyan said: "It's bad, very bad. What conclusions should I draw? Are you now waiting for the president of the NA to make accusations against the neighboring state? I will not make such a statement. I believe that the public of Armenia and the population of Nagorno-Karabakh know the reality very well, and the disappointment that happened in Nagorno-Karabakh. Do you remember? They were writing the letter Z, opening up [Russian president] Putin's picture, writing, 'Thank you, Russia.' All that changed in one day, and we saw that the Russian peacekeepers [in Nagorno-Karabakh] allowedwith inactionand escorted the Armenian population out of Karabakh. I believe that there is no need to make specific, direct statements."

To the question why Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan constantly reminds about this. Alen Simonyan responded: "It is constantly difficult to hear that they want to create the impression that as if all this happened when just a year ago Armenia said that it recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. That is, they have found a point, they are constantly talking about it so that it becomes reality; but it will not become reality."

He added, however, that Russia is an allied country o Armenia.

"We [i.e. Armenia] are working in the direction that the ally will at least start fulfilling its obligations [towards Armenia] at some point," said the head of the Armenian legislature.
It is natural that the CSTO will not want to leave Armenia; their leaving is manifested by their steps. Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, told this to reporters in the NA Friday.

Simonyan said that the position of the Armenian side towards the CSTO will change when this organization declares that the Azerbaijani military is located in the sovereign territory of Armeniai.e. in the CSTO territoryand they, with all other countries, demand that these military forces leave the sovereign territory of Armenia.

"Until there is an approximately similar statement, political assessment, political effort, there is no need for Belarusian, Kazakh soldiers to come here and force [them] out until there is something in the form of such a statement. The CSTO is not working. If the CSTO does not defend its territory, then the CSTO does not work," added the speaker of the Armenian parliament.
The presidential decree on dissolution of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) no longer exists. Vladimir Grigoryan, adviser to Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan, claimed this in an interview with the RFE/RL Armenian Service. He emphasized that the basis for this is the October 19 decree by the president, in accordance with which the president, minister of state, members of the government, the parliament, the secretary of the security council, law enforcement agencies, the mayor of capital Stepanapakert, and the heads of administrative regions of Artsakh continue to hold office on a public basis; that is, without remuneration.

Samvel Shahramanyan's aforesaid decree adds that the documents issued on behalf of the Republic of Artsakh after October 1 are valid.

"Already with that decree, we can consider that Mr. Shahramanyan has canceled the decree he signed on September 28. That is, the Artsakh Republic, the government, and all other [state] agencies will continue their activities after 2024, Grigoryan said.

Does this mean that Samvel Shahramanyan will no longer sign a new decree on canceling his September 28 decree on the dissolution of Artsakh? Shouldn't we wait for a new decree?

No, there is no need to wait. Since the decision to dissolve Artsakh was illegal and the decree of October 19 was adopted after that, and a number of legal normative acts were also adopted, it implies that the Republic of Artsakh will be after 2024.

Won't there be legal issues? Have you discussed this matter with lawyers?

Of course, all that has been discussed. We can consider that the decree of September 28 no longer exists.
Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Samvel Shahramanyan on Friday metin Armeniawith the heads of the Artsakh state agencies who continue to hold office on a public basis.

The main problems of the people of Artsakh after their forced displacement were discussed, and recommendations for their solution were made, Armenian News-NEWS.am learns from the Artsakh Information Center.

Presenting the completed and ongoing activities, President Shahramanyan emphasized the need to continue them in 2024 as well, and instructed the mayor of Artsakh capital Stepanakert and the heads of regional administrations to continue inventorying the problems of forcibly displaced Artsakh citizens and submit them to the government on a regular basis.

And reflecting on his presidential decree of September 26, which has been widely discussed in recent times, Samvel Shahramanyan stressed that there is no document in the legal domain of Artsakh that envisages the dissolution of its state institutions.
In the case when in 2020 the budget of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia was 28 billion drams, in 2024 this number will initially be 91 billion drams, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"With its last three years of work, the Ministry of Economy has shown that we always fulfill the allocated budget. I am sure that the investment we are making in the economy [of Armenia] brings the results you see," said Kerobyan.

"In 2022-2023, Armenia's economy is in the top ten fastest growing economies in the world. I believe it will be in the top five this year. This shows that Armenia's economic policy can be considered successful," added the minister of economy.
Cooperation between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is developing with dynamism in virtually all domains.

The UAE is the first trade partner of Armenia in the region. Tourism between them is developing considerably. There are about 30 weekly flights between Yerevan and various cities of the UAE. Direct air connections with UAE cities serve also as a transit route for Armenian citizens to travel to various destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Accordingly, there is a need to change the visa and respective fee requirements between the two countries.

The protocol to amend the memorandum of understandingsigned in 2009between the governments of Armenia and the UAE on the exemption from the requirement to obtain an entry visa for persons holding diplomatic passports was signed on September 7, 2023. Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, on Friday presented in the National Assembly the draft to ratify the agreement on amending it.

"As a result of the ratification of the protocol, citizens of the two countries with passports with a validity period of not less than six months can enter, exit, and move through the territories of their respective countries without a visa or fee. Passports exempt from the requirement to obtain an entry visa are considered the valid, diplomatic, special, official, and ordinary passports of both countries. Citizens holding the said passport are allowed to stay in the territory of the other country for a maximum period of 90 days," said Kostanyan.

According to the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Armenia, the memorandum of understanding signed in 2009 is valid from January 14, 2021. This protocol has already completed its domestic process on the Emirati side and will enter into full force 30 days after the completion of domestic procedures envisioned for its entry into force.

"If the parliament approves the given document today, it will not come into effect automatically, immediately, and our citizens will have to be a little more patient, wait for us to finish the domestic procedure. That is, it will be signed, and we will inform the Emirati side about it, after which the [Armenian] MFA will also publicly announce when our citizens will be able to travel to the UAE without a visa," said the deputy foreign minister of Armenia.
In recent weeks, Armenia has ordered air-defense systems and radars from France and was reported to have ordered anti-drone systems from India, reports Business Insider.

Those orders come amid heightened tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has fought several conflicts, including a short clash in September that ended with Azerbaijan conquering the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, causing its 120,000 ethnic-Armenian residents to flee.

The acquisitions are notable not only for their timing but also because they show Armenia is taking tangible steps to lessen its dependency on military hardware from Russia, a longtime ally that has offered Yerevan little support against mounting pressure from Azerbaijan.

Armenia's six-week war with Azerbaijan in 2020 captured worldwide attention for Azerbaijan's use of aerial drones. At a press conference to announce the sale in October, France's defense minister said air defenses were "absolutely key" and that Paris was aiding Yerevan with sales of three Thales GM 200 radars and an agreement on the future delivery of short-range Mistral air-defense missiles.

"Armenia's choice to order air-defense systems from France is a significant one," James Rogers, an expert on drones and precision warfare, told Business Insider. "Not only does it highlight to Russia that Armenia has options when it comes to defense cooperation, but it marks a major leap forward in Armenia's attempts to modernize its military."

Reports in early November indicated Yerevan was also buying more weaponry from India, including Zen anti-drone systems, which are designed to detect and bring down enemy drones. Armenia previously bought four Indian-made Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers in 2022, the first foreign order of that system.

Nicholas Heras, the senior director of strategy and innovation at the New Lines Institute, told Business Insider that Armenia was advancing its foreign and national security policies on two tracks.

"One track is to build defense alliances with more powerful outside actors in Eurasia, and the second track is to improve the Armenian military's ability to defend against Azeri airpower in tactical engagements," Heras said. "India, in particular, is a prized defense partner with Armenia because India has a large defense industry that can also arm and improve Russian weapons platforms which Armenia deploys."

Armenia's military arsenal has long been predominantly Russian, but Yerevan has attempted to change that as its relations with Moscow have soured, especially after its devastating defeat in the 2020 war, during which Azerbaijan used Israeli- and Turkish-made weapons.

Russia has failed to aid Armenia despite Yereven's membership in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. In addition to being tied down by the war in Ukraine, Russia is most likely irked by Armenia moving closer to Washington and the West under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has long questioned the value of CSTO membership.

"Armenia's partnership with Russia is at a low ebb, and Pashinyan is pushing forward, slowly but surely, to bring Armenia closer to NATO, including the prospect of normalizing Armenia's relations with Turkey," Heras said.

Heras added that over the past two years, the US had been sending "a strong signal" that it "would like to test out the prospect for a more strategic US-Armenian security relationship."

Washington and Yerevan seemed to demonstrate mutual interest in closer defense relations in September when Armenia hosted a bilateral exercise focused on training for peacekeeping operations.

Eighty-five US troops trained alongside 175 Armenia personnel during the drill, which was "a testament to our longstanding partnership with Armenia and builds upon decades of successful peacekeeping and security cooperation," the US Embassy in Armenia said in a statement.

Russia, predictably, opposed the exercise, and Yerevan has kept its distance since then. Pashinyan skipped the organization's summit in mid-November, a move Russia accused the West of orchestrating.

Armenia under Pashinyan has tried to move away from Russia "by building a web of strategic partnerships," Heras said. "Fundamentally, Pashinyan does not want to depend on Russia to ensure Armenia's territorial integrity and security, and his effort to build the relationship with the United States works toward this goal."

Acquiring weaponry from other countries serves a similar purpose, but Armenia's recent purchases also reflect the sensitivity of its international position.

The Mistral missile has a relatively short range of 4 miles, suggesting the sale is meant to bolster Armenia's arsenal but was made with potential political backlash in mind. Turkey has criticized French arms sales to Yerevan. (Azerbaijan has also criticized the recent French and Indian arms sales to Armenia.)

Rogers said that "range is important in war" and that it enabled strikes on a wider set of targets. "In order not to destabilize the region or risk an outbreak of hostilities, therefore, Armenia and France have agreed to these short-range yet effective air-defense systems."

Heras said that the main quandary facing Armenian foreign policy was it could not afford to sever ties with Russia despite recent tensions, but it also could not trust Russia to intervene on its side if there's another war with Azerbaijan. The need to strike a balance between Russia and new partners while bolstering its small military with limited resources complicates Armenia's task.

"Armenia needs to purchase weapons that improve its ability to pursue a 'porcupine strategy,'" making itself a more threatening target for Azerbaijan if the two countries go to war again, Heras said.

Buying French and Indian short-range air-defense weapons that could be used by small infantry units is "a potentially cost-effective way to impose higher costs on Azerbaijan's drone airpower," Heras added.
12:18

The rat-hole miners who played a vital role in the evacuation of 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel have refused to encash the cheques of Rs 50,000 given to them recently by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.





The rat-hole miners said the chief minister's gesture was 'not commensurate' with the role they had played.





"It was a desperate situation. We chipped in when the machines had failed to reach the trapped workers. We drilled manually through the debris risking our lives without putting any preconditions. We appreciate the gesture of the chief minister but are not satisfied with the amount that was given to us," Vakil Hassan, who headed the team of the rat-hole miners, told PTI.





"The role of rat-hole miners in the operation was heroic but what they got from the government was sadly not adequate," he said.





The 12 rat-hole miners honoured by the state government have collectively decided not to encash the cheques, he said.





"I conveyed our dissatisfaction to the chief minister the day the cheques were handed to us. We returned after being assured by the officials that some announcement regarding us will be made in a couple of days. However, if the promise is not kept, we will return the cheques," Hassan said.





Hassan said permanent jobs for the rat-hole miners who helped in the operation is what they expect from the state government.





Munna, a rat-hole miner who works for Rockwell Enterprises, a firm headed by Hassan, and was among the first to reach the trapped workers said, the amount given to them was not adequate considering the kind of effort they put in to rescue the trapped workers.





"We literally entered the jaws of death to rescue the trapped workers. We did not listen to our family members as human lives had to be saved," he said.





"Cheques of Rs 50,000 is too paltry a sum to acknowledge our role. It lowers our morale. A permanent job or a house to live in would have been more appropriate," Munna, who lives in an 8/10 room with his children, said.





Chief Minister Dhami on Thursday honoured 12 rat-hole miners with cheques of Rs 50,000 each.





The rat-hole miners had manually drilled the final stretch of about 15 metres through the debris in the collapsed part of the tunnel in claustrophobic conditions to prepare an escape passage made of MS steel pipes for the trapped workers.





Rat-hole mining was the last strategy adopted by the rescuers after several attempts to reach the workers with the help of auger machines failed to produce the desired results.





The workers had remained locked up in a part of the tunnel for seventeen days after its partial collapse on November 12. -- PTI


PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 22: New Year resolutions often break, but what if you can create intentions that lead to achieving your final goals, suggests Ilashrei Anand, the UNESCO Awardee and renowned Certified Yoga Psychologist, who's been consistently guiding people for over a decade now to achieve their big dreams through Yoga Psychology. Ilashrei Anand, the 40under40 Businessworld Wellbeing winner, also emphasises normalising taking therapy, especially Yoga Psychology, to resolve any issues in one's life, whether relationships, mental health, physical wellbeing, or even career. Ilashrei Anand says most of us only recognise Yoga as a physical activity whereas Yoga is literally the world's first-ever documented study of the human mind and how to maximise its potential. Ilashrei Anand gives us some invaluable insights into Yoga Psychology and on how to achieve our New Year goals. First, Sankalp (create an intention) towards the bigger goal.For example, if the Goal is to have a work-life balance, then create a Sankalp around the problem area, like, "I choose to spend my time wisely." Now break down this Sankalp into three simple but powerful Yoga concepts. Drishti (focussed gaze), which here means, maintaining a clear focus on smaller, manageable tasks for work-life balance rather than keeping a full-fledged timetable that often cracks. So, say you take out 5 minutes to video call family during lunch break instead of waiting for the day to end and spend time with them, which often gets compromised due to sudden random plans, binge-watching, or simply being super exhausted. Gradually, keep adding to this list, like, 3 minutes of Swadhyay (self-analysis) during a coffee break, etc. Abhyas (regular practice) which emphasises the cumulative effect of small, consistent efforts over time, to achieve bigger victories. So, Abhyas, in this case, can be setting reminders, sticky notes, alarms, etc, for your Drishti, which here is 5-minute family call or 3 minutes of Swadhyay. Vairagya (non -attachment): Applying this concept to Sankalp or goal setting involves enjoying the process regardless of the final result. Hence, no matter how good /bad the call with family goes, or how incomplete or poor your Swadhyay happens, you are required to not get impacted by it but enjoy the process with Abhyas or consistent efforts. There's more to it, but Ilashrei Anand says that even if one applies the above shared Yoga Psychology, one can yield grand results towards their goals and thus taking Yoga Psychology therapy sessions, one not only heals a particular issue but actually brings abundance to all areas of one's life, because Yoga focuses directly on the power of one's mind. "Clinical Psychology came around late 19th century, and it's still evolving, which is a ray of hope for all, but Yoga Psychology is the full-blown mighty Sun which also sheds light on how our physical health issues like PCOS, Thyroid, Premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Fibroids, Allergies, Gut health, Weight, etc., are also a result of stress which is being finally studied and to a larger extent also confirmed by medical science via their psychosomatic branch," quips Ilashrei Anand, who's been actively involved in healing lives of over 1 lakh people by spreading the knowledge of Yoga Psychology. Why Choose Yoga Psychology Therapy in 2024? "New year brings new hopes and dreams, but new year resolutions are also infamous for never being achieved. Yoga Psychology is like the powerhouse of not only achieving 2024 resolutions but for all years. This is because Yoga Psychology doesn't follow a single template for all, but identifies individual root cause. Whether it is mental health issues like ADHD, PTSD, Bipolar, anxiety, panic attacks, narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, etc, or physical health issues, Yoga psychology addresses them differently for all since each soul has their individual journey, thus, everyone's answers will be different. Choosing Yoga Psychology in 2024 is like the one miraculous gift that can deliver all your future gifts. It's about empowering yourself with self-confidence, recognising your self-worth and indulging in Swadharma (loosely translated self-love) to finally achieve your dreams," says Ilashrei Anand, whose expertise with a determined approach also led her to be honoured with Yodha Kranti Award (Young Warrior Award) Ilashrei Anand is a highly experienced Yoga Psychologist with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve holistic well-being. She's also Internationally Awarded by UNESCO and also recognised as being the best in her field with the 40under40 Award by Business World Wellbeing, besides being conferred various Awards from NGOs for her dedicated and selfless healing therapy sessions to those who cannot afford therapy. She gives online and offline sessions, both in personalised one-on-one Therapy sessions, besides hosting Mental Health workshops and conventions for institutes and corporates. You can apply the discount code "2024YogaAnand" on the website https://ilashreianand.com/ currently, for personalised Root Cause Healing Yoga Psychology sessions with Ilashrei Anand. You can also contact team@ilashreianand.com or check her work on Instagram handle @mystic_healer_ which has a strong growing community of over 113K people. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Mumbai Metropolitan Region - including Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai (20%), Bengaluru (19%), National Capital Region- including Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram (19%) emerged as India's most searched regions for properties between January and December 2023, reveals Magicbricks in its report "How India Searched for Properties in 2023". Based on the customer preferences of over 2 crore visitors on Magicbricks platform, the report observed that 80% of prospective home buyers continued to prefer multi-storey apartments, followed by builder floors. Further, the report revealed that more than 56% of homeseekers preferred 3 BHK and larger units, evidencing a strong preference towards spacious apartments. It was also noteworthy, that in 2023, demand from NRIs constituted a substantial 9.4% of the total demand as against 6.2% in 2022, aligned with the global economic recovery post-COVID. Elaborating on the report, Abhishek Bhadra, Head of Research, shared "In 2023, the real estate sector demonstrated remarkable progress characterized by robust demand, improved supply and increased interest from Millennials and Gen Z in real estate investments. Continuing on this trajectory in 2024, we anticipate price stabilization owing to a sustained increase in supply. We also expect demand to maintain its upward trajectory, especially in tier 2 towns, reflecting substantial growth prospects in these regions. This outlook aligns with the evolving landscape of the real estate sector amid a progressive economic backdrop." According to the report, the affordable housing market thrived in Ahmedabad and Kolkata, whereas MMR (63%) and NCR (34%) led the demand for luxury homes. Further, while rental market demand remained stable across most cities, Bengaluru exhibited remarkable growth, elevating its demand share from 21% in 2022 to 24% in 2023. The report concluded that the younger demographics, predominantly 18-35 years, constituted 67% of pan India rental demand. CITY SNAPSHOTS BENGALURU * Almost 50% of homeseekers prefer 3BHK units * Properties in the range of 1,250-2,000 sq ft and 750-1,250 sq ft lead the market demand, constituting 42.12% and 28.6%, respectively. * Whitefield, Sarjapur Road, Thanisandra and Kanakapura Road are amongst the most searched localities of Bengaluru * 62% of tenants are of the age group 18-34 years NCR * 51.5% homeseekers prefer 3BHK apartments * Properties in the range of 1,250-2,000 sq ft and 2,000-3,000 sq ft are most preferred, constituting 37.5% and 23.1% of the total demand, respectively. * Maximum demand in the budget segment above Rs 10,000 ps ft * Noida Expressway (South), Noida Expressway (Main) and Central Noida are the most searched localities of Noida while Dwarka, Mayur Vihar and Laxmi Nagar are most searched localities of Delhi MMR * Clear preference for 2BHK units as 44.4% homeseekers searched for the same * Properties in the range of 750-1,250 sq ft and 500-750 sq ft are most preferred, constituting 39% and 26% of the total demand, respectively. * 73% homeseekers prefer properties above Rs 10,000 psf * Malad-Kandivali, Goregaon and Andheri East-Jogeshwari East were the most searched localities in Mumbai while Ghodbunder Road, Kolshet and Western Thane were most preferred in Thane. (ANI)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 22: The CEO and Executive Director of Hexaware Technologies, R Srikrishna, was honored at the prestigious third edition of India's Impactful CEOs Conclave. The recognition took place during an event at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai on December 14.

Organized by ET Edge, a part of The Times Group, the conclave served as a platform for CEOs, thought leaders, and industry experts to convene and discuss strategies for positive change, impactful leadership, and sustainable business practices. Themed Trailblazing Leaders: Influence, Empower, Triumph, the conclave celebrated visionary leadership, innovation, and the significant impact of leaders shaping the global business landscape.

R Srikrishna's recognition at the conclave is a testament to his outstanding leadership, innovative vision, and contributions to the industry. Under Srikrishna's stewardship, Hexaware pivoted to relentless innovation by leveraging cutting-edge and emerging technologies.

Srikrishna played a decisive role in redefining Hexaware's commitment to continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. This renewed thrust enabled the delivery of innovative customer-centric solutions and established a collaborative culture, placing sustainability at its core.

Expressing gratitude, Srikrishna stated, "I thank the Times Group for this acknowledgment. It reflects the collective efforts of the entire Hexaware team and our commitment to driving a positive change for our customers and for the larger industry."

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 28,400 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With 45+ offices in 19 countries, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes.

Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530945/Hexaware.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 22: Decor India Show is Rajasthan's leading Interior Exterior & building materials exhibition. With a legacy of over 20 years, the 23rd edition, organized by SGM Communications, will be held from 16th - 20th February 2024 at JECC, Tonk Road, Jaipur. Decor India Show has become integral to Jaipur's architectural community, celebrating the city's rich culture, heritage, and artistic tastes. The show is a testament to the evolving trends and technology in decor and design. With a focus on being not just a trade show but a celebration, it has grown into one of the largest consumer shows in the state, attracting over 40,000 visitors within just five days. With a focus on progressive architecture, construction, and design, Decor India showcases a wide range of products providing end-to-end solutions to all your construction needs, which includes Tiles, Ceramics, Home Appliances, Switches, Switchgears, Bath fittings, Mattress, Interior Decorative & Lighting, Industrial, Indian and Imported Furniture, Door & Windows, Wooden floorings, Steel & concrete, Water technology, Safety - Security Systems, Fire Protection Systems, Paint & Wall covering, Modular Kitchen & technology, and much more. This edition of the Decor India Show is very close to our hearts and evokes a sense of nostalgia as if it were just yesterday that the idea first sparked in our minds. It reflects on the journey from the concept's inception to its current grandeur, showcasing the long association of brands, trade partners, and the dedicated team at Shakun, without whom nothing would have been possible. With more than 300 local and global exhibitors, the show has evolved beyond mere commerce; it's become a platform where connections, creativity, and ideas emerge. With the strong vision and the collective efforts put in by our exhibitors and the in-house team at Shakun, we aim to curate a show that inspires innovation. Decor India is crafted to ensure guaranteed return on investments with promising brand visibility, networking with industry leaders, and long-lasting impressions. "Decor India Show has always been a pride event for us at Shakun, and it is no less than a festival"- Akhil Maheshwari, Director, Shakun Group. Every year, Decor India Show witnesses the most coveted national and international brands, architects, hoteliers, interior designers, real-estate developers, engineers, builders, IIID Rajasthan, and other associates from the state and countrywide. Being the flagship exhibition/event of Shakun Group, the team leaves no stone unturned for the marketing & promotion of the show. Shakun Group is a media giant from North India, constituting N S Publicity (No.1 OOH Media Owner with 15000 + sites) &Shakun Advertising (One of the Leading Media agencies in North India) under one umbrella. The participating brands include industry stalwarts like Wonder Cement, Kajaria Ceramics, Norisys, Sleepwell, Kerovit, IFB, Godrej, J K Lakshmi, Havells, Gold Medal, Featherlite, Symphony, WoodenStreet, APL Apollo, TATA Tiscon, Sleek, Glen, Milcent, Natraj, TCL, Taptree, Hindware Kitchen, Supreme Furniture, & many more. We hope to see you at the Decor India Show - 2024 @ JECC, Tonk Road, Jaipur. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 22: In a resounding success at EXCON 2023, the largest Construction Equipment Exhibition in South Asia, HASBER Machine Pvt. Ltd. proudly introduced India's First Truck Mounted Mobile Concrete Plant. The Innovation Powerhouse Unveils 13 Patented Mobile Concrete Plants which will be a revolution in the construction industry. The unveiling ceremony, held recently at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Prof. Ranaganathan J. from the Consulate of Myanmar in Chennai, Dr Asif Iqubal (Global President - Indian Economic Trade Organisation), Heikki Ranta (Finland Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Korea), and Zenga Chung (Diplomat - India Korea Business Center). HASBER Machine Pvt. Ltd., a frontrunner in innovative construction solutions, received exceptional recognition and appreciation from over 10,000 visitors during the five-day event. The event also marked a milestone with 13 machines booked through orders, reflecting the industry's immediate recognition of the groundbreaking technology. HASBER Machine Pvt. Ltd. takes pride in setting new benchmarks in the construction equipment industry,and the introduction of India's first Truck Mounted Mobile Concrete Plant offers unparalleled cost-saving benefits, providing an efficient solution for construction projects. With Thirteen patented technologies, HASBER Machine stands as a beacon of innovation, ensuring a competitive edge in the market. HASBER's Truck Mounted Mobile Concrete Plant is approved by the Road Transport Office, meeting all regulatory standards for safe and legal operation. Designed with compactness in mind, the mobile concrete plant optimizes space utilization without compromising on performance. Equipped with GPS technology, the mobile concrete plant allows for precise tracking and efficient fleet management. HASBER Machine also integrates Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, providing real-time monitoring and control for enhanced operational efficiency and adheres to eco-friendly practices, minimizing its environmental footprint. The plant delivers an outstanding fresh concrete mix, meeting the highest quality standards in the industry and guarantees consistent quality in every batch, ensuring reliability and performance for diverse construction needs. HASBER Machine Pvt. Ltd. takes pride in setting new benchmarks in the construction equipment industry, and the introduction of India's first Truck Mounted Mobile Concrete Plant reaffirms the company's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. Dr Sachin Madhukar Kate, the MD of HASBER Machine pvt. Ltd. who's also the trade commissioner in India for the ASEAN region emphasised the need for having breakthrough technologies emerging from India and accelerating trade relations between all countries and said that his company is open for trade enquiries and for details customers could login on www.hasber.in or contact on +91 86 6969 0303. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], December 22: eVerse.AI which is a leading technology company operating in Dairy, Agriculture and Sustainability space has launched CowGPT. It is the world's first Generative AI application purpose built for this space. Generative AI has been creating a lot of buzz in the industry for a year or so and it has already started transforming several industries at a rapid pace. eVerse.AI has developed CowGPT by heavily customizing one of the best available foundation models (LLM: Large Language Model) with lot of domain data from these sectors it has collected through various public and proprietary sources. The company has also collaborated with universities and research institutions in the USA and India to build and train their own foundation model. This will be the first time anyone has created a Gen AI solution for these sectors. The product can be used in multiple ways through ConnectedCow web platform and app and also through a simple whatsapp chat interface. ConnectedCow web and mobile platform is available at free of cost for anyone to use. Dairy farmers can register their animals on the platform and manage identification, breeding, nutrition, health, milking and many other aspects of their dairy business at no cost. For midsize and large dairies, the ConnectedCow platform also provides functionalities for end-to-end transparency and traceability through Blockchain and ecommerce. Whatsapp chat format of this product has been an instant hit amongst the users with more than 50,000 messages being exchanged just in few days of launch. Dairy farmers from villages in India are absolutely loving it as it's very easy to use this solution on the whatsapp. There is no registration or login required. The user has to just add phone number +91 90223 14459 to their whatsapp contact list and start sending messages to this whatsapp number. They start by typing "L" which allows them to choose the language of their choice. Currently the product supports English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujrati. More than 10 languages will get added in next 30 days. Users can either type their questions or prompts or they can record their questions in a voice format. Some examples of questions could be 1. I have a 4-year-old Jersey cow which gives 12 liters of milk every day consistently. But for the last two days she is giving only 5 liters of milk. What are the reasons for it and how do I improve the milk yield and health of my cow? 2. My cow is showing signs of lameness. Please suggest ways to treat the cow and a preventative health care plan for the cow. If the animal is registered on ConnectedCow platform, then the animal owner can ask very specific questions about their cows and buffaloes either by entering the 12 digit ear tag number or simply by uploading the muzzle picture of the animal. eVerse.AI has developed a biometric identification algorithm which uniquely identifies the animal based on its muzzle pic. It works very accurately, exactly like the finger-print in case of humans. Farmers get complete details about their cows or buffaloes including entire medical history, vaccination due, alerts and notifications, cost-optimized nutrition plan for best milk yield and lot more. If there are any signs or symptoms of sickness, then the application also suggests the list of veterinary doctors in their area. There are more than 1 lacs animals registered on eVerse.AI's ConnectedCow platform. The company plans to onboard more than 10 lacs animals in FY2024. It's also in discussion with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in India to build API based integration with the ConnectedCow platform and INAPH/NDLM. Once this API integration is in place, more than 25 Crore animals could be accessed on ConnectedCow platform. This will enable all the owners of cows and buffaloes in India to get specific details about their animals 24X7 completely at free of cost. Ashish Sonkusare, CEO and founder of eVerse.AI says that there is a high shortage of veterinary doctors and experts in India which is prohibiting dairy farmers to have access to right and accurate nutrition and medical help and advisory. CowGPT removes this barrier and democratizes access to accurate medical and nutrition insights and advisory. This has the promise to revolutionize the small holder dairy industry in India and help dairy farmers double the milk yield and their income. eVerse.AI has been using cutting edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, IOT and Blockchain to offer innovative solutions for the dairy and agriculture industry for India and USA. Some of the prominent solutions in the market include Cow monitoring collar tag, milk vending machines for farm fresh raw milk, mobile AMCU, automatic embryo grading, blockchain for meat and milk and many more. For more information, please visit - Company website: https://eVerse.AI Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCXTLTBfCGw (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 22: BUSY Software, a pioneering force in business accounting solution industry, joined hands with the North India Regional Council of ICAI at the NIRC regional conference 2023. The conference, an annual gathering of professionals in the finance and accounting domain, serves as a platform for thought leadership and knowledge exchange. Brijesh Agrawal, CEO, BUSY and Co-founder of IndiaMART, headlined the event with an insightful session on leveraging technology to augment the role of Chartered Accountants (CAs). Agrawal, spoke on the transformative potential of technology and emerging opportunities for the accounting profession. He said that technology is more of an enabler than a disruptor, if we harness it right. He outlined the emerging billion dollar opportunity in Analytics as a Service (AaaS) and Data Security with a huge potential for Co- creation products and Services. This can be trigger the next growth trajectory for Accounting professionals. Brijesh Agrawal said "CAs are the backbone of financial management, and empowering them with the right tools is crucial for the country to move ahead. BUSY Software is committed to providing robust accounting solutions that cater to the evolving demands of businesses and contribute to the professional growth of CAs," he stated. At the event, BUSY Software, reinforced the company's commitment to supporting the CA community by launching special services and offers on BUSY Accounting Software, underscoring the organization's dedication to fostering technological advancement within the accounting profession. BUSY Software remains at the forefront of innovation, continually refining its offerings to meet the evolving needs of businesses and finance professionals. The company's commitment to excellence, as demonstrated at the NIRC Conference 2023, solidifies its position as a leader in the business accounting software landscape. BUSY is a leading, on-premise ERP & accounting software company, enabling millions of businesses in over 20 countries to manage their business operations and GST/VAT compliances efficiently. It is a 100% subsidiary of IndiaMART - a $2bn valued, public listed company. It aims at a $100bn+ market opportunity with a clear focus on helping companies with an integrated application that works on-premise as well as cloud/mobile and is suitable for B2B and B2C operations. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
As part of The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit the Gujarat government will will conduct a seminar with a focus on skilling and its future for Viksit Bharat@2047. Anju Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, made this announcement today. This informative and interactive seminar will deliberate on "Building Workforces for Future: Development of Skills for Industry 4.0" and "Developing Global Networks for Skill Development" themes at the Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Sharing insights about the conferences Anju Sharma said that the seminar will be on "Building Workforces for Future: Development of Skills for Industry 4.0 with an aim to explore the impact of Industry 4.0, identify essential skills, address skill gaps, promote collaboration across sectors, and formulate strategies for nurturing a workforce prepared for the future, aligning with the evolving demands of industries in the age of technological advancements and digital transformation." "Following this, "Developing Global Networks for Skill Development" seminar will critically examine and elucidate the multifaceted strategies and mechanisms underpinning the establishment and operation of globally interconnected networks for skill development, with a particular emphasis on the synthesis of cutting-edge technologies, innovative pedagogical methodologies, and international collaboration, thereby fostering comprehensive insights into the optimization of human capital for the 21st century workforce" she added. The seminar "Building Workforces for Future: Development of Skills for Industry 4.0" to be conducted in the morning session is proposed to be inaugurated by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in presence of other dignitaries, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India and Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of Labour, Skill Development, and Employment, Government of Gujarat." Following this, a technical session will be held on Emerging Skills for Industry 4.0, Future of Work, Industry 4.0 Skill Landscape in India in presence of Gursharan Singh, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Micron Technology; Rene Pape, Specialist, GIZ and Raimund Klein, Founder and CEO, International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT). Anju Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Labour said that a panel discussion on Navigating the Skill Landscape for Industry 4.0 will also take place featuring topics Serving Global Skill Demand of Smart Manufacturing, International Collaboration for Skill Development, Innovation in Skill Development, and Future of Tech Industry and Skill Demand. Dignitaries moderating the panel will include Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE and Ramamurthi Aiyappan, Services Director, Siemens, K Ramakrishnan, Chief Executive Skill Development Mission, L&T, and Sabyasachi Das, CEO, TATA Indian Institute of Skills. The Additional Chief Secretary, Labour said "In the afternoon sessions, the Seminar is proposed to be inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India along with Balvantsinh Rajput, the Minister of Labour, Skill Development, and Employment for the Government of Gujarat and Vedmani Tiwari, CEO & MD of NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) and NSDC International. Their collective expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute valuable insights to the discourse on skill development, labor, and education initiatives." She shared, following this a Panel Discussion will also be held discussing the Importance of Global Skill Development Networks, Technology Integration, Government Policies and Regulations along with analyzing Best Practices through Case Studies within Skill Development. The event will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including Tim Thomas, CEO of the Center for India Australia Relations; Bruce Poh, CEO of the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore (ITES); Giovanni Crisona, Chairman of Skillman.eu; Sungsup Ra, Deputy Director General and Deputy Group Chief of the Sector Group at ADB; and Oscar Medina, Chief People Officer at Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group. This session will be moderated by Madhushree Sekher, Dean, School of Skill Education at Tata Institute of Social Science. She further remarked that, "the seminar on skilling aims to be an insightful and engaging event, offering participants the opportunity to delve into the transformative aspects of Skill Development. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of the program's implications for holistic development, informed decision-making, and the sustainable growth of Gujarat and the country." While concluding The Additional Chief Secretary, Labour extended a warm invitation to all concerned stakeholders, industry experts, and policymakers to join for this impactful session. (ANI)
The Payments Council of India (PCI), a representative body of the non-banking payment industry in India, welcomed the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) move to enable the issuing of tokens for cards via internet and commercial banks. This RBI decision, announced through a recent circular, will empower cardholders by offering them an additional option to tokenize their cards for multiple merchant sites through a streamlined and unified process. Card-on-File Tokens (CoFT) for a card can now be enabled through mobile banking and internet banking channels, providing a convenient and efficient means for users to secure their transactions across various platforms. With over 56 crore tokens already created, CoFT has demonstrably improved transaction security and approval rates. PCI had submitted representations to the RBI, outlining the industry's readiness and preparedness for tokenization, along with suggestions to fast-track the process. The industry members remain committed to a smooth and successful implementation of tokenization. Welcoming the RBI move, Chairperson of Card Networks Committee under PCI, and Group County Manager of Visa, Sandeep Ghosh, said, "We welcome this circular of RBI for enabling tokenization through card issuing banks. This will be a game changer for the payments industry and will also enhance convenience for card holders." Praveena Rai, Chief Operating Officer at National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Co-Chairperson, the Payment Council of India, remarked, "This move will provide consumers with greater autonomy in managing card tokens, making it easier to modify and control them. This circular reflects the ongoing enhancement of security in the digital payment ecosystem every day. I am confident that this step will boost consumer trust." Rai further said that this strategic initiative reflects the RBI's commitment to enhancing the security and flexibility of digital transactions, further aligning with evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements in the financial landscape. The RBI's Card-on-File (CoF) token facility allows cardholders to create tokens and link them to their accounts with various e-commerce applications. Tokenization replaces a card's 16-digit number with a unique token that is specific to the user's card and merchant. The token hides the card's details, so that if there is a data leak from the merchant website, hackers cannot misuse the card. Payments Council of India (PCI) works with all its members to promote payments industry growth and to support our national goals of 'Cash to Less Cash Society' and 'Growth of Financial Inclusion' which is also the Vision Shared by the RBI and the Government of India. PCI works closely with the regulators i.e. Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Finance Ministry, and any similar government, departments, bodies or Institutions to make 'India a less cash society. (ANI)
Social media influencer Vishnu Kaushal, who made his Bollywood debut in Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Dunki', penned a heartwarming note to express his feelings. Taking to his Instagram, Vishnu wrote, "We, you & I made our little BOLLYWOOD DEBUT with @iamsrk in a @hirani.rajkumar film. WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT I'D BE WRITING THIS?? This is way beyond my capacity to dream. To be in a movie with @iamsrk @vickykaushal09 @taapsee & @boman_irani is an honour & a privilege. And to you, who've cheered for me the loudest or loved me silently, you who've been on this 9-year journey with me- no amount of gratitude and affection can express my sheer love for you my dear peaches." https://www.instagram.com/p/C1G9k4JPbAY/ "This is our win, your win. I have written a couple of jokes as the caption, feel free to add: this wasn't planned or expected but I am so glad it happened (just like my brother @govinuts) I think I have peaked, don't expect more from me. @iamsrk sir ke sath movie mein aane ka tareeka thoda cazual hai. Ok enough. Go watch the Dunki and mere 10 min ke role mein raula paa dena theatre mein I love you," he added. Vishnu Kaushal plays the character of Gulab in the film. In the first pictures, he can be seen holding the clapboard with the film's name penned on it. He shared a still from the film featuring SRK and other star cast. He also posed with the director Rajkumar Hirani and then showed name of his character 'Gulab' written on a piece of paper stuck on a vanity van. Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani in pivotal roles. Dunki has been co-written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon. It is a heartwarming tale of four friends Manu, Sukhi, Buggu, and Balli who dream of settling down in London for a better life but have to take undertake an arduous yet life-changing journey to reach their goal. At one of the events in Dubai, SRK described 'Dunki' as his best film. "So when I made Jawan, I thought I made a film for boys and girls but I didn't make anything for myself, then I made Dunki. So this is my film. This film is very close to my heart. When I was doing Pathaan, many people who write about films, those who apparently know about films more than the filmmakers, were saying what kind of roles I was doing, so I really felt that I should do films that come from my heart and this includes all the films that I did this year. I started the year with Pathaan, which was always ladies first, and I want to end the year with a film for myself. So, please watch Dunki on December 21. Everyone will find something in the film that will touch their heart. The film will make you laugh also," he said. The film marks SRK's first collaboration with Hirani and Taapsee. (ANI)
Chaldean Cross Erected in San Diego

At over 35 feet high, and 20,000 pounds the tallest steel cross in San Diego recently was placed atop a Rancho San Diego-Jamul hill by a Chinook helicopter. With its pedestal, reaching nearly 38-feet, the large Chaldean cross rises 900 feet above sea level and will serve as symbolic memorial for Christians persecuted throughout Iraq and the Middle East.

The cross was made possible by the family of Sam and Evone Attisha and placed on Dec. 14.

The Chaldean Holy Cross Monument is located on Via Caliente del Sol.

"Over the last several decades, Christians in Iraq and throughout the middle east have been persecuted simply because of their faith," said Samad Attisha in a press release. "My family and I are blessed with the opportunity to have made this possible on behalf of the entire Chaldean Community."

In June 1976, Mary & Yelda Attisha, the Chaldean parents of six boys and one girl landed as immigrants in San Diego, California. Just like hundreds of other Chaldean families before them, they left Iraq due to political, cultural, and economic reasons to settle in America. The Attisha siblings mustered enough planning and efforts to open several grocery stores and gas stations in San Diego in the early 1980s to start their own Chaldean families and live the American Dream.

"Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring structural integrity, fabricating the entire cross out of one piece of carbon steel and constructing the foundation of the Chaldean Cross was not an easy feat, but our team is blessed with several highly skilled individuals, all of whom played a crucial role in ensuring this project's success," he said.
'Fast and Furious' franchise star Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual assault by a former assistant. The Hollywood actor allegedly sexually assaulted Asta Jonasson in 2010 when she was working on the 'Fast Five' set in Atlanta, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, reported CNN. In a civil suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Diesel's former assistant, Asta Jonasson, alleged he forced himself on her in a hotel suite in Atlanta in 2010. According to CNN, the complaint states Diesel ignored Jonasson's "clear statements of non-consent," and after she "screamed and ran towards the nearby bathroom," he "pinned her against the wall with his body." However, Vin Diesel "categorically denies this claim in its entirety," said his attorney Bryan Freedman in a statement to CNN later on Friday. "This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13 year old claim made by a purportedly 9 day employee." Jonasson is suing Diesel, along with his company One Race Productions, and Diesel's sister Samantha Vincent for sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, negligent supervision, and wrongful termination, among her other claims. According to CNN, Jonasson claims that Samantha Vincent, the president of Diesel's company One Race at the time, called her "mere hours" after the alleged assault and "terminated Ms. Jonasson's employment." The victim is seeking an imposition of a civil penalty of USD 10,000 for each violation, plus unspecified punitive damages, according to the suit. "No one is too famous or powerful to evade justice," Claire-Lise Kutlay of Greenberg Gross LLP, attorney for Jonasson, wrote in a statement shared with CNN. "We hope her courageous decision to come forward helps create lasting change and empowers other survivors." Diesel has appeared in more than 60 TV and film titles. He is also among the producers of the global hit franchise of "Fast & Furious" films. He has several upcoming projects in the works, including 'Fast X: Part 2', reported CNN. (ANI)
Filmmaker Tanuja Chandra is all set to come up with a docuseries titled 'Wedding.con'. As per a statement, the project "intimately follows the stories of five women as they embark on the journey to fulfill their dream of a happy marriage. However, their search for the perfect life partner, takes a distressing turn as they fall victim to financial and emotional exploitation by conmen. These imposters, assuming fake identities and posing as suitable grooms on online platforms, leave the women betrayed. Emphasising the need to raise awareness and take action against such scams, the five-part docuseries sheds light on the vulnerability of women who, in their pursuit of companionship, become easy, unsuspecting targets of deceitful schemes." Sharing more details about 'Wedding.con', Tanuja Chandra said, "In India and other South Asian cultures, it's widely believed that marriage is the most significant milestone in a woman's life, and the pressure to 'settle down' keeps mounting as she grows older. In fact, by the time she's 35, she's told the ship has long sailed. Wedding.con is the tale of five women who were victims of matrimonial fraud, but are now survivors and have shown tremendous courage in recounting their experience, to expose these scams. When BBC Studios brought this project to me, it was an eye-opener and I am grateful to these incredible women and Prime Video for passionately supporting my vision to bring this docuseries to life. It makes me very hopeful that this series reaching out to a wide audience when it streams on Prime Video in India and across the world, will help in saving women from being duped in the future." https://www.instagram.com/p/C1JTOGqvDy6/?hl=en As per Aparna Purohit, head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video, 'Wedding.con' series not only serves as a cautionary tale but also aims to inform and educate viewers about online matrimonial fraud. "Whether through storytelling from a woman's perspective, narratives focused on women's experiences, or the portrayal of strong and impactful female characters, our content reflects a dedicated effort to empower and celebrate the diverse voices of women. Wedding.con stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment. Through its poignant documentation of real-life experiences, the series not only serves as a cautionary tale but also aims to inform and educate viewers about online matrimonial fraud, which turns out to be one of the most under-reported crimes. The issue remains shrouded in shame and stigma, making it crucial to shed light on," she shared. 'Wedding.con' will be out on Prime Video on December 29. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, Charan shared a picture which he captioned, "Dear Honorable Chief Minister Garu, Shrikanth Shinde Garu, and the Vibrant People of Maharashtra, We express our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional hospitality and warmth."

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1J4hoWvIof/

In the picture, Charan could be seen exchanging warm greetings with the CM. The actor was accompanied by his wife Upasana Konidela.

The 'RRR' actor donned a blue denim shirt paired with black pants. He completed his look with black specs.

Soon after he shared the picture, his fans swamped down the comment section and dropped red hearts and fire emoticons.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Charan will be next seen in director Shankar's upcoming action thriller film 'Game Changer' opposite Kiara Advani.

Helmed by Shankar, the film is billed as an action drama with current-day politics and will be released in three languages - Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.

The film is jointly produced by Dil Raju and Shirish Garu under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations for a Pan-India release.

The official release date of the film is still awaited. (ANI)
Good news for all the fans of Hollywood star Robert Pattinson as it has been reported that the 'Twilight' actor is now engaged to his girlfriend Suki Waterhouse. The couple recently sparked buzz when Waterhouse was photographed wearing a diamond ring on that finger -- are engaged, a source confirmed PEOPLE. "They are engaged. They both want to be married. It's important for them," the source said. Earlier in November, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together. The insider told PEOPLE that the actor "can't wait to be a dad." "He's so ready," said the source. "His relationship with Suki is incredible. He feels very lucky." Meanwhile, the Daisy Jones & the Six star has the "special glow" and "seems very happy," the source said. The duo fueled engagement rumours earlier this week after Waterhouse was photographed wearing a ring on her left hand while walking around London on Monday in photographs published by TMZ, as per PEOPLE. Waterhouse announced their pregnancy while performing onstage at Mexico's Corona Capital Festival last month. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) a fan shared a video in which she addressed her glittery pink outfit, telling the audience, "I'm extra sparkly today because I thought it might distract you from something else that's going on." The crowd cheered and applauded as she opened the feathery coat she was wearing over her formfitting minidress to reveal a baby bump. "I'm not sure if it's working," she added jokingly. Pattinson, 37, first met Waterhouse, 31, in July 2018, when they were spotted showing PDA in London. Four years later, the couple made their red-carpet debut, attending the Dior Men Fall 2023 show in Giza, Egypt, in early December 2022, reported PEOPLE. (ANI)
DRI officials seized a staggering 1,273 grammes of the white powdery substance, purported to be cocaine, with an illicit market value of approximately Rs. 13 crores hidden within her handbags

According to DRI officials, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officers apprehended a woman passenger of Cote d'Ivoire nationality who came to Mumbai and recovered 1,273 grammes of a white powdery substance purported to be cocaine with an illicit market value of approximately Rs. 13 crores from her possession at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai.

The drugs was ingeniously concealed in the inner layers of the handbag and clutch bag being carried by her.

The passenger has been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act 1985 and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.

More information is awaited. (ANI)
The Assam cabinet has approved 1.30 lakh CM Awas Yojana houses in rural areas, informed Assam Minister Ashok Singhal on Thursday. "Assam cabinet has decided that we will have 1.30 lakh CM Awas Yojana houses in rural and Gramin areas with the same size and specification as the houses that are given in PM Awas Yojana. These houses are to be given in those areas where people have not received the PM Awas Yojana houses," said Assam Minister Ashok Singhal. Earlier, on December 9, the Assam Cabinet announced crucial decisions in a significant session on Thursday, focusing on the welfare of the state's indigenous minorities, setting up libraries and ethical treatment of animals while acknowledging traditions. The state cabinet has decided to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic assessment of Assam's indigenous minorities. Also, the Directorate of Char Areas Development, Assam, is to be renamed to the Directorate of Minority Affairs and Char Areas, Assam. The socio-economic assessment of indigenous Assamese Muslims will be conducted through the Directorate of Minority Affairs and Char Areas. Further, to inculcate the habit of reading among students, libraries for children and adolescents, and digital infrastructure are to be created under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24'. The scheme aims at commencing the construction of new libraries and procurement of books/furniture/computers with internet connectivity in 2197 village panchayats and 400 municipal wards for an estimated amount of Rs 259.70 crore. This will ensure that children and adolescents get access to the latest books and are connected with the National Digital Library Resources. Recognising the cultural significance of traditional bullfights, the cabinet has taken steps to frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The primary focus is to ensure the well-being of the animals involved in these events. The issue of a detailed procedure or SOP for permitting traditional buffalo and bullfights is issued for events to be organised during Magh Bihu at Ahatguri, Morigaon district, Nagaon district or in any other part of Assam. The SOP aims to ensure that no deliberate torture or cruelty is carried out on the animals and their well-being is provided for by the organisers during the annual Moh-juj festival, an integral part of the centuries-old Assamese cultural tradition. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences over the death of four soldiers in the terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector on Thursday "The news of the martyrdom of our soldiers in the dastardly terrorist attack in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, is very sad. The country will always remember their supreme sacrifice in defence of India. In this difficult time, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the martyrs," Rahul Gandhi Posted on X, roughly translated from Hindi. One more Army personnel succumbed to injuries in the terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector on Thursday, taking the death toll in the incident to four, according to Army Officials. Two soldiers have been injured in the terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Rajouri sector. The terrorists ambushed two army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri. "At approximately 3:45 PM on December 21, two army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which was fired upon by the terrorist. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by our troops," an Army official said. The operation has been underway in the general area of DKG (Dera ki Gali) since the night of December 20. "Indian Army troops immediately retaliated after being attacked by terrorists.The troops were going to reinforce a joint operation against terrorists underway in the area since last evening. The operations are taking place in the 48 Rashtriya Rifles area ," Army officials said. Operation is in progress and further details are being ascertained, they added. (ANI)
Ahead of the national level 'Hai Taiyaar Hum' rally, to be organised by the Congress on its 139th foundation day, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh on Friday said that they have to take the ideology of the grand old party to every person. Congress has decided to hold a massive rally in Maharashtra's Nagpur on December 28, as the party completes its 138 years of foundation. Taking to the social media platform, X, Digvijaya Singh said that the rally, which would be joined by all the senior leaders, would commence at 2 pm. "Hai Taiyaar Hum...Friends, on December 28, 2023, the Indian National Congress is going to complete 138 years of its glorious history. On this foundation day of Congress, a huge national level rally 'Hain Narayan Hum' is being organized in Nagpur from 2 pm. We have to take the ideology of Congress to every person in nation-building. To create a happy and prosperous India. Jai Hind, Jai Congress," Singh wrote on X. Earlier on Thursday, while briefing about the rally, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said that the event is expected to be attended by around 5-10 lakh people. "December 28 is our foundation day. We are doing a massive rally in Nagpur, which is going to be a remarkable event in the wake of the Parliament elections. All the senior leaders of the party will be attending this rally. A minimum, of 5-10 lakh people would be participating in this rally. We already requested all the working committee members to start immediately the election campaigns in (their) respective states," he said. Venugopal said that the opposition's INDIA bloc will organise such separate programmes which will be decided 'very soon'. Meanwhile, nine AICC secretaries have been appointed to coordinate the mobilisation and other arrangements for the "Hai Taiyaar Hum" rally. The AICC members include P.C. Vishnunadh, MLA, Qazi Nizamuddin, Sanjay Kapoor, Dheeraj Gurjar, Chandan Yadav, B.M. Sandeep, Chetan Chauhan, Pradeep Narwal and Abhishek Dutt. On December 28, 1885, 72 social reformers, journalists and lawyers congregated for the first session of the Indian National Congress at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, erstwhile Bombay. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah said that terrorism has not ended in the Union Territory hours after four army soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector on Thursday. Speaking to ANI on Thursday in Srinagar about the latest terror attack, the National Conference President said,"...Even today there is terrorism in J&K, there has just been an incident. Terrorism has not ended." "They(Central govt) are only talking about boosting tourism in Kashmir. Even if one tourist gets shot, no one will come here....", the NC leader warned Meanwhile, Security personnel on Friday morning conducted a search operation in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district where two Army vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed terrorists. Four Army personnel were killed while three others were injured in the terror attack on Thursday evening. The terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri. "At around 3.45 pm on December 21, two Army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which was fired upon by the terrorist. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by our troops," an Army official said. Indian Army troops immediately retaliated after being attacked by terrorists, they said. "The troops were going to reinforce a joint operation against terrorists underway in the area since last evening. The operations are taking place in the 48 Rashtriya Rifles area," Army officials added. (ANI)
The Delhi Police on Friday moved to Delhi High Court challenging the trial court order directing it to supply a copy of the FIR to one of the accused Neelam Azad in connection with the Parliament security breach case. Police through counsel mentioned the matter before the bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Mini Pushkarna for urgent listing of the matter. Noted the submissions the court allowed to hear this matter today itself post lunch sessions. The Patiala House Court on Thursday allowed an application moved by one of the accused Neelam Azad's family seeking a supply of a copy of FIR registration under various sections of IPC and UAPA. The court also allowed plea seeking court direction to Delhi Police to allow Neelam's Lawyer to meet for legal advice during the custodial remand period. Additional Sessions Judge Dr Hardeep Kaur had said the concerned Investigation Officer is directed to furnish the copy of the present FIR to the applicant/accused as per law. The court also said, considering the totality of circumstances, this Court is of the considered view that the applicant/accused is entitled as a matter right to legal assistance and the right is available to her even when she is in police custody. In order to have an effective and meaningful interaction between the applicant/accused and her counsel, it is hereby directed that on every alternate day, a 15-minute interaction of the applicant/accused Neelam with her counsel, as mentioned in the vakalatnama, be arranged within the visible range of the IO of the present case but outside his audible range. In case, if the meeting cannot be arranged on that day, then the meeting can be postponed to the next available date, further said the Court. Neelam's counsel advocate Suresh Kumar Chaudhary appeared before the concerned Judge and said family and lawyers should be provided with the FIR it is a constitutional right and also allowed us to meet with Neelam. The plea stated that on December 15, 2023, a family of the accused with their advocate visited Police station Sansad Marg, New Delhi to get a copy of the FIR and to meet with the accused. "When we had words with the investigating officer and requested him to provide a copy of the FIR to a family member of the accused and meet accused Neelam the officer denied to grant such permission and straight forward said to take an order from the court to get the copy of FIR and meeting with accused," the plea stated. It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed to this court in the interest of justice to kindly grant the permission to get the copy of FIR as well as the meeting with accused Neelam or any further relief may kindly be granted, stated the application copy. The Patiala House Court on Thursday has also extended the custodial remand of four accused individuals, Manoranjan, Neelam, Sagar, and Anmol, to the Special Cell of Delhi Police for 15 more days until January 5, 2024, in the Parliament security breach case. The case involves a security breach that occurred on December 13, when two youths jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber during Zero Hour, setting off smoke cans and raising slogans. The probe earlier revealed further that two pairs of shoes were made on a special order in Lucknow, as the accused learned that the shoes of visitors to the new Parliament were not checked and they could hide their smoke cans under their footwear, sources said. (ANI)
Even as security forces continue their cordon and search Operations in Poonch after Thursday's terror attack on an Army Convoy that killed four Army personnel, the Opposition parties have begun politicising the incident. Reacting to the terrorist attack in Poonch in which three Army personnel lost their lives Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut compared the incident with the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 questioned the motive of the central government after this attack. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "Yesterday's terrorist attack in Poonch is a repeat of the Pulwama attack. The govt is sleeping. Do you(BJP) again want to do politics on the sacrifice by our jawans? Do you want to seek votes again in 2024 as you did in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack? If we ask questions about the Poonch incident, then they will throw us out of Delhi or the country." Sanjay Raut further said that miscreants intruded into the Parliament but the government had no knowledge about it. "The government is celebrating the abrogation of Article 370 and see what has happened. This is a serious issue. In the last two months just see how many soldiers have been killed. They don't allow the Parliament to function. When we questioned Parliament's intrusion they removed us from Parliament. If we question on Poonch attack they will throw us out of country," he added. Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah said that terrorism has not ended in the Union Territory hours after four army soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector on Thursday. Speaking to ANI on Thursday in Srinagar about the latest terror attack, the National Conference President said,"...Even today there is terrorism in J&K, there has just been an incident. Terrorism has not ended. They (Central government) are only talking about boosting tourism in Kashmir. Even if one tourist gets shot, no one will come here." Security has been heightened at the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway after the terrorist attack on two Army vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector occurred on Thursday, which led to the killing of four Army personnel. Four Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, an official said. The terrorists ambushed two army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri. "At approximately 3:45 PM on December 21, two army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which were fired upon by the terrorist. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by own troops," an Army official said. (ANI)
A day after the Parliament's Winter Session was adjourned sine die, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the opposition leaders over the suspension of MPs from both the Houses of Parliament and said that they themselves said to suspend them. While addressing a press briefing in the national capital, Joshi said that a total of 19 bills including Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 were passed in the Parliament on Thursday. While these bills were passed in the Parliament, 146 MPs were suspended over the ruckus created for demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Parliament security breach. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, the three bills- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 were passed in Parliament yesterday. A total of 19 bills were passed in Parliament in the winter session," the Union Minister said. Hitting out at the opposition over the suspension of MPs, Joshi said, "They themselves came and said to suspend them. Congress Party has such a low-level strategy." Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal who was also present at the press briefing lashed out at the Opposition over the suspension of MPs and said that they were deliberately looking for revenge after the defeat in the assembly elections. "The Speaker is the custodian of the Parliament. The Lok Sabha Speaker is saying repeatedly that he is responsible for the security. Why are they not trusting what the Speaker is saying? They were deliberately looking for revenge after the defeat in the assembly elections. They had been planning internally and they got the opportunity," Meghwal said. He further said that a committee has been formed to investigate the security breach incident in the Parliament. "Security breach in the Parliament is a big issue. A committee has been formed and an investigation is underway. The Vice President was insulted. Congress believes that it is only their right to govern. They think that the Vice President should be the one nominated by them. They cannot stand PM Modi, President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. It is their mentality to insult the Dalit, farmers and the backward classes," Meghwal said. Parliament's Winter Session was adjourned sine die, a day ahead of schedule ending three frenetic weeks that saw a security breach in Lok Sabha, suspension of 146 MPs, the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the "bribe-for-query" case and passage of three criminal bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita Bill and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill -- replacing the colonial laws namely the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act. The Winter session began on December 4 and was scheduled to conclude on December 22. The session, which began on December 4, saw both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha running largely peacefully for the first week but the scenario changed after December 13 when TMC MP Mahua Moitra who was facing cash for query allegations, was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the Parliament adopted the report of its Ethics Committee, which was probing the matter. The motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi was passed by a voice vote after a heated debate between the opposition and Treasury benches. Notably, the expelled MP was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha during the debate as Speaker Om Birla cited past rulings --of his predecessor Somnath Chatterjee's-- in the 2005 cash-for-query matter when the House expelled 11 MPs for accepting bribes to questions. Meanwhile, on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two people jumped into the chamber of the Lower House of Parliament from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs. 100 MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, and another 46 from Rajya Sabha for unruly behaviour, disrupting proceedings by showing placards and raising slogans over the breach issue. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday visited the encounter site in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district in which four Indian soldiers were killed and three suffered injuries. It is learnt that a specialised team of the Central agency led by a Deputy Inspector General as well as a Superintendent of Police rank officer will be monitoring the findings of the visit to the site. The NIA suo motto decides to send its team to visit the scene of crime in which it finds any terror angle, whether the case is handed over to the agency or not. As four Indian Army soldiers were killed in action and three were injured during a gunfight with terrorists in Poonch district, the agency decided to get detailed inputs by visiting the spot. Earlier on Thursday evening, four Army personnel were killed while three others were injured in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district after two Army vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed terrorists. The terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri. The encounter started after terrorists fired at the two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri's Poonch region at 3.45 pm on Thursday. Security personnel are conducting a search operation in the forest area of Dera ki Gali. Recently, the NIA took over the Jammu and Kashmir Kokernag encounter case that occurred in Anantnag district in September this year in which a colonel, a major and a soldier from the Indian Army, a DySP of J-K Police, and Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Uzair Khan were killed. In the incident, the Indian Army lost 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Commanding Officer Col Manpreet Singh, company commander Major Ashish Dhonchak, Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat and trooper Pardeep Singh on September 13 at Gadole Forest of Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was completed after six days on September 19. Stating about the Kokernag encounter, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh had said that it was the handiwork of some vested interests to blow the Kokernag encounter out of proportion. The DGP had said that terrorists opened the fire first in the encounter leading to the killing of three officers. (ANI)
The Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to Dr EA Ruvais, who stands charged with abetting the suicide of his girlfriend, Dr Shahana by allegedly making dowry demands. The court granted bail with conditions and also clarified that Ruvais' bail would not affect the suspension decision. Taking note that Ruvais has been in custody since December 7, 2023, Justice Gopinath P was of the considered opinion that the continued detention of the petitioner was not necessary for the investigation and that he could be granted bail. Dr Shahana, who was a Postgraduate surgery student at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, died by suicide due to financial constraints faced by her family and their failure to meet the alleged demands for exorbitant dowry sought by Ruvais. Ruwais was thereafter charged with the offences under Section 306 IPC ('Abetment of Suicide') and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act ('Penalty for demanding dowry'). The High Court also observed that further custody is not necessary at this stage. The High Court also directed that the passport be presented to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Police. However, the High Court has also clarified in the order that bail is being granted at this stage. "It is up to the medical college authorities to decide whether to continue Ruvaiz's suspension or not. They can make independent decisions. The High Court also clarified that the fact that Ruvais has been granted bail will not affect the decision of suspension," it added. The Court had earlier granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner's father, who was also the second accused in the case. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) earlier suspended Ruvais. In a statement, the IMA said, "Dr Ruvais EA, a member of the Indian Medical Association, alleged to be involved in the abetment of suicide of a lady doctor pursuing her 2nd-year post-graduate training in surgery, has been arrested by the police under the dowry prohibition act and remanded to Judicial Custody." (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Ministers of the state, Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday and discussed various schemes related to the development of the state. Prime Minister's Office posted on 'X', "CM of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav, along with Deputy CMs Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda met PM Modi." Yadav also wrote on X, "Today, I met PM Modi in New Delhi and received guidance about various schemes related to development, progress and public interest of Madhya Pradesh. Deputy Chief Ministers of state, Shukla and Devda were also present on the occasion." With the guidance and blessings of the Prime Minister, we will leave no stone unturned to create new records in the field of development in the state, he added. Meanwhile, CM Yadav also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During this, he had a detailed discussion with Shah about various public welfare schemes and development works related to the state. The CM posted on X, "Today, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, discussed in detail of the development of Madhya Pradesh and various public welfare schemes and received guidance from him." Earlier on Thursday, CM Yadav met with all the Members of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh in Delhi and said that all would work for the betterment of the state. "Today in Delhi, there was a meeting with MPs from Madhya Pradesh. I'm happy that I got the chance to meet all of them. It was the first such meeting after the elections. We will all work for the betterment of the MP. I hope that after the elections, all MPs win yet again under the leadership of PM Modi," said CM Mohan Yadav. (ANI)
The Delhi Police Special Cell conducted psycho-analysis tests of all accused in the Parliament security breach case. All these tests were conducted in a government institute located in Rohini, said police. The psycho-analysis test of Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy, and Mahesh Kumawat was also conducted. Mahesh Kumawat is the sixth accused in the Parliament security breach case. As per the information received from the officials, the Delhi Police Special Cell is getting the new SIMs of all the accused activated, after which further secrets behind the conspiracy may be revealed from the mobile phone SIMs through the cloud. Meanwhile, the Patiala House Court of Delhi, during the day, extended the custodial remand of accused Lalit Jha by a further 14 days in the Parliament security breach case.He was produced by the Special Cell of Delhi Police before the concerned court at the end of the remand period granted earlier last week by the same court. Earlier, Delhi Police had apprised the Court that accused Lalit Jha disclosed that all accused met many times and executed the conspiracy. Delhi Police while producing Jha before the concerned Judge last week, informed that accused Lalit Jha has disclosed that accused persons including him wanted to create anarchy in the country so that they can compel the government to meet their demands. Police had also said that he took the phones of accused persons to destroy the phones to destroy evidence and to hide the larger conspiracy. He also disclosed that he threw his phone in the way from Jaipur to Delhi. Last week, the Patiala House Court granted seven-day custody of Mahesh Kumawat, the sixth accused in the Parliament security breach case to the police. Police claimed, "He (Mahesh) along with others wanted to create anarchy in the country so that they can compel the government to meet their unjust and illegal demands".According to the Police, Mahesh was associated with the other accused for the last 2 years. He was the part of the conspiracy. He attended almost all the meetings held between them. He is actively involved in the act of destruction of a mobile phone and evidence with the key accused Lalit Jha. 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 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.Senior police officials earlier, including two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) and Additional Commissioners of Police, interrogated Lalit Jha, during which he narrated the whole incident to officials. According to sources, during interrogation, it came to light that preparations for the attack were being made months ago. An entry pass was necessary for entry into Parliament; hence, it was not available. Lalit had asked everyone who could arrange the pass so that they could easily enter Parliament. From a hotel in Rajasthan, Lalit was continuously keeping an eye on ongoing developments and police movements through news channels, they said.According to sources, to unearth more details in the case, the Special Cell of Delhi Police formed six teams that visited the locations linked with the accused in Lucknow, Mysore, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana. The investigation also revealed that two pairs of shoes were made on special order in Lucknow, as the accused discovered that shoes do not get checked in Parliament and this can be an easy way to carry the smoke canister inside the parliament. (ANI)
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his wife Sadhna Singh Chouhan on Friday offered prayers at the temple at Narmada Udgam Sthal - the origin of the River Narmada in Anuppur's Amarkantak. During this, the former CM prayed for the welfare and development of the state. "I have grown up in the lap of Narmada maa since childhood and have done public service work with her blessings. I had visited here before the state assembly elections and had prayed to carry forward the development and public welfare works in the state. I also prayed for the schemes to be implemented properly and for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's formation in the state," Chouhan said. "I also prayed that the state continues to progress and develop under the leadership of our new Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and deputy CMs Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla," he said. Chouhan, the state's longest-serving Chief Minister resigned after 16.5 years and four terms. His tenure came to an end as BJP MLA Mohan Yadav took oath as the new CM of the state after recently concluded assembly polls. Out of 230 assembly seats in the state, BJP won 163 seats, while the Congress party won 66 seats and the Bharatiya Adivasi Party won one seat. (ANI)
They said the meeting will discuss party's preparations for the Lok Sabha polls next year and there will be stocktaking of the results of assembly polls last month.

The BJP won in three of the five states in a major boost to its campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. While drawing out campaign programmes, the party is expected to give special focus to southern states.

The two-day meeting will be chaired by BJP chief JP Nadda and will be attended by state chiefs, general secretaries, incharges and other office-bearers. Sources said the party will discuss strategy for Lok Sabha polls in the light of efforts by INDIA alliance parties to contest the polls together.

The meeting is also expected to review the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

Sources said there will also be discussion on training of elected representatives and mocha activities in the meeting. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal on December 26 to hold organisational meetings with state leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha election, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar told ANI on Friday. According to party sources, Shah would kick-start his meeting with the state leadership and workers of the party in Kolkata on December 26 to feel the pulse of West Bengal BJP's organizational strength, before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Amit Shah had last visited West Bengal on November 29, when he addressed a public rally in Kolkata. While addressing a public rally in Dharmatala, Shah said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is the "country's law" and the Narendra Modi-led Central government is going to implement it at any cost. "In the state in which so much infiltration occurs, will development take place there?...That is why Mamata Banerjee is opposing the CAA...But I would say that CAA is the law of the country, and no one can stop it...We will implement it...," Shah had said in his address. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 was notified on December 12 and came into force on January 10 in 2020. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Friday stayed the trial court order directing the Delhi Police to supply a copy of the FIR to accused Neelam Azad in the Parliament security breach case. Delhi Police has today moved to the High Court challenging the trial court order in regards to supplying a copy of the FIR to one of the accused, Neelam Azad, in connection with the Parliament security breach case. The Bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, after noting the submissions of Delhi Police, ordered that the trial court's directions be stayed till January 4, 2024. Meanwhile, the court also issued notices to the accused Neelam Azad on Delhi Police plea. The Patiala House Court on Thursday allowed an application moved by one of the accused, Neelam Azad's family, seeking a supply of a copy of FIR registration under various sections of IPC and UAPA. The court also allowed a plea seeking court direction to Delhi Police to allow Neelam's lawyer to meet for legal advice during the custodial remand period. Additional Sessions Judge Dr Hardeep Kaur had said the concerned investigation officer is directed to furnish a copy of the present FIR to the applicant or accused as per law. The court also said, considering the totality of circumstances, that this Court is of the considered view that the applicant/accused is entitled as a matter right to legal assistance and the right is available to her even when she is in police custody. To have an effective and meaningful interaction between the applicant/accused and her counsel, it is hereby directed that on every alternate day, a 15-minute interaction of the applicant/accused Neelam with her counsel, as mentioned in the vakalatnama, be arranged within the visible range of the IO of the present case but outside his audible range. In case, if the meeting cannot be arranged on that day, then the meeting can be postponed to the next available date, further said the court. Neelam's counsel advocate, Suresh Kumar Chaudhary, appeared before the concerned judge and said family and lawyers should be provided with the FIR; it is a constitutional right and also allowed us to meet with Neelam. The plea stated that on December 15, 2023, a family of the accused with their advocate visited Sansad Marg Police Station, New Delhi to get a copy of the FIR and to meet with the accused. "When we had words with the investigating officer and requested him to provide a copy of the FIR to a family member of the accused and meet accused Neelam the officer denied to grant such permission and straight forward said to take an order from the court to get the copy of FIR and meeting with accused," the plea stated. It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed to this court in the interest of justice to kindly grant the permission to get the copy of FIR as well as the meeting with accused Neelam or any further relief may kindly be granted, stated the application copy. The Patiala House Court on Thursday has also extended the custodial remand of four accused individuals, Manoranjan, Neelam, Sagar, and Anmol, to the Special Cell of Delhi Police for 15 more days until January 5, 2024, in the Parliament security breach case. The case involves a security breach that occurred on December 13, when two youths jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber during Zero Hour, setting off smoke cans and raising slogans. The probe earlier revealed further that two pairs of shoes were made on a special order in Lucknow, as the accused learned that the shoes of visitors to the new Parliament were not checked and they could hide their smoke cans under their footwear, sources said. (ANI)
While dismissing the bail plea of AAP MP Sanjay Singh, the Rouse Avenue court said that the Court is of prima facie view that the case against him is genuine and the evidence shows his involvement in the alleged offence of money laundering. "There are reasonable grounds for believing that he is guilty of the alleged offence of money laundering," the court said. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has been arrested and charge-sheeted for the alleged offence of Money laundering related to Delhi Excise policy. He sought regular bail. Special Judge MK Nagpal expressed his prima facie view and said, "The evidence and material show the involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering because he is shown to have been, directly or indirectly, involved in the process or activities connected with proceeds of crime generated through the scheduled offences case of CBI." The court further said, " The evidence and material is also sufficient to furnish this court reasonable grounds for believing that he is 'guilty' of the said offence in terms of provisionscontained Under section 45 of the PMLA." It can be said that the conditions laid down by section 45 for the grant of bail are not satisfied, the court said in the order passed on December 22, 2023. While dismissing the bail application, the court said that it was approved by the Supreme Court that bribes in connection with the formulation of the Delhi excise policy were paid. "It can also be observed by this court that the basic case of ED in the present ECIR stands approved upto the Honorable Supreme Court and it has been endorsed by the Hon'ble Apex Court that the bribe or kickbacks in connection with formulation of excise policy of the GNCTD for the year 2020-21 was/were paid and it was so approved by rejection of bail application of accused Manish Sisodia on merits by their Lordships of the said court," special judge M K Nagpal said in the order. The court further said that even the bail applications of various other accused arrested in this case, namely Sameer Mahandru, Amit Arora, Vijay Nair, Arun Ramchandran Pillai, Amandeep Dhall and Abhishek Boinpally, stand already dismissed by this court in light of their involvement with the process and different activities relating to the said proceeds of crime and bail applications of some of these accused are now stated to be pending before the Honorable Supreme Court or before the Honorable High Court. Thus, the observations made by this court regarding the interpretation of provisions of Section 45 and 50 of the PMLA, while dismissing the said bail application on the basis of legal position stated above, have yet not been over turned or set aside either by the Hon'ble High Court or by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, Special judge clarified in the order. The special judge also noted that reliance was placed on the above order of the Supreme Court granting bail to the accused Benoy Babu in this case. The court said that even in the said order of Honorable Apex Court no contrary observations regarding interpretation of the said provisions are found to have been made and even no parity can be drawn therefrom qua the applicant as the said accused was in custody in this case for the last around 13 months and his case on merits is also stated to have been different. It was submitted by the Counsel for Sanjay Singh that no recovery of any part or portion of the amount of Rs. 2 crores allegedlypaid to the applicant has been effected from his possession or even from his residence during the course of such proceedings dated 04.10.2023. The court said that this is not material as such recovery is not always necessary to be effected. It was also the submission of Senior Counsel that besides the above oral and documentary evidence, there is no other documentary evidence to show the trail connecting the applicant with alleged proceeds of crime. The court rejected the submission and said that even this submission of Senior Counsel cannot be given any weight at this stage as no such further documentary evidence constituting the trail thereof could have been possible to be collected or recovered by the investigating agencies since the alleged transactions constituting the generation of proceeds of crime were made in cash only and not through any documentary or electronic mode. The court also rejected the submission of Senior Counsel for applicant that the statements of approver should not be considered as the same have been given by him under an inducement from or the influence of ED officials and on a promise of being tendered a pardon in case he gives an incriminating statement against some big politicians of AAP including the applicant. The court said that even these submissions of Senior Counsel cannot be accepted at this stage. There is nothing to show from record that the approver had acted under any coercion or influence of the ED officials. The court also said that besides the evidence and material collected by ED in respect to delivery and payment of an amount of Rs 2 crores to the applicant by the approver Dinesh Arora, it has also been alleged that the applicant is even found to have played an important role towards the formulation of excise policy of the GNCTD for the year 2020-21, that is, previous to the year2021-22 in respect to which these cases were originally registered, and it is being stated that during the investigation, recovery of one unsigned MoU of June 18, 2020 has been effected. The said MoU was to be executed between accused Amit Arora, approver Dinesh Arora and one Sh. Vivek Tyagi and it is alleged that through this MoU and some other related activities, an attempt was made by the applicant to generate proceeds of crime in relation to offences committed in respect to the above said previous policy, the court noted. It was stated that Vivek Tyagi was attempted to be inducted as a dummy partner by the applicant in above firm named M/S Aralias Hospitality belonging to the accused Amit Arora and a share of twenty percent was sought to be secured for this dummy associate of the applicant. The court observed, "It was done in lieu of extending favours to the accused Amit Arora in connection with formulation and implementation of the said policy for the previous year 2020-21, though, somehow, the said attempt could not succeed." The statements of approver Dinesh Arora, accused Amit Arora and witness Ankit Gupta, who was working as CA of approver Dinesh Arora, are being referred to this aspect along with statements of some other witnesses, the court said. The court further said that it is also gathered from the above statements that though initiallythe above entity was sought to be created with only two partners, namely the approver Dinesh Arora and accused Amit Arora, but the name of Vivek Tyagi was added later on and the statements of the approver and the above other accused further show that it was done at the instance of this applicant only. It is alleged by the agency that Vivek Tyagi is the current Personal Assistant of applicant, the court noted in the order. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Friday refuted all the claims regarding the rift between Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United (JDU) supremo Nitish Kumar and RJD Leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. He said that these are efforts to do negative publicity by "certain media sections," adding that the INDIA bloc is "strong together." "It was a very fruitful meeting (INDIA alliance)...Certain media sections cannot digest that there is such a big alliance and everybody is together. There are efforts to do negative publicity...We are strong and we are together. We have decided to defeat the BJP..." said Tejashwi Yadav. Earlier today, the Deputy Chief Minister reached the Chief Minister's residence and met Nitish Kumar. Many media reports claimed that Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United (JDU) Supremo Nitish Kumar was "unhappy" over the proposal of Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Following this, Congress dismissed the same, stating that the meeting was concluded on a "good note." "The meeting went on for five to six hours. The meeting was crucial and effective. It was concluded on a good note. If some media reports are claiming that Nitish Kumarji was unhappy over the meeting, there might be some 'vested interest' but I reckon that he is the convener of the alliance and he will make it reach its destination", said Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir. The fourth meeting of the 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc took place in the national capital on Tuesday. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee floated Mallikarjun Kharge's name as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the mega alliance, however, some of the media reports claimed that Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Yadav were "unhappy" over the proposal and left the meeting early. Meanwhile, the meeting comes amid the political tensions escalating between the Opposition and the BJP-led central government over the demand of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement over the Parliament security breach. An unprecedented number of MPs, a total of 146, were suspended from Parliament. The alliance, led by the Congress, took shape with the primary objective of mounting a combined challenge to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in next year's general elections. The first meeting of the joint opposition convened in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. The third meeting happened in Mumbai on August 31-September 1. INDIA or 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance' is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the Mumbai meeting, the opposition parties adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while announcing that seat-sharing arrangements would be finalized as soon as possible through a spirit of give-and-take. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, along with his Deputy Chief Ministers Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda, met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here on Friday. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister and his deputies called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and discussed various schemes related to the development of the state. The Prime Minister's Office posted on 'X', "CM of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav, along with Deputy CMs Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda met PM Modi." Yadav also wrote on X, "Today, I met PM Modi in New Delhi and received guidance about various schemes related to development, progress and public interest of Madhya Pradesh. Deputy Chief Ministers of state, Shukla and Devda were also present on the occasion." With the guidance and blessings of the Prime Minister, we will leave no stone unturned to create new records in the field of development in the state, he added. Meanwhile, CM Yadav also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During this, he had a detailed discussion with Shah about various public welfare schemes and development works related to the state. The CM posted on X, "Today, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, discussed in detail the development of Madhya Pradesh and various public welfare schemes and received guidance from him."Earlier on Thursday, CM Yadav met with all the Members of Parliament from Madhya Pradesh in Delhi and said that all would work for the betterment of the state. "Today in Delhi, there was a meeting with MPs from Madhya Pradesh. I'm happy that I got the chance to meet all of them. It was the first such meeting after the elections. We will all work for the betterment of the MP. I hope that after the elections, all MPs win yet again under the leadership of PM Modi," said CM Mohan Yadav. (ANI)
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday arrested five more key functionaries of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) and produced them in court, stating that all these five people were involved in the generation of proceeds of crime for terror activities. ED had recently arrested six PFI functionaries under sections of the Money Laundering Act. These accused were earlier arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and lodged in judicial custody. According to the ED, the accused are (1) AS Ismail one of the founding members of Popular Front of India (PFI), (2) Md Shakif State President PFI Karnataka, key signatory, (3) Anis Ahmed, National Secretary PFI till 2020, (4) Afsar Paasha, National Secretary PFI when it was declared unlawful, (5) EM Abdul Rahiman - Remained National Vice President and also associated with Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). All the accused were produced before the court on Friday and ED initially sought 10 days custodial remand of them saying they were directly involved and were knowingly a party to the various processes and activities connected with the proceeds of crime and thus committed the offence of money laundering as defined under Section 3 of PMLA, 2002. The Special Judge Chaderjit Singh noted the submissions and agreed to send the freshly arrested five accused to six days of custodial remand. While seeking remand Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta and Manish Jain appeared for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and submitted that the investigation revealed that cash deposits and bank transfers are not genuine transactions and have been affected by PFI in order to project the unaccounted cash raised through unknown and suspicious sources as untainted and legitimate and from the various incriminating documents seized during search operations at the offices of PFI and residences of its office bearers on December 3, 2020. The ED's lawyer further revealed that PFI has thousands of active members in Gulf countries and that PFI has been raising and collecting substantial funds from abroad in a well-organized and structured manner. Hence, it is evident that funds collected by PFI abroad are remitted through hawala or underground channels and through remittances sent to the accounts of members or activists or office bearers of the PFI or CFI and other related organizations and funds received from overseas are concealed from the Government authorities and statutory compliance not done by PFI and its related organizations. Advocates Mohd Faizan and Ishaan Baisla also appeared for the ED in the matter. Recently, the Popular Front of India had moved the Delhi High Court challenging an order of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal upheld the decision of Centre Government decision to ban Popular Front of India and its affiliates. Earlier in March month Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma passed the Judgement in this regard. After passing the Judgement the Tribunal forward it to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) The Tribunal had dismissed the allegations levelled by the PFI organisation that one particular community is being targeted by the government. The associated lawyer in the case stated that the Tribunal while passing the Judgement noted that the members of PFI and its affiliates are indulging in secessionist activities that were contrary to the social fabric of the country. To justify the ban on the terror outfit, the Central government had examined and presented 100 witnesses and had also shown two videos justifying the activities of the organisation and its members, said the associated lawyers in the case. In September last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs had declared Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates as 'Unlawful Association'. The press statement issued in this regard stated that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates or affiliates or fronts have been found to be involved in serious offences, including terrorism and its financing, targeted gruesome killings, disregarding the constitutional set-up of the country, disturbing public order which are prejudicial to the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country. Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs found it necessary to curb the nefarious activities of the organization and has hence declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an "unlawful association" under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. (ANI)
Kumaraswamy said that the Defence Minister assured continued cooperation from the central government for the all-round development of Karnataka.

"Had a friendly meeting today with the Hon'ble Minister of Defense of the Government of India and senior @BJP4India leader, Mr. @rajnathsingh, in New Delhi. During our interaction, Mr. Singh assured continued cooperation from the Central Government for the all-round development of Karnataka. Grateful for his commitment and extend my heartfelt thanks to the minister," Kumaraswamy said in a post on 'X'.

The meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former Prime Minister, HD Deve Gowda, along with MLA HD Revanna and Kumaraswamy on Thursday in the national capital.

PM Narendra Modi praised the former Prime Minister for his exemplary contribution to the country's progress. The Prime Minister posted on X, "Always a delight to meet former PM HD Deve Gowda Ji, HD Kumaraswamy ji and HD Revanna Ji."

"India greatly cherishes Deve Gowda Ji's exemplary contribution to the nation's progress. His thoughts on diverse policy matters are insightful and futuristic," PM added.

These meetings get crucial as it has come days' after Deve Gowda had a 'surprise' meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on December 15.

Notably, the Janata Dal (Secular) of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on September 22 announced an alliance with the BJP in Karnataka and formally joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Cargo handling in national waterways has grown by more than 1,700 per cent to 126.15 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2022-23 from 6.83 MMT in 2013-14, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Friday. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal who chaired the meeting on the 'Coastal Shipping Policy' on Friday in New Delhi said that the ministry has identified a total potential of 1300 MTPA cargo movement by coastal shipping by 2047. [{7d2b86f2-bcf7-4074-b512-693de4d7e2d2:intradmin/ANI-20231222154402.jpeg}] Minister of State for MoPSW Shripad Y Naik along with Members of Parliament Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Hibi Eden, Lalubhai Babubhai Patel, and GK Vasan, Rajya Sabha attended the meeting. "MoPSW has introduced green channel clearance, First and last mile road and rail connectivity, Sectoral plans for Efficient Logistics (SPEL) under National logistics policy etc. for the promotion of coastal shipping," the union minister said. He further said that the Government has taken various projects under the Sagarmala Programme for enhancement of Coastal Cargo handling capacity and facilitation of passenger movement along the coast. "Five dedicated coastal berths have been developed, creating handling capacity of 6.34 MTPA. Apart from this 10 projects of RoRo/RoPax Jetties, Passenger Jetties etc. worth Rs. 527 Cr crore have also been completed," said Sonowal. According to the official statement by the ministry, to facilitate the coastal vessels, the MoPSW has also introduced priority berthing policy and Green channel clearance for faster evacuation of coastal cargo at ports. A discount of 40 per cent is offered by major ports on vessel and cargo related charges to coastal cargo vessels, the ministry said. "After looking at the potential the government has also reduced GST on bunker fuels used in Indian Flag Vessels from 18 per cent to 5 per cent," it added. Development of agglomeration centres, silo infrastructure, dedicated warehousing facilities and improvement in end-to-end logistics supply chain are also the focus areas of the ministry for promoting coastal sipping further. Under the National Logistics Policy (NLP) Sectoral Plans for Efficient Logistics (SPEL) being prepared by line ministries (Food, Fertilizer, Steel, Coal, Cement, P&NG etc.) for promotion of sustainable modes of transport like Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways. Even earmarking of minimum cargo -Public Sector Undertakings (PSU's) like coal and fertilizers through Coastal Shipping has also been formalised. (ANI)
He emphasised maintaining high-quality standards in the manufacturing process. He was presiding over a meeting with OEMs in Dharamshala.

The tenders for purchasing e-buses will be issued shortly, with a strict timeline for their delivery.To optimise costs and promote sustainability, the state plans to gradually replace 1,500 diesel buses from the Himachal Road Transport Corporation fleet, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to providing comfortable transport services to the people of the state, besides ensuring carbon-free and environment-friendly criteria.

He said that the phased introduction of types 1, 2, and 3 e-buses aims to transform Himachal Pradesh into a clean and green state, aligning with the government's commitment to achieving Green Energy State status by March 31, 2026.

"The establishment of strategic green corridors, including Parwanoo-Nalagarh-Una-Hamirpur-Sansarpur, Paonta-Nahan-Solan-Shimla, Parwanoo-Solan-Shimla-Rampur-Losar, Mandi-Jogindernagar-Palampur-Dharamshala-Kangra-Pathankot, and Kiratpur-Bilaspur-Mandi-Manali-Keylong-ZingZing Bar, reflects the state's proactive measures in this direction," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Principal Secretary Transport RD Nazeem, Managing Director HRTC Rohan Chand Thakur, Director Transport Anupam Kashyap and representatives of various OEMs were also present in the meeting. (ANI)
The cabinet approved the decision in a meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.

However, the committee has yet to submit its detailed report to the government.

The committee is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, who currently heads the Delimitation Commission of India. Other members of the committee include retired Delhi High Court judge Pramod Kohli, social activist Manu Gaur, ex-chief secretary and IAS officer Shatrughan Singh, and Doon University Vice-Chancellor Surekha Dangwal.

The UCC was promised to the people of the state in the run-up to the 2022 assembly polls in Uttarakhand.

Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India. The UCC proposes a common set of laws dealing with marriage, inheritance, adoption, and other matters.

The UCC, which had been a hot topic that had polarised opinions over the last 4 years, hit the forefront yet again after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for the implementation of uniform legislation in an address in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal.

PM Modi said the country cannot run on two laws and that the Uniform Civil Code was in keeping with the founding principles and ideals of the Constitution. (ANI)
In a significant move to encourage road safety measures and strengthen enforcement in the state, Assam Minister of Transport, Parimal Suklabaidya handed over 10 state-of-the-art traffic interceptor vehicles and 150 breath analyzers to the Assam Police. The official equipment handover ceremony took place on Friday at Assam Police Headquarters in Guwahati. Symbolising the government's commitment to ensuring safer roads for the citizens of Assam, Minister of Transport Parimal Suklabaidya formally handed over the equipment to the Director General of Police (DGP), Assam, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, in the presence of senior officials from the Transport Department and Assam Police. This initiative emphasised the collaborative efforts between the Lead Agency on Road Safety, under the Transport Department, Assam and the Assam Police to enhance road safety enforcement in the state. It comes at a crucial time as the festive season approaches, and many places experience challenging weather conditions, particularly foggy winters. This equipment will be distributed across Assam in the most accident-prone areas. "This distribution of the equipment will enhance road safety enforcement and will be distributed across Assam in the most accident-prone areas. The traffic interceptor vehicles will help in enhancing surveillance on overspeeding, and the breath analyzers will enhance the enforcement efforts against drink and drive incidents," Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya said. The deployment of 10 traffic interceptor vehicles equipped with advanced monitoring and enforcement tools will help in enhancing surveillance and deterring traffic violations, especially overspeeding, which is the leading cause of accidents and fatalities in Assam The DGP reiterated that two TIVs will be given exclusively to the Nagaon and Golaghat districts for deployment in Kaziranga National Park to curb the menace of overspeeding in that segment. Breath analyzers will enhance the enforcement efforts against drink and drive incidents, in which Assam registers more cases than the national average. With the onset of the holiday season, the initiative targets reducing incidents of overspeeding, speeding and driving in the state, which is one of the significant contributors to accidents and fatalities. (ANI)
Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, SS Meenakshi Sundaram, signed the MoU on behalf of Raj Bhavan and Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Guwahati, signed it for IIT G.

It may be noted that the MoU has been signed with IIT-G to enable the Raj Bhavan to effectively support the Governor and to enhance the capacity of the Raj Bhavan towards the delivery of public service.

This partnership between Raj Bhavan and IIT-G is the first of its kind in the region.

The partnership is expected to be a long endeavour to take the administration of Raj Bhavan to facilitate public service to a greater height. (ANI)
A day after the passage of three criminal laws in Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday held a review meeting in Chandigarh for the implementation of these laws-- the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita Bill and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau Of Police Research and Development among others concerned. "A day after the passage of three new laws by Parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah today held a review meeting in Chandigarh for the implementation of these laws," a Home Ministry Spokesperson said in a post on X. In another post on 'X', the MHA Spokesperson said, "The meeting discussed infrastructure, software, human resource training and complete computerization of courts for law enforcement in all Union Territories by December 2024." The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the three criminal bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita Bill and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill replacing the colonial laws namely the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act. Giving prominence to crimes against women and children, murder and crimes against the nation; these three Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the CrPC with Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Indian Evidence Act has been replaced with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections of IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the Bill, and imprisonment sentences have been increased for 33 crimes. The amount of fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced in six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed in the Bill. Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the Bill and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Bill. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Bill. Piloting the three Bills Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that it's the "beginning of a new era" as "the purpose of these bills is to give justice not the punishment." "For the first time in history", Shah had said that the three bills would free people from a colonial mindset as the British government considered protections against treason and treasury more important than murder or atrocities against women. The Minister had said that complete implementation of new criminal laws will ensure an end to 'tareekh pe tareekh' era and justice will be given in three years." Shah had also said the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has introduced a new chapter titled 'Crimes against women and children' to deal with sexual crimes, and that the bill is proposing changes in the provisions related to the rape of women below 18 years of age. Provision related to gang rape of a minor woman to become consistent with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), and a provision has been made for life imprisonment or the death penalty in the case of girls below 18 years of age, said the Minister on Thursday. There is provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and new crime category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age, he said, adding "the Bill provides for targeted penalties for persons fraudulently engaging in sexual intercourse or promising to marry without true intention to marry." As per the Minister, terrorism has been defined for the first time in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and it has been made a punishable offence. In Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sectiin 113. (1), it is clearly mentioned that "whoever, with intent to endanger or is likely to endanger the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security or economic security or sovereignty of India or to cause or spread terror among the public or any section of the public in India or in any foreign country, commits any act using bombs, dynamite, explosive substances, poisonous gases, nuclear with intent to cause death to any person or persons, damage to property, or manufacture or smuggling of currency or so, he commits terrorist acts".In the Bill, terrorist acts are punishable with the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. A range of terrorist offences have also been introduced in the Bill and it is pointed out that destroying public facilities or private property is a crime. Acts that cause 'widespread loss by reason of damage or destruction of critical infrastructure' are also covered under this section. A new criminal section related to organized crime has been added to the Bill, and organized crime has been defined for the first time in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 111. (1). Illegal activity done by syndicate has been made punishable. The new provisions include armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities or any act threatening the sovereignty or unity and integrity of India. Small organized crimes have also been criminalized, punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years. In organized crime, if a person is killed, the Bills says, the accused can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. A fine will also be imposed, which will not be less than Rs 10 lakh. Provision for punishment has also been made for those who help in organized crime. On mob lynching, Shah had said a new provision on crime related to murder committed on the basis of race, caste and community has been included, for which a provision of life imprisonment or death penalty has been made. A new provision related to snatching also. There will now be more severe penalties for serious injuries that result in near-disability or permanent disability. The practice of filing zero FIR has been institutionalized. The First Information Report (FIR) can be lodged anywhere, irrespective of the area in which the crime took place. Victim's right to information has been ensured in these laws. Victim has the right to get a copy of the FIR free of cost. There is also a provision to inform the victim about the progress of the investigation within 90 days. A timeline has been added in 35 sections of Bharatiya Nagrik Sukraksha Sanhita, which will make the speedy delivery of justice possible. The Bill prescribes a time limit for initiation of criminal proceedings, arrest, investigation, charge sheet, proceedings before magistrate, cognizance, charges, plea bargaining, appointment of Assistant Public Prosecutor, trial, bail, judgment and punishment, and mercy petition. This process of reform in the three laws of the criminal justice system was started in 2019 and 3,200 suggestions in this regard were received from various stakeholders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held more than 150 meetings and these suggestions were thoroughly discussed in the Home Ministry. (ANI)
Six people have been arrested in Maharashtra's Mumbai with nearly 2.6 kilograms of "Kashmiri Charas" and 120 grams of mephedrone (MD) drug seized from their possession in two separate operations, Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell officials said on Friday. Officials said that the estimated value of seized drugs is around Rs 1.51 crore and the arrested 'drug peddlers' include one from Kashmir. According to officials, in the first operation, the anti-narcotic cell of Bandra Unit on Thursday, while patrolling in Byculla east area, found two suspicious persons with possession of 1.8 kilograms of Kashmiri Charas. While interrogating one of the accused, the police got information that another one of his associates was in the Byculla East area. After an intense search, the police were able to trace a third person from the Byculla East area from whom 800 gram Kashmiri charas was recovered. In total, 2.6 kilogram Kashmiri charas was seized from all three accused valued at Rs 1.04 crore. The drug peddlers procured the high-quality Kashmiri charas from Jammu Kashmir, officials said. The modus operandi of crime is that one of the accused, identified as Haji Abdul Rehman, brings walnuts from Jammu and Kashmir. Rehman then hid the high-quality Kashmiri charas in walnut bags and sold them in Mumbai, they said. Incriminating details were extracted from the accused and the drug network was identified. It was established that the first accused has two Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases lodged against him. He was earlier nabbed during the seizure of a huge commercial quantity (55 kg) of charas in the Worli Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) case. An investigation is underway to trace the other interstate members involved in the Charas trade. In the second operation, the ANC Azadmaidan Unit on Thursday found one suspicious person in the possession of MD (mephedrone) in the Mahim area. While interrogating him, he said he took the MD from Mumbai's Do Taki area. Thereafter, the person was traced, and he said in his interrogation that he took the MD from a third accused, police said. The third person was traced and 22 lakh cash was recovered from his house. A total of 120 grams MD valued at Rs 47 lakh was seized from all three accused, police said. The police extracted incriminating details and identified the drug network. An in-depth investigation to trace out other crucial members of the drug trade is underway. (ANI)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Thursday said that Baloch demonstrators have 'constitutional right' to protest and warned the Islamabad top cop against any hindrance in the protest staged by the Baloch marchers, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Justice Farooq made the remarks during the hearing of a case related to illegal arrests of Baloch long march participants in Islamabad. Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan appeared before the IHC bench after he was summoned by the Chief Justice as the court took up a plea against the arrest of Baloch protesters. Authorities detained long march participants during a demonstration in Islamabad against the enforced disappearances of Baloch missing persons. The march began in Turbat and was enroute to Islamabad Press Club when the police intercepted them on Wednesday night. On Wednesday, an advance party of Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) reached Islamabad through the motorway. However, the police barricaded all the main and artery roads, leading to the Red Zone, according to Geo News report. Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari appeared in the court on behalf of the protesters in the plea registered by long march organisers Sami Baloch and Abdul Salam. During the hearing, Mazari said that force was used against the protesters, who were also baton-charged. She said, "Peaceful protesters were also detained, which is illegal," adding that the protesters included women and children. Chief Justice Farooq asked about the status of 86 protesters, whose names are mentioned in the petition, who were arrested during the protest, Geo News reported. In response to the question, Akbar Nasir Khan said there was no information available about the listed individuals. Justice Farooq said, "Let them protest who have come to protest, its their constitutional right." The IHC Chief Justice warned the Inspector General against any one of his officers impeding the protests. Akbar Nasir Khan said that all the people nominated in the FIR lodged at the Tarnol Police Station have been released. He further stated that those arrested in the FIR registered at Kohsar Police Station have been presented before the magistrate, according to Geo News report. The court then adjourned the hearing and sought a report regarding the number of people detained, remanded in judicial custody, and released, by tomorrow. Earlier in the day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the violent police crackdown on Baloch protesters in Islamabad. In a post on X, HRCP wrote, "HRCP strongly condemns the violent police crackdown on Baloch protestors in Islamabad, with women, children and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons. Numerous women protestors have reportedly been arrested and separated from their male relatives and allies." "This treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly is inexcusable. It also reflects how little the state thinks of the protesters' demand that their right to life and liberty be upheld. All those detained must be released unconditionally. Once again, we urgently call on the government to organize a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing," he added. Meanwhile, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) has accused the Pakistani authorities of adopting a fascist attitude towards the Baloch. It said that Islamabad police have conducted a crackdown on the long march and kept hundreds of youths, including participants at an unknown location. In a post shared on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) stated, "The Islamabad police has cracked down on the long march and kept hundreds of youths including the participants at an unknown location. The state has adopted a fascist attitude towards the Baloch. We strongly appeal to the Baloch people to show a strong reaction, to convince the upper class with public power and force that we are not afraid." https://twitter.com/BYCislamabad/status/1737746305672221158 The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) also condemned the police attack on the protest in Dera Ghazi Khan. It further said that several protesters were arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan. Islamabad police dispersed the Baloch protesters late at night as the long march against alleged extrajudicial killings in Balochistan continued in full swing, VOA Urdu reported. A water cannon was used for this purpose, and many people including women were arrested too. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), VOA Urdu reported, "The Islamabad police started dispersing the long march to highlight the issue of missing persons in Balochistan late at night. A water cannon was used for this purpose. Many people including women have been arrested. While many people were reportedly injured due to police violence." On Wednesday, the long march against the alleged Baloch genocide and disappearances started to move towards Islamabad. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has called for Baloch people to gather in front of Balochistan University on Thursday, from where the movement against the ongoing state violence against Baloch mothers and sisters in Islamabad will be launched. The committee noted that the Baloch Long March against alleged Baloch genocide, illegal forced disappearance of the people, killing of missing persons by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in fake encounters and the activity of death squads across Balochistan had seen widespread support. (ANI)
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday said there should be no doubt about polls on February 8 as the election process had started with the candidates filing their nomination papers and the political parties busy in building narratives to attract voters, ARY News reported. ARY News is a Pakistani news channel. In an interview with a private television channel, he said it was a constitutional requirement to hold elections, which would be held on February 8, after which a newly elected government would be formed. Responding to a question, he said the government would provide security to political leaders, including the three-time prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz, Imran Khan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others. Prominent political leaders could be targeted and the government would be blamed for any lapse in their security, he continued. "It is the responsibility of the government to provide security to political leaders and voters in Pakistan." He said the caretaker government would fulfil its responsibility during the holding of elections. It would be illegal to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from taking part in the elections, PM Kakar said and clarified that there was no policy to stop the PTI from organising public meetings, as per ARY News. On election day, the candidates of PTI would be in the field and the voters would be voting for them, he commented. He said those who were involved in the incidents of May 9 were facing the law of the land. He was of the view that those involved in the May 9 incidents should not be public officeholders. Kakar said the Election Commission should look into complaints made by political parties about maladministration. To a question, he said overall political circumstances triggered the actions against the PTI and lessons were learned by the state. He said, "It is not our job to tell overseas Pakistanis which political party they should support." However, the people should vote for a party that has an agenda for the economic revival of Pakistan, he opined. "I will vote for a party that has an agenda to revive the economy," he asserted. He further said that there was a wave of terrorism in the country and that there were forces that wanted to cause disruption in Pakistan and the government would make all efforts to protect the lives of people, as per ARY News. (ANI)
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed his desire to contest the upcoming general election from Lahore, ARY News reported. ARY News is a Pakistani news channel. Sources told ARY News that the former Pakistan foreign minister has acquired nomination papers for the NA-128 constituency in Lahore, which will be submitted after approval from the PPP's parliamentary board. As per sources, the PPP leaders have urged Bilawal Bhutto, who has also acquired nomination papers for the NA-194 constituency in Larkana, to contest elections from Lahore, ARY News reported. According to the election schedule, nomination papers could be filed with the respective returning officers by the candidates from December 20 to 22, while the names of all nominated candidates would be published on December 23. The guidelines issued by the electoral body said that a candidate must be accompanied by two voters from the same constituency who would propose and second his nomination. However, no individual can become a proposer or seconder for more than one candidate. Meanwhile, major political parties, including PML-N and MQM-P - sought extension in the December 22 deadline to file nomination papers for the upcoming general elections. As per the ECP's election schedule, nomination papers could be filed with the respective returning officers by the candidates on December 20-22, 2023 while names of all nominated candidates would be published on December 23. Similarly, December 24-30 has been fixed as the last date for filing of appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers regarding rejection/acceptance of nomination papers while the last date for deciding appeals by the Appellate Tribunal was January 03, 2024. The last date for deciding appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers regarding acceptance or rejection of appeals by the appellate tribunal is January 10, 2024 while a revised list of candidates would be published on January 11. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], December 22 (ANI/TPS): Israel's President Isaac Herzog on Thursday hosted leaders of different Christian communities ahead of the Christmas holiday. In place of the traditional reception, under the shadow of the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, the President spoke with the leaders of the community about the situation, about the State of Israel's commitment to the well-being of the different faith communities of the Holy Land, and about the shared hope for peace in the new year. Among those attending the meeting were His Beatitude Theophilos III Giannopoulos, Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem; His Beatitude Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; His Beatitude Cardinal Battista Pietro Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and many more. President Herzog spoke about the terrible attack Hamas had carried out on October 7 saying "Evil forces of the worst kind carried out a barbaric, sadistic attack, killing innocent women, children, old people, young people, people from 40 nationalities, taking hostages, raping, chopping heads, burning people, and more." "Nothing of this is compatible with the Gospels, with the writing of the Gospels, with the teaching of Jesus Christ, or the teachings of course of the Jewish faith, and also with moderate Islam," said Herzog. The President noted how in the last year he has taken "clear steps to defend and to protect Christian communities in the Holy Land." He also said he expected "all religious leaders and all voices of the Christian world to express clear condemnation of these horrors [of October 7] and to support our efforts to eradicate evil from the face of the Holy Land, and enable a different future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region as a whole." Greek Patriarch Theophilos III thanked the President and said: "We are with you today at the critical time for all the peoples of our multiethnic and multicultural and multi-religious Holy Land." (ANI/TPS)
The US Congress has approved a measure prohibiting the Pentagon from using any seaport worldwide reliant on the Chinese logistics platform LOGINK, the Voice of America (VOA) reported. According to Senators Tom Cotton and Representative Michelle Steel, LOGINK allows Beijing to monitor America's military supply chain by tracking cargo and ship movements through commercial ports. Their amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2024 also restricts federal funding for ports using LOGINK. The bill, passed on December 14, is set to take effect six months after President Joe Biden signs the NDAA, which is pending. In an email interview with VOA, Representative Steel highlighted the severity of LOGINK's threat, operating under the Chinese Communist Party, and expressed concern about Beijing's investments in over 100 ports across 60 nations. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), which keeps track of the national security implications of US-China trade, noted that LOGINK's visibility into global shipping and supply chains could expose US supply chain vulnerabilities and track shipments of US military cargo. "LOGINK's visibility into global shipping and supply chains could also enable the Chinese government to identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and to track shipments of U.S. military cargo on commercial freight," USCC 2022 report stated. A spokesperson for the Pentagon's US Transportation Command told VOA in an email on Tuesday, "USTRANSCOM understands the visibility into global logistics China has through their Belt and Road Initiative and related public-private arrangements." LOGINK collaborates with over 20 ports globally, encompassing six in Japan, five in South Korea, and one in Malaysia. Additionally, there are at least nine ports across Europe and three in the Middle East affiliated with LOGINK. Notably, the commission's report indicates the absence of LOGINK port contracts in the US, revealing that Beijing subsidises this cost-free platform. Under the NDAA, Congress is mandated to commission a study on how foreign influence in the 15 largest American container ports "could affect" national and economic security. Ivan Kanapathy, a former National Security Council director and current senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, "Chinese companies are operating ports in the United States, which poses a national security risk to our critical infrastructure. This report will spur policy to counter that risk." The Chinese Embassy referred inquiries to China's General Administration of Customs, which did not respond to VOA's email inquiries. Michael Wessel, a USCC member, hailed the legislation as a "major step" to address the LOGINK threat, underscoring the need for an alternative. Gabe Collins, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute, highlighted the absence of a viable alternative to LOGINK on its scale, estimating it gathers data on up to half of global shipping capacity. The US ban signals a need for an alternative and requires negotiations with allies and partners to remove LOGINK from their ports. The International Association of Ports and Harbours is yet to determine its members' response to the new legislation. Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs, revealed European leaders' unawareness of LOGINK's monitoring capacity, emphasising the need for thorough consideration of such matters, Voice of America reported. (ANI)
Police broke into the house of a Pakistani correspondent, Khursheed Anwar Khan, late Thursday night without any warrants and searched his house, harassing the family, according to Dawn. The Mianwali Police, with a dozen policemen cordoned off the house, while women police officers searched the house without producing any warrants. This correspondent was informed by the police that they are not pleased with the journalist for covering the recent instances of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders from Mianwali district having their nomination papers stolen and for helping his relative, PTI district vice president of women's wing Amara Niazi, submit her nomination papers, Dawn reported. Following the incident, senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir said that journalism is becoming "very difficult" in Pakistan. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mir said, "Journalism is becoming very difficult in Pakistan. Security agencies are monitoring the stories filed by district correspondents and harassing them through local police. Censorship is no more a secret, constitution turned into a joke." https://x.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1738059014347600177?s=20 Meanwhile, the police said they raided the correspondent's house on a tip-off that the journalist was hiding Amara Niazi and other PTI activists. According to Dawn, Khurshid Anwar Khan had reported massively on the treatment meted out to former MNA Amjad Khan Niazi, currently in jail for the May 9 riots. Despite the special judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Sargodha's directives, Niazi was not permitted to sign his nomination papers. The Dawn correspondent had earlier reported on the events of the two PTI ticket candidates' nomination papers being stolen on Wednesday at the district court's returning office. Despite the fact that both candidates pointed the finger at the civvies, the police denied their accusations and claimed not to be aware of the supposed instances, according to Dawn. Among the candidates were Rafiullah Khan, the brother of former PTI MPA Ameenullah Khan and Gen Sanaullah Khan Shaheed, and Ziaullah Khan Niazi lawyer, a retired judicial officer. The plight of journalists in Pakistan continues to remain a grave concern. Recently, a senior Pakistani journalist, Sami Abraham, was reportedly 'abducted' by unidentified men in Islamabad on May 24, his family claimed, saying that there was no information available regarding his location. Abraham was detained by law enforcement. Abraham's brother Ali Raza has reported a complaint of abduction to the Aabpara Police Station in the federal capital, according to Dawn. He was taken against his will by a group of eight to ten unidentifiable individuals who suddenly emerged from the cars. Notably, Sami Abraham is a leading Pakistani journalist and an anchor with the privately-owned broadcaster BOL News. Pakistan continues to remain "one of the most dangerous countries" for journalists. As per the New Pakistan report, journalists in Pakistan have been killed by militants, insurgents, and "unidentified state actors." While quoting an editorial from Dawn, the report stated, "The common thread in these killings is that truth and justice are elusive, and killers walk free while families look in vain for answers." (ANI)
The White House announced on Thursday that it is formulating a fresh proposal to Russia aimed at securing the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and another American currently jailed, the Voice of America (VOA) reported. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, "We're working hard to see what we can do to get another proposal that might be more successful." This comes after the Kremlin rejected a previous proposal. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter, has been held on espionage charges since March, vehemently denied by him, his employer, and the US government. His imprisonment highlights Moscow's long-standing crackdown on press freedom, as reported by the VOA, citing experts. The other American arrested is Paul Whelan, a former US Marine arrested in Moscow in 2018, currently serving a 16-year sentence on spying charges, which he and the US government refute. Paul Beckett, an assistant editor at the WSJ leading the campaign for Gershkovich's release, expressed hope, saying, "We're always heartened to see signs that the government is working on Evan and Paul's release. We hope very much that those efforts will bear fruit soon." The White House's announcement followed Secretary of State Antony Blinken's assertion that Washington is "very actively working" on securing the release of both Gershkovich and Whelan. Blinken emphasised a relentless pursuit of finding the right approach to bring them home as soon as possible. "With regard to Russia and Evan and Paul Whelan, all I can say is this: We are very actively working on it, and we will leave no stone unturned to see if we can't find the right way to get them home, and to get them home as soon as possible," Blinken said during a year-end news conference on Wednesday. Earlier this month, the State Department revealed that Russia rejected a "substantial" proposal for the freedom of Gershkovich and Whelan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire to "reach an agreement" with Washington on their release. "We want to reach an agreement, and these agreements must be mutually acceptable and must suit both sides. We have contacts with our American partners in this regard, and there is an ongoing dialogue," Putin said in his first public remarks on Gershkovich. The WSJ reported in September that Moscow sought the return of Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, currently incarcerated in Germany, possibly in exchange for Gershkovich and Whelan. President Joe Biden, in a statement regarding a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, underscored the administration's commitment to prioritising the release of detained Americans, including Gershkovich and Whelan. In a statement released on Wednesday regarding a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, President Joe Biden affirmed that his administration will persist in prioritising the liberation of detained Americans. "We also remain deeply focused on securing the release of the hostages in Gaza and wrongfully detained Americans around the world, including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan," Biden said in a statement. The Poynter Institute named Gershkovich its Media Person of the Year, recognising his dedication to journalism amidst dangers. Gershkovich is set to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 30 while awaiting trial, facing a potential 20-year prison term. However, conspicuously absent from recent US leaders' statements on the matter was a mention of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. The dual US-Russian national has been detained in Russia since October, facing charges of failing to register as a foreign agent and spreading false information about the Russian military. Despite calls from Kurmasheva's family, employer, and press freedom groups urging the US State Department to declare her wrongfully detained, there has been no mention of her in recent statements. The State Department, in response to inquiries about detained U.S. nationals, including those in Russia, stated that it "continuously reviews the circumstances" for indicators of wrongful detention. Both Gershkovich and Whelan have been declared wrongfully detained, but Kurmasheva's case remains unaddressed. Her detention originated from a family emergency visit to Russia in May, with her passports confiscated when she attempted to leave in June, leading to her arrest in October. The Russian Embassy in Washington has not responded to VOA's email requesting comment on the situation. (ANI)
The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cypher case, Dawn reported. The court directed the PTI leaders to submit surety bonds of Pakistan Rupee (PKR) 1 million each. The three-member bench, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and including Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, issued the order based on a set of PTI petitions. The cypher case involves a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency alleges was never returned by Imran, with the PTI asserting the document contained a threat from the United States to remove Imran as prime minister. The Special Court (Official Secrets Act) restarted the cypher trial at Adiala district jail last week after Imran and Qureshi were indicted for the second time on December 13, as reported by Dawn. The trial had faced setbacks when the Islamabad High Court scrapped proceedings due to an "erroneous" government notification for a jail trial. The IHC endorsed Imran's indictment, disposing of his plea, but instructed the special court judge to ensure a "fair trial." However, Imran Khan will not be released from jail as he has multiple arrest warrants issued against him in several other cases. Earlier in August, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000 by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar, after the judge found him guilty of graft in the Toshakhana case. Khan has been convicted of misusing his position as prime minister to sell state gifts worth more than Rs 140 million (USD 490,000) that he received from foreign dignitaries during visits abroad, reported Geo News. Last month, the PTI sought Imran's post-arrest bail in the Supreme Court, arguing that bail should not be used as a form of punishment. The SC had previously issued notices to the FIA and the federation, directing them to submit responses to the plea, Dawn reported. The cypher case, initiated with the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act, involves serious allegations against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The FIR, lodged based on the complaint of the Home Secretary, also implicates former principal secretary Azam Khan and former planning minister Asad Umar.According to the FIR, action is anticipated against Azam Khan and Asad Umar, as authorities have concluded their involvement in the misuse of classified documents. The report alleges that a conspiracy was orchestrated by Khan and Qureshi to exploit the contents of the diplomatic cypher for malicious purposes, endangering state interests. The report claimed that former prime minister asked Azam Khan - the then principal secretary - to "manipulate the contents of cypher". "The former premier deliberately kept the copy of diplomatic cypher, which was sent to the PM office", it added, ARY News reported. (ANI)
Shah emphasises the correlation between hard work and achieving tangible results, asserting that ambition is fulfilled through dedicated efforts.

In his note celebrating the company's recent success, Shah addresses the importance of working long hours, being responsive, and integrating work with life. He challenges the notion that success is rewarded through laziness and encourages a proactive and diligent approach.

"Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfilment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialise into tangible results," CEO Niraj Shah said in a note to employees earlier this month celebrating the company's recent success, and which a company spokesperson confirmed to CNN.

Shah further urges Wayfair employees to consider company spending as their own and negotiate prices. The CEO emphasised critical questions such as evaluating the worth of expenditures, assessing the reasonableness of prices, and actively engaging in price negotiations.

"Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success," his message also stated.

As of December 2022, Wayfair employed approximately 15,000 individuals. Despite challenges faced by the company in 2022, including a workforce reduction of 5 per cent, Shah reassures employees in the email that Wayfair has returned to profitability.

Shah's message concludes with a call for collective effort, expressing the belief that the company can achieve faster success if everyone aligns their efforts. He encourages an aggressive, pragmatic, frugal, agile, customer-oriented, and smart approach.

Economist Nicholas Bloom offers a critical perspective, stating that if Wayfair intends to implement an 80-hour workweek, a substantial salary increase of 50 per cent would be necessary to compensate employees adequately. Bloom emphasises the strength of the job market, indicating that employees have viable alternatives, CNN reported. (ANI)
IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, published a map of the zones that need to be evacuated alongside the announcement.

He further said that Gaza's main north-south highway, Salah ad-Din, in the areas northeast of Khan Younis, still remains a "battle zone," according to The Times of Israel.

Moreover, the IDF will facilitate the movement of civilians via a bypass route along the coast, he added.

Adraee also highlighted that the IDF will make "tactical pauses in military activities" in the western neighbourhoods of Rafah in southern Gaza between 10 am and 2 pm for "humanitarian purposes," The Times of Israel reported.

Earlier in the day, the IDF said that the troops of the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade operating in central Gaza's Juhor ad-Dik located a cache of weapons and long-range rocket launchers used in recent attacks on Israel.

The rocket launchers were later destroyed in an airstrike, added the IDF.

Meanwhile, the IDF announced that two more troops were killed while fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has brought the death toll in Israel's ground offensive against the terror group since late October to 139, reported The Times of Israel.

On Thursday, the IDF said that it has established full "operational control" over Gaza City's Shejaiya neighbourhood, which witnessed fierce fighting during the ground offensive against Hamas. (ANI)
Top media bodies in Pakistan have expressed concern over the suppression of press freedom in the country and denying people the right to information, Geo News reported. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) have expressed a joint statement decrying the issue. The media organisations regretted the decision of the court to ban coverage of important cases including the cipher case which involves former premier Imran Khan. They said the restraint was surprising. They said the coverage ban was nothing more than denying the right of people to information. "The newspapers and news channels are facing several challenges including pressure from State institutions, illegal and undeclared censorship, insistence upon propagation of material of liking and ban on coverage of political activities and court proceedings", they said. The media bodies said that in this "suffocating environment", the judiciary was the only hope for relief, and added the situation would worsen "if relief was not granted". "An environment of fear has been created by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra) and the State institutions while illegal and undeclared restrictions are imposed every now and then, which is unacceptable, the statement maintained," it further stated. The media organisations demanded Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Caretaker PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar to take notice of the situation and take every possible action to ensure freedom of expression. They also vowed to do whatever is needed for press freedom and all possible legal steps would be taken for the cause. They also Consultations with other stakeholders were being started, they said. (ANI)
Diplomacy is all about communication. Nimbleness and swift actions are integral to it and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a master at foreign policy since his first term. He relished global engagements. From managing India's periphery to engaging major global powers, the diplomatic and leadership skills PM Modi has shown India's confident revival, outlined by India's achievements in 2023, including its successful G20 presidency and lunar mission, a post-COVID-19 recovery and robust growth. Foreign policy during the first term of the Modi government did extremely well. There were hardly, if any, missteps. Across the board, starting with the idea of the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the idea of building strategic partners, Prime Minister Modi, and his approach towards reaching out to different stakeholders, yielded huge dividends. As the curtains draw on 2023, it's time to reflect on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strategic and impactful foreign visits that have shaped India's global standing. Throughout the year, PM Modi embarked on a series of diplomatic missions, fostering international collaborations, strengthening ties, and showcasing India's commitment to global peace and development. The visits came when the world's geopolitical situations were evolving, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits abroad were a clear message of India's contemporary political belief in Mahatma Gandhi's ideology of non-violence and inclusiveness. This year was also challenging as India's strongest ally Russia faced criticism for invading its neighboring Ukraine. India managed to maintain its relations with Russia while navigating through these challenging geopolitical dynamics. Securing an agreement on almost a hundred issues on the agenda, apart from that on the Russia-Ukraine war, was no mean achievement. The cherry on top of the cake was the Indian G20 presidency that witnessed a refocusing on the challenges of growth and development. It was expressed as an action plan to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, a green development pact, reform of international financial institutions, promotion of digital public infrastructure and encouragement of women-led development. Convening a global south gathering was a prelude to ensuring the permanent G20 membership of the African Union. Modi's role and vision at the G7 Summit: The first challenge for PM Modi was during the G7 summit held in Japan in May, where leaders of G7 countries--Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States--were present. Prime Minister Modi attended the G7 Summit under the Japanese Presidency and emphasized the need for collaboration with Japan and like-minded countries to address global challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruptions, economic recovery, energy instability, healthcare, food security, and peace and security. Additionally, while addressing the challenges and tensions with China, PM Modi stated, "India is committed to protecting its sovereignty and integrity while promoting the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes based on international law." PM Modi then visited the Indo-Pacific country, Papua New Guinea (PNG), where he witnessed a rare moment at the Port Moresby airport. PNG Prime Minister James Marape touched PM Modi's feet and sought his blessings, marking PM Modi's first tour to PNG and the first-ever visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the Indo-Pacific country. Despite the tradition of not giving a ceremonial welcome after sunset, Papua New Guinea made a special exception for PM Modi, providing him with a fully studded ceremonial welcome. Later on, PM Modi received a rousing welcome in Australia, where he highlighted that "Mutual Trust and Mutual Respect" are the foundation of the close historical ties between India and Australia. At a community event in Sydney, PM Modi credited the Indian diaspora in Australia as a force behind mutual respect and trust between the two countries. Albanese, speaking at the community event, compared PM Modi's popularity to that of the famed rockstar Bruce Springsteen, saying, "Prime Minister Modi is The Boss." Later in the year, PM Modi visited Dubai, Indonesia, South Africa, Greece, France, UAE, USA, and Egypt. PM Modi's state visit to the US: PM Modi made a significant international tour with a visit to the United States, engaging in high-level talks with President Joe Biden. The discussions centred on bolstering the Indo-US strategic partnership, with an emphasis on trade, defence collaboration, and technology transfer. The leaders announced several key initiatives, including joint efforts in renewable energy and climate change mitigation. A highlight of the visit was the signing of a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral commerce. The leaders also addressed global challenges such as terrorism and regional stability, emphasizing the importance of a united front in addressing these issues. The most significant economic achievements of PM Modi's visit were the strategic defence and semiconductor production deals signed between India and the US. These agreements not only enhance India's defence capabilities but also solidify its position as a reliable partner for advanced technology collaborations. After concluding his visit to the USA, the PM visited Egypt from June 24-25, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi conferred PM Modi with the 'Order of the Nile.' It was the 13th state honour of its kind conferred on him. PM Modi held a meeting with Egyptian President Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership." Modi fortifies bilateral ties in key visits to France and the UAE: In a diplomatic outreach that underscores India's commitment to strengthening global partnerships, PM Modi conducted high-profile visits to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visits aimed at enhancing economic collaboration, fostering defence ties, and addressing shared concerns. During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi was conferred with France's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, by French President Emmanuel Macron. During the UAE tour, PM Modi and the UAE President witnessed the exchange of three historic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). An MoU was exchanged for the establishment of a campus of IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi between the Indian Ministry of Education, UAE's Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT). This is the first-ever IIT to be set up in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, reflecting the vision of the leaders and paying tribute to the people of India and the UAE who are the backbone of the historic relationship. India's stance on broadening the BRICS horizon: PM Modi's visit to South Africa for the 15th BRICS summit held in Johannesburg marked a major development with the group deciding to include six new members: Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. India actively participated in BRICS outreach activities, engaging with other countries and regional organizations to promote dialogue and collaboration. This engagement helped broaden the scope and impact of BRICS initiatives. Earlier, the core BRICS group consisted of five nations, and there were discussions about potential expansion to include other emerging economies. India has, at times, expressed openness to the idea of expanding the BRICS grouping to make it more representative of global economic dynamics. The new membership will be effective from January 1, 2024. With this expansion, six of the world's nine largest oil producers are now part of BRICS. Additionally, after visiting South Africa, PM Modi arrived in Greece at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In a breakthrough, the two countries agreed to work to further expand bilateral cooperation in political, security, and economic spheres, as underlined in the India-Greece joint statement. India's strategic engagement with ASEAN nations: In his last leg of foreign visits in 2023, PM Modi arrived in Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-India Summit. ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region, with India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan, and Australia, as its dialogue partners. Calling for building a rules-based post-COVID world order, PM Modi said the progress of a free and open Indo-Pacific and elevating the voice of the Global South is in the common interest of all. In his address at the annual ASEAN-India summit in Jakarta, PM Modi described the 10-nation grouping as the epicentre of growth, playing a crucial role in global development. PM Modi made his last landmark visit of the year to the UAE to attend the Conference of Parties-28 (COP28) in Dubai, the high-level segment of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). During his UAE visit, PM Modi noted that climate change has had an immense impact on countries in the Global South. He emphasized that to fulfil the aspirations of the Global South, climate finance and technology are essential. The prime minister underlined that countries in the Global South, including India, have a smaller role to play in climate change, but the impact of climate change on them is immense. PM Modi's foreign visits have further solidified India's diplomatic and economic ties with these crucial partners. The outcomes of these visits are expected to not only deepen cooperation in existing areas but also pave the way for new avenues of collaboration. As India continues to play a pivotal role on the global stage, these engagements underscore its commitment to building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships across continents. Under PM Modi's leadership India's diplomatic efforts, regional engagement, portraying a confident and capable nation on the global stage, he managed to carve out personal equations with world leaders which has paid dividends. (ANI)
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the January 26 Republic Day celebrations at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations," the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed in a release on Friday. Macron was invited to attend India's January 26 Republic Day celebrations in 2024. India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners. Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital. Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, as were former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016, respectively. This year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. Moreover, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris, the MEA stated. He had visited France at the invitation of French President Macron. "To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement. During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of 'Sare Jahan Se Accha,' while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade. Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India's Presidency. President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress. India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. (ANI)
"Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I'll be here to celebrate with you!" Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter).

https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1738189685195702298?s=20

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations on PM Modi's invitation.

"At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations," the MEA said in a statement.

India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners.

Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital.

Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, as were former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016, respectively.

This year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Moreover, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris, the MEA stated.

He had visited France at the invitation of French President Macron.

Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India's Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress.

India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday hailed the passage of three criminal bills from the Parliament and called it "milestones in decolonization" to replace colonial-era laws and the emergence of 'Bharat'. He further said that bringing the legal, police and investigative systems up to date enhances protection for the vulnerable and also facilitates effective responses against organised crime and terrorism. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar said, "The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 are not just major reforms. They are milestones in our decolonization and the emergence of Bharat." "Bringing Indian legal, police and investigative systems up to date with times, they enhance protection for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable. They also facilitate effective responses to organized crime, terrorism and other offences that strike at the root of our journey to progress," he added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1738172425131729266?s=20 The three criminal bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita Bill, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill -- were passed from both Houses of the Parliament replacing the colonial laws namely the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Evidence Act. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the CrPC with Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Indian Evidence Act has been replaced with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Piloting the three bills during the Winter Session of Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha said it is the "beginning of a new era" as "the purpose of these bills is to give justice not the punishment." "For the first time in history", Shah said these bills are "made by India and approved by the Indian Parliament for Indians". Earlier, PM Modi had also hailed the passage of these bills and called it a 'watershed moment' in Indian history and said these are a testament to India's commitment to reform. "The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare," PM Modi posted on X. Meanwhile, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on Thursday. (ANI)
The Czech Republic has declared a day of mourning after a horrific mass shooting incident in which a 24-year-old student shot dead his father, before killing 14 people and wounding 25 more people at his Prague university, Al Jazeera reported on Friday. This decision comes after a special cabinet meeting, President Petr Pavel announced that December 23 would be a day of mourning with flags on official buildings to be flown at half-mast and people asked to observe a minute's silence at noon. "I would express my great sadness along with helpless anger at the unnecessary loss of so many young lives," Pavel said. "I would like to express my sincere condolences to all relatives of the victims, to all who were at this tragic incident, the most tragic in the history of the Czech Republic." As many as 14 people were killed and 25 wounded in a shooting at a university in Prague on Thursday, CNN reported. In a press conference on Thursday, Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said the information he had received so far indicated the shooter took his own life, but added it was not yet confirmed. He also said the suspect had not been formally identified because of the severity of his injuries. In a later news conference on Thursday night, Vondrasek revised the number of people killed to 14, after previously saying 15 people had died. Of the 25 people injured, 10 were in serious condition, the police chief said, as per CNN. Emergency services earlier said that nine people had been severely injured, five or six received medium-severe injuries and ten were lightly injured. The authorities have also revised down an earlier number of people injured but said those could still change given the developing situation. During the shooting, some students locked themselves in classrooms, the police said in an update on X. A picture shared on social media also showed several students hiding on a ledge high up the building. The incident - at the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University - happened in the center of the capital. The area is popular with tourists and close to major attractions, just across the Vltava River from Prague Castle, as per CNN. The university was holding classes on Thursday and was due to go on Christmas break on December 23, according to a schedule on the university's website. Vondrasek said the suspected shooter was a 24-year-old male who travelled to Prague from his hometown village of Hostoun. Vondrasek said the suspected shooter was a student of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague. According to the police chief, the authorities had information about the shooter before the incident, saying the police received a tip saying the shooter was travelling to Prague with intention to take his own life. Shortly afterwards, they received information that a deceased man was found in Hostoun. The man is believed to be the suspect's father. Vondrasek said the police were aware the shooter had a lecture at 2 pm CET and therefore evacuated the building where the lecture was meant to take place. However, the police then received a call about a shooting in a different building, according to the police chief, CNN reported. The suspected shooter had a gun permit and owned several weapons, Vondrasek said. As per CNN, the Czech Republic has relatively liberal gun laws compared to the rest of the European Union. To obtain a gun legally, a person needs an official firearm licence, which requires a medical examination, a weapon proficiency exam and no previous criminal record. (ANI)
The British Airways BA-142 flight took off from New Delhi Airport and was bound for London Heathrow.

According to the details, at about 9:53 am on Friday, a full emergency was declared for the flight due to an indication of fire lights.

Immediately, the matter was informed to all concerned officials.

After this, it was decided that the flight would be returned to New Delhi.

At about 10:26 am, the flight landed safely in New Delhi and the full emergency was terminated at about 10:55 am, the officials said.

A statement from the airlines is awaited in the matter. (ANI)
Bringing together 200 fashion players on the stage, Moscow hosted the BRICS+ Fashion Summit this month with an aim for a holistic evolution of fashion featuring collections by Indian designers, among others. While speaking here on Friday, following the results of the international BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, Indian designers and industry experts hailed India's stunning participation and highlighted the Indian handloom as its USP. In December 2023, four Indian designers presented their hand-woven and handloom designs at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow. The summit, which began on November 28, 2023, is considered a major event in the fashion industry and drew professionals from over 60 countries. It featured collections of Ritesh Kumar, Naushad Ali, Gaurav Khanijo, and Shruti Sancheti The designers and experts shared their experience of participation in the event and also lauded Moscow's efforts in bringing fashion, art and culture under one roof successfully. "Our USP of the Indian delegation in the fashion was handloom. It is something where we lead the rest of the world because of the number of weavers we have and the textiles we have. And fortunately, whether it's Russia, China, Brazil, or South Africa, the good thing was that each one was interested to see the USP of India," said Sunil Sethi, President of the Fashion Design Council of India and the head of the Indian delegation at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, during the interaction here. "BRICS was trying to build the very joint strength of five countries. This is the main thing that the Russians were very successful in doing that, because nobody has brought fashion, art, culture and design together in this big way," he added. Among the other participants during the interaction were Rajesh Masand, President of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India; Sameep Shastri, Vice President of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chairman of the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership; and Aishwarya Sharma, - actress and fashion activist. The recently concluded BRICS+ Fashion Summit left a spectacular impression among fashion enthusiasts, who saw the impactful presence of four Indian designers showcasing their handloom designs. The exhibition took place at The Pashkov House, a neoclassical mansion, and welcomed attendees, including Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to Russia, industry experts, designers, buyers, representatives from fashion educational institutions, and heads of international fashion associations. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India looks forward to receiving French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day. "My dear friend President @EmmanuelMacron, we eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India-France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values. Bientot!" PM Modi wrote on 'X' on Friday. On Friday, French President Macron confirmed his visit as Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations next year and thanked PM Modi for the invitation. "Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I'll be here to celebrate with you!" Macron posted on X. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that he will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations on PM Modi's invitation. "At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations," the MEA said in a statement. India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners. Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital. Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the chief guest on India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, as were former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016, respectively. This year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. Moreover, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris, the MEA stated. He had visited France at the invitation of French President Macron. Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India's Presidency. President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to new heights of progress. India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. (ANI)
A Pampa driver died and a young passenger was injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon in Carson County, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported.

According to DPS, at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder being driven by Terry Wyant, 37, of Pampa, was heading eastbound on US 60 about one mile northeast of White Deer. DPS said for an unknown reason, Wyant failed to drive in a single lane, and the Nissan veered off the north edge of the roadway.

DPS said Wyant over-corrected the steering, causing her to lose control of the SUV, which entered a side skid to the right and rolled over approximately two times, coming to a rest on its wheels in the center median.

Neither of the SUV's two occupants were wearing seat belts, according to DPS, and the unsecured driver was ejected.

Wyant was pronounced dead at the scene by Carson County Justice of the Peace Jean Hardman.

A 14-year-old female passenger from Pampa was taken to Amarillo Northwest Texas Hospital with serious injuries.

The posted speed limit was 75 mph, and road conditions were dry and clear at the time of the crash. It remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol Troopers.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 1 killed, 1 injured in Carson County rollover crash on US 60
You know them, you love them and every year you decorate them for Christmas.

The Christmas tree, whether artificial or real, has become a permanent fixture in the lives of many during the winter season in the United States and abroad for all sorts of reasons.

Evergreens have long been used by different cultures throughout the centuries to celebrate momentous occasions, like the winter, winter solstice, Christianity and the birth of Christ, National Christmas Tree Association spokesperson Jill Sidebottom shared with USA Today.

The tradition and subsequently the commercialization of Christmas trees also trades heavily on nostalgia, Forest History Society Historian Jamie Lewis said.

I think thats part of the reason why we keep doing this. For so many people, it is a connection to previous generations, to childhood memories they have or to a childhood they didnt have but would have liked to have, Lewis said.

Heres how the Christmas tree became the center of such a well-recognized holiday.

When did the Christmas tree tradition arrive in the United States?

It took over 300 years for the Christmas tree tradition to be incorporated into the lives of American families. The first documented use of a tree occurred in a winter Christmas celebration occurred in Latvia in 1510, according to the New York Public Library.

The tree was decorated with artificial roses, ribbons and dried fruit. The tree was set on fire after the celebration was over.

In the 100 years following the first documented use of a tree, a German territory in France sold trees in a marketplace, German people began to decorate trees with apples and Evergreen tips were hung upside down from the ceiling in parts of Austria and Germany, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

The custom of decorating a pine or fir tree over the holidays became popular in Germany and other parts of northern Europe by the 1700s but it wasnt until the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840 that the practice became more widely accepted and practiced throughout the British Isles, the NYPL reported.

15th May 1860: Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, at Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Queen Victoria was an influencer before we even knew of that term," Lewis said. "This is one of those things that upper-class Americans pick up on the fact that she's doing this, helping popularize the practice. Her husband was German so I think he helped bring this to Britain.

An indoor Christmas tree setup was likely brought to the U.S. by German settlers in the 1800s with tree sizes ranging from tabletop size to floor-to-ceiling, according to the Christmas Tree Association.

We have a German population in the United States that have brought this tradition with them from the old country. Theres a point where the middle class has enough money to do this, theyve got homes in which they can place trees in as well as other factors going on with the Industrial Revolution, Lewis said.

Families nationwide began to incorporate Christmas trees after 1850, when a Philadelphia-based magazine republished the royal familys Christmas scene from Illustrated London News, the worlds first illustrated weekly news magazine, according to National Geographic.

The Royal Christmas tree is admired by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children.

Christmas trees were sold commercially around the country by 1851. The trees initially sold were taken at random from the forests, the Christmas Tree Association wrote.

The White House got its first Christmas tree a couple years later, a feat credited to 14th U.S. President Franklin Pierce. Some of the most common decorations, including glass balls, chains of balls, toys and figures were introduced by the late 1800s.

First Christmas tree farm in U.S. appears in 1901

A company began to offer artificial trees as an option not long after that. The Evergreen supply began to dwindle by the 1900s due to overharvesting, according to the Christmas Tree Association.

W.V. McGalliard planted 25,000 Norway spruce trees on his farm in New Jersey, creating the first Christmas tree farm in 1901. Within the same year, President Theodore Roosevelt said he wanted to do away with the practice, citing destruction of forests, the association wrote.

He was convinced by those closest to him, family and U.S. Division of Forestry Chief that the practice could continue without harming the forest.

The Christmas tree later became the way the country ushered in the holiday, as the National Christmas Tree Association began the tradition of presenting a Christmas tree to the First Lady for display in the Blue Room of the White House in 1966.

The tradition has continued on at the White House, like many other celebrations around the country that place the Christmas tree front and center sometimes weeks or months before the winter season starts. Over the next couple of decades, individual states begin to have Christmas tree lightings or celebrations over their own for their residents.

Anywhere between 25 and 30 million natural Christmas trees are currently sold each year, according to the Christmas Tree Association.

What kind of decorations were Christmas trees initially decorated with?

A tangle of lights (colored or white), intricate ornaments (glass or plastic) and in some cases a tree topper have become some of the most common decorations to place on a Christmas trees in recent history, but there was a time when tree decor was a little less flashy.

Candles, wooden ornaments and small gifts became the way people decorated their trees by the middle part of the 19th century, according to the New York Public Library.

The style, or way of decorating trees was featured prominently in mainstream publications in addition to the holiday greeting cards, cementing the practice of decorating a tree as tradition, the library wrote.

The commercialization of the Christmas tree, decorations as well as other Christian imagery was integrated by the end of the century, according to the library.

The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association got its start in the late 1950s and Sidebottom, who started there, said she recalls when Christmas trees were put up a couple of days before the holiday.

If you read a lot of literature from the 19th century and I am talking about a Christmas celebration, the tree is set up on Christmas Eve, decorated, then the kids come down the next day to be in the presence of the tree, Sidebottom.

The commercialization of Christmas has stores and even customers thinking about Christmas by August, or at least by the time Halloween is over, Sidebottom said.

It's sort of anything goes. So, now, a lot of people want to put up their tree either Thanksgiving weekend or even the weekend before Thanksgiving and thats really pushing being able to keep that tree fresh until Christmas. Hopefully, it doesnt get any earlier than that, Sidebottom said.

More: 'Tis the season for holiday cards. Tips on writing a heartfelt note, what else to know

What are some things about Christmas trees I might not already know?

There might be a couple facts you have learned or already know about Christmas trees, but here are a couple more.

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the U.S. lit the first National Christmas Tree at the White House on Christmas Eve 1923.

The top Christmas tree producing states are: Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.

December of 1933 was the year the Rockefeller Center in New York Decided to make their Christmas tree lighting ceremony an annual tradition.

Martin Luther has been credited with being the first to put lights (candles) on the Christmas tree after observing a starry sky on a late-night forest stroll, National Geographic reported.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why do we center festivities around the Christmas tree?
Two teenage male suspects were arrested early Wednesday after a caller reported three people were trying to break into his vehicle and shot at him, according to the Arlington Police Department. No injuries were reported.

At around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a home in the 6100 block of Vancil Drive to investigate reports of shots fired.

When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to a tenant of the home, who told them he caught three people trying to break into his car. He told police that when he went to confront the suspects, at least one of them pulled out a gun and began firing.

The tenant was also armed and returned fire, according to police.

The tenant was not hit in the exchange of gunfire and none of the suspects were hit, police say. The suspects fled on foot.

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Officers set up a perimeter around the area and found two of the suspects hiding in a nearby shed, police said. They were taken into custody without incident and officers recovered a handgun.

Keaundre Lemon, 19, was booked into the Arlington City Jail on a charge of criminal trespass and on an outstanding warrant. Ahmad Bland, 18, was also booked into the jail on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal trespass charges.

Officers were unable to locate the third suspect, police say.

The investigation is ongoing.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man and a woman from Earlimart died in a crash Friday morning after running a stop sign, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP says around 5:27 a.m., officers responded to a crash in the area of Road 160 and Avenue 48 near Earlimart.

Investigators say the driver of a 2006 Nissan Sentra, from Earlimart, was driving southbound on Road 160, north of Avenue 48.

At the same time, CHP says a man from Earlimart was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, eastbound on Avenue 48, approaching Road 160, at approximately 55 to 58 miles per hour.

According to CHP, the driver of the Nissan failed to stop for the posted stop sign on Road 160 at Avenue 48 and drove into the path of the Chevrolet. The driver of the Chevrolet was unable to avoid a crash with the Nissan and the front of the Chevrolet crashed into the passenger side doors of the Nissan.

The driver of the Nissan 51-year-old man and his passenger, a 55-year-old woman, died at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured. Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in this crash, CHP says.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Two people reported injuries following an apartment fire on Thursday afternoon, said the Fresno Fire Department.

According to Fresno firefighters, they received a report of an apartment fire in the area of N Recreation and Olive Avenue just before 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Fire officials say they learned a quick-thinking maintenance worker, who was close by, used a fire extinguisher to prevent the fire from spreading. Unfortunately, two people ended up reporting injuries, including the maintenance worker.

As of now, the Fresno Fire Department says there is no information regarding the possible cause of the fire.

This is an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Two people are injured following a kitchen fire on Thursday, the Fresno Fire Department said.

Firefighters say they responded to a reported structure fire around 4th Street near Thomas Avenue shortly after 6 p.m.

Fire officials say the fire was contained to the kitchen with minimal damage, however, two people reported injuries.

According to firefighters, this is the second fire in less than three hours on Thursday that resulted in civilian injuries, given that they previously responded to an apartment fire just before 4 p.m., resulting in two civilian injuries as well.

2 injured after apartment fire in Fresno, firefighters say

The Fresno Fire Department encourages residents to be safe during the holiday season and use safe cooking practices while in the kitchen.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Police released the names of the man and woman who were killed in a quadruple shooting in Navy Yard on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said Friday that 35-year-old Patricia Harris and 24-year-old Tyrone Jacobs, both of Southwest D.C., were shot near Nationals Park a day earlier.

Harris died at the scene of the shooting, which happened in the 1300 block of Half St. SW. Medics took Jacobs and the two other victims to a hospital where Jacobs died.

2 dead, 2 hurt in quadruple shooting near Nationals Park

Police said in a news release Friday that one of the victims had been released from the hospital. The fourth still was being treated.

(Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

(Anthony Deng / DC News Now)

MPD identified a white Jeep Cherokee that had been stolen in an armed carjacking on Wednesday as a suspect car. Officials said that police had recovered a car consistent with the suspect vehicle, but because of the condition in which it was found, investigators still were working to verify that Friday.

Police asked anyone with any information to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Police said two minors turned themselves in for their involvement in a shooting that left a man from Woodbridge dead.

The two minors turned themselves into Arlington police and were taken to Fairfax County to be charged.

Two people in hospital after Prince Georges County shooting

The shooting took place on Dec. 12 in the 5300 block of Harbor Court Dr. in Franconia.

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) responded to a call about the shooting, but after searching the area, they didnt find any suspects or victims. Witnesses said they saw a suspect escaping in a black Dodge Charger with a gun in their hand.

Later that day, Prince William County Police were notified of a black Dodge Charger that arrived at a local hospital with a person who had been shot. That person, Bryant Anthony Gillis, 23, of Woodbridge, died at the hospital.

Police found out that Gillis friend, who drove him to the hospital, was also with him during the shooting.

2 dead, 2 hurt in quadruple shooting near Nationals Park

One minor was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The other was charged with principal in the second degree.

Both are being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Phoenix police arrested two people on Wednesday in connection with the death of a 62-year-old man at a hotel.

Just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to the La Quinta Inn near West Thomas Road and North Black Canyon Highway after receiving reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found 62-year-old Kenneth Stanford on the ground in the west parking lot with potential gunshot wounds to the top of his head and chest.

Stanford was taken to a hospital by the Phoenix Fire Department, where he was later pronounced dead.

Bullet casings were not recovered from the scene, according to police.

An autopsy will determine if Stanford was stabbed or shot, officials said.

Court documents state that video surveillance from the hotel and a nearby business showed a red Jeep Patriot entering the hotel parking lot and dropping off a woman and a man. They were later identified as 35-year-old Naketra Alexander and 33-year-old Javon Parks.

The day before, Scottsdale police had contacted sex workers in the area to provide resources, court documents state. During the operation, Scottsdale police used an app to solicit a date with two women  one later learned to be Alexander  at the Element Hotel. When Alexander and the other woman arrived in the same red Jeep seen at the La Quinta, they were accompanied by Parks, according to court records.

According to court documents, Alexander provided little information about Parks and the other woman "leading investigators to believe the situation was a planned robbery under the guise of a prostitution deal."

Documents state that Alexander and Parks were seen making their way to Stanford's room and Alexander went inside. As she did, Parks pushed his body against the door, forced his way inside and began fighting with Stanford. Parks appeared to have a small, sharp object in his hand, hitting Stanford with it multiple times, court documents state.

Stanford was able to back away and ran west through the corridor, where Parks could be heard telling Alexander to "take his phone." The pair then reentered the hotel room, retrieved an item and exited, according to court documents

In a police interview with Parks, he told investigators that he had been driving around with Alexander in a red Jeep on Wednesday and into the morning of the incident, but he denied going to the La Quinta Inn and getting into a fight, court records indicate.

Park's girlfriend was also interviewed by detectives. She told them that Parks was Alexander's pimp that evening and that he had asked her to drive them to a date at the hotel, according to court records.

Park's girlfriend said she waited inside the car while Alexander went inside the hotel; she returned after a short time, court documents state. Parks questioned Alexander about where the money was, with Alexander saying her date wanted party drugs, prompting the two to head back into the hotel with Park's girlfriend staying in the car.

Parks was booked into jail on a $1 million bond. Both Parks and Alexander were facing charges of murder and armed robbery.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 arrested after Kenneth Stanford dies in Phoenix hotel incident
The Columbia College Faculty Union, which represents nearly 600 part-time faculty members at the South Loop school, announced Thursday that its members had approved a new four-year contract ending the unions historic 49-day strike.

Since Oct. 30, there have been dozens of rounds of negotiations between Columbia and the union, known as CFAC, culminating in an agreement that restores many spring semester courses that were scheduled to be eliminated and makes improvements in job security and adds a health care benefit for many adjuncts, who teach nearly 70% of courses on campus.

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More than 85% of CFACs 584 members participated in the vote, with 99.7% of them voting yes to the agreement reached on Sunday.

Were still trying to understand exactly what weve been through and Im sure well be dealing with that for days to come, but honestly ... it is historic, said CFAC President Diana Vallera, a photography professor. I couldnt be happier  it was about the quality of education, it was about our students that matter, it was about the working class. It really showed that by working together we are just stronger.

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In a statement, Columbia College President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim said the agreement allows the upcoming January term and spring semester instruction to proceed with students and all faculty members reunited.

The new contract reflects the intention of both parties to create more space for input and consultation at various levels, signaling our intent to move forward with a renewed sense of collaboration, Kim said in a statement co-signed by Vallera. Moving forward, we hope that people across the campus will continue in the respectful exchange of perspectives that can shape new and imaginative solutions to the challenges of this moment.

Vallera said she believes the contract is the first in the country to guarantee instruction for part-time faculty members. The contract allocates adjunct faculty instruction for a minimum of 650 courses starting next fall, which Vallera said is directly connected to academic freedom.

Right now what the contract states is that even in the worst-case scenario, if the administration did keep moving in the direction of cutting courses and doing things like that, they wouldnt just be able to discard or treat us less than or not value us, Vallera explained. We are an integral part now. They have to be committed to us. Thats key.

The strike kept part-time faculty members out of their classrooms for nearly two months while department chairs and some full-time faculty members took over those classes. Some classes were at a standstill without an instructor until the semester ended Saturday, and some had shifted to an asynchronous model.

Columbia College Chicago faculty members, students and supporters demonstrate outside Columbia College on Michigan Avenue on Oct. 30, 2023, after Columbia Faculty Union members voted to strike. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Its hard to get any meaningful criticism or instruction on writing in an asynchronous class, said Damian Cutler, 26, a first-year student in Columbias film department. You dont actually have any time with the instructor. Its just like, write an essay and Ill give you a little bit of notes.

Cutler said he and other students who joined their professors on the picket lines repeatedly stressed concerns over increased class sizes, which he said contradict the essence of a school that promotes collaboration and experiential learning.

My cinematic storytelling class had 20-some students and it was one of the classes that became impacted by the strike and later substituted, Cutler said. Wed have assignments where we have to write something or create a pitch. And there wasnt enough time so we would have to go off and present in groups because the teacher didnt necessarily have the opportunity to listen to each one of them fully and be able to give any meaningful criticism as quickly or as effectively as they could have with a small class size.

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Cutler, who recently moved to Chicago from a small town in Wisconsin, said he was happy to hear of a provision in the new contract that would create a Class Size Committee.

Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano, CFAC vice president and adjunct faculty member in cinema and television arts, said the committee will center the voices of the part-time faculty, students and education experts to evaluate proposed administrative changes to course capacity and determine appropriate support, giving the adjunct faculty formal input into the decision-making process.

Its a really important step that allows for faculty and student input, Formosa-Parmigiano said. So as far as the courses that will be increased in size this spring, after one semester of implementing the class at a larger size, the faculty member has a right to go to the department chair with representatives from the union as well and to express what is working and what isnt working.

Weeks before the fall semester began, Columbia administrators cut 53 course sections for that semester and eliminated 317 course sections for the spring semester. The move heightened tensions between CFAC and the school, especially because the courses are typically taught by part-time faculty members.

I think what has made Columbia special is that classes are taught by working professionals, so when I originally heard what was happening and there was a decrease in those working professionals actually teaching classes, it angered me as an alum and as a faculty member, said Justin Kulovsek, an adjunct faculty member in the business and entrepreneurship department and a digital media strategist and marketer. In my case, I deal with multimillion-dollar media and marketing budgets, so me walking in and saying, This is how we really do things, is so great for students to see a real world example (of something theyre studying).

According to the contract, Columbia agreed to restore a minimum of 50 course sections to the spring 2024 semester across a range of disciplines, including classes in literature, design, dance, theater, communications, cinema and television arts, foreign languages, history and business.

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Kulovsek said unfortunately the move didnt affect him.

But Im very happy for those professors who are back in a class next semester, he said. I think that we can continue now to heal the Columbia community.

zsyed@chicagotribune.com
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  A man was arrested in North Carolina in connection with a deadly stabbing in Hillsborough County, according to the sheriffs office.

Shamek Carter-Bowick, 23, was taken into custody Thursday in Fayetteville, North Carolina, deputies said.

Carter-Bowick is charged with premeditated first-degree murder, robbery while wearing a mask (firearm or deadly weapon) and armed burglary of a structure with assault or battery in connection with a stabbing Nov. 25 in the 9200 block of Rock Harbour Way, according to deputies.

The victim was found with upper body trauma and died at a hospital.

With the arrest of the second suspect in this homicide case, we can offer this grieving family the closure they deserve, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. We are immensely grateful for the collaboration of the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office.

JaQuan Glymp, 34, was arrested a few days after the stabbing. Hes charged with murder in the first degree while engaged in robbery, driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, and misuse of temporary tag, deputies said.

The stabbing remains under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A jury in Washington state acquitted three police officers of all criminal charges in the March 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man who was shocked, beaten, restrained and said he could not breathe.

The Washington state attorney generals office announced in May 2021 that it charged two Tacoma Police officers, Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, with second-degree murder, and a third officer, Timothy Rankine, with first-degree manslaughter.

The officers attorneys argued Ellis died of methamphetamine in his system and a preexisting heart condition and not their actions, The Associated Press reported. The jury found all three not guilty on all counts Thursday.

The Ellis family lawyer told the AP the verdict was devastating for his family, arguing defense attorneys unfairly prejudiced the jury against Ellis by bringing up his prior arrests.

The biggest reason why I personally think this jury found reasonable doubt is because the defense was essentially allowed to put Manny Ellis on trial, Matthew Ericksen told the AP in an email.

When it handed down charges to the officers, the state attorney generals office said it was the first time officers had been charged with unlawfully using deadly force.

Ellis was restrained, shocked with a stun gun and had a spit mask placed on his head. Before his death, police claimed Ellis harassed a woman and hit her car windows and then banged on a patrol car and attacked two officers who called for backup.

A medical examiner ruled Elliss cause of death respiratory arrest due to hypoxia caused by physical restraint.

Ellis was walking home from a 7-Eleven on the night of March 3, 2020, when officers claimed they saw him trying to open the door of a passing car at an intersection and became aggressive when they questioned him about it.

Collins told the court Ellis had superhuman strength and lifted him off the ground and threw him through the air. Witnesses said Ellis did not do anything that would provoke the officers, the AP reported.

Burbank swung open his car door and knocked Ellis down, witnesses said. Doorbell surveillance video showed Ellis with his hands up in surrender as Burbank fired a Taser into his chest and Colins wrapped his arm around his neck.

Rankine, who pressed his knees into Elliss back, said during trial that he thought if Ellis could talk, he could breathe.

The case drew attention and scrutiny after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer two months later, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality, racism and violence against Black men.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  The head of Mexicos National Institute of Migration in Baja California said more than 300,000 migrants have crossed the border unlawfully from Tijuana into the San Diego area this calendar year.

David Perez Tejada said that on average, anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 crossings are taking place every day from the ocean to the mountains 70 miles to the east.

Gonzales: El Paso going through migrant crisis, too

In addition to the higher number of crossings between Baja California and California, Perez Tejada says illegal crossings near Yuma, Arizona and the Mexicali desert have also gone up.

We are starting to have joint operations with our counterparts in the state of Sonora to keep migrants from going into the U.S. in that area, he said.

Meantime, Enrique Lucero, director of Tijuanas Migrant Affairs Office, says his department has noticed unlawful ventures into the U.S. have gone up by 50 percent since 2022.

Exclusive: New anti-climbing barbed wire fencing being added to South Texas border

The number of irregular crossings is triple the number of people legally crossing the border with a CBP One app, says Lucero. Lets remember, last year, there were organizations arranging for about 200 appointments per day, now there are 400 people crossing with the CBP One.

Like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Lucero is warning migrants to refrain from crossing the border, especially now that a storm is hitting the region bringing colder temperatures and rain to the mountains east of San Diego where many illegal crossings are taking place.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

He is also asking migrants to remain patient while they wait for a CBP One app to cross the border.

Lucero says its too dangerous to rely on smugglers who often force asylum-seekers to scale the 30-foot barriers along the border.

This year, 28 migrants have lost their lives falling from the border fences, last year we had 42.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
More than 330 LGBTQ+ artists and counting have signed an open letter calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The letter, entitled Queer Artists for Palestine, stated that the LGBTQ+ community "has a role to play" in opposing human rights violations. It was signed by actors and musicians such as Phoebe Bridgers, Kehlani, Lauren Jauregui, MUNA, boygenius, Indya Moore, Angelica Ross, and Hari Nef; as well as famous drag queens like Sasha Velour, Shea Coulee, Kandy Muse, and Denali.



"We were devastated to witness the loss of innocent Israeli lives on October 7th, and we have been devastated, and called to action, watching Israel carry out its assault on innocent civilians in Gaza every single day since," the letter reads, referring to the attack by Hamas that killed about 1,200 Israelis.

Since then, the Israeli military has killed over 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the latest reports, including nearly 8,000 children. More than 85 percent of the approximately two million residents have been displaced, and over half a million people  25 percent of the population  are starving, according to the United Nations.



"Our queer Palestinian siblings have asked us to stand firmly with them in their call for dignity and self-determination," the letter continues. "This includes challenging Israel's whitewashing, or 'pinkwashing,' of its brutal military occupation, by exploiting queer performers and voices to cover up decades of right-wing, violent, and racist policies against Palestinians."

"Pinkwashing" is a term that refers to the strategy of governments who promote LGBTQ+ rights as a way to distract from violence against other communities. The term is often applied to Israel by activists, as its government frequently promotes the country as a safe-haven for LGBTQ+ people in the Middle East, despite same-sex marriage not being legal. Interfaith marriage is also not legal in Israel.

The artists' letter adds that they are boycotting performances in the country, pledging "not to perform or participate in public events in Israel until Palestinians are free."

"We believe that showing our work in Israel would dishonor the radical histories of queer activism and self-expression, which stand opposed to violent systems like apartheid and military occupation," the letter states. "Palestinians remind us that none of us are free until we are all free."

Pictured above: Angelica Ross, Joel Kim Booster, Hari Nef, Adrienne Maree Brown
In December 2021, Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville called Kevin Dorsey, an Akron native who has made it big in the music industry.

Happy as you are, what are you doing for Akron? Sommerville asked Dorsey, whose career kicked off when he became Michael Jacksons vocal coach and has included working with many famous artists and on dozens of movies and television shows.

What do you want me to do? Dorsey asked.

Sommerville said he was frustrated the city hadnt been able to attract many prominent Black artists to perform at the Akron Civic Theatre. He wanted Dorsey to help.

Two weeks later, Dorsey returned to Akron for the first time in 15 years and got busy fulfilling Sommervilles request.

Marco Sommerville, deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs, emcees a concert at the Akron Civic Theatre Dec. 15 featuring a lineup of Black jazz entertainers.

Dorsey and Sommerville reunited on a recent Friday night jazz concert at the Civic featuring several Black artists, the latest of numerous shows featuring Black performers that Dorsey has helped line up for Akron.

Marco Sommerville, deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs, talks with Grammy-award-winning artist Kevin Dorsey before a jazz concert at the Akron Civic Theatre. Sommerville asked Dorsey to help Akron recruit more Black artists to Akron.

I have to say, this would not have happened without his involvement, Dorsey said of Sommerville.

Those who know Sommerville well say his 36-year career of public service includes many of these behind-the-scenes moments that people may not be aware of  but that helped Akron in some way.

Hes helped others, said Ophelia Averitt, the longtime president of the Akron chapter of the NAACP. Hes tried to make a difference. Ive seen the difference hes made.

Sommerville, who was an Akron council member and council president before serving in two mayors' administrations, lost his mayoral bid in the May Democratic primary to Shammas Malik, who is a relative newcomer to Akrons political scene.

Sommerville, who says he was urged to run because of the lesser experience of the other candidates, says being mayor was never on his bucket list. He wishes the new mayor luck and counts his own blessings: his wife of 41 years, Debra; three children and three granddaughters; a thriving funeral business and a 93-year-old mother.

Ive got so much to be thankful for, Sommerville, 71, said during a recent interview at the Ido Bar and Grill, one of his favorite Akron lunch spots.

Sommerville's political start

Sommerville started his funeral home business in 1978 in West Akron.

His political career began a few years later when he attended a meeting for the Rev. Jesse Jacksons presidential campaign in Ohio and was chosen as a state co-chair.

When Jackson lost his bid for the Democratic nomination, Sommerville said Jackson told him, My campaign was not about me. It was about getting people like you involved. You owe it to the community.

Sommerville said he took these words to heart, especially because he felt he should give back to the community that was supporting his business.

Sommerville got his chance in 1987, thanks to political shuffling that included Tom Sawyer being elected to Congress, Don Plusquellic becoming mayor and Barbara Skyes moving from a Ward 3 to an at-large Akron council position. Sommerville was appointed to the Ward 3 seat and then held it in the next election.

Marco Sommerville, a Ward 3 Akron councilman, in 1993.

Plusquellic, Akrons longest-serving mayor, recalls that his first encounter with Sommerville wasnt a pleasant one. He cornered Sommerville after a committee meeting in which charging for the citys EMS services was discussed.

I really gave him hell, Plusquellic said in a recent email. He just stood there and listened and didnt make it personal back to me.

Plusquellic said he called Sommerville the next morning and apologized.

Ever since then, Ive considered him a good friend, and as the years went on, he became my best friend and a great partner in making Akron better, Plusquellic said.

Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville reacts to being interrupted by Ernie Tarle during a public hearing on speaking opportunities in February 2012.

Plusquellic credits Sommerville, who became council president in 2000, with a long list of accomplishments that include creating the local funding mechanism for the Akron school construction project, establishing a police auditor, keeping the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.s headquarters in Akron, and lobbying federal housing officials to secure more than $40 million to rebuild two Akron neighborhoods.

Mayor Don Plusquellic jokes with City Council President Marco Sommerville during a press conference in the new Akron subdivision Blake Place, named after the Rev. Col. William Blake, in July 2000.

Sommerville said he initially thought someone else was coming up with Plusquellics ideas but quickly realized the mayor was an out of the box thinker.

Plusquellic described Sommerville as a strong Black leader who found ways to work with friends and adversaries to get things done and a leader who was not a demagogue but told people the truth.

Margo replaces Marco on council

In 2013, Sommerville switched from serving on council to serving in the administration, becoming Plusquellics planning director.

Council members appointed Margo Sommerville, Marcos daughter, to take over his Ward 3 seat.

Margo admits to not being excited about the idea of joining council, but then coming around to it.

Public service runs in my veins, too, she said. I got it honest from him. I saw an opportunity to continue his legacy.

Former Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville gives his daughter Margo a hug after she took the oath of office to fill his Ward 3 seat on council in January 2013.

Margo said she can witness her dads legacy when she drives through Akron and sees improvements like the Aldi on Thornton Street that brought a grocery store into an area that lacked one.

Margo said her dad has also had a lot of firsts, including being the first Black man to serve on the Summit County Board of Elections and to chair the Akron Metropolitan House Authority (AMHA) board.

The first  making sure theres going to be others, Margo said. Other Black men will be able to follow in his footsteps  and break more barriers.

Sommerville serves in a second administration

After Plusquellic resigned and Dan Horrigan was elected in 2016, Sommerville stayed on, serving as deputy mayor of intergovernmental affairs and senior adviser.

Akron Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville (left) and Mayor Dan Horrigan arrive for the calling hours and funeral of Jayland Walker at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Sommerville said this basically meant he was Horrigans go-to guy. He said he was involved in recruitment for police and fire, improving diversity on boards and commissions, and building relationships with the community, such as local pastors and Palestinians. He also stood by Horrigan's side during difficult times like the pandemic and the police shooting of Jayland Walker last June.

More: Potholes, sewers and protests: Outgoing Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan reflects on past 8 years

Horrigan said he and Sommerville have been friends for nearly 25 years.

He has kicked me around and likewise. And I think that is exactly what friends do, Horrigan said. I think he's just a gem of a human being.

Sommerville faces health challenges during his mayoral bid

When Horrigan announced he wouldnt seek reelection, Sommerville was among several candidates who stepped forward.

Deputy Mayor Marco Sommerville announced in October 2022 that he would run for mayor.

His campaign, though, was a difficult one, especially because of health issues he wasnt expecting.

Sommerville, who had been working out and losing weight, had a lung collapse three times while he was campaigning. He said his doctor told him he might want to drop out.

I was like, Nah, weve got to see this through, Sommerville said.

Akron mayoral candidates Tara Mosley, left, Joshua Schaffer, Marco Sommerville and Jeff Wilhite under the bright lights during a televised mayoral debate.

Sommerville said his health issues prevented him from doing as much as he would have liked, like going door-to-door. He sent other people in his stead, but said he knows thats not the same.

More: Marco Sommerville gives speech after the Akron primary election

Sommerville said he and Malik never had a conversation after the election. He said he likely wouldnt have been willing to stay if he had been asked.

We wish him well, Sommerville said. I love this city.

Sommerville recently did an interview with HistoryMakers, an effort that seeks to educate and document the Black experience. He is one of only a few Akronites who have been selected for this honor.

It was nice to know there will be a place where my grandkids can go to see their grandfather, Sommerville said.

Marco Sommerville is interviewed recently by HistoryMakers, an effort that educates and documents the Black experience.

A clip of Sommervilles seven-hour interview is expected to be posted on the HistoryMakers' digital archive early next year.

As for whats next for Sommerville, he will continue to serve as chairman of the AMHA board and on the health commission. Beyond that, he has a few ideas, including working with Dorsey to start a music program in Akron that gives kids the opportunity to pick up any instrument and play it.

Margo said she wishes her father could enjoy spending time with his family and not being as busy, but figures thats not going to happen.

This is in his blood, and it runs deep, she said. I think youre going to continue to see him out in the community  doing what hes doing.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. Beacon Journal reporter Amanda Garrett contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Marco Sommerville plans to continue service after lost election
4 signs you're ready to move in with your partner  even if it feels too soon

Moving in with your partner can be a big decision. Grace Cary

Moving in together can be exciting but also comes with challenges.

A couples therapist shared what couples should be prepared for before moving in together.

Talking about finances, intimacy, and your general future together are all very important.

For most people, moving in together is one of the biggest relationship milestones . But knowing when to do it can be tricky, as every couple's timeline is different.

Even if you're in a healthy relationship , there are still some things you need to be aligned on to make cohabitation work. April Eldemire , a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, told Insider that relationships tend to fall apart when couples that move in together "either don't have the foundation established or haven't worked through issues."

Moving in before you're ready can make underlying problems more pronounced. "You find out that when you move in together, you're actually polar opposites or so different that it's clashing or you're fighting all the time," she said.

To avoid that, she recommended sitting down and making sure you've talked through a range of topics first, from your finances to what you hope your future looks like. Here's how to know when you're ready, even if you haven't been dating for a long time.

1. You generally know where the relationship is going

Before anything else, Eldemire said it's important to envision the general future you want together.

"Ultimately, what do you want out of the relationship?" she said. "Where is the relationship going?"

It doesn't have to necessarily be geared towards marriage  it's fine to just want to live together and see where it goes, but you should still have some future goals aligned.

For example, she said you'll want to talk about adding other family members into the mix. What will happen if one of you has an aging or sick parent  will they live with you? What about kids or pets?

Even just knowing who's going to be coming over regularly can be good to talk about. "I think a lot of couples fight about this," Eldemire said. "One partner feels like there's just maybe too much socializing or they're hosting too much."

2. You've had honest talks about your finances

Moving in together can help save money on rent, but it can be a financial risk in other ways if you've never talked candidly about money.

In most couples, Eldemire said that one person is more of a spender and the other is more of a saver, so it's good to talk about your different views on money.

"Especially in modern day relationships, there's got to feel like there's some fairness and some equal balance," she said. For example, if one person ends up making the bulk of the money you share, the other might take on more housework or chores to help out.

Additionally, she recommended discussing whether you want to have a household budget or a joint bank account "to determine how much you're putting in each month and who has access to it," she said.

3. You're prepared for your sex life to possibly change

While moving in together is very exciting, it will likely bring up conflicts you didn't see coming.

One of the most common ones is a change in intimacy, according to Eldemire. "You're not just dating and having that infatuation phase," she said. "You actually have responsibilities and you're living your lives now, and so intimacy might look a little bit different."

It's good to go into moving in together with the expectation that things might shift  and be ready to talk about them when they do.

4. You communicate through conflict well

While you can't anticipate every issue that will come up, you can prepare yourselves for having tough conversations as they arise.

Eldemire said that couples can shy away from these talks because they're afraid of what the other person will say or "they're worried that they might not be in total alignment, but they love the person so much that they're willing to overlook those things." But that's not healthy.

"You have to go in with open eyes," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
A prolific child serial killer sentenced in England, hundreds of dead bodies recovered from a Christian cult in Kenya, and a violent takedown of El Chapo's son in Mexico were among some of the most notable crime stories from around the world this year.

Four Americans were kidnapped in Mexico by cartels shortly after crossing the U.S. border; a German gunman carried out a mass shooting attack at a Jehovah's Witnesses center in Hamburg.

Here are five world crime stories in 2023.

Raid to arrest El Chapo's son leaves 30 dead

Mexican authorities in Culiacan, Sinaloa, engaged in a bloody battle to capture Ovidio Guzman  the son of notorious Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

The intense fighting between suspected Sinaloa drug cartel gunmen and Mexican troops erupted on Jan. 5, 2023. Both sides engaged in open gunfire, the military sent in Black Hawk helicopters to attack a convoy of cartel vehicles, and cartel members allegedly attacked military and civilian aircraft at the city's international airport. Other members attempted to kidnap doctors at local hospitals to treat wounded fighters.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The battle killed 30 people, including 10 military personnel and one Culiacan police officer. At least 17 police officers and 35 military personnel were wounded in the running shoot-outs.

MEXICAN AUTHORITIES SAY 10 MILITARY PERSONNEL, 19 CARTEL MEMBERS KILLED IN RAID TO ARREST EL CHAPO'S SON

Guzman was a leader of a Sinaloa faction he called "Los Menores" or "the Juniors," who are also known as "Los Chapitos," for the sons of El Chapo. He, along with his brothers, allegedly continued managing their father's business and steered the cartel into synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Authorities attempted to capture Guzman three years earlier until aborting the mission, which set off a wave of violence in Culiacan that ultimately led to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ordering the military to release him from captivity.

In 2018, U.S. authorities indicted Guzman on drug trafficking charges. But it wasn't until September of this year that Guzman was extradited to the U.S. after being taken out of a Mexican prison.

U.S. authorities held Guzman in custody in Chicago and charged him with conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana from Mexico and elsewhere to be imported into the U.S. He later pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment that spanned from 2008 to 2021.

Two of four Americans killed in Mexico after being kidnapped by cartels

Two months after Mexican authorities arrested Guzman, the country again made international news when four American citizens were kidnapped in Mexico.

Washington McGee, Eric Williams, Shaeed Woodard, and Zindell Brown were kidnapped on March 3 after they had reportedly traveled from Brownsville, Texas, to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, to accompany one of the travelers planning to receive tummy tuck surgery. But the trip took a turn for the worse when the Americans found themselves in the crossfire of rival cartels shortly after crossing the U.S. border.

TWO OF THE FOUR AMERICANS KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO ARE DEAD, TWO ALIVE: REPORT

Investigators reportedly believe the four may have been mistaken for Haitian drug smugglers.

An eyewitness, who declined to be identified for fear of retaliation, told the Associated Press she saw a white minivan collide with another vehicle before hearing gunfire when armed men approached the vehicle.

Chaotic scenes documented from the violent incident show armed men dragging one person across the pavement and forcing a woman into the bed of a white truck. Two more men who appeared to be wounded were also dragged and loaded into the same vehicle.

Woodard and Brown were both killed, and McGee and Williams have since been repatriated back to the United States.

Mass shooter kills seven, including unborn child, at Jehovah's Witness hall in Germany

A German gunman killed six people as well as an unborn child at a Jehovah's Witnesses center in Hamburg, Germany, in March just before taking his own life after the mass shooting.

German authorities identified the gunman only as Phillip F., a 35-year-old male who reportedly fired over 100 rounds in the solo attack during a March 9 service in the house of worship. He was reportedly a former member of the religious group who expressed "ill feelings" towards the community, according to the BBC.

GERMAN SHOOTING: 7 DEAD INCLUDING ONE UNBORN CHILD AT JEHOVAH'S WITNESS MEETING

The victims included four men, two women, and an unborn female child, authorities reportedly said at a news conference at the time of the incident. The shooter wounded eight other people  four of whom suffered serious injuries  and a pregnant woman who lost her unborn daughter.

The Jehovah's Witnesses said in a statement reported by Reuters that the religious group was "deeply affected by the horrific attack on its members of the faith in a Kingdom Hall in Hamburg after a service." According to officials, approximately 50 people were attending an event at the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall in the Alsterdorf district of the city when the shooting started.

Dozens of dead bodies recovered in Christian cult in Kenya

Kenyan police recovered hundreds of bodies who were thought to be involved in a Christian cult that allegedly believed they would meet Jesus Christ if they starved themselves to death.

More than 400 bodies connected to the self-proclaimed Good News International Church were found in mass grave sites this year in a forested area across the coastal county of Kilifi, according to the Associated Press.

KENYA DOOMSDAY CULT LEADER FOUND GUILTY OF ILLEGAL FILMING, BUT YET TO BE CHARGED OVER MASS DEATHS

More than 400 bodies connected to the self-proclaimed Good News International Church were found in mass grave sites this year in a forested area across the coastal county of Kilifi.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the leader of the religious group, was arrested in April after authorities followed a lead that suggested the existence of a grave site containing dozens of his follower's bodies.

Mackenzie has not been formally charged with the deaths but remains in custody to allow authorities to complete their investigation and search for dozens of people still missing.

The cult leader was found guilty in November on separate charges of operating a studio and distributing films without a license through his Times Television without the approval of the Kenya Film Classification Board, according to the Associated Press.

President William Ruto reportedly discredited Mackenzie's teachings as a spurious religion and authorized federal agencies to investigate the group.

"Mr. Mackenzie ... pretends and postures as a pastor when in fact he is a terrible criminal," Ruto said earlier this year, according to Reuters. He added, "People who want to use religion to advance weird, unacceptable ideology in the Republic of Kenya that is causing unnecessary loss of life."

Prolific child serial killer sentenced

A nurse who enjoyed "playing God" was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in August for murdering 7 babies in a British hospital neonatal unit.

Lucy Letby, 33, was also convicted of trying to kill six other babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit in the United Kingdom during a yearlong killing spree between June 2015 and June 2016. During her trial, prosecutors described Letby as a "devious," "calculating," and "cold-blooded" killer for allegedly murdering a total of 17 babies  all but one who were premature.

'COLD-BLOODED' NURSE LUCY LETBY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING 7 BABIES AT HOSPITAL NEONATAL UNIT

Lucy Letby, 33, was also convicted of trying to kill six other babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit in the United Kingdom during a yearlong killing spree between June 2015 and June 2016.

Letby was accused of injecting insulin, milk, or air into the victim's bodies, leading to their sudden collapse. Prosecutors also accused her of physically assaulting one baby, which caused a liver injury.

She denied the 22 charges against her  seven counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder  but was convicted on 13 charges after the jury had deliberated for more than 99 hours. Letby was found not guilty of two attempted murder charges, and the jury was undecided on further attempted murder charges relating to four babies.

Letby maintains her innocence. She is reportedly scheduled to face a retrial for an attempted murder charge in June 2024.

Fox News' Ian Leonard and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: 5 appalling crimes around the world in 2023
Here Are 5 HS Music Groups That Won The Nationwide Challenge, Fronted By Erica Campbells Daughter | Hill Street Studios

Nationwide Insurance recently announced an advertisement campaign with the help of Erica Campbells daughter, Zaya.

When Zaya was five, she added a gospel-like spin to the companys signature jingle, Nationwide is on your side. While the TikTok video is a few years old, it has been making waves on social media. TikTok users flocked to her rendition after she put her spin on the already famous phrase. After the company saw her video, Zayas lyrics appeared in Nationwides Instagram and TikTok bios.

Together, the insurance company and Zaya launched a challenge for High School students to create a jingle based on the viral tune. Several schools entered the Nationwide Challenge Contests on TikTok with their interpretations of the companys viral jingle.

Based on TikTok likes, Nationwide announced the five winning schools:

Blytheville High School in Blytheville, Ark.

Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Clarksdale High School in Clarksdale, Miss.

Mountain Pointe High School is in Phoenix, Ariz.

Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa.

The schools were notified of their win via video call by Nationwide, and Nationwide offered a $5,000 contribution to each of the winning schools. According to Kristi Daraben, Nationwides Associate Vice President of Social Media, it is through this contest that Nationwide supports musical students and programs.

We were so impressed by all of the Nationwide jingle renditions on TikTok, Daraben said. At Nationwide, we know music matters. By contributing to music education, we can help students continue to develop their musical talents.

The contributions will purchase choir robes, instruments, sheet music and field trips.

A recent statement from Nationwides Chief Marketing Officer, Ramon Jones, expressed the companys excitement about partnering with Zaya. Additionally, he talked about the companys ties to education  their latest competition aims to aid the financial needs of students.

Nationwide, like thousands of others, was blown away by Zayas take on our iconic jingle, Jones said. Through programs like Prom Promise, the Golden Owl Award, and many others, Nationwide has helped teachers provide an extraordinary education for students of all ages and, in turn, created awareness about insurance, financial services, and planning for retirement once their time in the classroom is over. The Nationwide Jingle Challenge is the latest such program.

Congratulations to each of the winning schools on their beautiful and unique renditions!
A new report shows that Black men have had the highest homicide victim rate since 1960.

A new report on homicide trends in the U.S. reveals the ebbs and flows of killings in America since the 1960s but the most consistent part is the impact such deaths have had on the Black community.

The Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, recently released the Trends in Homicide report, which closely analyzes data on homicides from multiple sources over the past 50 years.

The analysis shows that Black men have had the highest rate of homicide victimization since 1960. That year, the homicide rate for Black men was 42 per 100,000 people. By 1970, it was 78 per 100,000.

From 1980 to 1999, the rate hovered around 54 per 100,000 people before declining from 2000 to 2019 to around 35 per 100,000. In 2021, the number went back up to 54. To put it in perspective, the homicide rate for white males has never gone above 8.4 per 100,000 since 1960, according to the study.

Students from Launch Charter School in New York march as they wear orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 2, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Most homicides are going to be intraracial within racial groups, but Black individuals disproportionately make up a large share of homicide victims, Ernesto Lopez, who co-authored the study, told theGrio. That disparity has always been there, and theres a whole bunch of research that tries to explain why.

Since 2020, more than three-quarters of all homicides have been committed with a firearm. From 1980 to 1990, guns were used in just two-thirds of reported homicides. The clearance rate for homicides has gradually decreased since the 1960s. In 1964, over 83% of homicides were cleared by authorities. In 2022, around 50% were.

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The study also shows how homicides were on a long-term decline from the early 1990s until 2015, when they increased again. Then came the 30% spike in homicides from 2019 to 2020, which was the largest single-year increase on record.

Over the last several years, crime researchers and academics have explored what drove that increase and point to several factors, such as the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest that followed George Floyds murder. They also believe an increase in gun sales and a lack of proactive and effective policing were contributing factors.

Homicides are trending downward, though still higher than in 2019. Lopez said this is the nature of violence, though he believes there have been more coordinated efforts to help the communities and areas that struggle with violence along with a better understanding of the data.

Homicide rates are dropping, and thats very good news. That said, we still need aggressive action to save even more lives, Thomas Abt, a senior fellow with the Council on Criminal Justice said in a statement. Despite the decline, the U.S. remains a bloody outlier among wealthy nations concerning homicide and other serious violent crime.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post 50 years of homicide data shows the weight lands on Black people appeared first on TheGrio.
Tennessee has released letter grades for every public K-12 school in the state and Oak Ridge Schools received an A at six of the seven schools graded, making those schools among the highest rated ones in the state.

While Woodland Elementary School's student achievement numbers outperformed the state average in every area, the school received a C letter grade overall due to the weight applied to student growth in the equation, according to information from the city school system.

Oak Ridge School Superintendent Bruce Borchers speaks on the state of the city schools to the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge earlier this year.

Three schools earned perfect Level 5 scores in every scored component contributing to the overall grade, the Oak Ridge Schools news release stated. Oak Ridge Preschool is not eligible for a school letter grade because it does not serve students in grades that participate in state assessments.

It is nearly impossible to capture the success of a school and the incredibly intricate and multifaceted work of its educators with a single letter grade, but I am thrilled to see tireless work of our students, teachers and staff positively recognized in these outstanding letter grades, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers is quoted as saying in the release. Over the last several years our schools have reached amazing new heights and I am excited to have an opportunity to shine a light on their success once again.

Bruce Borchers

Every Oak Ridge school earned a Level 5 in student achievement, the highest possible score, as a result of the districts Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test results. During testing last spring, Oak Ridge Schools outperformed the state average, collectively, by more than 13 percentage points. In the new grading system, student achievement is weighted equally to student growth, and is an area the district plans to target as an opportunity for improvement moving forward.

As with any assessment, we will use these letter grades as an opportunity to celebrate the good work happening in our schools and identify areas where we can continue to improve and positively impact student achievement, Borchers stated. While our student achievement numbers remain ahead of the state averages, we will continue to use data from our predictive assessments throughout the year to implement impactful learning strategies in the classroom and remain diligent in doing whats best for our students.

Scores are calculated based on a schools achievement - determined by TCAP test results; growth - determined by Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) test results, and in the case of high school, college and career readiness. Each of these areas is weighted to determine its contribution towards the overall letter, the release stated. Additionally, growth is represented in two ways: growth achieved by the overall student population, and Growth25, the growth achieved by the lowest 25% of student performers.

While we are happy that our student achievement has remained high, we recognized the need to improve our student growth and began implementing new ways of using data from our predictive assessments to make informed decisions that guide our work while providing individualized support and instruction whenever possible, said Woodland Principal DT Hobby. Because this years score is based on last years data, we have already seen improvement from the changes we have made this year and are looking forward to seeing our growth at the end of the year. As always, we will continue to implement impactful learning strategies in the classroom and will remain diligent in doing whats best for our students.

Across the state

More than a quarter of Tennessee's public K-12 schools could face corrective action and audits from the state after receiving Ds or Fs under the new grading system.

Tennessee released letter grades for every public K-12 school in the state on Thursday, putting a law first passed in 2016 into effect. The grades were long delayed by technical issues with testing and disruptions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The grading system's advocates say letter grades are a simpler, more transparent way for parents to understand school performance.

Opponents say the new system unfairly favors proficiency on standardized tests, instead of overall academic growth from year to year, making it harder for schools to earn As or Bs. Some have raised concerns that the grades will further stigmatize public schools, and others have pointed to the underfunding of those schools.

"School letter grades will provide Tennessee families with a clear rating system that gives them a snapshot of how their childs school is performing," Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a news release. "No matter what your schools letter grade is, everyone can play a role in supporting the success of our students and the success of our schools by engaging with your local school communities and joining the conversation."

Tanya T. Coats, an educator from Knox County who heads the Tennessee Education Association, said the state already had an easy-to-understand, comprehensive report card system that accounted for things like absenteeism, graduation rates and college and career readiness - things not reflected well by letter grades. She pointed to how letter grades have caused harm in other states and called for Tennessee to repeal or heavily amend its newly effective law.

"It is insulting to students, parents, educators and communities to label our schools with a single letter grade weighted heavily on a flawed high-stakes standardized test," Coats said in the statement Thursday, shortly after the public release of the grades. "It is impossible to capture the hard work of Tennessee students and educators with such a simplistic rating."

Schools that receive a D or F must appear before the State Board of Education and may be required to follow a corrective plan or even face academic and financial audits. Nearly half of the schools that received Fs are within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. The remaining letter grades were largely scattered across the rest of the state.

How it works: Tennessee officials map out school A-F letter grade plan, state board members voice concern

Here's how letter grades broke down statewide, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Education:

A: 294 schools (17.4%)

B: 441 schools (26.09%)

C: 513 schools (30.36%)

D: 350 schools (20.71%)

F: 92 schools (5.44%)

An additional 210 schools did not receive a letter grade due to "data suppression and business rules," according to the education department. For example, some public school programs geared toward adult learners would not be given a letter grade, a department official told The Tennessean. In total, Tennessee has around 1,700 public K-12 schools eligible for letter grades, according to department data.

The new grading system weights achievement and growth scores, which measure year-over-year academic progress for students. High schools have an additional weight added for college and career readiness indicators, like SAT and ACT scores.

Find out what letter grade individual schools received

Curious about what letter grade a specific school earned? Visit reportcard.tnedu.gov, select the "letter grades" tab across the top enter the name of the school in the search bar to look it up.

A downloadable dataset for the entire state is also available at tn.gov/education/districts/federal-programs-and-oversight/data/data-downloads. Scroll down to the "additional data" section and select the "school letter grade" drop down menu to access it.

In August and September, the state education department hosted a series of town halls and small group conversations open to the public, along with opportunities to engage on social media and submit written comments. The goal was to discuss the best way to measure school performance and to create transparency around what the new letter grades mean.

From August: Tennessee schools to receive A-F letter grades this fall, leaders seek public input

A series of 10 town hall meetings were hosted in Dickson, Greeneville, Bartlett, Memphis, Dyersburg, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Cookeville, Nashville and Shelbyville from mid-August to early September. Public comment submissions also drew around 300 responses.

Recordings of the town hall meetings, along with more information on the new letter grades, can be found at tn.gov/education/SchoolLetterGrades.

Contributing to this story was reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com. Find her on Twitter, Threads and Bluesky @RachelAnnWegner.

Learn more

The state education department provided a fact sheet and FAQ on school letter grades. See it for yourself below.

https://www.scribd.com/document/694087788/A-F-letter-grade-FAQ-and-info-sheet

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 6 out of 7 Oak Ridge schools earn an "A" under new grading system
Add up Michael Manns many decades and finest hours as a filmmaker, and its clear the Chicago native has done a lot for us, along every kind of road. The nightscapes of Thief, Heat and Collateral. The antiseptic cubicle paranoia of The Insider. The digital breakthroughs, even before our eyes were ready for them, in Ali and Miami Vice. His directorial elegance, flecked with violence and a kind of rapturous loneliness, is all his. And his latest, Ferrari, Mann  now 80  brings a long-gestating portrait of Italian automaker Enzo Ferrari to completion.

Parts of it are first-rate; parts of it are routine. As Ferrari, Adam Driver manages a dutiful, careful but indistinct performance on the heels of his last high-profile Italianate turn in Ridley Scotts House of Gucci. Some biopics over-worry about turning their leading players into physical likenesses of their subjects (Christian Bale as Dick Cheney, for example, in Vice). Thats one way to go. Another is the oh whatever route, relying on performance persuasion and a little less latex. In the Mann realm, the second option was taken for Johnny Depps sorta-kinda-similarity to the real, though rougher-looking, John Dillinger in Public Enemies. Or Drivers not-at-all resemblance to the real Ferrari, age-wise or otherwise, in Ferrari.

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The late screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martins storyline (Martin died in 2009) focuses on the Ferrari crises of 1957, when the auto legend and former racer was about to go under. Broke. Overextended. Longtime younger lover (Shailene Woodley, disappointingly flat in a two-dimensional part) and publicly unacknowledged preteen son (Giuseppe Festinese) in one villa; long-suffering wife and business partner Laura Ferrari (Penelope Cruz, the movies MVP) seething and scowling in another. Her husbands rampant philandering is well-known to Laura; Enzos artfully compartmentalized secret life and son are not.

Penelope Cruz as Laura Ferrari in a scene from "Ferrari." (Lorenzo Sisti/AP)

Amid scrambles for outside cash, trips to the opera and trysts in between, Ferrari builds to the fearsome Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles ) motor race across Italys winding, mountainous roads, scarily narrow urban streets and in all kinds of weather. A win can save Ferrari and his company, under pressure. And here is where Mann and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, paradoxically, relax and enjoy themselves, shooting in mostly practical (not-effects-driven) ways along beautiful stretches of road. They strap cameras to the Ferrari beauties, low to the ground the way the movies have done for a century. At its visual peak, Manns film relishes the near-abstract imagery of rainy asphalt and headlights slashing the night sky.

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The nonverbal passages provide relief from dialogue that goes clunk-a-doodle-do, with an uncertain mixture of humor and, well, not-humor. You know the rule! Cruzs Laura says to cheating Enzo early on. You have to be here before the maid arrives with the morning coffee  that was the agreement! A pretty good line, actually, but at odds with the movies frequent solemn pronouncements. Great drivers such as those on the Maserati team, Ferrari tells his crew at one point, have a cruel emptiness in their stomachs. (That one would sound better in subtitled Italian.) By 1957, the married Ferrari couple was in deep mourning for their son, Dino, who died the year before of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since that piercing loss, Laura says to Enzo, she has had to settle for less and less of her husband, mostly the ambition, the drive, the plot, the paranoia.

Adam Driver as Enzo Ferrari in a scene from "Ferrari." (Lorenzo Sisti/AP)

Cruz is spectacularly good throughout, activating Lauras rage, sadness and contempt for her situation (and their auto companys finances) in every scene. Even throwaway bits register; the movies tensest confrontation, in fact, hinges on Cruzs impatience with a faulty ballpoint pen handed to her by a shifty bank teller. But Driver, so effective so often in recent years, does not suggest much ambition, drive, plotting or paranoia. Hes going for a man who has his public image to maintain, even in private. And that doesnt do quite enough for the movie. The masterly editor Pietro Scalia may have erred a bit here in letting too many of Drivers sullen verbal rejoinders sit on screen for a second or two too long, before cutting to Cruz, or Patrick Dempsey (as Enzos longtime friend and driver, Taruffi), or Woodleys mistress Lina, who met Ferrari during the waning, brutal days of World War II.

So: mixed bag. But I wouldnt mind seeing Ferrari again sometime just for Cruz, and for a few of Manns most gratifying examples of classical Hollywood technique, done his way. The movie reinvents no wheels. But it sure knows how to film em.

What to Watch Daily The latest from Tribune critics on what film and television you should be watching. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Ferrari  2.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for some violent content/graphic images, sexual content and language)

Running time: 2:11

How to watch: Premieres in theaters Dec. 25

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

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mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

Science is revolutionizing our understanding of the past.

Paleogenetics teases out astonishing secrets from DNA hidden in bones and dirt. Artificial intelligence decodes ancient texts written in forgotten scripts. Chemical analysis of molecular residues left on teeth, cooking pots, incense burners and building materials reveals details about past diets, smells and construction techniques.

Here are six mysteries about human history that scientists have cracked in 2023. Plus, one that still has researchers scratching their heads.

The true identity of a prehistoric leader

Buried with a spectacular crystal dagger and other precious artifacts, the 5,000-year-old skeleton discovered in 2008 in a tomb near Seville, Spain, was clearly once someone important.

The individual was initially thought to be a young man, based on analysis of the pelvis bone, the traditional way scientists determine the sex of human skeletal remains.

However, an analysis of tooth enamel, which contains a type of protein with a sex-specific peptide called amelogenin, determined that the remains were female rather than male.

In other studies, the technique has also dispelled the cliche of man the hunter that has informed much thinking about early humans.

This technique, we think, is going to open up an entirely new era in the analysis of the social organization of prehistoric societies, Leonardo Garcia Sanjuan, a professor of prehistory at the University of Seville, told CNN in July when the discovery was made public.

The crystal dagger was found was buried with the body of a 5,000-year-old female prehistoric leader. - Research Group ATLAS from University of Sevilla

The ingredient behind Roman concretes legendary strength

Roman concrete has proven to be longer-lasting than its modern equivalent, which can deteriorate within decades. Take, for example, the Pantheon in Rome, which has the worlds largest unreinforced dome.

Scientists behind a study published in January said they had discovered the mystery ingredient that allowed the Romans to make their construction material so durable and to build elaborate structures in challenging places such as docks, sewers and earthquake zones.

The study team analyzed 2,000-year-old concrete samples that were taken from a city wall at the archaeological site of Privernum in central Italy and are similar in composition to other concrete found throughout the Roman Empire.

They found that white chunks in the concrete, referred to as lime clasts, gave the concrete the ability to heal cracks that formed over time. The white chunks previously had been overlooked as evidence of sloppy mixing or poor-quality raw material.

Rome's Pantheon was built under Roman Emperor Augustus between 27 and 25 BC to celebrate all gods worshipped in ancient Rome. It was rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 128 AD. - Domenico Stinellis/AP

The actual appearance of Otzi the Iceman

Hikers found the mummified body of Otzi in a gully high in the Italian Alps in 1991. His frozen remains are perhaps the worlds most closely studied archaeological find, revealing in unprecedented detail what life was like 5,300 years ago.

His stomach contents have yielded information on what his last meal was and where he came from, while his weapons showed he was right-handed, and his clothes provided a rare look at what ancient people actually wore.

But a new analysis of DNA extracted from Otzis pelvis revealed in August that his physical appearance wasnt what scientists first thought.

The study of his genetic makeup showed that Otzi the Iceman had dark skin and dark eyes  and was likely bald. This revised appearance stands in stark contrast to the well-known reconstruction of Otzi that depicts a pale-skinned man with a full head of hair and a beard.

A close-up of the head of the 5,300-year-old frozen corpse of Otzi in the Archaeological Museum in Bolzano. - Sudtiroler Museum/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

The wearer of 20,000-year-old pendant revealed

Archaeologists frequently unearth bone tools and other artifacts from ancient sites, but its been impossible to know for sure who once used or wore them.

Earlier this year, scientists recovered ancient human DNA from a pendant made from deer bone found in Denisova Cave in Siberia. With that clue, they were able to reveal that its wearer was a woman who lived between 19,000 and 25,000 years ago.

She belonged to a group known as Ancient North Eurasians, which have a genetic connection to the first Americans.

Human DNA was likely preserved in the deer bone pendant because it is porous and therefore more likely to retain genetic material present in skin cells, sweat and other body fluids.

Its not known why the deer tooth pendant contained such a large amount of the ancient womans DNA (about the same amount as a human tooth). Perhaps it was well-loved and worn close to the skin for an exceptionally long period, said Elena Essel, a molecular biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, who developed a new technique to extract the DNA.

The deer tooth pendant contained DNA left by its wearer. - Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

The ancient, damaged scroll decoded by AI

Some 1,100 scrolls were burned to a crisp during the famous eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. In the 1700s, some enterprising diggers recovered the huge cache from volcanic mud.

The collection, known as the Herculaneum scrolls, is perhaps the largest known library from classical antiquity, but the contents of the fragile documents remained a mystery until a University of Nebraska computer science student won a scientific contest earlier this year.

With the help of artificial intelligence and imaging by computerized tomography, Luke Farritor was the first to decode a word written in ancient Greek on one of those blackened scrolls.

Farritor was awarded $40,000 for deciphering the word  or porphyras, which is the Greek word for purple. Researchers are hopeful that it wont be long until entire scrolls can be deciphered using the technique.

The scroll was one of hundreds retrieved from the remains of a lavish villa at Herculaneum, which along with Pompeii was one of several Roman towns that were destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. - Salvatore Laporta/AP

The materials necessary for making a mummy

From fragments of discarded pots in an embalming workshop, scientists have discovered some of the substances and concoctions ancient Egyptians used to mummify the dead.

By chemically analyzing organic residues left in the vessels, researchers determined that ancient Egyptians used a wide variety of substances to anoint the body after death, to reduce unpleasant smells and to protect it from fungi, bacteria and putrefaction. Materials identified include plant oils such as juniper, cypress and cedar, as well as resins from pistachio trees, animal fat and beeswax.

While scholars had previously learned the names of substances used to embalm the dead from Egyptian texts, they were  until recently  only able to guess at exactly what compounds and materials they referred to.

The ingredients used in the workshop were varied and sourced not just from Egypt, but much farther afield, suggesting the long-distance exchange of goods.

An artist's reconstruction of an embalming scene with a priest in an underground chamber. - Nikola Nevenov

Beethoven: A family secret revealed  but one mystery endures

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven died at the age of 56 in 1827 after a string of chronic health problems, including hearing loss, gastrointestinal issues and liver disease.

Beethoven wrote a letter to his brothers in 1802 asking that his doctor, Johann Adam Schmidt, investigate the nature of the composers illnesses once he died. The letter is known as the Heiligenstadt Testament.

Nearly 200 years after his death, scientists extracted DNA from preserved locks of hair in an attempt to honor this request.

The lock of hair from which Beethoven's whole genome was sequenced. - Kevin Brown

The team was not able to come up with a definitive diagnosis, but Beethovens genetic data helped the researchers rule out potential causes of his ailment such as the autoimmune condition celiac disease, lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome.

The genetic information also suggested an extramarital affair had taken place in the composers family.

Ashley Strickland and Taylor Nicioli contributed to this report.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Six-month-old William Brumley is ready to fly home after receiving a life-changing surgery at the El Paso Childrens Hospital.

William Brumley, also known as Willie, received a less-invasive surgery by Dr. David Yates to fix a rare cranial malformation.

Nonprofit flies baby into El Paso for surgery at Childrens Hospital

The Brumley family flew from Cincinnati, Ohio to El Paso in a private jet at no cost from the help of AeroAngel, a non-profit organization.

Being in Cincinnati 1,400 miles away, its just so, so important to be able to get the family direct flight protected, just kind of lift that burden. So it just fits right at the heart of our mission, said Mark Pestal, executive director for AeroAngel.

The Brumleys said they came to El Paso for Dr. Yates to perform a less-invasive surgery.

We literally just open up this suture, just the way it was intended to be. And it allows the childs brain to actually push and remodel the bone and to grow normally so that the child no longer has pressure on their brain, Yates said.

Yates said Willie only lost a tablespoon of blood and did great through the whole process.

Right now, (he) still has a head shape that is a little bit more triangular. However, this will rapidly start growing out and correcting. And by the age of 5, youll never know that this kid ever had any surgery at all, Yates, said.

On Friday, Dec. 22, the Brumleys will have their last check with Dr. Yates and Willie will get a helmet to wear when he returns to Cincinnati.

To know that William is going to leave here, fly back home and live a perfectly normal life. Whereas just a week ago, had he not had this surgery, that wasnt necessarily going to be the case, Dr. Yates said.

John Brumley, Willies father, told KTSM that they were told that Willie would become a more blissful baby.

So before he was a happy baby and they said after the surgery hed be a happier baby, which I didnt think was possible. But somehow hes gotten cuter and happier, Brumley said.

I know hes feeling good and Im feeling good. So were all feeling a whole lot better. And, you know, were just kind of ready to get back home, Brumley said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A six-year-old New Hampshire boy battling cancer is inspiring his community, including WWE star Dijak.

Wolfgang Wolfie Bak was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February at five years old.

Since then, the kindergartener who loves being silly, dancing, and playing with NERF guns, has undergone surgery, weekly chemotherapy, and countless procedures, missing school and holidays.

Hes had to go through more than most people have had to go through ever, said Wolfies mother, Cara Baks, And the amount of times he couldve complained, he didnt.

As Wolfie bravely fights the disease, his inspired community is supporting him.

Students at Chelmsford High School, where Cara teaches science, launched an online fundraiser with the goal of raising $14,000 to help cover the Baks medical bills and other expenses. The generous effort is something the Baks did not ask for, but are grateful for.

Ive only been there a few years, and for them to treat me like Ive been there forever, its really special, an emotional Cara said.

Among the many shares online, Wolfies best friends father, who happens to be wrestling star Dijak, posted a link on his social media page.

The Wolfies Pack fundraiser was less than $300 short of its goal Thursday night with five days left to donate.

During Wolfies exhausting treatments, a network of organizations has kept him and his family going, Cara said.

Wolfie has taken part in activities offered by Make A Wish, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Boston Childrens Hospital Outreach Program, among other organizations.

Theres a lot of people that are putting a lot of effort in to keep these people happy and energetic when theyre going through tough stuff, Cara said. And were just very appreciative that they exist and they have the support to keep doing this for our babies.

Wolfie has now entered his final stage of treatment  chemotherapy at home and in the clinic to continue until March 2025  before he can discontinue treatment and be a kid again, enjoying life after cancer.

As Wolfies body recovers from the disease and other complications, he has regained his energy and is back to playing with his sister Cadence.

His mom is confident he will continue his treatments with the same positive attitude he started with.

We are very proud of how tough and strong [he is], Cara said. Were very grateful that he has continued to kick butt, literally sometimes.

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Icelandic locals can't stand when tourists litter or step on fragile moss.

They're also sick of hearing jokes about Iceland and Greenland.

When tourists ignore warning signs or advice from local authorities, it can be deadly.

With over 1.7 million visitors in 2022, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board, Iceland's otherworldly landscapes and natural phenomena continue to draw crowds of tourists to its shores.

Inevitably, tourists make mistakes or encounter culture clashes during their stays.

Here are six things locals wish tourists would stop doing when they visit Iceland.

Locals have heard all of the jokes about Iceland and Greenland before, and they're not amused.

Iceland is greener than the name implies. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Tourists occasionally joke with Icelanders about how the country of Greenland is covered in ice, and yet Iceland is very green.

Vanessa Terrazas, an Icelandic local who helps plan adventurous elopements with Iceland Wedding Planner , told Business Insider that the joke gets old after hearing it too many times.

They also roll their eyes when tourists ask where to see the northern lights during the summer months, when they're not visible.

Iceland's midnight sun at the Bubble Hotel. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The northern lights are usually visible in Iceland between September and April, while the midnight sun season with 24 hours of daylight occurs between May and August.

Terrazas said that she often encounters tourists who didn't do their research and came to Iceland to see the northern lights during the wrong time of year.

Tipping isn't always appreciated by service workers in Iceland.

A cafe in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

While tipping is commonplace, and even expected, for service workers in the US, it's not the norm in European countries like Iceland. Some locals may welcome tips, but others may not want or be able to accept them, which can lead to some awkward moments.

"A lot of times there would be tips on the table for the waitress and they say, 'We can't take it,' and then it'll end up turning into an argument, and that's something that happened quite often," Anna Ragna, who was born and raised in Iceland and moved to the US in 2015, told Business Insider.

Icelanders can't stand littering.

A garbage can in Reykjavik, Iceland. Finn Huwald/picture alliance via Getty Images

Iceland is renowned for its pristine natural beauty. When tourists discard their trash on the ground, it damages the environment and "enrages us as a people," Ragna said.

Locals wish tourists would be more careful about preserving Iceland's fragile moss.

Moss at the Secret Lagoon. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Tourists aren't always aware of how delicate Icelandic moss is. The slow-growing organism can weather the country's harsh climate, but it is very fragile when stepped on, The Reykjavik Grapevine reported.

"It grows incredibly slowly and it can take up a hundred years just to grow a simple patch," Ragna said.

Ignoring warning signs or advice from local authorities could require a costly rescue, or worse.

An erupting volcano spews lava and smoke north of Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, on December 19. Icelandic Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS

An Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter rescued an "exhausted, cold and shocked" hiker who got too close to a volcanic eruption near Grindavik on December 19. Authorities warned tourists to "think four times" before approaching the site.

Davi Geir Jonasson, owner of Icelandic tour company Vik Expeditions , has seen this happen many times throughout his 15 years as a member of Iceland's search-and-rescue team.

"In Iceland, a warning sign is put up because someone has died or multiple people have died," he said. "It's not just because something might happen."

Read the original article on Business Insider
An 84-year-old shot and killed at his convenience store in Virginia is being remembered as a pillar of the local community.

James Carter was wounded during a dispute in front of his convenience store the evening of Dec. 20, the Norfolk Police Department said in a news release.

He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, according to police.

Another person showed up at a hospital with non life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound, which police said was connected to the shooting at the store.

Police have charged three people in connection with Carters death.

Dennis Hisle, 42, faces charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm, police said. A 40-year-old man was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition by a felon, and a 41-year-old woman was charged with accessory after the fact.

Attorney information for the three defendants is not listed in court records.

People left balloons and flowers as a tribute to Carters life at the Triple C convenience store where he was shot, police said.

The community expressed an outpouring of grief, with one Facebook user calling Carter the god-father of half the entire Norfolk.





Carters son, Dwayne Carter, told WTKR that he and others in the community had a sleepless night after what happened at the Triple C convenience store.

He touched a lot a folks. He fed a lot of folks. He raised a lot of folks, Carter said.

After the shooting, people left balloons and flowers outside the convenience store to honor Carters life.

In a tribute from police, Carter was remembered as a community mentor, father figure and bright beacon of Lindenwood.

One officer said he had never received a call to the Triple C store in 13 years, recognizing the respect shown to a place where everyone was welcomed and no one left without what they needed.

He was a good man and took care (of) generations of people True legend of Norfolk aka Grand Dad of Norfolk, one person wrote on Facebook. I dont understand how you can do that to a man like him that only wanted to help people.





Norfolk is in southeast Virginia, about 20 miles west of Virginia Beach.

Postal worker dies in hit-and-run during busy holiday shipping season, Florida cops say

University employee shot to death by former co-worker on campus, Texas officials say

City councilmans daughter dies in crossfire while driving for Lyft, Georgia cops say

17-year-old barbershop owner killed in shootout outside his business, Georgia cops say
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  An abandoned structure caught fire this morning in South Central El Paso, prompting the response of the El Paso Fire Department.

According to EPFD spokesperson Enrique Duenas-Aguilar, the incident occurred at the 2200 block of Magoffin Ave., and the call came in at 6:41 a.m., where seven units were dispatched to suffocate the fire.

Preliminary investigation states that the AC units on top of the structure were the cause of the incident.

Photo: Miguel Paredes / KTSM

Photo: Miguel Paredes / KTSM

The fire was declared knocked down at 7:11 a.m., and the scene was then turned over to fire marshals.

No injuries have been reported from this incident. This developing story will be updated when more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
An abnormally tiny bear cub is stumping wildlife experts at a park in Arizona.

Buddy the bear cub was rescued from a neighborhood in Tucson, and Bearizona Wildlife Park took the little guy in, according to a Dec. 19 news release posted to the parks social media pages.

Experts assume Buddy is almost a year old, since most cubs are born in January or February, officials said. At 1 year old, the average cub should weigh approximately 70 pounds.

But he only weighs about 15 pounds  about what a 4- or 5-month-old cub should weigh, officials said. Yet hes still relatively healthy.

The math doesnt work, Arizona Game and Fish spokesman Mark Hart said in the release.

Buddys size isnt the only puzzling aspect of the little cubs history, officials said. Hart was also stumped by the mystery of how the bear made its way off the Catalina Mountains if it was orphaned or abandoned.

If it got separated from its mother, regardless of why in the backcountry, how did a bear that small get all of the way off the mountain? he asked. We would have thought that a bear that size would have been picked off by a predator. A coyote, a mountain lion, or even another bear.

Whats more, the cub has no fear of humans, officials said. By this age, it definitely should.

We will never know the whole story, but if someone illegally fed this cub for months, it could explain his comfort around humans, said Dave OConnell, the chief operating officer of the wildlife park. It might also explain why he is so small.

Though the illegal feeding is not ideal, it may have ultimately prevented officials from having to euthanize Buddy because he was so comfortable around people, officials said.

Bearizona staff members are calling the peculiar case a Christmas miracle.

When owner Sean Casey learned the cubs story, he said: Well, it is Christmas time and this cub is abnormally tiny, so I think he might be an elf, officials said. Then, without missing a beat, a staff member suggested naming the cub Buddy after the movie Elf.

Some took to calling him Buddy the Elf Bear in the comments.

Park visitors can meet him in his new quarantine area at the park.

Bearizona Wildlife Park is in Williams, about 175 miles north of Phoenix.

Orphaned bear cub captured, wouldnt have survived without mom, Idaho rescuers say

Half-asleep bears  unable to hibernate  seen walking around in Russia, officials say

This adorable baby bobcat was found all alone twice. Now he has a new home in Oregon
As an obstetrician and gynecologist who has served Arizona for more than 30 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to deliver more than 15,000 babies  each one of them unique from the moment of conception.

I also have the honor of serving the women and families who are bringing these children into this world. Some have typical pregnancies, while others brave difficult situations, whether physical, emotional or financial. Each woman I serve is also unique.

Both deserve real support and real health care.

Arizona's pre-Roe law protects life

Children were given signs with anti-abortion slogans as part of a small gathering of anti-abortion activists following the recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson's Women Health Organization outside the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on June 25, 2022. The court's decision overturns the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling that established the legal right to abortion in the United States.

After the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization (overturning Roe v. Wade), the issue of abortion was returned to the people and their elected representatives.

Fortunately, the people of Arizona have protected life for decades. We codified our pro-life, pre-Roe v. Wade law in 1901, reenacted it in 1977, and reaffirmed it in 2022. This law protects life from the moment of conception.

Even Arizonas law protecting unborn children after 15 weeks gestation (which passed before Roe was overturned) intentionally points out that it does not repeal Arizonas pre-Roe law.

After the Dobbs case was decided, then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich asked the Arizona courts to allow our pre-Roe law to take effect. This request was granted; however, Planned Parenthood of Arizona, an affiliate of the nations largest abortion business, appealed.

Soon after, pro-abortion Attorney General Kris Mayes took office and chose not to defend Arizonas pre-Roe law in the case.

This is what real care looks like

The court appointed me as a representative for unborn children in Arizona. After an appeals court ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, I appealed through my attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom to the Arizona Supreme Court, asking it to uphold the pro-life law.I am committed to respecting human life at every stage and consider it a privilege to help families meet their newest members. It is one of the greatest joys of my life.

Another view: Why abortion law is nearly as bad as 1864 ban

I also serve as the medical director for Choices Pregnancy Centers. We dont refer or provide abortions but instead provide a safe place to talk, explore options, seek medical services, receive resources and hear about the hope available to all of us for a better life.

Thats real care.Dozens of other pregnancy centers across the state are ready to support women  providing free material resources like diapers, baby clothes, cribs and car seats, as well as parenting classes and other programs.

Women deserve better than abortion

Most women who have had abortions say that they would have chosen life if they had more support, according to research by the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Many women reported that their abortions were unwanted or coerced, or that they felt high levels of pressure to abort.

These women deserve better than abortion.

Women deserve the dignity and respect that comes from receiving life-affirming health care  not the abortion industrys false choice between doing whats best for the mother and protecting the life of her child.

Its plain and simple: Abortion is not health care.

While abortion businesses and other states are pushing for policies that force taxpayers to fund elective abortions, remove conscience protections for health care professionals, allow abortions through all nine months of pregnancy, and allow minors to obtain abortions without parental consent, Arizonas law affirms that life is a human right.

I hope the court upholds this principle.

Unborn children and their families need real health care, not abortion.Dr. Eric Hazelrigg is medical director for Choices Pregnancy Centers. Reach him at dr.ehazelrigg@gmail com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Abortion is not health care. Arizona women deserve better
A retired Vanderbilt University professor and allegedly one of Harvard President Claudine Gay's plagiarism victims has called for the immediate firing of the embattled higher education leader to "steer the university back towards sanity."

"Fire Claudine Gay posthaste," Dr. Carol Swain posted Thursday on X, as part of a social media post titled "some free unsolicited advice for Harvard University."

"She can be relieved of duties until the terms are negotiated."

Swain, a senior fellow at the Institute for Faith, said that the Ivy League university must hire the best man or woman for the job who can "steer the university back towards sanity."

BILLIONAIRE HARVARD DONOR PULLS BACK DONATIONS OVER PRESIDENT'S ANTISEMITISM TESTIMONY

"Hire the best man or woman who can steer the university back towards sanity," Swain continued. "Appeasing the Marxist identity politics mob should not be a consideration. The person for the job might be a middle to older age white Jewish man who believes in classical liberalism."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

CONGRESS EXPANDS SCOPE OF HARVARD INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF PRESIDENT'S PLAGIARISM

Last week, Swain called for Gay to step down after Harvard officials chose to stand by their leader despite a probe finding "instances of inadequate citation."

On Thursday, Swain also recommended that Harvard University have a "sit down conversation" with the academics who Gay plagiarized from and apologize to alumni, students, parents and donors who have "been harmed and embarrassed" by Gay's behavior.

"Have a sit down conversation with the people who have been harmed by the plagiarism of Gay and the system that protects her. Rcognize that Harvards systematic racism and classism have far reaching effects," Swain said. "Apologize to alumni, students, parents, and donors who have been harmed and embarrassed."

Claudine Gay, president of Harvard University, speaks during a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5.

Gay, who recently made headlines for refusing to say whether genocide of Jews was against Harvard policy during a congressional hearing, was accused of plagiarism on Dec. 12.

STUDENTS REJECTING EARLY HARVARD ACCEPTANCE AS ANTISEMITISM RUNS RAMPANT

The Washington Free Beacon reported that in four papers published between 1993 and 2017, including her doctoral dissertation, Gay "paraphrased or quoted nearly 20 authors  including two of her colleagues in Harvard Universitys department of government  without proper attribution," according to an analysis by the investigative news site.

Since the initial reports of plagiarism, the Washington Free Beacon reported that Harvard "received a complaint outlining over 40 allegations of plagiarism" against Gay on Tuesday.

Dr. Claudine Gay, president of Harvard University, left, testifies before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5.

A former Democrat, Swain has long stood out in academia as outspokenly conservative on many issues. She served on President Donald Trump's "1776 Commission," a response to the controversial "1619 Project" about slavery and the history of the U.S.

Harvard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fox News' Brian Flood, Nikolas Lanum and David Rutz contributed to this report.





Original article source: Academic whom Claudine Gay plagiarized calls for Harvard leader's firing: Need to get 'back towards sanity'
On a hazy December morning, with temperatures in the mid-30s, four outreach workers knocked on the doors and windows of multiple RVs and cars on the streets of Boise. They had coffee and breakfast to offer the people living there.

The workers were from CATCH, or Charitable Assistance to Communitys Homeless, a nonprofit that works to house people experiencing homelessness in Ada and Canyon counties. As many working Idahoans are priced out of the rental housing market in the Boise area, some pockets of the city are becoming areas that outreach workers frequent, especially on cold winter days.

I see a big part of our job as making connections with people, said Connor OHora, outreach program specialist for CATCH and one of the four. A lot of that relationship-building is finding out a little bit about whats important to people and what their challenges are out here.

He watched as two other outreach workers knocked on one car door near the CATCH office on Americana Boulevard, not far from the Interfaith Sanctuary homeless shelter and the Corpus Christi House day shelter.

Theyre just gonna knock, theyre gonna say hello and theyre gonna offer what they can, OHora said.

The four outreach workers are consistently outside, OHora said. CATCH says the outreach team contacts an average of 117 people each month. There are over 1,300 homeless households in the Treasure Valley.

Being out in this weather is dangerous

In recent years, the Boise area has seen extreme temperatures in the winter and summer. The area saw the coldest March day in the city since 1993 and near-historic levels of 100-degree days earlier this year.

Such temperatures are dangerous for people living on the streets, OHora said.

A lot of our population are individuals who have pretty serious medical conditions, and we have a really aging population, so those are all factors that make being out in this weather really dangerous, he said.

Several places offering daytime warming space during cold weather. They are the Idaho Harm Reduction Project, Treasure Valley YMCA, Boise Public Library, Cathedral of the Rockies and Corpus Christi House.

Interfaith Sanctuary and the Boise Rescue Mission shelter provide daytime warming spaces too. They have increased their capacity for more people this year.

The Boise Public Library is also an important warming and programming resource for unhoused people, OHora said. Outreach workers visit different Boise libraries each week to assist homeless people there.

...Our facilities welcome those who are in search of warmth and need to escape the winter elements, said Ashley Hammond, mental health coordinator for the Boise Public Library, in a news release.

Its very slow going building rapport

But not everyone on the streets takes advantage of the warming shelters. That is why CATCH workers spend so much time outside, meeting people where they are, OHora said.

Sometimes outreach workers will spend years talking to someone living in an RV or car before that person is comfortable enough to seek help beyond the food and other small resources the workers provide.

Its very slow going with a large portion of the individuals that we work with, he said.

Many people wont seek shelter at Interfaith or the Rescue Mission. OHora said people with mental health challenges or who are new to homelessness may feel uncomfortable in a shelter.

For people who have had traumatic experiences in or out of shelter, those (places) are not the most inviting environments, and they can be really difficult to be in, OHora said. Factors like that are rarely taken into account, and thats unfortunate.

The CATCH office is located at 503 S. Americana Blvd. It is in the same block as Interfaith Sanctuary and the Corpus Christi House, both offer shelter for homeless Boiseians.

Boise police contact homeless people

OHora drove up to the Boise Bench and circled an area near Irving and Orchard streets where people live in RVs and cars. That Wednesday, there werent many parked along the usual loop. OHora said police often ticket people and tell them to move after business owners or neighbors complain.

There used to be RVs all along here, OHora said, as he pulled his truck over near Irving Street. Now, OHora said, Boise police are more attentive to that area and to ticketing the vehicles.

I think a lot of how homelessness is dealt with is very complaint-based, OHora said. And so the squeaky wheel gets greased.

Before 2018, Boise police were ticketing homeless people for sleeping on the streets, even if there was no other place for them to go. In 2018, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Boise could not prosecute people for sleeping on the streets if they dont have a place to stay. That amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, the court said.

Today, Boise police try to address the needs of each homeless person before addressing camping as a criminal issue, said Hayley Williams, spokesperson for Boise police. Sometimes officers encounter people living in their cars or camping on the street in their normal patrol duties, and other times they are called by community members, she said.

Whenever BPD comes into contact with someone sleeping outside or in a vehicle, they will give them information about local resources, offer to drive them places, and make sure they know all of their options, Williams said in an email.

If officers come across a location where someone used to be sleeping or find a vehicle that is abandoned or illegally parked but shows signs that someone might be living there, officers will leave information explaining how long the occupants have to move those belongings as well as local resources like CATCH.

According to the Boise police policy and procedures manual, officers cant ticket homeless people for camping if there is no space in the citys homeless shelters.

If an individual cannot utilize available space because the space does not allow for or is not suitable to meet the individuals disability needs, or the individual has exceeded the maximum allowable stay, then the space cannot be considered available, the manual reads. However, if the individual cannot utilize the space due to voluntary actions such as intoxication, drug use or unruly behavior, the space shall still be considered available.

How to help

Two days a week, CATCH opens its office for walk-ins by people can seeking help.

Weve tried to focus on being as accessible as possible, OHora said.

The homeless outreach team at CATCH accepts donations of winter items like warm socks, gloves, hats, scarves, hand warmers, sleeping bags, waterproof coats, and long johns. Donors can bring items to CATCHs Boise office at 503 S. Americana Blvd. during regular business hours.

You can also donate money to CATCH through its website, catchidaho.org/donate.

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